RTHK: State of emergency extended in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's acting president renewed the country's state of emergency on Monday ahead of a parliamentary vote to pick a new head of state, a poll in which he is a leading candidate.

Ranil Wickremesinghe automatically became acting president when Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned last week after fleeing to Singapore.

A state of emergency allows troops to arrest and detain suspects, and the president to make regulations overriding existing laws to deal with any unrest.

One was already in place, but parliament had not met to ratify the declaration as required, and Wickremesinghe extended it from Monday "in the interests of public security", he said.

Police and the military have already stepped up security ahead of Wednesday's vote to elect a president for the remainder of Rajapaksa's term, which ends in November 2024.

Wickremesinghe, a six-time former prime minister, is being backed for the position by Rajapaksa's party, which remains the largest in the legislature.

The ex-president was forced to flee when tens of thousands of protesters stormed his official residence after months of demonstrations across the country demanding his resignation over the country's economic crisis.

The nation's 22 million people have been enduring severe shortages of essentials since late last year after the country ran out of foreign exchange to finance even the most vital imports.

Sri Lanka defaulted on its US$51 billion foreign debt in mid-April and is in talks with the IMF for a possible bailout. (AFP)

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The Daily Beast

Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/GettyIn a recent interview with Russian state media outlet TASS, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministrys North American Department, Aleksandr Darichev, said that in the event the U.S. designates Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, it would represent a point of no return in relations between the two countries. Speaking on behalf of the country that ruthlessly invaded its smaller neighbor and is continually being accused of human right
Iran is technically capable of making a nuclear bomb but has not decided whether to build one, a senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Qatar's al Jazeera TV on Sunday.

Kamal Kharrazi spoke a day after U.S. President Joe Biden ended his four-day trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia, vowing to stop Iran from "acquiring a nuclear weapon."

Kharrazi's comments were a rare suggestion that Iran might have an interest in nuclear weapons, which it has long denied seeking.

"In a few days we were able to enrich uranium up to 60% and we can easily produce 90% enriched uranium ... Iran has the technical means to produce a nuclear bomb but there has been no decision by Iran to build one," Kharrazi said.

UN: IRAN REMOVING 27 SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AT NUCLEAR SITES

Iran is already enriching to up to 60%, far above a cap of 3.67% under Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Uranium enriched to 90% is suitable for a nuclear bomb.

In 2018, former U.S. President Donald Trump ditched the nuclear pact, under which Iran curbed its uranium enrichment work, a potential pathway to nuclear weapons, in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

In reaction to Washington's withdrawal and its reimposition of harsh sanctions, Tehran started violating the pact's nuclear restrictions.

Last year, Iran's intelligence minister said Western pressure could push Tehran to seek nuclear weapons, the development of which Khamenei banned in a fatwa, or religious decree, in the early 2000s.

Iran says it is refining uranium only for civilian energy uses, and has said its breaches of the international deal are reversible if the United States lifts sanctions and rejoins the agreement.

The broad outline of a revived deal was essentially agreed in March after 11 months of indirect talks between Tehran and Biden's administration in Vienna.

But talks then broke down over obstacles including Tehran's demand that Washington should give guarantees that no U.S. president will abandon the deal, the same way Trump did.

Story continues

Biden cannot promise this because the nuclear deal is a non-binding political understanding, not a legally-binding treaty.

"The United States has not provided guarantees on preserving the nuclear deal and this ruins the possibility of any agreement," Kharrazi said.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 16: President Joe Biden takes reporters questions on the south lawn of the White House on July 16, 2022, in Washington, DC. Talks then broke down over obstacles including Tehran's demand that Washington should give guarantees that no U.S. president will abandon the deal, the same way Trump did.Biden cannot promise this because the nuclear deal is a non-binding political understanding, not a legally-binding treaty. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

WHITE HOUSE ACCUSES IRAN OF GIFTING SEVERAL HUNDRED DRONES TO RUSSIA

Israel, which Iran does not recognize, has threatened to attack Iranian nuclear sites if diplomacy fails to contain Tehrans nuclear ambitions.

Kharrazi said Iran would never negotiate its ballistic missile program and regional policy, as demanded by the West and its allies in the Middle East.

"Any targeting of our security from neighboring countries will be met with direct response to these countries and Israel."
By Byungwook Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) - The South Korean government on Monday called on striking workers at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) to end their month-long siege of a dock at the company's biggest shipyard, which has paralysed production and is delaying delivery of new vessels.

Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho called the occupation "outright illegal" and pledged a "stern response based on law and order."

The shipyard near the city of Geoje, off the country's south coast, is one of the world's largest. Some 100 subcontract workers of DSME went on strike and took over the shipyard's main dock on around June 22, demanding a 30% pay raise amid signs of a rebound in business as orders flooded in amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

The seige has delayed the delivery of a very-large crude-oil carrier (VLCC) and halted the construction and the launch of three other VLCCs, the South Korean government and DSME said on Monday.

DSME says that as well as occupying the dock, the workers have destroyed equipment there. On Monday the company, which swung into the red in 2021 and before that required state aid, said it was losing 26 billion won ($19.80 million) a day due to the strike resulting in an accumulated loss of about 570 billion won as of July 14.

The strike threatens the livelihood of some 100,000 DSME workers and the company's partners, DSME said.

"The illegal occupation ... is an irresponsible action that jeopardises the trust the South Korean shipbuilding industry has built," Finance Minister Choo said at a news conference, without elaborating on what response might be taken.

The siege comes as orders are flooding in as European countries rush to ramp up liquified natural gas (LNG) imports to replace Russian gas supplies in the wake of the Ukraine crisis.

South Korea is the world's largest shipbuilder and won 71% of global LNG carrier orders in the first half of this year, data from British shipping services provider Clarkson Plc showed.

Story continues

The strike poses a financial threat for DSME as it tries to recover from debt with the help of public funds. DSME has received more than 7 trillion won ($5.33 billion) in state aid since 2015 after its debt surged due to the 2008 global financial crisis.

DSME said it had won orders for 18 liquified natural gas (LNG) carriers this year. It reported an operating loss of 470 billion won for January-March this year, more than doubling a 213 billion won loss a year earlier.

($1 = 1,312.9100 won)

(Reporting by Byungwook Kim; Editing by Susan Fenton)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan will discuss the export of Ukrainian grain at their meeting in Tehran on Tuesday, a Kremlin aide has told reporters.

Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations are expected to sign a deal later this week aimed at resuming the shipping of grain from Ukraine across the Black Sea, which has been all but choked off by Russia's decision last February to send its armed forces into Ukraine.

Putin and Erdogan will also be joined by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Tuesday, to discuss the crisis in Syria, where all have military involvement.

"The issue of Ukrainian grain shipment will be discussed with Erdogan ... We are ready to continue work on this track," Yuriy Ushakov, foreign policy adviser to Putin, said on Monday.

Ukraine's Black Sea ports, until now the main conduit for its agricultural exports, have been blocked since Russia began what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Ukraine and Russia are both major suppliers of wheat to global markets. Russia is also a large fertilizer exporter, while Ukraine is also a significant producer and exporter of corn and sunflower oil.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Each week, well offer insights into new businesses, developments and closings in the area. And well answer your questions about whats happening in a vacant store or empty lot. Email us at wpotter@theadvertiser.com.

Waitr has started delivering CBD products in some Texas markets with plans to expand into other markets in the near future, the Lafayette-based company announced last week.

The company, which is in the process of rebranding as ASAP, reached agreements with multiple CBD dispensaries to deliver products like oils, topicals, gummies, candies and capsules, it said in a release.

We are committed to our ongoing efforts to expand our business model of delivering anything to our customers, said Carl Grimstad, chairman and CEO of Waitr. With our proprietary technology, we have the specialized platform to facilitate the sale and delivery of CBD products.

Waitr has been moving into the cannabis delivery space for more than a year as it has looked at diversifying its delivery options. In recent days, Waitr has formed partnerships with various businesses to deliver clothing, sporting goods, flowers, auto parts and luxury goods, among others.

The company also started the process of rebranding as ASAP, which is the result of a legal settlement with the California-based Waiter.com. Waitr has said the ASAP brand will better reflect the company's goal to "deliver anything."

Waitr news: Waitr begins transition to ASAP, expands to deliver luxury items, auto parts and alcohol

Our Lady of Lourdes announces leadership change

Kathy Healy-Collier, the Acadiana market president for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and the head of the Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, is no longer with the organization, according to a short statement released Wednesday.

In the four-sentence release , the organization said Healy-Collier "has concluded her tenure with the organization." The statement did not say why Healy-Collier, who started in February 2021, is no longer with the organization.

Story continues

"We appreciate her contributions, especially in preserving the care and safety for patients and team members as Our Lady of Lourdes responded to the global pandemic," the organization said in the statement.

Our Lady of Lourdes Chief Operating Officer Donna Landry will be the interim Acadiana market president.

More: Our Lady of Lourdes announces Healy-Collier out as Acadiana market president

Lafayette Baskin Robbins under new ownership

The Baskin Robbins at 4807 Johnston Street now has a mother-daughter ownership team running the show.

Lindsay Horn and Patricia Ohlmeyer, along with their family, bought the Baskin Robbins on May 10.

Baskin Robbins has been a staple in Lafayette since 1985,  Horn said in a release. Every day at Baskin Robbins, I see friends that I or my family know that are excited about us owning Baskin Robbins. Its great to see the loyalty the community has for Baskin Robbins.

Reve Coffee included in coffee and art subscription box

Curate Coffee and Art  a subscription box service that sends consumers coffee roasts and art  is including Reve Coffee in its curated boxes, the business said in a release.

The service ships nationally twice a month, with each box including a premium coffee and an art print. The service is $25 per month.

Lafayette's Reve is one of a few Louisiana-based coffees that can be included in the boxes, alongside Mammoth Coffee in New Orleans and LUMA Coffee Roasters in Hammond.

CBD dispensary opens in Downtown Lafayette

Pippi's Purpose, an Abbeville-based CBD dispensary, cut the ribbon on its new Downtown Lafayette location on Tuesday with plans to offer a variety of CBD products and grocery items in a bodega-style setting.

The shop, located at 201 E. Main Street, is directly across from the new Lofts at the Municipal apartment complex. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

"For us to be able to step into this scene is a tremendous milestone for us," said the store's owner, Casey White, who is known as "Pippi."

Downtown news: CBD dispensary Pippi's Purpose opens in Downtown Lafayette

Lafayette Starbucks begins to unionize

A Lafayette Starbucks has become the second in the state to file a petition to unionize, according to documents from the National Labor Relations Board.

Employees from the Starbucks at 4300 Ambassador Caffery Parkway filed the petition July 8. The petition says the union would include all full-time and regular part-time baristas and shift managers. Other workers  store managers, office workers, security guards, professional employees and supervisors  would not be included.

Business news: Lafayette Starbucks becomes second Louisiana store taking steps to join union

ASH Industries investing $5 million in Lafayette Parish facility

ASH Industries, a manufacturing company that produces specialized products ranging from surgical devices to laser light show components, will invest $5 million in its Lafayette Parish facility, the governor's office announced Wednesday.

Hundreds of new jobs could be coming to the Lafayette area as a result.

The expansion will create 85 new jobs with an average annual salary of $40,600 while retaining 67 jobs. The project will also result in 120 indirect jobs, Louisiana Economic Development estimated, resulting in 205 new jobs for the Acadiana region.

More: Hundreds of jobs coming to Lafayette after manufacturing facility expansion

ASH Industries is optimistic about the future of manufacturing in Louisiana and so far has launched phase one of a three-phase program to invest in jobs in our community, company President Hartie Spence said.

Contact reporter William Taylor Potter with tips or questions at wpotter@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter at @wmtaylorpotter.

CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support journalists like William Taylor Potter

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Waitr begins cannabis delivery in Texas. Is Louisiana next : Business Buzz:
LAFAYETTE, La.  A Louisiana judge could rule on Tuesday on whether he will extend a temporary order blocking the state from enforcing its trigger law that outlaws almost all abortions following a hearing Monday in the 19th Judicial Courthouse.

Baton Rouge Judge Don Johnson gave both sides until 10 a.m. Tuesday to present final findings from the hearing. His temporary restraining order will remain in place until at least then.

That allows the states three abortion clinics in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport to remain open for now.

"The law is clear," said Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is defending Louisiana's trigger law, following Monday's hearing. "Ultimately we will win."

But attorneys representing Hope Medical Group in Shreveport argued the state's trigger law is unconstitutionally vague, meaning "ordinary citizens" can't understand the law and its exceptions.

West Virginia: Judge blocks pre-Roe v. Wade ban, allowing abortions to resume in state

Dr. Anthony Fauci: Top infectious disease expert likely to retire by end of Biden's current term

Protesters gathered on June 24, 2022, in Lafayette, La., to oppose the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe. v Wade.

Attorney Joanna Wright also said doctors don't understand the law and presented affidavits from physicians saying doctors are afraid to provide sometimes life-sustaining care for pregnant women with medically futile pregnancies and miscarriages, for example.

But Attorney John Balhoff, who works for the attorney general, dismissed those arguments, saying the trigger law "goes to extraordinary lengths to define the terms."

About 20 demonstrators protesting Louisiana's trigger law outlawing most abortions protested outside the 19th Judicial Courthouse in Baton Rouge on July 18, 2022.

Fact check: Claim about AR-15s, abortion fails to account for 1994 assault weapons ban

In the spotlight: State supreme court races have new significance with redistricting, abortion

"They seem to interpret my tweets better than they interpret the law," said Landry, who again invited those who didn't like the law to move out of state.

Louisiana's 2006 trigger law, updated by Democratic state Sen. Katrina Jackson's bill this summer, was designed to take effect immediately following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing legal abortions.

Story continues

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry conducts a press conference on July 18, 2022 outside of the 19th Judicial Courthouse in Baton Rouge following a hearing of the state's abortion ban.

It outlaws virtually all abortions with an exception for saving the life of the mother, but no exceptions for rape or incest.

Louisiana's updated trigger law carries criminal penalties of up to 15 years for doctors who perform abortions but exempts pregnant women from prosecution.

The Louisiana Supreme Court is expected to have the final say over whether the states trigger law is too vague as those challenging it argue whether the law should take effect.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana trigger law banning abortion remains on hold, awaiting judge
SheKnows

Who should be allowed in a pregnant couples OBGYN sessions? Thats the question a future dad is asking Reddits AITA forum after his MIL decided that she would like to join in. According to the Reddit user, she has always been controlling over her daughter. His MIL has never been happy with the fact that []
Diamond Hill Capital, an investment management firm, published its Diamond Hill International Fund first-quarter 2022 investor letter  a copy of which can be downloaded here. During a volatile quarter, the portfolio held up better than the Morningstar Global Markets ex-US Index by a decent margin. After a strong rebound in 2021, the fund expects the global GDP growth to moderate in 2022. Try to take some time looking at the funds top 5 holdings to be informed about their best picks for 2022.

In its Q1 2022 investor letter, Diamond Hill International Fund mentioned Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP) and explained its insights for the company. Founded in 1995, Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP) is a Lima, Peru-based financial company with a $9.1 billion market capitalization. Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP) delivered a -5.77% return since the beginning of the year, while its 12-month returns are down by -3.17%. The stock closed at $115.03 per share on July 14, 2022.

Here is what Diamond Hill International Fund Concentrated Fund has to say about Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP) in its Q1 2022 investor letter:

"Credicorp shares outperformed on continued fundamental improvements, better-than-expected FY2022 guidance, positive sentiments on rising rates and higher commodities prices globally, of which Peru is a beneficiary."

Investments, Finance

Investments, Finance

Our calculations show that Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP) fell short and didnt make it on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP) was in 20 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the first quarter of 2022, compared to 17 funds in the previous quarter. Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP) delivered a -20.56% return in the past 3 months.

In August 2021, we published an article that includes Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP) in the 5 Best 52-Week Low Stocks to Buy Now. You can find other investor letters from hedge funds and prominent investors on our hedge fund investor letters 2022 Q1 page.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Seattle police detectives are investigating after a man was killed in a shooting at a Seattle encampment on Sunday night.

The shooting happened near North 96th Street and Aurora Avenue North shortly before 10 p.m.

Police and firefighters arrived to find a 38-year-old man with a gunshot wound. Police said he was declared dead after lifesaving measures failed.

Homicide detectives are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.

More news from KIRO 7

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WJAX

A man is facing a slew of charges after police say he extorted multiple victims for nude photographs, and sexual acts from at least one victim. JSO said in a news release it began investigating possible network intrusion in June and found that an unknown suspect was extorting a young female victim by leading her to believe her electronic devices/cloud accounts had been compromised. Police said Pinto Florez claimed to multiple victims that he had nude photos of them in his possession and he would release them publicly if more photos were not given to him.
A Massachusetts man has been charged with the murder of a Maine woman.

Jason Servil, 19, was arrested in connection with the death of 20-year-old Alice Abbott, of Skowhegan.

Maine State Police say a man from Madison, Maine reported an assault on Canaan Road around 5:39 a.m. Saturday. That man had been staying with Abbott at her parents house and was found with a head injury, according to police.

He was taken to Reddington-Fairview General Hospital, where he was treated and released. Arriving officers also found Abbott dead on the property.

Servil, an acquaintance of Abbotts, was arrested around 3:20 p.m. that afternoon and charged with murder, Maine State Police say.

Police are working to determine where Servil is from in Massachusetts.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The Hill

Former President Trump is bracing for one of his biggest political wins since leaving the White House: ousting Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). Cheney, one of the few House Republicans who voted last year to impeach Trump, appears headed for defeat on Tuesday when she faces off against a Trump-backed rival, attorney Harriet Hageman, in one
Karwai Tang/WireImage

Royalist is The Daily Beasts newsletter for all things royal and royal family. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Sunday.

The Daily Beast has frequently heard from Prince Harrys old friends of their amazement at his transformation from posh, politically incorrect party boy into woke Los Angeles social-justice warrior. Indeed, The Daily Beast understands that vanishingly few of Harrys old pals are still in regular contact with him, such is the order of the metamorphosis.

Now, author Tom Bower, in the latest extract from his new book on Harry and Meghan, Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors, details one of the first incidences in which Harrys old and new worlds collided, and the astonished reaction of his old friends to his unlikely new girlfriend.

Bower alleges, in an extract excerpted in The Times of London, that not long after the couple went public with their romance, Harry invited Meghan to meet 16 of his best friends and their wives and girlfriends for a shooting weekend at Sandringham, the queens lavish country estate in Norfolk. Bower writes that the group, disproportionately heavy on land-owning Old Etonians, were bonded by common assumptions, principles, and loyalties.

Harry settled down for a weekend of banter, jokesand a lot of drinking.

Meghan was not amused.

Bower writes: He had not anticipated Meghans reaction. Their jokes involving sexism, feminism, and transgender people ricocheted around the living rooms and dining rooms. Without hesitation, Meghan challenged every guest whose conversation contravened her values. According to some of Harrys friends, again and again she reprimanded them about the slightest inappropriate nuance. Nobody was exempt. Harrys world would not be her world.

Bower says that after the party, the group sent each other amazed texts: OMG what about HER? said one, Harry must be fucking nuts.

A similar conflict between Harrys old and new worlds was witnessed when the couple attended the wedding, in Jamaica, of one of Harrys oldest friends, Tom Skippy Inskip.

Story continues

Meghan, once again, did not hit it off with the wider group, which included parents of his old friends. Bower says, Not only did she quibble about the food, but behaved princessy, refusing to engage with Harrys friends, some said. She wasnt interested in us, said one mother.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
Vaccination lineup

A conservative columnist is being taken to task for a stigmatizing tweet about monkeypox vaccines.

Bethany S. Mandel, who has spoken out against COVID-19 mask mandates and other public health measures, tweeted Monday about people lined up for the MPV vaccine in Brooklyn, N.Y., saying the virus is transmitted only by sex with strangers.

Thats not true. The following is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The virus can spread from person-to-person through: direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids; respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex; touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids; pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta. At least one Twitter user shared that information in response to Mandels tweet.

The current outbreak, which has resulted in 1,814 confirmed U.S. cases by the CDCs latest count, has been concentrated among men who have sex with men, but public health authorities have stressed that MPV does not discriminate.

Infectious disease knows no boundaries, Dr. Raj Panjabi, senior director for global health security at the White House, told The Advocate recently, noting that there should be no stigma attached to the virus.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the CDCs Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, made a similar point in an Advocate interview. Unfortunately, the virus hit the social network of gay men first, but it will not stay confined to gay men if it spreads, he said. Anyone can get it, and anyone can get monkeypox through skin contact with sores, touching objects, and by respiratory. The virus does not discriminate and doesnt care how or whose body it enters.

Story continues

Mandel, who has written for Salt Lake Citys Deseret News and other publications, received some support on Twitter (with a smattering of homophobic comments), but other users pointed out the problems with her tweet.

Follow More Advocate News on Pride Today Below
A provision tucked into the House version of 2023s defense budget bill could require the Navy to serve up Beyond Burgers or Gardein at a number of forward bases.

The amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2023 would create a pilot program by March 2023 to offer plant-based protein options at at least two Navy forward operating bases.

The secretary of the Navy would identify at least two forward Navy installations for the pilot effort and would be directed to prioritize bases where livestock-based protein options may be costly to obtain or store, the amendment states.

It mentions specifically Joint Region Marianas, Guam; Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean; and U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, as examples of such bases.

Marine-style barbecue? Marines add foraging class to The Basic School

The program would run for three years, according to the language. After that period, the secretary of the Navy would submit a report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees including the following data:

The consumption rate of plant-based protein options by sailors at bases in the pilot program.

Effective criteria to increase vegan meat offerings at other Navy bases.

And a comparative analysis of the costs to buy, store and serve the plant-based protein versus those for regular meat.

The amendment was introduced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat who worked at the State Department, Central Intelligence Agency and Department of Defense before her election to Congress in 2019.

It reprises a separate resolution Slotkin introduced in 2021, which clarifies that troops at bases participating in the pilot would still have access to animal products and the vegan options would merely be an additional offering.

The language and structure of the study also focus on the cost of shipping and preserving meat at remote or far-flung bases.

Nonetheless, some house Republicans are decrying the proposal as an example of the liberal agenda infiltrating military matters.

Story continues

Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican who initially voted against the 2022 defense budget bill due to what she described as liberal woke garbage within it, offered an amendment to strike Slotkins vegan meat proposal. That move was first reported by the Association of the U.S. Navy.

Texas Republican Chip Roy called out the vegan meat proposal in 2021s defense bill, including it in a Twitter thread explaining why he, too, voted against it.

A woke military that drafts our daughters, wastes resources on Green New Deal garbage, holds no one accountable for Afghanistan disaster, and prioritizes playing leftist politics over destroying our enemies, he wrote in the thread. Rep. Roy voted no.

The Defense Department, however, has more reason to pursue cost-saving measures at chow halls now than it did before.

On Wednesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that inflation had reached a 40-year peak of 9.1% over the past year. While rising energy prices are a major factor driving the climbing costs, meat prices have gone up faster and further than other food staples, climbing more than 15% year over year.

In places like Guam and Diego Garcia, where many grocery staples are imported, food costs on perishable items have long been high. A pound of chicken in Guam costs an average of $9 right now; a gallon of milk goes for more than $11.

To hear the vegan lobby tell it, troops have been clamoring for more plant-based options for a while.

Activist group Mercy for Animals found that 81% of the 226 troops they surveyed wanted more access to plant-based foods, including vegan Meals, Ready to Eat, even though only 3.5% of respondents said they were vegan. And while thats hardly scientific, the Air Force has found enough interest in vegan protein options that it has begun offering them, even without a congressional mandate.

In 2019, the service announced a partnership with hamburger chain BurgerFi that would bring the popular vegan Beyond Burger to food courts on bases; individual installations, such as Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, also have taken steps to add vegan options at military chow halls.

The Coast Guard has leaned into vegan offerings at facilities including Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, Virginia, earning accolades from PETA for its efforts.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks with reporters in the Senate Carriageway of the U.S. Capitol Building on Thursday in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)

Gov. Gavin Newsom is moving into position to possibly run for president, regardless of what he says or tells himself.

He may not be plotting a White House bid. Or he may be. He insists hes not. But you can bet theres at least a subconscious pull to the Oval Office. Its the nature of the political beast.

Its difficult for any governor of the biggest state with more people than Canada to look in the mirror in the morning and not see a president staring back at you, says Democratic consultant Garry South, the chief strategist for former Gov. Gray Davis.

But I think people are misreading what hes doing, South continues. Hes royally pissed off and doesnt think Democrats have been aggressive enough fighting back against Republican culture warriors.

Hes decided somebody has to step up to the plate. And hes totally right.

OK, thats what Newsom has been repeatedly saying in interviews.

But practically every California governor since World War II has dreamed of the White House.

Gov. Earl Warren was the Republican vice presidential candidate in 1948.

Democratic Gov. Pat Brown had his sights on the vice presidency but was passed over.

Gov. Ronald Reagan ran for president the first chance he got  his second year in office. He finally won after two more attempts.

Democrat Jerry Brown also ran in his sophomore year and again a second time as governor  then a third time while out of office.

Republican Gov. George Deukmejian was rare. He didnt want any part of a White House bid and turned down a vice presidential overture.

But Republican Gov. Pete Wilson ran briefly in 1995 and it ended in disaster. Throat surgery rendered him virtually speechless on the stump.

Democrat Davis probably would have run in 2004 if he hadnt been recalled as governor the year before.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger would have loved to run for president but was ineligible because he wasnt a natural-born citizen.

Jerry Brown probably would have run a fourth time in 2016 but figured he was too old. He was 78  one year younger than President Biden is now.

Story continues

That brings us back to Newsom. Whats he up to? Has he been bit by the Potomac Bug?

Presidential speculation  the lifeblood of White House wannabes  was further fueled when Newsom ran television ads in Florida on July 4 denouncing the Sunshine States conservative social policies and plugging liberal Californias.

Freedom, it's under attack in your state, Newsom asserted in the ad. Republican leaders, theyre banning books, making it harder to vote, restricting speech in classrooms, even criminalizing women and doctors.

He urged Floridians to join the fight or join us in California, where we still believe in Freedom.

He spent only $105,000 on the ad  a pittance in political money and ran it on conservative-watched Fox News stations.

I personally think it looks tacky for the governor of one state to poke a finger in the eye of another across the country. Newsom seems to be going out of his way to pick a fight with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential GOP presidential contender. But thats apparently old school thinking that doesnt fit modern polarized politics.

Great, South says of the ad. Get in their face.

Biden, bless his heart, is generally doing a good job. But hes too marinated in that Senate club mentality he was part of for 36 years. He cannot transform himself into a gut puncher. Hes still stuck in that Washington, D.C., Dear friend and colleague [lingo]. Those are not the times in which were living.

Newsoms move was smart politically. He looked bold and energetic to Democratic progressives. Many are longing for a national leader in the culture wars, especially to fight for abortion rights and gun control.

And, importantly, Newsom got on the national media radar.

He spent $100,000 and got a billion dollars worth of publicity, says Democratic consultant Steve Maviglio.

Then he went to the [nations] capital when the president was overseas. A brilliant strategy to get tongues wagging for 24. Why else would he do it?

Newsoms answer: Hes sick and tired of California getting bashed 24/7 by the right wing. Im not going to just sit back and watch, the governor told Times reporter Taryn Luna before heading to Washington, D.C., last week.

What I cant accept is being absent in this national debate when democracy is quite literally in peril.

A Newsom insider, who asked not to be identified, said the governor is just having fun  kind of like an athlete playing loose. No pressure. Hes disgusted that no one has been taking people on.

But hes getting national attention as a potential presidential candidate  not as a cultural war combatant. For a politician to sustain national leadership, he must be seen as someone who could potentially set national policy. A governor cant do that.

Newsom insists he has subzero interest in running for president. He has wisely said hed never contest Biden. If Biden didnt run, Vice President Kamala Harris would be the early Democratic front-runner. Newsom also has said he wouldnt challenge his fellow Californian.

But if Harris ran and bombed, as she did in 2020, would Newsom capitalize on the opportunity and leap into the void? Politics is about luck and timing.

If Newsom sees a president in the mirror  and of course he does  he should be moving into position to run. And thats what hes doing.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Soo-hyang Choi

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea is on the path to "finally defuse" a crisis stemming from its first acknowledged outbreak of COVID-19, the state news agency said on Monday, while Asian neighbours battle a fresh wave of infections driven by Omicron subvariants.

The North says 99.98% of its 4.77 million fever patients since late April have fully recovered, but due to an apparent lack of testing, it has not released any figures of those that proved positive.

"The anti-epidemic campaign is improved to finally defuse the crisis completely," KCNA said. It added that the North had reported 310 more people with fever symptoms.

The World Health Organization has cast doubts on North Korea's claims, saying last month it believed the situation was getting worse, not better, amid an absence of independent data.

The North's declaration could be a prelude to restoring trade long hampered by the pandemic, one analyst said.

"Under the current trend, North Korea could announce in less than a month that its COVID crisis is over and that could be a prelude to resuming cross-border trade," said Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Sejong Institute's North Korea studies centre in South Korea.

Analysts say the authoritarian North has used the pandemic to tighten already strict social controls. Pyongyang blamed its outbreak on "alien things" near its border with the South, urging its people to avoid anything that comes from outside.

Daily new cases of fever in North Korea reported by KCNA have been declining since the reclusive country first acknowledged in mid-May that it was battling an outbreak of COVID-19.

Lacking a public vaccination effort, the North said it was running intensive medical checks nationwide, with daily PCR tests on water collected in borderline areas among the measures.

The North also said it has been developing new methods to better detect the virus and its variants, as well as other infectious diseases, such as monkeypox.

Story continues

North Korea's claim of "anti-epidemic stability" comes as other Asian countries grapple with a new wave of infections. China reported 691 new cases for Saturday with locally transmitted infections at a peak since May 23.

In the neighbouring South, daily COVID infections jumped on Tuesday above 40,000 for the first time in two months, with authorities and experts predicting hundreds of thousands of new cases in coming weeks.

Japan also warned that a new wave of infections appeared to be spreading rapidly, as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for special care ahead of school summer vacations.

Tokyo's 16,878 new cases on Wednesday were the highest since February, while the nationwide tally rose above 90,000, in a recent surge of infections to levels unseen since early this year.

(Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
An investigation is underway into an officer involved shooting in Highland County early Sunday.

According to a statement from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Richard Jean Poulin, 58, of Hillsboro, was shot and killed by a Highland County deputy sheriff after a police pursuit ended near 5760 U.S. 62.

A traffic stop came before the pursuit, Ohio BCI said. The agency's statement does not say where it started or how long it lasted, or whether Poulin was armed.

The Highland County Sheriff's Office requested Ohio BCI to investigate the shooting.

Both Ohio BCI and the Highland County Sheriff's Office declined to provide the deputy's name.

Sunday's incident in Highland County marks the third officer-involved shooting in Southwest Ohio in the past week.

A Clearcreek Township sergeant shot a man when she and another officer responded to a domestic violence call last Tuesday. Before he died, the man also shot the other Clearcreek officer who was on scene that night.

Additionally, an escaped River City Correctional Center inmate was shot and killed by a Warren County SWAT officer following a standoff at a Mason Hotel in the early hours of last Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Highland County deputy sheriff involved in shooting of Hillsboro man
Zelenska gave an interview to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera

(Deciding to be) a pacifist when a killer with a gun is rushing at you would be the last decision in your life, Zelenska said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera published on July 15.

Just imagine that the Russian invaders have broken into your country, magical Milan or Naples, she said.

Read also: Olena Zelenska talks about her life in wartime

(Imagine) that they have occupied the outskirts of Rome, killed the inhabitants of the suburbs. Their missiles hit Bologna residential buildings every day. And then lifeless children are taken out from there. And at this moment someone says: Lay down your arms, do not resist! Try to talk to someone who has just killed your parents with a bomb or planted a mine in your children's school.

Zelenska also compared Russia to a rapist and said that Ukraine was fighting not only for its country, but also for peace in all of Europe.

Corriere della Sera

Im sorry, but to me it sounds like come on, dont resist during the rape or try to talk to your rapist, she said.

You must understand one important thing: the invader, like the rapist, will never stop if you succumb to him. He will go further. And who knows if he wont reach you? I wouldnt want that. By stopping the invasion now, the Ukrainians are stopping it not only in relation to themselves, but also in relation to Europe.

Corriere della Sera

Ukraines First Lady also touched on the topic of her family, admitting that she misses her husband, just like their children.

What do I miss the most? It will be obvious, but I miss my husband, she said.

Corriere della Sera

Read also: Olena Zelenska thanked European countries for helping Ukrainian women

Reliability is his main quality, when he is next to me, Im not afraid of anything. I dont know what is the most difficult thing about being together: lifewith Volodymyr has always been easy for me. Our children are tired. They definitely miss their father. They rarely see him, albeit a little more often than before, at the beginning (of invasion). For the rest, they miss their friends and school. And, like everyone else, they have no peace.

Story continues

Zelenska said all happiness had been left in her past life.

But I know exactly when Ill be completely happy again, and I think you understand what I mean, she said.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
City of Uvalde Police Department/Reuters

More than an hour before law-enforcement officials finally confronted Salvador Ramos, a Texas SWAT team chief urged officers to storm the classroom he was in, newly released body-camera footage shows.

Uvalde officials published the footage on Sunday evening as part of a sweeping report detailing the police response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School that killed 19 children and two teachers.

The footage came from a device on Sgt. Eduardo Canales, whose SWAT team walked down the schools hallway just minutes after Ramos entered.

According to the Austin-American Statesman, Canales entered the occupied fourth-grade classroom three minutes after Ramos himself, only to be briefly deterred by gunfire. The footage shows Canales warning his team to Watch that door before Ramos shoots four times, at which point the officer and others run from the gunfire. Canales touches his head and asks if he is bleeding; footage later shows that an ear wound bloodied his hands.

Less than one minute after Ramos shot at him, Canales implored the officers to face the gunman again, the footage shows.

Dude, weve got to get in there, he is heard saying. Weve got to get in there, he just keeps shooting. Weve got to get in there.

376 Cops: New Report Shows Absurd Scale of Police Mistakes at Uvalde Shooting

Canales urgency, however, went unheeded. Another officer said that the Texas Department of Public Safety is sending their people to deal with the deadly situation.

Law-enforcement officials waited an agonizing 73 minutes before eventually confronting Ramos, all while students were calling 911 from cellphones to report that their classmates were dying.

Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw later said that the on-site commander, Uvalde school district police chief Pete Arredondo, mistakenly treated the situation as a barricade incident that required back-up rather than an active shooting.

City officials originally hesitated to release the bodycam footage of seven Uvalde police officers, though Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin advocated for its publication given Sundays report, which included video from the hallway outside the classroom.

Story continues

With the release of the school districts hallway video, we believe these body-camera videos provide further, necessary context, McLaughlin wrote in a statement.

The 82 minutes of hallway footage showed dozens of officers, many heavily armed and donning body armor, loitering in the hallway as Ramos remained barricaded inside the classroom. Some officers fist-bumped. Another ambled over to a hand sanitizer dispenser, biding his time by cleaning his fingers.

All the Worst Moments From the 82 Minutes of Leaked Uvalde Footage

Sundays report found that law enforcements tactical response was deeply flawed and defined by multiple systemic failures. Though the report concluded that a different police responseperhaps one that more closely mirrored Canales early suggestionswould not have saved most of the victims, it is plausible that some victims would have survived if they had not had to wait.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
An auto industry manufacturer is permanently shuttering its Rowan County site, northeast of Charlotte, leaving over 80 people without jobs, according to a recent filing with the state Commerce Department.

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) filing received Thursday by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Hitachi Metals North Carolina in China Grove specializes in manufacturing ceramic ferrite magnets for the automotive industry, according to the companys Facebook page.

The 81 layoffs are effective Sept. 30 through Dec. 31, CEO and President Toru Koizumi said in the report.

The employees  listed in the report as grinding operators to inspection roles and office, maintenance to press  will be paid wages and benefits through their termination date. There are no unionized workers at the China Grove site.

The report did not say why the plant is closing. Hitachi North Carolina company officials did not immediately respond to a request comment Monday.

Hitachi Metals, based in Tokyo, Japan, has operated in China Grove for 31 years, according to Rowan Economic Development Corp.s website.

Hitachi Ltds consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, totaled $78.6 billion, with 871 consolidated subsidiaries and about 350,000 employees worldwide.

Hitachi has nine manufacturing plants and subsidiaries in the U.S., including Conway, S.C., according to the companys website.
Former Vice President Mike Pence is once again heading to New Hampshire, this time for an appearance at the states storied Politics and Eggs forum, the latest move stirring speculation of a potential 2024 White House bid.

Pence is set to appear at the event on Aug. 17. While the Politics and Eggs series  a joint initiative between the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College and The New England Council  features a wide array of elected officials and political figures, its also a common stop for current and prospective presidential hopefuls looking to grow their footprint in the Granite State.

For Pence, in particular, the appearance in New Hampshire will mark only his latest stop in a busy political tour.

Hes already traveled to Iowa, the first-in-the-nation presidential caucus state, and New Hampshire, which holds the first presidential primaries.

Hes also given a series of high-profile speeches across the country and is set to address the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., later this month, just one day before former President Trump returns to the nations capital for the first time since leaving the White House.

Unlike many would-be Republican presidential contenders, Pence has been less shy about his ambitions. Hes declined to rule out a run for the White House, even if Trump decides to mount another campaign of his own. And hes maintained a more aggressive public schedule than most prospective candidates.

Pences maneuvering threatens to put him in direct competition with his former boss, who has made clear that the 2024 GOP nomination should be his for the taking if he decides to run again.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
UPDATE July 18: Pittsburgh police said September Haston has been found safe.

Initial coverage:

Pittsburgh police are searching for a missing 13-year-old girl.

September Haston was last seen Saturday in Point State Park. She was wearing a gray T-shirt and jean shorts.

Haston is 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. She has black cornrow-style hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call 412-323-7141.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Local doctor killed in Pine Township crash; status of second victim unknown Texas school shooting: Report on Uvalde shooting details systemic failures 1 person taken to hospital, shot in both legs in Pittsburghs Brighton Heights neighborhood VIDEO: Smoke, water damage affect multiple families after fire in North Versailles DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Nikki and Brett Cross are still in disbelief after 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia was among the 19 children and two adults who were killed in the May 24 massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. He was their nephew who lived with them, and they considered him to be their son.

On Sunday, Texas lawmakers released a report that found "systematic failures and egregious poor decision making" contributed to the failures in the Uvalde shooting response.

The Crosses told CBS News' Lilia Luciano that they feel that failures highlighted in the report contributed to the death of Uziyah.

"The police failed us. The school system failed us. Those failures costed our son his life," Brett Cross said.

Multiple police body camera and school security camera footage from the shooting was released following the report. Brett Cross said watching the footage was the "worst thing" he has seen in his entire life.

"We shouldn't have had to have 21 funerals. We should have been having a parade for the fallen heroes that took care of our babies," he said.

Uziyah Garcia's cross stands at a memorial site for the victims killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, May 27, 2022. / Credit: Dario Lopez-Mills / AP

After reading some of the nearly 80-page report highlighting inaction and confusion by an armed force of almost 400 responding officers, the Crosses are calling for accountability.

"I'm glad that it's coming out so that we can see all the failures, but I don't know if it's going to help because nobody is taking accountability," Brett Cross said.

Nikki Cross tearfully recounted how Uziyah wanted to become a police officer before he was killed.

"He wanted to be the one thing that failed him," she said.

To honor Uziyah, the Crosses made a memorial at home built with some of his favorite things, including a water bottle that was returned to them by the school and had markings of the shooting.

Uziyah's water bottle was returned to the Crosses after the shooting.

"I don't think we ever get out of the feeling that this could just be a bad dream that we're having and that tomorrow I'm going to wake up and it's not going to be true," Nikki Cross said.

Moment residents in Greece watch Ukrainian plane plummet and explode

Big wave crashes wedding reception in Hawaii

Elderly woman killed by two alligators after falling into Florida pond
STORY: More than 30 people were killed and 100 injured in tribal clashes that started last week between the Hausa and Fung tribes in the southeastern state, close to the border with Ethiopia, according to Sudanese officials and the United Nations.

Authorities said on Sunday they would reinforce the security presence in the state and investigate the clashes. A curfew has been declared in two towns.

Protesters in the capital carried signs reading "Stop Civil War," "Blue Nile is Bleeding," and "Cancel the Juba Peace Agreement," as they marched towards the presidential palace.

There have been sporadic outbreaks of violence in several parts of Sudan including eastern coastal regions and western Darfur, despite a nationwide peace deal signed by some rebel groups in Juba in 2020.

The anti-military movement, which has carried out a campaign of protests since a coup in October 2021, has accused the military of stoking internal conflict and failing to protect civilians.

Military leaders have said their takeover was necessary to preserve Sudan's stability amid political infighting, and that they are working to build on the peace deal in Darfur and other regions.
A three-member panel made up of senior Miami police officers has recommended demoting  and potentially firing  a veteran cop who has accumulated dozens of citizen complaints and whos been a thorn in the side of the department brass for several years.

The determination by the agencys Disciplinary Recommendation Panel also conflicts with a pair of Internal Affairs findings in 2021 that cleared Miami Police Capt. Javier Ortiz of any wrongdoing in two incidents: his actions after he pulled over the driver of a car and another time when he turned in overtime sheets for his work.

The review board was put in place by Miami Police Chief Manny Morales earlier this year. The group reviews and passes along recommendations on any discipline that does not have a specific penalty tied to it. The rotating panels current members are police Maj. Chiquita Thomas, Maj. Daniel Garrido and Cmdr. Winsor Lazano.

Ortiz attorney Rick Diaz bashed the findings, likening the group to a kangaroo court.

Its like the end justifies the means. Were going to put a panel together to get the result that we want, Diaz said. It violates all the norms and senses of double jeopardy.

The panels findings, which came less than three months after Morales reassigned the commander who oversaw the Internal Affairs investigations that had cleared Ortiz, now go to the captains division chief for further recommendation. Ortiz then has the opportunity to tell his story and request a hearing before the citys Disciplinary Review Panel, which passes recommendations on to the chief for a final decision.

Though Miami Police Chief Manny Morales said he needs more information before deciding the fate of a controversial suspended cop, a recently created disciplinary panel he formed recommended last week that Capt. Javier Ortiz be demoted or fired for his actions in two instances. In both cases, internal reviews absolved the captain of any wrongdoing.

But firing a cop  even one with the baggage carried by Ortiz, who has been at the center of a string of controversies and investigations  is far from a sure thing with all the protections afforded officers. Fired cops can request a hearing before an outside arbiter, and the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights allows officers to gather information, even a list of witnesses, ahead of interviews. The U.S. Supreme Courts judicially created doctrine of qualified immunity also relieves police and cities from most financial liabilities resulting from an on-duty incident.

Story continues

Ortiz has been on paid suspension since Morales replaced fired Police Chief Art Acevedo last fall. The former big-name Houston chief came to town on a reform wave with promises to take a hard look into the controversial officer but surprised many by keeping him in uniform, even embracing him. Ortiz has been on paid leave since Morales was named chief.

Morales refused to comment directly on the findings, saying he needs to see all the facts, before ultimately determining if Ortiz should be punished or let go.

The first incident the panel addressed was in July 2021, when Ortiz on a city police motorcycle and stopped the driver of a BMW near downtown Miami. According to the Internal Affairs report, Ortiz pulled the vehicle over for driving recklessly. When the driver repeatedly refused orders to produce papers and get out of the vehicle, Ortiz threatened to Taser him, then took him to the ground and handcuffed him.

Though IA chose not to sustain an allegation of improper procedure, the three-member disciplinary panel recommended Ortiz be demoted because he didnt tell the driver to move his vehicle to a safer location.

Internal Affairs also exonerated Ortiz on an improper allegation charge for working an excessive number of hours. Investigators determined the captain turned in his time sheet to the supervisor he was told to. But the three-member disciplinary panel took issue with the finding and said Ortiz should have turned it in to his direct supervisor at the time, then-deputy chief Manny Morales.

For not doing so, they recommended not only a demotion, but termination. Diaz took issue with both findings.

Recently, six police officers from MPD [Miami Police Department] were given a suspension of hours for being involved in an unauthorized police pursuit that resulted in a death. If parking on a ramp is more serious than the death of a person, you have to question who is making decisions at MPD, said Diaz. As for the overtime allegations made by Commissioner [Joe] Carollo, the police department completely exonerated Capt. Ortiz, stating he followed all policies and it was authorized work.

The panels findings were first reported by Miami New Times.

Ortiz, a former three-term police union president who is not averse to using social media as a weapon, has been on the firing line in Miami for years. Last year, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement released a two-year state and federal investigation into the captain that was filled with allegations of police brutality that dated back more than a decade. The captain was not criminally charged, however, mostly because of statute of limitation laws. After the report was made public, Ortiz demanded his job back.

The FDLE report also accused him of cyber-stalking and doxing civilians who question his authority or file complaints against him. It didnt mention a tense exchange in the Miami commission chamber two years ago when Ortiz denied being Hispanic and told the citys lone African-American commissioner that he was Black, then referred to Blacks as Negroes. His statement ignited a firestorm in the Black community and he was later suspended.

Miami Herald staff writer Jay Weaver contributed to this report.
Police are searching for a man they say robbed a McDonough bank dressed like an old woman Monday afternoon.

Police said that a man wearing a floral dress, a white wig and orange latex gloves walked into a Chase bank on Jonesboro road and presented a note demanding money.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The man told the teller that he had a gun.

The teller handed over a sum of cash, and the man left the bank and sped away in a small, newer-model white SUV with no tag. Police said the vehicle may have been a Lexus.

TRENDING STORIES:

The robber was described as a Black man who was approximately six feet tall. He was wearing a black mask or neck gaiter.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Det. W. Poss at 470-878-1091, by email at wposs@mcdonoughga.org or call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477 to remain anonymous.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Police are searching for a missing Wakefield man that was last seen on Saturday morning.

Wakefield Police say 38-year-old Robert Cardavelli was spotted walking away from his home on Richardson Avenue on July 16 around 2:00 a.m.

He is 60, 130 pounds with a short brown buzz cut. He was last seen wearing a green and white Celtics tank top, green boots and dark pants. Authorities say Cardavelli has medical conditions and is currently off his medications.

According to police, Cardavelli said he was going to Florida, but he doesnt have a car and travels on foot.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Wakefield Police.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW




WESTMINSTER  Local law enforcement officials are urging parents to monitor their childrens activity on social media. The announcement comes after police made several arrests of adult men attempting to meet up with what they thought were children after meeting them on online dating websites.

We commonly hear about how Westminster is a nice town, and that sort of thing couldnt happen here, but the reality is that the same kinds of things happen in Westminster as in the bigger cities, its just on a smaller scale, said Police Chief Ralph LeBlanc. We want people to be alert because these kinds of predators are willing to visit our small town.

On July 6, Westminster police arrested 32-year-old Kevin Brady of Fitchburg and charged him with enticing a child under 16 years of age, according to LeBlanc. Investigators had received information from a third party that indicated Brady had made arrangements to meet with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old boy at a location in Westminster. The information provided to police showed that Brady had used social media dating apps to meet the individual he thought to be a minor.

The anonymity provided by the internet has made it easier for online predators to engage with potential victims, LeBlanc said. The best way for parents to protect their kids, he added, is to educate themselves about the dangers possibly lurking on the web.

Having conversations with their children and their teenagers about what theyre doing online and what kinds of apps theyre using is a good way to get an understanding of the issue, he explained. And then they should Google those apps to find out if its just a game or maybe something more dangerous.

LeBlanc said there is no good reason for a child to have adult dating apps, such as Tinder, Bumble or Grindr, on their devices.

Parents should also be on the lookout for sudden changes in their childs behavior, LeBlanc said, especially if the child seems to be more secretive than usual.

Story continues

Are they hiding their devices when adults walk into the room because they dont want anyone to see what they might be doing? he said. Thats definitely a sign to look out for.

LeBlanc added that parents should strongly discourage their child from accepting friend requests from strangers.

If (a child) is on social media, they shouldnt be conversing with someone they dont know in person, he explained, adding that many predators pose as teenagers online  complete with a profile photo of a teen  in an effort to gain trust with youngsters.

The Brady arrest marks the third time since May that Westminster police have charged area men with attempting to meet up with underage boys, LeBlanc said.

Michael Ciulla of Fitchburg was arrested on April 25, and on May 2, Westminster law enforcement officials applied for an arrest warrant for Raymond Chesborough of Gardner, who was charged with enticing a child and sending obscene material to a minor. Chesborough was arrested by Gardner police on the warrant.

All three of the suspects had used online dating apps to meet up with someone they believed to be a teenage boy for the purpose of having sex, LeBlanc said.

In April, Robert Gary McGorty of Winchendon was arrested after police said he had been caught actively attempting to entice a child under 16 years of age to meet him for a sexual encounter. Investigators said they had been provided with text messages and video evidence that show McGorty had attempted to arrange a meeting with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old male.

Winchendon Chief of Police David Walsh said his department has not received any additional reports of similar activity in the community since the McGorty arrest.

"We have the normal internet scams and thefts where people are attempting to get (personal) information, but as far as juveniles being targeted, I can't say I've seen any type of increase in that," Walsh said.

But it is still important for parents to remain vigilant about what their children are doing on social media sites, Walsh added.

Westminster police and the FBI conducted an investigation six years ago into a 23-year-old resident who was alleged to have exploited approximately 150 boys by posing as a teenage girl on the internet and convincing the boys to send him nude photos and videos. Curtis Simoneau was arrested in 2017 and pleaded guilty to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography. Simoneau was sentenced to 17 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release, and he was required to register as a sex offender.

LeBlanc recommended that concerned parents consult the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website Home (missingkids.org) and NetSmartz Home (missingkids.org) for more information about ways to keep their child safe while online.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Police caution parents after recent arrests of accused child predators
He warned of a global assault on democracy and freedom (AP)

Prince Harry has criticised the rolling back of constitutional rights in the United States in a keynote address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday.

The Duke of Sussex, 37, was watched by wife Meghan Markle as he made a thinly-veiled critique of the US Supreme Courts decision to end abortion rights during a speech marking Nelson Mandela International Day.

The few weaponising lies and disinformation at the expense of the many, Harry said.

And from the horrific war in Ukraine to the rolling back of constitutional rights in the US we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom the cause of Mandelas life.

Developing story: more to come
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Prince Harry took an extraordinary swipe at his adopted homeland Monday, suggesting the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was part of a global assault on democracy and freedom.

Prince Harry was speaking at the United Nations to mark Mandela Day, the annual celebration of Nelson Mandelas life and work.

In a prepared speech, Harry criticized the few who he said, were weaponizing lies and disinformation at the expense of the many, before adding, And from the horrific war in Ukraine to the rolling back of constitutional rights here in the United States, we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom, the cause of Nelson Mandelas life.

The criticism of the Supreme Court will likely be seen by his critics as deeply inappropriate given that, despite having retired from official royal work in favor of commercial career, he has not surrendered his place as sixth in line to the throne. (The monarchy has to remain strictly neutral with respect to political matters.) He is also a Counsellor of State, meaning he can help deputize for the queen in the event of her incapacity.

Harry, who seemed nervous, also spoke extensively about climate change, saying: As we sit here today our world is on fire, again.

Harry spoke at 11 a.m. local time in New York, and was photographed arriving earlier with his wife, Meghan. He wore a dark suit and tie and Meghan was dressed in sombre black with her hair tied back.

The Sussexes are currently at the @UN #NelsonMandelaDay2022 commemoration in NYC, where Prince Harry will (in 20 minutes) deliver a keynote address. Duchess Meghan has joined him in a supportive role and the couple will later today join meetings with UN ambassadors. pic.twitter.com/wmDQHdXqid  Omid Scobie (@scobie) July 18, 2022

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The former operator of the Cangrejeros de Santurce baseball team has filed an antitrust lawsuit against the Puerto Rican winter league, alleging it colluded with Puerto Rico Mayor Miguel Romero to remove him from the franchise.

Cangrejeros investor/operator Tom Axon was suspended for two years and fined $5,000 by the league in March after he criticized Romero for poor conditions at the team's Hiram Bithorn Stadium and threatened to move the club to Humacao.

Axon's lawsuit, filed in federal district court in Puerto Rico on Monday, demands that control of the franchise be returned to Axon's companies along with triple damages from Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico Inc., operators of the league's other teams and Impulse Sports Entertainment Corporation, which assumed control of the Cangrejeros after Axon was removed.

I am bringing this litigation because of my passion for Puerto Rican baseball and my desire to restore the Cangrejeros franchise and all of Puerto Rican baseball to its former glory, for the benefit of players, fans and the entire community," Axon said in a statement. "No sports business is above the law.

Axon claims he offered to invest $2 million in repairs for Hiram Bithorn Stadium but said his efforts were opposed by the league and Romero.

Romero said at a news conference this month introducing Impulse Sports and Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee as the Cangrejeros' operators that the team would remain at Hiram Bithorn Stadium and that upgrades were being made at the facility.

The Cangrejeros have employed some of the best players in baseball history, including Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, Frank Robinson, Reggie Jackson, Robin Yount and Satchel Paige.

The league did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
By Guy Faulconbridge and Parisa Hafezi

LONDON/DUBAI (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin had talks with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran on Tuesday, the Kremlin leader's first trip outside the former Soviet Union since Moscow's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

In Tehran, Putin also held his first face-to-face meeting since the invasion with a NATO leader, Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan, to discuss a deal that would resume Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports as well as the conflict in northern Syria.

Putin's trip, coming just days after U.S. President Joe Biden visited Israel and Saudi Arabia, sends a strong message to the West about Moscow's plans to forge closer strategic ties with Iran, China and India in the face of Western sanctions.

Khamenei called for long-term cooperation between Iran and Russia, telling Putin that the two countries needed to stay vigilant against "Western deception", Iran's state TV reported.

He said Putin had ensured Russia "maintained its independence" from the United States and that countries should start using their own national currencies when trading goods.

"The U.S. dollar should be gradually taken off global trade, and this can be done gradually," Khamenei said during the meeting, in a spartan white room with an Iranian flag and a portrait of late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini.

Despite the suffering endured by ordinary people in war, Khamenei said Moscow had little alternative in Ukraine. "If you had not taken the initiative, the other side (West) would have caused a war on its own initiative," he told Putin.

Washington said Putin's trip to Tehran showed how isolated Russia had become in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

UNDER SANCTIONS

For Iran, also chafing under Western economic sanctions and at loggerheads with the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme and a range of other issues, Putin's visit is timely.

Story continues

The Islamic Republic's clerical leaders are keen to strengthen strategic relations with Russia against an emerging, U.S.-backed Gulf Arab-Israeli bloc that could shift the Middle East balance of power further away from Iran.

Emboldened by high oil prices since the Ukraine war, Iran is betting that with Russia's support it could pressure Washington to offer concessions for the revival of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

However, Russia's increased tilt towards Beijing in recent months has significantly reduced Iranian crude exports to China - a key source of income for Tehran since then-U.S. President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions in 2018.

In May, Reuters reported that Iran's crude exports to China had fallen sharply as Beijing favoured heavily discounted Russian barrels, leaving almost 40 million barrels of Iranian oil stored on tankers at sea in Asia and seeking buyers.

Ahead of Putin's arrival, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and Russian gas producer Gazprom signed a memorandum of understanding worth around $40 billion.

SYRIA, UKRAINE

Putin, Erdogan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also weighed efforts to reduce violence in Syria, where Turkey has threatened to launch more military operations to extend 30-km (20-mile) deep "safe zones" along the border. Moscow and Tehran oppose any such action by Turkey.

"Maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria is very important, and any military attack in northern Syria will definitely harm Turkey, Syria and the entire region, and benefit terrorists," Khamenei told Erdogan before the three-way meeting.

Russia and Iran are Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's strongest backers, while Turkey supports anti-Assad insurgents.

Any Turkish operation in Syria would attack the Kurdish YPG militia, a key part of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that controls large parts of north Syria and is regarded by Washington as an important ally against Islamic State militants.

"It is impossible to expect Turkey to remain inactive, unresponsive, as this terrorist organisation continues its separatist agenda," Erdogan said, referring to the YPG.

"I hear from you, my dear friends, that you understand Turkey's legitimate security concerns. I am thankful for this, but words alone are not a cure for wounds."

Speaking at the end of the talks, Putin said the three presidents agreed to continue consultation on Syria and were committed to maintain efforts to "normalise" the situation there after a decade of conflict.

Putin, who turns 70 this year, has made few foreign trips in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then the Ukraine crisis. His last trip beyond the former Soviet Union was to China in February.

Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations are expected to sign a deal later this week aimed at resuming the shipping of grain from Ukraine across the Black Sea.

"With your mediation we have moved forward," Putin told Erdogan after their bilateral meeting. "Not all the issues have been resolved yet, but the fact that there is movement is already good."

(Additional reporting by Orhan Coskun and Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge, Parisa Hafezi and Dominic Evans; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Rosalba O'Brien)
Following the arrest of 27-year-old Gerson Fuentes in connection with accusations of rape and impregnation of a 10-year-old girl, a variety of questions have been asked surrounding the investigation and the case.

The girl's pregnancy and its termination, which happened after she traveled from Columbus to Indianapolis for the procedure, has become a flashpoint nationally in the debate surrounding abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

First in The Dispatch: Arrest made in rape of Ohio girl that led to Indiana abortion drawing international attention

Fewer Ohio minors getting abortions: 10-year-old who sought abortion was rare case

When were police notified of the case?

According to court records and testimony from Columbus police detective Jeffrey Huhn, Franklin County Children Services made a report to Columbus police June 22, after receiving information from the child's mother.

Children Services workers are mandated reporters, meaning they are obligated under Ohio law to report any suspected child abuse to authorities.

What happened next?

Huhn testified the girl went to Indianapolis and had a consultation June 29. A medical abortion was performed the next day, June 30.

Police obtained genetic material from the Indianapolis clinic July 2, Huhn testified.

Why wasn't Fuentes arrested June 22?

It is unclear at what point detectives first interviewed the 10-year-old girl. Court records show the girl identified Fuentes during a July 6 interview with detectives as the person who impregnated her.

After that interview, Huhn testified, detectives obtained a search warrant for a DNA sample from Fuentes. Police served that warrant July 12, at which point detectives interviewed Fuentes.

Huhn testified, and court records show, Fuentes confessed during that interview to assaulting the 10-year-old girl on at least two occasions.

Police arrested Fuentes on July 12.

Was the arrest made too soon or not soon enough?

In many sexual assault cases where DNA evidence is available, such as in this case, an arrest takes place after DNA testing is complete.

Story continues

Columbus police arrested Fuentes after, they said, he admitted to assaulting the girl, which is enough probable cause to make an arrest. The DNA testing results will be included as evidence, should the case proceed to trial.

How is the DNA testing being done?

Columbus police have their own crime lab and scientists who will test the DNA samples and evidence collected to see if it matches.

While the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation also operates a crime lab for agencies across the state, Columbus primarily uses its own laboratory and is not required to alert BCI when it tests DNA in its own cases.

When did Fuentes come to the United States?

Franklin County Public Defender Clark Torbett said during Wednesday's hearing that Fuentes had been in the country for about seven years, so since about 2015.

Fuentes had been working in a cafe, Torbett said. The address listed on court documents as where Fuentes lived was an apartment on the city's Northwest Side.

Heading across state lines for abortions: Patients head to Indiana for abortion services as other states restrict care

What's next in the case?

A grand jury will review Fuentes' case for potential indictment. An indictment could be filed as early as thist week.

After an indictment, Fuentes would have an arraignment, during which he would formally enter a plea and a future trial date would be set.

Why has the police report not been released?

Under Ohio public records law, police reports generated from a mandatory reporter and involving accusations of child abuse may not be released until the case is finished.

Columbus police formally denied a public records request from The Dispatch  and all other media agencies  under this public records law exemption.

Did the girl have to go to Indiana for an abortion?

In the hours after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, a federal judge lifted an injunction on Ohio's "heartbeat law," which does not allow abortions to take after cardiac activity, often interpreted as a heartbeat, is detected. This typically occurs around six weeks of pregnancy.

Pain, panic, praise at Ohio's clinics: The day that Roe v. Wade fell: Panic, praise at Ohio's abortion clinics

The 10-year-old girl was six weeks, three days pregnant, according to the Indiana doctor who performed the procedure.

Ohio law does not make any exceptions for rape or incest but does allow exceptions for the health of the mother. Because of the girl's age, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said the girl would have fallen under that exception.

For Dispatch subscribers: Do 10-year-olds meet 'life of mother' abortion exemptions? Ohio lawmakers, doctors divided

However, the Indiana doctor told the IndyStar that she received a referral from a doctor in Ohio who felt they could not perform the procedure in the state.

Legislators, lawyers and doctors in Ohio said there are a number of factors to consider in determining whether the health of the mother is at risk. Those factors include the child's overall health, their size and how far they are into puberty.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Update: What we know about 10-year-old Ohio girl's abortion
Rep. Jody Hice has been subpoenaed by a Georgia grand jury probing 2020 election interference.

Hice has echoed former President Donald Trump's false claims of voter fraud.

Hice had the subpoena transferred to a federal court, his office said.

Rep. Jody Hice, a Georgia Republican who has parroted former President Donald Trump's false claims of voter fraud in the state, has been subpoenaed by a Fulton County special grand jury investigating attempts to disrupt Georgia's results in the 2020 presidential election.

His lawyers were able to get the matter transferred to federal court, his spokesperson, Sarah Selip, said in a statement. Hice had been instructed to appear before the grand jury on Tuesday.

"At this time, Mr. Hice is eager to return to Washington, D.C. to fulfill his duties as a member of Congress as the House of Representatives is in session this week," Selip said in the statement.

Hice was among 11 Republicans who attended a White House meeting in December 2020 to strategize on overturning election results on January 6, 2021, the day of the US Capitol insurrection, according to the House January 6 committee. He promoted false claims about voting machines, voted against certifying election results, and has called Trump's impeachment a "sham."

Hice's spokesperson and lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The subpoena is one of several that have been issued to Trump insiders, including his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, his legal advisor John Eastman, and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

The investigation is focusing on efforts by Trump and his allies to pressure officials in Georgia to help overturn President Joe Biden's victory in 2020. Trump called on Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger at the time to "find" more than 11,000 votes for him, and Graham also called Raffensperger to encourage him to question absentee ballots.

Last week, Graham's lawyers argued that he could not be compelled to testify and that he has "absolute immunity" under the US Constitution for phone calls he placed to Raffensperger.

Story continues

Hice was the Trump-endorsed candidate for secretary of state of Georgia against the GOP incumbent, Raffensperger, who ran afoul of Trump by defending the state's election results.

Hice entered the race with a statement accusing Raffensperger of creating "cracks in the integrity of our elections, which I wholeheartedly believe individuals took advantage of in 2020."

Hice lost the GOP primary in that race on May 24.

Earlier this month, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told NBC News that she will likely issue further subpoenas to people in Trump's inner circle, and did not rule out subpoenaing Trump.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Charles Platiau/Reuters

Filmmaker Roman Polanski fled the U.S. on the eve of his 1978 sentencing for having sex with a teenager after it became clear the judge was prepared to renege on a plea bargain, according to unsealed transcripts of testimony by retired Deputy District Attorney Roger Gunson seen by the Associated Press.

The transcript is the first time the murky details of Polanskis shocking escape have been made clear, and are in line with the filmmakers own version of events, in which he says he became a fugitive because he was not getting a fair deal. The judge had promised him on two occasions... something that he reneged on, Gunson said in the transcript. So it wasnt surprising to me that, when he was told he was going to be sent off to state prison... that he could not or would not trust the judge.

Polanskis defense team, led by Harland Braun, is working to have the director sentenced in absentia to end the decades-long battle to bring him back to the U.S. Prosecutors instead want the 88-year-old to return to Los Angeles, where he believes he will be remanded into prison.

Polanski, an Oscar-winning filmmaker who survived the Holocaust and whose wife, Sharon Tate, was murdered by followers of Charles Manson in their California home in 1969, was convicted of having sex with a 13-year-old girl during a photo shoot at Jack Nicholsons home. Polanski plied the young girl with Champagne and a sedative and then raped her. The girls mother later called the police to report the crime. The girl never testified in court, and Polanski agreed to plead guilty to having sex with a minor in exchange for the prosecution dropping drug, rape, and sodomy charges, according to the AP report of the transcript.

Last week a California appeals court ordered the transcript unsealed after the Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon finally dropped objections.

Polanski, 88, won legal battles in France, Switzerland, and Poland, which all refused to extradite him to the U.S. He won an Oscar in 2003 for The Pianist but was later expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences during the height of the #MeToo movement.

Story continues

The victim, Samantha Geimer, has publicly called for the case to be dropped and supports Polanskis wish to be sentenced in absentia. I implore you to consider taking action to finally bring this matter to a close as an act of mercy to myself and my family, she said in 2017, asking the court to lift the 40-year-sentence which has been imposed on the victim of a crime as well as the perpetrator. Geimer later identified herself publicly and wrote a memoir that featured a photo of her taken by Polanski.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
STORY: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: RESENDING VIDEO TO CORRECT DOLLAR CONVERSION OF THE FINE. ORIGINAL DOLLAR FIGURE WAS BASED ON INCORRECT ROUBLE FIGURE REPORTED BY INTERFAX AND THEN QUOTED BY REUTERS.

Russia just fined Google again.

Thats according to the countrys communications watchdog.

On Monday (July 18) it said a court hit the Alphabet unit with a penalty of about $373 million.

Thats over repeated failures to remove content that Moscow deems illegal.

The country has long objected to foreign tech firms distributing content that falls foul of its restrictions.

But the simmering dispute really erupted following the start of conflict in Ukraine.

Late last year Google was fined for failing to block or remove some content.

Its Russian units bank account has since been seized, prompting the subsidiary to file for bankruptcy.

Google hasnt commented on the latest reports.

Back in June Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor said Alphabets YouTube was deliberately spreading false information about Ukraine.

It also accused it of discrediting Russias armed forces.
Russian troops are systematically shelling Kramatorsk

Read also: Russian invading forces hit Kramatorsk killing one and injuring six

A loud morning in Kramatorsk," he said.

Read also: Russians storm Lysychansk, fighting intensifies on Kramatorsk axis  General Staff

"Four strikes at the industrial zone, it seems from the multiple launch rocket systems."

No casualties have been reported yet.

Read also: Russia has up to 15,000 troops in occupied Kherson Oblast, says presidential advisor

After the nearly-complete capture of Luhansk Oblast, the Russian army started shelling populated areas of Donetsk Oblast. The enemy is systematically shelling Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, and other settlements in the region.

Ukraine's General Staff said that the invaders were not abandoning attempts to attack Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.

Read also: Russia has yet to admit to its crimes in the MH17 downing

A television studio belonging to the state-owned Dom TV channel was damaged as a result of a missile attack on Kramatorsk on July 15.

Help NV continue reporting on the Russian invasion

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian servicemen in Melitopol, Ukraine, on June 14, 2022. YURI KADOBNOV/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine said it intercepted a conversation between a Russian soldier and his wife.

In it, he complains about Ukraine's long-range weapons and said of Russia: "They just send us to slaughter."

He said he doesn't have equipment to fight back thanks to Ukraine's long-range weaponry.

Ukrainian authorities published audio they say shows a Russian soldier complaining to his partner that he had been sent "to slaughter" during Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The Security Service of Ukraine shared audio of a conversation between a man and woman on Friday, and said it was a conversation between an "occupier" and his wife.

"Here, you know, they just send us to slaughter. It's not a smart way at all," the man's voice says in the audio. It is not clear where in Ukraine the man was, or when the conversation took place.

He said that as he moves, Ukrainian soldiers are "waiting for you, watching, expecting you. They've adjusted guns to these fucking trenches. You reach there, some point, and they're fucking watching you!"

He said that Ukraine's ability to fire from far away meant he and his fellow soldiers could not respond in kind.

"They just sit drinking coffee and press buttons  and just throw shells on you."

Ukrainian personnel inspect a Russian projectile in a street in Kyiv, February 24, 2022. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

"Where do you shoot? Whom do you shoot? There's fucking no one. Fuck knows. And here you're rushing around like an asshole.

"So many of our tanks have been burned here, so many pieces of equipment, damn it.

"And our fuckheads can't even hit them. They can't fucking locate them. Our fucking brainless brigade. Our army. These fucking asshole commanders . Every day, people die here. Just for fucking nothing."

The woman then responded, saying he needs to fire back with a tank. But he said that the Ukrainians are too far away.

"What the hell. They start firing at you from three to four kilometers away. Where are you going to shoot from a tank?"

The woman then asked: "Don't you have such equipment?"

He responded: "We don't have specialists, damn it," and she replied "Fuck."

Story continues

The turret of a destroyed Russian tank stuck in the ground in Zalissia in the Kyiv region of Ukraine May 3, 2022. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

"No specialists. They fucking fire," the man continues. "They've probably thrown 20 carriages of projectiles into fucking nothing."

The audio shared by Ukraine then ended.

Ukraine's long-range weapons

Ukraine has been intercepting some Russian audio since Russia began its invasion in February. Some Russian soldiers have been using unencrypted communications,

It is not clear what Ukrainian weapons the Russian soldier was describing, but western allies have in recent weeks sent long-range weapons to Ukraine after repeated requests from Kyiv, saying they would greatly aid its fight against Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this month that weapons from Western countries were allowing Ukraine to push back against Russian assaults.

The weapons included High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) missiles sent by the US, which Ukraine said last week was used to kill a Russian general.

A still from CNN showing a US-donated HIMARS system in operation in Ukraine. CNN

The US Department of Defense said HIMARS is "making an impact" in helping Ukraine's military.

Despite Western help, Russia appears to have a bigger weapons supply than Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rescuers are sorting through the rubble of a building in Toretsk destroyed as a result of shelling by Russian invaders

Read also: Russian troops shell Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast, says regional governor

The bodies of five of the dead have been recovered from under the rubble. Three more people were injured in the attack, with one succumbing to their wounds in hospital.

Read also: How large cities in Donetsk region are preparing for an attack by two hostile forces  the Russians and the cold

At the moment, search and rescue work at the structure has been completed.

After the nearly-complete capture of Luhansk Oblast, invading Russian forces switched to shelling the settlements of Donetsk Oblast. The invaders are systematically shelling Slovyansk, Kramatorsk and other cities in the oblast.

Read also: Russia shells Kostyantynivka, Donetsk Oblast

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Russians have not abandoned their attempts to attack Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Reuters) - Russian media worker Marina Ovsyannikova, who staged a protest against the invasion of Ukraine on live state television in March, was briefly detained in Moscow on Sunday, posts on her social media channels showed.

"Marina has been detained," a post on her Telegram channel said, beneath images of two police officers leading her towards a white van.

Shortly after, Ovsyannikova posted images of herself and two dogs on her Facebook page.

"Went for a walk with the dogs, just stepped outside the gate, people in uniform approached me," she wrote. "Now I'm sitting in Krasnoselsky ministry of internal affairs," referring to a police station in a Moscow district.

Three hours later, Ovsyannikova said she had been released. "I'm home. Everything is okay," she wrote on her Facebook page. "But now I know it's always best to bring a suitcase and passport if you go out."

Ovsyannikova gained famed in March after bursting into a studio of Russian state TV, her then employer, to denounce the Ukraine war during a live news bulletin.

She was fined after being found guilty of flouting protest laws.

Her brief detention on Sunday followed July 15 social media posts in which she is seen with a poster calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a murderer and his soldiers fascists. "How many more children must die before you will stop?" the poster read.

German media outlet Welt hired Ovsyannikova as a correspondent in April. She returned to Russia earlier this month, writing on Facebook that she was forced to return to defend her parental rights in court against her husband.

(Reporting by Elaine Monaghan in Bloomington, Indiana; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
WASHINGTON  Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., blamed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for the collapse of a deal with President Joe Biden to nominate a conservative, anti-abortion attorney as a federal judge in Kentucky.

Paul accused McConnell of not consulting him in the effort to have Biden nominate Chad Meredith to fill a U.S. District Court vacancy in Kentucky's Eastern District.

"I support Chad Meredith and supported him when he was considered for a different position. I think he would make a good judge," Paul told USA TODAY in a written statement. "Unfortunately, instead of communicating and lining up support for him, Senator McConnell chose to cut a secret deal with the White House that fell apart."

As a result, Paul said, he did not return Meredith's "blue slip" to the White House, effectively killing the nomination plans.

McConnell's to blame for tanking this because he tried to do it secretly," Paul told Politico Monday.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Monday that Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell did not extend him the courtesy of reaching out about a planned nomination of a conservative attorney for a federal judgeship in Kentucky.

Paul's remarks exposed a rift between Kentucky's two Republican U.S. senators that spoiled a rare opportunity to get a conservative attorney nominated for a lifetime judicial appointment by a Democratic president.

More: Biden abandons plan to nominate anti-abortion, GOP federal judge who McConnell pushed

'He did them a huge favor'

An adviser to McConnell told USA TODAY the two senators worked together on several judicial and federal nominees when President Donald Trump was in office.

But that opportunity doesn't exist when the president is from the opposing party. In those circumstances, the president typically chooses the nominee without the home-state senators' input, said the adviser, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the relationship between the two senators.

Meredith is the type of nominee conservatives would have been overjoyed to see, the adviser said, particularly under a Democratic president and Senate.

Story continues

"I suspect the White House is relieved; I suspect Dick Durbin is relieved; and I suspect that the political people in the Biden team are relieved that Rand Paul blew this up," the McConnell adviser said. "He did them a huge favor."

How the 'blue slip' works

Traditionally, home-state senators return what's known as a "blue slip" to indicate support for federal nominees for district judges.

Republicans abandoned the "blue slip" practice for appeals court judges during the Trump administration but kept it for district court judges. Democrats have kept the same practice.

The White House cited Paul's failure to return Meredith's blue slip on Friday in announcing Biden would not formally nominate Meredith to the bench.

As first reported exclusively by the Louisville Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, a White House official informed Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's office in an email June 23 that it planned to nominate Meredith the next day to a U.S. District Court judgeship in Kentucky's Eastern District.

The next morning, however, the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion. Meredith's intended nomination was never announced or submitted.

More: Exclusive: Email shows Biden was set to nominate anti-abortion GOP judge on day of Supreme Court Roe ruling

Biden's planned nomination triggered a strong backlash from Democrats and progressives furious that Biden would choose a Federalist Society member who has argued against abortion access.

U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., expressed outrage with the pick, saying Biden must have worked a deal with McConnell so he wouldn't hold up future White House nominations.

McConnell told The New York Times "there was no deal" with Biden to trade a Meredith nomination for other considerations in the chamber and called the president's willingness to nominate his favored conservative judge the kind of collegiality senators used to display.

"This was a personal friendship gesture," McConnell added.

McConnell also said he was "very surprised" that Paul expressed his opposition to a Meredith nomination.

How the deal came together

The McConnell adviser said the GOP leader contacted White House chief of staff Ron Klain in early 2022 and asked about a judicial appointment for Meredith.

The president's top aide came back saying they were willing to nominate him to the federal bench.

"People can claim whether it's good or bad, but two guys like Mitch McConnell and Joe Biden  he's as different from us politically as anything in the world  who would just say, 'Yeah, I'll do this,'" the adviser said. "It's a throwback to a different era."

Andrew Bates, deputy White House press secretary, declined to comment on the McConnell adviser's account of events. Klain did not respond to a request to comment.

The adviser said McConnell never offered a deal in return for nominating Meredith, and the White House didn't ask for anything in return. But he said that for Paul to "sabotage this was stunning."

Several Senate Democrats said last week that they would vote against a Meredith nomination, raising the prospects of the presidents own party blocking the pick if he moved forward.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre did not say when responding to a question Monday why Biden planned to nominate Meredith in the first place. She reiterated Pauls opposition and said she wasnt aware of McConnell's claim that the nomination was a personal friendship gesture from Biden.

Contributing: Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY

Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rand Paul blames McConnell for 'tanking' Biden deal for judge
By Nick Carey

LONDON (Reuters) - Solid-state batteries could cut the carbon footprint of electric vehicle (EV) batteries by 29% compared with today's liquid lithium-ion batteries and could reduce it even further using sustainably sourced materials, a campaign group said on Tuesday.

Based on a comparison of one of the most promising solid-state batteries to lithium-ion technology and using sustainable lithium sources, a battery's carbon footprint could be cut by as much as 39%, Transport and Environment (T&E) said.

The European climate group called for incentives to cut the carbon footprint in new EV battery regulations being finalised by the European parliament and European Union member states.

"Electric vehicles are already far better for the planet," T&E's clean vehicles officer Cecilia Mattea said in a statement. "But solid state technology is a step change because their higher energy density means far less materials, and therefore far less emissions, are needed to make them."

Solid-state batteries, which use solid ceramic material instead of liquid electrolytes to carry electric current, could store more energy, charge faster and offer greater safety than liquid lithium-ion batteries.

Carmakers including Ford and BMW are working with suppliers to develop solid-state batteries and they should start appearing in EVs in the second half of this decade.

Solid state batteries require less graphite and cobalt, a metal mostly produced in Democratic Republic of Congo, which has a large informal sector with a legacy of unsafe working practices and child labour.

T&E said new lithium mining methods like geothermal wells emit far less CO2 than more commonly used sources including lithium from hard rock that is mined in Australia and refined in China.

(Reporting by Nick Carey; Editing by Edmund Blair)
By Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin met in Tokyo on Monday with his Japanese counterpart, carrying a message of reconciliation in hopes that the neighbours can overcome historical disputes and repair strained ties.

Relations have been fraught for years over the bitter legacy of Japan's occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Disputes concern issues from wartime forced labour to export controls, but both nations have expressed interest in improving relations.

Park told Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi that he would try to resolve the forced labour issue before a ruling on compensation payments, with both ministers agreeing to find a quick solution, the Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement.

Japanese officials say it is important to improve ties, but have looked to Seoul for proposals to resolve disputes including South Korean court orders to seize assets of Japanese companies accused of not compensating some colonial-era labourers.

South Korea's Supreme Court is expected to make a final decision on liquidating the assets in August or September, and Tokyo has warned of serious repercussions if the orders are enforced.

Park smiled as he bumped elbows at the meeting with Hayashi on his first trip to the Japanese capital since South Korea's new President Yoon Suk-yeol took office in May.

Speaking to reporters in Seoul before flying to Tokyo, Park described his trip as "very meaningful". He said he would tell the Japanese side that Yoon had a strong will to improve South Korea-Japan relations.

The meeting came against the backdrop of efforts by the United States to encourage both its key North Asian allies to mend ties and build co-operation on issues such as North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes and China's growing influence.

The two foreign ministers said they would cooperate further in dealing with North Korea and agreed to accelerate bilateral dialogue in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to Japan's foreign ministry.

Story continues

They "agreed that the course of Japan-South Korea, and Japan-South Korea and U.S. cooperation has never been more critical," it said.

Hayashi and Park agreed to "resolutely respond to further North Korea provocations, while also keeping the door open for dialogue and promoting a flexible and open diplomatic approach," South Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement.

South Korean officials hoped the high-level visit would launch talks to secure a breakthrough in the disputes, despite concerns that the death of former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe could change Japan's policy priorities.

The trip aims at "turning on the tap" for serious talks on issues about forced labour, which stalled under Yoon's predecessor, a senior official handling Japan policy told Reuters last week.

(Reporting by Josh Smith; additional reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
STORY: Wildfires swept across Spain on Monday (July 18) as the Southern European country faced the eighth day of a heatwave.

Much of Europe has been baking in extreme heat that has pushed temperatures over 110 Fahrenheit in some regions.

Soaring temperatures have sparked wildfires across tinder-dry countryside in Spain, as well as neighboring Portugal and France.

In Spains Catalonia region, residents like Onofre Munoz were forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in temporary accommodation.

We know, for example, that our house is completely burned. We also had a van arranged to travel. We bought the van when I retired. And now, it is fully cremated. We have nothing. Our house had quite a few windows, they exploded, and very strong flames came inside. We knew yesterday afternoon because we got some pictures where we saw everything had burned.

On Monday Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the site of a fire in the western Extremadura region.

I want to say that evidently climate change kills. It kills people, kills our ecosystem, the bio-diversity and it also destroys the most precious goods of our society which is affected by these wildfires: homes, businesses, livestock..

Sanchez also paid tribute to a firefighter who had died battling wildfires in the countrys Zamora region.

A second death caused by wildfires was reported on Monday.

Emergency services said a 69-year-old man was found dead in Ferreruela. Local media say he was a farmer.

There have also been more than 510 heat related deaths, according to estimates from the Carlos III Health Institute.

More than 173,000 acres have burnt in Spain so far this year, according to official data.

Making it the worst year of the last decade.

In nearby Portugal, temperatures dropped over the weekend but the countrys Institute of Meteorology warned the risk of wildfires remains very high.

And in France, wildfires have also forced scores of residents to flee their homes.

And the country is bracing for extreme temperatures as the heatwave continues to move north.
STORY: Streets in Colombo remained calm on Monday morning, with traffic and pedestrians out on the streets.

Harendra Gururatna, who volunteers at the main protest sites said the state of emergency and curfews have been declared a few times, but protesters have continued to camp at a protest site near the President's Secretariat.

Auto-rickshaw drivers in days-long fuel queues inched their vehicles towards petrol stations under the watchful eye of armed security.

"it is very difficult these days because we have, I have to keep my vehicle at home and come in the bus only to work," said Rukshan Vijaykulasuriya, who works in an insurance company.

"It (the state of emergency) is going to take us from bad to worse. There is no hope in this country," Catholic priest Father Manu Kumar told Reuters as he was waiting in line for fuel.

Sri Lanka's beleaguered leaders have imposed a state of emergency several times since April, when public protests took hold against the government's handling of a deepening economic crisis and a persistent shortage of essentials.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives and then Singapore last week after hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters came out onto the streets of Colombo a week ago and occupied his official residence and office. The parliament will vote for a new president on Wednesday (July 20).
Steve Bannon goes on trial starting Monday in a Washington, DC, federal court. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

A series of court rulings have severely limited Steve Bannon's defense arguments at trial.

Bannon unsuccessfully pushed to delay the trial and to call House members as witnesses.

Prosecutors see their case as straightforward: Bannon illegally snubbed the House January 6 panel.

Within weeks of charging Steve Bannon with contempt of Congress, federal prosecutors made clear that they saw the case as a relatively simple one.

In a December court filing, prosecutors said they anticipated needing just "one day of testimony" at trial to prove that Bannon criminally defied the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. It read as a bold claim then, but with the trial set to begin Monday with jury selection, the case against Bannon is shaping up to be devastatingly straightforward.

A series of pretrial rulings has left Bannon virtually defenseless, precluding him from presenting a number of arguments his defense lawyers hoped to raise. At a hearing in Washington, DC, last week that eviscerated many of Bannon's planned defenses, US District Court Judge Carl Nichols ruled that his lawyers could not argue that executive privilege excused his refusal to sit for questioning or turn over records to the House January 6 committee.

Video: Scenes from Jan. 6 committee hearings

Nichols, a Trump appointee confirmed in 2019, similarly prevented Bannon's defense team from arguing that his past role as former President Donald Trump's chief White House strategist justified his defiance. The judge also forbade Bannon's lawyers from pointing to internal Justice Department memos describing limits on congressional subpoenas, and he extinguished the onetime Trump advisor's hope of calling House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other lawmakers to testify.

Months earlier, Nichols ruled that Bannon could not argue he decided not to comply with the House committee's subpoena based on the advice of his lawyer.

The combined effect of the rulings prompted Bannon's defense lawyer David Schoen to ask a question in open court Monday: "What's the point of going to trial here if there are no defenses?"

Story continues

Bannon's trial prospects appear grim indeed, legal experts told Insider.

Any chances of skirting conviction likely rested in legal arguments that could have muddied the case for jurors. But, in response to the Justice Department's objections, Nichols has taken those defenses off the table.

"What we used to call this in my day was a slow-motion guilty plea," said Barb McQuade, a University of Michigan law professor and former US attorney in Detroit. "We all know how this is going to end, which is a conviction."

Bannon's lawyer David Schoen, right, during a court hearing recently asked the judge: "What's the point of going to trial here if there are no defenses?" AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Why, then, go to trial?

Bannon pledged to make his prosecution the "misdemeanor from hell" for the Biden administration, but his continued desire to stand trial has potential benefits aside from the ability to hold himself out as a MAGA martyr.

"Based on everything we know about Steve Bannon, it will be a circus, because that's how Steve Bannon rolls," McQuade said.

By proceeding with the trial, Bannon preserves the ability to appeal any guilty verdict, said Jeffrey Bellin, a professor at the William & Mary Law School and former federal prosecutor.

"Even though the judge ruled out the bulk of the defenses, Bannon still has the right to compel the government to prove its case against him at trial. And since there is more going on here than just legal strategy, that is what I would expect," Bellin told Insider.

"By going to trial," he added, "Bannon gets a public platform to fight the charges, and preserves the legal issues, like the applicability of executive privilege, for appeal. The alternative is that he might plead guilty. One problem with that is that guilty pleas often require defendants to agree not to appeal."

Bannon's defense team is already looking ahead to that next step.

Ahead of the scheduled July 18 start of jury selection, his lawyers twice asked for a delay of the trial in light of the publicity surrounding the House January 6 committee's recent string of closely watched hearings. Bannon's lawyers also pointed to his recent offer to testify before the committee, a reversal they attributed to a recent letter from Trump waiving a purported claim of executive privilege.

But prosecutors dismissed the offer as a "last-ditch attempt to avoid accountability," and Nichols declined to push the trial back to at least October. On Thursday, Schoen asked Nichols if he could continue documenting instances of publicity to preserve the issue of the trial's timing for a potential appeal.

Nichols invited that further documentation but said, "I think it's very well-preserved."

Any challenge to a guilty verdict would likely address Nichols's decision to foreclose the argument that Bannon relied in good faith on his lawyer's advice in defying the House committee. Nichols appeared to make the decision reluctantly, writing that he was bound by decades-old precedent from the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.

"If this were a matter of first impression, the Court might be inclined to agree with [Bannon] and allow this evidence in," Nichols wrote.

An appeal from Bannon could present the DC Circuit with an opportunity to revisit that precedent.

Bannon's defense

It is unclear what strategy Bannon's lawyers will wring out of the many rulings that have limited their defense. But Nichols has indicated that one argument remains on the table: Bannon believed that his deadline to respond to the House January 6 committee's subpoena was not firm but "malleable"  or flexible  and "not as hard-and-fast as the government says."

Nichols said Bannon's recent offer to testify, after months of stonewalling the House January 6 committee, could be relevant to that argument. He left open the possibility of Bannon raising his recent discussions about testifying before the committee, in spite of federal prosecutors' arguments that his last-minute offer was irrelevant to the case.

'The crime of default is complete at the time," said assistant US attorney Amanda Vaughn. A defense argument that Bannon saw the deadline as moveable and always intended to comply with the subpoena would be "no different," Vaughn added, from a fraud defendant saying, 'I always intended to pay back the money.'"

"I'm not saying it's a strong argument," Nichols said.

Ahead of trial, defense lawyers said they plan to call as a witness Robert Costello, an attorney who represented Bannon in his dealings with the House January 6 committee. They also said Bannon "will testify," but as with any criminal case, the decision of whether to call the defendant to the stand is likely to come down to the last minute.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, plan to call just two witnesses  an FBI agent and Kristin Amerling, the House January 6 panel's general counsel  with the possibility of calling another committee lawyer to address communications with Bannon about his deposition. FBI agent Stephen Hart is set to testify about statements Bannon and Costello made "regarding the subpoena and the Defendant's default."

Amerling will testify about the House January 6 committee's investigation, its subpoena, and Bannon's decision to not turn over records or sit for questioning last year.

For prosecutors, it is a case as quick and simple as they envisioned last year.

As Vaughn said in court last Monday, "It's about whether he got a subpoena, whether he knew about it, and whether he showed up when he knew he was supposed to be there."





Read the original article on Business Insider
Steve Bannon asked to delay his mid-July trial by at least three months. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Jury selection began Monday in the criminal trial of Steve Bannon on contempt of Congress charges.

Bannon has vowed to go "medieval," but several pre-trial rulings have left him almost defenseless.

Opening arguments and witness testimony are expected to begin Monday.

Wearing two black button-down shirts beneath a matching dark blazer, Steve Bannon strode into a federal courthouse in his signature double-collared style Monday to stand trial on contempt of Congress charges.

Just as his fashion choice defied the July heat in Washington, DC, jury selection commenced in spite of Bannon's last-ditch attempts to delay the trial in light of the publicity surrounding the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack.

Bannon has pledged to make his case the "misdemeanor from hell" for the Biden administration, and as his trial neared, he vowed on his podcast to go "medieval." But Bannon now is virtually defenseless following a string of pre-trial rulings that limited arguments his lawyers had hoped to raise.

The jurors ultimately seated for Bannon's case will hand down the verdict, but a broader cast  including lawyers, an FBI agent, and a veteran of former President Donald Trump's impeachment defense team  will shape the closely-watched proceedings. Here are the key players to watch.

Steve Bannon

Steve Bannon asked to delay his mid-July trial by at least three months. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

A grand jury indicted Steve Bannon in November on a pair of contempt of Congress charges, just weeks after the House voted to recommend that the Justice Department prosecute him over his defiance of the nine-member panel investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

The formal referral came after Bannon blew off October deadlines to respond to a House subpoena seeking records and testimony. In the face of that subpoena, Bannon said his conversations with Trump were covered by executive privilege.

But legal experts noted that, by January 6, 2021, Bannon was years removed from his official role as White House chief strategist in the Trump administration. And even if his conversations with Trump were covered, legal experts said, Bannon would have still needed to appear before the committee and invoke privilege on a question-by-question basis.

Story continues

Ahead of his trial, Bannon reversed course and said he would be willing to testify after all before the House January 6 committee. Bannon attributed his about-face to a recent letter from Trump waiving a purported claim of executive privilege.

Prosecutors dismissed the offer as a "last-ditch attempt to avoid accountability." But Nichols, the judge, has left open the possibility of allowing Bannon to raise his recent offer at trial.

Bannon's legal team said in a court filing that the former Trump advisor "will testify," but as with any criminal trial, the decision of whether to call the defendant to the stand is likely to come down to the last minute. If convicted, Bannon faces a maximum sentence of a year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 on each of the two contempt of Congress charges.

Judge Carl Nichols

US District Court Judge Carl Nichols US District Court for the District of Columbia

A Trump appointee confirmed in 2019, Judge Carl Nichols was randomly assigned to Bannon's prosecution in November.

At first glance, Bannon might have appeared to hit the judge-drawing lottery in having a Trump appointee preside over his case. But Nichols, who already had a record ruling against Trump, quickly dispelled any such notion.

In April, Nichols ruled that Bannon could not argue that he was relying in good faith on his lawyer's advice when he defied the House January 6 committee. The decision removed a central pillar of Bannon's planned trial defense  and it was just the beginning.

As the trial drew near, Nichols repeatedly rejected Bannon's request to delay the proceeding in light of publicity around the House January 6 committee's series of public hearings. Nichols stood by that decision even after Bannon renewed his request last week, pointing to a CNN documentary that aired Sunday and footage the House January 6 panel played earlier in the week of the Trump ally predicting on January 5, 2021, that "all hell will break loose tomorrow."

A onetime Supreme Court clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, Nichols was a partner at the law firm Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr before his confirmation to the federal bench. Nichols previously served in the George W. Bush administration as a top official at the Justice Department, where he argued that the president's close advisors have "absolute immunity" and can ignore congressional subpoenas.

Evan Corcoran, defense lawyer

Evan Corcoran also represents a former Capitol police officer charged in connection with January 6. Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo

In the final year of the Trump administration, Evan Corcoran was nearly recruited to join the Justice Department as the second-ranking official in the US attorney's office in Washington, DC.

Corcoran is now defending Bannon against that same federal prosecutor's office.

A former federal prosecutor, Corcoran joined Bannon's defense team in November. On Monday, he led the Bannon team's questioning of potential jurors, and he has spearheaded some of the defense arguments in pretrial hearings.

But Bannon's case is not the only high-profile prosecution that Corcoran is handling in connection with January 6.

Corcoran is also representing Michael Riley, a longtime Capitol police officer who was indicted on charges that he obstructed the Justice Department's investigation into the January 6 attack by contacting a rioter and encouraging him to remove social media posts placing him at the scene of the violence that day. Riley pleaded not guilty and resigned from the Capitol police force.

David Schoen, defense lawyer

David Schoen, right, defended former President Donald Trump against his second impeachment. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

David Schoen emerged in early 2021 at the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, where he delivered a spirited defense in arguments that were otherwise panned as meandering and ineffective.

At that trial, Schoen argued that the proceeding was unconstitutional because Trump was no longer in office. And he asserted that the trial, which centered on Trump's encouragement of supporters who overtook the Capitol, sought to undermine the former president's First Amendment rights to free speech.

By the end of the year, Schoen emerged once more to defend Bannon against contempt of Congress charges. Schoen has brought his bombastic style as he's pressed, unsuccessfully, to delay the trial and call lawmakers as witnesses.

When a judge last week refused to delay the trial and handed down rulings that limited Bannon's defense, it was Schoen who asked in frustration: "What's the point of going to trial here if there are no defenses?" Bannon's lawyer David Schoen asked at a pre-trial hearing?"

Amanda Vaughn and Molly Gaston, assistant US attorneys

Prosecutors Amanda Vaughn and Molly Gaston have experience in high-profile cases. Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

From the first weeks after Bannon's indictment, federal prosecutors made clear that they saw the case as simple.

"In our view, this is a very straightforward case about whether or not the defendant showed up," assistant US attorney Amanda Vaughn said at a court hearing last year. In court papers, she and another prosecutor said they expected the Justice Department to need just "one day of testimony"to prove Bannon's guilt.

The two prosecutors both bring experience with high-profile cases.

In 2018, Gaston handled the prosecution of former Obama White House counsel Greg Craig, who was found not guilty of misleading the Justice Department about his work for Ukraine while in private practice. The prosecutor spun off of Special Counsel Robert Mueller III's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

Gaston was also among the prosecutors who weighed charges against Andrew McCabe, the onetime acting FBI director, in an investigation that centered on whether he lied to internal investigators about a media leak. In a February 2020 letter to McCabe's defense lawyers, Gaston and another top prosecutor in the US attorney's office said the decision not to bring charges came after "careful consideration."

Vaughn and Gaston are also involved in the prosecution of former Trump advisor Peter Navarro, who was charged in June with contempt of Congress after defying the House January 6 committee. Navarro has pleaded not guilty and is set to stand trial in November.

Robert Costello, lawyer and trial witness for Bannon

Robert Costello, left, represented Bannon in dealings with the House January 6 panel. Win McNamee/Getty Images

After representing Bannon in his dealings with the House January 6 committee, Robert Costello joined his defense team as he faced contempt of Congress charges. Costello has since withdrawn as a lawyer from the case to pave the way for his next role: witness.

Bannon's defense lawyers plan to call Costello to the witness stand to testify about "his interactions with the Select Committee and Mr. Bannon."

It is unclear what trial strategy Bannon's lawyers will wring out of the several rulings limiting his defense. But Costello is likely to address to what extent he and Bannon believed the deadlines to respond to the subpoenas were moveable and open for negotiation.

Nichols has suggested that Bannon could argue that he understood the deadline to be "malleable."

In earlier court proceedings, the judge bristled at how the Justice Department seized Costello's email and phone logs as part of the investigation into Bannon. The search for those records inadvertently ensnared the records of others who share Costello's name.

At a hearing in March, Costello wryly introduced himself as the "actual Robert Costello they were looking for."

Kristin Amerling, deputy staff director and chief counsel of the House January 6 committee

Kristin Amerling brings years of experience in high-profile investigations. Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Prosecutors plan to need just one day of testimony to prove Bannon's guilt, and they have identified two witnesses to make what they see as a simple, straightforward case.

Ahead of the trial, prosecutors said they plan to call Kristin Amerling, the House January 6 committee's deputy staff director and chief counsel, to "testify about the Committee's investigation, its issuance of a subpoena to the Defendant, and the Defendant's default."

Amerling joined the House January 6 committee in July 2021, with the panel's chair, Rep. Bennie Thompson, naming her as among the "professional, patriotic public servants" who would deliver a "comprehensive investigation into the attack, to find the facts and to prevent such an assault from ever again occurring."

In a previous stint in government, Amerling served as deputy general counsel at the Transportation Department, where she advised on congressional oversight and regulation. Before that, she was the chief counsel to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform  a pair of panels with broad oversight.

"In these congressional roles," the House January 6 committee said, "she helped lead high-profile investigations into and oversight of the federal government's mismanagement of Hurricane Katrina, the War in Iraq, and the 2008 financial market meltdown."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Thousands of Sudan's Hausa people set up barricades and attacked government buildings in several cities Monday, witnesses said, after a week of deadly tribal clashes in the country's south.

In a bid to shed light on the violence in Blue Nile state, which has killed 79 people according to local authorities, Hausa activists called for a demonstration Tuesday in Sudan's capital Khartoum.

The clashes, between the Berti and Hausa tribes, first erupted last Monday after the Bertis rejected a Hausa request to create a "civil authority to supervise access to land", a prominent Hausa member told AFP on condition of anonymity.

But a senior member of the Bertis had said the tribe was responding to a "violation" of its lands by the Hausas.

The health ministry in Blue Nile state revised the death toll from the fighting to 79 on Monday, up from a previous count of 60, while also revising the wounded toll up to 199, from 163.

Blue Nile governor Ahmed al-Omda on Friday banned public gatherings and marches for one month and imposed a night-time curfew in the state, which borders Ethiopia.

In a statement Monday, he said authorities will "strike with an iron fist" against those inciting "racism, hatred and strife," according to state news agency SUNA.

Troops were deployed in Blue Nile on Saturday.

- 'Panic' -

Since then, tensions have escalated elsewhere. In the eastern city of Kassala, the government banned public gatherings after several thousand Hausa people "set government buildings and shops on fire", according to eyewitness Hussein Saleh.

"It's panic in the city centre," Kassala resident Idriss Hussein told AFP by telephone. He said protesters were "blocking roads and waving sticks."

In the city of Wad Madani, some 200 kilometres (around 125 miles) south of Khartoum, "hundreds of Hausa people put up stone barricades and burned tires on the main bridge to block traffic", resident Adel Ahmed told AFP.

Experts say a military coup led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in October 2021 has created a security vacuum that has fostered a resurgence in tribal violence, in a country where deadly clashes regularly erupt over land, livestock, access to water and grazing.

Story continues

Pro-democracy activists have accused Sudan's military and ex-rebel leaders who signed a 2020 peace deal of exacerbating ethnic tensions in Blue Nile for personal gain.

The Hausas are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, with tens of millions of members living in several countries.

There are three million Hausas in Sudan, where they largely follow the majority religion of Islam, but speak their own native language rather than Arabic.

They mostly live off agriculture in Darfur, Al-Jazira state and in the eastern states of Kassala, Gedaref, Sennar and Blue Nile.

ab/sbh/bha/hkb/dwo
Payton Gendron, the man charged with killing 10 people during a mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket, has pleaded not guilty to federal hate crimes charges.

Mr Gendron allegedly killed 10 people in a mass shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York in May.

He was indicted last week by a federal grand jury on more than two dozen charges, including 10 counts of hate crimes resulting in deaths, three counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill and 13 counts of using, carrying, or discharging a firearm in relation to a hate crime.

Mr Gendron, who is white, drove to a Tops Supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo on 14 May where he began shooting shoppers.

He surrendered to police officers responding to the shooting.

According to Fox News, Mr Gendron appeared in an orange prison jumpsuit wearing shackles for his plea hearing on Monday.

Mr Gendron did not speak. His attorney entered his plea and said that his client could enter into a plea agreement before a trial begins.

Also in the courtroom were family members of the victims, including Zeneta Everhart, whose son Zaire Goodman was wounded during the mass shooting.

She said she is hoping Mr Gendron goes to prison for life but would support the death penalty if prosecutors seek that punishment.

"It's hard," she said after the hearing. "My son is still recovering from gunshot wounds. It's hard sitting in that courtroom with a terrorist."

New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the shooting an act of "white supremacy terrorism," and at the time urged social media companies to do more to combat extremism on their platforms.

"I'm calling on social media platforms to be making sure that they're doing a better job monitoring the hate speech that's out there, especially when it's directed against populations and comes under the guise of white supremacy terrorism, which is exactly what happened here in Buffalo," Ms Hochul said during an interview with "Face the Nation." She was referencing the shooters white nationalist manifesto which was shared on social media ahead of the attack.

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Mr Gendron initially streamed his attack on the social media streaming platform Twitch before the feed was removed. Twitch said it managed to take down the stream two minutes after the attack began.

Ms Hochul said at the time that better monitoring was needed to prevent further incidents.

This information was out there. This was on a manifesto that was written a while back and so were very concerned about what other information is perpetrated out there on social media platforms and are out there being disseminated globally, she said. This information from yesterdays attack is already out there, it was live-streamed, the intent of this individual was telegraphed in advance.

Mr Gendron's next status hearing will be 9 December. He was then returned to state custody.
Ted Cruz faced social media backlash for claiming on Saturday that the US Supreme Court was clearly wrong for legalising same-sex marriage in the landmark 2015 Obergefell v Hodges ruling.

The conservative also suggested that Republican-led states would push to overturn the precedent established by the Supreme Court protecting gay marriage rights across the country, following their successful campaign to overturn Roe v Wade, which ended federal abortion rights.

The Texas Republican made the comments while speaking with conservative commentator Liz Wheeler which he reshared on his Verdict + podcast on YouTube.

Obergefell, like Roe v Wade, ignored two centuries of our nations history. Marriage was always an issue that was left to the states. We saw states before Obergefell  some states were moving to allow gay marriage, other states were moving to allow civil partnerships, Mr Cruz said.

Had the Court not ruled in Obergefell, the democratic process would have continued to operate, he added.

Slamming him for the remarks, Senator Patty Murray said: If you thought Republicans were done dragging our country backwardsthink again. They feel more emboldened than ever to turn back the clock on our rights.

If you thought Republicans were done dragging our country backwardsthink again. They feel more emboldened than ever to turn back the clock on our rights. Not on my watch. https://t.co/AoUTcRHVlV  Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) July 17, 2022

Not on my watch, she added.

Ted Cruz says the Supreme Court was wrong in allowing same-sex marriage.



Theyre coming for everyones personal freedoms.pic.twitter.com/y36eaxvi5s  Nina Turner (@ninaturner) July 16, 2022

They are coming for everyones personal freedom, wrote former Ohio state senator Nina Turner.

Story continues

The fascists arent at the gate; the fascists are in the house. https://t.co/P7ZJKp4bO6  Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) July 17, 2022

The fascists arent at the gate; the fascists are in the house, tweeted author Marianne Williamson.

Fuck you Ted Cruz. https://t.co/wMgZ1Kqkx9  Thomas Lecaque (@tlecaque) July 17, 2022

Everything about [Ted Cruz] is clearly wrong, wrote author Shaun Proulx.

F*** you Ted Cruz, wrote historian Thomas Lecaque.

The Supreme Court could revisit the Obergefell ruling at any time should a state pass, and seek to enforce, a law that prevents state officials from recognising gay marriages.
ARLINGTON, Texas  In October, after a student opened fire at Timberview High School in North Texas, wounding two classmates and a teacher, parents in the Mansfield Independent School District initially rallied together, praying publicly for the victims and praising officials for reacting quickly to prevent a worse tragedy.

But six months later, a different narrative began to spread through this suburban Dallas school district, one that put the blame for the shooting on a new district approach to disciplining students. It started with political mailers sent to thousands of homes.

Parents are reunited with their children following the Oct. 6 shooting at Timberview High School. (Tony Gutierrez / AP file)

MISD put woke politics over the safety of our children, the flyers read in all caps, above a news clipping about the Timberview shooting, which reportedly resulted from a fight between two Black students. The flyers, paid for by a conservative political action committee, warned that the Mansfield school district had stopped disciplining students based on Critical Race Theory principles. As a result, it said, kids were nearly killed.

But the Mansfield mailer omitted a key detail: Some of the local school policies that it was attacking were initially implemented three years ago, not as part of a liberal takeover of the suburban school system, but at the urging of Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the Trump administration.

The mailers reflected a growing belief among some conservative parents, both in Mansfield and nationally, that school programs meant to address students emotional well-being have become vehicles for indoctrinating children with progressive ideas about race, gender and sexuality. The flyers, sent in mid-April ahead of a school board election, also previewed how some prominent Republicans would respond one month later after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas  making a visceral connection between anti-racism initiatives in schools and parental fears about the physical safety of their children.

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The fight in Mansfield reveals how quickly conservative messaging has evolved when it comes to hot-button debates over education, racism and school violence.

In the wake of school shootings in Texas and Florida in 2018, many Republican leaders, including Abbott, enthusiastically endorsed efforts to expand school-based social emotional learning programs, which they viewed as a way to prevent mass shootings without taking action on gun reform. Pointing to reams of academic studies, advocates say these teaching and disciplinary approaches help students cope with adversity while steering them away from violence.

Since last year, however, those educational concepts have been swept up in a movement to rid schools of initiatives meant to address racism and inequity  a conservative backlash that experts say is now threatening the very programs that Republicans once presented as a solution to school violence.

The flyers were paid for by a conservative political action committee. (Zerb Mellish for NBC News)

Far-right groups and grassroots parents have attacked social emotional learning  and related practices such as restorative discipline, which focuses on character development rather than punishment alone  as a Trojan horse for critical race theory, an academic study of racism that some on the right have used to label lessons on racism and gender that they find objectionable.

Conservative activists have seized on the fact that some social emotional learning programs encourage children to celebrate diversity, sometimes introducing students to conversations about race, gender and sexuality. And opponents take issue with one of the underlying goals of such initiatives: to reduce racial disparities in school disciplinary outcomes.

As a result, some Republican lawmakers who previously supported social emotional learning have soured on the concept. Several GOP-controlled state legislatures have considered bills to ban social emotional learning from schools. And many of the Republican proposals for stopping mass shootings following the massacre in Uvalde have instead focused on empowering schools and police to crack down harder on students who show signs of violence.

Its sort of ironic that these groups are throwing social emotional learning under the bus when these are the very things that our kids need now, and they need them now more than ever before, said Donna Lord Black, who leads the Social Emotional Learning Alliance for Texas, a nonpartisan group that advocates for these programs in schools.

The result of this sudden partisan reversal: Education experts say one of the few bipartisan solutions to school violence has been reduced to another culture war talking point  one with the emotional power to potentially turn out voters while driving a deeper wedge between them.

In Mansfield  a quickly diversifying suburban school district that encompasses some areas that are majority Black, and some areas that are majority white  the political mailers blaming the Timberview shooting on woke school policies stirred intense feelings among residents.

The flyers included an image of a white child cowering in a school hallway under the words, Restore safety. Restore sanity. Its time for a new school board.

VanDella Menifee believes the flyers were meant to divide the community. (Zerb Mellish for NBC News)

VanDella Menifee, the mother of a Black student who was at Timberview on the day of the shooting, said the mailers incorrectly implied the district had stopped disciplining non-white children at a high school where three-quarters of the students are Black or Latino.

I believe those flyers were designed to play to parents fears and to divide this community, Menifee said.

Mindy Stonecipher, a white mom who has criticized Mansfields social emotional learning and disciplinary policies, said she shared Menifees concerns about the political mailer, which she called extreme.

But Stonecipher, who leads a group of concerned parents called Voices for Mansfield, said she agrees with the flyers underlying point. She argues that Mansfields embrace of social emotional learning has tied up educators with new responsibilities and left some feeling powerless to discipline unruly students  ultimately, making classrooms less safe.

This is a giant social experiment, Stonecipher said. And the public school system is the lab.

A pathway to hope

The shooting at Timberview High School on Oct. 6 started with a fight between two students, according to police and video of the classroom brawl later posted on social media. After a teacher broke up the altercation, witnesses told police that one of the students, an 18-year-old senior, walked over to a backpack, pulled out a handgun and opened fire.

A teacher and two students were wounded; no one was killed. One of the teens spent two weeks in the hospital recovering. The accused shooter was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

At a town hall meeting two weeks later, Bruno Dias, the school districts director of safety, security and threat management, gave a presentation outlining Mansfields efforts to prevent classroom violence. That included a threat assessment and social emotional learning program implemented under a 2019 Texas law that was passed with broad bipartisan support and signed by Abbott following a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School near Houston.

It is a requirement, it is a mandate, and we are excelling at it, Dias said of the program. It is important to note that weve been able, in multiple cases, to turn what could have become a pathway to violence as it relates to students into a pathway to hope because of this threat assessment process.

Image: Volunteers pray with crosses to memorialize the victims of a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas on May 21, 2018. (Scott Olson / Getty Images file)

Under the program, a team of educators, administrators and counselors are tasked with assessing threatening or self-destructive student behavior and, when appropriate, providing resources to help them cope with underlying issues  such as mental health struggles, instability at home or food insecurity  instead of simply doling out punishment.

Conservative opponents of social emotional learning say those ideas sound good on paper, but they worry that applying these approaches to discipline means that schools will stop holding students accountable when they misbehave. Adding fuel to those fears: School districts often struggle to articulate exactly how these academic philosophies work in practice.

NBC News asked to speak with Mansfield administrators to learn how the school systems social emotional learning efforts work, both in terms of education and discipline, but the district declined. In a written response to questions, district spokesperson Donald Williams denied that Mansfield had stopped disciplining students under the programs.

Students who violate the student code of conduct face disciplinary consequences, Williams wrote. Restorative practices (i.e. writing a letter of apology, community service, etc.) may be implemented as part of that process.

Little is known publicly about the events that led up to the Timberview shooting, including whether any of the students involved in the fight had previously been disciplined or counseled as part of the districts social emotional learning programs.

But that didnt stop a conservative political action committee from tying those issues together ahead of school board elections this spring.

Patriot Mobile Action, a PAC run by a Texas-based cellphone company that markets its products to Christian conservatives, spent more than $400,000 backing 11 school board candidates in the suburbs surrounding Fort Worth who the group said would protect our children and keep critical race theory out of our classrooms. That included four candidates running for the Mansfield school board: Craig Tipping, Keziah Valdes Farrar, Bianca Benavides Anderson and Courtney Lackey Wilson.

All four candidates were pictured and named on the back of the Patriot Mobile flyer that blamed the Timberview shooting on district disciplinary policies, along with the words: Give our kids a safe education, not a woke education.

Patriot Mobile Action and the four board candidates did not respond to interview requests.

All four went on to win seats on the seven-member Mansfield school board this spring, giving them a majority.

Image: Seth Garza and his daughter, Lilly, pause at a memorial dedicated to the 19 children and two adults killed during a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 31, 2022. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images file)

Our kids will pay the price

The tactic of tying anti-racism and emotional education programs to school violence was echoed in the reactions of some national conservative figures to the May 24 shooting in Uvalde, which killed 19 students and two teachers.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, blamed the shooting on critical race theory, wokeness and a failure to teach values in schools. That same week, Donald Trump Jr. tweeted that schools should get rid of gender studies or critical race theory teachers and replace them with armed guards.

The political shift can also be seen in school safety proposals from some Texas Republicans since Uvalde. Rather than prioritizing school-based programs to support the emotional needs of troubled students, as was the case in 2018, some Republican lawmakers in Texas have argued that the state should focus on implementing harsher disciplinary policies.

Im going to make a statement thats gonna get me hate mail, state Sen. Charles Perry, a Republican from Lubbock, said during a recent legislative hearing focused on the Uvalde shooting. Not all kids belong in the classroom anymore.

And at a news conference at the Texas GOP Convention last month, state Rep. Steve Toth, a Republican from the Houston region, suggested that what happened in Uvalde might have been prevented if not for school disciplinary policies that he said have been pushed by the woke left  including a Texas law passed with bipartisan support in 2013 and signed by former Gov. Rick Perry that limits the ability of school police officers to issue criminal citations to students.

Flanked by teachers and parents who say restorative disciplinary initiatives have made their schools less safe, Toth said he plans to introduce a bill that would appoint a committee composed of educators, prosecutors and local law enforcement officials to review reports of student misconduct. That way, he said, authorities will have an opportunity to identify patterns of dangerous behavior before its too late.

Look, I dont want to see a kid go to jail for being caught with some pot, Toth said in an interview. I dont want to see a kid go to jail because he gets into a fight with another kid. Thats clearly not the intent here. But if youve got a kid that is violent and is consistently violent, and theyve been violent towards other children and teachers, then we either have to reach that kid or we have to remove that kid. They shouldnt be in the classroom. Period.

Its not clear whether school disciplinary practices were a factor in the shooting in Uvalde. The Texas Education Agency announced in June that it is reviewing every aspect of the 18-year-old gunmans educational history, looking for signs of misconduct and missed opportunities to intervene.

Last month, Abbott and other state leaders announced that they had reallocated about $100 million to improve school safety in response to the shooting. About half of the money was set aside to equip school police officers with bullet-resistant shields. The second-largest expenditure, about $17 million, is for school districts to buy silent panic alert technology to notify law enforcement during emergencies.

Another $10 million was set aside to increase teen access to mental health services in schools and expand a rehabilitation program for juvenile offenders.

The State of Texas is acting swiftly to ensure our schools are secure and that children, teachers, and families across Texas have the support and resources they need to be safe as we work to prevent future tragedies like the heinous crime committed in Uvalde, Abbott said in a statement.

His office did not respond to questions about whether the governor continues to support social emotional learning as part of the solution to school violence.

Judge Angela Downes, chair of the American Bar Associations Standing Committee on Gun Violence, said shes disturbed that one of the few bipartisan approaches to addressing school safety in recent years has become so politicized.

Downes has been an outspoken advocate for social emotional learning and restorative disciplinary practices, both in her work with the bar association and while dealing with juvenile defendants as a municipal judge in a North Texas town.

What I found is that kids really did not have coping mechanisms or tools in order to navigate some of the things that were happening in their lives, Downes said. And so I really saw as a judge that social emotional learning, whether its in an educational setting or in the community, could provide some tools to help them deal with challenges and adversity in a healthy way.

Her support isnt based only on firsthand observations. Downes noted that dozens of academic studies have found that social emotional learning programs have resulted in better academic outcomes and lower rates of student misconduct.

Despite the evidence, she worries that state officials in Texas and elsewhere might roll back social emotional learning requirements, or that local school districts will eliminate or water down their programs.

Our kids will pay the price, she said.

IMage: Police tape outside of the Mansfield Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas, on Oct. 6, 2021. (Cooper Neill / NYT via Redux file)

Fearmongering at its worst

Karen Marcucci, Mansfields school board president from 2018 until 2020, said she was outraged when she found the Patriot Mobile flyer in her mailbox. For years, Marcucci, a lifelong Republican, said she and her fellow board members had overseen efforts to improve educational and disciplinary outcomes for students from all backgrounds.

Social emotional learning and restorative discipline were important components of that work, she said. Those programs, she said, were designed and implemented with input from parents and community members.

Image: Karen Marcucci, Mansfield's school board president from 2018 until this spring. (Zerb Mellish for NBC News)

Marcucci stepped down from the school board in May, deciding not to run for re-election after nearly 10 years on the board. She noted that Patriot Mobile Action is based in Grapevine and has close ties to conservative activists in Southlake  two nearby cities with no direct connection to Mansfield schools.

The people that are making these allegations arent part of our community, said Marcucci, whose daughter attends classes at Timberview. All they tried to do was try to incite people and make them anxious and angry. It was fearmongering at its worst.

Without mentioning the PAC or the mailer, Mansfield administrators addressed the controversy at a school board meeting last month.

During a presentation about disciplinary outcomes, David Wright, Mansfields assistant superintendent of student services, acknowledged that the district had heard criticism of its restorative disciplinary practices.

But he denied that administrators had stopped disciplining students, noting that the district had issued more out-of-school suspensions in 2021 than in 2018.

Its about healing, its about justice, its about redemption, Wright said, referring to the districts efforts with social emotional learning. What its not about is, its not in place of discipline. Its not a substitute. Its not an either-or  its both, really.

Stonecipher, the mom who has spoken out against social emotional learning programs, said she doesnt know anyone who disagrees with those goals.

On the surface, it teaches the students to take responsibility for treating others with respect, empathy and compassion, Stonecipher said. Many of us would not argue these points.

Image: Mindy Stonecipher, a mom who has criticized Mansfield's social emotional learning and disciplinary policies, also shared concerns about the flyer, which she called

But in practice, Stonecipher said, she believes that Mansfieds social emotional learning programs have become a vehicle for liberal ideas and that the initiative is taking up time that would be better spent teaching children the basics of math, science and reading.

She said her group has heard from current and recently retired Mansfield teachers who say the initiatives have added to their workload and left them at times afraid to discipline students for unruly behavior  ultimately leaving classrooms less safe.

Many of them dont want to teach the social emotional learning lessons, Stonecipher said. And they know this sort of discipline is not working. The teachers know that, and I think we have to listen to the teachers.

Marcucci said shes also heard feedback from school employees  though like the current teachers who spoke to Stonecipher, Marcucci said none were willing to speak to a reporter because of the tense political climate at Mansfield. Teachers and counselors have told her that social emotional learning does require more work, Marcucci said, but that ultimately it leads to better outcomes for students.

Now she worries that those programs could be rolled back under the new school board.

It makes me angry, Marcucci said. The district shouldnt be done with the work in this area, because theres still a lot more work to do.

CORRECTION (July 18, 2022, 3:07 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated when Karen Marcuccis term as president of the Mansfield school board ended. She was president from 2018 to 2020, not 2018 to 2022.
Tom Tugendhat accused his colleagues of "infighting" and "smears" on Monday afternoon. (PA)

Tom Tugendhat has criticised the "sniping and infighting" during his party's process of selecting its new leader.

The backbencher's remarks came the day after a leadership debate on ITV which saw the candidates descend into outright hostility on issues including the economy, transgender rights, and trust in politics.

Tugendhat, the MP for Tonbridge and Walling, was eliminated from the Tory leadership contest on Monday night.

The debate followed days of increasingly bitter briefing wars in the press.

Tugendhat said he has "deplored" some of the behaviour.

Lets not forget that when this is over we must come together," he said.

Read more: Tom Tugendhat: Boris Johnson's partygate account more fictional than reality

"We must unite and we must speak as one.

"I have deplored the infighting, the sniping, the blue on blue, the attacks and the smears. We do not need this, now or ever. Because we are fighting on every flank.

The Labour Party, resurgent but easily beatable, are benefitting from our disunity and division.

The second of the televised debates was on Sunday night - with former chancellor Rishi Sunak accusing foreign secretary Liz Truss of peddling something-for-nothing economics.

In turn, Truss accused Sunak of choking off economic growth with tax hikes, which are currently at their highest level in 70 years.

Tory leadership hopefuls clashed on Sunday night in a televised debate on ITV. (Getty Images)

In the aftermath, Sky News announced the leaders' debate for Tuesday night had been cancelled after Truss and Sunak pulled out - with reports the move was due to fears in the Tory party that the debates were creating a toxic impression.

The exit of Mr Tugendhat from the contest was not unexpected, with the Tonbridge and Malling MP trailing behind rivals in the bid for Tory MP backers.

He had addressed his likely fate head-on earlier, dismissing any suggestion that he would drop out.

It is understood that at the behind-closed-doors hustings organised by the backbench 1922 Committee, he told MPs that it had been suggested to him that he should step aside and back another candidate.

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He said: It will come as no surprise that some have suggested I could leave with a job as well. But my view is clear. It is not for me to make that decision  it is for you.

Tweeting after the contest, he said: Although it wasnt to be today, I am immensely proud of the positive vision we put forward for our country.

Thank you to all those who supported me and believed in #ACleanStart.

This is only the beginning!,

Conservative leadership election second ballot results.

The final two candidates of the original 12 will be decided by the end of this week, with the victor announced on 5 September after Tory members have their say.

Read more: Tom Tugendhat: Tory leadership candidate backed expelling all Russians from UK

On Monday, Labour leader Keir Starmer said Tory party was "tearing each other apart".

I can see based on what Ive seen in the debates so far why they want to do so because this is a party that is out of ideas, out of purpose, theyre tearing each other apart," said Starmer.

And I think for millions of people, particularly with the heatwave today, theyll be saying I want a government thats focused on the day job, thats getting on with resilience for today and tomorrow, however long this heatwave goes on, and focused on the cost-of-living crisis.

Watch: Tom Tugendhat: Boris Johnson's partygate account more fictional than reality
Delta Arlines flight from Regan National Airport to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport

Flight attendants hand out refreshments to a packed Delta Airlines flight traveling from Ronald Regan National Airport to Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport on Friday, May 21, 2021. Credit - Kent NishimuraLos Angeles Times via Getty Images

No traveler wants to be bumped from a flightbut what if you were offered $1,500? What about $10,000?

For some, the decision is a no-brainer. Eight travelers onboard an overbooked Delta flight from Grand Rapids, Mich. to Minneapolis, Minn. walked away $10,000 richer after they were asked to give up their seats in late June. Some may call these travelers luckyor opportunisticbut compensation for overbooking is actually a common practice. Travelers at New Yorks LaGuardia Airport were offered up to $3,000 this summer to deplane their flight to West Palm Beach, Fla., and its being reported at airports all across the world.

Disruptions in air travel are nothing new, but the amount of money airlines have offered impacted passengers has skyrocketed this year. By law, the compensation rate typically varies between $775 and $1,550 depending on the price of the travelers ticket and length of the delay, though some airlines are choosing to go well beyond these baseline figures to avoid PR nightmares.

Read more: Air Travel Is Chaos Right Now. What to Know Before You Fly

The practice of overbooking flights has drawn the ire of many travelers despite the hefty rewards. Google searches for expected flights delays tomorrow increased more than 400% in early June, and travelers have vented on social media about missing connecting flights or scheduled engagements because of overbooking.

Heres what you need to know about the contentious airline practice and how to navigate it.

Why do airlines overbook flights?

It boils down to maximizing profits. Airlines want to make sure that every flight is as full as possible in case travelers cancel their tickets at the last minute or dont show upa common occurrence for airlines, since weather delays often force travelers to miss connecting flights. Airlines resort to overselling flights as a way to recover the costs of those empty seats.

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But it doesnt always work out. Between January and March 2022, 7,143 people who held confirmed reservations were involuntarily denied boarding from a flight because of oversellingup from 742 over the same period in 2021 and 1,576 in 2020. Roughly 34% of those travelers were flying on Frontier Airlines, 32% on Southwest Airlines and 14% on American Airlines, according to the latest Air Travel Consumer Report. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airways had the least reports among major airlines.

Airlines make their best educated guess at how many people they think are going to show up for that flight based on historical standards, Scott Keyes, the founder of Scotts Cheap Flights, tells TIME. It can end up backfiring if theyre wrong and arent able to convince volunteers to take the compensation theyre offering to take a later flight.

Read more: Air Travel Nightmares Arent Going Away Soon. Heres Why

Airlines have been gambling on seat availability for years, regularly overbooking both domestic and international flights. The issue gained attention in April 2017, when a Kentucky doctor was knocked unconsciousbleedingand violently dragged off a United Airlines flight that was overbooked after he was randomly selected to give up his seat but refused to do so because he needed to see patients the following day. Video recording of the incident went viral, prompting United to pay a hefty settlement fee around $140 million.

The backlash forced the air travel industry to modify its approach to overselling, now offering travelers far more money to avoid negative PR attention. But it hasnt always worked out smoothly. One traveler wrote to Southwest Airlines on Twitter last week that an overbooked flight made their family miss a cruise vacation, and were only compensated with a $150 voucher since they were placed on a standby flight. Another customer told TIME that they only received a $150 voucher from American Airlines despite being told they would receive $825 worth of credit for giving up their seat on an overbooked flight from Fort Worth, Tex. to New York City. I understand being 21 is grown but I was also by myself and that can be scary at times, says Kanya Grace, who was placed on an alternative flight that arrived at her destination five hours late. I felt like I was being played with and lied to by American Airlines.

Airlines typically first ask travelers who arent in a hurry to give up their seats voluntarily in exchange for compensation, but if they are still overbooked, airlines can deny a passenger a seat on an aircraft based on criteria that it establishes, such as the passengers check-in time, the fare paid by the passenger, or the passengers frequent flyer status, according to Tomasz Pawliszyn, the CEO of AirHelp, a for-profit air travel rights advocacy company that helps people submit legal claims to get properly compensated for overbooked or canceled flights. For those hoping not to get bumped from a flight, checking in early could help them to avoid that scenario.

How to negotiate for the best compensation on an overbooked flight

Airlines are required by law to compensate travelers who dont get to fly in the form of a check or cash, but the amount of money is largely discretionary. If your flight is overbooked and youre willing to give up your seat, experts advise negotiating with airline staff to drive up your compensation package before accepting.

Many times you can negotiate for things like a better flight, hotel vouchers, meal vouchers and lounge passes, Keyes says. A lot of people miss this when it comes to getting bumped from an airline, but its not a one way street. Theres a secret menu of options that airlines have at their disposal that they can offer you beyond money or credits.

For instance, if youre denied boarding, Keyes says to request airline staff make your replacement flight non-stop, or business class instead of economy, in addition to negotiating the money they offer. Not all airlines will be able to accommodate, but some may. Like so many companies, airlines are profit-seeking corporations, Keyes adds. Theyre not going to start out by offering $10,000. But when theyre desperate enough, they will.

For overbooked U.S. flights that result in you getting to your destination more than two hours later, U.S. Department of Transportation rules stipulate that the minimum compensation rate is $1,550, or 400% of your one-way fare, whichever amount is lower. If your substitute transportation is scheduled to arrive at your destination between one and two hours after your original arrival time, the airline must pay you, at a minimum, $775 or an amount equal to 200% of your one-way farewhichever is lower. Travelers who are bumped involuntarily and receive substitute transportation within one hour of their original scheduled arrival time are not required to be compensated.

More than 95% of Americans dont know these laws, according to a recent survey from AirHelp. The number of travelers using AirHelps website is up over 50% compared to the last month, Pawliszyn tells TIME, and the number of customers seeking help filing compensation claims has doubled. We see a significant increase in customers using our service, he says.

Read more: The Worlds Greatest Places of 2022

For travelers headed to Europe this summer, the law is slightly different. Travelers on flights that departed from countries within the E.U. are eligible for up to $700 per person in compensation for avoidable flight disruptions, including delays over three hours, cancellations or denied boarding due to overbooking.

Its a bit surprising when you think of it from a purely financial standpointwhy would airlines be offering $5,000 in compensation when under federal law, theyre only required to offer $1,550, Keyes says. But when you look at it from a PR perspective, the answer is very clear, because bumping people against their will makes them very upset as it should and can result in some pretty disastrous social media fodder.
A trial was scheduled to begin Monday in a wrongful death lawsuit against a Kansas City police officer who aggressively tackled a shoplifting suspect in a Walmart, causing fatal injuries.

Surveillance video obtained by The Star showed Officer Chris Viesselman take Brian Prince, 45, to the ground in the September 2017 incident at the Walmart Supercenter at 1701 W. 133rd St.

Prince landed with enough force that one of his shoes flew off, landing several feet away. Blood poured out of his head almost immediately after slamming against the tile floor.

Brian Princes parents sued Viesselman in December 2018, saying he used unreasonably excessive force when he tackled their son.

The lawsuit also alleges a count of battery against Viesselman. Princes parents say Viesselmans use of force demonstrated indifference toward their sons safety and well-being. They argue that he didnt commit a crime when he was taken down and didnt present a threat of death or serious injury to Viesselman.

In response, the Missouri Attorney Generals Office, which represents Viesselman in the case, asked to dismiss the lawsuit. The office acknowledged that Viesselman caused injuries that killed Prince but said Prince was not violently slammed to the ground.

Instead, Viesselman tackled Prince because he ran from him, he was in a struggle with another officer and he feared other officers and Prince could be hurt by moving cars if the foot chase continued outside the store, Viesselmans lawyer wrote in court records.

Viesselman also argued in his response to the suit that he was trained to use tackling as a safe technique to bring someone down. He didnt think it would cause serious injury to Prince and did not intend for Prince to land as he did on the floor, he wrote in his response.

He said he planned to arrest Prince for property damage and resisting arrest.

The Kansas City Police Department, which investigated the incident, did not notify the public or news media of Princes death. The Star learned about the incident while analyzing use of force data obtained through a Sunshine Law request.

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Merchandise worth $523

It was a week after the Sept. 2, 2017 incident at Walmart that Princes family found out their son was in Research Medical Center, where doctors told them they planned to take him off life support. They sat by his bedside each day, but his condition continued to deteriorate. Prince had staples across his bruised face and pneumonia. Eventually, he was placed in hospice and died five days later.

The family still didnt know what had happened to him. They had only been told that police were involved and an investigation was ongoing. So the Princes hired a lawyer, and the police department later released information revealing an officer had tackled Brian Prince.

Prince was accused of trying to steal $523 in merchandise from the Walmart that day. He was seen on live surveillance cameras walking through the store with a loaded shopping cart, removing security devices. Two officers stopped him when he was using a pry bar from store shelves to open packages.

Viesselman shouted something like Hey bud and Dont run to Prince before Prince backed away and fled, Viesselman said in a recorded interview with a sergeant after the incident. He chased Prince, who moved toward the stores south exit. Viesselmans partner, Officer Judith Harris, moved to try to flank Prince.

When Viesselman turned a corner, he saw Prince trying to break away from Harris. He went in for a tackle.

Officers called an ambulance. For a few minutes, Viesselman can be seen resting on Princes backside as Prince lay motionless, apart from breathing. One customer passing by with her shopping cart appeared to gasp, wincing and bringing her hand toward her face as she caught a glimpse. Other onlookers sidestepped the area until the doorway was shut down by Walmart staff.

Why did that police officer feel that he needed to throw him head first into the concrete floor and kill him? Don Prince said during a 2021 interview with The Star. I dont get that. Ill never understand that.

Princes parents said they want to see justice for their son and changes in the police department, which has been plagued by allegations of excessive force, including the deaths of several unarmed men.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the U.S. Senate would begin voting on Tuesday on legislation to boost the U.S. semiconductor industry and improve competitiveness with China.

"We need to move quickly," he said on Monday as the Senate opened for the week.

The legislation is a slimmed-down version of a bill that members of Congress have been working on for well over a year, expected to include $52 billion in subsidies for the industry and a tax credit for companies that manufacture semiconductors in the United States.

"Without these incentives from Congress, the capital investment required for expanding production is not economically viable in the United States, given other global alternatives," Schumer said.

Lawmakers hope to pass the legislation and send it to the White House for President Joe Biden to sign into law before they leave Washington for their annual August recess.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Leslie Adler)
PARIS (AP)  France and the United Arab Emirates on Monday signed an agreement on energy cooperation to ensure oil and natural gas supplies from the Gulf country as Europe prepares for the possibility of a total gas cutoff from Russia in retaliation for sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

The deal announced by the French economy ministry comes as President Emmanuel Macron is hosting UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Paris.

"The agreement we are signing with the United Arab Emirates is of double strategic importance: it allows us to address the pressing challenges of energy security in the short term, while preparing for a de-carbonized future, French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said in a statement.

The ministry did not provide details on the agreement.

Other trade and energy agreements are expected to be signed during Sheikh Mohammed's first state visit to France since he was appointed president of the Western-allied nation of seven sheikhdoms in May. They include an agreement between the French energy giant TotalEnergies and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to ensure energy supply, the economy ministry said.

France has deep ties to the UAE, and the two leaders have developed a personal relationship. It paid off during Macrons visit to Abu Dhabi last year that resulted in a 16 billion-euro ($18 billion) arms deal with the Gulf ally, the largest-ever French weapons contract for export.

Their meeting Monday comes as the war in Ukraine rages into the sixth month and Europe is in the grip of a sweltering heat wave. European countries are bracing for a potential Russian gas shutdown amid soaring energy prices, inflation and a cost-of-living crisis across the 27-member bloc.

Russia has cut off or reduced natural gas  which keeps industry running, generates electricity and heats homes in the winter  to a dozen European countries. A major gas pipeline also closed for scheduled maintenance last week, and there are fears that flows through Nord Stream 1 between Russia and Germany will not restart.

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Leaders have been scrambling to fill underground storage by the beginning of fall in an effort to avert an economic and political crisis in winter. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi is visiting Algeria on Monday to finalize deals boosting natural gas supplies from the North African country to Italy, while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was in Azerbaijan to clinch a deal with President Ilham Aliyev on increased gas supplies.

Macron said last week that his government would prepare a sobriety plan to conserve energy and that France keeps looking to diversify gas sources. He called for a faster shift toward offshore windfarms and more European cross-border energy cooperation as we prepare ourselves for the scenario where we have to go without all Russian gas.

Le Maire said last month that the country has been in discussions with the UAE regarding supplies of oil and diesel to find an alternative to Russian petrol."

TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne said in Parliament last week that the French energy giant is discussing an agreement to have access to diesel and fuel from the Emirates this winter.

He said the companys efforts are part of the French initiative to secure sufficient energy and make up for the loss of Russian supplies.

The UAE's energy exports to France are dominated by refined petroleum products and reached the record sum of 1.5 billion euros in 2019.

The U.S. Energy Information Agency cites figures estimating the UAE holds the seventh-largest proven reserves of natural gas in the world, at over 215 trillion cubic feet. The country, which lies on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula along the Persian Gulf, is among world's 10 largest oil producers, with most of country's oil and gas wealth concentrated in Abu Dhabi.

Human rights groups have called on Macron to remind his UAE counterpart of his country's poor human rights record.

For years, the UAE has systematically crushed dissent, Human Rights Watch said in a statement ahead of Monday's visit. Activists, lawyers, teachers, students, and those deemed critics are arrested, prosecuted, and detained, women and LGBT people face discrimination."

___

Surk reported from Nice, France.
LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's media regulator, Ofcom, said Russian news channel RT had failed to preserve due impartiality in relation to its coverage of the conflict in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

"Ofcom considers that these breaches were serious and repeated, and we are minded to consider them for the imposition of a statutory sanction," the regulator - which suspended RT's licence in March - said.

Ofcom had cited RT's links to the Kremlin when it cancelled its licence to broadcast in the UK in March, saying that RT had received funding from the Russian state.

The watchdog had launched 29 investigations into RT after complaints from viewers and its own monitoring of the channel. The breaches related to its coverage of the conflict in late February and early March.

In response to the findings, RT said: The logic of these decisions mirrors the one guiding their delivery many months after Ofcom's revocation of RT's license: it is a trial after a conviction"

(Reporting by Muvija MEditing by William Schomberg and Kate Holton)
The UKs Competition Appeal Tribunal has ordered the countrys antitrust watchdog to review its decision to force Meta to sell Giphy, reports Bloomberg . We have agreed to reconsider our decision in light of this finding, a spokesperson for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) told the outlet, adding the agency hopes to complete the process within three months.

As The Verge notes , the ruling comes after Meta largely lost its appeal against the CMA. The tribunal sided with the watchdog on five of the agency's six claims against the company. However, on the one ruling that went in Metas favor, the tribunal said the CMA had failed to properly inform the company of Snapchats acquisition of Gfycat, thereby undermining its defense. Now, not only must the CMA reconsider its decision, but it must also allow Meta to comment on an unredacted version of its report.

Metas $315 million acquisition of Giphy drew the attention of the CMA shortly after the company announced the deal in May 2020. One month after the announcement, the watchdog began investigating the purchase. By August 2021, it ruled Metas ownership of Giphy could allow the company to prevent rivals like TikTok and Snapchat from accessing Giphys GIF library. Meta declined to comment on the ruling. The company previously argued that the CMA was acting outside of its jurisdiction because Giphy had no operations in the UK.

Todays ruling found that the CMAs approach to its investigation was difficult to defend and undermines the entirety of the Decision," the company said after the Competition Appeal Tribunal's initial ruling. "We look forward to understanding how these serious process flaws will be addressed. We firmly believe our investment would enhance GIPHYs product for the millions of people, businesses, and partners who use it.
(Reuters) - Russian forces kept up their bombardment of cities across Ukraine, with intense shelling of Sumy in the north, cluster bombs targeting Mykolaiv and a missile strike in Odesa in the south, authorities said on Tuesday.

FIGHTING

* In Odesa, a Russian missile strike injured at least four people, burned houses to the ground, said Oleksii Matsulevych, a spokesman for the regional administration.

* Russian forces hit Mykolaiv with cluster shells on Monday, injuring at least two people and damaging houses, the Ukrainian city's mayor Oleksandr Senkevich said in a social media post.

* More than 150 mines and shells had been fired on the Sumy region, Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, the head of the Sumy regional military administration, said on Telegram.

* Ukraine's top military commander, General Valery Zaluzhny, said U.S.-supplied long-range rocket systems were helping to "stabilize the situation" through "major strikes at enemy command points, ammunition and fuel storage warehouses."

* Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered generals to prioritise destroying Ukraine's long-range missile and artillery weapons after strikes on Russian supply lines.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield accounts.

ECONOMY

* Russia's Gazprom has told customers in Europe it cannot guarantee gas supplies because of "extraordinary" circumstances, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Dated July 14, the letter from the Russian state gas monopoly, said it was declaring force majeure on supplies, starting from June 14.

* Foreign allies need to increase their financial support for Ukraine to help the country maintain financial stability during the war with Russia, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office said.

* Officials from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations will most likely meet this week to discuss resuming Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said.

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DIPLOMACY

* EU foreign ministers agree another 500 million euros ($504 million) of funding to supply arms to Ukraine, taking the bloc's security support to 2.5 billion euros since Russia's invasion began.

* Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Tehran on Tuesday for a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the first trip by the Kremlin chief outside the former Soviet Union since the invasion of Ukraine.

(Compiled by Cynthia Osterman and Michael Perry)
The Hill

The Trump Organizations chief financial officer is coming close to reaching a plea deal in a case investigating whether he funneled off-the-books income to himself and other executives at the company, but the potential deal reportedly does not bring prosecutors any closer to their main target: former President Trump. The New York Times reported Monday,
US aid chief Samantha Power on Monday promised $1.18 billion to help avert famine in the Horn of Africa and urged other nations including China to do more to fight a food crisis aggravated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Power voiced alarm that the war as well as climate change were worsening hunger around the world, just after a decade of progress had been "obliterated" by the Covid pandemic.

"Today we are confronting something even more devastating as not only are tens of millions more people facing that grave hunger, many of them are at risk of outright starvation," she said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Power, administrator of the US Agency for International Development, said the situation was especially dire in turbulent Somalia, conflict-hit Ethiopia and Kenya, the so-called Horn of Africa which is forecast to experience its fifth straight drought later this year.

Announcing a visit to the Horn of Africa this weekend, Power said that at least 1,103 children there are known to have died and some seven million other children are severely malnourished.

Power said the $1.18 billion in US aid would include emergency food -- notably sorghum, a locally used grain more readily available than wheat -- as well as a peanut-based supplement for malnourished children and veterinary services for dying livestock.

"Now we need others to do more, before a famine strikes, before millions more children find themselves on the knife's edge," she said.

Global prices of food have skyrocketed due to the war in Ukraine, a leading wheat exporter, with Russian warships blocking ports as Kyiv lays mines to avert a feared amphibious assault.

Power criticized the "sinister" policies of Russia but also pinned blame on China -- seen by the United States as a leading global competitor -- over its trade restrictions on fertilizer and "hoarding" of grain.

If China released fertilizer or grain to the global market or World Food Programme, it would "significantly relieve pressure on food and fertilizer prices and powerfully demonstrate the country's desire to be a global leader and a friend to the world's least developed economies," she said.

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She also issued a tacit criticism of India, which is seen by Washington as an emerging ally but has declined to shun historic partner Russia and has imposed its own export ban on wheat.

Praising Indonesia for lifting restrictions on palm oil, Power said, "We encourage other nations to make similar moves, especially since several of the countries instituting such bans have been unwilling to criticize the Russian government's belligerence."

"Countries that have sat out this war must not sit out this global food crisis," she said.

sct/wd
A young man who gunned down 17 people at his former high school in Parkland, Florida goes on trial Monday, with jurors set to hand down either the death penalty or a life sentence.

Nikolas Cruz took an AR-15 assault rifle into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine's Day in 2018 and killed 17 students and staff members.

Cruz -- who was 19 at the time -- has already pleaded guilty to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder for those wounded during the massacre.

The trial is being held to determine his sentence. The death penalty requires a unanimous decision by the jury; Cruz will otherwise be handed life without parole.

The Florida shooting stunned a country accustomed to gun violence and sparked new efforts, led by students from the school itself, to get lawmakers to pass tougher gun control laws.

Parkland survivors founded "March for Our Lives," organizing a rally that drew hundreds of thousands of people to Washington, DC in 2018.

Thousands turned out for demonstrations organized by the group last month following two other mass shootings: one at a Texas elementary school that killed 19 young children and two teachers, and another at a New York supermarket that left 10 Black people dead.

Those shootings helped galvanize support for the first significant federal bill on gun safety in decades.

- More than 24,000 dead -

President Joe Biden signed the bill into law in late June. It included enhanced background checks for younger buyers and federal cash for states introducing "red flag" laws that allow courts to temporarily remove weapons from people who are considered a threat.

Cruz bought the weapon he used in the 2018 attack legally, despite having a documented history of mental health problems.

Expelled from school for disciplinary reasons, Cruz was known to be fixated on firearms -- and had reportedly been identified as a potential threat to his classmates.

On the day of the attack Cruz arrived at the school in an Uber, began shooting indiscriminately at students and staff, and fled nine minutes later, leaving behind a scene of carnage.

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He was arrested nearby shortly afterward.

Footage recovered from his phone showed he had filmed his plans to attack his former school, saying his goal was to kill "at least 20 people."

Cruz told a detective after his arrest that he heard demons ordering him to "buy weapons, kill animals and destroy everything."

According to the Gun Violence Archive website, more than 24,000 people have been killed by firearms in the United States so far this year, including more than 13,000 who died by suicide.

wd/dw/leg
VALENTYNA ROMANENKO  MONDAY, 18 JULY 2022, 09:42

On 17 July, the Ukrainian Air Force killed 30 Russian military personnel and destroyed a company command and observation point, a platoon supply point, and 20 pieces of Russian military equipment.

Source: Air Force Command on Facebook

Quote: "On 17 July, Russian [military] command lost 30 orcs; up to 20 pieces of equipment belonging to the Ruscists, as well as a company command and observation point, and a platoon supply point were hit.

[Ukrainian] air defence continues to control the skies over the [Ukrainian-]controlled territories. One enemy UAV was shot down yesterday [on 17 July - ed.]."

Details: The Air Force Command reports that since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion in Ukraine, Ukrainian attack aircraft have conducted over 1,750 group airstrikes on the Russian occupying forces.

"Under the cover of fighter aircraft of the Air Force, assault groups of attack and bomber jets continue to deliver convincing arguments in the shape of bombs and rockets to the occupiers," the Air Force Command added.
Maryland voter at a ballot drop box. J. Countess/Getty Images

Maryland voters will head to the polls in July's only statewide primaries on Tuesday, deciding, among other things, who to nominate in a contentious race to replace outgoing Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

For the GOP nod, Hogan has thrown his support behind his former Labor Secretary Kelly Schulz. Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has endorsed state legislator Dan Cox, who previously sued Hogan in an ultimately-dismissed lawsuit arguing the governor's early pandemic restrictions to be unconstitutional, per The Associated Press. Meanwhile, former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, author Wes Moore, and state Comptroller Peter Franchot are locked in a tight race for the Democratic nomination.

In the U.S. Senate, incumbent Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, is seeking re-election against primary challenger Michelle Smith, "a Freedom of Information Act policy analyst with the U.S. Agency for International Development," AP writes. Van Hollen is not only expected to win his primary, but would be a "strong favorite" in the general election. Ten Republicans are angling for the GOP bid on the other side of the ticket.

Over in the House, 65 candidates have filed to run for Maryland's eight districts, including 31 Democrats and 34 Republicans, per Ballotpedia. Rep. Andrew Harris, a Republican representing the 1st District, is "the only incumbent without a primary this year."

Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, though official results are expected to be delayed due to an unprecedented number of mail-in votes.

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RICHMOND, Ind.  The Wayne County Sheriff's Office is asking for information about a stolen vehicle.

The black Toyota RAV-4 with Ohio license plate JSJ2550 and a firearm were taken from the Fountain City area, according to a news release. The department thinks a 17-year-old male took the vehicle and might be in the Greenville, Ohio, area.

The sheriff's department requests that anyone observing the vehicle or with information about its location contact local their local law enforcement office or call 911.

Members of the pubic should not approach the vehicle or anyone occupying it.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Wayne County Sheriff's Office looks for stolen Toyota RAV-4, firearm
A Waynesboro resident is recovering from 13 stab wounds after a Harrison Avenue home was broken into on Sunday, according to the Waynesboro Police Department.

Officers responded to a report of a home invasion and stabbing at a residence in the 100 block of Harrison Avenue around 4 p.m. Sunday.

Reports indicated that "one or two masked individuals" forced entry into the residence, police said.

A Waynesboro Police Department truck is pictured here.

Waynesboro Police took up positions around the house, and a Pennsylvania State Police tactical team was requested to assist in a search for the assailant.

Police were told that one assailant potentially remained within the residence, but wasn't found when police searched and cleared the residence.

One resident was taken to Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown, where they were treated for the stab wounds and released. A second resident was treated and released for a leg injury at the Waynesboro Hospital emergency room.

Details were not immediately available about the altercation, or altercations, in which the person was stabbed 13 times.

The Waynesboro Police Department in downtown is pictured.

Police said a preliminary investigation indicated that there is no continued threat to the community.

This incident remains under investigation and the Waynesboro Police Department asked that anyone with information call 717-762-2131.

Read More:Chambersburg P.D. is looking for two individuals related to shooting

Borough officers received additional support from the Washington Township Police Department, Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department and fire police, the forensic support unit from the Franklin County Coroners Office, Medic 2, the Waynesboro Ambulance Co. and the mobile command unit from the Franklin County Department of Emergency Services.

This article originally appeared on Waynesboro Record Herald: Waynesboro resident stabbed 13 times; suspect still at large
Threatened by China's growing influence in the Horn of Africa, more Western nations are moving to broker peace in decades-long conflicts in the region.

On June 21, just China's special envoy was hosting the first Horn of Africa peace conference in Ethiopia, Britain announced the appointment of its own special diplomat for the eight eastern nations.

Sarah Montgomery, as special envoy to the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, would "lead the UK response to international activity in the Red Sea region, engaging with key actors on both shores of the Red Sea and beyond", the British foreign office said.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

That came days after the US named Mike Hammer as special envoy to replace David Satterfield, who announced his exit after barely three months in office amid an anti-US backlash following sanctions and aid cuts targeting Ethiopia over the civil war in its Tigray region.

And last week, Finland appointed Somalian-born Suldaan Said Ahmed as its special representative on peace mediation in the Horn of Africa.

China has refused to take a stand on regional conflicts like the Tigray civil war, saying solutions should come from the African nations themselves and accusing the US of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.

Liselotte Odgaard, professor at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, said in the West views Chinese peacemaking and security efforts in the Horn of Africa and elsewhere as a threat to their model of governance.

"The sending of envoys from the UK, Finland, and the US is an attempt to step up efforts to offer an alternative to the substantial influence of China, based on liberal values," Odgaard said.

However, Western efforts are most likely to succeed if they manage to work through government institutions like China does, even if those are often corrupt, opaque and based on authoritarian rather than democratic principles.

Story continues

"China tends to operate through the government exercising effective control and on the basis of non-interference, working with the government institutions in power," she noted.

"It remains to be seen if the Western countries can provide a credible alternative to China's presence."

China has for long contributed to mediation efforts and provided military help, while arguing that its economic development push aims to tackle security problems such as piracy on African terms, Odgaard said.

Those peace efforts got a boost with Chinese President Xi Jinping's Global Security Initiative, announced at this years' Boao Forum for Asia in April, she added.

The Horn of Africa is strategically important as the primary entry point to both the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, home to major ports and sea lanes, as well as the military bases of several nations, including the US and China.

However, the region - covering Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan - has long been racked by civil war, Islamist insurgencies and military coups.

It is also plagued by humanitarian crises, such as famine. Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are currently suffering a punishing drought, with Somalia said to be at risk of famine.

Over 80 million people in the greater Horn of Africa region are food insecure & resorting to desperate measures to feed themselves and their families. As people leave their homes in search of food, they no longer can access health services. The risk of disease outbreaks increases pic.twitter.com/ruqkqXkQtX

- World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) July 7, 2022

Abhishek Mishra, associate fellow with Observer Research Foundation's Strategic Studies (Africa) Programme, highlighted the cyclical bouts of violence, instability and insecurity in the region.

He cited last year's military clashes between Ethiopia and Sudan over a territorial dispute, the Kenya-Somali diplomatic row over maritime borders in the Indian Ocean, and the civil war in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region. Meanwhile, a three-way conflict between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has increased the prospect of regional instability.

Kenyan fishermen demonstrate over a maritime dispute between Kenya and Somalia. Photo: AFP alt=Kenyan fishermen demonstrate over a maritime dispute between Kenya and Somalia. Photo: AFP>

Further, Mishra noted how Sudan's transition to civilian and democratic rule has been marred by military overreach while the Islamist Al-Shabaab insurgency in Somalia poses a transnational threat to stability. The severe food crisis after four failed rainy seasons also poses serious challenges in the region.

But even as conflict threatens investments in the region, China has been making inroads - mainly under its now trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative.

It has invested in Djibouti's maritime sector, as well as in Ethiopia, notably in building the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, and also funded a massive US$4.7 billion railway line in Kenya.

For the US, China or any other countries with significant investment in the region, the "foremost concern is to protect their national interests and investments - physical infrastructure, assets, and people," Mishra said.

During the Beijing-led peace conference in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in June, Chinese special envoy Xue Bing offered to mediate "for the peaceful settlement of disputes based on the will of countries in this region".

"For Beijing, it represents an opportunity to couch its security engagement as part of its endeavours to protect overseas assets, civilians, and investments," Mishra explained.

Security is increasingly a part of Beijing's toolkit to consolidate diplomatic relationships across Africa. According to Mishra, the horn provides China with an opportunity to experiment and test a more active security policy abroad without attracting serious scrutiny about potential hegemonic intent.

"What China offers is a complete package that blends arms sales, troop training, medical assistance, anti-piracy drills, along with trade and investments", he said, with the intertwined security and economic interests giving it significant leverage and advantage over Western counterparts in Africa.

"The [peace] conference signalled a willingness and capability on the part of China to sponsor regional dialogue on African security issues ... By bringing conflicting parties to the negotiating table to foster peaceful resolution of disputes, China has set itself apart from the rest of Africa's partners."

Guled Ahmed, a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute, said the Horn of Africa nations are fragile due to poor governance, a lack of strong institutions, poor infrastructure and natural disasters.

But they also represent key African real estate, stretching from the Indian Ocean to the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb strait to the Red Sea, the passageway for more than 10 per cent of global commodities and 30 per cent of European energy supplies, including Chinese fleets. Hence, major global powers want to ensure "political stability" in the region, he said.

The West's approach to the Horn of Africa peace initiative is transparent and seeks to address the causes of conflict, Ahmed said. It is willing to hold to account those responsible for crimes such as genocide, whereas China's approach "lacks clarity as it's a rookie in this process".

Western envoys, especially those from the European Union and United States, would converge on approaches to stability, humanitarian issues, climate change and sustainable peace development in the Horn of Africa, and may even agree with China on some points, such as climate change and sustainable development, Ahmed said.

But their paths will diverge when it comes to democracy, human rights and peace initiatives, as China is less inclined to inclusivity and transparency.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2022 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2022. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Alexei Mordashov

Read also: 12.5 billion euros of Russian oligarch assets frozen by EU

At the beginning of July 2022, TUI Group, one of the world's largest tour operators, obtained two new shareholders. A relatively small number of shares were bought by Sebastian Ebel, who will become the new CEO of the company in October, and Sybille Reiss, who has been a member of the Board of Directors since July 1, 2021.

Mordashov, on the contrary, reduced his stake in TUI. Do the recent changes mean that he is losing influence on the company? NV Business delved into the details.

Touristic behemoth

TUI is one of the largest travel agencies in the world, with its own aircraft and hotels. At the end of 2019, on the eve of the introduction of quarantine restrictions and transport lockdowns, the company served 21 million customers. And this is without taking into account joint ventures in Canada and Russia. The company's revenue at the time amounted to almost EUR 19 billion, but last year fell to EUR 4.7 billion. Thanks to the removal of most lockdown restrictions, the situation in the tourism and transport sectors is improving. In the first half of 2022, the company received almost EUR 4.5 billion in revenue, which is almost the same as in the whole of 2021.

Read also: How Western sanctions actually affect fortunes and lives of Putin's richest friends  NV analysis

The TUI (Touristik Union International) brand itself appeared in 2012. Prior to this, the company operated under the name Preussag AG. It is an industrial conglomerate that emerged on October 9, 1923, as the Prussian Mining and Metallurgical Corporation (PBHAG). Then, under the umbrella of a joint-stock company, the state assets of Prussia were united: coal mines, metallurgical plants, salt mines, amber production, and auxiliary companies. In 1997, Preussag divested itself of its manufacturing assets and focused on the leisure industry.

Ironically, a Russian manufacturing tycoon ended up being its largest shareholder.

Story continues

Russian shareholder

At the beginning of 2022, the largest private shareholder of the German company was the Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov, who made his fortune at the steel company Severstal. Mordashov began buying up TUI shares at the end of the 2000s. As a result, he got hold of about 34% of the shares of TUI Group through Unifirm Limited (Cyprus) and was even a member of the supervisory board of the tour operator.

However, after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU sanctions were imposed personally against Mordashov on February 28. On March 2, he left the supervisory board of TUI AG, the tour operator's management company.

According to German law, 25% + 1 share is a blocking stake that makes it possible to veto key company decisions, explained Julian Khorunzhyi, Senior Partner at Ario Law Firm, to NV Business.

Read also: Russia sanctions - why, what, how and where?

But, if we are talking specifically about the situation with Mordashov, then in accordance with the TUI Group press release, as long as European and not only sanctions are applied against him, he does not have the right to dispose of his shares, does not have the right to vote, and does not have the right to receive economic benefits from the ownership of shares.

Despite this, in mid-March, information emerged about the oligarch's attempt to indirectly sell a 29.9% stake in TUI AG to another company  Ondero Limited registered in the British Virgin Islands. In theory, this would allow part of the shares to be exempted from EU sanctions. The agreement was signed on February 28, the day sanctions were imposed against the oligarch. Only three weeks later it became known that the beneficial owner of Ondero Limited is Marina Mordashova, the wife of the oligarch, against whom US sanctions have already been imposed. Germany blocked this deal.

Read also: Scholz explained delays with German military supplies to Ukraine

But 4.1% of TUI shares were transferred to Severgroup LLC (Russia), which is personally owned by Mordashov, so the sanctions do apply in this case, Khorunzhyi asserts.

But as of July 1, the share capital structure of TUI Group has changed.

Month of change

NV Business has already detailed how Alexei Mordashov hides his tourism assets from sanctions. However, not everything seems to be going according to plan.

In the latest structure of the largest owners of the TUI Group, the total share of companies controlled by the structures of the Russian oligarch and his family decreased from 34% to 30.9%. The share of private and institutional investors increased to 66.9%. Thus, Mordashov now owns less than a third of the operator's shares.

Read also: Why Putin is blackmailing Europe with gas

The changes came as a result of the additional issue of shares of the German company. On May 17, TUI AG announced its decision to increase its authorized capital by approximately 10%. For this purpose, about 162,300 new shares were issued, which were offered to institutional investors at a price of EUR 2.62 each. This made it possible to garner EUR 425 million.

An additional issue may well be a relatively legal tool aimed at reducing the impact of the sanctions and the demonstrative withdrawal of the relevant asset from the scope of the sanctions, said Timur Bondaryev, lawyer, managing partner of JSC Arzinger, to NV Business. He adds that much depends on the local legislation that establishes the appropriate sanctions restrictions.

Who got the new shares? Investment and consulting companies Black Rock, GLG Partners, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reported the change in their shares during June. The list may also include other new shareholders whose stake in the authorized capital is small and does not require mandatory disclosure.

Actions to issue additional shares and dilute the shares of existing shareholders can theoretically be aimed at reducing sanctions risks.

Read also: Google sold data of Ukrainian users to Russia even after sanctions

The fewer sanctioned persons and the less their control in the corporate structure of the company, the less public and reputational risks such a company has, and this, in turn, affects the value of shares, explains Khorunzhyi.

But TUI Group is a public company listed on the London and German stock exchanges, and Mordashov still has a blocking stake in its shares. Therefore, Khorunzhyi does not rule out that the purpose of the additional issue was indeed to raise funds. Moreover, the company has found a use for them.

Change of course

TUI AG in May announced its intention to repay more than EUR 1.1 billion of state aid received from the German government during the 2020-2021 coronavirus crisis. At that time, air transportation and tourism were among the most affected sectors of the global economy.

Read also: UK imposes sanctions on Putin's cousin and billionaire Potanin

By on June 30, the company had paid EUR 725 million (including interest) to the Economic Stabilization Fund (WSF) and reduced outstanding credit lines from KfW bank from EUR 2.4 to 2.1 billion. The money was raised through the placement of shares and from the companys own working capital.

In addition to the mentioned credit lines, the company still owes the state EUR 479 million, which are convertible into 479 million shares of TUI AG (loan from WSF and bonds). If this happens, then Mordashov's share will further decrease.

The tour operator explains its financial activity as due to the revival in the tourist market in Europe and the world.

Read also: French arms firm busts sanctions to help Russia build weapons

It is worth noting that in parallel the company is undergoing significant changes in management. On June 24, the current CEO Friedrich Joussen, who became the head of the company under Mordashov, announced his intention to exercise the right to resign early. European travel media noted that the announcement came as a surprise. On that day, the shares of the tour operator even fell in price. Joussen headed TUI for about 10 years, and it was under his leadership that in 2014 the German and British tourism businesses that worked under the TUI brand were merged into a single company. Joussen explained his decision by the fact that the company has overcome the existential crisis associated with the challenges of COVID-19. According to Corporate Watch, even in the coronavirus-affected year of 2020, he earned just over EUR 1.7 million (only 5% less than in the successful 2019). He also had an additional income  dividends on shares received in the form of annual bonuses.

Sebastian Ebel, mentioned earlier, who is currently the company's CFO, will become his successor from October 1. This replacement will lead to several more changes in the management of the tour operator.

But will the course to reduce the influence of the Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov continue?

Read also: Putin losing favor with Russian oligarchs  Center for Countering Disinformation

Provided that there is a thorough shareholder agreement that establishes tools for joint control of the business, even a de-jure insignificant stake in the share capital can have a fairly large de-facto influence of its owner on the strategic aspects of the business and its operational activities, stresses Bondaryev.

Help NV continue reporting on the Russian invasion



Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Edgewater Police Department released new details Sunday about the search for two suspects in a road rage investigation.

WATCH: Search underway for armed man, woman involved in road-rage shooting in Edgewater, police say

Investigators said they found a silver Toyota Tundra that Brittany Seiler and James Seiler were inside near West Indian River Boulevard and Airpark Road on Friday.

Brittany Seiler was arrested Saturday in Saint Johns County.

Officers said James Seiler is still at large and considered armed and dangerous.

WATCH: Family, friends hold vigil for father of 5 fatally shot on SR-408

Police said after being cut off in traffic, James Seiler hit a driver with a survey stake and then shot the victims truck.

Anyone who sees James Seiler, or knows where he is, is asked to call the Edgewater Police Department or 911.

READ: Reward increased to $10K for information about deadly I-4 shooting

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

An employee has been praised on Reddit for quitting her job after her boss said that death of her dog wasnt the best reason to miss work.

In the popular group Anti-Work, user hopechyann shared a screenshot of her text messages with her employer. The caption of the post reads: And I oop.

The text conversation begins with Hope, as she calls herself in the first text, telling her boss that she had a family emergency and couldnt come in to her job that night. In response, the manager writes: Start calling around. You need to get it covered. Whats your emergency[?].

The worker went on to explain that she would try to get someone to take her shift, before noting how she had just put [her] family dog down. The boss then pushed back and says the dogs passing wasnt exactly a justifiable reason to miss work.

Thats not the best reasons to tell me youre not coming into work, the message reads.

In her reply, the woman then told her boss that she would be leaving the company and was going to be giving her notice.

Okay, she wrote. Im also turning in my two weeks but if you need something written, I can do that as well.

The boss simply replied with: Ill just figure out tonight.

As of 18 July, the post has more than 53,500 upvotes, with Reddit users in the comments saying that the manager should have been the one to find coverage for Hopes shift.

How is it normal that [you have to] start calling around, isnt the managers responsibility? Why are you expected to do the managing?, one wrote.

Exactly. Staffing is a managers job. Im letting you know I cant work today, another added. Calling around to find coverage for my shift is work.

Some people made jokes about how the bosss reaction to her dogs death encouraged Hope to quit, one of which wrote: Wow, the g-force on that u-turn.

Other people also claimed that the worker shouldnt have told her boss what the family emergency was and that she wasnt required to do so.

Story continues

Never explain what your family emergency is. It is none of their business. And besides, no reason you give is good enough for them, one reader said.

Family emergency says it all, another added. If they ask, clarify that its a family emergency.

The Independent has contacted Hope for comment.
By Dan Whitcomb

(Reuters) -New York's governor on Monday ordered state agencies to step up surveillance off Long Island beaches following a string of five shark attacks in the last two weeks.

The sudden rash of summer shark attacks, which have left Long Island beachgoers on edge, began on June 30 at Jones Beach and included two on Wednesday. None of the bites have proven fatal.

"We are taking action to expand patrols for sharks and protect beachgoers from potentially dangerous situations," New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a written statement.

The governor's order calls for using overtime pay to boost lifeguard staffing at beaches by 25 percent, deploying patrol boats, drones and helicopters and distributing materials to warn beachgoers of the threat.

The shark encounters off Long Island, which saw only one last summer, may be down to a sharp increase in the number of so-called bait fish, Menhaden or bunker, in the shallow waters near shore, said Gavin Naylor of the International Shark Attack File.

Naylor said most of the attacks appear to have been carried out by juvenile sand tiger sharks, which have been nursing in large numbers off Jones Beach. A swimmer was bitten on his right foot on June 30 near Jones Beach.

"Juveniles tend to be less discerning (when targeting prey) and less experienced. The larger ones tend to be further from shore," Naylor said. "But the proximal reason is sharks are looking for food and they target Manhaden."

A Smith Point lifeguard was bitten on the hand while training on July 3. Four days later a lifeguard was attacked near Ocean Beach, suffering minor injuries to his ankle.

The latest two attacks took place on Wednesday, when a surfer suffered a shark bite to the leg at Smith Point Beach and a swimmer from Arizona was attacked off Seaview Beach.

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
Yusuf Zahab pictured before he left Australia at age 11

An Australian teenager taken to Syria as a child is feared dead after languishing in an adult prison for three years.

Yusuf Zahab was 11 years old when he was taken to Syria in 2015 by relatives who had been radicalised. He was imprisoned without charge in 2019.

His Sydney-based family say they are "heartbroken and angry" because the 17-year-old had begged for help for years.

Australia has previously said it is too dangerous to repatriate its citizens.

It is unclear exactly when or how Yusuf is suspected to have died. Rights groups say he was injured in January when the Islamic State group attacked a prison in Syria's Kurdish-controlled north-east in a bid to free its fighters.

Kurdish-led forces, with US support, battled the militants for a week, leaving more than 180 people dead.

At the time, Yusuf told family in voice recordings he was scared he "might die at any time" as fighting intensified.

"I lost a lot of blood... There's no doctors here, there's no one who can help me," he said.

Yusuf was among around 850 children who had been detained at the prison after the fall of IS in 2019 in case they posed a risk, the UN children's charity Unicef said.

His family described him as a happy and compassionate child who loved sport, school and playing with his cousins.

"Even in the final messages we received from Yusuf, he asked us to tell his mum that he loved and missed her," they said in a statement.

"Yusuf didn't need to die."

They said Australia's previous government "knew about Yusuf's predicament for more than three years" before being leaving office in May, adding: "We are unaware of any efforts to support, care or inquire about him."

The family and advocacy groups Human Rights Watch and Save the Children have pleaded for Australia to repatriate women and children who remain in Syria.

Story continues

Australia evacuated eight orphans in 2019, but at least 63 Australians remain stuck in Syria. Of them, up to 40 are children, the groups say.

"We have to remember these children were brought there against their will or were born over there," Human Rights Watch's Sophie McNeill told the ABC.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is working to confirm that Yusuf has been killed, but his family has been offered consular assistance.

The government remains "deeply concerned" about Australians in northeast Syria but its assistance is "extremely limited" due to security dangers, the department said in a statement.

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A few miles from the village of Elon in Amherst County, a wide assortment of daylilies at Reedy Farm are eye-catching, colorful and invite a close-up look.

Evan Reedy, the farms owner, said the daylilies are a draw that regularly bring in flower enthusiasts at this time of year.

He and his family have lived at the farm since 2016. They raise dairy goats and Heritage turkeys, along with growing the daylilies.

Its only about five and a half acres, Reedy said. We utilize every square foot of it. The daylilies are our biggest thing. Thats what everybody comes out here for.

Reedy, who teaches agriculture at Rustburg Middle School in Campbell County, said hes been involved in horticulture since he was a boy.

My grandma used to take me to daylily farms, Reedy said. I had some growing up. Some of them are out here now. Theyre easy to grow. They work well on the property, lots of color. So it really entices people to come out here.

The farm has more than 1,000 varieties of daylilies and buys them from breeders from all over the country, according to Reedy.

I buy about 200 varieties a year, just so we can keep things fresh and new and different, Reedy said. Theres always a pipeline.

Reedy said hes received numerous messages from people saying the farm is an important place they enjoy visiting and buying from.

Theyre forming memories when they come out here, Reedy said of the peak blooming season. We look forward to it every year.

The daylily season runs mid-June to mid-July, according to Reedy.

An Altavista native, he said he and his wife have other jobs and run the farm on a part-time basis. He said they are working to ship daylilies across the country.

The location being so close to Woodruffs Pie Shop, a popular eatery on Virginia 130 that also is a draw, is nice, Reedy said.

Its kind of like a two-for-one deal, he said.

When the Reedy family moved to the farm six years ago, the property was just grass and didnt have landscaping. He planted two fields several years ago and ramped up much work on the operation in 2020 when he had much outdoor time on his hands than normal with the shutdowns driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now in its third year of drawing in customers and onlookers, Reedy said the first year was by appointment.

Our Facebook traffic has gone up almost 1,800%, Reedy said.

He said the farm is a hobby that has turned into a destination spot for agritourism, a labor of love that takes time and effort to maintain.

This is a lot of work. This place is no joke, Reedy said. We love it out here. Amherst County is the best place to live at. The people are the nicest people Ive ever met.

People have stopped by the site out of curiosity and some neighbors have come by asking for help in birthing goats, Reedy said.

We love to see people coming out and enjoying whatve done, the hard work weve done, Reedy said.

He said daylilies at the farm have almost every color imaginable. The crowds coming to buy there or simply enjoy the scenery are much appreciated, he added.

It makes it worthwhile for us, Reedy said.
No charges will be filed against any law enforcement officer in connection with the Nov. 7, 2021, fatal shooting of a Goodview woman, Bedford Countys top prosecutor said Monday.

Chelsae L. Clevenger-Kirk, 29, died after multiple officers fired at her after she exited a burning home and brandished a handgun at law enforcement following an overnight standoff, according to Mondays report from Bedford County Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance and a news release last year from Virginia State Police.

The report said that because an investigation could not determine which of the five service weapons collected afterward fired the fatal shot, and because the prosecutors legal analysis showed the officers acted appropriately and with justifiable use of lethal force, the five officers would not be named in the report.

The report said Clevenger-Kirk suffered from multiple mental-health and substance-abuse problems, had threatened officers on Facebook live-stream video and had expressed that she wished to die at the hands of police. After her death, a toxicology report revealed marijuana and amphetamines in her system and a blood alcohol content over 0.18.

The report also disputed several claims by Clevenger-Kirks family members, including that she was intentionally killed, as the report phrased it, because she was exposing secrets on Facebook about police misconduct.

In an email to media accompanying the report, Nance said we must learn from tragic incidents such as this and must invest in training and resources to deal with people suffering from mental illness.

With the danger associated with such interactions, this duty will more often than not be the responsibility of law enforcement. We must assure that they have the best and most up to date tactics to resolve such incidents in a way that is safe both for law enforcement and the person suffering from the mental health crisis, Nance said.

The incident began Nov. 6, 2021, a Saturday, when a Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources conservation officer tried to stop Clevenger-Kirk, who was driving a motorcycle while not wearing a helmet and not displaying a license plate, according to the prosecutors report and a previous Virginia State Police news release.

Clevenger-Kirk did not stop and instead went to her home on Afton Lane in Goodview and went inside. The conservation officer called for backup, and additional backup was requested after officers heard shots inside the home and heard Clevenger-Kirk shout You caused this death!  a statement that she would repeat exactly or similarly during Facebook live-stream videos throughout the night that followed, the report said.

Besides the wildlife resources department, the Bedford County Sheriffs Office, the Town of Bedford Police Department and Virginia State Police responded to the scene.

During the overnight standoff, officers attempted to resolve the situation without lethal force, communicating with her via cell phone and bullhorn, according to the report. Clevenger-Kirk stepped out of the home on several occasions, held a gun to her head, threatened law enforcement and told officers to shoot her. At one point, officers unsuccessfully used powder projectiles to try to get her to leave.

The report said Clevenger-Kirks family members took issue with law enforcement not allowing them to enter the area and perhaps resolve the situation peacefully, but law enforcement believed the risk of death or injury was too great. It also said family members claimed law enforcement started the fire, but a citizen witness and official communications show the fire started before the fatal confrontation in the front yard.

After the fire began inside the home  most likely started by Kirk, the report said, but due to damage inside the home, the cause couldnt be definitively determined  she stepped outside, pointed a gun at officers and was slain.
RICHMOND  Two online sting operations conducted by area police have resulted in the arrest of 27 people on charges of soliciting sex for money.

In the first operation June 9, Chesterfield County police special victims and vice detectives conduced online chatting operations that ended with the arrest of 13 people on 29 charges.

As in past cases, detectives intercepted suspects who believed they were soliciting sex from adults through various social media platforms. The suspects communicated with people they believed to be offering sexual services in exchange for payment and arranged to meet them at a location. When the suspects came to the location, they were met by police and arrested.

In what police said was an effort to maximize enforcement efforts against prostitution in the Richmond area while targeting sex traffickers, Chesterfield conducted a second operation July 12 in conjunction with the Henrico Division of Police and Hanover Sheriff's Office. In that sting, 14 suspects were arrested on 27 charges.

Those charged were from Richmond, Chesterfield, Mechanicsville, Disputana, Dinwiddie, Keysville, Petersburg, Schuylar, Henrico, Amelia, Farmville and Rustburg. They ranged in age from 23 to 68. Most were issued summonses for solicitation of prostitution and frequenting a bawdy place.
Japanese schools tend to be very particular about student conduct and appearance. In recent years, weve seen a gradual loosening of some of the stricter rules, but that doesnt mean theyve disappeared entirely, as shown by what happened at a school in Fukuoka Prefecture.

In April, a public junior high school in the Fukuoka town of Kurume was conducting a check to see if students were complying with the schools rules regarding hairstyling and dying. But while the hairs on the head of one third-year student passed inspection, the school had a problem with her eyebrow hairs, or, more specifically, the eyebrow hairs she no longer had.

The schools rules prohibit the students from cutting or shaving their eyebrows. However, the 14-year-old girl had been removing hairs at the edges of her eyebrows to give them a more groomed appearance. The school ruled this to be an infraction. She was punished with three days of besshitu toko, separate-room schooling, a form of disciplining in Japanese schools where students who have broken a rule must do their days schoolwork in a separate room, away from the rest of the class, essentially a form of in-school suspension. She was also made to write an essay reflecting on her transgression.

Miki Hata, Kurumes 55-year-old director of education, was asked about the incident, and she said I believe the school may be worried that, being at a developmental age, children may become distracted by overly focusing on their eyebrows and hairstyles, and neglect essential aspects of their education and lifestyles. But while its easy to see how, say, teachers might think hair dyed bright pink or spiked into a mohawk could be distracting, what sort of problems could they see arising from students eyebrows? ...continue reading
A 41-year-old Wisconsin man was killed Saturday afternoon when his motorcycle crashed on I-80 near Underwood, Iowa.

Mark Hendricks, of Cleveland, Wisconsin, was heading west on I-80 when the motorcycles rear tire suffered a blow out, which caused Hendricks to lose control, according to Iowa State Patrol. The crash occurred shortly after 2 p.m.

The motorcycle flipped several times, according to the crash report, and Hendricks struck the cable barriers in the median. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to Cutler-ONeill Funeral Home in Council Bluffs.
Allison Rose waited more than an hour for her son to get out of work before making calls to find him.

Rose had dropped off her son, Casen Garcia, for his third-shift job at 8 p.m. Friday, July 8, at the Tyson Foods plant in rural Joslin. Rose regularly dropped him off, then picked him up in the morning.

Garcia, 22, was supposed to get off work at 7:30 a.m. on July 9. His mom got there early, 7:20. At 8:35, with no sign of Garcia, she called his fiancee, Jessica Rocha Alvarado, to see if she had heard from him.

"I tried calling him two or three times, then I used the security call-in line," Alvarado said. "I was told they'd been trying to call me and his mom, Alli, for an hour. Neither of us had any missed calls on our phones.

"They said they couldn't tell me anything on the phone. I honestly thought he hurt himself. I thought he'd cut his hand off; I hoped. Deep down, I could feel something was wrong."

Her instincts were correct.

"I went to the guard shack, and that's where they told me they had found my son in the parking lot and he was already gone," Rose said. "They told me that it had something to do with his heart  an underlying medical condition.

"I came to find out he never was in the parking lot, and he never had an underlying medical condition at all, ever."

However, preliminary autopsy results indicate Garcia, of East Moline, had an enlarged heart, according to Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson. The condition can result from a number of causes, and Gustafson said toxicology results are likely to give more specific clues.

Tyson Foods issued this statement: "Were cooperating with authorities as they investigate the passing of one of our team members from our Joslin, Illinois, facility. The team member experienced a medical episode on July 9. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the team members family, friends and co-workers."

But Garcia's family and several co-workers say they think the "medical episode" was brought on by conditions inside the plant.

Investigations are underway

Despite Tyson's declaration that Garcia died as the result of a "medical episode," the cause of his death has not yet been determined.

In addition to pending autopsy results, the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department is investigating, and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, is conducting an inspection at the plant.

"We have an open investigation into this persons death. As of right now, the investigation is centered on why someone so young may have passed away," Sheriff Gerry Bustos said. "I know the investigators have attended his autopsy and are awaiting the final results and toxicology report, but no cause has been definitively identified."

Garcia's body was found just outside the doors of a rendering area known as "the basement," Rose said. He was lying on railroad tracks that serve the plant.

Several of his co-workers spoke to a reporter on the condition of anonymity, saying they feared they would be fired for talking about what happened. Each has reached out to Garcia's mother, telling her what they think happened: He died either from extreme heat exposure, ammonia inhalation, electrocution or a combination of all three.

His mother, fiancee and his co-workers said Garcia was a healthy and fit 22-year-old. He was an active member of the Illinois Army National Guard, and it was not unusual for him to sprint several blocks to the convenience store near his home, Alvarado said.

"He never was out of breath," she said. "If 'health issues' caused this, it had to be from the conditions he was working in."

His mother, having spoken with several of her son's co-workers, said she was convinced something besides an undetected heart issue took him.

"I'm told it was 120 degrees in that basement, and Casen always talked about the smell of ammonia," Rose said. "Two days before he died, he said, 'Mom, I can't believe no one's died down there.'"

Several co-workers said Garcia and others would rotate through the basement, taking regular breaks to escape the heat and smell. Garcia had left the basement just minutes before he collapsed outside the plant doors, they said.

Just before that, co-workers said, another maintenance worker in rendering had been told to get out of the basement because he was pale and had stopped sweating.

Delays in reaching him

A co-worker and a supervisor tried to revive Garcia, but the co-worker didn't know CPR and the supervisor had injuries that prevented him from performing life-saving measures effectively, co-workers said.

While a medical office is just a few minutes' walk from the tracks where Garcia died, several people said, the medical response took 25 minutes. Workers said those around Garcia were pleading desperately into a radio, "Man down!" and "He's not breathing!" but radio chatter about equipment repair kept overriding their pleas.

"It took another 15 minutes for the ambulance to get there," Rose said. "As my son was dying, the production crew was told to keep working, and several of them said they were told not to talk to the police."

Two of Garcia's colleagues said he appeared to be gasping for air before he died. One worker said he took off one of his boots just outside the door, suggesting he was trying to cool off. But another told Rose that Garcia had moved an overhead hoist just outside the door, and it came into contact with a power line.

"We know he only had one boot on, and the other was a distance away from him, which may have happened if he was shocked," Rose said. "The coroner said that hasn't been ruled out."

Gustafson, the coroner, declined to say whether Garcia's body showed signs of electrocution, saying the investigations and the toxicology screen should supply more answers.

Family says drugs are out

A co-worker who spent a recent holiday with Garcia said the two had a "deep conversation" about drugs, and Garcia worried about people using illicit drugs because he had read so many bad things about fentanyl.

His mother and fiancee said he used marijuana, which is legal in Illinois, but he was not an illicit-drug user.

"He wouldn't even let me buy nicotine vapes," Alvarado said. "Drugs? Absolutely not."

Garcia was into healthy living, she said. His goal, in fact, was to one day open a vegetarian restaurant.

"We had our house, and we were just starting to save," she said. "He was amazing with food. He hated working at the plant and was always complaining about how dangerous it was.

"He was scared he would die there. He was trying to get some experience, then move on. He had just applied at Arconic."

A good job was important to Garcia. He and Alvarado have a 14-month-old son together whom he adored.

"The last couple days, it's been hitting our son," she said. "He's agitated and screaming out, 'Da-da! Da-da!' Honestly, sometimes I just scream with him.

"I just can't believe I lost him. How is this even happening?"
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Krystal Bell arranges bagged lettuce in the produce section at Save-A-Lot grocery store in the 7200 block of South Stony Island Avenue in Chicago on July 15, 2022. Yellow Banana grocery company is receiving $13.5 million from the city of Chicago to renovate stores and open new grocery stores. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

A Save-A-Lot in Auburn Gresham that shuttered in 2020 may reopen by the end of the year.

The city announced Monday it would award a $13.5 million grant to Yellow Banana, a grocery company owned by the Cleveland-based investment firm 127 Wall Holdings LLC, to reopen the store and make investments in other Save-A-Lot locations. The money is part of more than $49 million in grant funding announced by the city Monday.

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Yellow Banana plans to use the funds in combination with private money to reopen the Auburn Gresham store and acquire and renovate five other Save-A-Lots it operates on the citys South and West sides. Though Yellow Banana has operated those stores under the Save-A-Lot name since late 2021, the buildings are owned by Save-A-Lot. The total cost of the project is estimated at $26 million.

The city funding comes as grocery companies continue to close stores on Chicagos South and West sides and as community leaders call on the city to provide solutions to lack of food access. In interviews, Yellow Banana executives said theyre committed to increasing food access in Chicagos disinvested neighborhoods  and that theyre in the city to stay.

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We want to be the grocer of choice for communities and cities that are grappling with food insecurity, Yellow Banana co-founder Michael Nance said in an interview with the Tribune. We think we can be creative thought partners that can bring both private and public dollars to bear on the situation. We think we can provide solutions.

Yellow Banana has operated six Save-A-Lot grocery stores on Chicagos South and West sides since last year; nationally, it operates 38 Save-A-Lots across a handful of cities including Milwaukee and Cleveland.

Nance discussed plans for the Auburn Gresham Save-A-Lot at a neighborhood meeting in early July before the city announced its grant.

He pulled no punches when discussing Save-A-Lots reputation in Chicago, saying the company had tarnished its name in the city. Save-A-Lots physical conditions were not up to snuff, he said, and neither was the stores produce.

In 2020, Save-A-Lot announced plans to sell off its corporate-owned retail stores and focus instead on wholesaling; the company now owns and operates 18 out of more than 850 stores nationwide.

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In a statement, Save-A-Lot CEO Leon Bergmann said Yellow Banana understands the unique challenges these communities face, and are committed and determined to work with each neighborhood to serve them in the best way possible by providing healthy food at affordable prices, and giving them a refreshed and improved Save A Lot experience.

Though 60% of the Yellow Banana-owned stores products will be sourced from Save-A-Lot, Yellow Banana has begun experimenting with other sources for products, Nance said. For instance, the company has switched its produce supplier to provide fresher produce. Where appropriate, he said, the company may offer organic produce. Yellow Banana is interested in stocking some locally made products too, he said at the meeting this month.

Yellow Banana says that owning the stores real estate will help the stores stay in business; grocery is an industry with notoriously slim margins, which is especially true in the discount grocery sector, executives said.

Ademola Adewale-Sadik, a co-founder of Yellow Banana, said the company plans to put in new LED lighting, HVAC and refrigeration systems, as well as install new fixtures and bathrooms.

Commissioner for Chicago Department of Planning and Development Maurice Cox claps for Michael Nance, left, and his organization, Yellow Banana, during the Summer 2022 Community Development Grants ceremony at Kehrein Center for the Arts on July 18, 2022 in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

We here in Auburn Gresham deserve a nice grocery store, Adewale-Sadik said. West Lawn, South Shore, South Chicago, West Garfield Park, we deserve nice things too.

Nance said the renovations will require stores to close for about three to four weeks each. Yellow Banana plans to stagger the renovations and provide transportation to shuttle people to other grocery stores when their Save-A-Lot is closed, he said.

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Nance said Yellow Banana hopes to open the Auburn Gresham store, located at 7908 S. Halsted, by the end of the year. The neighborhood lost another grocery store in June, when Aldi abruptly shuttered a store about a mile-and-a-half away from the closed Save-A-Lot. Other grocery stores nearby include a Walmart Neighborhood Market located north of the former Aldi on South Ashland Avenue and A Food 4 Less about a mile away.

The six stores Yellow Banana already operates in Chicago are located at 4439 W. 63rd St. in West Lawn, 420 S. Pulaski Road in West Garfield Park, 2858 E. 83rd St. in South Chicago, 10700 S. Halsted St. in Morgan Park, 7240 S. Stony Island Ave. in Grand Crossing and 644 E. 63rd St. in West Woodlawn. The West Woodlawn store is not included in the city grant funding.

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Were there to stay

The citys South and West sides have struggled for years with grocery store closures and a lack of access to high-quality, affordable foods.

In April, Whole Foods announced it was closing the Englewood location it opened to much fanfare in 2016 with the help of $10.7 million in city funding. A closing date has not yet been announced for the store. The citys sale agreement with the site developer requires a new grocery store to be up and running within 18 months once Whole Foods leaves.

When Aldi closed its Auburn Gresham store in June, South Side aldermen slammed the company and called for a city hearing on food access and grocery store closures.

Local elected officials in the neighborhood said they found out about the closure from constituents. Aldi cited declining sales and repeated burglaries in the closure of that store, saying in a statement that it did not take the closing of this location lightly. Within the last five years, there were seven burglaries on the stores block, two of which took place at a grocery store, according to the citys crime data portal.

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The Auburn Gresham Aldi wasnt the first grocery store the company closed in a historically disinvested neighborhood on the citys South and West sides; it shuttered a store in West Garfield Park last year.

At a news conference announcing Chicago Recovery Plan awardees Monday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot slammed Aldi for closing stores on the South and West sides while keeping stores on the North Side, saying the company should be ashamed.

If your business isnt succeeding, that is one thing. Come to us and we will try to work with you to help support it, Lightfoot said. But if your business isnt succeeding and you make what I think is always a tough decision to close, dont blame the community and make them out to be thieves and worse because your business didnt succeed.

Aldis hear me loud and clear, Lightfoot said. Come to the table and talk and work with us, or there are going to be major challenges for you in the city of Chicago.

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Earlier this year, aldermen authorized the city to buy the shuttered West Garfield Park Aldi for $700,000. No replacement has been announced, but Department of Planning and Development deputy commissioner Peter Strazzabosco said the city expects to close on the property this summer. After the deal closes, a community engagement process to help refine neighborhood objectives for a new grocery operator would follow, Strazzabosco said. The city is in discussions with potential grocers for the location, he said.

On Monday, Lightfoot declined to say when a new grocery store would open at the site.

Strazzabosco said more than half of the 79 Chicago Recovery Plan grant awards announced Monday will go toward new or improved grocery stores, restaurants and cafes. In total, the city is awarding more than $49 million during this round of grant funding, two-thirds of which comes from the citys Chicago Recovery Plan local bond issue and one-third of which comes out of the citys TIF and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund programs, Strazzabosco said. The Chicago Recovery Plan includes funding from the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress and more than $600 million in local bond funds.

Other grant awardees announced Monday include the Chicago Market, a grocery co-op that will open at the Gerber Building, the historic Wilson Avenue CTA station in Uptown; the James Beard Award-finalist lesbian bar Nobodys Darling and Cultivate Collective, a neighborhood marketplace in Garfield Ridge. Thirty-five of the finalist projects are located in community areas that are part of the citys Invest South/West initiative, the mayors office said in a news release.

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Yellow Bananas award of $13.5 million is the largest in this round of grants.

Yellow Banana executives acknowledged grocery companies histories of abandoning stores on the citys South and West sides and emphasized their commitment to Chicagos communities as well as their own personal connections with food insecurity.

Nance said he grew up in a food desert on the east side of Cleveland. He now splits his time between Chicago and Cleveland.

We, I think, respect these communities and people who have these backgrounds and quite frankly often look like us, said Nance, who is Black and Puerto Rican.

We are in this business for the long haul. Theres no sunset, theres no end of fund life where weve got to monetize the stores and sell them off to the next owner, none of that, said Adewale-Sadik. We own these stores, were in the city, and were there to stay.

Strazzabosco said that while operating terms of the citys agreement with Yellow Banana were not yet finalized, the grant terms would include operating, occupancy and other covenants at each location that would be in place for at least a decade. City Council approval of the terms will be required, Strazzabosco said.

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Its one solution, its not the solution, said Ald. David Moore in an interview last week. Moore has backed Yellow Bananas plans to reopen the Auburn Gresham Save-A-Lot in the 17th Ward. Anytime we can bring economic development to the community, its good and its beneficial, he said.
Wildfires that have been raging over the last couple of days in different forests in northern Morocco have so far destroyed 6600 hectares, while efforts are underway with most blazes coming under control by July 17.

The national agency for water resources and forests said the wildfires broke out amid exceptional drought and a heatwave that hit the country.

The regions of Taza, Ouazzane, Chefchaouen, Tetouan and Larach have been the most hit in particular. Authorities relocated 1115 households from different villages in Larach as the flames neared inhabited areas. But now most residents have returned to their homes.

Some 2000 firefighters and soldiers were mobilized to extinguish the wildfires, in addition to the deployment of 5 Canadair water bombers and eight other airplanes by the Royal Gendarmerie.

Drones were also used to locate hotspots and improve firefighting efforts.
Algeria has been reduced to its real diplomatic size on the African continent as members of the African Union voted for Rwanda as the host of the African Medicines Agency. A new setback that adds to a series of blows for the diplomacy of the ailing military regime.

Algeria has sent a delegation led by its foreign minister accompanied by pharmaceutics minister to Lusaka where African countries picked Rwanda given its competitiveness in pharmaceuticals and leadership to launch the agency.

Myopic to its real size in Africa and disillusioned by its own propaganda, Algeria insisted on conducting a vote which left it exposed as an isolated country.

Playing the bad loser, the Algerian military regime has responded to the defeat by orchestrating a despicable campaign against Rwanda. TSA news outlet has described Rwanda as a small country of 12 million people with a poverty rate of 55% and a GDP of 10 billion dollars!

But what made the scandal is Algerian attempts to buy off the vote by promising to inject 200 million dollars into the agency and pay for its operations in the first two years if Algiers was picked as a host, a vow that went unnoticed among African sovereign states.

Isolated, this country (Algeria) can no longer weigh on the sovereign decision of African countries despite its lobbying in the corridors of the executive council in Lusaka and regardless of its attempts to intimidate Rwanda to give up its victory. Such attempts have only astonished and triggered the indignation of the participants, said Senego, a Senegalese news outlet.

The victory of Rwanda is reflective of its President Paul Kagames leadership and the respect the country enjoys amid African peers, something that Algerian military junta lack.

Algeria unfortunately has come to embody all that Africa is struggling to get rid of: military rule, authoritarianism and the rentier economy.
The mediation conducted by King Mohammed VI that led to opening of the Allenby Border Crossing 24/7 has been commended by many politicians, MPs, and analysts, who described the opening of the border crossing as a diplomatic and humanitarian breakthrough.

The opening, without interruption, of the Allenby/King Hussein border crossing, linking the West Bank and Jordan, is a diplomatic and humanitarian breakthrough made possible thanks to Moroccos direct mediation under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, The Executive Director of the American Sepharede Federation (ASF), Jason Guberman said on Sunday.

The mediation, conducted by the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America, has led to an agreement for the permanent opening of this crossing, which is the only opening of the Palestinians to the world.

HM King Mohammed VI should be commended for the diplomatic and humanitarian breakthrough between Israel, the Kingdom of Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority to open the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge 24/7, he underlined.

He stressed that facilitating trade and travel is a tangible way to build much needed trust, the basis for peace and prosperity amongst the partners.

Tellingly, this announcement came a couple of days after King Mohammed VI, as the Commander of the Faithful, created three representative bodies to strengthen Judeo-Moroccan culture, heritage preservation, and the bonds connecting Moroccan Jewry globally, Guberman pointed out.

He said that the link between the two announcements translates the Kings vision to exemplify the Moroccan model of coexistence, a source of strength at home and increasingly abroad.

In the same vein, several Italian parliamentarians hailed the direct mediation of Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, which led to the opening, without interruption, of the Allenby/King Hussein border crossing.

Italian senator, Adriano Galliani, welcomed the efforts undertaken by the King for peace in the Middle East, stressing that a new phase of prosperity is opening for the Palestinian people, thanks to this crossing.

The opening of the said border crossing is a positive step to reopen the prospects for peaceful dialogue and cooperation in the Middle East, wrote in a tweet the first secretary of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and president of the Italy-Morocco interparliamentary friendship association, Andrea De Maria.

Another Italian MP Paolo Grimoldi pointed out that with this new move, Morocco is standing out once again as a guarantor of stability in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

The Abraham Agreements continue to bear fruit, wrote in a tweet the chairman of the Italian parliamentary delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), referring to the Israeli authorities decision to open, without interruption, this border crossing.

Member of the European Parliament Andrey Kovatchev hailed the opening of the border crossing, linking the West Bank and Jordan, thanks to direct mediation by Morocco, calling it an important step towards peace in the region.

Deep gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI for the key role he played in this important step towards peace and reconciliation in the region, tweeted the MEP and spokesman for enlargement and the southern neighborhood of the European Peoples Party, saying he was delighted with this decision.

Khalil Al-Tafakji, director of the cartography department at Bayt Al-charq (Orient House) in Al-Quds, on his part commented that Israels decision to open the Allenby border crossing is the result of the soft and serene diplomacy conducted by King Mohammed VI, away from the spotlight.

Moroccan diplomacy has demonstrated, once again, that it is a soft and serene diplomacy at the service of the Palestinians and the Palestinian cause, Al-Tafakji stressed, expressing his thanks and gratitude to the King for his positions on the issue of the Palestinian people.

We look forward to His Majesty the Kings continued efforts to achieve the expectations of the Palestinians to establish their independent state, he said, recalling that the Sovereign, as chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, has always supported the resistance of the holy citys inhabitants and the preservation of the cultural and civilizational identity of the Al-Quds.

He added that the opening of the Allenby border crossing, the only one connecting the West Bank to Jordan, will help improve the lives of Palestinians, preserve their dignity and guarantee them a smooth freedom of movement outside the Palestinian territories.

In the same context, media professor at the Palestinian University of Hebron, Said Chahin, praised the efforts made by Morocco and King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, which succeeded in convincing the Israeli side of the importance of opening the vital Allenby/King Hussein border crossing.

The announcement of this step was made thanks in particular to the laudable political and diplomatic efforts of King Mohammed VI, he said, noting that the Kings political and diplomatic efforts have helped convince Israel of the feasibility of opening this vital passage, and that the Sovereign has strong and personal relations with the United States, which have been invested in this direction.

Chahin who recalled that Morocco has played and continues to play a central role in supporting the Palestinian cause at all levels emphasized that thanks to Moroccos direct mediation, under the leadership of the King, and to the United States, this important step comes to facilitate the movement of the Palestinians, to put an end to the tragedy and suffering they endure when they want to move out of the West Bank, and to allow them to live a better life that preserves their dignity and rights.

Several international, Arab and Israeli media, have also commended the Sovereigns mediation and his diplomatic and political action that made it possible to achieve a historic achievement: convincing Israel of the importance of opening this bridge without interruption.

It is the first time that Israel accepts the uninterrupted opening of this bridge since 1967.

Following the restoration of relations between Morocco and Israel in December 2020, King Mohammed VI had stressed in a phone talk with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that the Kingdom always places the Palestinian issue on the same level as the issue of the Moroccan Sahara. The King had then assured the Palestinian President that Moroccos action to enshrine the Moroccanness of the Sahara will never be, neither today nor in the future, to the detriment of the struggle of the Palestinian people for their legitimate rights.
Moroccos state-owned phosphate OCP Group has provided Rwanda 15,000 tons of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) in a solidarity move to help farmers of this African country maintain productivity amid a serious global supply shortage, leading to record high fertilizer prices.

The announcement of Moroccan donation was made over the weekend by Rwandas Minister of Agriculture Gerardine Mukeshimana during a visit to the construction site of a fertilizer blending factory in Bugesera District, along with several officials including Mohamed Anouar Jamali, Chief of OCP Africa, a key partner in this project.

We are fortunate that our friends from OCP have donated 15,000 tons of DAP fertilizers, said the minister, noting that the Moroccan contribution comes at a time fertilizer costs are high due to the Russia-Ukraine war and the rising transport costs associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to press reports, OCP Group pledged to supply Rwanda with additional 17,000 tons DAP fertilizer at a discounted price within the frame of the Groups initiative to empower African farmers and ensure African food sovereignty.

With the impacts of the Ukraine war on fertilizer prices and drought in Eastern Africa, the situation has become unbearable for small farmers and disastrous for food security, said Head of OCP Africa, a subsidiary of the state-owned Moroccan phosphate group (OCP).

OCP Africa works hand in hand with farmers to help grow the agricultural potential of the African continent through solutions adapted to local conditions and to the needs of soils and crops.

OCP Africa is present in Cote dIvoire, Senegal, Cameroon, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Benin, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Rwanda. It seeks to secure the production of competitive fertilizers near major agricultural pools, to strengthen its logistical capacities and to develop new local distribution networks.
Morocco and Israel agreed on Monday in Geneva to enhance cooperation ties in intellectual property on the sidelines of the 63rd Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The five-year agreement was inked at WIPO headquarters by Abdelaziz Babqiqi, chief of the Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office and Ofir Alon, Director of Israel Patent Office, in presence of WIPO Director General Daren Tang.

The signing ceremony, which was presided over by Moroccan and Israeli Ambassadors in Geneva, Omar Zniber and Meirav Eilon Shahar, was attended by several diplomats and personalities.

Under the agreement, Morocco and Israel pledge to promote cooperation in industrial property protection, exchange data & experiences between the two countries intellectual property offices and to provide assistance to private enterprises operating in the sector.

Morocco is committed to building a strong IP ecosystem which plays a central role in economic, social and technological development of the country, said Mr. Babqiqi.

His Israeli peer stressed the importance of the agreement which will enable entrepreneurs and innovators to build a more prosperous and sustainable shared future for the upcoming generations.

For his part, Ambassador Omar Zniber said the agreement reflects the two countries determination to develop partnership in innovation, creativity science, technology and competitiveness.
UPDATED, Aug. 15, 2022, 6 p.m.: Updated to correct length of lodging tax streak of monthly records.

***

North Plattes 1.5% sales tax stayed in record territory in May, allowing the citys Quality Growth Fund to qualify for fresh cash for the first time this fiscal year.

Net May city sales tax proceeds totaled $863,133, beating the months year-old record of $826,906 and setting the taxs 21st all-time monthly high over the past 24 months.

Lincoln Countys 4% lodging tax meanwhile extended its own record streak to three months, netting $109,720 compared with $101,999 for May 2021.

The previous record total marked the first time the local hotel-motel tax had topped $100,000 in a month in Nebraska Department of Revenue online records. Its done so five times since.

Both May records bode well for local sales- and lodging-tax income during Nebraskas peak summer tourism months of June, July and August.

The Revenue Department processes and returns net proceeds from both taxes to local governments about six weeks after each month closes.

North Plattes May sales tax take lifted the citys 2021-22 total to $8.05 million with two months left before the citys fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

That also surpassed the taxs annual Quality Growth Fund trigger point  set at $7.58 million for 2021-22  needed for the citys special fund for economic development projects to receive a fresh infusion of cash.

QGF, which voters approved in 2001 and renewed in 2010 and 2020, can receive up to $650,000 each fiscal year if and when net local sales tax proceeds surpass that years trigger point. The latter is preset to grow by 2% annually.

Once the trigger point is passed, QGF and the citys general fund split additional sales taxes equally until the special fund collects $650,000 or the fiscal year ends, whichever comes first. The general fund receives 100% of net sales taxes the rest of the year.

Mays overall net sales tax income of $863,133 qualified QGF to receive $235,886, about 36.3% of its maximum annual total. The city usually makes actual QGF transfers at the end of the calendar year.

The Revenue Department should return net June sales taxes in mid-August. Local sales taxes being collected this month wont be returned until mid-September, about two weeks before the 2021-22 fiscal year ends.
Writer Beer & Society

There is nothing that cannot be discussed and worked out over a beer. Join me as I explore local beer, breweries and how they can civilize us.
WB Managing Director of Operations visits Vietnam

Axel van Trotsenburg, the World Bank Managing Director of Operations is paying an official visit to Vietnam on July 18-19 with a view to discussing with Vietnamese leaders the evolution of World Bank - Vietnam partnership and areas of World Bank support over the next 4-5 years.





Axel van Trotsenburg, the World Bank Managing Director of Operations (Image source: internationalworldofbusiness.com)



Trotsenburg met with the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in November 2021 at the COP26 conference in Glasgow, and in May 2022 in Washington DC.



The World Bank has a productive, long-term partnership with the Government of Vietnam, said Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank Managing Director of Operations. I look forward to continuing discussions about how the World Bank can support Vietnams aspiration to reach high income status and help the country address some of its key development challenges such as climate change and the energy transition.



During the visit, Trotsenburg is expected to meet State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, President of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Chair of Partys Theoretical Council Nguyen Xuan Thang, and Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Hong.



In addition, he will meet with leadership and key officials of relevant party and government agencies to discuss the countrys pathways to tackle climate change, the energy transition, key development issues.



Alex van Trotsenburg will also meet with representatives of the Vietnamese private sector and academia.



Axel van Trotsenburg is the World Bank Managing Director of Operations. In this role, which he assumed on October 1, 2019, Mr. van Trotsenburg oversees the Banks operational program and ensures that the Banks delivery model continues to meet the needs of client countries. He also builds support and mobilizes financial resources across the international community for efforts to assist low and middle-income countries.



Trotsenburg brings deep experience in regional operations and finance, drawing on his experience as currently the longest serving Vice President at the Bank, with two tenures in the Finance Complex and two in Operations.



A Dutch and Austrian national, he was Acting World Bank CEO from September 2  30, 2019 and served as World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean from February 2019. In this latter position, he led relations with 31 countries in the region and oversaw a portfolio of ongoing projects, technical assistance and grants worth more than US$30 billion.



Apart from his experience in managing World Bank finances, Mr. van Trotsenburg has had extensive experience in country operations and managing regional programs, including in Africa. Prior to his role as Vice President of DFi, he served as Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region from 2013 to 2016. From 2009 to 2013, he served as Vice President for Concessional Finance and Global Partnerships.
Seven months before Chicago voters head to the polls, millions of dollars have been donated or loaned to mayoral candidates.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is running for reelection and will face six challengers. She has nearly $2.6 million in campaign funds - the most of any candidate but one who loaned his campaign nearly double that amount.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot gets more help from supporters but trails Willie Wilson after he loans his campaign $5 million. Read more here >>>

Election Day for the mayors race is Feb. 28, 2023. If no candidate receives a majority of votes in February, a runoff election will be held on April 4, 2023.

Chicago mayors race 2023 lineup: Who is in, who is out, who is undecided here >>>

See the latest campaign finances records for each candidate below.
The United States believes that OPECs Middle Eastern producers have room to boost production and will take a few more steps to boost supply to the oil market soon, according to Amos Hochstein, the special presidential coordinator for international energy affairs.

Based on what we heard on the trip, Im pretty confident we will see a few more steps in the coming weeks, Hochstein said on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, after U.S. President Joe Biden and his team returned from a trip to the Middle East, where the U.S. officials met with the leaders of the top producers in OPECSaudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Kuwait.

There is additional spare capacity, there is room for increased production, Hochstein told CBS, without elaborating how much spare capacity those producers have, if they are willing to use it, and when they might achieve a higher production level.

President Biden returned to Washington from the Middle Eastern trip without receiving a specific commitment from the top OPEC producers to boost oil supply to the market in the near term.

President Biden commented on his meetings in Saudi Arabia, We had a good discussion on ensuring global energy security and adequate oil supplies to support global economic growth. And that will begin shortly. And Im doing all I can to increase the supply for the United States of America, which I expect to happen. The Saudis share that urgency, and based on our discussions today, I expect well see further steps in the coming weeks.

In his Sunday interview with CBS, Hochstein said that he expects the national average gasoline price to continue dropping from around $4.50 a gallon more towards $4 and we already have many gas stations around the country that are below $4.

As of July 17, the national average price of gasoline was $4.532 per gallon, down from $5.000 a month ago. Most of the decline over the past month has been due to falling crude oil prices amid recession fears and a decline in U.S. gasoline demand due to the high prices at the pump.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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U.S. President Joe Biden returned to Washington from a trip to the Middle East without receiving a specific commitment from the top OPEC producers to boost oil supply to the market in the very near term.

President Biden visited Saudi Arabia and even met last week with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after making a U-turn in his attitude toward the Kingdom in recent months.

Two years ago, President Biden described Saudi Arabia as a pariah state and criticized it for its track record of abuses of human rights.

During meetings in Saudi Arabia and on the sidelines of an Arab summit in Jeddah over the past week, President Biden failed to secure firm pledges from the Saudis, Iraq, or the UAEthe largest producers in OPECfor an imminent supply increase.

This much was expected, as multiple sources and U.S. officials told agencies last week that there would not be any public announcement on an immediate oil supply boost. Instead, the White House issued vague statements about market stability.

At the end of the summit of the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the White House said, The leaders recognized ongoing efforts of OPEC+ towards stabilizing the global oil market in the interests of consumers, producers, and supporting economic growth. They welcomed the recent announcement by OPEC+ members to increase supply over the course of July and August, and commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabias leading role in achieving consensus between the members of OPEC+.

Referring to the meeting with Saudi Arabias leaders, the White House said that the United States had welcomed the increase in production levels 50 percent above what was planned for July and August.

These steps and further steps that we anticipate over the coming weeks have and will help stabilize markets considerably, the White House added.

President Biden commented on his meetings in Saudi Arabia, We had a good discussion on ensuring global energy security and adequate oil supplies to support global economic growth. And that will begin shortly. And Im doing all I can to increase the supply for the United States of America, which I expect to happen. The Saudis share that urgency, and based on our discussions today, I expect well see further steps in the coming weeks.

OPEC+ are meeting on August 3 to decide how their production pact would (or would not) proceed from September onwards now that the group will have rolled back all the production cuts it implemented in May 2020.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Chinas exports of gasoline and diesel slumped in the first half of 2022, per customs data out on Monday, as Chinese authorities continued to work to reduce overseas sales of fuels and allocated lower export quotas to refiners.

Gasoline exports slumped by 42 percent annually in the first half of this year compared to the same period of 2021, according to Chinese customs data cited by Reuters. Diesel exports crumbled by an even larger percentagethey were down by 84 percent between January and July compared to the first half of 2021.

This month, Chinas fuel exports are expected to rebound after the government has recently allocated a new batch of export quotas to refiners, according to industry consultancy JLC quoted by Bloomberg.

The latest batch of export quotas has been issued, but combined with other quotas so far this year, overall export quotas from China are much lower than last years.

At the beginning of this month, China issued the latest batch of fuel export quotas for refiners, and total quotas so far this year are 39 percent lower than the collective quotas this time last yeara sign that Chinese fuel exports are unlikely to ease the tight fuel market globally.

The Chinese authorities have approved the latest batch for a total of 5 million tons, Reuters reported, citing sources. That would be enough for the refiners given quotas to make money with sales on the export market, but not enough to ease the global crunch in fuel supply.

China started this year by considerably reducing the allowances for fuel exports in the first export quota batch for 2022, signaling its intention to limit fuel sales abroad and curb excessive refinery output.

Exports were reportedly limited in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as Chinese authorities were said to have asked state refiners in the country to consider halting diesel and gasoline exports in April due to heightened concerns about oil supply.

Chinese diesel and gasoline exports so far this year have been well below last years, while COVID-related lockdowns hurt demand in the spring, swelling domestic Chinese inventories.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Ahead of that new set of sanctions coming into effect, tanker companies are racing to make as much money as they can from shipping.

A provision in the upcoming sixth sanctions package will soon prohibit EU operators from insuring and financing the marine transportation of Russian oil.

Despite Western sanctions on Russian oil, Russia has been able to export a lot of its oil to other buyers, notably China and Russia.

Western sanctions have so far failed to crush Russias oil exports as Moscow is redirecting crude to its more than willing Asian buyers, China and India. European vessel owners, especially private Greek operators, are moving a lot of the Russian oil in the months before the EU ban on seaborne Russian oil imports kicks in at the end of this year. Greek tanker owners have increased their exposure to Russian oil shipping in the past two months as they race to profit from the higher demand for heavily discounted Russian oil in China and India.

Once EU sanctions on seaborne imports of Russian oil take effect this December, Greek tanker operators will have to stop shipping Russian oil. A much bigger blow to Russian oil exports that will have dramatic consequences on the global oil tanker market and oil prices comes from provision number two in the sixth sanctions package - EU operators will be prohibited from insuring and financing the marine transportation of Russian oil to third countries.

Until the sanctions enter into force, European, especially Greek, tanker owners are moving a lot of Russian oil to Asia, making a lot of money in the process. Shippers from Greece, China, and Turkey are eagerly taking advantage of the situation, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. By shipping Russian ESPO crude from Kozmino to the Chinese coast, a ship owner can make $1.6 millionthree times what they would have made before the war in Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Ukraine called out Greece for shipping Russian oil.

We see Greek companies providing almost the largest tanker fleet for the transportation of Russian oil, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech to a conference in Athens via video link.

Once again: this is happening precisely when another Russian energy resource is being used as a weapon against Europe and against the family budget of every European. I am sure that this does not meet the interests of Europe, Greece, or Ukraine, Zelensky added.

Greek vessel owners made 151 port calls from Baltic and Black Sea Russian ports between May 1 and June 27, up by 41% compared to the same period last year, according to data compiled by Lloyds List using Lloyds List Intelligence. Almost half of all crude and refined products exported from key Baltic or Black Sea ports were shipped on vessels Greek tanker owners beneficially own, the data showed. TMS Tankers of billionaire George Economou is the biggest Greek player in the Russian market and second overall, second only to Russia-owned Sovcomflot, which is under Western sanctions, according to the data.

Related: What Does The UKs Electricity Market Shakeup Mean For Consumers?

Greek tankers are also participating in ship-to-ship (STS) transfers offshore Greece, Malta, and south of Gibraltar, Lloyds List data showed.

Its difficult to predict what will happen to the global tanker market when the EU sanctions enter into force, but demand for oil remains high, so tankers will be used on other routes, a CEO at a Greek shipping firm told The Wall Street Journal.

They will travel longer distances which means they will make more money, the executive added.

Dark STS transfers of Russian crude, alongside shutting off vessel transponders and attempts to disguise the origin of the oil, are set to only increase as the EU sanctions approach, analysts say.

David Wech, Chief Economist at energy data provider Vortexa, wrote at the end of last month:

The need to export crude and products in growing volumes to long-haul destinations East of Suez, ideally disguising also the origins to attract potential buyers beyond China and India, may be growing well ahead of the sixth EU sanction package coming into force around the turn of the year.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, signed in 2018, and Russias invasion of Ukraine may just breathe new life into this project.

The Trans-Caspian pipeline could be one possible new source of gas for Europe, although multiple attempts at turning the project into reality have failed.

Since February of this year, the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine has had extensive repercussions around the globe. The geopolitical scene is seeing military buildups in Europe, unprecedented since World War II, stronger political and diplomatic ties - within NATO and between Moscow and Beijing - and increasingly groundbreaking economic shifts, with many Western countries imposing sanctions against Russia and divesting their Russian assets. One of the most important factors caused by this domino effect appears to be energy security in Europe.

This topic has long been discussed in Brussels, as 40% of the total gas consumption in 2021 was imported from Russia. The war in Ukraine is once again highlighting Europes dependency on Russian hydrocarbons and the need for alternate energy supply amid the ecological transition strategies that the European Union (EU) has bolstered, first under the New Green Deal and then through the Recovery plan.

Europes energy frontiers

Considering the current war in Ukraine, it seems unlikely that EU Member States will abandon fossil fuels quickly, especially given the current severing of ties with Moscow. On the one hand, while this may be a great opportunity to propel forward renewable energies, it is also forcing numerous European countries to seek different energy suppliers. One of Europes strategic partners in this field is Azerbaijan, which already supplies large quantities of gas to Europe. According to the OEC, more than 80% of Bakus total exports is made up of crude oil and gas, which is largely directed toward European markets. In fact, Shah Deniz, which is the largest Azeri gas field in the Caspian Sea region, is connected to Europe through the Southern Gas Corridor, a network of pipelines that comprises the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP), the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

Given the already important role played by Baku and the extremely precarious nature of EU-Russian relations, European countries have approached the Azeri government in order to diversify their energy supplies. In late February, the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) Director General Saltuk Dzyuzol, confirmed the increase in gas pumped from 14.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) to 16.2 bcm, with the intention of further expanding the quantity transferred in future years.

While Azerbaijan is becoming a new source for European energy diversification, this potential outsourcing translates into the need for the Azeri government to find new energy partners for its growing domestic demand. In recent years, Azerbaijan has sought new energy supplies in renewable energies but has also partnered with other countries to secure further inputs, as they did with Iran and Turkmenistan, which secured 2bcm/year coming to the West side of the Caspian Sea.

In this context, the Trans-Caspian Pipeline (TCGP), an undersea pipeline that would cross the Caspian Sea between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, is becoming an increasingly likely strategic project that could soon find new sponsors given the recent geopolitical developments.

Trans-Caspian Pipeline: Same Old Story?

The TCGP project has been around since the 1990s and has since been periodically revamped. In 2011, the EU was promoting the Nabucco, a pipeline project which aimed to provide natural gas from Shah Deniz to Central Europe, and Turkmenistan was being considered as a potential supplier for Brussels. In the same year, Juan Manuel Barroso, then President of the European Commission, traveled to Ashgabat and other countries to explore opportunities for gas exports, thus reviving international attention on the TCGP as a possible corridor to deliver additional gas to Europe by bridging the two Caspian sea sides. Similar to the current geopolitical situation, the Nabucco pipeline was aimed at gas diversification to decrease dependence on Russia, a goal that became increasingly important due to the rising tensions between Moscow and Kyiv. In 2017, the EU provided partial funding for an evaluation of the TCGP as part of a larger assessment for the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor.

One year later, the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea was signed by Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan, which could be a major step towards the development of the TCGP, depending on the implementation and cooperation among the littoral states. The Convention provides guidelines for dispute resolution but also to streamline negotiations concerning the Caspian Sea and its seabed. In this regard, Article 14.3 states: Submarine cables and pipelines routes shall be determined by agreement with the Party the seabed sector of which is to be crossed by the cable or pipeline. In the case of the TCGP, this means, in theory, that talks on the project can be exclusively of a bilateral nature between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, without necessarily involving the other littoral states.

Looking Ahead

In April 2021, an American-led group, the Trans-Caspian Resources Incorporated (TCRI), revitalized the idea of building the Trans-Caspian Pipeline. The project, spearheaded by Bert Watson, a former government consultant, and former US Ambassador Allan Mustard, envisions a two-step process for the TCGPs realization. First, the creation of a 50-mile-long connector would connect two oil and gas platforms in the Caspian Sea, one Turkmen and one Azeri, which will then serve, according to TCRI, as a sign of realistic progress and commitment towards the completion of the pipeline, which should transport in between 10 and 12 bcm/year.

Many questions remain in terms of feasibility, commercial pricing, economic sustainability, and Chinas role. Beijing currently imports the vast majority of Turkmen gas, and the hypothesis of building the TCGP would spark quite the political game among Ashgabat and other partners. Nevertheless, these conditions have arguably created a situation that may push the EU and other actors to sponsor the Trans-Caspian project.

By Global Risk Insights

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Oil and gas firms are increasingly realizing the importance of appealing to the Gen Z population, particularly as their voices on social media and other public forums are influencing the climate change response and national energy agendas. With more pressure than ever to transition away from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives, oil and gas firms may rely on this young generation for their survival in the coming decades.

Shell Plc is the first of the oil majors to announce its entrance onto the social media platform Tik Tok, to appeal to younger, climate-aware audiences. It said in June that it was looking for a candidate to manage its Tik Tok activity who could create content that would appeal to Gen Z. Shells post for the role, based in London, said You will start a new chapter that will help Energy Engaged Audience and Gen Z worldwide understand in an engaging way the opportunities of Energy Transition and the Shell role and ambition in it.

This is just the latest of Shells efforts to appeal to the environmentally aware youth, having previously collaborated with influencers to launch campaigns such as #MakeTheFuture and promoting its green energy developments with the help of celebrities. The company even released a music video in 2017, featuring Jennifer Hudson, Pixie Lott, and other famous icons to promote its sustainable, renewable, energy-rich, lower carbon future. While this is a step in the right direction for Shell, and potentially other major oil firms following in its footsteps, to win the attention of the younger generations, it will have to be careful to avoid accusations of greenwashing. Last year, Shell was ordered by a Dutch court to cut its emissions by 45 percent, from 2019 levels, as despite big promises it was not doing enough to reduce its carbon footprint. Shell received further criticism from the environmental organization Greenpeace, which accused the oil firm of greenwashing. Greenpeace suggests that simply offsetting carbon emissions is not the same as making a real green transition and that Shell is failing to respond to Paris Agreement and COP26 climate summit promises in its operations.

Related: Auto Sales Are Slipping As Recession Fears Grip Markets

Shell launching its brand Tik Tok has been a long time coming, as the influence of Gen Z on the energy industry has been highlighted for several years. The population born between 1995-2012 makes up around one-fifth of the U.S. population, and, having grown up in the digital era, has some of the greatest presence online. Many environmentally conscious Gen Z youths use social media platforms for activism, calling on companies to be more socially responsible. This has dramatically changed how companies across numerous industries promote themselves, relying on social media campaigns, rather than traditional media channels, and highlighting their ESG activity to appeal to the younger population.

The Deloitte Global 2022 Gen Z and Millennial survey highlights the desire for companies to cut their carbon emissions and make more sustainable choices. Protecting the environment is a top priority, with many youths using their purchasing power to make more sustainable choices and avoid companies that are not advancing their ESG practices.

In 2021, a poll showed that around 60 percent of Americans blamed the oil and gas industry for the climate crisis. The YouGov poll showed that many wanted oil and gas companies to be held to account for lying about the climate crisis and contributing to global heating. Increasing public pressure on oil and gas firms has already led several to rebrand to change their identity. For example, last year, French oil major Total became TotalEnergies, reflecting the diversification of its energy portfolio. Other oil firms have launched renewable energy business sectors and funds to promote their transition to green energy  regardless of how big a proportion of their operations is actually green.

Chevron launched its $100 million Future Energy Fund to invest in breakthrough technologies. While Italian firm Eni established a dedicated energy solutions department to develop renewable growth opportunities. Meanwhile, Shell acquired several renewable energy companies, from electricity and gas supplier First Utility and EV-charging expert NewMotion in Europe to solar company Silicon Ranch in the US. As major oil and gas firms strive to develop their green energy operations, they are working hard to promote these activities to a disillusioned audience of youths who blame them for the climate crisis.

While Shell is the first oil major to expand its social media activity to Tik Tok, in a bid to win the support of Gen Z, several oil and gas firms around the world have long been working to diversify their energy portfolios and make sure they are been seen for it. Regular rebrands and the development of green business sectors are helping Big Oil to catch the eyes of the younger generation, but they will have to put their money where their mouths are to win them over.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Canada sent the gas turbine that was being repaired in the country on a July 17 flight to Germany, from where the equipment will need another five to seven days to reach Russia if there are no logistics or customs problems, Russian daily Kommersant reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the situation.

The turbine has become a major issue in the Russia-Europe row over gas supplies over the past month. Moscow slashed deliveries to Europe in the middle of June, saying that a gas turbine for a Nord Stream compressor station being repaired by Siemens at a facility in Canada could not be returned due to the Western sanctions on Russia. European leaders, including those of Germany and Italywhose countries are most affected by the slashed Gazprom deliverieshave said that the Russian excuses are lies and that the lower gas supply was a politically motivated decision.

Earlier this month, Canada agreed to return the Gazprom turbine that Siemens Energy sent to a factory in the North American country for repairs. The decision comes after calls from Germany to return the turbine, so, according to German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, Russia has no excuse to keep gas flows along Nord Stream at 40 percent of the pipelines capacity.

The turbine is now in Germany and is expected to be transported via ferry and land onto Helsinki in Finland and into Russia, according to Kommersants sources. The turbine is expected to arrive in Russia around July 24, after the two-week regular maintenance on Nord Stream ends on July 21, but could take another three to four days to commission and install. Thus, the turbine is expected to be ready to pump gas in early August, Kommersant reports.

Both Siemens Energy and Gazprom declined to comment for Kommersant on the timeline for the turbine delivery.

On Saturday, Gazprom said it had formally requested from Siemens to fulfil its obligations on repair and maintenance of gas turbine engines. The Russian giant said it expects Siemens Group to unconditionally fulfil its obligations on the maintenance of the gas turbine engines that are essential for reliable operation of the Nord Stream gas pipeline and natural gas supplies to European customers.

Gazprom, however, has not yet confirmed it would increase gas flows through Nord Stream as soon as it receives the repaired turbine, Kommersant noted.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Gazprom has declared force majeure on gas deliveries to at least one major customer in Europe, which would protect the Russian giant from compensation payments for unrealized deliveries, Reuters reported exclusively on Monday, quoting a Gazprom letter it had seen.

Gazprom cannot fulfill its supply obligations due to extraordinary circumstances, says the letter dated July 14 and seen by Reuters. The force majeure Gazprom declares in the letter is about supply via Nord Stream, the key Russian gas export route to Germany, a trading source told Reuters today.

This force majeure could further worsen the gas row between the EU and Russia, which has already slashed supply to major customers, including Germany and Italy. Russia claims a delay in the return of a repaired turbine due to the Western sanctions on Moscow prevents the reliable operation of a Nord Stream compressor station, for which the turbine was intended.

According to Russian daily Kommersant, Canada sent the gas turbine that was being repaired in the country on a July 17 flight to Germany, from where the equipment will need another five to seven days to reach Russia if there are no logistics or customs problems. The turbine is expected to be transported via ferry from Germany onto Helsinki in Finland and on land into Russia, according to Kommersants sources. The turbine is expected to arrive in Russia around July 24 but could take another three to four days to commission and install. Thus, the turbine is expected to be ready to pump gas in early August, Kommersant reports.

Currently, no Russian gas flows via Nord Stream as the pipeline is undergoing regular two-week maintenance until July 21. Germany and other EU member states are concerned that Russia may not resume gas supply via Nord Stream once the maintenance period ends, and the EU is scrambling to secure alternative supplies to avoid a winter of rationing.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Germany is reactivating coal and fuel oil-fired power plants as it aims to conserve natural gas ahead of the winter, but the return of the fossil fuel-fired facilities is only temporary, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said this weekend.

Germany will rely more on electricity generation from coal to conserve gas and fill its gas storage by winter, its Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in June after Russia slashed supply to Germany via Nord Stream.

In a video message this weekend, the German chancellor expressed regret over the country having to resort to coal and oil-fired power plants. Germany has decided to restart 16 mothballed fossil fuel plants and extend the operating licenses for 11 other such facilities as it is concerned over power and gas supply in the coming months.

Germany depended on Russian gas supply for around 40 percent of its consumption before the war in Ukraine, and although it has reduced that dependence since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it still fears shortages, rationing, an industrial collapse, and a recession in case Russian supply is further cut or completely halted.

"The fact that because of Russia's brutal attack on Ukraine we now have to temporarily use some power plants that we had already taken out of operation is bitter," Chancellor Scholz said this weekend, as carried by Euronews.

"But it is only for a very short time," Scholz added.

Germany, Europe's biggest economy, and other EU member states are not ruling out the possibility that Russia may not resume gas flows via Nord Stream once the two-week maintenance period of the pipeline ends on July 22, or that Russia could cut supplies further.

Russian gas supply cuts could lead to widespread industrial collapse, German Federation of Trade Unions head Yasmin Fahimi said earlier this month.

"Entire industries are in danger of collapsing permanently because of the gas bottlenecks: aluminum, glass, the chemical industry," Fahimi said earlier this month.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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On June 1, Paul Vallas, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, announced his run for mayor for a second time.

Since launching his campaign, Vallas has raised more than $892,000 in contributions to his committee, Vallas for Mayor, campaign finance records show.

The following database includes contributions made from the start of 2022 through the end of June. The deadline to file the latest campaign finance reports with the Illinois State Board of Elections was Friday.

Search the database to see who has contributed to Vallas campaign for mayor.
Europe needs to take immediate steps to conserve gas and reduce its consumption in order to prevent much more drastic cuts and curtailments later on, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said on Monday.

The agency has been warning for months that Europe needs to curtail gas consumption to avoid a difficult winter of energy rationing.

We have seen some progress on this, particularly in terms of diversifying gas supplies  but not enough, especially on the demand side, to prevent Europe from finding itself in an incredibly precarious situation today, Birol said in a commentary on Monday.

Russias latest moves to squeeze natural gas flows to Europe even further, combined with other recent supply disruptions, are a red alert for the European Union. As we get closer to next winter, we are getting a clearer sense of what Russia may do next. The next few months will be critical, he added.

At the end of last month, when Birol said that for the first time ever, the European Union imported in June more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States than gas via pipeline from Russia, he also warned that The drop in Russian supply calls for efforts to reduce EU demand to prepare for a tough winter.

As early as April this year, in cooperation with the European Commission, the IEA said that Europeans could help reduce EU reliance on Russian oil and gas with some changes in their lifestyle. Those measures include driving at lower speeds on highways, turning down the thermostat and using less air-conditioning, working from home, using public transport, and choosing trains over short-haul flights.

The five immediate EU-coordinated measures Birol outlined today include the create auction platforms to incentivize EU industrial gas users to reduce demand, minimize gas use in the power sector by boosting coal and oil-fired generation, improve coordination among gas and electricity operators across Europe, including on peak-shaving mechanisms, bring down household electricity demand by setting cooling standards and controls, and harmonize emergency planning across the EU at the national and European level.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Militias mobilized overnight in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, as tensions rise amid the take-over of the National Oil Company (NOC) and the alleged lifting of force majeure at all oilfield and export terminals.

On Sunday, the new chairman of the NOC, Farhat Bengdara (bin Qadara), made an official statement ending the blockade of Libyas oilfields and ports. The announcement came just days after armed forces entered the NOC headquarters in an attempt to force the resignation of long-time chairman Mustafa Sanalla.

Bengdara said on Sunday that he had issued instructions to relaunch production after meeting with tribal leaders and other powerbrokers in the countrys Oil Crescent.

NOC appreciates the efforts made by all local and international parties and pledges to adhere to professional and non-political constants and it will continue to perform its duties in all impartiality, Bengdara said.

Sanalla has not been heard from since Thursday, when he accused the Government of National Unitys (GNU) interim prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah of colluding with external forces in the illegitimate act of occupying the NOC.

The NOCs website and social media accounts have not published any new information since the storming of its headquarters.

What remains unclear at this time is how the new NOC chairman managed to cut a deal with protesters blocking the countrys oil production and leading to force majeure. Dbeibah, whose own mandate as prime minister is in question, issued the decree for the removal of Sanalla and the entire NOC board of directors. The protesters responsible for the blockade were also calling for Dbeibahs resignation.

Alliances, both political and militia, appear to be shifting and this is leading to a tense situation in Tripoli, where armed clashes were narrowly averted last night, when militias from two different areas descended on the capital. Those militias, according to local media, contain elements that support Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed new prime minister by the Parliament in March, and elements that oppose Bashagha.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Two men have died in crashes on eastern Nebraska roads.

A 94-year-old Fremont man died after a collision Friday morning in Fremont.

Just before 10:10 a.m. Friday, police said, Charles Wild was eastbound on 23rd Street, making a left-hand turn to go north onto Luther Road, when a westbound vehicle driven by Derek Brown, 53, of St. Paul, Minnesota, collided with Wilds vehicle in the intersection.

After the initial collision, the vehicle driven by Brown continued and struck another vehicle that was stopped on the north side of the 23rd and Luther intersection.

Wild was ejected from his vehicle. He was taken to Methodist Fremont Health, where he was pronounced dead.

Saturday night, a man died in a single-vehicle crash east of Tecumseh, the Johnson County Sheriffs Office said.

At 10:30 p.m., sheriffs deputies were dispatched to the crash site about 3 miles east of Nebraska Highway 50 on U.S. Highway 136.

The mans name was being withheld pending notification of relatives.

Two other people were in the vehicle and taken to the Johnson County Hospital.

The crash is being investigated by the Sheriffs Office, the Nebraska State Patrol and the Johnson County Attorneys Office.
Eastwood Named UBT's Chief Investment Officer Emeritus, Sailer Promoted Bill Eastwood Ryan Sailer Union Bank & Trust (UBT) is pleased to announce that it has named Bill Eastwood Chief Investment Officer Emeritus and promoted Ryan Sailer to Chief Investment Officer and First Vice President within Union Investment Management Group (UIMG). Managing assets since 1966, Eastwood joined Union Bank in 1995 and became the bank's first Chief Investment Officer. He will stay on as a member of the Investment Committee at UBT and will assume the role of Chief Investment Officer Emeritus, offering his insight on major investment decisions. Additionally, Eastwood will continue to maintain his investment management responsibilities with his current clients. "We are pleased that Bill has agreed to stay on, acting as a mentor to his successor Ryan Sailer and the entire research team at UIMG," said Tom Sullivan, First Vice President of UIMG. Sailer has been promoted to Chief Investment Officer and First Vice President after 20 years of key involvement in the creation and evolution of the bank's investment strategies, including UBT's individual stock portfolios, passive ETF, and mutual fund strategies. He is a founding member of UIMG's Strategy Group, which sets capital market expectations and the overall direction of major asset class weightings. Sailer also manages the investment research team and works directly with UBT's highest-net-worth families and institutions with nearly $1.5 billion in assets under his management. He will become chair of the Investment Committee and a member of the Trust Committee and the Bank Management Committee. A graduate of Creighton University, Sailer also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Union Bank & Trust is a privately owned Nebraska bank that offers complete banking, lending, investment, and trust services, in addition to serving as program manager for Nebraska's NEST College Savings Plan. The bank has 38 full-service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. It is the third-largest privately owned bank in Nebraska, with bank assets of $6.5 billion and trust assets of $46.8 billion as of December 31, 2021.
MONDAY, July 18, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says nearly 100 people have now been hospitalized and hundreds have become ill in at least 26 states after consuming a lentil-based product from Daily Harvest.

The fallout is mounting for the food delivery company, which first recalled its French Lentil + Leek Crumbles on June 23.

After an Oklahoma woman sued the company in June, blaming the product for an array of serious health problems, including gastrointestinal illness and liver and gallbladder dysfunction, more lawsuits have been filed against the popular vegan food company, including one involving an infant who was breastfeeding, NBC News reported.

In that case, the baby and her mother became ill and were hospitalized after the mother ate the lentil crumbles at the end of May and beginning of June, according to a lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, NBC News reported. The infant experienced vomiting, diarrhea, screaming and dark urine after her mother consumed the product and breastfed her, the lawsuit said.

After consuming the product again in June, the babys mother was hospitalized with extreme abdominal pain and gastrointestinal distress from June 8 to 15, the lawsuit claimed.

At the time, the infant also began having symptoms including fever, vomiting and gastrointestinal distress, the suit said, adding the mother continued to breastfeed during her hospitalization on the advice of her doctors, who did not know the cause of her illness.

The company said last week that it is doing comprehensive testing to rule out potential causes, but that thorough scientific processes require extensive laboratory analysis.

"Testing has ruled out hepatitis A, norovirus, a range of mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, food-borne pathogens including Listeria, E. coli, salmonella, Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph), B. Cereus, and Clostridium Species and major allergens including egg, soy, milk, and gluten. Tests have also confirmed that there are no pesticides," the company statement said.

Meanwhile, the FDA said consumers, retailers and others should not eat, sell or serve the product.

The product, touted on social media by high-profile influencers, was shipped nationwide. Illnesses have been reported in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington state and Wisconsin.

The most recent reported illness was July 9, according to the FDA.

Candice Smith, of Raleigh, N.C., told CNN recently she thought she was having a heart attack after eating the product.

"It was the worst night of my life," she said. Though she had no preexisting health conditions, Smith said she spent four days in the hospital undergoing tests on her enlarged liver and elevated liver enzymes.

Her gallbladder had to be removed, Smith told CNN.

Carol Ready, the Oklahoma woman who has sued Daily Harvest, told the Los Angeles Times she wound up in the emergency room twice after eating the crumbles. She, too, had elevated liver enzymes and her gallbladder was removed.

The FDA is investigating the outbreak in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It said the company sent about 28,000 units of the product to U.S. consumers between April 28 and June 17. A small number of consumers received samples.

Daily Harvest touts its products as "vegan-friendly" and distributes them through online sales, direct delivery, its Chicago retail store and a pop-up store in Los Angeles.

The company contacted consumers for whom it had contact information and issued a credit, according to the FDA. Those who may still have the product in their freezers should throw it out.

All lot codes of the French Lentil + Leek Crumbles are affected. The product is packaged in a 12-ounce white pouch with the words "Daily Harvest" at the top, a large "CRUMBLES" immediately below the top and the words "French Lentil + Leek" in bold.

The FDA said anyone who experiences yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, itching with no rash, gastrointestinal illness, nausea, fatigue, body aches, severe abdominal pain and/or fever after consuming this product should contact their health care provider.

Providers should report these illnesses to their local health department, the FDA said.

More information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asks consumers to report adverse reactions to the manufacturer.

SOURCES: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, news release, June 30, 2022; NBC News; Los Angeles Times; CNN
NEW YORK (AP)  It took only four paragraphs in a regional newspaper to ignite a media conflagration over abortion that in two weeks engulfed President Joe Biden, the partisan press and some of the country's top news organizations.

In the center of it all: a 10-year-old rape victim, identity unknown, suddenly thrown into a political fight on one of the country's most contentious issues.

The Wall Street Journal and Washington Post both clarified or corrected stories after an Ohio man was charged on Wednesday with raping the girl, who traveled to Indiana for an abortion last month.

The case first came to light in a July 1 article in The Indianapolis Star about patients heading to Indiana for abortion services because of more restrictive laws in surrounding states, following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade. The piece began with an anecdote about an Indianapolis doctor asked by an Ohio colleague to help the girl, who was past the stage of pregnancy where she could get a legal abortion in Ohio.

The story was seized upon by Biden during a July 8 news conference to announce an executive order to try to protect access to abortion services.

"A 10-year-old should be forced to give birth to a rapist's child?" Biden asked. "I can't think of anything more extreme."

By then, there were already questions raised about the Star's story, notably in a series of tweets and a July 8 story in PJ Media by conservative columnist Megan Fox, under the headline "Viral 'pregnant 10-year-old rape victim' abortion horror story deserves a deeper look."

Fox wondered why the only apparent source for the story about the girl was the Indiana doctor, Caitlin Bernard, and whether she was credible because she performs abortions and has protested restrictions placed on the service.

The Washington Post's fact checker, Glenn Kessler, wrote last Saturday about those questions, noting that an abortion performed on a 10-year-old girl is rare.

"This is a very difficult story to check," Kessler wrote. "Bernard is on the record, but obtaining documents or other confirmation is all but impossible without details that would identify the locality where the rape occurred."

The Star's story did not identify the Ohio doctor who had called Bernard. The newspaper's executive editor, Bro Krift, has not discussed what steps the paper took to corroborate Bernard's story, and declined comment to The Associated Press on Thursday.

A named source like Bernard is a good start, said Kathleen Culver, director of the Center for Journalism Ethics at the University of Wisconsin. If the Star had other sources, it may not have wanted to provide them at the risk of identifying the victim, she said.

Indiana's attorney general, Republican Todd Rokita, said Thursday his office was investigating whether Bernard violated medical privacy laws by talking about the victim to the Star, or failed to notify authorities about suspected child abuse. The prosecutor for Indianapolis, Democrat Ryan Mears, said his office had the sole authority to pursue any such charges and that Bernard was being subjected to "intimidation and bullying."

Bernard's lawyer issued a statement Thursday that said the doctor provided proper treatment and did not violate any patient privacy laws or other rules. Bernard is also considering legal action against "those who have smeared my client," including Rokita.

Bernard reported a June 30 medication abortion for a 10-year-old patient to the state health department on July 2, within the three-day requirement set in state law for a girl younger than 16, according to the report obtained by The Indianapolis Star and WXIN-TV of Indianapolis.

In conservative media circles, questions raised about the sourcing quickly shifted to claims that the story was a lie.

"The idea that you would have politicians in America try to exploit a story like this and make up a story like this in order to advance their own sick agenda tells you they are not serious about the issue," Fox News analyst Charlie Hurt said on Tuesday.

The Wall Street Journal, in an editorial on Tuesday, called it "an abortion story too good to confirm." The Journal wrote that "all kinds of fanciful tales travel far on social media these days, but you don't expect them to get a hearing at the White House."

Under the headline "Correcting the Record on a Rape Case" Thursday, the Journal wrote that "it appears President Biden was accurate."

"The country needs to find a rough consensus on abortion now that it has returned to the states and the political process," the Journal wrote. "One way to help is to make sure the stories about abortion, from either side of the debate, can be readily confirmed. Passions are already heated enough."

Kessler attached a note to his column updating with the arrest, and said it was a test case on whether journalists should rely on one source for an impactful story.

He faced intense heat online, both because of his original story and his explanations. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted that "this column is horrifying." Waiting for law enforcement confirmation is questionable when many women don't report rape to authorities, she said.

Shani George, a Washington Post spokesperson, said, "The intent of the piece was to spotlight the need for careful reporting in a time when information spreads rapidly."

PJ Media's Fox said journalists should always question reporting and do their own digging, since media hoaxes are so prevalent today.

"I would ask every single question I asked in my original reporting again," she told the AP.

PJ Media quickly pivoted on Thursday to a story headlined, "Illegal alien arrested in rape of 10-year-old abortion patient but questions remain."

A Columbus police detective testified in a court hearing Wednesday that there was no evidence the suspect was in the country legally. In court documents filed the same day, a prosecutor said the suspect is not a U.S. citizen and is subject to potential deportation. The Associated Press is not identifying the suspect because there are questions about whether his reported name was real, and on the chance he's a relative of the girl involved.

The incident shows how political punditry often moves faster than journalism, and that journalists are caught responding to the punditry, said Wisconsin's Culver.

"The most important issue here is it appears that a 10-year-old was sexually assaulted," she said, "and that is a tragedy."
Two Omaha teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with a fatal shooting last year at 39th Street and Ames Avenue.

Mariano Flores and Quan White, both 16, were arrested in connection with the June 16, 2021, shooting death of 37-year-old Timothy Washington III. They were booked into the Douglas County Youth Center.

Flores and White also were arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault, shooting at an occupied dwelling or vehicle and three counts of use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Nowa Kawunda, 15, previously was charged with first-degree murder in Washingtons slaying. Kawunda has filed a motion to have his case transferred to juvenile court.

Brenda Beadle, the chief deputy in the Douglas County Attorneys Office, said last month that Kawunda also is accused of shooting a man who was sitting in a parked vehicle near 28th and Spencer Streets on the same night. Kawunda, who is being held on $1 million bail, also has been charged with first-degree assault, two counts of robbery, two counts of shooting at an occupied dwelling or vehicle and five counts of use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Washingtons older sister, Rayonta Washington, said Washington had three children.
Its showtime, folks.

Joke all you want about Bob Fosses jazz hands, deployed throughout All That Jazz by Roy Scheider in the very, very Fosse role of Broadway and Hollywood phenom-in-flames Joe Gideon. But the brazen 1979 film, returning Monday at 7 p.m. for one showing only (on 35 mm) at the Music Box Theatre, courtesy of the Chicago Film Society, is entirely about showtime. The physical demands and psychological compulsions of Fosses life left little time for any other time. And thats why this extravagantly self-absorbed musical holds up, even as its subject falls apart.

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All That Jazz expresses Fosses death wish, along with his self-pity, torturous guilt and perpetual drug regimen, the drugs being success, seduction, women, seduction and turning carnality into cold, hard, witty, often sinister choreography. As Fosse biographer Sam Wasson wrote in his fabulous 2013 book Fosse, the boy from North Side Chicago  graduate of Ravenswood Elementary and Amundsen High School  led a double life: model student and respectable citizen by day, strip club hoofer by night and early morning.

He was, in Wassons words, the best thing ever to come out of burlesque, and he would pay for it forever.

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Roy Scheider as Joe Gideon in Bob Fosse's "All That Jazz." (Associated Press)

Fosses parents never knew what was really going on with their sons nascent life in the spotlight. Strippers molested him backstage. With misleading discretion, All That Jazz revisits some of that childhood trauma. Cowritten with Robert Alan Aurthur, Fosses screenplay slides back and forth in time and memories, as Gideon taunts Death (Jessica Lange as the devilish angel, or angelic devil) while editing his movie The Stand-Up (aka Lenny), while choreographing his latest Broadway show NY to LA (the one with the Airotica number, Take Off With Us), while the cigarettes and pills and stress land him on the operating table for heart surgery.

This leads to a musical finale, Bye, Bye Life, with Scheider paired with Ben Vereen, ending when the zipper goes up on a body bag. In the Rodgers and Hart musical Pal Joey, which Fosse performed on stage years before All That Jazz, theres a striptease routine called Zip. All That Jazz is Zip squared, by way of Federico Fellinis 8 1/2 and Fosses fertile, paradoxical ego  a cry of need, a plea for forgiveness and a sentimental rebuke of sentimentality.

Imagine Richard Dreyfuss in the Fosse role! He wasnt merely considered for All That Jazz, he was signed to do it, and in fact was many days into the project when his insecurities (also, according to the Wasson book, his habit of directing the other actors behind Fosses back) got the best of him. Dreyfusss fellow Jaws alum, Scheider, took over.

Seeing the film again, after a few years, it is hard, truly, to imagine anyone else. Scheider was no dancer, and Fosses somewhat compromised and makeshift All That Jazz finale wouldve benefited from a stronger musical theater performer. But Scheiders terrific en route to that finale. The talent around him? For starters, the movie captures Ann Reinkings finest screen work, and seeing a top-tier Fosse dancer (and longtime romantic partner, in and among others) in stunningly precise action remains a singular performance thrill.

Fosse spent a panic-strewn year editing the picture. Its not entirely the film he envisioned; money and time ran out before he could deliver the finale he wanted. (The fate of Gideons Broadway-bound, relationships-are-hollow musical remains unaddressed.) Then again, Fosse suffered, always, through the creation of everything he did in his 60 years. The evergreen joy of his finest work, in various keys of harshness and exuberance, remains ours to rediscover.

All That Jazz is 7 p.m. July 18, presented by the Chicago Film Society at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; tickets $10-$12 at musicboxtheatre.com or at the door.

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @phillipstribune

Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
Both COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continued their months-long climb in Nebraska last week, prompting one pandemic expert to say Nebraskans should get booster shots, resume masking and avoid crowds in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

The state reported 4,030 new cases last week, up from 3,535 the previous week and 3,474 the week before that, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Lancaster County, the increase prompted Lincoln officials on Thursday to require city employees to mask when interacting with co-workers, members of the public or in meetings with more than two people, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. The move marked the first time since February that Lincoln city employees have had to wear masks.

Douglas County recently moved into the medium category for transmission under CDC community levels, which are based on hospital capacity and case counts. The county recorded 747 cases from Thursday to Sunday, an average of nearly 187 a day.

Hospitalizations in Nebraska due to COVID-19 also continued a steady climb that began in early May.

An average of 176 people a day were in Nebraska hospitals with COVID as of Friday, up 5% from 168 the previous week. Hospitalizations, though, still are less than a third of levels seen when the omicron variant peaked earlier this year.

Nebraskas 14% case growth for the week was nearly double the U.S. increase, though the states per-capita rate remained about 10% below the U.S. figure. The highest rates are mostly found in southern states, including Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida.

Even with fewer test results being publicly reported due to the increased use of at-home tests, the current case counts are higher than at the same time during each of the past two summers.

Dr. James Lawler, a co-executive director of UNMCs Global Center for Health Security, said the majority of hospitalizations are occurring in those over age 65. But increases in hospitalization are occurring in other age groups as well.

In some regions, children now are hospitalized at the third-highest rate of the pandemic, behind only the delta and omicron waves. In Health and Human Services Region 7, which is made up of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, hospitalizations among children are at delta levels, Lawler said. And thats coming at a time when school, a known driver of viral spread, is not in session.

Where our elderly have benefited from relatively higher rates of vaccination and boosting, our younger populations dont, and so have seen higher rates of severe disease and infection, he said.

Lawler said the tools to fight the pandemic are the same ones that have been working all along. We just need to actually use them, he said.

The first, he said, is staying up to date on vaccines.

Those over 50 and some immunocompromised people 12 and older currently are eligible for two boosters in addition to their original shots. Healthy people between 5 and 50 are eligible for one booster in addition to their original series. A CDC tool helps people determine when they can get boosters.

The United States a year ago had great success vaccinating its vulnerable older population, with 91.7% of Americans 65 and over receiving their original vaccination shots. But only 65% of those 65 and over got a booster shot, and only 23% have gotten both booster shots.

Nebraska has been somewhat better than most states at boosting and vaccinating older residents, but the rates are still less than optimal.

While 93% of Nebraskans 65 and older received their original shots, only 73% that age received a booster, and only 26% have received two boosters. Nebraskas 65-and-over rate with two booster shots ranks 18th among the states. Iowa is 13th at 29%. Minnesota at 38% has the nations highest two-booster rate.

Lawler said people also need to go back to using tools that have helped slow transmission in the past, including avoiding large, crowded gatherings, particularly indoors; masking in large, public indoor gatherings; and testing routinely, especially when having symptoms. People should stay home when having symptoms and when positive.

All of those measures have worked when people have done them together. The issue with pandemics ... its a team sport, Lawler said. It doesnt work if only a couple people do these things. Everybody really has to do them together.

Taking such steps together, he said, will significantly reduce transmission in the community, avoid more hospitalizations and deaths and head off long COVID and other lingering effects. Researchers are learning that long COVID can accompany mild and moderate infections, not just serious ones.

Without many people taking such measures, he said, waves will continue until researchers can devise a vaccine that provides longer and more broadly effective immunity.

The currently available vaccines, he said, work well when people stay up to date on the shots. They also continue to prevent serious illness.

Indeed, immunity from vaccination, particularly recent vaccination, seems to provide better protection against new variants than an infection with an old variant.

This idea that once everyone had been infected at least once, we would ... achieve this status of herd immunity and everything would be fine ... hasnt proven to be true, he said.

While that immunity has slowed pandemic trends, leaving the nation in a better place than before vaccinations were widely available and many had been infected, Lawler said, we know that immunity and protection wanes as time goes by and also that protection goes down when a new variant pops up.

New variants, for that matter, appear to be spinning out more quickly as time goes by, he said. Earlier in the pandemic, new variants were emerging roughly every six months. But by March, BA.2 had replaced the original omicron that rose in December and January. BA.4 and BA.5, a highly transmissible subvariant now dominant in the U.S., began rising in May. Now scientists are watching two new omicron subvariants, BA.2.75, which has been detected in the U.S., and BA.5.2.1.

People can, and are, getting infected multiple times, Lawler said. And those infections dont necessarily carry a lower risk of long COVID or hospitalization.

Just ignoring the problem and pretending its gone away doesnt solve anything, he said. Because it hasnt gone away.

Nebraska reported 18 more COVID deaths last week, bringing the total number of confirmed or probable deaths to 4,363 for the two-year pandemic. Nearly 510,000 positive tests have been reported in Nebraska.

<&rule>
Crew members from Offutt Air Force Bases 55th Wing feasted their eyes last week on something they hardly ever get to see: a new plane.

Well, sort of new.

The WC-135R nuke-sniffer jet that landed last Monday at the Lincoln Airport  the 55ths temporary operating base while Offutts runway is replaced  was actually built in 1964.

But the former aerial New Hampshire Air National Guard refueling tanker has been refitted with new equipment capable of detecting atmospheric radiation, and updated with modern glass cockpit controls. And it has the same newer, quieter turbofan engines as the rest of Offutts RC-135 reconnaissance fleet.

We have a jet here that the Air Force hasnt seen before, Lt. Col. Chris Crouch, commander of the Offutt-based 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, said in a press release from the 55th Wing. We will have a lot more range to get to op areas that we were never able to reach before.

It is the first of three reconditioned National Guard KC-135s slated for delivery to the 55th Wing during the next year. All will fly the Constant Phoenix mission, collecting and analyzing air samples in support of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963.

The mission dates to the Cold War era. Its importance has grown as tensions with Russia rise and North Korea ramps up its missile-testing program with a series of launches this year.

The world needs this capability to sense nuclear tests, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a former 55th Wing commander, told The World-Herald in 2021.

During the conversion, the long refueling booms are removed from the tankers and the planes avionics and flight systems are upgraded to match the 55th Wings other aircraft.

They also are equipped with small sensing pods on each side of the fuselage, over the wing. Filters inside the pods capture tiny particles from a nuclear blast, giving analysts important information about the composition of the bomb or radiation source.

The work is being done in Greenville, Texas, by the 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, long known by its nickname, Big Safari.

The three new planes are replacing two decrepit WC-135s that have undergone few upgrades since Boeing built them in 1961 and 1962 and in recent years were notorious hangar queens.

One of the planes, a WC-135C with the tail number 62-3582, was retired in November 2020 during a tongue-in-cheek retirement ceremony before it was flown to a desert scrapyard in Arizona. Crew members described infuriating breakdowns and harrowing flights aboard an aircraft that the 45th Reconnaissance Squadrons chaplain nicknamed Lucifers Chariot.

The second, a WC-135W with the tail number 61-2667, will continue flying for a few more months. But it has one of the worst maintenance records in the Air Force.

In fiscal year 2021, the plane had a mission-capable rate of 48%, according to Air Force data published by the Air Force Times, meaning it was capable of carrying out scheduled missions less than half the time. And it had a break rate of 47%, meaning it returned from almost half of its missions needing significant repairs. Early last year, it was sidelined in Australia for nearly two months because of hydraulic problems.

At the urging of Bacon and Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, Congress approved $218 million in 2019 and 2020 to refurbish the three planes for the Constant Phoenix mission. The decision also followed a World-Herald investigative series, called In-Flight Emergency, in 2018 that spotlighted maintenance problems with the 55th Wings fleet of C-135 variant jets.

Before we had to have a special cadre of very experienced aircrew who were able to fly with those old, small motors and deal with some of the issues they had, Crouch said in the 55th Wing release. Now we have a nice, updated, reliable jet that we can have any pilot, co-pilot and navigator fly on.

The delivery of new planes, or even refurbished ones, is a rare event for the 55th Wing. The last refurbished planes arrived in the mid-1990s, said Robert Hopkins III, a former RC-135 pilot who is now a Dallas-based historian of Air Force reconnaissance.

The last new planes were the RC-135 variants delivered in 1967 for several missions including Rivet Joint and Cobra Ball. Many of those are still flying.

This is a monumental moment for us, said Col. Kristen Thompson, the 55th Wings commander, in the press release. She called the delivery of the WC-135s a game changer.

The next WC-135R is scheduled to arrive in the winter, according to the press release, and the third jet is expected in summer 2023.
GIBSON CITY  The Ford County Public Health Department will host a Community Health & Resource Fair from 2-5 p.m. Friday, July 29, at Moyer District Library, 618 Sangamon Ave., Gibson City.

This is an opportunity for the community to learn about the agencies and services available to families in Ford County.

The event will include free food bags from the Gibson Area Food Pantry, free books provided by the Jumpstart Program, developmental screenings for children, doula and labor information for mothers, car seat checks by registered car seat technicians, prescription medication take-back, recovery resources, grandparents raising grandchildren and caregiver resources, COVID-19 vaccines, Narcan kits and more. There will also be drawings for prizes.

The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

Contact Kgarrison@fordcountyphd.org or call 217-379-9281 for more information.
A man was arrested last week on charges linked to the shooting death of another man last month in Hammond, authorities said.

Abel Moreno, 32, was taken into custody July 12 after the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force received information a woman was helping him hide at a hotel in the 17300 block of Oak Avenue in Lansing, officials said.

Moreno was wanted on a warrant linked to the June 18 homicide of Antonio Mora, 35, in the 4300 block of Hickory Avenue in Hammond, the U.S. Marshals Service said.

Mora was pronounced dead at the scene after he was found lying in the street with a gunshot wound. Hammond police said the shooting appeared to be isolated.

Moreno was charged June 27 in Lake Criminal Court.

His case remained sealed, pending his extradition to Lake County.
During the golden age of commercial aviation, passengers enjoyed gourmet meals and stretched out in roomy comfort. Fast forward to the current state of flight, epitomized by Spirit Airlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier notorious for poor service that nonetheless is being pursued by two rivals.

On July 27, Spirit shareholders are expected to settle a bidding war that has stretched for months between Frontier, which struck a deal in February to acquire the airline, and JetBlue, which in April dangled a sweeter offer for the unlikely prize.

The bidding war comes amid rough times in commercial aviation. The industry has mostly failed to accommodate a predictable surge in pent-up travel demand, despite having pocketed tens of billions in public money during the pandemic  supposedly to stay staffed up and at the ready.

Chicagoans have been shielded in part from the widespread dysfunction in the industry thanks to the 40,000-plus workers at OHare International Airport, who rose to the occasion even as other busy hubs melted down when the summer travel season kicked off.

The heat not only is on airlines and airports but government as well. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has been babbling about how the feds have got the backs of the traveling public while cancellations and delays continue to pile up.

Its hardly reassuring that Buttigieg has unveiled an expanded passenger bill of rights, a summary of existing laws reflecting how travelers with disabilities are especially vulnerable to bad service. Complaints against airlines are up 300% from pre-pandemic levels. Every day, it seems, theres another story of air carriers scratching flights after making passengers wait for hours, then refusing to cough up refunds.

Rights? No. Bills? Yes.

If it seems that carriers are in a race to the bottom, that pretty much sums up the business model of Spirit Airlines. The company fittingly got its start under the name Clippert Trucking Co. in the 1960s, began charter air operations in 1990 and grew rapidly in more recent years.

Spirit identified a niche among leisure travelers willing to endure any amount of inconvenience for the lowest possible ticket price. The company figured out that people booking online would go with a rock-bottom fare even if they were later charged fees for carry-on bags, printed boarding passes, advance seat selection, bottled water and practically anything else that travelers might expect from an airline remotely interested in their goodwill.

Spirit has been clever at pouring on these fees. For each flight segment that a typical passenger takes, the airlines nonticket revenues have soared from an average of $5 in 2006 to $59 as of 2021, according to its public filings.

Other carriers have largely followed suit by introducing stripped-down basic economy fares to match Spirits deceptively low online ticket prices. They also evidently took note of how Spirit gets away with murder from a customer service standpoint, in some cases matching policies that make a joke out of rights for passengers.

Although COVID-19 and soaring fuel prices hurt the financial results of all airlines in recent years, Spirit grew from its humble beginnings into a solid moneymaker, which is rare in the airline biz. It expanded its footprint from coast-to-coast, plus international routes from the U.S. to the Caribbean and Latin America.

When fellow ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier announced plans to acquire Spirit, this page was supportive. While mergers have whittled down the number of competing carriers to the detriment of consumers, this proposed deal seemed likely to create a new player with the scale to better compete against United, American, Delta and Southwest, which along with their commuter affiliates control 80% of the domestic market.

The merger threatened to leave JetBlue isolated in its northeastern U.S. stronghold, however, prompting it to launch a takeover bid for Spirit that is higher in value, but also more likely to set off Justice Department antitrust watchdogs who could scuttle the deal.

If Spirit shareholders go with the higher bid from JetBlue, a more customer-friendly carrier, we expect government lawyers to take a tough line. JetBlue already has fought the Justice Department over its Northeast Alliance, a joint venture with American. It proactively offered to divest Spirit routes in Boston and New York to preserve whats left of competition. That may not be enough.

Were hopeful that from this messy start a strong No. 5 carrier emerges to keep the Big Four honest and, with any luck, put an end to the proliferation of Spirit-style anti-passenger policies  before airsickness bags start going for $6.50 and emergency oxygen for $12.99.

Chicago Tribune
Question: Can you name the Illinois town with a building that, when built, was architecturally considered one of the worlds most unique free-standing roofs? For extra credit, what construction firm oversaw the building of this unique structure?

Answer: The building is the State Farm Center, formerly the Assembly Hall, in Champaign that next year will celebrate its 60th anniversary. It has a 400-foot diameter concrete roof. Its ability to stand is derived from two dozen concrete ribs that press against each other to form its flying-saucer-like arches. It was Bloomingtons Felmley-Dickerson Co. that was its general contractor.
The Social Security and National Insurance Scheme (SSNIT) has merged the identity of a total of more than 1.9 million beneficiaries to the National Identification Card (Ghana Card), Mr Joseph Poku, the Chief Actuary at SSNIT, has disclosed.



Mr. Poku said the merger was done between June 28, 2021, to June 30, 2022, during which systems were deployed to allow members to merge their SSNIT and NIA.



He said this during a stakeholder engagement organized by SSNIT in collaboration with the national executive of the Ghana Trades Union Congress for members and leadership of the Greater Accra Council of Labour in Tema.



He noted that out of the figure, 383,200 were pensioners and lump sum beneficiaries while 1,246,639 were active members, and 293,010 were inactive members.



He explained that inactive members were those who had not contributed to the scheme in the last 12 months even though they were registered.



Mr Poku indicated that from July 2022, the Ghana Card was the only identification recognized by the scheme and, therefore, urged members who were yet to merge their numbers to do so.



He noted that some of the benefits of merging the numbers included its convenience, ease of doing business with just one number, and the elimination of the cost of printing cards.



Giving insight into the activities of the scheme, he said currently 25 percent of workers on the SSNIT scheme pay monthly contributions of GHs55 or less, adding that if these workers were to retire on the basic salaries of GHs500 or less, they would earn a monthly pension of GHs300.



He explained that pensions were a direct reflection of the basic salaries on which contributions were paid, therefore the higher the salaries on which people contribute, the higher the pension, noting that the longer the period of contribution, the higher the pension for those who contributed 35 years and above earn the maximum pension right of 60 percent.



Mr. Patrick Tetteh Binyemi, the Greater Accra Regional Council of Labour, TUC underscored the importance of extending the compulsory retirement age from 60 to 65 years.



Mr. Binyemi explained that there was an urgent need to consider reviewing the pension age to enable workers to contribute more and enjoy enhanced pensions upon retirement.



We must also negotiate with our employers to ensure that a chunk of our earnings goes into payment of SSNIT contribution to enable our members to earn a meaningful pension, he added.



Mr. Joshua Ansah, the Deputy Secretary-General of the TUC, said the suggestion on the need to consolidate basic salaries with allowances was welcomed.



Mr Ansah urged workers to prioritize their pension the moment they were employed, emphasizing that workers must learn from what happened to some of their predecessors.





Source: GNA









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This photo provided by the fire brigade of the Gironde region (SDIS 33) shows a wildfire near Landiras, southwestern France, July 17, 2022. (AP)

LA TESTE-DE-BUCH, France  A heat wave broiling Europe spilled northward Monday to Britain and fueled ferocious wildfires in Spain and France, which evacuated thousands of people and scrambled water-bombing planes and firefighters to battle flames in tinder-dry forests.

Two people were killed in the blazes in Spain that its prime minister linked to global warming, saying, Climate change kills.

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That toll comes on top of the hundreds of heat-related deaths reported in the Iberian peninsula, as high temperatures have gripped the continent in recent days and triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans. Some areas, including northern Italy, are also experiencing extended droughts. Climate change makes such life-threatening extremes less of a rarity  and heat waves have come even to places like Britain, which braced for possible record-breaking temperatures.

The hot weather in the U.K. was expected to be so severe this week that train operators warned it could warp the rails and some schools set up wading pools to help children cool off.

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In France, heat records were broken and swirling hot winds complicated firefighting in the countrys southwest.

The fire is literally exploding, said Marc Vermeulen, the regional fire service chief who described tree trunks shattering as flames consumed them, sending burning embers into the air and further spreading the blazes.

Were facing extreme and exceptional circumstances, he said.

Authorities evacuated more towns, moving another 14,900 people from areas that could find themselves in the path of the fires and choking smoke. In all, more than 31,000 people have been forced from their homes and summer vacation spots in the Gironde region since the wildfires began July 12.

Three additional planes were sent to join six others fighting the fires, scooping up seawater and making repeated runs through dense clouds of smoke, the Interior Ministry said Sunday night.

More than 200 reinforcements headed to join the 1,500 firefighters trying to contain the blazes in the Gironde, where flames neared prized vineyards and billowed smoke across the Arcachon maritime basin famed for its oysters and beaches.

Spain, meanwhile, reported a second fatality in two days in its own blazes. The body of a 69-year-old sheep farmer was found Monday in the same hilly area where a 62-year-old firefighter died a day earlier when he was trapped by flames in the northwestern Zamora province. More than 30 forest fires around Spain have forced the evacuation of thousands of people and blackened 220 square kilometers (85 square miles) of forest and scrub.

Passengers on a train through Zamora got a frightening, close look at a blaze, when their train halted in the countryside. Video of the unscheduled  and unnerving  stop showed about a dozen passengers in a railcar becoming alarmed as they looked out of the windows at the flames encroaching on both sides of the track.

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Climate scientists say heat waves are more intense, more frequent and longer because of climate change  and coupled with droughts have made wildfires harder to fight. They say climate change will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

Climate change kills, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Monday during a visit to the Extremadura region, the site of three major blazes. It kills people, it kills our ecosystems and biodiversity.

Teresa Ribera, Spains minister for ecological transition, described her country as literally under fire as she attended talks on climate change in Berlin.

She warned of terrifying prospects still for the days to come  after more than 10 days of temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), cooling only moderately at night.

At least 748 heat-related deaths have been reported in the heat wave in Spain and neighboring Portugal, where temperatures reached 47 C (117 F) earlier this month.

The heat wave in Spain was forecast to ease on Tuesday, but the respite will be brief as temperatures rise again on Wednesday, especially in the dry western Extremadura region.

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In Britain, officials have issued the first-ever extreme heat warning, and the weather service forecast that the record high of 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019, could be shattered.

Forty-one isnt off the cards, said Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby. Weve even got some 43s in the model, but were hoping it wont be as high as that.

Frances often-temperate Brittany region sweltered with a record 39.3 C (102.7 F) degrees in the port of Brest, surpassing a high of 35.1 C that had stood since September 2003, French weather service Meteo-France said.

Regional records in France were broken in over a dozen towns, as the weather service said Monday was the hottest day of this heat wave.

The Balkans region expected the worst of the heat later this week, but has already seen sporadic wildfires.

Early Monday, authorities in Slovenia said firefighters brought one fire under control. Croatia sent a water-dropping plane there to help after struggling last week with its own wildfires along the Adriatic Sea. A fire in Sibenik forced some people to evacuate their homes but was later extinguished.

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In Portugal, much cooler weather Monday helped fire crews make progress. More than 600 firefighters attended four major fires in northern Portugal.

Leicester reported from Le Pecq. Associated Press journalists Danica Kirka and Jill Lawless in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Raquel Redondo in Madrid, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, and Jovana Gec from Belgrade, Serbia, contributed.
Leading Integrated Communication and Marketing company, Global Media Alliance (GMA), has held its maiden thought-leadership summit to spearhead the conversation on the shifting skillset required for the practice of PR.



The plush event, held at the Holiday Inn Hotel on 15th July 2022, was part of GMAs series of activities to mark the 2nd edition of World PR Day. The thought-leadership summit is the first of its kind in Ghana since the World PR Day Celebration was introduced.



Held under the theme, The Evolution of PR: Shifting Skillset Required of Todays PR Professional, the event attracted Academia, PR practitioners, Policymakers, Communication Experts among others.



The two-part event featured a glowing message on the importance of ethics in the PR practice from the Deputy Minister of Information, Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar, and a panel session where thought-leaders in the industry deliberated on how PR professionals can leverage new trends to meet the changing demands of the professions.



Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Information Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar, commended Global Media Alliance for organizing an event that provides the opportune time and platform to reflect on the critical role of Public Relations in institutions and the nation.



Highlighting the importance of the tenets of truth, trust and transparency in the profession, the Minister enunciated how government has shown commitment to creating a high level of openness in its governance through initiatives and interventions to ensure public trust and establish a system of transparency.



The minister mentioned governments efforts in counteracting misinformation during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.



The global spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) was accompanied by a wave of misinformation that was undermining policy responses and amplifying distrust and concern among citizens. Governments leveraged on public communication to counteract misinformation and support policy. The efficacy of these actions depended on grounding them in open government principles, chiefly transparency, to build trust in public institutions, she stated.



Hon. Fatima Abubakar further urged all PR professionals in the country to take up the challenge of ensuring that Trust, Truth and Transparency are employed in their endeavours.



For his part, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Media Alliance, Mr. Ernest Boateng, said the event is very significant because it is the first ever thought leadership event in Ghana to mark the Day and we have to applaud ourselves for being part of this history.



Mr. Boateng hinted that this World PR Day event hosted by GMA will be an annual activity that will ignite industry conversations on how relevant and important the use of Public Relations and proper Communication tools are, to our society, especially in Ghana and the World at large.



The panel comprising of the President of the Institute of Public Relations, Mawuko Afadzinu, Lead Consultant for Komskraft Consult, Gayheart Mensah, Regional Director of Ogilvy Africa Akua Owusu Nartey and Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager at Nestle Ghana, Deborah Kwablah, discussed and shared ideas on essential skills needed by PR professional in the industry.



Key takeaways from the discussion included the importance of influencer marketing in PR campaigns, understanding and incorporating sustainability in one's projects, social performance that impacts society and builds trust in your brand, and advocacy in the profession.











Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Teachers Wing of the ruling New Patriotic Party in the Ashanti Region has appealed to the President to consider Mr Dennis Kwakwa as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA)



According to the Teachers Wing, having worked as a former youth organiser and regional coordinator of NABCO, Dennis Kwakwa has garnered the requisite experience and competence to head the YEA.



In a statement issued and signed by its Regional Coordinator, Mr Michael Mensah, also argued that "the next person to replace Lawyer Justin Koduah should not be appointed from outside the region"



According to them, in previous cases region did not have the benefit of replacements and thus has been deprived of many opportunities.



They cited for example that when the likes of Late Sir John of Forestry Commission, Dr Stephen Amoah- MASLOC, Dr K.K Sarpong of GNPC and Mr Kwame Agyemang Budu of ECG left their various positions, all their successors were appointed from outside the region.



This according to them, has not been inured to the benefit of the teeming supporters of the party in the region.



It is for this reason that they are appealing to the President to consider Mr Dennis Kwakwa, who also worked with the outgoing CEO in the Ashanti Region and has acquired the needed experience to be the new CEO of the YEA.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Zambia has extradited a Chinese filmmaker to neighbouring Malawi to face charges relating to racism and child exploitation.



Lu Ke was a Malawi resident when he was exposed by BBC Africa Eye, which reported he had used local children to film personalised greetings videos, some of which included racist content.



The videos could be bought for up to $70 (55) on Chinese social media and internet platforms.



Lu Ke denied making derogatory videos.



He had said he made them in order to spread Chinese culture to the local community.



Lu Ke was detained last month in Zambia and fined for entering it illegally.



Malawi's Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda confirmed to the BBC that he had been extradited. He added that the Chinese citizen is due to appear in court on Monday in line with procedures after someone has been arrested.



The BBC Africa Eye documentary led to a promise from China to clamp down on online racism against Africans, the South China Morning Post reported.



Also in the wake of the film, social media platforms popular in China took steps to prevent the circulation of the types of videos from Africa that it highlighted, according to website Rest of World.



In one of the videos filmed in Malawi and seen by the BBC, a group of young children is made to chant in Chinese - "I'm a black monster. My IQ is low", clearly unaware of what they are saying.



While being secretly filmed by an undercover journalist posing as a potential buyer, Lu Ke admitted and then immediately denied having made the video.



Malawian police launched an investigation in June but were unable to arrest the Chinese filmmaker as he could not be found. He was later arrested in Zambia.







Source: BBC









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Professor John Owusu Gyapong, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), has confirmed the maturity of the prime health university as it marks a decade of existence.



He said the University had successfully scaled the stages of development and was now an entity of pride for the nation and the world of health and academia.



The Vice-Chancellor was addressing a grand durbar to mark the 10th Anniversary of the University, which was attended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



Today, UHAS is a household brand and everybody wants to be associated with UHAS now. It has taught us not to despise humble beginnings, he said.



The University, planted in 2011, had from 2012 grown its student population from 154 to over 7,000, and the Vice Chancellor expressed gratitude to political, and traditional leaderships, and host communities.



Notable among them is the government of late President John Evans Atta Mills, which had birthed the institution through an Act of Parliament.



Also acknowledged were the first Vice Chancellor, Council and Management, who helped install the University as the only one in the country solely dedicated to health training.



President Akufo-Addo was also acknowledged for their spirited commitment to the development and continuity of the University.



The President last year facilitated agreements with the Chinese and personally cut the sod for the construction of phase two of the University's physical development- a 60-million-dollar investment.



The Vice Chancellor said the various schools and programmes progressed with ten of its eleven Schools established, while the University enjoyed top rankings both locally and internationally.



Prof. Gyapong noted also that products of the University bore the marks of quality training.



We are not just graduating students, but the quality of students we are graduating from the UHAS is very very high. Today, UHAS is a house brand, and everybody wants to be associated with UHAS now.



The Vice Chancellor used the occasion to draw stakeholder attention to the numerous infrastructural needs of the University, which he said affected student population growth.



We need the right infrastructure to double our intake, he said, and mentioned specifically, a mega central laboratory complex, and the School of Public Health at Hohoe, progress of which had delayed for funding.



President Akufo-Addo, in an address, said the nation appreciated bilateral relations with China, and that the Government would ensure it steered towards meeting the development needs of the people.



He revere the speedy achievements of UHAS, and the standards set in the world of academia, and promised continuous support for the University.



UHAS has come a long way and is bigger than it was envisaged. I am proud of you, UHAS, President Akufo-Addo said and asked the University to remain true to its mandate of research and community service.



The President reaffirmed his governments commitment to equal access to quality free and basic education.



Government will not renege on its commitment to provide quality education equal opportunities for this generation. The Government will continue to intervene and make available resources for the provision of quality and free basic and secondary education.



Education should be a right which all of Ghanas youth can benefit. Education is the equalizer of opportunities. I want every child to attend school, not only what they learn in books, but for life experiences, he stated.



Present at the durbar were past and present leaderships of the University, Members of Parliament from the Region, sector ministers, and traditional leaders.



The President cut the anniversary cake and inspected works on the second phase construction.



President Akufo-Addo also commissioned a newly completed hall of residence, named Sokode Hall after the community hosting the main campus of the University.















Source: GNA









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A knife allegedly used by Daniel Asiedu in stabbing J. B. Danquah Adu, late Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, to death, has been tendered in court.



Detective Chief Inspector Augustus Nkrumah, the case investigator who tendered it in evidence, said the said knife was retrieved from Daniel Asiedus room, one of the accused persons, during a search by the investigation team.



Continuing with his evidence in chief, Detective Inspector Nkrumah said the girlfriend of Asiedu aka Sexy Dondon, by name Janet Kyera, told the Police that Aseidu gave her the blood-stained knife to wash for him when he returned to Agbogloshie on the dawn of February 9, 2016.



According to the case investigator, a search was conducted in Aseidu's room at Agbogboloshie by the investigation team and the alleged knife was found and identified by Janet as the one whom Asiedu gave the knife to clean on that day.



The investigator said Asiedu also identified the knife as belonging to him, adding Asiedu and Janet gave statements to that effect.



Detective Inspector Nkrumah who was led by Mrs Sefakor Batsa, Principal State Attorney, said the investigation team also received three mobile phones, belonging to the deceased and same were tendered in evidence.



He explained the three mobile phones were two iPhones and a Samsung.



The Investigator said the three mobile phones were handed to him by the investigation team, saying that the investigation team from the Greater Accra Region indicated that the phones were given them by one Kenneth Korankye, a witness.



Chief Inspector Nkrumah said Korankye also indicated that the three phones were given to him by Asiedu.



"During investigations the first accused person (Asiedu) mentioned that he collected them from the late MP's room," he added.



The Investigator further told the Court that during a postmortem at the Police Hospital in Accra on the deceased, photographs were taken.



He therefore tendered the pictures as evidence.



Chief Inspector Nkrumah also identified and tendered into evidence a catapult and a cutter allegedly retrieved from the deceased room.



He said Aseidu later identified the catapult as his.



The Investigator told the High Court that a pair of black slippers allegedly wrapped in a duster was also found and retrieved behind a flowerpot at the house of the deceased.



He said during investigations Asiedu identified the slippers as his.



Asiedu is standing trial with Vincent Bossu aka Junior Agogo, for their various roles in the murder of the former MP.



Asiedu is being held on charges of murder and robbery.



Asiedu and Bossu have been jointly charged with conspiracy to rob.



They have denied the charges before a seven-member jury.



The Court presided over by Mrs Justice Lydia Osei Marfo has remanded them into lawful custody to reappear on July 18.

















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.

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Vodafone Ghana has brought back the exciting 2 Moorch Family Package that offers existing and new fixed broadband customers 100% extra data.



First introduced during Christmas last year, the promotion offered Vodafone customers data bonuses to interact with friends and family during the holiday, stream their favourite shows, shop online and engage in any other activity that required internet access.



The reintroduction of this offer means active customers will enjoy 100% bonus data when they top up with GHS120 in addition to their existing monthly package.



Commenting on the promo, the Director of the Consumer Business Unit at Vodafone Ghana, David Umoh, explained that Vodafone reintroduced the offer because of its commitment to customer loyalty.



We experienced an overwhelmingly positive response to the 2 Moorch Family promo when introduced in December last year. After it ended in April this year, customers have requested that we bring it back. As a customer-centred organization, we ave reintroduced the offer to satisfy the needs of our customers and to reierate the fact that we appreciate all our customers, he said.



He added, We are confident that this promo will give our customers more data to work, learn, and enjoy leisure without interruption,.



The 2 Moorch promo provides broadband customers with a supplementary bundle on top of their primary bundle. This means that customers can only subscribe to the offer when they have an active core bundle.



To subscribe, Vodafones fixed broadband customers need to only dial *900# on any Vodafone mobile number and follow the prompts. Alternatively, customers can subscribe via the self-care portal at



https://myvodafone.vodafone.com.gh/home/ or the Fixed Broadband website at https://vodafone.com.gh/personal/broadband-landing/.



Customers can also download the MyVodafone App on Google Play or App Store to subscribe.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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.

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Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo has said that she remains committed to the NPP and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



In a post shared on Facebook, on Sunday, July 2022, the Member of Parliament (MP) said that the harassment and campaign against her by some factions in Ghana including members of her political party will not break her resolve.



 in the face of clear political hounding and vendetta by certain elements within the party and parliament against me, I have never wavered in my commitment to the ideals and creed of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, to whom, I am eternally grateful, portions of the post the MP shared read.



The MP indicated that the treatment against her is unfortunate because a female colleague MP, who had a similar issue she is facing, was protected by the majority caucus of Parliament.



 as Leader of the Womens Caucus, together with the Leadership of the Majority, did our very best to protect a colleague female Member of Parliament who had to be away in London for close to two years to take care of family issues. We did this on compassionate grounds because it involved Children and didnt go around making hues and crying about her absence. This is just one example of how we protected one of our own as Leaders in Parliament, she said.



Also, Adwoa Safo congratulated the newly elected national executive of the NPP and called on party members to unite so that the NPP will Break the Eight in the 2024 election.



The MP, who is also the Minister of Gender Children and Social Protection, has been in the United States of America since December 2021. According to her, she went there to attend to the medical needs of her son as well as to attend to some pertinent family issues.













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Collins Adomako Mensah, Member of Parliament(MP) for Afigya Kwabre North, has burst the bubble of political opponents of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), specifically the Progressive People's Party (PPP), for extending an invite to the former Tema East MP, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover to leave the NPP and join their party.



Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, who was aspiring for the National Organizer of the party, was defeated by the party's immediate-past National Youth Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye.



Henry Nana Boakye, popularly called "Nana B", polled 2,870 votes to beat Titus-Glover who polled 2,274 votes.



Assessing Titus-Glover's performance, the National Chairman of PPP, Nana Ofori Owusu called on him to join the PPP stating emphatically that "he is the greatest surprise to me".



"Titus-Glover, I say, your fight is admirable. You have shown that you are a powerful guy . . . You are my man of the day. If you talk about my man of the entire process, it's Titus-Glover . . . It's not always about the win-win or the numbers but you are a winner by the effort you put forward. I mean 13 out of 16 Regions isn't an easy task," he added.



But to Hon. Adomako Mensah, the Tema East MP is an NPP devout member who owes a life allegiance to the party, hence asked the PPP to stop dreaming about Titus-Glover joining their party.



"Titus is a full NPP member, solid! He won't leave NPP because he's gone for an election and lost. It will never happen . . . Titus belongs to our family. He's a true, true patriot," he said while speaking on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, has described the successful end of the 2022 National Delegates Conference of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a win for all.



He explained that the well-organised nature of the annual event which saw the election of new national executives of the party should be considered more of a win for the NPP than anything else.



The peaceful and well-organised nature of the National Annual Delegates Conference for the election of new national officers to run the affairs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is a big win for the party, he said in a statement made available to GhanaWeb.



The leading member of the NPP also called on all the failed aspirants for the various positions to remain steadfast and rather continue to work at building the party.



"We need every hand on board to move the party in the effort to secure victory by breaking the 8, he added.



Alan Kyerematen further asked the new executives of the NPP to work to ensure even greater unity and inclusively in the party as the party marches towards the 'Break the 8' agenda in 2024.



He congratulated Stephen Ayesu Ntim, the newly-elected Chairman of the NPP, as well as Justin Frimpong Kodua, the new General Secretary, for their well-fought and hard-won victories.



"I encourage our new party leadership to ensure newness, attractiveness, and hope in our great party and again urge for greater inclusiveness to foster true unity," he said.



Alan Kyerematen urged the new executive body to quickly get to work and embrace the members who supported aspirants who lost in the election so that "they don't turn their disappointment into apathy. The party is bigger than all of us.



"It will be bad for the party if we allowed the results of the election to become the reason to create disunity. We are all patriots and must remain so."















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.

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A sympathizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Fadi Samih Dabbousi, has taken a swipe at what seems like one of the members of his party after the results of the much-anticipated National Delegates Conference ended.



From the final results announced by the Electoral Commission, Stephen Ayesu Ntim emerged the winner for the National Chairman slot, while Justin Frimpong Kodua won the General Secretary election.



But in a post on his Facebook page without any direct mentions, Fadi Dabbousi advised that politicians should not use their influence to acquire properties for their concubines at the expense of party footsoldiers.



Never use your position to buy houses for your concubines in London, Canada, and Cantonments (here in Accra) while the footsoldiers are struggling to live. All must learn this lesson. Nonsense! he wrote.



Meanwhile, Justin Frimpong Koduah has won the General Secretary position of the governing NPP.



The legal practitioner polled 2,857 votes to beat John Boadu, who obtained 2,524 votes out of the total 5,556 votes cast.



The results of the other candidates were as follows: Iddrisu Musah - 104 votes, Ramseyer Ahmed  8 votes, Charles Bissue  12 votes, and Frederick Ansah  50 votes.



Justin Frimpong Kodua will serve as the General Secretary of the party for the next four years.



JFK is the former Deputy Regional Youth Organiser in 2010 and a member of the NPP Ashanti Regional campaign team in 2008.



He also served as a member of the National Youth Wing of the party as a Chairman of the Legal Committee of the youth wing.





















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Two Chicago police officers and one sergeant have died by suicide within a month, Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said at a news conference Monday morning, addressing the most recent spate of incidents in which city officers took their own lives.

They were sons, daughters, siblings, partners, friends and mentors, Brown said. As a department, we ask for the citys continued support and prayers, especially for our members families and those who knew and worked with them.  Each of their losses is a tragedy that impacts a family, department and the city of Chicago.

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The most recent death was that of an off-duty sergeant who died by suicide Sunday. The department did not immediately identify the sergeant.

Patricia Swank, a Chicago police officer for more than six years, died by suicide July 2, and another officer, Durand Lee, 42, died by suicide Friday, according to a statement from police.

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Also, on March 12, Sgt. Edward Dougherty, 52, died by suicide. There have been more than a dozen Chicago police officers to take their own lives since 2018.

Brown added that police work is tough work and that he would argue the last 2 years have been an especially difficult time to be a police officer. The superintendent highlighted the departments resources for officers, including faith-based counseling services and an employee-assistance program.

Asked if the city is doing enough for the mental health of officers, Mayor Lori Lightfoot at a press event said, First and foremost, I think the three suicides present us with an opportunity to remember that our police officers endure incredible stress and trauma every single day.

Its a really hard job to be the police, Lightfoot said. We cannot underestimate that.

The city has put $20 million into its budget to expand offerings for officers and families and is working with the public health department to destigmatize mental health challenges, Lightfoot said. However, she did not address recurring criticism that Chicago cops are overworked. She has previously defended the city against that criticism, saying police get incredible amounts of time off as part of their contract.

Were obviously all grieving for the loss of these three lives, she said.

Following the suicides, several aldermen representing communities on the Northwest and Southwest sides, including Silvana Tabares, Anthony Napolitano and Matt OShea, as well as mayoral candidate Raymond Lopez are calling for hearings on officer wellness and death benefits, among other issues.

The Chicago Police Departments problem with officer suicides was highlighted in a 2017 report by the U.S. Justice Department regarding the citys policing practices. At that time, one Chicago police official told the Justice Department that CPDs suicide rate was higher than the national average among police.

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Chicago police headquarters at 35th Street and Michigan Avenue is shown Oct. 16, 2020. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Robert Sobo, head of the departments employee assistance program, said at the news conference that the overall suicide rate in Cook County is at an alarmingly high number.

Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. >

Our police officers are part of that society. Not only do they experience what most of us do on a daily basis, but on top of that, they experience unspeakable levels of stress, trauma and emotional and physical fatigue, Sobo said.

Sobo said utilization of the departments mental health and wellness programs are the highest they have been, which is an indicator of how difficult things are out there, but (also of) the trust in our services.

The department has 11 licensed clinicians, including one starting Friday and two more starting Aug. 1. The departments goal is to have one clinician per district, Sobo said.

Brown said there is still a stigma in policing around receiving mental health services, and that some officers believe that even talking to someone is a sign of weakness. Sobo added that officers do have a mandatory debriefing after any traumatic incident, which helps identify and keep traumatized officers off duty until they have recovered.

When asked about canceling officers days off, Brown said leadership has to make a decision when to have more or fewer officers on the street to assist other officers in police emergencies during historically violent months of the year. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, eight of the regular 104 days off were canceled.

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We never cancel their vacations or their personal days, Brown said. Its so important that officers take their leave, take their vacations.

pfry@chicagotribune.com
With the exception of one regional chairman, 15 regional chairpersons of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) openly campaigned against the candidacy of Justin Frimpong Kodua as General Secretary of the NPP.

But in his first public reaction to that position by the 15 regional chairmen after he defeated incumbent John Boadu, Justin Kodua has said he is not vindictive:



I have therefore forgiven all those who openly campaigned against me since it is not possible to get all people to support you in an election.



He said all those declarations were part of the politics and therefore he cannot single out those who opposed him since it will be detrimental to his administration if he decides to go on that tangent.



He said the trust reposed in him with his election as General Secretary for the next four years was indicative that he needed to have a forgiving heart and will not allow himself to be engulfed in matters that will not be progressive for the NPP.



I need them [regional chairmen] more than they need me to be able to have a successful administration.



He equally apologised if he may have said something that may have slighted some party members during the campaign and asked for forgiveness.



Led by the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, 15 regional chairmen of the party with the exception of the Central Regional Chairman, Robert Kutin, they openly declared their support for a John Boadu re-election and urged party delegates to do same.



But after Saturdays election, Kodua won with 43 percent as against Boadus 42 percent.



In a radio interview on Accra based Oman FM, Monday morning [July 18, 2022], monitored by Graphic Online, Kodua said he has already met with Chairman Wontumi on Sunday, together with some of the said 15 chairmen and they have had discussions about how they are going to work together.



Asked about the strategy he used to defeat John Boadu, who was tipped to retain the position, Kodua said the election was over and therefore campaign has ended and therefore he will not talk about that.



He said he has already spoken to John Boadu on telephone to congratulate him for the contest and would always consult him for counsel



He said he has also spoken to Dan Botwe as well as former General Secretary and yet to be able to get through to Kwabena Agyapong and Nana Ohene Ntow, all former General Secretaries since he would be consulting them for counsel.



The job has already started for me and I have already had a meeting with our new chairman, Stephen Ntim as well, he said.





Source: graphiconline.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.

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One million species are threatened with extinction, according to UN experts, and global warming is on track to make large swathes of the planet unliveable.

Delegates from across Africa launched Monday in Rwanda the first continent-wide gathering about the role of protected areas in ensuring the future of our planet.

The IUCN Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) is being held just a few months before the COP15 summit in December when global leaders are aiming to adopt a much-delayed pact to shield nature from the damage wrought by human activity.

"Protected areas are critical for the survival of the planet," International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) director general Bruno Oberle said on the opening day of the talks in the capital Kigali.

"And the more we manage them for the benefit of people and nature,the more we will build a future where everyonehuman and animalthrives," he said on Twitter.

Organisers said APAC will aim to shape the role of protected and conserved areas in safeguarding Africa's wildlife, delivering vital ecosystem services, and promoting sustainable development while conserving the continent's cultural heritage and traditions.

"It is high time that African policymakers put in place strong measures and strategies to ensure that the devastation of our rich biodiversity is stopped," Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente said.

Last month, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD) 196 members held negotiations on the draft global biodiversity framework in Nairobi, but made only limited progress in ironing out differences.

At the heart of the COP15 draft treaty is a provision to designate 30 percent of Earth's land area and oceans as protected zones by 2030.

More than 90 world leaders have signed a pledge over the past two years to reverse nature loss by then, saying the interconnected threats of biodiversity loss and climate change are a "planetary emergency".

According to the most recent Protected Planet report by the UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre, only 17 percent of land habitats and around seven percent of marine areas were protected by 2020.

One million species are threatened with extinction, according to UN experts, and global warming is on track to make large swathes of the planet unliveable.

UN biodiversity experts warned this month that rampant exploitation of nature is a threat to the well-being of billions of people across the world who rely on wild species for food, energy and income.

The Kigali gathering runs until July 23 and has attracted more than 2,000 participants from across Africa and beyond, according to organisers.

Explore further World meets protected areas target, quality needs improving

 2022 AFP
Air pollution, climate change, and public health are closely linked, as a new study from Boston College researchers shows. The report in the journal Environmental Health is the first to detail on a town-by-town basis the deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution in Massachusetts, and also outlines steps to curb fine particulate pollutants. Credit: Boston College

Air pollution remains a silent killer in Massachusetts, responsible for an estimated 2,780 deaths a year and for measurable cognitive loss in Bay State children exposed to fine particulate pollutants in the air they breathe, according to a new study by researchers at Boston College's Global Observatory on Planetary Health.

The study was supported by the Barr Foundation and is the first to examine far-reaching public health consequences of air pollution in the state on a town-by-town basis. The study found air-pollution-related disease, death and IQ loss occur in every city and town regardless of demographics or income level. Highest rates were in the most economically disadvantaged and socially underserved cities and towns.

The Boston College team estimates the cumulative impact on childhood cognitive development in Massachusetts in 2019 was a loss of almost 2 million Performance IQ points, or more than 2 IQ points for the average child, according to the report, published today in the journal Environmental Health. IQ loss impairs children's school performance and reduces graduation rates, the team noted.

"We are talking about the impacts of air pollution at a very local level in Massachusettsnot just statewide," said lead author Boston College Professor of Biology Philip J. Landrigan, MD, director of the Observatory. "This report gives the people in every city and town the opportunity to see for themselves the quality of the air they and their families are breathing and the dangerous health implications for both adults and children as a consequence of air pollution."

"All of these health effects occurred at pollution levels below current EPA standards," Landrigan noted.

The average level of fine particulate pollution across Massachusetts in 2019 was 6.3 micrograms per cubic meter, and levels ranged from a low of 2.77 micrograms per cubic meter in Worcester County to a high of 8.26 in Suffolk County. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standard is 12 micrograms per cubic meter, and the World Health Organization's recommended guideline is 5.

"Clearly, current EPA air pollution standards are not adequately protecting public health," Landrigan said.

Town-by-town air pollution information is not typically available, given there are not enough air quality monitoring stations in the state. The team determined levels for all cities and towns using available data and computer modeling.

While Massachusetts meets federal clean air guidelines and air pollution in the U.S. has declined 70 percent since the passage of the Clean Air Act in the 1970swhen Landrigan and other scientists successfully pushed for the removal of lead from gasolineunclean air at current levels still poses health hazards to both healthy individuals and those with other ailments or illnesses.

"We do not have the level of air pollution you see in China or India and because it is mostly invisible today people tend to forget about air pollution and we get complacent," Landrigan said. "We hope to break through this complacency and increase awareness. Air pollution is killing 2,780 people in Massachusetts each year, nearly 5 percent of all deaths in the state, and that is a big deal. Air pollution is something we can fix. We know the steps that need to be taken to reduce fatalities and the impact on our children and grandchildren. Now citizens in every city and town across the Commonwealth need to urge our elected officials to take those necessary steps."

Additional findings include:

Of the 2,780 deaths attributable to air pollution in Massachusetts in 2019, at least 2,185 were due to lung cancer 1,677 to heart disease, 343 to chronic lung disease, and 200 to stroke.

Air pollution was responsible for 15,386 cases of pediatric asthma and an estimated 308 low-birthweight babies (5.5 lbs. or less).

More than 95 percent of air pollution in Massachusetts results from the combustion of fossil fuels. Cars, trucks, buses, planes, trains and ships produced two-thirds of pollutant emissions655,000 tonsin 2017, the most recent year for which data were available. Power plants, industrial facilities, and home heating and cooking produced 283,000 tons. In all, these sources emitted 938,000 tons of pollutants.

Fossil fuel combustion is also the major source of the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that drive global climate change, which the researchers said should further incentivize Massachusetts to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to cleaner fuels.

"Air pollution harms our environment and young people, and these burdens disproportionately impact environmental justice communities," said Kathryn Wright, the Barr Foundation's Senior Program Officer for Clean Energy. "Meaningful action on climate change requires us to swiftly address air pollution from transportation and our energy system and its many harmful effects."

Fine particulate air pollution is linked to multiple non-communicable diseases in adults, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung cancer and diabetes. Among infants and children air pollution increases risk for premature birth, low birthweight, stillbirth, impaired lung development, and asthma.

"All of these adverse health effects occur at fine particulate matter pollution levels below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's current annual standard of 12 micrograms per cubic meter," said Landrigan. "So even for a state like Massachusetts, which registered below that standard, air pollution is a formidable public health threat that needs urgently to be addressed."

The report recommends the following solutions:

City and town officials should convert their fleets to electric vehicles, install solar panels on public buildings, preferentially purchase green electricity, prohibit gas hook-ups in new construction, and revise building codes to increase energy efficiency.

Massachusetts authorities must urge the US Environmental Protection to tighten federal air quality standards for fine particulate pollution to better protect health. It is not acceptable that pollution should be causing disease and premature death in Massachusetts residents at legally permissible levels.

Massachusetts must set targets and timetables for reducing air pollution emissions.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must add more air monitoring stations with priority to placing monitors in economically disadvantaged and socially vulnerable communities.

The DEP must publish an annually updated, open-source air pollution emissions inventory

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health must create an open-access dashboard that on pollution-related disease and death in each county, city, and town in the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts and the United States must recognize the significant health and environmental impacts of natural gas and reduce reliance on gas for power generation and heating.

Massachusetts and the United States must accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels to wind and solar power by incentivizing renewable energy and ending tax breaks and government subsidies for the fossil fuel industry.

A web-based application developed by the Observatory offers a searchable database for air pollution impacts in each of the state's 351 cities and towns. It is available at www.bc.edu/masscleanair.

Explore further Pollution's deadly toll continues unabated

More information: A Replicable Strategy for Mapping Air Pollution's Community-level Health Impacts and Catalyzing Prevention, Environmental Health (2022). Journal information: Environmental Health A Replicable Strategy for Mapping Air Pollution's Community-level Health Impacts and Catalyzing Prevention,(2022). DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00879-3
In urban regions, high monoterpenes emissions are accompanied by high NO x emissions. With the interactions of NO x , the monoterpene derived RO 2 (an intermediate of monoterpene oxidation) can produce large amounts of O 3 as well as secondary organic aerosols (SOA). While in forest regions, although monoterpene emissions are large, with fewer NO x interactions, the O 3 production is limited and thus only produce SOA. Credit: Science China Press

This study was led by Prof. Keding Lu and Prof. Yuanhang Zhang from Peking University. They conducted a field campaign in Taizhou, Eastern China from May to June in 2018. They observed elevated levels of monoterpene, a formerly considered biogenic emitted Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and determined a rapid oxidation rate by OH radical, O 3 and NO 3 radical observed with in-situ state-of-art instrumentations. Such fast oxidation rate of monoterpene even exceeded that of isoprene, which was thought to be the dominant biogenic emitted VOCs.

"In the beginning, we were very confused because the biogenic emission of monoterpene was not able to sustain the observed concentrations with such high level of oxidants. We carefully checked our data to ensure no mistakes. Several modeling researchers also helped us to reproduce this cause but all failed," Keding says.

Since the biogenic emissions in eastern China could not explain the observation, they wondered if there was another monoterpene source. Finally, a kind of unrecognized source of monoterpenes was uncovered. They noticed that strong biomass burning events happened in this region and these activities were also captured by detecting the gas tracers. Based on the correlation analysis of nocturnal monoterpenes and CO (a tracer of biomass burning), they revealed that monoterpenes were likely emitted from biomass burning. The deduced that monoterpene emission ratio to CO is also consistent with the reported values from laboratory studies.

After revealing the potential source of monoterpenes, the researchers used an observation-based box model to quantify the contribution of monoterpene oxidation to local ozone production. It was found that the oxidation of monoterpenes during daytime can provide an additional ozone by about 4 ppb, accounting for about 6% of the total ozone production during the daytime. Among them, anthropogenic monoterpenes absolutely dominated the contribution. For a 4-day biomass burning active episode, the increase further went up to 9 ppb (13%). "This is a very large source of ozone but not yet recognized. It should be attention-getting for policy makers," Keding says.

Although monoterpenes are also emitted in forest regions intensively, people don't worry about their contribution to ozone production, because nitrogen oxides, another precursor for ozone production, is very much limited in such environments. However, in urban regions with high NO x emission, the role of anthropogenic monoterpenes on ozone production can be sharply enhanced. They also showed that in other urban areas in developing countries, for example in Delhi, India, the contribution of strong monoterpenes emission (might also be caused by human activities) to ozone production can reach up to 10%. In addition, recent studies showed that large amounts of monoterpenes sourced from the volatile chemical products evaporation in cities like New York, and their environmental impacts deserve further attention.

The current anthropogenic VOC emission reduction strategies for ozone pollution control barely consider the anthropogenic monoterpene emissions. This study shows that the control of urban ozone pollution in China and other developing countries may be more challenging than expected if the effects of anthropogenic monoterpene emissions on ozone production are considered. Given that monoterpenes also contribute to the formation of atmospheric aerosols, controlling anthropogenic monoterpenes emissions will be a win-win solution to the joint control of ozone and fine particle pollutions.

The research was published in National Science Review.

Explore further Commercial floor cleaners found to produce as much aerosol pollution particles as public roads

More information: Haichao Wang et al, Anthropogenic monoterpenes aggravating ozone pollution, National Science Review (2022). Haichao Wang et al, Anthropogenic monoterpenes aggravating ozone pollution,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac103
Credit: Kajima Construction

Living and working in space for extended periods of time presents a number of challenges. These include radiation, as locations beyond Earth's protective magnetosphere are exposed to greater levels of solar and cosmic rays. There's also the need for self-sufficiency since lunar or Martian bases are too far to rely on regular resupply missions like the International Space Station (ISS). Last, there's the issue of low gravity, which is especially pressing for long-term missions and habitats beyond Earth. If humanity's future truly lies in space, we must devise solutions to this issue in advance.

A popular idea is to create rotating habitats in space that simulate artificial gravity, like the Pinwheel Station or the O'Neill Cylinder. Another proposal by a team of Japanese researchers calls for something bolder: a rotating habitat on the moon. On July 5, representatives from Kyoto University and the Kajima Corporation (one of the oldest and largest construction companies in Japan) announced that they would be partnering to conduct a study on this concept and how it could make humanity's plans for living on the moon and Mars a reality.

The study is a collaborative effort between Kyoto University and the Kajima Corporation (one of Japan's oldest and largest construction companies). The announcement was made during a press conference covered by Kansai TV NEWS and shared via their YouTube channel. Here, Professor Yosuke Yamashiki of Kyoto University and Takuya Ohnothe head of the Architectural Design Department at Kajima Construction's Kansai Branchshared a video of their proposed "artificial gravity facility" for living on the moon and Mars.

The effects of microgravity on human physiology are well-documented. Thanks to many experiments involving long-term stays aboard the ISS, which includes NASA's famous Twin Study, it is established that astronauts will experience a loss in muscle mass and bone density. Recent research has also shown that the loss of bone strength is something astronauts never fully recover from. Other noted effects include changes in cardiovascular health, organ function, eyesight, psychological effects, and gene expression.

Unfortunately, there is currently no research into the effects of microgravity (or low-gravity) on reproduction and early child development. This must be addressed if astronauts and regular folk hope to live on the moon, where the surface gravity is 16.5% (0.165 g) that of Earth. On Mars, where the surface gravity is roughly 38% (0.385 g) that of Earth, the situation is slightly betterbut by no means ideal. A common suggestion is that structures that rotate to create centripetal force would simulate Earth-gravity9.8 m/s2, or 1 g.

This is the idea behind the facility known as Lunagrass, which would allow astronaut crews to live and work in simulated Earth gravity. As Professor Yamashiki explained:

"Mars and the moon are much smaller (surface gravity) than Earth. I wonder if humans will eventually live in these places It is not known if mammals can breed and grow normally in a space with low gravity such as the moon. However, the gravity inside 'Lunagrass' is the same as that of the earth, and it is possible to give birth, and if you live here, you can maintain a body that can return to the Earth at any time."

As the video shows, the concept is similar to an O'Neill Cylinder, except that it stands and rotates on its side and is tapered towards the bottom (creating a funnel shape). The "funnel" is supported by a large lattice structure that spreads out at the base to distribute the facility's weight over a larger surface area. Winding around the base structure is a track showing a high-speed train responsible for transportation from the funnel to the lunar surface or between points inside.

Interior view of the rotating Lunagrass base. Credit: Kajima Construction

Inside the funnel, we see bodies of water, landmasses with greenery and trees, what appear to be floating structures (the brown squares), and a transportation network that allows people to travel throughout. The simulated people in the video are shown walking along the "walls" as if it were no different than walking on the Earth's surface (there are even motorboats driving on the water.) At the base of the funnel, which is less subject to centripetal force, there is a standing body of water with more boats cruising around.

Other ideas addressed in the presentation include an Earth-moon transport (and even an interstellar one) that would rely on the same principles to simulate artificial gravity while in space. These are known as the "Luna Beagle" and "Space Express," respectively. The animation shows what the former would look like, a hexagonal-shaped vessel with modules extending from a central spoke that rotates to provide artificial gravity for all those inside.

Professor Yamashiki said, "Also, research on transportation methods using 'artificial gravity' has started. The idea is to create a Luna Beagle that runs on the moon and a Space Express that moves between stars I'm trying to guarantee the same gravity (1G) environment as the Earth while moving. [Space Express] needs a lot of acceleration, and I think it's better to tow it with a rocket."

However, there are obvious issues of costs and the inevitable engineering challenges of building this type of structure on the moon. For instance, during the presentation, the subject of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and how this structure would be built did not come up. Would it be assembled on Earth or in space, then sent to the moon, or assembled on-site using regolith and other lunar resources? Would the job be handled by autonomous robots, human crews remotely-operating machinery on the surface, or a combination thereof?

Animation of the Luna Beagle transiting between Earth and the Moon. Credit: Kajima Construction

As Ohno admitted, the Lunagrass concept is "a dream story" at this point, and not an actual mission architecture. But, he added, it is a serious idea and one that could very well be feasible in the near future. As humanity embarks on a renewed era of space exploration that includes plans for permanent habitats on the moon and Mars, "dream story" ideas like this play an important role.

"Of course, it's not technical at all, but it's very important to come up with ideas at this stage," he said. "If possible, I want to go to the moon. More specifically, I want to go to Mars. I want to realize the concept on the moon in some way in 2050."

Explore further Predicting the efficiency of oxygen-evolving electrolysis on the moon and Mars
Bee on flower. Credit: Louise Truslove/University of Reading

Supporting and enhancing pollinators could help stabilise the production of important crops like oilseeds and fruit, reducing the sort of uncertainty that causes food price spikes, new research has shown.

Scientists at the University of Reading analysed years of data on the poorly understood effect of pollinators on crop yield stability. They found there was 32% less variation in the yields of plants visited by bees and other pollinators than those grown in absence of pollinators.

The study, published in the journal Ecology Letters, suggests that pollinators can help to mitigate supply issues and market shocks that cause global price spikes, like those being seen this year, by holding food supplies steady.

The publication marks the start of Bees' Needs Week (18-24 July), a UK Government-led initiative championing pollinators and their benefits, and this year encouraging people to take five simple actions to support pollinators.

A launch event led by University of Reading scientists is taking place today (Monday 18 July) at the Tower of London, where a Superbloom attraction made up of 20 million wildflowers in the moat is on display to the public all summer.

Dr. Jake Bishop, a crop science researcher at the University of Reading, who led the study, said: "Our findings suggest that preserving pollinators provides a double benefit, reducing fluctuations in food supplies as well as boosting supplies in the first place.

"Stable and predictable production of nutritious food is a necessity for farmers and for global food security. We are seeing right now that instability or shocks across the food system can lead to dramatic increases in food price.

The Superbloom attraction at the Tower of London, running all summer and hosting a launch event for Bees' Needs Week, run by the University of Reading's Bee Team scientists on Monday 18 July 2022. Credit: Historic Royal Palaces

"The research has revealed another reason why pollinators are so important to our planet, and to so many families who are struggling to feed themselves with sufficient, safe and nutritious food.

"Pollinators are particularly important in the production of fruit and vegetable crops. Around half of the experiments we analysed were testing the effect of real pollinator populations in real crop fields so our results illustrate the benefits that pollinators are currently providing."

While the benefits of pollinators to crop yield are well known, their effect on crop stability was poorly understood until now.

The new research combined the results of more than 200 previous experiments which compared the yield of crop plants with and without insect pollination. The study focused on three globally important and representative crop species: faba bean, oilseed rape and apples.

The study tested the effects of pollination on yield stability within individual plants and fields as well as across larger spaces. Insect pollination consistently made yields more similar between flowers on a plant, between individual plants, areas within fields, or between fields.

The stabilising effect of pollination is thought to be due to a ceiling effect, whereby the yield increase resulting from insect pollination hits an upper limit due to limitations of other resources that support crop growth such as soil nutrients or access to water. This creates a raised and more stable baseline against which there is less fluctuation in yield.

Current food price increases are being driven by a range of actors including high oil prices and the reduced ability of Ukraine to export its products after being invaded by Russia. Ukraine is the world's largest exporter of sunflower oil and provides around 10% of the world's wheat exports.

A previous food price spike in 2007-08, when the price of major global food crops approximately doubled, is thought to have been partially driven by production losses of wheat amounting to a loss of approximately 4.6% globally.

More information: Animal pollination increases stability of crop yield across spatial scales, Ecology Letters (2022). Journal information: Ecology Letters Animal pollination increases stability of crop yield across spatial scales,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/ele.14069
Scientists say extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more intense due to climate change.

Britain and France went on high alert on Monday, bracing for record temperatures from a punishing heatwave as deadly wildfires raging in parts of southwest Europe showed no sign of abating.

Forecasters have put 15 French departments on the highest state of alert for extreme temperatures while in Britain the government was accused of failing to take seriously the impending heat emergency as forecasters warned that lives were at risk.

The heatwave, spreading north, began as the second to engulf parts of southwest Europe in weeks, and blazes burning in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain have destroyed thousands of hectares of land and forced thousands of residents and holidaymakers to flee.

Scientists blame climate change and predict more frequent and intense episodes of extreme weather such as heatwaves and drought.

In France's Landes forest, in the southwest Aquitaine region, temperatures "will be above 42 degrees Celsius" (107 Fahrenheit) on Monday forecaster Olivier Proust said.

And Brittany, which until recently has escaped the worst of the heat, could register temperatures as high as 40C, say experts, which would be a record for the region.

In the southwestern Gironde region, firefighters over the weekend continued to battle to control forest blazes that have devoured nearly 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) since Tuesday.

In Spain, authorities announced that a member of the fire service died on Sunday while working to extinguish forest fires at Losacio in the northwestern Zamora region. The fires have already killed several civilians and emergency personnel since last week.

'A heat apocalypse'

Spanish authorities have reported around 20 wildfires still raging out of control in different parts of the country from the south to Galicia in the far northwest, where blazes have destroyed around 4,500 hectares of land.

How to cope in a heatwave.

The wildfires in France forced more than 16,000 peopleresidents and tourists combinedto decamp. Seven emergency shelters have been set up for evacuees.

France's interior ministry announced it would send an extra three firefighting planes, 200 firefighters and more trucks.

"In some southwestern areas, it will be a heat apocalypse," meteorologist Francois Gourand told AFP.

The chapel of a historic hospital in the southeastern city of Lyon, Grand Hotel Dieu, offered refuge to tourists on Sunday including Jean-Marc, 51, who was visiting from Alsace.

"We came back to admire the place, but we can't leave, it's too hot outside. We say a prayer before the fire!" he quipped.

French cyclist Mikael Cherel, taking part in the Tour de France's 15th stage between Rodez and Carcassonne in southern France on Sunday, described "very, very difficult conditions".

"I've never known such a hot day on a bike. It really was no picnic."

In Portugal, almost the entire country remained on high alert for wildfires despite a slight drop in temperatures, after hitting 47Ca record for the month of Julyon Thursday.

'Risk to life' in UK

Only one major fire was burning on Sunday in the north.

The wildfires have forced more than 16,000 people -- residents and tourists combined -- to decamp in France.

The fires have killed two, injured around 60 and destroyed between 12,000 and 15,000 hectares of land in Portugal.

In Britain, the weather office issued a first-ever "red" warning for extreme heat, cautioning there was a "risk to life".

The Met Office said temperatures in southern England could exceed 40C on Monday or Tuesday for the first time, leading some schools to say they would stay closed next week.

Eyebrows were raised, however, by comments from Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab appearing to welcome the likelihood of temperatures topping 40C and Prime Minister Boris Johnson missing a meeting about the government's response to the heatwave.

"This isn't like a lovely hot day where we can put a bit of sunscreen on, go out and enjoy a swim and a meal outside," College of Paramedics chief executive Tracy Nicholls told Sky News.

"This is serious heat that could actually, ultimately, end in people's deaths because it is so ferocious," she said.

The UK capital is expected to see the highest temperatures and mayor Sadiq Khan advised Londoners only to use public transport if "absolutely necessary".

Ambulance services are on crisis footing, and some schools in southern England have already said they will stay shut.

In the Netherlands, the mercury is set to reach 38C in parts of the country on Tuesday.

Explore further Forest fires rage in scorching southwest Europe

 2022 AFP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Unemployment insurance is a lifeline for many people when work goes away. And when times get really bad in the U.S.in recessions and during the COVID-19 pandemicCongress has extended the duration of unemployment benefits for millions of workers.

But is there a better way to structure the timing of unemployment insurance? For some workers, benefits arrive too late after an economic downturn to prevent household financial crises; others have needed insurance payments just when Congress has been debating what eventually become benefit extensions. To avoid ad hoc policymaking, the federal government could potentially deploy objective "triggers," such as significant rises in the jobless rate, that automatically extend unemployment benefits when recessions hit.

Now a study co-directed by an MIT economist, based on extensive modeling, examines the effects of automated unemployment insurance policies. Unemployment insurance based on such triggers would not cost moreor lessthan the packages Congress has ultimately approved, the results suggest. But an automated system would provide more clarity to workers in times of economic stress.

"There is a cost to the way Congress does it, which is, people face uncertainty," says Jonathan Gruber, a professor of economics at MIT and co-author of a new paper detailing the results of the study. "Right now, Congress decides at the last minute, or waits until a week or two after benefits expire to extend them. That kind of uncertainty is costly to people."

By contrast, Gruber observes, "The advantage of automatic triggers is you resolve uncertainty, and it wouldn't actually cost much more than the existing system because Congress extends benefits anyway."

The paper, "Should We Have Automatic Triggers for Unemployment Benefit Duration and How Costly Would They Be?" appears in an annual publication of the American Economic Association, AEA: Papers and Proceedings. The co-authors are Gabriel Chodorow-Reich, a professor of economics at Harvard University; Peter Ganong, an associate professor at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy; and Gruber, who is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT.

Unemployment insurance usually lasts for 26 weeks; in theory, when unemployment exceeds certain thresholds, states will extend benefits further. On five occasions in the last 40 years, Congress has extended unemployment insurance nationally, with states administering the benefits.

To conduct the study, the scholars developed a modelthey call it the UI Policy Simulatorexamining the period from 1996 to 2019 by state. The researchers used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to simulate each state's labor market, and modeled the outcomes that would result from implementing multiple types of unemployment insurance policies.

For instance, one set of simulations applied what the scholars call a "Sahm trigger" (after economist Claudia Sahm) that would enhance benefits after an increase in the unemployment rate that was 0.5 percentage points above its minimum three-month average over the previous 12 months. Another "tiered" set of simulations extended insurance by 13 weeks when unemployment reached 5.5 percent in a state, 26 weeks at 6.5 percent unemployment, 39 weeks at 7.5 percent unemployment, and 52 weeks at 8.5 percent unemployment. Still another group of simulations modeled "hard" versus "soft" landings based on how long benefits would be extended after the unemployment rate dropped below the triggering threshold.

Overall, the size of the benefits (and hence expenditures) that the model produced was very close to the size of the packages that Congress has approved in the wake of the 2001 and 200709 recessions. In theory, therefore, cost is not a huge issue.

One wrinkle the modeling uncovered is that such a system would take hold in labor markets that have not deteriorated as much, meaning that an extension of benefits could be triggered in a state that then quickly dips back under the threshold unemployment rate.

"There's a tradeoff," Gruber says. With a lower triggering threshold, "You might get people benefits a month earlier. On the other hand, you run the risk of having 'false positives,' where you send people benefits when you think it [the economy] is going to go south, and it doesn't."

Still another factor to consider, as the authors write in the paper, "past behavior is no guarantee of future legislative performance." Codifying an automated unemployment insurance system might help protect workers from a future congressional stalemate over the issue.

Could this type of policy actually become law? Gruber thinks that might require a change in the way the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scores the policy (that is, evaluates its cost). At present, the CBO is required to compare the cost to having no built-in enhanced unemployment insurance policy at alleven though Congress has repeatedly crafted such measures in times of need. That approach makes an automated policy seem like a new government expense, which can make legislators less likely to back it.

"In some sense the reason we never get automatic triggers is because of the way our congressional scoring works," Gruber says. However, he observes, "If Congress is going to do it anyway, that has a zero cost from today's perspective." Gruber also notes: "I don't want to [be critical] of the CBO. They're just following their mandate."

The duration and amount of these benefits was most recently a pressing issue during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, after unemployment soared in the spring of 2020. Within the last year, U.S. unemployment has dropped to lows not seen for decades. But at some future point, unemployment will likely again become a greater concern, suggesting to Gruber that any time would be a good time to consider this kind of legislation.

"Hopefully we won't forget about it, and we'll be able to fix the system when we can," Gruber says.

He adds: "This is really what I think we can do in economics that's so valuable for the world: use the modeling tools we have to speak directly to policymakers about the things they care about."

Explore further Medicaid expansion buffered health coverage loss during pandemic

More information: Gabriel Chodorow-Reich et al, Should We Have Automatic Triggers for Unemployment Benefit Duration and How Costly Would They Be?, AEA Papers and Proceedings (2022). Gabriel Chodorow-Reich et al, Should We Have Automatic Triggers for Unemployment Benefit Duration and How Costly Would They Be?,(2022). DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20221075

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
Credit: Zureks, CC BY-SA 3.0

California's Chinook salmon haven't been able to reach the McCloud River since 1942, when the construction of Shasta Dam blocked the fish from swimming upstream and sealed off their spawning areas in the cold mountain waters near Mount Shasta.

After 80 years, endangered winter-run Chinook are about to swim in the river once again.

State and federal wildlife officials collected about 20,000 winter-run salmon eggs from the Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery near Redding and drove them for three hours to a campground on the banks of the McCloud River.

Members of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, who have long sought to return salmon to the river where their ancestors lived, held a ceremony as the eggs arrived in a cooler.

"This is history for California that we've done this," said Caleen Sisk, the tribe's chief and spiritual leader. "It's a real blessing."

During the ceremony, Sisk and others sang as two women carried the cooler with the salmon eggs, leading a procession around a fire as several children followed.

"We're asking that the river receive these eggs," Sisk said. "And we've put down that song so that they have a fighting chance."

For the Winnemem Wintu, salmon are central to their cultural and spiritual traditions. They call the river Winnemem Waywacket, and it's the heart of their traditional homeland, which the tribe lost when the reservoir was filled.

"Whatever happens to the salmon happens to us," Sisk said.

She said the tribe offered prayers for the salmon to survive. And the women and children welcomed the eggs, she said, to give them a "female mothering kind of vibration."

Two biologists lugged the cooler down a rocky slope to the riverbank and set it down next to specialized incubator tanks, where water flowing from the river was circulating through the system.

Taylor Lipscomb, the hatchery's manager, reached into the cooler and lifted out a cup filled with orange salmon eggs, then handed it to one of the children.

Each child participated, lowering a cupful into the water and tipping it until the eggs tumbled out and settled on a metal screen.

As Sisk carried a cupful to the tank, she said she was "talking to the eggs about their ancestors," the salmon that swam there long ago.

"And just trying to give them the courage and support," she said, "that we're here for them and we're going to do the best that we can."

Winter-run Chinook salmon are increasingly struggling to survive as global warming intensifies drought conditions and extreme heat.

Last year, the water flowing from Shasta Dam got so warm that the Sacramento River turned lethal for winter-run salmon eggs. Most of the eggs and young fish died. State biologists estimated that only 2.56% of the eggs hatched and survived to swim downriver, one of the lowest estimates of "egg-to-fry" survival yet.

State and federal officials have been working on plans to reintroduce the endangered fish to the McCloud River. They say effort this summer is not yet a full-fledged reintroduction, but rather an urgent response to help the salmon during a third year of severe drought.

The idea is that by moving some eggs to cooler waters, they will have better odds of surviving this summer.

Once the eggs hatch, the tiny salmon, called fry, will make their way out of the incubator system through a pipe and swim into the river.

Another shipment of 20,000 eggs will be delivered to the incubators on the riverbank in early August.

Biologists plan to use traps in the river to collect the juvenile salmon and truck them downstream of the dam. Once released into the Sacramento River, the fish can migrate to the Pacific Ocean.

The Winnemem Wintu Tribe is taking part in the effort along with officials from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Tribal members and state wildlife staff have been camping by the incubators to monitor the eggs as they develop.

Chuck Bonham, director of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, thanked the Winnemem Wintu Tribe for their guidance, which he said has helped shape the effort. In a statement, Bonham called the return of the eggs to the McCloud River "historic and healing."

For years, the Winnemem Wintu Tribe has advocated an approach to reintroducing salmon that would involve developing a "swimway" so that fish could travel upstream and downstream on their own around Shasta Dam.

The tribe also wants to use salmon that once lived in the Sacramento River but were transplanted to New Zealand more than a century ago. The salmon have been thriving in mountain rivers in New Zealand, and the Winnemem Wintu say those eggs should be brought back.

Until recently, Sisk said she would oppose bringing hatchery-raised fish to the McCloud River. But she said the winter-run eggs are now "in dire need" of improved conditions, "otherwise they're going to disappear."

"I think it's the first step," Sisk said. "We do have a working agreement to work on bringing our New Zealand eggs back still. And we should be able to do that within three years."

She said the tribe also still wants to develop a passage route for fish, because they wouldn't want the salmon to be continually hauled by truck to reach their spawning habitat.

For now, Sisk said she's concerned about the nonnative brown trout in the McCloud and the bass in Shasta Lake, both of which feed on baby salmon. She said she hopes the little Chinook will be able to grow enough in the McCloud to give them a chance at survival.

Having young salmon in the McCloud River will enable scientists to monitor how the fish fare in their historical habitat.

"It's a glimmer of hope," Sisk said. "It's really a dream come true."

She said the effort came together quickly and she was stunned to see the children, including her 5-year-old granddaughter Maya, putting the eggs into the blue barrels.

"They have that connection now," she said. "It's something they'll never forget their entire life."

The eggs arrived at the start of the tribe's seventh annual Run4Salmon, a 300-mile journey on foot, bicycle, horseback and boat, following the old path of the salmon from the McCloud River to San Francisco Bay.

On Friday, Sisk and others were on an initial leg of the journey at Lake Shasta, some in a houseboat and others paddling a dugout canoe and kayaks. She said participants plan to kayak to Red Bluff, ride bikes to Colusa and then paddle in kayaks toward Sacramento.

On July 31, they plan to finish their journey like the salmon, reaching the Pacific coast.

Explore further Wildlife officials truck Chinook salmon to cooler waters in emergency move to help them spawn

2022 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The ubiquity of social media means that in today's business environment, an organizations' actions are highly visible to the public. Social media platforms provide a strong voice for consumers and advocacy groups that previously struggled to be heard.

As a result, businesses and chief executives are increasingly being called out and made accountable for when their actions don't meet community standards. The cost of moral or ethical failure is much higher than it perhaps was when there was only a few regulatory watchdogs overseeing behavior. Today any one of a business' customers or stakeholders is in a position to blow the whistle and be heard.

While this is clearly a positive thing and something that will drive ethical behavior, it does raise questions over whether such increased scrutiny can make businesses more conservative, and constrain legitimate creativity out of fears of generating a backlash.

Ethical leaders are leaders that demonstrate standard-setting conduct through their actions and relationships. These leaders adhere to norms and strictly comply with company standards and policies. This can be viewed as antithetical to creativity because creativity requires challenging the status quo and trying new and unconventional strategies.

Considering that modern organizations face pressures to remain both innovative and ethical, we need to understand how ethical leaders can foster team creativity. The good news is that based on our research, ethics and creativity aren't in a zero-sum game, instead they can complement each other.

We surveyed 327 employees working in 55 teams and their supervisors in a food service organization head-quartered in Seoul, South Korea. This organization considered creativity to be a key element of their operations, and their vision was "creating the most innovative poultry products to maintain industry leadership."

In the surveys, each supervisor rated their teams' creativity by evaluating the novelty and usefulness of the ideas developed by the teams. In addition, we asked the team members to evaluate the extent to which their supervisors demonstrated ethical leadership behaviors. The team members also reported their level of emotional attachment to the team, and their need for cognitive closure.

The results of our analysis showed that ethical leaders can boost team creativity by increasing team members' emotional attachment to their groups.

Ethical leaders do this by serving as role models. As ethical leaders emphasize trust and integrity, we found that their teams learned to trust each other and maintain their integrity, which in the process encouraged a sense of "oneness" in the team.

Ethical leaders can also motivate their followers to internalize ethical values, which can then unite the team under the umbrella of following the same ethical norms.

Teams whose members are emotionally attached to their teams tend to be more creative, because team members feel safer about sharing their unique ideas, without the fear of being criticized by their colleagues. They also become more willing to exchange information and knowledge with the other team members.

We also focused on a team characteristica team's need for cognitive closurewhich is the desire to find a firm answer to a topic or issue rather than leaving it ambiguous. When team members have high levels of need for cognitive closure, they are motivated to find a solution to an ambiguous situation as quickly as possible, and they want to maintain the status quo once they find a solution.

In other words, these team members prefer making very quick decisions before investigating alternative solutions, and they don't feel comfortable with the open-ended process of idea generation. As a result, their creativity suffers, because creativity requires exploring and being open to alternatives.

Surprisingly, we found that when ethical leaders lead such teams, double negatives make a positive. Specifically, when ethical leaders emphasize rule and regulations, this can provide teams with the cognitive closure they need. As a result, the team members get attached to their teams more easily, leading to higher levels of team creativity.

Our results, published in Group & Organization Management, suggest that leaders shouldn't fear that setting moral values and norms can act as a constraint on their teams' creative work, because they can still positively impact team creativity by strengthening team members' collective attachment to the team.

To do this, leaders should be explicit about the standards and norms they expect the team members to comply with, so that this normative structure can act as a common ground and bring team members together under the same umbrella.

Also, those team members who have high need for cognitive closure aren't destined to be non-creative. Leaders can still boost their creativity by acting ethically and setting norms and regulations for the team members to follow.

Explore further How company leaders talk about creativity can hurt investor confidence

More information: Sejin Keem et al, How Does Ethical Leadership Relate to Team Creativity? The Role of Collective Team Identification and Need for Cognitive Closure, Group & Organization Management (2022). Sejin Keem et al, How Does Ethical Leadership Relate to Team Creativity? The Role of Collective Team Identification and Need for Cognitive Closure,(2022). DOI: 10.1177/10596011211072951
Kayla Jones speaks at a news conference on July 18, 2022, in Chicago. Jones is one of several Pangea Properties tenants who have signed onto a class-action lawsuit over dangerous conditions in South and West side apartments. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Pangea Properties is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit after tenants alleged the massive Chicago landlord disregarded upkeep and left South and West Side renters units in unsafe conditions.

The 14 tenants who joined the lawsuit, filed in Cook Countys Circuit Court Monday morning, cited roaches, rats, mold, squatters and other health and safety concerns that they say the major landlord left unaddressed. Pangea Properties manages more than 7,500 rental units at 423 properties across Chicago, making it one of the citys largest landlords, according to the lawsuit, which is seeking class-action status.

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Pangea Properties exploits its renters by systematically ignoring maintenance requests to add to its bottom line, said Christopher Wilmes, an attorney for the Chicago-based law firm Hughes, Socol, Piers, Resnick and Dym that represents the tenants.

The 204-page lawsuit details dozens of issues the 14 plaintiffs say they faced in their Pangea Properties homes, including broken elevators, ceilings gushing water and no heat in the winter. And as they made complaints, their landlord didnt address their essential concerns and make their homes safe, the suit alleges.

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Pangea Properties charges its low-income tenants fees for routine maintenance and threatens eviction to silence grievances, the lawsuit alleges. The company also routinely misrepresents units to prospective tenants, it alleges.

The company repudiated the allegations in a statement shared Tuesday morning.

While we take all resident concerns seriously, we strongly deny the allegations made in the complaint, which run counter to the high service standards that have allowed us to become one of the largest providers of workforce housing in Chicago, a Pangea Properties spokesperson said. Pangea Properties has long been committed to providing quality, attainably priced housing that benefits both residents and the communities in which we do business. Each property is professionally operated by our in-house management team, which prioritizes customer service through regular communication and responsiveness to resident questions and requests. Residents are able to reach a Pangea representative through several means, including an online portal, by phone, or by visiting a local office. We routinely work with the City of Chicago to address building issues in order to provide safe, habitable, and code-compliant homes for our residents.

Kayla Jones, 26, said she moved into a Chatham Pangea Properties unit around May 2021 and problems started immediately when the corporate landlord moved her into a different apartment than the one she toured. She said she saw roaches and rat droppings in the unit.

Attorney Christopher Wilmes, left, speaks at a news conference while his clients, Kayla Jones and Willie Bradly, listen on July 18, 2022, in Chicago. Jones and Bradley are among several Pangea Properties tenants whove signed on to a lawsuit seeking class-action status over dangerous conditions in South and West Side apartments, citing infestations, mold, squatters and other health or safety issues. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

When I called the property manager, they told me I was the only one complaining about the problem, Jones said at a Monday morning new conference outside a Pangea Properties building in South Austin.

She described mice jumping on her stove and microwave and dying on her carpet. She said she called 311, and an operator told her that the city gets many complaints from the area and advised her to move away, she said.

She said the apartment next to hers was broken into and that there are squatters in her building.

I really just want Pangea to do better, and I want them to give everybody back their money that deserves it, Jones told the Tribune.

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Willie Bradley, another plaintiff, said he found mold in his South Shore Pangea Properties apartment. The corporate landlord sent out a maintenance worker who sprayed white paint over the growth, said Bradley, a retired senior-housing maintenance supervisor. Then the mold grew back worse, he said.

Two years later, a Pangea Properties maintenance worker came and cut out a moldy portion of the bedroom wall, Bradley said. The worker taped black plastic bags around the 4-foot cutout and left, the lawsuit alleges. The hole wasnt patched by maintenance workers until mid-December despite numerous maintenance requests, it alleges.

The 66-year-old said he has also faced problems with electricity, cooling and heating. When he turns on air conditioning and the microwave at the same time, the power goes out, usually for six hours, he added. He has reported the electrical issues 17 times in the last five years, the lawsuit alleges.

Everybody deserves to have a decent place to stay, he told the Tribune.

The Metropolitan Tenants Organizations gets more calls about Pangea Properties than any other management company in Chicago, Executive Director John Bartlett said. Tenants have made hundreds of calls about repairs not getting done, he said.

They have a record of not maintaining at least some of their properties, Bartlett said. Theyve had lots of people calling.

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Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. >

Willie Smith waited for Mondays news conference to end to walk into his Pangea Properties apartment building. But when the 62-year-old heard the speakers, he set down his groceries. He asked an attorney for their number afterward, because he wants in on the lawsuit.

Elevators stink. Hallways trashed. On maintenance, my toilet, my doors, my carpets dirty, Smith told the Tribune.

He can never pin down the maintenance worker, he said.

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This story has been updated to include a statement from Pangea Properties.

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com

Twitter: @jakesheridan_
The researchers TAC/TIC approach is able to identify what flips the switch to activate a retrons toxins to prevent a viral spread. Credit: Creative Team/EMBL

Since they were first discovered in the 1980s, retrons have puzzled researchers who simply wanted to know what these bacterial DNA sequences actually did. Now, EMBL scientists have identified that some retrons encode toxin proteins, which they keep inactive with the help of a small DNA fragment. When a bacterial virus (phage) attacks bacteria, the small DNA can sense the attack and unleash the toxin.

"Bacterial chromosomes contain hundreds of different toxin/antitoxin systems of unknown function that might be leveraged to inhibit phages, and our findings provide an approach to understand how they could do that," said Nassos Typas, a group leader in the Genome Biology Unit and a co-chair of EMBL's Microbial Ecosystems and Infection Biology transversal themes. His group has just reported its latest findings in Nature.

Simply put, retrons contain an enzyme called reverse transcriptase that uses small RNA as a template to produce multicopy single-stranded DNA (msDNA). Although scientists knew how this msDNA is produced across many bacteria, its function and role in the cell had remained enigmatic until June 2020, when the Typas group, as well as the Sorek group from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, posted their independent studies in an open-access preprint repository.

"For more than 30 years, we'd had no clue why bacteria have retrons because no phenotypes had been associated with cells lacking retrons or msDNA," said Jacob Bobonis, the paper's lead author, who completed his Ph.D. in the Typas group.

But new information came to light when a previous member of the Typas group found an important cluea phenotype. They discovered that a pathogenic bacterium Salmonella cannot grow in colder temperatures without making msDNA. The group then teamed up with the lab of Helene Andrews-Polymenis at Texas A&M University and her then postdoc, Johanna Elfenbein, now PI at the University of Madison. Together, they identified that Salmonella cells unable to make msDNA were also sensitive to a lack of oxygen, preventing them from colonizing a cow's gut.

While these phenotypes alone didn't show the retrons' special immune defense capabilities, they gave the scientists a starting point to study the retrons further.

"We quickly realized that retrons, while more complicated, looked very similar to other systems in bacteria called toxin/antitoxin systems," Bobonis explained.

Many bacteria contain hundreds of toxin/antitoxin systems in their genomes. One gene encodes a poisonous protein (toxin) that stops the growth of the bacterium, but the antidote (antitoxin) is located right next to that "poisonous" gene. While the two co-exist, bacteria grow happily. But if somehow the antidote is removed, the poison becomes active and inhibits their growth.

"Analogously, in our case, we have the retron reverse transcriptase that makes msDNA, and if we delete it, the 'toxin' is activated," Bobonis said. "We realized that the msDNA together with the reverse transcriptase form a new class of antitoxins. But we still wondered what could be that 'switch' to trigger this growth inhibition complex naturally."

These natural switches (triggers) have remained elusive for decades for all chromosomal toxin/antitoxin systems. The EMBL team decided to investigate if individual genes could act as switches. They took thousands of bacterial genes and overexpressed them one by one using robotic setups in EMBL's labs, to measure if they could trigger the toxin to inhibit the bacteria.

Ultimately, using genetics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and with the help of other teams at EMBL (the Savitski, Zeller, and Bateman research groups), they parsed out the mechanism, discovering how viral proteins can activate as well as block these systems. They even found that retrons can thwart viral invasion on a single-cell level.

"Imagine you have 10 bacteria, and a virus goes in and infects just one of them. The virus replicates itself hundreds of times, eventually breaking the cell so that virus spills over from the infected cell, and goes on to infect the other nine cells (or more if bacteria have duplicated in the meantime). In that case, the bacterial population is killed," Bobonis explained. "In a cell where the retron is switched on by the virus, the initial infected cell withers, but so does the virus, as it needs the bacterium's machinery to replicate. Without the initially infected bacterium, the virus falters, and retrons have protected the rest of the population."

Scientists have been looking toward using phages to treat bacterial infections in humans. They call this "phage therapy," and research in this direction has dramatically increased in the past years, as antibiotics become less effective due to resistance issues. This fundamental research adds to the body of knowledge to help further that work.

An important outcome of this research is the genetics-based approach that the EMBL scientists refined: Toxin Activation/Inhibition Conjugation (TAC/TIC). Now, other scientists can also further home in on what triggers the thousands of other uncharacterized toxin/antitoxin systems. Tapping into the vast diversity of microbial functions, and uncovering new mechanisms that lie behind interactions of microbes with their environment, including their predators (phages), is at the epicenter of EMBL's new Microbial Ecosystems transversal theme.

"Since these are bacteria's internal suicide systems, knowing the trigger switches for them means that we have an angle to design artificial toxin triggers to externally activate the toxin and kill the cell," Typas said. "Such new strategies are urgently needed as effective antibiotics become scarce to treat antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. EMBL's Infection Biology transversal theme aims to better understand antimicrobial resistance and find new ways to curtail, prevent, reverse, or bypass it."

Explore further A new multipurpose on-off switch for inhibiting bacterial growth

More information: Bacterial retrons encode phage-defending tripartite toxin/1 antitoxin systems, Nature (2022). Journal information: Nature Bacterial retrons encode phage-defending tripartite toxin/1 antitoxin systems,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05091-4
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The early years of children's development are crucial for developing social, emotional and communication skills. Given the significance of these years, it is vital we continue to unpack what happened for young children at different points of the pandemic.

People invested in children's development and education, from researchers to educators to school board representatives, have expressed concerns about the impact of the pandemic on kindergarten students.

School closures meant kindergarteners were not able to interact directly with their peers and teachers, or practice self-regulation in a classroom. Understanding the effects of pandemic-related school shutdowns on kindergarten students is important for planning how to address its impact.

Ontario study

In Ontario, kindergarten is a two-year program (junior and senior) with children beginning to attend in September of the year they turn four.

The mandated full-day kindergarten curriculum focuses on play-based learning and includes hands-on activities, group work and social interaction.

Considering the nature of kindergarten in Ontario, teaching and learning online from March to June 2020 posed challenges for educators, students and families.

Our team at the Offord Center for Child Studies at McMaster University conducted a study titled "Hidden Future Front Line: Educators' Perspective on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Kindergarten Children from May to July 2020."

A total of 2,569 kindergarten educators (early childhood educators and kindergarten teachers) representing almost all the school districts in Ontario shared their thoughts about teaching during the first set of pandemic-related school closures in spring 2020.

Barriers to online learning

Our descriptive study paints a clear picture of the learning and interactions during that time. It highlights many unique challenges and concerns faced by educators of the youngest learners.

First, educators reported significant barriers to online learning in nine specific areas during this time. These included technological barriers such as lack of access to electronic devices, poor internet quality, privacy concerns and student challenges communicating in English.

Eighty percent of educators also discussed barriers around implementing curricula online. They discussed the young age of their pupils and basic incompatibility of online learning for children this age, particularly given the play-based nature of kindergarten.

As one educator shared with us: "This is the complete opposite of what the full-day, play-based learning is all about. Children need to manipulate with concrete objects, plan and investigate during play, interact with their peers and not swipe across a screen."

Educators noted kindergarten-age children could not independently log on to their online classes or complete class activities without the support of an adult or older child.

Almost 90 percent of educators noted that a lack of involvement from parents or guardians was a concern: many stated that parents often did not report on how children were doing or did not turn in assignments for them, making it difficult for educators to know their students' well-being.

Educators struggled to teach the kindergarten curriculum, and as a result voiced concerns about what implications this may have for these children's future learning.

Return to classrooms

We asked educators to share with us their concerns regarding the return to the classroom setting. Of the educators surveyed, 90 percent said they had concerns about returning to the classroom in September 2020.

Educators expressed concerns about the ability of young students to follow any potential protocols, and if it was even realistic to expect five-year-olds to be able to socially distance. Developmentally, kindergarten students often need assistance with tasks such as opening a juice box, zipping up their coat or going to the bathroom. Many teachers wondered how they could assist their pupils while keeping a distance.

Expected impact in later grades

Taken together, our findings indicate kindergarten educators faced challenges during school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic that were unique because of the young age of their pupils.

As a result, we expect the lack of a fully interactive environment in kindergarten may impact some children's learning in later grades.

There is emerging evidence that school closures should be a measure of last resort in fighting a pandemic.

Continued supports necessary

Our study results also highlighted the need for continued supports for the youngest learners and the necessity to monitor the development of students in kindergarten during the pandemic, as well as after.

Along with others, we recommend that these potential struggles in learning and self-regulation be considered by educators, principals, schools, school districts and ministries of education in adjusting curricula in the coming years.

Explore further Child mindfulness study promotes calmer, more caring classrooms

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria may have driven the evolution of human gene variants that protect against dementia. Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine previously found a set of human gene mutations that protect older adults against cognitive decline and dementia. In a new study, published July 9, 2022 in Molecular Biology and Evolution, they focus on one of these mutated genes and attempt to trace its evolutionwhen and why it appeared in the human genome. The findings suggest selective pressure from infectious pathogens like gonorrhea may have promoted the emergence of this gene variant in Homo sapiens, and inadvertently supported the existence of grandparents in human society.

The biology of most animal species is optimized for reproduction, often at the expense of future health and longer lifespans. In fact, humans are one of the only species known to live well past menopause. According to the "grandmother hypothesis," this is because older women provide important support in raising human infants and children, who require more care than the young of other species. Scientists are now trying to understand what features of human biology make this longer-term health possible.

When researchers previously compared human and chimpanzee genomes, they found that humans have a unique version of the gene for CD33, a receptor expressed in immune cells. The standard CD33 receptor binds to a type of sugar called sialic acid that all human cells are coated with. When the immune cell senses the sialic acid via CD33, it recognizes the other cell as part of the body and does not attack it, preventing an autoimmune response.

The CD33 receptor is also expressed in brain immune cells called microglia, where it helps control neuroinflammation. However, microglia also have an important role in clearing away damaged brain cells and amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. By binding to the sialic acids on these cells and plaques, regular CD33 receptors actually suppress this important microglial function and increase the risk of dementia.

This is where the new gene variant comes in. Somewhere along the evolutionary line, humans picked up an additional mutated form of CD33 that is missing the sugar-binding site. The mutated receptor no longer reacts to sialic acids on damaged cells and plaques, allowing the microglia to break them down. Indeed, higher levels of this CD33 variant were independently found to be protective against late-onset Alzheimer's.

In trying to understand when this gene variant first emerged, co-senior author Ajit Varki, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine, and colleagues found evidence of strong positive selection, suggesting something was driving the gene to evolve more rapidly than expected. They also discovered that this particular version of CD33 was not present in the genomes of Neanderthals or Denisovans, our closest evolutionary relatives.

"For most genes that are different in humans and chimps, Neanderthals usually have the same version as the humans, so this was really surprising to us," said Varki. "These findings suggest the wisdom and care of healthy grandparents may have been an important evolutionary advantage that we had over other ancient hominin species."

When Siglecs like CD33 sense human sialic acids, they inhibit the immune cell's response, even if those acids are located on bacteria. Credit: UC San Diego Health Sciences

Varki led the study with Pascal Gagneux, Ph.D., professor of pathology at UC San Diego School of Medicine and professor in the Department of Anthropology. The authors said the study provides new evidence supporting the grandmother hypothesis.

Still, evolutionary theory says reproductive success is the main driver of genetic selection, not post-reproductive cognitive health. So what was pushing the prevalence of this mutated form of CD33 in humans?

One possibility, suggest the authors, is that highly infectious diseases like gonorrhea, which can be detrimental to reproductive health, might have impacted human evolution. Gonorrhea bacteria coat themselves in the same sugars that CD33 receptors bind to. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, the bacteria are able to trick human immune cells to not identify them as outside invaders.

The researchers suggest that the mutated version of CD33 without a sugar-binding site emerged as a human adaptation against such "molecular mimicry" by gonorrhea and other pathogens. Indeed, they confirmed that one of the human-specific mutations was able to completely abolish the interaction between the bacteria and CD33, which would allow immune cells to attack the bacteria again.

Altogether, the authors believe humans initially inherited the mutated form of CD33 to protect against gonorrhea during reproductive age, and this gene variant was later co-opted by the brain for its benefits against dementia.

"It is possible that CD33 is one of many genes selected for their survival advantages against infectious pathogens early in life, but that are then secondarily selected for their protective effects against dementia and other aging-related diseases," said Gagneux.

Co-authors include Sudeshna Saha, Naazneen Khan, Andrea Verhagen, Aniruddha Sasmal and Sandra Diaz at UC San Diego; Troy Comi and Joshua M. Akey at Princeton University; Hai Yu and Xi Chen at UC Davis, and Martin Frank at Biognos AB.

Explore further How a protein in your brain could protect against Alzheimer's disease

More information: Sudeshna Saha et al, Evolution of Human-specific Alleles Protecting Cognitive Function of Grandmothers, Molecular Biology and Evolution (2022). Journal information: Molecular Biology and Evolution Sudeshna Saha et al, Evolution of Human-specific Alleles Protecting Cognitive Function of Grandmothers,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac151
A stable pH gradient is generated between a pair of biased graphene microelectrodes. Molecules (red particles) are focused into a narrow bandthe focusing planebetween the microelectrodes upon the pH-gradient generation. The focused molecules are detected at high sensitivity by pre-placing specific recognizers (green particles) at the focusing plane. Credit: UMass Amherst

New research led by University of Massachusetts Amherst assistant professor Jinglei Ping has overcome a major challenge to isolating and detecting molecules at the same time and at the same location in a microdevice. The work, recently published in ACS Nano, demonstrates an important advance in using graphene for electrokinetic biosample processing and analysis, and could allow lab-on-a-chip devices to become smaller and achieve results faster.

The process of detecting biomolecules has been complicated and time-consuming. "We usually first have to isolate them in a complex medium in a device and then send them to another device or another spot in the same device for detection," says Ping, who is in the College of Engineering's Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department and is also affiliated with the university's Institute of Applied Life Sciences. "Now we can isolate them and detect them at the same microscale spot in a microfluidic device at the same timeno one has ever demonstrated this before."

His lab achieved this advance by using graphene, a one-atom-thick honeycomb lattice of carbon atoms, as microelectrodes in a microfluidic device.

"We found that compared to typical inert-metal microelectrodes, the electrolysis stability for graphene microelectrodes is more than 1,000 times improved, making them ideal for high-performance electrokinetic analysis," he says.

Also, Ping added, since monolayer graphene is transparent, "we developed a three-dimensional multi-stream microfluidic strategy to microscopically detect the isolated molecules and calibrate the detection at the same time from a direction normal to the graphene microelectrodes."

The new approach developed in the work paves the way to the creation of lab-on-a-chip devices of maximal time and size efficiencies, Ping says. Also, the approach is not limited to analyzing biomolecules and can potentially be used to separate, detect and stimulate microorganisms such as cells and bacteria.

Co-authors on the paper, "Graphene-Enabled High-Performance Electrokinetic Focusing and Sensing," are Ping's students, Xiao Fan (first author) and Xiaoyu Zhang.

Explore further Researchers develop ultra-sensitive flow microsensors

More information: Xiao Fan et al, Graphene-Enabled High-Performance Electrokinetic Focusing and Sensing, ACS Nano (2022). Journal information: ACS Nano Xiao Fan et al, Graphene-Enabled High-Performance Electrokinetic Focusing and Sensing,(2022). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c03054
Similar leaf types evolved independently in three species of plants found in cloud forests of Oaxaca, Mexico and three species of plants in similar environment in Chiapas, Mexico. This example of parallel evolution is one of several found by Yale-led scientists and suggests that evolution may be predictable. Credit: Yale University

Evolution has long been viewed as a rather random process, with the traits of species shaped by chance mutations and environmental eventsand therefore largely unpredictable.

But an international team of scientists led by researchers from Yale University and Columbia University has found that a particular plant lineage independently evolved three similar leaf types over and over again in mountainous regions scattered throughout the neotropics.

The findings provided the first examples in plants of a phenomenon known as "replicated radiation," in which similar forms evolve repeatedly within different regions, suggesting that evolution is not always such a random process but can be predicted.

The study is published July 18 in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

"The findings demonstrate how predictable evolution can actually be, with organismal development and natural selection combining to produce the same forms again and again under certain circumstances," said Yale's Michael Donoghue, Sterling Professor Emeritus of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and co-corresponding author. "Maybe evolutionary biology can become much more of a predictive science than we ever imagined in the past."

For the study, the research team studied the genetics and morphology of the plant lineage Viburnum, a genus of flowering plants that began to spread south from Mexico into Central and South America some 10 million years ago. Donoghue studied this same plant group for his Ph.D. dissertation at Harvard 40 years ago. At the time, he argued in favor of an alternative theory in which large, hair-covered leaves and small smooth leaves evolved early in the evolution of the group and then both forms migrated separately, being dispersed by birds, through the various mountain ranges.

The new genetic analyses reported in the paper, however, show that the two different leaf types evolved independently, in parallel, in each of a number of mountain regions.

"I came to the wrong conclusion because I lacked the relevant genomic data back in the 1970s," Donoghue said.

The team found that a very similar set of leaf types evolved in 9 of 11 regions studied. However, the full array of leaf types may have yet to evolve in places where Viburnum has only more recently migrated. For instance, the mountains of Bolivia lack the large hairy leaf types found in other wetter areas with little sunshine in the cloud forest in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.

"These plants arrived in Bolivia less than a million years ago, so we predict that the large, hairy leaf form will eventually evolve in Bolivia as well," Donoghue said.

Several examples of replicated radiation have been found in animals, such as Anolis lizards in the Caribbean. In that case, the same set of body forms, or "ectomorphs," evolved independently on several different islands. With a plant example now in hand, evolutionary biologists will try to discover the general circumstances under which solid predictions can be made about evolutionary trajectories.

"This collaborative work, spanning decades, has revealed a wonderful new system to study evolutionary adaptation," said Ericka Edwards, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Yale and co-corresponding author of the paper. "Now that we have established the pattern, our next challenges are to better understand the functional significance of these leaf types and the underlying genetic architecture that enables their repeated emergence."

Edwards and Deren Eaton of Columbia are co-corresponding authors of the paper.

Explore further Study highlights lack of evidence for plasticity-led evolution in lizards

More information: Michael J. Donoghue et al, Replicated radiation of a plant clade along a cloud forest archipelago, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2022). Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution Michael J. Donoghue et al, Replicated radiation of a plant clade along a cloud forest archipelago,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01823-x
Credit: Bernard Dupont from France, CC BY-SA 2.0

The hooded capuchin monkey has been identified as being at a higher risk of extinction than scientists previously realized following University of Aberdeen and Fundacion Para La Tierra research in Paraguay.

Published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence, the study carried out by Dr. Rebecca Smith calls for the national reassessment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species for the monkeys. The study is also the first study in an international ecological journal with the abstract to be published in Guarani, one of Paraguay's official languages.

Dr. Smith completed her Ph.D. with the University of Aberdeen while working for an NGO (Fundacion Para La Tierra) in Paraguay. In Paraguay, the drastic forest loss over the last 60 years has not occurred through gradual degradation and fragmentation of intact forests but rather by widescale clear cutting and complete transformation to crop fields.

Dr. Smith is now implementing an agroforestry reforestation program with the communities with whom she has worked for the last five years to try to combat the massive deforestation trends in the region with a solution which can contribute to the livelihoods of the people living with the capuchins as well as the creature's survival.

She explains that "this research provided the first detailed information on the ecology of this species in Paraguay. Understanding its ecological needs has allowed us to develop a conservation action plan for the Atlantic Forest in Paraguay (using the capuchin as the flagship species) that will have benefits for the forest, wildlife and the people who live in the area."

The research was carried out in the Paraguayan Upper Parana Atlantic Forest (BAAPA), one of the world's most critically endangered terrestrial habitats with more than 90% of its original cover lost to industrial agriculture. The research proposes that combining native tree corridor with shade grown yerba matea native Atlantic Forest plant that makes a very popular tea in South Americaand slash pine plantations would create habitat for the capuchin and other wildlife while helping to alleviate poverty in the area and the pressure that this causes on the forest's natural resources.

Dr. Smith added that they "looked at remotely sensed microhabitat features that were associated with habitat suitability in forests that had experienced different levels of degradation to determine how hooded capuchin distribution is associated with these features in Atlantic Forest fragments."

"A remotely-sensed habitat feature called 'wetness,' a measure of soil moisture and canopy closure, was found to be the most important driver of capuchin presence at both the highly degraded (Rancho Laguna Blanca) and undisturbed (Nueva Gambach) sites. The capuchins showed a preference for more mature forest, bamboo dominated forest and flooded forest (that has experienced little selective logging in the past)."

"While the hooded capuchin is an adaptable species, the extreme level of complete forest loss in Paraguay may pose a threat to their long-term survival as forest fragments are likely disconnected for the species. The increasing pressure on Paraguay's little remaining forest from illegal logging, marijuana plantations, charcoal production and illegal settlements may result in an increase in degraded fragments where there is too little forest in a mature enough condition to support viable populations of capuchins."

"Though this species is currently classified as Least Concern at a national and global level, its dependence on forest in an area where forests are clear cut to make way for soy fields means that this status must be re-evaluated. This demonstrates that though a species may appear to be doing wellthis capuchin is believed to be common, adaptable and widespreadthat there may be unseen consequences of forest loss and degradation on their ability to survive long-term."

Explore further Striking new snake species discovered in Paraguay

More information: Rebecca L. Smith et al, Modelling habitat suitability for a potential flagship species, the hooded capuchin, of the Paraguayan Upper Parana Atlantic Forest, Ecological Solutions and Evidence (2022). Rebecca L. Smith et al, Modelling habitat suitability for a potential flagship species, the hooded capuchin, of the Paraguayan Upper Parana Atlantic Forest,(2022). DOI: 10.1002/2688-8319.12146
Malaysia has seized animal parts, including elephant tusks, rhino horns and pangolin scales, worth $18 million.

Malaysian customs officials said Monday they seized a stash of rare animal parts worth $18 million thought to have come from Africa, including elephant tusks, rhino horns and pangolin scales.

The Southeast Asian nation is a hub for wildlife trafficking, with animal parts shipped through the country to lucrative regional markets.

Authorities foiled a smuggling attempt on July 10 when they uncovered the illicit cargo in Port Klang, on Malaysia's west coast, hidden in a container along with timber.

The shipment included an estimated 6,000 kilograms (13,200 pounds) of elephant tusksMalaysia's biggest single seizure of elephant ivory, said customs department chief Zazuli Johan.

There were also 29 kilograms of rhino horns, 100 kilos of pangolin scales, and 300 kilos of animal skulls and other bones, he told a press conference.

The seizure had an estimated value of 80 million ringgit ($18 million), he said, adding it was believed to have come from Africa, without giving more details.

Zazuli said Malaysia was not the shipment's final destination, but did not say where it was heading.

Animal parts such as elephant tusks and pangolin scales are popular in countries where they are used in traditional medicine, including China and Vietnam.

There have been no arrests over the seizure.

Kanitha KrishnasamySoutheast Asia director at wildlife trade monitoring group Traffichailed the "significant seizure".

"This medley of threatened species in a single seizure is concerning, and it certainly verifies the suspicion that criminals continue to use Malaysian ports to move contraband wildlife," she said.

Explore further Malaysia seizes rare animal parts worth almost $1 mn

 2022 AFP
Photometric observations of TOI-5153 from TESS. Credit: Ulmer-Moll et al., 2022.

Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), an international team of astronomers has detected two new extrasolar planets. The newfound alien worlds, designated TOI-5152 b and TOI-5153 b, are the size of Jupiter but about three times more massive than the solar system's biggest planet. The finding is reported July 8 on the arXiv pre-print repository.

TESS is conducting a survey of about 200,000 of the brightest stars near the sun with the aim of searching for transiting exoplanets. It has identified over 5,700 candidate exoplanets (TESS Objects of Interest, or TOI), of which 227 have been confirmed so far.

A group of astronomers led by Solene Ulmer-Moll of Geneva Observatory in Switzerland has recently confirmed another two TOI planets monitored by TESS. They report that transit signals have been identified in the light curves of two stars known as TOI-5152 and TOI-5153. The planetary nature of these signals was confirmed by follow-up observations.

"The discovery photometry was collected with the space-based mission TESS and follow-up observations were carried out from the ground with the photometric facility NGTS, and the high-resolution spectrographs CORALIE, FEROS, CHIRON, HARPS, and TRES," the researchers wrote in the paper.

TOI-5152 b has a radius of about 1.07 Jupiter radii and is approximately three times more massive than Jupiter. It orbits its parent star every 54.19 days, at a distance of some 0.31 AU from it. The planet's equilibrium temperature was measured to be 688 K. The host TOI-5152 is a G1-type star nearly two times larger than the sun, located about 1,200 light years away from the Earth. Its age is estimated to be between 1.4 and 6.8 billion years.

TOI-5153 b has a mass of 3.26 Jupiter masses, while its radius was estimated to be 1.06 Jupiter radii. The orbital period of this exoplanet was measured to be 20.33 days and its distance to the host is nearly 0.16 AU. The astronomers calculated that the equilibrium temperature of TOI-5153 b is at a level of 906 K. The parent star is of spectral type F8. It is about 40% larger than the sun and is assumed to be 5.4 billion years old. The distance to this planetary system is about 1,270 light years.

Therefore, TOI-5152 b and TOI-5153 b are warm and massive Jupiter-sized alien worlds. The astronomers noted that they are both metal-enriched and their heavy element content is consistent with the mass-metallicity relation of gas giants. Given that the two planets orbit moderately bright stars, the authors of the paper added that they are ideal targets for additional observations.

"Both warm Jupiters orbit moderately bright host stars making these objects valuable targets for follow-up studies of the planetary atmosphere and measurement of the spin-orbit angle of the system," the researchers concluded.

Explore further Four new giant exoplanets detected

More information: S. Ulmer-Moll et al, Two long-period transiting exoplanets on eccentric orbits: NGTS-20 b (TOI-5152 b) and TOI-5153 b. arXiv:2207.03911v1 [astro-ph.EP], S. Ulmer-Moll et al, Two long-period transiting exoplanets on eccentric orbits: NGTS-20 b (TOI-5152 b) and TOI-5153 b. arXiv:2207.03911v1 [astro-ph.EP], arxiv.org/abs/2207.03911?context=astro-ph

 2022 Science X Network
Structure of GLI1 protein. (A) Schematic of the primary structure of human GLI1 protein, showing the MAPK-docking site (D-site), the SUFU-binding motif, and the zinc finger DNA-binding domain. The transcriptional activation domain constitutes a large fraction of the C-terminal half of the protein. (B) Amino acid sequence of residues 68134, showing the D-site, the SUFU-binding motif, and a cluster of five canonical MAPK phosphorylation sites (SP). The numbers above show the position of the serine residues in the SP sites. (C) The last two of the seven SP MAPK phosphorylation sites contained in residues of 68-232 GLI1. After S201, the next SP or TP site occurs at S441. Credit: A. Jane Bardwell et al, Life Science Alliance (2022). DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101353

Better treatments for some of cancer's deadliest forms could be closer due to a University of California, Irvine-led discovery about how a certain protein is activated in tumor cells. The finding, spearheaded by researchers with the School of Biological Sciences, could eventually lead to possible therapies for the especially dangerous melanoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, as well as the most common type of childhood brain cancer and adult skin cancer. A paper describing the project appears in Life Science Alliance.

The discovery concerns the GLI1 protein, which is important in cell development but has also been found turned on in various cancers. GLI1 is typically activated by the Hedgehog signaling pathway, known as HH. However, scientists have known for about a decade that crosstalk (interaction) between HH and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway has a role in cancers.

"In some cases, proteins in one pathway can turn on proteins in another," said lead author A. Jane Bardwell, project scientist in UCI's Department of Developmental and Cell Biology. "It's a complex system. We wanted to understand the molecular mechanism that leads to GLI1 being activated by proteins in the MAPK pathway."

GLI1 normally binds tightly with a protein called SUFU. That protein suppresses GLI1, preventing it from penetrating cell nuclei and turning on genes. The scientists examined seven sites on the GLI1 protein that could be phosphorylated, or have a phosphate group transferred onto it.

"We identified three that can be phosphorylated and are involved in weakening the binding between GLI1 and SUFU," said Lee Bardwell, professor of developmental and cell biology, whose laboratory conducted the project. "This process activates GLI1, enabling it to enter the nucleus of cells, where it can cause uncontrolled growth resulting in cancer."

He noted that phosphorylation of all three sites causes a significantly higher level of GLI1 escape from SUFU than if just one or even two of them receive phosphate groups.

The discovery is a significant step toward more effective and personalized cancer treatments. "If we can understand exactly what is going on in a certain cancer or particular tumor, it could be possible to develop a drug specific to a specific tumor or individual patient," Bardwell said. "It would allow us to treat these diseases without the toxicity of basic chemotherapy." In addition, many tumors from the same cancer have different mutations among individuals. Eventually, it may be feasible to screen tumors to develop the best approach for each.

The research was performed in collaboration with the UCI School of Medicine's Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and the Stanford University School of Medicine's Department of Dermatology.

Explore further Potential target for treating many cancers found within GLI1 gene

More information: A. Jane Bardwell et al, ERK2 MAP kinase regulates SUFU binding by multisite phosphorylation of GLI1, Life Science Alliance (2022). A. Jane Bardwell et al, ERK2 MAP kinase regulates SUFU binding by multisite phosphorylation of GLI1,(2022). DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101353
Lead author Andrew Schulz with an African savanna elephant at Zoo Atlanta. Credit: Zoo Atlanta

A new study from Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that an elephant's muscles aren't the only way it stretches its trunkits folded skin also plays an important role. The combination of muscle and skin gives the animal the versatility to grab fragile vegetation and rip apart tree trunks.

The research, in collaboration with Zoo Atlanta, finds that an elephant's skin doesn't uniformly stretch. The top of the trunk is more flexible than the bottom, and the two sections begin to diverge when an elephant reaches more than 10%. When stretching for food or objects, the dorsal section of the trunk slides further forward.

The findings could improve robotics, which today are typically built for either great strength or flexibility. Unlike an elephant's trunk, the machines can't do both.

As an example, the study's authors point to soft robotics. Their fluid-filled cavities allow flexible movements but can easily break when forces are applied. The researchers say the elephant findings suggest that wrapping soft robotics with a skin-like structure could give the machines protection and strength while continuing to allow flexibility.

The paper is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) by the same Georgia Tech team that authored a study last summer about how elephants use their trunk muscles to inhale food and water.

African savanna elephant at Zoo Atlanta. Credit: Zoo Atlanta/Andrew Schulz

"When people extend their tonguea muscle-filled, boneless tissue similar in composition to an elephant's trunkit stretches uniformly. We expected the same when we challenged an elephant to reach for food," said Andrew Schulz, the study's lead author and a Ph.D. student in Georgia Tech's George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. He and the team filmed two African savanna elephants reaching for bran cubes and apples at Zoo Atlanta.

"But when we looked at our high-speed camera footage and plotted the trunk's movements, we were surprised. The top and bottom weren't the same at all," Schulz said.

After seeing the video, Schulz stretched the tissue of a dissected elephant to better understand the skin's elasticity. That's when he found that the top of the skin, which is folded, is 15% more flexible than the wrinkled bottom side. It's also when the team realized they weren't just seeing muscle movement on the video. They were also tracking a thick sheet of skin.

"Flexible skin folds are the elephant's innovation," said David Hu, Schulz's advisor and a professor in the Woodruff School and the School of Biological Sciences. "They protect the dorsal section and make it easier for the elephant to reach downward, the most common gripping style when picking up items."

By watching elephants reach for food at Zoo Atlanta, researchers found that the skin on the dorsal side of the animal's trunk is more elastic than its bottom side. Credit: Georgia Tech/Zoo Atlanta

The Georgia Tech study also found that an elephant trunk differs in another way from other boneless, muscle-filled appendages found in nature, such as squid and octopus tentacles. Instead of extending evenly, an elephant telescopically stretches its trunk like an umbrella, gradually lengthening in waves.

An elephant first extends the section that includes the tip of its trunk, then the adjacent section and so on, gradually working its way back toward its body. Schulz says the progressive movement towards the base is intentional.

"Elephants are like people: they're lazy," he said. "The section at the end of the trunk is 1 liter of muscle. The section closest to its mouth is 1115 liters of muscle. An elephant will first stretch the end of its trunk, then the adjacent section, because they're easier to move. If an elephant doesn't have to work very hard to reach something, it won't."

An elephant holds a person's hand. Credit: Zoo Atlanta/Andrew Schulz

Schulz said he had to rely on a drawing from 1908 when learning about trunk anatomy because scientists and engineers haven't done much research on the biomechanics of elephants during the last century. Part of his curiosity of elephants is based on helping them; he thinks a better understanding of the animals will lead to better conservation efforts. As a mechanical engineer, Schulz also sees the applications of robotics.

"Soft robotics created with biologically inspired design are always based on muscle movement. If they were wrapped with a protective skin, like an elephant's muscle-filled trunk, the machines could apply larger forces," he said. "Last year we learned that a trunk is a multi-purpose, muscular hydrostat. Now we know that skin is another tool at its disposal."

Explore further How an elephant's trunk manipulates air to eat and drink

More information: Skin wrinkles and folds enable asymmetric stretch in the elephant trunk, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Skin wrinkles and folds enable asymmetric stretch in the elephant trunk,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122563119
A man who opened fire at a South Holland park Saturday was shot by an off-duty Palos Hills police officer and later died, according to the village.

He was identified as 34-year-old Jeffery Mason, of Blue Island, according to a South Holland spokeswoman.

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The shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute involving the man and his current and former girlfriends, the village said in a statement.

A family reunion was being held at Maicach Park, 165th Street and Drexel Avenue, according to spokeswoman Julia Huisman.

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According to the statement, the man, later identified as Mason, left the area with his current girlfriend then he returned and began firing.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

The off-duty officer returned fire, striking Mason, who was taken to an area hospital and later died, according to the village. The officer had been attending the family reunion, according to Huisman.

Palos Hills police Chief Jeffrey Cucio confirmed that it was an off-duty officer who fired at the man, but that the department had no other comment.

He declined to say how long the officer has worked for the department but said the officer has not been reassigned or temporarily relieved of police duties.

His employment status with us has not changed, the chief said.

South Holland said that the Mason was the only person hit by gunfire.

Illinois State Police said they are assisting in a small role but not conducting an independent investigation of the shooting.

mnolan@tribpub.com
Credit: Wiley

Researchers have developed a supramolecular adhesive that is recyclable and has outstanding gluing properties across a wide range of temperatures, from liquid nitrogen (196 degrees Celsius) up to oven-hot temperatures (200 degrees Celsius). As the team report in the journal Angewandte Chemie, the adhesive got its efficiency from an exceptionally tight interlocking of the molecular components during curing.

Unlike standard adhesives, supramolecular adhesives do not create adhesion by the molecular components crosslinking with one another. Instead, they form a tight-knit self-assembly during curing, like puzzle pieces fitting together. Researchers are interested in such supramolecular systems because they offer sustainability and customizability and, in principle, the individual starting materials can be recovered again and their chemical behavior can be tailored. However, to date, the performance of such glues has been decent at best, not to mention highly dependent on environmental conditions.

The new supramolecular glue, developed by a research team headed by Kai Liu from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, consists of two components, one of which is a small protein that is synthesized in bacteria modified for the purpose. The other component is a crown ethera ring-shaped molecule which can wrap snugly around another molecule, much like a crown sitting on a queen's head.

The researchers observed this snug interaction between the molecules in their adhesive system. By adding the crown ether and the protein together and heating the solution for curing, the crown ether became anchored to the surface of the protein. The team noted that the protein and crown ether were so tightly bound to each other by their opposing charges and other molecular interactions that they formed a new, interlocking structure, which "welded" the proteins together.

The result was an extraordinarily strong adhesive effect. Steel plates glued together withstood high shear forces at room temperature, in liquid nitrogen, and at 200 degrees Celsius. The adhesive worked for different materials, and under water as well. Such a broad spectrum of working conditions is seldom achieved, even with specialist adhesives, and is certainly a first for supramolecular adhesives. Promisingly, the interlocking components could be broken apart and recycled again, and the reused adhesive lost virtually none of its power.

The researchers believe that one reason for this exceptional adhesive effect, particularly at low temperatures, is a result of the specific supramolecular interactions at play. In particular, the tight interlocking of the components drove water out of the protein. This meant that no ice crystals were able to form when frozenas in antifreezewhich in many conventional glues would lead to premature cracking.

The researchers suggest that this new adhesive could be applied to the manufacture of special parts that will be subject to greatly fluctuating conditions during use; for example, the wide temperature ranges to which spacecraft are exposed.

More information: Kelu Zhao et al, Molecular Engineered CrownEtherProtein with Strong Adhesion over a Wide Temperature Range from 196 to 200 C, Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2022). Journal information: Angewandte Chemie International Edition , Angewandte Chemie Kelu Zhao et al, Molecular Engineered CrownEtherProtein with Strong Adhesion over a Wide Temperature Range from 196 to 200 C,(2022). DOI: 10.1002/anie.202207425
Neutrophil nucleus with forming buds and exosomes. Credit: Subhash Arya

Inside all of us is an army of cells called neutrophils, primed and ready to take out any invader, be it bacteria in a wound or viruses entering our airways. As the first line of defense for the immune system, neutrophils attack and call in reinforcements in a coordinated effort to prevent infection.

"Neutrophils are the fastest immune cells in your body, able to migrate one cell length per minute," said Carole Parent, Ph.D. of the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Pharmacology and Cell and Developmental Biology.

Their rapid response to a site of invasion is made possible through a chemical messaging system called chemotaxis. New research from Parent and her colleagues at the U-M Medical School and the U-M Life Sciences Institute explains the precise and surprising way these chemicals are generated.

The neutrophils closest to the site sense chemicals released by the pathogens and then themselves release a different chemical called leukotriene B4 (LTB4) to bring more neutrophils to the area to eat, break down, or trap foreign material or cell debris.

The environment outside of a cell is hostile, explains Parent, so the enzymes that make LTB4 are packaged inside little circular vesicles called exosomes, which act as a sort of protective casing.

As the neutrophils migrate, they secrete these vesicles, releasing their contents to create a chemical gradient, setting off a relay that calls even more immune cells.

In a new paper published in Nature Cell Biology, the investigators describe a unique way that exosomes from neutrophils are formed.

Instead of originating from the cell's outer membrane, as with most other cells in the body, a neutrophil's exosomes come from the surface of its unusually shaped nucleus.

"As someone working on cell migration my whole career, I never thought I would think about the nuclei," said Parent. "We realized that it's the very specific composition of the neutrophil nucleus that enables LTB4 synthesis and its packing in these nucleus-derived exosomes."

The nucleus inside a neutrophil is malleable, its bendable shape enabling the neutrophil to squeeze into sites of infection, explains Parent. The nucleus membrane is comprised of areas rich in waxy lipid molecules called ceramides. Then, it is from these areas that buds containing the components of LTB4 are housed and eventually released from the cell to create the chemical gradient, says Parent.

Though typically a good thing in the context of infection, overexuberant neutrophils can also cause chronic inflammation, leading to such conditions as arthritis and asthma, during the execution of their predefined work.

Understanding the precise mechanism behind how neutrophils are called on opens avenues to potential drug targets, Parent said.

Explore further Turning white blood cells into medicinal microrobots with light

More information: Subhash B. Arya et al, Ceramide-rich microdomains facilitate nuclear envelope budding for non-conventional exosome formation, Nature Cell Biology (2022). Journal information: Nature Cell Biology Subhash B. Arya et al, Ceramide-rich microdomains facilitate nuclear envelope budding for non-conventional exosome formation,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00934-8
The Warren-Washington Industrial Development Agency is considering new leadership positions to accommodate bigger projects at the Canalside Energy Park in Fort Edward.

Current IDA Chairman Dave OBrien has expressed an interest in possibly stepping down in the near future, but that wouldnt be for at least another year and a half.

The IDA is currently exploring options on what the next best move might be for the agency, whether that is hiring a chief executive officer or hiring consultants.

Either way, that leadership role would have extensive engineering and construction knowledge and do more than what the chairman is currently undertaking.

I love my job, but I cant do this forever. There are other things I want to do, OBrien said last week.

OBrien said that this kind of expertise is essential as the agency looks at potential future projects for further development at the newly named Canalside Energy Park.

In April, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, announced over $2 million from a federal omnibus spending package for different projects in Warren, Washington and Essex counties.

The IDA is the recipient of nearly $1 million, which will be used to upgrade the former General Electric Co. dewatering facility park in Fort Edward, which was recently renamed Canalside Energy Park.

The name change and the recent grant marks a new chapter for industrial development in Washington County, officials said.

The grant will be used to upgrade the parks water and wastewater infrastructure, install a natural gas line and improve electrical supply.

During the IDAs last meeting, OBrien said that construction crews in charge of the Champlain Hudson Power Express are considering leasing parts of the Canalside Energy Park from the IDA.

Transmission Developers Inc., or TDI, has met with members of the IDA to potentially discuss three-year lease contracts for construction trailers, equipment and materials storage at Canalside Energy Park.

OBrien said on Sunday that nothing firm has been proposed at this point and it hasnt progressed past the exchange of information.

During the July 6 IDA meeting, OBrien expressed some reservation in regards to the lease proposal in that it would tie up space for potential long-term projects.

TDI had expressed interest in renting a warehouse storage building that provides 24,500 square feet of space in the southern portion of the park, next to the railroad tracks.

OBrien said that the IDA could not commit to that because the building is currently for sale, and that the IDA could not lock it up for three years.

Instead, OBrien said that the best the IDA could offer would be a month-to-month lease.

IDA member Nick Caimano asked if its worth forgoing a guaranteed income stream from a three-year lease in favor of hypothetical future projects.

OBrien responded that an agricultural company has expressed interest in leasing or purchasing land near the railroad tracks in the industrial park.

The Champlain Hudson Power Express line would transfer clean energy from the Hydro-Quebec facility in Canada down to Astoria, Queens, in New York City. The project has been in the works for over 10 years. Its purpose is to bring New York closer to drawing 70% of its power from renewable resources.

It will start in Putnam and extend to Route 22 into the village of Whitehall, where it will run along the railroad right of way until Fort Ann. The line will then run for 3 1/2 miles along Old Route 4. After that, it will go back into the right of way through Fort Edward.

Josh Bagnato, vice present for development for TDI, told the IDA during a recent meeting that the state Public Service Commission will hopefully approve construction on the section of the line running from Putnam to Whitehall by mid-August.

Construction could start in late summer, but most likely by the fall.
Democratic state Senate candidate Jean Lapper received $15,328 in campaign contributions in one month as she jump-started her late entry as challenger of incumbent Republican Dan Stec.

Both candidates are from Queensbury.

Stec, a one-term incumbent, raised $45,693 over the previous six months, an average of about $8,000 per month.

Lapper, a certified public accountant and financial adviser, had $26,079 in her campaign fund as of July 11, including a $10,000 loan from J. Davis OBrien, a member of the Warren County Democratic Committee, according to a new campaign finance report filed with the state Board of Elections.

Stec had $94,066 in his campaign fund, as of July 11, according to his new campaign finance report.

Candidates file regular campaign reports twice a year, and more frequently in the month before an election. The reports are required by state law, intended to provide transparency about who is supporting, and potentially influencing, candidates. The reports also provide an indication of how competitive a race might be.

Area Democratic leaders initially had been unable to field a challenger to Stec, but made a new attempt after new court-ordered redistricting maps that were finalized on May 20 diminished the Republican voting history pattern in the district.

Lapper confirmed her intention to run on June 10.

Stec has drawn support from labor unions, particularly police unions, in his re-election campaign.

New York State Correctional Officers and Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) contributed $1,500 to his campaign, New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association $2,550, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $3,000.

Individual and business contributions of $1,000 or more to Stecs campaign are as follows: Garry Douglass, Plattsburgh, $1,000; Giorgio DeRosa, Schuylerville, $1,500; Gary Dake, Saratoga Springs, $1,200; William Dow, Lake George, $1,500; Charles Stencel, Saranac Lake, $2,500; William Ferebee, Keene, $1,200; Lake George RV Park, $1,200; Ellsworth and Son Excavating, $1,500; Monaghan Medical Corp., $1,500, Double R Ranch, Deer Park, $2,500; Independent Health Care Services (home health care system), Syracuse, $1,200; Quality Hearing Instruments, $2,200; National Association of Realtors, $1,200; HANYS (hospital trade group), $1,200; VMJR Companies (construction contractor), $1,350; New York State Funeral Directors Association, $1,350.

Lappers individual and business contributions of $1,000 or more are as follows:

Elizabeth Singh, Hopewell Junction, $5,000; Harrison Freer, Queensbury, $1,000; J. Davis OBrien, Queensbury, $1,000; Jennifer Lapper, Brooklyn, $2,000.

Warren County Democratic Committee, Queensbury Democratic Committee and St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee contributed $1,000 each.

Lapper personally contributed $1,025 to her campaign, as well as several in-kind contributions.

In another local race, state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, has more than a 3-to-1 campaign cash advantage over Republican challenger David Catalfamo, despite Catalfamos boost from colleagues in former Gov. George Patakis administration and from other long-time political associates.

Woerner had $122,799 in her campaign fund, and Catalfamo $33,795, as of July 11, according to new periodic campaign finance reports filled with the state Board of Elections.

Factor in the $15,000 Woerner has paid for production and placement of television, radio and digital advertising, much of which has not yet run, and the disparity is even greater.

Catalfamo, an economic development official and writer from Wilton, spent just $375 on Facebook advertising.

Woerner received $54,467 in contributions for the period between early January and July 11.

Her support included contributions from two local businessmen who traditionally contribute to Republican campaigns.

Gary Dake, of Stewarts Shops, contributed $750, and John Hendrickson, widower of Saratoga Springs socialite Mary Lou Whitney, contributed $4,700.

Hendrickson is active in the Saratoga Springs horse racing community, which has backed Woerner through various industry organizations.

The New York Thoroughbred Association contributed $1,000 to Woerners campaign, Saratoga Harness Horsepersons Association $1,000, and New York Gaming Associates $500.

Woerner received $5,650 in contributions from labor unions, $500 from the Capital Region Business PAC, and $500 from the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce PAC.

Catalfamo, who worked in economic development and communications in the Pataki administration and later was a political consultant, received contributions of $4,700 from John Cahill, former state Department of Environment Conservation and later secretary to the governor in the Pataki administration, and $1,000 from Alexander Sandy Treadwell, former secretary of state and later state Republican chairman, among other former Pataki administration officials.

Kiernan Mahoney, a senior campaign adviser to Pataki, contributed $1,000.

Former U.S. Sen. Alphone DAmato, R-N.Y. contributed $500, and former state Republican Chairman Ed Cox $1,000.

Republican gubernatorial primary candidate Andrew Giuliani contributed $250, and the congressional campaign fund of state Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy $1,000.

In other local state legislative races:

43th Senate District: In the race for an open seat in the 43rd Senate District, Democrat Andrea Smyth, a longtime health care and family issues policy advocate from Troy, had $62,020 in her campaign fund, as of July 11, while Republican Jake Ashby, a state Assemblyman from Castleton, had $38,739 in his campaign fund. Smyth raised $39,322 over the previous six months, while Ashby raised $31,017. The district includes from Fort Edward south in Washington County, all of Rensselaer County, and a portion of Albany County.

44th Senate District: Neil Golub, the longtime Price Chopper executive who appeared in 2009 in a television commercial for Republican James Tediscos congressional campaign, is backing Tediscos opponent for state Senate this year. Golub contributed $11,000 to the state Senate campaign of Democrat Michelle Ostrelich, a Schenectady County legislator, according to a new campaign finance report filed with the state Board of Elections. Ostrelich had $74,370 in her campaign fund, as of July 11, and Tedisco had $130,858. Ostrelich raised $166,398 over the previous six months, while Tedisco raised $55,090. The district includes all of Saratoga County and the city of Schenectady and town of Niskayuna in Schenectady County.

114th Assembly District: Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, who is unopposed, had $34,812 in his campaign fund, as of July 11. He received $21,275 in campaign contributions over the previous six months.
The state awarded Atlantic County and 15 of its municipalities approximately $522,000 in grants through the Local Efficiency Achievement Program  or LEAP  according to an Atlantic County news release issued Sunday.

The grants are awarded to facilitate shared-services agreements between municipalities that can improve government efficiency and reduce costs to residents.

Twenty grants were awarded throughout New Jersey, of which six went to Atlantic County.

Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson heralded efforts to bring more shared services to the county, saying doing so involved overcoming significant, institutional inertia regarding local-government autonomy.

Were proud of our efforts to work with our municipalities to find savings for our taxpayers, Levinson said in the news release. As most of our citizens know, I have been advocating for shared services among local governments and school districts for decades, but New Jersey has a long history of home rule which can make it a hard sell.

The highest LEAP grant went to Absecon, which received $201,364 for its shared-services agreement with Galloway Township over their emergency-dispatch services. Absecon will spend the money to update equipment and ensure it is compatible with that used by Galloway.

Longport received a $56,250 LEAP grant to launch new flood-plain-management software and to increase flood-insurance discounts for residents through the National Flood Insurance program. Several cities and townships will be able to access the new program, including Brigantine, Egg Harbor Township, Hamilton Township, Pleasantville, Somers Point and Ventnor.

Ventnor also received a grant to address extreme weather, collecting $112,500 to purchase a truck and related equipment that will store brine. The new equipment would be used to treat county roads that run through the city during a winter storm.

Ventnor received a second LEAP grant of $37,500 earmarked for the purchase of an emergency management trailer that would serve the city itself alongside fellow Absecon Island cities Longport and Margate.

Atlantic County itself received a $64,078 grant to purchase three, trailer-mounted attenuators and electronic sign boards to be used to protect road crews and drivers. The signs will be shared by 12 county municipalities  namely, Absecon, Brigantine, Buena Vista Township, Egg Harbor City, Folsom, Hammonton, Linwood, Margate, Mullica Township, Northfield, Pleasantville and Ventnor. The country received an additional $50,000 to pay its Shared-Services Coordinator Tim Kreischer.

The county Atlantic County news release took advantage of the LEAP announcement to draw attention to its new shared-services innovation.

The release said that Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County, which opened in January, represented a major victory for shared-service advocates in New Jersey.

Nine municipalities in the county agreed to do away with their individual municipal courts and join a consolidated countywide court held in Mays Landing. Proponents have argued that a consolidated municipal court would eliminate redundancies in court administration and thus help reduce costs for participating municipalities. Social justice advocates have further argued having a single, municipal court could allow the county to concentrate its resources and better connect those who appear in court to mental health care or addiction-treatment services.

Opponents have raised concerns over transportation and having lawyers and court staff be less familiar with the municipalities they serve. Those focused on local crime were worried that the new central court could be too lenient when dealing with municipal-level offenders.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law in August 2021 authorizing 10 counties in New Jersey  five in North Jersey and five in South Jersey, including Atlantic County  to create their own central courts for municipal-level legal matters. The Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County is the first of its kind in the state.

Municipalities participating in the central court include Egg Harbor Township, Estell Manor, Galloway Township, Hamilton Township, Linwood, Northfield, Port Republic, Ventnor, and Weymouth Township. Corbin City will become the 10th municipality to join the court in August, according to the county news release.
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Humpback whales are repeat customers at the Jersey Shore, according to a Rutgers University study released Monday.

The whales often stay for a long time in the waters off New Jersey and New York City, and return year after year, the study found. It was co-authored by Gotham Whale, the Center for Coastal Studies and 21 other organizations in the western North Atlantic.

Humpback whales have rebounded somewhat since being considered endangered and protected from whaling in 1985. Today, five of 14 populations worldwide remain considered endangered, and one threatened.

The whales seen in the New York Bight were also seen elsewhere. Using photographic identification techniques, the researchers matched individual whales to areas of Cape May, eastern Long Island, New York and Virginia.

Published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, the research found that 58.4% of whales spotted in the New York Bight Apex  the coastal area between Long Island and the New Jersey coast  were seen more than once, either within the same year or between years. The average length of stay was 37.6 days.

This research is important for the management of these protected species, said Danielle Brown, a doctoral candidate in the Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources Department at Rutgers-New Brunswick and lead researcher for non-profit Gotham Whale. The more time these whales spend in the New York Bight Apex may mean increased exposure to human activities including busy shipping traffic leading into the Port of New York and New Jersey.

The researchers used 2011-2018 whale sighting information to analyze the population identity, site fidelity and demographic characteristics of the humpbacks.

Researchers found that many humpback whales seen in the New York Bight Apex belong to the Gulf of Maine feeding population, with a few from Eastern Canada. For many others, the feeding population is still not known.

The researchers said it isnt clear why some whales choose to spend a portion of the feeding season off New York and New Jersey. However, they explained, their presence may be related to good availability of the small fish Atlantic menhaden.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), humpback whales are a type of baleen whale, which eat small shrimp-like crustaceans (krill) and small fish. They strain huge volumes of ocean water through baleen plates, which act as a sieve.

Humpbacks live in all of the oceans of the world and travel great distances each year, with some populations swimming 5,000 miles from tropical breeding areas to colder feeding grounds.
UPPER TOWNSHIP  On a sunny summer afternoon, Deborah Rivel waves to get a familys attention as they walk toward a pair of well-camouflaged birds on the beach.

The family members were trying to avoid disturbing the animals, giving a wide berth to the tideline where the tiny piping plovers feed each day.

But the two remaining plovers on the beach had already retreated back to the dry sand, right in the path of the walkers.

This year, four piping plover chicks hatched on the Strathmere beach. Only one survived to fledge.

Rivel is a wildlife film producer and one of the organizers of the Strathmere Plover Project, made up of a group of volunteers who work to protect the birds and other species that nest on the beach. She and other volunteers keep an eye on the birds and educate beachgoers about them.

Most years, about 100 piping plover pairs nest along the length of New Jersey. There are some natural areas, such as in the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Smithville. Rivel said there is also a nest with four more chicks across the inlet, in the wider area of Corsons Inlet State Park in Ocean City.

In many areas of the state, the easily frightened birds compete with crowds of summer visitors.

People with training and a specific license from New Jersey Fish and Wildlife placed bands on the birds to keep track of them. At that point, the birds are named. The surviving chick is named DeeDee, Rivel said. The mother, Celia, left the beach last week, which Rivel said is typical plover behavior, getting ready to migrate south in August. That left DeeDee with her dad, Cliff.

DeeDee cannot fly yet but is likely to start this week.

Each day she is a little bigger and sprouting more feathers, Rivel said. The chick is still noticeably smaller than the adult parent, who is usually close by when she feeds at the waterline.

Once she is able to fly, both birds will likely move on from the Strathmere beach. In any case, they will no longer need the volunteers from the Strathmere Plover Project watching over them, which Rivel indicated will be a relief.

Last year, a wide area of the Upper Township beach was roped off for the birds. This year, the nests are within the Corsons Inlet State Park area in the north end of the barrier island, which has kept the animals away from some beach activity.

Warning signs also dot the beaches, with an illustration of just how small the birds are when they are young. Still, the birds must leave the roped-off areas to forage by the tideline.

Last year, two pair nested on the Strathmere beach, the first time that happened in years. At one time, there were nests in Strathmere every summer.

The first chick was gone soon after it was born.

It was a sneak attack by a crow, Rivel said. It was horrible.

The fate of the other two remains a mystery. It likely happened at night, when the volunteers are not on the beach, providing an endangered meal for a fox or other predator. Possibly, the birds just could not get enough food.

Rivel said beachgoers are more interested in the birds this year, and more willing to take steps to protect them. Far fewer people are bringing their dogs to the beach in the area this year, she said, saying she is very grateful.
The shooting death of a Clinton man is under investigation.

Antoine Sampson, 43, was found lying in the roadway Sunday night at 5th Avenue South and S. 5th Street, Clinton Police said. They responded to the scene shortly before 11 p.m.

Sampson was taken to MercyOne Clinton Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

"At this time, there does not appear to be any threats to the community," police said. "Investigation into this incident continues by the Clinton Police Department."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Clinton Police Department at 563-243-1458 or the anonymous tip line 563-242-6595.
For many years, Souk Al-Mubarakiya, one of the oldest markets in downtown Kuwait City, had served as a popular tourist attraction and a go-to place for the locals who cherish the traditional way of life, until a blaze struck it in April.

The souk, meaning market in Arabic, housed hundreds of shops, selling goods ranging from gold jewelry, perfume and spices to fish, fruits and vegetables, along with several restaurants that served traditional Kuwaiti dishes.

Established more than 120 years ago, it was the center of trade in Kuwait prior to the discovery of oil and had been revamped several times throughout the years.

This April, a huge fire destroyed at least 25 shops in the Al-Mubarakiya market. After that, Kuwait city released a high-profile restoration plan aiming to bring the market into a modern rebirth. But it received mixed reactions from many locals, especially the heritage experts who are worried that its traditional form and function would disappear.

The plan focuses on "combining past heritage with a modernized future," in a bid to keep pace with the urban development and the vision of "New Kuwait 2035."

The new market will include luxury hotels, an open theater, a mosque, souvenir shops and a tourist service center, with an aim to revive the tourism hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fahad Al-AbdulJalil, president of the Kuwait Heritage Society, complained that the new design does not reflect the traditional business-dealing for visitors to experience in its alleys, and will wipe out the identity of the market as a heritage place.

"The design plan has gone viral on social media platforms ... It will contradict the historic Kuwaiti buildings that reflect the spirit of a place and will deprive the market of its cultural connection to the Kuwaiti society," he told Xinhua.

"The new designs encroach on the memory of the Kuwaiti nation and individuals," Dalal Al-Dayel, historian and founder of the Tura Initiative that preserves oral history, told Xinhua.

He added that preserving historic buildings is a national duty and there are international standards, methods, and specifications on how to take care of them.

Al-AbulJalil, whose organization engages in research on ways to protect the material heritage of the market, called on city authorities to redesign the market with the assistance of local specialists and restore the old appearances of the buildings with materials from which they were built.

This is not the first time the old souk is renovated. In 1990, the marketplace was damaged during the Iraqi invasion and later restored with its traditional characteristics preserved.

Abdulraouf Murad, a Kuwaiti architecture photographer, believed that the latest design which will transform the old market into a modern business complex does not necessarily mean the old market will be gone.

"Although the Al-Mubarakiya market will be modernized somehow with the perfume shops, fast food restaurants, and modern building materials, its old heritage will remain," he told Xinhua.

In Kuwait, many projects on renovating historic buildings are awarded to ordinary contractors, who more than often would come out with a plan lacking the sense of preservation, which is the case of the Al-Mubarakiya design.

Because of this, many historic buildings across Kuwait have already been altered by improper restorations, such as the American Hospital, Great Mosque, and houses in the Um Sadah area, Murad added. Enditem
Camanche Police are continuing the search for 82-year-old Sharon Martensen who was last seen at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, Camanche Police Chief Richard Schmitz Jr., said Sunday in a news release.

Martensen was last seen wearing a pink short-sleeve top and gray pants. She is a white woman with strawberry blonde hair who stands 5-feet 6-inches tall, weighs about 135 pounds and walks with a cane.

Schmitz said police were asking residents in the area of the Indian Village apartments, 1215 7th Ave., to check their surveillance cameras for Martensen or any unusual activity between 3 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday.

The Clinton Police Department, Camanche Fire Department, Clinton County Emergency Management, Clinton County Sheriffs Department, Iowa State Patrol, Clinton County Communications and the Quad-City Missing Persons Network is assisting in the search.

Anyone with information about Martensens whereabouts is asked to call the Camanche Police Department at 563-259-8575, or 911.
On Sunday morning, the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office responded to a car and buggy crash in rural Morrison, Ill.

At about 8:00 a.m. Sunday, July 17 the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office responded to a crash at the intersection of US Route 30 and Millard Road in Morrison.

Miranda M. Jenkins of Clinton, Iowa was driving eastbound when she struck the buggy of Lewis and Mary Weaver of Fulton, Ill. The Weavers were exiting the intersection while heading south on Millard Road when their buggy was struck by Jenkins' vehicle.

The Weavers were ejected from the buggy and were taken by Morrison EMS to Mercy One Medical Center in Clinton. From there, they were flown to the University of Iowa Hospital for further treatment.

The Fulton Police Department, Illinois State Police, Morrison EMS, Morrison Fire Department assisted the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office at the scene.
Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson has identified the man killed Friday in a shooting in Rock Island as Davion Roe, 25, of Chicago.

Rock Island Police Deputy Chief Timothy McCloud said in a news release Saturday that officers went to the Century Woods apartment complex in the 1300 block of 4  St. at about 9:50 p.m. to investigate a report of shots fired.

Officers located Roe, who was taken to UnityPoint Health-Trinity Rock Island but died of his wounds before arrival.

McCloud said the initial investigation indicated Roe was involved in an altercation with a group of people when he was shot.

Police ask that anyone with information about this incident to call the Rock Island Police Department at 309-732-2677 or Crime Stoppers of the Quad-Cities at 309-762-9500, or submit an anonymous tip via the P3 Tips mobile app or submit a tip online at qccrimestoppers.com.
Both Eugene Acorn High Hawks defense attorney and the government's federal prosecutor agreed Monday to continue the detainment of the man charged with the first-degree murder of 18-year-old Dominick Jealous of Him, of Wounded Knee.

Jealous of Hims family found him in Wounded Knee Creek a day after his June 24 murder. He was beaten to death. High Hawks son, Spencer High Hawk, is also charged with first-degree murder.

Two U.S. Marshals escorted 59-year-old High Hawk from the Pennington County Jail into the Rapid City federal courtroom for a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann.

Prior to the judge arriving, High Hawk communicated with his lawyer, Alecia Fuller, by writing on a piece of paper. Jealous of Hims family, who are related to High Hawk, said he had throat cancer, which rendered him unable to speak. This report is consistent with High Hawks choice of communication and hole in his throat.

The hearing was brief, lasting only one minute. The defense consenting to the detention order does not remove High Hawks right for he and his counsel to craft a pretrial release plan and present it to the judge at a later date, Wollmann noted.

High Hawk is also charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon for assaulting Jealous of Hims friend, who was present the night of the murder and fled the scene with severe wounds. The Journal is not reporting the friends name, as it is redacted from court documents.

High Hawk is facing a mandatory sentence of life in prison if convicted on the murder charge. He was arrested in Pine Ridge for the charges on July 11. The federal court issued a warrant on July 6.

A jury trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 20, unless High Hawk reaches a plea agreement with the government by the Sept. 2 deadline. Spencer High Hawk is subject to the same deadline.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Blair is prosecuting the case.
The Rapid City Rush announced Monday that goalie Dillon Kelley has been traded back to the Kansas City Mavericks in exchange for future considerations.

Kelley, a 27-year-old Saginaw, Michigan native, was originally acquired by the Rush via trade from the Mavericks on Jan. 12 and appeared in 14 regular season games. He went 9-2-0 with a 2.98 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and received his first career AHL call-up while in Rapid City.

He made one start in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, surrendering six goals in a Game 3 loss to the Utah Grizzlies in the Mountain Division Finals series.

Kelley, a member of the Rush's season-ending roster, was tendered a qualifying offer by the team in advance of the June 30 deadline and had yet to sign for the 2022-23 season.
Late North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem's spokeswoman directed his state email account be deleted the day after his death, citing a desire to preclude open records requests.

Stenehjem, 68, died Jan. 28 from cardiac arrest. About 24 hours after announcing his death, spokeswoman Liz Brocker requested Stenehjem's email account be deleted, according to emails obtained Monday by The Bismarck Tribune.

"First thing Monday, could you have Wayne's nd.gov email account shut down and the emails in his in box, in box folders, sent items - deleted," Brocker wrote on Jan. 29 to the office's information technology/criminal justice information services director.

Brocker wrote that she and then-Chief Deputy Attorney General Troy Seibel went in that day and planned to meet the next day. She said she would search for emails Stenehjem's wife, Beth, might want and print them off.

"We want to make sure no one has an opportunity to make an Open Record request for his emails, especially as he kept EVERYTHING. This was approved by Troy," Brocker wrote.

Additional documents requested by the Tribune show that Brocker told the office IT staff that his laptop would be delivered to them "for 'wiping' but to preserve personal information."

The office IT staff moved photos from the laptop onto a drive for Stenehjem's family to use at his Feb. 3 funeral, according to the records, which comprise a timeline.

The attorney general's IT staff submitted a ticket Jan. 31 to the state IT Department to "Please delete Attorney General Stenehjem's email account. The deputy attorney general and his administrative assistant have already reviewed and retained what was needed."

Name emerges

New Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Deputy Claire Ness on Friday said that they learned in early July of Stenehjem's and Seibel's email accounts being deleted while processing a records request for the Tribune related to a $1.8 million construction cost overrun on a leased building in south Bismarck.

Gov. Doug Burgum in February appointed Wrigley to complete the remaining months of Stenehjem's term. Wrigley must win election over Democrat Tim Lamb in November to continue serving beyond 2022.

Wrigley on Friday did not name the office employee who ordered the email accounts deleted. Brocker, when asked about the deleted emails on Friday, referred the Tribune's query to someone else in the office.

The Tribune emailed her on Monday for comment on her late-January emails and received the reply: "I am out of the office and do not have access to my emails. Please email ndag@nd.gov or call 701-328-2210 for assistance."

Seibel told the Tribune on Friday that he doesn't recall a conversation about Stenehjem's email account. Seibel also said he had no control over how his email account was handled after he resigned. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday on Brocker's emails.

Wrigley did not immediately respond to a phone message Monday regarding Brocker.

Deleted accounts

A statement Friday from Wrigley's office said Stenehjem's "entire state email account" was deleted Jan. 31 -- days before his Feb. 3 funeral -- "at the instruction of a nonsupervisory, non-attorney employee of the Attorney Generals Office who stated the action was approved by then-Deputy Attorney General Seibel."

Wrigley said Seibel gave verbal approval to the employee, who relayed it to IT staff.

Seibel's entire email account was deleted May 23 "at the instruction of the same nonsupervisory, non-attorney employee of the Attorney Generals Office," according to the office.

Wrigley said the deletion was done "without authorization."

Seibel's emails had been "culled through extensively to see whether there were loose ends, some work, some follow-up that needed to be done," a kind of "triaging" that ended after two weeks, concluding with the account's deletion, Wrigley said.

Brocker directed the office IT staff to delete Seibel's account "during an oral conversation and (this) was not authorized by any Attorney General's Office personnel," according to the timeline document.

The record states that office IT staff then submitted a ticket to the IT department to "Please remove the shared mailbox with Liz Brocker and then delete the email account."

That record further outlines that Brocker around July 5 "confirmed she directed the deletion of the email accounts" of Stenehjem and Seibel.

"Ms. Brocker was asked what authority she could offer for ordering the deletion of (Seibel's) account, and she did not provide any," a timeline document states.

Wrigley last week declined to say whether the person who ordered the deletion of the accounts was disciplined, citing an "internal personnel matter," but said he would disclose those details "eventually."

He said he and Ness did express their "surprise and disappointment" to the employee.

Wrigley said the deleted accounts bring no "legal implications" for any pending records requests and no violations of office policy. He said his office will formalize a policy for preserving the emails of the attorney general, deputy and office division directors.

He said he "saw no evidence of what I would call a bad intent or a nefarious intent" in the accounts' deletion. He said he sees "no indication of anything that would lead me to conclude that there would need to be an outside criminal investigation."

(Check back for updates to this story.)
Two online sting operations conducted by area police have resulted in the arrest of 36 people on charges of soliciting sex for money and commercial sex trafficking.

In the first operation June 9, Chesterfield County police special victims and vice detectives conducted online chatting operations that ended with the arrest of 13 people on 29 charges.

As in past cases, detectives intercepted people who believed they were soliciting sex from adults through various social media platforms. The suspects communicated with people they believed to be offering sexual services in exchange for payment and arranged to meet them at a location. When the suspects came to the location, they were met by police and arrested.

In what police said was an effort to maximize enforcement efforts against prostitution in the Richmond area while targeting sex traffickers, Chesterfield conducted a second operation July 12 in conjunction with the Henrico County Police Division and Hanover County Sheriffs Office.

In that sting, Chesterfield police arrested 14 people on 27 charges; Hanover arrested five people on charges of solicitation for prostitution. In Henrico, police arrested four people for commercial sex trafficking.

In the Henrico operation, police said sex traffickers provided advice, guidance and protection intended to help individuals  in this case, detectives  advance within the commercial sex trade in exchange for a percentage of their daily earnings. When these traffickers showed up to pick up their employee, they were met by Henrico detectives.

Those charged came from throughout central Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Farmville, Keysville and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Prince George, Dinwiddie, Nelson, Henrico, Amelia and Campbell. They ranged in age from 23 to 68. Most were issued summonses for solicitation of prostitution and frequenting a place used for prostitution.
Jeff Johnston is the first one to tell you he had it made.

I was living the American dream. At 50 years old, I had a family, a nice house and a successful business  I was on top of the world, Johnston said.

That all changed on Oct. 4, 2016, when he got a phone call saying that his 23-year old son, Seth, had died from a heroin overdose. Tragedy would strike once again when his wife died from alcoholism early in 2021.

He was at a crossroad in his life. One road was a road of despair and hatred, and the other of inspiration and motivation, he said.

He chose the latter. Battling his own alcohol abuse issues, Johnston got clean and began using his losses as a catalyst for something positive. In 2020, he founded Choices Network in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The nonprofit aims to help spread awareness about teen addiction and substance abuse.

Johnston then launched a mobile initiative called Living Undeterred. The project entails speaking about substance abuse in all 50 states to audiences affected by addiction in one way or another.

The McShin Foundation, a recovery community organization in Henrico County, offered its facilities for Johnstons stop in Virginia. The foundation provides services to recovering addicts including recovery and reentry to society programs, sober living facilities and court advocacy.

John Shinholser, McShins president, says speakers like Johnston are crucial to his foundations participants who are struggling with addiction themselves, to show them they arent alone in their fight.

Its critical for new participants to be exposed to these types of community events and the social connection that conveys a sense of hope, Shinholser said. Jeff Johnston is a man who had a lot of things happen to him that could have made him a bitter, angry recluse, but he chose to turn that into something positive and make a difference.

Shinholser calls people like Johnston hope dealers.

Through his nonprofit, Johnston also wrote a book about the loss of his son and his subsequent experiences. Its called This Ones For You: An Inspirational Journey Through Addiction, Death & Meaning. With eight states left, Johnston and his team are now heading for the Southwest to continue dealing hope.
Hundreds of Chesterfield County students returned to classrooms on Monday, marking the beginning of another year-round calendar for kids at Falling Creek and Bellwood elementary schools.

The rest of the school division comes back to school on Aug. 22.

Its just good to be back, said Principal Reshaud Johnson on Monday afternoon. A lot of our kids have been on vacation and a lot of them are excited to be back. The parents are excited to be back, and our teachers are excited for the kids to be back as well.

It was Johnsons first day as a principal, too, following three years as a teacher for gifted students, four years as a school counselor, two years as the dean of students and an associate principal for another two.

Bellwood first started its year-round schooling in 2018, making Chesterfield one of eight districts in Virginia at the time to have at least one school operating with the uncommon schedule. Falling Creek Elementary followed the next year before being disrupted by the pandemic.

Both have among the highest concentration of poverty in the 61,000-student school district, with more than 66% qualifying for free or reduced-cost lunch. More than a third are English learners and nearly every student is Black or Latino.

Superintendent Merv Daugherty said the push for this change four years ago stemmed from wanting to close the differences in whats known as achievement gaps in education, specifically proficiency in reading and math, where different groups have different outcomes in areas such as standardized test scores.

During the pandemic, students performance on SOL tests plummeted, with Black and Latino kids and children from low-income households facing the greatest drop  a predictable trend after decades of inequities in education.

A 2018 brief from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights found that schools nationwide find it increasingly difficult to provide a quality education to all students and the allocation of funds exacerbates rather than remedies achievement and opportunity gaps.

A 2012 study from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the legislative watchdog of the Virginia General Assembly, found that extending year calendars aided students who were falling behind on Standards of Learning assessments.

Debbie Bailey, a Chesterfield school board member representing the Dale district, said its too soon to know whether Bellwood and Falling Creek students are benefiting from the year-round calendar due to the pandemic ejecting students nationwide from in-person learning for much of the past two-and-a-half years.

Whats most important, Bailey said, is the childrens education and fully gauging whether theyre benefiting from the shorter breaks scattered throughout the school year. If the data doesnt support year-round schooling, Bailey said, Chesterfield schools could reconsider the path forward.

You have to go through probably a good five years to see that data ... But I think for the most part, families, and I know some of the staff, really like the schedule, Bailey said. I was a teacher for 34 years so the joke about day one is get them in their classrooms, feed them and get them home and thats a good first day.

On Monday afternoon, Bailey  alongside Daugherty and Johnson  looked on as Falling Creek students, many of them masked when not eating, sat in the freshly and brightly re-painted lunchroom with encouraging words splattered across the walls.

You are capable of more than you know, one wall read. Have big dreams. Youll grow into them.
Nobel Prize Laureate Mo Yan recently published an article on his WeChat account clarifying that many poems and articles apparently signed with his name online were actually not his works.

Apart from a 32-second video, which in an amusing way shows the writer's confusion, a handwritten letter is also posted, in which Mo replied to a reader named Lin Quan, who asked him whether a poem titled On Wine and Beauty was written by him.

"Let me explicitly tell you, it's not my work, just like the poem How Wonderful It Will Be If You Can Understand Me, which I think is quite good. I admire the talent of these writers and also feel pity that they give up their copyright. To be honest, I once even received royalties for the poem when it was chosen for the textbook of a university, about 400 yuan ($59.3). I hope that the poem's real creator can claim his or her 'child' as soon as possible, as well as the royalties. In the history of modern literature, there have been many poets who gained fame for just one poem. It's a shame that such a good poem is put under another person's name and drifts online, homeless. Another example is I, a poem full of wisdom. A lot of elderly people love it," Mo writes in the letter.

"There are more works and quotes under my name online, but I can't list them one by one here, due to the limits of the letter. These talented writers are good enough to publish their works in their own names. Using my name is not fair to them," he continues.

There is also an article titled I Am Only Responsible for Two Kinds of People online that is said to be Mo's. Mo denies that it is.

"But some people criticized me because of it. I was speechless," he writes.

In 2020, Mo wrote a novella Hongchun Lyuzui (Red Lips and Green Mouth) that was included in his latest book A Late Bloomer, in which he created a "troll" that fabricated fake news online.

"You can take a look at that novella," he writes at the end of the letter.

Mo is not the first famous Chinese writer to face this issue. In 2017, Beijing Lu Xun Museum released a database where people can check whether certain quotes are truly by Lu Xun, one of the most influential modern Chinese writers.
Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is suing Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao and three others for $5 million over a personnel dispute in which a former VCU employee sent a crude text message to the former governor and VCUs administration opted not to fire him.

The suit, filed Friday in federal court, names as defendants VCU provost Fotis Sotiropoulos, head university lawyer Jacob Belue and former employee Jim Burke.

Following Gov. Glenn Youngkins inauguration, Burke sent a text message to Wilder criticizing Wilders ties to Youngkin and the new governors efforts to eliminate what he considers divisive racial concepts and critical race theory from public schools.

Wow. What a s--- show. It will be four years of disaster, Burke wrote. I am so disappointed on anyone who thought he was a better choice. Pure stupidity.

Wilder, 91, perceived Burkes words as harassment and expressed dissatisfaction four months later, when VCU had not fired Burke. At a board of visitors meeting in May, Wilder publicly accused Sotiropoulos of racism for not firing the employee.

The suit claims that because of their actions, the university leadership has branded Wilder, the nations first elected Black governor, as a racist sympathizer. It asserts that the schools leadership has damaged the political influence and historical achievement of Wilder, who works at VCU as a distinguished professor in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs named for him.

The drama began in January, two weeks after Youngkins inauguration. The new governor had issued an executive order to snuff out inherently divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory, a term some Republicans use broadly to refer to lessons on systemic racism and its role in U.S. history.

Burke, who was director of the Performance Management Group within the Wilder school, sent a text message to Wilder saying, Welcome the Nazis. I have no respect for anyone who supported him. TM may not have been great. I get that. But this???? WTF. Is this what you wanted, Doug? I cant believe you fell for it. You f---ed up badly.

TM apparently referred to Terry McAuliffe, who lost to Youngkin by 2 percentage points. Wilder, a Democrat who served as governor from 1990-94, did not endorse either candidate. But he criticized McAuliffe for trying to leap frog three African American hopefuls who also sought the Democratic nomination. And during Youngkins transition, Wilder and three former Republican governors served as advisers.

Later in his message, Burke lamented Youngkins efforts to eliminate divisive concepts from schools.

I have to now tell scholars to not talk about what is real? Burke wrote. Trust me, these jerks will come after me for teaching history. They will come after my Black colleagues for saying what is true.

Burke ended the message by asking Wilder to stand with him. The messages were copied into public documents and shared with the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Days after he sent the initial text message, Burke wrote to his supervisor, Robyn McDougle. Burke wrote that if Wilder tries to make things worse, he will find himself in a bad place.

Wilder and Susan Gooden, dean of the Wilder school, interpreted those words as a threat. Gooden called it terroristic language that had the clear intention to inflict pain. Gooden, saying she was in fear for her own safety, notified Burke he would be fired with cause.

In a May interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Burke described his messages as ranting but not threatening. I dont ever think of hurting anybody ever, he said. Im not a threat to anybody.

A VCU threat assessment team determined Burke made no specific physical threats to anyone. Gooden attempted to file a protective order against Burke, but a Richmond judge ruled that Burke wasnt an imminent threat to Gooden, Burke said.

Four months after he sent the texts, Burke was still on staff at VCU. Dissatisfied with the lack of action, Wilder attended a public board of visitors meeting and aired months of dirty laundry.

The reason Burke hadnt been fired, Wilder claimed, was racism on the part of Sotiropoulos, the schools provost and chief academic officer. Gooden, the dean who tried to fire Burke, is Black.

The dean of the school doesnt have the authority to dismiss anyone if she happens to be Black and a female, Wilder said, referring to Gooden. Am I talking about racism? Yes I am.

According to the suit, Rao, Sotiropoulos and Belue tolerated, encouraged and participated with Burke by not communicating with Wilder during the ordeal. Their actions stigmatized Wilder and publicly impugned his reputation, the suit claims. A spokesperson for VCU declined to comment.

Burke eventually resigned and retired from VCU, according to the suit. VCU confirmed Monday that Burke is no longer an employee there. Burke and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment.

In May, Attorney General Jason Miyares chimed in, siding with Wilder. In a letter to Rao thats quoted in the suit, Miyares wrote that because of Burkes extraordinarily unprofessional and ultimately threatening behavior, VCU was within its rights to fire him.

Miyares did not approve of a proposed settlement between VCU and Burke. Its unclear what kind of agreement, if any, was formed between the university and Burke.

The university has hired an outside law firm, Jackson Lewis P.C., to investigate, the suit asserts.

The suit claims, without providing evidence, that the decision not to fire Burke is the latest in a pattern of racism, discrimination and retaliation at VCU associated with Wilders tenure there. Wilder will provide that evidence in trial, the suit claims.
An effort to allow certain Richmond municipal workers to unionize took a crucial step forward Monday, with Mayor Levar Stoney and the City Council reaching an agreement on an ordinance that would let employees negotiate labor contracts. The approval clears the way for a historic vote next week.

The council met to formally introduce the 32-page ordinance in a special meeting Monday, about six months after talks started. Various public meetings also were held.

I appreciate the collaboration between council and administration to reach an agreement on a responsive and responsible collective bargaining paper that will support both our workers and our citizens, said Stoney.

Collective bargaining is the process in which an employer and a union of workers negotiate terms and conditions of employment, which may include details about wages, hours, overtime, paid time off, safety and health.

Supports of the Richmond effort said workers deserve a voice at the bargaining table and cited high worker turnover, low pay and other issues that made retention difficult. Critics said unionization would cost too much money and create challenges for government administrators.

About 3,000 people are in the Richmond city workforce.

Stoney, along with Councilmembers Reva Trammell and Kristen Nye, submitted measures that would allow city workers to negotiate with the city for new labor contracts. After months of compromises, Nye and Trammell thanked their colleagues for their efforts and compromise leading up to this point.

I have championed for our employees for years, said Trammell, in a statement. I am ecstatic to have my colleagues reach an agreement that benefits employees. This agreement moves the needle forward and ensures their voices will continue to be heard for years to come.

This agreement marks a significant step forward for the city of Richmond and its employees, said Nye. This compromise creates a solid foundation for city employees to advocate for competitive pay and benefits and continue their great service to our residents.

Members of city council released a statement vocalizing their support for the draft ordinance following Mondays meeting. Representatives from several local union organizations also signed on to the letter of support including David Broder, SEIU Virginia 512s president.

Passing collective bargaining rights is a historic moment for Richmond city employees and workers across Virginia, said Broder. City employees have come together in our union, SEIU Virginia 512, to speak out for a real seat at the table to ensure great union jobs and great public services for all working families in the city.

The ordinance sets up a framework for workers to hold union elections. That process could take another several months to complete. If legislation does pass, no workers would be required to join a union or pay dues for one, per the states right to work statute.

The council is expected to vote on the ordinance during a meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday.
Casey Flores, one of Gov. Glenn Youngkins appointees to the states LGBTQ Advisory Board, who faced criticism over obscene tweets, has resigned from the job.

Flores is moving to Florida for a new job, and has tendered his resignation to the governor, Flores confirmed in an interview. His resignation was first reported by The Advocate.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported in June that Flores had disparaged people on Twitter and trolled accounts with obscenities, directing some of his comments to Democratic leaders such as Vice President Kamala Harris and state Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton.

She sucked the right d---, locked black people up for weed, and kicked her feet up while her staffers slaved away but ok, Flores tweeted of Harris.

A Youngkin administration official said at the time that Flores had agreed to tone down his tweets to better represent the administration. On Monday Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter confirmed Flores departure. Porter declined comment on whether the administration has picked a replacement.

In an interview Monday, Flores said his departure had nothing to do with his online habits.

This doesnt have anything to do with the tweets, and its kind of arrogant to think youve run me out of the state, Flores said. Im moving to Florida and got a job down there. Its that simple.

Flores declined to say what his job will be in the swing state of Florida: It is politics related, well just keep it to that.
Police have identified the 16-year-old charged with the murder of another juvenile in northwest Roanoke last April.

TaJuan M. Johnson, 16, of Roanoke, pleaded guilty to two felony charges in Roanoke Circuit Court on Wednesday. Those charges were second-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of murder.

Roanoke police said in a Facebook post Friday that Johnson was involved in the murder of Jaquice Kearney, also 16, who died after sustaining a gunshot wound on April 26, 2021.

That afternoon at about 4:45 p.m., police had responded to a call in the 2900 block of Salem Turnpike Northwest when they heard shots fired and observed two male subjects running, one holding a firearm, a press release said.

Officers pursued the subjects on foot but did not apprehend them. Soon after that, police were told that there was a person with a gunshot wound the area near 30th Street and the turnpike.

Police responded to that scene and found two juvenile males with serious gunshot injuries. One of them was Kearney. He and the other boy were transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Officers located two other juvenile male suspects in a residence in the 600 block of Naho Street Northwest. Both suspects, including Johnson, were taken into custody for questioning.

Kearney later died at the hospital, and the police opened an active homicide investigation. Detectives determined that Kearney, Johnson and the other two people involved all knew each other.

Police said Johnson, then 15, was charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault and two counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Johnson was transported to the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center. The second juvenile found with Johnson on Naho Street was never charged.

We commend the actions of the Roanoke Police Department personnel who were involved in this case from the beginning, the departments Facebook post said. The loss of such a young life is difficult enough, but it is particularly more tragic when the life is taken by another young person. Thank you to everyone who worked with both diligence and compassion on such a difficult case.

The department also thanked personnel from Roanokes Commonwealths Attorney Office and other public safety partners who worked on the case, leading to this successful outcome.

Johnson was originally charged with two other felonies: use of a firearm in commission of a malicious wounding and malicious wounding, according to Virginias court case information system.

But Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Courtney Turner said Friday that those two malicious wounding charges were dismissed as a part of a plea agreement reached between the commonwealth and Johnsons public defender, John Varney.

Turner said those charges were also dismissed because a juvenile connected to the case has chosen not to cooperate with the court.

Turner, who is prosecuting Johnsons case, said the juvenile will be tried as an adult in circuit court, but he is being held at Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center.

Johnsons sentencing hearing has not been scheduled, but Turner said a date will be set within the next few weeks.

Per Johnsons plea agreement, Turner said that she and Varney will not recommend he be sentenced to more than 15 years of active time to serve. But, she added, that agreement will not bind a judges decision.
LYNCHBURG  No charges will be filed against any law enforcement officer in connection with the Nov. 7 fatal shooting of a Goodview woman, Bedford Countys top prosecutor said Monday.

Chelsae L. Clevenger-Kirk, 29, died after multiple officers fired at her after she exited a burning home and brandished a handgun at law enforcement following an overnight standoff, according to Mondays report from Bedford County Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance and a news release last year from Virginia State Police.

Because an investigation could not determine which of the five service weapons collected afterward fired the fatal shot, and because the prosecutors legal analysis showed the officers acted appropriately and with justifiable use of lethal force, the five officers were not named in the report.

The report said Clevenger-Kirk suffered from multiple mental health and substance abuse problems, had threatened officers on Facebook livestream video and had expressed that she wished to die at the hands of police.

After her death, a toxicology report revealed marijuana and amphetamines in her system and a blood alcohol content over 0.18%, more than twice the legal threshold of intoxication.

The report also disputed several claims by Clevenger-Kirks family members, including that she was intentionally killed, as the report phrased it, because she was exposing secrets on Facebook about police misconduct.

In an email to media accompanying the report, Nance said we must learn from tragic incidents such as this and must invest in training and resources to deal with people suffering from mental illness.

With the danger associated with such interactions, this duty will more often than not be the responsibility of law enforcement. We must assure that they have the best and most up to date tactics to resolve such incidents in a way that is safe both for law enforcement and the person suffering from the mental health crisis, Nance said.

The incident began Nov. 6, a Saturday, when a Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources conservation officer tried to stop Clevenger-Kirk, who was driving a motorcycle while not wearing a helmet and not displaying a license plate, according to the prosecutors report and a previous Virginia State Police news release.

Clevenger-Kirk did not stop and instead went to her home on Afton Lane in Goodview and went inside. The conservation officer called for backup, and additional backup was requested after officers heard shots inside the home and heard Clevenger-Kirk shout You caused this death!  a statement that she would repeat exactly or similarly during Facebook livestream videos throughout the night that followed, the report said.

Besides the wildlife resources department, the Bedford County Sheriffs Office, the town of Bedford Police Department and Virginia State Police responded to the scene.

During the overnight standoff, officers attempted to resolve the situation without lethal force, communicating with her via cell phone and bullhorn, according to the report. Clevenger-Kirk stepped out of the home on several occasions, held a gun to her head, threatened law enforcement and told officers to shoot her. At one point, officers unsuccessfully used powder projectiles to try to get her to leave.

The report said Clevenger-Kirks family members took issue with law enforcement not allowing them to enter the area and perhaps resolve the situation peacefully, but law enforcement believed the risk of death or injury was too great.

It also said family members claimed law enforcement started the fire, but a citizen witness and official communications show the fire started before the fatal confrontation in the front yard.

After the fire began inside the home  most likely started by Kirk, the report said, but due to damage inside the home, the cause couldnt be definitively determined  she stepped outside, pointed a gun at officers and was shot to death.
RICHMOND  Casey Flores, one of Gov. Glenn Youngkins appointees to the states LGBTQ Advisory Board, who faced criticism over obscene tweets, has resigned from the job.

Flores is moving to Florida for a new job, and has tendered his resignation to the governor, Flores confirmed in an interview. His resignation was first reported by The Advocate.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported in June that Flores had disparaged people on Twitter and trolled accounts with obscenities, directing some of his comments to Democratic leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris and state Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton.

She sucked the right d-, locked black people up for weed, and kicked her feet up while her staffers slaved away but ok, Flores tweeted of Harris. The Richmond Times-Dispatch is using dashes to represent a vulgar word in the tweet.

A Youngkin administration official said at the time that Flores had agreed to tone down his tweets to better represent the administration. On Monday Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter confirmed Flores departure. Porter declined comment on whether the administration has picked a replacement.

In an interview Monday, Flores said his departure had nothing to do with his online habits.

This doesnt have anything to do with the tweets, and its kind of arrogant to think youve run me out of the state, Flores said. Im moving to Florida and got a job down there. Its that simple.

Flores declined to say what his job will be in the swing state of Florida: It is politics related, well just keep it to that.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  Time may be running out for students and community members to view the four pieces of the collapsed Berlin Wall that have been on display at UVa for eight years.

The [collectors] have been looking at the possibility of moving the installation to another facility, were not sure where, said Jody Kielbasa, Vice Provost for the Arts and Director of the Virginia Film Festival at UVa.

Titled Kings of Freedom, the installation includes four panels from the Wall that stood between the warring sides of the same city.

One side of the panelsthe side that faced democratic West Germanyhas graffiti by West German artist Dennis Kaun, while the other sidewhich faced communist East Germanyis blank.

Germans chipped away at the length of the 103-mile wall in peaceful resistance until the Soviet Union fell in 1989.

The installation has been a focal point for a number of years, said Kielbasa.

The pieces are significant on our Grounds as a representation of freedom. They are located right next to the Universitys Declaration of Independence, which is also a powerful symbol of freedom.

The Cold War artifact has been on Grounds since 2014, when art collectors and philanthropists Robert and MeiLi Hefner, of the namesake Foundation and Collection, loaned the installation to the University to commemorate the 25-year anniversary of the Berlin Wall removal.

The couple originally loaned the Wall pieces for just one year but extended the agreement. The pieces are displayed in front of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library.

Removing the 16-foot long, 12-foot high, 8,818-pound relic will be a process.

UVas Facilities Management employees installed a glass and steel structure with lights to protect the panels and illuminate the artwork.

Likely making their final loan extension, the Hefners are allowing the University to hold on to Kings of Freedom for the rest of this year.

There is an opportunity in the fall and spring to see it for those who havent seen it already, said Kielbasa.

We are a state school, which means we are open to the public, so I invite and encourage everyone to come. The exhibit is free and accessible.

The piece of history embodying German oppression, rebellion, and freedom all at once is located next to the Albert and Shirley Small Collections Library on Central Grounds.

UVa Arts does not have a replacement installation lined up at the moment, Kielbasa said.
LYNCHBURG  Electrician Joshua Krogh and plumber Beau Brumfield, trade workers and employees with Moores Electrical and Mechanical serving the Central Virginia region, recently took their skills to the national level through Skills USA, a competition for the trades.

After winning competitions in their categories at a regional, then state level, Krogh and Brumfield went to Atlanta for nationals on June 20, sponsored for the trip by Altavistas Virginia Technical Institute, their company and the generosity of donors.

It was the first time in recent memory that employees at Moores had competed at this level, according to company recruitment and retention officer Troy Campbell.

Obviously, were just so proud of these guys, Campbell said.

The competition is open to anyone in the trades within the United States who has exceptional skill, Campbell said. Starting at a regional level, participants keep climbing to the next level of competition as they win, potentially leading them to nationals.

VTI, where both Krogh and Brumfield trained for their respective lines of work, enrolled a group in Skills USA for the first time last year, according to Brumfield. This year was the first time VTIs group competed in person. Trade workers from multiple states gathered in Atlanta to take on HVAC, welding, electrical, plumbing, and other division exercises while also having the opportunity to network at a professional level.

Krogh, 33, who grew up in Ohio, started his career as an electrician almost two years ago. After realizing he was ready for a career change, he quit his job in the food service industry and enrolled in VTI in 2020. Krogh followed an accelerated program, opting for a two-year track instead of a four-year.

Becoming an electrician was a natural fit for Krogh.

I knew I wanted to do something with my hands. Ive had a number of desk jobs over the years, and that just doesnt really suit my temperament. I prefer to be active and doing things, Krogh said.

He had always been interested in electronics, too, building computers when he was younger. To that end, Krogh said he hopes to focus more on the industrial side of electrical work, such as programming control panels for large-scale industrial equipment and automated processes.

Krogh placed sixth out of 20 in his national-level electrician competition and scored 94% on his performance at nationals.

While neither he nor Brumfield placed in a top-three spot, the experience overall was a positive and educational one. The stiff competition, networking opportunities, and a big-city experience all contributed toward an enriching trip. The VTI team did get some tools and equipment, Brumfield said, so they did not walk away emptyhanded.

I was really glad that I decided to participate, Krogh said. It was very interesting just seeing so many people from all over the country.

Krogh is expecting to finish his VTI program in December, and soon after be a fully licensed electrician.

Brumfield effectively was born into the plumbing industry. A third-generation plumber of Gretna-based Randy Brumfield Plumbing & Septic, Inc., the 21-year-old said his grandfather had him helping out in the family business since he could walk and talk.

Plumbing is a multi-faceted field, Brumfield said. It intersects heavily with the construction industry  residential, commercial and industrial. Sewer and septic, pools, installing or repairing existing pipes that provide water-related services  all this and more are part of the plumbing trade.

He credited his grandfather and father both for serving as examples and mentors.

Although Brumfield did not place at the national level competition  largely due to knocked points for not having his own tools, which he said was a requirement outlined in a late-notice memo from competition organizers when they ran short on provided equipment for the plumbing division  he counted the experience as a positive one, and like Krogh, he hopes to see Moores and VTI send more competitors next year.

There is a critical need for more trade workers in the labor force, Campbell said. He hopes Krogh and Brumfields stories can inspire others to enter a trade, particularly as current trade workers are aging and retiring, leaving a significant hole in the workforce.

Simply put, Campbell said fewer people are opting for a trade in recent years. With the average age of trades workers about 57, the industry is losing many to retirement or other factors, and the jobs are not being filled like they need to be.

Part of the problem, Campbell said, is the trades still have a certain stigma around them.

The trades are still kind of seen as a fallback, or kind of a fail option, and it shouldnt be, he said.

Many middle and high schoolers do not see the trades as a first-choice or acceptable career path because of this, Campbell added. Other barriers for students might include being able to pay for trade programs.

Krogh and Brumfield both spoke to the issue from their own experiences.

I kind of feel like Im almost a poster child for this sort of mindset, Krogh said. As I was going through high school, I wasnt presented with this range of options. There was one option, and that was, go to college, get at the minimum a four-year degree of your choice, and then thats your path. Thats how you get a good job; thats how you make money; thats how you get a good retirement. The trades was never even an option that was broached.

Now, he wishes he had gotten into a trade sooner  Krogh said he has loved the work and the connections it has led him to.

Brumfield said many companies, like Moores, will pay for their workers education at a trade school. That opportunity can help break down financial barriers.

Brumfield also said trades offers stability in a changing economy.

No matter what happens to the economy moving forward, if anything, people who do this kind of work will only increase in value, Brumfield said. People are always going to need someone to get them water and give them a place to go to the bathroom. People are always going to need power in their house. Theyre always going to want heating and air.

He encouraged high schoolers who do not have a set plan or goal for college to consider going into a trade, which he said is a more financially viable option for students unsure of what they would study in college, if they wanted an academic track at all.

Krogh said a trade also offers flexibility: a trade professional could work for a company or start their own business.

Talk and brainstorming of bolstering and promoting career and technical education has swirled among regional school divisions in recent months as boards and the community at large strategize ways to raise awareness of this career path option, and in some cases seek to make the training more accessible to high school students through financial aid.

Its an employees market. The work is there, and we need people to do it, and theres just not enough people getting into the trades, Krogh said.
Since the Industrial Revolution, particularly in the 20th century, conventional water sources  i.e., rivers, lakes and groundwater sources  were developed to meet increasing water demand for public water supplies, and industrial and agricultural use. Dams are built on rivers to create artificial lakes (reservoirs) for various water uses including electricity generation. According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, there are more than 3,000 reservoirs of various sizes built for many different water uses. Its interesting to note that there are only two natural freshwater lakes in Virginia  Mountain Lake, the site of famed 1987 Dirty Dancing movie in Giles County, and Lake Drummond, located at the center of the Great Dismal Swamp between Norfolk, Virginia, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Wastewater from houses, public/commercial buildings and industrial activities and stormwater runoff from impervious urban areas are significant byproducts of our modern societies.

Generated wastewaters are treated in accordance with regulations and returned to surface waters (rivers and lakes).

Urban and agricultural stormwater runoff also finds its way into surface waters. In the 21st century, despite significant progress in wastewater treatment technologies and stormwater runoff control practices, we face major water management problems; anthropogenic drought or water scarcity due to extensive water use in population centers, flooding in urban areas due to increased land development, and surface water quality and ecosystem degradation due to wastewater discharge and stormwater runoff intrusion into surface waters.

New approaches are needed to protect river and lake ecosystems.

To alleviate existing and emerging problems, innovative approaches include using locally available alternative water sources  rainwater, stormwater runoff, and wastewater.

Rainwater has been used as a drinking water source for generations and still is popular in areas where extending public water lines are cost prohibitive, for example in the mountaintop communities of southwest Virginia.

Today advances in rainwater harvesting technology allows commercial and large-scale use of rooftop rainwater for both potable and non-potable purposes.

Uses of stormwater runoff and wastewater as alternative water sources are emerging technologies with significant promise.

Advanced water treatment and filtration technologies can produce water acceptable for both potable and non-potable uses.

At present, there is a public perception issue particularly related to wastewater reuse and overcoming the yuck factor which is considered a major impediment.

However, in many localities, we, the people, already unknowingly drink recycled wastewater.

Many drinking water plant intakes are located downstream from where treated wastewater is discharged to surface waters.

Drinking water plant intakes not impacted by wastewater discharge, such as Carvins Cove  a reservoir and drinking water source for Roanoke  are rare. For example, the City of Richmond and parts of Chesterfield County water supplies use James River water  water flowing downstream that contains treated wastewater from Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Covington discharged into the river.

Another notable area in Virginia where recycled wastewater is used for potable purposes is Occoquan Reservoir in northern Virginia, where significant volumes of water flowing into the Occoquan Reservoir originates from an upstream wastewater treatment plant and the drinking water treatment plant intake is located downstream of wastewater treatment plant discharge.

Highly advanced water treatment technologies are used to produce drinking water. The Occoquan system is a significant and notable national example of wastewater reuse.

Today, we see national headlines such as Toilet to Tap: Wastewater Purification Plant Now Supplying Drinking Water to Oceanside. Recently, San Diego County in California celebrated the opening of the Oceanside water purification facility which turns wastewater into drinking water using state-of-the-art technology. According to San Diego officials, the new water treatment plant will eventually create 3 to 5 million gallons per day of local drinking water and could reduce Oceansides reliance on imported water by an estimated 20 percent.

In terms of advanced and sustainable water management, adapting to climate change is an emerging critical issue. The impact of climate change on water resources includes both drought and flooding problems. Use of alternative water sources including saline waters (seawater and brackish water), not discussed in this column, could alleviate expected problems.

Compared to western states, Virginia is considered water rich.

However, high and increasing population densities and extensive urbanization in Virginia warrant preparedness in terms of sustainable water management, and should consider planning and design of practices that include use of alternative water sources. Citizen and legislative body awareness on the merits of using alternative water sources should be a high priority as well.
The 19th China Changchun International Auto Expo that kicked off on Friday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin province, has attracted tens of thousands of automobile enthusiasts.



A total of 155 domestic and foreign automobile brands and 128 enterprises are vying for customers' attention with their latest models, technology and services.

The expo opened at a time when China's automobile market is recovering from a COVID-induced slump earlier this year. It serves as a platform for automakers from home and abroad to seek new opportunities in the world's largest auto market.

The 10-day auto expo, covering a total exhibition area of 200,000 square meters, has nine indoor exhibition halls and four outdoor exhibition areas. As of 10 a.m. Sunday, more than 26,000 consumers visited the auto show, according to its organizing committee.

Growing global investment

FAW Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd. displayed 15 vehicles spanning 13 models at the expo. Xu Jianxin, a sales manager with the company, said that despite the impact of the epidemic, mid- and high-end models have seen steady growth in sales during the event.

The FAW Audi booth has 21 models displayed at the expo, drawing widespread attention of car enthusiasts. Meanwhile, 20 car models have been put on display in the Mercedes-Benz exhibition area.

In June, the joint venture of Mercedes-Benz and BAIC Group in Beijing saw the 4 millionth complete vehicle roll off the production line.

Arno van der Merwe, president and CEO of Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. said the joint venture has learned from the advanced manufacturing system and technology of German factories and also fed back its own innovative technology and experience to the German factories.

Since the beginning of this year, global auto companies including Audi, BMW and Volkswagen have accelerated their expansion in China, launching a number of large new energy vehicle (NEV) and other projects.

The Audi FAW NEV project, with an investment of over 30 billion yuan (about 4.44 billion U.S. dollars), broke ground on June 28 in Changchun. This is Audi's first production base specifically for purely electric vehicles in China and is expected to go into operation at the end of 2024, with a planned annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles.

Volkswagen Group China is also accelerating the process of vehicle electrification. Volkswagen Anhui recently began working on a new project for manufacturing auto parts, with an investment of 130 million yuan.

Located in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, the project has a planned construction area of around 31,000 square meters. Upon completion, it will provide auto parts including seats and accessories for NEVs produced by Volkswagen Anhui.

On May 10, Volkswagen Group China announced to establish a new digital sales and services company in Hefei. The new company is expected to complete Volkswagen Anhui's entire value chain in terms of manufacturing, R&D, testing, marketing, and customer services.

Recovering momentum of auto market

China is the world's largest automobile market. In 2021, retail sales of automobiles and related products accounted for 9.9 percent of the country's retail sales of consumer goods.

Thanks to the effective containment of COVID-19 resurgences and strong policy stimulus, China's auto sales regained strong momentum in June after declining for three consecutive months.

In June, a total of 2.5 million vehicles were sold, up 23.8 percent from a year earlier, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

The automobile association expects steady growth for the entire year and has predicted annual vehicle sales to reach 27 million units, up 3 percent year on year.

June's NEV sales hit a record high of 596,000 units, jumping 1.3 times from the same month of last year and accounting for 23.8 percent of the entire auto sales, CAAM data showed.

In the NEV sector, Chinese brands have leaped to the forefront of the market and even outperformed joint venture enterprises in certain technical fields.

Han Zhuoxuan, a salesperson with China's leading NEV manufacturer BYD, deemed NEVs the new trend and fashion. "Consumers are eager to learn more about and try out new NEV models."
A tragic facet of our times, one that must be consciously countered, is that with the onset of one awful news development following another at terrible speed, the unthinkable has become ever more everyday.

Even worse, another sort of unthinkable evolution has set in  even though catastrophic events continue and even worsen through the weeks and months, with time they become background noise, almost altogether forgotten, eclipsed by fresher tragedies. Such seems to be the case with Russian President Vladimir Putins unconscionable invasion of Ukraine.

Theres been debate in these opinion pages as to whether its appropriate to call the Ukraine invasion unprovoked. Those who debate this should keep in mind that it is possible for multiple things to be true at once  that NATOs expansion to Russias borders and Ukraines interest in joining up made an invasion ordered by an uneasy Putin more probable and that the blame for the horrific destruction of Ukraine and slaughter of its civilians, justified to the Russian people by lies and disinformation transmitted through Russian state media, rests far above all others upon despot Putins shoulders and his deliberate choices.

Those who debate this issue, it must be said, are at least thinking about the ongoing calamity and how best to bring it to an end. The invasion still rages, its detrimental effects on the world economy sure to be felt for years. The needless deaths of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers accumulate as the war of attrition continues in eastern Ukraine, with Russian forces gaining ground as the Ukraine runs low on supplies.

No off ramp in sight

So far, Russia is weathering the staggering amount of sanctions imposed on its economy, a contingency the country has prepared for since experiencing the sanctions imposed over its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. Earlier this month, Putin told oil and gas industry executives that the sanctions harm the global economy more than they harm Russia. He shows no signs of changing course.

In advocating for a diplomatic negotiation to end the war, MIT Political Science professor Barry R. Posen writes in Foreign Affairs that the conflict is headed into a long, bloody, and ultimately indecisive war that at best offers a costly avenue to a painful stalemate that leaves much Ukrainian territory in Russian hands.

However, neither Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy nor the majority of the Ukrainian populace (as assessed by a recent poll conducted with great difficulty by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology) have any interest in ceding territory to appease the forces committing atrocities on their soil.

More than 8.7 million refugees have fled the country since the Russian invasion began Feb. 24. Almost 5,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, and 6,000 more wounded. More than 6 million have been displaced from their homes by the war and more than 10 million are in need of food assistance.

Yet controversies fresher in the American memory such as the gun control debate, stirred to new heights by a rash of recent mass shootings, and the abortion debate, ignited to new intensity by the U.S. Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wade, have relegated news coming from Ukraine to background noise.

Ongoing nightmare

News from Afghanistan underwent the same transformation well before the Ukraine invasions began, although that countrys descent into hell under the Taliban continues. Life has turned into a nightmare for the women of Afghanistan these days, said Wazhma Frogh, founder of the Women and Peace Studies Organization in Afghanistan, during a July 6 panel conducted by news network Al Jazeera. Practically overnight, millions of women who had been able to further their education and pursue careers during 20 years of American occupation went to their jobs only to be stopped at the gate and at the doors and told they would longer be allowed to work or attend school, she said.

This is the reality of the Taliban, that they are not accepting the woman as a human in the country, said Zarqa Yaftali with the Womens Regional Network in Afghanistan. They have not changed. They are the Taliban of 20 years ago. In 2001, after the Taliban refused to hand over 9/11 architect Osama bin Laden, the United States invaded Afghanistan. In July 2021, the U.S. handed Afghanistan back to the Taliban unconditionally  a disastrous abandonment that has earned comparisons to the fall of Saigon in Vietnam as U.S. forces withdrew in 1975. The U.S. has since done nothing to rein in the Talibans abuses or even pressure them into forming something akin to a real government that responds to peoples needs, Frogh said.

A May report from the United Nations estimated that almost 19 million Afghans are facing food insecurity, a crisis compounded by the Ukraine war and by a July 7 earthquake in the province of Paktika that killed 1,000 and injured 1,500 more. These crises matter not just because of their global consequences, not just because of the attention they pull away from other ongoing humanitarian crises in countries like Myanmar, Somalia and Yemen, but because people affected by them directly are here in Southwest Virginia: families, relatives, refugees. They are not just among us, they are us.

What you choose to do is up to you. We simply ask that you not forget.
FLORENCE, S.C.  MUSC Health Florence Division has announced the newest DAISY Award honoree. Chip Osborne is a registered nurse on the ICU floor at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center and has been named the newest DAISY Award recipient of 2022.

The DAISY award is given to a nurse whose job performance exemplifies the mission, vision and values of MUSC Health. The recipient must also keep a consistent focus on meeting patient-family goals, collaborate with the health care team to meet patients needs, use critical thinking to deliver extraordinary patient care, and demonstrate a caring attitude, as well as professionalism in the workplace during all situations, according to a hospital announcement.

Osborne follows best practices at the bedside using nursing policies and procedures to support his care. He is a patient and family advocate and most known for maintaining excellent communication with his patients and their families as they navigate the critical care setting. Osborne is also a team player and always willing to lend a helping hand.

A patients daughter said Osborne is a caring and intelligent registered nurse. He cared for my daddy for two weeks through having blood clots and kidney stones removed, and eventually, a leg amputation. Chip always fed Dad breakfast and made sure he changed positions. He also cared about our family and is a gift to the nursing profession.

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family.

The hospital announcement said that Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. Recipients of the DAISY Award are chosen quarterly by the DAISY committees at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center and MUSC Health Marion Medical Center.
The city of Florence received statewide recognition Friday at the Municipal Association of South Carolina annual meeting.

Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin accepted the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Award for Economic Development on behalf of the city.

The development of this district has proven to be a success providing local artisans and food entrepreneurs the opportunity to highlight their talents and grow unique local businesses within our community. We are excited for future private investment within this corridor and the benefit it brings to Florence residents, she said

The awards program began in 1987 and affords local government officials and employees the opportunity to receive deserved recognition for superior and innovative efforts in local government. The program also provides a forum for sharing the best public service ideas in South Carolina.

The city of Florence was selected in the economic development category for the food, artisan, and warehouse district.

The development of this district was a result of policy action to leverage existing small-scale manufacturing assets and cultivate local, innovative, creative, food/artisan-driven production businesses to connect downtown to surrounding historic neighborhoods.

This was a unique approach to cultivate entrepreneurship and catalyze redevelopment in the area that extends along what was at the time an underutilized corridor.

The city then partnered with a private investor to establish Sav A Lot, downtown Florences first grocery store.

The Redbone Alley Sauce plant opened anchoring the east end of the corridor. The city of Florence constructed a permanent public space to cultivate food entrepreneurs with the creation of the City Center Farmers Market and Commercial Kitchen to spur entrepreneurial growth.

The city continues its work in this district by addressing connectivity and the erosion of real and perceived barriers to entry through property improvement and programmatic support.

Construction will begin soon for project Urban Square on the corner of Coit/Evans Street which includes a private investment of $65 million for a mixed-use development.

The city also plans to add a parking garage at this location.

A new downtown master plan is pending adoption. It includes new technical assistance programs to support food/artisan-based entrepreneurs will be established.
LAKE CITY, S.C.  Florence School District Three will hold onsite student registration at all district schools from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Staff at all schools will be available to assist parents in registering any returning or new students who are not currently registered for the 2022-23 school year.
 "Reimagining Restitution: New Approaches To Support Youth And Communities" | Main | Might Prez Biden wisely focus on marijuana offenders for his next clemency efforts? 

July 18, 2022

Spotlighting notable (and constitutionally suspect?) aspects of federal firearm prohibition enforcement

I noted in this post last week the new report from the US Sentencing Commission titled "What Do Federal Firearms Offenses Really Look Like?". Following up on that report, Jacob Sullum has this interesting post at Reason.com headlined "A New Report Casts Doubt on the Assumption That Gun Law Violators Are a Public Menace: The vast majority of federal firearm offenses involve illegal possession, often without aggravating conduct or a history of violence." I recommend that post in full, and here are excerpts (with links from the original):

A new report on federal firearm offenses shows that the vast majority involve illegal possession, often without aggravating circumstances or a history of violence. The data undermine the assumption that people who violate gun laws are predatory criminals who pose a serious threat to public safety. They also highlight the racially disproportionate impact of such laws, which is especially troubling given their excessive breadth.... [T]he federal prohibition of gun possession by people with felony records (technically, people convicted of crimes punishable by more than a year of incarceration) is a lifetime ban except in rare cases where people manage to have their Second Amendment rights restored. That policy, which threatens violators with up to 10 years in prison, is hard to justify unless you assume that people convicted of violent crimes cannot be rehabilitated and do not change their ways as they mature. That assumption does not seem reasonable in light of research indicating that recidivism declines sharply with age. Yet federal law is based on the premise that, say, a man convicted of assault in his early 20s can never be trusted with a gun, even if he stays out of trouble for decades. Because of that youthful crime, he forever loses the right to armed self-defense. Furthermore, the USSC's numbers indicate that two-fifths of firearm offenders had never been convicted of a violent crime. Many prior convictions involved drug trafficking (31.6 percent) or previous weapon offenses (44.2 percent). Five percent of the defendants were disqualified from owning a gun because they were illegal drug users. If a decades-old assault conviction seems like a thin pretext for permanently depriving someone of his constitutional rights, a decades-old drug conviction, involving conduct that violated no one's rights, seems even thinner. The irrationality and injustice of this policy look even worse when you consider the demographics of federal firearm offenders. In FY 2021, 55 percent of them were black. A similar racial disparity is apparent at the state level. According to FBI data, African Americans, who represent about 14 percent of the U.S. population, accounted for 42 percent of arrests for weapon offenses in 2019.... If those restrictions made sense, you might dismiss the disparities, citing cross-racial differences in crime rates. But those restrictions do not make sense, since they apply to millions of people who either are not currently dangerous or never were.

Importantly, as I have noted in some prior posts linked below, whether or not one agrees with Sullum's policy criticisms of broad federal firearm prohibitions, the constitutionality of some aspects of federal enforcement must be subject to new questions in the wake of the Supreme Court's recent Second Amendment ruling in Bruen. As I noted in those posts, Bruen makes clear that to "justify its [gun] regulation, the government may not simply posit that the regulation promotes an important interest. Rather, the government must demonstrate that the regulation is consistent with this Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation." And the historical record, as I have seen it, seems to make quite debatable whether broad bans on gun possession by non-violent offenders or drug users is "consistent with this Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation."

Prior recent related posts:

July 18, 2022 at 12:30 PM | Permalink

Comments

Sullum is a libertarian crackpot, and his piece here is so shot full of lies and distortions that it would take longer than I'm going to devote to it to go through them.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 18, 2022 2:19:14 PM

FYI 922(g) is now 0-15 thanks to the recent gun legislation passed last month. Not 0-10 as the author says.

One of those little nuggets that snuck in as part of the overall package.

Posted by: Zachary Newland | Jul 18, 2022 3:21:34 PM

Mr. Otis agrees with the government that someone (like me) who was half-coerced half-tricked into pleading guilty to a non-violent crime 44 years ago, who has an otherwise perfectly clean record before and since, and whose proof of innocence was never disputed by the state, but was dismissed as untimely, should get a lengthy prison sentence if he possesses a gun, regardless of circumstances. For instance if I was present at a mass shooting and were to save dozens of innocent lives by seizing the shooter's gun.

I conclude that Mr. Otis is dangerously insane, and should seek medical help.

Does he believe the same about possession of automobiles? If not, why not? Cars kill more Americans than guns do, even though there are more guns than cars in the US.



Posted by: Keith Lynch | Jul 19, 2022 6:45:48 AM

Keith,

That is a perfectionist fallacy. If your account is true, so what? The law is an axe, not a scalpel for obvious reasons. No law can accommodate a million different scenarios leading to a felony conviction and denial of your gun rights just as no no credible justice system can prevent the occasional wrongly convicted guy in prison.

Its a balancing act of competing goals.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 20, 2022 9:48:12 PM

TarlsQtr, I've never asked for special consideration. Anyone who can prove their innocence should be exonerated. Anyone who has had a perfectly clean record for decades is either reformed or was innocent in the first place. The right to defense of oneself and others, which necessarily implies the right to possess the means of such defense, is a fundamental human right, which should be infringed only in the gravest extreme, and only for the briefest period possible. It's even more impossible to keep guns out of the hands of bad guys than it is to keep drugs out of the hands of bad guys -- drugs, unlike guns, are rapidly consumed and will cease to exist unless replenished, so all that gun laws can do is disarm the good guys. If it was the mere presence of guns which were the cause of mass shootings, then Switzerland, where possession of machine guns is *mandatory*, would be the deadliest nation.

Lots of people owe their lives to the fact that Elisjsha Dicken hadn't been falsely accused of a crime or mental illness, nor had he been red-flagged by some random person.

Mistakes can happen, but a legitimate justice system would eventually correct them, not double down on its mistakes. When planes crash, the NTSB figures out why and fixes the problem. Imagine if it instead said engineers have been building planes wrong for more than 21 days, so they have to keep building them wrong forever.



Posted by: Keith Lynch | Jul 21, 2022 7:57:25 AM

TarlsQtr --

I don't know that it's a good use of your time to try reasoning with Keith Lynch. He says, citing no law, that a heroic person, as he imagines himself to be, can, if he's a previously convicted felon, be cruelly and unjustly punished for possessing a firearm in the obviously urgent case where he has no sane choice but to defend himself or others.

The reason he cites no law is that it would contradict his florid claim, see e.g., https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-6th-circuit/1647521.html, US v. Moore, a Sixth Circuit case decided nine years ago that has an extensive discussion of the well-established exception to the FIP statute in cases of self-defense. Either Mr. Lynch does not know about this caselaw, in which case he's just spouting from florid ignorance, or he does know about it, in which case his whole "oh-poor-me" discussion is breathtakingly dishonest.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2022 8:54:09 AM

Bill,

One thing I learned very early while frequenting these message boards is that whenever a woe is me story is given, there is more to it than what is presented.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 21, 2022 9:38:19 AM

TarlsQtr --

You observation is especially apt as respects Mr. Lynch, who was convicted because HE TOLD THE JUDGE HE WAS QUILTY, and now claims his in-court admission was false, that it was everybody else's fault, and that he's really utterly innocent.

When I asked him to produce the records to back up his claim, he declined, and said it was my job to fetch them for him, because it was only "walking distance" for the law school where I teach. Actually, it's a bit over six miles.

But back to the substance of his present claim: There has been a self-defense exception to the FIP prohibition since forever, but he just walks right past that. Is that how an honest person would behave?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2022 11:08:31 AM

When I was teaching in prison, 2/3 of the inmates were innocent/railroaded, etc. Just ask them.

My favorite and most common was the wrong place at the wrong time excuse. He was riding around with his buddy, they were pulled over, and there was a gun plus a brick of cocaine under the passenger seat. They are always shocked, I mean SHOCKED, it was there.

Never mind the buddy was a known drug dealer, never had a job in his life, and was driving a Cadillac Escalade.

No warning signs at all!

There are always choices in life. To get or not into the buddys car. To plead guilty (even if not) or make your case. Keith lied to the judge in court.

As they say, Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 21, 2022 2:51:06 PM

Bill Otis said, "... a heroic person, as he imagines himself to be

...." No, I said the exact opposite of that. I said that if I were

present at a mass shooting I would *not* attempt to seize the killer's

gun. I am not willing to risk five years in prison. Neither, of course,

would I carry a gun in a mall, as Elisjsha Dicken did, or anywhere else,

on the off chance that someone might shoot up the place.

No, I wasn't familiar with the Sixth Circuit case US v. Moore. Why

would I be? I'm not a lawyer. But I do know that Virginia, where I

live, is not in the Sixth Circuit, so that case law doesn't apply to

me. Are you trying to trick me into breaking the law?

I don't know of any Virginia case law with that exact fact pattern,

but I do know that the relevant law, 18.2-308.2, mentions no "hero"

exception. And I do know of a Virginia case where a person was

convicted for having a flare pistol in his boat, although that's

a required piece of safety equipment, and is not what most people

would think of as a firearm. I would no more rely on prosecutorial

discretion to save me from a charge I'm technically guilty of than

I would rely on claims made by a telemarketer or spammer.

TarlsQtr wrote, "One thing I learned very early while frequenting

these message boards is that whenever a 'woe is me' story is given,

there is more to it than what is presented." What, always? Did you

miss the news about several *thousand* exonerations in the US? And do

you think every convicted person who wasn't exonerated must have been

guilty?

If anything I said about my case is a lie, that should be easy for

anyone to prove. Mr. Otis objects to my alleged demand that he look

it up. I made no such demand. But it's simple human decency to not

make accusations without evidence. If he doesn't have the time to

check my record, fine, but then he should STFU about it. But I

suppose nobody with simple human decency can become a prosecutor.

I've told Mr. Otis at least twice that I did *not* tell the judge I was

guilty (or even "quilty"). If either of you believe that a guilty plea

requires a confession, then I too have a case to point to: North

Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970).

He calls me a liar, but suggests that I should go to the Arlington

Courthouse myself and report back what I find about my case. Again I

ask what would be the point? Whatever I told him I found, he'd just

call me a liar again. The only way he can know for sure what the

records say is to check them for himself. If he doesn't care enough

to check, that's fine, but then he should stop pontificating about it.

And yes, six miles is walking distance for any healthy person. If he

can't walk that far, I can't help but wonder if his brain is in as bad

a shape as his body. It would explain a lot. But I never suggested

he actually walk it. I was just remarking on the remarkable coincidence

that the relevant courthouse is so close to his workplace, given that

he could have been anywhere in the US.

You also say, "When I was teaching in prison, 2/3 of the inmates were

innocent/railroaded, etc. Just ask them." Perhaps they are, given

that the methods most used to convict people have so little to do with

the methods used to learn the truth. The overwhelming majority of

defendants are convicted in coerced plea bargains, not trials.

And finally, it's not all about me, or even all about the many other

falsely convicted people. Suppose I *had* been guilty of that

non-violent crime 44 years ago, as you've both smugly convinced each

other that I was, despite -- or rather because -- of a total lack of

evidence. Should I still be forbidden from possessing a gun? Even

one that never leaves my home? How about a flare pistol if I had a

boat? Why? How many people who have had a perfectly clean record for

44 years, and who had never been accused of any violent crime, later

went on shooting sprees? How many more increments to gun "safety"

laws until something in Elisjsha Dicken's past disqualifies him too

from possessing a firearm? Will gun grabbers never be satisfied until

nobody is armed except bad guys? Obviously someone who intends to

shoot up a shopping mall won't be deterred by an additional five year

sentence for possession. But good guys will be deterred from carrying

at the mall.

I am somewhat bothered by Bill Otis's criticism, but I'm not at all

bothered by that of TarlsQtr or any other anonymous troll. I may not

have the courage to attack an active shooter, but at least I have the

courage to always use my real name here and everywhere else.



Posted by: Keith Lynch | Jul 21, 2022 11:44:04 PM

There is one thing Mr. Lynch says that I fully agree with -- that he's not a lawyer. He goes on to prove this big time by saying, "If either of you believe that a guilty plea

requires a confession, then I too have a case to point to: North

Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970)."

Of course the whole point of Alford is to note that a defendant can be validly convicted by admitting that the government has enough proof to establish his guilt BRD, even as he refuses himself to admit guilt. In other words, as even intelligent laymen know, an Alford plea IS NOT A GUILTY PLEA.

Then, after his attempt to argue, with ample indignation but no law and no stated limit, that an heroic FIP would be sent away for years for acting in self defense, he also admits that this isn't so under the Moore case. But he obviously still hasn't read Moore, because if he did, he would know that it is merely the specific application of a widely (if not uniformly) recognized common law rule that acting in immediate self defense is an exception to criminal liability under FIP statutes.

The problem Mr. Lynch apparently struggles with, is that decades ago, he pleaded guilty to a crime he now says he didn't commit. But the very core of a GUILTY PLEA is an admission that YOU DID COMMIT the offense. If you show any hesitation about that, the judge simply will not take the plea and you'll be headed to trial. Period. Anyone who's spent any time in a courtroom knows this.

Since HE is the proponent of the argument that he's innocent even though by his own earlier accounts he pleaded guilty, HE bears the burden of persuasion to document his present contrary claim. One way to do this would be by obtaining the court records. But this he has consistently refused to do. We're just supposed to take his word for it that he magically got convicted without either a trial or a guilty plea, and that all this happened, not because of anything he did -- no, he's blameless -- but because of the Big Bad Conspiracy among the malicious cops, the prosecutor, the judge, and of course his own lawyer.

OK, that might conceivably be the state of play. If it is, the case records would shed some light on it. But it is exactly those records he consistently refuses to furnish or even make a slight attempt to obtain. Unlike Mr. Lynch, however, I will not suggest that he should therefore "STFU." Very much to the contrary, the more he writes, the better. Like TarslQtr, I've been saying for years that defendants have an amazingly robust penchant for self justification, and Mr. Lynch's continuing anger AFTER 44 YEARS, and without a shred of documentation to support his claims, proves the point better than I ever could.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2022 1:35:45 AM

Mr. Otis has completely lost the plot. This thread isn't just about me, it's about everyone whose gun rights are being infringed, especially those whose alleged crimes were non-violent or in the distant past. And not just people who were convicted of felonies, but sometimes also misdemeanors, or who use medical marijuana or who are the victims of malicious gossip ("red flag laws"). After someone has fully "paid their debt to society," how many years must they have a perfectly clean record before they should get their rights back? Especially if they were never even accused of a crime of violence? Is there the slightest public safety benefit to such draconian punishments? Does it make America safer to lock up a boater for years for having a required flare pistol on his boat? (Note that it's also a crime to *not* have a flare pistol on your boat.)

If so, I ask, given that cars kill more Americans than guns do despite there being more guns than cars, why not permanently ban anyone who has ever gotten a traffic ticket from possessing a car, or even being in the presence of an unsecured car? If someone accused of riding his bicycle too fast were to, 44 years later, when visiting friends, momentarily walk through a garage containing a car with keys in its ignition, why not lock him up for a mandatory five year prison sentence, preferably during a pandemic that has killed more than a million Americans?

Is there any wonder so many Americans have such low opinions of police and prosecutors?

Getting back to me, I'm not going to waste my time trying to obtain a transcript that probably never existed, to satisfy someone who would accuse me of lying and forgery if it did exist and it said what I think it would? The only way Mr. Otis can know what documents in that courthouse say is to go there himself, or send someone he trusts to do so. If he doesn't want to, fine, but then he should stop insisting he somehow magically knows what they say.

Alford did not take an "Alford plea," as nothing of the sort existed at the time. He simply pleaded guilty, exactly as I did. Anyone who doubts this, read the case for yourself.

Am I still angry after 44 years? During the 99.99% of the time that I'm not discussing my case, no. But when I am discussing my case with someone who calls me a liar, yes. Mainly because, thanks to people like him, my case is still held against me. This makes no sense. Even if I had been guilty, I have long since paid my debt to society. If 44 years ago I had instead borrowed a million dollars and never paid back a cent, *that* debt would have been completely forgiven after just 7 years. Why the double standard? And, even if Mr. Otis doubts that I was proven innocent, does he also doubt that Virginia has, or had at that time, a 21-day rule that says that such evidence, no matter how strong, is irrelevant after three weeks? Does he also doubt that just this year SCOTUS ruled, not for the first time, that it's perfectly okay to execute a prisoner who has been proven innocent?



Posted by: Keith Lynch | Jul 22, 2022 9:15:49 AM

I really should let this go, but it's just too delicious.

Mr. Lynch says that six miles is walking distance. And it's quite true that an adult of normal health, including me, can walk six miles. But there is this recent invention called "Uber" that can save you the roughly two hours or slightly less it would take to do it. Now maybe Mr. Lynch has a couple of hours to spare during his workday to take a stroll like that, but I don't.

Mr. Lynch also says that it would be no use for him to retrieve the court records he suggests would back up his "I-wuz-cheated" story, because I would still disbelieve him. The question, however, is not what I would believe, but what the records would establish to a reasonable person Mr. Lynch more approves of. But the whole thing's just baloney anyway, since in the modern world, the way you show written material to someone is BY LINKING TO IT, like this: https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/06/08/should-an-unpopular-sentence-in-the-stanford-rape-case-cost-a-judge-his-job/a-judges-recall-is-warranted-for-an-indecent-sentence, or this, https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/06/14/mueller-should-recuse-himself-from-investigating-russia--comey-william-otis-column/102827924/

Of course Mr. Lynch already knows this, just as the rest of us do, so it's hard to see much of a point in this shake-and-jive other than as a distraction from the basic fact that Mr. Lynch pleaded guilty (as he admits he did in the third comment on this thread) and now admits (or insists, it's hard to tell which) that his plea was false.

The guy has some problems to go along with his bile. He's accused me of being insane (his exact word), which he knows is false; and of being physically dilapidated, which is also false (but closer to true than it was a few decades ago, that's for sure). He just can't get over the fact that he was convicted of a crime (stealing) based on his own counseled guilty plea.

I can understand being unhappy with the losses or perceived losses of the past. That's human nature. What I understand less well is what's to be gained by clinging to grievance FOR FORTH-FOUR LONG YEARS, and pretending that your unhappiness is everybody else's fault.

Time to grow up and move on. Past time, really.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2022 10:02:07 AM

Keith,

I suspect the boat flare question is a fringe case at best.

How many cases have there been of a FIP conviction with a guy who was just chilling on the lake with a flare gun in his boat safety box?

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 22, 2022 12:12:51 PM

TarlsQtr --

And how many cases are there in which a FIP had a gun solely and immediately for self defense against an imminent threat of death or grave bodily harm, and then promptly got rid of the gun afterward, but was prosecuted for that behavior? I'm not aware of a single one, and none has been cited on this thread. I strongly suspect that it's a product of Mr. Lynch's fantasies.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2022 1:27:45 PM

Again, this thread isn't just about me, it's about whether people who have had perfectly clean records for decades should receive further punishment, such as a permanent denial of all gun rights. Mr. Otis refuses to respond to any questions on this topic. Instead he resorts to repeatedly calling me a liar, as it it was all about me, and as if he's much more knowledgeable about my case than the crime victim, who hired me sight unseen right out of prison as he knew I was innocent, or the federal government, which issued me a security clearance after I described the circumstances of my wrongful conviction on my SF-86 form. Again, the state never disputed the proof of my innocence, they just said it was untimely, as it had been more than three weeks.

He seems to have a serious problem with reading comprehension, as I've told him these facts several times, and told him where he can find proof of them. And as he most recently responded to a comment in which I said "But I never suggested he actually walk it" by saying "Now maybe Mr. Lynch has a couple of hours to spare during his workday to take a stroll like that, but I don't." He keeps harping on my inability to say much about my plea of guilty except that I did plead guilty at the insistence of my court-appointed lawyer, I was not guilty of what it turned out that I pleaded guilty to, and that I did not knowingly lie. In his latest reply, he implies that he believes a transcript, or maybe even a video, of my allocution definitely exists, not just in the courthouse, but on the Web. Sure, everything any court reporter took down with their steno machine somehow ended up online. It would be nice. Why won't I simply Google "Keith Lynch allocution" to find it? I just tried that, and found nothing about me except my previous comments on this blog.

I stand my my claim that anyone who thinks someone who has had a perfectly clean record for more than four decades and who has never been accused of a crime of violence should permanently lose important civil rights for the protection of the public, is insane.

In a more recent thread, about sentencing, he says that "Neither a pardon nor an acquittal means the defendant didn't do it." That's literally true, but legally irrelevant. The fact that Mr. Otis has never been charged with a bank robbery doesn't mean he has never robbed a bank. For that matter, I've never seen any proof that he *hasn't* been charged with robbing a bank (mainly because I never bothered to check). So of course if he's ever convicted of a crime, the judge should sentence him as if he was guilty of every crime in the world.

Why is he even on this blog? This blog is about sentencing reform. His thesis seems to be that sentences are already perfect, except for not being harsh enough. But the only "evidence" he presents is to call anyone who presents evidence otherwise liars. He's like an NTSB investigator who insists that no plane has crashed in the US in the past 50 years, and calls anyone a liar who points out examples of crashed planes. About like Alex Jones claiming that the Sandy Hook massacre never happened (for which he has been successfully sued).

As for my "letting it go," as I just said, this isn't about what happened to me 44 years ago, it's about what is still happening to me to this day, and to millions of other Americans. Why doesn't the *state* let it go?

I can't provide him a transcript of my allocution, but I'll repeat what I said in a previous thread, now that he's once again denying the easily-proven existence of grossly defective plea allocutions:

Changing the subject from my case to cases with defective plea-bargain

allocutions in general, I refer you to the case of my friend Theodore

William Wells, federal prisoner number 12561-050. He was coerced into

pleading guilty to kidnapping, and was sentenced to ten years. I've

seen a transcript of his allocution, and confirmed that it left out

the element of preventing the alleged victim from leaving. Nobody

ever claimed that she wasn't free to leave at any time. She arrived

at Wells's home by Greyhound bus (crossing a state line), and the next

day from Wells's house phoned friends to come and pick her up, which

they did, using directions that Wells provided to them. Those facts

are all undisputed. I'm sure you can easily find a copy of that

defective allocution yourself. Given that you're interested in the

legitimacy of plea bargains, please do so.

Finally, has anyone actually confirmed that Mr. Otis is who he claims to be? He sounds to me more like a bad parody of a prosecutor than like someone with an actual law degree.



Posted by: Keith Lynch | Jul 23, 2022 2:32:21 PM

Keith,

You can literally just Google his name.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 23, 2022 3:15:54 PM

I did long since Google his name, which is how I learned how close to Arlington Courthouse he works. This came as a welcome surprise to me, since he could have been anywhere in the US.

But that doesn't prove that the person who posts here with that name really is that person rather than an impersonator. When someone doesn't know that it's possible to plead guilty without confessing, or that the text of decades-old plea allocutions isn't likely to found online, or that there have been thousands of exonerations in the DNA era, or that in the vast majority of cases there never was any DNA evidence and that the error rate in those cases isn't likely to be any lower, it's hard to believe he's a real lawyer, especially one who worked in criminal law for many years.



Posted by: Keith Lynch | Jul 23, 2022 4:04:56 PM

TarlsQtr. --

Captain Queeg puts in an appearance.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 23, 2022 10:05:08 PM

Post a comment
An Emirati family watches the fireworks display at the Global Village in Dubai

DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates is doubling the financial support it provides for low-income Emirati families to 28 billion dirhams ($7.6 billion) to help them with soaring living costs in the Gulf state.

The expanded budget allocation, reported by state news agency WAM on Monday, includes increasing existing benefits and establishing new ones targeted at mitigating the impact of inflation on food prices, and rising fuel and household energy costs.

It was not immediately clear how the expansion of financial support would be funded. UAE is a major oil-producing nation.

Some of the new benefits include financial support for university students and the unemployed who are over 45 years old.

Emiratis account for about 10% of the UAE's population of roughly 10 million people, who are mostly foreign workers and dependents.

A large number of those are low-paid blue collar workers who are practically all foreigners, meaning that they will not directly benefit from the expansion of benefits.

Those living in the UAE, including citizens and foreigners, have in recent months voiced concerns over rising living costs, with retail fuel prices alone up around 80% so far this year.

Earlier this year, low-paid foreign delivery drivers launched rare strike action over pay conditions, citing higher fuel prices.

($1 = 3.6727 UAE dirham)

(Writing by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Jan Harvey)
WAVERLY  On Saturday, wheat threshers, sawmills and farm equipment of old chugged, smoked and pulled.

Outside the farming community, its not uncommon for someone to have never seen an antique tractor moving and working. Many urban dwellers have never smelled the richness of freshly turned soil or hay curing. Nor have they seen a cultivator till and row.

Thats why Don Kneifl, president of Camp Creek Threshers, is passionate about his nonprofits work.

Camp Creek Threshers is an organization that seeks to keep the farming ways of old and new alive through annual shows. The group's July show, which took place Saturday and continues Sunday, is its largest event.

Theres not nearly as many of us involved in agriculture as there were 50 years ago, Kneifl said. Theres a good chance you had a grandparent or an aunt or uncle that probably had an operation like what (were) doing here.

Kneifl called the annual event the farming communitys Christmas.

We prepare literally all year round, Kneifl said. It's like a small village here that we have to maintain.

Though the organization puts on several other events, the July show is by far its biggest attraction. The weekends agenda ranges from tractor pulls to flea markets. The showgrounds east of Waverly have a variety of food options and music.

Kneifl typically sees 15,000 to 20,000 attendees on the grounds over the weekend, he said. Though theres a substantial group in the crowd who understand farming life firsthand, the largest group is simply curious about rural life.

Christy Hughes of St. Louis is among the inquisitive spectators.

She and her children come from the hustle and bustle of the city, far away from harrowers and sickle-wielders. Theyve come several years now just to experience rural peacefulness.

She heard about the event because her sister lives in Lincoln.

Its a very different experience for us, Hughes said. When we tell people back home that we're going to come up here for a tractor show, they think it's kind of strange  but I think it's a really cool activity for any family.

Though the family has other activities planned, shes made the long trip  6 hours without stops  just for the event.

Beckie Yates and her husband, Kurt, have also traveled long distances to attend.

They hail from Denton, North Carolina, but they have a house in Arapahoe. Kurt Yates grew up on a farm and works at a sawmill. Beckie Yates enjoys mingling with the salt of the earth community.

We love the people, Beckie Yates said. Their lives are a lot like our lives even though we're 1,400 miles away.

The Yateses appreciate swapping stories and shared experiences with people who they consider to be just like them. Shows like these foster a unique type of community, Beckie Yates said.

With festivities continuing into Sunday, Kneifl encourages everyone to attend and to look out for future Camp Creek Threshers shows, including an upcoming one in September.

Its an industry Kneifl believes everyone should understand and appreciate, especially if their roots are planted in Nebraska soil. They likely have connections with earth-cultivating ancestors that reach back for generations.

Farming didn't just start off with computerized technology and global positioning systems," Kneifl said. "It started off with men and women working hard to feed everybody."
ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- A Doon, Iowa, man was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for striking and killing a bicyclist with his minivan on a rural Sioux County road last fall.

Seth De Jong, 28, had pleaded guilty in May in Sioux County District Court to one count of vehicular homicide -- reckless driving. As part of a plea agreement a charge of vehicular-homicide -- operating while intoxicated was dismissed.

De Jong also was ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to the estate of Lorna Moss.

De Jong struck Moss' bicycle from behind on Sept. 3 while she was riding north on Hickory Avenue about two miles north of Hull. Moss, 69, was pronounced dead at a Sioux Center hospital.

Investigators found alcoholic beverage containers inside De Jong's Dodge Grand Caravan, and reported that he had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol.
SIOUX CITY -- MidAmerican Energy Company plans to build a new service center on a 58-acre site on the city's north side, according to city documents.

The Sioux City Council will be asked Monday to approve a development agreement for the new service center, which would be located at 5515 28th St., near the Highway 20 bypass.

MidAmerican intends to consolidate the operations of several of its service facilities in Sioux City at the new location. Grading is expected to be completed yet this year and the new facility constructed in 2023, according to the documents.

MidAmerican is seeking a temporary slope and grading easement on a portion of adjacent city-owned property, which is located to the east of their site. As part of an approved grading plan, MidAmerican would grade a portion of the city easement area, move approximately 83,000 cubic yards of dirt and make improvements to storm drainage on the site. MidAmerican has agreed to pay $83,000 for the dirt removed, according to the documents.

The documents state that the city has also agreed to install certain utility extensions and street improvements to serve the MidAmerican development site. The improvements are being made as part of the 28th Street project in accordance with the city's agreement with Woodbury County for the new Law Enforcement Center, which is currently under construction.

Under the proposed development agreement, MidAmerican would reimburse the city for various utility fees and the cost of construction of various public improvements, including water, sewer and street improvements, according to the documents.

In April 2021, the council unanimously approved a rezoning request for the service center. The tract of land south of 28th Street, which was previously being used as farmland, was rezoned from Agriculture to Business Park.

The Business Park district is meant for an office, research, and technology park with enhanced site and building standards to create a high quality, campus-like employment center.
SIOUX CITY  Authorities took a Wynot Public Schools teacher into custody last week after an attempt in Sioux City to proposition a 14-year-old girl.

Andrew Heller, 38, of Sergeant Bluff, was arrested Thursday on felony charges including enticing a minor for a sexual purpose and prostitution. In an application for a public defender, Heller listed his employer as Wynot (Nebraska) Public Schools; as of Sunday evening he was still listed on the district's website as a social studies teacher.

The Sioux City Police assisted the FBI with its investigation in the case. According to a criminal complaint, FBI investigators had been monitoring communications between Heller and the 14-year-old, in which Heller asked her for sex and offered to pay $200.

When Heller was taken into custody, authorities found alcoholic beverages, an unopened box of condoms and more than $200 in cash, according to the criminal complaint documents.

In a post-Miranda-rights interview, Heller admitted to knowing the girl was 14 years old and said he had intended to exchange money for sex.

A preliminary hearing in the case is set for 9 a.m. July 25 at the Law Enforcement Center in Sioux City.
Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committees Secretariat Vo Van Thuong and a high-ranking Party and State delegation have been on a visit to Laos to attend the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962  2022) and the 45th year of the singing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977  2022).

Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee's Secretariat Vo Van Thuong (left) was received by General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.

Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committees Secretariat Vo Van Thuong and a high-ranking Party and State delegation have been on a visit to Laos to attend the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962  2022) and the 45th year of the singing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977  2022).





The Vietnamese officials were received separately on July 17 by General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane in Vientiane.





During the meetings, Thuong highlighted the significance of the establishment of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties 60 years ago and the signing of the treaty 45 years ago, which marked milestones in the history of the relations between the two Parties and States.





Thanking Laos for consistently providing support for Vietnam, he expressed his delight at the steady growth of the special ties between the two nations, contributing to maintaining political stability and socio-economic development in each country and heightening their international status.









Vo Van Thuong (left) is hosted by Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh.





He proposed both sides direct their concerned ministries and local administrations to actively coordinate in implementing agreements signed by leaders of the two Parties, Governments and National Assemblies; deepen the political ties; and successfully organise visits by the two countries' leaders and activities marking the Year of Solidarity and Friendship 2022.





He also suggested the two sides further share experience in Party building, socio-economic development and international integration; closely cooperate in defence, security and external affairs; and together address issues hampering the effectiveness of the bilateral economic partnership.





Echoing Thuongs view, the Lao leaders also said they are happy to see the bilateral ties expanding in various areas, bringing practical benefits to people of both nations.





Vo Van Thuong (left) pays a courtesy call to President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane.





They emphasised the long-standing tradition and the importance of the Vietnam-Laos relationship, saying it remains the valuable asset of both peoples and a rule for the existence and development of each country.





They pledged to do their utmost to nurture and promote the ties and asked the two sides to closely work together to effectively enforce high-level agreements, including the strategy for cooperation in the 2021  2030 period, the 2021  2025 cooperation agreement and a plan for cooperation between the two governments for 2022.





Later the same day, Thuong and his entourage paid a courtesy visit to former General Secretary of the LPRP and President Choummaly Xayasone and attended the opening of an exhibition on the Vietnam-Laos relations.




A staff member tests a 5G-enabled service robot at CloudMinds, a robot manufacturer in Shanghai, on May 26. [Photo/Xinhua]

After exploring the Chinese market for decades, U.S. tech firm Intel is now active in the nation's new infrastructure development. Starting from 2018, the company has been cooperating with China Unicom, one of the country's three major telecom operators, on 5G and Internet of Things projects. It also established a smart city center in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, in 2020, and introduced online platforms for enhancing efficiency, data security and remote management of enterprises in March this year.

Like Intel, many enterprises in China have sensed new opportunities brought by the country's new infrastructure drive. While traditional infrastructure like roads and bridges help improve transportation, new infrastructure facilitates the transmission of data and enhances operation of existing facilities. 5G networks, extra-high voltage power grids, inter-city rail transit, new-energy vehicle charging stations, big data centers, artificial intelligence (AI) and the industrial Internet all fall into this category.

The Chinese Government is channeling increasing investment into new infrastructure, as it aims to boost the development of the digital economy as a way to spur economic growth. Enterprises, especially large state-owned ones, are plunging head first into the sector to ride the tide.

Yue Xiangyu, a researcher with the Institute for the Development of Chinese Economic Thought at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, told China City News that new infrastructure development will boost weak areas of the economy and improve people's lives. The rising commodity prices are also beginning to reveal the advantages of investing in projects of new infrastructure, he said.

"New infrastructure is open to investment from both public and private sectors, and there's great potential for hi-tech private firms and foreign-funded enterprises to be involved," Chen Baoming, a researcher with the Science and Technology Talent Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology, told Beijing Review.

The high ground

According to a press conference of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in February, over 150 industrial Internet platforms had provided services for more than 1.6 million enterprises, and more than 2,000 5G Plus industrial Internet projects were under construction across China. New technologies such as smart mining, smart transportation and telemedicine are also emerging.

China had built over 1.6 million 5G base stations as of May, and plans to add another 600,000 this year, the MIIT said.

China Mobile, another telecom giant in China, has been expanding its 5G base stations and data centers in recent years, launching more than 8,000 5G commercialization projects. It has cooperated with the government of Shanxi Province, a major coal-producing region, in renovating a coal mine, enabling 5G-based automated inspection and operation. The smart solutions have reduced the need for labor, improved security, and enhanced efficiency.

China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, a government think tank, projected that the total value-added output driven by the commercial use of 5G in China will amount to 24.8 trillion yuan ($3.7 trillion) between 2020 to 2025. The commercialization of the new-generation wireless technology began in the country in 2019.

Green and low-carbon projects are another focus of new infrastructure development. As China gears up to achieve energy transition, traditional industries such as power and steel are working hard to deliver their share of contribution. Power companies are exploring the adoption of 5G and big data to improve efficiency, and establish more clean energy facilities using wind power and photovoltaic technologies. The increasing popularity of new-energy vehicles has also driven the construction of charging stations.

The new infrastructure boom is backed by government funds. More than 20 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have unveiled plans for the construction of 5G networks, industrial Internet facilities and data centers this year. Zhejiang Province has pledged to invest around 440 billion yuan ($65.6 billion) in over 900 major projects in related fields. Guizhou Province plans to build 25,000 5G base stations this year and to establish itself as a national computing hub.

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are playing a noteworthy role in this wave of spending. In 2021, over 700 subsidiaries of nearly 70 centrally administered SOEs invested a total of 400 billion yuan ($59.6 billion) in new infrastructure projects. Between 2021 and 2025, they are expected to participate in more than 1,300 such projects worth over 10 trillion yuan ($1.49 trillion), according to the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.

More participants

The new infrastructure drive has also attracted a growing number of private and foreign-funded enterprises, which serve as smart solution providers.

Chinese tech company Huawei has developed cooling facilities that take advantage of natural winds to cut carbon emissions in data centers. Its AI technology for automated temperature adjustment also proves effective to save energy. Companies such as China Mobile have also adopted the cooling systems. According to Huawei estimates, one China Mobile data center would save over 400,000 cubic meters of water and cut 27,000 tons of carbon emissions over a decade by using its cooling solutions.

Operating for three decades in the Chinese market, German software company SAP has provided digital solutions for over 10,000 local enterprises. In 2020, it launched an innovation park in Shandong Province for providing digital services. The company has also cooperated with dairy product manufacturing giant Mengniu Group, allowing the latter to develop a platform for tracing its milk production resources and managing farms.

"Smart infrastructure will allow enterprises to obtain information quickly, and respond to market changes. SAP is working on empowering Chinese companies toward this kind of transformation," Huang Chenhong, President of SAP Greater China, said at an online forum on July 5.

Homegrown players are also reaching out to other countries. Chinese online retail platform JD.com has launched automated warehouses in the United States and Germany, providing platforms for Chinese brands to go global and ensuring cross-border transportation through its logistics and supply chain network are backed by big data.

China has earned itself the worldwide reputation of building traditional infrastructure fast. It is also seeking to improve the global presence of its new infrastructure.

A report from business consultancy KPMG earlier this year said new infrastructure facilities feature lower costs, lower risks and shorter delivery periods compared with transportation and energy projects, which appeal to investors.

As digital connectivity has become increasingly important during the pandemic, the Digital Silk Road program, part of the Belt and Road Initiative, will narrow the digital gap between participating countries. The initiative aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road routes.

Chinese enterprises see great opportunities created by the 5G network, cross-border e-commerce centers and data centers in other Belt and Road partners, according to the report.

Barriers to overcome

For enterprises that aim not only at smart transformation but also to enter the new infrastructure market, the door is still not wide open. "The market access barriers are high for private enterprises to participate in new infrastructure investment. As standards are not yet clarified, glass ceilings such as requirements on companies' assets have made many private enterprises ineligible," Liu Wei, President of AI service provider PCITECH, told China Economic Weekly.

The government needs to place all players on a level playing field to channel private investment into new infrastructure projects, Liu said.

The participation of a wider range of enterprises is conducive to the sustainable development of new infrastructure projects, according to Chen. He calls for accelerating the development of models for government-business cooperation in order to boost the industries the projects are in.
Uvalde report: 376 officers but egregiously poor decisions

UVALDE, Texas (AP)  Nearly 400 law enforcement officials rushed to a mass shooting at a Uvalde elementary school, but egregiously poor decision-making resulted in more than an hour of chaos before the gunman who took 21 lives was finally confronted and killed, according to a damning investigative report released Sunday.

The nearly 80-page report was the first to criticize both state and federal law enforcement, and not just local authorities in the South Texas town for the bewildering inaction by heavily armed officers as a gunman fired inside two fourth-grade classrooms at Robb Elementary School, killing 19 students and two teachers.

Altogether, the report amounted to the fullest account to date of the one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history. But it did not satisfy all parents and relatives of the victims, some of whom blasted the police as cowards and called for them to resign.

At Robb Elementary, law enforcement responders failed to adhere to their active shooter training, and they failed to prioritize saving innocent lives over their own safety," the report said.

The gunman fired approximately 142 rounds inside the building  and it is almost certain that at least 100 shots came before any officer entered, according to the report, which laid out in detail numerous failures. Among them:

'Evil cannot win': Killed by Russian missile, Liza is buried

VINNYTSIA, Ukraine (AP)  Beautiful and serene in a crown of white flowers, 4-year-old Liza Dmytrieva, who was killed by a Russian missile strike, was buried Sunday in central Ukraine as an Orthodox priest burst into tears and told weeping relatives that evil cannot win.

Liza, who had Down syndrome, was en route to see a speech therapist with her mother when Russian missiles struck the city of Vinnytsia on Thursday, far from the front lines. At least 24 people were killed, including Liza and two boys ages 7 and 8, and more than 200 were wounded, including Liza's mother.

Look, my flower! Look how many people came to you, Lizas grandmother, Larysa Dmytryshyna, said, caressing Liza as she lay in an open coffin with flowers and teddy bears in Vinnytsia's 18th-century Transfiguration Cathedral.

Liza's father, Artem Dmytriev, stood silent, tears flowing down his face.

Lizas mother, 33-year-old Iryna Dmytrieva, remained in an intensive care unit in grave condition. The family didn't tell her that Liza was being buried Sunday, fearing it could affect her condition.

Ukraine's Zelenskyy fires top security chief and prosecutor

VINNYTSIA, Ukraine (AP)  As Russian troops pressed their offensive in Ukraine's east, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his state security chief and prosecutor general on Sunday, citing hundreds of criminal proceedings into treason and collaboration by people within their departments and other law enforcement agencies.

In particular, more than 60 employees of the prosecutors office and the SBU (state security service) have remained in the occupied territory and work against our state, Zelenskyy said.

Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the states national security, and the links recorded between Ukrainian security forces and Russian special services raise very serious questions about their respective leaders, he said in his nightly video address to the nation.

Zelenskyy dismissed Ivan Bakanov, a childhood friend and former business partner whom he had appointed to head the SBU. Bakanov had come under growing criticism over security breaches since the war began; Politico last month cited several unidentified Ukrainian and Western sources saying Zelenskyy was looking to replace him.

He also dismissed Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, and replaced her with her deputy Oleksiy Symonenko. Venediktova has helped lead war crime investigations.

Chief: 3 dead in Indiana mall shooting; witness kills gunman

GREENWOOD, Ind. (AP)  Three people were fatally shot and two were injured Sunday evening at an Indiana mall after a man with a rifle opened fire in a food court and an armed civilian shot and killed him, police said.

The man entered the Greenwood Park Mall with a rifle and several magazines of ammunition and began firing in the food court, Greenwood Police Department Chief Jim Ison said.

A 22-year-old from nearby Bartholomew County who was legally carrying a firearm at the mall shot and killed the gunman, Ison said at a news conference.

Four of those hit by gunfire were females and one was a male, Ison said. He didn't immediately know the specific gender or age of those who were killed.

He said a 12-year-old girl was among the two injured, both of whom are in stable condition.

Fires scorch Spain and France, where flames reach the beach

PARIS (AP)  Firefighters battled wildfires raging out of control in Spain and France, including one whose flames reached two popular Atlantic beaches on Sunday, as Europe wilted under an unusually extreme heat wave.

So far, there have been no fire-related deaths in France or Spain, but authorities in Madrid have blamed soaring temperatures for hundreds of deaths. And two huge blazes, which have consumed pine forests for six days in southwestern France, have forced the evacuation of some 16,200 people.

In dramatic images posted online, a wall of black smoke could be seen rolling toward the Atlantic on a stretch of Bordeauxs coast that is prized by surfers from around the world. Flames raced across trees abutting a broad sandy beach, as planes flew low to suck up water from the ocean. Elsewhere, smoke blanketed the skyline above a mass of singed trees in images shared by French firefighters.

In Spain, firefighters supported by military brigades tried to stamp out over 30 fires consuming forests spread across the country. Spains National Defense Department said that the majority of its fire-fighting aircraft have been deployed to reach the blazes, many of which are in rugged, hilly terrain that is difficult for ground crews to access.

Fire season has hit parts of Europe earlier than usual this year after a dry, hot spring that the European Union has attributed to climate change. Some countries are also experiencing extended droughts, while many are sweltering in heat waves.

Panel: Hearing to show Trump's Jan. 6 'dereliction of duty'

WASHINGTON (AP)  A House committees prime-time hearing Thursday will offer the most compelling evidence yet of then-President Donald Trumps dereliction of duty on the day of the Jan. 6 insurrection, with new witnesses detailing his failure to stem an angry mob storming the Capitol, committee members said Sunday.

This is going to open peoples eyes in a big way, said Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., a member of the House committee investigating the riot who will help lead Thursday's session with Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va. The president didnt do anything."

After a year-long investigation, the House Jan. 6 panel is seeking to wrap up what may be its last hearing, even as its probe continues to heat up.

The committee says it continues to receive fresh evidence each day and isnt ruling out additional hearings or interviews with a bevy of additional people close to the president. One such figure is Steve Bannon, whose trial begins this week on criminal contempt of Congress charges for refusing to comply with the House committee's subpoena.

The committee also issued an extraordinary subpoena last week to the Secret Service to produce texts by Tuesday from Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, 2021, following conflicting reports about whether they were deleted.

No major problems with ballot drop boxes in 2020, AP finds

ATLANTA (AP)  The expanded use of drop boxes for mailed ballots during the 2020 election did not lead to any widespread problems, according to an Associated Press survey of state election officials across the U.S. that revealed no cases of fraud, vandalism or theft that could have affected the results.

The findings from both Republican- and Democratic-controlled states run contrary to claims made by former President Donald Trump and his allies who have intensely criticized their use and falsely claimed they were a target for fraud.

Drop boxes are considered by many election officials to be safe and secure, and have been used to varying degrees by states across the political spectrum. Yet conspiracy theories and efforts by Republicans to eliminate or restrict them since the 2020 election persist. This month, the Wisconsin Supreme Courts conservative majority ruled that drop boxes are not allowed under state law and can no longer be widely used.

Drop boxes also are a focal point of the film 2,000 Mules, which used a flawed analysis of cellphone location data and ballot drop box surveillance footage to cast doubt on the results of the 2020 presidential election.

In response to the legislation and conspiracy theories surrounding drop boxes, the AP sent a survey in May to the top elections office in each state seeking information about whether the boxes were tied to fraudulent votes or stolen ballots, or whether the boxes and the ballots they contained were damaged.

Biden's realism approach runs head-on into liberal pressure

WASHINGTON (AP)  On restoring access to abortion, President Joe Biden says his hands are tied without more Democratic senators. Declaring a public health emergency on the matter has downsides, his aides say. And as for gun violence, Biden has been clear about the limits of what he can do on his own.

Theres a Constitution, Biden said from the South Lawn in late May. I cant dictate this stuff.

Throughout this century, presidents have often pushed aggressively to extend the boundaries of executive power. Biden talks more about its limits.

When it comes to the thorniest issues confronting his administration, the instinct from Biden and his White House is often to speak about what he cannot do, citing constraints imposed by the courts or insufficient support in a Congress controlled by his own party  though barely.

He injects a heavy dose of reality in speaking to an increasingly restive Democratic base, which has demanded action on issues such as abortion and voting rights before the November elections.

4 dead after small planes collide at North Las Vegas Airport

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP)  Four people died Sunday after two small planes collided at North Las Vegas Airport, authorities said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said a single-engine Piper PA-46 and a single-engine Cessna 172 collided around noon Sunday.

Preliminary information indicates that the Piper PA-46 was preparing to land when it collided with the Cessna 172, the FAA said in a statement. The Piper crashed into ... a field east of Runway 30-Right and the Cessna fell into a water retention pond.

Two people were in each plane and all four died, according to city fire department officials.

The names, ages and hometowns of the victims weren't immediately released.

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck wed in Las Vegas drive-through

NEW YORK (AP)  Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were wed Saturday in a late-night Las Vegas drive-through chapel, culminating a relationship that stretched over two decades in two separate romances and headlined countless tabloid covers.

Lopez announced their marriage Sunday in her newsletter for fans with the heading We did it. Lopez initially made their engagement public in April on the same newsletter, On the J Lo.

Love is beautiful. Love is kind. And it turns out love is patient. Twenty years patient, wrote Lopez in a message signed Jennifer Lynn Affleck.

Lopez wrote that the couple flew to Las Vegas on Saturday, stood in line for their license with four other couples and were wed just after midnight at A Little White Wedding Chapel, a chapel boasting a drive-through tunnel of love." Lopez said a Bluetooth speaker played their brief march down the aisle. She called it the best night of their lives.

Stick around long enough and maybe you'll find the best moment of your life in a drive through in Las Vegas at 12:30 in the morning in the tunnel of love drive through with your kids and the one youll spend forever with," said Lopez.
Gunfire, shootings and panic mar American weekend

Shoppers getting gunned down at an Indiana mall and a gunfight at a Houston apartment complex were among the violence that marred this weekend in America. More than a half-dozen are dead, including teenagers. Meanwhile, gamblers fled a Las Vegas Strip casino over a shattered glass door revealing the grip gun violence has on America. Professional poker player Daniel Negreanu says we live in a state of fear now. In addition, authorities released a damning report that criticized all levels of law enforcement for a chaotic and feckless response on May 24 to a gunman who killed 19 students and two teachers inside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

Europe broils in heat wave that fuels fires in France, Spain

LA TESTE-DE-BUCH, France (AP)  A heat wave broiling Europe spilled northward to Britain and fueled ferocious wildfires in Spain and France. French authorities evacuated thousands of people and scrambled water-bombing planes and firefighters to battle flames the Monday. Two people were killed in the blazes in Spain that the countrys prime minister linked to climate change. That toll comes on top of the hundreds of heat-related deaths reported in the Iberian peninsula, as high temperatures have gripped the continent in recent days and triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkan region. Climate change makes such life-threatening extremes less of a rarity.

Amid Russia shelling, Ukraine aims to strengthen government

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  As Russia kept up its relentless shelling across the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expanding the shakeup of his security services by suspending 28 more officials. On Sunday, he dismissed two senior officials over allegations that their agencies contained collaborators and traitors. In his nightly video address on Monday evening, Zelenskyy said a personnel audit of the Security Service of Ukraine was underway, and the dismissal of the 28 officials was being decided. Different levels, different areas of focus. But the reasons are similar  unsatisfactory results of work, Zelenskyy said.

Former White House aides to testify at next Jan. 6 hearing

WASHINGTON (AP)  Two former White House aides are expected to testify at the House Jan. 6 committees hearing Thursday as the panel examines what Donald Trump was doing as his supporters broke into the Capitol, according to a person familiar with the plans. Matthew Pottinger and Sarah Matthews are expected to testify, according to the person, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and requested anonymity. Pottinger is a former deputy national security adviser and Matthews is a former press aide. Both resigned immediately after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection that interrupted the certification of President Joe Bidens victory.

Uvalde report takeaways: Massive response but little action

The Texas House report into the May 24 Robb Elementary School shooting charts a massive but uncoordinated and chaotic response from law enforcement. It also notes a lax approach to campus security related to locking doors, and regular lockdowns that may have led to diminished urgency in the response to the shooting. And the report notes a trail of signals from the shooter of the violence that was to come.

Sri Lanka's political turmoil sows worries for recovery

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  Bankruptcy has forced Sri Lanka's government to a near standstill. The once-beloved and now reviled former president fled to Singapore before resigning. The acting president and prime minister is seen as his proxy and opposed by angry crowds. Parliament is expected to elect a new leader Wednesday, but it's unclear if that's enough to placate a furious nation that has grown disillusioned with politician of all stripes. The International Monetary Fund is monitoring the situation closely, but any bailout package will be contingent on Sri Lankas debt-restructuring strategy and political stability. The government owes $51 billion in debt and is unable to make payments on its loans. Its currency has collapsed by 80%, making imports more expensive and worsening inflation.

Rare in US for an active shooter to be stopped by bystander

Police are praising an armed shopper who killed a gunman at a suburban Indianapolis shopping mall. It was a rare occurrence of someone stepping in to try to prevent multiple casualties before police could arrive. A 20-year-old gunman killed three people and wounded two others at the Greenwood Park Mall on Sunday before he was fatally shot by 22-year-old Elisjsha Dicken. Greenwood police Chief Jim Ison says many more people would have died if Dicken hadn't intervened. Only a small percentage of active attacks in the U.S. end with a civilian firing back. Indiana allows adults to carry a handgun in public, through private property owners can prohibit firearms. The Greenwood mall has a ban on weapons.

Senate panel subpoenas federal prisons director to testify

WASHINGTON (AP)  The outgoing director of the Bureau of Prisons has been subpoenaed to testify before a Senate committee examining abuse and corruption in the beleaguered federal agency. Michael Carvajal was served a subpoena to appear at a hearing later this month. The subpoena was announced Monday by Sen. Jon Ossoff, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The committees subpoena follows an investigation by The Associated Press exposing systemic issues in the agency, including widespread criminal activity by staff and rampant sexual assault at a womens prison in California.

Jury selection for ex-Trump adviser Bannon heads for 2nd day

WASHINGTON (AP)  After a day-long court session, final jury selection will stretch into a second day in the contempt-of-Congress trial of Steve Bannon. The longtime adviser to former President Donald Trump faces criminal charges after refusing for months to cooperate with the House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection. By the end of Monday's opening day, 22 prospective jurors had been identified. The trial will resume Tuesday morning as lawyers for Bannon and the government whittle the list down to 12 jurors and two alternates. Much of Mondays questioning of potential jurors by Bannons lawyer centered on how much of the wide coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings theyve watched and whether they have opinions about the committee and its work.

Juan Soto overcomes JRod, contract talk to win HR Derby

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Washington Nationals star Juan Soto won his first Home Run Derby. He held off Seattle Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez in the final 19-18. The 23-year-old Soto hit 53 total homers to win the midseason power showcase, showing off his incredible talent. Soto was locked in at the plate even during a tumultuous recent stretch packed with speculation about his possible departure from the Nats after turning down a huge contract extension. Soto beat Clevelands Jose Ramirez 18-17 in the first round before getting past 42-year-old Albert Pujols 16-15 to reach the final.
Uvalde report: 376 officers but egregiously poor decisions

UVALDE, Texas (AP)  A report says nearly 400 law enforcement officials rushed to a mass shooting that left 21 people dead at a Uvalde elementary school. But egregiously poor decision-making resulted in a chaotic scene that lasted more than an hour before the gunman was finally confronted and killed. The report is the first to criticize both state and federal law enforcement, and not just local authorities in Uvalde, Texas, for the bewildering inaction at Robb Elementary School. The Texas House of Representatives report released Sunday says the gunman fired approximately 142 rounds inside the building and it is almost certain that 100 shots came before any officer entered. A hallway surveillance video also was released Sunday showing a hesitant and haphazard tactical response.

'Evil cannot win': Killed by Russian missile, Liza is buried

VINNYTSIA, Ukraine (AP)  Beautiful and serene in a crown of white flowers, 4-year-old Liza, who was killed Thursday by a Russian missile strike, has been buried in central Ukraine. An Orthodox priest conducted the funeral, bursting into tears and telling weeping relatives that evil cannot win. Liza, who had Down syndrome, was en route to see a speech therapist with her mother when a Russian missile struck the city of Vinnytsia, far from the front lines. At least 24 people were killed, including Liza and two boys aged 7 and 8. More than 200 others were wounded, including Liza's mother. Lizas grandmother said Sunday Look how many people came to see you! as she wept and caressed Liza's body in a coffin with flowers and teddy bears.

Ukraine's Zelenskyy fires top security chief and prosecutor

VINNYTSIA, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired the head of the countrys security service and its prosecutor general. He cited hundreds of criminal proceedings into treason and collaboration by people within their departments. He said Sunday that more than 60 employees of the prosecutors office and the SBU have remained in the occupied territory and work against our state. He also says some "links recorded between Ukrainian security forces and Russian special services raise very serious questions about their respective leaders. Earlier Sunday, Russian missiles hit industrial facilities in the strategic city of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine.

Chief: 3 dead in Indiana mall shooting; witness kills gunman

GREENWOOD, Ind. (AP)  Police say three people were fatally shot and two were injured at an Indiana mall after a man with a rifle opened fire in a food court and an armed civilian shot and killed him. Greenwood Police Department Chief Jim Ison says the man entered the Greenwood Park Mall on Sunday evening with a rifle and several magazines of ammunition and began firing in the food court. He says a legally armed 22-year-old from nearby Bartholomew County killed the man. He called the armed civilian a real hero," saying he stopped "the shooter almost as soon as he began." The two injured victims are in stable condition.

Panel: Hearing to show Trump's Jan. 6 'dereliction of duty'

WASHINGTON (AP)  A prime-time hearing Thursday will offer the most compelling evidence yet of then-President Donald Trumps dereliction of duty on the day of the Jan. 6 insurrection. That's according to the House committee investigating last year's attack. GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger says the hearing is going to open peoples eyes in a big way in showing how Trump did nothing as a mob stormed the Capitol. Another panel member, Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria, says fresh witnesses will add a lot of value and information to the probe. Thursday's hearing may be the last, but the committee's investigation will press on.

No major problems with ballot drop boxes in 2020, AP finds

ATLANTA (AP)  An Associated Press survey of state election officials across the U.S. found that the expanded use of drop boxes for mailed ballots during the 2020 election didn't lead to any widespread problems. The survey revealed no cases of fraud, vandalism or theft that could have affected the results. That's contrary to claims made by former President Donald Trump and his allies, who have intensely criticized their use and falsely claimed they opened the door to fraud. Drop boxes are considered by election officials to be safe and secure. But conspiracy theories and efforts by some Republicans to eliminate or restrict them persist.

Biden's realism approach runs head-on into liberal pressure

WASHINGTON (AP)  When it comes to the thorniest issues confronting his administration, the instinct from Biden and his White House is to often speak about what he cant do, citing constraints imposed by the courts or insufficient support in a Congress that is controlled by his own party. White House officials, Bidens allies and even some influential progressive figures say that approach typifies a leader who has always promised to be honest with Americans, including how expansive his powers really are. But the presidents realpolitik tendencies are colliding with an activist base that is agitating for a more aggressive party leader  both in tone and in substance.

Researchers say Thai pro-democracy activists hit by spyware

BANGKOK (AP)  Cybersecurity researchers have found that Thai activists involved in the countrys pro-democracy protests had their cell phones or other devices infected and attacked with spyware. An investigation by Citizen Lab and iLaw found that at least 30 individuals  including activists, scholars and people working with civil society groups  were targeted for surveillance with Pegasus, a spyware produced by Israeli-based cybersecurity company NSO Group. Those whose devices were attacked were either involved in the pro-democracy protests that took place between 2020 and 2021, or were publicly critical of the Thai monarchy. It said that lawyers who defended them also were under such digital surveillance.

British Open win makes golfer THE Cameron Smith in Australia

BRISBANE, Australia (AP)  Cameron Smiths dad is kicking himself that he didnt make the journey to St. Andrews to see his son win the 150th British Open. Smith mentioned in his championship winners news conference that his father made the late decision not to fly all the way from Australia just for a week and he's definitely kicking himself now. Des Smith was among the Aussies keenly following on TV as the 28-year-old golfer started the final round four shots behind and then completed the best closing round the Old Course had ever seen to win the title by one stroke. It finished in the early hours Monday local time in Brisbane, where Cameron Smith the golfer stamped his name among the sporting greats.

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck wed in Las Vegas drive-through

NEW YORK (AP)  Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were wed in a small ceremony Saturday in Las Vegas, culminating a relationship that stretched over two decades in two separate romances and countless tabloid covers. Lopez announced their marriage Sunday in her newsletter for fans with the headline We did it. Lopez initially made their engagement public in April on the same newsletter, On the J Lo. A marriage license filing showed that Lopez plans to take the name Jennifer Affleck. The two were both previously married. Affleck has three children with Jennifer Garner. Lopez has two kids with Marc Anthony.
Lawmakers are voting for Indias next president in an election expected to be won by a woman from Indias ruling party who hails from a minority ethnic community. The election of Draupadi Murmu is a formality as the Bharatiya Janata Party controls enough seats in federal and state legislatures to push its favored candidate. She is also likely to get the support of other regional parties in state assemblies. The presidents role is largely ceremonial but the position can be important during times of political uncertainty. The votes from Mondays election will be counted Thursday. If elected, Murmu will become the first president from one of the countrys tribes and the second-ever female president of India. She is a member of the Santal ethnic minority.
NEW DELHI (AP)  Lawmakers began voting Monday to choose Indias next president in an election expected to be won by a woman from Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party who hails from a minority ethnic community.

The election of Draupadi Murmu is a formality as Prime Minister Narendra Modis BJP controls enough seats in federal and state legislatures to push its favored candidate. She is also likely to get the support of other regional parties in state assemblies.

The president in India is chosen by an electoral college that consists of lawmakers in both houses of Parliament and elected members of the legislative assemblies of all states. The presidents role is largely ceremonial, but the position can be important during times of political uncertainty such as a hung parliament, when the office assumes greater power.

The votes from Mondays election will be counted Thursday.

Modis party has projected Murmu as a leader representing poor tribal communities, which generally lack health care and education facilities in remote villages. Murmu, 64, hails from the eastern of state Odisha and previously was governor of Jharkhand state.

If elected, she will become the first president from one of the countrys tribes and the second-ever female president of India. She is a member of the Santal ethnic minority.

Murmus main opponent is a former BJP rebel, a candidate put up by a divided opposition. Yashwant Sinha, 84, was finance minister during the previous BJP government from 1998 to 2002. He quit the party following a divergence with Modi on economic issues in 2018.

The winner will replace Ram Nath Kovind, a leader from the Dalit community, which is at the lowest end of the complex hierarchy of caste in Hinduism.

Kovind, 76, is also a longtime associate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or National Volunteer Corps, a Hindu nationalist group that has long been accused of stoking religious hatred against Muslims. He has been president since 2017.
Police say three people were fatally shot and two were injured at an Indiana mall after a man with a rifle opened fire in a food court and an armed civilian shot and killed him. Greenwood Police Department Chief Jim Ison says the man entered the Greenwood Park Mall on Sunday evening with a rifle and several magazines of ammunition and began firing in the food court. He says a legally armed 22-year-old from nearby Bartholomew County killed the man. He called the armed civilian a real hero," saying he stopped "the shooter almost as soon as he began." The two injured victims are in stable condition.
UVALDE, Texas (AP)  Nearly 400 law enforcement officials rushed to a mass shooting at a Uvalde elementary school, but egregiously poor decision-making resulted in more than an hour of chaos before the gunman who took 21 lives was finally confronted and killed, according to a damning investigative report released Sunday.

The nearly 80-page report was the first to criticize both state and federal law enforcement, and not just local authorities in the South Texas town for the bewildering inaction by heavily armed officers as a gunman fired inside two fourth-grade classrooms at Robb Elementary School, killing 19 students and two teachers.

Altogether, the report and more than three hours of newly released body camera footage from the May 24 tragedy amounted to the fullest account to date of one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history. Some families blasted police as cowards and demanded resignations.

At Robb Elementary, law enforcement responders failed to adhere to their active shooter training, and they failed to prioritize saving innocent lives over their own safety," the report said.

The gunman fired approximately 142 rounds inside the building  and it is almost certain that at least 100 shots came before any officer entered, according to the report, which laid out in detail numerous failures. Among them:

 No one assumed command despite scores of officers being on the scene.

 The commander of a Border Patrol tactical team waited for a bullet-proof shield and working master key for the classroom, which may have not even been needed, before entering the classroom.

 A Uvalde Police Department officer said he heard about 911 calls that had come from inside the classroom, and that his understanding was the officers on one side of the building knew there were victims trapped inside. Still, no one tried to breach the classroom.

The report  the most complete account yet of the hesitant and haphazard response to the May 24 massacre  was written by an investigative committee from the Texas House of Representatives. Swiftly, the findings set in motion at least one fallout: Lt. Mariano Pargas, a Uvalde Police Department officer who was the city's acting police chief during the massacre, was placed on administrative leave.

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin said an investigation would be launched to determine whether Pargas should have taken command of the scene. He also disclosed for the first time that some officers had left the force since the shooting but did not provide an exact number, saying it was as many as three.

Its a joke. Theyre a joke. Theyve got no business wearing a badge. None of them do, Vincent Salazar, grandfather of 11-year-old Layla Salazar, who was among those killed, said Sunday.

Anger flashed in Uvalde even over how the report was rolled out: Tina Quintanilla-Taylor, whose daughter survived the shooting, shouted at the three-member Texas House committee as they left a news conference after the findings were released.

Committee members had invited families of the victims to discuss the report privately, but Quintanilla-Taylor said the committee should have taken questions from the community, not just the media. Im pissed. They need to come back and give us their undivided attention, she said later.

These leaders are not leaders, she said.

According to the report, 376 law enforcement officers massed at the school. The overwhelming majority of those who responded were federal and state law enforcement. That included nearly 150 U.S. Border Patrol agents and 91 state police officials.

Other than the attacker, the Committee did not find any villains in the course of its investigation, the report said. There is no one to whom we can attribute malice or ill motives. Instead, we found systemic failures and egregiously poor decision making.

The report noted that many of the hundreds of law enforcement responders who rushed to the school were better trained and equipped than the school district police  which the head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the state police force, previously faulted for not going into the room sooner.

Investigators said it was not their job to determine whether officers should be held accountable, saying that decisions rests with each law enforcement agency. Prior to Sunday, only one of the hundreds of officers on the scene  Pete Arredondo, the Uvalde school district police chief  was known to have been on leave.

Everyone who came on the scene talked about this being chaotic, said Texas state Rep. Dustin Burrows, a Republican who led the investigation.

Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Border Patrol did not immediately return requests for comment Sunday.

The report followed weeks of closed-door interviews with more than 40 people, including witnesses and law enforcement who were on the scene of the shooting.

No single officer has received as much scrutiny since the shooting as Arredondo, who also resigned from his newly appointed seat on the City Council after the shooting. Arredondo told the committee he treated the shooter as barricaded subject," according to the report, and defended never treating the scene as an active-shooter situation because he did not have visual contact with the gunman.

Arredondo also tried to find a key for the classrooms, but no one ever bothered to see if the doors were locked, according to the report.

Arredondos search for a key consumed his attention and wasted precious time, delaying the breach of the classrooms," the report read.

The report criticized as lackadaisical the approach of the hundreds of officers who surrounded the school and said that they should have recognized that Arredondo remaining in the school without reliable communication was inconsistent with him being the scene commander. The report concluded that some officers waited because they relied on bad information while others had enough information to know better.

Hours after the report was released, Uvalde officials separately made public for the first time hours of body camera footage from the city's police officers who responded to the attack. It includes video of several officers reacting to word from a dispatcher, roughly 30 minutes after the shooting began, that a child in the room had called 911.

The room is full of victims. Child 911 call, an officer says.

Other body camera video from Uvalde Staff Sgt.. Eduardo Canales, the head of the city's SWAT team, shows the officer approaching the classrooms when gunfire rings out at 11:37 a.m. Canales asks if hes bleeding, and later says hes bleeding from his ear.

A minute later, Canales says: Dude, weve got to get in there. Weve got to get in there, he just keeps shooting. Weve got to get in there. Another officer can be heard saying DPS is sending their people.

It is 72 minutes later, at 12:50 p.m., when officers finally breach the classrooms and kill the shooter.

Calls for police accountability have grown in Uvalde since the shooting.

The report is the result of one of several investigations into the shooting, including another led by the Justice Department. A report earlier this month by tactical experts at Texas State University alleged that a Uvalde police officer had a chance to stop the gunman before he went inside the school armed with an AR-15.

But in an example of the conflicting statements and disputed accounts since the shooting, McLaughlin has said that never happened. Officers told the committee that the person they thought was the gunman was actually a school coach.

The earlier report had been done at the request of the Texas Department of Public Safety, which McLaughlin has increasingly criticized and accused of trying to minimize the role of its troopers during the massacre. Steve McCraw, the head of Texas DPS, has called the police response an abject failure.

The committee didnt receive medical evidence to show that police breaching the classroom sooner would have saved lives, but it concluded that it is plausible that some victims could have survived if they had not had to wait 73 additional minutes for rescue.

Michael Brown, whose 9-year-old son was in the cafeteria at Robb Elementary on the day of the shooting and survived, came to the committees news conference Sunday carrying signs saying  We Want Accountability and Prosecute Pete Arredondo.

Brown said he has not yet read the report but already knows enough to say that police have blood on their hands.

Its disgusting. Disgusting, he said. Theyre cowards.

Weber reported from Austin, Texas. Associated Press writer Jamie Stengle contributed from Dallas.

More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/school-shootings
Des Moines Register. July 17, 2022.

Editorial: Leave judge selection alone  that means you, too, Iowa Democrats

Heres an ideal worth preserving: Judges should be chosen without partisan politics in mind and then do their work in the same fashion.

Iowa is in danger of slipping further away from this ideal. And, yes, its an ideal, not a reality. Lay people with little knowledge of statutory interpretation and other legal mechanics can often predict the outcome of a case where Republicans and Democrats preferences are at odds: They just use conservative and liberal labels attached to each judge and count up votes.

This is especially true of the current U.S. Supreme Court, which, according to Gallup, has never in almost 50 years of polling had the confidence of less of the public than it does now, at 25%. That June survey was performed before release of several of the most momentous decisions of the just-completed term, including the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion.

But consider how todays membership of the nations high court was assembled. The last seven justices to join the nine-member court were picked by presidents whose party controlled the only body with any say on the matter, the U.S. Senate, and none earned the vote of more than a handful of senators in the minority party. Similar dynamics have played out for years in the nominations and confirmations of hundreds of federal lower-court judges.

For 60 years, Iowa has used a better system. For every judicial vacancy, a panel of Iowans  some appointed by the governor and confirmed by a two-thirds vote in the Iowa Senate, others elected by Iowa lawyers  accepts applications, interviews candidates and sends a few names for the governors unfettered selection.

The lawyers on nominating commissions bring practical experience and topical expertise to the work. Political appointees bring a measure of voter accountability. The commissioners serve six-year terms, meaning the commissions arent blown up every time the party in control changes. Governors can directly influence the direction of the courts through their choices, but only after the fields of candidates are substantially narrowed. The process is commendably transparent, with interviews streamed live and detailed applications released online. Unlike in the federal system, Iowans vote regularly on whether to retain judges and justices in office.

The process wasnt broken before the Republican-controlled Legislature tinkered with it in 2019, proposing some seismic changes before settling on letting the governor nominate an additional person for the commission that selects candidates for the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Court of Appeals, and removing a sitting justice from the commission.

The process was dented but still wasnt broken before Senate Democrats tried to make a point in May by torpedoing four of Gov. Kim Reynolds appointees to that statewide panel. One nominee had been confirmed 48-0 to a partial term in 2019. Another was rejected for the second straight year (inexcusably, Democrats offered no public explanation for voting down Derek Muller in 2021). This year, rather than consider the ample qualifications of each nominee, Democrats seized upon only their political views to claim that Reynolds was breaking a law that says All commissioners shall be chosen without reference to political affiliation.

Thats a stretch. First, in many discussions of courts, politicians, lawyers and observers go to some lengths to draw distinctions between judicial philosophies and political affiliations. However real those distinctions are, they are more than enough to sustain deference to any governors picks. Second, positions on the nominating commissions have for decades been, for practical purposes, spoils for members of the governors party. And even at that, the commissions still produce diverse slates of candidates. Take, for example, the panel that in January 2011, fully loaded with Democrat Tom Vilsacks and Democrat Chet Culvers appointees, offered up, from a field of 60 applicants, Edward Mansfield. Gov. Terry Branstad placed him on the Supreme Court. Last month, Mansfield wrote the opinion that weakened abortion rights under the Iowa Constitution.

Commissioners are volunteers. The slate Democrats rejected had impressive resumes, and they deserved the chance to serve out their terms.

Republicans have indicated they arent finished  they want judges excluded from nominating panels for lower-court vacancies and want another gubernatorial appointee added.

Leaders in each party would do well to back off, on both legislation and confirmation stunts. Each voluntary injection of politics into Iowas judicial selection represents an unwarranted chipping away of the ideal that the judiciary is an independent branch of government, not subject to the whims of elected officials.

After a flurry of vacancies on the statewide courts, only five people applied last month to replace Brent Appel on the Supreme Court. The previous 13 vacancies attracted an average of 16 applicants per spot. Many factors could be involved, but we hope nobody concluded that accomplished lawyers who dont think like Reynolds would be wasting their time to apply.

As state and federal Supreme Court rulings have shown, judges decide the scope and permissibility of laws. They decide what rights all people do or do not have. Judges shouldnt feel beholden to party bosses as they deliberate such weighty questions.

END
Lincoln Journal Star. July 13, 2022.

Editorial: Pell Grants have allowed thousands of Nebraskans to go to college

His name is unknown to most, but few have done more for higher education than the late Claiborne Pell, a six-term senator from Rhode Island.

It was Pell who sponsored a 1972 bill that reformed the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, which provides financial aid to American college students. Eight years later, the grant was given Pells name in honor of his work in making higher learning accessible to everyone.

Fifty years later, there are thousands of Nebraskans who have benefitted from the Pell Grant and the opportunities it afforded students who might not have otherwise been able to afford to go to college.

The current funding of the Pell Grant  about $5,600 per semester  pays the full tuition rate for in-state colleges and would cover additional costs of those students. The money does not have to be paid back.

According to data collected by the U.S. Department of Education and published through the College Scorecard, roughly 36% of students attending Nebraskas public and private colleges and universities received a Pell Grant in the 2019-20 school year.

Now consider how many students both in Nebraska and nationwide who have benefitted from Pell Grants. That list includes UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green, who received financial assistance when he enrolled at Virginia Tech University in 1979.

Journal Star higher education reporter Chris Dunker wrote last week that the grant, when combined with other scholarships, helped Green graduate with no college debt.

I didnt work a lot when I was in college  I worked some as a student worker  but I was able to go full-time as a student and not have to worry about 20-30 hours of workload a week, he said. I was able to finish in 3 years instead of five or six years.

The world was different four decades ago, particularly when it comes to the cost of higher education. Student debt has become a fact of life -- an unavoidable curse -- for many students, but Pell Grants still serve a valuable role in reducing that debt.

The average debt University of Nebraska-Lincoln students graduate with is roughly $24,500, according to the Institute for College Access and Success, which is below both the state average of $30,500 and the national average of $32,700.

Thats a bigger hole than wed like to see young people saddled with as they enter the workforce, but that kind of debt is at least manageable.

We can thank Pell Grants for that. Without this financial aid, there are thousands of Nebraskans who would have entered the workforce immediately out of high school, perhaps without the skill-sets necessary to run some of the firms and industries that help us to maintain the Good Life.

Even worse, consider the thousands of students who might have been forced to leave school without a degree because such funding wasnt available to them.

Fifty years later, Claiborne Pell deserves a long overdue tip of the cap for making a difference.

END
The only insurrection against our government is the one the Washington Democrats have been pursing against President Trump since before Trump's election. Washington Democrats lied about Russian collusion and lied about Hunter's laptop, while Obama and Biden had the FBI spy on Trump's administration and the media helped Democrats with a smoke screen of lies and coverups. I ask, who are the real insurrectionists? After two failed impeachments and Clinton dirty tricks, can anyone blame Trump for not trusting the 2020 election results. -- Jerry Pfeifer, North Sioux City
Few people are as knee-deep in our work-related anxieties and sticky office politics as Alison Green, who has been fielding workplace questions for a decade now on her website Ask a Manager. In Direct Report, she spotlights themes from her inbox that help explain the modern workplace and how we could be navigating it better.

Nearly two and a half years into a pandemic that has transformed many peoples work lives, companies still havent figured out how to manage COVID-related sick leave.

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American workers, who historically have been offered five to 10 paid sick days per yearif theyre allotted sick time at allhave found, unsurprisingly, thats just not adequate right now. A single bout of COVID can knock out all of someones sick days for the year. That leaves many more months to get through where other illness or injury might arise (to say nothing of time people might need for long COVID, or kids who are sick with COVID or quarantined from day care). The latest COVID variants, which are driving a wave of reinfections, will only make things worse. But many employers havent adjusted their sick leave policies to fit that reality.

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The problem is further compounded for the large number of people who switched jobs this year, which often means they dont yet have sick leave accrued when they need it. (That itself is an additional shortcoming in the way we handle benefits; illnesses dont hold off just because youre new to a company.) This has caused problems for multiple people who have contacted me, like this one:

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I recently came down with COVID. I let my supervisor know, explaining Id need a few days off to sleep it off before Im able to work again. (Its a WFH job, so the two weeks isolation wouldnt directly interfere with work.) Despite being salaried and having benefits, I was told that since I have only worked there for two months, Ive only accrued two days of PTO (one sick, one vacation) but our flex time allows me to work when Im feeling well enough to do so, or I could always take unpaid days off if I needed more than two days off for COVID. In other words, I was told my options were essentially to work through it or get a cut in my pay.  The next day, I told my supervisor that I was angry over not getting any more sick leave during a global pandemic, and I still needed more time off. They recommended I schedule an appointment with HR to discuss my options, as its murky. I reiterated that I need time off, meaning I will not be available for appointments with HR or otherwise. I stated I would be taking the remainder of the week off to recover from COVID, and that if they could not accommodate my sick leave then to consider this my resignation, effective immediately.  I would have been happy to try and salvage the situation, but dont really see the point if theyre going to make every sick leave 100x worse with their bureaucratic pandoras box layered with maudlin well wishes.

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Even more frustrating, people who have been exposed at work are finding their sick time completely wiped out by COVID even when they contracted it in the course of doing their jobs:

Im an in-person medical provider who was exposed to COVID at work two weeks ago, developed symptoms, and am now testing positive. My company is saying that I can go into negative for PTO to pay for time Ill have to be out, but there is no other way Id be paid.  Im really frustrated that they knew I was exposed at work; they informed me even, and still theyre acting as if this is somehow my fault and I can just go weeks without pay.

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This persons employer admitted they sent them to a superspreader event but is still willing to zap all their sick leave over it:

My job recently held a mandatory work conference in Florida.  While there, we were informed that several attendees got COVIDand then the emails kept coming. If you were in this group, you were exposed or on that bus or in this room or ate lunch at this timebasically a superspreader event. Inevitably, after two years of protecting my son, my whole family got COVID and were symptomatic. When I returned to work after I was cleared, I was informed my timesheet was done and when I checked, they just used regular sick time. Im new so that week of sick time basically wiped out all my sick time (did I mention I have a toddler who is a Petri dish of illness?) and it will probably be another six months before I build up a reserve again.

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Whats going to happen in a few months when an employee whose sick leave was exhausted by COVID gets reinfected, or sick with something else, or breaks a leg, or otherwise has another legitimate need for sick time? Theyre likely to be told to go into the red on sick timei.e., borrow from next years allotment, which means the problem will be even worse next yearor to take the time unpaid, which means taking a pay cut just because youre sick, something most people cant afford.

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Not only is it patently unfair to maroon employees without any remaining sick leave for the rest of the year simply because they got ill during a global pandemic, its also bad management. Employers should want employees to stay home when they have COVID, and they should incentivize workers to do everything they can to reduce the spread, including following the CDCs recommended quarantine period. Zeroing out employees sick time pretty much ensures that some people will come to work sick in order to avoid thatthereby putting the rest of the workforce at risk.

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If youre thinking its surprising that employers arent required to offer special COVID leave given the public health crisis were in  well, they used to be. In March 2020, Congress passed a law requiring paid sick leave for workers with COVID or suspected COVID, as well as paid family leave to care for someone with COVID or suspected COVID. But that law was only temporary and expired on Dec. 31, 2020. (It also had huge loopholes in it and only applied to some public agencies and employers with fewer than 500 employees.) Congress could have extended it but didnt. They did then offer tax credits to employers that voluntarily provided pandemic-related paid sick leave, but those ran out on March 31, 2021. Its just one more way institutions are declaring the pandemic over, when its clearly not.

Since then, employees have been left on their own, meaning that once again individuals are stuck bearing the burden of a crisis that requires a response on a larger level.
Thenmozhi Soundararajan is the executive director of Equality Labs, a civil rights organization that works on issues of caste in tech. Back in April, Thenmozhi was invited to give a talk at Google News for Dalit History Month. Its a month she helped found as an activist who works to celebrate and promote people in the caste known as Dalitsthe lowest caste in the historical caste system in South Asia. Her talk was going to focus on how caste bias affects newsrooms and ways that Google News could help address those issues.

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But what she thought was going to be a simple, normal DEI talkafter all, she had spoken at Google about the issue of caste equity a year beforebecame much more complex. According to Thenmozhi and reporting by the Washington Posts Nitasha Tiku, a small group of Google employees began calling Thenmozhi Hindu-phobic and anti-Hindu in internal message boards and emails. They told HR that if she went through with her talk, it would make them afraid for their lives. Google postponed the talk, and once the story about what happened became public, things got worseonline and in real life. Thenmozhi and her family became the target of violent threats and harassment, which were serious enough to force them to live in a safe house.



On Sundays episode of What Next: TBD, I spoke with Thenmozhi Soundararajan about why caste is such a fraught issue in Silicon Valley, and how tech companieseven those with large South Asian workforceshave tried to look the other way. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Lizzie OLeary: Can you explain caste, for Americans who dont have a lot of experience with the system?

Thenmozhi Soundararajan: The best way to think about it is as a system of exclusion based on birth that goes back thousands of years. Its initial origins are an ancient Vedic society, but it came strongly into force in India during the Mughal era, which began in the 16th century. And then in the British Raj, Brahmins were at the top, Dalits at the bottom. It started in scripture and just like race, its based on a social myth, where some people at the top said that other people at the bottom are less worthy and therefore set up structures that excluded them from many institutions in society.

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In the U.S., we often think about discrimination based on skin color, which means that managers, especially white managers, can miss caste discrimination and its effects, because caste is not legally protected category in American law.

We are a minority within a minority. We look like other brown people, but the people who are discriminating against us look exactly like us.

A lot of Dalits choose to stay under the radar and dont disclose their caste at work. What happens to those who do?

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Most people choose not to out themselves because it has terrible ramifications for their career and they can face harassment and bigotry like I did. From the harassment to the bullying to retaliation and siloing of work product and even sexual harassment. All of the things that caste-oppressed people are facing are acts of illegal discrimination in the workplace. And in our own research in Equality Labs, we found that one in four Dalits experienced physical and verbal assault on the basis of caste. One out of three face discrimination in educational environments, and two out of three in workplace environments.

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Why is caste discrimination prevalent in tech? What is it about tech that forces this issue compared to other work forces?

I think its who works in tech. Wherever South Asians are, they bring caste with them. Thats just the reality. In the United States we have a very North American understanding of race. As long as weve got a diverse workforce and were challenging white supremacy, we think weve got all of our boxes checked. But the reality is that these are American companies working in a global context. North American models of race arent going to cover all of the issues of inequity. Think about Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Metatheir largest market isnt the United States. Its in India. So theyre hiring Indian and South Asian engineers to help them penetrate that market, but without the legal protections to protect the global workforce thats facing caste in all of its different dimensions.

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Id love to get some numbers from you, or at least some sense of scope. Do we know, of the South Asians working in tech, how many are Dalits? What percentage, or who was from an upper caste background?

There are no numbers because companies are not collecting data. And this is why caste-suppressed people are asking for caste to be added as a protected category. In our research, over 40 percent of the Dalit techies that we interviewed, most of them were H-1B visa holders. So, these arent just situations where you have shitty jobs, its actually that you could lose your immigration status as well. I think that as some of the most vulnerable workers in these workforces, caste-suppressed peoples are really appealing to management and to civil rights bodies to say, Give us some measure of taking away some of this discrimination. Just add caste as a protected category. Making it explicit is completely lawful, but allowing this level of discrimination, that really is whats creating employer liability across the board, which is why so many companies are scrambling to conduct caste DEI trainings and at changing their policies, because nobody wants to be the next Cisco. And frankly, the next Google.

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In the case youre referring to, the state of California sued Cisco and two upper caste employees for discriminating against a Dalit engineer. The states Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit saying that Dalit employee received less pay, fewer opportunities, and other inferior terms and conditions of employment. It also said he was expected to endure a caste hierarchy at work.

His supervisors were Brahmin and they knew his caste because they all went to the same school back in India. Because they knew his caste background, once they started supervising him, he started to really experience continuous discrimination, from the outing of his identity to other team members, to him being given less and less work assignments. He was given bad reviews, he was siloed from the rest of the team and passed over for promotion, and eventually put on the track for termination.

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The thing that is really interesting about his complaint is that when he reported it to HR, the Cisco HR person asserted caste is not a protected category. So, we have these corporations that are multinational, that have managers who are dominant caste, that have huge markets in South Asia, that have patchwork policies. So if youre an employee, for example, that works in India, you might have caste as a protected category, but your manager might be in the U.K. and the U.S., and they would not have caste as a protected category. So how does HR make sense of that?

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After the Cisco case, I gather that your organization heard from a number of people about caste discrimination in tech. Can you share some of those stories with me?

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When you live your life in the closet, theres a part of you thats never really human. Youre always worried about getting caught. Youre never transparent about all the parts of who you are. And for Dalits, youre hiding your religious identity, youre hiding where youre from. What was really hard for me to hear was how so many Dalits were afraid to come out.

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We also heard experiences of discrimination and sexual harassment and Dalit women who traverse both caste and gender and seeing them being targeted by dominant caste managers who would inappropriately touch them and force them out of their jobs. I remember this one woman saying, It doesnt matter what all Ive succeeded. I dont want to work and live in conditions like this. And she left tech.

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Companies like Google operate internationally. They have huge markets in India, where legally they have to comply with caste related anti-discrimination laws there. So the idea that they arent focused on caste or that they dont understand the significance of caste discrimination seems strange to me. Why do you think companies like Google arent addressing caste more?

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Well, its not just strange. Its unlawful and its absurd. If they have the legal compliance measures to add caste as a protected category in their policies in India, how hard is it to actually expand it to their global workforce?

Though its not required in the U.S., as you have pointed out.

Its not required, but I think that they cant say that they dont know how to implement it because theyre already implementing it in one of their largest divisions. And [Google CEO] Sundar Pichai himself is a Brahmin, so how does he not know this? It shows that you have these dominant caste managers and executives who are excelling in these roles, in the C-suite, but they pull up the ladder behind them when it comes to the issue of caste, and you cant be progressive on the issue of race and regressive on the issue of caste. You have to be able to understand both, particularly if you have the cultural context and understanding. Sundars not in a situation where he can say, Ive never heard of caste before. Its completely new for me. Hes from one of the most casteist states and one of the casteist cities in India. Where hes from, Dalit activists routinely have scars on their face from knife attacks that dominant caste people have inflicted on them as they fought for their rights. I just think of it as its all just a game of smoke and mirrors. They could easily add it. Theres nothing unlawful about adding caste as a protected category. I just think that its bigotry and discrimination thats making them reticent to move forward on bringing their entire workforce into compliance.

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You wrote to Pichai about what happened to you. If you got the chance to sit down with him, what would you say?

I would say, Look, you and I are in this unique moment of a tornado of a conversation of a deep historical trauma that has put us on opposite sides of this conversation, but we dont have to stay on opposite sides. We could work together to actually help set an example for the field because its a very, very small change. Its really about adding a word like caste to their policies that affects their global workforces. And the fact that theres so much intimidation and trepidation to do so, I wonder sometimes if thats actually from a tier of management and lawyers, or if its from Sundars own experience of fragility related to caste. And so being able to have a personal conversation about each of our caste backgrounds, who do we want to bebecause we both left India. Were in the United States; theres no reason caste should exist here. If I were Sundar and I was the head of a company that had a big fiasco like this, I would look to my children and say, Do I want my children to know that one of my legacies is that I shut down a civil rights conversation?

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Well over half the U.S. population had caught COVID by February 2022. That majority has only gotten bigger in the months since as contagious, immune-system-evading variants continue to circulate.

Yet, despite COVIDs pervasiveness, there are some people who have managed to avoid itthe NOVIDs. We know because their number includes some of our colleagues. We found other people via social media who claim to have avoided infection with the virus to the best of their knowledge. Many of the people whom we spoke to had one thing in common: the ability to work from home. They also tended to be cautious, though many also do plenty of socializing.

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While theres someor a lotof plain and simple chance involved in staying negative, those who have done so offer us a look at what it takes to remain uninfected (for now), as the pandemic wears on.

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I have a fairly weak immune system since I live with a chronic illness (imagine the sickly kid who missed a lot of school, catches every cold), so I have been cautious from the start.

My mask is on any time I go into a store, ride public transportation, or am generally indoors with strangers. I eat at restaurants or go to bars if there is an outdoor space or decent ventilation, like big open windows or those garage-style doors some places have, but I skip places that dont fit that criteria. I have visited a few friends homes, usually to spend time outside.

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I think a lot about the variables of where I am going and who else is going to be there, and then make decisions. In 2021, I went to Disney World. Disney was limiting capacity to 30 percent and using its serious hospitality skills to enforce masking, but I drove down from Brooklyn because there wasnt any vaccination requirement to fly. Months later, I felt comfortable flying to the U.K. because everyone had to have tested negative within 72 hours to be on the flight.

I did have one morning where I woke up convinced that I had finally caught COVID. It was Jan. 2 and I was still feeling terrible after partying too hard (outdoors) in Edinburgh on New Years Eve. Turned out I was just hungover, dehydrated, and too old to party that hard anymore. Daisy Rosario, senior supervising producer, Slate

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The main reason I think I have avoided it is relative physical isolation. I live alone and I was 100 percent at home for the first 18 months [of the pandemic], then the 10 months or so since then have been at about 80 percent at home, so my physical proximity to people has been limited. Until a few months ago I would be masked whenever in a public building, but now I only do so in medical settings. I was vaccinated from around March 2021 and have since had a second jab and booster. I think I am probably due for another booster anytime now.

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I have had a few close calls. Each time I have taken a test to check and it has come back negative. A couple of times I have taken PCR tests at the local testing center, but more often I took the lateral flow tests that were given out for free by the NHS and took these before going to places where I might be in contact with others. I feel fortunate to have avoided this so far, but the isolation and uncertainty over the past few years have certainly taken a negative toll on my mental health. Charles Ward, from Hemel Hempstead, England (as told to Emma Wallenbrock)

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As a college student, it feels almost inevitable that youll catch COVID-19. Think 300-person lecture halls peppered with fits of coughing. Think poorly ventilated parties with suffocating peer pressure to unmask. And think about the countless casual interactionsin the dining hall, library, or gymwhere you might reasonably forget to keep your guard up. I cant think of a single close friend who hasnt caught the virus. But Ive somehow managed to slip through the cracks, probably because of my responsible dumb luck.

I try to be careful. Im double-vaccinated and boosted. I almost always mask up indoors. I avoid large group settings as best I can. But Ive also had so many close calls that I wonder when my luck will finally run out. My college roommate tested positive for COVID the day after I moved out. A close friend stayed at my house for two days, and we ate indoors at a restaurant, drove in the same car, and watched a movie together. He tested positive on day three. A girl I chatted with for four hours on a date texted me a few days later that she was positive. And these are just the close calls that Im aware of! Simar Bajaj, from Fremont, California (as told to Emma Wallenbrock)

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We live in an affluent suburb of D.C., a very expensive neighborhood, but we live here comfortably by virtue of my fathers post as a bureaucrat at the Pentagon since the early 80s, when housing prices were much more reasonable. There is ample outdoor space, public parks, and quiet tree-lined streets. Ive always just accidentally had very good mental health and the ability to be content with a small social circle. We took the pandemic seriously from the beginning and all our friends did the same. We updated our behaviors when public health guidance changed.

With all these privileges, the pandemic has felt like a bit of a blessing. I work at a progressive company with excellent benefits and the ability to work remotely productively, even more productively than at the office. I now have more time to spend by myself and with my family and greater autonomy in how I do my work. Jonathan Zuckerman, website developer, Slate

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I do COVID research for a living. I still take COVID very seriously because I see the impact of it. My stance now is that if people want to take on personal risks, thats their choice to make but they have an obligation not to pass their infections on to other people. I still wear a high-grade mask when Im in grocery stores or the post officecommunity spaces where people have to be and are at high risks of COVIDto limit my risk to other people. I will go to restaurants or the occasional bar, depending on how Im feeling or if I have events coming up that I want to make sure Im negative for. Ive definitely put myself in situations where I could have been exposed to COVID and as far as Im aware I havent gotten it yet. I have volunteered for a lot of studies that look at antibody levels, and no one has seen any unexplained spikes in my antibody levels that could have been explained by an infection that wasnt detected.

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I definitely feel like Im waiting for the other shoe to drop. When we have these huge waves of COVID, I always tell people, Youre not guaranteed to get it in this wave, but in our lifetime I think everyone will very likely get COVID unless we make drastic changes about transmission. I feel like it is inevitable but I try to be really conscientious of it. I wont risk passing it on to other people should I get infected.

The joke that I and other people who work in health care make is that, being in the hospitals all the time before vaccines were available, we were microdosing COVID. If I have had a COVID infection, its never manifested as symptoms or a positive test.

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I think, having worked on so many COVID-related studies, there is some aspect of COVID were yet to learn about that will explain situations like mine or those of other people who are befuddled as to why they havent gotten infected. I look forward to learning those things, but for now Im going to keep operating the way Ive been operating. Laurel Bristow, from Atlanta (as told to Hannah Docter-Loeb)

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I dont do things anymore. I work from home, and I dont go anywhere on a regular basis beyond the park and the grocery store. Since the start of the pandemic, I have been to a movie theater a total of two times. I occasionally go out to a restaurant but almost exclusively ask for outdoor seating. I wear a KN95 mask every time I step out of my apartment and diligently test myself before going anywhere where Ill be around people outside of my household.

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Ive been lucky to evade catching COVID so far. I know for many people it isnt that easy, whether they have a medical emergency, are raising children, or just dont have the option to work remotely. Even so, I dont feel lucky. Mostly, I feel tired. Seeing strangers at the grocery store without a mask, talking about their vacation plans, coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths (seriously, adults are doing this), it makes me feel like Im spending all this energy for no reason.

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But Ive watched COVID ruin so many lives, including the lives of people I love. I know three people who are still dealing with long-term effects from COVID, one of whom has developed other chronic health conditions as a result. I also know plenty of people with unrelated health conditions that make getting COVID (and, for some of my friends, even getting vaccinated) especially risky. So Id rather be this careful for the rest of my life than know Im not doing my best to keep my community safe. Shivani Ishwar, data and analytics designer, Slate

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"The biggest change since COVID hit is how much smaller my life has gotten."  Megan Chialastri

Even after my first round of COVID shots, I felt most comfortable in places that required proof of vaccination to enter, so my experience at many bars and restaurants was pretty limited. I switched to a more expensive gym that required vaccines. Over time, though, Ive let my guard down further and further. Going to the movies is one of my favorite things in the world, and Ive continued to do that with varying degrees of masking (because I love theater snacks). I just got back from a bus trip to NYC, where I saw three Broadway shows (and wore a mask in all theaters).

While I stay up on my vaccinations and mask up most of the time indoors, sometimes I forget, and my personal practices are only as good as the practices around me. Hardly anywhere requires vaccination anymore, so if I want to exist outside of my one-bedroom apartment, theres inherently a risk.

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The biggest change since COVID hit is how much smaller my life has gotten. Going out seems more exhausting. I get anxious in bigger crowds. Ive had more of a tendency to keep to myself, which is possibly the reason Ive stayed clear. Megan Chialastri, from Philadelphia (as told to Emma Wallenbrock)

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Im retired, Im in my late 60s, and my husband is 10 years older than me and is a cancer survivor. Im living in a situation thats of higher risk for somebody in my household. Im also a retired nurse and have been pretty acutely aware of just how devastating this virus is from the very beginning. I myself had gallbladder surgery in my 50s and ended up with complications and in the ICU with severe lung impairment. I had a fear of any kind of severe respiratory illness. When COVID was exploding pre-vaccine, people were dying of severe lung injury. That set me up for being pretty paranoid about the possibility of contracting the virus.

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We got vaccinated as soon as that option was available. Ive masked from the beginning, and as weve learned more about the efficacies of different types of masks, Ive gone from a variety of cloth masks to KN95s, and if Im out at all in an indoor setting, I always wear a good N95 that is tight-fitting. I firmly believe that masking is your first line of protection.

But the strategies have primarily been social isolation. Ive always had a tight circle of friends and we used to do carefree socializing, and we just dont do that anymore. I have the ability at this point in my life to have my groceries delivered, to order inI have enough financial security to make those things happen. Im discouraged by our public health response and I think its unfortunate that people are forced into a self-protective mode. Mary Herrick from Portland, Oregon (as told to Hannah Docter-Loeb)

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I have no idea how my house (me, another adult, a 5-year-old) has avoided COVID. Were up to date on our shots, but a lot of people who fit that description have had it! We live in a small college town located in a rural county and have not traveled much since the pandemicnone of us has gotten on an airplane. Neither of the adults in the family has a job that requires physical presence, and I think that might be the biggest factor here. However, the child has been back in preschool for about a yearsometimes masking, sometimes not, in accordance with the countys reported transmission levels.

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"I feel like were ducking and dodging it like Neo in The Matrix."  Derreck Johnson

All in all, it seems like a crapshoot. I have thought so many times, This is IT. Somehow, it never has been. Rebecca Onion, senior editor, Slate

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The principles I lived by are all pretty much what we were told throughout: Wash your hands when you get home and all those other times. Dont sweat outdoor transmission (I did wear my mask while biking around at first). I wear my mask indoors in every public spacegrocery stores, bodegas, always on the subway. My one dicey exception was the gym, where enforcement was extremely lax once you were past the front desk, and then nonexistent from late summer 20 onward except for one relapse in the bleak, bleak delta variant days. Id skip the gym when infection rates went up and then would go back when they seemed to slow, weighing my deep moodiness that exercise could dispel against the possibility of getting sick. When Id leave New York, Id kind of watch for what people in L.A. or Colorado were doing (wearing masks less, as it was summer), so just living in a pretty well-masked place (masked up for good reasonsits crowded here) probably did most of it for me. I watched a lot of TV, saw people outside, let what I think constituted my life drain and then trickle back bit by bit. Ben Richmond, senior director of operations for podcasts, Slate

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I feel like were ducking and dodging it like Neo in The Matrix. My wife has become somewhat of a mask guru and knows how to find the highest-quality ones in bulk online. Our two kids (6 and 3) will wear them without argument. The general rule in our family at this point is to wear them indoors and in crowded spaces outdoors.

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It hasnt been perfect, though. We had some close calls, especially in 2021. We traveled as a family to places like Florida (to see my parents) and Hawaii (a nonrefundable trip purchased in 2019 that we had already rescheduled once) right before delta came raging in. My wife and I took a weekend trip to San Francisco just for a quick change of scenery and were back in the safe confines of our home before omicron exploded. And then there was the carnival of sinus and ear infections this spring that accosted our entire household and got so bad that we couldnt believe it wasnt COVID. (It wasnt. The amount of rapid and PCR tests we took was insane.) My most recent trip was a solo weekend excursion to Las Vegas to provide moral support to my brother in the World Series of Poker. I figured if there was ever gonna be a place for it to finally happen, it would be there. Masks dont exist in Vegas for the most part. I still wore mine. I PCR-tested a few days after returning home and was in the clear. Derreck Johnson, designer, Slate

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As far as I know, Ive never had COVID, mostly because, at every turn, Ive been both lucky and privileged. Lucky that I was a senior in high school in 2020 and never found myself a pawn in the politics of K12 school reopening and masking policies. Privileged that the college I started at in September 2020 has kept up a mask mandate and a testing program of twice-weekly PCRs for all students. Lucky that I havent caught COVID from working my food service jobs. Privileged that I dont have to rely on those jobs for my livelihood, that my parents work white-collar office jobs and have been able to work from home for two years.

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Ive been fairly conscientious too; I wear a mask in all public indoor spaces, including public transportation. When omicron hit I abandoned cloth masks for KN95s. And I just plain dont get out much. But I know people whove been just as privileged and conscientious as me whove nevertheless gotten it. Ive avoided it. Its just plain, dumb luck. (Knock on wood.) Anna Kraffmiller, from Waltham, Massachusetts, as told to Emma Wallenbrock

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When I think about why I havent had COVID yet, I tend to bounce between three explanations. At the self-congratulatory side of the spectrum, I feel proud of myself: I have been cautious, and not getting sick is my reward. In the middle is Im just lucky. Maybe some people are immune to COVID. And then at the other side of the scale is: Im just really unpopular. Everyone else testing positive at the same time is a little bit like seeing a group of friends post photos to social media from a hangout you werent invited to.

All of this, of course, comes with a caveat: I havent had COVID so far as I know. Ive been sick a couple of times in the pandemiconce I even lost my sense of smell. But I persistently tested negative, and other respiratory viruses can interfere with your ability to smell too.

But I suspect Ill test positive the day this article is published. Torie Bosch, Future Tense editor, Slate
Items such as those with crocodile skin appear in people's luggage regularly, the Financial Administration reports.

A hat decorated with crocodile teeth from Texas that did not make it through the custom officers (Source: Courtesy of Financial Administration)

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Some souvenirs that people carry in their luggage may end up confiscated on their way home.

The Financial Administration noted that summer vacation season comes with travel obligations and responsibilities. Customs officers often find banned items in people's luggage, like corals, crocodile or snake skin products and traditional Chinese medicine. These items require a special permit to cross borders with, however.

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Careful with animal products

Travelers need to be especially careful when it comes to animals, since many of them are on the endangered list, making it illegal to purchase products or jewelry made of their skin, teeth and other parts.

Protected animals are under the protection of the CITES convention, and about 37,000 of them are under the protection of local offices; handling 1,100 of them is banned altogether.

Hefty fines

If luggage contains something on the list, the Financial Administration lays out a fine with a price depending on the severity of the terms violation, reaching up to 3,917.39. Travelers can check the legality of their souvenirs on the official Financial Administration website.

The case of a hat with crocodile teeth sent from Texas could serve as a precedent in handling banned items.

The Financial Administration had to confiscate the gift sent from USA to Slovakia. The black hat decorated with snakeskin and crocodile teeth for $275 was confiscated and not delivered to the original addressee.
Slovalco is Slovakia's only aluminium producer.

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Aluminium manufacturer Slovalco is laying off hundreds of employees in response to increasing energy prices, emissions restrictions and decreasing prices for aluminium. The company is considering a complete shutdown of its plant, which is the only aluminium manufacturing facility in Slovakia.

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About 300 of the company's employees, out of 450, will lose their jobs  and even then Slovalco, which is based in the central-Slovak town of Ziar nad Hronom, says the final number of laid off employees remains uncertain, the TASR newswire reported. A further 2,500 jobs in the region that are tied to aluminium manufacturing are now at risk.

"This fate of our only Slovak aluminium maker cannot be labelled other than a disaster," said Economy Minister Richard Sulik (SaS), as quoted by TASR.

Existing funds could have helped
In 1972, director Dusan Hanak made Pictures of the Old World with old people living in the Slovak countryside.

"Pictures of the Old World", a Slovak documentary, was made in 1972. (Source: Vladimir Vavrek/ Slovak Film Institute)

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The communist regime did not discourage Dusan Hanak from portraying reality, though he paid the price.

In the 1969 movie 322, the Slovak directors feature debut, he captures real life under communism through the story of a common man who regrets his past and tries to rediscover the actual meaning of life. Abundant in symbols, including the films title comparing communism to cancer, the regime banned the psychological drama in the late sixties. This year, it was named the best Slovak picture of the century.

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Three years later, in 1972, Hanak created Pictures of the Old World, a documentary that he wrote and directed. The stories of old, lonely and poor people, who were not actors at all and lived in the countryside of northern Slovakia under communism, were recounted through Slovak photographer Martin Martinceks black-and-white pictures, film shots and interviews.

These are the stories of people who have been themselves, the film claims right at the start about the people living on the edge of society.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/um1O-fqkixM

One photo captures an old woman rolling over a fence. A film sequence portrays a man who built a house and keeps on living, though he had lost both of his legs. There is a man living in the mountains who knows a lot about the universe and the widower who speaks several foreign languages. Another man drinks from a bottle of alcohol, the reason his wife left him.

The films budget was almost 1.6 million Czechoslovak crowns.

Communists' problem with "ugly old people"
Due to drinking water shortage, the country has declared an emergency situation in some towns.

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Meteorologists have issued heat warnings for the next three days, from Tuesday to Thursday.

High temperatures can put peoples health and the environment in danger.

On Tuesday, the first-level warning will apply to western Slovakia and the Banska Bystrica Region. In the afternoon, temperatures there should increase to 33 degrees Celsius.

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The next day, northern Slovakia will be under the same-level heat warning on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 34 degrees Celsius. For the rest of the country, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a second-level heat warning. People can be exposed to temperatures up to 37 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

On Thursday, as the map below shows, the highest heat warning will apply to southern Slovakia. Temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius are expected.

Third-level heat warnings (red) have been issued for Thursday, July 21, in southern and western Slovakia. Other regions will remain under second-level or first-level heat warnings. (Source: Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute)

People are recommended to drink at least 1.5 l of water a day during a heatwave.

Emergency situation caused by drought

Climatologist Pavel Matejovic has told the TASR news agency that no rain across the country is projected until the end of July. Local storms can occur.

We are confronted with a drought every year, but this summer it has taken on catastrophic proportions, while extreme drought prevails in a third of Slovakias territory and is far from ending, he said.

Drought outlook for July 2022. The red colour represents extreme drought. (Source: TASR)

The extreme drought can be gradually felt in half the country, the expert added. In Banska Bystrica, the precipitation deficit has been highest in the last 90 days.

Many areas in Slovakia will have to deal with a drinking water shortage, Matejovic maintained.

At the start of July, the Interior Ministry declared an emergency situation in six towns: Pavlany (Presov Region), Drna and Chramec (Banska Bystrica Region), and Paca, Zehra, and Bystrany (Kosice Region).

Dried-up river

Part of the river Bodva, which runs through Moldava nad Bodvou, eastern Slovakia, has dried up, the TASR new agency has reported. The situation has occurred several times over the years, but never for so long.

The stretch has been waterless for several weeks, severely affecting river life.

The river Bodva in Moldava nad Bodvou has dried up. (Source: TASR)

This is the fourth time in ten or 15 years. This has been happening since they drilled wells for drinking water, claimed chair of the local fishermens club, Gabriel Greizinger.

Based on information provided by a state company that manages water courses and river basins, a similar situation on the Bodva happened in 1968, 2007 and 2012.
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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto talked over phone on Sunday about bilateral ties and the Ukraine crisis.

During the phone talks initiated by the Hungarian side, Szijjarto briefed Wang about the current situation in Europe and Hungary, especially economic and financial challenges facing Hungary due to the spillover effect of the Ukraine crisis.

The Hungarian side is pleased about the achievements of Hungary-China cooperation in various fields, in particular the smooth progress of cooperation in trade and investment, Szijjarto said, adding that his country is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China to constantly promote Hungary-China comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels.

Hungary welcomes investment by Chinese enterprises and will provide them convenience and a favorable environment, he said.

Wang said that the Ukraine crisis has not only seriously impacted Europe, and its negative spillover effect has also affected the whole world.

Referring to the Group of 20 foreign ministers' meeting held recently, Wang noted that all sides expressed deep concern over the issue, and that China has proposed initiatives to tackle global food and energy security.

China is not a party directly related to the issue but it hasn't sat on its hands, neither will it add fuel to the flames, Wang said, adding that China will consistently and firmly promote dialogue and peace talks.

The lessons from the Ukraine crisis are profound and worth well learning for all sides, Wang noted, saying that in the long run, the parties should discuss building a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security framework, so as to realize lasting peace and security.

China, Wang said, cherishes the trust and friendship with Hungary, and appreciates the Hungarian side for always upholding justice in China-related issues, understanding China's just propositions and supporting China in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.

China is ready to work with Hungary to make the two countries' relationship a model of state to state relations featuring a higher degree of maturity and mutual trust, Wang said.

China will continue to unswervingly pursue a friendly policy towards Hungary and stay positive and open towards mutually beneficial cooperation, Wang said, adding that China will support Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Hungary, and hopes the Hungarian side will provide stable policy expectations and a sound business environment.

Wang said he believes that Hungary will continue to uphold an objective and just position, and push the European Union to adopt positive and practical policies towards China.

Szijjarto said that China has never been an opponent of Europe but a partner who brings cooperation opportunities.

The Hungarian side will continue to be committed to promoting Europe-China cooperation featuring mutual respect, equity and mutual benefit, he added.
 Flash

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on Sunday dismissed the U.S. president's recent claims over Iran's nuclear activity as a "failed policy of promoting Iranophobia," which seeks to cause tensions and crises in the region.

Joe Biden's anti-Iran remarks, which were made during his Middle East visit, are "part of Washington's policy of inciting sedition and fomenting tensions in the region," Nasser Kanaani said.

Citing the American dark record and history of hostility toward other countries, Kanaani noted that the United States invaded and occupied a number of regional countries and has sold numerous weapons, as well as is constantly interfering in regional states' internal affairs.

Nasser Kanaani reaffirmed Iran's strategic policy of seeking to use nuclear technology only for peaceful purposes within the framework of the international rules and regulations, saying Iran is committed to the continuation of the talks on the removal of the sanctions and revival of a 2015 nuclear deal.

He stressed Iran's principled and constructive policy of welcoming dialogues with neighbors and regional initiatives, expressing hope that "regional governments are expected to take constructive steps in favor of collective security, peace, stability and development."

The United States pledged not to allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon even at the cost of using "all elements of its national power," affirming its commitment to work together with other partners "to confront Iran's aggression and destabilizing activities," Biden said in a U.S.-Israel joint declaration in Jerusalem on Thursday.
The 2022 harness racing season will get underway at Batavia Downs at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, and when fans enter the property, they will notice the staff and facilities have undergone some major changes. Those started at the top and touched every aspect of the racing program in order to provide a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone this year.

Don Hoover has joined the Downs team and will serve in two positions. He is the Director of Live Racing and also the tracks new Race Secretary. Hoover is a western New York native who has extensive harness racing experience both as a horseman and on the administrative side. He has been on site at Batavia since early spring getting acquainted with his new positions and preparing for opening night.

I am very excited about the upcoming 56-day live race meet here at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel," said Hoover. "Henry [Wojtaszek, President and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming] and Scott [Kiedrowski, Vice-President of Operations at Batavia Downs Gaming] have provided me with a great team to work with and I feel that we have all the pieces in place for an outstanding year. Obviously the highlight of the meet will be August 26 when we host two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes going for a total of $206,000 and the Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace with an enhanced purse of $75,000. I cant wait to welcome the fans in for the opening night card."

Patty Bruno, who has years of experience in the race office at Batavia, will continue to work alongside Hoover as the Assistant Race Secretary and Program Director. Brunos resume also includes race secretary overseeing the New York Sire Stake county fair program.

Mary Bucceri has been named Administrative Assistant and Group Sales Manager. Although Bucceri has been a Batavia team member since 2005, this new position has her geared towards bringing in new patrons, and providing them with a great time while exposing them to both harness racing and the outstanding facilities Batavia Downs has to offer.

The track itself has been completely re-graded and resurfaced with the best material available, all done under the supervision of track guru Kim Crawford. Crawford had the Genesee County oval lightning fast last year and it was widely hailed by visiting horsemen as one of the best surfaces to race over in New York state.

Missy Rothfuss, who is one of the most respected outriders in the sport, will be joining Batavia Downs after 26 years at The Meadows. She will lead the post parade nightly and provide any necessary assistance to horsepeople on the track during race nights to insure the safety and well-being of all the participants.

The last two changes on the racing side include the addition of Wayne Teaven as the voice of the Downs and Wendy J. Lowery, who is the new track photographer. They will bring a fresh sound and look to their respective positions that will add to the overall race day experience.

This years schedule starts with a Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday rotation that will run through the end of August. There is one special card on Friday, Aug. 26 featuring two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes and Batavia Downs signature stakes, the $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace. Post time for the six Sundays is 1:15 p.m. and all Wednesdays, Saturdays and the Friday are at 6 p.m.

The schedule changes in September to Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with two exceptions. There is a special Labor Day matinee on Monday, Sept. 5 at 1:15 p.m. and no racing on Friday, Sept. 9. Again all post times (except Labor Day) are at 6 p.m. In October, only the first Friday of the month will be raced and then it will be Wednesday and Saturday until the meet ends on Dec. 17. All post times will be at 6 p.m. except Saturday, Nov. 5, which has a special 3:15 p.m. start due to the Breeders' Cup.

All eight divisions of the New York Sire Stakes will be contested at the Downs this year and those eligible horses will compete for an estimated $784,000 in purses. Plus the NYSS Excel A and B series will also be held on those nights, driving that purse value even higher. The stakes will be in town on Wednesday, July 20, July 27, Aug. 3, Aug. 10, Aug. 17, Friday, Aug. 26 (when two divisions will go along with the $75,000 Kane Memorial) and Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Batavia Downs will continue to provide free downloadable full past performance racing programs on its website at bataviadownsgaming.com under the 'live racing' tab (on the left). The Batavia Downs YouTube channel will also furnish free live streaming of all the races.

There are several promotions to note on opening night. There is a mandatory payout of an $1,188 carryover on the Jackpot Pick-6 in Race 5. Free print programs will be available at the track on Wednesday as well. Free OTB programs for Batavia live will also be available for the first three days of the meet (July 20, 23, 24).

Also on opening night. there will be a free $500 Lotta Cash giveaway. Beginning in Race 2 and running through Race 11, one lucky winner will be drawn at random after each race from entries submitted and the winner will receive a $50 betting voucher. You must be 18 years of age to enter and present to win.

And fans can enter to win a Stay and Play package Wednesday that includes a one-night stay at the Batavia Downs Gaming Hotel. Simply swipe your Players Club card between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to be eligible for the free random drawing. Again, you must be present to win.

Other promotions scheduled during the year include $2 Sundays, which will offer $2 hot dogs, draft beer and soda on Sunday, Aug. 7, 21 and 28 from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5 is the annual Labor Day drivers bike race sponsored by Mama Squirrels Nest. Eight bikes will be given away and $2 hot dogs, draft beer and soda will be available from noon to 4 p.m. And Sunday, Oct. 16 will be the highly anticipated Wiener Dog races.

The newly remodeled Clubhouse and Rail Bar will be open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday (when racing) and Saturday, offering a limited bar food menu along with a full buffet that is now located on the lower level for easier access. Wednesday is a home-style buffet while Friday and Saturday features prime rib and shrimp.

In the grandstand, the Homestretch Grill is newly remodeled and is offering fresh made-to-order subs, deli sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers and coming soon, brick oven pizza. They are open until 8 p.m. nightly.

The wagering menu is tasty as well. On a 10-race program, besides win, place and show there will be three daily doubles, 10 exactas, 10 trifectas, nine superfectas, two Pick-3s, two Pick-4s, one Pick-5 and one Jackpot Super High Five, all with low minimum wagers.

All of last years top drivers will be returning including Jim Morrill Jr., Kevin Cummings, Kyle Cummings, Drew Monti and Dave McNeight III. Top local trainers will be headed by last years leaders Jennifer Giuliani, Maria Rice, Jim McNeight and Shawn McDonough. And they will be joined by some new stables moving in.

Jennifer Sansone will be shipping 16 horses from Kentucky and Pocono to stable at Batavia Downs, all to be driven by Fern Paquet Jr. Western New York native Jim Rothfuss will be returning home from The Meadows with a barn of 20 horses, many of which are locally owned. And other trainers who will be shipping in include Joe Skowyra, Kevin Reynolds Jr., Dale Gilmour and David Daigneault.

There was a 30 per cent increase in stalls allotted this year to handle the large influx of requests from horsepeople who wanted to race at Batavia Downs and, with that increased horse population, very competitive racing should be seen during the meet.

(With files from Batavia Downs)
Time is running out to win a set of Dave Palones driving colours with 20,000 emblazoned on the front and back.

Palone, the only driver in harness racing history to achieve 20,000 wins, has donated the colours to the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA), which will raffle off the unique collectible. All proceeds benefit New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.

Tickets are $10, with the winner to be announced during the Hollywood Casino at The Meadows card on Saturday, July 23, which features eliminations for the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids.

For tickets or more information, please contact Dawnelle Mock, MSOA marketing director, at 724-470-8303 or [email protected].

(With files from MSOA)
The Board of Directors of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) has announced a 10 per cent, across-the-board purse increase, effective Aug. 3, 2022, for races at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

MSOA President Richard Gillock said the increase would provide immediate benefits to horsepeople while stimulating handle and persuading more horsepeople to locate their stables at The Meadows, making racing there even more competitive and exciting.

He attributed the increase to the stability in the states horse racing industry produced by the Pennsylvania Legislatures turnback of Gov. Tom Wolfs proposed raid on the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund (PRHDF), which provides about $230 million annually for purses and breeding. Wolf proposed diverting about $88 million from the fund in both 2022 and 2023, a grab that, if enacted, would have crippled  if not killed  racing in Pennsylvania.

Not only did the legislature refuse to consider the diversion, but it also added $5 million previously used for other purposes to the PRHDF annual allocation.

This is a big win, Gillock said. The 2022 state budget has been approved, and the governors proposed raid is not part of it. We owe that to the strong support of our legislators, who recognize the irreplaceable impact of racing in Pennsylvania, which serves as a pillar of the Commonwealths agriculture sector and provides about 20,000 jobs and an annual economic impact estimated at $1.6 billion.

Gillock praised the efforts of MSOAs partners, including the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemens Association and the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition. He noted that the team also worked with the legislature to kill a bill that would have allowed for more truck stop video gaming terminals (VGTs), which would cut racetrack handle.

Gillock singled out these lawmakers for their consistent, effective support: Sen. Camera Bartolotta (Beaver, Greene, Washington); Rep. George Dunbar (Westmoreland); Rep. Josh Kail (Beaver, Washington); Rep. Natalie Mihalek (Allegheny, Washington); Rep. Tim ONeal (Washington); Rep. Jason Ortitay (Allegheny, Washington); Sen. Joe Pittman (Armstrong, Butler, Indiana, Westmoreland); and Sen. Kim Ward, Senate Majority Leader (Westmoreland).

(MSOA)
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More than half of the U.S. population are now living in areas with high COVID-19 levels and people are recommended to wear masks in indoor public settings, said a report of The Wall Street Journal.

Roughly 35 percent of U.S. counties, accounting for 54 percent of the population, showed "high COVID-19 community level," the report cited data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data (CDC).

This marks a 14.8-percent increase from a week before.

When a county hits a high-level risk, the CDC guidance is to mask in indoor public settings and on public transit as a way to try to limit the spread of infection.

A growing proportion of U.S. counties are seeing increases in infections and related hospital admissions as the highly contagious BA.5 subvariant spreads rapidly in the country.
Omaha police arrested a man in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred Friday afternoon near South 26th and Saint Mary's Avenues.

Officers responded shortly after 1 p.m. to a call stating that a man had been injured in an assault, according to a news release. Personnel with the Omaha Fire Department told officers that the man had been stabbed.

The stabbing victim, 40-year-old Dontae Berry, was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, according to the release.

A police official at the scene Friday said a witness saw a vehicle flee the area after the stabbing.

Patrol officers saw a vehicle matching the description around 3:40 p.m. near North 30th Street and Ames Avenue, and a pursuit ensued, according to the news release. The chase ended near North 30th and Parker Streets.

Police detained and interviewed the vehicle's occupants.

They arrested one of the men, 62-year-old Gooden Townsell, on suspicion of second-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony.
Frances Landaas turned 100 years old Thursday in the company of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as her friends in Hickory.

Landaas was born in LaFollette, Tennessee, on July 14, 1922. Her mother was Stella Wolfe and her father was the Rev. T.R. Wolfe. She had two sisters, Jane and Mary Ann.

Frances grew up during the Great Depression, and her family moved to five places before they settled in Salisbury. Because she was among the top 10 in academics, she delivered a commencement speech to her fellow Boyden High School Class of 1939 members.

Landaas went on to attend Greensboro College and graduated cum laude in 1943 with a chemistry degree. She then moved to Richmond, Virginia, where she worked as a chemist at DuPont chemical company.

Landaas met her first husband, John Hodges, in 1943 after he gave her a ride from North Carolina back to Richmond, near where he was based at Camp Lee.

On that trip, Frances opened her wallet and John saw her picture. John later told her that he knew he was going to marry her when he saw that photo of her. John came to visit her every weekend for a year, and they got married on Dec. 30, 1944.

Together, Frances and John lived in a small apartment in Richmond before moving to Hickory in 1946. They loved the small town and moved to the old polio camp that was transformed into apartments.

Frances contributions to the Hickory community include working as a secretary at a Methodist church and establishing a kindergarten program for 4- and 5-year-olds at First United Methodist Church.

By 1953, Frances and John had four children. Their first born, Marian, died only three days after she was born. In 1949, their second child, John Stafford Hughes Jr., was born, and two years later their daughter, Kayo, was born.

Betty Ann was born in 1953, a year after Frances and John built their first house. The couples first house is on First Street Northwest, and Frances still lives there today.

At age 53, Frances received her masters degree from Appalachian State University. She went on to work with Catawba County Schools as a guidance counselor.

Frances remains an active member in her church and with her book club. She continues to spend time with her friends and family while pursuing her passion for music and reading.
Child care needs to be seen as a necessary part of community infrastructure for greater community and economic development to occur in Southwest Virginia.

In an interview last week, United Way of Southwest Virginia President and CEO Travis Staton contended that localities think about water, natural gas, railroad and interstate access, and broadband to attract new employers and grow existing businesses. However, he said, community leaders hadnt considered child care. That is, until the pandemic highlighted the importance of schools and child care and this areas lack of that vital service.

To address the situation, the United Way is launching a two-year pilot program that Staton believes will be a win for employees, employers and localities. The program, the Employer Sponsored Child Care Benefit Program, is designed to particularly return manufacturers to full production and bolster workforce participation.

The program treats child care like health insurance and similar benefits. Participating Southwest Virginia employers will pay a portion of their employees child care expenses, but, during the programs pilot phase, they wont pay the full bill. Staton said private foundations, other investment partners, and the commonwealth are helping get the program off the ground.

This month, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced more than $10.2 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grant awards for 13 projects. Among those was $269,406 for this program.

The governors press release noted that the project is expected to encourage manufacturers to be active participants in the solution.

Additionally, the release said, This project will fill or retain 76 jobs and serve 25 organizations.

The release specifically noted that the grant will serve Smyth and Tazewell counties. However, Staton said it will encompass a wide area that extends from Bluefield to the city of Bristol.

A United Way release noted that Universal Fibers of Bristol was one of the first businesses to join the program.

When we were first approached by United Way about this, we were all ears, said Rick Nunley, Universal Fibers human resources director. Wed lost employees who had been working parents, and we were being impacted by an overall labor shortage that was caused in part by many more people being unable to find affordable child care. Every company now is looking for  or looking to keep  that right associate they want to build a nest with and grow long-term. And, child care is one of the top factors people are considering in deciding whether to get back into the workforce, or considering whether theyre at the right employer. So, we see this as a competitive advantage that gives us a leg up in the ability to have a quality employee choose to be  and stay  with us.

Lawrence Brothers in Bluefield and Pauls Fans in Big Rock have also signed on to take part. In Smyth and other counties, Staton said work is still under way to identify pilot partners. He believes its key for manufacturers and other employees to get involved. The program, he said, will help them fill vacancies and create a family friendly environment.

The lack of adequate child care and the affordability of care, Staton said, are among the biggest barriers to parents working.

The United Way notes that according to research by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, workforce participation by women declined 7.5% at the start of the pandemic and remains 4% below pre-pandemic levels.

At the same time, the cost of providing childcare has risen at a faster rate than employment, meaning some households have found it more cost-effective to have one parent, usually the mother, provide childcare at home. And, its not just women whove left the workforce entirely, said Courtney McCowan, manager of Community Outreach and Compliance at Pauls Fans. We have wives that are going down to part-time because of child care. Those hours, McCowan said in a release, are hard to replace.

In Smyth County, the United Way and Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County are working together on the project and to undertake research into the communitys child care situation.

Last week, the chamber sent out a survey regarding child care to gather information about employers needs. Part of the letter that accompanied the survey said, We know that staffing has never been this difficult. We also know how important it is for your employees to have access to high quality, stable child care services to support your business, working families, and the health of our economy in the region.

Sarah Gillespie, the chambers executive director and a mother, agrees with Staton about the importance of child care. She said, Access to affordable, high quality childcare affects almost every aspect of life. Having stable, high-quality childcare allows parents to improve their labor productivity and miss fewer work days. This allows for greater economic growth and expansion for business and industry. It also allows parents to peruse additional education and training. For our children, its key to early childhood development and kindergarten readiness, which impacts our children for their entire lives.

As part of this work, Staton said the organizations are working to find ways to increase the availability of child care in the region, including supporting existing providers. Part of the work, he said, is to create more high quality, affordable, child care slots.

Over time, like Gillespie, Staton believes the program will be a win for employers and employees. With increased productivity, he expects that employers and communities will earn back investments that they make in the program.

Staton anticipates a quick start-up for the project. Identifying partners and pilot project sites is under way as the establishment of an employee advisory group to determine program eligibility and guidelines.

Id like to see the launch in 60 to 90 days at the latest, Staton said.

He described the project as a significant piece of community and economic development.

GO Virginia board member Jim Dyke agreed. In advocating for passage of the motion to fund the program, Dyke said, I have always said if I could only invest in one program in education this would be it. This is the beginning of the pipeline. Employers see how important child care is, and this is a great way of getting people back into the workforce, especially women.

The GO Virginia money wont be used to pay for childcare costs, but to help launch, build and establish the program. GO Virginia will fund assessments in 13 communities, and fund efforts to monitor data on performance and effectiveness. The employers will track progress and outcomes of employee retention and satisfaction for participating. GO Virginia will also help fund a United Way of Southwest Virginia shared services effort to help cut child care centers costs, said a United Way release.
Editors note: Information is provided by the Cowlitz County Corrections Department and local law enforcement agencies. Each individual named in this report is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Possession of a stolen vehicle  Woodland police Saturday arrested Jermey Ray Harris, 42, of Sweet Home, Oregon, on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and carrying a concealed weapon.

Theft  Longview police Friday arrested Marco Antonio Hernandez, 31, of Kelso on suspicion of second-degree theft, second-degree vehicle prowling and violating a protection order.

Possession of a stolen vehicle  Woodland police Saturday arrested Faith A. Knowles, 40, of Sweet Home, Oregon, on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and introducing a controlled substance to the jail.

Order violation  Longview police Saturday arrested Korina Marie Snyder, 30, of Woodland on suspicion of violating a harassment no-contact order and obstructing a public servant.

Robbery  Kelso police Saturday arrested Zachary Ryan Benson, 37, of Kelso on suspicion of attempted robbery and fourth-degree assault.

Fugitive  Kelso police Sunday arrested Maria Lynn Scadding, 24, of an unknown residence on suspicion of being a fugitive from justice.

Burglary  Cowlitz County sheriff's deputies Sunday arrested Joel Michael Akin, 30, of Longview on suspicion of residential burglary, third-degree theft and third-degree malicious mischief.

Burglary  Longview police Sunday arrested Jaime Rose Card, 42, on suspicion of residential burglary and violating a protection order.

Theft  Longview police Sunday arrested Richard Starkey Zwiefelhofer, 30, of Longview on suspicion of retail theft with circumstances.

Editors note: A software switch at Cowlitz County dispatch has prevented the agency from temporarily supplying 911 call logs and officer notes past June 6. The agency is working to create new reports to supply media outlets.
 Flash

Another Indian aircraft made an emergency landing in a foreign country over the past 24 hours, media reported on Sunday.

An Air India Express flight from India's southern city of Calicut to the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Dubai was diverted to Oman's capital Muscat after a burning smell emerged in the cabin.

Post-landing engineering inspections were carried out on the aircraft and the engines, but no fumes or smoke were observed and the flight took off for its onward journey to Dubai, the reports said.

This was the second Indian aircraft to make an emergency landing in a foreign country over the past 24 hours. Earlier, private airline IndiGo's flight from Sharjah in the UAE to India's southern city of Hyderabad was diverted to Pakistan's Karachi airport after it developed a technical snag.

Incidents of technical glitches and smoke emerging inside the cabin have been on the rise in Indian airlines' flights over the past few weeks.
A searchable map shows estimated job and public health opportunities that come with transitioning away from fossil fuels.

There's no denying that a lot of the news about the climate crisis is bad. While the threat of water shortages looms in parts of South Africa, a brutal heat wave in China has turned deadly and Europe is suffering through its own blistering heat wave. For a lot of people, this is stressful. According to a 2019 survey by the American Psychological Association, two-thirds of participants reported suffering from climate anxiety.

But Alexander Gard-Murray derives some optimism from the fact that so many people are worrying about the crisis. A postdoctoral research associate at Brown University's Climate Solutions Lab, he says all the added angst actually means 'a lot more people are really aware and really working hard on this.

Gard-Murray recently launched the Climate Opportunity Map. This interactive tool lets users see examples of immediate benefits where they livein the form of new jobs or health benefitsthat could come from ditching fossil fuels. The advantages are all estimated, and are based on projections and data largely sourced from academic and government research.

Gard-Murray spoke with Bloomberg Green about the map, clean energy jobs, and how acting on climate change isn't just about protecting glaciers or helping future generations. The transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

There are a lot of reasons to be depressed about climate change. So what's your pitch for optimism?

I am more optimistic today than when I started working on climate. When I started working on climate change 10 years ago, we obviously had more time to act than we do today and the warnings, in some cases, were less dire than they are today. But I think politicians were taking it way less seriously a decade ago and I also think that the immediate benefits that society could see [from climate action] were less clear a decade ago. And that last part is what this map is trying to capture.

What is the Climate Opportunity Map and how does it work?

The idea behind the map is there's a lot of climate information out there. And a lot of the great information, both from scientists and from journalists, has focused on the damages and risks that climate change creates. But I think something that's important not to lose sight of is that there are also immediate benefitswhat economists and climate scientists call co-benefits. Basically, positive economic side effects of acting on climate change. The climate opportunity map is meant to take those big headline numbers for countries and try to estimate how many of those will accrue to particular areas to bring it home to where people live.

Can you talk through some of those immediate co-benefits? What are people seeing if they enter their zip code into the map?

First and foremost, jobs. I think the clearest benefit of acting ambitiously on climate change is that there are going to be more jobs in almost every part of America. There are going to be jobs building renewable energy sources, building wind turbines, building solar panels, installing solar panels on roofs, building hydroelectric [plants]. That's just going to take a lot of work and that's going to employ a lot of people. And then once they're built, they're going to need to be maintained and run. There's also going to be a lot of jobs, making energy efficiency improvements. The easiest way to replace fossil fuels for energy is just to use less energy and there are so many ways we can make our buildings, our lives more efficient, and those are also going to employ a lot of people.

At the same time, we're also potentially going to lose jobs, right? So do you take those into account? What's your response to people that point out oil and gas jobs could be gone.

This map does not try to model every sector of the economy. There are other efforts to take a comprehensive picture and those show net job gains. So there will be more jobs in America if we act ambitiously on climate change than if we go on our current path. This map just focuses on a few key sectors where the job gains are going to be immediate.

But it's true that in some sectors there are going to need to be transitions away and I think it's important when we make green investments that they're paired with [social] programs to help people in oil and gas and coal communities transition. I think people don't necessarily know how much solar potential is in their area, or how much wind potential.

The map also gets into the health benefits of climate action. Can you talk a little bit more about those opportunities?

We focus mostly on lives saved from reduced air pollution. The EPA has done a lot of research on how reducing fossil fuel emissions will also reduce air pollution because when you cut dirty engines, you also cut the number of particulates in the air. So we take those EPA estimates, which are for the county level, and then aggregate those up. But there are other health benefits that haven't even been included here and we're hoping to expand the map in future. Like if you switch away from a gas stove, for example, the air quality in your house is going to be higher.

What are you hoping people take away from this map?

I'm hoping that someone who looks at this map will see that the benefits of climate action are not just something that happens in foreign countries. It's not just about saving low-lying island nations, though they very much deserve to be helped. It's not just about saving polar ice caps and glaciers, though they very much ought to be saved. It's not just about saving, or helping our great-great grandchildren. It's about creating immediate benefits that are in the next few decades in the communities where people live. To put it more briefly, I hope the user of this map sees that their area is probably going to get something out of this transition.
Taiwanese prosecutors on Friday accused a Chinese Apple Inc supplier of stealing commercial secrets from a Taiwanese supplier.

Taiwanese prosecutors on Friday accused a Chinese Apple Inc supplier of stealing commercial secrets from a Taiwanese supplier and poaching its workforce to win orders from the U.S. company, saying it had charged 14 people.

Taiwan has been stepping up efforts to stop what it views as underhand and illegal activities by Chinese firms to steal know-how and poach away talent in what Taipei's government views as a threat to the island's tech prowess.

Prosecutors in New Taipei said after a year-and-a-half investigation they had found that China's Luxshare Precision Industry Co Ltd had targeted Taiwanese competitor Catcher Technology Co Ltd "in order to quickly enter the Apple production chain to win orders".

Luxshare "lured" Catcher's China based research and development team with promises of high salaries and stole business secrets from the Taiwanese firm, causing them big losses, the prosecutors said in a statement.

Luxshare was doing this in order to be able to "quickly build factories and mass produce cases for iPhones, iPads and other products", the statement said.

Luxshare did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and neither did Apple.

New Taipei prosecutors have now charged 14 people in connection with the case for breach of trust and taking commercial secrets for use overseas, they added.

"The department will do its best to investigate such cases to maintain the sound development of our country's enterprises and ensure the competitiveness of national industries."

Catcher, which makes iPhone and iPad cases, said in a statement it continues to implement and optimise the protection of trade secrets and intellectual property rights, and will investigate anything that infringes on its rights and interests.

The company is cooperating with the probe, it added.

In May, Taiwanese authorities raided 10 companies or their R&D centres operating in Taiwan without approval suspected of illegally poaching chip engineers and other tech talent.
Research engineer Teven Le Scao, who helped create the new artificial intelligence language model called BLOOM, poses for a photo, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

The tech industry's latest artificial intelligence constructs can be pretty convincing if you ask them what it feels like to be a sentient computer, or maybe just a dinosaur or squirrel. But they're not so goodand sometimes dangerously badat handling other seemingly straightforward tasks.

Take, for instance, GPT-3, a Microsoft-controlled system that can generate paragraphs of human-like text based on what it's learned from a vast database of digital books and online writings. It's considered one of the most advanced of a new generation of AI algorithms that can converse, generate readable text on demand and even produce novel images and video.

Among other things, GPT-3 can write up most any text you ask fora cover letter for a zookeeping job, say, or a Shakespearean-style sonnet set on Mars. But when Pomona College professor Gary Smith asked it a simple but nonsensical question about walking upstairs, GPT-3 muffed it.

"Yes, it is safe to walk upstairs on your hands if you wash them first," the AI replied.

These powerful and power-chugging AI systems, technically known as "large language models" because they've been trained on a huge body of text and other media, are already getting baked into customer service chatbots, Google searches and "auto-complete" email features that finish your sentences for you. But most of the tech companies that built them have been secretive about their inner workings, making it hard for outsiders to understand the flaws that can make them a source of misinformation, racism and other harms.

"They're very good at writing text with the proficiency of human beings," said Teven Le Scao, a research engineer at the AI startup Hugging Face. "Something they're not very good at is being factual. It looks very coherent. It's almost true. But it's often wrong."

That's one reason a coalition of AI researchers co-led by Le Scao - with help from the French governmentlaunched a new large language model Tuesday that's supposed to serve as an antidote to closed systems such as GPT-3. The group is called BigScience and their model is BLOOM, for the BigScience Large Open-science Open-access Multilingual Language Model. Its main breakthrough is that it works across 46 languages, including Arabic, Spanish and Frenchunlike most systems that are focused on English or Chinese.

It's not just Le Scao's group aiming to open up the black box of AI language models. Big Tech company Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, is also calling for a more open approach as it tries to catch up to the systems built by Google and OpenAI, the company that runs GPT-3.

Research engineer Teven Le Scao, who helped create the new artificial intelligence language model called BLOOM, poses for a photo, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

"We've seen announcement after announcement after announcement of people doing this kind of work, but with very little transparency, very little ability for people to really look under the hood and peek into how these models work," said Joelle Pineau, managing director of Meta AI.

Competitive pressure to build the most eloquent or informative systemand profit from its applicationsis one of the reasons that most tech companies keep a tight lid on them and don't collaborate on community norms, said Percy Liang, an associate computer science professor at Stanford who directs its Center for Research on Foundation Models.

"For some companies this is their secret sauce," Liang said. But they are often also worried that losing control could lead to irresponsible uses. As AI systems are increasingly able to write health advice websites, high school term papers or political screeds, misinformation can proliferate and it will get harder to know what's coming from a human or a computer.

Meta recently launched a new language model called OPT-175B that uses publicly available datafrom heated commentary on Reddit forums to the archive of U.S. patent records and a trove of emails from the Enron corporate scandal. Meta says its openness about the data, code and research logbooks makes it easier for outside researchers to help identify and mitigate the bias and toxicity that it picks up by ingesting how real people write and communicate.

"It is hard to do this. We are opening ourselves for huge criticism. We know the model will say things we won't be proud of," Pineau said.

While most companies have set their own internal AI safeguards, Liang said what's needed are broader community standards to guide research and decisions such as when to release a new model into the wild.

It doesn't help that these models require so much computing power that only giant corporations and governments can afford them. BigScience, for instance, was able to train its models because it was offered access to France's powerful Jean Zay supercomputer near Paris.

The trend for ever-bigger, ever-smarter AI language models that could be "pre-trained" on a wide body of writings took a big leap in 2018 when Google introduced a system known as BERT that uses a so-called "transformer" technique that compares words across a sentence to predict meaning and context. But what really impressed the AI world was GPT-3, released by San Francisco-based startup OpenAI in 2020 and soon after exclusively licensed by Microsoft.

Research engineer Teven Le Scao, who helped create the new artificial intelligence language model called BLOOM, poses for a photo, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

GPT-3 led to a boom in creative experimentation as AI researchers with paid access used it as a sandbox to gauge its performancethough without important information about the data it was trained on.

OpenAI has broadly described its training sources in a research paper, and has also publicly reported its efforts to grapple with potential abuses of the technology. But BigScience co-leader Thomas Wolf said it doesn't provide details about how it filters that data, or give access to the processed version to outside researchers.

"So we can't actually examine the data that went into the GPT-3 training," said Wolf, who is also a chief science officer at Hugging Face. "The core of this recent wave of AI tech is much more in the dataset than the models. The most important ingredient is data and OpenAI is very, very secretive about the data they use."

Wolf said that opening up the datasets used for language models helps humans better understand their biases. A multilingual model trained in Arabic is far less likely to spit out offensive remarks or misunderstandings about Islam than one that's only trained on English-language text in the U.S., he said.

One of the newest AI experimental models on the scene is Google's LaMDA, which also incorporates speech and is so impressive at responding to conversational questions that one Google engineer argued it was approaching consciousnessa claim that got him suspended from his job last month.

Colorado-based researcher Janelle Shane, author of the AI Weirdness blog, has spent the past few years creatively testing these models, especially GPT-3often to humorous effect. But to point out the absurdity of thinking these systems are self-aware, she recently instructed it to be an advanced AI but one which is secretly a Tyrannosaurus rex or a squirrel.

"It is very exciting being a squirrel. I get to run and jump and play all day. I also get to eat a lot of food, which is great," GPT-3 said, after Shane asked it for a transcript of an interview and posed some questions.

Shane has learned more about its strengths, such as its ease at summarizing what's been said around the internet about a topic, and its weaknesses, including its lack of reasoning skills, the difficulty of sticking with an idea across multiple sentences and a propensity for being offensive.

"I wouldn't want a text model dispensing medical advice or acting as a companion," she said. "It's good at that surface appearance of meaning if you are not reading closely. It's like listening to a lecture as you're falling asleep."

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Morti the robot dog. Credit: Felix Ruppert, Dynamic Locomotion Group at MPI-IS

A newborn giraffe or foal must learn to walk on its legs as fast as possible to avoid predators. Animals are born with muscle coordination networks located in their spinal cord. However, learning the precise coordination of leg muscles and tendons takes some time. Initially, baby animals rely heavily on hard-wired spinal cord reflexes. While somewhat more basic, motor control reflexes help the animal to avoid falling and hurting themselves during their first walking attempts. The following, more advanced and precise muscle control must be practiced, until eventually the nervous system is well adapted to the young animal's leg muscles and tendons. No more uncontrolled stumblingthe young animal can now keep up with the adults.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart conducted a research study to find out how animals learn to walk and learn from stumbling. They built a four-legged, dog-sized robot, that helped them figure out the details.

"As engineers and roboticists, we sought the answer by building a robot that features reflexes just like an animal and learns from mistakes," says Felix Ruppert, a former doctoral student in the Dynamic Locomotion research group at MPI-IS. "If an animal stumbles, is that a mistake? Not if it happens once. But if it stumbles frequently, it gives us a measure of how well the robot walks."

Felix Ruppert is first author of "Learning Plastic Matching of Robot Dynamics in Closed-loop Central Pattern Generators," which will be published July 18, 2022 in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence.

Learning algorithm optimizes virtual spinal cord

After learning to walk in just one hour, Ruppert's robot makes good use of its complex leg mechanics. A Bayesian optimization algorithm guides the learning: the measured foot sensor information is matched with target data from the modeled virtual spinal cord running as a program in the robot's computer. The robot learns to walk by continuously comparing sent and expected sensor information, running reflex loops, and adapting its motor control patterns.

The learning algorithm adapts control parameters of a Central Pattern Generator (CPG). In humans and animals, these central pattern generators are networks of neurons in the spinal cord that produce periodic muscle contractions without input from the brain. Central pattern generator networks aid the generation of rhythmic tasks such as walking, blinking or digestion. Furthermore, reflexes are involuntary motor control actions triggered by hard-coded neural pathways that connect sensors in the leg with the spinal cord.

As long as the young animal walks over a perfectly flat surface, CPGs can be sufficient to control the movement signals from the spinal cord. A small bump on the ground, however, changes the walk. Reflexes kick in and adjust the movement patterns to keep the animal from falling. These momentary changes in the movement signals are reversible, or "elastic," and the movement patterns return to their original configuration after the disturbance. But if the animal does not stop stumbling over many cycles of movementdespite active reflexesthen the movement patterns must be relearned and made "plastic," i.e., irreversible. In the newborn animal, CPGs are initially not yet adjusted well enough and the animal stumbles around, both on even or uneven terrain. But the animal rapidly learns how its CPGs and reflexes control leg muscles and tendons.

The same holds true for the Labrador-sized robot-dog named Morti. Even more, the robot optimizes its movement patterns faster than an animal, in about one hour. Morti's CPG is simulated on a small and lightweight computer that controls the motion of the robot's legs. This virtual spinal cord is placed on the quadruped robot's back where the head would be. During the hour it takes for the robot to walk smoothly, sensor data from the robot's feet are continuously compared with the expected touch-down predicted by the robot's CPG. If the robot stumbles, the learning algorithm changes how far the legs swing back and forth, how fast the legs swing, and how long a leg is on the ground. The adjusted motion also affects how well the robot can utilize its compliant leg mechanics. During the learning process, the CPG sends adapted motor signals so that the robot henceforth stumbles less and optimizes its walking. In this framework, the virtual spinal cord has no explicit knowledge about the robot's leg design, its motors and springs. Knowing nothing about the physics of the machine, it lacks a robot "model."

"Our robot is practically 'born' knowing nothing about its leg anatomy or how they work," Ruppert explains. "The CPG resembles a built-in automatic walking intelligence that nature provides and that we have transferred to the robot. The computer produces signals that control the legs' motors, and the robot initially walks and stumbles. Data flows back from the sensors to the virtual spinal cord where sensor and CPG data are compared. If the sensor data does not match the expected data, the learning algorithm changes the walking behavior until the robot walks well, and without stumbling. Changing the CPG output while keeping reflexes active and monitoring the robot stumbling is a core part of the learning process."

Morti the robot dog. Credit: Felix Ruppert, Dynamic Locomotion Group at MPI-IS

Energy efficient robot dog control

Morti's computer draws only five watts of power in the process of walking. Industrial quadruped robots from prominent manufacturers, which have learned to run with the help of complex controllers, are much more power hungry. Their controllers are coded with the knowledge of the robot's exact mass and body geometryusing a model of the robot. They typically draw several tens, up to several hundred watts of power. Both robot types run dynamically and efficiently, but the computational energy consumption is far lower in the Stuttgart model. It also provides important insights into animal anatomy.

"We can't easily research the spinal cord of a living animal. But we can model one in the robot," says Alexander Badri-Sprowitz, who co-authored the publication with Ruppert and heads the Dynamic Locomotion Research Group. "We know that these CPGs exist in many animals. We know that reflexes are embedded; but how can we combine both so that animals learn movements with reflexes and CPGs? This is fundamental research at the intersection between robotics and biology. The robotic model gives us answers to questions that biology alone can't answer."

Explore further Baby's kick in the womb may be key to treating disease and training robots

More information: Felix Ruppert, Learning plastic matching of robot dynamics in closed-loop central pattern generators, Nature Machine Intelligence (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s42256-022-00505-4 Journal information: Nature Machine Intelligence Felix Ruppert, Learning plastic matching of robot dynamics in closed-loop central pattern generators,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s42256-022-00505-4
Credit: Carnegie Mellon University

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University took an all-terrain vehicle on wild rides through tall grass, loose gravel and mud to gather data about how the ATV interacted with a challenging off-road environment.

They drove the heavily instrumented ATV aggressively at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. They slid through turns, took it up and down hills, and even got it stuck in the mudall while gathering data such as video, the speed of each wheel and the amount of suspension shock travel from seven types of sensors.

The resulting dataset, called TartanDrive, includes about 200,000 of these interactions. The researchers believe the data is the largest real-world, multimodal, off-road driving dataset, both in terms of the number of interactions and types of sensors. The five hours of data could be useful for training a self-driving vehicle to navigate off road.

"Unlike autonomous street driving, off-road driving is more challenging because you have to understand the dynamics of the terrain in order to drive safely and to drive faster," said Wenshan Wang, a project scientist in the Robotics Institute (RI).

Previous work on off-road driving has often involved annotated maps, which provide labels such as mud, grass, vegetation or water to help the robot understand the terrain. But that sort of information isn't often available and, even when it is, might not be useful. A map area labeled as mud, for example, may or may not be drivable. Robots that understand dynamics can reason about the physical world.

Credit: Carnegie Mellon University

The research team found that the multimodal sensor data they gathered for TartanDrive enabled them to build prediction models superior to those developed with simpler, nondynamic data. Driving aggressively also pushed the ATV into a performance realm where an understanding of dynamics became essential, said Samuel Triest, a second-year master's student in robotics.

"The dynamics of these systems tend to get more challenging as you add more speed," said Triest, who was lead author on the team's resulting paper. "You drive faster, you bounce off more stuff. A lot of the data we were interested in gathering was this more aggressive driving, more challenging slopes and thicker vegetation because that's where some of the simpler rules start breaking down."

Though most work on self-driving vehicles focuses on street driving, the first applications likely will be off road in controlled access areas, where the risk of collisions with people or other vehicles is limited. The team's tests were performed at a site near Pittsburgh that CMU's National Robotics Engineering Center uses to test autonomous off-road vehicles. Humans drove the ATV, though they used a drive-by-wire system to control steering and speed.

"We were forcing the human to go through the same control interface as the robot would," Wang said. "In that way, the actions the human takes can be used directly as input for how the robot should act."

Triest presented the TartanDrive study at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in Philadelphia.

Explore further Roboticists go off road to compile data that could train self-driving ATVs

More information: Samuel Triest et al, TartanDrive: A Large-Scale Dataset for Learning Off-Road Dynamics Models. arXiv:2205.01791v1 [cs.RO], Samuel Triest et al, TartanDrive: A Large-Scale Dataset for Learning Off-Road Dynamics Models. arXiv:2205.01791v1 [cs.RO], arxiv.org/abs/2205.01791
Fostering the energy transition requires advanced and sophisticated technology. However, such interconnected solutions are exposed to a wide range of cyber-attacks. A European project aims to tackle these growing threats by improving the security of power grids.

In the mid-1990s, when he was 9 to 12 years old, Tommy DeVoss broke into the computer systems of global fast-food and pharmaceutical companies. He also hacked into organizations such as the U.S. government, the U.S. military, and NASA. After a few jail terms, he now works as a security engineer for a big New York-based company.

"I did it for fun," he recalls. "I enjoyed the fact that I was exposing their weaknesses. I was targeting giants who were all supposed to have the best security in the world. I was told that some of them were so secure that they couldn't be hacked. It was a further challenge for me, so I said: "OK, let's see if it's accurate. And it never was."

Almost 30 years later, in March, U.S. President Joe Biden said that "this is a critical moment to accelerate our work to improve cybersecurity" and acknowledged that "the US Federal Government can't defend against this threat alone." Furthermore, with the war raging at the doors of Europe, the United States and their allied cybersecurity authorities warned of the increased threat of "Russian cyber groups targeting critical infrastructure that could impact organizations both within and beyond the Ukraine region." "Russian state-sponsored cyber actors have demonstrated capabilities to compromise IT networks, to exfiltrate sensitive data and to disrupt critical industrial control systems by deploying destructive malware," says their joint advisory, issued on 20 April.

According to Tommy DeVoss, cyber-defenders are almost always at least one step behind attackers. "Not only do the hackers have significantly more time to spend looking for new methods," he says. "The problem is also that the defensive cyber security is reactive instead of being proactive."

Anastasis Tzoumpas has been working to reverse this approach. As head of the electrical and power systems at Ubitech Energy, he leads the implementation of a "cybersecurity framework" for Tigon: a 48-month EU-funded project, running until August 2024 and aimed at fostering the energy transition through the optimization of power grids. "While most renewable sources like photovoltaic are DC-based, the electricity grids commonly used in our cities are not," he explains. "To feed renewables into these grids, we therefore have to use transformers. The problem is that the common ones are not 100% efficient and some of the energy gets lost."

Such optimization is made possible by new and more technologically advanced transformers, which are nevertheless highly interconnected and therefore more exposed to a wide range of attacks. "The objective of our cyber-security framework is to assess the system and to provide the security information which is needed to set up the possible responses to such cyber-attacks," says Mr. Tzoumpas. "We first target the main threat models and then we try to frame the most adapted defense mechanisms."

The final step of this phase is the implementation of a cyber-security resilience plan, which is now about to be completed at two selected demonstration sites in France and in Spain. The viability of the solutions developed will then be replicated in real-life scenarios in Finland and Bulgaria. "Improvement of renewables production management and power storage systems will be tested in the Finnish residential district of Naantali. And increasing the stability and resilience of the power grid will be the objective of the replication case involving the underground network of the Bulgarian capital, Sophia."

As all other public services depend upon them, power grids are considered among the most critical infrastructure. Moreover, experts at ENISA, the European Agency for Cybersecurity, say that "the uptake of new technologies in the energy sector means there is a larger attack surface for cyber attackers. In the past, you needed physical access to a grid substation to disrupt the energy flow. Today an equivalent amount of damage can be achieved by a fingertip on a keyboard. And this exercise can be performed from any place in the world."

As also confirmed by a study by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber-attacks is today considered "a major threat to the stability and safety of our society." A clear example was the 2017 ransomware campaign "Wannacry," targeting a vulnerability in the Windows operating system. "Due to its massive distribution, it caused widespread chaos," recall ENISA's cybersecurity experts. "It infected over 230,000 systems and hit more than 150 countries. Surgery and X-rays were delayed in the hospitals, the rail sector was affected in Germany as well as the telecommunications in Spain."

Ransomware involves malicious attacks mainly encrypting an organization's data and demanding payment to restore access. In addition, a ransom is demanded for not disclosing the stolen information. ENISA warns that we're now in the "golden era" of ransomware and, in its annual report on the state of the cybersecurity landscapes, ranks it as a "prime threat" for 2021. "The number of publicly reported cases of ransomware jumped from an average of around 15 for the first few months of 2020 to around 35 for the period up to July 2021. Moreover, the average cost of such incidents more than tripled, compared to 2020."

A Europe-wide survey conducted by Ubitech, reveals that the big organizations' readiness level to tackle such threats grew recently to 3-3.5 on a scale from 0 to 5. "This outcome is encouraging," says Mr. Tzoumpas. "It means that cybersecurity is now taken more and more seriously." But a lot has still to be done and most experts agree that no defense strategy will ever be effective, as long as there is not a real and widespread awareness of cyber-threats. Chris Dickens is Solutions engineer at HackerOne, a US company with a wide portfolio of "ethical hackers" who find and fix vulnerabilities for global brands and government organizations. "Getting oversight of these vulnerabilities is the first step to mitigating the risk," he says. "A study that we did recently has shown that one third of organizations monitor less than 75% of their total attack surface. Almost 20% also believe that over half of their attack surface is either unknown or not observable."

In such a context, says Mr. Tzoumpas, "our first step will consist in sharing the recommendations issued by our tests with the power operators. Then, depending on their policies, on their cybersecurity plans, and on the level of interconnection of their grids, we will also provide specific solutions aimed at detecting and countering such threats."

But the very challenge, warns DeVoss, will be to keep up with the cyber-criminals: "Computers and security evolve constantly," he says. "There are always new attack types and always new ways to evade whatever defenses we put in place."

Explore further How Ukraine has defended itself against cyberattackslessons for the US
Kurt Busch is among the few NASCAR drivers over 40 still on the track and producing wins. Thats why it came as a shock that, despite his success, they decided to sign Tyler Reddick earlier last week, although Reddick wont be joining the team for two more years. However, when that happens, either he or Bubba Wallace will need to leave the team.

Rather than be upset, Busch seems unbothered by the changes, saying that whatever plans 23XI Racing might have in the future, it has no effect on his plans.

Kurt Busch says that 23XI Racing signing Tyler Reddick starting in 2024 doesnt change his timeline on a decision whether to retire following the 2023 season. pic.twitter.com/YMHS2MwZVo  Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 16, 2022

Its all on the same timeline, Busch said Friday night before the race in New Hampshire. For me, this is just now that its out in the open, things that weve been working on behind the scenes, part of the process of which drivers we were evaluating and communicating with Toyota and their development program as well. So its neat to have these options, thats the key thing as well as the options part of this. Its what it does with sponsorship, its what it does with Toyotas involvement, and just the way that were developing some things and the infrastructure behind the scenes. This is a key movement. And thats what were trying to do is do it as a team.

Although there is speculation as to who might be out once Reddick comes in, Busch doesnt seem to be worried about his place on the team.

Its still the same, its a matter of what is the right option. And when all signs point towards this or that, the great thing that I have right now is a lot of respect from the race team. Steve Lauletta, MJ (Michael Jordan), and Denny (Hamlin) said that I have a seat as long as I want it. Thats so valuable to me. Justit makes me smile, want to race harder, and work harder. So theres still plenty of options that were looking at.

Even if he eventually decides to leave, Busch is not worried about the future.

The key thing is if the phone keeps ringing, you keep racing.

[Bob Pockrass, Yahoo! Sports]
WASHINGTON  Sen. Ted Cruz is joining a multitude of conservatives in continuing to say the 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage was wrong and an overreach, stoking concerns that the reversal of Roe v. Wade could impact other past decisions.

In a clip posted to his podcast YouTube channel Saturday, the Texas Republican discussed the vulnerability of the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling with conservative commentator Liz Wheeler.

Obergefell, like Roe vs. Wade, ignored two centuries of our nations history, Cruz said in the clip. Marriage was always an issue that was left to the states.

Before the decision, 37 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized same-sex marriages while Texas and nine other states had constitutional provisions that barred recognition of the unions.

Cruz argued it should have remained for the states to decide.

In Obergefell, the court said, No, we know better than you guys do, and now every state must, must sanction and permit gay marriage, Cruz said in the clip.

This is not Cruzs first time speaking out against the ruling. Shortly after the decision to federally legalize same-sex marriage, Cruz described it as the very definition of lawlessness, and called it an instance of naked and shameless acts of judicial activism.

He went so far as proposing a constitutional amendment allowing for judicial retention elections, which would allow Americans to vote whether to retain a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court every eight years after their appointment.

Cruzs most recent comments come weeks after the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe, which removed a constitutional protection for abortion. Following the decision LGBTQ rights activists have expressed concern that same-sex protections might be targeted or reduced next.

In a previous interview with The Dallas Morning News, Jonathan Mitchell, known as the architect of Texas Senate Bill 8, indicated that he was shifting his legal focus to same-sex marriage.

While in the courts majority opinion Justice Samuel Alito wrote the decision focused solely on the right to abortion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a separate opinion that the court should reconsider decisions striking down state restrictions on same-sex marriage, sodomy and contraceptives.

In the interview with Wheeler, Cruz said he thinks the current Supreme Court, apart from Thomas, does not have an appetite to overturn decisions on same-sex marriage. He said one factor preventing justices from doing this is the reliance Americans have had on the precedent.

Youve got a ton of people who have entered into gay marriages and it would be more than a little chaotic for the court to do something that somehow disrupted those marriages that had been entered into in accordance with the law, Cruz said in the clip.
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Thai activists involved in the country's pro-democracy protests have had their smartphones infected with NSO Group's infamous Pegasus government-sponsored spyware.

At least 30 individuals, spanning activists, academics, lawyers, and NGO workers, are believed to have been targeted between October 2020 and November 2021, many of whom have been previously detained, arrested and imprisoned for their political activities or criticism of the government.

"The timing of the infections is highly relevant to specific political events in Thailand, as well as specific actions by the Thai justice system," the Citizen Lab said in a Sunday report. "In many cases, for example, infections occurred slightly before protests and other political activities by the victims."

The findings are the result of threat notifications sent by Apple last November to alert users it believes have been targeted by state-sponsored attackers.

The attacks entailed the use of two zero-click exploits  KISMET and FORCEDENTRY  to compromise the victims' phones and deploy Pegasus, a spyware that's capable of intercepting calls and texts as well as amassing other information stored in a phone. It can also turn it into a remote listening device.

Google Project Zero researchers have described the iOS zero-click attacks as "a weapon against which there is no defense," adding "there is no way to prevent exploitation by a zero-click exploit."

The earliest cases of infections using the KISMET exploit occurred in October 2020 against out-of-date iPhones, with the FORCEDENTRY exploit deployed against Apple devices running iOS versions 14.4, 14.6, and 14.7.1 starting in February 2021.

It's worth pointing out that Apple fixed KISMET in iOS 14 with what's called the BlastDoor sandbox system. FORCEDENTRY was patched by the tech giant in September 2021 with iOS 14.8.

Apple, earlier this month, also announced that it's architecting a new security measure called Lockdown Mode to counteract mercenary spyware and safeguard high-risk users against "highly targeted cyberattacks."

Citizen Lab noted that there is currently at least one Pegasus customer active in Thailand, although it's not immediately known if it's connected to a specific government agency.

NSO has long claimed that its spyware is used by government clients to tackle serious crime, but evidence gathered so far has pointed to repeated instances of abuse of the surveillance tool to snoop on members of the civil society. The Israeli firm has since been blocklisted by the U.S.

"The hacking points to a sophisticated understanding of non-public elements of the Thai activist community, including funding and roles of specific individuals," Citizen Lab researchers said.

"This finding is part of a broader trend seen in Thailand where the government has been engaged in increased efforts to monitor or control information since the 2014 coup."

The development also comes as Amnesty International reiterated that the lack of a global moratorium on the sale of spyware is enabling the surveillance industry to function unchecked.

"We can now officially add Thailand to the growing list of countries where people peacefully calling for change, expressing an opinion, or discussing government policies may trigger invasive surveillance with a profound toll on an individual's freedom of expression, privacy, and sense of security," said Amnesty International's Etienne Maynier.
OMAHA  Three Central Nebraska students are among the first recipients of the Marylinn Munson & Bio Nebraska STEM Scholarships.

Recipients are recent graduates Mattison Beattie, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller High School; Wil Fiddelke, Ravenna High School; and Miranda Langer, Riverside High School, Spalding, Nebraska. All will be attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall.

A fourth scholarship was awarded to an Omaha student.

Scholarship recipients will each receive $2,500 to be used towards tuition for the 2022-23 academic year as they pursue relevant classroom study and professional experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related fields.

Marylinn Munson has worked in the life science, biotechnology and agriculture industries for more than 20 years. Currently she is on two Boards, RAIN Incubator advancing STEM and Recombinetics solving intractable challenges through gene editing. She has held international leadership roles at industry-leading biotech and life science companies.

Founded in 2005, Bio Nebraska is a non-profit trade association dedicated to supporting and promoting Nebraskas bioscience sector and ensuring the sector grows and thrives. Bio Nebraska is the only organization in the state representing more than 100 bio-related entities in the human health, medical device, animal health, agriculture, renewable fuels and industrial biotech sectors, as well as educational institutions and service providers. For more information, visit bionebraska.org.

First-year students join Nebraska Business Honors Academy

LINCOLN  Forty-three incoming first-year students have accepted invitations to join the Nebraska Business Honors Academy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall. Comprising the academys 10th cohort, the students hail from six U.S. states and 13 Nebraska communities.

Area students who will be part of the cohort are: Carter Mann of Burwell, actuarial science (Burwell Junior-Senior High School); Emily Krupicka of Grand Island, business administration (Northwest); and Mari Conant, business administration (Adams Central).

The cohorts complete most of their core and foundation business curriculum together using an action-based learning style focused on the development of critical thinking, technical and communication skills. Students choose from 11 academic majors in the College of Business, including business and law, offered in partnership with the Nebraska College of Law.

The new students will participate in leadership activities and student competitions across the country to enhance their professional communication. The students will also participate in internships. This summer, more than 50% of academy students are participating in paid internships in 13 states and two countries.

Academy students also study abroad. Since January, 28% of the students have studied abroad in eight countries.

South Dakota State announces spring 2022 deans list

BROOKINGS, S.D.  South Dakota State has announced the deans list for the spring 2022 semester.

Area students on the listing include: Anna Hamling of Albion, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Payton Sindelar of Grand Island, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions; Maria Northington of Hastings, College of Nursing;

Benjamin Dinkel, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Dante Koupal, both of Kearney, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences; Natalie Gydesen of North Loup, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences; and Emma Millsap of Westerville, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Academic honors

Four area students have been named to the deans list for the spring semester at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kan. They are Trevor D. Cumpston, Benjamin W. Hahn and Carson A. Mikkelsen of Aurora; and Angelina J. Tilson of Central City. To be included on the honor roll, a student must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours) and earn at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

*****

Several area students have been named to the Deans List at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. They are Morgan Semm of Dannebrog; and Dillon Graf and Linden Howe of Kearney. To be eligible for the Deans List, students must have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the Spring 2022 semester at Drake.

*****

Lillian Kingsley of Hastings has been named to the spring semester Deans List at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. The list includes students who have earned a 3.7 grade point average (based on a scale in which 4.0 = A) or higher for the semester ending in May 2022.
Painters, photographers, sculptors, crafters, quilters and more brought their creations to Grand Islands 40th Art in the Park, held Sunday in Stolley Park.

Jeremy Hansen of FineArtZero showed his dynamic paintings on large canvases, embellished with drips and splatters.

His portraits depict the gentle cow or the prairie horse, and mythic portraits of Skeletor upon Panthor or Optimus Prime.

A lot of my stuff is inspired from memories as a child and some of the things around the rural area where I live, Hansen said. Lots of flowers and cows and horses, and some of the toys I got for Christmas and shoes I went through as a kid.

Steve Kjar of Grand Islands Pioneer Carvers showed his many handcrafted pieces in hopes of inspiring others to pursue the craft.

The carvers meet every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Fire Station 1 near Island Oasis Water Park.

His carvings are made of basswood, which has a tight grain that carves well.

When we want to make something that we dont paint we use butternut, some people call it white walnut, a real pretty wood, Kjar explained. We stain those or leave them natural.

Kjar prefers to craft by hand, using such tools as knives and gouges.

Some things Ill do with a rotary tool, like a Dremel, and sand it a bit, but most of the stuff I carve I dont like to use that power stuff. I like to just carve it, he said.

Visitors to the park were drawn to Kjars table in awe of his many creations.

Its nice to see people liking the stuff youve done, he said. The main reason were out here is because were trying to get people started with carving and let them know its something they can do.

Andy Gentert, of Hastings, drew crowds with his geometric paintings and visual illusions, though he describes himself as only a hobbyist.

His works looked like nothing else at Sundays event, and like something not seen since the 1980s, when artists were experimenting with the Apple II computer.

I usually just start out by playing with shapes, Gentert explained. The material I transfer the drawings to is called Masonite, or hard board. I cut them out with a jigsaw and use acrylics to make it look like three-dimensional overlapping shapes.

Genterts works arent all simply flat. Some are textured and adorned, as well.

I keep trying, experimenting with new techniques and incorporating that into the geometric shapes I use, he said. I just have fun. Its like therapy for me. It gives me something detailed to work on and fills my time. And I just enjoy getting out and sharing it.

Monce Garcia of Lexington has built an enterprise from her creations.

Garcia brought to Sundays event her handmade jewelry, wax melts, smudge kits, essential oil blends and more.

I just enjoy making all this, since I was little. Ive been doing it for quite a while now, she told The Independent.

Garcia enjoys being able to do what she loves and have it enjoyed so much by others.

Its really cool. I love that people like the stuff I make. It makes me happy, she said.

To see Garcias handmade items, visit http://moncescreations.com.

Bringing art to a community, and allowing artists a venue to engage others, is important, said event co-organizer Jean Cook.

With artists, we like to meet people, Cook said. Art is very quiet. As artists, we tend to work in our own little studios, in our own little world. By being able to have an Art in the Park like this, we can meet the public and share what we do and love to do, and have the affirmation of people going, Oh my goodness, I love your work. Those little things just make us want to do it more, and having that time to spend with people is really awesome for us.

By noon, a robust and engaged crowd had filled Stolley Park.

Im glad to see people coming out and enjoying all of the artwork, Cook said. Its wonderful.

The day was not impeded by the previous evenings thunderstorm and a brief tornado threat near Cairo.

We were really concerned last night with the sirens going off and how wet the park would be
Tim Krupicka, an educator of 40 years, including 12 years as Northwest High School principal, is now in charge of the Wayne State Colleges apprenticeship program offered locally via Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

For Wayne States Career Scholars Program, Krupicka is serving as director of workforce and community education.

The program is a partnership between Wayne State, the City of Grand Island, its businesses and employers, and Wayne State students.

For their first three years students will attend the Wayne State campus, pursuing majors that include business, information technology and industrial technology.

For their fourth year, they will come to Grand Island.

Were going to team these Wayne State students up with employers here in Grand Island to serve a full, year-long internship program, explained Krupicka, where they will be paid and receive a scholarship in order to pay for housing here, with the hopes they will be housed as a cohort together, ideally right in downtown.

By completing their internship locally, it is hoped these young professionals will want to stay in Grand Island into the future.

Krupicka had his first day as program director on July 1. His duties include being a liaison between all of these entities, particularly with Grand Island businesses.

I will work with them to meet and greet with the Wayne State College students, he said.

Krupicka is working with Michael Keibler, Wayne State director of cooperative education, to make those matches with Grand Island businesses and students for their senior year.

Serving as program director, and its promise of guiding young college students to their futures, is very exciting, said Krupicka.

I spent the past 40 years in education, both as a teacher and a principal, he said. I see this as a natural progression. At one time in my career I was a K-12 principal, and now Im working with college kids.

It was a more natural progression than even his interviewers at WSC first realized.

Prior to serving as Northwest High principal, Krupicka was a middle school principal in Wayne.

One of the committee was a parent who I had their student when I was at Wayne Middle School, so they remembered me, he said.

And while he was a principal in Wayne, he served as an adjunct at WSC!

I had that connection to Wayne State and now to Grand Island, and I put the two together, he said.

Connecting students now with opportunities in local business is important as, according to a study completed with Grand Island area employers, there are many business leaders who are readying to retire, said Krupicka.

We have to find ways to provide for young people to come to Grand Island and take over some of these jobs. Move in to some of these jobs, if you will, he said.

While there is much interest in the program from local employers, a challenge for Krupicka is keeping the programs 15 first-year students interested in coming to Grand Island through to their senior year.

Theres more of a need right now than we have supply of students ready to come here, he said. Ive got to keep them interested, and I believe they will be because we need young people to fill these positions, but keep them interested until their senior year.

Though all 15 of the programs positions are filled this year, there may be up to five alternate placements available, said Krupicka.

There are students who drop out of the program, even though its the first year. They may have committed to it and changed their mind, he said.

The program is expected to expand each year to include more students.

My job becomes twofold then, said Krupicka. I need to feed the next class following, so I will be going into area high schools and recruiting students to attend Wayne State, and to be interested in and apply for the Career Scholars Program.

For more information about this program, visit www.wsc.edu/career-scholars.
YORK  Last October, a bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Edith Hernandez, 31, of Long Beach, Calif., who failed to show up for arraignment on a charge of drug possession after a traffic stop in York County. She was eventually taken into custody and sentencing was supposed to take place this past week. However, she failed to show for sentencing proceedings and another bench warrant was issued for her arrest.

The case began when she was stopped for speeding, going 98 mph, on Interstate 80. A trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol initiated the traffic stop, according to court documents.

The trooper indicates in the affidavit filed with the court he could smell marijuana inside the vehicle being driven by Hernandez.

He says Hernandez and her passenger admitted to having marijuana in the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers found marijuana and a bag of Psilocybin mushrooms.

When she failed to appear, she was charged with an additional Class 4 felony.

She later pleaded no contest to the drug possession charge and the failure to appear charge was dismissed.

She is facing a possible maximum sentence of two years in prison with 12 months of post-release supervision. Sentencing will be set after she is taken into custody.
MARION  Williamson County Democrat Party Chair Tom Caliper said Saturday that Tyler Dihle, an attorney with the Sam C. Mitchell & Associates law firm in West Frankfort, will be State's Attorney Brandon Zanotti's recommendation as his replacement leading into the special election this November.

"Mr. Dihle has no intention to run for state's attorney in this year's November election," said Caliper, who last week was irritated with Zanotti because he was resigning early, forcing the runoff election, rather than waiting a couple of days, which would have required that a Democrat hold the position until the November 2024 presidential election.

"Therefore, the Williamson County Democrat Party is in the process of naming a replacement to fill the state's attorney position and be slated to run for the remainder of the four-year term."

Caliper told The Southern previously that he would talk with Zanotti prior to his last day on the job (Friday, July 22) and would likely support his recommendation - Dihle - for the job. He has since changed his mind.

When contacted Monday, Zanotti said he still plans to recommend Dihle to the county board of commissioners, who will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Accepting Zanotti's resignation and appointing a replacement are items listed on the agenda.

"I plan on recommending Tyler for appointment to the office of state's attorney upon my resignation," Zanotti said. "I have served in that role for almost eight years now, and know and understand very well the kind of person that should serve as state's attorney. I believe that to be Tyler Dihle. He is intelligent, fair, honest, and possesses the leadership skills and character to do the job admirably."

Republican Party Chairman Jeff Diederich told WSIL-TV last week that the party will support Theodore "Ted" Hampson as the representative for the party in November.

Hampson was hired last month by the Williamson County Board at Zanotti's request to serve the state's attorney's office on contract as a paid assistant.

Efforts to reach Dihle Monday proved unsuccessful.
Claflin University's selection as a recipient of the inaugural Getty Images Photo Archive Grant for historically Black colleges and universities will provide South Carolina's oldest HBCU with expanded opportunities to increase awareness of its proud legacy.

Founded in 1869, Claflin was also the first college/university in South Carolina to admit all students regardless of ethnic origin, gender, race, or religion. Claflin, Jackson State University, Prairie View A&M, and North Carolina Central University were awarded the $500,000 grant funded to support preserving and amplifying the invaluable visual history of our institutions. The grant was funded by the Getty family and the philanthropic organization Stand Together.

"We are enormously grateful to receive the Getty Images Photo Archive Grant for historically Black colleges and universities," said Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack when notified of Claflin's selection in January 2022. "This partnership will help Claflin preserve its illustrious history in photographs documenting the university's emergence as one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. These images provide compelling visual narratives of how Claflin's dedicated and visionary administrators, distinguished faculty and staff, and high-achieving scholars made indelible contributions to Orangeburg, the state of South Carolina, and the world."

Funding from the grant will help digitize and restore roughly 50,000 archival photographs from Claflin University's library. It will also highlight decades of photography by Cecil Williams, a renowned photojournalist and Claflin alumnus (Class of '60). Williams is also the director of historic preservation and a staff photographer at Claflin.

Cassandra Illidge, vice president of partnerships and executive director of the HBCU grants program, and Matt Flor, a photographer and digital photography expert with Adnet Global, visited Claflin this past week to launch the photo digitization and metadata application process. They worked alongside Williams and his interns.

Illidge said. "We wanted to bring our expertise, equipment, software and distribution experience to the institutions. The history and the legacy belongs to the HBCUs. This program was created to support the work all HBCUs are doing to preserve this valuable visual history.

"Getty Images is going through a meticulous digitization process with our very own photo archives in London. It is an honor to share some of our insights with each HBCU. We are excited to help HBCUs share their story, traditions, and importance to the fabric of history with the world."

All revenue generated from the photos licensed on www.gettyimages.com impacts the program: 50% to the grant recipients; 30% will fund scholarships focused on furthering the education of students at HBCUs; and the remaining 20% will be reinvested to fund the Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs each year.

Each school was responsible for selecting its student interns. The selection process included recommendations from university administrators, faculty, staff, and supervisors from previous internships or work-study positions. Applicants were also required to provide insight into their career paths.

Interns selected at Claflin for the inaugural year of the grant are Zharia Casteal, a senior history major from Blythewood; Tzion Lawrence, a junior mass communications major from Orangeburg; Antonio King, a senior mass communications major from Williston; and Otiana Thompson, a senior with a double major in history and Africana studies, from Blythewood.

"The interns are incredibly talented and bring unique perspectives to the program since they are all from South Carolina," Illidge said. "They have been energized by researching Claflin's history and applying missing information to the university's photos. They are our future leaders, and it is important for them to be fully involved with this program, from the scanning process to approving final images to go on www.gettyimages.com. We want the students to learn from this experience and share their knowledge and experience with others. Perhaps this project will lead them into a career path they had never considered."

"I am learning about the importance of preserving history," said Thompson, Claflin's Student Government Association president for the 2022-23 academic year. "This project closely relates to my major, and I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in history or African American studies after I graduate from Claflin. I am receiving hands-on experience that will be helpful when I conduct research for my classes or personal projects."

Lawrence's interest in history and his passion for photography inspired him to apply for an internship position.

"I am a photographer, and I chose mass communications as my major to study journalism," Lawrence said. "I heard about the internship from Mr. Williams. We are scanning photos that will become digital images. People will be able to access and store them on their phones, computers, or other electronic devices. This internship is an excellent opportunity for me to learn more about Claflin's rich history and the process of preserving these historic images. We can see Claflin's technological and architectural advancements through these photographs."

"We could not have achieved this impactful initiative without our partnerships," Illidge said. "Epson USA has donated professional-grade scanners and software to each grant recipient. Adnet Global, our trusted production partner for more than 20 years, is restoring and applying valuable metadata to the HBCU's photo library. In addition to preserving the archival history of HBCUs, it is also vital to add contemporary content. Earlier this year, Getty Image's partner, Canon USA, donated gently used camera gear to Claflin to support events today.

"We welcome other brands to partner with Getty Images on this important program. We are just getting started and hope to work with all HBCUs, fraternities, and sororities, thereby fully expanding the visual narrative of black culture and history."
Fire fighters were called out to field fires in Capellen, Oberwampach and Hassel on Sunday.

Three field fires and a bin fire were reported by the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps on Sunday afternoon.

Fire fighters from Weiler and Luxembourg City were called out to rue de Dalheim, Hassel, shortly after midday after a field caught fire.

Three hours later, a second field caught fire in Capellen's activity park, requiring three units of fire fighters from Luxembourg, Kehlen and Mamer.

At the same time, another fire was reported in a field in Oberwampach.

In Lamadelaine, a bin caught fire at around 4.20pm, which was quickly brought under control by Petange fire fighters.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the above incidents.
AW year after spyware Pegasus made global headlines for being misused to target activists, politicians, lawyers, and journalists, Amnesty International Luxembourg has criticised the fact there is still no moratorium on the espionage software.

In a statement published on Monday, the human rights organisation demanded that Luxembourg put forward an official proposal to add the developer and cyber-arms company NSO Group to the list of entities sanctioned by the European Union for human rights violations.

The press release also draws attention to the fact that the United States of America have already issued commercial sanctions against NSO, and that the Group is currently being investigated by India, Mexico, Poland, and France. In March this year, the European Parliament also tasked an enquiry commission with analysing the use of Pegasus and other spyware in Europe.

The press release further announces the launch of a petition with the goal of establishing a global moratorium on spyware, which the organisation argues should remain in place until the necessary regulations to protect human rights have been set up.
With especially hot and dry weather descending on Wyoming, the BLM today began fire restrictions for its land in Campbell County. On Friday, the same rules go into effect on BLM land in Weston and Cook counties, according to a Monday press release.

The Stage 1 fire protections limit public activity on BLM land. Theyre put in place when the agency determines there is significant risk of wildfires, the agency said in a Monday news release. Temperatures have remained in the 90s for an extended period of time in Wyoming. Combined with dry and windy conditions, theyve raised the fire danger of late.

Fire restrictions on BLM lands have already gone into effect in other Wyoming counties including Natrona, Converse and Platte.

Under the restrictions:

starting fires or keeping a fire going is prohibited, except at provided fire grates at recreation sites. Fires within fully enclosed stoves with 1/4 inch spark arrestor screens  which keep sparks from jumping out  are OK. Cooking with fully enclosed grills or pressurized liquid or gas stoves is also allowed;

smoking is forbidden except in enclosed vehicles and buildings, and designated recreation sites. In barren areas at least 3 feet wide with no flammable materials is OK, too;

visitors cannot use chainsaws without spark arrestors approved by the United States Department of Agriculture or the Society of Automotive Engineers. Theyll also need a chemical fire extinguisher at least 8 ounces in capacity, and a round-point shovel at least 36 inches long; and

operating tools that use open flames  like welders or acetylenes  is prohibited except in cleared areas at least 10 feet wide. Having a chemical fire extinguisher at least 8 ounces in capacity on hand is also required.

Visitors to BLM land must observe additional year-round rules to prevent wildfires, which forbid:

use of fireworks;

shooting incendiary or tracer rounds in firearms;

burning any tire, wire, magnesium or any other explosive or hazardous materials;

using explosives, incendiary or pyrotechnic devices of any kind; and

off-road vehicles without properly installed spark arrestors

People who defy these restrictions could be found in violation of federal law  and face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Monday reversed the prison sentence of a Jackson woman now serving 20 years for aggravated vehicular homicide, concluding the judge in her case considered two constitutionally prohibited factors when he punished her last year.

Ninth District Judge Marvin Tyler erred when he noted during Jade Jewkes sentencing that she had refused to answer law enforcement questions or take a breath test, despite Jewkes constitutional right against self-incrimination. Further, Tyler said he weighed the communitys expectations in handing down the 15- to 20-year prison sentence, the maximum under Wyoming law. That latter decision violated Jewkes due process rights, the high court held.

The supreme court ordered that Jewkes, who is an inmate at the Wyoming Womens Center in Lusk, receive a new sentencing hearing in light of its ruling.

We cannot know what Ms. Jewkes sentence would have been had the district court not incorporated constitutionally prohibited factors into its sentencing decision, the high court concluded in its unanimous decision. The application of not one, but two, constitutionally prohibited aggravating factors in sentencing undermines the fairness and integrity of judicial proceedings and is plain error.

On New Years Day 2021, Jewkes drove her Jeep into oncoming traffic, where it collided with a Ford F-250 driven by Shane Deal of Pinedale. He died later that day. Jewkes blood alcohol concentration was .22, nearly three times the legal limit in Wyoming. She had drank for 22 hours straight that day, the Pinedale Roundup reported.

At Jewkes sentencing in August, Tyler noted that she refused to answer the questions of a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper while she was in the hospital after the crash. She also declined to share the PIN number to her iPhone with authorities and would not provide a breath sample.

In addition to noting Jewkes refusal to answer officers questions, Tyler also said during her sentencing that he factored in community values.

And so I try to consider ... where I am and what the citizens in our jurisdiction where this crime is when Im doing the sentencing expects me to do, he said.

On the question of self-incrimination, the high court concluded Jewkes was penalized in part for exercising her constitutional right. It batted back suggestions that the judge was merely considering her cooperation and remorse in handing down the prison sentence.

The district courts remarks were not directed at remorse, or any other factor related to cooperation..., the ruling states. The district courts reliance on Ms. Jewkes exercise of her constitutional rights as an aggravating factor in sentencing violated a clear and unequivocal rule of law.

Similarly, the justices found that the lower court had relied on its unsupported view of what the community expects in sentencing Ms. Jewkes, violating her due process rights in the process.
Spring rains atop deep snowpack fueled mid-June floods that inundated hundreds of homes, forced more than ten thousand tourists to evacuate, and caused millions of dollars worth of damage in the Yellowstone region, especially in southern Montana. Weeks later, the effects on the ecosystem were just beginning to emerge.

A week and a half after the historic floods, I walked down a gravel road in Montanas Paradise Valley with geomorphologist Karin Boyd, who runs a private consultancy in Bozeman focused on restoring river systems. We entered a normally bustling fishing-access site, closed due to the flooding. With no anglers or campers, it felt like a ghost town. The Yellowstone River was still high and muddy, around 30% above the average flow for this time of year.

You dont want to come out here and celebrate when people are hurting, Boyd said. But, she said, there is a lot to celebrate. Big floods  even if devastating to human communities  can help ecosystems like this one thrive.

As Boyd and I walked, we could see evidence of both destruction and regeneration. A waterlogged roof truss bobbed next to the bank. Caramel-color sediment, cracked like alligator skin, covered the top of a picnic table  an indication of how high the floodwaters had risen. Nearby, otter and beaver footprints dotted the ground. A red-tailed hawk soared overhead, and mergansers drifted down the turbid water.

A little giddy, Boyd pointed at depressions in the earth, still saturated with water, where riparian vegetation might be seeding. Willows and cottonwoods, man, those are just incredible in systems that get disturbed, she said. Cottonwoods release seeds during a narrow window each year, just after peak runoff. They need flood-scoured areas, where rushing water has deposited nutrient-rich soil and distributed seeds, to reproduce. Floods like this one can be crucial to creating and maintaining lush, diverse riverside habitat.

But the floods impacts arent all visible yet, Boyd said, and not all of them are positive. The success of those cottonwood seeds depends on the water receding gradually in the weeks to come; a sudden drop could leave the water table too low for their roots to reach. Meanwhile, the same water that deposited those seeds could also have carried their competitors  weeds and invasive plants  into new areas.

At the same time, the region is facing other, much greater challenges  mainly climate change. An assessment of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem speculates that the region could warm another 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, meaning more drought, more floods and more wildfire.

And yet, Boyd says, despite everything, shes optimistic about the future here.

The Yellowstone is the longest major undammed river in the Lower 48 and part of one of the largest river systems in the world. Its also a Blue Ribbon river, known for its world-class trout fishing. Anglers in the area generally target rainbows, brown trout and Yellowstone cutthroats.

Floods are horrible and devastating to humans and infrastructure when (the water) comes out of those riverbanks, said Scott Opitz, a fisheries biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Its almost the opposite for fish.

Opitz explained that all trout have adapted to flooding to some extent. They generally hang out in slack water near the riverbanks and rise with the water. Surging water deposits woody debris that can provide new safe havens for fish throughout the river. Floods also move and clean gravel and cobblestone, creating ideal new spawning grounds.

Back at the closed fishing-access site, Id seen these processes in action. The floodwaters had eaten away at the outside edge of a horseshoe-shaped bend in the river, gashing the earth within a couple feet of the road. Even over a week after the flood, cobblestones and gravel trickled  sometimes cascaded  from the incision into the river below. Elsewhere, bare cottonwood roots fanned out over deep pools near the riverbank  prime trout habitat.

Opitz said the flood could impact different species in different ways. Browns and rainbows, for example, were both introduced by anglers over a century ago and arent adapted to the regions cycle of runoff; brown trout spawn in the fall and rainbows generally reproduce in the spring, just before peak flows. Opitz speculated that the high, turbulent water could hurt both species reproduction.

Native Yellowstone cutthroat, he said, are a different story. Their populations have been struggling in many areas, in large part due to warming waters from climate change and competition from nonnatives like browns and rainbows. But theyve evolved to tolerate large-scale floods like this one. Cutthroats spawn after peak flows, as the water begins to recede. By rejuvenating habitat and gravel beds in which to spawn, Opitz said, the flood might actually help Yellowstone cutthroats thrive.

Big floods create habitat for more than just fish. For more than 40 years, Ric Hauer, professor emeritus of systems ecology at the University of Montana, has studied gravel-bottomed rivers like the Yellowstone. These are the major sites of biological activity and biodiversity  for birds, for ungulates, for wolves chasing them, Hauer said. Bears, eagles. Everything is focused on the floodplain.

Hauers research shows that about 70% of the bird species in the Yellowstone area depend on streamside, or riparian, habitats in floodplains  the habitats created by those cottonwoods. Smaller creatures, too, rely on the dynamics of flooding rivers. As floodwater rushes downstream, ripping up sediment in some places and depositing it elsewhere, water filters through the rivers gravel bottom and back up again. Microbes living beneath the surface attack organic matter in the river, releasing nitrogen and phosphorus, creating what Hauer calls hot spots for more productivity, where algae flourish. Aquatic insects feed on that algae, and fish in turn feed on those insects.

Its an amazing, amazing system, Hauer said.

A few days after meeting with geomorphologist Karin Boyd, I hiked the road that runs from Yellowstone National Parks North Entrance, along the Gardner River. It was still closed to vehicles, and with no cars or people in sight, the park felt eerily silent. Salmonflies the size of my pinky finger perched lazily on tall grasses. Elk tracks dotted the still-wet floodplain. White, fuzzy puffs of cottonwood seeds floated in the air. Eventually, I arrived at an area where the river had reclaimed the roadway: The pavement ended in a sharp plunge to flowing water about 30 feet below. Marveling at the floodplain, I almost stepped over the roads jagged edge.

The juxtaposition of the human and natural landscape here reminded me of something Id discussed with Boyd. In the Yellowstone, were so blessed with this, shed said, gesturing to the flowing, muddy water and the distant cottonwoods. She told me that shes worked in areas where rivers and creeks have been confined, channelized and generally controlled in the name of protecting human infrastructure and development. Now, as plans to rebuild take shape, people in the Yellowstone area are figuring out what comes next.
GILLETTE  What is it that determines a successful legal career? The metric is obviously personal to the lawyer, but for those assessing from the outside, its easy to reduce a career into the easily countable.

When prosecutors retire after long careers, perhaps theyre assessed on the number of convictions they secured. In the business and transactions world, perhaps lawyers are assessed on the size of the deals they close or the prominence of the businesses for whom they negotiate. For plaintiffs attorneys, success can be seen in the sheer dollar amounts of their wins.

Francis E. Stevens, better known around Gillette and the rest of Wyoming as Frank and a named partner at Stevens, Edwards & Hallock, P.C., will be remembered for a particular type of legal service thats a bit harder to cleanly count: adoptions.

Stevens is winding down his practice this summer after 46 years, all of which were conducted in Gillette. And sure, a person could try to count it up, but any figure would be lacking.

Joe Hallock, another named partner of Stevens firm, click-clacked around on his computer, scouring the firms files.

He pulled years seemingly at random: In 2007, he counted 17 adoption files under Stevens name; in 2010, it was 16; in 2018, Stevens had 18 new adoption cases, and in 2021, there were 15 on record.

Stevens consulted his records and confirmed all of this; he placed his rough estimate at somewhere between 600-700 adoptions, an average of 15 to 20 a year, he wrote in an email.

But its not the longevity of his career or shoddy record-keeping that makes the success of his career, with respect to adoptions, somewhat unquantifiable. Its the nature of adoptions themselves.

If the children were all that could be counted, then it would be somewhere between 600-700 lives affected, which, lets face it, is pretty impressive in itself.

But adoptions touch the lives of so many: the birth parents who werent ready for parenthood (and, quite possibly, any future families they might have when they are ready); the adoptive parents, so eager for children of their own; countless grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters; all of them with some small debt owed to Stevens and his efforts.

It was a Friday in June, and Stevens was just hopping off a phone call. As it turns out, its a lot of work to retire.

When he was asked to consider the most fundamental question to his nearly half-century of adoption work in Gillette, namely, Why adoptions? he gave an answer equal parts Aw, shucks, Im just doing my job, and Who can even remember at this point?

I dont really recall getting in it, he said. When you do general practice in Wyoming, you do a little bit of everything. But I did find soon that it was an enjoyable part of my practice. You feel like youre doing something very positive for the people involved, whether its the birth mom or adoptive parents. You feel like youre helping people.

Stevens said that adoption had always been a part of his practice, all the way back to his first year out of law school in 1976.

Gillettes always been a young community, he said.

As a result, young couples often wanted to be families, and oftentimes, young mothers-to-be didnt feel ready for the responsibility of parenthood.

He tried to present adoption as a win-win-win for all parties involved.

The birth mother benefits by knowing that her child is secure and going to a good home, Stevens said. The other side are people who might never have an opportunity to have a child. And the child gets stability and parents.

It was important to present that holistic view of things, Stevens said, because adoption, no matter whether he represented the birth mother or the adoptive parents, always presents tough emotional decisions.

One might wonder why an attorney would specialize in an area of the law so rife with tough emotional decisions, but one has to assume Stevens considers the difficulties surrounding adoptions as better than a possible alternative.

Hes a strong Christian, Hallock said of Stevens at one point.

He sees adoption as a form of ministry, he said at another.

Hes pro-life, as well. This might not have come up if the Friday that Stevens picked up the phone to chat hadnt been the same Friday that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

When asked if he thought that the overturning of the case, which, for 50 years, had given women the constitutional right to end a pregnancy before the fetus was old enough to survive outside the mothers womb, would lead to an increased demand for adoptions and services like his own, Stevens couldnt say for sure.

But I see that being a good thing that could come out of it if it did, he said.

One certainty that comes from 46 years of facilitating adoptions is that a person gets a reputation.

Hallock affectionately referred to Stevens as the grandfather of adoptions in Wyoming, a moniker that Stevens definitely would have dismissed with the wave of a hand had he been around to hear it.

But Hallock may be more right than Stevens would ever concede.

About eight years ago, Courtney and Toby Bennett called Stevens to express their interest in adoption.

They knew to call Stevens because my mom knew him, that he did adoptions, Courtney said. She knew him in a professional capacity, too; she knew he was a good attorney.

After Stevens gave the Bennetts information about the adoption process, they decided they werent ready. But they kept Stevens in mind when, three years later, theyd made up their mind to adopt.

We contacted him again, and he said he knew of a woman who was thinking about choosing adoption for her unborn child, Courtney said.

Because remember: If theres one certainty that comes from working on adoptions so diligently for so long, its that a person gets a reputation.

I did a lot of private adoptions, Stevens said of the subset of adoptions in which theres no outside agencies involved, just the birth parents, adoptive parents and their lawyers. I had a relationship with several doctors and would tell prospective parents to work with their doctors and see if we could step in to help.

That degree of knowledge in the community helped Stevens facilitate the Bennetts adoption.

We met with her at his office about a week later, Courtney said. We all hit it off. Then I started going to all the medical appointments with her, and come September, we were parents. I was in the room as he was born. My husband got to give Carter his first bath and his first shots. We got to stay in the hospital that night, and from what Ive heard from other adoptions, we had the easiest experience. Like, no issues whatsoever. And we are so thankful to Frank.

With his help, the Bennetts are the loving parents to a little boy Courtney is dreading to see turn 5 years old. Theyve been there since his birth, and all of that can be traced back to a phone call.

But heres the thing: Stevens wasnt the Bennetts attorney. He was the birth mothers.

This was a common practice for Stevens. As he recounted his long career, he mentioned birth mothers more than just about any other topic, but he was clearly interested in achieving that win-win-win situation for all involved.

He actually suggested another attorney for us to use, Courtney said. And he, Franks office and Frank himself, prepared all the paperwork and made sure everything was running smoothly. Because our attorney, while he was great, I think ours was one of the first adoptions hed ever done.

Stevens, while modestly saying that he doesnt think hell leave that big of a hole in the local adoption expertise when he retires, simultaneously recognizes that younger and less experienced attorneys dont know the ropes as well.

My concern for the practice is that Ive always approached it with the mindset that you just dont cut any corners because its such a serious issue, Stevens said. Another concern is attorneys that do adoptions but not enough of them. Things might fall through the cracks.

There are many cracks, and no matter an attorneys years of experience, cracks always pose a threat.

Im thankful to say that, in all my years, Ive never had one challenged or reversed, he said.

Stevens relayed the fact that hed never had an adoption reversed with something akin to the verbal equivalent of a sigh of relief; he said it with appropriate pride but far from treating it like a given.

Thats fitting, because its no small thing.

Procedurally, the law has to be followed to a tee, Hallock said. The judiciary is very strict, requiring complete compliance, and the consequences are huge. If its defective in any way, it can be challenged.

The risk of a challenge is a huge anxiety for adoptive parents. Nobody wants the emotional fallout of having something as meaningful as an adoption reversed.

Hallock and his wife know of this pain firsthand. They both have a heart for adoption, and theyve successfully adopted twice, but one time, an adoption arrangement fell apart at the very last minute.

We took off and flew to California, with a car seat and everything, Karlene Hallock said. I was in the labor and delivery room with her. We held him. We named him. We did all this stuff. Then the nurses said, Why dont you go get a bite to eat for dinner and when you come back, well have the baby all cleaned up.

In the time they were gone, everything changed. It wasnt the result of legal deficiencies; the birth mothers family intervened, and the adoption wouldnt happen.

It was devastating, Karlene said. Because it truly felt like a death  Frank was a great sounding board for Joe during that time.

Stevens had been a sounding board for Joe Hallock before; the Hallocks first adoption was an international adoption from South Korea. (Stevens estimates hes done international adoptions from about 10 different countries, including Congo, Ukraine, Romania and China.)

Karlene said they were navigating blindly, but she remembered how comforting it was that Stevens knew the ins and outs of the Wyoming side of things so well, in addition to the guidance he provided for the international specifics.

Frank helped guide us through how we had to go through Immigration down in Denver, she said.

Stevens knowledge helped Joe greatly, she said.

My husband, as a lawyer, hes  how should I say?  not suspicious, but hes hesitant, Karlene said. Hes always looking for the other shoe to drop.

When asked about those experiences, Joe Hallock, unaware of what his wife had said, essentially confirmed her assessment.

I think Frank feels pressure from me in this area of the law, Hallock said. I think he feels an obligation as a friend and an attorney.

Stevens, for his part, said that its a special feeling to do adoptions for friends, other attorneys, other professionals that he interacts with and even a sitting judge once.

Whether he ever felt the pressure is hard to say, but as surely as he felt the joy of every successful adoption, he knew the risk if he didnt check every box and satisfy the requirements of the law perfectly.

Its not fun to come home with an empty car seat, Hallock said.

Stevens saw to it that, to the extent he was in control, none of his clients ever had to make such a trip.

Retirement is not unlike gray hairs. To paraphrase Proverbs 16:31, gray hairs are evidence of a life well lived, and retirement, one might say, is evidence of the same.

To any who know Frank Stevens personally, his retirement is to be celebrated, the just desserts of more than four decades in the legal trenches.

But to those who know Frank Stevens by reputation alone, perhaps as the grandfather of adoptions in Wyoming, his retirement will be mourned.

Hell likely no longer put up out-of-state adoptive parents at his own house, as Hallock said hed done. No longer will he be expected to seek out those win-win-win situations and earn the praise of families he helped who werent even his clients, like the Bennetts. No longer will he be expected to take the calls of expectant mothers or helpful doctors and connect them to eagerly awaiting families.

But thats OK. Through those nearly 50 years in the trenches, hes fought the good fight.
House District 44, located in south Cheyenne, has teetered on the line between Democrat and Republican control in recent years. In 2018, Democrat Sara Burlingame won the seat with 51.6% of the vote. In 2020, Romero-Martinez beat Burlingame with 50.4% of the vote. (Burlingame is running again this year on the Democrat ticket).

But the major differences among the three Republican candidates vying for the districts House seat center around how conservative their platforms are, particularly when it comes to spending money. The incumbent John Romero-Martinez describes himself as a moderate Republican and has advocated for spending money on social issues like health care access. His opponents, Tamara Trujillo and Michael Reyes, both consider themselves to be more fiscally conservative.

John Romero-MartinezRomero-Martinez has been District 44s representative since 2021. He previously vied for the seat in 2016 and 2018.

I have learned that its fast-paced, brutal, and a worthy honor, he said of serving as his districts representative.

If reelected, he said he would continue to focus on preeminent issues and inalienable rights, one of them being the right to life.

Abortion has been a big focus for Romero-Martinez during his time so far in the Legislature. He sponsored bills that would have banned abortions based on selective reasons and disabilities and made such abortions a felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Those bills didnt make it into law. But he also co-sponsored House Bill 92 this past session, which became Wyomings trigger abortion ban.

Having passed the abortion trigger ban, Romero-Martinez said he thinks Wyoming still needs to take better care of women and children and focus more on pregnancy resources centers.

Religious freedom is also important to him; he sponsored the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 2021 and 2022. The bill was meant to protect peoples ability to exercise their religion or moral conscience. It hasnt made it into law.

Romero-Martinez diverges from his opponents on his stance toward social spending. Hes been a big proponent of Medicaid expansion, for example, and sponsored a Medicaid expansion bill in 2021. A similar bill in 2022 died before being considered in the Legislature.

Medicaid is a jointly funded state-federal health insurance program. The federal government would pay for 90% of expansion, while Wyoming would pay for the remaining 10%. Expansion would allow more people to be eligible for Medicaid health insurance.

Romero-Martinez said that, if reelected, he hopes to pursue legislation to improve temp worker minimum wage laws. He also wants to propose a resolution to commemorate past treaties that were formative to the state of Wyoming, such as the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

During the 2022 legislative session, Romero-Martinez allegedly threatened the lives of Rep. Andi LeBeau, D-Riverton and Burlingame, who is now the executive director of Wyoming Equality.

Im just going to trust in the process, Romero-Martinez said when asked if he felt the publicity around the alleged threats would hurt his prospects for reelection. The people can decide.

Tamara Trujillo

Tamara Trujillo, an office administrator at a trucking company, said she wants to focus on fiscal responsibility and less social spending if elected.

She worked for 13 years at the Hollyfrontier Corp., a petroleum refineries company, and attributes her skills in managing people and money from her time spent at the company.

I feel I can bring that tightening of the belt a little bit with my experience, she said.

This is Trujillos first time running for a seat in state government, but she said that shes always been interested in running for office. She hadnt intended to make a bid for a government post this year. But one day she was sitting outside of the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne and thought to herself, Man, this world is crazy.

Thats what got me motivated, she said.

She also wasnt satisfied with the choice of candidates for district representative.

Trujillo and Romero-Martinez are actually cousins.

Tamara and I both believe in healthy competition, Romero-Martinez said when asked what he thought of running against a relative.

But their views are different. Trujillo said shes a lot more conservative than Romero-Martinez when it comes to fiscal responsibility. Shes not a proponent of Medicaid expansion, for example. Shes worried that it could increase costs for taxpayers.

I believe everyone should have medical care, but how we go about it, man, thats a hard one, she said. There are a lot of people out there that can work, and I believe maybe we need to bring more companies into the state that will invest in their employees health insurance.

But Trujillo said she doesnt think Wyoming needs extra funding from the federal government with strings attached.

We really need to focus on zero federal overreach.

Trujillo said she thinks Wyoming needs to invest more in our teachers and our classrooms rather than administrative costs. She 100% supports school choice and likes the idea of charter schools. She supports curriculum transparency. Shes not a proponent of critical race theory, although she said she doesnt see it as a major issue at the moment in Wyoming; she considers blocking is now as a preventative medicine.

Theres a lot of victimhood mentality, she said. Honestly, I dont think any of us are victims of the system, for one, and Im a Latina that has grown up in the state of Wyoming since 1977, which makes me a major minority.

She said that she believes in the existence of racists, but not the existence of systemic racism.

Teaching children to be victims of society is not a mentality that Americans should have.

In talking to the people in my community, their big deal is the economy and the cost of everything right now, she said.

Michael Reyes

Truck driver Michael Reyes, who immigrated from Mexico and has lived in District 44 for about 20 years, said he decided to run because theres a lot of people saying that theyre going to do something that they dont do.

Im tired of lip service, he said.

This is his first time running for a government seat.

If elected representative of District 44, Reyes said he would focus on abortion, foster care programs, gun rights and protecting the basic trades.

Reyes said he doesnt support abortion at all and would seek to increase restrictions on the procedure.

Life is something very sensitive, something that he would protect, he said. We dont value it like we should.

Wyomings abortion trigger ban is set to take effect by July 29th at the latest, 35 days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The trigger law would ban most abortions, but it has some exeptions for cases that involve rape or incest, or if the mothers life is in danger. Some legislators want to get rid of those exemptions.

Although Reyes doesnt support abortions, he also admitted that hes not a doctor and would have to take a closer look at the legislation before deciding whether or not to support the exemptions.

Its definitely something that we have to sit down and discuss, he said.

As a former foster child, improving foster care in Wyoming would also be a priority for Reyes.

There are kids getting out of the foster care system without a drivers license, which is really important to have in Wyoming, he said. They didnt know how to fill out a job application, they were homeless.

If elected, Reyes would support legislation that protects the second amendment. When it comes to gun safety, Reyes said Wyoming needs to better enforce gun regulations that it has now rather than adding more regulations. He also thinks that Wyoming needs to bring gun safety education back into the schools. He added that he thinks mass shootings are a mental issue.

Overseas they use knives and machetes, in some places they use cars, Reyes said.

Theyll use whatever they can.

Reyes thinks the incumbents voting record is not solid, particularly when it comes to Medicaid expansion.

We need to look at all angles, what is it going to cost the state, what is it going to cost the taxpayers, Reyes said.
MASKS OFF: Members of a family hold hands at South Park shopping mall, near Tarouba, San Fernando, yesterday. Effective Sunday, July 17, the wearing of masks was no longer mandatory as the Government eased the Covid-19 restrictions. Citizens will no longer be required to wear masks, except when visiting any health facility in Trinidad and Tobago. Photo: DEXTER PHILIP
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One month before his passing on May 6, 2001 the artist Carlisle Chang relived with relish th
Salpointe Catholic High School is closed until further notice because of damage from a fire Sunday night that a fire official estimated could cost millions of dollars to repair.

The cause of the fire was not known as of Monday afternoon.

Michael Colaianni, spokesman for the Tucson Fire Department, said Monday it was too early in the investigation to narrow down the exact origin or cause of the fire. There were no injuries reported.

There are multiple theories, but we cant rule anything out right now. The investigation is very much still active when it comes to determining a cause, Colaianni said.

TFD wrote on Twitter that it was dispatched to the two-alarm fire at Salpointe at 8:10 p.m., and the first units arrived by 8:14 p.m. The fire was under control at 9:12 p.m.

In a news release, the school said the fire started in the attic space above the 700 English wing on campus, which suffered significant damage.

There was also smoke and water damage throughout the 300 and 400 wings.

Campus is closed until further notice, and all activities are canceled, the school said in its Monday statement. This is a devastating and unexpected setback. However, we will come together as a Salpointe community, and we will meet this challenge.

As of today, we hope to start school on Aug. 8 as planned. We have no plans to switch to remote learning, the news release said.

The buildings are still being assessed for damages, but Colaianni said the repair costs could be expected to run in the millions, based on the building size and amount of work that would be needed for full repairs.

Salpointe Catholic High is at 1545 E. Copper St. The 700 wing, according to a campus map, is situated near an employee parking area on the southeast corner of the campus. The 400 and 300 wings are directly north and northwest of it.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP)  The white gunman charged with killing 10 Black people in a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket pleaded not guilty Monday to federal hate crime charges that could be punishable by the death penalty.

Payton Gendron was indicted last week on hate crimes and weapons counts. The plea was entered in court by Gendrons attorney, who said she hoped to resolve the case before trial. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles, Gendron was silent during the brief arraignment.

The 27-count federal indictment contains special findings, including that Gendron engaged in substantial planning to commit an act of terrorism and took aim at vulnerable older people  specifically 86-year-old Ruth Whitfield, 77-year-old Pearl Young, 72-year-old Katherine Massey, 67-year-old Heyward Patterson and 65-year-old Celestine Chaney.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, who halted federal executions last year, has not ruled out seeking the death penalty against Gendron, who turned 19 in June. The Justice Department said a decision on whether to seek the death penalty would come later.

Gendron, who livestreamed the May 14 attack, was arrested just outside the entrance of the Tops Friendly Supermarket. Wearing body armor, he had opened fire on weekend shoppers and employees in the parking lot and inside the store. Three people were wounded.

We all know hes guilty. We saw what he did," Zeneta Everhart said after the court proceeding. Her son, Zaire Goodman, was wounded in the attack. "The world saw what he did. He posted what he did.

The store reopened to the public last week, two months after the attack.

Investigators say the shooter drove for more than three hours from his home in Conklin, New York, to a busy grocery store chosen for its location in a predominantly Black neighborhood, with the intent of killing as many Black people as possible. He was motivated, they said, by white supremacist beliefs which he described in online diary entries.

Gendron wrote as far back as November about staging a livestreamed attack, practiced shooting from his car and did reconnaissance on the store two months before carrying out the plans, according to the writings.

He arrived at the store wearing camouflage clothing and a tactical-style helmet fitted with a video camera.

The indictment seeks the forfeiture of an extensive arsenal recovered from Gendron's car and home. It includes the Bushmaster XM-15 semi-automatic rifle used in the shooting and a 12-gauge loaded shotgun and loaded bolt-action rifle and ammunition taken from the car. Authorities seized additional ammunition and firearms accessories from his home.

The federal indictment charges Gendron with 10 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, three counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill three people and another hate crime count alleging Gendron tried to kill other Black people in and around the store. It also includes 13 counts of using a firearm in a hate crime.

Gendron also faces a parallel state prosecution on charges including hate-motivated domestic terrorism, murder and attempted murder as a hate crime. The domestic terrorism hate crime charge carries an automatic life sentence. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges as well.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A North Carolina-based insurance magnate whose convictions on corruption-related counts were overturned by a federal appeals court has been released from prison.

Greg E. Lindberg was let out of a minimum-security prison in Montgomery, Alabama, on Friday, according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons website. That was the day after U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn agreed to Lindberg's release in light of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacating his convictions last month and ordering a new trial.

Lindberg, who entered prison in October 2020, was sentenced to more than seven years after being convicted of attempting to bribe North Carolinas insurance commissioner to secure preferential regulatory treatment for his insurance business. Lindberg had become a large political donor in North Carolina politics.

A 4th Circuit panel declared June 29 that Cogburn had erred by giving jurors in Lindberg's trial misleading instructions before they began deliberations. John D. Gray, a Lindberg consultant convicted at the trial of the same two counts as Lindberg, also had his convictions vacated for the same reasons.

Cogburns order last week retained the conditions from Lindbergs pretrial release, which included an unsecured bond and electronic monitoring.

A July 11 filing by the U.S. Attorney's Office for western North Carolina lodged no objections to Lindberg's release based on the pretrial conditions. Theres nothing to indicate yet whether prosecutors will attempt to retry Lindberg and Gray or end their efforts.

Gray received a 2 1/2-year sentence but has been serving his time from home since December, according to a July 8 motion from Gray's attorney. The attorney is also seeking his client's release based on pretrial conditions.
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP)  A bill pending in the Louisiana Senate would give control of a state office building in Shreveport to a local government agency, part of a plan to consolidate state workers in a new downtown home.

KTBS-TV reports that a Senate committee is scheduled to vote this week on House Bill 773, which passed the House earlier. Under the bill, the state would transfer its current office building to the Shreveport Implementation and Redevelopment Authority, with the state getting 30% of any eventual sales price.

The state is already planning to move workers from the Mary Allen State Office Building, an eight-story art deco structure just south of downtown Shreveport, to a building the state plans to renovate in the city's downtown.

The state bought a long-vacant downtown building, which formerly housed federal workers, for $1.75 million in April. That eight-story building will be gutted and rebuilt with modern offices, providing room for the more than 350 employees now based at Mary Allen, as well as workers from elsewhere in northwest Louisiana.

State employees will continue to work in the Mary Allen building for several years until the renovation is complete. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told The Times of Shreveport in April that maintenance costs at Mary Allen are too high and that workers deserve a much better facility.

Shreveport City Council Member LeVette Fuller said she hoped the Mary Allen site could be redeveloped as a mixed-use development that would work well with nearby hospitals, while preserving the building's history. She said the process will give nearby neighbors a greater voice in plans than an outright sale by the state.
Election officials routinely recruit additional poll workers when big elections are coming up. More unusual is for them to have to solicit precinct workers in specific communities where the need is dire.

But such was the case last week, when the Tulsa County Election Board sent out a press release to local media and contacted municipal officials about the desperate need for precinct workers in Sand Springs.

The threshold seems manageable enough: Sand Springs residents vote at 17 precincts overseen by the Tulsa County and Osage County election boards.

Each one should have three election workers, including at least one Democrat and at least one Republican. Thats about 50 people needed.

But there are a number of reasons people give for why they dont see election work in a more-positive light.

The pay isnt great. The hours are really, really long, and workers cannot leave. The work can be complex and intimidating. Voters can be rude.

All of that keeps many people from even considering signing up.

But four Sand Springs residents who have worked the polls for periods ranging from six months to more than a decade universally agree that the negatives are either untrue or unimportant.

And to a person, they cited one overriding reason that people should sign up to work the polls during elections:

I feel like I played a part in something thats important.

Fighting disinformation

A version of that sentence said by Sarah Trzynka eventually comes out of the mouths of nearly everyone who works an election.

Regardless of party or political involvement outside of the polls, most precinct workers are a pretty patriotic bunch.

Trzynka has worked as a precinct worker since 2020, when she stepped up to help out during the pandemic. She never left.

Like a lot of people, Trzynka was motivated to work the polls, at least in part, by a less-than-perfect voting experience of her own.

I went to vote, and they were having some issues keeping up with the flow of the people, and some of the laws had changed recently, she said.

But that experience stuck with her, and when an acquaintance said she should get involved, she decided to sign up.

Because of COVID-19, Trzynka completed her training online.

Ive really enjoyed it, she said. For me, it has been a bigger deal as theres been more disinformation about election security.

People really dont understand the process and how it works.

It really makes me feel better to be able to reassure people who come in and to be able to answer their questions and to be able to look them in the eye and say, You know what? Were here for you, she said. Im glad to be able to educate the voters.

Trzynka said she was really nervous to work the polls during the last presidential election, in which her precinct saw a 44% turnout.

Everything that could go wrong did.

But I just kept going through that book and going through that book, she said. I got through it. And at the end of the day, I still didnt hate it.

That book is the instruction manual that workers at each precinct rely on to tell them what to do in any and every given situation. Workers learn how to use it during training.

The Election Board fully trains you, Trzynka said. They give you everything you could possibly need to run you through any situation, and then they give you their phone number in case something new comes up.

I need to step up

Michael Phillips became a precinct worker after he, too, had a bad experience voting.

I just felt like if Im going to complain about some of the mistakes that were being made, I need to step up to the plate, he said.

Phillips said that because he is self-employed, he realized he could take the time off work to perform a civic duty.

I understand that not everybody has the option to take off a day, but its certainly a rewarding and fulfilling experience, he said.

I cant do a lot of physical things. I cant do a lot of philanthropy, Phillips said. But this is about time and attention to detail. I can do those things.

Those are the two biggest requirements: You have to have an attention to detail, and you have to have the time to do it.

Phillips, who has been a precinct official since the 2016 presidential election, said Oklahoma has a very, very good process for elections. Between the security of our machines and the consistency of training of our election officials,  its like going to McDonalds.

When you walk into McDonalds, you get the same hamburger no matter where you are.

You feel like youve done your part

Randi Crotty retired during the COVID-19 pandemic and was bored and needed something to do, she said.

I saw that they needed precinct workers, and because I have worked all of my life, I had not really been able to volunteer or do much to help the community, so I saw that, and I thought, Im going to do that.

Crotty started as a precinct worker this past January and has worked two elections.

I really enjoy it, she said. You meet a lot of people. You also learn a lot as a precinct official.

You just feel good after youve done it because you helped the political process and you feel like youve done your part, however large or small of a part it was, Crotty said.

So many people talk about it and want to make a difference, but they dont know how, she said.

If you want to be a part of something, theres nothing better than being involved in our democracy.

Youre doing it for your country

Diana Brightwell has been a poll worker for more than 10 years.

She, too, talks about that sense of duty when discussing why she became a precinct official and continues to serve.

Youre doing it for your country, said Brightwell, who retired from the Department of Defense after working for 33 years as a civilian employee.

Its interesting. You meet a lot of interesting people, she said. Its not hard. If you can read a ballot, you can do this.

You cant just sit and complain and not do anything.

Brightwell doesnt just not do anything; she does everything.

From filling in at precincts across the county to helping with early in-person absentee voting and even serving during the occasional ballot recount, Brightwell does whatever shes asked to do.

Her varied assignments have proven to be a great experience to help combat what is said to happen elsewhere, she said. Not in Oklahoma. Theres too much security here.

Brightwell has seen changes in the past decade, though.

Tempers are shorter. Voters are less kind, she said. Electioneering  campaigning within the polling place, which is against the law  is happening more.

I just go in in the morning, say my prayers, and get to it, she said.
The Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship Year 2022 holds special significance to communications and education campaigns targeting people from all walks of life, particularly youth, on the unique bilateral traditional, special, and close-knitted ties between the two countries, affirmed President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and visiting Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany at their meeting in Hanoi on July 17.

The Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship Year 2022 holds special significance to communications and education campaigns targeting people from all walks of life, particularly youth, on the unique bilateral traditional, special, and close-knitted ties between the two countries, affirmed President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and visiting Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany at their meeting in Hanoi on July 17.





Both host and guest agreed to increase the effectiveness of their cooperation in education-training, health, and people-to-people exchange. It is also important to raise the frequency of commercial flights and effectively exploit border gates between the two nations, the officials noted.





They said Vietnam and Laos will further team up and support each other at international forums, especially regarding the maintaining of solidarity and promotion of ASEANs centrality in regional security mechanisms.





Declaring that Laos success is also Vietnams happiness and pride, President Phuc stressed the Vietnamese Party, State and people always value and are determined to foster the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos.





The State leader suggested the sides maintain regular high-level visits and contact to seriously implement agreements between the parties. He emphasised that the two sides need to tap their potential and internal resources for trade and investment collaboration to create new breakthroughs and turn the sector into a solid pillar in their relations.





Constantly strengthening the connection between the two economies, and jointly seeking international capital for projects linking Laos key economic infrastructure with the sea of Vietnam are also necessary, serving international integration-trade, and self-reliant, sustainable and prosperous development, Phuc added.





For his part, Bounthong Chitmany stated Vietnams comprehensive progresses in pandemic prevention, recovery, and sustainable growth are a source of encouragement and experiences for Laos to learn from.





He expressed his confidence in Vietnams further success in its reform process.




Update (11 a.m. Monday): Serenity McAdoo, 18, was shot and killed early Sunday morning after an altercation near 1 S. Boston, according to Tulsa Police Lt. Brandon Watkins.

The below story published in Monday's Tulsa World:

Tulsa Police are investigating after an 18-year-old woman was fatally shot at the downtown landmark known as the Center of the Universe, according to an early Sunday news release and a social media post.

Officers responded just before 3 a.m. Sunday to a call from a security guard in the area near Archer Street and MLK Boulevard, Sgt. Tyler Turnbough wrote in the release. The guard reported hearing multiple gunshots from the Center of the Universe and seeing people running all around.

Evidence recovered by officers at the scene reportedly included casings indicating multiple rounds from different weapons had been fired.

Around 3:10 a.m., Tulsa police dispatched officers to Hillcrest Medical Center upon reports a shooting victim with life-threatening wounds had arrived by private car.

Witnesses in the private car said the shooting had occurred at the Center of the Universe, Turnbough wrote in the release, adding witnesses are still being interviewed and the investigation is still ongoing.

At this time, we believe that an altercation took place between 2 groups of people and as one of the groups took off in a car, the other group fired several rounds at them, police said in a social media post.

Several rounds struck One Williams Center building at the intersection of 1st Street and Boston Avenue, police said.

While one group was trying to drive away, an 18-year-old passenger in the car was struck and they rushed her to the hospital, police said.

Unfortunately, her gunshot wound was fatal and she died from her injuries later in the morning, police said.

The victims name was not released Sunday night.

We are working on some leads in this investigation and could use help from anyone that has information about the shooting, police said.

Police asked anyone with information to call Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS (2677).
ROME (AP)  European leaders ramped up their push to secure alternative energy supplies Monday as fears escalate of a complete natural gas cutoff by Russia, with the leaders of Italy, France and the European Union sealing deals with their counterparts in Algeria, Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates.

With his government's fate in limbo back home, Italian Premier Mario Draghi visited Algerias capital of Algiers, seeking to cement the North African countrys role as a preeminent regional partner. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said a $4 billion deal would be signed Tuesday to supply a significant quantity of gas.

Algeria is a very important partner for Italy, in the energy sector, in the industry and business fields, in the fight against criminality, and in the search for peace and stability in the Mediterranean, Draghi said.

Also Monday, France and the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement on energy cooperation to ensure oil and natural gas supplies from the Gulf country. The French economy ministry didn't release details on the deal as President Emmanuel Macron hosted Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Paris.

The same day, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was in Azerbaijan to clinch a deal with President Ilham Aliyev on increased gas supplies from the former Soviet republic.

With the tentative agreement, the EU wants to double the gas imports from Azerbaijan within half a decade. The bloc said the agreement also has guarantees for green energy supplies.

This is good news for our supplies of gas this winter and beyond, von der Leyen said.

Leaders have been pushing to fill underground gas storage to try to avert a worsening energy crisis when the cold months arrive. There are fears a major pipeline between Russia and Germany that closed for scheduled maintenance last week will not turn back on in retaliation for sanctions over the war.

In Algeria, several Italian ministers signed a series of memos of understanding in areas ranging from pharmaceuticals, research, anti-corruption efforts, security as well as energy sectors.

This summit also confirms Algeria as our preferred partner in the energy field. In these (last) months, Algeria has become the leading supplier of gas to our country," Draghi said.

Tebboune, the Algerian leader, said that signed Tuesday would be "an important agreement between the companies Occidental, Eni and Total for a value of $4 billion which allows the supplying of a significant quantity of gas."

He stressed his nations desire to ensure that Algeria will supply solar and conventional energy to Europe.

When Draghi visited Algeria three months ago, a major agreement was reached between Algerian energy giant Sonatrach and Italian energy company Eni to increase gas exports. A pipeline running through Tunisia and under the Mediterranean to Sicily is a key conduit in this strategy.

Referring to that deal, the Italian premier expressed satisfaction that there has been "an acceleration of what was predicted" for Algerian-Italian energy cooperation.

That bodes well for more cooperation in the years to come,'' Draghi said, adding that the two nations also saw prospects for working together on renewable energy.

Such deals are fundamental for the European Union as well as Italy, Draghi said. Italy also has been reaching out to other energy-producing nations to secure alternate sources, including Azerbaijan, Qatar, Congo, Angola and Mozambique.

Draghi had planned to spend two days in Algeria. He reduced the visit to Monday only as his government's fate hangs in the balance after the defection last week of a key coalition member on an energy costs relief bill.

Prior to the war, Russia provided Italy about 29 billion cubic meters of gas per year, compared with about 23 billion from Algeria. Already this year, Algeria has delivered 13.9 billion cubic meters to Italy via the Trans-Mediterranean pipeline, a 113% rise over forecasts, according to Algerian energy giant Sonatrach.

Algeria on Friday announced a 4 billion cubic-meter increase in planned supplies for the months ahead.

Adamson reported from Paris. AP reporters Raf Casert in Brussels; Barbara Surk in Nice, France; and Masha Macpherson in Paris contributed.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Top Democrats running for the chance to take on U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson in Wisconsin largely kept their focus on the Republican opponent during the first and only televised debate Sunday, while the only female candidate faulted the men for not doing more to advocate for abortion rights.

The debate bringing together five candidates came just over three weeks before the Aug. 9 primary. The winner will advance to face Johnson, who is seeking a third term, in what is expected to be one of the most costly and hotly contested races in the country with majority control of the Senate at play.

Polls show Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry are leading the crowded field. Both Barnes and Lasry focused on Johnson, and not one another, in the debate as they advocated for getting rid of the Senate filibuster to pass a bill protecting abortion rights, passing gun safety laws, protecting the environment and tax changes to benefit the middle class.

Barnes pointed to his win as Gov. Tony Evers' running mate in 2018 over then-Gov. Scott Walker as evidence that he knows how to beat a Republican statewide. Lasry noted his union support to make the case for him to take on Johnson.

State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, the only woman in the race, took aim at her male opponents on abortion, asking why they had not made it more of a priority before the U.S. Supreme Court last month overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which put an 1849 state law banning abortion in Wisconsin back into effect.

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, who has trailed in the polls, attacked Godlewski for not voting in the 2016 election won by Donald Trump. He narrowly carried Wisconsin that year before losing the state by nearly an identical margin in 2020.

Godlewski worked for Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign in Wisconsin in 2016 but records show she did not vote.

As the only woman on this stage, I dont need to be lectured by any men about how important the 2016 election was," Godlewski said, highlighting her work for Clinton as director of outreached to women voters. I was the only one talking about reproductive rights because for me, this is not an afterthought.

Barnes, who last week launched a television ad featuring his mother talking about having to end a pregnancy, said he supported exploring "every option to make sure women get the health care they need and deserve.

Lasry, who noted that his wife works for Planned Parenthood, said defeating Johnson and doing away with the filibuster is the key to passing a law protecting abortion rights.

We need to make sure that were doing anything we can to make sure women can make their own health care decisions the way men can make their own health care decisions," Lasry said.

A fifth candidate, Steven Olikara, noted his experience leading a group called the Millennial Action Project that worked to empower younger people to bridge the partisan divide. He said he was running to change the system and reduce the influence of big money in politics.

Campaign finance reports filed last week showed that Johnson raised about $7 million over the past three months, more than the top four Democratic candidates combined. Lasry, whose father co-owns the Milwaukee Bucks, loaned his campaign $6.5 million of his own money.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal reports that the latest campaign finance reports showed Johnson had about $2 million on hand after spending about $6.5 million on ads during the second quarter.

Lasry actually outspent Johnson at $6.7 million thanks to the personal loan although his campaign brought in only $520,000 in outside donations.

Barnes collected $2.1 million in donations, Godlewski raised $900,000 and loaned her campaign $600,000 and Nelson collected $230,000.
A Vietnamese teacher from the Mekong Delta region is making waves in the seafood industry thanks to his innovative way of producing soft-shell crabs in plastic buckets.

Dao Phuoc Xoan, a teacher at An Thanh Elementary School in An Thanh Commune, Thanh Phu District, Ben Tre Province, has developed a creative way to farm crabs in plastic buckets that he hopes will revolutionize the seafood industry.

Crab farming is not Xoans first foray into the seafood industry.

In 2020, Xoan was awarded the prestigious Luong Dinh Cua prize by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union for his smart shrimp farming model.

That success encouraged him to look at sustainable ways to farm other sea creatures.

The soft-shell crabs that Xoan raises taste just like the wild-caught crustaceans," said Dao Phuoc Ngoc, a crab seller at An Thanh Market.

"So many people have ordered his crabs through us that we have run out of stock.

In Ben Tre, markets such as An Thanh, Thanh Hai, and Thanh Phong are known for their variety of crabs.

Typically, the crabs at these markets weigh 200-250 grams each and are often hollow.

Some, however, have higher meat densities but are difficult to sell at higher prices due to their low weights.

It was such a waste to consume large-sized crabs so I wanted to find a way to raise them that would bring about better quality and higher profits, Xoan explained.

The crab-farming method Xoan developed includes filling dozens of plastic buckets with water and keeping them in the shade to prevent algae growth.

The buckets are then connected through a system of plastic pipes which carry salt water between them.

It took several tries and two years to work at all the kinks in the system.

One of these obstacles was keeping pathogens from infecting the crabs in each bucket connected to the system.

Another issue was ensuring that the crabs he sourced had not been processed using borax  a chemical which greatly diminished the chances of the crustaceans survival in his buckets.

In the first year, I lost a lot of money and I failed many times, Xoan revealed.

Eventually, he modified his bucket system and installed a lever that allowed him to manually adjust the amount of water in each bucket.

He also started ensuring the water in each bucket was sterile.

The teacher began experimenting with the exact kind of seawater he used in his farming process.

For example, at first, he used seawater collected close to shore that had a salinity level below five grams per liter, but this produced an unaesthetic shell color.

He then began collecting water from further out that had a salinity reading of 10-15 grams a liter and a pH level from 7.5 to 8.

After the water was collected, he spent 15 days sterilizing it before adding enough calcium to ensure that the crabs would have hardened shells in just ten days.

Xoans method produced crabs that were full of meat but, unfortunately, these crabs were not particularly profitable.

His solution to this problem was to produce soft-shell crabs instead.

He began producing the soft-shell crabs by placing four quarter-kilogram baby crabs in each bucket.

With 60 buckets in his care, he is able to produce about 240 grown soft-shell crabs every 45 days.

He pays approximately VND130,000 (US$5.57) a kilogram for the baby crabs he uses and then sells the final products for VND300,000 ($12.8) a kilogram after 45 days.

Each of his grown soft-shell crabs weighs 1.2-1.3 kilograms.

Over the past few years, Xoan has become an expert on crabs.

For crabs with a broken shell or that are unable to eat, he wraps them in cloth and freezes them.

When he unthaws them several months later, they taste the same as those found in nature.

Aside from producing soft-shell crabs, Xoan farms crabs with a large amount of fat.

In fact, the crabs he raises from the fifth to the eighth month of the lunar calendar produce so much fat that he is able to sell them for anywhere between VND500,000 ($21.4) and VND900,000 ($38.6) per kilogram.

Sea crabs prefer stillness and little movement," Xoan said.

They tend to stay still and do not fight.

"I try to make sure all the baby crabs I use are of similar size so they dont fight for food.

[My farming method] is a success.

I want to share my idea so others can raise crabs this way and earn some money for their families."

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WASHINGTON -- A gunman killed three people when he opened fire in the food court of a shopping mall outside Indianapolis on Sunday before a bystander fatally shot the assailant, media reported.

Two other people were injured in the incident, which took place in the early evening at Greenwood Park Mall, the Indianapolis Star reported, citing Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison.

The paper reported that police believe a bystander who also had a weapon saw the shooting and opened fire on the gunman.

The shooter was alone and had a rifle and several magazines of ammunition, according to the newspaper.

A car drives past police presence outside the Greenwood Park Mall after reports of shots fired, in Greenwood, Indiana, U.S. July 17, 2022 in this screen grab obtained from social media video. Francisco Jimenez/via Reuters

Police did not release the names of the victims, gunman or bystander. Shoppers and mall employees scattered at the sound of gunfire or hid.

The shootings occurred amid widespread concerns over the drumbeat of U.S. shootings in schools, workplaces and public areas that regularly make headlines.

A spate of gun massacres since May at a New York grocery store, a Texas elementary school and an Illinois Independence Day parade have renewed fierce U.S. debate over gun regulations.

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee will take up proposed legislation this week that would ban certain assault weapons, the panel said on Friday. It is not expected to pass the Senate.
Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vice-State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan received Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany in Hanoi on Sunday, as part of the latters visit to Vietnam from July 17 to 19.

Vice-President Chitmany is visiting Vietnam to attend activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

President Phuc congratulated the Lao Party, state, and people on the important achievements they have made over the past years.

Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) talks with Lao Vice-President Bounthong Chitmany in Hanoi, July 17, 2022. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre

To further promote bilateral ties, the Vietnamese leader suggested that both sides maintain regular high-level visits and implement agreements signed between the two nations Parties.

Vietnam and Laos need to tap their potential and internal resources for trade and investment collaboration, strengthen the connection between the two economies, and seek international capital for projects linking Laos key economic infrastructure with the sea of Vietnam.

The Lao leader stated that Vietnams comprehensive progress in pandemic prevention, socio-economic recovery, and sustainable growth is a source of encouragement and experience for Laos.

Vietnamese Vice-State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan (R) shakes hands with Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany in Hanoi, July 17, 2022. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre

During their talks on the same day, Vice-President Chitmany and Vice-State President Xuan agreed to improve the effectiveness of cooperation in defense, security, transportation, education and training, culture and sports, and cooperation between Vietnamese and Lao localities.

They exchanged views on international and regional issues, while consenting to further promote coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN, and Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms.

Vietnamese Vice-State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan holds talks with Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany in Hanoi, July 17, 2022. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese Vice-State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan. Photo: Danh Khang / Tuoi Tre

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A project turning Thanh Da peninsula in Ho Chi Minh City into an ecological urban area has been repeatedly delayed for 30 years after its announcement, leaving thousands of residents in miserable conditions.

The development plan, approved by the municipal administration in 1992, has remained on paper ever since and has been negatively affecting the lives of more than 3,000 households.

Thanh Da covers an area of 570 hectares in Ward 28 of Binh Thanh District and was zoned in 1992 to become an ecological urban area.

Therefore, locals are not permitted to build new house or transfer their land to others.

A bird's eye view of houses on Thanh Da peninsula in Binh Thanh District overlooking the developed parts of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

In 2004, the municipal Peoples Committee chose Saigon Construction Corporation as the developer of the urban area.

After the administration was forced to cease the plan due to slugglish compensation, they selected a joint-venture between Bitexco Group and Emaar Properties PJSC as the new developer in 2015.

Emaar Properties PJSC then withdrew from the project in mid-2017, putting the plan on hold once again.

A bird's eye view of makeshift houses on Thanh Da peninsula in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

Miserable life

Due to the implementation of the plan, local residents are deprived of their rights to transfer their land, build new houses, or sell their properties.

Many have been forced to abandon their land and rent houses elsewhere in the city.

Meanwhile, others who are burdened with financial issues and have no choice but to stay have been facing various difficulties due to degraded infrastructures.

Children play on a street on Thanh Da peninsula in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

Residing in a neighborhood in Thanh Da, Phan Thi Thanh Thuy and her seven family members are now living in a house built without the authorities permission on a 100-square-meter land plot she purchased a long time ago.

The house was forced to be pulled down by the authorities three times, after each of which Thuys family put up another temporary shelter using old planks of wood and corrugated iron to accommodate the eight of them.

The roof of Phan Thi Thanh Thuy's house is just a few inches higher than a persons height. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

The houses roof is just a few inches higher than a persons height and is made of plastic tarpaulin, leaving furniture all wet after every single rain.

I knew my familys properties would be affected by the project when I was still young, but I didnt expect its negative impacts would linger through my childrens time and now my grandchildrens, said Thuy.

Ferries leave and arrive at a wharf on Thanh Da peninsula in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

Residents of Thanh Da like Thuy have lived without proper streets and sewer systems, with Kinh Bridge being the only concrete structure connecting the peninsula with other parts of the city over the past decades.

Traveling by ferry or boat is another option to reach and exit the peninsula.

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The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have formally agreed to put a stop to gender-based violence and harmful practices directed at women and girls in Vietnam.

Cho Han Deog, country director of KOICA Vietnam, and Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA representative for Vietnam, signed in Hanoi on Friday a grant arrangement under which KOICA will provide financial support of US$250,000 for the UN agency, both sides said in a joint press release issued the same day.

KOICA and UNFPA have thus been committed to undertaking bridge-phase activities to ensure the sustainability of the innovative One Stop Service Center model, which is commonly known as Anh Duong House in Vietnam.

It was first estabslihed in 2020 through the KOICA-funded project Building a model to respond to violence against women and girls in Vietnam for the 2017-21 period, with a total budget of $2.5 million.

The grant deal aims to continue supporting Anh Duong House and its hotline for victims of violence, and to organize outreach communication activities and advocacy efforts to sustain and replicate the model in other locations.

The arrangement covers a bridge phase through 2023, when a new and larger project is expected to be launched.

UNFPA will work in partnership with the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs and northern Quang Ninh Province to implement the activities to ensure the continuous provision of integrated essential services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Cho stressed that during his recent visit to Anh Duong House in Quang Ninh, he observed how the facility has effectively provided support for and helped vulnerable women and girls.

KOICA has decided to continue supporting Anh Duong House in Quang Ninh as it has made significant contributions to the efforts made by the Vietnamese government and by the local authorities of Quang Ninh to address gender-based violence and domestic violence, he said.

We want this model to be replicated in other locations.

At KOICA, we embrace a zero-tolerance culture that says No to any forms of GBV.

Anh Duong House became fully operational in April 2020, providing a wide range of services meeting international standards, including healthcare, psychological support, counselling, social welfare services, emergency shelters, police protection, legal and justice services, and referrals for many GBV survivors, not only in Quang Ninh Province but also in 20 cities and provinces throughout Vietnam.

Its hotline service, which is available 24/7, has received more than 15,300 calls so far.

Most survivors of violence who have called the hotline are female, accounting for 93.6 percent, and most GBV survivors are aged 1659.

Minors under the age of 16 make up 10 percent of the calls. About 20 percent of the calls came from Quang Ninh Province and 80 percent from other provinces.

Nearly 500 service providers from police, justice, health, and social work from both provincial and grassroots levels in Quang Ninh received training for the provision of essential services for GBV survivors.

With technical support from UNFPA, Anh Duong House has been duplicated in north-central Thanh Hoa Province, Ho Chi Minh City, and central Da Nang City.

In her remarks at the signing event, Naomi thanked KOICA, and Cho in particular, for the support given to Anh Duong House.

The signing of the grant arrangement today reflects KOICAs trust in UNFPA, she said.

UNFPA will make sure that the funds from KOICA will be used effectively.

UNFPA will continue to work closely with our Vietnamese partners to implement the bridge-phase activities of the Building a model to respond to violence against women and girls in Vietnam project at the national level and in Quang Ninh Province.

Zero GBV and harmful practices is one of the three main pillars in the new UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2022-25, and a clear priority for UNFPA Vietnams new country program for 2022-26.

UNFPA will scale up efforts to end gender-based violence and harmful practices in Vietnam.

During the bridge phase through the end of June 2023, eight training courses will be organized for managerial staff and service providers in Quang Ninh and locations which are planned for setting up additional One Stop Service Centers.

Two one-day advocacy workshops will be held for decision-makers in Quang Ninh as well as at the central level to advocate the allocation of the budget for maintaining and replicating the One Stop Service Center model.

Five innovative communication events will be arranged to raise public awareness of violence against women and girls and disseminate information on the hotline of Anh Duong House.

According to the 2019 national study on violence against women, nearly two in three women aged 15-64 experienced at least one form of physical, sexual, psychological and/or economic violence in their lifetime. Gender-based violence is very much hidden in society, as more than 90 percent did not seek any help from public services and half of the women who experienced violence told no one about it.

It is costing Vietnam 1.81 percent of GDP.

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A literature teacher from Hai Duong Province in northern Vietnam has been arrested for groping two ninth graders, according to local police.

Police in Chi Linh City under Hai Duong Province confirmed on Sunday they had apprehended Nguyen Van Hong, 47, a literature teacher at Le Loi High School, on charges of molesting under-16-year-old individuals.

On July 11, the Peoples Committee in Chi Linh City received a report from a family who stated that their daughter, who studies in ninth grade at Le Loi High School, had been groped by Hong.

Hong repeatedly touched the students chest and forced her to kiss him, causing the student to suffer psychological problems that led to her cutting her arms and legs with a razor, the family said.

The citys police unit and Peoples Procuracy were then tasked with investigating the case and collecting statements from relevant individuals.

During a working session with local authorities, Hong admitted that the accusations made by the students family were true.

In a report sent to the school board, Hong confessed to touching the chests of two ninth graders on separate occasions from October 2021 to May 2022, explaining that the actions were part of his habits.

Believing that this is a serious violation, the school board decided to suspend the teacher and report the case to police offficers, leading to his arrest.

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A resident of Binh Chanh District in Ho Chi Minh City voluntarily handed over a long-tailed macaque named in the list of rare and endangered forest animals to the citys forest protection division on Saturday.

Rangers of the division came to the house of Nguyen Van Vinh in Vinh Loc A Commune to receive the primate and took it to the Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station, where it would receive proper care and return to good health conditions before being released back to nature.

The long-tailed macaque is a male monkey, weighing about four kilograms.

Its scientific name is Macaca Fascicularis, which is among the wild animals of Group IIB in the list of rare and endangered forest species as per Vietnamese law.

A ranger receives a rare, endangered long-tailed macaque handed over by a local man in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

Vinh, who works as a driver, said he had purchased the macaque from a random seller he met on the street and had kept it in a cage for a year and a half.

The wild animal stayed in the cage and never harmed anyone, according to Vinh.

The Ho Chi Minh City forest protection division received more than 800 rare and precious wild animals of many species, mainly voluntarily handed over by residents, between 2019 and March 2022, according to the units deputy head Nguyen Huu Hung.

Hung warned people against raising wild animals at home and encouraged handovers such as Vinhs.

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Police in Da Lat City are investigating the case of a little girl, aged two, hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury and other wounds suspected to be caused by abuse.

A woman took the girl, who was in a coma, to Lam Dong General Hospital in the namesake province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands region, on Saturday.

The woman, Huynh Thi Thanh Hang, 26, initially declared the girls name as H.N.H.B. and claimed to be her caretaker, the hospital reported.

Falling into a critical condition, the little child had bruises all over her body and was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, intracerebral hematoma, pulmonary contusion, and other injuries, doctors said.

At that time, Hang re-declared the little girls name as C.P.L., whose mother is C.T.T., a 26-year-old native of Dak Lak Province, also in the Central Highlands region.

Finding that the girls severe conditions were abnormal, unlikely to have been caused by an accident as she said, the hospital reported it to police officers.

According to initial investigation, T. left her daughter in the care of Cao Thi Dao, a babysitter at a preschool in Da Lat.

In June this year, Dao, so busy with house repairs, had Hang and another woman, 24-year-old Vuong Ngoc Thao Vy, take care of the little girl.

Hang and Vy took L. to their rented house in the city and kept the girl there until her hospitalization.

The municipal administration sent their representatives to visit the girl at the hospital and urged local police to clarify this serious case soon.

Local authorities also gave VND22 million (US$940) as initial support to the family of the girl.

On Sunday afternoon, the little girl was still on a ventilator at the hospitals emergency department.

In June last year, the Peoples Court in southern Vinh Long Province sentenced Duong Thi Ngoc Giau, 27, a local babysitter, to 15 years in prison for beating a one-year-old boy to death.

The boy was hospitalized on November 13, 2020 after the abuse and died the same day due to acute hemorrhagic shock combined with multiple injuries, local police said.

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A trailer has been released for upcoming drama series American Gigolo, starring Jon Bernthal (We Own This City), coming to Stan.

Bernthal stars as Julian Kaye in a present-day reimagining of the original 1980 film.

The eight-episode series will debut in September, same day as the U.S.

American Gigolo follows Julian Kaye (Bernthal) after his wrongful conviction release from 15 years in prison as he navigates his complicated relationships with his former lover Michelle (Gretchen Mol, Boardwalk Empire), his troubled mother, and the people who betrayed him. While Julian struggles to reconcile the escort he was in the past and the man he is today, Detective Sunday (Rosie ODonnell, The L Word: Generation Q) seeks the truth about the murder that sent Julian to prison all those years ago, unearthing a much larger conspiracy along the way.

Additional casting includes Lizzie Brochere (Falling Water) as Isabelle, the heiress to a ring of sex workers; Gabriel LaBelle (Dead Shack) as Johnny, a younger version of Julian; Leland Orser (Ray Donovan) as Richard Stratton, a self-made tech billionaire; and guest star Wayne Brady (The Wayne Brady Show) as Julians best friend and mentor Lorenzo. Alex Fernandez (Runaways), Sandrine Holt (House of Cards), Yolonda Ross (The Chi) and Melora Walters (Pen15) also guest star.

Nikki Toscano serves as series showrunner and executive producer for American Gigolo. Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the original film, will executive produce along with Jonathan Littman, KristieAnne Reed and Russell Rothberg.

American Gigolo is a production of Paramount Television Studios. The series is distributed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

New episodes weekly from Saturday 10 September on Stan.

Adult themes.
Filming has commenced in Melbourne on upcoming ABC ME drama, Turn Up The Volume.

Produced by Matchbox Pictures and Film Camp, the ten-part series will follow a group of young female and gender diverse teenagers who start a band at a music camp held in Melbournes inner west.

Inspired by the coming of age documentary No Time For Quiet which followed the first Girls Rock! Camp in Melbourne, Turn Up The Volume explores the power of music, friendship and creativity as forces of transformation and connection. At first disillusioned and disconnected, this group of young teens join together to discover the strength to define themselves on their own terms, and find belonging in the embrace of community.

The cast includes emerging talent Riya Mandrawa as Vivi, Erza James as Hex, Elaine King as Ginger, Mira Russo as Breeze and Ayiana Ncube as Jam. Futher cast include Justine Clarke, Spencer McLaren, Keith Brockett, Debra Lawrence, Dennis Coard, Kaiya Jones, Ben Chen and Madison Lu, plus a cameo by Tim Rogers.

Libbie Doherty, ABC Head of Childrens said: Turn Up The Volume is a heartfelt voyage through the streets of Footscray for young girls and gender non-conforming teens. Leaning into the zeitgeist this series explores identity, love and teen loss set against the struggles of growing up, all through the relatable prism of music and  starting a band!

There is an extraordinary team of emerging talent in front and behind the camera assembled for this show. Supported by the safe hands of Rachel Davis and Philippa Campey, who have a track record for finding and telling extraordinary stories from an unexpected perspective, along with the powerhouse team from Matchbox Pictures. We know The Volume will strike a deep chord with our ABC ME audiences who are finding their voice.

Philippa Campey and Rachel Davis, producers, said, Its a huge privilege to be working on this series with Matchbox Pictures and such a talented group of writers, directors, cast and crew. Its wonderful to have the opportunity to bring these stories to a fantastic audience on ABC Me.

Matchbox Pictures Amanda Higgs, said: We couldnt be more thrilled to take centre stage with ABC ME on this totally alive and brilliant new series. Rachel and Philippas passionate commitment to assembling this amazing team of writers and directors has been phenomenal. It is more important than ever for young people to see themselves reflected on screen and we cant wait for the world to embrace Vivi, Jam, Hex, Breeze and Ginger!

Written by Dannika Horvat (The Summer of ABC Burns), Penelope Chai (Troppo, Eden), Matthew Bon (Neighbours), Ciaran Hanrahan (Home and Away), and newcomers Chloe Wong, Betiel Beyin and Leigh Lule, with direction by Tenika Smith (The Rock Island Mysteries, Neighbours, The Heights), Jub Clerc (The Heights, The Turning: Abbreviation), Harry Lloyd (Neighbours) Jessie Oldfield and Adam Murfet (Why Are You Like This, Heartbreak High). Music performed by The Volume is composed and produced by Josh Teicher and Sophia Exiner.

An airdate is yet to be announced.

Production Credits: Turn Up The Volume is a Matchbox Pictures and Film Camp production, produced by Philippa Campey and Rachel Davis and executive produced by Matchbox Pictures Amanda Higgs and Margaret Ross for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC. Financed with support from VicScreen. Matchbox Pictures is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
EXCLUSIVE:

Following Hunteds debut this week, a number of readers have, understandably, been curious about the staging and production methods.

TV Tonight recently spoke to Deputy Intelligence Ben Owen who reiterated that any simulation -a word he used repeatedly- was designed to replicate real world circumstances.

In the case of CCTV footage for instance, a camera crew travelling with Hunters will replicate real world cameras which is provided to a third party referee who decides if the Hunters can access it. There are stringent rules to when it is granted.

Maintaining a covert line, here is how Owen explained some of the show secrets. with a little bit of TV magic.

How do Hunters get access to CCTV from public transport, banks, and private enterprise?

Im not sure I can give you the exact mechanics of how it works from the ground back into production. But what I can say is its simulating, replicating real life. Inasmuch as, if our fugitive gets on a train, we as Hunters have to confirm that there is CCTV on the train before we request it. If we dont request it, we dont get it.

As it explains on Episode One, there is a covert camera operator with the fugitives . from that footage, we are able to access it, but only if were in the right place, at the right time, with the right time parameters and confirm there are cameras there. Only then will we get that information. So once again, its completely fair as to how they simulate it.

Obviously we cant get access to real live CCTV and stuff.. but I just want to stress again, were not given it free.

Is Hunted HQ actually located in the tower at 568 Collins Street Melbourne or a TV studio?

Good question. Im not sure Im allowed to answer you.

TV Tonight understands HQ filming took place in North Melbourne.

Isnt it easy to spot fugitives when there is a camera crew with them all the time, and do they feed you info?

If you think of the size and the ground that weve got to cover, if were in the right place at the right time, and we happen to see their camera operator, I think weve done pretty well.

The camera operators with the fugitives are incredible at their job and theyre named covert camera operators for a reason. So theyre not going to be running down the road with a whacking great big camera. They will be blending into the background and making sure theyre out of the way.

As we were filming this one we had some camera operators say I had to hide. So even if they see us, theyll be hiding out of the way, making sure we dont see them. And one thing we absolutely cant do, for professionalism and for fairness, is that we would never use any production assets to the benefit of the hunt.

How do you hack into phones of fugitives and how far back through their history are you looking?

Im not sure Im allowed to say how far back we have access to, but certainly when the fugitives sign up for the show, again, we want to simulate it. So its completely accurate to what would happen in the real world.

In the real world of course, law enforcement could be looking at your banking history. Who do you pay direct debits to? Whos your phone provider? Is there another person you pay money to and could that be a close associate? So we go back months and months and months. In the real world obviously, wed go back for years.

In the banking history over the last two or three months, in the lead up to the run was there equipment bought? It gives us an incredible amount of information to stitch that jigsaw puzzle together.

And youre not going to tell me how you get in someones phone?

Theres ways and means of getting into someones phone. But of course, if we couldnt legitimately get into a phone through a law enforcement or intelligence agency, then subpoenas and warrants (would be) submitted to the phone provider, and youd get access. So one way or another, we can get access, whether thats quickly and we can do it ourselves, or whether its a bit longer, again its simulated accurately.

Hunted airs 7:30pm Sunday  Tuesday on 10.
The University of Dayton has earned the Above and Beyond Award from the Ohio Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for exceeding the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Companies eligible for the Above and Beyond Award provide Guard and Reserve employees additional, non-mandated benefits such as differential or full pay to offset lost wages and extended health benefits, among others.

Companies receiving the award also have signed the U.S. Department of Defense Statement of Support for employees in the National Guard and Reserve, which the University did in February, and have a manager or supervisor who has received a Patriot Award.

In 2021, Associate Provost Deb Bickford, who oversaw academic affairs and learning initiatives before her retirement last month, received the Patriot Award for supporting UD's military-affiliated employees in her area with flexible schedules, including time off prior to and after military duty, and granting leaves of absence if needed, among other measures.

The Above and Beyond Award, which will be presented at the Ohio Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve 50th Anniversary Awards Ceremony July 23 in Westerville, Ohio, is the second honor in as many months for the University's support of its nearly 100 military- or veteran-affiliated employees.

On May 26, the University was among the first group of colleges and universities earning Ohio's Collegiate Purple Star designation for being supportive and inclusive of military-connected students. Criteria for selection include having a dedicated military/veteran point of contact and/or office on campus, establishing priority registration for veterans and servicemembers, and allowing the establishment of student-led groups and organizations for veterans and servicemembers.

The University also is registered with Ohio Means Jobs as a military-friendly employer.

Click here for more information on UD's military and veteran programs and services.

For interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at srobinson1@udayton.edu.
Major legal disputes are heating up as the summer gets into full swing.

On Tuesday, Tesla CEO (TSLA) Elon Musk's and Twitter's (TWTR) lawyers are expected to show up for a virtual hearing in Delaware Chancery Court to argue for the first time over Twitter's push to force Musk's $44 billion purchase of the social media company.

The Starbucks (SBUX) labor union that filed charges against the company for alleged union-busting tactics has asked for a temporary injunction to stop the company from purportedly closing stores as retaliation against pro-union workers. And we're watching whether the U.S. Justice Department will force Alphabet's Google (GOOG) to formally defend its dominance in the online advertising market.

Musk-Twitter deal in court

On Friday, Musk's lawyers objected to a request by Twitter for Delaware's Chancery Court to fast track its closely watched lawsuit to force Musk to acquire the company. The court's Chief Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick, who is assigned to decide the larger issue of whether Musk must go through with the $44 billion merger that he agreed to, is scheduled to preside over a hearing on the preliminary matter of whether to grant Twitter an expedited trial.

In a court filing on Friday, Musk's lawyers characterized Twitter's push for a four-day resolution to the matter in September as an "unjustifiable request to rush" the case to trial and called on Judge McCormick to deny the request.

People form a line to enter the original Starbucks coffee shop at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, U.S., February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

Starbucks closures

Unionized Starbucks workers are accusing the company of shuttering retail stores as a union-busting tactic, citing concerns that the coffee chain is citing crime levels as pretext for targeting the locations. The labor organization has asked for a temporary injunction to stop the closures, which it alleges violate labor law.

Starbucks Workers United, the labor organization that has successfully unionized more than 180 U.S. stores, filed claims last week against the company for planned store closures scheduled to happen by August 1, calling the closures "unfair labor practices" aimed to discourage unionization.

Story continues

"Within the past six months [Starbucks] closed and/or threatened to close at least 16 stores in order to discourage union activity, retaliate against workers engaged in union activity and/or escape its obligation to bargain with the Union," the union alleges in its charge.

A Starbucks spokeswomen told Yahoo Finance that the company regularly opens and closes stores in its normal course of business, adding that recent safety incidents jeopardized the standards for its stores that it seeks to uphold customers as well as employees.

On Sunday, Seattle workers protested against the company outside its original coffee shop on Pike Street. Two of five Seattle stores that the company plans to close by the end of the month have unionized. Starbucks plans to close 16 stores across the country over safety concerns.

Google's ad-tech dominance

The U.S. Justice Department has long been expected to up the ante in its challenges against Google's dominance in multiple markets. Recent reports suggest that the agency, which sued the company over its dominance in the online search market in 2020, is primed to file an additional case against Google's parent company Alphabet alleging antitrust violations that stem from its stronghold in the advertising technology market.

The advertising behemoth reported gross revenue of $31.7 billion last year. And according to Bloomberg, Google has tried, unsuccessfully, to stave off the additional litigation by offering to break off parts of the online business.

This story has been updated to include responses from Starbucks and Starbucks Workers United, and to reflect that Tuesday's hearing between Twitter and Elon Musk in Delaware Chancery Court will be held virtually.



Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

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Bolsonaro attacks Brazil's election system in briefing for diplomats Session of the National Congress to decree amends to the constitution to bypass the country's spending cap and boost social benefits, in Brasilia

By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA (Reuters) - President Jair Bolsonaro invited the diplomatic corps on Monday to hear his charges that Brazil's election system was open to fraud ahead of October elections in which he is trailing in a bid for a second term.

"The system is completely vulnerable," he told some 40 diplomats invited to his residence in an unprecedented briefing three months before a general election.

Bolsonaro gave no evidence of fraud, but said a hacker got inside the electronic voting system during the election he won in 2018, an incident that police concluded had not compromised the result in any way.

Bolsonaro told the envoys the Brazilian military should be called in to help secure transparency in the Oct. 2 election. He has pushed electoral authorities to accept a parallel vote count to be carried out by the armed forces. They have ruled that out.

Diplomats attending included envoys of the United States, the European Union, France, Spain and Portugal. Neighbor Argentina, whose president is a leftist, was not invited.

"We knew what he was going to say, that was no surprise. But it is quite unusual to convene the diplomatic community to talk about a domestic issue," one diplomat who attended told Reuters.

Opposition leaders called for an investigation of alleged electoral crimes committed by Bolsonaro, for his attacks on a system that has resulted in his election for three decades, as a congressman then as president, and for using public television to broadcast his views.

U.S. officials have urged Brazilians to trust their voting system and said Bolsonaro should stop casting doubt on the electronic ballot.

Bolsonaro, a far-right nationalist who has said he modeled his presidency after Donald Trump's, has echoed the former U.S. leader's baseless allegations of fraud in the 2020 U.S. election.

He has repeatedly questioned Brazil's electronic voting machines, arguing without proof that they are susceptible to fraud, which has raised fears he might refuse to concede defeat, as Trump did in 2020.

His attempts to discredit Brazil's electoral system, which has been used since 1996 with no evidence of irregularities, has led his opponents to suspect Bolsonaro may refuse to accept a possible victory by leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is leading by double digits in opinion polls.

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle and Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen with Azerbaijan leader Ilham Aliyev (Azerbaijani presidency/AFP via G)

The European Union has signed a gas deal with Azerbaijan in an effort to move away from a reliance on Russian fossil fuels.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced the agreement on Tuesday in a conference alongside Azerbaijan president of 19 years, Ilham Aliyev.

"Today, with this new Memorandum of Understanding, we are opening a new chapter in our energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, a key partner in our efforts to move away from Russian fossil fuels," Ms Von Der Leyen said.

Azerbaijan is already increasing deliveries of natural gas to the EU from 8.1 billion cubic metres in 2021 to an expected 12 billion cubic metres in 2022, the commission has said.

It wants to up its supply to 20 billion cubic metres a year by 2027.

The EU is looking to move away from Russian power sources in the continued fallout of their invasion of Ukraine.

Ilham Aliyev has been Azerbaijan president since 2003. (Azerbaijani presidency/AFP via G)

Despite his government being in limbo, Italian prime minister Mario Draghi visited Algerian capital Algiers on Monday to finalise a separate deal.

Italy is especially dependent on natural gas to generate electricity, heat and cool homes, and power its industry.

Algeria is displacing Russia this year as the main supplier of gas to Italy.

A major agreement was reached during a trip by Draghi to Algeria in April between Algerian energy giant Sonatrach and Italian company ENI to increase gas exports.

A pipeline running through Tunisia and under the Mediterranean to Sicily is a key conduit in this strategy.

"Algeria contributes in a determining way to the action of the Italian government to diversify its sources of provisions, having become the top supplier of gas to Italy in these months," Mr Draghi's office said.

Italy has also been reaching out to other energy-producing nations to secure alternate sources, including Azerbaijan as well as Qatar, Congo, Angola and Mozambique.
Desiree Ellis already boasts an impressive list of firsts such as the only coach to steer South Africa to back-to-back appearances at the World Cup. And on Monday night in Casablanca she can notch up another one if she becomes the first South Africa coach to lead the women's team to successive Cup of Nations finals.

Bruce Mwape's Zambia stand in the way of Ellis's bid for history.

The 62-year-old is basking in the glory of leading South Africa's regional rivals to the World Cup for the first time.

Mwape can also carve out more legend by steering the team past the 2018 runners-up to its first Cup of Nations final.

It is a derby, and a derby is not only to be played, but to be won, said Mwape ahead of the clash at the Stade Mohamed V.

Zambia topped Group B following an opening day draw with Cameroon followed by victories over Tunisia and Togo.

They needed a penalty shoot-out to see off Senegal in the quarter-final to secure a berth at the World Cup and a place in the semi-finals for the first time.

The most exciting part of the championship starts now," said goalkeeper Hazel Nali who scored the winning penalty against Senegal.

South Africa's nerves were equally shredded during their 1-0 win over Tunisia.

Had their forwards converted a host of chances, they would not have suffered in the final 25 minutes when Tunisia started pouring forward in search of an equaliser.

The South Africa defence held out in what Ellis hailed as a show of grit and character.

But the 59-year-old conceded the side could not repeat such profligacy in front of goal.

"The strikers could have done better, they know it," added Ellis.

"Now we are qualified for the World Cup, we are focused on the semi-finals. The mistakes of the last game have been discussed and my players know what to do."

The winner will play Morocco or Nigeria in the final in Rabat on 23 July.

Thanks to social networks, our team remains connected to our people and the girls feel invested with a mission to bring the cup home, said Mwape.

Story continues

By doing so, they would emulate the men's team which won so dramatically against Cote d'Ivoire in the Cup of Natons final in 2012 in Libreville.

"You can feel the excitement that is spreading throughout the country. We're receiving thousands of messages," Mwape added.

"Balm to the heart," was Ellis's description of the support emanating from South Africa. "We will give everything for them, she added.
How Much Money Players at 2022 WSOP Main Event Final Table Really Made

July 18 2022 Jon Sofen

Espen Jorstad, the new World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion, despite what the listed payouts are, actually received significantly more compared to runner-up Adrian Attenborough than you might think.

Jorstad, who brilliantly dominated the final table on Friday and Saturday, received a base payout of $10 million. After taxes, if he'd remained in his native land of Norway, he'd be taxed at 28% according to the Norwegian Taxation Act Section 5-50 (1). That comes out to $2,800,000, meaning he'd end up with $7,200,000 after taxes.

But the world champion no longer resides in Norway. Instead, he now lives in the United Kingdom where gambling winnings aren't taxed, even for massive scores such as the WSOP Main Event.

Check out the 2021 WSOP Main Event tax breakdown here!

How to Legally Avoid Paying Taxes on Gambling Scores

Many high stakes poker players who were born in countries that heavily tax gambling winnings move to places such as England to avoid being fleeced by the local tax collector. Last year's champion, Koray Aldemir, is from Germany but lives in nearby Austria, which doesn't tax gambling scores, so he took home the full $8,000,000 cash.

Runner-up Attenborough is from a country that doesn't tax wins from gambling  Australia. However, he now resides in the United States where they are taxed at a flat 24% rate plus self-employment tax for being a professional poker player. So, he actually received and estimated $3,600,000 after expectedly having an $2,400,000 removed from the $6,000,000 payout.

That's still life-changing money, but a further divide compared to the Main Event champion than you may have previously realized. Fortunately, for him, the tax burden isn't even worse as he lives in a state (Nevada) that doesn't have state income tax.

In third place was Michael Duek, who was born in Argentina but resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which also doesn't have state income tax. Similar to Attenborough, his $4,000,000 cash likely had about 40% total removed for taxes totaling around $1,600,000 withheld for Uncle Sam, and his payout after taxes should be in the ballpark of $2,400,000.

John Eames, the fourth-place finisher, is another lucky one. The British poker pro, thanks to an agreement between the US and England, won't have a penny of his $3,000,000 score withheld.

Matija Dobric, who busted in fifth place, however, owes a significant amount out of the $2,250,000 he earned. Croatia's gambling tax winnings requires a 30% deduction for wins above HRK 500,000 ($67,042 USD). Thus, he'll net about $1,575,000 after the anticipated $675,000 is deducted.

Jeffrey Farnes, another American, should have had approximately $675,000 (35%) for his sixth-place score of $1,750,000, leaving him with about $1,075,000 after Uncle Sam's cut. Although he doesn't have to pay self-employment tax, he'll still owe Oregon state income tax.

Seventh Place Paid Less than Eighth Place?

Aaron Duczak

Aaron Duczak, a Canadian, is one of the most interesting cases at the final table. He finished in seventh place but will technically receive less than the eighth-place finisher, Philippe Souki. American casinos are instructed to deduct 30% of jackpots exceeding $1,200 won by Canadian residents. As such, Duczak's payout of $1,350,000 should have then had $405,000 deducted for a net payout of $945,000.

Souki, on the other hand, lives in the United Kingdom. As mentioned, US casinos aren't required to tax the Brit winnings, so he should be permitted to keep that entire $1,075,000 check, meaning he technically won more than Duczak.

The first to bust at the official final table was Matthew Su, whose cash for $850,675 was actually far less given the US tax withholding requirement and District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue bill. Instead, he is estimated to receive about $520,000 after around $330,000 is taken away for legal purposes.

In total, the base payout for all nine players at the 2022 WSOP Main Event final table was a combined $30,275,675. After all applicable taxes are withheld, totaling $6,085,000, the table will unevenly split right around $24,000,000.

Chart of 2022 WSOP Main Event Final Table Payouts After Taxes

Position Player Prize Tax Owed Prize After Taxes 1st Espen Jordstad $10,000,000 $0 $10,000,000 2nd Adrian Attenborough $6,000,000 $2,400,000 $3,600,000 3rd Michael Duek $4,000,000 $1,600,000 $2,400,000 4th John Eames $3,000,000 $0 $3,000,000 5th Matija Dobric $2,250,000 $675,000 $1,575,000 6th Jeffrey Farnes $1,750,000 $675,000 $1,075,000 7th Aaron Duczak $1,350,000 $405,000 $945,000 8th Philippe Souki $1,075,000 $0 $1,075,000 9th Matthew Su $850,675 $330,000 $520,000

*All figures are estimates and not guaranteed tax payments.

2022 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2022 WSOP is here. Click here
The Muck: 19-Minute Tank at the WSOP Main Event Final Table

July 18 2022 Jon Sofen

With millions of dollars at stake, it's reasonable for players at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table to take their time to think when facing a difficult decision, but poker Twitter wasn't so understanding when eventual runner-up Adrian Attenborough tanked for 19 minutes in one hand before folding nothing but a pair of fours during heads-up play.

In the newest installment of The Muck, we take a look at the hand that tilted many on social media.

Attenborough, an Aussie, lost a heads-up match against Norway's Espen Jorstad with the world title on the line. During that fairly brief battle, the runner up faced two all in wagers from Jorstad, and both times he went into a lengthy tank with the hand often referred to as "flat tire."

Can He Find a Fold?

The most controversial hand occurred shortly after heads-up play began when Jorstad raised to 7,500,000 with and then called the three-bet to 26,000,000 from his opponent, who had in the hole.

The flop came out , not exactly the type of flop the preflop three-bettor was hoping to see. Still, he continued for 16,000,000 and received a call. When the appeared on the turn, Attenborough hit bottom pair and again bet, this time for 58,000,000. Jorstad wasn't going anywhere with top pair and called to see the on the river.

Action checked to the Norwegian who resides in the United Kingdom, and he moved all in for Attenborough's 132,000,000 remaining stack. For the next 19 minutes, the eventual second-place finisher pondered his move before eventually folding bottom pair. He was left in a 3-1 hole of which he'd never recover.

What Poker Twitter is Saying

Attenborough, who now lives in Las Vegas, won't be the next Joe Hachem, the 2005 world champion who also hails from Australia. But he will be a memorable runner-up, partially due to the 19-minute tank job with bottom pair, and poker Twitter was none too thrilled.

"Where is the floor? If this hand goes much longer it's gonna pass the delay," Doug Polk asked during the hand in question.

Poker in 2022. Heads up in the main event I tune in for hand 1. I watch 1 min of hand. Neighbor comes and has https://t.co/ott4tFFURR  Erick Lindgren (@EdogPoker)

"Hello from 2023. Attenborough just folded," @BenjeeNFT joked.

"These laggers, I hate this new pace of play. What happened to think long, think wrong," @Bobby2Cents gave his two cents.

Jack - Four off-suit is officially the Attenborough. What a terrible heads-up match for the #WSOP #MainEvent tras https://t.co/NIlbiGvFIP  Carl Williams (@CarlWilIT)

"There is a point you reach where thinking about the decision is counter productive. More time isnt going to get you to a better decision," @d3wayne argues.

"Hard to imagine this is good for casual viewers. I understand the stakes, but live Poker streaming is so boring (even for super fans like me). Tuned in and they barely played 5 hands in an hour. why are they tanking so much?" @ppadala tweeted.

Maybe J4 isnt a good hand?  Daniel Strelitz (@dDeoxyribo)

"I prepared an entire 3 course meal during the tank and a acai bowl with agave syrup cinnamon strawberries and honey for desert. This is the Tank heard round the world," @kale_kash joked, or maybe not.

"Can i clock players from twitter," Joseph Cheong pondered.

Despite the negative comments directed at Attenborough for tanking with jack-four, there were many who stood up for him and understood how difficult of a spot he was in playing for so much money.

"Adrian with a massive tank yes but let's bare in mind he has had the fastest average play for the whole WSOP FT and this is for the whole enchilada. When you guys playing for $4M HU you guys can protest and shot clock yourself," fellow Aussie Kahle Burns tweeted.

Ive never been so invested in watching someone think for 15+ minutes  Adam // roothlus.eth  (@Roothlus)

Death By Jack-Four

In the second jack-four hand, the last hand of the tournament, Attenborough again went into the tank when facing an all in bet on a board of . Jorstad, who called in position on the turn, jammed river with .

This time around, Attenborough didn't need 19 minutes to make his decision. It only took him around five minutes, but he couldn't fold that small pair and inevitably made the call only to find out he was up against a full house.

"F**k!" he immediately shouted upon seeing Jorstad's tournament-winning hand.

Had Attenborough found a fold, he still would have had a realistic opportunity to win the Main Event. With over 40 big blinds and one double up away tying up the score, he was far from out of contention. But he ended up clicking the call button and was eliminated in second place for $6 million. There's certainly no reason for him to hang his head in disappointment, especially considering he lost a heads-up battle against a great player.

2022 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2022 WSOP is here. Click here
One of the most prolific British screen actors is looking forward to swapping the studio for one of the most unique performances of his career (PA) (PA Archive)

One of the most prolific British screen actors is looking forward to swapping the studio for one of the most unique performances of his career.

Toby Jones has brought to life characters as diverse as Dobby the house elf in Harry Potter and fictional 1970s spy Percy Alleline, and is recently best known for his role in Detectorists.

But, this weekend, he will perform on a boat drifting in the reeds on Lough Erne to read excerpts from one of his favourite playwrights.

Jones will be one of the headline stars of the Happy Days Enniskillen Beckett Festival, which returns to the Co Fermanagh town for the first time since 2019.

John Minihans photograph of playwright Samuel Beckett (Sothebys/PA) (PA Media)

The five-day international multi-arts festival runs from Thursday and will also feature Dame Sarah Connolly, Fleur Barron, Tadhg Murphy, Liam O Maonlai and Adrian Dunbar.

Jones will perform readings in the Breandrum Chapel of Rest in Enniskillen on Saturday, and on Sunday morning he will go out on the Kestrel ferry to near Devenish island and drift among the reeds as he reads two sections from the end of Krapps Last Tape.He told the PA news agency he is looking forward to his first visit to the west of Northern Ireland and being immersed in Beckett.

Im familiar with working on that kind of programme but whats fantastic is that its Beckett, one of the first writers I ever as a teenager got really into, he said.

Its a great opportunity for me to acquaint myself with literature in an extraordinary situation.

At school I loved literature and acting gives you this great opportunity to experience literature in three dimensions and often to experience pieces repeatedly and to explore them repeatedly in performance.

Devenish Island in Lough Erne (PA) (PA Media)

Thats one of the privileges of the job  you get to immerse yourself in stuff that you were first enthusiastic about at school, like Beckett, and then you come as an adult, you get to revisit Beckett three dimensionally in movement on stage or here on a boat  who is going to turn that down? What a fantastic opportunity.

Story continues

Beckett was born in Dublin but spent several years in Enniskillen as a pupil at Portora Royal School before he went on to study at Trinity College.

The festival is the largest global celebration of the Irish Nobel Laureate, with a plethora of Beckett-inspired performances.

It is celebrating its 10th anniversary and returning for the first time since the pandemic.Jones urged hearing the authors work spoke rather than simply reading it.

All his writing is, in a sense, very direct even if its enigmatic, and at time apparently very austere and strange on the page. As soon as you start saying it, it has a chattiness and a directness and often a humour and certainly a humanity. Hearing it often makes it more accessible than sitting down and reading it, he said.Meanwhile, Jones is set to film a one-off extended episode of Detectorists next month.Festival founder and artistic director Sean Doran said he is delighted to be returning to Enniskillen after the pandemic.After a three-year enforced silence by Covid, we are delighted to be bringing back to Enniskillen its unique and only international festival, Happy Days, he said.

It is a truly special festival, attracting not only international names and faces to perform but also attracting audiences from across the globe.We are particularly thrilled to be remounting for our 10th anniversary three Made in Fermanagh classics of the last 10 years: Walking For Waiting For Godot, Ohio Impromptu and Inferno-Not I.

These bespoke productions define this destination festival from other summer festivals.

Not only are they are site specific to Fermanagh  using the beautiful Fermanagh landscapes to heighten the experience of Becketts plays  but they involve experiential travelling to the event by audiences whether it is on foot for Waiting For Godot, by boat for Ohio Impromptu and Inferno-Not I is truly unique.Bookings can be made at www.ardhowen.com, with most tickets priced from 5-15.

For more information and the full programme of events, see www.artsoverborders.com.
Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires continue to burn in Spain and France caused by an ongoing heatwave.

Two people were killed in the blazes in Spain with the country's prime minister linking the deaths to global warming, saying: "Climate change kills."

That toll comes on top of the hundreds of heat-related deaths reported in the Iberian Peninsula, as high temperatures have gripped the continent and triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkan region.

Some areas, including northern Italy, are also experiencing extended droughts.

UK weather - latest: UK could hit 41C - as RAF halts flights from biggest base after runway 'melts'

In France, heat records were broken and swirling hot winds complicated firefighting efforts in the country's southwest.

"The fire is literally exploding," said Marc Vermeulen, the regional fire service chief who described tree trunks shattering as flames consumed them, sending burning embers into the air and further spreading the blazes.

"We're facing extreme and exceptional circumstances," he said.

Authorities evacuated more towns, moving another 14,900 people from areas at risk of finding themselves in the path of the fires.

In all, more than 31,000 people have been forced out of their homes and summer vacation spots in the Gironde region since the wildfires began 12 July.

Three additional planes were sent to join six others already fighting the fires, scooping up seawater into their tanks and making repeated runs through dense clouds of smoke.

More than 200 reinforcements headed to join the 1,500-strong force of firefighters battling night and day to contain the blazes in the Gironde.

Spain, meanwhile, reported a second fatality in two days as it battled its own blazes.

The body of a 69-year-old sheep farmer was found on Monday in the same hilly area where a 62-year-old firefighter died a day earlier when he was trapped by flames in the northwestern Zamora province.

Story continues

More than 30 forest fires around Spain have forced the evacuation of thousands of people and blackened 85 square miles (220 square km) of forest and scrub.

Passengers on a train through Zamora got a frightening, up-close look at a blaze when their train came to a stop in the countryside.

Video showed about a dozen passengers becoming alarmed as they looked out of the windows at the flames encroaching on both sides of the track.

Almost 600 heat-related deaths have been reported in Spain and neighbouring Portugal, where temperatures reached 47C (117F) earlier this month.

The heat wave in Spain was forecast to ease on Tuesday, but the respite will be brief as temperatures rise again on Wednesday, especially in the dry western Extremadura region.

Read more:

Roads close, 'frightening' fires break out and drought sets in as Portugal's temperatures soar

Heatwave in pictures: Wildfires across Europe, droughts and ice pops

The Balkans region is expected to get the worst of the heat later this week but has already seen sporadic wildfires.

Early on Monday, authorities in Slovenia said firefighters managed to bring one blaze under control.

Watch the Daily Climate Show at 3.30pm Monday to Friday, and The Climate Show with Tom Heap on Saturday and Sunday at 3.30pm and 7.30pm.

All on Sky News, on the Sky News website and app, on YouTube and Twitter.

The show investigates how global warming is changing our landscape and highlights solutions to the crisis.
University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets and leaders traveled abroad this summer for a wide range of professional development opportunities and events. This included multiple visits to international military academy partners, as well as conferences and leadership courses.

Cadets who gained experience abroad this summer included:

Jacob Lyons, Ryan McGlaun, Andrew Moreshead, Hyunbean Park, and Colin McBride Parker took part in a variety of activities in the Republic of Georgia. They taught English while interning at the National Defense Academy. They also took a leadership course in Poland.

Steven Bullock and Yakir Mufson completed internships at the National University of Public Service in Budapest, Hungary.

William Buettner and Adam Sisson traveled to Andermatt, Switzerland, and completed a nine-day course on skills in ridge climbing, ice climbing and glacier movement, multi-pitch climbing, sport climbing, and alpine climbing. They also practiced with complex high-line rescue systems and pulley systems.

Mia Libosada and Thomas Samples attended a conference at Nicolae Balcescu Land Forces Academy in Sibiu, Romania, with other cadets from around Europe.

Ayomide Adekola, Charlie Fendius and Komlan Sogah visited Brussels, Belgium, for an intelligence conference.

Luis Lopez Montes, Tremaine Reid and Spencer Schwock traveled to Tallinn, Estonia, for the NATO Cyber Center of Excellence Conference.

Some of the cadet travel was paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense funding for UNG's Institute for Cyber Operations, while the Olmsted Foundation funded the Switzerland trip. The Olmsted Foundation gave a $26,000 grant to UNG for 2022 and has provided more than $140,500 in six years for international experiences for cadets from UNG, Atlanta-area historically black colleges and universities, and Georgia State University. These trips, typically one to three weeks in length, take place in non-English-speaking countries for cadets who display outstanding leadership and plan to commission into a combat arms branch in the active-duty Army.

Additionally, UNG President Bonita Jacobs; retired Col. Joseph Matthews, UNG commandant of cadets; and retired Lt. Col. Wesley Pirkle, UNG director of global military programs, visited Korea Military Academy.

"UNG's partnerships with international military academies and the financial support we receive provide valuable overseas experience for cadets in multiple countries," retired Sgt. Maj. Terry Baumann, UNG assistant director of global military programs, said. "We are grateful to provide these unforgettable leadership lessons and global perspectives for our cadets."
A faculty member, a recent alumna, and a staff member from the University of North Georgia (UNG) attended the International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE) Conference from June 19-22 in Treviso, Italy. The conference theme was "Working Wicked Intelligence Challenges."

Dr. Edward Mienie, professor and executive director of UNG's bachelor's degree in strategic and security studies, presented on a counterintelligence framework for cybersecurity education as part of a counterintelligence panel.

Noelle Heineman, a former student of Mienie and a December 2021 UNG graduate with a degree in strategic and security studies with a concentration in intelligence, attended the conference to gain further exposure to the intelligence and intelligence education career fields. She plans to attend George Washington University in the fall to pursue a master's degree in security policy studies.

Retired Lt. Col. Heath Williams, UNG director of federal liaison and military education coordinator, sought to develop partnerships, internships and exchange opportunities for UNG.

IAFIE aims to provide a forum for the communication and exchange of ideas and information, advance the intelligence profession, foster relationships, and cultivate cooperation between intelligence professionals and scholars.
at Kyo was named in the Top 10 finalists and won the title of Mister Supranational Asia 2022. Photo courtesy of Mister Supranational 2022

HA NOI  A Vietnamese model was named Mr Supranational Asia 2022, which concluded in Poland on July 16.

Competing against other 33 contestants from around the globe in various competitions such as introducing the national flags, demonstrating a muscular body and wearing a gentleman's suit, Vietnamese contestant Bui Xuan at, alias at Kyo, was named in the Top 10 finalists and won the title of Mr Supranational Asia 2022.

at expressed his gratitude to the audience: "At this moment, I am thrilled to have overcome many difficulties to complete everything. Im lucky to receive great energy every day from the cheers of the audience at home and friends worldwide. I want to thank everyone for their love.

Luis Daniel Galvez of Cuba was hailed Mr Supranational 2022. The first, second, third and fourth runner-up titles were presented to representatives of Indonesia, Greece, Mexico and Puerto Rico, respectively.

Previously, Minh Tu and Ngoc Chau won the Miss Supranational Asia award in 2018 and 2019. at Kyo was the first Vietnamese representative to win Mr Supranational Asia.

The 26-year-old stands 1.84 metres tall and graduated from Hung Yen University of Technology and Education.

Previously, he was the winner of the Vietnam Fitness Model 2019. He has taken part in several television game shows.

Mr Supranational was first held in December 2016, in Poland, attracting 36 contestants worldwide. Mexican Diego Garcy was named the first-ever winner of the male pageant.

Tay ethnic girl wins Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2022 pageant

Nong Thuy Hang from the Tay ethnic group in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang was crowned Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2022. Photo courtesy of Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2022.

Nong Thuy Hang from the Tay ethnic group in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang has been crowned Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2022.

The 23-year-old is 1.7 m tall and weighs 52 kg. She graduated from the National Economics University.

By winning the pageant that sought the participation of young women from all 54 ethnic groups in the country, Hang will represent Vietnam at Miss Earth 2022.

Luong Thi Hoa an, 21, from the Kinh ethnic group, was named the first runner-up. an comes from the northern province of Hai Duong and is currently a third-year student at the Thang Long University in Ha Noi.

The second-runner-up title belonged to Thach Thu Thao, 21, of the Khmer ethnic group, from the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh, who is now in her final year at Nam Can Tho University. VNS
The World Health Organization has released a report showing the sharpest decline in child immunization rates in the past 30 years. Pandemic lockdowns, misinformation efforts, conflicts, and climatic disasters diverted resources and slowed routine immunization.

During the preceding two years, around 25 million children worldwide did not receive all or a portion of their recommended childhood immunizations. The majority of these children live in the world's poorest countries.

According to new figures that were released by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization, this is two million more children than in 2020, which was the year that COVID-19 caused lockdowns around the world, and six million more children than in 2019, which was the year before the pandemic began (WHO).

According to the research, this is the largest step backward in routine immunization in the past 30 years. It has produced conditions that, when coupled with the rapidly rising rates of malnutrition, that have the capability of placing the lives of millions of young children at jeopardy.

According to a new study conducted by UNICEF, the United Nations agency that vaccinates half of the world's children, and the World Health Organization (WHO), a combination of conflicts, climate emergencies, misinformation campaigns, pandemic lockdowns, and efforts to vaccinate against COVID-19 diverted resources. Conflicts and climate emergencies were also a factor.

According to official data that was published on Thursday by WHO and UNICEF, the percentage of children who received all three doses of the vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) decreased by five percentage points between 2019 and 2021, bringing the total down to 81 percent.

The level of vaccination coverage within and between nations can be measured using this vaccine. "We are currently observing the longest-lasting decline in the rate of childhood vaccinations in a generation. The decline, according to Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, "is a red alarm for child health." The level of the sanctions will be determined by the number of lives lost, "She said.

The decline was attributed to a number of different factors, some of which include an increase in the number of children living in conflict zones, an increase in the spread of misinformation, disruptions in service and supply brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and lockdowns that limited the effectiveness of outreach campaigns.

According to Kate O'Brien, director of the department that oversees immunization, vaccines, and biologicals for the World Health Organization (WHO), the pandemic "compelled parents and families to choose between putting food on the table and getting their children vaccinated."

The biggest numbers of children who had not had their vaccines during the course of the previous two years were found in the countries of India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and the Philippines respectively.

Brazil, a country that was formerly regarded for its unusually high vaccine coverage rates, was featured on the list of the ten countries that were affected the most by the outbreak. In comparison, almost 26 percent of children living in Brazil in the year 2021 had not been subjected to any form of vaccination. In comparison, only 13 percent of people had done so by the end of 2018.

"The work of 30 years has been lost overnight," said Dr. Carla Domingues, a public health expert. Domingues is a former coordinator of the Brazilian national immunization program. She formerly coordinated Brazil's national immunization program.

She also stated that during the pandemic, anti-vaccination groups that had previously been relatively ineffective in Brazil arrived in the country and began spreading misinformation on social media platforms written in Portuguese.

And all of this was taking place, according to Domingues, at a time when Brazilians were a generation removed from the deadly illnesses they were being encouraged to vaccinate their children against, prompting them to question the necessity of the practice.

"Parents don't know the impact of measles or polio, so they start picking and choosing immunizations," she added. "Measles is one of the most preventable diseases." It is evident from the data that the acceptance of the pneumonia vaccination is significantly higher than that of the polio vaccine. "Parents are deciding not to have their children get polio. They ask, "It's been 30 years since there's been a case of polio; thus, do I still need to do this?"

And yet, she added, there is a glaring warning sign that they are in danger: Six years after Brazil announced that the disease had been eradicated, a small number of measles cases were discovered early this year in Sao Paulo. "Measles is already circulating  that provides us a clear example of what may happen with diphtheria, meningitis, and so many other diseases," she added. "Measles gives us a concrete example of what could happen with diphtheria, meningitis, and many other diseases." The previous year, forty-three percent of infants in the Philippines had no immunizations.

United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures, vaccination coverage for kindergartners declined across the country in the 2020-2021 school year. This is part of a troubling decline in children's immunization since the start of the epidemic.

Coverage for three vaccines that are required by states for public and private schools, including measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (DTaP), and chicken pox (varicella), decreased by approximately one percent to roughly 94 percent, with the majority of states reporting a decrease. At the national level, 2.2 percent of kindergarteners had at least one vaccine exemption. During the school year, 4 percent of kindergarteners who did not have an exemption had not had their most recent MMR dose.

Childhood immunization rates plummeted drastically due to families staying home during the epidemic's early stages, and they have been difficult to recover since then. In the past two years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has seen a drop of more than 10 percent from pre-pandemic levels in the number of orders states have placed for Vaccines for Children. This is a federal program through which approximately half of the children in the country have been immunized.

Georgina Peacock, acting director of the Immunization Services Division, stated that the decline in vaccination rates for the school year 2020-2021 "means that there are 35,000 more children in the United States during this time period without documentation of complete vaccination against common diseases."

In addition, she mentioned that enrollment in kindergarten for the school year decreased by ten percent. This indicates that around 400,000 fewer children joined kindergarten than projected who would not have been up to date on their routine immunizations.

During the epidemic, many children did not receive their vaccines, and experts and practitioners in the field of public health believe that there are a number of variables that are contributing to the slow recovery of this statistic.These factors include parents who are still catching up on medical visits and a spillover of hesitancy toward the Covid-19 vaccine into attitudes toward routine immunizations.

The politicization of vaccines, the widespread dissemination of false information regarding routine immunizations, and the fact that diseases such as measles and polio are so uncommon in the United States have all contributed to the phenomenon of parents having second thoughts about whether or not they should vaccinate their children.

During the epidemic, many children did not receive their vaccines, and experts and practitioners in the field of public health believe that there are a variety of factors contributing to the poor recovery of this statistic.

Mississippi had the highest percentage of kindergarten immunization at 98.9 percent, while the District of Columbia had the lowest rate at roughly 78 percent. Of the 47 states and the District of Columbia that reported vaccination data, Mississippi had the highest rate at 98.9 percent.

The states reported a variety of factors that contributed to the lower rates, including the reluctance of parents to make appointments, the submission of less paperwork to schools, the easing of vaccination requirements for learners in remote areas, and staffing shortages to collect data.

WHO report shows largest backslide in childhood vaccinations in 30 years
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), held this year at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, Britain, is easily one of the worlds most anticipated air shows, drawing well over 170,000 visitors for 2022 alone. Its easy to see why, given the multitude and diversity of participating aircraft which came in from all over the globe. In addition to the plentiful examples of contemporary military and civilian types, there are numerous oddities which regularly make an appearance too. Whether these are vintage types almost lost from todays skies, or present-day examples wearing one-off liveries, there is always something on hand which is bound to take your breath away, and this year was no exception. We are very fortunate to have some of the spectacular images which our good friend Richard Cooper managed to capture during one of the Center of Aviation Photography (COAP) photo-flights which he lead in partnership with the Aviation Photocrew from the back of Phillip Artwegers Short SC.7 Skyvan.

A vintage Boeing 727 freighter converted into a spray aircraft by 2Excel Aviation made for a fascinating appearance, especially given the types rarity today. RIAT described the aircraft and its role, noting: Completing our trio of static aircraft from 2Excel Aviation this year is one of their pair of Boeing 727-2S2F (RE) which they operate on behalf of Oil Spill Response Limited. Whilst more famous for its original role as an airliner, this variant of the 727 was originally produced as a cargo freighter. Previously operated by FedEx to deliver freight, this 727 has been heavily modified for use in combating oil spills throughout the world. These aircraft have the ability to spray dispersant in all weather conditions, including icy weather, through the use of the TERSUS oil dispersant system, which was designed, manufactured, installed and certified by 2Excel. Following a recent upgrade, these pair of UK-based 727s will continue to be the go-to response platform for the most serious (Tier 3) oil spill incidents until at least 2028. It made for a spectacular site when distributing simulated oil dispersant from its rear-mounted spray-bars as captured magnificently by Richard Cooper from his perch aboard the AirCrews pink-painted Short Skyvan.

With 2022 marking the U.S. Air Forces 75th anniversary as an independent air arm, there was bound to be a specially painted aircraft to help celebrate this milestone. This came in the form of an F-15E Strike Eagle from the 492nd FS, 48th FW based at RAF Lakenheath. The aircrafts special livery specifically celebrates the 48th FWs 70th anniversary, the USAFs 75th anniversary, and USAF Europes 80th anniversary.

This Strike Eagle made its official debut at RIAT, but the USAF published a nice video which shows off the airframes livery in greater detail below

Of particular interest to many was the magnificent Hawker Hunter T.Mk.72 supplied by Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd. from their base at RAF Scampton.

Another favorite on hand for regular readers will be one of Top Aces McDonnell-Douglas A-4N Skyhawks which perform adversarial training roles under contract with various military air arms around the globe. The aircraft, presently listed as C-FGZE on Canadas civil registry once served in the Israeli Defense Force. It flew in from Nordholz, Germany on Friday, July 15th, which is when Richard Cooper captured her in the air.

A real rarity in European skies now, the Panavia Tornado also made an appearance at RIAT, with a pair of Luftwaffe examples taking part in the show. These airframes came from Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 (AKG 51 Immelmann), a tactical reconnaissance unit based at Schleswig Air Base in Germany. The Tornado has been a NATO workhorse for many years, but its days in Europe are numbered, as both the Luftwaffe and Italys Aeronautica Militare are scheduled to retire the type sometime in 2025.

And finally, a Cessna O-2A Skymaster marked as a U.S. Air Force Forward Air Controller variant in Vietnam War-era markings also made an appearance. This beautiful aeroplane even bore a small kangaroo motif on its nose, a testament to the Australian aircrews who flew in U.S. units on exchange during periods of the conflict.

Vintage Aviation News wishes to thank Rich Cooper very much for the use of his marvelous air-to-air images from RIAT. For those interested in participating in one of his extraordinary, hands-on photography workshops, please do visit the COAP website to see what the next assignments may present there are typically many unique opportunities for catching rare breeds in the skies all over the world.
by Adam Estes

The U.S. Air Forces first operational supersonic bomber, the Convair B-58 Hustler, made its initial flight on November 11th, 1956. In addition to the bombers massive delta wing, distinctive innovations included a sophisticated Sperry AN/ASQ-42 inertial navigation and bomb guidance system, a slippery wasp-waist fuselage, and an extensive use of heat-resistant, honeycomb sandwich skin paneling in both the wings and fuselage. Since the airframes fuselage cross-section provided too little room for internal ordinance storage, Convairs engineers came up with a unique solution, designing a massive, jettisonable, two-component pod slung under the fuselage which contained a nuclear weapon in the upper section, along with extra fuel, reconnaissance equipment, or other specialized gear in the lower portion. The B-58 crew consisted of a pilot, navigator/bombardier, and defense systems operator.

Convair built 116 Hustlers, of which the first thirty were test and pre-production examples while the remaining 86 entered operational service. Hustlers flew within Strategic Air Command between 1960 and 1970. Setting 19 world speed and altitude records, B-58s also won five different aviation trophies.

Castle Air Museums Hustler is the seventh example to roll off North Americans production line in Fort Worth, Texas. A pre-production airframe, YB-58A-1-CF 55-0666 flew for the first time on March 20th, 1958. As its type prefix suggests, this Hustler served as a test aircraft with Convair, which fitted a YJ79-GE-5 jet engine on a special centerline pod. On November 8th, 1958, the aircraft flew for 32 minutes at a sustained Mach 2 velocity with its YJ79-GE-5 engines. On April 29th, 1959, the U.S. Air Force formally took 666 on strength, but the airframe remained with Convair for test and evaluation purposes. On May 1st, 1959, Convair converted the Hustler into YRB-58A configuration.

On August 16, 1962, the aircraft established a record, performing the then Hustler flight up to that point, remaining aloft for 11 hours and 15 minutes. In November that year, the Air Force transferred the airframe to the 6510th Operational Maintenance Squadron (Air Force Systems Command), at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California. In May 1964, the 666 moved on to the 3345th Maintenance and Support Group (Air Training Command) at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois, which subsequently redesignated the Hustler as a GRB-58A, for instructional use only.

In 1967 the Husler moved across the airfield for outdoor display in Chanutes air park. Base technicians repainted the aircraft in the markings of B-58A 61-2059, a Hustler nicknamed Greased Lightning which became famous for flying an 8,028 nautical mile nonstop journey from Tokyo to London at an average speed of 938 mph in October, 1963. Oddly enough, the real 61-2059 still exists and is on public display at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.

With the closure of Chanute AFB in 1993, the U.S. Air Force Museum loaned 55-0666 to the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, located in Grissom Hall, the former missile maintenance training facility at the now-decommissioned base. Placed indoors on static display, the airframe regained her correct serial number on the tail, but retained its Greased Lightning nose art. Unfortunately, the Hustler received damage when staff attempted to move the bomber with its main landing wheels locked, fracturing the nose gear.

Sadly, the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum itself had to close its doors in 2015, its exhibits either having to find new homes elsewhere or face the scrappers torch, a fate which some of the less-loved transport types did indeed suffer. The B-58 is a massive aircraft, so not an easy airframe to move economically, but given the types rarity and popularity 666 was always likely to find organizations both willing and able to foot the expenses of transferring the sleek bomber to their facility. This is how Castle Air Museum came to acquire 55-0666 on loan for display at their home in Atwater, California. They shipped the Hustler to Atwater by road during August, 2017.

Behind a chainlink fence, the airframe is undergoing remedial work at present on external static display. While the outdoors is never an ideal environment for any airframe, the arid nature of Californias climate should limit the risk of longterm corrosion problems. Heres hoping that the airframe also receives a little TLC to regain her regal good looks before too much longer.

Adam Estes is a university student with a passion for aviation history. He is a volunteer for the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California, and has kept tabs on numerous aircraft and museums around the world. His goal is to become a museum curator while continuing to write articles and books on aviation history.
On Saturday, July 16, 2022, the last living D-Day Pathfinder Pilot, LtCol David Hamilton (USAF, Ret.) celebrated his centenary with the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team (ADT). Hamilton participated in airborne operations involving WWII ADTs historic Douglas C-47 Skytrain, nicknamed Wild Kat, with ADT members parachuting from the aircraft in honor of his 100th birthday.

The airborne operations took place at the Frederick Regional Airport Army Airfield, in Frederick, Oklahoma. The airport, which first began operations in September 1942 as Frederick Army Airfield, a military pilot training facility, is the WWII ADTs present day home.

LtCol Hamilton, the last surviving Pathfinder pilot from the Normandy Invasion of June 5th/6th, 1944, also flew troops/cargo in Operations Dragoon and Market-Garden, not to mention the Battle of the Bulge. Furthermore, Hamilton logged 51 combat missions flying Douglas RB-26 Invader ground attack aircraft in the Korean War, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service during this period.
JANESVILLE  The mayor of Fairbank was killed in a two-vehicle crash Monday morning on U.S. Highway 218 that involved a driver's education car.

Gregory Harter, 71, a passenger in the driver's education vehicle, died at the scene. Three others were injured, including two 14-year-olds, one of whom was the driver.

Fairbank City Clerk Brittany Fuller confirmed that the victim in the crash was Mayor Gregory "Mike" Harter.

The Iowa State Patrol said that shortly before 8:30 a.m. a 14-year-old from Waterloo was driving a Chevy Impala southbound on Highway 218 near the Janesville exit when the car went onto the shoulder. The driver over-corrected, crossing the southbound lanes of the highway and the median into the path of an oncoming northbound car.

A State Patrol official confirmed the Chevy Impala was a driver's education vehicle.

The driver of the Impala and a passenger from Waverly, the other 14-year-old, were hurt in the accident. The woman in the other car, Tabetha Gehrke, of Waterloo, was also injured.

A message acknowledging Harter's death was posted on the city of Fairbank's Facebook page late afternoon Monday.

"Mike was very active in our community over the years and excelled in his Mayoral position to help lead the community in the right direction," said the post. "He served as Mayor since January of 2018 and before that on the city council for 2 years.

"Mikes love for his family and passion for the community was seen daily and his commitment to the City of Fairbank will always be remembered. He will be dearly missed by city staff, the council, and the community of Fairbank. Wed like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mikes wife, Marla, their children, Andy (Jeni), and Ryan, and their families."

Harter previously served on the Wapsie Valley Board of Education, according to Courier files. In 2018, he stepped down from his seat to become Wapsie Valley Community Schools' interim superintendent after the board ended a sharing agreement on the leadership position with Dunkerton Community Schools.

He was a former educator who retired nearly a decade ago as a school superintendent. He led one of the districts that now makes up East Greene Community Schools in Jefferson following a 2014 merger.

Harter was elected to the school board in September 2017 and elected mayor a few months later in November. He stepped down from the board in October 2018 to lead the district on an interim basis.

Harter was transported to Woods Funeral Home after Monday's accident. The two teenagers were transported to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital and Gehrke was transported to MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center.

Also responding to the scene of the accident were the Bremer County Sheriff's Office, Janesville fire and police departments, Waverly Ambulance, the state medical examiner's office, Tim and Mike's Towing, and the Iowa Department of Transportation. The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.
DES MOINES  State and county food inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and grocery stores for hundreds of food-safety violations this past month, including moldy fruit, rodent infestations and unsanitary conditions.

One restaurant agreed to halt food service while it underwent a deep cleaning, while others were cited for mouse poison scattered throughout the kitchen or a history that includes findings of rancid meat and weeks-old prime rib.

The findings are reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, which handles food-establishment inspections at the state level. Listed below are some of the more serious findings that stem from inspections at Iowa restaurants, stores, schools, hospitals and other businesses over the past four weeks.

The state inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a snapshot in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment. For a more complete list of all inspections, along with additional details on each of the inspections listed below, visit the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals website.

Among the restaurants included in the report was Ariannas Kitchen, 1826 First St., Independence. During a June 22 visit, an inspector cited the establishment for 13 risk-factor violations.

Among the problems: multiple instances of workers failing to wash their hands when necessary; bacon that was cooked and then placed on a dirty cloth towel to absorb grease before being served to customers; multiple instances of bare-hand contact with food, including an employee who handled a customers waffle with their bare hands.

Also, soup that was cooked in the morning and then put into a warming unit that was not switched on; pancake batter that was stored in a bucket with an incorrect date marking; and pasta and meatloaf that had no date markings. The inspector also noted there was only one handwashing sink in the kitchen and it was not in an accessible location.

Mouse poison inside a broken, open package had been set on the cook line above the plates and near the bread. The inspector reported that poison pellets were being used throughout the establishment to control the mouse population, with some of the packages chewed open and poison pellets scattered nearby. Multiple mouse droppings were spotted by the inspector, as was one dead mouse.

The inspector also made note of the fact that the cook had a dirty towel tucked into his pants and was using it to wipe his hands before and after touching food.

Weitzels Restaurant and Bar, 1904 E. 7th St., Atlantic  After a June 17 visit by an inspector, the restaurant agreed to voluntarily halt all food service to perform a deep cleaning of the establishment.

During the visit, the inspector noted that the floors, walls and ceiling had a heavy buildup of dirt, dust and grease-like debris. In addition, the restaurant back room was serving as someones living quarters, with personal laundry hanging from the ceiling, the inspector reported.

Also, there were multiple food items and containers that were adulterated, with a mold-like debris on them. Inside the walk-in freezer, there were food items that were frozen in place, stuck in the ice buildup on the floor. The inspector also made note of multiple side salads stored in a cooler without any covers or lids to protect against environmental contamination.

In addition, multiple food items had no date markings on them, and multiple pieces of equipment in the kitchen were heavily soiled with an accumulation of food-like debris crusted to them. During the restaurants last routine inspection, on Nov. 12, 2020, it was cited for 15 risk-factor violations, including the presence of flying insects in the pour spouts of several bottles of alcoholic beverages; rancid and discolored meat inside the walk-in cooler; and outdated foods including prime rib, refried beans and chili that had been prepared the previous month.

Burger King, 4801 NE 14th St., Des Moines  During a July 8 visit, an inspector noted that while the restaurant had successfully reduced the severity of temperature control violations found during an inspection in May, violations remained. The May visit had resulted in citations for 12 risk-factor violations  the same number found during the July 8 visit.

The people in charge of the restaurant were not all certified food protection managers and were not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the extent of the violations found, the inspector reported. The restaurant was cited for an uncovered tray of raw bacon that was stored above a box of ready-to-eat cheese slices. The inspector also noted that the condenser inside the walk-in cooler was leaking water, and directly underneath the leak were multiple foods that were not completely sealed. Those foods included onions, tomatoes, sliced cheese and bacon.

During the inspection, the staff moved the food out from under the leaking water. The inspector also noted that raw chicken was sitting out at 53 degrees and had to be discarded. Shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and sliced cheese that should have been discarded after sitting out for four hours was mistakenly marked to be discarded after five hours.

Also, the interior of metal food containers were still visibly soiled with accumulated food debris, as was the interior of the microwave and the interior of an oven. The inspector reported that the business did not have any type of sanitizer at the time of inspection.

Also, ready-to-eat, frozen fried foods were stored in a freezer were not being kept frozen solid. All freezers  except for the walk-in freezer and the chest freezer adjacent to the broiler  are not functional, the inspector reported. The refrigeration unit at the cash register area is maintaining at borderline temperatures of 41 to 42 degrees and may not be functioning to manufacturer specifications.

Subway, 1407 Buchanan St., Des Moines  During a June 13 visit, an inspector cited the restaurant for a failure to have all persons in charge certified as food protection managers, and for the person in charge not demonstrating sufficient knowledge of food safety.

The inspector observed employees failing to wash their hands properly and noted that the food in the sandwich preparation line was not being held at a safe temperature. Sliced turkey was measured at 48 degrees; meatballs at 46 degrees; eggs at 46 degrees; and cheese at almost 49 degrees. All of that food  along with chicken, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and spinach  had to be discarded.

In addition, trays of meatballs inside a walk-in cooler were not dated or were incorrectly dated. Also, the vegetable slicer, cutting boards, bread tray liners and cookie trays were visibly soiled with accumulated debris, and knives were being rinsed without washing or sanitizing.

The inspector also reported that chicken was being thawed in standing water; there were multiple flies throughout the rear kitchen area; a large bag of onions was stored directly on the floor; metal food containers were stacked while wet and could not properly air dry; cleaned utensils were stored on a visibly soiled drying rack; the walk-in freezer was leaking water; utensils and cookie trays were not being washed effectively and were visibly soiled after washing and drying; and the handwashing sink behind the sandwich line had a severe leak.

The inspection prompted by a non-illness complaint concerning personal hygiene. The complaint was deemed verified.

Mini Super La Victoria, 1638 E. University Ave., Des Moines  During a June 15 visit, an inspector cited the store for 18 risk-factor violations  an unusually high number  and concluded the person in charge did not have adequate knowledge of food safety and food-borne illness prevention.

Multiple containers of sliced-fruit cups and strawberries were visibly adulterated with a mold-like substance, and multiple meats inside a freezer were stored uncovered with no lids to protect against environmental contamination.

The inspector found tamales in a back room that had been made at 1 p.m., and at 3:17 p.m., they were still sitting out and measured 98 degrees. The inspector spoke to the person in charge about the tamales and it was agreed that they would be discarded. Later during the inspection, the inspector discovered the same tamales had been moved to walk-in cooler instead of being thrown away. At that point, the inspector watched as the owner discarded the tamales.

Also, cooked tamales were seen in the retail-purchase area of the establishment and were measured at 110 degrees with no food-preparation time documented. The person in charge voluntarily removed those tamales and set them aside to take home. Cooked steak that was holding at 93 degrees and cooked flautas holding at 104 degrees had to be discarded.

The inspector also made note of multiple foods, such as cut watermelon, cut cantaloupe, cooked meats, sauces, and cut lettuce that were not marked with their preparation dates. To correct that violation, an employee placed date stickers on each item so they could continue to be offered for sale.

The inspector reported finding two containers of cooked meat that were dated as having been prepared on May 4  five weeks earlier. The owner told the inspector the dates on the containers were incorrect and that the food had been prepared the previous day. The owner placed new date stickers on each container so the meat could be offered for sale.

The inspector also made note of a meat saw and meat slicer that were visibly soiled with an accumulation of dried food debris, as well as two cutting boards that were soiled with accumulated condensation from a leaking heating-and-cooling unit directly overhead.

The inspector also reported that a cooked meat soup and other foods were stored without any temperature control and were left to sit out at room temperature. A cooked pot of rice was cooled in a residential-style cooler that didnt appear to be effective in cooling cooked products, the inspector said.

In addition, repackaged foods  including various nuts and spices  were not properly labeled; an office in the stores back room was gated, with dog bowls for water and food on the floor; and single-use lids, straws, and to-go containers were stored under an actively leaking heating-and-cooling unit.

Over the past year, the store has been cited for a total of 58 risk-factor violations.

El Rancho Alegre, 3308 Indianola Ave., Des Moines  During a July 11 visit, an inspector observed workers failing to wash their hands between tasks that involved raw and ready-to-eat food, and workers were using their bare hands to handle cheese and vegetable toppings that were used to garnish customers plates.

Also, raw beef and cooked octopus were stored above raw bell peppers inside a refrigerator; cooked chicken was sitting on a counter at 130 degrees and had to discarded; there was no hand soap at the handwashing sink; and workers medication was stored above the food-preparation table.

The inspector also noted a glue trap with multiple dead insects in it and discussed with management the need to post restaurant-inspection reports where customers can see them.

Los Portales 2, 1012 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport  During a July 11 visit, an inspector noted that the person in charge was not a certified food protection manager and was not enforcing regulations related to date markings on food, the proper cooling of food, and sanitation practices.

The inspector cited the restaurant for storing raw fish over salsa, storing raw seafood over bushels of cilantro, and storing raw ground beef over whole cuts of meat. In addition, rice cooked the previous night was holding at 55 degrees and had to be discarded; salsa stored in large plastic buckets was holding at 70 degrees; and an assortment of foods were being held in a cooler at 45 to 47 degrees and had to be discarded.

The inspector also made note of several prepared foods that had no date markings on them, and several knives that were stored with a buildup of old food on them. The business has multiple violations that could cause a foodborne illness, the inspector reported. Several of these violations were found on previous inspection reports  Facility was also dealing with excessive amounts of water coming from plumbing fixtures.

Hy-Vee, 3800 W. Lincoln Way, Ames  During a July 7 visit, an inspector noted that the most recent shell tags  documents that are used to trace the source of food in the event of a food-borne illness or outbreak  were from April 2022.

Also, raw ground beef patties were stored above whole cuts of pork inside a walk-in cooler, and whole cuts of beef were stored above ready-to-eat food such as potato salad. The inspector also examined the stores grab-and-go cooler and found two packages of cooked chicken and noodles that were prepared two days prior and were holding at 45.5 degrees  too warm to ensure their safety.

Also, there were containers of freshly squeezed orange juice on a shelf that either had an expiration date of July 6 (the previous day) or had no expiration date on them. In addition, the three-compartment sink used to clean utensils was not properly sanitizing and had no measurable amount of sanitizing solution in it.

Also, the ice machine in the Starbucks area was visibly soiled; the handwashing sink near the seafood area was not operable; and there was no soap at the handwashing sink in the bar area.

La Feria, 4450 University Ave., Pleasant Hill  During a June 30 visit, an inspector noted that not all employees designated as persons in charge were certified food protection managers.

The inspector observed workers moving between stations and handling raw foods without washing their hands. One front-line cook was seen topping a bowl of food with shredded cheese using their bare hands.

Raw chicken was being cut and processed over mesh bags of onions that were being used as uncooked food toppings; cooked pork was sitting on a counter at 79 degrees and had to be discarded; and chicken, beans, tamales and tomatoes prepared the previous day were in a cooler holding at 43 to 50 degrees and had to be discarded. Also, detergent buckets were being used for food storage.

Chux, 1600 Court Ave., Chariton  During a June 29 visit, an inspector reported the person in charge was not knowledgeable of food safety and the restaurant was cited for having no certified food protection manager on staff.

Additional citations were issued for the manager handling buns with their bare hands; for unrefrigerated lettuce that was sitting out at 46 degrees; for chili that was holding at 90 degrees and had to be reheated to 165 degrees; for undated hot dogs; and for cleaning the ice cream machine only once per week.

Also, hamburger was being thawed in standing water; not all of the coolers had thermometers to ensure proper operation; and there was no thermometer on hand to verify the cooking temperature of hamburgers, chicken patties and tenderloins.

Tantra Asian Bistro, 589 E. 53rd St., Davenport  During a June 29 visit, an inspector concluded that while the restaurant manager had a food-safety certificate, the individual was not enforcing good food-storage and cleaning practices. The inspector reported that there was hardly any hot water available from the handwashing sink and one food container was being held together with duct tape and could not be properly sanitized.

Also, the inspector reported, muscles  an apparent reference to mussels  were stored in a container marked with a date from three months earlier, and the manager agreed the container was unlikely to have been washed since the date on the label of three months ago.

In addition, a container of house-made sauce, which included coconut milk, was being stored at room temperature; there was cooked chicken stored with no date markings; there were fly strips hanging above the food and food-preparation areas; and there was a buildup of grime and food debris in the kitchen and in the walk-in cooler.

Golden Corral, 5230 Sergeant Road, Sioux City  During a June 28 visit, an inspector noted that the brisket stored in the walk-in cooler had been cooked the day before but was still measuring 52 degrees  too warm to ensure safety. Also, the temperature inside the pizza-preparation cooler was 80 degrees, which resulted in all of the pizza-prep food items being discarded.

In addition, food items were improperly labeled as needing to be discarded in five hours, rather than four hours. The meat grinder, the mixer and other utensils in the meat room were visibly soiled. Also, the roof was leaking in the dishwashing area and the vent filters and vent screens were visibly soiled.

Lunardis, 102 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport  During a June 28 visit, an inspector noted that the restaurant did not currently have a certified food protection manager on staff.

The inspector found a tray holding several individual-portion pans of lasagna that was stored on a shelf underneath an oven in the kitchen, with the lasagna measured at 57 degrees. Also, pans of lasagna had been pulled from the cooler and had been sitting out for roughly an hour to expedite their cooking time  a violation that had been noted in a previous inspection.

In addition, pans of beef and cooked links were observed inside the reach-in cooler with a date of June 21 on them, indicating both products had been held beyond the allowable seven days, which was a repeat violation.

Azteca 4, 3566 N. Brady St., Davenport  During a June 27 visit, an inspector noted that the restaurant did not currently have a certified food protection manager on staff. This was a repeat violation.

Also, a pan of raw pork was stored above diced tomatoes, onions and cilantro, which was a repeat violation; a pan of cooked rice was holding at 108 degrees on a steam table, and a pan of queso was holding at 89 degrees, which was a repeat violation; and several products  sliced tomatoes, raw beef, raw shrimp and beef patties  were in cold holding but measured 46 to 50 degrees, which was too warm to ensure safety.

In addition, six pans of refried beans and five pans of cooked shredded chicken and peppers were stored in a walk-in cooler with no date markings. A container of red salsa that was dated June 16 and two containers of cooked shredded beef dated June 20 were discarded as being more than seven days old.

Also, the inspector noted two baby cockroach-like insects crawling on the wall above the handwashing sink and one crawling on a cardboard box that held single-service items.

The restaurant had no chlorine test kit available for checking the concentration of their sanitizing solution; and several shelves and food-prep tables in the kitchen had a buildup of grease, crumbs, and food debris on them.

La Victoria, 2600 Myrtle St., Sioux City  During a June 27 visit, an inspector cited the restaurant for storing cooked chicken and rice inside a walk-in cooler at 45 and 48 degrees. All of the food was discarded.

The restaurant was also holding rice and french fries at 77 degrees, resulting in that food being discarded. In addition, the walk-in cooler used to store raw meats, cooked meats and sauces was holding food at 43 to 45 degrees, which was too warm to ensure their safety.

Some of the sauces and meat in the cooler were dated June 17 and June 18 and had to be discarded as outdated. Seasoning shakers, tongs and spatulas were visibly soiled with food debris, and medicines were stored throughout the facility on counters and on top of a cooler.

Hy-Vee Foods, 905 Highway 30, Carroll  During a June 23 visit, an inspector cited the store for failing to employ a certified food protection manager. The inspector also noted multiple food items inside the hot-holding unit in the Wahlburger department, such as chicken breasts, green beans and brown gravy that were measured at 128 degrees and had to be discarded.

The inspector also reported milk that was stored inside a walk-in milk cooler that was maintaining an ambient temperature of more than 50 degrees, and sliced watermelon was stored inside a reach-in retail case was holding the fruit at 50 degrees. The store agreed to temporarily halt the sale of milk and watermelon, the inspector reported.

The inspector also found prepared salad with a use-by date of June 22, the day prior to the inspection. Also, the inside of a mixing bowl used the previous day still had food debris crusted to the surface, and the handwashing sink near the Wahlburger area was not capable of producing hot water.

In addition, the pH meter necessary to ensure the safe production of sushi was not working properly during the inspection and there were no pH test strips available, although the store had already made several containers of sushi that day. The sushi was discarded, and the store agreed not to prepare any more sushi until a working pH meter was acquired.

Also, clean utensils were seen air drying on a board that had a black, mold-like substance on the surface, and there was an accumulation of what appeared to be food debris throughout the floors of the bakery.

Appanoose County Girls Softball, 721 N. 1st St., Centerville  During a June 20 visit, an inspector noted that hot dogs were being held at 130 degrees, which was not sufficiently hot to ensure safety; shredded lettuce and shredded cheese were measured at 45 degrees, which was too warm to ensure safety; and the shredded cheese was dated June 3 and had to be discarded.

Christophers, 2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines  During a June 10 inspection, the restaurant was cited for failing to employ a certified food protection manager; for staffers failing to wash their hands while moving between tasks; for storing raw beef over raw fish inside a cooler; and for cooking a chicken breast to only 135 degrees. At 4 p.m. an inspector measured pasta, made that morning, at almost 60 degrees. The pasta was then discarded.

The Buffalo Tavern, 2016 S. Main St., Burlington  During a June 8 visit, an inspector noted a mold-like substance on the cilantro that was stored in a walk-in cooler. Also, mashed potatoes were holding at 111 degrees, and country gravy at 124 degrees  too cool to ensure food safety.

In addition, there were no date markings on containers of homemade ranch dressing or on the cooked prime rib and taco meat in the walk-in cooler. A container of homemade buffalo sauce was dated May 28; the slicer in the kitchen was visibly soiled with food debris; the dishwashing machine did not have an adequate concentration of chlorine sanitizing solution; and a can of Raid insecticide was store inside a container of clean dishes on a storage shelf.

Also, glasses were stacked wet so they could not properly air dry; the inside of the microwave oven was soiled with food debris and splatter; the shelving for clean dishes was visibly soiled; there was general cleaning needed for the kitchen walls, shelves, floors, ceiling and equipment; there were shoes stored stored on top of spaghetti in the kitchen; and the most recent inspection report was not posted for consumers to view.

Los Amigos, 2322 Spruce Hills Drive, Bettendorf  During a June 6 visit, an inspector cited the restaurant for employees failing to wash their hands as they moved from handling dirty dishes to cooking.

The inspector noted a large metal pan of ground beef located in a walk-in cooler that was prepared the previous day but was still holding at close to 55 degrees and had to be discarded. In addition, the restaurant was holding a pan of shredded beef at 117 degrees, which meant that it had to be reheated to 165 degrees.

Also, several items in the walk-in cooler had no date markings, and two pans of carnitas in the cooler were dated May 28. The inspector also reported that the large plastic containers used to store tortilla chips were soiled with a buildup of dust and grime and there was no hot water at some of the sinks.
DES MOINES  Storms in Iowa have been striking smaller areas with higher amounts of rain as the Earth has warmed, which has led to significant disparities in the soil moisture available for crops, according to Jason Glisan, the state climatologist.

What were seeing now are pockets of very high rainfalls, Glisan told a recent online gathering of the Iowa Farmers Union.

Iowas average temperatures have warmed about 1.3 degrees since the late 1800s. Between 0.2 and 0.5 degree of that increase has happened in the past decade, and that has led to more available moisture in the air, Glisan said. Every degree increase results in about 4% more water vapor.

He said the states rainfalls followed a more predictable pattern decades ago, with the state being drier in the northwest and wetter in the southeast.

That has trended toward heavier rain storms striking narrower areas, increasing the potential for certain areas to get large amounts of rain and others to get far less.

An example: In 2018, when southeast Iowa had significant drought, the northern third of the state had its wettest year on record, Glisan said.

This year, the unlucky area with extreme drought is in northwest Iowa near Sioux City, which had some recent rainfall but not enough to substantially improve conditions.

One storms not going to do it, Joel DeJong, an Iowa State University Extension field agronomist who monitors counties in that corner of the state, told Iowa Capital Dispatch.

Plymouth County is almost fully engulfed in extreme drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report on Thursday. That is the second-worst classification, next to exceptional drought. But travel two counties to the north to Lyon and there is ample water in the soil and no drought.

You get along the Minnesota border and precipitation is pretty good, DeJong said. Parts of my nine counties actually are sitting in really good shape right now, but some of it really has some potentially significant stress coming.

Thats because the rest of July is predicted to be warmer and drier than normal, which is also a trend that has emerged for the month in recent years.

As the climate has warmed there has been more water vapor in the air to rain down on Iowa, but July  a crucial month for crop development  has been drier, Glisan said. April and October are trending wetter, which can complicate planting and harvest.

That was true this year when planting was delayed in much of the state for weeks by persistent rains. That has the potential to limit corn yields because it will shorten the period of time for growth. But, unlike last years more widespread dry conditions, this year there is adequate topsoil and subsoil moisture in more than two-thirds of the state that can help crops withstand dry weeks.

Despite the increasing volatility of the states rainfall, Glisan predicts crop yields will continue to increase for decades because of the overall increase in rainfall and innovations in agriculture.

The flip side of that is once we get out in the 2060s, 2070s, thats where we start to see precipitation extremes catch up with a rise in temperature, so were expecting wetter wets and drier dries, he said. Those droughts could become more pervasive if we continue to see the temperatures rise.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence.
Theres no good time for bad news. Most farmers and ranchers, however, prefer to hear it sooner than later to factor it into the day or seasons plan.

Maybe thats why our good friends at farmdocDaily, the online consortium of Land Grant extension specialists hosted by the University of Illinois, released a Stress Test of 2022 Crop Returns in late August: they want corn and soybean farmers to begin to focus on what a return to average could bring after three years of government payments and wild market swings.

Their collective view is clear. Positive returns are projected for both 2022 corn and soybeans given a $4.25 corn price and $12.00 soybean price. But lower prices for both, such as a return to 2014-2019 prices, they warn, will bring meager incomes, and possible pressures for another round of ad hoc Federal payments.

Thats Extension-speak for So far, so good but this could go south in a hurry. (Links to farmdocDaily bulletins and tables cited here, including all imputed costs, are posted at farmandfoodfile.com.)

For example, if 2022 corn prices average $4.50 per bu. compared with this years estimated $5.25, and yields drop from todays 235 bu. average to a normal 220 bu., the estimated farmer return per acre collapses from a thick $343 now to a skinny $20 next year.

A continued strong market in soy, however, would soothe that bruise. According to the analysts, if 2022 bean prices average $12.00 per bu., just $1 under 2021s projected average price, per acre bean profits slip from a fat $294 to a still-plump $122.

That means a central Illinois high productivity  50% corn, 50% soybean rotation this year will return $315 per acre, a record level exceeding the previous high of $290 per acre set in 2011.

But $4.50-corn and $12-beans in 2022 means the projected farmer returns on the same 50/50 rotation would be $71 per acre, a whopping $244 an acre less but still three times the paper thin, 2014-to-2019 average of $25 per acre.

Thats the still-good news; heres the potentially bad: While returns are projected positive for 2022, relatively small declines in prices could cause returns to be negative. If, for example, 2022 corn prices average $4.41 per bu. and bean prices average $10.23 per bu. or lower, farmer returns would be negative on cash rented land.

Lower crop prices, though, arent the only reason. Crop input prices for 2022, especially fertilizer, are far higher and, too, for the first time in years there will be no ad hoc federal payments.

While no one can say where fertilizer prices will top out  potash, nitrogen, and diammonium phosphate, or DAP, are now at record levels and rising  we do know that federal payments to productive, central Illinois farms averaged from 2018 to 2020, respectively, $1, $110, and $68 an acre for corn while soybean payments were $122, $94, and $45 an acre those same years.

Nationwide, thats billions more in tomorrows production costs and tens of billions less in yesterdays government payments.

And what do the number gurus see for per-acre returns if U.S. markets revisit 2014-2019 average prices of $3.64 per bu. [for corn] and $9.91 per bu. [for soybeans]?

In a word, disaster. At those prices, the average return for corn is -$164 per acre and -$17 per acre for soybeans. The 50-50 rotation return is -$86 an acre, well below all returns since 2000. While no one predicts that happening, the analysts are quick to point out that corn prices averaged $3.49 per bu. in 2016 and soybeans averaged $9.39 per bu.  in 2018.

Still, the farmdocDaily pros are suggesting that U.S. corn and soybean farmers now are riding a high-profit wave thats probably already crested. Whatever comes next includes the words lower and less.

And Cowabunga!
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine

High-precision attacks launched by Russian Aerospace Forces at a provisional base of 92nd Mechanised Brigade deployed in Chuguyev (Kharkov region) have resulted in the elimination of up to 200 servicemen of 2nd and 3rd battalions, as well as over 10 armoured vehicles.

In view of considerable losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), there is an increasing number of desertion cases. A rifle company of 58th Battalion from 104th Separate Territorial Defence Brigade operationally subordinated to the commander of 108th Battalion from 10th Mountain Assault Brigade that operated near Verkhnekamentskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic) completely abandoned its positions and withdrew towards unknown direction destination.

Russian Federation Armed Forces continue launching attacks at military facilities located in Ukraine.

High-precision long-range air-based missiles have destroyed 1 depot in one of the buildings of an industrial entity in Odessa that storaged Harpoon anti-ship missiles delivered to Ukraine by NATO countries.

High-precision ground-based armament has destroyed 1 launching ramp and 1 reloading vehicle of U.S.-manufactured HIMARS multiple rocket-launching system (MRLS) deployed near Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Attack launched at the base of 97th Battalion from 60th Mechanised Infantry Brigade of the AFU deployed near Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region) has resulted in the elimination of up to 65 nationalists and over 10 special motor vehicles.

In addition, high-precision attacks of Russian Aerospace Forces have eliminated 4 command posts, including those of a battalion from 59th Mechanised Infantry Brigade near Zelyony Gay (Nikolayev region) and of 242nd Battalion from 241st Territorial Defence Brigade near Dergachi (Kharkov region), 6 munitions depots near Bondarnoye and Vasyukovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Malinovka (Zaporozhye region), Chervonoye (Sumy region), as well as 19 areas of AFU manpower and military equipment, including 4 provisional bases of foreign mercenaries in Konstantinovka (Kharkov region) and Dzerzhinsk (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Within counter-battery warfare, 1 MRLS plattoon, 9 Giantsint-B artillery howitzer and D-30 gun plattoons near Verkhnekamenskoye, Serebryanka, Bondarnoye, Dronovka and Zvanovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), as well as artillery units at their firing positions in 107 areas.

Operational-tactical and army aviation, missile troops and artillery have neutralised 21 command posts, 189 AFU manpower and military equipment concentration areas.

Fighter aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces have shot down 1 Ukrainian Mi-17 helicopter near Slavyansk (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Russian air defence means have destroyed 1 Su-25 airplane of Ukrainian Air Forces near Velikaya Kamyshevakha (Kharkov region) and 1 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle near Bolshiye Prokhody (Kharkov region).

1 Ukrainian Tochka-U ballistic missile has been intercepted near Dmitrenko (Kherson region), 8 projectiles launched by Uragan and HIMARS MRLS have been intercepted near Izyum (Kharkov region), Tavriya (Zaporozhye region) and Alchevsk (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

In total, 257 airplanes and 140 helicopters, 1,558 unmanned aerial vehicles, 355 air defence missile systems, 4,084 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 747 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 3,151 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 4,379 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

WtR
There is no exit strategy and now the western press is talking about that issue. Why? The Western Empire started it. Why is there no exit strategy? Because Russia is running the gambit. The Western Empire left nothing else to do and Russia came out, sacrificed a few pawns and took control of the Chess Board

The Russians as they decided at the very beginning, will decide when and where the war will end and there is nothing the Western Empire can do, even promoting WW3 will not change the outcome for the West. The current set of mentally challenged puppets and actors in charge are now without a gimmick and unable to control the situation

I talked about all this before it started

Would you poke a bear in its den?

Would you kiss a rattlesnake?

Would you hug a porcupine?

Would you smack a sleeping lion with a stick?

I know it is photo shopped, but as the monkey is getting ready to die, so are the ones whom kept poking the Russian Bear as he slept. Hell, you have to think twice to go after a hornet as it flies happily around ignoring you. Somethings in life come back to bite you when you mess with them

Sadly there are some really stupid humans on this planet and they really do poke bears in their den as they sleep

So the talk of No Exit Strategy! for the West is like talk of Who will rebuild Ukraine?

What Ukraine? Even if Russia stops at Donbass and only Donbass? Ukraine has lost the most important part of what makes up Ukraine and its ability to make money, The cream of the crop is gone

All that is happening is par with, The exit strategy is when Russia is done mauling the stupids!

Now there, western press

That is your exit strategy

WtR
Weather Alert

...Another Round of Thunderstorms This Week... * Another surge of monsoon moisture will bring back thunderstorms to the region this week, with the best chances being today, Wednesday, and Thursday. * Each day today through Thursday, most areas will have a 20 to 40 percent chance of seeing a storm in the afternoon and early evening hours. Nocturnal showers and thunderstorms are possible tonight and again Wednesday night. * Impacts will range from lightning, new fire starts, and strong outflow winds with blowing dust, to periods of heavy rainfall and flash flooding. * Ensure you have a way of receiving weather alerts or monitoring radar on your phone. If you live in a flash flood prone area, especially near a burn scar, be ready to act quickly if heavy rainfall occurs.
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Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

MORA COUNTY  About 22 years ago, Joe Deland and his wife, Stephanie Urtado-Deland, left Colorado and moved to Stephanies ancestral farm along the Rito Cebolla in Mora County.

Her great-grandparents had bought the land in 1902, built a house and raised a family. Generations of her family have come to and gone from there, so the Delands built a home and started farming and raising cows.

It all changed on April 22 when the monstrous Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire ripped through their valley and ate everything in its path  house, barn, ancestral home, everything.

Late last month, about a dozen military veterans and some of their spouses showed up to help the Delands dig through the remains of their home and find whatever items might have value to them.

The group, called Team Patriot, is with Samaritans Purse, a nondenominational, evangelical Christian organization headquartered in North Carolina. Samaritans Purse helps victims of wars, famines and natural disasters around the world and charges nothing for its services.

Supplied with a tractor-trailer load of tools, the organization rolled into New Mexico on June 5 and started helping victims of the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire. They dont remove debris. They bring screens to sift through the charred remains, shovels to dig and helping hands. They get rid of burned trees that might be a hazard.

Samaritans Purse recently started to wind down its operation in Mora and San Miguel counties, but as of June 27 it had worked with 105 volunteers, logged 3,100 hours and helped 22 families whose property had been burned.

While rain fell over the ashes and twisted roofing of the Delands home last month, Samaritans Purse members shoved aside sections of wall and metal to find cups and dishes. Also found were a ceramic chicken and lots of coins from a collection. Workers recovered the metal of an old sewing machine and antique glass bottles that had melted into one odd lump of glass.

They also found some items from a jewelry box and, after diligent searching, a steel, cutout silhouette depicting the three crosses on Calvary. The latter discovery drew cheers from aid workers and the Delands.
CROWNPOINT  Navajo Nation leaders have finalized an agreement on spending priorities for more than $1 billion in federal pandemic relief to improve water, sanitation, housing and communications infrastructure.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez on Friday signed an agreement from the Navajo Nation Council to deliver funding to improve infrastructure for water, electricity, high-speed internet, housing, COVID-19 mitigation and specialized hardship assistance to projects and residents across the reservation spanning portions of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

The coronavirus pandemic disproportionately hit Indian Country, underscored stark disparities in access to running water, sewage systems and internet communications amid interruptions in classroom teaching.

The spending at the Navajo Nation is linked to the American Rescue Plan Act, signed by President Joe Biden in early 2021. Additional aid is expected under a massive infrastructure bill, approved in November 2021, that set aside $20 billion for Indian Country.

More water, electricity, broadband, housing, and hardship assistance will be provided to elders, youth, veterans, students, families, and others, Nez said in a statement. Elders will get water lines, electricity, housing, and other basic necessities  they are not left out.

Under the signed resolution, the Navajo Nation will devote $215 million to water and waste-water projects, $97 million to extend electricity to homes, and $250 million on internet and housing projects. Another $210 million is set aside for local priorities determined by Navajo chapterhouse government units.
TUCSON, Ariz.  Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has already helped block one of former President Donald Trumps allies from winning the Republican nomination for governor in a crucial battleground state. Now hes hoping for a repeat in his own backyard.

Ducey is part of a burgeoning effort among establishment Republicans to lift up little-known housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson against former television news anchor Kari Lake, who is backed by Trump. Other prominent Republicans, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have also lined up behind Robson in recent days.

On Monday, Robsons campaign announced the endorsement of former Vice President Mike Pence, who will campaign with her on Friday  the same day Trump is scheduled to hold a rally for Lake, creating a split-screen moment underscoring the divide between the GOP establishment and Trump.

The push for Robson is reminiscent of how many leading Republicans, including Ducey, rallied around Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in the final stretch of his ultimately successful bid to fend off a Trump-endorsed primary challenger.

Few states have been as central to Trumps election lies as Georgia and Arizona, the two closest 2020 battlegrounds where he pushed aggressively to overturn the results and fumed when Kemp and Ducey refused to go along. Trump has already faced a setback in Georgia, and the Aug. 2 race in Arizona is among his last opportunities to settle scores and install allies to lead states that may prove decisive if he decides to run again in 2024.

In Arizona, people are independent minded, much like they are in Georgia, and they pick the person that they think will be best for the responsibility, Ducey told The Associated Press. In Georgia, the voters said Brian Kemp, and Im hopeful in Arizona, theyll say Karrin Taylor Robson.

As an incumbent seeking reelection, Kemp had an advantage over his primary rival, David Perdue, and ultimately defeated him by nearly 52 percentage points. Without an incumbent on the ballot  Ducey faces term limits  the GOP contest in Arizona will likely be much closer.

But what once looked like an insurmountable lead for Lake could end in a more competitive finish. With early voting already underway, Robson is drawing on her familys vast fortune to drown out Lake who, despite Trumps endorsement, has lagged in fundraising. Robson had outspent Lake more than 5 to 1 as of the end of June.

The final maneuvering by some leading GOP figures could prove significant in a close race. Beyond Ducey and Christie, Robson has lined up support from former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, who dropped out of the governors race and endorsed her. The Border Patrol union, meanwhile, broke with Trump and backed Robson, citing in part Lakes prior statements supporting a pathway to citizenship for people living in the country illegally.

Pence, who notably split with Trump in Georgia and campaigned alongside Kemp, praised Robson as the only candidate for Governor that will keep Arizonas border secure and streets safe, empower parents and create great schools, and promote conservative values. Pence said he was proud to support her.

For her part, Lake is an unlikely MAGA champion.

A well-known former local news anchor who donated to Barack Obama and for years hung around with drag queens at a gay bar near the television station, Lake once was the antithesis of Trumps brand of politics.

Yet she rocketed to the top of the field since she walked away from her three-decade television career, declared journalism is dead and took a sledgehammer to a pile of TVs.

She built on the powerful connection shed formed with viewers over 27 years in the Phoenix media market and created a uniquely strong bond with the base that propelled Trump to the White House in 2016 and still doesnt believe he lost in 2020.

Even Trump seemed impressed by the ovation her name inspired when he mentioned it during a rally in Phoenix last year. He endorsed her a short time later.

She, in turn, has adopted his combative style, his narrative about the 2020 election  she falsely says it was corrupt and stolen  and his get-tough approach to border security. Shes walked away from her close ties with John McCains family and now feuds with the late U.S. senators children.

Were either gonna go the way of the past, which is the McCain mafia running the show, or were gonna go with America first, Lake told a crowd of hundreds at a country western bar in Tucson last week. Many arrived well over an hour early and waited in the Southern Arizona heat for a chance to get inside.

Lake, 52, routinely berates journalists trying to question her and releases the footage on social media.

Last year, she said she wants to put cameras in classrooms to monitor teachers, nodding to the backlash on the right to teachings on race and history in public schools.

If elected, she says, shed immediately invoke an untested legal theory that illegal immigration constitutes an invasion of the United States and gives the governor war powers to remove people from the country without proceedings in immigration courts.

Since Robson and her allies began their full-court press, Lake has claimed without evidence that they might be trying to set the stage for another steal.

They have been such RINOs for so long, and I dont trust that they have our country as a priority, said Rosa Alfonso, a 60-year-old speech language pathologist in Tucson. Thats a big deal.

Robson, 57, is making her first run for office, though she has lifelong ties to GOP politics. Her father and brother both held elected office as Republicans.

An attorney for real estate developers, she has been at the center of the suburban sprawl that has propelled the Phoenix areas prodigious growth. Ducey appointed her to the board overseeing Arizonas three public universities, her most high-profile public role before she quit to run for governor.

These are serious times, Robson said during a recent debate. We need a serious candidate with a record of accomplishment.

Her husband, housing developer Ed Robson, 91, is one of the states richest residents, amassing a fortune building master planned retirement communities. She says the 2020 election was unfair but has stopped short of calling it fraudulent. Like Lake, shes running as a border hawk.

She brands her rival Fake Lake, highlighting a $350 donation she gave to Obamas 2008 campaign, though Robson has herself contributed large sums to Democrats.

Its all an act, Ducey said of Lake. The campaign shes been running bears no resemblance to the life shes lived for the past three decades, nor to the interactions that shes had with me. Shes putting on a show. Well see how many people buy it.

___

This story has been corrected to show Lake worked in the Phoenix media market, rather than the Fox affiliate, for 27 years.

__

Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed reporting from New York.
BERLIN  Officials from 40 countries met Monday in Berlin to discuss how to stay focused on fighting the increasing impacts of climate change while the world reels from the economic fallout of the pandemic and Russias invasion of Ukraine. The U.N. secretary general admonished countries to take action instead of playing a blame game.

European nations vowed to fulfill their climate targets even as the war in Ukraine prompts some to seek new fossil fuel sources and turn at least temporarily to coal to make up for shortfalls in Russian energy deliveries, something viewed with suspicion by developing countries.

Organizers have billed the two-day gathering in Berlin as an opportunity to rebuild trust between rich and poor nations ahead of Novembers U.N. climate summit in Egypt, after technical talks last month achieved little progress on key issues such as climate aid for developing nations.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that the global warming limit of 1.5 Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) agreed in the 2015 Paris climate accord was slipping further out of reach even as more people are being hit by extreme floods, droughts, storms and wildfires.

No nation is immune, he said. Yet we continue to feed our fossil fuel addiction.

Guterres, appearing by video, criticized countries for continuing to play the blame game instead of taking responsibility for our collective future, and urged rich nations to keep the promises they have made to the poor.

Developing countries are still waiting for rich nations to provide $100 billion in climate aid each year, a target they were meant to reach by 2020.

At the minimum, stop paying lip service to the $100 billion a year pledge, Guterres said. Give clarity through deadlines and timelines and get concrete on its delivery.

The issue of loss and damage  plays a prominent role in the Berlin meeting, where ministers will break into small groups for discussions in hopes of building trust ahead of the U.N. climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November.

Antiguan Environment Minister Molwyn Joseph, speaking for small-island developing nations that are among those most at risk, underlined the urgency of the issue.

What it is described as crisis, for us it is catastrophe, he told delegates. There are small islands that are disappearing.

Big polluters, however, have long resisted the idea that they should pay for the destruction their greenhouse gas emissions are causing around the world.

Meanwhile, scientists say the extreme heat slamming large parts of the northern hemisphere in recent weeks could become the new normal in summer if global warming continues.

As this meeting is taking place, parts of Europe are baking, indeed theyre burning. And sadly, its an experience that is all too familiar to many millions across the globe, said Alok Sharma, the British official who led last years climate talks in Glasgow. He told delegates: My plea to you all is, please, lets speed up our work.

His successor for the upcoming climate talks, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, said its essential to ensure that the current state of affairs is not taken as a pretext to backtrack or renege on previous commitments, especially those related to supporting developing countries.

The question of energy sources endangered by Russias war in Ukraine looms over the Berlin meeting  in which China was participating, but Russia wasnt invited.

Environmental activists warn that recent efforts by countries such as Germany to tap new sources of fossil fuels such as gas could undermine countries already fragile climate actions.

Germanys climate envoy, Jennifer Morgan, acknowledged that the Russian war of aggression is forcing us to take short-term decisions we dont like, including the increased use of coal for a very limited period of time.

But we are not only sticking rock-solidly to our climate goals  we are accelerating the energy transition and will phase out the use of fossil energy even faster, she told The Associated Press, citing a newly approved plan to ramp up solar and wind power generation in Germany.

Some appeared skeptical. South African Environment Minister Barbara Creecy said that we cannot have backtracking on coal by rich nations.

Developed countries must continue taking the lead with ambitious action, she said. The ultimate measure of climate leadership is not what countries do in times of comfort and convenience, but what they do in times of challenge and controversy.

The vice president of the European Unions executive Commission, Frans Timmermans, responded that even if some of our member states have to increase the use of fossil fuels now  this will not take us away from the goals weve set.

The U.S. also comes to the talks following setbacks for President Joe Biden in his efforts to regulate pollution and boost renewable energy such as wind and solar power.

___

Follow APs coverage of climate change at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
LA TESTE-DE-BUCH, France  A heat wave broiling Europe spilled northward Monday to Britain and fueled ferocious wildfires in Spain and France, which evacuated thousands of people and scrambled water-bombing planes and firefighters to battle flames in tinder-dry forests.

Two people were killed in the blazes in Spain that its prime minister linked to global warming, saying, Climate change kills.

That toll comes on top of the hundreds of heat-related deaths reported in the Iberian peninsula, as high temperatures have gripped the continent in recent days and triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans. Some areas, including northern Italy, are also experiencing extended droughts. Climate change makes such life-threatening extremes less of a rarity  and heat waves have come even to places like Britain, which braced for possible record-breaking temperatures.

The hot weather in the U.K. was expected to be so severe this week that train operators warned it could warp the rails and some schools set up wading pools to help children cool off.

In France, heat records were broken and swirling hot winds complicated firefighting in the countrys southwest.

The fire is literally exploding, said Marc Vermeulen, the regional fire service chief who described tree trunks shattering as flames consumed them, sending burning embers into the air and further spreading the blazes.

Were facing extreme and exceptional circumstances, he said.

Authorities evacuated more towns, moving another 14,900 people from areas that could find themselves in the path of the fires and choking smoke. In all, more than 31,000 people have been forced from their homes and summer vacation spots in the Gironde region since the wildfires began July 12.

Three additional planes were sent to join six others fighting the fires, scooping up seawater and making repeated runs through dense clouds of smoke, the Interior Ministry said Sunday night.

More than 200 reinforcements headed to join the 1,500 firefighters trying to contain the blazes in the Gironde, where flames neared prized vineyards and billowed smoke across the Arcachon maritime basin famed for its oysters and beaches.

Spain, meanwhile, reported a second fatality in two days in its own blazes. The body of a 69-year-old sheep farmer was found Monday in the same hilly area where a 62-year-old firefighter died a day earlier when he was trapped by flames in the northwestern Zamora province. More than 30 forest fires around Spain have forced the evacuation of thousands of people and blackened 220 square kilometers (85 square miles) of forest and scrub.

Passengers on a train through Zamora got a frightening, close look at a blaze, when their train halted in the countryside. Video of the unscheduled  and unnerving  stop showed about a dozen passengers in a railcar becoming alarmed as they looked out of the windows at the flames encroaching on both sides of the track.

Climate scientists say heat waves are more intense, more frequent and longer because of climate change  and coupled with droughts have made wildfires harder to fight. They say climate change will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

Climate change kills, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Monday during a visit to the Extremadura region, the site of three major blazes. It kills people, it kills our ecosystems and biodiversity.

Teresa Ribera, Spains minister for ecological transition, described her country as literally under fire as she attended talks on climate change in Berlin.

She warned of terrifying prospects still for the days to come  after more than 10 days of temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), cooling only moderately at night.

At least 748 heat-related deaths have been reported in the heat wave in Spain and neighboring Portugal, where temperatures reached 47 C (117 F) earlier this month.

The heat wave in Spain was forecast to ease on Tuesday, but the respite will be brief as temperatures rise again on Wednesday, especially in the dry western Extremadura region.

In Britain, officials have issued the first-ever extreme heat warning, and the weather service forecast that the record high of 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019, could be shattered.

Forty-one isnt off the cards, said Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby. Weve even got some 43s in the model, but were hoping it wont be as high as that.

Frances often-temperate Brittany region sweltered with a record 39.3 C (102.7 F) degrees in the port of Brest, surpassing a high of 35.1 C that had stood since September 2003, French weather service Meteo-France said.

Regional records in France were broken in over a dozen towns, as the weather service said Monday was the hottest day of this heat wave.

The Balkans region expected the worst of the heat later this week, but has already seen sporadic wildfires.

Early Monday, authorities in Slovenia said firefighters brought one fire under control. Croatia sent a water-dropping plane there to help after struggling last week with its own wildfires along the Adriatic Sea. A fire in Sibenik forced some people to evacuate their homes but was later extinguished.

In Portugal, much cooler weather Monday helped fire crews make progress. More than 600 firefighters attended four major fires in northern Portugal.

___

Leicester reported from Le Pecq. Associated Press journalists Danica Kirka and Jill Lawless in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Raquel Redondo in Madrid, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, and Jovana Gec from Belgrade, Serbia, contributed.

___

Follow APs climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  The prosecutor seeking the death penalty for the gunman who massacred 17 people at a Parkland, Florida, high school detailed for jurors Monday how Nikolas Cruz coldly mowed down his victims, returning to some as they lay wounded to finish them off with a second volley.

Some parents wept as prosecutor Mike Satz described in his opening statement how Cruz killed their children at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018. Others sat stoically, their arms crossed over their chests. One woman who lost her daughter fled the courtroom, sobbing and holding tissue to her face.

Satzs comments came at the start of the trial to determine whether Cruz is executed or serves life in prison without parole.

The prosecutors presentation went over how Cruz shot each of the 14 students and three staff members who died and some of the 17 who were wounded. Some were shot sitting at their desks, some as they fled and some as they lay bleeding on the floor while the former Stoneman Douglas student methodically stalked through a three-story building for almost seven minutes with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.

Cruz, 23, pleaded guilty in October to murder and attempted murder and is contesting only his sentence. The trial, which is expected to last four months, was supposed to begin in 2020, but it was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and legal fights.

Satz called the murders cold, calculated, cruel and heinous, quoting the video Cruz, then 19, made three days before the shooting.

This is what the defendant said: Hello, my name is Nik. Im going to be the next school shooter of 2018. My goal is at least 20 people with an AR-15 and some tracer rounds. Its going to be a big event, and when you see me on the news, youll know who I am. Youre all going to die. Ah yeah, I cant wait,' Satz said.

Among the first witnesses was Danielle Gilbert, a junior who was in psychology class when the shooting began. The teacher told students to get behind her desk.

We were sitting like sitting ducks. We had no way to protect ourselves, said Gilbert, who is now a student at the University of Central Florida.

The jury was then shown cellphone video Gilbert took inside the classroom. The footage began with a girl curled up beneath the teachers desk and others, including Gilbert, mostly unseen as they crouch behind it. About two dozen shots that seemed to be coming from just outside the door are heard in rapid succession as the fire alarm sounds. An unseen wounded boy cries out twice, Someone help me.

The gunshots get further away, but the students remain quiet and huddled, speaking only in whispers. Eventually, the voices of police officers can be heard approaching. The teacher stands up, holding her head.

Theyre coming, theyre coming, were OK, a boy whispers.

SWAT officers, carrying rifles, then burst in, wanting to know if anyone is hurt. The students point and Gilbert stands up with her camera. A wounded boy and girl are carried out. A dead girl lies in a pool of blood. The officers tell the students to run out. They passed two more bodies lying in the hallway before exiting into a parking lot.

Her testimony over, Gilbert broke down in sobs. Her father put his arm around her and led her from the courtroom.

Prosecutors also presented cellphone video from another student that showed classmates crouching behind chairs as Cruz fired through the classroom door window, the bangs reverberating over screams.

From the back of the courtroom, a relative of a girl who died in that classroom yelled for prosecutors to turn it off before bailiffs asked the woman to be quiet. The defense requested a mistrial over the outburst, but it was denied.

The seven-man, five-woman jury is backed up by 10 alternates. It is the nations deadliest mass shooting to go before a jury.

Nine other gunmen who killed at least 17 people died during or immediately after their shootings, either by suicide or police gunfire. The suspect in the 2019 slaying of 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, is awaiting trial.

It wasnt clear if anyone was in the courtroom to support Cruz, who sat at the defense table between his attorneys. During Satzs opening statement, he mostly looked down at a pad of paper with a pencil in his hand, but he did not appear to write. He would sometimes look up to stare at Satz or the jury, peer at the audience or whisper to his lawyers.

After Satz spoke, Cruzs lawyers announced that they would not give their opening statement until it is time to present their case weeks from now. That is a rare and risky strategy because it gives Satz the only say before jurors examine grisly evidence and hear testimony from survivors and the victims parents and spouses.

When lead defender Melisa McNeill gives her statement, she will likely emphasize that Cruz is a young adult with lifelong emotional and psychological problems who allegedly suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome and abuse.

Its the first death penalty trial for Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer. When jurors eventually get the case in the fall, they will vote 17 times, once for each of the victims, on whether to recommend capital punishment.

Every vote must be unanimous. A non-unanimous vote for any one of the victims means Cruzs sentence for that person would be life in prison. The jurors are told that to vote for the death penalty, the aggravating circumstances presented by the prosecution for the victim in question must, in their judgment, outweigh mitigating factors presented by the defense.

Regardless of the evidence, any juror can vote for life in prison out of mercy. During jury selection, the panelists said under oath that they are capable of voting for either sentence.
MESA, Ariz.  Thunderstorms packing wind gusts of up to 80 mph knocked down some power lines in the Mesa area and destroyed a mobile home, sending a woman to a hospital by ambulance.

Maryjane Garcia Stanley told Phoenix radio station KTAR that her 61-year-old mother was trapped under debris after the monsoon hit Sunday night, with her legs pinned under a stove.

Stanley said her mom was being treated for a broken vertebrae.

Video from the scene showed the mobile home reduced to piles of rubble with debris scattered across the property and roadway.

Thousands of homes reported electrical outages and State Route 87 was closed in both directions near Mesa due to fallen power lines that authorities say might take several days to repair.

National Weather Service meteorologists said north Mesa received almost 1  inches of rain from the thunderstorms as the Phoenix metro area continues to have an active monsoon season.
ATLANTA  Republican U.S. Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia is fighting a subpoena seeking to have him testify before a special grand jury that is investigating whether former President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to interfere in the 2020 election in the state.

The subpoena, which Hice received on June 29, orders him to appear before the special grand jury in Atlanta on Tuesday, his lawyer said in a court filing. Hice on Monday filed a motion to quash the subpoena in federal court in Atlanta.

Any discussions Hice had as he investigated alleged irregularities in the election were within his authority as a member of Congress and are shielded by the U.S. Constitution from any legal proceedings and inquiry, his lawyer wrote in the filing. High-ranking officials, such as members of Congress, also should not be called as witnesses unless the information that they could provide cannot be obtained from another source, the filing says.

Hice is challenging the subpoena in federal court rather than before the Fulton County Superior Court judge whos overseeing the special grand jury. A federal judge has set a hearing for June 25.

Hices lawyer and the Fulton County district attorneys office have agreed that he will not testify before the special grand jury before the court has time to address the issues in his motion to quash, according to a court filing from his lawyer.

At this time, Mr. Hice is eager to return to Washington, D.C. to fulfill his duties as a member of Congress as the House of Representatives is in session this week, Hice spokeswoman Sarah Selip said in an emailed statement.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis opened an investigation early last year into whether Trump and his allies committed any crimes as they sought to overturn his narrow election loss in the state. A special grand jury with subpoena power was seated in May at her request.

A number of top Republican state officials  including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr  have already testified before the special grand jury. Gov. Brian Kemp is set to give a sworn recorded statement on July 25.

Hice, who will leave office in January after an unsuccessful bid to unseat Raffensperger, was one of several GOP lawmakers who attended a December 2020 meeting at the White House in which Trump allies discussed various ways to overturn Joe Bidens electoral win. Hice joined other members of the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative wing of the chamber, in the hourslong meeting to discuss with then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows two specific strategies to subvert the election results.

The first was an effort to appoint an alternate slate of electors who would falsely declare Trump was the winner in seven battleground states won by Biden. The second was a plan to ramp up a pressure campaign against then-Vice President Mike Pence to disregard the true electoral votes from those seven states when he presided over the ceremonial certification process on Jan. 6, 2021.

Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Meadows, revealed the details of the White House meeting to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Earlier this month, Willis began a process to subpoena out-of-state witnesses to testify. That included some close Trump advisers and allies, including U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who also served as Trumps lawyer.

Graham has filed a motion to quash in federal court in South Carolina to try to fight Willis attempt to get him to testify.

Willis, a Democrat, has indicted that shes interested in the actions of the group of 16 Georgia Republicans who, acting as an alternate slate of electors, signed a certificate falsely stating that Trump had won the state when it was actually Biden who got the most votes.

___

Associated Press writer Farnoush Amiri in Washington contributed to this report.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

New Mexico is bracing for triple-digit temperatures and slow-moving rainstorms this week.

Randall Hergert, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque, said that Tuesday is expected to be the hottest day of the week.

The agency has issued a heat advisory for many areas on Tuesday.

Its a scorcher, Hergert said. Weve got low 100s throughout the middle and lower Rio Grande valleys stretching up to Rio Rancho all the way down to Socorro.

The heat advisory also extends to Farmington and most of the eastern plains.

Albuquerque is expected to reach a high of 101 degrees on Tuesday.

People living in the advisory regions should stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities and seek air-conditioned spaces.

Tucumcari and Roswell could hit 108 degrees.

Tuesday temperatures in Clovis and Socorro may reach 104.

Rain chances could pick up again on Wednesday and contribute to a slight dip in statewide temperatures.

Albuquerque has a 30% chance of rain every day from Wednesday through the end of the week.

Hergert said that the states high-elevation areas and new burn scars will be at risk of flash flooding.

Were expecting slow and erratic storm motions for the most part, he said.

By this weekend, temperatures are expected to reach the low 90s in the Albuquerque metro area.

Its looking like that monsoon plume is still going to favor Arizona for the last week of July, Hergert said.

Recent rains have helped put a dent in New Mexicos drought.

The states eastern plains are experiencing the driest conditions.

Counties along the Texas and Oklahoma state lines have missed out on most of the rainfall.
Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer today announced Lindsay Salt as the Director of BBC Drama.

The BBC commissions more drama than anyone else in the UK and has the widest remit within British drama broadcasting.

Lindsay will be responsible for leading this critical genre and delivering distinctive, world-beating content on BBC iPlayer and the portfolio of channels.

Charlotte Moore, BBCs Chief Content Officer says: Lindsays appointment heralds an exciting new era for BBC Drama. She has been responsible for an impressive breadth of shows and her track record as a commissioner underlines her passion for creating big hits and developing new and diverse voices. Shes an inspiring creative leader with a sophisticated understanding of British audience tastes which makes her perfectly placed to lead the genre into the future with work that will continue to push the boundaries and disrupt the mainstream. BBC Drama is in outstanding form and she has ambitious plans to evolve the creative strategy and build her own distinctive slate that is unique to the BBC and feels especially relevant to audiences across the UK in a fiercely competitive global landscape.

Lindsay Salt says: My time at Netflix under the generous and visionary leadership of Anne Mensah has been a total joy. However, the opportunity to join the BBC was too special to ignore. Its Drama programming is revered around the globe and I can't wait to get started with the world class team, who empower talent and producers to create iconic shows that stand the test of time. What a privilege to build upon that legacy and find and nurture the storytelling thatll lead us into the next pivotal phase of the BBC.

Lindsay joins the BBC from Netflix, since being there in 2019 she was part of the first UK Scripted team and established the new slate with Anne Mensah. Her commissions include Baby Reindeer, One Day, The F*** it Bucket, Palomino and Half Bad. She also worked across shows including Heartstopper and The Crown Season 5.

Prior to that, she was Head of Development at Sky Drama UK where she ran the development slate for Sky One and Sky Atlantic and was across developments ranging from The Lazarus Project to The Third Day. She started her career at Left Bank Pictures where she worked across a range of productions and development both as a producer and script editor.

Lindsay will report directly to Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer and lead the world class BBC drama commissioning team.

She will start her new role in the Autumn and Ben Irving will continue as Acting Director in the interim.
CaratLane, Indias leading omni-channel jewellery brand has introduced a first-of-its-kind official collaboration with the popular animated character, Doraemon. The collection, expressly created for kids, is designed to fascinate them as much as Doraemons magical pockets do. The collection features a variety of lightweight jewellery such as earrings, bracelets, neckwear and each design is a distinctive expression of the much-loved character.

The timing of the collection launch coincides with Raksha Bandhan, a season in which CaratLane has typically seen a considerable increase in the browsing and purchase of kids jewellery. Doraemon is designed to be a perfect fit for those looking for unique, quirky designs for their children around the occasion.

Addressing every mothers concern of ensuring that jewellery is comfortable for their children, the designs come with a special protective coating, and ensures that each design is safe and secure for kids with no sharp edges. The collection comes together as eleven, completely playful and joyful designs crafted by CaratLanes in-house karigars. Starting at only INR 5000/-, this collection is available on the CaratLane app, website, and in stores across the country.

Talking about the collection, Kinnari Shah, Head Of Design & Merchandising, said CaratLane is the ultimate destination for kids' jewellery. Now, with another feather in our cap that's Doraemon, it's going to be amazing. We know Doraemon is a character thats much loved in India and they'll be delighted to see the range of designs we have. Each design in this collection is beautifully crafted in vibrant enamel and 14kt gold. They are very kid-friendly and made with care kept in mind for all-day comfort.

Speaking about the collaboration Mr. Bhavesh Solanki, Regional Director (India, SAARC & MENA) from Animation International India - Doremon Agency, said, ''There is no doubt that DORAEMON is one of the most beloved characters worldwide. As the gadgeted cat marked its 50th Anniversary last year, this collaboration with CaratLane will continue ruling the hearts of kids and teens. CaratLane & Doraemon kids jewellery collaboration is one of its finest and incredible associations and we are happy to partner with India's one of the premium jewellery brands and to see the licensing industry reaching to newer heights with such a remarkable alliance.

CaratLane, a leader in the kids jewellery segment has successfully launched several similar collections in the past, each targeted at different ages with their own special propositions. These collections have included official collaborations with animated characters like Peppa Pig, Dora the Explorer, and The Powerpuff Girls which were widely loved by kids.
English Browne, a leading UK-based hygiene brand, has been solidifying its presence in the market as a leading specialist in feminine hygiene and welfare products.

To implement strategic growth and drive the new business forward, the brand has appointed Rahul Mannan as Managing Director for the firm.

The new managing director started leading the operations of the brand on 15th May 2022 and will be the firms director for the next three years.

He will focus on further developing and expanding the brands' products to fit a wide variety of womens health needs and shifting market trends.

Commenting on his appointment, Rahul Mannan says, "English Browne is dedicated to making basic feminine hygiene readily available and affordable for women in India. A strong brand with a powerful purpose at its core will always fulfil the company's goals. I am elated to be a part of this purpose and taking the hygiene standards to the next level.
Exxaro, a renowned manufacturer of vitrified tiles in India has announced Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn as its brand ambassador. Exxaro Tiles is poised for a never-ending and remarkable journey in the Tiles industry. It is equipped with state of the art infrastructure, comprising best of machinery and manpower.

The brand is promoting the whole concept of Make in India and associating with Ajay Devgn comes in sync with the vision.

On the Association, actor Ajay Devgn affirmed, It is a pleasure to be associated with the brand that resonates with the essence of Make in India. Exxaro is one of the leading brands in the industry that is providing quality and high standard products. It is a necessity of the current times to promote brands that are contributing to the nation in all the aspects.

With the new marketing initiatives the brand will be promoting its idea of  Naye Bharat ki Nayi Pehchan. Exxaro Tile is consistently heralding new trends and innovation in the tiles industry and delighting its customers with fresh designs, patterns and finishes. The same will be amplified through the digital and traditional campaigns pan India with the new brand ambassador face.

Ajay Devgn is seen as a personality that carries sophistication and panache. It exactly matches with the ideology and persona of the brand. We truly think that he is the perfect face for a brand that is taking the industry a notch up, said Mr. Mukesh Patel (Director), Exxaro.

The brand plans at going aggressive on the digital front with its marketing campaign. The actor will be seen endorsing the brand all across the platforms. Gradually, the brand will also initiate its campaign in BTL space with the actor as the face.
Publicis Media and Twitter recently collaborated on a research study  #LetsTalkShop  to understand how brand conversations on social impact consumer decision making and sales. This study surveyed 9,600 consumers on six platforms across the US, UK, India and Mexico.

Coming out of that research, a number of findings were uncovered that point to the power of social brand conversation.

Social brand conversation is the new review

92% of people surveyed actively seek out comments about brands, products, or services on social media.

68% said their impression of a brand was changed as a result of experiencing brand conversation.

More than half of shoppers consider brand conversation on social more or as impactful as traditional reviews.

In a blog, #LetsTalkShop: How brand conversation powers shopping, Twitter's Taylor Evans and Mike Yagi noted that shopping has always been a social experience. From hitting the mall with friends as a teen to asking officemates for recommendations  we all seek validation of our choices. And who hasnt texted their bestie a photo from a store asking, Should I get it?

So, its no surprise community building and shopping were some of the first behaviors on the nascent internet. And today, online brand conversation is a trusted, everyday part of the shopping process.

In the new Publicis + Twitter study #LetsTalkShop, 92% of people surveyed actively seek out comments about brands, products, or services on social. More importantly, 68% said their impression of a brand was changed as a result of experiencing brand conversation.

Trust plays a major role. People surveyed consider 3 in 4 brand conversations to be authentic. In fact, for the majority of shoppers, these spontaneous conversations are as  if not more  impactful on purchase decisions as traditional reviews. So yes, talk matters.

Notably, of brand conversations recalled, 81% involved brands or people shoppers dont know personally. Which means theyre thinking outside their bubbles and broadening their spheres of influence. So theres always an opportunity for your business to participate. Be active, not absent, and reap the benefits.

Get them talking (and listening) early and often

71% of people surveyed felt they are more likely to consider brand conversations before a purchase journey begins.

While the data shows the influence of brand conversation is high before or early in a purchase journey, it decays over time - meaning always-on engagement is key and can even kick-start buying decisions.

The study also found conversation is most impactful early in the purchase journey, which suggests people may be more impressionable well before theyve even figured out their consideration set.

Still, the research goes on to explain that brand conversation  whether brand or shopper initiated  can significantly impact purchase consideration at any point in the purchase journey. This isnt surprising given how people shop today, gathering new inputs right up to the moment they buy.

Theres a catch though. While the data shows the influence of conversation is immediate, the impact on brand impression and consideration decays over time, particularly after the first week. So it pays to show up  in your actions and advertising  in ways that help you stay talked about.

An always-on strategy can help brands engage customers regardless of where they are in their purchase journey and can even kick start buying decisions.

Content and sentiment matter

86% of very positive conversations are considered memorable by respondents, whereas only 49% of very negative conversations are considered memorable.

3 in 4 brand conversations result in more positive brand sentiment.

Brand conversation on Twitter drives people to buy

60% of purchasers who recalled a conversation on Twitter said it made them much more likely to consider the product they bought.

Tanmay Mohanty, CEO, Publicis Media Services India, said, In a world where interaction, opinion and communication are vital, this is the reason social media platforms are still seeing growth and are able to influence and shape consumer views and decisions. This groundbreaking study with Twitter illuminates how consumers actively seek opinion on brands on social platforms, and how social chatter can influence decision-making and purchase and build trust and popularity for brands.
Cartology, a division of Woolworths Groups retail media unit, has reached an agreement to buy Shopper Media outright for about $150 million in cash.

As a market leader in targeting advertising, the digital out-of-home media company, which changed its name from Shopper Media Group to just Shopper in 2021, presently has over 2,000 screens spread throughout 400 shopping centres in Australia.

Brad Banducci, the CEO of Woolworths Group, stated: Retail media is evolving quickly and is a crucial component of Woolworths Group. We are enthusiastic about the chance to combine Cartology, our out-of-home media firm, and Shoppers complementing strengths in retail media.

Cartologys managing director, Mike Tyquin, continued: Shoppers screen network offers marketers exceptional retail context and closeness. The business is paving the path for innovation in retail out-of-home media owing to Shoppers significant investment in technology.

The transaction will be subject to ACCC clearance and fulfilment of usual closing conditions, according to Woolworths. It is expected to be finished by the end of 2022.

Tyquin led the 2019 Woolworths launch of Cartology, which just completed its third year of operation. With 1500 screens in its digital advertising network, the company now has over 200 employees working in New Zealand and Australia.

Since its launch, Cartology has been on a growth trajectory. Last month, it expanded its services to become the exclusive retail media partner for BIG W, enabling it to connect businesses and customers both in-store and online. Additionally, Sophie Hicks Lloyd of Network 10 was engaged by the corporation to oversee the offering.

Shopper has been in business since 2015, and last years rebranding reflected the companys shift in emphasis on technology, data and digital products. The new Closer to Customers slogan also featured a new style, feel, and logo.

After his fellow co-founder and close friend Ben Walker passed away in January of this year, Shoppers previous COO and founding partner Ed Couche assumed the position of CEO earlier this year.

Prior to joining Shopper, Couche spent 14 years between Ooh Media and the UK division of JC Decaux, giving him a wealth of experience in the OOH sector.

Additionally, in March of last year, Shopper joined the Outdoor Media Association (OMA).

The market capitalization of Woolworths Group is $45.53 billion, with a share price of $37.51
Ukraine accumulates 59.5 pct of natural gas needed for heating season: PM

Xinhua) 09:28, July 16, 2022

KIEV, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine has accumulated 11.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas in its storages, or 59.5 percent of the country's needs for powering its heating facilities during the cold season, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Friday.

Shmyhal told a cabinet meeting that Ukraine has pumped 3 billion cubic meters of gas into its reserves since the start of the year, the government press service reported.

He added that Ukraine's coal reserves reached 1.5 million tons in mid-July, more than two times higher than the guaranteed reserves for this time determined by official documents.

This month, Ukraine agreed with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on obtaining about 300 million U.S. dollars to prepare for the heating season, Shmyhal said.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji)
#Kavala, Greece

All eight crew members of a cargo plane that crashed near the Greek city of Kavala died in the accident, Serbias defence minister said on Sunday.

The Ukrainian-operated Antonov An-12 was carrying around 11 tonnes of weapons, including mines, to Bangladesh when it crashed on Saturday night, minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said.

Videos shared by eyewitnesses on social media showed the plane engulfed by a giant fireball as it hit the ground.

Sadly, according to the information we have received, the eight members of the crew died in the crash, Stefanovic told a news conference.

Denys Bohdanovytch, general director of Meridian, the Ukrainian cargo airline operating the plane, told German broadcaster Deutsche Welle the crew were all Ukrainian. He gave no information about the cargo.

The plane had taken off from Nis airport in Serbia at around 1840 GMT on Saturday, carrying weapons owned by private Serbian company Valir, Stefanovic said.

Greek media said it had requested clearance to make an emergency landing at Kavala airport but had not managed to reach it. Greek rescue services were using a drone to monitor the wreckage of the aircraft as fears about the toxicity of the cargo were forcing them to keep at a distance.

Villagers were forbidden to go in fields near the crash until the authorities could remove the wreckage and unexploded ammunition.

Russia strikes south Ukraine, presses attacks in east

#Pokrovsk

Russian missiles hit industrial facilities at a strategic city in southern Ukraine Sunday as Moscow continued efforts to expand its gains in the countrys east.

Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said that the Russian missiles struck an industrial and infrastructure facility in the city, a key shipbuilding center in the estuary of the Southern Bug river. There was no immediate information about casualties.

Mykolaiv has faced regular Russian missile strikes in recent weeks as the Russians have sought to soften Ukrainian defenses.

The Russian military has declared a goal to cut off Ukraines entire Black Sea coast all the way to the Romanian border. If successful, such an effort would deal a crushing blow to the Ukrainian economy and trade and allow Moscow to secure a land bridge to Moldovas separatist region of Transnistria, which hosts a Russian military base.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Sunday that Russian missiles destroyed a depot for anti-ship Harpoon missiles delivered to Ukraine by NATO allies, a claim that couldnt be independently confirmed.

Agencies


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Wes Stubblefield, M.D., F.A.A.P., (256) 340-2113

Cases of COVID-19 are once again on the rise across the United States, with a new Omicron subvariant labeled BA.5 responsible for nearly 65 percent of those cases according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Officials feel the percentage may actually be higher, as this number does not account for the widespread use of home tests, which are not reported.

Preliminary data suggests that the BA.5 subvariant is more infectious than previous subvariants. It also appears to cause milder sickness, although hospital numbers and deaths due to COVID-19 have increased over the last several weeks.

Persons infected with the BA.5 subvariant are experiencing many of the cold and flu-like symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19, including:

Fever

Sore throat

Runny nose

Night sweats

Lingering cough

Fatigue

Some patients are also reporting new loss of taste and smell.

As this latest surge continues, the Alabama Department of Public Health reminds citizens to monitor the COVID-19 level in their community and to continue practicing appropriate mitigation and prevention strategies including wearing a well-fitting mask and social distancing.

The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting vaccinated. Everyone ages 12 years and older should stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines and get a booster shot when eligible. Vaccination remains the best way to protect against severe illness, hospitalization and death. Visit alabamaunites.com to locate a vaccination site near you.

Wearing a well-fitted mask, especially in large indoor gatherings, helps protect you and others from COVID-19. Many pharmacies offer free N95 masks; check https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/free-masks.html to find locations near you. Please check with the pharmacy to confirm availability, as the CDC does not track the inventory levels at participating pharmacies.

You can check your countys COVID-19 levels at alabamaunites.com.

For more information on COVID-19, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV or alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19.

-30-

7/18/22





County health departments throughout Alabama provide a wide range of confidential and professional services. Contact your local county health department for additional information.

Mission: To promote, protect, and improve Alabamas health

Vision: Healthy People. Healthy Communities. Healthy Alabama.
Our nations media is saturated with opinion concerning the ideological influences on our college and university campuses. This issue, however, is equally present, and perhaps even more intellectually destabilizing, in our secondary education institutions -- even in so-called private ones. An example is the Watkinson School in Hartford, Connecticut.

I had the benefit of attending the private college preparatory Watkinson School (from 1975 until I graduated in 1977, both with a secondary education or High School diploma, and a diploma in creative arts performance in conjunction with the next door Hartt College of Music at the University of Hartford). The school back then was much more conservative, where by conservative I mean aware of, and still confidently informed by, certain strong and functional traditions.

Conservative also means some leaning toward faith. While the Christian faiths were explicit in Watkinsons founding culture, we also had many other religions or variants on campus, including Jewish, Baptist, Muslim, and devoted agnostics. We had nearly every race and orientation on campus as well, from White Anglo-Saxons, to African-American, Indian, Hispanic, straight and gay. And you know what? None of us even thought about it. We all got along; we all laughed, played sports, chamber music and jazz, debated -- and socialized. There was no diversity director, nor any speech guidelines other than civility (there was a dress code which as I look back wasnt a bad idea). But we also had a healthy respect and enjoyment of the opposite sex and developing our identities as men and women were critical to also developing Americas strength and culture, in part because they define the most important unit of economics and democracy: the family.

I wonder, however, how many young Watkinson students even know about this history? How many have made the effort to visit the (still standing) factory buildings in the nearby town of Collinsville that Watkinsons founding family built? What culture of capital enterprise and entrepreneurship is recognized today by Watkinsons faculty and administration? With my bias acknowledged, I would say the spirit is still strong among the intellectually uncontaminated young adults who now go there -- and the Schools record in college placement is enviable.

The schools culture wasnt shy about some of its religious roots, as the original shield (now replaced with a thumbprint) contains a symbol of the cross, and a descending dove, the image of Christ. The images are also surrounded with a Latin quote from Servatus Lupus, (Epistulae 1) which reads propter se ipsam appetenda sapientia, which translates as wisdom for its own sake.

I was thinking about what this really means, including in my capacity as a college parent, and while it points to a non-utilitarian philosophy of knowledge, it also may indicate a pursuit of learning that is uncorrupted by hermeneutics or interpretative methodology and ideologies: no one has to tell you how to cultivate information and understanding, and it leads to wherever it leads; it is unfiltered, perhaps libertarian in its larger meaning by the words its own sake. That is, not for the sake of special interests, social groups, political affiliations, or other Groupthink influences.

All this is a way of getting to a recent mailing I received from the school concerning diversity and the appointment of a Diversity Director. I started to wonder: why one is even needed? Is this for the students, or perhaps for the faculty and administrators (and the State of Connecticut, federal government, and college admissions directors)? Young adults do not inherently activate other concepts and categories of natural identity, except by what they may be taught. Moreover, the cognate disciplines, the fine arts or sports, know of no such distinctions but by what may be imposed. But these are imposed by adults, and my thesis is that the imposition is not only more dangerous at the secondary school level, but is the reason why students arrive on our university and college campuses, with some exceptions, largely indoctrinated and sensitized already (a law school professor in Chicago related to me how his college graduate students come into law nearly rigid in their obsessions of identitarianism and progressive bias, reinforced of course by the vast majority of faculty). The Watkinson Diversity Directors kickoff agenda was larded with all the current consensus ideology and language usage, and organized the use of all the terms of art: best practice for affinity groups; the significance and power of names; correctly identifying microaggressions, along with a Day of Community and Belonging and an annual Social Justice Day and of course equity.

What does this mean for the way we are developing our nations new young Americans? What values do they embody? How robust and durable is their ability to engage in disciplined perception, rather than thoughtless rhetoric? How susceptible are they to the influences of political manipulation and persuasion, and can they recognize when they are being manipulated? What happens to them when a diversity hysteria promotes and reinforces racial division, stereotyping, classification and in-group/out-group sociology? Recent Watkinson student essays include In The Eyes of The Colonizer: How The White Gaze Has Impacted The POC View of Beauty and Black Women and Stigmas Regarding Mental Health. This may not only be dangerous in its dimensions of intellectual and emotional immaturity, and victimhood culture and dependency, but is a symptom in the larger loss of genuine personal identity, a surrender to authority preferences and Groupthink, and a splintering of psychological functioning that stems from a young adult who is merely parroting encouraged language (Yale experimental psychologist Stanley Milgram called this phenomenon the Cyranic Illusion where a cyranoid is created by cooperatively joining in real-time the body of one person with speech generated by another via covert speech shadowing). Are our countrys educators acting as speech and thought shadowers who are perhaps unwittingly putting these ideas into the impressionable heads of our students? I think so. Faculty and administrators are themselves so directed through their institutionalism, and their obedience to political and state direction.

The last two years especially, have delivered a barrage of very difficult external events that are challenging for young adults to process. They include the uncontrolled hysteria and violence stemming from promotion of the George Floyd event, to the summer of violence across many of our cities. This was accompanied by the COVID construct (or covidianism) and the extraordinary state penetration into mass behaviors. These were not only merely reported or discussed on our secondary and college campuses, but the schools themselves led the way with explicit, reinforced messaging and programming: the administrators and faculty especially, fell fully for the deceptive nature of these social programming and manipulation techniques, and all but a precious minority of students even, bothered to ask the most fundamental question that underpins all classical liberal education, and philosophy itself: Why?

Finally, the implications in law and policy are poignant: The U.S. Constitution is barely recognizable to most students, and even among the faculty in our nations law schools, to which many students aspire, some of its most central tenets are utterly misunderstood and appropriated. The 14th Amendment is perhaps the poster child of leftist confusion, and is thought to give license to an unlimited pursuit of equity claims. As Reagan Solicitor General of the United States, Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, and Harvard Law professor Charles Fried crucially reminds our young adults, The Equal Protection Clause affirmed that the Constitution protected the situations of individuals, not groups. A whole elite cadre depends on racial division for its constituency and its position. But if we continue to divide ourselves by race, to make race dispositive in all sorts of contexts, with the ugly necessity of formally assigning individuals to particular racial groups, then the time will soon come when this new racial segmentation will become permanent, that the ideal of each persons being judged as an individual and not as a member of a group to which he is assigned by somebodys public policy will no longer be possible.

This has great weight in Americas global competitiveness, as our current social divisions and distractions may be leaving us behind.

Image: NY Public Library Public Domain Collection
Admiral Grace Hopper once said it's "much easier to apologize than to get permission." She's right. To ask is to risk being endlessly bounced through the bureaucracy or swamped in useless, redundant forms. Even worse, you could be told no.

Today many in position to make laws or issue orders are fully embracing this plan: push ahead, ignore the law, and just get it done. The beauty of this plan is that it's much harder, if not impossible, to undo something already in place. Thus the Deep State, globalists, insurgents utilize the "don't ask, can't fail" strategy, where even an unlawful or unconstitutional order is treated as real law until the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) says otherwise.

Thus, these racketeers can enforce their illegitimate orders for months, even years while the case makes its way through the judicial maze. If they lose the case, they can appeal to a higher court and appeal again and again until the case finally reaches SCOTUS. Watching our illustrious court system in action is like watching grass grow in a drought.

Case in point: The "pandemic" caught the American people off guard, and governors-turned-dictators trampled the Constitution. They closed schools, imposed martial law, shut down small businesses, even churches and synagogues. When businesses could "reopen," they were restricted on how much of their space could be utilized, how many customers allowed in at a time.

This autocratic takeover shows how the "just do it" scheme can quickly bring an entire nation to heel. Government can issue any order, even one that blatantly defies existing state law or the Constitution because no one can stop them real time.

Insurgents used this "just do it" game plan to rig the 2020 presidential election. They illegally set up drop boxes, bypassed state legislatures to eliminate signature verification, sent mail-in ballots to everyone despite special requirements in some states, and instituted the "count 'til you win" policy.

Resident Biden used this ploy to cancel the Remain in Mexico order, to cancel oil and gas leasings on federal land, to enact the eviction moratorium, push the federal vaccine mandate,, and the list of the almighty pen goes on.

Then Biden created a new Disinformation Governance Board, a censorship department openly in defiance of the 1st Amendment. While free speech is under attack by the federal government, we wait for the courts to confirm that attacking free speech is indeed unconstitutional. And we wait and wait and wait.

Even when SCOTUS finally gets the case, slaps hands, and says the law can't stand, the defendants can simply refuse to obey. Example: A Supreme Court decision shot down New York's concealed carry gun permit law that set a high bar for concealed carry licenses. Yay! Or maybe not.

New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul fired back, "We are not powerless in this situation." And she wasted no time defying the Court. She called the Legislature back for an "extraordinary session," where they passed a new law far more restrictive than the first.

Applicants for a license to carry a handgun will be required to provide four character references and take 16 hours of gun safety training and two hours of shooting practice at a range. They'll be subject to periodic background checks and will have to turn over social media accounts and contact information for adults living in their household. Concealed weapons will be prohibited from a number of areas, including Times Square, subway buses, bars, government buildings, churches, schools, libraries, playgrounds, parks and homeless shelters.

In other words, the 2nd Amendment is dead in New York. Yeah, yeah  this will be knocked down in court someday, maybe. But meanwhile, New York is forced to live outside the Constitution.

And now our illustrious Congress has passed the people's disarmament bill (Safer Communities Act). This bill expands background checks on gun-buyers ages 1820, prevents people convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun, and provides funds to bribe states to pass red flag laws.

Thus, legislatures and governors can violate the SCOTUS ruling (Caniglia v. Strom). In that decision, Justice Thomas wrote that the very core of the Fourth Amendment is the right of a person to retreat into his home and "there be free from unreasonable governmental intrusion." But now it's law, so again we give an illegitimate law safe harbor from the Constitution as government again plays the "oh, yeah, who's gonna make me" game.

As of now, SCOTUS will "make them," but what if Democrats find a way to make liberal activists the majority? What if they pack the Court, which they're trying to do, or kill off a conservative justice, which some are also trying to do? That could tip the balance once Justice Roberts finally openly declares his allegiance to the new world order. Then the Constitution will be but a memory.

Will we wait for these scoundrels to find a way to make their coup d'etat lawful? Will we accept any and all of their fake decrees as legitimate? We think we're doing the right thing as we patiently wait for a judge to swoop in and save the Constitution?

In the end, it's not up to a judge to save our Republic. It's up to the people. And we have a moral duty to defy unlawful edicts.

"One has not only a legal, but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Americans must stop waiting for permission from the government to protest the government, must stop obeying unconstitutional orders until we get permission to stop obeying unconstitutional orders.

"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of a higher obligation...To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the ends to the means."

Thomas Jefferson

The people must resist this piecemeal tyranny with every ounce of our energy. Let this government know we won't live outside the Constitution; we won't recognize blatant unconstitutional orders. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights are the only true laws in these United States. Any "law" that defies these founding documents is illegitimate on its face. We must impugn every single one of these unconstitutional trespasses.

"When the People once surrender ... their Right of defending the Limitations upon the Government, and of resisting every Encroachment upon them, they can never regain it."

John Adams

Don't be afraid to resist, America. The ultimate prize  liberty, our Republic  is worth any risk. Too many have suffered, lost everything, even died for our freedom. We cannot simply let it slip away.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Edmund Burke

Image via Pixnio.
President Joe Biden is suffering from dementia, and it's worsening before our eyes.

You know it, I know it, everyone knows it.

His handlers know it. Why else would they issue him absurdly detailed cue cards telling him when to stand and sit?

His vice president knows it. Kamala Harris explicitly noted her future running mate's cognitive problems during the 2020 Democratic debates.

Even the president's drug-addicted, prostitute-frequenting, influence-peddling son knows it. Hunter cruelly mocks the elder Biden's senility on the Laptop from Hell.

It is a national tragedy that a fragile, senile, non compos mentis old man is the president of the United States. Nevertheless, this scandalous state of affairs is downplayed so much by the Democrats, the Washington bureaucracy, and complicit press and social media outlets that Biden and many around him  Harris included  still speak seriously about Biden seeking a second term in 2024.

Only very recently are cracks starting to form in the leftist elites' see-no-evil attitude to Biden's dementia. See the New York Times' recent article for evidence. However, it appears that this new view is predicated more by Biden's currently horrendous polling, which threatens to sink the Democrats' midterm prospects, than by Biden's cognitive decline, which has been evident for years.

The notion of a second Biden term raises another question about the man, one even more existential than his undeniable cognitive dysfunction. The question is, would Joe Biden even live through a second term as president?

As a practicing physician who cares for numerous elderly patients and addresses dementia and end-of-life issues on a regular basis, your humble correspondent decided to take a closer look at this question.

Here are my findings:

Joe Biden's listed birth date is November 20, 1942. Thus, at this writing, Joe Biden is 79 years and 8 months old.

Were he to win re-election in 2024, then by his second inauguration, he would be 82 years and 2 months of age. At the end of a second term, he would be 86 years and 2 months old.

How long does the average 79-year-old man have to live?

According to the Social Security Administration, the life expectancy for a 79-year-old American male is an additional 8.82 years, for a total life expectancy of 87.82 years.

This would take Joe Biden to late 2029  less than a year after the end of a second term. That's cutting it awfully close, especially for a man struggling as badly as he obviously is right now.

But it gets worse.

Those Social Security numbers are for all comers in Biden's age group. But remember, Joe Biden has dementia, and dementia shortens life expectancy.

How much?

A recent study by Carol Brayne et al., published in the prestigious British Medical Journal, concluded that the median survival time from a diagnosis of dementia is 4.5 years for all persons and 4.1 years for men.

Assuming we very generously "diagnose" Joe Biden's dementia as starting now  say, July 1, 2022  then 4.1 years places us around August 2026. In other words, by this measure, Biden's most likely date of death will be less than halfway through his second term as president.

I also reviewed the standard clinical scale for measuring progress of dementia, known as the Reisberg Scale or the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS).

The GDS divides dementia into 7 stages, Stage 7 being the most severe. By a careful review of the criteria and of available video of Biden over time, I believe he is currently at least at Stage 4, which is referred to as "moderate cognitive decline."

It is worth noting here that the president of the United States is one of the most supported and protected persons on Earth. Joe Biden makes limited public appearances, which are carefully scheduled, tightly controlled, and highly choreographed. We, the public, only see Joe Biden at his best. It is possible that his dementia has actually reached Stage 5 on the GDS, or "moderately severe cognitive decline."

Given his demonstrated ability to still make prepared statements and public appearances, it seems unlikely to me that Biden's dementia has advanced beyond Stage 5, where many basic mental functions are obviously impaired.

So what does this mean moving forward?

The cited average duration of Stage 4 dementia is two years. For Stage 5, it is 1.5 years. Again, if we very generously assume that Joe Biden is "entering" Stage 4 right now  say July 1, 2022  then he is likely to progress through Stages 4 and 5 and into Stage 6, "severe cognitive decline," by late 2025, approximately a year into a second term.

In other words, a second Biden term presents the very real prospect of a president who cannot identify his family members, count down from ten, nor control toilet function, with three years remaining in his term.

An important side note: Joe Biden also has a serious problem with falls. Recurrent falls are a strong predictor of death in the elderly.

Biden's recent bike accident on vacation at Rehoboth Beach, his repeated stumbles climbing the stairs to Air Force One in March 2021, and his broken foot sustained while playing with his dog in November 2020 provide ample evidence that the president is a "fall risk." And of course, these are just the incidents known to the public. There may be many more.

Biden could have very easily broken a hip on any of the above occasions. When an elderly patient falls and breaks a hip, his mortality within one year is over 20 percent, even with surgery. Once again, dementia increases the risk.

Furthermore, Biden reportedly suffers from atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that puts the patient at high risk for stroke. For this he reportedly takes Eliquis, a blood-thinner that prevents stroke but significantly increases the risk of hemorrhage in the case of falls.

Patients requiring anticoagulation for stroke prevention who are also fall risks are caught between a rock and a hard place. A fall with head trauma while on "blood thinners" may cause severe bleeding in the brain. However, discontinuing the anticoagulation medicine causes their risk of embolic (blood clotrelated) stroke to increase dramatically. Joe Biden appears to be in this situation.

In summary, after a detailed review of relevant medical data, here are this physician's conclusions:

On Election Day, November 2024, President Joe Biden will, more likely than not, still be alive. However, his dementia will most likely be sufficiently advanced by then that it will be obvious to everyone that he is incapable of serving another term.

By Inauguration Day, January 2029 (at what would be the end of a second term), President Joe Biden will, more likely than not, have died of natural causes.

Given the utmost importance of the presidency, I implore the people of the United States to take these concerns more seriously than they have done until now.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Last Thursday, Andrew "Tekle" Sundberg tried to kill a woman and her two children, and when they were taken to safety, he tried to kill the police. Eventually, the police killed Sundberg, at which point BLM moved in and started accusing the police of committing a racist murder. Where this predictable little show took an unexpected turn was when the woman who was almost killed along with her children challenged the protest, only to have the protesters dismiss her. Facts were irrelevant; she didn't fit the narrative.

Arabella Foss-Yarbrough, a Black woman (not that her race should matter), was in her apartment Wednesday night with her two children, when Sundberg, who had been harassing her for months, fired multiple bullets into her apartment. Foss-Yarbrough called 911, and police were able to move her and her children to a safe place. Deprived of his original victims, Sundberg began to fire on the police. Eventually, after a six-hour standoff with a man who had shown his willingness to kill, snipers finally killed Sundberg. As for Foss-Yarbrough, she cannot get into her home and has lost her job.

Practically within minutes, BLM was on the scene. It was the usual complaint. Sundberg wasn't a bad guy, despite harassing Foss-Yarbrough for months, and then trying to kill her, her children, and the police. He was having a "mental health crisis." He would never have been killed if he had been a White man.

Maybe I'm heartless, but it seems to me that when you've proven that you're an imminent and uncontrollable threat, mental health crisis or not, there's a really good chance that the police will conclude that they can protect other people's lives only by disabling you with a bullet. And the rule of police shooting is that, once you make that decision, you must shoot to kill. A wounded criminal is every bit as dangerous as a wounded predatory animal, especially if the criminal is hopped up on drugs or insanity.

What makes this story unusual is that Foss-Yarbrough took umbrage at BLM's attempt to turn Sundberg's death into the usual narrative of police brutality against an innocent Black man struggling with mental health problems:

"This is not a George Floyd situation. George Floyd was unarmed. This is not okay," Foss-Yarbrough was seen yelling at a group of protesters on Saturday. "He tried to kill me in front of my kids." [snip] "My kids have to deal with this and probably have a mental illness now because they almost lost their lives," she said. "There's bullet holes in my kitchen because he sat in the fking hallway watching me move. He tried to kill me in front of my kids."

Things boiled over during Saturdays rally and march for Tekle Sundberg, when the 24 year old woman who says he was shooting into her apt. showed up voicing her frustration with those gathering in front of her building on Sundbergs behalf. @kare11 * video contains profanity * pic.twitter.com/qdi1vbgO7k  Deevon Rahming (@DeevonRahming) July 16, 2022

To their great credit, Sundberg's parents expressed sympathy for Foss-Yarbrough's experience, but others were less kind. The fact that an innocent woman and her children were almost murdered was of less importance than mourning the almost inevitable death of a crazed man determined to kill.

The one area that definitely deserves inquiry is that Sundberg's parents contend that the police prevented them from talking to their son, something they say would have made a difference and, indeed, ended the standoff in minutes. As it is, until the police release the bodycams, we don't know exactly what happened. What we do know is that the BLM protesters, and execrable ambulance-chaser Benjamin Crump, couldn't wait for the body to get cold before they were on the move, doing what they can to turn America's cities into hellholes, with unconstrained criminals and absent or apathetic police.

And here's an interesting side note about the public response to two different GoFundMe campaigns, one to honor Sundberg and the other to help Foss-Yarbrough. As of this writing, Sundberg's had raised $19,775 out of a requested $20,000, thanks to 404 donations. Meanwhile, Foss-Yarbrough's had raised $43,575 on an original request of $10,000, with 988 donations. Maybe people are trying to say something about the proper priorities for criminal and victim.

Image: Arabella Foss-Yarbrough takes on BLM. Twitter screen grab.
The phrase "New World Order" (NWO) is a loaded term. For starters, the people who are pushing for a single world government prefer to call it "The Great Reset." Additionally, NWO sounds like the ultimate conspiracy theory, complete with indivisible dots, imaginary lines, and tinfoil hats. And yet there's no doubt that the self-anointed elites across the world have coalesced around a single vision that involves ending fossil fuel and achieving total control over individuals to "protect" them from COVID. Still, people across the globe are pushing back, and one group has a global vision of what this pushback can look like.

During COVID's first two years, we learned that most First World governments happily embraced tyranny. Even in the face of mountains of evidence that the lockdowns and mask and vaccine mandates did nothing to improve the situation, governments not only didn't stop, but they also dug in deeper, systematically taking away people's rights.

No person embodied this more than Canada's Justin Trudeau, who went from fuzzy tree-hugger to steely-eyed tyrant overnight. Canada is still in deep lockdown mode, right there with China, with millions of gleeful fascist apparatchiks happily imposing the government's diktats:

This is frightening and this is what Canada has become. pic.twitter.com/wKOL8YZBlk  Alexandra Lavoie (@ThevoiceAlexa) July 16, 2022

With COVID losing its power to frighten people, the world's budding dictators are reverting to climate change to clamp down on power. The most recent outburst of this madness was in Holland, where the government announced that it was shutting down farmland (i.e., the place where food is grown) essentially to stop fertilizer and cow farts. (I simplify a bit, but you know what I mean.) The farmers pushed back hard.

Youll never see this photo of Dutch farmers on your television.



Klaus knows if images like this ever make it to the mainstream media, it will motivate and inspire the whole world, and the Globalists will be done.#DutchFarmersProtest



beachmilk on gab. pic.twitter.com/8xAUENbYjX  Elsie Stewart (@ElsieSt28881187) July 10, 2022

And indeed, although it never makes it to the New York Times or Washington Post unless they can no longer avoid the topic, people all over the world are pushing back at COVID and climate change totalitarianism:

According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which records protests worldwide, 11 countries are currently seeing protests of more than 1,000 people in response to the rising cost of living and other economic woes in 2022. As of July 5, Carnegie had recorded protests of more than 120,000 people in France, 100,000 in Spain, 10,000 in Greece, 10,000 in Kazakhstan, 10,000 in Sri Lanka, 10,000 in India, 5,000 in Iran, 5,000 in Peru, 1,000 people in Argentina, 1,000 in Morocco, and 1,000 in the U.K.

When vaccine passports were being implemented, protests took place around the world - but there was hardly any coverage from the media.



Due to the cost of living crisis, protests are happening around the world - but again, the media turns a blind eye.



pic.twitter.com/ym9zDzeTQ7  James Melville (@JamesMelville) July 8, 2022

It's Americans who are behind the curve on this one for two possible reasons. One, we believe that our Constitution will protect us. And while it certainly offers protections in theory, there's every reason to believe that the Democrats currently controlling the federal government have no intention of letting it offer those protections in fact. Two, the Democrats' January 6 "insurrection" hysteria has frightened Americans into abandoning their First Amendment rights.

But just as the tech world offers governments unprecedented power to control individuals by monitoring their every word, thought, and move, technology also can still be used to bring people across the world together in one giant, peaceful "NO!" against the gathering forces of tyranny. That's the goal of an organization called Reignite World Freedom.

The organization's mission is simple: end the globalism that is wrapping itself around the Earth like a giant chain, magnifying the power of world governments stealing away their citizens' liberty. The organization hopes to have what it calls a "global walk out."

A unified, global event and convoy to your capital city. Unelected bureaucracies like The World Health Organization (WHO) and The World Economic Forum (WEF) should not have the power to dictate policies in our countries. Let's send them a clear message they can't ignore. It's time for governments around the world to consider replacing and leaving these 'globalist' organizations. I. How will the Global Walkout work? 1.A global WALK OUT from the society they're trying to enslave us into, including an optional convoy to occupy your capital city. The length of the walkout will depend on the momentum built in each country. 2.We will not announce the walk out dates until we have enough pledges worldwide. 3.If you can't participate in the convoy, that's fine. You can still commit to walk out for as long as you can. 4.You can choose one or more of these options when you pledge; Walk out of work and have a holiday.

Walk your children out of school.

Walk away from spending money at corporations that support globalism.

Walk away from consuming any mainstream media or streaming channels.

Convoy to your capital city on the scheduled dates (yet to be announced).

Read more here.

The organizers want people to sign a pledge before setting a date.

I don't know how well this fascinating idea will work in the U.S., especially because of the January 6 crackdown. Still, if people don't push back against the COVID and climate change cudgels, we will enter a new dark age (literally dark, as in no fossil fuels) in which most Westerners, after decades of prosperity, live in squalor and despair.

Image: YouTube screen grab.
With the border surge hitting historic highs, and Texas taking the brunt of Joe Biden's open borders, the Lone Star state's governor, Greg Abbott, announced a plan to bus illegal border-crossers on a voluntary basis to Washington, D.C. He said it was to get Washington's attention. Washington's swamp denizens in the press and halls of power are calling it a publicity stunt.

What we are seeing now is that the much-derided "stunt" is working.

Take a gander at the weird outrage from Washington, D.C.'s sanctuary citysupporting mayor, Muriel Bowser, on the effects of that Abbott policy, according to Fox News:

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser appeared on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday to discuss the persistent homelessness problem plaguing her city. Host Margaret Brennen brought up a Washington Post report that suggested homeless shelters are now being filled with illegal immigrants being bused in from Texas and Arizona. Bowser admitted that it's a "significant issue" and called on the federal government to get more involved as she fears illegal immigrants are being "tricked" into traveling to her city. "Well, this is a very significant issue. We have for sure called on the federal government to work across state lines to prevent people from really being tricked into getting on buses. We think they're largely asylum seekers who are going to final destinations that are not Washington, D.C. I worked with the White House to make sure that FEMA provided a grant to a local organization that is providing services to folks. I fear that they're being tricked into nationwide bus trips when their final destinations are places all over the United States of America," Bowser said.

Seems the illegal migrants are filling the Washington shelters now, and she "fears" they are being tricked? Notice she didn't offer any specifics about such trickery, which is a fancy way of saying there hasn't been any trickery. Illegal border-crossers are being offered free bus rides from Texas to Washington, and a lot of them are taking the governor up on it, heading for the free stuff there after paying $7,000 to cartel human-smugglers for the crossing. Cartels make money, cities and states lose money, and migrants get to stay in America for free.

Bottom line here is that her city's shelters are being flooded with illegals, the cost has got to be enormous, the shelters can't keep up, and now she's whining. Yet this is precisely what happened in Texas in its border towns, and now that Gov. Abbott is "sharing the wealth" with Washington, D.C., she's out complaining about migrants "being tricked" since she dare not complain at all about the actual problem of an open border that incentivizes illegal crossing.

Where was she when Joe Biden was (and still is) shipping illegal migrants all throughout the country, to places like Ohio, or Florida, or Maine, or Hawaii, using the real trickery of doing it in the dead of night to avoid complaints from the public? Seems that kind of busing is OK for others, just not Washington, D.C. That exposes her as a hypocrite right there.

Here's another instance of her hypocrisy  this item from 2016 can still be found on her own mayoral website:

(Washington, DC) Today, Mayor Bowser issued the following statement reaffirming the District's status as a sanctuary city: "The values, laws, and policies of Washington, DC did not change on Election Day. We celebrate our diversity and respect all DC residents no matter their immigration status. We are a sanctuary city because we know that our neighborhoods are safer and stronger when no one is afraid to call on our government for help, and when our police can focus on protecting and serving."

When no one is afraid to call on our government for help, Muriel? Step right up to the plate then.

But instead, she's busy complaining, and it's pretty obvious she doesn't like having to eat the cost.

What she's effectively saying in her complaint is that she wants Texas to pay all the costs of illegal migration, instead of her own city. And being part of the Democrat establishment, she's been all in for everything the Biden administration has done, from flying illegals to other people's cities to denying the state of Texas federal relief funding to deal with the effects of the Biden-incentivized border surge.

It's all fine when it happens to someone else. But being a member of the swamp elites, she just doesn't want it in her backyard.

What's clear to the rest of us that Abbott's much derided "stunt" is working. These complaints from Bowser should filter through soon into the Democrat elites' circles in the halls of power, and at some point, there will be hell to pay.

Image: Lorie Shaull via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
The Idaho Republican Party is providing material for Democrats to use nationally raising money and scaring voters away from voting for GOP candidates. Ruth Brown writes in Idaho Reports:

The Idaho Republican Party has approved changes to its platform that criminalize all abortions without exemptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother, as well as green-lighting restrictions to voting in future GOP primary elections. On the third day of the Idaho GOP Convention, delegates debated multiple proposed resolutions and platform changes, most of which passed. Key changes to the platform included calling all abortion murder, criminalizing abortion and excluding exemptions for pregnancies resulting from rape and incest. The platform does not include an exemption allowing abortion if the life of the mother is in lethal danger.



Idaho state capitol.

A "no exceptions" rule is also unlikely to become law in Idaho, whose abortion ban currently makes exceptions for rape and incest. So what is the state GOP there doing, cutting a de facto campaign commercial for Democrats across the country by making "no exceptions" its official stance?

This will enable Democrats to paint the GOP was wild-eyed extremists willing to sacrifice mothers' lives over their abortion fanaticism.

To be fair, as Richard Baehr pointed out in an email:

What is happening now is that both blue and red states are enacting laws that go well beyond any sense of seeking middle ground. Blue states will allow abortions for 3 trimesters, some red states will ban abortions totally and limit abortion travel.

But this platform has almost no chance of becoming law and serves only to help Democrats.

Photo credit: JSquish CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
I presume that many readers join me in missing Mark Steyn's appearances on Tucker Carlson's show, where he was formerly a regular and an occasional guest host. He has made his new television home on GB News, a British radio and television news channel that leans conservative, where he hosts a prime-time show Monday through Thursday.

A segment in which he takes on and mocks Klaus Schwab has made it to Twitter, and the 2 minutes and 20 seconds of it make for a pleasant reminder of his comic talents, and a nice way to begin a new work week.

Mark Steyn about Klaus Schwab pic.twitter.com/GiMkxsmbRn  Wittgenstein (@backtolife_2023) July 15, 2022



Photo credit: Twitter video screen grab (cropped).

Hat tip: John Dale Dunn.
As it stands, 2022 will be remembered as the year of disinformation. This year saw the Biden administration's fumbled launch of its Disinformation Governance Board within the Department of Homeland Security. It was criticized to the point where even the far-left pundits acknowledged that they were on shaky ground at best, and the entire effort evaporated. The concept of the federal government determining what is the truth was something between laughable and Orwellian.

Then came Kamala Harris heading up a rekindled form of the board in the guise of an "internet policy task force." Its intent is to create programs and policies aimed at protecting political figures and journalists from harassment, disinformation, and abuse. It raised more questions than it answered  such as how would data be determined to be disinformation, and how exactly it would protect politicians and journalists? Most people saw this for what it was: government-sanctioned censorship. Many Americans believe that the biggest creators of disinformation are the very mainstream media that Harris's task force was going to "protect."

But have no fear: the media will handle this internally. NPR announced this weekend that they would be launching a "Disinformation Reporting Team." Given their utter lack of coverage of subjects such as the Hunter Biden story, a lot of us thought that NPR already was a disinformation reporting team. No doubt, the other mainstream media outlets will announce they too have or are forming such teams. It would be hilarious if they weren't so serious about such efforts.

History has shown that when you have groups that govern themselves and are accountable only to themselves, they rarely do the right thing. Matters are made worse when the government intercedes on any subject.

Rather than allow Americans to think for themselves and come to their own conclusions, the government and media want to tell us what they want to hear. They want to define the truth. Free will as we know it will be something that requires clearance, authorization, and approval. In their eyes, we should not be bothered with figuring things out on our own  they will tell us what to think and how we should feel about that information. Disinformation is an insidious hop-step down the road to tyranny.

Any topic they deem to be disinformation will be cast aside as a wild conspiracy theory or an outright lie. Anyone who refuses to follow their guidelines will be classified, labeled, and eventually demonized. Managing reality for Americans is simply a form of control  and as such is sinister and should be feared. Disinformation will be a tool to ostracize anyone who doesn't think the way the liberal media or the current administration wants.

Imagine Donald Trump saying he was forming a disinformation governance board. What would the reaction be from the left? How would the mainstream media react to conservatives saying the same things the Biden administration has? The cries of "Big Brother" would ring in the halls of Congress in protest. No doubt another impeachment would materialize. If Fox News were establishing a media disinformation reporting team, it would be mocked on late-night TV and decried by the progressives. If you wouldn't like a program or concept under the control of a different political party or entity, then it is probably either evil or dangerous  or both.

What's the harm of NPR doubling down on "disinformation"? A lot of their funding comes from the government. They already dangerously slant what they report and what they don't. Giving it formal sanction, without truly independent governance, means that people with zero accountability will determine what you see and hear from their channel.

We need to call these efforts out for what they are. Forget the label of disinformation  that is sugar-coating the reality of these programs. Disinformation is really just a name for institutionalized censorship. Invisible entities with no neutral oversight will determine what is reality and what is fiction. It is against the freedoms we have in this country, in particular the free speech protections of the First Amendment.

Blaine Pardoe is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author. He is a regular contributor to American Thinker, PJ Media, American Greatness, Bizpac Review, and other conservative sites. His most recent works include the conservative political thriller Blue Dawn, which tells the story of the violent overthrow of the government by Progressives. The sequel, A Most Uncivil War, is now available along with The Democratic Party Playbook 2022 Edition.

Image: NPR.
An account was published Sunday in the San Marcos Record of a massive late June raid on a couple in rural Hays County, Texas that resulted in no arrest. The scale of forces deployed and the tactics used seem designed to intimidate and punish, especially considering the fact that the couple never entered the U.S. Capitol on June 6, and were guilty only of being Trump-supporters who were peacefully demonstrating.

Lora DeWolfe and Darrel Kennemer were startled when FBI agents, during the pre-dawn hours on June 22, broke through their gate leading up to their home which sits on seven acres in rural Hays County. (snip)

Kennemer, concerned, sprung out of bed, grabbed his AR-15 and stepped onto the porch wearing only his briefs.

The couple watched as several other vehicles, estimated between 20-30, poured onto the property, including one armored vehicle with a battering ram.

FBI agents demanded Kennemer "drop his rifle" as they exited the approaching vehicle. Kennemer responded asking if officials had a warrant, and to show him.

Agents instead began tossing a series of flashbang grenades at the 67-year-old after which Kennemer realized a group of targeting lasers on him that forced him to lay down his weapon.

The couple was placed into handcuffs, taken away from their house, and questioned while their home was being searched.

Kennemer said it wasn't only members of the FBI present, but ATF and SWAT, too.

"All present I would say upwards of 100 agents, at an astronomical cost to the taxpayer, were on site," Kennemer said. "The warrant wasn't even a 'no knock' warrant. It could have been served with a simple knock on our door during daylight hours."

During this time, a plane was circling the property as well as drones, according to DeWolfe.
Two times in the last month, families of murder victims allegedly shot by perpetrators out of jail while on electronic monitoring awaiting felony trial have sued Cook County, Illinois. CWBChicago reports:

The latest case was filed Wednesday on behalf of the estate of Keith Cooper, a 73-year-old Vietnam veteran who was killed during a carjacking in Chicago last summer.

Attorneys for Cooper's estate based the claim on the same general grounds as a similar suit filed last month on behalf of another murder victims estate: that Cook County is putting potentially violent people on home confinement without adequately monitoring them.

One year ago, prosecutors charged Dushawn Williams and Frank Harris with killing Cooper during a hijacking attempt in a strip mall parking lot at 1236 East 53rd Street.

Williams, who was a juvenile at the time of the alleged murder, was supposed to be home on EM for a felony stolen motor vehicle case, according to the lawsuit and statements made in court by prosecutors last year.

Prosecutors said last year that Harris, now 19, pleaded guilty to another carjacking case just two months before the murder. He was supposed to be on EM as part of his probation sentence in that case, according to the lawsuit.

One year ago, prosecutors charged Dushawn Williams and Frank Harris with killing Cooper during a hijacking attempt in a strip mall parking lot at 1236 East 53rd Street.

Williams, who was a juvenile at the time of the alleged murder, was supposed to be home on EM for a felony stolen motor vehicle case, according to the lawsuit and statements made in court by prosecutors last year.

Prosecutors said last year that Harris, now 19, pleaded guilty to another carjacking case just two months before the murder. He was supposed to be on EM as part of his probation sentence in that case, according to the lawsuit.
Who are the domestic terrorists living in America?

Are they the moms and dads sparring with the teachers' unions over Critical Race Theory and vaccine mandates? Are they the countless patriotic citizens slowly rising from their sleep to protest that they have had enough Marxist authoritarian rule? Of course not. These people are mere foils for the Marxists currently running America.

American Marxists who are toying with our domestic security lurk in all branches of our government: Legislative (Democrats and Republicans), Executive, and Judicial. They are also in education, the military, Silicon Valley, the "legacy" media, and corporations such as BlackRock. While we fondly refer to these people as the "elites," they are power-hungry corrupt globalists whom freedom-loving Americans must confront.

And there is much to confront: the Howard Zinn rendition of American history taught in the American classroom, the degradation of law enforcement, the military, the Constitution (reviled by the left), the media, and our southern border. However, the perfect place to begin is to confront the insanity of climate change.

It is malignant and destroying America. And that is the plan: tear America down and "build back better."

Translation: Build America back into a Marxist global community.

Let's face it: the only Americans pushing climate change hysteria are rich white liberals and young Americans fully baptized in the hoax since grade school.

How do we know that climate-change BS is a myth? To understand, we must return to Al Gore's book, An Inconvenient Truth, that has flooded America's classrooms. While preaching the tale in his book, the carbon king made gobs of money (one hundred and seventy million dollars and counting) from oil monies. Global warming hype is his cash cow. The crusader got rich from his phony crusade.

Adding to the hysteria, Gore predicted in 2009 that the North Pole would be ice-free by 2013. Do you think he even knew that Chinese sea captains reported melting ice caps as far back as 1434? The inconvenient truth is that the climate has been warming, cooling, and dramatically changing since the beginning of time. Raging fires, mega-earthquakes, blizzards, tsunamis, droughts, severe storms, tornados, and heat waves have been around since antiquity, long before carbon emissions.

Al Gore also predicted that the world's end would come by 2013. It was all pure nonsense. Do you wonder where Gore gleaned his false information? It was, of course, from the United Nations, which is "global central." The U.N. at the Bruntland commission in 1987 created the hoax to achieve power (it is always about power.) It was a means to usher in a global government.

They cleverly realized that they could openly target private property with oppressive regulations that began first on a local level. The greenie terrorists, with their sketchy green technology and masks of morality, disarmed us at first with benign changes  e.g., anti-pollution remediation. And that opened the door to radical transformations.

Gird your loins, America. Do you realize that Bill Gates (Red River Trust) has gobbled up two hundred and seventy thousand acres of America's farmland? And why is that? Like Al Gore, listen to what they say, and then watch what they do. Gates is a globalist. We are well on our way to following the fate of Sri Lanka, Ghana, the Netherlands, England, and Germany.

Ask yourselves why dozens of food processing plants are being destroyed all over America. And why has this administration crippled oil production in America? Is terrorism the nexus? Is it being aggressively investigated by the politicized Justice Department and the FBI? And why do the media elite (SIC) ignore the story?

Do we, the people of this great nation, want to be manipulated by the U.N. and its sycophants? Do we care that this U.N. invasion of our country will ultimately strip our freedoms? Does it matter to you that global-warming hype, climate-change hype, and rising-sea-level hype are a sinister means of creating fear and guilt? Ultimately, it is fear and shame that generate compliance and the ability to enforce the Marxist idea that the collective takes a front seat to individual rights. Inherent in this ideology is that the government can "plan" our lives better than the individual. How is the shutting down of the Alaskan pipeline by the government working for you?

It is pertinent to know that James Lovelock, the guru of global-warming hysteria, who predicted the death of billions of humans due to global warming, now admits that he was an alarmist and is debunking the entire cabal. Further, Lovelock and many other NASA scientists have stated that the idea that human activity is responsible for climate change is not credible. He also said the green movement has become a religion that uses guilt to gain support. Carbon dioxide does not cause changes in the climate. Nature does. To think otherwise is pure, unadulterated hubris.

Enough is enough; modern greenies are destroying America with their phony claims. They have shot way past stewardship. We need to elect leaders who are not afraid to speak the truth that "global warming," "rising sea levels," and the new phantasm "climate change" are the biggest hoaxes ever perpetrated on the human community.

To add an exclamation point to the insanity, think about President Biden shutting down America's rich supply of oil and then going to Saudi Arabia to beg the Saudis to increase their oil production.

We all reside on the same planet! Now is the time for concerned freedom-loving Americans to watch the stellar recording of Paul Harvey's prescient "Warning for a Nation," delivered in 1965. It is entitled, "If I Were the Devil."

Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License.
They say "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." It is intended to inspire optimism or crank up a positive attitude. Well, when life gives you a Don Lemon quote, just look the other way or turn off the TV, as a lot of viewers do.

Don Lemon recently said:

The primetime host tied the GOP to the threat of "growing extremism" on the Right. He warned journalists to not give a "false equivalence" to both sides, and instead acknowledge Republicans were endangering America. "We sit around and we talk about these things and we want to give this false equivalence to Democrats and Republicans. That is not where we are right now. Republicans are doing something that is very dangerous to our society and we have to acknowledge that. We have to acknowledge that as Americans, we must acknowledge that as journalists because if we don't, we are not doing our jobs," Lemon declared.

Well, everyone is entitled to his opinion. At the same time, is anyone surprised?

First, this is Lemon trying to get a headline. Unfortunately, and I'm guilty of this, we react to his nonsense. We are talking about him, are we not? He probably gets a larger audience when we talk about him.

Second, this is what Lemon has been doing for years. His show is nothing but Trump-bashing, which is why most serious Republicans avoided it like a plague.

Turn off the TV, get some real lemons, and make some lemonade. You will feel a lot better.

P.S. Check out my videos and posts.

Image: Thomas Hawk.
BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with the new government of the Philippines to advance project construction and build more benchmark projects for infrastructure cooperation, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday.

The cooperation is expected to help the Philippines upgrade its infrastructure, Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson, said in response to reports that Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos had instructed the Department of Transportation to negotiate with China as soon as possible on loan agreements for three railway projects, including the Subic-Clark railway project.

China welcomes President Marcos' instructions, Wang said, adding that infrastructure cooperation had been a highlight of the two countries' cooperation over the past six years.

The two sides have cooperated to build bridges and dams, and a series of projects, including the three railways, have been advancing in an orderly manner, he said.

Wang added that China always takes the Philippines as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. The inauguration of the new government of the Philippines marks a new starting point for the bilateral ties.

Not long ago, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the Philippines and had in-depth communication with the new Philippine government. The two sides identified cooperation in the four key areas of agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. 
The Ruhr valley in North Rhine-Westphalia was once Germanys industrial heartland producing coal and steel, the two very essential raw materials of industrialization itself. Coal was mined here for at least four hundred years, usually from shallow drift mines along the Ruhr river. But with the start of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, the demand for coal and steel increased and the deeper-lying coal seams were reached out for the first time. Within a matter of decades, Ruhrs coal output skyrocketedfrom 2 million tons per year in 1850 to more than a hundred million tons at the end of the 19th century. Likewise, steel production rose from a mere 11,500 tons per year to 8 million during the same period.

View over the Ruhr Area from the Mottbruchhalde, in Gladbeck. Photo: Berndbrueggemann / Dreamstime.com

Ruhrs exponential industrial growth drove massive urbanization across North Rhine-Westphalia. People migrated from all over Germany and the adjoining regions to work in the mines, in the collieries and in the ironworks. Small towns with only 2,000 to 5,000 people in the early 19th century grew to become major cities with population in hundreds of thousands.

Ruhrs coal industry began to decline starting from the mid-20th century. By the 1970s, Germany had exhausted the easy-to-reach coals and mining the Ruhr valley was no longer competitive. The steel industry too went into sharp decline, as its prices were undercut by lower-cost suppliers from emerging industrial centers, such as Japan. Today, Ruhr is still an important industrial center, but its economy has migrated to service industry such as health, information technology, transport and logistics.

An amphitheater in a former slag heap, Halde Haniel in Bottrop. It is one of the highest Slag Heaps in the Ruhr area with a height of 159 meters. Photo: Rab Lawrence/Flickr

Although Ruhr no longer produces coal, centuries of mining has left an indelible scar on the geography of the region. Colossal heaps of refuse lie scattered all around the region, made up of earth, rocks and anything else that was not coal. These are called halde in German, or pit heaps. Many of these have been reclaimed with vegetation and landscaping and transformed into parks and lookout points. Others have become home to public artworks and installation.

Related: Ruhrs Slag Heap Tourism

Coal mining has left another legacy in the regionit has sunk the ground by as much as 20 meters at places, below the water table. As a result, water tends to pool and if werent for the 180 pumps installed all around Ruhr, this densely populated region with over 5 million residents would become a lake district.

This is what the Ruhr area would look like if the pumps were to stand still. Image credit: Helge Hoffmann

The pumps operated by the Emschergenossenschaft have to move over a billion cubic meters of groundwater every year. In addition, they pump an entire river, Boye, 18 meters up into river Emscher, which flows into the Rhine, to keep water away from the populated areas. Almost a fifth of the region would be under water if it weren't for pumping, especially the core area, where most of the people live.

The first pumping station went into operation in 1914 on the Alte Emscher in Duisburg. Today, every city and every town in the affected areas in Ruhr has pumps, ranging from small electrical-box like sizes to giant machines with a capacity to pump 40 thousand liters every second. Keeping these pumps running is a perpetual cost running into millions that is borne by the coal mining corporations.

An art installation on Halde Haniel in Bottrop. Photo: Rab Lawrence/Flickr

What if the pumps stopped working? The devastation would not be immediate, explains Stefan Hager, who is in charge of location and geospatial services at RAG, Germanys largest coal mining corporation. Depending on the location, it would take weeks for the groundwater to start seeping, giving technicians enough time to repair the pumps. However, Hager cautioned: As a rule, floods do not occur from groundwater, but from heavy rain. On the Rhine it takes days to rise, on the Emscher it takes hours because the area is so sealed and the water flows away faster.

Some believe that the pumps, at least some of them, should be switched off. This would give the region a few lakes and wetlands, making Ruhr more attractive than a barren industrial wasteland that it is now.

References:

# Thomas Made, Why the Ruhr area would be a lake district without pumps, Der Westen

# Tom Scott, The Pumps That Must Run Forever, Or Part Of Germany Floods, YouTube
Following the FCC certifications last month, Samsungs upcoming Galaxy Watch 5 series has now received regulatory approval from Thailands NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission). Both the vanilla Galaxy Watch 5 and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro have picked up the NBTC certificate.

First spotted by Pricebaba, the Commissions website lists the model numbers SM-R905, SM-R915, and SM-R925, complete with their respective marketing name. These are the cellular (LTE) variants of the upcoming Samsung smartwatches. The former two represent the 40mm and 44mm Galaxy Watch 5, respectively, while the latter is the Pro model.

As expected, these listings dont reveal any notable info about the new devices. But prior leaks have already revealed a lot about them. We recently got to see both models up close thanks to leaked high-resolution turntable renders. The renders confirmed that Samsung is removing the much-loved physical rotating bezel from its smartwatches, reportedly for the sake of bigger batteries. We are expecting 276mAh and 397mAh batteries on the two Galaxy Watch 5 variants, while the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro will pack a monstrous 572mAh battery. Samsung is also expected to offer 10W wireless charging, up from 5W in previous models.

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Apart from this, the upcoming Galaxy smartwatches will feature circular OLED screens with Gorilla Glass protection. The Pro model will reportedly get premium materials such as a titanium body and sapphire glass. All Galaxy Watch 5 devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. They will run Wear OS 3.5 with Samsungs One UI Watch 4.5 on top.

Preparations for the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event are in full swing

Samsung has yet to officially announce the date for its next Galaxy Unpacked event. But preparations for it are now in full swing. The company is rapidly gathering all necessary regulatory approvals before it takes the stage with the Galaxy Watch 5 series smartwatches, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 foldables, and the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro TWS earbuds. It has also started putting up support pages for the upcoming devices on its official websites.

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Rumors are that the second Galaxy Unpacked of 2022 will take place on August 10. It will reportedly be an offline affair. Samsung plans to host the in-person launch event, a first in two years, in New York. We expect the Korean behemoth to send out invitations for it soon. We will let you know the date and time for the event, as well as live streaming options, once we have the information.
The PS5 might be a popular system, but there are several users who are having some issues with this device. The issue seems to be rather big, as theres now legal action being taken. A user filed a lawsuit against Sony for a bug that was found in the PS5.

Electronic devices are complex pieces of equipment, and theyre bound to have some kinks. This definitely goes for devices that are manufactured en masse like the Playstation 5. We cant expect every unit to function properly.

However, there are some cases where a bug can affect a large number of devices and leave users wondering why the company even released them. These are times when companies get smacked with class action lawsuits. One example was when several Nintendo Switch controllers were affected by the infamous Joy-con Drift.

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Now, Sony is facing a lawsuit for a bug in the PS5

Sony is now in the hot seat for a bug that seemingly affects a large number of PS5 users. The plaintiff is one Christina Trejo, and she reported that theres a bug in the PS5 software that causes the system to suddenly turn off while actively playing games on it.

If this had been an isolated event, there wouldnt be much of an issue. However, there are reports from other users who experienced this issue. These reports come from other users across the internet, and theyve been popping up over the years.

The official document (via Techradar) cites these reports as evidence for Trejos case. Along with claiming that the bug affects a lot of other users, Trejo is also claiming that Sony knew about this bug and continued to ship units.

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This is a pretty heavy accusation, and its going to be contested in court. The reasoning behind this accusation is a bit loose. The document states that Sony was aware of this bug because of its warranty and repair offers.

This could, ostensibly, point to Sony knowing about the issue and, rather than addressing it, just fixing the systems after the crashes. That will be heavily debated in the trial, however. Well have to wait to see what happens with this trial. If found guilty, Sony could face some financial repercussions.
EU negotiations for Albania and N.Macedonia start tomorrow Both countries approved the French mediation proposal

(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, JUL 18 - Tomorrow, the intergovernmental conference (IGC) will mark the opening of negotiations for the EU membership of Albania and North Macedonia. At the head of delegations from Skopje and Tirana will be the premiers of the two countries, Edi Rama and Dimitar Kovacevski, engaged in a bilateral meeting in the morning with the EC president, Ursula von der Leyen.



The beginning of accession negotiations is a long-awaited step for the two Western Balkan countries, and was made possible by the approval of the French mediation proposal by Bulgarian and Macedonian parliaments.



The proposal aimed to bring down Sofia's opposition, which had blocked the advancement in the European path of Skopje and Tirana for two years because of an identity dispute with northern Macedonia. (ANSA).





 Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved
ALGIERS - After significant increases in gas supplies to Italy in recent months following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Rome's partnership with the North African country is set to grow further as it seeks to end its reliance on Moscow for energy, Premier Mario Draghi said during a visit to Algiers on Monday.



Draghi said that Monday's Italian-Algerian intergovernmental summit with Algerian President Abdelmadijd Tebboune and ministers from both countries "confirms our privileged partnership relationship in the energy sector.



"In recent months Algeria has become our country's top gas supplier," he said.



Draghi added that the recent announcement for the supply of an additional four billion cubic metres of gas marked an "acceleration" with respect to what had previously been agreed and was a foretaste of "even more significant supplies in the coming years".



He said the partnership with Algeria would involve the development of renewable sources of energy, especially green hydrogen, solar, wind and geothermal power.
Italy and Algeria ink 15 accords, renewables to large works Signed at 4th intergovernmental summit in Algiers

(ANSAmed) - ALGIERS, JULY 18 - Renewable energy, roads, highways and large works, and anti-corruption through collaboration with ANAC as well as efforts to fight radicalisation in detention are all included in the 15 agreements signed between Italy and Algeria at the 4th intergovernmental summit on Monday.



Signing for Italy were the six ministers that accompanied Italian prime minister Mario Draghi.



The agreements range between the pharmaceuticals sector (including accords inked by AIFA) to investment promotion and social development.



Several agreements were signed in the industrial and stones sectors.



(ANSAmed).




Chen Xi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department, holds talks with Truong Thi Mai, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of the Organization Commission of the Central Committee of the CPV, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Chen Xi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held talks with Truong Thi Mai, head of the Organization Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), via video link on Monday.

Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department, said China is ready to work with Vietnam to give full play to the special advantages of inter-party exchanges, push for more fruitful exchanges and cooperation between the two parties in such areas as organization and cadres, and take concrete actions to expand the connotation of China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Truong Thi Mai, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPV Central Committee, said Vietnam is willing to strengthen inter-party exchanges with China and push forward bilateral relations and the socialist cause of both sides. She wished the 20th CPC National Congress a complete success. 
ROME - An Australian adolescent forced to stay in a prison with former Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in northeastern Syria under the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has died, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported.



HRW has urged Western countries to take back their foreign nationals who joined ISIS and are now in the prison as well as their children, some of whom are also in the prison and others in camps in the same area.



"Tragically, the reported death of teenage Yusuf Zahab should be no surprise to Australia and other governments that have outsourced responsibility for their nationals held in horrific conditions in northeast Syria," said Letta Tayler, associate crisis and conflict director at Human Rights Watch. "His death should prompt these countries to urgently bring their detained citizens home." Zahab had been imprisoned in an overcrowded and makeshift prison in the SDF-held area.



In late January 2022, "Zahab was wounded in the head and arm during the battle by the Kurdish-led group, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the US-led, anti-ISIS coalition to recapture the prison from ISIS.", HRW reported.



The young man died in the prison.
ROME - Italian prime minister Mario Draghi has arrived at the Algerian presidential palace El Mouradia and been welcomed by Algerian president Abdelmadijd Tebboune and a guard of honor.



At the end of the plenary session of the fourth Italian-Algerian intergovernmental summit, several agreements will be signed and the two presidents will release press statements.



The prime minister arrived on Monday in Algiers accompanied by six ministers and was welcomed by his Algerian counterpart Aymen Benabderrahmane, with the playing of the Italian national anthem.



The welcome was broadcast live on Algerian state television.



Prior to arriving at the presidential palace, Draghi laid a wreath of flowers at the Martyrs Monument.



Taking part in the intergovernmental summit will be Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese, Justice Minister Marta Cartabia, Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani, Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility Minister Enrico Giovannini, and Minister for Equal Opportunities and the Family Elena Bonetti.



Prior to leaving the country and coming back to Rome in the evening, Draghi will be making a speech at the inauguration of the Business Forum at the International Conferences Center.




Almost a third of pub visits are now completely alcohol-free as the trend for moderation among drinkers continues to grow, according to new research.

Around 29% of pub visits and 37% of restaurant visits are now alcohol-free, according to an industry report commissioned by KAM and Lucky Saint.

The figures come amid a wider reduction in the levels of alcohol consumption across the UK in recent years, with many reducing cutting intake due to health concerns and other reasons.

It showed that 55% of UK drinkers consume fewer than 10 units of alcohol per week.

In 2019, NHS research reported that 60% of adults drank up to 14 units per week.

Katy Moses, managing director of sector research firm KAM, said: Without a doubt, alcohol consumption habits are shifting in the UK.

Despite short-term flux during the pandemic, an overwhelming proportion of Brits intend to cut down their consumption over the next 12 months.

The growth in popularity of the alcohol-free category isnt primarily driven by those who never drink alcohol, but rather the huge number of Brits who simply want to moderate their intake and are looking for a great-tasting alternative.

A raft of major brewers, including Heineken and Budweiser, have expanded into non-alcoholic beers in recent years in search of growth as other areas of the beer industry see restrained demand.

Luke Boase, founder of non-alcoholic lager brand Lucky Saint, said he believes we are at the start of a cultural shift in our attitudes towards drinking in the UK.

The company said it has seen like-for-like growth of 180% since the start of 2021 amid a surge in demand after hospitality operators returned to growth following the pandemic.

He said: The likes of Spain, France and Germany all have at least five times the market share for low and no (alcohol) options compared to the UK.

Consumers want taste and quality, but historically theres not been a product that fits the bill.

We need to rethink what we understand as a non-drinker in the UK. Those who move fast to tap into this market in the UK will see huge rewards in the coming years.
A British diplomat raised concerns about the secret extent of French president Francois Mitterrands ill-health, a decade before the ailing statesmans terminal prognosis was made public.

Sir Reginald Hibbert, the UK Governments man in Paris, appraised Whitehall colleagues in December 1981 with talk about the Presidents health which seemed to me to carry a certain amount of conviction.

He said that while the publication of the Presidents six-monthly health certificate skilfully gave a thoroughly reassuring impression, it left a doubt there may be some areas where his health is unsatisfactory. Sir Reginald suggested Mr Mitterrand may have cancer.

His suspicion, revealed now in the latest release of classified documents by the National Archives in Kew, was well founded. Mr Mitterrand died in 1996 with prostate cancer  something he had successfully concealed from the French public throughout his presidency and until his death.

President Francois Mitterrand pictured with The Queen at the opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994 (Tim Ockenden/PA)

Mr Mitterrand had been in office for less than a year when the UKs ambassador to France reported back with his suspicions, gleaned from an Elysee Palace insider, who said he had very reliable reports on Mr Mitterrands health well before took office.

Sir Reginald wrote: According to these (reports), Mr Mitterrand was suffering from a form of leukaemia which was controllable within limits by medical treatment and whose effects would be slow to develop.

He said Mr Mitterrand did not consider his ill-health a barrier to running for Presidency because he was such a rank outsider for the job.

When the election suddenly turned in his favour, he was caught and was now bound to put the best possible face on the state of his health, Sir Reginald added.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher pictured with French President Francois Mitterrand in 1986 (PA Archive)

He said Mr Mitterrand recently told television viewers he was feeling better following a routine check-up  an accusation by the Elysee source that he was lying to the French people about the seriousness of his health.

Sir Reginald also remarked on the Presidents oddness in demeanour, remarkably pallid skin, and shortages of breath.

Paradoxically, I think that the more Mr Mitterrand parades his allegedly clean bill of health, the more one becomes suspicious that there is something wrong with him.

Mr Mitterrand served as President until 1995, succeeded by Jacques Chirac.

His poor health only became known after his death in 1996 when his former private doctor lifted the lid on his patient.
Bison are being introduced into an ancient British woodland to help tackle the nature and climate crises, conservationists said.

The release, led by Kent Wildlife Trust and the Wildwood Trust, forms part of a 1.12 million project to manage West Blean and Thornden Woods near Canterbury, Kent, funded by the Peoples Postcode Lottery Dream Fund.

European bison, the continents largest land mammal, are the closest living relative to ancient steppe bison that would have once roamed Britain and naturally managed the habitat, the conservationists said.

The bison are being released into a fenced enclosure to help restore the woods with their natural behaviour  grazing, felling trees, eating bark and taking dust baths  which will open the canopy and create new spaces for other wildlife.

The aim is to restore complex habitats to help nature thrive and be more able to cope with climate change, and store more carbon in woodland to reduce the emissions driving up temperatures.

The animals will change the forest away from a monoculture and create wetter areas that will not only store carbon but reduce flood risk, conservationists said.

The bison are set to be released early on Monday, before temperatures soar into the 30s as the UK swelters in a heatwave thought to made more intense and likely by climate change.

It is the first time in thousands of years bison have roamed the British landscape, and they will soon be joined by other grazing animals including Exmoor ponies, Iron Age pigs and Longhorn cattle who will also create a variety of natural habitats, the team said.

Donovan Wright, one of the two bison rangers who will look after their welfare, maintain the fencing and help with public engagement, said the animals were an important keystone species that shaped the habitat they were in.

A bison at the Wildwood Trust near Canterbury in Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Theyve got this remarkable ability to increase biodiversity just through being bison. We really need that in the woods, he said.

Their feeding activities such as stripping back trees and rubbing off bark creates microhabitats such as standing deadwood for insects and fungi and rides and glades which become home to plant species, he said, while their fur is even collected by birds for nesting.

You get this ricochet effect through the ecosystem, so many species are able to benefit from the bison in the ecosystem, he said.

The herd will be made up of a matriarch brought from Scotland, a bull from Germany and two youngsters from Ireland, and Mr Wright said he could not wait for the first calf to be born from the group.

Evan Bowen-Jones, chief executive at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: The restoration of naturally functioning ecosystems is a vital and inexpensive tool in tackling the climate crisis.

The bison will help to create climate resistant landscapes which can adapt to the challenges presented by the crisis we face.

He said there was a need to revolutionise the way landscapes were restored, with less human intervention and more use of natural engineers such as bison, boar and beaver.

And he said he hoped the Wilder Blean project would connect people with nature in a way that had not been possible before because big wild animals had not been in the British countryside, and that visitors would be inspired by it.

The impact of the bison and other grazing animals on wildlife and the landscape will be monitored with a long term survey programme led by Kent Wildlife Trust.

Paul Whitfield, director general of Wildwood Trust, said: With this project were going to prove the impact bison in the wild can have on the environment. They will create an explosion of biodiversity and build habitat resilience, locking in carbon to help reduce global temperature rise.

Not only this, but were giving people in the UK  for the first time in over 1,000 years  the chance to experience bison in the wild.

Its a really powerful, emotional, visceral experience and its something weve lost in this country, he said.
A California highway in the San Francisco Bay Area now bears the name of late Filipina civil rights activist Alice Pena Bulos, known as the godmother of Filipino American politics.

Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, who sponsored the resolution to rename a portion of State Route 35 in Bulos honor, shared the unveiling of the highway signs in Daly City, just south of San Francisco, on Saturday. The Alice Pena Bulos Memorial Freeway will cover approximately 4 miles, according to the resolution, which passed in 2020.

The Daly City government also announced the unveiling on Facebook.

Alice Pena Bulos served four decades empowering minorities and underrepresented groups of all ages from every background within her own community and throughout the world, the bill said. She opened her South San Francisco home to anyone seeking counsel and assisted community members in gaining knowledge about political empowerment, domestic violence, health care, and the United States residency application process, to name a few.

Bulos was born on March 31, 1930, in the Philippines, according to Ting. She received bachelors and masters degrees in social and behavioral science. She started her career as a sociology professor at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where she eventually became the departments chair before moving to California in 1972.

Bulos, credited as a prominent figure in the Filipino American community, advocated for the rights of Filipino World War II veterans and represented California at the Democratic National Convention five times.

She served on the Filipino American Caucus for the California Democratic Party, the National Filipino Womens Network and the National Asian Pacific Democratic Council, the news release said.

Bulos was named Woman Warrior of the Year by the Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition in 1987 and was inducted into the San Mateo County Womens Hall of Fame in 1988.

She made history as the first Filipino American appointed by a sitting U.S. president to a federal council after joining the Federal Council on Aging during the Clinton administration in 1993. She was also a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in 1995.

She unified Filipino American politics, understanding how powerful the collective voice could be in advocating for the community, then-San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement when Bulos died in 2016, at age 86. She made raising that voice easier through the Filipino American Grassroots Movement, a voter registration drive to bring more Filipinos into the political process. He called her the Grand Dame of Filipino American Politics.
The former king of Spain has been given permission to appeal after losing a High Court fight with an ex-lover.

Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, a Danish businesswoman, has taken legal action against Juan Carlos I and is seeking damages for personal injury.

She alleges he caused her great mental pain by spying on and harassing her.

Juan Carlos, 84, denies wrongdoing.

Juan Carlos I of Spain, left, has denied any wrongdoing (PA)

Lawyers representing Juan Carlos argued he is entitled to immunity from the jurisdiction of the English courts in his capacity as a senior member of the Spanish royal family.

But a High Court ruled against the former king, with Mr Justice Nicklin saying the claim can go ahead in England.

Juan Carlos lawyers on Monday asked two Court of Appeal judges to give him permission to mount an appeal against the ruling.

Lord Justice Underhill and Lord Justice Peter Jackson granted permission and said a full appeal hearing should be held soon.

They said they would give their reasons later.

Mr Justice Nicklin had refused to grant Juan Carlos permission to challenge his ruling in the Court of Appeal.

Litigants normally have to establish an arguable or compelling case before being given permission to mount appeals.

Permission can be given by the judge who made the ruling or by appeal court judges.

Lawyers representing Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn had argued that the former kings appeal bid should be dismissed.

The two appeal judges gave the former king permission to appeal on three grounds: an argument that Mr Justice Nicklin applied the wrong legal test on a functional immunity claim; a criticism of a direction Mr Justice Nicklin made telling Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn to amend her particulars of claim; and a suggestion that Mr Justice Nicklin had concluded that a resolution of immunity could be deferred and revisited at a later stage.

Appeal judges refused to give the former king permission to appeal on a fourth ground: a complaint about the legal test Mr Justice Nicklin had applied for household immunity.

Lawyers representing Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn had argued that this ground was hopeless.

Mr Justice Nicklin had heard how Juan Carlos ruled from 1975 until his abdication in June 2014 and the succession of his son King Felipe VI.

The judge had rejected the argument that, despite his abdication, Juan Carlos remained a sovereign and was entitled to personal immunity under the State Immunity Act 1978.

He had also said Juan Carlos was not a member of the current kings household within the meaning of the Act.

Mr Justice Nicklin said the former kings position under the Spanish constitution was entirely honorary and provided him no continuing role.

James Lewis QC, who represented Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, told the appeal hearing that the household immunity argument, which was rejected by the two judges, was the only ground of appeal that has any chance of stopping (Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayns) claim in its tracks.

He added, in a written argument: But it is hopeless.

Mr Lewis said: The defendants immunity claim was corrected rejected (by Mr Justice Nicklin).

He said Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, who lived in England and had a home in Shropshire, wanted an injunction and damages resulting from a continuous and ongoing campaign of harassment against her, commenced by (the former king) from 2012, following the break-up of an intimate romantic relationship and her refusal to let (the former king) use a financial sum irrevocably gifted to her, or to return other gifts.

Mr Lewis added: The conduct includes (the former king) or his agents smearing her and her business in the media, following her, entering her home in Shropshire, and bugging her homes and electronic devices.
Photo credit: Author photo: Elisa DeFord

Kenyan author Idza Luhumyo was announced as the 2022 winner of the Caine Prize today at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. She won for her story Five Years Next Sunday, which was also the winner of the 2019/20 Short Story Day Africa Prize and was published in The Johannesburg Review of Books.

The AKO Caine Prize for African Writing was established in 2000 in memory of Sir Michael Harris Caine, the former chairman of Booker Group who cofounded the Man Booker Prize. The Caine Prize is awarded yearly to a short story by a writer from Africa or the African diaspora. The 2022 judges were Nigerian author and award-winning journalist Okey Ndibe, who served as chair; French Guinean author Elisa Diallo; South African podcast host Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane; London-based Nigerian visual artist Asiko Okelarin; and Kenyan Book Bunk cofounder Angela Wachuka.



This years five shortlisted authors were selected out of 349 entries from 27 African countries. Ndibe says this years entries represented a staggering feast. It was enchantment galore, a testament to the vibrancy, variety, and splendor of creative talent among writers of African descent. Its a credit to the judges dedication that we have a shortlist that runs the gamut stylistically and thematically.

The other shortlisted authors were: Joshua Chizoma (Nigeria) for Collector of Memories, Nana-Ama Danquah (Ghana) for When a Man Loves a Woman, Hannah Giorgis (Ethiopia) for A Double-Edged Inheritance, and Billie McTernan (Ghana) for The Labadi Sunshine Bar. Their stories are available to read here.

Oprah Daily spoke with with winner and a shortlisted author about the nomination and their future plans. Luhumyos stories have been published in Jalada Africa, the 2016 Writivism Anthology: Sundown and Other Stories, and Gordon Square Review. She was the inaugural winner of the 2020 Margaret Busby New Daughters of Africa Award. In her Caine Prize winning story, a young woman has been growing her locs for nearly five years, and has become known as a woman callerone who calls the rain. A chance encounter changes her familys fortunes, and for the first time, she feels seen and loved. Luhumyos story is slow and quiet, guiding the reader to an inevitable but surprising ending.

Hannah Giorgis is a staff writer at The Atlantic, and her work has been published in The New York Times Magazine and The Guardian. A Double-Edged Inheritance was published in Addis Ababa Noir (2020). Giorgiss sentences are exacting, with not a word out of place, in a story about the cold and calculated ways powerful families maintain their status by destroying obstacles and inconveniences. Its also a tale of three womenintelligent and resilientwho refused to be stereotyped.

Oprah Daily: You are a staff writer at The Atlantic and write nonfiction. When and why did you decide to venture into fiction?

Giorgis: As far back as I can remember, Ive always loved reading fiction. I would hide in my cousins bedrooms when I was a child to read. But I didnt think of myself as someone who could seriously write fiction until Maaza Mengiste, an incredible author, reached out to me for a short story for the Addis Ababa Noir anthology. At first I was really hesitant because I knew it would require a different approach to my creative process, but it turned out I really enjoyed pushing myself.

What did you want to convey in that story?

Giorgis: I think a lot about the afterlives of certain types of violence, dislocation, and displacement, about the ways that geopolitical conflicts play out in everyday interactions, how they shape our relationships to ourselves and our families. I was thinking of what we expect of women culturally, and ask them to do. And there had to be a specter of violence or hauntingbecause its noir.

Luhumyo: I am from the coast of Kenya, where when old women or men start to have gray hair, they are said to be witches and sent to certain villages where they are kind of banished. There are many reasons why people do this; sometimes just because they want land and the old people are not dying fast enough. I was thinking of that and the connection with hair.

What does this nomination mean to you?

Giorgis: Im just so thrilled to be in the company of an incredible cohort of writers whose work challenges me. Im incredibly grateful for that and to Maaza for encouraging me in the first place and for remaining a staunch and compassionate advocate.

Luhumyo: The Caine Prize is well-known on the African continent. Being nominated is very validating and a bit scary, but its a pretty huge deal for me.





What are your plans for the future?

Giorgis: In terms of fiction, Im not entirely sure. Could be another story or a novel or something in the narrative visual space. Ill keep you posted!

Luhumyo: Im totally focused on the new novel Im writing. And I love being back into it!

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BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday that the issues related to Xinjiang are not about human rights, ethnicity or religion, but about fighting terrorism and separatism, and the Chinese government's counterterrorism and deradicalization measures have substantially turned the security situation around in Xinjiang.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a U.S. report related to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China.

Wang said the U.S. report distorts and smears the human rights conditions in Xinjiang and wantonly attacks China's Xinjiang policy, tramples on international law and basic norms in international relations and lacks factual basis.

"It is nothing more than a repetition of U.S. lies on Xinjiang-related issues," Wang said, adding that thanks to these measures, there have been zero violent terrorist incidents in Xinjiang over the past five years.

He said for quite some time, the United States has been propagating and playing up lies about Xinjiang and using them as the basis to engage in a massive campaign to smear, sanction and suppress China.

Just weeks ago, the United States put the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act into effect despite China's strong opposition in an attempt to engender forced unemployment in Xinjiang and make it return to poverty, Wang said.

Now by issuing the so-called report and strategy, Wang said Washington is continuing to unscrupulously discredit and attack China. "This is another example of the United States undermining human rights, rules and the rule of law in the name of exercising them. The intent to destabilize Xinjiang and use Xinjiang to contain China is all too clear."

He said China will do everything necessary to defend its sovereignty, security and development interests, and Washington will not succeed in its attempts to propagate lies about Xinjiang and use Xinjiang-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs.

"Blind to its own human rights record but obsessed with lying about and attacking other countries -- the United States is acting like a mafia boss and the world knows it," Wang said. 
Liz Truss is no stranger to political transformations.

Having marched in her youth side-by-side with left-wingers to demand the ousting of Margaret Thatcher, she is now seen by supporters as the heir to the Iron Ladys throne.

The avid Brexiteer, never far from a clash with the European Union, campaigned to Remain, and she joined the Conservatives after a brush with the Liberal Democrats.

Now the fierce free-marketeer who became only the UKs second female foreign secretary last year at the age of 46 is one of the frontrunners to enter No 10 as the next Tory leader.

Born in Oxford in 1975 to parents she describes as left-wing, her mother, a nurse and a teacher, took a young Ms Truss to marches for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in the 80s and to peace camp.

Aged four, she moved to Paisley in Scotland, where she has recalled yelling a slogan that perhaps no other Tory Cabinet minister has ever yelled before.

It was in Scottish so it was Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, oot, oot, oot, she has told the BBC.

But Ms Truss also had an early fascination with Mrs T, saying that she was around eight when she agreed to play her during a mock school election. I got no votes, she conceded.

Ms Truss says her father, a mathematics professor, has long struggled to comprehend her move to conservatism, believing, perhaps wishfully, she is a sleeper working from inside to overthrow the regime.

The family upped sticks to Leeds, where Ms Truss attended the Roundhay state secondary school before studying philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University.

There she became active in student politics, first with the Liberal Democrats, even once espousing an anti-monarchist sentiment.

I think it was fair to say that, when I was in my youth, I was a professional controversialist and I liked exploring ideas and stirring things up, she told the BBCs Political Thinking with Nick Robinson.

At the 1997 Conservative Party conference, she met future husband Hugh OLeary. She has two teenage daughters.

Ms Truss worked as an accountant for Shell and Cable & Wireless but her heart was in politics, though she suffered the setbacks of two failed electoral bids.

After the unsuccessful runs for the Tories in Hemsworth in 2001 and Calder Valley in 2005, she was elected as a councillor in Greenwich in 2006 before becoming deputy director of the right-of-centre Reform think tank two years later.

Liz Truss, canvassing in the village of West Walton, in Norfolk (Chris Radburn/PA)

But she was selected as the candidate for the Tory safe seat of South West Norfolk after making it onto David Camerons A-list of priority candidates.

She entered Parliament after winning in the 2010 general election by a comfortable majority of more than 13,000 votes.

Her candidacy narrowly survived an attempt by traditionalist members of her local Tory association  nicknamed the Turnip Taliban over their conservative views and their local agricultural product  to deselect her after it emerged she had an affair with married Conservative MP Mark Field.

During her early days in Parliament, she co-authored the Britannia Unchained book alongside Thatcherite future Cabinet colleagues Kwasi Kwarteng, Priti Patel and Dominic Raab

It set out proposals to strip back regulation and encourage innovation, but caused controversy with a claim that British workers are among the worst idlers in the world.

Two years after entering Parliament, Ms Truss was part of the Government, being made an education minister in the Tory-Lib Dem coalition.

After clashes with Lib Dem deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg, she was promoted to environment secretary in 2014.

But while her fortunes were rising in Westminster, her reputation as a speechmaker faltered.

It was in the environment brief that she gave an often-ridiculed address to the Tory conference where she discussed her left-to-right conversion in a pantomime manner.

Liz Truss, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs addresses the Conservative Party conference in Manchester (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Her tone switched to a serious one when decrying the state of play that saw the UK importing two thirds of its cheese. That is a disgrace, she insisted, deadpan.

Ms Trusss star kept rising, however, and she did a year as justice secretary before heading to the Treasury as chief secretary and then leading the Department for International Trade.

It was during this period that her prolific and carefully curated social media output saw the department nicknamed the Department for Instagramming Truss.

Another political conversion was underway, and she shifted from arguing to stay in the EU at the 2016 referendum to become a strong defender of the decision to Leave.

She inherited the role of Foreign Secretary in September after Dominic Raab was moved aside in the wake of his handling of the Afghanistan crisis.

Here, she would take a tough stance in talks and anger the EU with legislation threatening to potentially break international law over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss meeting European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic for talks in central London on the Northern Ireland Protocol (Rob Pinney/PA)

She would also oversee the successful release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori from Iranian detention where other ministers had failed.

The Foreign Office gave her a much higher profile and she seized on it with numerous eye-catching photo ops that bore a resemblance to Mrs Thatchers escapades.

Though the frequent comparisons with the Tory grandee are at times derided as lazy and sexist, they are comparisons that Ms Truss has clearly sought to encourage.

Ms Truss donned military gear and perched in a tank for pictures during a visit to Estonia, echoing an image of Mrs Thatcher in a tank in West Germany in 1986.

Her choice of Russian hat on a visit to Moscow in February emulated that of Mrs Thatchers three decades earlier, while a leadership debate outfit also bore uncanny similarities.

And she has sought to portray herself as her tax-cutting heir during the fight for No 10, though Rishi Sunak has sought to claim the same mantle with his very different approach.

Ms Truss has set the stage, but it is now in the hands of Tory MPs, and then party members, to decide whether she will tread the boards as Prime Minister.
London is predicted to be hotter than the Caribbean, the Western Sahara and popular holiday destinations in Europe as temperatures soar.

The Met Office has forecast the capital could see highs of 38C when the heatwave sweeps across England.

The rise in temperatures has forced the UK Health Security Agency to issue a level 4 heat-health alert  described as an emergency  while the Met Office has issued the UKs first red extreme heat warning, with both running from Monday to Wednesday.

WEATHER Heatwave

The capitals scorching temperatures mean it will be warmer than Nassau in the Bahamas (32C), Kingston in Jamaica (33C), Malaga in Spain (28C), Athens in Greece (35C), Albufeira in Portugal (28C) and Dakhla, in the Western Sahara (24C).

Other areas of England will also experience hotter weather than the holiday destinations, with the Midlands predicted to see highs of 37C, East Anglia with 36C and the North West and North East with 33C.

It comes as new records were broken in Wales and Northern Ireland on Sunday.

Hawarden, a village in northern Wales, reached 33C while Armagh in Northern Ireland was 27.7C.

Tuesday is meanwhile predicted to be even hotter, with temperatures possibly reaching 40C  a new record for England.

Here's all the details for Monday's weather in the #4cast below  pic.twitter.com/UG8EpNgyfG  Met Office (@metoffice) July 17, 2022

Scientists at the Met Office have said the 40C prediction is a result of climate change, warning that the 40C figure could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence.

Some schools in several counties, including Nottinghamshire and Hampshire, have confirmed they will close, while train companies urged people not to travel on Monday and Tuesday.

Network Rail will close the East Coast Main Line between noon and 8pm on Tuesday for all locations between London Kings Cross and York and Leeds, with passengers warned not to travel.

Sam MacDougall, operations director for Network Rail said: Closing the line to traffic is always a last resort but it is the right thing to do to keep people safe on Tuesday given the unprecedented heatwave forecast.

The forecast temperatures are well above those which our infrastructure is designed for, and safety must come first.

Additional contingency support for ambulance services, such as more call handlers and extra working hours, have been put in place while the chairman of the NHS Confederation said hospitals are going to be really, really pushed over the next few days.

Britons are being urged to stay inside during the hottest points of the day, between 11am and 4pm, and wear sun cream, a hat, stay in the shade and keep hydrated with water.

Our thoughts at this awful time are with the boy's family who are being supported by our officers in #Salford. Please remember to avoid temptation to cool off in open water. We all want to enjoy the warm weather; do so safely. Think of your family; look out for your friends. https://t.co/Dt4YrybCIk  Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 17, 2022

Emergency services have also urged people to be cautious when cooling off after the body of a boy was recovered in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A search is meanwhile under way after reports of concern were made for a man seen in a river in Northumberland on Sunday.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: We were called at 4.12pm this afternoon to reports of concerns for someone in the water off Piper Road in Ovingham.

We currently have seven resources on scene but are currently unable to provide any further information.
FILE - Shoppers leave the Greenwood Park Mall on May 4, 2020, in Greenwood, Ind. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police said several people were killed and others injured in a shooting Sunday, July 17, 2022, at the mall in Greenwood. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

GREENWOOD, Ind. (AP)  Three people were fatally shot and two were injured Sunday evening at an Indiana mall after a man with a rifle opened fire in a food court and an armed civilian shot and killed him, police said.

The man entered the Greenwood Park Mall with a rifle and several magazines of ammunition and began firing in the food court, Greenwood Police Department Chief Jim Ison said.

An armed civilian killed the man, Ison said at a news conference. In total, four people were killed and two were injured, he said.

Officers went to the mall at about 6 p.m. for reports of the shooting. Authorities are searching the mall for any other victims, but they believes the shooting was contained to the food court.

Police have confiscated a suspicious backpack that was in a bathroom near the food court, Ison said.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police and multiple other agencies are assisting in the investigation.

We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, Indianapolis Assistant Chief of Police Chris Bailey said.

Greenwood is a south suburb of Indianapolis with a population of about 60,000.

There is no active threat to the area, Bailey said.

Authorities said they would provide more details Sunday night.
Some Idaho victims of ransomware have paid millions to online scammers.

Dennis Rice, FBI special agent in charge of the Salt Lake City field office, says there have been 33 reports of ransomware in Idaho since 2018, with nearly $1 million paid to retrieve data encrypted by hackers.

There have also been 103 victims of business-email ransom demands in the state, with almost $10 million paid.

Its touching us in our everyday lives, Rice said at a news conference Thursday with reporters from Idaho, Utah and Montana, the three states served by the FBIs Salt Lake City office. We do a lot of transactions online. We do a lot of online banking. Hackers know that and obviously, theyre capitalizing on it.

Ransomware and business email compromises are the two most common cybercrimes.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, which prevents a person from accessing computer files, systems or networks while demanding a ransom for their return, according to the FBIs website. The attacks can be costly and incur the loss of important information.

Simply opening an email attachment, clicking an advertisement, following a link or visiting a website embedded with malware can be compromising.

Most of the time, the FBI says, people dont even know their computer has been infected.

Ransomware is typically discovered when certain files become inaccessible and messages pop up demanding payments for their return. Rice says the FBI does not endorse paying a ransom to get data back because theres no guarantee the information will be released.

As long as people continue to pay, its going to continue to be a very prevalent crime, Rice said. The amount of money that some of these companies are having to pay out to get their data released is significant.

More menacing versions of ransomware can encrypt files and folders on local drives, attached drives and even networked computers.

The primary way scammers get ransomware into networks is through phishing emails.

If youre an employee at a company, every single person that has access to that computer network plays a role, because thats really all the hackers are looking for  one trusted person on the network who will click on a link and introduce that malware into the network. Once its in, it can spread very rapidly.

What is business email compromise?

Business email compromise is one of the most financially damaging online crimes, the FBIs website says. It exploits the way people rely on email to conduct both personal and professional business.

Criminals might send an email appearing to be from a known source making a legitimate request. These messages, while seemingly trustworthy, often trick people into revealing confidential information.

Sometimes, the victims of business email compromise are potential homeowners. Rice says scammers will pretend to be with a title company or another financial institution and send fictitious emails with links to deposit a down payment or even the full amount of a home purchase.

This is something we want to get out to the public, because a lot of people are buying homes these days and they need to be aware of this, Rice said. The recommendation would be to call the person that youre dealing with to verify that they did send you this email.

Nationwide, there have been 20,000 reports of business email compromise, adding up to $2.4 billion in payments made. According to Rice, incidents are likely under-reported.

Where are the attacks coming from?

Four major countries the FBI sees cybercrimes coming from are China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

People from foreign countries can compromise networks and steal financial and intellectual property in the U.S. without facing risks themselves. The FBI collects information on these attacks to help unmask those committing the crimes.

We are seeing ransomware coming from all over the world, primarily from outside the United States, but clearly theres some happening here within the U.S. borders, Rice said. You can make money, so theres a lot of people involved in doing it.

He says malicious cyberactivity threatens public safety and national security.

How to avoid the scams

The best way to avoid being exposed to ransomware, or any kind of malware, is to be careful when downloading files and clicking on new links. Backing up important data can also help.

When it comes to external emails, hackers often leave small clues revealing the scam, like misspelled words or suspicious thumbnails.

One of the best ways to fight cybercrime is to keep your systems updated, Rice said. Update your software, update your anti-malware, check your logs and make sure your passwords are sophisticated enough that theyre not easily guessed or cracked with a password cracking tool.

He says people should report any incidents of ransomware or business email compromise to their local FBI office as well as the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a repository for all cybercrime statistics.

The FBIs Salt Lake City field office, which covers the entire state of Idaho, can be reached at (801)579-1400 or saltlakecity.fbi.gov. Cyber attacks can be reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, also known as IC3, at www.ic3.gov/Home/ComplaintChoice.
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Its Robin Epley, with The Bee Editorial Board. Lets talk about marijuana.

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors turned down up to $9 million in estimated tax revenue from allowing cannabis sales in unincorporated areas. Before last weeks vote, we suggested in an editorial that the county could use the revenue to fund youth prevention programs. But supervisors didnt even get that far. The final tally to put a measure on the November ballot fell short by one vote.

Board Chair Don Nottolis reasoning for rejecting the proposal was that consumers could easily get the product in the city of Sacramento. As fellow Supervisor Rich Desmond pointed out during the meeting, thats not necessarily a good thing:

Cannabis products are prolific in the unincorporated county. Its everywhere, and the tax revenue is all going to the city of Sacramento. So were not only leaving money on the table; we are allowing a different municipality to be the only one making decisions about how the tax money is spent.

Opinion

And making money they are: City officials told me that Sacramento saw cannabis tax revenues grow from $4.8 million in 2017 to $25.4 million last year.

The county proposal needed four out of five votes to pass, but its unlikely the county will find a way to resuscitate it in time to meet this months deadline for ballot measures. The whole process so perfectly encapsulated the countys inability to get anything important done in a timely manner.

Cannabis plants are seen at a Native Humboldt Farms property in the Humboldt County, California, area.

Reefer Gladness

For the first time, the California State Fair held a cannabis competition and is featuring a museum-like exhibit, wrote Yousef Baig. Organizers hope it will become just another agricultural show at the fair, but based on some of the reaction to the inaugural competition, it still has a long way to go before being accepted.

Just to be clear, no one is getting stoned inside Cal Expo  its a showcase of what California farmers have spent decades working to perfect, and they deserve the chance to show off their crops like any other industry, Baig wrote.

Marijuana has been elevated to its rightful place alongside the states other world renown agricultural products, including beer, wine, olive oil and cheese. But the reflex to shun cannabis takes up energy that could be better used to deepen our public understanding of it, overshadowing the craftsmanship and work of farmers.

On The Sick List

Marcos Breton came back from a recent trip to Hawaii with more than a tan  he and his family finally caught COVID after two long years of dodging the virus. He wrote a compelling column about how COVID is still affecting our lives long after many Californians have stopped trying to slow the spread.

This pandemic is hopelessly politicized to the point where many liberals and conservatives are acting as if its over for their own partisan reasons. Politics have vanquished science. Weve seemingly given up on reducing transmission. And that means weve given up on looking out for each other. Someday social scientists will have a field day studying how shared sacrifice was dumped in favor of falsehoods about the virus.

AAPI Changemakers

Help us honor AAPI leaders by nominating community members who have invigorated Sacramento with their vision, authenticity and creativity in The Bees inaugural AAPI Changemakers project, in partnership with the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program.

You can find more information, as well as a submission form, here.

Opinion of the Week

And if we keep prosecuting insurrectionist minnows like (Stephen) Ayres  874 had been arrested at last count  but then let the flounder-in-chief swim free of the net, the former presidents coup attempt will have succeeded.  Melinda Henneberger in a column this week admonishing the punishment of Jan. 6 bit players while outlining the stakes if the investigation fails to ensnare the biggest fish.

Got thoughts? What would you like to see in this newsletter every week? Got a story tip or an opinion to tell the world? Let us know what you think about this email and our work in general by emailing us at any time via opinion@sacbee.com.

Hope you got in a nice nap this weekend,

Robin Epley
What if Congress enacts a federal ban on abortion?

Its no longer an outlandish question. While abortion rights are safe for the moment in California, a widely-anticipated Red Wave of Republican success in the November midterm elections, followed by a possible GOP win in the 2024 presidential race, could lead to nationwide prohibition.

Abortion rights advocates fears were stoked last month by Supreme Court decisions that cut deeply against Californias liberal grain  not only on reproductive freedom, but also guns and climate change.

The rulings drew angry promises from state leaders to redouble resistance to the countrys conservative drift.

Nullification and secession may seem like musty terms from more than a century ago, but theyve recently regained some of their currency. States blue and red are aggressively resisting federal mandates they find unacceptable.

Could there come a point where Californias defiance triggers a constitutional crisis of the sort not seen since the civil rights movement of the mid-20th century or even the Civil War?

Scholars and lawmakers wont quite go that far. Lacy Ford, scholar-in-residence at the Institute for Southern Studies at the University of South Carolina, said efforts to buck the courts rulings are very distant cousins to movements of the past.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, said advocates have to act within the Constitution.

But the Constitution is open to interpretation, he added. And they should take an expansive view of their actions to stand up for rights and freedoms within that and let it be challenged up to the court.

And yet, the bitter divisions over abortion make echoes from long-ago conflicts seem less faint.

I could see states like New York and California, if such a law was passed, say we...do not agree, said Douglas Egerton , professor of history at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York.

A federal abortion ban would lead to an absolute political war, said State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco.

We will do everything in our power to prevent reproductive healthcare services being criminalized in California, he said. We will stand our ground, and we will protect our people. And thats what we do here in California, and well do that again. But theres no way were just going to sit back and let them shred the Constitution and shred our fundamental values.

Nullification: a very brief history

Nullification, or a states refusal to recognize or enforce a federal law, has a long and complex legacy. Most notably, it helped lead to Southern secession and the Civil War.

California is operating so far in the tradition of states going their own way while being careful not to openly reject federal law. Courts have consistently ruled against nullifying such statutes, citing the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution, which says federal law supersedes all other.

However, states have taken notable stands against federal policy.

Kentucky tried in 1798 to separate itself from the Alien and Sedition Acts, which, among other things, criminalized malicious speech against the federal government.

In the the mid-20th century, Southern states, including Arkansas, fiercely objected to the Supreme Courts Brown v. Board of Education ruling that called for desegregation of public schools. When Gov. Orval Faubus brought in the Arkansas National Guard to block nine new Black students from entering Little Rock Central High School in 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower dispatched the Armys 101st Airborne to Little Rock to enforce the courts ruling.

In such cases, political settlements ended nullification threats.

The Alien and Sedition Acts expired quickly. The Supreme Court said in 1958 that states could not nullify Brown. The 1964 Civil Rights Act and other laws effectively ended states legal efforts to sustain segregation.

However, settlements didnt always work, especially during the years leading up to the Civil War. One flashpoint, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, required officials in free states to return escaped slaves to their masters without a trial.

Many northern states balked, insisting on jury trials. Vermont and other states passed laws nullifying the act. In 1861 and 1862, Congress effectively overturned it.

Nullification in the 21st century

Nullification is not the anachronism history suggests.

Missouris Second Amendment Preservation Act became law last year. It bars state and local law enforcement officials from complying with certain federal gun laws. That has meant restrictions on cooperating with joint drug task forces and sharing weapon serial number data with federal authorities.

The Justice Department is challenging the effort, arguing that it nullifies federal law.

Other efforts to defy Washington may not be nullification in a strictly legal sense. But they demonstrate a pattern of resistance, notably in more conservative states.

In 2009, President Barack Obamas administration offered incentives to states that adopted the Common Core education guidelines, including California. The program of goals and standards for students was designed by education experts, but some states saw it as a federal effort to control their school systems, and the effort largely collapsed.





The 2010 Affordable Care Act, which provided most people with the ability to buy health insurance, also included expansion of Medicaid, which covers many lower income and disabled people. The federal government would pick up most of the extra cost.

Twelve states, though, almost all dominated by conservative Republicans, have refused to fully adopt the expansion.

Golden State nullification

California has contested federal mandates with nullification-like policies.

In 2017, as President Donald Trump was implementing a series of anti-immigrant measures, California approved its sanctuary state law that made it more challenging for local law enforcement to cooperate with U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This year, legislators approved a budget with billions for expanding the state-funded Medi-Cal program to cover all income-eligible undocumented residents. The federal Medicaid program does not currently cover undocumented residents.

Wiener also included the states policies allowing legal cannabis sale, cultivation and possession among examples of efforts to protect California. Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level.

State voters in 2016 passed Proposition 64 to legalize recreational cannabis. A total of 15 states, including Colorado, Oregon, Illinois and, most recently, New York, also allow the drug to be used and sold recreationally.

Weve gone down this road before, where the federal government is out of control, Wiener said. Whether its attacking immigrants, or raiding cannabis dispensaries. Weve done everything in our power to protect our own people.

Abortion and the new nullification frontier

Talk of defiance has escalated since the Supreme Court last month created a new set of challenges for states wary of federal laws.

Justices said its up to the states to decide abortion policy. It ruled against a New York law regulating concealed carry permits. And it said Congress, not the Environmental Protection Agency, should authorize whether and how to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Newsom and California legislative leaders moved quickly after the court rulings. They agreed to a November ballot proposition that would enshrine the right to an abortion in the state constitution. The governor signed tough gun control bills into law.

The national political landscape has changed who pursues resistance and even nullification, said Egerton.

Extreme states rights, threats of secession and nullification have always been the refuge of discontented minorities, he said. Whats different now is this is possibly the discontented majority.

Thats likely true of abortion. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist national poll found 56% of adults supported retaining the 1973 decision.

Republicans have captured the presidential popular vote just once since George H. W. Bush won 53% in 1988. Yet GOP appointees today control the Supreme Court. In the Senate, the Republican Partys 50 votes are enough to block abortion rights, major gun control and climate change legislation.

The Constitution was written in part to protect minorities from oppression, Egerton said. What seems to be happening now is the rule of the minority.

As a result, said South Carolinas Ford, What were seeing is really a very new situation that doesnt particularly draw on earlier precedent.

Wiener agreed, saying the best way to prevent a federal abortion ban is to harness public opinion and turn out voters in November.

We need to make sure we never get there, he said. We need to win elections. The politics are on our side on these issues. Banning abortion, ending marriage equality  these ideas are not popular. So we need to win elections and make sure this doesnt happen in the first place.
Kelly Parra shows his support in May for street fruit vendor Tomas Escamilla, who was attacked in Woodland Hills. (Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)

I started off this year writing about food vendors, in the hope that haters might leave them alone as the economy worsens and more people get into it  because, you know, carne asada shouldnt be a crime.

Sadly, my hopes havent been realized.

More and more food vendors are popping up across Southern California  taco trucks, yes, but also people selling Oaxacan tamales from streetside coolers. Fruit sellers peddling strawberries and mangoes from the back of their trucks along with refreshing aguas frescas. Families opening up their houses and backyards for pop-up restaurants. Many with rainbow-colored umbrellas, which are now as much a part of the Southern California landscape as palm trees.

When high-end chefs do all this, they get love from the press and praise from hipsters.

When working class Latinos do it? They get code enforcement called on them  and politicians figuring out how to crack down on street food even further.

San Diego just enacted new regulations that prohibit vendors from selling in certain areas, following the lead of liberal Santa Monica. In my hometown of Anaheim, councilmember Jose Moreno  who fought a lonely fight for years against corruption at City Hall and is the chair of the longtime civil rights group Los Amigos of Orange County  shocked supporters when he asked city staff last week to look into cracking down even further on street vendors, even though Anaheim already has some of the most stringent regulations in Orange County.

After mumbling about supporting those micro-entrepreneurs as a matter of philosophy and the need for people to make a living, Moreno  who's a professor of Chicano and Latino studies at Cal State Long Beach  nevertheless said when they start setting up right in front of restaurants  thats an affront to our small-business folks, the neighborhood, the community.

Profe, youre sounding like a Trumpster.

Let food vendors sell where they may. Get the government out of the way. Support people hustling to make a living, which is far better than sending out stimulus checks willy-nilly.

It was in that spirit that I recently met up with California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), whom Ive kept in touch with ever since he appeared on my 2019 podcast about the 25th anniversary of Proposition 187.

We dont really talk politics much  our conversations are mostly about literature, but especially restaurants. The man knows his food. Every time we meet, he insists it's at a new restaurant. Weve shared meals in Little Saigon, at my wifes place in Santa Ana and especially in various spots across his southeast Los Angeles County district.

So when Rendon told me he was going to be in O.C. to connect with Assemblymember Tom Daly (D-Anaheim) during the Assembly's summer break, I told him we should go to two Anaheim spots that illustrate food justice to me.

We first met at Tacos Los Cholos, a taco tent-turned-restaurant where the lines never seem to end and the smell of fire-grilled meats basically wafts down State College Boulevard all the way to Angel Stadium. The lunch rush was just about to start as Rendon ordered tacos of chorizo, pork rib and slightly melted panela cheese with a chile guerito on top. I went with adobada, the northern Mexico version of al pastor.

My parents didnt have a lot of money, but they liked to try places, he said as we waited for our lunch. Family favorites included Tommys and a carnitas spot off Indiana Street near the 5 Freeway in East Los Angeles named, appropriately enough, Las Carnitas. But Rendon also loves the spectacle of dining, a trait he got from his grandmother, who was the cook at a retirement home for priests in Silver Lake.

I once read in a book that people would pay to see Napoleon eat at banquets, he said as we both dressed our tacos with spicy  but not scorching  red and green salsas. It just says so much about us.

The speaker makes it a point of asking assemblymembers when he visits their districts to pick a restaurant where the two can talk shop.

Its a reflection of the person, but also of a place, Rendon said right before biting into his carne asada taco. Its a way to figure out both.

He suddenly stopped talking. You can taste the smokiness. The smell goes through your nose and out your mouth. The tortilla is great  you can taste the corn.

Rendon kept chewing, then tried to continue his point but couldnt. Damn, this is really good. Comforting like a backyard BBQ.

After we scarfed down our lunch, the two of us headed to Tocumbo Ice Cream, which makes the best Mexican-style paletas and ice cream  think a lot of regional fruits like maracuya, mamey and even soursop  in Southern California. Every time I'm in Anaheim to visit my family, I try a new flavor  I think I'm at 24 at this point. Jennifer Clausen-Quiroz and her brother Ricky Quiroz run the place. They also cater and thus know the grind street vendors face.

I asked Rendon how the Assembly has tried to help street vendors in the wake of the pandemic and local municipalities waging war on them. I mentioned Anaheims sad example of harassing street vendors and brought up how Tacos Los Cholos  so popular that you frequently see city workers there in uniforms and work badges  graduated from their street-side hustle to now having two locations (sources say a third is in the works).

Rendon told me the state Legislature is trying to get Sacramento out of the way of regulating food vendors. He brought up how Santa Monica State Sen. Ben Allen  a Democrat  tried to pass a bill that would make it easier for cities to go after unlicensed street vendors, but the Assembly successfully tweaked it.

Now, Allen's bill would require the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to produce a report on barriers that street vendors face in getting licenses and permits.

Meanwhile, state Sens. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) and Maria Elena Durazo (D- Los Angeles) have authored another bill that would loosen the states retail food code so more people can prepare food from home to sell.

Were kinder than a lot of cities are, Rendon said as we ordered our ice cream  Mazapan for me, chongos zamoranos (an ice cream made of cinnamon-flavored curdled milk) for him. As Dems, we fashion ourselves as champions of the little guy, and [helping street vendors] is the perfect example to help.

We stopped to enjoy our respective cones. The Mazapan tasted just like its namesake candy, a powdered peanut confection that holds a Proustian power over me. Rendon smiled while finishing his. This is really layered! he said. The subtlety.

California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon holding a cone of chongos zamorano (a type of curdled milk) at Tocumbo Ice Cream in Anaheim (Gustavo Arellano / Los Angeles Times)

Before we left, I asked Rendon to plug a favorite restaurant in Sacramento and in his district, as well as a wild card.

323 Tacos for up north  get the asada and lengua, he said. Burrito House in Bell, for their chile relleno burrito and handmade flour tortillas. And then that Laotian BBQ spot in Stanton  in that food hall out there ...

Kra-Z-Kais BBQ?

Super! Spicy, fresh, incredible.

Damn, Rendon knows spots in Stanton? Californias democracy is safer than I imagined ... and so are its street vendors.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Comedian Craig Robinson, shown here in 2020, was set to perform before a man fired shots in a comedy club. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)

A man fired a gun inside a comedy club in North Carolina on Saturday night shortly after it was evacuated and before actor and comedian Craig Robinson was set to perform, police said.

The shot was fired at about 9 p.m. at the Comedy Zone in Charlotte, media outlets reported. No one was injured.

Club employees told WSOC-TV that the man, later identified by police as Omar McCombs, waved a gun around and told everyone to leave before the venue emptied out. About 50 customers had been inside.

The suspect then discharged his weapon," Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said in a statement on Twitter. "There were no injuries and the suspect was taken into custody.

McCombs, 36, was sent to the Mecklenburg County Jail early Sunday morning, according to an inmate database.

Robinson has starred in movies such as Hot Tub Time Machine as well as the American version of The Office television show. He said he was safe in a video posted Saturday night to his Instagram account.

Robinson said that he and others at the club were taken to a nearby concert where the pop group Big Time Rush were performing.

I was in the green room and they were like Everybody get out," he said. It was wild. It was a moment for sure.

Charges listed for McCombs include assault by pointing a gun, discharging a firearm in the city, communicating threats and possession of a firearm by a felon.

It's unclear if he has hired an attorney who can speak on his behalf. Investigators have not released a possible motive.

In a Sunday Instagram post, Robinson thanked the club's security and staff for quickly getting everyone to safety as well as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police for their swift action in arresting the alleged shooter.

Hopefully he gets the help he needs, Robinson wrote. Thanks be to God no one was hurt.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Connecticut man seemingly upset he didnt get the thanks he thought he deserved pulled a gun on two women at a Family Dollar store, according to police.

Joshua Murray, 25, has been charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, two counts of second-degree breach of peace and interfering with a police officer, the Hamden Police Department announced Sunday.

Around 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Murray held the Family Dollar door open for two women, who failed to thank him for his kindness, a witness told police.

Thats when the allegedly aggrieved Murray whipped out his gun, police said.

Two officers tracked him down a few streets over and he was taken into custody, according to the Hamden Police Department.

Officials did not elaborate on the arrest or why Murray was charged with interfering.

He is being held on a $25,000 bond and is due back in court on Aug. 2.
Recent videos and publications on social media show how volatile the situation in Cuba remains a year after historic anti-government protests shook the island, underscoring the countrys deteriorating economic and human rights situation.

With the hashtags #Cubapalacalle  Cuba on the streets  and #SOSCuba, social media users have been sharing images of anti-government protests and police beatings, as well as the stories of Cubans suffering or dying because of public health failures.

 Cubans keep protesting despite crackdown

Tired of the frequent blackouts, residents of Los Palacios, a town in the westernmost province of Pinar del Rio, took to the streets late Thursday night to protest against the government. It is difficult to assess the magnitude of the demonstration because the videos were shot in the darkness during an electricity outage. Still, a crowd can be heard insulting Cubas leader Miguel Diaz-Canel, which is a crime under Cuban law.

The demonstration happened just days after the one-year anniversary of the July 11, 2021, protests. Hundreds of Cubans who joined those protests were given long prison sentences and many were accused of political crimes like sedition.

Cuban state media later acknowledged an incident in Los Palacios.

Netblocks and other internet tracking platforms confirmed there were internet outages in the early morning on Friday, as the government shut down the service to stop the images from circulating.

That same night in Havana, a mother of two, including one child with disabilities, protested the conditions of her home in a park near the Capitol, where the National Assembly meets. She attracted a small crowd, according to images shared on social media.

 Police abuses caught on camera

Videos of special forces agents known as Black Berets and police officers beating people attending the Conga de Los Hoyos parade in Santiago de Cuba circulated on social media on Saturday.

In a separate event in Habana del Este, a neighborhood east of Havana, police officers violently arrested 23-year-old Alejandro Tamayo Chacon, according to videos recorded by his relatives.

Miami TV station Telemundo 51 reported Saturday he was one of the three Cuban migrants who were interdicted by the U.S. Coast Guard on July 9 while attempting to reach U.S. shores on a pedal boat. He was repatriated to Cuba on July 13.

His pregnant wife told Telemundo 51 he was accused of resisting authorities and stealing the pedal boat, and that police officers broke into their house without a warrant. Showing the poor conditions of their home, his mother told Telemundo 51 that her son wanted to emigrate so they could live well at least once in their lives.

 A collapsed health system

After years of budget cutbacks in the health system to prioritize the construction of hotels for tourists, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the deteriorated state of Cuban healthcare. A new hemorrhagic dengue fever epidemic is again straining the system, exposing the lack of medicines, basic supplies and ambulance services.

At 4 p.m. Thursday, Maritza Barrios posted a desperate call on Facebook.

I NEED AN AMBULANCE; MY SON IS DYING, she wrote in all caps.

She said her son, 26-year-old Andy Aguero Barrios, who was autistic and blind, was in urgent need of a transfusion. They had been at a local clinic in El Cotorro, a neighborhood on Havanas periphery, since Thursday morning, and they needed an ambulance to get him into a hospital.

The nearest hospital was only nine miles away, but when one ambulance vehicle showed up, she said, the crew wouldnt take him. She said she had no other means to take him to a hospital.

Her son died at 6 p.m., Barrios said in another post.

Cubas Ministry of Health said the young man was eventually taken to the hospital and died of cardiorespiratory arrest. But the statement includes information attempting to shift blame onto the family. For example, the ministry said the family had refused to get him admitted earlier and that they also refused an autopsy.

The statement does not mention the long wait for the ambulance but adds that authorities were aware of complaints about the quality of care provided by an ambulances crew. The ministry said the crew would be disciplined without providing more details.

Deyvis Lawton, a medic who said he was on that ambulance, said on Facebook that there was only one ambulance to respond to emergencies in four Havana municipalities.

On Friday, another desperate mother posted pictures on Facebook of her daughter in a Havana hospital bed where she was admitted with hemorrhagic dengue fever. The mother, Rosmery Garcia, said her daughter had anemia because of the bleeding provoked by the disease, but doctors were pushing to dismiss her without a transfusion.

Better kill me already because I cant stand seeing my children like this, Garcia said.

Addressing Cuban leader Diaz-Canel, she urged him to stop blaming the U.S. embargo for all the countrys ills.

Either leave this country or send us to another country, she wrote. Canel, killer of children.
ATHENS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Greece will file a demarche (protest presented through diplomatic channels) with Serbia over the country's failure to inform Athens about the dangerous cargo carried by the Antonov plane that crashed in northern Greece last Saturday, Greek media reported on Monday.

The crash killed the plane's eight Ukrainian crew members. Their bodies were found and identified on Sunday, the Greek news agency AMNA reported.

The Greek ambassador in Belgrade will deliver the demarche, according to which the Serbian authorities should have notified Athens earlier that the Ukrainian-registered aircraft that crashed near the city of Kavala city was transporting 11.5 tons of ammunition to Bangladesh, the daily Kathimerini reported, citing diplomatic sources.

On Monday, a special disaster response unit was still removing dangerous wreckage from the crash site.

On Sunday, the Greek authorities were put on alert for toxic fumes and called on the residents of nearby communities to stay indoors with doors and windows closed until experts determined that there was no evidence of dangerous substances for public health. 
A missing mans body was found in a shallow grave  and now his girlfriend is charged with murder, officials in South Carolina said.

Devantae Griffin was 28 years old when he vanished from Spartanburg on March 29, McClatchy News reported.

Griffin reportedly was last seen with his on and off girlfriend before he stopped answering his phone and was marked as a no-call/no-show at work. As investigators searched for clues in the mysterious disappearance, his girlfriend was accused of misleading deputies and leaving for Florida.

Now, more than three months later, the girlfriend  Jessica Strachan, 28  has been charged in the missing mans death.

The Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office in a July 15 news release didnt list attorney information for Strachan.

Weve been praying for this moment for a few months now, Griffins aunt, Beverly Griffin, told WSPA. We just need some closure about what happened to him and why.

Strachan is accused of using a sharp, knife-like object to fatally stab her boyfriend on March 29. During an investigation, Griffins blood was found throughout Strachans home, WSPA reported.

The day after Griffins death, a relative reported him missing. Strachan was interviewed about his disappearance that same week, but officials said she shared misleading information and took her boyfriends cellphone, which did prevent, obstruct, impede and hinder the administration of justice.

After being identified as a person of interest in Griffins disappearance, she was asked to come in for another interview, the sheriffs office said. At that point, she was accused of going to Florida without telling investigators.

Officials issued a warrant for obstruction of justice, and Miami police arrested her on April 1, McClatchy News reported. Deputies said she later violated a condition of her bond and was re-arrested on April 25.

Then on April 26, Griffin reportedly was found dead in the woods behind the Evans Acres neighborhood, about 4 miles from where he was last seen alive on Winsmith Avenue in Spartanburg.

Strachan has been incarcerated since then, but the investigation continued and led to enough probable cause to charge her with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, officials said. She was served with new warrants on July 15.

A homicide investigation is ongoing, and the sheriffs office in its release didnt share an update on a second person that had previously been named a person of interest in the case.

6-year-old found dead near Georgia cemetery in 1999. Now mom is charged with murder

Mystery lingers after human remains identified as man missing for decade, NC cops say
As someone of the Jewish faith, Daniella Levine Cava enjoys attending church services and celebrating with Muslim friends and neighbors.

So the Miami-Dade mayor made her way to Coral Gables Congregational United Church to listen to an interfaith panel Sunday afternoon. Pastor Aaron Lauer of the Coral Gables church, Rabbi Robyn Fisher of Beth Or and Raabia Khan of the Islamic Foundation of South Florida discussed Abraham and unity at the Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations event.

Interfaith dialogues, Levine Cava said, allow people to celebrate differences in a divisive time.

We are heralded across the world as a community that is unifying, affirming in our diversity, Levine Cava said.

Mayor of Miami-Dade County Daniella Levine Cava is seen during an interfaith discussion at Congregational United Church of Christ in Coral Gables, Florida on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam are known as Abrahamic faiths because theyre based on Abrahams values, Fisher said. Abraham was the first person called to be in relationship with God. He embodied compassion, generosity, love, justice and peace  values that unite the three faiths.

In Islam, Abraham starts a long line of prophets and is considered the friend of God, Khan said. He was repeatedly tested but always honored his commitment to God, which made him leader of the nations.

Mohammad Homayounvash (left), director of the Jaffer Institute for Interfaith Dialogue at Miami Dade College, sits next to Tehsin Siddiqui, Treasurer of Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations, while a blessing is given after an interfaith discussion at Congregational United Church of Christ in Coral Gables, Florida, on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

Abrahams unwavering belief must have meant that he knew that God would give him a way out of sacrificing his son, Lauer said. The story reminds the faithful that God doesnt turn away, he provides.

During the sacrifice, Abraham looks up and sees an alternative, Fisher said. The faithful can look up to answer questions, solve challenges and correct injustices.

[There are] so many nuances in this story that are so beautiful to behold and to embrace and to have wisdom to teach us in our own lives, Fisher said. It wasnt just an ancient story that we all connect to.

Abrahams submission to God allowed him to take a leap of faith, Khan said. He was a moral leader, she said, and used justice, mercy and kindness to unite people.

His story is every days story, she said. Our struggles are everyday struggles

People are seen talking with each other after an interfaith discussion at Congregational United Church of Christ in Coral Gables, Florida on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

People of different faiths can unite in a call to justice and show the world what peace looks like, Lauer said. Abraham warmly welcomed people others in his community feared, and he was blessed with a son for it.

The Old Testament tells us love your neighbor, Fisher said. How are we going to love our neighbor if we dont even know our neighbor?

Lauer, who works with youth confirming in the church, said he wants to take more time to learn from other faith traditions.

As Christians, [we should be] humbling ourselves and taking the place of the student... with no agenda other than to sit and learn from our siblings of faith, he said.

Broward College Assistant Professor Mirsad Krijestorac speaks to the panel during an interfaith discussion at Congregational United Church of Christ in Coral Gables, Florida, on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

All faith communities have come together in times of need, Khan said. They connected to provide COVID-19 vaccines and respond to the Surfside tragedy.

This is Ibrahims, peace be upon him, example, she said. It is Gods blessing that we can make [this message] continue to reach the hearts of those who are not in this space and time.
In two weeks, Kansans are set to be the first in the country to vote on abortion rights in the aftermath of a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning a constitutional right to an abortion.

While the vote has brought national attention to the state, the White House is staying silent.

Asked Monday if the White House sees the Aug. 2 Kansas vote as an indication for how voters will respond to the Dobbs decision, in which the Supreme Court overturned the 50-year-old Roe v. Wade decision that guaranteed abortion rights across the country, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre punted on the significance of the specific ballot question.

I cant speak directly to any specific elections, Jean-Pierre said.

Instead, she reiterated that the administration expects abortion rights supporters to show up on Election Day and that Biden is looking into ways he can use the presidency to protect abortion rights.

So the president has been very clear that Americans get their voices heard and take it to the ballot box, Jean-Pierre said. That is the way were going to see real change, that is how we can use our political power.

In the wake of last months decision, Democrats have pointed to campaign donations, increased voter registration and passionate protests throughout the country as a signal that their voters will be motivated to vote in November. If true, it would potentially help the party maintain the coalition it built during the administration of former President Donald Trump, which relied heavily on the support of suburban women.

Kansans will vote in August on whether to add an amendment to the Kansas Constitution declaring there is no guaranteed right to an abortion in the state, an election that has taken on higher stakes in the aftermath of the Supreme Courts decision to overturn the 50-year-old Roe v. Wade ruling.

Called Value them Both by its supporters, it would undo a 2019 ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court that has helped make Kansas a destination for women seeking to get an abortion in surrounding states, like Missouri, where the procedure is banned.

Both sides have been working for months to rally their voters, with supporters of the amendment saying it is necessary to maintain current restrictions on abortion in the state and opponents saying the amendment will pave the way for the Republican-controlled Legislature to institute a statewide ban.

The fact that the first vote on the issue is coming in Kansas  a conservative-leaning state with a long history on abortion rights that includes an entire summer of anti-abortion protests and the assassination of a prominent abortion doctor  complicates the Biden administrations midterm messaging that abortion will be a watershed issue in the midterm elections.

While there is strong support for abortion rights in the Kansas City suburbs and some cities, the vote will serve as a test for whether the abortion rights movement has been galvanized with the strength that anti-abortion activists have flexed in elections for years.

On Monday, Jean-Pierre also referenced a report from Texas, where a woman was unable to receive a medical procedure for an abortion in attempt to highlight what she said was a Republican attack on womens rights.

She also expressed concern that Republicans would attempt to pass a federal ban on abortion.
Iran is technically capable of making a nuclear bomb but has not decided whether to build one, a senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Qatar's al Jazeera TV on Sunday.

Kamal Kharrazi spoke a day after U.S. President Joe Biden ended his four-day trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia, vowing to stop Iran from "acquiring a nuclear weapon."

Kharrazi's comments were a rare suggestion that Iran might have an interest in nuclear weapons, which it has long denied seeking.

"In a few days we were able to enrich uranium up to 60% and we can easily produce 90% enriched uranium ... Iran has the technical means to produce a nuclear bomb but there has been no decision by Iran to build one," Kharrazi said.

UN: IRAN REMOVING 27 SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AT NUCLEAR SITES

Iran is already enriching to up to 60%, far above a cap of 3.67% under Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Uranium enriched to 90% is suitable for a nuclear bomb.

In 2018, former U.S. President Donald Trump ditched the nuclear pact, under which Iran curbed its uranium enrichment work, a potential pathway to nuclear weapons, in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

In reaction to Washington's withdrawal and its reimposition of harsh sanctions, Tehran started violating the pact's nuclear restrictions.

Last year, Iran's intelligence minister said Western pressure could push Tehran to seek nuclear weapons, the development of which Khamenei banned in a fatwa, or religious decree, in the early 2000s.

Iran says it is refining uranium only for civilian energy uses, and has said its breaches of the international deal are reversible if the United States lifts sanctions and rejoins the agreement.

The broad outline of a revived deal was essentially agreed in March after 11 months of indirect talks between Tehran and Biden's administration in Vienna.

But talks then broke down over obstacles including Tehran's demand that Washington should give guarantees that no U.S. president will abandon the deal, the same way Trump did.

Biden cannot promise this because the nuclear deal is a non-binding political understanding, not a legally-binding treaty.

"The United States has not provided guarantees on preserving the nuclear deal and this ruins the possibility of any agreement," Kharrazi said.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 16: President Joe Biden takes reporters questions on the south lawn of the White House on July 16, 2022, in Washington, DC. Talks then broke down over obstacles including Tehran's demand that Washington should give guarantees that no U.S. president will abandon the deal, the same way Trump did.Biden cannot promise this because the nuclear deal is a non-binding political understanding, not a legally-binding treaty. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

WHITE HOUSE ACCUSES IRAN OF GIFTING SEVERAL HUNDRED DRONES TO RUSSIA

Israel, which Iran does not recognize, has threatened to attack Iranian nuclear sites if diplomacy fails to contain Tehrans nuclear ambitions.

Kharrazi said Iran would never negotiate its ballistic missile program and regional policy, as demanded by the West and its allies in the Middle East.

"Any targeting of our security from neighboring countries will be met with direct response to these countries and Israel."
Though only 11 remain standing in Kentucky, the states covered bridges did more than just connect communities. Indeed, they were as much destinations as they were liminal spaces.

Back in Kentuckys less sophisticated days, as one writer described them, posters, proclaiming the merits of everything from patent medicine and chewing tobacco, to political candidates and revival meetings were posted or nailed to their portals.

Some bridges came to be known as kissing bridges for obvious reasons, the observer noted.

In the third installment of our series on Kentuckys covered bridges, we look at three more, these in Mason, Greenup and Lewis counties.

Be sure to catch the first and second installments if you missed them.

Lees Creek Covered Bridge, Mason County

Dover Covered Bridge, Mason County, Ky. Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Built in 1835, the Lees Creek Bridge is perhaps the oldest covered bridge in Kentucky. Its also called the Dover bridge for the nearby Mason County community its historically served.

According to its National Register of Historic Places inventory form, dated July 1975, the bridge has had two full restorations, the first of which was in 1928 by the Bower family of Flemingsburg. The Bowers were bridge builders and engineers spanning at least three generations.

The second major restoration came later in 1966 after a tornado whipped through the area. That project was carried out by the Kentucky Department of Highways and cost about $16,000.

Originally a toll bridge, the Lees Creek Covered Bridge served nearby Dover up until at least the mid-1970s, if the NRHP document is any guide.

The bridge itself can be found about 700 feet off Kentucky Route No. 8 on Tuckahoe Road.

The bridge appears to be in good condition, an observer wrote on the bridges NRHP nomination form, dated July 11, 1975.

Built in the queen post style, with two upright, supportive trusses rather than the branching king post design, the bridge crosses Lees Creeks in a single span of about 60 feet. Asphalt pavement extends along its length with reinforced concrete replacing its original, old stone abutments, the form notes.

Bridge coordinates: 384459N 835244W

Distance from Lexington: About an hour and 20 minutes

Bennetts Mill Covered Bridge, Greenup County

Bennetts Mill Covered Bridge in Greenup County, Kentucky. Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Straddling Tygarts Creek, several miles south of where the creek joins with the Ohio River at the northeastern tip of Kentucky, the Bennetts Mill Covered Bridge hasnt received a coat of paint since its construction in about 1855 or 1856.

As a result, the bridge has since weathered to its present handsome silver-gray appearance, according to its nomination form to the National Register of Historic Places, dated July 11, 1975.

The bridge is located just off Kentucky Route No. 7 in Greenup County, County Road 2125.

The single span, reaching 195 feet in length, is of the truss design by Col. Stephen H. Long, the historical engineer and inventor known for developing steam locomotives.

Up to the mid-1970s, it could hold as much as 5 tons and was still open to vehicles.

According to its record with the NRHP, the bridge got its start when B.F. and Pramley Bennett commissioned it to be built over Tygarts Creek for easy access to their mill, which they ran before the American Civil War broke out.

Once it did, the Bennett brothers hid guns high in the 800-foot-tall hills to the east and west in order to secure their investment from destruction.

At 195 feet in length, the Bennetts Mill Covered Bridge is the longest single-spanner still standing in Kentucky.

Bridge coordinates: 383750N 825537W

Distance from Lexington: About two hours

Cabin Creek Covered Bridge, Lewis County

Cabin Creek Covered Bridge in Lewis County, Ky. Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Cabin Creek is said to take its name from a pioneers log cabin, built by one of the first settlers in the area.

About 75 yards from the creek and covered bridge, it (the cabin) forms a picturesque setting of backwoods Kentucky, an observer wrote on the bridges National Register of Historic Places nomination form dated July, 11 1975.

The Cabin Creek Covered Bridge is located just 4.5 miles northwest of Tollesboro on Kentucky Highway 984, roughly a dozen miles from the Lewis-Fleming County line.

Its origins are muddled, with conflicting construction dates of 1867 and 1875. The name of its builder has been lost to time.

Cabin Creek Covered Bridge in Lewis County, Ky. Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Sometime in the early 20th century, the form suggested 1914, the bridge underwent a restoration by Louis Bower, the son of Jacob Bower.

At that time, Louis Bower fortified the bridge by adding an arch to each side, but by the mid-1970s, rot was eating away at the skews holding one of the arches, an observer wrote.

Even at that time, the writer noted that the bridge withstands heavy traffic daily, with a loading rating of 4 tons.

Bridge coordinates: 383713N 833716W

Distance from Lexington: About an hour and a half

About this series

Kentucky is home to 11 covered bridges that remain standing today, and were documenting them.

If you have an memory, older photographs or an experience to share about the history of any of the remaining covered bridges, we welcome you to email ask@herald-leader.com. We may include your tips in our stories.

Do you have a question about Kentuckys history for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky Form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
Comrade Jessie was a faithful, dedicated and fiercely loyal leader of the African National Congress, said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the long-serving deputy secretary-general of his ruling African National Congress party Jessie Duarte, who died Sunday after a long battle with cancer.

Duarte, 68, was elected to the leading position in the ANC in 2012 and had been serving until she went on medical leave in November last year.

Although our beloved comrade Jessie has been gravely ill for several months, it is difficult to comprehend that someone with such vitality and such spirit has departed this earth, Ramaphosa told mourners Sunday.

Deputy General Secretary of the African National Congress (ANC) Jesse Duarte sits at the ANC headquarters in downtown Johannesburg, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe/File)

Comrade Jessie was a faithful, dedicated and fiercely loyal leader of the African National Congress, said Ramaphosa.

He praised her for fighting for womens rights during and after South Africas struggle against white minority rule and the system of racial oppression known as apartheid which ended in 1994.

Jessie was relentless in advancing the position of women in all areas of public and private life, said Ramaphosa.

She confronted the patriarchal attitudes and practices that sought to diminish the role and contribution of women in Parliament, in government and across society, he said.

Some of the influential roles Duarte played include being a spokeswoman for the ANC and a personal assistant to Nelson Mandela after he was released from prison in 1990.

She was a leading member of the ANC Womens League and also served as South Africas ambassador to Mozambique.

Duarte, a member of the ANCs national executive committee for more than 25 years, attracted support from rival factions within party, which led many to describe her as a unifier.

She has often faced criticism for her spirited public defense of the ANC, despite growing evidence that many of its officials are corrupt and ineffective. A recent judicial investigation into graft allegations during the rule of former President Jacob Zuma from 2009 to 2018 found substantial wrongdoing on the part of the ANC party and some of its top officials.

Deputy General Secretary of the African National Congress (ANC) Jesse Duarte,left, listens as Secretary General of the African National Congress, (ANC) Ace Magashule, makes a statement at a briefing at the ANC headquarters in downtown Johannesburg, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)

In recent years Duarte has also been criticized for her attitude toward the media as she often publicly criticized journalists that she viewed as anti-ANC.

Some opposition political parties have praised Duarte for her role in the struggle against apartheid and sent messages of condolences to her family and the ANC.

An official funeral according to Islamic rites was held for Duarte at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg where she was buried on Sunday. An official memorial service will be held later this week.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Leading official of South Africas ruling ANC party dies appeared first on TheGrio.
A Bulldog Ale House customer got into an argument with a restaurant employee and before leaving, he fired 18 shots into the pub chain, authorities in Illinois said.

One of those shots struck an innocent woman in her head, according to a news release from the DuPage County States Attorneys Office.

Roselle police officers were called to Bulldog Ale House shortly before 12:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16. They found the woman, in her 20s, with a gunshot wound to her head.

The female customer was taken to a hospital for treatment, authorities said.

An investigation into the shooting found that a man described by witnesses as disorderly and intoxicated had been ordered to leave by restaurant security, police said.

After arguing with a worker, officials say 22-year-old Jamie Quijano, of Roselle, began walking toward the exit. As he got to the doors, he turned around and started shooting.

Police said he was shooting randomly within the bar.

After firing his pistol 18 times, Quijano ran away, authorities say.

He was arrested at his home and taken into custody soon after, according to the news release. Police found a gun and a magazine on his couch, and two live 9mm rounds  one in his pocket and the other in a satchel he had been using.

Quijano was charged with one count of attempted first degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Judge Susan Alvarado denied bond on Sunday, according to DuPage County State Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Roselle Chief of Police Steve Herron.

Judge Alvarados denial of bond (Sunday) morning sends the message that senseless, unprovoked acts of violence as alleged in this case will most certainly not be tolerated in DuPage County, Berlin said in a statement. The type of extreme violence alleged in this case can have a chilling effect on the entire community and will be met with the full force of the law. I wish the victim in this case well and it is my sincerest hope that she has a speedy and full recovery.

Quijano is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 15. If found guilty, hell face anywhere from 31 years to life in prison, according to the news release.

As of July 17, authorities have not released an updated condition on the woman who was shot.

Roselle is about 30 miles northwest of Chicago.

Group of 5 accused of beating pizza shop worker with metal object, Texas cops say

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Customer upset over Churchs Chicken refund returns with a gun, Oklahoma video shows
South Carolina state law enforcement secretly recorded a conversation between a prominent Midlands attorney and a potential defense witness in the upcoming murder trial of Mexican restaurant operator Greg Leon.

The attorney, state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Richland, told Judge Debra McCaslin Monday in a Lexington County courtroom that he objected to the secret taping but there is apparently no prohibition against the surreptitious recording of an attorney talking to a witness.

I was somewhat indignant thinking it was not allowed, Harpootlian told the judge.

Rick Hubbard, the 11th Circuit solicitor, said Harpootlian was not the target of the wired witness, whom Hubbard said was paid by Leon to tell Harpootlian a story that might be used to exonerate Leon at his upcoming trial in January.

That witness is the subject of a recent criminal charge of witness tampering brought last month against Leon, in addition to the murder charge he is already facing.

More than 40 friends and family came to support Leon Monday  so many that some had to stay outside the courtroom.

State Attorney Generals office prosecutor Megan Burchstead and Phil Turner, an agent with the State Law Enforcement Division, were both in the courtroom Monday and oversaw the bugging of the witness. They both declined to comment.

McCaslin said Leons murder trial will start in January. It was previously set for August.

The trial has already been pushed back for years, and McCaslin said she would not push it back again.

Its the oldest case on my docket, McCaslin said. I am not going to delay this case any more.

Judge Debra R. McCaslin pushed for a trial for Greg Leon to be scheduled in January. The owner of several Mexican restaurants is on trial for a 2016 murder.

SC judge declines to revoke Greg Leons bond

Leon was charged with murder in 2016 after he killed his wifes alleged lover, Arturo Bravo.

Leon, who admitted to the killing  he told a 911 operator, I shot my wifes lover  has pleaded not guilty and said he acted in self-defense.

The case gained notoriety because Leon is well-known across the Midlands for his chain of popular Mexican restaurants that employ hundreds of people, and because the killing took place on Valentines Day in a public parking lot. The victim was a member of a Mexican drug smuggling cartel, Leons defense attorneys have said.

Last month, Leon was charged with perjury by SLED, which said in a warrant that Leon provided false testimony related to his pending murder charge. A one-page arrest warrant served June 24 says that on or about Dec. 3, 2019, Leon did knowingly and willingly, and without the lawful authority to do so, act in concert with (redacted) and others to provide false testimony to help Leon in the defense of his pending murder charge in Lexington County.

The warrant says the offense happened between Dec. 3, 2019, and Feb. 7, 2022.

Jack Swerling, Leons attorney in the perjury case, told The State last month that Leon denies the allegations that have been made that he was in any way suborning any perjury. We vigorously intend to contest the charges.

The perjury case will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office.

Hubbard had sought Mondays hearing, arguing that because Leon had tampered with a witness, his current $500,000 bond should be revoked and he should go to jail until his January murder trial.

He (Leon) is on a recording getting a witness to lie, so obviously the current bond isnt working, Hubbard told the judge. Its a violation of his bond.

But Harpootlian told the judge that in the six-and-a-half years since the killing, Leon has not tried to flee nor is he a danger to anyone in the community  an assertion the judge said she agreed with.

Hes not going anywhere. Hes not going to hurt anybody, Harpootlian said, adding the witness tampering charge against Leon is so flimsy a jury would acquit him.

But, the judge said, Leon better not misbehave or he will suffer consequences, indicating she would send him to jail if he broke any conditions while free on bond. Although Leon can leave home for certain limited purposes, one of his bond conditions states that he can only be at his restaurants from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., she said.

You will be home at 6 p.m., she told Leon.

The attorney generals office and SLED were brought into the case in 2019 by Hubbard to investigate the possibility of witness tampering. Hubbard said he asked SLED to look into the witness tampering matter because he wanted an impartial agency to investigate a matter involving Leons lawyer.

We asked the attorney general to review it independently, Hubbard said.

Mondays hearing set up two well-known attorneys  Burchstead and Harpootlian  against one another again.

The two are opposing each other in one of the South Carolinas most prominent ongoing murder and fraud cases: the high-profile proceedings against disbarred Hampton attorney Alex Murdaugh.

Grand jury indictments have charged Murdaugh with murdering his wife and son in June 2021, and embezzling more than $8 million from vulnerable clients, his former law firm, friends and other lawyers.

Another irony in the case is that Harpootlian represents Leon along with Columbia attorney Eric Bland, who played a major role last fall in exposing frauds committed by Murdaugh and getting law enforcement to investigate them. Over the years, Harpootlian and Bland have sometimes worked together on cases and sometimes opposed each other.

Bland said Monday he was pleased with the judges decision, saying it split the differences of the prosecution down the middle.

It gave equal justice to both sides, said Bland, explaining that while Hubbard achieved tighter restrictions on Leon until trial, the defense succeeded in keeping their client out of jail.

But Bland stressed that law enforcement should not be able to secretly put a wire on a defense witness who is going to talk with a lawyer for the defense unless that lawyer is a legitimate suspect in a criminal conspiracy.

It violates that defendants right not to have his work product discovered by the prosecution, Bland said.

Bland is representing Leon in the perjury case along with Swerling, a veteran Columbia defense attorney.

As part of her ruling, McCaslin ordered Burchstead and SLED agent Turner to turn over their entire file on the case to Leons defense attorneys.
Taylor Burks is the best candidate among the Republicans running in the Aug. 2 primary for the 4th District U.S. House seat being vacated by Rep. Vicki Hartzler.

Burks earns our endorsement even though we share few of the former Boone County clerks political views. We do agree with his strong support for Missouri farmers, military veterans and teachers.

All of the candidates in the GOP field are staunch Fox News-style conservatives. Burks, a U.S. Navy veteran from Ozark, demonstrates experience both in and outside of government. That puts him in a better position to work with people from different backgrounds and beliefs.

Burks praised the way schoolteachers worked through the COVID-19 pandemic, supports paying them better  average Missouri salaries rank near the bottom in the country  and said decisions about what goes on in classrooms are best left to local officials.

The Star Editorial Board asked each of the seven Republicans for their time to discuss issues they deem important to voters of their predominantly rural district. Besides Burks, we heard from Kalena Bruce, Bill Irwin and Kyle LaBrue.

The other three running for the GOP nomination did not engage with us, and we cant endorse them for that reason. Voters should know these candidates websites, social media and public comments reveal hyper-extreme right wing positions that are out of step with the larger 4th District and not good for Missouri as a whole.

The four candidates who did take our questions indicated they agree with regressive social positions that characterize todays GOP: All support Missouris draconian abortion restrictions, oppose changes to state gun laws, and favor more parental control over school curriculum.

No candidate admits Biden beat Trump in 2020

It should be disturbing to every voter that none of the four who spoke with us would admit one truth thats vitally important to our democracys future: Donald Trump lost a fair and open 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden.

Burks at least uttered the words President Biden, but would not make the simple declaration that Biden beat Trump.

Its deeply disappointing that any serious candidate for office continues to sustain this nonsense. The election was not stolen. We agree with what longtime Missouri Republican U.S. Sen. John Danforth has said: Perpetuating Trumps Big Lie is an attack on our constitutional structure.

Burks said he believes people have lost faith in the voting process. Perhaps, but whose fault is that? Too many Republican officials havent pushed back against what most of them know is nothing but deceitful whining from a sore loser reality TV star.

In his two years as county clerk in Boone County  home of the University of Missouri and one of the few counties in Missouri that lean left  Burks worked with the staff of his Democratic predecessor without issue. That impressed us.

He was appointed to the county clerks office in 2017 by Eric Greitens, but doesnt seem to share the disgraced former governors counterproductive belligerence. He declined to comment on Greitens tight race for the retiring Roy Blunts Senate seat.

Republican Greitens is accused by his ex-wife of abusing her and their children. He resigned as Missouri governor in 2018 amid accusations of sexually assaulting his hairdresser and campaign finance violations.

Among the candidates we spoke to, Burks professed the most ability to reach across the political aisle to get things done for all Missourians. He said hes willing to listen and engage. He expressed admiration for the late Ike Skelton, the longtime Democratic 4th District congressman who served as chair of the House Armed Services Committee.

Burks is one of the top fundraisers in this campaign. Hes been accused of living outside his district, but he told us he has always lived inside it and owns property there. Theres no rule on candidate residency, but Burks said he believes its important to reside in the district you represent to best understand the issues of those constituents. We agree.

Its worth noting that Burks touts his endorsement from the needlessly combative and reactionary U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, and features a tiresome video on his website attacking the media and denying the existence of transgender people. One suspects he might legislate more divisively if elected than his moderate demeanor indicates. We certainly wish voters choices in this primary included a kind, traditional Republican more in the mold of Danforth. Still, Burks stood out.

Bruce, a Stockton CPA and fifth-generation cattle farmer  the only woman in the race  is also a serious contender. She has served on several agricultural boards and is active with the Missouri Farm Bureau. Gov. Mike Parson endorsed her, but she lacks political experience.

Osage Beach entrepreneur LaBrue and retired Lees Summit police officer Irwin are both affable, but too extreme in their views, and out of their depth to represent Missouri in Congress.

GOP voters should reject the other candidates for the nomination simply for their refusal to engage with members of media organizations who arent openly in their ideological corner. We especially urge them to be circumspect about former Kansas City TV news anchor Mark Alford, who is carpetbagging in the 4th. Dont let name recognition distract from his radical, anti-democratic politics.

Taylor Burks has the experience and temperament to advance to Novembers general election. Republican voters can feel good about casting their ballot for him in the primary. But he should also level with them to help bring his party back to the real world.
Nine people were killed in gun violence this past week across the Kansas City region, including five victims of weekend shootings, according to police.

So far this year, the metro has suffered 137 homicides, including 87 homicides in Kansas City and 23 in Kansas City, Kansas, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. By this time last year, Kansas City had suffered 83 killings and Kansas City, Kansas, suffered 23.

The months of July and August tend to be the deadliest two-month period in Kansas City. Violence goes up during the summer months with school out and people out and about more. With more interactions between people, the more likely theres going to be conflict.

Kansas Citys deadliest year on record was 2020, with 182 killings. The region as a whole that year saw 269 killings. Last year, Kansas City, Missouri, suffered the second-highest number of homicides in the citys history, recording 157.

Here is a timeline of the violence over the past week across the metro area.

Four killed in two days in Kansas City

On Wednesday, 19-year-old Devin Cunningham was killed in a shooting at the Willow Creek Apartments in south Kansas City apartment, according to police.

Officers responding to the shooting around 3:45 p.m. in the 200 block of West 100th Terrace found Cunningham inside an apartment and attempted to perform life-saving measures until emergency medical crews arrived.

Cunningham was taken to a hospital where he died. Police detained several people at the scene.

The next day, Thursday, police responded to a shooting just after 2 a.m. at the Best Western Country Inn  North in the 2600 block of Northeast 43rd Street. They found an unresponsive man with gunshot lying in a parking lot.

Emergency medical personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene.

The identity of the victim has not been released. Police at the time said they did not have any suspect information to release.

The weekend got off to a deadly start with a fatal shooting Saturday morning in the 8200 block of Blue Ridge.

Officers responding to an injury crash found a vehicle off the side of the road that had struck a tree. As they approached the vehicle, they saw a man slumped over who had been shot.

Emergency medical crews pronounced him dead at the scene. Police found a potential crime scene just south of the crash.

The victim was identified as 34-year-old Marvin Yancey, a police spokeswoman said Monday. No suspect information was available.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, a caller told police dispatchers that there was an injury crash in the 8700 block of Sycamore Avenue. The caller told dispatchers that right before the crash, they heard gunshots.

Arriving officers found a vehicle in the road with a woman in the drivers seat. She had been shot and was unresponsive.

Emergency medical personnel declared her dead at the scene. The victims identity has not been released. No suspect information was available.

About five hours later, police responded to reports of shots being fired where they found two men who had been shot in the 4100 block of E. 59th Street.

Police found one of the men lying in the yard of a home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim was found in the street. He was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Police did not have any suspect information to release at the time. The identities of the men were not yet released.

Three killed in Kansas City, Kansas

Three people were killed, including two in one day, in shootings in Kansas City, Kansas, last week.

Shortly after 12:20 a.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a shooting at a home in the 1700 block of North 58th Street where they found a man dead inside a home.

The man was identified as 44-year-old Carlton Newsom. A person of interest was taken into custody. Further details of the killing were not available.

Just over two hours later, officers responded to a shooting in the 1700 block of Stewart Avenue where they found a man who had been shot inside a home.

The victim, identified as 28-year-old Jourdyn Everette, was taken to a hospital but later died.

No suspect was released.

The citys latest homicide occurred during a double shooting about 11:30 p.m. Sunday in the 1400 block of North Fifth Street.

Officers found two men who had been shot. One victim, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

No suspect information has been released.

Anyone with information in any of last weeks killings are asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
BEIRUT, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Monday called on the United States to activate its mediation in the indirect border demarcation negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.

"It is not acceptable to delay the process of demarcating the southern maritime borders," Aoun was quoted as saying in a statement released by Lebanon's Presidency.

Aoun stressed the need to activate the American mediation carried out by U.S. Energy Envoy Amos Hochstein to reach a quick conclusion, which he believed would "enable Lebanon to benefit from oil and gas in its water while maintaining stability on its borders."

Aoun made the remarks during his meeting with President and CEO of the American Task Force on Lebanon Edward Gabriel to discuss the latest political and economic affairs in the country.

Lebanon and Israel are embroiled in a maritime border dispute that has intensified after Israel sent a vessel operated by Energean, a London-based oil and gas production company, to the Karish field on June 5.

Lebanese authorities are currently seeking to revive indirect talks with Israel on maritime border demarcation, which were halted after Lebanon expanded its claim in territorial waters to include at least a part of the Karish oil field. 
Fonda Lupita, the lauded gordita shop that jumped onto the national dining map, has moved, but youll still find it in Sanford.

After landing on Eaters Best New Restaurants list last year, Fonda Lupita has expanded from its tiny Jonesboro Heights spot to a sprawling 6,000-square-foot space with room for 150.

The new Fonda Lupita, located at 1948 S. Horner Blvd., Suite B, opened June 27. By Friday, July 1, the line was out the door for three hours straight.

The place is huge and there was nowhere for customers to sit, owner Biridiana Frausto told The News & Observer. I never imagined it would happen that fast.

Fonda Lupita moves into a space that was most recently a Japanese restaurant, but is still mostly known as the former Pizza Inn. Frausto said it took three coats of primer to reset the walls, which are now covered in bright and vibrant murals.

If youve ever been to Mexico or are Mexican, the print brings in a lot of traditional Mexican artwork, Frausto said. Its so much different from what it used to be, theres so much more light. I feel like its alive now.

On the food side, the Fonda Lupita menu is largely the same, built on gorditas and stews, served as little griddled pockets of masa filled with pressed pork, or pastor or birria.

We didnt want to lose the essence of the food and what were trying to do out here, Frausto said.

There are also burritos and quessabirria tacos and quesadillas. Tortilla chips are also new, with Frausto noting theyre the more traditional and thicker fried tortilla version found in Mexico.

Theyre the original Mexican chips, Frausto said. This is what people in Mexico eat.

The biggest change from the original spot is Fonda Lupita now has a bar, serving margaritas with freshly squeezed fruit juices, plus six agua frescas and bottled beer. Draft beer will be added down the road, Frausto said, with a tap reserved for Sanford brewery Hugger Mugger.

Fonda Lupita serves a variety of gorditas including this chicharron prensado. The restaurant opened last year on Main Street in Sanford.

National attention

Last year, Fonda Lupita was the only North Carolina restaurant included in online food publication Eaters annual list of the countrys best new restaurants.

The tiny Sanford spot was born as a stew shop, and its gorditas have become a dining phenomenon, with diners traveling from the Triangle and Charlotte and beyond for a meal.

So far, the crowds have found the new spot. A case of corn for elote used to last a week, but now its gone in less than two days.

I was kind of desperate to move, Frausto said. The space was becoming too small, with too many cooks in the kitchen. Were very excited about the new space.

As for the old space, it will be flipped into a Mexican torta shop, Frausto said, serving the pressed sandwiches filled with many of the Fonda Lupita stews, plus versions like chicken parm and milanesa.

The Fonda torta shop will open later this year.

Owner Biridiana Frausto, center, jumps in to do everything at her restaurant, Fonda Lupita, including working the line on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. The Sanford restaurant serves homestyle Mexican food based on Fraustos mothers recipes and changes its menu daily.

La Victoria

Frausto and her husband, Salvador Alvarez, are also planning a second Triangle restaurant, following the opening earlier this year of La Buena Vida in North Raleigh.

Frausto said La Victoria will open in Carys Arborteum at Weston, off Harrison Avenue, differing from both her other restaurants.

Its going to be a whole other thing, Frausto said. Totally different than Fonda and Buena Vida, but with a touch of both places for sure.

How Fonda Lupita believed in itself and became NCs most acclaimed new restaurant

Fire up the car and your taste buds: These 15 NC restaurants are worth the drive
(Reuters) - Russian media worker Marina Ovsyannikova, who staged a protest against the invasion of Ukraine on live state television in March, was briefly detained in Moscow on Sunday, posts on her social media channels showed.

"Marina has been detained," a post on her Telegram channel said, beneath images of two police officers leading her towards a white van.

Shortly after, Ovsyannikova posted images of herself and two dogs on her Facebook page.

"Went for a walk with the dogs, just stepped outside the gate, people in uniform approached me," she wrote. "Now I'm sitting in Krasnoselsky ministry of internal affairs," referring to a police station in a Moscow district.

Three hours later, Ovsyannikova said she had been released. "I'm home. Everything is okay," she wrote on her Facebook page. "But now I know it's always best to bring a suitcase and passport if you go out."

Marina Ovsyannikova continues to speak out against Russia's war in Ukraine. (Reuters)

Ovsyannikova gained famed in March after bursting into a studio of Russian state TV, her then employer, to denounce the Ukraine war during a live news bulletin.

She was fined after being found guilty of flouting protest laws.

Her brief detention on Sunday followed July 15 social media posts in which she is seen with a poster calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a murderer and his soldiers fascists. "How many more children must die before you will stop?" the poster read.

German media outlet Welt hired Ovsyannikova as a correspondent in April. She returned to Russia earlier this month, writing on Facebook that she was forced to return to defend her parental rights in court against her husband.
The man police say caused a fatal crash while behind the wheel of a Maserati on the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys early Monday morning was arrested on a charge of negligent manslaughter and seven felony counts of driving drunk and causing serious bodily harm.

Mike Muthama, 43, listed as a truck driver from Orlando, was taken to Fishermens Community Hospital in Marathon, where he was immediately medically cleared, according to Joseph Mansfield, chief assistant state attorney in Monroe County.

Muthamas blood-alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit, Mansfield said.

Amparo Elena Huaman, a passenger in a Volkswagen Tiguan cops say Muthama hit with his Maserati, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 85-year-old Peru native lived in Miramar, her grandson said.

From the hospital, Muthama was arrested and booked into county jail on Plantation Key on Monday morning. He was still locked up at 5 p.m. without any bond information listed, according to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office website.

It was unclear Monday afternoon whether he had legal representation.

Muthama also faces one count each of DUI property damage and reckless driving causing damage to a person or property, according to the sheriffs website.

He is due in court Aug. 8.

The crash happened just after midnight on the iconic span that connects the Middle and Lower Keys. The Florida Highway Patrol said in a press release issued later Monday morning that the driver of a 2015 Maserati Ghibli tried to pass a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan as both cars headed north on the bridge.

The Maserati driver failed to pass the Volkswagen and ended up hitting the back of the car, causing it to end up in the southbound lane of the bridge, the FHP said.

Huaman died, and her 15-year-old granddaughter was flown to Nicklaus Childrens Hospital. The other family members, the girls parents and her 25-year-old sister  the driver of the Volkswagen  were treated and released from Fishermens Hospital.

The FHP does not release names of car crash victims. Braulio Hashimoto, 27, confirmed Huaman is his grandmother, and the teen is his sister.

Hashimoto, who was two cars behind the Volkswagen in his Jeep Gladiator pickup truck when the crash happened, requested the Herald not list the names of his family other than Huaman, whom he called the kindest person I ever met.

Huaman had Alzheimers disease, but she never forgot to be kind to others, Hashimoto said. She will live forever in our hearts.

The Maserati kept driving north, hitting the concrete barrier on the side of the bridge several times before catching fire, according to the FHP. Hashimoto said he saw the car ignite.

In a matter of a minute, two minutes tops, the car was completely in flames, he said.

Maserati driver relatively unscathed from crash

Muthama was driving the luxury sedan up the Keys on the Overseas Highway, the only highway that runs through the island chain to the mainland.

At the same time, so was the Hashimoto family. They were divided up into two vehicles  Hashimotos Jeep and his mothers Volkswagen  and headed out of the Keys one right behind the other, Mansfield said.

The Maserati was hauling up from Key West, weaving in and out of traffic, Mansfield said. He passes the Jeep and cuts in between the Jeep and the Volkswagen.

Soon after, the Maserati hit the Volkswagens left back side at a very high rate of speed, Mansfield said.

Huaman was sitting in the middle backseat when it was hit. Mansfield said she must have been killed on impact. Hashimoto got to the car less than a minute after the crash and immediately checked on his grandmother, but she was already gone.

The impact was so bad that her body literally slipped out from the seat belt, and she ended up all the way in the trunk of the car. By the time I got there, Im guessing it was 30 seconds after the actual accident, I tried taking her pulse, but there was no pulse already, Hashimoto said.

His 15-year-old sister was sitting behind the drivers seat, which took the brunt of the force from the collision with the Maserati. She suffered three broken ribs, stitches to her lips and has back and leg pain, Hashimoto said.

The Maserati burst into flames, but Muthama managed to escape.

The next thing you know, the drivers door opens and he gets out and walks away from it relatively unscathed, Mansfield said..

They took him right away [to Fishermans hospital] and cleared him, Mansfield said, and then police took Muthama directly to the jail on Plantation Key.

Both southbound and northbound lanes of the bridge were shut down for about five hours because of the crash, according to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office.

A Florida Department of Transportation camera shows the flashing lights of rescue vehicles on the Seven Mile Bridge in the Middle Florida Keys early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. One person was killed in a car crash on the bridge, the largest span in the Keys.

Hashimoto said the Muthama vehicle left Key West around the same time, so the cars were near each other for the entire trip. Hashimoto said that he could tell by the way the Maserati weaved along U.S. 1, the driver was likely drunk or high.

And, look, he was arrested at the end of the night, so thats telling you something, he said.

A lengthy, somber wait

The lengthy bridge shutdown left traffic at a standstill for about five hours as police investigated the fatal crash. A line of cars were backed up in the southbound lane headed to Key West.

Long-term residents and Keys natives have been through these traffic closures. A wait lasting hours often means tragedy has struck other travelers sharing the same highway.

Usually, its a couple of hours, said Jill Cranney-Black, who has lived in the Keys since 1988, when she was in second grade. We got there around 12:20 a.m. We started moving at 5:10 a.m. In all my years, Ive never seen the bridge shut down that long.

She wasnt complaining. She had water and snacks for her girls, and they were all safe.

At one point, they walked onto the nearby Old Seven Mile Bridge, a narrow two-lane span that today is a pedestrian and bike path.

The new wider and higher bridge replaced it in May 1982..

They couldnt see much, but Cranney-Black saw one car on the present-day Seven Mile Bridge that had been covered by a sheet.

Im just glad we were safe, she said. My prayers go out to the family.

I just want justice

Hashimoto and his wife are looking forward to celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary next year. Whenever hes envisioned that party, Huaman was there with them marking the occasion.

My biggest dream was for her to be there, he said. Unfortunately, she wont be able to make it.

With his grandmother dead, and his sister still in the hospital, Hashimoto added, I just want justice.

Additionally, he hopes that the tragedy will serve as a preemptive lesson to those thinking about getting behind the wheel after theyve consumed alcohol.

I could tell this guy was intoxicated on either alcohol and drugs. I want the full weight of the law on him. And, I just want people to know that if youre going to drink, you should not be driving. You just cant, he said.

Due to an incorrect spelling in the call history record report provided by Monroe County, the first name of the woman who died in the crash, Amparo Huaman, was misspelled in the original article. The story has been updated with the proper spelling of her name.
Thai pro-democracy activist Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul holds up her cellphone during a news conference in Bangkok on Monday. (Sakchai Lalit / Associated Press)

Cybersecurity researchers reported details Monday of cases where Thai activists involved in the countrys pro-democracy protests had their cellphones or other devices infected and attacked with government-sponsored spyware.

Investigators of the internet watchdog groups Citizen Lab; Thailand's Internet Law Reform Dialogue, or iLaw; and Digital Reach said at least 30 individuals  including activists, scholars and people working with civil society groups  were targeted by an unnamed government entity or entities for surveillance with Pegasus, a spyware produced by the Israeli-based cybersecurity company NSO Group.

The reports from the two groups named many of those targeted, confirming earlier reports of the surveillance, which John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab said shows that governments are using technologies designed to fight crime and terrorism to spy on critics and other private citizens.

Citizen Lab believes there is a fundamental challenge for civil society," Scott-Railton said in an online presentation at a briefing in Bangkok.

The attacks on the individuals devices spanned from October 2020 to November 2021, a timing highly relevant to specific Thai political events, since they took place over the period when pro-democracy protests erupted across the country.

Scott-Railton said Citizen Lab, which exposes digital espionage campaigns and insecure software, believed there was still an active Pegasus operator in Thailand.

Those whose devices were attacked were either involved in the 2020-2021 protests or were publicly critical of the Thai monarchy. Lawyers who defended the activists also were under such digital surveillance, the researchers said.

The Pegasus spyware is known for zero-click exploits, which means that it can be installed remotely onto a targets phone without the target having to click any links or download software.

The spyware can obtain any data on the devices, including contact lists and group chats, making it highly effective against political groups and movements, Scott-Railton said.

NSO Groups products, including the Pegasus software, are typically licensed only to government intelligence and law-enforcement agencies to investigate terrorism and serious crime, according to the companys website. Citizen Lab and other cybersecurity researchers have tracked the spyware to 45 countries.

In a separate report Monday, the human rights group Amnesty International reiterated its call for a global moratorium on the sale of spyware.

The unlawful targeted surveillance of human rights defenders and civil society is a tool of repression. It is time to clamp down on this industry that continues to operate in the shadows," Amnesty official Danna Ingleton said in a statement.

NSO Group has rejected accusations that its snooping software helped lead to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, perhaps the highest-profile case so far. It maintains that its sales undergo a rigorous ethical vetting process and that Pegasus spyware is sold to governments only for security purposes.

In November, the U.S. government blacklisted NSO Group, and Apple sued it and notified Pegasus victims. Facebook has sued NSO Group over the use of a somewhat similar tool that allegedly intruded via its globally popular encrypted WhatsApp messaging app.

The reports by Citizen Lab and iLaw do not accuse any specific government actor but say the use of Pegasus indicates the presence of a government operator. When news that dissidents had been targeted first surfaced in November, the Thai government denied the allegations.

Apple said it sought a permanent injunction to ban NSO Group from using any Apple software, services or devices to to prevent further abuse and harm to its users."

Apple's notifications to customers of spyware infections are a crucial part of a defense strategy against such digital surveillance, Scott-Railton said.

Apple did something remarkable by notifying the recipients of this suspected targeting. If you look at the infection online, it stopped after Apple's notification," he said. It was a very consequential thing."

The cybersecurity experts said that turning off and restarting a device can break the spyware's digital connection. Security updates also have helped to close the loopholes that such attackers exploit.

Layering up defenses on devices is very important," Scott-Railton said. Anything is better than nothing."

But the spyware is constantly being updated and is designed to be difficult to spot, facilitating surveillance by governments that have found it a useful tool for suppressing dissent.

Thailands student-led pro-democracy movement ramped up activities in 2020, largely in reaction to the continuing influence of the military in government and hyper-royalist sentiment.

The movement was able to attract crowds of as many as 20,000 to 30,000 people in Bangkok in 2020 and had followings in major cities and universities.

There is longstanding evidence showing Pegasus presence in Thailand, indicating that the government would likely have had access to Pegasus during the period in question, researchers said in the report. The more than 30 individuals targeted were also of intense interest to the Thai government.

The army in 2014 overthrew an elected government, and Prayuth Chan-ocha, the coup leader, was named prime minister after a 2019 general election put in power a military-backed political party. Protesters have campaigned for Prayuth and his government to step down and demanded reforms to make the monarchy more accountable and to amend the constitution to make it more democratic.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FILE - Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., speaks at a news conference held by members of the House Freedom Caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 29, 2021. Hice has been subpoenaed to testify before a special grand jury that is investigating whether former President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to interfere in the 2020 election in Georgia. The subpoena orders him to appear before the special grand jury in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, his lawyer said in a court filing. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

ATLANTA (AP)  Republican U.S. Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia has been subpoenaed to testify before a special grand jury that is investigating whether former President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to interfere in the 2020 election in the state.

The subpoena, which Hice received on June 29, orders him to appear before the special grand jury in Atlanta on Tuesday, his lawyer said in a court filing. That filing seeks to have the matter heard in federal court rather than before the Fulton County Superior Court judge who's overseeing the special grand jury.

Since Congressman Hice is a member of the United States House of Representatives and is being asked to testify pursuant to a state-issued subpoena, the federal officer removal statute should apply, and this action should therefore be removed" to federal court, attorney Loree Anne Paradise wrote in the filing Friday.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis opened an investigation early last year into whether Trump and his allies committed any crimes as they sought to overturn his narrow election loss in the state. A special grand jury with subpoena power was seated in May at her request.

A number of high-ranking Republican state officials  including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr  have already testified before the special grand jury. Gov. Brian Kemp is set to give a sworn recorded statement on July 25.

Hice, who will leave office in January after an unsuccessful bid to unseat Raffensperger, was one of several GOP lawmakers who attended a December 2020 meeting at the White House in which Trump allies discussed various ways to overturn Joe Bidens electoral win. Hice joined other members of the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative wing of the chamber, in the hourslong meeting to discuss with then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows two specific strategies to subvert the election results.

The first was an effort to appoint an alternate slate of electors who would falsely declare Trump was the winner in seven battleground states won by Biden. The second was a plan to ramp up a pressure campaign against then-Vice President Mike Pence to disregard the true electoral votes from those seven states when he presided over the ceremonial certification process on Jan. 6, 2021.

Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Meadows, revealed the details of the White House meeting to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Earlier this month, Willis began a process to subpoena out-of-state witnesses to testify. That included some close Trump advisers and allies, including U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who also served as Trumps lawyer.

Graham has a hearing scheduled in federal court in South Carolina later this week to try to fight Willis attempt to get him to testify.

Willis, a Democrat, has indicted that she's interested in the actions of the group of 16 Georgia Republicans who, acting as an alternate slate of electors, signed a certificate falsely stating that Trump had won the state when it was actually Biden who got the most votes.

___

Associated Press writer Farnoush Amiri in Washington contributed to this report.
U.S. Rep. Val Demings, Florida Democrats all-but-certain Senate nominee this year, said Monday that she had tested positive for COVID-19.

Demings, who represents Orlando in Congress, said she was experiencing mild symptoms and is currently isolating from other people.

Thank you for the many well-wishes, and stay safe, Demings tweeted.

Demings announcement that she has COVID came about 36 hours after she spoke Saturday night in Tampa at a Florida Democratic Party gala. It was not immediately clear when or where she contracted COVID.

The congresswoman did not immediately indicate how much time she expected to miss, either in Congress or on the campaign trail. The U.S. House is in session this week.

Demings is set to face incumbent Republican Sen. Marco Rubio this November.

Coronavirus cases are on the rise nationwide amid an outbreak of a new subvariant, known as BA.5, that health experts say more easily infects people who have been vaccinated or been previously sick with the virus. Vaccines, however, still offer protections from the most severe effects of the infection, health experts say.
An Ada County judge issued a warrant for the arrest of a 69-year-old Nampa man with ties to the Peoples Rights Network after he missed two court hearings.

In April 2021, Casey Baker was arrested alongside far-right leader Ammon Bundy, whos running for governor as an independent, and Aaron Schmidt at the Ada County Courthouse. Bundy and Schmidt appeared for trials over trespassing charges at the Idaho Capitol but refused to wear masks, which were required as a COVID-19 public health measure.

Baker was convicted of felony battery on a law enforcement officer, according to online court records. Under Idaho law, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

Baker was expected to be sentenced on July 6, but he didnt show up. He then was expected to appear for a hearing on Friday, but didnt appear.

Weve not received any communication, is my understanding, from Mr. Baker, 4th District Judge James Cawthon said Friday during the hearing.

Cawthon issued a warrant for Baker for failing to appear, but he didnt set a monetary amount on the bond, citing Bakers lack of prior criminal history and medical condition. A post on the Peoples Rights Network said Baker has a severe case of Parkinsons disease, along with preexisting tremors and balance issues.
Contenders for the Tory leadership will be whittled down to just four on Monday as MPs cast their votes in the third round of the contest to find a successor to Boris Johnson.

The remaining candidates were involved in series of bad-tempered exchanges in the latest TV debate  staged by ITV  on Sunday evening as the battle for a place in the run off ballot of party members became ever more bitter.

Former chancellor Rishi Sunak, who topped both the first two ballots clashed with international trade minister Penny Mordaunt and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss over the economy.

Penny Mordaunt in the second TV debate (Jonathan Hordle/ITV/PA)

And former equalities minister Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat  who finished fourth and fifth respectively in the last ballot and are battling to avoid elimination  squared off over who had the record and experience to be prime minister.

Ms Truss will be hoping to pick up votes from Attorney General Suella Braverman who endorsed her candidacy after she was eliminated in the last round.

Despite having voted Remain in the 2016 referendum, the Foreign Secretary is backed by many Brexiteers while Ms Braverman is a longstanding supporter of leaving the EU.

Unless a significant slice of the 27 MPs who voted for Ms Braverman last time now switch to her, Ms Trusss hopes of overhauling Ms Mordaunt in second place may be slim.

(From left to right) Liz Truss, Kemi Badenoch, Rishi Sunak and Tom Tugendhat (Jonathan Hordle/ITV/PA)

The Foreign Secretary certainly opened the debate in a combative mood attacking Mr Sunak for putting up taxes to their highest level in 70 years, choking off economic recovery in the process.

The former chancellor hit back accusing her of peddling something-for-nothing economics, adding that isnt Conservative. Its socialism.

He later asked her pointedly which she regretted most  having been a Remainer or a Lib Dem.

Mr Sunak also tangled with Ms Mordaunt, saying her plan to relax the fiscal rules and put day-to-day bills on the countrys credit card was not just wrong, it is dangerous.

Even Jeremy Corbyn didnt go that far, he added.

Candidates and presenter Julie Etchingham on stage in the ITV televised debate (Jonathan Hordle/ITV/PA)

There was more bad blood also between Ms Mordaunt and Ms Badenoch over the trade ministers views on identity politics and trans issues.

In the first debate, Ms Badenoch accused her of having pushed a policy of self-identification for trans people seeking to legally change their gender  something Mr Mordaunt strongly denied.

After more claims in the press over the weekend, Ms Mordaunt said: I know why this is being done but I would say all attempts to paint me as an out of touch individual will fail.

Ms Badenoch repeatedly tried to interrupt, saying: Penny, I was just telling the truth. I am telling the truth.

Despite only having finished fourth in the last ballot, there are signs Ms Badenoch is picking up support among Tory activists and her supporters hope it will persuade more MPs to vote for her, giving her a chance of making it into the final two.

Liz Truss will be hoping to pick up votes from Attorney General Suella Braverman who endorsed her candidacy after she was eliminated (Jonathan Hordle/ITV/PA)

Ms Badenoch hit back at Mr Tugendhat  the only candidate who has not been a minister  when he suggested that those who had served under Mr Johnson had lent credibility to chaos and would find it harder to overcome Labour in a general election.

Ms Badenoch said she was not ashamed of anything we did in government, and that serving as a minister requires difficult decisions.

Tom has never done that. Its very easy for him to criticise what weve been doing, but we have been out there on the front line making the case, she said.

Mr Tugendhat retorted that, as a former army officer, he had been on the front line in Afghanistan and Iraq and had led in the argument against Putin and China.

For all the spats, there was one striking moment of unity. When presenter Julie Etchingham asked them to put their hands up if they would be prepared to give a seat in their cabinet to Mr Johnson, not one did so.
Once the golden boy of the Tory Party, Rishi Sunak enjoyed a meteoric rise under Boris Johnson and for so long appeared to be his most likely successor.

At the start of the pandemic, he was the most popular politician country as he rolled out an unprecedented furlough scheme which saved millions of jobs as the economy ground to a halt.

But now the former chancellor faces a fierce fight to gain the keys on No 10, denounced by allies of the Prime Minister as a treacherous snake who brought down his former mentor.

Boris Johnson with Mr Sunak in happier times (Dan Kitwood/PA)

Born in 1980 in Southampton, the son of parents of Punjabi descent  Mr Sunaks father was a family doctor and his mother ran a pharmacy, where he helped her with the books.

After private schooling at Winchester College, where he was head boy, and a degree in politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford, he took an MBA at Stanford University in California where he met his wife, Akshata Murty, the daughter of Indias sixth richest man.

A successful business career, with spells at Goldman Sachs and as a hedge fund manager, meant by the time he decided to enter politics in his early 30s he was already independently wealthy.

In 2014, he was selected as the Tory candidate for the ultra safe seat of Richmond in North Yorkshire  then held by William (now Lord) Hague  and was duly elected in the general election the following year.

Rishi Sunak with his Budget red box outside 11 Downing St (Victoria Jones/PA)

In the 2016 Brexit referendum he supported Leave, to the reported dismay of David Cameron who saw him as one of the Conservatives brightest prospects among the new intake.

Given his first government post  as a junior local government minister  by Mr Camerons successor, Theresa May, he was an early backer of Mr Johnson for leader when she was forced out amid the fallout over Brexit.

When Mr Johnson entered No 10 in July 2019, there was swift reward with a dramatic promotion to the cabinet as treasury chief secretary.

An even bigger step up followed in February 2020 when chancellor Sajid Javid quit after rejecting a demand to sack all his advisers and Mr Sunak was put in charge of the nations finances at the age of just 39.

The increasingly rapid spread of Covid-19 meant his mettle was swiftly tested. Within a fortnight of his first Budget he was effectively forced to rip up his financial plans as the country went into lockdown.

Rishi Sunak with his wife, Akshata Murty, who retained her non dom status (Ian West/PA)

The new chancellor, who saw himself as a traditional small state, low tax Conservative, began pumping out hundreds of billions in government cash as the economy was put on life support.

But as the country emerged from the pandemic, some of the gloss began to wear off amid growing tensions with his neighbour in No 10 and anger among Tory MPs over rising taxes as he sought to rebuild the public finances.

To add to his woes, he was caught up in the partygate scandal receiving a fine, along with Mr Johnson, for attending a gathering to mark the Prime Ministers 56th birthday, even though he claimed only to have gone into No 10 to attend a meeting.

There were more questions when it emerged his wife had non dom status for taxes purposes  an arrangement which reportedly saved her millions  while he had retained a US green card, entitling him to permanent residence in the States.

The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning. My letter to the Prime Minister below. pic.twitter.com/vZ1APB1ik1  Ready For Rishi (@RishiSunak) July 5, 2022

For a man known for his fondness for expensive gadgets and fashionable accessories  and who still has an apartment in Santa Monica  it all looked dangerously out of touch at a time when spiralling prices were putting a financial squeeze on millions across the country.

His frustrations with Mr Johnsons chaotic style of government  as well as a deepening rift over policy  finally spilled over when he dramatically resigned, prompting the rush for the door by other ministers that forced the Prime Minister to admit his time was up.

It now remains to be seen whether the one-time heir apparent can claim his crown.
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) found that 79% of preK-12 grade educators are dissatisfied with their jobs.

Randi Weingarten, AFT president, joined Yahoo Finance Live (video above) to discuss a teacher shortage situation she referred to as the worst Ive ever seen.

'Political Attacks, Shortages, School Shootings, and flatlining Salaries'

The AFT research result collected by an independent third party found that teachers sentiments toward education were worsened by pandemic challenges and increasing political wars in the last two years.

Weingarten shared that teachers did their best to power through the pandemic but were met with frustrations and lack of assistance from the system:

The pandemic teachers were amazing," Weingarten said. "They moved to remote [sic] with many of them not having really good platforms. You could hear they engaged kids. Parents were very, very grateful. But what has happened is that the politics and politicians have really polluted what goes on with teachers right now."

Supporters of wearing masks in schools Sofia Deyo 11, and her brother Matthew Deyo 6, protest before the special called school board workshop at the Pinellas County Schools Administration Building in Largo, Florida, U.S., August 9, 2021. REUTERS/Octavio Jones

The political conflicts battled across the nation included mask mandates, culture wars, book banning, and school shootings, the July 11 AFT press release shows.

The report highlighted that educators increasingly feared gun violence in schools since the Uvalde, Texas tragedy. Now nearly half of all members are concerned about a mass shooting, it reads.

Furthermore, morale is at an all-time low as conspiracy theorists publicly attack teachers. Weingarten said teachers face constant hectoring, being called pedophiles, being called groomers, wondering whether whatever they said, whether they were going to be pulled into a principals office if they answered a kids question.

Forty-percent of teachers expressed they would like to leave the profession within two years, given the depressing and hostile ambiance, according to Weingarten.

Union Wants Fair Compensation

Amidst the hurdles faced by teachers in America, Weingarten said politicians are not funneling enough support. Namely, some states are not compensating their teachers fairly due to political influences even though President Bidens American Rescue Plan budgeted for an increase in teacher salaries. This increase would agree in terms of the rest of the economy.

Minneapolis school teachers hold placards during the strike in front of the Justice Page Middle school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States on March 8, 2022. (Photo by Kerem Yucel/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

We shouldnt be having the fights like we have in New York," Weingarten said. "Theres $4 billion thats left in President Bidens Rescue Plan. And the mayor in New York is not actually lowering class size, is doing cuts instead. So whats happened is that the normal politics have now gotten worse by the electoral politics.

As the union representative, Weingarten believed that teachers across the nation will be pushing for salary bumps.

You saw that a little bit last year in Minnesota, in Scranton, Pennsylvania," she said. "But youre going to see a lot of that this year through collective bargaining.

Weingarten believes this is what the industry deserves.

"We already ask teachers to take money out of their pockets to pay for supplies of kids." she said. "No other profession does that. But we need to give them a raise. And we need to get them the conditions that they need so that they can help kids thrive."

Rebecca Chen is a writer and reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaChenP

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YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the Ministry of Defense to introduce the new Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Minister of Defense Edvard Asryan to the top military leadership.

First of all Id like to thank Lieutenant General Kamo Kochunts for fulfilling the duties of the Chief of General Staff in the last six months. Id like to wish good luck to Mr. Asryan in fulfilling his mission in this highly important position. As you know, certain legislative changes were made and from now on after the law takes effect the Chief of the General Staff will also serve as First Deputy Minister of Defense, with all subsequent consequences. We made this decision upon studying a number of events that took place in the recent years, including issues of working partnership between the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff. I believe that a right decision was made. Id like to express hope that as a result of implementing this decision the productivity of our work in the area of reforms of the military, the army will be more effective.

Mr. Kochunts, allow me to once again thank you for your work, and Mr. Asryan, allow me to wish you good luck in this highly important position, PM Nikol Pashinyan said.

In this responsible position, Mr. Prime Minister, I assume the obligation to fulfill all envisaged functions and duties and fulfill the objectives of the Armed Forces, Asryan said in part in his remarks. He stressed that the General Staff is a collegial body and that they will work under collegial principals.

Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan also delivered remarks. He congratulated Asryan on his appointment and wished productive work. Papikyan thanked Kochunts for his service.

Asryan then ceremonially assumed the duties of Chief of General Staff as Minister of Defense Papikyan handed him the Coat of Arms of the Armed Forces.
YEREVAN, 18 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 18 July, USD exchange rate up by 1.63 drams to 415.05 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 5.62 drams to 421.48 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.12 drams to 7.37 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 7.82 drams to 497.35 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 161.85 drams to 22767.15 drams. Silver price down by 3.02 drams to 246.33 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. Hayk Mamijanyan, Head of the National Assembly opposition "I have honor" faction, intends to appeal to Azerbaijan with the request to organize a visit to see the war prisoners, ARMENPRESS reports Hayk Mamijanyan wrote on his Facebook page.

"Tomorrow, I will write an official letter to the speaker of the Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan with the request to organize a visit to see our compatriots held in prison in Azerbaijan, to learn about their health condition and conditions of detention.

I will also inform the presidents of the CIS, Council of Europe, and Euronest parliamentary assemblies, the president of the European Parliament, as well as the Ambassadors of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries to Armenia," Mamijanyan wrote.
YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. Russia has enough power and resources to protect its allies and friends in difficult times, ARMENPRESS reports the head of Russia's foreign intelligence service Sergey Naryshkin told the journalists in Yerevan.

He expressed confidence that the integration processes in the CIS are a strong guarantee of stability. Naryshkin reminded that integration structures are already operating in this region: the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

"Those structures were created taking into account the interests of all the states that are part of them. The defense tools of the integration are a good guarantee to maintain stability and security. In addition, the Russian Federation has enough power and resources to protect allies and friends in difficult times," said Naryshkin.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation Sergey Naryshkin.

The Prime Minister noted that Mr. Naryshkin's visit is another good opportunity to discuss the issues on the agenda of the Armenian-Russian allied relations. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and expressed confidence that joint efforts will make the cooperation more effective and stronger.

Sergey Naryshkin thanked for the warm reception and noted the existance of the high-level political dialogue between Armenia and Russia, which contributes to the development and strengthening of cooperation in various fields.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to international and regional security. Reference was made to the processes taking place in the South Caucasus region.
The 15th round of talks in March had failed to achieve any breakthrough in further disengagement from the friction points in Ladakh

The talks are being held at a time of increased tensions in the skies over the LAC as the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force is carrying out aggressive exercises in the Tibet region. (PTI file image)

New Delhi: Amid heightened tensions in the skies over the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the 16th round of corps commanders talks between India and China were held on Sunday to resolve all outstanding issues in the remaining friction points in the Ladakh sector. The latest round of talks are held after a gap of four months, and began at around 9.30 am at the Chushul Moldo meeting point on the Indian side of the LAC.

The talks are being held at a time of increased tensions in the skies over the LAC as the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is carrying out aggressive exercises in the Tibet region. In response, India has also increased its air operations in the sector, including carrying out night sorties. IAF Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft are flying with greater frequency in the region.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, said on Sunday that whenever the PLAAF fighter jets come too close to the LAC, the IAF immediately responds by scrambling its combat aircraft.

Chinese aircraft activity is closely monitored by us. Whenever we see Chinese aircraft or remotely piloted aircraft coming too close to the LAC, we take appropriate measures by scrambling or putting our aircraft on higher alert. This has deterred them quite a lot, the IAF chief told PTI.

On whether the Chinese Air Force was trying to provoke India just ahead of the talks, he said: I cant point to any particular reason why they are doing it but we are monitoring it and we take immediate action by scrambling our fighter jets there.

The IAF chief said ever since the Galwan Valley incident in June 2020, we had started deploying our radars all along the LAC in the eastern Ladakh sector. Gradually, we have integrated all these radars with our Integrated Air Command and Control System so that we are able to monitor the air activity across the LAC.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF has also bolstered its surface-to-air-ground weapon capabilities along the northern borders and has also increased the number of mobile observation posts in that area. We get a lot of inputs from the Army and other agencies deployed there. The Chinese aircraft activity is closely monitored by us, he said.

Last month the Chinese Air Force flew its aircraft close to the Indian position in one of the friction points at the LAC. In response, the IAF too activated its assets as per standard operating procedures.

There have been other incidents in the past week too when Chinese jets have been flying close to the LAC violating the confidence-building measures as per which the two sides cannot fly within 10 km of the LAC.

At the corps commanders meeting, India is expected to press for the disengagement of troops as soon as possible in all the remaining friction points, besides seeking a resolution in Depsang Bulge and Demchok. The Indian delegation at the talks is led by Lt. Gen. Anindya Sengupta, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps. The Chinese team was to be led by South Xinjiang Military District chief Maj. Gen. Yang Lin.

The 15th round of corps commander-level talks in March had failed to achieve any breakthrough in further disengagement from the friction points in Ladakh.
It also directed the grievance redressal committee to decide the application of the claimant within four weeks

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed all states and Union Territories to ensure payment of compensation to family members of COVID-19 victims without wasting any time.

A bench of Justices M R Shah and B V Nagarathna said that if any claimant has grievance with respect to the non-payment of compensation and/or rejection of their claim then they may approach the grievance redressal committee concerned.

It also directed the grievance redressal committee to decide the application of the claimant within four weeks.

With regard to the plea alleging transfer of funds by the Andhra Pradesh government from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to personal deposit accounts, the bench directed the funds be transferred to the SDRF account within two days.

"We close the proceedings while directing all the states to see that the compensation payable under our earlier order be made to eligible persons without wasting any time and if any claimant has any grievance they may approach the concerned grievance redressal committee," the bench said.

The top court had earlier granted a "last opportunity" to the Andhra Pradesh government to file its response on a plea alleging transfer of funds by the state from the SDRF to personal deposit accounts and had restrained the state government from diverting the funds and issued notice to it in the matter.

Advocate Gaurav Bansal, appearing for petitioner Palla Srinivasa Rao, had submitted that Andhra Pradesh has diverted funds from the SDRF to personal deposit accounts which is not permissible under the Disaster Management Act.

He had alleged that the state government was illegally utilising the funds of the SDRF for purposes other than specified under Section 46 (2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Announcing the decision, Mr Pawar said that 17 Opposition parties have unanimously decided on Ms Alvas name

New Delhi: The Opposition parties on Sunday fielded former Union minister Margaret Alva as their joint vice-president candidate for the upcoming elections that will be held on August 6. A meeting of 17 Opposition parties held in New Delhi on Sunday at the residence of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar decided to field Ms Alva as their candidate.

Announcing the decision, Mr Pawar said that 17 Opposition parties have unanimously decided on Ms Alvas name.

Shortly after the announcement, Ms Alva tweeted, "It is a privilege and an honour to be nominated as the candidate of the joint Opposition for the post of vice-president of India. I accept this nomination with great humility and thank the leaders of the Opposition for the faith they've put in me."

Endorsing the candidature of Ms Alva, senior Congress leader and partys communications chief Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "Margaret Alva, former governor, former Union minister, long-time MP and very distinguished representative of India's wonderful diversity, is the common Opposition candidate for Vice-President."

The Opposition leaders meeting, which began at 3 pm and continued till 4:30 pm, was attended by Leader of Opposition Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, DMKs T.R. Baalu, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, CPI leaders D. Raja and Binoy Viswam, (MDMK) leader Vaiko, TRS member Keshav Rao, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, IUML member E.T. Mohammed Basheer, and RJDs Amarendra Dhari Singh.

No representative from the Trinamul Congress, which is the second largest Opposition party in the Rajya Sabha, was present at the meeting. The Aam Aadmi Party also did not attend the meeting. Mr Pawar though said that both AAP and TMC will support the joint Opposition candidate.

The term of office of the incumbent vice president, M. Venkaiah Naidu, is ending on August 10.

This will be the 16th vice-presidential election in the country. The announcement came a day after the BJP-led NDA announced that West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar will be its candidate.
Indias government does not want to be recognised abroad for what it is  a majoritarian, authoritarian State

Having been kept busy by the government in various matters, I have not had the chance to catch up with the news much in the last couple of weeks. This is why I was taken aback  shocked is actually the right word  to learn that India had reiterated its commitment to protecting and promoting all human rights.

These words are part of a joint press release from the 10th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue (I did not know there had been nine others previously) held on July 15.

The document makes for interesting reading, given the circumstances in which Indians find themselves on the issue of human rights. It lists nine points. The first is that India and the European Union refer to themselves as open and democratic societies, which emphasised the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights.

These are grand words and set the stage up for the text to come. The next substantive point is that India and the EU exchanged views and concerns on civil and political rights, the rights of persons belonging to the minorities and vulnerable groups, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and opinion online and offline, among other things. After this, more remarkably, the Government of India says that it and the EU concurred on the importance of safeguarding the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors, including human rights defenders and journalists, and respecting freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

And then India expressed the need to foster greater engagement on human rights issues, based on internationally recognised human rights laws and standards. Both sides recognised the importance of strengthening national and international human rights mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights and the important role of national human rights institutions, civil society actors and journalists.

On and on the document goes, reiterating all the things that India has abandoned in practice but is preaching in theory. The question is why. Given that Indias government has not only disregard but pure hatred and contempt for human rights defenders like the Bhima Koregaon 16 and journalists like Mohammed Zubair and activists like Teesta Setalvad, why is it then pretending to actually like them and their work? The reasons are also quite clear. The first is that Indias government does not want to be recognised abroad for what it is  a majoritarian, authoritarian State that thrives on using its considerable power against its own citizens. When Indias diplomats abroad engage with officials and representatives of other democracies, they still pretend that India is Nehruvian and secular. They do not use words like Hindutva here and the language that the BJP and its leaders use against other Indians, especially the minorities, arent to be found in our external engagement.

This is not because the BJP is ashamed or embarrassed of what it says and does; it is merely because it is a hypocrite and has no problem being two-faced. The Western world has moved over the past century to a consensus on the issue of human rights and free speech and the rights of the minorities. Indias government opposes all of these but cannot do so abroad because we have neither the confidence or the strength to do so. This is why we lie.

The second reason we do this is because external pressure is effective. If it were not, we would tell the European Union to get lost. Consider that one year ago EU officials said that human rights defender and Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy has died in custody, nine months after his arrest on false charges of terrorism. Jailing human rights defenders is inexcusable.

The special representative for human rights from the European Union, Eamon Gilmore, said that the EU had been raising his case repeatedly with the authorities. These are the same people with whom we are now agreeing, when we say that we respect human rights defenders and their right to do their work. Why are we doing this? Because we have no option. An honest, powerful and truly sovereign government would not need to lie about its behaviour. China does not hold human rights dialogues with the European Union. This must be understood by those who think that the outside world has no influence on India. In an interconnected globe, there is no nation that can claim to be beyond the influence of others.

Naturally, the amount of influence exerted and felt will depend on the issue and the strength of feeling on either side. Human rights is something that many states in the EU take seriously because their citizens do so.

Indias leaders likely understand this very well and are trying to figure out how to manage this reality with the desire to continue doing mischief at home. One indicator of the discomfort at being made to do this was that while the EU was represented in this human rights dialogue by its ambassador, the Indian side was represented by a low-level diplomat (Joint Secretary for Europe West). Another indicator is that there was almost no news about this meeting. The external affairs ministry didnt tweet about it as it usually does with all engagements at this level. This then is the behaviour of our government, which shows a benign mask to the entire world beyond its borders, behind which its fangs are bared against its own citizens.
Paola Ogechi Egonu of Italy, named the Most Valuable Player of the women's VNL Finals, poses during the awarding ceremony after the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Turkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)

ANKARA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Italian star opposite Paola Egonu was named the Most Valuable Player of the women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2022 Finals after leading her team to win their first VNL title by sweeping Brazil 3-0 in the final here on Sunday.

Egonu was the best scorer of the Finals with a total of 83 points over the three matches played, 30 clear at the top of the rankings. Her tally included 72 spikes, six blocks and five aces.

She was the leading point-maker in each of Italy's three games at the Finals in Ankara, contributing 36 points to the quarterfinal win over China, 26 to the semifinal victory over Turkiye and 21 to the triumph over Brazil in the final. The 1.93-meter-tall opposite also topped the best attackers chart with a 47.06% success rate.

"I am super happy and proud of us, because it's the first time winning the VNL. Now we can finally go on vacation! I can get a player award, but what's more important is that I am happy we work together as a team," said the 23-year-old star.

The seven players of the VNL Dream Team were honored as well during the awarding ceremony after the final match:

Best Setter: Alessia Orro (Italy)

Best Opposite: Paola Egonu (Italy)

Best Outside Hitters: Caterina Bosetti (Italy) and Gabriela Guimaraes (Brazil)

Best Middle Blockers: Jovana Stevanovic (Serbia) and Ana Carolina Da Silva (Brazil)

Best Libero: Monica De Gennaro (Italy)



Paola Ogechi Egonu of Italy celebrates scoring during the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Turkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)
The government gazette dated July 17 imposing a state of emergency in the troubled nation was issued on Monday morning

A man wears a headband with a slogan against interim Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe as he waves the Sri Lankan national flag near the Presidential secretariat in Colombo (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)

Colombo: Sri Lanka's acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday declared a state of emergency in the country with immediate effect, ahead of the July 20 election for the post of the president which fell vacant after Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation following the popular public uprising against him.

The government gazette dated July 17 imposing a state of emergency in the troubled nation was issued on Monday morning.

The 225-member Parliament is expected to elect the new president on July 20.

The president is empowered to impose emergency regulations in part 2 of the public security ordinance which says (a) if the president is of the opinion that the police are inadequate to deal with a situation he may gazette an order calling out the armed forces to maintain public order.

This means that security forces gain the power to search, arrest, seize and remove weapons and explosives, and enter and search premises or persons.

The order comes as Parliament is set to accept on Tuesday the nominations for the post of president, which fell vacant last week after Rajapaksa fled the country and later resigned.

Rajapaksa is currently in Singapore.

At least four candidates, including Wickremesinghe, are in the race to become the new president who will serve the remaining tenure of Rajapaksa till November 2024.

The voting in parliament is to take place on Wednesday.

On Sunday, the acting president's office said he had ordered the police to keep track of those who threaten and influence parliamentarians in Wednesday's vote.

Besides Wickremesinghe and main Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Dullas Alahapperuma, a breakaway SLPP candidate, are the other two leaders who have so far announced their candidacy to contest the vote in Parliament.

The ruling SLPP has officially announced its backing for Wickremesinghe.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as acting President on Friday after the Speaker accepted Rajapaksa's resignation letter sent from Singapore.

The 73-year-old politician is currently the frontrunner though his United National Party (UNP) was routed in the 2020 parliamentary election.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades, with a severe foreign exchange shortage hampering the import of essentials including food, fuel and medicines.

The economic crisis also sparked a political crisis in the country after a popular uprising against the government.

The island nation off the tip of southeast India needs about USD 5 billion in the next six months to cover basic necessities for its 22 million people, who have been struggling with long queues, worsening shortages and power cuts.
by Guido Alberto Casanova

Investigators increasingly see a connection between the former Japanese leaders murder and the resentment his assassin, Tetsuya Yamagami, felt towards the religious sect for getting his mother to squander the familys assets. In a letter he describes Abe as one the influential sympathizers of the Unification Church even though the link did not go beyond political considerations.

Tokyo (AsiaNews)  Many details are emerging about the Unification Church ten days after the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Following his arrest, Abes assassin, Tetsuya Yamagami, told police that he was driven by resentment against the religious group to which Abe was linked. Created in South Korea in the 1950s, the religious sect had taken roots in Japan over the decades.

According to investigators, Abe's attacker wanted to get back at the religious sect for the negative impact his mother's involvement in it had on the family.

According to the family, after joining in the 1990s, the killers mother donated more than 100 million yen (about US$ 725,000) to the Church: 60 million (US$ 435,000) from the life insurance of her late husband and 40 million (US$ 290,000) from the sale of family land.

Even after she declared personal bankruptcy in 2002, the mother continued to give money to the religious sect. As a result of her profligacy, the family eventually ran into financial difficulties, and Yamagami was forced to quit university.

Accusations of financial deception and brainwashing have marred the history of the Unification Church with reports suggesting that it forces its members to buy what it calls spiritual merchandise and donate some of their income.

More recently, some Japanese lawyers have come forward to denounce extortions and emotional blackmail practised by the group against its members.

Yamagami expressed his hostility towards the religious group several times in the past. Back in 2019 he planned to attack the head of the Unification Church, who in October of that year was scheduled to visit Tokoname, a city not far from Nara, where Abe was killed.

Police also believe that the day before the attack Yamagami shot at a building owned by the Church located very close to the crime scene.

Investigators also found a letter sent to a blogger critical of the group a few days before the attack. In it Yamagami says he planned to kill the former prime minister for being one of the most influential sympathizers of the Unification Church

The letter also says that the former leader was "not his original enemy, implicitly acknowledging that Abe did not have enjoyed exceptionally close relations with the Church.

Police report that Yamagami blames Abe's grandfather, Kishi Nobusuke, for inviting the sect to Japan but his grandson himself does not appear to have been particularly close to the group other than for what is politically expedient.

As a right-wing religious group, the Unification Church has developed relations with the Japanese right like it did in many other countries.

Abe took part in some of its activities but his involvement does not seem to go beyond ordinary contacts politicians have with religious movements.

For now, the investigation is in its early days, whereas the link between Abes Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Unification Church goes back decades. Since it has never been closely scrutinised, no one knows where the investigation might lead.
Today's headlines: tension at the G20 Finance in Indonesia over the Russian attack on Ukraine; Lockdowns extended again in China; North Korea claims to have brought the pandemic under control; Iran reported to have atom bomb capabilities; 50,000 Russian soldiers dead or wounded in Ukraine war; Afghan missile attacks on Uzbekistan.

INDIA

Elections are held today to choose the country's 15th president. (Tribal) candidate of Modi's majority led BJP favoured. Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha runs for opposition. The votes will be counted on 21 July; the presidential oath is scheduled for four days later.

INDONESIA

Russia came under fire for its invasion of Ukraine yesterday at the conclusion of the G20 finance ministers' summit in Bali. This was stated by the delegation of Indonesia, acting chair of the group of the world's 20 largest economies. Countries critical of Moscow called for an end to the aggression.

CHINA

New outbreaks of Covid-19 continue to emerge in the country. Several cities have begun extending lockdowns or launching new mass tests. The alert is high Shanghai, Tianjin and Zhumadian (Henan). The situation is serious in Macao, where the authorities ordered the 11th round of population swabs.

NORTH KOREA

Suspected cases of Covid-19 have dropped to 400 a day. This was stated this morning by the authorities in Pyongyang. Since May, there have been almost five million cases, almost all of them treated in hospitals. In mid-May, there were more than 390,000 daily infections.

IRAN

Tehran is "technically" capable of building an atomic bomb, but has not yet decided whether to take this step. This was stated yesterday by Kamal Kharrazi, advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Kamenei.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE

According to data from the British Ministry of Defence, the Russians lost 50,000 dead and wounded soldiers in Ukraine. A significant part of the Russian arsenal was destroyed, including 4 thousand armoured fighting vehicles.

UZBEKISTAN

The Uzbek Defence Ministry denied that the country suffered a new missile attack from Afghanistan. On 5 July, the city of Termez was hit by five rockets fired from Afghan territory. The Taliban government in Kabul said the attack was the work of a criminal group, which was later dismantled by the authorities.
Since last year's coup, mining activity in northern Myanmar has increased fivefold. Toxic and radioactive waste amounts to millions of tonnes. Regulation of the industry is almost impossible due to the presence of a militia affiliated with the Burmese regime.

Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) - In the northern state of Kachin, the extraction of rare minerals that are exported to China has increased fivefold thanks to the complicity of a militia close to the Burmese regime.

The independent website The Irrawaddy reports in Pangwa, Chipwi municipality -the influx of Chinese workers into the region has increased following the February 2021 military coup that ousted the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

Rare minerals are a group of minerals needed for the production of advanced technologies, including electric cars, smartphones, wind turbines and fighter planes. With the increasing demand for high-tech products, rare earth deposits have become paramount: their production is almost entirely controlled by China, which is the leading source globally, followed by the US and Myanmar.

But mineral extraction, if unregulated, pollutes the environment heavily: there are Chinese studies dating back to the 1990s that document the ecological damage caused by illegal mining.

Beijing has been mining rare minerals in northern Myanmar since 2016 after banning illicit activities within its borders: today, more than half of the minerals arriving in China come from the former Myanmar, with a year-on-year increase of around 23%. Already in 2018, Myanmar was the main supplier of rare earths to China. According to official Chinese sources, between May 2017 and October 2021, Myanmar exported 140 thousand tonnes of rare earths worth more than billion.

Myanmar environmentalists claim that there are about a hundred mines in the north of the country, all under the control of Chinese investors and the New Democratic Army Kachin (NDA-K), a militia affiliated with the Burmese army. In 2009, it was renamed the Border Guard Force by Burmese generals.

Between 2019 and 2020, several illegal mines had been found by the Kachin Mining Department: officials explained that the presence of armed groups on the border had always made it difficult to regulate the industry. The previous civilian government had twice shut down all activities in 2019, but with the return of the military junta to power, they have since resumed.

According to some estimates, between May 2017 and October 2021, Myanmar hosted 284 million tonnes of toxic waste and 14 million tonnes of radioactive waste. For dozens of Burmese villages on the Chinese border, soil and groundwater are unusable due to mining.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

First the Armenians must break their close ties with Russia. Europe condemns both Armenia and Azerbaijan for the 2020 conflict. Apart from historical cultural relations, Yerevan appears far from the prospects of any form of European integration.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The participation of the Armenian delegation in the summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) opens up various interpretations of the possible development of relations between Yerevan and the Old Continent. According to the Armenian newspaper Graparak, the main purpose of the presence was to find support for the release of the many Armenian prisoners, who remained in the hands of the Azeris after the 44-day war in 2020 in Nagorno Karabakh, which Armenians call Artsakh.

According to representatives of the majority Armenian party 'Civil Contract', the Apce parliamentarians examined the text proposed by Yerevan, warning that there will be no support or agreement until Armenia decides which side it is on, with Russia or Europe. Indeed, it is not clear on what basis the Armenians are asking for support against the Azeris, without conceding anything in return, bearing in mind that Azerbaijan will certainly not be willing to meet its opponents' demands for free.

The question also concerns the ways in which Europe could effectively influence to distance Yerevan from Moscow, also taking into account the favour this hypothesis arouses in a large part of the Armenian population and also its political class. The main problem is Armenia's economic dependence on Russia, its main trading partner and historical protector from the enemies of the surrounding Islamic countries. The country's borders are guarded by Russian soldiers, who have stationed their own military base in the city of Gyumri, the 102nd ever to guard Armenia.

Armenian political scientist Rovsan Ibragimov, a professor at the Khankuk International University in Korea, commented in Azatutyun that 'this information is rather contradictory, and rather reflects Armenia's internal political competition, rather than the possibilities for agreement in the international arena. Moreover, the Aceh and the European Union are not the same thing, and the parliamentary assembly does not play a decisive role in these matters'.

Indeed, the documents of the Aceh in recent years on Nagorno Karabakh are rather ambiguous, condemning to varying degrees both Yerevan and Baku's actions, and are in any case only in the nature of recommendations. MPs do not vote on behalf of states, but of the parties they belong to, and Armenia is represented by only two MPs, as it is not a very populated country, and they too are from two opposing parties.

Armenia also, beyond its limited participation in European institutions, remains a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (Russian-driven) and Csto, the post-Soviet NATO controlled by Russia.

Yerevan appears far from the prospects of any form of European integration. The Caucasian country's historical and cultural ties with Europe and the Mediterranean, which date back centuries, and the solidarity of Westerners for the memory of the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th century remain, but today's history imposes quite different priorities.
Francis sends a message to the SIGNIS association, set to hold a congress in Seoul next month. In it the pontiff urges participants to help young people sift the truth from falsehoods and include communities that are currently on the margins of the digital world.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis today released a message to SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, which will hold its annual world congress in Seoul, South Korea, on 15-18 August, centred on the theme Peace in the digital world.

In his statement, published by the Vatican Press Office, the pontiff notes the serious ethical questions raised by digital, above all social media, and the need for proper discernment by communicators. He also welcomes the choice of Seoul as the venue for the meeting.

As an international association for Catholic communications professionals, it is fitting that you are meeting in South Korea, a land whose history of evangelization shows the power of the printed word and the essential role of the laity in the spread of the Gospel.

May the story of Saint Andrew Kim and his companions two hundred years ago confirm you in your own efforts to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the language of contemporary communications media.

On the topic of peace in the digital world, the pontiff highlights the contribution to unity among nations the media provided during the pandemic.

Nevertheless, he also points out how the use of digital media, especially social media, has raised a number of serious ethical issues that call for wise and discerning judgment on the part of communicators and all those concerned with the authenticity and quality of human relationships. Sometimes and in some places, media sites have become places of toxicity, hate speech and fake news.

For Pope Francis, the fight against disinformation must be one of the tasks of Catholic communicators. To this end, he urges them to assist people, especially young people, to develop a sound critical sense, learning to distinguish truth from falsehood, right from wrong, good from evil, and to appreciate the importance of working for justice, social concord, and respect for our common home.

I would also encourage you to consider the many communities in our world that remain excluded from the digital space, making digital inclusion a priority of your organizational planning. In doing so, you will be making a significant contribution to the spread of a culture of peace grounded in the truth of the Gospel.

Lastly, citing the need to listen, which is central to this years message for the Day of Social Communications, the pontiff calls on SIGNIS to promote it in the synodal journey that the Church has undertaken.

It is my hope that, in your communication, you will contribute to this process by assisting the holy and faithful people of God in our commitment to listen to one another, to the Lords will and to grow in the awareness that we participate in a communion that precedes and includes us.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has approved a new type of bank account to attract capital from overseas. The funds can be used only to set up businesses, not import raw materials. The authorities hope to get credit from China.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has approved a special type of bank account, the Colombo Port City Investment Account (CPCIA), for business activities in the Chinese-built Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Colombo Port City.

To this end, all Sri Lankan banks were issued directives for two types of CPCIA accounts, one for investors and one for investees.

These accounts can be used by businesses to attract foreign capital, set up businesses, stimulate profits and attract funds to Colombo Port City, also known as the financial city. The money to be invested in the SEZ can be held in foreign currency.

These "accounts can only receive money from overseas, a Finance Ministry spokesperson told AsiaNews. This is the main thing because that is in the spirit of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act which rules that, for any development activity to be done, the money must be from overseas. The funds are to be used for investments in the Port City."

As these accounts cannot be used to import goods into Sri Lanka, they must be used for business-related investments in the Port City, including capital expenditures on construction or payment of fees or services related to the Port City entity. Payment is through electronic transfer.

At present, groundwork is being prepared for banks to be set up within the Port City, said a Commission spokesman. These banks will be allowed to carry out business within its area of authority. Six local banks have already expressed interest in the project.

Several business and political analysts expect the Colombo Port City to attract various businesses in future once it is up and running.

The Monetary Board of Sri Lanka (MBSL) and the Finance Ministry have already given the green light to certain banks and financial institutions, provided that they meet certain pre- and post-operational conditions.

For now, the banks that have expressed interest are reviewing those conditions and are in the process of working through them.

A CBSL spokesperson told AsiaNews that the Port City's financial institutions will be governed by rules and regulations issued by the Commission, not by the CBSL, although the guidelines will be drafted in consultation with the MBSL and the Finance Ministry.

According to a Finance Ministry spokesperson, experts conducted benchmarking studies on several overseas financial cities, looking, for example, at how the Dubai Financial Services Authority runs" as well as several other SEZs in Malaysia, Mauritius and elsewhere, with the aim of setting up a streamlined regulatory framework in line with these studies.

This move has not been without its critics, as many believe that SEZs could undermine Sri Lanka's sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is continuing negotiations with China for approximately US$ 4 billion in aid, a Foreign Ministry source reported; hopefully, Beijing will agree "at some point.

Sri Lankan authorities have sought a US$ 1 billion to repay an equivalent amount of Chinese debt due this year, as well as a .5 billion credit line to pay for Chinese imports and activation of a .5 billion currency swap.
by Steve Suwannarat

The investigation points the finger at pro-Russian militias, but the case is not yet over. The plane was en route from the Netherlands to Malaysia. None of the 298 people on board survived.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews)  On Monday the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives), the lower house of the Malaysian Parliament, marked the anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 by pro-Russian forces over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

"I pray that the families of the passengers and crew of the aircraft remain steadfast and resilient in facing this ordeal, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar bin Azizan Harun.

On behalf of the Members of the House of Representatives and Parliament as a whole, I extend my condolences to all the families of the passengers and crew of MH17, Harun added, inviting Muslim MPs to recite the al-Fatihah prayer while non-Muslims were asked to observe a minute of silence.

On 17 July 2014, an anti-aircraft missile shot down a Boeing 777 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. The evidence suggests that pro-Russian secessionist forces were responsible for the attack. None of the 283 passengers, mostly Dutch citizens, and 15-member crew survived.

Dutch authorities completed their preliminary investigation in 2016. the Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team found that the Buk TELAR system that shot down the plane came from the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, a unit of the Russian Armed Forces stationed in Kursk in the Russian Federation.

Until then, no one had issued warnings about possible dangers for planes flying on the usually busy air route.

In 2019 four individuals, including three soldiers from pro-Russian separatist forces, were indicted and an international arrest warrant was issued against them.

The long legal affair has not yet ended. The last hearing by the Dutch court in charge of the case was held on 10 June with the presiding judge, Hendrik Steenhuis, announcing that the proceedings would resume on 22 September.

It is expected that by then the Court will be able to announce a date for the final verdict, probably between 17 November and 15 December.
BOGOTA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Ivan Duque reported Sunday that Roque Antonio Gonzalez, allegedly an important leader of a dissident group of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), has been killed.

"Alias 'Roque', leader of the GAOR E-33 of the FARC dissidents in Tibu, Norte de Santander, has fallen. This criminal intended to frighten the civilian population and was neutralized thanks to the joint and coordinated work of our public forces," the president tweeted.

According to the military, the insurgent leader was "one of the criminals who appeared in videos" circulated this week, in which FARC dissidents appeared to be carrying out patrols in Tibu.

After the videos were released, Colombian Defense Minister Diego Molano said that authorities will not allow FARC dissidents to instill fear in the local population.

Molano said Thursday that he has given orders to the army and the police to restore security in Tibu, where several armed groups have heavy influence.

Demobilized in 2016, the FARC has become an opposition political party, but not all of its members have laid down their arms. 
Some people will never understand how satisfying it is to drive a car that was a relic, and you put it back together. The blood, sweat, and tear spilled while rebuilding or fixing an old, glorious car is so rewarding that those working on them forget the struggles encountered. But this Ford Thunderbird doesn't need too much fixing. It's almost ready.The history of this car is known since the second owner of this car bought it in 1964. After he passed away. His daughter just left the car in a barn ever since and didn't even title it into her name until 2013. Still, she didn't take it out until 2021, when she finally decided to sell it to the actual seller. From there on, things went better for this 1962 Thunderbird rust-free hard-top coupe. With an average of 224 sunny days per year in Hutchinson , where the car is located, that's easy to understand.Moreover, the car is running, even though it has a leak on its three-speed automatic gearbox. Under the hood, the car has its original 390 cu-in (6.4-liter) V8 engine. The seller says that sometimes it runs a little rough. It looks like it's less than 50k miles (80,000 km) shown on the odometer are genuine, even though, due to some paperwork mishaps, the lady declared it with a TMU status.All four power windows are still working in good condition, and the AC blows cold even though it wasn't serviced. Yet, the seller says that the buyer will have to deal with the paint, which looks like it had some touch-ups here and there, albeit most of the red (Rangoon Red) color looks original. All the chromed parts and even the original wheels are included in the sale, and the vehicle sits on a new set of tires.Yes, this vehicle didn't sit in a museum , but it's a true survivor. All it needs is TLC from a new owner, who will dig deep into their bank account for 22,500 bucks. Sure, it's not the cheapest T-bird on the market. It's not even the most powerful or the best-looking one. And yet, it has a charm that will make its prospective buyer forget about the torn driver's seat and other problems that can be fixed in a matter of days, not months.
SUV

The main mid-size luxury car line for Toyota in Japan for what feels like ages, the Crown nameplate was recently reinvented into a fully-fledged family of models. And the best news is that at least one of them (a veritablehas also been flaunted across the rumor mill ), the all-new crossover-sedan, will grace the North American market for the first time in 50 years!The last time Americans saw a Toyota Crown was back in 1972 but thats subject to change, soon. And, of course, whether they like the quirky new design or not, that also made it interesting for virtual automotive artists. One of them, Marouane Bembli, the pixel master better known as TheSketchMonkey on YouTube, is - as always - ready to identify the flaws of new releases and rectify them This time around, though, his latest behind-the-scenes making-of video is shorter and sweeter as far as the OEM styling discussion goes and the CGI expert proceeded with enhancing the look of the all-new 2023 Toyota Crown fast enough, from the 2:53 mark. Plus, on this occasion, we could say he is fairly satisfied with what Toyota came up with, so he just took the new Crown and made it more adventurous by performing some CGI off-road enhancements Interestingly, at least from the traditional rear three quarter  which is the sole POV presented below by the artist  it only makes sense to turn the four-door fastback sedan into an adventure partner, with more body cladding, beefier all-terrain tires, a complimenting set of tough wheels, plus a few overlanding accessories from Yakima
Eve Air Mobility is an Embraer-backed company with an ambitious and commendable project to offer communities environmentally friendly flights at a lower cost. Its eVTOL is 100 percent electric, quiet, and with a human-centered design.According to Flavia Ciaccia, Eve Vice President of User Experience, the mock-up Eve is putting on display at this years Farnborough Airshow materializes the cabin concept the company has been co-creating with potential users for years, with its solutions being designed with essential market needs in mind, from safety to sustainability, accessibility, and ticket price.So far, the company has kept the specs of the aircraft under wraps, but Eve has at least shared the most recent vehicle configuration of the aircraft as part of the present product design phase. The current design of Eves eVTOL is a simple and user-friendly one that uses a conventional wing and tail and has eight rotors that are fixed around the wing, for vertical take-off and landing capability as well as reliability and safety.Eves cabin mock-up will be on display at the Farnborough Airshow, at the Embraer pavilion located at E037, starting today and until July 22. In addition to the mock-up, visitors will also get the opportunity to explore external features of the air taxi via augmented reality technology. Eve s eVTOL is expected to enter into service in 2026. Meanwhile, the aerospace company is continuously working on signing partnerships all over the world. Last month, it announced that it teamed up with Falcon Aviation Services to launch eVTOL flights in Dubai, with 35 flying taxis to be delivered. They also plan to launch the worlds first eVTOL tourist flights from Atlantis, the Palm. Eve has also got projects in Latin America and boasts of having secured hundreds of orders, including in the U.S., where it plans to operate its eVTOLs in Washington, Boston, and New York.
HP

In contrast with the incredible multimillion-dollar sales taking place regularly on the luxury yacht market, the recently-announced sale of a royal figures private yacht seems more like a bad deal. Alpa IV, owned by King Albert of Belgium and his wife, Queen Paola, had a last-known asking price of 1.7 million ($1.7 million), much less than what the King allegedly had paid for it, which was almost 5 million.Of course, the Alpa IV isnt one of those large superyachts , and its not exactly young either. A Posillipo Technema 92 hull thats 89-foot-long (27.5 meters), it was built at the Cantieri Navali Rizzardi, Italy, in 2009. Boasting a four-stateroom configuration and a volume of 90 GT, the sleek Alpa IV can accommodate up to eight guests, plus a small crew of three people.It might not be as flashy as other famous yachts, but its smaller size means a greater cruising speed of 25 knots (28.7 mph/46 kph), with a top speed of 31 knots (35.6 mph/57 kph). Thats also possible thanks to its twin 2,400MTU 16v engines. Plus, at roughly half of that cruising speed, the Alpa IV can cover up to 660 nautical miles (759.5 miles/1,222 km).It could also be argued that this wasnt such a bad deal, considering the fact that the Royal yacht had been on the market since last year, asking for slightly more than the final sale price. According to The Brussels Times, the elderly King Albert II (88 years old) and Queen Paola (84 years old) were forced to part with their yacht as part in order to downsize.It seems that after the Kings son, Phillipe, was handed over the throne, his parents had to deal with a drastic budget cut, ending up with a yearly sum that was much lower than what the former King had allegedly expected. The media also reported that it was hard to find a new owner for the royal yacht , which led to further price drops. In the end, its a good thing that the Alpa IV was finally sold, even if at a bargain price.
kW

There are now five complete builds in Mulders ThirtySix series, with Solemates being the latest vessel to touch water, after the Delta One, Calypso, Mana, and MyWay. According to Boat International, Solemates is the first unit in the series to be commissioned by an American owner. The ship will first travel to Portugal, as its owners intend to spend the summer exploring southern European waters. After the hot season is over, Solemates will relocate to its new home port in Palm Beach.Just like all the ThirtySix ships, Mulders all-aluminum yacht features the Van Oossanen patented FDHF (Fast Displacement Hull Form), which claims to ensure comfortable sailing and fuel economy at all speeds.The outfitting process of Solemates began one year ago at the shipyards Zoeterwoude-Rijndijk facility. The luxurious yacht was launched earlier this year, in May, and just completed its sea trial last month. It is scheduled to make an appearance at the Palm Beach International Boat Show next year.Solemates has a beam of 8 m (26.2 ft) and a draft of 2.05 m (6.7 ft). It is powered by twin 847engines and can reach a top cruising speed of 17 knots (19.5 mph/31 kph). When cruising at an economic speed of 11 knots (12.6 mph/20 kph), it has a fuel consumption of less than 80 liters per hour.Mulders latest ThirtySix yacht can accommodate up to 10 guests across one master stateroom, two VIP cabins, and two additional staterooms. The vessel differs from its predecessors in that it comes with a renewed foredeck with a private relaxation area that offers great views and has a comfortable U-shaped sofa and sunbeds. The yacht features teak decks, stainless steel, and orange details. Its interior uses a lot of wood, from walnut to oak.Feast your eyes on the luxurious Solemates in the video below.
kW

The Czech Republic's police force has recently taken delivery of the first ten of a total of seventy BMW 540i xDrive Touring vehicles. They will be used for monitoring traffic on the country's roads and motorways.The cars are equipped with two ANPR cameras that measure the target vehicles speed and identify it based on a number plate recognition feature. The cameras are mounted in front and behind the police vehicle. The system records the video frames as well as individual measurements and stores them.The internal SSD memory contains images of the vehicle captured in traffic, its registration number, GPS position, start, and end date and time of the measurement, speed, set speed limit, name of the officer on duty, and other data. This way, the police collect data to combat speeding complaints. There is also a special audible warning device and special equipment for the traffic police.And if the new radar-equipped cars register a speeding motorist, it would be a mistake for them to try to flee. With its 245/ 333 hp (338 ps), 450 Newton-meter (332 ft-lb) turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and eight-speed automatic transmission, the BMW 540i xDrive Touring would easily catch up with most cars.Of the first ten units handed over by Prague-based dealer Stratos Auto, five are in the distinctive police colors and five are painted in dark colors so as not to stand out in traffic. All cars are prepared for special tasks on Czech roads and motorways.The Czech Republic Police adds that it will receive a total of seventy new BMW 540i xDrive Touring vehicles under contract. Forty of them will wear the typical police colors, while the other thirty will operate undercover to catch speeders and dangerous drivers.
EV

According to Sina Tech news outlet, Lei Jun spends much of his time at Xiaomi Auto headquarters to ensure the project doesnt get out of hand. The new auto startup is expected to produce a working prototype in time for the winter testing session. The newly-established Xiaomi Auto Co Ltd. has already hired a PR manager, and its getting ready to start a marketing campaign as soon as the prototype is revealed.Xiaomi still aims for a 2024 production debut, and things appear to be on track. The Chinese tech company hired a team from HVST Automobile Design to fast-track its firstdevelopment. While little known, the Shanghai engineering team is also behind another Chinese EV project, the Maven concept from Weltmeister Motor . We dont know if they will reuse the design or make something new, but the Maven concept has impressive characteristics, like the 500 miles (800 km) range.Xiaomi officially confirmed its automotive ambitions on March 30 last year, although rumors made headlines long before that. The Chinese IT giant pledged an immediate 10 billion RMB ($1.54 billion) to jump-start the car project, with a projected investment of $10 billion over the next 10 years. Last November, Xiaomi signed a contract with the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area Management Committee to establish its headquarters in Yizhuang.Xiaomi intends to build an assembly plant with an annual production capacity of 300,000 cars , with at least four models planned. According to CNEVPost.com , two of them will be city cars in the A+ and B segments of the market. All of them will support some degree of automated driving, with lower-end models aiming at L2+ and the more sophisticated at L3 autonomy.
The Armenian governments press office said Sergei Naryshkin discussed with Pashinian international and regional security and processes taking place in the South Caucasus. It did not elaborate.

The office used the same words in a statement on Pashinians meeting with Burns held on Friday. It said they also touched upon the fight against terrorism.

Neither the CIA nor the U.S. State Department has commented so far on what was the first-ever publicized visit to Armenia by a CIA director.

My visit to Yerevan is definitely not connected with the arrival of my American colleague, the state-run Russian news agency Sputnik quoted Naryshkin as saying. But I dont exclude that his visit is on the contrary connected with mine.

Incidentally, Sputnik was the first to reveal Burnss visit. It said that that the CIA chief will stay in Armenia for several hours.

Tigran Grigorian, an Armenian political analyst, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service on Friday that U.S. and Russian security experts arrived in Yerevan in recent days for confidential discussions focusing on the war in Ukraine.

Burns, 66, is a former career diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Russia from 2005 to 2008. He visited Moscow in his current capacity last November. He reportedly warned the Kremlin against invading Ukraine.

Pashinians press office implied that Russian-Armenian relations were also on the agenda of his talks with Naryshkin. It cited the Russian intelligence chief as praising the high-level political dialogue between Russia and Armenia.

Naryshkin told Russian media outlets after the talks that Russia and Armenia have a great deal of common tasks which need to be accomplished. He also touted Russian-led alliances of former Soviet republics of which Armenia is a member.

Besides, the Russian Federation has enough strength and resources to protect allies and friends in difficult times, added Naryshkin.

Pashinian spoke with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin by phone earlier in the day. According to the Russian governments readout of the call, they discussed Russian-Armenian trade and the implementation of large joint projects.
Facts about Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russian aerospace forces destroy three Ukrainian aircrafts

Xinhua) 11:51, July 17, 2022

BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis:

Fighter aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed three Ukrainian aircraft in an air battle, including two MiG-29s in the settlements of Novopavlovka in the Nikolaev region and Vladimirovka in the Dnepropetrovsk region, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday.

The other Su-25 was destroyed in the area of Seversk, it added.

In addition, two Ukrainian helicopters were shot down in the air, including a Mi-8 and a Mi-24.

A total of 256 Ukrainian airplanes and 139 helicopters, 1,557 drones, 355 anti-aircraft missile systems, 4,073 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 746 multiple launch rocket systems, 3,149 field artillery and mortars, and 4,253 special military vehicles were destroyed in the course of the special military operation.

- - - -

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has instructed the country's armed forces to "intensify actions in all directions" to prevent the Ukrainian troops from massively shelling Donbass and other regions, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday.

Shoigu has paid an inspection visit to Russia's South and Center military groupings, which are involved in the special military operation in Ukraine, the ministry said in a statement.

He heard reports from the commanders of the two military groupings on the Ukrainian forces' actions and the progress of the Russian forces' combat missions. Shoigu presented medals to two generals for their work in the special military operation.

- - - -

Russian armed forces launched missile strikes at a building of the garrison house of officers in the Western city of Vinnytsia in Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.

The ministry said that high-precision sea-based Kalibr missiles were launched at the building.

It added that a conference was being held at the facility at the time of the strike between the command of the Ukrainian armed forces and foreign arms suppliers.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
ACCRA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Ghana has confirmed the country's first two cases of Marburg virus disease (MVD), the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said.

The confirmation came after samples from suspected infected individuals sent to the Institute Pasteur in Dakar (IPD) tested positive for MVD, the GHS in a statement late Sunday.

The GHS first announced the suspected infections on July 7, after identifying two persons who had met the case definition of acute hemorrhagic fever in Ghana's Ashanti Region.

The samples from the individuals tested positive for MVD at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.

With assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO), the samples were forwarded to the IPD for further confirmation.

"So far, 98 contacts have been identified, including those from the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region," the GHS statement said. "They are undergoing quarantine and being monitored by the Ashanti and Savannah regional health directorates of the GHS."

"No new cases of MVD have been identified," the statement said.

The MVD, a rare but severe hemorrhaging fever, is caused by the Marburg virus and could lead to death.

The disease previously occurred in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya, according to the WHO. 
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Ms. Doherty joined Boston College and the ISR in 1989 as a Research Scientist. She was named ISR co-director in 2005 and became the director in 2008, leading an internationally recognized research center conducting theoretical and experimental studies of space physics, space chemistry, solar-terrestrial research, space weather, and astrophysical studies. She also was a fellow of the Institute of Navigation and of the African Geospace Society.

Formed in 1954, the ISR is the largest sponsored research center at Boston College. The institute's work has been supported by organizations including: the United States Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Office of Naval Research, National Science Foundation, and Federal Aviation Administration.

Under Pats leadership, the ISR became an international leader in theoretical and experimental research to help us better understand the science of the vast space, as she liked to say, between the surface of the earth and the center of the sun, said DeLuca Professor and Vice Provost for Research Thomas Chiles. Pat also played a vital role in the expansion of science education in developing countries, and worked tirelessly to increase the participation of women in global navigation satellite systems and space science research.

She not only burnished the international reputation of ISR, but raised its profile at BC by moving the institute and its more than 40-person team to facilities on Newton Campus from its previous off-campus address at the former Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford.

Ms. Doherty, whose research interests focused on the ionosphere, space weather, and the Global Positioning Satellite System (GPSS), contributed to more than 80 peer-reviewed scholarly articles. Specific research initiatives during her career included radio wave propagation, focusing on ionospheric effects in satellite-based navigation, including Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems and the Federal Aviation Administrations Wide Area Augmentation System.

She was also a leader among the global community of space science researchers. At the time of her death, she was vice president of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) and chair of URSIs Commission G, Ionospheric Radio and Propagation. She chaired the Satellite Division of the Institute of Navigation, the worlds premier professional society dedicated to the science of positioning, navigation and timing.

Ms. Doherty was recognized for her scientific research and her outreach activities throughout her career including the 2018 Carrington Education and Outreach Award of the 130,000-member American Geophysical Union. Other honors included IONs Burka Award in 1995, the organizations Distinguished Service Award in 2015, and IONs 2014 Captain P.V.H. Weems Award for her service to the organization and her efforts to promote advanced navigation research throughout the world.

I love the science of navigation and I love to make connections between people in universities and scientists around the world, Ms. Doherty said at the time she received the Weems award.

I think those two passions of mine have served to benefit ION and BC.

Ms. Doherty actively promoted research and education in the science of navigation in developing countries, organizing workshops and conferences around the world. She lent her expertise to the Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics , an interdisciplinary body of the International Council for Science, and was the Universitys representative to the Universities Space Research Association and a member of the USRA Board of Trustees.

In June, Ms. Doherty and ISR Research Scientist Rezy Predipta gave a talk at the 2022 URSI Conference in Spain about the threats to civil aviation caused by ionospheric phenomena. She also hosted a special session on Women in Radio Science, honoring the work of Jocelyn Bell-Burnell, who discovered radio pulsars. Through her work with URSI, Ms. Doherty was preparing to host more than 100 researchers at the 21st International Beacon Satellite Symposium on campus in August.

Ms. Doherty, who earned a bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and an M.B.A. from Boston College, led a successful initiative to help developing countries derive social and economic benefits from the satellite-based PNT technology. International meetings linked leading PNT scientists with teams of professors and scientists from African universities. Those meetings led to the founding of master and doctoral research initiatives, creating a research infrastructure that produced the first ionospheric measurements from Africa, a region largely devoid of such data prior to 2010.

Here in the U.S., we most commonly see GPS guide our cars, Ms. Doherty said in a 2015 interview with the Boston College Chronicle. In the developing world it can be used for precision farming, better emergency services, and monitoring scarce natural resources. Its a phenomenal technology that has been developed and it is free to use. You just have to get out there and use it.

The initiative made available highly accurate multiple-frequency GPS technology, which comes in a container about the size of a breadbox. In support of the program, Ms. Doherty led workshops in Europe, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.

At the time, Ms. Doherty said the level of graduate research in the topic had already increased, collaborations had increased among African universities, and the ionosphere data gap on the continent was closing.

One of the success stories is seeing so many new Ph.D.s coming off the African continent who are studying the ionosphere and they are studying it with the technology we gave them, she said.

Ms. Doherty is survived by her husband, Charles, her children, Karen M. Stickney and Brian J. Doherty, and many other relatives.

University Communications | July 2022
DHAKA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine has obtained clearance for human trial in phase I.

The Bangavax vaccine, developed by local pharmaceutical company Globe Biotech, on Sunday received clearance from the Directorate General of Drug Administration under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare after the relevant authorities reviewed all the documents on all the previous trials.

"We've got the approval for phase I clinical trial of Bangavax," Mohammad Mohiuddin, a senior official at Globe Biotech, told reporters.

He said the trial will be conducted among 60 healthy volunteers at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University hospital in Dhaka.

In November last year, Bangavax, a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, got ethical clearance from the Bangladesh Medical Research Council for a human trial on up to 64 healthy adult participants.

Globe Biotech applied for approval for a human trial on Nov. 1 last year, saying its vaccine has yielded "good results" in trials on monkeys.

The vaccine can reportedly be stored at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius for one month and of -20 degrees Celsius for up to six months. 
Click here to read the full article.

Jean-Marie Lavalou, co-inventor the worlds first remote-control camera system, which gave birth to more fluid crane shots and a new world of creative possibilities for motion pictures, passed away in Paris on July 15. He was 76.

According to a press release from Loumasystems in Paris, Lavalou passed away from a sudden and unexpected illness.

Born into a well known family of camembert cheese makers in Normandie, Lavalous career took its tech twist when he met inventor-partner Alain Masseron. In the 1970s, the duo devised unique camera movements while making a film inside a submarine during their national service in France.

This eventually led to the invention of the Louma Crane, which became widely used in film and television production around the world. (The term Louma derives from LOU & MA from their names.)

For the project, Lavalou and Masseron brought together a team of engineers. Subsequent research and development in Paris, as well as alongside partner and David Samuelson of Samuelson Film Services and his team of engineers in London, resulted in the worlds first remote-controlled camera crane. SFS financed development of the Louma, and David Samuelson is credited with having the eureka moment of combining the video assist system that was in development with the Louma project to make it remote.

An early user of the system was director Roman Polanski along with his cinematographer Sven Nykvist on 1976s The Tenant, where it was deployed to create the films opening and closing sequence shots.

Retired Panavision executive Andy Romanoff recalls that the Louma Crane came to America in 1978 and was utilized on Steven Spielbergs 1941, released in 1979. The system introduced us to a whole new camera language, he says. (Pictured above: Lavalou, left, and Spielberg on the set of 1941, with the Louma Crane in the background. William A. Fraker was the cinematographer.)

Jean-Marie worked day and night adapting the crane to the demands of Hollywood filmmaking, adds Romanoff. In later years, he became friends with camera crews all around the world as he visited sets to hear how he could make the crane easier and more useful for them He spent his whole life dedicated to making better tools for making movies.

For the project, Lavalou and Masseron brought together a team of engineers. Subsequent research and development in Paris, as well as alongside partner and Samuelson of Samuelson Film Services and his team of engineers in London, resulted in the worlds first remote-controlled camera crane.

Lavalou is survived by four sisters and several nieces and nephews.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  A California-based renewable energy developer announced Monday that it has acquired a transmission line project that will link its massive wind farms in east-central New Mexico with more populated markets across the West.

Pattern Energy already has invested billions in its infrastructure in New Mexico, and company officials said the SunZia transmission line will enable access to more than 3,000 megawatts of wind power that would be capable of meeting the needs of more than 2.5 million people.
Oklahoma City is steeped in stereotypes  both of the wind-swept and chicken-fried varieties. Thanks to Rodgers and Hammerstein, Twister and the endless cowboy tropes, the city has historically, put the wild in wild west. But in recent years, Oklahomas capital has successfully overcome those cliches in a major way.

Ever since its sudden founding during the Land Rush of 1889 and, subsequently, its population ballooning to 50,000 in mere hours like some kind of Columbusing Amazing Race, Oklahoma City has maintained momentum, transforming in recent years from cowboy calamity to a cohesive patchwork of metropolitan neighborhoods, world-class museums, award-winning restaurants, hip shops and kaleidoscopic art.

Population growth hasnt waned, either. The city recently surpassed Nashville and D.C. to become the nations 20th most populous, and it didnt even take a Land Rush to do so.

The National Hotel Bedroom Gavin Peters

Where to stay

The matter of where to stay in Oklahoma City is crucial, because theres a wide chasm between ritzy downtown confines and literally camping in the wilderness. In the urban core of this audaciously large metro, however, boutique hotels abound  from the colossal new Omni (complete with Soho House-esque rooftop pool) and the chic new lifestyle hotel The Ellison (complete with Top Chef-helmed restaurant), to the purple penguins and art galleries at the 21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City.

If snazzy cocktails, animal prints and Vaudeville vibes are more your style, check into Bradford House, a pastel-hued mansion-cum-inn filled with dapper rooms, live jazz and top-shelf drinks at the lobby-side bar. To eat, theres plenty of pastries to peruse at Quincys Bakeshop, and a full-service restaurant slinging seasonally-driven breakfast, lunch and dinner fare thats as photogenic as it is tasty.

Downtown, the new hotness is The National, a historic bank thats been lavishly reimagined as a skyscraping hotel and residence tower. Here, the skyline views from the handsomely appointed guest rooms are as impressive as the dining options: Italian-influenced Tellers (in a section of the building where bank tellers used to work), Library of Distilled Spirits basement bar in a gigantic vault and the Great Hall  an ornate lobby bar that looks more Grecian than Oklahoman.

Still to come: Oklahomas largest brewery, COOP Ale Works, is turning a former armory into a hotel with a brewery, bar and restaurant.

First Americans Museum First Americans Museum

What to do

Theres a lot more to do in Oklahoma than chase tornadoes. Museums are particularly defining, from the harrowing stories on display at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to the video-filled galleries and mod art exhibits at Oklahoma Contemporary. The recently opened First Americans Museum is a game-changer in its own right  a partnership with the Smithsonians National Museum of the American Indian, its the largest tribal cultural center in the U.S., dedicated to the legacies of Oklahomas 39 native tribal nations. For something more whimsical and hands-on, venture through Factory Obscura  a Meow Wolf-like immersive art experience filled with twinkling flamingos, slides, love letters, stuffed animals and more retro Americana trinkets than Stranger Things.

Beyond brick-and-mortar, art is everywhere in Oklahoma City. Ranked as one of the low-key best cities for street art in the country, its on full display at the Plaza Walls, a lengthy alleyway display of murals  many by women and minorities  in the eclectic, gallery-filled Plaza District. While here, pop into one of the neighborhoods quirky shops, like Dig It for eyeball rings, vintage band tees and sunglasses, or GRINMORE, a high-end fashion house for hip streetwear, sneakers and the fanciest sweatpants youll ever find.

In terms of wearable art, Oklahoma City is a sleeper hit for fashion. See for yourself at NASH, where eccentric streetwear comes in a rainbow of colors and cuts; Thrown Design & Wine, an enchanting boutique with esoteric vino, snake belts, scarves and hats; and Craigs Emporium, a one-stop vintage wonderland that feels more like a magic shop from Hogsmeade.

Each neighborhood is as singular as the next, too. From the white water courses and floating films at Riversport OKC in the Boathouse District, to the San Antonio-style riverwalk along the Bricktown Canal, the sweeping sunsets and wind-surfing on Lake Hefner, and the gorgeous landscaping and skyline views from downtowns new Scissortail Park  the city stuns at every vantage point. But while some attractions are shiny-new, older neighborhoods like Stockyards City, outfitted with taxidermy-clad saloons and boot-filled Western wear shops, preserves Oklahoma Citys honky-tonk heritage.

Stonecloud Brewery Stonecloud Brewery

Where to eat and drink

For a place where the state drink is milk, Oklahoma City has made huge strides on the food and drink front. Sure, you can get your fill of milk  at cool coffee shops like Neon Coffee, vegan-friendly Elemental Coffee,and Flower & Flour, which doubles as a cafe and a plant shop, but the beverage scene goes far beyond dairy. For cocktails, youll find masterful classics in retro-hip confines at The R&J Lounge & Supper Club, Manhattans with a view at Vast on the 49th floor of the Devon Tower, and seasonally inspired tipples at Barkeep, which doubles as a mixology shop. For wine, The Study is a cozy, nook-filled wine pub without a drop of pretension, while the citys brewery scene is booming, as evidenced by heavy-hitters like COOP Ale Works, Prairie Artisan Ales, Angry Scotsman and Stonecloud Brewing Company.

Oklahoma Citys food scene is just as robust. In recent years, the city has earned fanfare from Bon Appetit (which named tasting menu spot Nonesuch the best new restaurant in the country) and the James Beard Foundation (giving Oklahoma its first James Beard Award for soul food staple Florences Restaurant), while chefs like Andrew Black have attained local celebrity status for tasting menu concept Grey Sweater, as well as a soon-to-come patisserie, The Gilded Acorn. Then theres Rachel Cope, a veritable queen of the local dining scene. The founder and CEO of 84 Hospitality, shes mastered the art of the cornerstone neighborhood restaurant, starting with hip pizza-slinging Empire Slice House in the Plaza District, along with Goro Ramen and Burger Punk in the Paseo, and REV Mex in the Arts District.

Picasso Cafe HumanKind Hospitality

From tasting menus and celeb chefs to breakfast tacos and smash burgers, Oklahoma Citys dining scene has evolved into one thats truly world-class. In the morning, start your day with cereal milk lattes and Fruity Pebbles tarts at Stitch Cafe, or join the brunch queue at Latin-flavored Cafe Kacao, where your patience is rewarded with coquito French toast and eggs with Guatemalan sausage. Come lunchtime, 30th Street Market is a lofty all-day cafe thats perfect for catching up on work while eating pimento cheese sandwiches on house-baked milk bread, and Spark slings burgers, frozen custard and crinkle-cut fries from the middle of Scissortail Park.

Or you can save your burger cravings for the evening, when chic Bar Arbolada pairs cocktails and local beer with smash burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. For something spicier, ignite your taste buds at Ma Der, a new Laotion restaurant from a James Beard-nominated chef, or hole-in-the-wall Sheesh Mahal, where real-deal Indian and Pakistani flavors make it a local sleeper hit.

A prime example of Oklahoma Citys old-meets-new amalgam, Picasso Cafe reigns as a Paseo institution, an enduring vegan-friendly neighborhood tentpole that puts its stamp on Oklahoma-style comfort food with chicken-fried portobello mushrooms and vegan fry bread tacos. Because at the end of the day, no matter how cosmopolitan it gets, Oklahoma City is still a city that respects its roots  in all its chicken-fried, cowboy-clad glory.

For more travel news, tips and inspo, sign up for InsideHook's weekly travel newsletter, The Journey.

The post The Ultimate Oklahoma City Travel Guide appeared first on InsideHook.
Bangladesh police said Monday they had arrested an ARSA rebel commander at a Rohingya refugee camp in Coxs Bazar who was among the most wanted criminals  bringing to three the number of suspects captured in the area this month with insurgent links.

Until lately Bangladesh government officials and authorities had long denied allegations about the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) rebel group, which is based in the neighboring state of Rakhine in Myanmar, having a presence in this southeastern district. Coxs Bazar is home to camps and settlements near the Burmese border, where about 1 million Rohingya are sheltering.

Police announced the arrests of ARSA suspects Abu Bakkar, 37, along with Syedul Amin, 26, on Sunday, while Nur Mohammad, 47, was captured on July 7. The court in Coxs Bazar has ordered all three to be jailed, according to Sheikh Mohammad Ali, the police chief in the Ukhia sub-district.

Abu Bakkar, who acted as a camp leader for ARSA, has used aliases to avoid arrests in the past, said Md Kamran Hossain, the additional superintendent for Armed Police Battalion 8 (APBN-8).

He was listed as most wanted on the police list of criminals in Coxs Bazar, Kamran told BenarNews, adding that Abu Bakkar was allegedly involved in killing six Rohingya in a single incident in October 2021 and allegedly had a role in a more recent killing.

APBN unit 14 commander Naimul Haque said Amin worked as a gun runner while Mohammad was chairman of ARSAs fatwa committee. He said drone cameras had aided police in catching Abu Bakkar and Amin.

Haque said Amin had trained others to use weapons, including G3 battle rifles.

Police recovered some photographs of Amin that showed he posed with a G3 rifle, Haque said.

Amin told interrogators that he had undertaken weapons training in a Myanmar forest for six months, Haque said.

Amins family is living here in Coxs Bazar. He recently came here to meet family and police arrested him, the APBN-14 commander said.

Like Abu Bakkar, Muhammad hid his identity, according to the police official.

Muhammad used to run his organizational activities at night under the guise of a mawlana [Islamic preacher]. It helped him to operate more easily, Haque said.

More than 800 arrests

Haque told BenarNews that at least 836 Rohingya with alleged ties to ARSA had been arrested over the last six months, adding that officers confiscated three foreign-made handguns and at least 20 other firearms.

Since the September 2021 killing of internationally known Rohingya activist Muhib Ullah , police arrested nearly 2,000 Rohingya allegedly involved in criminal activities, including drug dealing.

Meanwhile, Rohingya and Bangladeshis in Coxs Bazar have expressed fears about terror activities including killings and kidnappings inside the refugee camps.

Ayasur Rahman, the leader of a local neighborhood watch group made up of Bangladeshi citizens who live in communities that surround the camps, urged government officials to take serious action against ARSA members operating in the camps here.

Elsewhere, a Rohingya leader from the Ukhia-1 camp who requested anonymity over safety concerns said residents were afraid.

ARSA people are now controlling and leading all illegal and unethical activities, including drug dealing inside camps, the leader told BenarNews.

Those people who are taking a stand against ARSA have become targets, thats why no one is making any comment against them publicly, he said.

Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, chairman of the local government at Ukhia, told BenarNews that members of the host community fear the terror activities inside the refugee camps.

Incidents of killings and other criminal activities have us scared as law enforcement agencies are struggling to prevent crimes committed by Rohingya, he said.
An F/A-18E Super Hornet takes off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) on July 16, 2022.

China announced a large-scale military exercise in the South China Sea after an American aircraft carrier sailed near the contested Spratly Islands and a U.S. Navy destroyer conducted consecutive sail-throughs.

The Hainan Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) issued a navigation warning on Friday, saying military drills would take place from Saturday to Wednesday in a large area overlapping the Paracel Islands, an archipelago contested by China, Taiwan and Vietnam but controlled entirely by China.

A navigation warning is a public advisory notice to mariners about changes to navigational aids and current marine activities or hazards such as military exercises.

According to the coordinates provided in the Hainan MSA warning, the planned drills cover an area of approximately 100,000 square kilometers (38,600 square miles) east of Hainan Island, which is located some 350 km (220 miles) from Vietnams port city of Danang.

China often holds military exercises at short notice as a response to U.S. naval activities in disputed areas of the South China and East China Seas.

On July 13, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group entered the South China Sea on its first deployment there this year. The strike group is led by the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

It was operating around the Spratly Islands at the same time as the USS Benfold, a guided-missile destroyer, conducted two consecutive freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea, a rare event.

China labelled the U.S. FONOPs as trespasses.

Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam hold territorial claims over the sea but the Chinese claim is by far the most expansive.

A C-2A Greyhound takes off from the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan, July 16, 2022. [U.S. Navy]

Provoking China

Chinese state media called the latest U.S. naval activities an escalated provocation and Chinese analysts warned of an unwanted conflict.

By operating in the South China Sea, the U.S. wants to provoke China in its core interests, create crises and hype tensions with the strategic goal of containing China, the Global Times quoted military expert Song Zhongping as saying.

On Sunday, the South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI), a Beijing-based Chinese think-tank, detailed the USS Ronald Reagans movements since it departed Guam on July 1, saying the carrier would probably make a port call in Danang, in central Vietnam.

Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on the plan earlier this month, citing Vietnamese sources close to the matter, but the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command declined to confirm it. RFA is an online news service affiliated with BenarNews.

There were talks about a similar planned visit by another aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, in May but that didnt materialize.

In a statement, the U.S. 7th Fleet said that carrier operations in the South China Sea are part of the U.S. Navys routine operations in the Indo-Pacific.

Our presence in the South China Sea demonstrates Americas commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, it quoted Capt. Fred Goldhammer, commanding officer of USS Ronald Reagan, as saying.

The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), named after the 40th U.S. President, is a Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered supercarrier, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.
MANILA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,285 new COVID-19 infections on Monday, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 3,735,383.

The DOH said the number of active cases climbed to 20,524.

The agency has reported over 2,000 new cases for the fifth straight day, and tallied 14,640 new cases last week, 44 percent higher than the previous week. The daily average was 2,091 new infections during the period.

The death toll remained unchanged at 60,641.

Government data showed that over 71.3 million Filipinos have been fully-vaccinated with COVID-19 shots in the country with a population of 110 million. However, the DOH said only 15 million people have received their booster shot. 
Pro-democracy activist leader Panusaya Rung Sithijirawattanakul, whose mobile phone allegedly was hacked while she was jailed on royal defamation charges, holds a letter asking the Thai king to support political reforms, during a protest in Bangkok, Sept. 20, 2020.

A rapper, an actress, Thai academics, and pro-democracy protest leaders were among dozens whose phones were hacked with spyware likely linked to the government, cybersecurity researchers said Monday in releasing forensic findings about the first known use of such espionage technology in Thailand.

At least 30 people were targeted for surveillance with Pegasus spyware produced by Israeli cybersecurity company NSO Group, research groups said as they unveiled their findings in Bangkok. These groups are Citizen Lab, a Canada-based cyber-research organization, iLaw, a Thai digital and legal rights NGO, and Digital Reach, a Southeast Asian tech rights organization.

The phone hacks were revealed in November 2021, when Apple warned several Thai iPhone users that state-sponsored attackers may have targeted their devices, said Ruchapong Chamjirachaikul, advocacy officer at iLaw.

This was the same time Apple filed a lawsuit in the U.S. against the NSO Group whose spyware Pegasus had been used to hack iPhones. So, this was the moment we found out how serious the situation was, he said while releasing a report about his groups findings at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT).

Soon after the revelation, the three organizations conducted a forensic investigation into the phones of those infected by the spyware, including people who had not been contacted by Apple.

We discovered an extensive espionage campaign targeting Thai pro-democracy protesters and activists calling for reforms to the monarchy, Citizen Lab said in its own report.

The victims included anti-government rapper Dechathorn Hockhacker Bamrungmuan, actress and activist Intira Charoenpura, as well as Arnon Nampa and Panusaya Rung Sithijirawattanakul and other leaders of pro-democracy protests that began in July 2020.

On Monday, a national police spokesman denied the allegations and said officers were following the law.

The national police bureau has authority under the penal code to prevent and suppress crimes, to keep peace and maintain national security and so on as it is assigned, Col. Krishna Pattanacharoen told reporters.

The national police bureau has not deployed any spyware for surveillance or to violate individual privacy as reported on social media. For the conduct of the security mission, the national police bureau strictly performs its duty according to the framework of laws.

Some of the victims of a spyware hack speak with reporters at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, in Bangkok, July 18, 2022. [Subel Rai Bhandari/BenarNews]

Rung, one of the public faces of the street protests, apparently had her phone infected with spyware while jailed on charges of royal defamation and sedition  one of four times she was hacked. She has since been released on bail.

I was still in prison, but my social media was updated. Maybe they wanted to see who was behind it, Rung said at the FCCT on Monday.

Another infection occurred as she and others were organizing a massive protest in Bangkok in June 2021. Since the hackings, she said she has tried to limit her use of phones.

The best we can do is use airplane mode most of the time or leave our phones far away when we discuss something sensitive, she said.

Sarinee Achavanuntakul, an adjunct professor at Thammasat University, said she originally considered Apples email a spam.

I was angry at first  how dare they! she said Monday. But when you look at it, you can see a pattern. The common theme is that all of us are dissidents and critics of the government.

An iLaw program manager, meanwhile, said he thought the Apple email was a mistake.

I didnt know why I was targeted. I still dont know, Yingcheep Atchanont told BenarNews on Monday. I had never heard about this spyware technology before. Its like in the movies.

Citizen Lab said his phone was infected 10 times.

John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the Citizen Lab, said while researchers could not conclusively attribute the infections to any specific agency, there are numerous pieces of circumstantial evidence  that suggests that a Thai governmental operator is pretty likely.

He said the targeting matched individuals of interest to Thai authorities.

As far as we know, Pegasus is exclusively sold to governments, which means when you find a case of a Pegasus infection, you can be sure that a government is behind it with some degree of certainty, Scott-Railton told BenarNews.

Yingcheep said he decided I dont want to be just a victim because this is an illegal action, adding he and other victims want to sue the government and are asking parliamentarians to investigate.

Unverifiable claims

The NSO Group, the maker of the Pegasus spyware, rejected the allegations made by the research groups.

Politically motivated organizations continue to make unverifiable claims against NSO hoping they will result in an outright ban on all cyber intelligence technologies, despite their well-documented successes saving lives, its spokesperson said in an email to BenarNews on Monday.

We refer you to the report itself, which states that the forensic evidence they collected from infected devices did not, in itself, provide strong evidence pointing to a specific NSO customer.

Last year, the U.S. government blacklisted the NSO Group for supplying spyware that foreign governments have allegedly used against peaceful dissidents and their associates worldwide.

Young Thais take part in a protest against the government in Bangkok, Sept. 19, 2020. [Nontarat Phaicharoen/BenarNews]

The phone hackings occurred between October 2020 and November 2021 at the height of the street protests when young Thais demanded changes to the constitution, for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha to resign and for the monarchy to be reformed.

The youngest victim was 18 at the time of the cyber infections, according to one of the research reports.

It is clear that the Thai government is the main benefactor of this Pegasus operation and probably the only benefactor in Thailand, said iLaws Ruchapong. It is in the interest of the Thai government to launch a cyber-attack on the Thai dissidents who are critical of the regime.

There is a correlation between the time of the Pegasus attack and major political demonstrations.

The researchers said the actual number of those targeted was very likely to be much higher.

The use of Pegasus against dissidents is believed to have been motivated by three main aims  to monitor the online activities of dissidents, to monitor the protests and to seek information about the funding sources for the protests, Digital Reach analyst Sutawan Chanprasert said.

Pegasus is a tool of mass surveillance and a source of serious human rights violation, Ruchapong said.

While there have been no signs of hacking after November 2021, there is currently an active Pegasus operator in Thailand, Citizen Labs Scott-Railton said. Its a really important and interesting question where that use is happening right now and who the targets are.

Researchers said the Pegasus spyware can be installed onto targets phones remotely without them clicking on any suspicious links or opening files.

There was no mistake  nothing they could have done to protect their devices from this insidious attack, Scott-Railton said. Once a phone is infected with spyware, it becomes a spy in your pocket.

On Monday, London-based Amnesty International said its security lab independently confirmed five of the cases raised in the report involving Thai activists.

These new revelations are a shocking example of just how low authorities might stoop to control peaceful dissent, said Etienne Maynier, a technologist at Amnesty International, adding the scale of surveillance attempts could be more extensive and more damaging.

Wilawan Watcharasakwet and Nontarat Phaicharoen in Bangkok contributed to this report.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 81F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.
A staff member refuels a vehicle at a gas station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 18, 2022. Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a nationwide state of emergency with effect from Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

COLOMBO, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a nationwide state of emergency with effect from Monday.

A special gazette notice said Wickremesinghe declared the state of emergency in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

Sri Lanka's parliament is scheduled to elect a new president on July 20 following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who flew to Singapore via the Maldives, amid a severe economic crisis in the South Asian country. Nominations for the presidential candidates will be called on Tuesday. 

People wait to refuel at a gas station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 18, 2022. Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a nationwide state of emergency with effect from Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

People wait to refuel at a gas station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 18, 2022. Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a nationwide state of emergency with effect from Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data.
Gun safety is something the Legislature has not taken off the table as the formal legislative session winds down, according to state Senate President Karen Spilka.
Paris: 1 personne tuee et 4 blessees dans une fusillade survenue dans un bar a chicha du 11e arrondissement

Une personne a ete tuee et quatre autres blessees dans une fusillade survenue dans un bar a chicha du 11e arrondissement de Paris.
JAKARTA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- An oil tank truck, allegedly due to brake failure, hit several cars and motorcycles in Indonesia's Jakarta on Monday, killing 11 people and injuring scores of others, rescuers who helped the victims told Xinhua via phone.

The driver failed to control the truck when it was passing a street in Cibubur village of East Jakarta, according to Agung Priambodo, head of operation of Jakarta's search and rescue office.

He said the injured were rushed to several nearby hospitals.

"Our personnel, firefighters and others were immediately rushed to the scene to help the victims," he told Xinhua via phone. 
The partnership aims to enhance scope of care and create avenues for new research

Pfizer India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Max Super Specialty Hospitals to give fellowships to young doctors in 17 Max Hospitals to gather real-world evidence (RWE) on drug efficacy and proven therapies from existing electronic patient records. This evidence generation will focus on the prevention, treatment and management of diseases that are of public health priority in India, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. The bespoke fellowships will be a form of recognition and will enable young clinicians who want to pursue medical research to do so with clear goals in place.

The fellowship programme will provide young clinicians and researchers at all 17 Max Speciality Hospitals across 4 states in India, with an opportunity to acquire funding and sponsorships for their research work. The selection criteria for these fellowships will be decided by the medical and research experts at Max Healthcare. Pfizer will provide technical and financial support to the programme.

Additionally, through this collaboration, Pfizer and Max Hospitals plan to build centres of excellence (CoEs) in rare diseases. The MAX hospital will be CoE for placing various RWE studies, capability-building workshops and fellowship programmes in rare disease areas to start with.
Hive has partnered with Think Wi-Fi to offer our clients the ability to build positive brand awareness and strong brand equity in never before reached markets (with a combined spending power of R26bn).

Think Wi-Fi provides internet access to communities and market segments which are economically, socially and historically disadvantaged.

New-age digital marketing and trends in South Africa have brought an opportunity to rethink how location-based marketing budgets are allocated and to invest in sponsored Wi-Fi services.

It goes without saying that subsidised internet access enables brands to increase awareness, create positive equity through positive mindshare, and attract business.

Many brands depend on their online advocates, who are over-represented in lower income brackets.

"Wi-Fi has become a new age basic service that many South Africans cannot afford, or have access to. More businesses need to be conscious of this and make a difference by recognising this innovative and impactful branding opportunity. Wi-Fi sponsorships are not only a great way to strengthen brand equity and positive brand perception, but it is also a great opportunity towards building a better and more connected South Africa especially for low-income communities," emphasises Aqsa Qureshi.

Brands therefore need to make strategic investments in internet access to engage with this demographic. The benefits accrued in investing in sponsored Wi-Fi campaigns with Think Wi-Fi include broadened awareness, in-market purchase consideration, positive brand perception and massive loyal long-term sales.

Think Wi-Fi gives brands access to lower-income market segments where internet can be subsidised. Brands are reaching an audience who values connectivity (and the brand who provides it to them). In addition, Think Wi-Fi has a wealth of knowledge and expertise and can encourage action with this knowledge on when, where, and why consumers are accessing the internet.

With Think Wi-Fi campaigns, brands enjoy the privilege of choosing to place sponsored Wi-Fi zones in geo-targeted locations close to, or even within their stores. With Think Wi-Fi brands can successfully deliver targeted, relevant messaging about the brand and related things like products and stores.

Brands are able to push tailored messages that take users, especially price and discount conscious ones, to touchpoints (Think Zones) such as stores, kiosks, taverns and within communities.

It is clear that internet connectivity is a big deal to many South Africans. Brands can tap into this incredible opportunity to make access possible while reaping the rewards of increased brand and product exposure, and most importantly a long-term increase in their bottom line.

This partnership between Hive Digital Media and Think Wi-Fi is definitely the best way for brands to do their brand equity marketing.

Any salesperson can tell you that closing a sale, especially in the digital media space, involves an endless number of steps. While these steps, which include research, preparing, prospecting, presenting, etc., are all aimed at closing a sale, there is a significant difference between converting a consumer from a position of unawareness to a sale versus converting a consumer who is brand conscious into a sale.

Did you know that how consumers feel about your brand or product could potentially make or break the entire sales process? In a nutshell, this is what brand perception is all about," says Aqsa Qureshi, the Premium channel manager at Hive.

Qureshi says that its beneficial to remember that its not just brand messaging that steers the ship. Consumer interactions, first-hand experiences, and opinions from others (both digitally and physically) are important determining factors brand perception.

Qureshi states that the most important thing to understand, especially in the modern advertising age is that the consumer, not the business determines brand perception. Brand perception is the way that a target audience perceives a brand based on what a brand says and how the brand says it (i.e., brand messaging).

Key influencing factors of brand perception

Brand perception is not about what you portray as a business. Its about what consumers believe about your brand and the products & services you supply. Consumers choose you; you dont get to choose them.

There is not only a direct correlation between sales and the quality of a product or service, but also a direct correlation between sales and the perception a consumer has with the brand. Simply put, positive brand perception means consumers are more likely to choose your business over a competitor.

Elements that can make or break consumer perception:

Advertising: Whats the content and tone of your messaging, which platforms are you using to relay these messages? Do these messages align with your brand persona?

Price: Does your pricing model match the quality of your products and services?

Personal experience: Personal experience not only speaks about customer relationship management (CRM), but also refers to first-hand interaction (physically or digitally) that consumers have experienced with your brand. Given high market saturation in the new digital age, brands need to cleverly compete for positive mindshare to gain brand equity. Every brand wants prospective customers to always consider their products when they are in-market, but not every brand is investing in brand equity campaigns.

Brand perception impacts a companys bottom line  a lot, which is why companies need to invest in long-term brand equity campaigns to ensure continued sales and consumer loyalty.

Qureshi states: The holistic and strategic goal of companies brand campaigns should be to ensure better brand perception in order to gain increased brand equity in the market.

What is brand equity?

Brand equity generally speaks to the premium value earned from brand recognition and positive brand perception. Higher brand equity is usually enjoyed by positively perceived and accepted brand compared to lesser-known and negative sentiment brands.

Advantages of strong brand equity:

Strong brand recognition:

When you invest in brand equity campaigns you will have people constantly seeing your logo in an advertising journey. Having positive brand equity can help make it easier for you to grow your business in your main market, as well as in new markets.



Brand preference:

By helping consumers remember your brand through means of positive engagements, you increase chances of your brand being the brand that consumers prefer over other brands. Consumers tend to prefer brands that they perceive more favourably.



In market purchase consideration:

Brands who have strong brand equity along with high positive perception will enjoy high consumers top-of-mind product awareness. This means that consumers will most likely have your brand instantly come to mind when they are in-market purchasing in your category.



Competitive advantage:

In all honesty, the only people who wont be happy about your companys positive brand equity will be your competitors. Positive brand equity will mean that customers are willing to pay a premium price for your products or services. Positive brand equity in the long term will translate into customers willing to try your new product without question, just because it has your logo on it.

Creating positive perception and strong brand equity with Wi-Fi sponsorships

One example of a clever brand equity campaign that can boost your business bottom line in tangible and intangible ways is Wi-Fi sponsorships.

For more on Think Wi-Fi product, you can contact the Hive team at aidem.latigidevih@ofni.




Left to right: Tariq Alinur of BrainCX and Clinton Cohen of iContact BPO

IContact BPO specialises in inbound and outbound customer service and support, predominantly for international business clients based in the US, Canada, UK, Europe and Australia. iContact BPO is part of the Alefbet Holdings group which owns numerous collections and customer service BPO providers. BrainCX (BCX), based in the US, specialises in solving complex customer experience challenges and delivering top-notch CX strategies through call centre, customer support, and technical support outsourcing for a host of multinational businesses. Companies focused on providing exceptional customer experiences go to BCX because of their experience, reputation, and credibility in the industry. IContact BPO and BCX joining forces is a partnership based on aligned values, commitment to excellence, and driving second-to-none results.

South Africa is an increasingly attractive option for outsourcing at a time when businesses across the globe are under enormous cost pressures and skills shortages. IContacts combination of our strategic locations, business intelligence tools, skilled leadership, educated skills pool with strong English language proficiency, labour arbitrage, rapid scalability and a strong financial case present our international clients with a powerful BPO value proposition in South Africa, explains Clinton Cohen, CEO of iContact BPO.

Our partnership with BCX provides a highly strategic outsourcing solution for our shared clients. Together, we bring powerful insights and direction in building and designing the entire customer experience journey from end-to-end, delivering to our client a full stack of CX fundamentals, technology, processes, people, quality management, and infrastructure in a cohesive and fully loaded offering, adds Cohen.

Tariq Alinur, CEO of BCX adds: There are many advantages of offshoring to South Africa and partnering with iContact BPO on this particular client. A significant advantage that South Africa has in its favour that goes far beyond the factors of linguistics, technology, and economics, is the empathy and work ethic of its people. When it comes down to customer experience and cultivating a culture of empathy, South Africas call centre agents are well advanced in this vital customer service skill. In terms of our decision to partner with iContact BPO, a lot came down to the approach of the leadership team and their willingness to work in a partnership approach with BCX to build the right CX strategy for our client. When a client is building their outsourcing model, the needs and technology requirements are not always distinctly defined  there is a need to build the strategy on a discovery basis.

In such a scenario, we look to work directly with experienced and collaborative executive teams that are willing and capable of building a CX model tailored to the clients needs, rather than enforcing a pre-determined playbook that may not be a good fit. This level of flexibility, agility, and engagement were key factors in our decision to partner with iContact BPO, concludes Tariq.

The success of the partnership with iContact BPO and BCX is underpinned by delivering strong offshoring fundamentals, bringing together the best of customer experience, economics, quality BPO services, rapid scale when needed, high service levels, socially responsible supply chains, and an absolute commitment to the operational performance metrics that matter most to our shared business clients, concludes Cohen.

For more information visit www.icontactbpo.com and www.braincx.com.




For Mandela Day this year, Reebok is donating R67 for every pre-loved sneaker donation collected, and uplifting an embattled small business in the process.

Source: Supplied

Reebok South Africa is aiming to raise R20,000 to assist Mduduzi Mnisi, a young entrepreneur from Soweto whose sneaker-cleaning business Mdu tragically burnt to the ground in a load-shedding accident. Reebok hopes to get Mdu back to business and redistribute over 300 pairs of sneakers to communities in need.

Mduduzi and his passion to uplift his community embodies both the Ubuntu spirit of Nelson Mandela and the Reebok mindset that Life is Not a Spectator Sport, says Steffi Jones, brand and omni lead at Reebok South Africa. We applaud his tenacity and want to assist him in getting Mdu up and running again. What better way to do it than by bringing together Mzansis love for sneakers and togetherness?

Where most Mandela Day campaigns encourage people to donate 67 minutes  one minute for every year Madiba fought for human rights  Reebok is asking for just a moment, which theyll use to donate R67 to Mdu.

The CSI campaign encourages people to drop a used pair of sneakers in a donation box at their closest Reebok store. All brands are welcome and Reebok will donate R67 to Mdu to clean the sneakers and restart his business. The pre-owned sneakers will then be redistributed to Mdus charities of choice in the Soweto area by Picup, a local delivery and logistics company.

The donation boxes are available from 16 to 31 July at Reebok Canal Walk in Cape Town and Reebok Sandton City in Johannesburg.

Mandela-inspired sneakers up for grabs

Source: Supplied

For every pair donated, donors will receive an entry to win a limited edition, bespoke, Mandela-inspired Reebok Classic Leather sneaker, customised by local illustrator Ryan Carolisen. The more pairs donated, the more R67s will be provided to Mdu and the more sneakers will be redistributed to those in need.

With this campaign, we have no doubt that Mnisi and Mdu will be back in business by the end of the month, adds Jones. We are extremely grateful to our partner Picup, who will be handling the redistribution of the sneakers to communities in need, as well as the Reebok Movement Makers who will be challenging their followers to take part in this initiative.

The people of South Africa have always shown resilience and support for their fellow South Africans and we have no doubt they will step up once more to support a budding entrepreneur and give back in a way that would make Tata Madiba proud.
Imagine a future in which your new cellphone is delivered to your home by a courier who also sets up your new device for you. What about a courier who can deliver a spare part for your washing machine and install it while he is there?

Sapics Conference panelists Diederick Stopforth, Nelson Teixeira, Garry Marshall and Martin Bailey discuss e-commerce and the last mile. Source: Supplied

These were some of the scenarios explored by parcel industry experts in a panel discussion on e-commerce and the last mile at the recent 2022 Sapics Conference for supply chain professionals.

The Covid-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented growth in e-commerce and the courier industry. The challenges and opportunities for the industry were examined by panelists Garry Marshall, CEO of the South African Express Parcel Association (Saepa) and managing director of BidAir Cargo; Industrial Logistic Systems executive Martin Bailey; Diederick Stopforth, the sales and marketing executive at Skynet Worldwide Express South Africa; and CourierIt SA operations director Nelson Teixeira.

Quick commerce skyrockets

According to Marshall, the technology needed to drive the e-commerce and Q-commerce (quick commerce) boom in South Africa developed virtually overnight as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. As the saying goes, never waste a good emergency. The pandemic propelled us to leap ahead in South Africa and swiftly embrace and implement innovative e-commerce and Q-commerce technology and solutions. It has been good for the last mile industry and for the public.

Q-commerce has skyrocketed in South Africa since the start of the pandemic. It entails the super-fast fulfilment of orders for smaller quantities of things like food, groceries and over-the-counter medicines. Leading South African retailers have implemented Q-commerce solutions.

Teixeira, whose company handles the successful Checkers Sixty60 delivery service, said that the Q-commerce grocery market in South Africa has doubled in size since before Covid-19 and further exponential growth is expected.

Stopforth told Sapics Conference attendees that home deliveries of chronic medicines have also shot up since the start of the pandemic. We have gone from doing 500 to 600 deliveries a day for some pharmaceutical industry clients to 5,000 home deliveries a day.

Security risks and no consolidation are among the challenges, he noted. Thousands of deliveries to individual homes make parcel and transport consolidation impossible. Locker boxes for deliveries may offer one possible solution. Medicines, especially high-schedule drugs, are a security risk. We are also seeing more hijacking of courier vehicles delivering high-value items like cellphones.

One of the innovative solutions offered by Skynet is a partnership with security service provider Fidelity ADT.

Who would have thought that a courier company and a security company would partner? It is, however, the ideal arrangement to address the unacceptably high volume of hijackings and robberies in the courier sector, Stopforth asserted.

Courier skills of the future

With security and last-mile delivery converging, it is plausible that the courier of the future will have the skills to set up a new television, cell phone or computer that is delivered.

There are vast opportunities to add new skills and services to the last mile industry to meet consumer demand. With the high rate of returns in e-commerce, there are now couriers that iron, fold and repack clothing returns. They then store these in their own warehouse, ready to go out for delivery again when an appropriate order is received, Stopforth explained.

Multi-faceted e-commerce opportunity

E-commerce is usually viewed as a challenge to bricks and mortar retail, but according to Marshall, the future could see the two co-existing harmoniously. Some innovative retailers are using their bricks and mortar outlets to create orders for e-commerce, he explained. If a customer goes into the store and cannot get a particular item or size, they are invited to place an online order for delivery to their home.

South African producers are also reaping the benefits of the e-commerce boom, according to Marshall. E-commerce has opened up the world for South African producers. Today, its not unusual for a customer to tell their courier company to come and collect as they have deliveries for Kempton Park, Lusikisiki and New York.

E-commerce growth has also opened up more opportunities for smaller e-commerce companies as courier companies can offer the small players shared warehousing, technology and services. Job creation and skills development are among the positive spinoffs.
Reigning Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane has been crowned Miss Supranational.

Image supplied: Lalela Mswane has been crowned Miss Supranational

The pageant took place tonight at the Strzelecki Park Amphitheatre in Nowy Sacz, Poland, where Chanique Rabe of Namibia crowned her successor at the end of the event.

24-year-old Mswane  who comes from KwaSokhulu in Richards Bay  represented South Africa against contestants from 69 other countries.

Mswane was one of the front runners throughout the build-up to the finale, wowing the judges in the national costume competition which paid tribute to her Zulu heritage and was designed by Cape Town-based Lloyd Kandlin, the director of the Costume Department.

The show was streamed live on YouTube.

Said Mswane after the pageant, I am overwhelmed; at the moment it still feels surreal. I am deeply thankful to all the amazing people who have supported and uplifted me, I couldnt have done it without them. I want to thank the organisers of Miss Supranational, the Polish people, all my fellow contestants, the Miss South Africa Organisation and my South African fans. This title is not mine alone, it is South Africas victory.

Image supplied: Lalela Mswane was crowned by Chanique Rabe

Miss South Africa Organisation CEO, Stephanie Weil, said, We are incredibly proud of Lalela and she really deserved this win. It is a victory for her and South Africa and we cant wait to see what she is going to achieve on the international stage.

At the time of winning the Miss South Africa title in October last year, Mswane had graduated with a Bachelor of Law from the University of Pretoria. She is also a model and a dancer.
The Durban FilmMart the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with Animation South Africa is hosting the second dialogue in the 2022 Cav' Platform and Animation SA Dialogue Forum: Incubators and Creative Clusters as Models for the Transformation of the Audio Visual Industry.

Isabelle Rorke will moderate the Dialogue Forum and the panel is composed of experts in incubation, creative clusters and ecosystems strategy Levinia Jones, Leoti Taylor and Xolile Vundla.

The Cav Platform is a collaborative project between the Goethe-Institut and Animation South Africa (ASA) that develop dialogue forums focused on topics relevant to the Animation Industry.

Goethe-Institut and Animation SA have been collaborating over the past three years on the Cav Platform mainly focusing on the transformation of the South African animation industry. Each dialogue forum is based on the theme and research findings of transformation requirements within the animation industry.

In the course of German Development Cooperation, GIZ and Goethe-Institut are collaborating with AnimationSA to develop the ecosystem of the rapidly growing African animation sector. While GIZ is providing support to ASA to strengthen their internal capacity as an industry association, further develop services to members and broaden ASAs role and capacity for advocacy and lobbying work on behalf of the industry, the Goethe-Institut is focusing on support to enable extensive industry dialogues.

The Second Dialogue of the 2022 Forum is a hybrid event billed to take place at the Cape Town International Animation Festival CTIAF in August. This Dialogue Forum will cover the latest trends and opportunities in licensing and merchandising in the animation community.

The event will take place on 22 July from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. For ticketing information, RSVP to Makhathini.sandile@goethe.de.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa recently announced the appointment of Terence Steenkamp as its new media specialist to replace Lebohang Matsoso, who has moved to a brand specialist role. The company said in a statement that Steenkamp is responsible for media strategy and engagement, which includes the managing of all media queries and requests, as well as the Friends of the Brand programme.

Terence Steenkamp | image supplied

He joins the company with a varied career in media and PR and graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2005 with a BA in Languages specialising in journalism. He completed his BPhil Honours degree in journalism at the University of Stellenbosch the following year. Steenkamp also holds a diploma in public relations from the University of Cape Town.

His career kicked off as a news journalist before becoming a copy-editor for the Wiel motoring magazine. Terence also worked his way up to editor at South Africa's oldest motoring media brand Car.

I caught up briefly with Steenkamp to find out more about himself and his new role.

Congratulations on your new appointment. How are you feeling about it?

Both excited and nervous! Im elated to join Mercedes-Benz  its a brand Ive admired since childhood and its a dream come true to join the stable.

Briefly tell us about your career.

Like many PR professionals, I started as a journalist, first at a daily newspaper and then at a number of magazine titles, culminating in the editorship at Car. Before joining Mercedes-Benz, I was the PR manager at Kia South Africa.

What will your role as Mercedes Benz SAs media specialist entail?

Im responsible for media strategy and engagement  which includes the managing of all media queries and requests  at the Cars division of Mercedes-Benz SA.

You will be responsible for handling Mercedes Benz SAs Friends of the Brand programme. Can you tell us about this and what it means?

The Friends of the Brand programme is a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and a number of people in the public eye who we believe represent the best of South Africa. They run the gamut of celebrated sportspeople such as Siya Kolisi to innovative chefs like Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen and David Higgs, to musicians, entrepreneurs and artists, all of who drive a model from the extensive Mercedes-Benz range.

What approach will you be taking in your role?

Distilled, my main responsibility is to create positive awareness of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Thanks to my background in journalism, I very much see the value in working closely with the media and various content creators to achieve this.

What do you love most about your career and the industry you are in?

It combines two of my loves  communication and cars. Win-win!

Take us through a day in the life of Terence Steenkamp

Every day starts with a good cup of coffee, a cuddle for my Boston terrier and miniature Schnauzer and, if hes lucky, my partner too. Mercedes-Benz operates on a modern-day flexible office setup, so some days Ill drive into the office, and on other days Ill work from home.

We usually have quite a number of meetings with colleagues both local and global, and Im in regular contact with journalists and content creators. After work, we usually take the dogs for a walk and then I cook (another passion).

What advice do you have for PR professionals/journalists?

Figure out what your specific skill set is and then find out how it can make you money. Some of the most successful journalists I know, function in a defined niche in which they offer a certain something no one else does. As for PR professionals? I need their advice!
Photo taken on July 15, 2022 shows the view of the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex after the restoration in Kathmandu, Nepal. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the restoration project for the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Nepal has been completed with Chinese aid after hard work for nearly five years. The complex, which lies at the heart of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a world cultural heritage site in the Nepali capital, was badly damaged in the 2015 massive earthquakes. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

KATHMANDU, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the restoration project for the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Nepal has been completed with Chinese aid after hard work for nearly five years.

The Chinese government and the experts have been able to "erect this monument with its original authenticity, integrity as well as its outstanding universal value," Damodar Gautam, director general of Nepal's Department of Archaeology, said on Friday.

The complex, which lies at the heart of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a world cultural heritage site in the Nepali capital, was badly damaged in the 2015 massive earthquakes.

The top three storeys of the Basantapur Palace situated in the southwest corner of the complex totally collapsed, while part of the Bhaktapur Tower in the northeast corner collapsed as well, and some 80 percent of the complex walls suffered varying degrees of deformation and cracking, with over 10,000 wooden components damaged and scattered.

In the aftermath of the tremors, both the Chinese government and the Nepali government agreed to launch the restoration project for the Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex and the project started in August 2017.

According to the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage which has been undertaking the restoration project, post-quake recovery for the complex was pressing, challenging, risky and hard for the team, as the damaged parts of the complex would suffer less loss if the project could move ahead as quickly as possible.

In addition, the complex remaining open to visitors has challenged the team to ensure the safety of both tourists and the project. As many as some 200 people were involved in the reconstruction at the peak time.

Gautam noted that the Chinese experts always consulted with the Nepali side about how to keep the complex's traditional value, design and originality so that "the outstanding universal values of the world heritage site could be maintained."

"They are very cautious about maintaining the authenticity, integrity and values of the world heritage site," he added.

For chief engineer Zhou Jianguo and the team, they had insufficient historical references to work on at the very beginning, especially for the collapsed parts. They had to visit veteran craftsmen and collect old photos in their efforts to restore the historical traces of the complex.

The team moved to reinforce the structures by means of a so-called reversible soft connection, which enabled them to achieve a minimal disturbance but preserve the complex's originality to the most possible extent, and the Chinese team has achieved a patent for the innovative technology in China.

In addition, as the complex had numerous fine and exquisite wooden structures and sculptures, the team used as many original components as possible and all the damaged carvings in the windows have been restored elaborately.

About 85 percent of the old wooden components were applied in the project, while around 3,700 pieces of wooden components were newly built as supplementary parts for the restoration project, accounting for 15 percent of the total wooden components used.

Nepali sculptor Manhari Maharjan felt "fortunate" to work with the Chinese team.

"We could learn a lot from the Chinese team as they identified the carvings of designs that we had not seen earlier," he said. "If a window needed to be repaired, the Chinese team observed the window very well and invited us to discuss with them about whether something was missing in the window."

"They asked us to compare the available window with the picture of the original window and make the same window," he added. "We sketched the missing parts based on the picture of the original window and helped to create a window like the original one."

The restored palace complex looks "very beautiful" and "historical," said a Nepali tourist, who was not allowed inside at the time, as the open time had not come yet. 

Photo taken on July 15, 2022 shows the interior view of the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex after the restoration in Kathmandu, Nepal. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the restoration project for the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Nepal has been completed with Chinese aid after hard work for nearly five years. The complex, which lies at the heart of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a world cultural heritage site in the Nepali capital, was badly damaged in the 2015 massive earthquakes. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

A man works to restore the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Kathmandu, Nepal, July 15, 2022. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the restoration project for the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Nepal has been completed with Chinese aid after hard work for nearly five years. The complex, which lies at the heart of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a world cultural heritage site in the Nepali capital, was badly damaged in the 2015 massive earthquakes. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

Photo taken on July 15, 2022 shows the view of the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex after the restoration in Kathmandu, Nepal. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the restoration project for the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Nepal has been completed with Chinese aid after hard work for nearly five years. The complex, which lies at the heart of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a world cultural heritage site in the Nepali capital, was badly damaged in the 2015 massive earthquakes. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

A man looks at the pictures of the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Kathmandu, Nepal, July 15, 2022. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the restoration project for the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Nepal has been completed with Chinese aid after hard work for nearly five years. The complex, which lies at the heart of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a world cultural heritage site in the Nepali capital, was badly damaged in the 2015 massive earthquakes. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

Photo taken on July 15, 2022 shows the view of the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex after the restoration in Kathmandu, Nepal. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the restoration project for the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Nepal has been completed with Chinese aid after hard work for nearly five years. The complex, which lies at the heart of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a world cultural heritage site in the Nepali capital, was badly damaged in the 2015 massive earthquakes. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)
The University of the Free State (UFS) has lifted its Covid-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy with immediate effect.

Image source: Markus Winkler from Pexels

Since the declaration by the Government on 22 June 2022 that the Covid-19 regulations will be repealed, the UFS has conducted a risk assessment to determine the risk of exposure to staff and students. From the assessment, it was clear that the universitys Covid-19 infections are currently a low risk, said Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

Factors that contributed to this low risk include the following:

No Covid-19 positive cases among UFS staff and students have been reported in the past month.

The high number of vaccinations among UFS stakeholders. In addition, the current national immunity level of the total South African population is high.

Certain faculties and postgraduate students are currently proceeding with hybrid/online learning, which minimises the risk of possible Covid-19 infections on the universitys three campuses.

In its correspondence of 23 June 2022, the UFS urged all staff and students to continue wearing masks should they have comorbidities and/or symptoms of illness, thus safeguarding other stakeholders.

We believe that Covid-19 no longer poses an immediate threat to the safety of our staff and students, and that the pandemic is at a stage where they should take responsibility for their own safety. This can be mainly ascribed to the success of the implementation of the policy. Staff and students who still wish to wear masks are urged to do so at their own discretion. Those who have not yet been vaccinated against the virus and have no known condition preventing them from doing so, are advised to get vaccinated for their own safety and protection, said Prof Petersen.

The UFS Covid-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy was approved by the University Council on 26 November 2021 and implemented on 6 December 2021. The university commenced restricting unvaccinated individuals from accessing its campuses as of 14 February 2022.

If the national regulatory environment with respect to Covid-19 is changing to such an extent that the policy needs to be re-implemented, the universitys executive management will act accordingly, and hence the Covid-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy remains a policy of the university as approved by the UFS Council on 26 November 2021, said Prof Petersen.
#UniteBehind seek to join Siyangena-Prasa case in the Supreme Court of Appeal after rail agency moves to reach settlement in corrupt contract.

Access gates installed by Siyangena at Cape Town Station never worked. Archive photo: Kim Reynolds / GroundUp

Commuter activist organisation #UniteBehind is joining the SCA appeal between Prasa and Siyangena Technology after doubts were raised about Prasas commitment to the matter.

Leaked minutes indicated that Prasa was quietly seeking a R3.1-billion settlement with Siyangena, despite a High Court ruling setting aside the contract between the rail agency and the company.

A legal opinion sought by Prasa warned that they should not settle the matter with Siyangena.

Commuter rail activist organisation #UniteBehind is to join the matter between the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and Siyangena in the Supreme Court of Appeal as amicus curiae. #UniteBehind has raised concerns about settlement negotiations between Prasa and Siyangena, initiated after the High Court found them to be in a corrupt relationship.

Siyangena is appealing the October 2020 judgment in which a full bench of the Pretoria High Court set aside the contracts between Prasa and Siyangena, finding the company was complicit to the corruption, impropriety and maladministration that surrounded the contracts for security and access management technology.

According to Zackie Achmat, deponent to #UniteBehinds founding affidavit in its application to intervene as amicus curiae, the commuter activist organisation sought to join the appeal after having sight of the parties heads of argument, and after news reports raised concerns that Prasa was not organising to defend the case adequately.

In terms of the High Court judgment, an independent engineer was to be appointed to evaluate the cost of the work done by Siyangena. This evaluation was to then be compared to the money already paid to the company, and if the cost of the goods was greater than the amounts paid to Siyangena, Prasa has to compensate Siyangena for the difference. If it was less, then Siyangena must pay back Prasa.

But an independent evaluation has not started.

Subsequently, Siyangena filed papers to appeal the judgment in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).

In February this year, GroundUp reported that Werksmans, Prasas lawyers in the High Court victory against Siyangena, had dropped the rail agency after it had failed to pay them.

Instead, Prasa has quietly been negotiating a possible settlement agreement with Siyangena to the tune of R3.1-billion, first revealed by an amaBhungane investigation.

On 31 August 2021, Prasa received a legal opinion from advocate Kgomosoane Mathipa, in response to 14 questions from Prasas acting Group Executive for Legal, Risk and Compliance Sifiso Simelane, and Prasas chairperson, Leonard Ramatlakane, mostly regarding a possible settlement between the rail agency and Siyangena.

Mathipa argued that a settlement may be considered before the SCA hears the case, but only if it is accepted by the SCA, and if Siyangena accepts the High Court judgment that found it was corrupt.

But Mathipa warned that Prasa should not settle the matter, except to agree that Siyangena withdraws its appeal in the SCA.

Ramatlakane also asked Mathipa if former Prasa CEO Lucky Montanas testimony at the Zondo commission about how he had acquired a large property portfolio using the same lawyers as Siyangena could hurt Prasas chances in the SCA appeal.

The High Court had found that the evidence is irresistible that [Siyangena] was providing the backing [for the purchase of homes for Montana].

The High Courts conclusion was supported, not defeated, in the Zondo commissions report into Prasa.

Despite Mathipas cautioning, in November 2021 Prasas board and then-CEO Kgosie Matthews met with Siyangenas bosses, including Mario Ferreira. According to the minutes of that meeting, a resolution was adopted that a joint team of Prasa and Siyangena Technology should prepare a draft agreement that would be made an order of court.

This agreement would consist of a R2.6-billion payout to Siyangena to close the last chapter and R500-million as part of the court order.

On 30 May, #UniteBehind wrote to the attorneys for Prasa and Siyangena to raise their concerns about the negotiations between the rail agency and the corrupt contractor, calling it unlawful conduct, and that any settlement would be unconstitutional and against public policy.

On 29 June, Prasas new attorneys in the matter, Ngeno & Mteto, replied to #UniteBehinds letter, saying that there was no settlement agreement concluded between Prasa and Siyangena. The letter also threatened to report #UniteBehinds attorneys, Webber Wentzel, to the Legal Practice Council for a conflict of interest.

Raising the issue of conflict of interest is baffling since #UniteBehind is not against Prasa in the proceedings, #UniteBehind replied on 1 July. It pointed out that Webber Wentzel has been involved in the proceedings between Siyangena and Prasa as amicus curiae since inception in 2018 with Prasas full knowledge (and acquiescence).

Prasa indicated that it would not oppose #UniteBehinds application to join as amicus curiae. Siyangena initially said that it would oppose #UniteBehinds application to join the SCA matter, but on 8 July, it changed tack and indicated that it would not oppose its joining.

The matter will be heard on 26 August. Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda said, We have no comment at this stage pending the court process.

This article was originally published on GroundUp.
The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) has learnt with shock of the killing of Joshua Mbatha, Alex FM's music manager.

He was 32. Mbatha, affectionately known as DJ Jorontinah, was shot by unknown gunmen after he left work on Thursday night. He was with two of his colleagues, Sammy Ramodike and Matome Mookanedi, when they were stopped by gunmen.

Isaac Mangena, Alex FMs chairperson, said in a statement, They took their phones and shoes before shooting Joshua in the chest. He succumbed to his injuries at Masakhane clinic around 9pm. Lets keep the family and Joshs colleagues in our prayers. A promising career gone too soon.

Mbathas killing underlines the high levels of deadly crimes that South Africans are subjected to on a daily basis. We call on law enforcement agencies to work around the clock to apprehend the killers.

Sbu Ngalwa, Sanefs chairperson, said, At 32, Joshua was still young and with a great future ahead of him. We call on the police to ensure that the perpetrators are found. Our communities, including media workers, are living under constant fear of crime and brutality. It has to stop.

Alex FM was one of the stations that were looted during last years unrest in July. Following the looting, the station remained on the air despite the challenges. For this, Alex FM received an award for bravery at last years Nat Nakasa Awards.

Sanef sends its condolences to the Mbatha family, friends and colleagues at Alex FM.

Funeral and memorial service details will be announced in due course after consultation with the family.
In the next five years, inspectors from the government's Department of Employment and Labour will visit 389,000 workplaces across South Africa.

Image: Supplied

Employment and Labour minister Thulas Nxesi announced in May that the inspections formed part of the states programme to ensure compliance with labour legislation, improve workplace conditions and ultimately protect workers.

Government findings show there were 36,000 compliant and 26,000 non-compliant employers in 2021, with the most common forms of non-compliance relating to general safety regulations, Covid-19 instructions, hazardous chemical regulations, environmental regulations and facilities regulations.

Because the Disaster Management Act required that organisations implement a Covid-19 policy, they have been forced to implement health and safety management systems to ensure they remain operational.

While the worst of the pandemic may be over, these systems are now entrenched and will need to be improved on to meet legal requirements. Businesses can no longer simply consider them a box to be ticked.

If an organisation does not have a policy drafted, implemented and embedded in the management system, health and safety may not be taken seriously. This can lead to an increase in incidents and injuries, an increase in insurance policies, reputational damage, high employee turnaround, imprisonment and fines from the government, says Van Zyl Krause, operations manager for South African ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) training and implementation specialist WWISE.

Required standards

Currently, health and safety management systems based on the requirements of ISO 45001:2018 are in high demand.

The ISO 45001:2018 standard requires an organisation to include the statutory and regulatory requirements in the system as well as the evaluations that are required to be done to ensure compliance with the legislative requirements. By implementing management systems based on the requirements of ISO 45001:2018, organisations are measured and tested on an international level, Krause explains.

Within ISO 45001:2018 are a number of clauses that are pertinent to the establishment and effectiveness of the system:

Clause 4 establishes the scope of the management system, identifying interested parties and the associated risks, as well as the organisations internal and external issues;





Clause 5 addresses how top management can ensure that a process for consultation and participation with workers is established. Leadership, commitment and active support from top management are critical for the success of the health and safety management system and for the achievement of its intended outcomes. This can be done by ensuring necessary resources are available, workers and other relevant stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the process, and making sure controls are practical and proportionate to the risks;

Clause 6 requires an organisation to identify and address health and safety risks, and opportunities. The standard has specific requirements to consider when identifying hazards, such as infrastructure, equipment, materials, and substances; and





Clause 8 covers the specific hierarchy of control to be considered when implementing preventative measures.

The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), one of the largest convention centres in Africa, has effectively implemented ISO 45001:2018 to ensure the health and safety of staff, visitors, clients and suppliers.

CTICC project coordinator Luqmaan Vallie, says ISO 45001 provides a framework that offers the team guidance on how to prevent work-related injuries and ill-health, while actively improving its health and safety performance.

An employee representative from each department has been selected to conduct internal audits. They follow the recommended guidelines and conduct internal ISO 45001: 2018 audits across all departments. The results are used to see whether or not staff members are carrying out the stated objectives, and that relevant policies and documentation that support the operation of a system are in order and accessible. The employees also attended an ISO 45001:2018 internal auditing course.

The benefit is that employees can now do internal audits (which are a requirement of the standard) in-house instead of contracting external firms to conduct such. The employee representatives also have different perspectives inherent to their core function, and thus specific occupational health and safety observations can be addressed promptly.

For Krause, the benefits of ISO 45001:2018 are numerous.

Organisations can expect a reduction in the incident frequency rate, more specific risk assessments, employee participation, reduction in insurance cost, an improved health and safety culture, increased employee morale, and decrease in illness to name a few.

They will also see a reduction in the supplier onboarding process, as clients can verify the compliance and good safety measures when presented with the ISO 45001:2018 certificate. Furthermore, they can gain more clients, as some have a requirement that suppliers must be certified.
Sasol will restart its refinery by the end of July, it said on Sunday, 17 July, after the company declared force majeure at its second biggest refinery on Friday due to a lack of crude oil.

Cooling towers of Sasol's synthetic fuel plant in Secunda, north of Johannesburg. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

The shutdown of the Natref refinery located around 100km from Johannesburg has sparked concerns of petrol and diesel shortages in the country where 60% of fuel products are imported. Sasol, however, said it did not expect any shortages.

Sasol is the only producer of petroleum products in South Africa through its two refineries - Secunda, with output of around 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) and Natref, at around 108,000 bpd.

"The crude tanker has arrived in Durban and cargo dispatches are underway. Natref should start up to run at maximum production capability by end July 2022," Sasol said in the statement.

The company, which owns the Natref refinery with a subsidiary of France's TotalEnergies, said it does not "anticipate any fuel supply shortages to fuel stations, including our own".
KABUL, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The Taliban-run caretaker administration in Afghanistan has focused on boosting rural areas' economy to help increase families' income, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported Monday.

In the latest efforts, the government provided hens and chicks to poor families in the eastern Paktia province. Quoting provincial director for Agriculture and Livestock, Mawlawi Ehsanullah Ehsan, the news agency added that 83 families in the first phase would receive chicks and hens to form poultry farms.

With the support of aid agencies, the provincial administration would support the villagers to have poultry farms and sell their products such as eggs and chicks to improve their livelihood, the official added.

In line with a similar decision, 15 greenhouses were constructed for women to bolster their home economy in the northern Takhar province a couple of days ago.

Local authorities in the eastern Laghman province launched six agricultural projects in the Alinegar district on Sunday, Bakhtar reported.

The 79,000 U.S. dollars small-scale projects, which were financed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, would also create job opportunities for 700 people, the media outlet quoted Mawlawi Mohammad Wali Mohsin, the provincial head for agriculture, as saying. 


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NEW DELHI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- India's airlines regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on Monday tightened regulations for airlines after repeated incidents of technical malfunctions in several flights over the past one month.

All airlines have been directed to comply with the new regulations by July 28.

In an order dated Monday, the DGCA stated that there have been reports of increased engineering-related occurrences in scheduled airlines in recent times.

In a bid to ensure that airlines are adhering to the laid down standards, the DGCA had conducted several spot checks in the recent past, the official order added.

The spot checks carried out by the DGCA teams have indicated improper identification of cause of a reported defect, an increasing trend of Minimum Equipment List (MEL) releases, and non-availability of required certifying staff to cater to multiple scheduled arrivals and departures in a short interval.

The DGCA order further stated that it has also been noted that the airlines are resorting to frequent one-off authorization to Category-A certifying staff at transit stations which is not in line with existing regulatory provisions.

The airlines regulator mandated that an aircraft at base and transit stations will be released by certified staffers having an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Category B1/B2 license with proper authorization from their respective organizations.

Over the past month, several Indian air-bound aircraft reported technical snags, like smoke emitted in the cabin or engine malfunction, following which those flights were diverted to other countries for emergency landings.

Two Indian aircraft had to make emergency landings at Pakistan's Karachi airport.

On July 6, the DGCA issued a show-cause notice to a private airline SpiceJet following at least nine incidents of technical malfunction in its aircraft since June 19. The DGCA is currently investigating all these incidents. 
A flood warning for most of southern Manitoba has been issued by the province as 25 to 150 millimetres of rain is predicted to fall over the next 48 hours.

The flood warning covers areas of Westman to the south and west of Riding Mountain National Park including Russell, Virden, Brandon, Minnedosa, Neepawa and Boissevain.

Conditions are expected to be worse south of highways 16 and 1. Overland flooding saturates a field south of Brandon in June. (File)

In an emergency alert released by the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization through The Weather Network, residents in affected areas are asked to be careful around local waterways as flooding is likely to occur.

If flooding happens, residents are warned not to cross fast-flowing waters or waters of unknown depth.

Caution should be taken on all roads as conditions could change quickly.

Residents should follow all directions issued by local authorities and watch for updates.

According to Environment Canadas website, the upper total of rain forecasted for Brandon is less severe.

The organization forecasts 10 to 20 mm of rain overnight except where thunderstorms are occurring, where rain could be up to 50 mm.

Five to 10 mm of rain are expected tomorrow.

Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Terri Lang said in a phone interview that the weather system will bring a lot of convection, which means lots of showers and thundershowers.

Those thundershowers are expected to be heavy and are likely to hit the provinces bottom third, but its difficult to predict exactly where they will occur. Lang said there could be heavy thundershowers north of Highway 16, despite the provinces earlier prediction.

Its impossible to forecast how much will come out of a single thunderstorm, Lang said. If youre unfortunate to get under one of these thunderstorms or a couple of them, theres certainly heavy rainfalls associated with them.

 The Brandon Sun
Security guard threatened

Brandon police detained a 19-year-old man early Sunday morning after he allegedly threatened a local security guard with what appeared to be a handgun.

Police originally responded to a report of an injured man at a hotel on the 3500 block of Victoria Avenue around 1:48 a.m.

After arriving on the scene, eyewitnesses told officers that the 19-year-old had pulled out a handgun, pointed it at a security guard and threatened to kill him before fleeing the scene.

However, officers located and arrested a suspect a short time later near the intersection of 34th Street and Victoria Avenue. While arresting him, officers discovered that the weapon in his possession was actually a C02-powered pellet pistol.

The suspect appeared in court on Sunday. He is being charged with being in possession of a weapon, pointing a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, disguise with intent and failing to comply with a release order.

Man faces multiple charges

Brandon police arrested a 24-year-old man Saturday morning for allegedly breaking into a shed at a home on the 800 block of 14th Street.

The intruder reportedly fled the scene after police were called. The suspect was located and arrested by officers a short time later.

He appeared in court on Sunday morning to answer to the charge of breaking and entering with intent.

The man was also charged with theft under $5,000 for an incident that took place at a Victoria Avenue department store on Wednesday.

Police say the mans identity was confirmed through surveillance video.

Call to police backfires

A 44-year-old man called Brandon police early Saturday, only to be arrested himself.

Shortly after 4 a.m., a man called police to have his girlfriend removed.

When officers arrived, they found he was intoxicated and the one allegedly causing problems.

He was taken to the Brandon Police Service station to be released when sober to prevent further problems.

Breach of undertaking

Police arrested a teen for allegedly possessing bear spray after responding to a call about people checking cars early Saturday.

Shortly after 1:30 a.m., officers were called to the downtown area over a group of people checking cars.

A 17-year-old boy was eventually located in the 1500 block of Lorne Avenue.

He fled when he saw police, but was apprehended a short distance away.

During the pursuit, the teen allegedly threw away a can of bear spray.

Once arrested, officers discovered the teen had an undertaking with a condition not to possess weapons. He was arrested and released with an undertaking and turned over to an appropriate adult.

Rock thrown through window

An off-duty Brandon police officer witnessed a man throw a rock through the window of a business on the 500 block of 34th Street at about 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

On-duty officers were called, and they arrested a 42-year-old suspect.

He was released with an undertaking with a court date of Sept. 15.

 The Brandon Sun
A celebration of the rich culture and long history of Manitobas Metis people is taking place near Binscarth this weekend.

The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF), the National Government of Red River Metis, will commemorate their culture in a festival that will include competitions, music, dance, food and booths selling the work of Red River Metis artists and artisans.

The event is taking place where the Metis village of Ste. Madeleine was once located, 159 kilometres from Brandon. The community was destroyed in 1938 to make way for more pasture land for settler farmers. Thirty-five homes, making up the entire village, a store and the village school were purposely set afire and burned to the ground in the fall of that year as part of the federal governments land-clearing program. The towns dogs were shot, with residents being told that it was to stop the spread of disease. Winnipeg Free Press A cross ringed by the wheel of a Red River Cart, symbolizing a Metis cemetery, at Ste. Madeleine Cemetery.

Every year, the descendents of Ste. Madeleine and other members of the Metis community come together to remember what happened and to celebrate their culture and tradition. Its the first time the event has taken place in two years, due to restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leah LaPlante, vice-president of the MMF, said its incredibly important to keep the tradition alive.

The Ste. Madeleine celebration was started so the descendants of these people would always come back once a year to the cemetery to visit their people and celebrate their Metis heritage and those people for living through those rough times.

LaPlante said the atmosphere at the site during the event is nothing short of magical.

You can feel the energy from the people that have gone on  its pulsing, almost. Its beautiful, and it means so much to the people.

Metis people have a lot to be proud of, LaPlante said, and Metis Days at Ste. Madeleine, which started in the early 1990s, is just one way of showing that.

I think it started to happen because the Metis people in southwestern Manitoba were starting to come into their own  up until that time it had been a hard life for anyone who was Indigenous, especially if you lived in little Metis communities. You were sort of outcasts.

Once the Metis people started understanding their history and their heritage, LaPlante said they began to feel proud of who they were.

It just blossomed once we realized that we didnt have any reason to hang our heads, and that we had as much right to be proud of being Manitoban as everyone else, and weve just never looked back since.

The event kicked off on Friday and is running today and Sunday.

 mleybourne@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @miraleybourne
In truth, however, Suncorps bank has been on ANZs radar as a possible target for much longer than seven years: ANZ also came close to buying the Queensland bank during the 2008 global financial crisis.

Under Elliott, CEO since 2016, the bank has been focused on cutting costs and offloading non-core businesses, and he says the deal is a sign it is now shifting towards growth.

In Brisbane, following a frantic weekend of board meetings and final preparations, the two men signed off on ANZs biggest acquisition in almost two decades: the $4.9 billion purchase of Suncorps banking arm .

About 5.30am on Monday morning, ANZ Bank chief executive Shayne Elliott and his chairman Paul OSullivan gave the final green light to a deal Elliott said had been seven years in the making.

If Mondays deal is approved by regulators, it will be the biggest transaction in Australian banking since Westpac swallowed St George during the global financial crisis; it will make ANZ the third-biggest mortgage lender in the country; and it will be one of Elliotts biggest strategic moves.

However, it is likely to face significant regulatory scrutiny, and its also emerged that another suitor for Suncorps bank - fellow regional Bendigo and Adelaide Bank - missed out on the chance to join forces with Suncorp. Private equity group KKR, which had been in talks about the $4 billion sale of MYOB to ANZ, has now also been told that ANZ is withdrawing from discussions, after considering the purchase only last week.

There has long been market speculation over whether Suncorp - which makes about two thirds of its profits through insurance brands such as AAMI and GIO -would sell off its bank.

In April this year, ANZ was given the chance to dust off its files on the Queensland lender, after it was told Suncorp was considering its options for the bank. While Suncorp CEO Steve Johnson had previously argued the case for keeping the financial conglomerate as one, on Monday he said it regularly also assessed the potential for offloading the bank and focusing solely on insurance.

What were seeing is the significantly increased cost of running these two businesses in terms of regulatory costs, compliance costs, systems investments, Johnson said on Monday. We didnt want to get into a position where we had to move capital to parts of the business that left others, who could use that capital, wanting.
From Australias biggest galleries to our smallest souvenir shops, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts is a $250 million business.

But, according to a new draft report from the Productivity Commission, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists dont see the vast majority of that money.

The two boomerangs on the right are of the fake type commonly sold in souvenir stores around Australia. The other two are genuine boomerangs by Rolley Mintuma at Maruku Arts, NT. Credit:Jennifer Soo

In fact, two-in-three Indigenous-style souvenirs are inauthentic, with no connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. And the commission is now calling for new legislation and a mandatory labelling system to help change that.

After widespread consultation, the governments research and advisory body is recommending Australia formally recognise the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities or groups in their traditional cultural assets.
Estonian Parliament Speaker and Center Party Chairman Juri Ratas (R) shakes hands with Estonian Prime Minister and Reform Party Chairwoman Kaja Kallas to congratulate on the new government coalition's taking office in the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) in Tallinn, Estonia, July 18, 2022. (Erik Peinar/Parliament of Estonia/Handout via Xinhua)

TALLINN, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The members of Estonia's new government coalition of the Reform Party, the conservative Isamaa (Fatherland) Party and the Social Democratic Party (SDE) were sworn in in front of the Parliament (Riigikogu) on Monday.

Appointed earlier by President Alar Karis, who attended the ceremony, the new government will be in office for eight months until March 2023, when the country is scheduled to hold its next parliamentary elections.

There are 15 ministers in the new coalition, five from each party.

Prime Minister and Reform Party Chair Kaja Kallas underlined that the most important tasks faced by the new government were ensuring the country's security, implementing measures to manage the energy crisis, and helping people cope with their daily life under the conditions of a rapid price rise.

On Friday, Kallas was granted a mandate by the Riigikogu to form the new government coalition.

Currently, the new government coalition holds 55 seats in the 101-seat Parliament. The Reform Party has 34 seats, the Isamaa Party 12 and the SDE nine.

The Reform Party had been running the country as a minority government since Kallas dismissed all seven ministers from the junior coalition partner Center Party due to a dispute over welfare policy on June 3.

Kallas, 45, has led her party since 2018 and became the country's first female prime minister in 2021. 

Estonian President Alar Karis (2nd R) shakes hands with Estonian Prime Minister and Reform Party Chairwoman Kaja Kallas (3rd R) to congratulate on the new government coalition's taking office in the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) in Tallinn, Estonia, July 18, 2022. (Erik Peinar/Parliament of Estonia/Handout via Xinhua)
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Halfway through our conversation, Miriam Margolyes feels the need to inform me she is extremely foul-mouthed, as though its not one of her signature traits. Admittedly, the previous week she caused a minor furore in Britain when she swore on live morning television  while apologising for her previous on-air cursing. The notoriously badly behaved 81-year-old is talking about her newfound fame on, of all places, TikTok (Ive never heard the video-sharing apps name enunciated so plummily), where several creators have compiled clips of her, most of which feature her swearing like a (rather posh) sailor. Theyre quite popular  I fear thats what I will be most remembered for! She will, of course, be remembered for much more after her varied career as an actor across stage, film and television. And not only, she hopes, for her role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films. I mean, I hope Im remembered for it, and Im very pleased I was in it, but I actually think that the documentary work and my chat show appearances reach more people now. That seems an odd aspect of ones career to include, but to be fair, nobody does a talk show appearance quite like the filter-free Margolyes. Miriam Margolyes in Tasmania for the ABC series <i>Australia Unmasked</i>. Credit: But its her documentary work  a genre Margolyes has embraced in recent years  that were talking about, specifically the three-part series that is now screening on the ABC, Australia Unmasked, for which she spent eight weeks driving across the bottom of the country. Her quest this time, after 2020s Almost Australian, in which she also travelled the country to learn what it meant to be Australian  is to uncover the notion of the fair go and how it plays out in the lives of Australias diverse citizens. The official line is that Margolyes was inspired to explore Australia in its post-lockdown state to see if the pandemic has left us feeling more divided and so undermined the Aussie fair go.

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But  naturally  she doesnt play into that. Darling, Im a working actress  it was a job. I was offered it and I wanted to do it, she says, chuckling. But when the subject was broached to me by the producers, I was immediately interested because Im quite a critical person  and I know that Australians do not like criticism  especially from a Pom. You know, its a bit cheeky of me to try to analyse my new country, but thats the sort of person I am. She says she wants to get to the bottom of things, to mine the information. In the series she meets all manner of Australians, from queer activists in Tasmania to steelworkers in South Australia and Somali refugees in Melbourne. Margolyes is an Australian citizen and has a home in NSW. Credit:Louie Douvis I found it extremely revealing  and what I set out to do, I think I did, she says. I did analyse the situation and I feel happy about it. Loading Not that shes actually watched the final product  she never, she tells me, watches anything shes been in, but adds that the ABC is pleased and have already asked her to make another documentary. So thats very encouraging for an old lady like me. Im reeling from the fact that shes never watched herself. In anything.

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Sometimes I watch clips  Ive seen clips of the Graham Norton appearances because someone put them on, I think, YouTube, she says. I would explain it simply by saying, when you watch your own stuff, youre only aware of the mistakes, and its depressing, you  look at yourself and think, oh shit, I look awful, I look fat, I dont know what Im doing  I just dont like what I see. So  you can watch it, and I hope other people enjoy what I do. Im having a good time when Im doing it, but I dont want to see it! Not even Harry Potter? No! I went to the premiere of two films I was in, but I fell asleep, so I didnt actually see my own stuff. Look, Harry Potter is for children! Its not my thing. So I wouldnt go and see it if I wasnt invited to the premiere. I dont want to rubbish my stuff  Im proud of being asked to work, and grateful because  not many actors in their 80s are working! Miriam Margolyes (centre) as Professor Sprout, with Maggie Smith and Richard Harris, in <i>Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets</i>. Credit: She also stresses that the real work for Australia Unmasked and her other documentaries is done by the researchers. I just get put into the car and drive around; Im told where to go and who to meet and its up to me to make something of the encounters. Which, of course, she does. I had expected Margoyles commentary to be a little more political  Almost Australian caused a stir when she said parts of the country were brutal and greedy  but she says it was what it was. Its a bit cheeky of me to try to analyse my new country, but thats the sort of person I am. It was what the people drew out of me and what I drew out of them. I think it is quite political, though, because I dont hold back on my criticisms. But if youre too political on television, you alienate your viewers, and I dont want to do that. I want to take the viewers with me. I want them to be me, in a way, and get the impressions and the attitudes and the reactions that I do.

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In one highlight, in Bendigo in regional Victoria, Margolyes is cajoled into joining a local bogan for a burnout session in his ute. It was certainly a first  and a last  for me. Im a bit of snob, I think, and when they said, we want you to meet some bogans  and I knew what bogans were  I thought, well, I dont want to meet bogans, Ive got nothing in common with them, she says. But, in fact, I did feel more at home with the bogans than I did with the people I met at the polo ground! Despite her cut-glass accent, Margolyes, who asks most of the interviewees what class they consider themselves, says shes not top drawer, and that shed rather be with working-class people than the upper class. Miriam Margolyes meets some local bogans in Bendigo. Credit: I just feel more at home. And the bogans were adorable  they were a community, they were kind to each other, they were very kind to me. I dont like their music  but the people were real and loving and friendly. That isnt to say the poshies werent friendly, they were, but theyre not so demonstrative, theyre just more restrained. Theyre more English, I suppose. While the documentary is often light in tone  Margolyes denying farting at a lunch of roadkill BBQ wallaby with Senator Jacqui Lambie or shocking a nudist camp member with her talk of her extensive experience with clitorises  there are some surprising moments; Margolyes is moved to tears several times. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO MIRIAM MARGOLYES Worst habit? Probably reusing the dental floss. I know, it is disgusting. Greatest fear? A stroke. The line that stayed with you? I think it would be, this isnt the dress rehearsal, every nights the first night. Biggest regret? That I didnt learn Yiddish. Favourite room? The big room in Yarrawa Hill, my home in Australia. The artwork you wish was yours? Van Goghs Sunflowers - I love the vitality and the optimism of it. If you could solve one thing  It would be the Palestine problem. Which is really the Israel problem.

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She says her often disarming manner ensures people are not afraid of her. When they talk to me, theyre not guarded  they just speak how they feel and thats very valuable on television, and very rare, I think. You know, I was extremely moved, for example, by the people who couldnt read, she says of an older couple she met in Tasmania. Its one of the series more sobering moments, when the statistics of adult illiteracy in Australia are revealed. Thats something that I would call political  Im not afraid to say the numbers. And they are shocking. But it was just wonderful to see middle-aged people making their lives better, Margolyes says. I really did find that moving  and hopeful, because while that sort of thing can happen and work, then things can improve. You know, Im at the moment living in England, which is in the most awful state, and it is almost entirely created by the corrupt inadequacies and incompetence of those in power. Shes pleased about Boris Johnsons resignation; shes been in trouble several times for her candid opinions of the disgraced PM, for saying she hoped he might die from COVID, among other things. Most recently, I believe, for referring to him as c---. Oh yes, thats right  Ive done that many times. And I absolutely stand by that. Hes everything that I totally disapprove of. Hes a philandering, adulterous, incompetent, corrupt politician  there isnt a single thing there that you could approve of. As an Australian citizen (she has a home in NSW that she stays at with her Australian partner of 53 years, Heather, who lives in the Netherlands; they see each other a handful of times a year), she was also pleased with our recent federal election. I voted Labor, of course, she says. Australians are not stupid  it takes them a while to make up their minds, but I think everybody, whether they voted Liberal or not, were just disgusted. They just thought, for f---s sake, lets get rid of him! And I was very happy about that.

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War veteran Ben Roberts-Smith is entitled to the presumption of innocence but was effectively convicted of war crimes by three newspapers without a criminal trial, his barrister has told the Federal Court at the close of his defamation case.

The decorated former soldiers defamation trial against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times resumed on Monday for closing submissions from the parties after a six-week break. The evidence in the case concluded in June after 98 days and an estimated $25 million in legal costs.

Ben Roberts-Smith outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Arthur Moses, SC, acting for Roberts-Smith, told the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday that the case had been dubbed the trial of the century, a proxy war crimes trial and an attack on the freedom of the press, but it was none of these. He said the newspapers had persisted in a defamatory campaign against Roberts-Smith and used the processes of the court to make baseless allegations of murder against his client.

But Nicholas Owens, SC, acting for the newspapers, said the judge presiding over the trial, Justice Anthony Besanko, was confronted with a dilemma, which is: someone is lying.
Hit-run driver Puneet Puneet has been released on bail in India in a setback for protracted efforts to extradite him to Australia.

Puneet fled to India while awaiting sentencing over the 2008 death of university student Dean Hofstee in a drink-driving crash.

The 33-year-old was granted bail on July 7 to allow him to care for his ailing parents despite prosecutors arguing that he be kept behind bars.

Lawyers for Puneet said his mother had a lung disease and there is no one to look after her, according to court documents.
Two more men have been charged with murder over a fatal stabbing in Melbournes north-west this month.

The Thomastown men - aged 45 and 40 - were charged with murder on Monday, Victoria Police said in a statement.

Two more men have been charged over the alleged murder of a man at St Albans in Melbournes northwest. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The alleged victim, Dai Hai Lam, was found on the nature strip of Emily Street at St Albans about 11.45pm on July 6.

Police performed first aid on the man before paramedics arrived, but the 49-year-old died at the scene.
Australian National University infectious disease expert Peter Collignon said the measure would deliver some benefit, with masks providing 15 per cent protection from infection. But the overall benefits would be small, given that when children get sick with COVID-19, they are at low risk of severe illness, he said. Its a fallacy that children are a major way that COVID spreads, Collignon said. Thats true for influenza  they have a four or five times higher rate of infection than adults. But thats not true for COVID. For COVID, its 20 to 40-year-olds  their parents  who have always had it more often than their children.

Chair of epidemiology at Deakin University Catherine Bennett said the cost of mask-wearing to students learning would be significant, and the intervention should be grounded in good quality research. What evidence do they have to encourage schools to go this path? It might make a small difference, but is that small difference going to be worth the impact on kids education? Bennett said she was sceptical about the quality of modelling underpinning the policy and called for it to be made public. Catherine Bennett, chair of epidemiology at Deakin University, wants the modelling of mask-wearing in schools made public. Credit:Jason South The nature of the current outbreak was difficult to track, she said, given the mix of different variants and risk of reinfection in an immune-escape environment.

Its a whole different disease dynamic, and its still being treated as the same sort of growth rate, she said. Melbourne University epidemiologist Tony Blakely said mask-wearing in schools was a sensible measure to help flatten the curve and prevent hospitals from being overrun. The peak, if we do nothing, is going to go above what our health services can manage, so we need to dampen it, he said. However, he agreed with Collignon and Bennett that a classic cost-benefit analysis showed the benefits were marginal compared with the costs to schools and students.

Both Thomas and Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said the altered messaging on mask-wearing on Monday night was not a change in policy but rather an attempt to ensure families were aware of the health ministers recommendations as respiratory illness cases increase in Victoria. I think the messages have been clear and theyve been very well taken up by the education system, Thomas said. Independent School Victoria recommended to its member schools last week that masks be worn in the classroom. School staff are also expected to wear masks except in teaching circumstances when clear communication is needed.

School Principals Association president Andrew Dalgleish said he had absolutely no idea how many children would be wearing masks in classrooms by Wednesday. As youve seen this morning, were caught in a catch-22 situation, he told 3AWs breakfast radio show. Loading When masks were mandated last year, people were up in arms. While its not a mandate, people are saying, well we shouldnt be forcing the wearing of masks. But were not; were actively encouraging people to take an action that we know will minimise the spread of this disease [COVID-19]. The advice came as Thomas reiterated it was strongly recommended people wear masks indoors and in crowded places, but said there would be no mandate.

On Tuesday, Thomas told ABCs Mornings With Virginia Trioli that the state government needed to give parents the information to make their own decision. The best tool is information. We need to take our time and continue to educate and explain to those parents who are concerned about mask-wearing why it works, she said. What I have seen is an additional take-up of mask-wearing over the past week or so, as people are informing themselves and learning about the current wave of the Omicron virus. Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas denies the updated recommendations are a change in policy. Credit:Joe Armao She said the heads of Victorias school systems decided to send the letter to parents and were not directed to do so by the Department of Education.

Blakely said he would strongly support the same messaging for workplaces and lambasted state and federal governments as missing in action due to their lack of public health messaging recently and of enforcement of mask-wearing on public transport. Loading Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the school mask advice had created total confusion and there should have been a health awareness campaign on COVID-19 before the predicted Omicron wave hit. One minute they say there are no mandates, and the next minute theyre advising kids to wear masks. What is it? he said. If we were going to have problems over winter  and we knew there would be  then why not have a campaign around COVID safety before winter.
Perths coast continues its reign as the enclave for Western Australias richest postcodes, but wealth is being pushed towards outer suburbs by soaring property prices, population growth and a desire for more space.

An analysis of the 2021 census highlights the extent to which the housing boom  and the coronavirus pandemic  are sculpting the distribution of WAs wealth.

The list of Perths top 10 most affluent suburbs has changed little over the past decade and remains concentrated across a bloc of postcodes close to the city and the coast.

The prestigious beachside suburb of Cottesloe retained its position as Perths highest-earning suburb, with a median weekly individual income of $1458, followed by Mt Hawthorn/Leederville ($1280) and North Coogee ($1238).
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has urged churchgoers not to trust in governments, warning it would be a mistake to do so based on his experience in the upper echelons of power.

In a sermon to Perths Victory Life Centre, the Pentecostal church run by controversial former tennis champion Margaret Court, Morrison encouraged the congregation to put their faith in God rather than the government.

Scott Morrison delivered a sermon to Victory Life Centre on Sunday, urging churchgoers to trust in God, not government. Credit:

We trust in Him. We dont trust in governments. We dont trust in United Nations, thank goodness, Morrison said in the Sunday sermon.

We dont trust in all of these things, fine as they might be and as important as the role that they play. Believe me, Ive worked in it, and they are important.
Plans to recruit more nurses to Australia by advertising during a popular British reality TV show were thwarted, despite a surge in interest, when only five applicants managed to get visas.

The St Vincents hospital and aged care network received hundreds of international applications after linking ads to the show Nurses Down Under, which is popular in Britain, as employers across a range of Australian industries scramble to clinch global talent in a historically tight jobs market.

Welsh nurse Ariana Evans at work in St Vincents hospital ICU ward. Credit:Kate Geraghty

But the non-profit groups overseas recruitment drive yielded only five nurses from the United Kingdom after Home Affairs foreshadowed wait times of several months to process visa applications.

St Vincents Hospital Sydney spokesman David Faktor said COVID-19 pandemic-related workforce shortages had arisen across the groups hospital and aged-care facilities, just as they have for all providers in our sector.
A senior government lawyer will be pressed to explain the controversial hiring process for the states US trade commissioner after he purportedly told the woman overlooked for the role that he was horrified by her treatment.

As Premier Dominic Perrottet prepares to depart on his first overseas trade mission this week, Investment NSW general counsel Chris Carr will front a parliamentary inquiry into the appointment of former deputy premier John Barilaro to the New York post.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, former deputy premier John Barilaro and former bureaucrat Jenny West. Credit:Oscar Colman, Dominic Lorrimer, Nick Moir

Former bureaucrat Jenny West, who was first offered the job before it was sensationally rescinded, appeared last week, giving evidence she was told the $500,000-a-year job would instead be a present for someone.

Barilaro has since quit the role, conceding that his appointment was a distraction and untenable.
Australias chief health officers will look into cutting the COVID-19 isolation requirements from seven days to five at the end of September when surging coronavirus cases are expected to subside.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday that the national cabinet discussed cutting the isolation period from seven days to five, but the medical advice was that now is certainly not the time with the country in the midst of a coronavirus wave. There are 64,000 reported active cases in Victoria.

Premier Daniel Andrews said now was not the time to be cutting isolation requirements. Credit:Justin McManus

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, whose members include the chief medical officers of every jurisdiction, resolved to postpone their discussion about reducing isolation requirements until the end of September.

The discussion will coincide with the end of pandemic isolation payments, but state and federal government sources have insisted the decisions will not be linked.
DUBLIN, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Ireland's goods imports hit a 41-month high in May, reaching over 12 billion euros (about 12.2 billion U.S. dollars), according to data released by the country's Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Monday.

In May, Ireland imported 12.8 billion euros worth of goods, up 46 percent year-on-year.

Imports from China were valued at 1.57 billion euros, up 151 percent from the same period of last year.

China was the third largest source of imports for Ireland in the first five months of this year with 5.36 billion euros worth of imported goods, next only to the 11.21 billion euros of imports from the United Kingdom and 7.9 billion euros from the United States.

Ireland's total imports of goods in the five months period added up to 53.6 billion euros, up 36 percent year-on-year, while its total exports were valued at 88.12 billion euros, up 33 percent year-on-year.

In May, Ireland exported 1.59 billion euros worth of goods to China, up 47 percent over a year earlier.

In the January-May period, Ireland sold 5.77 billion euros worth of goods to China, making China the fifth largest market for its exports, according to the CSO figures. (1 euro=1.014 U.S. dollars) 
The pandemic has entrenched the dominance of Melbournes top-ranked universities, Melbourne and Monash, raising concerns that poorer, smaller and regional universities might fall behind.

Peter Hurley, education policy expert at Victoria Universitys Mitchell Institute, said a gulf seemed to be emerging between Victorias two Group of Eight universities and the others.

The University of Melbourne is one of Australias top-ranked universities. Credit:Kevin Lamarque/AP

I think what happens in tertiary education is that prestige often dictates the flow of resources, Hurley said. The universities that have the greater prestige can attract more research dollars and students.

Melbourne and Monash are among Australias top-ranked and wealthiest universities. Their growing wealth is an ominous prospect for smaller institutions, which are more likely to have students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and face fierce competition for research opportunities and donations.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In a four-part investigation, we go inside Ukraine to reveal how prosecutors will build their case for a prosecution against Russia. See all 10 stories. Oleksandr Balo doesnt know why the Russians keep sending missiles and artillery shells down on his town every day. With his rifle and camouflage bulletproof vest, Balo might look like a soldier. But he is, in fact, the mayor of the besieged town of Barvinkove, a few kilometres from the frontline of the war in north-eastern Ukraine. All around the town are bombed buildings and cars. The library, kindergarten and hardware store, local administration building, apartment buildings and freestanding homes have been destroyed. Two-thirds of the towns infrastructure has been affected to some capacity, with 4500 homes damaged or destroyed. The bulk of the towns 8000 residents have fled. At least 12 have been killed, all elderly or children. Barvinkove mayor Oleksandr Balo next to a crater from a Russian missile that destroyed and damaged nearby buildings. Credit:Kate Geraghty We have been invited into the town by Balo and can stay for only about two hours; he insists it is too dangerous to linger. Balo says no Ukrainian soldiers are based in the town and there arent any military installations. Yet the shelling and missiles never stop. Did you see any military equipment while you were driving here? The military pass through from time to time, but they are not stationed here. Russians are targeting the civilians, he says. In a four-part series, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age are revealing new details of war crimes committed in Ukraine  including unlawful killings, abductions, torture, and indiscriminate bombings  based on first-hand accounts from victims, witnesses and forensic investigators.

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Four months into Russias invasion of Ukraine, there has been plenty of exposure of war crimes committed by soldiers, including murder, rape and looting. What is perhaps lost in all of this is the war crimes being committed every day from the air. Under international law, an attack from the air must be targeted at a military installation and any harm caused to civilians or their property must be proportional and unintended. A woman carries her rubbish past an unexploded Russian Smerch rocket in the city of Kostyantynivka. Credit:Kate Geraghty Just because there are two genuine military targets in a city, an air force cant bomb and shell everything in between and then claim collateral damage. That is the war crime of civilian bombardment. The experience of this town is reflective of the broader Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has so far killed more than 5000 civilians, according to United Nations estimates. While it is difficult to determine the total damage to civilian infrastructure across the country while it is still being battered, Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has estimated the total cost of rebuilding the country would be about $US750 billion ($1.1 trillion). Looking around Barvinkove, the sheer scale of the destruction appears to be indiscriminate. There is also extensive evidence of the use of cluster bombs, which detonate in the air and release a cluster of smaller munitions which fall over a wider area. The use of cluster munitions is not in itself illegal within Ukraine because neither Kyiv nor Moscow has signed the international treaty prohibiting the use of the weapons. But the use of cluster munitions does build up the case that this town is being indiscriminately targeted.

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Balo walks around a park picking up what appear to be fragments of cluster munitions. He holds them out and says these are 100 per cent war crimes. This is genocide. This is the wilful killing of innocent people. This is murder, he says. Lozova battered by missiles About 65 kilometres down the road, the larger city of Lozova has been battered by at least 25 missiles since the start of the invasion. Oleg and Vira are still rebuilding their home after two missiles landed out the back of their property on April 2. The couple, in their 60s, live near the citys train station and believe the Russians were probably trying to attack that. The Russian-speaking family has close ties to Moscow, but they are staunchly Ukrainian. Their daughter, Elena Kharitonova, 42, says her aunt lives in Moscow and is delusional from watching Russian propaganda shows. Elenas daughter also lives in Russia.

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Vira Andreyeva at the family home that was impacted by shelling from Russian forces. Credit:Kate Geraghty My aunt talking all this shit, all this bullshit about Ukraine, she says. She keeps saying if only Ukrainians could see what they show on Russian TV, theyd understand everything. And I say the thing is we see everything by ourselves. We know what they show you, we know what they show us, we know what they say abroad. We see everything. We can compare. But do you see anything at all except your propaganda? Just around the corner, 83-year-old Maria Kruglova lies in her bed in a house that was nearly destroyed by a missile. Their neighbour, Viktor, was killed in the attack. When the missile hit I fell, and my washing machine fell on me, she says.

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They hit medical facilities on purpose Further east, in the Donbas region, schools and hospitals have been repeatedly hit by Russian missiles. We visit an ambulance station in the city of Bakhmut which was blasted by a missile on June 12, taking out a number of its ambulances and its facilities out the back of the property. One of the paramedics, Valeriy, says there were no military bases nearby, just civilians. Loading I do not understand why they did it. Once in a while they even hit medical facilities on purpose. People are in shock, he says. I certainly think that this is a war crime. Because peoples cars got damaged, people themselves were injured. People who provide medical care to both military and civilians.

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The governments first attempted flight was aborted when the European Court of Human Rights, which is separate from the European Union, issued an injunction to stop the flight.

The UK has signed an agreement with Rwandas President Paul Kagame for asylum seekers who journey by boat across the Channel from France to England, to be sent to the capital of Kigali for processing and resettlement.

A guard at the Hope Hostel in Kigali, Rwanda which is currently empty as it awaits the first flight of the UKs unwanted asylum seekers. Credit:Latika Bourke

The Home Affairs select committee, comprising six Conservative MPs and five opposition MPs, published its first report into channel crossing, migration and asylum.

London: The UK government has been warned there is no evidence plans to send unwanted asylum seekers to Rwanda will work and that a similar policy in Australia has shown it will harm its international reputation.

The policy mimics some aspects of Australias hardline stance on boat arrivals, but the committee report warned that Channel crossings had increased since the policy was announced.

There is no clear evidence that the policy will deter migrant crossings  numbers have significantly increased since it was announced in April, but one explanation for this may be attributed to scaremongering from people traffickers that because of new regulations coming in across the Channel it will be much harder to access the UK in future so they had better get on with it, the report said.

Further, it said that the policy risked the UK earning Australias reputation of washing its hands of its obligations to asylum seekers as well as using an offshore model that was known to have led to severe mental and physical health conditions for those subjected to immigration detention.

It referred to evidence provided to the House of Commons which showed that of the 2116 documented assaults, sexual abuse cases or self-harm attempts in the Australian offshore centres between May 2013 and October 2015, half of those incidents involved children.

The agreement with Rwanda implies that the UK will have no responsibility for people relocated once they have arrived in their new accommodation, who will have no right of return to the UK, the MPs said in the report.
Latest News Boomer Home Loans Group enters voluntary administration Specialist lender for over 55s seeks capital

Thousands of CBA customers face delayed interest rate pain This due to a measure aimed to help homebuyers through the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic

ANZ has agreed to acquire Suncorp Bank from Suncorp Group for $4.9 billion, in a move that will accelerate the growth of its retail and commercial businesses.

The bank will continue to operate under the Suncorp Bank brand pursuant to a licensing agreement between ANZ and the group for five to seven years and will maintain its current branch footprint in Queensland for at least three years post-completion. It will also continue to be led by current CEO Clive van Horen, who will join ANZs executive committee post-completion.

ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott said the acquisition will be a cornerstone investment for ANZ and a vote of confidence in the future of Queensland.

We know there will rightly be questions from government and regulators about the competition aspects of this transaction, Elliot said. As the smallest of the major banks, we believe a stronger ANZ will be able to compete more effectively in Queensland offering better outcomes for customers.

As part of the deal, ANZ has also committed to making a meaningful contribution to the economic and social prosperity of Queensland by allocating:

$15 billion of new lending as part of ANZs existing renewable lending commitments to support Queensland renewable projects and green Olympic Games infrastructure over the next decade

$10 billion of new lending for energy projects, particularly those targeting bioenergy and hydrogen, over the next decade

$10 billion of lending made available to support Queensland businesses over the next three years

While we already play a key role in supporting Queensland customers, particularly those exporting goods overseas, we recognise our role in assisting the state as it transitions to a lower-carbon future, Elliot said. This is a key reason why we have set aside $15 billion of new lending to support the governments ambition of 50% renewable energy by 2030 and green infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic Games.

ANZ has also announced a fully underwritten pro rata accelerated renounceable entitlement offer to raise some $3.5 billion of ANZ shares to help fund the acquisition.

The acquisition is subject to a minimum completion period of 12 months and to certain conditions, with the deal expected to be wrapped up in the second half of calendar year 2023.
State-owned CIL has cancelled its maiden tender for short-term import of coal in which had emerged as the lowest bidder, sources said on Monday.

Adani Enterprises, which had quoted around Rs 17,000-plus per tonne for importing 2.416 MT of coal, was earlier selected for the short-term shipment.

However, for a medium-term tender for sourcing additional 6 million tonnes (MT) of coal from overseas, PT Bara Daya Energy had qouted Rs 2,000 per tonne less than the rate quoted by the Adani group firm.

So, Coal India, in its board meeting held on July 8, decided to cancel the short-term tender of 2.416 million tonnes and PT Bara Daya Energy was asked to supply the indented quantity against the medium-term tender, the sources said.

A query sent to seeking comment on the move remained unanswered.

According to the sources, the letter for award of contract was issued to the lowest bidder of medium term-tenders for east and west coast supply on July 9.

Subsequently, CIL awarded the contract for supply of 7.91 lakh tonnes of imported coal to PT Bara Daya Energy Ltd (consortium) to the interested power generation (gencos) during August and September, the sources said.

The gencos that have expressed their willingness to buy imported coal are CESC, Adhunik Power, Rattan India, Sai Wardha, Avantha Power & Infrastructure Ltd, Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd, Lanco Amarkantak Power Ltd, KSK, ACB India and D B Power.

While 4.295 lakh tonnes of coal would be imported for the month of August, 3.615 lakh tonnes would be shipped for the month of September.

On June 9, CIL had floated its maiden tender to import 2.416 million tonnes of coal to ensure adequate supply of the fuel to power plants in the country.

The move was part of the government's effort to build up stock of coal to avoid the reoccurrence of power outages which happened in April due to shortage of the fossil fuel. Coal shortages at various gencos had impacted the electricity supply in the country during the peak summer months of April and May.

On June 10, CIL floated two medium-term tenders for sourcing 6 million tonnes (MT) of additional coal from overseas, a move aimed at securing domestic fuel supplies amid the fear of shortage during monsoon.

In April, coal secretary A K Jain had attributed the low coal stocks at power plants to several factors such as increased power demand due to the boom in the economy post-Covid, early onset of summer, rise in the price of gas and imported coal, and sharp fall in electricity generation by coastal thermal power plants.

He had said a lot of measures are already underway to improve power supply in the country.

(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 Group's acquisition of the Haifa port last week for USD 1.18 billion is being seen as a "strategic purchase" where "price was less important" given the difference in quote of the Indian conglomerate and its closest competitor in the bidding process, according to a media report on Monday.

Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) in Israel, the company, jointly with Israel's Gadot Group, won a tender to privatise Haifa port, the second largest port in Israel, last Thursday.

The Indian partner in the consortium holds 70 per cent of the stake while its local partner will have 30 per cent stake.

Ports offered a rather staggering 4.1 billion shekels (USD 1.18 billion) for the port, 55 per cent more than the second highest bid, daily Ha'aretz reported.

"This is a much higher price than the government (of Israel) had first anticipated and has a price-to-earnings ratio of 18 (roughly calculated, based on the average of the past three years). It is as if Adani is saying: Step aside, this is a strategic purchase, and for us the price is less important, the report said.

In fact, when local groups competing to buy the port heard the price that had offered, they all backed out, it added.

With such a gap, you understand that this is a completely different ball game. There's no point facing off against a player who sees the asset as a strategic investment, a person close to one of the rival bidders was quoted by the daily as saying.

The bid came through around the same time when the leaders of I2U2, comprising India, Israel, US and UAE, were holding a virtual conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed joining online Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Visiting US President Joe Biden from Jerusalem.

The new quad is being seen by some as a move to counter the growing influence of China.

"The infrastructure empire belonging to Gautam Adani, a personal friend of Modi and the richest person in Asia, was declared the winner of the move to privatise the state-owned Haifa Port, together with the Israeli company Gadot Chemical Terminals. This followed immense pressure by the United States on the Chinese not to submit a bid and after the Emiratis withdrew at the last minute," the daily said.

Adani's company operates 13 sea terminals in India and controls 24 per cent of India's maritime commerce.

He has no holdings in the West so his entry into is a signal for increased maritime traffic between Asia and Europe, and the major Asian players' need for a hub in the Mediterranean, the report pointed out.

Delighted to win the tender for privatisation of the Port of Haifa in with our partner Gadot [which has a 30 per cent stake in the port]. Immense strategic and historical significance for both nations! Proud to be in Haifa, where Indians led, in 1918, one of the greatest cavalry charges in military history! Adani tweeted on Thursday.

"By noting the Indian cavalry charge in World War I when Indian troops defeated the Ottomans, the fourth-richest person in the world Adani is worth nearly USD 113 billion wrapped the deal in a nationalist-historic aura whose meaning is clear to everyone: When it comes to purchasing a controlling interest in a strategic asset like a port, it's not just a private deal but also a political maneuver. Behind the winner of the bid stands a country, for better or worse", the daily noted.

expects that Adani's entrance on the local scene will now lead to more Indian investment, especially in the fields of renewable energy and defence.

The is already collaborating with leading Israeli defence on putting up a drone-manufacturing facility in India.

Powered by the vision of a new Middle East, Ha'aretz reported that another expectation that has arisen involves the construction of a rail link from Haifa Port to Jordan.

"This would be a diplomatic and logistical game-changer, one that has been discussed a great deal in the past. Now that an Indian company holds a controlling interest in Haifa Port and the Chinese (through the Shanghai International Port Group) hold a controlling interest in the nearby Haifa Bayport container terminal it might finally become a reality", the daily 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.)
(ADIA) is in talks with for an investment of nearly Rs 1,200-1,500 crore in its health insurance arm as growth equity, the Economic Times reported on Monday.

The discussions for ADIA taking a minority stake in Co Ltd (ABHICL) are ongoing and expected to gain pace in the coming weeks, people aware of the matter told ET.

The final amount and quantum of stake are not finalised yet, the report said.

ABHICL is a 51:49 per cent joint venture between and South Africa-based MMI Holdings. The firm was incorporated in 2015 as a standalone health insurance company and started operations in October 2016.

According to IRDAI, ABHICL is one of five active standalone health insurance with a 14 per cent market share of the gross underwritten premium in Q1FY22, ET reported.

This comes as ADIA, one of the major (SWFs) in the world, is looking to double down in India's fast-growing financial services space, ET said. The Abu Dhabi firm last month bought a 20 per cent minority stake in IIFLs home finance arm for Rs 2,200 crore.

ADIA has also taken bets on various leading listed banks and NBFCs, such as HDFC Bank, Reliance Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and KKR India Financial Services.

Meanwhile, ABHICL's total insurance premium collection in FY22 increased by 33 per cent to Rs 1,470 crore, out of which, 66 per cent was from retail segment.

The firm, present in over 2,800 cities through branches and partner offices, claims to cover 18 million lives, including 14 million through micro insurance products.
Bank of Maharashtras net profit jumped 117.24 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 451.9 crore in the quarter ended June (Q1FY23) on the back of improvement in its net interest margins (NIMs).

The Pune-based public sector lender had posted a net profit of Rs 208.01 crore during the same period last year (Q1FY22). Sequentially, its net profit grew 27.22 per cent from Rs 355.2 crore in Q4FY22.

The banks stock closed 3.73 per cent higher at Rs 16.7 per share on BSE on Monday.

Its net interest income (NII) rose by 19.9 per cent in Q1FY23 to Rs 1,685.7 crore from Rs 1,405.9 crore in Q1FY22. Its NIM improved to 3.28 per cent in Q1FY23 from 3.05 per cent a year ago.

A S Rajeev, managing director and chief executive officer of the bank, said NIM was expected to be in the range of 3.0-3.25 per cent in the current financial year.

With bond portfolio under pressure due to hardening yields, its non-interest income fell on a YoY basis to Rs 317 crore in Q1FY23 from Rs 687 crore in Q1FY22. It also dipped sequentially from Rs 522 crore in Q4FY22.

The banks asset quality profile improved with gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) at 3.74 per cent till June 2022 from 6.35 per cent till the year-ago quarter. Net NPAs dipped to 0.88 per cent during the quarter from 2.22 per cent a year ago.

NPA provisions rose to Rs 637.4 crore in Q1FY23 from Rs 500.9 crore in Q1FY22. The provision coverage ratio rose to 95.04 per cent for the quarter under review from 90.7 per cent a year ago.

The bank had an exposure of Rs 281 crore to one account from the sugar industry that became an NPA in the first quarter. The bank had made a 100 per cent provision for the account.

is expecting to make cash recoveries worth Rs 3,000 crore in FY23 and has identified three accounts worth Rs 660 crore for transfer to National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd.

The banks loan book grew 27.1 per cent YoY, almost double the rate at which the banking systems loan book expanded (14.4 per cent YoY) in June 2022. The outstanding advances stood at Rs 1.4 trillion as of June 2022.

As the base of loans expands, YoY growth would moderate to 21-22 per cent in FY23, Rajeev said.

The deposits grew by 12.35 per cent YoY to Rs 1.95 trillion in June 2022. The credit-to-deposit ratio was 71.75 per cent at the end of June 2022 up from 63.42 per cent a year ago.

The deposits grew by 12.35 per cent YoY to Rs 1.95 trillion in June 2022.

The banks total capital adequacy ratio (CAR) stood at 16.15 per cent in June 2022, up from 14.46 per cent in June 2021.

As regards capital raising plans, the lender has board approval to raise Rs 5,000 crore through tier I and tier II instruments. It has already tied up for Rs 1,000 crore of tier II bonds and is negotiating its pricing.

Rajeev said while the bank does not need equity capital this year, the lender would look at an equity share issue of Rs 1,000 crore in the second half of FY23, depending on market conditions. This is to bring down the stake of the government, which stood at 91 per cent as of June 2022.
Pre-owned e-commerce platform on Monday saw some high-profile exits, including its global CTO Jitendra Agrawal and business head Kingshuk Sanyal who have left the company to pursue other things.

In a LinkedIn post, Agrawal who joined the company in July 2021, said he will be moving on from in the next few months.

"I joined with a specific goal to help the team scale multiple countries at once - a particularly challenging task because, as an eCommerce company with complex execution, we built each country like an independent startup. We also did it all at once," he said.

"I will be forever attached to this mission of helping consumers experience a delightful way of buying and selling cars, and wish the team the very best in scaling new heights," Agrawal added.

CARS24 Chief human resources officer Mrinal Sinha has also put in papers.

The used car marketplace, set for an IPO, in May announced that around 600 employees were let go based on their poor performance and not owing to any "cost cuts".

Calling it "business as usual", the company, which has nearly 9,000-strong workforce, and is in the process of hiring more globally, said its business is actually growing in India, the Middle East, Australia, and Southeast Asia.

In December last year, CARS24 closed a $400 million round of funding, including a $300 million Series G equity round alongside $100 million debt from diversified financial institutions.

The platform was valued at $3.3 billion, about double the valuation from its previous round in September 2021.

The company recently announced the launch of seven 'Mega Refurbishment Labs' (MRLs) in India -- an industry first, and one MRL in the UAE which is among Dubai's largest ever commercial leasing deals.

"CARS24 has aggressive plans for 2022. We are witnessing greater acceptance amongst customers across the globe for our platform when purchasing their next car," Vikram Chopra, Co-founder & CEO, CARS24 had 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.)
U.S. embargo negatively affects Cubans' daily lives

15:55, July 17, 2022 By Yosley Carrero ( Xinhua

HAVANA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. embargo has dealt a huge blow to the Cuban economy and society, and "is the principal obstacle to the Cuban population seeking prosperity," Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas said in recent days.

Thousands of Cubans are affected daily by the U.S. embargo against the island.

Due to the embargo, Cubans are unable to access a lot of software and applications developed in the United States, 32-year-old Yasiel Rodriguez, who works at a mobile phone repair shop in the capital city of Havana, told Xinhua.

"It is annoying," he said. "We are supposed to have access to the entirety of websites and applications, but it is not possible due to the U.S. sanctions."

First imposed in 1962, the embargo was tightened by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who put in place 243 further measures, including banning all U.S. airline flights from the United States to Cuban cities except for Havana and limiting remittances that Cuban Americans could send to their families living on the island, among others.

Geulis Vega, a Havana resident who is visually impaired, said that the embargo negatively impacts the living standards of disabled people.

"If the U.S. blockade was lifted, Cuba could access technologies and medicines that very much contribute to the well-being of people like me," he said.

Eduardo Rivas, president of the Cuban Society of Cardiology, said that the U.S. sanctions directly affect people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

"The U.S. blockade restricts the Cuban public health system's capacity to purchase pacemakers on the international market," he said.

Under the current U.S. administration, airlines have resumed flights to Cuba beyond Havana and caps on family remittances to Cuba have been lifted.

"These are positive measures, but if the U.S. government really wants to help the Cuban people, they must end the blockade," said Havana resident Yakelin Santana.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
LOS ANGELES, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed on Sunday after the small planes they were traveling on collided in mid-air around noon at North Las Vegas Airport in the U.S. state of Nevada, authorities said.

"At this time, there are four reported fatalities. Accident is still under investigation," the City of North Las Vegas Fire Department tweeted.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said in a tweet that it is investigating the tragedy in Las Vegas involving a Piper PA-46 and a Cessna 172N, both of which are single-engine fixed-wing small planes.

Preliminary information indicates that the Piper PA-46 was preparing to land when it collided with the Cessna 172. The Piper crashed into a field east of Runway 30-Right and the Cessna fell into a water retention pond, reported the ABC affiliate KTNV-TV, a local television station in Las Vegas, citing the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Each aircraft had two people aboard, the report added. 
In a relief to SpiceJet, the on Monday dismissed a plea seeking to cancel its in the wake of seven mishaps in the last two months, highlighting that the Aviation Act in itself is good enough to examine this issue.

The Aviation Act is a robust mechanism in respect to the aviation industry to address the issue. The airlines cannot be told not to operate based on this public interest litigation (PIL), a bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad, said.

The petition was filed by advocate Rahul Bhardwaj, seeking directions to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and others to form a fast-track body to consider stopping the until all security measures were followed. Referring to three mishaps in May, two in June, and two in July, the PIL said the lives of people were at risk due to poor management of the .

The issue of non-payment of salary was also highlighted in the plea.

After considering the aforementioned points, the HC said the aviation act makes the rules on safety, flying, registration, and marking of aircraft, underscoring that the is the competent authority to look into such issues.

The is free to take action. In fact, it is quite prompt in taking action. Some show cause notices have already been issued against some flights, it added.

Last year, the in its audit, revealed that was facing a fund crunch and that its maintenance procedures were concerning.

On July 6 this year, the aviation regulator issued a show cause notice to the airline, following eight incidents of technical malfunction in its aircraft since June 19. It said the budget carrier had "failed" to establish safe, efficient, and reliable air services.
The Directorate General of (DGCA) has ordered to depute adequate maintenance engineers at all to certify airworthiness of aircraft before departure. have been asked to comply with the same by July 28.

The regulator issued the directions following frequent instances of snags and comes in the backdrop of recent mass protests by technicians. Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, too, held meetings with officials of and and instructions were given to tighten safety measures.

Spot inspections were carried out by the at various . These revealed that cause of defects was not being properly identified. Non-availability of enough certified staff was another concern. It also found that airlines are giving frequent one off authorisations to certain junior engineers, which is not as per regulations
Ltd. staged one of global aviations most remarkable turnarounds in 2015 after founder Ajay Singh swept in at the eleventh hour to rescue it. Less than a decade later, the Indian budget airline needs a revival of fortunes again.



Once an investor darling, is now the worst-performing airline stock in Asia, fighting a run of negative publicity triggered by a slew of seemingly innocuous but frequent technical glitches. The airline also hasnt restored pilot salaries even after a surge in domestic demand and has delayed releasing quarterly results for the three months ended March citing a ransomware attack on its servers. Its reportedly fallen behind on statutory dues, too.



SpiceJet, known for naming its aircraft after the aromatics used to flavor food, has struggled in Indias cut-throat aviation market -- the worlds fastest growing -- where even before the pandemic fierce price wars led to wafer-thin margins. Covid-19, which destroyed travel, came as a potentially fatal blow for many carriers around the world, including SpiceJet, as their main revenue source dried up.



Also Read: 9th incident in 24 days: SpiceJet flight delayed as nose wheel malfunctions



Unless injects fresh funds, it will be difficult for them to survive, said Harsh Vardhan, chairman of New Delhi-based Starair Consulting and former head of Vayudoot, a now defunct Indian regional carrier that was merged with Indian in the 1990s. Repeated technical failures have shaken public confidence. When people keep reading about SpiceJets missed payments to airports and oil companies, forward bookings diminish, he said.



The technical incidents mean the airline -- which bills itself as Red, Hot, Spicy -- is now under scrutiny from Indias aviation safety regulator. Earlier this month, the Directorate General of gave SpiceJet three weeks to explain why action shouldnt be taken against it following multiple mid-air snags. It also noted that SpiceJet has frequently invoked a clause that allows flights to proceed when some parts are malfunctioning so long as those parts arent essential to the flying or safety of the aircraft.



That notice from the regulator said SpiceJet has failed to establish safe, efficient and reliable air services, and a number of its aircraft returned to their origin or continued their journey with degraded safety margins, according to the missive, a copy of which was posted on Twitter.





In light of the recent incidences of technical malfunction with regard to @flyspicejet flights in the last 18 days, the @DGCAIndia has issued a show cause notice to the air carrier. pic.twitter.com/1umJSOPhdK  MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) July 6, 2022

SpiceJet said in a statement to Bloomberg that it will be responding to the within the specified time period.We are committed to ensuring a safe operation for our passengers and crew. Last month, all our planes were audited by the and found to be absolutely safe, the airline said, noting that the has said that on average about 30 incidents take place daily, including go-arounds, missed approaches, diversion, medical emergencies, weather, technical and bird hits. Most of them have no safety implications.But SpiceJets problems dont just end with technical malfunctions. In late 2021, the airline had cash and cash equivalents of just 729 million rupees ($9.1 million) compared with total debt of 97.5 billion rupees. It has also suffered three straight years of losses totaling 22.5 billion rupees combined.

Indias aviation regulator said a probe into the airlines financials revealed that SpiceJet hasnt paid vendors and suppliers on time since September, leading to a shortage of spare parts.



SpiceJet noted that its plan to spin off its cargo service SpiceXpress will result in a one-time gain of 25.6 billion rupees.





Its pilots now earn about one-third of their total take-home salaries before the pandemic after their wages were reduced to save money. SpiceJet said that since January, the airline has steadily been raising salaries with the objective to reach pre-Covid levels. Currently, pilot salaries are at a very healthy level and are steadily increasing month-on-month, it said.



People familiar with the matter also said employees havent been able to access their pay slips since the cyber attack and dont have copies of their so-called Form 16, needed in India to file tax returns. The last date for filing tax returns is July 31 and the delays are making staff even more nervous, the people said, declining to be identified because theyre not authorized to speak publicly.



SpiceJet said in its statement that the pay of all employees is being credited on time, along with applicable increments.



Due to the ransomware attack some of our systems are not yet fully functional. They will be operational soon. When the full salary is being credited on time, there is no reason why salary slips will not be provided to employees, the airline said, adding it will provide staff with their Form 16s before the filing date.



Pilots arent happy because theyre overworked and underpaid, said Amit Singh, a former head of pilot training at IndiGo, Indias largest airline, who founded not-for-profit organization Safety Matters Foundation. How do you guarantee safety when there is so much stress? The pilots and cabin crew onboard are stressed, the engineers taking care of safety are stressed.

The technical incidents started to surface in May and continued earlier this month.



On July 5, a SpiceJet flight operating a Boeing Co. 737 Max plane was diverted to Karachi due to an indicator light malfunction. Later that day, a Q400 turboprop was forced to make a priority landing in Mumbai after its windshield cracked. Another SpiceJet aircraft from New Delhi on July 2 returned to the Indian capital due to smoke in the cabin, while a technical issue with landing gear was discovered last week after a flight to Dubai arrived safely.



None of the incidents were life threatening, and all passengers were safe, but the frequency of the mishaps is garnering public attention. Travelers also say they may avoid the airline, according to a survey of more than 21,000 fliers conducted by LocalCircles.



But while people might say they wont fly SpiceJet, theres no visible impact of that yet. Indeed the airline is filling more seats on every plane than most of its rivals, with Directorate General of data showing that in May, SpiceJet had the highest passenger load factor at 89 per cent compared with IndiGo at 81 per cent.



Starairs Vardhan said its important to note that these sort of incidents do happen to and SpiceJets issues havent exposed any serious maintenance failures. The aviation consultant hasnt written off the beleaguered airline, saying it has been able to bring in capital and streamline its operations in the past and Singh, who has been chairman since returning to SpiceJet in 2015 when he bailed it out, is an excellent promoter and manager.



The 56-year-old -- who started SpiceJet with London-based Indian executive Bhulo Kansagra in 2005 -- swooped in last time when the airline was on the verge of collapse and under pressure to find an external investor. SpiceJet wasnt making money at the time, had missed salary payments and some lessors were taking away planes for unpaid monthly rentals. It was forced to ground its entire fleet in late 2014.



The business executive renegotiated with vendors, tweaked the carriers routes, established Indias first dedicated air cargo fleet, expanded into retail and healthcare, and helped SpiceJet get back into the black. Singh also ordered hundreds of new planes from Boeing, making SpiceJet one of the US planemakers biggest customers.



Whether Singh can orchestrate another rescue remains to be seen but in the past, theyve displayed an ability to come out of catastrophic situations, said Mitul Shah, the head of research at Reliance Securities Ltd.



But it will be tougher this time as the entire aviation industry is suffering from pandemic-led losses, fuel prices are high and the weakening rupee has made imports of crude, aircraft maintenance and lease payments more expensive, he said. An infusion of capital is important at this juncture.
Hyderabad-based Greenko Group, which recently launched the countrys first integrated storage project, will offer energy storage solutions through its cloud platform under a unique model to bulk energy users such as industries and state power distribution (discoms).

While the users can own the project, storage would be offered as a service contract, Mahesh Kolli, founder, president, and joint managing director of Group told this paper. He added that the company has built an Intelligent Energy Cloud Storage Platform, which the projects subscribers can plug into and utilise the energy storage.

recently commenced construction of a 5.2 GW of integrated renewable energy storage project in Andhra Pradesh. The project has storage of 10 GWh, 3 GW of solar and 0.5 GW of wind power. The project already has private investors such as ArcelorMittal and Ayana Renewable and a tie-up with the Corporation of India (SECI) to sell power to Bihar, Rajasthan and DVC.

Industries need continuous dispatch of carbon free electricity which has the flexibility of gas and surety of coal. But in case of conventional power supply arrangements, the industry does not own the energy. But in the integrated energy storage, they will own the energy they get, said Kolli.

Under the model, the subscriber company will invest in the renewable energy project which will build. Energy storage will be a service contract. Through the cloud platform, we are providing a massive network owned by anyone and we will deliver energy in the form that industry wants, he said.

Taking a leaf out of integrated cloud services such as Web Services (AWS), Kolli said the storage network would also analyse demand-supply patterns, forecasting, energy management and dispatch.

In its current raw form, is not supporting the demand, so the storage will provide a layer. have to pay DSM (Deviation settlement mechanism) charges when the scheduled power is not dispatched. That risk and cost is also averted, Kolli said.

The energy storage system deployed by Greenko is an off-stream closed loop pump hydro system, which Kolli said is half the cost of battery storage and more sustainable. India would need close to 50 GWh of pump hydro to meet the storage needs in tandem with the growth plans of solar and wind energy.

China is planning to have 200 GW of pump storage. A new growth strategy would need carbon-free electricity, which is cheap too. Greenko has been in this business since 2017, and now energy plus storage is, if not cheaper but at par with the non-pithead coal-based power, Kolli said.

Kolli said the three projects are all equity funded and already have investors on board for the upcoming two projects.
on Monday said it has signed agreements to jointly develop projects worth Rs 8,000 crore in region as part of its expansion plan.

is the real estate development arm of Larsen & Toubro.

"The company has entered into a binding agreement to jointly develop projects in South Mumbai, Western Suburbs and Thane worth Rs 8,000 crore, with development potential of 4.4 million square feet," said in a statement.

The company did not disclose the name of with whom it has signed agreements.

L&T Realty said this is a part of the company's larger plan to strengthen its footprint in major metros by adding around 5 million square feet per year over the next five years.

Shrikant Joshi, MD & CEO, L&T Realty said,We are committed to expanding our reach and continue looking into new markets."



The South project will be developed over a land parcel of 5 acres. This residential complex will have 50-storey twin towers with luxury amenities and retail.

The project in Western Suburb is set in a prime location of Andheri. This would be L&T Realty's first project in Western Suburb and the company will develop a residential complex comprising 20 towers with a modern shopping complex.

The Thane project will be developed on a 6-acre land parcel in the heart of the city. Surrounded by good social infrastructure and with ample amenities in-house, these high-rise residential towers will stand tall in the skyline of Thane.

L&T Realty has an extensive portfolio spanning 70 million square feet across residential, commercial and retail developments. It is present in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and to some extent in NCR and Hyderabad.

Larsen & Toubro is an Indian multinational engaged in EPC projects, hi-tech manufacturing and services. It operates in over 50 countries worldwide.

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has signed an agreement with BeeKay Group to bring five new hotels to Jharkhand and West Bengal, the company said in a statement on Monday. Slated to open between 2024 and 2026, the agreement is expected to add more than 700 rooms to Marriott Internationals existing portfolio in the country.

Marriott's Le Meridien brand is expected to debut in East India with the opening of Le Meridien Ranchi. Other planned openings include Courtyard by Marriott Asansol, Fairfield by Marriott Maithon, Fairfield by Marriott Ranchi, and Fairfield by Marriott Deoghar.

We are thrilled to be working with the Beekay Group again to bring five new hotels to Jharkhand and West Bengal, said Rajeev Menon, President Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), .

With this multi-agreement signing, the hotel chain is looking to urbanize and enter emerging business locations, in some of the most commercially and culturally important cities of the East, he said.

This strategic collaboration in the state encompasses properties spanning its premium lifestyle segment to select service brands that will enable us to better cater to the guests needs, while further strengthening the American hotel chain's presence in India, said Menon.
has come up with a technology integration feature called emergency assistance that aims to provide public safety authorities with real-time actionable data in case of an emergency during a ride. In the event of an emergency, riders or drivers will be able to share their live location, which shall be updated every four seconds, along with their name and contact details at the swipe of a button on the app with the . This will lead to saving critical time by providing potentially life-saving assistance by the .

Earlier, in case of an emergency, Uber encouraged riders to use the in-app SOS button or the national emergency line 100. This has now been upgraded with the emergency assistance technology.

To start with, Uber has integrated emergency assistance with the Hyderabad . This has already been taken live in Hyderabad for riders and drivers. Access to this data can help first responders intervene faster where help is needed.

The firm which competes with Softbank-backed Ola plans to expand this integration with other state police departments and take it to 100 cities/towns.

We are talking to multiple cities for (implementing) this. What this requires is the integration between the technology platform of Uber and the police department, said Shiva Shailendran, director, supply and cities operations, India and South Asia, in an interview. The next region where it may go live is Uttar Pradesh. But, you will definitely see this spreading across all our major cities.

So, how does it work? The rider or driver can access the safety toolkit by tapping the blue-shield icon. On reaching the 100 assistance, the user will be prompted with the location and user contact details and will be notified that these details will be shared automatically when they swipe to call 100. After the users swipe to call, by default, trip and other contact information will be shared with the police in all cases. If the user doesn't want to share their location with the police, they will have an option to turn off the share feature. In this case, the SOS (distress) signal will not be shared with the control room but the user can still reach out to 100 through their phone.



How does It work? The rider or driver can access the safety toolkit by tapping the blue-shield icon

On reaching the 100 assistance, the user will be prompted with the location and user contact details

These details will be shared automatically when the driver or the rider swipes to call 100

Trip and other contact information will be shared with the police in all cases

This new integration provides us with critical details, such as real-time location and user details that will help us act swiftly and save lives, said Mahender Reddy (IPS), director general of police, Telangana.

Uber is bringing the new tech integration for safety at a time when the firm is in the for all the wrong reasons related to the Uber Files report. In the India context, in one such finding related to a 2014 rape incident, which shook the nation, Uber had blamed it on the countrys flawed criminal database. It also did not take responsibility for its driver, who was accused of the crime. Also last month, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) pulled up both Uber and Ola on rising complaints of consumer rights violations.

But Shailendran of Uber said that the company has already been working with the Hyderabad police and running the pilot for the safety technology integration for a few months. He said the new tech integration with the police departments would definitely help to bring in more confidence among consumers in Uber as a platform for safety.

Uber had earlier introduced RideCheck, a dedicated 24X7 safety helpline, share trip with trusted contacts, and two-way call anonymization. The safety helpline was launched in 2019 in India, in addition to the SOS button. It provided the user with the access to speak directly to a representative of Ubers safety team for urgent and non-emergency issues, during a trip. It is not a replacement for 100 to reach out to the police.
(TCS) said on Monday it has been ranked number one by revenue among the top 30 suppliers of software and (SITS) to the market by industry analyst firm, 'TechMarketView'.

The report is compiled through a detailed analysis of revenues of over 200 publicly quoted and privately held companies, a TCS statement said. TCS has retained its position as the UK's largest SITS provider.

The company said it also performed very well in the revenue rankings by sub-category, topping the chart for applications operations, ranking number two in IT/BP Services, and number three in the consulting and solutions categories.

The report highlights that TCS' bounce back from the pandemic has been sharp in the where it won significant deals with the likes of Royal London, Virgin Atlantic, Nationwide, Department of Work and Pensions, and Transport for London during the year.

Over the past year, we began many new partnerships with UK corporations looking to modernise their technology stacks, while deepening our relationships with existing clients to become their innovation, growth and transformation partner, said Amit Kapur, Country Head, TCS UK and Ireland.

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At least 12 passengers were killed after their bus heading towards Maharashtra fell into the in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Monday, a senior government official said.

The Maharashtra Roadways bus was believed to be carrying 30 to 32 people, he said.

The bus broke the railing of a bridge on the National Highway No.3 (Agra-Mumbai road), situated close to Dhar and Khargone borders, and then fell into the river, he said.

It was heading to Nagpur in Maharashtra from Indore in MP, the official said.

Twelve bodies have been retrieved from the bus, MP Home Department's Additional Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Rajora told PTI.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has rushed to the spot, he added.

After getting information, Indore Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Pawan Kumar Sharma instructed the Khargone and Dhar collectors to rush to the spot to launch a rescue operation, officials said.

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co-founder Mohd Zubair on Monday sought an urgent listing of his plea in the seeking quashing of FIRs lodged against him in several districts of for allegedly outraging religious feelings.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana took note of the submissions of Zubair's lawyer Vrinda Grover that the petitioner, a fact checker and journalist, has been facing a slew of FIRs and his plea needed an urgent hearing.

List it before Justice DY Chandrachud. You can mention before that bench, said the bench.

The fresh plea of Zubair has also challenged the constitution of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the government to probe the six cases.

The plea said all the six FIRs filed in which have been transferred to the SIT for investigation is the subject matter of the FIR which is being probed by the Delhi Police special cell.

Separate FIRs have been lodged against Zubair in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Hathras districts on charges of allegedly hurting religious feelings, making sarcastic remarks on news anchors, disrespecting Hindu gods, and inflammatory posts.

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CHICAGO, July 17 (Xinhua) -- A shooting at a shopping mall in the U.S. Midwest state of Indiana Sunday evening left four dead, including the gunman, and two injured.

The shooting happened in the food court of the Greenwood Park Mall south of Indianapolis, capital of Indiana, around 6 p.m. local time (2200 GMT). An adult male carrying a rifle and several magazines of ammo walked into the food court and began shooting.

Three people were killed and two others were injured, said Greenwood Police Chief James Ison at a press briefing. Police believe an armed bystander killed the gunman at the scene.

The gunman's motive remains unknown.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief Christopher Bailey said there was "no immediate public safety concern" for people in the area, local media reported.

Built in 1965, Greenwood Park Mall is the second-largest indoor shopping center in Indiana with about 150 tenants.

Shootings happen frequently in the United States. The Gun Violence Archive database lists 320 mass shootings across the country since the beginning of this year, with roughly 22,500 deaths caused by gun violence. 
The Lucknow bench of the is set to hear on Monday a revision petition filed against the acquittals of all the 32 accused, including former deputy prime minister L K Advani and senior BJP leader Uma Bharti, in the Babri mosque demolition case.

The matter was earlier fixed for July 11, but the lawyers for the revisionists sought an adjournment. The bench agreed and listed it for Monday with a caution that it would not adjourn the hearing again.

The bench headed by Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh will hear the petition by two Ayodhya residents - Haji Mahmood Ahmad and Syed Akhlaq Ahmad.

The two men have alleged that they were witnesses in the trial against the accused and that they were also the victims of the violence.

The Babri mosque was demolished by karsevaks on December 6, 1992. After a long legal battle, the special CBI court on September 30, 2020, pronounced the judgment in the criminal trial and acquitted all the accused, also including the then Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh and senior BJP leaders MM Joshi, Vinay Katiyar, Sadhvi Ritambhara and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The trial judge had refused to believe newspaper cuttings and video clips as evidence as the originals of the same were not produced, while the entire edifice of the case rested on these pieces of documentary evidence.

The trial judge also held that the CBI could not produce any evidence that the accused had a meeting with karsevaks in this connection.

Assailing the findings of the trial court, the revisionists pleaded that the trial court committed an error by not convicting the accused having ample evidence on record.

"The trial judge did not appreciate the evidence of conspiracy in the right perspective," they alleged in the petition.

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The Union on Monday reviewed the steps for health screening of international travellers arriving in India at airports and ports after two cases of Monkeypox were reported in the country.

A 31-year-old man from Kannur in Kerala who returned from Dubai tested positive for monkeypox on Monday making it the second confirmed case of the disease in India.

The Union last week rushed a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Kerala to assist the state health authorities in instituting public health measures after the first confirmed case of monkeypox- a 35-year-old who returned from UAE - was detected in Kerala's Kollam district on Thursday.

Monday's meeting was attended by airport and port health officers (APHOs and PHOs) and regional directors from regional offices of health and family welfare.

They were advised to ensure strict health screening of all arriving international travellers which can minimise the risk of importation of monkeypox cases into the country, a statement said.

They were advised and re-oriented in the clinical presentation of monkeypox disease as per the ministry of health's 'Guidelines for Management of Monkeypox disease'.

They were also advised to coordinate with other stakeholder agencies like Immigration at international ports and airports to streamline health screening processes besides ensuring suitable linkages with hospital facilities earmarked to each port of entry for timely referral and isolation.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from International Health Division, and Disaster Management Cell.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.

Monkeypox typically presents with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.

It is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks.

In the 'Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease' issued to states and UTs the Centre stated that human-to-human transmission occurs primarily through large respiratory droplets generally requiring prolonged close contact.

It can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens of an infected person.

Animal-to-human transmission may occur by bite or scratch of infected animals like small mammals including rodents (rats, squirrels) and non-human primates (monkeys, apes) or through bush meat preparation.

The incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days, the document stated.

The case fatality ratio of monkeypox has historically ranged from 0 to 11 per cent in the general population and has been higher among young children. In recent times, the case fatality ratio has been around 3-6 per cent, the document stated. T The symptoms include lesions that usually begin within 1-3 days of fever onset, lasting for around 2-4 weeks and are often described as painful until the healing phase when they become itchy (in the crust stage).

A notable predilection for palm and soles is characteristic of monkeypox, the guidelines stated.

According to the guidelines, contacts should be monitored at least daily for the onset of signs/symptoms for 21 days (as per case definition) from the last contact with a patient or their contaminated materials during the infectious period.

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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the biggest and most successful campaign of Covid vaccination has been conducted in India.

He described the crossing of 200-crore doses of Covid vaccination as historic in the country as a result of the tireless hard work of the Corona warriors under the able leadership of Prime Minister .

He further said that the Government of India has launched the Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav. Under this, free publication dose is being given to all the beneficiaries in the age group of 18 to 59. He also said that vaccination is necessary for the prevention of Covid. All necessary arrangements have been made by the state government for this.

Appealing to the people of the state, Dhami said that vaccination is our biggest weapon in the fight against the corona epidemic and all the people of the state who are above the age of 18 must be a part of the Covid precaution dose campaign and get the Covid vaccine. He also urged people to encourage other people for vaccination

He said that in the last two years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we fought against the Corona epidemic with a stoicism. Under his leadership, a great campaign of Covid vaccination was launched in India, as well as the work of distributing the vaccine by India across the world.

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Finance Minister is down with COVID-19 infection after her return from Bali, Indonesia, where she attended G20 Finance Ministers' meeting.

Sitharaman, who returned from Bali on Sunday, cast her vote on Monday in the Presidential election wearing a full PPE kit.

Official sources said she contracted Covid-19 during her Indonesia visit and is taking precautions not to infect others.

She is hale and hearty, sources said.

The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, met in Bali on 15-16 July 2022, for the third time under the Indonesian G20 Presidency.

The meeting was attended by G20 members, invited countries (including Ukraine), and international and regional organizations.

Sitharaman also attended many events and held bilateral meetings on the sidelines G20 Finance Ministers meeting.

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The on Monday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to stop the operation of airline for allegedly flying its aircraft in breach of professional and safety obligations.

The court cannot stay the operation of an airline on the basis of a and press reports, a bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma said while dealing with the petition by lawyer Rahul Bhardwaj.

The bench, also comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad, stated that the law provided a "robust mechanism" for the aviation industry and recorded the DGCA's stand that it has already initiated action and issued show cause notices in relation to incidents mentioned in the present case.

In the recent past, the petitioner alleged, there have been instances concerning the "landing" of aircrafts, its aircraft taking off without passengers' baggage and employees not being paid.

The court said the " is very much working" and there is no reason to grant the relief sought by the petitioner.

"The court cannot stop a particular airline to operate in the country based on averments in a and press clippings," it said.

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Amid multiple provocative activities by the Chinese Air Force on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) ahead of the military talks, a senior military veteran on Sunday said 'India's message to China is strong'.

"Chinese army has been strengthening their position in the areas they have occupied. From the fact that they have strengthened their position, it seems unlikely that they will go back. We can certainly expect some kind of disengagement. Other issues may take some more time," said Major General SB Asthana (Retd).

Further speaking on giving a strong message to China, he said, "Both sides are giving strong messages. In this manner, the Chinese have flown aircraft where they are not supposed to be. And I think we should be talking of areas as no-fly zones, especially in areas where we are talking and where the recent incursion took place. So, therefore, under these circumstances, we are also quite ready in a manner that there is an array of radars. There is a very good surveillance system and air defence system. And the Chinese army if they try what they had been trying in the South China Sea and Taiwan, they will certainly be dealt with by the professional air force (India). So it's slightly different messaging."

and China are holding the 16th round of Corps Commander talks and the Chinese Air Force fighter jets provoked on multiple occasions just before it.

According to Defence sources, talks would be held with the objective of discussing disengagement from friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.

Reacting to Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Indian Air Force responding to People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) fighter jets flying over borders, Asthana said, "Chinese have a strategy of incremental encroachment. Encroachment is not just limited to land but also to information, cyber, digital, and economic domains. So Air Force encroachment is also a part of it which they are carrying out in Taiwan. But here in India, you are meeting a professional Air Force. Perhaps a Taiwan-like strategy will not work here. Also, India has strengthened its grid and India's messaging is also strong."

According to him, India's crackdown on some of the economic defaulters who have a connection with the Chinese is also a strong message to China.

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari today said whenever the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) fighter jets come too close to the border, the Indian Air Force immediately responds by scrambling its combat aircraft to tackle the situation.

"Chinese aircraft activity is closely monitored by us. Whenever we see Chinese aircraft or remotely piloted aircraft coming too close to the LAC, we take appropriate measures by scrambling or putting our aircraft on higher alert. This has deterred them quite a lot," Chaudhari told ANI in an interview.

Asked why the Chinese Air Force was trying to provoke India just ahead of talks, he said, "I cannot point to any particular reason why they are doing it but we are monitoring it and we take immediate action by scrambling our fighter jets there.

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The (ED) on has recorded the statement of journalist Sucheta Dalal in connection with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) co-location scam.

She was summoned to join the probe after her name cropped up during the course of investigation.

She was questioned on Saturday at length in ED's Delhi-based headquarters. She replied all the answers asked to her by the probe agency.

No ED official, however, was available to comment on the matter.

Dalal said that she was summoned and then she joined the ED's probe in NSE's co-location scam.

"Just before the New Delhi meeting, I was told that they wanted to record my statement before Pushpal Paul. On asking Abhinav Khare, the SP CBI, he had told me that it was about 'Ken Fong'. This is the name used by the whistle-blower.

Indeed, most of the questions asked by the the CBI were about Ken Fong's four letters. I had carried all the four letters posted by Ken Fong to me from two different countries and showed the CBI copies of my e-mails to SEBI. I was asked if I knew who Ken Fong was. I do not know who he is and I said so emphatically. I was also asked about the process which we followed before writing the article and the decision to publish it. And whether I had asked to visit the NSE before writing the article," Dalal said in her statement.

She was asked if she knew Sanjay Pandey, the former Commissioner of Police, whose firm, iSec Services Pvt Ltd is under the scanner for which she replied in positive. But she said that she had nothing to do with his business.

She was also asked if she knew Ravi Narain, the former Managing Director of the NSE. Dalal said that she knew him.

She told the investigators that she was unable to recall whether she introduced Pandey to Narain.

"I said that I did not see why NSE or Ravi Narain would need a recommendation from me, when the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had asked Pandey to investigate the National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL) in 2005. NSDL is a subsidiary of NSE. Later, the NSE itself had asked him to be part of an investigation committee with regard to a trading glitch," she had said.

--IANS

atk/pgh

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The of the began on Monday with obituary references and new members taking oath, and was then adjourned till 2 pm so members could vote in the .

As the House met for the first time in the of Parliament, three MPs, including veteran Bollywood actor and Trinamool Congress' Shatrughan Sinha, took oath as member of the .

Speaker Om Birla then read out obituary references to three foreign leaders, including former Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe, and eight former members who passed away recently.

Birla said elections in India are celebrated as a festival. And since the election to the president was underway, it should also be celebrated, he said.

Members should participate in the festival, the speaker said, and declared the House adjourned till 2 pm.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi were among those present in the House.

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Prime Minister expressed condolences after a Maharashtra Roadways bus travelling from Indore to Pune fell off the Khalghat Sanjay Setu in the Dhar district of on Monday.

"The bus tragedy in Dhar, is saddening. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. Rescue work is underway and local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted quoting PM Modi.

The bus carrying 55 people was enroute from Indore to Pune when it fell off the bridge over Narmada river after the driver lost his balance.

"Twelve people died and 15 people have been rescued," MP Minister Narottam Mishra said adding that the Maharashtra Roadways bus

The Dhamnod Police and Khaltaka Police rushed to the spot and conducted rescue operations with the help of divers.

So far, two injured persons have been taken to the Dhamnod Government Hospital in .

More details awaited.

The bus tragedy in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh is saddening. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. Rescue work is underway and local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi  PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 18, 2022

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Prime Minister will address the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar 'Swavlamban' on Monday at 4

A key pillar of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is attaining self-reliance in the Defence Sector, the Prime Minister's Office informed today highlighting the details of the event.

To further this endeavour, during the programme, Prime Minister will unveil 'SPRINT Challenges', which are aimed at giving a boost to the usage of the indigenous technology in the Indian Navy.

As a part of the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', NIIO, in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims at inducting at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy. This collaborative project is named SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R & D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC).

The seminar aims to engage Indian industry and academia towards achieving self-reliance in the Defence sector. The two-day Seminar (18-19 July) will provide a platform for leaders from Industry, Academia, Services and Government to come together on a common platform to ideate and come up with recommendations for the Defence Sector. Sessions dedicated to Innovation, Indigenisation, Armament and Aviation will be held.

The second day of the Seminar will witness outreach to the Indian Ocean Region, in line with the government's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

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The Monday directed that no precipitative steps be taken against co-founder Mohd Zubair in connection with five FIRs lodged against him in for allegedly outraging religious feelings.

The apex court observed that it seems to be a "vicious cycle" where the moment Zubair gets bail in one case, there is another FIR against him.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna said it would hear on July 20 the plea filed by Zubair, who is seeking quashing of these FIRs.

"In the meantime, we direct that no precipitative steps shall be taken against the petitioner (Zubair) in connection with any of the five FIRs, which have been extracted above (in the order), without the leave of this court," the bench said while issuing notice on his plea.

The bench noted that Zubair was granted interim bail, which was last week extended till further orders, by the apex court in connection with a case lodged against him in the Sitapur district of for allegedly outraging religious sentiments.

It also noted in the order that Zubair was granted bail by a Delhi court on July 15 in a case lodged against him here.

"What seems to be happening is the moment he got bail in Delhi, he got bail in Sitapur, the moment that happens, there is another FIR or he is produced in another FIR," the bench orally observed while terming it a "vicious cycle".

Earlier in the day, advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for Zubair, had mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana.

"Upon being mentioned by Vrinda Grover, counsel appearing for the petitioner for urgent listing of matter, we grant liberty to the petitioner to mention the matter before a bench presided over by Justice D Y Chandrachud," the CJI-led bench said in its order.

Later in the day, Grover mentioned the matter before the bench headed by Justice Chandrachud which said it would hear it during the day itself.

In the order, Justice Chandrachud-led bench noted that the subject matter of the present proceedings under Article 32 of the Constitution arises from five FIRs lodged against the petitioner.

"Since the petition is not on board today, we direct the registry to list it on July 20," the bench said.

During the hearing, Grover said that now six FIRs have been registered in against Zubair -- two in Hathras, one each in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Muzaffarnagar, and Ghaziabad.

She said once the apex court granted him interim bail in FIR lodged at Sitapur, a warrant in another FIR came.

The fresh plea of Zubair has also challenged the constitution of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe these cases.

The plea said all the FIRs filed in Uttar Pradesh that has been transferred to the SIT for investigation are the subject matter of the FIR which is being probed by the Delhi Police Special Cell.

The bench observed that it has requested Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present in the court, to assist in the matter.

"What is happening Mr. Solicitor is that contents of all these FIRs seem to be similar," the bench observed during the hearing.

Mehta said he has not seen all these FIRs.

"We can have it the day after so that you can also take instructions and look at the FIRs," the bench said.

While mentioning the matter before the Justice Chandrachud-led bench, Grover had informed the court that Zubair is being produced before Hathras court today and the remand order will be passed. She had said that the matter requires an urgent hearing as there is a threat to his life.

"The FIR was lodged against Zubair by the complainant after a cash prize was put on his head. This is the same FIRs and same allegations and same tweet. He is being produced before different courts of UP and remanded to judicial custody. Today, he is being produced before Hathras court," she said.

Separate FIRs have been lodged against Zubair in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Hathras districts of Uttar Pradesh on charges of allegedly hurting religious feelings, making sarcastic remarks on news anchors, disrespecting Hindu gods, and inflammatory posts.

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Prime Minister on Monday addressed a seminar titled 'Swavlamban' organised by the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) wherein he underlined India's goal of self-reliance in defence forces.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the goal of self-reliance in the defence forces is very important for India of the 21st century, and organising the first 'Swavlamban' (self-reliance) seminar for a self-reliant Navy is an important step in this direction.

The Prime Minister said that the resolution of creating 75 indigenous technologies in this period of making new resolutions for India is inspiring in itself, and expressed confidence that it will be fulfilled very soon.

"We have to work to continuously increase the number of indigenous technologies. Your goal should be that when India celebrates 100 years of Independence, our Navy should be at an unprecedented height," he said.

Referring to the importance of oceans and coasts in India's economy, the Prime Minister said that the role of the Indian Navy is continuously increasing and therefore self-reliance of the Navy is of critical importance.

Recalling the glorious maritime tradition of the country, the Prime Minister said the defence sector used to be very strong even before Independence as India was an important supplier of defence equipment during World War II.

"Our howitzers and machine guns made at the Ishapur Rifle Factory were considered the best. We used to export a lot. But then what happened that at one point in time we became the world's biggest importer in this field," Modi asked.

The Prime Minister said that a self-reliant defence system is critical for the economy and also from the strategic point of view.

He said the country has worked in mission mode to reduce this dependence after 2014.

"Innovation is critical and it has to be indigenous. Imported goods can't be a source of innovation," he said.

In the last eight years, the Prime Minister noted that the government has not only increased the defence budget, but "we have also ensured that this budget is useful in the development of the defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country".

"Today, a large part of the budget earmarked for the purchase of defence equipment is being spent on procurement from Indian companies," Modi said, as he complemented the defence forces for preparing a list of 300 items that will not be imported.

As India is establishing itself on the global stage, Modi said there are constant attacks through misinformation, disinformation and false publicity.

"The forces that are harming India's interests, whether in the country or abroad, have to be thwarted in their every effort," Modi said.

"As we are moving forward with the 'whole of the government' approach for a self-reliant India, a similar 'whole of the nation' approach is the need of the hour for the defence of the nation. The collective national consciousness is the strong basis of security and prosperity," the Prime Minister concluded.

--IANS

avr/arm

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A policeman deployed at the Haiderpur water treatment plant here shot dead his three colleagues on Monday and later surrendered, officials said.

The accused, Prabin Rai (32), and the three deceased were personnel deployed at the plant for its security as part of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn).

A senior official said they received a PCR call at the KNK Marg Station at around 3 pm about the firing.

"Upon reaching the spot, it was found that three persons belonging to had been shot, of which two had died on the spot and one was critically wounded and transferred to BSA hospital where he was declared brought dead," a senior official said.

He said the accused surrendered at the Samaypur Badli police station.

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Several Tibetan organisations, including non-governmental organisations, political parties, student groups, etc., held massive protests in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamsala against China's repressive policies and illegal occupation in Tibet.

The Tibetan people in the hill state highlighted various incidents of atrocities and oppression by the Chinese government on the people of Tibet through various programmes.

Tibetan Women's Association (a women's group based in McLeodGanj, Dharamsala), National Democratic Party of Tibet (a major political party in the Tibetan government in exile), Gu Chu Sum Movement Association of Tibet (non-governmental organisation in Himachal Pradesh) and Students for a Free Tibet (global grassroots network of students and activists working in solidarity with the Tibetan people) held large-scale demonstrations against Chinese atrocities against the people of Tibet at the Main Square in Mcleodganj, Dharamsala on Sunday.

The International Justice Day was also celebrated on Sunday (June 17) by the Tibetan community living in India, inspiring people across the world to unite together for ensuring justice.

International Justice Day celebrates the importance of ensuring accountability concerning some of the most heinous crimes such as genocide, murder, forced detention, unjustified jail imprisonment, punishing the perpetrators of crime and bringing justice to the people.

Tsering Dolma, Vice-President of the Tibetan Women's Association, said it was important to celebrate the International Justice Day by acknowledging the human rights violations inside Tibet by the dictatorial Chinese Communist Party.

She added that during the 20th century, the Chinese Communist Party began its invasion of Tibet in 1949 by annexing Tibet's Amdo and Kham provinces.

After illegally occupied the entire Tibet in 1959, a martial law was imposed to crackdown on the Tibetan resistance movement.

As many as six million people died in Tibet due to the invasion and illegal occupation by China, and many Tibetans were also forced to leave their homeland and live in exile, Dolma said.

The people of Tibet were denied justice and are fighting against atrocities committed against them violating basic human rights and freedom, she added.

The evidence of the human rights situation within Tibet is clear when His Holiness, the Panchen Lama, was forcibly abducted by the Chinese government at the age of six, Dolma said.

She added that due to the torture, cruelty and ill-treatment during his detention by the Chinese government, prominent Tibetan monk Jigme Gyatso had been unrecoverably ill since his release in 2016 after serving a five-year prison sentence when he pleaded guilty to "inciting separatism" in Tibet. Facing further health complications, Gyatso was hospitalised in Xiling in May this year and passed away on July 2.

On June 23, 2022, the Chinese police arrested a Tibetan woman Zumkar, for possessing a picture of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama in her house in Tibet.

She said that many Tibetan people have lost their lives under harsh persecution, torture, imprisonment and extrajudicial killings due to Chinese oppression. China's dictatorial policies have created a crisis in Tibet and provoked an unprecedented wave of self-immolations by monks, nuns and Tibetan people.

Tsering Dolma added that over the past decade, Chinese authorities have systematically closed local schools in Tibet and replaced them with colonised boarding schools, including those for primary age children.

By deliberately separating Tibetan children from their families and culture and keeping them in government boarding schools, Chinese authorities are using one of the most heinous means of colonialism to attack Tibetan identity.

--IANS

khz/dpb

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Farmer leader on Monday warned of a "country-wide hartal" if the demand for a legally guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) was not met by the government.

Tikait, who is on a three-day tour of Bihar, also urged Chief Minister to restore the system of "mandis" and rued the absence of strong farmer bodies in the state.

"I will try to meet to press for the demand for restoration of mandis. Ever since these were disbanded, farmers of the state have been facing hardships which their counterparts elsewhere had feared when the Modi government brought its farm laws," the Bharatiya Kisan Union leader said.

He also claimed that scrapping of the Produce Marketing Committee Act in 2006 has forced farmers of to resort to distress selling.

Tikait said farmers must now consider switching back to "hari khaad" (natural fertilisers) since chemically developed ones are environmentally hazardous and expensive.

"If it leads to a drop in productivity, so be it. The government has been turning a deaf ear to our demand for guarantee since it knows farmers will not cease to produce and look for avenues to sell," he said.

"But the government should make no mistake. If needed, farmers of the country will go on an hartal, triggering a crisis that will bring the government on its knees," he warned.

Tikait also claimed that the NDA's choice of former West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, a "Kisan ka beta" (son of a farmer), for the Vice-Presidential polls was a result of the impact the farmers' agitation around Delhi had on politics.

The farmer leader, who has stayed away from electoral politics, was also of the view that and his JD(U) should be on their guard against ally BJP.

"The BJP is vicious. It is gunning for the Nehru-Gandhi family and has caused parties like the Shiv Sena to disintegrate," Tikait alleged.

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Chief Minister on Monday said the state will be holding a 'UP Global Investor Summit' in January 2023, in which a target has been set to attract investments worth Rs 10 lakh crore.

He said has emerged as a "dream destination" for industrial investment in the country by imbibing the mantra of 'Reform, Perform and Transform' of Prime Minister .

"UP Global Investor Summit-2023 will be the one to give flight to the new aspirations of Uttar Pradesh," Adityanath said, addressing a review meeting for the preparation of the summit at his official residence here.

Five years ago, the economy of the state was at fifth or sixth position in the country, but at present, it is fast moving towards becoming the second-largest economy of the country, the chief minister said.

He said the dates for the summit would be decided soon.

The event should be of at least three days, and one day should be earmarked for the MSME sector, Adityanath said.

The summit should be widely publicised through roadshows in countries like the UK, the USA, Canada, the UAE, Sweden, Singapore, Netherlands, Israel, France, Germany, South Korea, Mauritius, Russia and Australia, the chief minister said.

A team should be sent to create a conducive environment for the 'UP Global Investor Summit-2023' in the industrial world of these countries, he added.

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Sri Lanka's Acting President on Monday urged the political parties to put aside their differences and form an all-party government which would allow the country to recover from the as he assured the public that talks with the were nearing conclusion.

Wickremesinghe, who earlier in the day declared a state of emergency giving him broad powers ahead of the crucial presidential election on Wednesday, made the appeal in a special statement in which he said that when he took over as the Prime Minister on May 13, the economy had collapsed.

"Acting President Wickremesinghe called upon the political parties in the country to put aside their differences and not allow the country to suffer over differences over an individual. He urged them to come together and form an All-Party Government which would allow the country to recover from the economic crisis," according to the statement issued by his office on his behalf.

In the statement, Wickremesinghe said that in the two months since he assumed the post of prime minister, power cuts had been reduced to 3 hours a day, fertiliser has been provided to the farmers and the gas shortage in the country has been solved.

Wickremesinghe, who is one the contenders for the post of President, further said that July would be a difficult period for the supply of fuel. However, diesel stocks have been secured and are being distributed while from July 21 petrol will also be distributed.

He also explained that relief was being provided to the citizens who are struggling with the . The loans taken by paddy farmers who have planted fields less than 2 acres have been cancelled. While due to the drop in the world oil prices, the fuel prices in the country have also been reduced, he said.

Wickremesinghe also highlighted the steps taken so far and said that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were nearing conclusion, and discussions for assistance with foreign countries was also progressing.

He was sworn-in as acting president on Friday after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives and then to Singapore from where he resigned in the face of public revolt against his government's mishandling of the country's economy.

Wickremesinghe went on to explain that the current political crisis in the country is due to the Executive Presidency, and said that the 19th Amendment would be re-introduced which would address many of the concerns of the public.

He also warned that there were elements within society who were attempting to disrupt the peace in the country and said these elements would be prohibited from disrupting the country's progress.

Wickremesinghe said that the government would hold talks with peaceful protesters who had legitimate concerns and solutions would be found for them.

Sri Lanka, a country of 22 million people, is under the grip of an unprecedented economic turmoil, the worst in seven decades, leaving millions struggling to buy food, medicine, fuel and other essentials.

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Even as a recent study led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showed the silent spread of Zika in many states, health experts on Monday said that the virus may have already become endemic in .

(ZIKV) is a vector-borne flavivirus which is transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. It can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, sexual contact, and via exposure to urine.

While Zika cases were earlier reported from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in 2017 and Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in 2018, in 2021 the virus was detected in Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Punjab as well as Delhi.

The presence of the ZIKV in these new states confirmed local virus transmission, the said.

"The retrospective surveillance for undertaken by us demonstrates the silent spread of this virus to almost all parts of India, with a predominance of the more recent 2018 Rajasthan ZIKV strain," the authors noted.

Aedes aegypti sampled during the 2018 Zika outbreak in Rajasthan showed the presence of Asian lineage of the virus and not the American lineage that caused a global medical emergency in 2016, with thousands of babies born with birth defects such as microcephaly after their mothers became infected while pregnant.

However, microcephaly has not yet been reported in .

" infections have been very commonly observed in also nowadays, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. So, in simpler terms I would rather say the Zika virus has already become endemic in India," Dr Satish Koul, Director Internal Medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, told IANS.

Koul attributed the endemicity to "our peculiar monsoon season" which has the "tendency to lead to more of these vector-borne diseases in India".

Dr. Merlin Moni, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amrita Hospital, Kochi said that the "increasing rates of global warming" that is leading to "erratic rainfall and increasing mosquito density" is likely to cause further spread of Zika virus in India.

"There is a possibility of this becoming endemic and the transmission can occur from people who are not symptomatic also. This has favoured increase in disease transmission to an endemic rate in the last couple of years," Moni told IANS.

In April, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that the next pandemic could be triggered by insect-borne pathogens including Zika and dengue.

The agency noted that the frequency and magnitude of outbreaks of these viruses, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, are increasing globally fuelled by the convergence of ecologic, economic, and social factors.

Although, there are no treatment options available in the world for the management of Zika virus, conservative management is the one advised, good hydration, paracetamol whenever the patient has any evidence of body ache or fever, Dr. Umang Agrawal, Infectious Diseases Consultant, PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC told IANS.

"As far as preventing disease is concerned, the major precautions that we need to undertake is to make sure that we are taking mosquito prevention measures as much as possible. This would include use of mosquito nets, making sure that there's good general hygiene in and around the house so that there are no puddles where the mosquitoes may breed etc," he added.

Recently, scientists at the Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, also raised an alarm about co-infection of Zika, with dengue and chikungunya.

The experts have called for continuous and enhanced surveillance for ZIKV along with dengue and chikungunya; as well as the need to develop a safe and effective vaccine for ZIKV that can be administered to pregnant women.

--IANS

rvt/vd

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Traders in the national capital have opposed the Council's decision to tax pre-packed and labelled food items, and termed it an "anti-people move".

Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) chairman Brijesh Goyal said this is the first time since Independence that dal, rice, flour, cereals, curd, and lassi among other items, that used to be tax-free, have now been taxed.

The Council, the highest decision-making body on the levy of Goods and Services Tax, last month accepted most of the recommendations of a group of ministers from states on withdrawing exemptions to rationalise the levy.

It was decided in the meeting that pre-packed and labelled meat (except frozen), fish, curd, paneer, honey, dried leguminous vegetables, dried makhana, wheat and other cereals, wheat or meslin flour, jaggery, puffed rice (muri), all goods and organic manure and coir pith compost will be brought under the net.

"We are against this decision and it should be rolled back. This will prove to be detrimental for the common man and traders. This is an anti-people move," Grain Merchant Association president Naresh Kumar Gupta told PTI.

Wholesale and retail grain markets in the city had remained closed on Saturday as traders observed a bandh against the government move.

The CTI has also called a maha panchayat of traders on Wednesday in protest against this.

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The government is making concerted efforts to attract both domestic and .

The state government will organise the Invest Rajasthan conclave in from October 7 to October 8. Through this, it hopes to attract of over Rs 10 trillion.

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot said that has great potential for investors, adding that the positive atmosphere here attracts from all over the country and the world.

He said, We must work together to strengthen Rajasthans image with the slogan Padharo Mahare Desh (Welcome to my state) so that do not face any problems.

Roadshows and investor connect programmes were organised across the country for Invest in which as many as 4,192 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and letters of intent) (LoIs) have been received.

This proposed has the potential to provide employment to more than 969,000 people in the state.

Rajasthans industry minister Shakuntla Rawat said that Invest Rajasthan will be organised at Exhibition & Convention Centre (Sitapura). The theme of Invest Rajasthan is Committed and Delivered.

More than 3,000 are expected to physically attend this event while over 5,000 of them may take part virtually.

According to Rawat, events like a non-resident Rajasthans (NRR) session, start-up conclave, tourism conclave, agri-business meet and exploring in future-ready sectors will be organised on October 7.

Similarly, a micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) conclave will be organised on October 8.

Departmental officers have been directed to be in touch with the investors and immediately resolve any kind of problems along with ensuring better facilities for them.

Rawat, while inviting investors, said that the chief ministers vision is to bring maximum investment to the state. For this, the government is ready to make changes in the laws, if needed.

She added that efforts would be made to ensure that all MoUs and LoIs materialise.

Chief secretary Usha Sharma asked officials to build an investment-friendly atmosphere in the state so that every entrepreneur in the country is eager to invest in Rajasthan.

In this summit, MoUs of more than Rs 500 crore are expected to be signed by Japanese companies. The Japanese Investment Zone came up in 2006 at Neemrana in Alwar district. Japanese companies have been increasing their investments in the state.
The (AIIB) doesnt have any plan to set up a resident board in Beijing as proposed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last year, in order to maintain a lean and agile organisational structure, Chief Economist Erik Berglof said.

currently has a non-resident board comprising 12 board of directors. In case of a resident board, the board of directors would live in the headquarters, having their offices, and working full time with the multi-lateral development bank (MDB). In the case of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), the board of directors sits in Washington and Manila, respectively. For example, ADBs resident board comprises 12 directors, representing constituencies encompassing ADBs 68 member countries, sitting in Manila. An resident board of directors would mean somebody from the Ministry of Finance sitting full time in Beijing. A resident board is believed to keep greater oversight on the functioning of the MDB.

Participating in the 6th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of AIIB via video conference in October last year, Sitharaman said: The current crisis has reinforced the importance of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). For the realisation of SDGs, as well as to address the challenges caused by the current crisis, there is an urgent need to ramp up development finance. In this context let me highlight some key focus areas for AIIB: AIIB should further intensify private sector capital mobilisation as a vital partner for inclusive and green development. AIIB should ensure accountability, transparency and quality of operations and investments through both a Resident Board and Regional Presence.

We dont have a resident board, which is very much part of how we were created. There is an agreement of the founders that we would not have a resident board. So I think that is not going to change, Berglof said in an interview with Business Standard.

The AIIB chief economist said resident boards are extremely expensive and a very significant part of the total cost of other MDBs. If you dont have resident boards, you might be able to engage higher-level people as board members, if you dont want to move and live in Beijing, maybe you can involve more senior people as board members.

However, Berglof said AIIB, which recently announced its first overseas office in Abu Dhabi, will also have an office in India. In terms of our international presence, so far we are a very young institution. We have all our people employed in Beijing, China. Now for the first time, the board approved establishing an office outside China, its an interim arrangement that we are doing to deal with Covid. Its part of a more broader global presence. India will be among those countries where we will have offices of AIIB, he added.

Berglof said AIIB wants to do it differently from how other multilateral developments banks have done.

We want to be more focussed on functions, not so much on building local structures. We want to make sure that it really promotes the objectives of the bank staying lean. Country offices have become very big if you look at the World Bank and ADB in India. We think modern technology allows us to do that in a very different way than in the past, he added.

Berglof said there has been a debate in development institutions about the relevance of resident boards. Many international commissions have suggested getting rid of the resident boards, but no one has dared before AIIB decided to do this, he added.
Open Network Digital Commerce (ONDC) has expanded its pilot to 15 more cities. This comes at a time when it plans to begin operations next month.

has also signed the onboarding agreement with the network and will debut on it next month.

On Monday, expanded to Noida, Faridabad, Lucknow, Bijnor, Bhopal, Chhindwara, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai, Kannur, Thrissur, Udipi, Kanchipura, Pollachi, Mannar and Ramnathpuram.

The network first began its pilot on April 29 in Delhi, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Bhopal and Shillong.

We will keep on adding more locations and add more cities this week itself, T Koshy, chief executive officer (CEO) of ONDC, told Business Standard.

Koshy also said that has onboarded 100 merchants on its platform. Several of them are digitising their catalogue in accordance with ONDCs protocol.

It is also in the process of completing a small fundraise. This will take its total fundraise to Rs 195 crore from Rs 157 crore raised earlier. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) and Bank of India are part of the ongoing fundraise.

 will provide pan-Indian access on . At the time of launch, more than 2,500 cities and towns across the country will be enabled for access. More cities and towns will be added to the ONDC network during the year, said in its press release.

The release added that both ONDC and its own teams are in advanced stages of completion that require technical integration to enable a pan-Indian launch by mid-August.

The major also said various third-party providers that work with it will offer both inter and intra city logistics. It may also explore using the on-network logistics options available on the ONDC platform.

Snapdeal will launch on ONDC with three key categories that are fashion, home and beauty and personal care.

Snapdeal draws more than 86 per cent of its orders from outside the metro cities. Around 72 per cent of the orders flow from buyers living in smaller cities and towns, Snapdeal said.

The increasing digitisation of Indias retail is a transformative opportunity that can benefit the sellers, buyers and other stakeholders. ONDCs efforts will catalyse this growth in the right direction and help create an inclusive, enabling and open-access-based digital commerce ecosystem. Snapdeal looks forward to a strong partnership with ONDC in this path-breaking endeavour, said Himanshu Chakrawarti, president, Snapdeal.

Snapdeals onboarding on ONDC will accelerate our efforts to reach a wider audience of buyers and sellers. It will help us cover larger parts of the country. We look forward to leveraging Snapdeals long-standing expertise in serving Indias online users. We also look forward to working closely with it to build an online ecosystem that truly serves the needs of the country, said Koshy.

The growth of Indian e-commerce is being fuelled by price-conscious consumers from the countrys smaller cities and towns.

According to a RedSeer report, the number of online buyers from tier-2 and smaller cities  which account for more than 80 per cent of the population  will triple in five years. It will go from about 78 million in 2021 to nearly 256 million by 2026.

So far, the only other major platform on the network is Paytms buyer side.
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By Andrea Shalal

SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary described as "encouraging" talks with about a proposed price cap on Russian oil that Washington is pushing to drive down and make it harder for Moscow to fund its war in .

Yellen, who arrived in Seoul on Monday evening, told Reuters in an interview en route to the South Korean capital that she was feeling generally positive about the initiative.

"We'll see where they come out. The conversations I've had have generally been encouraging," Yellen said aboard a military aircraft on her way from Indonesia to South Korea.

A senior Treasury official said had made no promises on the oil price cap, but was working with the and had not "expressed hostility to this idea".

Yellen told reporters on Saturday that she had held productive bilateral meetings about the proposed price cap with more than six counterparts on the sidelines of a meeting of Group of 20 finance officials on the Indonesian island of Bali.

The Treasury said she met there with officials from Saudi Arabia, Australia, South Africa, Turkey and Singapore.

Yellen spoke with her Indian counterpart before leaving for Asia, but did not meet him in Bali, a senior Treasury official said. Other senior U.S. Treasury officials have been in touch with lower-level Indian officials as well, the official said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

(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.)
Private sector lender plans to invest up to Rs 350 crore for a 20 per cent stake in asset reconstruction company (ARC) JC Flowers, the banks managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) Prashant Kumar said on Monday.

JC Flowers has been named as the base bidder for bad loans worth Rs 48,000 crore of . The private lender plans to invest the funds after the completion of an ongoing Swiss Challenge bidding process.

Out of 48,000 crore, our provision is 81 per cent...the base bid is Rs 11,100 crore, Kumar said in an interaction with reporters.

Kumar added that YES Banks equity participation could only be up to 20 per cent. This is because norms do not permit to invest more than that amount in asset reconstruction firms.

The stipulates that the highest bid placed in the first round of an auction is the base price for other bidders before the next round.

According to regulatory norms, the entity which makes the highest bid in the second round of auction is given the asset.

This is the first step (towards the conclusion of this process) in the next 60-75 days, Kumar said.

He said had opted for a joint venture with JC Flowers as it already had an asset reconstruction company. And, the lender would, therefore, not have to request for a licence from the (RBI).

In order to improve its core capital, the private lender is planning to raise up to $1 billion in the current financial year. This will take its common equity tier-1 (CET) ratio to 14 per cent from 11.5 per cent now, Kumar said.

Following the transfer of gross non-performing assets (gross NPAs)  a bulk of which have emanated from corporate loans  YES Banks gross ratio would dip below 2 per cent, from around 14 per cent at present. This would help draw in investors, Kumar said.

The 1.15 per cent gross number would look very attractive to investors. The most important part would be that they would have to be credible names. If credible names come in, it would give a lot of confidence to our retail investors, Kumar said.

Currently, our CET ratio is around 11.5 per cent. We need to improve our CET ratio. That would also be a re-rating event. So definitely, we would like to raise capital. We are targeting to raise within the current financial year, but the market conditions are not conducive now. We would like to take our 11.5 per cent CET to around 14 per cent.

Kumar said, in the future, the joint venture with JC Flowers could not only take care of assets offered by YES Bank but also those offered by other financial institutions.

YES Bank had launched the search for a partner to set up an in August 2021. Ernst and Young had been conducting the process for the bank.

Kumar added that all ownership challenges that were faced by JC Flowers had been resolved to the satisfaction of YES Bank.
After India, the US lawmakers have now asked the Lina Khan-led Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to address abusive and deceptive data practices by hundreds of companies providing Virtual Private Network (VPN) services for individuals.

A VPN is an online service that purports to give users more security when connecting to the Internet.

However, said the lawmakers, the consumer VPN industry is rife with deceptive advertising and abusive data practices.

The letter by Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) describe several abusive practices in the consumer VPN industry, including promoting false and misleading claims about their services, selling user data and providing user activity logs to law enforcement, despite promises of 'total anonymity,' and a lack of oversight of the industry in general.

"We urge you to use your authority to take enforcement actions against the problematic actors in the consumer VPN industry, focusing particularly on those that engage in deceptive advertising and data collection practices," they said.

The VPN industry is extremely opaque, and many VPN providers exploit, mislead, and take advantage of unwitting consumers, the lawmakers added.

In India, a directive from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has also sought additional compliance requirements for all VPN providers whose users are in the country.

The new rules, to be effective from September 25, require VPN service providers along with data centres and cloud service providers, to store information such as names, email IDs, contact numbers, and IP addresses (among other things) of their customers for a period of five years.

Leading VPN service providers NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN have removed their servers from India over the new directions.

The US lawmakers said it is extremely difficult for someone to decipher which VPN service to trust, especially for those in crisis situations.

"There are hundreds, if not thousands, of VPN services available to download, yet there is a lack of practical tools or independent research to audit VPN providers' security claims," the letter read.

Many popular VPN services also spread inaccurate information on their websites.

In December 2021, Consumer Reports (CR) found that 75 per cent of leading VPN providers misrepresented their products and technology or made hyperbolic claims about the protection they provide users on their websites, such as advertising a 'military-grade encryption' which doesn't exist.

Advocacy groups have also found that leading VPN services intentionally misrepresent the functionality of their product and fail to provide adequate security to their users.

"VPN services have also been exposed for collecting, and, in some cases, abusing, user data. In 2020 it was revealed that a leading analytics firm used personal data from over 35 million people who had downloaded one of their 20 VPN and ad-blocking apps to power their analytics platform without consent," the letter said.

--IANS

na/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.)
The EU Council has agreed to allocate the fifth tranche of military assistance to worth 500 million euros, European Council President Charles Michel said on Monday.

"I welcome @EUCouncil political agreement on the fifth tranche to # under #EPF. #EU support in military equipment to Armed Forces now at 2,5 billion EUR. Europe stands with Ukraine," Michel tweeted.

Since the start of the "Russian military operation" in February in Ukraine, the EU has adopted six packages of sanctions against Moscow.

"Our measures already now target nearly 1,200 individuals and almost 100 entities in Russia as well as a significant number of sectors of the Russian . These sanctions were adopted in close coordination with the G7 member, and the fact that over forty other countries, including traditionally neutral countries, have also adopted them or taken similar measures enhances their effectiveness," said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission on July 16.

As the war drags on and the cost of energy rises, people in Europe and elsewhere ask whether these sanctions are working and whether the side effects are too great, Borrell said.

"Without underestimating different problems that could occur, including attempts made to bypass them, sanctions remain an important instrument of political action. But for sure we need to use them in a well-targeted manner, and, above all, they require strategic patience because it may take a long time for them to have the desired effect," he added.

Josep Borrell said one of the main sanctions adopted is to stop buying 90 per cent of EU oil supplies from Russia by the end of 2022, depriving Moscow of corresponding revenues.

"Yes, Russia is able to sell its oil to other markets, however, this benefit is limited by the fact that Russia is forced to give high discounts on each barrel. In addition, and this is perhaps the most important point, this gradual oil embargo and the scaling back of the import of gas, liberates Europe from its energy dependence on Russia," he 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.)
has confirmed the country's first two cases of Marburg virus (MVD), the Health Service (GHS) has said.

The confirmation came after samples from suspected infected individuals sent to the Institute Pasteur in Dakar (IPD) tested positive for MVD, the GHS in a statement late Sunday.

The GHS first announced the suspected infections on July 7, after identifying two persons who had met the case definition of acute hemorrhagic fever in Ghana's Ashanti Region.

The samples from the individuals tested positive for MVD at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the GHS.

With assistance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the samples were forwarded to the IPD for further confirmation.

"So far, 98 contacts have been identified, including those from the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region," the GHS statement said. "They are undergoing quarantine and being monitored by the Ashanti and Savannah regional health directorates of the GHS."

"No new cases of MVD have been identified," the statement said.

The MVD, a rare but severe hemorrhaging fever, is caused by the Marburg virus and could lead to death.

The previously occurred in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya, according to the WHO.

--IANS

int/svn/

(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.)
After a resounding victory in by polls, former Prime Minister on Monday urged Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja to resign, stating that his party Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won the elections despite the misuse of state machinery.

Pakistan's ruling PML-N party is set to lose its provincial government in province, after a decisive win by Imran Khan's PTI in the byelections to 20 seats held on Sunday. The Khan-led PTI won 15 seats while PM Sharif's PML-N managed to secure just 4 seats. One seat went to an Independent.

At a public address following his triumph in the province, insisted that early general elections still were the only solution to the country's current woes, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The PTI chief said that the CEC tried his best to turn the polls in favour of Shehbaz Sharif's PML-N.

"I am disappointed in the chief election commissioner. How could he let all this happen? He is not competent to run [the Election Commission of Pakistan] and is biased towards a political party. Raja should immediately resign."

went on to add that despite several cases of rigging during polls being brought before the CEC, he never punished anyone, which encouraged malpractice as no one feared accountability. But Imran said: "We won as people came out to cast their votes like never before."

Following PTI remarkable win against PML-N in the Punjab elections, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif blamed the "difficult decisions" taken by the government for the failure and said his party respects public opinion.

"We respect public opinion," sources quoted the PML-N leader as saying. "PML-N should accept results with an open heart," he said further.

Nawaz Sharif discussed PML-N's future strategy with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza and also directed the party leaders to convene an emergency meeting of PML-N, Geo News reported.

Earlier, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also took to her Twitter handle saying that the defeat should be accepted with an open heart after the unofficial results started pouring in, showing the PTI in the lead.

"The PML-N should accept the results of the bypolls with an open heart and concede to the decision of the masses," Maryam wrote, adding that winning and losing was part of politics, therefore, the party should now focus on its weaknesses, identify them, and then overcome them.

(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.)
Muted protests were organized by a handful of Singaporeans as ousted Sri Lankan president Gotabaya arrived here last Thursday, leaving behind a economically-shattered country.

Shortly after he arrived in on Thursday, the police reminded any would-be demonstrators about the consequences of breaking the law.

"Police ask that the public, Singaporeans, residents, work pass holders and social visitors alike, abide by our local laws.

"Action will be taken against anyone participating in a public assembly that is illegal," The Straits Times reported on Sunday, citing the police.

In a Change.org petition created on Thursday, the day landed in Singapore, blockchain businessman Raymond Ng wrote that he had filed a police report in against for money laundering, compelled by his "loyalty to the Republic of Singapore".

As of Saturday, more than 2,000 people have signed the petition, although it is not known how many of these were unique or from .

On Twitter, several Sri Lankans have also been tagging the Singapore government's Twitter account to express their anger at the Republic's decision.

These tags, which show up when users search for who has interacted with the government's Twitter account, were swiftly removed, according to the Singapore daily report.

But there were also some who thought Singapore was well within its rights to allow Rajapaksa entry. They noted that when he arrived at Changi Airport on Thursday, he was still the president of .

Rajapaksa formally resigned on Friday, capping off a chaotic 72 hours in the crisis-hit nation that saw protesters storm many iconic buildings, including the President and the Prime Minister's residences in Colombo.

A Singaporean lawyer of South Asian descent, who requested anonymity, said he was "shocked and hurt" at the Singapore government's decision to allow Rajapaksa to visit the country.

"Isn't the Parliament in meeting about where all the money has gone? The very person who is responsible for an economic disaster and has run away - why should Singapore be the country that's a stopover for him?"



The lawyer added, "Any Sri Lankan, whether they are Tamil or not, will feel a sting that he is here around us in Singapore."



An 81-year-old retired criminal law professor, a Singaporean of Tamil origin, said, "Lee Kuan Yew always maintained that is a good example of how we should not treat minorities. The divisive policy is dangerous. So, for him(Rajapaksa) to now be let into the country is a disgrace."



Dr Lahiru Wijedasa, a conservation biologist who is a Singaporean of Sri Lankan origin, said Rajapaksa was "a free man" with no criminal convictions and had "legitimately left" Sri Lanka.

"So, I don't think we (in Singapore) are giving him shelter. Merely extending the on-arrival visa facilities open to all Sri Lankans," Wijedasa said.

On Instagram, Yashora Samaradivakara, a Sri Lankan in Singapore, called for more sensitivity from all who are talking about the Sri Lanka crisis, where food, gas and electricity are in short supply.

"To you, it's a funny piece of news on your feed; to them, it's their lives/reality. The people of Sri Lanka do not deserve this," she wrote.

Meanwhile, a muted protest was held at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park on Saturday against Singapore's decision to let Rajapaksa into the country but it drew an audience of one, according to The Straits Times.

Organiser Prabu Ramachandran, 34, a candidate for Peoples Voice (PV) at the 2020 General Election, said, "Hardly anyone is speaking about this. I thought that someone ought to speak about this, about the message that we are sending to the rest of the world and the community by having Gotabaya Rajapaksa here."



"He is unwanted. He is a politically exposed person. Unlike what has been said, he is not just another Sri Lankan with a passport. Why are we taking him in?"



Prabu, who works in finance, announced the protest, titled Deport Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on Facebook on Friday morning.

Slated to initially last from 4 pm to 6 pm, he ended it early at 4.48 pm because of the low turnout.

The Speakers' Corner is the only place in Singapore where protests can legally be held without a permit.

The only other speaker at the protest was blogger Leong Sze Hian, 68, also a former PV candidate.

He questioned why Rajapaksa chose to resign only in Singapore. He and Prabu also asked for details of Rajapaksa's bank accounts here to be made public.

According to the Singapore government, Rajapaksa has been allowed entry into the city-state on a "private visit.

(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.)
Sri Lanka's acting president on Monday declared a state of in the country with immediate effect, ahead of the July 20 election for the post of the president which fell vacant after Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation following the popular public uprising against him.

The government gazette number 2288/30 dated Jul 17 was issued Monday morning.

The 225-member Parliament is expected to elect the new president on July 20.

The president is empowered to impose regulations part 2 of the public security ordinance which says (a) if the president is of the opinion that the police are inadequate to deal with a situation he may gazette an order calling out the armed forces to maintain public order.

This means that security forces gain the power to search, arrest seize and remove weapons and explosives, and enter and search premises or persons.

(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.)
Australian share market finished session sharp higher on Monday, 18 July 2022, on tracking Wall Street's rebound on Friday, thanks to upbeat earnings news and strong economic data

Market rally led by shares of energy sector after crude oil extended Friday's gains on dollar weakness and signs of tight supplies.

At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 advanced 81.57 points, or 1.23%, to 6,687.14. The broader All Ordinaries index added 90 points, or 1.32%, to 6,887.98.

The top performing stocks in the S&P/ASX200 index were PENDAL GROUP and LIONTOWN RESOURCES, up 9.3% and 8.4% respectively. The bottom performing stocks in this index were APPEN and KELSIAN GROUP, down 3.2% and 2.9% respectively.

Total 8 of 11 sectors ended higher along with the S&P/ASX 200 Index. Information Technology was the best performing sector, gaining +2.85%, followed by materials (up 2.4%) and energy (up 2.2%).

Shares of energy sector rallied strongly after crude oil extended Friday's gains on dollar weakness and signs of tight supplies. Woodside Energy and Santos gained over 2% each.

Suncorp soared 6.1% after Australia and New Zealand Bank announced a $4.9 billion acquisition of Suncorp Bank banking business.

Shares of the latter were in a trading halt. ANZ will use a combination of its existing capital and proceeds from a $3.5 billion equity raise ($18.90 offer price) to fund the acquisition. ANZ expects the acquisition to be completed towards the back end of 2023 (H2CY23), following approval from the Federal Treasurer and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Whitehaven Coal (WHC) shares climbed up 5% after announcing 21% quarterly increase in its run-of-mine production, and a 19% quarterly lift in its total managed coal sales. WHC currently stands at a net cash position of $1 billion, and expects FY22 EBITDA to be around $3 billion.

CURRENCY NEWS: The U. S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 107.401, falling after rising above 109 last week. The Australian dollar was at $0.6834.

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Bharat Electronics (BEL) rallied 5.13% to Rs 258.05 after the PSU company reported a standalone net profit of Rs 431.49 crore in Q1 FY23, steeply higher from Rs 11.15 crore in Q1 FY22.

On a standalone basis, the company's net sales soared 95.8% to Rs 3,063.58 crore for the quarter ended 30 June 2022 compared with Rs 1,564.34 crore in the same quarter a year ago.

Bharat electronics' reported a profit before tax of Rs 578.10 crore in Q1 FY23 as against Rs 15.17 crore recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Total expenses surged 61.92% to Rs 2,694.42 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22. Cost of material consumed jumped 79% to Rs 1,847.85 crore and employee benefits expenses increased 16.44% to Rs 576.40 crore.

The order book position of the company as on 1 July 2022 stood at Rs 55,333 crore.

State-run BEL is a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It manufactures electronic products and systems for the Army, Navy and the Air Force. The Government of India held 51.14% stake in BEL as on 31 March 2022.

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HDFC Bank: The private lender's net profit rose 18.97% to Rs 9,195.99 crore on 13.02% increase in total income to Rs 41,560.27 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22.

L&T Technology Services (LTTS): LTTS reported a 4.7% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 274.20 crore on 6.7% increase in revenue to Rs 1,873.70 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q4 FY22.

Oberoi Realty: The Mumbai-based real estate developer has reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 403.08 crore in Q1 FY23 as against a net profit of Rs 80.63 crore in Q1 FY22. Revenue from operations increased by 221.2% YoY to Rs 913.11 crore during the quarter.

Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL): JSPL reported a standalone net profit of Rs 6,623.08 crore in Q1 FY23 as compared with a net profit of Rs 2,660.73 crore in Q1 FY22. Net sales during the quarter increased by 25.1% to Rs 13,015.21 crore.

TVS Motor Company: The board of TVS Motor Company will meet on Thursday, 28 July 2022, to consider raising funds through issue of non-convertible redeemable debentures on a private placement basis, in one or more tranches/series, within the borrowing.

Just Dial: On a consolidated basis, Just Dial reported a net loss of Rs 48.36 crore in Q1 FY23 compared with net loss of Rs 3.52 crore in Q1 FY22. Net sales was at Rs 185.60 crore for the quarter ended 30 June 2022 as against Rs 165.41 crore during the same period in the previous year, registering a growth of 12.2%.

Karnataka Bank: The private lender on Friday announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JCB India for equipment financing.

Dredging Corporation of India (DCIL): DCIL CEO and managing director G Y V Victor was suspended pending disciplinary proceedings against him on Wednesday (13 July 2022).

Maharashtra Seamless: Maharashtra Seamless said that it has received its first order of subsea sour service seamless pipes from an esteemed customer with basic value of approximately Rs 130 crore.

Happiest Minds Technologies: The company announced that it has purchased a Grade A, fully built up ready to use commercial property with a super built area of 240,000 Sq.Ft in Bengaluru for a consideration of Rs 101 crore. The facility with a seating capacity of 1,600 seats is in the technology hub of Electronics City.

Den Networks: The cable TV distribution company reported a 68.8% decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 12.83 crore on 6.5% fall in net sales to Rs 283.36 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22.

Om Infra: Om Infra on Saturday (16 July) said its joint venture bagged letter of acceptance worth over Rs 1170 crore for design, build and operation & maintenance of Bhandup waste water treatment facility.

Lloyds Metals and Energy: Lloyds Metals and Energy reported a net loss of Rs 930.33 crore in Q1 FY23 as against a net loss of Rs 0.18 crore posted in the corresponding quarter previous year. Revenue from operations jumped 780% year on year to Rs 842.68 crore in the quarter ended 30 June 2022.

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It is crucial to have an integrated chain of activities when organising fish farmers, especially those who are poor, said Mr NN Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, at the First Conference on Fishtech, organised by the industry chamber FICCI. Delivering the Special address, Mr Sinha alluded to the need to develop an integrated structure akin to the dairy sector. "There is a lot of scope for developing such a value chain", he said. The secretary also referred to growing seaweed, ornamental fishing, and cage culture as viable livelihood activities. "We think aquaculture is an important livelihood option for a large number of people", he said, adding, "we will work with everyone in the sector".

Speaking on occasion, Mr Hemendra Mathur, Chairman, FICCI- Taskforce on Agri-Startups, said, "we need a dedicated fund for fishery startups, which can put in early-stage funding for startups trying to build interesting models and features". He said that fishery is an important sector with more than 1.5 crore fishermen engaged in the activity and its contribution to GDP being more than USD30 billion. Noting the considerable headroom for growth, Mr Mathur alluded to the need to develop an innovation ecosystem in fishtech on the lines of agriculture and said, over the last five to seven years; we saw 1500-plus agri-tech startups in the country due to ecosystem development. However, he said the share of fishtech startups is still tiny, probably 30 to 50. "That is a small number in the context of the opportunity ahead of us", he said, adding, "I think fishtech has a lot to catch up to when compared to agritech".

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Shilpa Medicare jumped 4.83% to Rs 434.60 after the company said its API facility (Unit I) at Raichur, Karnataka has received GMP (good manufacturing practice) certificate from MOH-Russia.

The facility was inspected by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation from 17 February 2022 to 21 February 2022.

The facility is involved in manufacturing, testing, packing, storage of chemically synthesized non-sterile drug substances for human use.

Shilpa Medicare is a global brand in manufacturing and supplying of affordable API and formulation globally in different regulated markets.

Shilpa Medicare's consolidated net profit surged 277% to Rs 29.55 crore on 63.7% increase in net sales to Rs 340.60 crore in Q4 FY22 over Q4 FY21.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India justifiably had much to celebrate on Sunday, when the country crossed the milestone of two billion Covid-19 vaccines administered, with at least two-thirds of the population having received two doses. This is no small achievement in a country the size of India with its argumentative federal structure and social and geographical complexities. The milestone, powered by a swiftly created IT backbone, is also worth celebrating when set against the faltering start to the Covid-19 programme in January 2021 with poor supply planning leading to artificial restrictions on access, which inevitably delayed the economic recovery. In the final reckoning, the government rapidly learnt from its early mistakes as deliveries, initially delayed by late orders and a rash commitment to supply neighbouring countries, were streamlined and states were allowed a bigger role in deciding their own programmes. First, after considerable criticism from the medical community, the gap between the first and second dose was reduced. This year, the government brought down the gap between the second and the third (booster) dose from nine months to six. The decision to locate two-thirds of government centres in rural areas addressed the key issue of coverage of a dispersed rural population, which had swelled considerably following the return of migrant labourers during the lockdown of 2020. The use of the child network to administer vaccines to children in the 12-17 year group has also come in handy. The Centres decision earlier this month to allow free booster doses for all citizens between 18 and 59 years at government centres for 75 days as a celebration of the 75th anniversary of independence reflects the comfortable supply situation, since there is some urgency to use up stocks of vaccines that may otherwise expire.
The first edit says the governments grain stocks depleting is not bad news. The second edit argues I2U2 acquiring a security dimension will have strategic implications.

Tamal Bandyopadhyay: While celebrating the 53rd anniversary of bank nationalisation, the government must do some soul searching if its serious about privatising a few public-sector banks.

Debashis Basu says why the concept of rational man in financial matters is fallacious

Mihir S Sharma: Across the world, emerging economies that tried to defy orthodox policy making are in danger
The smear campaign against former vice-president again demonstrates how (BJP) can cross every propriety to influence public discourse. Two back-to-back press conferences, amplified by social media and an article by the party spokesperson in a national newspaper make the outlandish claim that the former vice-president was in touch with an agent of Pakistans spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The charges are based on the claims of a Pakistani journalist who enjoys little credibility in his own country. He has now recanted, saying that he neither met the former vice-president privately nor was he invited to India by him. But there is no let up from the BJP in the tirade against the former Vice-President.

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Development should not come at the cost of nature and there is a pressing need to find a balance between the two, Delhi Minister has said on the Centre's proposal to decriminalise environmental laws.

Rai said countries which harmed nature in the quest for development are facing the consequences today.

"There is a pressing need to find a balance. Development should not come at the cost of nature. You are watering down the laws that protect nature. Nothing will save you when nature hits back at you tomorrow," he told PTI.

The Union Ministry has proposed to amend the Indian Forest Act (IFA), 1927 to replace a jail term of six months with Rs 500 for illegal trespassing and tree cutting in forests.

The ministry has also proposed to amend the (Protection) Act to decriminalise its existing provisions to "weed out fear of imprisonment for simple violations".

Amendments have been proposed to decriminalise violations of the Air Act of 1981, and the Water Act of 1974.

On the residents opposing the expansion of the Okhla waste-to-energy plant here, Rai said, "The plant was set up to treat waste. What if the plant itself becomes a threat to the lives of the people living nearby? There is a need to look at other options available."



Residents of several resident welfare associations had earlier written to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, opposing the proposal for the expansion of the plant situated in the middle of residential areas.

The residents have been fighting a legal battle for more than 12 years, demanding the closure or shifting of the plant from their backyards.

Rai said the problem of air pollution in Delhi-NCR persists despite several directions by the Supreme Court, Central Pollution Control Board, and Commission for Air Quality Management because neighbouring states are not serious about implementation.

The minister also said the air pollution issue in the region can only be resolved through a panel of state environment ministers which should meet once every month.

Delhi can even achieve the emission reduction target set under the Clean Air Programme (NCAP) by 2024 if the neighbouring NCR cities reduce their share of pollution, he said.

In 2017, Delhi's annual PM10 average stood at 240 micrograms per cubic metre. The targeted PM 10 concentration by 2024 is 168 micrograms per cubic metre.

(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.)
As the ruling NDA held a mock voting drill on Sunday ahead of the on Monday, one surprise participant was LJP-Ram Vilas chief Chirag Paswan, though he says he is no longer part of the grouping.

on Sunday too insisted that he was not part of the Democratic Alliance and would only decide political tie-ups when the next elections approach.

Coming out of the meeting, he said that his party had decided to support Draupadi Murmu, a woman from the most deprived section of society (Schedule Tribes) who was contesting for the country's top post, for which elections will be held on Monday, and the meeting was called for explain the voting process.

Asked why he was still a part of the NDA, he said attending one meeting did not make him a part of the alliance

He said that his party was engaged in strengthening its organisation and public outreach, and will decide on electoral alliances for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the 2025 Bihar Assembly polls close to that time. He asserted that of today, he is not with the NDA, or the UPA or the Mahagatbandhan.

was the President and the Parliamentary party leader of the Lok Janshakti Party set up by his father Ram Vilas Paswan. However, he had chosen to fight the 2020 Bihar Assembly polls solo, complaining against Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United. However, his party was virtually wiped out and his uncle Pashupati Paras took control over both the party and the parliamentary party. The Paras faction is recognised as the LJP and Paras is a Union Minister.

--IANS

stp/vd

(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.)
Voting for the presidential poll ended on Monday, with the 98.9 per cent of the electors permitted to exercise their franchise in Parliament House, said Returning Officer P C Mody.

The deck is stacked in favour of Droupadi Murmu, Santhal tribal from Odisha, former governor and minister in the Odisha state government. The result will be announced on July 21 after counting on July 20. Current Ram Nath Kovinds term ends on July 25.





Briefing reporters after the voting, Mody said of the 736 electors  comprising 727 Members of Parliament (MPs) and nine Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) permitted by the Election Commission of India to vote at Parliament House  728 (719 MPs and nine MLAs) cast their ballot.

Bharatiya Janata Partys Sunny Deol was among the nine MPs who didnt cast their vote. Janata Dal Uniteds Bashishtha Narayan Singh is in hospital.

Voting went on briskly and former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha MP Mulayam Singh Yadav came in a wheelchair to cast their vote.





ALSO READ: Yashwant Sinha vs Droupadi Murmu: India's MPs and MLAs vote for 15th Prez





Former prime minister Manmohan Singh casts his vote for the President, at Parliament House

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in full personal protective equipment kit to vote as she is suffering from Covid, as did Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin.

Evidence that there has been cross-voting will be available only after the results are out, but there is no doubt that there will be extensive cross-voting. No Whips are issued for a . Expecting this, Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha said all voters must heed the voice of their conscience when casting their vote. However, the party that has fielded him  Trinamool Congress  also said the same thing, showing lack of confidence on the part of the Opposition in its own candidate.

Odisha Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim voted for Democratic Alliance (NDA) presidential nominee . I have voted for the daughter of the soil, said the Congress MLA.

Gujarat Nationalist Congress Party MLA Kandhal S Jadeja also said he voted for Murmu.

Murmu was selected by the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJPs) parliamentary board, from a long list of nearly 20 candidates to figure on the list.

In a parallel, the Opposition had another meeting to hold discussions on the strategy for the election of Vice-President, due on August 5. Former governors Jagdeep Dhankhar and Margaret Alva  the NDA and Opposition candidates  will face off in a contest, the outcome of which is no doubt as the votes are cast via an electoral college comprising all MPs of the two Houses and the BJPs huge majority in the Lower House makes the outcome a foregone conclusion.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda on Sunday urged all the political parties, especially UPA allies to support Democratic Alliance's (NDA) vice presidential candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Nadda said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are all walking with the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and it has been our endeavour to include the poor, deprived, exploited Dalit, tribals who are standing at the last rung in the society to the mainstream and strengthen them. Keeping this in mind, we have selected a tribal woman as the presidential candidate."

The BJP chief further said that for Vice-Presidential polls, the NDA has nominated a 'Kisan Putra', a person from a humble background, who also served the country in different capacities for three decades.

"Now we have a farmer's son, a person who has come out of a simple family and facing socio-economic difficulties, a farmer son has advanced himself as a professional as the first generation and as an able administrator and even as a capable politician, he also served the country in different capacities for three decades," he said.

He urged the allies of the UPA to come together and cooperate in making a farmer's son the Vice President.

"For such a farmer's son, we all should come together and I request all political parties to support Jagdeep Dhankar for the post of Vice President. Now is the time, now is the opportunity, so urge all political parties, especially UPA allies to support Jagdeep Dhankhar. I hope that our UPA colleagues will definitely pay attention to our appeal," he added.

Nadda on Saturday had announced that Dhankar will be the NDA's vice presidential candidate after a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board at the party headquarters.

Dhankhar will file his nomination on Monday.

Earlier on Sunday, Dhankhar met JP Nadda in Delhi. He also called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Born in an agrarian household in a remote village in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, Dhankhar completed his school education from Sainik School, Chittorgarh.

After finishing his graduation in Physics, he pursued LLB from the University of Rajasthan. Despite being a first-generation professional, he became a leading lawyer in Rajasthan.

Dhankhar has practised in both the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court of India. He entered public life after getting elected as a Member of Parliament from Jhunjhunu in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. Subsequently, he also served as a Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in 1990. In 1993, he was elected to the Rajasthan Assembly from the Kishangarh constituency in Ajmer district.

In July 2019, he was appointed as the Governor of West Bengal.

The Election Commission made an announcement that the elections for the 16th vice president of India will take place on August 6, 2022.

In 2017, the NDA had nominated Venkaiah Naidu as its candidate for the vice-presidential election and he went on to become India's 15th vice president. His term ends on August 10, 2022.

(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.)
Congress-led opposition on Monday continued their protest in the against CPI(M) legislator M M Mani's controversial remarks against a woman MLA and the ruling front stand on the issue, by placing placards in front of their seats in the House.

When the question hour commenced at 9 AM, there was no shouting of slogans or entering of the well of the House by the opposition to disrupt proceedings of the assembly and instead they placed placards in front of their seats.

The placards read "it was not fate" and "it was a decision of the party court", in apparent reference to the killing of T P Chandrasekharan, a CPI(M) rebel, who was hacked to death in May 2012 after he floated a parallel Left outfit called the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) in his home turf Onchiayam in north Kerala.

Mani, recently in the assembly, had said that Chandrasekharan's wife became a widow "as it was her fate" and that neither the Left front nor the CPI(M) had anything to do with his killing.

Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar asked the opposition members to remove the placards, saying the same was in violation of the rules of conduct in the assembly.

However, the opposition members did not remove the placards from their seats.

(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.)
President on Sunday accepted the resignation of Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar who has been named as the ruling Democratic Alliance candidate for the vice presidential election.

"The President of India has accepted the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Governor of . The President of India has been pleased to appoint La Ganesan, Governor of Manipur to discharge the functions of the Governor of West Bengal, in addition to his own duties from the date he assumes charge of the office of the Governor of West Bengal, until regular arrangements are made," said the Rashtrapati Bhavan notification.

NDA vice-presidential candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar will file his nomination on Monday.

Earlier on Sunday, Dhankhar met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda in Delhi. He also called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The BJP on Saturday announced the name of Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar as the Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the Vice Presidential election.

Dhankhar was appointed as the Governor of West Bengal in 2019.

Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Margaret Alva has been named as the Opposition's joint candidate for the August 6 vice presidential election.Alva will file her nomination on Tuesday.

The Election Commission made an announcement that the elections for the 16th vice president of India will take place on August 6, 2022.

In 2017, the NDA had nominated Venkaiah Naidu as its candidate for the vice-presidential election and he went on to become India's 15th vice president. His term ends on August 10, 2022.

Yashwant Sinha is the candidate of the Opposition parties for the presidential election while Droupadi Murmu is NDA's presidential candidate. The Presidential election will take place on July 18.

(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.)
Prime Minister was among the first to cast his vote in Parliament as voting for the presidential election began on Monday in which NDA candidate is pitted against joint opposition candidate .

Polling began at 10 am at the Parliament House and the state legislative assemblies with MPs and MLAs casting their votes to elect the 15th President of India. The voting process will conclude at 5 pm. Counting of votes is scheduled to take place on July 21.

Ahead of the commencement of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, Prime Minister on Monday urged all members of Parliament to make the session fruitful and productive by hold discussions and debate with an open mind.

"There should be dialogue in the Parliament with an open mind, if necessary, there should be a debate. I urge all MPs to contemplate deeply and discuss matters to make this session as fruitful and productive as possible," said Prime Minister at Parliament.

The Prime Minister also briefed about the upcoming Presidential and Vice-Presidential polls.

He said, "This Session is also important because elections for the office of President and Vice President are taking place right now. Voting (for the Presidential election) is taking place today. During this period, the new President and Vice President will begin guiding the nation."

The Presidential Election is being held today while the Vice Presidential election will be held on August 6.

Highlighting about the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister said, "This period is very important. It is the period of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. There is a special significance of August 15 and coming 25 years - when the nation would celebrate 100 years of independence, would be the time to make a resolution to decide our journey and the new heights we scale."

The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced today and will continue till August 12.

Price rise, Agneepath scheme and unemployment are some of the issues which are likely to be raised by the Opposition during the Monsoon session.

Various Bills including Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill are likely to be taken up in the session.

(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 Election Commission Monday said over 99 per cent of the total 4,796 electors cast their votes in presidential poll, while 10 states and the Union Territory of Puducherry recorded a turnout of 100 per cent.

The election was concluded successfully in a free, fair and transparent manner at the House and at 30 centres within State Legislative Assemblies across the country including in Delhi and Puducherry, the poll panel said in a statement.

"As per reports being received, out of a total of 771 Members of entitled to vote (05 vacant) and similarly out of total 4025 Members of the Legislative Assemblies entitled to vote (06 vacant and 02 disqualified), over 99 per cent cast their votes today," the statement said.

A 100 per cent voting by MLAs was reported from Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the statement reads.

Forty-four MPs were permitted to vote at state headquarters, nine MLAs at House and two MLAs in other states' headquarters.

The BJP-led had nominated as its candidate, while the joint opposition has fielded for the 16th .

Polling was held between 10 am to 5 pm at the 31 locations.

(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.)
Former Prime Minister on Monday arrived on a wheelchair to cast his vote in the election of the country's 15th President.

The visuals of the 89-year-old senior Congress leader casting vote with the assistance of four officials got widely circulated.

The two-time Prime Minister has not been much in the political spotlight since he tested positive for Covid-19 last year.

Singh was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here on October 13 last year and was discharged from the hospital on October 31.

The veteran Congress leader had taken leave for the Winter Session of the Parliament last year on health grounds.

The 16th Presidential election was held on Monday for the election of the country's 15th President.

NDA nominee Draupadi Murmu is contesting against joint Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha.

The polling started at 10 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m.

--IANS

avr/pgh

(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.)
Several legislators in states on Monday said they have cross-voted in favour of NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu by not following their party line in the presidential election.

Among them are NCP legislators in Jharkhand and Gujarat and Congress MLAs in Haryana and Odisha who said they followed the voice of their conscience.

An Akali MLA in Punjab boycotted the presidential election citing non-redressal of issues relating to the state.

In Assam, IUDF MLA Karimuddin Barbhuiyan claimed that around 20 Congress MLAs from the state voted for Murmu on Monday.

In Uttar Pradesh, Shivpal Singh Yadav also claimed that he would never support Yashwant Sinha, as he had once accused his brother and Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav of being an "ISI agent".

Haryana Congress MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi, who cross-voted in last month's Rajya Sabha polls, said he has voted according to his conscience in the presidential election too.

Indicating that he supported Murmu rather than Opposition's Yashwant Sinha, Bishnoi said in Delhi, "Like in Rajya Sabha, I have cast my vote in this election too as per my conscience".

Voting in the presidential election is done through a secret ballot and parties cannot issue whips to their MPs and MLAs.

Congress MLA in Odisha Mohammed Moquim created a flutter by announcing that he has voted in favour of Murmu as she was a "daughter of Odisha".

Immediately after exercising his franchise in the Assembly, the legislator from Cuttack-Barabati assembly segment said he went by his "conscience call".

"I am an Odia. I voted in favour of Droupadi Murmu as she is a daughter of Odisha. I went by my conscience. MLAs cannot be prevented from listening to their conscience," Moquim said.

"People of Odisha will support my move. Murmu's victory will make me proud," Moquim said, claiming that several people from abroad had urged him to support the "daughter of the soil".

In Jharkhand, NCP MLA Kamlesh Singh said that he has voted for NDA presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu.

"NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu will get the support of at least 65 legislators in Jharkhand under any circumstance as many Congress legislators are also going to listen to their conscience and vote for her, BJP MLA Biranchi Narayan claimed.

In Gujarat, the Nationalist Congress Party MLA Kandhal Jadeja also said he voted for Murmu in the presidential election.

"I cast my vote for the BJP candidate," he said after voting in the Assembly complex in Gandhinagar.

The Sharad Pawar-headed NCP is one of the constituents of the Congress-led opposition bloc in the country.

In 2020, the NCP had issued a show cause notice to Jadeja, the lone party MLA in Gujarat from Kutiyana seat in Porbandar, for defying the whip and cross-voting in Rajya Sabha polls.

In Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal legislator Manpreet Singh Ayali decided to boycott the presidential poll, saying issues related to Punjab remain unresolved and he was not consulted by his party leadership before deciding to back the NDA candidate.

The Dakha MLA said he spoke to voters and workers in his constituency, and took the decision considering "sentiments of 'Panth' (Sikh community).

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has three legislators in the 117-member Punjab Assembly.

With regional parties like the BJD, YSRCP, BSP, TDP, JDS and SAD lending their support to Murmu in the presidential poll, cross-voting by several opposition legislators in state assemblies during polling on Monday is likely to help push her vote share further.

Some parties like Shiv Sena and JMM have already broken ranks with their allies in the UPA to support a woman tribal to become the next President of India.

The BJP is seeking to increase the total votes in favour of Murmu to above seven lakh out of a total of 10,86, 431 votes.

In the last presidential poll in 2017, NDA's Ram Nath Kovind won by polling 7,02,044 votes out of a total of 10,69,358 votes, against Meira Kumar of the UPA who polled 3,67,314 votes.

The new-found political bonhomie between the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) and the BJP was also on full display in the legislative assembly in Uttar Pradesh when Samajwadi Party ally Om Prakash Rajbhar was seen accompanying Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak to cast vote in the presidential election.

"Droupadi Murmu ji is going to win the presidential election and the road to Delhi passes through Lucknow. She is going to win with a huge majority," Rajbhar said.

SBSP MLA from Jakhanian in Ghazipur was present with Rajbhar at the time.

The SBSP chief has publicly announced his party's vote for the NDA nominee, signalling cracks in the anti-BJP opposition alliance, which is supporting rival candidate .

The SBSP has six MLAs, including Rajbhar, in the Uttar Pradesh assembly.

The SBSP chief has stated his party's alliance with the SP was intact and that he was not parting ways with the grouping.

(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 presidential candidate on Monday said the would decide the direction of the country as to whether democracy will remain or not, as he appealed to electors to listen to their "inner voice" and support him.

Sinha has repeatedly urged lawmakers to vote with the call of conscience in the election, where the win of NDA presidential candidate is a forgone conclusion with several non-NDA parties also supporting the candidature of the tribal leader.

"I have repeatedly said that this election is very important as it will decide the direction as to whether democracy will remain in India or will slowly end. The indications that we are getting is that we are moving towards its end," Sinha told reporters.

He appealed to Parliamentarians and legislators across the country to listen to their "inner voice" and support him in the election.

"There is no party whip. This is a secret ballot. I appeal to all MPs and MLAs to use their discretion and elect me to save democracy," he said.

Sinha said he is not just fighting a political battle, but a fight against government agencies too.

"Government agencies have become very active, they are causing split in political parties, they are compelling people to vote in a particular way and there is also a game of money involved," he said.

Sinha, who began his electoral campaign from Kerala on June 28, ended the same on July 16 with a visit to his home state of Jharkhand.

During this period, he visited 13 state capitals -- Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Raipur, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Guwahati, Bhopal, Patna and Ranchi -- and addressed several press conferences and 50 interviews.

The presidential election results will be out on July 21.

(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.)
proceedings were adjourned for the day on the first day of the Monsoon Session on Monday following sloganeering and disruption by MPs over issues like price rise and .

Earlier, several newly elected members of the upper House took oath.

As Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu was making some observations, several members trooped into the Well of the House and started raising slogans.

"As some people have come determined not to allow the House to function and also enable members to go and vote in the Presidential election, I am adjourning the House for the day," the Chairman said as he adjourned the proceedings.

The House paid homage to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, ex UAE president Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and former Kenayan president Mwai Kibaki.

Obituaries were also paid to former members Kishore Kumar Mohanty, Robert Kharshiing, K K Veerappan and santoor player Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.

(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 Monday refuted reports claiming that around a dozen party MPs were planning to join the group led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and dismissed it as 'Comedy Express 2'.

In Mumbai, the Shinde group has named a new national executive of the Shiv Sena, appointing Shinde as its leader and a group of senior leaders sacked by the party to the new body.

Sena's Rajya Sabha MP on Monday called several MPs to his home in the national capital to disprove the reported claims by the Shinde group, and termed the fresh development as 'Comedy Express 2' after the 'Comedy Express 1' with MLAs was played out in Mumbai.

Raut also questioned "how can they (Shinde group) dismiss the national executive' without any authority, when the matter of 16 MLAs' disqualification is scheduled to come up before the on Wednesday".

"They are a breakaway group which has not been recognised nor have they merged with any other party. The real is here and we all are still with the party. So on what basis are they making such claims," Raut asked.

Questioning the locus standi of the Shinde group, another Sena MP, Arvind Sawant, termed the claims as "desperate attempts to create confusion" in the party and among the masses, and said that such tactics won't succeed.

The two MPs reiterated that the issue of 16 MLAs' disqualification is like a "hanging sword" even on Shinde, owing to which he has not been able to take up Cabinet expansion even 19 days after taking the oath as Chief Minister on June 30.

Certain reports have claimed that a dozen Sena MPs reportedly attended a virtual meeting convened by Shinde on Monday and they plan to meet the Chief Minister in Delhi on Tuesday amid possibility of announcing their support for him.

Among the names said to figure in the new national executive of Shinde group are ex-state minister Ramdas Kadam and former Union minister Anandrao Adsul, both of whom were sacked by President Uddhav Thackeray on Monday for indulging in anti-party activities.

Reacting to this, the spokesperson of the Shinde group, Deepak Kesarkar, said that nobody has the right to expel senior leaders like Kadam and Adsul from Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena.

Earlier on Monday, Kadam, whose MLA son Yogesh Kadam had joined the Shinde camp last month, tendered his resignation as a Deputy Leader of Shiv Sena.

In the resignation letter, he said that after the demise of Balasaheb Thackeray, the post of Deputy Leader had lost value. He also highlighted how he and his legislator son were harassed by the party leadership.

The ex-minister expressed grouse over how he was reportedly 'gagged' by the party leadership for the past nearly three years during which he was not allowed to speak to the media for reasons still not known to him.

Kadam reminded Thackeray of how he had "requested with folded hands" not to ally with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the 2019 Assembly elections, as it would be contrary to the principles of Balasaheb Thackeray, but he was ignored.

Last weekend, Thackeray had appointed around 100 office-bearers in the party organisation at various levels in Mumbai and other districts in a bid to consolidate the grassroots apparatus and prevent 'leaks' to the Shinde side.

--IANS

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(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 Monday posted for hearing the petition filed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp challenging the initiation of disqualification proceedings against them by the Speaker, along with the other petitions related to Maharashtra's political crisis on July 20.

Senior advocate Devdutt Kamat mentioned the matter for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, which posted it along with other pending pleas coming up for hearing on Wednesday.

"Maharashtra matters are listed on Wednesday. Request for tagging the same along with them," Kamat told the bench.

A bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli is slated to hear on Wednesday the pleas filed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp and camp.

Earlier, the top court had asked the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Rahul Narwekar not to take any action on the new disqualification notices issued against the members of .

It had asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra Governor, to inform its direction to the newly-appointed Assembly Speaker.

The order of the bench had come after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the camp, mentioned the matter for urgent listing of the pleas saying the matters were posted for July 11 but were not listed today.

"The disqualification plea is listed tomorrow before the Speaker. Let there be no disqualification until the matter is decided," Sibal had told the bench.

During the summer vacation, the top court had listed a number of petitions on the Maharashtra political crisis on July 11.

There are various petitions pending before the apex court filed by both the factions of .

Uddhav Thackeray-led faction had approached the top court challenging the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari's decision to invite to form the government and also the Speaker's election and floor test.

They had also challenged the newly appointed Maharashtra Assembly Speaker's action recognizing the whip of Chief Minister group as the whip of . The plea said the newly appointed Speaker has no jurisdiction to recognize whips nominated by Shinde as is still the head of the Shiv Sena official party.

Thackeray camp's Sunil Prabhu had filed a plea seeking suspension from the Maharashtra Assembly of new Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and 15 rebel MLAs against whom disqualification pleas are pending.

Shinde group challenged the disqualification notices issued by the Deputy Speaker to 16 rebel MLAs as well as the appointment of Ajay Choudhary as Shiv Sena Legislature Party leader, which is also pending before the apex court.

On June 29, the top court gave a go-ahead to the floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly on June 30. Refusing to stay the Maharashtra Governor's direction to the then Chief Minister to prove his majority support on the floor of the House on June 30, the bench had issued notice on Prabhu's plea against floor test.

After the apex court's order, Uddhav Thackeray announced his resignation as the Chief Minister and Eknath Shinde was later sworn in as the Chief Minister.

On June 27, the top court had granted interim relief to Shinde and other rebel MLAs to file their reply on disqualification notices issued to them by Deputy Speaker by 12 July, 5:30 pm. Earlier, Deputy Speaker had granted them time to file a reply by 27 June, 5:30 pm.

(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.)
Continuing with his desperate measures to consolidate the party, President on Monday expelled two senior leaders and ex-ministers for anti-party activities.

The expelled leaders are former state minister Ramdas Kadam and former Union minister Anandrao Adsul, who have been accused of indulging in anti-party activities as the ground for their expulsion.

The move came amid intense speculation in Mumbai and New Delhi that a dozen MPs are likely to join the group of Chief Minister and could announce their decision soon.

Earlier on Monday, Kadam, whose MLA son Yogesh Kadam had joined the Shinde camp last month, had tendered his resignation as the deputy leader of .

In his resignation letter, he said that after the demise of Balasaheb Thackeray, the post of deputy leader had lost value and also highlighted how he and his son were harassed by the party leadership.

Kadam expressed his grouse over how he was reportedly 'gagged' by the party leadership for the past nearly three years, when he was not allowed to speak to the media for reasons still not known to him.

He reminded of how he "requested with folded hands" not to ally with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party after the 2019 Assembly elections, as it would be contrary to the thoughts of Balasaheb Thackeray, but he was ignored.

Last week, Thackeray had appointed around 100 office-bearers in the party organisation at various levels in Mumbai and other districts in a bid to consolidate the grassroots apparatus and prevent 'leaks' to the Shinde side.

The spokesperson of the Shinde group, Deepak Kesarkar, reacted by saying that nobody has the right to expel senior Sena leaders like Kadam and Adsul.

--IANS

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(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.)
Chairman on Monday appealed to all the members of the House to give their best performance to make this Monsoon Session a memorable one and to ensure to work together for the next 25 years of 'Amrit Kaal' to take India to new heights by the time our nation rejoices in the centenary year of its independence.

"We are all coming together after over three months since the Budget Session that concluded on April 7 this year. I have always cherished such coming together in our collective quest for doing our bit for making an India of the dreams and aspirations of about 140 crore people," he said while extending a warm welcome to all the Members of the House to this Monsoon Session during his opening remarks.

He expected that the Session will set the right tone for the functioning of this august House over the next 25 years of 'Amrit Kaal' which is a critical period to take India to an entirely new plane by the time our nation rejoices in the centenary year of its independence.

"I would expect all of you to be propelled by the spirit of "New India@100" so that our nation makes up for the missed time and opportunities. This spirit shall also inspire all other stakeholders. Particularly so, as our nation is set to become the most populous in the world, overtaking China in the first year of 'Amrit Kaal', as projected by the United Nations Population Division last week," he said.

Highlighting the fact that the population of the country will increase by about 20 crores when independent India turns 100 years, Naidu said, "The challenges and opportunities that come with it need to be addressed with a long-term vision and imagination. The of India has to play a pivotal role in shaping a bright future. Members of need to rise to the occasion."

Recalling that this will be his last Parliament session, the Chairman said that the journey of five years has been quite a learning experience for him.

"Such a coming together this time is of particular significance for me as it is the last such privilege. Since my assumption of office five years ago, we have so far gathered together for 13 full sessions and this is the 14th such occasion. This journey of five years has been quite a learning experience for me," he said.

Naidu further said that dealing with about 245 Members of this august House from over 30 political parties with different minds, inclinations and political ideologies is quite revealing and even a testing experience.

"I tried to the best of my ability to draw the best out of all of you as a collective since the underlying unifying force was the interests of the nation and to fulfill the aspirations of the people and also the federal interests of the States that this Council of States was required to sub-serve. The credit for the positives if any, would go to all of you. And if my best efforts were short of your expectations, I would not hesitate to take responsibility for the same," he added.

I would like to give you all a detailed factual account in perspective of the functioning of this august House during the last five years on the tenth of next month, my last day in office. I would, however, like to mention one statistics today for all of you to think over.

Further mentioning the statistics of the House, he said during the last 13 sessions, 141 of the 248 scheduled full sittings, accounting for 57 per cent of the total sittings were disrupted partly or fully.

"All of you would agree that this could have been better given our mission for the nation. Better late than never. It is time now to be different and better," he said.

He also reminded everyone that this is the last session in the 75th Year of hard-fought Independence that is being celebrated across the country.

"I would like to remind all of you that this is the last session in the 75th Year of our hard-fought Independence that is being celebrated across the country. As in the case of all the last thirteen sessions that I presided over, I would like to fervently appeal to all of you to give out your best performance to make this Session a memorable one, particularly, in the context of its significance," said Naidu.

Pointing out the fact that the Parliament functions throughout the year through its Committees, Naidu said during the inter-session period since the last Budget Session, seven of the eight Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees of have held a total of 29 meetings.

"I am happy to share that the average duration of these meetings has been over two hours and the average attendance being over 46 per cent. I am happy to note the improving performance of these Committees. The Committee on Education has clocked the highest average duration of 03 hours 22 minutes for five of its meetings," he said.

He said that the Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances & Law and Justice has reported substantial improvement having met for 02 hours 15 minutes per each of the five meetings. The Committee on Health and Family Welfare has also clocked about two hours per each of its six meetings.

However, the Committees on Transport, Tourism & Culture besides Education and Science & Technology have reported an average attendance of more than 50 per cent per meeting.

On behalf of all the members, the Chairman felicitated 71 Members of this House who have been either re-elected or elected in the recent elections.

"I am glad to know that 14 Members of the House have been re-elected while 57 have entered this august House for the first time. While the re-elected seniors provide continuity, the new Members bring in fresh perspectives and dynamism. We also welcome the four nominated Members namely; PT Usha, Ilayaraaja, Vijayendra Prasad and Veerendra Heggade," he said.

He said that they symbolize the steady pursuit of breaking the barriers, harmony of different notes, offering new narratives and commitment to serve the people, respectively.

Expressing happiness over achieving the milestone of administering 200 Covid-19 vaccinations across the country, the Chairman said, "It is a matter of immense pride for all of us to know that our country created history yesterday by reaching the milestone of administering 200 Covid-19 vaccinations across the country. This amounts to 97 per cent of first dose coverage and 90 per cent of the adult population receiving both doses. This is a remarkable achievement."

He also urged all the members to follow Covid-19 protocol as a precautionary measure to enable a safe and productive Monsoon Session.

(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.)
MPs and MLAs across the country voted on Monday to elect India's 15th president, choosing between opposition pick and NDA nominee who is favoured to win the battle to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

With the BJP's dominance and support from regional parties such as the BJD, BSP, Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and now JMM, Murmu's vote share is likely to reach nearly two-thirds and she is set to become the first tribal leader and second woman to occupy the top constitutional post.

While MPs filed into Parliament's Room No 63 that had been converted into a polling station to cast their vote, MLAs headed to state assemblies. Nearly 4,800 elected MPs and MLAs are entitled to vote in the election, but nominated MPs and MLAs, and Members of Legislative Council are not.

As polling gathered pace for a race in which the end result is seemingly clear, Sinha appealed to parliamentarians and legislators to listen to their "inner voice" and support him.

"I have repeatedly said this election is very important as it will decide the direction as to whether democracy will remain in India or will slowly end. The indications that we are getting is that we are moving towards its end," Sinha told reporters.

There is no party whip. This is a secret ballot. I appeal to all MPs and MLAs to use their discretion and elect me to save democracy," the 84-year-old added.

The veteran politician, who visited 13 state capitals during his campaign, said he is not just fighting a political battle.

"Government agencies have become very active, they are causing split in political parties, they are compelling people to vote in a particular way and there is also a game of money involved," he alleged.

The votes will be counted on July 21 and the next president will take oath on July 25.

Though the result appeared to be a foregone conclusion, there was an element of political excitement with speculation about cross-voting in some places.

Haryana Congress MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi, who had cross-voted in last month's Rajya Sabha polls, indicated that he had supported the ruling Democratic Alliance candidate.

"Like Rajya Sabha, I have cast my vote in this election too as per my conscience," he told reporters.

Asked about his future course of action, he merely said, "I will reveal this soon."



In Mumbai, Maharashtra president Chandrakant Patil was confident some Congress legislators, who were absent during the Eknath Shinde government's trust vote, will vote in favour of Murmu.

"I am sure some Congress MLAs who remained absent during the vote of confidence will apply their conscience this time as well, Patil told reporters. The Congress, he said, can't guard its own MLAs.

Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali chose to boycott the poll and blamed the BJP-led Centre, previous Congress-led governments for not settling various issues related to Punjab and also his own party.

He said in a video message that the party leadership did not consult him or the Sikh community before deciding to extend support to Murmu.

As the process of voting continued in fits and starts through the country, some scenes stood out from several parts of the country.

A visibly frail former prime minister Manmohan Singh,89, came to vote in a wheelchair. As did 82-year-old Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav who faltered while casting his vote and was given another chance. Manmohan Singh was also assisted by polling officers in exercising his franchise.

Odisha leader of opposition, leader Pradipta Kumar Naik, came in a wheelchair straight from hospital where he was admitted with post-Covid complications. An oxygen cylinder accompanied him.

In Patna, MLA Mithilesh Kumar, who was in a road accident about a month ago, arrived on a stretcher to cast his vote.

And in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, the first to vote in the secretariat complex, reached the polling booth straight from a hospital after being discharged following his recovery from Covid.

Other early voters in various cities included Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Maharashtra's Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as well as Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

As Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla put it, elections in India are celebrated as a festival. And since the election to the president is underway, it should also be celebrated, he said.

Members should participate in the festival, the speaker said while adjourning the House till 2 pm in the morning so MPs could go and vote.

The system of secret ballot is followed in the presidential election, and parties cannot issue whips to their MPs and MLAs with regard to voting.

The value of the vote of an MP has gone down to 700 from 708 in this presidential poll due to the absence of a legislative assembly in Jammu and Kashmir.

The value of vote of an MLA varies in different states. In Uttar Pradesh, the value is 208, followed by 176 in Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu. In Maharashtra, it is 175. In Sikkim, the value of vote per MLA is seven, while it is nine in Nagaland and eight in Mizoram.

In accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote, every elector can mark as many preferences as there are candidates contesting the election.

These preferences for the candidates are to be marked by the elector, by placing the figures 1,2,3, 4, 5 and so on, against the names of the candidates in the order of preference in column 2 of the ballot paper.

According to the Election Commission's directions, while MPs get a green ballot paper, the MLAs get a pink ballot paper. The separate colours help the returning officer ascertain the value of vote of each MLA and MP.

Seeking to maintain secrecy of voting, the EC issued a specially designed pen with violet ink to enable voters mark their ballot papers.

Murmu, who at 64 could be among the youngest presidents of India, did not speak today but said on Sunday that tribals and women are delighted over her nomination.

"There are around 10 crore tribals with more 700 communities, and all are delighted with my nomination," she was quoted as saying at a gathering of NDA MPs.

(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.)
Around 60 per cent of the total funds spent by companies in the last seven financial years were in the areas of education, healthcare and rural development-related activities, according to the government.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, the corporate affairs ministry also informed that during the given period, around 33 per cent of the total amount spent by companies were in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Under the Companies Act, 2013, a certain class of profitable companies are required to shell out at least two per cent of their three-year annual average net profit towards (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities in a particular fiscal.

CSR is a board-driven process and the board of a company is empowered to plan, decide, execute and monitor CSR activities of the company based on the recommendation of its CSR Committee.

Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh said in the written reply that the government does not issue any specific direction to the companies to spend in any particular geographical area or activity.

"An analysis of CSR data during the period 2014-15 to 2020-21, reveals that around 33 per cent of the total CSR spent by the companies is in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Similarly, around 60 per cent of the total CSR spent by the companies is in the areas of education, healthcare and rural development-related activities," he said.

In a separate written reply, Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said all CSR eligible companies have spent a cumulative CSR amount of Rs 24,865.46 crore in FY 2020-21. Out of the total amount, Rs 6,946.75 crore was spent on 'healthcare-related activities', including activities related to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,12,509 companies have been struck off from official records in a little over three years by the corporate affairs ministry, according to another written reply.

These companies have been struck off under Section 248 (1) of the Companies Act during the period from April 1, 2019, to July 12, 2022. This section allows Registrars of Companies (RoC) to strike off companies.

Singh said the government has undertaken a special drive for identification and striking off shell companies.

However, there is no definition of the term 'shell company' in the Companies Act, 2013.

"It normally refers to a company without active business operation or significant assets, which in some cases are used for illegal purposes, such as tax evasion, money laundering, obscuring ownership, benami properties etc," the minister said.

Out of the total 1,12,509 companies, the maximum number was in Delhi at 19,464. It is followed by Maharashtra (16,023 companies), Uttar Pradesh (12,823), West Bengal (11,044) and Tamil Nadu (6,989), among other states.

(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 31-year old man who arrived in last week from Dubai has tested positive for monkeypox, making it the second case in India this year, state Health Minister Veena George said on Monday.

The minister said the patient, who arrived in on July 13, was a native of Kannur in north and was undergoing treatment at the Pariyaram Medical College there.

His health is stable, she said.

The minister also said that all those who were in close contact with the patient are being closely monitored.



The first case of monkeypox, a rare but potentially serious viral illness, was reported from Kollam district of south Kerala on July 14. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.

Union Health Ministry officials said in New Delhi that the patient in Kannur had landed at the Mangaluru airport in Karnataka from Dubai on July 13.

He was admitted to the hospital after he exhibited symptoms of the disease.

His samples were sent to the Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, and they tested positive for the virus, the official said.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Health Minister held discussions with the central team visiting the southern state to study the situation.

After the meeting, she said the state government will introduce the monkeypox diagnosis system in government labs.

"There are 28 government labs in the state that can conduct COVID RT-PCR tests. In the first phase, test kits for detecting monkeypox will be immediately made available from NIV Pune to NIV Alappuzha and tests will be conducted in the Alappuzha lab itself," the minister's office said in a statement.

It said the central team briefed her about the details of their three-day visit to the state.

"The team expressed satisfaction over the preventive measures being taken by the state," the statement said.



The minister's office said the state government is taking strong measures to prevent the spread of the disease.



"Help desks have been set up at all international airports and surveillance has been intensified. If any of the passengers show symptoms of infection, they will be safely taken to isolation centres for testing and specialist treatment," it said.

It further said awareness about the disease has been strengthened for those coming from countries where monkeypox has been reported and state-level control rooms and a district level control room were set up to coordinate the activities.

Guidelines for disease surveillance and management are being prepared, the statement said.

"Isolation facilities have been set up in selected hospitals in the districts. A special ambulance system has been arranged in the districts to shift the people with symptoms to hospitals. Health workers including doctors are being trained. The minister also informed that strong awareness activities are being carried out to avoid public concern", it added.

According to the World Health Organisation, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals), with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.

With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health.

(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.)
will invest up to Rs 350 crore for a potential 20 per cent stake in asset reconstruction company JC Flowers, which has emerged as the base bidder for the lender's bad loans worth Rs 48,000 crore.

The private sector lender is planning to raise up to USD 1 billion in FY23 to bolster its core capital base once the NPA challenge is over, its managing director and chief executive Prashant Kumar told reporters here on Monday.

The bank's core equity ratio stands at 11.5 per cent right now and will go to over 14 per cent after the capital raise, he said, adding that even though the market conditions are not conducive right now, it would like to conclude the process in FY23 itself.

Kumar said he feels the transfer of gross non-performing assets of over Rs 48,000 crore - which is legacy corporate loans gone bad - to the asset reconstruction company (ARC) will take care of the biggest challenge faced by the bank as it will reduce the NPAs to under 2 per cent from the present 14 per cent.

He also said the bank has already begun a Swiss challenge process to have the highest bidder for the stock of NPAs and JC Flowers will have the right to match the price.

When asked about challenges faced by JC Flowers, Kumar said the ownership issues at the entity have been "resolved" to Yes Bank's satisfaction.

The entire process of getting the best bidder under the Swiss challenge and transfer of assets to the ARC will take up to 75 days, he 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.)
Canadian researchers have in a breakthrough experimented with the use of Artificial Intelligence-based deep learning as a tool for the early identification of birth defects.

A team from the University of Ottawa in a new proof-of-concept pioneered the use of a unique deep learning model as an assistive tool for the rapid and accurate reading of ultrasound images.

The goal of the study, published in the scientific journal Plos One, was to demonstrate the potential for deep-learning architecture to support early and reliable identification of cystic hygroma from first trimester ultrasound scans.

Cystic hygroma is an embryonic condition that causes the lymphatic vascular system to develop abnormally. It's a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder that leads to fluid swelling around the head and neck. It is documented in approximately 1 in 800 pregnancies and 1 in 8,000 live births.

Ultrasound is critical in the observation of foetal growth and development, however, small foetal structures, involuntary foetal movements and poor image quality make neonatal image acquisition and interpretation challenging. The research group wanted to test how well AI-driven pattern recognition could do the job.

"What we demonstrated was that in the field of ultrasound we're able to use the same tools for image classification and identification with a high sensitivity and specificity," said Dr Mark Walker at the University's Faculty of Medicine.

"With further development, including testing in a large multi-site dataset and external validation, our approach may be applied to a range of other foetal anomalies typically identified by ultrasonography," he noted.

--IANS

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(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.)
Chinese smartphone maker is hosting an online event in India on July 18 to launch the Reno 8 series smartphones, Enco X2 wireless earbuds, and Pad Air tablet. The event will kick off at 6 pm (IST) and it will livestream on YouTube and Facebook. Tune in here to watch the livestream through the video embedded below.

Reno 8 series: Expected specifications

The Reno 8 series will come in two variants, the Reno 8 Pro and Reno 8. Starting with the Pro model, it is expected to feature a glass body with a bump on the top-left corner on the back for camera system. According to OPPO, the Reno 8 Pro would sport a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen of 120Hz refresh rate. There would be a punch-hole on the screen for front camera, which is expected to be a 32MP sensor.

The Reno 8 Pro would be powered by MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Max system-on-chip, paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB on-board storage. It is expected to ship with 80W superVOOC fast wired charger. As for the vanilla model, it is expected to be similar to the Pro model but powered by a different processor  MediaTek Dimensity 1300.

OPPO Enco X2 and Pad Air: Expected features

Both the Enco X2 wireless earbuds and Pad Air are already available in OPPOs home country, and the India-bound units are expected to be identical in terms of design, features, and specifications. Starting with Enco X2, the next-gen wireless earbuds from OPPO are expected to bring improvement in design, acoustics, and battery life. Coming to the Pad Air, it is expected to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC. The tablet is expected to sport a 10.36-inch 2K resolution display.

OPPO Reno 8 series launch livestream
Recently, the Delhi High Court permanently restrained a Bengaluru-based cake shop from using the name Facebake, Facecake or any other Facebook trademarks for its products and services. The order was the result of a suit filed by Meta Platforms that owns Facebook.

Facebake was also using the same font and blue-on-white colour scheme popularised by the social media giant.

Brands fiercely guard their unique identity as it is crucial for protecting market share.

In a infringement action by BMW, the Delhi High Court in 2020 granted an interim injunction restraining an e-rickshaw maker from using the mark DMW.

In the Starbucks Corporation versus Sardarbuksh Coffee case, the Delhi High Court in 2018 granted interim relief in favour of Starbucks and directed the defendant to use the name Sardarji-Bakhsh for their 20 new outlets until the final hearing. The final result was that the defendant had to change the name of all its outlets to Sardarji-Bakhsh Coffee & Co.

Speaking to Business Standard, Sandeep Goyal, Managing Director, Rediffusion says using words that arent unique origin of problem. Unique design, logo and colour combination only way out, he says. Artificially created words lead to stronger IP.

A brand name and logo are legally called trademarks. A denotes the distinctiveness and integrity of a business. For the consumer, it also acts as a source identifier for the brands offerings.

If a is well-known, no other entity can register or use an identical or confusingly similar mark for any kind of products or services without the original proprietors permission

Registering a trademark or even using one, with or without registration, gives the owner of the trademark certain rights. Subsequently, no other entity can register or use an identical or confusingly similar trademark for identical or similar offerings, unless they are authorised by the original proprietor.

The Trademarks Act, 1999, is the law that protects trademarks in India. It lays down the rules for registration, protection and infringement penalties regarding trademarks. The misuse of trademarks across several e-commerce portals have seen across all scales fiercely guarding their IP rights, especially trademarks.

One result of this has been that the total cases for trial during the given year under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, have been rising at a fast clip since 2016. However, as an indication of how challenging this area is for and courts alike, the pendency percentage has averaged above 95 between 2016 and 2020.

According to Nishad Nadkarni, Partner, Khaitan & Co, most trademark battles over at interlocutory stage. Courts fast in granting interlocutory injunctions, he says. Commercial Courts Act treats IP disputes as commercial disputes. Fast-track mechanism has been set up under the statute, he says.

However, Burger King and Burger Singh have been coexisting peacefully. Many pizza outlets with similar names also exist in the same space. Legal experts say that this is because terms like burger are wide and cant be associated with just one brand.

The office of the US Trade Representative recently said in a report that India remains one of the most challenging major economies when it came to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property. This can prove to be a significant dampener.

A business has to create brand recognition and value to thrive in a competitive market. This is achieved by way of trademarks. If India wants its businesses to invest in it, regulators must ensure that their hard-earned IP is protected.
As global wheat prices scaled record highs this year, in part due to the Russia-Ukraine war, bread-makers in India turned to multiple price increases. Today, a loaf of sliced brown bread costs Rs 50 while multi-grain bread costs Rs 65.

This is set to go up further.



Indias wheat stock in the central pool has fallen to barely over the buffer norms.

The Food Corporation of India, which maintains stocks of wheat and rice in the central pool, is required to maintain a minimum quantity of the grains at the beginning of each quarter to take care of operational requirements and exigencies at any point of time.

For wheat, this number is 27.58 million tonnes for the July-September three-month period.

Latest data shows that the stocks of the cereal maintained by Indias central grain procurement agency, as of July 1, are 28.51 million tonnes.

This is due to the fall in procurement by Food Corporation of India and a decline in production in the 2021-22 crop marketing year.



Usually, July 1 sees the peak stock levels as maximum wheat is procured in April, May and June.

The last time in the central pool were lower than this, on July 1, was back in 2008.

In FY23 so far, the has spent Rs 37,852 crore to procure 18.78 million tonnes of wheat, down nearly 59% from the same period last year. The procurement target has been revised downward to 19.5 million tonnes from the earlier 44.4 million tonnes.

Last year, the government spent Rs 85,600 crore buying a record 43.34 million tonnes of wheat from farmers.

This time, farmers chose to sell their wheat crop to private traders, who offered prices higher than the Minimum Support Price.

Lower purchases by FCI, in turn, mean big savings.

Another reason for lower procurement is the drop in wheat production due to a sudden rise in temperatures in mid-March.

Wheat production in the 2021-22 crop season ended June has been estimated at 106.41 million tonnes, according to the third advance estimates.

The government had initially forecast this years wheat output at a record 111.32 million tonnes.

Harsh Wardhan, Fellow, ICRIER, says prices will go up as will not conduct any open market sales. Millers will have to buy from traders at inflated prices and there will be higher production and procurement next year. Selective exports will continue, he says.

With the heat wave curtailing output and pushing domestic prices to record highs, the government banned most wheat exports from mid-May. It also reduced the allocation of wheat in PM Garib Kalyan Yojana and the National Food Security Act.

The reduced wheat quota will be made up for with rice, to manage the dwindling central wheat inventories.

The is also not expected to conduct any open market sales this year, putting pressure on domestic prices.

With wheat being a rabi crop, the next harvest is a long time away. The fallout from global and local factors means, there is no relief on the horizon for consumers.
Diageo has announced plans to invest 200 million in Irelands first purpose-built carbon neutral brewery on a greenfield site in Littleconnell, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

The new facility will brew lagers and ales including Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Smithwicks, Kilkenny and Carlsberg. When fully operational with a capacity of 2 million hectolitres, it will be the second largest brewing operation in Ireland after St. Jamess Gate and support the future growth of Diageo Irelands beer brands.

The brewery will be powered with 100% renewable energy and will harness the latest process technology to minimise overall energy and water consumption. This will enable the brewery to avoid up to 15,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually. As the production of lagers and ales is transferred to the new facility it will enable St Jamess Gate to increase the production of Guinness to meet global demand. Diageo will submit a planning application to Kildare County Council in September this year and, if successful, plans to commence brewing in 2024 following a construction period of approximately two years.



Welcoming the news, Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment, Leo Varadkar said, "This 200m investment by Diageo is really great news for the future development of Irelands thriving food and drink industry, and also for the wider national economy. Its also extremely positive for Newbridge and the local economy in Kildare, with up to 1,000 jobs being created during the construction of the site, and 50 once built."



Category Head  Global Beer Supply at Diageo, Colin O'Brien added, "Today is a landmark day for Diageo in Ireland. Our plans for a new, state-of-the-art brewery in Kildare, and the developments at St. Jamess Gate, will enable growth in overall beer exports from Ireland. We are fully committed to embedding sustainability across our business from grain to glass and this announcement represents the next step in our integrated approach towards achieving one of Diageos Society 2030: Spirit of Progress commitments by becoming carbon neutral in our direct operations."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Global technology company Diligent welcomed Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar last week to officially open its new European hub at Bonham Quay in Galway.

Since announcing Galway as its European hub in November 2020, Diligent has hired 275 people in the region, with an additional 50 open roles available. Located at the Galway docklands, the state-of-the-art office will be instrumental in supporting Diligents global operations and driving long-term business growth.



Headquartered in New York and operating in more than 130 countries, Diligent empowers leaders to turn governance into a competitive advantage through unparalleled insight and highly secure, integrated SaaS applications. Its innovative software is used by one million users and more than 700,000 board members and leaders across the world.

Diligent will operate a flexible work approach for employees while also encouraging employees to avail of the new facilities at Bonham Quay. The 35,000 square foot space includes green spaces, breakout terraces and a unique roofscape with excellent views of the city and will be the first development in Ireland to adhere to the One Planet Living framework.



Since establishing its European hub, Diligent has integrated itself into the local community through establishing partnerships with key stakeholders including Galway Chamber, Western Development Commission, NUIG, and COPE Galway.

During the past 12 months, the company has also completed four major acquisitions, including Limerick-based sustainability and ESG reporting software company Accuvio, enabling it to add new capabilities and deepen its expertise and solutions that Diligent provides to its 25,000+ customers.



Speaking at the official opening of Diligents office at Bonham Quay, Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar said, "Remote working is here to stay and Im particularly happy to see Bonham Quay will offer flexible working options for its employees. Diligent currently employs 275 people and are currently filling 50 further jobs, offering fantastic opportunities for the rich talent pool we have in Galway and the surrounding area. Every success as you continue to grow!"

Diligents Galway Site Leader, Ruairi Conroy added, "As a relatively new entrant to Galways growing tech ecosystem, we strive to promote a dynamic and enriching environment where collaboration, networking and learning is encouraged. I commend the IDA for their work in promoting the West as an excellent location for investment and look forward to continuing to expand the Diligent team here in Galway."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
FinTrU has announced the establishment of a European Delivery Centre in Letterkenny and the creation of 300 jobs over the next five years.

Established in 2013 and headquartered in Belfast, FinTrU designs technology-enabled solutions for Investment Banks across the world. FinTrU currently employs more than 1,000 people worldwide with offices in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Dublin, London, Maastricht, and New York. In March 2022, FinTrU was named by the Financial Times as one of Europes Fastest Growing Companies for the second year in a row.

FinTrU is currently recruiting in the areas of compliance, legal and operations. The company has also launched a graduate recruitment program, the FinTrU Financial Services Academy, with applications now being accepted. Candidates will be considered from all degree disciplines.



Welcoming the news on Friday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said, "FinTrU's announcement that it's creating 300 jobs, providing new opportunities in Letterkenny, Donegal and the North West is wonderful news. Ireland has established itself as a leading global financial services centre and we are committed to building on this success. The new positions announced today by FinTrU are testament to the companys growth and achievements, as it invests in, and benefits from, skills and talent from across the whole island. I wish FinTrU many more years of continued success in their operations here."



FinTrU Founder & CEO, Darragh McCarthy added, "This new location will further support FinTrU as we continue to work with the largest International Investment Banks across the world. FinTrU has forged a great partnership with IDA Ireland, Donegal County Council, Donegal Education & Training Board (ETB) and the Atlantic Technological University over the years and we are delighted to be working with them in delivering this project over the years to come."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Whats new: Chinas central bank has fined the online payment arm of ride-hailing giant Didi Global Inc. 4.3 million yuan ($633,241) for violating money laundering regulations and other rules, according to a Friday notice published by the Peoples Bank of Chinas (PBOCs) operation office in Beijing.

The PBOC listed 11 violations in the notice, including failing to confirm the identity of its customers. It also penalized two of the payment units former executives. The pair had been responsible for the violations at the time.

The context: Chinese tech giants such as Tencent Holdings Ltd., Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Didi have all launched online payment businesses and other financial services over the past decade. However, their freewheeling expansions eventually ran into a regulatory crackdown on the fintech industry that began in 2020 over issues including leverage, data security and money laundering.

Chinas cybersecurity watchdogs have also been investigating Didi over cybersecurity and data risks. The investigation led to the companys delisting from the New York Stock Exchange in June, less than a year after its blockbuster IPO.

Related: Chinese Ride-Hailing Giant Didi Bids Goodbye to NYSE

Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use.

Contact reporter Guo Yingzhe (yingzheguo@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter.
Guangzhous Nanhu Amusement Park is about to receive a major renovation. Southern Chinas first theme park is showing signs of its age since opening in 1985. The city government plans to invest about 500 million yuan in the park, which will be open 24 hours a day and feature esports venues and night markets

Aug 16, 2022 04:26 PM
Xi Focus: Advancing construction of Silk Road Economic Belt core area

Xinhua) 08:05, July 18, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Urumqi International Land Port Area in the city of Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

URUMQI, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Urumqi International Land Port Area in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is well on its way to becoming an important growth pole powering the region's opening-up and economic development.

With a planned area of 67 square km containing the Urumqi China-Europe Railway Express Hub and a comprehensive bonded zone, the land port area stands as a landmark project in the construction of the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

When visiting the Urumqi International Land Port Area during his inspection tour in Xinjiang from Tuesday to Friday, President Xi Jinping noted that Xinjiang has morphed from a relatively enclosed hinterland into the forefront of opening up, as the country is promoting the expansion of opening up, the development of the western regions, and the joint building of the Belt and Road.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed advancing the building of the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt and incorporating Xinjiang's regional opening-up strategy into the country's overall plan of westward opening up.

He highlighted the importance of innovating the system for an open economy, boosting the building of large opening-up corridors, better utilizing both domestic and international markets and resources, and actively serving and integrating into the new pattern of development.

Since its construction started in 2015, the land port area has absorbed over 30 billion yuan (about 4.44 billion U.S. dollars) in investment and attracted more than 340 enterprises. A cross-border e-commerce project has also been implemented there.

By June 2022, the land port area had operated more than 5,900 China-Europe freight train trips via 21 routes linking 26 cities in 19 European and Asian countries and regions. The trains carry over 200 categories of goods, ranging from daily necessities and garments to mechanical equipment and building materials.

The Belt and Road Initiative, which initiated a new prospect for China's opening up, has also provided unprecedented opportunities for Xinjiang, which is located at the heart of the ancient Silk Road.

Since the opening of the China-Europe and China-Central Asia freight train services, Horgos Port and Alataw Pass, both major rail ports in Xinjiang, have recorded a combined number of more than 50,000 inbound and outbound freight train trips.

Meanwhile, the country has established 55 national-level opening-up and industry development platforms in Xinjiang. These include the economic development zones of Kashgar and Horgos, which have created favorable conditions for promoting investment and attracting industrial clusters.

The region posted over 67.4 billion yuan in foreign trade value in the first five months of this year, up 30.9 percent year on year.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Du Mingming)
Russian Tanks in Ukraine ABC

There are no clear timeframes of the "special operation" in Ukraine, the Kremlin spokesman said Monday.

ANKARA (AA) - There are no clear timeframes of the "special operation" in Ukraine, the Kremlin spokesman said Monday.

The "special operation" in Ukraine will end when all its goals are achieved, Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Iran's state broadcaster referring to the ongoing war.

Peskov also claimed that the Russian army acts "very carefully, using high-precision weapons" in Ukraine, excluding any attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Speaking on the sanctions against Russia and Iran, Peskov said this is the "price that Russia and Iran pay for their independence and sovereignty."

"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger," he added.

The EU has slapped six sets of sanctions against Russia since the beginning of the countrys war on Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Europe is most affected with anti-Russian sanctions, while it is depleting its resources due to the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

On July 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin said "we havent even yet started anything in earnest," hinting at a full-throttle attack in the future.

- Rich dialogue

Peskov underlined that Putin during his visit to Iran on Tuesday will meet with Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi, as well as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"We hope that this will be a very rich dialogue," he said.

Erdogan and Putin will attend the seventh trilateral summit meeting in Astana format to be hosted by the Iranian president.

Noting that the negotiations will include regional issues, Peskov said the leaders will be able to discuss bilateral relations at the meetings "primarily trade and economic ties with both Iran and Turkiye."

He went on to say that Moscow and Tehran may move away from measuring the volume of mutual trade in dollars, including in the banking sector.

Touching upon the current economic situation in Russia, the Kremlin spokesman told reporters that Putin did not cancel "ambitious development plans," however noted that there may be certain adjustments to the goals of national development, previously set by the president.

"Of course, the current situation (in the Russian economy) is complicated by an unfriendly environment, encircled by the collective West. But at the same time, it is much better than what the very collective West expected when it tried to blockade our economy, impose sanctions, and so on," he said.

He also confirmed that Russia will take part in the G20 summit, noting that the program of bilateral meetings of Putin as part of the event has not yet been worked out.
African Union Flag African Union

African leaders have pledged to establish and strengthen existing Public Health Emergency Operation Centers (PHEOCs) in 90% of African Union (AU) member states by 2026.

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA)  African leaders have pledged to establish and strengthen existing Public Health Emergency Operation Centers (PHEOCs) in 90% of African Union (AU) member states by 2026.

This is to prepare, detect, prevent and control disease outbreaks in a timely and coordinated manner, read a statement issued by the AU after a mid-year coordination meeting held in Zambias capital Lusaka ended on Sunday.

Moving the call to action for the resolution, Zambias President Hakainde Hichilema said there was a dire need to bolster AU member states capacity to fight diseases.

Africa remains vulnerable to various disease outbreaks, with cholera, polio, Ebola and COVID-19 among some of the most pressing dangers for the worlds second-most populous continent.

Hichilema, whose call was endorsed by Malawi, Egypt, Rwanda, Mozambique and other states, said PHEOCs are a vital hub for better coordination, response and recovery during public health emergencies.

Efforts must be fast-tracked in the light of increased disease outbreak and disaster risks across the continent, he stressed.

AU Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat said PHEOCs are a critical tool that enable faster data collection and help expedite response times.

Ahmed Ouma, acting director of Africa CDC, said implementation of the AUs Agenda 2063, particularly targets in the health domain, remains a top priority.

He vowed that the Africa CDC will fully support the push to increase and improve PHEOCs in AU member states.

James Kunda/AA
L'ancien president sud-africain Nelson Mandela, le 25 aout 2010 a Johannesburg MANDELA FOUNDATION/AFP/Archives/DEBBIE YAZBEK

Mandela, who died in December 2013 at the age of 95, spent 27 years in prison for opposing apartheid rule

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Millions of people across the world remembered Nelson Mandela, the most revered global statesman, who would have turned 104 years old on Monday.

The United Nations in 2009 designated July 18 as International Nelson Mandela Day to celebrate his birthday and also to commemorate the fight against racism and apartheid.

To honor Mandela and his selfless contribution to humanity, South Africans from all walks of life are dedicating 67 minutes of their time to volunteer for good causes.

I am going to donate jackets and blankets to help homeless people who can't afford these items, Maria Lerato, a resident of Kensington in Johannesburg, told Anadolu Agency.

South Africa is currently in its winter season, and Lerato believes donations here will prove handy in benefitting the less fortunate.

The 67 minutes given to help the less fortunate is a tribute to the number of years Mandela spent in public service.

Nelson Mandela: A life dedicated to fight against racism (c) AA Images

Muhammed Desai, director of human rights group Africa 4 Palestine, said his organization will dedicate its time on Monday to remembering the internationalist spirit of Mandela by raising the Palestinian issue and Mandelas position and support for the Palestinian people.

Mandela once said: We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.

Born in the village of Mvezo in Eastern Cape province, Mandela spent 27 years in prison for opposing the apartheid regime.

He became South Africas first democratically elected president in 1994.

Despite having been incarcerated for many years, he did not exercise bitterness, rancor or revenge against his tormentors. Instead, he chose reconciliation and forgiveness to unite all racial groups in South Africa. His leadership approach and ability to bring everyone together won him global admiration and the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.

The spirit of Nelson Mandela nourishes the Palestinian people, who are still fighting for their freedom from Israeli apartheid. In a way, Mandela is present every day on the streets of Palestine as they pursue their rightful place as a legitimate people, said Desai.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the International Nelson Mandela Day commemoration in the city of Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, where he will lead a site inspection at a water treatment works and later a cleanup of the Swartkops River in Veeplaas.

Several ministers, heads of diplomatic missions and business leaders will roll up their sleeves to clean roads, hospices, orphanages and schools, among other things. The Turkish Embassy said it will donate hygiene items at local hospices.

-Every Day a Mandela Day

Saber Ahmed Jazbhay, a leading South African lawyer, says every day is Mandela Day for him and he does not wait until July 18 to do good.

I do what I have been doing all my life, and that is responding by helping people who seek my help, Jazbhay said by phone.

He said during the countrys struggle against apartheid in the 1980s, he used to offer legal assistance to detainees in distress.

So nothing different. Mandela Day is every day for me, he said, urging South Africans to be kind and do good all the time for the less fortunate.

Mustafa Mheta, a professor at Somali National University and head of the Africa Desk at the Johannesburg-based think tank Media Review Network, said there are many South Africans who still try to live up to Mandelas expectations, which is good. But others seem to have abandoned that legacy.

We are beginning to see a lot of hate crimes like xenophobia and Afrophobia, which never happened during Tata Mandela's time, he said, calling for tolerance. Tata is the Xhosa word for father.

Mheta said the current ruling party -- the African National Congress (ANC), which Mandela once led -- seems to be drifting away from the icons expectations at a high rate. Top members of the ruling ANC have been accused of corruption, with some asked to step aside in a policy believed to rid the party of corruption.

-Poverty, unemployment

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Iqbal Jassat, an executive member of Media Review Network, said South Africa today is gripped in fear with criminals running rampant, giving rise to perceptions about the ruling African National Congresss failure to govern.

Jassat said this is compounded by shocking levels of poverty, joblessness, homelessness and a host of social iniquities.

He said unless Mandela Day reconnects with the ideals of Mandelas freedom struggle, South Africa will fail to honor his legacy.

Unfortunately, Mandela Day has been appropriated by many for various reasons, including commercials. Sadly, it reflects the shift away from Mandela's enormous legacy of struggle.

Hassan Isilow/AA
After debuting its technology and its merits for everyday driving , Nissan Philippines has now revealed everything you need to know about i...
Photo: Andrew Skowron / We Animals Media

The BC SPCA is lobbying the government for mandatory video surveillance in federal slaughter facilities.

The organization says ensuring good welfare during slaughter is very important, as millions of animals are slaughtered for food in Canada each year.

According to the BC SPCA, there are many stages throughout the process where animals can suffer  from unloading, to waiting in holding pens, and the stunning and slaughter itself.

Requirements for the slaughter of animals for food are set out in the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, which include a section on humane treatment of animals. The regulations specify it is the responsibility of the slaughter facility to ensure requirements are met.

The BC SPCA along with other agencies believes inspection alone is not enough to ensure animals are being treated humanely at all times.

A number of high profile cases involving animal cruelty in recent years has pushed the issue to the forefront. A group of activists that occupied a Fraser Valley hog farm in 2019 accused of animal cruelty is making the same demand.

Both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture agree that video surveillance can complement the live, on-site monitoring that currently takes place, according to the SPCA.

"Canadians want to know that farm animals are well-cared for throughout their life. When reviewed by an independent third-party, video surveillance is a powerful monitoring tool that can ensure accountability and transparency in the slaughter process. It would help build trust with Canadians that animals raised for food are being treated with the respect they deserve. Similar laws have already been passed in Israel, France, England, Scotland, Spain and Wales," a news release from the BC SPCA said.

A petition can be signed here.
Photo: Unsplash/Ivan Torres

A 31-year-old man faces charges following his arrest Friday night in a confrontation involving a slice of pizza.

Vancouver Police say the incident took place Friday night at an unidentified downtown "pizza-by-the-slice" restaurant.

The suspect, Juan Serna, allegedly threatened the fast food worker on duty when they would not give him a $2.90 slice of pizza.

Serna now faces charges of threats and theft.

The VPD did not provide any further details regarding the incident.
Photo: Glacier Media

A 27-year-old male from Moose Jaw was killed in an officer-involved shooting Sunday on Highway 1 near Belle Plaine, Sask.

Moose Jaw Police Service and Saskatchewan RCMP have requested that the Saskatoon Police Service conduct an external investigation into the event.

The incident began about 1:10 a.m. on July 17 when the MJPS received a report of a male with a firearm uttering threats. The man was located in the parking lot of the Moose Jaw Superstore. After officers spoke to the man, he left the parking lot and drove east out of the city on Highway 1.

He eventually pulled over and stopped on Highway 1 near Belle Plaine. The Saskatchewan RCMP Critical Incident Response Team, Regina Police Service Special Weapons and Tactics team, and the Moose Jaw Police Service Tactical Unit were on scene to assist as MJPS crisis negotiators attempted to de-escalate the situation.

Around 7 a.m., the male pointed a firearm at police and did not respond to commands. Officers opened fire and the man was injured.

Officers with advanced medical training administered first aid, but the man was declared dead at the scene. His family has been notified.

Police-involved incidents resulting in death or serious injury must be investigated by an independent external agency. In addition to the investigation to be conducted by the Saskatoon Police Service, the MJPS and Saskatchewan RCMP have asked the Ministry of Justice to appoint an observer.

The Saskatchewan Coroner's Service will also assist.
Photo: Alec BHX/KKC / Flickr CC

An Antonov cargo plane operated by a Ukrainian airline crashed Saturday near the city of Kavala in northern Greece, authorities said. Local residents reported seeing a fireball and hearing explosions for two hours after the crash.

Greek Civil Aviation authorities said the flight was heading from Serbia to Jordan. The An-12, a Soviet-built turboprop aircraft, was operated by cargo carrier Meridian, according to state broadcaster ERT.

Greek media reported there were eight people on the plane and that it was carrying 12 tons of dangerous materials, mostly explosives. But local officials said they had no specific information on the cargo and provided varying numbers of people on board.

As a precaution because of a strong smell emanating from the crash site, a coordinating committee made up of municipal, police and fire service officials told inhabitants of the two localities closest to the crash site to keep their windows shut all night, to not leave their homes and to wear masks. Authorities say they do not know if there were any dangerous chemicals on the plane, including those contained in batteries.

Greeces Civil Aviation authority said the pilot managed to alert authorities about a problem in one of the plane's engines and he was given the choice of landing in either the Thessaloniki or Kavala airports, and he opted for Kavala, which was closer, saying that he had to make an emergency landing.

Communication with the plane ceased almost immediately afterwards. The plane crashed about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of the airport.

We were hearing explosions until a few minutes ago," Filippos Anastassiadis, mayor of the municipality of Paggaio, told the Associated Press a little over an hour after the accident. I am about 300 meters from the site of the crash."

One of Anastassiadis' deputies told state broadcaster ERT that explosions were heard for two hours following the crash.

Locals reported seeing a fireball and a plume of smoke before the crash.

ERT reported that army and explosive experts were en route to the site, located on farmland close to two villages that are part of the Paggaio municipality. But they are not expected to start working before dawn.

The fire service has cordoned off the area at a radius of about 400 meters. The cordoned-off area will be expanded at dawn, fire service officials said.
Photo: The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER  A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Jake Virtanen says she told the former Vancouver Canucks forward that she did not want to have sex with him several times.

"I said no multiple times," the woman, whose identity is covered by a publication ban, testified in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday.

Virtanen, 25, was charged with one count of sexual assault in January following a police investigation into the alleged incident, which took place on Sept. 26, 2017. Virtanen was playing for the Canucks at the time.

Vancouver police launched their investigation in May 2021 after the 23-year-old woman filed a complaint.

Virtanen sat in the courtroom on Monday dressed in a blue suit and attentively listening to the Crown counsel's opening statement and the woman's testimony.

The judge and jury heard that the woman was 18 when she met Virtanen at the Calgary Stampede in July 2017. She said that she did not recognize him at the time and that she does not follow the Canucks.

While in Calgary, the woman and Virtanen kissed and exchanged numbers, then stayed in touch via text and direct messages on Instagram after they both returned to B.C.

In September 2017, the woman travelled to Vancouver to visit friends and take part in a photo shoot. She messaged Virtanen about seeing one another, and when he suggested meeting on the night she arrived, she offered to get together another day.

I didnt want to be put in a situation that made me uncomfortable," she said. I was worried that late at night, I would be put in a sexual situation.

Eventually, the woman agreed to meet Virtanen that night and he picked her up from a friend's house. The woman said they did not talk about what they would do and she thought they would go somewhere public.

When Virtanen took her to a hotel in downtown Vancouver, the woman said she "felt sick."

I had this kind of sinking feeling in my stomach," she said. "It was the exact situation I didnt want to be put in.

The woman said she had no intention of having sex with Virtanen.

"If I wanted to have a sexual encounter, even if there was part of me that wanted to, Id been travelling all day," she said. "I would have showered again. To be honest, I probably would have shaved my legs. And I didnt do any of that because I was so certain and so set on it not happening.

The woman said she trusted Virtanen, so she went up to his hotel room. She said he repeatedly kissed and touched her and she repeatedly pushed him off, telling him "I seriously don't want to have sex with you."

No, no. Ive said no,'" she said. "I just kept saying no and I dont want to.

The woman testified that Virtanen sexually assaulted her.

She said she spent the night in the hotel room and in the morning, she asked him to drive her back to her friend's house. She said he told her he couldn't because he had to go to hockey practice and instead gave her money for a cab.

Crown counsel Alan Ip asked the woman how the situation made her feel.

Very violated, gross and confused," she said. "Distraught.

The woman said she didn't go to police after the alleged assault.

"I just hadn't come to terms with the fact that I was raped," she said. "I was confused."

The trial is set to continue on Tuesday.

The Canucks placed Virtanen on leave in May 2021 and his contract was bought out the next month.

He last played for Spartak Moscow in the Russian-based KHL and is not in custody.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2022.
Why are we, here in Kelowna, held hostage by greedy gas station owners.

On Saturday, gas was 195.9 at SuperSave. Prices varied around town by pennies.

Yet here, we are 207.9! What is their excuse this time!

This isn't politics but just total greed! Last long weekend, Vancouver to Hope it was 203.9 with a 18.5 cent transit tax while here is was 229.9.

Of course, the government won't do anything.

Vern Miller
Mangal Industries Ltd performs plant groundbreaking ceremony

18 July 2022

Mangal Industries Ltd has performed the groundbreaking ceremony of a greenfield cement plant in Iluagba, Kogi State, Nigeria.

Mangal Industries had signed a US$600m deal with Sinoma International Engineering, of China, for the construction of a 3Mta cement plant and a 50MW captive power plant in Kogi State.

Mangal Industries Ltd's Managing Director, Engr Fahad Mangal said shortly after the ceremony that the project is expected to be completed by the end of the 1Q24.

According to him, work has already commenced with the site levelling and foundation workout, adding that when completed, Mangal Cement will eliminate the housing deficit as well as cement production in the country.

He stated that the company will also add value to the nations economy by creating thousands of jobs for the immediate communities and youths in the country, as well as revenue generation for both the state and the federal government.

He said that that its vision is to become a major player in Nigerian cement production and urged the Chinese constructing firm to deliver the project according to specification and on schedule.

Published under
Peru's cement market expands 4% in June

ICR Newsroom By 18 July 2022

Cement consumption in Peru increased four per cent to 1.126Mt in June 2022 from 1.08Mt in June 2021, according to Asocem, the countrys cement association. Of this total, 1.067Mt was dispatched by Asocem members  representing a slight increase when compared with 1Mt in June 2021.



Cement production from Asocem members advanced seven per cent YoY to 1.079Mt in June 2022 from 1.007Mt in June 2021. Clinker output was up nine per cent to 0.9Mt in June 2022 from 0.824Mt in June 2021.



Asocem members saw cement exports slip by one per cent YoY to 15,000t while clinker exports were down 25 per cent YoY to 67,000t from 90,000t.



Cement imports into Peru dropped 92 per cent YoY to 5000t in June 2022 from 61,000t in June 2021. Ecuador was the larger cement importer with 3.3Mt while Chile imported 1.7Mt. Clinker imports decreased 70 per cent to 36,000t in June 2022 from 121,000t in June 2021.



January-June 2022

In the first six months of 2022 cement demand increased by seven per cent YoY to 13.8Mt from 12.9Mt in the 6M21.



Cement production was up by nine per cent YoY to 13.3Mt in the January-June 2022 period when compared with the year-ago period when output reached 12.2Mt.



Cement exports increased by 15.3 per cent YoY to 98,000t in the 6M22 from 85,000t, but clinker exports were 7.7 per cent down to 289,000t from 313,000t over the same period.



Cement and clinker imports declined by 59.6 and 40.1 per cent, respectively in the 6M22 from the year-ago period. Cement imports fell to 195,000t from 483,000t while clinker imports were down to 549,000t from 917,000t.







Published under
Dangote Cement partners with UNEP

ICR Newsroom By 18 July 2022

Dangote Cement has formed a partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, the National Environmental Standards and the Regulations Enforcement Agency as part of its initiatives to promote environmental sustainability.

The announcement comes as the company commemorates World Environment Day 2022 at all 14 of its production plants across Nigeria and the rest of Africa, reports The Punch. According to Dr Igazeuma Okoroba, head of sustainability at Dangote Cement, "World Environment Day commemoration avails us the opportunity to create awareness of sustainability initiatives to conserve the earth and maintain the values of biodiversity." The initiatives are "aimed at entrenching sustainability consciousness across the business value chain by complying with rehabilitation plans and exploring ways to protect the ecosystem in the communities where we operate."

Published under
Holcim Argentina to set up household waste processing plant in Mendoza

ICR Newsroom By 18 July 2022

Holcim (Argentina) SA will set up a household waste processing plant in Las Heras, Mendoza province, Argentina, to process waste into an alternative fuel for Holcims cement plants. The project represents an investment of around US$10m. Commissioning is expected in 2023.



Holcim currently uses on average 15 per cent alternative fuels to run its kilns in Argentina. However, in Mendoza, where Holcim has been co-processing disused tyres and industrial waste, that share falls to four per cent.



The new waste processing plant would support Holcim Argentinas target to achieve a thermal substitution rate of 30-40 per cent in five years time. The company already has a similar waste processing plant in Cordoba, which doubled capacity in 2022 and now processes some 100,000tpa of urban waste, which after being separated and crushed is used to replace gas and petcoke. Holcim Argentina CEO, Christian Dedeu, explained that the idea is to replicate the experience of Cordoba, starting with a first waste separation plant in Las Heras.

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Thank you for your report about DA candidate John Brooks saying gangs are not going anywhere.

Violent crime and gang activity are out of control. He is minimizing the impact of gangs.

No doubt gang members will vote for him.

Bob Schneider

* * *





On the other hand, candidate for DA John Allen Brooks might be on to something when he suggests alleged gangs in Chattanooga began to show up en masse about 20 years ago. Around about the same time the plot, some might say plans, came out to gentrify certain targeted areas in Chattanooga.

Makes you wonder if there's a correlation between the two and what local cold hands were behind it all? Who was giving and who was following orders?





Brenda Washington

* * *

The fact "someone" actually thinks gang members, manufactured ones or otherwise, actually take time out of any busy "gang activities" to vote, shows the person is obviously clueless.

Bob Schneider's comment "No doubt gang members will vote for him" is a bit of sarcasm against candidate DA John Allen Brooks for his acquiescing comment on gang activities.



Your allegiance to this ideology of "there's no gangs in Chattanooga" has made you clueless to Bob's salient and sarcastic point.



The bigger question here is....why does Brenda Washington gaslight us readers anytime someone mentions "gangs" in this forum?? The gang issue is real, no matter whether candidate DA John Allen Brooks down plays it or whether Brenda Washington says it's manufactured, alleged, or correlated to some made up conspiracy theory.



Phil Snider

* * *

Anybody who doesnt think there are gangs in Chattanooga is not listening to the gang members brag about their exploits against our society. While Brenda Washington would have you believe boys will be boys so its all okay, most of us dont believe that.

Most of us know that John Brooks is not a serious candidate for District Attorney General of Hamilton County. Bless his heart, I dont think he knows the difference between a .22 caliber rifle cartridge and a 5.56 cartridge, also the former NATO cartridge (5.56X45) that operates at a chamber pressure of approximately 60,000 p.s.i. However, he does know that locking people up, regardless of how bad they are, is more difficult than turning them loose to commit more crimes.

Brenda Washington has every right to believe that it is okay to foist genocide on the weakest of our society. Granted, she is wise enough to call it womens reproductive health rights, but we know its really killing our unborn children. The same people who would tell you that its not a life until it can survive outside the womb are the same people who would never eat an egg if it contained a half-developed chick inside. Why, its not a chicken yet, right?

Yes Brenda, there are gangs and gangs are bad dudes, just like Corn Pop. Its why we have to have Coty Wamp as our next District Attorney General. Austin Garrett promises to be just as good a sheriff as Jim Hammond has been, and with Coty Wamp as DA, we can put these gangs out of business.

We live in strange times, folks. A man was People Magazine's woman of the year. A male was the NCAA womens swim champion. Men can say they dont know what sex they are, even if they studied biology, and go into a restroom with our wife and daughters. I have gay, lesbian and transgender friends and they are just as upset about this as we are, but its the minority who are screaming loud enough to make others act crass.

The way we change this is first with our vote. Show up and vote because its a start. Even if you think your vote is not needed, it is. The more votes we have for a person the more it confirms what we want to be.

J. Pat Williams
Jenn Piroth, a Hixson mother with four children in Hamilton County public schools, is running for District 3 School Board and deserves our vote.

Jenn has a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a master's in mental health counseling and has worked as an ASL interpreter in our schools. Although new to politics, she has many great ideas for our schools to include later starting times for middle and high schools (based on American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation); not diverting public school funds to private institutions; competitive teacher salaries; and making sure all children are welcome at school.

Let's move our schools forward with a vote for Jenn Piroth.







Vicki Hill
One of the handsomest homes on the side of Cameron Hill was built by the city's mayor when few homes were nearby. Thomas Carlile died in the house at a relatively young age - the final victim of the Yellow Fever in 1878.

The home on West Ninth Street near the East Terrace was a two-story brick with an ornate porch and a handsome tower room at the top left. Built in 1875, the Carlile place occupied almost an entire block and had an extensive back yard.

Carlile was born and raised in Philadelphia and was in the jewelry business before the Civil War. He came to Chattanooga soon after the war was over as post quartermaster. He afterward was appointed provost marshal. Carlile was stationed in Chattanooga at the time of his marriage to the Philadelphia belle, Marion Bending. The couple decided to stake their future in Chattanooga.

The Carliles were among the faithful members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. With the church damaged during the war, the members temporarily worshiped in a room over a store. The altar consisted of a dry goods box covered with a tablecloth. The first service in the rebuilt church at the foot of Cameron Hill was held on Thanksgiving Day in 1867.

Thomas Carlile became an official of the Stanton railroad enterprise south of town. He served as purchasing agent and secretary. Carlile also took a large role in local Republican politics. He was a member of the Lookouts fire company.

When the Yellow Fever hit and many Chattanoogans died, Mayor Carlile remained in town on the side of Cameron Hill. His family had moved to the Natural Bridge Hotel on Lookout Mountain after the third week of the epidemic. Mayor Carlile spent the night of Oct. 21 with his family on the mountain, and he returned to the city the next morning. He attended a meeting of the relief committee. Later in the day a member of his household found him in his room very sick. That night the staff member drove up the mountain to inform Mrs. Carlile, and she insisted on coming into town immediately. She and the messenger then drove back down the rough Whiteside Turnpike in the pitch darkness.

Mrs. Carlile, who had come to Chattanooga as a bride at the close of the Civil War, stayed by her husband's bed along with her brother-in-law, Will Carlile, and Dr. E.M. Wight. However, shortly after eight o'clock on the evening of Oct. 29, the death knell proclaimed the passing of the mayor of Chattanooga.

Despite cold weather and a steady rain, a long line of Chattanoogans joined the distraught Carlile widow and daughters for the funeral cortege. Those present included members of the city government, the relief committee and members of the Carlile Hook and Ladder Company. Mayor Carlile and the terrible Yellow Fever scourge of 1878 were then laid to rest in the Citizens Cemetery.

The Carlile place then passed to the Ross's Landing pioneer John L. Divine. A native of Maryville, he had gone to Greeneville, Tn., to apprentice as a tailor under Andrew Johnson. He later accepted an offer to go to Mississippi to live with relatives. After three days of travel on horseback, Divine arrived at Ross's Landing. When he was ready to saddle up the next morning he found that his wallet with his fortune of 16 dollars and 75 cents was missing. He vowed to sell his horse and begin to earn money to pay for the night of lodging. He took a job as a clerk for Samuel Williams and wound up marrying Elizabeth Williams, the daughter of his employer. They raised a large family.

Later, Dr. George West and Dr. George Manning Ellis purchased the Carlile-Divine mansion and converted it to the West-Ellis Sanitarium. It was remodeled with 16 rooms for patients and staff.

Carver Memorial Hospital opened in the historic building on June 18, 1947. It was "said to have been the first municipally-owned, tax-supported hospital in America which was staffed by Negro doctors, nurses and other personnel for the care of Negro patients." It closed in 1962 when the mansion turned hospital was demolished by Urban Renewal.
In 1998 author Greg Mitchell wrote a 316-page novel about the 1950 United States Senate race between Republician Richard M. Nixon and Democrat Helen Gahagan Douglas in the state of California (Random House).

The title of the publication was Tricky Dick and The Pink Lady, with a subtitle of Sexual Politics and the Red Scare 1950.

That year was one of multiple historical events for America.

It was the start of the Korean War that would result in the deaths of many young soldiers under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur.

It was a time of the Communist take over of China and the resulting creation of the pro-American regime in (Formosa) Taiwan that continues as a potential worldwide powder keg with China in 2022.

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg had been arrested upon the word of Julius brother-in-law, David Greenglass, and they would ultimately die in the electric chair for a conspiracy to turn over the Manhattan Project (atom bomb) secrets to the Soviet Union.

Senator Joe McCarthy of Wisconsin was in his heyday claiming there were thousands of Communists in the State Department and other government agencies that generally were unfounded but did ultimately lead to the convictions of the Hollywood Ten (and others not charged) for Contempt of Congress. They were required to serve federal prison sentences.

The year also witnessed one of the most controversial political races in the country between Nixon and Ms. Douglas. Both served in the House of Representatives and Mitchell describes them as friendly in private life, but they would become bitter foes in the Senate race.

Mitchell, in a well-researched and documented treatise, covers all aspects of the campaign from beginning to end and shows a definite contrast to the up to one year long campaigns that Hamilton County in 2022 has witnessed in the local county mayor and district attorney general races.

The unending bombardment of political ads that the public has had to endure for many months was not the case in 1950.

Nixons campaign guru, Murray Chotiner, made a statement to the effect that a brief (if intense) six to eight week election campaign should be sufficient.

He was quoted as saying Any longer and you wear out your candidate and your workers.

Voters are simply not ready to receive campaigns in advance of eight weeks before the election.

The California race was the start of the designation of Nixon being known as Tricky Dick.

The unsealing of many of his personal records, correspondence between many individuals and thorough research by Greg Mitchell after the president's fall from power following the Watergate scandal reveal much about the character of the 37-year-old lawyer from Whittier that pre-dated his senatorial and presidential careers.

The labeling of his much more liberal (progressive) Democrat opponent known as The Pink Lady was much more effective in 1950 than it probably would be in California in 2022.

An attractive actress who was only featured in one movie, She, in Hollywood but performed regularly on Broadway, was married to well-known character actor Melvyn Douglas, who was an activist in the Democrat Party and also would be a co-star with Greta Garbo in the classic film Ninotchka that is also considered by some to be one of the earliest political spoofs of Stalins Communist Russia.

With the advent of the worldwide web, decline in the influence of newspapers, the prevalence of attack commentators, and the expense of being a candidate for running for public office becomes less attractive to many Americans.

August and November 2022 local and state elections and the Congressional and Presidential contests in 2024 promise more of the same in the political forums.

Tricky Dick and The Pink Lady is a valuable insight into the world of politics, is well written, and if a copy can be found at a used bookstore or on the web is a worthwhile read by a prominent author on the subjects of dirty tricks and women in politics.

(It also touches on the issues today confronting the exercise of Free Speech under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.)

* * *



Jerry Summers

(If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com)
These days, perhaps more than ever before, we hear talk about my rights. During my lifetime there have been important movements to secure rights of many kinds. And today, protests and debates continue, sometimes civil and sometimes not. But amid all these demands for rights, the simple act of doing right isnt greeted with the same degree of enthusiasm. And thats unfortunate.

It was the great civil rights leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, The time is always right to do what is right. To state it in a slightly different way, theres no wrong time to do the right thing.

Years ago, there was much discussion about situation ethics, especially in the business world. Whats that? One dictionary defines it as, the doctrine of flexibility in the application of moral laws according to circumstances. Another definition is taking into account only the particular context of an act when evaluating it ethically, rather than judging it only according to absolute moral standards. Does this have a familiar ring?

Even though we might not use the term as much, situation ethics seems to reign in the minds of many people. Doing what Dr. King advised is problematic, because whos to say whats right  especially when taking context or circumstances into account?

This is hardly a new phenomenon. At the end of the Old Testament book of Judges we find this sad assessment: In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25).

I wonder what would happen if the vast majority of people shifted their focus from, I want my rights! to Am I doing whats right?

At his Presidential inauguration in 1953, Dwight Eisenhower preceded his inaugural remarks by uttering a very personal but public prayer. It included these words: Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby. Of course, this was in the days before notions of separation of church and state were enforced. Are we allowed today to petition God for the power to discern clearly right from wrong?

For some, that seems a very old-fashioned concept, but I think Dr. King was absolutely correct: The time is always right to do what is right.

In business, the circumstances may indicate that shading or even twisting the truth might be expedient or advantageous. But is it the right thing to do?

While walking through a convenience store, it might seem easy to snatch a pack of gum or a candy bar and leave without paying for it. But even if youre not caught, is it the right thing to do?

If while driving, you receive an alert that a text youve been waiting for has arrived, should you read and respond to it  as long as youre trying to be careful as you steer the car? Or should you ignore your phone until you find an appropriate place to stop? Whats the right thing to do?

We could consider hundreds of similar situations, many of them even more serious than those cited above. In another Old Testament book, Deuteronomy, Moses was addressing the Israelites, knowing his time on earth was coming to an end as they were anticipating finally entering the Promised Land. He said:

See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse  the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).

A bit later Moses said, You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit (Deuteronomy 12:8). Apparently, the Israelites had become deeply immersed in their own brand of situation ethics, leading them away from the God who had delivered them out of bondage in Egypt.

We find one of the best examples of doing the right thing, even when it meant denying ones personal rights, in Jesus parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. In the story, a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by robbers and left half dead. Two men  a Jewish priest and a Levite  were going down the road later that day and had the opportunity to go to the mans aid. Instead, each man moved to the other side of the road and acted as if he hadnt seen him.

Finally, a Samaritan  whose people were despised by the Jews  happened by and took pity on him. The Samaritan could have reasoned, Why should I help a Jew? They hate me. Besides, Ive got places to go and things to do! However, he chose to do the right thing  bandaging the injured mans wounds, pouring oil and wine on them to ease his pain, and then taking him to a nearby inn where he could recover. Not only that, but the Samaritan also promised to cover the mans expenses in full.

As He concluded this parable, Jesus asked the expert in the law who had prompted the story, Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? In other words, which of the men passing by chose to do what was right?

Yes, we all have rights. The U.S. Constitutions Bill of Rights defines many of them. But in our troubled, increasingly self-centered world, might it not be a good thing to redirect our concerns toward doing things that are right?

* * *

Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. These include the newly published, Marketplace Ambassadors; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Todays Workplace; Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. A weekly business meditation he edits, Monday Manna, is translated into more than 20 languages and sent via email around the world by CBMC International. The address for his blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His email address is btamasy@comcast.net.
The United Community Bank Foundation is donating $2,500 to Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

While the donation is the UCB Foundations first donation to GNTC, the local bank supports the GNTC Foundation each year from its local budget; this donation is being made to improve the financial health of our community and may be used as needed to assist students, said UCB northwest Georgia region President Scott Tucker, who also represents Floyd County on GNTCs Board of Trustees.

United Community Bank has been a loyal supporter and partner of Georgia Northwestern Technical College, said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTCs president. We are especially grateful for this gift from the United Community Bank Foundation. This support will benefit students so that they can stay on track and complete their education.

These types of funds can be used in a variety of ways that meet student needs, such as purchasing textbooks, tools, uniforms and paying tuition, said Lauretta Hannon, executive director of the GNTC Foundation.

Our technical colleges purpose and mission align with UCBs desire to make a positive impact on our local community by providing resources that directly benefit students in need, Mr. Tucker said. We feel that these students will quickly transition into our local workforce and have a positive impact on our community.






The Student Wildlands Adventure Program has received The Wildlife Societys Diversity Award. The Wildlife Society was founded in 1937 and is an international network of over 11,000 leaders in wildlife science, management and conservation who are dedicated to excellence in wildlife stewardship.

The SWAP program is a student exchange program that allows students to gain hands on experience through activities led by professional biologists in other parts of the country at little or no expense to them. The SWAP program originated from an idea from Robert Brewer, CSCC associate professor and director of The Greg A. Vital Center for Natural Resources and Conservation Daryl Ratajczak, former TWRA Chief of Wildlife, now a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Salt Lake City, Utah.

We are so proud of the tremendous opportunities Robert Brewer provides for our FWF students both in and out of the classroom, stated Dr. Barsha Pickell, vice president for Academic Affairs. His work with the SWAP program exemplifies his collaborative, student-focused, real world approach to education and his efforts to provide diverse and engaging learning experiences for our students. I am so thankful for the energy and dedication he brings to CSCC and his exemplary leadership of the FWF program.

According to Mr. Brewer, programs like this set Cleveland State apart from others schools in the region.

First and second year students simply do not have opportunities like these anywhere else, said Mr. Brewer. This is something they might expect to do at a senior level institution at the graduate level, but they are getting these opportunities now as freshmen and sophomores. The goal of the SWAP program is to expand horizons, shape lives, and change the world by showing students what opportunities are out there and allowing them to make connections across North America.

During previous SWAP adventures, students from CSCC were able to travel to New Mexico to learn about and experience first-hand the ecosystems throughout Northern Mexico, and the next year, the students from New Mexico came to Tennessee where they were able to experience Tennessees forests and water resources. Other SWAP adventures include a trip to Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming to learn about various management challenges in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and a week walking in the footsteps of Aldo Leopold throughout the state of New Mexico. This past summer, students from Texas, Washington, Utah, Alaska, British Columbia (the first international student), Minnesota, and California visited Tennessee with the SWAP.

Mr. Ratajczak continued, We always want to make sure the host site really goes out of their way to show them something that they dont normally see.

We are so excited about the recognition this program is receiving, stated Karen Wyrick, dean of Math and Science. Mr. Brewer and the SWAP program have done an excellent job in providing opportunities such as this for students interested in Forestry Wildlife and Fisheries to learn more about the field in a hands-on environment. And these are students that normally would never get the chance to do something like this.

In previous years, the SWAP program has been funded by grants from Cleveland State, as well as by a Youth Engagement Grant from the U.S. Forest Service. In addition, there were still other major expenses that were covered by generous donations.

This is not the first year CSCCs SWAP program has won an award. In 2018, it was the winner of the southwest section (Region 3) of the U.S. Forest Services Gifford Pinchot Award for Excellence in Interpretation and Conservation Education.

Cleveland State will be honored with the Diversity award at the 2022 Annual Wildlife Society Conference in Spokane, Wa. later this year. For more information on Cleveland States Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries program or SWAP, contact Mr. Brewer at 473-2342 or by email at rbrewer@clevelandstatecc.edu.




J.C. Shah, founder of Beyond the Call of Duty, offers words of encouragement to officers with the Whitfield County Sheriffs Office after a ceremony honoring their co-worker, the late Tara Cook - photo by Mitch Talley

In memory of their daughter, Tara Cook, Bob and Julie Williams sign a banner that will be carried around the nation by the Beyond the Call of Duty organization on the Ride to Remember - photo by Mitch Talley

Seth Cook inserts a rose into a memorial wall of photos honoring his late wife, Tara, and more than 600 other fallen lawmen on the Beyond the Call of Duty trailer - photo by Mitch Talley

As members of Tara Cooks family and two of the motorcycle riders with the Beyond the Call of Duty organization look on, Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood talks about his trip to Washington, D.C. earlier this year for a special ceremony honoring fallen lawmen, including Officer Cook - photo by Mitch Talley

Escorted by Whitfield County Sheriffs Office personnel, Tara Cooks husband, Seth, and other members of the family, walk past a monument inscribed with her name. - photo by Mitch Talley

Whitfield County detention officer Tara Cook may be gone, but shes not forgotten.



Not by her family, not by her friends and co-workers and not by the members of a Washington-based group traveling across the nation this summer to honor hundreds of other fallen lawmen like her.



Members of Cooks family gathered outside the Whitfield County Correctional Center on Thursday afternoon for a ceremony during which her name was unveiled, carved into a nearby monument that also honors other fallen local law enforcement officers.



During an emotion-packed ceremony, Officer Cook and her family were the center of attention, with her husband, Seth, her parents, Bob and Julie Williams, his parents, Bill and Kim Cook, and his sister, Jami, being recognized by Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood.



The week of May 15 is now declared as Peace Officers Memorial Week, Sheriff Chitwood told the crowd. A lot of local organizations have ceremonies, but the main ceremony is held in Washington, D.C., that I was honored to attend this year to represent Tara and her family.



Normally, about 300 fallen officers are memorialized at the ceremony, he said, but this years services recognized more than 600 officers lost during 2021, including Officer Cook, who passed away on Sept. 4, 2021 as the result of contracting COVID-19 while working as the admissions officer for the jail. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers like Officer Cook died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.



The crowd was so large  about 25,000 to 30,000 people  that the Friday night ceremony had to be moved to the Washington Mall, where attendees were flanked by the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.



It was a pretty impressive sight to sit there that night and turn around and see the Capitol building lit up in the darkness of the sky, Sheriff Chitwood said, and to be looking at the stage straight ahead with the big-screen TVs and the Washington Monument towering toward the sky behind the stage. It was a pretty touching moment.



The night concluded with the lighting of about 25,000 to 30,000 candles for a candlelight vigil. It probably took less than 10 minutes for everybody to light a candle off the next, and everybody then raised their candles to the sky to honor the lost officers and the families that were present and those that were not able to be there, the sheriff said.



Another service Sunday afternoon was held at the U.S. Capitol, with Sheriff Chitwood having the honor of going on stage and accepting medallions from the Fraternal Order of Police on behalf of the Cook family.



It was, the sheriff said, his voice cracking with emotion, one of the best trips, one of the most moving, touching trips that you dont ever want to have to go to, and I hope I never have to go back to it.



During last weeks ceremony, Sheriff Chitwood then presented the medallions to Officer Cooks husband and her parents. The sheriff also presented a framed portrait of her to her husband, along with a piece of inscripted glassware from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in appreciation of her service as a 287(g) officer.



Another highlight of the local ceremony was the unveiling of Officer Cooks name inscribed on the memorial monument outside the correctional center.



Weve gathered here today to cut this ribbon and to display Taras name on this monument, the sheriff said, a day of rejoicing maybe in a respectful way, certainly with heavy hearts. You can see the other names that are listed (Durwin Potts, John McKinney and Gabriel Singleton), and I asked Seth before the ceremony if he was willing and felt comfortable to come cut the ribbon and he said he wanted to.



An emotional Sheriff Chitwood, with his voice breaking, told the crowd that he hopes thats the last name that we ever put on this monument.



We hear officers around the country that lose their lives  we as officers should think about it  but we dont pause like we should, he said. But when it hits close to home and its one of our own, it puts it in perspective and it changes your mindset. So as much as we miss Tara, Im very proud to be able to honor her today with this.



Asked after the ceremony what he would like everyone to remember about Tara, her husband said, She was really family oriented. She never put herself first  it was always about other people. I really loved the fact she wasnt someone who would let anyone push her over. She was so strong, independent, and thats what I loved about her. She was the strongest woman I know. I never knew selflessness until I married her.



She was pregnant at the time of her death, and I thought life was just perfect. But stuff happens and you have to move on. Thats the hardest part. You just have to wake up every day and realize youve got to put your best foot forward, just dont stop moving, dont let depression set in, take time to grieve.



A touching part of the ceremony came when Mr. Cook placed a rose next to the photo of his wife on the wall of the trailer from the Beyond the Call of Duty organization. Escorted by a group of motorcycles, the trailer is making its way across the nation on a summer-long journey to honor the 608 officers lost in 2021.



Founder J.C. Shah said after he had retired from the sheriffs department in a central Washington county in 2017, he felt a calling to organize Beyond the Call of Duty to make sure that departments know that their loss is being felt nationwide, but more importantly that they are loved and they are blessed for what they do and letting the survivors know that were not gonna forget their loved ones.



The Dalton visit came on the 44th day of a 79-day journey that will ultimately conclude in Spokane, Wa. on Aug. 18. Officer Cook and the other fallen law enforcement officers are remembered on the organizations website at endofwatchride.com.
Al Jardine still performs with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, sometimes even releasing music as a solo artist. When hes not enjoying music as a hobby, this artist spends time in Big Sur  driving, reading, and attending cattle brandings. Heres what we know about this award-winning musician and what hes doing now.

Al Jardine appeared as a founding member of The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys (L-R Carl Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine) Pose for a portrait session | Harry Langdon/Getty Images

Along with brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson and their cousin Mike Love, Jardine was a founding member of the surf rock group The Beach Boys. Jardine appeared on Good Vibrations, Kokomo, and God Only Knows.

The musician was also one of the songwriters behind Beach Boys hits like Bells of Christmas, Lady Lynda, and California Calling.

Al Jardine of the Beach Boys still makes music as a hobby

The Beach Boys slowly dissolved as a band following the death of Dennis Wilson in 1983 and Carl Wilson in 1998. Some members continued to make music, including Mike Love. Now, Jardine fills his days with music and other hobbies.

I love driving  exploring the California coastline is the best drive in the world, Jardine said during an interview with Jeremy Roberts. I also like riding my John Deere tractor. Mines a 30-year-old 2040 diesel with a front-end loader.

My family and I reside on a non-working farm, although we have a couple of horses and the usual stuff like pigs, cows, and chickens, he continued. We really dont have an honest-to-goodness farm, more of a hobby farm.

Jardine also enjoys reading, mentioning that he reads a lot of trash in his spare time.

My older brother Neal is the brains in the family  he has 1,000 or 2,000 books in his collection, he said. Hes an inveterate reader and a lawyer in Los Angeles, so that makes me the dummy in the family. In all seriousness, I really do enjoy factual material.

Of course, music remains a hobby of Jardine. The artist explained that music is a hobby even more than his other activities, mentioning that his dad and older brother were also musically inclined.

Al Jardine spends time in Big Sur, California and on tour with Brian Wilson

At the time of the interview, Jardine said he was invited to a branding in Casa Robles, sharing that there are cattle ranches in California. Still, this former Beach Boy finds time for music. Jardine released the solo album A Postcard from California in 2010. In 2021, Waves of Love 2.0 debuted on Spotify.

Sometimes Jardine performs Beach Boys music. He partnered with Brian Wilson for a live performance of Wouldnt It Be Nice in honor of the Pet Sounds 50th anniversary. In 2022, this artist embarked on a North American-based tour with Chicago and Brian Wilson, making stops at several California concerts.

RELATED: The Beach Boys Pet Sounds Song That Was Originally Meant for a James Bond Movie but Got Rejected
Crazy Rich Asians: You Can Stay at the Ultra-Luxe Singapore Resort That Hosted Rachel and Nicks Farewell Party

Many movies offer viewers a glimpse at a life they can only imagine, and Crazy Rich Asians  as the title suggests  takes it even further than most. The setting of the romantic comedy drips with luxury and wealth, and part of the fun of the film is the lavish lifestyle and social status displayed by the family of protagonist Nick Young (played by Henry Golding).

(L-R) Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Jing Lusi and Ken Jeong | Dave Benett/Getty Images

If youd like to escape into that world for a bit, you can actually stay at one of the locations featured in the film. The luxury Singapore resort where Rachel and Nick host their farewell party is a real-life location that accepts guests.

Crazy Rich Asians tackles wealth and culture gaps

What's your favorite scene from Crazy Rich Asians? ?? pic.twitter.com/rmKw4BXEUa  BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) June 24, 2022

In Crazy Rich Asians, Chinese-American professor Rachel Chu (played by Constance Wu) travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick to attend his friends wedding. She expects to stay with his family, who she is meeting for the first time, but as the trip goes on, she discovers that shes not exactly a welcome addition to the group.

Nicks legacy is one of extreme wealth that grants his family a royalty-like status, and he has expectations to uphold in Singapore in the form of taking over the family business. Rachel  who has a job she loves in New York and a modest financial background  is not part of the plan.

As the story unfolds, the film explores themes of love, family ties, and class status. Along the way, it also provided a huge boost for Asian representation on the big screen, something that had been sorely missing from Hollywood.

Like any good rom-com, it comes to a feel-good end, and the setting of that conclusion represents opulence and luxury.

You can stay in the Marina Bay Sands resort

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 Spago by Wolfgang Puck (4-Star)#FTGStarAwards #MarinaBaySands https://t.co/vpgHFiR9vi pic.twitter.com/KomTgSg8cY  Marina Bay Sands (@marinabaysands) April 27, 2022

Often movie sets are built out for the purpose of the film and arent available in real life. Thats not the case for the resort where Nick and Rachel had their farewell party. It was shot at the actual Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore. In particular, the film crew took advantage of the beautiful backdrops available in the resorts Sands SkyPark, an observation deck that sits 56 stories above Marina Bay.

This location also serves as home to the CE LA VI lounge and restaurant, which is where the films party took place. The infinity pool that allows guests to swim to the edge of the observation deck and take in the sights is real, too.

Other amenities in the real-life version of the resort include a spa, in-room floral arrangements, fine dining, and a fitness center.

Crazy Rich Asians filmed in many gorgeous locations

As Cathay Pacific reports, the Marina Bay Sands resort wasnt the only stunning location used for the film.

Aramintas bachelorette party, for instance, had the beautiful backdrop of white sand beaches at the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi. Rachel and the other women get a massage at the resorts Geo Spa, and you can follow in their footsteps as you relax with views of the Andaman Sea.

The Kingsford Hotel is a fictional name, but the filming was done at the actual Raffles Hotel, a real-life location that boasts the colonial style captured in the movie. Even the infamous Blue Mansion can be booked. The real-life version is called Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, and its available as a rental.

As for the wedding itself, that was held at Chijmes, a former school, and convent thats been transformed into a sophisticated event venue.

RELATED: Henry Golding Initially Turned Down Crazy Rich Asians Until Jon M. Chu Stalked Him Into Taking the Role
Cherokee Nation citizen Chase Campbell is a new trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The story of David and Bathsheba has a lot of gaps. It's a brilliantly told narrative that requires us to draw conclusions based on what we already know. The downside to this sophisticated mode of storytelling is that readers will make unjustified assumptions to fill in the gaps.

As Sara Koenig notes in Bathsheba Survives, the history of this passages interpretation makes a fascinating case study of how each generation thinks about sexuality.

Today is no exception.

In the age of #metoo and #churchtoo, the conversation is trending again on Twitter. (As far as I can tell, #sbctoo sparked this latest round.) Once again, various personalities are arguing that David committed adultery, not rape, or vice versa.

Those arguing that David committed adultery often try to pin blame on Bathsheba for bathing in public, thereby seducing David, while those arguing that David raped her point to the uneven power dynamics between them.

But heres the problem: We think of adultery as consensual by definition, while the Bible defines it as the responsibility of the male head of the household to keep his hands off his neighbors wife (Ex. 20:14).

That doesnt mean a woman cant sin sexually. However, the Ten Commandments are addressed to men by default. They were called to restrain their strength for the sake of community.

Its hard to think of another Old Testament story that fits the bill more precisely. Bathsheba is literally Davids neighbors wife, which means shes totally off limits to him.

Shes also off limits because of Davids warfare practices.

We learn in 1 Samuel 21:45 that he prohibited sexual relations during battles or missions from the king. The rule was meant to maintain ritual purity so that soldiers could carry out the divine will.

In those days, battles were considered religious. Thats why Uriah refuses to go to his wife when he answers Davids summons. He shows more restraint when drunk than David does when soberfor the sake of the mens mission, and to show solidarity with them.

By contrast, David fails to take the mission seriously. He doesnt lead the troops in battle. Instead, he stays home and preys on the war widow next door. He violates Uriahs marriage covenant, which the narrator reminds us of by repeatedly calling her the wife of Uriah.

The incident could be called adultery only in the sense that both David and Bathsheba were married, not in the modern sense of consent. The one difference between this case and Amnons violation of his half-sister Tamar (described a few chapters later) is that neither of the latter two was married.

Otherwise, the stories are parallel: He saw; he wanted; he took. But still, some will ask, Didnt Bathsheba seduce him?

The first thing to note is that she is not bathing on the roof (2 Sam. 11:2). Its David who is on the roofa normal place to be in the cool of the evening. He ought to be at war with his men, but nevertheless, there he is, bored.

Why is she bathing where he can see her? In Davids day, the city had no indoor plumbing. Bathing normally happened in public.

If Bathsheba is bathing in a public pool, then, she can hardly be implicated for immodesty. And if shes bathing in the courtyard of her own home, her bath is more private than normal. In fact, the text never says that she was naked.

Isnt nakedness an obvious inference? Not necessarily. We lived for two years in the Philippines and regularly visited a crowded Muslim neighborhood with no indoor plumbing. Despite rather strict notions of modesty, men and women found ways to scrub clean under adequate cover (usually generous tube skirts for both men and women).

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A public approach to hygiene may be foreign to many of us, but its quite common in some areas of the world.

This was no ordinary bath, either. She was purifying herself ritually following menstruation (2 Sam. 11:4). This practice indicates that she was a pious keeper of Israelite purity law (and also that she was not already pregnant, which is important to the question of parentage). Davids sexualization of her religious hygiene should raise an eyebrow or two.

David summons her. Does she have a choice? Her husband and her father are both soldiers under his command. No one can refuse the king.

Bathshebas only words in the entire story are Im pregnant. David has put her in a predicament: If her husband returns and finds her pregnant, she could be stoned for adultery. But the situation is not her fault, and David knows it.

Davids Plan A is to bring Uriah home from the front to make love to his own wife. Its still early in her pregnancy, so Uriah may later think its his own child. When he piously refuses to come, David has him killed and takes Bathsheba into his harem.

For me, the clincher is this: The narrator is unequivocal in blaming David (2 Sam. 11:27). The prophet Nathan is unequivocal in blaming David (2 Sam. 12:112). And Bathsheba is never chastised.

Yes, she loses her son, but that loss is never characterized as her punishment. She suffers for Davids sin, as subjects always do when their leader is recalcitrant.

Pinning the blame equally on Bathsheba ignores how God assesses the story through Nathan. It ignores the culture of the city of David. And it ignores the clear exegetical signals throughout the chapter.

For David, as for every Israelite, the neighbors wife is like a daughter to be protected, not an experience to be collected. David knows Bathsheba is unavailable. But this doesnt deter him in the least. Like a predator, he summons her. Hes come to believe that because he has power, he can have whatever he wants when he wants it.

To me, the most shocking part of the story comes after the murder of Uriah, when David tells his commander, Let this matter not be evil in your eyes (2 Sam. 11:25). David attempts to redefine his own behavior as acceptable.

If David had been king of any other ancient Near Eastern kingdom, his actions would have been unremarkable. Kings could do whatever they wanted. But this wasnt any other kingdom; it was Israel. And Davids power was not absolute, nor did he make the rules. Yahweh did.

Nathan the prophet makes absolutely clear that the king had done evil in Gods sight (2 Sam. 12:9). His rebuke lands squarely on David. And David knows hes in the wrong.

Davids response is simply I have sinned against YHWH (v. 13). Standing at a crossroads, he offers no defense, no equivocation, no excuses. Hes been caught in the act. He takes sole responsibility, repents, and chooses a better path forward.

In other words, he too affirms that hes the guilty one.

When I reflect on the narrative, I often wonder whether its fair to call it the story of David and Bathsheba. Naming her implies cooperation where the text claims nothing of the sort. At the very least, we should call it David and the Wife of Uriahor David and Uriah, since the showdown is clearly between these two men.

The ongoing debate about this story shows the importance of returning to a text again and again, attending to its details, and remaining open to the possibility that we have missed or misconstrued something.

Reading with others is essential to that process. We all miss things, because were all embedded in communities that have shaped what we notice and what we dont. Sometimes our failure to realize this impairs our ability to see whats right in front of us.

In this case, Bathsheba deserves another look.

Carmen Joy Imes is associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University and the author of Bearing Gods Name: Why Sinai Still Matters (InterVarsity Press).

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Canadian church, pastor fined $80K for refusing COVID-19 health inspections

An Alberta church and its pastor have been ordered to pay $80,000 for obstructing a government health inspection on multiple occasions last year over concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provincial Court Judge Shelagh Creagh ruled on June 28 that Church in the Vine of Edmonton and Pastor Tracy Fortin must pay fines for refusing to allow a health inspector to enter the church during three separate Sunday services in 2021  two in March and one in June.

Pastor Tracy Fortin announced on Facebook last week that she and the church have until Aug. 31 to pay $80,000 Canadian dollars unless they receive a judicial stay.

The church was fined $65,000 while Fortin was fined $15,000, according to a Give Send Go fundraising page established to support the church and minister.

"Obviously we plan to appeal, but in the meantime, they will proceed with seizures if we don't pay," Fortin wrote in a Facebook post.

The inspector wanted to determine if congregants were adhering to face mask and social distancing requirements but was denied entry by Fortin. Fortin claimed that the inspection would have been disruptive to worship.

"These were deliberate and intentional acts," said Creagh, as quoted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. "Laws dealing with public health are of fundamental importance."

In her ruling, Creagh wrote that the fine "must be significant" to serve as a "deterrent, not a licensing fee," according to The Edmonton Journal.

As of Monday morning, the GiveSendGo page records that the church has received donations totaling a little over $4,700 of the $80,000 goal.

In May, Creagh found Fortin and her church guilty of six counts of obstructing a public health inspector. Attorney James Kitchen says the guilty verdict wasn't surprising.

"Basically, the public health inspector showed up at church during worship service Sunday morning and said she wanted to come in," Kitchen told CBC.

"The pastor said 'no,' and of course when you do that, you trigger Section 71 of the Public Health Act, which says public health inspectors can pretty much come in whenever and however they want."

The defense argued that the church was a private building and that the health orders didn't apply. However, the judge ruled that the church is a public place.

"The Church, being a place of assembly, is a public place within the meaning of the Act," Creagh wrote, according to The Journal. "It is definitely not a private place."

During the coronavirus pandemic, several churches and ministry leaders across Canada and the United States garnered headlines as they violated health policies enacted by provincial, state and local authorities aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

As many policies regulated the size and scope of in-person worship services or required that attendees wear face masks and maintain social distance, some churches and leaders claimed those policies violated their rights to assembly and religious practice.

Last April, for example, Alberta Health Services fenced off GraceLife Church of Edmond for holding worship services in which attendees neither socially distanced nor wore facemasks. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police charged the church for holding worship services in February of 2021 that had exceeded the limit of 15% capacity for such gatherings.

Last year, an Ontario church was fined over $80,000 twice for violating COVID-19 health orders.

Multiple Canadian pastors were also arrested last year because their churches held services in defiance of COVID-19 health orders.
JD Halls former church says he embezzled money, physically assaulted wife and son

An elder with Fellowship Baptist Church in Sidney, Montana, said Friday that former pastor Jordan Daniel "J.D." Hall, a polemics blogger known for criticizing Christian leaders, embezzled money from the church and was kicked out of his home for being physically abusive.

Last month, Fellowship Baptist Church announced the removal of Hall as pastor in light of his abuse of Xanax, alleging in a June 27 statement that he had a dependency above his prescribed dosage.

The church's statement also stated that the decision to remove Hall, known for his scathing criticisms of Christian leaders on his now-defunct polemics website Pulpit & Pen and more recently Protestia, came several days following a June 5 incident. The details of the incident were not disclosed in the church's statement.

Caleb Snodgrass, an elder at Fellowship Baptist Church who has been serving in that role for approximately four years, told The Christian Post in an interview Friday that the church was told on June 5 by Hall's wife, Mandy, that he physically abused her and her son.

After the incident, she reportedly kicked him out of the home to protect herself and their children.

"The night, it [was] June 5th, Mandy called some of the deacons to come over. She [had] kicked him [Hall] out of the house at that point. And so that's when she told us the things that we found out about what was going on in the family," Snodgrass said.

Reports of the June 5 incident and an allegation that Hall embezzled more than $10,000 from the church were filed with the Sidney Police Department on June 23.

The Sidney Police Department provided heavily redacted copies of both reports to CP on Monday as the claims are still "under investigation."

In the June 5 incident, Hall was alleged to have committed "assault with a weapon" described as a "knife/cutting Instrument." He was also alleged to have committed "strangulation of a partner or family member" inside his home.

Snodgrass confirmed that the church reported the assault to the Sidney Police Department. He noted that before Hall's alleged attack on his family, the elders did not know how bad Hall's addiction issues were. The church elder said they didn't realize Hall needed more serious intervention, so they initially told Hall that he needed to get clean.

"We didn't know how bad the addiction was. And so we simply said, 'You got to stop [using] Xanax. And so we really sent him home with his family."

After the alleged assault, Snodgrass said Hall "was not allowed to go back home."

He said the church initially wanted to take him to a rehab facility immediately, but Snodgrass said they realized that "you can't just take somebody to rehab."

"You have to know it's like a monthlong process to get into one of these places," Snodgrass said.

The deacons took Hall to the church "where we've got some bedrooms until we can figure things out," Snodgrass said.

A day later, they tried to get Hall into rehab by taking him to an emergency room several hours away, but that did not work, Snodgrass added.

The elder said Hall is now getting treatment near his parents in Missouri, but he wasn't sure where.

Snodgrass didn't go into details regarding the embezzlement allegations but confirmed that the church filed a report. He said church leaders discovered the financial irregularities after they removed Hall as their leader.

The police report records this allegation as "theft exceeding $10,000 by embezzlement."

According to Snodgrass, Hall continues to live separately from his family but has had conversations with his wife. He claims the church has been trying to minister to Hall, but he has been resistant to their discipline.

"We are trying to [minister to Hall], but there's a lot of anger there. Due to how we've handled this, and due to differing of opinions on whether or not he's pretentious," Snodgrass said.

"We have reached out to them a lot more than he and Mandy would suggest. But we are, we are trying to do whatever we can. They are not really allowing us to do much. At this point, we are distancing ourselves a little bit due to whatever we say being misconstrued."

Snodgrass alleges that Hall has been so resistant to church discipline that he has questioned the validity of his board of elders and deacons.

Weekly attendance at Fellowship Baptist  usually 50 to 100 people  has now fallen to about 50% since Hall's misconduct, Snodgrass disclosed.

When asked if he saw a future return for Hall to ministry, Snodgrass responded with a solid "no."

"There's no real hope for that," he said. "You know, maybe, in my opinion, maybe 10-15 years down the line when things are so totally different. I don't think he would with the group at our church. I don't think he would be welcomed back. This whole situation, especially with the family, has exploded. And it's so, so horrible that and now with the financial stuff that's coming out. He's disqualified himself, and it's a pretty bad disqualification."
Rick Warrens Saddleback successor Andy Wood is cleared of abuse allegations

Just over a month after a preliminary investigation cleared Pastor Andy Wood of allegations of leadership abuse during his time at Echo.Church, elders at Saddleback Church say that Rick Warrens named successor has been completely cleared by two separate investigations.

Saddleback elders said in a July 11 statement that the Vanderbloemen Search Group, one of America's best-known and highly respected Christian executive search firms, conducted a rigorous background check on the 40-year-old Wood before his initial selection as Saddleback Churchs new lead pastor.

The Vanderbloemen investigation was also reviewed by the Middlebrook & Goodspeed firm, and the results are the same, the elders said. Wood is cleared to lead.

The team at Vanderbloemen interviewed former employees, former volunteers, peers, and current employees to ask them about their experiences with Andy. The sample can be said to be thorough. After our work, we concluded there is no systemic or pattern of abuse under Andys leadership, nor was there an individual that we felt was abused, Vanderbloemen stated after the additional review.

The selection of Wood and his wife, Stacie, to succeed Rick and Kay Warren as leaders of the California-based megachurch triggered "shock" and "fear" in some individuals who have previously worked with Wood who publicly accused him of leadership abuse.

"When I first saw the news that Andy had been selected as Rick's replacement, my first reaction was shock. And my second reaction was fear," Lance Hough, a former creative arts pastor at Echo.Church Fremont Crossroads, told The Christian Post in response to Saddleback's June 2 announcement of Woods selection.

"It seems to me like Andy has been in a place of unaccountable leadership. And I would hate to see the patterns that started at Echo Church be recreated at Saddleback at such a much larger scale."

Podcaster and international speaker Lori Adams-Brown, whose LinkedIn page says she worked full-time at Echo.Church from August 2019 to March 2021 as an associate campus pastor and development director, claimed on Twitter that "a pastor with many allegations of abuse against him" had been "hired to be the pastor of one of the largest churches in America."

In the July 11 statement, the Saddleback Church elders noted that Middlebrook & Goodspeed were hired "to ensure the thoroughness and competence of Vanderbloemens findings" and evaluate the investigation, process, and findings." The firm didn't find anything to challenge the conclusion reached by Vanderbloemen.

Based upon the testimony and evidence provided by Vanderbloemens background team, we believe the investigation was objective, thorough, transparent, and truthful. The investigation was done in a manner to protect the identity of the witnesses, which is essential to obtaining the truth. We feel that a conflict of interest did not exist in this investigation and that Vanderbloemens team followed all the leads provided to seek the truth, Middlebrook & Goodspeed stated.

Further, there was nothing in the materials and interviews we reviewed that would lead us to contradict Vanderbloemens finding that there was no pattern of abuse nor abuse towards an individual, the firm added.

Andy and Stacie Wood officially stepped down from Echo.Church on June 26 and are expected to move to Orange County, California, this month with their children. The couple will attend Saddleback in August during Warrens final preaching series.

Saddleback Church will celebrate the Warrens 43 years of service on the weekend of Sept. 3-4. On the weekend of Sept. 10-11, the Woods will be commissioned into their new roles. Woods first official day as Saddleback's new senior pastor will be Sept. 12.

Saddleback Church elders said that based on the most recent findings from two experienced and unbiased firms, they will now move on with Woods installation as planned.

We can now say with complete confidence that the investigations have CLEARED Pastor Andy Wood of the accusations made by a former employee. We will now resume moving forward with the process of installing Andy Wood as the next Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church in September. Thank you for your patience while we did our due diligence, so that these investigations could be completed, the elders said.

We wanted the truth. We will now turn our attention to planning a celebration of Pastor Rick and Kays unprecedented 43-year ministry, and then welcoming Pastor Andy, Stacie, Caedmon, Sammy, and Karis as our newest members of the Saddleback Family.
Sen. Warren doubles down, demands all pro-life pregnancy centers be shut down 'You should not be able to torture a pregnant person like that'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who was earlier calling for a crackdown on crisis pregnancy centers, now says they should be shut down around the country because they fool people who are looking for pregnancy termination help and outnumber true abortion clinics.

In Massachusetts right now, those crisis pregnancy centers that are there to fool people who are looking for pregnancy termination help outnumber true abortion clinics by three to one, Warren told NBC 10 Boston.

We need to shut them down here in Massachusetts, and we need to shut them down all around the country. You should not be able to torture a pregnant person like that, added Warren, whose war on crisis pregnancy centers started after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last month.

Elizabeth Warren believes each and every pregnancy resource center across the country should be shut down.



What does the left have against those working to support mother and child? pic.twitter.com/vjNX21WAZ3  Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) July 14, 2022

Heidi Matzke, who heads one such facility in Sacramento, California, told Fox & Friends First that her center has faced violence ever since Warren called on Congress to shut down pro-life pregnancy centers,

We have had to stop operations of our mobile clinic. Weve had to hire 24-hour onsite security. Weve had to add cameras. Weve had to arm our staff with pepper spray, she said, narrating an incident where a man with a machete came to attack her center but was thankfully prevented from causing harm.

Pregnancy centers give away $266 million of free medical services and resources to communities all over this incredible country. And her words are just incredibly hurtful, she continued.

Matzke, who testified before U.S. Congress last week, added that most of the women who work at her center have had an abortion before and many believe their lives would be so much different if they had gone to a pregnancy center.

Megan McArdle, a Washington Post columnist, called Warrens suggestion unconstitutional.

Liz Wolfe, an associate editor at The Reason, wrote, Its unclear what legal authority Elizabeth Warren would use to enact her will."

"In fact, a sitting U.S. senator trying to shut down charitable organizations, like crisis pregnancy centers, for no violation of laws but rather due to the fact that they further the pro-life cause, would be quite blatantly unconstitutional," Wolfe wrote.

Casey Mattox, a First Amendment attorney, wrote on Twitter, wrote: Not gonna sugar coat this. Its evil. If I knew nothing about Elizabeth Warren but the lies she tells about pregnancy centers Id know enough.

Now THIS is harmful disinformation, The Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon tweeted, alluding to the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act, or H.R. 8210, that Warren introduced last month, which would direct the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe rules prohibiting disinformation in the advertising of abortion services, and for other purposes.

This is, at its most basic foundation, simply none of the governments business, remarked conservative writer Chad Felix Greene.

According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, as of 2019, as many as 2,132 pregnancy centers performed 486,213 free ultrasounds and 731,884 free pregnancy tests; offered 967,251 free consultations to new clients; among other services.

Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International, an affiliation group with a worldwide network of more than 3,000 pro-life pregnancy centers, all of which assist pregnant women by offering free services, told The Christian Post in an earlier interview that while the care each center provides might differ, most offer material services and connect women with community resources.

We provide connection services through things like Option Line, Godsey said. But its the local pregnancy centers that are really defining their own services.

Thats one of the beauties of being local, the idea that the community knows best what the community needs, he continued. So we firmly believe that the local pregnancy centers are positioned very well to serve the very type of woman in their community who needs that help.

In the conclusion of her op-ed, Wolfe wrote: Pro-choicers frequently criticize pro-lifers for abandoning women once theyve made the decision not to abort or for being insufficiently charitable toward mothers in need. But crisis pregnancy centers are attempts, however imperfect, at precisely that. Whatever you think of their tactics, calling for them to be shut down by the federal government would be a gross misuse of state power.
UK police drop charges against 76-year-old arrested for praying outside abortion clinic

Religious freedom advocates are celebrating a United Kingdom police department dropping charges against an elderly British woman arrested, detained and fined for engaging in silent prayer outside an abortion clinic.

ADF UK, a chapter of the religious liberty legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom, announced in a statement Monday that Merseyside Police Department dropped the charges against 76-year-old Rosa Lalor for silently praying outside an abortion clinic during the coronavirus pandemic in February 2021.

The fine levied against Lalor has also been dropped.

Lalor's legal troubles began on Feb. 24, 2021, when a law enforcement officer inquired why she was outdoors during the lockdowns implemented to contain the coronavirus. When she responded that she was "walking and praying," the officer told her she did not have a "reasonable" excuse to be doing so because she was not at a church.

A case summary compiled by ADF notes that "during the lockdown in 2021, Rosa was always careful to follow the rules." Specifically, "she took a walk most days, as was permitted, and even wore a mask, which wasn't required, in order to take extra precautions."

"I'm delighted that the prosecution has finally dropped this charge after a long and exhausting battle for justice," Lalor said in a statement. "I took this challenge forward with support from ADF UK to show that we do all have a fundamental right to pray  not least pray as I did, in the privacy of my own mind."

"It was wrong for the police officer to tell me that I could not pray in a public street," she added. "It's important for officers to respect basic religious freedom, and improve their understanding of how that right manifests, in order to maintain a truly tolerant society."

ADF UK argued that Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights gives Lalor the right to pray outside the abortion clinic.

Article 9 declares: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance."

Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK who worked on Lalor's case, said it is "deeply regrettable that this law-abiding woman was subjected to distressing, drawn-out criminal proceedings in the first place, no doubt due to her pro-life stance."

"This follows a worrying trend in law enforcement where individuals are routinely arrested because their views are considered to be controversial or offensive," he said in a statement.

Igunnubole said Lalor's story shows the "urgent need for the upskilling of police officers across the country to ensure that they have a proper grasp of the right to freedom of expression and religion as it relates to public order."

"Law, policy, and training procedures must be improved to restore the public's confidence in policing and stem the trend of unjust arrests," Igunnubole said. "Officers should be prioritising real crimes that concern ordinary people rather than being agents of cancel-culture."

Robert Colquhoun, the international director of the pro-life organization 40 Days for Life, which holds prayer rallies outside abortion clinics, called it "an important win because authorities cannot simply decide to censor prayer on the street."

"We are committed to engaging in prayer because we believe that women and babies deserve far better than abortion, and that we can find solutions to support both lives in a pregnancy," Colquhoun said.

"We are always delighted to point women to charities and services where they can receive support to continue their pregnancy, should they want it. We hope that Rosa's story sends a clear message that in a democracy, there is space for freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of thought  and that censorship is a disservice to everyone."

ADF UK is concerned with a Northern Ireland law that bans protesters from "influencing" women seeking to enter abortion clinics by requiring that they remain at least 100 meters, or nearly 300 feet, away from the facilities. The U.K. Supreme Court is slated to examine the law later this week as other cities in England, including Liverpool and Bournemouth, consider implementing similar measures.

ADF UK Communications Director Lois McClatchie warned of the impact such laws could have on pro-life protesters like Lalor.

"The criminalisation of any kind of 'influencing' is so broad that it could reduce the threshold of criminality to an impermissibly low level," McClatchie said. "We know from a Home Office Review into the situation that instances of harassment outside of abortion facilities are rare, and when it happens, police already have powers to stop it."

"Buffer zones introduce a blanket ban on all activity, including offering meaningful charitable help and support to women where they need it most," she contended.
Christs return will generate joy and sorrow

As surely as Jesus Christ walked on this planet, lived a sinless life, died a holy death, and rose from the dead on the third day, He will most definitely return to Earth just as He promised.

Jesus told his disciples:

In my Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:2-3).

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wisely observed,

The great doctrine of the second advent has in a sense fallen into disrepute because ofthis tendency on the part of some to be more interested in the how and the when of the second coming rather than in the fact of the second coming.

George Sweeting wrote,

Both the Old and New Testaments are full of promises about the return of Jesus Christ. Over 1,800 references appear in the Old Testamentand there are more than 300 references to the Lords return in the New Testament - one out of every thirty verses."

For the Lord himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

Believers in Jesus Christ have an eternal home in Paradise. (Luke 23:39-43)

Our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21).

Is it well with your soul today? Are you on the narrow road to Heaven or the wide road to Hell? (Matthew 7:13,14) These two destinations in eternity are extreme and never-ending. Therefore, the return of Jesus Christ to Earth is no laughing matter. Are you taking it seriously, or writing it off as if your soul is not immortal and the Lord is not going to hold you accountable for your sins?

The prophet Daniel wrote, Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2).

Albert Barnes was an American theologian and abolitionist who produced an extensive commentary on the Bible in the 1830s. He described the mood of his day:

People believe in the doctrine of future punishment. Otherwise, there is no reason why they should be alarmed at his coming. Surely people would not dread his appearing if they really believed that all will be saved.

In other words, many people who deliberately keep on sinning" experience only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God (Hebrews 10:27).

Scripture declares:

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. (Revelation 1:7)

Television cameras often allow us to witness intense grief in a courtroom when a defendant is found guilty, or when a convicted person is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Imagine the worldwide wailing when Jesus Christ returns! Those who rejected Him will suddenly become aware of their eternal sentence in Hell. This is why all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.

Will you come to Christ today and trust the Lord to wash away your sins with the blood he shed for you on the cross? Jesus will save your soul right now if you will repent and believe the good news (Mark 1:15).

Are you living each day as though Jesus died yesterday, arose today, and is coming back tomorrow? The return of Jesus Christ will shake this planet and its people to the core.

Therefore, Gods Word instructs believers:

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:2,4).

Believers joyfully await Christs return, whereas unbelievers are oblivious to what Christ accomplished on the cross. Some unbelievers live as though Heaven and Hell are make-believe, and as though Jesus Christ will not return to Earth like he promised.

In the final chapter of the Bible Jesus stated,

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done (Revelation 22:12).

You see, God always has the final word. Are you looking forward to Christs return? Or is your heart filled with dread at the thought of what currently awaits you throughout eternity?

Unless you receive the forgiveness of your sins through faith in Christ, you will be sentenced to eternal punishment in the prison known as Hell with no possibility of parole. Do you see why your soul matters so much to God, and why the Lord wants you to come to Heaven when your body dies? (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9)

David offered this expression of thanksgiving to God: You have made known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand (Psalm 16:11).

Everlasting pleasures, or never-ending torment and agony. (Luke 16:19-31) Which path are you on today? There are only two destinations when man's soul leaves his body at the moment of his death. And what about your family and friends? If you dont attempt to reach them with the Gospel, who will?

If Jesus returned to Earth today, would it make you joyful or sorrowful? Your sins can only be forgiven through faith in his blood (Romans 3:25) which was shed on the cross for you 2000 years ago. Come to Christ today as you turn away from sin and pray: Wash me Jesus with your precious blood."

Are you ready for Christs return? Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). Jesus said, God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Soldiers need to be strong? What about the war in the marketplace?

A Senate Committee recently proposed that the Army strengthen (no pun intended) the physical fitness standards for those who might face combat. According to Military.com, members of the Senates House Armed Services Committee voted to insert such requirements in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Adam Smith, D-Wash., who chairs the committee, argued against the amendment, saying that Army leaders should have direct control over standards for the force. "This basically takes away that flexibility in any regard," he said.

But what kind of flexibility was Smith wanting? According to the story, the amendment demands higher standards for combat roles, and forbids different requirements for men and women. I could say a lot about the fact that it is taken for granted that women should be in combat roles, but I will save that for another time.

What is interesting is that no one seems to expect people to actively try to exceed the physical standards, though it would be readily easy to do so. And no one expects them to surpass the requirements out of a sense of honor, or basic responsibility. No, everyone is expected to rot at their desk. Because the military population is not that far from the general American population and, in general, Americans celebrate physical activity and physical ability by watching it on a flat screen while consuming beer, pizza, and chips.

Obviously, people have many responsibilities. No one has a right to tell a stranger that he should neglect some other priority to strength train or develop their endurance. But it is pretty obvious, as reflected in the trouble recruiting fit soldiers, that Americans are generally overfed and undertrained.

But they dont have to be. For a great majority, they could change this relatively cheaply, and only by sacrificing their Netflix binge-watching.

There are sub-populations in the U. S. that live completely differently, and have different outcomes. I remember, a few years ago, reading about women and military pull-up requirements. Anyone who looked at YouTube could find plenty of examples of women who could perform multiple pull-ups. So what was the problem? For some reason, women who have decided to develop their strength are not attracted to the military in large enough numbers. Maybe those women realize the culture in the military is lower strength standards, and thats not a culture that they find attractive.

The godly wife in Proverbs 31 actually develops herself: She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. (vv 17, 25) The idea that we dont need much strength because we can function without it in normal life misses the point, much as large segments of our ruling class arent worried about our troops facing real combat. As Nassim Nicholas Taleb wrote in the forward to the Barbell Prescription: Strength Training for Life after Forty, you develop strength and endurance to face extremes, not normal stuff:

Just as systems learn from extremes, and for preparedness, calibrate themselves to withstand large shocks, so does the human body. Indeed, our body should be seen a risk management system meant to handle our environment, paying more attention to extremes than ordinary events, and learning from them. You will never get an idea of the strength of a bridge by driving several hundred cars on it, making sure they are all of different colors and makes, which would correspond to representative traffic. No, an engineer would subject it instead to a few multi-ton vehicles. You may not thus map all the risks, as heavy trucks will not show material fatigue, but you can get a solid picture of the overall safety. Likewise, to train pilots, we do not make them spend time on the tarmac flirting with flight attendants, then put the autopilot on and start daydreaming about vacations, thinking about mortgages or meditating about corporate airline intrigues  which represent about the bulk of the life of a pilot. We make pilots learn from storms, difficult landings, and intricate situations...

Thats why the wife who has made her arms strong can laugh at the times to come. She is prepared for tough times, including tough economic times.

If our society contained more members who used some of their free time to make themselves more capable and more productive, we would live in a society that was more capable of producing valuable soldiers, and much more. And while physical culture can, like anything else, become idolatrous and extreme, sloth is not the answer. We shouldnt be outsourcing our excitement for adventure to action movies.

Train yourself for godliness, wrote the Apostle Paul. (1 Timothy 4:8) And he elaborates: for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (v. 8) Yes, that demotes physical training to godliness. But it doesnt say that such training is useless or ill advised. And instead of distracting us from godliness, physical training might teach us that patience and discipline we need to pursue it.

In both cases, we are invited to be dissatisfied with our present selves and to become a better version of our selves, one that might help us avoid unnecessary medical costs and the largest medical cost of all: premature aging, and the inability to remain productive late into life.
Americans Believe Religious Freedom Declining, Ivana Trump Passes, Nigerian Bishop Calls For Action

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:51 07:51

More than half of all Americans say religious tolerance for Christians is on the decline, even as more than a third also believes Christians complain too much about how they are treated.



Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill that would have banned boys who identify as female from competing in girls' sports.



A pro-life researcher is skeptical about a recent Gallup poll that reportedly found an overall increase in support for legal abortion, citing problems with the demographic breakdown.



Nearly a month after an attack on a Catholic church in southwestern Nigeria, the number killed and the identity of the assailants remain unclear, though the church held a funeral service for over 40 victims.



A civil rights activist became the first African-American woman honored at the National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.



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Pregnancy center spent up to $150K to bolster security amid increasing vandalism, director says

A pro-life pregnancy center director testified before Congress this week that her clinic has spent up to $150,000 to improve security measures as similar pro-life clinics across the country have been vandalized.

Heidi Matzke, the executive director of Alternatives Pregnancy Center in Sacramento, California, spoke before the Senate Judiciary Committee during a Tuesday hearing titled "A Post-Roe America: The Legal Consequences of the Dobbs Decision."

"Pregnancy care centers from coast to coast are being targeted for violent assaults of vandalism and hateful attacks online and in the media," Matzke said. "Just last week, a man approached our care center with an armed machete. We have been forced to hire 24-hour on-site security. We've had to reinforce doors and bulletproof our walls."

"We've had to paint our building with anti-graffiti coating," she added. "We've added cameras, armed our staff with pepper spray, and stopped running our mobile clinic because of threats of violence."

Matzke contends that the measures have protected the center from at least two attacks.

"We've had to spend ... valuable resources for women of up to $150,000 just to protect ourselves," she said. "Why? Because we offer free care to women."

She still believes that her center's work is "worth the risk."

Security cameras captured the footage of the man who went to the center with a Machete on July 8. Matzke said she was not there at the time.

"By God's grace, our security guy came around the corner and saw him and they exchanged words and then he ran off," she told the Catholic News Agency. "Fortunately, no damage was done, and, at this point, everyone is safe."

In another incident, Matzke said a woman attempted to hijack the center's mobile clinic. However, she was stopped by on-site security.

"Our nurse was in the back serving a patient and our mobile clinic has to be on  and air conditioning running  in order to operate effectively," Matzke told CNA. "A woman basically tried to get in the front seat and take off with it."

The Alternatives Pregnancy Center provides more than $1 million in free medical and material assistance to women every year, according to Matzke. In addition to ultrasounds and community referrals, the center provides prenatal and gynecological care.

"We charge them nothing," she assured lawmakers. "That means we never financially benefit from any choice a woman makes. We make no profit of any kind off the women who turn to us for help. We offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and prenatal care up to 24 weeks. ... We test and treat sexually transmitted diseases. We offer abortion pill reversal services, abortion recovery counseling and parenting classes."

"If finances are a problem, we have diapers, wipes, baby formula, baby food, baby clothing, baby supplies," she continued. "If a woman needs a hotel room, we provide that as well. We pay for all of that."

Matzke said all the organization's services are provided by licensed medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and medical assistants.

"Our OB/GYN doctor was an abortionist," she said.

Even the local Planned Parenthood refers women to Matzke's center if a woman intends to keep her baby, the executive director claimed in her testimony.

Matzke said her organization helps women regardless of "who she is, where she comes from, or what her past is" because "life is a human right, and we need to protect that life."

"When a woman comes in so afraid what an unplanned pregnancy will mean for her life, her ambitions, her relationships, we do not urge her at that moment to make any decisions," Matzke told lawmakers. "Whether she chooses parenting, adoption or abortion, we will continue to be there for her for years if necessary."

Last month, the FBI announced it is investigating the recent attacks and vandalism of pro-life pregnancy centers as potential acts of domestic violence or extremism.

Many pregnancy centers throughout the country have been vandalized since a leaked draft opinion in May showing the Supreme Court was poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that made abortion a national right.The attacks continued after the court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe.

Clearway Clinic, a pro-life pregnancy center in Worcester, Massachusetts, posted on its blog on July 7 that it had been vandalized in the early morning hours.

According to the clinic, the vandals smashed two glass doors, three windows and spray-painted "Jane's Revenge" on the sidewalk in front of the facility.

Jane's Revenge is an abortion activist group that has claimed responsibility for multiple acts of vandalism against pro-life pregnancy centers and churches. The group took credit for the attack on the Clearway Clinic in a July 8 blog post on the anarchist website Abolition Media.

In a Facebook post from July 6, Birthright St. Paul in Minnesota announced that it had been vandalized with graffiti that read "Abort America" and "Blood on your hands."

Another Facebook post showed additional vandalism on the building, including spray-painted statements declaring "If abortions aren't safe, neither are you" and "Jesus loves abortion."

The Minnesota-based pregnancy center asked for donations to cover the cost of "the professional clean-up efforts of Birthright St. Paul's siding, brick, windows, door and signage due to vandals' destruction."

In her testimony, Matzke claimed that a "great deal of misinformation has been spread" about what pro-life pregnancy centers do.

"Our clinic is one of 3,000 pregnancy care centers across America," Matzke stressed. "Each year, hundreds of thousands come to our clinics looking for free medical care, emotional support and practical resources that will enable them to carry their pregnancies to term."
More than a pretty face: 7 reactions to the death of fmr. President Donald Trumps ex-wife Ivana Trump

Tributes praising her skills as a mother, businesswoman and socialite who was more than a pretty face, followed the sudden death of former President Donald Trumps first wife, Ivana Trump, at her home in New York City Thursday.

The New York City police who are still investigating the death of the 73-year-old Czech-American icon, suggest she might have fallen down the stairs at her townhouse on the Upper East Side, according to The New York Times.

Ivana Trump married the former president in 1977 and divorced him in 1990, partly due to his affair with actress Marla Maples, who later became his wife. Their union produced three children, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump.

While she was remembered for many things, Ivana Trump, who was considered a charming socialite, was credited by many for her role in transforming the former president into a real estate mogul.

Often described as detail-obsessed and a workaholic, she worked alongside her husband on several of his early signature projects, like the development of Trump Tower in Manhattan and the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, N.J., Clay Risen wrote for The New York Times. She was the vice president for interior design for his company, the Trump Organization, and managed one of his most prized properties, the Plaza Hotel, all while raising their three children.

Many from the Trump family circle have been publicly sharing condolences since Thursday, including former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany who noted on Twitter: My family and I send all of our love and prayers to President Trump @IvankaTrump@DonaldJTrumpJr@EricTrump and the entire Trump family for the loss of Ivana Trump. Thinking of you all during this very difficult time.

Here are seven more reactions to the passing of Ivana Trump.

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Flight attendant fired for pro-life activism receives $5.1M in damages Flight attendant fired after criticizing union's support for Women's March receives $5.1M in damages

A flight attendant who alleges she was fired from her position due to her vocal religious opposition to abortion and union dues being used to support abortion-related causes has won a $5.1 million federal lawsuit against her former employer and union.

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation announced in a statement Thursday that Charlene Carter, a pro-life Christian who formerly worked as a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines, prevailed in her religious discrimination lawsuit with the airline and the Transportation Workers Union of America.

Carter will receive $5.1 million in combined compensatory and punitive damages against TWU and Southwest as a jury deemed that both organizations played a role in an unlawful termination.

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, which describes itself as "a nonprofit, charitable organization" working to "eliminate coercive union power and compulsory unionism," provided Carter with free legal representation.

"This long overdue verdict vindicates Ms. Carter's fundamental right to dissent from the causes and ideas that TWU union officials  who claim to 'represent' Southwest flight attendants  support while forcing workers to bankroll their activities," said National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix.

"No American worker should have to fear termination, intimidation, or any other reprisal merely for speaking out against having their own money spent, purportedly in their name, to promote an agenda they find abhorrent."

The verdict from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas comes nearly five years after Carter filed a lawsuit against the TWU of America and Southwest Airlines following her termination after more than 20 years of service.

While Carter joined the Transport Union Workers of America's Local 556 union in September 1996, she resigned her membership in September 2013 upon discovering that her union dues were funding causes that contradicted her religious beliefs as a pro-life Christian.

However, Carter was still forced to pay union dues even though she did not belong to the union because the airline and railway employees are subject to the federal Railway Labor Act requirements.

The Railway Labor Act supersedes state-level Right to Work laws that prevent employees from having to pay union fees as a condition of employment and permits the termination of employees for refusal to pay union dues or fees.

At the same time, the Railway Labor Act allows employees to refrain from joining a union, criticize union leadership and lobby for a change in the union leadership.

In the time between her 2013 withdrawal from the union and her termination, Carter repeatedly shared her concerns about Local 556's political stances with union leadership.

In January 2017, Carter learned that union dues were probably used to attend the "Women's March on Washington DC," which advocated for legal abortion and funding for America's largest abortion provider Planned Parenthood. Abortion and the funding of the practice stand in direct contradiction to Carter's religious beliefs.

Carter made clear her opposition to using union dues to support the Women's March in several Facebook groups for Southwest flight attendants and in a message to Local 556 President Audrey Stone.

When Carter sent another email to Stone expressing support for a National Right to Work bill, Carter was ordered to attend a meeting with Southwest leadership to discuss "Facebook postings they had seen."

In those posts, Carter expressed her pro-life beliefs. The lawsuit claims that superiors at Southwest characterized her social media postings as a form of harassment and fired her for violating the company's "Workplace Bullying and Hazing Policy" and its "Social Media Policy" by posting content deemed "highly offensive in nature."

In May, a federal judge rejected the attempt from Southwest and the Transportation Union Workers of America to dismiss the lawsuit. The organizations argued that Carter did not have a "private right of action" to enforce her rights under the Railway Labor Act and characterized her case as a "minor" dispute that the district court did not have jurisdiction over.

"Even with this basic right under the Railway Labor Act successfully defended, however, TWU union officials still enjoy the enormous government-granted privilege of being able to force airline workers to financially subsidize their activities as a condition of employment," Mix added. "While we're proud to stand with Ms. Carter and are pleased by the verdict, there ultimately should be no place in American labor law for compelling workers to fund a private organization that violates their core beliefs."
Preferred pronouns and more: What I saw at teachers union convention

As a teacher, I attended the National Education Association convention in early July, and my worst fears were confirmed.

Public schools are no longer a safe place for families who hold traditional values or for families who believe gender (as in male/female binary) is biologically determined.

It was also evident that the teachers union is a lobbying arm of the Democratic Party.

The NEA seems to think there are many gender options, and thats why teachers and students must always address themselves with their preferred pronouns. It thinks this pronoun practice is essential and will create a more inclusive society.

That was demonstrated firsthand when each state delegate who spoke during the three-day convention from July 4 to 6 was encouraged to state his or her name and preferred pronouns before addressing the assembly.

Pronouns I heard were he, she, they  and hex. One delegate even announced they had a uterus before addressing the assembly, apparently because that was something we all needed to know.

In the teachers unions preamble, it says, NEA is to be the national voice for education managed by and for the public good, to advance the cause for ALL individuals.

However, as I read the 70 new business items and 40 amendments of bylaws, legislation, and resolutions, and listened to the platform speeches, it was obvious the NEA only represents those who hold the same ideologies and radical leftist political views.

From what I observed, the NEAs goal is for public education to be a training ground for political activism while demonizing anyone  including students and their families  who does not share those same political and sociological beliefs.

The NEA does not want public education to be a neutral ground in developing critical thinkers with an emphasis on academic achievement.

Its priorities were apparent, because of the 110 motions discussed and voted on, only four remotely addressed student academic achievement. Those four dealt with student financial literacy and resources for English learners and language acquisition.

Nearly half of the motions dealt with identity politics, social justice, and ways to promote the goals of the Democratic Party.

Some examples: broad-brushing police as biased and corrupt; mocking the Second Amendment as a societal harm; fighting for preferential treatment for any and all groups considered marginalized, especially nonconforming genders and infinite sexual identities; fighting misinformation in the media (that is, any media outlets that do not agree with their views); increasing abortion rights; adding seats to the Supreme Court; and advocating for more queer representation on school boards.

Some other outlier items addressed environmental issues, hiring illegal immigrants as teachers, funding research concerning autism as it relates to gender identity, and funding global feeding programs.

Close to 40% of the motions were related to protecting teachers jobs and increasing their benefits and their right to be social justice cadres.

Although the NEA says it fights for nondiscrimination and civil rights, the only state delegates able to attend the Chicago event in person were those fully vaccinated. Any teachers who didnt have vaccination cards could only attend virtually, regardless of whether they tested negative for COVID-19 or their reasons for not getting the shots.

The vaccinated delegates, who attended in person, had all expenses paid by their union local, while unvaccinated teachers were excluded and stigmatized as a harm to attendees. For a group that screams my body, my choice, the double standard is appalling.

On a positive note, the NEA voted down a new business item trying to mandate that all teachers in the nation be vaccinated. It lost, with 84% of the vote opposing.

Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the gathering on July 5 and repeatedly called Republican leaders in Washington extremists. The NEAs executive director, Kim Anderson, said, The Supreme Court has removed the right to marry someone of a different race. (Thats flat-out false.)

She went on to say, This Supreme Court and a significant number of radicalized elected officials have walked away from freedom for all for an extreme discriminatory, exclusionary, misogynist, homophobic, out of touch, racist, cruel, corrupt ideology!

Shortly after Andersons remarks, I spoke up during a debate opposing a new business item to create a smear list of organizations seeking to dismantle public education due to diminishing freedoms of sexual and gender identities and honest education (a smokescreen for critical race theory).



This was my virtual statement:

I, Brenda Lebsack, oppose [new business item] 15. NEA says they strive for a safe school climate for all, yet forget that, according to the 2021 Pew Research, 56% of Americans believe gender is based on biological reality. NEA does not believe this. NEA believes that a child can choose their gender based on their feelings and that there are infinite options and pronouns. How can public schools be a safe place for all students, when NEA leaders demonize over half of the families represented in our public schools? If NEA creates a fact sheet of the organizations dismantling public education, please include NEA on that list. As founder of the Interfaith Statewide Coalition and a teacher in California, I can tell you that many orthodox Muslims, Jews, Catholics, and Christians no longer feel public schools are a safe place. Your social justice goals to assault family cultures that do not match your own, and to use public education to propagate extremist views, is wrong. This is an abuse of power. Thats why I, as a teacher, support parent rights and school choice.

I was tempted to state my preferred pronouns as Com, U, and Nism, but I resisted the urge to do so.

In conclusion, with respect to almost everything the NEA accuses others of doing, it is one of the biggest offenders.

America is in desperate need of educational reform because this powerful union, the National Education Association, has a delusional messiah complex and is using teachers and students as its political pawns.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
What the start of true saving faith looks like

In January 1907, a great revival broke out at a Bible conference being held in Pyongyang Korea. An American missionary named William Blair who was present at the meeting describes the aftermath this way:

The Christians returned to their homes, taking the Pentecostal fire with them. It spread to practically every church. Schools canceled classes for days while students wept out their wrong doings together. We had our hearts torn again and again by the return of little articles and money that had been taken from us over the years. All through the city people were going from house to house, confessing wrongs, returning stolen property, not only to Christians but to non-believers. A Chinese merchant was astounded to have a Christian walk in and pay him a large sum of money he had obtained unjustly years before. The whole city was stirred. The cry went out over the city...

If youre like a lot of Christians, theres been a time in your life when you wondered if you were really saved or not. Maybe that time is right now.

Although true saving faith is multi-faceted, theres one indisputable element present thats foundational and its a word you dont hear much these days: repentance. Keep reading and see if its happened to you.

Turn, turn, turn

Question 87 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism does a good job at succinctly defining real repentance. It says:

"What is repentance unto life?



Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience."

Nowhere in Scripture is there a better picture of this than in Luke 13 where the Gospel writer contrasts the prideful works-based spirit of a Pharisee with that of true repentance shown in an always-despised tax collector: But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me, the sinner! And what does Jesus say about the end result of that repentance? I tell you, this man went to his house justified (Luke 18:13-14).

The word repent is found 73 times in Scripture and repentance 25 times. The Hebrew term simply means to be genuinely sorry for a persons actions while the Greek word conveys the idea of changing ones mind.

The outcome is always action-based, which is why John the Baptist followed up his declarations of repentance with, Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance (Luke 3:8).

You see it chronicled in William Blairs Korean revival account and the story of Zaccheus, which we all know: Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much. As with the tax collector account, real salvation follows: And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house (Luke 19:8-9).

Inexplicably, repentance today is oftentimes detached from the Gospel message of salvation. This fact was noted back in a 1937 book by Dr. Harry Ironside entitled, Except Ye Repent. In it, Ironside states: The doctrine of repentance is the missing note in many otherwise orthodox and fundamentally sound circles today. There are professed preachers of grace who, like the antinomians of old decry the necessity of repentance lest it seemed to invalidate the freedoms of grace.

Thats too bad because the call to repentance is found everywhere in the New Testament and is at the starting line of saving faith. It was the hallmark of John the Baptists teaching as well as Jesus; for example, we see Christ telling the crowds: Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:3-5).

We read about Peters first Gospel address where he says to those listening, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). In his second letter, Peter tells his readers that, The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).

Why is repentance overlooked today? A good answer comes from J. I. Packer who wrote: The repentance that Christ requires of His people consists in a settled refusal to set any limit to the claims which He may make on their lives.

Ouch. If youre like me, maybe that stings just a little and causes you to reflect on the still sinful areas of your life you havent turned away from or perhaps drifted back into.

One things for sure  theres good biblical evidence that the start of real saving faith is repentance. Is it something youve experienced?
Archie Battersbee can be removed from life support over parents' objections, judge rules

The parents of 12-year-old Archie Battersbee are again seeking permission to appeal after a high court judge ruled Friday that a London hospital can remove the boy's life support against the parents' wishes.

In a judgment handed down in the High Court of Justice Family Division, Justice Anthony Hayden ruled that it is in the child's "best interests" for the life support to be removed. The boy was found unconscious with a ligature around his neck on April 7 and suffered a "catastrophic hypoxic ischaemic brain injury."

Archie's parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, appeared in court Monday after being granted permission to appeal an initial ruling last month to allow the hospital to discontinue his care.

"Where, as here, the treatment is futile, it compromises Archie's dignity, deprives him of his autonomy, and becomes wholly inimical to his welfare," Hayden wrote in his ruling. "It serves only to protract his death, whilst being unable to prolong his life."

"Having come to this conclusion, there emerges the prospect of an end to Archie's life, which reverberates more closely with the way he lived in the past."

Hayden wrote that "arrangements" can be made that will afford Battersbee the opportunity "to die in peaceful circumstances and in the embrace of the family he loved."

According to a Friday statement from the Christian Legal Centre, which is representing the family, the parents are seeking permission to appeal.

"This ruling is a crushing blow to Archie and his family. With all due respect to Mr. Justice Hayden, it is not in Archie's best interests to die," Battersbee's mother said in a statement following the ruling.

Dance contends that "planned death" is another name for euthanasia.

"The 'planned' removal of the ventilator is definitely the worst thing that may happen from my point of view. I cannot see how this is in any way dignified," Dance asserted.

"We disagree with the idea of dignity in death. Enforcing it on us and hastening his death for that purpose is profoundly cruel," she continued. "It is for God to decide what should happen to Archie, including if, when and how he should die."

The mother said she "cannot betray" her son as long as he is "fighting for his life."

During her testimony, Dance said she once spoke with her son about whether he would want life support removed if he were ever in such a situation. Battersbee reportedly said he wouldn't care if he was on life support as long as he was with his mother.

When asked by Hayden if his son would want his care to continue, Paul Battersbee testified that his son is a "proper mummies boy, and he would not want to leave her."

In her witness statement, Dance said that a do-not-resuscitate order has been placed on her son without the family's consent.

CLC Chief Executive Andrea Williams called the ruling another "devastating blow" and argues that Battersebee's case proves that "systematic reform is needed to protect the vulnerable and their families in end-of-life matters."

In a separate decision handed down in the Family Division of the High Court last month, Justice Emma Arbuthnot ruled that medical professionals at Royal London Hospital could remove Archie Battersbee's life support.

Arbuthnot wrote that Battersbee is likely dead "on the balance of probabilities." She permitted the parents to appeal the decision.

"It is clear from the anxious and careful scrutiny of all the evidence including from clinicians with different specialisms from five separate hospitals that tragically on the balance of probabilities, Archie is dead," her opinion reads.

The judge gave "permission to the medical professionals at the Royal London Hospital (1) to cease to ventilate mechanically Archie Battersbee; (2) to extubate Archie Battersbee; (3) to cease the administration of medication to Archie Battersbee and (4) not to attempt any cardio or pulmonary resuscitation on Archie Battersbee when cardiac output ceases or respiratory effort ceases."
'Entire diocese shattered': Nigerian bishop calls on world to act after Pentecost Sunday massacre

Just weeks after an attack on a Catholic church in southwestern Nigeria on Pentecost Sunday left dozens dead and injured many more, the diocese's bishop is urging the international community to speak out against the killing of Christians in his country.

Bishop Jude Arogundade of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ondo spoke with The Christian Post on the sidelines of the International Religious Freedom Summit held in Washington, D.C., late last month. He discussed the June 5 bomb-and-gun attack at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo. Around 40 people were killed, with some reports suggesting up to 80 were injured.

Arogundade hopes his presence at the annual conference "put out there for the whole world to see" what happened to his diocese and what is taking place in other parts of Nigeria.

He said that on Pentecost Sunday, "some terrorists came to St. Francis Church and opened fire on worshipers." The massacre "left the entire community broken" and the "entire diocese shattered," the bishop said.

In the weeks that followed, Arogundade said the diocese has tried to determine why anyone would "attack us for no reason" and also provided support to injured people and families who've lost loved ones.

He said one woman had two legs amputated because of injuries she sustained in the bomb blast and will need "long-term care."

Arogundade also spoke of children who "lost their father some years back" whose mother died in the attack, leaving them orphaned.

"We've done everything to raise money here and there, to provide them the education they need," the bishop added.

The diocese is also working to prepare the churches with cameras to prevent future "episodes."

"[We're] trying to educate our people on security matters in our diocese," he stated.

According to Arogundade, the southwestern portion of Nigeria where the diocese is located "is really a stable part of Nigeria" and has "never had this kind of incident before."

"We're so shocked and surprised that anyone would come from far away  to attack us," Arogundade told CP.

He praised the response of the Ondo state government, noting that "the governor has been very, very gracious and very, very supportive."

However, he claims the federal government's response to the attack is "lousy" and similar to its response to the frequent attacks against Christians in other parts of Nigeria. Arogundade claims the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has elected to "just look away, playing dumb."

In recent years, thousands have been killed by violence in the country's Middle Belt states as radicalized Fulani herders have been known to carry out attacks against predominantly Christian farming communities. In the country's northeast, Islamic extremist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have killed thousands and displaced millions.

Human rights advocates have argued for years that violence against Christians in Nigeria has reached the standard for "genocide." However, the Nigerian government maintains that religion is not a factor and has written off the violence in the Middle Belt states as decades-old farmer-herder clashes.

Arogundade characterizes the attacks against Christians in Nigeria as "ethnoreligious." He believes that what's happened in Nigeria "has gotten to that level of genocide."

He called for an "outcry from all decent people of the world so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice."

Arogundade criticized the U.S. State Department's removal of Nigeria from its list of countries of particular concern for tolerating or engaging in egregious violations of religious freedom last November. Nigeria was added to the list in 2020 by the Trump State Department after years of outcry from Nigerian Christians and rights activists.

In removing Nigeria as a CPC, the State Department ignored the recommendation of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent panel tasked by Congress to advise the federal government on religious freedom matters.

"Whoever did it must have acted out of ignorance, lack of understanding of what is going on," Arogundade said. "Every day, there are attacks here and there all over Nigeria, except for the southwest that has been very stable for some years now."

The religious leader called on U.S. leaders to disclose why Nigeria was removed from the list of CPCs and "make [a] pronouncement to stop the killing."

"That would be a kind of general understanding that America is complicit in whatever is going on to protect lives and properties of innocent Nigerian Christians" whose "only crime is that they believe in God" and "believe in Jesus Christ," Arogundade said.

"I just want the whole world to see and to hear and to know our story. We need to ask a question from the leadership of Nigeria why they are not protecting us, why they are not taking proactive actions to protect law-abiding citizens of the nation."

In releasing its annual international religious freedom report last month, the U.S. State Department acknowledged that "pervasive violence involving predominantly Muslim herders and mostly Christian, but also Muslim, farmers, particularly in the North Central, but also in the North West (where most farmers were Muslim) and South West regions."

Data from the Nigeria security tracker maintained by the Council on Foreign Relations suggests that an estimated 10,399 deaths occurred from conflict in 2021. The council estimated that 1,112 deaths "resulted from violence among ethnic groups, herdsmen, and farmers, some of which had implications for religion and religious freedom, according to multiple observers or, in the words of the council, 'sometimes acquires religious overtones.'"

While predominantly Muslim Fulani radicals are often blamed for attacks on farming communities, the State Department maintained that attacks were also perpetrated by "armed criminal groups of various ethnicities."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken "raised religious freedom issues with government officials in a visit in November, as did embassy and consulate general officials throughout the year," according to the State Department annual report.

Arogundade pleaded for stronger action from the international community.

"There are so many questions to be asked, and I see that in asking those questions, the world will be able to compel the leadership of Nigeria to give answers to those questions," he believes.

He rejected the idea that much of the violence unfolding in Nigeria results from conflicts between farmers and herders.

"I am very careful to say it's not a conflict between farmers and herders. No, it is an attack from the herders," he insisted.

"Farmers have never attacked anybody. It is the herder that goes around with the herd to devastate people's farms and destroy the livelihood of the people. [The] government has allowed this for too long to continue to happen."

The bishop reiterated his belief that herders "attacking the locals and taking over their properties and their farms" constitutes a form of "ethnic cleansing." He concluded that "they also attack churches in order to impose their Islamic religion."
Calling all Harry Styles fans: Texas State is planning to offer the world's first-ever course on the work of the pop superstar next spring. There's just one caveat: the university's honors college students get first dibs.

Associate Professor of Digital History Louie Dean Valencia announced the course, dubbed "Harry Styles and the Cult of Celebrity: Identity, the Internet, and European Pop Culture," on Twitter Saturday and news of it quickly spread among "Stylers" on social media. The class will first be offered in Spring 2023 on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m.

The class is also open to non-honors students, Valencia said on Twitter, however those being considered will "just need to show an 'outstanding talent in an area of interest.'"

In an interview with Sh-t You Should Care About, Valencia said he was inspired to create the course because he's always been a big One Direction and Harry Styles fan, adding that they helped get him through grad school in New York.

"I've been to several 1D shows and four shows since he's been solo (with many more to come)," Valencia said. "Whilst doing concurrent research on the history of HIV/AIDS in Europe, this summer I've visited his hometown, an exhibition feature his fashion in London, and have seen him in Manchester and Paris. I will be seeing him in concert again next week in Madrid."

Valencia said his class proposal was 23 pages long and was scrutinized by a panel of Texas State professors before it was approved by the university. The course will offer historical context for how the world has changed during the past 12 years, "starting with Harry's first introduction to the world stage," Valencia said. However, it will also, through the lens of Styles, detail how students "can learn from him and his art, activism, and philosophy, like any great artist," as well as focus on fashion, fan culture, internet culture and consumerism.

Students will study Styles' music and films, as well as read novels from a selection of his favorite authors, including Haruki Murakami, Bethan Roberts, and Susan Sontag. They'll "also learn more about the things he is passionate about. So thinking about issues of sexism, queerphobia, racism, gun control, and a slew of other topics," Valencia said on TikTok Monday. Each will also be responsible for creating and developing a podcast series.

During his TikTok, Valencia said the class "isn't about [Styles'] personal life, it's not about anything that is not publicly made about him," he explained, but rather the class is intended to be a way for students to learn about the world that we live in. "Really the idea of the class is that we're going to learn about the things that he puts out there and through that lens learn more about both his music, his artistry and also hopefully, a little bit about ourselves," Valencia said.

Fans took to social media to rejoice about the news, one commenting on Instagram, "The only good news coming out of Texas right now." Another wrote: "EXCUSE ME WHY AM I NOT ATTENDING THESE SCHOOLS."

Others were skeptical about the purpose of the class, one writing: "Genuinely asking....why is fandom important enough to make it a class?"
The board that administers the Pulitzer Prizes rejected former president Donald Trump's request to rescind the 2018 prizes awarded to The Washington Post and the New York Times for their reporting about his campaign and administration's connections to Russia election interference.

Trump challenged the awards on three occasions, including last year, arguing that the articles were based on "false reporting of a non-existent link between the Kremlin and the Trump Campaign." He called the stories "no more than a politically motivated farce which attempted to spin a false narrative that my campaign supposedly colluded with Russia despite a complete lack of evidence underpinning this allegation."

The Pulitzer board rejected that claim on Monday after undertaking the journalistic equivalent of a state election recount. In an unusual move, it authorized two independent reviews of the articles submitted by the newspapers - and essentially recertified the results.

"The separate reviews converged in their conclusions: that no passages or headlines, contentions or assertions in any of the winning submissions were discredited by facts that emerged subsequent to the conferral of the prizes," it said in a statement.

Trump has long chafed at any suggestion that his electoral victory in 2016 was aided by the Russian government or that his campaign had acted in concert with Russian operatives seeking his election over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. He called investigative efforts - including by special counsel Robert Mueller - a "witch hunt" and decried the focus on "Russia, Russia, Russia."

Teams of reporters at The Post and the Times produced substantial evidence of connections in the 10 prizewinning articles that each submitted for Pulitzer consideration.

The Post, for example, first reported on the Justice Department's concerns that Trump's incoming national security adviser, Michael Flynn, had lied to Vice President-elect Mike Pence about details of his communications with Russia's ambassador, making him potentially vulnerable to Russian blackmail. The Times, meanwhile, broke the news that Donald Trump Jr. had agreed to a meeting with a Kremlin-connected Russian lawyer he believed would offer compromising information about Clinton and that the material was part of a Russian government effort to aid his father's candidacy.

Former Post editor Martin Baron, who supervised The Post's 2017 reporting, said Monday the Pulitzer board made "the right decision and the only logical one. Anyone who researched this Pulitzer submission knew these stories stood up, were correct and accurate and well reported. There was no reason for a reversal."

The Times had no comment.

In a letter to the Pulitzer board last fall, Donald Trump pointed to the indictment of an attorney who worked on Clinton's campaign by special counsel John Durham as evidence for stripping the prizes from the Times and The Post.

Durham has alleged that attorney Michael Sussmann lied to the FBI when he told the agency in September 2016 about a possible link between the Trump campaign and Alfa Bank, a Russian financial institution with ties to the Kremlin. Trump said the Sussmann indictment "serves as a damning repudiation of the media's obsession with the collusion story."

Sussmann was acquitted of a single count of lying to the FBI in May.

The former president also complained about the unnamed sources featured in the Times and Post stories, specifically pointing to articles that credited "people with knowledge," "current and former officials" and others he described as "vaguely defined individuals."

Trump noted that the Pulitzer board had praised the newspapers for "deeply sourced, relentlessly reported coverage in the public interest that dramatically furthered the nations' understanding of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its connections to the Trump campaign, the President-elect's transition team, and his eventual administration."

He wrote to the board in protest: "I would expect that you will take the necessary steps to rectify the situation, including stripping the recipients of their prize and retracting the false statements which remain on the Pulitzer website. Without holding the recipients to such a high standard of accountability, the integrity of the Pulitzer Prize namesake stands to be wholly compromised."

In a brief interview, Pulitzer administrator Marjorie Miller declined to discuss details of the board's review, including the identity of the individuals involved in reviewing the articles.

One of Trump's lawyers, Alina Habba, wrote to the Pulitzer's interim administrator in November to demand that the board preserve "evidence" involved with the 2018 prize - language that often precedes a lawsuit. Thus far, however, Trump hasn't sued over the prize decision.
luoman/Getty Images

As many travelers this year may attest, flying from one airport to another without delay or incident is far from a given in 2022.

Staff shortages, overflowing members' lounges and mass cancelations have become the norm as COVID-19 restrictions wane and travelers return to the skies, and one airport seeming to struggle particularly with the influx of passengers is London's Heathrow Airport.
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GREENWOOD, Ind. (AP)  Three people were fatally shot and two were injured Sunday evening at an Indiana mall after a man with a rifle opened fire in a food court and an armed civilian shot and killed him, police said.

The man entered the Greenwood Park Mall with a rifle and several magazines of ammunition and began firing in the food court, Greenwood Police Department Chief Jim Ison said.

A 22-year-old from nearby Bartholomew County who was legally carrying a firearm at the mall shot and killed the gunman, Ison said at a news conference.

Four of those hit by gunfire were females and one was a male, Ison said. He didn't immediately know the specific gender or age of those who were killed.

He said a 12-year-old girl was among the two injured, both of whom are in stable condition.

Police confiscated a suspicious backpack that was in a bathroom near the food court, Ison said.

Officers went to the mall at about 6 p.m. for reports of the shooting.

The real hero of the day is the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in that food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began," Ison said.

The mass shooting was just the latest to unnerve Americans in 2022. Schools, churches, grocery stores and a July Fourth parade in Highland Park, Illinois, have all become killing grounds in recent months. Still, the reality of Americas staggering murder rate can often be seen more clearly in individual deaths that rarely make the news.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police and multiple other agencies are assisting in the investigation.

We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, Indianapolis Assistant Chief of Police Chris Bailey said.

There was no threat to the area Sunday night, authorities said.

Greenwood is a south suburb of Indianapolis with a population of about 60,000. Mayor Mark Myers asked for prayers to the victims and our first responders.

This tragedy hits at the core of our community, Myers said in a statement.

Authorities said they would provide more details Monday.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Gotabaya Rajapaksa has left the building, one joyous Sri Lankan wrote on Twitter after the country's president resigned in absentia Thursday. The island nation's extreme economic distress and political chaos had triggered huge protests calling on "Gota" to quit, and while his sudden departure brought an end to those demonstrations, it left the government in the hands of an unpopular acting leader and most people deeply worried about what comes next.

The signs of crisis are visible throughout the capital. Its streets are largely empty except for endless lines for fuel. Schools and offices remain closed. Power cuts are keeping traffic lights dark. Spiraling inflation - with the cost of vegetables such as onion and potatoes having doubled in less than a year - means that millions of people need food assistance.

Over the past decade, Sri Lanka had emerged as a South Asian success story. Then it quickly collapsed. The fears and even despair of many men and women are echoed in the experiences of four Sri Lankans who talked to The Washington Post in recent days. The conversations have been edited lightly for clarity and conciseness.

- - -

- Imthiyaz Abubakr, 58, tuk-tuk driver

For 25 years, Abubakr has zipped around the streets of Colombo in his tuk-tuk - a bright blue autorickshaw - working hard to build a home for his family and educate his three children. He now spends his days waiting to buy gas. On Friday, he was No. 146 in a service station line more than a mile long.

- - -

"Today is my fifth day in this queue. I don't know how many more days it will take. There are more than 500 tuk-tuks in the line, 300 bikes and around 400 cars, but since yesterday, no fuel supply has arrived at this gas station. There is no way to leave the queue because I have no fuel. I have to keep waiting.

"When it's suffocatingly hot, I take out my back seat and sleep on the pavement. But the mosquitoes make it impossible to rest. I never thought that at this age I would be sleeping on pavements, away from my family. I go to a nearby mosque to use the washroom. Yesterday, I asked a fellow driver in the queue to look after my vehicle so I could go home for one night. I was stinking. I needed a shower.

"How can anyone not be angry? We were not well-off [before Sri Lanka's economic crisis], but life was comfortable and there was peace of mind. I worked hard and earned enough to provide three square meals to my family. We used to eat chicken often. Now all we can manage is rice and coconut sambol [a local condiment of chile, onion and grated coconut]. The price of rice and vegetables has skyrocketed. I have been surviving on tea and egg sandwiches from a cheap canteen nearby.

"The last few years have been difficult. First there was covid, then Gota and his family robbed the country. That is why there is no money left.

"I don't know what else to do; I have to ensure my children have a future. If someone offered me a job abroad, I would go. I never wanted to leave, but there is no point now in living here.

"I have lost all hope."

- - -

- Sanjana Mudalige, 39, former retail worker

A single woman living alone, Mudalige loved her job at one of Colombo's largest malls - helping people shopfor clothes.She would dress up every day, put on makeup and on her break from work enjoy a meal of nasi goreng at the food court. Such meals are only memories these days.

- - -

"I pawned my first piece of jewelry - a gold bangle - when prices began to rise in January. I did not know that things would unravel so quickly. I have since pawned jewelry worth $700, which I had purchased by saving bit by bit over the years. I don't think I will ever be able to get them back.

"In May, my salary was slashed in half. The commissions I used to make on sales had crashed as there were no tourists. As transport became expensive [because of fuel price hikes], I ultimately quit the job because travel cost more than my salary.

"Every aspect of life has been affected. Cooking gas became scarce. When I could not find gas for days, I began to use firewood and kerosene. It's very tedious to collect wood from outside and hack it into pieces. There is a lot of smoke, and it makes me cough. Now even kerosene is in short supply. I have half a bottle left.

"I eat a quarter of what I used to eat. Right now, all I have left is half a plate of boiled rice, a little tea and one packet of biscuits. I go to the protests to get food to eat. The crisis has forced me to become a beggar.

"No one has asked me in all these days how I am doing. You're the first. I pray to Lord Buddha to send me a savior. I have given my passport to an employment agency to look for a job abroad.

"The Rajapaksa family is responsible for this. They did not care for the people. I went to see the president and prime minister's homes, and I was amazed to see their grandness. Did they never think of the inequalities when they lived in such luxury?

"Gotabaya would not have left without the uprising. We want a new face. But there doesn't seem to be any alternative. The political parties all have the same ideas.

"I cry to sleep most nights. The difference between my life then and now is like the distance between the sky and the earth."

- Manodya Jayarathne, 23, student protester

A software engineering student, Jayarathne first pushed for Rajapaksa's ouster in his hometown of Kurunegala. He left for the capital this spring and began running a radio channel for the "Gota Go Home" movement, setting up in a tent amid a sprawling protest site across from the presidential office.

- - -

"Last year in August, when I saw a huge queue for cooking gas in my hometown, I told my father that if people came on the streets to protest, I will join them.

"It happened in April. I got on top of a clock tower and addressed the gathering on why we needed to protest. I thrust myself into organizing. We received a lot of pressure from the local police to shut it down and were threatened with legal action. I told them that it was people organizing themselves.

"My mother was frightened and asked me to step back. The turning point for me was an encounter with an elderly lady. She had come for a food camp we had set up. She asked, "Aren't you going to chase these people out? Take these people down." That is when I decided to come to Colombo.

"We set up the radio channel to communicate directly with the people. We gave a call to gather on July 9, to mark two months [since an attack on protesters by Rajapaksa supporters]. We never expected the crowd that turned out. There was barely any space to move.

"I was doing a Facebook Live near the presidential office when the police tear-gassed the crowd. There was no plan to storm any building; the police action propelled the public.

"We quickly organized ourselves at all the buildings. We gave tours to the public, cleaned up things, locked up parts to stop looting and vandalism. At the president's house, behind a bookshelf, we found a hidden staircase leading to a bunker. All the bathrooms were air-conditioned. I have seen these things only in films. One day I slept in the master bedroom.

"I am impacted by the crisis, just like everyone else. I am unable to live my life the way I would like. My mother, a government nurse, has seen a salary cut, and my father discontinued his jewelry business as no one has money.

"I know the situation will not improve immediately. We brought in change, and we will continue to act as a pressure group against policies detrimental to the poor. I will stay to rebuild the country."

- Harini Amarasuriya, 52, member of Parliament

Amarasuriya is one of the few women in Sri Lanka's male-dominated politics, a former academic who in 2020 was nominated to the Parliament by a coalition of left-leaning parties. She has thrown herself into organizing public meetings to open up the discussion about the country's path forward.

- - -

"I've heard so many stories of people going hungry. As a member of Parliament, you're supposed to have power, but in real terms I have been able to do very little. I can mobilize some things, but that's a drop in the ocean when you think about the number of people who need help.

"I've had problems with transportation. I've had problems with cooking gas. I have an 83-year-old mother who recently had a fall. What do I do in an emergency? That's been very stressful. But I still eat three meals a day. My [problems] are absolutely mild compared to what many others have to go through.

"I joined politics because I believe in the broader struggle for social justice. I have this conviction that the country can be fixed. What it requires is a bunch of people who put the country before themselves.

"I was [at the protest] on July 9 with some colleagues. As a party we made a choice that we had to be there.

"When the protesters stormed the presidential house, I was like "wow." In that moment, it was owned by the people. Something really touched me watching the video of a scraggly man on the treadmill and a photograph of an old lady sitting on a grand chair grinning from ear to ear.

"The politics in Sri Lanka are so removed from the lives of ordinary citizens. The Rajapaksas' politics were about corruption, about facilitating an oligarchy consisting of senior military, business, media, politicians and religious leaders. There was a group that extracted wealth from the country and held power.

"The consequences have been huge inequalities, rural poverty, a very precarious kind of economic structure and the complete collapse of social protection sectors.

"There is no easy way out. The Parliament no longer has a mandate. We need a fresh election."

- - -

The Washington Post's Hafeel Farisz contributed reporting.
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  As Russia kept up its relentless shelling across the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expanded the shakeup of his security services on Monday by suspending 28 more officials, a day after he dismissed two senior officials over allegations that their agencies harbored collaborators and traitors.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said a personnel audit of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was underway, and the dismissal of the 28 officials was being decided.

Different levels, different areas of focus. But the reasons are similar  unsatisfactory results of work, Zelenskyy said.

On Sunday, he had fired SBU chief Ivan Bakanov and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova. Zelenskyy, citing hundreds of criminal proceedings into treason and collaboration by people within their departments and other law enforcement agencies.

Six months into the war, we continue to uncover loads of these people in each of these agencies," said Andriy Smirnov, deputy head of Ukraines presidential office.

Analysts said the moves are designed to strengthen Zelenskyy's control over the army and security agencies, which have been led by people appointed before the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24.

In the conditions of a war, Zelenskyy needs leaders that are capable of tackling several tasks at the same time -- to resist Russias intrigues within the country to create a fifth column, to be in contact and coordination with international experts, to do their actual job effectively, Volodymyr Fesenko, a political analyst with the Penta Center think tank, told The Associated Press.

Bakanov is a childhood friend and former business partner of Zelenskyy, who appointed him to head the SBU. Bakanov had come under growing criticism over security breaches since the war began.

Venediktova won international praise for her drive to gather war-crimes evidence against Russian military commanders and officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, over the destruction of Ukrainian cities and the killing of civilians.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price, speaking to reporters in Washington, said when asked about the personnel changes that the two governments were in close contact.

The fact is that in all of our relationships, and including in this relationship, we invest not in personalities. We invest in institutions and, of course, President Zelenskyy has spoken to his rationale for making these personnel shifts, Price said.

He said Washington would continue to work with Kyiv on war-crimes investigations and information sharing. Intelligence, he said, is "an important element of the assistance that we are providing to our Ukrainian partners in an effort to help them defend themselves.

Zelensky appointed the first deputy head of the SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, to be acting head. Maliuk, 39, is known for efforts to fight corruption in the security agencies; his appointment was seen as part of Zelenskyy's efforts to get rid of pro-Russian staffers in the SBU.

Fesenko said discontent with Bakanov and Venediktova had been brewing for a while, and it was possible that Ukraines Western partners pointed out the underperformance of the SBU and the prosecutor general's office to Zelenskyy.

Meanwhile, Russia pressed forward with its missile and shelling attacks, which Ukrainian officials said were designed to intimidate the civilian population and create panic.

The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, however, said his troops had stabilized the situation" on the front, largely thanks to Western deliveries of technically advanced rocket systems.

It is complex, tense, but completely controllable, Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhny wrote on Telegram after a phone call with the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Milley.

An important factor contributing to our holding our defensive lines and positions is the timely arrival of the M142 HIMARS, delivering targeted strikes against enemy command posts, ammunition and fuel depots, Zaluzhnyy said, referring to the light multiple-rocket launchers recently delivered from the U.S.

Ukraines Emergency Service said at least six people were killed by Russian shelling Monday targeting the city of Toretsk in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Toretsk was taken briefly in the Russian invasion of 2014, but Ukrainian forces ended up taking the city back.

Donetsk governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said Russian shelling there is incessant. Four Russian strikes had been carried out on the city of Kramatorsk, he said, and he urged civilians to evacuate.

Were seeing that the Russians want to sow fear and panic, Kyrylenko said in televised remarks. The front line is moving, so civilians must leave the region and evacuate.

Nearly 1,000 civilians were evacuated to Ukraine on Monday from Russian-held territories in the northern Kharkiv region, Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. About a third of the region remains in Russian hands after Moscows troops overran it in April.

In Kyiv on Monday, a funeral was held at St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery for a Ukrainian solider killed when his car hit a land mine near Izium last week. His family couldn't bury him in their hometown in eastern Ukraine because it remains under Russian occupation.

The cathedral was packed with mourners paying their last respects to Fanat, as the soldier was known. Whenever the priest paused, the voice of the soldier's mother echoed in the church.

"We will love you forever and ever. We will miss you so much!" she cried, caressing the closed coffin. Why do we need to live in this cursed war?

In other developments Monday:

 Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected troops involved in the fighting in Ukraine and ordered the military to prioritize destruction of Ukraines long-range missiles and artillery, according to a ministry statement. It was not immediately clear when or where the inspection took place.

 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spokesman said that incrementally, theres been a little bit more progress on a proposed U.N. package deal that would enable millions of tons of Ukraines grain to be shipped from the Black Sea, and Russian grain and fertilizer to be sent to world markets without restrictions. Spokesman Farhan Haq said the U.N. chief spoke to Zelenskyy about the negotiations. A new round of talks could take place in Turkey later this week, said Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. Some 22 million tons of grain are stuck in Ukraine because of the war.

 Ukraine says some Russian forces have been using topographical maps from 1969 as they fight in the countrys east. The Ukrainian militarys general staff, citing the countrys internal security service, said the maps were used by Russian troops fighting around the Kharkiv but did not have buildings built since the early 1970s.

 Ukraines first lady, Olena Zelenska, met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken as she began a series of high-profile appearances in Washington. She is to meet with her U.S. counterpart, Jill Biden, on Tuesday. Price said Blinken assured Zelenska of the United States commitment to Ukraine, and commended her for her work with civilians dealing with trauma and other damage from the war.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Democratic nominee Cheri Beasley's campaign entered this summer with a cash advantage over Republican candidate Ted Budd, while also outraising him handily over the past three months in North Carolina's U.S. Senate race.

Budd's campaign collected over $2.1 million during the second quarter, of which $1.8 million was accounted for in a campaign finance report essentially covering May and June and due Friday at the Federal Election Commission.

The second-quarter total was less than one-third of the more than $7.4 million that Beasley had already announced a couple days before the FEC filing deadline. Of her total, $6.4 million was collected from April 28 through June 30, her campaign reported. The candidates already had filed reports in advance of their May 17 primary elections that covered April's first four weeks.

As far as cash on hand, Beasley reported $4.8 million in her campaign coffers beginning in July, while Budd had $1.8 million.

Beasley's campaign last week already trumpeted her figures as the largest raised in a second fundraising quarter by a U.S. Senate candidate in North Carolina. Budd's campaign sought to downplay Beasley's financial lead, saying in a news release that it anticipated getting outraised, and crediting the ActBlue online fundraising program for attracting donors to her.

Budd adviser Jonathan Felts also said that North Carolina GOP Sens. Thom Tillis and Richard Burr won statewide elections dating back to 2014 despite getting outraised by their Democratic rivals. Beasley and Budd are running to succeed Burr, who isn't seeking reelection. The Beasley-Budd race could determine the Senate's majority in a chamber that is currently equally divided among Democrats and Republicans.

National Republican groups have already said they plan to spend tens of millions of dollars on advertisements in North Carolina helping Budd or criticizing Beasley, a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court. The National Republican Senatorial Committee already has run commercials questioning some of Beasley's legal rulings. The Senate Majority PAC, which supports Democratic candidates, responded with its own ad.

Beasley campaign spokesperson Dory MacMillan said Monday in a news release that while Beasley has received unmatched support for her Senate bid, national Republicans are working to prop up Budd.

Beasley, meanwhile, has been running commercials for the general election. In the latest one she criticizes Budd, a central North Carolina congressman, for voting this spring against a bill that would have capped insulin prices for consumers.

Since getting into the race in April 2021, Beasleys campaign has raised $16 million. Budd has reported raising $6.4 million since early 2021.

While both Beasley and Budd won their primary elections by comfortable margins, it was Budd who faced robust competition by former Gov. Pat McCrory and ex-Rep. Mark Walker.

Budd benefitted from well over $10 million in outside spending by the Club for Growth Action super PAC, which ran ads and mailers backing Budd and criticizing McCrory and Walker. Former President Donald Trump also endorsed Budd for the nomination.
CLEVELAND (AP)  A Cleveland police officer claims another officer panicked and blindly shot her when they confronted a man standing in a boarding house bathroom with a gun, according to a federal lawsuit.

Jennifer Kilnapp's lawsuit, filed last week, said her rookie partner in July 2020, Bailey Gannon, fled down the stairs after opening the second-floor bathroom door without a warning, where a man stood with a handgun at his side, pointed at the floor.

Gannon blindly fired a shot from over his head as he retreated and shot Kilnapp, who was standing near the top of the stairs, according to the lawsuit.

The bullet ripped through her forearm before fragmenting in her bicep and chest, lodging near her spine, according to the lawsuit. She believed she was going to die.

Two years later, Kilnapp has nerve damage that causes pain in her dominant arm and wrist, the lawsuit said. She has not been able to return to duty because of her injuries and PTSD, and, according to the lawsuit, it's unclear when she will.

Cleveland.com first reported about the lawsuit last week.

The city of Cleveland and police Chief Dornat Drummond are also named as defendants. The lawsuit said the city and police department fail to adequately train officers, especially new officers, in use of force, interventions for people with mental health crises and de-escalation techniques.

The lawsuit claims Gannon falsely told investigators that Darryl Borden, 44, was holding a gun in both hands, pointing it toward the door when Gannon opened it without warning about the presence of police.

Borden was arrested that night and was later indicted on two counts of attempted murder of a police officer. An examination by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation showed that Borden fired two rounds into a wall opposite where he was standing but not at the officers, according to the lawsuit.

The attempted murder charges were dropped in June 2021, and Borden pleaded guilty to attempted felonious assault of a police officer.

Borden was sentenced to seven to 10 years in state prison. The following October, he received 57 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. A docket entry in the federal case said that sentence will be served consecutively to the state case.

Borden's attorney in the state case did not return telephone messages seeking comment Monday.

Spokespeople for Cleveland did not return messages seeking comment.

Gannon hung up on a reporter Monday afternoon when asked to comment about the lawsuit. Court records dont indicate whether he has an attorney.

While Gannons body camera footage recorded him saying he might have shot Kilnapp, police officials did not tell Kilnapp she was shot by Gannon until the spring of last year, according to the lawsuit.

Kilnapp was suspended in March 2021 for failing to turn on her body camera that night, while Gannon was not disciplined for firing blindly over his head while running in the other direction, even though his actions flagrantly violated the most basic gun-safety rules, according to the lawsuit.

Gannon, in an annual performance review three months after shooting Kilnapp, was described as exceeding expectations while a supervisor described the shooting as a minor setback, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit noted that Gannon's father is a Cleveland police sergeant.
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP)  Authorities have announced an arrest in the stabbing death of a 19-year-old woman in Pennsylvania almost a half-century ago, crediting advances in DNA technology and genetic genealogical research.

Lancaster County prosecutors and Manor Township police said Monday that a criminal homicide charge had been filed against 68-year-old David Sinopoli in the December 1975 murder of Lindy Sue Beichler.

Lindy Sue Beichler was 19 when her life was brutally taken away from her 46 years ago in the sanctity of her own home, District Attorney Heather Adams said. She said she hoped the arrest brings some sense of relief to the victims loved ones and to the community (who) for the last 46 years have had no answers.

Biechler, a flower shop clerk who had gotten married about a year earlier, was killed in the living room of her suburban Lancaster apartment after she returned from grocery shopping. She was stabbed 19 times; prosecutors said evidence at the scene suggested a sexual motive and investigators believed the killer knew her.

In 2019, prosecutors released composite images of a man they said left DNA evidence at the scene. The following year, prosecutors sought further genetic analysis that pointed to Sinopoli, who previously lived in the same four-unit apartment complex. In February, investigators surreptitiously obtained DNA from Sinopoli from a coffee cup he used and threw into a trash can before traveling at the Philadelphia International Airport," authorities said.

This case was solved with the use of DNA, and specifically DNA genealogy, and quite honestly without that I don't know that we would have ever solved it," Adams said, adding that the suspect was just not on our radar" before the new evidence pointed to him.

Cece Moore of Parabon Nanolabs said at the news conference she used a novel, nontraditional" strategy using the DNA to narrow down candidates through their familial descent from a particular area and town in Italy and following up with public records, social media and other resources. Such research, she stressed, only provides a lead or tip  a highly scientific tip but a tip just the same"  for investigators to follow up on, she said.

Sinopoli was arrested at his Lancaster home Sunday and was being held without bail on a charge of criminal homicide. Court documents don't list an attorney representing him; a message seeking comment was left at a number listed in his name.
JUBA, South Sudan (AP)  An explosion of violence in South Sudan is raising fears that the country's fragile peace agreement will unravel before elections the international community hopes can be held next year.

The wave of near-daily killings across this East African country is often blamed on marauding militias whose attacks threaten the 2018 truce between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar.

While the two leaders work in the same government in relative peace in the capital Juba, elsewhere South Sudan appears at war with itself: Hundreds of people have been killed since the start of the year in violence ranging from cattle raids to ethnically motivated revenge killings.

The violence appeared to worsen in June after Pope Francis canceled his visit this month, citing his knee problem. The pope's visit was meant to encourage faith in a country damaged by years of war, including a long conflict for independence from Sudan and then a civil war.

At least 209 people were killed and 33 others wounded across the country in June alone, according to a violence tracker by the Juba-based civic group known by its initials as CEPO.

Both Kiir and Machar are under pressure to release a timetable for presidential elections in 2023. While Kiir expresses hope that a vote can be held next year, Machar has said that elections are impossible amid such widespread insecurity.

In recent days the violence has been worst in the presidents home state of Warrap, where victims include a military intelligence chief and a former government commissioner.

We have lost many lives in communal violence," Kiir said in a speech in early July, noting the killings in Warrap's Tonj North county, where gunmen killed 30 soldiers on June 25.

The Tonj North clashes erupted after authorities there sent security forces to recover cattle stolen by raiders from another county. In other cases, deadly skirmishes have been triggered by efforts to disarm youths.

I deeply regretted their death, Kiir said of the people killed in Warrap. "We cannot allow this senseless killing of both security personnel and civilians to continue.

Killings also have been reported in the Western Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria states, the president said, acknowledging that peace gains since 2018 have been eroded by what officials describe as inter-communal violence.

Following the killings in Warrap, Kiir's army chief, Gen. Santino Deng Wol, vowed to defeat ethnic militias in comments to state broadcaster SSBC. We are responsible for the security of the country," he said. "We will not allow chaos to happen, and we would not allow anyone to disturb the security.

But some analysts say government troops and police  often outnumbered by civilian attackers in areas awash with small weapons  can't be relied on to protect civilians. They also charge that the attackers have powerful political backers in Juba.

The armed youth in Tonj North are more powerful than our army and other security institutions, said Edmund Yakani, head of the CEPO group tracking violence. The violence is undermining the genuine implementation of the peace agreement, he said.

It also is hindering humanitarian efforts among communities in urgent need of food, medicine and other supplies.

The scale of sub-national conflict  which now spreads from north to south, from east to west  is alarming, Nicholas Haysom, the U.N. representative to South Sudan, told the Security Council last month.

More than 80% of civilian casualties this year are attributed to intercommunal violence and community-based militias, he said. This violence divides communities and hampers reconciliation.

There were high hopes when oil-rich South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after a long conflict. But the country slid into civil war in December 2013 largely based on ethnic divisions when forces loyal to Kiir battled those supporting Machar. Tens of thousands of people were killed in the war, which ended with the 2018 peace agreement. But the terms of that accord have not been fully implemented, and persistent violence is weakening it even more.

A panel of U.N. experts in May said the 2018 agreement is faltering. The deal is now hostage to the political calculations of the countrys military and security elites, who use a combination of violence, misappropriated public resources and patronage to pursue their own narrow interests, said the report.

Others in South Sudan express similar alarm.

The country is breaking into pieces," said James Akot, a political science scholar in Juba. The country is breaking into community defense forces that can actually overpower our army soon.
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LA TESTE-DE-BUCH, France (AP)  A heat wave broiling Europe spilled northward Monday to Britain and fueled ferocious wildfires in Spain and France, which evacuated thousands of people and scrambled water-bombing planes and firefighters to battle flames in tinder-dry forests.

Two people were killed in the blazes in Spain that its prime minister linked to global warming, saying, Climate change kills.

That toll comes on top of the hundreds of heat-related deaths reported in the Iberian peninsula, as high temperatures have gripped the continent in recent days and triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans. Some areas, including northern Italy, are also experiencing extended droughts. Climate change makes such life-threatening extremes less of a rarity  and heat waves have come even to places like Britain, which braced for possible record-breaking temperatures.

The hot weather in the U.K. was expected to be so severe this week that train operators warned it could warp the rails and some schools set up wading pools to help children cool off.

In France, heat records were broken and swirling hot winds complicated firefighting in the country's southwest.

The fire is literally exploding, said Marc Vermeulen, the regional fire service chief who described tree trunks shattering as flames consumed them, sending burning embers into the air and further spreading the blazes.

Were facing extreme and exceptional circumstances, he said.

Authorities evacuated more towns, moving another 14,900 people from areas that could find themselves in the path of the fires and choking smoke. In all, more than 31,000 people have been forced from their homes and summer vacation spots in the Gironde region since the wildfires began July 12.

Three additional planes were sent to join six others fighting the fires, scooping up seawater and making repeated runs through dense clouds of smoke, the Interior Ministry said Sunday night.

More than 200 reinforcements headed to join the 1,500 firefighters trying to contain the blazes in the Gironde, where flames neared prized vineyards and billowed smoke across the Arcachon maritime basin famed for its oysters and beaches.

Spain, meanwhile, reported a second fatality in two days in its own blazes. The body of a 69-year-old sheep farmer was found Monday in the same hilly area where a 62-year-old firefighter died a day earlier when he was trapped by flames in the northwestern Zamora province. More than 30 forest fires around Spain have forced the evacuation of thousands of people and blackened 220 square kilometers (85 square miles) of forest and scrub.

Passengers on a train through Zamora got a frightening, close look at a blaze, when their train halted in the countryside. Video of the unscheduled  and unnerving  stop showed about a dozen passengers in a railcar becoming alarmed as they looked out of the windows at the flames encroaching on both sides of the track.

Climate scientists say heat waves are more intense, more frequent and longer because of climate change  and coupled with droughts have made wildfires harder to fight. They say climate change will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

Climate change kills, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Monday during a visit to the Extremadura region, the site of three major blazes. It kills people, it kills our ecosystems and biodiversity."

Teresa Ribera, Spains minister for ecological transition, described her country as literally under fire as she attended talks on climate change in Berlin.

She warned of terrifying prospects still for the days to come"  after more than 10 days of temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), cooling only moderately at night.

At least 748 heat-related deaths have been reported in the heat wave in Spain and neighboring Portugal, where temperatures reached 47 C (117 F) earlier this month.

The heat wave in Spain was forecast to ease on Tuesday, but the respite will be brief as temperatures rise again on Wednesday, especially in the dry western Extremadura region.

In Britain, officials have issued the first-ever extreme heat warning, and the weather service forecast that the record high of 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019, could be shattered.

Forty-one isnt off the cards, said Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby. Weve even got some 43s in the model, but were hoping it wont be as high as that.

Frances often-temperate Brittany region sweltered with a record 39.3 C (102.7 F) degrees in the port of Brest, surpassing a high of 35.1 C that had stood since September 2003, French weather service Meteo-France said.

Regional records in France were broken in over a dozen towns, as the weather service said Monday was the hottest day of this heat wave.

The Balkans region expected the worst of the heat later this week, but has already seen sporadic wildfires.

Early Monday, authorities in Slovenia said firefighters brought one fire under control. Croatia sent a water-dropping plane there to help after struggling last week with its own wildfires along the Adriatic Sea. A fire in Sibenik forced some people to evacuate their homes but was later extinguished.

In Portugal, much cooler weather Monday helped fire crews make progress. More than 600 firefighters attended four major fires in northern Portugal.

___

Leicester reported from Le Pecq. Associated Press journalists Danica Kirka and Jill Lawless in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Raquel Redondo in Madrid, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, and Jovana Gec from Belgrade, Serbia, contributed.

___

Follow APs climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
Renato Jurado has been going door-to-door in Edwardsville and Highland during June and July, working as a sales representative for Southwestern Advantage. You may have seen his photo posted on Facebook from the police departments in both cities, telling residents not to call the police on him because he acquired valid solicitor's permits to sell door-to-door.

Jurado, 22, is from the Republic of Lithuania, a tiny nation of almost three million people on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Lithuania shares borders with Poland, Latvia and Belarus.

"I am a college student doing my summer internship program here with Southwestern Advantage," he wrote in a July 11 posting.

He doesn't represent any of the schools and he's not affiliated with them in any way.

"It is my summer internship and this is the way that I get to pay my way through college. I sell study guides that help parents to help kids with new math and other subjects; study guides that save time doing homework and test preparation; a jump start program for the pre-k kids that give a head start for early development and to prepare for school; and ACT and SAT prep by Princeton Review."

This is Jurado's third year in the program but his first time in the U.S. COVID-19 thwarted his previous two attempts to visit. He said a year ago, he was doing the same program but in the United Kingdom.

"We got the chance and adapted to the UK system. It wasn't meant to be but we found a way to do it there," he said.

Ultimately, Jurado said he wants to own his own business and do some investing, using the skills he has learned in this program - problem-solving, goal-setting, time management and more to help his own business in the future.

"So I can have a [debt]-free future," he said. "What I get from here is all of the experience and the communications skills. I meet a lot of people every day and everybody's different, from different backgrounds. You learn to adapt to different situations. I got a lot of plans."

He said the student representatives must be quick thinkers and able to solve hurdles on their own. They may get advice from a distance via a phone message or a text but no boss will show up in person to take over when a problem arises.

He has not decided where he will go for his August sales but one possibility may be Mascoutah. He was staying in a hotel but now he has a host family with whom he resides. His last day of work is Aug. 27, then he and the other nine students on his team will drive to Miami, Florida for a mini-vacation before they head home. Overall, there are 1,500 students, 500 of which are from Europe.

He bought a used Mercedes-Benz sedan to drive for the summer and he'll sell it before he leaves the country. When it comes to his favorite thing here, it's the people and the culture.

"So far, they're different. They are way more expressive," he said. "Back home, we are more serious; people don't smile too much. Here, everyone is more fun, they are more chill and relaxed.

Jurado said homesickness is not much of a factor for him because he said he is used to being away. "I think more at the end of the summer I will feel that but now, these three months that I have here are a new world for me. I forget everything that's going on back home."

Something new he wasn't aware of is that not every church in the U.S. has the same traditional look and from his description, it sounds like he visited Vale United Methodist Church in Bloomington.

"I was in a church in the beginning when I came and it was super new," he said. "It didn't even look like a church; it looked like a shopping center. Inside, instead of being all Catholic like we are used to, they sang songs, they were a lecture later on but it was so different from what we have." He mentioned it had a cafe and a children's nursery, too.

He also experienced his first Fourth of July here even though he was working that day. He said Lithuania has an independence day, too, but it features ceremonies and soldiers, not fireworks and parties.

His only free time is on Sundays so he has not had a lot of time to do anything tourist-like except to see the downtowns of Chicago, St. Louis and Springfield. He said the population of Chicago's metropolitan area is almost four times the population of Lithuania.

Trey Campbell, director of communications for Southwest Advantage, talked about the program Renato is part of. The company is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

He said the company started in 1855 as a mail-order business selling mainly Bibles. By 1868, the company expanded in what has become its entrepreneurial program for college and university students, where they learn transferable business, sales, life and leadership skills. More than 200,000 students have participated in the program since Reconstruction and from more than 1,600 campuses.

Today, the students carry their entire sales kit within them in branded backpacks and if they have a vehicle, they receive exterior door magnets with the company signage to use when out and about. He said the sales earn the students college credit and while selling items door-to-door might seem like something from 100 years ago, Campbell says there are benefits that don't happen during virtual transactions.

"They set themselves apart, going door-to-door," he said. Also, getting out of the students' comfort zones and improving their communication skills would be much more difficult doing this virtually. In person, they can show the parents product examples in their kits that parents can touch, hold and examine versus just looking at it on a screen.

"One thing this program also does is allow the students from overseas to practice their English skills, pick up slang and get immersed in the culture," Campbell said. "We love the international students who are part of the program. They put color into the program; they are hard-working, productive and they know English really well."

"This opportunity overall is a once-in-a-lifetime and I'm super thankful to be here because I waited for three years to get here," Jurado said. "And I keep getting the best places to sell, like Edwardsville and Highland."

For details on the products that Jurado sells, prospective customers can reach him through his Facebook page: fb.com/renatobookman.jurado.7 or they can call Southwestern Advantage at 1-888-551-5901 for more information.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Sanorita Dey, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

(THE CONVERSATION) The success of politicians in the U.S. largely depends on the amount of funding they receive from various sources. Although political action committees contribute considerably to elections, a recent survey showed that grassroots contributions  gifts under US$200  are equally crucial and contribute a sizable amount. Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign raised 69% of its funding from small donors.

Traditionally, volunteers went door to door to solicit donations from individuals. Today, politicians use social media to encourage their supporters to donate and eventually vote for them. Many politicians such as senators Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz have turned to this sort of political crowdfunding.

The primary objective of political crowdfunding is to assist politicians in raising funds directly from individual donors. However, its also crucial for assessing the acceptance of politicians political agendas among potential supporters. Crowdfunding can reach and create loyalty from a much broader group than a partys usual base, while minimizing the partys and donors time and effort.

Although political crowdfunding is potentially becoming a way to build a strong sense of community, the impact of these campaigns may go far beyond that. These campaigns often focus on socially divisive partisan issues such as gun control and climate change. Discussions on these issues can influence potential supporters to develop highly polarized opinions on partisan issues.

As a computer scientist who researches social media and persuasion, Ive studied whether casual exposure to political crowdfunding campaigns might create a long-lasting sense of disapproval on partisan issues, even when those issues are not being discussed as part of a political fundraising campaign.

My colleagues and I found that casual exposure to these campaigns can influence peoples opinions on politically sensitive issues such as climate change. These influences can stay active for many days and can influence peoples decisions on the same topic, even when it is not discussed by a politician in a political campaign.

Lasting influence of political crowdfunding campaigns

Our team recruited subjects from Amazon Mechanical Turk, an online platform for hiring people according to various criteria. We hired them in two groups: the first group supported the Democratic Party, and the other group supported the Republican Party.

We first showed all of our subjects a political crowdfunding campaign of a politician from the political party that they did not support. This process allowed us to present the argument about climate change from a particular perspective we believed the subjects would not naturally support because of their political ideology.

After this casual exposure to a political crowdfunding campaign, we notified the subjects that the study was completed. In reality, we recruited the same group of people after 10 days as part of a new study, and this time they were asked to consider an online charitable event indirectly related to climate change.

Subjects who supported the Democratic Party were asked to guess a donation amount that they would be comfortable to pledge for a movement where organizers were trying to help people who lost their jobs in closed coal mines because of the climate action law. Supporters of the Republican Party were asked to do the same task of guessing the appropriate donation amount, but the movement was about planting trees in Central America to stop the effects of severe deforestation.

Both groups refused to donate any money to their assigned cause. Initially, we found this result disappointing but not surprising, considering that we were challenging their fundamental beliefs on climate change. However, we decided to take a second look at our findings when our team did the same experiment one more time with a new group of people.

This time we did not show a political crowdfunding campaign to any of the subjects. Instead, we showed them a news article about a politician, although the article did not show any information about the donation amount received by the politician from the supporters. All other details of these two experiments were the same. This time, to our surprise, subjects did not hesitate to donate a sizable amount to charitable movements irrespective of their political ideology.

This made us wonder whether and how the casual exposure to the political crowdfunding campaign influenced the first group of subjects who took a rather challenging decision of not donating anything to the charitable movements. After close observation, we concluded that it was not the content. Rather, it was the structure of the political crowdfunding campaigns that left a long-lasting influence on our subjects.

The political crowdfunding campaign not only presented the perspective of the politician on climate change but also showed how much money had been donated to that campaign. The clear signal of a significant amount of support for a politician from the supporters of the opposition party influenced their future actions, including decisions to donate, related to climate change movements. Although the news article presented the same arguments about climate change, it did not noticeably influence the second group of subjects because it did not show a direct signal of support in the form of monetary donations.

Why it matters

Political crowdfunding is widely considered a new and convenient medium for raising funding from grassroots supporters. Most studies on crowdfunding have focused on strategies that can raise more money from a diverse audience. Our study examined the impact of such campaigns on peoples opinions on partisan topics.

Our research suggests that peoples opinions can become polarized based on information they see in surprising places, and that impact can last for an extended period of time. The implications of our findings are critical because they suggest that people can double down on their views rather than considering the merits of a position when they are processing information from online platforms  especially on sensitive and divisive issues such as climate change.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/political-crowdfunding-does-more-than-raise-money-it-can-also-rile-up-opponents-183333.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Britains Prince Harry challenged people everywhere Monday to adopt Nelson Mandelas spirit of hope in todays divided world to reclaim democracies and leave a better future for children, movingly citing the inspiration of the anti-apartheid leader on his own life and his memories of his late mother, Princess Diana.

In a keynote and often personal speech to the U.N. General Assemblys annual celebration Monday of Nelson Mandela International Day, the 37-year-old Duke of Sussex said a photo on his wall of his mother meeting Mandela in Cape Town in March 1997, just five months before her death, is in my heart every day.

He spoke about his first visit to Africa as a 13-year-old and how the continent has not only given him hope but become my lifeline, a place where I have found peace and healing time and time again.

Its where Ive felt closest to my mother and sought solace after she died, and where I knew I had found my soul mate in my wife, Harry said as his wife, Meghan, sat listening in the front of the vast General Assembly hall, filled with diplomats from many of the U.N.s 193 member nations.

As the father of two young children  Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1  the prince expressed concern about the planet they and millions of others will inherit.

The world is at a pivotal moment, he said, facing converging crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, a small number of people weaponizing lies and disinformation at the expense of the many, the horrific war in Ukraine and the rolling back of constitutional rights here in the United States.  That was an apparent reference to the U.S. Supreme Courts recent decision reversing a womans constitutional right to an abortion.

We are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom -- the cause of Mandelas life, the prince said.

Harry said people have a choice: become apathetic, angry and despair or do what Mandela did every day during his 27 years in prison and the rest of his life including as South Africas first Black president, which was to find meaning and purpose in the struggle.

He said parents he has met around the world are as determined as Mandela was to give their children a better shot at a brighter future  because they know the price of inaction will be paid by the next generation.

The General Assembly established July 18 -- Mandelas birthday -- as an international day to honor him not only by celebrating his life and contributions but by carrying out the tradition of participating in a community service activity.

Harry challenged people everywhere to commit to celebrating Mandela day not just once a year but every day by carrying out acts of service to improve the world.

We have an obligation to give as much -- if not more -- than we take, he said. Lets seek out what we have in common, empower all people to reclaim our democracies, and harness the light of Mandelas memory to illuminate the way forward.

In January 2020, Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior members of the royal family and moved to the duchess native Southern California, citing the unbearable pressure of their roles and racist attitudes of the British media. They visited South Africa in 2019 with their son, Archie, on their first official tour as a family before they gave up royal duties.

New York Mayor Eric Adams, in a similar message to prince Harrys, said many people around the globe dont see a future for themselves, their families or our planet and are serving a life sentence of despair and hopelessness.

He said leaders cannot fall back on excuses and inertia and must rise to the challenge, inspired by Mandelas courage, and turn our pain into purpose. That means working to end global poverty, protect the environment, provide COVID-19 vaccines to poor developing countries and end abuse against women and children around the world, he said.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The outgoing director of the Bureau of Prisons has been subpoenaed to testify before a Senate committee examining abuse and corruption in the beleaguered federal agency.

Michael Carvajal was served a subpoena to appear at a hearing later this month. The subpoena was announced Monday by Sen. Jon Ossoff, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

The committees subpoena follows an investigation by The Associated Press exposing systemic issues in the agency, including widespread criminal activity by staff and rampant sexual assault at a womens prison in California.

The Justice Department announced last week it was replacing Carvajal with Colette Peters, the director of Oregons prison system. That announcement came about seven months after Carvajal submitted his resignation amid mounting pressure from Congress after the APs investigation.

Though Carvajal is a holdover from the Trump administration, the issuance of the subpoena to compel him to appear before the Senate panel is rare, in part because Democrats have control of both the Senate and the White House. The decision to issue a subpoena exemplifies the lengths members of Congress and congressional investigators are going to bring additional oversight to the embattled agency that has long skirted intense public attention.

Ossoff and Sen. Ron Johnson, the committees top Republican, said the subpoena was issued after the Justice Department refused to make Carvajal available to testify voluntarily.

In a statement, the Justice Department said it was disappointed that Ossoff issued the subpoena and said officials had cooperated extensively with the subcommittees work and had offered to provide a lower-level official in Carvajals place.

The department said it was committed to focusing Carvajals last days on preparing for Peters to take over and said having him prepare for a congressional hearing days before Peters takes control of the agency would be distracting.

As the Department has previously explained to the Subcommittee, we believe that preparation for testimony just five business days before this critical leadership transition may distract Director Carvajals time and attention away from this goal, the Justice Departments statement said. Nevertheless, we continue to work with the Subcommittee to find an agreeable solution.

Carvajal has been at the center of myriad crises within the federal prison system. His tumultuous tenure included the rampant spread of coronavirus inside federal prisons, a failed response to the pandemic, dozens of escapes, deaths and critically low staffing levels that have hampered responses to emergencies.

The committee's investigation has included examination of abuse, misconduct and corruption both at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta  Osoff's home state  and more broadly in the federal prison system.

To date, the Subcommittee has been provided no legal basis that would prevent Director Carvajals testimony before the Subcommittee, and the Department of Justice continues to refuse to make him available to testify, Ossoff and Johnson said in a joint statement.

The Biden administration had faced increasing pressure to remove Carvajal and do more to fix the federal prison system after President Joe Bidens campaign promise to push criminal justice reforms. The Bureau of Prisons is one of the largest Justice Department agencies, budgeted for around 37,500 employees and over 150,000 federal prisoners. It has an annual budget of around $8 billion.

Peters is set to take over the agency in August.

___

On Twitter, follow Michael Balsamo at twitter.com/mikebalsamo1 and Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and send confidential tips by visiting https://www.ap.org/tips.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. special envoy for Syria has expressed regret that talks between the government and opposition scheduled to start on July 25 in Geneva are no longer possible, reportedly because President Bashir Assads government contends that Switzerland is not neutral because of its support for European Union sanctions against its ally Russia.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq didnt directly confirm the reason but said Monday that we do reaffirm the neutrality of Switzerland as a venue for much of the work that the United Nations does. Geneva is the major European headquarters for the 193-member United Nations.

Syrian envoy Geir Pedersen said in a statement that a ninth round of talks on revising the constitution of the conflict-torn country could not be held and alluded to the neutrality issue, stressing the importance of all players in the 11-year conflict protecting and firewalling the Syrian political process from their differences elsewhere in the world.

Haq stressed that discussions on Syria need to be kept as much as possible separate and apart from discussions on other topics.

A 2012 U.N. road map to peace in Syria approved by representatives of the United Nations, Arab League, European Union, Turkey and all five permanent Security Council members including Russia calls for the drafting of a new constitution. It ends with U.N.-supervised elections with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate. A Security Council resolution adopted in December 2015 unanimously endorsed the road map.

At a Russia-hosted Syrian peace conference in January 2018, an agreement was reached to form a 150-member committee to draft a new constitution. A smaller, 45-member body would do the actual drafting, including 15 members each from the government, opposition and civil society. It took until September 2019 for the committee to be formed, and after eight rounds of talks little progress has been achieved so far.

Russia's military support for Syria changed the trajectory of the Syrian conflict. The EU imposed sanctions on Russia after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, and stepped up sanctions after President Vladimir Putin's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

Pedersen encouraged the Syrian parties to engage in constructive diplomacy" and said he would continue to engage with them and provide more information in due course.

Haq, the U.N. spokesman, said Pedersen didnt want any sorts of events that are just for show when it became clear that the July 25-29 meeting could not take place in Geneva.

Hell keep working to see what actual substantive results he can make for the Syrian people, who have been waiting for far too long for progress on this, Haq said. At this stage, I dont have any other venue  and we will see what happens next.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The United States on Monday said it had not sought the arrest of the former lawyer of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, contradicting the United Arab Emirates' official explanation for the American citizen's detention.

The UAE on Saturday sentenced the civil rights lawyer, U.S. citizen Asim Ghafoor, to three years in prison followed by deportation on charges of money laundering and tax evasion. Ghafoor has rejected the accusations and said he had no idea he had been convicted on the charges at some point in the past, in absentia.

Policemen arrested him from Dubai airport on Thursday as he was transiting to Istanbul for a wedding and took him to an Abu Dhabi detention center. An Emirati court rejected Ghafoor's request to be released on bail Monday as he seeks to appeal his conviction, said his lawyer, Faisal Gill.

The UAE portrayed Ghafoors arrest as a coordinated move with the U.S. to combat transnational crimes," saying American authorities had requested Emirati help with an investigation into Ghafoors alleged tax evasion and suspicious money transfers in the autocratic country.

But the U.S. disputed that account, with the State Department saying it has not sought the arrest of Mr. Ghafoor."

The Emiratis have spoken to their rationale for the detention, State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters in Washington. We have requested additional information from our Emirati partners and were watching this case closely."

Ghafoor sits on the board of Washington-based human rights watchdog Democracy for the Arab World Now, or DAWN, and was a close friend of Khashoggi, the dissident writer and Washington Post columnist dismembered by Saudi agents in Istanbul in 2018. He previously represented Khashoggi as well as his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz.

DAWN focuses on human rights violations in Gulf Arab autocracies including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where dissent is outlawed.

Price said the State Department has seen no indication at this point that his detention has anything to do with his association with Jamal Khashoggi, but cautioned the U.S. was still gathering information.

He referred reporters to Emirati authorities to speak to the basis of the still-murky charges against Ghafoor. Many foreigners have landed in prison in the UAE after falling foul of the federations strict legal system based on Islamic law. Even the smallest debts can lead to years in prison.

The Justice Department declined to comment.

Price added that the U.S. has raised Ghafoor's detention with senior levels of the Emirati government and provided consular support, with American officials visiting Ghafoor most recently on Sunday and attending his virtual hearing on Monday.

We have conveyed our expectations to our Emirati partners that Mr. Ghafoor receive continued consular access, that hed be afforded a fair and transparent legal process, and that hed be treated humanely," Price said.

___

Associated Press writer Matt Lee in Washington contributed.
SEATTLE (AP)  Republican activists in Washington state are organizing surveillance of election ballot drop boxes, raising concerns about possible voter intimidation.

Signs were posted over the weekend near ballot boxes in several Seattle-area locations, with red letters warning the boxes are Under Surveillance and saying that accepting money for harvesting or depositing ballots may violate federal law, The Seattle Times reported.

A scannable code on the signs leads to the King County Republican Party website and a form encouraging people to submit election incident reports, including photos and video.

King County Elections spokesperson Halei Watkins said the office received several reports about the signs and called the signs a little bit worrying.

While it's legal for people to observe the countys ballot boxes, Watkins said King County Elections has notified the county prosecutors office to check on the legality of the effort.

Washington law allows people to drop off legal mail-in ballots for other voters with no restrictions.

Mathew Patrick Thomas, who was elected chairman of the King County Republican Party a few months ago, said he hadn't been aware GOP volunteers were placing signs until King County Elections Director Julie Wise called him. He said he assured Wise hed get this rectified.

Thomas said he called Amber Krabach, a GOP activist and candidate who has helped lead the King County Republicans election integrity committee, and said they needed to stop.

By Monday afternoon, Thomas had entirely repudiated the effort, announcing he was dissolving the King County GOPs election integrity committee.

Thomas said the self-appointed committee  created by Joshua Freed, his predecessor as chair  was acting outside of its authority and without the express knowledge, permission or consent of the King County GOP.

He also sent Krabach a cease and desist order demanding the signs be removed and ending any further actions linking surveillance efforts to the King County GOP.

Krabach told the newspaper Monday the signs were placed by volunteers to act as a deterrent to anyone getting paid to deliver ballots.

If they are legally dropping ballots into the box, then the sign shouldnt bother them, she said.

Krabach, who is running for the state Legislature as an Election Integrity Party candidate, has spread misinformation on social media about the 2020 election and COVID-19 vaccines.

Additionally, a Drop Box Watch Washington website doesn't say who is running it, though it appears motivated by former President Donald Trumps lies that he lost to Joe Biden due to fraud.

While Trump and allies have attacked the expanded use of ballot drop boxes in the 2020 election, claiming fraud, an Associated Press survey of Republican and Democratic state election officials across the U.S. found no cases of fraud, vandalism or theft that could have affected the results.

Trump had spent months before the 2020 election warning his supporters to avoid mail-in voting and to vote in person early or on Election Day. Mail-in ballots tabulated after Election Day were expected to and largely did favor Biden.
Miguel Marin / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm

HOUSTON (AP)  Four people were killed when gunfire erupted during an argument at an apartment complex in Houston, officials said.

The Harris County sheriff's office said that when deputies arrived, they found four males who had been shot late Saturday night. Three of them were confirmed dead at the scene and the fourth was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Gov. Greg Abbott did not attend a single funeral for any of the 19 children or two teachers killed mass shooting at Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, according to his schedule, which was obtained through an open records request by ABC News.

Abbott's schedule from May 25 to June 14 indicates that his last visit to Uvalde was on June 5 to attend a community worship event at the Uvalde County Fairplex. However, missing from the schedule is any mention of Uvalde victim funerals. The last funeral held in Uvalde for victims was on June 16, when 11-year-old Layla Salazar was laid to rest.

In a Monday interview with MSNBC, state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who represents Uvalde, criticized Abbott for not returning to the South Texas town, and alleged that Abbott has not been back since May 29 when President Joe Biden also visited a public vigil in Uvalde, rather than June 5 as the governor's schedule suggests.

"I don't want this to sound like some political assault on him, but at the end of the day he hasn't been there since Day 5, when the president came... We had a failed response on giving resources to families," Gutierrez said. "He did not go to one single funeraland quite honestly, many of the families didn't want him there."

Gutierrez's statements align with recent statements from some of the shooting victims' families. During a July 13 news conference, Angel Garza, father of 10-year-old victim Amerie Jo Garza, alleged that "since this happened, Gov. Abbott has yet to reach out." Garza added that Sen. Ted Cruz, who also attended some prayer vigils for victims, similarly failed to reach out to victims' families.

"We've had Sen. Gutierrez in our living room, willing to come and talk to us," Garza said. "We've had Beto O'Rourke coming to our private meeting to fight with us. He marched with us. That means something to us. The fact that you're reaching out just to see how we're doing means something to us."

Representatives for Cruz said the senator planned to meet with families of the Uvalde shooting victims this past Thursday, but that the families ultimately canceled the meeting.

Garza continued in a direct appeal to Texas voters: "Everybody that's getting ready to vote, I want you guys to know that. These guys don't have compassion for us. They don't care. [Abbott] doesn't care that all these children were murdered and these teachers were murdered. Y'all need to realize that."

In recent interviews, Uvalde Mayor Don McLauglin said that he has repeatedly called on Abbott to return to Uvalde to speak with grieving family members. During a press conference Sunday, McLaughlin said he had not heard from the governor in four weeks.

During a July 14 press conference, when asked whether he planned to meet with grieving families soon, Abbott responded, "I've been there multiple times to Uvalde for multiple purposes. Sometimes for public presentations, sometimes for grieving events and different things like that and I will be going many more times."

In an emailed statement, Renae Eze, spokesperson for Abbott, wrote: "Governor Abbott has been to the community multiple times, visiting with every family who requested a meeting and joining his fellow Texans to grieve and worship at events into June. Many families requested private funerals, and the Governor and First Lady instead sent flowers and condolences to let the loved ones know they remain in their prayers."

Eze said Abbott and his office have remained in "regular contact" with McLaughlin and Uvalde leaders, adding they speak "on almost a daily basis" to ensure the Uvalde community is receiving support and resources. "Every request made so far by the victims' families and local leaders have been met, including providing a $5 million grant to be used at the discretion of local leaders for the long-term Family Resiliency Center," Eze wrote.

Correction: Governor Abbott visited Uvalde, Texas on June 5 for a 6 p.m. community worship event at the Uvalde County Fairplex, per his official schedule. A previous version of this story stated that the governor's last visit to Uvalde was May 29.
YouTube

Houston DJ Darian Lewis, who went by DJ D Baby, died July 13 after falling from the thirteenth-floor balcony of a downtown high rise nine days before, FOX 26 reported.

Lewis, 23, was named the official DJ for Houston rapper Monaleo late last year, tweeted a photo of her and Lewis on July 13 with the caption I love you forever. She was also named the official DJ for New Orleans rapper Treety late last year and was coming off a pair of packed performances at Pride events in Dallas and Miami in June when she fell to her death.
In the days following the May 24 tragedy at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, the nation came to know the 21 lives that the teachers and young students lived before they became victims of one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.

Ellie Garcia loved Encanto; Amerie Jo Garza was a Girl Scout and a hero who dialed 911 as the shots rang out; and Alithia Haven Ramirez wanted to make people happy with her artwork.

Before she was killed, Alithia submitted a drawing for the Doodle for Google national search. The application process opened in January and closed in March.

The Google competition challenged young artists to create a design for its Google Doodle, which greets internet users when they visit the search engine with a query. A panel of judges including Selena Gomez, Elyse Fox, and Juliana Urtubey were tapped to pick the winners.

The 10-year-old's parents told reporters soon after the shooting that the 4th grader had submitted a drawing for the contest.

Photo by Gabriel Romero

Now, as the search narrows down to five finalists who will be decided on Thursday, July 28, Google is holding space for Alithia. A banner at the top of the contest page greets website visitors.

"Doodle for Google honors 2022 contestant Alithia Haven Ramirez and all of the victims of the Uvalde, TX tragedy," the note reads.

A separate page dedicated to Alithia holds her artwork and photo. Alithia's submitted sketch is a cozy scene of a girl curled up on a sofa with balls of yarn and her pet. Google is spelled out in a set of framed art hanging on the wall.

The memorial page also includes a quote from the little girl's entry.

I want the world to see my art and show the world what I can do, I want people to be happy when they see my passion in art," she wrote.

Google did not say if Alithia's artwork will be used at a later date, but extended their condolences to all victims and residents of Uvalde in a statement provided to MySA.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of victims and to the community of Uvalde, Texas. In Alithia Ramirezs 2022 Doodle for Google submission, she described her desire to show the world her art and everything she can do, and were committed to honoring those wishes and her legacy," Colette Garcia, a spokesperson for Google, says. "Her story and art profoundly touched us, and we wanted to honor her family's request to share her unique talents that were so tragically taken as a result of senseless violence.
A new interim report released by the Texas House investigative committee examining law enforcement's response to the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas offers a damning assessment of officers' actions over the course of the attack.

The 82-page document published Sunday outlines a "void of leadership" that engulfed the 376 local, state and federal officers that assembled on the campus over the course of the mass shooting, which saw 18-year-old Salvador Ramos shoot and kill 19 students and two teachers in a conjoined classroom inside the school. Video leaked by the Austin America-Statesman last week showed responding officers retreating and holding position at the end of a hallway outside the classroom for 77 minutes before finally engaging and killing the gunman.

"The void of leadership could have contributed to the loss of life as injured victims waited over an hour for help, and the attacker continued to sporadically fire his weapon," the report states.

After conducting dozens of interviews and reviewing hours of audio and video evidence, the committee apportioned blame to the "entirety of law enforcement...on that tragic day," including "hundreds of responders from numerous law enforcement agenciesmany of whom were better trained and better equipped than the school district police."

"Those other responders, who also had training on active shooter response and the interrelation of law enforcement agencies, could have helped to address the unfolding chaos," the report states. "Yet in this crisis, no responder seized the initiative."

Central to this lack of leadership was Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo, who failed to following the district's written active shooter plan and "failed to perform or to transfer the role of incident commander," according to the document.

"This was a central role [Arredondo] had assigned to himself in the plan mentioned above, yet it was not performed by anyone," the report states. "The void of leadership could have contributed to the loss of life as injured victims waited over an hour for help."

The document also blames the school district for cultivating "a regrettable culture of noncompliance." It cites school personnel leaving doors propped open, poor maintenance of locks and "relaxed vigilance" spurred by frequent campus lockdowns as exacerbating factors in the incident. The document states that the school received more than 50 security alerts related to "bailouts"a term used in border communities to describe suspected human traffickers ditching a vehicle while fleeing policebetween February and May of 2022. These notifications, the committee states, "contributed to a diminished sense of of vigilance about responding to security alerts."

Possibly the most damning section in the report can be found in a segment titled "The Responders," in which the committee describes officers' failures to follow active shooter response training protocol developed in the years after the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado.

"All officers must now acknowledge that stopping the killing of innocent lives is the highest priority in active shooter response, and all officers must be willing to risk their lives with out hesitation," the document states. "At Robb Elementary, law enforcement responders failed to adhere to their active shooter training and they failed to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety."

Following the report's publication, Uvalde Police Lieutenant Mariano Pargas was placed on administrative leave as the city investigates his role in the delayed response to the attack.

"We agree with the Committee's review of the incident, there was a failure of command," said Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, according to The Texas Tribune. "However, we have further questions as to who was responsible for taking command as each agency there had senior-level commanders on site."

Arredondo was placed on paid leave after the attack and last week resigned from his position on Uvalde City Council, stating his desire to "minimize further distractions" for the body.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has previously stated he was "misled" by law enforcement reports initially offered in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, one of which stated officers engaged Ramos before the shooter entered the building. On Monday afternoon Abbott issued a press release calling the Texas House committee's findings "beyond disturbing."

I want to thank Speaker Phelan and the Texas House for their investigation and for sharing a detailed account directly with the victims families and the Uvalde community. The findings in their investigative report are beyond disturbing and raise serious concerns about the response that day," Abbott stated. "There are critical changes needed as a result of the Texas Houses findings. With multiple investigations still ongoing, including those by the Texas Senate, FBI, and Texas Rangers, we will begin working with the legislature to develop and implement the necessary changes to improve public safety, school safety, and mental health assessment and treatment.

On Monday ABC News published records of Abbott's schedule from May 25 through June 14 that indicate the governor did not attend the funerals of any victims killed at Robb Elementary.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  In the aftermath of the mass shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, a campaign to deliver huggable bears is bringing comfort and connecting survivors more than a thousand miles apart.

Beverly King, a survivor of a shooting that killed more than 58 people on the Las Vegas Strip in October 2017, and a team of volunteers traveled to Uvalde to give 1,000 Comfort Cubs to children and families affected by the May 24 shooting.

Students, families and staff at Robb Elementary School, the site of the shooting, received their Comfort Cubs, and Uvaldes first responders were next on the list, King told the Las Vegas Sun.

Im grateful that we were able to bring a little comfort to this devastated community, King said. If I helped one person, (then) it was worth it!

King took to Facebook in late May asking for donations of $50, the cost of a single bear. She received not only monetary support, but the backing of people who offered whatever they could to help.

For two days, 75 volunteers packed boxes of bears, some of which were transported to the southwest Texas town for free by United Airlines, King said.

The Uvalde Leader-News stored boxes in its loading dock and local police officers drove them to the memorial site at Robb Elementary.

King, the Oct. 1 survivors and the Comfort Cub group worked with Uvalde community members, like Gloria Resma, an executive assistant for the city of Uvalde.

A donor paid for Kings plane ticket from her hometown in Malone, New York, to Uvalde, and she flew to meet the five other volunteers who helped make this happen: Comfort Cub founder Marcella Johnson; board member Liz Tyson; ambassador Frania Black; and two fellow Oct. 1 survivors  Marianne Crane from Tennessee and Darlene McKnight from California.

Comfort Cub is a nonprofit organization based in Encinitas, California

Being able to see the looks on not only the kids, but the adults as well  when we would hand them a cub, they would smile, Crane said. In the midst of the tragedy and the sadness, they smiled.

Kings Facebook fundraiser is now filled with pictures of children and adults alike gripping plush bears.

It was an amazing experience to see how strangers come together to help one another, Resma told the Sun. This is a huge comfort and gives (the children and families) something physically to hold and help them cope with what is going on. Having someone care that they have never met will be a long-lasting memory and give them the chance to hold onto something positive during a tragic event.

The Comfort Cub is a specially weighted therapeutic stuffed bear for those who have experienced severe trauma, especially relating to the loss of a child.

According to Johnson, the bears weight is intended to help those suffering from Broken Heart Syndrome  a condition that occurs when severe emotional or physical stress causes the hearts pumping chamber to weaken.

A study conducted by the Institute for Palliative Medicine at the San Diego Hospice found that Comfort Cubs led to profound relief when given to mothers suffering from Broken Heart Syndrome.

King discovered the California-based company four years ago while in intense trauma therapy as a result of the Oct. 1 shooting. She believes these bears have such a calming effect, and that gifting these bears to others was even more healing than using one herself.

Since becoming company ambassadors, Johnson and King have sent Comfort Cubs to the elderly, intellectually challenged children, those with medical challenges and people living with mental illness. They also have gifted bears to people affected other mass shootings throughout the country.

We normally just made a connection in the area and shipped bears, King said about the process of her sending out Comfort Cubs. When Uvalde happened, we knew we had to go.

Johnson and King planned to send 60 more bears to the teachers, faculty and staff at Robb Elementary. Another 65 bears will go to first responders, Johnson said.

King and Crane planned to return to Las Vegas in October for the five-year remembrance of the Route 91 Harvest festival shooting that killed 58 at a concert venue. Officials say at least two other people died later of their gunshot wounds.

King said she plans to bring enough bears to honor each person who died.
Only a day after the Dobbs decision, in which the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wades legalization of abortion, the 6 p.m. Saturday mass at my home parish was, like most 6 p.m. Saturday masses in summer, pretty low-key. Father offered a homily that spoke to the gospel reading, later there was a pitch for the diocesan annual fund. Prayers were offered for the sick, the poor, Ukraine. I was grateful that the priest serving this quiet parish had the pastoral wisdom to simply preach the gospel and break the bread.

Surely this must have been a letdown for some of my fellow Catholics. Given 50 years of nonstop messaging from the U.S. bishops, constantly identifying this as the preeminent priority for Catholics in public life, one might expect some celebration, at least a word of thanksgiving? Legalized abortion has been posed for decades by the bishops as a stark battle between good and evil  if this court decision doesnt call for bells ringing, what would?

That subdued response, I suggest, emerges from the profound unease of our own day. Much has changed in U.S. culture since the 1973 Roe decision, changes that have only accelerated since the polarizing election of 2016. We are not sure of the way forward; we are not confident there is a we to appeal to.

For this Catholic, the fruits of such a potential victory have been signaled clearly for years  and they are the opposite of a culture of life. This victory does nothing to support families and the welcoming of life as a norm for American culture; it simply announces a punitive new order, to be articulated, state by state, by politicians seeking the limelight and exploiting division.

This new order is fed by other trends. Gender itself has become a question, in the face of a more dynamic understanding of sexual identity. While these questions are asked  are lived  by individuals and couples and families, the response by some politicians seems to be to double-down on a cartoon of masculinity. That cartoon often features fantasies of gun violence, as political ads run side by side with another feature of our time: the now almost-daily reports of mass shootings, so often perpetrated by young men.

Indeed, having already cheered on June 23 as the court rejected a modest gun control measure, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves tweeted triumphally as his states trigger law banning abortion went into effect on July 7:  Today we wake up in a state where the church doors are open and the abortion clinics doors are closed. All the Glory to God the Father! Amen!

Catholic celebrations of this decision have rightly called for renewed efforts for the culture of life, although none of the drivers of abortion have been faced. Abortion in our culture does not emerge from a thoughtless disregard for life, it is not about selfishness or feminism. Individual choices for abortion are driven by a clear-eyed assessment of an unexpected pregnancy, based on the reality that a pregnant woman in the United States  partnered, married, or not  often has no safety net.

Indeed, states that have moved most aggressively against abortion are the states that support families the least. Charity efforts do matter, and some state or federal programs will help. Donated baby clothes, free diapers, more options for subsidized child care  these are significant for low-income parents who are welcoming an unexpected pregnancy. But decades of overt and implicit messaging about how much our culture will support an unmarried pregnant woman have had an impact. That 19-year-old college student with a contraceptive failure? She wants a trusted friend with a car and a safe, private, early abortion  not my stack of gently used onesies.

It is easy to support new mothers and babies. But pregnant women are also plotting out a future path, thinking about how to balance work and family past primary grades and on into the intensive parenting of the middle school years. Women know what the dimensions of a culture of life require. They are acutely aware that this will depend on their own economic stability, and that this will impact the hours available to supervise driving practice and college applications.

These women will not be fooled by programs such as Marco Rubio and Mitt Romneys New Parents Act, touted as an innovative way to fund parental leave without the creation of a new entitlement program. This post-Dobbs proposal simply provides a mechanism for low-income parents to draw on their own Social Security funds to support time off from paid employment after the birth or adoption of a child. Simply put, this Republican innovation in the wake of the over-turning of Roe v Wade is to offer new parents a pay-day loan, borrowing from their own retirement. Women will not miss that this pawn-shop approach simply cannibalizes their familys future.

And when they hear of the efforts to punish the provider of an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim, driven across state lines to Indiana when Ohio refused the procedure? The preeminent priorities of those for whom the courts decision is a victory emerge in sharp relief.

Some are surprised to hear that todays abortion hard-liners are found more among white evangelicals than among Catholics, who are more likely to mirror the nuanced stance of the U.S. majority. But the Catholic brand is a sticky thing, wedding the overwhelmingly Catholic conservative justices to the voice of the U.S. bishops on this decision even as the flock takes a more moderate approach  and Pope Francis counsels generosity.

As punitive state-level lawmaking moves forward, those in the pews will become more aware of the fault lines among the Catholic bishops in the United States. This will leave the flock with hard decisions as they choose to practice their faith and vote as citizens  and as they witness the dimensions of this decision crash into their families and communities.

At least the parish knew that this was not an occasion for bells.

Nancy Dallavalle is an associate professor of religious studies at Fairfield University.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

During a recent episode of his podcast The Verdict, Sen. Ted Cruz opined that the Supreme Court's decision to legalize gay marriage was "clearly wrong" and stated that the high court was "overreaching" when it decided Obergefell v. Hodgesa landmark 2015 case that extended marriage as a fundamental right to same-sex couples.

"Obergefell, like Roe v. Wade, ignored two centuries of our nation's history," Cruz said. "Marriage was always an issue that was left to the states. We saw states before Obergefell were moving, some states were moving to allow gay marriage. Other states were moving to allow civil partnerships. There were different standards that the states were adopting."
Choosing the best 3-row mid-sized SUV in Houston requires considering many factors, like Texas diverse topography  ranging from sea level in Houston to nearly 9,000 feet at Guadalupe Peak near the New Mexico border. With quick access to the beaches of Galveston and only a few-hour drive to the most-visited areas in the Lone Star State, Houstonians have their share of options when it comes to hitting the road.

But before we can cruise out of town were faced with Houstons notoriously-awful traffic, and many of us still have long commutes across town to work. So choosing the right 3-row mid-sized SUV has as much to do with your familys comfort and safety as it does fuel efficiency. Based on our experience and with some help from our knowledgeable colleagues at Car and Driver, weve specifically curated a set of the best 3-row mid-sized SUVs for Houston drivers  so you can pick the one thats just right for your drive around the Bayou City and beyond.

10. Chevrolet Traverse

Car and Driver

Available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, the Chevrolet Traverse is powered by a capable 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed transmission; thats plenty of power to overtake a slow-moving vehicle on Interstate 10 or any of Houstons busy freeways. With the trailering package, the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 pounds  enough to haul a couple of JetSkis or even a small camper to the lake. Cargo space is ample with 57 cubic feet with the third row folded down and 23 cubic feet with all three rows intact.

The Bottom Line

27 mpg highway

Can tow up to 5,000 pounds

Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration

Starts at $35,095

9. Subaru Ascent

Subaru

Every Subaru, including the three-row Ascent, comes equipped with all-wheel drive. Thats advantageous for driving in all weather conditions, giving you confidence when youre plowing through slippery stretches of Houston highways. Equipped with Subarus 260-hp four-cylinder engine, the Ascent is known to be reliable and dependable, ever-ready for variable terrain. The Ascents got the right amount of zip to get this 3-row seat SUV going from a stop, and driver-assist features like forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control are standard. Upgrading to the Premium trim adds two useful features: blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert  theres no such thing as being too careful when navigating through Houston traffic.

The Bottom Line

27 mpg highway

All models have all-wheel drive

Cargo space with third row folded down is 47 cubic feet and 17 cubic feet with third row intact

Starts at $33,970

8. Dodge Durango

Car and Driver

Big and burly, the Dodge Durango is the SUV equivalent of the brands iconic muscle cars and has a roar to match, but the Durango maintains nice fuel efficiency for its size. Powered by three engine options, all Durangos come with a robust eight-speed automatic transmission. Its especially superior when it comes to towing recreational equipment. With the V6, the powerful SUV can tow up to 6,200 pounds, and upgrading to the V8 gives you the opportunity to tow even more with the optional Tow N Go package. But if your most precious cargo is the large crew youve got inside this 3-row SUV, theres room to comfortably seat seven.

The Bottom Line

Up to 23 mpg highway

8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard

Smart audio controls behind the steering wheel

Starts at $39,355

7. Honda Pilot

Car and Driver

While the Pilot feels a bit like a minivan in the best ways when it comes to comfort, this mid-size SUV has all the practicality of a go-anywhere SUV but with three rows to boot. Powered by a 280-hp V6 engine and a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission, the Pilot gets 26 miles per gallon on highways like Houstons NASCAR track  er, we mean Beltway 8. Looking for a little pizazz in your family vehicle? Go for the Pilot Special Edition, which includes black 20-inch wheels, sunshades, roof rails, and a sunroof to spice up the outside and wireless charging and leather-trimmed upholstery in the cabin.

The Bottom Line

26 mpg highway

16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 46 cubic feet behind the second row

8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Starts at $39,375

6. Ford Explorer

Ford

As well-loved and comfortable as a security blanket, the Ford Explorer fits in everywhere, from the parking lot of Killens BBQ in Pearland to the valet at Vic and Anthonys steakhouse. Step up to at least the Limited variant to get the 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, which will play your favorite road trip tunes with enjoyable clarity. Techies might be interested in the optional 10.1-inch vertically-oriented screen, which requires an upgrade to the top trims. But whats top of the list when it comes to the best 3-row mid-sized SUVs Houston drivers can find? Fuel efficiency, and with 28 miles per gallon on the highway, it hardly gets better than this.

The Bottom Line

28 mpg highway

Three engine options

Tows up to 5600 pounds, when properly equipped

8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard

Starts at $35,505

5. Nissan Pathfinder

Car and Driver

The first-gen Pathfinder was revealed in 1986 and had a narrow body-on-frame design that shook up the segment. In 2022, the fifth-generation Pathfinder looks much different than it did 40 years ago and includes several improvements too. Consider, for example, that the newest Pathfinder has a whopping 16 cup holders, which may be an overlooked amenity until youre looking for an extra cup holder and cant find one. Not only is there ample room for drinks, the new, wider third row seat ensures a comfy ride for as many as eight passengers.

The Bottom Line

26 mpg highway

6,000 pounds of towing capacity, when properly equipped

Six-speaker stereo is standard; 13-speaker Bose system is optional

Starts at $35,935

4. Mazda CX-9

Car and Driver

Underappreciated as a luxuriously-appointed three-row SUV, the Mazda CX-9 feels more like a wagon than some of its competitors. All-wheel drive is standard, and a generous suite of driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert are included starting with the base model. The Mazda CX-9 falls a bit short in towing capacity, but it makes up for brawn with sheer driving pleasure, and theres little more important than riding comfortably when battling Houston highways at rush hour. Channeling its inner Miata, the CX-9 boasts light steering and agility that eludes most three-row SUVs.

The Bottom Line

26 mpg highway

6,000 pounds of towing capacity, when properly equipped

14.4 cubic feet behind the third row and 71.2 cubic feet with the third row folded down

Starts at $36,855

3. Hyundai Palisade

Car and Driver

The Hyundai Palisade may share a platform, powertrain, and suspension with the Kia Telluride, but it feels very different inside and out. While the two are the exact same height at 68.9 inches, the Palisades styling seems to suggest the elegant side to the Tellurides rough-and-tumble attitude. Sporting a European-style push-button gear shifter and clever storage options (like the space under the floating-bridge center console) the Palisade is an SUV you can take to the ranch yet still show clients around town with no trace of embarrassment. And its 10-year warranty makes the Palisade an easy buy for Houston drivers in search of a 3-row SUV without the headache of costly maintenance.

The Bottom Line

Front-wheel-drive: 26 mpg highway

All-wheel drive: 24 mpg highway

10-year warranty, 3.8-liter V6 (291 horsepower, 262 lb-ft of torque)

5,000 pounds of towing capacity, when properly equipped

Starts at $34,895

2. Kia Telluride

Car and Driver

Almost as soon as the Kia Telluride was released for model year 2020, the Korean automakers 3-row mid-sized SUV was a hit with Houston drivers. Starting at under $35,000, the Telluride has continued to rock the market with an attractive body style, a well-appointed cabin, and an affordable price point. An impressively-long list of features and off-roading capability comes standard, and road noise is minimal, which makes this SUV an incredible value. Even at the top of the trim line (SX), the difference in cost is less than $10,000, and it is equipped with luxury touches like black 20-inch rims, a premium Harman Kardon stereo, and dual sunroofs.

The Bottom Line

26 mpg highway

21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 87 cubic feet with both rows folded down

Tows up to 5,000 pounds, when properly equipped

Starts at $34,725

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Car and Driver

Made for long, meandering road trips across Texas and beyond, the completely overhauled Jeep Grand Cherokee is the ultimate comfort vehicle for daily drives around Houston, too. While the Grand Cherokee comes standard with two rows, the Grand Cherokee L has room for up to seven passengers in its three-row design. If youre the outdoorsy type, the Grand Cherokee L is capable of off-roading on some of the gnarliest roads you can find as you work your way up the trim level and add 4WD options. Theres a significant price difference between the base model and the top-of-the-line Summit Reserve, and luxury touches to match. Warning: spotting this 3-row mid-sized SUV in Houston will cause envy.

The Bottom Line

25 mpg highway

Swap out the nine-speaker Alpine audio setup for a high-end 19-speaker McIntosh system

Massaging seats and other niceties available

Starts at $43,520

Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
WFO BUFFALO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Buffalo NY

419 PM EDT Mon Jul 18 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern

Jefferson and north central Lewis Counties through 445 PM EDT...

At 418 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Dexter and moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...

Watertown, Fort Drum, Dexter, Glen Park, Herrings, Redwood, Kring

Point State Park, Sackets Harbor, Black River, Philadelphia,

Brownville, Alexandria Bay, Theresa, Antwerp, Harrisville, Evans

Mills, Deferiet, Calcium, La Fargeville and Perch Lake.

This includes Interstate 81 between exits 45 and 49.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to

localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded

roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 4440 7583 4414 7526 4389 7613 4436 7593

4440 7587

TIME...MOT...LOC 2018Z 249DEG 29KT 4407 7603

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
An aerial view of the flood-affected areas in Godavari districts. (Photo by arrangement)

Vijayawada: As the Godavari river experienced early onset of rains and floods early this season following intense Monsoon activity in its catchment areas, farmers say they suffered less of crop damage.

Over 10,000 hectares of agricultural fields were inundated and if the floodwaters recede fast, it would leave the crops safe in at least some areas, they hope.

The targeted area in AP for raising crops during kharif season is 36.82 lakh hectares. Out of this, the total area sown was just 6.42 lakh hectares so far, against the normal crop area of 9.17 lakh hectares.

The reason why less area was used to raise crops this season was the delayed rainfall under the influence of south-west monsoon. Though the monsoon was supposed to enter AP on June 1 and bring rainfall, it could cover the entire state by June 20 only. This resulted in a delay in the raising of crops.

Based on preliminary reports on crop damage due to heavy floods from Godavari river, paddy nurseries as also crops like paddy and cotton suffered damage in districts like Alluri Sitaram Raju, East Godavari, West Godavari, Konaseema and Eluru, to an extent of 3,000 hectares.

Farmers are confident that once the floodwater starts receding, it may help save the crops.

So is the case with horticulture crops that suffered damage in about 7,777.73 hectares in districts like Konaseema, Bapatla, Kakinada and East Godavari, affecting some 20,000 farmers. One-third of crops like banana, papaya, turmeric, vegetables, yam, cocoa, guava, their nurseries, flowers, betel vine, chillies, coconut plantations etc suffered.

Officials estimated that an input subsidy of Rs 1,647.41 lakh was needed to be paid to the affected farmers.

Farmers said if they had received early rainfall under the southwest monsoon, they should have raised the crops in more areas. As there was a delay in the rainfall, they could take up sowing in less areas. This saved them from suffering huge damage or loss of crops.
WFO NEW YORK CITY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in Upton has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Southern Fairfield County in southern Connecticut...

Southeastern Bergen County in northeastern New Jersey...

Bronx County in southeastern New York...

New York (Manhattan) County in southeastern New York...

Southern Westchester County in southeastern New York...

* Until 600 PM EDT.

* At 429 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of

rain have fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as

other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Yonkers, Stamford, New Rochelle, White Plains, East Tremont, Port

Chester, Rye, Dobbs Ferry, Harlem, Greenwich, Riverdale, Co-op

City, Fort Lee, Harrison, Scarsdale, Bronxville, Hawthorne, City

Island, Mount Vernon and Eastchester.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage

areas and low lying spots.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law

enforcement and request they pass this information to the National

Weather Service when you can do so safely.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
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Since 2015, the Cloudera DataFlow team has been helping the largest enterprise organizations in the world adopt Apache NiFi as their enterprise standard data movement tool. Over the last few years, we have had a front-row seat in our customers hybrid cloud journey as they expand their data estate across the edge, on-premise, and multiple cloud providers. This unique perspective of helping customers move data as they traverse the hybrid cloud path has afforded Cloudera a clear line of sight to the critical requirements that are emerging as customers adopt a modern hybrid data stack.

One of the critical requirements that has materialized is the need for companies to take control of their data flows from origination through all points of consumption both on-premise and in the cloud in a simple, secure, universal, scalable, and cost-effective way. This need has generated a market opportunity for a universal data distribution service.

Over the last two years, the Cloudera DataFlow team has been hard at work building Cloudera DataFlow for the Public Cloud (CDF-PC). CDF-PC is a cloud native universal data distribution service powered by Apache NiFi on Kubernetes, allowing developers to connect to any data source anywhere with any structure, process it, and deliver to any destination.

This blog aims to answer two questions:

What is a universal data distribution service?

Why does every organization need it when using a modern data stack?

In a recent customer workshop with a large retail data science media company, one of the attendees, an engineering leader, made the following observation:

Everytime I go to your competitor website, they only care about their system. How to onboard data into their system? I dont care about their system. I want integration between all my systems. Each system is just one of many that Im using. Thats why we love that Cloudera uses NiFi and the way it integrates between all systems. Its one tool looking out for the community and we really appreciate that.

The above sentiment has been a recurring theme from many of the enterprise organizations the Cloudera DataFlow team has worked with, especially those who are adopting a modern data stack in the cloud.

What is the modern data stack? Some of the more popular viral blogs and LinkedIn posts describe it as the following:

Ben Patterson/IDG

A few observations on the modern stack diagram:

Note the number of different boxes that are present. In the modern data stack, there is a diverse set of destinations where data needs to be delivered. This presents a unique set of challenges. The newer extract/load tools seem to focus primarily on cloud data sources with schemas. However, based on the 2000+ enterprise customers that Cloudera works with, more than half the data they need to source from is born outside the cloud (on-prem, edge, etc.) and dont necessarily have schemas. Numerous extract/load tools need to be used to move data across the ecosystem of cloud services.

Well drill into these points further.

Companies have not treated the collection and distribution of data as a first-class problem

Over the last decade, we have often heard about the proliferation of data creating sources (mobile applications, laptops, sensors, enterprise apps) in heterogeneous environments (cloud, on-prem, edge) resulting in the exponential growth of data being created. What is less frequently mentioned is that during this same time we have also seen a rapid increase of cloud services where data needs to be delivered (data lakes, lakehouses, cloud warehouses, cloud streaming systems, cloud business processes, etc.). Use cases demand that data no longer be distributed to just a data warehouse or subset of data sources, but to a diverse set of hybrid services across cloud providers and on-prem.

Companies have not treated the collection, distribution, and tracking of data throughout their data estate as a first-class problem requiring a first-class solution. Instead they built or purchased tools for data collection that are confined with a class of sources and destinations. If you take into account the first observation abovethat customer source systems are never just limited to cloud structured sourcesthe problem is further compounded as described in the below diagram:

Unisys

The need for a universal data distribution service

As cloud services continue to proliferate, the current approach of using multiple point solutions becomes intractable.

A large oil and gas company, who needed to move streaming cyber logs from over 100,000 edge devices to multiple cloud services including Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, Snowflake, and a data lake, described this need perfectly:

Controlling the data distribution is critical to providing the freedom and flexibility to deliver the data to different services.

Every organization on the hybrid cloud journey needs the ability to take control of their data flows from origination through all points of consumption. As I stated in the start of the blog, this need has generated a market opportunity for a universal data distribution service.

P Wei / Getty Images

What are the key capabilities that a data distribution service has to have?

Universal Data Connectivity and Application Accessibility : In other words, the service needs to support ingestion in a hybrid world, connecting to any data source anywhere in any cloud with any structure. Hybrid also means supporting ingestion from any data source born outside of the cloud and enabling these applications to easily send data to the distribution service.

: In other words, the service needs to support ingestion in a hybrid world, connecting to any data source anywhere in any cloud with any structure. Hybrid also means supporting ingestion from any data source born outside of the cloud and enabling these applications to easily send data to the distribution service. Universal Indiscriminate Data Delivery : The service should not discriminate where it distributes data, supporting delivery to any destination including data lakes, lakehouses, data meshes, and cloud services.

: The service should not discriminate where it distributes data, supporting delivery to any destination including data lakes, lakehouses, data meshes, and cloud services. Universal Data Movement Use Cases with Streaming as First-Class Citizen : The service needs to address the entire diversity of data movement use cases: continuous/streaming, batch, event-driven, edge, and microservices. Within this spectrum of use cases, streaming has to be treated as a first-class citizen with the service able to turn any data source into streaming mode and support streaming scale, reinforcing hundreds of thousands of data-generating clients.

: The service needs to address the entire diversity of data movement use cases: continuous/streaming, batch, event-driven, edge, and microservices. Within this spectrum of use cases, streaming has to be treated as a first-class citizen with the service able to turn any data source into streaming mode and support streaming scale, reinforcing hundreds of thousands of data-generating clients. Universal Developer Accessibility: Data distribution is a data integration problem and all the complexities that come with it. Dumbed down connector wizardbased solutions cannot address the common data integration challenges (e.g: bridging protocols, data formats, routing, filtering, error handling, retries). At the same time, todays developers demand low-code tooling with extensibility to build these data distribution pipelines.

Cloudera DataFlow for the Public Cloud, a universal data distribution service powered by Apache NiFi

Cloudera DataFlow for the Public Cloud (CDF-PC), a cloud native universal data distribution service powered by Apache NiFi, was built to solve the data collection and distribution problem with the four key capabilities: connectivity and application accessibility, indiscriminate data delivery, streaming data pipelines as a first class citizen, and developer accessibility.

IDG

CDF-PC offers a flow-based low-code development paradigm that provides the best impedance match with how developers design, develop, and test data distribution pipelines. With over 400+ connectors and processors across the ecosystem of hybrid cloud services including data lakes, lakehouses, cloud warehouses, and sources born outside the cloud, CDF-PC provides indiscriminate data distribution. These data distribution flows can then be version controlled into a catalog where operators can self-serve deployments to different runtimes including cloud providers kubernetes services or function services (FaaS).

Organizations use CDF-PC for diverse data distribution use cases ranging from cyber security analytics and SIEM optimization via streaming data collection from hundreds of thousands of edge devices, to self-service analytics workspace provisioning and hydrating data into lakehouses (e.g: Databricks, Dremio), to ingesting data into cloud providers data lakes backed by their cloud object storage (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and cloud warehouses (Snowflake, Redshift, Google BigQuery).

In subsequent blogs, well deep dive into some of these use cases and discuss how they are implemented using CDF-PC.

Get Started Today

Wherever you are on your hybrid cloud journey, a first class data distribution service is critical for successfully adopting a modern hybrid data stack. Cloudera DataFlow for the Public Cloud (CDF-PC) provides a universal, hybrid, and streaming first data distribution service that enables customers to gain control of their data flows.

Take our interactive product tour to get an impression of CDF-PC in action or sign up for a free trial.
Interconnect Services B.V. has come a long way since brothers and company co-founders Jeroen and Rob Stevens first began providing domain registration services from a loft office 27 years ago. Today, Interconnect provides a whos who of Dutch businesses in a variety of industries, including high-tech and telecommunications, with the cloud and security solutions and services they need to succeed.

Both Jeroen and Rob still manage Interconnect, which now employs more than 120 cloud, infrastructure, application, and networking professionals. The company is growing and later this year will move into an expanded headquarters being built in the city of s-Hertogenbosch. Notably, Interconnect is also building a new state-of-the-art data center that will be located right next door.

We recently connected with Hans Derksen, marketing manager and William van Tienen, technical product manager, to learn more about Interconnect and what it means to achieve the VMware Cloud Verified distinction. We also took the opportunity to explore why Interconnect uses with the belief that most organizations should plan for a multi-cloud future to ensure that they keep business continuity and are agile in the future.

Most of our current customers are managed service providers (MSPs), software developers and small or medium-sized enterprises and businesses, says Derksen. It can be a struggle for many organizations, particularly those in fields outside of technology, not only to make the right decisions and plans for the cloud, but also to maintain core systems and processes. IT infrastructure, hardware and software are not their core business.

Van Tienen points out that many customers turn to Interconnect after struggling with everything from plotting their IT strategy, to investing in high-demand IT talent, managing hardware, and accurately predicting and controlling IT-related costs. Among these are the variable costs associated with the public cloud.

The public cloud isnt necessarily less expensive, particularly if you are not familiar with the costs involved. Our tailormade solutions at Interconnect help by supplying Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) for a fixed price without any surprises, he says. We enable our customers to focus on their core business.

Derksen notes that Interconnect offers a wide range of cloud options, from a dedicated single-tenant private cloud to hybrid clouds that empower organizations to mix and match various use cases with the right cloud using the companys high-performance, high security IaaS. All of this is made possible by Interconnects highly advanced, Tier 3+ data centers in both Eindhoven and s-Hertogenbosch. Comprising a combined floor space of more than 6,800 square meters, Interconnect has the largest data center footprint in Southern Holland.

We believe that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution for workloads in the cloud, adds Van Tienen. Each workload has its own requirements and therefore an ideal cloud to run on. It should be easy to use all the capabilities that various clouds offer while capitalizing on their strengths and migrating workloads between them. At Interconnect, we deliver that flexibility.

Derksen also stresses that such flexibility is increasingly crucial for a variety of reasons. Its a reality IT leaders should plan for.

At the outset of any cloud journey it can be tempting to focus on a single cloud environment, he says. Its an approach that is simpler and less expensive initially, but ultimately most organizations will encounter a use case where a different cloud may be preferable either because of their inherent capabilities, cost, or ease of deployment. Its imperative to look at each organizations unique situation and needs, and then plan accordingly. Increasingly that means planning for a multi-cloud deployment at some point in the future.

Notably, Interconnects longstanding partnership with VMware can be seen in the broad array of cloud offerings the companys customers have to choose from. All of Interconnects private, public, and multi-cloud related solutions use VMware technologies.

We rely on myriad VMware innovations. For example, VMware vSphere serves as a solid foundation of our cloud offerings, VMware Cloud Director enables multi-factor authentication and VMware NSX seamlessly tackles scalability requirements, adds Van Tienen. Being VMware Cloud Verified ensures our customers that we supply secure, modern and future-ready services.

Learn more about Interconnect and its partnership with VMware here.
Global carmakers vie for China's vast auto market

Xinhua) 08:07, July 18, 2022

* Since the beginning of this year, global auto companies including Audi, BMW and Volkswagen have accelerated their expansion in China, launching a number of large new energy vehicle (NEV) and other projects.

* Thanks to the effective containment of COVID-19 resurgences and strong policy stimulus, China's auto sales regained strong momentum in June after declining for three consecutive months.

* In June, a total of 2.5 million vehicles were sold, up 23.8 percent from a year earlier, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

CHANGCHUN, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The 19th China Changchun International Auto Expo that kicked off on Friday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, has attracted tens of thousands of automobile enthusiasts.

A total of 155 domestic and foreign automobile brands and 128 enterprises are vying for customers' attention with their latest models, technology and services.

An electric vehicle is displayed at the booth of the FAW-Volkswagen during the 19th China (Changchun) International Automobile Expo in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, July 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

The expo opened at a time when China's automobile market is recovering from a COVID-induced slump earlier this year. It serves as a platform for automakers from home and abroad to seek new opportunities in the world's largest auto market.

The 10-day auto expo, covering a total exhibition area of 200,000 square meters, has nine indoor exhibition halls and four outdoor exhibition areas. As of 10 a.m. Sunday, more than 26,000 consumers visited the auto show, according to its organizing committee.

GROWING GLOBAL INVESTMENT

FAW Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd. displayed 15 vehicles spanning 13 models at the expo. Xu Jianxin, a sales manager with the company, said that despite the impact of the epidemic, mid- and high-end models have seen steady growth in sales during the event.

The FAW Audi booth has 21 models displayed at the expo, drawing widespread attention of car enthusiasts. Meanwhile, 20 car models have been put on display in the Mercedes-Benz exhibition area.

In June, the joint venture of Mercedes-Benz and BAIC Group in Beijing saw the 4 millionth complete vehicle roll off the production line.

Arno van der Merwe, president and CEO of Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. said the joint venture has learned from the advanced manufacturing system and technology of German factories and also fed back its own innovative technology and experience to the German factories.

Since the beginning of this year, global auto companies including Audi, BMW and Volkswagen have accelerated their expansion in China, launching a number of large new energy vehicle (NEV) and other projects.

The Audi FAW NEV project, with an investment of over 30 billion yuan (about 4.44 billion U.S. dollars), broke ground on June 28 in Changchun. This is Audi's first production base specifically for purely electric vehicles in China and is expected to go into operation at the end of 2024, with a planned annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles.

Photo taken on June 28, 2022 shows a groundbreaking ceremony of an Audi FAW NEV project in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province. (Audi FAW/Handout via Xinhua)

Volkswagen Group China is also accelerating the process of vehicle electrification. Volkswagen Anhui recently began working on a new project for manufacturing auto parts, with an investment of 130 million yuan.

Located in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, the project has a planned construction area of around 31,000 square meters. Upon completion, it will provide auto parts including seats and accessories for NEVs produced by Volkswagen Anhui.

On May 10, Volkswagen Group China announced to establish a new digital sales and services company in Hefei. The new company is expected to complete Volkswagen Anhui's entire value chain in terms of manufacturing, R&D, testing, marketing, and customer services.

RECOVERING MOMENTUM OF AUTO MARKET

China is the world's largest automobile market. In 2021, retail sales of automobiles and related products accounted for 9.9 percent of the country's retail sales of consumer goods.

Thanks to the effective containment of COVID-19 resurgences and strong policy stimulus, China's auto sales regained strong momentum in June after declining for three consecutive months.

BMW i3 electric cars are pictured during the inauguration ceremony of Plant Lydia of BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) in Tiexi District of Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

In June, a total of 2.5 million vehicles were sold, up 23.8 percent from a year earlier, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

The automobile association expects steady growth for the entire year and has predicted annual vehicle sales to reach 27 million units, up 3 percent year on year.

June's NEV sales hit a record high of 596,000 units, jumping 1.3 times from the same month of last year and accounting for 23.8 percent of the entire auto sales, CAAM data showed.

In the NEV sector, Chinese brands have leaped to the forefront of the market and even outperformed joint venture enterprises in certain technical fields.

Han Zhuoxuan, a salesperson with China's leading NEV manufacturer BYD, deemed NEVs the new trend and fashion. "Consumers are eager to learn more about and try out new NEV models."

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Du Mingming)
Vijayawada: The Supreme Court has directed the Andhra Pradesh government to return Rs 1,100 crore to the states Disaster Response Fund from the personal deposit account. A division bench headed by Justice MR Shah heard a petition filed by social activist Palla Srinivasa Rao in New Delhi on Monday before issuing the direction.

The court also ordered that any person who applied for Covid compensation -- and whose claim was approved but the money was not paid within 30 days -- could approach the grievance redressal authority for its urgent payment.

The judge also directed every state and Union Territory to provide Covid relief in accordance with its earlier order and without any delay.

The Comptroller and Auditor General earlier submitted to the apex court that the AP government transferred the SDRF fund to the personal deposit account and such funds remained un-utilized even after two years. This meant the AP government flouted the principle of SDRF, the CAG noted.

The petitioner filed his plea before the apex court based on a reply given by the Union minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary for a query raised by TD MP Ram Mohan Naidu in Parliament.

In his reply, the Union minister said the AP government received an amount of Rs 324.15 crore as central share of the SDRF and an amount of Rs 570.91 crore under NDRF from the central government. As per the CAG report on APs finances for the financial year that ended in March, 2020, an amount of Rs 1,100 crore was transferred to the deposit account of the directorate of agriculture towards payment of input subsidy to farmers for kharif by way of gratuitous relief.

This amount was again transferred to the personal deposit account of the commissioner, directorate of agriculture, on March 31, 2020. The state government transferred Rs 1,100 crore to the personal deposit account by showing expenditure as disaster relief and rehabilitation in violation of the Appropriation Act and the entire expenditure transferred to the PD account was adjusted from the SDRF by showing it as deduct expenditure, in violation of SDRF accounting procedure.

The reply stated that booking the expenditure without actually incurring it raised questions about the accuracy of the expenditure figures of the state government. Moreover, the state government stated that these funds were demarcated for pandemic-related expenditure and were utilised in the following financial year.

However, the SDRF guidelines allow adjustment of expenditure from the fund only for expenditure incurred on providing immediate relief. The state government has, however, transferred the funds from SDRF to the personal deposit account without using it for extending immediate relief.
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Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele
Termen extins: Centrul CONTACT angajeaza expert/experta sau grup de experti in elaborarea de metodologie si livrare de training in domeniul colectarii de fonduri
Termen extins: A.O. Centrul de Drept al Femeilor anunta concurs de selectare a unui expert/ unei experte, grup de experti pentru elaborarea Strategiei de fundraising in corelare cu viziunea si misiunea CDF
Celia Richardson took up the role of director of communications and marketing at the National Trust in December 2018.

A year later, the charity found itself immersed in controversy due to its report on its properties' links to colonialism  which critics labelled woke and an attempt to push a political agenda. The scrutiny became so extreme that the director-general of the Trust, Hilary McGrady, received death threats.

When asked whether this is the biggest challenge she has faced since joining the charity, Richardson says: Undoubtedly, yes.

Some of the social media backlash occurred in 2020, when the National Trust was attempting to close its properties and put staff on furlough, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was quite an intense period, coming in the days when we were in the middle of trying to close the organisation for the first time in its history. Our entire leadership team was under significant pressure, says Richardson.

The controversy felt louder than ever before, and as director of communications and marketing, Richardson was working at the forefront of the issue. The National Trust team received letters and messages from people claiming they were going to cancel their memberships, though did not see this reflected in membership figures.

Richardson says: What we tried to do was stay abreast of what was happening. We tried to engage as far as possible with our critics.

Remain engaged with critics

The charity ensured a lot of its communications were reactive, and Richardson advised other charities going through a similar situation to prioritise this.

She says: When you get into a bit of a trope that you've done something wrong, not everyone's really paying a great deal of attention. They just get this vague sense that something's gone wrong. And that can really unnerve long-term supporters and it can undermine peoples confidence in charities.

Richardson recounted a National Trust member coming to her with concerns about the National Trust being woke. She argues that it was important that the charity remained engaged with its supporters and stayed abreast of what was being said. Richardson said she thinks you absolutely have to be respectful and you have to be able to be open to people's opinions, until a certain point.

Obviously, we did experience some abuse. There has been racist abuse and we have seen some homophobic campaigning around too. I am not suggesting we listen to that intolerance or we engage with that. But some people are good faith actors, and they're genuinely concerned about what you're doing, whether you agree with them or not, its really important to engage with them.

She adds: Dont switch off from people, don't turn away from people. Institutions like the National Trust are here for the whole of society, and they are here to bring people together.

We should be dealing with all aspects of cultural history

Richardson said the charity dealt with the controversy well because it has strong governance structures, and that the organisation stands by the work it has done that brought about the criticism.

She says: Lots of charities and public bodies have felt under pressure recently. But we have robust and well-designed governance structures. We've got a really strong founding purpose  for everyone forever. And we should be looking at all aspects of cultural history regardless of your identity or your ethnic origin. The point of having very large independent institutions is that they can help to fortify the sector and civil society during difficult times [...] We have had lots of calls from other charities that have felt under attack on cultural issues too.

What would you say to other charities that also feel under attack?

If your charity becomes immersed in controversy, Richardson suggests creating a small crisis team to deal with it, whether that be made up of two or twenty people.

She advises making sure you are keeping your trustees briefed, as well as making sure that you are aware of what is being said.

The second thing I would do is talk to your sector partners. We have spent quite a bit of time talking to other charities that have been attacked. We have allies in other charities and we try to stand up for one another.

Staff should also ensure they are sticking very closely to partiality guidelines and are not sharing things that can be construed as political, she says.

The public has to have institutions and safe spaces away from politics. I feel very strongly about that - there have to be parts of society that are free, independent and are seen to be so.

A focus on diversity and inclusion

The National Trust wants to better reflect the population it serves, and do so by reaching more underrepresented groups, Richardson says.

For example, the National Trust is currently working with a group called Muslim Hikers, as minority ethnic groups are underrepresented when it comes to visiting the countryside.

The charity is also trying to market its free properties more to reach people from low-income households.

As an organisation for years and years we've marketed our paid-for places and youd be forgiven for thinking we were a sort of country club, she says.

Some of our free places  you don't know that they're free. You don't know that you can go and visit them without being told, if youre not a National Trust person. So were trying to get better at marketing our free places and marketing to underrepresented audiences.

The heritage charity is also trialling virtual tours of some of its properties too because, as Richardson says, everyone should be able to access nature, even psychologically.

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PARIS (AP)  Firefighters battled wildfires raging out of control in France and Spain on Sunday as Europe wilted under an unusually extreme heat wave that authorities in Madrid blamed for hundreds of deaths.

Two huge blazes, which have consumed pine forests for six days in southwestern France, have forced the evacuation of some 14,000 people. Water-dropping planes zig-zagged the area near Bordeaux, as flames lapped at the edge of a farm field, and smoke blanketed the skyline above a mass of singed trees, in images shared by firefighters.

In Spain, firefighters supported by military brigades tried to stamp out over 30 fires consuming forests spread across the country. Spains National Defense Department said that the majority of its fire-fighting aircraft have been deployed to reach the blazes, many of which are in rugged, hilly terrain that is difficult for ground crews to access.

Fire season has hit parts of Europe earlier than usual this year after a dry, hot spring that the European Union has attributed to climate change. Some countries are also experiencing extended droughts, while many are sweltering in heat waves.

So far, there have been no fire-related deaths in France or Spain. In Portugal, a pilot of a firefighting plane died when his aircraft crashed on Friday.

But as temperatures remained unusually high, heat-related deaths soared. In Spains second heat wave of the summer, many areas have repeatedly seen peaks of 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit). According to Spains Carlos III Institute, which records temperature-related fatalities daily, 360 deaths were attributed to high temperatures from July 10 to 15. That was compared with 27 temperature-related deaths the previous six days.

The death of a street cleaner after he suffered heat stroke while working led Madrids town hall to give its street cleaners the option to work in the evenings.

Almost all of Spain was under alert for high temperatures for another day Sunday, while there was a heat wave warnings for about half of France, where scorching temperatures were expected to climb higher on Monday. The French government has stepped up efforts to protect people in nursing homes, the homeless and other vulnerable populations after a vicious heat wave and poor planning led to nearly 15,000 deaths in 2003, especially among the elderly.

Meanwhile, the fire in La Teste-de-Buch has forced 10,000 people to flee at a time when many flock to the nearby Atlantic coast area for vacation. And authorities shut down access to Europes tallest sand dune, the Dune du Pilat.

The Gironde regional government said Sunday afternoon that the situation remains very unfavorable due to gusting winds that helped fan more flare-ups overnight.

The emergency services are prioritizing protecting the population, preserving sensitive areas and limiting the progression of the fire, authorities said, without addressing when they might be able to bring it under control.

A second fire near the town of Landiras has forced authorities to evacuate 4,100 people this week. Authorities said that one flank has been brought under control by the dumping of white sand along a two-kilometer (1.2-mile) stretch. Another flank, however, remains unchecked.

People who were forced to flee shared worries about their abandoned homes with local media, and local officials organized special trips for some to fetch pets they had left behind in the rush to get to safety.

Overall, more than 100 square kilometers (40 square miles) of land have burned in the two fires.

Emergency officials warned that high temperatures and winds Sunday and Monday would complicate efforts to stop the fires from spreading further.

We have to stay very prudent and very humble, because the day will be very hot. We have no favorable weather window, regional fire official Eric Florensan said Sunday on radio France-Bleu.

Some of the most worrisome blazes in Spain are concentrated in the western regions of Extremadura and Castilla y Leon. Images of plumes of dark smoke rising above wooded hills that have been baked under the sun have become common in several scarcely populated rural areas.

Drought conditions in the Iberian Peninsula have made it particularly susceptible to wildfires. Since last October, Spain has accumulated 25% less rainfall than is considered normal _ and some areas have received as much as 75% less than normal, the National Security Department said.

While some fires have been caused by lightning strikes and others the result of human negligence, a blaze that broke out in a nature reserve in Extremadura called La Garganta de los Infiernos, or The Throat of Hell, was suspected to be the result of arson, regional authorities said.

Firefighters have been unable to stop the advance of a fire that broke out near the city of Caceres that is threatening the Monfrague National Park and has kept 200 people from returning to their homes. Another fire in southern Spain near the city of Malaga has forced the evacuation of a further 2,500 people.

The office of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that he will travel to Extremadura to visit some of the hardest-hit areas on Monday.

Hungary, Croatia and the Greek island of Crete have also fought wildfires this week, as have Morocco and California. Italy is in the midst of an early summer heat wave, coupled with the worst drought in its north in 70 years _ conditions linked to a recent disaster, when a huge chunk of the Marmolada glacier broke loose, killing several hikers.

Scorching temperatures have even reached northern Europe. An annual four-day walking event in the Dutch city of Nijmegen announced Sunday that it would cancel the first day, scheduled for Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to peak at around 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit).

Britains weather agency has issued its first-ever red warning of extreme heat for Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures in southern England may reach 40 C (104 F) for the first time.

College of Paramedics Chief Executive Tracy Nicholls warned Sunday that the ferocious heat could ultimately, end in peoples deaths.

Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain. Associated Press writer Mike Corder contributed from The Hague, Netherlands.

About the photo: This photo provided by the fire brigade of the Gironde region (SDIS 33) shows a wildfire near Landiras, southwestern France, Saturday July 16, 2022 . Strong winds and hot, dry weather are frustrating French firefighters efforts to contain a huge wildfire that raced across pine forests in the Bordeaux region Saturday for a fifth straight day, one of several scorching Europe in recent days. (SDIS 33 via AP)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Insurers and consumer advocates are conveying conflicting messages as both try to focus public attention on smoke damage claims.

Mercury Insurance issued a press release Friday warning that an unidentified California public adjuster has been duping homeowners into submitting fraudulent smoke and ash damage claims by promising to recover thousands of dollars.

That announcement follows a report released last week by Consumer Watchdog that accused some insurers of using illegal coverage limitations to deny claims for smoke damage caused by wildfires. State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara held an investigatory hearing in Oakland to explore solutions, according to a report by the San Jose Mercury News.

The consumer groups report resulted in a sympathetic story by the newspaper that opened with the experience of a homeowner who said she received a $1,100 check for $200,000 in smoke damage to her home when the CZU Lightning Complex Fires tore through the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Mercury Insurances press release, on the other hand, portrays greedy public adjusters that canvas door to door, passing out flyers and even advertising on banners streaming behind airplanes in order to persuade policyholders to file phony claims.

When we checked on our insureds to see how we can help them and make sure we fulfill our promise of being there for them, many were unaware a claim was filed on their homeowners policy, said Pete Galassi, Mercury Insurance special investigations unit manager, according to the press release. Some professional entities dont care about the harm they can do and will use trickery to take advantage of law-abiding homeowners in vulnerable situations.

Mercury said one public adjusting firm has submitted a large number of fraudulent smoke and ash damage claims. Some were filed by homeowners who do not speak English and didnt know what they were signing, the insurer said.

Mercury didnt identify the public adjusting company that committed the misdeeds described in the press release. Company spokesman Kyle Reuter said the carrier intended the release to be taken as a public service announcement. He said the insurer cannot comment on any legal matters.

One Southern California public adjusting firm makes no secret about its efforts to drum up business. California Recovery Group posts video testimonials on its website, in which customers talk about the flyers they received from the company.

In one testimonial, an elderly woman, sitting next to a man who presumably is here husband, holds up a check. She says she waited for months before responding to a California Recovery Group flyer, but is glad she finally did.

I thought at first it might be a scam but its not, the woman says. Now we can get our house cleaned in ways that may help our health, which has suffered ever since the fires.

Not all customers are so happy. According to the Better Business Bureau, consumers filed six complaints about California Recovery Group in the past three years. One of the complainers said a man soliciting door to door persuaded his wife to sign a document when he stepped away to take a call. A few days later he received notice that an insurance claim had been filed. He said the company took advantage of his wife and put him off when he tried to terminate the claim.

The Better Business Bureau website says that California Recovery Group terminated the claim after being notified about the complaint. The other five complaints against the company were similarly resolved.

The bureaus website shows that California Recovery Group averaged a five-star rating in customer service reviews.

And the business appears to be growing. California Recovery Group began doing business in Nevada last year after a brief kerfuffle with the state regulators, according to a report by 4 News, an NBC affiliate.

The television station reported last August that California Recovery Group had been mailing postcards to homeowners after wildfires struck the area, warning them about the damage that can be done by smoke and referring them to a website. The Nevada Division of Insurance told 4 News that the owner of the company, Argen Youseffi, cannot operate in Nevada because he was not registered with the state.

The television station updated the story a month later to report that Youseffi had registered the business in Nevada. He did not immediately return a call by the Claims Journal on Friday.

Matthew J. Smith, executive director of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, said in an email that both the consumer and insurer perspectives of smoke damage claims are legitimate. He said many smoke damage claims are proper, but Mercurys experience shows that there is also potential for abuse.

We have received multiple reports of solicitations being made by attorneys and smoke remediators trying to convince policyholders to make claims where they did not believe (or allegedly realize) they had any smoke damage claim, he said. Additionally, many of these result is no remediation ever being done but simply trying to receive payment by the insurer and then use the claim payment for other purposes.

He said the coalition has offered to serve as a facilitator to bring stakeholders together to develop reasonable limits on smoke damage claims, potentially based on the amount of elapsed time from the fire occurrence and distance from the fire border.

Our goal would be to build some consensus to equally protect consumers who have valid claims, while recognizing the need to make sure fraudsters and scammers do not raise policyholder premiums through exploitation of these types of smoke claim losses, Smith said.

About the photo: This screenshot of a video posted on California Recovery Groups website shows an unidentified woman as she relays her happy experience with the company, which she said resulted in a check that will cover the cost of smoke damage.
Hyderabad: The National Green Tribunal warned of initiating contempt proceedings against state revenue authorities, the Ranga Reddy collector and Hyderabad metropolitan development authority, over their lethargic attitude for failing to submit a report on alleged encroachment of Mamasani Kunta lake by Phoenix Group, a realty firm, even after a year of issuing directions.

The green tribunal, expressing displeasure over the inordinate delay, set a deadline of August 17 for officials to file the report in this regard, failing which it warned of stringent action.

Further, the NGT also issued a show cause notice to officials over non-compliance with orders.

Under sections 26 and Section 28 (1) of the National Green Tribunal Act, non-compliance with the tribunals order is a punishable offence, with either imprisonment up to three years or a fine up to Rs 10 crore or both.

The NGT reiterated the responsibility of the state in protecting the waterbodies as mandated under Article 48 (A) of the Constitution of India.

With such a lethargic attitude, the encroachment will become a fait accompli and it will be regularised stating that no such water body is in existence and it is very difficult to restore the water body on account of the developments taken place, the NGT noted.

The tribunal directed the collector to verify original revenue records prior to 1950, to mark the boundaries of the waterbody along with survey numbers, and produce the same along with copies of the D-sketch and field measurement book. The collector was also directed to submit his views on a Google Maps layout produced by the petitioner in the case, showing the location and the extent of the waterbody.

Dr Lubhna Sarwath, on whose petition the directions were issued, said, Phoenix Group, the ninth respondent in the case, is the encroacher. The NGT, in spite of two joint committee reports appointed by it ruling out existence of a lake, is not convinced and wanted the collector file a detailed report.

This is all based on the official data, which speaks about the existence of a water body at Mamasani Kunta. The question is not just about Survey No 286 of the Mamasani Lake but also about the encroachment of the Balkapur Naala, between Survey No. 285 and Survey No. 286, she said.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  The company that owns a closed fertilizer plant in Louisiana has agreed to clean up more than a billion pounds of hazardous waste and to pay a $1.5 million fine, federal and state agencies said Thursday.

PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer LP will provide over $84 million of financial assurance for the cleanup, final closure and 50 years of monitoring and maintenance, said statements from the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Justice Department, and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

The agreement will ensure that the long-term closure of its facility is protective of the environment, said EPA enforcement official Larry Starfield. This is a very important outcome as the facility is located in an area prone to hurricanes and the financial assurance secured will protect taxpayers from paying future closure and cleanup costs.

The Canadian company that owns the plant changed its name from Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan to Nutrien with a merger in 2018, but U.S. documents refer to the plant as PCS Nitrogen.

Nutrien has long been cooperating with State and Federal authorities, and these settlements formally document the work Nutrien has done, and continues to do, the Saskatoon-based company wrote on its website.

The announcement starts a 45-day public comment period, after which a federal judge in Baton Rouge will decide whether to approve it.

The waste is in acidic lakes atop vast piles of phosphogypsum at the PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer LP site in Geismar, about 20 miles southeast of Baton Rouge.

PCS Nitrogen has said it can clean the liquid to meet standards for drinking water, and applied last year for a permit to discharge such water into the Mississippi River.

The water application is still under consideration, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Greg Langley said in an email Thursday.

The federal and state agencies said the waste at PCS Nitrogen, which had no permit to store, treat or dispose of hazardous waste, includes material accepted from nearby Innophos Holdings Inc.  a company which agreed in 2017 to a $1.4 million fine. Innophos also agreed to dig deep injection wells, expected to cost $16 million, for its remaining waste.

Thursdays agreement was signed by the president of PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer Operations Inc. of Deerfield, Illinois, a partner in the plant. The company denies the waste is hazardous and denies the allegations against it.

The Geismar plant made industrial and agricultural phosphate products in Louisiana for agriculture and industry from the 1960s to until it closed in 2018, the state and federal agencies said.

The vast piles of phosphogypsum waste include some that rise 200 feet (61 meters) high and cover more than 100 acres (40 hectares), the news release said.

The fine is at least the third that PCS Nitrogen has faced in environmental cases.

PCS Nitrogen agreed in 2003 to pay $1.75 million  then the largest corporate fine in state history for an environmental violation  after pleading guilty to failing to include 20 pollution sources in air permit applications. In 2013, it agreed to pay nearly $199,000 and to reduce air emissions from phosphoric acid production, while denying that it had polluted.

Nutrien said its agreements allow us to focus on new projects like the potential construction at our Geismar site of the worlds largest clean ammonia plant and to further reduce our environmental footprint at the site.

About the photo: This April 16, 2021 file photo shows the Nutrien PCS Nitrogen plant in Geismar, La. The Illinois company that owns a closed fertilizer plant in Louisiana has agreed to clean up more than a billion pounds of hazardous waste and to pay a $1.5 million fine, federal and state agencies said Thursday, July 14, 2022.(Bill Feig/The Advocate via AP, File)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Some scientists say water seeping deep into the ground may be causing a swarm of earthquakes in the midlands region of South Carolina.

More than 60 earthquakes have been recorded since December in an area near the towns of Lugoff and Eglin, about 20 miles (33 kilometers) northeast of Columbia. Now, some geologists suggest that an initial December quake may have allowed water from the Wateree River to seep into new cracks opened by the quake, setting off additional temblors.

Pradeep Talwani, a retired geologist and former director of the South Carolina Seismic Network at the University of South Carolina, suggests that the additional quakes may be caused by hydroseismicity, the effect of water impacting earthquake faults.

What Im thinking is contributing to all these earthquakes was the month, to month-and-a-half of very high water levels we had, Talwani, a leading authority on the impact of water on seismic activity, told The State newspaper of Columbia. Those pressure pulses are going into these fractures.

The idea is that water moving above ground can increase pressure on water below ground. That downward pressure, in turn, can cause the earth to move.

We think it probably ought to be looked into, said Scott Howard, the states chief geologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Howard and Talwani are examining river levels in the Wateree, which are affected by the Lake Wateree dam upstream. Theyre also seeking information about changes in water wells. Cloudy water or sinking well levels could show a relationship to earthquakes, Howard said.

Five earthquakes with a magnitude of more than 3 have been recorded in the area. The largest quake was 3.6 in magnitude last month, an event that was felt across the region.

So far, no damage has been reported. Typically, earthquakes have to exceed 5 in magnitude to damage structures. But state officials say the current swarm of earthquakes could weaken buildings from repeated shaking.

The earthquake fault zone isnt connected to bigger faults near the Atlantic coast, officials said. A 7.3 magnitude quake that hit the Charleston area in 1886 leveled buildings, sparked fires and killed at least 60 people.

It would take more manpower and equipment to prove that hydroseismicity is causing the Elgin quakes or understand the fault system, Howard told The Post and Courier of Charleston.

Monitoring equipment is expensive, and the limited units available are concentrated in areas with a history of larger earthquakes.

Currently, only a single seismic monitoring station is located near Elgin, deployed by the South Carolina Seismic Network in late December, said Scott White, the networks director.

But so far, when hes requested more equipment, Howard said hes been turned down because the quakes are so weak.

Theyre too small. is the response we keep getting, he said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  U.S. prosecutors suspect a Wyoming company of potentially concealing problems with a pipeline that broke in 2015 and spilled more than 50,000 gallons (240,000 liters) of crude into Montanas Yellowstone River, fouling a small citys drinking water supply, court filings show.

The government is suing Bridger Pipeline for violations of environmental laws in the 2015 spill, which came after the line buried beneath the Yellowstone became exposed and broke when ice scoured the river bottom near Glendive, Montana. Prosecutors are pursuing similar claims against a related company over a 2016 spill in North Dakota that released more than 600,000 gallons (2.7 million liters) of crude.

The accidents came a few years after an Exxon-Mobil oil pipeline broke beneath the Yellowstone during flooding. The spills helped put a national focus on the nations aging pipeline network, which has continued to suffer high profile accidents including recent spills in Louisiana and California.

A survey of Bridgers pipeline on the companys behalf in 2011 included a note that the pipe was buried only 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) beneath the ever-shifting river bottom. That would have put it at heightened risk of breaking.

But after the spill, prosecutors alleged, company representatives referenced a second survey when they told federal regulators that the pipeline had been buried at least 7.9 feet (2.4 meters), giving it adequate cover to protect against spills.

This raises questions  which Bridger has yet to answer  about whether Bridger concealed material facts about the condition of the crossing before the Yellowstone spill, assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Elmer wrote in court documents.

Attorneys for Bridger rejected the allegations about conflicting surveys as conspiracy theories.

Pipeline company spokesperson Bill Salvin said the government misunderstood the surveys.

There was adequate depth of cover across the entire crossing, Salvin said. We think the government is trying to find something thats just not there.

Federal prosecutors last month filed a lawsuit with similar claims against a sister company, Belle Fourche Pipeline, over the 2016 North Dakota spill that contaminated the Little Missouri River and a tributary.

Both pipeline businesses are part of Casper, Wyoming-based True Companies, which operates 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) of line in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.

Prosecutors allege the spills violated the Clean Water Act and are subject to penalties of up to $6.6 million in the Montana case and up to $89.5 million in the North Dakota case.

Attorneys for Belle Fourche, in their initial response to the federal lawsuit, on Thursday denied any violations of pollution laws. A more detailed response is expected at a later date.

The legal challenges over the spills come as Bridger seeks to build a new pipeline from western North Dakota to southeastern Montana. North Dakota Public Service Commission in May approved part of the line.

Bridger last year reached a $2 million settlement with the federal government and Montana over damages from the Yellowstone River spill. The company was previously fined $1 million in the case by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

About the photo: This Jan. 19, 2015 file photo crews work to contain an oil spill from Bridger Pipelines broken pipeline near Glendive, Mont., in this aerial view showing both sides of the river. Federal prosecutors are suing the Wyoming-based pipeline company for violations of pollution laws following spills in Montana and North Dakota. (Larry Mayer/The Billings Gazette via AP, File)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Minister Peddireddy (in picture) claimed that the new entrants from the TD joined the ruling party because they were attracted to the welfare schemes and good governance of CM Jagan. He also announced the name of MLC KRG Bharath as the YSRC candidate for Kuppam assembly seat in the next general elections.  DC Image/C. Narayana Rao

TIRUPATI: The Telugu Desam leadership is on tenterhooks as the ruling YSRC has intensified its poaching on village-level leaders and cadres in Kuppam assembly constituency, the fortress of Chandrababu Naidu.

This is seriously affecting the morale of the TD cadre, mainly as the TD chief has been representing this assembly seat continuously since 1989. Notably, following the back-to-back defeats in gram panchayat and municipal elections in Kuppam, the TD has been trying to activate its cadres to get set for the next elections. In a morale boosting exercise, Naidu had toured Kuppam repeatedly and held meetings with party local leaders. They managed to lure several YSRC men. They even took them to Naidu and got them to join the TD in his presence.

Now, in a swift retaliation, the YSRC picked up more than a hundred TD workers from Kuppam villages and brought them to Tirupati last month, to enroll them in the ruling party. The YSRC leaders also lured another batch of 244 TD workers from the Kuppam villages and joined them in YSRC in the presence of Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy at a party programme in Chittoor on Saturday last.

However, TD leaders claimed that this was a bogus show. They said those who have joined the YSRC in Chittoor did not belong to TD. In a desperate attempt to portray that TD is losing Kuppam, YSRC in-charge and MLC KRG Bharat brought some people to Chittoor and introduced them as TD workers. When the media asked them to show their TD identity cards, they all showed the cards but the names and photos on those cards were not theirs, a TD leader said.

However, minister Peddireddy claimed that the new entrants from the TD joined the ruling party because they were attracted to the welfare schemes and good governance of CM Jagan. He also announced the name of MLC KRG Bharath as the YSRC candidate for Kuppam assembly seat in the next general elections
Having been kept busy by the government in various matters, I have not had the chance to catch up with the news much in the last couple of weeks. This is why I was taken aback  shocked is actually the right word  to learn that India had reiterated its commitment to protecting and promoting all human rights.

These words are part of a joint press release from the 10th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue (I did not know there had been nine others previously) held on July 15.

The document makes for interesting reading, given the circumstances in which Indians find themselves on the issue of human rights. It lists nine points. The first is that India and the European Union refer to themselves as open and democratic societies, which emphasised the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights.

These are grand words and set the stage up for the text to come. The next substantive point is that India and the EU exchanged views and concerns on civil and political rights, the rights of persons belonging to the minorities and vulnerable groups, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and opinion online and offline, among other things. After this, more remarkably, the Government of India says that it and the EU concurred on the importance of safeguarding the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors, including human rights defenders and journalists, and respecting freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

And then India expressed the need to foster greater engagement on human rights issues, based on internationally recognised human rights laws and standards. Both sides recognised the importance of strengthening national and international human rights mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights and the important role of national human rights institutions, civil society actors and journalists.

On and on the document goes, reiterating all the things that India has abandoned in practice but is preaching in theory. The question is why. Given that Indias government has not only disregard but pure hatred and contempt for human rights defenders like the Bhima Koregaon 16 and journalists like Mohammed Zubair and activists like Teesta Setalvad, why is it then pretending to actually like them and their work? The reasons are also quite clear. The first is that Indias government does not want to be recognised abroad for what it is  a majoritarian, authoritarian State that thrives on using its considerable power against its own citizens. When Indias diplomats abroad engage with officials and representatives of other democracies, they still pretend that India is Nehruvian and secular. They do not use words like Hindutva here and the language that the BJP and its leaders use against other Indians, especially the minorities, arent to be found in our external engagement.

This is not because the BJP is ashamed or embarrassed of what it says and does; it is merely because it is a hypocrite and has no problem being two-faced. The Western world has moved over the past century to a consensus on the issue of human rights and free speech and the rights of the minorities. Indias government opposes all of these but cannot do so abroad because we have neither the confidence or the strength to do so. This is why we lie.

The second reason we do this is because external pressure is effective. If it were not, we would tell the European Union to get lost. Consider that one year ago EU officials said that human rights defender and Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy has died in custody, nine months after his arrest on false charges of terrorism. Jailing human rights defenders is inexcusable.

The special representative for human rights from the European Union, Eamon Gilmore, said that the EU had been raising his case repeatedly with the authorities. These are the same people with whom we are now agreeing, when we say that we respect human rights defenders and their right to do their work. Why are we doing this? Because we have no option. An honest, powerful and truly sovereign government would not need to lie about its behaviour. China does not hold human rights dialogues with the European Union. This must be understood by those who think that the outside world has no influence on India. In an interconnected globe, there is no nation that can claim to be beyond the influence of others.

Naturally, the amount of influence exerted and felt will depend on the issue and the strength of feeling on either side. Human rights is something that many states in the EU take seriously because their citizens do so.

Indias leaders likely understand this very well and are trying to figure out how to manage this reality with the desire to continue doing mischief at home. One indicator of the discomfort at being made to do this was that while the EU was represented in this human rights dialogue by its ambassador, the Indian side was represented by a low-level diplomat (Joint Secretary for Europe West). Another indicator is that there was almost no news about this meeting. The external affairs ministry didnt tweet about it as it usually does with all engagements at this level. This then is the behaviour of our government, which shows a benign mask to the entire world beyond its borders, behind which its fangs are bared against its own citizens.
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Upsurge in the expansion of radical Islam in Africa By Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah

web posted July 18, 2022 Radical Islam seems lately not only to have overcome hurdles raised by the Western powers and local regimes in Africa. It is now a growing threat in countries where the radical Islamic phenomenon was almost nonexistent, irrelevant, or marginal a few years ago. The Islamic State (IS) and other groups have targeted problematic, unstable regimes experiencing repeated coups detat, at loggerheads with Western military powers, suffering from economic decline, and divided from within by tribal rivalries, sectarianism, and confessionalism. There the radical Islamists have found a fertile ground where recruiting is easy, indoctrinating is even easier, and consolidating their presence has never been so straightforward. The attacks perpetrated by Islamists have increased in audacity and range of targets, sowing havoc and fear in swaths of land that central governments have traditionally neglected with no real defense. As a result, local populations have deserted their dwellings, leaving them to the Islamists complete control, and flocked to the different capitals, creating severe humanitarian and political crises. The IS offensive in Africa follows precise patterns: Emulating Attacks The Islamic State and its al-Qaeda affiliates in Africa, emboldened by successes in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, have simply applied the methods that were used in those countries, such as: In August 2020, following the detonation of a suicide car bomb at the entrance to the prison in the eastern city of Jalalabad, Afghanistan, IS fighters overran the prison where many of their compatriots were held with Taliban fighters and common criminals. Of the 1,793 prisoners, more than 1,025 tried to escape and were recaptured, while 430 remained inside; the rest remained at large. In January 2022, hundreds of IS fighters stormed the Al-Sinaah (Arabic ) Prison in the Ghuwayran quarter of Hasakah, the major city in northeastern Syria. The prison, run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), held more than 3,500 IS prisoners (including hundreds of ISs teen abductees, called Cubs of the Caliphate). The IS assault liberated scores, possibly hundreds, of prisoners and commandeered the terrain and adjacent neighborhoods for almost two weeks before a counterattack, backed by U.S. air and ground forces, forced the surrender of the remaining combatants. In emulation of such exploits, on July 5, 2022, IS fighters stormed the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre on the outskirts of Nigerias capital Abuja. As a result, more than 600 of the prisons 900 inmates were able to flee. This attack followed another one perpetrated in April 2022, in which more than 1,800 prisoners escaped from the Oweri Prison in southwestern Imo State. Attacks on prisons to free inmates have become common in Nigeria. As a result, more than 7,000 people escaped from prisons across Nigeria during the past 10 years. The latest incident occurred hours after more than 300 armed men riding motorcycles ambushed a security advance convoy for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in the northern state of Katsina. The convoy was on its way to Buharis hometown of Daura, near the border with Niger. Infiltrating New Areas Far from the Central Power Radical Islamists have taken advantage of countries suffering from domestic instability with a weak record of controlling peripheral areas far from the central power. States that never had to deal with Islamic insurgencies, or were too lenient toward radical Islams growing threat to their stability, now find themselves unable to cope with the mounting danger to their regimes. Countries where armed groups of extremists never attacked now cannot contend with the situation, and even with outside help, they can no longer eradicate the threat. In a previous article, I noted that Africa had become the focus of IS efforts. Over the past two years, it has attacked civilian targets in 13 African states. When such states have never had to confront radical Islam, they find themselves unprepared to deal with the phenomenon. The DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Togo, Ghana, and Benin have joined the club that includes countries such as Mozambique, Uganda, Central Africa, Cameroon, and Chad. Instead of rallying the population and fighting back, most governments have chosen to ignore the threat and minimize all information about the radical Islamists exploits and encroachment as much as possible. In extreme cases, the governments consent to the publication of details about skirmishes, battles, and manpower losses. Faced with the various African governments hesitant responses and inability to quell such insurgencies, the Islamic State and other radical Muslim organizations are pushing to expand southward and eastward from the Sahel Belt (which extends from Senegal to Sudan), where they are now conquering new swaths of land mainly populated by Muslims. It is evident from the maps of Africa that these groups are currently active in areas formerly believed to be unattainable to the insurgents (Mozambique and the DRC are examples). The radical Muslim groups task is facilitated by the fact that in most of the countries they are targeting, the economic situation is so dire that with minimal funds, they can recruit young unemployed men motivated by hatred of the ruling regime. In Benin, for example, the Islamic State offers 100,000 CFA (equivalent to 150 euros) per month to whoever enrolls in its ranks, and success is guaranteed. It appears that Burkina Faso has become a hub for IS, from which it plans and carries out operations in the surrounding states. According to the Islamic States statistics about its own operations, published in its weekly magazine, al-Naba, out of 71 attacks it initiated, 33 were carried out in Africa. In June 2022, 19 attacks were perpetrated against targets in Mozambique alone. Insecurity prevails today not only in West Africa and south and southeast of the Sahel Belt, in whose northern regions Islamist radicals took root almost 10 years ago. This insecurity is intensified by ongoing attacks and the conquering great swaths of territory. The presence of foreign troops and UN peacekeepers in various countries has not stopped the radical Islamists momentum. On the contrary, under pressure from the jihadists, some foreign forces have chosen to withdraw, while others have decided to protect only the vital areas of the different states. As the jihadists constantly expand their activities in Africa, the process of their consolidation will ultimately undermine regimes that are hesitant or unable to withstand the shock wave. Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah, a special analyst for the Middle East at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, was formerly Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Deputy Head for Assessment of Israeli Military Intelligence. Home
For many years, performing an in-place upgrade was something you only did to workstations  and even then, these upgrades were usually for consumer machines. The main reason an IT purist would do an in-place upgrade was to capture the free upgrade. Especially for business deployments, the thinking has been that its best to do a clean install when upgrading to a new operating system.

Even though the free upgrade to Windows 10 offer has ended, you can still upgrade for free from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Begin with your licensed Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Then download the Windows 10 media creation tool to create a bootable ISO file and click on the resulting setup.exe file to begin the process of upgrading from your Windows 7 or 8.1 machine.

Once youve upgraded to Windows 10, if you click on Settings, then Update, then Activation you should see that the OS has activated. The Windows 10 license picks up its activation from the fully licensed Windows 7 or 8.1. If its not, click Activate PC, then enter your original Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 activation key. Windows 10 does not have quite the same hardware requirements as Windows 11, and thus you may be able to upgrade from your soon-to-be-unsupported Windows 8.1.

It's important to review whether your hardware supports an in-place upgrade from Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10. It needs to meet these minimum requirements:

CPU: 1GHz or faster supported processor

RAM: 1GB for Windows 10 32-bit or 2GB for Windows 10 64-bit

Storage: 32GB of space or more

GPU: DirectX 9 compatible or later with WDDM 1.0 driver

Display: 800x600-pixel resolution or greater

Internet connection: some versions of Windows 10 require an internet connection during setup

With Windows Server 2012 R2 coming to its end of life, many users might be tempted to also perform an in-place upgrade on servers. For years, any IT administrator would look at you in disgust if you even mentioned an in-place upgrade; the proper way to upgrade was to manually install the new operating system and then install or copy the necessary information and data from the old server to the new. The idea was to ensure that any older style permissions would not be inherited with a clean install. In particular, this helped ensure you set up the servers securely.

Performing an in-place upgrade from an older Windows 2012 R2 server to something newer like Windows Server 2016, 2019, or 2022 is fully supported. To do so, simply mount the ISO of the server operating system youre migrating to and install away, making sure to check the box to keep all data, files, and folders intact. (Even SQL services can survive the upgrade process.)

Microsoft has made sure that the in-place installation option is supported due to the increased use of cloud services. Clearly, with more users having servers in data centers  and instances in Azure  being able to move from version to version without having to physically be in the room means you can upgrade without issue.

Before you start any major server project, its important to have a full backup so can roll everything back in case of trouble. With many servers being virtual, you can easily make a backup. (The same holds true for workstations.)

Before beginning an in-place upgrade, ensure that you have removed all third-party antivirus, any third-party firewall and, most importantly, any third-party drive encryption. I even recommend disabling Bitlocker if you have that installed on your server.

Next, determine what version of Windows Server you want to upgrade to. Which OS youre migrating from will define how many hops you need to get to the end successfully. Ideally, do the minimum number of upgrades you can and avoid doing several upgrades in a row.

Note: the same is not true for migrating to later versions of Exchange Server. Mail servers are databases and must be upgraded in a different way  and email migrations usually take more planning. Whether you migrate from on-premises hardware to another on-premises set-up (or to cloud mail servers), the process involves moving mailboxes from one to another. I often find that third-party migration tools make for a much easier migration path and typically provide additional recovery options should issues crop up.

Ultimately these upgrade and migration processes are much easier when using virtual machines. Given that these devices are hardware agnostic, you no longer need to worry about physical hardware specifications. As long as you have enough drive space, memory, and CPU resources, you can easily stand up additional servers and plan for additional plans and options.

In-place upgrades are possible and supported by Microsoft guidance. The next time youre getting close to the end of support for a server, consider an in-place upgrade as a real option.
07/18/2022

Photo (c) Ekaterina79 - Getty Images Skittles is a candy brand that is especially popular with children. A lawsuit, filed against Skittles manufacturer Mars, Inc., claims that the candy contains a toxic chemical.

Jenile Thames, a California consumer who is seeking class-action status for his litigation, filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Oakland, accusing Mars of endangering its customers. The suit claims Skittles contain "heightened levels" of titanium dioxide, or TiO2, as a food additive.

"While we do not comment on pending litigation, our use of titanium dioxide complies with FDA regulations," a Mars spokesperson said in a statement to the media.

Titanium dioxide is a food coloring that gives the candy its bright, distinctive colors. Last year, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) revised its previous assessment published in 2016 and concluded that the chemical should not be used in food.

Taking into account all available scientific studies and data, the panel concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive, said Maged Younes, who chaired EFSAs panel on food additives and flavorings.

European ban predicted

The California lawsuit cites the European panels conclusion that the chemical has the ability to change our DNA, and it predicts that the European Union will ban the use of the chemical within the next few weeks. In its 2021 report, the EFSA panel said small amounts of titanium dioxide appeared to have little effect but that it had the potential to build up in the body over time.

"A reasonable consumer would expect that [Skittles] can be safely purchased and consumed as marketed and sold," the lawsuit said. "However, the products are not safe."

The lawsuit also maintains that Mars agreed to remove the chemical in 2016 but did not. As evidence, the suit cites an email from the candy manufacturer to the Center for Food Safety.
07/18/2022

Photo (c) Massimiliano Clari EyeEm - Getty Images A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine explored the link between crime rates and heart disease. According to their findings, decreased violent crime rates also led to decreased heart disease-related deaths.

Its important to acknowledge the impact of the built environment on health, said researcher Dr. Lauren Eberly. Exposure to violent crime appears to be an important social determinant of cardiovascular health within the broader context of the ways in which structural racism harms health.

How crime affects heart disease

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records from 2000 through 2014. The team looked at rates of violent crime across Chicagos nearly 80 different community areas and compared that information with rates of heart disease-related deaths.

Ultimately, the researchers identified a connection between rates of violent crime and heart disease-related deaths. One area across the city experienced a nearly 60% drop in violent crime over the course of the study, which was then linked with a 15% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality. Similarly, a decrease in violent crime that was as low as 10% was linked with an 11% lower risk of heart disease mortality.

Because community areas that experienced the smallest decline in crime also experienced the smallest improvements in cardiovascular mortality, pre-existing disparities in mortality between neighborhoods in the city are likely to worsen over time, especially with the recent rise in crime rates in the United States, said Eberly. While these results represent one large, urban U.S. city that could potentially not be generalizable to other cities, we suspect that these results are likely reflective of many other large urban cities across the country.

The team plans to work more in this area to better understand how race and violent crime affect consumers' health.

It is possible that different types of crime rates in a neighborhood may have different relationships with community health, which needs to be investigated further, said researcher Dr. Sameed Khatana. Even if violent crime rates in a neighborhood are a marker of cardiovascular health, rather than the specific cause of cardiovascular events, the rise in any type of violent crime is concerning as it may identify neighborhoods where residents are especially vulnerable to worsening cardiovascular health in years to come.
A preliminary report by the Texas House investigative committee investigating the Uvalde, Texas, school massacre details a series of errors by different law enforcement agencies, including an overall lackadaisical approach by officials on the site of the shooting, which killed 21 people.

It is only one of the conclusions in the 77-page investigation, which also exposes failings by the Uvalde school district, the shooter's family, and social media sites.

Officials Release Interim Report of Texas School Shooting

However, the committee found no villains other than the gunman throughout its probe, according to the report issued on Sunday. The paper, made accessible to the victims' relatives on Sunday morning, is classified as an interim report. The investigative committee stresses that its work is still unfinished and that several investigations are ongoing.

However, it is the first time that a government inquiry has offered a comprehensive look at the incident and the law enforcement response, which has been widely vilified since the May 24 massacre at Robb Elementary. Officials provided contradicting and misleading information in the days following the assault, and major issues regarding the police reaction have gone unresolved since the May 24 shooting.

Among them is why officials waited more than an hour in the school corridor before approaching and executing the gunman, a decision that experts say might have cost lives, CNN reported.

On the day of the massacre, suspended Lt. Mariano Pargas was the top-ranking official in the Uvalde Police Department. According to the special Texas House panel appointed to investigate the day's events, the almost 400 cops who went to the site had an overall lax attitude to dealing with the active shooter, as per New York Post.

Read Also: Jayland Walker Shooting: Autopsy Reveals 46 Gunshot Wounds, 1 Bullet Hit Face

"Systemic Failures" in Uvalde School Massacre

Initial reports blamed Uvalde school police commissioner Pete Arredondo, the incident commander who Texas Public Safety Commissioner Steven McCraw stated was in charge of the law enforcement response, for the delay. However, according to the study published on Sunday, the failure spread beyond Arredondo.

According to the report published on Sunday, 376 law enforcement personnel reacted to the incident, with just five officers from the local school police department among them. There would have been 25 Uvalde police officers, 16 sheriff's deputies, and some law enforcement from neighboring counties, but the vast majority were state and federal officials, with 149 Border Patrol officers, 91 state police officers, 13 US Marshals, and eight federal Drug Enforcement Administration officers.

Despite the vast number of officers that reacted, the group lacked clear leadership and communication to respond properly. The responding cops ignored their active shooter training and chose to save the lives of innocent people over their own safety. According to the investigation, there was a relaxed vigilance on the school grounds about intruders, with at least one classroom known for being unsecured. No one had secured the three outer doors on the day of the shooting.

Furthermore, there were regular lockdowns caused by bailouts, which occur when a vehicle carrying suspected illegal migrants crashes during a police pursuit, and the individuals inside the vehicle fled. According to the research, between February and May 2022, there were around 50 alarms relating to bailouts, resulting in a diminished sense of alertness about reacting to security warnings.

The research also disclosed fresh information about the 18-year-old gunman, Salvador Ramos, who was labeled as a school shooter by his girlfriend's pals in 2021. The gunman had made threats against women and had started to show interest in gore and violent sex, watching and occasionally sharing terrible films and photographs of suicides, beheadings, accidents, and the like. According to the report, he did not return to school when it reopened in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Law enforcement officers interviewed family members, studied data on the shooter's phone, and testified before Texas lawmakers. He shot his grandma before the school assault. Members of the committee were scheduled to meet with victims' relatives later Sunday to discuss their report and address their questions.

Last week, some of the material was released to local news sources. The footage showed the shooter going down an empty hallway before stopping to fire into classrooms, as a kid who noticed the attacker rounded a corner and fled. The first police officers entered the building three minutes later, and the shooter opened fire on them.

The video then flashed forward 19 minutes to show a more heavily armed police presence in the corridor, but authorities had yet to approach the gunman. Officers can be seen penetrating the classroom under a hail of gunfire 77 minutes into the edited footage.

Despite early acclaim from Texas politicians for law enforcement's reaction, in the weeks after, local officials had given varying and sometimes contradictory versions of the time between when the shooter entered the school and when US Border Patrol agents unlocked the classroom door and killed him. Abbott claimed days after that cops "misled" him in the immediate aftermath of the incident, according to CBS News.

Related Article: Brittney Griner Update: WNBA Star's Lawyer Reveals New Evidence on Cannabis Use, Anti-Doping Tests in Russian Drug Trial

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Bloomberg reveals that Russian oil imports are peaking in the Middle East as western sanctions take a huge chomp from the EU facing a dark age with dwindling gas and oil deliveries. As the US pled with Arab nations to ditch Russian energy, they bought more oil in June, with July more coming.

Russia Ships More Oil to the Middle East

According to Bloomberg, oil delivery is the highest in six years, pointed out in June, but Europe fell to 30% reported on Wednesday, data came from the analytical company Vortexa.

The research claims that in June, the Middle Eastern nations purchased more Russian gasoline than at any time since early 2016, roughly 155,000 barrels per day, reported RT.

The increase in imports began in February, after Russia's special operation, which later led to sanctions on fuel exports.

The UAE's Port of Fujairah received more than a third of all Russian fuel imports, according to Vortexa. The majority of the Russian deliveries were fuel oil, but they also included gasoline, jet, and diesel fuel, as well as several other petroleum products.

Experts predict that the Russian fuel shipments delivered to the region will be even more in July than in June, with 220,000 barrels daily.

This outlet revealed the deliveries were a tiny fraction compared to all oil imports in the Middle East when deliveries stopped in Europe with less than 500,000 barrels per day from February to June.

Brussels imposed a partial ban on Russian oil imports in June and reduced imports after western sanctions last March. Another ban will follow in December will aggravate the energy crunch. Moscow has delivered to India and China as an alternative to the energy bans.

Read Also: Donald Trump Children: What You Need to Know About the 5 Trump Kids

EU Prepares for Gas Supply Suspension

Reuters says that the EU urged member states to lessen demands for energy imports, as seen in a document. Due to the repercussions of imposed sanctions on Moscow, the bloc will get less natural gas if the supply is cut, as reported last Wednesday.

A plan devised by the European Commission will be ready by July 20, the adoption of financial incentives for businesses to reduce their usage, the deployment of fuel switching in business and power plants, and informational campaigns to encourage people to use less heating and cooling.

Reports say that industry-targeting measures may include auctions or tenders to incentivize major users to use less gas in exchange for rewards.

Last Monday, Russian energy firm Gazprom stopped the natural gas deliveries to the EU through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline because of the scheduled upkeep of the pipeline. The stoppage will be until July 21, when no gas will flow, which was agreed upon by the parties involved.

Panic in the bloc is felt as the Kremlin might decide to change the 10-day repair to longer. When gas gets too critical, EU members involved with US sanctions will freeze as winter comes.

About 40% of natural gas is from Russia, and the bloc wants to be less dependent, akin to economic suicide, to maintain sanctions. The catch is if supplies are too low and store gas is less than 80% in November, states CS Times.

The Middle East is getting more Russian oil imports while avoiding western sanctions, but the EU chooses not to get oil or gas at the cost of the EU citizens.

Related Article: President Joe Biden Scheduled KSA Trip To Meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Draws Negative Reactions

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Auth0s OpenFGA project is an open source effort that undertakes to provide a universal authorization solution. FGA stands for Fine Grained Authorization, a granular approach to authorization modeling that is flexible enough to handle almost any imaginable use case.

Read on for an introduction to the OpenFGA project.

Authentication vs. authorization

Authentication is concerned with who and authorization with what. Authentication answers the question: who are you? Authorization answers the question: given who you are, what can you do?

Both of these are essential areas of cybersecurity, but of the two, authorization presents the more demanding architectural challenge. That is because authorization deals with more complexity and far more data points.

Authorization has to track a whole range of permissioned entities, like URLs and business objects, as well as access types like view, create, and edit. Not only that, it must also deal with granting and revoking permissions to these objects. Therefore, it is responsible for determining not just who has access to what, but who has permission to control permissions, the hierarchy of control between organizations and individuals.

Anyone who has dealt with these things knows just how messy it can become. Tracking and applying permissions is a thorny problem, and its one that you cant sidestep or cut corners on. The difficulties only multiply the larger the system becomes. Simple scalability begins to become a real challenge in the face of millions of permissions checks against billions of entities.

A universal, open-source authorization mechanism

Defining a generalized system to handle such requirementsone that is flexible enough to deal with the variety of in-the-world requirements, but still reliable, secure, and performantis a substantial undertaking, but one that promises major benefits to enterprise. Beyond making authorization more standard and eliminating the need to rebuild it per-application, such a system would enable more streamlined cross-application authorization communication. Furthermore, concentrating authorization into a single, well-tested system offers security improvements.

Googles Zanzibar project (whitepaper) describes such a universal authorization layer. It incorporates a number of technological ideas to achieve the performance and availability goals of the system, and it offers a fairly developer friendly application programming interface (API) for interacting with it. In particular, it delivers a universal domain-specific language (DSL) for describing users, groups, roles, and access control lists (ACLs) for expressing permissions.

Auth0 (now part of Okta) took up the challenge of delivering a system based on Zanzibars ideas in a reusable way with its upcoming Fine Grained Authorization SaaS. Auth0 FGA essentially creates a remote API with which any app can integrate to obtain a universal permissions service. Auth0s Matias Woloski describes it as a high-performance and flexible authorization microservice that you dont have to build and run yourself. This allows application developers to offload much of the complexity in authorization to the remote service, while retaining control over most data in-house.

Although this is a good model for many use cases, Auth0 has taken the further step of open sourcing its FGA core as the OpenFGA project (GitHub repo). This is a significant move on a couple fronts. For one, it represents a major commitment to open source by Auth0. For the other, it contributes an enormous amount of know-how and capability to the OSS community. Once the community has its hands on things, it tends to elaborate and expand upon them in unexpected ways.

In its announcement of the move, Auth0 gives several reasons and among them are the desire to encourage an active community that will support adoption, integration with technology-specific tooling, and the systemic improvement of security in the industry. It does indeed appear we are looking at a big enterprise-open-source partnership win here.

Woloski outlines Auth0s strategy, saying that by open sourcing it, we let developers embed this component in their own infrastructure. Once they feel comfortable, they can decide to let us run it for them as a service with additional enterprise features, or keep using the open source version. We are committed to maintaining it in the long term."

OpenFGA Server

The core of the project is the permission engine itself, a standalone server that can handle the authorization requests. The OpenFGA server is modular with respect to data storage, and currently you can choose between an in-memory datastore or PostgresSQL. The ability to run the server on owned infrastructure is a key benefit, as some compliance situations demand it. This server is fundamentally an HTTP API allowing for defining permission models, and querying/modifying them.

The server is written in Go and can be built from sources for those interested in contributing, but most end users will deploy the binaries or Docker image. Quickstart for running on localhost via Docker is here.

Being based on the Zanzibar architecture, the OpenFGA server is built with an eye to scaling and availability. Of course, that depends greatly on the underlying infrastructure.

Zanzibar implementations are heavily optimized to answer if a user can perform an action on a resource in a scalable way. OpenFGA is not an exception, says Woloski. When using the Auth0 FGA implementation, Auth0 will own the infrastructure and make sure it is highly scalable and available. OpenFGA users will be responsible for operating the service on their infrastructure, so the scalability/availability characteristics of the service will depend on it.

OpenFGA Client

Once the server is running, you can set up a client in your application based on the stack you are usingcurrently, software development kits (SDKs) exist for Node, Go and .NET. The client allows you to interact with the server API in an idiomatic way.

The first task is to define a store on the server, the root level container object for holding the auth information, much like a database within a database management system (DBMS). The store is then configured with the authorization model, analogous to the schema in a database.

Once you have the server up, a client installed and a store provisioned, you can define the model by issuing a request using JSON. For example, using the Node client, a simple data model is configured as in Listing 1. (This is from the Auth0 quick start).

Listing 1. Simple auth model in JSON/Node

const { authorization_model_id: id } = await fgaClient.writeAuthorizationModel({

"type_definitions": [

{

"type": "document",

"relations": {

"reader": {

"this": {}

},

"writer": {

"this": {}

},

"owner": {

"this": {}

}

}

}

]

});

OpenFGA also supports a DSL for modeling. The same model in the DSL is in Listing 2.

Listing 2. Simple DSL model

type document

relations

define reader as self

define writer as self

define owner as self

At this time its not usable with the in-code SDKs, but you can convert between the two and get a visualization using the OpenFGA sandbox here. (You can also use the SyntexTransformer node library). The DSL and visualizer are great for refining models. You can see the simple model from Listings 1 and 2 as seen in the modeler, Figure 1.

Image credit: Matthew Tyson Figure 1. Simple auth model in designer (Click image to view full-size)

Tuples

Tuples are an association among three entities: a user, a relationship, and an object. They express the instances of things within the data model. You can create a tuple in the designer in the lower lefthand pane. For example: owner: alice, relationship: reader, object: document:z.

With the relationship defined, you can query using the query parser at the bottom of the screen, for example: who is related to document:z as reader . This will appropriately return the alice user as in screen 2.

Image credit: Matthew Tyson Figure 2. Returning the readers on document:z (Click image to view full-size)

All relationships are modifiable via the code client. This gives you an extraordinary amount of power for controlling authorization from within your application, including self-referential granting and revoking of authority based on groups and roles.

The docs (also now open source) cover a great deal of further ground and use cases including using openID and the specifics of securing resources like URLs.
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP)  The white gunman charged with killing 10 Black people in a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket pleaded not guilty Monday to federal hate crime charges that could be punishable by the death penalty.

The shooter was indicted last week on hate crimes and weapons counts. The plea was entered in court by his attorney, who said she hoped to resolve the case before trial. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles, Payton Gendron was silent during the brief arraignment.

The 27-count federal indictment contains special findings, including that the attacker engaged in substantial planning to commit an act of terrorism and took aim at vulnerable older people  specifically 86-year-old Ruth Whitfield, 77-year-old Pearl Young, 72-year-old Katherine Massey, 67-year-old Heyward Patterson and 65-year-old Celestine Chaney.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, who halted federal executions last year, has not ruled out seeking the death penalty against the gunman, who turned 19 in June. The Justice Department said a decision on whether to seek the death penalty would come later.

After livestreaming the May 14 attack, the shooter was arrested just outside the entrance of the Tops Friendly Supermarket. Wearing body armor, he had opened fire on weekend shoppers and employees in the parking lot and inside the store. Three people were wounded.

We all know hes guilty. We saw what he did, Zeneta Everhart said after the court proceeding. Her son, Zaire Goodman, was wounded in the attack. "The world saw what he did. He posted what he did.

The store reopened to the public last week, two months after the attack.

Investigators say the shooter drove for more than three hours from his home in Conklin, New York, to a busy grocery store chosen for its location in a predominantly Black neighborhood, with the intent of killing as many Black people as possible. He was motivated, they said, by white supremacist beliefs which he described in online diary entries.

He wrote as far back as November about staging a livestreamed attack, practiced shooting from his car and did reconnaissance on the store two months before carrying out the plans, according to the writings.

The indictment seeks the forfeiture of an extensive arsenal recovered from the shooter's car and home. It includes the Bushmaster XM-15 semi-automatic rifle used in the shooting and a 12-gauge loaded shotgun and loaded bolt-action rifle and ammunition taken from the car. Authorities seized additional ammunition and firearms accessories from his home.

The federal indictment charges Gendron with 10 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, three counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill three people and another hate crime count alleging he tried to kill other Black people in and around the store. It also includes 13 counts of using a firearm in a hate crime.

He also faces a parallel state prosecution on charges including hate-motivated domestic terrorism, murder and attempted murder as a hate crime. The domestic terrorism hate crime charge carries an automatic life sentence. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges as well.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Evidence indicates that a helicopter that crashed in northern New Mexico after helping fight a wildfire over the weekend descended at a fast rate, with the craft ending up mangled and in pieces after first hitting the ground upright, the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday.

The agency has completed its initial documentation of the deadly crash, but it will likely take weeks for investigators to determine the cause. Authorities were in the process of removing the wreckage from a remote area south of the community of Las Vegas to a secure location where it could be examined further.

The helicopter was carrying three people with the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office and a county firefighter when it went down Saturday evening while returning from its firefighting mission. County officials on Monday called the four men heroes.

It is with a sad and broken heart that we think of the heroes we lost this weekend," Sheriff Manuel Gonzales and Fire Chief Greg Perez said in a joint statement. The reality is that we will likely grieve this loss forever. Each of these heroes died doing what they loved, serving others. They paid the ultimate price, and we are forever grateful to these men for the love and passion they had as first-responders.

Gonzales and Perez both spoke at a news conference Monday afternoon, sharing details about the men and saying their focus now is on supporting the men's families and their grieving employees.

It's with a heavy heart that we stand in front of you. This is has been a tragic 48 hours for Bernalillo County, and we all are at a loss," Perez said. "I'm trying to put words together to sum up what we're feeling, what we're experiencing. It's not possible.

Peter Knudson, a spokesman for the NTSB, said there is flight track information that investigators will review to get a better understanding of the path the helicopter was taking on its way back to its home base in Albuquerque. He also said there may have been witnesses, so authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.

While its common for afternoon and evening thunderstorms to circle New Mexico during monsoon season, it didnt appear there was any adverse weather at the time of the crash, Knudson said.

But we will look at everything as part of the investigation, he said.

The weekend proved to be a deadly one for air travel. The NTSB reported numerous fatal accidents over recent days, including one Sunday in Nevada in which four people were killed when two small planes collided at North Las Vegas Airport.

In New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered flags to fly at half-staff through sundown Friday in honor of the first-responders killed in Saturday's crash.

Among them was Undersheriff Larry Koren, 55, a veteran pilot who had been with the the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office for more than two decades. He was part of a New Years Day mission to rescue employees and a tram operator who got stuck while descending in the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Lt. Fred Beers, 51, also helped with that winter rescue and was among those killed in Saturday's crash. Beers, who had been with the sheriff's office for 13 years, left behind a wife and son.

Also killed were Deputy Michael Levison, 30, who had been with the sheriff's office since 2017 and had served in the New Mexico Air National Guard, and Bernalillo County Fire Department rescue specialist Matthew King, 44, who was a husband and father of two children.

Fellow law enforcement officers and firefighters lined highway overpasses as the men's bodies were brought to Albuquerque on Sunday. Many saluted as others held their hands over their hearts. Some also talked about how the men were always ready to serve beyond their jurisdiction.

They went out there willingly and that takes a very special person to be that brave, Gonzales said Monday, adding that the air support team never turned down requests for help.

The crew had spent a few hours Saturday afternoon making water drops and moving equipment for firefighters battling a blaze south of Las Vegas. They departed the Las Vegas Airport around 6:30 p.m. just after refueling and it was less than 45 minutes later that they dropped off the radar.

Authorities did not say whether there was any radio traffic from the helicopter immediately before the crash.

Two New Mexico State Police officers were the first on the scene and attempted to render aid. Authorities did not say whether any of the crash victims were conscious when the officers arrived.

It has been a particular severe start to the fire season, with the Bernalillo County crew just one month ago helping drop water on a wildfire that was sparked in a rugged area on the eastern edge of Albuquerque. With resources wearing thin across the region, municipal firefighters and first responders often have been assigned to help with the wildfire effort.
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ATLANTA (AP)  Voting rights groups asked a judge on Monday to block a provision of a new Georgia law that is not necessarily the most consequential, but one that has certainly attracted the most outrage: a ban on handing out food and water to voters waiting in line.

The ban is just one piece of a 98-page bill containing dozens of changes to state voting law, including shortening the time to request a mail ballot, rolling back the pandemic-driven expansion of ballot drop boxes and reducing early voting before runoff elections.

But it is perhaps the easiest to understand and one that critics call especially punitive. The groups argued that it illegally infringes on their free speech rights and should be blocked immediately, even before any broader case challenging other areas of the law goes to trial.

U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee didnt immediately rule on the request for a preliminary injunction.

Lawyers for the state described the provision as a bright line" drawn to prevent circus-like conditions around polling places that could spur concerns over the possibility of illegal campaigning or vote-buying. But former Richmond County elections director Lynn Bailey called the measure harsh.

The U.S. Justice Department has also sued trying to overturn Senate Bill 202, arguing that it's racially discriminatory, but it was not among the groups seeking an injunction Monday.

The hearing came just months before the narrowly politically divided state holds highly contested elections in November. Democrat Stacey Abrams is challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, while Republican Herschel Walker is trying to unseat incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock.

The state argued that its too late, under earlier court decisions, for Boulee to make changes to the November election. The plaintiffs cited multiple examples of when changes were made up to the eve of elections.

Many Democrats pledge to roll back Senate Bill 202 while protecting election results from attacks. Republicans argue that smooth balloting in May primaries with relatively high turnout and short lines showed the new law doesn't restrict voting. But opponents warn the law puts up roadblocks to marginalized voters, an effect they say will become more evident in November.

It was in that context Monday that groups asked Boulee to block the food and beverages ban, known as line relief or line warming, saying it violates their free speech right to encourage people to vote.

Line relief constitutes core expressive conduct, said Davin Rosborough, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union. Its meaning is well understood in communities where plaintiffs provide it."

He said that Georgia stands alone as the only state to ban and criminalize the practice.

Rhonda Briggins of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, said her historically African American group had been among those offering food and water to voters in previous elections, but halted the activity when the new law was passed.

We've been doing it for years, Briggins said. It is to encourage people to stay in line. We're the cheerleaders.

But state witnesses argued that such activity spun out of control in the 2020 election, with clearly partisan groups providing elaborate food and other goods. State Election Board member Matt Mashburn, a Republican poll watcher before he was named to the board, said he witnessed Democrats not only providing food but apparently controlling the line outside a Cobb County polling place during early voting.

My reaction to that is, weve completely lost control of the precincts," Mashburn said. "And when the voters see the poll workers have lost control, it makes them very nervous for their own safety and makes them nervous that somebodys cheating.

The judge asked hypothetically whether it would be acceptable for groups to give steaks to voters.

Is that a bottle of water because someone is thirsty, or is that a bottle of Gatorade to determine control of the U.S. Senate? Boulee asked.

The plaintiffs noted that electioneering within 150 feet (45 meters) of a voting place was illegal before and after the new law, as was giving someone a thing of value in exchange for voting, and the state should enforce those laws to prevent improper campaigning.

They also argued that Georgia could have more narrowly tailored its law by limiting the value of what can be given to voters. But Ryan Germany, the chief lawyer for Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, said that forcing overburdened poll workers to police whether gifts were illegally tied to voting or whether people were illegally campaigning was a tricky proposition" that depended on the facts of each instance.

The state argued that an outright ban makes poll workers jobs simpler.

Its a bright line rule, said lawyer Gene Schaerr. No one has to decide how much is too much.

___

Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.
DENVER (AP)  Colorado's Republican nominee for governor, Heidi Ganahl, on Monday selected as her running mate a Navy veteran who has claimed President Joe Biden was not legitimately elected president in 2020.

Danny Moore lost a previous position due to his stance on the presidential election. His fellow commissioners on the state's independent congressional redistricting commission voted him out of his chairmanship role last year after Facebook posts surfaced in which he claimed Biden was elected by the Democrat steal.

Moore's language echoed false claims by President Donald Trump and his supporters that mass voter fraud threw the election to Biden, something Trump's own Department of Justice said was not true.

Multiple election deniers lost Republican primaries in Colorado last month, including Greg Lopez, a former suburban Denver mayor who challenged Ganahl for the nomination for governor. A member of the Colorado University Board of Regents, Ganahl has not previously emphasized election denial during her campaign, refusing to answer questions about whether Biden was legitimately elected and instead focusing on economic and safety issues.

She continued to do so in announcing her selection of Moore as her lieutenant governor candidate.

Danny is a wonderful addition to our winning team, Ganahl said in a release. We share a common vision to lower Colorados soaring cost of living, gas prices, crime rates, and a commitment to making our children the priority.

Election deniers have won Republican primaries to oversee elections in states such as Alabama, New Mexico and Nevada, and a prominent election denier won the party's nomination to become governor in Pennsylvania, where he would appoint the state's top election official if he wins in the fall.

In Colorado, the lieutenant governor position is mainly a ceremonial role. That person becomes the chief executive when the governor leaves the state or if the governor becomes incapacitated or dies in office.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Ukraines first lady, Olena Zelenska, met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday as she began a series of high-profile appearances in Washington that will include a session with U.S. counterpart Jill Biden.

Blue and yellow Ukrainian flags flew alongside American ones on Pennsylvania Avenue as Zelenska headed for her first announced event in the United States, the meeting with Blinken.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said the secretary of state assured Zelenska of the United States' commitment to Ukraine. Blinken also commended her for her work with civilians dealing with trauma and other damage from the war.

The first lady also met Monday with Samantha Power, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Power's agency has given billions of dollars to support Ukraine's government and to humanitarian needs, and is working to ease a global food shortage aggravated by Russia's war.

The State Department announced and then canceled a planned brief appearance by Blinken and Zelenska before photographers there. The low-key arrival reflects that Zelenska is not traveling as an official representative of the government of her husband, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenska studied architecture in college but worked as a comedy scriptwriter, including for Zelenskyy, who was a comedian with a popular television show before winning the presidency in 2019.

During the war, Zelenskyy has won admiration from Ukrainians and Ukraine's supporters abroad by staying put in the capital, Kyiv, after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his attack on Ukraine i n February.

Zelenska largely disappeared with the couple's two children during the first months after the invasion. In an interview with Time magazine this month, she described the war forcing her to shelter away from Zelenskyy for security reasons from the first hours of Russia's bombing. Their children, like other Ukrainians, largely have seen Zelenskyy since then in nightly video addresses he makes to the country.

Zelenska emerged from seclusion May 8 to greet Jill Biden, who was making an unannounced visit to western Ukraine.

The two first ladies met then at a school, where they hugged, talked, and joined schoolchildren making tissue-paper bears as gifts for Mother's Day.

Zelenska has taken a higher public profile since that meeting. That includes giving more newspaper interviews about Ukraine's struggles and about her projects during the conflict. She has promoted counseling for the millions of Ukrainians now dealing with grief and trauma.

She meets with Jill Biden at the White House on Tuesday and will speak in the congressional auditorium at the Capitol to lawmakers on Wednesday. Her husband received standing ovations from congressional members in a video address to lawmakers in the same auditorium earlier in the war.

Ukrainian officials did not immediately respond to questions Monday about the schedule of her visit.

___

Associated Press writer Hanna Arhirova contributed from Kyiv. Matthew Lee contributed from Washington.
The Russian MP railed at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and dared that if an attack on Crimea happens, a crushing blow will fall that Kyiv will utterly regret.

Mikhail Sheremet, representing the region in the Russian parliament, said that Ukraine would pay the heaviest part should any American missiles hit the province. He added that Kyiv will be devastated if it continues with its plan of attrition and will worsen the devastating attacks on its forces yet.

An Attack on Crimea Would Be the End of Ukraine

Zelensky is desperate for victory as the Ukrainian army falls and threatens to topple his leadership. A Ukrainian official said they would assault the Crimean Peninsula or the Crimean Bridge, which Russia threatened to counter with a crushing blow to command centers, and military structures, and destroy arms-supply routes, reported RT.

The MP said that Russian forces would apply a different degree of force never seen by Kyiv, and it would be the end of Nazified regime, he told an outlet on Sunday.

Vadim Skibitskiy, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, claimed on Saturday that Ukraine could use the US-made M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS multiple launch rocket systems to target Crimea. This warning is in response to his assertion, noted The Thread Times.

The spokesman asserted that the peninsula is a legitimate target for Ukrainian forces because it became a Russian military transit hub during the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.

According to Skibitskiy, it is also necessary to destroy the Kalibr systems, frigates, small missile ships, and submarines that Russia has stationed in Crimea to safeguard the security of Ukraine.

Read Also: Volodymyr Zelensky Children: Does the Ukraine President Have Kids?

Russian MP Sheremet stated that since the US provided Zelensky with these deadly weapons, it would pay the price for giving him access to sophisticated weapons that allowed him to strike Crimea with a blow that Kyiv could not recover from.

He stated that the Kremlin has no patience for crossed red lines and will show Americans what they are looking for, noting 180 gadgets.

Ukraine Faces More Than Military Loss

Several high-ranking officials and military commanders in Kyiv have asserted that forces may attack Crimea, which resoundingly voted to reunite with Russia in a 2014 referendum following a coup in the country's capital since Moscow began its military operation in Ukraine more than four months ago.

The Crimean Bridge would be targeted by the Ukrainian military as soon as it has the potential to do so, according to Alexey Arestovich, a senior advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

An agreement with Washington indicated a promise that no territory of Russia would be attacked due to fears that Vladimir Putin would not hesitate to bring a devastating force that would escalate battles more.

Kyiv does not consider it Russian territory but still theirs, even after Russia defeated Ukrainian forces in 2014 and established the pro-Moscow enclave.

The Ukrainian Nazis and Nationalists pose a threat to the peninsula, which is essential to the Kremlin's goals, using US weapons like the HIMARS. Additionally, the Crimean people revolted against Kyiv's forces after a weaker Russian army repulsed them in 2014.

Volodymyr Zelensky, a former comedian who is now the leader of Ukraine, received a severe warning from Russian MP Sheremet that attacking Crimea would invite a crushing blow from Russia that would ultimately destroy Kyiv.

Related Article: Ukrainian Military Launches Hiroshima-Like Attacks Using US HIMARS in Kherson, Officials Claim

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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NEW YORK (AP)  The economy is a bit wobbly, but General Motors CEO Mary Barra isn't backing off of an audacious prediction: By the middle of this decade, her company will sell more electric vehicles in the U.S. than Tesla, the global sales leader.

To fulfill that pledge in as little as 2 1/2 years, she faces some long odds against immense economic forces that are working against auto sales. Inflation has spiked, interest rates are rising, material costs have soared and a global shortage of computer chips is still braking assembly lines at GM and other companies.

But in an interview with The Associated Press, Barra said she's confident GM can unseat Tesla with higher-priced specialty vehicles, and it will beat Elon Musk to high-range EVs at prices that people can afford.

Last year GM sold just 25,000 electric vehicles in the U.S., less than one-tenth of the estimated 352,000 sold by Tesla. Although EV sales are rising dramatically, theyre still only about 5% of the U.S. new vehicle market, with many Americans still reluctant to change.

To really get to 30, 40, 50% EVs being sold, you have to appeal to people that are in that $30,000 to $35,000 price range, Barra said.

Already the company has pledged to cut the starting price of the Chevrolet Bolt small SUV to around $26,000 later this year. GM is planning to roll out a Chevy Equinox small SUV with 300 miles of range for around $30,000 in fall 2023. And on Monday night in California, it will unveil a larger (and more expensive) Chevy Blazer SUV that goes on sale next summer.

Theyll join a couple of gargantuan Hummer EVs, an upcoming electric Silverado pickup and a Cadillac luxury SUV in taking on Tesla. And Barra said theres more to come on the way to offering 30 battery-powered vehicles globally by 2025. What we have coming, its in the heart of the market, she said, without giving details.

The mainstream vehicle is something Tesla has yet to master. A rear-wheel-drive version of the Model 3 sedan, its lowest-priced vehicle, starts around $48,000 with shipping.

Barra is hoping to keep prices relatively low, banking on chemistry breakthroughs to cut battery costs, offsetting huge price increases for Lithium and other key elements that make batteries work.

Part of the strategy is convincing buyers that an electric vehicle can meet all their transportation needs. Many EV owners, she said, also have a gas-powered auto for longer trips.

That's why the company announced a partnership to place 2,000 charging stations at up to 500 Pilot Travel centers, spaced 50 miles apart along interstate travel corridors. If the only vehicle you own is going to be an EV, you have to feel confident of charging, Barra said.

GM has a goal of making only electric passenger vehicles by 2035.

The switch to EVs would be monumental on its own for GM, a company that has made a living largely on the internal combustion engine for more than 113 years.

But Barra also has to manage the finances, keeping the profits flowing from gasoline vehicles to pay for battery development  even though GM currently cant run its factories flat-out due to the chip shortage. And at some point, money from gas vehicles will decline, so the EVs have to be profitable almost from the start.

Also, auto prices have risen to an average of around $45,000, boosting carmakers' bottom lines but pushing new vehicles out of reach of the middle class. Economists are predicting the Federal Reserve could add up to a full point to interest rates, raising the cost of auto loans. And theres talk about the U.S. heading back into recession.

Its pretty volatile right now, Barra conceded. "Were looking at many different scenarios as any prudent business leader would to make sure were ready for whatever, however the situation evolves.

She said she expects parts and chip shortages will last into next year, with coronavirus outbreaks continuing to crimp the flow.

To deal with the semiconductor shortage, GM is throwing out its old model of letting parts supply companies acquire the chips with GM knowing little about them. Instead, by 2025, it will move toward three families of chips that Barra said the company will buy and control itself. They will be able to do multiple tasks, eliminating the need for dozens of chips in every vehicle.

That standardization will give GM the scale to buy in bulk and make sure supplies dont get interrupted in the future, Barra said: Were also working with a select group of strategic companies to source these for the volumes. Well have much better control and a stable supply.

Barra said new car prices are skewed right now because automakers are allocating scarce chips to higher-margin vehicles, and prices should come down as more chips become available.

Still, she knows affordability will be a problem. With that in mind, she said GM offers the Chevrolet Trail Blazer starting at just below $20,000. The company also is linking used vehicle buyers to dealer inventories nationwide. And GMs Cruise autonomous vehicle unit is starting a driverless ride-hailing service in San Francisco that will spread to more cities, offering another affordable transportation mode, she said.

GM exited Europe in 2017 by selling its Opel brand after years of losses, but Barra said plans are being formed to re-enter the huge market with electric vehicles. All I can tell you is I think its a huge growth opportunity for the company, and were excited to be back, Barra said.

She has no plans to change GMs joint venture in China with state-owned automaker SAIC, even though Beijing has stopped requiring that foreign automakers enter such partnerships with Chinese companies. But Barra said there may be a chance for GM to bring in iconic and luxury vehicles.

GM's transition to EVs comes amid growing calls for corporations to take stands on political and social issues such as race relations and abortion. Yet opportunities for missteps are many as companies like GM walk a fine line of doing so without alienating sectors of a customer base that spans the political spectrum.

Most electric vehicles, for instance, are sold on the coasts, where people tend to have more liberal views. But most of GM's income comes from pickup and SUV sales in the countrys more conservative midsection.

Regarding abortion, Barra said she didnt want to speak broadly about the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, but she noted that GM does pay for employees to travel to get medical services.

Were going to continue with that practice, really not a lot of change in what were doing from what weve done in the past, other than we will make sure we comply with all state laws, she said.

In 2020, after George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, Barra issued a strong public statement and committed to several changes at the company, including creating an internal inclusion board and evaluating employees on inclusionary action.

Throughout her career, Barra, who was GM's product planning chief before becoming CEO in January 2014, has had to make difficult decisions. To manage the complexities of her job, she'll need to draw on that experience.

"Im an engineer, so Im a problem solver, she said.

____

This story has been corrected to show that the lowest-price Tesla starts around $48,000 including shipping.
Knowing Bobbis cubs are alive and well at the Kilham Bear Center in New Hampshire is comforting after her tragic, unnecessary death on May 12.

Rehabilitator Ben Kilham reports that the two 6-month-old black bear cubs are playing all day with 20 other orphaned cubs. They will be moved from an indoor area to 11 acres of woods enclosed by an electric fence as the cubs continue to grow and learn how to be bears before being released back into the wild.

However, the recent news that Bobbis killer, an off-duty Ridgefield police officer, is not being charged with a crime is another distressing calamity. All evidence points to Lawrence Clarke getting away with murder.

It is illegal to kill a black bear in Connecticut. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection made that clear in a statement to WFSB on July 8, pointing out that black bears are protected in Connecticut and there is no right to kill a bear.

The incident report from DEEP clearly states that Clarkes son and grandson were safe inside the house when he gunned down Bobbi with his AR-15 rifle. The report describes how Bobbi ran off into the woods after Clarke yelled at her when she first sauntered onto his property.

It is unclear how long it took before Bobbi returned, baited by Clarkes unfortunate, unprotected chicken coop, allegedly attempting to pull it over. But it is clear that Clarke went in and out of his house multiple times yelling at and confronting Bobbi without ever bothering to call our state wildlife agency as policy stipulates if residents are concerned about encounters with wildlife.

The last time Clarke came out of his house armed with his AR-15, he pursued Bobbi, firing a bullet that hit her in the head. After Bobbi fell to the ground, he finished her off with seven or eight more rounds. This all occurred just 103 yards away from the closest house, which suggests Clarke also violated Newtowns gun ordinance, which prohibits shooting a gun within 500 feet of another building.

If a person goes into a house to retrieve a gun, it is impossible then for a bear to still be an imminent threat. So, when Clarke came back out and shot Bobbi, he did so illegally. He claimed Bobbi killed three of his unsecured chickens earlier in the week.

What makes animal advocates angry  in addition to justice not being served  is this tragedy was preventable.

Incidents with black bears are almost entirely the result of human actions. But despite advice to the contrary, people still leave food attractants out or fail to secure chicken coops.

Kilhams largest source of orphan cubs is the result of unprotected chicken coops, as female bears in search of high-quality foods to produce milk for their cubs meet their demise facing a homeowner with a gun. Its particularly frustrating for Kilham, since chickens can easily be protected with electric fences.

Since theres been an uptick in people raising backyard chickens during the pandemic, Connecticuts bears are in more danger than ever. So, if you see something, say something. Make sure your neighbors install and maintain an electric fence around their chicken coop. Experts recommend the following specs for deterring bears: .7 joules; a minimum of 6,000 volts, height of 4 feet or more and five or more wires. Maintenance is key.

Clarkes failure to have electric fencing up and powered before he got chickens cost Bobbi her life. He has blood on his hands because of his irresponsible behavior.

In addition to protecting chickens, beehives and livestock, using a bear-resistant trash container is a sure-fire way to defeat determined bears. Check with your trash hauler to see if they offer them or to make sure your bear-resistant container is compatible with their equipment.

Not putting trash out until collection time, bringing bird feeders in from March through November, keeping grills clean and not feeding pets outdoors will also help keep bears out of trouble. Do not store food attractants in a screened-in porch  screens dont keep bears away.

Its crucial to make bears uncomfortable in your yard with aversive conditioning. Making loud noises, hand clapping and yelling will teach bears to associate humans with danger and leave the area and avoid it in the future. In reports of Bobbi sightings from 2017-2021, many residents reported they were able to scare Bobbi off with air horns, high-pitched whistles and clanging pots and pans.

Hopefully, Connecticut residents can use this tragedy as a teaching moment and change their behaviors to keep bears and humans safe.

Kilham has a saying: There are no nuisance black bears. Only nuisance humans.

We couldnt agree more.

Nicole Rivard is media/government relations manager for Darien-based Friends of Animals. FoA is a member of the CT Coalition to Protect Black Bears. Through educational outreach and legislative advocacy, the coalition promotes proven non-lethal strategies that allow people and Connecticuts native black bears to safely co-exist. Ctbears.org
After a mix of sun and clouds Sunday with temperatures in the 80s, rain and thunderstorms along with temperatures in the mid-90s are in the forecast for Connecticut this week.

Sunday should see partly sunny skies for most of the day, with temperatures reaching the low to mid-80s in the afternoon, the National Weather Service said. Some rain and storms are possible later in the afternoon and into the overnight hours.

Mainly dry conditions are expected on Sunday morning with an increased chance of showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening, especially for inland areas to the north and west, the weather service said.

More wet weather is forecast for Monday, with a chance of showers before noon, then a chance of thunderstorms later in the day.

Parts of northwestern Connecticut could see severe thunderstorms Monday, particularly in the afternoon and evening. The main threats would be damaging wind gusts and an isolated tornado, the weather services Albany office said in a bulletin Sunday. Some of the storms could produce prolonged or repeated downpours, which could lead to localized flooding of urban, low lying and poor drainage areas.

After Mondays rain, sunny and mostly sunny skies should return on Tuesday, with highs in the upper 80s to low-90s.

That heat will continue into Wednesday and Thursday, when high humidity levels could push the felt temperatures into the upper 90s to near 100 degrees for some areas. Sunny skies are expected Wednesday, with a chance of rain and thunderstorms returning on Thursday.

Friday should see sunny skies and more heat, with temperatures in the low 90s expected.

The scorching temperatures expected later this week come as eastern parts of the state are in a moderate drought, while western parts of Connecticut are facing abnormally dry conditions. Gov. Ned Lamont has urged residents to cut back on water usage amid the drought currently affecting most of New England.

Residents should be mindful of their water consumption and take sensible steps to reduce impacts on other water uses and on the environment, Lamont said. We must begin early steps now to mitigate the potential for harm should the drought become prolonged.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Gretchen E. Ely, University of Tennessee

(THE CONVERSATION) Abortion providers in places like Pennsylvania and California are seeing an uptick in abortion patients traveling from other states, where the procedure is now banned or restricted.

The cost of getting an abortion is rising for many of these patients, as people may need to travel farther to one of the 28 states, or to Washington, D.C., where abortion  at least for now  remains legal.

In the wake of the Supreme Courts decision allowing states to decide whether and in what circumstances to legalize or ban abortions, abortion funds  charitable organizations that help people pay for abortion procedures, and sometimes other expenses like the travel and lodging they need to get an abortion  are facing new pressures.

Meanwhile, some abortion funds have closed over the last few weeks in states like Texas and Alabama, and new ones have opened up in states like Connecticut.

As a social work professor who studies access to reproductive health care, I think its important to understand that state abortion bans and restrictions will increase peoples need to travel out of state to get an abortion. This will prompt more people seeking help from abortion funds, which themselves are facing new kinds of legal and financial pressures.

A funding boost

Shortly after the draft Supreme Court opinion leaked in May 2022, foreshadowing the overturn of Roe v. Wade, donors gave US$1.5 million to abortion funds within a week.

When the actual ruling came down on June 24, the National Network of Abortion Funds, which reports having over 90 affiliate abortion fund members, received over $3 million from 33,000 new donors.

An increase in rage-giving, which refers to donations that are sparked by anger, has continued. But the jump in donations may not match peoples rising needs, abortion fund experts say.

Still unable to meet demand

Calls to abortion funds requesting help with out-of-state travel have skyrocketed in Texas since September 2021, after the state banned abortion beyond six weeks of pregnancy.

In response to the Dobbs ruling, abortion funds have been expecting a continued nationwide increase in requests for help.

This help is needed because an estimated 75% of abortion patients are poor or low-income, and research shows that out-of-pocket abortion expenses can make up about one-third of an average patients monthly income.

But even with the new influx of cash, abortion funds financial capacities are limited.

The National Network of Abortion Funds reports that its member organizations helped almost 82,000 people cover abortion expenses during the 2019-2020 fiscal year. But that was only one-third of the almost 230,000 people who requested money. Each person they helped received an average of $215.

One reason there is a gap between demand and availability is the high cost of an abortion. First-trimester surgical abortions range from $455 to $955. While some private health insurance companies cover abortion costs, most insurances, including Medicaid in most states, will not pay for it.

High costs

My colleagues and I studied cases, representing the years 2010 through 2015, of patients who got help from one national abortion fund that prioritized serving people who were close to the gestational limit on when they could get an abortion. We found that the average procedural cost for these patients was over $2,200.

In the study, the abortion fund was able to give these patients an average of almost $260 to help with the cost of the abortion procedure.

Patients in the same study also received almost $800, on average, in help from other sources, such as family, friends or other abortion funds. Even with this extra help, though, patients were still about $600 short of the procedures cost.

When patients have to scrape together money for abortions, the procedure is often delayed, resulting in cost increases because an abortion becomes more medically complicated and expensive later in pregnancy.

Our research on two different state and national abortion funds found that these organizations most often assisted parents in their 20s, who were already parenting an average of two children. Over 50% of people who received money from these abortion funds identified as Black, while about 25% identified as white.

People in rural areas may especially need to seek help from abortion funds, since they often have to travel farther from home to get the procedure. Interviews I conducted with Appalachian residents in 2019 revealed that people in the rural region had difficulty getting reproductive health care, including contraception or abortion, because of problems such as few regional health care providers.

Whats next

Several major companies, including Apple and Disney, say they will pay some expenses for employees who need to travel to get an abortion. But most people who cannot afford to get an abortion are not full-time employees of a large company.

As less than half of states ban or plan to place new restrictions on abortion, staffers in abortion funds in places like in Texas may fear their work could result in jail time, because it is currently unclear whether it is a crime to help Texans pay for an abortion performed out of state.

Texas had an existing law triggering a near complete abortion ban 30 days after Roe is overturned, which will also allow citizens to sue anyone who helps someone get an abortion. As of now, Texas clinics have stopped providing abortions.

Texas reverted to another pre-Roe law that penalized abortion with a five-year prison term. For now, the Texas Supreme Court has said this law can go back into effect.

However, some experts have voiced concern that abortion fund employees or volunteers both in and outside of Texas could face criminal penalties for aiding and abetting abortion seekers as new state abortion bans are implemented.

Legal experts say that states cannot stop residents from traveling out of state to get an abortion  although lawmakers in Missouri did propose legislation earlier this year that tried to do just that.

The murky legal landscape is not expected to stop abortion funds from helping patients pay for abortions. But it can scare or confuse people who want abortions and create uncertainty as they try to figure out where to go for help.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/abortion-funds-may-not-be-able-to-keep-up-with-rising-demands-as-more-people-travel-out-of-state-for-the-procedure-185937.
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Kaitlyn Ugoretz, University of California Santa Barbara

(THE CONVERSATION) Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abes alleged shooter, Tetsuya Yamagami, told the police that he was motivated by Abes connections to the messianic new religious movement known as the Unification Church.

Yamagami explained that his mother had made a huge donation to the group, and he blamed the church for bankrupting his mother and ruining his family. In a press conference on July 11, 2022, the president of the Unification Churchs Japanese branch confirmed that Yamagamis mother was a member, though the suspected killer and Abe were not.

The Unification Church was founded in 1954 by the late Korean religious leader Sun Myung Moon. Moon claimed to have been sent by Jesus to save families and achieve world peace. His followers are colloquially called Moonies.

Aside from his religious activities, Moon was very involved in international business dealings and conservative, anti-communist politics.

The Abe familys political connections to the Unification Church go back three generations, including his maternal grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, and his father, Shintaro Abe. Shinzo Abe appeared as a paid speaker at Unification Church-related events as recently as 2021.

The possible motive behind the shooting surprised many people who view Japan as one of the least religious countries. As a scholar of Japanese religion, I know that Abe and his political party, the ruling conservative Liberal Democratic Party, have connections with several religious traditions and religious political parties. Yet somehow Abes deep connections with Shinto religion rarely make the news.

Shinto has long been a part of Abes politics and continues to be so for the LDP.

What is Shinto?

Shinto is one of Japans two major religions, along with Buddhism. Like many religious traditions, Shinto can have different meanings for people. For some, it is the central faith of the Japanese people. Others do not see it as a religion at all.

Shinto is typically translated as the Way of the Gods. Simply put, Shinto is a collection of ritual traditions that focus on the worship of deities called Kami. These powerful deities are believed to be responsible for many things, like helping crops to grow and protecting peoples health.

A certain group of Shinto deities is known for connections to the imperial family of Japan. In particular, the sun goddess Amaterasu is revered as the ancestor of Japans emperors and empresses and protector of the nation. She is worshiped at the Grand Shrines of Ise, often characterized as the holiest site in Japan.

Shinto rituals are performed by priests at shrines around Japan  and the world  on behalf of the deities and the local communities of people under their purview. The emperor of Japan also performs Shinto rituals yearly for a good harvest and at the time of his enthronement  and, sometimes, abdication  on behalf of the nation.

For some, participating in rituals is a sacred and spiritually uplifting experience. For others, visiting a Shinto shrine is simply a matter of tradition or national pride.

Entanglement with politics

Shinto has a long and complex history of entanglement with politics and the state. The earliest surviving Japanese texts recalled the mythical deeds of the gods from whom the emperor and court officials claimed to descend, legitimizing their rule.

In his book Faking Liberties, scholar Jolyon Thomas shows how Shinto was at the center of a centurylong debate over what constitutes religion in modern Japan. Until the 19th century, there was no concept in Japan of what is considered in the West as religion, and there was no word in Japanese for it. But when the 1889 Meiji Constitution included the right to religious freedom, the government had to decide what traditions and groups were or werent religious.

At that time, Shinto was officially split. Rituals concerning the emperor and his divine ancestors were categorized as nonreligious civil ritual  sometimes called State Shinto  and other matters of personal belief and practice as private religion.

After World War II, the Allies led by the United States formed an occupation government in Japan and separated all of Shinto from the postwar state by categorizing it as religion. But, like other religions, Shinto continued to be involved in Japans politics.

One key group in Japan is the Shinto Association for Spiritual Leadership. The SAS was founded in 1969 as the political arm of the Association of Shinto Shrines, an umbrella organization for around 80,000 member shrines.

According to scholar Mark Mullins, the nationalist groups aims include promoting the power of the emperor, revising the constitution and implementing Shinto moral education in schools. They also support government officials visits to Tokyos Yasukuni Shrine  a controversial space that represents Japans past militarism. In this shrine, spirits of war dead  including colonial subjects and war criminals  are enshrined as Shinto deities.

Abe and his administrations worked closely with the SAS for decades. In 2016, 19 of the 20 members of Abes Cabinet were affiliated with the SAS. Fourteen were members of the Japan Conference, Nippon Kaigi in Japanese, which is another right-wing nationalist group with ties to Shinto groups such as the Society to Defend Japan, or Nihon wo Mamoru Kai. Abe served as a member and special adviser to the Japan Conference.

Abe and his family have also been associated with other right-wing religious projects outside of government. In 2017, Abe and his wife were involved in a corruption scandal concerning an ultranationalist private Shinto elementary school. The Abes cut ties with it, and plans for the school were abandoned, when questions arose around the governments massive discount for the land acquisition.

Apart from nationalism, Abe helped politicize other aspects of contemporary Shinto, such as environmentalism. In 2016, he invited the G-7 leaders to visit the Inner Shrine of Ise in Mie Prefecture, where Amaterasu is worshiped. The visit included a tree-planting ceremony. Scholar Aike Rots has written about how Abe used the event to acquire legitimacy and promote Shinto as a form of national public spirituality.

During his time as prime minister and even after, Shinzo Abe was a leader and a model for Shinto politics for a generation of conservatives, nationalists and adherents. This legacy lives on.

The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. The Conversation is wholly responsible for the content.
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BRIDGEPORT  Two city police officers were arrested this month in separate incidents, joining a short list of Bridgeport police who have found themselves on the other side of the law in recent years.

Since 2017, at least a half-dozen officers in the city have been arrested on charges ranging from fraud to assault to larceny.

The highest profile arrest came in September 2020 when former Bridgeport Police Chief Armando A.J. Perez was arrested for a scheme to defraud the city by cheating on his police chief exam and rigging the hiring process. David Dunn, the citys personnel director at the time, was also charged for his part in the scheme.

Perez was sentenced in April 2021 to one year and a day in federal prison after pleading guilty to single counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making false statements. He has since served his time and been released.

Hearst Connecticut Media Group reached out to the city administration for comment about the arrests, and whether the department has taken any steps in the wake of the incidents.

Scott Appleby, the citys director of the office of emergency management and homeland security/emergency communications, said the city would have no comment.

Here is a timeline of some of the Bridgeport police officers who have been arrested in recent years:

2017: Officer Steven Figueroa

In August 2019, the city fired Officer Steven Figueroa after he had been arrested six times over a two-year span.

Hired in 2016, Figueroa was first arrested in November 2017 and charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, which were dropped after the victim refused to press charges.

Figueroa was arrested in April 2018 and charged with stalking, breach of peace and harassment stemming from an incident involving the same victim.

His next arrest occurred in June 2018 when Milford police charged him with breach of peace and violating a protective order.

In June 2019, Figueroa was arrested again, charged with assault, unlawful restraint, threatening and risk of injury to a child after a woman complained he would not leave her apartment or return personal items.

The following month, a charge of sexual assault involving the same victim was added to the list.

A month later, Figueroa was charged with violating the conditions of his release.

Most of the charges against Figueroa remain pending in state Superior Court, records show.

In February 2022, Figueroa filed a federal lawsuit against the city, claiming his firing was the result of discrimination because other similarly situated police department employees who were not in his racial and ethnic protected group were not so terminated.

2020: Sgt. Ivan Delgado

In September 2020, Sgt. Ivan Delgado was charged with three counts of first-degree sexual assault and three counts of risk of injury to a minor in a case involving an 11-year-old girl, who was the daughter of a family friend.

Delgado, who retired from the department a few months later, was again arrested in November 2020 for sexually assaulting a different girl. In the new case, a 32-year-old woman complained that she had been repeatedly sexually assaulted by Delgado between 1993 and 2005.

In May, Delgado rejected a 12-year plea bargain to settle the case and his charges remain pending in state Superior Court.

2021: Officer Christopher Martin

Bridgeport Officer Christopher Martin was arrested in November 2021 for allegedly stealing cash during a large drug bust. He was charged with second-degree larceny and tampering with evidence.

Martin was arrested after an inspector from the States Attorneys Office observed that $500 previously documented in a suspects vehicle had been removed. The inspector observed Martin move a quantity of cash from his sock to his pants pocket, officials said. Martin was found to be in possession of $500 in cash and was arrested by Bridgeport police, officials said.

The charges against Martin remain pending in state Superior Court, records show.

2022: Officer Leonard Alterio

Two weeks ago, veteran Officer Leonard Alterio was charged with third-degree assault and evading responsibility. Milford police said Alterio assaulted another driver on May 22 outside the Stonebridge restaurant on Daniel Street and then fled the scene.

2022: Officer Wally Franco

The most recent arrest of a Bridgeport cop happened this month when Officer Wally Franco, 34, was charged with disorderly conduct by Monroe police. Franco, a Bridgeport officer for about four years, was released after posting a $500 bond.

bcummings@ctpost.com
Xi's visit gives inspiration to Xinjiang

08:26, July 18, 2022 By CUI JIA ( China Daily

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a local village in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, July 14, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

President stresses that ethnic unity is lifeline for the entire Chinese people

President Xi Jinping's remarks on the importance of ethnic unity and fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation during his visit to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region have made people in the region feel more confident that by standing together and cherishing ethnic unity, Xinjiang will become more prosperous and they will have a better life.

Ablet Tursun, a resident of the Guyuanxiang community in the regional capital of Urumqi, whose apartment Xi visited, said that the president cares greatly about ethnic unity at the grassroots level as this is the prerequisite for an invincible nation with a bright future.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected Xinjiang from Tuesday to Friday and made important remarks on the region's development. It was his first visit to the region in eight years.

On Wednesday morning, he visited the community in Urumqi's Tianshan District, where more than 95 percent of the residents are from non-Han ethnic groups.

"I invited him to take a seat on the sofa in the living room, but he insisted that I sat down first. I keep on replaying the scene in my head because this small detail shows that he cares about the people," Ablet, who is a member of the Uygur ethnic group, said on Sunday.

Ablet, 67, said Xi expressed great interest in learning about ethnic unity in the community, which is inhabited by people from the Han, Hui, Uygur, Kazak and Tatar ethnic groups.

"Xi asked me how people from different ethnic groups in the neighborhood get along with each other. I said that we see caring for each other as natural behavior. Just like he said, we are closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate that stick together," he said.

Ablet said that his neighbors and family recently celebrated Corban Festival, also known as Eid al-Adha, which fell on July 10 this year. "As usual, people from upstairs and downstairs have all come to visit us and offered their best wishes no matter which ethnic group they are from. The feeling is really heartwarming," he said.

During his visit to the community, Xi stressed that ethnic unity is the lifeline for people of all ethnic groups in China and that all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are inseparable members of the family of the Chinese nation.

People should value the current stability and unity in China, with all 56 ethnic groups standing together. Furthermore, people's support is vital to ensure Xinjiang's lasting stability, he said during his trip to Xinjiang, which has traditionally been home to people from more than 13 ethnic groups and shares a border with eight countries.

"I believe that with people from different ethnic groups in Xinjiang standing together and cherishing ethnic unity, the region will become more prosperous and we will have a better life," Ablet said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Xi visited Xinjiang University in Urumqi, the first stop of his inspection tour of the region. This shows that the central government attaches great importance to the development of talent in the region, said Yao Qiang, president of the university.

China is a unified multiethnic country, with the Chinese people of all ethnic groups united in diversity being a salient feature. Ethnic theories and policies in the country are sound and effective, Xi said during the visit to the university. What's more, China, a country with ethnic unity, is invincible and will have a bright future, he added.

During his trip to the region, Xi also stressed that it's important to develop a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and encouraged more exchanges and interaction among different ethnic groups. Also, the country needs to take further steps to advance the project that aims to create a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation among young people, he added.

"Xinjiang University aims to create a talent development system that can help students foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and become talents that can take on the responsibility of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Yao said.

Zhang Jiafei, vice-president of the university's School of Marxism, said young students need to better boost the sense of community for the Chinese nation as well as stand against ethnic separatism and religious extremism on their own initiatives.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Du Mingming)
French Minister Caroline Cayeux is facing intense criticism and calls to resign after remarks where she referred to the LGBTQ community as "those people."

More than 100 prominent French figures have signed an open letter denouncing what they described as homophobic remarks by the newly-appointed official. The letter questioned whether or not the 73-year-old, who was named minister for territorial cohesion earlier this month, should keep her job.

Angering the LGBTQ Community

The accusations focus on statements she made in 2013 when she called France's plan to legalize gay marriage and adoption a "caprice" that goes "against nature." During an interview this week, she was asked if she still had the same views and replied: "Obviously I maintain my comments. But I always said that if the law was voted for, I would respect it."

During the discussions, she said that she had been unfairly painted as prejudiced, adding that she has "a lot of friends among those people." The statement immediately drew ire from the LBGTQ community and various groups, who called for her resignation and filed a legal complaint against her for public insult, as per DW News.

Later, Cayeux apologized for her remarks, saying that her words were "inappropriate" and that "equal rights must always be a priority of our action." The appeal, which was published on Sunday, was signed by members of parliament, mayors, an Olympic medalist, a former prime minister, as well as journalists, lawyers, and members of civil society.

Read Also: Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Denies Role in Jamal Khashoggi Killing; Joe Biden Laugh at Issues Over Fist-Bump With MBS

The letter called the country's government to set a better example and work harder to uphold the values of equality. It questioned how the people could accept that a member of the government calls French citizens "those people."

According to ABC News, despite her apology, many people still doubt the sincerity of Cayeux and her change of heart, saying that the damage has already been done. On the other hand, the official's seniors supported her, with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne saying on Friday that the minister would be "vigilant" moving forward to support the fight against anti-LGBTQ discrimination.

Divided Government

The issue has also divided the government during a time when President Emmanuel Macron is politically weakened after losing his majority in parliament. Transport Minister Clement Beaune, who is gay, called Cayeux's remarks "extremely hurtful." Government spokesman Olivier Veran also called them out of touch with the times.

The signatories of the appeal also celebrated "those people" that Cayeux referred to during her interview, noting that LGBTQ soldiers were among those who were marching in Thursday's Bastille Day parade in Paris. It also argued that LGBTQ people work in local and national government and France's security forces.

The appeal concluded by saying, "We are proud of all those people who, through their dignified and discreet behavior, know how to serve the Republic better than she does," referring to Cayeux, the Associated Press reported.

After tweeting her regrets, Cayeux also sent a letter to anti-discrimination groups to apologize for her remarks. She said that the comments "do not at all reflect my views" on the matter.



Related Article: Xi Jinping Visits Xinjiang for the First Time Since Imposing Crackdown, Urging Unity

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Several languages at UO have received management and budget cuts, leading to fast-paced curriculum changes that leave some enrolled students behind in credits and class enrollment.

UO offers 25 different languages for students to enroll in, ranging from French to Russian to Swahili. Amid such a wide variety, many students are drawn to the Department of Romance Languages  containing French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. According to the Department of Romantic languages, more than 1,100 students are enrolled in a Romantic language. During freshman orientation and IntroDUCKtion, incoming students are encouraged to transfer their high school language credits rather than explore the many languages that were not provided in their high school.

Although Romance languages are a convenient way to transfer credits, several other languages and departments have been forced to change their curriculum and course loads.

In the spring term of the 2021-2022 year, Deiahdeen Alhjaj, an incoming senior operation and business analytics student said students that took Arabic courses since their freshman year received an abrupt curriculum change after the department changed its course plan. Students that had planned to carry on through Arabic 202 were moved to take an uncredited class that would fulfill the Arts and Letters requirement for the new curriculum. The new curriculum involves an influence of Egyptian dialect to gain the interest of more students. The students were not aware of this transition. Half of the students dropped from the Arabic program leaving credits behind.

I wish we were told about the changes ahead of time because in the transition phase, I basically was not able to get my arts and letters credits for the class, Alhjaj said. I feel like I just wasted the whole first year.

In order to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, a student needs to complete a two-year language requirement. Arabic, like many other languages, requires three years to become proficient or fluent in. With the Arabic department only consisting of two professors, David Hollenburg and Hanan Elsherif, the curriculum needed to be adjusted to accommodate the lack of professors. The course coding changed to create repeatable courses for students who wanted to continue Arabic. This set up classes for the 2022-23 academic year so that the department could remain on campus.

In spite of heavy demand, French classes always faced department troubles. Multiple retired professors have not been replaced, while other tenured professors and career instructors are on research sabbaticals. This summer, many French classes were canceled, forcing some students to study at other institutions to earn enough credits to graduate, said Connie Dickey, a senior instructor and first-year supervisor of French.

They have quite a detailed framework that they have come up with, but how that is implemented will be greatly influenced by the new director and dean, Dickey said.

This upcoming year, a new director of languages and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will be taking on languages at UO. Both will have influences over which languages and departments are included in a new College of Global Arts. Several languages have not been included so far. UO language departments continue to operate with funding cuts and curriculum changes, while enrolling and maintaining success within the students.
Tucker Carlson, a well-known wild-card Fox host with radical views, is considering running for the 2024 Presidential race. Indicators that the outspoken Fox host is toying with the idea have been suggested by his latest trip to Iowa, in an article by Yahoo! News.

Will Carlson Run for President?

Controversial The Fox presenter sparked new media rumors that he will run for president of the United States in 2024 by making some potentially telling remarks during his most recent visit to Iowa, a crucial early battleground state for hopefuls in the American electoral system, reported RT.

About US Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), a seasoned politician who makes a point of visiting all 99 counties in the state during his campaigns, he added that he "did the full Grassley."

Despite Carlson's repeated denials, that remark was enough of a "clue" for Yahoo! News to imply that he is contemplating running for president in 2024.

Carlson is reportedly highly interested, according to Jon Schweppe, who was quoted by Yahoo! as the American Principles Project's director of policy, noted Disclosure News.

Democrats have another popular pro-GOP candidate to contend with if it was not bad enough for them.

Politico suggested last week that Jon Stewart, a former talk show host, could run on the Democratic ticket if he faces up against Tucker Carlson, a wild card Fox host in the 2024 presidential race, a strong possibility.

Read Also: Emmanuel Macron Facts: Interesting Info You May Not Know About The French President

A contributor, Juleanna Glover, added and warned that Carlson might run in 2024, being very popular and whose opinions are powerful enough to move his supporters.

She said the host is extremely well-liked, eloquent in his opinions, and has questioned whether the Biden administration can secure the Republican nomination.

Conservative commentator Jonah Goldberg, an ex-coworker of the host, claims that Carlson sees the potential as another Pat Buchanan and a serious competitor.

In an attempt to put to rest the rumors surrounding his future candidacy, he said in an interview last week that he won't run for president in 2024 or probably in any other year.

He spoke to Semafor co-founder Ben Smith, who remarked that power is not the goal. It's annoying, and it should be changed. Dominating or controlling people has no attraction at all.

Carlson Hints at Running

The Fox host has denied on earlier occasions that running for the Oval Office has never been a goal. In June 2021, he admitted that working as a talk show host is his interest and is much preferred.

Cable news has never had a host more identified and popular in US history, all his shows have 3 million viewers and are a regular every night! In October, a record 5.3 million views were recorded for cable news.

He has sparred regularly with opponent CNN hosts and aired harsh opinions that have attracted controversy. To date, he's speaking out against the government amidst the crisis it has caused.

Democrats see Tucker Carlson as a wild card Fox host who might join the 2024 presidential races, making their cause more horrendous in beating a bloody midterm.

Related Article: Donald Trump To Run in 2024 Elections; Shocker for the Democrats Facing a Midterm Bloodbath

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Shuttered businesses, kids ordered to stay away from school, operations cancelled, job centres closed, public transport services wiped out, eco fear porn exploding across the BBC and government officials casually warning thousands will die.

Not Armageddon; not even a relatively mild virus this time.

Nope, the UK is grinding to a halt, with the tacit permission of those in power, because of two-days of temperatures many parts of the world must deal with on a weekly basis.

Now I dislike the extreme heat as much as the next big guy, especially given the reluctance from British businesses, workplaces, taxi drivers and eco zealot officials to embrace air conditioning, a standard luxury in much of the western world.

But what I hate even more is the health establishment determined to baby and terrify us thanks to their unhealthy obsession with power and control.

'For the vast majority of us, this IS a lovely hot day,' Dan Wootton writes. Pictured: Brits enjoying the sunny weather this afternoon at Charlton Lido in south east London

Festishising fear is now the norm  brilliant for TV ratings but appalling for a nation seemingly so ready to retreat into our homes and leave the hard work to others.

One of the worst offenders has been Tracy Nicholls, chief executive of the College of Paramedics, who warned yesterday: This isnt like a lovely hot day where we can put on a bit of sunscreen, go out and enjoy a swim and a meal outside. This is serious heat that could actually, ultimately, end in peoples deaths because it is so ferocious. Were just not set up for that sort of heat in this country.

What utter irresponsible alarmism.

For the vast majority of us, this IS a lovely hot day where we can put on a bit of sunscreen, go out and enjoy a swim and a meal outside just like we do while on a European summer holiday with absolutely no consequences to our health  and certainly without dropping dead.

Theres also the Met Office insisting that in general it would be better to stay indoors, somewhat overstepping their traditional job of providing the temperature and weather conditions then letting us decide how to live.

So what I felt was needed was a bit of Churchill-like swashbuckling motivation from our Conservative political leaders to encourage the great British working spirit in the 99 per cent of us able to cope with the heat to keep the country open.

Instead, I got Cabinet minister Kit Malthouse sent out to suggest this week may be a moment to work from home.

There we have it: Stay at Home!

Of course! I knew it!

I mean, its the answer to every sort of minor crisis these days.

When the hell are we going to grow up and learn? Its staying at home that has damned us to our current predicament of a cost-of-living crisis, soaring taxes and millions who dont fancy getting a job.

Sunseekers on Bournemouth Beach today. The Met Office has said 'in general' it would be 'better to stay indoors'

Think about the consequences to the genuinely vulnerable of that advice in the midst of record temperatures, too.

If we were all to stay indoors, then who is available to protect those in need  to deliver their food, to care for them at the doctors surgery, to clean their homes and make sure theyre coping?

Just like with Covid, we've got the balance all wrong.

The young and the healthy should go about their business as usual, albeit being hot and sweaty, while focussing on protecting the old and vulnerable at genuine risk.

Instead, parents fuss around their lazy teenagers who moan its too hot to go to school.

Woke bosses accept lame excuses from staff members who cant be bothered to come into the air conditioned office but are more than happy to work from the park or the beach.

And the broadcast media trumpets increasingly extreme eco-proposals from activists, which would bankrupt Britain overnight, without the slightest hint at pushback.

Like the grim-faced Sly News reporter who allowed Chloe Brimicombe  a heatwave PhD researcher just out of nappies  to insist working hours must be cut and air conditioning legislated against if were to survive the summer, without the slightest hint of a challenge.

As outraged NHS GP Renee Hoenderkamp tweeted about TVs irresponsible rolling coverage: I dont watch TV normally but in hospital today and turned on BBC News and what a mistake. It is wall to wall weather hysteria  correspondents all over the place in parks and even Battersea Dogs home advising on paddling pools for dogs. We have officially gone mad!

A grass fire in Newgale, Pembrokeshire. There were several similar blazes across the country today

The Beeb keeps banging on about how this is the first time a red heat warning has been issued for parts of the UK, while failing to mention the warning system was only introduced last year.

They also neglect to remind us of the 1976 summer heatwave when London experienced 16 consecutive days of temperatures over 30 degrees.

Im also fed up with every minor public official thinking its their duty to take me back to primary school and insist I drink lots of water, use sunscreen and avoid all sunshine.

They also tend to suggest we should speak to our GPs if we have any concerns. Ha! Fat chance of that. Do they not understand the lockdowns killed off visits to the local doctors surgery at short notice in the UK, seemingly forever more?

Of course, the same bright sparks in charge of our response to this heatwave also banned fans in care homes and for nurses in hospitals, while encouraging folk to wear face nappies outdoors in the middle of summer, so forgive me for having little faith in any of their advice.

All this heatwave has convinced me of is that British authorities are currently devoid of the concept of personal responsibility and empowerment, something that has to return and fast.

The government must start to understand if people are continually told to stay at home at the slightest hint of a challenge, even if that challenge is a 40-degree day, then our work ethic and ability to run the country efficiently will be stamped out for a generation.
Two popular food influencers were 'shocked' when they are were asked to take down a 4/10 review by a trendy taco stand in East London.

The Edible Twins, 26-year-old brothers from London, posted to social media after eating at The Taco Collective, located at the Lalaland food market in Shoreditch.

But after spotting their mediocre review of an 'oily' taco with 'muted' flavours and 'dry' meat, they were wasked to 'take it down' because the food outlet doesn't 'approve ratings from unverified bloggers'.

The Edible Twins, who paid for their own meal and were providing a completely indepedendent review, received an outpouring of support on social media.

The Twins told Femail 'This has been one of the most shocking, unusual and rude experiences we have had in the six years that we have been food blogging!

'It has certainly caused an outrage on Instagram and has made its way to Twitter too.'

'Given the attention and outrage in our comments, Taco Collective have since deleted their DM to us and have responded on our post with an apology.'

The Edible Twins, 26-year-old brothers from London, posted to social media after eating at The Taco Collective, located at the Lalaland food market in Shoreditch. They were not impressed by their meal (pictured) but were even less happy when they were asked to take the review down

The taco place in Shoreditch said they would only accept reviews from 'verified accounts' and asked the twins to take the post down

The brothers posted on their Instagram feed last week after eating at the Taco Collective, saying: 'We went for the California Beefin' birria taco at the taco collective.

'The filling has overnight brined, slow-braised beef shin and is flavored with their secret spice mix. We had this with a side of smokey chipotle crema (sadly sauce isnt included).

'The taco itself was not bad but a little on the oily side so get your tissues ready. The outer part was indeed super crispy which we loved but there was no real kick of flavor.

'We thought the chipotle sauce would help but that was just as mellow with no spice but it did add a nice refreshing element.

The review, posted by the Edible Twins on July 12, which was asked to be taken down by the eatery

'The meat itself was on the dry side and the overall flavor was very muted which was disappointing. The only real tang we got was from the lime we squeezed on top so probably will pass on this next time.

'We would suggest checking out the other stalls there and thats exactly what we will do when were there next!'

They were soon sent a direct message by the London eatery saying 'Hi Twins, whilst we appreciate the review we would like to ask you to remove this from your account.

'fellow foodies is this even allowed?' The Instagram story is labelled 'Drama' and the twins want to raise awareness of censorship in the food blogging community, as they feel their reviews are 'constructive'

'We do not accept reviews from unverified accounts especially if our team has not been contacted prior.

'Please let us know once this has been removed.'

The Edible Twins posted the DM to their story and were met with a flurry of online support, with many people labelling the taco house as 'rude', while another user claimed they had been 'blocked by taco collective for speaking out'.

The post was shared across Twitter and Instagram, with many people calling for the Edible Twins' account to 'be verified just for the sake of it'

The eatery apologized for overacting and unsent their DM but people claim they had then been 'blocked' online for speaking out

The Edible Twins said 'We pride ourselves on providing honest, constructive and detailed feedback and descriptions on the places we try. We maintain this approach regardless of location whether we are eating in London, New York, Paris, Hong Kong or anywhere in the world.'

'We maintain this standard because we want our followers to be able to come to us for reliable recommendations and to hear about even the bad experiences.'

'The message left us speechless to be honest. We were shocked at their requirements to 'pre-approve reviews.

Despite not being verified, the twins, who are a lawyer and dentist - have quite a large, loyal following online

'It baffles us as we are still not quite sure what they are even referring to when they say verified.

'Do we need to be approved by them only? We had a quick look on their account and they repost only good reviews on their stories from unverified accounts.

'We actually felt pretty bad after their message but now we feel like theres nothing wrong with it.

'It is clear their page filters only positive reviews and shuts down negative comments.

'Instead of taking on constructive feedback (of which our review was) they have used this as an opportunity to bully a food blogging account to remove their post.

'We are just concerned we are not the only food bloggers who they have contacted to remove their posts! We were just brave enough to call out this behaviour.'

After receiving an outpouring of support from their followers, the pair said: 'We want to give a special thank you to the foodie community and to those who have shown us so much love.'

Whilst running the food blog, the brothers have made a conscious effort to remain anonymous and have not published photos of themselves because they say they 'want the food to be the main focus.'

The pair say they grew up in a family background and culture centered around food.

They said 'We love travelling and eating like locals wherever we go in the world.

'Being based in London, we are spoilt for choice with every cuisine you can think of being on offer.'

When we are not food blogging, the brothers have totally different day jobs to keep them busy as a lawyer and dentist respectively.

Taco Collective declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.
The heat may be getting to us humans - but what about our four-legged friends?

These photos from social media show the different ways pets are trying to cool off in the heatwave.

They include ducks splashing about in a paddling pool, a tortoise enjoying a sprinkler and a cat hiding in a fridge. Others enjoy being sprayed with mist or snacking on dog ice cream.

With temperatures set to hit 41C, the RPSCA has urged pet owners to take precautions to keep their animals cool, with damp towels and mats for them to lie on and frozen treats and plenty of water available.

Dogs should only be walked for a short time during cooler periods of the day because hot concrete can burn their paws.

Here, FEMAIL reveals how pet owners across the UK are helping their furry friends beat the heat.

Toffee, a nine-month-old Dorkie puppy from Wood Green, London, loves being spritzed with cold water from the plant mister  although he does try to nibble the spray

Chill cabinet! Typically pets might head to the fridge for food, but this clever feline Sooty, from Powys has other ideas

This two-year-old cockapoo called Rusty from Nottingham is enjoying a puppachino from Starbucks - essentially a small cup of cool whipped cream

Gunning for a drink! Coco, from Gloucestershire, loves to play with a water pistol in the garden

Quackers? These guys are just eight weeks old and not quite ready for the big pond...

Fant-tastic idea! Siberian tabby Evie likes to stay close to the fan and feel the wind in her fur in Milton Keynes

Lola, a three-year-old maltipoo, is an Instagram hit. Mum Leah McKnight, of Oxforshire, said, 'Lola loves dressing up and this was the perfect outfit for a sunny day.'

Sonic the staffy keeps his cool thanks to a doggy ice cream and Sia also loves the homemade doggy ice lollies

Slowly does it: This three-year-old leopard tortoise called Jambo, of Bristol, is enjoying his lettuce and strawberry under a sprinkler

Just chilling! Koko the cokcerpoo took advantage of a huge paddling pool for a dogg paddle

Even dogs love an ice cream! Lady, a French Bulldog, was delighted to get an evening snack from the ice cream van

Goblin the ShihTzu is enjoying hanging out in the shower to stay cool
'I had hundreds of nudes stored in my phone, but I'd never sent them to anyone,' reads the opening line to the raunchiest book of the summer.

Acts of Service, by US debut novelist Lillian Fishman, follows twenty-something New York barista Eve as she grows bored of life with her long-term girlfriend and enters into a complicated, sexually charged three-way relationship with a financier, Nathan, and his lover, Olivia.

Steamy sex scenes are scattered throughout the novel, describing in detail how Eve has sex with her girlfriend then finds herself enjoying being dominated by Nathan.

The book has received praise from publications including Vogue, which hailed it as 'unflinchingly sexy' and said it was one of the most anticipated new releases of 2022. BuzzFeed's reviewer said it is one of the 'most entertaining books she had ever read'.

Fishman does not hold back in her description of sex between the characters, which is central to their development and the themes of power, identity and sexuality.

'Nathan f***** [Olivia] for stretches of six or eight hours, encouraged her to watch while he toyed with other women, transformed their workplace into a sexual landscape that was strange and spellbinding,' Eve observes in one passage.

Acts of Service, by US debut novelist Lillian Fishman, follows twenty-something New York barista Eve as she grows bored of life with her long-term girlfriend and enters into a complicated, sexually charged three-way relationship with a financier and his lover Olivia

'While he toyed with Olivia I felt excited and urgent. I envied both of them. In moments my envy was eclipsed by self-consciousness; I didn't know how to hold my body while I was waiting for a sign that I was wanted.

'But I didn't wait long. During the nights the three of us had spent together, he'd never f***** Olivia in front of me. After he had kissed and dishevelled her a little, he turned to me, stripped me within twenty seconds, and laid me back on the couch.

'Once he was above me, I forgot anything except the weight of him and the temperatures of my skin, the aching cool in the places that missed his touch.'

The novel begins with Eve deciding to post nude photos to an anonymous website behind her girlfriend's back. The vain protagonist is fixated on her own beauty and describes herself as superficial and dissatisfied with life.

Reviews since the 27-year-old Fishman's (pictured) debut novel was released in May this year have been mixed; The Times said the 'lazy' plot could've at least had 'some better sex scenes to keep us entertained along the way', while BuzzFeed said the writer had penned 'one of the most entertaining books about sex'

Nathan, who has been compared to Christian Grey from Fifty Shades, succeeds at anything he puts his mind too - from painting masterpieces to making it big in New York City finance, or giving orgasms to the different women he is sleeping with.

The third main character, first presented as a leading role before the novel centres more heavily on Nathan and Eve's complicated relationship, is Olivia, who is initially presented as shy.

Eve's nude photos are spotted by Olivia, who has never been with a woman before but is intrigued and invites Eve to spend the night with her and Nathan.

Who is the author behind raunchy new book Acts Of Service? Lillian Fishman was born in 1994 and lives in New York. She received her Master of Fine Arts from New York University, where she was a Jill Davis Fellow (2020). Acts of Service is her first novel. When working on the book, Fishman lived in a 'small room' in a three-bed apartment, and would write her novel on her laptop at night while in bed or in the NYU library. The author said she thought of herself as a 'queer person' who would write a 'queer novel' and was surprised when Nathan emerged as the central character. Speaking about the story, she told The Cut: 'It became a book about a relationship between Eve and Nathan. And I didn't want the book to be about Nathan or heterosexuality. 'Those are things I was avoiding and was uncomfortable with, and I certainly thought of myself as a queer person and as a person who would write a queer novel. 'But that centre announced itself to me, and I'm happy it did. The book is about Nathan and needed to be.' The novel has won Fishman comparisons to Sally Rooney, who has achieved extraordinary success with her first three novels. Yet, unlike Rooney, Fishman says she does not see herself in her characters. 'Eve, the character, is much more serious, much more angst-ridden and neurotic. I have to say I dont think shes like me at all,' she said. Advertisement

After overcoming initial trepidation, she agrees to meet the couple and they begin a sexual entanglement.

Then in the novel's first few pages, Eve says: 'I was meant to have sex - probably with some wild number of people.' She suggests her desire is even more 'savage', explaining: 'Maybe I was meant not to f*** but to get f*****.'

During one racy scene, Nathan turns up at Eve's work and commands her to strip off in the cafe toilet.

As the novel unfolds, Eve explores the complicated dynamic of their polyamorous relationship and her role within it.

Fishman pens sex scenes between the trio and between various pairings, revealing the complexities of their feelings and desires.

'He undressed me in front of the massive windows,' Eve recalls of one of her encounters with Nathan.

'It was warm in the hotel room... Underneath my turtleneck I wore plain black underwear I had carefully prepared.

'While I stood against the windows he watched me from below through the eye of his phone, murmuring pleasures, directing me - asking to see my legs spread, my back arched.

'This was cruelly satiating as only the moment of his first entering me had been before.'

Another encounter reads: 'It was when I touched her that I felt Olivia's desire and her anxiety roped together... I knelt behind her, running my fingers over her narrow back, her freckled hips.'

By the end of the book, Eve's trust in Nathan and their relationship is tested.

Speaking about her debut novel, Fishman told The Cut: 'It became a book about a relationship between Eve and Nathan. And I didn't want the book to be about Nathan or heterosexuality.

'Those are things I was avoiding and was uncomfortable with, and I certainly thought of myself as a queer person and as a person who would write a queer novel.

'But that centre announced itself to me, and I'm happy it did. The book is about Nathan and needed to be.'

She added: 'Acts of Service is grappling with basically how it feels to disappoint yourself and the queer community by realizing that you want to explore this mainstream desire that you feel very self-critical about and almost disgusted by.'

But the author insisted that her main character isn't like her at all. Fishman explained that she is more fearful and cautious as a person.

When working on the book, Fishman lived in a 'small room' in a three-bed apartment, and would write her novel on her laptop at night while in bed or in the NYU library.

After overcoming initial trepidation, she agrees to meet the couple and they begin a sexual entanglement. Fishman describes sex scenes between the trio. Stock image

'It was a very messy process and one that I look back on now with some disbelief and admiration,' she told ALL ARTS.

'I felt determined to bring it about urgently, even though I didn't have much time or space thoroughly to myself.'

The novel, which was first released in May this year, has been met with mixed reviews.

The Times said the 'lazy' plot could've at least had 'some better sex scenes to keep us entertained along the way', while BuzzFeed said the writer had penned 'one of the most entertaining books about sex'.

Readers have been similarly conflicted.

One wrote: 'What in the queer 50 shades of grey lmao! Messy but funnnnn. We love drama. Prayers for Olivia!'

Another posted: 'This book is very much about the power dynamics of sex between men and women, and how queerness coincides with that, and my favorite parts of the book are where the narrator is very affected by the male gaze.

'I think there were some valuable insights into how the patriarchy affects sex, specifically, and how women feel so rawly attracted to male praise regardless of their sexuality.'

One fan raves: 'Fishman paints a rich and complex portrait of sexuality in the twenty-first century and its adjacent concepts of power and agency and how we are perceived by others.

'It cleverly explores sex and sexuality in a way that is not only addictive to read, but also self-contained and philosophical. Does sexual desire and freedom come hand in hand with morality and politics? To what extent does the patriarchy and gender roles influence our intrinsic thoughts regarding love and sex?'
Australians are giving advice to British people on how to cope in extreme heat as the UK is set to record its hottest day in history.

An Irish man living in London to to Reddit Australia to ask Aussies if they had 'any tips on how not to melt'.

The teacher explained the school they work in doesn't have air conditioning - like most buildings in the UK.

'Temperatures are going to hit 39C/102F in London in the next few days. You fine folk are more used to it than me, has anyone got any tips on how not to melt?' he wrote.

'Before you start calling me a Pom, I'm Irish. If you're going to take the p*** at least be accurate! Serious tips and mockery encouraged in equal measure.'

Australians are giving advice to British people on how to cope in extreme heat as the UK is set to record its hottest day in history. Pictured: Margate beach in Kent was packed Sunday as thousands of people made their way to the coast to enjoy the glorious sunshine before temperatures skyrocket on Monday and Tuesday

'Edit: it's worth adding I'm a teacher and will be in work in a building with no air conditioning,' he added.

Britain could be hotter than Delhi and the Sahara Desert on Monday with experts predicting the mercury could reach 41C  double the UK summer average.

The UK's Met Office has issued the first ever red heat warning, with motorists urged to be wary of tyres melting and warping on the street.

Many Aussies advised making sure hats, sunscreen and water bottles are a requirement for all children and adults while others advised freezing towels to stay cool on the street.

'I'm also a teacher and although we have aircon we do have a few things we regularly employ on those hot days to keep the kids cool,' one Aussie wrote.

'First, hats, sunscreen and water bottles are a requirement, not optional (no hat, no play). Let kids wet their hats and fill up drink bottles as often as needed.

Many Aussies advised making sure hats, sunscreen and water bottles are a requirement for all children and adults while others advised freezing towels to stay cool on the street

'Turn the lights out- this one is mostly psychological but for some reason it seems to help! I should add that we don't have blinds on our windows- if you do you should shut them to keep the heat out!

'I bought a few plastic spray bottles from a $2 shop (the kind you would mist your hair or a pot plant with) and walk around misting the kids during lessons- they love it!

'Fans on all day. If you don't have a ceiling fan it might be worth springing for a standing fan.

'Make the most of your morning sessions and slow down progressively throughout the day. By the mid afternoon when it's really hot and the kids are done you should just be doing mindful activities like reading.

'I also let the kids eat whenever they want on days like that- keeps energy up and lots bring frozen drinks etc from home.

People enjoy the hot weather at Hathersage open air swimming pool in Hope Valley, in the Peak District, Derbyshire as they try to stay cool today

The Met Office is warning temperatures could reach 40C in some parts of the UK, with large parts of England set to see their hottest ever day on Tuesday

'Buy a few bags of cheap icy poles and stick them in the freezer (both our staff freezer and home ec freezer are full in summer!).

'Lastly- get the hose out at playtime and give them a quick all-over spray.

'Water wastage is a big deal here but on those insanely hot days it can help cool everyone off and bring a bit of relief if you have even a quick spray. Plus- so fun!

'Alternatively sometimes we just fill a bucket and give them sponges that they then throw at each other etc

'For yourself stick a wet cloth in the freezer and enjoy that bad boy at recess.'

Another wrote: 'The worst part is that your structures aren't great with the heat as they're designed to keep the heat in.

People sunbathe at the West Reservoir in London today ahead of what are predicted to be two of the warmest days on record

'My advice is to not spend too much time indoors, go outside (in a shaded area w/a frozen 1.5L bottle of ice and cool wet towels) and stay hydrated.

'If you are indoors make sure there are a few fans, and a thermometer inside.

'Keep the house with the windows closed, blinds shut and electricity off. Though it's only a 39C day, inside your house might get to upwards of 45C.

'With teaching (I'm a teacher too), keep the windows open, fans going and stay hydrated.

'Ice blocks or even chewing ice is great too, keeps your core temperature low.'

BRIGHTON: People jump into the sea after the Met Office on Friday issued its first ever 'red' warning for exceptional heat, forecasting record highs of 40 degrees Celsius next week

Another commented: 'Lived through a few high 30s heatwaves in London, and it's total s***, sorry mate. No aircon, no airflow, heat radiating off every surface. You're gonna be miserable.

'Best you can do is get some pedestal fans with some bags of peas, cooling mats and drink as much as you can (water, or alcohol to knock you out).

'One of the worst cities to live in during high temps, sorry' he added.

Others advised 'really thinking about water intake' and 'do as much as you can in the evening' avoiding the hottest part of the day.

'Freezing damp towels is the best tip - even just positioning a couple around you on a bed is usually enough to cool you down sufficiently to fall asleep on a hot night,' said one.

'Block as much sun from getting into buildings as you can and open up all the windows at night to let the cool air in,' said one.

'When outside, avoid hard surfaces as much as possible as hard surfaces create hot spots. Stay out of the sun as much as you can, cover up, wear sunnies and take an umbrella to keep the sun off of you. Sunburn is horrible in hot weather.,' said another.

The UK's Met Office has also explained heat feels hotter in the UK than many other countries due to high humidity which means its harder for the human body to cool as sweat doesn't evaporate as quickly.

UK building are also 'designed to keep heat in, compared to hotter countries', which means the temperature often doesn't drop below 20C at night - meaning Brits have no respite to cool down at night.
An Australian doctor has revealed the six things to consider before travelling overseas post-Covid - including being wary of rampant STDs, and making sure you carry mosquito repellent.

Perth-based GP, Dr Deb Cohen-Jones, noted many Aussies are now jetting off around the world as travel restrictions have been lifted.

In an Instagram post she said that it's important to stay safe when you travel, and make sure you're fully vaccinated for relevant viruses as well as getting correct protection against STDs and mosquitos.

She also noted your passport needs at least six months on it - and that renewals are taking 'ridiculously long' at the moment.

Perth-based GP, Dr Deb Cohen-Jones, noted many Aussies are now jetting off around the world as travel restrictions have been lifted

Flu vaccination

'Anyone aged six months and above in Australia can now have a free flu vaccination and absolutely should do so,' she explained.

'The current influenza outbreak in our Eastern states is interrupting society as much as Covid did with patients having even more severe symptoms in most cases than with Covid.

'This is an absolute must to avoid being bedridden overseas,' she added.

In an Instagram post she said that it's important to stay safe when you travel, and make sure you're fully vaccinated for relevant viruses as well as getting correct protection against STDs and mosquitos

Other travel vaccinations depending on the destination

This could include typhoid and hepatitis A, Dr Cohen-Jones explained.

The SIX ways to prepare yourself for international travel 1. Flu vaccinations 2. Other vaccinations 3. Carry mosquito protection 4. Carry Malaria prophylaxis for travel to Africa and India 5. Carry a travel kit including anti-diarrhoea and anti-nausea medications 6. Protect yourself against STDs Advertisement

'Returned travellers from Bali are already being reported,' she said.

'These could have been avoided with vaccination prior'.

Mosquito protection

This is particularly important if you're travelling to popular Aussie tourist destinations like Thailand, Bali, Mauritius and Vietnam which all have Dengue fever mosquitos.

Malaria prophylaxis for travel to Africa and India amongst others

Those travelling to countries with malaria need to take relevant medicine, the doctor explained.

Arming yourself with a travel kit

Dr Cohen-Jones also advised taking a travel kit with your aboard.

This can include anti-diarrhoea and anti-nausea medications as well as any medicine you need.

STD protection

This is particularly for those younger patients going on Contiki or gap years, the doctor explained, so make sure to carry protection with you when travelling.

'There is a resurgence in syphilis as well as ongoing high rates of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes and warts,' she wrote.

'Reinforcing protected sex in all age groups as this would definitely ruin a persons holiday.

'Your GP or travel doctor can advise you of what you may need for travel and should have up to date information on infectious diseases in each country'.
On Sunday, experts analyzed a cargo jet accident in northern Greece, finding no indications of harmful chemicals but claiming that the plane's cargo was scattered about the disaster site. The crash killed all eight crew members, according to Serbia's defense minister.

The An-12 freight jet from Serbia was being piloted by a Ukrainian aviation crew when it crashed into fields between two Greek towns late Saturday. The jet crashed just before 11 pm approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Kavala International Airport

Ukrainian Cargo Aircraft Crashes in Northern Greece

Officials claimed the pilot had alerted air traffic controllers minutes before that he had an issue with one of his engines and needed to make an emergency landing. He was told to go to Kavala Airport, but he never arrived.

The fuselage of the four-engine turboprop from the Soviet period dragged on the ground for 170 meters (almost 190 yards) before disintegrating. For two hours after the collision, residents reported seeing a fireball and hearing blasts. Drone footage revealed that just minor parts of the airliner remained.

Serbian Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said at a press briefing on Sunday that the plane's eight crew members were killed. He stated that the jet was transporting 11.5 tons of Serbian-made mortar ammunition to Bangladesh. It had taken off from the Serbian city of Nis and was scheduled to make a stopover in Amman, Jordan.

Meridian, a Ukrainian cargo carrier, flew the plane. When the Ukrainian consul in Thessaloniki arrived at the accident site, he informed Greek officials that the whole crew was Ukrainian.

Before departing, the Greek army's Special Joint Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Unit prepared two routes for Fire Service forensics specialists to move in. The second team had recovered all of the dead by nightfall, according to the commander of the army's Landmine Field Clearing Battalion, AP News reported.

According to a senior source at Jordan's civil aviation regulatory authority (CARC), the jet was not bound to Jordan. The flight's schedule included a refueling stop in Jordan's Queen Alia international airport at 9:30 pm on Sunday, as reported by official news outlet Petra.

Since Saturday night, the location in Greece where the plane crashed has been blocked off. Residents in the neighborhood have been warned to keep their windows and doors closed and to avoid the incident site.

The fire department has roped off the area in a 400-meter radius. The mayor of Paggaio, the municipality that includes the two towns surrounding the collision, restricted neighboring highways.

Read Also: US Military Performs Successful Hypersonic Missile Test as Washington Gets Closer to Russia, China in New Arms Race

6 Remains of Crew in Greece Plane Crash Still Missing

In accordance with Athens News Agency, eyewitnesses said that the Antonov An-12 was on fire and that they heard explosions. A resident from the hilly terrain, Giorgos Archontopoulos, told state broadcaster ERT television that he suspected something was wrong as soon as he heard the aircraft's engine.

Locals who saw a fireball and a column of smoke, as well as Greek media, believe the jet was carrying explosives. As per ERT, army explosive specialists were on their route to the site, which is located on farmland between two villages in the Paggaio municipality. It further stated that locals claim it was already in flames when it crashed, and ERT has been informed that its cargo was unsafe, according to Daily Mail.

On Sunday, Greece's Civil Protection Authority released a statement encouraging inhabitants of the region to stay at home with their windows closed until further notice. One mayor in the area has called for a curfew until the results of the investigations are made public.

Drone footage recorded on Sunday and shown on Greek television showed artillery rounds and debris strewn across a cornfield. Mr. Syrlantzis stated that experts from Geetha's land mine disposal team and its special unit for nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons were seeking to identify a strange white powder that had collected in and around the crash site.

Later that day, Yiannis Artopios, a spokesperson for Greece's national fire department, reported that preliminary examinations had revealed no harmful compounds. Firefighters have discovered two dead and are looking for six more, he said, as per New York Times.

Related Article: US Intelligence Claims Russian Officials Visited Iran To Check Out Drones For Ukraine War; Tehran Calls It 'Baseless'

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Lorraine Pascale has hit back at people who say women should 'dress for their age' - donning a stunning minidress.

The former-model-turned-chef posted a reel on Instagram showing how, at the age of 49, she feels she has to choose between wearing what she wants and dressing appropriately for a woman approaching 50.

Looking into the camera while getting ready to go out, Pascale wore a towel on her head and around her body with a perplexed expression on her face.

She captioned the video: 'I'm 49 years old so....

Lorraine Pascale, 49, has posted a reel on Instagram showing other women that there is no such thing as 'dressing for your age' and assuring them they don't have to choose

The former model stunned in the white dress and white sliders - proving she's still fabulous as she approaches 50

'Dressing my age or wearing miniskirts.'

She then asked: 'Why choose?'

In the next shot, the stunning mother-of-one proved she doesn't have to decide between the two, and donned a chic white mini-dress.

Adding a casual twist to her look, Pascale paired the dress with white sliders.

While her message was strong, it was slightly hindered by her husband, Dennis, strolling around shirtless in the background.

After showing off her model strut to the camera, she caught sight of her partner walking up the stairs and turned around to stare at him.

As he walked out of shot, seemingly with no idea he had ruined his wife's poignant video, Pascale turned back to the camera and laughed.

The former model, whose daughter Ella Balinska has followed in her mother's footsteps in the modelling industry, often posts about being proud of her age as she approaches 50.

Strike a pose! Harking back to her modelling days, Pascale posed in the mini-dress - while her husband Dennis O'Brien made a surprise cameo

In another reel posted on her Instagram account Pascale appeared at the poolside, relaxing on a sunbed in a Fendi bikini.

She smiled into the camera and punched the air as a voiceover said: 'This one is for people who were born in the 60s or 70s or earlier.

'Let's see your faces. Let's be proud of who we are.

'Let's be proud of ageing. It is to be celebrated.'

Pascale captioned the video: 'Born in 1972. Lets go! #midlife #over50 #over40.'

The former model, who has written three cookbooks and fronted several cooking TV programmes, often encourages women to go for their goals, whatever their age.

While studying for a masters degree in psychology last year when she was 48 years old, the chef posted an inspirational message on Instagram.

It read: 'So you think you're too old to do it? Well you're not. Bl**dy go for it.'

She has also reposted a famous quote from psychologist Carl Jung: 'Life really does begin at 40. Up until then, you're just doing research.'

Pascale often earns praise from her followers for encouraging people - and women especially - never to let age stop them.

After posting the reel wearing the white dress, people were quick to thank her for showing that women are beautiful at any age.

One person said: 'You are soooo real!!! I love you!!! And appreciate you!!!'

Another wrote: 'Forty-nine and we are doing it like we aint never did it! We are alive so we live!!'

And many people said Pascale was right to tackle the idea that women should 'dress for their age'.

One person wrote: 'What even is dressing your age? You look fabulous.'
Prince Harry 'doesn't have great respect' for the Duchess of Cornwall and has 'no interest' in 'developing' a relationship with her, a royal expert has claimed.

Camilla, 75, has been stepmother to the Duke of Sussex, 37, who is currently living in his $14 million mansion in California having stepped back from royal duty, since she married Prince Charles in 2005.

However royal expert Ingrid Seward has revealed how the pair's relationship went 'off the boil' and Harry now does not 'have a great deal of warmth for her.'

Speaking on the Mirror's Pod Save the Queen podcast, Ingrid said: 'I don't think Harry is interested in developing a relationship with his stepmother at this stage in his life.'

Prince Harry 'doesn't have great respect' for the Duchess of Cornwall and has 'no interest' in 'developing' a relationship with her, Ingrid Seward has claimed

The royal expert explained that initially, Prince William and Prince Harry had been 'very happy' to embrace Camilla into the family.

She added that the Duchess had 'kept in the background' and 'didn't interfere' in their lives.

Meanwhile the royal expert went on to say she was unsure of where the Duke's relationship with Camilla had stood on his most recent visit to the UK.

She said: 'I don't think Harry has a great deal of warmth for her, he waxes and wanes with her.

Royal expert Ingrid has said how the pair's relationship went 'off the boil' and Harry now does not 'hold much warmth for her'

'I don't know about the recent trip but certainly I think Harry was quite happy to accept Camilla in the beginning but then went off the boil about her and I don't think he holds her in great respect.'

Ingrid's comments come after Princess Diana's biographer Tina Brown claimed that the Duke 'can't stand' Camilla and might deepen his rift with the royal family by 'going after' her and Prince Charles in his upcoming memoirs.

Speaking in April, Brown said Prince Charles' estranged son is likely to voice his frustration in his memoirs, which are set to be published later this year.

Brown, who penned the Diana Chronicles in 2006, said: 'William was disgusted about Meghans attack on Kate because she cant answer back. But thats nothing compared to how furious hes going to be when this book comes out.

Earlier this year, Princess Diana's biographer Tina Brown claimed that the Duke 'can't stand' Camilla and might deepen his rift with the royal family by 'going after' her and Prince Charles in his upcoming memoirs

'Because Harrys not going to go after the Queen, shes sacrosanct. And he probably wont go after Kate, whom hes very fond of. But he will go after Charles and Camilla and maybe William.

'And thats so unhelpful to them all at this particular moment; for William thats the big cloud in their relationship right now.'

Brown, who reported on the royal family for years as Tatler's editor-in-chief and Vanity Fair's editor, said that Harry never warmed up to Camilla.

In her book The Palace Papers, the author has quoted an unnamed courtier who told her than when Harry was eventually talked into being in the same room as Camilla, he would remain silent and shoot her angry looks.

She said that Prince William has grown to accept his father's relationship with Camilla, but added the Duke of Sussex is 'very angry' that the Duchess of Cornwall will become Queen Consort when Prince Charles ascends to the throne.

Meanwhile body language expert Judi James said Prince Harry appeared 'tense' with the Duchess of Cornwall during public appearances in the years before Megxit.
A mother who claims her cleavage 'stole the spotlight' from her seven year old son's birthday party has hit back at social media critics who have branded her 'indecent'.

Raquel Dicuru, 37, from Tonbridge, Kent, was throwing a seventh birthday party for her son last month when her sister-in-law filmed her lighting the candles on the birthday cake.

It wasn't until she watched the cute keepsake video back that she realized her 'boobies' were prominently featured in the purple flower sundress - right in front of the small children.

But the assistant ability consultant couldn't resist sharing the clip on TikTok, jokingly captioning it: 'When you didn't realise your boobies were stealing the spotlight at your son's birthday party until you saw pics and vid later that evening!'.

The mum-of-two says that the footage, which racked up more than one million views, has provoked backlash from many viewers, with some claiming that Raquel was trying to 'find a husband' and branding her 'indecent'.

The summery purple sundress, which is below the knee and off shoulder, was heavily critiqued for being 'attention grabbing' but Raquel insists it was 'the angle' of her sister-in-law's video that made it look more 'booby' than it actually was

The sweet video, taken by Raquel's sister-in-law, shows Raquel lighting candles on her son's cake for his seventh birthday, the dress does show her cleavage, but she was called 'sick' and branded critics 'nasty'

Comments on social media site TikTok accused the Mum-of-two from Kent of being 'attention grabbing'

The sundress, which comes down to the knees, doesn't look revealing and it was the angle of the video that put Raquel's cleavage front and centre as she lit the candles.

Raquel said that the footage, which racked up more than one million views, has provoked backlash from many viewers, with some claiming that she was trying to 'find a husband' and branding her 'indecent'.

In follow-up videos responding to snide comments, Raquel told her critics to 'get a life' and posed up in the dress again to push for an explanation about why her outfit was 'offensive'.

She justified herself on TikTok, saying nobody had noticed anything unusual about her dress until she received video footage from the party later that night.

The offending dress, which looks like a regular sundress, was re-posted online by the 37-year-old, as she defiantly says 'I won't let trolls get to me'

'My sister-in-law was the one who filmed the video,' Raquel explained. 'She didn't even notice until she sent me the video and I said, "Oh my god! My boobies are right there".

'Normally, I would be just adjusting my clothing all the time. But that dress was quite comfy so I wasn't.

'I think it's mostly down to the angle of the video. She was filming from above and I was crouching down a little bit.

'We were all just living in the moment and singing happy birthday to my son. So I just thought it was funny that we were all unaware.

The happily married mother was accused of 'looking for a single dad'

'I posted it online because I thought it was funny and got a shock when I saw the reaction.

'Some of the people said my caption was drawing attention to my boobs. But that's why it was funny.

'It's like when people walk out of a toilet with paper hanging onto their shoe.

''Of all the videos I've posted about litter picking and eco-living - which I would love to go viral - it was this that did.'

Raquel received numerous comments from people who took issue with her decision to wear the low-cut dress.

Raquel said 'The majority of comments were people getting upset about the video.

People rushed to defend the UK Mum, saying 'life happens they are just boobs' and seemed confused as to why people were 'hating' on a 'basic sun dress'

'The main issue seemed to be that I was being 'indecent' for wearing that type of dress and that I was posting the video for attention.

'People were angry, they thought it was outrageous. They were questioning what sort of person I was, if I was looking for a husband.

'I'm happily married and not looking for anybody.

'The comments were mainly from men. I also had people defending me though, telling trolls to 'lighten up'.

'I had to start deleting the nasty comments because they were getting really . I didn't reply to most of them, so I just deleted them and continued with my life.

'Men were commenting stuff like 'Women know what they're doing' and 'Women always do this for attention'. It was as if I was being blamed for having something on show.

The stunning Raquel, pictured here in a denim top with teal highlights in her brunette hair says she is 'happily married and not looking for anyone' she didn't understand why people thought her choice of attire was so 'outrageous'

'It just sounds like they've had bad experiences with women and they're putting me into this category of 'She wants the dads to look at her, she just wants attention'.

'They were saying I was making it all about me rather than my son. Someone said the fact I posted the video was "sick". It's just weird - why are people so angry? They're just boobs.

'Of course, people create a story in the head about what went on behind the scenes with the video.

'I don't mind too much - these people don't know me. If they knew me, they'd know I'm not like that.'

Although she was initially taken aback by the comments, Raquel strongly believes that she did nothing wrong by wearing the dress.

Head on, you can't even see cleavage in the dress - which has been branded 'attention grabbing' by strangers

Raquel said 'Deep down, the harsh comments did make me question what I wear. But then I thought 'No, they're the ones who have a problem with it'.

'It's funny how people are angry at skin. Half of the world has boobs - I don't know why it's so taboo.

'It was a hot day at the start of June. I was wearing something comfortable for a picnic in the park.'

Despite the criticism, Raquel is determined to not let the critics change her mind on what she wears.

Raquel said 'This hasn't put me off wearing the sundress. I'm not indecent - I like to dress nice for the body that I have.

'Nobody should be shaming me or anybody else for what we wear or what we want to show.

'You would see something much more revealing at the beach' The cleavage was seen from above but many TikToker's just don't understand the issue

'I'm just showing a bit of boob or a bit of a leg. It's hot - I don't have to cover up so that other people can be comfortable.'

Many commenters didn't hold back in their critiques of Raquel's party outfit.

One wrote 'The fact you highlighted this is sick.', whilst another said 'Yeah right, everything about you screams 'Look at me'.'

Another questioned 'Why would you even wear that to a kid's birthday party?', as a fellow critic who was male, remarked 'Women ALWAYS know when they're hanging out.'

One TikTok user said 'Not smart enough to wear something at a kid's party. She must be looking for a single dad.'

The special moment was seen as 'funny' by the mum, who was cutting a very creative looking cake with her little boy

Some commenters came to Raquel's defense on the issue, saying the dress was just a 'basic sundress' and 'why is everyone hating?'.

One wrote 'Sorry, don't see anything wrong. If you go to the beach, you see a lot more flesh,' whilst another said'Why is everyone hatingit's just a basic sundress?'

One supportive commenter wrote 'Wow, some of these comments. It's a funny situation, folks. Life happens and they are just boobs. Laugh a little.'
A golden retriever who had been separated from his owner for three months couldn't contain his excitement when they were reunited.

Loyal Hugo was taken to the airport to give his owner, Alexandra Owens, 29, a warm welcome home.

The personal trainer, who had been away in the UK visiting family for several months, flew back from Liverpool to Sydney.

After he was filmed being led into the airport with two 'welcome home' balloons attached to his harness, Hugo seemed to understand something was going on.

But the minute he clamped eyes on his beloved Alexandra he leapt into the air and bounded towards her.

An adorable video shows Hugo almost knocking over his owner as he jumped up to say hello after being separated for so long.

Getting down on her knees to greet the pup, Alexandra made a fuss of him as he licked her face while wagging his tail excitedly.

Hugo was so excited to see his owner, Alexandra Owens, 29, that he leapt over to her and almost knocked her over

Alexandra was equally delighted to be reunited with her best friend Hugo after three months apart

Hugo was led into the airport with two 'welcome home' balloons attached to his harness

As golden retriever Hugo looks back at the camera he seems to know something exciting is about to happen

After being reunited with his beloved Alexandra, Hugo is so excited he almost knocks her over

British-born Alexandra said: 'I hadn't seen my dog for over three months due to having to go home to visit my family.

'People were crying and also clapping when they saw us.

'The video has touched so many hearts since going viral!'

Hugo, who has his own Instagram account with more than 1000 followers, has won thousands of hearts after people watched the sweet video.

One person commented: 'Ok I could have watched like 20 more minutes of this!'

Another said: 'I don't think his tail could [have] wagged any faster.'

Viewers also commented on the happiness Hugo exhibited upon seeing Alexandra again.

One person wrote: 'The joy! The immense joy!!'

Another viewer said Hugo's warm welcome for his owner showed his 'unconditional love' for her.
A 31-year-old woman married to a 54-year-old man has revealed that strangers confuse the couple for father and daughter, and trolls have made coarse comments about their sex life.

Financial accountant, Alexandra Sinyavskaya, from Moscow, met publisher Antonio Scuzzarella, from Turin, in 2014 when Alexandra was a student waitressing at a coffee shop in Italy.

Antonio's office was right around the corner and he came by often, he was funny and charming.

At some point Antonio started coming by the coffee shop often and made jokes and gave Alexandra compliments, they became friends and eventually started dating.

They only dated for two months before amicably breaking things off because Alexandra felt she was not mature enough to be in a serious relationship at the time.

Married couple Alexandra, 31, and Antonio, 54, (both pictured) have been mistaken for father and daughter

The age-gap couple, pictured here at their wedding in December 2021, first met back in 2014, when Alexandra was a student

According to Alexandra, cruel trolls have called her a gold digger, and made other coarse comments about the couple's age gap relationship

Alexandra finished her studies in Italy and moved back to Moscow, and then to Israel to be with her mother and sister.

However, she and Antonio never lost touch with each other, they remained friends throughout the years. They eventually found their way back to each other in 2020.

Alexandra and Antonio have witnessed a lot of negative feedback on social media, however, they do not let it affect their love and growth.

'There have been a lot of nasty comments,' said Alexandra.

'People assume that I am with him for his money and say if he was a simple clerk or a street sweeper I would not be with him.

'And it is just even if there is a guy in the same age group as you who is a street sweeper or something like that you may not date him.

Alexandra says people have accused her of only being with Antonio, who is 23 years her senior, because she wants his money

She says that a lot of her friends struggle to understand why she is not with a 'better looking guy' who is closer to her own age

'A lot of his friends took the time to get used to the fact that I'm not going to spend his money and don't want to just move to Italy.

'Some of my friends still don't understand why I'm not with a better-looking guy my age.

'Sometimes when we are out in the streets people ask whether he is my dad and we have to clarify that we are a couple.

'It is funny, but it also gets very annoying after a while.'

Alexandra and Antonio reconnected with each other and fell in love digitally during the pandemic, and now they are getting married.

'In February 2020, we made plans to go to Spain together as friends as he knew the country very well and I have always wanted to go,' she said.

'We bought tickets and made plans for a holiday in Barcelona when covid hit and Italy closed its borders.

'He insisted that I should go without him, but I said no and we stayed at home, him in Turin, Italy and me in Prague, Czech Republic.

The couple (pictured) initially dated for two months, until Alexandra broke things off feeling that she was not ready for a mature relationship

'We spoke a lot during the lockdown, there was not a day that we did not tell each other what we were doing and he was always there to listen to all my problems.

'Once or twice he forgot his phone or I had a meeting and several hours would go by without us speaking, I could feel that something was missing.

'As soon as the first lockdown ended I flew to Turin to see him in real life and we started living together in Italy in September 2020.

'That was also when I got pregnant for the first time, unfortunately, I suffered a miscarriage five weeks later, but it made us realise that we want to be together, get married and start a family.

'In February 2021, I got pregnant for the second time this time the pregnancy lasted seven weeks and we got to hear the baby's heartbeat before I suffered a miscarriage.

'It was a very difficult time, and it hit us very hard. Antonio asked me to marry him for the first time when I was recovering from that loss so initially, I told him I will have to think about it.

Alexandra suffered two miscarriages before the pair decided to tie the knot. She says losing the first baby made the couple realise they wanted to be together and have a family

Antonio proposed to Alexandra in February 2021, but she said she would have to think about it. But when he asked again in June, she said yes, and they wed in December that year

'But he asked me again in June 2021, and this time I said yes. We got married on 11th December 2021.'

This was not the first age-gap relationship Alexandra had been in her very first relationship when she was 16 was with a 26-year-old man.

Before meeting Antonio she had also been in a relationship with a man who was 19 years older than her.

'I discovered very early on in my dating life that I don't like the system.

'I want you to show me something that I don't know. Most of my relationships have been age gaps and most of them have been more than 10 years age difference.

'I prefer a man who knows how to live, I want a man who is experienced, who is well-travelled and knows who he is.'

There are a lot of misconceptions about age-gap couples, but Alexandra insists that for the most part, they are just two regular people who fell in love just like anyone else.

Alexandra, pictured here during her December 2021 wedding to Antonio, says she has had other age gap relationships in the past

The 31-year-old wants people to be more educated about age-gap relationships, and to stop judging others for things that are outside of the norm

'The main problem is people are not educated about age-gap relationships. They judge each other on everything, anything out of the norm is unacceptable.

'People make comments about you, your partner, your relationship but you don't have to explain anything to anyone just be happy.

'I think women should also be accepting and aware of the fact that your partner will go much earlier than you and he will pass away.

'And you have to understand that now you may be experiencing a very good part of your relationship, at some point your partner will be very old.

'You have to understand that it will come and you have to be prepared for that as well.

'You will not have sex, or travel, or any adventures but if it is a relationship you should be all in for everything.

'And for men, if you are having children in age-gap relationships remember that you have to raise them as well.

'Antonio knows that and he hopes that he will still be alive to see our children graduate from university.'
Princess Charlene of Monaco joined her husband Prince Albert to celebrate their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella passing a summer sailing camp this weekend - as she continues her return to royal life after her 10 month absence.

The royal, 44, who shares seven-year-old twins Gabriella and Jacques with husband Prince Albert, 64, posed for photos with the twins, who could be seen holding up gold medals from their course.

Photos from the outing were shared online by the official Prince's Palace Instagram account, with the caption reading: 'Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella received their "Seadventures Summer Camp" diploma this afternoon at the end of their week of training to discover sailing and raise awareness of the marine world organized by the Yacht Club of Monaco.

'The previous week, the princely children had taken part in an introductory course in diving and water rescue at the Monegasque sea academy, the blue school.'

It comes just days after Charlene was notably absent from the Monaco Rose Ball, one of the highlights of the principality's social calendar. It was attended by Prince Albert, his sister Princess Caroline of Hanover, and other members of the royal family.

Princess Charlene of Monaco joined her husband Prince Albert to celebrate their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella passing a summer sailing camp this weekend - as she continues her return to royal life after her 10 month absence

Charlene has only recently re-entered public life after largely remaining out of the public eye over the last 18 months, but rumours have swirled that she is receiving 10million a year to appear at her husband's side at official engagements.

She spent 10 months in her native South Africa last year after contracting a sinus infection that later required surgery.

She returned to Monaco in November but was there for a matter of days before leaving for a Swiss treatment facility. The exact nature of her condition was not made public but Albert said she was 'exhausted'.

The mother-of-two has made a handful of appearances including a recent solo engagement to a maternity ward.

In one photograph, the royal mother-of-two could be seen standing alone watching on as her children were presented with their medals

Another snap showed Prince Jacques, seven, holding his medal after taking part in the sailing summer camp

Charlene and Albert's relationship has come under enormous scrutiny in recent months.

Prince Albert said he was 'hurt by the vicious rumours' peddled about his marriage following his wife's absence and said that it's the 'most beautiful thing' to have her back with him.

Major French outlets that specialise in celebrity news said Charlene's sudden re-appearance was welcomed by all Royal watchers.

'But the Princess did not return at any price,' magazine Voici reported. 'She would have had her husband sign an ultra-confidential contract.'

A fourth image shared by the royal palace showed Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella with friends during the course

The revelations were followed up by rival publication Paris Match Belgium, which writes: 'Prince Albert would himself pay a tidy sum to the princess so that she appears at his side at public events.'

The Royal Palace in Monte Carlo refuses to discuss specific financial arrangements, but the principality pays out some 40m a year to cover the institution's running costs.

Royals are not salaried officials, however, meaning that Charlene would be reliant on Albert  a billionaire in his own right  for her own spending money.

A Royal insider based in Monte Carlo told Mail Online: 'Of course the Princess enjoys huge perks, but ready cash is not guaranteed.

'She's been through a very difficult time, so it would make sense for Charlene to try and secure her own guaranteed income.'

Timeline: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's year apart 2021 January 27 - Charlene is pictured with Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco. March 18 - Charlene is pictured at the memorial for the late Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma, South Africa April 2 - Charlene posts an Instagram picture of herself, Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Easter. It is unknown where the image was taken. May 8 - Albert, Jacques and Gabriella attend a Grand Prix event in Monaco without Charlene May 10 - Albert attends Monaco Gala Awards in Monaco without Charlene May 18 - Charlene shares her first picture from her conservation trip in South Africa June 1 - Prince Albert II, Jacques and Gabriella attend event at Oceanic Museum in Monaco June 3 - New photos emerge of Charlene on her conservation trip June 5- Charlene puts on a united front as she shares a photo with her family to mark her niece's fifth birthday with her brother's family and Albert and the twins in South Africa June 7 - Albert and the twins attend the World Rugby Sevens without Charlene June 17 - Prince Albert attends Red Cross Summer concert in Monte Carlo with his sister Princess Caroline of Hanover June 18 - Prince Albert appears alone Monte Carlo TV Festival June 24 - Charlene's foundation releases a statement saying the royal is unable to travel and is undergoing procedures for an ear, nose and throat infection July 2 - Charlene and Albert mark their 10th anniversary separately. 'This year will be the first time that I'm not with my husband on our anniversary in July, which is difficult, and it saddens me,' Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene said in a statement. July 3 - Albert appears with glamorous niece Charlotte Casiraghi at the 15th international Monte-Carlo Jumping event, which is part of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco, July 27 - Prince Albert attends Olympics alone in Tokyo August 13 - Charlene undergoes a four-hour operation. The reason is not announced August 25 - Charlene shares photos of Prince Albert, Gabriella and Jacques visiting her in South Africa September 1 - Charlene is admitted under an alias to the Netcare Alberlito Hospital after suddenly 'collapsing' September 2 - She is discharged, with a statement from the Palais Princier reading: 'Her Highness is closely monitored by Her medical team who said that Her condition was not worrying' September 23 - Prince Albert attends the 2021 Monte Carlo Gala for Planetary Health September 29 - Prince Albert is joined on the red carpet by actress Sharon Stone for a first look at the eagerly anticipated James Bond release September 30 - Charlene releases a stylish video promoting her anti-poaching campaign from her South African bolthole October 3 - Princess Charlene shares a photograph of herself smiling in front of a bible in her first snap since being discharged from hospital following her health scare October 5 - Prince Albert attends Sportel Awards Ceremony in Monte Carlo with nephew Louis Ducruet October 6 - Albert tells RMC radio Charlene is 'ready to come home' October 8 - Princess undergoes surgery in South Africa November 8 - Charlene arrives back in Monaco. Prince Albert said within hours it became clear she was 'unwell' November 13 - Prince Albert attends Expo 2020 in Dubai without Princess Charlene Following his return from the trip, Prince Albert holds an intervention with Charlene's brothers and a sister-in-law in which Charlene 'confirmed' she would seek 'real medically framed treatment' outside of Monaco November 16 - Royal household confirms Princess Charlene will not attend National Day celebrations on November 19 - Prince Albert attends a Monaco Red Cross event without Princess Charlene November 17 - Prince Albert reveals Princess Charlene has left Monaco and is recovering in a secret location November 19 - Prince Albert reveals Charlene is in a treatment facility 'elsewhere in Europe' after a family intervention 2022 January 25 - Charlene celebrates her birthday alone outside of Monaco January 26 - Prince Albert is joined by his children and sister without Charlene at St Devote's Day February 27 - Prince Albert and his two children attend AS Monaco football match without Princess Charlene March 14 - The royal palace announced Charlene had returned to Monaco. April 17 - Palace released Easter Sunday family portrait of couple with their seven-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques April 30 - Princess Charlene makes first public appearance at Monaco E-Prix May 7 - Charlene joins Albert at Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament May 18 - Prince Albert takes twins to Disneyland without Charlene May 24 - Princess Charlene takes daughter Gabriella to Monte Carlo Fashion Week May 29 - Charlene and Albert appear together at Monaco F1 June 22 - Charlene and Albert take their children to Oslo, Norway July 2 - Couple celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary July 5 - Charlene makes first solo appearance since her return

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Prince Albert said the time apart was 'a test for his wife' but they 'spoke often, despite the distance.

Charlene first had a 10-month absence in her native South Africa, where she contracted and was hospitalised for a serious sinus infection that delayed her return to Monaco.

After her return to the principality in November, Charlene left almost immediately to receive treatment for 'exhaustion' at a Swiss clinic.

The Monaco palace has consistently denied media reports of a rift between Charlene and the principality's ruler Prince Albert, who were wed in 2011, following the princess' long absence.

Missing: It comes just days after Charlene was notably absent from the Monaco Rose Ball, one of the highlights of the principality's social calendar. It was attended by Prince Albert, his sister Princess Caroline of Hanover, and other members of the royal family. Pictured, Albert and Caroline with designer Christian Louboutin

Speaking to French Sunday paper Journal de Dimanche last month, Albert said the last year was 'a test for Charlene especially, who suffered greatly and lived through difficult times'

Speaking to French Sunday paper Journal de Dimanche last month, Albert said the last year was 'a test for my wife especially, who suffered greatly and lived through difficult times, far from her family. A test also for our children and for myself.

'We missed the princess a lot. And we were obviously hurt by the malicious rumours that were peddled. But we were able to stay united despite the distance, we spoke to each other often.'

He added: 'Today, Charlene is back with us and this is the most beautiful thing which could have happened. She's better, we can finally spend time together. It is a relief and a joy for all of us.'
A woman has become the first facial reanimation surgery patient after waking up with terrifying face paralysis following brain tumour surgery.

Sammy Taylor, who is now 28, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, was 25 when she woke up with half of her face frozen following brain tumour removal surgery.

The writer and entrepreneur, now 'has her life back after becoming the UK's first facial reanimation surgery patient.

Sammy Taylor, who is now 28, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire (pictured on holiday), has made an incredible recovery after suffering a stroke during brain surgery. Having learned to walk again, she has her own business and has completed a 10K run

Sammy, looking pretty in pink before her facial paralysis. She knew at 14-years-old she had a tumour but was told it 'wasn't a nasty one'

Sammy after facial reanimation surgery at Queen Victoria Hospital, West Sussex, in 2020

Freelance mental health writer Sammy from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire endured brain surgery in 2019 to remove a pilocytic astrocytoma, a primary central nervous system (CNS) tumour.

The writer first realized there was a problem aged 14, when she suffered loss of balance and spinning vision.

These symptoms turned out to be a brain tumour affecting her nervous system.

Her tumour was not diagnosed until 2013 and she had surgery to remove it at Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith, London in 2019.

When Sammy awoke from her surgery, she received the shocking news she had suffered a stroke that left her with facial paralysis down the right side of her face, balance issues and oscillopsia, the sensation that the world is always moving.

Sammy, at 25, had to relearn how to walk again and was using a wheelchair.

She also had to re-learn her craft because she couldn't write or even feed herself.

Sammy being spoon fed in hospital by a friend. After suffering a stroke she was left helpless and could barely do anything for herself

Sammy out for afternoon tea at Sketch in London with the same friend who had to spoon feed her when she was in hospital and unable to do anything for herself

There was a two per cent risk of stroke on the consent form she signed but it was so small with her type of surgery that no one really understood why it happened, unluckily for Sammy, she was within the two per cent bracket.

In 2020, she required corrective eye surgery for her double vision, followed by the first facial reanimation surgery in the UK, at Queen Victoria Hospital, West Sussex, and only the third to be performed in the world in order to get her expression back.

Sammy is now doing much better, she can feed herself again, walk unassisted and even run and paddleboard.

Sammy after one of her surgeries helping to reanimate her face. The procedure has only been carried out three times worldwide

Stacking bracelets made by Sammy can be bought at beautybrain.uk with 10 per cent of the profits going to charity

She has also created a booming jewellery, clothing and cards business that was inspired by her tumor journey and 10 per cent of her profits go straight to Brainstrust UK.

The businesswoman admits she 'had been feeling the effects of her brain tumour for many years before she was finally diagnosed'.

As a child, she experienced monthly head rushes at night waking up to spinning walls, sweating and gripping the edges of the bed feeling like she was about to fall.

She received ENT tests and epley maneuvers, but nothing helped.

She explained how it took until 2013 for her to finally get answers.

She said'My doctor sent me for an MRI scan to 'rule anything bad out.

Sammy with family in the hospital before her initial tumour removal surgery where there was only a two per cent chance of having a stroke

Sammy pictured as a child. She would experience monthly head rushes at night waking up to spinning walls, sweating and gripping the edges of the bed feeling like she was about to fall. But it wasn't until she was a teenager that the cause was discovered

'It was there that a brain tumour was discovered and I was put on a watch and wait until 2018 with a view to being discharged after 5 years of stable scans.'

Living with her brain tumour had been the normal for Sammy for five years.

'I honestly think that because the doctors told me in 2013, that it wasn't a 'nasty' brain tumour; that it was found by chance and would likely never change, I never really worried.

'Those monthly vertigo episodes of extreme dizziness were sometimes petrifying and made me fearful of sleeping, but I knew they weren't constants and would soon pass.

'I think it's only now, after everything that has happened in the last three years with the brain surgery, a stroke and facial paralysis, and given that I'm much more informed about brain tumours in general, that I can't believe I actually managed to live a relatively normal, unfazed life with this ticking time bomb in my head for so long.'

Sammy did her research before undertaking the massive surgery.

She said'I saw four different surgeons before having the surgery and they all said the same; that I needed the surgery now as the tumour was close to blocking the CSF controlling everything we do.

Sammy had bad paralysis down the right hand side of her face and is pictured out and about with a friend

Waking up to a shock: 'The surgery was a blur, I fully trusted the surgeon and the outcome'

The surgery incision along the back of Sammy's leg

'The surgery itself was a blur. I was calm and happy on the morning and I think a lot of that was just peace that the day was finally here after months of preparing for and worrying about the surgery. I fully trusted my surgeon and the outcome.'

The writer could not have anticipated the new reality she would wake up to.

She said'I remember waking from surgery unable to see anything. My eyes were moving so much with the nystagmus, I couldn't focus my vision and I started to panic.

'It was when I went to tell the nurses that something was wrong that I realized something had happened to my face too.

'My mouth felt frozen and I couldn't pronounce anything clearly to voice my concern.

Probably one of Sammy's last proper smiles before her stroke.

Sammy after surgery having to be spoon fed by her mother following her unexpected stroke

'I was so weak after that I almost gave up trying initially. They wheeled me to the ICU and I tried to sleep the symptoms off in a bit of a blur but everyday, when I'd wake, it was the same.

'It was only by day five that the confused surgeons suspected I'd had a cerebellar stroke and my recovery length wasn't something they could predict.'

It has been a long journey of healing for Sammy since then and she has fought to get her life back.

Sammy before surgery getting ready for a holiday, looking trim and toned in a black bikini

She describes watching her friends 'buy their first homes' or get married while she was living back home with her mother, learning to to basic things like walk and eat.

'Recovery was the most challenging part given that all of my best friends were buying their first homes or getting engaged and I was back living with my mother, learning to walk again and having daily physiotherapy.

'I was like a child again - being fed and clothed in the early stages when I couldn't stand or use my arm to do those things. And my progress was also painfully slow.

'It's only when time had passed that I realized that the one per cent of small daily progress was adding up. I could do far more than previously in my recovery and started enjoying my life again, appreciating what I could still do.

Having to start from scratch: After moving back in with her mum, Sammy had to learn how to walk, eat and write pictured above is some of her writing practice

Sammy said she 'watched friends buy houses and get married' while she had to be taught everything again 'like a child' but her fighting spirit has caused her to thrive again and she now has a healthy acceptance of life and her body image which is inspiring

'I got out of the comparison trap of seeing and envying what others my age were doing on social media, and began focusing on my own path realizing that everyone goes at their own pace in life.

'I kept reminding myself that I wasn't behind in my life, I was simply living a new path and going at my own speed.

'Physically I am now stronger and fitter than ever. I've just entered my first 10k run (which would have been a challenge for me before) but even more so after needing to learn to walk again.

'I still struggle with my balance but I'm continually pushing myself by trying out paddleboarding, riding a bike and yoga classes.

'I continue to live with facial paralysis and it has definitely come with a set of battles I wouldn't have imagined.

'Mostly, I've had to learn the hard way just how much emphasis is placed on looking a certain way or fitting a beauty standard in our society, especially in the age of Instagram.'

Sammy training for a 10K run later in the year, has re-gained her vigor for life after realizing that everyone's journey 'moves at it's own pace'

What is facial reanimation surgery? The ENT (Ear,Nose and Throat) procedure is known as 'smile surgery' and can be used on people who suffer from Bell's palsy and partial facial collapse to regain muscle movement in their face. The process can involve nerve grafts from other parts of the body or cartilage grafts to support muscles. The nerve graft is the first stage of the process and once the nerve endings have grown, a muscle transfer can be carried out. Small tubes can also be added to the face to help nerve regrowth. In addition, patients may have other surgeries such as dynamic lower lip tightening and eyelid procedures. The purpose of surgery can be to achieve symmetry when the face is resting, or to create movement. However, it can't completely restore the face to what it looked like before experiencing facial palsy. Source: facialpalsy.org.uk Advertisement

The most unlikely source provided relief in some way for Sammy, was the coronavirus pandemic.

She described how having to wear a face mask was a 'godsend' in the early days of her recovery as it gave her a place to hide.

The 28 year old said: 'Enforced mask wearing, as a result of the pandemic, was actually a godsend to hide behind in the early days.

'But this also came with a different set of issues as my forehead doesn't move and eyes are mostly expressionless, so I hated looking serious all the time and never seeming to smile at strangers.

'There's also a mix of functionality issues I wasn't expecting, such as my lack of ability to pronounce certain words without appearing like I'm slurring, needing to use a small spoon to eat and wearing sunglasses to protect my eye from watering most of the time.

'Also, because my eye doesn't fully close or blink, this can cause excruciating dry eye and inflammatory pain.

'Acceptance is key but I've realized it is something we'll find effortless some days and a terrible struggle others. And that's ok.

'I think we're all guilty of looking back at photos of ourselves with a sense of nostalgia, longing for the same skin, same hair, same body or same something.

'We shouldn't be so hard on ourselves for this and should focus more on the things we love about ourselves than the things we don't.

'I've also become much more accepting of the fact everything on the outsides changes anyway.

'I'm more focused on the person I've grown to be on the inside and the exciting new opportunities I'm faced with, as a result of this challenge.'

While preparing for brain surgery in 2019 Sammy decided to start her own business, Beauty in the Brain, creating meaningful products based on her brain tumor journey.

Sammy enjoying time with friends and family with a beaming smile and a tee that reads 'lucky'

She said 'Knowing that most of our anxieties stem from the habitual feelings of worry and the irrational anticipation we have for threats and dangers, I knew I needed to switch my mindset and focus on the good things around me

'Because of this, I inscribed my favorite mantra - 'something good is about to happen' - onto a beautiful bangle to offer a little boost whenever I needed it and a constant, subtle reminder that everything would be okay because better days were on the way.

'But wearing my bangle daily throughout 2019, and realizing how powerful it had been for me, sparked the idea to turn it into something that could continue to help and inspire others on their own journeys.

'BITB has honestly been the best focus. Every single aspect of it has aided my recovery in some way.

'Since founding BITB, it's grown to even more inspirational quote bangles and bracelets, meaningful necklaces, positive stationery and now clothing; each piece inspired by an element of my journey.'

You can follow along with Sammy's journey on her blog beautybrainuk.com
Prince Charles and Camilla risked a few fingers today when they were tasked with cutting a cake with a sword.

The Prince of Wales, 73, and the Duchess of Cornwall, 75, were presented with the sweet treat at a garden party at Boconnoc House in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, to celebrate 70 years since Charles became the Duke of Cornwall.

Over the coming days, the couple will tour the county and neighbouring Devon to mark 70 years since the prince was given the title on the Queen's accession to the throne in 1952.

Looking dapper in a grey pinstriped suit, Charles wore stylish sunglasses and a striped tie when battling the hot weather.

Prince Charles' cuts a cake during a garden party at Boconnoc House to mark the 70th anniversary of The Duke of Cornwall being head of the Duchy of Cornwall on July 18, 2022 in Lostwithiel

Camilla looked stylish in a green patterned frock, while Charles donned fashionable sunglasses

Looking sharp: Prince Charles inspects the sword before using it to cut the cake

His wife looked equally sophisticated in a green floral frock, teamed with a parasol and a pair of shades.

Earlier in the day, the Duchess of Cornwall joked she was going to 'take off like Mary Poppins' as she carried the parasol to protect against the sun.

While Camilla kept the burning sun at bay, the Prince of Wales remained cool in his sunglasses and suit - buttoned at the front - during their tour of the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole.

Arriving at Mousehole, near Penzance, where temperatures were around 10 degrees below the sweltering 38C in London and the south-east, the duchess told locals: 'This is very cool here. It's stifling in London. I'm using my parasol. I think I'm going to take off like Mary Poppins.'

The prince and his wife were cheered by crowds lining Mousehall harbour and paused to wave at children brandishing Union Flags and Ukrainian flags on the beach.

During their tour, the royals met a couple who told them the story of their sea rescue only 24 hours earlier by lifeguards, and chatted to survivors of the Grenfell tower fire who have been given holidays in Cornwall by a local charity.

Camilla and Charles arrive for a garden party at Boconnoc House to mark the 70th anniversary of The Duke of Cornwall being head of the Duchy of Cornwall

The Prince of Wales meets with guests during a garden party at Boconnoc House

The Prince of Wales and Secretary & Keeper of the Records, Alastair Martin (centre) meet with guests at a garden party at Boconnoc House

A general view of the Platinum Jubilee cake during a garden party at Boconnoc House

Looking dapper in a grey pinstriped suit, Charles wore stylish sunglasses and a striped tie when battling the hot weather

Camilla looked equally sophisticated in a green floral frock, teamed with a parasol and a pair of shades

Earlier in the day, the Duchess of Cornwall (left) joked she was going to 'take off like Mary Poppins' as she carried the parasol to protect against the sun

Esme Page, 53, of Cornwall Hugs Grenfell, which has helped hundreds of survivors, relatives of victims, and Grenfell firefighters spend a holiday in Cornwall, chatted to the couple.

She said afterwards: 'At the heart of Cornwall is hospitality. This was a very special day and it's lovely the work is being recognised.

'We are very grateful the Royal Family takes an interest in this most horrific tragedy.'

Ukrainian refugee and classical singer Hanna Zoschuk, 34, who fled Odessa in May, has been given a home in Mousehole and also met the royals.

She entertained Charles and Camilla with her rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone alongside the Mousehole Male Voice Choir on the harbour front.

The Prince of Wales was all smiles as he met with guests during the garden party today

Charles looked dapper in a grey pinstriped suit during his engagement today, alongside Camilla

Ms Zoschuk said: 'It was very dangerous and I couldn't continue with my singing. I love this place and it is a great opportunity. I am very grateful for all Charles and Camilla have done and said for Ukraine.'

A trip to the Cornish seaside is not complete without a frozen treat and the couple were ushered into Webb's Dairy Ice Cream.

Owner Charlotte Webb, 30, said: 'I showed them our selection and they wanted vanilla with Cornish buttercream in one pot with two spoons.'

Meanwhile, for the earlier outing, showing she had considered style as well as practicality, Camilla's parasol provided the perfect accessory to her duck-egg blue dress - which was made of cool linen.

Prepared for anything! The Duchess of Cornwall, 75, carried a parasol as she greeted people under the blistering sun in Penzance this afternoon

Camilla recycled a blue linen dress as she visited people in the village of Mousehole

Charles and Camilla posed for a photo once they reached the harbour in Newlyn later in the afternoon

Camilla kept her parasol up all afternoon to shield herself from the bright sunlight and record high temperatures, while Charles made sure to keep his sunglasses on

Camilla, who celebrated her 75th birthday on Sunday, smiled for the camera while she chatted to locals at Newlyn harbour and fishing port

Charles, who is known for his love of fishing, stopped to meet some local fisherman as they grafted in the baking heat

The Prince of Wales inspected the detail in some copper works during his visit to Newlyn Harbour

Catch of the day! The Prince of Wales, a keen fisherman, was shown some fresh fish at the market

Camilla looked prepared for all the elements as she stepped out carrying the parasol, which complemented her light blue dress perfectly as she walked along with Charles

The Duchess recycled long-sleeved linen dress which she has worn several times before - including on last year's royal tour of Devon and Cornwall.

Meanwhile Prince Charles, kitted out in a smart suit and sunglasses, looked as though he wished he'd thought to bring his own gadget to shade himself.

Charles and Camilla are exploring Devon and Cornwall on the first day of their official visit to the south west of England.

The future king and queen consort have picked an opportune time to visit the British coastline as the nation finds itself in the grip of record-high temperatures.

Charles seemed unfazed by the heat as he waved to people in the village of Mousehole, Penzance

The couple found some shade as they strolled through the streets of Penzance on the first day of their royal visit to Devon and Cornwall

Charles and Camilla smiled as they met with people on their visit to Devon and Cornwall

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall could be exposed to temperatures of up to 31C (88F) in Penzance today

Camilla shook hands with locals as she carried an England flag which she had been given by a well-wisher

The Duchess of Cornwall chatted to people wearing T shirts remembering the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire

But it seems the royal couple may have dodged the sweltering heat of 40C (104F) predicted in some parts of the country, with temperatures in Penzance predicted to hit highs of 31C (88F).

Nonetheless the Duchess came prepared for what is still uncharacteristically hot weather in the UK, making sure she didn't catch too much sun.

As she met with residents of the town, Camilla took time to speak to people wearing T shirts remembering the 72 people who perished in the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

Camilla, who has just celebrated her 75th birthday, gave the British public a rare glimpse into her private life in an intimate ITV documentary last week.

Camilla's Country Life followed the Duchess as she guest edited an issue of Country Life magazine to commemorate her landmark birthday.

While taking charge of the magazine Camilla made sure to cover topics that were important to her.

Her rescue terriers, Beth and Bluebell, had a prime spot within the pages of the issue as the Duchess paid homage to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, of which she is a patron.

Camilla also commissioned a feature in the magazine on the issue of domestic violence, which she says is just as prevalent in the countryside as it is in big cities.
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Meghan Markle showed she meant business in a sophisticated pencil skirt and blouse as she stepped out with Prince Harry today in New York City.

The Duchess of Sussex, 40, who shares Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, with the Duke of Sussex, 37, donned a $1,590 Givenchy patch pocket skirt when appearing alongside her husband as he featured as a keynote speaker at the UN General Assembly.

With her hair pulled back into a ponytail, Meghan looked typically stylish in her statement garment from the French brand, which she teamed with a simple black blouse, Manolo Blahnik heels and a matching Mulberry handbag.

Prince Harry is expected to talk about Nelson Mandela's legacy, as well as lecture delegates on climate change and poverty during the two hour meeting.

South Africa's UN Mission said Friday his remarks 'will be around the memories and legacy of Mandela and what has been learned from his struggle and his life that can help up face the new challenges in the world today.'

Meghan Markle showed she meant business in a sophisticated pencil skirt and blouse as she stepped out with Prince Harry today in New York City

The Duchess of Sussex , 40, who shares Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, with the Duke of Sussex, 37, donned a $1,590 Givenchy patch pocket skirt when appearing alongside her husband as he featured as a keynote speaker at the UN General Assembly

The couple seemed in good spirits at the event, with Meghan smiling from ear to at her husband

With her hair pulled back into a ponytail, Meghan looked typically stylish in her statement garment from the French brand

She paired the look with a simple black blouse, Manolo Blahnik heels and a matching Mulberry handbag

The pair shared an intimate moment at one point during the event, whispering to one another as she clutched onto Harry's arm

Meghan previously wore the same skirt when visiting Dublin, Ireland, on July 10, 2018, but selected a dark green shade rather than the black version she sported today.

She kept her look simple, forgoing a necklace and sporting only dainty golden earrings - however, she did opt for several bracelets, a watch and plenty of rings.

Meghan sported a $6,900 Cartier Love bracelet, Princess Diana's Cartier Tank Watch - which costs $23,000 - and a $3,000 Jennifer Meyer gold tennis bracelet. As for her rings, she was seen wearing her $350,000 Triology engagement ring, as well as her wedding ring, and two Shiffon Duet Pinky Rings, which retail for $525 each.

The mother-of-two completed her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup - including a pink lip, rose blush and a smokey eye.

General Assembly spokesperson Paulina Kubiak officially announced the program for Nelson Mandela International Day on Friday.

Harry is giving the keynote and participants include assembly president Abdulla Shahid, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, New York Mayor Eric Adams and Guineas Foreign Minister Morissanda Kouate.

The General Assembly established July 18 - Mandelas birthday - as an international day to honour him - not only by celebrating his life and contributions but by carrying out the tradition of participating in a community service activity.

The couple walked hand-in-hand as they entered the event together

Prince Harry is expected to talk about Nelson Mandela's legacy, as well as lecture delegates on climate change and poverty during the two hour meeting

South Africa's UN Mission said Friday his remarks 'will be around the memories and legacy of Mandela and what has been learned from his struggle and his life that can help up face the new challenges in the world today'

During the event, which begins at 10am EST, the 2020 UN Nelson Mandela Prize will be awarded to Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis of Greece and Dr Morissanda Kouyate of Guinea. This prize is handed out every five years and recognises people who have dedicated their lives to the service of humanity.

Meghan spoke at a conference at UN headquarters organized by UN Women on International Womens Day in 2015, before her marriage to the prince.

In January 2020, the couple stepped down as senior members of the royal family and moved to the duchess' native Southern California, where they continue to live with their two children.

Harry and Meghan visited South Africa in 2019 with their son, Archie, on their first official tour as a family before they gave up their royal duties.

Meghan previously wore the same skirt when visiting Dublin, Ireland on July 10, 2018, but selected a dark green shade rather than the black version she sported today

The Duchess (pictured right) kept her look simple, forgoing a necklace and sporting only dainty golden earrings - however, she did opt for several bracelets, a watch and plenty of rings

The mother-of-two completed her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup - including a pink lip, rose blush and a smokey eye

The General Assembly established July 18 - Mandelas birthday - as an international day to honour him - not only by celebrating his life and contributions but by carrying out the tradition of participating in a community service activity

Meghan (seen at the even with Prince Harry) spoke at a conference at UN headquarters organized by UN Women on International Womens Day in 2015, before her marriage to the prince

In January 2020, the couple stepped down as senior members of the royal family and moved to the duchess' native Southern California, where they continue to live with their two children

Harry's speech comes hours after it was revealed in a new bombshell book that his Eton pals called him f***ing nuts for dating Meghan. The two are seen at the event

Tom Bower, author of 'Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsors', claimed Harry invited Meghan to join him at Sandringham for his weekend shoot in 2016 where she 'challenged every guest' who 'contravened her woke values'

Meghan 'lacked any sense of humour' and was a 'dampener on the party', Bower said in his new book, according to The Times newspaper. She is seen celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day at the United Nations on Monday

Meanwhile, Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana, met Mandela in March 1997, just five months before her death in a car crash in Paris.

Harry's speech comes hours after it was revealed in a new bombshell book that his Eton pals called him f***ing nuts for dating Meghan.

Bower's bombshells: What are the claims in author Tom's new 'Revenge' book Tom Bower's new book Revenge features a number of extraordinary claims about the Royal Family and Meghan and Harry. The Queen privately expressed relief that Meghan would not be attending Prince Philip's funeral, the new biography alleges. Mr Bower writes that the grieving monarch told 'trusted royal aides' on the morning she was due to lay her husband of 73 years to rest at Windsor: 'Thank goodness Meghan is not coming.' The book also claims Meghan called her PR team in hysterics after Buckingham Palace reacted with 'fury' to her Vanity Fair interview about Prince Harry. She had been 'ecstatic' when she was asked to appear on the cover of Vanity Fair's September 2017 issue and do an interview with the magazine. But when the magazine ran with the headline 'Wild About Harry' on its cover - focusing on Meghan's relationship with the British prince rather than her work as an actor, activist and philanthropist - Bower says the Palace was taken aback. Within hours of the magazine's pre-publication copies being sent to Buckingham Palace, Bower says Meghan phoned her PR firm and 'hysterically' told them of the Palace's fury. Harry invited Meghan to join him at Sandringham for his weekend shoot in 2016 - shortly after the pair's relationship was publicly revealed. The 37-year-old allegedly invited 16 friends, mostly old school pals from Eton who were employed by international banks and auction houses, to join him for dinner on Friday, shooting on Saturday and then lunch on Sunday after getting the Queen's permission. Bower says the Duke of Sussex was 'looking forward' to 'endless banter' with his friends - but Meghan, 40, was less than impressed and 'challenged every guest' who 'contravened her woke values'. Advertisement

Tom Bower, journalist and author of 'Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsors', claims Harry invited Meghan to join him at Sandringham for his weekend shoot in 2016.

Their relationship had only just been publicly revealed, and the Prince reportedly invited 16 friends to join him over the weekend.

They mostly included old school pals from Eton, employed by international banks and auction houses, who joined him for dinner, shooting and lunch with the Queens permission.

Bower claims the Duke of Sussex had been excited for a weekend of endless banter with his pals, but Meghan, 40, was less than impressed and 'challenged every guest' who 'contravened her woke values'.

Meghan 'lacked any sense of humour' and was a 'dampener on the party', Bower says in his new book, according to The Times newspaper.

She also reportedly 'reprimanded them for their jokes about sexism, feminism and transgender people', with Bower writing that Harry had not anticipated Meghans reaction.

He wrote: 'She lacked any sense of humour. Driving home after Sunday lunch, the texts pinged between the cars: "OMG, what about HER?" said one. "Harry must be f***ing nuts".'

Bower claims Meghan 'reprimanded guests' if they made the 'slightest inappropriate comment' and 'nobody was exempt'.

The claims comes after it was revealed Meghan 'called her PR team in hysterics' after Buckingham Palace reacted with 'fury' to 'her Vanity Fair interview about Prince Harry'.

Bower says Meghan was 'ecstatic' when she was asked to appear on the cover of Vanity Fair's September 2017 issue and do an interview with the magazine.

But when the magazine ran with the headline 'Wild About Harry' on its cover - focusing on Meghan's relationship with the British prince rather than her work as an actor, activist and philanthropist - Bower says the Palace was taken aback.

Within hours of the magazine's pre-publication copies being sent to Buckingham Palace, Bower says Meghan phoned her PR firm and 'hysterically' told them of the Palace's fury.

Bower reports that Meghan was furious that the piece was not more focused on her philanthropy but says this was due to the fact Vanity Fair researchers were unable to substantiate two key stories she had told about her activism as a young child.

After first discussing Meghan's speech at the United Nations and a letter she sent to Procter & Gamble as an 11-year-old requesting that they change a slogan promoting washing-up liquid that was deemed sexist, she was asked about Harry.

As reported by Vanity Fair in 2017, Meghan said: 'Were a couple. Were in love.

I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time.

'This is for us. It's part of what makes it so special, that it's just ours. But we're happy. Personally, I love a great love story.'
Linda Evangelista stunned in her first modeling job since revealing a rare reaction to plastic surgery left her 'brutally disfigured' six years ago.

Former supermodel Evangelista, 57, has kept a low profile - not posing in any fashion campaigns and only showing her face in public a few times - since undergoing a fat-freezing procedure back in 2016, which she said made her 'permanently deformed.'

However, after spending years in 'hiding,' the star - who announced in February that she was done living in 'shame' - has officially returned to the spotlight, posing for a brand new Fendi ad while promoting the brand's upcoming fashion show.

The 57-year-old shared a snap from the stunning campaign to Instagram on Saturday. She wore a gray sweater and three pink caps stacked on her head, as well as a pair of brown sunglasses and gloves.

She carried a few Fendi purses while looking away from the camera in the glamorous shot.

Linda Evangelista stunned in her first modeling job since revealing a rare reaction to plastic surgery left her 'brutally disfigured' six years ago

However, after spending years in 'hiding,' the star (pictured in February) announced that she was done living in 'shame' and has returned to the spotlight, posing for a glamorous Fendi ad

The modeling gig was monumental for the runway star, since it marks her return to the industry after taking a six-year break from modeling. She is seen earlier this month

'On September 9 2022 @Fendi will host a special fashion show in New York City to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the #FendiBaguette, designed by @silviaventurinifendi, and two years since @mrkimjones joined the Maison as Artistic Director of Couture and Womenswear,' she captioned the post.

The modeling gig was monumental for the runway star, since it marks her return to the industry after taking a six-year break from modeling.

Throughout the '90s, Evangelista was one of the biggest models in the industry, posing for numerous well-known magazines like Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Elle, and Marie Claire, and strutting her stuff in runway shows for big brands including Chanel, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, and Giorgio Armani, to name a few.

However, she stopped working in 2016, and back in September, Evangelista revealed in a shocking Instagram post that the reason she had decided to retreat from the public eye was because she had developed a rare reaction to a cosmetic procedure.

Former supermodel Evangelista (seen in 1990, left, and on the catwalk in 1089, right), 57, has kept a low profile since undergoing a fat-freezing procedure back in 2016, which she said made her 'permanently deformed'

The cryolipolysis procedure, performed by the company CoolSculpting, was designed to decrease fat cells, but instead, it made her cells become enlarged.

She said she soon began developing 'bulges' all over her body, which left her 'unrecognizable.'

'To my followers who have wondered why I have not been working while my peers' careers have been thriving, the reason is that I was brutally disfigured by Zeltiq's CoolSculpting procedure which did the opposite of what it promised,' she wrote at the time.

'It increased, not decreased, my fat cells and left me permanently deformed after undergoing two painful, unsuccessful corrective surgeries. I have been left, as the media described, "unrecognizable".'

Speaking to People magazine in an interview months later, the former runway star detailed how she thought she was going crazy and 'stopped eating' when the growths started to appear on her chin, thighs, and bust area - and how she now 'dreads running into someone she knows' after spending decades as a catwalk sensation.

However, at the time, she said she was 'done hiding.' She told the outlet, 'I can't live like this anymore, in hiding and shame. I just couldn't live in this pain any longer. I'm willing to finally speak.'

During the procedure, a device that's set below freezing temperature is applied to fat deposits, which causes cell death in the tissue.

But Evangelista soon developed a condition called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia - a rare adverse effect of cryolipolysis, which has been reported in of 0.0051 per cent of the 1.5 million CoolSculpting procedures performed worldwide.

With this condition, the treated area becomes larger, rather than smaller. It can leave a 'painless, visibly enlarged, firm, well-demarcated mass' underneath the skin.

Evangelista detailed how within three months of her treatments, she noticed the bulges forming on her body, with the targeted areas growing rather than shrinking - before hardening and becoming numb.

Back in September, Evangelista (pictured in 2005) revealed that she had decided to retreat from the public eye was because she had developed a rare reaction to a cosmetic procedure

Evangelista told People in February that she's 'done hiding,' explaining, 'I can't live like this anymore, in hiding and shame. I just couldn't live in this pain any longer'

She told People that she had filed a lawsuit last September suing CoolSculpting's parent company, Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc, for $50 million in damages, claiming at the time that she has been unable to work since the procedures.

The star alleged that CoolSculpting offered to pay for liposuction for her to correct the damage caused by PAH after her doctor contacted them. However, she said that on the eve of her liposuction, Zeltiq said they would only pay for the procedure if she signed a confidentiality agreement - which she refused.

In June 2016, Evangelista underwent a full body liposuction procedure, which she claims she paid for. She then underwent liposuction again in July 2017, and it's unclear who covered the cost.

The cryolipolysis procedure, performed by the company CoolSculpting, was designed to decrease fat cells, but instead, she said it made her cells become enlarged. She is seen in 2003

Evangelista said she had to wear girdles, a chin strap, and compression garments for eight weeks after the liposuction to prevent the PAH coming back - but said the condition did return after her second liposuction.

The model told the outlet that she can no longer bear to look at herself in the mirror as 'it doesn't look like her,' explaining that her identity as 'Linda Evangelista, supermodel' is now 'gone' due to the condition.

She added: 'If I walk without a girdle in a dress, I will have chafing to the point of almost bleeding.

'Because it's not like soft fat rubbing, it's like hard fat rubbing. [I can't] put my arms flat along my side. I don't think designers are going to want to dress me with that sticking out of my body.'

A CoolSculpting representative told People at the time: 'The procedure has been well studied with more than 100 scientific publications and more than 11 million treatments performed worldwide.'

They added that rare side effects such as PAH 'continue to be well-documented in the CoolSculpting information for patients and health care providers.'

Evangelista has hardly been seen since undergoing the procedure. In February, she stepped out for the first time without covering her face, while shopping at Manhattan's trendy Chelsea Market.

She was also seen on a rare outing earlier this month. The Canadian fashionista was spotted keeping it casual as she stepped out in New York City in a pair of sweatpants and an oversized jacket.
Three individuals were slain inside a mall in Greenwood, Indiana, in a shooting that concluded with an armed man fatally shooting the attacker, according to municipal officials.

Two more individuals were injured in the incident, which began when a guy armed with a rifle and multiple magazines of ammunition entered the mall's food court and began firing, according to Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison. Authorities did not specify a motive for the shooting and did not identify the shooter.

Gunman Kills 3 in Indiana Mall Before Being Shot

According to Chief Ison, the injured included a 12-year-old girl who received a small wound on her back and another person who was in stable condition. Mayor Mark Myers stated late Sunday that there was no additional threat to the public and that the Police Department was in command of the situation. He requested that the people avoid the area.

Chief Ison stated during a press conference on Sunday that at 6 pm, the local emergency call center began receiving reports regarding the incident. He said that the danger ended when an armed bystander with a firearm stopped the gunman. "It appears that an armed good Samaritan watched the incident and shot the gunman," he added.

Ison only named the bystander as a 22-year-old male from Bartholomew County, some 35 miles south of the mall, and said he was lawfully carrying a rifle. Mr. Myers applauded the man's conduct in a statement. As per Chief Ison, detectives and other employees will not analyze the crime scene at the mall until a state bomb squad determines if a strange bag found in a mall toilet is harmful. He stated late Sunday that investigators had not discovered an explosive device and had cleared the backpack, according to New York Times.

Police stated on Facebook that they were looking for witnesses to the incident, which occurred approximately 15 miles south of Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department stated on Twitter that it was assisting local authorities.

Read Also: Sri Lanka Crisis: Voting for New President Set After Gotabaya Rajapaksa Resigns via Email

Motive in Crime Still Unknown

The chief stated that the motive and circumstances were still being probed. Officers, including members of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's SWAT squad, were patrolling the mall Sunday night to verify that no one injured was hiding or in need of assistance, according to an officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

According to him, a rucksack that police say the shooter left in a bathroom was not a danger. A mall spokesman did not immediately reply to a request for comment, as per NBC News. Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers stated in a statement Sunday evening that the city's police department is searching for any leads in the case. Anyone with information on the shooter can call the Greenwood Police Training Center at 317-346-6336.

Chris Roy works as the assistant manager of the mall's Van's shop. Although he didn't hear any gunshots, they spotted people rushing around the mall and decided to close the business until things calmed down.

The Greenwood Mall shooting occurred less than a month and a half after the Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde, Texas, which killed 19 students and two teachers. The Indiana shooting occurred on the same day that the Uvalde City Council released fresh information about it.

According to a source, Uvalde gunman Salvador Ramos was labeled a school shooter on social media a year before the catastrophe this year. There was also the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, where a 22-year-old man masquerading as a woman opened fire on paradegoers, killing seven and injuring hundreds more.

Since then, there has been a greater demand for gun control, particularly about assault-style rifles. A new bipartisan law was just enacted by Congress to tighten limitations on the acquisition of assault-style firearms, Newsweek via MSN reported.

Related Article: Gerson Fuentes Case: Indiana Doctor Helps Sexual Abuser's Victim To Terminate Pregnancy, Documents Reveal

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A man has revealed how he bacon, eggs and beans outside on top of a stainless steel fridge in 30 minutes on what's set to be the hottest day in the UK's history in a video he shared on TikTok.

Danny Haw, 30, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, said he was intrigued to see if his English breakfast would cook in the sunshine as temperatures soared to 40C in the UK today.

In the footage, filmed at midday, Danny cracks an egg on the shiny reflective silver fridge and adds two pieces of bacon alongside it with an open tin of baked beans. The fridge appears to be in the middle of his driveway.

Thirty minutes later, he shows the results of his cooked breakfast. Danny can be heard in the video, saying: 'cooking better today!'

He went on to share the funny footage on TikTok on Monday, writing 'cooking breakfast on a fridge in the English sun. Cooked today!'

Danny Haw, 30, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, has revealed how he bacon, eggs and beans outside on top of a stainless steel fridge in 30 minutes on what's set to be the hottest day in the UK's history in a video he shared on TikTok

Danny said he was intrigued to see if his English breakfast would cook in the sunshine as temperatures soared to 40C in the UK today

He also used the hashtags, 'outdoor cooking', 'UK heatwave 2022', 'cooking on a fridge' and 'mix grill tomorrow.'

Danny explained: 'I bought a stainless steel catering fridge.

'I walked out and the unusual British heat made it boiling hot to touch, so I thought let's try to cook an egg on it and that was it!

'I've never seen British weather like it so I thought let's see if the heat can cook it!

In the footage, filmed at midday, Danny cracks an egg on the shiny reflective silver fridge (pictured)

'It was about 30 degrees at the time, and around midday. I left it cooking for about 30 minutes.

'I didn't eat it but I did try the first egg! It was more of a fun experiment - and it worked!

'I didn't really think anything of it and I didn't expect it to explode like this but nearly half of a million views people are going mad for it.'

TikTok users rushed to the comment section of Danny's video.

The stainless steel fridge appears to be in the middle of his driveway (left). After realising how hot it had become in the sun, Danny decided to see if he could cook a meal on the surface (right)

Danny placed several rashers of bacon alongside the egg, as well as a tin of baked beans, for the meal

One wrote: 'Sweet. Can I get a full English please? No tinned tomatoes please.'

While another admitted: 'I did this earlier, it failed lol.'

A third shared: 'Do it tomorrow also see how much better it'll be!'

The UK is set to be hotter than the Sahara Desert today and tomorrow, with chaos expected on the transport network.

He was amazed when he returned to find the meal had cooked perfectly on the fridge in the searing sunshine

Danny explained he was baffled when the video reached half of a million views on TikTok this afternoon

Before 9am, temperatures had already climbed to 77F (25C).

Health chiefs have told patients to stay away from hospitals amid fears they will be overwhelmed.

The scorching heat means the UK will be warmer than Nassau in the Bahamas (32C), Kingston in Jamaica (33C), Malaga in Spain (28C), Athens in Greece (35C), Albufeira in Portugal (28C) and Dakhla in the Western Sahara (24C).

Downing Street said there was a trend towards higher temperatures as a result of climate change.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Boris Johnson 'has spoken passionately about the impact of climate change, not least at Cop26'.

'I think there is agreement we are seeing a trend towards higher temperatures because of the impact of climate change.

'That's why the UK has led action in this space. Over the past three decades the UK has driven down emissions faster than any other G7 country and we want to go further.'
Simon Rimmer has sparked outraged online after commenting on his decision to have unisex toilets in his new vegetarian restaurant in a Greater Manchester town.

The Sunday Brunch host opened Greens on Stanley Square in Sale, earlier this month, but one customer was left disappointed after discovering the lack of single-sex toilets.

Twitter user Lulabelle B wrote on Saturday: 'Just been to @simonrim's lovely new restaurant where I was disappointed to discover gender neutral toilets. Men and women awkwardly shuffling round each other wondering if they were in the wrong place.'

The celebrity chef, 59, took to his own social media profile to address the choice, saying it was 'not taken lightly' and explaining that the establishment has 'trans and non-binary customers and staff'.

Facing backlash from many followers, he added diners who find unisex toilets 'unacceptable' should use the separate accessible toilet.

Simon Rimmer (pictured right on Sunday Brunch) has sparked outraged online after commenting on his decision to have unisex toilets in his new vegetarian restaurant in a Greater Manchester town

The Sunday Brunch host opened Greens on Stanley Square in Sale, earlier this month, but one customer was left disappointed after discovering the lack of single-sex toilets. Pictured, the unisex toilets

The celebrity chef, 59, took to his social media profile to address the choice, saying it was 'not taken lightly' and explaining that the establishment has 'trans and non-binary customers and staff'

Taking to Twitter, Simon said: 'Our decision to have unisex toilets was not taken lightly. We have trans and non-binary customers and staff.

'We also have a separate accessible toilet for any person who finds the unisex toilets unacceptable. We listen to feedback from customers constantly.'

He later added that the cubicle doors are floor-to-ceiling in length, there are no urinals in the new build's bathroom and it is 'safe and clean'.

However, some diners were left less than impressed, with one person writing: 'They're nice. I just don't get how it's equality to force women and girls into enclosed spaces with unknown men. Predatory men are often opportunists. Why create more opportunities?'

However, some diners were left less than impressed, with one person writing: 'They're nice. I just don't get how it's equality to force women and girls into enclosed spaces with unknown men. Predatory men are often opportunists. Why create more opportunities?'

One person wrote: 'Many people don't use accessible toilets as they wouldn't want those who need them to have to wait. Did you consider this in your arrangements?' To which Simon replied: 'Correct me if I'm wrong, but we were told by building control that an accessible toilet is for disabled people and anybody requiring a more private environment due to religion or embarrassment or anxiety?'

Another said: 'So people with disabilities will likely have to wait to use the toilet specifically made for their needs because you care more about looking woke? Cool, cool.'

A third added: 'Which business is this please? I just want to make sure I never accidentally visit it.'

A fourth wrote: 'Many people don't use accessible toilets as they wouldn't want those who need them to have to wait. Did you consider this in your arrangements?'

To which Simon replied: 'Correct me if I'm wrong, but we were told by building control that an accessible toilet is for disabled people and anybody requiring a more private environment due to religion or embarrassment or anxiety?'

But it wasn't all negative reactions to Simon's decision, with one individual saying: 'The replies to this are unhinged. The loos look lovely and the people objecting to them have never made a good faith argument in their lives.'

But it wasn't all negative reactions to Simon's decision, with one individual saying: 'The replies to this are unhinged. The loos look lovely and the people objecting to them have never made a good faith argument in their lives.'

A second penned: 'Everyone's toilets at home are unisex, amazing how suddenly it's an issue to have unisex toilets outside of that isn't it.'

Another said online: 'The first unisex toilet I ever went in was in a club in Amsterdam in 1975... can't believe almost 50 years later some Brits are making a fuss about it.'

Simon presents Sunday Brunch each week with his TV partner Tim Lovejoy on Channel 4.

He opened the Greens Restaurant in Sale earlier this month, following the success of his first site in West Didsbury, which opened in 1990.
Prince Harry has said a photograph of Princess Diana meeting Nelson Mandela in 1997 remains on his 'wall and his heart' during his keynote speech at the UN General Assembly in New York City today.

The Duke of Sussex, 37, who shares Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, with his American wife, also revealed how he 'knew he had found a soulmate' in Meghan Markle, 40, on a visit to Africa.

During his speech, he spoke about his love for the continent, which he first visited when he was 13 years old, the late Princess of Wales, and explained that he went there to seek solace following her death.

It was then that the Queen's grandson also sweetly called the Duchess of Sussex, who he whisked to Botswana on their third date, his 'soulmate'.

The General Assembly established July 18 - Mandela's birthday - as an international day to honour him - not only by celebrating his life and contributions but by carrying out the tradition of participating in a community service activity.

Prince Harry has said a photograph of Princess Diana meeting Nelson Mandela in 1997 remains on his 'wall and his heart' during his keynote speech at the UN General Assembly in New York City today

During his speech, Harry said a photograph of his mother Princess Diana meeting Nelson Mandela (pictured) remains 'on his wall and his heart'

'The photo was presented to me by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu who's friendship and inspiration were their own treasured gift. My wife and I had the honour of introducing our four-month-year old son to him back in 2019,' explained Harry, pictured receiving the image

Harry (pictured during his speech) and Meghan arrived hand-in-hand ahead of his speech to delegates on climate change and poverty during the two hour meeting

Harry and Meghan arrived hand-in-hand ahead of his speech to delegates on climate change and poverty during the two hour meeting.

It is the first time that the couple have been seen in public since jetting to the UK to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last month, where they kept a low profile.

During his speech, Harry said a photograph of his mother Princess Diana meeting Nelson Mandela remains 'on his wall and his heart'.

He said that his mother's 'joy and playfulness' can be seen in the photograph, taken in Cape Town in March 1997, just five months before her tragic death.

'We've also come to know him through the photographs of a person who even when confronting unimaginable cruelty and injustice, almost always had a smile on his face,' said Harry.

'For me, there's one photo in particular that stands out. On my wall, and in my heart everyday, is an image of my mother and Mandela meeting in Cape Town in 1997.

The Duke of Sussex, 37, who shares Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, with his American wife, also revealed how he 'knew he had found a soulmate' in Meghan Markle, 40, on a visit to Africa

During his speech, he spoke about his love for the continent, which he first visited when he was 13 years old with his mother, the late Princess of Wales, and explained that he went there to seek solace following her death

'The photo was presented to me by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu who's friendship and inspiration were their own treasured gift. My wife and I had the honour of introducing our four-month-year old son to him back in 2019.

'But when I first looked at the photo, straight away what jumped out was the joy on my mother's face, the playfulness, cheekiness even, the pure delight to be in communion with another soul so committed to serving humanity.'

Meanwhile, as Meghan proudly watched her husband while seated in the audience, Harry referred to her as his soulmate.

Since I first visited Africa at 13 years old, I've always found hope on the continent, he said.

In fact, for most of my life, it has been my lifeline, a place where I have found peace and healing time and time again.

It was then that the Queen's grandson also sweetly called the Duchess of Sussex, who he whisked to Botswana on their third date, his 'soulmate'.

The General Assembly established July 18 - Mandelas birthday - as an international day to honour him - not only by celebrating his life and contributions but by carrying out the tradition of participating in a community service activity. Pictured, Meghan and Harry at the event

It's where I've felt closest to my mother and sought solace after she died, and where I knew I had found a soulmate in my wife. And it's why so much of my work is based there.

During the event, the 2020 UN Nelson Mandela Prize was awarded to Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis of Greece and Dr Morissanda Kouyate of Guinea. This prize is handed out every five years and recognises people who have dedicated their lives to the service of humanity.

Meghan spoke at a conference at UN headquarters organized by UN Women on International Womens Day in 2015, before her marriage to the prince.

In January 2020, the couple stepped down as senior members of the royal family and moved to the duchess' native Southern California, where they continue to live with their two children.

Harry and Meghan visited South Africa in 2019 with their son, Archie, on their first official tour as a family before they gave up their royal duties.

Harry's speech comes hours after it was revealed in a new bombshell book that his Eton pals called him f***ing nuts for dating Meghan.

Bower's bombshells: What are the claims in author Tom's new 'Revenge' book Tom Bower's new book Revenge features a number of extraordinary claims about the Royal Family and Meghan and Harry. The Queen privately expressed relief that Meghan would not be attending Prince Philip's funeral, the new biography alleges. Mr Bower writes that the grieving monarch told 'trusted royal aides' on the morning she was due to lay her husband of 73 years to rest at Windsor: 'Thank goodness Meghan is not coming.' The book also claims Meghan called her PR team in hysterics after Buckingham Palace reacted with 'fury' to her Vanity Fair interview about Prince Harry. She had been 'ecstatic' when she was asked to appear on the cover of Vanity Fair's September 2017 issue and do an interview with the magazine. But when the magazine ran with the headline 'Wild About Harry' on its cover - focusing on Meghan's relationship with the British prince rather than her work as an actor, activist and philanthropist - Bower says the Palace was taken aback. Within hours of the magazine's pre-publication copies being sent to Buckingham Palace, Bower says Meghan phoned her PR firm and 'hysterically' told them of the Palace's fury. Harry invited Meghan to join him at Sandringham for his weekend shoot in 2016 - shortly after the pair's relationship was publicly revealed. The 37-year-old allegedly invited 16 friends, mostly old school pals from Eton who were employed by international banks and auction houses, to join him for dinner on Friday, shooting on Saturday and then lunch on Sunday after getting the Queen's permission. Bower says the Duke of Sussex was 'looking forward' to 'endless banter' with his friends - but Meghan, 40, was less than impressed and 'challenged every guest' who 'contravened her woke values'. Advertisement

Tom Bower, journalist and author of 'Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsors', claims Harry invited Meghan to join him at Sandringham for his weekend shoot in 2016.

Their relationship had only just been publicly revealed, and the Prince reportedly invited 16 friends to join him over the weekend.

They mostly included old school pals from Eton, employed by international banks and auction houses, who joined him for dinner, shooting and lunch with the Queens permission.

Bower claims the Duke of Sussex had been excited for a weekend of endless banter with his pals, but Meghan, 40, was less than impressed and 'challenged every guest' who 'contravened her woke values'.

Meghan 'lacked any sense of humour' and was a 'dampener on the party', Bower says in his new book, according to The Times newspaper.

She also reportedly 'reprimanded them for their jokes about sexism, feminism and transgender people', with Bower writing that Harry had not anticipated Meghans reaction.

He wrote: 'She lacked any sense of humour. Driving home after Sunday lunch, the texts pinged between the cars: "OMG, what about HER?" said one. "Harry must be f***ing nuts".'

Bower claims Meghan 'reprimanded guests' if they made the 'slightest inappropriate comment' and 'nobody was exempt'.

The claims comes after it was revealed Meghan 'called her PR team in hysterics' after Buckingham Palace reacted with 'fury' to 'her Vanity Fair interview about Prince Harry'.

Bower says Meghan was 'ecstatic' when she was asked to appear on the cover of Vanity Fair's September 2017 issue and do an interview with the magazine.

But when the magazine ran with the headline 'Wild About Harry' on its cover - focusing on Meghan's relationship with the British prince rather than her work as an actor, activist and philanthropist - Bower says the Palace was taken aback.

Within hours of the magazine's pre-publication copies being sent to Buckingham Palace, Bower says Meghan phoned her PR firm and 'hysterically' told them of the Palace's fury.

Bower reports that Meghan was furious that the piece was not more focused on her philanthropy but says this was due to the fact Vanity Fair researchers were unable to substantiate two key stories she had told about her activism as a young child.

After first discussing Meghan's speech at the United Nations and a letter she sent to Procter & Gamble as an 11-year-old requesting that they change a slogan promoting washing-up liquid that was deemed sexist, she was asked about Harry.

As reported by Vanity Fair in 2017, Meghan said: 'Were a couple. Were in love.

I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time.

'This is for us. It's part of what makes it so special, that it's just ours. But we're happy. Personally, I love a great love story.'
Princess Charlene of Monaco cut a glamorous figure as she joined her husband Prince Albert at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo today - as she continues her return to royal life following her 10-month absence.

The former Olympic swimmer, 44, who shares seven-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques with her 64-year-old royal partner, dazzled in a floral blue gown when attending the lavish charity ball.

Her appearance comes just days after she was notably absent from the Monaco Rose Ball, one of the highlights of the principality's social calendar. It was attended by Prince Albert, his sister Princess Caroline of Hanover, and other members of the royal family.

This evening's social and charity event was launched in 1948, when Prince Rainier III of Monaco presided at the first gala held by the newly founded Monaco Red Cross.

Princess Charlene of Monaco cut a glamorous figure as she joined her husband Prince Albert at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo today

The former Olympic swimmer, 44, who shares seven-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques with her 64-year-old royal partner, dazzled in a floral blue gown when attending the lavish charity ball

Looking effortlessly elegant, Charlene teamed her floral sleeveless number with a black clutch bag and a silver necklace featuring a butterfly pendant.

She opted for dainty silver earrings and completed her appearance with a glamorous makeup look.

Albert, meanwhile, looked dapper in a navy blazer and white trouser combo, finished off with a bright red tie. The couple were joined by Princess Stephanie of Monaco's daughter Camille Gottlieb.

Last weekend, Charlene joined her husband to celebrate their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella passing a summer sailing camp.

The royal posed for photos, shared online by the official Prince's Palace Instagram account, with the twins, who could be seen holding up gold medals from their course.

The couple were joined by Princess Stephanie of Monaco's daughter Camille Gottlieb (left)

This evening's social and charity event was launched in 1948, when Prince Rainier III of Monaco presided at the first gala held by the newly founded Monaco Red Cross. Pictured, the royal couple

Looking effortlessly elegant, Charlene teamed her floral sleeveless number with a black clutch bag and a silver necklace featuring a butterfly pendant

The caption read: 'Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella received their "Seadventures Summer Camp" diploma this afternoon at the end of their week of training to discover sailing and raise awareness of the marine world organized by the Yacht Club of Monaco.

'The previous week, the princely children had taken part in an introductory course in diving and water rescue at the Monegasque sea academy, the blue school.'

Charlene has only recently re-entered royal life after largely remaining out of the public eye over the last 18 months - but rumours have swirled that she is receiving 10million a year to appear at her husband's side at official engagements.

She spent 10 months in her native South Africa last year after contracting a sinus infection that later required surgery.

She returned to Monaco in November but was there for a matter of days before leaving for a Swiss treatment facility. The exact nature of her condition was not made public but Albert said she was 'exhausted'.

Turning heads: Charlene commanded attention in her sleeveless gown when attending this evening's glamorous event

Camille opted for a gold and black outfit when arriving at the gala with Albert and Charlene

Charlene opted for dainty silver earrings and completed her appearance with a glamorous makeup look

Albert, meanwhile, looked dapper in a navy blazer and white trouser combo, finished off with a bright red tie

Since returning once again, the mother-of-two has made a handful of appearances including a recent solo engagement to a maternity ward.

Charlene and Albert's relationship has come under enormous scrutiny in recent months.

Prince Albert said he was 'hurt by the vicious rumours' peddled about his marriage following his wife's absence and said that it's the 'most beautiful thing' to have her back with him.

Major French outlets that specialise in celebrity news said Charlene's sudden re-appearance was welcomed by all Royal watchers.

'But the Princess did not return at any price,' magazine Voici reported. 'She would have had her husband sign an ultra-confidential contract.'

The revelations were followed up by rival publication Paris Match Belgium, which wrote: 'Prince Albert would himself pay a tidy sum to the princess so that she appears at his side at public events.'

Princess Charlene of Monaco joined her husband Prince Albert to celebrate their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella passing a summer sailing camp last weekend

In one photograph, the royal mother-of-two could be seen standing alone watching on as her children were presented with their medals

The Royal Palace in Monte Carlo refuses to discuss specific financial arrangements, but the principality pays out some 40m a year to cover the institution's running costs.

Royals are not salaried officials, however, meaning that Charlene would be reliant on Albert  a billionaire in his own right  for her own spending money.

A Royal insider based in Monte Carlo told Mail Online: 'Of course the Princess enjoys huge perks, but ready cash is not guaranteed.

'She's been through a very difficult time, so it would make sense for Charlene to try and secure her own guaranteed income.'

Prince Albert said the time apart was 'a test for his wife' but they 'spoke often, despite the distance.

Charlene first had a 10-month absence in her native South Africa, where she contracted and was hospitalised for a serious sinus infection that delayed her return to Monaco.

Another snap showed Prince Jacques, seven, holding his medal after taking part in the sailing summer camp

After her return to the principality in November, Charlene left almost immediately to receive treatment for 'exhaustion' at a Swiss clinic.

The Monaco palace has consistently denied media reports of a rift between Charlene and the principality's ruler Prince Albert, who were wed in 2011, following the princess' long absence.

Speaking to French Sunday paper Journal de Dimanche last month, Albert said the last year was 'a test for my wife especially, who suffered greatly and lived through difficult times, far from her family. A test also for our children and for myself.

'We missed the princess a lot. And we were obviously hurt by the malicious rumours that were peddled. But we were able to stay united despite the distance, we spoke to each other often.'

He added: 'Today, Charlene is back with us and this is the most beautiful thing which could have happened. She's better, we can finally spend time together. It is a relief and a joy for all of us.'

Princess Charlene met Prince Albert in 2000 during a swimming competition in Monaco and the pair married in 2011, before welcoming twins Gabriella and Jacques in 2014.

Born in Rhodesia - a previously unrecognised state in Southern Africa colonised by the British, she relocated to South Africa aged 11.

Missing: It comes days after Charlene was notably absent from the Monaco Rose Ball, one of the highlights of the principality's social calendar. It was attended by Prince Albert, his sister Princess Caroline of Hanover, and other members of the royal family. Pictured, Albert and Caroline with designer Christian Louboutin

Speaking to French Sunday paper Journal de Dimanche last month, Albert said the last year was 'a test for Charlene especially, who suffered greatly and lived through difficult times'

She had a successful swimming career and went on to win three gold medals and a silver medal at the 1999 All Africa Games in Johannesburg, as well as representing South Africa at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games and winning a silver medal in the 4  100 m medley relay in the latter competition.

However the pair's marriage has made numerous headlines over the years, with a third paternity suit emerging in December 2020.

Soon afterwards Charlene famously shaved half her head in the style of a punk rocker. Months later she left for South Africa.

The allegations in December 2020 claimed that Albert had fathered a love-child (which would be his third, if proven) with an unnamed Brazilian woman during the time when he and Charlene were already in a relationship.

He has also fathered two other children outside of wedlock. Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, who is now 29 and the result of Albert's affair with an American estate agent, and Alexandre Coste, 18, whose mother is a former Togolese air hostess.

Both children were struck off Monaco's line of succession in return for vast financial settlements.
This is the emotional moment nine 'unknown' WWI soldiers who lay undiscovered for over 100 years were finally given a proper burial on Long Lost Family - after seven of the men's relatives were found thanks to DNA testing.

In a special episode of the popular ITV programme, which aired tonight, viewers followed the search for the identities of a group of World War One heroes, whose bodies lay lost for more than a century.

Presenters Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell joined forces with 'War Detectives', from the Ministry of Defence's Casualty and Compassionate Centre, to investigate the nine lost soldiers, whose remains were found by road workers in Belgium in 2018, hoping to find living relatives.

Seven out of the nine men were identified thanks to DNA testing after trinkets - including a ring, bracelet and well-made boots - unlocked the name of Second Lt Leslie Wallace Ablett, who was part of the 11th Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers.

During tonight's episode, tearful relatives of the late comrades who died in a blast in October 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele, travelled to Belgium to witness the soldiers be buried, with military honours.

Scroll down for video

This is the emotional moment nine 'unknown' WWI soldiers who lay undiscovered for over 100 years were finally given a proper burial on Long Lost Family - after seven of the men's relatives were found thanks to DNA testing

During tonight's episode, tearful relatives (pictured) of the late comrades who died in a blast in October 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele, travelled to Belgium to witness the soldiers be buried, with military honours

Arnold Sanderson (on the far left) and his comrades and local people in France 1917

Long Lost Family's special The Unknown Soldiers started in Gainford, Durham with Brenda Clayton, 77, whose grandfather Henry Miller was killed in World War One, but his body was never found.

The family never found out what had happened to Henry and Brenda said that she always 'hoped that one day, somebody would turn up some remains and we will know where he died.'

Brenda explained that her grandfather married her grandmother Malita aged 22 and the couple had two children, her mother and uncle Jimmy, who marched behind the soldiers with a wooden toy gun.

News reached the family on 15th October 1917 that Henry had been killed in action, aged 28.

And this wasn't the only loss that Brenda's family suffered - while Harry was away in France, his wife Malita died of scarlet fever, leaving their children as orphans.

Brenda is one of 1000s of people across Britain who have no idea what happened to her missing relative - however, the nine soldiers, near the site of the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, were discovered with artefacts that could be the key to identifying them.

In a special episode of the popular ITV programme, which aired tonight, viewers followed the search for the identities of a group of World War One heroes, whose bodies lay lost for more than a century. Pictured right, one of the relatives at the ceremony

Presenters Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell joined forces with 'War Detectives', from the Ministry of Defence's Casualty and Compassionate Centre, to investigate the nine lost soldiers, whose remains were found by road workers in Belgium in 2018, hoping to find living relatives. Pictured, the burial service

Seven out of the nine men were identified thanks to DNA testing after trinkets - including a ring, bracelet and well-made boots - unlocked the name of Second Lt Leslie Wallace Ablett (pictured is one of his relatives), who was part of the 11th Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers

Within the artefacts was a signet ring and fountain pen belonging to 2nd Lieutenant Ablett from the 11th Northumberland Fusiliers.

Journalist Rachel Fixsen was identified as Lesley Ablett's cousin. She had never heard of him but upon receiving the MoD's email realised that his presence had been under her nose the whole time.

Through family records, she discovered that Leslie was born in 1897 in Manchester but had moved to London.

Rachel said: 'I just feel close to him. I feel bound to him and to remember him. The people who loved him couldn't burry him as they needed to, to finish the process and to say goodbye.'

The journalist recently lost her partner - but because he was Italian his family requested that he was buried in Italy. Discovering Leslie has given her something special to focus on.

Seven out of the nine men were identified thanks to DNA testing after trinkets - including a ring, bracelet and well-made boots - unlocked the name of Second Lt Leslie Wallace Ablett (pictured), who was part of the 11th Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers

Harry Miller and his wife Melita and their baby George (pictured together, left), related to Brenda Clayton (pictured right)

Rachel's DNA confirmed the identity of 2nd Lieutenant Ablett killed on the 15th of October 1917, aged just 20, alongside some of his comrades.

Leslie was the most easiest to name and find due to the artefacts - but among the eight other soldiers was Brenda Clayton's grandfather, Harry Miller.

Brenda knew that he had been killed in action but had never known where he was buried.

Meanwhile, the War Detectives also uncovered private Arnold Sanderson, a 26-year-old railway worker. He left behind his parents and six sisters when he set off for France in 1914.

The investigation team tracked down his great nice Jackie Golding, who agreed to do a DNA test. Jackie said: 'It's started a conversation in our family again about him.'

Arnold's photos and belongings were put away in a cardboard box but upon being contacted by MoD Jackie got them back out and found an extraordinary letter from an officer at the front, to Arnold's parents.

Meanwhile, the War Detectives also uncovered private Arnold Sanderson (pictured), a 26-year-old railway worker. He left behind his parents and six sisters when he set off for France in 1914

The letter read: 'Mr. And Mrs. Sanderson. It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of Private Sanderson.

'He was killed by a shell in the morning of the 15th of October. He died beside his officer. He was thought of a great deal by my officers. A good soldier and he always did his duty.'

Jackie said: 'You just can't imagine what his parents were feeling when they just read it. It must have been so hard for them. Which is probably why my Nana didn't talk about him because it was too upsetting.'

Unfortunately Jackie's DNA came back inconclusive and the detectives had to find another relative to test to see if one of the nine missing soldiers was Arnold Sanderson. This did come back as a positive match.

The programme returned to Rachel who found a poem written by Leslie's aunt to include on his grave stone. She chose: 'May God watcher and keep you safe, wherever you may be.'

She said: 'It is strange, thinking that when I got that email, I didn't know who he was, and now he's become a big presence for me. I say a prayer for him every day. Leslie is my family, he's our family.

Long Lost Family followed the burial of the nine soldiers, who were buried alongside their named comrades

Private Harry Miller's granddaughter Brenda attended the ceremony (pictured) from Yorkshire with her son Martin and sister Karen

'And I just feel privileged to be able to do what his parents couldn't do, see him buried properly with respect and honour.'

Long Lost Family followed the burial of the nine soldiers, who were buried alongside their named comrades.

Private Harry Miller's granddaughter Brenda attended the ceremony from Yorkshire with her son Martin and sister Karen.

Rachel also attended, whilst unfortunately Jackie could not attend, so another niece of Arnold Sanderson's, Sharon, went along.

Sharon said: 'When you actually saw them, the soldiers carrying the coffins in, they became so real that it was actually happening and one of our relatives was actually in one of those coffins.'

Brenda commented: 'Many, many times throughout my life I had wondered what sort of person he would be had he survived. The most moving moments was when they present a wreath on top of the folded Union Jack with the belt and cap... just mesmerised.'

Whilst through the tears, Sharon said: 'Although we've never met him. You just feel today that you really did. Yeah, very emotional. I think I cried most of it. Yeah, very, very emotional.'

Solemnly Rachel said: 'Now all of our family, we know about him. And that memory will continue.'

Brenda added: 'The fact that he's buried alongside his comrades is just really, really special because they died together and now they are at peace together, forever.'
Beauty enthusiasts have discovered a budget-friendly version of Charlotte Tilbury's mega-popular Hollywood Flawless Filter.

Budget beauty brand E.L.F has recently released the Halo Glow Liquid Filter for $14 and makeup lovers are claiming it is just as good as Charlotte Tilbury's version that can cost as much as $65.

TikTokker Kelly Strack out the E.L.F dupe to the test in a video that has since racked up two million views as thousands were wowed with its impressive results.

Scroll down for video

Beauty lovers are rushing to get their hands on E.L.F's Halo Glow Liquid Filter for just $14, they claim is a perfect dupe for Charlotte Tilbury's $65 Hollywood Flawless Filter

E.L.F is available in many budget retailers such as Kmart and Target and its $14 glow liquid filter can be worn alone, under or over makeup to give the skin a soft focus filter-effect.

The American makeup artist applied the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood flawless filter on one side of her face and the E.L.F Halo Glow Liquid Filter on the other to compare the two products.

'You guys, I am screaming, I feel like this is a legit exact dupe. You literally cannot tell the difference side to side,' she said as she blended on the E.L.F filter.

Viewers in the clip's comments were divided with many wanting to get the hands on the dupe for themselves while others remained loyal to the original Charlotte Tilbury buy.

The American makeup artist applied the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood flawless filter on one side of her face and the E.L.F Halo Glow Liquid Filter on the other to compare the two products

'Omg I'm so excited I've never had the CT one I'll def be trying the elf!,' one person wrote.

'No matter how many dupes come out I will never stray from CT flawless filter,' a second disagreed.

'My bank account will be very relieved,' joked a third.

This isn't the first time a budget brand has impressed beauty buffs with a near-identical Charlotte Tilbury dupe.

Makeup fanatics rushed to Woolworths to get their hands on MCoBeauty's $32 Highlight and Glow and Instant Contour Beauty Wands which they claim is just like Charlotte Tilbury's much-hyped highlighter and contour wands.

The two beauty wands became so popular, one was flying off the shelves every 30 seconds.

Beauty buffs on TikTok were going viral with their videos endorsing the wands and comparing the $32 buy to Charlotte Tilbury's $56 highlighter and contouring sticks.

Makeup enthusiasts are raving about MCoBeauty's $32 Highlight and Glow and Instant Contour Wands they claim is a perfect dupe of mega-popular Charlotte Tilbury products

A woman who goes by taydeee on TikTok, racked up more than 79,400 views for her take on MCoBeauty's dupes which she called 'stunning'.

She applied both the contour and the highlighting blush to her cheeks and pointed out the packaging and volume is near-identical to the Charlotte Tilbury version.

'Look how similar the packaging is! And the same amount of product. Its got the same sponge tip like the Charlotte Tilbury one does,' she said in the clip.

A woman who goes by taydeee on TikTok, racked up more than 79,400 views for her review of MCoBeauty's dupe which she called 'stunning'.

'It's subtle - I really like it. First impression is that you need to buy this immediately.'

In her clip, the TikToker said the packaging, volume and application of the MCoBeauty wands were similar to that of Charlotte Tilbury's $56 version

Many viewers in the comments were wowed by the end results and said they keen to get their hands on the wands themselves.

'Love your review! I will be on the lookout for these!' one fan said.

'Sis you just did us a public service thank you,' said another.

'Wow off to Woolworths I go,' commented a third.

Other viewers from across Australia were saying the products have been quick to sell out at their local Woolworths.

In a second video, she showed how the her makeup fared through the day and called the blush highlighter a 'showstopper' for its durability.

Beauty influencer Ali Rose Gray said she was 'impressed' with the dupes in her video directly comparing the MCoBeauty wands with Charlotte Tilbury's.

MCoBeauty's Instant Contour Wand comes in two colours and is currently sold out on the website but some lucky shoppers may still be able to find it in stores

'It's just so blendable and buildable like the blush dupe that they have,' she said about the contour cream.

MCoBeauty's Instant Contour Wand comes in two colours, light/medium and medium/dark, and is currently sold out on the website but some lucky shoppers may still be able to find it in stores.

The Highlight and Glow Beauty Wand is available in three shades, champagne, peach and pink and has been attracting rave reviews from buyers.

'Very nice formula, I love that this is so easy to blend but can also be layered up to where it looks blinding! Obsessed!' one person said.

MCoBeauty products are all under $40 and can be found at Woolworths, Big W, Best and Less and on their website.
A fashion lover has discovered a store in a major Australian city that sells designer clothing at budget prices.

The Sydney bargain hunter alerted their TikTok followers to Paul's Warehouse in the city's southern suburbs that is packed full of designer clothing and shoes in a clip that has since gone viral on the platform.

She documented their visit as she rummaged through the racks of apparel and unsold stock from brands like Dr Martens, Calvin Klein, Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger, and Valentino from America from just $3.

Scroll down for video

A Sydney fashionista has gone viral after sharing the huge store she found filled with bargain designer clothing and footwear

She documented their visit as she rummaged through the racks of apparel and unsold stock from brands like Dr Martens, Calvin Klein, Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger, and Valentino from America

@biblemami I ascend to a different realm at Pauls warehouse. defs one to check out esp if u like bargain hunting and maximalist / subversive trends  #sydney #fashion  original sound - biblemami

'This is Paul's warehouse in Rockdale, it literally sells hundreds of thousands of heavily discounted designer and random brand deadstock items,' she said in the clip.

'They have some legitimately amazing stuff like these, or tons of different docs in every size. There's Calvin Klein, there's Dsquared2, there's Rick Owens, there's Tom Ford, there's Galliano.'

Paul's Warehouse once had numerous location across Sydney but it's Rockdale store is the only one that remains today.

It is re-stocked with new items weekly so 'no two trips are ever the same' according to the store's website and prices start from $3-$5 for clothes and $15 for shoes.

The budget-friendly store has showcased some of its incredible stock on its socials including a Valentino blazer and silk Dries van Noten cape that once went down the runway in Paris

It is re-stocked with new items weekly so 'no two trips are ever the same' according to the store's website and prices start from $3-$5 for clothes and $15 for shoes

The budget-friendly store has showcased some of its incredible stock on its socials including a Valentino blazer and silk Dries van Noten cape that once went down the runway in Paris.

'I ascend to a different realm at Paul's warehouse. Definitely one to check out especially if u like bargain hunting and maximalist / subversive trends,' the TikTokker said the in caption of the clip which has racked up more than 303,000 views.

Hundreds of style buffs took to the comments to express their excitement with many tagging friends to plan their next visit while others shared their memories from going to Paul's Warehouse as a child.

'I used to go here all the time it's amazing, just keep in mind a lot of sizing is American!!' one shopper said.

'Paul's warehouse enjoyer,' another dubbed themselves while a third said 'We could spend like four days in here'.

A fourth said with hundreds of racks and rails, the store can seem overwhelming but committed shoppers with a sharp eye are sure to find good deals.
Keen road-trippers are raving about a stunningly scenic car journey through the forest one has dubbed the best drive in the world.

The Black Spur Drive is just an hour and a half north-east of Melbourne and a 30-kilometre section of the Maroondah Highway that connects the towns of Healesville and Narbethong.

The must-see road weaves through the Yarra Ranges' enchanting and dramatic forest filled with towering mountain ash trees and lush ferns.

Adventurers have dubbed the enchanting Black Spur Drive as one of the best road trips in the world as it winds through the magical forest of Victoria's Yarra Valley

The Black Spur Drive is just an hour and a half north-east of Melbourne and a 30-kilometre section of the Maroondah Highway that connects the towns of Healesville and Narbethong

The must-see road weaves through the Yarra Ranges' enchanting and dramatic forest filled with towering mountain ash trees and lush ferns

Visitors don't have to brave the winter chill and can enjoy the jaw-dropping scenery from the comfort of their cars.

On a clear day, sunlight and blue skies peak through the dense canopy above and misty weather adds to the majestic forest's mystical ambiance.

The Yarra Valley's local wildlife inhabit the stunning bushland's and adventurers may be lucky enough to spot the local wallabies and lyre birds.

Sightseers are leaving five-star reviews online after experiencing the spectacular drive with one calling it 'heaven on earth'.

'Definitely one of the best places I have visited. It's a small piece of heaven on earth that I absolutely fell in love with,' they wrote.

Visitors don't have to brave the winter chill and can enjoy the jaw-dropping scenery from the comfort of their cars

On a clear day, sunlight and blue skies peak through the dense canopy above and misty weather adds to the majestic forest's mystical ambiance

Sightseers are leaving five-star reviews online after experiencing the spectacular drive with one calling it 'heaven on earth'

'One of the best drives in the world. Best times to drive it are between 10am and 3pm as there is less traffic. Plenty of places to pull over and let others past, watch out for Wallabies grazing on the side of the road and lyrebirds are often spotted,' said another.

There are a small number of parking bays to stop along the way and capture incredible images of the breath-taking forest however people are warned to be careful of approaching cars driving along the winding road and to visit during less busy times generally between 10-3pm on weekdays.

Travellers are advised to check Park Victoria for open times and conditions before embarking on a road trip along the Black Spur as it is sometimes closed after extreme weather.
Closing schools during Britain's Saharan-like heatwave would be 'irresponsible', a leading education provider has claimed.

Sites in Nottinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire have decided to shut, while others will close early today and tomorrow amid warnings that temperatures may reach 43C.

But Oasis, one of England's largest academy chains, has said its 50-plus schools in England will stay open.

Its founder Steve Chalke told The Times: 'The decision to shut a school at any time has huge ramifications, economically and socially.'

'Many of our children's homes are very small and hot' so shutting schools would be 'unbelievably irresponsible', he argued. It would effect the poorest families the most because they are less able to work remotely and care for children at home.

'Its like lockdown  it was a class construct  you cant work remotely if you are a cleaner or working in a supermarket,' Mr Chalke said.

Britain has already been brought to a near standstill by the national emergency, with trains cancelled.

As schools shut their doors or tell parents to pick their children up early as the country grapples with the heatwave one education provider has urged their fellows to stay open (stock image)

The extreme heat alert that UK health officials have said poses a risk to even fit and healthy people

Train firms urge people not to travel amid heat More than a dozen train companies are urging Britons not to travel today and tomorrow as the UK's first red extreme heat warning comes into force. A total of 21 operators - ranging from Transport for Wales and Gatwick Express to the Transpennine Express and Southern - said they will be running a slower service on Monday and Tuesday after National Rail implemented speed restrictions across its network. Speed restrictions are used by train companies during periods of hot weather to avoid any damage being made to the tracks and to prevent rails from buckling. Cancellations are also in place as temperatures are predicted to soar to highs of 38C and 40C in some parts of England. Amber and red extreme heat warnings have been implemented across the nation for the duration. Those who have to travel are being encouraged to check their journeys on the National Rail website before setting off and taking water with them to stay hydrated. Refunds are being offered to those who do not travel but have already purchased tickets. LNER has said no trains are running from south of York and south of Leeds to London Kings Cross on Tuesday. Chief operating officer of Transport for London, Andy Lord, said London's rail network would also be running a reduced service on Monday and Tuesday. He told LBC: 'We're advising all our customers to only travel if their journey is essential, to make sure that they stay hydrated and carry water with them if they do have to travel. Check before they travel because journey times will be extended. We will have reduced services across the TFL network because of the safety restrictions we need to put in place due to the heat.' Advertisement

Meteorologists gave an 80 per cent chance of the current heatwave topping the UK's record temperature of 38.7C (101.7F), set in Cambridge in 2019.

The scorching heat means the UK will be warmer than Nassau in the Bahamas (32C), Kingston in Jamaica (33C), Malaga in Spain (28C), Athens in Greece (35C), Albufeira in Portugal (28C) and Dakhla in the Western Sahara (24C).

Despite the temperatures expected to continue to rise, health chiefs have insisted there is no public health reason to justify closing schools.

UK Government advisers believe school environments, which can have air conditioning, could actually be cooler.

There is no temperature threshold for closing schools or workplaces.

Comments from Mr Chalke, whose schools are mostly in the North of England, came after Dominic Raab, the deputy prime minister, said it was important children's education should be maintained in the heatwave.

'Were coming to the end of the school term,' he told Sky News on Sunday.

'But I think making sure young children get the education they need is really important, particularly after the pandemic, and schools are well placed to do that.'

The Hereford Academy in Herefordshire is one school that has announced an earlier start and finish to their school day.

And in East London, Anna Feltham, the headteacher of Clapton Girls' Academy, said on Friday of an early finish as school facilities will be unable to cope with the heat.

'Already, many classrooms are very hot, even with fans, and students are struggling to keep cool, drink enough water and maintain concentration in lessons,' she said.

'Next week's heatwave will make many teaching rooms unbearably hot by lesson two and five.

'We have reviewed a number of options but do not have sufficient "cool" rooms to re-room lessons into.'

Other schools across the country, while not closing their doors, are banning outdoor events and play, with PE lessons also scrapped to help children avoid overheating.

Government advice states children are more susceptible to high temperatures than adults because they do not sweat as much and so can be at greater risk of ill-health from heat.

While No10 has not gone as far as recommending schools shut their doors, they have advised that uniform restrictions should be relaxed to help children keep cool.

Other steps like leaving windows open overnight if possible and heat generating equipment like computers should be turned off when not in use.

Today parts of the country, like London, are predicted to hit 39C (102.2) but meteorologists said tomorrow has the highest chance of temperatures breaching the 40C (104F) mark.

Education is just one setting where the heatwave is wreaking havoc on Britain.

Trains already cancelled as the tracks start to buckle and GP surgeries have closed amid a serious warning that fit and healthy people could die for the heat.

With the UK set to be hotter than the Sahara Desert health chiefs told patients to stay away unless it is an emergency amid fears hospitals will be overwhelmed.

Emergency services urged swimmers wanting to cool off to stay away from lakes and rivers in case they face difficulties.
Incredible footage has captured newborn twins being born while still inside their amniotic sacs.

Fewer than one in 80,000 babies are born 'en caul', when the bubble of protective membranes which encases a baby in the womb does not break during birth.

Normally, the sac  which protects the baby during gestation  breaks at the start of labour.

In this case, doctors in Brazil had to physically break the sacs with their hands.

Mother Cristiane Mucci gave birth to Maria Cecilia and Maria Alice via C-section on June 11.

Medics gently tried to pull the sacs open, before the infants started to break through themselves.

The birth was captured on film at the Hospital de Nossa Senhora das Dores in Ponte Nova, a state in country's south east.

The hospital said: 'On 11th June, two twins came into the world in the maternity ward of the Hospital de Nossa Senhora das Dores.

'Cristiane Mucci gave birth to little ones Maria Cecilia and Maria Alice Mucci.

'However, this birth was different and special: the babies were born en caul, i.e. still inside the amniotic sac that protects the baby during pregnancy.'

The babies were delivered by gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Emilio Garavini who was surprised when he realised both babies were en caul.

The hospital said: 'The children were born well and healthy.'

Numerous myths and beliefs surround en caul births, which are also called mermaid or veiled births.

Twins Maria Cecilia and Maria Alice inside their amniotic sacs after being pulled out of their mother womb by Brazilian surgeons on June 11

Called en caul births, these events are incredibly rare, only happening once in every 80,000 births

In an official statement Hospital de Nossa Senhora das Dores said both babies are healthy and well

One is that babies are somehow destined for greatness or will be lucky in life  with many historical figures said to have been born in this way.

Another bogus belief is that those born en caul can never drown.

The amniotic sac is the jelly-like bag of fluid that encases the foetus. It's made of two membranes, the amnion and the chorion.

Though thin, it is robust, holding an increasing amount of fluid throughout gestation, including the foetus's urine.

In an 'en caul' birth, the main priority is to break the sac to allow the baby to breathe, since they no longer have oxygen supplied from being inside their mother.
A BBC staffer who covered Prince Andrew's terrible Newsnight appearance claims to have an image that, if made public, would demolish the Royal Family.

Andrew consented to meet with presenter Emily Maitlis at Buckingham Palace on November 14, 2019, to be questioned about his relationship with pedophile and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

BBC Photographer Has "Shocking Photo" of Prince Andrew

Photographer Mark Harrison, who was there for the BBC interview, allegedly took a shot that would cause enormous humiliation if it leaked. The image was described as jaw-dropping" by one source, but no further information was offered.

The Duke of York's car crash interview is supposedly slated to be made into a film, maybe starring Hugh Grant, and producers in the know may want to replicate their version. Prince Andrew is said to have asked that the photo shoot on the day not be made public, but an insider close to the production teased that everything has a price. Scoop, a film based on the account of how the BBC secured the bombshell interview, is in the works.

The Duke of York pledged to pull aside from public life in the aftermath of the interview, and he made no public appearances at his mother the Queen's recent Platinum Jubilee festivities, as per Mirror. Meanwhile, it has been discovered that Princess Beatrice had a major role in deciding whether her father, the Duke of York, would address charges of sexual assault with the BBC.

According to Sam McAlister, the BBC Newsnight producer who secured the controversial 2019 interview, Prince Andrew stunned TV executives when he arrived for talks with his daughter in tow. Beatrice described herself as 'the rainmaker,' with the ability to allow or prevent the tell-all talk from taking place.

In an interview with journalist Emily Maitlis, the Duke addressed charges that he had sex with a trafficked 17-year-old girl, which he has consistently denied, as well as his association with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The former criminal barrister claimed she anticipated Andrew to bring a lawyer, but was startled to see none of the "guys in grey suits" who usually accompany senior royals to meetings. Beatrice is supposed to have discovered about the meeting after being asked to tea with her father later that day, and she wanted to sit in on the discussion.

Read Also: Ivana Trump's Possible Cause of Death, Revealed; Donald Trump Shares Tribute for Ex-Wife

Prince Andrew Film

The Duke of York denied having intercourse with Virginia Giuffre, aged 17, stating he was at a Pizza Express in Woking on the day of the encounter. He also claimed that he was unable to sweat after enduring stress during the Falkland War when Giuffre claimed that he had sweated profusely while dancing with her in a London nightclub.

The discussion was crucial in his civil case, in which he reached a multi-million-pound settlement with accuser Virginia Giuffre and avoided a court trial. The behind-the-scenes revelations were disclosed in Scoops, McAlister's book about how some of the BBC's most high-profile interviews were broadcast, MSN reported.

Following speculations that his controversial BBC Newsnight interview may be converted into a film, Prince Andrew was seen enjoying a morning horse ride in Windsor today. The 62-year-old king was also pictured behind the wheel of his automobile, joined by another rider. During his outing, Prince Andrew wore a casual blue shirt and pants and shaded his eyes from the glare of the sun with a pair of sunglasses.

His visit comes on the heels of revelations this week that his Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, largely regarded as one of the most catastrophic in royal history, will be the subject of a new film.

Following Ghislaine Maxwell's imprisonment, Prince Andrew came under further pressure this month to speak with the FBI about his pedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein. Her victims believe the duke and other cowardly Epstein allies who shelter behind status and reputation should be investigated, according to Daily Mail.

Related Article: Prince Andrew's Disastrous Interview About Ties with Jeffrey Epstein Turns Into Film; Here's What To Expect!

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New York City is set to delay rolling out second doses of the monkeypox vaccine because it has too few doses, health officials say amid warnings the U.S. outbreak is already out of control.

The city's Department of Health warned Friday it would likely be unable to meet this deadline because it has received too few doses from the federal government.

Guidance states patients should receive their second dose of the jab four weeks after the first to ensure best protection.

New York  which is at the epicenter of the outbreak  has switched track to prioritize getting first doses to as many patients as possible. It is also releasing the 1,000 doses it initially held back for second shots.

Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sought to calm fears over a vaccine shortage telling STAT News that New York City was among those set to receive yet more deliveries.

Dr Peter Marks, director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said it was 'not recommended' to delay second doses.

Dr Rochelle Walensky, who heads up the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sought to calm fears saying more doses were scheduled to be delivered to New York City imminently. Dr Peter Marks, from the Food and Drug Administration, said it was not recommended to extend the dosing period

America is currently rolling out the Jynneous vaccine, which is given as a two-dose course with the second shot administered four weeks after the first.

But several countries  including the UK and Canada  have already expanded this bracket as they prioritize getting first doses into arms.

The tweaking of dosing schedules has echoes of the Covid pandemic, where many countries  but not the U.S.  widened the gap between doses in order to reach more people faster.

Monkeypox outbreak likely 'out of control' in America, officials say Monkeypox may already be out of control in the United States, a former U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner has warned. Speaking in a CBS interview Sunday, Dr Scott Gottlieb warned that the window for getting on top of the disease 'probably has closed'. He said the national tally  at 1,800 cases  was likely 'just a fraction' of the actual number because of poor testing coverage. And that monkeypox had likely already spread outside of gay and bisexual men, but that this was yet to be detected. Monkeypox has now been spotted in almost every U.S. state  except Mississippi in the south, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota, and in Maine and Vermont. Of the tally, eight cases have been spotted so far in women nationally, and none in children and adolescents. Advertisement

No studies have been carried out on how effective the Jynneous vaccine is with a longer gap between doses.

But manufacturers point to trial results showing it is as effective as ACAM2000  the other monkeypox vaccine  from two weeks after the first dose to show a longer dosing interval may be possible.

Dr Amesh Adalja, an infectious diseases expert at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, raised no concerns over extending the time between doses when asked by DailyMail.com.

'There's nothing magical about the dosing interval and individuals can be caught up when supply is more abundant,' he said.

'The priority is getting some level of immunity in those at highest risk for exposure.'

New York City launched its monkeypox vaccine roll out on June 23 for gay or bisexual men who have multiple sexual partners every two weeks.

The first recipients will be eligible for their second jab in just three days time.

Revealing the delay Friday, the city said: 'Given the rapid increase in cases, the Health Department has decided that providing first doses to offer protection to more at-risk New Yorkers is the best strategy until we receive adequate vaccine supply.

'In many instances, this means that individuals may not get a second dose by the 28-day interval between doses as indicated in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prescribing label.'

They added: 'Until there is sufficient supply in the city, all vaccine doses will be treated as first doses, and we will only begin scheduling second dose appointments once we have enough vaccine to do so.

'The Department will communicate to people who have received first doses about when second doses are available and how to receive them.'

Monkeypox vaccines are in very high demand in New York City, with appointments for the 9,300 doses released Friday all booked within minutes. Washington D.C., the other rolling out the jabs, is also seeing appointments run out rapidly.

Nationally, more than 1,800 cases have been detected across all but seven states  Alaska, Maine, Montana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming.

In New York the 489 cases have all been detected among men, with 60 percent identifying as either gay or bisexual.

But a top expert has warned that the tropical disease has likely already spilled over into other groups  but is yet to be detected.

No fatalities from the disease have been recorded in the U.S. to date, but young men who make up the bulk of the patients are at very low risk.

There are mounting concerns, however, over the risk of fatalities should the disease reach pregnant women and older adults  who are more at risk.

'The negligible fatality rate won't necessarily persist if the virus escapes its current network: mostly young, mostly healthy adult men,' Donall McNeil, a journalist who sounded the alarm on Covid, Zika and other virus outbreaks, wrote for Common Sense.

'In Africa, children and pregnant women are the most likely to die from monkeypox,' he added.

Dr Scott Gottlieb warned on Sunday that the virus had likely spread to other groups besides gay or bisexual men, but was yet to be detected

Walensky told STAT in an interview that anyone getting the vaccines would need two doses to get the 'higher level of protection'.

She said: 'We're not asking New York  or anybody  to hold back doses right now because... we're pretty confident that what's going to come in is going to be able to cover those second doses.'

Marks also warned against delaying second doses of the vaccine.

'We do not recommend to go off the recommended schedule here,' he said during a press conference at the Department of Health and Human Services.

'A single dose of this vaccine will not provide the kind of protection over time that is necessary if people continue this risky behavior.

'So, the two-dose regimen is the best that we can do to make sure that we actually have people get the protection that the vaccine is intended to provide.'

Monkeypox may already be out of control in the United States, a former U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner has warned.

Speaking in a CBS interview Sunday, Dr Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the FDA, warned that the window for getting on top of the disease 'probably has closed'.

He said the national tally  at 1,800 cases  was likely 'just a fraction' of the actual number because of poor testing coverage.

And that monkeypox had likely already spread outside of gay and bisexual men, but that this was yet to be detected.

Monkeypox has now been spotted in almost every U.S. state  except Mississippi in the south, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota, and in Maine and Vermont.

Of the tally, eight cases have been spotted so far in women nationally, and none in children and adolescents.

Speaking on CBS' 'Face the Nation', Gottlieb said: 'I think the window for getting control of this and containing it probably has closed. If it hasn't closed, it's certainly starting to close.'

On the current tally, he added: 'We're probably detecting just a fraction of the actual cases because we had, for a long time, a very narrow case definition on who got tested and by and large, we're looking in the community of men who have sex with men and at STD clinics.

'So, we're looking there, we're finding cases there, but it's a fact that there's cases outside that community right now.

'We're not picking them up because we are not looking there.'
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The White House's leading COVID-19 official is warning that the United States is still in the middle of the pandemic and backed calls for Americans to bring back masks in indoor public places.

Dr Ashish Jha, the White House's Covid response coordinator, told ABC's This Week on Sunday that the virus still remains a threat amid the rise of the BA.5 variant but that the available vaccines and therapeutics for it put the nation in a better place now than it was in previous years.

He also echoed calls from Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, last week asking Americans to put on face coverings when in indoor public places. He brushed off the potential for a federal mask mandate, though, saying that he believes local governments should be in charge of those decisions.

The BA.5 variant is believed to be the most transmissible variant yet, even having the ability to re-infect a person only months after they already have caught the virus. According to most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) it now makes a majority of Covid infections in America.

Many Americans are over the pandemic according to polling, though, making the comments from Jha feel disconnected from the general feelings of the U.S. public.

Both case and death figures are rising in the U.S. amid BA.5's takeover. Daily infections have jumped to 145,761 per day - a 36 percent increase over the past week. Deaths have increased 23 percent to 528 daily.

The BA.5 (dark green) variant now makes up 65% of active cases in the U.S., over taking the BA 2.12.1 (red) strain - which now makes up just 17% of cases. The BA.4 (light green) variant is responsible for 16% of U.S. COVID cases

This is a virus that is still evolving rapidly. Were still in the middle of this pandemic,' Jha warned.

'Obviously were in a way better place than we were a year and a half ago. But we still have work to do, we have to stay on top of this virus.'

An Axios poll from May finds that at least one-in-three Americans would disagree with the White House czar's assessment.

The survey found that 31 percent of Americans thought the pandemic was over, including nearly 60 percent of Republicans.

While Jha warns that this is the most 'immune evasive' version of the virus the erupt yet, tools to control it are still available.

'The good news here is our tools, our vaccines if you are up to date, if you've been vaccinated recently if you get treatments, those continue to work really well,' he said.

Dr Ashish Jha (pictured), said that America is still in the middle of the pandemic

'This is an area of concern but we know how to manage this.'

He noted that people over the age of 50 - who suffer the most risk from the virus - should receive their fourth vaccine dose if they have not already.

The shots, which are the second booster after the original two-dose regimen of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, were made available earlier this year in an effort to shore up protection for the most vulnerable to the virus.

'If you are 50 or over, if you have not gotten a shot this year in 2022, it is absolutely critical that you go and get one now it will offer a high degree of protection,' Jha said.

He also recommended that Americans bring back their masks.

'If you're in a crowded indoor space, especially if its poorly ventilated, wearing a mask reduces your risk of infection and your risk of spreading it to others. So we've got to continue to encourage people to do that,' he said.

Jha's comments echo those of Fauci last week, who also asked for Americans to put on face coverings in some public places to prevent the spread of BA.5.

Last week, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease said that while every American wants to put the pandemic behind them, there are still a few more steps to take.

'Everybody wants to put this pandemic behind us and feel and hope that it doesn't exist. It does, the good news is we have the capability and the tools to address it, and we need to utilize those tools,' he said.

'And if you're in an area of high dynamic of infection  and were talking about mandating anything - but recommending people when they are in indoor congregate settings to wear a mask. Those are simple doable things that can help prevent us from even having more of a problem then we are having now.'

Masks are not mandated anywhere in America right now, but that could soon change. Late last week, Los Angeles entered a 'high' level of Covid risk.

According to city guidelines, two consecutive weeks of 'high' risk level will trigger the return of an indoor mask mandate.

With all relevant figures currently trending upwards it is likely the nation's second largest city will reach that point on July 29.

Jha said that he supports local jurisdictions doing what they feel is best for their communities in regards to the virus, and keeping the federal government out of the decisions at a local level.

The BA.5 variant is believed to be the most infectious form of Omicron to arrive yet. Early data from South Africa - where it was first detected - also shows it may have the ability to evade natural COVID immunity provided by previous infection.

This is especially dangerous as it means many people who believe they are temporarily safe from Covid due to a previous infection are suddenly vulnerable once again.

It makes up 65 percent - or neatly two-thirds - of all active infections in America according to genomic sequencing from the CDC.

It arrived alongside the BA.4 variant - also detected earlier this year in South Africa - which now makes up 16 percent of cases, per CDC data.

The BA 2.12.1 variant that was dominant before BA.5 now makes up just 17% of cases, being snuffed out by the two new strains.

The rampant spread of the two new strains, along with the rising cases that have come with it, have officials like Fauci recommending that Americans bring back some COVID measures they may be already-to-familiar with from the past two years.
Parents have hit out at schools and nurseries that have shut their doors and cancelled trips due to the heatwave.

Schools in Nottinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire have decided to shut, while others are closing early on Monday and Tuesday amid warnings that temperatures may hit 43C.

Some sites have allowed students to learn from home, in a return to the remote set-up seen during the pandemic.

But parents have said the 'totally ridiculous' situation has led to 'chaos' as they are forced to juggle last-minute childcare alongside their jobs.

It comes after Oasis, one of England's largest academy chains, said its schools would stay open and labelled some establishments' decision to shut as 'irresponsible'.

Britain has already been brought to a near standstill by the national emergency, with trains cancelled and Luton Airport closed as its runway has melted.

As schools shut their doors or tell parents to pick their children up early as the country grapples with the heatwave one education provider has urged their fellows to stay open (stock image)

The extreme heat alert that UK health officials have said poses a risk to even fit and healthy people

Train firms urge people not to travel amid heat More than a dozen train companies are urging Britons not to travel today and tomorrow as the UK's first red extreme heat warning comes into force. A total of 21 operators - ranging from Transport for Wales and Gatwick Express to the Transpennine Express and Southern - said they will be running a slower service on Monday and Tuesday after National Rail implemented speed restrictions across its network. Speed restrictions are used by train companies during periods of hot weather to avoid any damage being made to the tracks and to prevent rails from buckling. Cancellations are also in place as temperatures are predicted to soar to highs of 38C and 40C in some parts of England. Amber and red extreme heat warnings have been implemented across the nation for the duration. Those who have to travel are being encouraged to check their journeys on the National Rail website before setting off and taking water with them to stay hydrated. Refunds are being offered to those who do not travel but have already purchased tickets. LNER has said no trains are running from south of York and south of Leeds to London Kings Cross on Tuesday. Chief operating officer of Transport for London, Andy Lord, said London's rail network would also be running a reduced service on Monday and Tuesday. He told LBC: 'We're advising all our customers to only travel if their journey is essential, to make sure that they stay hydrated and carry water with them if they do have to travel. Check before they travel because journey times will be extended. We will have reduced services across the TFL network because of the safety restrictions we need to put in place due to the heat.' Advertisement

Dr Renee Hoenderkamp, a GP at Christchurch Hall Surgery North London, tweeted that her daughter's nursery cancelled a trip due to the weather.

She said: 'I am not sure why she is any less safe there than at home.'

In response to a tweet from another parent who complained that their child's nursery had closed, Dr Hoenderkamp said: 'As a parent, who presumably needs to go to work, what on earth are you supposed to do.'

Dr Sarah Rutherford, head of an organisational culture consultancy, hit out at the 'totally ridiculous' decision that some schools are making to shut at midday over safety concerns.

She said it's a signal of 'increased Government control and further diminishing our own inherent sense of what's best for us'.

One father took to Twitter to complain that his son's school is closed, which is 'not helpful to those parents who work'.

Another complained that 'schools have started to take parents and their workplaces for granted'.

They wrote: 'Thinking those who can work from home can just switch an office day to a home day. Doesn't work like that. It can be very annoying.'

One Twitter user in London complained: 'Some schools have closed early here but parents still have to work pure chaos.'

It comes after Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis, told The Times: 'The decision to shut a school at any time has huge ramifications, economically and socially.

'Many of our children's homes are very small and hot' so shutting schools would be 'unbelievably irresponsible', he argued. It would effect the poorest families the most because they are less able to work remotely and care for children at home.

'It's like lockdown  it was a class construct  you can't work remotely if you are a cleaner or working in a supermarket.'

The heatwave saw temperatures in England hit 38C (100F) today, after meteorologists gave an 80 per cent chance of topping the UK's record of 38.7C (101.7F), set in Cambridge in 2019.

The scorching heat means the UK was warmer than Nassau in the Bahamas (32C), Kingston in Jamaica (33C), Malaga in Spain (28C), Athens in Greece (35C), Albufeira in Portugal (28C) and Dakhla in the Western Sahara (24C).

Despite the temperatures expected to continue to rise, health chiefs have insisted there is no public health reason to justify closing schools.

UK Government advisers believe school environments, which can have air conditioning, could actually be cooler.

There is no temperature threshold for closing schools or workplaces.

Comments from Mr Chalke, whose schools are mostly in the North of England, came after Dominic Raab, the deputy prime minister, said it was important children's education should be maintained in the heatwave.

'We're coming to the end of the school term,' he told Sky News on Sunday.

'But I think making sure young children get the education they need is really important, particularly after the pandemic, and schools are well placed to do that.'

The Hereford Academy in Herefordshire is one school that has announced an earlier start and finish to their school day.

And in East London, Anna Feltham, the headteacher of Clapton Girls' Academy, said on Friday of an early finish as school facilities will be unable to cope with the heat.

'Already, many classrooms are very hot, even with fans, and students are struggling to keep cool, drink enough water and maintain concentration in lessons,' she said.

'Next week's heatwave will make many teaching rooms unbearably hot by lesson two and five.

'We have reviewed a number of options but do not have sufficient 'cool' rooms to re-room lessons into.'

Other schools across the country, while not closing their doors, are banning outdoor events and play, with PE lessons also scrapped to help children avoid overheating.

Government advice states children are more susceptible to high temperatures than adults because they do not sweat as much and so can be at greater risk of ill-health from heat.

While No10 has not gone as far as recommending schools shut their doors, they have advised that uniform restrictions should be relaxed to help children keep cool.

Other steps like leaving windows open overnight if possible and heat generating equipment like computers should be turned off when not in use.

Today parts of the country, like London, were predicted to hit 39C (102.2) but meteorologists said tomorrow has the highest chance of temperatures breaching the 40C (104F) mark.

Education is just one setting where the heatwave is wreaking havoc on Britain.

The Luton Airport runway was closed because of a 'surface defect' in the heat today. A Luton spokesman told MailOnline that engineers were called to site and repair works are in progress.

Meanwhile, Wales recorded its hottest day on record. The Met Office confirmed Hawarden in Flintshire had reached 37.1C (98.8F) this afternoon, exceeding the previous all-time high in Wales of 35.2C (95.4F) in the same location in 1990.

Trains were cancelled as the tracks start to buckle and GP surgeries have closed amid a serious warning that fit and healthy people could die for the heat.

Emergency services urged swimmers wanting to cool off to stay away from lakes and rivers in case they face difficulties.
Somewhere in the world the next pandemic bug is silently evolving, getting set to burst upon us unawares  spreading faster and more lethally, perhaps, than even Covid-19.

But where, when and how will this deadly pathogen emerge? And what will it be? These are questions that confront infectious disease scientists who are already certain of one thing: Covid is but a harbinger of further global contagions.

So the race is on to develop new early warning systems that involve looking for danger signs in everything from traffic jams and sewage to old museum exhibits and even sales of garlic.

Earlier this month, Oxford University launched its new Pandemic Sciences Institute, a 100 m initiative dedicated to building global readiness to thwart new infectious threats.

It pools the universitys rich expertise that enabled Oxford scientists to start the first human trials of its game-changing Covid-19 vaccine four months after the pandemic viruss genome was first decoded in 2020. Best known as the AstraZeneca vaccine, more than two billion doses have been given worldwide.

The race is on to develop new early warning systems that involve looking for danger signs in everything from traffic jams and sewage to old museum exhibits and even sales of garlic

The onus will be on tracking viral threats in order to develop new drugs and vaccines at maximum speed. But that means identifying new pandemic bugs before they get the chance to run wild, says Christophe Fraser, a professor of infectious disease epidemiology and a key figure in the new institute.

If Covid could have been contained at the start [when the first cases emerged in China], I think we would have avoided it, he told Good Health.

This could have been achieved, for example, by rapidly applying local lockdowns and bans on international travel, while scientists worked on developing new vaccines and drugs.

The 2003 SARS outbreak, which began in China and resulted in around 8,000 cases in 26 countries, was contained by lockdowns and travel bans that were instituted more rapidly than with Covid.

We know from tests that if the SARS virus had been allowed to run uncontrolled, it would have evolved to become more infectious, says Professor Fraser.

Ebola was also a close call in 2014. But Nigeria successfully contained the virus, which causes lethal haemorrhaging, within two months.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (or MERS) in 2012 was a bit easier to contain [not least because it did not transmit easily from person to person], but that containment was not inevitable, he adds.

We will have more pandemics, he warns, but we can reduce how many we have in future by getting early data of newly emerging pathogens so that people can act on it in the right way.

Professor Frasers fears are amply supported, with the UK government saying theres a 50 per cent chance of another pandemic on the scale of Covid-19 in the next 25 years.

The threat is rising, experts say, because large-scale human expansion into previously virgin habitats  such as forests  puts us into ever-closer contact with wild animals that harbour previously unknown pathogens.

But what are the vital early clues to an emerging pandemic?

Often, we see the signs of a new outbreak before we see people getting sick, says David Bray, director of GeoTech Centre, a U.S. body that champions the use of technology to improve our lives.

As an example, he explains how, 20 years ago, while working in global monitoring for U.S. health authorities, they noticed that in China the price of garlic  which is viewed as a cure-all for illness by a number of Asian cultures  had risen tenfold.

Professor Frasers fears are amply supported, with the UK government saying theres a 50 per cent chance of another pandemic on the scale of Covid-19 in the next 25 years. London's Oxford Circus is seen above in lockdown in April 2020

This spiralling demand suggested a sudden rush to buy the herbal folk remedy to salve fast-emerging respiratory problems. This was the first sign of SARS, the predecessor to Covid, says David Bray. We spotted it five months before China revealed that it was experiencing an outbreak of a new respiratory coronavirus.

The same thing happened in early 2020, when the price of garlic again surged in China  an early sign of Covid-19 emerging.

And there were other early warning signs that were largely ignored at the time. Between August and December 2019, several months before most of us had heard of the virus, satellite images picked up a surge in road traffic outside hospitals in Wuhan, China, where the virus originated.

The 67 per cent increase in traffic was reported in a 2020 study by scientists at Harvard University, who found roads near five hospitals in the city had been much busier than usual  a pattern researchers attributed to patients sick with Covid-19 being rushed to emergency care.

With hindsight, the traffic images were crucial because they suggest the virus was spreading in the community three months before the first cases were confirmed by the Chinese authorities in November 2019.

The same study also picked up a steep rise, around the same time, in online searches in China for information on symptoms such as cough and diarrhoea, both of which are common Covid symptoms.

Meanwhile, scientists are panning for epidemiological gold in cities sewage systems. For if we become infected with pathogens, we excrete them in the loo. In 2020, a national wastewater monitoring programme was set up in England to monitor Covid traces in untreated sewage from around 40 million people.

It came after a pilot scheme in key cities such as Cardiff, Manchester and Liverpool found local levels of viral DNA in sewage from Covid-19 matched infection rates  which meant sewage testing could be a valuable flag for local outbreaks.

Now investigators want to use this approach as an alarm system for emerging new pandemics.

An associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Colorado State University, Susan De Long, reported in the journal Modern Sciences in May that wastewater entering treatment plants can be sampled for levels of viral DNA that will show if a new threatening infection is emerging.

It can provide an early warning that public health measures [such as mask wearing, vaccination and working from home] may be warranted, De Long says.

If wastewater monitoring had been part of the established public health infrastructure in late 2019, it could have provided an earlier warning that Covid-19 was becoming a global threat.

Social media trends may also help us spot pandemics early. When researchers at the University of Calabria in Italy analysed social media from late 2019, they detected rising concern about cases of pneumonia across Europe, before Covid-19 was widely identified.

Their study, in the journal Scientific Reports last year, focused on tweets related to pneumonia because it is the most severe Covid-induced condition, and also because the flu season in 2020 was milder than normal, which should have meant pneumonia cases were falling.

The scientists said monitoring social media may be a way to track signs of emerging pandemics.

Far away from social media, another way to predict pandemics is being pioneered. Curators at the National History Museum in London are uploading all their records of samples of bats and other potential animal sources of pandemic viruses to a worldwide database for scientists.

Three-quarters of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic  transmitted from animals to humans. Examples include rabies caught from dogs; HIV from apes; and Covid-19, thought to have originated in bats. The museum has already digitised more than 30,000 records for bat specimens and another 6,000 are being processed. Samples are made up of skins, skeletons and preserved bodies. Last year, similar work at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris revealed previously unidentified coronaviruses closely related to the Covid-19 virus lurking in the samples of two Rhinolophus shameli bats that had been taken in Cambodia in 2010. Museum specimens such as these have already helped to identify a mysterious infectious disease outbreak that claimed 13 lives in the U.S. in 1993.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome kills nearly 40 per cent of infected people by filling their lungs with fluid. Researchers at the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico analysed hantavirus-infected deer-mice exhibits and identified the rodents as the species from which the lethal strain emerged.

Crucially, the researchers were also able to show that the virus had been circulating in local rodent populations for years and that its emergence in humans was linked to El Nino climate cycles.

These occur when the ocean currents warm in the Pacific, causing a heavy increase in rainfall in the Southwestern parts of the U.S.  thought to have driven virus-carrying creatures into closer contact with humans.

But Sir Peter Horby, director of the Pandemic Sciences Institute at Oxford University, is convinced doctors on the frontline will still have a vital role in highlighting emerging viral threats.

Pandemic alerts usually happen, Sir Peter says, when a clinician sees a cluster of cases and sees this is odd. If they push the red button and alert colleagues worldwide then the new pathogen can be detected further.

The chances of this happening may now be improved by using cheap technology, such as giving doctors in poorer countries free apps for recording data on novel illness symptoms. The technology is out there to do all this, he says.
Carole Davies and her partner, Malcolm, looked at each other in shocked silent horror as her surgeon spoke to them. Be warned, his comments were deeply offensive and you may not wish to read them.

Carole, 76, a mother of one from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, had endured weeks of agony after an NHS surgeon had inserted a polypropylene mesh implant to treat a slight incontinence problem. The mesh was meant to act as a scaffold to support her leaking bladder.

Carole, then 60 and a recently retired personnel administrator, had returned to see the surgeon with her partner seven weeks after the surgery. She was in tears as she explained her debilitating pain.

'I told the surgeon that I could feel the mesh cutting into me, which was agonising,' Carole told Good Health.

'But he ignored this and said everything was OK. He told me: 'I just don't understand how you could be in pain. I will refer you to a psychiatrist.' Then he turned to Malcolm and said: 'I've made her nice and tight for you.' '

Carole, 76, a mother of one from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, had endured weeks of agony after an NHS surgeon had inserted a polypropylene mesh implant to treat a slight incontinence problem. The mesh was meant to act as a scaffold to support her leaking bladder

It was lewd and inappropriate but, as we can reveal, is shockingly by no means an isolated example  an insult, literally, not just to Carole but for many others, among the tens of thousands of British women who have suffered agonising complications from mesh-tape operations since they were first introduced in the late 1990s to treat incontinence or prolapse.

To add insult to injury, these women often struggled for years to have their complaints taken seriously, while surgeons dismissed the idea that there was anything wrong.

After the Mail joined forces with campaigning group Sling The Mesh to highlight the issue, the Government set up an inquiry, led by Baroness Cumberlege, in July 2018.

This led initially to a pause in the use of surgical mesh for the treatment of urinary incontinence. The inquiry has since called for this pause to be extended until strict requirements on safety and recompense are met.

Nevertheless, an investigation by Good Health last month found that not only is mesh still being surgically implanted in women, but also that its use could well be on the rise again.

Meanwhile, what is now emerging is a fuller, shocking picture of the way many women affected are treated by the medics in whom they have placed their trust  and continue to be so.

Last month Good Health published its latest of a long series of features campaigning for real justice for Britain's mesh victims.

We mentioned how one mesh-injured women, Kelly Cook, had been verbally slapped down by her surgeon after complaining of severe pain.

Kelly recalled: 'When I told the surgeon about my pains some weeks after the op, he dismissed it and insisted he'd done lots of these operations in the past and nothing had gone wrong.'

Kelly's story prompted women across the country to share how they, too, had been similarly humiliated at a time when they just wanted help.

Sling The Mesh received dozens of messages from women detailing similarly appalling responses, the majority in the past five years, that surgeons had made to deny, belittle and denigrate their agonising pain, emotional trauma and  in some cases  ruined sex lives.

One woman told how her surgeon laughed and said: 'I don't understand why you have all this pain. Anatomically, you look beautiful.' Another's consultant said: 'Oh it's you again. I told you before, it's not the mesh. You must be lonely or looking for attention.'

In yet another case, the surgeon told his patient not to believe media reports about mesh and insisted: 'After all, I am the trained consultant.'

Last month Good Health published its latest of a long series of features campaigning for real justice for Britain's mesh victims

While many of these stories are about male clinicians, several respondents also reported being snubbed by female consultants who refused to take them seriously.

Carole's problems began after she was referred by her GP to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage in 2006 when she developed what she describes 'a slight leak'.

'I got pushed through the system and ended up seeing a surgeon who said there was a very good thing on the market that he called a tape sling and convinced me it was the right thing to have,' she says.

'I was taken in by his charm, so I also agreed to his suggestion that at the same time as the mesh op, he would 'whip out' my uterus.

'He said: 'After all, you're not going to have any more children.'

'There was no clinical need for this, I now realise.'

When she awoke from the op in the middle of the night, she was in extreme pain.

'When the nurses came in the morning to remove the gauze over the wound, they were shocked at the state of me. The sheets and my lower half were covered in blood,' she says.

Carole was sent home after a couple of days, even though she was in terrible pain and had a high temperature. It didn't resolve, so within a week Malcolm took her back to hospital, where she was admitted for a severe infection and antibiotic treatment.

'When I went for a follow-up check with the surgeon a few weeks later he flatly denied that I ever had a post-operative infection.

'I was crying because he had assured me I would be back to normal by then, but I was in agony,' says Carole.

'Malcolm could not come near me sexually. We had previously had a very active and enjoyable sex life. Now the pain and debilitation from the mesh meant we had no sex life and I can no longer orgasm.'

That is when the surgeon shockingly accused Carole of having psychiatric problems and made his crude remarks.

'We were gobsmacked,' says Carole. 'We couldn't believe what we were hearing. We looked at each other and didn't say anything.'

Carole says she complained to the hospital about the surgeon's comment.

'We were given an advocate to help represent us at a meeting where the surgeon denied he had said any such things to us, or that he had ever assured me in the first place that I would be entirely back to normal after the op.

'He even said in the meeting that I didn't need to orgasm to enjoy sex,' she says.

'Nothing came from the meeting and I did not pursue my complaint any further. I didn't even get an apology.'

And Carole's problems were far from over. In 2010 and again in 2012, she underwent further procedures  performed by different surgeons from the one she complained about  to remove fragments of the mesh.

Neither worked, and it was only in 2019  12 years after the initial operation  that she finally got a consultation with the surgeon who has been leading efforts in the UK to ensure women in pain can have their mesh removed: Sohier Elneil, who is a consultant urogynaecologist at University College London Hospitals Trust.

Carole recalls: 'She said I was so damaged that the mesh needed to be taken out  it was eroding tissue around my urethra [the tube that takes urine from the bladder out of the body].'

But such was the scale of the damage it took two operations to remove all the mesh  one in 2019 to remove it from her vaginal area and a second in May 2022 (delayed because of the pandemic) to extract it from her abdomen.

'I'm still recovering from the second op but it has made a hell of an improvement already,' Carole says, happily. 'I no longer suffer a cutting feeling when I bend over. Miss Elneil also performed a colposuspension, using stitches to support the neck of the bladder so that it can't move about and cause incontinence.

'It's brilliant. I wish I'd had this op in the first place instead of ever having mesh.'

Good Health shared the full dossier of surgeons' disgraceful comments with Baroness Cumberlege. She says: 'These stories are deeply disturbing. I am sad to say I am not surprised. We heard shocking experiences just like these from many, many women during our review. Until we heard them telling us what they had to go through, I would have found it hard to believe that doctors could display such callous, dismissive and uncaring behaviour. But hundreds, indeed thousands, of women have been submitted to this gaslighting.

'It is unacceptable, it breaches trust and it has no place in professional medical practice. Women who have suffered these horrific mesh injuries need help and support; instead, in too many instances, they have been brushed aside by the very people responsible for their treatment.'

Kath Sansom, a mesh victim who set up the Sling The Mesh campaign, told Good Health that the problem is continuing.

'Despite all of the campaigning, media coverage and knowledge of mesh issues, sadly, women being seen now are still spoken to in dismissive ways. Especially around loss of sex life,' she says.

A spokesman for the Royal College of Surgeons of England said in response: 'We are appalled to read these sexist, highly inappropriate comments.

'Our core standards document for surgeons, Good Surgical Practice, makes it clear patients should be treated with dignity, respect and compassion, and surgeons must always act in a way that builds and maintains trust.

'This is particularly pertinent in respect of this group of patients, who suffered harm as a result of previous treatment and were seeking help and support.

'We are committed to developing an inclusive and respectful culture across the surgical profession, and these reports make it clear that there are pockets of the profession who need to change their behaviour.'

Dr Swati Jha, a consultant gynaecologist and spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, told Good Health: 'It's very alarming to hear how health professionals have spoken to women experiencing complications with mesh. Many of these comments are deeply personal, misogynistic and, in some cases, belittle an individual's experience of pain.

'We hope the people making these comments are in the minority and the majority of healthcare professionals do not speak to women in this way.'

Dr Jha adds: 'We understand the devastating consequences mesh implants have had on the lives of many women in the UK. It is vital healthcare professionals are sensitive and listen to women's experiences, as well as creating a safe space so women feel comfortable sharing any concerns.'

Good Health approached the hospital where Carole was initially treated. Dr Michael Chilvers, medical director for East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, which runs the Lister Hospital, told Good Health: 'We are sorry to hear that Ms Davies continued to be in pain following her vaginal mesh procedure in 2007.

'Following nationally reported issues and amended guidance in July 2018, along with other NHS trusts, we no longer offer this procedure to treat female stress urinary incontinence or vaginal prolapse.

'The trust received a complaint in 2009 about the care Carole received. This was thoroughly investigated and was closed in early 2010. We have no record in the complaint of the inappropriate comments referenced in this feature.'

What specialists said to their mesh patients Here are just some of the dozens of offensive and dismissive comments made to women by their surgeons after life-changing complications from mesh surgery. These comments were sent to campaign group Sling The Mesh in response to our previous feature. 'When asking the male surgeon about the possibility of mesh surgery causing pain with sex, I was told: 'Most women would be glad if they could no longer have sex with their husbands.' ' 'For a whole year, I was told by my implanting surgeon that the razor blade/hot knife feeling cutting into me was all in my head. Then his registrar discovered that the mesh was cutting into my vaginal wall.' 'The surgeon, a leading urogynaecologist, responded to my complaints about mesh pain by saying, 'Don't worry, you don't have cancer,' while patting my knee.' 'The surgeon said: 'No way is it the mesh; you are reading too much c**p on the internet.' ' 'My surgeon asked what I was moaning about and said I should be pleased because 'you're like a 21-year-old down there now.' ' 'My husband said it was painful for me during sex. The surgeon winked at him and replied: 'Have you tried a**l?' I thought my husband was going to punch him.' ' 'You're too old to have pain there.' ' 'The surgeon  a female consultant  rolled her eyes and said: 'You shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet. Mesh is perfectly safe.' 'A surgeon told me: 'In 12 years I have never had anyone else complain so it can't be the mesh.' That was a blatant lie. Another patient whose complaints had also been ignored was busy putting up warning flyers in the surgeon's waiting room at the time.' 'THE surgeon told me: 'It's your menopause, not the mesh.' ' 'When we told my surgeon I could no longer have sex because it was too painful, he said I had a duty to my husband so I should just put up with it. My husband was furious and said: 'Do you really think I could enjoy sex knowing my wife is in pain?' ' 'I was told: 'Prescription pads are expensive and patients like you are not worth the cost of a prescription.' ' 'THE surgeon suggested I see a shrink because he thought it was all in my head.' 'A surgeon said there was nothing there and he could not feel any mesh. I then saw another doctor who straight away could feel the mesh hanging out.' 'My female implanting surgeon told me she'd never had any problems with any other patients. She then told me it was a skin problem, gave me some cream and discharged me.' 'The doctor said: 'Off the record, if you complain about this, no one will want to work on you in the future.' ' ' 'You need antidepressants and to motivate yourself.' ' 'My surgeon told me he'd previously had only one woman with mesh problems and she was 'neurotic'.' 'I was told: 'Surely it's a good thing when sex hurts a bit.' ' 'THE surgeon told me: 'Don't believe everything in the papers. Some women are just after a payout.' ' 'When I told the specialist how painful sex was, he said: 'Is your husband putting [his penis] in right?' We've been married for 36 years.' 'When I described the pain from my mesh, my surgeon told me: 'Chin up and have a glass of prosecco.' ' Advertisement

Medical misogyny

Shaun Wooller Health Correspondent for the Daily Mail

Women face a greater struggle to get quality healthcare on the NHS because of a culture of medical misogyny, a charity claimed yesterday.

Doctors fail to treat men and women equally and are too often dismissive of the latters health problems, Engage Britain says.

The charity, which promotes public involvement in policy-making, is calling for urgent reforms so that women are taken more seriously.

A survey it commissioned found that 26 per cent of women had failed to get the support they needed when seeking treatment over the past five years. But for men the figure was 17 per cent.

And whereas 29 per cent of women had to chase up a referral, the figure for men was again lower, at 20 per cent.

Women were also more likely to feel low, stressed or anxious when facing lengthy waits for an appointment, the poll of 3,027 adults revealed.

Miriam Levin, health and care programme director at Engage Britain, said: In 2022 women should not be struggling more than men to get the right help from health professionals.

While women across the country tell us how grateful they are for the NHS, in the same breath they will say they feel low and anxious because they cannot get the support they need.

From needing support in a crisis to dealing with problems like endometriosis, we hear stories of women suffering with the uncertainty of waiting times and referrals  and sometimes even feeling dismissed or not taken seriously by professionals.

People understand hard working NHS staff are doing their best, but its important female patients do not feel they are up against medical misogyny. We need a completely new approach to helping the NHS recover from the pandemic.

Sexism has previously been blamed for a disproportionate rise in gynaecology waiting lists and failings around the prescribing of hormone replacement therapy.

The poll found that 25 per cent of women were anxious they would not receive the NHS care they needed in an emergency, compared with 17 per cent of men.

Dame Lesley Regan, a former president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, was last month appointed as the first womens health ambassador for England in a bid to improve equality.

She will support the implementation of the Governments Womens Health Strategy, which is intended to tackle the gender health gap and ensure services meet the needs of women throughout their lives.
Emma Jones CBE calls on the next Prime Minister to spend more with small businesses to stimulate growth

Emma Jones CBE is the founder and chief executive of small business network and business support provider Enterprise Nation.

She says the next Prime Minister must rethink procurement which can be life-changing for small businesses.

Right now, the UK's 5.5m-strong SME community is placing a forensic focus on the economic pledges offered by the candidates in the Tory leadership race.

Corporation Tax increases, Corporation Tax cuts, National Insurance rise reversal, a pause on VAT, regional business rate holidays and income tax reductions are all in the mix.

You'd have to be an economist with insomnia to be able to predict which of these totally opposing proposals are going to help grow our economy, in the context of today's volatile global political system.

But one thing that the next incumbent could do to genuinely unlock economic growth is to dramatically increase spending with UK small businesses.

Procurement, or the Government's budget for buying the services or products it needs from private sector businesses, accounts for a third of all government spending, and over a tenth of all spending in the economy.

It ranges from significant advisory support at the highest levels of seniority, buying in security services to stocking crisps in vending machines  and everything in between.

It also includes the services and products purchased at a local level by Councils and Combined Authorities, think school dinners, cleaning services and wheelie bins.

But it's got a bit of an image problem. Procurement is not the sexy end of the economy. And it very understandably comes under a lot of scrutiny because it's tax payers' money.

But it also means the Government has more power comfortably within its own grasp to unlock economic growth and support the business community than many actually understand.

Rethinking the way it spends and makes those key decisions, is the focus of a new report my company Enterprise Nation has unveiled today. It demonstrates how transforming procurement could help to create a much more dynamic economy that benefits us all.

There are 5.5million SMEs in the UK employing 16million people.

The Government has done a great job of encouraging the growth of the UK's start-up and small business ecosystem.

The next logical step is to play a role in their growth, by ensuring they are buying from them, either directly, via consortiums or through larger businesses that make a point of working in partnership with small firms.

The reality is that working with government can be a life-changing experience for smaller businesses. It can provide them with opportunities that can lead to sustainable and significant scale.

With a government contract in place, businesses can confidently employ more people, innovate and grow. It can lead to investment and productivity gains. These are words we're very used to hearing echoing down the corridors of power.

So why isn't this happening already?

Access all Areas: Government, found that despite policy ambition to increase spending with SMEs to 25 per cent, over the past five years the Government had managed to spend just 10 per cent of its total procurement budget directly with small businesses.

The report we commissioned from think tank The Entrepreneurs Network analysed fresh data from government tenders and data provider Tussell.

It found that the inability to dial up direct spend was partly down to the lack of information the Government holds about how the small business community operates - and how they can be helped.

As a consequence, the system requires a lot of unnecessary bureaucracy, which is vastly easier for larger firms to cope with.

Most SMEs do not have the slack to dedicate staff time and resources to searching for procurement opportunities or filling out arduously long tenders.

The report shows a significant reduction in bureaucracy could help to turn the dial on small business growth, something that is crucial to the long-term health of our economy.

If the next Prime Minister really wants to help small businesses, they should read our report and spend, spend, spend with SMEs.
LVs boss is finally stepping down seven months after trying to sell the historic insurer to private equity.

Mark Hartigan  whose attempt to sell the 179-year-old mutual to Bain Capital was voted down by furious members in December  will leave as soon as a replacement is found.

His decision to stand down came as policy-holders  who own the business due to its status as a mutual  were preparing to stage a protest at its annual meeting later this year to oust him.

Mark Hartigan  whose attempt to sell the 179-year-old mutual to Bain Capital was voted down by furious members in December  will leave as soon as a replacement is found

They were exasperated by the fact that Hartigan, a former army colonel, remained at the life insurer despite wasting more than 30million of their money on a failed attempt to sell it to private equity shark Bain.

Following the Mails successful campaign to save LV from the jaws of Bain, more than 1,000 members wrote to this paper calling for Hartigan to be ousted and expressing their support for a vote of no-confidence.

Though his departure was welcomed yesterday, members and campaigners were dismayed that he seemingly will not give up the 511,000 bonus he scooped last year, despite his bungled effort to sell LV.

A spokesman for LV said he would also continue to be paid in line with his stated remuneration policy until leaving  implying he will still be eligible for another handout this year on top of his 435,000 salary. The bonus alone could be worth 739,500 if Hartigan hits all his targets.

Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake, who sits on Parliaments Treasury Committee, said: Mr Hartigan staked his role and reputation on forcing through a flawed, contrived sell-off of LV, which was patently against members and the wider insurance markets interests.

Hes lost both, so its absolutely right that he now leaves the organisation without any bonus or pay-off. LV member John Higgins, 86, said: His [Hartigans] bonus stuck in the craw for many members.

'Giving it up would surely be the right thing to do, since he wasted more than 30million of members money.

When LVs 1.2million members voted down the Bain deal last year, chairman Alan Cook  who had also pushed for a sale  resigned.

Customers were hoping Hartigan would follow suit  but were dismayed when he announced his intention to continue as chief executive of LV, which had stood the test of time as an independent business since 1843.

The 59-year-old stood to pocket a generous pay package and even take an equity stake in the company if he was kept on as boss under Bains ownership.

Such was their anger that members formed an informal alliance  headed by Higgins  to ensure their voices were heard. Higgins said: I was going to give a long statement at the beginning of LVs annual meeting later this year.

The directors would probably have tried to shut me up, but I would have made the point that we own the business  not them. I know the other members would have given me support.

I would have castigated Hartigan and the other members of the board over how they had handled things over the last couple of years. And finally I would have pointed to the door and say, Mr Hartigan, heres the exit.
Raytheon has agreed to buy a Northumberland-based space specialist founded five years ago by a retired RAF officer.

The US defence giant's takeover of Northern Space and Security (NORSS), whose clients include the UK Space Agency and the Ministry of Defence, was described as a 'significant statement of confidence in the health of the British space industry'.

Based in Alnwick, NORSS offers analysis and surveillance to protect satellites operated by the Government and the commercial sector.

Raytheon's takeover of Northern Space and Security was described as a 'significant statement of confidence in the health of the British space industry'

It was founded in 2017 by Ralph Dinsley, who had more than 32 years' military service, half of it at RAF Fylingdales, North Yorkshire, an early warning station to detect ballistic missile attacks.

Fylingdales also monitored satellite launches and orbits  skills transferred when setting up NORSS, which has operations in Sedgefield, County Durham, and Didcot in Oxfordshire.

The value of the deal was not disclosed. Dinsley, a squadron leader when he left the RAF, said the deal would give NORSS 'expanded access to international markets' and create 'opportunities to collaborate on the next generation of space technologies'.
H&M is winding down its business in Russia, becoming the latest international company to exit the country after it invaded Ukraine.

The fashion group, based in Sweden, initially halted sales in Russia at the start of March.

The company told investors yesterday that it has now decided to initiate a process of winding down the business in the country.

Russia exit: Sweden-based fashion group H&M told investors yesterday that it is fully winding down its business in Russia

It blamed its decision on current operational challenges and an unpredictable future in Russia.

H&M said its operations in Russia, which were first launched in 2009, will be temporarily reopening to sell the remaining stock.

Boss Helena Helmersson said: After careful consideration, we see it as impossible, given the current situation, to continue our business in Russia.

'We are deeply saddened about the impact this will have on our colleagues and very grateful for all their hard work and dedication.

Russia accounted for around 4 per cent of the retailers global sales, according to its latest annual report, and employed more than 6,000 staff in the country.
Acting Uvalde police chief Lt. Mariano Pargas has been placed on leave after a preliminary report on the school shooting by the Texas House investigative committee found 'multiple systemic failures' and poor leadership.

Lead investigator and Republican state Rep. Dustin Burrows argued Robb Elementary was 'not adequately prepared for the risk of a school shooter' and warned the same is true of many schools across the U.S.

On Sunday, Lt. Mariano Pargas, who was acting Uvalde Police Department chief the day of the shooting, was placed on leave.

Robb Elementary School Police Chief Peter Arredondo was also at the scene, standing outside the classroom, trying to negotiate with gunman Salvador Ramos.

The committee claimed 'multiple systemic failures' witnessed in Uvalde are found 'across the entire state and country' and the systems in place 'are something that we can and must improve.'

The investigative committee released its 77-page investigative report Sunday, marking the most exhaustive attempt so far to determine why it took more than an hour for police to confront and kill the 18-year-old gunman at Robb Elementary School on May 24.

The report blasted 'system failures and egregious poor decision making' by nearly all those in power during the attack and slammed law enforcement for 'failing to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety'.

Lt. Mariano Pargas (left), who was acting Uvalde police chief of May 24, has been placed on administrative leave. He was placed on leave following the release of the preliminary report (right) by the Texas House investigative committee probing the elementary school shooting

Burrows - joined by committee members Rep. Joe Moody and former Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman during a Sunday night press conference - addressed the failures.

'That day several officers in the hallway or in that building, knew or should have known there was dying in that classroom,' he told the audience. 'And they should've done more, acted with urgency. Tried the door handles, tried to go in through the windows, try to distract him, try to do something to address the situation.'

He argued law enforcement leadership both inside and outside the school highlighted how the community was not prepared for the massacre.

'In hindsight, we can we can say that Robb Elementary was not adequately prepared for the risk of a school shooter,' Burrows stated, noting that schools across the nation are believed the face the same challenges: 'This is a wider problem.'

'We will all look and say 'well that's the way it was in Uvalde, it's different here.' Well let me say, the people of Uvalde before this - they felt that. That's the false sense of security I worry about,' he said. 'Some of the same systems we found here that failed that day are across the entire state and country.'

'I do not want to say because of one thing or person here it could not happen elsewhere. I think that's a disservice and not respectful thing to do.'

Lead investigator and Republican state Rep. Dustin Burrows argued during a press conference Sunday (pictured) that Robb Elementary was 'not adequately prepared for the risk of a school shooter' and warned the same is true of many schools across the U.S.

Rep. Joe Moody (left) said the report demonstrates a call to action and how the 'systems are something that we can and must improve.' Former Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman (right) added: 'If you're not willing to put the lives of the people you serve - those children - before your own, in my view, you should find another job'

Rep. Moody, a Democrat, echoed Burrows' concerns and said the findings should act as a call to change legislation.

'What happened here is complicated,' Moody said. 'But there's also a call to action in this report, because systems are something that we can and must improve.'

The committee members did not blame specific individuals for the failures, but said they believe the responding law enforcement should be help accountable for mistakes made during the shooting.

'There were officers in that building, who knew or should have known, more needed to be done,' Burrows said. 'There were also officers who should have seen some of the chaos going on in a least at a minimum, if they didn't take over command or tried to assume command, they shouldn't began asking questions, or offer their support and guidance, and eventually maybe they would have gotten command to have a better response.'

'If somebody failed to exercise, their training, if somebody knew there were victims in there being killed or dying, and did not do more. I believe those agencies will have to find accountability for those officers.'

Guzman added: 'The report says if you're not willing to put the lives of the people you serve - those children - before your own, in my view, you should find another job.'

Michael Brown holds protest signs demanding accountability from law enforcement as the Texas House investigative committee prepared to present it's full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School

Uvalde leadership seemingly agreed with the committee's call for accountability, as evidenced by Mayor Don McLaughlin placing Lt. Pargas on leave.

'The city has a responsibility to evaluate the response to the incident by the Uvalde Police Department, which includes Lt. Pargas' role as the acting Chief,' McLaughlin penned in a statement Sunday.

'This administrative leave is to investigate whether Lt. Pargas is responsible for taking commend on May 24th, what specific actions Lt. Pargas took to establish that command, and whether it was even feasible given all the agencies involved and other possible policy violations.'

The mayor said he agreed with with the committee's finding that 'there was a failure of command' on May 24, but alleges officials still have 'further questions as to who is responsible for taking command.'

'Each agency there had senior level commanders on site,' McLaughlin said. 'We want to know which agency took what specific actions to take command, and where did the critical breakdown occur.'

McLaughlin revealed the city will be conducting an internal investigation into the police department's actions, policies and procedures.

He says the investigation will be underway once the Texas Department of Public Safety provides city officials with requested reports, official statements from officers and other pertinent documentation.

The city's probe will also include a 'specific review' of Lt. Pargas' actions.

'As Mayor of Uvalde, the City only has authority over its own police force. Which is why I support the City's decision to place Lt. Pargas on administrative leave and conduct a full investigation,' McLaughlin stated.

'However, it is imperative that each agency onsite at Robb School that day commits to the same process and investigates their highest ranking, onsite officers' actions.

He concluded: 'The City and its Police Department strive for transparency and are done waiting for the District Attorney and DPS to value our community's need for answers.'

Mayor Don McLaughlin announced Sunday that Lt. Pargas had been placed on leave and aid he agreed with with the committee's finding that 'there was a failure of command' on May 24, but alleges officials still have 'further questions as to who is responsible for taking command'

The Texas legislators' probe of the Uvalde school shooting found state and federal cops were largely responsible for the vile massacre.

'Other than the attacker, the Committee did not find any 'villains' in the course of its investigation,' the report stated. 'Instead, we found systemic failures and egregious poor decision making.'

'The void of leadership could have contributed to the loss of life as injured victims waited over an hour for help, and the attacker continued to sporadically fire his weapon.'

The better trained and equipped responders failed to exert the leadership needed when local officers were out of their depth, the Texas House committee probe said.

The 149 US Border Patrol agents and 91 state police were among nearly 400 on the day who should have helped with the 'unfolding chaos', the file noted.

But the report slammed them for 'failing to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety'.

Some of the litany of errors in the report included:

Cops failed to follow the active shooter doctrine imposed after the 1999 Columbine High School massacre by not engaging with Ramos;

The school's safety protocol for keeping doors to classrooms locked and shut during school hours was not adhered to;

Around 47 'lockdown' events when police chased migrants near the school that came before the shooting made staff desensitized to react;

Ramos gave numerous hints he was going to go on a shooting spree before May 24, posting online cryptic messages related to violent actions;

Officials undermined public trust in the investigation into the massacre by making false statements about what happened.

The report described 'shortcomings and failures of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District and of various agencies and officers of law enforcement' and 'an overall lackadaisical approach' by the authorities.

'There was an overall lackadaisical approach by law enforcement at the scene,' the report read, 'For many, that was because they were given and relied upon inaccurate information. For others, they had enough information to know better.'

It stated officers 'failed to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety,' amidst a chaotic response scene where the people in positions of authority assumed somebody else was in charge.

Though Uvalde school police chief Peter Arredondo did not step up to the duties that were expected of him, the report wrote, better trained and experienced state and federal authorities failed to help local police who were out of their element.

'These local officials were not the only ones expected to supply the leadership needed during this tragedy,' the report noted, 'Hundreds of responders from numerous law enforcement agencies - many of whom were better trained and better equipped than the school district police - quickly arrived on the scene.'

'In this crisis, no responder seized the initiative to establish an incident command post,' the report said. 'Despite an obvious atmosphere of chaos, the ranking officers of other responding agencies did not approach the Uvalde CISD chief of police or anyone else perceived to be in command to point out the lack of and need for a command post, or to offer that specific assistance.'

The report opened with a tribute describing each victim killed by Ramos in the massacre

The report also found that the Robb Elementary School failed to adhere to a number of basic safety protocols, which included a lack of keys leading to teachers regularly leaving doors unlocked or propping them open.

Door and lock maintenance did not receive adequate attention from the school district, the report noted, pointing out that though the lock in one of the rooms where the shooting took place was known to be unreliable, it was not repaired.

'In particular the locking mechanism to Room 111 was widely known to be faulty, yet it was not repaired,' the report said.

'The problem with locking the door had been reported to school administration, yet no one placed a written work order for a repair.'

Unreliable Wi-Fi in parts of the school also led to a poor use of an app intended to notify the school of a lockdown in the event of an emergency.

Teachers also often responded without urgency to lockdown notifications on the app because they were desensitized by its overuse in situations involving nearby border patrol activity.

Robb Elementary is located about one hour from the US-Mexico border, and teachers would often be notified about illegal migrants who were being pursued by border patrol in the area.

There were 47 'lockdown' events at the school between May and February, 90% of which concerned border patrol activity.

The Active Shooter Response Card officers are supposed to follow. The investigation committee found that many of the basic steps outlined in it, such as assuming a position of command, were not completed by officers at the scene of the shooting

The emergency report app used by the Uvalde school district. The report found that its overuse from frequent nearby border patrol issues led to teachers not taking the app and its protocols seriously

The report also found that gunman Salvador Ramos provided a number of warning signs that he was dangerous, but that nobody did anything to address them.

In one incident, Ramos sent someone a message on Instagram on April 2 saying 'Are you still gonna remember me in 50 something days?'

'Probably not' the person responded.

'Hmm alright we'll see in may,' Ramos said back.

He was also obsessed with gore and violent sex online, posting videos of suicides and beheadings, and harassing women who he played video games with.

He was also fired from his job at a Whataburger after threatening a female coworker.

Despite his violent behavior, no red flags were raised about Ramos and he was never reported to authorities.

An April text conversation between Salvador Ramos and a friend who proposed traveling to Uvalde for a visit later in the summer. 'If it's before may 23rd I'm down,' Ramos wrote. He committed the massacre on May 24

A conversation Ramos had with an online friend based in Germany in which he described shooting his grandmother in the face in real time

The report also pointed out that state officials undermined public trust in the investigations in the early days after the shooting by issuing a number of false statements.

One day after the shooting, a Uvalde Police Department official who was tasked with briefing Texas governor Greg Abbott on the events fainted before the meeting.

As a result DPS Regional Director Victor Escalon gave the briefing to the governor based on second hands accounts.

That incident lead to Abbott then giving the public a 'false narrative' at a press conference, in which he said that the shooting lasted only 40 minutes after police 'rapidly devised a plan, stacked up and neutralized the attacker.'

The report follows weeks of closed-door interviews with more than 40 people, including witnesses and law enforcement who were on the scene at Robb Elementary on May 24.

The findings in the report are expected to offer the most complete account to date of the bewildering inaction by fully armed police officers who massed in the hallway of the school but waited more than an hour before breaching a fourth-grade classroom.

The report is the result of one of several investigations into the shooting, including another led by the Justice Department.

A report earlier this month by tactical experts at Texas State University alleged that a Uvalde police officer had a chance to stop the gunman before he went inside the school armed with an AR-15.

But in an example of the conflicting statements and disputed accounts since the shooting, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin has said that never happened.

That report had been done at the request of Texas DPS, which McLaughlin has increasingly criticized and accused of trying to minimize the role of its troopers during the massacre.

Steve McCraw, the head of DPS, has called the police response an abject failure.

The location of Uvalde in relation to the Mexican border (left) and a map showing the location of Robb Elementary school compared to the center of Uvalde (right), as seen in the investigation committee's report

A pair of maps showing the Robb Elementary school and its surrounding property, and a floor plan showing the inside of the school, as seen in the investigation committee's report

Details of the report came as family members of the victims met with Texas lawmakers investigating the massacre on Sunday, days after incriminating footage showing the police's botched response to the shooting was leaked.

The video - which was released by KVUE and the Austin American-Statesman newspaper - showed police took cover in a hallway for 77 minutes before they stormed the two joined classrooms and exchanged fire with him.

Authorities said in May that frantic children inside the classrooms called 911 at least six times while officers waited in the hallway.

Relatives of the victims viewed the full footage during the meeting and reviewed the committee's findings on the shooting.

Investigation committee chairman Rep. Dustin Burrows said he planned to give family members the opportunity to privately view the footage before it was made public, and said he was disappointed media outlets leaked the footage instead.

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin angrily characterized the leak of the video - in which Ramos can be heard gunning down the children - as 'one of the most chicken things I've ever seen.'

The outlets that released the footage said they published the video 'to provide transparency to the community, showing what happened as officials waited to enter that classroom.'

A split view of the hallway before the dozens of other cops arrived shows the officers with their rifles drawn, standing behind shields, thirty minutes after the shooting began, yards away from the classroom

The video showed in harrowing detail how police lingered in the hallway outside the classroom where Ramos was holed up for over an hour as they were ordered to stand down by Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Chief Peter Arredondo.

Arredondo was placed on leave after the shooting before resigning from his post.

Calls for police accountability have grown in Uvalde since the shooting. So far, Arredondo is the only officer from the scene of the deadliest school shooting in Texas history is known to be on leave.

While Ramos could be heard unloading shots in a classroom, officers could be seen running away from the gunfire, checking their phones, helping themselves to hand sanitizer, and exchanging high fives.

At one point an officer whose daughter was inside the classroom was seen being restrained by fellow officers preventing him from attempting to rescue his daughter.

The girl's father, an Uvalde County Sheriff Deputy, was one of dozens of officers told not engage the shooter, forced to wait outside as shots and screams rang out. The footage released Tuesday shows cops holding the dad back as cops waited outside for 77 minutes

A minute-by-minute break down of how cops waited outside class while kids called 911 after gunman walked through door that had been propped open by a teacher 11.28am: Gunman crashes truck, gets out of car with AR-15. He is seen by witnesses in a funeral home next to the school who tell 911 they see a man with a gun walking towards the school 11.31: Gunman is now in the parking lot of the school hiding in between vehicles, shooting at the building 11.32: School resource officer who arrives in a patrol car after hearing 911 call about truck crash drives past the shooter 11.33: Gunman enters the school and begins shooting into room 111/room 112. He shoots more than 100 rounds 11.35: Three police officers enter the same propped-open door as the suspect from the Uvalde PD. They were later followed by another four, making total of seven officers on scene. Three initial officers went directly to the door and got grazing wounds from him while the door was closed. They hang back 11.37: Another 16 rounds fired inside the classroom by the gunman 11.51: Police sergeant and USB agents arrive 12.03: Officers continue to arrive in the hallway. As many as 19 officers in that hallway at that time. At the same time, a girl from inside the classroom calls 911 and whispers that she is in room 112 12.10pm: The same girl calls back and advises 'there are multiple dead' 12.13pm: The same girl calls again 12.16pm: The same girl calls 911 for the fourth time in 13 minutes asking for help 12.15pm: BORTAC (SWAT) members arrive with shields 12.16pm: The same unidentified girl calls 911 and says there are '8-9 students alive' in classroom 112 12.19pm: A different child from classroom 111 calls. She hangs up when another student tells her to in order to be quiet 12.21pm: Gunman fires again 12.26pm: One of the girls who previously called 911 calls back again. She says the shooter has just 'shot at the door' 12.43pm: The girl on that girl is still on the line. She says 'please send the police now' 12.50pm: Police finally breach the door using keys from the janitor and kill gunman 12.51pm Officers start moving children out of the room Advertisement

The video shows how it took officers a full 77-minutes to breach the door to the classrooms where Ramos unloaded more than 100 rounds into his victims.

Ramos entered the school at 11:33am, and wasn't shot dead until 12:50pm.

The gunman wasn't stopped until Border Patrol agents entered the building and shot and killed him.

Furious parents and relatives of the 19 children and two teachers murdered on May 24 are demanding to know why the 18-year-old gunman was free to continue his rampage as the officers stayed outside the classrooms.

The video begins at 11:28 am from the point of view of a camera in the Robb Elementary School parking lot.

It shows Salvador Ramos violently swerving his car around a corner and crashing into a ditch in the distance. A plume of dusty smoke emerges from the scene of the crash.

Two unknown men approach the car, Ramos responds by firing shots at the them.

The two men run for their lives, across the road and toward Robb Elementary School.

Two minutes later, a teacher is heard telling a 911 operator: 'I do not see him. I cannot see him.' The camera switches to a camera pointing at Robb Elementary School. She says: 'The kids are running. Oh my God.'

Her voice breaks in desperation as she cries: 'Oh my God.'

Shortly after that, Ramos fires off random rounds at the school from the parking lot.

The teacher instructs the students to 'get down, get in your rooms, get in your rooms.'

The camera switches again to footage captured by a witness who recorded Ramos calmly walking into the school, carrying an AR-15.

Within the same minute, the camera switches to surveillance video from inside the the hallways of Robb Elementary School.

The light beams from the doorway as Ramos enters an empty hallway.

Before getting to a corner, he stalls for a second as if to check if he's going the right way.

As he begins to disappear down a wide hallway, he drops his gun by his side to brush back his long hair en route to classrooms 111 and 112 where the massacre unfolded.

From the foreground, a young boy comes into the shot. He turns a corner and stands frozen for a few seconds. Next, loud gunfire his heard.

The boy can be seen running away, with his arms apparently flailing.

A message appears on the screen saying: 'The gunman fires his AR-15 inside two classrooms for two and a half minutes.'

Three minutes later, the first police officers arrive on the scene, three cops, two uniformed and one plain clothes charge towards the class room before crouching in the hallway as four others calmly stay back.

The four officers who stay back talk to each other. Their conversation is inaudible.

Three loud bangs are then heard. After they hear gunfire, the two uniformed cops retreat slightly while the plain clothes officer scurries all the way to safety behind a wall, checking his clothes to see if he has been hit by the volley of rounds.

One could even be seen pulling his cellphone out of his pocket, apparently to check the time. Others, the Statesman reports, sent texts and looked at floor plans as precious minutes ticked by.

Salvador Ramos, 18, (pictured) shot and killed 19 students and two teachers while cops held back for over an hour during the Uvalde massacre on May 24

A full 19 minutes after the first officers attempted to engage Ramos, the first heavy reinforcements arrive as cops with long guns, tactical gear and a ballistic shield are shown in the hallway. They remain a safe distance from Ramos.

One officer leans the shield safely against a wall.

A little over half an hour after the 911 call went in, more officers, clad in combat gear, armed with long guns and ballistic shields, pile into the hallway. They do not attempt to engage Ramos.

A picture in picture appears showing a small screen with an officers body camera illustrating the amount of officers with weapons drawn in the hallway, waiting. One officer can be seen busy scrolling on his phone in the body camera footage.

The main pictures show officers in tactical gear forming a barricade of shields in preparation for an attack by Ramos.

Ramos shoots off four more rounds, 48 minutes after first arriving at the school. There is little initial reaction from the assembled members of law enforcement. The phrase: 'Shots fired' is repeated.

Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Chief Peter Arredondo

There is more inaudible conversation as officers finally begin to march down the hallway toward Ramos.

One leading the way appears to be wearing civilian clothing, including shorts and a bullet proof vest. He is armed with a rifle.

The more heavily armored officers hide behind him.

An officer in civilian clothing and bullet proof vest and helmet obtains hand sanitizer from a dispenser.

After more than half an hour, other officers could be seen entering the building with ballistic shields and rifles pointed down the hallway to the classrooms where Ramos is hiding out.

Finally, officers breach the classroom and engage Ramos, quickly killing him. A full 77 minutes after the nightmare began.
The acting president of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, ordered the region to be placed on a state of emergency on Sunday ahead of the parliament vote amid continuous protests.

The decision comes as beleaguered leaders previously imposed states of emergency several times since April. It was at the time when public protests were held against the government's handling of a deepening economic crisis and a persistent shortage of necessities.

Sri Lanka's State of Emergency

The notification stated, "It is expedient, so to do, in the interests of public security, the protection of public order, and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community." Wickremesinghe announced a statement of emergency last week after former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to Singapore following being forced to resign.

Late on Sunday, the acting Sri Lanka president declared a new state of emergency, the specific legal provisions of which are yet to be announced by the government. Previous implementations have been used to deploy the military to arrest and detain residents, search private property, and dampen public protests, as per Reuters.

Sri Lanka's commercial capital Colombo remained calm on Monday morning, with traffic and pedestrians seen on the streets. A senior researcher at the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Bhavani Fonseka, said that declaring a state of emergency was becoming the government's default response to rising chaos, arguing that it has been proven ineffective in the past.

Read Also: Sri Lanka Crisis: Voting for New President Set After Gotabaya Rajapaksa Resigns via Email

The situation comes after Rajapaksa fled the country last week after hundreds and thousands of anti-government protesters came out onto the streets of the nation's capital a week ago and occupied his official residence and office.

According to The Guardian, it remains unclear whether the previous order had been withdrawn or had lapsed, or whether Wickremesinghe had reissued the order in his capacity as acting president. A spokesperson for the acting president's office did not respond to questions or comments.

Economic Crisis

On Friday, parliament accepted Rajapaksa's resignation and they met on Saturday to begin the process of electing a new president, and a shipment of fuel arrived to provide some relief to the crisis-hit nation. Wickremesinghe, who is known to be an ally of the ousted former president, was nominated by the ruling party as its candidate to be the next president of Sri Lanka.

However, protesters also demand him to be gone from the position, leading to the prospect of further unrest should he be elected as the new president. Wickremesinghe's appointment as interim president was met with anger and frustration on the streets of Colombo.

The official, who has become the prime minister of Sri Lanka six times already, stands accused of protecting and propping up the Rajapaksa family dynasty for several years. He is thought to have shielded them from corruption charges and enabled their return to power.

Sri Lanka's crisis includes running short of money to pay for imports of basic necessities such as food, fertilizer, medicine, and fuel for its roughly 22 million people. The rapidly declining economy has become even more of a threat because prior to the crisis, the economy had been expanding, with a growing, comfortable middle class, the Associated Press reported.



Related Article: Sri Lanka Crisis: Who Will Be the Country's Next President After Gotabaya Rajapaksa's Resignation?

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The angry daughter of a grandmother who vanished almost three weeks ago has hit out at police investigating her mysterious disappearance - after the family unearthed new clues in their own searches.

Colleen South's frantic family believe foul play is involved in the 58-year-old's disappearance.

She was last seen at Renown Park, in Adelaide's inner north, on July 1 about 3.30pm, driving off in her silver Hyundai Getz hatchback.

Her crashed car and belongings were discovered abandoned 535km away in Wycheproof, northern Victoria several days later, including her journal which contained a handwritten note with the chilling words 'help me please'.

Victoria Police has taken over the investigation from their South Australian counterparts in recent days and announced on Monday afternoon Ms South's disappearance isn't being considered as suspicious.

The family have rejected police claims no one else is involved in Ms South's disappearance and have shared a series of worrying details about her disappearance with Daily Mail Australia.

Veronica South (pictured right with her mum Colleen) insists her mother's disappearance is out of character and should be treated as suspicious

It's been almost three weeks since Colleen South (pictured) was last seen by loved ones

Ms South's Veronica daughter has made the five-and-a-half hour trip from Adelaide at least three times in the last week to conduct her own searches in Wycheproof.

She believes her mother's disappearance is suspicious because her belongings were left behind with the car door locked.

'Also ... there's no trace of my mum, or footprints where she has walked, and no scent detected from the dogs.

'Also my mum didn't go to the farmers for help. The house is right next door to where her car was found, so she would have definitely gone there for help but there has been no record of anyone seeing her which I think is odd.'

Ms South's niece, Australian actress Farah Mak, claimed Victoria Police initially ended the initial search after four days.

The investigation has since been renewed. 'Victoria Police have now taken carriage of the case, as of this weekend, which is a positive step forward (after two weeks of appealing for this).'

Ms Mak said the family has been left to conduct its own searches and have made progress.

'Our family have discovered new evidence during their own searches and the police have not taken action from these discoveries,' she claimed.

Ms Mak, best known for her roles in hit TV series Neighbours and Love Child believes foul play is involved and that someone picked Colleen up from where her belongings were found.

'Our hope is that we get action and outcome from Victoria Police by treating this as a crime and investigating accordingly to find Colleen ASAP,' Ms South's niece Farah Mak (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia

'There were tyre tracks in an image from police photos that appear to drive right up to where she had been sitting. The police did not dust anything, including her car for prints,' she added.

'Our hope is that we get action and outcome from Victoria Police by treating this as a crime and investigating accordingly to find Colleen ASAP, and to bring her home safely to her daughter who is braving these heartbreaking and frustrating circumstances with the utmost of courage, resilience and integrity.'

A concerning note asking for help was found inside Ms South's journal near her abandoned car

Victoria Police has been approached for comment.

'At this stage, Colleens disappearance is not being treated as suspicious,' a police statement released on Monday afternoon read.

A Facebook page called Bring Colleen Home set up by Ms South's family has grown to more than 500 members.

Her daughter took to Facebook on Sunday night to provide an update on her harrowing ordeal.

'Its been two weeks since youve been missing Mum,' Veronica wrote.

'Although, it feels like a really long time but Im just getting started with this search. Spoke to locals today and have been meeting with farmers, there was no luck of getting any new evidence today.

'I am praying we find you soon and everyday feels like Im getting a step closer to finding you. It hasnt been easy. I am missing you every day.

'Tomorrow we may have an update from the police of where to go with the search from here. We are thinking positive and hopefully we will get a positive outcome.'

CCTV footage captured Ms South visiting a Liquorland at St Agnes at about 11.50am on July 2, with police believing she then made her way to rural northern Victoria.

The last reported sighting was made the following day, , when a witness spotted her behind the wheel of her Hyundai Getz in Ninyeunook, 267km north of Melbourne.

Around an hour later, a farmer noticed Ms South's car abandoned parked under a tree off the side of Mackies Road, 26km away in Bunguluke.

Two days later, the farmer called police after realising the car had crashed into a ditch and sustained damage, with airbags deployed.

Ms South's belongings were found about 20 metres from the car, including her handbag, purse, keys and a journal in which she had written 'help me please'.

Actress Farah Mak (pictured) has urged police to treat her aunt's disappearance as suspicious

Ms South was last seen by a witness in her Hyundai Getz (pictured) on July 3. The car was found abandoned an hour later

Ms South's personal items, including bags and keys, were found 20 metres from her car

On Saturday, the group found Ms South's essential medication, downtrodden grass, a pen, footprints and a recently lit campfire.

The case is now being handled by Victorian authorities, after it was handed over by South Australia Police on Friday.

'The search for Colleen was officially handed over to Victoria Police on 15 July and is ongoing,' a spokesperson said.

'Victoria Police has been working closely with South Australia police in the search for missing woman Colleen South, since her vehicle was located abandoned.'

Ms South is described as 154cm tall with a heavy build, green eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, black and white striped shirt.

Anyone who sees Colleen or has any information is urged to contact police.

Actress Farah Mak (pictured) believes foul play was involved in her aunt's disappearance
Human traffickers are matching children with strangers to create fake families and giving Channel migrants deadly life jackets, MPs reveal today.

A major report on the Channel crisis and asylum system found organised gangs were advising adults to enhance their case by claiming they were related to a child.

MPs disclosed how migrants making the crossing are given flimsy, faulty life vests by gangs which are actively dangerous.

The Commons home affairs committee made a number of recommendations to improve the 1.5billion-a-year asylum system, which last year received more than 48,500 claims  the highest for nearly 20 years.

In a key proposal, MPs said migrants heading for Britain should be able to lodge their claim while still in France.

Crossing: Young migrants arrive at the port of Dover yesterday after being picked up by Border Force in the Channel

Home Secretary Priti Patel has insisted such a move would simply attract more. The report also called on the Home Office to provide detailed costings of the Rwanda deal which will see irregular migrants, including those who arrive by small boat, flown to the east African country to claim asylum there.

Committee members, who last month visited Dover where migrants disembark, said they were concerned about multiple failures in how the Home Office screens small boat arrivals.

We heard from Border Force officers during our visit to Dover of a case of adult migrants claiming that children accompanying them were related when it turned out that they did not even speak the same language and had clearly been matched up by the people traffickers to enhance their case, the report said.

T he Government should work with the French authorities to consider the feasibility of a programme of investment in trained child protection workers to work with vulnerable child migrants along the French coast.

It added: We are particularly concerned by evidence of multiple failures in Home Office screening of small boat arrivals for vulnerability and in communication of information about identified needs between different facilities.

The Government must ensure that there is enough physical and staff capacity to conduct necessary searches, fingerprinting, identity and initial vulnerability checks consistently on all migrants arriving at Dover.

The report went on: We saw a dozen or so flimsy dinghies constructed of inflated rubber tubes and planks.

We also viewed the so-called life jackets given to those who filled the boats. It was apparent from their flimsy, faulty construction that they would do nothing to keep people afloat or save lives if a boat foundered, and in many cases would actively add to the danger.

Committee members, who visited Dover last month, were concerned about multiple failures in how the Home Office screens small boat arrivals

MPs called on the Government to prioritise collaboration with France, saying: The French authorities with or without British assistance could intercept the boats once in French territorial waters and return them to French land whence they started their journey, as international maritime lawyers advised us they were legally entitled to do. The report noted the French government refuses to countenance such a policy, so the UK should seek to set up an asylum assessment centre in France.

We acknowledge that this is a contentious issue between the UK and French governments and would need firm assurances that any migrants whose applications were rejected by UK authorities must be detained and removed so that they would not simply return to the French coast, but this could be run as a pilot initially, it added.

But the committee recognised there was no magical single solution to dealing with irregular migration.
A visibly uncomfortable Julie Bishop insisted she's coping 'fine' with her break-up from her long-time lover during a live TV interview.

The former foreign minister was stone-faced as Today host Allison Langdon asked how she was going on Monday, after Mr Panton dumped her over dinner in Sydney earlier this month, after eight years.

'It's tough going through a break-up particularly when it is public,' Langdon noted.

Ms Bishop quickly deflected the question - immediately asking how Langdon and co-host Stefanovic were doing - prompting laughter from both hosts.

Julie Bishop has insisted she is 'fine' following her break-up with longtime partner David Panton during an awkward live TV interview

The former foreign minister appeared visibly uncomfortable as she was asked how she was coping by Today hosts Allison Langdon and Karl Stefanovic on Monday

'I don't want to think about it too much, it's a Monday morning,' Stefanovic said.

Ms Bishop quickly changed the topic: 'I'm fine, now.

'That's settled.'

The awkwardness returned when the hosts decided to sing a belated Happy Birthday to Ms Bishop at the end of the interview in light of her 66th birthday on Sunday.

'Would you like the kid's birthday (tune) or the Marilyn one?' Langdon asked.

Ms Bishop asked for Langdon to sing the song in the 'chipmunk's version' before the Today host attempted to sing in a high-pitched voice.

Ms Bishop also opened up on her latest role as Strategic Advisor for Mineral Resources Limited in Perth - the feature of a new video.

She starred alongside Hollywood actors Hugh Jackman and Kate Walsh in a slick clip unveiling the company's headquarters in the Western Australia capital.

Ms Bishop also opened up on her latest role as Strategic Advisor for Mineral Resources Limited in Perth - the feature of a new video

'It's the most beautiful building and it's got a global rating in terms of the environment, so it was an absolute joy to do this employee induction video with a couple of superstars,' Ms Bishop said

Ms Bishop's new role with the mining company is another in a series of positions she's taken on since leaving politics in 2019

'It's the most beautiful building and it's got a global rating in terms of the environment, so it was an absolute joy to do this employee induction video with a couple of superstars,' Ms Bishop said.

Stefanovic then asked a tongue-in-cheek question about a moment in the video where Ms Bishop was seen catching public transport.

'I noticed you got off a bus. Was that the first time you've been on a bus in a while?' he said.

'Yes, I believe so,' Ms Bishop said to laughter.

Sources close to Ms Bishop previously revealed she was 'blindsided' by her developer beau David Panton's shock decision to call time on their relationship.

Inside the shock breakdown of Julie Bishop's 'divisive' eight-year relationship with developer David Panton - as 'blindsided' former foreign minister puts on a brave face after being left devastated

By Amy Harris for Daily Mail Australia

Despite the challenge of living on opposite sides of the country, Ms Bishop had been working hard to keep the flame burning bright with Panton throughout Covid, sources close to the politician turned ANU chancellor said.

Daily Mail Australia understands she had been finding more ways to be in Sydney with Panton and had been excited to travel to London with him in late June, where they attended a royal dinner with Prince Charles.

But just a week later Panton publicly announced the pair were going separate ways and wished Ms Bishop 'all the best in her ongoing stellar career' in a statement to a newspaper.

Ms Bishop emerged for the first time since the split smiling happily for photos at a Perth mining conference on July 11, although insiders say the 65-year-old is hurting in the wake of the bust-up and was shocked at the way Panton pulled the pin so suddenly.

Over and out: Panton suddenly called time on the relationship with Ms Bishop after eight years

Final function: Julie Bishop and David Panton see at their last glittering soiree together

'She legitimately saw a long future for the two of them and worked hard at the relationship,' said a political insider close to the ex deputy-PM.

'As far as everyone else, obviously aside from David, was concerned they seemed fine.'

Another source close to Ms Bishop was slightly less diplomatic about the sudden end to the affair, hinting that Panton's presence in Ms Bishop's inner circle 'divided' some of her friends and colleagues.

But 'JBish' as she was referred to in Canberra, remained smitten.

'Let's just say a there are a few who might be relieved that it's over,' said one, adding: 'His personality didn't always gel with everyone.'

Julie Bishop put on a brave face in her first public appearance after the shock break-up

Panton seen here with Ms Bishop on a diplomatic working holiday during Donald Trump's presidency

The Sydney-based developer, who also has a home in Melbourne close to ex-wife Karen and their three kids, confirmed the split on July 6 telling the Sydney Morning Herald: 'I'm going to be focused on living in Manly and Melbourne for the foreseeable future.'

Panton has kept a noticeably low profile since returning to single life and has managed to stay hidden from public view.

Sources say he has been even been absent from his usual morning dips.

It's understood he remains based in Manly but is believed to have rented out his beachfront apartment back in April and relocated nearby.

First introduced in 2014, the 'glamour couple' of Australian politics notched up hundreds of red carpet and A-list social event appearances during their cross-continent romance including an unlikely invite to Karl Stefanovic's four-day wedding in 2019.

And despite generating some initial public cynicism in its early days, the relationship rolled on across red carpets and corporate marquees for eight years.

Ms Bishop caused a stir in 2015 when she took Panton to sitting of the UN General Assembly in New York

Dubbed 'Julie's handbag' in the media, Panton was an enthusiastic social event 'plus-one'

It also weathered a series of public relations knocks - most memorably when Ms Bishop copped flack for letting Panton bizarrely tag along to a sitting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2015.

He also seemed to be unable to shake off his unkind nickname 'Julie's handbag' - a regular reference he drew due to the fact he quietly accompanied Ms Bishop to countless social events.

Based steadfastly in Perth, Ms Bishop - who recently collaborated with Estee Lauder skincare - was open about challenges of a long-distance relationship and said the pair relied heavily on FaceTime to get through the Covid pandemic.

'It isn't great but it is all you can do because he can't get in here (WA) and I can't go there without having to get an exemption,' she said in 2020.

'It is very difficult but I know a lot of families have been separated in this way. It is very challenging.'

Both Ms Bishop and Panton were contacted for comment.
A young Mcdonald's worker was humiliated after a customer threw a drink at her after being unhappy with their order - before a couple surprised the teenager with a sizeable tip.

Jade Murphy, 21, said she and her partner witnessed the shocking act at the Albion Park Maccas drive-thru on Saturday night.

Ms Murphy said the young girl walked to a parked car to hand over their food before a passenger threw a beverage over her - prompting them to leave her with a $50 note to cheer the teen up.

'My partner and I were in drive-thru about to collect our food when we witnessed this poor girl go to give drinks and food to a parked car, when the driver in the parked car then decided to throw a drink at this poor girl who looked to be about 15-17,' she posted.

'Shame on you, the poor girl was just doing her job, and it's definitely not her fault you weren't happy with your order. But thanks to you picking on this poor lovely girl, she scored herself $50 from both my partner and I.'

Jade Murphy and her partner gave a young McDonalds worker a $50 tip after she was humiliated by an angry customer at the Albion Park drive-thru

Ms Murphy, a former KFC employee, said working in fast food 'isn't easy' and was reaching out to the local community in hopes of tracking the young Maccas staffer.

'I hope you see this gorgeous girl and I hope you spend the money wisely because your worth more then getting stuff thrown at you,' she wrote to Facebook.

'Working in fast food isn't easy, but don't let anyone make you re think your job.'

The good Samaritan said the girl, who looked to be aged between 15 and 17, almost burst into tears when they approached with the $50 tip.

'Your little angel face looked like you were going to cry when we gave you that money so I could tell you needed it and deserved it,' Ms Murphy said.

'What if that was your daughter who got something thrown at them you definitely would not have liked that and I'm sure this girls parents wouldn't like you throwing stuff at their poor daughter.

'YOU GO GIRL, spend that $50 on yourself because you deserve it.'

The girl's father replied to the post, thanking Ms Murphy and her boyfriend for the kind gesture.

Ms Murphy said the young girl walked to a parked car to hand over their food at the Albion Park chain before a passenger threw a beverage over her on Saturday night

'I would like to say thank you for your generosity. My daughter was over the moon when you did this. Yes she had a bad night and we did discuss this. But she just wants to do her job and move on, but you made her day,' he commented.

'Once again thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Like she said to you last night that you didn't have too. Just wish there were more people in the world that were more caring towards retail workers especially the younger generation.'

Other members from the Illawarra community lauded Ms Murphy's actions in supporting the young hospitality worker.

'A beautiful thing for you both to do I hope the young girl is ok and you made her night a better one heart of gold you both have,' a woman responded.

'That's so disgusting and those ppl should be dealt with . That poor girl hope she's ok and because of your kindness, I think she felt safe that someone was looking out for her,' another commented.
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan is back wearing a face mask inside again - and is urging the rest of the state to do the same.

Mr McGowan posted a picture of him at his desk wearing an N-95 mask and said wearing a face mask was 'the right thing to do' in 'appropriate' settings as Covid-19 cases surge across Australia. There's now about 40,000 cases in Australia each day.

The premier previously described this year's flu season as one of the most challenging winters Western Australia has ever faced and had urged residents to wear a face mask indoors.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan is pictured wearing an N-95 face mask inside - and wants the state's 2.7 million residents to do the same as Covid-19 cases surge

'As it has been for a while now, people should feel comfortable about wearing a mask when they want to and ensure they have one at hand for when in need,' Mr Gowan told the West Australian.

'I'm wearing a mask as appropriate, especially in crowded indoor settings.

'This is not a rule or requirement; however people should be reminded that masks provide added protection.'

Mr McGowan's comments followed a state government public advertisement which urged West Australians to wear a mask indoors and to wash their hands regularly.

The full-page newspaper ad also encouraged people who have symptoms to get tested and get a fourth Covid-19 vaccine to help reduce reinfection rates.

Mr McGowan's comments followed a state government public advertisement which urged West Australians to wear a mask indoors, wash their hands regularly, get their fourth Covid-19 vaccination and to get tested if they have symptoms (pictured)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called a snap national cabinet meeting on Saturday, which was brought forward from Monday, as the country battles a third pandemic wave, fulled by the highly infectious Omicron subvariants BA.4 and bA.5.

State and territory leaders agreed to consistent Covid-19 medical advice and were unanimous in their message for Australians to mask up when indoors.

Mr Albanese 'highly encouraged' face masks to be worn in crowded indoor settings and insisted the seven-day isolation period for positive cases remain - despite NSW premier Dominic Perrottet placing pressure on him to reduce it to five days.

'These include wearing masks indoors where appropriate, where people are mixing and can't have social distancing, it makes sense for that to be highly encouraged,' Mr Albanese said.

'The advice from the chief medical officer ... was that now is certainly not the time for (the isolation period) to be reconsidered,' Mr Albanese told Adelaide radio 5AA on Monday.

'That's something that health officials will continue to look at.'

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) ruled out bringing back mask mandates despite a call for the strict rules to be reinstated

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews ruled out bringing back mask mandates despite a call for the strict rules to be reinstated on Tuesday, last week.

Mr Andrews, who presided over the world's longest lockdown in Melbourne last year, backed away from hardline pandemic measures and strongly encouraged Victorians to wear a mask.

'Well people are free to wear masks if they choose to do so,' Mr Andrews said.

'People can make their own decisions and frankly (after) the last two and a half years, I just don't think it's accurate to say that people don't know that masks are important and for many different people in many different settings, they are choosing to wear a mask.'

Mr Andrews, who presided over the world's longest lockdown, said 'people are free to wear masks if they choose' and strongly encouraged Victorians to use a face mask as protection against the virus

The Victorian premier led by example and donned a face mask while visiting the Northern Centre for Health Education and Research in Melbourne on Monday.

Access to COVID-19 isolation payments will resume from later this week as health authorities try to stop the rising spread of virus cases across the country.

Employees who have tested positive for the virus and need to isolate from their jobs can receive the $750 payment, which will be available from Wednesday.

The state leader (pictured centre) led by example and wore a face mask while visiting the Northern Centre for Health Education and Research in Melbourne with Victorian Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas (pictured, right)

It comes after the federal government agreed to extend the isolation payments to the end of September. The scheme had expired on June 30.

Australians are being warned the latest Covid wave sweeping the country will peak at the end of next month with a whopping 43,391 cases in the 24 hour period ending on Saturday.

Western Australia recorded an additional 5,933 Covid-19 cases on Sunday and set a record for the number of people in hospital with 377 - 26 more than the previous day.
The median age of those dying from Covid in Australia is now 83 years old - the same age as the nation's average life expectancy.

The federal health department's latest Covid report exposes as myths the claims being used to drive Australian authorities to re-introduce mask mandates and continue having Covid cases isolate for seven days.

The data comes as St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney said they have just 'one or two' patients in ICU - with top doctors confirming the winter wave is far less severe than those to have previously hit Australia.

'We certainly don't have many,' confirmed a hospital spokesman on Monday.

'It's not presenting so much on the very acute side, where patients need ventilation.'

The median age of those dying from Covid in Australia is now 83 years old - the same age as the nation's average life expectancy, new government data has revealed

The ICU at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital now has just one or two Covid patients as medics admit the current wave is less severe.

The hospital admits most Covid patients are not in an acute state and do not need ventilation

The vast majority of those who have caught Covid are under 50, with 3,121,953 cases so far. Just 293 people under 50 have died of the virus since the pandemic began.

The statistics show that since Australia's mass vaccination rollout began, those under 50 face a less than one in 10,000 chance of dying from Covid.

'The median age of all those infected is 31... [but] the median age of those who died is 83,' the latest federal health department 'Coronavirus At A Glance' report states.

Australia's average life expectancy is 82.9 years of age.

Most killed by Covid were men over 70 and women over 80, accounting for 7,585 deaths out of the nation's total virus death toll of 10,582 as of 3pm on Friday.

The vast majority of those who have caught Covid are under 50, with 3,121,953 cases so far but just 293 of that age have died of the virus since the pandemic began. Most killed by Covid were men over 70 and women over 80, accounting for 7,585 deaths out of the nation's total virus death toll of 10,582, up to 3pm last Friday

NSW Premier Dom Perrottet admitted on Monday that the current flu wave was now a bigger threat than Covid

And even if Covid breaks out among elderly frail residents in aged care centres, more than 95 per cent of those infected will survive.

Of the 63,875 who caught Covid in Australian aged care centres, 60,771 recovered, with less than 1 in 20 of infected residents dying, for a tragic toll of 3,104.

NSW Premier Dom Perrottet admitted on Monday that the current flu wave was now a bigger threat than Covid.

'At the moment, the current strand of influenza is more severe than the current strands of COVID,' he told 2GB.

'As we move through the next phase of the pandemic, we need to balance up the competing health issues.'

Even if Covid breaks out among elderly frail residents in aged care centres, more than 95 per cent of those infected will survive

VITAL COVID FACTS Just 293 people under 50 have died of Covid If you're under 50 and catch Covid, you have a 1 in 10,000 chance of dying St Vincent's Hospital ICU currently only has one or two Covid patients Most people who die are men over 70 or women over 80 The median age to die from Covid is 83 The average life expectancy in Australia is 82.9 Even frail elderly residents in aged care homes have a 95 per cent chance of surviving covid infection More than 60,770 aged care residents out of the 63,875 infected have recovered from Covid Just one in 20 in aged care homes have died after they caught the virus Advertisement

The official figures come as pressure grows for a return to compulsory masks ahead of a feared new outbreak of the virulent new Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.

Doomsday modelling by the Burnet Institute for the NSW government last year said the state's health system could cope with up to 947 Covid patients in ICU.

But NSW currently has just 64 Covid cases in ICU across the state with only 13 on ventilators, according to NSW Health.

The stats have also destroyed claims that Omicron is super-infectious, with infection rates staying constant all year long.

Australia's Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 outbreak, which started in January, coincided with the end of most mask mandates and lockdown restrictions.

Omicron BA.2's R0 - the number of people one person can infect without restrictions - is said to be around 13.3.

But the Re - the effective rate of infection - has stayed around 1 or less since the middle of January, after a brief spike to 2.0 for a couple of days after New Year.

The government's mass double-jab vaccination program, taken up by 95 per cent of the population, has played a huge part in controlling the spread of the virus.

But the subsequent third booster shot program has been less successful , with just a 71 per cent take up, as work now starts on encouraging a fourth jab.

Of the 63,875 who caught Covid in Australian aged care centres, 60,771 recovered, with less than 1 in 20 of infected residents dying, for a tragic toll of 3,104

AUSTRALIA KEEPS SEVEN-DAY ISOLATION AS WORLD MOVES ON Australia is doubling down on mandatory isolation as other countries around the globe move towards abandoning them altogether - and it's costing taxpayers $800million. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came under fire last week for back-flipping on a decision to scrap $750-a-week payments for casual workers and people without sick leave benefits who are forced into isolation for seven days. He was pressured to bring back the payments after refusing to budge on mandatory isolation, and encouraged people to wear face masks. However, the UK, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania and Switzerland no longer have isolation, while positive cases are only 'recommended' to self-quarantine for five days in the United States. Countries such as Sweden no longer categorise Covid as a 'critical illness'. Mr Albanese argued the isolation period was necessary to combat surging Covid cases and ease pressure on hospitals, despite a large portion of the strain coming from influenza cases. In the 24 hours to Friday morning, 43,491 new cases of Covid were reported across Australia. There were 65,770 confirmed cases of the flu within the same period. There is no mandatory isolation period for influenza, and no payments for casual workers off sick with the flu. Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said on Monday that government officials calling for the reintroduction of mask mandates need to 'move on'. 'Anyone advocating for mandates needs to move on from that because unless significant things change with  the way this virus behaves, we're not going to be bringing in restrictions or mandates,' he told Sky News. Dr Coatsworth said antiviral medication and booster shots were significantly more effective than face masks. Mr Albanese had earlier said the $750-a-week pandemic leave disaster payment would not be reinstated past June 30. However, he announced on Saturday that it would be made available again from Wednesday and would extend to September 30. Advertisement

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged students and children to mask up in schools, while NSW education minister Sarah Mitchell also flagged the return of masks in class.

NSW schools have suffered a 30 per cent rise in staff shortages through sickness as a result of Covid and flu this year, she said.

'We are absolutely feeling the pressure...theres no question of that,' Ms Mitchell admitted.

NSW and Victorian health ministers have both so far resisted the growing calls for a return to mask mandates, but critics say the looming state elections in October and November are the main reason behind any delay in bringing them back.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged students and children to mask up in schools, while NSW education minister Sarah Mitchell also flagged the return of masks in class

Victoria chief health officer Ben Cowie told the state government to bring back masks, but the advice was rejected by state health minister Mary-Anne Thomas.

'I made a decision based on the advice that I had received that further mandating masks was not the most effective way to get the message out about the importance of mask wearing,' she said.

South Australia would need to declare another state emergency, after allowing the last announcement to expire, before they could issue any new mask mandate.

Federal health minister Mark Butler also says it is 'unlikely' the government will enforce compulsory masks, but urged people to wear them in public and to work from home where possible.

Deakin University's Professor Catherine Bennett insists compulsory masks will ease the coming Covid wave and also play a major psychological role

But Deakin University's Professor Catherine Bennett insists compulsory masks will ease the coming Covid wave and also play a major psychological role.

'When you put a mask on, its a reminder that things arent quite normal. It reinforces behaviours like taking a step back from other people,' she told Seven West media.

'The mask could be the thing that also helps us stay mindful of those other things ... and stay that bit safer.'

The stats also revealed NSW has had the most Covid cases in Australia with 2,971,525 and 3,798 deaths. Victoria has had the most deaths with 4,148 from 2,245,301 cases.

Northern Territory has had the least number of cases and deaths with 53 deaths from 83,684 infections, ahead of even ACT which has had 84 deaths from 175,923 cases.

The nation has also just passed the 75million milestone for the number of Covid test results since the pandemic began, almost three each for every single person.
Liz Truss would beat both Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt if she gets into the final two of the Tory leadership contest, a survey has found.

Conservative MPs will whittle down the five remaining candidates to the two who will go on the ballot paper for party members to choose from in the next few days.

The Foreign Secretary last night received a boost as it was suggested she is on course to win if she faces either Mr Sunak or Miss Mordaunt in a run-off. A snapshot survey of 845 party members by the Conservative Home website found that Mr Sunak would beat Miss Mordaunt by 43 per cent to 41 per cent if they face each other.

But if Miss Truss makes the final two alongside the trade minister, it found she would win more comfortably  by 48 per cent to 41 per cent.

Liz Truss would beat both Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt if she gets into the final two of the Tory leadership contest, a survey has found

Put up against the former chancellor, Miss Truss would also be victorious, getting 49 per cent support ahead of him on 42 per cent. The results are a turnaround from last Monday, when the survey suggested that Miss Mordaunt would beat both Miss Truss and Mr Sunak.

Miss Trusss campaign last night welcomed the results of the Conservative Home survey.

A source said: This reflects our growing momentum, and the sense that Liz is the only candidate to rival Rishi who is a heavyweight on the economy with a clear plan and the ability to deliver it from day one.

But overall, Kemi Badenoch came top of the poll. When asked who they would prefer, 31 per cent chose the former equalities minister.

This was ahead of Miss Truss on 20 per cent, Miss Mordaunt on 18 per cent, Mr Sunak on 17 per cent and Commons foreign affairs committee chairman Tom Tugendhat, who was backed by 10 per cent.
Tory donor Lord Cruddas has threatened to cut off the party's funding in protest at Rishi Sunak's betrayal of Boris Johnson.

The City financier, who has given almost 4million to the Conservatives, warned the former chancellor was 'not fit for high office'.

Lord Cruddas has shared a series of posts on social media describing Mr Sunak as a 'rat', 'a treacherous snake', a 'little weasel', a 'backstabber' and 'Fishy Rishi'. Other insults include the leader of a 'coup' who 'must be removed'.

Lord Cruddas has called Mr Sunak a 'backstabber' and says he will not give the Conservatives a planned 500,000 unless the membership is able to vote on whether Boris Johnson should remain as Prime Minister

Lord Cruddas grew up on a council estate and made his fortune setting up a major online trading firm

One such post included a caricature of Mr Sunak with the words: 'The hand that wields the knife shall never wear the crown.'

Lord Cruddas told The Sunday Times: 'I planned to donate a total of 500,000 this year but that is on hold and will not be paid unless the membership have a chance to vote on Boris being PM.

'I have no interest in Rishi, who I deem to be not fit for high office due to his plotting and the orchestrated way he and others resigned to remove the PM.'

Lord Cruddas, who was handed a peerage by Mr Johnson last year, made his fortune setting up online trading firm CMC Markets.

He grew up on a council estate in east London and left school aged 15 with no qualifications.
A New York City firefighter had his leg crushed by an SUV just days after he and other firefighters saved the lives of a group of Colombian tourists in a heroic rescue on the Hudson River.

This incident occurred in Midtown Manhattan on Sunday afternoon. FDNY's Rescue 1 was responding to a two car collision that resulted in one car resting on top of another.

Video of the incident shows the firefighter attempting to stabilize the car on top, a black BMW, the driver of one of the car hit the gas and cause it to fall and pin firefighter Ryan Warnock below.

In a statement, FDNY acting commissioner Laura Kavanagh said: 'As members from Rescue 1 tried to brace and stabilize the car on top and remove the occupants inside, the driver of one of the vehicles hit the gas and caused a car to fall and pin firefighter Ryan Warnock below.'

It's unclear what caused the initial crash.

Just last Tuesday, Warnock was among the heroes who rescued a group of Colombian tourists after their boat capsized on the Hudson River

Video of the incident shows the firefighter attempting to stabilize the car on top, a black BMW

As the SUV begins to move forward, you can see firefighter Ryan Warnock disappearing beneath it

FDNY's Rescue 1 was responding to a two car collision that resulted in one car resting on top of another

Video of the incident shows the firefighter attempting to stabilize the car on top, a black BMW, when it shifted in to drive and began moving forward

It's unclear what caused the initial crash. The driver of the Volvo told DailyMail.com: 'My wife and I were stopped at the light and all of a sudden we felt this impact'

A witness, Ben Arias, said: 'As one of the firefighters was pulling out one of the passengers, one of the passengers barely got out until the car just tipped over on top of the firefighters leg

The driver of the car underneath the BMW, Matthew Wahn, told DailyMail.com: 'My wife and I were stopped at the light and all of a sudden we felt this impact and we saw a car drive up on the side of our vehicle.'

In a separate interview with the New York Post, Wahn said that the driver of the BMW was still in the car when Warnock's leg was crushed.

Wahn went on to tell CBS New York: 'It's absolutely crazy because there was no one behind us at the time. We were the only two cars between the two lights.'

Meanwhile a witness, Ben Arias, told ABC New York: 'As one of the firefighters was pulling out one of the passengers, one of the passengers barely got out until the car just tipped over on top of the firefighters leg.'

Arias told CBS New York that as Warnock was being helped out of the car, he continued trying to rescue the people inside.

The driver of the Volvo, Matthew Wahn, described the crash saying: 'It's absolutely crazy because there was no one behind us at the time'

The unnamed driver of the BMW pictured in the aftermath of the crash, no other injuries were reported as a result of the incident

Matthew Wahn said that the driver of the BMW was still in the car when Warnock's leg was crushed

Firefighter Ryan Warnock pictured during a separate rescue in April 2022

He said: 'You could tell that when they pulled him out, he was definitely in pain, just grabbing his leg, he was in pain, but everyone clapped him, cheered him on when he was on the way to the ambulance because he's a true hero. That's a real New York hero right there.'

Warnock was taken to Bellevue Hospital in serious but stable condition. He is being treated for a broken femur, reports NBC New York.

No other injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

Kavanagh added in her statement: 'Every day, members of our great Department put their lives on the line to protect the residents of our great city. We are grateful for the quick response of our members, whose fast reactions helped remove firefighter Warnock quickly and ensured he got the medical attention he needed.'

Lindelia Vasquez, 47, and Julian Vasquez, 7, from Colombia, died in capsizing on the Hudson River on Tuesday. The pair's exact familial relationship was not made clear, but the NYPD noted that they were not mother and son

Just last Tuesday, Warnock was among the heroes who rescued a group of Colombian tourists after their boat capsized on the Hudson River. There were 13 people on board the boat when the incident happened.

A seven-year-old boy, Julian Vasquez, and a 47-year-old woman, Lindelia Vasquez, drowned in the accident.

Warnock later told the media that he pulled the seven-year-old from under the boat. He said: 'The individual that I found, the small one that I found, was wearing a life vest. Obviously, any time it's a child, it changes maybe your emotional state, but you just have a job to do and you do it.'

Officials believe that it's likely the boat was overloaded causing it to capsize.

Warnock is a third generation firefighter.
One hundred million Covid vaccines could be thrown in the bin in the coming months as Australia's massive stockpile nears expiry - with the country having no country or company to give them away to.

The federal Government bought 255 million jabs at the height of the Covid pandemic - but has only used 60 million - which is less than one-quarter.

Australia donated another 40 million to other nations in the Indo-Pacific region, using UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) to distribute the doses.

Novavax, the most recent Covid vaccine offered to Australians after it received approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in January, was largely avoided by Australians, with a staggering 99 per cent of the government's order going untouched.

Just 162,000 doses of Novavax have been administered in Australia - compared to the 51 million the government ordered.

Just 162,000 doses of Novavax have been administered in Australia - compared to the 51 million the government ordered (stock image)

Critics have questioned why Australia and other wealthy nations ordered an oversupply of vaccines (pictured, workers unloading pallets of Moderna vaccines in 2021)

Novavax was not embraced by Australians, with 99 per cent of the doses (pictured) left unused

Critics have questioned why Australia and other wealthy nations ordered an oversupply of vaccines.

Public Health expert Deborah Gleeson (pictured) said Australia was one of many wealthy countries that had overstocked on their Covid doses and were now dealing with an oversupply of the jabs

Public Health expert Deborah Gleeson, from La Trobe University, told the ABC the country's purchases were over the top.

'Australia really participated in a bigger trend that we've seen worldwide of wealthy countries buying up far more doses of COVID-19 vaccines than they needed early on in the pandemic,' Prof Gleeson said.

'And this is a practice that unfortunately has continued.'

Australia's massive vaccine stockpile could also soon become obsolete as pharmaceutical companies and biotech labs ramp up production and clinical trials of jabs that are variant-specific.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler ordered a review into Australia's vaccine agreements, in the hopes of figuring out what to do with excess supply.

'If it does turn out that we have a surplus, then I'd want to have a range of options in front of us as to what to do with any surplus vaccines we were contractually required to take,' Mr Butler said.

Health Minister Mark Butler (pictured) announced a review into the vaccine agreements last month

Fears about what is left could become obsolete as the new ongoing variant-specific vaccines are revving up production in Australia and worldwide

In an interview with 3AW on July 6, Mr Butler said Australia was naturally facing less demand for Covid vaccines.

'We don't need to be vaccinating 200,000 people a day across the country in the way we did at the peak of the middle of last year because we were so far behind,' he said.

'We really were far behind the rest of the developed world. It took us a while to catch up. Now you're seeing a much lower number of vaccinations being delivered every day.

'The real challenge is to get people lining up to get it. There's more than five million people who are overdue their third dose, so it's more than six months since they had their second dose. They're still overdue their third dose and I encourage them to go out and get it.'

The dose glut comes a year after the federal government shored up vaccine reserves to ensure there were plenty left over if certain ones failed at the height of the pandemic.
Ghana has confirmed two cases of the deadly and highly contagious Marburg virus, which belongs to the same virus family as the one that causes Ebola.

Both Marburg Virus Ghana patients recently passed away in a hospital in the southern Ashanti area, according to a BBC report.

Two patients' samples had a positive preliminary analysis, but they were sent to the Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, for final confirmation. which U.N. The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Ghana's findings were supported by a health agency lab, according to a statement released by WHO on Sunday.

In a statement reported by Reuters, Ghana Health Service (GHS)."Further testing at the Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal has corroborated the results."

A 26-year-old man who entered a hospital on June 26 and passed away on June 27 was the first case. The second patient was a 51-year-old man admitted to the hospital on June 28 and passed away the same day, according to WHO, which also noted that both patients went to the same hospital for treatment.

Before passing away at the hospital, the two patients in southern Ghana's Ashanti area both experienced symptoms like diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting, according to the WHO.

Health Authorities Swift Response for Possible Virus Outbreak

WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Matshidiso Moeti claimed that health authorities "have responded swiftly, getting a head start preparing for a possible outbreak."

"This is good because, without immediate and decisive action, Marburg can easily get out of hand. WHO is on the ground supporting health authorities, and now that the outbreak is declared, we are marshaling more resources for the response," Moeti said, per Global News.

Health officials in the West African nation say 98 people are now under quarantine as suspected contact Marburg Virus Ghana cases.

Read Also: Russian Oil Imports Boom in the Middle East Regardless of Western Sanctions

After Guinea reported a single case discovered in August, this epidemic marks only the second time the disease has been detected in West Africa. Five weeks later, the outbreak in Guinea was officially declared.

According to the WHO, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda have all experienced past outbreaks and isolated cases. Seven individuals perished in the first Marburg outbreak in Germany in 1967.

The international health organization said Angola saw the bloodiest outbreak on record in 2005 when the virus claimed more than 200 lives.

What Are the Symptoms of Marburg Infection?

Marburg Virus can potentially be extremely dangerous and lethal, with case fatality rates in prior outbreaks ranging from 24 to 88%.

According to the WHO, Marburg Virus is disseminated among humans by direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, surfaces, and materials. It is transferred to humans from fruit bats.

Marburg Virus is a serious illness that frequently results in death and has symptoms like headache, fever, muscle pains, vomiting blood, and bleeding.

Although there is currently no cure for Marburg Virus, doctors advise addressing certain symptoms and drinking lots of fluids to increase a patient's chance of survival.

Government representatives are advising the public to stay away from caves and to thoroughly prepare any meat items before eating them.

Related Article: Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Denies Role in Jamal Khashoggi Killing; Joe Biden Laugh at Issues Over Fist-Bump With MBS

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
ANZ will buy smaller rival bank Suncorp for $4.9 billion in a bid to take on a greater share of Australia's home loan market - marking the country's biggest banking deal in 14 years.

Suncorp customers may see little difference in services in the short term, with ANZ committing to keep the company's bank branches open in Queensland, where the bank first opened, for at least three years.

ANZ, one of Australia's big four banks, has also licensed the Suncorp name for five to seven years - meaning bank branches will remain under that name for some time to come.

ANZ is buying Suncorp's banking arm, but not its insurance arm, with ANZ embarking on a $3.5billion capital raising drive from its shareholders to help fund the transaction.

ANZ made a major move on Monday - announcing it will purchase rival bank Suncorp for $4.9billion

ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott said: 'The acquisition of Suncorp Bank will be a cornerstone investment for ANZ and a vote of confidence in the future of Queensland.

ANZ buys Suncorp ANZ buying Suncorp Bank for $4.9billion, which is a $1.3billion goodwill premium over net tangible assets ANZ in trading halt in Australia and New Zealand until July 21 as it embarks on a $3.5billion capital raising from its shareholders ANZ has promised its won't close Suncorp Bank branches or retrench staff for three years ANZ also paying a licence fee to use Suncorp name for at least five years at an average cost of $10million a year Advertisement

'With much of the work to simplify and strengthen the bank completed, and our digital transformation well-progressed, we are now in a position to invest in and reshape our Australian business.

'This will result in a stronger more balanced bank for customers and shareholders.'

Suncorp said its insurance operations in both Australia and New Zealand would not form part of the ANZ transaction, adding its group head office would continue to remain in Queensland.

ANZ's cash purchase of Suncorp Bank for $4.9billion represented a $1.3billion goodwill premium over Suncorp's net tangible assets.

The news has caused a 6.49 per cent surge in Suncorp's share price to $11.82, in the opening half-hour of trade on the Australian Securities Exchange, as the broader S&P/ASX200 went up by 0.75 per cent.

ANZ shares were placed in a trading halt until July 21 in Australia and New Zealand as it embarks on a $3.5billion capital raising.

Shareholders will be eligible for one new ANZ share for every 15 ANZ shares they hold on July 21, at 7pm Melbourne time.

Suncorp customers may see little difference in services in the short term, with ANZ committing to keep the company's bank branches open for at least three years (pictured is a Brisbane branch)

ANZ, with 8.5million customers, is Australia's fourth biggest bank while Suncorp, with 800,000 customers, is the sixth biggest.

Suncorp will also be run as a separate banking entity for three years with ANZ committing to no net job losses or branch closures in Queensland for three years after the transaction is completed.

Clive van Horen will remain as Suncorp Bank chief executive, reporting to Mr Elliott and will join ANZ's Executive Committee once the transaction is done.

Under the deal, ANZ will pay Suncorp Group a licence fee for five to seven years to use its name.

That means ANZ will be paying a minimum fee of $50million to use the Suncorp Bank brand, averaging out at $10 million a year under a brand licence agreement between Suncorp Group and ANZ.

Should this licensing agreement be extended, Suncorp will receive an additional fee of $10 million a year.

Suncorp chairwoman Christine McLoughlin said: 'This proposal has been assessed through the lens of creating value for shareholders and, just as importantly, to ensure there is alignment of purpose and values and positive outcomes for our people and customers.'

ANZ under this deal has promised to allocate $15billion of new lending to support Queensland renewable energy projects and green Olympic Games infrastructure during the coming decade.

ANZ's acquisition of Suncorp marks the biggest takeover of a smaller bank by one of the big four since Westpac in December 2008 acquired St George.

ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott said: 'The acquisition of Suncorp Bank will be a cornerstone investment for ANZ and a vote of confidence in the future of Queensland'

Westpac's then chief executive Gail Kelly had previously run St George, which in 1997 bought Advance Bank.

The Commonwealth Bank in 2008 bought Perth-based lender BankWest and in 2013 completely took over mortgage broker Aussie Home Loans, established by John Symond in 1992.

ANZ will need the approval of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to proceed with the acquisition of Suncorp Bank.

Australia's most major bank acquisitions during the past 25 years have occurred during the first term of a new federal government.
A staggering 17,000 flights have been cancelled at the last minute this year as the aviation crisis continues to scupper summer holiday plans.

The worst offenders are easyJet and British Airways, which have called off about three out of every 100 of their flights within 72 hours of departure.

Budget airlines Ryanair and Jet2 were among those with fewest cancellations  with just one in every thousand of their flights not taking off, according to research for the BBCs Panorama.

Holidaymakers have faced chaos at airports in recent weeks. Disruption is set to get worse from this weekend as most school summer holidays begin.

A staggering 17,000 flights have been cancelled at the last minute this year as the aviation crisis continues to scupper summer holiday plans. Pictured: British Airways plane taking off from London

The worst offenders are easyJet and British Airways , which have called off about three out of every 100 of their flights within 72 hours of departure

Rory Boland, travel editor of Which?, told Panorama: Whats reassuring is that its not all airlines, its not all airports. Before you book, take a look around whats happening in the airport near you and the airlines youre considering.

Airlines UK policy director Rob Griggs told Panorama: I dont think there were wrong decisions made in terms of planning for the summer. Of course, it might be operationally on the day, different things perhaps could be done in different places.

Heathrow, the countrys biggest airport, has capped passenger numbers at 100,000 per day until September 11, leading to more cancellations.

While some in the industry blame Brexit for making staff shortages worse, the government rejects this, pointing to similar staffing problems at airports in other EU countries.

Aviation Minister Robert Courts MP said: At the end of the day, this is a sector that is privately run, privately owned, privately operated, and its for them to get into the sector the people they need.

Panorama: Airport Chaos: Whats Gone Wrong? is on BBC1 at 8.00pm tonight.
You might struggle to believe it with pubs heaving in the sunshine, but the temptation to sink a pint is waning  as research reveals almost a third of all pub visits are now alcohol free.

And the trend for lower alcohol consumption extends to restaurants, too, with 37 per cent of trips out to eat and 29 per cent of pub visits booze-free, according to a report from research firm KAM and tee-total beer producer Lucky Saint.

The figures come amid a wider reduction of alcohol consumption across the UK in recent years, with many doing so for health reasons. In 2019, the NHS found 60 per cent of adults drank up to 14 units per week. But the latest research showed 55 per cent of UK drinkers consume fewer than ten units of alcohol per week.

37 per cent of trips out to eat and 29 per cent of pub visits are now booze-free, according to KAM

Katy Moses, KAM's managing director, said: 'The growth in popularity of the alcohol-free category isn't primarily driven by those who never drink alcohol, but rather the huge number of Brits who simply want to moderate their intake and are looking for a great-tasting alternative.'

A raft of major brewers, including Heineken and Budweiser, have expanded into non-alcoholic beers in recent years.

'The likes of Spain, France and Germany all have at least five times the market share for low and no (alcohol) options compared to the UK' said Luke Boase, founder of non-alcoholic lager brand Lucky Saint

Luke Boase, founder of non-alcoholic lager brand Lucky Saint, said he believes we are at the start 'of a cultural shift in our attitudes towards drinking in the UK'.

The company said it has seen like-for-like growth of 180 per cent since the start of 2021 amid a surge in demand after hospitality operators returned to growth following the pandemic.

He said: 'The likes of Spain, France and Germany all have at least five times the market share for low and no (alcohol) options compared to the UK.

'Consumers want taste and quality, but historically there's not been a product that fits the bill.

'We need to rethink what we understand as a 'non-drinker' in the UK. Those who move fast to tap into this market in the UK will see huge rewards in the coming years.'
She enchanted everyone she met, so it was no surprise to see scores of mourners saying their farewells to Liza Dmitrieva.

In an open casket with her cuddly toys at her feet, the four-year-old lay at peace, as relatives gathered over her.

Her mother Iryna remains in hospital after the Russian airstrike in Vinnytsia, a city with no strategic value, killed Liza in her push chair and at least 23 others.

She enchanted everyone she met, so it was no surprise to see scores of mourners saying their farewells to Liza Dmitrieva

The death of the Downs Syndrome child, whose delightful social media videos had shown how she was prospering despite the war, made her the latest face of Ukraines agony.

Irynas aunt Tetiana Dmytrysyna said after speaking to her in hospital: [Lizas] mother was robbed of the most precious thing she had.

Ms Dmytrysyna added: She remembered that she was reaching for her daughter, and Liza was already dead.

Two other children were killed in the strike, and more than 200 others were injured.

Three of those missing after the attack were found alive in the rubble on Saturday and one person remained missing, the emergency service said.
Body camera footage captured the moment the Uvalde school police chief repeatedly begged an 18-year-old gunman to put down his weapon after he opened fire in a classroom.

Robb Elementary School Police Chief Peter Arredondo was recorded standing outside the classroom trying to negotiate with Salvador Ramos - rather than engage with the mass shooter, who ultimately never responded to his pleas.

Arredondo urged the teen to talk to him, trying to assure him that 'this could be peaceful' and asking him to 'please put your firearm down'.

Despite his efforts, another round of gunshots was heard from the classroom.

'Can you hear me sir?' Arredondo asked following the shots. 'Sir, if you can hear me, please put your firearm down, sir. We don't want anybody else hurt.'

Angry parents and community members have called for Arredondo's termination since the May 24 massacre that left 21 dead.

He was placed on administrative leave last month.

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin disclosed previously that another on-site negotiator had tried calling Ramos but the gunman never answered the phone.

Meanwhile, the Texas House investigative committee released a preliminary report Sunday revealing officials found 'multiple systemic failures' and poor leadership by law enforcement the day of the shooting.

Video shows how Police Chief Peter Arredondo (left) was on his phone in the hallway at Robb Elementary, begging shooter Salvador Ramos to stop his attack

Arredondo, met with no response continued: 'Can you tell me your name, anything that can help please?' But, Ramos did not answer

Arredondo told Ramos 'this could be peaceful' and asked him to 'please pout your firearm down' as he continued to fire shots into the classroom

JUST IN: Exclusive body cam video from the law enforcement response to the Uvalde, TX school shooting. @ShimonPro obtained the video from the city's Mayor.

It shows just how chaotic the situation was: pic.twitter.com/VppNuJ1d7b  Ryan Nobles (@ryanobles) July 17, 2022

The newly-released video showed that Arredondo tried to speak with Ramos several times from the school hallway.

During his initial attempt at communication, Arredondo seemed unaware that Ramos had barricaded himself in a classroom with students.

'Let me know if there's any kids in there or anything,' Arredondo pleaded. 'This could be peaceful.'

The officer, met with no response continued: 'Can you tell me your name, anything that can help please?' But, Ramos did not answer.

Minutes later a 911 dispatcher alerted police that a student had called, revealing children and teachers were trapped with the gunman.

Six minutes later Arredondo is seen trying to open the door to a nearby classroom with a set of keys, but fails to do so.

He passes the keys off to another officer who does make entry into the room. Additional officers, who are more heavily armored, arrive on scene but little action appears to be taken.

Then, another round of shots are fired, prompting Arredondo yet again to plead with the shooter.

'Can you hear me sir?' he asked. 'Sir, if you can hear me, please put your firearm down, sir. We don't want anybody else hurt.'

Someone is heard saying 'I know, I know' and another officer says: 'That's what we're doing, we're trying to get him out.'

It was still at least another 30 minutes before police entered the classroom where Ramos had barricaded himself and killed him.

Arredondo is seen trying to open the door to a nearby classroom with a set of keys, but fails to do so. He passes the keys off to another officer who does make entry into the room

Minutes later, another round of shots are fired, prompting Arredondo yet again to plead with the shooter: 'Can you hear me sir? Sir, if you can hear me, please put your firearm down, sir. We don't want anybody else hurt'

It was still at least another 30 minutes before police entered the classroom where Ramos had barricaded himself and killed him

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin released body camera footage from the mass shooting on Sunday, days after an 82 minute video of the shooting was posted online by the Austin American Statesman and KVUE.

The video documents the apparent confusion Uvalde cops faced on May 24 when Ramos entered a classroom inside Robb Elementary School and began firing - killing 19 students and two teachers inside.

Officers were told that day by Arredondo that the situation had changed from an active shooter situation to one of a barricaded suspect - forcing them to act with more caution even as Ramos continued to fire.

The footage begins with Officer Gazaway standing outside the building at around 12.04pm and slowly entering the building, where several other officers are waiting with their rifles drawn.

Some officers were still waiting outside at the time, chatting by the entrance to the school, while others were chatting in the hallway at the school.

Newly released body camera footage shows the apparent confusion Uvalde cops at the scene of the Robb Elementary School shooting on May 24 were facing

Some cops could be seen chatting outside as others waited inside the hallway with their guns pointed down the hallway

Throughout the video, Officer Gazaway paces back and forth - apparently looking for someone to give him instructions as gunman Salvador Ramos, 18, continues to shoot

At around 12.08pm, the footage goes dark, only to return moments later to show more cops standing inside the hallway, apparently waiting for orders about what to do.

For the next several minutes, Gazaway seems to pace up and down the hall apparently looking for someone to give him direction, as sergeants can be seen pointing and talking to some of the officers.

There is no sound in the footage, so it is unclear what they were saying.

By around 12.19pm more officers seemed to be gathered in the hallway after some abandoned their post outside.

One man in a blue checkered shirt was even wearing a ballistic vest identifying him as 'Sheriff.'

Meanwhile, a man with a 'Texas Ranger' vest continued to bark orders at the officers, but soon he leaves the building talking on his phone.

Finally at around 12.21pm a swarm of officers could be seen running down the hallway, apparently toward classrooms 111 and 112, where Ramos was firing.

The video ends with Border Patrol agents finally entering the classrooms, where they would fatally shoot Ramos.

Community members and state police officials alike have sharply criticized the leadership of Pete Arredondo. Michael Brown, an Uvalde community member who has a child that was enrolled at Robb Elementary, is seen holding signs calling for police accountability on Sunday

The new body camera footage comes amid the release of a 77-page report by the Texas House of Representatives which holds state and federal cops largely responsible for the Uvalde massacre. Vincent Salazar, grandfather of Layla Salazar who was killed in the shooting, is seen holding the report on Sunday

The footage comes amid the release of a 77-page report by the Texas House of Representatives which holds state and federal cops largely responsible for the Uvalde school massacre.

The House probe marked the most exhaustive attempt so far to determine why it took more than an hour for police and other officers to confront and kill Ramos.

The report blasted 'system failures and egregious poor decision making' by nearly all those in power during the attack, noting how 376 law enforcement officers rushed to the school in a chaotic scene marked by a lack of clear leadership and sufficient urgency.

'Other than the attacker, the Committee did not find any "villains" in the course of its investigation,' the report stated. 'Instead, we found systemic failures and egregious poor decision making.'

'The void of leadership could have contributed to the loss of life as injured victims waited over an hour for help, and the attacker continued to sporadically fire his weapon.'

It also claimed the 149 US Border Patrol agents and 91 state police on the scene should have helped with the 'unfolding chaos.'

'There was an overall lackadaisical approach by law enforcement at the scene,' the report read. 'For many, that was because they were given and relied upon inaccurate information. For others, they had enough information to know better.'

The bottom line, the report found, is that 'law enforcement responders failed to adhere to their active shooter training, and they failed to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety.'

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin said in an emailed statement that the city had placed Lieutenant Mariano Pargas, who was the acting city policy chief on the day of the shooting, on administrative leave.

Tina Quintanilla-Taylor raises her and and voice as she tries to ask a question of the Texas House investigative committee at a news conference after they released its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School on Sunday

State police officials have sharply criticized the leadership of Arredondo, the police chief of the school district's six-man police force, who state police have said was in control of the scene.

But the report noted that hundreds of officers from agencies that were better trained and better equipped than the school police force badly failed, too.

'Despite an obvious atmosphere of chaos, the ranking officers of other responding agencies did not approach (Arredondo) or anyone else perceived to be in command to point out the lack of and need for a command post, or to offer that specific assistance,' the report stated.

'These local officials were not the only ones expected to supply the leadership needed during this tragedy.'

'Hundreds of responders from numerous law enforcement agencies - many of whom were better trained and better equipped than the school district police - quickly arrived on the scene.'

Salvador Ramos, 18, (pictured) shot and killed 19 students and two teachers while cops held back for over an hour during the Uvalde massacre on May 24

'In this crisis, no responder seized the initiative to establish an incident command post,' the report said.

'Despite an obvious atmosphere of chaos, the ranking officers of other responding agencies did not approach the Uvalde CISD chief of police or anyone else perceived to be in command to point out the lack of and need for a command post, or to offer that specific assistance.'

The report also found that the Robb Elementary School failed to adhere to a number of basic safety protocols, which included a lack of keys leading to teachers regularly leaving doors unlocked or propping them open.

Door and lock maintenance did not receive adequate attention from the school district, the report noted, pointing out that though the lock in one of the rooms where the shooting took place was known to be unreliable, it was not repaired.

'In particular the locking mechanism to Room 111 was widely known to be faulty, yet it was not repaired,' the report said.

'The problem with locking the door had been reported to school administration, yet no one placed a written work order for a repair.'

Unreliable Wi-Fi in parts of the school also led to a poor use of an app intended to notify the school of a lockdown in the event of an emergency.

Teachers also often responded without urgency to lockdown notifications on the app because they were desensitized by its overuse in situations involving nearby border patrol activity.

Robb Elementary is located about one hour from the US-Mexico border, and teachers would often be notified about illegal migrants who were being pursued by border patrol in the area.

There were 47 'lockdown' events at the school between May and February, 90 percent of which concerned border patrol activity.

The Active Shooter Response Card officers are supposed to follow. The investigation committee found that many of the basic steps outlined in it, such as assuming a position of command, were not completed by officers at the scene of the shooting

The emergency report app used by the Uvalde school district. The report found that its overuse from frequent nearby border patrol issues led to teachers not taking the app and its protocols seriously

Additionally, the report revealed that Ramos provided a number of warning signs that he was dangerous, but that nobody did anything to address them.

In one incident, Ramos sent someone a message on Instagram on April 2 saying 'Are you still gonna remember me in 50 something days?'

'Probably not' the person responded.

'Hmm alright we'll see in may,' Ramos said back.

He was also obsessed with gore and violent sex online, posting videos of suicides and beheadings, and harassing women who he played video games with.

He was also fired from his job at a Whataburger after threatening a female coworker.

Despite his violent behavior, no red flags were raised about Ramos and he was never reported to authorities.

An April text conversation between Salvador Ramos and a friend who proposed traveling to Uvalde for a visit later in the summer. 'If it's before may 23rd I'm down,' Ramos wrote. He committed the massacre on May 24

A conversation Ramos had with an online friend based in Germany in which he described shooting his grandmother in the face in real time

The report is the result of one of several investigations into the shooting, including another led by the Justice Department.

A report earlier this month by tactical experts at Texas State University alleged that a Uvalde police officer had a chance to stop the gunman before he went inside the school armed with an AR-15.

But in an example of the conflicting statements and disputed accounts since the shooting, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin has said that never happened. That report had been done at the request of the Texas Department of Public Safety, which McLaughlin has increasingly criticized and accused of trying to minimize the role of its troopers during the massacre.

Steve McCraw, the head of Texas DPS, has called the police response an abject failure.

The video showed in harrowing detail how police lingered in the hallway outside the classroom where Ramos was holed up for over an hour as they were ordered to stand down by Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Chief Peter Arredondo.

Arredondo was placed on leave after the shooting before resigning from his post.

Meanwhile, calls for police accountability have grown in Uvalde since the shooting. So far, Arredondo is the only officer from the scene of the deadliest school shooting in Texas history is known to be on leave.

While Ramos could be heard unloading shots in a classroom, officers could be seen running away from the gunfire, checking their phones, helping themselves to hand sanitizer, and exchanging high fives.

Uvalde School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo

At one point an officer whose daughter was inside the classroom was seen being restrained by fellow officers preventing him from attempting to rescue his daughter.

The video shows how it took officers a full 77-minutes to breach the door to the classrooms where Ramos unloaded more than 100 rounds into his victims.

Ramos entered the school at 11:33am, and wasn't shot dead until 12:50pm.

The gunman wasn't stopped until Border Patrol agents entered the building and shot and killed him.

The video begins at 11:28 am from the point of view of a camera in the Robb Elementary School parking lot.

It shows Ramos violently swerving his car around a corner and crashing into a ditch in the distance. A plume of dusty smoke emerges from the scene of the crash.

Two unknown men approach the car, Ramos responds by firing shots at the them.

The two men run for their lives, across the road and toward Robb Elementary School.

Two minutes later, a teacher is heard telling a 911 operator: 'I do not see him. I cannot see him.' The camera switches to a camera pointing at Robb Elementary School. She says: 'The kids are running. Oh my God.'

Her voice breaks in desperation as she cries: 'Oh my God.'

A minute-by-minute break down of how cops waited outside class while kids called 911 after gunman walked through door that had been propped open by a teacher 11.28am: Gunman crashes truck, gets out of car with AR-15. He is seen by witnesses in a funeral home next to the school who tell 911 they see a man with a gun walking towards the school 11.31: Gunman is now in the parking lot of the school hiding in between vehicles, shooting at the building 11.32: School resource officer who arrives in a patrol car after hearing 911 call about truck crash drives past the shooter 11.33: Gunman enters the school and begins shooting into room 111/room 112. He shoots more than 100 rounds 11.35: Three police officers enter the same propped-open door as the suspect from the Uvalde PD. They were later followed by another four, making total of seven officers on scene. Three initial officers went directly to the door and got grazing wounds from him while the door was closed. They hang back 11.37: Another 16 rounds fired inside the classroom by the gunman 11.51: Police sergeant and USB agents arrive 12.03: Officers continue to arrive in the hallway. As many as 19 officers in that hallway at that time. At the same time, a girl from inside the classroom calls 911 and whispers that she is in room 112 12.10pm: The same girl calls back and advises 'there are multiple dead' 12.13pm: The same girl calls again 12.16pm: The same girl calls 911 for the fourth time in 13 minutes asking for help 12.15pm: BORTAC (SWAT) members arrive with shields 12.16pm: The same unidentified girl calls 911 and says there are '8-9 students alive' in classroom 112 12.19pm: A different child from classroom 111 calls. She hangs up when another student tells her to in order to be quiet 12.21pm: Gunman fires again 12.26pm: One of the girls who previously called 911 calls back again. She says the shooter has just 'shot at the door' 12.43pm: The girl on that girl is still on the line. She says 'please send the police now' 12.50pm: Police finally breach the door using keys from the janitor and kill gunman 12.51pm Officers start moving children out of the room Advertisement

Shortly after that, Ramos fires off random rounds at the school from the parking lot.

The teacher instructs the students to 'get down, get in your rooms, get in your rooms.'

The camera switches again to footage captured by a witness who recorded Ramos calmly walking into the school, carrying an AR-15.

Within the same minute, the camera switches to surveillance video from inside the the hallways of Robb Elementary School.

The light beams from the doorway as Ramos enters an empty hallway.

Before getting to a corner, he stalls for a second as if to check if he's going the right way.

As he begins to disappear down a wide hallway, he drops his gun by his side to brush back his long hair en route to classrooms 111 and 112 where the massacre unfolded.

From the foreground, a young boy comes into the shot. He turns a corner and stands frozen for a few seconds. Next, loud gunfire his heard.

The boy can be seen running away, with his arms apparently flailing.

A message appears on the screen saying: 'The gunman fires his AR-15 inside two classrooms for two and a half minutes.'

Three minutes later, the first police officers arrive on the scene, three cops, two uniformed and one plain clothes charge towards the class room before crouching in the hallway as four others calmly stay back.

The four officers who stay back talk to each other. Their conversation is inaudible.

Three loud bangs are then heard.

After they hear gunfire, the two uniformed cops retreat slightly while the plain clothes officer scurries all the way to safety behind a wall, checking his clothes to see if he has been hit by the volley of rounds.

One could even be seen pulling his cellphone out of his pocket, apparently to check the time. Others, the Statesman reports, sent texts and looked at floor plans as precious minutes ticked by.

A full 19 minutes after the first officers attempted to engage Ramos, the first heavy reinforcements arrive as cops with long guns, tactical gear and a ballistic shield are shown in the hallway. They remain a safe distance from Ramos.

One officer leans the shield safely against a wall.

A little over half an hour after the 911 call went in, more officers, clad in combat gear, armed with long guns and ballistic shields, pile into the hallway. They do not attempt to engage Ramos.

Ramos then goes on to shoot off four more rounds, 48 minutes after first arriving at the school. There is little initial reaction from the assembled members of law enforcement. The phrase: 'Shots fired' is repeated.

There is more inaudible conversation as officers finally begin to march down the hallway toward Ramos.

One leading the way appears to be wearing civilian clothing, including shorts and a bullet proof vest. He is armed with a rifle.

The more heavily armored officers hide behind him.

An officer in civilian clothing and bullet proof vest and helmet obtains hand sanitizer from a dispenser.

After more than half an hour, other officers could be seen entering the building with ballistic shields and rifles pointed down the hallway to the classrooms where Ramos is hiding out.

Finally, officers breach the classroom and engage Ramos, quickly killing him. A full 77 minutes after the nightmare began.
A Virgin flight attendant who was accused of falling asleep on the job and taking snacks from a flight before she was fired has won back her job.

DeVania Blackburn took the airline to the Fair Work Commission claiming she was unfairly dismissed when she was dumped as cabin crew supervisor on July 21, 2021.

Ms Blackburn had been working for the airline for 14 years and was accused of breaching several codes of conduct between January and March 2021.

A Virgin flight attendant who was accused of falling asleep on the job and taking snacks from her flights before she was fired has won back her job (stock image)

DeVania Blackburn took the airline to the Fair Work Commission claiming she was unfairly dismissed when she was dumped as cabin crew supervisor on July 21, 2021

She was accused of taking an 'armful' of snacks from the plane, packing them into her crew esky and leaving with them following a flight.

The airline accused Ms Blackburn of failing to follow the dress code, claiming she turned up for a shift without makeup, messy hair and chipped nail polish.

On another occasion the airline claimed she did not wear stockings.

In the FWC documents, a witness said they saw Ms Blackburn fast asleep in a plane seat after first spotting her watching her iPad back on January 31, 2021.

The witness, a Virgin colleague, also accused Ms Blackburn of refusing to return to her seat assigned for cabin crew as the plane was preparing to land.

Ms Blackburn was also accused by Virgin of being late to work on three separate occasions with carpark logs showing she was almost one-and-a-half hours late to work on March 9, 2021.

Ms Blackburn was suspended on March 9, 2021, before she was fired months later.

She then filed an unfair dismissal complaint to the Fair Work Commission, claiming she was not given procedural fairness.

Ms Blackburn argued against Virgin's allegations, claiming it was common practice for staff to take snacks from the plane.

'After flight duty not once did I get asked if I had any items from onboard, nor did I get asked what was in my crew bag,' Ms Blackburn wrote.

She also said she had to lie down across a passenger row because she was too unwell to sit in a jumpseat, a rigid chair designed for take-off and landing, and was suffering from 'dizziness and light headedness' and didn't want to block an exit if she fainted.

She also refuted Virgin's allegations she had not followed the airline's strict grooming procedures.

'I know I had my grooming standards exceeded with my nails just done professionally, my make-up included nude tones and my staple process being bronzer, mascara and lip gloss,' Ms Blackburn wrote in her submission.

'My hair had just been straightened and in an up-style meeting LookBook standards.

'I feel these allegations are made out of spite and with no substance as not once did anyone mention any advice or any issue with my grooming.

'As a team we are to look after each other or correct any errors observed to ensure policies and procedures are followed.'

A flight attendant also claimed they found Ms Blackburn sitting in the passenger area and watching a movie on her iPad while they were working (stock image)

Commissioner Paula Spencer found Ms Blackburn's dismissal was 'harsh, unjust and unreasonable'.

Ms Blackburn had been off work for a long period of time and the issues resulting in her termination were on her first return to duties and all occurred in 'close proximity and dealt with on an aggregate basis'.

'When regard is had for all of those circumstances, alternative performance management to remedy the conduct, prior to the escalation of the disciplinary procedure to the level of dismissal, was warranted,' Commissioner Spencer found.

'(Ms Blackburn) is a long-serving, experienced employee who had risen to the level of supervisor. The termination of employment, whilst based on a valid reason, was unfair considering all of these factors.'

Commissioner Spencer ordered Virgin to give Ms Blackburn her job back.

Ms Blackburn also asked the FWC to get Virgin to pay her wages for the entire time she was off work but the commission did not grant her that order.

'However, the wages paid in lieu of notice is not recoverable by Virgin,' the commission said.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Virgin Australia for comment.
A demonstration by Extinction Rebellion won a humorous message of apparent support from leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt.

Miss Mordaunt shared a video of activists dancing in sync to the 1977 Bee Gees hit Stayin Alive on the streets of Melbourne, Australia.

Alongside the clip from Australia in October 2019, Miss Mordaunt referenced the antics of the British protesters and said: Ha, I see your giant pink octopus, youve glued yourself to the tarmac, your fake blood-loaded fire engine and I raise you... this.

Mob mentality: Protesters dancing in the street in Melbourne in 2019

The MP for Portsmouth North added supportive hashtags to her message, including now thats what I call a protest and the tongue-in-cheek Civil Disco-bedience.

Extinction Rebellion carried out a string of demonstrations in London in the summer and autumn of 2019.

A week before Miss Mordaunts tweet, the campaign group used a fire engine to spray fake blood over the Treasury building in Whitehall.

The blockading of several locations around Westminster led to 135 protesters being arrested.

In the video shared by Miss Mordaunt, protesters in bright clothing danced in the street waving flags with the Extinction Rebellion logo.

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi agreed with Miss Mordaunt, replying to her message: Now that is tempting to get moving to, its either me or Dom C leading the dance off! in a reference to Boris Johnsons former chief adviser Dominic Cummings.
Imagine a Sliding Doors scenario in which, instead of plunging their daggers into Boris Johnson's back, Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid had done the decent thing and shown their leader some loyalty.

In this parallel universe, Tory MPs would be happily dreaming about where to spend summer recess and the name of Chris Pincher, the Carlton Club groper, would already have been relegated to the status of an obscure pub-quiz question.

In charge would still be their charismatic and vote-winning PM, to whom many owed their jobs following his storming landslide victory less than three years ago.

And the Mail would wager that he'd have similarly wiped the floor with Sir Keir Starmer (aka 'Captain Crasheroony Snoozefest') and the fringe parties hoping to join him in a coalition of broad Left bedlam.

Whoever the Tories choose to replace Boris Johnson will be second best

Instead, alas, the Tory MPs chose strife and self-mutilation over stability.

The sad truth is that whoever they choose to replace Boris will be second best. But they mustn't make a bad situation worse by denying the grassroots a genuine choice.

A poll from the influential Conservative Home website shows that more than half of members favour one of the two remaining centre-Right candidates  Liz Truss and Kemi Badenoch.

Yet there is a serious danger that neither will make the shortlist of two, decided on by Tory MPs before being passed to the membership for a final decision. That would stink of a Westminster stitch-up.

Both the other leading candidates, Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, are on the social democratic wing of the party, prepared to raise taxes to balance the books rather than slash the bloated state.

In the ITV candidates' debate last night, the dividing lines began to widen.

The adversarial format clearly suited an energised Miss Truss, who put Mr Sunak firmly on the spot over low growth and the fact that taxes have risen to 1940s, post-war levels on his watch.

Mrs Badenoch, meanwhile, attacked the former Chancellor over stratospheric levels of Covid fraud.

In an impressive performance she also embarrassed Miss Mordaunt again over her support for gender self-identification.

Miss Mordaunt's early lustre really has faded rapidly as more has become known about her record.

Two former bosses have expressed grave reservations about her competence. And it now emerges that as a Cabinet Office minister she met the head of the Muslim Council of Britain, in defiance of a Government boycott.

Either Miss Mordaunt was ignorant of the ban, in which case she was negligent, or she flouted it, which would make her irresponsible. Either failing could be disastrous in a PM.

Mr Sunak repeated his warning that to cut taxes now would be unwise, promising only jam tomorrow. Does he understand that people are facing genuine hardship?

In contrast, Miss Truss demonstrated her passionate commitment to low-tax, small-state Conservatism, by promising to ease the burden on hard-pressed families immediately, rather than waiting for some hypothetical future date.

Significantly, the Conservative Home poll suggests she would beat either Mr Sunak or Miss Mordaunt if she were to make the final run-off. True, Mrs Badenoch is a shining prospect for the future, but giving the top job to someone so inexperienced would be a dangerous leap of faith.

However, if both women were to be excluded from the final ballot, the membership would justifiably feel they've been betrayed by a Westminster clique.

So when the next election comes round, and their MP asks them to stuff envelopes, organise rallies and knock on doors, they might find they have better things to do.
Anthony Albanese has ruled out scrapping the seven-day Covid isolation period that's placing huge pressure on Australian businesses, hospitals and schools - with the NSW premier warning the rule could continue for up to two years.

Mr Albanese on Monday insisted he would not change the country's policy and positive cases will still need to self-quarantine for a week for the foreseeable future - despite Australians with the flu being free from isolating.

'The advice from the Chief Medical Officer ... was that now is certainly not the time for (the isolation period) to be reconsidered,' Mr Albanese told Adelaide Radio fiveAA.

'That's something that health officials will continue to look at, but given the increasing spread of the Covid, now's not the time to change those provisions which are there.'

NSW premier Dominic Perrottet has pushed for a review of the week-long isolation rule, suggesting it be cut to five days, with the premier raising the issue at national cabinet on Saturday.

The UK, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania and Switzerland no longer have isolation, while positive cases are only 'recommended' to self-quarantine for five days in the United States.

Anthony Albanese has ruled out scrapping the seven-day isolation period despite the prime minister facing increasing pressure to dump it

Mr Albanese insisted he would not make any changes and that positive cases would still need to self-quarantine for the foreseeable future

Mr Perrottet said bureaucrats have warned him the seven day isolation rule may be in place for another two years.

The Premier hopes isolation rules will be relaxed by September.

'We need to look at reducing that period of time, because Covid is not going away. The advice we have received is that it will be here for another couple of years.'

'As we move through the next phase of the pandemic we need to balance up the competing health issues - mental health issues, educational outcomes for our children, allowing people the opportunity to go to work.'

'We need to get to a point culturally where there is a greater acceptance that if you're sick and you have flu-like symptoms, you don't go to work, you stay home until you're better.

'Now that's culturally been something in the past but we need a greater emphasis on it so we can move away from mandates.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews agreed the isolation period should be reviewed some time down the track.

'I don't think it's common sense [just yet],' he said.

NSW premier Dominic Perrottet has pushed for a review of the seven-day isolation rule with the premier raising the issue at national cabinet on Saturday

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews agreed the isolation period should be reviewed some time down the track

AUSTRALIA KEEPS SEVEN-DAY ISOLATION AS WORLD MOVES ON Australia is doubling down on mandatory isolation as other countries around the globe move towards abandoning them altogether - and it's costing taxpayers $800million. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came under fire last week for back-flipping on a decision to scrap $750-a-week payments for casual workers and people without sick leave benefits who are forced into isolation for seven days. He was pressured to bring back the payments after refusing to budge on mandatory isolation, and encouraged people to wear face masks. However, the UK, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania and Switzerland no longer have isolation, while positive cases are only 'recommended' to self-quarantine for five days in the United States. Countries such as Sweden no longer categorise Covid as a 'critical illness'. Mr Albanese argued the isolation period was necessary to combat surging Covid cases and ease pressure on hospitals, despite a large portion of the strain coming from influenza cases. In the 24 hours to Friday morning, 43,491 new cases of Covid were reported across Australia. There were 65,770 confirmed cases of the flu within the same period. There is no mandatory isolation period for influenza, and no payments for casual workers off sick with the flu. Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said on Monday that government officials calling for the reintroduction of mask mandates need to 'move on'. 'Anyone advocating for mandates needs to move on from that because unless significant things change with  the way this virus behaves, we're not going to be bringing in restrictions or mandates,' he told Sky News. Dr Coatsworth said antiviral medication and booster shots were significantly more effective than face masks. Mr Albanese had earlier said the $750-a-week pandemic leave disaster payment would not be reinstated past June 30. However, he announced on Saturday that it would be made available again from Wednesday and would extend to September 30. Advertisement

'Even [Perrottet's] own position at national cabinet on Saturday was not that it should occur right now in the middle of winter, but at some point.

'We will get to that point at sometime in the future where we don't have to isolate. But in the middle of winter, that's not the right thing to do.'

Access to COVID-19 isolation payments will resume from later this week as health authorities try to stop the rising spread of virus cases across the country.

Employees who have tested positive for the virus and need to isolate from their jobs can receive the $750 payment, which will be available from Wednesday.

It comes after the federal government agreed to extend the isolation payments to the end of September. The scheme had expired on June 30.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the payments were reinstated following health advice on growing numbers of COVID-19 cases caused by a more infectious strain of the Omicron sub-variant.

He said the federal government would work collaboratively alongside the state and territory governments in helping to manage the third wave of Omicron cases.

The return of the isolation payments will come with a $780 million price tag, but the cost will be split among the federal, state and territory governments.

The government initially said it did not want to reintroduce the payments due to pressure on the federal budget.

Dominic Perrottet says he's hoping that isolation requirements for Covid-19 can be reduced by the end of September

With the rise in COVID cases, PM Anthony Albanese says the isolation period will not be reviewed

Mr Albanese has not indicated whether the September 30 deadline for the payments would be extended.

Case numbers are continuing to increase as a result of the BA.4 and BA.5 strains of Omicron.

Over the weekend, more than 78,000 new cases of COVID-19 were registered, with 107 deaths recorded.

More than 337,000 active cases were reported, while 4700 people were in hospital with the virus.

Experts have said the peak of the fresh wave of Omicron isn't expected to hit until at least the end of July.

There's been a 99 per cent rise in hospitalisations with COVID in the state since June 22.
A teenage boy has died in hospital after an electric scooter crash on a suburban footpath in Logan, south of Brisbane.

The 15-year-old hit his head and was rushed to hospital after coming off the e-scooter at about 8.30am on Basalt Drive in Yarrabilba on Tuesday last week.

He died at Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane on Sunday after sustaining critical injuries.

A teenage boy has died in hospital after an electric scooter crash on a suburban footpath in Logan, south of Brisbane (Pictured is a stock image of a man riding an e-scooter)

Witnesses attempted CPR on the young boy while they waited for paramedics to attend.

The accident occurred near the Yarrabiliba State Secondary College where the 15-year-old was a student.

He was rushed to the hospital in Brisbane where he had been until Sunday when he tragically died.

The area's forensic crash unit are investigation the scene and are preparing a report for the coroner.

Local police are asking anyone with any footage of the devastating crash to come forward.

The incident follows a move by the state government to improve rider safety through tighter regulation for e-scooters.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey last month said the government would put in place speed limits on some footpaths, mandate warning devices and increase penalties for high-risk behaviours.

The new regulations are due to be introduced by the end of 2022.

Earlier this year the government announced speeds would be halved to 12 km/h on footpaths.

Mr Bailey said it was hard to ignore the popularity of e-scooters and they weren't going anywhere as a transport option.
The trial of Steve Bannon, a former adviser to former US President Donald Trump, will begin with jury selection on Monday. He is accused of criminal contempt of Congress after he refused for months to comply with the House committee probing into the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

Bannon is accused of violating a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee that demanded his documents and testimony, per ABC News.

One month after the Justice Department received a congressional referral, he was charged with two counts of criminal contempt of Congress in November. Each count entails a sentence of at least 30 days and up to a year of imprisonment.

Bannon's trial comes after a whirlwind of action in the case since July 9. The former White House adviser gave the committee notice that he is now prepared to appear over a week ago. Robert Costello, his attorney, claimed that the adjustment was necessary because Trump had renounced his claim to executive privilege barring the testimony.

Bannon, 68, is one of a select group of individuals the House committee has held in contempt and was one of the first possible witnesses to the Jan. 6 committee.

Trump Hinders the Investigation

According to CNN, the committee wanted to obtain his records and question him because Bannon had contact with Trump, was present when the riot broke out in the so-called Trump allies' war room at the Willard Hotel in Washington and predicted that "all hell" was "going to break loose" on his podcast before the incident.

In its report of filing a contempt resolution against Bannon, the House committee stated: "In short, Mr. Bannon appears to have played a multi-faceted role in the events of January 6th, and the American people are entitled to hear his first-hand testimony regarding his actions."

Even as a past president, Trump has regularly invoked executive privilege to try to hinder witness testimony and the disclosure of White House records.

The committee also underlined that Bannon was a private individual when he advised the then-president during the events leading to the unrest because Trump had dismissed him from the White House in 2017.

Read Also: Indiana Mall Shooting: Gunman Kills Multiple People, Injures Others Before Being Shot by Armed "Good Samaritan"

Bannon Tries To Put Off His Trial

Bannon has made moves to try to postpone the trial as per a report from The Guardian. He has done this by lately volunteering to speak before the committee and by invoking the exposure generated by the committee's public hearings. The move was an effort to delay the trial according to the prosecution.

In separate hearings last week, District Judge Carl Nichols rejected requests to postpone the trial, including one on Thursday when Bannon's attorneys voiced concerns about a CNN report that has since been broadcast about their client and what they claimed were unfavorable remarks made during a hearing last week by the House committee looking into the riot.

Referring to the inquiry of individual jurors before the selection, Judge Nichols said: "I am cognizant of current concerns about publicity and bias and whether we can seat a jury that is going to be appropriate and fair, but as I said before, I believe the appropriate course is to go through the voir dire process."

In his case, Bannon had also tried to bring notable Democrats like Nancy Pelosi as witnesses, but it now seems more challenging for him to do so in light of Judge Nichols' decisions.

Related Article: Bernie Sanders Condemns Joe Manchin for "Intentionally Sabotaging" Joe Biden's Agenda That Democrats Negotiate for Months

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A TikTok star who was slammed for offering a shopper flowers in a Melbourne mall initially thought she was 'really grateful'.

Harrison Pawluk was last week forced to offer an apology after that woman, 'Maree', complained the viral video - now viewed 64million times - had 'dehumanised' her.

Before that backlash, the 22-year social media influencer told the American CBS News channel that woman was initially really happy to receive the bouquet and cried.

'When I filmed the viral video where I gave the lady flowers, I actually had no idea how her reaction was but then when I saw her reaction and she actually cried, I was like wow, it really just made me feel some type of way,' he said.

'I remember afterwards, I actually went back up to her and she was really grateful and just so happy and I know that's just something she's really going to remember for the rest of her life.

'It just makes my heart feel full and happy just to give back, it's just something that's always been something that's just made me smile.'

Social media influencer offers apology Harrison Pawluk's manager Taylor Reilly offered an apology to Maree 'He whole-heartedly apologises to Maree if she was offended by what he did and urges her to contact him privately so he can personally apologise. 'If she requests him to take down the video he will do that 'He would not want something designed to spread love and compassion to cause anyone concern' Advertisement

Pawluk was mistaken. Weeks later, Maree revealed she was far from grateful, with the woman last week telling ABC Melbourne broadcaster Virginia Trioli she was offended by the stunt.

Pawluk interrupted Maree as she drank a takeaway cup of coffee in the Emporium Melbourne mall, and asked her to hold the bouquet the June 21 video.

'Sorry to bother you, is it OK if you can just hold these?' he asked.

Pawluk then put his backpack on the ground and pulled out a black parka before walking off and leaving Maree with the flowers.

'Have a lovely day,' he said as a friend filmed Maree watching him walk away with bemusement before her expression changed to one that was wrongly interpreted as sadness.

Maree said: 'At first it was just a bit of a joke to me and then I've sort of felt dehumanised.

'It really doesn't even seem like it's me now, it's just this person, it's just not really me, I don't really even take it personally anymore but I just think that other women, especially older women should be aware that if it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody.

'I suppose I am a bit offended, really, to tell you the truth.'

Pawluk's manager Taylor Reilly offered an apology to Maree and said Pawluk would be prepared to take down the video, which still remains on his @lifeofharrison TikTok account with 64.1million viewers and 12million likes.

'He whole-heartedly apologises to Maree if she was offended by what he did and urges her to contact him privately so he can personally apologise,' he said in a statement.

'If she requests him to take down the video he will do that.

'He would not want something designed to spread love and compassion to cause anyone concern.'

Pawluk, a university business student who works in retail, regularly offers random acts of kindness in his TikTok videos, from buying flowers to paying for groceries of unsuspecting customers.

Maree, who doesn't use social media, said the TikTok portrayal of the incident being a random act of kindness was wrong.

'These artificial things are not random acts of kindness really,' she said.

'It's really not about me anymore, I just think this whole idea that this is a random act of kindness is to be challenged.'

Harrison Pawluk, 22, interrupted Maree as she drank a takeaway cup of coffee in the Emporium Melbourne mall, and asked her to hold the bouquet - before leaving it with her and wishing her a nice day

Before that backlash, the 22-year social media influencer told the American CBS News channel that woman was initially really happy to receive the bouquet and cried

Maree said she noticed another young man had been filming the interaction.

'I said, "Did you film that? They said, "No, no". They obviously had.'

Maree said she didn't even like the flowers.

'They just sort of looked at me and I actually even said to them - it was a friendly discussion - "Do you want these flowers, I don't really want them" and I didn't want to carry them home in a tram really, to be quite frank.

'They weren't to my taste, really.

'They didn't want them but the person - I now know as Harrison - came along at that stage and said something about "I hope you enjoy the flowers" and off they went and that was it.'

Maree said she felt worse after articles were written about the video, including by this masthead.

Maree (pictured) who featured in the viral TikTok video receiving flowers from a young stranger said she felt 'dehumanised' by the experience

The influencer told Daily Mail Australia a recent trip to Los Angeles (pictured) where he witnessed poverty inspired him to make videos featuring acts of kindness

Pawluk's 21-year-old manager Taylor Reilly (pictured), who negotiates sponsorship, told Daily Mail Australia said his videos featuring acts of kindness were usually well received

'There I was, this pathetic old woman, drinking her cup, out of a cardboard cup - it was just late in the day and they weren't giving out proper glasses,' she said.

'It's all part of the nastiness of social media, isn't it?'

Pawluk, who has three million social media followers, last month told Daily Mail Australia he was inspired by witnessing homelessness during a recent trip to LA.

'I was recently inspired to change the nature of my content and use my platform to do some good and spread some kindness,' he said.

'Not enough creators utilise their platforms for good.

'I want to hopefully use mine as a vessel spreading good and hopefully inspiring a few people along the way.'

Pawluk's TikTok and YouTube videos are making him about $10,000 to $15,000 a month through brand partnerships and sponsored posts.

'My new goal is to find like minded businesses that want to also spread kindness to partner with me,' he said.
Florida's Democratic gubernatorial candidate received a less-than-warm welcome from liberal protesters demonstrating against restrictive abortion laws on Saturday - who chased him off when he attempted to show his support.

Pro-abortion protesters shouted over Rep. Charlie Crist's attempts to speak to them outside of an event in Tampa on Saturday, chanting: 'Democrats, we call your bluff! Voting blue is not enough!'

Crist then made his escape from the site of the protest, heading to a waiting car. During his exit, Crist continued to wave and smile at the protesters.

When asked about the reaction, Crist told reporters: 'Everybody needs help, and I'm here to help.'

The reaction is not a good sign for Rep. Crist who is aiming to win the Democratic nomination on August 23 to take on Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida's gubernatorial election this fall.

Many liberals and leftists have complained that Democrats are not doing enough to protect their basic rights and enact key policy such as student loan relief. The overturning of Roe vs Wade has pushed many progressives to demand action now, and reject Nancy Pelosi and other establishment Dems calls to simply vote Blue to fix the problems.

Scroll down for video

Rep. Charlie Crist was rebuffed as he repeatedly tried to engage with protesters in Tampa on Saturday

Demonstrators shouted at Crist: 'Democrats, we call your bluff! Voting blue is not enough!'

Despite being shouted down by the protesters, Crist continued to wave and smile

After escaping to the safety of his car, Crist told a reporter: 'Everybody needs help, and I'm here to help'

Some Democratic officials including gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist and Sen. Janet Cruz - in town for a FL Democrats event happening this weekend - tried to stand with the protesters but were chased off to chants of Voting blue is not enough Democrats we call your bluff pic.twitter.com/54hvmK87Xx  Stephanie Colombini (@Steph_Colombini) July 16, 2022

I followed @CharlieCrist to his car after he got shouted down by protestors at a womens rights rally when he tried to speak, to see if he had comment. Voting blue is not enough, Democrats we call your bluff! they shouted at Crist pic.twitter.com/ijZ8EXGvcr  Justin Garcia (@JustinGarciaFL) July 16, 2022

On Saturday, the pro-abortion group was there to protest the conservative Moms for Liberty organization's first national convention being held in the Marriott Hotel, at the same time Florida's state Democratic Party convention was being held in the same complex.

Crist previously served as Florida's governor between 2007 and 2011. In 2010, he left the Republican party and registered as an Independent. He joined the Democrats in 2012.

He is competing against Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried for the Democratic nomination. The congressman is leading in most polls.

One protester at Saturday's rally held up a sign that read: 'One term Ron!!! That's it b***h.' DeSantis was one of the speakers at the convention, alongside Senator Rick Scott and former Secretary for Education Betsy DeVos.

According to WUSF's Stephanie Colombini, Democratic State Senator Janet Cruz was also 'chased off.'

WUSF reported that the pro-abortion group was holding a rally in Lykes Gaslight Park before making their way to the Marriott. That event was organized by Tampa Bay's Party for Socialism and Liberation and the Tampa Bay Coalition for Women's Rights.

The WUSF report says that the protest remained peaceful and no arrests were made.

The station reports that the group also chanted: 'Racist, sexist, anti-gay, Ron DeSantis go away.'

A post on Tampa Bay's Party for Socialism and Liberation Instagram page described Moms for Liberty as a 'fascist organization that organizes nationally for book banning, not teaching Black history in schools, not requiring vaccines or masks in schools, and any mention of LGBTQ people in schools.'

At the Moms for Liberty event, the most prevalent topic was banning books from schools that the group considers too liberal, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told the crowd that activists should be running for school board positions in the state.

He said in his keynote address: 'We have a great opportunity in this election in August with the primaries in the school boards ... and then in November in my election and all these other elections, to really solidify the state of Florida as this countrys citadel of freedom.'

The Tampa Bay Times report on the event does not mention abortion as being topic discussed at the event.

Crist is competing against Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried for the Democratic nomination

A representative of the protesters from Saturday told WUSF that although Republicans were the main target of the rally, the group is also frustrated with Democrats.

A pinned tweet atop Charlie Crist's Twitter page reads: 'On my first day as governor, I will sign an Executive Order to protect reproductive freedom in Florida.'

Although Crist is well-known for flip-flopping on abortion rights. He told WFLX in April: 'I'm still pro-life, meaning I'm for life. I hope most people are.' In July he told the Orlando Sentinel that he regretted appointing pro-life judges in Florida when he was the governor.

According to PolitiFact, Crist has changed his position on abortion rights on six occasions.

The fact checking site said in their synopsis of his stance: 'He has been conflicted about abortion. In fact, we struggled to find a consistent position he's ever held on the matter.'

In 1998, Crist told the Tampa Bay Times that he was 'pro-choice, but not pro-abortion.'

In 2010, when Crist left the Republican Party to become an Independent, he removed much of his anti-abortion language from his website, reports USA Today.
Rain is set to return to NSW and Queensland for the next week, while parts of Victoria, including Melbourne, will freeze with temperatures plummeting as low as 2C.

Sydney is forecast to be hit with seven consecutive days of showers starting Monday evening or Tuesday morning, with a south-easterly wind pattern dumping as much as 80mm along the coast for the next week.

The rain is forecast to be accompanied by cold temperatures with the mercury hitting a minimum of 7C and a maximum of 17C in Sydney.

Meanwhile the temperature in Melbourne will fall as low as 2C on Wednesday, with the maximum at 13C - with the city forecast to experience both sunny and rainy conditions this week.

Weatherzone meteorologist Chris Matthews said a south-easterly wind pattern would bring as much as 80mm of rain to the coast of NSW over the next seven days - but it won't be miserable all week.

More downpours are on the way for rain-weary NSW and Queensland with the wet weather set to continue throughout the week (stock image)

Cold temperatures are expected to accompany the rain in NSW with the mercury reaching a minimum of 7C and maximum of 17C in Sydney (pictured, temperature forecast across the country)

'(The weather system) is going to generate a few showers,' Mr Matthews said.

'It will be cloudy with the odd shower here or there, but nothing terribly huge in terms of rainfall amount.'

The month may be only halfway through but it's already Sydney's wettest July on record, with more than 345mm of rain recorded. July's previous record at Sydney's Observatory Hill was 336.1mm in 1950, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Sydney exceeded that mark about 7am on Thursday after just 14 days, helped along by significant rainfall to start the month, including 93.2mm on July 3.

Another record was smashed in March when 554mm fell, eclipsing the 521.4mm in March 1942. Records at Observatory Hill go back to 1858.

In Queensland, an inland trough will bring around 100mm of rainfall to outback Queensland with downpours falling as far west as Charleville. The weather system will slowly move towards the coast dumping more rain along the south-east of the state.

'A deep low pressure system is expected to develop, offshore from Brisbane, and that's going to drive more rain along the south-east,' Mr Matthews said.

The month may be only halfway through but it's already Sydney's wettest July on record, with more than 345mm of rain recorded and further falls forecast (stock image)

A long run of sunshine will come to an end on the other side of the country with showers also forecast for Perth later in the week.

Between 20 to 30mm is expected to fall in the city from Thursday.

Cold temperatures are expected to accompany the rain in NSW with the mercury reaching a minimum of 7C and maximum of 17C in Sydney.

Temperatures will be slightly warmer further up north with a low of 9C and maximum of 19C in Brisbane.

The mercury will dip below subzero in the ACT with -3C expected in Canberra on Tuesday morning.
An Australian teenager trapped in Syria has died after being detained for several years.

The family of Yusuf Zahab, 17, was informed of his death on Sunday, Human Rights Watch said.

Yusuf grew up in Sydney and travelled to Syria with his family in 2015 when he was 11.

Yusuf Zahab, 17, died in Syria, Human Rights Watch said on Sunday. He was taken there when he was 11. Above, a picture of Yusuf when he was younger

The teenager was last heard from in January 2022, when he sent a plea for help during an ISIS siege of Al-Sina'a prison in al-Hasakah city.

His cause of death has not yet been determined.

In a statement, Yusuf's family said they were 'heartbroken and angry'.

'Yusuf didn't need to die. The previous Australian government knew about Yusuf's predicament for more than three years,' the statement said.

'We are unaware of any efforts to support, care or inquire about him.'

Yusuf with a relative when he was a youngster in Sydney. His family has issued a heartwrenching statement

'His family are still unlawfully detained in Syria and waiting to be repatriated.'

The death of Yusuf Zahab should be no surprise to the Australian government, which had 'outsourced responsibility' for its nationals held in Syria, Human Rights Watch associate crisis and conflict director Letta Tayler said.

'His death should prompt these countries to urgently bring their detained citizens home,' she said.

A recent photo of Yusuf Zahab

'How many more detainees will die before countries bring home their nationals?'

Between 69 and 80 Australians, including 19 women and 29 children, are reportedly being held by the Syrian Defense Forces as ISIS suspects.

Yusuf's family appealed to the Albanese government to repatriate the remaining Australians.

'Other Australian children will also die unless immediate action is taken,' they said.

'Please act before another life is lost.'
China could quickly improve its relationship with Australia if it stopped rapidly building up its military, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has said.

The Liberal leader this week welcomed the recent meeting between Foreign Minister Penny Wong and China's foreign minister Wang Yi - but urged Anthony Albanese to hold the country accountable for its human rights abuses.

Meanwhile, he said the Communist superpower could easily show Australia whether it was serious about improving relations.

'China is growing its naval fleet at the same tonnage rate of our entire Royal Australian Navy fleet every 18 months,' Mr Dutton told Sky News Australia.

'A sign of that good faith would be pulling back on the rapid expansion of their military arsenal.

'The Australian government needs to be serious in the discussions and we need to ask China to explain the human rights abuses and to explain what's happening in relation to their military build-up.'

It comes after Mr Dutton slammed Defence Minister Richard Marles' claim that climate change is the biggest threat in the Pacific.

Mr Marles told the US Centre for Strategic and International Studies on July 11 that climate change is the single greatest 'existential threat' to livelihood in the region.

'[The Pacific Islands Forum] has been consistent in declaring climate change as the single greatest threat to livelihoods in our neighbourhood  it is an existential threat,' Mr Marles said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (pictured) dismissed claims climate change was the biggest threat in the Pacific and said China's military expansion was a much larger threat in the region

Mr Dutton said China is growing its naval fleet at the same tonnage rate of Australia's entire Royal Australian Navy fleet every 18 months

Mr Marles said the forum, which Australia is a member, has consistently called for countries in the Pacific to work together and claimed Australia 'will lift its weight' against climate change.

Dutton acknowledged investment in new technology was important to address climate change but he dismissed the Defence Minister's claim that it was the largest security issue in the region.

'We support sensible action in relation to mitigating and providing investment into new technologies,' Mr Dutton said.

'But for Richard Marles, or anybody else, to suggest that that is a bigger issue in terms of security threats  it's in complete defiance of the intelligence that he would be reading.

'Climate is an important issue but the biggest security issue in the Indo Pacific at the moment is China and the acts of aggression.'

Mr Dutton, who is in the United State on annual leave with his wife Kirrily, planned to attend a leadership dialogue on his overseas trip.

He said briefings in Washington were 'sober' and believes Australia needs to step up for peace in the Indo Pacific region.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged Australia will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 (pictured, Mr Albanese (front) takes a selfie with fellow leaders during the Pacific Islands Forum in Suva, Fiji)

'The briefings that we have had here in Washington have been as sober as any I've had over the course of the last six years around the National Security Table.

'It's why I've spoken out strongly because I do think peace is at risk within the Indo Pacific and I do think we have to step up  with the United States, with our partners  in the region to stare down that aggression.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remained adamant Labor's climate target had broad support and reaffirmed the countries interest in co-hosting a United nations climate summit with Pacific nations.

Anthony Albanese said his government has a mandate to implement its target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, ahead of legislation being introduced when parliament kicks off later this month.
The discovery of shotgun shells at the last known location of a missing grandmother has added to the mystery surrounding her disappearance.

Colleen South's frantic family believe foul play is involved in the 58-year-old's disappearance.

She was last seen alive at Renown Park, in Adelaide's inner north, on July 1 about 3.30pm, driving off in her silver Hyundai Getz hatchback.

A relative of Ms South claims her uncle found 'spent shotgun shells at the scene', but detectives 'have not followed up on this, nor reported it'.

While 'out of character', Victoria Police are not treating the grandmother's disappearance as suspicious.

Veronica South (pictured right with her mum Colleen) insists her mother's disappearance is out of character and should be treated as suspicious

Actress Farah Mak (pictured) has urged police to treat her aunt's disappearance as suspicious

Medication found by Veronica South and her friends in the area where her mother disappeared

Ms South's niece, Australian actress Farah Mak, hit social media to slam Victoria Police over allegations it had bungled the investigation.

'My cousin found footprints and a lit out fire nearby - @victoriapolice said there was no footprints found,' she wrote.

'Photos taken by @victoriapolice show that there are tyre trucks of a vehicle pulling right up next to my Auntys personal belongings where she would have been sitting - no crime scene investigation. My cousin and her friends were told this couldve been from anything.'

Victoria Police issued a statement on Monday afternoon dismissing the family's claims that Ms South may have become a victim of a crime.

It also hit back at claims a proper investigation had not been conducted.

'Victoria Police commenced a comprehensive search of dense bushland in the surrounding area conducting Air Wing and Drone searches along with Mounted Branch, Canine Unit, officers on foot and in vehicles along with SES,' the statement read.

'Local farmers were also asked to check buildings and sheds on their properties.'

Detectives claim the only fears they hold for Ms South stem from a known medical condition and her 'disappearance was out of character'.

Photos taken from the scene indicate Ms South had been taking Aripiprazole - a drug primarily used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Her damaged car and belongings were discovered in Wycheproof, northern Victoria, including her journal which contained a handwritten note with the words 'help me please'.

It's been almost three weeks since Colleen South (pictured) was last seen by loved ones

A concerning note asking for help was found inside Ms South's journal near her abandoned car

'Our hope is that we get action and outcome from Victoria Police by treating this as a crime and investigating accordingly to find Colleen ASAP,' Ms South's niece Farah Mak (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia

Ms South's daughter Veronica told Daily Mail Australia she had made the five-and-a-half hour trip from Adelaide at least three times in the last week to conduct her own searches in Wycheproof.

She believes her mother's disappearance is suspicious because her belongings were left behind with the car door locked.

'Also ... there's no trace of my mum, or footprints where she has walked, and no scent detected from the dogs.

'Also my mum didn't go to the farmers for help. The house is right next door to where her car was found, so she would have definitely gone there for help but there has been no record of anyone seeing her which I think is odd.'

A Facebook page called Bring Colleen Home set up by Ms South's family has grown to more than 500 members.

Her daughter took to Facebook on Sunday night to provide an update on her harrowing ordeal.

'Its been two weeks since youve been missing Mum,' Veronica wrote.

Ms South was last seen by a witness in her Hyundai Getz (pictured) on July 3. The car was found abandoned an hour later

Ms South's personal items, including bags and keys, were found 20 metres from her car

'Although, it feels like a really long time but Im just getting started with this search. Spoke to locals today and have been meeting with farmers, there was no luck of getting any new evidence today.

'I am praying we find you soon and everyday feels like Im getting a step closer to finding you. It hasnt been easy. I am missing you every day.

'Tomorrow we may have an update from the police of where to go with the search from here. We are thinking positive and hopefully we will get a positive outcome.'

CCTV footage captured Ms South visiting a Liquorland at St Agnes at about 11.50am on July 2, with police believing she then made her way to rural northern Victoria.

The last reported sighting was made the following day, , when a witness spotted her behind the wheel of her Hyundai Getz in Ninyeunook, 267km north of Melbourne.

Around an hour later, a farmer noticed Ms South's car abandoned parked under a tree off the side of Mackies Road, 26km away in Bunguluke.

Two days later, the farmer called police after realising the car had crashed into a ditch and sustained damage, with airbags deployed.

Ms South's belongings were found about 20 metres from the car, including her handbag, purse, keys and a journal.

On Saturday, the group found Ms South's essential medication, downtrodden grass, a pen, footprints and a recently lit campfire.

Ms South is described as 154cm tall with a heavy build, green eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, black and white striped shirt.

Anyone who sees Colleen or has any information is urged to contact police.
A fly-in-fly-out worker has sent Aussies into a spin after she revealed how much she earns doing odd jobs at the remote mining site.

Lisa Bailey took to TikTok to show her followers what a typical day looked like cleaning mining camps and dongas, the small, demountable-style accommodation workers sleep in.

Ms Bailey revealed she earns up to $340 a day as a FIFO utility worker, with plenty of her followers admitting they thought she would've been on much more.

'Only $340 for a whole day?! I thought it would be more than that,' one wrote.

Ms Bailey was quick to respond, telling the follower it was because she was an unskilled worker.

'If you have a trade it would be much more,' she wrote.

In the now-viral TikTok, Ms Bailey showed herself waking up in her simple room, taking a sip of water before getting ready for the day.

Lisa Bailey (pictured) videoed herself at various stages of her daily routine at a mine site, opening a window into what it's really like to be a FIFO worker

After brushing her teeth, Ms Bailey heads out to wash her clothes - with the provided free laundry detergent - at the camp.

She then meets up with her colleague, with the pair going room to room and conducting 'pre-arrival checks' for the incoming FIFO workers.

The duo then clean the laundry rooms until they're spotless before Ms Bailey made a joke about trying to 'not get fired', filming the moment her ATV leaves muddy tracks in the camp.

She then makes up linen packs for incoming FIFO workers before heading to the buffet dinner at the mining camp.

Ms Bailey ends her day stacking up the massive dining room's chairs onto tables, to allow other staff the space to sweep and mop the floors.

Her earnings of $340 a day, while lambasted by some of her followers, are nothing to scoff at.

The wage equates to around $1700 a week, and $85,000 a year, if she was working there full time.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, average weekly earnings are just above $1740.

But FIFO workers can earn upwards of $99,780 each year, with some experienced tradies raking in $134,618.

Though entry-level positions like Ms Bailey's can start at around the $340 wage.

Ms Bailey (pictured) said the video showed her on an easy day, 'compared to some, that's how I had time to do some recordings'

FIFO jobs in Australia include miners, hospitality workers, tradies - like electricians and carpenters - machine operators, drivers and cleaners.

Social media users were keen to know how Ms Bailey got the job and asked about how she got her partner to join her as a FIFO worker.

Ms Bailey said she first saw the utility worker job on Facebook through Seek and four days later, had started her first shift.

Another follower asked how she managed to get her boyfriend working on the same mining site as her.

Ms Bailey said she had raved about her partner when the company was looking for more workers, and he was hired a short time later.

She said the shifts were flexible, the training for the utility worker role was extensive and said the day she filmed this was a less strenuous one.

'It was an easy day compared to some, that's how I had time to do some recordings,' Ms Bailey said.

Her daily routine of cleaning, doing laundry and 'trying not to get fired' showed her $340 earnings for the day (pictured)
Ben Roberts-Smith's reputation as an exceptional, decent and courageous soldier was destroyed by a sustained media campaign alleging he was a war criminal, a judge has been told.

The war veteran's barrister Arthur Moses SC began closing his Federal Court case on Monday, more than 100 days after commencing the proceedings against journalists and three mastheads.

Mr Roberts-Smith is suing for defamation The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times over 2018 reports claiming he committed war crimes in Afghanistan including murder, and acts of bullying and domestic violence.

The 43-year-old denies all claims of wrongdoing, while the mastheads are defending them as true.

Ben Roberts-Smith during a workout in Sydney's inner east earlier this year. His defamation 'trial of the century' is drawing to a close

Mr Moses submitted to Justice Anthony Besanko the oft-described trial of the century or proxy war crimes trial focused on three publications on June 9, 10, and August 11 in 2018.

'After publishing those articles the respondents have persisted in a campaign against Mr Roberts-Smith including allegations of murder,' Mr Moses said.

He is seeking aggravated damages due to the allegations of six murders he either committed or was complicit in Afghanistan between 2006 and 2012.

Mr Moses cited one allegation of shooting a 13 or 14-year-old boy as unjustified.

'The allegation is baseless and should not have been persisted with. Presumably it was persisted with in order to damage Mr Roberts-Smith in aid of the other allegations which have been propounded in this matter,' Mr Moses said.

'This case is not about a path home to victory as the respondents have at one time described their case.

'But rather it is about the respondents using the processes of this court to make allegations of murder which will have both national and international repercussions for the applicant and other members of the Australian Defence Force who they have accused of murder.'

Arthur Moses - a prominent barrister and the boyfriend of former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian - addressed the court on Monday

The most decorated Australian soldier was a 'man with a high reputation for courage, skill and decency and soldiering, and had that reputation destroyed'.

His bravery was awarded with the prestigious and rare Victoria Cross, and consequently had an unexpected 'target on his back'.

Mr Moses took aim at Sydney Morning Herald and The Age journalist Nick McKenzie

Mr Moses said journalists Chris Masters and Nick McKenzie based their sensationalist publications on rumour, hearsay and contradictory accounts from jealous and obsessed former colleagues, including politician and former SAS officer Andrew Hastie.

The barrister denied the trial was an attack on press freedom or the right for Australians to know public interest information, but said such serious allegations must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

'It is not good enough to point to the evidence and say we nearly got there.'

The closing submissions from both parties are expected to last eight days.

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The January 6 committee is expected to receive deleted Secret Service text messages and audio by Tuesday ahead of Thursday's prime-time hearing, as jury selection in the contempt of Congress trial of Steve Bannon is set to begin today.

The US House committee investigating the assault on the Capitol said late Friday night it had subpoenaed the Secret Service over questions surrounding missing text messages from the days surrounding last year's riot.

This followed conflicting reports about whether they were deleted, with a Republican Congressman accusing the agency of contradictory statements.

The messages could be important in the House of Representatives and Justice Department investigations into whether Donald Trump and his close advisors encouraged the deadly insurrection by the former president's supporters.

The mob, which stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, aimed to prevent the certification of Trump's Democratic rival Joe Biden as the winner of the November 2020 presidential election.

Secret Service agents were with Trump during the day of the riots, and were also with vice president Mike Pence, who went into hiding at the Capitol after pro-Trump rioters called for him to be hanged.

The inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Joseph Cuffari, told Congress earlier this week that his office has had difficulties obtaining records of text messages from the Secret Service, the law enforcement agency that protects the president, from January 5 and 6, 2021.

The committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (pictured July 12) on Friday subpoenaed Secret Service records of text messages they say were erased during a data migration. The January 6 committee is expected to receive the deleted Secret Service text messages and audio by Tuesday, ahead of Thursday's prime-time hearing

Committee members said Sunday that Thursday's hearing will offer the most compelling evidence yet of Trump's 'dereliction of duty' on the day of the Jan. 6 insurrection, with new witnesses detailing his failure to stem the angry mob.

'This is going to open people's eyes in a big way,' said Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., a member of the House committee investigating the riot who will help lead Thursday's session with Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va. 'The president didn't do anything.'

After a year-long investigation, the House Jan. 6 panel is seeking to wrap up what may be its last hearing, even as its probe continues to heat up.

The committee says it continues to receive fresh evidence each day and isn't ruling out additional hearings or interviews with additional people close to Trump.

One such figure is Steve Bannon - a one-time adviser to Trump - whose trial begins this week on criminal contempt of Congress charges for refusing for months to comply with the House committee's subpoena.

Should the committee be handed the texts on Tuesday, it will mean the committee members will see their contents ahead of Bannon's appearance in his trial this week.

Fury selection in the contempt of Congress trial of Steve Bannon (pictured July 15 outside a Washington D.C. courthouse) is set to begin today

On June 29 a former White House staffer told the House January 6 investigation that Trump had attempted to force the Secret Service to take him to the Capitol to join his supporters on that day.

According to Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, agents' phones were wiped as part of a planned replacement program that began before the DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) first asked for the data, six weeks after the insurrection.

'The Secret Service notified DHS OIG of the loss of certain phones' data, but confirmed to OIG that none of the texts it was seeking had been lost in the migration,' he said in a statement.

The Secret Service has been criticized for not adequately anticipating the threat of the violent action by armed Trump supporters on January 6.

Trump had made a senior Secret Service official at the time, Tony Ornato, his personal deputy chief of staff.

Ornato has denied the account given to the January 6 committee by former Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson that Trump tried to force the Secret Service to drive him to the Capitol as his supporters massed at the building, the seat of the US legislature.

But other then White House officials have backed Hutchinson's story.

On the possible deletion of the texts, Kinzinger called it 'quite crazy' that anything related to January 6 would be deleted.

'In the very least, it is quite crazy that the Secret Service would actually end up deleting anything related to one of the more infamous days in American history,' the Republican lawmaker said on Sunday.

The text messages could be important in the House of Representatives and Justice Department investigations into whether Donald Trump (pictured on Jan. 6) and his close advisors encouraged the deadly insurrection by the former president's supporters

Meanwhile, jury selection is scheduled to begin on Monday in the trial of Steve Bannon.

Bannon is charged in Washington's federal court with defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee that sought his records and testimony.

He was indicted in November on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress, one month after the Justice Department received a congressional referral. Each count carries a minimum of 30 days of jail and as long as a year behind bars.

The trial follows a flurry of activity in the case since July 9. Over a week ago, the former White House strategist notified the committee that he is now willing to testify. His lawyer, Robert Costello, said the change was because Trump has waived his executive privilege claim from preventing the testimony.

Bannon, 68, had been one of the most prominent of the Trump-allied holdouts in refusing to testify before the committee. He has argued that his testimony is protected by Trump's claim of executive privilege.

Trump has repeatedly asserted executive privilege - even as a former president - to try to block witness testimony and the release of White House documents.

The Supreme Court in January ruled against Trump's efforts to stop the National Archives from cooperating with the committee after a lower court judge noted, in part, 'Presidents are not kings.'

The committee has also noted that Trump fired Bannon from the White House in 2017 and Bannon was thus a private citizen when he was consulting with the then-president in the run-up to the riot.

Steve Bannon, former White House advisor to former President Donald Trumpis seen on a video screen during a public hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee to investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 12, 2022

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols declined motions to delay the trial in separate hearings last week, including Thursday when Bannon's lawyers raised concerns about a CNN report that has since aired about their client and what they said were prejudicial comments made during a hearing last week held by the House committee investigating the riot.

'I am cognizant of current concerns about publicity and bias and whether we can seat a jury that is going to be appropriate and fair, but as I said before, I believe the appropriate course is to go through the voir dire process,' Nichols said Thursday, referring to the questioning of individual jurors before they are selected. The judge said he intended to get a jury that 'is going to be appropriate, fair and unbiased.'

While the judge allowed the trial to move forward, Nichols left open the possibility that the letters about Trump waiving his privilege and Bannon's offer to cooperate with the committee could be referenced at trial, saying the information was 'at least potentially relevant' to Bannon's defense.

Roscoe Howard Jr., the former U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., said the best case for Bannon is if the information on his cooperation offer gets to the jury.

Even if it does, claiming that executive privilege stopped him from cooperating earlier will be a hard argument to make because Bannon refused to answer the subpoena, Howard said.

'You have to show up to invoke the privilege claim. You can't phone it in,' he said.

Steve Bannon's attorneys M. Evan Corcoran, left and David Schoen talk to reporters after a hearing on Bannon's trial at federal court on Monday, July 11, 2022, in Washington

Anticipation is building ahead of Thursday's hearing, which panel members say will be the most specific to date in laying out and weaving together previously known details on how Trump's actions were at odds with his constitutional legal duty to stop the Jan. 6 riot.

Unlike members of the public who generally have no duty to take action to prevent a crime, the Constitution requires a president to 'take care that the laws be faithfully executed.'

'The commander in chief is the only person in the Constitution whose duty is explicitly laid out to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed,' Luria said. 'I look at it as a dereliction of duty. (Trump) didn't act. He had a duty to act.'

Thursday's hearing will be the first in the prime-time slot since the June 9 debut that was viewed by an estimated 20 million people.

Luria said the hearing will highlight additional testimony from White House counsel Pat Cipollone and other witnesses, not yet seen before, 'who will add a lot of value and information to the events of that critical time on January 6.'

She cited Trump's inaction that day for more than three hours, along with a tweet that afternoon criticizing Vice President Mike Pence for lacking courage to contest Democrat Joe Biden's win in the 2020 presidential election that may have served to egg on the mob.

'We will go through pretty much minute by minute during that time frame, from the time he left the stage at the Ellipse, came back to the White House, and really sat in the White House, in the dining room, with his advisers urging him continuously to take action, to take more action,' Luria said.

The hearing comes at a critical juncture point for the panel, which is racing to wrap up findings for a final report this fall.

US President Donald Trumps supporters are seen outside the Capitol building in Washington D.C., United States on January 6, 2021

The committee had originally expected at this point to be concluding much of its investigation with a final hearing but is now considering possible options for additional interviews and hearings, panel members said.

'This investigation is very much ongoing,' said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. 'The fact that a series of hearings is going to be concluded this Thursday doesn't mean that our investigation is over. It's very active, new witnesses are coming forward, additional information is coming forward.'

For instance, the committee took a rare step last week in issuing a subpoena to the Secret Service, an executive branch department.

That came after it received a closed briefing from the Homeland Security Department watchdog that the Secret Service had deleted texts from around Jan. 6, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The finding raised the startling prospect of lost evidence that could shed further light on Trump's actions during the insurrection, particularly after earlier testimony about his confrontation with security as he tried to join supporters at the Capitol.

'That's what we have to get to the bottom of,' said Luria, regarding possibly missing texts. 'Where are these text messages? Can they be recovered? And we have subpoenaed them because they're legal records that we need to see for the committee.'

Luria spoke on CNN's 'State of the Union,' Lofgren was on ABC's 'This Week,' and Kinzinger appeared on CBS' 'Face the Nation.'
Australia could be 'stuffed' when the next Covid-19 variant arrives on our shores unless mask mandates are brought back in, ABC presenter Dr Norman Swan warned.

Dr Swan renewed calls for the return of masks in indoor settings on Monday as the highly infectious and 'immune evasive' Omicron strains BA4 and BA.5 run rampant.

State and territory leaders convened an urgent national cabinet meeting on Saturday after federal health minister Mark Butler warned to expect 'millions' of cases in the coming months.

Dr Swan described the latest wave of the 'immune evasive' sub-variants was very worrying.

The accredited medical doctor said vaccines aren't working as well as they used to as he called for improved ventilation measures and mandatory indoor masks.

There are growing calls for Aussies to wear masks in high risk environments such as shopping centres (pictured Sydneysiders in the CBD on Sunday)

Dr Swan told ABC's Radio National Breakfast: 'We probably do need to mandate masks and N95s in high risk environments, otherwise when the next variant comes along and it's more virulent than this one - in other words more likely to kill you or make you seriously ill - we'll be stuffed.'

Dr Swan said governments had a responsibility reinstate mask rules, and insisted vaccines alone weren't enough to protect the population.

Dr Swan said he would host world leading immunologist Chris Goodnow from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research will be a special guest on a program of Radio National's Health Report.

'He himself has had four doses of the Covid vaccine and is currently unfortunately disabled with a cardiac side affect of Covid,' Dr Swan said.

'The point he'll make tonight is that vaccines are important in the protection against severe disease but don't work as well as they used to.

Dr Norman Swan says vaccinations are important but aren't working as well as they did with previous Covid variants. Pictured is Olympian Kate Campbell being vaccinated

Australia could be 'stuffed' by the time the next Covid-19 variant emerges, according to Dr Norman Swan (pictured)

'What is not happening is what some people thought would happen, which is that we would build up a background resistance and this would become milder and milder with time.

'What it's showing is that with repeated re-infections, there is an increased risk of cardiac, kidney and other side effects, which increased with time independent of vaccination.'

'We've got to slow this down and prevent it as we're going to have a significant burden of cardiac and pulmonary disease as a result of this.'

Dr Swan described Australia's current third wave of the virus as very worrying.

'The history of this virus is perplexing, every six months or so a new variant appears,' he said.

'BA4 and BA.5 are behaving as if they're a new variant, even though they're a sub-variant of Omicron.

'Six months after Christmas, here we go again with viruses that are evading the immune system.

'As time goes on, this virus is perplexing the immunologists because it's not behaving as expected.

'The government has loaded the dice on the vaccines and the vaccines are not enough.'

Dr Swan called for a return of mandate masks and N95s in high risk environments (pictured, Sydney shoppers on Sunday)

Dr Swan ended the radio interview by accusing the federal and state governments of prioritising the economy over public health.

'Mask wearing should not affect the economy to a significant extent but we've got to slow this down and plead with people nicely to not necessarily go to work,' he said.

'It's young people as well who are getting these long term side effects even though they're not getting severe diseases.

'This isn't the common cold - and it's not the flu.'

Australia recorded 39,028 new infections and 30 deaths on Monday.

Dr Swans also accusing the federal and state governments of prioritising the economy over public health.

The astonishing Covid-19 stats that EVERY Australian needs to see - and the data proves we DON'T need more rules - as a busy city centre hospital's ICU ward sits almost EMPTY of Omicron patients

By Kevin Airs For Daily Mail Australia

The median age of those dying from Covid in Australia is now 83 years old - the same age as the nation's average life expectancy.

The federal health department's latest Covid report exposes as myths the claims being used to drive Australian authorities to re-introduce mask mandates and continue having Covid cases isolate for seven days.

The data comes as St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney said they have just 'one or two' patients in ICU - with top doctors confirming the winter wave is far less severe than those to have previously hit Australia.

'We certainly don't have many,' confirmed a hospital spokesman on Monday.

'It's not presenting so much on the very acute side, where patients need ventilation.'

The median age of those dying from Covid in Australia is now 83 years old - the same age as the nation's average life expectancy, new government data has revealed

The ICU at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital now has just one or two Covid patients as medics admit the current wave is less severe.

The hospital admits most Covid patients are not in an acute state and do not need ventilation

The vast majority of those who have caught Covid are under 50, with 3,121,953 cases so far. Just 293 people under 50 have died of the virus since the pandemic began.

The statistics show that since Australia's mass vaccination rollout began, those under 50 face a less than one in 10,000 chance of dying from Covid.

'The median age of all those infected is 31... [but] the median age of those who died is 83,' the latest federal health department 'Coronavirus At A Glance' report states.

Australia's average life expectancy is 82.9 years of age.

Most killed by Covid were men over 70 and women over 80, accounting for 7,585 deaths out of the nation's total virus death toll of 10,582 as of 3pm on Friday.

The vast majority of those who have caught Covid are under 50, with 3,121,953 cases so far but just 293 of that age have died of the virus since the pandemic began. Most killed by Covid were men over 70 and women over 80, accounting for 7,585 deaths out of the nation's total virus death toll of 10,582, up to 3pm last Friday

NSW Premier Dom Perrottet admitted on Monday that the current flu wave was now a bigger threat than Covid

And even if Covid breaks out among elderly frail residents in aged care centres, more than 95 per cent of those infected will survive.

Of the 63,875 who caught Covid in Australian aged care centres, 60,771 recovered, with less than 1 in 20 of infected residents dying, for a tragic toll of 3,104.

NSW Premier Dom Perrottet admitted on Monday that the current flu wave was now a bigger threat than Covid.

'At the moment, the current strand of influenza is more severe than the current strands of COVID,' he told 2GB.

'As we move through the next phase of the pandemic, we need to balance up the competing health issues.'

Even if Covid breaks out among elderly frail residents in aged care centres, more than 95 per cent of those infected will survive

VITAL COVID FACTS Just 293 people under 50 have died of Covid If you're under 50 and catch Covid, you have a 1 in 10,000 chance of dying St Vincent's Hospital ICU currently only has one or two Covid patients Most people who die are men over 70 or women over 80 The median age to die from Covid is 83 The average life expectancy in Australia is 82.9 Even frail elderly residents in aged care homes have a 95 per cent chance of surviving covid infection More than 60,770 aged care residents out of the 63,875 infected have recovered from Covid Just one in 20 in aged care homes have died after they caught the virus Advertisement

The official figures come as pressure grows for a return to compulsory masks ahead of a feared new outbreak of the virulent new Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.

Doomsday modelling by the Burnet Institute for the NSW government last year said the state's health system could cope with up to 947 Covid patients in ICU.

But NSW currently has just 64 Covid cases in ICU across the state with only 13 on ventilators, according to NSW Health.

The stats have also destroyed claims that Omicron is super-infectious, with infection rates staying constant all year long.

Australia's Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 outbreak, which started in January, coincided with the end of most mask mandates and lockdown restrictions.

Omicron BA.2's R0 - the number of people one person can infect without restrictions - is said to be around 13.3.

But the Re - the effective rate of infection - has stayed around 1 or less since the middle of January, after a brief spike to 2.0 for a couple of days after New Year.

The government's mass double-jab vaccination program, taken up by 95 per cent of the population, has played a huge part in controlling the spread of the virus.

But the subsequent third booster shot program has been less successful , with just a 71 per cent take up, as work now starts on encouraging a fourth jab.

Of the 63,875 who caught Covid in Australian aged care centres, 60,771 recovered, with less than 1 in 20 of infected residents dying, for a tragic toll of 3,104

AUSTRALIA KEEPS SEVEN-DAY ISOLATION AS WORLD MOVES ON Australia is doubling down on mandatory isolation as other countries around the globe move towards abandoning them altogether - and it's costing taxpayers $800million. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came under fire last week for back-flipping on a decision to scrap $750-a-week payments for casual workers and people without sick leave benefits who are forced into isolation for seven days. He was pressured to bring back the payments after refusing to budge on mandatory isolation, and encouraged people to wear face masks. However, the UK, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania and Switzerland no longer have isolation, while positive cases are only 'recommended' to self-quarantine for five days in the United States. Countries such as Sweden no longer categorise Covid as a 'critical illness'. Mr Albanese argued the isolation period was necessary to combat surging Covid cases and ease pressure on hospitals, despite a large portion of the strain coming from influenza cases. In the 24 hours to Friday morning, 43,491 new cases of Covid were reported across Australia. There were 65,770 confirmed cases of the flu within the same period. There is no mandatory isolation period for influenza, and no payments for casual workers off sick with the flu. Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said on Monday that government officials calling for the reintroduction of mask mandates need to 'move on'. 'Anyone advocating for mandates needs to move on from that because unless significant things change with  the way this virus behaves, we're not going to be bringing in restrictions or mandates,' he told Sky News. Dr Coatsworth said antiviral medication and booster shots were significantly more effective than face masks. Mr Albanese had earlier said the $750-a-week pandemic leave disaster payment would not be reinstated past June 30. However, he announced on Saturday that it would be made available again from Wednesday and would extend to September 30. Advertisement

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged students and children to mask up in schools, while NSW education minister Sarah Mitchell also flagged the return of masks in class.

NSW schools have suffered a 30 per cent rise in staff shortages through sickness as a result of Covid and flu this year, she said.

'We are absolutely feeling the pressure...there's no question of that,' Ms Mitchell admitted.

NSW and Victorian health ministers have both so far resisted the growing calls for a return to mask mandates, but critics say the looming state elections in October and November are the main reason behind any delay in bringing them back.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged students and children to mask up in schools, while NSW education minister Sarah Mitchell also flagged the return of masks in class

Victoria chief health officer Ben Cowie told the state government to bring back masks, but the advice was rejected by state health minister Mary-Anne Thomas.

'I made a decision based on the advice that I had received that further mandating masks was not the most effective way to get the message out about the importance of mask wearing,' she said.

South Australia would need to declare another state emergency, after allowing the last announcement to expire, before they could issue any new mask mandate.

Federal health minister Mark Butler also says it is 'unlikely' the government will enforce compulsory masks, but urged people to wear them in public and to work from home where possible.

Deakin University's Professor Catherine Bennett insists compulsory masks will ease the coming Covid wave and also play a major psychological role

But Deakin University's Professor Catherine Bennett insists compulsory masks will ease the coming Covid wave and also play a major psychological role.

'When you put a mask on, it's a reminder that things aren't quite normal. It reinforces behaviours like taking a step back from other people,' she told Seven West media.

'The mask could be the thing that also helps us stay mindful of those other things ... and stay that bit safer.'

The stats also revealed NSW has had the most Covid cases in Australia with 2,971,525 and 3,798 deaths. Victoria has had the most deaths with 4,148 from 2,245,301 cases.

Northern Territory has had the least number of cases and deaths with 53 deaths from 83,684 infections, ahead of even ACT which has had 84 deaths from 175,923 cases.

The nation has also just passed the 75million milestone for the number of Covid test results since the pandemic began, almost three each for every single person.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become the very thing they swore to destroy - deceptive.

Democratic Representatives Anna Eshoo and Ron Wyden recently wrote a letter that calls on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take enforcement actions against VPNs that engage in deceptive advertising and data collection practices that puts people's privacies at risk.

The letter follows the Supreme Court's controversial overturn of Roe. v. Wade case on June 24, per The Guardian.

Eshoo and Wyden VPN-Tackling Letter Details

Representatives Eshoo and Wyden mentioned in their letter to the FTC that there are VPN providers that have engaged in deceptive advertising and data collection practices in light of the Roe v. Wade overturn by the Supreme Court.

The two representatives are worried that these deceptive VPN companies would violate users' privacy rights and retain information about those seeking abortion in states that have outlawed and criminalized abortion.

"It's extremely difficult for someone to decipher which VPN service to trust, especially for those in crisis situations," Eshoo and Wyden said in the letter. "There are hundreds, if not thousands, of VPN services available to donwload, yet there is a lack of practical tools or independent research to audit VPN providers' security claims."

The two representatives then brought up the existence of third-party reviews of the VPNs available to purchase and use in the market, which, while useful, could be deceptive.

They stated that while customers refer to these third-party review sites, some were owned by the companies that also own said VPN service, providing a biased view of the VPN in question.

They then cited a Consumer Reports study that found that 75% of leading VPN providers misrepresented their products and technology or made hyperbolic claims about the protection they provide users on their websites. These misrepresentations include the use of the statement "military-grade encryption," which doesn't exist.

Read More: The Sims 4 Players Can Now Change Their Characters' Sexual Orientation

This misrepresentation is a major concern as leading groups advise women seeking abortions to purchase and use a VPN with "no-log" policies, due to them not keeping a record of users' data. These data include internet activity logs, such as visits to websites providing information about abortion, as well as users' log-in credentials, IP addresses, emails, and home addresses.

However, the representatives claim that VPNs' "no-log policy" is difficult to prove as legitimate. A report made in 2020 revealed that some VPN providers claimed they don't hold on to users' data did otherwise, keeping 1.2 terabytes of user data and internet activity logs to be given to law enforcement.

Other reports support the idea that there are VPNs that claim to not hold onto users' data but were revealed to have done so without permission to report them to law enforcement

The studies mentioned in the representatives' letter reveal that VPNs are not as reliable as some believe, and with abortion being illegal or soon to be illegal in 13 states and severely restricted in many more, these acts were deemed deceitful and unacceptable.

Roe V. Wade Overturn Effect

The Roe v. Wade legal case is a landmark case in which a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy was guaranteed under the constitutional right to privacy, according to Britannica.

However, the Supreme Court's ruling of 6-3 in favor of overturning the case sparked outrage across the US, with President Biden calling the act "a tragic error, per The Wall Street Journal.

The Supreme Court overturned the case due to the court upholding a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, per Reuters.

Following the overturning, many tech companies became targets of public appeal to the FTC to investigate them for collecting personal information without proper consent, such as Apple and Google.

Some women's rights groups even urged people who want an abortion to either delete period tracking apps and/or use a VPN to hide their identity while surfing the web.

Related Article: Hackers are Exploiting a Patched Critical Vulnerability Affecting VPN Devices for Businesses, Zyxel Firewall
Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz's penalty trial started on Monday following the 2018 school massacre that left 14 students and three staff members dead at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Jurors and the courtroom audience heard the screams of victims shot during the Valentine's Day massacre from a video recorded by students.

A witness, Dylan Kraemer, who was a junior at the time of the shooting, described the moment bullets began entering through the classroom door window.

'I looked over and two people were dead, and multiple people were shot,' Kraemer said while recalling peaking out the window to see Cruz with his AR-15.

Lead prosecutor, Michael J. Satz, played a video for the jurors and Kreamer of the moments shots were fired inside the classroom. Only prosecutors and jurors could view the images, but the audio was heard throughout the courtroom.

Audio of loud gunshots and people screaming rang out before someone in the gallery shouted, 'shut it off!'

Cruz sat on the defense table with his head in his hands as the horrific audio played.

Investigators discovered a video of Cruz on his phone taken three days before the massacre, on Feb. 11, 2018, introducing himself as the 'next school shooter'

Some members of the gallery left the court room as audio of the horrific event was played

Executive Director of Safe Schools for Alex (SSFA) Max Schachter (right), whose son Alex was one of the Parkland school shooting victims, was present in court for the first day of Cruz's penalty phase of trial

Cruz sat on the defense table with his head in his hands as the audio played

Danielle Gilbert, also a junior at the time of the shooting, was in her AP Psychology class when the gun shots were heard. Gilbert took the stand on Monday to explain the tragic event.

'We dropped toward the ground and started running toward the window,' Gilbert said.

Gilbert instantly recorded the scene in her classroom, that was then played for jurors. Screams of students were heard echoing inside the courtroom as gunshots can be heard flying through the hallway window of the classroom.

'This can't be real,' a student can be heard saying as another shouted for help.

Audience members, many of them family of the deceased, clinched tissues and held onto each other as others ran out of the courtroom at the sound of the screams.

Four people were shot inside Gilbert's classroom including 16-year-old Carmen Schentrup who succumbed to her injuries.

Cruz sat emotionless as the lead prosecutor, Michael J. Satz, elaborated on the details of the massacre. Cruz appeared to be hunched over writing on a piece of paper while Satz spoke.

Brittany Sinitch, a teacher at the high school, took the stand on Monday afternoon. Sinitch said her students were in the midst of a 'Romeo and Juliet' lesson and were writing Valentine's Day Cards as characters when suddenly loud bangs were heard.

'We were having so much fun until I heard what I described as just the loudest noise you could possibly imagine,' Sinitch said.

She immediately turned off the lights and ordered her students to hide as she called the police.

'They couldn't hear me over the sound because it was so loud,' Sinitch said.

Satz, the lead prosecutor, recalled the Valentine's Day massacre in detail as the family of victims sat in audience wiping away their tears.

'I'm going to speak to you about the unspeakable about this defendant's goal-directed plan, systematic murder, mass murder of 14 children, an athletic director, a teacher and a coach,' Satz said to the jurors in Broward County, Florida.

Some students evacuated the school oblivious of the active shooting incident in one of the three-story buildings. Cruz fired 139 rounds before abandoning his rifle and blending in with other students

Satz explained the evidence of the massacre that the jurors will view - including surveillance footage of Cruz shooting students and staff.

'You will see the defendant on the first floor, fire a rifle, shoot and kill nine students,' Satz explained to jurors. 'You will see the defendant fire his rifle six times on the second floor and you will see him shoot and kill five students on the third floor and a teacher on the third floor.'

The first students were shot on the first floor, including Gina Montalto who was sitting outside of her classroom when Cruz entered the building. Before opening fire, Cruz spared the life of student Christopher McKenna who was out in the hallway of the first floor.

'You better get out of here,' Cruz said to McKenna. 'Something bad is about to happen.'

Trial attendees, including the family members of some of the victims, wiped their tears as Satz explained the deadly scene as students attempted to run for their lives before being shot by Cruz.

Cruz remained crunched over in his seat writing on a piece of paper while occasionally showing it to an attorney sitting beside him as Satz recalled in detail how the 17 victims died, referring to each victim by name.

Satz emphasized to the jury that most of the victims were shot between four to six times, with one of the last victims, Peter Wang, being shot 13 times on the third floor.

'The murders were cold, calculated, and premeditated,' Satz said.

Judge Elizabeth Scherer is presiding over the trial of Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse. Cruz previously plead guilty to all 17 counts of premeditated murder

Family of some the victims were in the audience for the hearing, including father of Alex Schachter (left). Schachter was one of the 17 killed in the Feb. 14, 2018 school massacre

Relatives and family members gathered to listen to the hearing. They can be seen in the photo exiting the courtroom

Cruz fired 139 rounds before leaving his gun on the third-floor stairway and fleeing the scene to a nearby Subway. He was able to fit in with a group of students evacuating the school and ran to buy a drink before heading to a Walmart and asking a student - whose sister was shot - for a ride.

Police received a description of Cruz and were able to identify and arrest him nearby a McDonalds.

The defendant's phone was left on the scene and investigators later discovered a video of Cruz on the phone taken three days before the massacre, on Feb. 11, 2018, introducing himself as the 'next school shooter.'

'Hello, my name is Nick. I want to be the next school shooter 2018. My goal is at least 20 people with an AR... I think I can get it done. It's going to be a big event. When you see me on the news, you'll know who I am. They're all going to die. I know. I can't wait,' Cruz said, according to Satz.

Students walked in a straight line outside the school unaware of the unfolding events nearby. Cruz ran to a local subway to order a drink before heading to a Walmart and asking a student, whose sister was shot, for a ride

Cruz pleaded guilty last fall to 17 counts of first-degree murder after firing his AR-15 semi-automatic rifle inside a three-story classroom building on Feb. 14, 2018. During the shooting, Cruz would walk back to wounded victims and kill them with a second round of shots.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty and jurors will decide if he will be sentenced to death or life without the possibility of parole.

The trial for the Parkland shooter is expected to last four months after being delayed nearly two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and legal fights.

Defense lawyers requested a mistrial on Monday, and are expected to deliver their opening statements later on.

Surveillance video captured Cruz, now 23, stalking the hallways of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018, aged 19

Medical personnel tend to a victim outside of Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018

Defenders will likely emphasize Cruz as a young adult with emotional and psychological problems who has suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome and abuse.

The Parkland school massacre is the deadliest to reach trial in U.S. history. Other mass shooters have either killed themselves after following out their plan or been killed by police gunfire.

When the jury eventually gets the case this fall, it will vote 17 times on the question of whether to recommend the death penalty: once for each of the victims.

Every vote must be unanimous; a nonunanimous vote for any one of the victims means Cruz's sentence for that person would be life in prison. The jurors are told that to vote for the death penalty, the aggravating circumstances the prosecution has presented for the victim in question must, in their judgment, "outweigh" mitigating factors presented by the defense.

Regardless of the evidence, any juror can vote for life in prison out of mercy. During jury selection, the panelists said under oath that they are capable of voting for either sentence.

People comfort each other as they sit and mourn at one of seventeen crosses, Feb. 15, 2018, after a candlelight vigil for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Children gathered around the memorial in front of the school to lay flowers in remembrance of those that lost their lives in the 2018 massacre

At the time of the shooting, Cruz was a 19-year-old expelled student with a history of mental health and behavioral issues at the time of the 'premeditated' killings, the Broward State's Attorney Office said in court documents.

He had previously attended the school and had been expelled during the 2016-17 school year.

Cruz was 18 when he legally purchased the semiautomatic AR-15 rifle. On the day of the shooting in 2018, he ordered an Uber to drop him off at the school along with his rifle that was concealed in a black case.

He entered the building with the AR-15 and multiple magazines, just before classes ended for the day.

Suzanne Devine Clark, an art teacher at Deerfield Beach Elementary School, places painted stones at a memorial outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the one-year anniversary of the school shooting

During his plea hearing last month, Cruz blamed pot for the massacre an apologized to victims' families, saying: 'The US would do better if everyone stopped smoking marijuana'.

'I hate drugs and I believe this country would do better if everyone would stop smoking marijuana and doing all these drugs and causing racism and violence out in the streets,' he added.

Cruz has previously admitted to using a lot of marijuana and had taken a lot of the prescription tranquilizer Xanax. He also revealed that he attempted to intentionally overdose on the substances.
But she fell for the father-of-two and they moved out together after 10 days

Ms Karkadym, 22, came to stay with the Garnett family after Russia's invasion

He was with Lorna, 28, for 10 years before leaving her for Sofiia Karkadym

He was with Lorna, 28, for 10 years before leaving her for Sofiia Karkadym

Tony Garnett says he is broke after leaving his partner for a Ukrainian refugee

A British dad who left his partner to run off with a Ukrainian refugee ten days after she moved into the family home says he has no money.

Security guard Tony Garnett left partner Lorna Garnett, the mother of their two daughters, for Sofiia Karkadym, 22.

The family had sponsored Sofiia as a refugee from the country torn apart by Putin's invasion.

But Tony fell in love with her in their Bradford home, sparking a furious row that split their family.

The 29-year-old has now revealed he has lost work because of the affair, and is caring for Sofiia full time after she contracted an eye infection which left her partially blind.

Tony Garnett, 29, who left his partner of ten years for Ukrainian refugee Sofiia Karkadym, 22, after 10 days of her living with them

The security guard left the mother of his two children, 28-year-old Lorna Garnett (pictured)

He told the Daily Star: 'I've been trying to get by and survive with Sofiia with nowt.

'I want to show people that I'm not a scrounger for government benefits, I know what is right.

'I used to have a very successful business. I've dedicated myself to it, some weeks I put over 80 hours a week into it.'

Tony said that he ran a security firm that had contracts he lost due to his relationship attracting so much attention.

He added: 'Now and again I'm sending door staff to pubs and clubs but I've gone from earning nearly 2k a week to earning jack s***.'

Four days ago MailOnline told how Tony had released a rap criticising 'an ex'.

A video of the hip hop effort was posted less than 24 hours after he was hit with a court order preventing him from contacting Lorna after she alleged he had sent her abusive texts.

Hours after the court hearing on Wednesday Tony put out a YouTube song called 'Ukraine to UK Rain' in which he accuses an 'ex' of being 'two-faced' and playing with his emotions 'like a video console'.

And he raps: 'I'm now with a blonde - but yes, my ex was a brunette.'

The song describes Ukraine as 'a country torn apart with war crimes and bad pain'.

It also includes the lines: 'Should I have stayed there just to be with my kids? No thank you, not today. You see my mental state forbids.'

Tony told MailOnline he loves wordplay and had rattled off the track in less than an hour. 'I can do much better,' he said.

Tony Garnett said that he and Sofiia Karkadym (pictured together) hope to have children together

'It's important for me to explain my side of things. I didn't name her, I just said 'my ex' in the lyrics. I know that won't get me into trouble because a solicitor told me. It could be any ex I'm referring to. I told the judge that I'd be writing music about what had happened to me.'

The chorus of the three-minute track repeats the line 'I don't care what you have to say'.

Tony's former partner Lorna, 28, told MailOnline that she had seen the video and understood the lyrics to refer to her.

Calling the accusations in the lyrics 'complete lies', she said: 'Under the terms of the court order I'm not allowed to discuss him on social media, but the things in that song which are obviously about me are complete lies.

'He's broken the court order already by releasing this and I've contacted my solicitor and the police as a result. The solicitor confirmed that it's a breach of the order'.
Dame Maureen Lipman has urged people to stop 'kicking a**' at author JK Rowling for her views on the language around transgender identities, adding that she is an 'actress not an actor'.

The Coronation Street star urged people to not attack each other for their views, as she supported the writer's stance on womanhood, stepping into the trans debate.

'I am an actress, not an actor and, if somebody tries to take the word "woman" away from me, I shall be very cross,' Dame Maureen said.

'If you have to kick a** at someone like Joanne Rowling, whos literally taught a generation to read, somethings not right.'

Dame Maureen Lipman has urged people to stop 'kicking a**' at author JK Rowling for her views on the language around transgender identities

The Harry Potter writer has objected to the phrase 'people who menstruate' instead of 'women', facing furious backlash as a result

'Yes, some of my views can be a little old fashioned. But dont attack me for them. Consider my point of view. Demonstrate a little kindness. Be patient,' the 76-year-old told Reader's Digest.

The Harry Potter writer has previously objected to the phrase 'people who menstruate' instead of 'women', facing furious backlash as a result.

The 56-year-old said that by using the phrase, it was erasing 'the lived reality of women globally'.

She regularly speaks out about transgender issues and the impact that decisions made by organisations and schools could have on sex as a protected characteristic under the 2010 Equality Act.

It comes as the children's book author defended a disabled schoolgirl who was told she did not have the right to women-only care in school toilets.

The parents of the 16 year-old girl, who has severe learning disabilities, were told two years ago the school was replacing its 'same-sex' intimate care policy with a 'cross-gender' policy.

This meant male staff would also be able to take part in intimate care for the pupil - including using the toilet and changing rooms.

The parents of 'Helen' raised their concerns over their dispute with the school in a blog post

JK Rowling blasted the school's approach on Twitter, saying it would endanger 'extremely vulnerable girls.'

The Harry Potter author added: 'This is a travesty.

'Have we learned nothing from successive abuse scandals? Do we value the disabled so little?'

The parents of 'Helen' - not her real name - wrote about their dispute with the school in a post on website Transgender Trend.

They said the school eventually conceded Helen could be cared for by women, but only because of 'parental preference.'

The Harry Potter author gave a damning verdict on the school's controversial policy

Ms Rowling posted a thread of Tweets on the dispute, criticising what she called 'cruelty and indifference'

The author has previously been praised by Attorney General Suella Braverman over transgender issues in schools.

The Tory minister said the Harry Potter author was a 'heroine' for campaigning for female only spaces for those born women and added that schools should be able to treat all children by their birth gender because under 18s cannot legally change their gender.

In April, JK Rowling's name magically reappeared in the trailer for the Fantastic Beasts film after it was effectively scrubbed from the original version amid the author's ongoing transphobia row.

The Harry Potter creator was barely mentioned in the first teaser in December after many said she had been cancelled by the woke brigade for her comments on trans issues.

In its original trailer, it used the captions 'Warner Bros invites you' rather than 'J.K Rowling invites you', as had been the case in previous teasers, and shoved Rowling's name in a minor publishing note at the end.

It led some to theorise that studio bosses were 'woke-washing' the film's promotional material by removing or hiding Rowling's name to appeal to millennial and younger audiences  many of whom disagree with her remarks.

The same month, the author hosted some of the country's most prominent feminists and women's activists for a self-confessed boozy lunch to support the 'Respect My Sex' campaign.

Guests at The River Cafe in Fulham included Professor Kathleen Stock, who resigned from her University of Sussex job after being accused of transphobia and Helen Joyce, who penned Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality.

In April, JK Rowling's name magically reappeared in the trailer for the Fantastic Beasts film after it was effectively scrubbed from the original version amid the author's ongoing transphobia row

The co-founder of Sex Matters - which has united with other causes under the slogan 'Respect my Sex if you want my X' banner - Maya Forstater was also there.

They were joined by MP Rosie Duffield and veteran activist and campaigner at Get The L Out- Lesbian NOT queer campaign group Lianne Timmermann.

Also there was businesswoman Angela Wild, who says she has been sent 'death and rape threats on a daily basis' by transgender rights activists over her t-shirts and badges campaigning for womens sex-based rights.

In May, the 44-year-old was locked out of her Twitter account for writing: 'All men should be banned from women-only spaces - and they are'.

She was supported by JK Rowling, who retweeted a post claiming Ms Wild was being 'sabotaged' by trans activists.

That month, the BBC criticised an arts reporter who made a 'misleading' comment on JK Rowling's views on gender identity.

Tom Sutcliffe made the statement on BBC Radio 4's Front Row programme on March 24 that JK Rowling's critical view on whether transgender women are women is 'very unpopular'.

The journalist was complained about 584 times and the BBC's complaints unit said there is no evidence that Rowling's view is in a minority.
Volodymyr Zelensky has fired his top security chief and the state prosecutor after hundreds of cases of treason and collaboration with Russia were uncovered.

The Ukrainian president sacked Ivan Bakanov, head of the security service, and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who had been leading efforts to prosecute Russian war crimes.

Zelensky said more than 60 officials from the SBU security service and prosecutor's office were working against Ukraine in Russian-occupied territories, and 651 treason and collaboration cases had been opened against law enforcement officials.

Volodymyr Zelensky has fired his top security chief and the state prosecutor after hundreds of cases of treason and collaboration with Russia were uncovered

The Ukrainian president sacked Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who had been leading efforts to prosecute Russian war crimes

Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov was also fired by Zelensky on Sunday

The sackings and the sheer number of treason cases reveals the huge challenge of Russian infiltration as Kyiv battles Moscow in what it says is a fight for survival.

'Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the national security of the state ... pose very serious questions to the relevant leaders,' Zelensky said. 'Each of these questions will receive a proper answer.

In his nightly speech to the nation, Zelensky noted the recent arrest on suspicion of treason of the SBU's former head overseeing the region of Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 that Kyiv and the West still view as Ukrainian land.

Zelensky said he had fired the top security official at the start of the invasion, a decision he said had now been shown to be justified.

'Sufficient evidence has been collected to report this person on suspicion of treason. All his criminal activities are documented,' he said.

A damaged building is seen in Mykolaiv yesterday as Russia continues its barbaric assault on Ukraine

Grass burns after shelling not far from front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the Donbas region

After failing to capture the capital Kyiv early in the invasion, Russian forces using a campaign of devastating bombing now control large swaths of Ukraine's south and east, where pro-Russian separatists already control territory.

Zelensky said Russia had used more than 3,000 cruise missiles to date and it was 'impossible to count' the number of artillery and other strikes so far.

Dozens of relatives and local residents on Sunday attended the funeral of 4-year-old Liza Dmytrieva, one of 24 people killed in a Russian missile strike in the city of Vinnytsia last week.

Western deliveries of long-range arms are beginning to help Ukraine on the battlefield, with Kyiv citing a string of successful strikes carried out on 30 Russian logistics and ammunitions hubs, using several multiple launch rocket systems recently supplied by the West.

The strikes are causing havoc with Russian supply lines and have significantly reduced Russia's offensive capability, according to Ukraine's defence ministry.

Ukraine's southern Operational Command reported that in the Kherson region, it had destroyed two Russian Pantsir missile systems, three strategic communication systems, one radar station, two ammunition depots, and 11 armoured and military vehicles on Sunday.

Buildings destroyed by military strikes are seen, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in northern Saltivka, one of the most damaged residential areas of Kharkiv

The Russian military are also using radio-electronic warfare to suppress satellite communication channels, the Ukrainian General Staff said in a statement early on Monday.

Russia has ordered military units to intensify operations to prevent Ukrainian strikes on areas held by Russia, according to Ukraine which on the weekend reported shelling along the frontline in what it said was preparation for a fresh assault.

Ukraine's general staff said its forces had repelled Russian attacks in several towns in the Donetsk region.

'Fighting is currently ongoing near Hryhorivka near the administrative between Luhansk and Donetsk regions,' it said.

Overnight at least 10 explosions were reported in the southern city of Mykolaiv, but there was no information on casualties, while two people were killed and 10 wounded in Avdiivka and Novy Donbas, said Ukraine's general staff, citing local officials.

Reuters could not immediately verify the reports.

The British defence ministry said on Sunday that Russia was reinforcing defences across areas it occupies in southern Ukraine after pressure from Ukrainian forces and pledges from Ukrainian leaders to drive Russia out.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion on Feb. 24 calling it a 'special military operation' to demilitarise its neighbour and rid it of dangerous nationalists.

Kyiv and the West say it was an imperialist land grab and attempt reconquer a country that broke free of Moscow's rule with the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The biggest conflict in Europe since World War Two has killed more than 5,000 people, forced more than 6 million to flee Ukraine and left 8 million internally displaced, says the United Nations.

Ukraine and the West say Russian forces are targeting civilians and been involved in war crimes, charges Moscow rejects.
A four-month-old baby was allegedly wrenched from the arms of his parents and tossed to his death by a raging troop of monkeys in India last week.

The horrifying incident took place in the rural village of Dunka, close to Bareilly in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, where Nirdesh Upadhyay was standing on the terrace of his three-story house with his wife and their baby son.

The trio were enjoying a lazy Friday evening up on the terrace when a troop of the primates clambered onto the roof and surrounded them.

After futile efforts to bat the monkeys away, the new parents ran towards the stairs in an attempt to escape but Nirdesh, who was carrying his son, stumbled and dropped the child.

In a split second before either parent could react, one of the monkeys grabbed the baby boy by the hand and hurled him off the roof.

Distraught, the parents managed to get back inside the house and tore downstairs to their son's aid, but the infant reportedly died at the scene.

The incident is now under investigation with authorities at the Shahi police station, and Bareilly city's conservation chief, Lalit Verma, told PTI News his team were dispatched to investigate the involvement of monkeys in the child's death.

The trio were enjoying a lazy Friday evening up on the terrace when a troop of the primates clambered onto the roof and surrounded them

The horrifying incident took place in the rural village of Dunka, close to Bareilly in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (building in Dunka pictured)

Uttar Pradesh is home to a huge population of rhesus monkeys, which roam free throughout many of the state's towns and cities.

Although the primates are generally able to live in relative harmony alongside the humans who reside in these settlements, there are a number of documented cases of the monkeys attacking people, in particular children.

A five-year-old girl was killed by a troop of monkeys in the village of Bichpuri, in the Bareilly district of Uttar Pardesh, in February.

The girl, whose name was Narmada Kishore, was playing with her friends near Nakatiya river when the monkeys set upon her and began biting her all over her body, according to Times of India.

Narmanda's father, Nand, told the newspaper: 'The monkeys were quite aggressive and had bitten my daughter almost everywhere. When I reached the spot she was crying for help.'

The girl was rushed to the community health centre but died from major blood loss.

Nirdesh Upadhyay's son was thrown off a three-storey building by monkeys in Dunka, close to Bareilly in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is home to a huge population of rhesus monkeys, which roam free throughout many of the state's towns and cities. They generally live in harmony with their human neighbours but there have been multiple reports of violence committed by monkeys, particularly towards children

There are even incidents of the primates hijacking vehicles from unsuspecting motorists in Bareilly, including one report of a monkey stealing and crashing a bus.

In 2015, one primate managed to start the engine of the bus as it sat in a garage in the city while the driver was taking a nap.

The monkey turned the ignition key and reportedly smashed the bus into two other vehicles parked in the garage before the driver was able to regain control.

'The driver managed to regain control of the bus but not before it hit two other parked buses,' local public transport manager SK Sharma told Times of India at the time.

'Monkeys have become a regular menace at bus stations and workshops, where they often fiddle with vehicles undergoing repair. They have also damaged CCTV cameras at stations.

'Three years ago we were able to get rid of them with the help of municipal authorities but they have returned.'
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This is the terrifying moment passengers on board a train out of Madrid found themselves surrounded by flames this morning as dozens of out-of-control wildfires burn across Spain amidst Europe's 'heat apocalypse'.

Francisco Seoane Perez, an expert in political communication riding the 9.30am train to Ferrol, captured the astonishing scenes as the train passed the town of Senabria on Monday morning.

Mr Perez described 'moments of panic' as the train came to a halt in the midst of the Zamora wildfire, with flames advancing rapidly on both sides of the track. Footage recorded on his smartphone shows the blaze ripping through grassland just a few feet away, as people can be heard saying: 'He is stopping... what is he doing?'

Speaking to El Diario, Mr Perez said the train was stopped for only a few moments before driving slowly out of danger - but passengers were 'very afraid' because of the speed of the advancing fire. 'When you stopped looking out one window to look out the other, the fire had already moved,' he said. The line was closed a short time later.

Temperatures in Spain are widely above 104F (40C) today and have remained high for at least a week, leaving virtually the entire country under a warning for 'extreme danger' of fires. There were 36 blazes burning as-of Monday morning including 24 which were out of control.

More than 1,000 people have died across Spain and Portugal - which has also suffered temperatures up to 116F and wildfires - in the heatwave, though most died as a result of heat stress. At least one 62-year-old firefighter has died in Spain after getting trapped in flames, while a 69-year-old shepherd also burned to death.

Meanwhile temperature records are tumbling in France, with dozens of cities recording their hottest day ever: Brest hit 35.8C (96F) by midday, beating a previous record set in 1949, while Nantes hit 40.5C (105F). Landes forest, near Bordeaux, could see 44C (111F) today.

Bordeaux has also been hit hard by wildfires, with two 'monster' blazes raging today that had forced the evacuation of 11,500 people. Firefighters ordered 3,500 people out of their homes in villages west of Langon early Monday, before another 8,000 people were 'preventatively' evacuated from La Teste-de-Buch later in the day.

Some relief will come later today when a sudden easterly wind - known as a Galerne - will sweep on-shore, causing temperatures to plunge by 20C in just one hour between 5pm and 6pm local time. However, strong winds are likely to whip up the wildfire and produce more havoc for rescue crews.

Terrified passengers on board a train from Madrid to Ferrol found themselves caught in the middle of a wildfire around 9.30am while passing through the city of Senabria

A firefighting helicopter descends towards a swimming pool in the town of Avila, Spain, to collect water and dump it on a nearby wildfire as the country suffers through a crippling heatwave

A helicopter drops water gathered from a nearby swimming pool on to a blaze in Avila, Spain. There are 36 fires burning across the country today, two dozen of which are out of control

A shepherd watches a fire burning a wheat field between Tabara and Losacio in Zamora, northern Spain, where a train full of passengers was surrounded by fire today

A fire brigade crew attend the scene as a wildfire burns near Tabara, Zamora, on the second heatwave of the year, in Spain

A firefighter from the Brigadas de Refuerzo en Incendios Forestales (BRIF) reacts as the fire reaches near Tabara, Zamora, on the second heatwave of the year, in Spain, July 18

Another firefighter from the BRIF tackles a fire in a wheat field in Tabara in Spain. Virtually the entire country is under a warning for 'extreme danger' of fires

Flames burn through wood and grassland in Cebreros, Spain, where hundreds of firefighters are battling dozens of blazes that have killed at least two people with a third missing

Spain is burning following days of high temperatures - widely above 40C (104F) today - amidst a heatwave that has swept across western Europe over the last week

A man walks amidst burning fields in Tabara and Losacio, northern Spain, which has been ravaged by wildfire in recent days

A local man helps firefighters to tamp down a grass blaze in Tabara and Losacio, northern Spain, which has burned through thousands of acres of field and woodland

In recent days, unusually high temperatures have gripped swaths of Europe, triggering wildfires from Portugal to the Balkan region. Some countries are also experiencing extended droughts.

Climate change makes such life-threatening extremes less of a rarity - and has brought heat waves even to the UK, which braced for possibly record-breaking temperatures.

The hot weather in the UK was expected to be so severe this week that train operators warned it could warp the rails and some schools set up wading pools to help children cool off.

French forecasters also warned of possible record temperatures as swirling hot winds complicated firefighting efforts in the country's southwest.

A firefighter takes position at a forest fire near Louchats, some 35kms from Landiras in Gironde, southwestern France on July 18 as the wildfires spread

Firefighters in Gironde, south-western France, are battling a 'monster' blaze which has already ripped through 14,000 acres and is set to intensify today as temperatures hit 44C in the region

Flames torch a forest in Gironde, southern France, where firefighters are trying to contain a blaze described as the worst the region has seen for at least three decades

A tactical firefighter set fires to burn a plot of land as firefighters attempt to prevent the wild fire from spreading due to wind change, as they fight a forest fire near Louchats in Gironde, southwestern France

Firefighters stand on a road as heavy smoke is seen in the background during forest fires near the city of Origne, south-western France

A firefighter takes position as smoke rises from a forest fire near Louchats. In Gironde, flames ravaged more than 15.000 hectares of forests since it is started on July 12

A water-bombing plane drops its cargo on a wildfire burning in Avila, around 50 miles west of Madrid, on Monday

A deserted play area is pictured at Grenfell Park in Maidenhead, temperatures have topped 38C in the heatwave, as train services are cut, schools closed and ambulance crews face rising numbers of 999 calls

Large parts of southern and western Europe are now under 'extreme danger' fire warnings, based on EU emergency management data, while some parts of Spain and Portugal are under the most-severe 'very extreme danger' warning

NASA satellite data shows wildfires that have started in Europe over the last seven days, with Portugal, Spain and France all seeing higher-than-usual numbers due to freak temperatures

'The fire is literally exploding,' said Marc Vermeulen, the regional fire service chief who described tree trunks shattering as flames consumed them, sending burning embers into the air and further spreading the blazes.

'We're facing extreme and exceptional circumstances,' he said.

Authorities started evacuating more towns, moving another 11,500 people from areas at risk of finding themselves in the path of the fires and their thick clouds of choking smoke.

That will take the number of people who have been forced out of their homes in the Gironde region to nearly 28,000 since the wildfires began July 12.

Three additional planes were sent to join six others already fighting the fires, scooping up seawater into their tanks and making repeated runs through dense clouds of smoke, the Interior Ministry said Sunday night.

More than 200 reinforcements headed to join the 1,500-strong force of firefighters battling night and day to contain the blazes in the Gironde, where flames neared prized vineyards and the Arcachon maritime basin famed for its oysters and beaches.

A Spanish firefighter weeps in the Losacio region after one of his colleagues was killed fighting a wildfire, which can be seen raging behind him with smoke pouring into the sky

A smoke column emerges from a forest fire in O Barco de Valdeorras in northwestern Spain, as two dozen fires burn out of control across the country, with temperatures widely in excess of 104F (40C)

Firefighters near Barcelona, Spain, carry out controlled burnings of tinder-dry undergrowth in an attempt to stop larger wildfires from damaging homes and cities

Spanish firefighters work to extinguish a blaze in O Barco de Valdeorras, in northwestern Spain, around 60 miles from where a fellow fireman was burned to death late Sunday by an out-of-control wildfire

Spain, meanwhile, reported a second fatality in two days as it battled its own blazes. The body of a 69-year-old sheep farmer was found Monday in the same hilly area where a 62-year-old firefighter died a day earlier when he was trapped by flames in the northwestern Zamora province.

More than 30 forest fires around Spain have forced the evacuation of thousands of people and blackened 220 square kilometers (85 square miles) of forest and scrub.

Climate scientists say heat waves are more intense, more frequent and longer because of climate change - and coupled with droughts have made wildfires harder to fight.

They say climate change will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

'Climate change kills,' Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Monday during a visit to the Extremadura region, where firefighters tackled three major blazes. 'It kills people, it kills our ecosystems and biodiversity.'

Teresa Ribera, Spain's minister for ecological transition, described her country as 'literally under fire' as she attended talks on climate change in Berlin.

Flames light up pine trees in Louchats, south-west France, where temperatures are expected to break all-time records as they soar to 44C (111F) today

A firefighter in Gironde carries out a controlled burning as he tried to stop the spread of a nearby wildfire that has been burning out of control for more than a week

A firefighter in Gironde wanders through a burning pine forest as record-breaking temperatures turn parts of southern France into a giant tinder-box

Firemen in southern France carry out tactical burnings of tinder-dry woodland in an attempt to stop a nearby wildfire from spreading, after it torched 14,000 acres of forest in six days

Strong winds and record-breaking temperatures have combined to produce a 'monster' fire in southern France which has devastated woodland near Gironde (pictured)

Firefighters from the Brigadas de Refuerzo en Incendios Forestales prepare hosepipes to tackle a forest fire in Cebreros

Firefighters from the Brigadas de Refuerzo en Incendios Forestales water burned trees to tackle a forest fire in Cebrerod

Firefighters from the Brigadas de Refuerzo en Incendios Forestales walk past a burned forest during a forest fire in Cebreros

She warned of 'terrifying prospects still for the days to come' - after more than 10 days of temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), cooling only moderately at night.

According to Spain's Carlos III Institute, which records daily temperature-related fatalities, 237 deaths were attributed to high temperatures from July 10 to 14. That was compared to 25 heat-related deaths the previous week.

The heat wave in Spain is forecast to ease on Tuesday, but the respite will be brief as temperatures rise again on Wednesday, especially in the dry western Extremadura region.

In Britain, officials have issued the first-ever extreme heat warning, and the weather service forecast that the record high of 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019, could be shattered.

'Forty-one isn't off the cards,' said Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby. 'We've even got some 43s in the model, but we're hoping it won't be as high as that.'

The Balkans region has also seen sporadic wildfires, and is expecting the worst of the heat later this week.

Early on Monday, authorities in Slovenia said firefighters managed to bring one fire under control. Croatia sent a water-dropping plane there to help battle the flames after struggling last week with its own wildfires along the Adriatic Sea coast. A fire in Sibenik forced some people to evacuate their homes but was later extinguished.

In Portugal, much cooler weather Monday helped fire crews make progress against blazes. More than 600 firefighters attended four major fires in northern Portugal.

A local woman weeps while inspecting the damage to her home caused by a wildfire in O Barco de Valdeorras, Spain

The remains of a house destroyed in O Barco de Valdeorras, northern Spain, as the distraught owner returns to her home

Tactical firefighters set a fire to a plot of land to prevent the fire from spreading as the winds change in Louchats, south-western France, where temperature records could be broken today

A firefighter in southern France watches as woodland burns after he set a controlled fire in an attempt to stop a much larger wildfire nearby from spreading

A firefighter in southern France sets light to undergrowth and pine trees in an attempt to eat up tinder-dry vegetation and stop a nearby wildfire from spreading

A fire truck sprays water on a wildfire that has been burning in southern France for almost a week, consuming 14,000 acres of woodland in the process and forcing 16,000 people from their homes

The charred remains of a house that burned down in a wildfire are seen in O Barco de Valdeorras, northern Spain

A tree turned to burned ash is seen in O Barco de Valdeorras, northern Spain, where a number of fires are currently raging

A swimming pool evaporated from the heath of surrounding wildfires is seen in O Barco de Valdeorras, northern Spain

A burnt area near of the village O Barco de Valdeorras, Galicia, northwestern Spaim

Burned area are seen during a wildfire in El Pont de Vilomara, north of Barcelona, Spain

A dirt path divides a burned area of pine forest from trees which escaped the inferno after a wildfire torched areas of El Pont de Vilomara, north of Barcelona, Spain

Scorched trees following a forest fire in Cebreros in Avila, Spain, with dozens of wildfires raging across the country

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is due to visit the hard-hit eastern region of Extremadura on Monday where various fires have been raging for days.

In Portugal, almost the entire country remained on high alert for wildfires despite a slight drop in temperatures, after hitting 47C - a record for the month of July - on Thursday.

Only one major fire was burning on Sunday in the north.

The fires have killed two, injured around 60 and destroyed between 12,000 and 15,000 hectares of land in Portugal.

In the United Kingdom, the weather office issued a first-ever 'red' warning for extreme heat, cautioning there was a 'risk to life'.

The Met Office said temperatures in southern England could exceed 40C on Monday or Tuesday for the first time, leading some schools to say they would stay closed next week.

The mercury is set to reach 38C in parts of the Netherlands on Tuesday.

A woman cool off at a mist machine at the Paris Plage event during a heatwave in Paris, France

A man cools down with water hoses in the city of Cologne, western Germany, amid an extraordinary heatwave in Europe

A man douses his hat in water as he attempts to cool down amid a heatwave that is currently scorching Europe
A British tourist was found dead on the Greek Island of Crete when fellow beachgoers became concerned after they noticed he had been lying on a sunbed for hours without moving.

The 54-year-old man, who was pronounced dead after being rushed to Heraklion University Hospital, was discovered around 8pm on Saturday night by bathers at the popular Stalida beach in the municipality of Hersonissos.

They became suspicious after the man, who had seemingly been sunbathing on the shore, had remained still in the sun for hours without reprieve.

The man was discovered on Stalida beach (pictured), part of the northern municipality of Hersonissos on the island of Crete

The 54-year-old man, who was pronounced dead after being rushed to Heraklion University Hospital (pictured), was discovered around 8pm on Saturday night by bathers at the popular Stalida beach

Upon further inspection the bathers realised the Brit was unconscious and raised the alarm.

Emergency services rushed to the scene where bathers were performing CPR in an attempt to revive the man, to no avail.

The man's identity has not yet been revealed, and his body is scheduled to undergo a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of his death.

An FCDO spokesperson told the MailOnline: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Crete,' but declined to give any further information on the case.

News of the man's death in Crete came as another British tourist drowned in a hotel pool at the Majorcan resort of Palmanova yesterday.

The 53-year-old male is believed to have died after fainting while swimming in the pool of the Globales Palmanova hotel.

It is believed the tourist was swimming in this pool at the Globales Palmanova Hotel (pictured)

Majorcan emergency services attempted to revive the man but he was sadly declared dead at the scene of the incident

The alarm was raised at around 4.30pm, but the swimmer was unresponsive after being dragged out of the pool.

Police and paramedics tried to revive him after reaching the scene and taking over from lifeguards but were unable to save him.

The unidentified man was pronounced dead before his body was taken away for a post-mortem.

Civil Guard officers are now carrying out a routine investigation and will prepare a report for a local judge.

Police could not be reached to give a statement.
Boris Johnson today warned that 'time is running out' to prevent climate change destroying humanity today - as Conservative Party members suggested they don't care.

The outgoing Prime Minister urged action to mitigate 'the carbon tea cosy that is heating our planet to destruction' as Britain braced for its hottest summer day in recorded history.

He spoke as he addressed aviation leaders at the Farnborough Air Show and urged them to find greener ways of powering transatlantic flight.

But it came as a new poll found that just four per cent of Conservative Party members rate the 2050 Net Zero emissions target one of their top three priorities for the new leader who replaces him.

The survey by YouGov for the Times found that winning the next election, controlling immigration and easing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on families came top of the list.

Mr Johnson told guests at the Hampshire aviation showpiece: 'On this scorching day, with the thermometer about to blow and temperatures here apparently higher than the Sahara, there is the next great technological challenge, which is how to send a plane across the Atlantic without burning thousands of tons of kerosene and adding to the carbon tea cosy that is heating our planet to destruction.

'We know that we must fix it. We know that time is running out.

'That's why one of the first things I initiated three years ago was a project called Jet Zero, which I think many of you are participating in, thanks very much for what you are doing. A zero-carbon flight.'

The outgoing Prime Minister urged action to mitigate 'the carbon tea cosy that is heating our planet to destruction' as Britain braced for its hottest summer day in recorded history.

A sign at London Bridge station about the heat The Met Office is warning temperatures could climb to 41C

As the country prepares to grind to a halt thanks to temperatures that could hit 41C (106F), Kit Malthouse insisted the Government was ready.

However he admitted that lessons would be learnt - as he advised people to 'take it easy' over the next few days.

It came after the Cabinet minister who led last year's landmark UN climate change summit in Glasgow has indicated he could resign if the next prime minister is not fully committed to the Net Zero agenda.

Cop26 president Alok Sharma said some of the remaining candidates in the Tory leadership race had been only 'lukewarm' towards climate commitments.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr Malthouse today defended Boris Johnson's decision not to attend a Cobra meeting on the heatwave and instead spend the weekend having a party at Chequers.

He told Sky News: 'It's my job to chair Cobra meetings. I briefed him yesterday morning at about 8am personally.'

As the country prepares to grind to a halt thanks to temperatures that could hot 41C (105F), Kit Malthouse insisted the Government was ready.

Heavy traffic on the M4 near Bristol, people are urged not to travel unless they have to as most of the UK has an amber warning with some places have a red warning for high temperatures.

'If you are lucky enough not to be working today and you are going to the beach, obviously I know you will take lots of sun cream and water and an umbrella and all those kinds of things and be sensible.

'But we need to recognise that there are some people who will not cope well in the heat and what we want is for everybody to look out for them.

'Lots of people will go about their lives perfectly normally, for example we have said that schools should stay open and kids should go to school, very often they are safer in schools and kids need to learn and schools can look after them and hydrate them and keep them nice and cool.

But he also told the BBC: 'We definitely need to adapt the way we build buildings, the way we operate and look at some of our infrastructure in the light of what seems to be an increasing frequency of these kinds of events,' he told BBC Radio.

He urged people to 'look out for those groups who are most vulnerable to the heat' - particularly small children and the elderly.

In an interview with The Observer yesterday, Mr Sharma urged the new PM to 'proactively' set out their support for the net zero agenda and 'green' growth.

Leaders at Glasgow's Cop26 agreed to try and limit global warming to 1.5C - and the UK has pledged to become net zero by 2050.

It comes as climate experts warn of increasingly frequent extreme weather, such as that being seen across Europe and in the UK, and emphasise that the effects of climate change are not coming, they are already here.

'Anyone aspiring to lead our country needs to demonstrate that they take this issue incredibly seriously, that they're willing to continue to lead and take up the mantle that Boris Johnson started off,' he said.

Asked if he could resign if candidates were weak on net zero, Mr Sharma said: 'Let's see, shall we? I think we need to see where the candidates are. And we need to see who actually ends up in No 10.

'I hope every candidate realises why this is so important for voters generally and why it's important for Conservative supporters. And I hope that we will see, particularly with the final two, a very clear statement that this is an agenda that they do support.'

Pressed a second time, he added: 'I don't rule anything out and I don't rule anything in.'

Of the five remaining candidates in the contest, only Kemi Badenoch has said she does not support the UK target of getting to net zero emissions by 2050, describing it as 'unilateral economic disarmament'.

The others have indicated varying degrees of enthusiasm for the policy, which is unpopular with some sections of the party amid concerns about the impact on the economy.

This fire in Gironde, France, this week led to the evacuation of more than 12,000 local residents for their safety

The Cop 26 president Alok Sharma said: 'I hope every candidate realises why this is so important for voters generally and why it's important for Conservative supporters'

The Met Office has warned that temperatures could rise even further to 43C (109F) tomorrow - with trains already cancelled, hospital appointments axed and schools closed amid warnings that healthy people could die.

Its chief executive Penny Endersby confirmed 'we may well see the hottest day in the UK in history' today - beating the record of 38.7C (101.7F) set in Cambridge in July 2019 - but tomorrow is now expected to be even warmer.

With the UK set to be hotter than the Sahara Desert today, transport links in London were already grinding to a halt due to train cancellations - while roads could melt and bosses have urged employees to work from home.

Health chiefs told patients to stay away unless it is an emergency amid fears hospitals will be overwhelmed, while emergency services urged swimmers to stay away from lakes and rivers in case they face difficulties.

Some schools in Nottinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire have shut while others will close early - and water providers have also warned of shortages after the hottest day of 2022 so far yesterday with 33C (91F) highs.

Other schools were cancelling detentions and sports days because of the heatwave. Northwood Community Primary School in Kirkby, Merseyside, said that sports day had been axed today; while King Charles I School, a secondary school in Worcestershire, has cancelled all on-site detentions both today and tomorrow.

Professor Endersby told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning: 'We think today we may well see the hottest day in the UK in history, with the hottest temperatures in the South East, but actually the highest temperatures we expect tomorrow, and those temperatures will be further north as that warm air pushes north.

'It's tomorrow that we're really seeing the higher chance of 40C and temperatures above that. Even possibly above that... 41C isn't off the cards. We've even got some 43Cs in the model but we're hoping it won't be as high as that.'

One GP surgery in Hertfordshire had to close a site today because it has no air conditioning; others in London have texted patients to warn them of reduced services with limited clinic rooms in operation; and Milton Keynes University Hospital said it was 'standing down routine outpatient appointments and surgery' today and tomorrow.

In Cardiff, a children's hospital's cancer ward at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital was left without air conditioning after the unit failed in hot weather. Engineers were working to fix the fault affecting the chemotherapy area - and health chiefs said that if the problem cannot be solved, patients will be moved to a different ward to keep cool.

As health officials declared a 'national emergency', rail chaos was already affecting parts of London this morning - with the Overground suspended between Willesden Junction and Richmond, and Romford and Upminster.

On the Underground, the District, Central, Bakerloo and Jubilee lines all had severe delays while the Hammersmith & City Line was completely axed due to 'heat related restrictions' and there was no Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate. Transport for London told all passengers in the capital to avoid non-essential travel.

The scorching heat means the UK will be warmer than Nassau in the Bahamas (32C), Kingston in Jamaica (33C), Malaga in Spain (28C), Athens in Greece (35C), Albufeira in Portugal (28C) and Dakhla in the Western Sahara (24C).

Temperatures had already hit 33C (92F) at London City Airport before noon today.
A mother-of-two was mauled to death by her pet American Bully XL dog after it 'turned mad in the extreme heat'.

Joanne Robinson, 43, died at the scene of the attack at a house in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Friday night.

She is understood to have been the owner of the animal, called Rocco, which is on the legal dog breeds list and attacked her at around 10pm.

Her partner, Jamie Stead, 42, was left with injuries to his hands, stomach and face as he tried to saved her and pull the animal off her.

Joanne's mother, Dotty Robinson, said the family are in 'disbelief and shock' over her death and believed the weather may have affected the animals.

She said Joanne had two XL Bully dogs - Rocco who was nearly two, and Lola.

She said the pets were well behaved and 'not dangerous', but added: 'I don't know why they suddenly snapped. I can only think they turned mad in the extreme heat. It must have set them off.'

Today, Ms Robinson's heartbroken son paid tribute to his mother, calling her his 'best friend' and a 'caring mum and the best Nannan to my kids.'

Joanne Robinson (pictured) is believed to be the third victim of a legal breed which has killed two tots

Joanne is understood to have been the owner of the animal, called Rocco (pictured), which is on the legal dog breeds list and attacked her at around 10pm

Joanne's partner also suffered life-changing injuries after the dog attack, police have said. Pictured: South Yorkshire Police officers were on scene on Saturday morning

Joanne Robinson (pictured), 43, was killed by her American Bully XL dog at her home in Rotherham on Friday night

Dozens of flowers have already been laid at the scene of the attack

'Rocco's a big dog, he's bigger than a lion. He was like a small horse.'

She told The Sun that Rocco and Lola, have been destroyed.

Dotty added of Jamie: 'He's hoping to come home from hospital today but he is still in much pain.

'He knows Joanna has gone and is absolutely devastated as we all are. We will miss her so much.

'He's had a horrible ordeal.

He's lost his partner of twenty years and his dogs.'

Ms Robinson's son Dillon, penned a heartbreaking tribute to his mother on Facebook today.

Floral tributes have been placed on metal railings outside the house while neighbours have spoken of their shock and horror

The gate at the property had a 'Beware of the dogs' sign that continued: 'They bite you have been warned'

Dangerous dog legislation in the UK What is the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991? The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 bans or restricts certain types of dogs and makes it an offence to allow a dog of any breed to be dangerously out of control. It was introduced 30 years ago by Home Secretary Kenneth Baker 'to rid the country of the menace of these fighting dogs' after a string of attacks. Which dogs are banned in the UK? It is illegal to own four breeds of dogs without an exemption from a court. They are: American pitbull terriers;

Japanese tosas

Dogo Argentinos;

Fila Brazileiro The law also criminalises cross-breeds of the above four types of dog - meaning that whether a dog is prohibited will depend on a judgement about its physical characteristics, and whether they match the description of a prohibited 'type'. What happens if there's a dog attack? You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months if your dog is dangerously out of control. You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed. If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to five years or fined. If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with 'malicious wounding'. And if you allow your dog to kill someone you can be sent to prison for up to 14 years or get an unlimited fine. Why has the Act been criticised? Both the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the British Veterinary Association have protested against the ban, insisting there is no scientific evidence that all individuals of a breed are dangerous. However, Met Police data suggests that in incidents involving 'dangerously out of control dogs', banned breeds account for about a fifth of offences. Advertisement

He wrote: 'If you want to share anything about my mum please feel free to share this. Let's remember her how she was the crazy, caring loving mum, daughter, friend, sister, auntie, Nannan.

'My mum was more than a mum, she was my best friend. She was the most caring person and would do anything for anybody.

'She was the best Nannan to my kids and I'm honestly heartbroken she will never get to meet the third one on the way.'

Since Ms Robinson's death, dozens of floral tributes have been left at the scene on Masefield Road.

One message said: 'To our beautiful angel up above. You will never be forgotten. Love you always.'One neighbour described Joanne as a 'lovely lady' and a loving mum of two. Another said: 'I'm devastated. She was a lovely lady. They are a lovely family.'

'I can't get over what's happened'

Dillon Robinson added: 'I would like the thank all the support from family and friends, everyone who has been to drop cards and flowers.

'As a family are all hurting she was the life and sole at every party and will be missed by a lot of people. As of now my life has completely changed I can't get over what's happened but I know with the help from friends and family we will get there. We will keep her memory alive and make sure everyone knows who Joanne Robinson was.'

Floral tributes have been placed on metal railings outside the house while neighbours have spoken of their shock and horror.

One heart-breaking message read: 'To our beautiful angel up above. You will never be forgotten. Love you always.'

Neighbour John Allerton, 69, a retired miner, said: 'It's really really tragic.'

Another friend said: 'I'm devastated. She was a lovely lady. They are a lovely family.'

The police took away two dogs. One man, who said he was the couple's son, said, 'I can assure you that the dogs were treated well.'

There have been numerous incidents involving Bully XL dogs, with police confirming in march that Bella-Rae Birch, a 17-month-old girl, was killed by one in her own home.

Police said the toddler was attacked at her family's home in St Helens, Merseryside, a week after they bought the dog.

It was also reported that a Bully XL mauled Welsh schoolboy Jack Lis to death in a savage attack last year.

Floral tributes have been left to the mother, with neighbours describing her as a 'lovely lady'.

South Yorkshire Police forensic officers at the scene of a fatal dog attack in Rotherham

Fatal dog attacks in the UK in 2022: Six people have so far died from dog attacks in the UK this year. They are: John William Jones, 68 John William Jones, known as William, was found dead at his country cottage in Lampeter, West Wales on - 10 Jan. Police sedated three bulldogs Milo, Tia and Abbie after arriving at the scene. Kyra Leanne King Three-month-old Kyra Leanne King died on March 6 at Ostler's Plantation, near Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire. A 40-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of an out-of-control husky. Bella-Rae Birch Bella-Rae Birch was just 17 months old when an American Bully XL mauled her to death at her home in Blackbrook, St Helen's on March 21. Lawson Bond Two-year-old Lawson Bond was savaged at home in the village of Egdon, Worcestershire, on March 28. Lawson suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of his horrific injuries and died two days later on March 30. Daniel Twigg Three-year-old Daniel Twigg from Rochdale was mauled to death in a dog attack on a farm on May 15. Daniel was taken by ambulance to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Kevin Jones 62-year-old Mr Jones died after being mauled by a dog at a house in Wales on Monday, May 23. The Welsh Ambulance Service said Mr Jones was having a heart attack after being bitten by the dog, but died at the scene. Advertisement

Cards and flowers have gathered outside the home where the couple lived, including a note from her children Elle, 24 and Dillon, 19, which read: 'Mum I love and miss you.'

South Yorkshire Police says two dogs have been seized and removed from the property, and neither of these are on the banned breeds list.

The force said neither are considered 'banned breeds' under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

A statement from the force said: 'We were called to a property on Masefield Road in West Melton at about 10.15pm last night by a member of the public stating a dog had attacked himself and a woman.

'Officers attended with a Yorkshire Ambulance [Service] crew and found a man, aged 42, with a potentially life-altering injury to one hand, plus injuries to his other hand, abdomen and face. He was transported to hospital for further treatment.

'The woman, aged 43, had been fatally bitten and despite the best efforts of emergency crews was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

'The dog, plus another dog at the property, were secured by specially trained officers.

'Neither dog was of a banned breed.'

According to the UK Bully Kennel Club website, the American Bully XL is a large breed, with males standing between 51cm and above.

The Club says: 'In spite of its considerable size, the XL is highly prized for not only its impressive stature, but also its gentle personality and loving nature.

'It is a recent breed, dating back to the 1980's, and is regarded the distinctive build and height combined with a compassionate nature mean its popularity continues to grow.'

RSPCA is linking the the increase in Britons buying puppies during Covid to a surge in fatal dog attacks.

Reports from the Dog and Cat Behaviour Association show dog attacks increased by 54 per cent between 2020 and 2021.

It is illegal to own four breeds of dogs without an exemption from a court.

They are American pitbull terriers, Japanese tosas, Dog Argentinos and Fila Brazileiro.

The law also criminalises cross-breeds of the above four types of dog - meaning that whether a dog is prohibited will depend on a judgement about its physical characteristics, and whether they match the description of a prohibited 'type'.
A civic organization reported that over 30 Thai activists and supporters were attacked using Pegasus malware from NSO Group.

More than 30 Thai Activists were Attacked with a Spyware

The powerful Pegasus spyware from NSO Group has been used to attack more than 30 Thai activists and supporters, civic organizations said late on Sunday (July 17), as reported by The Washington Post. This is the first nationwide campaign made public due to Apple's warnings to targeted iPhone users.

Pegasus can collect audio, photographs, texts, contacts, emails, and any phone communications, including those that are tightly encrypted. It may be installed using any "exploit" or attack application for Android or iPhone.

According to a study by Citizen Lab researchers at the University of Toronto, Pegasus spyware was widely used against pro-democracy demonstrators in 2020 and 2021, including those who had previously been physically assaulted, harassed, and arrested by Thai police.

The forensic analysis performed by the Citizen Lab, submitted to peer review by experts at Amnesty International's security lab, throws into question claims made by Thai government officials who said last year that allegations of state-sponsored attacks were "untrue."

Apple approached iLaw, a local human rights group, after informing suspected Pegasus victims in November. Some Thai Apple alert recipients contacted civic organizations, and iLaw found more victims.

Israeli-based NSO Group has been banned from U.S. transactions following discoveries that its spyware was used against nonviolent dissidents and their allies across the globe, including State Department workers.

The business has become the most recent representation of one of the world's most challenging problems: how to prevent governments from recruiting talented engineers to exploit security holes and spy on anybody they like.

Apple and Facebook's parent company Meta have also filed lawsuits against NSO, alleging that they violated American law by hacking their equipment.

Read Also: NASA x Roscosmos: US, Russian Astronauts to Switch Rocket Seats for the Second Time

Apple Reveals Lockdown Mode that Prevents Spyware Assaults on Users

Apple has unveiled a new security mechanism to shield high-risk consumers from cyberattacks, including malware, BBC News reports. The company's iPhones, iPads, and Macs will support Lockdown Mode starting in the fall with the release of the newest operating system.

The option restricts calls from unidentified users and inhibits certain functions. It follows the spyware infection of Apple devices used by journalists, lawmakers, and activists.

Apple is presently suing Israeli spyware company NSO Group, alleging that it used its potent Pegasus malware to target people in 150 different nations. The firm came under fire from privacy and security experts in July when the scope of the suspected surveillance was made public.

Lockdown Mode will be accessible to all users in the device settings at launch, but Apple advises against using it unless you are in particular danger from what it terms "mercenary spyware assaults," such as a journalist or an opposition figure in an oppressive government.

The following safeguards will be present in the new feature:

Messages: All attachment kinds except photos are restricted. Link previews are one of the functions that are deactivated. Web browsing: Unless the user excludes a reputable site, several sophisticated web features, such as just-in-time JavaScript compilation, are blocked. Calls: If the user hasn't already called or requested the initiator, incoming calls are banned even over FaceTime. When the iPhone is locked, wired connections to a device or accessory are prevented.

Related Article: Pegasus Spyware Detector: 4 Ways to Tell If Your Android Is Infected and How to Use Amnesty's Toolkit
The renowned sculptor who created the eponymous bull statue in Birmingham's Bull Ring has been locked in a bitter 5 million court battle with his sons after cutting them out of his will and leaving everything to the National Trust.

One of Britain's top living artists, Laurence Broderick, 87, disinherited his sons Graeham and Roger after they blamed him for the death of their younger brother Ollie in 2019.

The artist, who is best known for his six-ton bronze bull sculpture - named one of the world's top ten public artworks - also changed the locks on the family home so that neither sons could get in.

The once tight-knit family had once worked together, with older son Graeham working alongside his father and mother to finish, market and sell Laurence's art.

But grief ripped the family apart in 2018 when Laurence's wife Ingrid was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the couple's youngest son Ollie died a year later.

Ollie died aged 46, having suffered kidney failure from just nine months old. During his life, he had three kidney transplants, as well as dialysis while on the transplant waiting list. He died 'peacefully' in hospital in 2019.

After Laurence was 'blamed' for Ollie's death by his other two sons, he cut them out of his life and froze Graeham out of the family business, London's High Court heard.

Graeham then sued his father, claiming he was owed up to 5 million by his parents because he had been an equal member of a business 'partnership' with his mother and father for 20 years.

The father and son have now agreed a settlement, halting court proceedings.

Laurence Broderick, 87, who created 'The Bull' in Birmingham's Bull Ring has clashed in a 5 million court fight with his sons after cutting them out of his will and leaving everything to the National Trust

Pictured, Graeham (left) and Roger (right) outside London's High Court. Graeham Broderick told the judge he was 'upset and disappointed' with his artist father, insisting 'we have been kind and decent sons'

Youngest son Ollie died aged 46, having suffered kidney failure from just nine months old. During his life, he had three kidney transplants, as well as dialysis while on the transplant waiting list. He died 'peacefully' in hospital in 2019

Graeham had claimed he was rightful owner of a one third share under that partnership of all 'partnership assets,' which he said included his father's artworks and valuable copyrights, plus properties in Bedfordshire and the Isle of Skye.

The case reached court last week, with Graeham telling Judge David Halpern QC from the witness box that he was 'upset and disappointed' with his artist father, insisting 'we have been kind and decent sons'.

Laurence Broderick is a renowned sculptor specialising in figurative carvings in stone and castings in bronze, often with a nature theme.

His best known work is 'The Bull', a public sculpture erected in 2003 at the Bullring shopping centre, Birmingham, which has been named one of the world's top ten public artworks.

Born in Bristol, Laurence visited the Isle of Skye in 1978 with his young family, where saw his first wild otter, the subject of many of his subsequent works.

After that, Skye became his second home and he held annual sculpture exhibitions on the island for 26 years.

He now divides his time between studios on Skye and Waresley, in Bedfordshire.

Suing his father, Graeham told the judge that he had assisted with making the sculptures since 1991 and, from 1999 until the 'traumatic' falling out in 2019, was in a formal business partnership with his parents.

He had worked up to 50 hours a week all year round, he said, with just three weeks off.

'I never thought I'd find myself in this situation. I trusted my parents,' he told the judge.

Laurence Broderick's best known work is 'The Bull', a public sculpture erected in 2003 at the Bullring shopping centre, Birmingham, which has been named one of the world's top ten public artworks. File image

David Parratt, counsel for Graeham, told the judge that the two properties his father uses as artist studios in Skye and Waresley are one third his son's property according to the rules of the partnership, along with the same share of his father's art and the profits of the art business up until 2019.

Shining a light on the family breakdown, the barrister told the judge that Graham's evidence should be preferred to his father's.

'The breakdown of the familial relationships; the death of Ollie, Graeham and Roger's anger at the circumstances of that and placing blame for that on Laurence by forcibly taking Ollie to Skye; the infirmity and incapacity of Ingrid and her sons' concerns for her welfare resulting in attempted interventions in her care; and Laurence's feelings of being attacked by his two sons, all inform Laurence's motives and motivation in this action,' he said.

'It is submitted that these are to be antagonistic, vengeful and spiteful and leave nothing of his assets and property to his two sons. His evidence should be treated with caution for that reason,' he told the judge.

Graeham added from the witness box: 'My father changed the locks on the family home so that neither I nor Roger could gain access, which was very traumatic.

'There was nothing wrong with the locks. My father just asked for the locks to be changed.'

Graeham went on to sue his father, claiming that he was owed up to 5 million by his parents because he had been an equal member of a business 'partnership' with his mother and father for 20 years. Pictured, Laurence Broderick's studio in Waresle, Bedfordshire

Damian Falkowski, for Laurence, asked him: 'You are aware that your father has changed his will to leave everything to the National Trust. You must be very angry about that. Has that anger coloured your thinking in relation to this partnership claim?'

Graeham denied the will situation had any bearing on the partnership dispute, but admitted he felt strong emotions about it.

'It's very upsetting, yes,' he said.

'We have been kind, decent sons. It's not a very nice thing for a father to do.

'I'm very sad and upset and disappointed with my father. The only people he surrounds himself with now are those he pays. He rejected his entire family and his friends.'

Mr Falkowski argued that the artworks, studio properties and copyrights were not partnership property, but were part of Laurence's 'capital assets temporarily lent to the partnership'.

Laurence Broderick's studio on the Isle of Skye. He has held annual sculpture exhibitions on the island for 26 years

He also denied there had been a partnership around his artworks involving his son.

For Graeham to have become a 'joint author' of any of his father's work, he would have had to 'contribute substantially to the intellectual creation,' he added.

'It is not sufficient for him to do routine work which does not contribute to the intellectual creation, however arduous that may be and even if the work done is necessary in order that the sculptures could be sold as completed works of art,' said the barrister.

He put to Graeham that his father was 'always a forceful character.'

'He had it his way and it went how he wanted it to go. You always had to ask his permission,' he said.

'I always ran everything by my father out of respect,' Graeham replied, later also telling the judge that he is 'not a liar'.

The trial of the case was set to last four days but at the end of a half day hearing, with Roger poised to give evidence in support of Graeham, father and son agreed a settlement to bring the partnership clash to a premature halt.

Details of the settlement have not yet been made public.
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An airport has suspended its phone helpline after staff were left 'traumatised' by passengers raging over lost luggage - as pictures emerged of brutal queues today at Bristol, Manchester and Heathrow.

Edinburgh Airport said it had a duty to 'protect staff' after a number of them quit their shifts early after being subjected to abuse.

It said '90 per cent' of calls to its customer service helpline were about baggage despite this being the responsibility of airlines.

Thousands of mislaid bags, including transfer baggage, have built up in and around the airport due to staff shortages.

As Britain braced itself for the hottest day in history today, huge queues were already forming at airports across the country.

At Manchester two passengers were seen with their heads in their hands while sitting next to their baggage as they waited for their flight to leave this morning.

BRISTOL: Huge queues were already forming at airports this morning, with lengthy lines building up at Bristol Airport from 4.30am

LONDON: Queues at Heathrow this morning. The hub airport recently announced an unprecedented plan to cap passenger numbers over the summer

MANCHESTER: Two passengers were seen with their heads in their hands while sitting next to their baggage as they waited for their flight to leave this morning

An Edinburgh Airport spokesman said: 'Unfortunately we have seen a rise in the amount of abuse our teams are facing from passengers.

'Although we appreciate the frustration they are facing, it is not acceptable and there is no excuse for abuse.

'To allow our teams to work through a backlog of airport queries, and to protect them from this verbal abuse, we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend the phone lines.

'Passengers can still get in touch by email or using the chatbot function on our website.'

A staggering 17,000 flights have already been cancelled at the last minute this year - scuppering millions of people's holiday plans.

The cancellations within 72 hours of departure are the equivalent of three million seats  and the biggest culprits are easyJet and British Airways, who have stopped approximately three out of every 100 flights they operated.

Budget airlines Ryanair and Jet2 were among the major airlines with fewest cancellations with just one in every thousand flights, according to research by data analysts Cirium for the BBC's Panorama programme.

Travellers queue at Manchester Airport today. A staggering 17,000 flights from UK airports have already been cancelled at the last minute this year - scuppering millions of people's holiday plans

The cancellations within 72 hours of departure are the equivalent of three million seats. Pictured: Scenes at Manchester Airport

Britain grinds to a halt amid record heatwave - which could hit 43C The Met Office has warned that temperatures could rise even further to 43C (109F) tomorrow - with trains already cancelled and schools closed amid a serious warning that fit and healthy people could die. Its chief executive Penny Endersby confirmed 'we may well see the hottest day in the UK in history' today - beating the record of 38.7C (101.7F) set in Cambridge in July 2019 - but tomorrow is now expected to be even hotter. With the UK set to be hotter than the Sahara Desert today, transport links in London were already grinding to a halt due to train cancellations - while roads could melt and bosses have urged employees to work from home. Health chiefs told patients to stay away unless it is an emergency amid fears hospitals will be overwhelmed, while emergency services urged swimmers to stay away from lakes and rivers in case they face difficulties. Some schools in Nottinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire have shut while others will close early - and water providers have also warned of shortages after the hottest day of 2022 so far yesterday with 33C (91F) highs. One GP surgery in Hertfordshire had to close a site today because it has no air conditioning; others in London have texted patients to warn them of reduced services with limited clinic rooms in operation; and Milton Keynes University Hospital said it was 'standing down routine outpatient appointments and surgery' today and tomorrow. Advertisement

Major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester have all seen large-scale cancellations but the performance of airlines at different airports has been a factor.

Ryanair's main hub, Stansted, had a similar number of flights as Manchester, but only 29 cancellations compared to the 223 flights pulled at the northern airport.

But the airlines' trade body insisted the chaos at airports is not the result of poor planning or decision making by airlines.

Airlines UK policy director Rob Griggs told Panorama: 'I don't think there were wrong decisions made in terms of planning for the summer.

'Of course, it might be operationally on the day, different things perhaps could be done in different places.'

Holidaymakers have faced chaos at UK airports in recent weeks with delays, long queues and cancellations due to staff shortages.

Disruption is set to get even worse from this weekend when the school summer holidays begin for most.

Rory Boland, Travel Editor of Which? told the programme: 'They're not going to be ready. That's the truth of the matter.

'What's reassuring is that it's not all airlines, it's not all airports.

'So, you know, before you book, take a look around what's happening in the airport near you, the airlines you're considering, and make your decision based on that.'

Heathrow, the country's biggest airport, has capped passenger numbers at 100,000 per day until September 11, leading to more cancellations.

While some in the industry blame Brexit for making staff shortages worse, the government rejects this, pointing to similar staffing problems at airports in other EU countries.

Aviation Minister Robert Courts MP said: 'At the end of the day, this is a sector that is privately run, privately owned, privately operated, and it's for them to get into the sector the people they need.'

Holidaymakers have faced chaos at UK airports in recent weeks with delays, long queues and cancellations due to staff shortages (pic: Manchester)
This is the moment three wild bison were released into the British countryside as part of a 1.1 million rewilding project.

The huge beasts have been extinct in the UK for 6,000 years, but were this morning released into a fenced enclosure to manage West Blean and Thornden Woods near Canterbury, Kent.

European bison, the continent's largest land mammal, are the closest living relative to ancient steppe bison that once roamed Britain and naturally managed the habitat, conservationists say. They are slightly larger than the American bison, but less heavy and aggressive.

A matriarch from Scotland and two young females from Ireland were introduced into the enclosure today.

They will be joined by a young bull from Germany in mid-August after his arrival was delayed to due import issues.

The females have been fitted with tracking collars to allow conservationists to track their movements and gain insights into the plants they are interacting with.

The bisons' natural behaviour - grazing, felling trees, eating bark and taking dust baths - will open the canopy and create new spaces for other wildlife.

The animals are known as eco-system engineers, creating muddy ponds, pushing down trees and disturbing the soil to help plants and other animals thrive.

Paul Hadaway, Director of Conservation at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: 'This morning, we saw the matriarch bison leading the two young females out of the corral into the Blean exactly as we'd hoped in front of assembled press and emotional staff, marking the beginning of a new era of UK conservation.'

Three of four of bison pictured being released into West Blean and Thornden Woods, near Canterbury in Kent this morning

The huge beasts have been extinct in the UK for 6,000 years, but were this morning released into a fenced enclosure

One male and three female bison  a bull from Germany, a matriarch from Scotland and two youngsters from Ireland  were released today

Rangers open a gate to allow one of the four bison to walk into its new enclosure as part of a 1.1m project

The European bison (pictured today) are slightly larger than the American bison, but less heavy and aggressive

The Aryan animal loved by Nazis European bison suffered a huge blow when First World War German troops killed 600 in Poland for sport and meat, leaving just a few survivors.

The last wild bison was shot by poachers on the Poland-Belarus border in 1927.

But 50 remained in zoos, and eventually their offspring led to reintroductions in Poland, Germany and Romania.

Nazi air force chief Hermann Goering thought of bison as a noble Aryan animal. He had a small herd near Berlin.

Bison have a tendency to show homosexual behaviour. More than 55 per cent of mounting tends to be young males with the same gender. Advertisement

It is hoped that they will help restore complex habitats be more able to cope with climate change, and store more carbon in woodland to reduce the emissions driving up temperatures.

The bison will change the forest away from a monoculture and create wetter areas that will not only store carbon but reduce flood risk, conservationists hope.

Their release is being led by the Kent Wildlife Trust and the Wildwood Trust as part of a 1.12 million scheme funded by the People's Postcode Lottery Dream Fund.

They will soon be joined by other grazing animals including Exmoor ponies, Iron Age pigs and Longhorn cattle, who will also create a variety of natural habitats.

It comes as temperatures in parts of the UK are set to soar to nearly 40C, with health officials declaring a 'national emergency' due a heatwave thought to made more intense and likely by climate change.

Donovan Wright is one of two bison rangers who will look after their welfare, the enclosure's fencing and help with public engagement.

He says the animals were an important keystone species that shaped the habitat they were in.

The ranger added: 'They've got this remarkable ability to increase biodiversity just through being bison.

'We really need that in the woods.'

Mr Wright said their feeding activities, including stripping back trees and rubbing off bark, creates microhabitats such as standing deadwood for insects and fungi.

Their fur is also collected by birds for nesting.

He continued: 'You get this ricochet effect through the ecosystem, so many species are able to benefit from the bison in the ecosystem.'

Evan Bowen-Jones, chief executive at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: 'The restoration of naturally functioning ecosystems is a vital and inexpensive tool in tackling the climate crisis.

One of four of bison is pictured exploring her new surroundings after they were released into the woodland today

The bison will change the forest away from a monoculture and create wetter areas that will not only store carbon but reduce flood risk

'The bison will help to create climate resistant landscapes which can adapt to the challenges presented by the crisis we face.'

Mr Bown-Jones added that there was a need to revolutionise the way landscapes were restored, with less human intervention and more use of natural engineers such as the bison, boar and beaver.

And he said he hoped the Wilder Blean project would connect people with nature in a way that had not been possible before because big wild animals had not been in the British countryside, and that visitors would be inspired by it.

Paul Whitfield, director-general of the Wildwood Trust, which is leading the project with the Kent Wildlife Trust, said: They will create an explosion of biodiversity and build habitat resilience, locking in carbon to help reduce temperature rise.

'Not only this, but we're giving people in the UK - for the first time in over 1,000 years - the chance to experience bison in the wild.

'It's a really powerful, emotional, visceral experience and it's something we've lost in this country.'

Evan Bowen-Jones, chief executive of Kent Wildlife Trust, added: We need to revolutionise the way we restore natural landscapes  relying less on human intervention and more on natural engineers such as bison, boar and beaver.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has warned that Ukraine and the West will face a 'Judgement Day' response should they attempt to militarily dispute Russia's control of Crimea.

The refusal of Ukraine and Western powers to recognise Moscow's ownership of the peninsula poses a 'systemic threat' for Russia, the former president said yesterday, before declaring the Kremlin would hit back with maximum force if the territory is attacked.

'Judgement Day come very fast and hard. It will be very difficult to hide,' he announced, according to Russia's TASS news agency.

Russia annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 after a pro-Moscow president in Kyiv was toppled amid mass street protests.

The Kremlin then also backed pro-Russian armed separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, which its army has since supported to seize the Luhansk and much of the Donetsk oblasts since the February 24 invasion.

Medvedev's comments were aired a day after a Ukrainian official suggested that Crimea could be a target for U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) missiles, recently deployed by Kyiv with great effect as the Ukrainian armed forces continue to battle Putin's troops.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev (pictured) has warned Ukraine and the West will face a 'Judgement Day' response should they attempt to militarily dispute Russia's control of Crimea

Russia annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 after a pro-Moscow president in Kyiv was toppled amid mass street protests

Medvedev's comments were aired a day after a Ukrainian official suggested that Crimea, which most of the world still recognises as part of Ukraine, could be a target for U.S.-made HIMARS missiles (pictured)

Ukrainian troops direct the firing of an American made HIMARS missile

Kyiv's forces have thus far used HIMARS missiles to destroy Russian ammunition dumps, warehouses and vehicles in key positions in occupied Ukraine

Earlier on Sunday, Interfax news agency quoted Medvedev - who now serves as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council - as telling World War Two veterans: 'If any other state, be it Ukraine or NATO countries, believes that Crimea is not Russian, then this is a systemic threat for us.

'This is a direct and an explicit threat, especially given what has happened to Crimea. Crimea returned to Russia.'

Medvedev did not elaborate on his comments, but has previously employed Moscow's tried and tested nuclear sabre-rattling tactic, warning the U.S. and other Western nations of the dangers of attempting to punish a nuclear power.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday afternoon condemned Medvedev's Doomsday comments as 'intimidation' and said it was Russia that would eventually face a Judgement Day, 'not in a figurative sense, not as loud talk, but literally'.

Medvedev served four years as the Russian president from 2008-2012, but there is little doubt he operated as a puppet frontman while the government was essentially ran by Putin, who occupied the position of Prime Minister.

The former president has previously said Russian forces will continue fighting until they fulfil their stated goal of 'denazifying' and 'demilitarising' Ukraine.

He predicted the conflict would 'undoubtedly lead to the collapse of the existing regime' in Kyiv under the weight of the Russian offensive.

Medvedev's Judgement day comments came a day after Vadym Skibitskyi, a Ukrainian military intelligence official, was asked if U.S.-made HIMARS rockets could be used on targets in Crimea.

He said Russia had carried out strikes on Ukrainian territory from Crimea and the Black Sea, reasoning those positions were thereby justified targets as well.

Crimea is of particular strategic importance to Russia as it includes the headquarters of its Black Sea fleet at Sevastopol.

Medvedev (L) served four years as the Russian president from 2008-2012, but there is little doubt he operated as a puppet frontman while the government was essentially ran by Putin (R), who occupied the position of Prime Minister while Medvedev was in office

American-made HIMARS systems are being used by Ukraine (pictured) to target Russian command posts and ammo depots deep behind the frontline

Twelve Russian officers, including a general, were recently reportedly killed after Ukraine struck a command post and ammo dump near Kherson using HIMARS rockets (pictured)

U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets have been used to great effect by Ukrainian forces since their delivery last month, after Kyiv said it needed the weapons to level the playing field with Russian batteries in the Donbas.

The systems are in demand for their ability to carry out precision strikes over long distances - more than double the range of the howitzers the West has already sent.

Kyiv's forces have thus far used HIMARS missiles to destroy Russian ammunition dumps, warehouses and vehicles in key positions in the occupied southern and eastern regions of Ukraine.

The system is capable of launching multiple, precision-guided rockets which are said to have been effective in evading Russian missile defence systems, enabling Ukraine's armed forces to inflict considerable damage on infrastructure and Russian military equipment.

A senior U.S. military official last week said in a statement at the Pentagon: 'Although [Ukrainian forces] are not shooting the HIMARS at the front lines, they are having a very, very significant effect.

'Ukrainians have been talking about a number of the targets [they] are hitting ... they're spending a lot of time striking targets like ammunition, supplies, other logistical supplies, command and control. And all those things have a direct impact on [Russia's] ability to conduct operations on the front line.'
More than 30 green sea turtles have been found stabbed to death on a Japanese beach.

Locals on the remote island of Kumejima found the scores of animals last week with wounds to their neck and flippers.

It is believed they were stabbed by fishermen who brutally cut them after they got entangled in their fishing nets.

More than 30 green sea turtles have been found stabbed to death on a Japanese beach (pictured after conservationists found the motionless animals)

At least one fishing operator has admitted knifing the animals who had become trapped in their gillnets, according to Japanese news site Mainchi.

The unnamed operator said: 'I disentangled some of the [turtles] and released them into the sea, but I couldn't free [the] heavy ones so I stabbed them to get rid of them.'

Police have launched an animal cruelty investigation.

Officers were deployed to the beach last week on the island of 9,000 but it is not known if any action has yet been taken.

Locals on the remote island of Kumejima found the scores of animals last week with wounds to their neck and flippers

Green sea turtles are considered an endangered species by Japanese authorities and conservation groups.

They are often found in the seaweed and kelp beds off the volcanic island 1,200 miles off Japan.

Active conservation efforts have been trying to protect the turtles and staff from the Sea Turtle Museum rushed to the scene last week but most of the animals were already dead.

One employee told the Asahi Shimbun: 'I have never seen anything like this before. It is extremely difficult to process this.'
Penny Mordaunt came under heavy fire for going missing from her ministerial duties and her gender stance today as her push for No10 stumbles.

Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan accused her junior minister of not being 'available' in recent months because she was plotting her leadership bid.

Ms Trevelyan - who has been backing Tom Tugendhat for PM - said colleagues were left to 'pick up the pieces' while Ms Mordaunt was distracted.

Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has renewed the attack on Ms Mordaunt over her stewardship of maternity legislation.

Ms Dorries said she had a WhatsApp exchange with Ms Mordaunt where she 'dismissed' criticism for using 'person' in the text instead of 'mother' and 'woman'.

Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan accused her junior minister of not being 'available' in recent months because she was plotting her leadership bid

Ms Mordaunt is struggling to keep her Tory leadership bid on track after surging to become an early bookies' favourite

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has renewed the attack on Ms Mordaunt over her stewardship of maternity legislation

HOW THE TORY LEADERSHIP RACE WILL BE FOUGHT Today - A third ballot of Tory MPs will be held which will see the candidate with the lowest number of votes eliminated. Tomorrow - More ballots will be held for the rest of the week until the list of contenders is whittled down to a final two. Tuesday night - Sky News hosts the third and final leadership debate. 21st July - MPs will head away from Westminster for their summer break, meaning this is the deadline for a final pairing to be decided in the parliamentary stage of the leadership election. Late July and August - CCHQ will assume responsibility for leadership election and will send out ballot papers to around 200,000 Conservative Party members. The Tory grassroots will be asked to decide between the final two candidates, with hustings events to be held across the UK. 5th September - The result of the membership ballot is announced, with the candidate receiving more than 50 per cent of the vote being declared the new Tory leader and Boris Johnson's replacement as Prime Minister. 6th September - The new Tory leader is likely to be formally appointed as PM during a visit to the Queen at Buckingham Palace. 7th September - The new PM is set to be quizzed in the House of Commons in their first ever Prime Minister's Questions. Advertisement

Asked in an interview on LBC radio whether Ms Mordaunt is not 'strong on details', Ms Trevelyan said: 'We all do our jobs in different ways.

'Understandably, perhaps, now it's clear, Penny has for the last few months spent some of her time focused on preparing her leadership campaign, for which I have utmost respect, that's how this system works.'

Ms Trevelyan told LBC Radio: 'There have been a number of times when she hasn't been available, which would have been useful, and other ministers have picked up the pieces.'

Ms Dorries posted on Twitter: 'I have a whattsapp (sic) exchange from when I tried to reach out where Penny again, dismisses the issue of erasing the words 'mother and woman' and replacing with person instead urging me to focus not on that, but on the positives.

'I called her, she told me that the legal position re equalities act meant a woman could not be referred to as a woman or a mother in legislation. This was untrue.

'I appealed to No10 to intervene. I believe that Liz and Kemi did the same thing. When Liz took over the portfolio and following further pressure from the Lords, the wording was altered.'

She added: 'We all have different opinions on many issues, this doesn't make them right or wrong or reasons for attacks, but rather points of debate in a thriving, civilised democracy.'

Conservative MPs will whittle the number of candidates down from five to four in the wake of the televised showdown that saw Rishi Sunak brand Liz Truss 'Socialist' for ignoring the need to balance the books, as she slated his tax hikes.

A snap poll by Opinium found that the former Chancellor emerged on top from the extraordinary blue-on-blue session on ITV, cementing his status as the front runner.

But Ms Truss seems to be gaining ground after a more assured performance, while Penny Mordaunt struggles to maintain her early momentum. Kemi Badenoch is also still giving a strong showing, with MPs due to decide within days which two candidates will go forward to a ballot of party members.

Foreign Affairs Committee chair Tom Tugendhat is the favourite to be eliminated tonight, despite polling well among floating voters with his 'clean start' pitch.

It appears that was the last time the contenders will face off - because Mr Sunak and Ms Truss have signalled they probably will not take part in the scheduled Sky News debate tomorrow night.

The 1,000 people surveyed by Opinium found that 24 per cent thought Mr Sunak came out on top in the debate, with Mr Tugendhat second on 19 per cent, Ms Mordaunt third on 17 per cent, narrowly ahead of Ms Truss on 15 per cent and Ms Badenoch's 12 per cent.

Mr Sunak was also the choice of Tory voters, although the advantage was only 24 per cent to 21 per cent for Ms Mordaunt and 20 per cent for Ms Truss - a major improvement for the Foreign Secretary after her stuttering turn in the first debate.

Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Kemi Badenoch, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt (pictured left to right) clashed in the second televised Tory leader showdown last night
An unidentified Chinese-born squatter has built his own corner of New York real estate on the Manhattan Bridge.

The man in his 50s or 60s, reportedly named 'Joey', made the tiny house of out plywood and cardboard.

His 16 sq ft home on the cycle thoroughfare has no running water or plumbing, with 'Joey' forced to use a pail instead.

Security is also lacking, with a bike lock in place to latch the wonky front door.

When approached, he is said to have ranted about Mao Zedong and the fact some of his friends were executed in Communist China, the New York Post reported.

The news comes as New York City is thought to have its highest rate of homelessness since the Great Depression.

According to campaigners Coalition for the Homeless, in March there were just under 50,000 New Yorkers in the city's municipal shelter system.

That includes 15,087 homeless children.

Thought to be named Joey, the Chinese-born bridge squatter is reportedly in his 50s or 60s

'Joey' ranted about Mao Zedong when confronted by a New York Post reporter last week

The miniature plywood and cardboard home, pictured over the weekend, is covered in graffiti

A cleanup Saturday by city workers, which included the spraying over of nearby graffiti, did not see 'Joey' confronted for his presence on the key New York bridge.

Community activist Susan Lee, 44, told the newspaper that Joey's entirely unregulated presence on the bridge could result in a terrible accident.

She said: 'A structure like that is not regulated, its put together on a whim and its dangerous.

'Someone could very well put the bike lock on that structure while the individual is inside and set it on fire.

'I hope he gets the help he needs.'

Activist Susan Lee said Joey's unregulated presence next to the cycle lane puts him in danger

The homeowner has a chair and a pillow, but no running water or accessible means of eating

The miniature makeshift home is next to a busy cycle lane, making Joey vulnerable to being hit

Manhattan Bridge (pictured in August 2017) is one of New York City's busiest thoroughfares

But a progressive City Councilman's spokesperson said that 'Joey' should be left alone.

'Joey', who is thought to be suffering from mental illness, is pictured on the Manhattan Bridge as long ago as 2014

Speaking for Councilman Christopher Marte, Caitlin Kelmar told The Post: 'We are not going to comment on this story and dont want to bring more trouble to this mans life.

'I know he has been there for over a year, but nobody from our office has seen the structure since last winter.

'He seems to have some mental health issues based on our conversations with him.

'The Department of Sanitation has taken down the structure multiple times, and I know he has received outreach from either DHS or a local nonprofit because we witnessed it.'

Recent surveys vastly underestimate the number of homeless people in the city, the Coalition for the Homeless cautioned, as only those in formal shelters can be counted.

It added that the vast majority of homeless New Yorkers suffer at least one mental illness or a severe health disability.
Roman Polanski fled Los Angeles for France in 1978 on the eve of his sentencing for raping a 13-year-old girl after the judge in the case privately reneged on a promise not to jail him, unsealed documents from the 45-year-old case have revealed.

Polanski, 88, was found to have had sex with 13-year-old Samantha Geimer at Jack Nicholson's house in 1977. She told police that he gave her a sedative then forced her into sex, and her mother later reported it to police.

In 1978, he was due to be sentenced to probation by Judge Laurence Rittenband but at the last minute, discovered the judge planned to instead jail him for up to 120 days.

Rittenband, who died in 1993, said he had been influenced by the media and needed to be tougher on the then 45-year-old movie director.

He promised to get him out in under 120 days but Polanski, skittish after their reneged-deal and fearing he may be put behind bars for longer, ran for France. He has remained in Europe ever since, fighting off effort to have him sentenced in absentia or extradited to the US as a fugitive.

For decades, the case has been ringfenced by prosecutors in the L.A. District Attorney's office but it is now being revisited.

The newly unsealed documents are hundreds of pages of testimony from former Deputy District Attorney Roger Gunson that have been unsealed after a request from journalists to make the papers public.

The request is supported by everyone involved - Polanski wanted them to be made public to prove judicial misconduct and Geimer, now 59, wants the case to be dismissed.

Roman Polanski, now 88, (shown in Poland, left, in 2018) says he was lied to by Judge Laurence J. Rittenband (right) and that he is why he went on the run. Rittenband, who died in 1993, told the actor's legal team he would jail him for up to 120 days after initially promising not to jail him at all

Last week, after resisting efforts to make the documents public like his predecessors, L.A. DA George Gascon agreed that they should be unsealed.

Samantha Geimer, 13, told police that Polanski spiked her champagne and forced her into having sex with him at Jack Nicholson's house in 1977

One of his advisers told Variety: 'The suspicion has been around this case for 40 years. Many people are suspicious that something untoward occurred. We share that curiosity and that concern.'

The California Court of Appeals in Los Angeles ordered them unsealed shortly afterwards.

Gunson gave the testimony in 2010 at the request of Polanski's legal team. At the time, he was suffering from unspecified health issues that Polanski's team feared may prevent him from testifying later, if the case was ever reopened.

The testimony seems to confirm Polanski's claim that the judge behaved improperly and shows how almost everyone involved - the prosecutors, Polanski and the victim - were dissatisfied.

'The judge had promised him on two occasions... something that he reneged on.

'So it wasnt surprising to me that, when he was told he was going to be sent off to state prison... that he could not or would not trust the judge,' Gunson said.

He testified that Rittenband took advice on the case from 'all over the place', being easily influenced by the media and celebrities.

The judge had promised him on two occasions... something that he reneged on. So it wasn't surprising to me that, when he was told he was going to be sent off to state prison... that he could not or would not trust the judge Deputy DA Roger Gunson, testifying in 2010 about the judge's misconduct that prompted Polanski to flee

Gunson even tried to have him recused but his request was shot down by his superiors.

He said that it was wrong for Rittenband to renege on his promise of a light sentence, but that it was wrong to have offered Polanski the deal in the first place.

He also testified about other flaws in the investigation.

According to him, police officers who went to Nicholson's home were caught taking photographs with the actor's Oscars.

Polanski's attorneys are fighting for him to be sentenced in absentia in order to end his current status as a fugitive. Their goal is for him to be handed a time served sentence.

Geimer, who won $600,000 from Polanski in a civil settlement, wants the case to be dropped.

She previously testified before a grand jury that during a photo shoot at Jack Nicholsons house in March 1977 when the actor wasnt home, Polanski gave her champagne and part of a sedative, then forced her to have sex.

She didnt fight him because she was afraid of him but her mother later called police.

Roman Polanski is shown in 1977 after being arrested for rape. He pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in exchange for prosecutors dropping drug, rape and sodomy charges

When she refused to testify in court, Polanski pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in exchange for prosecutors dropping drug, rape and sodomy charges.

Rittenband sent Polanski to state prison in 1978 for 90 days.

He spent 42 days there for a psychiatric evaluation, and received a recommendation from the prison that the film director should not serve any additional time.

Gunson, the prosecutor, wrote that Rittenband thought the recommendation was 'whitewash' and told Polanski's team he would sentence him to 120 days in prison, but would get him out sooner.

Gunson acknowledged during his testimony that the judge had discretion to sentence Polanski up to 50 years because there had been no agreed-upon sentence.

Fearing the worst, Polanski fled.

Rittenband, who also presided over the divorce between Elvis and Priscilla Presley, vowed to stay on the bench until the director returned to the US. He retired in 1989 and died four years later.

The L.A. District Attorney's Office has long resisted revisiting the case or making any of the documents public.

In the past, prosecutors have cited Geimer as their reason for the secrecy, despite her repeated requests to unseal the documents and dismiss the case.

Geimer, in 2017, has long been fighting for the documents to be made public and for the case to be dismissed. She says the decades-long saga has prolonged her suffering

In 2017, she traveled from her home in Hawaii to Los Angeles to urge a judge to end 'a 40-year sentence which has been imposed on the victim of a crime as well as the perpetrator.'

'I implore you to consider taking action to finally bring this matter to a close as an act of mercy to myself and my family,' Geimer said.

Geimer went public years ago and wrote a memoir titled 'The Girl: A Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski.' The cover features a photo shot by Polanski.

Last month, she implored Gascon to agree to the documents being unsealed.

In a statement last week, he agreed.

'This case has been described by the courts as one of the longest-running sagas in California criminal justice history. For years, this office has fought the release of information that the victim and public have a right to know,' he said.

The California Appeals Court then ordered the documents to be made public.
A care home owner and manager have been fined 146,000 after a convicted rapist sexually assaulted a dementia resident weeks after staff were informed of his 'brutal' criminal past.

Robert Carpenter, 66, was able to mix with dementia residents at Raleigh Court, run by the Humberside Independent Care Association (HICA), despite having previous convictions dating back to 1968 - including serving a lengthy prison sentence for beating and raping a woman as she walked to work in 1979.

Katie Daysley, the manager of the care home, has also been ordered to pay more than 16,000 after she failed to protect the resident when she was informed that Carpenter was on the sex offenders register and had a history of violence and drug taking weeks before the attack in June 2018.

HICAs admissions policy stated that people with a history of criminal sexual offences should not be admitted to its homes, but Carpenter was able to remain at the facility because the provider did not have an effective admissions policy, nor did it carry out a full and thorough risk assessment.

The care home pleaded guilty to failing to safeguard the resident from abuse and improper treatment, causing her avoidable harm under the Health and Social Care Act.

Daysley, 41, of Kirk Ella, denied a similar charge but was found guilty following a two-day trial at Beverley Magistrates Court on Friday.

Robert Carpenter, 66, was able to mix with dementia residents at the care home despite having previous convictions dating back to 1968

Katie Daysley (pictured outside Beverley Magistrates' Court last month) failed to take adequate action after being informed that a convicted rapist was living at the care home she managed

Raleigh Court care home (pictured), run by the Humberside Independent Care Association, was fined

Robert Carpenter sexually abused a dementia sufferer in the care home where they both lived - three months after staff were informed of his 'brutal' past

The court heard that Raleigh Court, in Cambridge Street, provides care to older people - many of whom live with dementia or lack mental capacity.

The victim had been living in the home since August 2017.

Carpenter, who did not lack capacity, had been a resident since January 2018 when he was placed in the home by Hull City Council as an 'emergency placement' after he suffered burns in an 'electrical incident' at his home.

Three months later, social worker Claire Stewart discovered that he had served three jail terms with convictions for criminal damage, assault, wounding, grievous bodily harm and sexual assaults.

In March 1979, he had targeted a woman walking home from work, forcing a scarf into her mouth to stop her screaming before breaking her jaw, raping her and throwing her over a fence.

He was arrested in 2009 following a cold case review of forensic evidence and later jailed for 18 months.

The social worker immediately informed Daysley of his full criminal history, realising there was a strong public interest concern.

But Daysley failed to carry out a full risk assessment or implement adequate mitigating steps to deal with the very clear risk. She left her job in May 2018, a month before Carpenters serious sex assault.

After six months living in the home, and five days after it was visited by a police officer checking up on him, Carpenter was found committing the sex assault.

He was later convicted for an offence of engaging in sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder and jailed for seven and a half years.

At his court case a judge said Carpenter knew 'fullwell' his victim lacked capacity, and told him: 'You took full advantage of that for your own sexual gratification.'

The victim had enjoyed a happy and 'faithful' marriage of more than 50 years before her husband took the agonising decision to place her in a care home as her dementia worsened.

Alison Chilton, head of the Care Quality Commission's adult social care inspection, said: 'This is a really distressing case and our sympathies are with the family. Its vital that health and social are organisations have adequate systems and processes in place to protect people from any kind of harm or abuse as everyone has the right to be kept safe while living in and receiving care.

'This was not the case at HICA and the provider and manager failed in their legal duty to protect this vulnerable person.

'The home has since put in place a new policy to protect people and they must ensure this is fully embedded to keep people safe and make sure they are not at risk of harm or abuse.

Carpenter had 48 offences on his record dating back to 1968. These included the brutal rape of a stranger on a desolate footpath in Scunthorpe 40 years ago

'I hope this prosecution reminds HICA and other care providers of their duty to assess and manage all risks to ensure people are kept safe.'

The victim's husband previously said he will never forgive those who made his wife 'easy prey for a monster'.

He added: 'This should never have been allowed to happen and nothing like this must ever be allowed to happen again.

'I made the hardest decision of my life to put my wife and one true love into a care home, and for this to have happened to her is absolutely heartbreaking.

'I feel utter and total disgust and anger that a man such as this was allowed to commit such a horrible act on my poor wife, in what was supposedly a safe environment.

'She was the love of my life and she was left as easy prey for a monster who should never have been allowed anywhere near her alone.'

The victim and Carpenter have since both died.

Following the incident, HICA has put in place a new management of offenders policy which details processes the home must follow if someone has a history of offences.

Prior to the hearing, Hull City Council agreed to pay damages to the womans husband for its own failings.

The victims husband added: 'It is simply beyond belief that a convicted rapist was able to mix with the most vulnerable of people.

'Everybody involved at the council in terms of the decision to put him in the home and leave him there, and at the home when they found out about his past, I hold responsible.

'That monster was left to be alone with my wife. We know what happened to her, but we dont know that she was his only victim given he was in the home for a month. People like that dont only do this once in isolation.'

Both HICA and Daysley were sentenced on Friday at the magistrates court.

HICA was fined 128,000 and ordered to pay a 120 victim surcharge and 10,645 costs to the Care Quality Commission, which brought the prosecution.

Daysley was ordered to pay 1,000, 15,067 costs, and a victim surcharge of 100.
Refugees fleeing from war-torn Ukraine to Scotland have been 'betrayed' by the SNP Government, it has been claimed.

Despite Nicola Sturgeon proclaiming in March that the nation 'stood ready' to take in thousands of Ukrainians, many have been sent to cramped and potentially dangerous accommodation.

Controversial plans to house hundreds of refugees on a cruise ship were criticised as a major health risk, while further safety concerns were raised about sending others to live in tower blocks with potentially dangerous cladding.

Others have been moved between hotels so many times they fear they may be left homeless.

The debacle came after the SNP Government was forced into pausing its 'super sponsor' scheme because it is struggling to provide suitable housing for Ukrainians relocating to Scotland.

Despite Nicola Sturgeon proclaiming in March that the nation 'stood ready' to take in thousands of Ukrainians, many have been sent to cramped and potentially dangerous accommodation

Controversial plans to house hundreds of refugees on a cruise ship were criticised as a major health risk. Pictured, the MS Victoria, a former ferry, has space for 769 people and is being rented by the Scottish Government for six months initially due to a shortage of suitable housing in Scotland

It has led to claims that the Scottish Government rushed into announcing plans it was unable to deliver and that it has promised to take in more refugees than it can handle.

Scottish Tory housing spokesman Miles Briggs said: 'SNP ministers have typically overpromised and underdelivered. The pausing of the super sponsor scheme, that they spent so much time talking up, represents a betrayal of those Ukrainian refugees.'

Scottish Tory housing spokesman Miles Briggs said: 'SNP ministers have typically overpromised and underdelivered'

Last night, the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) raised serious concerns about a controversial plan to move people to a 739-room cruise ferry docked in Edinburgh, saying families could struggle to secure jobs or places in school while they are based there.

The vessel is being provided as part of a contract that is expected to cost more than 1million a month.

Gary Christie, head of policy at the SRC, said: 'If families are arriving, we would want the kids to be in schools quite quickly, and in terms of resolving employment and whether this can be used as an address when people are applying for jobs.

'If people are there for relatively short periods of time then that's fine. But if people are there any longer there are issues about young people's schooling and status for employment, and I think that is our concern.'

He added: 'We totally understand the pressures on accommodation, and this is shared across Europe in terms of Ukrainians arriving and governments struggling to find accommodation. It is a humanitarian response, so we would see it as a few weeks maximum that people should be staying there. It shouldn't be a long-term option.'

Health experts have also raised concerns that there could be a Covid outbreak on the MS Victoria, while fears were also raised about the use of tower blocks with potentially dangerous cladding.

Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at Aberdeen University, told the Scottish Sun on Sunday that using the ship is a 'very risky move' because of the threat of a 'big outbreak' of Covid-19.

Last week, North Lanarkshire Council announced plans to bring 200 empty homes back into use with 5million of Scottish Government funding to reinstate two blocks of flats at Wishaw and Coatbridge.

But the Sunday Post yesterday revealed the buildings feature high-pressure laminate cladding, which has come under scrutiny since the Grenfell Tower fire in London.

Yevgen Chub, of the Associations of Ukrainians in Great Britain, said: 'We can't have people from Ukraine escaping one threatening situation and going into another. We need to be sure that these flats are completely safe'.

In March, Nicola Sturgeon criticised the UK Government's response, saying bureaucracy and red tape were slowing the process down 'when what is needed is humanity and urgent refuge for as many as possible.'

However, around 500 refugees are yet to be housed. Concerns have also been raised about families having to endure repeated moves between hotels.

Ukrainian aid worker Zhenya Dove, who has been living in Scotland for eight years, said the shortage of accommodation is a consequence of Scotland accepting a higher proportion of refugees than its population share.

She said: 'I think they may have bitten off more than they can chew. I actually am not surprised that there is a shortage of accommodation, that does seem a natural consequence of the Scottish super sponsor scheme.

'As far as I am aware there are another 18,000 applications currently being looked at, and Scotland is a tiny country.'

But she added that living on a ship must be 'better than living under bombing and shelling'.

North Lanarkshire Council announced plans to bring 200 empty homes back into use with 5million of Scottish Government funding to reinstate two blocks of flats at Wishaw and Coatbridge (Birkshaw Tower, Gowkthrapple pictured). But the buildings feature high-pressure laminate cladding, which has come under scrutiny since the Grenfell Tower fire in London

Tetyana Podoltsev and her 15-year-old son Mykyta told the Sunday Mail they feared being left on the streets after being told to leave their hotel last week.

Mykyta said: 'We panicked  we had nowhere else to go. We were scared we were going to be on the streets. We have now been moved to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow and told we will be here for a few days but after that we have no idea.'

Steve Valdez-Symonds, refugee programme director at Amnesty International's UK branch, said: 'Scotland, Wales and the Government at Westminster need to create a proper strategy for playing our part in the world's need to house refugees, not just for today but in the future, rather than waiting for a crisis and then flailing around trying to respond to it.'

A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The health and welfare of all displaced Ukrainians staying in Scotland remains our absolute priority.

'We do not wish to see displaced people spending more time in temporary accommodation than is absolutely necessary, but it is important to ensure that longer-term accommodation is safe, suitable, and sustainable. Scotland is currently providing sanctuary to more than 8,000 people fleeing the crisis caused by Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. This includes two-thirds who applied under the Scottish super sponsor scheme, with more expected to arrive over the summer.

'This exceeds the 3,000 the Scottish Government committed to welcome when the scheme launched in March.'
Hong Kong: Students win maths, physics medals

Two teams of Hong Kong students achieved remarkable results in the 63rd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2022) and the 52nd International Physics Olympiad (IPhO 2022) by winning one gold, seven silver and two bronze medals as well as one honourable mention.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Hong Kong teams participated in the two competitions and activities via online mode.

The IMO 2022, hosted by Norway, was held from July 6 to 16, with 589 students from 104 countries or regions taking part.

Chu Cheuk-hei from St Paul's Co-educational College bagged a gold medal, while Hsieh Chong-ho from Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School, Yau Ching-yan from Ying Wa College and Yiu Chun-hei from S.K.H. Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School took home silver.

In addition, Lai Wai-lok from St Paul's Co-educational College claimed a bronze medal while Cheng Nick-hang from Diocesan Boys' School earned an honourable mention.

Meanwhile, the IPhO 2022 was held in Switzerland from July 10 to 17. Among the 366 participating students from 76 countries or regions, the Hong Kong team won four silver medals and one bronze medal.

The silver medalists were Chan Tsz-chun from International Christian Quality Music Secondary & Primary School, Cheng Yat-long from Raimondi College, Cheung Man-yin from Queen's College and Lam Chung-wang from St Paul's Co-educational College, while the bronze medal went to Kwok Ching-yeung from Sheng Kung Hui Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School.

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin congratulated the Hong Kong teams on their excellent results.

She said: The outstanding performance of the Hong Kong teams has demonstrated their persistent work and the concerted efforts of their schools, teachers, parents and different stakeholders in supporting them in striving for excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The Education Bureau will continue to enhance the promotion of STEM education in primary and secondary schools by enriching the curriculum, enhancing teacher training and providing schools with resources support so as to nurture students' innovation, she added.

The Government has so far injected $1.6 billion into the Gifted Education Fund to provide sustained funding support for the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education for the development of gifted education.

From the 2019-20 school year onwards, the fund has supported 31 off-school advanced learning programmes offered by different post-secondary institutions and organisations which enable gifted students at the primary and secondary levels to fully develop their potential through challenging learning activities.

This story has been published on: 2022-07-18. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Croatia, China launch 3rd joint police patrol to better serve tourists

Xinhua) 08:28, July 18, 2022

ZAGREB, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Croatia and China on Saturday announced the launch of a third joint police patrol after a two-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The patrol in Croatia would mark the first time for Chinese police to carry out patrol missions overseas since the onset of the pandemic.

During the launching ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Croatia, Ambassador Qi Qianjin said Croatia is the first Central and Eastern European country to conduct a joint police patrol with China to better protect the interests of Chinese tourists and overseas Chinese in Croatia. The move would deepen bilateral cooperation in tourism, law enforcement and security, he said.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia. Qi said he is confident that the joint patrol would expand mutual trust and bolster the countries' friendship.

Velimir Tisma, head of the Zagreb Police Department Prevention Service, said joint police patrols during Croatia's travel season are a vital aspect of the Croatian police's international cooperation, playing an essential role in protecting and attracting foreign tourists.

The joint patrol aims to serve overseas Chinese in Croatia and enhance their sense of security in the country, Tisma added.

Eight Chinese police officers will conduct the one-month joint patrol in the capital Zagreb, the western seaside city of Zadar, Plitvice Lakes National Park and the southern city of Dubrovnik.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Du Mingming)




By Anna J. Park







Following Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho's remark on Sunday that the government is considering raising the duty free limit for travelers when shopping, local duty free businesses' stocks soared on Monday's trading session.







The share price of Global Tax Free finished at 2,590 won ($1.97), a 9.05 percent increase, at Monday's closing. The firm's stock trade volume stood at over 2.69 million shares, which is 56 times more than the previous trading session, showing investors' optimistic anticipation over the stock's future performance.







Hotel Shilla, which owns duty free branches, also saw its stock price increase 2.81 percent at Monday's closing. The stock price of Shinsegae International, which has its own duty free business, closed at 29,550 won, a 3.32 percent increase. Hyundai Department Store's stock price also rose by 2.38 percent for the same reason.







JTC, which operates a duty free business for foreign tourists, also finished at 2,625 won, a 2.74 percent jump from the previous trading session.







Finance Minister Choo said while attending the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' meeting in Bali, Indonesia, that the government is currently considering raising the duty free limit to $800 from $600, aiming to support the local tourism industry. It is the first time in eight years that the government plans to allow travelers to buy more duty free shopping items since 2014, when the government raised the duty free limit to $600 from $400.






A 14-year-old boy is missing after getting into difficulty in the Thames and is feared to have drowned, Richmond Police said, as the heatwave death toll continues to rise.

Emergency services were called at 5pm to a child seen in the water at Tagg's Island in Hampton and searched the area for the boy but were unsuccessful.

The rescue operation was brought to an end at 6.40pm while efforts to recover his body will continue into the evening. His next of kin have been informed, Met Police said.

This makes him the eleventh person to die in open water since July 9 in the UK when the current heatwave began.

The news comes after Robert Hattersley, 13, from Crawcrook, tragically died following an incident in the River Tyne on Sunday as his family said they were 'absolutely devastated by what has happened'.

The 'kind and loving' teenager died after getting into difficulty in a river near Ovingham, Northumberland, over the weekend.

Emergency services and the Government have reiterated urgent warnings about the dangers of trying to keep cool after several tragedies in waterways and reservoirs during the heatwave.

Robert Hattersley, 13, from Crawcrook, who died following an incident in the river near Ovingham in Northumberland on Sunday.

A 16-year-old boy has died after getting into difficulty in Bray Lake (pictured), near Maidenhead

Jamie Lewin, 16, died in a quarry at Dawber Delph, Appley Bridge, near Wigan on Saturday

A 16-year-old boy died after being seen struggling while swimming with friends in Salford Quays on Saturday

A 14-year-old boy is missing after getting into difficulty in the Thames in Richmond and has drowned, Richmond Police said on Twitter

London Ambulance were called to Hampton following a child seen entering the water at Tagg's Island at 4.43pm.

An extensive search was carried out involving all three emergency services and members of the public but stopped at 6.40pm while efforts to recover his body continue into this evening.

His next of kin are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.

Met Police Superintendent Richard Smith, from the South West Command Unit, said: 'Despite the very best efforts of all involved, we must now sadly conclude that this young boy has died.

'His death is a tragedy and I cannot begin to imagine what his family will be going through. All our thoughts are with them.

'I know that on days like today when temperatures are at a record high, it might look appealing to jump in and cool off in rivers, reservoirs, lakes or other open water.

'Please don't. The dangers are real and this evening in Richmond we have seen the terrible consequences of what happens when it goes wrong.'

Alfie McCraw, 16, from Wakefield died after jumping into a West Yorkshire canal with friends

Kalen Waugh, 16, has been identified locally as the boy who died after getting into difficulty in the water on Saturday

Emma Louise Powell, 24, died while paddleboarding in North Wales on Thursday

There have now been at least ten water-related deaths since the heatwave began, as Brits try to cool off in the sweltering temperatures. ( PIctured: Emergency workers search the River Tyne on Sunday)

Tributes left for Kalen Waugh who died while swimming in Salford Quays

In a statement released through the police, Robert's family said: 'It is impossible to put into words the heartbreak we are feeling - Robert was so kind and loving. We are absolutely devastated by what has happened.

'He brought a smile to so many people's faces and he will be missed by absolutely everyone who knew and loved him.'

Detective chief inspector Martin Brooks, of Northumbria Police, said: 'This is an absolutely tragic update that we sincerely hoped we would never have to give.'

Following the death today in Bray Lake, Superintendent Michael Greenwood, the LPA Commander for Windsor and Maidenhead, said: 'This is an absolute tragedy in which a young boy has died after getting into difficulty in the water of Bray Lake.

'The boy's next of kin have been notified and are being offered support at this extremely difficult and traumatic time.

'My thoughts, and the thoughts of all of us at Thames Valley Police are with the boy's family and his friends, and we would ask that their privacy is respected.'

Thames Valley Police said officers were called at 11.45am on Monday and a body was located at just after 1.30pm, when he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Today, police were also seen at Jubilee Way near the River Irwell in Bury today where a body was found shortly after 4pm

A large-scale search (Pictured) took place in the River Tyne near Ovingham, Northumberland, yesterday

Today, police were also seen near the River Irwell in Bury today at around 4pm as police parked in Jubilee Way.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police told Manchester Evening News: 'Officers were called by colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service just after 4pm today to a report of a body in water. Emergency services are in attendance and enquiries are on-going.'

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Just before 4pm this afternoon, two fire engines from Bury central and Ramsbottom fire station were called to reports of a person in the water on Jubilee Way, Bury. The crews arrived quickly at scene.

'Firefighters wearing full water kit rescued one person from the water. Firefighters have been in attendance for around an hour and are still at the scene.'

A man was also rescued today by fire, police and ambulance services today after he was seen in Erewash canal near Sandiacre, Derbyshire.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service told Notts Live: 'One person was in the water and luckily that person has been rescued from the water. All fire crews are now out of the water and the person is now with EMAS.'

There have now been at 11 water-related deaths since the heatwave began, as Brits try to cool off in the sweltering temperatures.

A man was also rescued today by fire, police and ambulance services today after he was seen in Erewash canal near Sandiacre, Derbyshire

With temperatures set to possibly hit above 40C tomorrow, plenty of people have been taking dips in open water.

However police have issued warnings to the public, urging caution and asking people to stay out of the water despite the heat.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay also warned of 'significant dangers' for people tempted to swim in a river to cool off.

Asked whether people should be going outside and visiting beaches, Mr Barclay told reporters people should use 'common sense' and follow the advice of public health experts.

That meant 'hydration, covering up, being in the shade, avoiding the times of the day when heat is at its peak'.

He added: 'There is a particular message, particularly for teenagers, children, some of those who may be tempted to go for a swim - there's significant dangers of that, quite often when people go swimming in rivers when we have very hot weather.

'So it's following common sense steps and keeping an eye on neighbours and those who are vulnerable. And following the guidance that's been put out by the relevant bodies.'

Mr Barclay said the 'well established contingency plans' put in place in response to the high temperatures drew on the experiences of the 2003 heatwave in France, which saw around 15,000 heat-related deaths in the country.

The NHS has 'extreme heat plans' published in May and local trusts 'manage the pressures themselves'.

The Government was co-ordinating the response and 'closely monitoring the situation', he added.

A 37-year-old man also died after getting into difficulties while swimming in the sea at Brighton. Since the heatwave began, at least ten people have sadly drowned

Heatwave deaths: ELEVEN people have lost their lives this month as Britain swelters in scorching temperatures Sadly at least ten people have now died in the UK in water-related incidents since the heatwave began. July 18 Bray Lake in Maidenhead - A 16-year-old boy died on Monday at Bray Lake, near Maidenhead in Berkshire. River Thames in Hampton - A 14-year-old boy is missing after getting into difficulty in the Thames in Richmond and has drowned, Richmond Police said on Twitter. July 17 River Spey in Moray, Scotland - A 51-year-old man was recovered from the River Spey by emergency services but he was pronounced dead at the scene. River Tyne in Ovingham - Emergency services were called after a 13-year-old boy began to struggle after getting into difficulties in the River Tyne near Ovingham, Northumberland. Police said the body of Robert Hattersley was found in the water and his family have been informed. Cromane Bay in Kilorglin, Northern Ireland - A man in his 50s died after getting into difficulty in the water in County Kerry on Sunday. July 16 Brighton Beach - A 37-year-old man was rushed to hospital after being pulled from the water near Brighton Pier on Saturday evening but he sadly died. Ardsley Reservoir, West Yorkshire - A 50-year-old man died after getting into difficulty while swimming in Ardsley Reservoir. Salford Quays, Greater Manchester - Kalen Waugh, 16, died in Salford Quays on Saturday. Passers-by called emergency services after spotting a struggling swimmer July 14 Conwy Morfa beach, north Wales - Emma Louise Powell, 24, and her two friends were all recovered from the water after getting into trouble while paddleboarding on Thursday evening, but sadly she could not be saved. July 11 Aire and Calder Navigation, West Yorkshire - Alfie McCraw, 16, sadly passed away after getting into difficulty while swimming in a canal in Wakefield. July 9 Appley Bridge, Lancashire - Jamie Lewin, 16, died after getting into difficulties while swimming in a disused quarry at Appley Bridge. Advertisement

A 37-year-old man died after being pulled out of the sea at Brighton beach on Saturday evening.

Emergency services rushed to the medical incident on Brighton beach, near Grand Junction Road, at about 7.10pm on July 16.

Police confirmed that the man was taken to hospital but later sadly died. His next of kin have been informed.

'There are no suspicious circumstances, and a report will be prepared for HM Coroner,' a police spokesman said.

Speaking to The Argus, a witness at the scene said a man was pulled from the water before that area of the beach was cleared.

'I have small children so didn't really get close, but the police came and cleared the beach,' she said,

'We saw him being dragged out of the water and CPR being administered. The ambulance staff and police were there within two or three minutes.'

In Scotland a man died after his kayak capsized on the River Spey, Moray, on Sunday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the scene near Fochabers, at about 16:45 on July 17.

A 51-year-old man was recovered from the water by emergency services but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The same night, a man in his 50s died after falling from a boat and getting into difficulty in the water in Northern Ireland.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at Cromane Bay, Kilorglin, at around 10pm.

He was recovered from the water but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Also on Sunday, a 50-year-old man died at Ardsley Reservoir, West Yorkshire, it was reported, after he got into difficulty while swimming.

Det Insp Phil Hughes of Leeds CID said: 'This incident serves as a timely reminder about the dangers of swimming in open water.

'The weather is due to get hotter this week, I would urge people to not enter or swim in reservoirs or open waters.'

On Saturday a 16-year-old Kalen Waugh drowned in Salford Quays on Saturday, causing Greater Manchester Police to issue a fresh warning.

Det Insp Joanne Johnston, said: 'We remind the public to avoid being tempted to cool off in reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds.

'We all want to enjoy the warm weather; please make sure you do so in a safe way. Think of your family - look out for your friends.'

Two other schoolboys drowned in separate swimming accidents last week.

After getting into difficulties while swimming in a quarry at Appley Bridge, Lancashire, on July 9, Jamie Lewin, 16, died.

The promising boxer who 'loved life' and was 'was one in a million' was the third teenager in just seven years to lose his life at the quarry.

The owners of a quarry have pleaded with the public to stay away, while revealing plans to reduce the depth of the water.

Just two days later Alfie McCraw, also 16, from Wakefield, who had only recently finished his GCSEs, died after swimming in a West Yorkshire canal.

'He was just 16 years old and had his whole life ahead of him which was cut short due to a tragic accident,' said cousin Zoe.

In North Wales, Emma Louise Powell, 24, drowned while paddleboarding with two pals on Thursday evening.

The 'beautiful and happy go lucky' woman got into difficulties at the beauty spot at Conwy Morfa with her two friends.

All three were rescued from the water following a major rescue operation, but tragically Emma, from Llandudno, could not be saved.
A mom has described how she heard her hair sizzling after making a miracle escape from a gas explosion in her home.

Tamara McLean, 45, was leaving her basement when the huge blast turned her home into ashes - and left the special needs teacher with life-changing burns.

The Maine mom couldn't smell the propane leak in her house because she had Covid, which dulled her sense of smell.

Tamara said he had to grab hold of a wall in order not to be thrown by the blast.

She said: 'It blew me back but I grabbed hold of the wall and was trying to figure out what had happened, because it's not every day you get a feeling like that - it's like a blast of hot air that goes through you.

'I could hear my hair sizzling and I was burnt. I could feel my face and arms burnt but I just didn't know the capacity of it.'

She was on the last day of her quarantine and looking forward to seeing friends the next day.

Tamara added: 'It was my last day of quarantine so I was heading out with my friends.

'I hit the dryer button and was on my way upstairs from my basement and an explosion went off.

Tamara, 45, is pictured during her recovery with a giant teddy at Portland Medical Center, ME

Ms McLean returned to her Embden, Maine home only to find that it was entirely destroyed

'It blew me back but I grabbed hold of the wall and was trying to figure out what had happened, because it's not every day you get a feeling like that - it's like a blast of hot air that goes through you.

Happier times: tattooed mom Tamara is pictured before the terrible home gas blast

'I could hear my hair sizzling and I was burnt. I could feel my face and arms burnt but I just didn't know the capacity of it.'

Mrs McLean added: 'I started seeing pieces of my house fall that were lit on fire, so I finished running up the stairs and ran outside.

'I didn't look around because my main focus was getting out but my house had obviously blown up. I was in survival mode, my state of mind was 'I need to get help right now'.

'My door was already blown open and I had to jump over my chimney which was blown down.'

Tamara managed to get into her car and drive 4.2 miles to the nearest fire station, from which she was airlifted to the ICU.

McLean felt the second degree burns on her back and arms as soon as the blast took place

Tamara said that the blast was so severe, pieces of the house knocked over nearby trees

Second degree burns covered almost a third of her body.

McLean spent a month having her extreme burns treated at an expert burns unit

Shocking photos show how the blast demolished her home and left it a smouldering pile of rubble around a burnt out shell - while Tamara lay in the burns unit with horrendous wounds.

The special needs teacher is still undergoing treatments on her skin almost a year since the explosion on October 15 last year.

Tamara, from Embden, Maine, said: 'I got in my car - I had left my keys in the car because I live in a small town - I hit the 911 assist button and drove 4.2 miles to the fire station and that's where I got help.

'When it first happened I don't know that I was in that much pain because I was in shock.'

Tamara spent a month recovering in the burn unit at Maine Medical Center, Portland.

Doctors cleaned and dressed the second degree burns on her face, arms, feet and back. A week later they stapled synthetic skin over the raw skin to close her wounds.

Doctors spent weeks cleaning and dressing the burns on Tamara's face (pictured in the unit)

After a miraculous recovery, the mom was discharged from hospital, only to discover that her home and all of her possessions had been completely destroyed in the blast.

Tamara said: 'When you are in a gas explosion like that and it goes through your body, your insides are actually burning.

'You have about four to six hours to get intubated or you won't make it because your insides are burnt and swelling.

'The pain is intense. The only way I can try to explain it is like you have a huge open wound and you have sand paper and salt water and you're scrubbing. There's honestly no comparison.

Tamara, pictured before the accident, said her identity has been reshaped by the sad event

'My daughter said that one time they were changing my bandages and it took over four hours because they had to keep taking breaks because the pain was so bad.

'My home is completely gone. It blew out so far and so much that it knocked trees over in the woods.

'There was nothing left at all, not even a toothbrush. It was all just gone..'

Once released from hospital, Tamara was required to return for weekly checkups which eventually dropped down to once a month. To this day she still has frequent appointments.

She is due to start laser treatment on the worst affected area of her body later this year. Severe burns on her arms caused contracture, the uncomfortable tightening of the skin, and reduced mobility.

Besides the health effects, Tamara has been dealing with the emotional strain of the change in her physical appearance, having lost all of her hair in the blast and being left with scarring from her burns.

Not even a toothbrush was left after the immense gas explosion in October last year

Tamara said: 'Every day I have to massage my arms because that's where I have the most burns, and I can't be in the sun.

'I have a garment with silicone in it that goes all the way up to my shoulder on one side and all the way up to my elbow on the other that I have to wear except for when I'm showering or I wash them.

'When I woke up [in the hospital] my hair was shaved - before that I had long hair.

'They gave me medication to slow my metabolism down because the burn takes all the calories to heal, so it's caused weight gain and then added scars.

'Right now it's very hard. My identity is completely different from before it happened.'

A selfie shows Tamara standing healthy, but with her arm burns neatly covered by clothing

The mom claims a local fire marshal determined the cause of the leak to have been on the ground floor of her home, due to the way the house exploded.

But Tamara says they were unable to find the exact cause due to the destruction of the explosion. Investigations are still ongoing.

In the meantime, her insurance company is funding her stay in a rental property, as well as the reconstruction of her destroyed home.

Tamara now hopes to warn others about the risks of gas leaks and to encourage people to take extra precautions when it comes to home detectors.

Tamara said: 'I'm not having propane anymore, I'm having oil.

'I would take any kind of precaution you can, even if it's a bit of money, and make sure your gas company is doing their inspections properly.

'They do make alarms for propane but it's not mandatory to have them in your home like a fire alarm - and I really think it should be mandatory.'
Advertisement

Sobering video footage has emerged of Ukrainian citizens kneeling beside the road in an extraordinary show of grief as the bodies of a mother and son killed by one of Putin's missiles were carried to their final place of rest.

Dozens of residents of Malaya Mochulka knelt to pay their final respects as the funeral procession of dentist Viktoria Rekuta, 35, and her son Maxim Zharyi, seven, drove through the village's streets this morning.

The pair were visiting a clinic in the nearby city of Vinnytsia at around 10:50am on Thursday when it was hit by a Russian Kalibr missile launched from a submarine in the Black Sea.

Two other children were among the 24 killed in the strike, which injured more than 200 people and damaged dozens of buildings.

Ksenia Denisyuk, a friend of Viktoria, said of Maxim: 'He was a wonder child, bright and kind.

'Together they went to a clinic - this was the moment when the terrorist country [Russia] hit the medical centre.

'Maxim could be identified only with a DNA test... The whole world should know that Russia is a terrorist state.'

The scenes of grief from the pair's funeral procession come just one day after another child victim, four-year-old Liza Dmytrieva, was buried yesterday after being killed in the strike.

Liza's death has become a symbol of Putin's horrific war in Ukraine after images of her blood-spattered pushchair were circulated widely on social media.

One other child, eight-year-old Kirill Pyakhin, also died in Thursday's strike as he waited in a parked car with his uncle while his grandmother went to get cash from a nearby bank.

Russia has insisted the savage strike targeted the Ukrainian military during a meeting of air force command and representatives of Western arms suppliers, and said its forces do not target civilians.

Residents of Malaya Mochulka knelt to pay their final respects as the funeral procession of a mother and son killed in a recent Russian missile strike drove through the village's streets this morning

Viktoria Rekuta, 35, and her son Maxim Zharyi, seven, were killed when a Russian Kalibr missile slammed into Vinnytsia on Thursday morning

The pair were visiting a clinic in Vinnytsia at around 10:50am on Thursday when it was hit by a Russian Kalibr missile launched from a submarine in the Black Sea

Ksenia Denisyuk, a friend of Viktoria, said of Maxim (pictured): 'He was a wonder child, bright and kind.... he could be identified only with a DNA test'

Viktoria is pictured holding Maxim as a young baby. The pair were among 24 killed in the strike on Vinnytsia

A kneeling procession is pictured at the funeral of Viktoria Rekuta, 35, and her son Maxim Zharyi, 7, who died in Vinnytsia in a Russian missile attack

The scenes of grief from the pair's funeral procession come just one day after another child victim, four-year-old Liza Dmytrieva (left), was buried yesterday after being killed in the strike. Kirill Pyakhin, 8 (right), was the third child who died from his injuries sustained in the explosion

Liza's death has become a symbol of Putin's horrific war in Ukraine after images of her blood-spattered pushchair were circulated widely on social media

The tragic footage of Viktoria and Maxim's funeral procession was filmed by local journalist Irina Lupeshchenko and showed villagers kneeling on both sides of the road as the cortege went past carrying the coffins of the mother and son.

Meanwhile, other images emerged on Sunday evening of the funeral proceedings for Liza Dmytrieva, a child with Down syndrome who was en-route to see a speech therapist with her mother when the missile hit.

'Look, my flower! Look how many people came to you,' Liza's grandmother, Larysa Dmytryshyna, said as she knelt by the four-year-old's open coffin with flowers and teddy bears in Vinnytsia's 18th-century Transfiguration Cathedral yesterday.

Liza's mother, 33-year-old Iryna Dmytrieva, was not killed in the blast but remains in an intensive care unit in grave condition. The family did not tell her that Liza was being buried Sunday, fearing it could affect her condition.

'Your mommy didn't even see how beautiful you are today,' Larysa said to Liza's lifeless body as she wept at the funeral.

Helena Sydorenko, a long-time family friend, said Liza's mother Iryna 'invested a lot of effort in socialising Liza'.

'She wanted her kid to have a full life,' Helena added.

When the war started, Iryna and her family fled Kyiv for Vinnytsia, a city some 167 miles to the southwest and well away from the frontlines.

Shortly before the explosion, Iryna had posted a video on social media showing her daughter straining to reach the handlebars to push her own pram as she strolled happily through Vinnytsia.

Iryna's aunt Tetiana Dmytrysyna said after speaking to her in hospital: '[Liza's] mother was robbed of the most precious thing she had.'

Tetiana added: 'She remembered that she was reaching for her daughter, and Liza was already dead.'

Liza Dmytrieva, a child with Down syndrome, was en-route to see a speech therapist with her mother in Vinnytsia when the missile hit

Relatives and friends pay their last respects to Liza, a 4-year-old girl killed by a Russian attack, during a mourning ceremony in an Orthodox church in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Sunday, July 17

Liza was among 24 people killed, including 2 boys aged 7 and 8, in Thursday's missile strike in Vinnytsia. Her mother, Iryna Dmytrieva, was among the scores injured

Iryna's aunt Tetiana Dmytrysyna said after speaking to her in hospital: '[Liza's] mother was robbed of the most precious thing she had. She remembered that she was reaching for her daughter, and Liza was already dead'

Vinnytsya, 450 miles went of the Donbas front line, is just one of many cities which have been hit in a series of Russian air strikes targeting civilians

Emergency services work next to a damaged building at the site of a Russian military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Vinnytsia

Firefighters together with rescuers, military and the police work at the site of the Russian missile strike in downtown Vinnytsia

Despite the staggering civilian death toll and widespread destruction of residential and administrative infrastructure since the war in Ukraine began, Russia has continued to deny that its military targets civilians.

Putin's spokesman said today on Iranian TV: 'Our president, Mr. [Vladimir] Putin has repeatedly stressed that our Armed Forces have a clear order from the commander-in-chief to avoid damage to civilian infrastructure and civilian casualties.

'The [Russian] Armed Forces operate very carefully. They use high-precision weapons and exclude any strikes on civilian infrastructure.

'Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the Ukrainian side, especially the nationalist battalions and units, which do not shy away from anything.'

Posting on social media after Thursday's attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote: 'Vinnytsya. Rocket strikes in the city centre. There are wounded and dead, among them a small child.

'Every day, Russia destroys the civilian population, kills Ukrainian children, directs rockets at civilian objects where there is nothing military.

'What is this, if not an open act of terrorism? Inhumans. A killer country. A terrorist country.'

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba meanwhile accused Russia of committing 'another war crime'.

'We will put Russian war criminals on trial for every drop of Ukrainian blood and tears,' he wrote on Twitter.
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A rogue lion's pride was wounded when his advances on a lioness prompted her brothers to confront him in a vicious fight, dramatic photos show.

The cocksure predator named Jack was pounced on by a gang of male lions at the Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa.

Images show how Jack approached the female lion but was immediately surrounded by her brothers in a tense stand-off.

The group then started to attack him, savagely using their powerful jaws and strength to scare him off. Jack was uninjured after the fierce encounter.

Andre Pflaum, 45, captured the incredible moment, saying: 'After this action, I needed a minute to get over it.

A rogue lion's pride was wounded when his advances on a lioness prompted her brothers to confront him in a vicious fight, dramatic photos show

The cocksure predator named Jack was pounced on by a gang of male lions at the Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa

Images show how Jack approached the female lion but was immediately surrounded by her brothers in a tense stand-off

The group then started to attack him, savagely using their powerful jaws and strength to scare him off. Jack was uninjured after the fierce encounter

Andre Pflaum, 45, captured the incredible moment, saying: 'After this action, I needed a minute to get over it'

'A male youngster was not amused that his sister was interested in Jack. The Southern male in charge attacked Jack from behind, whilst Jack was dealing with his son.

'Jack was chased away because they were too many others and the Southern male in charge was too dominant and experienced.'

Andre said he is often terrified by his proximity to the fearsome animals who displayed their aggression when fighting off Jack.

He said: 'To sit on an open vehicle, sometimes even without a roof and under a meter away from a big cat, the first time I was really scared.

Jack was introduced to the group to bring in new genes and to challenge the other lions and his actions clearly brought a rise from them

After the tense encounter, Jack ran away, outnumbered by the other lions who were fighting him off their sister

Jack's appearance caused controversy because of his perceived inferior strength compared to others in the area

Many locals feared that Jack wasn't strong enough to fend for himself or hunt food due to being less physically strong than the other males

Luckily, Jack (pictured sleeping after the fight) has since made contact with the central pride, forming an unusual coalition with a young male

'Even on walking safaris, you need to be always alerted and need to show your respect for wildlife.'

Jack was introduced to the group to bring in new genes and to challenge the other lions.

But his appearance caused controversy due to Jack's perceived inferior strength compared to others in the area.

Many locals feared that Jack wasn't strong enough to fend for himself or hunt food.

Luckily, Jack has since made contact with the central pride, forming an unusual coalition with a young male.

'Nomadic lions do have more challenges in getting their food because lions usually hunt in a perfect choreography as a pride,' said Andre.
A Tory police and crime commissioner who pledged a road safety crackdown has been banned from driving after being caught speeding five times  and refused to step down.

Nottinghamshire PCC Caroline Henry previously admitted the offences, including two close to a primary school, telling a district judge: 'I'm really sorry'.

She was caught breaking a 30mph speed limit five times within a 12-week period  two on consecutive days  and was banned today from getting behind the wheel by Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

Henry declined to answer questions outside Nottingham Magistrates' Court on whether she would resign from her position.

Releasing a statement this afternoon, she said that she is 'truly sorry for speeding' and intends to stay in her elected role.

She added: 'Quite properly I've been fined and banned from driving for six months.

'I remain committed to serving the people of Nottinghamshire as Police and Crime Commissioner.'

The 52-year-old, who is the wife of Broxtowe MP Darren Henry and was elected to the post in May 2021, was caught speeding in a blue Mercedes and a silver Lexus with a personalised number plate.

Henry, 52, has been fined a total of 2,450 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 190.

Three penalty points have been imposed on each offence, bringing the total to 15. She has also been disqualified from driving for six months.

Henry declined to answer questions outside Nottingham Magistrates' Court (pictured today) on whether she would resign from her position. But after being banned from driving for six months, she said: 'I am truly sorry for speeding'

Nottinghamshire's Tory PCC Caroline Henry as been banned from driving for six months. Pictured outside Nottingham Magistrates' Court on May 3

The 52-year-old was caught breaking the speed limit five times in 12 weeks. Pictured with campaign imagery

On her official PCC website, Henry listed ensuring an 'effective and efficient' police response to speeding as one of her priorities.

She campaigned for election using the slogan 'Make Notts Safe' and promised to 'reduce crime with action, not words'.

Henry declined to answer questions outside Nottingham Magistrates' Court on whether she would resign from her position.

Henry was captured over the speed limit twice near a primary school in Daybrook, Nottingham, as well as roads in Chilwell, Beeston and on the city's A610.

Speed cameras clocked the PCC's speed as high as 40mph in a 30mph zone, with other excess speeds recorded at 35mph and 38mph.

Henry was caught in 30mph zones at four locations in Nottingham in March, May and June last year.

Henry was given a 2,450 fine and has been disqualified for six months. Pictured, Nottingham Magistrates' Court

Imposing a 2,450 fine as well as disqualifying her for six months at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday, District Judge Leo Pyle said of the offences: 'What they show is that you are driving at consistent speeds above the speed limits.

'What I haven't been told is why.

'Whether that was due to work or during your private time, you must allow time to get to your destination safely.'

The judge added: 'Speed limit (cameras) are sited... not at places where they can issue maximum amounts in fines, but for safety reasons.'

The offences took place on March 17 and 18, May 2 and 27, and June 8.

The judge dismissed Henry's application to keep her driving licence due to 'exceptional hardship'.

Her defence solicitor, Rhys Rosser, urged the court not to ban her so she can visit her child in hospital in Salisbury, saying it 'cannot be done by public transport'.

But District Judge Pyle said that, despite it being an 'inconvenience', Henry's husband, Broxtowe MP Darren Henry, could 'facilitate' it.

On her official PCC website, Henry, of Giltbrook, Nottinghamshire, listed ensuring an 'effective and efficient' police response to speeding as one of her priorities.

She campaigned for election using the slogan 'Make Notts Safe' and promised to 'reduce crime with action, not words'.
Two people were killed and at least 12 more were injured in 11 separate shooting and stabbing incidents in a night of bloodshed in New York City on Sunday.

The incidents occurred across just six hours, and shortly after City Mayor Eric Adams vowed to the Big Apple's citizens he would 'turn this crime thing around'.

Spanning all five of NYC's boroughs, the violence saw a 16-year-old shot in the head in a street brawl, a 74-year-old woman shot in the stomach while sitting on a park bench, and a 52-year-old man stabbed to death by his own brother.

The night of violence comes at a time when many of NYC's residents are growing increasingly concerned with rising crime statistics.

While the number of murders and shootings in 2022 are to-date fewer than the number seen by this time last year, the New York Police Department's statistics show that overall major crime has risen by more than 30 percent since 2021.

Just hours before the crime spree kicked off on Sunday NYC Mayor Adams, who ran his election campaign with a promise to crackdown on violent crime in city, said that a criminal-justice system-run-amok is to blame for the violence in NYC.

Pictured: A map showing the 11 different shooting and stabbing incidents on Sunday night, which saw two people killed and 12 injured

'It is unfortunate the climate we're working under  where the entire criminal-justice apparatus has turned away from the public and the rights of the public to live safe in their city,' he said. 'We took almost 3,800 guns off the streets, and many of the people who had carried those guns were able to return to the streets.'

He continued: 'We're witnessing a decrease in shootings, a decrease in homicides, but it's more than that, it's the robberies, the burglaries.

'We're going to turn this crime thing around, and when we do so, people are going to really see the progress we've made in other parts of the city,' he added.

The incidents occurred across just six hours, shortly after the city's mayor Eric Adams (pictured July 12) vowed to the Big Apple's citizens he would 'turn this crime thing around'

Soon after his radio appearance on Sunday, however, the violence began.

6.30 p.m., Queens: A 52-year-old man named Oscar Gutierrez was stabbed to death by his own brother, near Jamaica Avenue and Queens Boulevard.

Cops said the attack stemmed from an argument between the pair, with the suspect stabbing and slashing his brother in the chest several times in a second-floor hallway. Gutierrez was rushed to hospital, but was later pronounced dead.

Gutierrez lived in the building in which he was killed, New York Daily News reported, with police still trying to track down the suspect as of Sunday evening.

6:36 p.m., Brooklyn: Just six minutes later in Brooklyn, at 6:36 p.m., a 74-year-old woman - who was sitting on a bench at the Louis Heaton Pink Houses - was shot in the stomach.

The woman was sitting in the courtyard of the houses when she heard gunfire, police said, before feeling a bullet pierce her stomach. She was rushed to Brookdale Hospital and was reported to be in a stable condition.

Is is believed that she was an innocent bystander when she was struck.

7 p.m., Staten Island: Barely 30 minutes later on Staten Island, a woman suffered gunshot wounds. She walked herself into Richmond University Medical Centre on Sunday night.

8 p.m., Queens: An hour later at 8 p.m., a man was stabbed in Queen's Flushing Meadows Corona Park, police said. His condition was unreported.

8.24 p.m., Brooklyn: Soon after, four people were shot in Brownsville, Brooklyn when a fight broke out near the Rockaway Avenue subway station, police said.

One person involved in the brawl opened fire, striking at 16-year-old boy in the head, and a second man in the stomach. Two others were grazed by bullets. The teen was rushed to Maimonides Hospital, where he is said to be in a critical condition.

8.45 p.m., The Bronx: The violence spanning the city continued when a 22-year-old woman who was walking her dog was hit by gunfire near Bristow Street and Jennings Street in The Bronx. The woman was struck in the leg, and is not likely to die.

According to PIX11, officials said she saw a white car driving north on Jennings, and that the shot might have come from the passing vehicle.

9 p.m., The Bronx: Minutes later and just a few blocks away, a 46-year-old mother and her 13-year-old daughter were both wounded in a shooting on Southern Boulevard, police said.

The pair were inside a convenience store when two men had an argument outside. Someone then opened fire, with bullets flying through the windows of the store - hitting the mother and her daughter.

Police said the teenage girl was hit in the hand, while her mother was grazed in the chest. Neither had life-threatening injuries, according to officials.

11 p.m., Harlem: A second person died on Sunday night, when a 34-year-old man was shot dead in Harlem near Malcolm X Boulevard and 115th Street, in what police believe to have been a hang-related incident, the New York Post reported.

11:15 p.m., Brooklyn: Another man was shot - this time on New York Avenue in Brooklyn's Little Haiti. He was struck in the leg.

11.30 p.m., Harlem: A second man was shot in Harlem. His condition is unknown.

12.20 a.m., Manhattan: The eleventh incident of the night saw a victim shot in Manhattan at 12.20 a.m. on Monday, near West 22nd Street and Sixth Avenue.

The assailant fled the scene in a white SUV. Sources said the victim was alert and conscious after being shot, according to the New York Post.

NYPD's latest figures comparing June 2022 to June 2021 show that shootings and homicides were down 24.2 percent and 31.6 percent respectively.

However, mayor Adams acknowledged to WBLS that 'predatory crimes' - crimes such as robberies and burglaries - still need to be addressed.

Overall crimes in New York City have risen by 37.66 percent, figures show.



Adams said: 'Public safety and justice are prerequisites for prosperity. If you're not safe you really can't thrive. Public safety is crucial. Crime has really taken all of the oxygen out of the room.'
Australians are being warned to delete TikTok from their phone after a new report by cyber security experts discovered that sensitive information is being sent back to China.

Security firm Internet 2.0 cracked the source code for the popular video sharing platform - downloaded by more than 7.5million Aussies - to uncover how an array of data is being targeted without the user being aware.

The Beijing-backed app taps into smartphone calendars, contacts list and scans the device's ID and hard drive to monitor all other apps that have been installed.

TikTok also checks the device's location at least once an hour and will persist in seeking data from contacts even if permission is denied, according to the report.

Mainly used by young people under the age of 18, the platform which beat out Google to become the globe's most popular website in 2021, largely consists of short dance videos and is widely viewed as harmless.

But with the communist superpower a world leader in data collection, AI and facial recognition software, there are fears TikTok is being used by Beijing to spy on young people in the west.

Australians are being warned to delete TikTok from their phone after a new report by cyber security experts discovered that sensitive information is being sent back to China (stock image)

Robert Potter Internet 2.0 CEO accused TikTok and its parent company ByteDance of being deceptive.

'Their source code is at odds with their public statements about how their app functions,' he told the Nine network.

TikTok says all user data for the region is hosted in Singapore and only accessed by a small number of people who need it to maintain the site.

'The IP address is in Singapore, the network traffic does not leave the region and it is categorically untrue to imply there is communication with China,' the company said in a statement.

However, Mr Potter said his team had identified that on Apple smartphones the app was connecting with servers in China, however they could not say what information was being sent.

'There was significant amounts of traffic flows to servers in China,' he said.

In the report, that has been circulated to Australian and US politicians, Internet 2.0 said TikTok was not transparent about the data it requested and where it went.

The Beijing-backed app taps into users' smartphone calendars, contacts list and scans the device's ID and hard drive to monitor all other apps that have been installed

'During analysis we could not determine with high confidence the purpose for the connection or where user data is stored,' the report said.

'The China server connection is run by Guizhou Baishan Cloud Technology, a cloud and cybersecurity company.

'The subdomain connected to the China server connection resolved in multiple locations around the world including in China.'

TikTok also requested access to external storage in a manner deemed 'excessive'.

'This is a standard command for a social media application to store video and images,' the report said.

'The aspect we list as excessive is TikTok doesn't just retrieve the ability to see folders, it retrieves a list of everything available in the external storage folder.'

The report stated the app gathered more information than it needed to work.

'The TikTok mobile application has been built with a culture that does not place privacy as a principle as most of the permissions and device information being collected are above necessary for the application to function,' the report said.

China is a world leader in data collection, AI and facial recognition software and there are fears TikTok is being used by Beijing to spy on young people in the west. Pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping

TikTok said the information it gathers is in line with standard industry practices and is securely encrypted.

Mr Potter pointed out that as the company was based in China it is governed by Chinese laws and would be forced to hand over any data requested by the Communist Party.

'Because it is domiciled and is a Chinese company its governed by Chinese law first, which means it operates in a very different privacy culture,' he said.

Under Chinese law organisations and individuals are required to 'support, assist and co-operate with the state intelligence work'.

TikTok has stated its employees would never share information with the Chinese government and have never been asked to.

Liberal Senator James Paterson called on the government to act and ban the app.

'It was already worrying enough to recently learn user data is being accessed in mainland China,' Mr Paterson said.

'It is frankly alarming to discover exactly what data is being collected from TikTok users, and how much of it is unnecessary.

'It's hard to think of an innocent reason excessive data is being collected especially given it is obtainable by the Chinese government.'

'The Albanese government must stop sitting on its hands and act to protect Australians cybersecurity and privacy.'

Information sharing with TikTok can be limited through phone settings and is more restricted on PCs.

Liberal Senator James Paterson (pictured) has expressed alarm at TikTok's collection of data and its potential use by China

However, some experts say the only the sure way to stop the app collecting data is to get rid off it.

ANU data encryption expert Vanessa Teague said the app could gather financial and payment information, messages, photos and videos; audio and sound recordings plus web browsing history.

Even blocking location information to the app wouldn't work if videos were tagged with the GPS location.

Dr Teague had pithy advice for those concerned over privacy.

'Delete the app,' she told SBS.

'TikTok is less transparent ... than Facebook [and] tends to come under less scrutiny (as it's) based in a less democratic country.'

Daily Mail Australia has contact TikTok for further comment.
Rishi Sunak was today accused of peddling a 'fairytale' over the effectiveness of his Covid loan schemes as he faced fresh anger for allowing billions of pounds to be lost to fraud.

Lord Agnew, who quit as a Treasury minister in January, today tore into Mr Sunak's record as Chancellor as he accused Mr Sunak of frittering away taxpayers' cash.

The Conservative peer bemoaned how an estimated 5billion lost to fraud - through the bounceback loans scheme for small and medium-sized businesses - could have instead been spent on helping the poorest during the cost-of-living crisis.

He also claimed the public had been left 'completely in the dark' about the extent of taxpayers' money being lost through Covid schemes.

Lord Agnew accused Mr Sunak of having 'blocked' data about the performance of Covid loans from being published during his time as Treasury chief.

The ex-Chancellor is the frontrunner among five remaining candidates in the contest to replace Mr Johnson as Tory leader and Prime Minister.

But Mr Sunak's leadership campaign is coming under fierce attack as rivals scrutinise his record from his time in charge of the nation's finances.

Fellow Tory contender Kemi Badenoch last night used an ITV debate to accuse Mr Sunak of not taking warnings about fraud seriously enough when he implemented Covid loan schemes as Chancellor.

She seized on a recent estimate that a total of 17 billion will be lost from various Covid loan schemes.

Rishi Sunak's Tory leadership campaign is coming under fierce attack as rivals scrutinise his record as Chancellor

Lord Agnew, who quit as a Treasury minister in January, accused Mr Sunak of frittering away taxpayers' cash

Fellow Tory contender Kemi Badenoch (pictured centre) last night used an ITV debate to accuse Mr Sunak of not taking warnings about fraud seriously enough

Mr Sunak told the TV debate between Tory leadership rivals that he was 'proud of my record' and insisted that 'new estimates for what the fraud will be on the bounceback loans scheme have been reduced by one-third'.

He also claimed that the 'payment performance on that loan portfolio had actually far surpassed anyone's expectations'.

But Lord Agnew, who served under Mr Sunak in the Treasury between February 2020 and January this year, today said he was 'astonished' by the ex-Chancellor's response.

'I was astonished because these estimates that he refers to - for me - is a fairytale,' he told Times Radio.

'But I don't have the data because he has blocked the data being published.

'So what I was pushing for then and since was a dashboard of the performance of the banks who are running these loans.

'Because then, at a glance, you and everyone else would see what is actually going on. But we don't, we haven't got any view at all of what's happening.'

Lord Agnew quit as a Treasury minister at the beginning of the year and attacked the Government over its handling of fraudulent Covid business loans.

'The reason I resigned six months ago is that the Treasury were very, very loose on the way this thing was arranged,' he said.

'But, worse than that - because that's in the past, now we're getting to the point where the banks are seeking reimbursement for the losses from the Treasury.

'The Treasury are not disclosing how they are managing that process. So you have a 47billion scheme with a total lack of transparency.'

Continuing his attack on Mr Sunak, he added: 'Until he publishes the data, which he blocked when he was there (in the Treasury), we just don't know.

'And if it's all so wonderful, why can't we see it? It really is that simple - that's why I get so frustrated.

'It's the sort of thing that undermines faith in politics, it's all words and not deeds. I judge people by what they actually do, not what they say.'

Figures released by the state-owned British Business Bank - which oversaw support schemes for UK firms during the Covid crisis - showed that, as of September last year, there had already been defaults on loans worth 1.31billion under the bounceback loans scheme.

This was 2.4 per cent of all loans under the scheme.

Lord Agnew is backing Ms Badenoch for the Tory leadership and claimed that Mr Sunak's handling of Covid schemes made him unsuitable to be Britain's next PM.

He said: 'If he puts himself forward as the guardian of the nation's finances, then he has not been an effective guardian on this particular area.

'That's really what matters.'

He outlined how much of the money lost to Covid fraud could have been spent helping the poorest households during the cost-of-living crisis.

'What's so frustrating is there's billions of pounds at play here which could be diverted to help the cost-of-living crisis,' the peer added.

'If I'm right that there's 5billion of fraud that could be stopped - if there were a little bit more energy deployed to it - that would reduce the taper rate on Universal Credit by another 10 per cent.

'It would bring the cost of Universal Credit taper rate down from 53 per cent to 43 per cent.

'One simple use of this money to do something to help the people who are really struggling would make a difference.

'Meanwhile, the Treasury just spent months blocking any effort to move forward even after I left.'

In December last year, while he was Chancellor, Mr Sunak told MPs that analysis from an independent adviser to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy had reduced the estimate of fraud by a third.

A spokesperson for Mr Sunak's leadership campaign said: 'People are rightly angry that crooks took advantage of our Covid support schemes and Rishi feels the same.

'Thats why he fought to protect taxpayers money with a 100million investment in a new task force to tackle the issue, and a 25million body to improve the UKs counter fraud techniques.'

The Treasury did not provide a comment.
Betsy DeVos, the one time head of Donald Trump's Education Department, said at an education summit in Tampa, Florida on Saturday that the federal department should be abolished.

'I personally think the Department of Education should not exist,' DeVos told the crowd at the Moms for Liberty summit, according to the Florida Phoenix, during her keynote address.

The denunciation of the department she once led came at a three-summit meant to train their members from 30 states to create conservative majorities on their local school boards.

The woman who interviewed DeVos over the weekend, the group's co-founder Tiffany Justice, called teacher unions a 'K-12 cartel' during the summit, but insisted: 'We love teachers here at Moms for Liberty.'

Moms for Liberty is calling their efforts the parental-rights movement, which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic due to widespread opposition to making and vaccine mandates in public schools.

Former Education Department Secretary Betsy DeVos (right) told Moms for Liberty Summit on Tampa over the weekend that the department she once headed un Donald Trump should 'not exist' anymore

DeVos' call to get rid of the DOE is not a novel idea.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced a bill in 2021 that would abolish the Education Department.

'Unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., should not be in charge of our children's intellectual and moral development,' Massie said at the time of unveiling the bill.

Co-signers included many pro-Trump conservative members of the House, including Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Matt Gaetz of Florida.

DeVos was one of the Trump cabinet members who actually made it nearly the whole way through his tenure in the White House. She served as DOE secretary from February 7, 2017, less than one month after Trump took office, until January 8, 2021 - leaving just two days after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.

She recently came out with her new book Hostages No More: The Fight for Education Freedom and the Future of the American Child.

Florida as a destination for the summit this weekend was likely intentional considering its recent crack down on public schooling.

The woman who interviewed DeVos over the weekend, the group's co-founder Tiffany Justice (pictured), called teacher unions a 'K-12 cartel' during the summit

The Sunshine State, where Trump relocated after leaving the White House, has become ground zero for increasing parental involvement in classroom decisions and reducing government interference and teacher autonomy.

GOP Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order in August 2021 that banned mask mandates at schools in the state.

He also signed the so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill, which went into effect on July 1 and bans school employees from teaching children in kindergarten through third grade about sexual orientation and gender identity.

The new law allows parents to sue teachers who discuss these topics with their young children.

Another move by Florida last June was its Board of Education banning schools from teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT), which teaches America's foundations were built on racism and critics claim it teaches children their country is inherently racist in nature.

Moms for Liberty co-founder Justice said that the group aims to separate teachers from their unions. She said teacher unions help impose liberal politics in classrooms.
More than 2,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel by small boat this month, according to official government figures.

As it stands, a total of 2,079 people have made the perilous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits in July  with more expected to arrive as the month progresses.

Over the weekend, almost 300 migrants arrived in Dover, with more people arriving along the Kent coast today as temperatures are predicted to reach highs of 40C in the UK.

It comes as MPs told the government today that there was 'no clear evidence' that its controversial policy to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda would stop Channel crossings in small boats.

A lady carries a newborn baby in a life cradle as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, this morning

A young child is carried in a car seat as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, this morning

Over the weekend, almost 300 migrants arrived in Dover, with more people arriving along the Kent coast today as temperatures are predicted to reach highs of 40C in the UK. Pictured, a group of people thought to be migrants arriving in Dover today

The House of Commons Home Affairs Committee said 'much more clarity' was needed on the plan, including how much it will cost.

Instead, the MPs urged ministers to look at less eye-catching solutions to the issue, including closer cooperation with European neighbours.

While the Ministry of Defence MoD is yet to confirm the official figures for today, around 40 people are believed to have been intercepted and brought into Ramsgate, Kent in the early hours of the morning.

Over the weekend, almost 300 migrants were intercepted by Border Force officials and brought into Dover, Kent.

Saturday, July 16, saw 119 people escorted into the harbour  including a small number of women and children.

The first 50 people arrived on Border Force cutter Defender around 1pm. They were led along the gangway by soldiers dressed in camouflage fatigues before having their life jackets removed and sent for processing by UK officials.

A young girl wearing a life jacket arrives in Dover, Kent, this morning, after a small boat incident in the channel today

Border Force catamaran Typhoon brought a similar sized group into the port around an hour later.

A further 154 migrants were intercepted while trying to cross the Channel in dinghies and other small craft on Sunday, July 17.

Around 70 people were escorted into Dover on board Border Force cutter Defender shortly after midday.

Two young boys could be seen waving at onlookers as they approached the port, while another migrant did a victory sign.

A second group of approximately 50 people arrived an hour later, before Border Force catamaran Typhoon escorted the final group into the harbour around 3pm.

The latest arrivals bring the total number of Channel crossings for 2022 to 14,779 people in 437 boats.

The Home Affairs Committee pointed out that numbers attempting the journey from northern France in inflatable dinghies and other unsuitable craft had increased since the Rwanda policy was first announced in April.

MPs told the government today that there was 'no clear evidence' that its controversial policy to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda would stop Channel crossings in small boats. Pictured, a young girl is helped by a woman in Dover, Kent

'There is no clear evidence that the policy will deter migrant crossings,' the cross-party committee said in a report on the 'small boats' phenomenon.

It attributed the rise to 'scaremongering' by people-smuggling gangs warning migrants about the change in the law.

According to official government figures, 28,526 people made the journey in 2021  compared to 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

Most people who arrive in the UK this way claim asylum but the government says the costs involved in the application process - more than 1.5 billion  are unsustainably high.

The committee pointed out that there were a total of 48,450 asylum applications in Britain in 2021  a similar number to every year since 2014 and 'far less' than in the early 2000s.

But it said the current asylum caseload of more than 125,000 was a result of 'antiquated IT systems, high staff turnover and too few staff'.

Two young girls,both carrying toys, are helped with their life jackets after arriving in Dover, Kent

The first flight carrying asylum seekers was due to take off for Rwanda in mid-June but was grounded due to legal challenges.

The Home Affairs Committee said there was 'no magical solution' to deal with irregular migration.

But it said 'close cooperation with international partners, particularly those in France' stood more chance of success in deterring Channel crossings.

A Government spokesperson said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

'Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws, but they risk lives and hinder our ability to help refugees who come to the UK through safe and legal routes.

'The Nationality and Borders Act will enable us to crack down on abuse of the system and the evil people smugglers, who will now be subject to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

'Under our new Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda, we are continuing preparations to relocate those who are making dangerous, unnecessary and illegal journeys into the UK in order for their claims to be considered and rebuild their lives.'
gettyimagesbank



IPO-planning companies lower corporate value to appeal to investors



By Anna J. Park



While a number of big-named companies are awaiting their IPOs during the second half of this year, questions remain whether their listing plans will succeed amid the unstable global market conditions.



The first half of the year was a period of disappointment for major IPOs. Despite their initial plans to go public earlier this year, most big-name companies' IPO plans had to be canceled, as seen in the cases of Hyundai Engineering, SK Shieldus and One Store, as they failed to convince investors of their desired corporate value.



Putting such setbacks behind, many major companies, such as Hyundai Oilbank, Kurly, SOCAR, CJ Olive Young, K bank and more, are planning to go public during the second half of this year. So far, nearly 50 corporations have submitted their requests for preliminary IPO evaluations to the Korea Exchange (KRX), while a total of 17 companies are currently conducting their book building processes, during which institutional investors' bids are collected.



Market experts say that while the global macroeconomic environment still remains unfavorable for listing companies, local IPO market conditions could improve during the second half, as companies wishing to go public are presenting more reasonable corporate value, removing price hype.



"Now we see many cases of companies that had withdrawn from their previous IPO procedures to lower their desired corporate value substantially to proceed IPO plans again," Park So-yeon, an analyst at Shinyoung Securities, said. "Despite the lowered corporate value, these companies seem to put their priority on completing the IPO process this year," the analyst added.



In addition to many companies offering lower corporate value, the companies are also voluntarily limiting the number of stocks available on listing day, embracing longer lock-up periods.



According to a recent report by DB Financial Investment, the proportion of shares available for circulation by recently listed companies has decreased to 30.1 percent this year, from 38.8 percent in 2020 and 33.4 percent in 2021. This decrease means more financial investors of early phases of the firms' initial investment rounds have embraced longer lock-up periods.



"Because of the efforts to reduce the number of available stock on listing day, investment sentiment for IPOs seems to have somewhat recovered by June," Yoo Jin-hyung, an analyst at DB Financial Investment, pointed out, adding that subscription competition rates for IPO companies have also been increasing lately.



Despite these efforts on the part of IPO-planning companies to appeal more to the market, ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and global concerns over recession have put downward pressure on the local stock market.



However, companies that yield solid profits with convincing business models have still succeeded in raising ample capital through going public in the first half of the year.



A total of 50 companies went public during the first half of the year; 30 of these, not including SPACs, REITs and KONEX-transferred companies, logged 39.2 percent in profitability as of the end of June, compared to their initial listing prices. Their rate of return is also much better than the main benchmark KOSPI's return of minus 21.66 percent during the same period.


A Ukrainian soldier dubbed the 'Zaporizhzhia Avenger' has taken out six Russian jets using a mobile anti-air launcher, it has been claimed.

The 19-year-old, a member of the National Guard, shot down an Su-25 bomber in the Zaporizhzhia region on Sunday, according to military chiefs.

'The National Guard solider... is protecting the Ukrainian sky in the Zaporizhzhya direction and mercilessly beats the enemy in the air with his faithful "girlfriend" PZRK Igla,' a press release said, using the name for a Russian anti-air rocket launcher.

A 19-year-old Ukrainian national guard soldier (pictured) has shot down six Russian bombers using a portable missile launcher, Kyiv has claimed

In addition to shooting down the six jets, the 'Avenger' has also taken down one Russian cruise missile, commanders claimed.

'Avenger' began his killing spree back in May, when he shot down three Su-25 jets that month alone, according to local media.

That led to him being awarded the highest honour the president can bestow - the Hero of Ukraine.

Since being created in 1998, the award has been handed out to just 650 people.

'I will destroy [Russian jets] for as long as necessary - until our victory,' the soldier told Ukrayinska Pravda at the time.

Ukraine claims the teenager has taken out six Su-25 bombers (file image), with his most-recent kill coming on Sunday last week

It is hardly the first tale of heroism to emerge from the battlefields of Ukraine.

Back in February, a pilot dubbed the 'Ghost of Kyiv' was credited with shooting down 10 Russian jets in three days while defending the city.

The double-ace supposedly flew an MiG-29 Fulcrum and shot down two Su-35s, two Su-25s, a Su-27, and a G-29 within 30 hours of the invasion.

Rumours about the 'ghost' persisted for months - and were even indulged by the Security Service of Ukraine - before the air force admitted he didn't really exist.

'The ghost of Kyiv is a superhero-legend, whose character was created by Ukrainians,' the force said on its Facebook page.

Had the pilot existed, he would have been the first ace of the 21st century.

Other feats of heroism to take on near-mythic status including the Ukrainian marine who blew himself up while destroying a bridge near Kherson to stop the Russians.

The soldier has been dubbed the 'Zaporizhzhia Avenger' after the area of Ukraine where he operates, and has been given the country's highest award

Vitaliy Volodymyrovych Skakun was tasked with booby-trapping the Henichesky Bridge, near Crimea, to stop the Russians moving tanks across it.

He succeeded in strapping explosives to the structure, but could not escape the blast radius in time before Russian tanks reached it.

In Skakun's last message to his comrades, he said he would be blowing the bridge anyway - killing him but stopping the tanks.

And, on Snake Island, a group of Ukrainian defenders wrote themselves into history by telling an approaching Russian warship to 'go f*** yourself'.

It was initially thought all 18 soldiers on the island had subsequently been killed in a strike that followed, but it later turned out they had been captured.

Roman Hrybov, who was recorded uttering the now-infamous phrase, was traded back to Ukraine in a prisoner swap and given a medal for bravery.

The Moskva - the ship filmed giving the order - has since been sunk, while the island itself is now back under Ukrainian control.
It comes as EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels to discuss yet more sanctions

But Putin affirmed Russia would develop 'sovereign' tech innovations and called on the finance ministry and banks to prepare for major new cash injections

He declared today the restrictions were 'a huge challenge for our country'

remlin chief said West's sanctions had cut Russia off from major tech products

Russian President Vladimir Putin has admitted his nation is facing 'colossal' high-tech problems due to the onset of unprecedented Western sanctions over Ukraine.

The Kremlin chief said the West's sanctions had cut Russia off from major technology products and conceded the nation could not develop in complete isolation, but added it would be impossible to fully sever Moscow's connection to the rest of the world.

'This is a huge challenge for our country,' the president said today during a video conference with other Russian officials.

'Realising the colossal amount of difficulties we are facing, we will look for new solutions in an energetic and competent manner.

'Clearly, we cannot develop in isolation from the rest of the world, but we won't. In today's world, you can't just, you know, circle everything with a compass and put up a huge fence, it's just not possible.'

Many top tech companies including Apple, Microsoft and Intel suspended their operations in Russia or left the country altogether after Putin sent troops to Ukraine on February 24, leaving Russia with few domestic alternatives.

Putin also said that many fast-growing Russian firms in the sector, such as online retailer Ozon or internet company Yandex, had their growth stunted as their access to Western financing had been severed.

But the warmongering Russian leader said the nation would focus on developing 'sovereign' technology and innovation from domestic companies, calling on the nation's finance ministry and banks to make plans for major cash injections.

'I very much look forward to detailed proposals from both the finance ministry and the Bank of Russia,' Putin declared.

His admission that Western sanctions are crippling Russia's tech industry came as EU foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss fresh proposals of yet more sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has admitted that Russia is facing 'colossal' high-tech problems due to the onset of unprecedented Western sanctions over Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects via a video conference call at a residence outside Moscow, Russia July 18, 2022

Putin's admission of Russia's tech woes comes as EU foreign ministers gather in Brussels to discuss yet another boost in sanctions (Pictured from left: Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, Belgium's Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno and Denmark's Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod)

Images of several of the ministers greeting one another and sharing laughs as they met in the Belgian capital emerged earlier today

Rescuers work at the ruins of a residential building destroyed by a Russian military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the town of Toretsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine July 18, 2022

Ministers from EU nations are reviewing a potential ban on gold exports, among other things, to further cripple the Russian economy.

The European bloc's foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said that at the moment 'the most important thing is a ban on Russian gold', which is Moscow's second-largest export industry after energy.

The G7 group of leading industrial nations already committed to a gold ban last month, arguing that Russia has used its gold to back up its currency to circumvent the impact of several rounds of sanctions imposed on Moscow after its February 24 invasion of Ukraine.

In Brussels, the 27 ministers will also assess how they can tighten controls on exports of high technology to Russia - which could prove even more damaging for the nation's already struggling tech sector - for a possible decision later in the week.

Images of several of the ministers greeting one another and sharing laughs as they met in the Belgian capital emerged earlier today.

The ministers also made a commitment to add another 500 million euros (424 million) in military aid to Ukraine's war chest to beef up the defence of the nation.

The decision came after a video debriefing on the latest developments through a video conference by Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, who said he was 'grateful' for the new funds, which brings the EU total to 2.5 billion euros (2.1 billion).

'If anything needs to be continued, it is weapons deliveries,' said Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, insisting it was also essential to secure the port of Odesa enough to make sure grain shipments could resume.

'And anybody who can do that, obviously, this is the main industrial countries of the western world. They have to step up with that.'

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that a ban on Russian gold was critical, arguing that it is the nation's second-largest export after energy

Czech Republic's Agriculture Minister Zdenek Nekula gestures at the start of a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels on Monday, July 18, 2022

One EU member - Hungary's nationalist premier Viktor Orban - on Friday denounced the sanctions and claimed that Brussels was doing more harm to Europe's own economy than it was to Moscow

The ministers this morning defended their exploration of additional sanctions on Russia, arguing that the measures already put in place are working, despite the threat to the EU's own energy supplies.

But one EU member - Hungary's nationalist premier Viktor Orban - on Friday denounced the sanctions and claimed that Brussels was doing more harm to Europe's own economy than it was to Moscow.

Orban - the closest EU leader to the Kremlin and a frequent critic of Brussels - slammed the measures, arguing that Europe had 'shot itself in the lungs' by hurting energy supplies.

'Brussels thought that the sanctions policy would hurt the Russians, but it hurts us more,' he said.

The EU aims to stop using Russian fossil fuels by 2027 but wants to supplies to continue for now as it shifts away from Russian supplies.

Russian gas supplies have dropped via major routes, including via Ukraine and Belarus and through Nord Stream 1 under the Baltic Sea, in recent months, raising energy prices and increased concern over energy usage ahead of winter.

But Borrell this morning rejected Orban's criticism of sanctions.

'Some European leaders have been saying that the sanctions were an error, were a mistake,' he told reporters.

'Well, I do not think it was a mistake. It is what we had to do and we will continue doing.'
An Alabama teenager accused of killing five members of his family had previously attempted to poison his stepmother with peanut butter, a new court file reveals.

Before allegedly fatally shooting his parents and three siblings - including his infant brother - execution-style, then-14-year-old Mason Wayne Sisk had tried to poison his stepmother by putting peanut butter in her coffee, knowing she was allergic, according to authorities.

The harrowing murders allegedly ensued after Sisk, 19, found out his stepmother was not his biological mother. The September 2019 massacre rocked the small town of Elkmont.

The new filing also alleges that Sisk had been threatening towards his father and forceful with his three young half-siblings, News19 reported.

Sisk is also accused by prosecutors of stealing jewelry from his stepmother and grandmother.

He faces one count of capital murder of two or more victims, and three counts of capital murder of a victim under the age of 14. Sisk will appear in court on August 12 for a pre-trial hearing.

Before allegedly fatally shooting his parents and three siblings - including his infant brother - execution-style, then-14-year-old Mason Wayne Sisk (left) had tried to poison his allergic stepmother, Mary Sisk, (right) by putting peanut butter in her coffee, according to authorities

Sisk is also accused of fatally shooting his two half-brothers, six-month-old Colson (center) and six-year-old Grayson, (right) and his half-sister Aurora, aged five (right)

On the day of the alleged crimes, around 11pm on September 2, 2019, Sisk called 911 to report a shooting.

The then-14-year-old boy initially told responding deputies that he had been in the basement of his family's home in the 2500 block of Ridge Road in Elkmont when he heard gunfire upstairs.

According to investigators, Sisk later confessed to killing his family and led officers to the murder weapon, a 9mm pistol, which was legally held at the residence.

The victims of the shooting were identified as his father, John Sisk, 38; his stepmother, Mary Sisk, 35; his two half-brothers, six-month-old Colson and six-year-old Grayson, and his half-sister Aurora, aged five.

The fifth victim was Sisk's father, John Sisk, 38. The massacre followed the revelation that Mary Sisk was not Mason Sisk's birth mother

Sisk initially told responding deputies that he had been in the basement of his family's home in the 2500 block of Ridge Road in Elkmont when he heard gunfire upstairs

According to investigators, Sisk later confessed to killing his family and led officers to the murder weapon, a 9mm pistol, which was legally held at the residence

According to a 2020 report from a juvenile probation officer, Sisk 'had not shown any sign of remorse' for allegedly committing the atrocious crimes.

The document obtained by WAAY states: 'Mason does not seem bothered by the fact he's accused of murdering his family... While in detention, he has not talked about his family at all.'

Sisk's probation officer noted that, other than getting several warnings and two disciplinary infractions, mostly for talking without permission, the teenager had been a model inmate.

'While in detention, Mason follows directions, does his schoolwork and interacts well with others,' the report reads.

Sisk's cousin Daisy McCarty told the station WAFF in 2019 that she believed the killings were sparked by a revelation that Mary Sisk was not his birth mother.

'He didn't know any different of who his mom was. And they just recently told him, and I think that's really what triggered the little boy, to be honest with you,' she said.

Sisk also had been acting out in the months preceding the murders by burning live animals and breaking into his school, she said.

Mary Sisk, originally from New Orleans, was a special education teacher for Huntsville City Schools, according to a biography on the website of Mountain Gap Schools.

'I can't think of any better person to be with us during the time she was needed,' Evon Miller, whose granddaughter was in Mary's class, told WZDX in 2020.

John Sisk had a number of jobs, including at a Harley Davidson shop, and had graduated from a Paul Mitchell cosmetology school.
The white gunman charged with killing 10 Black people in a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket pleaded not guilty Monday to federal hate crime charges that could be punishable by the death penalty.

Payton Gendron was indicted last week on hate crimes and weapons counts. The plea was entered in court by Gendrons attorney, who said she hoped to resolve the case before trial. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles, Gendron was silent during the brief arraignment.

The 27-count federal indictment contains special findings, including that Gendron engaged in substantial planning to commit an act of terrorism and took aim at vulnerable older people - specifically 86-year-old Ruth Whitfield, 77-year-old Pearl Young, 72-year-old Katherine Massey, 67-year-old Heyward Patterson and 65-year-old Celestine Chaney.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, who halted federal executions last year, has not ruled out seeking the death penalty against Gendron, who turned 19 in June. The Justice Department said a decision on whether to seek the death penalty would come later.

Payton Grendon, seen in court above, is facing a 27-count federal indictment which, among other things, said he planned to commit an act of terrorism and took aim at vulnerable older people

Gendron was arrested after allegedly killing 10 people at a Tops Market supermarket in Buffalo, Upstate New York. Police said the massacre was motivated by the 19 year-old's hatred for Black people

People gather outside the Buffalo supermarket just one day after the murder spree.

Earlier this month, a New York judge denied Gendron's legal team's request for a year to prepare a psychiatric evaluation for the alleged gunman.

However, Judge Susan Eagan did grant a 90-day extension for his legal team to gather further evidence.

Gendron, who livestreamed the May 14 attack, was arrested just outside the entrance of the Tops Friendly Supermarket after donning body armor and opening fire on weekend shoppers and employees in the parking lot and inside. Three people were wounded.

Zeneta Everhart, whose son Zaire Goodman was wounded in the shooting spree, said in the court that Gendron was guilty.

'We all know hes guilty. We saw what he did,' Everhart said. 'The world saw what he did. He posted what he did.'

The store reopened to the public last week, two months after the deadly attack.

Reaction to the store reopening has been mixed with family members of those who were killed. Garnell Whitfield, a the former Buffalo fire commissioner, told CNN that anger is part of the emotion as he copes with the death of his mom Ruth Whitfield, who was among those killed.

The Tops Friendly Markets where Payton Gendron opened fired and killed 10 people on May 14 reopened last week. Community activist Samuel Herbert is seen inside the store.

'You go from being sad and missing your loved one to being very angry,' Whitfield said. 'It's a lot to take in to know that other people are going through the same thing. It's a lot to know that people are sitting in places of authority and basically giving the green light to this nonsense.'

Investigators say the shooter drove for more than three hours from his home in Conklin, New York, to a busy grocery store chosen for its location in a predominantly Black neighborhood, with the intent of killing as many Black people as possible.

He was motivated, they said, by white supremacist beliefs which he described in online diary entries.

Ruth Witfield, 86, the mother of former Buffalo fire commissioner Garnell Witfield was among those killed in the murder spree

Family members spoke lovingly about those who were killed in the shooting: Roberta Drury (left) 'made the whole room smile and laugh' while Pearly Young (right) fed needy residents for 25 years in Buffalo

Celestine Chaney was also one of the 10 people fatally shot inside the Buffalo supermarket while shopping for strawberries. She was a breast cancer survivor

Gendron wrote as far back as November about staging a livestreamed attack, practiced shooting from his car and did reconnaissance on the store two months before carrying out the plans, according to the writings.

He arrived at the store wearing camouflage clothing and a tactical-style helmet fitted with a video camera.

The indictment seeks the forfeiture of an extensive arsenal recovered from Gendron's car and home.

It includes the Bushmaster XM-15 semi-automatic rifle used in the shooting and a 12-gauge loaded shotgun and loaded bolt-action rifle and ammunition taken from the car.

Authorities seized additional ammunition and firearms accessories from his home.

Payton Gendron, 19, who is accused of fatally shooting 10 people at a Buffalo supermarket lives at this home in Conklin, New York with his parents

The federal indictment charges Gendron with 10 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, three counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill three people and another hate crime count alleging Gendron tried to kill other Black people in and around the store.

It also includes 13 counts of using a firearm in a hate crime.

Gendron also faces a parallel state prosecution on charges including hate-motivated domestic terrorism, murder and attempted murder as a hate crime.

The domestic terrorism hate crime charge carries an automatic life sentence.

He has pleaded not guilty.
Kassandra Muhr, known to family and friends as Kaysy, moved from Germany to Australia

The mother of a young German woman killed in a tragic boat crash has spoken of her daughter's love of Australia, despite missing her terribly when she relocated to the other side of the world.

Kassandra Muhr, 20, intended to only stay in Australia briefly but became enamored with the country and people before settling in Sydney's Northern Beaches.

She loved boats and spent much of her time on the water and it was here she sadly met her fate when her small runabout collided with another vessel helmed by her boyfriend, 19-year-old local Kobi Bennett, on Sunday in the Pittwater area.

A nearby resident told The Daily Telegraph that he heard 'an awful crash and a cry for help'.

Her heartbroken mother Romana Muhr who is in Germany with Kassandra's two sisters is understood to be making preparations to travel to Australia.

She said her daughter, known by those close to her as Kaysy, planned on returning to Germany eventually but had been away for about three years.

'She left her soul in Australia, a place she truly loved,' Mrs Muhr said.

'I wasn't really happy about Kaysy staying in Australia, but she was really happy and she found good friends,' Mrs Muhr said.

She added that she was trying to get the family to come and visit her so she could show them why she 'fell in love with Australia'.

Kassandra Muhr (pictured) posted about renovating her boat in the weeks before she sadly died in a high speed boat collision on Sydney's Pittwater

Ms Muhr was found unconscious in her boat after the collision on Sunday night by paramedics and sadly could not be revived.

Mr Bennett who is a local boat builder was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries.

The boating enthusiast posted a picture to her Instagram two weeks ago as she sanded down her boat and wrote: 'If you see a ghost flying (in blue Haines) over Pittwater that's probably me covered in dust'.

She was in the midst of fixing up the small runabout and had also posted about installing lights in the boat as a safety measure - with the Pittwater area being notoriously dark at night.

'For what it's worth. After actually never having any, I figured it was about time to invest in some navigation lights without the risk of getting caught every night. There's still more wiring to do but at least they're in,' she wrote on July 10.

Police are investigating whether the German national and her boyfriend were racing in small runabouts (pictured) when they were involved in the boat crash

Ms Muhr's boyfriend Kobi Bennett (pictured) is understood to have been at the helm in the other boat and was rushed to hospital

Paramedics had to be winched down by helicopter in low light to a remote jetty near Elvina Bay on Pittwater at about 7pm on Sunday to access Ms Muhr and her boyfriend.

The area is opposite the exclusive Scotland Island where Ms Muhr was living in a two storey home set back into the secluded woodland.

As well as her small runabout, Ms Muhr posted about fixing up her yacht to her Instagram where she went by the name Pittwater Pirate.

'Ahoy my fellow pirates. I figured as a girl with a huge passion for boats and the ocean as well as fixing things it might be fun to follow the rebuild on my 28ft yacht 'Eric',' she wrote.

Local said they heard a loud 'bang' followed by screams for help.

Whether the two were 'racing' is also a factor in the investigation, police said.

The man was treated at the scene for serious head injuries and then taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where he is reported to be in a serious but stable condition.

Ms Muhr sadly died while her boyfriend was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition after the collision in the Pittwater area (pictured)

Two NSW air ambulances responded to the accident, with witnesses saying they heard a bang and then cries for help from the water

Ms Muhr (pictured) loved boats and the water and frequently posted about her adventures to Instagram where she went by the name Pittwater Pirate

NSW Police Commander of the Marine Area Command Detective Superintendent Murray Reynolds said they have seized two boats in relation to the incident.

'The investigation remains ongoing but there's evidence the vessels came into collision with each other,' he told reporters on Monday morning.

'We're yet to understand exactly what happened but potentially the vessels were going in opposite directions.

Both boats will undergo further forensic examination and detectives are also investigating whether alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

Det Insp Reynolds said the area where the crash occurred was 'extremely dark' even at 7pm.

'It's a tragedy, it's a horrific set of circumstances,' he added.

Christine Marks from NSW Ambulance said emergency services had scrambled to attend the isolated scene, located off Ku-Ring Gai National Park.

'This was a major mobilisation of emergency services in very difficult circumstances  pitch black, across cold water, in a very inaccessible location,' she said.

'Our aeromedical team did really well accessing the patient under the circumstances.

Ms Muhr was in the midst of renovating her small runabout (pictured) which is understood to have been involved in the crash

Ms Muhr (pictured), originally from Germany, had relocated to Australia a few years ago and was living in the Elvina Bay area

The small runabouts crashed near Elvina Bay on Pittwater at about 7pm on Sunday - opposite the exclusive Scotland Island where Ms Muhr was living in a two-storey home (pictured)

Paramedics had to be winched down to a remote jetty (pictured) in low light conditions to access the man and woman

'(The man) suffered multiple cuts and bruises to his face and legs for which paramedics provided pain management.

'I'm sorry that there's been such a tragic outcome in this case.'

Two ambulance helicopters, four ambulances and water police responded to the accident.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, 81, revealed he will be leaving his post before the end of President Biden's term after serving through seven administrations and said he wasn't waiting until the end of Covid because he'd be 105 by then.

'We're in a pattern now. If somebody says, 'You'll leave when we don't have Covid anymore,' then I will be 105. I think we're going to be living with this,' Biden's chief medical adviser told Politico when asked if he felt obligated to remain in his position.

Fauci became the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a position he still holds, in 1984. From there, he led the nation through viral diseases including HIV/AIDS, Swine Flu, SARS, MERS, Ebola and ultimately Covid-19.

Fauci was at first the public face of the Trump administration's response to the pandemic, but the relationship between the NIAID head and Trump soured as Trump grew impatient with Fauci's cautious approach to lockdowns.

The infectious disease expert said that he related to former President Trump born and bred New Yorkers.

'We developed an interesting relationship,' Fauci, born in Brooklyn, said of Trump, who hails from Queens. 'Two guys from New York, different in their opinions and their ideology, but still, two guys who grew up in the same environments of this city. I think that we are related to each other in that regard.'

Last week Fauci last weeks urged Americans to return to masking in indoor public places to prevent the spread of the new BA.5 variant, believed to be the most transmissible yet.

Fauci admitted that he knew Republicans would 'come after' him, particularly if he stayed on in the job, but said that was not a factor he was taking into consideration on when to leave.

'They're going to try and come after me, anyway. I mean, probably less so if I'm not in the job,' he said. 'I don't make that a consideration in my career decision.'

Dr. Anthony Fauci revealed he will be leaving his post before the end of President Biden's term after serving through seven administrations and said he wasn't waiting until the end of Covid because he'd be 105 by then

The infectious disease expert said that he related to former President Trump born and bred New Yorkers

Republicans have already run their midterm campaigns on promising to investigate Fauci. Republicans in Congress have clashed with Fauci on multiple occasions over NIH's grant funding going toward a lab in the city where COVID-19 originated.

He griped about what they might try to investigate.

'I don't think they can say anything about the science,' he said about Republicans in Congress calling for probes. 'If that's what you want to investigate, be my guest. My telling somebody that it's important to follow fundamental good public health practices  what are you going to investigate about that?'

Rep. James Comer, ranking member on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said that Republicans will still go after Fauci even if he retires.

'Retirement can't shield Dr. Fauci from congressional oversight,' Comer told DailyMail.com.

'Dr. Fauci was warned by top scientists early on that the virus looked genetically manipulated and likely leaked from the Wuhan lab,' Comer claimed, saying his committee had emails to prove it.

'We need to know if Dr. Fauci concealed anything from government officials in order to shield the NIHs cozy relationship with EcoHealth Alliance, a grantee that awarded taxpayer funds to the Wuhan lab to conduct dangerous research on bat coronaviruses.'

In 2014, the NIH gave a $3.3 million grant to EcoHealth Alliance to study bat coronaviruses. EcoHealth ended up giving $600,00 of that to the Wuhan Institute of virology.

The Wuhan lab at the center of the lab leak theory for Covid-19's origins is thought to practice gain-of-function research.

The Wall Street Journal reported in May that three researchers at the WIV fell ill with Covid-19 symptoms in November 2019 and sought hospital care, furthering the theory that the virus had originated in the lab.

Funding for gain-of-function research, the controversial practice of increasing a virus' transmissibility or lethality to study the development of new diseases, was banned under President Obama in 2014. That decision three years later was overturned by the NIH.

Fauci denied that the money from his agency ever went toward gain-of-function research.

'The NIH and NIAID categorically has not funded gain-of-function research to be conducted in the Wuhan Institute of Virology,' Fauci said in May 2021.

In June, he defended the 'modest' collaboration with the Chinese lab, arguing it would be 'almost a dereliction of our duty if we didn't study this, and the only way you can study these things is you've got to go where the action is,' referencing the early-2000s SARS outbreak, which is presumed to have come from bats in China.

Both case and death figures are rising in the U.S. amid BA.5's takeover. Daily infections have jumped to 145,761 per day - a 36 percent increase over the past week. Deaths have increased 23 percent to 528 daily.

'What we have right now, I think we're almost at a steady state,' Fauci said.

Fear of a deadlier variant still looms large. Last week federal officials said all adults should receive a second booster now, even though pharmaceutical companies have estimated new shots targeting the latest variants will be available in the fall.

At one point, Fauci and other health officials assured that one vaccination and one booster would be enough. Now Americans are left wondering when the vaccination cycle ever ends.

'That's a reasonable question,' said Fauci. 'But the reason not to wait is that we're not exactly in a lull.'

'I think, although I don't know for sure, [that] over the next cycle or so, we'll be getting towards a once a year boost, like flu,' Fauci told Politico.
A thug who viciously bashed a punter unconscious in the pokie room of a casino has been handed just three months behind bars for the shocking assault.

Joel Miller, 22, appeared via video link in Southport Magistrate's Court on Monday over the attack that occurred last year at The Star on the Gold Coast.

CCTV footage shows Miller, who was on bail at the time, in a heated conversation with the victim before coward-punching him in the head.

Joel Miller punches another man without warning in the pokie room at The Star casino on the Gold Coast

The savage blow knocks the man to the floor and Miller then walks casually towards the door.

The pair are then shown grappling outside the room before Miller trips the victim to the ground.

He then throws a round-arm blow at the man's head and as he remains helpless on the ground Miller kicks him in the head.

Footage shows the victim's head snapping back from one of the blows leaving him unconscious.

Miller, who appeared in court via video link from jail, has been given a 15-month sentence with a three-month parole period

Miller was on bail at the time he brutally assaulted another man in the pokie room

Miller then shoved a shoe in the victim's face while he was unconscious.

He later told a paramedic he 'wanted the man to die'.

The Magistrate who warned Miller 'one punch can kill' sentenced Miller to 15 months in prison but he will be eligible for parole in just three months.
Carley Zeal MD, a gynecologist in southern Wisconsin, gave the unidentified woman the medication she needed to expel the fetal tissue from her uterus. The ER had refused

A woman having an incomplete miscarriage was refused help by doctors at her local emergency room as they felt they had to enforce Wisconsin's 1849 ban on abortions.

The unidentified woman bled for ten days after staff refused to remove the fetal tissue from her uterus.

They reportedly feared they would be in violation of the 170-year-old law, which came back into effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.

Carley Zeal, a gynecologist at Mercyhealth Cancer Center in southern Wisconsin, gave her medication to expel the fetal tissue.

Because the medicine needed to end a miscarriage is similar to that used to end a pregnancy, doctors have said they are unsure whether to hand it out post-Roe.

Zeal told the Washington Post: 'It really delayed her care.

Wisconsin Gov Evers (right) and Attorney General Kaul (left) are suing to repeal the 1849 law

Zeal is a gynecologist at Merceyhealth Cancer Centre in southern Wisconsin (pictured)

'I saw her a week and a half later with an ongoing miscarriage and bleeding, increasing the risk of severe bleeding as well as infections.'

The Wisconsin law - which only allows for abortions in cases where the mother's life is threatened - returned to the books three weeks ago.

Roe v Wade had legalized abortion nationwide for the past 49 years.

Its sudden overturning last month has confused lawyers and doctors in states where the prior legislation was unclear, or where archaic bans have been reintroduced.

Wisconsin's Democrat governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul have argued that the 1849 statute is so old as to be unenforceable.

Wisconsin Gov Evers said after Roe was overturned: 'This is an unfathomably grim day'

State leaders filed a lawsuit against the legislation a week after Roe was overturned. It is currently pending.

Timeline of Roe v Wade: Landmark decision to sudden overturning Decided on January 22, 1973 in a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court stated that unduly restrictive state regulation abortions is unconstitutional, effectively legalizing the procedures nationwide. Repeated challenges since 1973 narrowed the scope of Roe v Wade, but did not overturn it. For example, in Planned Parenthood of Southern Pennsylvania v Casey (1992), the Supreme Court established that restrictions on abortion are unconstitutional if they place an 'undue burden' on a woman seeking an abortion before the fetus is viable. In May 2021, however, the Supreme Court agreed to review a lower courts decision to strike down a Mississippi state law, adopted in 2018, that banned most abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy, well before the point of fetal viability. Although the law was plainly unconstitutional under Roe and Casey, Mississippi lawmakers passed the measure in the hope that an inevitable legal challenge would eventually make its way to the Supreme Court, where a conservative majority of justices would overturn or drastically reduce the scope of those decisions. The single question that the Court agreed to consider in the case, Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization, was whether bans on all pre-viability abortions are unconstitutional. In May 2022 a draft of a majority opinion in the case, written by Justice Alito was leaked to a political news publication in what would be an extraordinary breach of the traditional secrecy in which the Court conducts its deliberations. As expected, both Roe and Case were overturned in the Courts official decision on Dobbs issued in June 2022, in which Alito held that there is no constitutional right to abortion. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica Advertisement

President Biden has called for a federal law to enshrine abortion rights across the United States.

Congress duly acted, with the House of Representatives passing the Women's Health Protection Act, codifying abortion rights nationwide.

But the Senate's effective 50-50 split means it is unlikely to become law.

In the meantime, access to pregnancy-ending healthcare - and in some cases medicine to quicken a painful miscarriage - differs wildly across the states.

That puts women like Zeal's patient in a legal and medical limbo.

About half of American states are ultimately expected to restrict or ban abortions in the wake of Roe's overturning.

Eighteen states immediately did so, with special 'trigger laws' in place across thirteen states for that eventuality.

Eight other states are also set to enact new anti-abortion laws. Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina all attempted to ban abortion after the six-week mark.

Those laws were branded unconstitutional, but will likely be revisited now Roe has ended.

And Florida, Indiana, Montana, and Nebraska are all working on plans to ban or restrict early terminations.

Governor Evers said in response to the Roe decision: 'We're going to do everything we can in my power, whether it's executive action or working with others on other opportunities, to fight this as long and hard as we can.

He told WSN: 'Essentially, politicians now are in charge of their reproductive health. I mean honest to God, how could anything be more scary for our women for the state of Wisconsin?'

Meanwhile, a survey found more than six in ten young women say states' abortion bans will impact their decision to live there.

A survey of 843 people aged 18-29 also found that young women living in states with abortion bans would alter their sexual behavior  when picking partners, using birth control, or by having less sex, the Generation Lab/Axios research showed.

A Morning Consult/Politico survey on Wednesday found that seven in 10 Americans opposed wholesale abortion bans and prohibitions on women travelling out-of-state to terminate a pregnancy.

The Biden administration last week told hospitals they must provide abortion services to women if the life of the mother is at risk.

The president ten days ago signed an executive order easing access to services to terminate pregnancies and safeguarding access to abortion medication and emergency contraception.

It also added more protections for patient privacy, increased legal options and offers protections for those who travel across state lines to receive abortion services.
The identity of the Uvalde officer who used hand sanitizer while a gunman slaughtered 19 children and two teachers down the hall can now be revealed  as he's seen for the first time since the deadly shooting.

DailyMail.com can reveal the officer dubbed 'hand sanitizer cop' is Uvalde County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Gonzales, 30. Exclusive photos show Gonzales attending mass Sunday at the Getty Street Church of Christ in Uvalde, Texas, with his wife and two children.

Upon leaving the morning mass, the casually-dressed cop opened the door of his black Chevy Silverado for his young daughter and wife. He then drove to the local Dairy Queen, went through the drive-thru and spent about 30 minutes in the parking lot before heading back home.

When he arrived home, a DailyMail.com reporter attempted to speak with him about the events at Robb Elementary and why he used hand sanitizer. He waved the reporter off and instructed his family to get back into his truck and sped off.

DailyMail.com can also exclusively reveal the identities of the first seven police officers who arrived just minutes after shooter Salvador Ramos entered Robb Elementary. Within a minute, these officers encountered gunfire from Ramos and quickly backed away.

The officers failed to subdue the shooter and have faced harsh criticism from the public and fellow law enforcement officials. They were found to have ignored the mandate developed after the 1999 Columbine High School massacre that states officers must immediately confront active shooters.

DailyMail.com can reveal the 'hand sanitizer cop' is Uvalde County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Gonzales, 30

Gonzales can be seen in the video wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest over his checkered shirt and then taking a squirt of hand sanitizer from a wall mounted dispenser and rubbing it on his hands

Gonzales then takes cover behind a corner of the wall placing his left hand up on the wall

Exclusive photos show Gonzales attending mass Sunday at the Getty Street Church of Christ in Uvalde with his wife and two children

Gonzales lives with his wife and two kids in Uvalde, just two miles from Robb Elementary School, DailyMail.com can reveal

Upon leaving the morning mass, the casually-dressed deputy opened the door of his black Chevy Silverado for his young daughter

Gonzales' actions  or inactions  during the shooting caused outrage after a 77-minute video of the shooting was released last week.

The video shows several Uvalde Police officers arrive at the scene just minutes after shooter Ramos entered the school and began firing more than 100 rounds.

Shooter Salvador Ramos killed 19 children and two adults before he was shot dead

Gonzales can be seen in the video wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest over his checkered shirt and then taking a squirt of hand sanitizer from a wall mounted dispenser and rubbing it on his hands.

One Twitter user wrote, 'Would love to hear from this Uvalde cop why he was worried about putting on hand sanitizer while a shooter was massacring kids twenty feet down the hall.'

Gonzales lives with his wife and two kids in Uvalde, just two miles from Robb Elementary School, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Ironically, in December 2020 Deputy Gonzales received a bronze star for valor and bravery in the line of duty after he exchanged gunfire with a suspect who later turned out to be a registered sex offender.

It was noted that the deputy 'displayed exemplary conduct and took care of the lives of others.'

His boss, Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco, defended Gonzales in an email to DailyMail.com. 'In preparation and prior t breaching, , the medics on sight asked Deputy Gonzales to assist. Since he had no gloves he was told to sanitize his hands.

In the video, Deputy Gonzales does not appear to be 'assisting a medical team' as claimed by Sheriff Nolasco, and seconds after he used the hand sanitizer he places his left hand on the wall, which would theoretically contaminate that hand.

DailyMail.com reached out to Sheriff Nolasco on that point but he has yet to reply.

The first to arrive inside the school at 11.36am, just three minutes after the shooter entered, was Uvalde Police Lt. Javier Martinez, 53, (left) followed by Sgt. Eddie Canales, 37, (right). Martinez is a 27-year veteran of the Uvalde Police Department and has had active shooter response training. Sgt. Canales has 15 years of experience

Among the first officers to enter Robb Elementary was Detective Renato Russell Lualemaga, 30

Cpl. Louis Landry (left) was one of the first to arrive. Seconds later four more Uvalde officers entered the area, including Venture 'Ben' Chapa, 31, (right)

Lt. Mariano Pargas, 64, was acting chief the day of the shooting. DailyMail.com contacted Lt. Pargas as his house and he looked disheveled and tired. He said, 'I'm not allowed to talk to anybody'

Another Uvalde Police Officer who arrived at Robb Elementary was Max Dorflinger, 34, a nine-year veteran

Max Dorflinger is seen in the 77-minute video as one of the cops who stood by

On his Facebook on October 14, 2020, Dorflinger posted, 'Every peace officer should be competent in ground fighting techniques.' Then in December 2020 he posted a termination letter from the Uvalde County Sheriff Department. He wrote, 'well guys after 15 years with the Sheriff's Office I got this in the mail. I'm sure there's a few local crooks that will be sleeping easier in Uvalde County'

The identities of the first seven cops to arrive to Robb Elementary can also be revealed by DailyMail.com.

The first to arrive inside the school at 11.36am, just three minutes after the shooter entered, was Uvalde Police Lt. Javier Martinez, 53, followed by Sgt. Eddie Canales, 37, and Detective Louis Landry, 36. Martinez and Canales walked down the hallway near the classroom where the shooter had entered.

Seconds later, four more Uvalde officers entered the area, Venture 'Ben' Chapa, 31, Lt. Mariano Pargas, 64, (who was acting Chief that day), Detective Renato Russell Lualemaga, 30, and Uvalde School District officer Ruben Ruiz, 43, whose wife Eva Mireles was one of two teachers killed in the shooting.

At 11.37am several more shots were fired. Martinez, Canales and Landry retreated from outside the classroom where the shooter was located to down the hallway where they were safe.

Martinez is a 27-year veteran of the Uvalde Police Department and has had active shooter response training.

He told DailyMail.com exclusively, 'I would like to speak with you, but the investigation is still ongoing.'

He was then asked about allegations by other law enforcement throughout the country that the police acted as 'cowards.'

Martinez said, 'I can assure you sir we are not cowards, but we are not allowed to talk to you. Sir, when the investigation is over, I would be glad to talk to you guys, but if I talk to you guys, I could be prosecuted, and I don't want to be prosecuted.'

Canales has 15 years of experience. His personnel records show he took a School-Based Law Enforcement Active Shooter Training Mandate in December 2021. He is also on the Uvalde PD SWAT team.

When DailyMail.com approached him at his house, he said, 'No comment, please go away.'

Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Officer Ruben Ruiz, 43, is the husband of slain teacher Eva Mireles, 44

Ruben Ruiz is seen in the video checking his phone while Ramos' rampage is ongoing. The officer's background image shows the pro-police symbol The Punisher

Landry has been a police officer for more than 10 years. Personnel records show he took several courses in active shooter prep and response course in October and November 2021. He is also a member of the Uvalde SWAT team. He refused to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.

Chapa, who has 10 years of law enforcement experience, didn't reply to DailyMail.com attempts to contact him.

Pargas, the acting Police Chief that day for the Uvalde Police Department, has 22-years of law enforcement experience.

On Sunday, Uvalde City Mayor Don McLaughlin placed Lt. Pargas on administrative leave after a state report was released slamming the police response to the shooting.

'This administrative leave is to investigate whether Lt. Pargas was responsible for taking command on May 24, what specific actions Lt. Pargas took to establish that command, and whether it was even feasible given all the agencies involved and other possible policy violations,' said McLaughlin.

Prior to his suspension, DailyMail.com contacted Pargas as his house. He looked disheveled and tired.

Pargas said, 'I'm not allowed to talk to anybody.'

He was then asked if he was acting chief that day. He didn't say anything and closed the door.

Another Uvalde Police Officer who arrived at Robb Elementary was Max Dorflinger, 34, a nine-year veteran.

Protestor Ceilia Macais said the police need to be held accountable for their non actions at the Uvalde school shooting

After the release of the video, several citizens in Uvalde are calling for the officers' firings

On his Facebook on October 14, 2020, Dorflinger posted, 'Every peace officer should be competent in ground fighting techniques,' continuing with a quote from John Stuart Mill, 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'

Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Chief Peter Arredondo

Then in December 2020 he posted a termination letter from the Uvalde County Sheriff Department.

Dorflinger wrote, 'Well guys after 15 years with the Sheriff's Office I got this in the mail. I'm sure there's a few local crooks that will be sleeping easier in Uvalde County.'

After getting terminated by the Uvalde County Sheriff, Dorflinger went to work for the Uvalde Police Department where he still is employed.

Following the release of the video, several citizens in Uvalde are calling for the officers' firings.

Among them are Ruben Mata, 78, a retired driver whose great granddaughter, Alexandria Rubio, was a victim of the shooting.

'All of the police were a bunch of cowards that day. They should be fired and prosecuted. A lot of people around here are sickened by the video released and are mad. It's a small town and they don't want to be too vocal about it for fear of retaliation by the police.'

A protestor at a downtown park in Uvalde, Juan Martinez, 61 who made the 2.5hr trip from Laredo, Texas told DailyMail.com: 'Someone has to be here for the children. I'm disappointed by the people of Uvalde not being out mass protesting these cops.

'The cops are cowards,' Martinez added. 'They could have saved some of the kids. They should be indicted for what they did.'

In reference to the hand sanitizer cop, he said, 'He's an idiot. How could he do that when kids are getting massacred? All the cops who were in the hallway and did nothing are a bunch of cowards.'

Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said after watching the released video, 'It's embarrassing to watch. (Chief Peter) Arredondo and the acting chief should never lead another agency every again. And those officers who stood around while these kids were dying need to turn in their badges.

'When the time comes to step up that's part of the job. I know it's not easy. They didn't step up they let everyone down including themselves I don't know how they live with it. '

On Sunday a damning report was released by the Texas House Committee on the Robb Elementary shooting, saying, 'They (police) failed to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety.'

Damning report into Uvalde school shooting shows 'systemic failures and egregious poor decision making' across state, federal and local law enforcement: 376 officers responded to shooting but failed to take swift action

State and federal cops were largely responsible for the Uvalde school massacre that left 21 dead, a damning report has found.

The better trained and equipped responders failed to exert the leadership needed when local officers were out of their depth, the Texas House committee probe said.

The 149 US Border Patrol agents and 91 state police were among nearly 400 on the day who should have helped with the 'unfolding chaos', the file noted.

But the report slammed them for 'failing to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety'.

The blistering 77-page document blasted 'system failures and egregious poor decision making' by nearly all those in power during the May 24 attack.

It was released around midday Sunday as the victims' families met with officials to discuss the report and watch footage of the sick rampage through the school.

Some of the litany of errors in the report included:

Cops failed to follow the active shooter doctrine imposed after the 1999 Columbine High School massacre by not engaging with Ramos;

The school's safety protocol for keeping doors to classrooms locked and shut during school hours was not adhered to;

Around 47 'lockdown' events when police chased migrants near the school before the shooting made staff desensitized to react;

Ramos gave numerous hints he was going to go on a shooting spree before May 24, posting online cryptic messages related to violent actions;

Officials undermined public trust in the investigation into the massacre by making false statements about what happened.

'There was an overall lackadaisical approach by law enforcement at the scene,' the report read, 'For many, that was because they were given and relied upon inaccurate information. For others, they had enough information to know better.'

Texas congressman Joaquin Castro took to Twitter to express that the report's findings were an important step towards ensuring students' safety in the future, but said there was a long way to go in rebuilding the trust of Texans.

'Today's report on the #Uvalde shooting is an important account of what went wrong and how schools can keep kids safe going forward,' he wrote, 'But Texans need full transparency to rebuild our trust  starting with responses to the public records requests submitted since the massacre.'

Vincent Salazar, grandfather of Layla Salazar who was killed in the school shooting at Robb Elementary, holds a report released by the Texas House investigative committee on the shootings at Robb Elementary School

The report said that officers 'failed to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety,' amidst a chaotic response scene where the people in positions of authority assumed somebody else was in charge.

Though Uvalde school police chief Peter Arredondo did not step up to the duties that were expected of him, the report wrote, better trained and experienced state and federal authorities failed to help local police who were out of their element.

'These local officials were not the only ones expected to supply the leadership needed during this tragedy,' the report noted, 'Hundreds of responders from numerous law enforcement agencies  many of whom were better trained and better equipped than the school district police  quickly arrived on the scene.'

'In this crisis, no responder seized the initiative to establish an incident command post,' the report said, 'Despite an obvious atmosphere of chaos, the ranking officers of other responding agencies did not approach the Uvalde CISD chief of police or anyone else perceived to be in command to point out the lack of and need for a command post, or to offer that specific assistance.'

The report opened with a tribute describing each victim killed by Ramos in the massacre

The report also found that the Robb Elementary School failed to adhere to a number of basic safety protocols, which included a lack of keys leading to teachers regularly leaving doors unlocked or propping them open.

Door and lock maintenance did not receive adequate attention from the school district, the report noted, pointing out that though the lock in one of the rooms where the shooting took place was known to be unreliable, it was not repaired.

'In particular the locking mechanism to Room 111 was widely known to be faulty, yet it was not repaired,' the report said.

'The problem with locking the door had been reported to school administration, yet no one placed a written work order for a repair.'

Unreliable WiFi in parts of the school also led to a poor use of an app intended to notify the school of a lockdown in the event of an emergency. Teachers also often responded without urgency to lockdown notifications on the app because they were desensitized by its overuse in situations involving nearby border patrol activity.

Robb Elementary is located about one hour from the US-Mexico border, and teachers would often be notified about migrants who were being pursued by border patrol in the area.

There were 47 'lockdown' events at the school between May and February, 90% of which concerned border patrol activity.

The location of Uvalde in relation to the Mexican border (left) and a map showing the location of Robb Elementary school compared to the center of Uvalde (right), as seen in the investigation committee's report

A pair of maps showing the Robb Elementary school and its surrounding property, and a floor plan showing the inside of the school, as seen in the investigation committee's report

The report also found that Ramos provided a number of warning signs that he was dangerous, but that nobody did anything to address them.

In one incident, Ramos sent someone a message on Instagram on April 2 saying 'Are you still gonna remember me in 50 something days?'

'Probably not' the person responded.

'Hmm alright we'll see in may,' Ramos said back.

He was also obsessed with gore and violent sex online, posting videos of suicides and beheadings, and harassing women who he played video games with.

He was also fired from his job at a Whataburger after threatening a female coworker.

Despite his violent behavior, no red flags were raised about Ramos and he was never reported to authorities.

The report also pointed out that state officials undermined public trust in the investigations in the early days after the shooting by issuing a number of false statements.

One day after the shooting, a Uvalde Police Department lieutenant who was tasked with briefing Texas governor Greg Abbott on the events fainted before the meeting. As a result DPS Regional Director Victor Escalon gave the briefing to the governor based on second hands accounts.

That incident led to Abbott then giving the public a 'false narrative' at a press conference, in which he said that the shooting lasted only 40 minutes after police 'rapidly devised a plan, stacked up and neutralized the attacker.'

Abbott later said he was 'livid' that he had been misled and had given a false account to the public.
A prison inmate who murdered his cellmate by beating him to death with a wooden table leg has been jailed for life with a minimum of 17 years.

Stevie Hilden, 31, beat convicted arsonist Sundeep Ghuman, 36, to death at maximum security HMP Belmarsh in southeast London on 18 February 2020.

The victim, who was jailed for arson attacks in Bexley in 2011, was rushed to hospital but died the next day.

A post-mortem found Mr Ghuman had died from a traumatic head injury and he had also suffered extensive bruising to other parts of his body.

It is believed Hilden tore off the leg of a table inside the cell and repeatedly beat his cellmate with it in the sickening attack.

Stevie Hilden (pictured), 31, beat convicted arsonist Sundeep Ghuman, 36, to death at maximum security HMP Belmarsh in southeast London on 18 February 2020.

He refused to answer any questions following his arrest and didnt provide an explanation to police about how the victim came to suffer his injuries.

Hilden denied but was convicted of murder at Woolwich Crown Court and jailed for life with a minimum of 17 years before he can be considered for parole.

Mr Ghuman broke into a Kwik Fit store on May 7, 2011, while armed with a blowtorch and a propane gas canister, then set fire to a tyre stack and a fence.

Later that night, residents had to be evacuated from their homes after he damaged a pipe, causing a build-up of gas.

He was convicted of two charges of arson and three counts of being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

Ghuman (pictured) had previously been jailed for carrying out arson attacks in Bexley in 2011. He was rushed to hospital after Hilden's attack but died the next day

HMP Belmarsh is one of only three high-security 'core' local prisons in England and Wales

Mr Ghuman was jailed for five years and four months and ordered to remain on licence for a further five years.

Detective Inspector Karen Bangs, the investigating officer, said: Sundeep suffered a sustained attack that left him seriously injured and ultimately resulted in his death.

My thoughts remain with his family as they continue to come to terms with their loss.

This was a complex investigation in a challenging environment and I would like to thank the prison authorities for their support throughout the process.

Hilden is a dangerous offender and he will now spend a considerable time in a high-security prison.

The victims mother, Harpal Ghuman, said: On February 19, 2020, my son was killed in a brutal and merciless way. To think of the pain and suffering Sundeep had to go through makes me very upset.

Mr Hilden has shown no remorse for his actions. I do not want anyone else to go through the pain and loss that I have had.

'I have listened to all the evidence at court and wish to thank the prison officers, police officers and barristers for bringing justice for my son.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho, left, talks with U.S. Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting last week in Bali, Indonesia. The two are scheduled to meet again in Seoul, Tuesday, for official bilateral talks. Yonhap



By Yi Whan-woo



Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho has returned home after attending his first G20 financial leaders' meeting since taking office in May, the ministry said Monday.



During the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Bali, Indonesia, from Friday to Saturday, he spoke about how Korea can contribute to multilateral efforts tackling global challenges related to the economy, public health, finance, sustainability and taxation.



The meeting was also attended by officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other invited guest countries, such as Singapore.



Speaking before representatives of the world's 20 largest economies, he underlined the importance of free trade as well as the recovery of balanced trade between developed and developing nations.



Regarding public health, he urged swift operation and support of a new Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, which the World Bank approved for establishment on June 30 to strengthen management of the COVID-19 pandemic.



The process of establishment will continue through August, led by the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO) in consultation with partners and stakeholders.



Choo called for global cooperation on debt relief for less wealthy countries and the shared goal of carbon neutrality.



On taxation, he said the digital tax that is applied to digital business activities should be aimed at minimizing the burden on the corporate community.



Choo also had bilateral talks with finance ministers of Indonesia and Singapore plus IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.





Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho, left, shakes hands with Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, during bilateral talks on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting last week in Bali, Indonesia. Yonhap
The chief executive of Labour-run Liverpool City Council has resigned just a year after government commissioners were appointed amid allegations of bullying, intimidation and 'jobs for the boys'.

Tony Reeves has stepped down from his role with immediate effect following intense pressure over revelations about a catalogue of council mistakes that could add an extra 16 million onto the citys electricity bill and reports that his relationship with the commissioners has become strained.

The chief executive faced calls to quit at a subsequent meeting with angry councillors, with his deputy and finance director Mel Creighton having already stepped down following the electricity bill debacle.

She was seen as a key ally of his and the pair were seen by many as a partnership in trying to turn things around at the troubled council.

It comes just 12 months after four commissioners were brought in to oversee parts of the councils highways, regeneration and property management functions and improvement plan for three years.

A team led by government inspector Max Caller was sent to the council in December 2020 following the arrests of five men, including then elected mayor Joe Anderson, who was held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation. He denies all wrongdoing.

The report into the authority, published in March last year, found allegations of bullying, intimidation, 'dubious' deals and 'jobs for the boys'.

Tony Reeves (pictured) has stepped down following revelations about council mistakes that could add an extra 16m onto the citys electricity bill and reports his relationship with the the government commissioners is becoming strained

Then Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick read out some of the shocking findings of the report into the council in Parliament

A report into Liverpool City Council (pictured), published in March last year, found allegations of bullying, intimidation, 'dubious' deals and 'jobs for the boys'

At the time it was published, Mr Reeves said much of the criticism was historic and things had started to change in a 'significant way'.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today last year: 'Of course this is really shocking but no way is this a return to the 1980s - the city will come back from this very quickly and I will make sure that that happens.'

Mr Reeves helped to expose some of the issues at the council that would lead to the inspection.

He was the only person of note to be picked out for praise when then Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick read out some of the shocking findings in Parliament.

The arrival of the inspectors followed the arrest of then-mayor Joe Anderson and ex-regeneration director Nick Kavanagh, along with a number of people, as part of a Merseyside Police fraud probe.



Operation Sheridan is understood to be investigating building and development contracts in Liverpool. Both Mr Anderson and Mr Kavanagh deny wrongdoing and neither have been charged with any criminal offences.

A report was published covering the first three months of their work which found that, despite evidence of 'change', there was a 'somewhat frenetic rather than purposeful and targeted approach' and a 'lack of prioritisation and planning'.

A second report was due to be submitted to Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove in April, but it was agreed to delay the report until June.

But Mr Gove was sacked from the post by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and replaced by Greg Clark earlier this month.

A spokesperson for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: 'The second report by commissioners for Liverpool City Council will be considered by ministers and published alongside a ministerial response in due course.'

And today, Mr Reeves announced he would be standing down with immediate effect after four years at the authority.

The arrival of the inspectors followed the arrest of then-mayor Joe Anderson (pictured) and ex-regeneration director Nick Kavanagh, along with a number of people, as part of a Merseyside Police fraud probe

He said: 'The people of Liverpool deserve a council that delivers great services.

'That is a difficult and complex journey but it has begun and those with the honour of leading the next chapter have a great opportunity to make some long-lasting improvements, and I wish them all the success in the world.

'Yes, there will be setbacks, but Im confident a solid platform is now in place to ensure the council can support the ambition for Liverpool to realise its full potential.'

Mayor Joanne Anderson, who replaced Mr Anderson when he decided not to stand for election again following his arrest, added: 'I want to thank Tony for his work over the past four years, in particular helping Liverpool City Council to navigate some difficult waters.

'I wish Tony well in the next stage of his career.

'Myself and the Cabinet look forward to working with new leadership on continuing our improvement journey and ensuring the council delivers for the people of Liverpool.'

Mr Reeves was appointed to the role in July 2018, having previously worked for the council in a consultancy role.

Sources told the Liverpool Echo that the relationship between Mr Reeves and the government inspectors had also become increasingly fraught.

It is widely expected that they will be issued with more powers when their second report is published.
Democrats are lashing out at Senator Ted Cruz after he suggested the Supreme Court should not have legalized gay marriage, which was passed under the same precedent that allowed Roe v. Wade to become law.

Jennie Lou Leeder, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in Texas in 2016, 2018 and 2020, told the Texas Republican to go back to where he came from.

'Such a disgrace to his adoptive state of Texas and our nation,' she wrote on Twitter. 'Ted Cruz needs to go back to his birth nation of Canada.'

Others warned that his comment was proof that Republicans are planning to come after gay marriage after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. wade last month  ending decades of precedent related to privacy from government.

'Ted Cruz is openly signaling that Republicans plan on going after Gay marriage next,' progressive congressional candidate for Minnesota's 4th district Amane Badhasso tweeted on Saturday.

Cruz argued during his show Verdict that the Supreme Court should never have legalized gay marriage - branding the decision 'clearly wrong'.

He discussed the 'vulnerability' of Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 and claimed it 'ignored two centuries of our nation's history' and called for the rights to be handed back to states rather than held at a federal level.

A Democratic politician who has unsuccessfully ran for Congress in Texas three times told Senator Ted Cruz to 'go back to his birth nation of Canada' after he said the Supreme Court was 'clearly wrong' to federally legalize gay marriage in 2015

Cruz argued the point on his show Verdict Saturday following the overturn of Roe v. Wade last month as progressives worry contraceptions and gay marriage rights could be next to go

Badhasso demanded: 'Protect our LGBTQ+ community. #ExpandTheCourt. Now.'

She is, advocating for so-called 'court packing,' which would expand the court number beyond nine.

Progressives want this option in order to use the Democratic trifecta in the House, Senate and White House to get more liberal influence on the Supreme Court bench.

Some warn against this move because the pendulum can swing the other way and the court can continue to expand in order for the party in power to have a majority in the federal judiciary.

With three Trump appointees  mainly one replacing late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg  the court now sits at a 6-3 conservative majority, which allowed for the Roe overturn ending federal abortion protections.

A progressive Democratic candidate in Minnesota called for Democrats to pack the Supreme Court in order to 'protect the LGBTQ+ community'

A Democratic strategist said Republicans never planned to stop at overturning Roe v. Wade

Democratic strategist Atima Omara warned: 'The GOP is not stopping at Roe, they never were,' when referencing Cruz's comments.

Cruz's comments come after the Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to abortion, opening up speculation that Republicans would use the ruling to come after other rights like contraception and gay marriage.

At the time of the ruling last month, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas called for justices to 'reconsider' and potentially scrap other cases, which could include Obergefell v. Hodges.

In that 2015 case, the Supreme Court ruled the right to marry is guaranteed by the Due Process Clause and the Equal Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, thereby guaranteeing gay couples the right to get married across the United States.

Cruz told conservative commentator Liz Wheeler (left) on Saturday that the decision of gay rights should have been left up to the states

Cruz chatted on Saturday to conservative commentator Liz Wheeler, who asked him what the arguments would be to overturn Obergefell.

He told her: 'Obergefell, like Roe v Wade, ignored two centuries of our nation's history.

'Marriage was always an issue that was left to the states,' he continued. 'We saw states before Obergefell - some states were moving to allow gay marriage, other states were moving to allow civil partnerships.

'There were different standards the states were adopting.' He argued if the Supreme Court had not ruled the way it did 'the democratic process would have continued to operate'.

But, he said, in Obergefell, 'the Court said 'No we know better than you, and now every state must sanction and permit gay marriage.

'That decision was clearly wrong when it was decided,' Cruz said, adding that the court was 'overreaching.'

This is not the first time Cruz has spoken out against the Obergefell decision.

After the decision was first handed down in June 2015, he told NPR in an interview that states that were not involved in the lawsuit should disregard the decision.

'Those who are not parties to the suit are not bound by it,' he said at the time.

Cruz also said he would have made opposition to gay marriage a central part of his 2016 presidential primary campaign - which he ultimately lost to future Trump.

Still, he noted on Saturday, the Supreme Court's decision overturning the landmark Roe v Wade case suggested that Obergefell would be treated differently.

'In Dobbs, what the Supreme Court said is 'Roe is different because it's the only one of the cases that involves the taking of a human life, and it's qualitatively different,'' he said. 'I agree with that proposition.'

In Obergefell v Hodges, the Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that the right to marry is guaranteed by the Constitution. People are seen celebrating outside the Supreme Court following the decision

Cruz's remarks come just one month after the Supreme Court struck down its landmark decision guaranteeing women the right to an abortion.

The Supreme Court ruled that Roe v Wade was wrongly decided last month, effectively leaving it up to each individual state to determine whether to legalize abortions, with at least 18 states now banning it.

The ruling stated: 'Like the infamous decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, Roe was also egregiously wrong and on a collision course with the Constitution from the day it was decided.

'Those on the losing side - those who sought to advance the State's interest in fetal life - could no longer seek to persuade their elected representatives to adopt policies consistent with their views.'

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas called for his fellow justices to 'reconsider' and potentially overturn other cases decided on the legal authority of 'substantive due process in the aftermath of the court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade

'The Court short-circuited the democratic process by closing it to the large number of Americans who disagreed with Roe,' the ruling added.

In his majority decision, though, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that 'nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion.'

But his colleague, Justice Clarence Thomas called for his fellow justices to 'reconsider' and potentially overturn other cases decided on the legal authority of 'substantive due process.'

Substantive due process refers to the idea that people have fundamental rights that are not specifically laid out in the Constitution - and was the basis for a number of landmark cases including Obergefell.

'In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence and Obergefell,' Thomas wrote.

'Because any substantive due process decision is demonstrably erroneous, we have a duty to 'correct the error' established in these precedents,' he continued.

Thomas was specifically referring to the 1965 Griswold v Connecticut decision, which allows married couples to access birth control; and the 2003 Lawrence v Texas decision, which forbids states from outlawing consensual gay sex.

That decision ultimately led up to the 2015 Obergefell v Hodges decision that established a Constitutional right to gay marriage.

A woman cries outside the Supreme Court after the court rules that the 'Constitution does not confer a right to abortion'

Tensions over the future of abortion rights in the country have been running high since a draft opinion of Dobbs was leaked - and showed that the high court's conservative majority was poised to push whether abortion was legal back to the states

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's ruling striking down nearly 50 years of abortion rights in the United States, protests erupted throughout the country - with some abortion rights activists even descending on the justices' homes.

Outside of the Virginia home of Justice Alito, protesters chanted 'abort the court,' as they marched up and down his street in Alexandria, lit candles and shouted slogans like 'Alito is a coward,' and 'our bodies, our choice.'

And outside of Thomas's Virginia home, a crowd of several dozen people waved placards, drummed and waved flags.

'My body, my choice!' they yelled, holding aloft posters labelling Thomas a 'treasonous turd' and proclaiming: 'Reproductive rights = human rights.'

As those protests continued on the justices' property, lawmakers met to consider a bill protecting the Supreme Court justices from any harm, and then-White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki condemned the 'violence, threats, or vandalism.

'Judges perform an incredibly important function in our society, and they must be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety,' she tweeted.

Pro-abortion rights advocates stage a protest outside the house of Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito in the Fort Hunt neighborhood, in Alexandria, Virginia

Protesters carrying a 'Repro Freedom For All!' sign are seen demonstrating outside Justice Samuel Alito's home

The protests, though, became more inflamed as the weeks went by, with one pro-life organization attacked twice since Roe was overturned.

Executive director of the Right to Life of Northeast Ohio, Allie Frazer, told Fox News the center was targeted immediately following the overturning of Roe on June 24 and again on July 8.

'As pro-lifers, we know what our work might cost us something and that very well could be our physical safety,' Frazier said.

'I think that it's important in moments like this for the pro-life movement to be really clear that we're not going to be intimidated. We will save babies. We will protect women. And we're not going to let threats of violence stop us from doing that.'

Surveillance of the attack earlier this month captured the suspect wearing a hoodie and face mask spray, painting the sidewalk with the words 'If abortion isn't safe, neither are you.' The exact words have been seen at other pro-life offices in various states.

More footage captured the moment the suspect walked towards a window of the facility, breaking it with a hard object before running off.

'This is absolutely a threat against the peaceful pro-life movement,' Frazier said. 'And we do ask that law enforcement and local, state, and federal leaders continue to lead the way. and say, 'Hey, violence is never okay.''

She added: 'If any pro-abortion individual decides to take that next step, to take that bad step, and use violence against pro-lifers, that is something that I am going to work hard to protect my staff against.'

The Right to Life of Northeast Ohio center was vandalized for the second time on July 8. The pro-life center was first attacked following the overturn of Roe v. Wade on June 24

It's speculated the pro-abortion group Jane's Revenge is behind these acts as the name 'Jane' appeared in writing

Still, abortion-rights activists are continuing to fight against the decision, with one Democrat witness and self-proclaimed 'storyteller' from the pro-abortion group We Testify saying her abortion was an 'act of self love.'

Sarah Lopez, who regularly lectures women about abortion, told the House Oversight Committee: 'My abortion was the best decision I ever made.'

Lopez continued: 'I am here today to make sure that everybody who currently needs an abortion, who has had an abortion, or will need an abortion, is not alone no matter what the state tries to force up on us.'

She was testifying at a hearing on the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade.

On We Testify's website, Lopez describes her job saying: 'I share my story because I love everyone who has had abortions and I want them to know they're not alone no matter what led them to their decision.'

In that profile, Lopez writes: 'I honor my abortion by no longer giving a shit about what people will think if they know I've had an abortion (that goes for friends AND family).' She adds that it has been five years since her abortion.

Lopez says that she honors her abortion saying: 'I love my abortion and I will remain unapologetic because it was the best decision I've ever made.'

Lopez went on to blame 'the patriarchal society' for teaching women that 'our bodies are not ours.'

On We Testify's website, Sara Lopez describes her job saying: 'I share my story because I love everyone who has had abortions

Meanwhile, Justice Thomas has come forward to say that he wasn't sure why he was nominated for the Supreme Court, and 'celebrated not being nominated' when he thought George H.W. Bush passed him up.

He also revealed in his new book Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words that he did not discuss the issue of abortion rights with Bush during his nomination process.

'I have no idea why or how I got nominated,' Thomas said, according to the book, which came out earlier this month.

It was a companion project to a documentary on Thomas released in 2020 by filmmaker Michael Pack, who led the U.S. Agency for Global Media under former President Donald Trump, and Mark Paoletta, a lawyer who worked alongside Thomas during his confirmation.

Pack interviewed Thomas for more than 30 hours between November 2017 and March 2018 - which became the basis for the film and then the book.

Thomas made clear to Pack that he wasn't enthusiastic about being nominated to the court - and also hadn't thought much about the abortion issue going into his confirmation hearings.

He said he received a call from then-White House Counsel C. Boyden Gray the afternoon that Justice Thurgood Marshall announced his retirement from the court in 1991.

Marshall was the first black Supreme Court justice.

In his book, Created Equal, Clarence Thomas revealed that he did not discuss the issue of abortion rights with Bush during his nomination process

'All I know is that Justice Marshall retired, and that was a shock,' Thomas recalled. 'My reaction was, 'Oh no, this is going to be bad. People will go on a rumor that I'm one of the nominees.''

Gray had lawyer Mark Paoletta, the co-editor of the book, take Thomas to the situation room at the Justice Department where he was asked which justice his views were most in line - Justice Antonin Scalia, Thomas said - and if he'd been hassled for being in an interracial marriage.

'And I said only from liberals and bigots, and that's pretty much it,' Thomas said.

The next day he went to the White House 'where I sat for most of the morning and they didn't decide anything.'

'And I was told if they didn't decide by before the weekend, it wouldn't be me,' Thomas recounted. 'That's what I thought but maybe I misheard that.'

'Saturday morning came, I wasn't nominated, and I said, 'Free at last,'' he said. 'I had a new Corvette and Virginia and I drove to Annapolis and celebrated not being nominated,' Thomas said, referencing his wife Virginia 'Ginni' Thomas.

On Sunday, however, he received a call from Bush, who invited him up to the compound on Kennebunkport the next day.

On the flight Monday, Thomas said he became 'a little suspicious' when a number of high-profile White House officials were on his plane, leaving him wondering if there were still other contenders.

'Who's riding with the other people?' he said he wondered.

It was First Lady Barbara Bush who accidentally informed Thomas he got the job, telling him 'congratulations' before her husband had formally made the offer.

'And she said 'congratulations,' and then my heart sank. And she said, 'Oh I guess I let the cat out of the bag,' he recalled.

Thomas noted that during his 1991 confirmation the one area that Bush White House officials wouldn't ask him about was abortion.

'They absolutely would not discuss Roe v. Wade with me. They would not discuss abortion because they knew I was going to be asked about it at some point. And they wanted me to be able to say that I did not discuss it with them,' Thomas recalled.

During the hearings, Democratic senators pressed Thomas to commit where he would rule on abortion - something he wouldn't do.

'One, I didn't now,' he said. 'And two, I had just read all of those cases again.'

Thomas pointed out that when he took constitutional law in law school it was in 1972 - a year before the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

'I was more interested in the race issues. I was more interested in getting out of law school. I was more interested in passing the bar exam. My life was consumed by survival. I couldn't pay my rent. I couldn't repay my student loans,' Thomas said. 'I had all these other things going on, that you were navigating, these worlds you're navigating.'
The choice of Prince Harry as the keynote speaker at the UN event honoring Nelson Mandela was mocked by many around the world, including a South African newspaper which sarcastically compared the prince's plight to that of the civil rights hero.

Harry was invited to speak at the UN in New York City by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the charitable organization run by Mandela's family.

He was joined by wife Meghan, who showed up in a glamorous designer outfit worth some $3,000.

Harry used his 15-minute speech to lecture the sparse crowd on climate change, disinformation, the war on Ukraine, COVID and the decision by SCOTUS to reverse Roe vs Wade.

He might have resisted the chance to compare himself to Mandela, but South African newspaper The Sunday Times jumped at the opportunity.

South African columnist Aspasia Karras pokes fun at Prince Harry in a column on Sunday, before Harry spoke. She compared Harry's Montecito mansion to Robben Island and the icy treatment of Harry and Meghan by the royal family to the hardships of apartheid

'He's in exile. Just like Madiba. No, sorry, of course, he was imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island. Same, same-ish. Harry is imprisoned in his gilded pleasure palace in Montecito with a podcast schedule and documentary team following him around,' wrote Sunday Times columnist Aspasia Karras

Harry was invited to speak at the UN in New York City by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the charitable organization run by Mandela's family, some of whom Harry maintains friendships with.

In a column on Sunday, before Harry spoke, Editor-at-Large Aspasia Karras wrote: 'He's in exile. Just like Madiba.

'No, sorry, of course, he was imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island. Same, same-ish.

'Harry is imprisoned in his gilded pleasure palace in Montecito with a podcast schedule and documentary team following him around.'

She labeled him the 'self-styled Duke of L.A.' and said: 'Just like Mandela, he's been through a lot.

'As told to Oprah in his cri du coeur interview, his family and the British press have been giving him and his lovely wife Meghan such a hard time. All they wanted was to represent. And bring some fast paced LA management style to the fuddy-duddy palace.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle held hands as they arrived at the meeting ahead of his keynote speech

They clapped as they listened along to the speakers, as two winners of the Nelson Mandela Prize were awarded in person

The couple got into their black Suburban Chevrolet as they left the UN building, heading further south in the back of the car

'You know what? They just had to leave. It was too much to bear.'

'I think Harry is a perfect fit, what with the UN being such a very effective organization for world peace.

'I'm really pleased he can grab hold of the global spotlight on such an important day, when we remember the sacrifices Mandela made for all of us and our rights. OK?

'But especially for Harry's right to a security entourage. That will show them,' she wrote.

Other critics asked why Harry, who regularly uses private jets, had been chosen to give a speech on climate change.

'Our world is on fire!' he told the UN on Monday after arriving in New York City with Meghan, who wore more than $3,000 in designer clothes.

It's unclear whether the couple arrived in New York City on a private jet.

Representatives for the pair did not immediately respond to inquiries about their travel, nor did spokespeople for The Nelson Mandela Foundation.
At least 20 people drowned and another 30 were missing on Monday after a boat capsized in a river in central Pakistan, officials said.

Most of those dead and missing are women and children, local reports said. The boat was carrying more than 100 people when it capsized.

The overloaded boat was crossing the Indus river to a wedding in the district of Sadiqabad. Nearly 90 people were rescued by divers.

Policemen and local villagers prepare to search for the victims drowned at Indus River after an overcrowded boat carrying a Pakistan wedding party capsized on the outskirt of Sadiqabad town on July 18, 2022

All those on board belonged to a single family, who were part of a procession on their way to the wedding across the river. The boat was ferrying the family between the villages of Machka and Kharor.

'We have retrieved 20 bodies so far' and most of them were women, local government official Aslam Tasleem told local Geo News TV.

He said around 30 additional people were missing.

'We're not sure how many people exactly were on the boat. We're getting the estimates just on the basis of the family members' accounts,' he said.

Nearly 35 divers from a state-run rescue service took part in an operation to find and save more people who were in the river, the statement said.

Sadiqabad spokesman Rana Kashif Mehmood said 'rescue teams are at the scene.'

The overloaded boat was heading to a wedding when it capsized in the Indus river in the district of Sadiqabad, the government said in a statement. Pictured: Rescue workers and local villagers gather around the bodies of drowned victims, July 18

A rescue worker and villagers carry the body of a victim of a boat accident on the Indus River, in Sadiqabad district, July 18

Police officer Mohammad Hammad said 'most of the drowned appear to be women' because 'most of the men knew how to swim'. 'The death toll may increase,' he said.

Saleem Assi, a senior government official, said the bridegroom was among those who were rescued. It was not clear if the bride survived.

Assi said the cause of the accident was not immediately known, but apparently the boat was overcrowded. He confirmed all those whose bodies were recovered by the rescuers were women and children.

Officials coordinate an operation to recover bodies from the Indus River, July 18

In a statement, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed his grief and sorrow over the incident and asked authorities to make their best efforts to rescue those passengers who are still missing.

Such accidents are common in Pakistan, where rickety wooden boats are often used to transport goods and people on rivers and lakes. Most operate without life jackets.

Villagers in rural Pakistan use such boats to avoid higher costs of automobile transport on ramshackle roads that are often far from their homes.

But women are not widely encouraged to learn how to swim in Pakistan, where conservative modesty codes still govern much of of their public behaviour.
The body of a 32-year-old Georgia man has been missing for over three years after a medical examiner tried to ship the human remains through FedEx.

Jeffrey Merriweather's body was found partially decomposed in Atlanta in 2019, prompting the medical examiner to ship it to a special trauma lab in St. Louis. The body, however, never arrived at its destination, according to the company.

Three years later, Merriweather's remains are still nowhere to be found, and FedEx has not been able to provide a location for the body.

On Thursday, after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a story about Merriweather on Twitter  and tagged the company in the post  FedEx responded with what seemed to be a bot, tweeting, 'This is not the experience we want to provide. I am very sorry for the pending delivery. Please send a direct message, I would be happy to assist.'

Jeffrey Merriweather was found dead behind an Atlanta house at age 32. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office attempted to ship Merriweather's remains to a lab in St. Louis, but three years later, his remains are still missing

Twitter users were quick to point out that FedEx using a Twitter bot to respond to a story about someone's missing remains was insensitive.

Jennifer Brett, a senior editor of the Journal-Constitution, snapped back at the automated tweet: 'AI is not always the answer,' she tweeted.

The FedEx tweet has now been deleted, and FedEx faces renewed questions about the body's whereabouts and their lack of coherent response to the issue.

'Its a nightmare you cant wake up from,' Kathleen Merriweather, Jeffreys mother, told the Journal-Constitution.

According to the company's user manual, human remains are forbidden from being posted using FedEx. The US Postal Service offers to courier them, but only under strict guidelines.

Usually, remains are transported across state lines using an airplane. It is unclear what form of transportation Merriweather's remains were moved by.

A FedEx spokesperson told DailyMail.com that customers should not use FedEx to ship human remains when asked for comment on the situation.

'Shipments of this nature are prohibited within the FedEx network,' according to a statement from the company. 'Our thoughts and concerns remain with the family of Mr. Merriweather, however, we request that further questions be directed to the Fulton County Medical Examiners Office.'

Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office could not be reached for comment, and it remains unclear why they used FedEx to ship the remains to St. Louis in the first place.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office says they shipped Merriweather's body to St.Louis but the package never arrived

Merriweather's body was found behind a house in Atlanta, Georgia on June 19, 2019. Police suspect he was the victim of a shooting after a drug deal gone wrong, but questions remain over the circumstances of his death.

A few months after the discovery of his body, Jan Gorniack, then the chief medical examiner for Fulton County, said 'since he was partially skeletonized, we couldnt determine a cause of death.'

Gorniack also said 'From the tracking number, the last known location was Austell, Georgia,' which may provide a clue in the mystery.

Austell is home to a notoriously unreliable FedEx processing facility which has been criticized in recent years for the large number of packages that go missing on their watch.

The Austell location, which is approximately 17 miles west of Atlanta, has a 1.4/5 rating on Google and a brief read through the reviews paints a bad picture.

'It is so bad it makes me want to move so I don't have to deal with this place,' said one Georgia resident. Another said 'packages through this facility never arrive on time.'

Customers that had to use the Austell facility became so irritated by it that over 4,200 people signed a Change.org petition titled 'Where are the packages? FedEx Austell.'

A photo of FedEx's Austell, Georgia facility that was the last known location Merriweather's remains. The Austell facility is notoriously unreliable and many nearby residents complain of losing their packages there

Jeffrey Merriweather Sr, Merriweather's father, said he doesn't understand how they were able to lose his sons body. 'At this point in time, all I want is whats left of my son and put him to rest'

Merriweather's remains were supposed to take two days to reach to St. Louis, but six weeks after their initial shipment, Merriweather's parents were notified that the remains were missing.

'I dont know how this could have happened when you got to sign for stuff,' said Jeffrey Merriweather Sr, Merriweather's father. 'You got tracking numbers.'

The Merriweather family has repeatedly called for accountability from both FedEx and the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, but so far they don't have many clear answers.

They said the medical examiner told them the remains had made it to St. Louis, and then claimed they had been speaking to the wrong person, and weren't sure where the remains are.

'At this point in time, all I want is whats left of my son and put him to rest,' said Merriweather's father.
An attempted assassination by poisoning has been made on Vladimir Putin's de facto deputy, according to a sensational new claim.

Nikolai Patrushev, 71, a former head of the FSB secret service and secretary of the Kremlin's security council, was reportedly rushed to hospital in recent days after falling unwell.

General SVR, a dissident Russian Telegram channel which claims to be operated by a former Kremlin official with inside sources, said toxicology test results revealed Patrushev had been afflicted by a 'synthetic poison', but had ultimately survived the attempt on his life.

The former FSB head is widely seen as the man to whom Putin hands power when he is absent for medical treatment, and is also a key architect of the war in Ukraine.

His son Dmitry, 44, is Russia's agriculture minister and is tipped by some pundits as a likely successor to Putin.

It comes as the same channel reported the warmongering Russian leader is expecting a daughter with former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, who is widely thought to be Putin's mistress.

Nikolai Patrushev, 71, a former head of the FSB secret service and secretary of the Kremlin's security council, was reportedly the subject of an assassination attempt

General SVR, a dissident Russian Telegram channel which claims to be operated by a former Kremlin official with inside sources, said toxicology test results revealed Patrushev had been afflicted by a 'synthetic poison', but had ultimately survived the attempt on his life

Dmitry Patrushev (R), Minister of Agriculture of Russia since May 2018 and son of Nikolai Patrushev - the former Director of FSB and current Secretary of the Russian Security Council - shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin (L)

'Recently, an attempt on the life of the secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Nikolai Patrushev, was made,' said the Telegram channel, citing Kremlin sources.

'Information about both the assassination attempt itself and the investigation into this assassination attempt is kept in strict secrecy.

'It is known that Nikolai Patrushev felt unwell in the evening after work, almost immediately after he went home. Security quickly worked, immediately calling a team of doctors to him.'

'After rendering assistance, Patrushev was taken home in a stable condition. The results of his analysis confirmed that the toxic substance was a synthetic poison.'

The report claimed that Patrushev 'was saved by timely medical care and, probably, by an insufficiently high concentration of the poisonous substance that entered the body through the skin'.

Putin was told of the alleged attack only 'when Patrushev's life was no longer in danger', it was claimed.

'Who is behind the assassination attempt, what are the motives and how it became possible in general to organise an actually completed assassination attempt on a representative of such a high level of power, remains to be seen.'

The channel pointed to in-fighting within Putin's circle, adding: 'This is only the beginning of a big redistribution in the elites.

'Knowing the details of what happened, we can say with confidence that it was not staged.

'Over time, we will publish detailed material on the topic of this assassination attempt, with rather interesting details.'

The channel did not say when the alleged attack took place.

Patrushev was seen on July 5 and 6 in Russia's eastern territories, but had not appeared publicly since then until he supposedly attended a televised video conference of Russian officials on Friday - though he was not shown clearly.

He was not visible until supposedly being an attendee at a security council meeting on Friday, although he was not shown clearly.

Dmitry Patrushev, 44, is Russia's agriculture minister and is tipped by some pundits as a likely successor to Putin

An earlier post from General SVR suggested Patrushev could work in tandem in future with Putin's daughter Katerina Tikonova, 35 (pictured), amid rumours she will soon enter parliament and be given a senior role

'In the understanding of a narrow circle of people who have access to the presidential ear, Katerina Tikhonova is the only person who can act as a guarantor of the stability of the existence of the Putin regime, without being a direct successor,' the channel said

The same channel has previously claimed that Putin - ailing from cancer and other illnesses - is preparing to anoint a successor which could prove to be Patrushev's son Dmitry.

But there is no independent confirmation of the poisoning claim, or that Putin is looking to the younger Patrushev as his heir.

An earlier post from General SVR suggested Patrushev could work in tandem in future with Putin's daughter Katerina Tikonova, 35, amid rumours she will soon enter parliament and be given a senior role.

The report said: 'Today, Putin is the only guarantor of the stability of the system, and this, in the conditions of war and circulating information about the serious illnesses of the president, begins to cause maximum anxiety among the elites,' said the post.

'In the understanding of a narrow circle of people who have access to the presidential ear, Katerina Tikhonova is the only person who can act as a guarantor of the stability of the existence of the Putin regime, without being a direct successor.

'In general, Putin approves of such a position of succession as Dmitry Patrushev as the president, and Katerina Tikhonova as the mistress of the power system.'

Speculation over Putin's potential heirs comes as General SVR also reported the Russian president is expecting a daughter with longtime mistress Alina Kabaeva.

The 69-year-old Kremlin leader (left) is believed to have two secret sons with the Olympic gold-winning rhythmic gymnast (right) - once dubbed 'the most flexible woman in Russia'

Vladimir Putin is 'expecting a daughter' with his ex-gymnast 'lover' Alina Kabaeva (pictured) despite the Russian President claiming he 'has enough children as it is', according to a new report

General SVR's report read: 'We have already reported that Alina Kabaeva (pictured), the cohabitant of the President of Russia, is pregnant. Yesterday the sex of the unborn child became known - it is a girl'

The 69-year-old Kremlin leader is believed to already have two secret sons with the Olympic gold-winning rhythmic gymnast, once dubbed 'the most flexible woman in Russia'.

Kabaeva, 39, was pictured pregnant in 2015 and a report later claimed a boy was born in secrecy in Switzerland the same year, according to a source linked to the obstetrician who was at the birth.

Meanwhile, the gymnast's second son was delivered in Moscow in 2019 with the same specialist flying to Russia for the birth, according to an investigation by Swiss broadsheet newspaper Sonntagszeitung.

General SVR's report read: 'We have already reported that Alina Kabaeva, the cohabitant of the President of Russia, is pregnant. Yesterday the sex of the unborn child became known - it is a girl.'

However, the Russian tyrant was said to be unimpressed - the same report claimed that when Putin was told of the news, he grumbled: 'I have enough children as it is, and had enough daughters long ago'.

Putin, who will be 70 this year, has denied a relationship with Kabaeva since 2007. He has hidden his alleged secret family from voters and was not present at the births of either of her children.
Sir Keir Starmer today ruled out striking any deal with the Liberal Democrats after the next general election as he battles against Tory warnings of a 'coalition of chaos'.

The Labour leader insisted there wouldn't be 'any arrangement' between his party and Sir Ed Davey's party.

This is despite the prospect of a hung parliament the next time the whole country goes to the polls.

Sir Keir has come under pressure to spell out Labour's intentions ahead of the next election, which is due to be held before the end of 2024.

Recent opinion polling has shown Labour are on course to become the largest party in the House of Commons.

But Sir Keir could be left without enough seats for an overall majority.

This has prompted the Tories to step up warnings that the Labour leader will be propped up as Prime Minister by agreements with other parties, such as the Lib Dems and the SNP.

It has already forced Sir Keir to rule out a post-election deal with the SNP. And he has now ruled out a coalition with 'anyone', including the Lib Dems.

Speaking to Bloomberg, the Labour leader also dismissed the prospect of a looser 'confidence and supply' arrangement with the Lib Dems.

This is where a smaller party supports a government in matters of confidence and at Budgets, such as the deal between the Tories and the DUP after Theresa May's ill-fated snap general election in 2017.

Sir Keir Starner insisted there wouldn't be 'any arrangement' between his party and the Liberal Democrats

The Tories have stepped up warnings that Sir Keir will be propped up as Prime Minister by agreements with other parties, such as Sir Ed Davey's Lib Dems

Sir Keir said: 'Im ruling out any arrangement. We are going to go for a Labour majority.'

The Labour leader also took the chance to hit back at recent Tory warnings of a 'coalition of chaos' under him as PM.

'If people want a definition of chaos in politics, look at the Government weve got at the moment,' Sir Keir added.

Ahead of the 2015 general election, former prime minister David Cameron notably warned of the 'chaos' of a Labour administration being 'held to ransom by the SNP'.

This was repeated by the Conservative Party to varying degrees at subsequent general elections in 2017 and 2019.

Boris Johnson recently revived the Tory attack line by outlining the 'pretty stark' choice for voters between a Conservative government or 'Labour propped up by the SNP'.

Recent analysis from Electoral Calculus predicted that Labour would win 310 seats in the Commons at the next general election - 16 short of a majority

Recent analysis from Electoral Calculus predicted that Labour would win 310 seats in the Commons at the next general election - 16 short of a majority.

The Tories were predicted to be the next largest party with 247 seats, the SNP third-largest with 51 seats, and the Liberal Democrats the fourth party at Westminster with 17 seats.

Their prediction was based on opinion polls from 10th June to 30th June, sampling 11,728 people.

At the 2019 general election, Mr Johnson's Tories won won 365 seats compared to Labour's 203, with the SNP winning 48 and the Lib Dems 11.

Mr Cameron's warning to voters of 'chaos with Ed Miliband' - posted on Twitter - ahead of the 2015 general election is still regularly shared by social media users.

Many have used the tweet to point out how the 2015 vote was followed by Mr Cameron's EU referendum, the subsequent Brexit carnage at Westminster and, most recently, Tory MPs ousting Mr Johnson following the Partygate scandal.

Sir Keir today accused Mr Johnson of having 'basically checked out, hes not doing anything' after announcing his resignation as PM.

He repeated Labour's demand for an emergency budget to help Britons struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Mike Pence is drawing yet another battle line against Donald Trump on Monday by endorsing the opponent of Kari Lake, who is favored by the ex-president, in the Arizona Republican gubernatorial primary.

Pence's endorsement was announced Monday morning by former Arizona Board of Regents member Karrin Taylor Robson's campaign Twitter account.

It comes as rumors swirl over the former GOP presidential ticket splitting into a heated Republican primary race in 2024 - though neither Pence nor Trump have confirmed they're running.

Robson has gained ground in the polls in recent months, with recent surveys showing her trailing Lake by just five points.

Lake is a former local news anchor who has helped Trump promote his claims that the 2020 election was rigged in her state - which was narrowly won by Joe Biden.

'As Arizona Democrats pursue the reckless Biden-Harris agenda, Karrin Taylor Robson is the only candidate for Governor that will keep Arizonas border secure and streets safe, empower parents and create great schools, and promote conservative values, Pence said in the statement shared by Robson's campaign.

'Karrin is the best choice for Arizonas future, and I am proud to support her.'

Robson praised Pence as a 'warrior,' and in perhaps a veiled jab at Trump, added: 'Modern politics is full of charlatans & fakes, but VP Pence is the genuine article. He has never wavered in his conservative beliefs & commitment to our Constitution...'

Mike Pence and Donald Trump are going head-to-head in this year's midterm races for a second time after Pence-backed Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia bested Trump's candidate, David Perdue

Trump and Pence will be competing for Arizona Republicans' attention on Friday, where both are scheduled to make appearances on behalf of their candidates.

Pence, who has not ruled out challenging Trump in a hypothetical 2024 primary bid, will be at a border event alongside Robson.

Trump will be in Arizona hosting his second rally there this year. It was rescheduled from its original July 16 date over the sudden death of his ex-wife Ivana Trump.

The relationship between the former GOP running mates fractured when Pence refused to partake in Trump and his allies' plan to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

And the Arizona race is not the first proxy race between Trump and Pence seen this election cycle. Georgia's primary elections in May had some of the former president's most high-profile defeats of this campaign cycle, with his favored candidates losing to incumbents for both governor and secretary of state.

Pence had backed Republican Governor Brian Kemp after Trump recruited former Senator David Perdue to challenge him.

Similar to Pence, Kemp invoked Trump's ire for refusing to promote claims that the last presidential race was rigged in his state.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who Trump also criticized for standing by his state's elections, indirectly took on the former president earlier this month when he too endorsed Robson for his seat.

Arizona Republicans will head to the polls on August 3 to choose between Trump-backed former local news anchor Kari Lake (left) and a former member of the Arizona Board of Regents who also served in the Reagan administration, Karrin Taylor Robson (right)

Robson's campaign announced Pence's endorsement on Twitter early on Monday morning

The term-limited governor praised Robson as a true conservative and pointed to her time working in Ronald Reagan's White House as evidence of her credentials, in a video released by her campaign on July 7.

More recently, he further distanced himself from Trump by tearing into Robson's opponent Lake during an interview on CNN's State of The Union.

'I think Karrin Taylor Robson will be the best person to be a fresh new leader for the state of Arizona,' Ducey said on Sunday. 'Her opponent, on the other hand, bears no resemblance - her campaign or even her personal interactions with me - to anything she's done over the past 30 years.'

'This is all an act. She's been putting on a show for some time now. And we will see if the voters of Arizona buy it.'

Ducey also invoked the nickname 'Fake Lake' and accused the former journalist of 'misleading voters with no evidence' of Trump's election fraud claims - though he's never called out the ex-president on the matter directly.

Shortly after Ducey endorsed Robson, Lake touted her 'ultra MAGA' list of supporters - including Donald Trump Jr., MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, disgraced former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn and Rudy Giuliani.

Lake and Robson will face-off in the primary election on August 2.
The family of a five-year-old boy who died after being hit by a bin lorry 'while he was out riding his Spiderman bike' have paid tribute to the adorable youngster.

Abdul Ahad Haroon was playing outside his home on West Bromwich Road, Walsall, in the West Midlands, at around 10am on Sunday when the horror crash unfolded.

It is understood that his father, Haroon, was cleaning the family car when his young son was hit, having opened the side gate to let the hose through.

A relative said it was through this gate that Abdul managed to get through to the road where the HGV bin lorry was driving.

He was then hit by the private lorry and soon after was pronounced dead

His heartbroken family have paid tribute to the five-year-old. Abdul's grandfather, Zubair Ahmed, 64, said: 'Abdul was a joy - full of energy and happiness.

Abdul Ahad Haroon was playing outside his home on West Bromwich Road, Walsall, in the West Midlands, at around 10am on Sunday when the horror crash unfolded.

'He had a heart of gold and would light up the room with his cheerful nature.

'He was a lovely, adorable and energetic boy.

'All the time he wanted to play. He loved toy cars - they were always broken in five minutes,' the Sun reported.

His aunt, Mevish Rashid, 31, said: He was a very happy, loving and carefree boy. He was the light and life of this house. He was cheeky - but in a good way. I'm distraught.'

The driver of the lorry was reported to have been 'inconsolable' as he cried after the tragic incident.

Abdul was hit by the lorry while on his Spider Man themed bike on West Bromwich Road, Walsall, in the West Midlands (pictured)

Abdul, who was a reception pupil at Palfrey Primary School, was given CPR by horrified neighbours in the crash on Sunday.

West Midlands Police have said in a statement appealing for information from witnesses: 'The boy was sadly confirmed dead shortly afterwards and we'll have specialist officers supporting his family during this devastating time.

'Our thoughts are with them and his friends.

'The driver of the lorry remained at the scene and is helping with our inquiries into exactly what happened.

'We're keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and has not already spoken to our officers. We're also asking for you to send us any dash-cam footage.

'It happened on West Bromwich Road, near the junction with The Broadway, at just before 10am yesterday (17 July).

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 1237 of 17 July.

The road was cordoned from 10.30am and was kept closed off for most of the day, with people told to avoid the area while specially-trained forensics officers inspected the scene. It has since reopened for motorists.

Experts were seen inspecting the five-year-old's small orange and blue bike on Sunday afternoon.

The road was cordoned from 10.30am and was kept closed off for most of the day, with people told to avoid the area while specially-trained forensics officers inspected the scene. It has since reopened for motorists. The HGV lorry is pictured

Locals who were at the scene following the tragedy told BirminghamLive that they were supporting the boy's family following the accident.

One said: 'I heard sirens earlier today. It's so sad what has happened, that poor boy.'

Another said: 'I've heard that a young lad has died. It's just so very sad.'

Only a day before, a woman was arrested after a six-month-old baby boy was killed in a two-car collision.

The incident happened on Cherry Tree Avenue at 6.45pm on Wednesday. The infant was a passenger in a blue Ford Focus which was badly damaged in he incident.

According to Essex Police: 'A six-month-old boy was taken to hospital but sadly did not survive his injuries. His family are being supported by specialist officers.'

Experts were seen inspecting the five-year-old's small orange and blue bike on Sunday afternoon

And tragically on Friday, a three-year-old boy who died after a collision with a tractor on a farm in the Tottington area of Bury has been named as Albie Speakman.

Greater Manchester Police were called by North West Ambulance Service shortly before 12.45pm on Friday 15 Jult after an ambulance had been signalled to stop by a vehicle carrying a seriously injured three-year-old child on Rochdale Old Road.

Officers attended and the boy was tragically pronounced dead by paramedics before he could be taken to hospital.

Albie's mother Leah described her son as an incredibly loving, affectionate and caring boy who just wanted everyone to be happy.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams spoke at the United Nations on Monday and said the 27 years Nelson Mandela spent in prison reminded him of his suffering with dyslexia that he experienced as a child.

Adams gave the speech on Mandela Day, which the General Assembly designated to honor his life and legacy.

The mayor also compared the ongoing crises of COVID with Mandela's long struggle for freedom.

'The ongoing crisis of COVID, war and crime have imprisoned us in our own Robben Island prisons,' Adams said. 'But these are temporary conditions. They are not life sentences.'

Robben Island prison is where Mandela spent his sentence. Adams said he visited the prison and said we're all in 'our own Robben Island Prison' after two years of COVID but that we're resilient and must address global challenges like poverty and vax distribution.

'These are temporary conditions, they're not life sentences,' he said.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams spoke at the United Nations on Monday and said the 27 years Nelson Mandela spent in prison reminds him of his suffering with dyslexia that he experienced as a child

Adams is pictured greet Prince Harry while wearing a mask despite no one else doing so today

Adams told the assembly that his own story s reflective of climbing out of the dark times, just as Mandela did. He talked about growing up in poverty, struggling with dyslexia as a child and being arrested as a teenager.

'My own personal story is reflected in that,' he said. I was dyslexic and denied support services as a child. I was arrested as a youth and felt rejected as a person but I knew it was not het end, not a burial. And today I stand before you energized with all that I have endured on my journey too.'

Adams went on to say that he knew it was not the end, not a burial, but a planting - and that we must be inspired by Mandela and turn pain into purpose.

Another angle shows the mayor shaking hands with the Duke ahead of their speeches at the UN

Adams is pictured on the big screen as he gave his speech at the United Nations on Monday morning

'But I knew it was not the end, not a burial. 'That Mandela-like energy will allow us to turn our pain into purpose.'

'His example reminds us that the darkest times cannot quench our spirit or dim our hopes.'

The UN held its first Mandela Day in 2010. The leader died at the age of 95 in 2013. He had been freed in 1990 amid intense international pressure. He was then elected South Africa's first Black president.

Adams' comparison drew backlash from New Yorkers on social media. Many asked why he wasn't addressing the escalating crime in the city. Others simply called him a clown.

Adams' comparison drew backlash from New Yorkers on social media. Many asked why he wasn't addressing the escalating crime in the city

New Yorkers blasted the mayor for spending time speaking to the UN instead of dealing with the crime in the city and on the subways

Others on social media simply called Adams a clown

Britain's Prince Harry was also in attendance on Monday. He told the UN Monday that the overturning of constitutional rights in the United States was part of 'a global assault on democracy and freedom.'

The Duke of Sussex addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York at an event marking Nelson Mandela International Day.

'This has been a painful year in a painful decade,' the royal told delegates.

He cited the continuing fallout from the pandemic, climate change, disinformation and Russia's invasion of Ukraine before alluding to the Supreme Court's recent overturning of America's nationwide right to abortion.

'And from the horrific war in Ukraine to the rolling back of constitutional rights here in the United States, we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom, the cause of Mandela's life,' Harry said.

The royal paid tribute to Mandela, South Africa's anti-apartheid hero who spent 27 years in prison before being elected the country's first Black leader, as 'not only a man of conscience' but 'a man of action.'

Harry, 37, invoked that sentiment to urge leaders to tackle climate change, as his wife Meghan Markle looked on from the chamber.

'As we sit here today, our world is on fire again,' said the prince, adding that 'historic weather events are no longer historic.'

'More and more, they are part of our daily lives. And this crisis will only grow worse unless our leaders lead.

'Unless the countries represented by the seats in this hallowed hall make the decisions, the daring, transformative decisions that our world needs to save humanity,' he added.




Korea's top central banker and financial regulator on Monday agreed to intensify policy coordination to secure macroeconomic and financial market stability amid concerns over growing volatility.







Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Rhee Chang-yong and Kim Joo-hyeon, head of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), held a meeting and discussed a wide range of issues, according to their offices. It was their first meeting since Rhee and Kim took office in April and last week, respectively.







"The BOK governor and the FSC chief came to the consensus that they will make all necessary efforts to ensure macroeconomic and market stability through preemptive policy response against current economic and financial situations," the BOK said in a press briefing.







"First and foremost, both organizations agreed to intensify coordination so that monetary and financial policies could be carried out in a harmonious manner," it added.







They met as concerns are growing over global monetary tightening and a possible economic recession, which have spilled over into the financial markets here. The local stock market and currency have lost marked ground so far this year. (Yonhap)






Kamala Harris compared on Monday the overturn of Roe v. Wade last month to slavery during a speech to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) convention.

'We know, NAACP, that our country has a history of claiming ownership over human bodies,' the first minority and female vice president said to massive jeers of agreement from the crowd in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

She added: 'Today, extremists so-called leaders are criminalizing doctors and punishing women from making healthcare decisions for themselves.'

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre would not say Monday if President Joe Biden agrees with the comparison of abortion access being similiar to slavery.

'I have not seen her comments, I would like to see her comments for myself before ' Jean-Pierre said during her briefing Monday but was cut off by Fox News' Peter Doocy who read the comments to her.

'I appreciate you reading out what she said, I need to actually see exactly what was said and in what complete context,' she added in refusing to answer the question. 'That's what I need to do as a spokesperson for the administration.'

Harris said that the decision to get an abortion should be between women and 'her doctor, her pastor, her priest, her Rabbi, her loved ones. Not her government telling her what to do.'

She traveled to New Jersey on Monday to deliver remarks at the 113th NAACP National Convention at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

Vice President Kamala Harris waved her arms during a speech at the NAACP national conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Monday as she described a Venn diagram she asked her staff to make of states that have strict voter ID laws and bans on abortion

During the remarks, Harris compared the overturn of Roe v. Wade last month to slavery in America

During her remarks she detailed to the crowd using large arm movement the definition and purpose of a Venn diagram.

The vice president said that she instructed her team to create a Venn diagram to depict the areas that have restricted voting rights as well as abortions, suggesting that the overlap shows mostly in Republican states.

'I asked my team, I said, 'You know, do a Venn diagram on two subjects for me, in particular,' she said of a conversation with her staff.

Harris said that she asked for the overlap of states that are 'attacking the freedom to vote and attacking women's freedoms over their own body.'

'There are 10 states that are doing both,' she said.

Following the speech, the vice president is holding a roundtable with state legislators in New Jersey to talk about fight for women's reproductive rights  mainly to obtain an abortion.

New Jersey, which is a deeply blue state, has legalized abortion at all stages of a pregnancy.

Thirteen other states, however, had so-called 'trigger laws', which immediately outlawed abortion once the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in a late June opinion.

There are also a few states that have restricted abortion, especially in regards to timeline of when it is legal to obtain one.

Roe v. Wade protected abortion rights at a federal level  and sent it back to states.

The overturn has sent Democrats into a flurry of claims that Republicans will come after rights to contraceptives and gay marriage next.
A mama bear with a sweet tooth and her mischievous cub made their way inside a California home and helped themselves to some donuts left out on the kitchen counter.

Monrovia resident Alice Taylor was not surprised when she found the furry visitors rummaging through her kitchen.

'We understand that our trash cans are going to get knocked over,' Taylor told abc7. 'There's certain things that go with having bears in our community.'

While the unannounced visit caused Taylor a scare, she also got some laughs when she realized that the mama bear and her baby had taken some liberties and were helping themselves to donuts that were on the counter.

The incident was recorded on video by Taylor.

'Oh my God, that's our donuts! That's our donuts,' Taylor can be heard saying.

Monrovia resident Alice Taylor was not surprised when she found the furry visitors rummaging through her kitchen

To her surprise, the mama bear was not on her own. She had invited herself, and her cub, to some donuts

Taylor hadn't initially realized that there also was a cub searching around the kitchen.

'Oh my god, there is a baby there too! There is a baby bear in the corner,' Taylor says in the video.

Taylor can be heard trying to figure out a plan to safely leave the house, while another person in the room suggests just letting the bear and her cub be.

'We need to leave the house. So we go at the back ...' Taylor says before suggesting to call 911.

After more consideration, Taylor decided to scare the mom and her cub away by making some noise.

The furry visitors were first undisturbed by Taylor's attempt to drive them away and continued enjoying their donut feast.

A few moments later, they finally left the kitchen in a rush when Taylor continued banging on the wall.

But the furry visitors were not gone for long. According to Taylor, they were so impressed by the donuts, that they made another visit the following day.

Taylor decided to scare the mom and her cub away by making some noise
Nina Jankowicz, regarded as an expert in online Russian disinformation, was appointed to lead President Joe Biden's short-lived Disinformation Governance Board in March and stepped down in May, after she was blasted for supporting now-debunked claims about Donald Trump's links to Russia and the authenticity of Hunter Biden's infamous laptop

The head of President Joe Biden's short-lived Disinformation Governance Board sent a letter to two Republican senators on Monday accusing them of stoking 'misplaced anger' through pushing 'lies' about her, two months after leaving her controversial role within the administration.

Nina Jankowicz, who resigned from the board in May after only accepting the position in March, pointed out to Senators Josh Hawley and Chuck Grassley that she and her family are still receiving 'aggressive, sexualized, vulgar and threatening' messages.

'I do not deserve this level of personal attack for having accepted a position serving my country in my area of expertise, which has been recognized by Members on both sides of the aisle,' Jankowicz wrote.

'No one deserves to be subject to such vitriol, and make no mistake, it is those in positions of power like yours who tacitly encourage it.'

The disinformation board was heavily criticized by Republicans and other opponents of the Biden administration, who claimed it could be used to censor free speech and political views.

Biden officials had maintained the board was advisory-only and had no 'operational authority,' and that it would be used to counter disinformation from Russia and to crack down on misleading narratives in Central and South America that helped human traffickers coerce people to make the dangerous journey to the US southwestern border.

But the appointment of Jankowicz, despite being a noted scholar of Russian disinformation, raised some eyebrows over her outspoken progressive - and at times, bizarre - social media activity.

That includes a video she had posted about the dangers of disinformation set to the tune of 'Supercalifragilistiexpialidocious' from Mary Poppins.

In her Monday letter, Jankowicz accused Republicans of conjuring a 'false narratives' that her board was out to silence Biden's opponents and implored the senators to think of the hatred's effect on her 'growing family.'

'As a result of this warped narrative, tens of thousands of my fellow Americans, by the most conservative estimate, so strongly believe I am a threat to their freedom that they took their time to defame, harass, stalk, and threaten me,' she wrote.

Jankowicz suggested Republican lawmakers were promoting 'false narratives' about her role that were resulting in threatening messages to her and her family

'The last trimester of my pregnancy, the birth of my first child, and the first weeks of his life - a time that should have been joyful and as calm as possible - were and continue to be marked by stress, fear, and concern for my growing family's safety.'

Jankowicz had stepped down from her role heading the board after it was revealed she pushed now-debunked claims about Donald Trump's ties to Russia and that Hunter Biden's leaked laptop hard drive was merely Kremlin-backed disinformation.

In the letter, Janowicz said she departed because the board was 'paused.'

Last month, Hawley and Grassley released purported whistleblower documents that suggested the board would have worked with Twitter and other social media companies to monitor and take down content.

The pair accused the Department of Homeland Security, which would have overseen the disinformation board, of enlisting private entities to 'censor opposing viewpoints.'

Jankowicz accused them of having 'personally attacked' her 'in an outsized manner' in reference to that letter and a similar one from May.

She addressed the letter to Missouri Senator Josh Hawley (left) and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley (right) after the two released purported whistleblower documents detailing the administration's plans for the board

She also pointed out that Hawley laid into her at a recent Congressional hearing where she was not present, grilling a deputy Homeland Security official on Jankowicz's hiring - despite her having left government weeks before.

'Pursuing such questioning now only stokes misplaced anger among your constituents,' Jankowicz's letter read.

'That anger has contributed to the continued harassment of me and my family based on the false narratives that you and some of your colleagues have spread.'

She directly disputed claims that her role was one of 'censorship,' declaring: 'If my former position involved censoring or adjudicating Americans' speech, I would not have accepted it.'

Toward the end of her three-page letter Jankowicz begged Hawley and Grassley to 'stop engaging with and promoting' claims that she is censoring Americans and 'condemn the continued attacks.'

On the Twitter thread where she posted the letter, Jankowicz also shared what she presented as death threats 'from a person who believes Im still in my role and that it involved law enforcement and censorship.'

In one message, a person accused her of committing 'treason' and promised she would be 'held accountable.'

'No one cares about your fruit cake son,' someone wrote in another screenshot. 'We care more about your lies and the propaganda you are creating...you want to police tweets so people can get arrested...expert in disinformation and you will be held accountable for what you are doing.'

Hawley responded to Jankowicz on Twitter by calling on the former Biden official to testify before the Senate.

'The Biden Admin lied about their censorship board for months. Only when a patriotic whistleblower came forward with documents did we learn the truth,' the Missouri Republican wrote.

'Now Nina Jankowicz is trying to shut down questions based on whistleblower revelations. She should come & testify. Under oath.'

Grassley's communications director Taylor Hoy defended the senator's role to DailyMail.com while also pointing out Jankowicz's promotion of Trump-Russia collusion claims made by Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign.

'Americans were rightly concerned about revelations that a bureaucratic government entity was set up to steer DHS counter disinformation efforts, especially given the track record of those who were hired to lead the effort,' Hoy said.

'Sen. Grassley became increasingly concerned when he received whistleblower information raising questions about social media platforms proposed role in helping to enforce the boards priorities. Oversight of the federal government, however unflattering, is an essential role of Congress, and Sen. Grassley intends to continue seeking answers for the American people.'
The former king of Spain has been given permission to appeal after losing a High Court fight with an ex-lover.

Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, a Danish businesswoman, has taken legal action against Juan Carlos I and is seeking damages for personal injury.

She alleges he caused her 'great mental pain' by spying on and harassing her.

Juan Carlos, 84, denies wrongdoing.

Lawyers representing Juan Carlos argued he is 'entitled to immunity from the jurisdiction of the English courts in his capacity as a senior member of the Spanish royal family'.

But a High Court ruled against the former king, with Mr Justice Nicklin saying the claim can go ahead in England.

The former king of Spain Juan Carlos I, 84, has been given permission to appeal after losing a High Court fight with his ex-lover Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn

Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, a Danish businesswoman, has taken legal action against Juan Carlos I and is seeking damages for personal injury. She alleges he caused her 'great mental pain' by spying on and harassing her. Juan Carlos, 84, denies wrongdoing

Juan Carlos, when he was king of Spain, with Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn in Stuttgart, Germany in February, 2006

Juan Carlos' lawyers on Monday asked two Court of Appeal judges to give him permission to mount an appeal against the ruling.

Lord Justice Underhill and Lord Justice Peter Jackson granted permission and said a full appeal hearing should be held 'soon'.

They said they would give their reasons later.

Mr Justice Nicklin had refused to grant Juan Carlos permission to challenge his ruling in the Court of Appeal.

Litigants normally have to establish an arguable or compelling case before being given permission to mount appeals.

Permission can be given by the judge who made the ruling or by appeal court judges.

Lawyers representing Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn had argued that the former king's appeal bid should be dismissed.

The two appeal judges gave the former king permission to appeal on three grounds: an argument that Mr Justice Nicklin applied the 'wrong legal test' on a 'functional immunity claim'; a criticism of a direction Mr Justice Nicklin made telling Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn to amend her 'particulars of claim'; and a suggestion that Mr Justice Nicklin had concluded that a 'resolution of immunity' could be deferred and revisited at a later stage.

Appeal judges refused to give the former king permission to appeal on a fourth ground: a complaint about the legal test Mr Justice Nicklin had applied for 'household immunity'.

Lawyers representing Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn had argued that this ground was 'hopeless'.

Mr Justice Nicklin had heard how Juan Carlos ruled from 1975 until his abdication in June 2014 and the succession of his son King Felipe VI.

The judge had rejected the argument that, despite his abdication, Juan Carlos remained a 'sovereign' and was entitled to personal immunity under the State Immunity Act 1978.

The former king of Spain with his wife Sofia of Spain attending a ceremony to celebrate his 80th birthday

James Lewis QC, who represented Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn (pictured), said Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, who lived in England and had a home in Shropshire, wanted an 'injunction and damages' resulting from 'a continuous and ongoing campaign of harassment' against her

He had also said Juan Carlos was not a member of the current king's household within the meaning of the Act.

Mr Justice Nicklin said the former king's position under the Spanish constitution was 'entirely honorary' and provided him 'no continuing role'.

James Lewis QC, who represented Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, told the appeal hearing that the 'household immunity' argument, which was rejected by the two judges, was 'the only ground of appeal that has any chance of stopping (Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn's) claim in its tracks'.

He added, in a written argument: 'But it is hopeless.'

Mr Lewis said: 'The defendant's immunity claim was corrected rejected (by Mr Justice Nicklin).'

He said Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, who lived in England and had a home in Shropshire, wanted an 'injunction and damages' resulting from 'a continuous and ongoing campaign of harassment' against her, 'commenced' by (the former king) from 2012, following the 'break-up of an intimate romantic relationship' and her 'refusal to let (the former king) use a financial sum irrevocably gifted to her, or to return other gifts'.

Mr Lewis added: 'The conduct includes (the former king) or his agents smearing her and her business in the media, following her, entering her home in Shropshire, and bugging her homes and electronic devices.'
Governor Greg Abbott's office claims that Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is only seeing a 'fraction of the disaster' at the southern border after she complained that her city's homeless shelters are filling up with migrants bused from Texas and Arizona.

'Border communities are overrun and overwhelmed, and Governor Abbott launched the border bus mission back in April to help provide support to these communities pleading for help where the Biden Administration is dumping migrants,' Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze told DailyMail.com in a statement.

She added: 'With our nation's capital now experiencing a fraction of the disaster created by President Biden's reckless open border policies that our state faces every single day, maybe he'll finally do his job and secure the border.'

The response from Abbott comes after Bowser lamented Sunday of Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey sending migrants to D.C. under false pretenses that they will be transported to a third final destination afterwards.

'Well, this is a very significant issue,' Bowser told CBS News program Face the Nation on Sunday morning. 'We have for sure called on the federal government to work across state lines to prevent people from really being tricked into getting on buses.'

'I fear that they're being tricked into nationwide bus trips when their final destinations are places all over the United States of America,' she added.

Since April, the two states have sent at least 4,000 migrants to the nation's capital.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott's team said Monday that Washington, D.C. is 'experiencing a fraction of the disaster created by President Biden' now that they are feeling the effects of migrants being sent there from Texas and Arizona

A spokesperson for Abbott (pictured) told DailyMail.com in a statement: 'Governor Abbott launched the border bus mission back in April to help provide support to these communities pleading for help where the Biden Administration is dumping migrants'

The goal, according to Abbott, was to bring the crisis to the doorsteps of President Joe Biden and other D.C. elite to elicit a stronger response to the southern border crisis from the administration.

Eze told DailyMail.com that 'Biden's open border policies have created an ongoing humanitarian crisis, with record-high illegal crossings and deadly drugs like fentanyl flooding into our state.'

In June, the number of migrants apprehended by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) actually decreased for the first time in five months.

Despite this, Bowser says that Washington, D.C.'s homeless shelters are filling up due to the increase of migrants in the city and she is requesting that Abbott and Ducey stop preventing migrants from getting to their final destinations.

Ducey followed Abbott's lead earlier this summer in sending migrants from their respective states to D.C. to take some of the load off communities in their states.

Homeless shelters in the nation's capital are starting to cap out with these asylum-seekers due to this initiative.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser blasted Abbott and Arizona GOP Governor Doug Ducey for busing migrants from their states to the nation's capital, claiming they are to blame for the boost in crowded homeless shelters

Comes amid the latest report in figures showing that migrant crossings went on the decline from May to June for the first time in five months

Homeless shelters in Washington D.C. are filling up with asylum seekers from Texas and Arizona. Mayor Bowser says I fear that they're being tricked into nationwide bus trips when their final destinations are places all over the United States of America. pic.twitter.com/7OOH6F2Dpl  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) July 17, 2022

Bowser said that the people arriving in her city on these buses are 'largely asylum seekers who are going to final destinations that are not Washington D.C.'

Since April, Texas and Arizona have sent a combined 4,000 migrants to the District, with officials in both states claiming that migrants voluntarily agreed to take the bus trip north.

It now appears, however, that those participating in the trips may have been under the impression that they would have a final destination other than D.C.

One asylum seeker mother of two from Venezuela told WUSA9 on Thursday that she was told in Texas that she and her family would be sent to Colorado after they arrive in the nation's capital, which never happened.

Another mother of three said a Texas official told her that someone in D.C. would provide her family transport to Chicago.

'But it was all a lie,' she said.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott started sending asylum-seekers to D.C. in April to ship the migration crisis to where lawmakers and the president would see it more prominently, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey followed his lead in May

Since April, Texas and Arizona have sent a combined 4,000 migrants to the District, but reports claim they are volunteering for the trip under false pretenses that they will be sent to a third final destination

While it's unclear who is promising this assistance to bus passengers, nonprofits in the District claim they have heard similar stories from those posted up outside Union Station.

Bowser assured that D.C. taxpayers are not picking up the tab for the increased homeless population with the migrants from Texas and Arizona.

The latest comes as migration figures for June were released.

The drop to 207,416 encounters with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) comes after four straight months of increases through the spring, with the highest-ever in May with 240,991.

President Joe Biden has seen record-high migration numbers under his administration's policies, which progressive Democrats claim are too tough and Republicans claim are much too lax and leading to the crisis.
President Joe Biden on Monday said he 'strongly support's a House bill that would codify the right to contraception.

The Biden administration put out a statement of support for the Right to Contraception Act, which the House will vote on this week as part of a slew of legislation Democrats are passing to protect reproductive rights.

In the statement, Biden again warned the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade would have 'far-reaching consequences' on women's health.

'The Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs, which overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated a constitutional right to choose, has already had devastating implications for women's health and public health,' the administration said in a statement.

The Right to Contraception Act allows people to obtain and use contraceptives, and protects healthcare providers' ability to provide contraceptives and relevant information to patients.

The goal is to protect all contraceptives approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including oral and emergency contraceptives, intrauterine devices and condoms.

President Joe Biden put out a statement of support for the Right to Contraception Act, which the House will vote on this week

The Right to Contraception Act allows people to obtain and use contraceptives, and protects healthcare providers' ability to provide contraceptives and relevant information to patients

Democrats are passing a slew of to protect reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade - above protesters push for abortion rights

Some reproductive rights activists fear states will outlaw some birth control devices in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

The House of Representatives is working on several bills in the wake of the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

Shortly after the historic ruling, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she was preparing votes on a number of bills protecting abortion and contraception.

On Friday, the House passed 219-210 a bill to codify the right to an abortion.

The House also passed 223-205 the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, which would enshrine protections for interstate abortions, with three Republicans joining all Democrats in voting yes.

Every Republican voted against the 2022 Women's Health Protection Act to codify abortion rights, and every Democrat except Rep. Henry Cuellar or Texas voted for the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act.

Neither bill is expected to go anywhere in the Senate.

The House passed an updated version of Women's Health Protection Act after first passing the measure in February. But that update failed in the Senate 51-49 in a procedural vote in May.

The Biden administration has encouraged Congress to codify abortion rights in the wake of the Supreme Court decision.

The White House hailed Friday's votes as an 'important step.'

'These bills would ensure womens access to essential health care services, regardless of where they live, and protect the bedrock right to cross state lines for medical care,' press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. 'A majority of Americans across the country support them.' She called the GOP's refusal to support the bills 'extreme' and 'out of touch.'

No state currently bans out-of-state travel for abortions, though conservative lawmakers in a handful of GOP-led states have floated the idea.

And some Democratic-led states have already taken steps to become abortion safe havens and promised to refuse cooperation in cross-state investigations into abortion cases.

In total 26 states have laws that indicate they are moving to outlaw or severely limit abortions in their state since the overturning of Roe.
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A good Samaritan has been hailed as a hero after he killed a gunman, 20, who opened fire at an Indiana mall murdering three people.

Elisjsha Dicken, 22, was shopping with his girlfriend at the Greenwood Park Mall in Indiana on Sunday when Jonathan Sapirman, 20, began firing 24 rounds, killing Pedro Pineda, 56, Rosa Mirian Rivera de Pineda, 37, and Victor Gomez, 30. It's unclear if he shot them at random or if they were intended targets.

Sapirman waited in the mall bathroom for an hour before he opened fire in the food court using a Sig Sauer 400M rifle that he legally purchased in March this year at a local gun store.

Dicken reacted quickly, pulling out his own handgun and shooting the gunman dead just two minutes after he first opened fire.

'His actions were nothing short of heroic. He engaged the gunman from quite a distance with a handgun and was very proficient,' Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison said at a press conference on Monday afternoon where he also revealed;

Sapirman was recently evicted from his home in Indiana, according to his family

He legally owned two weapons; a Sig Sauer 400M that he bought in March and a handgun that he bought last year

Sapirman had no adult criminal record but was known to police as a juvenile for fighting at school and trying to runaway

He stashed his cell phone in the bathroom where he spent an hour before emerging ready to kill

The hero who stopped him was 22-year-old Elisjsha Dicken, who was shopping with his girlfriend and who pulled out his own weapon when he saw the gunman open fire

Dicken had no law enforcement or military training but was 'proficient' in taking down the gunman

Good Samaritan Elisjsha Dicken, 22, pictured, who was in the mall with his girlfriend stopped Jonathan Sapirman's killing spree by shooting him with a handgun

Jonathan Sapirman, 20, is the gunman responsible for yesterday's attack at the Greenwood Park Mall in Indiana. He had recently been evicted from his apartment, according to his family. He was killed at the scene by a bystander carrying his own weapon

He added that Dicken had no law enforcement or military training, but video showed him calmly gesturing for crowds to evacuate while he trained his weapon on Sapirman.

'He is a true American hero who saved countless lives during a horrific event that could have been so much worse if not for Eli's courage, preparedness and willingness to protect others,' Dicken's lawyer, Guy Relford, said. He declined to comment further out of respect for the victims and ongoing the police investigation.

Sapirman had no adult criminal record but he was known to police for two incidents that occurred when he was a juvenile; one involving a fight in school and one that involved him running away from home. His family has not commented on the incident.

He had recently been evicted from his apartment, according to his family.

Speaking to the Indianapolis Star, James Arthur, who was in the mall with his family, said the gun 'sounded like a big gun.' Arthur said that he thought that he heard at least 20 rounds go off.

Another witness, Abigail, who works at the mall, told WRTV reporter Rafael Sanchez: 'I was standing at the gate, ready to close to for the day. I heard 30 gunshots and I just saw people running towards the store. I was just letting in as many people as I could before I shut the gate.'

She added: 'I wanted to close the gate but people kept running at me... I have three kids at home and I just wanted to get home.

Jonathan Sapirman, 20, opened fire on the crowd in the Greewood Park Mall food court, seen here, killing three people before he was brought down by Elisjsha Dicken, 22

'His actions were nothing short of heroic. He engaged the gunman from quite a distance with a handgun and was very proficient,' Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.

The man who shot the suspected mass shooter dead has been identified as a 22-year-old mall

Emergency personnel continuing to work through the scene at the Greenwood Park Mall in Greenwood, Indiana

ATF officers arrive on the scene arrive at the scene of the deadly shooting

In total, four people were killed in the shooting at Greenwood Park Mall, including the gunman

The shooter was shot dead by a good Samaritan who witnessed the shooting, according to Greenwood Police Chief James Ison

Chris Roy, the assistant manager of the Vans store in the mall, relayed a similar story.

Roy said that when he saw people running he 'jumped over the counter, locked the door, gathered my associates and other managers at the back door.' He said that while they hadn't heard gunshots, seeing people running was enough.

Through the back of the store, the Vans staff met staff and customers from other stores through an interior hallway. In total, Roy said that he stayed hidden with around 50 other people. He added: 'We just instructed everybody to keep quiet.'

After about 10 or 15 minutes of hiding, police cleared them from the hallway and escorted them out of the shopping mall.

The police chief told reporters: 'It appears that he had a rifle with several magazines of ammunition, entered the food court and began shooting.

An investigation into the attack is on-going, with the FBI, ATF, Department of Homeland security and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police all assisting.

Chief Ison said that officials are studying security footage showing the moments before the shooting.

Officers were called shortly before 6 p.m. to Greenwood Park Mall, where gunshots were reportedly fired in the food court, assistant chief of police Chris Bailey said at a brief news conference earlier on Sunday.

Authorities searched the mall for any other victims or for those who may have been hiding, but Bailey said he believes the shooting was contained to the food court.

Bailey said at the press conference: 'You are seeing the best that public safety has to offer right now behind us. We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, in our city.' He continued: 'We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country.

James Arthur and his family, including daughter, Madison Willoughby react after exiting the mall following the shooting

Greenwood Assistant Chief Chris Bailey said at press conference: 'You are seeing the best that public safety has to offer right now behind us'

A law enforcement officer attaches crime scene tape to a shopping cart after a shooting at a mall in the Indianapolis suburb of Greenwood, Indiana

A view of Greenwood Park Mall, after a shooting, in the Indianapolis suburb of Greenwood, Indiana, U.S. July 17, 2022

Overhead viewed view of the Greenwood Park Mall in Indianapolis where Jonathan Sapirman, 20, opened fire on the food court, killing three people

Law enforcement officers walk near the crime scene outside the shopping mall

Law enforcement officers walk outside the shopping mall near the crime scene

Law enforcement officers stand guard near the crime scene after a shooting at a mall in the Indianapolis suburb of Greenwood, Indiana, U.S. July 17, 2022

Officials said the suspicious backpack was found in a bathroom close to where the shooting unfolded beside a Dick's Sporting Goods store. It was investigated by the bomb squad before being deemed to not be a threat.

'We experienced a mass shooting this evening at the Greenwood Park Mall,' Mark Myers, the mayor of Greenwood, Indiana, said in a statement.

Myers thanked the good Samaritan for his quick action, and asked for 'prayers to the victims and our first responders.'

'This tragedy hits at the core of our community,' he said.

The mayor said that while the shooter's motive remains a mystery 'we do know that someone we are calling the 'Good Samaritan' was able to shoot the assailant and stop further bloodshed. This person saved lives tonight. On behalf of the City of Greenwood, I am grateful for his quick action and heroism in this situation.'

While Indiana Senator Todd Young, a Republican, tweeted: 'Terrible news tonight in my home county. Praying for the victims of a shooting at the Greenwood Park Mall. Thank you to our law enforcement officers who responded.'

Senator Mike Braun, also a Republican, said: 'Praying for families of those killed in a senseless act of violence in Greenwood tonight, and grateful for the brave armed citizen who took action to stop the perpetrator and prevent further tragic loss of life.'

Conservative talk show host Todd Starnes said: 'Indiana police say a mass shooter who opened fire inside the food court of the Greenwood Park Mall was taken down by a Good Samaritan armed with a handgun. Your Second Amendment at work.'

Authorities said they would provide more details Monday.

Officials also said that a suspicious backpack was found in a bathroom close to where the shooting unfolded

In a statement, Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers said: 'This tragedy hits at the core of our community

The town of Greenwood, Indiana, is located around 15 miles south of Indianapolis

Stuff animals and flowers create a makeshift memorial for the three people killed at the Greenwood Mall by an active shooter on Sunday

Hours after the shooting in Greenwood, one person was killed and three others wounded in another Indianapolis suburb. This time in Beech Grove, just 11 miles from Greenwood.

That shooting took place in a park.

Sunday's shooting is the latest attack in a wave of gun violence plaguing the United States, where about 40,000 deaths a year are caused by firearms, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

It comes just weeks after a gunman opened fire on a July 4 parade in an affluent Chicago suburb, killing seven people and injuring at least three dozen.

That incident followed two massacres in May that saw 10 Black people shot dead at a Buffalo, New York supermarket, and 19 children and two teachers slain at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, 2022 has so far seen 352 mass shootings, while 24,141 have been killed by guns. In the last 72 hours alone, the archive shows that 147 people have died in incidents involving a gun.

The recent surge in gun violence has reignited the divisive debate over firearm regulation. A US House of Representatives' committee is set this week to discuss a bill that would ban assault weapons for the first time in nearly 20 years.

A 10-year federal assault weapons ban expired in 2004.
Two teenagers have been found guilty of murdering a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed with a sword concealed inside a walking stick.

Fares Maatou, 14, was riding an e-scooter along Barking Road in Canning Town, east London, on Friday 23 April last year when he was confronted by two defendants, who were 14 and 15 at the time.

Jurors heard that one of the now 16-year-old defendants, who cannot be named, fist-bumped Fares' friend before he 'grabbed' him and 'threw a punch'.

Fares 'offered no threat at all' and was trying to escape the defendants, jurors were told.

He suffered a single 4.3in (11cm) wound to his back, caused by the sword stolen from the younger defendant's grandfather, and passed to the 15-year-old to use, the court heard.

The 14-year-old defendant then beat Fares with the sheath before both boys fled the scene, the court heard.

Two teenagers have been found guilty of murdering 14-year-old boy Fares Maatou (pictured) who was stabbed with a sword concealed inside a walking stick after being confronted as he rode an e-scooter along Barking Road in Canning Town, East London, on Friday 23 April 2021

One of the convicted killers fled the scene on Fares' e-scooter.

The teen died in his blood soaked school uniform after the horror incident outside the Love Choco Cafe on April 23.

In CCTV footage of the attack, Fares was seen to retreat when the older youth brandished the sword. Prosecutor Julian Evans QC said: 'Fares was not holding anything. He was completely unarmed.

'Fares offered no threat at all to [the first boy], armed with a sword and advancing towards him, nor did he offer any threat at all to [the second boy], who was now carrying the sheath and was also moving forward towards Fares.

The younger of the two killers beat the aspiring engineer with the black metal cane which was used to conceal a sword - secretly taken from his grandfather's home (the sword is pictured)

The 15-year-old then lunged at Fares with the long blade three times, with the first leaving him with a single 4.3in (11cm) wound to his shoulder blade, which passed through his chest wall and left lung before striking his pulmonary artery. The younger boy continued beating him with the casing of the swordstick (pictured, the sheath)

'Fares reacted by bringing both of his hands up towards his face and head to protect himself.

'As he, Fares, tried to escape, he turned his back on [the defendants] and he, Fares, moved away. Despite that action, [the defendants] continued to attack him.'

The victim briefly managed to get to his feet once the attack stopped but he lost his footing again and fell against a parked car nearby.

Mr Evans said the weapon would 'look like a walking stick' to passers-by.

The two defendants, who are now aged 16, denied murder and claimed they acted in self defence.

Following his arrest, the boy who brandished the sword told police that he had been carrying the sword that day because he feared for his life.

The court heard he claimed that he was recently stabbed by someone linked to Fares' friend, and thought Fares' had a knife on him.

Friends and family left floral tributes and balloons outside the scene on Barking Road. The teen died in his blood soaked school uniform after the horror incident outside the Love Choco Cafe on April 23 last year

The second alleged attacker also claimed he acted in self-defence, the court heard.

But the prosecutor said: 'Fares posed them no threat at all. He was unarmed. He displayed no aggression towards them. He did nothing to threaten them.'

A jury at the Old Bailey began deliberating last Tuesday and returned verdicts of guilty on both defendants on Monday afternoon.

Neither of the defendants could be named because of their young age.

Judge Sarah Munro QC adjourned sentencing and remanded the youths into custody.
A court order that keeps Louisiana authorities from enforcing a ban on most abortions remained in effect Monday after a judge asked for more information from both sides in a lawsuit over the state's 'trigger law.'

State District Judge Donald Johnson said both sides have until Tuesday morning to submit their 'proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law' in the case.

Johnson is pondering whether to allow enforcement of the abortion ban that was written in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the 1973 decision that established abortion rights.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry was drowned out by a series of hecklers during a Monday news conference when he declared that 'we will prevail and the rule of law will be upheld'

After the historic Roe v. Wade decision, Louisiana was set to enact trigger laws that would have outlawed abortion in 10 days

That decision came June 24 and abortion access in Louisiana has been flickering ever since with a series of on-again-off-again court rulings.

In the meantime, Johnson said the temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of the ban - allowing clinics to continue abortion procedures - will remain in effect until his ruling.

Louisiana's three abortion clinics, which are located in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, may resume operations until the court decides whether or not to issue a preliminary injunction, per ABC News.

After the Supreme Court's historic ruling, Louisiana was one of just three states with immediate trigger laws outlawing abortion.

Lawyers representing Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said they expect a written ruling within the coming days. However, Landry said he also anticipates that the case will ultimately end up before the Louisiana Supreme Court.

A series of court rulings in Louisiana since Roe v. Wade was overturned has cast uncertainty on the future of abortion in the state. Above, a woman is seeing pushing a stroller in the distance near an anti-abortion set up

Anti-abortion advocates are seen outside the Women's Health Care Center in New Orleans, one of the three abortion clinics in the state of Louisiana

An anti-abortion activists searches the bible for a passage while outside the Women's Health Care Center in New Orleans

'We believe that ultimately we will prevail and the rule of law will be upheld,' Landry said during a news conference, that was mostly drowned out by the chants of nearby protesters, following Monday's court hearing. 'Those people who dont like it have two choices - they can try to change the law, but if they find themselves in the minority of ideas then they can pack their bags and go somewhere else.'

The Baton Rouge hearing is among the latest developments in state and federal legal battles around the country, prompted by the Supreme Court's reversal of the Roe v. Wade decision.

In another Monday development, the Supreme Court issued an order that put Indiana a step closer to being able to enforce a parental notification law involving girls who get abortions before they turn 18.

The law has been blocked for five years, but the Supreme Court ordered lower courts to take a new look at the law following the landmark June 24 decision. The order formally returned the Indiana case to lower courts that had refused to act while awaiting the judgement.

Abortion remains legal in Indiana up to about 20 weeks.

In Louisiana, there is little question that an abortion ban will eventually be in effect in the state where the Legislature has long been dominated by abortion opponents.

The question as the lawsuit there progresses is when. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit - a north Louisiana abortion clinic and other supporters of legal abortion - dont deny that the state can ban abortion as a result of the Supreme Court ruling.

THE 26 STATES TO OUTLAW ABORTION NOW THAT ROE V. WADE HAS BEEN FORMALLY OVERTURNED Alabama Arizona Arkansas Idaho Kentucky Louisiana Michigan Mississippi Missouri North Dakota South Dakota Oklahoma Tennessee Texas Utah West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Georgia Iowa Ohio South Carolina Advertisement

The plaintiffs say the law has multiple, conflicting trigger mechanisms. They also argue that state law is unclear on whether it bans an abortion prior to a fertilized egg implanting in the uterus.

Joanna Wright, an attorney for the north Louisiana abortion clinic that filed the suit, argues that an 'ordinary citizen should be able to look' at the statutes and know what is permitted.

In addition, the law provides an exception for 'medically futile' pregnancies in cases of fetuses with fatal abnormalities, the plaintiffs noted it gives no definition of the term and that state health officials have not yet provided a list of conditions that would qualify as medically futile.

With the list of exemptions nonexistent, Wright said doctors are left 'paralyzed' and trying to make sense of what situations 'count' as an exception for abortion in order to avoid prosecution and criminal punishment.

Landrys office argues that the state ban is constitutional and should no longer be blocked. Landry, in a filing last week, argued that the law 'needs only to delineate what is illegal - not define what is legal.' John Balhoff, an attorney representing Landry, argued that the terms are clear and defined.

The lawsuit originated in New Orleans, where a judge issued a temporary order blocking enforcement of the ban June 27. Nearly two weeks later, a second New Orleans judge sent the case to Baton Rouge, saying state law required that it be heard in the capital. That move, in effect, ended the initial restraining order.

But Johnson issued a second temporary restraining order July 11.
The Category 3 cyclone raged through the weekend, swamping a two-story condo in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Hurricane Darby brought 'historic' 20-foot swells to the islands on Saturday

The massive swell swallowed up the tables that had been

The massive swell swallowed up the tables that had been elegantly decorated with floral centerpieces

olossal wave crashed into a sea wall at the resort on Hawaii's Big Island

A monster wave crashed an outdoor wedding reception in Hawaii leaving the bride and groom and their guests dripping wet and running for cover.

Despite Mother Nature's unexpected arrival, the Saturday wedding held at Hulihee Palace in Kailua-Kona carried on.

The bride, Riley Carson Murphy, took it all in stride, posting the memorable event on her Instagram.

She also added that her wedding cake 'luckily made it,' despite earlier reports that it was destroyed, KHON2 News reported

The high surf 'swept away half of our reception,' she wrote. 'My husband Dillon Murphy and I enjoyed a 'memorable night' surrounded by the people we love.'

'Life isn't always predictable and I can't wait to ride every high and every low with my new husband,' she said, in part.

Hurricane Darby, churning 870 miles south of the islands, brought high winds and high waves to the central Pacific island and was likely responsible for the wet wedding drama.

Bergstrom captured the awe-shocking moments the colossal wave surfaced crashing into a sea wall at the beachside resort on Hawaii's Big Island as guests were mingling and enjoying the hors d'oeuvres and cocktails

A video that was posted on social media shows some partygoers scrambling for shelter with cocktail in hand

The video that was posted on social media and had more than 300k views as of Monday shows some partygoers scrambling for shelter with cocktail in tow.

As others stood by taking video footage of the wicked wave that rolled in uninvited. Guests including Kenneth Bergstrom caught it all on video.

Bergstrom captured the awe-shocking moments the colossal wave surfaced crashing into a sea wall at the beachside resort on Hawaii's Big Island.

Guests were mingling and enjoying the hors d'oeuvres and cocktails when the colossal wave struck.

Seconds before it was about to hit, once person is overheard saying, 'This is coming for sure.'

There were no reports of anyone injured and the couples three-tiered wedding cake was reportedly swallowed by the powerful wave

As the colossal wave was heading towards the wedding reception, once person is heard saying, 'This is coming for sure'

Seconds later the massive wave swallowed up the tables that had been elegantly decorated with floral centerpieces.

In its aftermath, guests are seen jumping from one puddle to another. Some are overhead on the video laughing as others were in disbelief repeating, 'O-M-G!'

One guest even remarked that 'It isn't even high tide.'

There were no reports of anyone injured and the couples three-tiered wedding cake was reportedly swallowed by the powerful wave. It is unclear if that is what actually happened.

Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources closed several south facing beaches the day before the wedding, in anticipation for historically high waves.

The agency said that the south swell was 'expected to be the largest seen in Hawaii over the last decade,' according to Maui News.

The wedding day surf was expected to rise 10 to 14 feet on Saturday, then build another 12 to 16 feet with 20-foot sets anticipated for Saturday night into Sunday.

A wave also crashed over a two-story condo that flooded out some of the homes and parking lot in the area of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

On Saturday, many of the south-facing shores of all Hawaiian Island saw 'historic' surf conditions, according to the National Weather Service with swells up to 20 feet

A homeowner running away from the wave that hit her condo on Saturday when the wave hit

Hurricane Darby did reach the level of a Category 3 hurricane before it churned offshore

'It's flooding everywhere,' someone yelled as the giant wave hit.

On Saturday, many of the south-facing shores of all Hawaiian Island saw 'historic' surf conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

Winds from the storm reached 100 mph.

Hurricane Darby did reach the level of a Category 3 hurricane before it churned offshore.

The Central Pacific sees four or five cyclones a year, corresponding with peak wedding season from June 1 to November.
Stefano Baronci, director general of Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) headquarters in western Seoul, July 7. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Lingering pandemic accelerates aviation industry's digital transformation: ACI director



By Lee Hae-rin



Traveling overseas can be a stressful experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.



To relieve such jitters, airports need to step up efforts for digital transformation and technological innovation to help passengers travel without worries amid a resurgence of COVID 19 infections led by a new and highly-transmissible variant, according to the Asia-Pacific chief of an international organization of airport authorities.



Stefano Baronci, director general of the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific, said the pandemic has "brought technology to the fore and has only accelerated the digital transformation that was already in place before," during an interview, July 7, with The Korea Times at the headquarters of the Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) in Seoul.



He visited Korea to participate in the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) 57th conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for Asia and Pacific regions, jointly organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the ICAO, from July 4-8. The Hong Kong-based council represents 131 members operating 617 airports in 49 countries.



This year, the annual event was held in Incheon to discuss aviation policies in the region with civil aviation chiefs from 41 countries, and the topics included the industry's economic recovery, decarbonization, and digitalization.



Baronci said that airports need to look for solutions that can enable them to become more efficient, reduce costs, and deal with the evolving needs of passengers via contactless technology and biometrics authentication, praising the KAC for its leading role in these areas.



The KAC has developed and implemented since 2018 a palm vein biometrics authentication system on all domestic flights at the 14 airports it operates. Passengers who have registered their palm vein patterns can instantly confirm their identity with biometric information, instead of carrying a passport or citizen's registration card.



According to the organization, the system significantly shortens boarding time by automating the visual identity confirmation process previously done by the airport staff. It shortens a maximum of 44 minutes of boarding time on flights between Gimpo and Jeju and the KAC plans to introduce the technology to overseas airports.



Such contactless technology can compensate for the stress that passengers experience from security processes and constantly changing health protocols.



"Airports like Incheon and those of KAC were already starting and piloting these models before COVID-19. But there was an acceleration and it's something that other airports are considering to stay competitive," he said.





Stefano Baronci, director-general of ACI Asia-Pacific / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
The European Union agreed on Monday to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia after Skopje finally resolved a longstanding dispute with its EU neighbour Bulgaria.

The beginning of accession talks comes after North Macedonia and Bulgaria on Sunday signed a French proposal that would make Macedonian an official language in the EU, as well as provide other guarantees.

The North Macedonian parliament voted on Saturday in support of the proposal paving the way for Bulgaria to lift its veto of the country joining the bloc.

The EU's member states have 'just agreed to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia!' tweeted Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency.

'We have taken another important step towards bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU,' he added after the green light was approved in a meeting of EU envoys in Brussels.

EU member Bulgaria had until recently held up any progress for those accession talks, accusing North Macedonia's government of disrespecting shared cultural, linguistic and historic ties.

The European Union agreed on Monday to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia after Skopje finally resolved a longstanding dispute with its EU neighbour Bulgaria

The beginning of accession talks comes after North Macedonia and Bulgaria on Sunday signed a French proposal that would make Macedonian an official language in the EU, as well as provide other guarantees

The North Macedonian parliament voted on Saturday in support of the proposal paving the way for Bulgaria to lift its veto of the country joining the bloc, however the opposition lawmakers left the session before voting in protest

The dispute also stalled Albania's bid to become a member of the 27-nation bloc, due to a long-held policy that the ambitions of both countries to join the EU be treated together.

The concessions require that North Macedonia recognise a Bulgarian minority in its constitution, recognise that the Macedonia language derives from Bulgarian, and ban hate speech

But the agreement in the North Macedonia parliament was far from unanimous, with opposition lawmakers abstaining from the vote and walking out.

Skopje has been rocked by nightly protests over the French proposal for the month of July, as nationalist elements within the country rail against what they see as concessions to neighbouring countries that damage their national identity.

In 2017 North Macedonia - formerly just Macedonia - resolved another long running dispute, this time with southern neighbour Greece over the name of the country.

Greece considered Macedonia to be a Greek name that Macedonia had usurped as a Slavic country and vetoed its EU membership over it.

A compromise was reached to rename the country North Macedonia and Greece dropped its opposition, only for Bulgaria to step in with a new veto and a fresh round of grievances.

But with domestic opposition sidelined, the foreign ministers of Bulgaria and North Macedonia met in Sofia on Sunday to discuss the next steps of North Macedonia's path to EU membership talks.

Protesters gathering outside the government building clash with police officers during a protest against the French proposal to resolve the dispute between North Macedonia and Bulgaria in Skopje, on July 5

People light flares and throw eggs and stones on the foreign ministry building during a protest in Skopje as demonstrators tried to storm government buildings on July 5, after French President Emmanuel Macron announced a proposal that would see North Macedonia make concessions to Bulgaria

The protest was backed by the main opposition VMRO-DPMNE rightwing party and other opposition groups, against a French proposal aimed at ending a row with Bulgaria, in which Skopje would have to include ethnic Bulgarians in its constitution 'on an equal footing with other peoples' and change history textbooks

Supporters of the opposition party VMRO DPMNE and other citizens shout anti- government slogans

Both countries agreed on 'extremely ambitious short-term and long-term measures, which in practice aim to solve many of the open issues,' Bulgarian Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska told reporters.

'Bulgaria is the country that most strongly supports the European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania; hence we wish them success on the path they have long wanted to take. With joint efforts and with our support, they will reach what the citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia most want to reach - membership in the EU,' Genchovska said.

Her counterpart, Bujar Osmani, said his country is counting on Bulgaria's support and expressed hope that bilateral ties are entering a new phase.

'It is a historic opportunity for us that after 17 years with the status of a candidate country for membership, the Republic of North Macedonia gets the opportunity to start negotiations with the EU,' said Osmani.

North Macedonia will start accession talks with EU on Tuesday, its prime minister announced Saturday.

Bulgaria's National Assembly already has approved the French proposal, but legislators set additional conditions for agreeing to North Macedonia's EU membership.

They included protection for Bulgarians living in North Macedonia by including them in its constitution on an equal basis and no assumption that Bulgaria would recognise Macedonian as a separate language from Bulgarian.

But many people in North Macedonia are outraged by the concessions.

'We don't want somebody to destroy our history, our future, because we are Macedonians,' protester Robert Cvetkovski told Al Jazeera at a rally in Skopje.

'Bulgaria said that our language is Bulgarian. They changed our name a few years ago. We are here because we don't like this. We are Macedonians and we speak Macedonian,' student Tijana Stojanovska said.

The size of the Bulgarian community in North Macedonia is a matter of contention. Official data from the 2021 census put it at 3,504 people, or about 0.2% of the population.

Bulgaria has doubted the figure, noting that about 90,000 of North Macedonia's roughly 2 million people have received dual Bulgarian citizenship over the last two decades based on family roots. About 53,000 more applications are pending.

The deal would also unblock the start of negotiations for neighboring Albania, another EU hopeful. The EU prospects of the Western Balkan countries gained increased attention in the wake of the bloc's efforts to bring Ukraine closer following the Russian invasion.
Prince Harry has been slammed for 'virtue-signaling' as he waded into US politics yet again during his speech at an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly.

DailyMail.com columnist Meghan McCain blasted the Duke of Sussex for 'not offering any solutions' to the issues in America.

The Duke of Sussex, who was accompanied by Meghan Markle, launched a thinly-veiled attack on the Supreme Court's Roe v Wade ruling last month that handed abortion rights back to individual states.

The 37-year-old claimed it was part of a 'global assault on democracy and freedom' as he also cited Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine among problems facing the world.

The comments, heard by a mostly-empty room at the United Nations for Nelson Mandela Day on Monday morning, were the latest broadside at US politicians.

It comes after his wife Meghan described how the Duke had a 'gutteral' reaction to the Supreme Court's bombshell overturning of Roe v Wade last month.

Protesters also stood outside of the UN General Assembly in New York, with one holding up a sign which said 'why are they here'.

McCain said: 'Today was a missed opportunity to keep the focus on one of the truly great global leaders of all time, Nelson Mandela.

The Duke of Sussex made a thinly veiled slight on the US constitution during his speech at the UN on Monday, and has been slammed by American politicians

Protestors outside of the event in New York could be seen holding signs which demanded to know why the royal couple had attended the event

US Rep Buddy Carter said he thought that the Duke of Sussex, pictured entering the UN with wife Meghan Markle, comparing American abortion laws to the Ukraine war was 'sick and perverse'

Meghan later stepped out with activist Gloria Steinem after the pair had lunch together at the Crosby Hotel in Soho

'The speech should have been entirely a tribute to this man. But Prince Harry can't help himself. He has to get in his virtue-signaling.

'He wants you to know that he thinks America is a mess and he is judging it from his lectern.

'He's not offering solutions of any kind, mind you, just making a speech and getting back on his private jet to return to his mansion in California.'

Rep. Jason Smith, of Missouri, said: 'Once again, Harry and Meghan show how incredibly out of depth they are when it comes to American politics. Fortunately for the American people, elected officials and judges decide matters of law in the United States, not the United Nations and certainly not foreign celebrities.

'The last thing America needs is someone with the title 'Prince' to lecture us on Democracy and constitutional protections. There are better ways for Harry and Meghan to remain relevant than using their royal titles to opine on and try to influence U.S. politics.'

Meghan and Harry arrived hand-in-hand ahead of his speech to delegates on climate change and poverty during the two hour meeting at the UN.

It marks the first time the couple have been seen in public since jetting to the United Kingdom to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last month, where they kept a low profile.

Despite the event meant to be in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day, the Prince launched an attack on American politics during his keynote speech.

He said: 'This has been a painful year in a painful decade. We are living through a pandemic that continues to ravage communities in every corner of the globe.

'Climate change wreaking havoc on our planet with most vulnerable suffering most of all. The few weaponizing lies and disinformation at the expense of the many.

'And from the horrific war in Ukraine to the rolling back of constitutional rights in the US we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom the cause of Mandela's life.'

Royal biographer Robert Jobson also hit out at Harry, saying that he 'knew it would cause controversy' when giving his speech.

He said: 'I, like all right thinking people, believe in free speech. It is the core of democracy.

'Now that Prince Harry he had given up his royal role has the same right to speak out as the next man.

It is not the first time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have waded into American politics, finding themselves in hot water after commenting on the US election

The couple were all smiles as they attended the event, but have now been slammed for some of the comments made

The couple have been slammed by Meghan McCain who said the father-of-two couldn't help his 'virtue signaling' during his speech

Prince Harry has been accused of knowing that his comments would cause 'controversy', despite agreeing to honor the Queen's stance of staying away from anything political when they stepped down

'So in that respect I commend him for a well thought out keynote address.

'That said, when the Queen gave her blessing to him to quit as a front line working royal and live with his wife in the US he promised not to bring the Royal Family into disrepute.

'He knows that his grandmother, our monarch, must remain above politics.

'He knows too when his father, The Prince of Wales, and brother, William, Duke of Cambridge make public addresses that they must remain non partisan, thus avoiding embarrassing the Queen and the institution of monarchy.

'Harry chose to speak about political issues at the UN. He knew it would cause controversy. He knew it would lead to criticism.

'It is his right now as a private citizen to make speeches - good luck to him.

'But had he not been a famous prince, from the privileged House of Windsor I mount very much he would not have been asked to make such an address.'

Both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ignored questions about the impact of Tom Bower's book Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsor's

Members of the UN watched on as the Duke of Sussex gave his speech, with some taking photos and videos as the royal spoke

The couple got into their black Suburban Chevrolet as they left the UN building, heading further south in the back of the car

Harry and Meghan met with the President of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Ahahid as well as the two winners of the 2020 Nelson Mandela prize

Republican politicians were also quick to condemn the comments made by the Duke of Sussex during his keynote speech.

US Rep Buddy Carter said: 'The U.S. is protecting the lives of unborn children. Russia is killing innocent Ukrainians.

'We are not the same and comparing the two is sick and perverse. I would remind Prince Harry that spreading disinformation is incredibly damaging to the 'democracy and freedom' he is so concerned about.'

Rep. Lisa McClain added: 'Yet again, the Duke and Duchess are sticking their nose into American politics by attacking the U.S. rule of law.

'I think it's time we buy them a history book on the Revolutionary War to remind them that our government stopped caring about the 'royals' opinion back in 1776.'

Harry and Meghan's forays into US politics 2020 - During a September video shot for Time 100 before the presidential election, Harry and Meghan called on American voters to 'reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity' in 'the most important election of our life,' which was viewed as a not-so-veiled rebuke of President Donald Trump. Critics of the formerly-royal couple's comments included none other than her majesty's family, who noted the Sussexes vowed that 'everything they do will uphold the values of Her Majesty' - values that are supposed to include not picking sides in political matters. Buckingham Palace was forced to distance itself from Harry's remarks by saying that 'the Duke is not a working member of the royal family' and describing his comments as 'made in a personal capacity'. A Source close to the Sussexes also noted Meghan was keen to keep her American citizenship after she became a royal in case she ever wanted to go into US politics. The source told Vanity Fair's Katie Nicholl that Meghan 'would seriously consider running for president' after she gave up her royal title. 2021 - Meghan is revealed to have been calling Republican senators on their personal phones and using her former royal title to urge them to vote in favor of a paid paternal leave legislation. 'This is Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex,' Markle reportedly said to West Virginia senator Moore Capito. She also did the same with Senator Susan Collins of Maine. 'Much to my surprise, she called me on my private line and introduced herself as the Duchess of Sussex, which is kind of ironic' said Collins. 'I was happy to talk with her, but I'm more interested in what people from Maine are telling me about paid leave,' she told Politico. She also submitted a 1,030 word letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in which she made made a plea for the parental legislation. The letter was written on Duchess of Sussex letterhead. In the letter, the former duchess wrote that the US's economic systems were 'past their expiration date' and 'too many Americans are forced to shortchange themselves when it comes to what matters to them.' 2022 - In May, Markle chartered a private jet to travel 1,400 miles to Texas where she laid a bouquet of white 'peace' roses at a memorial to the 19 children and two teachers slain at Robb Elementary School by murderous maniac Salvador Ramos. She also made a surprise visit to a blood center with two crates of food and drinks for donors, volunteers revealed, as one admitted: 'I had no idea who she was' and another confused her with a neighbor. Though cameras and news crews surrounded the memorial on Thursday, Markle did not make any remarks to the press. Then in an interview with Vogue following the overturning of Roe v Wade, Meghan also urged men to be 'more vocal' with their anger at the repealing of Roe v Wade and said that Prince Harry's response to the Supreme Court's decision last Friday was 'guttural.' 'My husband and I talked about that a lot over the past few days. He's a feminist too,' she said, adding 'We have to channel that fear into action. We can start this November in the midterms. We have to vote, every time.' Markle said she was willing to travel to Washington DC to join in on pro choice marches. Conservative Georgia congressman Rep. Buddy Carter chimed in on Markle's comments, saying 'I think Americans made it pretty clear in 1776 that they don't want members of the British Royal Family making decisions for them.' In earlier in the spring, the Sussexes hired Miranda Barbot, a former aide to president Barack Obama who was central to his successful reelection campaign in 2012. Advertisement

Editor Amber Athey wrote for the Spectator: 'I can't help but laugh at the same guy who called the First Amendment 'bonkers' fretting about an alleged erosion of constitutional rights.

'Presumably, if Prince Harry had his way, we'd be policing speech a la the UK, where you can be thrown in jail for supposed 'hate speech.'

This would constitute a much greater threat to freedom and democracy than anything referred to in Prince Harry's UN address.

'Prince Harry previously admitted that he does not fully 'understand' the US Constitution, having only been here a 'short time.' It's no surprise that he's made no attempt to rectify that in the past year.

'Harry hasn't got the American spirit. Red-blooded colonials once took up arms against the Duke of Sussex's ancestors; comparatively, Prince Harry sold his gun collection to appease his spoiled wife.'

It is not the first time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have waded into American politics, finding themselves in hot water after commenting on the US election.

During a Time 100 video in September 2020 they called on American voters to 'reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity' in 'the most important election of our life.'

Members of the royal family are supposed to be politically neutral, when they stepped back from their roles the Sussex's vowed that 'everything they do will uphold the values of Her Majesty'.

'Just like Madiba, he's been through a lot': Prince Harry is mercilessly mocked by South African newspaper for preachy keynote speech honoring Nelson Mandela

BY JENNIFER SMITH

The choice of Prince Harry as the keynote speaker at the UN event honoring Nelson Mandela was mocked by many around the world, including a South African newspaper which sarcastically compared the prince's plight to that of the civil rights hero.

Harry was invited to speak at the UN in New York City by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the charitable organization run by Mandela's family.

He was joined by wife Meghan, who showed up in a glamorous designer outfit worth some $3,000.

Harry used his 15-minute speech to lecture the sparse crowd on climate change, disinformation, the war on Ukraine, COVID and the decision by SCOTUS to reverse Roe vs Wade.

He might have resisted the chance to compare himself to Mandela, but South African newspaper The Sunday Times jumped at the opportunity.

South African columnist Aspasia Karras pokes fun at Prince Harry in a column on Sunday, before Harry spoke. She compared Harry's Montecito mansion to Robben Island and the icy treatment of Harry and Meghan by the royal family to the hardships of apartheid

'He's in exile. Just like Madiba. No, sorry, of course, he was imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island. Same, same-ish. Harry is imprisoned in his gilded pleasure palace in Montecito with a podcast schedule and documentary team following him around,' wrote Sunday Times columnist Aspasia Karras

Harry was invited to speak at the UN in New York City by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the charitable organization run by Mandela's family, some of whom Harry maintains friendships with.

In a column on Sunday, before Harry spoke, Editor-at-Large Aspasia Karras wrote: 'He's in exile. Just like Madiba.

'No, sorry, of course, he was imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island. Same, same-ish.

'Harry is imprisoned in his gilded pleasure palace in Montecito with a podcast schedule and documentary team following him around.'

She labeled him the 'self-styled Duke of L.A.' and said: 'Just like Mandela, he's been through a lot.

'As told to Oprah in his cri du coeur interview, his family and the British press have been giving him and his lovely wife Meghan such a hard time. All they wanted was to represent. And bring some fast paced LA management style to the fuddy-duddy palace.

They clapped as they listened along to the speakers, as two winners of the Nelson Mandela Prize were awarded in person

'You know what? They just had to leave. It was too much to bear.'

'I think Harry is a perfect fit, what with the UN being such a very effective organization for world peace.

'I'm really pleased he can grab hold of the global spotlight on such an important day, when we remember the sacrifices Mandela made for all of us and our rights. OK?

'But especially for Harry's right to a security entourage. That will show them,' she wrote.

Other critics asked why Harry, who regularly uses private jets, had been chosen to give a speech on climate change.

'Our world is on fire!' he told the UN on Monday after arriving in New York City with Meghan, who wore more than $3,000 in designer clothes.

It's unclear whether the couple arrived in New York City on a private jet.

Representatives for the pair did not immediately respond to inquiries about their travel, nor did spokespeople for The Nelson Mandela Foundation.
A former Melbourne accounting student who fled Australia eight years ago to reportedly join the terrorist group Islamic State wants to return home and insists he poses no danger.

Mahir Absar Alam, 29, has spent the last three years behind bars when Kurdish forces captured him just outside Baghouz in eastern Syria, the last piece of territory held by the terrorist group.

He was the first Australian caught during ISIS' final military stand and is one of about a dozen Australian men who have been detained without charge.

Alam says he's had no contact with the outside world since a visit from ASIO officers shortly after he was captured in 2019.

He refused to confirm whether he was or had been an ISIS member, citing legal and intelligence reasons but denied he'd ever been a fighter for the terrorist group.

He also insists he posed no threat and wouldn't do anything to hurt his birthplace Australia.

Mahir Absar Alam (pictutred) wants to return home to Australia, eight years after he fled his birth country for Syria

'I don't have any problem with the Australian government or my country. I love Australia, and I didn't do anything wrong in Australia. I want to come back,' Alam told The Australian.

He has no issue or problem with facing court and possible jail time if he returns to Australia and pleaded for forgiveness from his family back in Australia.

'I hope they can forgive me. I miss them so much. And I hope one day we will meet again,' he said.

Born to Bangladeshi migrant parents, Alam grew up in Loxton, in South Australia and does not hold citizenship in any other country.

He moved to Melbourne to study accounting and was an aspiring DJ when he decided to head to Syria as he wanted to help Islamic State.

Alam confirmed he left Australia in 2014 with three other Melbourne men and headed to Syria via Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Greece and Turkey just four weeks after ISIS launched its caliphate.

He was 21 at the time.

'They were showing a program on the situation in Syria and how people were suffering. I was watching the show, and they were calling for people to come to help the Islamic country,' Alam recalled.

Mahir Absar Alam (pictured) was studying accounting in Melbourne when he went to Syria

The other three men he left Australia with have since been killed.

He travelled to Raqqa, the IS caliphate's Syrian capital and worked as a nurse in the surgical ward at the Islamic State hospital.

Alam claims he was badly injured when the international coalition fighting ISIS bombed the hospital while he was working there and was injured again in 2018 when Syrian regime forces attacked the car he was driving.

Alam later married but hasn't had any contact with his Syrian wife or two sons in more than three years.

In 2019, Alam's father Jahangir recalled for his son to be returned home and dealt with under Australian law.

He told the ABC his son had barely shown any interest in Islam until shortly before he left Australia.

Mahir Absar Alam (pictured) has spent the last three years behind bars after he was captured by Kurdish forces. He says he's been detained without being charged

'I would ask him, 'I am going to prayer, do you want to go with me?', and he'd say, 'Dad I am sleeping, don't disturb me.' He has no understanding of the religion at all,' his father said.

'From my son's perspective, [he] is not as bad as everyone thinks.'

Alam previously told the ABC ISIS pushed really hard for him to fight but he refused.

'They asked me to fight, yeah. They normally force people to fight but I really pushed it  I couldn't fight,' he said in 2019.

'People need to understand that we didn't rape, we didn't kill, I didn't set anyone on fire.'
What is Prince Harry doing?

I mean, what is Prince Harry ever doing, but really what was he doing this morning?

In a keynote address Monday before the United Nations General Assembly to mark the observance of 'Nelson Mandela International Day', Prince Harry chose to condemn the United States for 'contributing to a global assault on democracy and freedom.'

It was a rambling, unfocused speech.

According to Prince Harry, counted among the worst catastrophes plaguing the world right now are the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, lies and disinformation, the war in Ukraine and the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe versus Wade.

Or at least, that's what his audience was left to believe.

'From the horrific war in Ukraine to the rolling back of a constitutional right in the U.S., we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom -- the cause of Mandela's life,' he droned in his nearly 30-minute remarks.

Excuse me?

Which one of these is not like the other?

COVID has killed more than 6.3 million people worldwide. The war in Ukraine has killed tens of thousands. And the Supreme Court handed down a decision consistent with a widespread interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.

In a keynote address Monday before the United Nations General Assembly to mark the observance of 'Nelson Mandela International Day', Prince Harry chose to condemn the United States for 'contributing to a global assault on democracy and freedom.'

Today was a missed opportunity to keep the focus on one of the truly great global leaders of all time, Nelson Mandela (seen in photo with Princess Diana)

Those are not in the same league.

The speech was confusing and wildly insulting to the undoubtably few Americans, who may have been watching.

It is hard for me to understand why anyone should care what the Duke of Sussex thinks  let alone what he thinks about America.

He has lived here all of 20 minutes, yet he has decided that makes him an expert.

Being a Duke (or a Duchess for that matter) means next to nothing in America. It confers nothing other than superficial celebrity clout and social media clicks.

Just because one may disagree with the outcome of a Supreme Court ruling, does not make it a threat to democracy.

If Harry ever voted in an U.S. election, maybe he would have known that. But of course, he hasn't because he is not a citizen.

The Supreme Court decision overturning Roe and returning the power to determine abortion policy to the states is not a threat to democracy  that is democracy in action.

But this isn't the first time that Harry has exhibited a complete misunderstanding of the civic life of the country in which he now lives.

'I've got so much I want to say about the First Amendment as I sort of understand it, but it is bonkers,' he blathered on a podcast last year.

'I don't want to start going down the First Amendment route because that's a huge subject and one which I don't understand because I've only been here a short time, but you can find a loophole in anything.'

That's right Harry. Maybe you shouldn't be talking about the First Amendment or any amendment for that matter.

The exhausting thing about Harry is that it seems like all the Duke does in America is virtue-signal, lecture and deride the Constitution.

Harry and Meghan Markel chose to seek woke-asylum here in the United States because -- as they infamously told the world -- the Royal family was just too racist to endure.

So, they fled the horrors of pampered royal life to live a pampered celebrity life in a sprawling multimillion dollar mansion, surrounded by the wealthiest and woke-est our country has to offer.

Maybe he needs reminding that he is a guest here and not a guest who has been universally embraced by the American public.

Harry and Meghan Markel chose to seek woke-asylum here in the United States because -- as they infamously told the world -- the Royal family was just too racist to endure. (Above, Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth)

If the UK is a cesspool of racism and America is a contributor to an assault on democracy and freedom, what is good enough Mr. Prince?

So here goes: This is not your home country. In fact, my country went to war against yours so that we'd never have to be subject to a royal lecture ever again.

The American Constitution is a sacred blueprint upon which this country thrives. It is what makes democracy possible.

Finally, and probably most egregiously, Prince Harry is a hypocrite.

Like so many others who spread the religion of climate change, he flies around the world on a carbon spewing private jet.

He and his family jetted back across the pond to attend the Queen's Platinum Jubilee onboard a 13-passenger Bombardier Global 600 jet.

According to emissions experts, their flight emitted 60 tons of carbon  that's 10 times more carbon than a commercial flight.

I find few things as distasteful and disrespectful as a foreigner living in another country and having the hubris to trash it.

The question I have for Harry is: What country is good enough for you?

If the UK is a cesspool of racism and America is a contributor to an assault on democracy and freedom, what is good enough Mr. Prince?

Because the God-fearing, gun-yielding, Constitution-loving, monarchy-hating majority in America love it here.

Yes, we have some serious issues that we must deal with.

I for one am sick of this and sick of him. If it is so terrible here and our Constitution is so terrible, feel free to leave. Canada might be a better fit.

But Harry can't even fix the problems in his own family?

Why does he think trashing America can somehow fix anything here?

Today was a missed opportunity to keep the focus on one of the truly great global leaders of all time, Nelson Mandela.

The speech should have been a tribute to this man. But Prince Harry can't help himself.

He must get in his virtue-signaling. He must let you know that he thinks America is a mess and that he is judging it from his lectern.

He's not offering solutions of any kind, mind you, just making a speech and getting back on his private jet to return to his mansion in California.

I for one am sick of this and sick of him.

If it is so terrible here and our Constitution is so terrible, feel free to leave.

Canada might be a better fit.
Labour was accused of lying last night after it denied attempting to cover up sexual harassment allegations by gagging the women involved.

Former staff members Laura Murray and Georgie Robertson accused the party of making false statements after it denied asking them to sign confidentiality agreements to stop them speaking out about alleged inappropriate behaviour.

In a letter sent to Sir Keir Starmer and every member of the governing National Executive Committee yesterday, they said it had further compounded the significant hurt and distress we have suffered.

Earlier this month, the party told the Mail on Sunday that no non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) have been proposed to any members of staff alleging sexual harassment since [Sir Keir] took over as leader.

It came after Sir Keir gloated over Boris Johnsons resignation, branding him unfit to be Prime Minister for promoting sexual predator Chris Pincher.

Labour was accused of lying last night after it denied attempting to cover up sexual harassment allegations by gagging the women involved. Former staff member Laura Murray, pictured, accused the party of making false statements when it denied asking them to sign confidentiality agreements

But, in a letter seen by the Daily Mail, Miss Murray and Miss Robertson told senior figures: The Labour Party must be a safe space for women employees in which they can feel able to report harassment without fear of reprisals, confident that complaints will be handled properly and that they will not be asked to sign away their right to speak about that harassment or prevented from taking legal action against the perpetrators.

They should not be fearful that if they do come forward about such experiences, their former employer will issue false and defamatory statements about them to the media.

Georgie Robertson also filed a complaint against one man. Pictured with her father, barrister Geoffrey Robertson

The pair said the issues are symptomatic of the toxic culture and practices within the party and accused it of trying to publicly undermine the credibility of former women employees who come forward about harassment. They added that they had been left with no choice but to ask that the statement is retracted or apologised for.

A Labour spokesman did not address the contents of the letter but said the party takes any complaints of sexual harassment extremely seriously.

Miss Murray, Labours former head of complaints, and Miss Robertson, an ex-press officer, reported a senior male official shortly before Sir Keir became leader in April 2020.

They claim that party lawyers later asked them to sign a settlement agreement with a broad confidentiality clause, which they refused to do. The unnamed official is understood to have denied the allegations.
An Army medical officer returned from a tour of war-torn Somalia to be greeted by a banner over his home which shamed him for an alleged affair.

His wife claimed the captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps cheated on her with a United Nations official.

Pictures shared on social media showed the house decorated with balloons in the regimental colours of red, blue and gold.

The Army officer's wife mocked the Armys public messaging about integrity being key to an officers role on her extremely large banner

The banner read: Hello, my name is Captain [surname]. I went on tour to Somalia and had an affair with [name] who works for the UN.

It added: I kicked my wife out of our house and rendered her homeless, unemployed and broken. The Daily Mail is not naming the couple.

The banner, which features a picture thought to show the serviceman carrying a dog, also mocked the Armys public messaging about integrity being key to an officers role.

She accused her husband, a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps, of cheating on her with a United Nations official while in Somalia

It said: I lack moral courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty, selfless commitment. Referring to her husbands future ambitions, the wifes message added: I always top the [promotions] board and intend to become CO [Commanding Officer]. The house is believed to be on a married quarters estate in Colchester, Essex.

Last night, the Ministry of Defence said: We are aware of a social media post which makes allegations against a service person. This matter is under investigation so it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Until a couple of weeks ago, almost no one outside Government circles and her Essex constituency had heard of Kemi Badenoch.

Today, not only is she a household name with huge numbers of admirers on the Tory Right, she is also being taken seriously as a possible future party leader.

Most people think this contest has come too soon for her, and she is a long shot to reach the final two contenders. But she is already being tipped for a major Cabinet post in the next Government. It is easy to see why her small state, anti-woke platform is winning support.

She has become the poster girl for the culture wars and someone who does not shrink from confrontation, wading into arguments over race and radical trans-activism with the gusto of a political street fighter.

Conservative Party leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch leaves her south London home for Parliament ahead of another round of voting for the Tory lead on Monday afternoon

She also possesses an ability  rare among her fellow MPs and ministers  of speaking plainly. She certainly couldnt have been clearer when, in 2018, she declared that trans women were men using womens bathrooms.

And she was understandably proud in her most recent job as Equalities Minister when she announced that all new public buildings would have separate male and female toilets.

This same direct  some might call it blunt  approach has been equally visible on issues of race, notably when she described the concept of white privilege as stoking divisions and marginalising the disadvantaged.

In a challenge to the Left, she argued that the solution to making the country fairer did not lie in the rhetoric of decolonise this, tear down that.

Refreshingly, she bridles, too, against trendy thinking that likes to paint British history as a long saga of wickedness.

At the same time she has declared that any school that taught elements of critical race theory as fact, or which promotes partisan political views such as defunding the police without offering a balanced treatment of opposing views, is breaking the law.

Such unflinching confidence, of course, can sometimes come across as arrogance. But as one Westminster friend of Kemi says: You cant smell the ambition on her as you can with other people in politics.

In terms of the current leadership contest this alone marks her as an outlier. She had no childhood dream of being a politician, let alone Prime Minister, nor has she demonstrated the kind of flexibility on doctrine that some candidates have adopted in order to chime in with what they think people want to hear.

But as Michael Gove, her boss in the Levelling Up department, says of her qualities: She has zero tolerance of bull**** and she doesnt want to ingratiate. I have rarely seen someone so on top of her brief.

High praise, but then perhaps the key to the mother-of-threes unexpected success lies in her upbringing, which was far from conventional. Although British-born, she was raised in Nigeria by African parents and the memories of those days have never left her.

Kemi Badenoch could become Labour's worst nightmare, writes RICHARD KAY. Pictured, Labour lead Sir Keir Starmer in the Commons on Monday

I saw real poverty, she said. Doing my homework by candlelight, because the state electricity board could not provide power; fetching water in heavy, rusty buckets from a borehole a mile away because the nationalised water company could not get water out of the taps. Unlike many born since 1980, I was unlucky enough to live under socialist policies. It is not something I would wish on anyone.

This snapshot of her childhood was delivered soberly as part of her maiden speech in the House of Commons. She did acknowledge one long-held aspiration as a young African girl, and that was in becoming part of the project of the United Kingdom. And now, here she was as a British woman having the great honour of delivering that project.

This then was her no-nonsense take on what being a Conservative means. There is more to Conservatism than economic liberalism, she said, there is respect for the rule of law, personal responsibility, freedom of speech and of association, and opportunity through meritocracy.

No wonder that five years later her address is still considered the finest debut of the 2017 intake and why she was even then being talked about as a future PM.

She has done precious little wrong to disabuse supporters of that since. What they recognised then  and do now even more so as the curtain comes down on the Boris years  is that she would be immune to Labours class-based insults.

Indeed, she has been described as Labours worst nightmare.

She rattled the Opposition almost as soon as she was elected and was one day approached by Labour whip Mark Tami, who thought she was one of theirs. Kemi explained: He asked me: What seat are you? When I said Saffron Walden, a look of horror crossed his face. He knew instantly I was a Conservative.

As an underdog in the race to succeed Boris, Badenoch has avoided the focus imposed on the favourites. But some questions about her early life are emerging.

Badenochs family were, in fact, comfortably off in Nigeria. Her father, Femi Adoke, who died of a brain tumour in January, owned a hospital and founded a publishing company. Through her mother, Badenoch is a cousin of the countrys vice-president.

They were upper-middle-class, says Seyi Roberts, a friend of her late fathers. The kids must have grown up without lacking anything. That was a given.

She studied at the International School, one of the best academic institutions in Nigeria and lived in a well-to-do neighbourhood.

Kemi Badenoch, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt taking part in Britain's Next Prime Minister: The ITV Debate last week

As for Badenochs suggestions that her family suffered periods of poverty, Roberts says that such periods affected everybody, particularly when Nigerias currency depreciated in the late 1980s. Power cuts and water shortages hit every section of society.

Badenoch describes herself as to all intents and purposes a first-generation immigrant. Her mother, Feyi, needed obstetric care unavailable in Nigeria and travelled to Britain to give birth to Kemi in a private maternity unit in Wimbledon in 1980 before the family returned to Nigeria.

But when she was 16, her father decided his daughter would have a better future in the UK. By then depreciation meant the local currency was almost worthless but he scraped together his savings for a one-way flight to London.

He had 100 left when he paid for my ticket, and he gave it to me to take to England. So thats all I had when I arrived, she recalled.

But there was no disguising her excitement. When I saw my British passport (which she qualified for through her birth in the UK) it was like Willy Wonkas golden ticket. It was amazing, a very special privilege to be a citizen of this country, she says.

Unlike many members of the Johnson Cabinet, Kemi was not privately educated. Although she lived with a family member, she took a job at McDonalds to support herself while studying for A-levels at a sixth-form college in Morden, South-West London, and can still recall arriving for lessons with the smell of chip fat in her hair.

She still has bitter memories of the low expectations the teachers had of their students. When I told one of my teachers I wanted to go to Oxford University, she advised me: Dont bother applying. They dont take people like you. 

It was just those kind of assumptions that were to propel her into politics. After taking a degree in computer engineering at Sussex University she became a software engineer and systems analyst.

She also worked as a secretary, maths tutor and shop assistant.

Her political career began in 2015 when she was elected to the London Assembly.

By then she was married to Hamish, a City banker who shared her interest in politics but stepped back to support her career.

Intriguingly, her heroes were not just the usual Tory idols of Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill but also include Airey Neave, the MP murdered by Irish terrorists and whose wartime escape from Colditz she cites as quite possibly the most remarkable thing a British politician has done.

And then there is the influence of her father, from whom she inherited a sense of personal responsibility.

Yet for all the charisma and charm her supporters say she possesses, Kemi Badenoch does seem unusually allergic to scrutiny. She was attacked for taking to Twitter last year to criticise a journalist  who had questioned her absence from an all-party film encouraging people from ethnic backgrounds to have the Covid-19 vaccine  as creepy and bizarre.

It was a rare mis-step from the Essex girl who wants to be Prime Minister.
In the year to March, wholesale electricity prices soared by 141 per cent, prompting one power company boss to urge his 70,000 customers to switch provider.

Financial comparison group Finder is predicting electricity prices to climb by up to 100 per cent from July 1, effectively doubling the price.

Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association acting chief executive Damian Dwyer told Daily Mail Australia natural gas was central to Australias cleaner energy future.

'We are doing everything we can to look after customers and fill the energy void left by the failure of coal-fired power generators in particular,' he said.

'Our members have already acted to ensure gas flows to where it is needed using the mechanisms put in place to help us do so. '

A major incident at Callide in Queensland combined with another serious incident in Victoria have been compounded by various outages in New South Wales.

'The problems we have seen with the energy system highlight how natural gas is central to Australias cleaner energy future, replacing coal as a lower emissions fuel and stabilising renewables when the wind doesnt blow and the sun doesn't shine,' Mr Dwyer said.

'There has been a 55 per cent increase in gas in the National Electricity Market as more than 800MW of coal and renewables have dropped out of the system.'

At least a quarter of Australia's coal-fired electricity production is currently offline while the east coast shivers through a freezing winter amid soaring price rises.

The global fuel crisis has already forced some nations to abandon their climate change commitments to meet power demands as consumer prices soar.

Germany has now started passing laws to prevent coal power stations destined for the scrapheap from being axed, ordering them to be kept on standby instead.

Italy, Bulgaria, Romania and the Czech Republic also plan to burn more coal as a temporary measure while they reduce reliance on Russian gas after its invasion of Ukraine, and the UK is drilling for more gas in the North Sea.

AGL currently has three coal power stations in NSW and Victoria either offline or on reduced capacity due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance issues.

Origin's Eraring power station, the largest in NSW, has also been crippled by coal production cutbacks at its neighbouring conveyor belt-connected coalmine.

It's had to buy coal on the open market as prices surge because of the global crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, which forces electricity prices up further.

The maintenance work at affected power stations is not expected to be completed until July at the earliest while Callide is out until December, but Labor is demanding the work is now fast-tracked.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday defended President Joe Biden's meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his controversial fist bump with the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia.

She said she wasn't in the meeting with MBS, the crown prince is known by his intials, but said she believed the president when he said he raised the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A Saudi official claimed he didn't hear Biden bring up the matter during the private conversation.

'I trust the president,' Jean-Pierre said. 'He made those comments, as you heard directly from him during during the press conference, and he said at the top of the meeting, he mentioned Jamal Khashoggi.'

She also pointed out Biden was asked about the Saudi denial and confirmed he brought up Khashoggi.

'The president was asked this question, and he spoke to it directly. And I do believe that, you know, if, if anyone telling you differently about what the president said they weren't listening to the president himself, when he was asked that question,' she said.

'He was very clear about where about where he stood about Jamal Khashoggi death and murder. He mentioned it from the start of their meeting,' she noted.

She also defended the president's fist-bump with the crown prince, which was criticized by Khashoggi's fiance and by the publisher of the Washington Post. Biden laughed off a question about the matter when asked about it by a DailyMail.com reporter on Friday in Jeddah.

'I think the way that the president looks at this is is what were the issues, the agenda, what was the policies that were that were discussed, and what were the deliverables,' she said.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended President Joe Biden's meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his controversial fist bump with the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia

Biden accused a Saudi official of lying about what was talked about in his private meeting with MBS.

Early on Sunday, Biden arrived back at the White House from his four-day Middle East tour, and briefly took questions from reporters gathered on the South Lawn.

Hours earlier, just after Air Force One had taken off from Jeddah, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir called a Fox News reporter and claimed that he 'did not hear' Biden confront MBS over the murder of Khashoggi.

Al-Jubeir's claim seems to directly contradict Biden's account of the meeting with MBS on Friday, after which the president said that he had raised Khashoggi's murder 'at the top of the meeting' and accused the crown prince of directing the plot.

On the South Lawn, when asked if al-Jubeir was telling the truth about the meeting, Biden bluntly replied 'No'.

President Joe Biden has accused a Saudi minister of lying about the topics discussed in his private meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir (above) claimed that he 'did not hear' Biden confront MBS over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

President Biden said he brought up journalist Jamal Khashoggi's (above) murder right away in his meeting with the Saudi Crown prince

Notably, Saudi officials have offered conflicting accounts of the conversation between Biden and MBS, and whether Khashoggi's murder was discussed.

On Friday, Saudi Foreign Minster Faisal bin Farhan seemed to tell reporters that Biden did raise Khashoggi's murder at the meeting.

Bin Farhan said that MBS responded by slamming the US over its own abuses of human rights, including the notorious mistreatment of prisoners by military personnel at Abu Ghraib in Iraq.

Returning to the White House on Sunday, Biden also responded dismissively when asked whether he regrets his now infamous fist bump with MBS, saying: 'Why don't you guys talk about something that matters? I'm happy to answer a question that matters.'

It came after the president laughed when questioned about criticism of the fist bump by a DailyMail.com reporter at a Friday press conference.

Nevertheless, the fist bump has become the defining image of Biden's Mideast tour, appearing on the front page of the Washington Post, where Khashoggi penned columns critical of Saudi leadership.

The image of the friendly fist bump drew harsh backlash from the publisher of the Washington Post and the widow of Khashoggi, who was killed in a gruesome assassination that US intelligence services say bin Salman ordered.

A handout photo of President Joe Biden (left) fist-bumping Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (right) as he arrived for a meeting with the controversial royal Friday evening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

On Friday, Biden had insisted that he brought up Khashoggi's murder in his meeting with MBS, which was closed to the press.

'In respect to the murder of Khashoggi, I raised it at the top of the meeting, making it clear what I thought of it at the time, and what I think of it now,' Biden told reporters from a Jeddah hotel after his meetings with the Saudis. 'I was straightforward and direct ... I made my view crystal clear.'

'What happened to Khashoggi was outrageous,' Biden later offered.

Biden told reporters that MBS 'basically said he was not personally responsible' for the gruesome killing that took place in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

'I indicated I thought he was,' Biden continued. 'He said he was not personally responsible for it and he took action against those who were responsible.'

An American intelligence report said MBS directed the assassination of Khashoggi, a Saudi-born critic of the kingdom, who was living in the United States.

After Biden fist-bumped MBS as he arrived for a series of Friday night meetings at the Al Salman Royal Palace in Jeddah, Fred Ryan, the publisher and CEO of The Washington Post - which employed Khashoggi - called Biden's fist bump with the crown prince 'shameful.'

'The fist bump between President Biden and Mohammed bin Salman was worse than a handshake - it was shameful,' Ryan said in a statement. 'It projected a level of intimacy and comfort that delivers to MBS the unwarranted redemption he has been desperately seeking.'

Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi's fiancee, shared what she believed her late love's reaction would be to the fist bump: 'Is this the accountability you promised for my murder? The blood of MBS's next victims is on your hands.'

Biden was also read Cengiz's comments by a reporter, who then asked for the president's response.

'I'm sorry she feels that way,' the president answered. 'I was straightforward back then. I was straightforward today.'
Victorian students are once again being told to mask up in schools as Bill Shorten throws his support behind the move.

Children over the age of eight have been asked to wear a mask in classrooms until the end of winter amid a spike in Covid-19 cases.

The state government has insisted the new advice is not a mask mandate, with students encouraged to wear a mask indoors and on public transport.

Former Labor Leader Bill Shorten said he believes kids should be encouraged to wear masks where possible.

'We've had 300 days of home-schooling, and the schools closed,' he told Karl Stefanovic during an appearance on the Today Show on Tuesday morning.

'To me it's a no-brainer, do you want your child sick at home or do you want them running around wearing a mask?,' the father of one said.

Former Labor Leader Bill Shorten (pictured) has thrown his support behind the move and said as a parent he believes kids should be encouraged to wear a mask

Stefanovic asked how the kids felt about having to wear masks, to which Mr Shorten simply replied: 'We know it's good for them'.

However, other parents have described the new rules as a 'mandate by stealth' after a letter was sent home notifying them of the new advice.

'We are asking all students aged eight and over and all staff in all schools across Victoria to wear masks in class (except where removing a mask is necessary for clear communication) from now to the end of winter,' it read.

The letter, signed by the heads of the state, independent and Catholic sectors, said children 'won't be required or expected to wear masks when outdoors'.

A government source told the Herald Sun students would not be forced to wear a mask or be sent home if they didn't follow the new advice.

'Nobody is being sent anywhere. It's still up to individuals,' they said.

Parents in Victoria have described the new rules as a 'mandate by stealth' after a letter (pictured) was sent home notifying them of the new advice

NSW and Victorian health ministers have both so far resisted the growing calls for a return to mask mandates (pictured, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews)

Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said while masks weren't mandated, they were strongly recommended for students and staff to wear indoors.

'We know masks provide good protection against the transmission of Covid, so while they're not mandated, we're strongly recommending all staff and students aged eight and over wear them indoors at school,' she said.

The letter sent home to parents states the Victorian Department of Health strongly recommends that face masks be worn in indoor settings.

'We are asking for your support in explaining to your child or children the importance of this simple step that will help keep our schools as safe as possible,' it reads.

'We also ask that you make sure your child (or children) takes a mask to school (and wears it if they are travelling on public transport) or collects a mask when they arrive at school.

'We all appreciate how important it is for students to be back at school. This action will help make sure as many students and staff as possible are protected from Covid and other winter illnesses.'

Covid statistics show that of the 29,000 active cases in Victoria, 6,000 are children and teenagers under the age of 19.

NSW and Victorian health ministers have both so far resisted the growing calls for a return to mask mandates, but critics say the looming state elections in October and November are the main reason behind any delay in bringing them back.

Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said while masks weren't mandated, they were strongly recommended for students and staff to wear indoors (pictured, students in Melbourne)

Covid statistics show that of the 29,000 active cases in Victoria, 6,000 are children and teenagers under the age of 19 (pictured, Mr Andrews on Monday

Victoria's chief health officer Ben Cowie told the state government to bring back masks, but the advice was rejected by state health minister Mary-Anne Thomas.

'I made a decision based on the advice that I had received that further mandating masks was not the most effective way to get the message out about the importance of mask-wearing,' she said.

However, some parents are choosing to override decisions made by the state government and follow advice from the health minister.

Deakin University's Professor Catherine Bennett insists compulsory masks will ease the coming Covid wave and also play a major psychological role.

When you put a mask on, its a reminder that things arent quite normal. It reinforces behaviours like taking a step back from other people,' she told Seven West media.

'The mask could be the thing that also helps us stay mindful of those other things ... and stay that bit safer.'

Students over the age of eight have been asked to wear masks in classrooms and on public transport (pictured, Bentleigh Secondary College students last July)

The stats also revealed NSW has had the most Covid cases in Australia with 2,971,525 and 3,798 deaths. Victoria has had the most deaths with 4,148 from 2,245,301 cases.

The nation has also just passed the 75million milestone for the number of Covid test results since the pandemic began, almost three each for every single person.

The vast majority of those who have caught Covid are under 50, with 3,121,953 cases so far. Just 293 people under 50 have died of the virus since the pandemic began.

The statistics show that since Australia's mass vaccination rollout began, those under 50 face a less than one in 10,000 chance of dying from Covid.

Most killed by Covid were men over 70 and women over 80, accounting for 7,585 deaths out of the nation's total virus death toll of 10,582 as of 3pm on Friday.
Park Heong-joon, Busan Metropolitan City Mayor, talks during an interview with The Korea Times, July 11. Courtesy of Busan Metropolitan City



Busan mayor seeks to capitalize on K-pop boom as part of expo bid



By Ko Dong-hwan



BUSAN  Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon expressed confidence in winning the bid to host World Expo 2030, saying that the nation's soft power together with strong support from the business community will help the port city beat the oil-rich Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh.



"We have the resources to draw the attention of the general public like K-pop and other K-culture, which Saudi Arabia doesn't have. So even though we may be behind Saudi Arabia right now, the real race hasn't begun yet. If we do our best, we can win this race," said Park during a recent interview with The Korea Times at his office in Busan.



The mayor admitted that his city started almost a year later than Saudi Arabia to launch a global bid to host the World Expo 2030. When Korea's biggest coastal city started creating a buzz about the bid last year, its Middle Eastern rival had already begun lobbying countries with financial incentives to make its capital the ultimate winner.



The race, now past the second round of presentations held at the Bureau International des Expositions' (BIE) headquarters in Paris in June, has narrowed down to Busan, Riyadh and Rome. But based on the current outlook, Busan and Riyadh are well ahead of the Italian capital.






After three rounds of voting in the Tory leadership contest, Rishi Sunak is firmly in control. The former chancellor was not supposed to prosper yesterday when the 27 supporters of Brexit Spartan Suella Braverman picked a new side.

Both Mrs Braverman and the European Research Group of eurosceptic Tory MPs had urged her supporters to Unite the Right and fall in behind Liz Truss in her battle to overtake Penny Mordaunt. But it did not happen.

Instead, Mr Sunak emerged as the big winner last night, picking up an extra 14 votes while his opponents fought over the scraps.

Out: Tom Tugendhat in TV debate

Barring disaster, he will surely guarantee his place in the final two today when the votes of Tory moderate Tom Tugendhat are redistributed in the fourth ballot.

By tomorrow morning Mr Sunak could be so far ahead that he is able to surreptitiously lend votes to the candidate he would most like to face in the final run-off.

The disreputable tactic is hard to prove. But Tory MPs believe it was deployed to give both Theresa May and Boris Johnson an easy run.

In each case their campaigns were masterminded by former chief whip Sir Gavin Williamson, who is now on Team Sunak.

On the evidence of recent days, Mr Sunak would probably rather face Miss Mordaunt, whose campaign appears to have stalled.

She certainly looks likely to be in most need of support, despite clinging on to second place.

For Miss Mordaunt, todays vote may be the last chance to regain the extraordinary momentum that briefly saw her installed last week as favourite to be Britains next prime minister.

Her meteoric rise saw her subjected to awkward scrutiny over the weekend about things she has said and done on everything from trans rights to Brexit.

She failed to achieve lift-off in the weekend debates and is now in danger of hitting the buffers.

Miss Mordaunt never expected to pick up much of Mrs Bravermans support. But to see her own support fall  even by just one vote  is a serious blow at this stage of the contest when momentum is critical.

The trade minister will hope to secure enough votes from Mr Tugendhats supporters today to put herself beyond reach.

If she fails then she risks being picked off by Miss Truss in the final ballot tomorrow. The danger is that MPs sense her campaign has hit a brick wall and start to peel away in greater numbers. But she is not out of it yet. And Miss Truss will be disappointed by the result too, despite picking up some momentum against her biggest rival.

Privately, her team had been confident that she could cut the deficit with Miss Mordaunt to single figures, or even overtake her. In the end, they remain 11 votes behind in third place.

This was supposed to be the day when the Tory Right coalesced behind Miss Truss.

The Foreign Secretary may not have shone in the weekend TV debates, but she did not stumble either.

Yet despite the powerful calls from Lord Frost and others for unity on the Right of the party they have still not been heeded. And time is running out.

The continuing divisions mean that outsider Kemi Badenoch is still in with a shot at the final two, with just 24 votes now separating her from second place.

She gained more votes from the Braverman camp than Miss Truss and appears better placed to win support from those who had backed Mr Tugendhat.

The race's remaining candidates - Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and Tom Tugendhat - took questions from host Julie Etchingham on issues dominating the campaign Pictured: Rishi Sunak (left) and Liz Truss (right)

Mrs Badenochs straight-talking style has won her plaudits from across the party but she has a lot of work to do.

If she falls short today then she and her powerful backer Michael Gove could emerge as kingmakers. Despite her position on the Right of the party she has appeared closer to Mr Sunak than Miss Truss.

Even if she goes out tonight it is not at all clear that she or her supporters will choose to side with the Foreign Secretary. It may be that the Right is destined to remain splintered.

Mr Sunak is almost out of sight, but the fight for second is still all to play for. The final battle for votes will take place away from the public gaze at Westminster after Mr Sunak and Miss Truss vetoed a planned live debate on Sky TV tonight.

Their withdrawal is not great for public scrutiny.

But Westminster is frazzled  hot, bothered, tired and increasingly fractious  and not in the best frame of mind for an informative debate, let alone a civilised one. Away from the cameras, in Westminsters dark corners, Sir Gavin, Mr Gove and other backroom players may be about to make their decisive moves.
Fox News' Jesse Watters has led the charge of conservatives criticizing the decision to drop charges against The Late Show staff who were arrested for 'unlawfully' being at the Capitol last month - while at least 876 people have been charged for the January 6 riot.

The group, which included the comedian Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, had been invited to the Capitol by congressional aides to record interviews for a comedy segment for The Late Show on June 16.

But they were arrested by Capitol Police after they were found - without their escort - filming stand-up and skits in halls following their final authorized and pre-arranged interviews of the day.

Fox host Jesse Watters, seen here, questioned if the U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, showed favoritism toward the liberal comics

Watters, left, and American Majority CEO Ned Ryun, right, discuss the possibility of unequal enforcement of the laws governing access to the Capitol building after charges against the Colbert 9 were dropped

On Monday, the U.S. Attorney's office confirmed they would not be moving forward with the case.

'The Office would be required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that these invited guests were guilty of the crime of unlawful entry because their escort chose to leave them unattended,' the federal prosecutor said. The feds said that they 'wouldn't have been able to obtain and sustain convictions on these charges.'

The move to drop the charges has infuriated conservatives who believe its proof of the Justice Department's double standard when it comes to holding liberals accountable.

Fox News's Jesse Watters questioned whether the Biden-appointed Attorney was giving January 6 rioters and Colbert's team the same treatment. At least 876 people have been charged over the January 6 riot which left seven dead and saw crowds siege the Capitol.

'The person responsible for dropping the charges was the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Matthew Graves, who was appointed by Joe Biden and works for the Attorney General. It turns out that he's also the prosecutor investigating January 6th. Is he giving those guys the same treatment,' Watters asked on his show.

Kingpin actor Randy Quaid branded the decision to drop the charges 'disgusting'.

Robert Smigel performs as Triumph the Insult Comic Dog in the hallways outside the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol hearing in the Cannon House Office Building

'Colbert Crew charges dropped who were doing the exact same thing as J6 hostages. DISGUSTING. Free the J6 hostages. Colbert makes me ill,' the actor tweeted.

'Stephen Colbert is the Tokyo Rose of the Democratic Party,' he added, referring to the Japanese propagandist who tried to demoralize American troops with her radio broadcasts during World War II.

Other Republicans also expressed outrage over the decision.

'One set of rules for Republicans. Another for Liberals,' Twitter user Mike Honcho wrote.

Another Twitter user added: 'The unselect committee is still playing their game this very moment while some liberals who did the same thing (entered illegally and unarmed) just got away with it.'

Fox News congressional reporter Chad Pergram tweeted that: 'Sources close to the Capitol Police tell Fox this undercuts law enforcement as they try to secure the Capitol complex after the riot.'

Colbert dismissed the comparisons between the arrests and the January 6 riot and joked that Triumph the Insult Comic Dog should be charged with 'first degree puppetry.'

Many of the January 6 rioters have been convicted of illegal parading, but others have faced more grievous charges, like assault on officers, interstate threats and seditious conspiracy

Ned Ryun, who runs American Majority, a conservative organization that trains candidates, called the move, 'unbelievable hypocrisy by Graves.'

He said that more than 200 people have been charged with the petty offense of illegal parading, a misdemeanor.

'They walked through open doors, in front of police [and] were not asked to leave, yet Graves has recommended sentencing of 60 to 90 days in jail,' Ryun said. 'We have a bifurcated legal system in this country in which if you have the wrong political views or the wrong political connections, you have the book thrown at you.'

He said that this breaches a 'fundamental, foundational aspect of the law.'

'We all stand equal before the law, the law is equally applied, but when the law becomes a political tool to punish political enemies, all bets are off,' he said.

Aside from the illegal parading charge that Ryun mentioned, January 6 rioters have been convicted of sedition, obstructing an official proceeding, assaulting officers with weapons, interstate threats and other charges.

Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and Proud Boys boss Enrique Tarrio have been charged with seditious conspiracy, a lesser counterpart to treason, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years.

After the Late Night group was charged, Colbert dismissed the comparisons between the arrests and the January 6 riot as a 'non-surrection' and joked that Triumph the Insult Comic Dog should be charged with 'first degree puppetry.'

The Capitol Police said in their own statement on Monday: 'The United States Capitol Police was just informed the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is declining to prosecute the case. We respect the decision that office has made.'

Capitol Police said previously that they had arrested the group 'because members of the group had been told several times before they entered the Congressional buildings that they had to remain with a staff escort inside the buildings and they failed to do so.'

Among the arrestees was Robert Smigel, best known for his character Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

Smigel, 62, who is a frequent guest on Colbert's CBS show.

Colbert pictured with senior producer Jake Plunkett, who was among those arrested

Colbert staffer Nicoletta Green was among those arrested. She has worked on the show since September 2020

Prop coordinator Brendan Hurley has been with Colbert since the host's Comedy Central show, 'The Colbert Report'

During an appearance on Fox News, Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill) said the group was banging on the doors of Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Cal).

They were arrested outside the door of Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO).

The Republican lawmakers did not comment on the decision not to prosecute.

The MailOnline previously reported that the Smigel and his crew were trying to cage interviews in the Cannon House Office Building without the proper press credentials.

In addition to the comic, senior producer Jake Plunkett, associate producer Allison Martinez, prop master Brendan Hurley, comedian Josh Comers, writer and comedian David Feldman and crewmembers Tyrone Dean, Stephen Romond, Nicoletta Green were also arrested.
One thing was clear from last night's third ballot in the Tory leadership election. Barring some cataclysmic event, Rishi Sunak will be one of the two names on the final shortlist.

As to who will join him there, nothing is settled. As Rishi's momentum increased, Penny Mordaunt's went into reverse, as she polled fewer votes this time than last.

However, despite grave doubts over her competence and radical views on gender identity, she remains in second place.

Liz Truss narrowed the gap, but will have hoped to do better. She didn't, because the traditionalist Tory vote is dangerously split between her and Kemi Badenoch.

Liz Truss is the obvious choice, given her strong track record, and she is best placed to overtake Miss Mordaunt

Both women benefited evenly from the redistribution of Attorney General Suella Braverman's support, who lost out in the last ballot. If those centre-Right votes had all gone to Miss Truss, she would now be neck and neck with Miss Mordaunt with the wind in her sails.

Instead, it's possible Miss Mordaunt might yet cling on, leaving the membership with two social and economic liberals and no true blue Tory to choose from.

Traditionalist MPs must wise up and coalesce behind one candidate. Miss Truss is the obvious choice, given her strong track record, and she is best placed to overtake Miss Mordaunt.

If the members are denied the option of electing a true low-tax, small-state Conservative, they will smell a cynical Westminster fix. And they'll be right.

Incomparable Boris

The morning after Boris Johnson's defenestration, our front-page headline asked: What the hell have they done?

Yesterday, as he crushed his puny critics with customary wit and eloquence in what could be his final Commons appearance as PM, many voters will have been asking exactly the same question.

The Conservative Party has cravenly betrayed its most charismatic and electable leader since Lady Thatcher. We can only pray that the price is not a disastrous Starmer-led government in 2024.

Hot under the collar

A two-day heatwave and the country goes into blind panic. Trains cancelled, schools closed (as if children hadn't lost enough education already) and nannying officials telling us to stay indoors.

Listening to apocalyptic climate change pundits and the BBC, you'd think Britain was about to spontaneously combust.

On Radio 4, presenter Katya Adler's first question to a bemused minister was: 'Do you agree with the UK Health Security Agency that thousands could die?'

In two days? It's true that the temperature may top 40C for the first time today, but it's been 38.7C before without such carnage.

And looking at the BBC's own weather forecast for southern Britain, the temperature is set to fall tomorrow and not to rise above the mid-20s centigrade for the rest of the month.

In parts of Tuscany, Andalusia and Provence it's going to be around 40C every day for the next week, yet British tourists will still no doubt be flocking there. Will they stay in their rooms all week?

Naturally most of those who want to lock down during hot spells are in the public sector. Unlike private firms and employees, they'll still get paid.

Of course we shouldn't be complacent about intense heat. But the risk must be kept in perspective. Our summers can be hot  sometimes very hot.

To bring the country to a halt every time the mercury spikes is a wild over-reaction.

With common sense precautions, plenty of fluid, shade and sunscreen, there's no reason why people should die  and certainly not in their thousands. Whatever happened to keep calm and carry on?
Having a chippy dinner nicked out of your hands by a seagull may not be top of the wish list when planning your wedding.

But couples could soon be allowed to tie the knot on the beach under proposals to abolish Britains outdated marriage rules.

The Law Commission wants to rip up current regulations  which date back to 1836  and allow weddings to take place in any safe and dignified location including parks, forests and cruise ships.

The move would allow families to put on cheaper weddings amid the cost of living crisis and will also help address the Covid backlog, the commission said.

Under current rules, marriages can only take place in a register office, a religious building or in the grounds of approved premises. Couples must also choose between a civil or religious ceremony.

But the commission has described the laws as confusing, out-of-date and restrictive and called on the Government to rewrite them to allow greater choice for couples.

Couples could soon be allowed to tie the knot on the beach under proposals to abolish Britain's 'outdated' marriage rules as the Law Commission wants to rip up current regulations from 1836, instead allowing weddings to take place in any safe and dignified location (file photo)

The legal body has proposed new rules which would regulate the person officiating the service, not the location it takes place in. The changes, if agreed to by the Government, would also allow families to have more say over their vows, rituals and songs. They would also allow humanist weddings to become legally binding.

The commission said its proposals would represent the biggest overhaul of wedding law since the 19th century and would bring England and Wales in line with other countries such as Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand.

Professor Nick Hopkins, family law commissioner at the body, said: The current law on weddings is not working for many couples. Needless restrictions and outdated regulations mean that thousands each year are denied having a wedding that is meaningful to them.

Our reforms for Government are designed to protect the established practices and dignity of weddings, while offering couples more choice on where and how they marry.

Stressing that there is widespread precedent for the reforms around the world, he added: By giving couples more control over their weddings and ensuring greater parity for all beliefs, the law can support those who want to get married, rather than putting unnecessary barriers in the way.
Advertisement

Britons are set to bake in 106F (41C) heat next week  but just why is the country in the midst of such a sweltering heatwave?

Experts say it is due to a number of factors, including winds blowing hot air up from north Africa and the Sahara, the 'Azores High' subtropical pressure system creeping farther north, and the ongoing impacts of climate change.

It could culminate in the UK's hottest day in history on Monday, with the country put on a 'national emergency' footing amid fears even healthy people could die.

Part of the problem is that a pressure system called the Azores High, which usually sits off Spain, has grown larger and is being pushed northwards.

This has brought scorching temperatures to the UK, France and the Iberian peninsula.

The high pressure near the southern half of Britain, which has been responsible for this week's warm weather, is also continuing to dominate overhead.

When this develops it triggers heatwaves, which can also bring so-called 'tropical nights'  when night-time temperatures fail to drop below 68F (20C).

These heatwaves are becoming more likely and more intense because of climate change.

Meanwhile, winds are expected to turn southerly from today, bringing hot air up from north Africa and the Sahara and allowing the UK to tap into some of the 113F (45C) heat from Spain and France.

Professor Hannah Cloke, natural hazards researcher at the University of Reading, said: 'We have had heatwaves in the UK before, but the intensity of heat that has been forecast, which will either break UK records or at least get very close, is enough to kill people and animals, damage property, and hobble the economy.'

Why is it so hot? Experts say it is due to a number of factors, including winds blowing hot air up from north Africa and the Sahara, the 'Azores High' subtropical pressure system creeping farther north, and the ongoing impacts of climate change. Sunbathers are pictured on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as they enjoy the continuing hot weather

Next week: The Met Office has issued this forecast map to accompany the extreme heat warning next Monday and Tuesday

The Azores High usually sits to the south but is currently directly over the UK and Ireland, stretching from the Azores Islands

WHAT ARE THE MAIN AIR MASSES SWIRLING ABOVE BRITAIN? There are five main air masses above Britain, along with a sixth one that is a variation of one of them. The UK is more likely to get maritime air masses because our weather primarily comes from the west. The reason for this is because of the direction the Earth spins, leading us to experience prevailing westerly winds. Although Britain does get air masses arriving from the east, too, they're not as common, forecasters say. Polar Maritime Arriving from Greenland and the Arctic Sea, it brings wet and cold air that leads to chilly and showery weather. Arctic Maritime As its name suggests, this air mass comes from the Arctic. It brings with it wet and cold air that causes snowfall in the winter. Polar Continental When the Beast from the East struck Britain in 2018, the bone-chilling air was Polar Continental and came from Siberia. It brings hot air in the summer and cold in the winter, leading to dry summers and snowy winters. Tropical Continental Everybody's favourite summer air mass, the Tropical Continental is what gives us heatwaves and bags of sunshine. The air is hot and dry and comes from North Africa. Tropical Maritime Arriving from the Atlantic Ocean, this warm and moist air brings cloud, rain and mild temperatures to the UK. Returning Polar Maritime The returning Polar Maritime is a variation of the Polar Maritime. However, it takes the air first southwards over the north Atlantic, then north-eastwards across the UK. During its passage south, the air becomes unstable and moist but on moving north-east it passes over cooler water, making it more stable. It brings largely dry weather and cloud. Advertisement

This Tropical Continental air mass is one of five that battle for supremacy over Britain and is what gives us heatwaves and bags of sunshine.

Dr Mark McCarthy, head of the Met Office National Climate Information Centre, said: 'The highest temperatures experienced in the UK tend to occur when our weather is influenced by air masses from continental Europe or North Africa  as it will be at the weekend.

'There is already a strongly-embedded warming due to climate change across the continent, that is increasing the likelihood of challenging the existing UK temperature record.'

The 'Azores High', which is undergoing 'unprecedented' changes, is also a big contributor to the current hot weather in Britain.

A new study suggests the atmospheric high-pressure system is being driven by climate change and already causing droughts in parts of Portugal and Spain.

The Azores High rotates clockwise over parts of the North Atlantic and has a major effect on weather and long-term climate trends in western Europe.

Researchers say this system 'has changed dramatically in the past century and that these changes in North Atlantic climate are unprecedented within the past millennium'.

Using climate model simulations over the last 1,200 years, experts from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that the Azores High started to grow to cover a greater area around 200 years ago, as human greenhouse gas pollution began to increase.

It expanded even more dramatically in the 20th century, in step with global warming.

Now the high pressure system, which is usually above the Atlantic and about 1,000 miles from mainland Portugal, has grown larger and pushed farther north, bringing high temperatures to the UK.

'We anticipate that the area of high pressure over the Azores will increasingly extend towards the southwest of the UK,' Daniel Rudman, of the Met Office, has said.

'This will lead to a good deal of warmer and mostly dry weather, especially across the south, although it may also bring cloud and rain into the northwest at times.'

Meanwhile, long July days and short nights also mean that strong sunshine builds up high temperatures.

Britain has been slowly getting hotter since the 19th Century, with the 10 hottest years since 1884 all having occurred since 2002.

In the past three decades alone, the UK has become 1.62F (0.9C) warmer.

'We hoped we wouldn't get to this situation but for the first time ever we are forecasting greater than 40C in the UK,' said Met Office scientist Dr Nikos Christidis.

'In a recent study we found that the likelihood of extremely hot days in the UK has been increasing and will continue to do so during the course of the century, with the most extreme temperatures expected to be observed in the southeast of England.

'Climate change has already influenced the likelihood of temperature extremes in the UK.'

As the Azores High has expanded, winters in the western Mediterranean have become drier. This graph shows the number of winters with extremely large Azores Highs in a 100 year window

The UK had its ninth hottest summer on record last year and the hottest since 2018, with an average temperature of 15.28C (59.5F). The graphic above shows which areas of Britain had higher than average summer temperatures compared to the average from 1981-2010

Which weather will we get? There are five main air masses that battle it out above Britain. They include the Polar Maritime, Arctic Maritime, Polar Continental, Tropical Continental and Tropical Maritime. A sixth air mass, known as the returning Polar Maritime, also affects the UK

He added: 'The chances of seeing 40C days in the UK could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence.

'The likelihood of exceeding 40C anywhere in the UK in a given year has also been rapidly increasing, and, even with current pledges on emissions reductions, such extremes could be taking place every 15 years in the climate of 2100.'

Extreme heat events do occur in natural climate variation due to changes in global weather patterns, the Met Office said.

But it added that the increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of these events over recent decades is clearly linked to the observed warming of the planet and can be attributed to human activity.

The chances of seeing 106F (40C) days in the UK could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence, experts say.

Professor Cloke described the red warning for extreme heat as a 'wake-up call' about the climate emergency.

'Even as a climate scientist who studies this stuff, this is scary. This feels real. At the start of the week I was worried about my goldfish getting too hot. Now I'm worried about the survival of my family and my neighbours,' she said.

Why IS the British weather so changeable? UK is 'unique' because FIVE air masses battle for supremacy above it, bringing an extraordinary mix of atmospheric conditions that lead to sun one minute and rain the next

Warm and sunny one minute, rain the next, sometimes the British weather can be so wildly changeable it's difficult to keep up.

But just why is it so variable and prone to change from day to day? Or even, much to the frustration of those who have forgotten a coat, hour by hour?

And has climate change affected it?

MailOnline spoke to several meteorologists about what makes the UK's weather so 'unique', as one put it, and whether any other country in the world compares.

At the heart of it are five main air masses that each have similar temperature and moisture properties. They battle for supremacy above Britain and can spark an extraordinary mix of atmospheric conditions when they clash.

'The UK doesn't have its own weather,' said Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern, 'it borrows it from elsewhere.'

'That is what the air masses are  large bodies of air that come from other places.'

These graphics show the amount of rain and duration of sunshine areas of Britain had last summer as a percentage of the average from 1981-2010. Northern, central and western parts of the UK had less rainfall compared to the average, while some of the south had more. Southern areas also had less sunshine, while northern parts including Scotland had more

WHAT IS THE JET STREAM AND HOW DOES THAT AFFECT BRITAIN'S WEATHER? The jet stream is a fast moving strip of air high up in the atmosphere that's responsible for steering weather systems towards the UK from the Atlantic. It has a warm side to the south and a cold side to the north and can have a major impact on what kind of weather we experience. In a typical British summer, when temperatures are warmer and drier, the jet stream is to the north of the UK, where it pulls up hot air across the country. However, in the winter it sits further south and brings wet and windier weather because low pressure areas come closer to the UK. The jet stream, which sits at about 30,000ft, can also change shape, going from flat to amplified, and it's the latter that can lead to huge thunderstorms developing very quickly. Advertisement

Professor Liz Bentley, CEO of the Royal Meteorological Society, said: 'When two air masses are next to each other that is when we get dramatic weather conditions.

'Air masses are dependent on wind direction; if coming from the continent they are continental, from the north they are polar, from the ocean it's maritime and from the south they're tropical.'

They include the Polar Maritime, Arctic Maritime, Polar Continental, Tropical Continental and Tropical Maritime. A sixth air mass, known as the returning Polar Maritime, is also seen above Britain and is a variation of the Polar Maritime.

Each air mass brings a different type of weather, but as they meet and battle it out, it's the one that wins which dictates if we get warm sunshine, freezing rain or a spectacular thunderstorm.

'We mainly get the maritime air, either Tropical Maritime, Polar Maritime or returning Polar Maritime, because of how the Earth spins, leading to prevailing westerly winds for the UK,' Mr McGivern said.

Professor Bentley added: 'Although all the air masses have a role to play, the prevailing wind direction for us is westerly so we tend to see more coming from the Atlantic.

'The time of year doesn't affect which air mass wins, but when one does, it depends what season we're in as to what weather we get.

'In the winter, air from the continent is very cold. That's why we had the Beast from the East in 2018  because freezing air was coming from Siberia.

'However, in the summer, when the Tropical Continental air mass is more common, the air is warm because it's coming from a very hot continent, so you're likely to get heatwaves.'

Although it might not always seem it, heatwaves in Britain are actually becoming much more common.

'We are seeing climate change in the UK,' said Professor Bentley. 'There has been an increase in temperatures  the average monthly temperature has increased by 1C (1.8F) in the last 30 years.

'Temperature records are being broken more regularly and we're also more likely to see heatwaves that last longer and are more intense.'

So is the British weather only going to get more unpredictable?

'It's becoming more volatile, more intense,' said Professor Bentley. 'It's a much more volatile situation than three or four decades ago.

'Sometimes we even get two or three seasons in one day.

The graphic above shows how the jet stream works and where it's located between seasons

'We've also seen increases in rainfall, particularly intense rainfall that can lead to flash floods, which is another effect of climate change in the UK.

'And the Met Office has said in a report that we are likely to see 40C (104F) recorded in the UK within the next decade.'

Some of the cold and dreary weather can often be brought by the Polar Maritime, but it is not just about the air masses  the jet stream at 30,000ft also plays its part.

This is a fast moving strip of air high up in the atmosphere that's responsible for steering weather systems towards the UK from the Atlantic.

It has a warm side to the south and a cold side to the north. In a typical British summer, when temperatures are warmer and drier, the jet stream is to the north of the UK, where it pulls up hot air across the country.

However, in the winter it sits further south and brings wet and windier weather because low pressure areas come closer to the UK.

The jet stream can also change shape, going from flat to amplified, and it's the latter that can lead to huge thunderstorms developing very quickly.
Advertisement

Britain could experience its hottest day on record today, with temperatures forecast to hit up to 41C (106F).

But just why is the country in the midst of such a sweltering heatwave?

Experts say it is due to a number of factors, including winds blowing hot air up from north Africa and the Sahara, the 'Azores High' subtropical pressure system creeping farther north, and the ongoing impacts of climate change.

It has led to the Met Office issuing a red extreme heat warning for much of England today and tomorrow, with health officials declaring a 'national emergency'.

There are fears hospitals will be overwhelmed, schools could be forced to close, and transport links may grind to a halt due to train cancellations and melted roads.

London is set to be one of the hottest places in the world, as temperatures soar above those in the Western Sahara and the Caribbean. The current highest temperature in the UK is 38.7C (101.7F), recorded in Cambridge in 2019.

Part of the reason behind the hot weather is that a pressure system called the Azores High, which usually sits off Spain, has grown larger and is being pushed northwards.

This has brought scorching temperatures to the UK, France and the Iberian peninsula.

The high pressure near the southern half of Britain, which has been responsible for the recent warm weather, is also continuing to dominate overhead.

When this develops it triggers heatwaves, which can also bring so-called 'tropical nights'  when night-time temperatures fail to drop below 68F (20C).

These heatwaves are becoming more likely and more intense because of climate change.

Meanwhile, winds turned southerly at the end of last week, bringing hot air up from north Africa and the Sahara and allowing the UK to tap into some of the 113F (45C) heat from Spain and France.

Warning: The Met Office has issued these forecast maps to accompany the extreme heat warning today and tomorrow

The Azores High usually sits to the south but is currently directly over the UK and Ireland, stretching from the Azores Islands

Why is it so hot? Experts say it is due to a number of factors, including winds blowing hot air up from north Africa and the Sahara, the 'Azores High' subtropical pressure system creeping farther north, and the ongoing impacts of climate change. Sunbathers are pictured on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as they enjoy the continuing hot weather

WHAT ARE THE MAIN AIR MASSES SWIRLING ABOVE BRITAIN? There are five main air masses above Britain, along with a sixth one that is a variation of one of them. The UK is more likely to get maritime air masses because our weather primarily comes from the west. The reason for this is because of the direction the Earth spins, leading us to experience prevailing westerly winds. Although Britain does get air masses arriving from the east, too, they're not as common, forecasters say. Polar Maritime Arriving from Greenland and the Arctic Sea, it brings wet and cold air that leads to chilly and showery weather. Arctic Maritime As its name suggests, this air mass comes from the Arctic. It brings with it wet and cold air that causes snowfall in the winter. Polar Continental When the Beast from the East struck Britain in 2018, the bone-chilling air was Polar Continental and came from Siberia. It brings hot air in the summer and cold in the winter, leading to dry summers and snowy winters. Tropical Continental Everybody's favourite summer air mass, the Tropical Continental is what gives us heatwaves and bags of sunshine. The air is hot and dry and comes from North Africa. Tropical Maritime Arriving from the Atlantic Ocean, this warm and moist air brings cloud, rain and mild temperatures to the UK. Returning Polar Maritime The returning Polar Maritime is a variation of the Polar Maritime. However, it takes the air first southwards over the north Atlantic, then north-eastwards across the UK. During its passage south, the air becomes unstable and moist but on moving north-east it passes over cooler water, making it more stable. It brings largely dry weather and cloud. Advertisement

This Tropical Continental air mass is one of five that battle for supremacy over Britain and is what gives us heatwaves and bags of sunshine.

Professor Hannah Cloke, natural hazards researcher at the University of Reading, said: 'We have had heatwaves in the UK before, but the intensity of heat that has been forecast, which will either break UK records or at least get very close, is enough to kill people and animals, damage property, and hobble the economy.'

Dr Mark McCarthy, head of the Met Office National Climate Information Centre, said: 'The highest temperatures experienced in the UK tend to occur when our weather is influenced by air masses from continental Europe or North Africa.

'There is already a strongly-embedded warming due to climate change across the continent, that is increasing the likelihood of challenging the existing UK temperature record.'

The 'Azores High', which is undergoing 'unprecedented' changes, is also a big contributor to the current hot weather in Britain.

A new study suggests the atmospheric high-pressure system is being driven by climate change and already causing droughts in parts of Portugal and Spain.

The Azores High rotates clockwise over parts of the North Atlantic and has a major effect on weather and long-term climate trends in western Europe.

Researchers say this system 'has changed dramatically in the past century and that these changes in North Atlantic climate are unprecedented within the past millennium'.

Using climate model simulations over the last 1,200 years, experts from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that the Azores High started to grow to cover a greater area around 200 years ago, as human greenhouse gas pollution began to increase.

It expanded even more dramatically in the 20th century, in step with global warming.

Now the high pressure system, which is usually above the Atlantic and about 1,000 miles from mainland Portugal, has grown larger and pushed farther north, bringing high temperatures to the UK.

'We anticipate that the area of high pressure over the Azores will increasingly extend towards the southwest of the UK,' Daniel Rudman, of the Met Office, has said.

'This will lead to a good deal of warmer and mostly dry weather, especially across the south, although it may also bring cloud and rain into the northwest at times.'

Meanwhile, long July days and short nights also mean that strong sunshine builds up high temperatures.

Professor Richard Allan, professor of climate science at the University of Reading, said: 'Summer heatwaves in the UK are usually caused by an extended period of dry, sunny conditions, usually associated with high pressure that snuffs out cloud formation.

'Because there is little soil moisture, the sun's energy heats the ground and the air above rather than being used up evaporating water.

'These conditions can be intensified by hot, arid winds blowing from continental Europe where heat and drought have been building over the summer.'

He added: 'Higher temperatures and drier soils due to human caused climate change are turning strong heatwaves into extreme or even unprecedented heatwaves.'

Britain has been slowly getting hotter since the 19th Century, with the 10 hottest years since 1884 all having occurred since 2002.

In the past three decades alone, the UK has become 1.62F (0.9C) warmer.

'We hoped we wouldn't get to this situation but for the first time ever we are forecasting greater than 40C in the UK,' said Met Office scientist Dr Nikos Christidis.

'In a recent study we found that the likelihood of extremely hot days in the UK has been increasing and will continue to do so during the course of the century, with the most extreme temperatures expected to be observed in the southeast of England.

'Climate change has already influenced the likelihood of temperature extremes in the UK.'

As the Azores High has expanded, winters in the western Mediterranean have become drier. This graph shows the number of winters with extremely large Azores Highs in a 100 year window

The UK had its ninth hottest summer on record last year and the hottest since 2018, with an average temperature of 15.28C (59.5F). The graphic above shows which areas of Britain had higher than average summer temperatures compared to the average from 1981-2010

Which weather will we get? There are five main air masses that battle it out above Britain. They include the Polar Maritime, Arctic Maritime, Polar Continental, Tropical Continental and Tropical Maritime. A sixth air mass, known as the returning Polar Maritime, also affects the UK

He added: 'The chances of seeing 40C days in the UK could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence.

'The likelihood of exceeding 40C anywhere in the UK in a given year has also been rapidly increasing, and, even with current pledges on emissions reductions, such extremes could be taking place every 15 years in the climate of 2100.'

Extreme heat events do occur in natural climate variation due to changes in global weather patterns, the Met Office said.

But it added that the increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of these events over recent decades is clearly linked to the observed warming of the planet and can be attributed to human activity.

The chances of seeing 106F (40C) days in the UK could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence, experts say.

Professor Cloke described the red warning for extreme heat as a 'wake-up call' about the climate emergency.

'Even as a climate scientist who studies this stuff, this is scary. This feels real. At the start of last week I was worried about my goldfish getting too hot. Now I'm worried about the survival of my family and my neighbours,' she said.

Why IS the British weather so changeable? UK is 'unique' because FIVE air masses battle for supremacy above it, bringing an extraordinary mix of atmospheric conditions that lead to sun one minute and rain the next

Warm and sunny one minute, rain the next, sometimes the British weather can be so wildly changeable it's difficult to keep up.

But just why is it so variable and prone to change from day to day? Or even, much to the frustration of those who have forgotten a coat, hour by hour?

And has climate change affected it?

MailOnline spoke to several meteorologists about what makes the UK's weather so 'unique', as one put it, and whether any other country in the world compares.

At the heart of it are five main air masses that each have similar temperature and moisture properties. They battle for supremacy above Britain and can spark an extraordinary mix of atmospheric conditions when they clash.

'The UK doesn't have its own weather,' said Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern, 'it borrows it from elsewhere.'

'That is what the air masses are  large bodies of air that come from other places.'

These graphics show the amount of rain and duration of sunshine areas of Britain had last summer as a percentage of the average from 1981-2010. Northern, central and western parts of the UK had less rainfall compared to the average, while some of the south had more. Southern areas also had less sunshine, while northern parts including Scotland had more

WHAT IS THE JET STREAM AND HOW DOES THAT AFFECT BRITAIN'S WEATHER? The jet stream is a fast moving strip of air high up in the atmosphere that's responsible for steering weather systems towards the UK from the Atlantic. It has a warm side to the south and a cold side to the north and can have a major impact on what kind of weather we experience. In a typical British summer, when temperatures are warmer and drier, the jet stream is to the north of the UK, where it pulls up hot air across the country. However, in the winter it sits further south and brings wet and windier weather because low pressure areas come closer to the UK. The jet stream, which sits at about 30,000ft, can also change shape, going from flat to amplified, and it's the latter that can lead to huge thunderstorms developing very quickly. Advertisement

Professor Liz Bentley, CEO of the Royal Meteorological Society, said: 'When two air masses are next to each other that is when we get dramatic weather conditions.

'Air masses are dependent on wind direction; if coming from the continent they are continental, from the north they are polar, from the ocean it's maritime and from the south they're tropical.'

They include the Polar Maritime, Arctic Maritime, Polar Continental, Tropical Continental and Tropical Maritime. A sixth air mass, known as the returning Polar Maritime, is also seen above Britain and is a variation of the Polar Maritime.

Each air mass brings a different type of weather, but as they meet and battle it out, it's the one that wins which dictates if we get warm sunshine, freezing rain or a spectacular thunderstorm.

'We mainly get the maritime air, either Tropical Maritime, Polar Maritime or returning Polar Maritime, because of how the Earth spins, leading to prevailing westerly winds for the UK,' Mr McGivern said.

Professor Bentley added: 'Although all the air masses have a role to play, the prevailing wind direction for us is westerly so we tend to see more coming from the Atlantic.

'The time of year doesn't affect which air mass wins, but when one does, it depends what season we're in as to what weather we get.

'In the winter, air from the continent is very cold. That's why we had the Beast from the East in 2018  because freezing air was coming from Siberia.

'However, in the summer, when the Tropical Continental air mass is more common, the air is warm because it's coming from a very hot continent, so you're likely to get heatwaves.'

Although it might not always seem it, heatwaves in Britain are actually becoming much more common.

'We are seeing climate change in the UK,' said Professor Bentley. 'There has been an increase in temperatures  the average monthly temperature has increased by 1C (1.8F) in the last 30 years.

'Temperature records are being broken more regularly and we're also more likely to see heatwaves that last longer and are more intense.'

So is the British weather only going to get more unpredictable?

'It's becoming more volatile, more intense,' said Professor Bentley. 'It's a much more volatile situation than three or four decades ago.

'Sometimes we even get two or three seasons in one day.

The graphic above shows how the jet stream works and where it's located between seasons

'We've also seen increases in rainfall, particularly intense rainfall that can lead to flash floods, which is another effect of climate change in the UK.

'And the Met Office has said in a report that we are likely to see 40C (104F) recorded in the UK within the next decade.'

Some of the cold and dreary weather can often be brought by the Polar Maritime, but it is not just about the air masses  the jet stream at 30,000ft also plays its part.

This is a fast moving strip of air high up in the atmosphere that's responsible for steering weather systems towards the UK from the Atlantic.

It has a warm side to the south and a cold side to the north. In a typical British summer, when temperatures are warmer and drier, the jet stream is to the north of the UK, where it pulls up hot air across the country.

However, in the winter it sits further south and brings wet and windier weather because low pressure areas come closer to the UK.

The jet stream can also change shape, going from flat to amplified, and it's the latter that can lead to huge thunderstorms developing very quickly.
Britain is set to endure its hottest day on record this week, with forecasters predicting staggering temperatures of up to 41C (105F) in parts of the country.

Amid the unprecedented heat, transport links are grinding to a halt, with many commuters facing train cancellations this morning.

So why do heatwaves disrupt railways?

Network Rail has revealed how abnormally high temperatures can cause steel rails across the network to buckle.

'When Britain enjoys a summer heatwave, rails in direct sunshine can be as much as 20C [36F] hotter than air temperature,' it explained.

'Because rails are made from steel, they expand as they get hotter, and can start to curve. This is known as "buckling".'

Network Rail has revealed how abnormally high temperatures can cause steel rails across the network to buckle

Amid the unprecedented heat, transport links are grinding to a halt, with many commuters facing train cancellations this morning

Overhead wires can also overheat Another issue for railway networks amid the heatwave is the risk of overhead wires overheating. Overhead wires give power to trains by conducting electricity through the pantograph  an apparatus mounted on the roof of the train. During heatwaves, the overhead wires can expand and sag, causing the train's pantograph to become entangled in the wires and requiring repairs. Thankfully, much of the ageing overhead wires have been replaced with an auto-tensioned system, similar to those used European countries with more regular heatwaves, such as Italy. Advertisement

Britain's railway tracks cover more than 20,000 miles and are made from steel.

Most of the network can operate when track temperatures hit up to 114F (46C), according to Network Rail.

This is the equivalent to an air temperature of around 86F (30C).

However, with temperatures in parts of the UK set to hit 105F (41C), we could see parts of the rails start to buckle.

Network Rail uses remote monitoring systems to keep an eye on its tracks.

When the systems detect that a section of track might be expanding too much and heading towards a buckle, Network Rail introduces local speed restrictions.

'Slower trains cause lower forces on the track  this reduces the chance of buckling,' it explained.

Unfortunately, even with prevention measures in place, rails can buckle.

When this happens, the network is forced to close the line and carry out repairs before trains can run again.

'This can disrupt journeys because we often have to wait until the rail temperature has dropped before we can carry out these essential repairs,' it added.

Another issue for railway networks amid the heatwave is the risk of overhead wires overheating.

Overhead wires give power to trains by conducting electricity through the pantograph  an apparatus mounted on the roof of the train.

During heatwaves, the overhead wires can expand and sag, causing the train's pantograph to become entangled in the wires and requiring repairs.

Thankfully, much of the ageing overhead wires have been replaced with an auto-tensioned system, similar to those used European countries with more regular heatwaves, such as Italy.

One of the key ways that networks prevent tracks from overheating is by painting them white. This makes sure the tracks absorb less heat and expand less, reducing the risk of buckling

The Met Office has put a red warning in place, as temperatures in parts of the country are set to hit 41C

'Modern overhead lines, such as those in place on the lines between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Clacton, Harwich, Braintree, Cambridge and London Liverpool Street, and those installed on the Southend Victoria line, do not sag in high temperatures, avoiding the need for precautionary speed restrictions,' Greater Anglia explained.

One of the key ways that networks prevent tracks from overheating is by painting them white.

Dr John Easton, an executive panel member of the IET's Railway Technical Network, explained: 'This can reduce the track temperature by 5C and reduces signalling failures which lead to significant disruption.

'This technique is also used in countries where high temperatures are more commonplace, such as Italy, where engineers often paint the inside faces of the rails white to reflect the sunlight and lower the risk of buckling.'

Most tracks across the UK are made of long pieces of rail that are stretched and welded together.

'There is much less chance of buckling in very high temperatures because there is reduced compression,' Network Rail added.

'When a track is made up from short rails bolted together, we leave small gaps between each one so that expansion doesn't cause a problem.'

Meanwhile, in some part of Britain's rail network, tracks are laid on reinforced concrete slabs, rather than on sleepers and ballast - a technique often used to prevent buckling in hotter countries.

While this also helps to prevent damage, it costs about four times as much to install as standard ballasted track.

Worryingly, climate change could increase the frequency and severity of extreme heatwaves, and cause even more chaos for railway networks.

'We work closely with many governmental and specialist organisations to prepare our railway for the climate changes projected over the next few years, decades and beyond,' Network Rail said.
It's the go-to social media app for many people around the world, and now Snapchat has announced the launch of its latest feature  Snapchat for Web.

As the name suggests, Snapchat for Web will allow users to call and message their friends from the web.

'With so many in our community spending more time online, whether it is for remote learning or working, streaming or just plain browsing  we saw a huge opportunity to make it easier for our community to stay connected throughout their day, and we cannot wait to bring our favourite fundamental Snapchat capabilities to the web,' a spokesperson for Snap explained.

It's the go-to social media app for many people around the world, and now Snapchat has announced the launch of its latest feature  Snapchat for Web

What is Snapchat+? Snapchat+ is Snapchat's 3.99/month subscription service that features exclusive and 'experimental' features that aren't available to standard users. Aside from Snapchat for Web, Snapchat Plus initially includes six new and exclusive features. These include 'Rewatch Indicator', which shows how many people are rewatching Stories  the photos and videos that are posted to a user's feed. 'Custom App Icons' lets users choose from a variety of designs for the Snapchat app icon on their homescreen, including a rainbow icon and a Ukrainian flag icon. Meanwhile, 'Best Friends Forever' gives Snapchat Plus users the ability to pin one friend as their number one 'BFF'. Advertisement

To access Snapchat for Web, users can head to web.snapchat.com and login with their usual Snapchat username and password.

Once you're logged in, you'll be able to pick up your conversations from where you left off on the mobile app.

'[Users] will be able to take advantage of all of their favorite features from messaging on our mobile app, like Chat Reactions, Chat Reply, plus Lenses coming soon for video calls,' Snap explained.

'Snapchatters will also be able to send Snaps right from their computer.'

Snap says that Snapchat for Web was designed with privacy and safety in mind, 'like all of our products.'

It added: 'We'll launch with a unique privacy screen that hides the Snapchat window if you click away for another task.'

The tool will initially launch for Snapchat+ subscribers in the US, UK and Canada, and for all users in Australia and New Zealand, but will eventually roll out to all users.

Snapchat+ is Snapchat's 3.99-a-month subscription service that features exclusive and 'experimental' features that aren't available to standard users.

Aside from Snapchat for Web, Snapchat Plus includes six new and exclusive features.

To access Snapchat for Web, users can head to web.snapchat.com and login with their usual Snapchat username and password

These include 'Rewatch Indicator', which shows how many people are rewatching Stories  the photos and videos that are posted to a user's feed.

'Custom App Icons' lets Snapchat Plus users choose from a variety of designs for the Snapchat app icon on their homescreen, including an LGBT-friendly rainbow icon and a Ukrainian flag icon, in respect of Russia's war on the country.

Meanwhile, 'Best Friends Forever' gives Snapchat Plus users the ability to pin one friend as their number one 'BFF'.

Snapchat Plus is available in the UK, the US, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, although it will expand to users in more countries 'over time'.
NASA's new super space telescope suffered more damage than first thought when it was hit by a space rock in May, a new report has revealed.

The $10 billion (7.4 billion) observatory's primary mirror was permanently altered when it was impacted by the single micrometeorite, NASA has revealed, although it won't affect Webb's ability to take mesmerising images like the first official ones released last week.

Analysis of the telescope during its commissioning phase revealed that five of the six micrometeorite strikes to its big mirror between January and June caused negligible damage.

However, an impact to a mirror segment labelled C3 in mid-May left the telescope with more damage that can be fully corrected for.

NASA's new super space telescope suffered more damage than first thought when it was hit by a space rock in May, a new report has revealed

The $10 billion ($7.4 billion) observatory's primary mirror (pictured) was permanently altered when it was impacted by the single micrometeorite, NASA has revealed, although it won't affect Webb's ability to take mesmerising images like the first official ones released last week

INSTRUMENTS ON THE JAMES WEBB TELESCOPE NIRCam (Near InfraRed Camera) an infrared imager from the edge of the visible through the near infrared NIRSpec (Near InfraRed Spectrograph) will also perform spectroscopy over the same wavelength range. MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument) will measure the mid-to-long-infrared wavelength range from 5 to 27 micrometers. FGS/NIRISS (Fine Guidance Sensor and Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph), is used to stabilise the line-of-sight of the observatory during science observations. Advertisement

'The single micrometeorite impact that occurred between 22  24 May 2022 UT exceeded prelaunch expectations of damage for a single micrometeoroid triggering further investigation and modelling by the JWST Project,' the report read.

The commissioning period was a painstaking process which began shortly after Webb reached space and lasted until just a few weeks ago, when ground controllers successfully completed the calibration, alignment, and testing of the telescope's mirrors and instruments.

During that time, five micrometeoroid strikes caused little damage equating to less than 1 nanometer of wavefront error root mean square (RMS), which is a technical way to describe how much Webb's mirror distorts the starlight the mirror collects.

Most of the distortion added by these impacts can be corrected out of the mirror because the 18 hexagonal segments that make it up can be individually and finely adjusted.

However, the sixth one raised the wavefront error of the segment from 56 nanometers to 178 nanometers after correction by adjusting the segment.

This damage to the C3 segment could still be compensated for, however, and did not compromise the resolution of Webb's primary mirror as a whole.

The report added: 'The micrometeoroid which hit segment C3 in the period 2224 May 2022 UT caused significant uncorrectable change in the overall figure of that segment.

'However, the effect was small at the full telescope level because only a small portion of the telescope area was affected.'

Micrometeoroid strikes are a problem for Webb because its 21ft (6.5m) diameter mirror is exposed to space, unlike its predecessor Hubble.

But due to its orbit 1 million miles (1.5 million km) from Earth, at a point called the second Lagrange point or L2, experts only expected Webb to encounter potentially hazardous micrometeorites about once per month.

Webb's primary mirror consists of 18 hexagonal segments of gold-plated beryllium metal, and measures 21 feet 4 inches (6.5 metres) in diameter. It is supported by three shallow carbon fibre tubes, or struts, that extend out from the primary mirror

Webb's infrared capabilities allow it to 'see back in time' to the Big Bang, which happened 13.8 billion years ago. Light waves move extremely fast, about 186,000 miles (300,000 km) per second, every second. The further away an object is, the further back in time we are looking. This is because of the time it takes light to travel from the object to us

Spectacular: Pictured is the first image from the James Webb Space Telescope, showing SMACS 0723, a galaxy cluster billions of light-years from Earth

'It is not yet clear whether the May 2022 hit to segment C3 was a rare event (i.e. an unlucky early strike by a high kinetic energy micrometeoroid that statistically might occur only once in several years),' the report read, 'or whether the telescope may be more susceptible to damage by micrometeoroids than pre-launch modelling predicted.'

The Webb team are now looking at what can be done to mitigate future micrometeorite strikes, including potentially limiting how long the telescope is pointed in directions known to expose the mirror to a higher probability of these impacts.

Last week Webb's dazzling, unprecedented images of a 'stellar nursery', dying star cloaked by dust and a 'cosmic dance' between a group of galaxies were revealed to the world for the first time.

It put an end to months of waiting and feverish anticipation as people across the globe were treated to the first batch of a treasure trove of images that will culminate in the earliest ever look at the dawn of the universe.

Webb's infrared capabilities mean it can 'see back in time' to within a mere 100-200 million years of the Big Bang, allowing it to snap pictures of the very first stars to shine in the universe more than 13.5 billion years ago.

Its first images of nebulae, an exoplanet and galaxy clusters triggered huge celebration in the scientific world, on what was hailed a 'great day for humanity'.

Researchers will soon begin to learn more about the galaxies' masses, ages, histories and compositions, as Webb seeks to explore the earliest galaxies in the universe.

A report was published on the academic preprint server arxiv.org.
A dormant black hole at least nine times the mass of the Sun has been discovered just 160,000 light years from Earth, orbiting a star.

A team of researchers  known as the 'black hole police' because they have debunked so many black hole discoveries  searched nearly 1,000 stars of the Tarantula Nebula in the constellation Dorado before locating it.

They claim this is the first dormant 'stellar-mass' black hole to have been detected outside of the Milky Way galaxy.

Stellar-mass black holes are formed when massive stars reach the end of their lives and collapse under their own gravity.

The black hole is described as 'dormant' if it is not actively devouring matter and, as a result, does not give off any light or other radiation.

The discovery has been likened to finding a 'needle in a haystack', as dormant black holes are notoriously hard to spot because they do not interact with their surroundings.

Co-author Dr Pablo Marchant of KU Leuven in Belgium, said: 'It's incredible, we hardly know of any dormant black holes given how common astronomers believe them to be.'

An artists impression of the binary system VFTS 243. The system, which is located in the Tarantula Nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud, is composed of a hot, blue star with 25 times the Sun's mass and a black hole, which is at least nine times the mass of the Sun

Artist's impression of the VFTS 243 binary system. The background image shows a Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) image of a segment of the Large Magellanic Cloud, marking the region in which VFTS 243 resides. The sizes of the star, black hole and orbits are not to scale

WHAT IS A 'BINARY SYSTEM'? A binary star is a system of two stars that are bound via gravity and in orbit around each other. Either or both of the stars in the system could be a black hole. When this is the case they are often identified by the presence of bright X-ray emissions. The X-rays are produced by matter falling from one component, called the donor (usually a relatively normal star), to the other component, called the accretor (the black hole). The matter forms into a glowing accretion disk swirling around the black hole. However observations from NASAs Chandra X-ray telescope reveal VFTS 243 to be X-ray faint. Advertisement

The newly discovered black hole lies in the Large Magellanic Cloud  a satellite galaxy that neighbours the Milky Way.

The Large Magellanic Cloud orbits a hot, blue star that is almost three times as big as our galaxy.

Thousands of stellar-mass black holes are believed to exist in the Milky Way and the Magellanic Clouds.

They are much smaller than the supermassive black hole 27,000 light years from Earth that is powering the Milky Way, known as Sagittarius A*.

The black hole is part of a 'binary' with a luminous companion star, where they revolve around each other in a system known as VFTS 243.

Co-author Dr Julia Bodensteiner, of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Germany, said: 'For more than two years now we've been looking for such black-hole-binary systems.

'I was very excited when I heard about VFTS 243, which in my opinion is the most convincing candidate reported to date.'

It took six years worth of data from the ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) to officially identify VFTS 243.

The FLAMES (Fibre Large Array Multi Element Spectrograph) scanner on the VLT allows more than a hundred objects to be observed at once.

Historically, binaries hosting stellar mass black holes have been identified through the presence of bright X-ray emissions from the accretion disk.

The glowing accretion disc is formed of gases from the living star's atmosphere that flow towards and surround the black hole.

However observations from NASAs Chandra X-ray telescope reveal VFTS 243 to be X-ray faint.

This image from VLT Survey Telescope at ESOs Paranal Observatory in Chile shows the Tarantula Nebula and its surroundings within the Large Magellanic Cloud. It shows star clusters, glowing gas clouds and the scattered remains of supernova explosions

Historically, binaries hosting stellar mass black holes have been identified through the presence of bright X-ray emissions from the accretion disk (pictured). The glowing accretion disc is formed of gases from the living star's atmosphere that flow towards and surround the black hole (stock illustration)

The study, published today in Nature Astronomy, also sheds light on how black holes are created from the cores of dying stars.

The star that gave rise to VFTS 243 appears to have collapsed entirely, without leaving any trace of a powerful supernova explosion.

Dr Shenar explained: 'Evidence for this 'direct-collapse' scenario has been emerging recently - but our study arguably provides one of the most direct indications.

'This has enormous implications for the origin of black-hole mergers in the cosmos.'

It took six years worth of data from ESO's Very Large Telescope (pictured) to identify VFTS 243

The FLAMES instrument, mounted at the Nasmyth A platform at ESO's Very Large Telescope. FLAMES is a high resolution spectrograph of the VLT and can access targets over a large corrected field of view. It allows more than a hundred objects to be observed at once

Artist rendering of NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory space telescope

Despite the nickname 'black hole police,' the international team of researchers actively encourages scrutiny of their work.

Lead author Dr Tomer Shenar, of Amsterdam University, said: 'As a researcher who has debunked potential black holes in recent years, I was extremely sceptical regarding this discovery.

'For the first time, our team got together to report on a black hole discovery  instead of rejecting one.'

Dr Kareem El-Badry of Harvard University in Boston is nicknamed the 'black hole destroyer' due to his notoriety for debunking discoveries.

Dr El-Badry said: 'When Tomer asked me to double-check his findings, I had my doubts.

'But I could not find a plausible explanation for the data that did not involve a black hole.

'Of course I expect others in the field to pore over our analysis carefully, and to try to cook up alternative models.

'It's a very exciting project to be involved in.'




President Yoon Suk-yeol will meet with U.S. Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen on Tuesday, the presidential office said Monday.







Yellen is set to arrive in South Korea after attending a meeting of finance chiefs from the Group of 20 major economies in Indonesia.







During Yellen's visit, senior officials from the two nations are expected to discuss how to strengthen cooperation to cope with supply chain disruptions and sanctions against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.







The U.S. Treasury has targeted North Korea's revenue generating activities, including imposing sanctions on financial facilitators and procurement networks.







Yoon and Yellen are expected to have "candid discussions on pending economic issues between the two nations," an official at Yoon's office said.







The Treasury Department has said Yellen will discuss ways to build stronger supply chains to help curb rising prices during her visit to Seoul.







The U.S. secretary will also discuss ways to impose additional costs on Russia for its ongoing war in Ukraine, it added.







In Seoul, Yellen is also scheduled to meet with Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho and Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong.







As for speculation that South Korea and the U.S. could discuss currency swap arrangements to stabilize the foreign exchange market when Yellen visits South Korea, Rhee told reporters last week that he does not have such a plan but expressed hopes that relevant talks could take place when she meets Choo. (Yonhap)






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The James Webb Space Telescope, which has already wowed the world with gorgeous images of far-flung galaxies and distant planets, stores its data on a relatively small 68 GB drive - that's enough to hold only a day's worth of images.

Although solid state drive (SSD) seems almost too small for a piece of technology that cost $10 billion and took years 30 years to build, a recent report reveals that NASA had good reasons to choose this type of hardware.

It only takes about 120 minutes to fill the SSD, depending on what observations scientists have scheduled.

Scroll down for video

The James Webb Space Telescope stores its data on a relatively small 68 GB drive. Pictured is Carina Nebula, located about 7,600 light-years away in the southern constellation called Carina

The JWST can send data back to Earth at 28 megabytes per second, according to Carl Hansen, a flight systems engineer at the Space Telescope Science Institute.

'I knew where the risks were in this mission. And I wanted to make sure that we didnt get any new risks,' he told IEEE Spectrum.

The speed of data transfer means that all the new information can be beamed back to Earth in about four and a half hours - despite the fact that JWST collects far more data than Hubble ever was capable of: 57 GB versus only 1-2 GB per day.

Hansen explained to the outlet that it does so during two daily 4-hour contact windows, with each allowing the transmission of 28.6 GB of science data.

The JWST can send data back to Earth at 28 megabytes per second. Pictured is the Southern Ring Nebula, which is nearly half a light-year in diameter and is located about 2,000 light years away from Earth, according to NASA

That's why it only needs enough storage to collect a day's worth of images  there's no need to keep them on the telescope itself.

The James Webb will also share the resources of the Deep Space Network (DSN) with the Parker Solar Probe, the Voyager probes, the Mars rovers and other major space-faring technologies.

The DSN contains three antenna complexes located in Madrid, Spain; Barstow, Calif., and Canberra, Australia.

Alex Hunter, also a flight systems engineer at the Space Telescope Science Institute, says that by the end of JWSTs 10-year mission life, they expect to be down to about 60 GB because of deep-space radiation and wear and tear. Pictured is Stephan's Quintet, a group of five galaxies in the constellation Pegasus

Beyond the delicate balance of transmitting data at precise times and sharing such high-tech tools with other efforts, the JWST must also contend with natural forces that add an element of peril.

The JWST is a million miles from Earth at Lagrange point L2, where it must contend with radiation and temperatures of about -370 degrees Fahrenheit.

Alex Hunter, also a flight systems engineer at the Space Telescope Science Institute, says that by the end of JWSTs 10-year mission life, they expect to be down to about 60 GB because of deep-space radiation and wear and tear.

According to NASA, SMACS 0723 - pictured above - has a gravitational pull so powerful that it warps both space-time and the path that light subsequently travels through it

The world is still absorbing the spectacular first images that NASA produced and and scientists will garner countless insights into our universe in the coming months and years from the JWST.

The first batch of images includes a galaxy cluster as it appeared 4.6 billion years ago and a planetary nebular caused by a dying star.

Due to the way that light distorts or bends space-time, combined with Webb's infrared capabilities - the telescope can 'see back in time' to the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago.

MailOnline has taken a closer look at some of the easily-missed details in the images, which are just the first of many to be captured by James Webb.

Dazzling, unprecedented images of a 'stellar nursery', dying star cloaked by dust and a 'cosmic dance' between a group of galaxies have been revealed to the world by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope

SMACS 0723

Webb's first new image, which was released by US President Joe Biden on Monday, a day before the others, shows the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 as it appeared 4.6 billion years ago.

Galaxy clusters are the largest objects in the universe that are held together by their own gravity.

They contain hundreds or thousands of galaxies, lots of hot plasma, and a large amount of dark matter  invisible mass that only interacts with regular matter through gravity and doesn't emit, absorb or reflect light.

This image of SMACS 0723 covers a patch of sky approximately the size of a grain of sand held at arm's length by someone on the ground  and reveals thousands of galaxies in a tiny sliver of vast universe.

Spectacular: Galaxy clusters, like SMACS 0723, are the largest objects in the universe that are held together by their own gravity. Here is the original image, released by NASA on Monday

According to NASA, SMACS 0723 has a gravitational pull so powerful that it warps both space-time and the path that light subsequently travels through it.

Because of this, bright white galaxies are warping and stretching the light from the more distant galaxies, making them seem elongated, almost banana-shaped.

HOW DOES JAMES WEBB SEE BACK IN TIME? The further away an object is, the further back in time we are looking. This is because of the time it takes light to travel from the object to us. With James Webb's larger mirror, it will be able to see almost the whole way back to the beginning of the Universe, around 13.7 billion years ago. With its ability to view the Universe in longer wavelength infrared light, James Webb will be capable of seeing some of the most distant galaxies in our Universe, certainly with more ease than than the visible/ultraviolet light view of Hubble. This is because light from distant objects is stretched out by the expansion of our Universe - an effect known as redshift - pushing the light out of the visible range and into infrared. Source: Royal Museums Greenwich Advertisement

The combined mass of SMACS 0723 operates as a gravitational lens and, according to NASA, 'magnify and distort the light of objects behind them, permitting a deep field view into both the extremely distant and intrinsically faint galaxy populations'.

NASA said Webb's NIRCam, which captures light from the edge of the visible through the near infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, has brought distant galaxies into sharp focus in the new image.

Tiny, faint structures that have never been seen before, including star clusters  groups of hundreds to millions of stars that share a common origin, all gravitationally bound for as long as several billions of years.

STEPHAN'S QUINTET

Next up is Stephan's Quintet, a group of five galaxies in the constellation Pegasus, first discovered by French astronomer Edouard Stephan in 1877.

It's fair to say Mr Stephan would be blown away by the new James Webb image of his discovery, which captures the five galaxies in 'exquisite detail', NASA says.

Four of the five galaxies within the quintet are locked in a 'cosmic dance' of repeated close encounters.

'Dust lanes crossing between galaxies and long filaments of stars and gas extending far beyond the central regions all suggest galaxies twisted by violent encounters,' the European Space Agency says.

'The galaxies float through space, distorted shapes moulded by tidal interactions, weaving together in the intricate figures of an immense cosmic dance, choreographed by gravity.'

Two of the five galaxies, NGC 7318 a and b, forms a pair, and almost appear as one in the new image.

The brightest member of the five is spiral galaxy NGC 7320, to the left of the picture, which is closer than the others.

NGC 7320 has extensive 'H II region'  regions of ionized hydrogen atoms, depicted as red blobs, where star formation is occurring.

Stephan's Quintet is a group of five galaxies in the constellation Pegasus, first discovered by French astronomer Edouard Stephan in 1877

NASA said the image is an enormous mosaic, covering about one-fifth of the Moon's diameter. It contains more than 150 million pixels and is constructed from almost 1,000 separate image files.

Stephan's Quintet is famous for appearing as angelic figures at the beginning of the much-loved 1946 Christmas film 'It's a Wonderful Life', starring James Stewart and Donna Reed.

CARINA NEBULA

The Carina Nebula is one of the brightest and biggest nebulae in space, located about 7,600 light-years away in the southern constellation called Carina.

Nebulae are stellar nurseries where stars are birthed and this particular one is home to many gigantic stars, including some larger than the sun.

The stunning shot shows the edge of a nearby, young, star-forming region called NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula.

At the bottom of the image is the western section of NGC 3324, and what NASA calls the 'Cosmic Cliffs'  an orangey-brown landscape of 'craggy mountains' and 'valleys' speckled with glittering baby stars.

At the bottom of the image is the western section of NGC 3324, and what NASA calls the 'Cosmic Cliffs'  an orangey-brown landscape of 'craggy mountains' and 'valleys' speckled with glittering baby stars. NASA experts don't even know what some of the structures are in this image, because they are so unprecedented

The blistering, ultraviolet radiation from the young stars is sculpting the nebula's wall by slowly eroding it away. The tallest 'peaks' in this image are about seven light-years high.

NASA says: 'Dramatic pillars tower above the glowing wall of gas, resisting this radiation. The 'steam' that appears to rise from the celestial 'mountains' is actually hot, ionized gas and hot dust streaming away from the nebula due to the relentless radiation.'

INSTRUMENTS ON THE JAMES WEBB TELESCOPE NIRCam (Near InfraRed Camera) an infrared imager from the edge of the visible through the near infrared NIRSpec (Near InfraRed Spectrograph) will also perform spectroscopy over the same wavelength range. MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument) will measure the mid-to-long-infrared wavelength range from 5 to 27 micrometers. FGS/NIRISS (Fine Guidance Sensor and Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph), is used to stabilise the line-of-sight of the observatory during science observations. Advertisement

Captured in infrared light by NASA's new James Webb Space Telescope, this image reveals for the first time previously invisible areas of star birth.

'Today, for the first time, we're seeing brand new stars that were completely hidden from our view,' said Amber Straughn, deputy project scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope.

'We see examples of bubbles and cavities and jets that are being blown out by these newborn stars. We even see some galaxies sort of lurking in the background up here.

'We see examples of structures that honesty we don't even know what they are.'

SOUTHERN RING NEBULA

The Southern Ring nebula, also known as the 'Eight-Burst' nebula, is a planetary nebula  an expanding, glowing shell of ionized gas ejected from red giant stars late in their lives.

According to NASA, the Southern Ring nebula is nearly half a light-year in diameter and is located about 2,000 light years away from Earth.

The dimmer star at the center of the image has been sending out rings of gas and dust for thousands of years in all directions, giving it the appearance of a bright glint on a precious sapphire.

The dying star is cloaked in dust as it undertakes its 'final performance', as NASA puts it  something that our sun will go through in billions of years.

Southern Ring Nebula is shown almost face-on, but if it were to be rotated to view it edge-on, its three-dimensional shape would more clearly look like two bowls placed together at the bottom, opening away from one another with a large hole at the centre.

The Southern Ring nebula is a planetary nebula - an expanding, glowing shell of ionized gas ejected from red giant stars late in their lives

There are two images of the Southern Ring nebula, captured by two different instruments on James Webb  NIRCam and MIRI, which sees light in the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The stars  and their layers of light  are prominent in the image from NIRCam, while the image from MIRI shows for the first time the nebula's second star.

NASA says the brighter star influences the nebula's appearance, and as the pair orbit one another, they 'stir the pot' of gas and dust, causing asymmetrical patterns.

These two images also reveal a cache of distant galaxies  not stars  in the background, appearing as a variety of multi-colored points of light seen here are galaxies.

Eagle-eyed views will also notice a blueish line to the left, which NASA astronomer Karl Gordon had said he originally thought it was part of the nebula.

However, he later realised it was a galaxy captured edge-on. Such a perspective could reveal more about how stars are distributed throughout a galaxy.

Two cameras aboard Webb captured the latest image of this planetary nebula, cataloged as NGC 3132, and known informally as the Southern Ring Nebula. It is approximately 2,500 light-years away. One image was taken in the near-infrared (NIRCam, left) and another in the mid-infrared (MIRI, right)

WASP-96 b

The fifth and final image depicts WASP-96 b, a planet outside of our solar system  also known as an exoplanet  that's composed mainly of gas.

WASP-96 b is a giant planet located 1,150 light-years from Earth and orbits its star every 3.4 days. It has about half the mass of Jupiter and was discovered in 2014.

The image presents a graph of data captured by the James Webb telescope in front of an artist's depiction on the planet. Unfortunately, even James Webb cannot get a close-up of an exoplanet, as they're too far away.

Webb captured the distinct signature of water, along with evidence for clouds and haze, in the atmosphere surrounding WASP-96 b  described as a hot and puffy gas giant.

James Webb was launched from Guiana Space Centre on December 25 last year with the aim of looking back in time to the dawn of the universe and to capture what happened just a couple of hundred million years after the Big Bang.

It will spend more than a decade at an area of balanced gravity between the Sun and Earth called L2 exploring the universe in the infrared spectrum, allowing it to gaze through clouds of gas and dust where stars are being born.

In comparison, its predecessor Hubble has operated primarily at optical and ultraviolet wavelengths since its 1990 launch.

As the universe is expanding, light from the earliest stars shifts from the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths it was emitted in, to longer infrared wavelengths.

Astronomers will use Webb to observe the infrared universe, analyze the data collected, and publish scientific papers on their discoveries.

'James Webb allows us to see deeper into space than ever before,' said Vice President Kamala Harris, who leads the National Space Council.

'It will enhance what we know about our universe our solar system and possibly life itself.'

Webb's infrared capabilities allow it to 'see back in time' to the Big Bang, which happened 13.8 billion years ago. Light waves move extremely fast, about 186,000 miles (300,000 km) per second, every second. The further away an object is, the further back in time we are looking. This is because of the time it takes light to travel from the object to us

President Joe Biden released the first ever deep space image from NASA's $10 billion (7.4 billion) James Webb Space Telescope (pictured here in space)
Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to stay at Manchester United by his former team-mate Nani.

Ronaldo has been absent from Uniteds tour of Thailand and Australia due to family reasons after asking to leave this summer.

Top clubs including Chelsea and Bayern Munich have decided against bidding for the 37-year-old and United have insisted he is not for sale.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to stay at Manchester United by his former team-mate Nani

Ronaldos close friend Nani believes his old United and Portugal team-mate should stay at the club for another season, but has been unable to reach him on the phone this summer.

I hope (he will stay), said the 35-year-old winger. Hes an important player and a player who always makes a difference. I hope hes in a good mood to help the club.

I tried to talk to him but when hes on vacation he doesnt answer the phone. He said, Im so busy now, well talk soon.

The two Portuguese stars once rubbed shoulders at Old Trafford between 2007 and 2009

Nani made his debut for Melbourne Victory as a late substitute against United on Friday night and received a big reception from both sets of fans at the MCG, where Erik ten Hags side came from behind to win 4-1.

It was an emotional moment for me, said Nani, who won 12 trophies as a United player before leaving in 2015.

I hope the club can get back to where they belong.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag overruled the board at Manchester United to finalise the 55.3million deal for Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.

The club's scouts had recommended a move for Villarreal's Pau Torres, who has long been a target for the club, but ten Hag persuaded the board to back his pursuit of his former player.

Martinez played under the Dutch manager at Ajax for two seasons, where he was deployed as a centre-back, left-back and centre-midfielder at time.

Erik ten Hag convinced the Manchester United board to sign Lisandro Martinez over Pau Torres

Whilst signing a central defender this window was not regarded as a priority, with Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof considered adequate cover in that position, Martinez becomes the Red Devils' third signing of the summer.

Martinez cost the club around 55m after performance based add-ons

At just five foot nine, there were concerns over Martinez' ability to compete in the Premier League, which is notorious for its physicality and has seen several leading players struggle to adapt to.

But ten Had reportedly expressed concerns with Torres' lack of pace, which would likely see him struggle to play a high line, and would also leave him vulnerable in a probably pairing with club captain Maguire.

It is an early sign of what is to come in the transfer market for United fans, and many will be pleased to see the sway the Dutchman has in recruitment decisions as he looks to rebuild a club to its former glory.

United agreed a 46.8m fee with de Godenzonen, to be followed by 8.5m in performance and achievement based bonuses, and Martinez is set to sign a five-year deal worth 120,000-per-week.

Martinez will now wait for his new team-mates to return from their pre-season tour of Australia before joining up with them ahead of the new season.

Martinez, 24, offers versatility and can play at centre-back, left-back and defensive midfield

Martinez won two Dutch league titles during his time in the Ajax ranks, plus the Dutch cup

And ten Hag will be hopeful that he can land another former player of his in Frenkie de Jong, who has been subject of perhaps the most high-profile saga of the window.

The Dutch star is the new United manager's top target and he is prepared to hold out until the last second to sign gifted midfielder De Jong, who was his 'favourite player' while managing at Ajax.

He has openly stated he wants to stay at the Nou Camp, and has flown to Miami to participate in Barcelona's pre-season tour of the US - but sources close to the player have said he is in regular contact with Ten Hag and is happy to join United.

United's scouts recommended signing Torres but ten Hag pushed for his former Ajax player
Ethan Hawke has slipped into promo mode for his latest project: the new HBO Max documentary The Last Movie Stars.

The acclaimed actor put on his director's hat to help tell the story of the decades-long romance and partnership between Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.

And on Sunday he arrived with his daughter Maya Hawke on his arm for a special screening at Film Forum, a non-profit movie theater in the Downtown neighborhood of Greenwich Village.

Family support: Ethan Hawke, 51, arrived for a special screening of his documentary, The Last Movie Stars, holding hands with his daughter Maya Hawke, 24, in New York City

Ethan, 51, arrived to the cinema with his daughter Maya Hawke, who's a rising star in the field of acting in her own right,

In a sweet gesture, the pair were seen holding hands as they walked along the last block or two of the bustling streets.

Beaming with pride, the four-time Oscar-nominated actor flashed a big smile decked out in a gray suit and a white dress shirt, which he wore unbuttoned at the top and without a tie.

He also donned a pair of black sneakers and had his short salt-and-pepper hair slicked back off his face, while sporting a manicured goatee.

Closer look at Hollywood icons: Hawke directed the new HBO documentary about the partnership of Hollywood legends Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

Beaming: Maya, whose mother is actress Uma Thurman, was all smiles decked out in a denim ensemble

Maya, 24, appeared to be equally proud to be on her father's arm dressed in an all-dark blue denim ensemble consisting of capri-style jeans that fell to around her ankles.

The outfit also included a matching denim jacket, which she wore over a red and white-patterned sweater with a v-neck, and a backpack over her left shoulder.

She rounded out her overall look by wearing a pair of black leather boots, and her blonde tresses styled just past her shoulders with a heathy dose of volume and a part in the middle.

By the time the father-daughter duo made it out front of the theater they would soon be separated, with Ethan seemingly being whisked away to do some media commitments.

Business casual: The Reality Bites star wore a gray suit with a white dress shirt and sneakers

Packed house: Once the father-daughter duo arrived at the theater, Maya and Ethan were whisked away in different directions past the crowd of people already lined up

Jetting out: Meanwhile Ethan's ex-wife and Maya's mom Uma Thurman was seen at JFK Airport in New York

Maya, whose mother is actress Uma Thurman, looked to be ushered past the line of people that were already gathered outside of the cinema.

With The Last Movie Stars, the Realty Bites star chronicles Newman and Woodward's relationship through a series of previously unpublished conversations.

The interviews were originally meant for Newmans memoir, a project that was ultimately put on the back burner and ultimately scrapped, according to Indie Wire.

Newman would go on to destroy those tapes of their conversations, but transcripts were saved and used to tell their story in the documentary by using some of the biggest stars past and present.

Icons: Woodward and Newman were massive stars individually, and as a couple as well, who were married for 50 years; they pictured in 2005, three years before Newman's passing

Along with the Newman and Woodward, themselves, the cast features the likes of Martin Scorsese, Sally Field, Melanie Griffith, Sydney Pollack, Sidney Lumet, Karl Malden, Elia Kazan, Gore Vidal and Jacqueline Witte, among others.

Breaking the mold on Hollywood relationships, the Newman and Woodward union resulted in them working side-by-side on a number of films and projects, all while being married for more than 50 years.

Their final screen performance together was in the cable miniseries Empire Falls in 2005.

Newman passed away in September 2008 at the age of 83, while Woodward is still thriving at the age of 92.

The Last Movie Stars begins streaming on HBO Max on Thursday, July 21.
Alessandra Ambrosio displayed her long, toned legs and flawless skin Sunday as she headed to a Pilates class in Los Angeles.

The 41-year-old looked fit in a pair of black yoga shorts, a lavender sweatshirt and white slide sandals as she made her way to the morning workout.

The Daddy's Home 2 actress' flawless face appeared makeup free.

Workout: Alessandra Ambrosio, 41, displayed her long, toned legs and flawless skin Sunday as she headed to a Pilates class in Los Angeles

She pulled her dark blonde locks into a top knot and wore dark Vera Wang Eyewear sunglasses in the bright West Hollywood sunshine.

The Brazilian beauty recently returned from a trip to Italy, where she and her partner, Richard Lee, attended the wedding of some friends.

Alessandra and her beau have been dating since about February 2021.

Naturally beautiful: The Daddy's Home 2 actress looked fit in a pair of black yoga shorts, a lavender sweatshirt and white slide sandals. Her flawless face appeared makeup free

They were spotted out together several times that month, which included a romantic dinner for two in Los Angeles, and shopping trips to grocery stores.

Prior to the nuptials, the GAL Floripa beachwear entrepreneur spent some time with a friend vacationing near the blue Mediterranean waters in Ibiza and along the Amalfi coast.

The mother of two shares her children, Anja, 13, and Noah, 10, with her ex-fiance' Jamie Mazur, 41.

Hosting: The Brazilian beauty recently finished a stint as host of the reality show, The Cut Brazil, a competition looking for the best hair stylist in her home country

The couple were together for 13 years before deciding to go their separate ways in 2018.

Alessandra recently finished a stint as the host for The Cut Brazil on HBO Max.

It's a reality show in which 12 people compete for the title of Best Hair Stylist in Brazil.
Cody Simpson confirmed his relationship with his girlfriend Emma Mckeon earlier this month.

And the Australian swimmer's mother Angie has now given her son's new love her tick of approval.

'I adore them as a couple and they're lovely friends to boot. Being on the Australian team together makes my heart sing - she's there for Cody for all the right reasons,' Angie told Woman's Day.

Cody Simpson's mother Angie (left) has given her tick of approval as she opened up about his new relationship with Emma Mckeon

'She's a few years older - her maturity and cool head are the sort of qualities Cody adores in a woman,' she continued.

Angie went on to say Cody and Emma 'fit together so well' and she is 'so happy'.

'They're two beautiful souls who fit together so well. They're like a couple of Cheshire cats - as a mum that makes me so happy,' she added.

'I adore them as a couple and they're lovely friends to boot. Being on the Australian team together makes my heart sing - she's there for Cody for all the right reasons,' Angie said

It comes after Cody went 'Instagram official' with Emma earlier this month.

The pair began dating several months ago after Cody ditched his music career to focus on competitive swimming.

He posted a gallery of photos on Instagram of himself and fellow swimmer Emma, 28, holding hands in Barcelona, Spain.

'A brief rendezvous in Barcelona with my love, Emma,' he captioned the images of the pair smiling and holding hands as they walked down the street.

'She's a few years older - her maturity and cool head are the sort of qualities Cody adores in a woman,' she continued

His friend Karl Stefanovic, the host of Channel Nine's Today show, commented below the post: 'Happppy xx.'

It's the first time Cody has posted about Emma on his main Instagram feed. She has yet to share any pictures of him on her grid.

The pair are in Barcelona while Cody trains for the Commonwealth Games.
Lupita Nyong'o cradled her pasta belly in some stunning before and after snaps taken during her vacation in Italy.

The 39-year-old actress showed off her amazing figure in an animal print bikini as she posed by a gorgeous swimming pool beneath clear azure skies while sporting sunglasses and a Artesano hat.

The side-by-side social media post included photos apparently taken at the beginning of her Mediterranean holiday and one a week after indulging in the local fare with the Oscar winner cradling her tummy in the second shot writing, 'From Summer Body to Pasta Body in one week! I love them both!'

Pastabilities: Lupita Nyong'o, 39, showed off her curves before and after a week of Italian cuisine writing, 'From Summer Body to Pasta Body in one week! I love them both!'

The post included the hashtags 'Enjoy your body,' 'Body bonding,' 'Life in play,' 'Back to work,' 'No filter' and 'Ciao Italia'.

The share seemed to resonate with her followers, including Tracee Ellis Ross, 49, who posted two smile emojis. Others wrote 'All hail the pasta body - my favourite kind' and 'And its still all good! Beautiful both ways!'

On Sunday, the Yale University graduate was in Atlantic City, New Jersey where she surprised 40 NAACP youth members who were the recipients of $10 thousand scholarships. The 355 star wore a chic purple sheath and matching cape for the presentation. Her hair was styled in braids pulled into a half pony tail.

Positive: The body positive post included a variety of hashtags, including 'Enjoy Your Body' and 'No Filter.' The post resonated with fans who wrote many appreciate words in response

The Write Her Future Scholarship Fund is sponsored by Lancome for whom Lupita works as a brand ambassador. The program focuses on empowering women through literacy and education, as well as mentoring and entrepreneurship opportunities.

In a statement the Sulwe author said, 'Since I was a child, I have always had big dreams, and my education has played a huge part in helping me realize them. I've always loved learning and I believe that learners change the world.'

Earlier in the week, the international beauty seemed to channel old Hollywood donning a dazzling strapless red sequined dress with fringe, roses and a floral head piece.

Surprise: The Oscar winner made a surprise appearance Sunday, helping to hand out scholarships to NAACP youth members

Empowering: 40 participants received $10k from the Write Her Future Scholarship Fund which focuses on empowering women through literacy and education, as well as mentoring and entrepreneurship opportunities

She credited Dolce and Gabbana for the glamorous throwback ensemble.

Lupita has reprised her role as Nakia in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The highly anticipated sequel is currently in post production. It is scheduled to debut in theaters November 11.
She trained hard to get into action star shape for her new Netflix action movie Interceptor.

And Elsa Pataky showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a black G-string bikini over the weekend during a trip to Bali with family and friends.

The Spanish beauty posted several happy holiday snaps taken at popular beach club Mrs Sippy.

Bali babe! Elsa Pataky, 46, showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a black G-string bikini during a family holiday in Bali over the weekend

She flaunted her ripped abs and toned legs in the tiny two-piece as she jumped off a diving board and into the pool.

'Having such a great time with these LEGENDS!' she wrote in the caption.

The mother-of-three was also seen enjoying cocktails with her girlfriends and taking her children to the beach.

The Spanish beauty was also seen enjoying cocktails with her girlfriend in other fun pictures she shared on Instagram

Elsa then shared a sneak peek at the stunning accommodation the clan are staying at, featuring an infinity pool looking over the crystal clear beach.

While he wasn't in the photos, The Snakes On A Plane star's husband, Chris Hemsworth, also appears to be on the trip as he posted an image of himself with a monkey sitting on his head.

Elsa was whipped into shape by Chris for her role in Interceptor.

She also shows off her action hero body in a new advertisement for the Thor star's successful Centr Fit workout app, released last week.

The stunner reveals her bulging biceps and toned back in a P.E Nation crop top teamed with matching leggings in the promotional Instagram video.

Elsa then shared a sneak peek at the stunning accommodation the clan are staying at, featuring an infinity pool looking over the crystal clear beach

Elsa also shows off her action hero body in a new advertisement for the Thor star's successful Centr Fit workout app, released last week

She is seen working up a sweat as she lifts numerous weights and uses battle ropes.

In the video, she speaks about the app's home and gym version for the Power Program.

She explained she used the program to build strength and muscle for her role in Interceptor alongside her hunky hubby.

During the Covid pandemic Elsa was using Chris' personal training app to access fast workouts she could do from her home.

Elsa explained she used the program to build strength and muscle for her role in Interceptor alongside her hunky hubby

The mother-of-three flaunts her bulging biceps and toned back in a P.E Nation crop top teamed with matching leggings in the promotional Instagram video

Back in 2021, she told Sunday Life she credits her age-defying bikini body to eating healthy and training hard.

'I have learnt to eat healthily over the years and it's just part of who I am,' she said.

Elsa continued: 'I have a few cheat days each week and make up for it by going to the gym or horse riding.'

The Spanish beauty is seen working up a sweat as she lifts numerous weights and uses battle ropes

'Nothing beats the morning endorphins after you've worked out. You feel better and know it's worth it.'

Speaking to Good Housekeeping in 2018, Elsa said she always strives to make fitness a priority, even if it means taking her three children with her to the gym.

'Trust me, most kids can have fun just about anywhere, including a gym,' she said.

Yoga is also a major part of Elsa's fitness routine, with the Spanish actress explaining that the mat-based exercise is 'great for toning your booty'.

The Fast and Furious star will usually end her day with a yoga routine or some more strenuous exercise.
The Control Room (BBC1)

Rating:

Murder In Provence (ITV)

Rating:

This is a public service message to all extras and stunt performers in crime dramas: will you please just look where youre going? Drive more carefully!

Practically every thriller on the telly now features a car hurtling into shot like a four-wheeled plot twist and smashing into a central character. Its so common that, whenever an actor crosses the road or pulls out of a junction, Im expecting them to be T-boned.

This happened on both main channels, without warning but quite predictably, as two new serials launched.

Murder in Provence has Roger Allam play Antoine Verlaque and Nancy Carroll play Marine Bonn

A suspect on Murder In Provence (ITV) was splatted by a hit-and-run driver in the middle of an incriminating phone call. She was doubly unlucky, because it turned out she had nothing to do with this weeks murder. She was, in effect, killed by a high-speed red herring.

Gabriel, the hero of The Control Room (BBC1), was more fortunate. He escaped with a nosebleed, and didnt hang around to be interviewed by police, because he had a corpse in the back of his van.

A suspect is killed by a high-speed red herring in Murder In Provence

The investigating judge Antoine and his endlessly patient partner Marine hold hands at every moment on Murder In Provence, unless theyre cuddling in bed or leaning on each others shoulders by the sea

In both series a car smashes into a central character, but only one survives

But that was his only bit of luck, though the succession of disasters  seeing him threatened with a beating, quizzed by police and then blackmailed by a colleague  was mostly his own fault.

Its a bit of a worry because Gabriel (Iain De Caestecker) is an emergency call handler, whose job is to prevent people from panicking when they dial 999.

He loses his head entirely after recognising the voice of one woman. Shes his childhood sweetheart, Sam (Joanna Vanderham), and shes ringing to say shes just battered her abusive partner over the head with a dumbbell.

Is the patient breathing? asked Gabriel.

Yeah, hes bleeding everywhere, she says, confused by his accent.

You cant blame her, because Glasgow-born De Caestecker is doing a brogue so raw, he makes Sir Alex Ferguson sound like Bertie Wooster.

Gabriel played by Iain De Caestecker is an emergency call handler, whose job is to prevent people from panicking when they dial 999 in The Control Room

Gabriel once promised to do anything for Sam, whatever she asked. He was only ten at the time, but still feels honour bound, so he hangs up his headset and dashes away to meet her at their old haunt . . .a burned-out schoolroom in a Christmas tree plantation.

If all that sounds wildly improbable, of course it is. But the three-part serial, which continues tonight, is thick with nightmarish atmosphere that makes Gabriels blind terror believable as he stumbles from crisis to crisis.

In a leopard-print fur jacket that is as fake as her sob story, Vanderham plays Sam with convincing cruelty. He might do anything for her but shell barely lift a finger for him . . . literally.

When she holds his hand, he looks pathetically grateful  but you can hear the sound of her gritted teeth.

The three-part serial is thick with nightmarish atmosphere that makes Gabriels blind terror believable as he stumbles from crisis to crisis

The investigating judge Antoine and his endlessly patient partner Marine (Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll) hold hands at every moment on Murder In Provence, unless theyre cuddling in bed or leaning on each others shoulders by the sea. All French detectives must have a devoted spouse, a law laid down by Georges Simenons Inspector Maigret. Antoine and Marine are saved from terminal tweeness by Allams sardonic relish in his constant quips. He speaks every line as if he can taste the blood in it.

Abandoning his plans for a saucy stay in a hotel, he heard the details of an academics murder with spiteful pleasure. And I thought my weekend had turned out badly, he said. With a classic Citroen and jeans two sizes too tight, Judge Antoine is a richly drawn figure: fussy, vain, courageous and maudlin.

The other characters have less depth so far, but this was a promising beginning.
Lucy Hale has no less than two new films on her docket: the rom-com Which Brings Me To You and the dramedy The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry.

But come Sunday, the actress decided to take advantage of some downtime and headed out to do a bit of shopping with a friend in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles.

For their afternoon outing, Hale decided to keep it casual and sporty in the fashion department in a skin-tight ensemble that showcased fit petite figure.

Downtime: Lucy Hale, 33, stepped out to do some shopping with a friend in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles on Sunday

Hale, 33, stepped out in black leggings and a green tank top that hugged nearly every inch of her amazing toned body.

In keeping with her casual and sporty theme, the actress also wore a pair of white running sneakers and pulled her dark brown tresses back off of her face and into a ponytail.

With the sun glaring down and the temperature creeping close to a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, Hale added stylish round sunglasses to her look.

Their travels on the day would eventually take them to an Erewhon market, where Hale would end up buying a bags worth of groceries and an iced coffee.

Sporty: The actress showed off her fab petite figure in skin-tight leggings and a tank top

The Tennessee native is set to star in The Storied Life of A. J. FIkry, which she also serves as executive producer

The cast of the comedy-drama film, based on Gabrielle Zevins bestseller of the same name, also includes Kunal Nayyar, Christina Hendricks, Scott Foley and David Arquette, among others, according to Deadline.

The Pretty Little liars alum is also doing double duty as producer and star for the upcoming rom-com film, Which Brings Me to You, which is adapted from the novel by Julianna Baggott and Steve Almond.

The Hollywood Reporter revealed that she teamed back up with her The Hating Game director Peter Hutchings for the production.

She's back! The previous day Hale 'took a trip down memory lane' when she attended an exclusive screening of HBOMax's Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin; this was her first visit to the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Burbank since Pretty Little Liars ended

Pretty Little Liars of yesterday and today: Hale snuggled up for a selfie with Bailee Madison, who stars in the new spinoff show

While scoring a few roles early in her career with the series Bionic Woman (2007) and Privileged (2008-2009), it was her portrayal as Aria Montgomery in Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017) that would wind up giving her widespread recognition.

She would go on to star in three more series in more recent years: Life Sentence (2018), Katy Keene (2020) and Ragdoll (2021).

Her film resume also includes the likes of such productions as The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008), A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song (2011), Scream 4 (2011), Fantasy Island (2020) and The Hating Game (2021).
Foreign Minister Park Jin, left, bumps elbows with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi before their meeting at the Japanese ministry's Ikura Guest House in Tokyo, Monday. Yonhap



'Issues including GSOMIA were discussed,' says Park



By Nam Hyun-woo



Foreign Minister Park Jin had a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Monday, to mend ties with Tokyo.



During their closed-door meeting, Park said Seoul will make efforts to draw out "a reasonable resolution" on the forced labor issue between the countries, which is the main reason that triggered diplomatic friction between Seoul and Tokyo, according to Korea's foreign ministry.



"The two ministers agreed that a prompt resolution on the issue is necessary," the ministry said in a press release.



Park's comments came amid President Yoon Suk-yeol's efforts to improve bilateral relations between Seoul and Tokyo. Bilateral ties have plunged to their lowest ebb after Japan in 2019 launched export controls on key industrial materials heading to Korea, in retaliation against a 2018 ruling by the Korean Supreme Court ordering Japanese companies found guilty of exploiting forced labor during World War II to compensate surviving Korean victims.



The Supreme Court is expected to hand down its final verdicts on whether to allow the liquidation of assets held by two Japanese companies as early as next month, while Japan sees the liquidation as a red line that must not be crossed.



Following Yoon's drive to improve ties with Japan, a government-private consultative body involving the victims was launched in Korea earlier this month to come up with specific proposals for a resolution.



However, the attempt heralds a bumpy road ahead as some of the victims opposed a potential scenario of the Korean government paying the compensation instead of the Japanese companies and collecting the money through a fund.



"The body is exploring various ideas, and I am going to explain this situation to Japan," Park said after arriving at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. "We will collect our wisdom to draw out the most reasonable resolution."



Along with his promise on the forced labor issue, Park proposed that the two countries should improve their relations based on the Korea-Japan Joint Declaration in 1998, in which the two countries agreed on future-oriented relations based on Japan's recognition of the damage and suffering caused during its past colonial rule over Korea.



It is the first time in four years and seven months that the two countries' foreign ministers sat down for talks.



Since Yoon's May 10 inauguration, Seoul became more active in extending an olive branch to Tokyo, with the Korean president describing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as a "partner" with whom he can "work together to resolve bilateral issues," after encountering the latter on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Spain last month.



However, the leaders did not hold a summit or an official bilateral meeting, due to the possible impact on Japan's July 10 upper house elections, and the recent assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made it more difficult for Kishida to pay attention to foreign affairs, such as Seoul-Tokyo relations.



Against this backdrop, the ministerial meeting is interpreted as the two countries' efforts to address bilateral relations in a bottom-up approach  working on what can be addressed at the working level, rather than making major efforts to quickly draw up bigger agreements by the two leaders.



In line with this approach, Park told reporters before meeting Hayashi that the meeting's agenda would include the normalization of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) intelligence-sharing pact, which has been in an equivocal state since the Seoul-Tokyo relations were frayed.



GSOMIA is designed to be renewed automatically every year unless one side informs the other 90 days in advance of its plans to end the deal. In August 2019, the previous Moon Jae-in administration told Japan that it would end the deal, in response to Tokyo's tightened export controls on Seoul.



Though Seoul conditionally suspended the decision to terminate the agreement following a resolution passed in the U.S. Senate calling on Korea to renew it, the pact's status has been in limbo, as Seoul-Tokyo relations continued to deteriorate.



Park has been championing the idea that the normalization of GSOMIA will help mend ties between Korea and Japan. After meeting U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken last month, Park said, "We want GSOMIA to be normalized as soon as possible together with the improvement of the Korea-Japan relationship."





Foreign Minister Park Jin, second from left, prepares for a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, second from right, at the Japanese foreign ministry's Ikura Guest House in Tokyo, Monday. Yonhap
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck opted for a low-key Las Vegas wedding at the world famous A Little White Wedding Chapel over the weekend.

Mrs. Affleck, 52, detailed her and the Academy Award-winner's, 49, journey to the altar on her newsletter On The JLo, where she shared how the couple read their own vows and opted not to pay extra for an Elvis impersonator during the intimate ceremony.

Bennifer join Sinead O'Conner, Britney Spears, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore and many more celebrities who have tied the knot at the iconic venue.

Iconic venue: Jennifer Lopez, 52, and Ben Affleck, 49, opted for a low-key Las Vegas wedding at world famous A Little White Wedding Chapel over the weekend

The venue allows couples to choose between five indoor chapels - the Little White, LAmour, Crystal, Promises & Green Room - the outdoor gazebo, or the historic world-famous Tunnel of Love Drive Thru.

The chapel - established in the 1950s - has married about 800,000 couples, and has been the chosen venue for many quick celebrity weddings.

It was at the Little White Wedding Chapel that Die Hard actor Bruce Willis, 67, married actress Demi Moore, 59, on November 21, 1987.

'All you need is love': The couple were the picture of happiness on their special day

World famous: The venue allows couples to choose between five indoor chapels - the Little White, LAmour, Crystal, Promises & Green Room - the outdoor gazebo, or the historic world-famous Tunnel of Love Drive Thru

Pop sensation Britney Spears, 40, also said 'I do' at the chapel to childhood sweetheart Jason Allen Alexander in 2004, though their marriage was annulled 55 hours later.

Other notable unions that took place at the chapel include Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow (1966), Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy (1989), Eva Longoria and Tyler Christopher (2002), Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon (2007), Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner (2019), as well as Sinead O'Connor and Barry Herridge (2011).

Those who select to get married in the Tunnel of Love Drive Thru - for a budget friendly $95.00 - get to sit in the back of the famous pink Cadillac underneath a blue ceiling adorned with cherubs and romantic phrases.

Chapel of love: Bennifer join Sinead O'Conner, Britney Spears, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore and many more celebrities who have tied the knot at the iconic venue

Savvy advertising: A sign outside the venue informs visitors that celebrities like Joan Collins and Michael Jordan were married at the chapel

Jennifer mentioned in her newsletter that the personnel graciously let them take photos in the classic vintage car.

'We barely made it to the little white wedding chapel by midnight. They graciously stayed open late a few minutes, let us take pictures in a pink Cadillac convertible.'

She also noted that the classic car was 'evidently once used by the king himself' but that Elvis (the impersonator) was in bed and it would cost extra to have him show up.

In the newsletter - which was signed Mrs. Jennifer Lynn Affleck - the Hustlers star included candid selfies of the newlyweds and video of the couple preparing for their special day, including one of Ben getting ready inside the chapel's bathroom and photos of J.Lo in her wedding dress.

Drive thru weddings: Those who choose to get married in the Tunnel of Love Drive Thru - for a budget friendly $95.00 - get to sit in the back of the famous pink Cadillac while a minister performs the ceremony

The famous pink Cadillac: In her newsletter the pop star noted that the venue allowed her and Aflleck to take pictures in the pink Cadillac convertible

Dreamy: The couples say their vows underneath a blue ceiling adorned with cherubs and romantic phrases

No Elvis: Jennifer also noted that the classic car was 'evidently once used by the king himself' but that Elvis (the impersonator) was in bed and it would cost extra to have him show up

'We did it. Love is beautiful. Love is kind. And it turns out love is patient. Twenty years patient,' she wrote in her post.

'Exactly what we wanted. Last night we flew to Vegas, stood in line for a license with four other couples, all making the same journey to the wedding capital of the world. Behind us two men held hands and held each other. In front of us, a young couple who made the three hour drive from Victorville on their daughters second birthdayall of us wanting the same thing for the world to recognize us as partners and to declare our love to the world through the ancient and nearly universal symbol of marriage.'

'So with the best witnesses you could ever imagine, a dress from an old movie and a jacket from Bens closet, we read our own vows in the little chapel and gave one another the rings well wear for the rest of our lives.'

Special place: The chapel - established in the 1950s - has married about 800,000 couples

Forever: 'We read our own vows in the little chapel and gave one another the rings well wear for the rest of our lives,' Jennifer wrote

Thankful: 'Thank you to the Little White Wedding chapel for letting me use the break room to change while Ben changed in the mens room,' she added

'They even had Bluetooth for a (short) march down the aisle. But in the end it was the best possible wedding we could have imagined. One we dreamed of long ago and one made real (in the eyes of the state, Las Vegas, a pink convertible and one another) at very, very long last.

'When love is real, the only thing that matters in marriage is one another and the promise we make to love, care, understand, be patient, loving and good to one another. We had that. And so much more. Best night of our lives. Thank you to the Little White Wedding chapel for letting me use the break room to change while Ben changed in the mens room.'

'They were right when they said, "all you need is love". We are so grateful to have that in abundance, a new wonderful family of five amazing children and a life that we have never had more reason to look forward to,' she said, referring to their blended family.

The star shares 14-year-old twins Emme and Max with ex-husband Marc Anthony, 53, and Affleck shares three kids with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 50: Violet, 16, Seraphina, 13, and Samuel, 10.

Newlywed bliss! The newsletter was signed 'Mrs. Jennifer Lynn Affleck' and included candid selfies of the newlyweds and video of the couple preparing for their special day, including one of Ben getting ready inside the chapel's bathroom

'Stick around long enough and maybe youll find the best moment of your life in a drive through in Las Vegas at twelve thirty in the morning in the tunnel of love drive through, with your kids and the one youll spend forever with. Love is a great thing, maybe the best of things-and worth waiting for.'

She signed off with her new name - 'Mrs. Jennifer Lynn Affleck.'

The dynamic couple tied the knot in Las Vegas three months after becoming engaged again and 20 years after the actor first got down on one knee.

The content included a video of Ben preparing for their nuptials inside the chapel's pink bathroom.

'And this was my wedding changing area!' Ben, wearing a white suit, declared as he held the camera up to a scratched-up mirror.

Blushing bride! JLo wore a quaint white dress in video posted to her newsletter. She appeared to be wearing two different white dresses in her post

'And this was my wedding changing area!' Ben, wearing a white suit, declared as he held the camera up to a scratched-up mirror

VIP! Jennifer's 14-year-old Emme looked thrilled to be attending the nuptials as she took a snap in the famous pink Cadillac

Jennifer, however, had more luxurious accommodations. She wore a chic yet simple dress with her hair styled in waves as she got glammed up inside an elegant bathroom.

'I feel amazing, excited,' Jennifer said before doing several twirls in her dress.

The bride appeared to be wearing two different white dresses in her post - the sleeveless frock and a more traditional lace garment which flashed some cleavage. She tucked a veil into her cascading waves.

The couple collectively known as 'Bennifer' obtained a marriage license in Clark County, Nevada on Saturday and exchanged vows in a 'super small' ceremony.

Jennifer will also be taking Affleck's last name. The Clark County Recorder's Office shows the pop star will be changing her name to 'Jennifer Affleck.' The marriage certificate, however, has yet to be filed.
Jennifer Garner was spotted driving her black BMW sedan around Los Angeles over the weekend.

The 50-year-old actress wore dark sunglasses and let her brunette hair hang loose as she navigated her luxury car.

It comes after her ex-husband Ben Affleck tied the knot with Jennifer Lopez, who he was engaged to before they wed in 2005.

Keeping busy: Jennifer Garner was spotted driving her black BMW sedan around Los Angeles over the weekend

Moved on: The outing comes after her ex-husband Ben Affleck tied the knot with Jennifer Lopez, who he was engaged to before they wed in 2005

Garner steered the vehicle with nude nails and appeared to be driving by herself on Sunday.

Her children, Seraphina, 16, Violet, 13, and Samuel, ten, spent the previous evening witnessing their dad marry Lopez in Sin City.

They, along with the Bronx-born star's 14-year-old twins Emme and Max, flew to Las Vegas to share the special day with their father and new stepmom.

The 50-year-old actress wore dark sunglasses and let her brunette hair hang loose as she navigated her luxury car

Out and about: Jennifer kept both hands on the wheel as she drove

Out and about: Garner steered the vehicle with nude nails and appeared to be driving by herself on Sunday

Garner kept herself busy over the weekend as she enjoyed a trip to Lake Tahoe, hours away from Los Angeles.

Taking to Instagram, she shared a short video snippet of her feet dangling over the lake.

It was soundtracked by the emotional 2019 breakup song Circles by Post Malone.

But it appeared the 13 Going On 30 star was in good spirits as a second post shared to the app's Stories showed her smiling.

A break from the city: Garner kept herself busy over the weekend as she enjoyed a trip to Lake Tahoe, hours away from Los Angeles

Quiet time: Taking to Instagram, she shared a short video snippet of her feet dangling over the lake

Elsewhere on social media it was business as usual for Jennifer as she shared a promotional video for her brand Once Upon a Farm.

The entrepreneur created a reel showing her prepare a hearty lunch that included stove-popped popcorn, a toasted sandwich, and a smoothie packet.

The cute and creative content showed her in leggings and a sweatshirt with her hair pulled up as she bustled around the kitchen.

She captioned the snippet, 'Lunchbox handled. (with @onceuponafarm!).'

Music choice: A video clip was soundtracked by the emotional 2019 breakup song Circles by Post Malone

Affleck's and Lopez's wedding comes nearly 20 years after the couple called off their engagement due to 'excessive media attention.'

At the time, they had hired decoy brides to appear in various locations to dupe the paparazzi.

This time around the pair slipped away with their kids for an intimate ceremony.

'They both thought it was a fun and casual way to tie the knot,' an insider revealed about the low-key nuptials.
Chris Hemsworth paid tribute to his wife of eleven years, Elsa Pataky, on her 46th birthday on Monday.

The Hollywood star shared a precious photo of the pair, which showed a very buff Chris sitting on her petite lap while sharing a laugh on the set of his movie Thor: Love and Thunder.

The 38-year-old thanked Elsa for 'always being my rock to sit on but way comfier.'

Chris Hemsworth paid a sweet tribute to his wife of eleven years, Elsa Pataky, on her 46th birthday on Monday

He added the message 'happy birthday to this gorgeous lady' in the caption.

The pair were introduced in early 2010 by talent agent William Ward and they publicly announced their romance later that year.

Chris even filmed a cameo in Elsa's 2022 Netflix action movie Interceptor after giving her a small role in Thor: Ragnarok.

The pair were introduced in early 2010 by talent agent William Ward and they publicly announced their romance later that year

The loved-up duo share three children together, daughter India, 10, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, 8.

Chris is building the life he always dreamed of in coastal Australia, far from the bright lights of Hollywood.

The actor, who lives with Elsa and their children near Byron Bay, NSW, said last month he wanted to spend more time filming in his home country.

Chris publicly thanked Elsa for 'always being my rock to sit on but way comfier'

He made his latest film, the Netflix sci-fi drama Spiderhead, in Queensland.

His production company, Wild State Productions, brought Thor 3 and 4, Extraction 1 and 2, Spiderhead and Interceptor to film in Australia.

'Life is sweet. It is great and I couldn't be happier,' Chris told The Daily Telegraph. 'If you had have said or asked me 10 years ago where I would like to be, this is it.'
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Vanessa Hudgens slipped into a clingy black dress to host the No Kid Hungry x Cali Cares Charity event.

The 33-year-old actress looked her best in the one-shoulder number, which had a sexy side cutout.

She accented the look with a long chain necklace that had a hanging pendant that rested on her chest.

Gorgeous: Vanessa Hudgens slipped into a clingy black dress to host the No Kid Hungry x Cali Cares Charity event

For the affair, which was held in Beverly Hills, the High School Musical alum wore her hair sleek and straight.

She rocked a center part and let the raven locks flow down her back with a glossy luster.

Vanessa's getup boasted subtle pockets that she slipped her hands into as she posed on the step-and-repeat.

Stunning: Hudgens, who was born in Salinas, California, beamed in a face of glamorous makeup

Glamorous: The beauty rocked super long almond-shaped nails with a creamy nail polish, complementing her metallic gold pedicure

Hudgens, who was born in Salinas, California, beamed in a face of glamorous makeup.

Her thick eyebrows were expertly-shaped, framing her face beautifully for her star-studded appearance.

She donned fluttery eyelashes, blushed her cheeks, finishing the glowy look with a matte lip stain.

The beauty rocked super long almond-shaped nails with a creamy nail polish, complementing her metallic gold pedicure.

Duo: Vanessa was joined by cohost Oliver Trevena, 41, who wore a patterned grey vest and matching slacks

Vanessa was joined by cohost Oliver Trevena, 41, who wore a patterned grey vest and matching slacks.

Under the vest he wore a button-up white shirt and rolled the sleeves up to show his tattooed forearms.

He added beaded bracelets to his look, worn between both of his wrists and sported a wide-brimmed hat.

Accessories: He added beaded bracelets to his look, worn between both of his wrists and sported a wide-brimmed hat

Another guest: Actor Glen Powell was also in attendance at the soiree, looking handsome in khaki pants and a white shirt

Actor Glen Powell was also in attendance at the soiree, looking handsome in khaki pants and a white shirt.

He posed with Oliver, tucking his shirt into his slacks and rolling the sleeves up to his elbows.

The Top Gun: Maverick star tucked a pair of shades into the top and carried a blazer.

Jason Oppenheim and Brett Oppenheim were also there, arriving in matching dark blue denim.

The twin brothers, 45, also both donned crisp white sneakers and white tops as they supported the cause.

Twinning: Jason Oppenheim and Brett Oppenheim were also there, arriving in matching dark blue denim

Stylish: Jackie Tohn showed up in a silky golden brown wrap dress with black heels

Future parents: Actress Lily Anne Harrison was also at the charity event with beau Peter Facinelli

Actress Lily Anne Harrison was also at the charity event with beau Peter Facinelli.

The 33-year-old mom-to-be cradled her burgeoning baby bump in a patterned sleeveless dress.

She pulled her dirty hair back and walked in a pair of brown, open-toe leather shoes.

For his part, Peter wore a short-sleeved navy shirt with light grey slacks and textured shoes.
Rosie O'Donnell looked as if she was on top of the world on Saturday when she and her girlfriend Aimee Hauer made their relationship red carpet official.

The 60-year-old actress, comedian and talk show host embraced Hauer on the red carpet ahead of the comedy performances at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood.

She was joined on stage by fellow comedian Kathy Griffin, 61, as they raised money for Friendly House, a center catering to women recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.

Lovebirds: Rosie O'Donnell, 60, took her relationship with Aimee Hauer red carpet official on Saturday as she hosted a comedy benefit for Friendly House at Hollywood's Fonda Theatre

Rosie and Aimee looked like a cute couple as they wrapped their arms around each other while making their grand entrance.

The League Of Their Own star was dressed casually in a brown jacket over a gray-and-white striped shirt, which she contrasted with blown-out black jeans.

She also wore a set of black leather sneakers, and she wore round-frame eyeglasses and sported swept back salt-and-pepper hair.

Aimee beamed in a black dress with a short skirt and short ruffled sleeves.

Embracing: Rosie wore a brown jacket with a striped shirt and dark jeans, while Aimee had on a short black dress with a leather harness over her chest

Comedy star: Rosie's friend Kathy Griffin was also on the bill. The comedian wore a black blouse with flared jeans

Sweet: The funny lady, who announced in December that she was cancer-free following treatment, embraced her pal on the red carpet

She wore a striking black leather harness over her chest, and she stood tall in a set of black platform boots.

Kathy stuck to the low-key vibe with a simple black blouse and dark blue flared jeans, along with Gucci sneakers and a white wristwatch.

She showed off her winning smile as she hugged Rosie on the red carpet.

Christina Simos, the executive director of Friendly House, rocked a floor-length black sleeveless dress as she posed with Rosie and Aimee.

The boss: Christina Simos, the executive director of Friendly House, rocked a floor-length black sleeveless dress as she posed with Rosie and Aimee

The whole gang: Rosie, Aimee and Kathy were joined by Professor Nina Rose Fischer (L), Bob Hearts Abishola co-creator Gina Yashere (2nd to left) and Kathy's husband Randy Bick (3rd to right)

Also dropping by the red carpet was the professor Nina Rose Fischer, who wore a low-cut pink dress, and the comedian Gina Yashere.

Yashere is a co-creator of the CBS sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola, on which she also writes and costars.

Just behind Kathy was her husband Randy Bick, who was supporting her during her standup set.

Rosie and her girlfriend Aimee were making their public debut after revealing their relationship on Instagram in June.

The comedian and the Idaho-born ex-Mormon cyclist embraced in a sweet photo to celebrate the start of Pride month.

Aimee has a son named Elliott, 15, as well as an older daughter Izzie Porter.

Rosie has five children of her own, including Parker, 27; Chelsea, 24; Blake, 22; and Vivienne, 19, from her marriage to ex-wife Kelli Carpenter, and Dakota, nine, from her marriage to the late Michell Rounds.

Health scare: Kathy seemed to be feeling strong after she had been diagnosed with lung cancer despite never being a smoker

Stepping out: Rosie and her girlfriend Aimee were making their public debut after revealing their relationship on Instagram in June
Blake Jenner has been arrested in Southern California for investigation of drunken driving.

The 29-year-old actor was arrested on July 9 after he allegedly failed to stop for a red light in Burbank, California, according to an article on Sunday by TMZ.

Police conducted a sobriety test and found that Jenner was allegedly driving above the legal blood alcohol content amount.

Glee star: Blake Jenner, shown last November in New York City, has been arrested in Southern California for investigation of drunken driving

He was booked for investigation of driving under the influence, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Burbank Police Department.

The incident occurred about 12:16am at an intersection in Burbank and Jenner was released about 6:15 am that morning.

Jenner's bail was set at $5,000.

The Miami native played transfer student Ryder Lynn on the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee.

Fox show: The Miami native played transfer student Ryder Lynn on the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee and after competing on The Glee Project, shown in 2012

Jenner competed on The Glee Project in 2012 and won a seven-episode arc on Glee.

He was previously married to his Glee co-star Melissa Benoist, 33, but their divorce was finalized in December 2017.

Benoist in November 2019 posted an Instagram video that chronicled her experience as a survivor of domestic violence during her marriage, but did not name Jenner.

Driving charge: Jenner, shown in June 2019 in Santa Monica, California, was booked for investigation of driving under the influence, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Burbank Police Department

Jenner posted a response in October 2020 on Instagram in which he confirmed the abuse while revealing that he also had been physically abused during their marriage.

Without naming her in the statement, Jenner addressed a specific instance in which he threw his cell phone at a partner, causing an injury to her eye.

The actor admitted the incident occurred and said he has always regretted it.

'I take full responsibility and accountability for the hurt that I inflicted during my relationship with my past partner - emotionally, mentally and yes, physically,' he posted.
Heidi Klum is keeping the spice in her marriage.

The 49-year-old shared a series of photos from a Saturday evening out with her husband, German rocker Tom Kaulitz, 32 on social media.

The America's Got Talent judge wrote 'Date Night' followed by a devil and then a heart emoji.

Sexy: Heidi Klum, 49, share pictures from a sexy evening she and husband Tom Kaulitz, 32, enjoyed Saturday night

Heat: The America's Got Talent host turned up the heat in a sexy peach mini-skirt and halter top combo with a 70s vibe

The Making the Cut host turned up the heat in a sexy peach mini-skirt and halter top combo with a 70s vibe. The top had long sleeves and panels back and sides that skimmed her taut abs. She accented her toned legs with a pair of multicolored high heel sandals.

Heid's long blonde hair was styled in loose layers as she curled up next to her husband in a viewing room and his hand in placed on her legs. The Queen of Drags judge later simulated a walk of shame down a long corridor, taking a series of selfies and posing provocatively.

The model and the Tokio Hotel musician have been married for three years, depending on which wedding they celebrate.

Racy: The cover model shared a closeup of her husband's hand on her leg. She accented her toned legs in a pair of multicolored high heel sandals

The couple said 'I do' in a private ceremony in February 2019, and then had a larger wedding on a yacht in Italy in August of the same year.

In 2019 Tom cast his wife in the music video for the band's song Chateau.

The Project Runway host is the mother to four children - Leni, 18, Henry, 16, Jonah, 15 and Lou,12 whom she shares with her ex-husband, Seal, 59.

Walk: The reality show host simulated a walk of shame down a long corridor

Relationship: The model and the Tokio Hotel rocker have been married since 2019. They tied the knot twice. Once in a private ceremony, the second time was on a yacht in Italy

Showing her sexy side is nothing new to the versatile artist who has been working in front of the camera since she won a modeling contest in her native Germany in 1992.

The actress and producer has been quoted in an archived 2016 interview with Ocean Drive Magazine that she's as comfortable without her clothes on as she is without. 'I grew up going to nude beaches with my parents, so Im a nudist.'

'As much as I love wearing beautiful lingerie and clothes, I also love not wearing too much, she admitted.
Amber Rose said in an interview that she wasn't surprised when Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kanye West.

While speaking on Raquel Harper's It's Tricky podcast the media personality, 38, said 'of course' she saw the split coming.

'I always hope for the best, for people to be happy,' she added as the journalist probed her about her 'feelings' regarding the former couple's breakup.

Predictable: Amber Rose said in an interview that she wasn't surprised when Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kanye West

She, at first, quipped, 'I don't have any feelings about it,' prompting Harper to ask, 'Did you see it coming?'

Giving an open-ended answer she added, 'I have my own issues and feelings, how I feel about how our relationship was.'

In the chat she noted, 'I always hope for the best for them. I never had any ill feelings, like "I hope they get divorced" or "he's going to get his day."'

The host also pointed out that Amber and Kim share an October 21 birthday, remarking that Rose could likely 'understand the mix' between Libra personalities and Kanye's personality.

Thoughts: Amber noted, 'I always hope for the best for them. I never had any ill feelings,' about Kimye; seen in 2016

'I think you can be similar as far as birthdays, but we grew up completely different,' the mom-of-two replied.

She explained, 'I grew up poor in Philly, I had to hustle and struggle. Her life was very privileged, with money and being out here in LA  which is cool.'

'When they finally got divorced, I was like "mmm,"' she said with a casual shrug before adding, 'She seems happy now though, with Pete.'

Amber and Kanye dated from 2008 until 2010, with the Chicago-born rapper later moving on with Kardashian.

Former couple: Amber and Kanye dated from 2008 until 2010, with the Chicago-born rapper later moving on with Kardashian; seen in 2009

There was tension between the trio for some time, as West once appeared on a radio show and claimed he 'had to take 30 showers before I got with Kim,' following his history with Amber.

At the time the outspoken Slut Walk creator clapped back on Twitter, referring to the SKIMS mogul and her family as the 'Kartrashians.'

The two women later appeared together in a photo on social media, shocking fans and showing they were on good terms.

Earlier this year Amber took to Instagram to apologize for the old tweet after it resurfaced online.

Clearing the air: In 2016 the two women appeared together in a photo on social media, shocking fans and showing they were on good terms

Setting a serious tone, she posted white letters against a black background as she addressed her fans.

'Kim nor her sisters deserved that tweet and y'all shouldn't co-sign that either,' she wrote.

The bombshell admitted that it was 'immature' of her to bring the famous family into her history with the rapper.

She finished by stating, 'I just wanna spread love and positivity.'
Alice Evans has shared text messages she claims were sent by her estranged husband Ioan Gruffudd to their eldest daughter.

'Fantastic Four' actor Ioan, 48, has filed for joint custody of his two daughters Elsie, 8, and Ella, 12, months after his estranged wife, Alice, 53, filed for sole custody amid a bitter divorce.

In a series of Instagram posts on Sunday Alice shared texts which she stated proved 'the difference in the way my husband is presenting his relationships with his kids and the reality' while also breaking down in tears as she read her ex's court declaration, in which he claimed he was the primary caregiver for their daughters.

In the filing, Gruffudd reiterated allegations that Evans had been verbally abusing during their 14-year marriage, and 'undermin[ing him] in front of the girls throughout their lives.'

'Alice made fun of my appearance often, making hair-loss comments and telling me I had "saggy-vagina eyes," ' court papers read. He went on to claim that Evans 'has inflicted serious emotional harm on Ella and Elsie by her statements and by interfering in my relationship with them.'

Tough time: Alice Evans has shared text messages she claims were sent by her estranged husband Ioan Gruffudd to their eldest daughter amid his filing for joins custody (pictured together with their daughters Elsie and Ella in 2018)

Ioan filed the joint custody request in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday July 8, asking for custody and visitation rights to see his children.

The actor claimed in the filing that Evans had been purposely trying to cut communication between Gruffudd and the children.

He also petitioned that the girls attend in-person therapy and reunification therapy via zoom with him pending court-ordered mediation about custody.

On Sunday Alice shared a screenshot of an exchange between Ioan and Ella in which the actor said he would not be able to take his daughters out for the day as he had to be cautious of his girlfriend Bianca Wallace, who suffers from MS, and her health.

New posts: In a series of Instagram posts on Sunday Alice shared texts which she stated proved 'the difference in the way my husband is presenting his relationships with his kids and the reality'

Court: Ioan filed the joint custody request in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday July 8, asking for custody and visitation rights to see his children

Cautious: On Sunday Alice shared a screenshot of an exchange between Ioan and Ella in which the actor said he would not be able to take his daughters out for the day as he had to be cautious of his girlfriend Bianca Wallace, who suffers from MS, and her health

'No Bianca needs to be extra safe for another few days because of medication she has taken for her MS.' the exchange begins.

'Daddy I don't wanna meet Bianca, I was talking about just me, you and Elsie going to universal studios,' reads the next message.

'I am aware Ella. But I live with her and I need to be careful for her health's sake. What do you suggest we do that is outdoors and away from crowded areas? Ioan's message reads.

The exchange ends with Ella telling her father 'Forget about it then.'

Alice captioned the screenshot: 'What happens whenever my eldest asks to see her Dad. Some bulls**t reason that he cant.'

New love: Ioan has been dating Bianca Wallace since October 2021 (pictured together in June 2022)

Sharing: Alice captioned the screenshot: 'What happens whenever my eldest asks to see her Dad. Some bulls**t reason that he cant'

Alice also shared a message from her ex to their eldest daughter Ella which read: 'Hi Ella, No, I won't be taking you to a concert' Alice wrote alongside the screenshot: 'Anybody see a slight difference in the way my husband is presenting his relationships with his kids and the reality?

'By the way, I have been 50-80% bedbound with fibro for the past 13 years.

He would say to me over and over when I told him I was sorry I couldnt come to an event I didnt sign up for this! I didnt sign up for life with a chronically sick person! #liarslie.'

Alice also shared a message from her ex to their eldest daughter Ella which read: 'Hi Ella, No, I won't be taking you to a concert.

The last time you and I spoke you threatened me with calling child protective services. You then hacked my Instagram and posted disgusting comments that made the newspapers.'

Old emails: Alice also shared a screenshot of an email sent to her by Ioan on August 11 2020 in which the actor says to his wife 'I love you to pieces to pieces!!'

Messy split: Alice claims in her caption that the date of the message doesn't correlate with Ioan's timeline of their split'

'This isn't a kind and loving father daughter relationship. A lot needs to happen before something like this can become possible.

I am in therapy. You will need to go back into therapy as well. Until then we cannot move forward like nothing has happened as your actions have been far too serious.'

Alice wrote alongside the screenshot: 'Anybody see a slight difference in the way my husband is presenting his relationships with his kids and the reality?

This is just ONE text. You still all believe him?'

She also shared a screenshot of an email sent to her by Ioan on August 11 2020 in which the actor says to his wife 'I love you to pieces to pieces!!'

Alice claims in her caption that the date of the message doesn't correlate with Ioan's timeline of their split.

'So. He returned in August 2020 and told me he was unhappy on the marriage. But sent me this?' Alice wrote.

Making things official: Ioan has asked for joint custody and visitation rights

Anyone believe NOW that this man is a liar? He is a liar. Jesus. A liar and a perjurer. What sort of person writes these two completely conflicting pieces? Stop believing the lies!!'

On her Instagram Stories Alice broke down in tears as she read through Ioan's declaration filed with the court this month, in which he reiterated allegations that Evans had been verbally abusing during their 14-year marriage, and 'undermine[ing him] in front of the girls throughout their lives.'

Holding a copy of the document, an emotional Alice told the camera: 'Hey guys, because of the way things work here in California I didn't get this and I didn't realise why people were coming onto my social media and attacking me.'

'I've just started to read this declaration from Ioan. It is utterly disgusting and absolutely packed with lies, saying that he was the major caregiver and that I would get up at 11am and drink.'

'That's just not true, just absolutely not true. I've looked after these girls every day of their lives since they were born. I think I've been away like nine nights.'

'He's refused to contact them for the last week. He met somebody else and he left us that's the truth. I just have to go on here and say that you can't say these things about people. I know so much about him and I would not say this.'

In his most recent court filing, Gruffudd claimed that Evans 'has inflicted serious emotional harm on Ella and Elsie by her statements and by interfering in my relationship with them.'

'Alice made fun of my appearance often, making hair-loss comments and telling me I had "saggy-vagina eyes," ' court papers filed on Friday read.

In a video before the former couple's separation in January 2021, which Gruffudd presented as evidence in the filing, Evans allegedly told Ella she would be 'getting a new daddy.'

Formal: He petitioned that the girls attend in-person therapy and reunification therapy via Zoom with him pending court-ordered mediation about custody

'In a FaceTime I had with the girls on March 3, Ella said Alice falsely told her that I wanted Alice to commit suicide, and that Ella probably would not have a mummy anymore,' Gruffudd wrote in the petition.

'Ella told me, "Daddy, this is making me very sad," and, "if I don't agree with her, apparently I am a bad daughter."

Evans was married to Gruffudd for 14 years before their messy split last year and they are involved in a lengthy court case in which he accused her of domestic abuse.

He went on to claim that Evans 'has inflicted serious emotional harm on Ella and Elsie by her statements and by interfering in my relationship with them'

Last month, Evans claimed to be 'completely out of money for food and bills' but declared she is focused on being 'the best mother I can possibly be.'

In an Instagram post with one of her daughters pictured, she wrote made scathing comment about her lack of funds as the court case between her and her estrange husband continues on.

She claimed she would receive no financial support from Ioan and that she was struggling to pay her legal fees and would be unable to 'feed or clothe' their daughters.

Gruffudd said he was 'concerned' about Evans' usage of social media

'In a FaceTime I had with the girls on March 3, Ella said Alice falsely told her that I wanted Alice to commit suicide, and that Ella probably would not have a mummy anymore,' Gruffudd wrote in the petition

The 'Titanic' actor claimed in the filing that Evans, 53, had been purposely trying to cut communication between Gruffudd and the children

Gruffudd said he was 'concerned' about Evans' usage of social media

'Trying to hold it all together whilst being threatened, completely out of money for food and bills and just found out somebody tried to break down our outside door last night,' she said.

'But it's all worth it for this! (And the one who currently doesn't want to be photographed.)

'Whatevs. Most of all, I will be the best mother I can possibly be. Forever. They will never lose me. Thank you everybody for so much love and support! Having a bit of a rough moment!'

Evans claimed in June that Ioan had been successful in having his domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) against her extended, yet she denied any claims of abuse and insisted he was 'chasing Johnny Depp-style fame.'

Two sides: Gruffudd has accused Evans of emotionally scarring the children

It has since been revealed that Ioan was seeking a a continuation of a restraining order against Alice.

He took out a temporary restraining order against her in February, citing a string of abusive messages she had sent him as she came to terms with him walking out.

In a bid to bring matters to a close, Gruffudd, engaged Brad Pitt's divorce lawyer, Anne Kiley, who is believed to have requested that the order - which requires Evans doesn't contact or harass him or his girlfriend - carries on for at least another year.

After the court hearing, Evans claimed she had been issued with a DVRO (domestic violence restraining order) which she insisted was 'unjust.'

Gruffudd filed for divorce from Evans in March 2021, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason behind their split. He is now living with girlfriend Bianca Wallace, 30, in Los Angeles.

The pair went Instagram official in October, after he posted a picture of them together with the words: 'Thank you for making me smile again.'

Gruffudd requested a restraining order against Evans n February 2022, offering up 113 pages of abusive text messages, emails and social media posts from Alice.
She's been soaking up the sun during a relaxing getaway to Montecito, California.

And Riley Keough flaunted her toned abs in a floral print underwear set in her latest Instagram album on Sunday.

The actress, 33, looked sensational as she added a chic fedora hat to accessorise her poolside look.

Fun in the sun! Riley Keough flaunted her toned abs in a floral print underwear set in her latest Instagram album on Sunday

Enjoying a girls' day out with one of her female pals who coordinated in the exact same set, Riley cut a relaxed figure as she sipped on a hot beverage.

Elvis Presley's granddaughter accentuated her striking features with a light dusting of make-up, while wearing her brunette tresses in soft waves.

The Girlfriend Experience star looked the picture of confidence as she posted a slew of snaps showing off her svelte physique as she relaxed in the sun.

Riley's post comes after she posted to her Instagram last Tuesday to remember her younger brother, who passed away by suicide exactly two years ago.

Life is peachy: The actress, 33, looked sensational as she added a chic fedora hat to accessorise her poolside look

The two siblings had a close bond and his sudden death at the age of just 27 came as a painful shock to the star and her family.

The director typed out a loving caption, writing: 'I still can't believe you're not here.'

Riley shared a photo on her Instagram of herself and her brother posing for a picture on her wedding day in 2015.

Riley added below the picture: 'Not an hour goes by where I don't think of you and miss you.'

Matching: Enjoying a girls' day out with one of her female pals who coordinated in the exact same set, Riley cut a relaxed figure as she sipped on a hot beverage

She continued with: 'It's been two years today since you left and I still can't believe you're not here. You are so loved my Ben Ben.'

At the time of his death, TMZ reported that the L.A. County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office informed the publication that his death was being ruled a suicide caused by a shotgun.

After an autopsy, Extra reported that traces of alcohol and cocaine were found in his system.

Beauty: Elvis Presley's granddaughter accentuated her striking features with a light dusting of make-up, while wearing her brunette tresses in soft waves

During an interview with InStyle, one year after Benjamin's passing, the filmmaker opened up about how she was moving on following the tragedy.

'I'm just generally trying to be grateful for everything at the moment, trying to operate in love, and keep my heart open, and give and receive love,' Riley explained.

'And not in a woo-woo way, because I definitely have hard days, and all kinds of pain and suffering and all that,' she added.

The star also got a tattoo of Benjamin's name near her collarbone to always have him close, although his physical presence was no longer there.
The Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea holds a press conference in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office building in southern Seoul, July 18. Yonhap



A group of lawyers on Monday filed a complaint asking the prosecution to investigate former President Moon Jae-in on attempted murder charges in connection with the deportation of North Korean defectors in 2019.



In November 2019, two North Korean fishermen were captured near the eastern inter-Korean sea border, and they later confessed to killing 16 fellow crew members and expressed a desire to defect.



However, the Moon administration sent them back to the North, where they could face harsh punishment, saying their intentions were insincere. The move stoked suspicion the Seoul government tried to repatriate the defectors in an effort to curry favor with Pyongyang.



On Monday, the Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea (LHUK) filed the criminal complaint against Moon as an accomplice on charges of attempted murder, illegal arrest and abduction, abuse of power, destruction of evidence, and violation of the Act on Punishment of Crimes under Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.






She's currently enjoying a road trip around the island of Bornholm in Denmark.

And Helena Christensen kept her 973k Instagram followers updated on her travels as she shared a carousel of snaps from the getaway on Sunday.

The supermodel, 53, showed off her incredible figure in the post - donning a pinstriped swimsuit for one shot as she basked in the sun.

Getaway: Helena Christensen, 53, showed off her incredible physique in a slew of swimwear snaps on Sunday as she enjoys an island getaway to Denmark

The bright number featured a red and white strip design and scooped neckline, as Helena lay down to catch some rays.

Her brunette locks were left to fall in a tousled curl, as the beauty added a purple bandana to the look.

Beaming in front of the rocky backdrop, the former Victoria's Secret model held onto a pinstripe tote bag as she shielded her eyes with a pair pf wide framed sunglasses.

Wow! In another shot, Helena displayed her taut torso as she took a dip in the sea - donning an orange bandeau bikini top with pink bottoms

Glowing: The Danish displayed her age-defying looks in another, snapping an outdoor selfie as her radiant complexion was hit by the beating sun

In another shot, Helena showed off her taut torso as she took a dip in the sea - donning an orange bandeau bikini top with pink bottoms.

Floating on her back, the star raised her arms as she enjoyed a moment of tranquility - with her head fully dipped into the water.

The Danish displayed her age-defying looks in another, snapping an outdoor selfie as her radiant complexion was hit by the beating sun.

Piercing: She also met with her niece Sarah-Sofie Sonne, as the two beauties displayed their striking resemblance in an underexposed selfie

Collector: She shared a shot of her collection of tiny seashells that had been collected from the island

Opting for a crochet bandana and mint green strapless number, Helena sported a dewy palette of makeup.

Explaining in the caption that was was 'Island road trippin' around Bornholm - Helena also shared a slew of gorgeous scenery pics.

She also met with her niece Sarah-Sofie Sonne, as the two beauties displayed their striking resemblance in an underexposed selfie.

Smiling side by side, their piercing green eyes grabbed centre stage of the snap - as they both sported natural looks.
She is known for flaunting her curves on social media.

And Draya Michele set pulses racing once again on Sunday as she showcased her hourglass shape as she hit the beach in Miami.

The TV personality, 36, slipped her sensational figure into a plunging floral swimsuit while showing off some major sideboob in the racy ensemble.

Stunner: Draya Michele set pulses on Sunday as she showcased her hourglass curves in a plunging floral print bikini as she hit the beach in Miami

Showing off her svelte figure, the vivacious brunette looked like the ultimate beach babe as she cooled down in the sea.

The influencer-vlogger flaunted her tiny waist and substantial cleavage as she wore her hair slicked back after enjoying a dip in The Atlantic.

Acting as her brands very best ambassador, the Mint Swim creator wowed in the racy one piece while she accessorised with a pair of designer shades.



Racy: The TV personality, 36, slipped her sensational figure into a plunging floral swimsuit while showing off some major side-boob in the racy ensemble

Draya has notably worked as a designer in multiple fields of the fashion industry in the past.

The model spoke to BET last year and discussed her second collaboration with jewellery brand 8 Other Reasons, with whom she had previously released a line of accessories.

The performer lauded the original launch's success and told the media outlet that 'we decided to bring back some of the pieces that did really well in the first collection.'

Letting them know: The model spoke to BET last year and discussed her second collaboration with jewelry brand 8 Other Reasons, with whom she had previously released a line of accessories

'We also added in a lot of new pieces that have different colored jewels, which is something we didn't really play with the first time around,' she said.

Michele went on to express that she was especially excited about working with gemstones in different shades.

'As women of color, metallics look great on us. Nonetheless, chocolate-colored gold is something you haven't seen from a lot of jewelry companies. It's a little twist on gold that's gonna look nice on all shades of brown,' she stated.

Moving on: The actress also expressed that the newer offerings would feature more eye-catching gemstones than her previous collaboration

The model then briefly spoke about her swimwear brand, Mint Swim, and noted that many executives at retailer Pac Sun, who carries the pieces, had grown confident in her abilities as a designer.

'They already love my designs, so they give me the creative go-ahead to do what I want to do. They trust me,' she said.

When asked to comment about her future projects, Michele kept her answer short and sweet, stating: 'I'm excited about a lot of things that I'll share with you soon.'
Sunday's episode of Love Island was jam-packed with drama, but in a small break from the turmoil, viewers saw Adam Collard plant a kiss on Paige Thorne.

But Paige's former flame Jacques O'Neill was left to watch the smooch from back home, as he appeared live on spin-off Aftersun after the show.

Following his emotional exit from the villa, the rugby pro explained that while he had hopes to reunite with Paige after her time in the show- she 'needs to explore like I did'.

'She needs to explore like I did': Jacques O'Neill showed his support to former flame Paige Thorne during Aftersun as he watched her share a kiss with Adam Collard during Sunday's show

Thing took a turn for the formerly loved-up couple after Jacques' head turned during Casa Amor, as they struggled to move on from his infidelity.

And as bombshell Adam came in with his sights set on Paige, it became too much for Jacques - leading to a decision to leave the villa and tell the Welsh beauty 'I'll wait for you'.

But as Paige and Adam grow closer, the pair shared their first kiss during the episode, leaving Jacques forced to accept the romance.

Supportive: Following his emotional exit from the show, the rugby pro explained that while he had hopes to reunite with Paige after her time in the villa - she 'needs to explore like I did'

Is what it is: 'Before I said "you do what you need to do" and she's doing that so good on her,' he explained

Appearing on Aftersun, host Laura Whitmore questioned the former islander on his thoughts about the kiss.

Explaining he hasn't been watching the show, Jacques replied: 'Listen, I haven't really watched y'know but before, I said crack on just like I did in Casa. She needs to explore like I did.

'Before I said "you do what you need to do" and she's doing that so good on her,' he explained.

Probing: Laura asked if he felt the same about Paige now, with Jacques answering: 'We were really getting on you know, I did see things working on the outside between us but as I say, she's doing what she needs to do'

Tough: It comes following Jacques' emotional exit from the villa, which saw him tell Paige 'I'll wait for you'

Probing him further, Laura asked if he felt the same about Paige now, with Jacques answering: 'We were really getting on you know, I did see things working on the outside between us but as I say, she's doing what she needs to do.'

Viewers took to Twitter to share their own thoughts on the situation - blasting the show for probing Jacques as they described him as a 'broken man'.

Sending words of support, one fan wrote: 'He looked so emotionally drained but the fact he's held himself accountable shows progress. I hope he heals mentally'.

'Broken': Viewers took to Twitter to share their own thoughts on the situation - blasting the show for probing Jacques as they described him as a 'broken man'



While others directed their rage at producers, dubbing their decision to interview him 'shameful', 'cruel' and 'disgusting'.

Jacques has detailed that he isn't watching the show since his departure as he plans to work on himself.

But during the interview with Laura, he admitted to watching back his exit episode upon returning home and getting emotional, revealed he had 'no tears left to cry'.

Love Island continues Monday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub.

Difficult: While Paige and Jacques were on their way to recovery before Jacques' departure, they struggled to move on from Casa Amor
Jacques O'Neill has revealed that he already knew Cheyanne Kerr before their fling during Casa Amor.

The ex-Love Islander, 23, shocked fans when he had a brief dalliance with the 23-year-old, despite having formed a strong bond already with Paige Thorne, 24.

But it seems their relationship stretched back even further, with Jacques admitting that he had wanted to be with Cheyanne when he was younger.

Jacques O'Neill has revealed that he already knew Cheyanne Kerr before their fling during Casa Amor.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, he revealed: 'Cheyanne is a lovely girl, I already knew her from when I was 19, It was weird because I wanted to date her at the time.'

Despite the previous attraction however, Jacques said he soon realised that the pair would not become a couple.

He said: 'I found out while I was chatting to her that nothing was going to come close to what I had with Paige. But from the moment I kissed her in bed I felt the worst Ive ever felt in my life.'

The ex-Love Islander, 23, shocked fans when he had a brief dalliance with the 23-year-old, despite having formed a strong bond already with Paige Thorne, 24

Jacques tearfully quit the villa after Casa Amor, citing the negative effect of the show on his mental health.

The rugby player said that after his exit he forced himself to watch the Casa Amor episodes where he cracked on with Cheyanne and Mollie Salmon.

He said: 'I watched the Casa Amor episodes to torture myself and look at my actions. I was disgusted in myself, I understand the hate. Im feeling quite numb, I will wait for Paige on the outside, but Im not watching the show again, I cant do it.'

New romance: Jacques also appeared on After Sun on Sunday night, where he reacted to Paige's kiss with Adam Collard

Jacques also appeared on After Sun on Sunday night, where he reacted to Paige's kiss with Adam Collard.

Host Laura Whitmore quizzed him on his thoughts about Paige's new romance, and he expressed he was happy for her, despite saying he would wait for her on the outside.

He said: 'We had a good connection and were really getting on. I did see things on the outside working between us but as I say, she's doing what she needs to do.'

Jacques also said he felt he had 'no more tears left to cry' following his emotional exit.

He said: 'The first thing I did when I got home was watch the episode with my mum - that last episode. I said to my mum 'listen I've got no more tears left'. I'd been so emotional.

'I literally stuck it on and put a brave face on for my mum and looked at her and we were just like 'offt'.'

Speaking about his return home, Jacques added: 'It just got too much for me in there, I needed to see the boys [friends] and my mum.'

The rugby player said he was worried he would 'lose control' and end up 'getting physical' in the villa, so made the decision to leave the show.
Bella Varelis has become a budding influencer.

On Monday, the former Bachelor star revealed one of the downsides of opening mountains of PR packages.

The 27-year-old broke a nail while busting open her goodies and had to make an emergency visit to the salon.

Bella Varelis (pictured) has become a budding influencer. On Monday, the former Bachelor star revealed one of the downsides of opening mountains of PR packages.

'Got too excited with a delivery and broke a nail so came in for a quick fix,' she captioned an image posted to Instagram Stories.

It showed the beauty having her snapped nail tended to by a skilled technician.

The former reality star recently received a haul of freebies worth more than $3,203 and showed them off to her fans.

The 27-year-old broke a nail while busting open her goodies and had to make an emergency visit to the salon

The former reality star recently received a haul of freebies worth more than $3,203 and showed them off to her fans

Bella, who rose to fame on Locky Gilbert's season of the reality dating series in 2020, showed off her free gifts on Instagram to her more than 109,000 followers.

Bella received some parcels in the post and also spent a day at a PR gifting suite.

Her freebies included skincare, some designer shoes and makeup.

Bella started her day at a small event for Mecca Beauty and Sunday Riley, where she showed off Sunday Riley's new $99 C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream, which she no doubt received as a take home gift.

Bella started her day at a small event for Mecca Beauty and Sunday Riley, where she showed off Sunday Riley's new $99 C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream, which she no doubt received as a take home gift

She then shared pictures from a PR gifting suite, showing off a pair of stunning Mach & Mach Double Bow crystal, PVC and leather sandals, worth a cool $1,379

'Brightening and hydrating all in one,' Bella captioned one post.

She then shared pictures from a PR gifting suite, showing off a pair of stunning Mach & Mach Double Bow crystal, PVC and leather sandals, worth a cool $1,379.

'Are you kidding me with these?' Bella wrote.

She then shared a picture of another pair of mules from Mach & Mach worth $1,429 and said it was her 'dream shoe x'.

She then shared a picture of another pair of mules from Mach & Mach worth $1,429 and said it was her 'dream shoe x'

She also posed with a Frank Green reusable coffee cup, which retails for $44.95

She also posed with a Frank Green reusable coffee cup, which retails for $44.95, before showing off a huge swag from Kylie Jenner's beauty line Kylie Cosmetics.

Bella received a bag of freebies, including two pressed bronzing powders, which are priced at $29 each, three $29 pressed blush powders, one $26 High Gloss and three liquid lipsticks valued at $27 each.

But it didn't stop there, she also received a huge parcel from Charlotte Tilbury, where lipsticks start at $49 each.

Bella received a bag of free Kylie by Kylie Jenner cosmetics, including two pressed bronzing powders, which are priced at $29 each, three $29 pressed blush powders, one $26 High Gloss and three liquid lipsticks valued at $27 each

But it didn't stop there, she also received a huge parcel from Charlotte Tilbury, where lipsticks start at $49 each

Bella was then asked by a fan what her favourite travel-sized moisturiser is.

She proceeded to spruik La Mer's Creme De La Mer, which starts at $135 for 15ml, is her favourite product.

However, she hinted she purchased the cream, saying: 'I spend most of my pay check on La Mer'.

'It is thick, luxurious and it's mini, it's ultra thick. I live for it. Lather me up all over my body,' Bella said.

'That is my toxic trait, putting $300 moisturiser on my elbows and body and every where that needs it!'
She revealed last week her 'out of office' is well and truly on as her European summer break begins.

And Eva Longoria showcased her incredible physique as she soaked up the sun on a lavish boat in Marbella, Spain, with her family and friends on Sunday.

The former Desperate Housewives star, 47, sizzled in a pair of pink bikini bottoms which she teamed with a grey sweatshirt with the word 'tequila' printed on the front.

Stunning: Eva Longoria showcased her incredible physique as she soaked up the sun on a lavish boat in Marbella, Spain, with her family and friends on Sunday

The actress was in her element as she looked out to sea wearing a dark pair of sunglasses as the sun beamed behind her.

Eva left her long brunette tresses loose as they cascaded down her back blowing in the wind.

She captioned the post: 'En el mar la vida es mas sabrosa,' which in English means: 'The sea life is tastier'.

Cheers to that! The former Desperate Housewives star, 47, sizzled in a pair of pink bikini bottoms which she teamed with a grey sweatshirt with the word 'tequila' printed on the front

Taking to her Instagram Story, she shared a snap of her son Santiago Baston, four, who she shares with husband Jose Baston, 54.

The actress also shared several videos as the group enjoyed a Spanish meal including two kinds of paella and several fish dishes.

Eva wed her third husband, Televisa executive Jose in May 2016, in a ceremony attended by her close pals Victoria and David Beckham.

Yum! The actress also shared several videos as the group enjoyed a Spanish meal including two kinds of paella and several fish dishes

'Our boys': Taking to her Instagram Story, Eva shared a snap of her son Santiago Baston, four, (second right) who she shares with husband Jose Baston, 54, and several friends

The couple initially met on a December 2015 blind date arranged by a mutual friend in Mexico City, with Eva revealing her future husband had no idea who she was.

In December 2017, the couple confirmed they were expecting their first child and in June 2018 they welcomed their first child who they named Santiago Enrique Baston.

Santiago is the first child for Eva, but the fifth for Jose, who was previously married to Mexican actress Natalia Esperon.

When asked in a 2019 interview what the secret is to her happy marriage, Eva explained that she and her husband have respect for each other, and support each other's goals and dreams.

The star said: 'When I was younger it was so much about what I needed to accomplish.

'I've accomplished so much already that I can really sit back now and enjoy the success and continue to dream bigger with a partner.'
Jay Kontzle has revealed that he is becoming a dad again as his wife Mimi is pregnant with their third child.

The Emmerdale actor, who plays Billy Fletcher in the soap, admitted that while the pregnancy has come as a 'shock', its a nice surprise for the growing family.

The pair, who wed in 2017, are already parents to children KaiBo, six and Zian, four - sharing 'Family of 5 pending' to Instagram as they prepare to add to their brood.

'Family of 5 pending': Emmerdales Jay Kontzle, 31, is expecting his third child with wife Mimi as the pair announce pregnancy news (pictured together with children KaiBo, six and Zian, four)

Breaking the news to OK! Magazine, Jay detailed just how impromptu the announcement was, as he found out at work: 'Mimi called me during my lunch break on set and told me. I was sitting eating lunch in the sun and all of a sudden I went hot and started dripping with sweat. I was a bit shocked!'

The pair had jested about having another baby prior, with Mimi admitting she had been 'winding Jay up' about falling pregnant another time.

'Id been winding Jay up for months before, saying I really wanted another child  but his answer was always no.

Shocked: Jay detailed just how impromptu the announcement was, as he found out at work: 'Mimi called me during my lunch break on set and told me

Growing: Sharing a snap from their recent photoshoot to Instagram - the pair announced the good news as they wrote 'Family of 5 pending'

'So I think that made me want another one more, basically just to be spiteful. But then it kind of backfired and I did end up getting pregnant,' jested Mimi.

The family are set to welcome the new arrival in November, explaining that they are 'so excited', dubbing the news a 'blessing'.

The main thing that made me want another one is Zian and KaiBo are getting so grown-up now and theres not a baby or little one around the house any more. Ive really missed that,' continued Mimi.

Blessed: The family are set to welcome the new arrival in November, explaining that they are 'so excited', dubbing the news a 'blessing'

Long-term: Preparing to add to their brood, Jay and Mimi have been married since 2017

And their children are just as excited too, as KaiBo is hoping for a sister, while Zian wants a brother.

Admitting how impatient they are, the pair are counting down the days until they can find out the gender so that they can get cracking on choosing a name, explaining that like KaiBo and Zian, it will come from a Chinese background.

Sharing a snap from their recent photoshoot to Instagram, the pair were inundated with words of congratulations from famous pals - including Emmerdale co-stars Simon Lennon and Natalie Ann Jamieson.

Siblings: And their children are just as excited too, as KaiBo (left) is hoping for a sister, while Zian (right) wants a brother

On-screen: He joined Emmerdale as Billy Fletcher in 2018, and has been at the forefront of a slew of the show's dramatic storylines

Jay first appeared in the spotlight as one quarter of boyband The Mend, who originally auditioned for The X Factor, before appearing on Britain's Got Talent a year later.

They band it to the semi-finals of the variety talent show, before being sent home by the public vote - with Jay then turning his hand to acting.

He joined Emmerdale as the son of Jessie Dingle in 2018, and has been at the forefront of a slew of the show's dramatic storylines.
John Travolta enjoyed a high-end shopping spree on Sunday as he stepped out in Paris with daughter Ella Bleu.

Better known for hitting the dance floor in films such as Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction, the American actor hit the plastic while making the most of the French capital's vast array of designer stores.

Dressed in a smart blue blazer and jeans, Travolta, 68, showed off his slimline physique as he toured the city streets with 22-year old Ella, his daughter with late wife Kelly Preston.

Designer shopping: John Travolta enjoyed a high-end shopping spree on Sunday as he stepped out in Paris with daughter Ella Bleu

The actor added to his look with a blue sweater and trainers while alongside Ella, who looked stylish in a pair of generously cut high-slung slacks.

She completed her look with a white Celine T-shirt, while strappy black sandals rounded off a notably seasonal ensemble.

The pair inevitably attracted attention as they called into Paris branches of Chanel and Dior on the city's Avenue Montaigne before making their way back to their hotel.

Low key appearance: Dressed in a smart blue blazer and jeans, Travolta, 68, caught the eye as he toured the city streets with 22-year old Ella - his daughter with late wife Kelly Preston

Centre of attention: The actor was seen greeting fans outside his hotel on Monday afternoon

In April Pulp Fiction star Travolta wished his late son Jett Travolta a happy birthday in an Instagram tribute.

'My dearest Jetty, I miss you more than words can say. I think about you everyday. Happy Birthday. Love, your Dad,' he wrote in the caption.

Jett was just 16-years-old when he passed away after suffering a seizure during a family holiday in The Bahamas. The teenager had been diagnosed with Kawasaki disease as an infant and had a history of seizures.

Main man: The actor was happy to indulge fans after they gathered outside the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris

Casual: Travolta changed into a Levis navy denim jacket and white jeans for his latest appearance in the French capital

There you go: He indulged one delighted female fan with a selfie on Monday afternoon

Travolta shares the children with his late wife Kelly. A successful actress in her own right, she passed away in July 2020 after being diagnosed with breast cancer two years earlier

In March he took to social media to honour the actress on Mother's Day.

'We love and miss you Kelly. Happy Mothers Day,' the Oscar-nominated star captioned the clip, which was set to Barbara Streisand's That Face.

Tribute: In April, the Pulp Fiction star wished his late son Jett Travolta a happy birthday on Instagram

Sweet: John also took to social media to honour late wife Kelly Preston on Mother's Day, less than two years after her death at 57 following a brave battle with breast cancer

The Grease icon began video tribute began with the inscription 'From me, To you,' and ended in writing, 'Happy Mother's Day ... With all my love, Johnny.'

The video from the New Jersey-born actor consisted of a series of images of the couple as well as their children.

The clip included shots of Travolta and Preston's nuptials in 1987 in Paris, as they were married for 28 years after meeting on the set of the comedy film The Experts, which was released in 1989.

The couple went on to appear in multiple films with one another, including the 2018 crime drama Gotti, the 2010 thriller From Paris with Love, the 2009 comedy Old Dogs and the 2000 sci-fi film Battlefield Earth.
Lisa Wilkinson has broken her social media silence and revealed that she is now in Los Angeles.

On Monday, The Project host shared a photo of herself outside The Hotel California in Palm Springs and announced she will be working on interviews for the show.

'Plenty of room at the Hotel California! I'm here in the US for some very special @theprojecttv interviews. Can't wait to share more' she wrote.

Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) has broken her social media silence and revealed that she is now in Los Angeles. On Monday, The Project host shared a photo of herself outside The Hotel California in Palm Springs and announced she will be working on interviews for the show

The 62-year-old beamed in the photo while wearing a boho maxi dress standing in front of the hotel's sign.

She had last posted to her Instagram on July 10, to plug her pre-recorded interview with swimmer Michael Klim which aired on The Project that night.

It comes after news that Lisa will not be back on The Project in July as originally planned, according to a new report.

She had last posted to her Instagram on July 10, to plug her pre-recorded interview with swimmer Michael Klim (right) which aired on The Project that night

The television host, who has been absent from live segments of the current affairs program since June, will return in August.

Wilkinson was 'quietly and securely whisked out' of Australia to Los Angeles and 'will now make the US her base' for several weeks.

Lisa will spend time in 'Hollywood and New York' where she will interview 'musicians and A-list film stars' for upcoming packages for The Project.

It comes after news that Lisa will not be back on The Project in July as originally planned, according to a new report. The television host, who has been absent from live segments of the current affairs program since June, will return in August

'She'll be dialling in from her new-found Hollywood base as The Project's roving reporter,' The Australian alleged on Sunday.

The trip will be combined with annual leave Wilkinson already had planned, the publication reports.

Lisa was originally expected to remain off the live panel until 'mid-July at the earliest' but will now remain away for at least a month longer, according to The Australian.

Wilkinson was 'quietly and securely whisked out of Australia into Los Angeles' and 'will now make the US her base' for several weeks, the publication reported Sunday. 'She'll be dialling in from her new-found Hollywood base as The Project's roving reporter,' alleged The Australian

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Ten for comment.

Wilkinson was taken off the air after her acceptance speech at the Logie Awards last month in which she spoke of an upcoming court case.

The trial in question was rescheduled until October as a result.
Binky Felstead is en route to Corfu for her second wedding ceremony to husband Max Darnton after she previously delayed her overseas nuptials due to Covid.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, boarded a plane on Monday morning as she carried her bridal gown in a garment bag.

The TV personality faced her back to the camera as she held onto a weaved tote bag and wore a breezy black co-ord set with a button-up and shorts.

It's happening! Binky Felstead is en route to Corfu for her second wedding ceremony to husband Max Darnton after she previously delayed her overseas nuptials due to Covid

Wedding bound: Posting the photo to her 1.4 million followers on Monday, the former Made In Chelsea star, 32, simply captioned it with a series of emojis, including one of a bride

The mother-of-two threw on summery platform slippers and whipped her highlighted hair back over her shoulder.

Posting the photo to her 1.4 million followers, she simply captioned it with a series of emojis, including one of a bride and another of the sun.

Binky also shared Stories of her trip, including clips of a bartender pouring glasses of champagne and orange juice at Heathrow Airport, while enjoying a breakfast of boiled eggs and soldiers before her departure.

On Sunday, the bride-to-be shared a behind-the-scenes snap as she got ready for her big day with a spray tan.

Wow: Binky and Max revealed they tied the knot during intimate ceremony at at Chelsea Old Town Hall on Friday July 23, 2021

Battling with the scorching heat in the UK, a bronzed up Binky - real name Alexandra - shared a sweaty selfie.

'My fan is blowing warm air at me,' she wrote. 'Tips for not melting with a spray tan welcome.'

Binky's best friend Ollie Locke shared some heartfelt words ahead of the second wedding ceremony this week.

The Made In Chelsea star, 35, took to Instagram, saying he could not wait to celebrate his former co-star's marriage.

Mr and Mrs: Binky and Max have been dating since January 2019 after first meeting at private members' club Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire (pictured last month)

Getting ready: On Sunday, the bride-to-be shared a behind-the-scenes snap as she got ready for her big day with a spray tan

Celebration: Binky enjoyed glasses of champagne and orange juice at Heathrow Airport, while tasting a breakfast of boiled eggs and soldiers before her departure

Having also travelled abroad for her Ibiza hen party earlier this year, Ollie shared a number of throwback pictures of the pair and wrote: 'This is a HUGE week for you @binkyfelstead.

'After so many memories we finally get to celebrate your heavenly wedding with a week abroad in the sunshine.

'I honestly believe the boat day at the hen party of was one of my favourite days of life and I can only imagine what this week will hold! Expect a lot of emotional holiday/wedding content this week!!

'This is your week my angel Bink and I'm going to be holding yours and India's hand all week with a thousand cuddles!! I CANT WAIT!!!! And I love you Xxxxxx.'

Wedding bells: Ollie Locke shared some heartfelt words with his friend Binky as she prepares for her second wedding ceremony to husband Max this week

Looking forward: The Made In Chelsea star, 35, took to Instagram on Sunday, saying he could not wait to celebrate his co-star's marriage to Max in Corfu

Binky and Max, 32, tied the knot during an intimate civil ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall in July last year but will have a larger celebration with their loved ones this week.

The couple are proud parents to son Wolfie, 13 months, while Binky has daughter India, five, with her former Made In Chelsea co-star and ex-boyfriend Josh Patterson, 32.

Binky and Josh met while co-starring in Made In Chelsea in 2015 and dated on and off until September 2018, when they confirmed their split.

The pair previously spoke of their plans to host a bigger ceremony in Corfu this summer, with Max telling HELLO! magazine that they plan to have a BBQ on the beach and go snorkelling.

They have hired a 'big boat to sail around the coves' and have also secured a cliffside venue for their wedding.

They've also rented a private beach where they can enjoy a meal after the ceremony with their loved ones.

Binky and Max have been dating since January 2019 after first meeting at private members' club Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire.

Businessman Max popped the question with a 50,000 statement Art Deco-inspired engagement ring in September 2020 during a romantic weekend in East Sussex.
Dignitaries including National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, front row center, pose during a seminar on ways to better guarantee foreigners access to public interpretation services in legal proceedings. The event, co-hosted by the National Assembly Library and the Korea Legislation Research Institute, took place at the National Assembly, July 14. Courtesy of National Assembly Library



Inaccurate courtroom translations prejudice non-Korean speaking foreign nationals



By Lee Hyo-jin



"All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law." This is a generally accepted belief as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as drafted by the United Nations.



And yet, in Korea there is still debate over whether foreign nationals are subjects of fundamental rights under the nation's Constitution.



One area where Korea's legal system lacks compared to more developed nations is in the area of public interpretation services for foreigners with limited Korean language proficiency who, as a result, are often left powerless in police investigations or legal proceedings.



With the number of foreign residents expected to rapidly increase after surpassing 2.5 million in 2020, calls are rising to better guarantee non-Korean nationals with court interpretation services to ensure that they do not face disadvantages due to language barriers.



In Korea, currently, certification exams recruiting interpreters are run separately by judicial or government bodies such as the court, prosecutors' office and the National Police Agency. Due to an absence of a state-run accreditation system, there is a notable gap in the capabilities of these interpreters.



Although many marriage migrants and foreign students who are fluent in both Korean and their native languages offer interpretation services, some point out that they lack competency in professional skills compared to those who have obtained an interpreter's license, as well as knowledge of administrative or legal procedures.



At a recent seminar titled "Protection of the human rights of foreigners in the judicial process and interpretation services," experts, government officials and lawmakers gathered to share ideas and seek efficient ways to train and recruit interpreters in the public sector.



The event, jointly organized by the National Assembly Library and the Korea Legislation Research Institute, was held at the National Assembly, July 14.



Experts from the U.S., New Zealand and Sweden joined via Zoom to introduce the education and certification process for legal interpreters in their countries. They said that Korea may learn from achievements and mistakes in their decades-long process of establishing related laws and systems.





Elisabet Tiselius, a professor at Stockholm University speaks via Zoom about the court interpretation system in Sweden. Screen captured from YouTube



Sweden, which currently has approximately 1,055 certified interpreters covering 37 languages, has an independent state agency overseeing the certification or state authorization of public service interpreters.



"It is an organization independent from courts or the university system. Applicants must pass a written test in both languages and an oral exam where the person has to interpret different types of scenarios," said Elisabet Tiselius, a professor at Stockholm University.



She also stressed that interpreters in her country are strongly urged to maintain neutrality and confidentiality.



"According to government guidelines, interpreters shall only accept assignments for which they consider themselves qualified. And they must act professionally. The interpreters should vow to destroy notes at the end of each encounter and should take an oath in court to fulfill the assignment to the best of his or her assignment," she explained.





Jo Anna Burn, a senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, speaks via Zoom during the seminar. Screen captured from YouTube
Locky Gilbert and Irena Srbinovska have welcomed a new family member.

The newly engaged couple shared the exciting news to Instagram on Monday evening, along with a carousel of loved-up images.

In the pictures, Locky and Irena, both 32, are seen tenderly cuddling an adorable puppy with piercing blue eyes.

The Bachelor's Locky Gilbert and Irena Srbinovska shared exciting family news to Instagram on Monday evening. Both pictured

The Bachelor stars captioned the images, 'Then there were three...', before revealing the cute dog's name as Odin Gilbert beside a paws emoji.

Their post was soon flooded with well-wishes from some of their celebrity pals, including fellow reality stars Laura Byrne, Renae Ayris, Juliette Herrera and Felicity Egginton.

The Bachelor's Alisha Aitken Radburn was enthusiastic with her response, writing, 'Stop. I'm coming over'.

While Bec Cvilikas, who also starred on the dating show, preferred to keep her thoughts short and sweet, simply adding four heart-eyes emojis.

Locky and Irena's cute announcement follows news they're set to walk down the aisle in the coming year.

In the pictures shared to Instagram, the couple are seen tenderly cuddling an adorable puppy with piercing blue eyes

The Bachelor stars captioned the images, 'Then there were three...', before revealing the cute dog's name as Odin Gilbert beside a paws emoji

Their post was soon flooded with well-wishes from some of their celebrity pals, including Laura Byrne, Renae Ayris, Juliette Herrera and Felicity Egginton

The reality TV lovebirds, who met on the Channel 10 dating series, confirmed their engagement in a joint Instagram post in June.

'Mrs Gilbert has a nice ring to it,' Irena, 32, captioned the post.

The couple got engaged in front of Mackenzie Falls at Grampians National Park, and shared a kiss in front of the falls after Locky popped the question.

The pair were both rugged up in activewear and puffer jackets, indicating that they'd been out hiking in the area.

Irena also showed off her stunning diamond engagement ring, which was from Larsen Jewellery.

It's official! The Bachelor's Locky and Irena are officially engaged

Irena showed off her stunning diamond engagement ring, which was from Larsen Jewellery

A number of reality stars posted well-wishes in the comments, including Love Island's Dom Thomas, The Bachelor's Anna Heinrich, Former Bachelorette Georgia Love and her husband Lee Elliott, and Survivor star David Genat.

Anna wrote: 'OMG CONGRATULATIONS. So happy for you both xx.'

Lee posted: 'Such incredible news!! Massive congratulations to you both!!'

Georgia added: 'AAAHHHHH!!!! Congratulations guys!!!'

Former Bachelor star Alisha Aitken-Radburn also commented: 'OMG YESSSS!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.'

Congratulations! A number of reality stars posted well-wishes in the comments, including Love Island's Dom Thomas, The Bachelor's Anna Heinrich, Former Bachelorette Georgia Love and her husband Lee Elliott, and Survivor star David Genat

It comes after the couple purchased their first home together in Perth.

The couple took to Instagram last month to share the exciting news - telling fans they will soon commence renovations.

'We bought a house!! Let the celebrations sorry renovations begin,' wrote Locky and Irena.

Renovator's delight: Locky and Irena recently purchased their first home together in Perth last month

'It's taken us a while to find our perfect (renovators dream) home in our favourite location but we got there and we are so excited to make this our home.'

The couple went on to say they are happy to finally set down some roots after their lengthy travels since falling in love on the show.

'We are super eager to see what the future has in store for us and it's good to finally set some roots after all our travels,' they wrote.

'Now let the renovations begin but first a quick celebratory drink or two.'

Let's celebrate: 'It's taken us a while to find our perfect home in our favourite location but we got there and we are so excited to make this our home,' Irena wrote
Even the European heatwave couldn't halt a seemingly relentless shooting schedule as work on the latest Fast & Furious instalment continued in Rome on Monday.

As temperatures soared a visibly parched Vin Diesel got into character as no-nonsense Dominic Toretto for a high-octane action sequence in the Italian capital.

The actor, 55, was joined by a small production team during a location shoot for the long-running franchise's forthcoming 10th release - Fast X.

And two hapless crew members were seen holding portable fans above his head in a bid to cool him off between takes.

Hard at work: Even the European heatwave couldn't halt a seemingly relentless shooting schedule as work on the latest Fast & Furious instalment continued in Rome on Monday

With the Roman Colosseum serving as a dramatic backdrop, Diesel was later seen climbing from the front passenger seat of a black Dodge while cameras rolled.

In withering heat the American actor sported a sleeveless denim shirt, jeans and scuffed leather boots while shooting his latest scenes as the character he first played more than 20-years ago.

Despite the sweltering conditions Diesel appeared to be in a buoyant mood, with the star seen chatting to onlookers and giving a cheerful thumbs-up sign as he relaxed between takes.

In good company: Diesel was seen being cooled by production assistants brandishing portable fans during a break on the Italian set

Here we go: As temperatures soared Vin Diesel got into character as no-nonsense Dominic Toretto for an high-octane action sequence in the Italian capital

Picture perfect: The American actor appeared to take photos of the surrounding area between takes in Rome on Monday

Heavy duty: In withering heat the American actor sported a sleeveless denim shirt, jeans and scuffed leather boots

Throughout the Fast X shoot, Diesel has been sharing updates and behind-the-scenes peeks inside the London-based production, including making the announcement that Brie Larson would join the cast.

He's also posted shots with franchise newcomers Jason Momoa and Alan Ritchson, as well as longtime Fast Family members Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, Sung Kang and Nathalie Emmanuel.

Tyrese Gibson and Scott Eastwood have also been tapped to return, while franchise baddie Charlize Theron has also posted from the set where she reprises her role as the villainous Cipher.

Breezy does it: The actor needed cooling down after every take as a result of the scorching heat in Italy

Upbeat: Despite the conditions Diesel appeared to be in a buoyant mood, with the star seen chatting to onlookers and giving a cheerful thumbs-up sign

He's pleased: Diesel grinned as he chatted to crew-members between takes on Monday

Here we go: The actor was later seen climbing from the front passenger seat of a black Dodge while cameras rolled

Louis Leterrier is directing the film after Justin Lin stepped down from the role in April, little more than a week after production began.

News of Moreno's casting comes after Diesel told Variety in June 2021 that the filmmaking team behind the Fast and Furious franchise aimed to explore more of the Toretto family tree in the upcoming 10th and 11th instalments.

After meeting Dom's long-lost brother Jakob (John Cena) in F9, Diesel confirmed that conversations had been had about who Mother Toretto would be, with legendary star Rita Moreno eventually winning the role.

All change: Louis Leterrier is directing the film after Justin Lin stepped down from the role in April, little more than a week after production began

Intricate: Camera equipment appeared to be installed on the car bonnet ahead of another action packed scene in Rome

Stern: Diesel was seen surveying the empty street after climbing from his car

Here come the boys: He was later surrounded by a small group of crew-members while making his way across the exterior set
Lottie Tomlinson has opened up on how she dealt with the loss of her mother and her sister Felicite.

The sister of Louis Tomlinson, 23, lost her mother Johannah Deakin to leukaemia in December 2016 and her sister Felicite died in March 2019 from an accidental overdose.

She appeared on Monday's episode of Loose Women alongside Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health Dr Rosena Allin-Khan where she spoke about the lack of support she had after their deaths.

Tragic: Lottie Tomlinson has opened up on how she dealt with the loss of her mother and her sister Felicite

Speaking about her mother, Lottie said: 'It was really quick and losing my mum at 18, such a heartbreaking and scary thing.

'It was quite shocking that we were surrounded by health professionals and nothing really got offered to us.

'And then losing my sister two years later, the same again, nothing was offered. So I felt like it was my responsibility to the family to get some help and make a difference.

Loss: The sister of Louis Tomlinson , 23, lost her mother Johannah Deakin (pictured) to leukaemia in December 2016 and her sister Felicite died in March 2019 from an accidental overdose

'It's been a long, hard journey, but the therapy really helped me.'

When asked about her family's reaction to the grief of losing their mum, she said: 'Everyone had their own reaction, everyone is different. And obviously my sister didn't cope very well. And I feel things could've been different if she'd got the help.

'I got recommended to wait three months after a loss, but that might be the timespace when you're really going through a dark place.

No help: She appeared on Monday's episode of Loose Women alongside Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health Dr Rosena Allin-Khan where she spoke about the lack of support she had after their deaths

She added that she was grateful, saying: 'I felt very lucky to get this help, because it's very expensive to go privately.'

Lottie is backing Sue Ryder calling on the government to commit to development a bereavement pathway, which would include offering people help through counselling, prescription drugs and financial support.

Lottie, who is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Lewis Burton, was the epitome of elegance in a skintight one-shoulder dress that showed off her baby bump.

Lottie tragically lost her sister Felicite in March 2019 after she died from an accidental overdose of cocaine, anxiety drug Xanax and painkillers.

Last August, Lottie shared a heartbreaking tribute for her younger sister on what would have been her 21st birthday.

At the time, she took to Instagram Stories to honour her sibling, sharing a glamorous photo of the pair at an event alongside a heartfelt caption.

'My beautiful baby sister and best friend would have been 21 today. Not a day goes by that I don't miss you. I miss my sister but more so I miss my friend,' Lottie wrote.

Devastating: Speaking about her mother, Lottie said: 'It was really quick and losing my mum at 18, such a heartbreaking and scary thing'

'You were the best person to talk to about everything. I think of what you would have been like today, what you would have been doing.

'But instead you're safe with Mama looking after us all from up there,' she continued, referencing their mother Johannah, who passed away in December 2016, aged 43, following a battle with leukaemia.

'Until we meet again, I will make you proud x,' Lottie concluded.

Stunning: Lottie, who is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Lewis Burton, was the epitome of elegance in a skintight one-shoulder dress that showed off her baby bump

Supportive: Lottie is backing Sue Ryder calling on the government to commit to development a bereavement pathway, which would include offering people help through counselling, prescription drugs and financial support

Lottie also shared a quote by Morgan Harper Nichols, which read: 'Going through things you never thought you'd go through will only take you places you never thought you'd get to.'

In 2020, Lottie discussed the tragic deaths of her mother and sister and how she has 'got to a good point' with her grief after undergoing counselling.

Appearing on Lorraine, the social media star revealed getting therapy after her sister Felicite's death helped her with the grieving process.

Discussing her mother's death, she said: 'It was really fast. That made it harder. We didn't have time to get our head around things and process it. She was the best.

'Until we meet again, I will make you proud': Last August, she shared a heartbreaking tribute for her younger sister (left) on what would have been her 21st birthday

'She made her whole life about us and did everything for us. She was the sweetest, kindest woman.

Lorraine asked: 'And then three years later, your poor sister. Have you learned anything that has helped you?'

Lottie said: 'I feel like I was able to deal with it a lot better with my sister. I had picked up a few coping mechanisms.

'I got extra help when my sister died than when my mum died. I want people to know that you can get help. It does really help with the grieving process when you go and speak to someone.

'A lot of people try and deal with it themselves but I think it's important that you don't go through it alone,' she said.

Devastated: Felicite was found collapsed and lifeless at her fourth-floor studio apartment in Earls Court, west London in March 2019

The influencer said the support from Louis' fans as well as Sue Ryder had enabled her to manage her grief.

As well as Louis and Lottie, Johannah was also mother to twins Daisy and Phoebe, 18, and twins Ernest and Doris. She was also grandmother to Louis' son Freddie, five.

A statement released to MailOnline following Johannah's death read: 'It is with immeasurable sadness that Johannah Deakin's family said goodbye to Johannah in the early hours of Wednesday 7th December 2016.

'Earlier this year Johannah was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukaemia that required immediate and continuous treatment. We respectfully request that the family are given time and space to grieve in private.'

Three years later, Felicite was found collapsed and lifeless at her fourth-floor studio apartment in Earls Court, west London.

Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said at an inquest afterwards: 'It was a perfect storm, the OxyCodone, the alpraxolam [Xanax] and cocaine. I find no evidence this was a deliberate act to end her life.'

After hearing she had turned to drugs following the tragic death of her mother, the coroner recorded a misadventure verdict.

For confidential support in the UK 24 hours a day 365 days a year, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

For bereavement resources including practical and emotional advice to encourage conversations about grief, visit sueryder.org/copingwithgrief.
Last month, Denise Richards launched her own OnlyFans page after her daughter Sami Sheen started her own.

And on Sunday, the actress shared a racy snap of herself posing in a risque

lingerie for her Instagram.

The 51-year-old showcased her cleavage in the red one-piece, which featured a zipper detail and sheer panels.

Striking: Last month, Denise Richards launched her own OnlyFans page after her daughter Sami Sheen started her own. And on Sunday, the actress shared a racy snap of herself posing in a risky lingerie for her Instagram

Denise chose a sheer red one-piece that featured a zip-detail down the center of her body, as well as a plunging neckline.

The mother of three posed lying on a couch while sporting sparkling earrings and touseled locks.

Denise sported smokey eye makeup, pink lipstick and rosy blush on her cheeks with pink polished nails.

She captioned it: 'Happy weekend! You know where to go. Link in bio.'

Denise recently spoke to KTLA about her decision to open an OnlyFans, speaking on how she moved past her initial reservations about the platform and noted that she fully supported its dedication to the preservation of creators' integrity.

Denise recently spoke to KTLA about her decision to open an OnlyFans, speaking on how she moved past her initial reservations about the platform and noted that she fully supported its dedication to the preservation of creators' integrity.

'My daughter got a lot of backlash for opening the account. I had heard of OnlyFans but I wasn't educated on what OnlyFans was,' she said.

Adding that she was impressed by the way the site was set up: 'Once I started to learn about it, I really think that the creators of the site really took the best of every platform of social media and put it into one site.'

She said that that posting on OnlyFans was similar to Instagram: 'We all post pictures with ourselves with bathing suits on Instagram and some of the other sites that there's no difference other than you actually own the content.'

Denise, who became a household name in movies like Wild Things, The World Is Not Enough and Drop Dead Gorgeous, said that her 18-year-old daughter Sami's reaction to joining OnlyFans was 'positive.'

Family: 'My daughter got a lot of backlash for opening the account. I had heard of OnlyFans but I wasn't educated on what OnlyFans was,' she said; her daughter Sami pictured

Speaking out: Adding that she was impressed by the way the site was set up: 'Once I started to learn about it, I really think that the creators of the site really took the best of every platform of social media and put it into one site'

She said she talked about it to her and on her decision to join the site, as she recalled: 'I thought "Is that going to be a little odd?" Then she said "we're both on Instagram.'

Sami joined OnlyFans in May, and she made headlines when the news was announced.

Her father Charlie Sheen, 56, initially voiced his disapproval of her actions and shared a statement through his publicist.

He told Fox News that she was primarily residing with Denise: 'This did not occur under my roof. I do not condone this, but since I'm unable to prevent it, I urged her to keep it classy, creative and not sacrifice her integrity.'

Denise had released a statement supporting Sami's decisions: 'I have to say I wish I had the confidence my 18 yr old daughter has.'

Pose: Sami joined OnlyFans in May, and she made headlines when the news was announced
Stephanie Davison placed the winning $2,700 bid for a private one-hour virtual candlelight date with fellow 90 Day Fiance alum Stephanie Matto last Thursday.

The 31-year-old Connecticut native confirmed the Michigan-born 54-year-old won the date to TMZ on Monday and she was 'completely blindsided.'

The two Stephanies have never met and Matto told the outlet that Davison only wanted the date 'to talk about marketing ideas' and is 'especially interested in a potential fart jar collaboration.'

Winner: Stephanie Davison (L) placed the winning $2,700 bid for a private one-hour virtual candlelight date with fellow 90 Day Fiance alum Stephanie Matto (R) last Thursday

'Then things start getting interesting': The 31-year-old Connecticut native confirmed the Michigan-born 54-year-old won the date to TMZ on Monday and she was 'completely blindsided'

The Unfiltrd CEO claimed she earned $280K selling her 'ta ta sweat and $1K toot jars' but TikTok shut down her account on June 21 with no warning for violating its community guidelines.

On July 10, Stephanie admitted her 'home and pool were paid for by a sugar daddy' after boasting the opposite on June 23: 'Everything I have I bought and built on my own.'

10% of the proceeds ($270) from the three-day auction will go to Matto's 'favorite charity' - the blood stem cell non-profit, Be The Match.

Audiences were first introduced to the 'spicy' content creator during the fourth season of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days where she romanced Erika Owens from Australia in 2020.

Not romantic: The two Stephanies have never met and Matto told the outlet that Davison only wanted the date 'to talk about marketing ideas' and is 'especially interested in a potential fart jar collaboration' (pictured in 2021)

'Is it all worth it?' The Unfiltrd CEO claimed she earned $280K selling her 'ta ta sweat and $1K toot jars' but TikTok shut down her account on June 21 with no warning for violating its community guidelines

On July 10, Stephanie admitted her 'home and pool were paid for by a sugar daddy' after boasting the opposite on June 23: 'Everything I have I bought and built on my own'

Claim to fame! Audiences were first introduced to the 'spicy' content creator (L) during the fourth season of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days where she romanced Erika Owens (R) from Australia in 2020

Stephanie went on to also appear in spin-offs 90 Day Fiance: B90 Strikes Back!, 90 Day Diaries, 90 Day Bares All, 90 Day Fiance: Pillow Talk, and 90 Day: The Single Life.

Meanwhile, Davison has found a new mystery man, whom she took with her on vacation to Belize on Sunday.

The Skin Envy owner originally appeared in the eighth season of 90 Day Fiance where she loved and left 29-year-old Belize resident, Ryan Carr, for his cousin Harris.

'#baecation': Meanwhile, Davison has found a new mystery man, whom she took with her on vacation to Belize on Sunday
A bruised and swollen Jessica Alves made a tentative step outside on Monday as she recovers from her latest cosmetic procedure.

The Brazilian TV personality, formerly known as Rodrigo before undergoing gender reassignment surgery, revealed prominent swelling and discoloured skin around both eyes during her latest public appearance.

Jessica, 38, was venturing out after travelling to Azerbaijan for the procedure, which she claims has given her the same almond shaped eyes as supermodel Bella Hadid.

Painful: A bruised and swollen Jessica Alves made a tentative step outside on Monday as she recovers from her latest cosmetic procedure

But the results were inconclusive during Monday's outing, in part due to the painful looking bruises and puffiness she must first recover from.

Greeting onlookers outside her hotel in Azerbaijan's capital city Baku, Jessica looked visibly tired while removing her sunglasses - fully exposing her swollen eyes.

As always the TV personality turned heads, a fact owed in no small part to the deep plunging blouse that fully exposed her cosmetically enhanced cleavage.

She added to her look with a pleated red summer skirt, while a matching leather handbag and flat-soled shoes rounded off her latest ensemble.

Recovery: The Brazilian TV personality revealed prominent swelling and discoloured skin around both eyes during her latest public appearance

Here she comes: Jessica was venturing out after travelling to Azerbaijan for the procedure, which she claims has given her the same almond shaped eyes as supermodel Bella Hadid

Don't mind me: As always the TV personality turned heads, a fact owed in no small part to the deep plunging blouse that fully exposed her cosmetically enhanced cleavage

Jessica, who has spent more than 900,000 on more than 90 surgeries over the years, jetted to the city of Baku to meet plastic surgeon Dr. Mubariz Mammadli to undergo body contouring liposuction with Bodytite and an endoscopy mid-facelift.

The former Celebrity Big Brother housemate later took to her Instagram Stories on Saturday to share an image of the after effects of her facelift with her 6.2million followers.

She told MailOnline: 'I have had over 90 plastic surgeries in the past 20 years and most people see me as plastic surgery-addicted.

Finishing touches: She added to her look with a pleated red summer skirt, while a matching leather handbag and flat-soled shoes rounded off her latest ensemble

Hopeful: Jessica has taken inspiration from supermodel Bella Hadid, but the results were inconclusive during Monday's outing

New look: Jessica recently fans a glimpse at the results of her latest cosmetic procedure after going under the knife in Azerbaijan

'But the reality is that I am a biological male who is now a female, therefore surgeries were required for me to be the person that I am today.

'I am very strong and determined and I do whatever it takes to make me happy. There is no better feeling to me than getting up in the morning and looking at the mirror, and seeing this woman that I became with the help of forward thinking and innovative surgeons around the world.'

She added: 'I am turning 39 next week so I gifted my self a body contouring lipo with Bodytite and an endoscopy mid-facelift. Dr. Mubariz performed the innovative procedure that will keep my face fresh and looking the same for At least 15 years.'

Opening up: 'I have had over 90 plastic surgeries in the past 20 years and most people see me as plastic surgery-addicted,' she told MailOnline

Jet set: The media personality, who has spent more than 900,000 on more than 90 surgeries over the years, jetted to the city of Baku for her treatments

Star quality: Jessica said she will now have eyes just like model Bella Hadid and her face will stay looking young for 15 years

'I spend hours researching good surgeons with unique aesthetic procedures and in this case I flew from London to Baku.

'I have being following Dr. Mubariz on social media for the past three years but due to the pandemic I couldnt fly to Baku for the surgery.

'I have being on a waiting list to have the endoscopy facelift for over a year and now, a week just before my birthday, I was able to have the procedure done.

Details: The former Celebrity Big Brother housemate met surgeon Dr. Mubariz Mammadli to undergo body contouring liposuction with Bodytite and an endoscopy mid-facelift

'With two small incisions on my hairline my forehead was lifted, my eyebrows and mid face have also changed. The position of my eyes have been altered, making like like I have Bella Hadid's eyes. I am very happy with the procedure along side body contouring lipo bodytite.

'I shall defiantly celebrate my Birthday in big style and looking fresher and younger.'

It comes after Jessica vowed to stop having plastic surgery after spending more than 900,000 on 91 procedures in the last two decades.

Life in plastic, it's (NOT) fantastic: It comes after Jessica has vowed to stop having plastic surgery after spending more than 900,000 on 91 procedures in the last two decades

The transgender influencer revealed in an exclusive chat with MailOnline that she isn't interested in chasing 'perfection' and feels far more confident now that she's living her life as a woman.

While Jessica admitted she still has plans for a 13th nose job, as well as full body liposuction, she then wants to stop going under the knife for good.

She explained: 'I'm far from perfection, neither do I want to be perfect, but there are a few things that I need to fix before the summer is over... then I will be done for life with plastic surgery.'

Wow: Jessica - who took part in a Barbie-themed photoshoot for Fashion Nova - revealed she isn't interested in chasing 'perfection' and feels far more confident now as a woman

Jess also revealed that she now felt the 'ultimate validation' as a woman after being picked as a brand ambassador for Fashion Nova.

The TV personality channelled a Barbie doll for her latest shoot with the brand, and said of the spread 'I loved it! Barbie represents the perfection of a female form and it is fun and flattering to be compared to the doll.'

As well as her various modelling gigs, Jessica has spent the past few months making the most of the return of the travel industry post-lockdown.

Tiny tweaks: While Jessica admitted she still has plans for a 13th nose job, as well as full body liposuction, she then wants to stop going under the knife for good

She explained: 'My gender transition happened while we were at the pandemic in lockdown, so this is my first real summer as a woman...

'I am still looking for love and to live a fairytale romance which hopefully will happen one day.'

It comes after Jessica and her new love interest Jamie Bugden split after enjoying a whirlwind romance in Thailand.

A source told MailOnline last month: 'Jessica was living a love story while in Phuket but that's over now. They are two very different people living very far apart with different mottos in life.

'Maybe they will meet again one day but are no longer in a relationship.'

It's over: It comes after the Jessica and her new love interest Jamie Bugden split after enjoying a whirlwind romance in Thailand

The insider added: 'Jessica is single and very much on the hunt for Mr Right. She still believes in love, romance and being monogamous and is ready to invest her time, love and effort into a relationship'

Prior to their split, a source told MailOnline of Jessica's romance with Jamie: 'They have been getting on very well and are making the most of their trip. It is the first time she has ever posted a man on her social media.

'Jessica is heartbroken that it won't be a long term relationship as he is a British man based in Thailand and she splits her time between London and Brazil. They are having fun for now.'
Yazmin Oukhellou has spoken out after Georgia Harrison shared text messages from her late ex-boyfriend Jake McLean inviting her to Istanbul for the weekend.

Former Love Island star Georgia, 27, posted the messages following Jake's shock death after his car veered off a cliff in Turkey, with Yazmin in the passenger seat.

Yazmin, 28, who had rekindled her relationship with Jake when he died, has since told how Georgia's post was 'upsetting to read' and she 'wishes she hadn't posted it'.

Yazmin snapped her arm to free herself from her car after the horrific crash which saw the vehicle plummet into a ravine and Jake lose his life at the age of 33, while the couple were on holiday in Bodrum earlier this month.

After learning of businessman Jake's tragic death, former Love Island star Georgia shared her last text exchange with Jake, who Yazmin says Georgia was in an on/off sexual relationship with.

Difficult: Yazmin Oukhellou has spoken out after reading Georgia Harrison's claims that she had a long on/off romance with Yazmin's late boyfriend Jake McLean before his death in Turkey

Georgia shared some text messages she had received from Jake which invited her to join him in Turkey while offering to book her flights.

After reading Georgia's posts, Yazmin told The Sun: 'I think Jake and Georgia have had a sexual relationship on and off.I don't think they have ever been together. But it was an upsetting thing to read.'

'I wish she hadn't posted them and I'm not sure why she did.

'I guess grief can really hit people though. I don't want to get into a slanging match at all with anyone else  it's hard enough coming to terms with it all.'

Union: After learning of Jake's death, former Love Island star Georgia, 27, took to Instagram to pay tribute, writing that her union with Jake was her only 'meaningful' relationship

Close: Georgia also shared some of the last text messages she had received from Jake which invited her to join him in Turkey while offering to book her flights (Georgia pictured with Jake)

Sadness: In an emotional statement, she wrote: 'Thankyou for giving me the confidence to love myself, thankyou for always routing for me, thankyou for loving me

She posted: 'Me and Jake were on and off for years since we have known each other from school. In fact he was the only meaningful relationship I've ever had.

'Our connection was special and in between any relationship we had with each other we were always friends until the end.'

Georgia also sharing pictures of them cuddling, adding: 'Thankyou for giving me the confidence to love myself, thankyou for always routing for me, thankyou for loving me but most of all thankyou for being my mukka even in my road girl days.[sic]

Final exchange: Georgia shared a look at a text exchange with Jake before his tragic passing

'333 will always be my number for you and the way the world lost you will forever haunt me because it makes no sense RIP Jake you lit up a room and everyone who met you couldn't help but love you.'

It comes after Yazmin told how she broke her own arm to escape the devastating car crash that killed her boyfriend.

The television personality revealed she deliberately injured herself in order to free her arm and escape the Mercedes she was travelling in with boyfriend Jake after it went over a cliff.

Devastated: Yazmin, 28, has broken her silence on the horror car crash in Turkey, which left her boyfriend Jake McLean dead, saying she broke her arm to free herself from the vehicle

She told The Sun newspaper: 'We were just tumbling for what seemed like forever. It felt like I was going round in a washing machine  just round and round.

'Then eventually it stopped and my right arm was jammed.

'The car was upside down. It had an open sunroof and my right arm was just stuck behind my back and under the folded back of the car roof.

'So I thought, 'Right, I can either lay still and bleed to death, or snap my own arm to try to save us'  I had no choice.

'So I somehow snapped my arm through pure adrenaline and panic. I climbed out of the car, and I was kind of holding my arm together with my left hand.

She then ran up to the bank above the ravine and called for help.

Yazmin said she did not know at first that her boyfriend Jake had died in the crash, repeating to herself in the moment that he must just be unconscious.

She said she was unable to admit to herself that he might be dead but climbed back down to the car to check his pulse, saying that she couldn't feel anything.

The reality star begged paramedics to help him but all they could tell her was that they needed to get him to hospital.

She says she is struggling to come to terms with the situation, feeling like she is going to wake up from a nightmare at any second.

She added: 'I am definitely going to need therapy for a while, and I'm going to try some in-patient treatment too. I know this will live with me forever, I need to take it slowly.'
He's currently enjoying a sun-soaked getaway with his famous parents.

And Cruz Beckham, 17, packed on the PDA with girlfriend Tana Holding on Monday as the party headed on a lavish boat ride off the coast of Neranoa, Italy.

The teenage love birds cuddled up at the back of the vessel, before enjoying a sweet kiss as his younger sister Harper, 11, looked on.

Pucker up! Cruz Beckham, 17, packed on the PDA with girlfriend Tana Holding (left) as they enjoy a sun-soaked boat trip in Italy during their lavish European getaway on Monday

Cruz donned an oversized Eminem T-shirt for the outing which he teamed with alabaster shorts.

He styled his highlighted locks in a natural style and sported an array of silver jewellery.

Meanwhile, Tana looked gorgeous in a linen playsuit as she soaked up the Italian sunshine laying back on the swanky boat's cushions.

Loverbirds:The teenage love birds cuddled up at the back of the vessel, before enjoying a sweet kiss as his younger sister Harper, 11, looked on

Causal: Cruz donned an oversized Eminem T-shirt for the outing which he teamed with alabaster shorts

The blonde beauty wore her long tresses in a French braid, appearing at ease with her beau's arm around her.

The couple were joined on the trip by a large party of their fellow travellers including Cruz's parent's David, 47, and Victoria, 48, as well as youngest sibling Harper.

The Lamer speedboat crashed through the clear waves as the passengers enjoyed stunning views of the Amalfi Coast.

Gorgeous: Meanwhile, Tana looked gorgeous in a linen playsuit as she soaked up the Italian sunshine laying back on the swanky boat's cushions

Sightseers: The Lamer speedboat crashed through the clear waves as the passengers enjoyed stunning views of the Amalfi Coast

Last month, Cruz was seen enjoying a night out in London pub Alice House in Queen's Park with Tana and is believed to have met her earlier this year.

A source told The Sun: 'They make a really lovely couple and she is down-to-earth and really fun. She is not fazed by Cruz's fame and where he comes from.

'It is early days but Cruz seems smitten with Tana.'

Cruz recently split from his ex-girlfriend Bliss Chapman, according to reports.

The couple were in a relationship for 18 months but reportedly decided to go their separate ways in March.

Family day out: The couple were joined on the trip by a large party of their fellow travellers including Cruz's parent's David, 47, and Victoria, 48 (both pictured) as well as youngest sibling Harper

Boat trip: Last month, Cruz was seen enjoying a night out in London pub Alice House in Queen's Park with Tana and is believed to have met her earlier this year

Victoria and Bliss's mother Rosemary Ferguson, a model turned nutritionist, are good friends and the reason the youngsters met in the first place.

A source told The Mail on Sunday: 'Cruz and Bliss are both only young but they had been together for a quite a while, particularly for two teenagers.

'But they decided to end things. The Beckhams loved Bliss, especially Victoria. Cruz's older brothers Brooklyn and Romeo thought it was all lovely too.

'Cruz now has a music career to launch and when the time is right that will mean travelling across the globe.'

Bonding: The outing comes after David shared some pictures of himself on a boat with youngest son Cruz on Instagram as they enjoyed the sights of Croatia - before heading to Italy

The outing comes after David shared some pictures of himself on a boat with youngest son Cruz on Instagram as they enjoyed the sights of Croatia - before heading to Italy.

Cruz and his dad could be seen topping up their tans while going shirtless on the back of a boat in Dubrovnik.

he pair are clearly foodies and David has been sharing pictures of the food they have been enjoying including fresh tomato salad and a giant red snapper

David also shared a picture of the pair drinking a glass of beer in the sunshine with some rolling hills in the background.
Vin Diesel and Dame Helen Mirren were seen basking in the golden sunshine as they filmed scenes for the latest Fast & Furious instalment during the sweltering European heatwave on top of Castel Sant' Angelo in Rome on Monday.

Actor Vin, 55, was seen in character as Dominic Toretto, wearing a khaki sleeveless denim shirt as he stood alongside Dame Helen.

The actress, 76, who plays criminal mastermind Magdalene 'Queenie' Shaw, was seen wearing a red animal print dress with structured detail at the front, with the star tenderly touching Vin's face as the pair played out one scene.

Action! Vin Diesel, 55, and Dame Helen Mirren, 76, filmed scenes for the latest Fast & Furious instalment during on top of Castel Sant' Angelo in Rome on Monday

The pair could be seen in conversation on top of the towering cylindrical building in the Italian capital city with filming equipment nearby.

Dame Helen previously took on the part of Queenie in 2017 after she 'begged' main man Vin for a role in Fast & Furious 8 as she was such a lover of the films.

She made her debut in The Fate Of The Furious that year as the mother of Deckard (Jason Statham), Owen (Luke Evans), and Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby).

Born to perform: Actor Vin was seen in character as Dominic Toretto, wearing a khaki sleeveless denim shirt, with Dame Helen tenderly touching Vin's face in one scene

In character: Dame Helen, who plays criminal mastermind Magdalene 'Queenie' Shaw, was seen wearing a red animal print dress with structured detail at the front

Acting out: The pair could be seen in conversation on top of the towering cylindrical building in the Italian capital city with filming equipment nearby

Ambition: Dame Helen previously took on the part of Queenie in 2017 after she 'begged' main man Vin for a role in Fast & Furious 8 as she was such a lover of the films

Hugging it out! The actors were seen embracing closely on set

Intense! Wearing a hair net, Helen rested her hand against his chin

The screen star later appeared in 2019s spin-off Hobbs And Shaw as well as Fast & Furious 9.

She previously told The Hollywood Reporter: 'I didnt ask, I begged! I think I was at some function, and he was there, and I got introduced to him. And I was shameless: "Oh God, Id just love to be in one of your movies! Please let me be in it."

'And then Vin, with that beautiful, deep voice of his, said: "Ill see what I can do." And he did it for me.

Movie lover: She made her debut in The Fate Of The Furious that year as the mother of Deckard (Jason Statham), Owen (Luke Evans), and Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby)

Regular role: The screen star later appeared in 2019s spin-off Hobbs And Shaw as well as Fast & Furious 9

Big question: She told The Hollywood Reporter : 'I didnt ask, I begged! I think I was at some function, and he was there, and I got introduced to him. And I was shameless'

Success! She added: 'Then Vin, with that beautiful, deep voice of his, said: "Ill see what I can do." And he did it for me'

'He found this great little role for me, which was perfect. Id just never done anything like that before  one of those big, big movies. And, in my vanity, I just loved driving and really wanted to do my own driving in a fast car.'

Throughout the Fast X shoot, VIn has been sharing updates and behind-the-scenes peeks inside the production, including making the announcement that Brie Larson would join the cast.

He's also posted shots with franchise newcomers Jason Momoa and Alan Ritchson, as well as longtime Fast Family members Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, Sung Kang and Nathalie Emmanuel.

Keeping fans in the loop: Throughout the Fast X shoot, VIn has been sharing updates and behind-the-scenes peeks inside the production

All star cast: Tyrese Gibson and Scott Eastwood have also been tapped to return in the upcoming film

Gripping: Franchise baddie Charlize Theron has also posted from the set where she reprises her role as the villainous Cipher

Iconic: Oscar-winner Dame Helen plays Magdalene "Queenie" Shaw alongside the franchise's main man Vin (pictured together in Fast & Furious 9)

Tyrese Gibson and Scott Eastwood have also been tapped to return, while franchise baddie Charlize Theron has also posted from the set where she reprises her role as the villainous Cipher.

Louis Leterrier is directing the film after Justin Lin stepped down from the role in April, little more than a week after production began.

Vin told Variety in June 2021 that the filmmaking team behind the Fast & Furious franchise aimed to explore more of the Toretto family tree in the upcoming 10th and 11th instalments.

After meeting Dom's long-lost brother Jakob (John Cena) in F9, Vin confirmed that conversations had taken place about who Mother Toretto would be, with legendary star Rita Moreno eventually winning the role.
Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas appeared in high spirits as they arrived on the red carpet for the Special Screening of Netflix's The Gray Man in Berlin.

The actor, 41, stood out from the crowd in a vibrant red blazer at the star-studded event held at the Zoo Palast cinema.

He donned a white shirt and black tie underneath, while completing the ensemble with a pair of trousers and smart shoes.

Talent: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas appeared in high spirits as they arrived on the red carpet for the Special Screening of Netflix's The Gray Man in Berlin

Meanwhile Chris, 41, dressed to impress in a grey waist coat, white t-shirt and stylish grey trousers.

Ana, 34, showcased her impeccable sense of style in a blue suit, while elevating her height in a pair of silver heels.

Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page was also in attendance and looked dashing in a funky black suit.

The stars of The Gray Man posed for a group picture on the red carpet beside producer brothers Anthony and Joe Russo.

Bold: The actor, 41, stood out from the crowd in a vibrant red blazer at the star-studded event held at the Zoo Palast cinema

Stylish: He donned a white shirt and black tie underneath, while completing the ensemble with a pair of trousers and smart shoes

Role: In the film, Gosling plays the role of CIA agent Court Gentry as he squares off against former CIA agent Lloyd Hansen, played by Evans

Looking good: Chris, 41, dressed to impress in a grey waist coat, white t-shirt and stylish grey trousers

Beaming: The actor put on an animated display while walking the red carpet

Wow! Ana, 34, showcased her impeccable sense of style in a blue suit, while elevating her height in a pair of silver heels

Gorgeous: The natural beauty donned a glam makeup look with a red lip and swept her brunette locks back into a ponytail

Sweet: She a blew a kiss at onlookers after the photoshoot

In the film, Gosling plays the role of CIA agent Court Gentry as he squares off against former CIA agent Lloyd Hansen, played by Evans.

The film also features Ana de Armas as Dani Miranda, Rege-Jean Page as Carmichael, Alfre Woodard as Maurice Cahill and Billy Bob Thornton as Donald Fitzroy.

'The Gray Man is CIA operative Court Gentry, a.k.a., Sierra Six,' Netflix said in a synopsis for the movie. 'Plucked from a federal penitentiary and recruited by his handler, Donald Fitzroy, Gentry was once a highly-skilled, Agency-sanctioned merchant of death.

Dapper: Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page was also in attendance and looked dashing in a funky black suit

Stars: The film also features Ana de Armas as Dani Miranda, Rege-Jean Page as Carmichael, Alfre Woodard as Maurice Cahill and Billy Bob Thornton as Donald Fitzroy

Team: The stars of The Gray Man posed for a group picture on the red carpet beside producer brothers Anthony and Joe Russo

'But now the tables have turned and Six is the target, hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen, a former cohort at the CIA, who will stop at nothing to take him out. Agent Dani Miranda has his back. He'll need it.'

The motion picture, which is directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, is an adaptation from the book series from Mark Greaney.

At $200M, The Gray Man marks Netflix's most expensive film to date, and it will be released in limited UK/US theaters this Friday before streaming July 22.

Film: The motion picture, which is directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, is an adaptation from the book series from Mark Greaney
Chinese, Hungarian FMs hold phone talks on bilateral ties, Ukraine

Xinhua) 08:29, July 18, 2022

BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto talked over phone on Sunday about bilateral ties and the Ukraine crisis.

During the phone talks initiated by the Hungarian side, Szijjarto briefed Wang about the current situation in Europe and Hungary, especially economic and financial challenges facing Hungary due to the spillover effect of the Ukraine crisis.

The Hungarian side is pleased about the achievements of Hungary-China cooperation in various fields, in particular the smooth progress of cooperation in trade and investment, Szijjarto said, adding that his country is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China to constantly promote Hungary-China comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels.

Hungary welcomes investment by Chinese enterprises and will provide them convenience and a favorable environment, he said.

Wang said that the Ukraine crisis has not only seriously impacted Europe, and its negative spillover effect has also affected the whole world.

Referring to the Group of 20 foreign ministers' meeting held recently, Wang noted that all sides expressed deep concern over the issue, and that China has proposed initiatives to tackle global food and energy security.

China is not a party directly related to the issue but it hasn't sat on its hands, neither will it add fuel to the flames, Wang said, adding that China will consistently and firmly promote dialogue and peace talks.

The lessons from the Ukraine crisis are profound and worth well learning for all sides, Wang noted, saying that in the long run, the parties should discuss building a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security framework, so as to realize lasting peace and security.

China, Wang said, cherishes the trust and friendship with Hungary, and appreciates the Hungarian side for always upholding justice in China-related issues, understanding China's just propositions and supporting China in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.

China is ready to work with Hungary to make the two countries' relationship a model of state to state relations featuring a higher degree of maturity and mutual trust, Wang said.

China will continue to unswervingly pursue a friendly policy towards Hungary and stay positive and open towards mutually beneficial cooperation, Wang said, adding that China will support Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Hungary, and hopes the Hungarian side will provide stable policy expectations and a sound business environment.

Wang said he believes that Hungary will continue to uphold an objective and just position, and push the European Union to adopt positive and practical policies towards China.

Szijjarto said that China has never been an opponent of Europe but a partner who brings cooperation opportunities.

The Hungarian side will continue to be committed to promoting Europe-China cooperation featuring mutual respect, equity and mutual benefit, he added.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Du Mingming)
President Yoon Suk-yeol answers reporters' questions at the presidential office in Seoul, July 18. Yonhap



President Yoon Suk-yeol said Monday that probes into the previous administration's 2019 repatriation of North Korean fishermen must be conducted "in accordance with the Constitution and laws."



Yoon made the remarks upon arrival at his office in response to a question about ongoing probes by prosecutors and the spy agency into the Moon Jae-in administration's repatriation of two North Koreans to Pyongyang.



Yoon told reporters that he "has nothing else to say but the principle that all affairs of a nation should be carried out in accordance with the Constitution and laws."



In 2019, the North Koreans were captured near the sea border in the East Sea. They confessed to killing 16 fellow crew members and expressed a desire to defect to South Korea, but the then Moon Jae-in government deemed their intentions to be insincere and sent them back to the North.






Brad Pitt put on an energetic display as he playfully kicked his leg in the air at the Paris premiere for his film Bullet Train on Monday.

The actor, 58, showed off his smart but casual style as he arrived at the event, opting for a slate grey suit which he wore with a grey T-shirt.

Movie star Brad wore a pair of comfortable white trainers as he threw his leg up towards photographers while walking the blue carpet.

Acting out: Brad Pitt, 58, put on an energetic display as he playfully kicked his leg in the air at the Paris premiere for his film Bullet Train on Monday

He shielded his eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses and wore his hair in a natural floppy style.

The Oscar winner stars in the David Leitchdirected film as a hitman with the codename Ladybug who is looking to go straight.

However, he's lured back to retrieve a special briefcase aboard a high-speed train heading from Tokyo to Kyoto.

In style: The actor showed off his smart but casual style as he arrived at the event, opting for a slate grey suit which he wore with a grey T-shirt

Catching the eye: Movie star Brad wore a pair of comfortable white trainers as he threw his leg up towards photographers while walking the blue carpet

Looking good: He shielded his eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses and wore his hair in a natural floppy style

So giam! Brad was joined at the premiere by his co-star Joey king

Arrival: The glamorous star arrived in a taxi carrying a bottle of water

So chic! Joey wore a black dress with a corset and semi-sheer blouse

The thrilling movie also includes appearances from Sandra Bullock, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Logan Lerman, Michael Shannon, Zazie Beetz and Bad Bunny.

Bullet Train was originally slated for an April 2022 release, but several delays have pushed it back to an August 5 release date.

The film's bright trailer suggests it will be a candy-coloured affair, in contrast with the dark and violent subject matter.

Playing the part: The Oscar winner stars in the David Leitchdirected film as a hitman with the codename Ladybug who is looking to go straight

Telling the tale: However, he's lured back to retrieve a special briefcase aboard a high-speed train heading from Tokyo to Kyoto

Greeting his public: Brad wore a pink face covering to protect himself and others from coronavirus as he signed autographs for fans at the event

On a mission: Brad is seen wearing a white bucket hat and green shirt in a still from the film Bullet Train

Five assassins who all end up on a fast-moving bullet train from Tokyo to Morioka. There are only a few stops in between which makes fleeing impossible.

But over time the assassins realise their jobs are intertwined as they are all going after a strange silver briefcase and they eventually go on the hunt to find out who is behind the plan.

In the meantime, no one trusts each other and everyone is looking over their shoulder in case they become a target.

Director David Leitch has previously shown off his action bona fides by working as an uncredited co-director on the first John Wick films, while going solo to direct Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2 and the Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw.

He has a special connection to Brad, as he served as the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood star's stunt double in several films before moving behind the camera.
Ben Affleck looked ready for a nap as he was spotted for the first time since tying the knot with Jennifer Lopez in a surprise Las Vegas ceremony.

The actor, 49, was seen returning to Los Angeles and flashed his brand new wedding band as he drove to the home of his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, 50.

Affleck appeared tired as he yawned while waiting at a red light, following the weekend nuptials which took place at the world famous A Little White Wedding Chapel.

In need of a nap: Ben Affleck, 49, looked ready for a nap as he was spotted for the first time since tying the knot with Jennifer Lopez, 52, in a surprise Las Vegas ceremony

The tired movie star sported a purple T-shirt for the drive, and was seen resting his head against the car seat.

Meanwhile Ben's bride, 52, appeared to be in a fantastic mood, as she took to Instagram on Monday with a throwback video of herself giving an energetic performance to a delighted crowd.

'Monday mood,' the pop superstar captioned the lively clip, which saw her dancing around in a skimpy white outfit with several backup dancers.

Yawn: Affleck appeared tired as he yawned while waiting at a red light, following the weekend nuptials which took place at the world famous A Little White Wedding Chapel

Wedding ring: The actor was seen returning to Los Angeles and flashed his brand new wedding band as he drove to the home of his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, 50

Her followers were thrilled with the video, with one writing, 'Always a mood' and another chiming in to say, 'okayyy Mrs. Affleck'

Ben's outing comes following news that despite their Saturday ceremony, the couple are planning on having a big wedding with friends and family in the near future, according to People and TMZ.

But the actors, who first dated 20 years ago and only rekindled their relationship last year with an engagement in April, do not yet have a honeymoon in mind, it was claimed.

People shared on Monday that the elopement is just the start of Jennifer and Ben's wedding season.

Sleepy head: The tired movie star sported a purple T-shirt for the drive, and was seen resting his head against the car seat

Serious faced: The star looked sternly ahead while driving

Mr and Mrs Affleck 'plan on having a bigger party so they can celebrate with family and friends.'

Jennifer's closest family members are her twins Max and Emme as well as her mother Guadalupe and father David, and sisters Lynda and Leslie. Her best celebrity friends are Leah Remini, Jane Fonda and Renee Zellweger.

Ben's family includes his three kids Violet, Seraphina and Samuel. He is also close to his brother Casey and mother Chris. His famous pals include Matt Damon and George Clooney.

Sleek car: Ben drove his sleek black Tesla

People did not name when or where Bennifer's second wedding will take place.

But TMZ shared on Monday morning the big bash will take place at Ben's home in the coastal town of Riceboro, Georgia which is just outside of Savannah.

The two-story mansion has four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. There are also two other smaller properties on the grounds with additional bedrooms.

And the site added that the event will take place in the next few 'weeks.'

On top of the world: Meanwhile his bride appeared to be in a fantastic mood, as she took to Instagram on Monday with a throwback video of herself giving an energetic performance

Monday mood: 'Monday mood,' the pop superstar captioned the lively clip, which saw her dancing around in a skimpy white outfit with several backup dancers

It was also claimed that Jennifer recently flew to the Georgia house to look it over and talk plans with her manager Benny Medina. Ben was also believe to be on site.

And a splashy honeymoon is not in the cards just now: 'They don't have a honeymoon planned yet. Jennifer says that every day with Ben is a honeymoon,' the source told the site.

'Ever since they started dating again, Jennifer has truly believed that this is it. She is looking forward to growing old with Ben,' added the insider.

Sweet: Though they just tied the knot on Saturday, the lovebirds are planning on having a big wedding with friends and family in the near future, according to People; Seen at their nuptials on Saturday

Big day: The A-lister took a selfie before a scratched-up mirror as he prepared for his special day on Saturday

'She is very happy and content with Ben. She couldn't ask for anything else. She thinks it's all perfect.'

The couple were determined to have a 'fun and casual' wedding. They made a conscious decision to have a distinctly different wedding from what they had planned almost two decades earlier.

The insider explained to Us Weekly: 'They both thought it was a fun and casual way to tie the knot.'
Dame Helen Mirren has spoken of her relief that she sent a letter to the Queen while she was shooting her 2006 film about the monarch.

The drama, written by The Crown creator Peter Morgan, focused on the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and whether the Queen would return to London from Balmoral to pay tribute amid growing public pressure.

Dame Helen, who won an Oscar and Bafta for her portrayal, said she had quickly realised she was dealing with a sensitive moment in the Queen's life and decided to contact her.

Role research: Dame Helen Mirren, 76, has spoken of her relief that she sent a letter to the Queen while she was shooting her 2006 film about the monarch (pictured in May)

The 76-year-old told Radio Times: 'I realised we were investigating a profoundly painful part of her life, so I wrote to her. How do you write to your Queen? Was it Madam, or Your Highness, or Your Majesty?

'I said: "We are doing this film. We are investigating a very difficult time in your life. I hope it's not too awful for you".

'I can't remember how I put it. I just said that in my research I found myself with a growing respect for her, and I just wanted to say that. She didn't write back, of course, but her secretary did.

Storline: The drama focused on the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and whether the Queen would return to London from Balmoral to pay tribute (Dame Helen pictured in the 2006 film)

'You know, "Yours sincerely, da di da di da," on behalf of the Queen. I was very relieved subsequently that I had written that letter.'

Dame Helen said that while preparing for the film she had thought of the Queen 'as a submarine, with a periscope'.

She added: 'Her eyes are the periscope. She (Elizabeth the person) is watching the world through the Queen's eyes.'

Sensitive: Dame Helen, who won an Oscar and Bafta for her portrayal, said she realised she was dealing with a sensitive moment in the Queen's life and decided to contact her (Queen Elizabeth II pictured last week)

The Hollywood star also questioned whether she was even allowed to portray a living monarch.

She said: 'I looked at portraits when I did Elizabeth I and thought, "What I'm doing is another portrait".

'And there are so many portraits of Elizabeth II, paintings and photographs - this is mine. That liberated me.'

More: Read the full interview in Radio Times, out now

Following the release of the film, she was invited to have dinner with the real monarch but was unable to attend because she was filming in the US.

Dame Helen also reflected on suffering self-doubt throughout her career, admitting she was 'hypercritical' and says she could get depressed over thinking she'd done a terrible performance.

She added that, while she's told herself she's useless and doesn't deserve to be employed for her talents in the past, she has learned not to punish herself.

Read the full interview in Radio Times, out now.
Johnny Depp's new red-haired mystery woman has been revealed to be a French teacher who is helping him perfect the language for an upcoming film.

The 59-year-old actor set rumors buzzing when he was seen with the woman in Italy over the weekend, but TMZ reported on Monday that they have a strictly professional and platonic relationship.

The woman was most recently spotted with Depp on Monday when he was seen arriving at Gardone Riveria for a performance at the Vittoriale with legendary guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck on Monday.

Cleared up: The red-haired mystery woman Johnny Depp has recently been spotted with is his French teacher, TMZ reported on Monday. He's seen rocking a slouchy grey T-shirt as he arrived at Gardone Riviera for a performance at the Vittoriale with Jeff Beck on Monday

Work relationship: According to the outlet's sources, she's helping him hone his French for his upcoming film Jeanne du Barry. He stars as King Louis XV in the film about his final mistress

Fans previously jumped to the conclusion that the red-haired woman was Depp's new girlfriend when they were seen over the weekend arriving for the Umbria Jazz Festival, where he also played a set with Beck.

According to the outlet's sources, she's helping him hone his French for his upcoming film Jeanne du Barry.

The film tells the true story of a seamstress' daughter who went on to become the final mistress of King Louis XV in the 18th century.

Depp will be starring as Louis in the film, which is his first in three years.

On Monday, the actor wore a a slouchy grey T-shirt, teaming his look with beige belted cargo trousers and a black-and-white polka dot bandana.

He sported his signature clustering of jewellery, including a hefty collection of layered necklaces and stacked bracelets and wristbands.

Gig ready: The star flaunted his impressive arm tattoos as he walked around sound equipment ahead of the gig

He wore his highlighted long hair down, finishing the look off with bright green keds.

The star flaunted his impressive arm tattoos as he walked around sound equipment ahead of the gig.

Another snap saw him with his tresses collected in a ponytail as he threw on an oversized dark jacket.

Last month, following his victory in his defamation trial against Heard, Johnny confirmed he has teamed up with the musician to record a 13-track collection.

The project, titled 18, includes two new Johnny originals and an eclectic mix of cover songs ranging from such iconic artists as the Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye and John Lennon to alternative rockers such as Killing Joke and The Velvet Underground.

'When Johnny and I started playing together, it really ignited our youthful spirit and creativity.

'We would joke about how we felt 18 again so that just became the album title too,' Jeff, 77, said in a statement about the album, as reported by Billboard.

In keeping with their fond teenage memories that were sparked by the music, the two artists decided to use an illustration of themselves as 18-year-olds, drawn by Beck's wife Sandra, for the album cover.

For Johnny, who grew up listening to Jeff's music, the collaboration is something of a dream come true.

Last month, following his victory in his defamation trial against Heard, Johnny confirmed he has teamed up with the musician to record a 13-track collection (pictured in May)

'It's an extraordinary honor to play and write music with Jeff, one of the true greats and someone I am now privileged enough to call my brother,' Johnny added in their statement.

The duo first met in 2016, and quickly bonded over conversations about guitars and cars, all while trying to make each other laugh.

Seeing Johnny's musical talent up-close and sensing their chemistry was undeniable, it was Jeff who suggested they record songs that would eventually make up '18'.

The Beck-Depp album '18' will be released digitally and on CD on July 15, and then be followed up by a vinyl edition on September 30.

For Johnny, who grew up listening to Jeff's music, the collaboration is something of a dream come true (pictured in June)

Depp certainly has much to smile about these days, after a judge has denied all of Heard's motion to have the verdict of her blockbuster defamation trial against him thrown out and the case re-tried.

Lawyers representing Heard  whom Depp was married to from 2015 until 2017  filed a motion earlier this month on the grounds that the verdict that she had defamed Depp was not supported by evidence.

They also made a bombshell allegation that a juror had not been properly vetted and questioned whether that juror was even supposed to be allowed on the jury.

Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com show that Judge Penny Azcarate denied all of Heard's post-trial requests on Wednesday.

Both celebrities were found to have defamed each other in the June verdict, but the cards fell considerably in Depp's favor.

He was awarded $10.35million in damages from Heard, while she was awarded just $2million in damages from Depp. All told, Heard was left owing Depp a whopping $8.35million.
Vanderpump Rules star Lisa Vanderpump cut an elegant figure in a white dress with gorgeous floral embroidery at her grandson Teddy's christening.

While oozing elegance in her chic ensemble, which she accessorized with a floppy hat with a rhinestone cross on the front and brown leather belt, the reality star, 61, fawned over her first grandchild, who her daughter Pandora welcomed in November.

'The Christening of my darling Teddy Paws,' the British restaurateur, who operates and owns four restaurants in Los Angeles with her husband Ken Todd, captioned a series of slideshows on her Instagram.

Doting grandma: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Lisa Vanderpump cut an elegant figure in a white dress with gorgeous floral embroidery at her grandson Teddy's christening

So loved: The tyke, whose real name is Theodore, was born in November to Pandora, 36, and husband, Jason Sabo, 36

In addition to a beautiful portrait of herself holding the infant as she gave a friendly wave and smile to the camera, Vanderpump shared numerous family photos.

Group shots featured the star alongside her spouse, her daughter, son-in-law Jason Sabo, pal Robert Kovacik and more.

They all appeared to be celebrating her grandson's latest milestone in the television personality's lavish estate nestled into the rolling rises of Beverly Hills.

Too cute! While oozing elegance in her chic ensemble, which she accessorized with a floppy hat with a rhinestone cross on the front and brown leather belt, the reality star, 61, fawned over her first grandchild, who her daughter Pandora welcomed in November

'The Christening of my darling Teddy Paws,' the restaurateur, who operates and owns four Los Angeles restaurants with her husband Ken Todd, captioned a series of slideshows on her Instagram

Sweet: In addition to a beautiful portrait of herself holding the infant as she gave a friendly wave and smile to the camera, Vanderpump shared numerous family photos

After the little boy was baptized with water in front of all his loved ones, who sat on acrylic chairs, guests dined al fresco at beautifully decorated tables with white roses.

The tyke, whose real name is Theodore, was born in November to Pandora, 36, and husband, Jason Sabo, 36.

Pandora works with her mom at the Vanderpump Dog Foundation, which was featured in the 2021 Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spinoff, Vanderpump Dogs.

Big family: Group shots featured the star alongside her spouse, her daughter, son-in-law Jason Sabo, pal Robert Kovacik and more

Wow: They all appeared to be celebrating her grandson's latest milestone in the television personality's lavish estate nestled into the rolling rises of Beverly Hills

All in the details: After the little boy was baptized with water in front of all his loved ones, who sat on acrylic chairs, guests dined al fresco at beautifully decorated tables with white roses

Close: Pandora works with her mom at the Vanderpump Dog Foundation, which was featured in the 2021 Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spinoff, Vanderpump Dogs

The non-profit organization helps provide low-cost spay and neuter procedures for rescue pet owners in Los Angeles.

It also works globally to ban the consumption of dog meat.

The avowed dog lover has received some online criticism from vegans, who are upset that she saves dogs from the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, but still serves the flesh of cows, pigs and chickens at her restaurants.

Close to the heart: The non-profit organization helps provide low-cost spay and neuter procedures for rescue pet owners in Los Angeles
Rebel Wilson has sold her Sydney Harbour home for an estimated $9.5million.

The Pitch Perfect actress, 42, bought the three-bedroom pad for $3.76million in early 2015, before enlisting architect Paul O'Connor for a 'meticulous renovation'.

She made a staggering profit of $5.74million after owning the house for just seven years, reports Realestate.com.au.

Rebel Wilson (pictured at the BAFTAs in London, England, on March 13) has sold her Sydney Harbour home for an estimated $9.5million

Rebel had listed the home in March and announced its sale in April, but the sale price and new owners were not revealed until this week.

The keys have been handed to Nick Smart, the founder of perfume distribution company Agence de Parfum, and his husband Todd Graham, a pet food entrepreneur.

The property was previously owned by the author Peter Carey, who sold it for less than a million dollars in the early '90s when he moved to New York.

The Pitch Perfect actress, 42, bought the three-bedroom pad for $3.76million in early 2015, before enlisting architect Paul O'Connor for a 'meticulous renovation'

She made a staggering profit of $5.74million after owning the home for just seven years

Rebel, who recently debuted her relationship with sustainable clothing designer Ramona Agruma, wrote on Instagram on April 11: 'She's sold. Thank you everyone for your interest in my Sydney house. Great result all round.'

'I am going to miss this house so much! But I hope the new buyers love it as much as I have.'

While she did not disclose the sale price at the time, Rebel had previously said she was looking for offers in the '$9million-plus range'.

The waterfront property in Birchgrove, in Sydney's inner-west, has incredible views of the Parramatta River, along with its own jetty and moorings.

Rebel had listed the home in March and announced its sale on Instagram in April (pictured), but the sale price and new owners were not revealed until this week

In April, the comedian posted this photo of herself enjoying a late-night swim at the home

Rebel recently debuted her relationship with sustainable clothing designer Ramona Agruma

Other features include an outdoor pool overlooking the river, a marble kitchen, and an internal elevator.

'There's something special about this house, its location, its vibe, and I am sad to see it go after a meticulous renovation,' Rebel previously said.

The former Fat Pizza star is moving overseas for the next few years for work, and won't be in Sydney to enjoy the lavish harbourside home.

She recently moved to London, where she has kept busy with several projects and even hosted the BAFTAs.

A stunning view of the Parramatta River can be appreciated from the back balcony

The pool overlooks the river, giving swimmers a chance to watch the boats go by

'I just won't be using it for the next few years because will be working overseas and would prefer someone else gets to appreciate it,' Rebel said of her decision to sell.

'If you're a serious buyer in Sydney in the $9million-plus range then contact Peter Gordon at CobdenHayson Balmain,' she added.

'My favourite thing is probably the elevator I put in that gives you views as you go up and down. It's great for a boat owner with its own jetty and moorings.

'Or you can just watch all the boats go by every day - especially at sunset, it's gorgeous. And all the neighbours know what a brilliant street and suburb it is to live in Sydney.'

'My favourite thing is probably the elevator I put in that gives you views as you go up and down,' Rebel previously wrote on Instagram

The waterfront property features incredible views of the Parramatta River, along with its own jetty and moorings

One of the comfortable and spacious bedrooms is pictured here

Rebel, who already has an impressive $16million global property portfolio, revealed to The Sun in March she'd purchased a new home in London.

'I have bought a place here so I'm moving. It's in London. I love it here,' she said.

The Bridesmaids star explained she'd just scored a lead role in a British television series, which was why she'd decided to move.

'It's out later this year. It's serious, like really serious,' she added.

'There's something special about this house, its location, its vibe and I am sad to see it go after a meticulous renovation,' Rebel previously said

The stunning bathroom is spacious with plenty of mirrors and a bathtub

The marble kitchen is perfect for cooking for friends and entertaining
Kim Kardashian showed off her enviable figure in a black sequined Balenciaga gown at an afterparty with her longtime pal Fai Khadra on Monday.

In a series of new black and white photos, uploaded to her Instagram, the 41-year-old reality star oozed glamour in a floor-length dress that put her hourglass curves on display.

While standing at the bottom of a beautiful staircase, the mother-of-four smiled and shot a peace sign at the camera before taking a phone call.

Glamorous: Kim Kardashian showed off her enviable figure in a black sequined Balenciaga gown at an afterparty with her longtime pal Fai Khadra on Monday

For the occasion, she let her platinum blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders and slipped on a full face mask covering.

Her post comes after flying to Australia for a romantic reunion with her boyfriend Pete Davidson, who is filming a new movie in Queensland.

'It's a short visit but she's really excited to go,' a source dished to DailyMail.com exclusively.

Stunner: In a series of new black and white photos, uploaded to her Instagram, the 41-year-old reality star oozed glamour in a floor-length dress that put her hourglass curves on display

Pals: While standing at the bottom of a beautiful staircase, the mother-of-four smiled and shot a peace sign at the camera before taking a phone call

Fashion risk: For the occasion, she let her platinum blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders and slipped on a full face mask covering

The insider added: 'They've both been so busy with work commitments so this is a much needed break and they are looking forward to time together.'

The loved-up duo have been apart for four weeks, as he's been filming a new project with Orlando Bloom.

Meanwhile a source told The Sun that the Kardashians star will join Pete 'for a few days' and use the time to relax.

Happier than ever: Her post comes after flying to Australia for a romantic reunion with her boyfriend Pete Davidson, who is filming a new movie in Queensland

Other half around the world: Pete has been busy filming Wizards! - also starring Naomi Scott, Franz Rogowski and Sean Harris - by Australian writer-director David Michod

'She has said she intends to stay with Pete in his room at the resort hes staying at, and not do much else!' the insider stated.

Pete has been busy filming Wizards! - also starring Naomi Scott, Franz Rogowski and Sean Harris - by Australian writer-director David Michod.

According to Deadline the film follows 'two hapless pothead beach-bar operators (Davidson and Rogowski) who run into trouble when they stumble across stolen loot that they really should have just left alone.'

Longing for a reunion: The reality star, 41, recently headed to Cairns in Queensland on her luxury private jet to meet the SNL star while he films his new movie, after four weeks apart

Pete, who has been dating Kim since the end of 2021, recently revealed his dreams of becoming a father during a chat with Kevin Hart.

'[I'm] definitely a family guy. My favorite thing ever, which I have yet to achieve, is I want to have a kid. That's, like, my dream. Yeah and so it's, like, super corny,' he told Kevin in a Hart to Heart teaser posted on Tuesday.

'It would be so fun dress up a little dude, like, or you know, like, you saw it's just, like, I'm so excited for, like, that chapter. So, like, that's kind of what I'm just preparing for now, is trying to be, like, as good of a dude and develop and get better so when that happens, it's just easier.'

Baby fever: Pete, who has been dating Kim since the end of 2021, recently revealed his dreams of becoming a father during a chat with Kevin Hart

Full house: Kim has four children with her ex-husband Kanye West, 45, daughters North, nine, Chicago, four, and sons Saint, six, and Psalm, three

Going strong: The couple have been dating since late 2021; Pictured at the 2022 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, DC

Kim has four children with her ex-husband Kanye West, 45, daughters North, nine, Chicago, four, and sons Saint, six, and Psalm, three.

She began dating Pete after divorcing Kanye and guest hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live in October 2021.

They shared their first kiss in an SNL sketch parodying Disney's Aladdin.

Since striking up their romance, Pete has gotten 'Jasmine' and 'Aladdin' tattooed over his collarbone, along with an infinity symbol between the names, as a reference to their first kiss on the show.

Pete will also finally be making his debut on her family's new Hulu reality show The Kardashians next season.
Rep. Chang Je-won, left, and PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong answer reporters' questions in Seoul, July 15. Yonhap



Two lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), considered closest confidants of President Yoon Suk-yeol, clashed Monday over the controversial hiring of a presidential office employee, with one of them warning the other to watch his mouth.



Rep. Chang Je-won opened fire on PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong after Kweon said he "pressured" Chang to have a person from his constituency in the eastern city of Gangneung hired at the presidential office when Chang was chief of staff for then President-elect Yoon.



Kweon had also expressed frustration that the person was hired as a level 9 official, not a level 7 official as asked by him, saying a level 9 official's salary is not sufficient to cover living costs in Seoul for people coming from outside of the capital.



The employee later turned out to be a son of one of President Yoon Suk-yeol's acquaintances. That sparked criticism that personnel selections for the presidential office were made based on private connections, not based on merit.



"I received no pressure whatsoever from floor leader Kweon. I just received a recommendation," Chang said in a Facebook post. "As chief of staff for the president-elect, I had to make personnel appointments based on various recommendations."



Chang rejected any favoritism, stressing that personnel choices were made in an absolutely fair manner.



"I appeal to acting Chairman Kweon. You speak in an extremely rough manner," he said. "No matter how good the clarifications we may offer, we should refrain from such rough expressions as 'putting pressure' and 'how one can live in Seoul with the minimum wage.'"



Chang also told Kweon to "not forget the fact that he is in a position of heavy responsibility as the head of a ruling party."



While Chang's remarks are seen as part of efforts to ease criticism over the hiring controversy, they are also seen as a precursor of a dispute between the two lawmakers who have been collectively dubbed "Yoonhaekgwan"  an abbreviation of "Yoon Suk-yeol's core associates."



Once seen as "political brothers," Kweon and Chang have appeared to be in a power struggle recently, especially following the suspension of PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok. The ruling party has ordered that Lee, who has often been at odds with "Yoonhaekhwan," be given a six-month suspension in party membership over a sexual bribery scandal.



The decision has taken a toll on the ruling party, raising doubts over its leadership and deepening an internal power struggle. A July 11 poll by Realmeter showed that the favorability rating for the PPP fell to 40.9 percent, while that for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) rose to 41.8 percent. It marked the first time the DPK's favorability rating exceeded the PPP in 14 weeks.



Amid growing doubts over internal turmoil, Kweon opted to allay the concerns for now.



"I humbly accept Rep. Chang's remarks," he told reporters later Monday. "I will also listen to criticism from PPP lawmakers and members with an open mind." (Yonhap)




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For Release: Monday, July 18, 2022

DEC Seeks Citizen Scientists to Help Monitor Turkey Productivity

Report Turkey Sightings in August

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today encouraged New Yorkers to take part in the State's annual survey of wild turkeys, a valuable tool that helps DEC determine the productivity of turkey populations statewide.

"Citizen scientists provide important data that helps our biologists examine how factors such as weather, predation, and habitat conditions during the breeding and brood-rearing seasons impact turkey survival," Commissioner Seggos said. "Without the assistance of our volunteers, the task of monitoring turkey populations statewide would be far more difficult, and we encourage participation this summer to help enhance our knowledge of turkeys in New York."

Turkey populations in New York State peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, over the past decade, turkey productivity has consistently been below average, leading to lower populations. Since 1996, DEC has conducted the annual Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey to track wild turkey populations and estimate the number of wild turkey poults (young of the year) per hen statewide. This index allows DEC to gauge reproductive success and predict future turkey populations and harvest opportunities.

DEC uses reported observations of wild turkeys to track annual productivity over time and in different parts of the state. User-submitted data also helps wildlife managers forecast hunting prospects for the coming fall season and subsequent spring seasons. To submit turkey observations, citizen scientists are encouraged to use DEC's online form (leaves DEC website).

Additional information, including results from previous summer surveys, please visit DEC's website:

Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey

Citizen Science Initiatives

DEC Regional Office Contact Information
A healthcare worker administers a booster shot of Covid-19 vaccine to a beneficiary on the first day of a 75-day special drive for free vaccination against Covid-19, in Guwahati. (PTI)

New Delhi: India crossed the milestone of administering 200 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses at around Sunday noon, almost one-and-a-half years after starting the drive in January 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extolled the vaccination milestone, celebrating the worlds largest and longest-running inoculation campaign.

Calling Indias vaccination drive "unparalleled in scale and speed", Mr Modi, in his tweet, said, "India creates history again! Congrats to all Indians on crossing the special figure of 200 crore vaccine doses. Proud of those who contributed to making India's vaccination drive unparalleled in scale and speed. This has strengthened the global fight against COVID-19."

In a subsequent tweet, Mr Modi added, "Throughout the rollout of the vaccine, the people of India have shown remarkable faith in science. Our doctors, nurses, frontline workers, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs have played a key role in ensuring a safer planet. I appreciate their spirit and determination."

Soon after the landmark was achieved at 12.16 pm, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted, "17th July 2022, a day to remember forever. #200CroreVaccinations Powered by the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari, India's vaccination journey under PM@NarendraModiJi's inspiring leadership has emerged as a mighty epitome of Sabka Prayas. This extraordinary achievement will be etched in the history!"

The milestone in the countrys grand vaccination drive thus far comes at a time when there is a minor surge being observed in a few states and the booster dose has not really picked up.

India is currently reporting nearly 20,000 new Covid cases in a day, with states such as Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Odisha contributing a majority of the new cases. And 90 per cent of the countrys population is still due its third or precaution Covid-19 vaccine dose.

With 20,528 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India's tally of Covid-19 cases on Sunday rose to 4,37,50,599 while the active cases increased to 1,43,449. The death toll climbed to 5,25,709 with 49 new fatalities logged in the last 24 hours. The active cases comprise 0.33 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.47 per cent.

It took 278 days since the start of the vaccination drive for India to cross the first milestone of 100-crore doses on October 21, last year. The country achieved the 200 crore milestone in a slightly shorter period of 269 days. It had crossed 150 crore doses on January 7 this year.

The administration of 200 crore doses includes 101.9 crore doses as the first jab, while 92.6 crore doses as the second and 5.49 crore as precaution dose. Out of the 200 crore doses, the Covishield vaccine was used for 159.44 crore doses, Covaxin for 33.48 crore and Corbevax for 6.4 crore doses. Covovax and Sputnik-V are also being administered to the eligible population.

As many as 71 per cent of vaccine doses have been administered in Covid-19 vaccination centres in rural areas and 29 per cent in urban areas. Also, 48.9 per cent doses have been administered to women while 51.5 per cent to men.

The COWIN database showed that 27.90 crore doses have been administered to senior citizens above 60 years of age, while 111.39 crore doses were administered to those aged 1844 years. The age group of 45-60 years received 41.57 crore doses and those in the 12-17 age group received 17.49 crore doses.

As per the health ministry data, 98 per cent of the adult population has received at least one dose, while 90 per cent have been fully vaccinated. The data showed that the youngsters in the 1518 age group have also been vaccinated with the first dose, while 68 per cent have got two doses. A total of 81 per cent in the 1214 age group have received their first jab, while 51 per cent are fully vaccinated.

In Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Telangana and Goa, 100 per cent of the 12 years plus eligible population is fully vaccinated.

The top five states where the highest number of doses have been administered are Uttar Pradesh (34,41,93,641), Maharashtra (17,05,59,447), West Bengal (14,40,33,794), Bihar (13,98,52,042) and Madhya Pradesh (12,13,15,911).
The talks are being held at a time of increased tensions in the skies over the LAC as the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force is carrying out aggressive exercises in the Tibet region. (PTI file image)

New Delhi: Amid heightened tensions in the skies over the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the 16th round of corps commanders talks between India and China were held on Sunday to resolve all outstanding issues in the remaining friction points in the Ladakh sector. The latest round of talks are held after a gap of four months, and began at around 9.30 am at the Chushul Moldo meeting point on the Indian side of the LAC.

The talks are being held at a time of increased tensions in the skies over the LAC as the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is carrying out aggressive exercises in the Tibet region. In response, India has also increased its air operations in the sector, including carrying out night sorties. IAF Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft are flying with greater frequency in the region.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, said on Sunday that whenever the PLAAF fighter jets come too close to the LAC, the IAF immediately responds by scrambling its combat aircraft.

Chinese aircraft activity is closely monitored by us. Whenever we see Chinese aircraft or remotely piloted aircraft coming too close to the LAC, we take appropriate measures by scrambling or putting our aircraft on higher alert. This has deterred them quite a lot, the IAF chief told PTI.

On whether the Chinese Air Force was trying to provoke India just ahead of the talks, he said: I cant point to any particular reason why they are doing it but we are monitoring it and we take immediate action by scrambling our fighter jets there.

The IAF chief said ever since the Galwan Valley incident in June 2020, we had started deploying our radars all along the LAC in the eastern Ladakh sector. Gradually, we have integrated all these radars with our Integrated Air Command and Control System so that we are able to monitor the air activity across the LAC.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF has also bolstered its surface-to-air-ground weapon capabilities along the northern borders and has also increased the number of mobile observation posts in that area. We get a lot of inputs from the Army and other agencies deployed there. The Chinese aircraft activity is closely monitored by us, he said.

Last month the Chinese Air Force flew its aircraft close to the Indian position in one of the friction points at the LAC. In response, the IAF too activated its assets as per standard operating procedures.

There have been other incidents in the past week too when Chinese jets have been flying close to the LAC violating the confidence-building measures as per which the two sides cannot fly within 10 km of the LAC.

At the corps commanders meeting, India is expected to press for the disengagement of troops as soon as possible in all the remaining friction points, besides seeking a resolution in Depsang Bulge and Demchok. The Indian delegation at the talks is led by Lt. Gen. Anindya Sengupta, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps. The Chinese team was to be led by South Xinjiang Military District chief Maj. Gen. Yang Lin.

The 15th round of corps commander-level talks in March had failed to achieve any breakthrough in further disengagement from the friction points in Ladakh.
New Delhi: The Centre announced on Sunday that an all-party meeting will be held on Tuesday evening at the Parliament House Annexe in New Delhi on the situation in neighbouring cash-strapped Sri Lanka, which is facing a grave economic crisis. The meeting will be chaired by external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who would brief the participants on developments in the island nation that is Indias southern maritime neighbour.

Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi, making the announcement, said the floor leaders of all the political parties represented in Parliament had been invited to attend. It may be recalled the political crisis in Sri Lanka had worsened last week and led to the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who had fled the country.

At the all-party meeting on Sunday on the eve of the Monsoon Session starting Monday, both major Tamil Nadu parties -- the ruling DMK and the AIADMK -- had raised the Sri Lanka issue and demanded that India should intervene in the crisis there. They had particularly raised the conditions of the minority Tamils in Sri Lanka. Talking to reporters after the meeting, AIADMK leader M. Thambidurai said India should intervene to resolve the crisis in Sri Lanka. DMK leader T.R. Baalu also demanded India's intervention.

Earlier, India assured Sri Lanka it will continue to support democracy, stability and economic recovery in the country, which is now at a crucial juncture. The assurance was given to Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena by Indias high commissioner Gopal Baglay when he called on the Speaker on Saturday. The meeting took place a day after Mr Abeywardena accepted the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

New Delhi had noted a few days ago that this year alone so far India has expeditiously finalised and delivered assistance as well as support worth about $3.8 billion in currency swaps, deferment of repayment of Sri Lankas liabilities to the Reserve Bank of India under the Asian Clearing Union mechanism, apart from credit assistance of about $1.5 billion for financing imports of fuel, food, medicines, fertilisers and other essential commodities from India.

MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi had said: Ensuring peace, stability and prosperity of all countries in our region is an important aspect of the Neighbourhood First policy... This is in the case of Sri Lanka clearly evident in the close and multifaceted relationship that we have with that country and the commitment we have demonstrated in helping the Sri Lankan people to address the challenges that are rising out of the current situation in that country. We will, of course continue to stand with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values as well as established institutions and a constitutional framework.

The spokesman added: We are monitoring the evolving situation in that country. Let me emphasise that our ties with Sri Lanka are historic and comprehensive, and we continue to remain engaged with all the relevant stakeholders in Sri Lanka. We look forward to an early solution.
KAKINADA: The three villages of Talluru, Kethanapalli and K.Kothagudem in Devipatnam Mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju, as also the Polavaram displaced families are in distress as flood relief has not been reached to them.

In particular, the people of Talluru under Kondamodalu Panchayat felt they have been ignored by the officials.

According to sources, the villages under Kondamodalu Panchayat have fought with the government and achieved their demands under the banner of the Girijana Sangham and they have been rehabilitated at the Neladenelapadu rehabilitation colony. But, Talluru village has not been branded under the Girijana Sangham.

The people of Talluru village requested the officials to construct a rehabilitation colony for them at M Ravilanka village. But the officials proposed Pedabhimpalli, which was not suitable for the people. Now, Talluru village has been inundated and nearly 117 families there climbed up to the nearby hillock and set up temporary tents.

The officials have not given any flood alert for our village. We have voluntarily gone to the nearby hillock to save our lives. We appealed to the R&R officials of Polavaram Project to allot the R&R Colony at M Ravilanka village. But, the officials sanctioned Pedabhimpalli R&R Colony without conducting any Grama Sabha to elicit peoples opinion.

They have not given the R & R package to many of them. Only some people got it. They have not given land-to-land compensation. They are exerting pressure on them to evacuate the village and go to Pedabhimpalli R&R Colony, said Talluri Veerabhadra Reddy, a village elder from the Kondareddy community.

He said once they vacate the village, the government would not take care of them.

Another inhabitant of the village, Mallireddy, said the people of Talluru never asked for Pedabhimpalli or signed any MoUs in this respect. Many of the representations had been submitted to the officials, in favour of M Ravilanka village.

He said that two days after reaching the hillock areas, the officials supplied essential commodities to them once and left things at that.

The people of the village now camping in the hillock area are facing hardships due to the non-supply of solar lamps, mosquito nets etc. During natural disasters, officials chose to deliberately ignore them, he said.

Senior advocate Podipireddy Achuta Desai, fighting for the rights of these people, said a great injustice was being done on them by the officials.

Meanwhile, the people of another two villages -- Kethanapalli and K.Kothagudem -- are also facing difficulties. They have also not been evacuated from their villages. These hamlets are said to be under the 45 contour levels.

But, Devipatnam in charge of Mandal tahsildar G Veerabhadra Rao told Deccan Chronicle that the revenue officials have alerted these villagers to evacuate from there due to the floods and come to rehabilitation centres. But, they did not heed their voice. However, essential commodities have been supplied to them. Due to the heavy floods, there is no way for boats to reach these places. So, many items of daily need could not be reached, he said.

We shall reach the remaining assistance in one or two days, he added.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala health minister Veena George on Monday said that one more person has been diagnosed with monkeypox in the state. With this the number of confirmed monkeypox cases in the state has gone up to two.

The 31-year-old patient is a native of Kannur and is currently

undergoing treatment at the Pariyaram Medical College. He arrived in Kerala from Dubai on July 13.

While the patients health condition is stable and satisfactory, those who came into contact with him have been put under observation, the minister said.

It may be recalled that the countrys first monkeypox case was confirmed in a 35-year-old native of Kollam district of Kerala on July 14.
Hyderabad: Health minister T. Harish Rao asked officials to be alert over monkeypox, and advised doctors to increase their awareness of the disease.

The minister held a video conference with doctors of the Directorate of Medical Education and Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP) on Sunday to create awareness about the symptoms, tests, identification and treatment of monkeypox. He said there was no need to worry about the virus, but advised officials to be vigilant.

He said although up to 12,000 cases had been registered in more than 60 countries, only one case has been registered in the country in Kerala.

Incidentally, another case of the virus was confirmed in Keralas Kannur district on Monday. The minister said a special centre for diagnosis of suspected monkeypox cases has been set up at Gandhi Hospital, while Fever Hospital had been selected as a nodal hospital for immediate treatment of suspected cases.

RTPCR tests will be done in Gandhi Hospital and the samples will be sent to Pune for confirmation of the positive strain. Harish Rao also suggested that doctors should increase their own awareness about the symptoms, tests and treatment of monkeypox and explain it to the

field level staff. Travellers coming to the state from countries where

monkeypox has been reported should remain in isolation, and if they show any suspicious symptoms, they should immediately go to the nearest government hospitals and undergo basic tests, he said.

The general public can dial 04024651119 or 9030227324 to obtain information on monkeypox, seasonal diseases, vaccinations, and for advice regarding flood affected areas. The Minister also said that due to rains and floods, seasonal diseases were likely to increase and doctors have been advised to be alert in all hospitals for 10 days.
The People Power Party's acting chairman, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, right, and Rep. Chang Je-won are spotted after a luncheon at a restaurant on Yeouido, Seoul, July 15. Joint Press Corps



Power struggle inside ruling party intensifies following 6-month suspension of former chairman



By Nam Hyun-woo



A rift between President Yoon Suk-yeol's key associates is widening again, in what appears to be a lingering power struggle over control of the party.



PPP Rep. Chang Je-won wrote on Facebook Monday that Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, PPP floor leader and acting chairman, "should not forget that he is now the head of the ruling party and he should not take it lightly," adding, "His rhetoric is very rough."



Chang's post came in response to Kweon's own Facebook post on Friday claiming to have "exerted influence" over Chang, who was the chief of staff for Yoon when he was the president-elect, to hire a former volunteer from Yoon's presidential election camp at the presidential office. The man, surnamed Woo, was mired in a controversy after he was found to have donated 10 million won to Yoon during the campaign period, and he is known to be the son of a Gangwon Province-based businessman who is close to the president.



"I have never felt any influence from Kweon. He was just recommended to me as a capable person," Chang wrote concerning Woo.



Though Kweon later replied that he would "humbly accept Chang's comment" with an "open heart," the quarrel was widely seen as a prelude to further conflict inside President Yoon's inner circle.





President Yoon Suk-yeol walks into the main chamber of the National Assembly for an administrative policy speech in this May 16 file photo. Behind Yoon is ruling People Power Party floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-keun





Then President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol sits in a meeting room of the presidential committee in Tongui-dong, Seoul, in this March 29 file photo. Behind Yoon is his then-chief of staff, Rep. Chang Je-won. Joint Press Corps
HYDERABAD: In what comes as a major embarrassment to Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A. Revanth Reddy, Congress MLA Danasari Anasuya alias Seethakka, has landed in a cross-voting controversy in the Presidential election polling held on Monday.

Seethakka is known to be a close associate of Revanth since they worked together in the Telugu Desam (TD) till 2017. She quit the TD along with Revanth and both of them joined the Congress in November 2017. Of the six Congress MLAs in Telangana, Seethakka is known to be the only strong follower of Revanth.

While casting her vote for the Presidential election in the polling booth set up on the Legislative Assembly premises on Monday, Seethakka sought fresh ballot paper saying that she marked erroneously on ballot paper. However, officials rejected her request citing Election Commission norms.

This incident triggered speculations that Seethakka did cross-voting in favour of NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu.

To cover up, she enacted this 'drama', it is speculated. There was a heated discussion among MLAs of all parties on the Assembly premises who opined that Seethakka might have voted for Droupadi Murmu, since she was the first-ever woman candidate from Scheduled Tribes category for Presidential election. Seethakka represents Mulugu Assembly constituency, which is reserved for STs.

But Seethakka dismissed these reports saying she marked correctly as per party's decision but since she marked erroneously on open space on ballot paper prior to her marking for candidate, she feared that her vote may become invalid and therefore sought a fresh ballot.

Speaking to media on the Assembly premises after casting her vote, Seethakka said, "A malicious campaign is being undertaken by some people that I indulged in cross-voting. It's totally false and baseless. If I had voted for NDA, why would I ask for a fresh ballot paper again and argue with the Election Commission officials in the polling booth?"

She added that the error occurred when she was attempting to mark with the pen on ballot paper. "When I was looking at the ballot paper holding the marker pen in my hand given by officials, accidentally I marked it on the open space on the ballot paper and not in the space provided against the candidate's name. I feared this may lead to officials declaring my vote invalid during counting and sought a fresh ballot paper. But officials refused to give me a new ballot paper. Later, I cast my vote using the same old ballot paper by marking the candidate chosen by our party. I did not indulge in any cross-voting," Seethakka explained.

She said her honesty and loyalty to the Congress remained unquestionable and she never backstabbed any party or any leader in her political career while working in any party, be it the TD or the Congress.

Seethakka stated that she had no clue over whether her vote would be treated as valid or invalid during counting on July 21 adding that Election officials did not give any clarity on this issue.

With the Telangana Congress already being divided as seniors-juniors and old timers-newcomers after Revanth became TPCC chief last year, the Seethakka episode is expected to provide ammunition to Revanths rivals in the Congress.
BJP OBC Morcha national president K. Laxman alleged that the Chief Minister had previously not visited flood-hit areas in Hyderabad and Warangal over the years, suggesting political intentions behind his Sunday visit. (DC File Image)

Hyderabad: Amid Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Raos visit to flood-affected areas on Sunday, BJP leaders alleged that this was the first time the CM was spotted outside his camp office and sought concrete measures to prevent disruption to daily life due to calamities.

BJP OBC Morcha national president K. Laxman, who is also an MP, alleged that the Chief Minister had previously not visited flood-hit areas in Hyderabad and Warangal over the years, suggesting political intentions behind his Sunday visit.

The Chief Minister decided to take a tour to rain-hit places in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district after Governor Soundararajan Tamilasai scheduled to visit the flood-hit places. The Chief Minister must announce compensation to people after reviewing the flood situation in the districts. If the Chief Minister makes allegations against the BJP government in Centre, we will not spare the Chief Minister for making politics of a flood situation, Laxman said.

Seeking a white paper from the state government on financial assistance, Laxman said, The Minister K. T. Rama Rao made promises to people when Warangal and Hyderabad cities were submerged due to rains a few years ago. But, no promise was fulfilled by the government.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA T. Raja Singh sought to know the details of Rs 1,000 crore allotted by the Centre for Telangana during previous calamities. Where have the funds gone, without spending for victims? Raja Singh asked.

He said the CM used a chopper as he was scared and sought monetary compensation for victims this time around.

BJP national vice president D.K. Aruna alleged that the Kadem project and Kaleshwaram pumps were submerged due to negligence of the state government. The Chief Minister has failed to take precautionary measures or respond to the flood situation, she said, claiming that the TRS MLAs and ministers were, instead, posing for pictures at flood-hit places without rescuing victims.
TRS working President K T Ramarao arrives along with party MLAs to cast their votes in the Presidential election at Assembly premises in Hyderabad on Monday. (P.Surendra/DC)

HYDERABAD: Two Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) MLAs skipped the polling for Presidential election held in the Legislative Assembly on Monday while all MLAs of the Congress, the BJP and the AIMIM exercised their franchises. All parties which reviewed the polling trend remained confident that there was no cross-voting by their MLAs and all of them voted for candidates as per party's decision and not on their personal decision.

While the TRS, the Congress and the AIMIM supported joint Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha, the BJP was the only one to support NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu.

Out of 119 MLAs in the Legislative Assembly, the TRS has a strength of 103 MLAs. Of them, 101 exercised their franchises while two MLAs, namely civil supplies minister Gangula Kamalakar and Vemulawada MLA Chennamaneni Ramesh remained absent. TRS sources said while Kamalakar could not make it as he was tested positive for Covid and remained in isolation, Ramesh was travelling abroad on some personal work.

Interestingly, Ramesh is already facing 'dual citizenship' and 'disqualification' cases since 2008 due to his frequent visits and stays in Germany and he remained abroad even on the crucial Presidential polling day.

All the seven MLAs belonging to the AIMIM, six MLAs of the Congress and three of BJP took part in the voting.

While non-BJP parties are confident of Yashwant Sinha getting 114 votes (TRS 101+AIMIM 7+Congress 6) out of 117 polled, the BJP expects to get more than its strength of three votes due to cross-voting by a few MLAs in other parties.

However, non-BJP parties completely ruled out the possibility of cross-voting in favour of the BJP-led NDA candidate.

All the parties took enough precautions to prevent cross-voting by issuing stern warnings to their MLAs. Earlier, TRS working president K.T.Rama Rao held a meeting with the party's 101 MLAs at Telangana Bhavan, read out party president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao's decision to back Yashwant Sinha and asked them to vote accordingly. He warned MLAs against cross-voting and said the party leadership would view such 'anti-party activities' very seriously.

Rama Rao conducted mock polling at Telangana Bhavan to educate MLAs on how to vote properly using marker pen on ballot paper to ensure that no MLA casts 'invalid vote'.

Later, all TRS MLAs led by Rama Rao were shifted from Telangana Bhavan to Legislative Assembly in three buses. Rama Rao was the first one to cast his vote in the polling followed by other MLAs and ministers.

Chandrashekar Rao arrived at the Legislative Assembly straight from Hanamkonda to cast his vote. He was staying at Hanamkonda since Sunday to visit flood-affected districts.
TRS Working President and state IT, Industries Minister K T Rama Rao was present, along with party MPs, when Sinha filed his nomination for the top post. (File image/Twitter)

Hyderabad: The ruling TRS in Telangana on Monday said it would support the candidature of joint opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha in the Presidential election.

TRS Working President and state IT, Industries Minister K T Rama Rao was present, along with party MPs, when Sinha filed his nomination for the top post.

"President of @trspartyonline Sri KCR Garu has decided to extend support to the candidature of Sri @YashwantSinha Ji in the election for President of India

"Along with our Members of Parliament, I will be representing the TRS at the nomination today," Rama Rao, son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, tweeted.

TRS sources on Monday said the party is supporting Sinha's candidature as he is the nominee of opposition parties and that TRS is vehemently opposed to BJP.

Though the TRS had supported NDA in the election of President and Vice- President earlier, it has been strident in its criticism of the BJP in recent months for the latter's alleged politics of hatred and failure in governance.

TRS, however, had stayed away from the joint meetings of the opposition parties to decide on their candidate in the Presidential election on the ground that it cannot share the platform with the Congress.

TRS sources had earlier said the party maintains equidistance from both the Congress and the BJP.

TRS has nine Lok Sabha members, seven Rajya Sabha members and 101 MLAs in the Telangana Legislative Assembly.
A private school in Rajarajeshwari Nagar in South Bengaluru received a hoax bomb threat through email on Monday.

According to police, the hoax bomb threat was sent to a school located in Ideal Township of Rajarajeshwari Nagar.

Laxman B Nimbargi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) said after a thorough check of school premises that the threat was a hoax.

On seeing the threat email at around 8:30 am, the school management alerted the police. Within half-an-hour, over 1,500 students were evacuated from the school premises as a preventive measure and shifted to neighbouring schools.

A bomb disposal squad, sniffer dog squad and jurisdiction police were rushed to the school and they inspected each and every corner of the school premises.

The school has declared a holiday over the incident.

A case has been registered and further investigation is on.
Three people were killed at a mall in Greenwood, Indiana, in a mass shooting that ended when another armed individual fatally shot the gunman, city authorities said.

Two additional people were hospitalised in the shooting, which began when a man with a rifle and several magazines of ammunition entered the food court and started firing, Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison said. Authorities did not indicate a motive for the shooting and did not identify the gunman.

Mayor Mark Myers said late Sunday that the public faced no further threat and that the Greenwood Police Department was in control of the scene. He asked the public to stay away from the area.

Read | Shooting in Johannesburg, South Africa leaves at least 4 dead

Ive been a police officer most of my life, he said in an interview. Still, this is incredibly shocking, to not only me but our entire community.

Ison said at a news conference Sunday that the local emergency call center began to receive calls about the shooting around 6 p.m. He said the threat ended when an armed passerby, who had a handgun, stopped the gunman. It appears that a good Samaritan that was armed observed the shooting in progress and shot the shooter.

He added that investigators and other personnel would not process the crime scene at the mall until a state bomb squad could determine whether a suspicious backpack that was left in a mall bathroom was dangerous.

Police said on Facebook that they were seeking witnesses to the shooting, which took place about 15 miles south of Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said on Twitter that it was helping local authorities and urged people to avoid the area.
NCP MLA Kamlesh Singh on Monday took many in the political circle by surprise as he announced that he has voted for NDA Presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu.

Elsewhere in Odisha, acting against party line, senior Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim also cast his vote in favour of Murmu, who is a tribal leader from the state.

Murmu, an ex-governor of Jharkhand, is up against former Hazaribag MP Yashwant Sinha, the joint candidate of non-BJP parties, including the Congress, the TMC and the NCP.

Both Singh and Moquim said they went by their conscience while exercising their franchise.

"The MLAs have their independence to choose the suitable candidate for the presidential post. As an Odia, I thought that I will feel proud if my vote will help Murmu to win the election," said Moquim, an MLA from Barabati-Cuttack constituency.

"As whip cannot be applicable in the Presidential election, I voted as per the dictates of my conscience," said Moquim. The MLA also informed that many of his well-wishers, friends and some big personalities have requested him to support Murmu.

According to Assembly sources, 50 of the states 81 legislators cast their votes for the Presidential elections in the Tribunal Hall of the House till 1 pm in Jharkhand.

As many as 28 legislators of the NDA, including two of the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) Party, reached the Assembly premises in a bus to exercise their franchise.

Read | It's Droupadi Murmu vs Yashwant Sinha as MPs, MLAs vote to elect new President

The MLAs, under the leadership of former chief minister Babulal Marandi and AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto, showed victory signs, as some of them said they were elated over the fact that Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, was set to get elevated to the top constitutional post in a first.

"NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu will get the support of at least 65 legislators in Jharkhand under any circumstance as many Congress legislators are also going to listen to their conscience and vote for her, BJP MLA Biranchi Narayan claimed.

BJP legislators Anant Ojha and Bhanu Pratap Shahi were among the early ones to exercise franchise.

"I was the first one to vote to elect the first citizen. It is a matter of great pride for me," Ojha said.

Shahi said, We strongly believe Murmu will work for the betterment of the society including the poor, downtrodden and Dalits.

The saffron camps ailing Sindri MLA, Indrajeet Mahto, however, could not cast his vote as he was undergoing treatment in hospital.

The ruling JMM, which runs a coalition government in the state with the Congress and the RJD, had initially backed Sinha only to receive flak from the tribal community to which both Murmu and the partys executive President and Chief Minister Hemant Soren belong. The party then pledged support for the NDA nominee.
Pakistan on Friday confirmed that it has 682 Indian prisoners detained in its jails, as Islamabad and New Delhi exchanged a list of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody, a routine practice between the two neighbours under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access.

These lists are exchanged twice a year -- on January 1 and July 1 respectively.

Pakistan shared with the Indian High Commission here a list of 682 Indian prisoners detained in the country, including 49 civilians and 633 fishermen, the Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement.

Similarly, the Indian side has also shared a list of 461 Pakistani prisoners in India, including 345 civilians and 116 fishermen with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Also Read: Pakistan rejects reports of Udaipur accused links to Karachi-based Islamist organisation

These steps were taken under clause (i) of the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India, signed on 21 May 2008, mandating both countries to exchange lists of prisoners in each others custody on 01 January and 01 July every year, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

India on Friday called on Pakistan to release and repatriate 536 Indian fishermen and three civilian prisoners who have completed their jail terms and whose nationality has been confirmed.

In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to 105 fishermen and 20 civilian prisoners who have been in Pakistan's custody and are believed to be Indians, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

"The government has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistan's custody," the MEA said in a statement in New Delhi.

Also Read: Pakistan urges Twitter to reopen access to its accounts in India

"In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 536 Indian fishermen and three Indian civilian prisoners to India who have completed their sentence and whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan," it said.

The MEA said India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country.

India has also urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 57 Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation by Pakistan.
"I am not a criminal", said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday stressing there appears to a "political reason" behind the delay in granting him permission to visit Singapore for a summit.

Kejriwal said he was specially invited to the World Cities Summit in Singapore by the government of the country, where he would present the Delhi Model before world leaders and bring laurels to India.

Also read | File on Kejriwal's Singapore visit stuck with LG since June 7, claim official sources

Miffed over the pending clearance from the Centre for the visit, Kejriwal had on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has been waiting for the permission for over a month.

"I am not a criminal, I am a chief minister and a free citizen of the country. There was no legal basis to stop me from visiting Singapore so there appears to be a political reason behind this," he said.

High Commissioner of Singapore Simon Wong had in June invited Kejriwal to World Cities Summit to be held in the first week of August. The Delhi chief minister has been asked to attend a programme on the first day.

The chief minister said he usually does not go on foreign visits but intended to go to the Singapore summit as it concerned progress of the country.
The Chief Justice of India N V Ramana and the Supreme Court have offered a wake-up call to the nation on the issue of undertrials languishing in jails, bringing attention to an issue that has diminished our democracy, robbed ordinary citizens of liberty, and embedded a system where jail rather than bail has become the routine in most investigations.

India has 610,000 citizens as prisoners, nearly 80% of them undertrials, CJI Ramana said recently at the inaugural session of the 18th All-India Legal Services Authority in Jaipur. The CJI (as quoted by PTI) noted: In the criminal justice system, the process is a punishment. From indiscriminate arrest to difficulty in obtaining bail, the process leading to prolonged incarceration of undertrial prisoners needs urgent attention. He went on to add: Prisons are black boxes. Prisoners are often unseen, unheard citizens.

Also Read | Diminishing respect between government, Opposition not a sign of healthy democracy: CJI Ramana

In choosing to highlight an issue that has rarely, if ever, incited passions or been the subject of debate, the CJI was giving voice to what is known to all, is lamented by a few, and then left to be, untouched and unfixed. What is worse is that the state of affairs is not a temporary fall in the near term but has become a permanent feature of the Indian system. The predisposition to arrest in the short term rather than investigate for the long haul of conviction is also one of the reasons why many bail cases come to court in the first place and add to the numbers that choke the system. Further, because arrest and jail are routine, this leads to a rise in anticipatory bail applications from those who are better off and can act to avoid arrest  adding to the load at the higher courts.

This makes the entire dynamic a systemic problem that wont go away just by increasing the number of judges because its root lies in a deeper malaise. We know that our conviction rate is abysmal, so that robust investigation is discarded and pre-trial jail and extended custody becomes the punishment, breaking at its root the entire edifice of the criminal justice system that stands on the principle that an accused is presumed innocent unless proved guilty.

Also Read | Process is the punishment in our criminal justice system: CJI Ramana

In their 85-page order on July 11, Justices S K Kaul and M M Sundresh pointed to the systemic nature of the problem: Courts tend to think that the possibility of a conviction being nearer to rarity, bail applications will have to be decided strictly, contrary to legal principles. We cannot mix up consideration of a bail application, which is not punitive in nature, with that of a possible adjudication by way of trial. On the contrary, an ultimate acquittal with continued custody would be a case of grave injustice.

This state of affairs has nothing to do with the politics of the day, the attitude of a particular set of political leaders temporarily in power, or indeed any agenda or grand plan at work. The tyranny of the system lies in its commonplaceness, everydayness and pervasiveness  its become one with the air we breathe, the water the fish swim in, and it puts behind bars and tends to forget some of the most vulnerable citizens of the nation.

How this breaks the back of the system is not always easily understood or fully grasped. One is that it offers the result of a conviction -- without a trial in which evidence is to be whetted and guilt is to be established beyond any shadow of doubt  long before the process of conviction even begins. In delivering this effect, the State, at the level of its most basic and ordinary day-to-day functioning, has made the justice system irrelevant if not redundant.

To make matters worse, this is achieved with the help of the judiciary, where remand and more remand is routinely granted, and bail is difficult to obtain because not always are the merits of the case fully discussed or even asked. If getting custody or an extension of remand is a matter of routine, police take the remand-giving judicial authority for granted, and this has immediate and direct effect on the quality of investigation.

In fact, Justices Kaul and Sundresh quote a 2014 judgement of the Supreme Court to note: Our endeavour in this judgement is to ensure that police officers do not arrest the accused unnecessarily and magistrates do not authorise detention casually and mechanically. They quote further: The power to authorise detention is a very solemn function. It affects the liberty and freedom of citizens and needs to be exercised with great care and caution. Our experience tells us that it is not exercised with the seriousness it deserves. In many of the cases, detention is authorised in a routine, casual and cavalier manner.

In fact, so common is it to grant detention that police officers do not always put in the effort to even fill in proper or full details. Sometimes, this feeds into an arrogance among the investigating agency that anything goes, derailing at an early stage the most critical part of the investigation  which must be thorough, fair and executed in a timely manner. It also emboldens police to get away with custodial violence, another menace growing unchecked despite the many protections to the accused written down in the legal system.

It is therefore not a day too soon that the Supreme Court has now formally asked the Centre to consider bringing a Bail Act. Justices Kaul and Sundresh noted: We  call on the Government of India to consider the introduction of an Act specifically meant for granting of bail as done in various other countries like the United Kingdom.

This will clearly be a step forward. While the legal framework can be more specific and lay down firm guidelines on bail, the larger problem is the colonial mindset that continues to rule the Indian bureaucracy, coupled with lack of investments to support those doing good work and a lack of exemplary punishment to those manipulating the system. This is one place where the courts can and must get active. A proper monitoring of cases right from the remand stage, with a detailed look at whether the demand of the investigating agencies is justified, will set the ground for a more responsive and responsible investigative machinery. It will keep the police on their toes, and it will keep our jails less crowded, while improving the overall outcomes of the system.

(The writer is a journalist and faculty member at SPJIMR. Views are personal) (Syndicate: The Billion Press)




President Yoon Suk-yeol asked the land minister Monday to make housing stability and housing welfare his top priority tasks, his spokesperson said.







Land Minister Won Hee-ryong gave a policy briefing to Yoon as part of the first set of policy reports by government ministries to the president following his inauguration in May.







"The president asked that he pursue housing stability and housing welfare, which are the keys to the stability of people's livelihoods, as the top priority tasks," his spokesperson Kang In-sun told reporters.







Yoon also asked Won to ensure balanced growth across regions and ease commuter traffic by expanding transportation networks, including the Great Train Express (GTX) commuter rail networks, subways and expressways, Kang said.







The president further asked the minister to work for a second Middle East boom for Korean construction companies, improved public services and rational management at public corporations, and enhanced safety at construction sites. (Yonhap)






I did not know of the rocket scientist Nambi Narayanan, even though I have interacted with many such scientists in India. The film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect was a revelation. It accurately portrayed rocket science and technology and aptly introduced the web of international intrigue in which flamboyant scientists like Nambi may have gotten stuck in the latter half of the twentieth century.

Nambi is a brilliant propulsion engineer with a Masters degree from Princeton University who forgoes a potential NASA career to work for India. This was quite common for high achievers in his generation, driven by nation-building and the calling of the Punya Bhumi to carve a place for India in the world order. The national goal of the time was to develop reliable and muscular liquid-propulsion rocket engines that could launch lucrative satellites, and Indias Space-age industry, into orbit. ISRO puts Nambi at the front, with a charge to quickly acquire technology from anywhere in the world.

Nambi spearheads technology development and transfer missions to England and then to France with resourcefulness and guile. His early successful projects are the French Viking Engine, and derived from that collaboration, the Indian Vikas Engine, which Nambi names for his mentor and the father of Indian

Space Research, Dr Vikram Sarabhai.

The rough weather starts when Nambi is greenlighted by ISRO to acquire even more powerful cryogenic engine technology from the collapsing Soviet Union. Russia, cash-strapped but under heavy pressure of sanctions from the US, withdraws from the technology transfer deal. Nambi and his group of engineers manage to procure only a few off-the-shelf engines, with hopes to reverse-engineer it in India.

But his bold plan goes awry, and with it crumbles Nambis entire world. A curious case is framed on Nambi for honey-trap based contacts and dealings with Pakistan through two Maldivian agents, and he is incarcerated in a typical Indian style of guilty until proven innocent. When eventually released, he is possessed by a single-minded quest to recover his tarnished name and family honor.

He wins his personal war only after two decades, when the Supreme Court of India acquits his case, and the Government grants him high civilian honours. The movie, to its credit, does not take a side on the central whodunit question. Left wide open are ISROs role in not backing Nambi and the possibility of a broader global conspiracy against Indias Engine Man.

In the film, the character Nambi emphasises to the end his innocence on all nationally critical matters, any private indiscretions notwithstanding. Nambi holds the ground that he will not accept any apology from

anyone until the perpetrators and the real villains that framed him are found. It may never happen.

It is a movie worthy of respect for its accurate science, and for its colourful and memorable scientists -- in particular, their sacrifices, suffering and patriotism. This movie has a positive message about engineering, and it will resonate with a large domestic and international audience, especially NRIs.

But did Nambi, the scientist, do the right thing? Nambi should have exercised utmost caution and due diligence and not pursued the cryogenics deal singlehandedly. He should not have allowed his excitement to get the better of international order and judgement. The adage that 'India can wait' still holds in the high-tech landscape.

Cryogenic engines were eventually developed by ISRO over the intervening years, but the global launch scene has changed. New aggressive players like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and several other private players offer launches at even lower costs against which ISRO cannot easily compete. However, ISRO still has a major role in developing and delivering satellites and spacecraft to the outer world and making India proud, by interacting with the academic institutions in India and abroad. In these matters, the legacy of Nambi and his colleagues shines brightest.

(The writer is a Space Scientist, Aerospace Engineer and Educator, and professor at Vanderbilt University. Opinions are personal.)
The High Court of Karnataka has rejected bail to Jeetendar Singh who was arrested for sharing photographs of naval and Indian Army bases with Pakistans Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

Justice K Natarajan said that the possibility of Pakistan targeting India by using missiles over these places cannot be ruled out. The information given by the petitioner/accused is dangerous to the safety and security of the nation, the court said.

The petitioner Jeetendar Singh, a resident of Cottonpet in Bengaluru, was arrested on November 19, 2021 and was remanded in judicial custody. The Anti-Terrorist Cell of Central Crime Branch (CCB) took up investigation and filed the charge sheet under various provisions including the Official Secrets Act, 1923. The charge sheet has named two other accused, both Pakistani nationals.

According to the prosecution, the petitioner had posed as an Army personnel and was in touch with a lady through social media. The data collected in the investigation revealed that the petitioner had sent 24 messages, 14 images and engaged in four video calls with the lady. Similarly, the lady from Pakistan had sent 30 messages and eight images.

The prosecution case was that the petitioner was not just chatting with the lady, but was also sharing images of official secrets like Military, Naval bases and other important places. The prosecution also stated that the petitioner had destroyed another mobile phone used by him and the police were unable to retrieve the information.

The petitioner contended that he wore military uniform only to attract the lady and claimed that except using uniform and sharing some photographs there is no incriminating material against him. The petitioner also said that he had been in custody for more than seven months and said the charge sheet is filed and the punishment for the alleged offences is maximum three years imprisonment.

Justice Natarajan observed that the offence is very serious. The court also said that Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, prescribes that punishment may be extended to 14 years imprisonment and in other cases to three years. Provisions of Section 3 (c) are attracted against the petitioner as he has collected and communicated the information to Pakistani nationals which is likely to affect sovereignty and integrity of India, the court said.
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said that the cost of living payment' is not enough to help working families across Northern Ireland.

Mr Eastwood said families will also find it hard to believe that Executive Departments have recorded significant underspends while a cost of living crisis continues to hurt hard pressed households.

The Foyle MP said that the support offered to address spiralling energy costs and household bills to date simply is not enough and risks seeing working families pushed further into poverty.

2021-22 Provisional Outturn figures published by the Department of Finance today reveal a 83.9m resource DEL underspend across Executive Departments and a 35.9m Capital DEL underspend which will see more than 10m handed back to the treasury.

Colum Eastwood MP said: There are thousands of families across Northern Ireland who, for the first time, find themselves struggling to make ends meet despite working every hour they can.

"People who are being hit hardest by spiralling energy costs and other household bills will find it incredible that Executive Ministers are set to hand back millions to the Treasury in the face of the most severe household finance crisis in memory.

The hard truth is that while Ministers have provided limited support, there are thousands of people across our communities who have received nothing and, under current plans, will receive nothing. That isnt good enough.

The SDLP has an action plan to address the cost of living crisis that would get support directly to every household that needs it. We have a plan to expand free school meal entitlement to make sure that no child goes hungry. We are ready to get to work to address this crisis.

75 days on from an election where every Executive party promised support for families in the face of this crisis and theyve failed to deliver anything. It is time for Ministers to get on with their jobs. It is time for the DUP to get back to work. It is time for politics to deliver for the people we represent.
Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of an assault in Magherafelt in the early hours of this morning, Monday 18th July.

Detective Sergeant McGale said: At around 1.45am, officers received a report that a man had been assaulted in the Queen Street area of the town.

It was reported that he had been assaulted and sustained a head injury. He was taken to hospital, where he remains at this time.

One male in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent, and remains in police custody at this time.

Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time, or who may have any dash cam or other kind of footage which could assist us, to contact 101 and quote reference number 141 18/07/22.

A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/ makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.
Temperatures are expected to approach 30C (86F) on Monday as a heatwave reaches Northern Ireland.

People have been advised to stay out of the sun, despite there being no heat warning in place in the region.

In the Republic of Ireland, a yellow weather warning is in place and red and amber weather alerts for extreme heat have been issued across Great Britain.

The Met Office said Northern Ireland had its hottest day of the year so far on Sunday with 27.7C (81.9F) recorded in Armagh, but that is expected to be exceeded on Monday.

The Met Office said: Parts of the west around Fermanagh, west Tyrone and south Armagh could be closer to 30C on Monday.

27.7C at Armagh today. Easily the hottest day of the year in NI. Parts of the west around Fermanagh, west Tyrone and south Armagh could be closer to 30C on Monday. https://t.co/6QfO5UaVow  Met Office  Northern Ireland (@metofficeNI) July 17, 2022

The highest temperature ever recorded in Northern Ireland was 31.3C (88.3F) in Castlederg in County Tyrone last July.

Dr Brid Farrell, deputy director of public health at the PHA, urged people to stay out of the sun during the warmest hours.

She told the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme: What we are recommending is that people try to stay in cool areas or else stay cool by drinking plenty of fluids.

In particular, we would be keen that people avoid being outside between the hours of 11am and 3pm.

Stay out of the sun, use sunscreen.

Actually we are in a fortunate position that we are not going to reach the temperatures currently being seen in England, Wales and the south of Scotland.

Severe temperatures can effect old people and young children more severely so everybody should look out for them.

Dr Farrell added: We are going to encounter more extremes of weather, both very hot and very cold in the next couple of decades.

That is all due to climate change.

It is something we have to get ready for and be prepared for and know what to do when the temperatures reach very high levels.

I think for the next 48 hours we should be able to manage and health services will cope but for the future this is going to become a problem.

Lifeboat and lifeguard services are expected to be busy with families heading to the beach to try to stay cool in the sunshine.

Carl Kennedy from the RNLI told the BBC: We would expect today to be a pretty busy day for our lifeguards.

We have got wall to wall sunshine and there will be huge numbers of families coming to be beach today.

The lifeguard priority is on people in the water, so we will be keeping an eye on people and kids playing around the water.

On Sunday RNLI lifeboat crew rescued five adults and four children off the Co Antrim coast after their boat hit a submerged object and started taking on water.

The group was taken to Ballycastle Harbour where they were helped by coastguards.

Health services are also expected to be stretched during the heatwave with the public urged to call for an ambulance only in an emergency.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it expected an increase in the number of less urgent calls it receives through the 999 system.

A spokesperson said: To help us protect the most vulnerable, we would ask that the public only call if an emergency, but not to hesitate to do so if necessary.

Animal welfare charity the USPCA has issued a warning to pet owners about the weather conditions.

Colleen Tinnelly, USPCA development manager, said: Its crucial that your pet has access to a shaded rest area and has a constant supply of clean and cool water  your pets water dish should be refilled regularly with cooler water or ice cubes during the day.

You can also freeze some treats for your pet to enjoy  such as carrot or apple bites, chopped watermelon and banana, or peanut butter which can be placed inside toys and provides great enrichment for them.

It can be very tempting to take our dogs out with us on walks or family days out however this can be very dangerous for them.

One of the most important pieces of advice we can give members of the public is to never leave them in a car.
A judge has asked for more information to be sought in a case being taken against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) by a man who was struck by a plastic bullet as a child.

Mr Justice McAlinden said given the passage of time since the incident, he wants to ensure he is being fair to both parties.

Gavin McKenna was partially blinded in Lurgan in April 1997 at a scene involving British Army soldiers.

At the time, the Army said its patrol had come under attack close to the Kilwilke estate.

Local residents disputed that claim.

Mr McKenna is now pursing the MoD through the civil courts.

If successful, he could potentially receive a sizeable compensation pay out.

At a hearing on Monday, Mr Justice McAlinden requested the MoD seeks training records for the soldier who fired the baton round and the overarching regulatory framework.

It would seem on an important issue of this nature, there should have been something in place, and there should be some means of identifying what the system was at the time with some degree of precision, he said.

The evidence is that the soldier who fired the round, yes he did have training but obviously he cannot say if the training occurred within the time interval.

It could have been he doesnt know so were left bereft of any direct evidence in relation to whether this individual was trained in accordance with the guidance in relation to the use of this weapon.

I know that theres been a long passage of time between this incident and the hearing of this case, and thats why I want to ensure that Im being fair to both parties here by allowing the defendant every opportunity to put forward evidence in relation to this issue.

He also asked for further clarification on which baton round would have issued to which soldiers in the time period.

The next hearing in the case is set to take place on August 5.
I was numb in my room, reading a newspaper while recovering from Covid-19 when my phone finally started vibrating. But was it, really?

After expecting a phone call for close to two hours, which were spent looking at my phone every fifteen minutes to check if there were any phone calls, I almost gave up. Just when I was falling asleep from boredom, I thought I heard my phone vibrate faintly and then ring. The subsequent tragedy that unfolded was two-fold: it wasnt a phone call that got my phone vibrating; in fact, my phone was not vibrating at all. The vibrations, if any, were all in my head.

Scientists and researchers like to call these false auditory sensations phantom vibrations  an ugly trick that our minds play at us every now and then, and we start hallucinating our cell phones buzzing. After somehow surviving a never-ending pandemic, whose enduring legacy is as much psychological as it is physiological, I was least surprised at catching myself hearing spooky, otherworldly, non-existent noises.

What is ringxiety or phantom ringing?

For some people, it is not the vibrations, but the ringtone of their mobile phones that they imagine hearing, hence the name, phantom ringing. According to a 2018 study published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, phantom background sensations like phantom vibration (PV) and phantom ringing (PR)  the sensations of vibration and ringing of the phone when they are not, respectively  are among the latest in the category of techno-pathology to receive global attention. Both of these syndromes are fairly common  a research suggests that nine of 10 mobile phone users suffer from them  and briefly, they were clubbed together into ringxiety, a portmanteau that blends ringer with anxiety.

The man who coined this word, David J. Laramie, was also, incidentally, the first scholar to formally record this phenomenon. In the summer of 2007, he submitted his dissertation to the California School of Professional Psychology, in which as many as two-thirds of 320 adult mobile-phone users, in an online survey, reported that they had heard their mobiles ringing when it had not. For many Gen Zs and young adults, it is the first time in their young lives that theyre having a brush with ringxiety.

Wajiha Haider was in Bangalore, working from home for Qatar-based ed-tech start-up Wise, when she got her first phantom ring. It was March of 2021, the deadly second wave of Covid-19 had again pushed everyone behind the doors, and work from home was now very much a thing. From dawn to dusk, the twenty-two year old marketing manager was glued to screens, mobiles as well as laptops, and rarely stepped outside the dizzy world of the internet.

So I was in the kitchen, okay, she told me, over a half-an-hour-long call, my phone was with me only, I was looking for a recipe on YouTube, so I was sure it was not my phone vibrating.

She shared her rental apartment in Bangalore with her co-worker at Wise. She knocked on her door, annoyed, and recalled telling her, Your phone is ringing. Come on, pick it up or either cut it. Its annoying. Of course, nobodys phone was ringing.

Her roommate later told her that she must be on the cusp of a spiritual awakening because, according to her, that is when humans feel a lot of vibrations. Wajiha didnt give it much thought, but the spooky vibrations never stopped.

They come out in very, very weird places, she told me, youre around a bunch of people, and you start saying, somebodys phones ringing, somebodys phones ringing, and of course, nobodys phones ringing. I feel ridiculed.

Lately, along with other peoples mobiles in her vicinity, she has also started hallucinating her own phone vibrating, sometimes twice or thrice a day. I asked her how these regular phantom vibrations make her feel, to which she first chuckled, and then replied, sheepishly, I ignore most of them. Im like, maybe, you know, Im just paranoid or something.

What causes phantom ringing, as per experts?

This business of hearing imaginary noises, however, is not wholly unnatural. New mothers imagine their babies crying and check on them when in fact the babies are actually asleep. And who on earth has ever walked on a lonely, dark, cobbled street and not thought theyve heard unworldly, creepy noises?

Or as Adarsh Tripathi, assistant professor from the psychiatry department of Lucknows King Georges Medical University (KGMU), explained it to me, If youre walking in a calm corridor, you expect insects, and then probably even if there is nothing, your mind starts perceiving

noises that insects make.

So people who are engaged in their mobiles, maybe expecting a call or a text or a Facebook like, Tripathi further explained, they at times feel that there is a vibration or their cell-phone is ringing.

In the scarce number of studies we have on phantom vibration syndrome, most participants say that they dont find it much bothersome. In my teeny-tiny, very unscientific, personal sample of people hallucinating their phones buzzing; again, nobody has yet found it problematic enough to mention it to a medical professional.

But a few studies  you can count them on the toes of your feet  hint at the possible adverse effects that ringxiety can cause. For starters, a study published in the Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal noted in its abstract that phantom rings might cause discomfort or loss of concentration during driving. Phantom ringing is a Covid-19 side-effect as well, according to a May 2022 clinical study.

Last year, in the month of November, a twenty-one-year-old accountant Rupesh Mishra, who, by his own admission, gets up to ten phantom rings a day, indeed lost control of the steering wheel. On a wintry morning, he was driving a maroon Honda City ZX on Old National Highway 1, en route to Delhi from Kurukshetra, when he felt, in his pocket, his phone vibrating.

I had not informed my father that I was going to Delhi to pick up my elder brother from the airport, so I took my phone out, unlocked it, thinking hed be the one calling, Rupesh recalled, but there was nothing, no one, But when he raised his eyes from his phone, he found himself  and his car  on the verge of a collision with a heavy-duty truck.

It was one of those huge, scary trucks with 36 tires. I somehow escaped what could have been a savage accident, he told me, over an hour-long phone conversation.

What was his takeaway, I asked. I have now grown accustomed to these vibrations, he said, half-laughing, whenever I get them while driving, I try my best to ignore them. I know  most probably  theyre fake.

Is phantom ringing a serious disorder?

So are phantom vibrations a cause for concern? Is it a disorder? Adarsh Tripathi, assistant professor at KGMU, had an interesting answer: One single phenomenon does not amount to normalcy or pathology.

Phantom ringing is closely linked to excessive mobile phone use, he explained, and nowadays doctors understand it as addiction.

As a doctor, what we are looking for in an individual who is coming to us for help is the overall impact the thing is doing on the person. The diagnosis is made in terms of the patient's mobile phone use pattern. Is it a pathological use pattern? Is it some overuse pattern? Or is it within the normal range? he explained.

So if I get a phantom ring once in a while, I asked Tripathi, with a little hesitation, should I be thinking I am going nuts? No, he replied, unless there are things involved.

By other things involved, Tripathi meant that phantom ringing, along with excessive mobile phone usage, becomes problematic if it starts affecting the persons mental and physical health, and their social functioning and personal relationships.

With second-generation social entrepreneur Shrey Saxena, who runs a company that converts waste into biofuel, that was happening. Shrey was perpetually distracted at work as he always felt something was vibrating. He blocked all the notifications on his phone, but that didnt help much until he stopped keeping his phone on vibration mode.

The frequency with which phantom ringing used to happen drastically  and instantly  dipped.

I also stopped using my personal phone at work and removed all social media apps from my office phone, he told me, over the phone. Now if youd ask me when it happened last, I cant even recall, Shrey said, sounding victorious.




It looks like you will now be able to confirm your identity through the wonders of face recognition. This applies to Aadhaar card holders and is avail through an app called FaceRD. The app is currently available on the Google Play Store and has been launched by the Unique Identification Authority of India. The technology that enables this function also allows users to be identified on various other Aadhar Authentication apps. These include the CoWin Vaccination Application, Farmer Welfare Schemes, and many others.

A recent tweet by the official Aadhaar account states, #FaceAuthentication Residents are now using the #Aadhaar Face Authentication feature by downloading the #UIDAI #RDApp, which can be used for various #Aadhaar Authentication Apps like #JeevanPraman, #PDS, #Scholarship schemes, #COWIN, #FarmerWelfare schemes.

Here is how you can download the Aadhaar FaceRD app

Head on to the Google Play Store on your Android device and type in Aadhaar FaceRD app into the search bar

You can then click on the install button to download the app on your device

Open the app and follow the prompts to activate the app

How to use Aadhaar FaceRD App

There is a bit of concern as it pertains to privacy and citizens rights but as far as we know, none of these concerns have been addressed yet. According to the UIDAI, all information will be stored in a Central Identity Data Repository, but as we all know, these servers can be broken into and user info leaked. We will just have to wait and see how the Indian government handles these issues.
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The council decision will put both ranked-choice and approval voting options on the November ballot.



SEATTLE (AP)  Two voting change options will be on the November ballot after the Seattle City Council approved an alternative to a signature-driven effort  and either would change the city's primary election process.

In a special meeting Thursday, the council OK'd asking voters to consider ranked-choice voting alongside approval voting, The Seattle Times reported.





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KENT  An industrial complex at 22408-22434 76th Ave. S. in Kent sold last week for about $106.1 million, according to King County records.

The seller was Holman Distribution Center of Oregon, which had owned the property for decades.





. . .
By Arthur I. Cyr





Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned as Conservative Party leader on July 7, but is not out of power. Characteristically, he seems to be maneuvering to cling to office as head of the British government as long as he can.



Johnson acknowledged the need to step down, without actually using those words, and said nothing to address growing ethical scandals swirling around him. Instead, he boasted of great accomplishment in government, and indicated that this requires him to remain during the transition.



Through July 6, Johnson had insisted there was no way he would step down. He felt himself indispensable, government success undeniable. This separation from reality, self-praise in the face of general outrage, is remarkably similar to the behavior of Donald Trump.



In fact, the Special Relationship between the United Kingdom (Britain plus Northern Ireland) and the United States involves important, often fascinating, at times vital interplay between the leaders of the two nations.



The final straw that broke the back of Conservative support for their colorful leader was clear evidence of him breaking pandemic rules. Photos showed he and others in the government participated in parties prohibited by their own COVID-19 restrictions.



On this matter and others, Johnson has been rather casual in handling the truth. In other words, he is a liar. To the British, lying in Parliament is intolerable, no exceptions.



Nearly 60 members of Johnson's government  almost half  have resigned in protest of this behavior. Last month, Johnson survived a vote of no confidence in the House of Commons, but nearly 40 percent of his own party voted against him. Only the massive parliamentary majority secured by Conservatives in the December 2019 general election saved him.



The Conservatives have also done badly in recent by-elections, for individual vacant seats in the House of Commons, and the local elections in May. The Liberal Democrats made major gains, and the Labour Party remains strong.



Professor Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University in Scotland is insightful and influential. His analysis for the BBC emphasized the Liberal Democrats' success.



Northern Ireland also has witnessed significant shifts. Sinn Fein, the nationalist party that seeks a break from Britain and unification with Ireland, in May elections led voting for the first time. This fact means further separatist pressure on the British government.



Low-key, conscientious Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May succeeded David Cameron in 2016, after the surprise defeat of his referendum aimed at remaining in the European Union (EU). She negotiated complex withdrawal accords with the Eurocrats in Brussels, only to face rejection three times in Parliament, including in her own party.



Finally, "good citizen" May was replaced by bombastic Boris Johnson, who rushed through general leave-Europe legislation, postponing the details. The eventual cost included renewed conflict in Northern Ireland, but Britain left the EU. Now, the brazenly irresponsible Johnson approach of leaving Europe without addressing the essential details is causing growing trade and investment problems, especially for Northern Ireland.



Increasing numbers of people back the Liberal Democrats precisely because they generally remain separate from the established Conservative and Labour parties that dominated politics through most of the twentieth century. The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government from 2010 to 2015 ultimately hurt the latter.



In Britain, Johnson will soon be gone, even if kicking and screaming while being hauled away. Throughout, the nation remains a leader in combining representative government with essentially stable institutions.





Arthur I. Cyr (acyr@carthage.edu) is author of "After the Cold War  American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia" (NYU Press and Palgrave Macmillan) and "Liberal Politics in Britain" (Routledge and Transaction).


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SEATTLE  A motel at 12035 Aurora Ave. N. sold for a bit over $4.8 million, according to King County records.

The seller was EB International, which acquired the property in 2017 for about $3.3 million.





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SEATTLE  Local investors bought a Phinney Ridge property back in 2005 for $725,000. The over century-old commercial building at 6010 Phinney Ave. N., with a subsequent addition, has variously been home to Val's Cafe, Roosters Breakfast Club, The Daily Planet (an antiques store) and Chef Liao Asian Fusion Cuisine.

Now there's a plan filed by Cone Architecture to redevelop. The proposed five-story building would have 54 apartments over two commercial bays. One level of underground parking is indicated.





. . .
As temperatures soar in Ireland, legally defined maximum temperature limits for outdoor and indoor work should be introduced immediately according to a senator.

Labour Party senator and spokesperson for Employment Affairs, Marie Sherlock has called for the immediate introduction of legally defined maximum temperature limits for outdoor and indoor work in Ireland as we face the likelihood of increased summer temperatures.

Record temperatures are being endured in Ireland in recent days, with Met Eireann issuing a temperature warning.

Met.ie predicted: "Temperatures will generally range from 27 to 32 degrees, however it will be a little cooler near coasts, especially where sea fog persists along west and northwest coasts".

It also forecast the solar UV index to be high on Monday and moderate to high on Tuesday.

Temperatures hitting in excess of 30 degrees may feel like a one off novelty for Ireland, however the reality is that for certain workers, these temperatures are very difficult to work in for office-based workers in the absence of adequate ventilation, air conditioning and particularly for outdoor workers in the absence of easily available water and shade," Senator Sherlock said.

"Climate change in Ireland means there is a greater probability of prolonged periods of extreme heat with weather warnings likely to be an increased feature of working life in Ireland, especially in the summer. We believe maximum temperature limits must be considered as a matter of real urgency by the Government.

Many of our offices and workplaces are largely unprepared to deal with extreme temperature highs compared to other countries with generally hotter climates. The experience of covid has highlighted the very patchy availability of good ventilation and air improvement measures across workplaces.

Member States in the EU currently have no united approach. In Germany, a workplace has a normal maximum temperature of 26C. In Spain, a maximum temperature is set at 27C for work spaces. Although in both countries there are conditions where these limits can be breached.

"Several jurisdictions have a definite maximum working temperature of 30C in law for indoor work and this maximum has been proposed by the European Trade Union Congress as a possible EU wide limit. That could be a place for the Irish Government to start," she said.

If we are to ultimately learn any lessons and live with these increasing temperatures we must have robust legislation to govern, to regulate this area and incentivise the creation of good jobs.

"This will ensure the right to a healthy working environment is protected and that employers have sensible guidelines to adhere to. In the current heatwave, I would call upon employers to certainly consider if work can be temporarily paused or completed, where possible remotely or at home, if temperatures reach uncomfortable and physically stressful levels over the coming days and weeks, Senator Sherlock said.
The Government has announced the tightening of refugee visa requirements amid a shortage of accommodation.

Visa-free travel will remain available for Ukrainian nationals but refugees travelling from safe European countries will be required to hold visas from Tuesday.

The come comes as the Government said Ukrainian refugees will only be expected to stay in tents at a military camp in Co Meath for a week.

Some 150 people will be moved there on Tuesday.

On Monday evening, it was announced that the Government has agreed to temporarily suspend the operation of the Council of Europe Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees (Council of Europe) for 12 months.

It described the temporary measure as a means to protect the integrity of the immigration and international protection systems.



Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the Government has not taken the decision lightly.

However, where there is evidence that there may be abuse of such systems, the Government must act swiftly to mitigate the risks to maintain the integrity of our immigration and international protection systems and uphold public confidence in those systems, she said.

In recent months, we have seen that the visa exemption provided for in the Council of Europe Agreement is being exploited, including by some who enter the state and subsequently claim international protection, despite having already been granted such protection by another European state.

The suspension of the operation of the agreement is temporary and will be reviewed in a years time. In the meantime, Convention travel document holders who want to travel to Ireland can apply for a visa under standard visa arrangements.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney added: The decision taken today will assist in the protection of Ukrainians, and those of other nationalities, who are fleeing conflict, as it will lessen the incidence of abuse of this system. This step is not unprecedented: other Council of Europe member states have taken similar action previously.

We will keep this decision, which is temporary in nature, under review, and will revisit it 12 months from now.

It emerged last week that the Citywest welcome centre for Ukrainians had reached capacity, coupled with a shortage of accommodation for other international protection seekers.

This led to Ukrainians sleeping on the floor in an old terminal at Dublin Airport for up to two days.

Earlier, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic OGorman, said his two main objectives were ending the use of Dublin Airport to house Ukrainian refugees and reducing numbers in Citywest.

He said this would be done by opening a second welcome centre in the next two to three weeks and using vacant buildings provided by the Department of Housing last week.

For non-Ukrainian asylum seekers, tents may need to be added to existing state-owned centres for asylum seekers, he said.

Mr OGorman said the system had come under pressure due to a surge in refugees arriving in Ireland in the past six to eight weeks.

We link it to the increase in attacks on civilian populations throughout Ukraine and I think we have managed the arrival of 42,000 Ukrainians and accommodating 30,000 of those over the course of the last couple of months in a reasonably systematic way, he told RTEs Morning Ireland.

The minister also reiterated the Governments assertion that the UKs intention to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing has contributed to a rise in asylum applications in Ireland.

He said: There have been a range of changes to migration policy in the United Kingdom, and the Rwanda policy is just one element of that.

And theyve taken place over the last nine months to a year, and we believe that they are one of the reasons why were experiencing an increase in international protection applicants.

Tented accommodation at Gormanston military camp is due to open for use for refugees this week, with around 16 people staying in each tent.

Initially, well be moving around 150 people in on Tuesday. Theres capacity for 350 in total, once Gormanston is up and running, Mr OGorman said.

Its tented accommodation, so its large military Defence Forces marquee tents. Theres a number set out as sleeping for families and then theres a number for recreation and a canteen as well.

Its not envisaged to be a long-term facility, its there when numbers are high at Citywest there we can use that as a short-term accommodation before moving people on.

I think a maximum of a week wed be looking at, that would be my hope.

The Government has agreed that a second welcome centre for Ukrainian refugees also be opened in the next two to three weeks that would mirror the range of services for refugees at Citywest.

We havent got a final determination on the location yet, were in negotiations at the moment, Mr OGorman said.

He said further capacity has been found by the Department of Housing and was referred to Mr OGormans department late last week.

The minister said: Well also be continuing to move Ukrainians into the new accommodation provided by the Department of Housing, that first tranche of refurbished buildings that the department handed over to us late last week.

These are a range of institutional buildings that local authorities identified, handed over to the Department of Housing. And the Department of Housing, working with local authorities, have refurbished those.

The department reckons it has identified at least 3,000 units of accommodation. This requires refurbishments, and for different areas the degree of refurbishment is greater or lesser.

The first tranche of that, which has space for 500 individuals, have been handed over and well be looking to move people into that this week and in the coming weeks.
Seen is BEXCO convention center where the Busan International Motor Show takes place, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul



Busan City should adapt to changing auto industry



By Baek Byung-yeul



Since its launch in 2001, the Busan International Motor Show has grown into one of the representative motor shows here along with the Seoul Mobility Show by providing a rare opportunity to gain a glimpse at new cars belonging to global auto brands for people living in southeastern Korea.



The biennial event has been popular with more than 1 million visitors from 2003 to 2014, but since the 2016 event, its reputation has been gradually fading as the number of visitors has fallen to around 600,000.



After skipping its 2020 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the motor show came back this year after a four-year hiatus. However, the event, which was organized by the Busan Metropolitan City Government, seems to be struggling to recreate the glory of the past this year because only six brands from two automotive groups attended. They are Hyundai Motor Group's Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis and BMW Group's BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce.



At a time when the global auto industry is experiencing big changes  transitioning from traditional combustion engine-powered cars to electric vehicles (EV)  Hyundai Motor Group utilized the Busan motor show as a great tool, through which it can promote its future vision, unveiling Hyundai Motor's latest EV, the Ioniq 6 and Kia's EV9 concept car.



BMW, one of the nation's most beloved imported car companies, introduced the New BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, the Mini Cooper's EV version and other vehicles.



However, Mercedes-Benz, which sold 5,845 cars in June, according to data by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, thereby making it the second-highest-bought foreign car brand in Korea, after BMW, (which sold 6,449 cars), was not present at the event.



Renault Korea also failed to participate this year, even though the carmaker operates a production base in the city.





Visitors try out SK Telecom's urban air mobility simulator during the Busan International Motor Show at BEXCO, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul
Irish Water, working in partnership with Louth County Council, is progressing a major project to upgrade and improve the sewer network at St. Helenas in Dundalk.

The delivery of this important wastewater project will support social and economic growth, including planned housing development, and will significantly improve the capacity and operational performance of the existing sewers, benefiting local businesses and residents.

It will also safeguard the environment by reducing the risk of sewer overflows into Dundalk Harbour.

The project, which is due to begin in the oming weeks, will involve the construction of almost 1.2kms of new sewerage pipes and is part of a project to improve the capacity of the existing sewers in the area and also to enhance operational performance.

These works will involve the installation of a new rising main, beginning at St. Helenas Terrace pumping station to the junction of Coes Road and Point Road.

The rising main at Quay St pumping station will also be replaced as part of the project.

Padraig Hanly , Regional Delivery Lead at Irish Water said:Working with our colleagues in Louth County Council, we are delighted to announce the progression of this vital project for Dundalk.

A sewer network that is fit for purpose is essential in order to support business and social development in the community.

These works will support existing and future residential and commercial development while also improving the overall performance of the sewer network and will safeguard the local environment by reducing the risk of sewer flooding.

Padraig added: We understand that the works may cause some inconvenience to commuters and our crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption and complete the project as quickly as possible. On behalf of Irish Water, I would like and thank the people of Dundalk in advance for their support and co-operation.

To minimise the impact on the local community, works will be delivered on a phased basis with areas of work limited to short sections.

Where works are underway on the public road, traffic management will be in place in the form of a stop/go traffic light system, however, emergency traffic and access for local residents will be maintained at all times.

The project, which is due to be completed in Q1 of 2023, is being delivered by GMC Utilities Group on behalf of Irish Water. Irish Water and Louth County Council said they regret any inconvenience that this essential project may cause.




Subcontractors of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) hold a hunger strike in front of Korea Development Bank, Seoul, July 14. Korea Times file



President calls for immediate halt of illegal occupation of dockyard



By Lee Kyung-min



The ongoing strike by over 150 unionized subcontractors of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) is rapidly losing ground, as indicated by a court-ordered fine that delegitimized the collective action, according to industry watchers, Monday.



The ruling by the Tongyeong unit of Changwon District Court in South Gyeongsang Province is the latest blow to the strike that began June 2, compounded further by a number of the shipbuilder's partner firms being pushed to the brink of collapse.



The court ruled July 16 that striking subcontractors occupying a dock at DSME's shipyard on Geoje Island should leave the premises or pay a fine of 3 million won ($2,270) a day to the shipbuilder.






A sea kayaker is currently paddling the entire Cork coastline in order to fundraise for a great local cause.

The 200  300 km solo expedition is being undertaken by Jon Hynes in aid of the cancer support service, Cork ARC House

Jon, who works with the Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre and is a member of the Kinsale RNLI, has a personal connection to the charity. He said it was a key support for his wife Alayne when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019.

Alayne is healthy and well now after undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments and Jon decided to kayak from the Cork/Kerry border to the Cork/Waterford border, by sea, to give back to the place that assisted Alaynes recovery,

The lengthy expedition began on Wednesday and, speaking to The Echo from Sherkin Island, Jon estimated it would take him seven days to reach his destination in Youghal.

The view from Jon's kayak at Crow Head.

The first leg was around the Mizen Peninsula, it was a long open water stretch so I wanted to get that done during the weather window we are currently experiencing. I did 57km in eight and a half hours.

Jon also kayaks on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a group of women called Ladies who Launch. The group is made up of women who are in recovery from breast cancer and they are hopefully going to finish the final leg of the journey to Youghal alongside Jon.

When Im out at sea, kayaking, I think of the people that are going through treatment, going through chemo and radiation, and I remember that kayaking is nothing compared to what they go through. Its a big motivator.

Jon Hynes is currently kayaking the coastline of Cork to raise funds for charity.

The 49-year-old, who has been kayaking for the past 39 years, said he knows some people have reservations about his trip, but he emphasized, this is not his first rodeo.

In 2015, I kayaked all around Ireland, and I love Cork deeply, especially the coastline, it is a celebration trip.

The Limerick native, who lives with his wife and their two teenage daughters in Garretstown, said his wife is a constant inspiration to him.

Im in constant amazement of Alayne. The challenge of chemotherapy, what she went through, its just incredible.

Jon said the main motivation for his kayaking trip is to raise awareness and money for his charity of choice.

Alayne is doing well.

"Anyone who gets a cancer diagnosis goes through a traumatic experience, but the HSE units in Cork are exceptional and Cork ARC House is a key part of her recovery.

Jons fundraiser is open for donations at gofundme.com.
OVER 8,000 in cash, seized in four different drug-dealing investigations in Cork, was forfeited to the State.

Sergeant Liam Finn came to Cork District Court last week to apply for forfeiture orders in respect of four different cases.

Judge Olann Kelleher granted the applications in all four of these old cases for the seized sums of cash to be forfeited to the state.

Sgt Finn said Allison Barrett of Cork Simon Community was convicted of having heroin for sale or supply at Rockgrove Terrace, Lower Glanmire Rd, and 505 was seized on that occasion  believed to be the proceeds of drug-dealing.

Amy Goggin, of Glendower Court, Ballincollig, was previously convicted of drug dealing and the proceeds of that crime  4,270  was seized at the time. Now that money has been forfeited.

Sgt Finn said Zeneras Slipkus, a Lithuanian national, no longer living in Ireland was convicted of drug-dealing during which 290 was confiscated from him. That has now been forfeited to the state.

And finally, Jason Power of 99 Leesdale, Model Farm Rd, was convicted of drug-dealing and over 2,000 in cash was found in his underwear.

Further money was found in the property to a total of 3,480. And now this too has been forfeited by order of Judge Olann Kelleher at Cork District Court.
Temperatures are expected to surpass 30 degrees in parts of Ireland today, and people are being advised to take precautions.

Today, exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland with daytime temperatures of 25 to up to 32 degrees in places.

Nighttime temperatures will range from 15 to 20 degrees.

This will have a number of impacts including heat stress, especially for the more vulnerable of the population; a high solar UV index; and a risk of water related incidents

Meteorologist Paul Downes explains what's causing the high temperatures since the weekend.

"Initially a portion of the Azores High will extend from the southwest over Ireland for the weekend. It will bring a rise in temperatures but still hold the warmer air to the south.

"As the high pressure moves away to the east, the anticyclonic, or clockwise rotation will steer up air from the southeast, but the real contributing factor is how it interacts with a low pressure system developing off the coast of Portugal and gradually meandering northwards.

Noelle Jeffries and her dog Mildred shelter from the sun at Garrettstown, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

"The cyclonic or anticlockwise flow of the low working in conjuction with the anticyclonic flow from the high will generate a strong surge of warm air between both systems thus pushing the warm air towards Ireland, transporting the airmass that has brought exceptional temperatures to Europe, towards Ireland."

See Fire danger notice and full safety advice on www.gov.ie/summerready
A man who died while swimming at a lake in the midlands over the weekend has been named locally as Michael Timmins.

The victim, aged in his 60s, got into difficulty while swimming at the man-made Derryounce Lake in Portarlington, Co Laois, on Saturday afternoon.

According to The Irish Times, Mr Timmins was single and from a well-known family in Portlaoise, Co Laois, where he lived.

Monsignor John Byrne, of St Peter and St Pauls parish in Portlaoise, said the town was in shock at the very tragic accident.

Michaels family are an old established Portlaoise family, they are well known, he said.

There is a lot of shock, really. The little bit of fine weather we get, and a man just going for a swim... it is just tragic.

Gardai and emergency services were alerted to the incident at about 3.30pm on Saturday. The victim was taken from the water and removed from the scene by ambulance to Portlaoise General Hospital.

He was pronounced dead a short time later. Gardai said they are treating the matter as a tragic accident at this time and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

The incident on Saturday is the third swimming-related death in Ireland over the past week.

A 14-year-old boy died while swimming at Burrow Beach in Sutton, Co Dublin, on Monday. On Tuesday, a man aged in his 40s died after getting into difficulties while swimming at Fanore Beach, Co Clare.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and experts say that a combination of technology, education and activism will be necessary to slash our carbon emissions and preserve the planet. Universities are hubs of innovation and research, so its no surprise that top institutions are already pioneering efforts to combat climate change.

But what are university administrators doing to ensure their campuses arent part of the problem? Weve rounded up the top seven colleges for sustainability initiatives in the U.S. based on science-based studies. Read on to see if yours made the list.

How Colleges Are Ranked

Each of the universities that made the list has been working diligently toward a more sustainable future, but you dont have to take our word for it. Each ranking is based on reporting and ratings from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or STARS, using scientific, data-driven evidence of on-campus initiatives.

STARS ranks over 700 universities based on academics, community engagement, operations, administration and leadership in sustainability. These standards are all-encompassing, measuring efforts from transportation and energy use to accessibility and curriculum.

The organization assigns scores and recognition levels to universities based on their self-reported data and sustainability initiatives. All of the universities on our list were assigned the platinum rating, the highest distinction STARS offers.

Which College Campuses are the Greenest?

Each of the top seven colleges is taking unique, innovative approaches to sustainability. Although we cannot list all of the green initiatives from each school, were highlighting the most interesting and exceptional ones here.

1. University of California, Merced

Courtesy: University of California, Merced

STARS ranking: 1st

1st STARS score: 85.50 / 100

85.50 / 100 STARS rating level: Platinum

Platinum Top initiatives: Biodiversity, air and climate, campus engagement

The University of California, Merced, manages over 7,000 acres of vulnerable vernal pool and annual grassland adjacent to the university. The school uses this land for research, education and conservation purposes, and it also works to protect rare and endangered species.

On campus, UC Merced has excellent scores for minimizing waste and slashing energy use. Thanks to strict energy conservation measures, the university buildings surpass the California minimum efficiency standards by 35% to 50%.

The university also includes students in the sustainability conversation from the start of their college careers. Every incoming student has the opportunity to participate in sustainability-related orientation activities, and over 8,500 students are enrolled in the student educators program that offers peer-to-peer sustainability outreach, education and internship opportunities.

2. Cornell University

STARS ranking: 2nd

2nd STARS score: 86.35 / 100

86.35 / 100 STARS rating level: Platinum

Platinum Top initiatives: Sustainability planning, research, waste reduction

Cornell earns a perfect score in the Planning & Administration category, and Cornells provost has communicated that sustainability is one of the schools top priorities.

The university has detailed plans to create a Sustainability Studies graduate program and support large, long-term research in partnership with sustainable organizations. It is also working on opportunities to encourage a culture of sustainability, promising that all students will graduate with an understanding of climate literacy.

Cornells research is another impressive accomplishment, with 619 employees currently engaged in sustainability research  36.52% of total researchers employed by Cornell. Other programs, like Recyclemania and the schools annual Dump & Run event aimed at reducing waste during move-out, have helped the school achieve a 47.3% reduction in total waste generated since 2013.

3. Stanford University

Ranking: 3rd

3rd STARS score: 85.88 / 100

85.88 / 100 STARS rating level: Platinum

Platinum Top initiatives: Clean and renewable energy, water use, sustainability-centered curriculum

Stanford University reports that 67.44% of the campuss total energy consumption is from clean and renewable sources, with the majority of the schools renewable energy coming from on-campus and off-campus solar installations. Stanfords dedication to using solar energy has helped the institution earn a top rank for sustainability.

Another impressive initiative from Stanford University is its reduction in potable water use by 67.73% since 2011. My Cardinal Green is one program Stanford has implemented to reduce water consumption. Through this program, students take a survey and receive personalized recommendations for how they can reduce their environmental impacts. Students receive points and can earn monetary rewards when they complete the suggestions.

4. Arizona State University

Ranking: 4th

4th STARS score: 87.10 / 100

87.10 / 100 STARS rating level: Platinum

Platinum Top initiatives: Research and scholarship, sustainable purchasing

Arizona State University scored highly in part because of its sustainable purchasing practices. These practices include buying biodegradable and phosphate-free cleaners, choosing cleaning products labeled as an EPA Safer Choice or Green Seal certified, buying products with low or no reactive organic compounds and completing all new campus construction by the U.S. Green Building Councils LEED Silver standard or higher.

Arizona State University has multiple student sustainability research programs and even has its own School of Sustainability. One notable program at ASU is the Global Development Research Program. This program encourages international student research and partners with the U.S. Agency for International Development so that graduate students can help design sustainable solutions to development challenges.

5. University of New Hampshire

Courtesy: University of New Hampshire

Ranking: 5th

5th STARS score: 86.09 / 100

86.09 / 100 STARS rating level: Platinum

Platinum Top initiatives: Sustainable investment, emissions disclosure, research and scholarship

The University of New Hampshire foundation endowment has over $295 million in its investment pool, of which 46.77% is positive sustainability investments. The foundation hires fund managers who have a history of sustainable investment and encourages them to vote on company matters with sustainable principles in mind. The University of New Hampshires investing efforts will help the school support companies that align with its sustainable priorities.

The University of New Hampshire is also impressively transparent about its emissions. The school hires student interns who collect data from campus departments, including Energy & Utilities, Facilities, Farm Services, Dining, and Campus Planning. Greenhouse gas emissions are also verified by a third party and are reviewed carefully each year.

6. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Credit: DASonnenfeld / Wikipedia

Ranking: 6th

6th STARS score: 85.66 / 100

85.66 / 100 STARS rating level: Platinum

Platinum Top initiatives: Curriculum, water use, greenhouse gas emissions

State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry has a perfect STARS score for curriculum, offering 165 courses that are sustainability-focused and 217 courses that are sustainability-inclusive. These offerings extend to every academic department, and an impressive 47% of total classes are sustainability courses.

Other sustainability initiatives from SUNY-ESF include water use and greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2007, the school reduced potable water use by nearly 57% and greenhouse gas emissions by 100%.

7. University of California, Berkeley

Ranking: 7th

7th STARS score: 85.39 / 100

85.39 / 100 STARS rating level: Platinum

Platinum Top initiatives: Student involvement

The University of California, Berkeley, boasts over 55 sustainability-related student groups and clubs. One of these programs is the ASUC Helios Solar Program, which helps facilitate solar panel installations off-campus and encourages the school to increase its investment in renewable energy.

The university is also committed to banning all non-essential single-use plastic by 2030, not just including plastic bags and food containers, but also packaging used in academics, research and administration.

How Can Colleges Implement Green Initiatives?

Colleges and universities make a huge impact on their communities. Because sustainability and climate change are such important topics, it is crucial that educational institutions engage in the conversation and take action to create a better future. So, how can colleges start implementing green initiatives?

Fund sustainability-focused research: Universities are at the core of developing new technologies and innovations aimed at solving relevant problems.

Universities are at the core of developing new technologies and innovations aimed at solving relevant problems. Created sustainability-centered courses. Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight climate change.

Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight climate change. Support underrepresented communities. The EPA has shown that climate change disproportionately impacts socially vulnerable populations in the U.S. 1 Supporting these communities gives them a voice and creates a space to make positive change.

The EPA has shown that climate change disproportionately impacts socially vulnerable populations in the U.S. Supporting these communities gives them a voice and creates a space to make positive change. Participate in STARS. STARS is a self-reporting framework for colleges and universities that tracks advancements in sustainability, builds incentives for improvement and contributes to national data.

What Can Students Do to Be More Sustainable?

If youre a college student, you dont have to wait for university-wide sustainability initiatives to make an impact. Your individual choices make a difference, too!

If youre not sure where to start, our green guide to college living explains some simple ways that students can minimize their environmental impacts. Reducing your consumption and changing your habits can even help your budget  thrifting instead of buying first-hand, walking or biking to class, and opting for reusable products instead of single-use plastics are all eco-friendly options that are also cost-effective.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Just because its July, doesnt mean we stop celebrating diversity, learning from each other and amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices in the field. Rather, we at EcoWatch, believe in taking what we learn every June during Pride Month and applying it to create a more vibrant world view year-round. Therefore, were proud to highlight some important lessons on environmentalism and diversity from our favorite queer environmentalists and allies that we strive towards no matter the month.

1. Diversity Matters. Different Viewpoints Result in New Ways of Thinking.

The stronger genetic diversity within a species, the healthier the population, and the more biodiversity within a forest, the healthier the ecosystem, explained queer scientist and National Geographic explorer Callie Veelenturf (she/her). There is a role, a place, for everyone. The more unique individuals that comprise our whole, the more we can grow and develop, expanding our knowledge along the way. Lets celebrate our human diversity, the same way we celebrate biodiversity.

Callie Veelenturf measures a Hawksbill sea turtle that was caught as fishing bycatch in the Pearl Islands, Panama. Tiffany Duong / Ocean Rebels

The reason that diversity in people and experiences allows for diverse thinking is because of lived experience. Leslie Nguyen (she/her), a biracial marine scientist and the mastermind behind a recent panel on diversity within marine science, explained: With people coming from all walks of life, everyone offers their own individual set of experiences that they carry with them. These experiences shape who we are and how we see/understand the world, meaning that everyone has something different to offer in a field of science where our understandings are constantly changing.

For some LGBTQ+ scientists, their experiences may have taught them to think outside of a binary, added Annabel Gong (they/them), a queer, non-binary, Asian-American scientist and Research & Community Coordinator at the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative. A binary doesnt really exist, and we bring that type of thinking into science. That can mean looking at animal behavior in a different way that may be overlooked by a straight scientist. For a gay scientist, it may look very natural. So inclusion brings different perspectives to science, they said.

Because of this, We must work towards maintaining a diverse pool of people in STEM, especially those from BIPOC communities, Nguyen emphasized.

2. Collaborations Lead to New Solutions.

J.D. Reinbott (he/him), a cis-gender, openly gay marine biologist and environmental event planner agrees. Encouraging more collaboration, he said, As environmentalists, we face dynamic challenges that need dynamic responses. Diverse voices and viewpoints bring about new ideas that can help shift our thought processes and in the end, come up with unique solutions.

JD Reinbott is an ocean and LGBTQIA+ rights activist. JD Reinbott

Veelenturf feels much of the same, saying, The more diverse voices, perspectives, identifies, experiences and backgrounds, the more creative solutions we can create to combat the many societal problems we face today.

The inclusion of diversity of all types allows for more nuanced, multi-faceted discussions and science to take place. This is the idea behind cross-pollination, which allow for new hybrids, ideas and solutions to emerge.

But we wont have the opportunity to hear these ideas if we dont push for further diversity within our field, Reinbott warned.

3. These Issues Are Complex and Intersectional.

Our human identities dont exist in a vacuum.

I just want to emphasize how important intersectional advocacy is, Gong told EcoWatch. My identity as an Asian American is not isolated from my queer, non-binary identity. They all work together to shape how society perceives me, and it is important to look internally at the privilege and oppression you hold in different spaces. They appreciate organizations and spaces where they and other minorities feel uplifted to advocate for their entire holistic sel[ves].

As co-host of LGBTQ+ STEM Cast, Annabel Gong strives to create a safe space for queer sharing and stories. Annabel Gong

In the same way, we must respect the deep interconnectedness and intersectionality that exists in environmental work. Fighting climate change isnt just an environmental justice issue, its a social justice one, too. The World Economic Forum has stated that women have the most to lose from the climate crisis, and an EPA report found that environmental racism is real, the Atlantic reported. Indigenous stewardship of our lands and waters, long excluded from decision-making, must also factor into future plans for how we interact with our planet.

We cannot meaningfully address the climate, extinction, biodiversity, and any other environmental crisis without acknowledging that women and people of color will be the first and worst hit, and without pushing for more equitable policies.

4. Imperfect Action Beats Perfect Inaction.

When asked how we can continue to support LGBTQIA+ individuals beyond pride month, Reinbott said, I think a lot of people get caught up in this question and allies feel like they need to be perfect in order to support this community. But, honestly, this is the furthest thing from the truth. Start small and work your way up.

Mckensea Margarethe founded LGBTQ in Stem in response to harassment that queer folks faced in the field. Mckensea Margarethe

This could look like a variety of actions, including:

Being open to uncomfortable conversations and listening to queer friends/coworkers when they speak.

Ensuring your organization is being effectively progressive.

Establishing and supporting workplace protocols/procedures that protect LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Putting your pronouns in your email signature.

Removing anyone causing harm.

Speaking out against homophobic viewpoints, comments, and rhetoric.

Remaining mindful of social issues happening outside that company can weigh heavily on marginalized individuals.

Providing resources and mental, emotional, therapeutic, financial and physical support for team members year-round.

Providing gender-affirming gear, uniforms, facilities, etc. and/or separate facilities for privacy.

Spotlighting queer team members outside of the month of June and giving them the microphone even when it doesnt position your company as inclusive.

Mckensea Margarethe, marine science communicator and founder of the LGBTQ in Stem Instagram community, concluded, I honestly love it when companies/organizations celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during pride. I think the rainbow logos are actually kind of sweet. But are those places upholding what that stands for all throughout the year? Because thats whats important.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Transmission towers are seen near the CenterPoint Energy power plant on July 11, 2022 in Houston, Texas. Brandon Bell / Getty Images

Its a common joke that the weather report is always wrong, but a Texas meteorologist had the opposite experience last Wednesday when reporting on an ongoing heat wave.

During a 3 p.m. broadcast, KTRK in Houston meteorologist Travis Herzog warned about how the high temperatures could impact the power grid.

When you get this kind of heat over major populations, you get a big draw on that electric demand, he said in a video clip posted on Twitter.

At that moment, the station lights went out.

That moment you're on live TV talking about the hot weather in Texas that could lead to rolling blackoutsand then the power goes out.  pic.twitter.com/R2lkgxyKHi  Travis Herzog (@TravisABC13) July 13, 2022

Herzog continued to report on excessive heat, with a temperature reading of 105 degrees Fahrenheit in College Station, Texas, when the lights went on again.

The same thing happened during Herzogs 5 p.m. broadcast as he was forecasting highs above 100 degrees Fahrenheit west of Houston for last Thursday.

Maybe its just my electrifying personality, maybe not. But this time I was fully expecting Ashton Kutcher to come around the corner and say, Youve been PUNKED! Herzog wrote on Twitter when he shared the second video.

I kid you notit just happened AGAIN during my 5PM broadcast.



Maybe it's just my electrifying personality, maybe not. But this time I was fully expecting Ashton Kutcher to come around the corner and say, Youve been PUNKED!



A quick explanation (1/3) pic.twitter.com/GC0GzAqK0B  Travis Herzog (@TravisABC13) July 13, 2022

Later, Herzog explained exactly what had happened.

Mystery solved, he tweeted. One of our engineers informed me we went off the grid a little after 3PM. The studio lights arent on a dedicated backup power source, so they went off as we switched generator power. Two hours later we went off generator and on the grid and the process repeated.

The incident brought a moment or two of levity to what is in fact a very serious example of the climate crisis in action. Texas is in the midst of a record-breaking heat wave, The Washington Post reported. Temperatures in Houston hit 105 degrees last Sunday, a record for July. On the same day, College Station experienced its second-hottest day ever with a high of 111 degrees Fahrenheit. The city of San Antonio has seen temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for a record 35 days this year.

Heat Advisory in effect today for our northwest counties where very warm daytime temps and elevated heat indices are expected. Outside the Advisory area, it will still be very warm so continue to practice heat safety. Some spots will get rain today! #txwx #houwx #glswx #bcswx pic.twitter.com/zd77OQn9up  NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) July 14, 2022

All of this high heat is putting pressure on the Texas power grid and bringing back memories of a blackout during extreme cold weather in 2021 that led to more than 200 deaths.

Before noon last Wednesday, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCT) sent out a message asking people to conserve energy by increasing thermostats and refraining from using large appliances between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. that day, as ABC 13 reported. It was the second such appeal in three days.

We can all help protect our critical infrastructure by doing our part, ERCOT tweeted.

.@ERCOT_ISO has asked all Texans to save energy from 2-9 p.m. today amid high demand for power and decreased generation availability. Raise your thermostat and avoid running major appliances. We can all help protect our critical infrastructure by doing our part. #txwx #houwx https://t.co/UfrW3UTrob  CenterPoint Energy (@CenterPoint) July 13, 2022

ERCOTwhich provides power for more than 26 million peopletook emergency steps later the same day to avoid rolling blackouts, Reuters reported.

They were pulling a lot of levers to avoid going into emergency operations and rolling blackouts, Stoic Energy LLC president of consultants Doug Lewin said, as Reuters reported.

No relief is in sight for Texas and other central states like Oklahoma and Kansas, which are predicted to see temperatures between 102 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit this week, The Washington Post reported.

While mid to late July is the warmest time of year for the central U.S, many will likely see well above-normal temperatures for a long stretch, The Midwestern Regional Climate Center tweeted.

 Important info from @NOAA @NWS re/ upcoming excessive heat 

While mid to late July is the warmest time of year for the central U.S, many will likely see well above-normal temperatures for a long stretch. Stay safe and keep informed. #WeatherReady pic.twitter.com/1bHwpSFf0r  MRCC (@MidwestClimate) July 14, 2022

The climate crisis is making heat waves more frequent and extreme. In the last 10 years, the continental U.S. has seen daily record highs twice as often as record lows. Summers are also growing both hotter and longer, according to The Washington Post.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

As a heat wave continues to bake the European continent, the UK issued its first ever Red warning for exceptional heat.

Britains Met Office said this past Friday that it was issuing the alert because temperatures were forecast to hit and perhaps overtake 40 degrees Celsius Monday and Tuesday.

We hoped we wouldnt get to this situation but for the first time ever we are forecasting greater than 40C in the UK, Climate attribution scientist at the Met Office Dr. Nikos Christidis said in Fridays Met Office announcement. In a recent study we found that the likelihood of extremely hot days in the UK has been increasing and will continue to do so during the course of the century, with the most extreme temperatures expected to be observed in the southeast of England.

 Red Extreme heat warning issued 



Parts of England on Monday and Tuesday



Latest info  https://t.co/QwDLMg9c70



Stay #WeatherAware  pic.twitter.com/YHaYvaGh95  Met Office (@metoffice) July 15, 2022

Temperatures did not breach 40 degrees Celsius on Monday, according to BBC News. However, forecasters have warned that parts of the country could reach 41 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, The Washington Post reported, while regional records broke on Monday. Wales, for example, recorded its hottest temperature on record when Hawarden in Flintshire reached 37.1 degrees Celsius at 4 p.m., the Met Office tweeted.

1600 UPDATE: Hawarden in Flintshire has now provisionally reached 37.1C



 This is the highest air temperature ever recorded in #Wales #Heatwave2022 #heatwave #hottestdayoftheyear pic.twitter.com/QjkVL9YYrV  Met Office (@metoffice) July 18, 2022

The high temperatures have disrupted travel, with Network Rail closing stations on its East Coast Main Line between London Kings Cross and York and Leeds during afternoon rush hour through Tuesday, as Axios reported. This is because rail lines can expand and then warp in high heat. Luton Airport, meanwhile, had to pause flights Monday when the heat caused a runway problem.

As the UK is unaccustomed to extremely high temperatures, officials urged the population to take the situation seriously by drinking water, closing curtains and keeping tabs on friends and relatives, as BBC News reported.

In this country were used to treating a hot spell as a chance to go and play in in the sun, Met Office chief executive Professor Penny Endersby said, as BBC News reported. This is not that sort of weather.

While heat waves like this are a break with the past, they may also be a sign of what is to come in the future. Atmospheric scientist Dr. Simon Lee noted on Twitter that Tuesdays forecast was remarkably similar to one projected for the UK by 2050 if the climate crisis persists.

In 2020, the @metoffice produced a hypothetical weather forecast for 23 July 2050 based on UK climate projections.



Today, the forecast for Tuesday is shockingly almost identical for large parts of the country. pic.twitter.com/U5hQhZwoTi  Dr Simon Lee (@SimonLeeWx) July 15, 2022

Climate change has already influenced the likelihood of temperature extremes in the UK, Christidis said in the Met Office announcement. The chances of seeing 40C days in the UK could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence. The likelihood of exceeding 40C anywhere in the UK in a given year has also been rapidly increasing, and, even with current pledges on emissions reductions, such extremes could be taking place every 15 years in the climate of 2100.

This means the country  famous for its cold, wet weather  will need to learn to adapt to warmer temperatures.

It is time for the UK to stop thinking of itself only as a cold country, where any bout of summer sunshine is celebrated as an opportunity for beach visits and ice-creams, Bob Ward, the policy and communications director at the London School of Economics Grantham Institute, told The Guardian. Heatwaves are deadly extreme weather events that will grow worse for at least the next 30 years. We must adapt and do a better job of protecting ourselves, particularly those who are most vulnerable to hot weather.

At the same time, its not too late to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent future temperature extremes.

Heatwaves will keep getting worse until greenhouse gas emissions are halted, Grantham Institute senior lecturer in climate science Dr Friederike Otto told The Guardian. The longer it takes the world to reach net zero emissions, the hotter and more dangerous heatwaves will get, and the more common and longer lasting they will be. The only way to stop heat records being broken time and again is to stop burning fossil fuels as quickly as possible.




Ireland's aquaculture sector to get support from US$20.2 million scheme



A 20 million (US$20.2 million) scheme to support Ireland's aquaculture sector, which is affected by Brexit, has been approved by the European Commission under EU State aid rules.

The scheme is aimed at "mitigating the adverse impact on employment in the coastal communities, by supporting the development of an alternative source of raw material supply for seafood processors and by enhancing the viability of aquaculture companies", the European Commission has said in a statement.

It will be open to aquaculture producers who will "purchase and install new machinery and equipment, as well as construct new premises, with the aim of increasing the production, enhancing the quality of the aquaculture products or substantially increasing energy efficiency," the commission said.

It explained that the aid will take the form of direct grants, covering up to 50% of the actual investment costs. The scheme will run until December 31, 2023.

The plan is to finance it under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), which was set up to mitigate the economic and social impact of Brexit, subject to approval under the specific provisions governing funding from that instrument.

The Irish government has already said that the Seafood Task Force recommendations relating to dealing with the negative impacts of Brexit in relation to substantial loss of fish quotas and market disruption after the United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union are due to be funded through the BAR.

The commission assessed the measures under relevant legislation and guidelines, and found that the scheme facilitates the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest.

On this basis, the commission said, it approved the Irish measure under EU State aid rules.

It said the non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.102229 in the state aid register on the commission's competition website, once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

- Afloat Magazine
gettyimagesbank



By Park Jae-hyuk



Two Chinese workers and one Vietnamese laborer lost their lives last week in accidents at construction sites managed by Daewoo E&C, Hyundai Engineering and SM Samwhan, prompting the Ministry of Employment and Labor to start investigating the builders and their top executives for alleged violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, according to industry officials, Monday.



Executives at Doosan E&C were already being investigated since May for the death of a Chinese worker at the company's construction site in Gwangju.



The builders are cautious about commenting on the matter, given that investigations are under way to clarify the causes of the accidents.



Construction industry insiders, however, have continuously expressed concerns about difficulties in managing the safety of foreign workers since the Serious Accidents Punishment Act went into effect in January, entailing potential prison terms for company CEOs if a fatal industrial accident occurs at a worksite found to have failed to enforce sufficient safety measures.



The law also applies to industrial accidents involving undocumented foreigners, because a Supreme Court ruling in 2008 said even undocumented immigrant workers are protected by Korea's Labor Standards Act.



Some builders took preemptive measures even before the new law took effect. Hyundai E&C has hired foreigners to train immigrant workers, while Lotte E&C has distributed safety rules translated into English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Bahasa Indonesian to its construction sites nationwide.



POSCO E&C offered free medical services last Saturday to foreign workers at its construction site in Busan, saying that the company expects their wellbeing to enable better safety management and improve productivity.



However, questions remain over the effectiveness of such measures in preventing foreign workers from industrial accidents.



"It is difficult to warn foreign workers of the dangers of possible accidents," a construction industry official said on condition of anonymity. "It is also difficult to teach them safety rules at construction sites in different languages."



Another problem is that it could be illegal for large builders to train foreign workers belonging to their subcontractors, according to the Act on the Protection of Temporary Agency Workers. Some managers even complained about foreign workers refusing to wear proper safety gear.



Despite such difficulties, the government has maintained a strict stance.



"I want the labor ministry to be extra careful about the safety of foreign workers facing difficulties in communication," President Yoon Suk-yeol told Labor Minister Lee Jung-sik last Friday following a briefing.



Industry officials fear that the risk of fatal industrial accidents involving foreign workers could continue to increase at construction sites nationwide, due to a shortage of Korean workers.



A survey by the Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association showed that foreign laborers accounted for 16.7 percent of the workforce at all construction sites in Korea last year. That proportion is expected to rise this year, as the supply of Korean workers seems to remain at 1.5 million, despite the need for 1.7 million workers.



Experts said the government should also fulfill its responsibility to create safer workplace environments, instead of just blaming companies for industrial accidents.



"For migrant workers to trust in the government and work safely, it is important to enhance preliminary inspections of workplaces in terms of their labor conditions and safety," Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs researcher Jung Youn said in a recent report.






Taiwan to stop vaccination of classical swine fever in January 2023

Taiwan's Council of Agriculture (COA) said it will stop classical swine fever (CSF) vaccination in swine from January 2023 to help Taiwan boost exports of fresh pork, Focus Taiwan reported.

Taiwan has been unable to export its fresh pork products to markets like Japan, which only imports from nations officially recognised as CSF-free, despite being declared free of foot and mouth disease in 2020.

Huang Chin-cheng, the COA Deputy Minister, said the COA is conducting a test project on 450 farms where newborn swine are not given the CSF vaccine as a step toward achieving this status.

If the plan is successful, farms all over the country will stop immunising all newborn swine in January of next year, which, given that the swine are six months old when they are slaughtered, means that by July of that year, no market swine in Taiwan will have received a CSF vaccination, according to Huang.

Huang did not, however, provide a timeframe for when Taiwan might be granted the status of being CSF-free by the World Organization for Animal Health, which no other Asian nation currently possesses.

Chiang Wen-chuan, an official from the COA, said even without official recognition, stopping CSF vaccination will highlight the excellent conditions on Taiwanese swine farms and aid the return of local pork products to the global market.

According to Chiang, the COA wants to increase exports of particular pork parts to markets where they are consumed as well as increase sales of pork to wealthier nations.

The move will also help Taiwan's pig farming become more affordable, as the CSF vaccine, which must be given twice a year to sows used for breeding and once every six months to market pigs, currently costs over NTD 10 (~US$0.34; NTD 1 = US$0.033) per dose.




US pork exports in May reached highest monthly volume since November



The United States' pork exports in May were 224,677 tonnes, down 21% from a year ago but the highest monthly volume since November, according to the US Meat Export Federation.

Export value was US$655.1 million, down 24% but also the highest since November. Through May, pork exports were down 20% from a year ago to 1.07 million tonnes, valued at just under US$3 billion (down 18%).

Pork exports to Mexico totaled 79,849 tonnes, up 12% from a year ago, while value climbed 13% to US$171.2 million.

Pork exports to the Dominican Republic set a new record in April (8,966 tonnes) and nearly matched that total in May, increasing 126% from a year ago to 8,518 tonnes. Export value was also just short of the April record, increasing 110% to US$21.2 million.

Following a record year in 2021, pork exports to Colombia started this year slowly but increased sharply in the second quarter. After a strong April, exports reached 9,710 tonnes in May (up 17% from a year ago), valued at US$21.9 million (up 10%).

China is the dominant destination for US pork variety meat, and exports showed an encouraging uptick in May. While still below last year, pork variety meat exports to China reached 24,159 tonnes in May, the largest since October and valued at US$67.3 million (the highest since July).

Through May, pork variety meat exports to China were down 21% from a year ago to 107,427 tonnes, with value falling 8% to US$304.1 million. This is due in part to China's COVID-19 testing and tracing restrictions, which have hurt importers' ability to profitably utilise imported pork variety meat.

Through May, total pork and pork variety meat exports to the China/Hong Kong region were down significantly from a year ago in both volume (396,934 tonnes, down 56%) and value (US$480.2 million, down 50%), as China's overall imports trended toward 2019 levels.



- USMEF




Spain brings in more pigs from Netherlands

Spain's import of pigs from the Netherlands has skyrocketed during the last few months.

More finishing pigs from the Netherlands have been imported between January and June of this year than were imported in the entire previous year (50,205 head in the first 25 weeks of this year compared to 48,238 in all of 2021).

Imports of piglets have increased again compared to the same period of the previous year. In the first six months of the year, Spain imported 858,966 piglets compared to 795,000 piglets imported between January and June 2021.



- Pig333




Malaysia poultry imports get green light to boost chicken supply



The Malaysian government has approved and provided incentives to the country's National Farmers Organisation to import chickens and build a stockpile to ensure the needs of Malaysian consumers, Bernama reported.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI), said several cooperatives under the Farmers' Organizations Authority (LPP) have been given permission to import chicken from facilities in nations that have received Malaysian government licences and certifications.

He said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), the Malaysian Food and Industry Ministry, and the Ministry of Health must certify and recognise all chicken processing plants for export to Malaysia (MOH).

He also said there is no approved permit (AP) so anyone can import chicken, but they need to have an Import Permit (IP) issued by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis).

Ahmad said Malaysia has approved chicken plants from Thailand, China, Brazil, and the Netherlands to export chicken meat and chicken cuts.

He said by approving the move, the government is confident that it can create a mechanism that can meet the needs of consumers and the country will not face chicken shortage.

Earlier, the government was said to have authorised several firms chosen by MAFI to import frozen round chicken up to 10,000 metric tonnes per month, or 5.5 million birds.

- Bernama




Philippines' meat imports in first half of 2022 increased 4.3%





The Philippines' first semester meat imports rose by 4.3%, with pork comprising more than half of the volume, latest figures from the government showed.

About 600.1 million kilogrammes of meat entered the country from January to June, higher than the 575.1 million kilogrammes imported in the same period a year ago, based on data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Pork remained the main driver of meat imports as its volume climbed by 15.7% to 321.5 million kilogrammes, mostly pork cuts and offals.

The United States Department of Agriculture last month raised its pork import forecast for the Philippines to 400,000 tonnes from 375,000 tonnes previously, as the government decided to retain the lower tariffs on certain imported goods until the end of the year.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had signed Executive Order No. 171, which extended the most favored nation (MFN) tariff rates for pork imports at a 15% for in-quota volume and 25% for out-quota volume until end-December. The annual quota stands at 254,210 tonnes.

Extending the imposition of lower tariff rates is meant to ensure enough supply and to keep prices in check amid supply constraints arising from the prolonged Ukraine-Russia war.

Chicken comprised the Philippines' next biggest meat imports at 176.2 million kilogrammes, down by 5.04% in the first six months. Deboned chicken was the main contributor among chicken items.

The government had laid out measures to stabilise prices of poultry products in the markets amid higher demand for chicken and seemingly low poultry production. These include allowing inter-island movement from mainland Luzon of day-old chicks, hatching eggs and ready-to-lay pullets. Shipment of day-old chicks and hatching eggs is allowed provided they tested negative for avian influenza 28 days from the date of sample collection.

In the case of ready-to-lay pullets, delivery is permitted as long as they tested bird-flu negative 14 days from the date of sample collection.

The BAI is working closely with partners from the private sector to regularly validate the broiler life cycle model.

To address high input costs, BAI director Reildrin Morales said agriculture officials would seek alternative sources of cheaper feed ingredients.



Beef imports also dropped by 5.4% to 78.8 million kilogrammes. Over half of the total comprised beef cuts.

Brazil was still the country's leading source of meat imports, followed by Spain and the United States.



- Inquirer
From left are Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo. Korea Times files



Heads of top 4 groups overwhelmed by multitude of tasks



By Park Jae-hyuk



Leaders of Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor and LG appear to be too busy to take summer vacations again this year, due to the need for contingency plans to overcome difficulties stemming from the global economic uncertainties, according to industry officials, Monday.



Although the four chaebol groups have remained cautious about disclosing the summer plans of their chiefs, the conglomerate heads are said to be focusing on establishing business strategies for the future.



Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is expected to go to Japan or Taylor, Texas, for purposes related to the company's semiconductor business, as the court conducting the trial over his case of alleged accounting fraud at Samsung Biologics is adjourned until mid-August.



When the court was adjourned temporarily last year, Lee visited the United Arab Emirates. He also travelled to Europe last month to meet business partners there, after being granted approval from the court.



SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won will leave for Washington, D.C. on July 27 to attend a ceremony to celebrate the completed construction of the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.



Given that Chey was also appointed to lead the civilian committee to support Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030, he is expected to convince the U.S. to vote for the Korean port city. In late August, he will likely introduce the group's business strategies to employees at the annual forum in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.



Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun plans to preside over a meeting of heads of the group's regional headquarters worldwide later this month to discuss business strategies for the second half of this year.



Chung has tended to devise business strategies for the second half of the year at home, when the carmaker's workers take their summer vacations in August. However, there is speculation that he may visit the U.S. or Europe this summer, considering the company's plans to start production of the electrified Genesis GV70 at its Alabama factory later this year and sell IONIQ 6 electric vehicles in the European market.



LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo reportedly plans to spend his summer vacation coming up with future business strategies.



Throughout last month, Koo held meetings with executives of the group's subsidiaries to overhaul their long-term business strategies. On June 29, he also unveiled the group's plan to invest over 2 trillion won ($1.5 billion) over the next five years in eco-friendly technologies.


Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani holds a press conference in Tehran on July 13, 2022. AFP-Yonhap



Tehran on Sunday accused Washington of provoking tensions in the Middle East, a day after US President Joe Biden ended a tour to Iran's rival Saudi Arabia and arch-foe Israel.



Washington "has once again resorted to the failed policy of Iran-phobia, trying to create tensions and crises in the region," Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said in a statement.



The comments come after Biden on Saturday vowed that the United States would not "tolerate efforts by any country to dominate another in the region through military buildups, incursions, and/or threats", in a transparent reference to Iran.



Biden's first Middle East visit came just a few days before Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to visit Tehran on July 19.



Biden, in a speech in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah at a summit that brought together the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, assured Arab leaders that Washington would remain fully engaged in the Middle East.



"We will not walk away and leave a vacuum to be filled by China, Russia or Iran," Biden said.






Lawless wins Gran Fondo

Chris Lawless took first place at this year's Gran Fondo Isle of Man.

The 26-year-old British cyclist finished in 3 hours, 41 minutes and 28 seconds.

Tyler Hannay came send followed by Thomas Dhooge.

Manx cyclist Mark Cavendish finished in eight position.

Cavendish is due to compete for Team IOM at this year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Uber is settling a Justice Department lawsuit accusing the company of overcharging riders with disabilities. The ridesharing company has agreed to pay at least $2.2 million to passengers who were charged wait time fees despite disabilities that required more time to enter a vehicle. The payout includes nearly $1.74 million for over 1,000 riders who complained about the fees and $500,000 for other harmed individuals. Uber will also offer credits to more than 65,000 people who've obtained waivers for wait time fees, all of whom will receive double the wait time fees they were charged.

Uber implemented wait time fees in 2016, when it began charging customers extra if a driver waited more than two minutes after arriving at a pickup location. This left people with disabilities paying more than other passengers. The Justice Department alleged that this violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which bars discrimination by transportation companies.

In a statement to Engadget, Uber said it was "pleased" by the agreement and maintained that it was "always working" to bolster accessibility for users. It encouraged customers to sign up for the waivers.

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The agreement requires that Uber continue offering the waiver to all eligible riders for two years. Refunds will also be "easily available" to riders who don't have waivers, the Justice Department added. Uber has promised to advertise the waiver system, which launched in 2021.

This settlement might not satisfy some critics. It indemnifies Uber against future claims linked to wait fees. The company has also faced multiple lawsuits over a lack of ADA-mandated wheelchair-accessible vehicles  the agreement doesn't address those concerns. Even so, this may be a win for riders who've had no choice but to pay a premium due to their disabilities.
US Democrats have urged the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) to crack down on deceptive practices in the Virtual Private Network (VPN) industry, The Verge has reported. In an open letter, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) cited research indicating that three-quarters of the most popular VPNs "misrepresented their products," leading consumers to a false sense of security.

The news comes in the wake of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade that allows states to ban abortions. That may lead people to sign up for VPN services, but Wyden and Eshoo expressed concerns about the level of privacy they can actually expect.

"Advocacy groups have... found that leading VPN services intentionally misrepresent the functionality of their product and fail to provide adequate security to their users," they said, citing research from Consumer Reports. "Were highly concerned that this deceptive advertising is giving abortion-seekers a false sense of security when searching for abortion-related care or information, putting them at a higher risk of prosecution."

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The letter notes that "there are a lack of practical tools" to audit security claims made by VPN providers, allowing them to advertise data that may be incorrect. They also asked the FTC to develop a brochure informing anyone seeking an abortion about online privacy and the risks and benefits of using a VPN service.

"With abortion illegal or soon to be illegal in 13 states and severely restricted in many more, these abusive and exploitative data practices are simply unacceptable," according to the letter. "We urge the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take immediate action... to curtail abusive and deceptive data practices in companies providing VPN services to protect internet users seeking abortions."
Peter Dinklage is set to co-star in the new Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

The Hunger Games series was a phenomenon. Both the books and the movies garnered an obsessive following with fans around the world; the captivating story of Katniss Everdeen gripped everyone's attention for years.

Now, the story is set to continue - or, rather, continue to dig deeper - with the upcoming prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

PeEks of this film's cast have been released, including the incredible Rachel Zegler who recently starred in the Steven Spielberg adaptation of West Side Story. Now, according to an exclusive announcement from Deadline, Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage will be joining the cast. The iconic actor will be taking on the role of Casca Highbottom.

Director Francis Lawrence, who directed several of the original Hunger Games films will be taking on this newest challenge, directing yet another Suzanne Collins adaptation for the screen. When it comes to the character of Highbottom, Lawrence reflected:

"Dean Highbottom is one of the most powerful people in Snow's life. As the austere and vindictive face of the games, he sets the rules that will determine every aspect of Coriolanus's fate. I'm thrilled that Peter will be bringing him to life."

The seasoned actor is sure to bring thrilling nuance to the role. We will keep you up to date with all details about The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes when they come to light.

For more on all things entertainment news, check out Enstarz.
Chinese entrepreneur using novel water purification solution to help Kenyans get access to safe drinking water

Xinhua) 08:48, July 18, 2022

NAIROBI, July 17 (Xinhua) -- As he crisscrossed African cities and villages to market the Tecno smartphone, Zhong Yanxiong, 34, came face-to-face with clean drinking water challenges rampant in the continent.

Zhong has lived in Africa for six years and it was during his interaction with both rural and urban families that he realized that access to safe drinking water remained a mirage, and only novel innovations could offer a respite. The co-founder and chief executive officer of iClear Wellife Service Limited, a start-up company based in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, is on a mission to revolutionize water treatment by leveraging Reverse Osmosis (RO) for households and offices.

In many areas in Kenya, a high density of minerals in water leads it salty and hard to taste. RO can remove 90 percent of the minerals and 99.99 percent of bacteria, purifying the salty and hard water into refreshingly pure drinking water.

During a recent interview with Xinhua at his company office in downtown Nairobi, Zhong said that his six years sojourn in Africa as an employee of Transsion, the parent company of the Tecno smartphone, opened his eyes to the clean drinking water crisis in the continent, thereby motivating him to be part of the solution.

"I have been to a lot of countries and cities in Africa to push the name of my phone and I found the water crisis, especially for clean drinking water which is a common problem for most families in Africa," said Zhong. "So, I thought of what I can do to help customers solve the problem and ensure each and everybody had access to clean drinking water."

Zhong has already adopted a local name,"Otieno," which is a common family name in western Kenya, that has made him jell easily with colleagues and potential clients of the water treatment innovation he is promoting.

It was during his numerous visits to African households that Zhong learned that water sourced from boreholes was laden with minerals like fluoride hence the need to explore cost-effective and locally appropriate technology for treating the commodity and minimizing incidents of fluorosis and water-borne ailments.

He said iClear's business model is unique since it is anchored on leasing out water purifiers equipped with Reverse Osmosis technology to clients including households instead of selling the entire equipment, whose cost is prohibitive.

He noted that RO purifiers that are sold in the local market cost up to 50,000 shillings (about 423 U.S. dollars) to 80,000 shillings per piece, and customers should keep buying filters every half year. Leasing them, however, could cut down on expenses incurred by poorer households to treat contaminated water.

Zhong said that through leasing, clients only pay an annual fee of at least 10,000 shillings, an installation fee of 2,000 shillings besides benefitting from door-to-door after-sales service twice a year for free, including filter replacement and after-sales service, water system pipe disinfection and equipment maintenance.

He said that his firm has also encouraged households with humble budgets to pay the annual fee of leasing purifiers through installment, as a means to boost water treatment and reduce the burden of diarrhea diseases.

At present, iClear has chosen Kenya for piloting the water purifiers leasing model before plans to venture into other African countries, said Zhong, adding that more than 200 local families who have tested the gadget have given positive feedback.

When he paid a visit to a family in Nakuru, located about 200 km northwest of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, Zhong said the hostess, a mother of three, spoke of a fulfilling experience with iClear purifiers. The hostess said her one-week experience with iClear gave her inner peace, no longer worried about her children contracting a water-borne disease since the gadget removed every pollutant from the commodity.

Turning to the hostess' seven-year-old daughter to gauge her experience with iClear purifiers, Zhong said he received an encouraging response from the minor.

"She told me she would like to keep the purified water in the fridge and while taking it out, it tastes cool and sweet," said Zhong, adding that from the sentiments of the young girl the iClear start-up came up with the slogan "Water is Sweet."

The purifiers are manufactured in China, and can have a lifespan of up to five to ten years when properly maintained, said Zhong, who stressed that iClear aims to link directly with clients and educate them on the proper use of the gadgets.

Zhong said his marketing team has zeroed on Nairobi's densely populated working-class districts to market the water purifiers in hopes of reaching 1 million families in the near term.

"We also intend to establish an assembly plant for our water purifying machines here in Kenya and make them affordable to customers," said Zhong.

Walter Wamae, a middle-aged resident of a middle-income suburb in Nairobi, said the iClear water purifying system has spared him the cost of purchasing the commodity from vendors.

"Before it was hectic because I used to spend a lot of money in terms of going to buy water from the water points. But with the water purifier, it is convenient since I get water directly from the tap and purify it," said Wamae.

Wamae said that courtesy of the purifying machine, his entire family is now consuming safe drinking water, cushioning them from the risk of contracting amoeba and other pathogens that are costly to treat.

Since its founding, iClear has fast-tracked localization of its workforce and has recruited a diverse professional cadre including plumbers, after-sales specialists, marketers, and human resource specialists, said Zhong.

Flossy Cheruiyot, a human resource and administration manager at iClear Wellife Service Limited, said the start-up has hired a talented workforce to support the deployment of affordable and quality water purifiers to local clients.

"We have a team of around 30 members which is the back office and field team. We intend to have a team of around 100 staff before the end of the year so that we can reach the households effectively," said Cheruiyot.

She added that the start-up has leveraged social media besides partnering with local e-commerce platforms to expand its outreach to retail and corporate clients.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Du Mingming)
This handout picture released by Ukraine Emergency Service on July 17, 2022 shows firefighters putting out a fire on a wheat field burned as a result of shelling in Mykolaiv region, amid Russian military invasion of Ukraine. Courtesy of Ukraine Emergency Service, AFP-Yonhap



Russian missiles hit industrial facilities at a strategic city in southern Ukraine Sunday as Moscow continued efforts to expand its gains in the country's east.



Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said that the Russian missiles struck an industrial and infrastructure facility in the city, a key shipbuilding center in the estuary of the Southern Bug river. There was no immediate information about casualties.



Mykolaiv has faced regular Russian missile strikes in recent weeks as the Russians have sought to soften Ukrainian defenses.



The Russian military has declared a goal to cut off Ukraine's entire Black Sea coast all the way to the Romanian border. If successful, such an effort would deal a crushing blow to the Ukrainian economy and trade and allow Moscow to secure a land bridge to Moldova's separatist region of Transnistria, which hosts a Russian military base.



Early in the campaign, the Ukrainian forces fended off Russian attempts to capture Mykolaiv, which sits near the Black Sea Coast between Russia-occupied Crimea and the main Ukrainian port of Odesa.



Since then, the Russian troops have halted their attempts to advance in the city but continued to pummel it with regular missile strikes.



They also sought to reinforce their positions in the Kherson region near Crimea and part of the northern Zaporizhzhia region that they seized in the opening stage of the conflict, fearing a Ukrainian counteroffensive.



The British Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russia is moving manpower and equipment between Kherson, Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia. It said the Russians also are increasing their security measures around Melitopol.



It added: ''Given the pressures on Russian manpower, the reinforcement of the south whilst the fight for the Donbas continues indicates the seriousness with which Russian commanders view the threat.''



For now, the Russian military has focused its efforts on trying to take control of Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland of Donbas, where the most capable and well-equipped Ukrainian forces are located.



Ukraine says its forces still retain control of two small villages in the Luhansk region, one of the two provinces that make up the Donbas, and are successfully fending off Russian attempts to advance deeper into the second one, the Donetsk region.



The Ukrainian military's General Staff said Sunday that Ukrainian troops thwarted Russian attempts to advance toward Sloviansk, the key Ukrainian stronghold in Donetsk, and other attacks elsewhere in the region.



During a visit to the front lines Saturday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered ''to further intensify the actions of units in all operational areas.''



While focusing on Donbas, the Russians hit areas all across the country with missile strikes.





This handout picture released by Ukraine Emergency Service on July 17, 2022 shows firefighters putting out a fire on a wheat field burned as a result of shelling in Mykolaiv region, amid Russian military invasion of Ukraine. Courtesy of Ukraine Emergency Service, AFP-Yonhap
To address hunger, the Government of Delhi had issued temporary ration e-coupons in the first COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020. This article uses a data set of nearly 17 lakh households that applied for e-coupons to measure and spatialise food insecurity in the city. It does so to measure unmet demand for social protection as well as to draw learnings for the design of urban social protection systems.

In response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India announced a nationwide lockdown on 24 March 2020. The lockdown was seen as a public health intervention, one necessary to curb the spread of the virus. However, as many have argued, it had its own effects and, in particular, affected food security in Indias cities (Lahoti et al 2020; Mishra and Rampal 2020). As lockdowns progressed, a combination of lost income and restricted mobility created large-scale hunger among urban residents. Relief efforts logged innumerable distress calls, hunger helplines were inundated, and the sight of long lines for public and private distribution came from all major cities in the country.1

The state specifically attempted to respond to this food insecurity (Singh 2020). The Government of India, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), announced a 50% increase in take-home ration for each individual beneficiary covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. In Delhi, 71 lakh of the citys 1.68 crore residents were already covered under the targeted public distribution system (T-PDS), which caps enrolment at 40% of the residents for urban areas. With their ration cards, as they are colloquially known, they were entitled to dry rations of rice and wheat. The Government of Delhi further extended this entitlement to those without ration cards by announcing a scheme for temporary ration cards, referred to as e-coupons. The Delhi government administered the e-coupon through a mobile and web application, inviting anyone present in the city without a ration card to apply.2 The e-coupon, given per household, would entitle individuals to dry rations as in the PDS system to be collected from temporary ration centres set up at the nearby schools. For both ration card and e-coupon holders, an additional food basket was also distributed, containing pulses, oil, salt, and spices. The first announcement was for 10 lakh e-coupons, arguably the states estimation of the additional need they had to cover beyond existing PDS enrolments. Within days, however, in one of the richest urban regions of India, close to 60 lakh people applied.3

The COVID-19 pandemic has made visible foundational vulnerabilities within Indias urbanisation. A growing body of work has sought to document and assess these vulnerabilities, seeking not only to bear witness but also to offer knowledge that could shape a different urban praxis. One strand of this work has amplified specific gaps and deficiencies in current urban systems as they relate, for example, to migrant workers (Aajeevika Bureau 2020; Adhikari et al 2020) to specific caste and gendered impacts on livelihood loss and hunger (Chakraborty 2020; Deshpande and Ramachandran 2020), and to the gaps in social protection entitlements for informal workers that found themselves outside safety nets precisely at a time of deep crisis (Bhan et al 2020; Kesar et al 2021; Rai Chowdhury et al 2020). Others have argued that relief practices can act as templates, experiments, or examples of innovations of what post-crisis urban systems should look like. Writing alongside this body of work, we ask: What can we learn from a temporary expansion in food entitlements about urban vulnerability and social protection systems?

We argue that the Government of Delhis e-coupon programme represents an invaluable archive through which to assess both the extent and geography of vulnerability in contemporary Delhi as represented by food insecurity. It does so in two important ways. First, it allows us to get a sense of unmet demand, that is, the number of households outside the PDS system that, arguably, are vulnerable enough to have been included within it. In this, it allows an assessment of social protection based on vulnerability rather than a static, narrow measure of income poverty. We ask: What is the extent of this unmet demand, and where in the city is it located?

Second, the data for e-coupons has been made available to us by locality. This is a category of internal administration used by the Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs to describe the geographical catchment area of each PDS shop. Locality is not a commonly known scale of urban governance, and indeed there are no publicly available maps of localities that we know of. Yet, conceptually, localities represent a sub-ward scale to assess food insecurity using an already existing administrative category. We mine the possibilities of what can be said about food insecurity in particular and vulnerability more broadly at this scale. We ask: In large metropolitan regions, what could a different scalar imagination for urban governance look like when it steps away from the ward, assembly constituency, and district?

We begin by laying out data on the ration cardholders and e-coupon applications, mapped and modelled onto existing PDS shops (n=1,923). We then present estimates of a geography of unmet demand by constructing an unmet ration ratio (URR) that measures the degree to which e-coupons cluster around existing PDS shops. We aggregate and present this unmet demand by existing scales of urban governance, showing how successively higher levels of aggregation distort effective targeting and coverage within a food security system (Rajpal et al 2021). We then, in the absence of any maps of localities, posit a hypothetical provocation by using a Voronoi tessellation to suggest what this sub-ward distribution pattern could look like. We argue that even such a hypothetical exercise shows that it is worth considering the locality, and not the ward, as the appropriate scale to assess food insecurity and to design systems for food distribution. In our conclusion, we suggest that such a scalar shift has lessons to offer for other components of urban social protection beyond food, reiterate the critical necessity for sub-ward-level urban data governance, and consider what, using the idea of localities more widely, may make it possible for both provisioning and targeting of social security measures.

Data and Methodology

The article uses two different data sets. The first is data on e-coupon applications received by the Government of Delhi. Each application is from a household and, like ration cards, has names of all eligible individuals of a household as long as none is named on an existing ration card. Government declarations suggest 60 lakh individuals applied through the e-coupon scheme.4 The data shared with us and used for this analysis consists of a total of 17.8 lakh households applying for e-coupons. This yields a multiplier of 3.4 to convert from households to individuals. This data is organised at the locality level with applications covering 2,268 localities in Delhi.

The second data set is of the PDS system. The locations of PDS shops and the counts of ration cards linked to each shop were scraped from the Delhi governments NFSA website.5 For ration cards, we used a multiplicative factor of 4.2 to convert from households to number of individuals.6 Our final data, then, consists of the total number of ration cardholders for 1,923 shops in addition to the e-coupon applications from the 2,268 localities.

We used the nearest neighbour algorithm on the data set of e-coupon localities and PDS shops.7 The computation yielded the closest ration shop to each e-coupon locality based on proximity. Thereafter, e-coupon counts associated with every e-coupon locality were assigned to the closest ration shop. This generates two key descriptive variables:

(i) Total ration cardholders

RC i = RationCardHolders i where i denotes a ration shop.

(ii) Total e-coupon holders

EC i = ECouponsAssignedtoShop i where i denotes a ration shop.

We chose to use this method because it mirrors the existing governance structure of the PDS system. Ration cards are attached to a proximate ration shop, and the Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, as we argued above, uses the term locality in its internal administration to describe the geographical catchment area of each shop. The logic of this system is that PDS shops must be local, walkable, and accessible from the place of residence. Applications are thus matched to a proximate PDS shop much like in our method. By matching e-coupons to a proximate PDS shop, we are replicating the logic of the present governance structure.8

We then generate a metric to understand the scale and geography of demand for food during the lockdowns. This

is the URR, or the ratio of e-coupon holders to ration cardholders. It is as follows:

where scale denotes a level of administrative/operational scale (PDS shop, municipal ward, assembly constituency, district),

j denotes a unit at particular scale, and i denotes a PDS shop within unit j of any scale.

For PDS shop i,

becomes

since ration cards and e-coupons are already aggregated at the level of ration shops.

For higher levels of aggregation, URR, as defined above, becomes the ratio of the sum of e-coupons assigned to all the shops to the sum of ration cards linked to all those shops within a unit in that level of aggregation. For different levels, URR are defined as below:

(i) URR District,j denotes URR for jth district where j is one of the 11 districts of Delhi.

(ii) URR Constituency,j denotes URR for jth assembly constituency where j is one of the 70 assembly constituencies of Delhi.

(iii) URR Ward,j denotes URR for jth ward where j is one of the 272 municipal wards of Delhi.

For example, at the scale of districts, URR District, North Eas t is the ratio of total e-coupon counts across all the ration shops to the sum of ration cardholders across these shops within the North East District. For all the wards and constituencies, their respective URRs are similarly tabulated.

How does URR relate to unmet demand? At URR Ration Shop of zero, there were no additional applicants at a particular PDS shop during the lockdown. This implies that current enrolment in the PDS system may have been sufficient to ensure food security in that locality. As URR becomes greater than 0, it implies that residents in the locality not covered by the PDS had unmet need. At a URR of 0.5, the number of such residents is 50% of the total number enrolled in the PDS system. At URR=1, there are as many e-coupon holders outside the PDS system as the ration cardholders within it. For a URR>1, then, there are more e-coupon holders outside the PDS system than those enrolled within it, indicating a significant unmet need. We report URR findings and discuss this in greater detail.

Unmet Demand: What do URRs Tell Us?

From the 1,923 ration shops within our data, no additional e-coupons were reported from 855 (approximately 44.5%) of shops (Table 1). Of the remaining, the largest (approximately 55%) share is of URRs up to 1, implying that e-coupon applications were up to the same number of individuals as those enrolled in the PDS system and attached to that PDS shop. What is concerning is that, for 415 shops (approximately 21.6%), the URR is between 1 and 5. For every one of these shops, not only were the number of people applying for e-coupons greater than those enrolled in the PDS system, in many cases, this number was closer to two, three, four, and even five times the numbers currently enrolled; for 70 shops, the ratio is higher than 5. For these shops, however, it is possible that such high URRs are the result of the method of allocation to the closest shop rather than a genuine reflection of the concentrated demand, especially if several shops are close to each other as well as the e-coupon points; these shops make less than 4% of the total PDS shops in our sample.

How do we interpret the URRs? One line of interpretation is that they represent a specific form of vulnerability: temporarily increased demand due to an external shock like the first wave of the pandemic and the lockdowns. This is certainly correct. The e-coupons measure a crisis-specific food demand that may not translate or sustain into the post-crisis need. Taking this to be true, it implies that the URR is a map to understand the need for disaster preparedness, marking localities where impacts and vulnerabilities are higher. Measured at the shop level, this yields a geography of vulnerability far more granular and specific than what would be evident, say, at the scale of the ward. We return to the question of granularity later, and in the conclusion, we will discuss the implications of specific spatial preparedness that can anticipate the temporary increases in demand in the specific localities and to the specific PDS shops.

A second interpretation, however, is that, at least for some portion of households, the URRs are a revealed vulnerability that is not just a temporary rise in demand in response to crisis. Put simply, e-coupons measure households that are vulnerable to falling into food insecurity quite quickly, perhaps, at a much smaller trigger than a lockdown and therefore, arguably, should be enrolled into the PDS system for precisely this reason. Such enrolment would imagine the PDS system as a protective and transformative system of social protection, one capable to preventing a fallback into poverty and insecurity, rather than just a preventive one that acts as a bare safety net (Devereux and Sabates-Wheeler 2004).

Within e-coupon applicants, how many hold such vulnerability? It is worth remembering that the e-coupon scheme was started two weeks after the first lockdown was announced on 24 March 2020, and the delivery of e-coupon ration started in mid-April. The shock here is not, then, the full extent of the pandemic or the lockdowns but food insecurity that results from restrictions on income for about three to six weeks. Other studies have shown similarly that urban workers in Indias metropolitan centres began to run out of savings within three weeks (Adhikari et al 2020). Further, accessing e-coupon ration was not without its own risks. One would have to venture out without any available public transport to a distribution centre in violation of lockdown guidelines, be exposed to others and risk infection, and, no doubt, wait and handle uncertainty of delivery and supply, all in order to get basic dry-ration food supplies. Accessing e-coupon ration entitlements, in other words, had significant associated costs and risks indicating that food insecurity would have to be strongly felt by those applying.

It is also possible, however, that some may be accessing e-coupons more as a precautionary measure, unsure of how long the lockdowns would last, and not wanting to be caught unprepared. These households may be seeking to protect savings for other uses, or responding more to the barriers of physically accessing food in the lockdown rather than being unable to afford it. Another category of applicants could be of people present in Delhi during the lockdowns but not normally residents there or living in arrangements without formal proof of address, in which case, they would be ineligible for the PDS system altogether. In this case, they would be outside the system purely because of the eligibility criteria. For them, e-coupons would be a way to access entitlements usually not available to them.

It is not possible in our analysis to quantify these segments precisely to compute a finite number of applicants that, say, should be added to the PDS system. Yet the scale of the response to the e-coupons (approximately 56 lakh individuals), and the fact that more than half of the PDS shops have people near them who are, or can quickly become, vulnerable and in need of food aid, indicate strongly that the current enrolment in the PDS system is severely inadequate, especially if it is to address not just food poverty but food insecurity. Current enrolment is limited, as we argued in the beginning, at 40% of the residents under the targeted PDS scheme that Delhi follows, a constraint that seems to emerge from supply considerations than actual food insecurity. The data reminds us of the artifice of this limit, and suggests that that an expansion is essential.

Spatialising and Scaling the Unmet Demand

What should inform such an expansion of enrolment within the public distribution system? Such an expansion must take the spatiality of unmet demand seriously by working to build capacity at specific PDS shops (and their associated localities), which have greater need. This is especially important ifas is almost certainly going to be the casethe systems expansion is incremental with limited resources that can be put to use at a time. The where of food insecurity must direct new investments in the systems capacities be it for general expansion or for more limited plans of disaster preparedness. The e-coupon data offers an invaluable archive to make such a geography visible.

Yet this geography cannot be accurately understood at current scales of urban data governance. If we assess the URR at different administrative levels, this becomes apparent. Figure 1 shows the URR Ward , URR Assembly , and URR District . The loss of granularity as we move from ward to district is stark. The district map flattens variations in URR, unable to hold the specificity of variation. Wards with a URR of up to 10 are visible clearly in the ward map, and this specificity is lost at each aggregation at the assembly constituency, and then at the district. Further, approximately 21.9% of the wards that had a URR>1 and <5 are spread across districts. If a phased expansion of the PDS system was to proceed at the district level, it would risk an inefficient and inequitable allocation of resources. In a city like Delhi, where empowered governance actors are at the district and not the ward level, this is a serious reminder of the consequences of the inadequate localisation of social protection systems within megacity regions, and not just between federalstatelocal governance structures.

Beneath the Ward

Yet our intention is not to argue for either data or governance mechanisms at ward level alone. Scholars have shown, convincingly, that, in the megacity, the ward is itself a complex and heterogeneous scale with significant variation within it (Baud et al 2009; Bhan and Jana 2015; Bharathi et al 2021). As we dig deeper into our own data, the inadequacies of the ward as a scale to assess food security are indeed apparent. To illustrate, we take a set of four wards with the same number of total ration shops (six, to be precise) and shops with a URR>1. Figure 2 shows, within wards of roughly similar sizes, shops that have unmet demand and how they are distributed within the ward can vary greatly. For example, in Budh Vihar, both shops with the majority of unmet demand were close to each other in a specific area on the northern edge of the ward. In Kishanganj, not only do three PDS shops cluster in one part of the ward towards south-west, one of them holds unmet demand while the others do not, indicating perhaps a locality of concentrated need that is not being met even by three adjacent PDS shops. In Milap Nagar, the largest unmet need is at the western edge of the ward, indicating perhaps a spillover into a neighbouring ward that has implications for governance at this scale.

Within the ward, then, our attention must seek a different scale such as the category we introduced earlier in the article: a locality. If the unmet demand is spatially concentrated in specific localities within the ward, it may also indicate an overlap with other forms of vulnerabilities (are these localities marked by other concentrations of social or occupational groups?), or tenure considerations (do the localities intersect with planning categories of jhuggi jhopdi clusters, urban villages, resettlement colonies, or unauthorised colonies?). Each of these could explain why unmet demand exists in that locality as well as represent factors that should shape a governance response for more effective delivery.

We do not, as we said at the start of this article, have any data on the spatial boundaries for what the Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs calls a locality. We cannot, therefore, assess whether it overlaps with more colloquial categories like colonies, neighbourhoods, camps, or nagars. What we do know is that the category is meant to capture an immediate spatial area around a PDS shop in order to meet the principle of proximity and access. This is why, in Figure 2, the different spatial distributions of PDS shops within a ward matters; this is equally a distribution of localities.

What could the boundaries of a locality look like? What would a distribution of URR tell us at the scale of locality rather than the ward? Here, we undertake a conjectural exercise, working with the data set we have as well as its limits. Using the PDS shop data, we create a Voronoi tessellation; voronoi polygons reflect a division of a plane into areas or regions or all points closest to a given set of objects. In this case, each PDS shop with unmet demand (n=1,068) acts as an object, giving us a set of polygons that simulate what localities could look like and allow us to assess URR distribution across them. This is presented in Figure 3. It is worth remembering that this is a subset of the actual number of localities that exist in the Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs database, where PDS shops are mapped onto close to about 3,000 localities. What we see here then does not represent the granularity of a full localities map, but certainly takes us some distance from the 272 wards in Figure 1.

Even at this first-level simulation of localities, the distinction from the URR distribution at the ward level is striking. At this scale, specific focus on the localities with extreme concentrations of unmet demand becomes possible. This could allow an incremental expansion of enrolment into the PDS system to begin from the most underserved localities first, targeting with far more efficiency below the ward, let alone the district. Further, the ability to granularly assess the reason for this concentration and its relationship with other dimensions of vulnerability such as income, identity (caste, gender, religion), built environment, or planning typology would allow not just an expansion of food security but a focused and more integrated development strategy for the locality itself. It could allow spatialising the approaches to multidimensional vulnerability.

Concluding Notes

Urban research and practice in India are hampered by the absence of adequately scaled, public, and relevant data. Household-level data are not publicly shared by the Census of India and aggregated data at the ward or district level are deeply inadequate for urban governance, especially in metropolitan regions like Delhi. Large-scale data sets like the e-coupon database then represent an opportunity for insighteven if it is necessarily exploratory and conjecturalthat we have sought to leverage. In closing, we offer a set of concluding notes.

First, this data set adds to calls for a reconsideration of the NFSAs caps on enrolment in urban areas. Indeed, the extent of the URR in one of the countrys richest urban regions lends strong support to the long-standing arguments for the universalisation of the PDS (Khera and Somanchi 2020), or at least the use of what is called an expanded PDS as currently used by states such as Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to go beyond the mandates of the NFSA 2013. Dismissing the surge of applications for e-coupons to a rare event, like a pandemic, would be a misrecognition of the everyday vulnerability of urban residents (Krishna 2010), particularly post COVID-19 (Kesar et al 2021), and would run the probability of undermining the risks that even temporary food insecurity poses to human development outcomes. Discussions on reform within the PDS system have focused more on portability of benefitsone nation, one cardwithout an equal emphasis on expanding enrolment. Our analysis strongly cautions against this.

Second, however, it is imperative that our emphasis not only be on expanding enrolment but improving design and delivery of the system. We make a limited contribution to this question, drawing from our arguments about spatialising the unmet need. If the expansion of the system is to be incremental, then its phasing must be informed by the specific spatial distribution of food insecurity and by understanding the degrees of vulnerability within those currently outside the system. There will always be trade-offs in practice as the public systems incrementally expand and these must be addressed transparently. For the segmenting populations, relating e-coupon data to other governmental measures of household vulnerability (for example, occupational categories, below-poverty-line lists, social identities such as caste and religion) may precisely allow the segmentation that we spoke about earlier. Such a segmentation allows us to try and assess how many of those that applied for e-coupons during the pandemic would be likely to do so even after lesser welfare shocks such as injury, unemployment, illness, or debt for life events like marriage, death or birth. Similarly, because the e-coupons were open to migrants, that is, those without Delhi-based Aadhaar cards, it also offers the possibility to assess how many residents, at any given time, would be left outside the universal PDS system unless eligibility criteria were not amended.

For better spatial planning, our analysis offers a way to more precisely target phasing, that is, focusing on the localities with higher URRs and working backwards. In the case of food security, given that locality is already a category of internal administration within the Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, this is a viable framework to use in order to assess where distribution must be improved first. It would also allow a way to understand the relationship between density, built environment, and demandasking how and where supply within a more universal system can be expanded through upgrading particular PDS shops, creating clusters of multiple shops in a particular areas (such as the concentration we found in Kishanganj earlier), or even experimenting with new institutional models for food security, including community kitchens.

Rescaling Social Protection

Third, it is critical to keep pushing beneath the ward as a scale at which to assess and administer many components of urban social protection systems. The logic of assigning a ration card to a locality is proximate access. This principle is relevant not just for PDS shops but many kinds of social infrastructure such as public sanitation facilities, primary healthcare comprising dispensaries or mohalla clinics, open spaces, or community centres. We accessed e-coupon data for 2,268 localities, and simulated locality boundaries for 1,028 PDS shops with unmet demand. There are, to our knowledge, closer to 3,000 localities to which PDS shops are assigned in Delhi. What would it mean, then, to think of the locality as the scale of diagnosing vulnerability not just for food but, for example, also for access to primary health?

Using this scale would enable us to understand not only a finer and more granular distribution of need but could enable us to layer data on other attributes that could explain why concentrations of vulnerability seem to exist in particular localities. For example, does a localitys URR correlate to particular planning typologies like jhuggi jhopdi clusters, urban villages, resettlement colonies? Does it follow a geography of migrant housing and intra-city mobility? Does URR cluster around industrial areas? Does it overlap with social geographies of caste, for example, shown in recent work to be more finely and fractally distributed in our cities than previously imagined (Bharathi et al 2021)? How do these material, tenurial, and social structures shape food insecurity? Such a layering is important so that an explanation of food insecurity is not simply reduced to income poverty but rather read alongside a multidimensional vulnerability that is not be limited to the slum, on the one hand, or an inadequate aggregation at ward level, on the other. The spread of e-coupon data across the city and the sheer number of applications, both underline the fact that existing vulnerability is greater and more complex than our current assessments, and suggests the need for continuing research on patterns of intra-city distribution of different forms of vulnerability.

For praxis, such a layering is key to the design of delivery mechanisms that will, for example, be different in an unrecognised jhuggi-jhopdi cluster than in a resettlement colony; in mixed income localities than those more homogeneous; in areas of concentrations of migrant workers, or particular caste or religious geographies; in denser versus more sprawled layouts; in localities with dominant occupational or employment types; and in those located in central city areas versus those more peripheral. Such a layering couldechoing an older conceptual debate on the idea of locality within urban geography (Massey 1993)allow the design of social protection systems to both appreciate the particularity of a locality as well as the need to relate it to other localities along particular characteristicsa system for industrial clusters, for example, that looks different from the one for resettlement colonies or urban villages. Universal access must be aided by localised and particular delivery mechanisms. Wards cannot hold these characteristics, but localities perhaps could.

Fourth, we reiterate the necessity of more publicly available data at the household level that would allow an assessment of distributions not just at the scale of the locality but other possibilities too. The vulnerability of households scales incrementallyto their street or gali, their mohalla or neighbourhood, their locality, and then to the city and beyond. Scale, as geographer Neil Smith reminded us, is produced relationally and dynamically (Jones III et al 2017). The complexity of megacity governance insists on data infrastructures that are equally relational and dynamic, and take us far beneath the ward or district. Doing so need not, as Massey reminded us, risk a hyper-localism but, in fact, could enable us precisely to bridge the universal and the particular.

We have used an archive of food insecurity in this article. Arguably, beyond just food, our assessments apply equally to social protection entitlements of different kinds. As COVID-19 has once again reminded us, social protection systems must be rooted in an assessment of vulnerability and not just poverty so that they may be promotive and transformative and not just bare safety nets against destitution. Doing so requires not just a moral, ethical, and political commitment to equity but appropriate data infrastructures and delivery mechanisms. E-coupon data offers learning for both and it is imperative that we heed its insights so that post-COVID-19 urban futures may hold the possibility of breaking historically entrenched patterns of urban inequality in our cities.

Notes

1 See, as an example of the extensive coverage, Dhillon (2020).

2 As of 14 May 2021, the portal could still be accessed here: ration.jantasamvaad.org. Aadhaar cards were mandatory for the scheme in order to check that applicants did not have a ration card. However, the Aadhaar card could be from anywhere in Indiaa Delhi address was not mandated, making the programme open to migrants.

3 Overall 17.8 lakh applications for e-coupons were received on the Delhi governments web portal. They covered between 60 lakh and 68 lakh individuals, depending on data cited in different sources. The Delhi Economic Survey 202021 mentioned the figure of 69.60 individuals but affidavits filed by the Government of Delhi in Delhi, Rozi, Roti, Adhikar Abhiyan v Union of India and Ors (WPC 2161 of 2017) mentioned 60 lakh individuals. Copy available on file. In this article, we use the 60 lakh figure to err on the conservative side of measuring unmet demand.

4 Same as note 3.

5 Scraped from Delhi State NFSA portal (https://nfs.delhi.gov.in/Citizen/Householdtobeincluded.aspx) on 19 August 2020 by Saloni Bhogale.

6 We derive the multiplier for ration card by dividing the total number of ration cardholders as maintained by the government by the total number of households scraped from the Delhi government NFSA portal.

7 Performed on R Statistical language using st_nn function from nngeo package. On application of a collection of points in space, nearest neighbor algorithm finds for each point its closest neighbor based on some attribute. In our case, we used straight line distance to find the closest neighbour.

8 This model has certain data and computation related limitations. Nearest shop as identified by the nearest neighbour algorithm might not always be a shop which is closest to approach while walking (that is natural and artificial barriers can distort this estimation). Further, if a shop has no e-coupons that have been allocated, it does not necessarily reflect that there is no unmet demand in its proximity. It simply tells that another shop was closer to the points of demand in the locality. Also, while matching to the closest shop we have not limited the matching to only shops within existing administrative boundaries (ward, constituency, or district). In present practice on field, it is often the case that beneficiaries are allotted ration shops which are not closest in absolute terms, but are closest within the administrative boundary of unit of which they are the residents. Lastly, we have used consistent multipliers for estimating the number of people linked to both individual ration cards as well as e-coupons. This limits the observation of variation in household sizes though across the state, the total counts remain the same.

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Bharathi, Naveen, Deepak Malghan, Sumit Mishra and Andaleeb Rahman (2021): Fractal Urbanism: City Size and Residential Segregation in India, World Development, Vol 141, Article 105397.

Chakraborty, Shiney (2020): COVID-19 and Women Informal Sector Workers in India, Economic & Political Weekly, Vol 55, No 35, p 17.

Deshpande, Ashwini and Rajesh Ramachandran (2020): Is COVID-19 The Great Leveler? The Critical Role of Social Identity in Lockdown-induced Job Losses, GLO Discussion Paper, No 622.

Devereux, Stephen and Rachel Sabates-Wheeler (2004): Transformative Social Protection, IDS Working Paper 232, IDS, Brighton.

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Jones III, John Paul, Helga Leitner, Sallie A Marston and Eric Sheppard (2017): Neil Smiths Scale, Antipode, Vol 49, pp 13852.

Kesar, Surbhi, Rosa Abraham, Rahul Lahoti, Paaritosh Nath and Amit Basole (2021): Pandemic, Informality, and Vulnerability: Impact of COVID-19 on Livelihoods in India, Canadian Journal of Development Studies, Vol 42, Nos 12, pp 14564.

Khera, Reetika and Anmol Somanchi (2020): A Review of the Coverage of PDS, Ideas for India, 19.

Krishna, Anirudh (2010): One Illness Away: Why People Become Poor and How They Escape Poverty, Oxford: OUP.

Lahoti, Rahul, Amit Basole, Rosa Abraham, Surbhi Kesar and Paaritosh Nath (2020): Hunger Grows as Indias Lockdown Kills Jobs, India Forum, Vol 5.

Massey, Doreen (1993): Questions of Locality, Geography, Vol 78, No 2, pp 14249.

Mishra, Khushbu and Jeevant Rampal (2020): The COVID-19 Pandemic and Food Insecurity: A Viewpoint on India, World Development, Vol 135, Article 105068.

Rai Chowdhury, Antara, Gautam Bhan and Kinjal Sampat (2020): Impact of Covid-19 and Lockdowns on the Domestic Workers: First Report, Bengaluru, https://doi.org/10.24943/ICLDW10.2020.

Rajpal, Sunil, Julie Kim, William Joe, Rockli Kim and S V Subramanian (2021): Small Area Variation in Child Undernutrition across 640 Districts and 543 Parliamentary Constituencies in India, Scientific Reports 11, No 1, pp 19.

Singh, Arkaja (2020): Hunger, COVID-19, and the Indian Administrative State, State Capacity Initiative Working Paper No 2020, New Delhi.
MOROCCOS HEATWAVE AND WILDFIRES  Portugal has declared a state of contingency as Morocco, France and Spain also battle wildfires caused by an unprecedented heat wave in parts of north Africa and southern Europe. Thousands of people in Morocco have been evacuated from their homes as firefighters tackle wildfires caused by the recent heatwave, which has brought extreme temperatures of more than 45C. Morocco has been in the grip of a heatwave for a week, which has been made worse by strong winds that are in the forecast for the coming days, complicating efforts to contain fires. Moroccan firefighters, soldiers, police officers and civil defense workers have been battling at least four fires that are ripping through forests in the north of the country. At least 1,000 hectares of forest have been burned in Larache and Ouezzane, according to initial reports. Scientists have said extreme weather events such as heatwaves and droughts, which make wildfires more likely, are linked to climate change.

TUNISIAS POLITICAL CRISIS AND THE EU  The EU is being urged to take a tougher stance on the political crisis engulfing Tunisia ahead of a referendum in about one weeks time that could entrench the increasingly autocratic regime in one of the Arab springs last remaining democracies. Tunisians will vote on a new constitution on 25 July, just over a year after President Kais Saied announced that he was suspending parliament and would rule by decree. The constitution is widely viewed as an attempt to weaken the countrys democratic institutions. In an open letter sent by a group of Tunisias opposition parties to the EUs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, the MPs have urged the EU to be far more active and play a role in a crisis which threatens the stability of the country and the region. Opposition parties and civil society groups complain that EU diplomats have shied away from criticizing Saieds regime, which has been marked by a wave of public protests, some of them violently suppressed, and the arrest and detention of several opposition lawmakers and activists. In recent months the EU has continued to provide substantial financial support to Saieds government, including additional funds to cover high wheat and grain prices. Many Tunisians see that as a tacit acceptance or support of President Saied, they say.

MALIS SUSPENSION OF UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION  Malis decision on Thursday (14 July) to suspend troop rotations by the United Nations peacekeeping mission, or MINUSMA, has raised questions about how it wants to detect the terms of engagement  something some analysts fear could backfire. In a fresh blow to the mission, Egypt has told the UN that it will pull its troops from Mali by mid-August, citing deadly attacks against its peacekeepers. MINUSMA, which was established in April 2013 to help the West African nation cope with a bloody jihadist campaign, has been rotating troops who serve on that mission for years. Malis military government decision to suspend MUNUSMA follows the arrest of 49 Ivorian troops who arrived at Bamako airport aboard a special flight earlier this week. Ivory Coast had said the soldiers were part of the fifth MINUSMA rotation, but Malian officials described them as mercenaries who sought to topple the countrys military-led government. Deputy UN spokesman Farhan Haq has said that Malis move would have dire consequences for troops currently serving on the mission since some of the staff should have been relieved several months ago. Mali is currently battling an Islamist insurgency that sprung after a 2012 uprising that has since spread to neighboring countries, killing thousands and displacing millions across West Africas Sahel region.
D2C furniture start-up brand Sleepyhead has announced actor Ranveer Singh as its first-ever brand ambassador. The brand plans to launch a 360-degree digital national campaign with the actor.

Speaking on the brand's growth journey, Mathew Joseph, CEO & Co-Founder, said, "Sleepyhead's mission is to make everyday living fun and fabulous through thoughtfully designed products. Ranveer Singh is India's youngest superstar and quintessential style icon making him the perfect choice to represent our brand. He personifies the brand's quirk, commitment towards quality and eye for unique designs. Combining the magic of Ranveer with our extensive portfolio expansion, we are supercharging our growth trajectory and aiming to capture the lion's share of the furniture and home decor market online."



On the association, Arha Padman, Head of Brand Marketing, Sleepyhead, said, " It is the perfect time to welcome Ranveer Singh as our Brand Ambassador, as Sleepyhead is witnessing an incredible transformation. From dominating the mattress market with the revolutionary Bed-In-A-Box concept, we now rapidly growing in the furniture and home decor space. In our upcoming campaign with Ranveer we will be launching a new trademarked technology in our dominant category  mattress, along with a new range of enviably stylish sofas and recliners.

Talking about the association, Ranveer said," For me home is the ultimate happy place. A well curated home balances your creative energy as well as your comfort needs. I loved how Sleepyhead furniture brought alive thoughtful designs, great looks and high quality to make everyday living easy and exciting. I am stoked to be part of this journey and help them bring alive their vision of making Indian homes fun and fabulous.

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Exxaro has roped in actor Ajay Devgn as its brand ambassador.

The brand is promoting the whole concept of Make in India and associating with Ajay Devgn comes in sync with the vision.

On the association, actor Ajay Devgn affirmed, It is a pleasure to be associated with the brand that resonates with the essence of Make in India. Exxaro is one of the leading brands in the industry that is providing quality and high standard products. It is a necessity of the current times to promote brands that are contributing to the nation in all the aspects.

With the new marketing initiatives the brand will be promoting its idea of  Naye Bharat ki Nayi Pehchan.

Ajay Devgn is seen as a personality that carries sophistication and panache. It exactly matches with the ideology and persona of the brand. We truly think that he is the perfect face for a brand that is taking the industry a notch up, said Mukesh Patel (Director), Exxaro.

The brand plans at going aggressive on the digital front with its marketing campaign. The actor will be seen endorsing the brand all across the platforms. Gradually, the brand will also initiate its campaign in BTL space with the actor as the face.

Read more news about (marketing news, latest marketing news,internet marketing, marketing India, digital marketing India, media marketing India, advertising news)
Ex-San Antonio attorney Christopher Chris Pettit, accused of stealing his clients money, spent more than $250,000 in the 40 days after he filed for bankruptcy.

The spending is detailed in court exhibits that are part of the Chapter 11 trustees motion seeking an order directing Pettit to show why he should not be held in contempt for withdrawing $125,000 from his retirement account after filing for bankruptcy June 1.

Pettit, 55, transferred the retirement money into checking and savings accounts at Marthas Vineyard Bank in Massachusetts. The court exhibits show he spent just shy of $252,000 from those accounts from June 2 through July 11.

It may be consistent with his pre-bankruptcy lifestyle, said San Antonio attorney Martin Seidler, who represents creditors in the case.

Pettit listed $27.8 million in assets and $115.2 million in debts in his personal bankruptcy, one of the largest ever filed in San Antonio. His law firm also filed.

On ExpressNews.com: A big no-no: Ex-San Antonio attorney Chris Pettit allegedly took $125,000 from retirement account

The trustee  the court-appointed private attorney overseeing the assets  has said the retirement money should not be touched until the court rules its exempt from the bankruptcy estate. Pettit has countered that its his because the account was funded by legitimate earnings under federal guidelines. A hearing on the motion was held last week. Its scheduled to resume Wednesday.

Michael Colvard, Pettits bankruptcy lawyer, said during last weeks hearing that Pettit told him he had $400 in his pocket.

He simply cant be put on the street (and) not allowed to use his property, Colvard told Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta. Colvard did not respond to a request for comment about Pettits spending.

The retirement money was spent on a number of different things, none of which, I think, is authorized or appropriate under the (bankruptcy) code, Patrick Huffstickler, a lawyer for the Chapter 11 trustee, said during the hearing.

Shocking expenditures

The magnitude of their expenditures and what theyve expended the funds on, frankly, will be, I believe, shocking to the court, Huffstickler said to the judge without offering details.

Pettit spent a lot of the money in Florida, where he has been living since early June.

The largest expenditure was a $20,000 check to Winter Park National Bank, a Florida institution that last year loaned his Roble Dorado LLC $3 million for the purchase of a mansion in Golden Oak  part of Walt Disney World Resort and about four miles from the Magic Kingdom park. Roble Dorado is Spanish for Golden Oak.

On ExpressNews.com: Embattled San Antonio lawyer files, accused of defrauding clients of millions, files huge bankruptcy case

The mansion, at 10285 Summer Meadow Way, is valued at $6.4 million in Pettits bankruptcy papers. Prior to the bankruptcy, it had been on the market with an $8.9 million asking price.

Pettit also wired $19,333 to Disney Destinations, a bank statement shows. Disney runs Summerhouse, a private clubhouse for Golden Oak residents, but its not clear if any of the money went to pay club fees.

He also is a member of Club 33, a private membership club at Disney that costs $18,000 a year. The bank statement showed two expenditures totaling about $87 to Club 33.

Pettits property is within the more exclusive Four Seasons Private Residences section of Golden Oak. He made four payments totaling more than $10,000 to Four Seasons.

He also made six ATM withdrawals of $200 each at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Disney World.

The statement also shows Pettit spent more than $10,500 with Universal Orlando Resort.

Former employees

He directed more than $17,600 in payments to 12 of his former law firm employees who went unpaid when he surrendered his law license and closed the offices. Among those paid was his recently deceased brother, Charles Pettit.

Two transfers totaling $9,000 went to two law firm clients.

On ExpressNews.com: Clients considered San Antonio lawyer Chris Pettit a friend, family confidante. Then it changed.

Chapter 11 trustee Eric Terrys court exhibits include screenshots of websites of businesses where purchases were made during the 40-day period.

They included online gaming sites such as Roblox, Steam and Epic, where more than a combined $1,000 was spent. Pettit has a 9-year-old son and cut two checks totaling $12,200 to an individual for child care.

Pettit spent more than $1,300 with the online luxury retailer Ifchic. There were 17 PayPal payments totaling more than $12,700 to *ehrensru. The purpose of those payments couldnt be determined.

Alper Law, a Lake Mary, Fla., law firm specializing in asset protection planning, received $600. A $5,100 payment went to another law firm.

S.A. VOTES Voter Guide: What to know for the Texas runoff election A breakdown of key state and local races and candidates in the May 24 primary runoff.

The trustee included a screenshot from Club Orlando, where there were two expenditures totaling almost $95. Its described on the web as a gay sauna.

Pettit spent more than $1,700 with Amazon and nearly $1,500 with Apple.

There are not enough details in the bank statements to know precisely how Pettit spent much of the money. Huffstickler called some of the transactions opaque. Pettit, who is expected by the judge to attend Wednesdays hearing, may be called to take the witness stand to answer questions about his spending.

On ExpressNews.com: Ex-San Antonio lawyer Chris Pettit sold multiple properties to same buyer before massive bankruptcy

The bank records show that Brent Barry, a former Spurs player who is now a team executive, wired $11,000 to Pettit. It may have been a rent payment on 555 Argyle Ave., the Alamo Heights house overlooking Olmos Dam thats one of the areas more recognizable residences. But Pettit didnt list any lease contracts in his bankruptcy petition. The money from Barry was pledged to an unidentified party, according to a bank statement.

Approval required

Pettit cant take any more of the retirement money without court approval. The judge issued an interim order allowing Pettit to have $3,500 to pay living expenses through Wednesday and another $5,000 to cover his brothers funeral expenses. Pettit has to provide receipts for the funeral costs.

The judges order also says that if any of the money spent is found not to be exempt from the bankruptcy estate, the trustee may seek to recover the funds from Pettit.

Before he filed bankruptcy and shuttered his law offices, about a dozen lawsuits were filed against Pettit and the firm alleging they had absconded with client funds. One lawyer later estimated at least $50 million has gone missing. The FBI has been investigating.

Pettit handled estate planning and personal-injury cases, but also performed tax, trust and probate work.

On Monday, the judge approved the trustees motion establishing protocols for Pettits clients to get their files. They will have to submit a written request to the trustee. The trustee will have about three weeks to return the files once he receives notice, but Huffstickler said they will attempt to return them sooner.

The trustee is setting up the the website pettitbankruptcy.com to provide information on the bankruptcy.

pdanner@express-news.net
Former president Donald Trump did "nothing" to stop the riot at the Capitol as it was unfolding on Jan. 6, 2021, and new witnesses will fill in the gaps in Trump's activities that day when the House select committee investigating the attack holds its next hearing, members of the bipartisan panel said Sunday.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), who is scheduled to lead the prime-time hearing on Thursday, said the session "is going to open people's eyes in a big way" as they examine Trump's actions in detail over the hours the Capitol was overrun by a mob seeking to stop the certification of Joe Biden's electoral college win.

"We have filled in the blanks," Kinzinger said on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday. Trump "didn't do very much but gleefully watch television during this time frame."

Kinzinger, one of two GOP members of the bipartisan panel who has come under regular attacks from Trump for his role on the committee, implored his fellow Republicans to watch the next hearing with an open mind and ask themselves: "Is this the kind of strong leader you really think you deserve?"

Late Friday, the committee took the unusual step of subpoenaing the Secret Service after reports the agency erased text messages from Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, 2021, after the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General had requested them. Committee members said they expect to receive the text messages by Tuesday.

"An agency that was such a key part of a critical event in our history, one would assume they had done everything possible to preserve those records," Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., said on CNN's "State of the Union." "As far as digital records and text messages, not being an I.T. expert, but I do understand there's a lot of things that can be done, a lot of forensic analysis and recouping of data."

Previous hearings have focused on Trump's efforts to pressure the Justice Department, state officials and his own vice president to overturn the results of the 2020 election; Trump's own rampage as he was prevented from traveling to the Capitol with his supporters that day; and the ties between the Trump White House and violent extremist groups that were part of the attack. But so far, the committee has publicized little about what Trump was doing during the Capitol riot, after he had returned to the White House.

The hearing on Thursday will be the final one in the first series, but committee members said there could be more hearings later in the year.

"If we get information that the American people need to know, we may end up bringing more hearings at that time, too," Kinzinger said.

Committee members said Sunday that Trump didn't intervene in the 187 minutes between when he left his "Stop the Steal" rally on the Ellipse that day to when he at last tweeted out a video at 4:17 p.m. telling his supporters to leave the Capitol.

"It's pretty simple: He was doing nothing to actually stop the riot," Luria said.

"We will go through pretty much minute by minute during that time frame, from the time he left the stage at the Ellipse, came back to the White House, and really sat in the White House, in the dining room, with his advisers urging him continuously to take action, to take more action," Luria added.

Luria also referenced the now-infamous tweet sent at 2:24 p.m. that day accusing Vice President Mike Pence of not having "the courage to do what should have been done," further inflaming the situation.

Asked if Trump's inaction would constitute a crime, Luria said that Trump should have understood what action looked like in a time of crisis as the nation's commander in chief.

"He is the only person in the Constitution whose duty is explicitly laid out to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed," said Luria, a military veteran. "I look at it as a dereliction of duty."

Both Luria and Kinzinger said the committee is continuing to seek and receive new information every day about the Jan. 6 attack.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said on ABC's "This Week" that the committee plans to publish a final report later this year.

"This investigation is very much ongoing. The fact that series of hearings is going to be concluded this Thursday doesn't mean that our investigation is over," Lofgren said.

"Frankly, if the president's supporters had not engaged in frivolous litigation for months on end, we would be farther along than we are," Lofgren said.

Kinzinger also once again defended Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, who testified last month that she was told Trump lunged at his Secret Service detail in anger while inside the presidential limousine because they wouldn't drive him to the Capitol.

Anonymous sources have since disputed her testimony, but Kinzinger said the committee was still working on speaking to those who were in the presidential limo at the time and that any statements would have to be made under oath.

"We have every reason to believe that what Cassidy Hutchinson said, at least from what she said she heard, because she wasn't in the limo - never said she was," Kinzinger said. "She was told this. We fully believe that she is a credible witness and her allegations are quite explosive."

- - -

The Washington Post's Joanna Slater and Ariana Eunjung Cha contributed to this report.
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THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP)  Greece filed an official complaint with Serbia on Monday after a cargo plane carrying mortar ammunition crashed while attempting an emergency landing in northern Greece.

The Greek ambassador in Belgrade has been instructed to make a complaint to the Serbian (government) to stress the need for Greek authorities to be notified in advance about the nature of the cargo, said a Greek government official who requested anonymity pending an official announcement.

Eight crew members on the An-12 cargo plane, operated by a Ukrainian company, were killed in the crash Saturday outside the northern Greek city of Kavala. The crash was followed by at least two hours of explosions.

Serbian officials said the plane had been carrying 11.5 tons of Serbian-made mortar ammunition to Bangladesh, and had been due to make a stopover in Amman, Jordan.

Mine clearance crews were working at the crash site for a second day, in a cordoned-off field around 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Kavala International Airport. The ammunition was scattered over a 500-meter radius and was expected to take several days to clear.

Fire Service spokesman Yiannis Artopios said no hazardous substances were detected following a crash site inspection by army specialists from a nuclear, chemical and biological defense division.

All the dead crew members were believed to be Ukrainian nationals, Artopios said. Their recovered remains were taken to the nearby city of Komotini to start the identification process.

The crash caused power outages in several villages near the crash site, with repair work held up by the ordnance removal, officials from the electricity regulator said.

Serbian Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said Sunday that the ammunition had been made by a private Serbian manufacturer, adding that the plane had also been due to make stops in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Ahmedabad, India, before reaching the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. ___

Derek Gatopoulos reported from Athens.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Texas law enforcement seized more than $800,000 worth of narcotics from two traffic stops in South-Central Texas last week.

Bexar County deputies said they arrested 41-year-old Kevin Sauls on Friday afternoon after they found more than 10 kilograms of methamphetamine in his vehicle.
Caroline Cayeux leaves the Elysee Palace after the weekly cabinet meeting in Paris, France, July 4, 2022. Reuters-Yonhap



Pressure is mounting on a French government minister to quit over comments stigmatizing homosexuality and LGBTQ people, in the latest challenge to President Emmanuel Macron's leadership.



Caroline Cayeux's remarks have hurt and angered many  including her colleagues  and prompted broader discussion around persistent discriminatory attitudes by people in power.



More than 100 prominent figures published an appeal Sunday in the newspaper Journal du dimanche questioning why she's still in government. Signatories included parliament members, senior officials, an Olympic medalist, doctors, artists, an ex-prime minister, a former top Macron adviser and others from within Macron's centrist political camp.



Cayeux, the minister for regional relations, was asked in an interview this week about her opposition to France's 2013 law authorizing gay marriage and adoption, and comments at the time saying they were ''against nature.'' Speaking Tuesday to broadcaster Public Senat, she said she was being wrongly painted as prejudiced.



''I maintain my remarks. I always said that if the law were voted, I would apply it,'' she said. ''I have a lot of friends among all those people, and I'm being targeted by an unfair trial. This upsets me.''



The remarks set off shockwaves among LGBTQ people and provoked calls for her resignation. A legal complaint was filed against her for public insult.



Cayeux then tweeted her regrets, saying her words were ''inappropriate,'' and sent a letter to anti-discrimination groups to apologize. She told newspaper Le Parisien that the comments ''do not at all reflect my views.''



Many question the sincerity of her change of heart, and say the damage has been done.



''How can we believe that the government will respect equality among everyone, will commit to fighting discrimination and guarantee gender freedom?'' asks an online petition by LGBTQ groups calling for the resignation of Cayeux and two other government members who opposed the gay marriage law. The petition calls them ''spokespersons for hate and rejection.''



But her bosses appear to be sticking by Cayeux. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said Friday that Cayeux's remarks were ''clumsy'' but welcomed her apology, and said Cayeux would be ''vigilant'' going forward to support the fight against anti-LGBTQ discrimination.



The issue has divided the government at a time when Macron is politically weakened after losing his majority in parliament.



Transport Minister Clement Beaune, who is gay, called Cayeux's comments ''extremely hurtful.'' Government spokesman Olivier Veran called them out of touch with the times.



In Sunday's published appeal, the signatories called on the government to set a better example and defend France's values of equality.



They celebrated ''those people'' that Cayeux referred to, noting that LGBTQ soldiers were among those marching in Thursday's Bastille Day parade, and LGBTQ people work in local and national government and France's security forces.



''We are proud of all those people who, through their dignified and discreet behavior, know how to serve the Republic better than she does,'' it concluded. (AP)


A year before the Uvalde school massacre, the gunman had already earned the nickname school shooter  a running joke among those he played online games with. He had also started wearing all black and making over-the-top threats, especially toward women, who he terrorized with graphic descriptions of violence and rape.

Those details are part of an interim report by the House committee investigating the incident, which points to a trail of missed signs leading to one of the worst mass shootings in Texas  one that was months in the making.

The report, released Sunday, presents the most complete picture to date of Salvador Ramos, the 18-year-old who killed 19 students and two teachers in his former fourth-grade classroom at Robb Elementary. The findings are based on law enforcement interviews with family members, data on the shooters phone and testimony presented to the committee.

He also shot and wounded his grandmother, Celia Gonzales, before storming the school.

He was born in Fargo, North Dakota, but moved to Uvalde as a child with his sister and mother, who struggled with a long history of drug use. A former girlfriend interviewed by the FBI said she believed the shooter had been sexually assaulted at an early age by one of the mothers boyfriends but that the mother didnt believe him, according to the report.

Relatives described him as someone shy and quiet who was reluctant to interact with others because he had a speech impediment. When he started school, his pre-K teacher described him as a wonderful student, always ready to learn and with a positive attitude.

Then, something changed. He started falling behind in school but never received special education services, despite being identified as at-risk and having someone request speech therapy for him, according to the report, citing school records.

Family and friends told the committee he was bullied throughout the fourth grade over his stutter, short haircut and clothing. He often wore the same clothing day after day. One time, a girl tied his shoelaces together causing him to fall on his face, a cousin said.

Beginning in 2018, he was recording more than 100 absences a year, along with failing grades. But the report authors said it was unclear whether a school resource officer ever visited his home. By 2021, when he was 17 years old, he had only completed ninth grade, the reports authors wrote.

When students started to return to school after learning remotely during the pandemic, he dropped out. Instead of trying to fit in, as he had done in the past, he grew more isolated and retreated to the online world. Uvalde High School officials involuntarily withdrew him on October 28, citing poor academic performance and lack of attendance.

In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Ariana Diaz, a senior at Uvalde High School and one of the shooters former classmates, described him as a popular loner, someone who everyone knew but who kept to himself. She also said that more recently, he seemed to be in what she described as a dark place and started wearing all black and combat boots.

He became depressed and lonely, those who knew him said.

He would tell his girlfriend at the time that he wouldnt live past 18, either because he would commit suicide or wouldnt live long, the girl later told the FBI in an interview, according to the report. When she broke up with him in mid-2021, he started harassing her and her friends, the girl told officials.

Online, the report authors said, he started to show an interest in gore and violent sex, sometimes sharing videos and images of suicides and beheadings. While playing online games, he became enraged and threatened others, especially female players, when he lost.

Privately, he wrote about his challenges connecting with others or feeling empathy for them, saying he was not human. His search history, the authors of the report wrote, suggests he was wondering whether he was a sociopath. His internet searches led to him receiving an email about obtaining psychological treatment for the condition.

Attacking women became a pattern. He was also fired from his job at a Whataburger after a month for threatening a female coworker. And later he was let go of his job at Wendys.

Despite losing his jobs, living at home allowed him to save money. By the end of 2021, when clues of his plans first surfaced, he ordered rifle slings, a red dot sight and shin guards, as well as a body armor carrier he wore the day of the Robb Elementary massacre. But because he was still 17 at the time, he wasnt legally allowed to buy the weapons, and at least two people he asked refused.

He started becoming fascinated with school shootings and increasingly seeking notoriety and fame on social media, the report said.

In late 2021, the committee said he shared a video online showing him driving around with someone he said he had met online, holding a clear plastic bag with a dead cat inside, which he discarded in the street and spit on while his driver laughed. The video then showed him dry firing BB guns at people and ended with footage of emergency services responding to a serious car accident, which he claimed his driver had caused, according to the report.

But despite all the threats and violent talk, none of his online behavior was reported to law enforcement. Its unclear whether other users reported his behavior to any social media platform, but the committee concluded it doesnt appear there were any actions taken to restrict his access or to report him to authorities as a threat.

He moved in with his grandmother, who had retired from the local school district after 27 years, after having a blowout argument with his mother that was livestreamed on Instagram. The report doesnt specify who livestreamed it, but The Washington Post reported that two months prior to the shooting, he posted an Instagram story in which he screamed at his mother who, according to a high school classmate, he said was trying to kick him out of their home.

He confided in an older cousin who was also staying with their grandmother that he didnt want to live anymore. But the cousin told authorities she thought shed gotten through to him after a lengthy heart-to-heart.

Instead, he began to buy more firearm accessories beginning in February, including 60 30-round magazines. As soon as he turned 18, on May 16, he started buying guns and ammunition. In the end he bought two AR-15-style rifles and thousands of rounds. In total, he spent more than $6,000, the committee found.

He had no criminal history nor had he ever been arrested. There was nothing in his background that kept him from owning the weapons. And while multiple gun sales within a short period of time are reported to the ATF, the committee report authors point out that the law requires purchase of handguns to be reported only to the local sheriff.

Here, the information about the attackers gun purchases remained in federal hands, they wrote.

Online, the shooter started to reference a timeline, foreshadowing his plans.

On April 2, he sent someone a direct message on Instagram, Are you still gonna remember me in 50 something days?

The person responded, probably not.

Hmm alright well see in may, he responded.

At least one friend from out of town started to become worried and proposed visiting him in Uvalde. But when the friend said he wouldnt be able to go until July or August, he said damn thats too late.

Five days before he went on a rampage at the elementary school, a man targeted and killed 10 Black people in a Buffalo, N.Y. supermarket. The mass shooting didnt go unnoticed by the 18-year-old. He saved news stories and other information about it. He also spent time with a cousins son who went to Robb Elementary to get information about his schedule and lunch periods, officials reported.

On the eve of the shooting, he sent out messages to people about something he was going to do the following day.

I got a lil secret, he wrote to a German girl he had befriended online.

It was impossible to do that day, he explained, because he was waiting for something to be delivered.

His order of 1,740 hollow-point bullets arrived later that day.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Two water agencies have settled their legal dispute over who has regulatory authority over land along Medina Lake that lies in Bandera County.

On July 11, the Bexar-Medina-Atascosa Counties Water Control and Improvement District No. 1, known as the BMA, adopted a resolution saying that it agreed not to assert regulatory authority over property in Bandera County.

The Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District  which sued the BMA, asking the court to declare that the BMA has no jurisdiction in Bandera County  is expected to dismiss its lawsuit this month.

People who live in Bandera County, right around the lake, are not going to have to pay any attention to any comments, rules or regulations or anything else that might come out of the BMA, said Greg Ellis, attorney for the Bandera County River Authority. All existing agreements with the BMA are not affected, and people can enter into voluntary agreements, but otherwise, the people there do not have to pay attention.

The BMA declined to comment, citing pending litigation.

On ExpressNews.com: In Bandera County, who regulates the land around Medina Lake? The court will decide.

In its resolution, the BMA said it does not concede that it ever adopted, published or enforced the rules stated in a document cited during the litigation.

In the settlement agreement, the BMA acknowledged it has no authority over groundwater withdrawals in Bandera County and no regulatory authority to inspect private or public water wells that it does not own in that county.

The BMA, however, may file complaints to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for unlawful diversions of water from Medina Lake or Medina River, and it can file complaints to the Bandera County River Authority and the TCEQ if the BMA believes a well in Bandera County is producing water from Medina Lake storage.

Also, the BMA may file complaints if it has evidence that a septic tank in Bandera County on property adjacent to Medina Lake is not functioning as licensed and is discharging untreated or partially treated human waste into Medina Lake.

This settlement concludes litigation spanning almost 10 years after the groundwater district sued the BMA in 2013.

This is a really good outcome, Ellis said. Im just sorry it took as long as it did.

Elena Bruess writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. elena.bruess@express-news.net
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San Antonio officials want to restore centuries-old features at Brackenridge Park, but residents are worried the plans are too aggressive for the historic park.

The city wants to uncover the 1776 Upper Labor Dam, repair and return water flows through a 1700s mission acequia and 1800s raceway and expose arches at the base of an 1870s pump house. The $7.75 million project also includes restoring a lily pond thats dry and filled with invasive species and bringing in more native, drought-tolerant trees and plants.

The park is just kind of a big spread of hardscape, with under-served cultural resources, Rachel Wilkins, project manager with SWA Group, a consultant, told about 40 people during a presentation of proposed concepts at the Witte Museum.

She spoke of the potential for an outdoor classroom, vistas overlooking historical focal points and public art, exhibits, lighting and murals highlighting a beautiful overlay of history throughout the whole site.

City officials hope to build consensus on a plan by Labor Day for one of San Antonios most historic and culturally sacred areas, where Indigenous people camped along the spirit waters of the San Antonio River.

Right now, Brackenridge Park isnt in very good shape. It doesnt have very much of an identity, Wilkins said.

On ExpressNews.com: Updated plan would save 19 trees targeted for removal in Brackenridge Park

No one argued with the first part of her statement. But some took issue with the second part.

KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL 2022

Its been decades since some of the parks longtime staples have operated, from paddle boats and a sky ride to horse stables and a carousel. But some said the 123-year-old park, particularly its northern sector, has an identity tied to thousands of years of human occupation, from hunting and fishing by Native Americans to family barbecues on Easter weekend.

We are currently standing and living on the historical lands of the Lipan Apache, said Lucille Contreras, CEO of the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project and a member of the Lipan Apache Band of Texas.

Theres sort of a pressure or rush to make a decision by Labor Day, she said. But  how long did it take for those trees to grow? How long did it take for the waters to travel where they go from and to?

A plan to remove more than 100 native trees at the park has been met with vocal opposition for several months. City officials committed last month to relocate at least 19 of those trees. But critics have said thats not enough.

The window for tree removal will reopen in November, then close in March 2023, when roosting season for protected migratory birds returns. The city is studying the issue before securing permits from the Texas Historical Commission and Historic and Design Review Commission.

Some who spoke at the meeting were worried about vehicle access and availability of picnic areas for families to gather for spring break, Easter and other holidays.

Ida Ayala and Alesia Garlock questioned the proposals to restore water flows to the acequia and raceway when there might be more sustainable ways to distinguish them while focusing on repairs to the parks river banks, restrooms and trails. Ayala said the city seemed to be redesigning the park.

KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL 2022

Why arent we doing the minimally invasive things with this park to keep its historic nature, to keep its natural landscape, to preserve the culture that is in the park that has evolved through time that the citizens of San Antonio want to retain? Ayala asked.

Garlock said the concepts presented do not maintain the parks character and dont reflect environmental priorities that have changed since the bond issue passed in 2017.

On ExpressNews.com: Residents score small victory in fight to save parks trees

This is 2022. And our earth is burning up. And we need to change our plans. There is no Plan B for our earth, Garlock said.

Rose Hill, president of the Government Hill Alliance, said the city and community members need to work together because working alone is only going to create division.

Kaylee Greenlee Beal

One of the messages City Parks Director Homer Garcia said he heard during the meeting was about really being sensitive to anything we do, making sure that, whatever we do, it is conducive to improving the parks health.

To address the trees, what Im hearing is we need to try harder. And I know we still have that to update and show in the next meeting, he said.

That next meeting, featuring another conceptual design presentation, public input and questions posed to experts, is set for 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. A final meeting on recommendations for both phases of the project is planned a few weeks later, but it has not been scheduled.

shuddleston@express-news.net
UVALDE  Relatives of those killed in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School expressed grief and outrage on Sunday in response to a Texas House committee report that found police  in waiting more than an hour to confront the gunman  prioritized their own safety over the lives of students and teachers.

Theyre going to have the blood of those kids on their hands for eternity, said Manny Renfro, the grandfather of Uziyah Garcia, 10, who died in the massacre.

Renfro, 65, said the thought of dozens of officers going up and down the hallway of the school, waiting to enter the classrooms where injured victims remained with the shooter, made him sick to his stomach.

I think every single lawman who was on the scene should be held accountable, Renfro said. They lost 19 beautiful children, including my grandson. My blood just starts boiling, and I get upset because something more couldve been done to save those kids.

Now Playing: Texas committee releases video of Uvalde school shooting response. Video: San Antonio Express-News

According to the report, 376 law enforcement officers from nearly two dozen federal, state and local agencies converged on Robb Elementary on May 24 after an 18-year-old gunman, Salvador Ramos of Uvalde, walked in at 11:33 a.m. with an assault-style rifle and began shooting inside two classrooms.

Ramos killed 19 children and two teachers. He wounded 17 others.

The police response to the crisis was chaotic, and no one was clearly in charge, the report said. It took officers 73 minutes to enter the classrooms, kill Ramos and begin treating the wounded, some of whom died after being evacuated.

Its disgusting, said Leticia Garcia, 42, Uziyahs aunt. They didnt have the courage to go in there. They had a shield. They all had vests. They had weapons, and they had numbers. There was one gunman.

Polly Flores lost two relatives in the massacre: Jackie Cazares, 9, her niece, and Annabell Rodriguez, 10, her great niece.

My niece, she had a pulse, Flores said. They rushed her to the hospital. She bled to death. Why? Because she didnt get medical attention. (The gunman) was one. One idiot. All of you jump on him  you swore to protect.

Some officers likely realized injured victims were in the classrooms with the shooter, yet they continued to wait to confront him, the report said. Some were waiting for more officers and better equipment to arrive, a Uvalde lieutenant told the committee.

That officer, Lt. Mariano Pargas, was serving as acting chief of the Uvalde Police Department on the day of the shooting. Pargas told the committee he and other officers were aware of 911 calls coming from the classrooms during the delay.

UVALDE: 'They all failed us': Grieving uncle faults police response to Uvalde school shooting

On Sunday, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Jr. announced that the city had placed Pargas on administrative leave while it investigates the role of the Uvalde Police Department in the botched response.

Flores, 59, blamed the disastrous response by police on one thing: Cowardice, she said.

They failed us, she said. Who protected our kids? Nobody. And they were cowards. Im sorry to say that, and Im embarrassed to say that, but every single individual who was in the hallway should be fired. If nobody was in charge, then anybody could have gone in.

The committees three members  its chairman, state Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock; state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso; and former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman  met Sunday with families of the victims.

Its about showing respect for the families and delivering our report, which we do so with humility, Guzman told the San Antonio Express-News.

I think that they seek to understand what happened, Guzman added. And I hope that the families know that we grieve with them and that this report can in some manner allow them to seek and find peace.

However, some families of victims were either not notified or allowed into the meeting Sunday.

Alfred Garza III  whose daughter Amerie Jo Garza, 10, was killed in the attack  said officials told him that I wasnt on the list and that I wasnt welcomed there.

Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

McLaughlin, who coordinated the meeting, said another person had been responsible for drawing up a list of family members who could attend. He didnt identify the person.

Uvalde victims' families want justice

Mary Grace Garcia, another aunt of Uziyah, said on Sunday she was seeking justice.

Her main questions for officers: What were you all thinking? What was going through your mind by standing there in the hallway?

Col. Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, has blamed the flawed response on Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pedro Pete Arredondo as the incident commander.

But any officer at the school could have taken command, the committees report said, and police should have realized that Arredondo could not have commanded the response effectively from inside the school, where he stayed with spotty radio communication throughout the crisis.

Arredondo spent 40 minutes searching for a key to a door to the classrooms that likely was unlocked the entire time. Other officers knew 911 calls were coming from inside the classrooms, yet they continued to wait, the report said.

U.S. Marshals delivered a shield at 12:20 p.m. that likely would have protected officers against rounds from Ramoss rifle. But officers continued to wait another 30 minutes to enter the classrooms and kill the gunman.

BORTAC, an elite tactical unit of U.S. Border Patrol, took command shortly before 12:30 p.m. Its acting commander tested a Halligan tool on another door and searched for a key before finally entering Room 111 at 12:50 p.m. and killing Ramos.

If theres one thing that I can tell you  there were multiple systemic failures, Rep. Burrows said during a news conference after meeting with victims families. The people of Uvalde before this, they felt it couldnt happen here. They felt that. Thats the false sense of security I worry about.

bchasnoff@express-news.net
In an age when the world lies at our fingertips through the wonders of the internet, we remain woefully ignorant.

Nothing symbolizes our bewilderment more dramatically than the sky. It is vast and awesome, its wonders both intimate and remote. We see the sky every day, savor it every day, but the awe it inspires is exceeded only by the mysteries it creates.

The greatest artist in the world is Nature. Spectacular images, released by NASA last week, show a network of dots, strands and webs in varying shades of blue, pink and brown. They look like giant Jackson Pollocks, amorphous but coherent, and they dramatize the irony of acquiring knowledge, illuminating the world while deepening the mystery.

Called the Cosmic Cliffs, Webbs seemingly three-dimensional picture looks like craggy mountains on a moonlit evening, NASA reported on its website, describing one of the photos. In reality, it is the edge of the giant, gaseous cavity within NGC 3324, and the tallest peaks in this image are about 7 light-years high. The cavernous area has been carved from the nebula by the intense ultraviolet radiation and stellar winds from extremely massive, hot, young stars.

The photos, produced by the James Webb Space Telescope in a cluster of galaxies called SMACS 0723, have stunned scientists and stargazers alike, capturing thousands of galaxies formed billions of years ago, after the Big Bang.

Our journey in going beyond our home planet is a human endeavor, and in the greatest tradition of exploration, past, present and future spacefarers will continue to be enduring catalysts for inspiration in our quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe, John M. Grunsfeld, a physicist and former astronaut, said.

These images are 7,600 light years from Earth, something to consider the next time we complain about the drive to Dallas. The canvas is the sky, and the brush is wielded by  what?  whom?

The questions may seem unanswerable, at least to the layperson. Our frame of reference is so narrow, so infinitesimal; the more we know, the less we know. The world seems beyond our understanding, and that is what makes these photos so awesome, so breathtaking.

As remarkable as the photos is the genius that created the photos. The giant telescope, launched last year on Christmas Day, is the most advanced observatory in the world. Built through an international partnership, it cost $10 billion.

Critics will complain about the cost of the project, saying the money could go elsewhere. The concerns are valid, and they must be addressed. We have major problems throughout the country and the world  hunger, unemployment, white supremacy. The list goes on.

If curiosity leads to knowledge, however, it is also true that knowledge leads to solutions. The James Webb photos demonstrate a remarkable capacity to achieve, a trait as majestic as the photos themselves. Science has enriched our lives, eradicating disease, bridging cultures, improving transportation and communication.

In these hard times, we should glory in our achievements, our endless desire to reach the stars, literally and figuratively. The journey to knowledge should be never-ending, a wondrous march toward enlightenment. A world discovered is an obstacle conquered.

If there is a key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe, it is the thirst for knowledge, the yearning. May we never lose it. May we never relax our hold on it, for it is what makes us who and what we are  human, flawed, but always struggling to transcend our flaws.

Every image is a new discovery, and each will give humanity a view of the universe we have never seen before, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said.

When project chief Bill Ochs thanked his crew, he quoted from the Jimmy Buffet song Book on the Shelf:

Im so damn lucky to have an all-star crew

Some stoic, some crazy, some just passing through.

Leave it to a Jimmy Buffet fan to bring space exploration down to Earth.
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat who represents Uvalde, said Gov. Greg Abbott has done nothing to help the community after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers on May 24.

Gutierrez, in an interview on CNN Monday, blasted Abbott for declining to visit the town, attend funerals or spearhead investigations following the shooting. He said the governor has not visited Uvalde since the early days after the massacre, missing the communitys outrage and grief as it becomes clear that the police response to the shooting was mishandled.

(Abbott) has the direct power to go and ask for accountability, the direct power to go ask, What happened here? Why didnt you tell people to go in? Why didnt your supervisors tell people go in?  Gutierrez said. He has the direct power to get any kind of report that he wants. He's the governor of the state of Texas, and he has refused to step in.  He hasnt been back to Uvalde, and hes refused to ask for any kind of accountability here.

READ MORE: Gov. Greg Abbott takes 'minimalist' approach to Uvalde shooting response, experts say

His comments came on the heels of a Texas House committee report showing that nearly 400 law enforcement officers responded to the shooting at Robb Elementary School but none confronted the gunman for more than an hour. Some likely knew people inside the classrooms were injured and needed help.

Renae Eze, a spokeswoman for Abbott, said the governor has been to the community multiple times since that tragic day, joining his fellow Texans to grieve and worship at events into June. He has gone a total of four times, she said  the first two for press conferences and meetings in the days immediately following the shooting; once on May 29, when President Joe Biden visited the town; and finally on June 5, for a meeting with the local district attorney and a worship event.

On CNN, Gutierrez had incorrectly claimed that Abbott last visited Uvalde for the second press conference on May 27.

The senators comments do nothing to help the Uvalde community as they work to heal, Eze said in an email. The governor and his office remain in regular contact with Mayor (Don) McLaughlin and Uvalde leaders, speaking on an almost daily basis to ensure the Uvalde community is receiving the support and all available resources to heal.

Eze declined to say whether Abbott plans to travel to Uvalde again soon.

She instead pointed to the governors orders directing various state officials to quickly conduct safety checks at schools and hold hearings on potential legislative responses to the massacre. Abbott also signed off on a $105.5 million package that intends to bolster mental health and school safety initiatives across the state; about half of the money will fund bulletproof shields for law enforcement officers.

Reiterating previous criticism, Gutierrez also railed against the governor for declining to call a special legislative session before the start of the next academic year. Such a move would immediately bring state lawmakers back to Austin, allowing Democrats the opportunity to lobby their GOP colleagues for gun restrictions that they have so far resisted.

The Legislature is scheduled to return to the Capitol in January for the 2023 legislative session.

We have to get to the bottom of this, but it begins at the top in Texas, Gutierrez said.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
Gov. Greg Abbott and law enforcement need to be brought to Congress to explain under oath the constantly shifting stories that have made a mockery of the states investigations of mistakes made by the police during the Uvalde school shooting, Houston Congressman Al Green said.

Green said the details of what happened that day from the report released on Sunday are bad enough, but those findings are even more appalling in light of the false information that Abbott provided the families in the 48 hours immediately following the massacre.

THE LATEST: 376 officers were on the scene in Uvalde as they waited to confront gunman

The governor absolutely should be placed under oath so we can get to the bottom of this, Green, D-Houston, said. Those parents, those babies who are no longer with us, they deserve justice.

Green, 74, last week took to the House Floor to decry what he called a cover-up in Uvalde.

It is time for us to get to the bottom of what happened at that elementary school, Green said during that floor speech. And the governor laid the foundation at his initial press conference for the cover-up that is taking place.

NEW DETAILS: Victims families furious after horrific details surface in new report on Robb Elementary shooting

Nineteen children and two teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School that day.

A MASSACRE: Remembering the victims of the horrific Uvalde school shooting

The next day, Abbott presented the public with a timeline of events that included police engaging the gunman early. Further, Abbott declared it could have been worse if not for police running toward gunfire. The report released Sunday by the Texas House of Representatives shows that as officers at the school waited outside the classroom for 77 minutes after the initial gunfire, 376 law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, even as children were inside calling on cell phones for help.

In the initial press conference, the response was said to have lasted only 40 minutes thanks to officers who rapidly devised a plan, stacked up, and neutralized the attacker.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Abbott acknowledged three days later that some of the information he provided at his news conference was not true.

I am livid about what happened, Abbott said. The information I was given turned out, in part, to be inaccurate, and I am absolutely livid about that.

But Abbott has refused to say who misled him.

Green said those parties must be held accountable, no matter how high they are in the chain of command. Any attempts of a coverup need to be dispelled by having Abbott testify to Congress under oath, he said.

THE DELAY: Gov. Greg Abbott calls police response to Uvalde shooting disgusting

There is no question in the minds of reasonable and prudent people that the governor has to give some testimony about how he acquired this knowledge that was faulty and who it was that told him it, said Green.

Already the U.S. Justice Department has announced it will conduct its own review of the police response. The report released Sunday by the Texas House found systemic failures and egregiously poor decision making and decried the impact of the false information that undermined the publics trust.

Uvalde itself has paid a terrible price as it has waited for the truth and waded through the shaky narrative given instead, the report said.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Morning of chaos  A reconstruction of how the Uvalde massacre unfolded

Officials from the Texas Department of Public Safety gave Abbott the initial briefing because a Uvalde police lieutenant who was supposed to do the briefing had passed out beforehand, the Texas House report says.

Last month, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform held a hearing in which they heard from families and even students who survived the shooting. But the hearing didnt delve into misinformation that was released to the public.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com
At the Texas Republican Partys convention last month, state elected leaders gave speeches brimming with praise for former president Donald Trump, while delegates passed a resolution supporting Trumps false claims that he won the 2020 election.

There was little of that same sort of allegiance at the Texas Democratic Convention in Dallas, where the partys national leader, President Joe Biden, did not receive a single mention in any of the statewide candidates speeches.

Hanging over the convention was Bidens response to the demise of Roe v. Wade, cast by liberal critics as overly tepid, and his dire approval ratings among Texas voters, particularly independents. Most Democratic politicians appeared reluctant to align themselves with their own partys president, making scattered references to him that often included pleas for more assertive action on abortion rights and other priorities.

SATURDAY: Texas Democrats urge Biden to use federal powers to restore medication abortion access

At times, their comments boiled over into outright criticism, as state Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, accused national party leaders of pandering to Texans with spineless talking points and soulless fundraising emails.

The buck stops with the leader of our party, the leader of our country, President Biden, Talarico said in his speech over the weekend, which received a loud ovation and has since gone viral on social media. Mr. President, you saved our nation once by defeating Trump. Now we need you to restore its soul by defeating Trumpism. We need you and our nations leaders to start using every tool in the toolbox to protect our freedom.

He added: Mr. President, play to the fullest extent of the rules. Be brave, be bold, be big, be a little less Washington and a little more Texas.

Frustration has run rampant among Democrats  not just in Texas  who want Biden to fight more aggressively for abortion protections after the Supreme Courts landmark reversal of Roe v. Wade. Thus far, Bidens response has centered on urging Democrats to mobilize for the midterms and voicing support for an end to the Senate filibuster so Democrats can pass a law codifying abortion rights.

The Biden administration, meanwhile, has rejected ideas such as declaring abortion access a public health emergency and using federal land in red states for abortion services, mostly over concerns about the legality and effectiveness of the moves. And Biden has acknowledged there is not enough support in the evenly divided Senate to scrap the filibuster.

Some 20 Texas Democratic officials, candidates and activists held a press conference at the convention Saturday urging Biden to take five immediate actions to restore abortion access, largely aimed at medication abortions. The plan was outlined in a letter signed by 42 state and federal politicians and sent to the Biden administration over the weekend.

We appreciate the steps the administration has taken. There are other steps that Texans in crisis need right now, Greg Casar, the Democratic nominee for Texas 35th Congressional District and a former Austin city council member, said at the press conference.

Some Texas Democrats also remain bitter over Congress failure last year to pass a federal voting rights act that would override the barrage of election law changes and restrictions enacted by Republican-controlled states, including Texas.

Last summer, more than 50 Democrats in the Texas House fled the state to Washington, D.C., aiming to stave off the GOPs priority elections bill and spur Democrats in Congress into passing their own voting bill. But they returned to Austin six weeks later, ending the standoff and allowing the Texas Republican bill to pass.

Biden supporters note that while Democrats narrowly control both chambers of Congress, they have no margin for error in the Senate, where a 50-50 partisan split has allowed a handful of moderate Democrats to stymie much of the presidents agenda, including abortion and voting legislation.

At the convention on Friday, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison defended Bidens record, pointing to legislation passed despite the fractious conditions, including a massive infrastructure spending plan and a recent bipartisan gun safety bill. He also noted that Biden has vowed to step in if GOP-run states block their residents from crossing state lines to receive abortions.

President Biden, my friends, he is taking bold action to protect a womans right to travel safely to other states and receive the abortion care she needs, Harrison said. And these are just some of the many ways that the Biden-Harris administration has shown up for the people of Texas.

Rick Levy, president of the Texas AFL-CIO, also told delegates this weekend that Biden is the most pro-union president in our lifetimes.

Still, Democratic candidates in Texas will likely continue distancing themselves from Biden throughout the midterm campaign, said Jeronimo Cortina, a political science professor at the University of Houston. He said theyre not only trying to avoid alienating moderates and independents, but also another constituency theyll need to turn out this fall to be competitive: young and progressive voters who are unenthused by Bidens presidency.

Biden is not popular in Texas. That's a fact, Cortina said. So, either you bet that you may be able to get some moderates out there, or maybe some independents might go your way. But you really need your core constituency and those that you may be more likely to rely on  if they're excited  to go out and vote.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
WFO NEW YORK CITY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in Upton has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Southern Fairfield County in southern Connecticut...

* Until 730 PM EDT.

* At 535 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of

rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are

possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected

to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as

other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, New Canaan, Fairfield, Greenwich,

Westport, Darien, Wilton, Weston and Easton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law

enforcement and request they pass this information to the National

Weather Service when you can do so safely.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
NEWS FLASH





Air Serbia will become the launch customer of Sabres Air Price IQ tool, which provides technology for airlines to generate relevant offers by analysing the carriers own shopping and revenue management data in real time along with relevant marketplace insights. The cloud-native solution utilises artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise price and help airlines drive higher conversion rates and improved yield by delivering more relevant offers across all channels. Given the challenges the travel industry has faced through the pandemic, creating products that better meet the expectations of travellers and improve profitability for airlines at the same time is more important than ever, Wade Jones, Sabres Chief Product Officer, said. He added, To match travellers to the right fares at the right times requires intelligent systems that analyse large volumes of data at scale and use advanced machine learning models to deliver actionable insights. We are delighted to have found a forward-thinking, innovative partner in Air Serbia to work with us in preparing for this paradigm shift in travel. Air Serbias CEO, Jiri Marek, noted, As an industry we are facing a rapid pace of change. After the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are now looking forward to the opportunities of the summer season and exploring new opportunities. We must realise these opportunities in this volatile environment, while delivering an enhanced booking and travel experience to our customers. Sabres innovative Air Price IQ is a key driver in our move from static pricing to dynamically created personalised offers.
President Joe Biden speaks about abortion access during an event in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, July 8, 2022, in Washington. Since the Supreme Court last month nullified the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, the White House has come under considerable pressure to try and maintain access to abortion in conservative states that are set to outlaw the procedure. AP-Yonhap



On restoring access to abortion, President Joe Biden says his hands are tied without more Democratic senators. Declaring a public health emergency on the matter has downsides, his aides say. And as for gun violence, Biden has been clear about the limits of what he can do on his own.



''There's a Constitution,'' Biden said from the South Lawn in late May. ''I can't dictate this stuff.''



Throughout this century, presidents have often pushed aggressively to extend the boundaries of executive power. Biden talks more about its limits.



When it comes to the thorniest issues confronting his administration, the instinct from Biden and his White House is often to speak about what he cannot do, citing constraints imposed by the courts or insufficient support in a Congress controlled by his own party  though barely.



He injects a heavy dose of reality in speaking to an increasingly restive Democratic base, which has demanded action on issues such as abortion and voting rights before the November elections.



White House officials and the president's allies say that approach typifies a leader who has always promised to be honest with Americans, including about how expansive his powers really are.



But Biden's realpolitik tendencies are colliding with an activist base agitating for a more aggressive party leader  both in tone and substance. Although candidate Biden sold himself as the person who best knew the ways of Washington, he nonetheless is hamstrung by the same obstacles that have bedeviled his predecessors.



''I think that if you hesitate from important actions like this just because of a legal challenge, then you would do nothing,'' said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., who has been pressing for more administrative actions on abortion. ''People all across the country are expecting us  the leaders  to do something.''



Biden's cautionary approach could be to protect himself if the White House falls short  like Democrats did in negotiating a party-line spending package centered on the social safety net and climate provisions. That sweeping effort had been steadily thwarted due to resistance from two moderate Democrats, one of them West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who on Thursday scuttled for the time being a scaled-back effort that focused on climate and taxes.



That development prompted calls from Democratic senators for Biden to unilaterally declare a climate emergency. In a statement Friday while in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Biden pledged to take ''strong executive action to meet this moment'' on climate. But in recent weeks, that gap between ''yes, we can'' and ''no, we can't'' has been most glaring on abortion.



Since the Supreme Court last month overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling from 1973 with its constitutional protections for abortion, the White House has come under considerable pressure to try to maintain access to abortion in conservative states that are set to outlaw the procedure.



For instance, advocates have implored Biden to look into establishing abortion clinics on federal lands. They have asked the administration to help transport women seeking abortions to a state that offers the procedure. And Democratic lawmakers are pressing the White House to declare a public health emergency.



Without rejecting the ideas completely, White House aides have expressed skepticism about such requests. And even as he signed an executive order last week to begin addressing the issue, Biden had one clear, consistent message: that he could not do this on his own, shifting attention to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.



''The only way we can secure a woman's right to choose and the balance that existed is for Congress to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade as federal law,'' Biden said shortly after the court struck down Roe. ''No executive action from the president can do that.''









Shortly after declaring that the filibuster  a Senate rule that requires 60 votes for most legislation to advance  should not apply for abortion and privacy measures, Biden acknowledged during a meeting with Democratic governors that his newfound position would not make a difference, at least not right away.



''The filibuster should not stand in the way of us being able to do that,'' Biden said of writing the protections of Roe into federal law. ''But right now, we don't have the votes in the Senate to change the filibuster.''



Biden, who served for 36 years in the Senate, is an institutionalist to his core and has tried to operate under the constraints of those institutions  unlike his predecessor, Donald Trump, who repeatedly pushed the boundaries of executive power.





Abortion rights activists demonstrate in support of women's rights on July 16, 2022, in Santa Monica, California. AFP-Yonhap


Low cost carrier Ryanair has held talks with the Slovenian Ministry for Economic Development and Technology last week over the potential introduction of flights from the country next year. According to the  Low cost carrier Ryanair has held talks with the Slovenian Ministry for Economic Development and Technology last week over the potential introduction of flights from the country next year. According to the  Sierra5  portal, during the meeting, Ryanair officials emphasised that Slovenia is the only market within the European Union that is currently unserved by the budget airline and criticised Ljubljana Airport's high passenger fees. On the other hand, the Ministry pointed out Maribor as an alternative to Ljubljana, noting that it plans to give the airport up for concession in the coming period. It also conceded the Slovenia is in need of improving its air connectivity, which has suffered since the demise of Adria Airways and has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.





The two sides agreed to meet again in August when discussions will be held over potential destinations and ways in which to establish greater cooperation. In March, Ryanair told EX-YU Aviation News it was monitoring the Slovenian market. The Director of Operations for Ryanairs subsidiary, Lauda Europe, Tadej Notersberg, said at the time, We are tracking the Slovenian market. It is interesting to us for different reasons. If we can see that we can turn around this potential into a profit, Im sure that the Ryanair Group would take the decision and enter this market. The budget airline briefly maintained flights between London Stansted and Maribor in 2007 and 2008. Despite solid loads, the route was terminated after Ryanair and local authorities were unable to agree over subsidies for a joint advertising program.





Ryanair has considered introducing flights to Ljubljana on several occasions over the past decade. In 2011 Ljubljana Airport proposed for Ryanair to operate services out of Dusseldorf, Madrid, Oslo and London to the Slovenian capital, however, the deal never materialised. In 2013, Ryanair requested for the European Commission to act swiftly and conclude its investigation into whether Adria Airways received state aid and benefits from the Slovenian government to the tune of up to 85.5 million euros from 2007 to 2011, contrary to European Union competition laws. The Commission subsequently ruled in favour of Adria. Three years later, in 2016, Ryanairs David O'Brien said the Slovenian governments privatisation of Ljubljana Airport to monopolist Fraport was a disaster. In 2020, Ryanair applied for slots from London Stansted Airport to maintain flights to the Slovenian capital. Although the airline was granted its request, it never launched services to Ljubljana and used the slots for other routes instead. Late last year, the General Manager of Ljubljana Airport, Babett Stapel, said, We have already held talks [with Ryanair] and we are ready to continue them. We welcome all airlines that fit into our business model.
Twenty five people were killed in agriculture during the past year, an improvement from last year's total of 41, but the industry continues to have the poorest safety record in the UK.

Of the 25 people killed in England, Scotland and Wales in the past year, 22 were farm workers and 3 were members of the public including a 9-year old child.

The picture is similar in Northern Ireland where farming accounted for 6 of the 18 (33%) reported workplace fatalities in 2021/2022.

The figures have been released by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), as part of its Fatal Injuries in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing in GB Report 2021/22.

But its release follows two recent tragedies which have shook the industry, including the death of a three-year-old boy who was killed by a tractor on Saturday (16 July).

Stephanie Berkeley, Farm Safety Foundation manager, said that despite an encouraging improvement in the HSE figures over the past year, these were "very sobering statistics".

"We must remember that these are not just statistics  behind every fatal notification is a worker, a visitor or a child," she added.

"We cannot become immune to the impact that each and every death has on farming families and communities across the UK and Ireland.

"Ten years after our first campaign, we cannot continue to accept that risk-taking is part and parcel of farming  we have to work harder to make it safer."

From 18  22 July, the Farm Safety Foundation is holding its tenth annual Farm Safety Week, a campaign encouraging farmers to make farms safer places to live and to work.

This week, the charity will highlight some of the key issues facing the farming community and spotlight the work being done to drive a change in attitudes.

Agriculture is different from many industries in that it can present hazards to people not actively involved in the industry, such as children and family members living on the farm and visitors, in addition to farm workers.

Hazards can also exist for vets, delivery workers and even the emergency medical services personnel, as they provide assistance and care to victims of farm incidents.

Awareness of farm safety is at an all-time high with 66% of farmers in the UK (80% of under 40s) aware of Farm Safety Week according to NFU Mutuals Voice of the Farmer 2022 survey.

But Sue Thompson, of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), said there were farming families "left devasted every year when their loved ones are badly injured or killed while doing their jobs".

"We are starting to see safety improvements in some areas, but the pace of change is slow, and the rates of workplace injury and ill health in agriculture remain the highest of any major sector.

Everyone in agriculture has a role to play in making the changes we all want to see. Together, we can make farming safer.

NFU vice president David Exwood said making a pledge during Farm Safety Week to upskill everyones safety training in a farm business would go a long way to improve safety on farms.

He said: As an industry we are constantly learning, from each other and through innovation, and we need to ensure this mentality is applied to health and safety.

Pledging to upskill ourselves, either through repeat or new training, is a simple and cost-effective way to increase awareness and better identify and manage risks on farm.

"By investing in ourselves and our learning, we are actually investing in our farm businesses as we are our most valuable asset, so safety has to be a top priority."
Five of Americas most respected red meat importers will soon arrive in the UK on a five-day mission to explore opportunities for lamb, ahead of the first commercial exports.

A delegation of importers and processors from the eastern region of the US will be arriving in London to take part in a programme of events, which includes a visit to the National Sheep Association Show in Malvern.

The visit has been organised by AHDB in a bid to connect key importers from the US with lamb exporters, as well as showcasing the varied breeds and rich history of farming in the UK.

The delegation includes one of the most respected distributors in the eastern half of the US  delivering to 27 states and exporting to Latin America.

It includes an importer which supplies hundreds of restaurants, retailers, hotels, universities and caterers throughout Virginia, Washington and Maryland.

One of the top importers and exporters of meat and seafood will also be taking part in the mission, alongside two leading lamb buyers.

It comes as the UK prepares to export lamb to the US for the first time in 20 years, once the final approval process has been completed.

The AHDB estimates this deal, secured last year, to be worth 37 million in the first five years of trade.

AHDB senior export manager, Susana Morris said: We are delighted to be hosting this mission as our visitors are some of the most respected importers on the east side of the US, where demand for lamb is growing in popularity.

"By hosting these guests and introducing them to our farmers and processors, we will hopefully be on the front foot when we get the green light to export.

The mission will include a visit to a butchers shop in Hampshire, owned by a family who have been farming for over 750 years, as well as two farms in Redditch and Cirencester.

They will also have the opportunity to visit two processors who process more than a million lambs each year.

The delegation will visit retailers Sainsburys and Waitrose to see how red meat is showcased in the aisles, followed by a visit to an abattoir facility that processes high quality lamb for retail, wholesalers and international markets.

The visit will also include a day at the National Sheep Associations (NSA) flagship event at Malverns Three Counties Showground.
Restaurant chain Toby Carvery has announced it will stop serving lamb on Sundays, with the sheep sector calling the decision a 'huge disappointment'.

The pub chain has blamed ongoing stock issues as the reason, but the sector has questioned the move as British lamb is 'currently in plentiful supply'.

Diners at the restaurants have already took to social media to express their disappointment.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) said the move was 'controversial', adding that "availability should never be an issue  and supply is certainly not a problem now."

"NSA questions the decision of Toby Carvery to remove lamb as we know it is a much enjoyed meat for those treating themselves to a meal out and one of the most sustainable sources of protein available to us," chief executive, Phil Stocker said.

"If Toby restaurants are struggling with stock issues, then there are plenty of suppliers that could step in and provide a consistent and reliable supply of quality lamb."

At a time when good food choices could help promote a sustainable lifestyle and support farmers, he said removing lamb from the Toby Carvery menu was a 'huge disappointment'.

"I really hope that Toby Carvery will consider reversing its decision and put delicious British lamb back on the plates for its diners to enjoy," Mr Stocker added.

Figures show the UK is a net exporter of lamb and mutton, meaning that it consumes slightly lower volumes than produced, with it exporting around 35% of production.

The UK then imports a similar volume from countries, such as New Zealand.

Mr Stocker said that consumption figures also showed that lamb was a meat often enjoyed out of the home.

"Its place on menus of establishments such as Toby Carvery is important to sustain and build on this level of domestic consumption," he said.
A delegation of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade is visiting Bangladesh to now inspect the latters progress in implementing the European Unions (EU) nine-point action plan to address human and labour rights issues, a prerequisite to remain eligible for the formersbenefit.

To be eligible for the EUs new GSP scheme under its Everything But Arms arrangement from 2024, Bangladesh has formulated a nine-point action plan with a target to execute it by 2026.

The plan stipulates that child labour be eliminated by 2025, workers be given easy access to trade unions and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), workers in one factory be allowed to join trade unions of other factories and labour court cases should be disposed of quickly.

A delegation of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade is visiting Bangladesh to now inspect the latter's progress in implementing the European Union's (EU) nine-point action plan to address human and labour rights issues, a prerequisite to remain eligible for the former's generalised system of preferences (GSP) benefit.#

However, Bangladesh is lagging behind in implementing the plan, which the EU had recently pointed to in a letter.

Led by EU MP Heidi Hautala, the 11-member delegation will meet commerce minister Tipu Munshi, law minister Anisul Haque, state minister for labour and employment Begum Monnujan Sufian, parliament speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam.

The delegation will meet representatives from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association and the Bangladesh Employers' Federation. It will also separately meet trade union leaders, International Labour Organisation officials and members of civil society organisations.

The delegation will also visit Aman Spinning Mills Limited, SKF Pharmaceuticals Limited and the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre.

"Waiting for the implementation of the EPZ Labour Rules is not needed. We therefore look forward to a concrete adjusted timeline for amending the EPZ Labour Act," EU's director general of trade Ewa Synowiec, director general of employment Jordi Curell and deputy managing director for Asia and Pacific Paola Pamaloni were quoted as saying by Bangla media reports.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, July 8, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, awards a serviceman as he visits the war-hit Dnipropetrovsk region. AP-Yonhap



As Russian troops pressed their offensive in Ukraine's east, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his state security chief and prosecutor general on Sunday, citing hundreds of criminal proceedings into treason and collaboration by people within their departments and other law enforcement agencies.



''In particular, more than 60 employees of the prosecutor's office and the SBU (state security service) have remained in the occupied territory and work against our state,'' Zelenskyy said.



''Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the state's national security, and the links recorded between Ukrainian security forces and Russian special services raise very serious questions about their respective leaders,'' he said in his nightly video address to the nation.



Zelenskyy dismissed Ivan Bakanov, a childhood friend and former business partner whom he had appointed to head the SBU. Bakanov had come under growing criticism over security breaches since the war began; Politico last month cited several unidentified Ukrainian and Western sources saying Zelenskyy was looking to replace him.



He also dismissed Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, and replaced her with her deputy Oleksiy Symonenko. Venediktova has helped lead war crime investigations.



Meanwhile, Russian missiles hit industrial facilities earlier Sunday at Mykolaiv, a key shipbuilding center in southern Ukraine. Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said the missiles struck an industrial and infrastructure facility. Mykolaiv has faced regular Russian missile strikes in recent weeks as the Russians have sought to soften Ukrainian defenses.



The Russian military has declared a goal to cut off Ukraine's entire Black Sea coast all the way to the Romanian border. If successful, such an effort would deal a crushing blow to the Ukrainian economy and trade, and allow Moscow to secure a land bridge to Moldova's separatist region of Transnistria, which hosts a Russian military base.



Early in the campaign, Ukrainian forces fended off Russian attempts to capture Mykolaiv, which sits near the Black Sea coast between Russia-occupied Crimea and the main Ukrainian port of Odesa. Since then, Russian troops have halted their attempts to advance in the city but have continued to pummel both Mykolaiv and Odesa with regular missile strikes.





Firefighters take rubbles out of a damaged building following a Russian airstrike in the city of Vinnytsia, west-central Ukraine, July 14. AFP-Yonhap



Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Sunday that Russian missiles destroyed a depot for anti-ship Harpoon missiles delivered to Ukraine by NATO allies, a claim that couldn't be independently confirmed.



The Russians, fearing a Ukrainian counteroffensive, also sought to reinforce their positions in the Kherson region near Crimea and in part of the northern Zaporizhzhia region that they seized in the opening stage of the war.



''Given the pressures on Russian manpower, the reinforcement of the south whilst the fight for the Donbas continues indicates the seriousness with which Russian commanders view the threat,'' the British Defense Ministry said Sunday.



For now, the Russian military has focused on trying to take control of Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland of the Donbas, where the most capable and well-equipped Ukrainian forces are located.



Ukraine says its forces still retain control of two small villages in the Luhansk region, one of two provinces that make up the Donbas, and are fending off Russian attempts to advance deeper into the second one, the Donetsk region.



The Ukrainian military's General Staff said Sunday that Ukrainian troops thwarted Russian attempts to advance toward Sloviansk, the key Ukrainian stronghold in Donetsk, and attacks elsewhere in the region.



Yet Russian officials are urging their troops to produce even more territorial gains. During a visit to the front lines Saturday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu issued an order ''to further intensify the actions of units in all operational areas.''





Destroyed Russian military vehicles are seen at a compound of an agricultural farm, which was used by Russian troops as a military base during Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv Region, Ukraine, July 17. Reuters-Yonhap
The LYCRA Company will exhibit its latest products for denim in person at Kingpins New York from July 20-21, 2022 at Pier 36 in New York City. The US-headquartered company is all set to showcase samples made with LYCRA ADAPTIV fibre, LYCRA Dual Comfort technology and its other industry-leading denim fibres at the trade show for the denim industry.

LYCRA ADAPTIV fibre is a patent-pending revolutionary fibre that creates 'one-size-fits-more' garments that adapt to fit different body shapes within a size. It also delivers a second-skin effect with excellent recovery and comfortable holding power.

"Consumers have different body types and this can impact garment fit and comfort," said Rita Ratskoff, senior strategic manager - denim, The LYCRA Company. "By offering greater shape tolerance, LYCRA ADAPTIV fibre has the potential to reduce apparel returns and manufacturing waste by enabling the undercutting of patterns."

The LYCRA Company will exhibit its latest products for denim in person at Kingpins New York from July 20-21, 2022 at Pier 36 in New York City. The US-headquartered company is all set to showcase samples made with LYCRA ADAPTIV fibre, LYCRA Dual Comfort technology and its other industry-leading denim fibres at the trade show for the denim industry.#

LYCRA DUAL COMFORT technology combines the comfortable fit of stretch fabrics, the cool and dry comfort of moisture management, and LYCRA T400 A EcoMade fibre, made from 68 per cent sustainable resources including recycled and renewable content.

In The LYCRA Company booth, show visitors can also find innovative denim solutions from the LYCRA XTRA LIFE brand's family of innovative denim solutions, including LYCRA Anti-Slip fibre, LYCRA dualFX technology, and LYCRA T400 fibre. They create long-lasting, durable garments that enable designers to develop heavy wash downs and distressed looks without fear.

For garment makers seeking sustainable offerings that reduce waste, denim that uses recycled materials will be on display. LYCRA EcoMade fibre contains 20 percent recycled content, and COOLMAX and THERMOLITE EcoMade technologies are made from 100 per cent textile waste.

"The LYCRA Company is committed to developing an innovative range of sustainable solutions made with renewable and recycled content that will enhance the performance of our customers' offerings while minimising their environmental impact," said Jean Hegedus, sustainability director, The LYCRA Company. "We are excited to be in person at Kingpins again to promote our sustainable denim fibres that help reduce waste and set the stage for circularity."

Hegedus will join a panel discussion at Kingpins on July 21 entitled, 'In Conversation: Denim Changemakers'. This panel will bring together representatives from companies in the United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network, whose members are accelerating change in the denim sector. Participants will discuss industry commitments to increase sustainable practices and advance collective action to reach the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
Vietnams export of textiles and garments to Japan reached nearly $1.67 billion in the first half of 2022, as per the latest data from the General Department of Customs. Other groups of export goods valued at more than $1 billion were machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts ($1.364 billion) and means of transport and spare parts ($1.2 billion).

Vietnams exports to Japan went up to $11.38 billion in the first half of 2022, which was a nearly 13 per cent rise over the same period last year. On the other hand, imports from Japan touched $12 billion, which is an increase of 10.6 per cent year-on-year.

Japan is Vietnams fourth biggest trade partner after China, the United States, and South Korea.

Vietnam's export of textiles and garments reached nearly $1.67 billion in the first half of 2022, as per the latest data from the General Department of Customs. Other groups of export goods valued at more than $1 billion were machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts ($1.364 billion), and means of transport and spare parts ($1.2 billion).#

In 2021, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Japan totalled up to almost $43 billion, of which Vietnams exports were estimated to be $20.13 billion and imports were pegged at more than $22.8 billion.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)
In a recent interview, Hollywood stars Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth revealed all the fun behind the scenes. The duo worked together in Thor: Love and Thunder, with Portman reprising the role of Jane Foster while Hemsworth played Thor.

The two actors attended a radio show in the UK to promote their movie. During this show, Portman was asked if Chris Hemsworth had any hidden flaws or if the actress had any complaints with Hemsworth while shooting on set. Answering this, Natalie Portman said that she only had pleasant experiences with her co-star.

The actress responded by saying, He's really nice. He's really a good guy. She also added, The day we had a kiss scene he didn't eat meat that morning because I'm vegan. And he eats meat like every half hour. Like, that was so thoughtful. That's not something I'm angry about or care about, but he was just being thoughtful. He's a very nice person.

As per reports by CNN, Chris Hemsworth eats 4500 calories per day and 10 meals to maintain his physique as the God of Thunder. Natalie Portman, on the other hand, is a vegan. Even though the actress did not insist upon Hemsworth not eating meat, he made the considerate gesture.
The journey of Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a story for the ages. The actress is a born achiever and dons many feathers in her cap. From winning the Miss World 2000 crown to being listed by Forbes among the Worlds 100 Most Powerful Women, Priyanka Chopra has been nothing short of an inspiration to young women. Today, she is not only a pageant winner and actress but also a businesswoman, a producer, an author, a philanthropist, and an ex-UNICEF goodwill ambassador for child rights. She is also an advocate of the feminist movement and has spoken about womens empowerment through education.

Priyanka Chopra had initially aspired to become an aeronautical engineer, but fate had different plans in store for her. Priyanka Chopras mother entered her name in the Femina Miss India contest. After this, she was crowned Miss India World and would, later on, be crowned Miss World 2000. After winning the crown, she gained widespread popularity, which resulted in her tryst with acting.

Priyanka Chopras acting career began with the 2002 Tamil movie Thamizhan, after which she made her Bollywood debut in Anil Sharmas The Hero: Love Story of a Spy. Her performance in the movie earned Priyanka her first Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Post the success of this, she went on to star in other commercially successful movies such as Mujhse Shaadi Karoge and Aitraaz, which won her a Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role. She then rose to prominence with back-to-back blockbusters and was known for the glamour quotient that she brought to the table. In a career spanning almost two decades, Priyanka Chopra proved her acting prowess with movies such as Fashion, Barfi!, Mary Kom, Bajirao Mastani, and others.

However, she did not stop at domestic success but ventured out to Hollywood and is now one of the most popular celebrities globally. Her tryst with American film and television began with the role of Alex Parrish in the thriller series Quantico. She then made her Hollywood debut with the movie Baywatch, which earned her a stellar review. The reviews mentioned that she outshone pretty much everyone she shared a scene with. She then starred in the comedy-drama Isnt It Romantic? The actress also has an interesting line-up of movies in the pipeline, that include the movie Its All Coming Back To Me and the thriller series Citadel, where she will be essaying the role of Maa Anand Sheela.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is the definition of a power-woman through and through. She has been living the life she has carefully curated for herself for the past 20 years, one step at a time. Today we delve deep into the multiple feathers she has in her cap aside from acting.

Priyanka Chopra Jonass Philanthropy

Priyanka Chopra Jonas founded "The Priyanka Chopra Foundation for Health and Education," which provides support to underprivileged children in the sectors of health and education. She has also worked with UNICEF since 2006 and was appointed as their Goodwill Ambassador in 2010. Back home in Mumbai, she has also built a cancer ward in the Nanavati hospital, which is named after her late father. She was also a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which was a cleanliness campaign by the government of India.

She has also always been vocal about womens rights and has voiced her opinions against female infanticide and foeticide. She also advocates for gender equality and the gender pay gap. She has also worked on campaigns that are against violence and abuse of women and girls.

Variety honoured Priyanka Chopra with the Power of Women award for her philanthropic work with UNICEF in 2017. She also received the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice for her philanthropic contributions.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas As A Film Producer

Priyanka Chopra launched her production company, which came to be known as Purple Pebble Pictures. It was launched keeping in mind the upliftment of small-budget films that introduced and promoted young talent in Indian cinema. The first movie produced under the label was the Marathi film, Ventilator. This movie went on to bag multiple National Awards. She continued to produce several movies under her label, such as Pahuna: The Little Visitors and Paani.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas As A Businesswoman

Priyanka Chopra is not just a creative force but also has very sharp business acumen. At an event promoting startups in India, the actress popularly said, "Ideas are the currency of the present." The actress invested in a coding education startup called the Holberton School in 2018. She also invested in the dating app Bumble, which was launched in India in collaboration with the actress. According to reports, she has also invested in a US-based rental marketplace. Priyanka then went on to launch a haircare line known as Anamoly Haircare. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and her husband Nick Jonas recently announced a joint investment in the sportswear brand Perfect Moments Sports.

Priyanka Chopra also opened her own upscale restaurant in New York called Sona in Manhattan. She also launched Sona Home, her luxurious homeware brand.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas As An Author

Priyanka Chopra Jonas began her writing career with an opinion column on a leading Indian news portal in 2009. The actress then began working with The Times of India and published an article where she discussed the murder of a 25-year-old woman. In another article for a leading paper, she also criticised female gender mutilation and child marriage. She would then go ahead and write an article for The New York Times where she spoke about the importance of education for girls.

Priyanka Chopra then published her memoir in 2021, Unfinished. The book was described as a collection of personal essays, stories, and observations. The book reached the New York Times Best Seller list and topped charts in India. The book received critical acclaim and was reviewed as a deeply open and honest account.

Priyanka Chopra Jonass Career In Music

She released her first song, In My City, which featured the popular rapper will.i.am. This single won her the Best International Debut award at the Peoples Choice Awards India. She then released her second single, Exotic, which featured the American rapper Pitbull and became an instant success.
Over $100m income milestone for the second year running, 10% year-on-year growth to $111.1m

Post-tax profits increased by 200% from $13.5m in 2020 to $40.4m in 2021

Trade Finance income grew by 9% year-on-year to $55.8m

Commercial Banking customer deposits reached $936m, up 7% year-on-year

Visa debit card added to our portfolio of customer-focused services

LONDON, July 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After a two year break The Access Bank UK Ltd celebrated hosting the return to its annual Access Bank Polo Day at Guards Polo Club Windsor on Saturday 16 July and reflected on another year of outstanding international business growth. This year The Bank has won Best African Trade Finance award from International Finance for the fifth consecutive year and Best Africa Trade Finance Bank by Capital Finance International for the seventh year in a row. Putting customers' needs ahead of its own sets the standard by which it judges itself and its performance.

According to Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Jamie Simmonds: "We are a bank where our growth has been fuelled by the strength of customer relationships. This enables us to develop innovative products and financial solutions for our customers. We have offices in the heart of the City of London, Dubai and Lagos. We invest significantly in attracting, retaining and developing professional staff in order to ensure customers always deal with an expert who is familiar with their business and personal financial needs, the foundation of our business is relationship management."

Corporate Social responsibility, balancing economic, environmental and social impact plays a key role in the growth of the bank. The Bank has continued to invest in people despite the constraints of remote working and is proud to be accredited as Platinum in Investors in People. The Group is actively involved in school projects, child support agency partnerships and the Save a Life initiative. The Access Bank Cup is part of its fund raising in partnership with Fifth Chukker for UNICEF for education projects in northern Nigeria in particular. It is the culmination of a programme of polo competitions across Nigeria and in South Africa. Since the UNICEF/Access Bank initiative was started it has rebuilt schools in Kaduna and has kept more than 8000 students in continuous education. At the same time new school blocks and a computer literacy building all in a more secure and friendly school environment have been developed. The communities surrounding the schools are supported with boreholes for water, and sewing and grinding machines to secure employment and stimulate economic and social development.

Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director of Access Holdings PLC and Chairman of The Access Bank UK Ltd, says: "The successes of The Access Bank UK Ltd has been a major milestone in the development of the banking group into the biggest Nigerian Bank in respect of assets and customer base and has charted our course for the future. Together our continuing support for the Fifth Chukker - UNICEF initiative reflects our view of our role as a change agent in Nigeria and Africa that can help institute socio-economic development through responsible business practice, social initiatives and environmental consideration. We continue to look for ways to enable more resources to be directed at supporting the children. We are part of the community and as such should support its wellbeing."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1860628/Access_Bank_UK.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/946980/Access_Bank_Logo.jpg

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Peter Walker

+44 (0)7836 223513

peter.walker@pielleconsulting.com
Offering security, reliability, and trustworthiness through the Metatrader 4 platform

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lirunex , an online trading platform and brokerage reassures investors looking to be productive for the second half of the year by offering a secure and regulatory-compliant platform to trade various assets from forex to commodities.

With the volatility of the forex industry, Lirunex provides a compelling proposition through transparent and reliable services to traders with no hidden terms regardless of investment size.

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Trading platforms can be time-consuming to learn and use; inefficient at tracking and may come with high risks and low reliabilities. Investors can feel at ease as Lirunex boasts some of the lowest spreads and commissions in the industry as well as a fast speed of execution by design.

"Unlike many online trading platforms that turn out to be scams, Lirunex's reliability is proven with our licenses in three sound financial jurisdictions. Lirunex is a genuine platform where clients can rest assured of privacy and security while trading. We aim to be a global brand that users can trust to execute their investment activity with," shared Jack Foong, CEO of Lirunex.

Fledgling investors can kickstart their journey in this sector through the USD 25 LX-Standard plan . Apart from this, Lirunex offers various trading tiers of an incremental minimum trading amount up to USD 10,000, which comes with lowered spread benefits, for investors of all tiers.

Lirunex boasts trading volumes of USD 10 billion and counting, and currently serves clients from around the globe, to the tune of 15,000 traders, with USD 40 million worth of investments traded every week.

These, and Lirunex's rapid growth worldwide is a testament to how its clients trust Lirunex as a reliable and high-performance platform to trade on.

Lirunex accepts a variety of payment methods, such as local and bank transfers, Visa, Mastercard, Tether, Bitwallet, Bitpay, and Paypal, among others.

To learn more about Lirunex, or try a demo account, please visit their website.

About Lirunex

Based in Cyprus, Lirunex is an online brokerage licensed in three of the world's leading financial jurisdictions. Lirunex aims to become an industry leader based on transparent and trustworthy relations with clients. Lirunex's goal is to deliver superior services in currency trading, along with CFDs, equity indices, precious metals, and energies, whilst our clients remain satisfied with their trading experience, offering tech insights, tight spreads and best execution practices.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1859365/PR001_Lirunex_Banner.jpg
Wellington, New Zealand--(Newsfile Corp. - July 17, 2022) - New Zealand Energy Corp. (TSXV: NZ) ("NZEC" or the "Company") announced today that, further to its July 20, 2021 and August 16, 2021 news releases, in connection with the existing CAD$2,000,000 Convertible Loan Agreement with Arizona Finance Limited, the term of such Convertible Loan Agreement has been extended with the agreement of both the Company and Arizona Finance Limited to November 6, 2022. This agreement was entered into subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange which approval has now been obtained.

The Company also advises that the Annual General and Special meeting of New Zealand Energy Corp. will be held at the offices of Straterra, 1st Floor 93 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand on 16 September 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (New Zealand Time). The close of business on 10 August 2022 is the record date for determining shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"James Willis"

Chairman

New Zealand Energy Corp.

New Zealand Energy Contacts

Email: info@newzealandenergy.com

Website: www.newzealandenergy.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward- looking statements"), including statements regarding NZEC's business and the proposed extension of the Convertible Loan Agreement. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond NZEC's control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, environmental risks, operational risks in exploration and development, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility and the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Although NZEC believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward looking information. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward looking information, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward- looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, NZEC does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131101
Capelle aan den IJssel, the Netherlands, 18 July 2022- GeoJunxion (GOJXN.AS) has received Level 2 certification on Social Entrepreneurship: thePrestatieladderSocialerOndernemen (PSO). This independent assessment shows that GeoJunxion offers high-quality employment to people who have difficulty accessing the labor market and collaborates with organizations that also do or strive for this. With this certification, GeoJunxion provides an above-average contribution in the field of social entrepreneurship in a sustainable way.



Ivo Vleeschouwers, GeoJunxion's CEO and CFO says: "We are proud to have reached the Level 2 certification as we support the aim to help more people with difficulty accessing the labor market finding work in a sustainable and high-quality way. We also encourage our suppliers and contractors to engage in social entrepreneurship. In this way, we grow together towards a more inclusive society."

Francesco Altamura, GeoJunxion's CBO and MD, comments: "GeoJunxion has valued diversity, integration and investment in social responsibility for years. We are committed to offering our daily contribution towards a better and more sustainable work environment. Every single action count and we are conscious about that."

GeoJunxion is one of the first publicly listed organizations with a PSO quality certification. We hope that this will inspire other organizations to also get certified for PSO.

Within the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), more and more organizations and governments attach importance to creating more employment opportunities for people who have difficulty accessing the labor market. This part of CSR is called social entrepreneurship. PSO is TNO's measuring instrument and quality certification that grades the degree of social entrepreneurship through objective and visible measures. TNO and PSO-Netherlands, in close cooperation with the market, have further developed the PSO according to the latest scientific insights from 2010 onwards. The PSO has now become the national standard in the Netherlands for social entrepreneurship. Watch the PSO-animation for more information: PSO Nederland (https://youtu.be/HpqAdzObiYk)

Levels of the PSO Performance Ladder

The PSO certification has four performance levels: the Aspirant status, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. In 2020, GeoJunxion obtained the Aspirant status, whereby the company expressed the intention to start with more social entrepreneurship. GeoJunxion has now achieved Level 2. The idea behind the approach based on Levels is that organizations can grow by offering more employment to vulnerable groups in our society in a sustainable way.





***





Outdoor Venue Plan for CHIO Rotterdam and the Dutch Red Cross



GeoJunxion takes this opportunity to announce the release of the Outdoor Venue Plans for two major events in The Netherlands. In June 2022, GeoJunxion developed a detailed custom last mile navigable map for CHIO Rotterdam 2022, the only Dutch equestrian 5 stars outdoor event, with 73 years of bright history.

Furthermore, in partnership with the Dutch Red Cross, GeoJunxion developed a detailed last mile navigable map of the Zwarte Cross, a 4-day Dutch festival in Lichtenvoorde, from 14 to 17July. This map helps first-aid responders to quickly find and get to the precise location of an emergency. Henk-Jan Kienhuis, one of the Red Cross members that coordinates the activities at the Zwarte Cross, commented: "In case of an emergency every second counts. In the past our volunteers needed to look at the paper map, find their location and the place of the emergency. Next was to find out how to get quickest to destination. With the Outdoor Venue Plan developed by GeoJunxion we now save precious minutes in response time which can be critical in case of emergency."

GeoJunxion's Outdoor Venue Plan are custom, fully navigable web maps, making the experience of the visitors and professionals working on the event easier, more user-friendly and effective.





--END--





About GeoJunxion

GeoJunxion is the crossroads where fundamental, location-aware content connects with superior, customized intelligence and highly focused innovations to empower exceptional experiences. With an emphasis on safety and sustainability, we are constantly expanding our portfolio to meet the demands of a diverse and fast-evolving market. Building on decades of experience in mapping, the company focuses on high value, dynamic content and building environmentally conscious applications, which enrich safety in everyday life. With location-aware content at our core, we know where our strengths lie and have the know-how and technology needed to offer unrivalled, intelligent products and services. GeoJunxion NV is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam, under the symbol GOJXN.AS.

GeoJunxion Press Contact

Tel: +31 (0)10 885 1200

Email: info@geojunxion.com
Almere, The Netherlands

July 18, 2022, 8.00 a.m. CET

ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) today announced that it reached an agreement under which ASM will acquire all outstanding shares of LPE S.p.A., a manufacturer of epitaxial reactors for silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon, based in Italy.

Founded in 1972, LPE has exclusively focused on designing, manufacturing and selling advanced epitaxy tools for power applications. LPE is a recognized leader in SiC epitaxy and has published many patents to date. LPE has a sizeable worldwide installed base of SiC epitaxy tools dedicated to manufacturing devices that address the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. Revenue expectations for LPE in 2023 are greater than 100 million, mainly driven by its SiC epitaxy equipment business.

Silicon carbide devices are experiencing strong growth driven by the rapidly expanding market for electric vehicles. The global auto industry is investing significantly in chips made from silicon carbide. Because of its wide bandgap, SiC is highly efficient at high voltages offering higher power efficiency, increased power density resulting in reduced component weight and size, as well as faster battery charging times. Consequently, demand for SiC epitaxy equipment is forecasted (based on ASM internal estimates) to grow at a CAGR in excess of 25% from 2021 to 2025.

"LPE with its strong culture of innovation and traction with silicon carbide device makers, both for 150mm and 200mm substrates, is well positioned to serve the needs of global automotive customers and their decarbonization drive," said Benjamin Loh, President and CEO of ASM.

"Next to ASM's expanding position in advanced Epi applications for the logic/foundry and memory markets, ASM is also a leader in silicon epitaxy solutions for the power electronics, analog and wafer markets. LPE's offering of advanced SiC epitaxy tools complements ASM's offering. I'm confident that the combination of LPE and ASM will help our customers accelerate their roadmaps towards next-generation more efficient power electronics, which will enable the further electrification of the automotive industry. The acquisition of LPE adds another high-growth business to our portfolio of differentiated deposition technologies and presents meaningful opportunities to create value by leveraging our innovative epitaxy technologies to further differentiate the product offering of LPE, by building upon our significant customer base in the power electronics market segment, and by utilizing our global field service network to address customer needs."

Franco Preti, CEO of LPE, said: "We believe the acquisition by ASM will be attractive for LPE's and ASM's customers as well as for employees. The acquisition will additionally enable LPE to gain access to world-class R&D resources, as well as leverage on ASM's global operations, sales and customer support network."

Following the close of the transaction, LPE will operate as a product unit under ASM's Global Products organization. LPE will continue to be based in Italy, with technology and manufacturing centers in Milan and Catania. LPE is profitable and is expected to contribute to net earnings immediately after closing.

The transaction is subject to FDI and anti-trust approval in a limited number of countries and other customary closing conditions which are expected to be met by the long stop date of November 10, 2022. Absent a closing by this date, the parties will discuss in good faith on an exclusive basis for a period of six months with the aim to still close the transaction.

ASM will finance the transaction using a combination of cash and shares. At closing the purchase price will be paid with 283.25 million in cash, and with 631,154 ASM shares. At the date of signing, the payment represents an enterprise value of 425 million on a cash and debt free basis. An additional amount of up to 100 million will be paid by way of an earn out based on certain performance metrics over a two-year period after the closing of the transaction. The shares will be a combination of treasury shares (580,000) and a limited number of newly issued ASM shares (51,154). The earn outs are to be paid out exclusively in cash. The cash amounts will be financed from ASM's net cash balance.

ASM will further discuss the acquisition in its upcoming Q2 2022 earnings call on July 21, 2022.



About ASM International

ASM International N.V., headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and process solutions to produce semiconductor devices for wafer processing, and have facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. ASM International's common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, changes in import/export regulations, epidemics and other risks indicated in the Company's reports and financial statements. The Company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.





CONTACT

Investor and media contact:

Victor Bareno

T: +31 88 100 8500

E: investor.relations@asm.com





Attachment
Asian University for Women

Asian University for Women: AUW Offers Hundreds of Scholarships for Afghan Women; Donates Essential Medicines for Kabul Hospitals



18-Jul-2022 / 08:20 CET/CEST



AUW Offers Hundreds of Scholarships for Afghan Women; Donates Essential Medicines for Kabul Hospitals KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - Media OutReach - 18 July 2022 - Asian University for Women (AUW), based in Chittagong, Bangladesh, offered hundreds of new scholarships for Afghan women who are eligible and qualified for admission to AUW's undergraduate or graduate programs. During a four-day visit to Kabul, Kamal Ahmad, Founder of the Asian University for Women, met with Mr. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, Acting Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan and former head of the Taliban's political office in Doha, Qatar, and made the offer. He also handed over a gift of essential medicines for Kabul hospitals that was requested by the Afghan authorities. Deputy Foreign Minister Stanikzai welcomed the AUW initiative and committed his support for the proposal. Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister H.E. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai presenting a gift of a plate of Lapis Lazuli to Kamal Ahmad for AUW as a token of his government's appreciation of AUW's support for Afghan women's education. Separately, Kamal Ahmad also held discussions with the Acting Minister of Higher Education; the Minister of Education; the Chancellor of Kabul University; and other senior government officials. He also called on the Ambassador of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) based in Kabul. In addition to the scholarships, AUW has proposed to initiate a pilot online secondary school education program through which Afghan students studying at the AUW Graduate School of Education would run online classes following the Afghan national curriculum. A new MOU is being prepared in this regard to be entered into between AUW and the Afghan Ministry of Education. This pilot project would provide an opportunity for AUW Afghan Masters students to gain teaching experience while also enabling young girls to continue their education at home while the Afghan government determines its approach to girls' and women's education. The Afghan Acting Minister of Education invited AUW to make a formal proposal in this regard and noted that his Ministry will be soon initiating a Directorate of Online Education. It may be noted that AUW has been deeply engaged in education of Afghan girls and women from its inception. Currently, about 170 Afghan women attend AUW on full scholarship. About Asian University for Women (AUW): Founded in 2008 and located in Chittagong, Bangladesh, AUW is the first of its kind: a regional institution dedicated to women's education and leadership development through liberal arts and sciences education. It is international in outlook but rooted in the contexts and aspirations of the people of Asia. Chartered by the Parliament of Bangladesh, AUW exists solely to support a rising network of women leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from across the region. It seeks out women who show significant academic achievement and potential, demonstrate courage and a sense of outrage at injustice, and are empathic to the woes of other people. 1160 students from 17 countries currently attend AUW: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and Yemen. More than 85% of AUW students are on full or near-full scholarships funded by supporters from around the world. The University has graduated over a thousand students to date. A majority of AUW graduates secure employment in the private and public sectors in their home countries while about 25% go on to pursue graduate studies at other institutions of higher learning including Oxford, Cambridge, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Columbia, Duke, Brandeis and Tufts, among others. To learn more about Asian University for Women, please visit https://asian-university.org. Media Inquiries: Tapu Chowdhury tapu.barua@auw.edu.bd +880-19-2667-3054

Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.




This photo provided by the fire brigade of the Gironde region (SDIS 33) shows firefighters working against a wildfire near Landiras, southwestern France, July 16. AP-Yonhap



Firefighters battled to contain wildfires sweeping across southwest Europe on Sunday as a heatwave showed no sign of abating, with Britain poised to set new temperature records this coming week.



Blazes raging in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain have destroyed thousands of hectares of land, forced thousands of residents and holidaymakers to flee and killed several emergency personnel since last week.



It is the second heatwave to engulf parts of southwest Europe in weeks.



Scientists blame climate change and predict more frequent and intense episodes of extreme weather such as heatwaves and drought.



Spanish authorities reported around 20 wildfires still raging out of control in different parts of the country from the south to Galicia in the far northwest, where blazes have destroyed around 4,500 hectares of land.



The fires there have already cost several lives, including emergency services personnel.



In France, the situation deteriorated in the southwestern Gironde region where firefighters were fighting to control forest blazes that have devoured nearly 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) since Tuesday.





This photo provided by the fire brigade of the Gironde region (SDIS 33) shows a Canadair plane fighting wildfire near La Teste-de-Buch, southwestern France, July 16. AP-Yonhap



'A heat apocalypse'



The wildfires in France forced more than 16,000 people  residents and tourists combined  to decamp. Seven emergency shelters have been set up for evacuees.



France's interior ministry announced it would send an extra three firefighting planes, 200 firefighters and more trucks.



Meteo France forecast temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of southern France on Sunday, with new heat records expected on Monday.



"In some southwestern areas, it will be a heat apocalypse," meteorologist Francois Gourand told AFP.



France placed 15 departments, mainly down its western seaboard, on red alert  the highest on the scale  on Sunday while 51 were on orange high alert.



The chapel of a historic hospital in the southeastern city of Lyon, Grand Hotel Dieu, offered refuge to tourists on Sunday including Jean-Marc, 51, who was visiting from Alsace.



"We came back to admire the place, but we can't leave, it's too hot outside. We say a prayer before the fire!" he quipped.



French cyclist Mikael Cherel, taking part in the Tour de France's 15th stage between Rodez and Carcassonne in southern France on Sunday, described "very, very difficult conditions".



"I've never known such a hot day on a bike. It really was no picnic."



Authorities in the French Alps urged climbers bound for Mont Blanc, Europe's highest mountain, to postpone their trip due to repeated rock falls caused by "exceptional climatic conditions" and "drought".



The call comes after a section of Italy's biggest Alpine glacier gave way at the start of the month, killing 11 people  a disaster officials blamed on climate change.





Residents protect themselves from the smoke as a wildfire advances near a residential area in Alhaurin de la Torre, Malaga, Spain, July 16. AP-Yonhap



Deaths



In Spain, firefighters managed to stabilise a wildfire that ravaged 2,000 hectares of woods and bushes in the southern region of Andalusia, regional leader Juan Manuel Moreno said.



The blaze started on Friday in the Mijas mountain range inland from the southern coastal city of Malaga and it spurred the evacuation of about 3,000 people.



Around 2,000 people had since returned home and now that the blaze has stabilized, Moreno said the remaining evacuees may do the same.



A 50-year-old man in Torrejon de Ardoz just outside of Madrid died on Sunday after suffering heat stroke while out for a walk, local emergency services said.



The fight against the flames has also claimed the lives of several emergency personnel, including a firefighter who died late on Sunday in the province of Zamora in northwestern Spain from burns.



And on Saturday, a 60-year-old street cleaner in Madrid died after suffering heat stroke while working the previous day.



Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his "condolences and affection" to the man's family and colleagues.



"There are no words to express thanks to those who fight fires without rest for their immense work. RIP," he added in a tweet.



Last week a pilot was killed when his plane crashed in northern Portugal and two crew members died in Greece when their helicopter fell into the sea.





This photo provided by the fire brigade of the Gironde region (SDIS 33) shows a wildfire near Landiras, southwestern France, July 17. AP-Yonhap
18 July 2022

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION

Pensana Plc

("Pensana" or the "Company")

Pensana awarded Green Bond Certification

Pensana is pleased to announce that it has received certification from CICERO, the leading independent provider of assessments on green bond frameworks.

CICERO Shades of Green (CICERO) is Norway's foremost institute for interdisciplinary climate research, which is internationally recognised as a leading provider of independent reviews of green bonds. It is independent of the financial and corporate sectors and a multiple award winner of International Environmental Finance Assessment Awards.

CICERO has rated Pensana as in line with its principles, based on the Company's plans to create a sustainable magnet metal supply chain through a rare earth processing facility at the Saltend Chemicals Park in the Humber Freeport and mining in Angola.

CICERO has also rated Pensana's operations as LIGHT GREEN with a Governance score of GOOD. The rating refers to transition activities and projects that reduce emissions or provide other environmental benefits.

Pensana Chairman Paul Atherley commented:

"From the outset, the Pensana team has set out to develop an independent and sustainable magnet metal supply chain, and it is extremely gratifying to receive a positive rating from an internationally recognised assessment agency of CICERO's standing.

The CICERO certification supports our ambition to establish in the UK world-class production of the critical magnet metals vital to the Electric Vehicle and Offshore Wind industries.

Our aim is to produce ultra-low carbon magnet metal powered by private wire link to Offshore Wind at Saltend, supplied with high-value feedstock from Longonjo powered by hydroelectricity.

The CICERO assessment will be important for the proposed green bond issuance as it will broaden the range of institutional investors interested in the offering."

About CICERO Shades of Green

CICERO is a leading independent provider of second opinions on sustainability-linked bonds and financing frameworks to determine their environmental robustness. CICERO's Second Opinions build on renowned climate research, drawing on competence from the CICERO Centre for International Climate Research, one of the world's foremost institutes for interdisciplinary climate study. In the Second Opinion, CICERO assesses whether a given activity or technology supports a low-carbon and climate-resilient society in the long-term.

The innovative methodology used by CICERO is aligned to the International Capital Markets' Association's (ICMA) Green Bond Principles and issuance of an opinion provides robust independent verification that Pensana's Saltend project is aligned to best practice in the climate financing sector.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Shareholder/analyst enquiries:

Pensana Plc

Paul Atherley, Chairman IR@pensana.co.uk

Tim George, Chief Executive Officer

Rob Kaplan, Chief Financial Officer

Virginia Skroski, Head of Investor Relations & Communications

Media enquiries:

FGS Global:

Gordon Simpson / Richard Crowley Pensana-LON@fgsglobal.com

The information contained within this announcement is considered by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No.596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information will be considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Paul Atherley (Chairman).

About Pensana Plc

The electrification of motive power is by far the most important part of the energy transition and one of the biggest energy transitions in history. Magnet metal rare earths are central to the transition away from internal combustion engines and critical to electric vehicles and offshore wind turbines.

Pensana plans to establish Saltend as an independent and sustainable processing hub supplying the key magnet metal oxides to a market which is currently dominated by China. The US$195 million Saltend facility is being designed to produce 12,500 tonnes per annum of rare earth oxides, of which 4,500 - 5,000 tonnes will be neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), representing over 5% of the world market in 2025.

Pensana's plug and play facility is located within the world class Saltend Chemicals Park, a cluster of leading chemicals and renewable energy businesses in the Humber Freeport and will create over 500 jobs during construction and over 125 direct jobs once in production.

It will be the first major separation facility to be established in over a decade and will become one of only three major producers located outside China.

Pensana is aiming to establish Saltend as an attractive alternative for mining companies who may otherwise be limited to selling their products to China, having designed the facility to be easily adapted to cater for a range of rare earth feedstocks.

www.pensana.co.uk
A number of contracts of varying size have been signed

Deliveries to start immediately aiming to ensure a rapid response to the current monkeypox outbreak

Company upgrades its financial guidance for 2022

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 18, 2022 - Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) announced today the signing of a number of supply contracts with undisclosed countries for the Company's smallpox vaccine with the aim to ensure sufficient supply to meet the requirements for vaccinating individuals at risk for monkeypox in the short to medium term. The vaccine is approved for use against monkeypox by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada as the only vaccine having obtained regulatory approval for this indication in any territory.

Bavarian Nordic will continue the dialogue with countries concerning supply of the vaccine to mitigate the current monkeypox outbreak and to explore opportunities for longer term collaboration to build stockpiles for future preparedness. In this unprecedented situation, the Company is making every possible effort to ensure sufficient availability of vaccines to meet the current demand.

Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic said: "The current monkeypox outbreak continues to call for a swift and coordinated response from health authorities. We are pleased to assist new, as well as existing countries from Europe, Asia, Middle East and the Americas with the supply of vaccines, while we continue our dialogues with other governments to make vaccines available as fast as possible to mitigate the situation."

While the terms of these agreements remain undisclosed, the sum of these orders together with orders close to signature will significantly impact the Company's financial guidance for 2022. As a consequence, the Company is upgrading 2022 revenue which is now expected to be between DKK 2,700 and 2,900 million (previously between DKK 2,300 and 2,500 million) and EBITDA raised to a loss between DKK 100 million and DKK 300 million (previously a loss between DKK 400 and 600 million). Due to the timing of supply of the vaccines and considering customary payment terms, the expected cash position is changed and is expected to exceed DKK 1,700 (previously between DKK 1,700 and 1,900 million) million by year-end.

"With the recent upgrades of our financial guidance we have significantly improved our cash position and we are now even approaching a break-even EBITDA for 2022," said Paul Chaplin.

About the smallpox/monkeypox vaccine

MVA-BN or Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (marketed as IMVANEX in Europe, JYNNEOS in the U.S. and IMVAMUNE in Canada) is a non-replicating smallpox vaccine developed in collaboration with the U.S. government to ensure supply of a smallpox vaccine for the entire population, including immunocompromised individuals who are not recommended vaccination with traditional replicating smallpox vaccines. The vaccine was approved by the European Commission in 2013 for immunization against smallpox in adults aged 18 years and older and has subsequently gained regulatory approvals in Canada and the U.S. where the approval has been extended to include the monkeypox indication as the only vaccine having obtained this to-date.

Bavarian Nordic has ongoing supply contracts with USA and Canada and has delivered the vaccine to a number of undisclosed countries globally as part of their national biological preparedness. In recent years, the vaccine has been supplied in response to sporadic cases of monkeypox.

About Bavarian Nordic

Bavarian Nordic is a fully integrated vaccines company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of life-saving vaccines. We are a global leader in smallpox vaccines and have been a long-term supplier to the U.S. Government of a non-replicating smallpox vaccine, which has been approved by the FDA, also for the protection against monkeypox. The vaccine is also approved for protection against smallpox and monkeypox in Canada, and as a smallpox vaccine in Europe. Our commercial product portfolio furthermore contains market-leading vaccines against rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Using our live virus vaccine platform technology, MVA-BN, we have created a diverse portfolio of proprietary and partnered product candidates designed to save and improve lives by unlocking the power of the immune system, including an Ebola vaccine, which is licensed to the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. We are also committed to the development of a next generation COVID-19 vaccine. For more information visit www.bavarian-nordic.com .

Forward-looking statements

This announcement includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, future events, performance and/or other information that is not historical information. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date made, except as required by law.

Contacts

Europe: Rolf Sass Srensen, Vice President Investor Relations, Tel: +45 61 77 47 43

US: Graham Morrell, Paddock Circle Advisors, graham@paddockcircle.com , Tel: +1 781 686 9600

Company Announcement no. 27 / 2022

Attachment
Completion of IND enabling studies with lead compound MFC-1040 by late 2022

Target for series B round financing by early 2023 to fund clinical development

GOSSELIES, Belgium, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Apaxen S.A., a privately-held biotechnology company, developing novel next generation NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor drugs for treatment of chronic inflammatory and auto-immune diseases, announced today that it has appointed Graham K. Dixon, PhD as Chairman of its Board of Directors and that it is preparing for clinical testing of its lead product MFC-1040.

The appointment of Dr Graham Dixon as Chairman is an important step in the transformation of Apaxen from a pre-clinical to a clinical stage company. During his successful career in C-suite management positions at companies such as Galapagos, Addex Therapeutics and Mithra Pharmaceutical, he was instrumental to the regulatory approval of three pharmaceutical products, twelve proof of concept studies and ten clinical stage licensing deals. He is an experienced non-executive director and board chairman as well as an advisor to several venture capital organisations and their portfolio companies.

In addition, Apaxen expects to complete IND enabling pre-clinical testing of its lead NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor MFC-1040 by end of 2022 and aims to raise series B round financing by early 2023 to fund the clinical development plans of the company.

Bart Wuurman, CEO of Apaxen, stated:

"We are very pleased to welcome Graham as Chairman of Apaxen's Board of Directors with his experience and extensive track record of leading biotechnology companies through strategic periods of growth. He will be a great asset for the company entering its phase of clinical development and we look forward to working with him."

Graham Dixon, newly appointed Chairman of Apaxen, comments:

"I am very excited to join the Apaxen team. With its novel approach to inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes, the Company is moving into the next stage of growth and we will be looking for new high quality investors to support the company financially. I look forward to guiding Apaxen during this exciting time in the Company's development and supporting the team to achieve our mission of helping patients with severe inflammatory and autoimmune diseases."

About Apaxen

Founded in 2018, Apaxen raised 5.4 million since its A round funding in 2019 from a syndicate of VC investors and with the support of the Walloon region to develop a pipeline of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors with a novel mechanism of action, for treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Apaxen's clinical candidate MFC-1040 is an orally bioavailable and selective small molecule NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, which has demonstrated efficacy in multiple animal models of chronic inflammatory disease (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01312) and pulmonary fibrosis (https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/19/12/4105). MFC-1040 acts by blocking the interaction between intracellular Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) and NLRP3 to inhibit formation of NLRP3 inflammasomes (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04581-2), key drivers of innate immunity and implicated in many inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. The novel Mode of Action of MFC-1040 has potential benefits for patients over other NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors in clinical development.

The Apaxen team combines the experience required for clinical development of its products and is supported by a world-class team of scientific advisors.

Contacts

Apaxen

Bart Wuurman, CEO

T: +31 64 66 23 735

E: bart.wuurman@apaxen.com

48, Rue Auguste Piccard,

B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium

www.apaxen.com

LifeSpring Life Sciences Communication, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Leon Melens

T: +31 6 538 16 427

E: lmelens@lifespring.nl

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1860923/Apaxen_Logo.jpg
Today Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) announced long-term lease placements for six new Airbus A220-300 aircraft with TAAG Angola Airlines. The aircraft are scheduled to deliver to the airline starting in 2023 through 2024 from ALC's orderbook with Airbus.

"ALC is pleased to announce this significant lease placement for six new Airbus A220s with TAAG and be the first to introduce Airbus aircraft to the airline," said Steven Udvar-Hazy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. "The capabilities of the A220-300 will greatly enhance TAAG's operational efficiency and expanding route network with the most modern, fuel-efficient aircraft."

"The A220-300 with its fuel efficiency, range and improved operating economics will progressively replace TAAG's Boeing 737-700 fleet and allow the airline to optimize and broaden its flight schedule coverage and destinations from Luanda," said Kishore Korde, Executive Vice President of Air Lease Corporation.

"Today we start our relationship with ALC incorporating six new Airbus A220-300 into our fleet. It's indeed a significant announcement for us as we are celebrating a new era and a new vision for TAAG. We are alive, back in business, breaching with the past to achieve greater results and becoming a reference for Africa. This partnership emphasizes our commitment to grow and further improving our credibility among international stakeholders while creating a new value proposition for our passengers," said Eduardo Fairen, CEO of TAAG.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL)

ALC is a leading aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline customers worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions. ALC routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the "Investors" section of ALC's website at www.airleasecorp.com. Investors and potential investors are encouraged to consult the ALC website regularly for important information about ALC. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, ALC's website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

About TAAG

TAAG Angola Airlines was founded in 1938 and is based in Luanda, Angola's capital city. For more than 80 years, TAAG has connected Angolans with its key domestic and international markets. TAAG is the leading airline in Angola, having grown its current network to 14 domestic and 12 international destinations. In addition to passenger transport, TAAG offers air cargo services which have become essential for Angola's growth and development. TAAG is a company that prides itself in its long and recognized history of service and performance improvement.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220718005264/en/

Contacts:

Investors:

Jason Arnold

Vice President, Investor Relations

Email: investors@airleasecorp.com

Media:

Laura Woeste

Senior Manager, Media and Investor Relations

Email: press@airleasecorp.com

Ashley Arnold

Manager, Media and Investor Relations

Email: press@airleasecorp.com
NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After the stop imposed by the pandemic, the Italy Run, now a classic for the New York runner community, is back in Central Park. Almost 6,000 runners (and many others were excluded after the tickets sold out) took part saturday morning in the 4-mile (6.5 km) race, organized by the Consulate General of Italy, with the contribution of the New York Road Runners (NYRR) and Ferrero North America. Many other people crowded the 'Festival' set up for the post-race, under the banner of Italianness and Made in Italy products.



"It wasn't easy, we wanted to organize it last year too, but it wasn't possible. In fact, the Italian community in New York and the runners community have waited for three years. Now we're back and it's fantastic," says the consul general of Italy in New York, Fabrizio Di Michele, who worked hard for the return of the Italy Run in Central Park. "It could not have been better than this. This is not just a celebration of Italy in the heart of Manhattan - continues Di Michele - it is a celebration of sport and friendship and also a great day for relations between Italy and the United States, particularly for the special relationship between Italy and New York ."



The key partner of the Italy Run are the New York Road Runners (NYRR). "This has always been one of the favorite races of our running community. We knew that if the Italy Run was back, runners would flock here to celebrate the event," says Kerin Hempel, CEO of New York Road Runners, pleased by the thousands. of runners who took part in the race, which ran along East Drive and West Drive in Central Park. Todd Siwak, CEO of Ferrero North America, the main sponsor of the event, also celebrates the saturday's "fantastic event", underlining the commitment of the Nutella company for outdoor activities, "with a program that sponsors 29 events across the country, all focused on the joy of outdoor activities."



For the record, the race was won by New Yorker Robert Napolitano - "I'm half Italian on my father's side," he wanted to point out - for the men and by Grace Kahura of Boulder, Colorado, for the women. Starting from this edition, the ranking for non-binary people has also been established, won by Pierce Lydon, of Glendale, New York.



"Next year we want to do it again - consul Di Michele assures - It will not be easy, because many other countries want to do the same and this year we were the only ones who have managed to organize a race in Central Park. We are probably also the only ones able to do it. To gather all these people. " The new appointment with the Italy Run is in 2023.

Please see video link of 'Italy-Run' attached

https://f.io/2ZQ-sc8l

For more information:

LaPresse SpA Communication and Press Office Director

Barbara Sanicola - barbara.sanicola@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c89d44d-f3f0-45ef-9cfe-10fbbbac8f97

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Files Complaint in Federal Court to Compel Activist Group to Reveal True Intentions - Including a Potential Hostile Takeover of the Company - and Prevent Group from Continued Violations of Federal Securities Laws and SEC and Florida Injunctions



Complaint Highlights Certain Activist Group Members' History of Serious Unlawful Conduct and Breaches of Fiduciary Duty

AIM Board Unanimously Rejected Nomination Notice Due to False Statements and Omissions in Violation of Company's Bylaws

AIM is Committed to Acting in Best Interests of All Stockholders to Prevent Activist Group from Gaining Control of Company's Board Without Paying a Premium

Stockholders Do Not Need to Take Any Action at this Time

OCALA, Fla., July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE: American AIM) ("AIM" or the "Company"), an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases, today announced that it received a notice on July 8, 2022, from Jonathan Jorgl (the "Jorgl Notice"), an AIM stockholder who first purchased 1,000 AIM shares on June 27, 2022. The Jorgl Notice seeks to nominate a control slate of two individuals for election to the three-member AIM Board of Directors (the "Board") at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"). The Board has unanimously determined that the Jorgl Notice is invalid due to numerous deficiencies including failure to comply with the Company's bylaws and accordingly has rejected the Jorgl Notice.

The Company also announced that it has filed a complaint (the "Complaint") in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Ocala Division, against seven defendants - including Mr. Jorgl, his nominees Robert Chioini and Michael Rice, as well as Franz Tudor, Todd Deutsch, Ted Kellner and Walter Lautz (the "Jorgl Activist Group" or the "Activist Group"). AIM believes these individuals have failed to register as a group pursuant to U.S. securities laws and have committed other unlawful actions in the context of their attempt to effectuate a takeover of the Company's Board.

Thomas K. Equels, M.S., J.D., Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, CEO & President, said, "We are taking these actions to protect the rights of all our stockholders. As the Board determined, the Jorgl Notice contains numerous deficiencies and false and misleading statements. Further, the Activist Group is composed of certain individuals with highly questionable and alarming backgrounds - including instances of insider trading, and breaches of corporate fiduciary duties. In this particular situation, they have wantonly disregarded U.S. securities laws by failing to disclose required information and not making necessary filings. Allowing them to usurp control of the Board and the Company via a proxy contest, without paying a significant premium, would be a grave disservice to all stockholders.

This type of hostile board takeover would also be highly detrimental to the patients we are striving to bring new life-saving oncology therapies to market to benefit and would jeopardize all the progress AIM's management team has made over the past five years repurposing our lead drug, Ampligen, into oncology - and building upon the positive interim results in published data from preeminent cancer centers, which we are now seeing from our clinical trials.

The Activist Group's actions have left us with no choice but to proactively seek relief from the Court. We look forward to a speedy resolution of this matter so that we can return to fully focusing on advancing our pipeline of therapies to benefit patients and enhance stockholder value."

In the Complaint, AIM details numerous concerning facts and apparent issues pertaining to the Activist Group, including but not limited to:

The members of the Activist Group have failed to make required Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings registering as a group under U.S. securities laws. Messrs. Jorgl and Chioini and Rice have not disclosed that they are part of a group of individuals, potentially including Messrs. Tudor, Deutsch, Kellner, and Lautz, who are acting in concert pursuant to arrangements and/or understandings to take control of AIM's Board for their own purposes and to the detriment of AIM and its other stockholders. Notably, Mr. Lautz previously submitted a proxy proposal to nominate Mr. Chioini for election to the Board, which proposal was flawed and as to which AIM received a "no action" letter from the SEC. Lautz's attempted and flawed nomination further demonstrates that these individuals are part of a group, as Mr. Jorgl has now also attempted to nominate Mr. Chioini just ten days after Mr. Jorgl became an AIM stockholder for the first time by purchasing less than a thousand dollars' worth of stock.



The members of the Activist Group have failed to make required securities filings triggered by owning more than five percent of the Company's outstanding shares.

Mr. Deutsch has claimed in writing that he owns 4.9 percent of AIM's outstanding shares. Combined with Mr. Tudor's claimed ownership, this alone would exceed five percent. Mr. Kellner has further admitted to working with Mr. Deutsch and also owning significant AIM stock. Therefore, this group - consisting of Messrs. Tudor, Deutsch, and Kellner (and, AIM believes, others) - clearly exceeds more than five percent of AIM's outstanding shares. Moreover, Mr. Tudor claims to represent some of AIM's largest stockholders, which may include Messrs. Deutsch and Keller and other stockholders.



The two nominees for election to the Board in the Jorgl Notice - Mr. Chioini and Mr. Rice - share a longstanding relationship with each other and with Mr. Tudor, as well as a checkered past. Mr. Chioini was fired as CEO of Rockwell Medical, where he also served on the Board, for misconduct. His behavior following his termination was highly inappropriate and unbecoming of a fiduciary of a public company, including issuing an unauthorized filing on the part of the Company. Mr. Rice is the founding partner of LifeSci Advisors, an IR firm for Rockwell Medical when Mr. Chioini was the Chairman and CEO of the company, and in 2016 he was at the center of an industry-wide scandal for sponsoring a post-J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference party involving paid female "models". 1 Mr. Tudor worked with Mr. Rice and Mr. Chioini at Rockwell Medical and with Mr. Chioini at SQI Diagnostics.



Mr. Tudor should not be involved in the Activist Group's efforts because he has been convicted of insider trading and admitted misconduct in a settlement with the SEC resulting in a permanent SEC injunction against him. In the SEC settlement, Mr. Tudor was barred from association with any investment advisor, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, or transfer agent. AIM believes that Mr. Tudor has been soliciting proxies for AIM's Annual Meeting and Mr. Tudor claims in writing to represent some of AIM's largest stockholders, all arguably in violation of the SEC's permanent injunction. AIM believes Mr. Tudor, based upon his criminal history and SEC sanctions, should be barred from any such involvement with AIM. Notably, Mr. Tudor previously worked with both Mr. Chioini and Mr. Rice at Rockwell Medical, and also worked for SQI Diagnostics, where Mr. Chioini was previously CEO.



Mr. Tudor has been prohibited by a Florida court from meddling in AIM's business and stockholder relations. Mr. Tudor was indefinitely enjoined by a judge in Marion County, Florida from contacting any of AIM's business relations after he attempted to be retained by the Company as an international business development consultant, was rejected based upon his criminal history of insider trading, but then went on to give the impression to third parties, such as principal investigators in clinical trials, that he was part of the Company. AIM believes Mr. Tudor has engaged in a systematic campaign to disparage AIM management, knock down AIM's stock price and disrupt stockholder relations.





AIM remains open to engaging constructively with all stockholders and values their input. The Board will present its director candidates for the 2022 Annual Meeting in definitive proxy materials to be filed with the SEC. Stockholders do not need to take any actions at this time.

AIM's Successful Execution

The Company and its management team installed in 2016 has gone from having little cash, inadequate reserves of Ampligen to support major oncology clinical trials, and no such trials underway, to now having financial stability after manufacturing an adequate supply of Ampligen to support clinical trials.

AIM has sufficient liquid assets (~$44.5 million 2 ) to advance its priority development pipeline and fund operations through the end of 2023.

) to advance its priority development pipeline and fund operations through the end of 2023. Further, AIM has also initiated and is helping to fund several ongoing oncology clinical trials and early access programs in large potential markets with lethal unmet medical needs such as advanced pancreatic cancer and advanced recurrent ovarian cancer.

The Company continues to de-risk its pipeline with positive clinical data. Its clinical trials have been yielding consistent, statistically significant interim results with encouraging safety profiles, which also have been published in peer reviewed journals.

Additionally, in April of 2022, the Independent Investigators from preeminent oncology research centers presented extremely positive data in four different cancer indications at the prestigious American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting.

AIM has achieved multiple potentially game-changing clinical and regulatory milestones this year to date and expects this pattern to continue throughout 2022.

About AIM ImmunoTech Inc.

AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is an immune-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases, including COVID-19. The Company's lead product, Ampligen (rintatolimod) is an immuno-modulator with broad spectrum activity being developed for globally important cancers, viral diseases and disorders of the immune system.

Ampligen is currently being used as a monotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer patients in an Early Access Program (EAP) approved by the Inspectorate of Healthcare in the Netherlands at Erasmus Medical Center and AIM plans to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study in 2022. The Company also has multiple ongoing clinical trials to evaluate Ampligen as a combinational therapy for the treatment of a variety of solid tumor types both underway and planned at major cancer research centers. Additionally, Ampligen is approved in Argentina for the treatment of Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and is currently being evaluated in many aspects of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 treatments and COVID-19 Long Hauler treatment.

For more information, please visit aimimmuno.com and connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as "believes," "hopes," "intends," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "plans," "anticipates" and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The Company's forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and actual results could vary materially from those contained in or expressed by such statements due to risks and uncertainties. AIM is in various stages of seeking to determine whether Ampligen will be effective in the treatment of multiple types of viral diseases, cancers, and immune-deficiency disorders. Its current and anticipated activities are subject to change for a number of reasons. Significant additional testing and trials will be required to determine whether Ampligen will be effective in the treatment of these conditions. Results obtained in animal models do not necessarily predict results in humans. Human clinical trials will be necessary to prove whether or not Ampligen will be efficacious in humans. No assurance can be given as to whether current or future studies will be successful, yield favorable data or not require additional funding, and the trials are subject to many factors including lack of regulatory approval(s), lack of study drug, or a change in priorities at the institutions sponsoring other trials. No assurance can be given that future studies will not result in findings that are different from those reported in studies the Company has referenced. Operating in foreign countries carries with it a number of risks, including potential difficulties in enforcing intellectual property rights. In addition, many countries, including Argentina, are dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks and have made that their primary focus. AIM believes that this may be delaying our commercialization of Ampligen in Argentina until COVID-19 is more under control. The Company urges investors to consider specifically the various risk factors identified in its most recent Form 10-K, and any risk factors or cautionary statements included in any subsequent Form 10-Q or Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release.

Important Information

AIM intends to file with the SEC a definitive proxy statement and associated proxy card in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company's 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Details concerning the nominees of the Company's Board of Directors for election at the 2022 Annual Meeting will be included in the proxy statement. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH OR FURNISHED TO THE SEC, INCLUDING THE COMPANY'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Investors and stockholders will be able to obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company free of charge from the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company's stockholders will also be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the definitive proxy statement and other relevant filed documents by directing a request by mail to AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala FL 34473, Attention: Secretary.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers will be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in respect of the 2022 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of the Company's directors and executive officers and their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise is set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022. To the extent holdings of such participants in the Company's securities have changed since the amounts described in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, such changes have been reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants in any proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will also be included in any proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC, if and when they become available.

Contacts

JTC Team, LLC

Jenene Thomas

833-475-8247

AIM@jtcir.com

OR

Longacre Square Partners

Dan Zacchei / Joe Germani

dzacchei@longacresquare.com/ jgermani@longacresquare.com

1https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-13/at-biotech-party-gender-diversity-means-cocktail-waitresses'sref=wCygVOlP

2 As of March 31, 2022. See Form 10-Q filed on May 13, 2022: https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/946644/000149315222013341/form10-q.htm




Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2022) - Coho Collective Kitchens Inc. (TSXV: COHO) ("Coho" or the "Company"), a commercial real estate and food technology company that provides private and shared kitchen and food production space to a variety of businesses, is pleased to announce the appointment of Carla Matheson (CPA, CA), as Chief Financial Officer, effective August 15, 2022.

Matheson comes to Coho with significant executive experience. Matheson was previously the CFO of Tiny Capital, a leading venture firm that specializes in the acquisition of innovative and disruptive companies. Matheson has experience acquiring and managing high growth companies and currently serves as a director of two reporting issuers. Matheson holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria and a Masters of Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan.

"Coho is a growth company with a dynamic senior leadership team. We are excited for Carla to be joining us and look forward to her driving the business to even greater success," said Andrew Barnes, CEO of Coho.

Matheson added, "It is exciting to join Coho at such a pivotal time. I look forward to supporting the leadership team and their vision for Coho's future growth".

Resignation of Ravinder Kang

Coho's prior CFO, Ravinder Kang (CPA, CA), has resigned effective July 15th, 2022. Andrew Barnes has been appointed as interim CFO and will serve until Matheson begins the following month.

"We would like to thank Mr. Kang for his work with Coho," said Barnes. "Ravinder provided Coho with experience and financial leadership, supporting Coho in its early days and on through to its recent public listing."

Grant of RSUs

Coho's Board has also approved the grant of 400,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") to Matheson, effective August 15, 2022. The RSUs will fully vest one year from the date of grant. Once vested , each RSU represents the right to receive one common share of the Company. The RSUs will be granted pursuant and subject to the terms of Coho's omnibus incentive plan, the applicable grant agreement, and the requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Coho

Coho is a growth stage, community-driven, commercial real estate and food technology company that provides private and shared kitchen and production space to food companies from start-ups to restaurant groups seeking turnkey solutions and business services. Each of the Company's customers, called "Members", are revenue generating companies that have signed a membership agreement with Coho for an agreed upon term. The concept falls in line with a rapidly growing trend in the food-delivery industry for delivery-only and/or virtual restaurant concepts. For more information about how Coho is growing and innovating in the commissary space, visit https://www.cohocommissary.com.

Contacts

Andrew Barnes, Chief Executive Officer

Investor Relations

andrew@cohocommissary.com

invest@cohocommissary.com

(778) 877-6513

(604) 243-7355

Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflect management's current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to execute on its strategy and the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the final long-form prospectus of the Company dated May 27, 2022. Coho disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131115
Key role of pharma companies to fill gaps in terms of launch of precise drugs, NATP status for specific drugs, and meet unfulfilled clinical requirements to stir global market for anticoagulant reversal drugs

FDA approval of AndeXXa for factor Xa inhibitors strongly influences growth of North America anticoagulant reversal drugs market

WILMINGTON, Del., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Analysts at TMR estimate the anticoagulant reversal drugs market to expand at a CAGR of 15.6% during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026. Increasing incidence of atrial fibrillation among the expanding older population, increase in incidence of intracranial haemorrhage and gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and growing number of warfarin therapy that requires reversal agents are some key factors propelling the anticoagulant reversal drugs market.

Substantial use of vitamin K for reversal of warfarin anticoagulation therapy is creating ample opportunities in anticoagulant reversal drugs market. Significant demand for anticoagulant reversal drugs for the growing number of warfarin therapy administered for blood clotting due to accidents, medical conditions fuels the growth of anticoagulant reversal drugs market.

Increasing focus of anticoagulant reversal drugs manufacturers to develop precise drugs for reversal of action of anticoagulants, provide new technology add-on payment (NTAP) status to specific drugs, and meet unfulfilled clinical requirements owing to absence of specific drugs for anticoagulant reversal benefits the anticoagulant reversal drugs market.

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Anticoagulant Reversal Drugs Market - Key Findings of the Report

Increasing incidence of cardiac disorders, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and intracranial haemorrhage is creating demand for anticoagulant reversal drugs world over

Vitamin K product segment led the anticoagulant reversal drugs market in 2017. Increasing use of vitamin K for reversal of warfarin anticoagulation therapy is the primary factor fuelling the product segment. Leaning for vitamin K for treatment of warfarin associated haemorrhage in the U.S. strengthens the growth of vitamin K product segment.

AndeXXa is anticipated to emerge as significant product segment in the anticoagulant reversal drugs market in the upcoming years. Recognition of AndeXXa as the first approved drug for the reversal effect of factor Xa inhibitors provides impetus to AndeXXa product segment. Estimations of large number of hospital admissions that will require antidote for factor Xa inhibitors to provide impetus to AndeXXa product segment.

Prospects of new product approvals for factor Xa inhibitors to create growth opportunities in the anticoagulant reversal drugs market

Hospital pharmacies distribution channel segment led the anticoagulant reversal drugs market in 2017 and the trend is anticipated to continue during the forecast period. Leaning of manufacturing companies to supply anticoagulant drugs to hospital pharmacies for maximum sales fuels the growth of hospital pharmacies distribution channel anticoagulant reversal drugs market.

Led by the U.S., North America dominated the anticoagulant reversal drugs market in 2017. FDA approval for AndeXXa with a high target population for the drug in the U.S. strengthens growth of North America anticoagulant reversal drugs market.

dominated the anticoagulant reversal drugs market in 2017. FDA approval for AndeXXa with a high target population for the drug in the U.S. strengthens growth of anticoagulant reversal drugs market. Robust clinical trials for FDA approval for first-time anticoagulant reversal drugs is a key growth strategy of leading players in the anticoagulant reversal drugs market

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Anticoagulant Reversal Drugs Market - Growth Drivers

Critical role of reversal agents to counter the effects of anticoagulants in life-threatening situations drives the anticoagulant reversal drugs market

Clinical use of anticoagulant reversal drugs for increasing incidence of intracranial haemorrhage, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and cardiac disorders stimulates growth

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Anticoagulant Reversal Drugs Market - Key Players

Some of the key players operating in the anticoagulant reversal drugs market are;

Pfizer Inc.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CSL Limited

Perosphere Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Octapharma AG

Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Fresenius Kabi AG

Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH

Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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The anticoagulant reversal drugs market is segmented as follows;

Anticoagulant Reversal Drugs Market, by Product

Prothrombin Complex Concentrates

Vitamin K

Protamine

Tranexmic Acid

Idarucizumab

Andexxa

Others

Anticoagulant Reversal Drugs Market, by Distribution Channel

Hospital Pharmacies

Retail Pharmacies

Others

Anticoagulant Reversal Drugs Market, by Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Modernization of healthcare in terms of both infrastructure and services have pushed the healthcare industry to new heights, Stay Updated with Latest Healthcare Research Reports by Transparency Market Research:

CINV Existing and Pipeline Drugs Market: The global CINV existing and pipeline drugs market is expected to surpass value of US$ 3.2 Bn by the end of 2031.

Antihypertensive Drugs Market: The global antihypertensive drugs market is anticipated to reach more than US$ 40 Bn by the end of 2031.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Drugs Market: The global erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs market is expected to reach the value of US$ 2.5 Bn by the end of 2028.

Oral Transmucosal Drugs Market: The global oral transmucosal drugs market was valued over US$ 14 Bn in 2020 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of ~6% from 2021 to 2031.

Veterinary Dermatology Drugs Market: The global veterinary dermatology drugs market was valued over US$ 3.6 Bn in 2020 and is projected to expand at a moderate CAGR from 2021 to 2031.

Respiratory Virus Infection Drugs Market: The respiratory virus infection drugs market is expected to surpass a value of US$ 82.4 Bn by the end of 2030.

Hydroxychloroquine Drugs Market: The hydroxychloroquine drugs market is predicted to clock a robust CAGR of 10% during the forecast period. The global hydroxychloroquine drugs market is expected to cross US$ 1.9 Bn by 2030.

Depression Drugs Market: The global depression drugs market is expected to attain a market value of US$ 24.3 Bn by the end of 2030.

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New partnership with TechVolution brings Aptean's solutions to medical technology companies in Switzerland

ALPHARETTA, Ga., July 18, 2022, a global provider of mission-critical enterprise software solutions, announced the expansion of its partner network in the Swiss market with IT service provider TechVolution GmbH, which specializes in medical technology.



Switzerland is an important market for Aptean in Europe and Aptean is excited to announce the rollout of a number of ERP and MES solutions to the Swiss market. Oxaion ERP, RS2 ERP and Syncos MES are already established brands in the German and Austrian markets and, with the extension of these solutions to Switzerland, Aptean is able to fully support companies in the DACH region.

Regulatory requirements and strong interest from Swiss companies for locally available contacts led to the decision to bring a Swiss partner on board. Initially, Aptean and its partners will focus on its oxaion ERP brand and the medical technology market in Switzerland.

With TechVolution GmbH, based in Allschwil in the Basel region, Aptean has gained an important partner with extensive expertise in regulatory requirements, digitization and market support in the medical technology industry. Like Aptean, TechVolution also specializes in the requirements of medium-sized companies and start-ups.

In addition to acquiring new customers, TechVolution will focus primarily on consulting and the implementation of oxaion easy Medizintechnik at Swiss companies.

"With this new partnership, Aptean will be able to serve Swiss customers regionally with even more proximity, and above all, strong industry-specific expertise," said Herbert Feuchtinger, General Manager, Aptean DACH.

About Aptean

Aptean is one of the world's leading providers of purpose-built, industry-specific software that helps manufacturers and distributors effectively run and grow their businesses. With both cloud and on-premise deployment options, Aptean's products, services and unmatched expertise help businesses of all sizes to be Ready for What's Next, Now. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit www.aptean.com.

Aptean and Ready for What's Next, Now are Registered Trademarks of Aptean, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

For Media Inquiries Please Contact

Nicole O'Rourke

Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer

Nicole.ORourke@aptean.com

(770) 715-0362

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3460e23-4ba1-40ba-b102-a085203653d8




Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered generals to prioritize destroying Ukraine's long-range missile and artillery weapons after Western-supplied weapons were used to strike Russian supply lines.







Nearly five months since President Vladimir Putin ordered the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces are grinding through the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine and now occupy around a fifth of the country.







Shoigu, one of Putin's closest allies, inspected the Vostok group which is fighting in Ukraine, the defense ministry said.







Shoigu "instructed the commander to give priority to the enemy's long-range missile and artillery weapons," the defense ministry said.







The ministry said the weapons were being used to shell residential areas of Russian-controlled Donbas and to deliberately set fire to wheat fields and grain storage silos. Reuters was unable to verify battlefield reports from either side.







The Zvezda news service showed Shoigu, dressed in combat uniform, speaking alongside Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov.







The United States and its allies have supplied billions of dollars' worth of weaponry to Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, including long-range arms which Kyiv says are beginning to help on the battlefield.







Ukraine says it has carried out a string of successful strikes on 30 Russian logistics and ammunitions hubs, using several multiple launch rocket systems recently supplied by the West.







Moscow has emphasized its attacks on Western-supplied weapons in its defense ministry briefings, and accuses Ukraine of using long-range arms to strike residential areas in separatist-controlled regions of the Donbas.







Separatist leader Denis Pushilin said on Thursday that two people were killed when Ukrainian forces shelled a bus station in the separatist-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.







Ukrainian interior ministry adviser Anton Herashchenko accused Russian forces on social media of striking the center of Donetsk but pinning the blame on Ukraine. (Reuters)


JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force has successfully held the G20 - B20 dialogue forum last week at Hotel Mulia, Jakarta.

Minister of Communication and Information of the Republic of Indonesia Johnny G. Plate, Chair of the G20 Indonesia Digital Economy Working Group Mira Tayyiba, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and Chair of B20 Indonesia Arsjad Rasjid, Chair of B20 Indonesia Shinta Kamdani, and Chair of B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force Ririek Adriansyah as well as global business leaders were in attendance during the forum.

The meeting discussed several recommendations that the B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force prepared following a series of discussions held during the past six months.

Chair of B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force Ririek Adriansyah opened the forum by presenting the strategic and objective issues that the Digitalization Task Force aims to achieve.

"The essence of our work as Indonesia's B20 Digitalization Task Force is to ensure that digitalization could drive future growth while bridging the digital divide, which eventually leads to an inclusive digital transformation," said Ririek, who is also the President Director of PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom).

Ririek presented the four recommendations that the Digitalization Task Force proposes.

First, driving universal connectivity by ensuring to support universal access for participation in the digital economy and government services, ensuring inclusive government services and eliminating digital divide.

Second, building foundation for sustainable and resilient digital economy, with the goal of accelerating development of digital infrastructure

Third, ensuring a digital-ready mindset for individuals and micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs), and enabling MSMEs through access to digital platforms.

Lastly, promoting risk and evidence-based, interoperable, and technology-neutral cybersecurity standards and best practices that support companies' efforts to protect their networks.

Minister of Communication and Information Johnny G. Plate said he appreciated the steps and recommendations that the B20 Digitalization Task Force proposed in the B20-G20 Dialogue. According to the Minister of Communication and Informatics, the world today is a digitized one, and the digital economy will be bigger in the global market.

"Although we have a palpable enormous economic potential, there are challenges before us that we must face together, of course with public-private collaboration. One of which is the digital divide, especially in developing countries," the Minister of Communication and Information said.

Minister Johnny said the discussion and recommendations from the B20 Digitalization Task Force greatly help the Government, since the recommendations are in line with Indonesia's G20 Presidency main vision to create an inclusive, empowering and sustainable digital ecosystem.

Meanwhile, responding to the recommendation of the B20 Digitalization Task Force, Mira Tayyiba, Chair of the G20 Indonesia Digital Economy Working Group said the government, especially the G20 Presidency, benefits significantly from the business and industry collaboration, which contributed to ensuring that public policies, including policies related to digital, could benefit all levels of the Indonesian society.

"We believe that this collaboration will enable the government to determine fair and practical policies, and to create a better policy space in the digital sector. The G20 Indonesia Digital Economy Working Group also encourages collaboration between innovation actors such as start-ups, venture capitalists, corporations and the government to support digital innovation," she said.

Recognizing the important role of the digital economy in many aspects of life, the G20 Indonesia Digital Economy Working Group is also committed to gaining more significant economic benefits from digitalization to achieve a resilient recovery.

Chairman of KADIN Indonesia who is also Chairman of B20 Indonesia, Arsjad Rasjid said that the world has been transformed by technological disruption. Roughly 52 percent of companies have gone bankrupt or were acquired because they couldn't keep up with the digitalization trend. Similar phenomenon also happened in Indonesia, not impacting big companies but also MSMEs that are the backbone of the Indonesian economy. With digitalization, Indonesia can achieve the next economic growth of up to USD 150 billion by 2025 as well as the potential to add 20 million net jobs by 2030. To achieve this goal, there are two major challenges, namely the digital infrastructure gap and the lack of digital skills or digital literacy.

Furthermore, Chair of B20 Indonesia Shinta Kamdani said the B20-G20 dialogue was designed to be a platform for public and business collaboration to express their concerns and propose their solutions. This dialogue, Shinta said, is expected to produce something concrete. "I am very optimistic that our policy recommendations will bring tremendous contributions to society in the future. Throughout the process, the formulation of these policy recommendations was rife with conflicting debates and arguments, which were able to spur the diversity of thoughts and aspirations from more than twenty countries, with different circumstances and abilities," Shinta said.

The B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force has completed its tasks for the last six months in 2022 with the presentation of these recommendations.

"On behalf of the leadership of the B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force, we would like to thank the inputs, thoughts, and ideas from more than 100 members of the task force that supported the formulation of these four recommendations formulation, which are expected to provide great benefits for business people, especially in G20 member countries as well as for the global economy," Ririek said. Telkom Indonesia as a state-owned enterprise continues to contribute in the three domains to support the recommendation through acceleration the formation of Indonesia's digital connectivity, platform and services. Through these three business focuses and ongoing investments, hopefully Telkom can become the engine of the nation's digital transformation in realizing digital inclusive.

DigitalBisa

UntukIndonesiaLebihBaik

Media Contact:

Pujo Pramono

VP Corporate Communication

corporate_comm@telkom.co.id

www.telkom.co.id

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1860966/Photo__1.jpg
Recognition received for achieving parity in computer science enrollment efforts for young women.

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 18, 2022 / Uplift Education was recognized as a member of the inaugural Accelerating Women's Success and Mastery (AWSM) in Computer Science Honor Roll at the 2022 We Teach CS Summit. Uplift Atlas, Elevate, and Mighty achieved this award because young women made up at least 50% of computer science (CS) course enrollment in the 2020-2021 school year. The statewide average is just 27%.

This limited exposure to computer science for young women in high school contributes to under-representation in the workforce as well. In the United States, just 27% of all computing jobs are held by women. In Texas alone, there are almost 65,000 open computing jobs available with an average salary of $94,779.

"This recognition is important to our school because it is a huge indicator of success! Last year the Uplift Elevate M.S leadership team gave our campus priorities the nickname, Operation Blue I.C.E, which represented our mission to drive innovation, community and excellence. The leadership team set a goal to inspire innovation by increasing access to STEM Education via a partnership with NASA Astro Camp and by employing the rigorous principles of the International Baccalaureate curriculum in our Tech Applications and Digital Media courses. As a former female engineer and a self-appointed ambassador of STEM education, this recognition is of significant importance to me. I know from personal experience how underrepresented women are in fields such as engineering and computer science. By providing access, exposure, and representation in these fields starting in K-12 we can change that, and this award is evidence of that", said Niya Wardlaw, Academic Director M.S, Uplift Elevate Preparatory.

"TACC is proud to recognize Uplift Atlas, Elevate, and Mighty as an inaugural member of the AWSM in CS Honor Roll," said Carol Fletcher, director of Expanding Pathways in Computing at The University of Texas at Austin's Texas Advanced Computing Center. "Thanks to your efforts, Uplift Atlas, Elevate, and Mighty are one of less than 100 secondary schools in the state to reach gender parity in CS. Thank you for your 'awesome' leadership and for bringing these opportunities to the young women in your community."

"I liked learning about how all subjects relate to the digital world, especially art, and how techniques can be used to catch other's attention in design and digital campaigns. If I ever chose to go into a marketing career, these tips will be helpful. Also, I can apply the lesson taught in digital media to other subjects improving any digital presentations with the techniques taught in digital media. I can also apply it to my daily life. For example, I can take better and more appealing pictures knowing the rule of thirds and framing", said Uplift Elevate Middle School scholar.

We are proud to see our schools breaking down barriers and preparing our scholars for success. UpliftProud

AWSM in CS is a National Science Foundation-funded project focused on increasing the access and participation of young women in computing courses.

ABOUT UPLIFT EDUCATION:

Uplift Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of teachers, families, and, most importantly, students. With a network of 45 college-preparatory, public charter schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Uplift offers students of any background the powerful chance to study within a multidisciplinary curriculum and prepare for the college career they deserve. Uplift is the largest International Baccalaureate district in Texas and the #2 IB district in the nation because of the number of holistic extracurricular and educational programs. The incredible educators in the Uplift network guide and teach over 22,000 students in Pre-K- 12th?grades, with the majority being low-income and minority students who will be the first in their family to attend college. For more information Uplift's mission and their blind lottery selection system, visit?uplifteducation.org?or?facebook.com/uplifteducation.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Deekay Fox

Senior Marketing and Communications Director

dfox@uplifteducation.org

661-378-2353

SOURCE: Uplift Education

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/708857/Uplift-Atlas-Elevate-and-Mighty-Receives-Accelerating-Womens-Success-and-Mastery-AWSM-Honor


MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suspended the government's spy chief and Prosecutor General pending inquiry into cases of treason and collaboration with Russia in the two key organizations.



He said more than 60 employees of the prosecutor's office and the Security Service of Ukraine were working against Ukraine in Russian-occupied areas.



651 treason and collaboration cases have been registered against officials, who are accused of aiding Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.



Zelenskyy announced the suspension of Ivan Bakanov, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, in a video address published on Telegram.



'Everyone who together with him was part of a criminal group that worked in the interests of the Russian Federation will also be held accountable,' Zelensky said, referring to Bakanov. 'It is about the transfer of secret information to the enemy and other facts of co-operation with the Russian special services,' he added.



Russian infiltration into Ukraine's security services has long been suspected.



Meanwhile, the Ukraine military said it thwarted multiple Russian attempts to advance in Donetsk. The Russian forces are continuing shelling of its defenses across the region, according to the General Staff.



A convoy of Russian military equipment is moving from Mariupol toward other parts of southern Ukraine, reports quoting Ukrainian officials say.







Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2022) - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (OTCQX: PHNMF) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") is pleased to announce drill results from RC22-015, the first hole this year into the gold system under the vanadium resource on its 100% owned Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project, Nevada. The attributes of RC22-15 indicate the gold-bearing hydrothermal system hosted by Devonian Rodeo Creek and Popovich Formations is strengthening to the south in close proximity to the north-south large-displacement graben fault. The Company's property position covers a 4.8 kilometre strike-length of the graben fault. Only 600m of this strike-length has been tested to date.

According to Mr. Mathewson, geological consultant to the Company, "Hole RC22-15 is our best-looking hole drilled to date in many respects. The alteration - brecciation, silicification, and sulfides, are notably strongest yet. The pathfinder elements, typically associated with gold, are the highest we have encountered and comparable to those in proximity to gold deposits elsewhere on the Carlin trend. This is a very important guide in our efforts. Virtually the entire hole is mineralized with very low gold. This indicates a stronger part of the hydrothermal system with gold infiltration into the entire stratigraphy and, in particular, into the favourable Popovich stratigraphy. And the Popovich stratigraphy was also found 150m (500') shallower than in RC20-01 and RC21-13."

The accumulated drill data from holes RC20-01 through RC21-15, has provided valuable information to define and now zero in on better gold zones within the large gold system. Mr. Mathewson has determined that the stronger part of the system is within a corridor approximately 150 metres wide on the west flank of the north-south oriented graben fault. The Company now have 3 holes that are aligned within this corridor providing further vectoring enhancement. From north to south, holes RC21-13, RC20-01, and now RC22-15 test an approximately 600 metres strike-length of the favoured corridor. Hole RC22-15 was drilled 400 metres south of RC20-01 and RC21-13 was drilled 200m north of RC20-01.

Dave Mathewson further states: "We are pleased with our thoughtful progressive approach. Holes RC-20-01 and RC21-13 were the best holes we had, with RC20-01 the better of the two. Hole RC22-15 is significantly better still. This information provides a southern direction of system strengthening within the corridor we are now focused on, where subsequent drilling will proceed."

RC22-15 encountered pathfinder metals (arsenic, mercury and thalium) within the Popovich section, from 463.3m (1520') to 678m (2225'), a length of 214.9m (705'), notable stronger than in RC20-01; more than double the arsenic values (738 ppm As) and 30 times higher in mercury (227 ppm Hg). Gold was also more evenly distributed in this Popovich section averaging 57 ppb Au (with a high of 445 ppb Au) between 1885' and 2175'. RC22-15 was virtually mineralized with gold the entire hole length from 3m to 748m (10'-2455') with an average gold value of 25 ppb Au.

In further news, the Company is expecting assays from the Smoke gold project next week and will report findings upon receipt. Based on visuals from the recent 5-hole 2,700' RC drill program, the Company has expanded the property position by staking an additional 43 claims and is planning a prompt minimum 7-hole follow-up program.

In addition, the Company has completed a total of 36 shallow holes (averaging 250' deep) aimed at expanding the vanadium resource. Samples for RCV22-70 through RCV22-105 are in the lab for analyses. The Company is planning an addition 32 shallow holes for this resource expansion purpose. Two to four shallow holes are being completed each day. Following this campaign, the Company plans the next deep gold testing hole.

QAQC

The 2022 drill programs are being planned and executed under the supervision of Dave Mathewson, MSc., Geological Advisor for the Company, Qualified Person for the program. Industry standard quality control and quality assurance protocols have been followed throughout in handling, sampling and shipping the chips. Continuous sampling of 5-foot intervals were taken. Samples were analyzed by ALS Global.

ON BEHALF OF PHENOM RESOURCES CORP.

per: "Paul Cowley" CEO & President

(604) 340-7711 pcowley@phenomresources.com www.phenomresources.com

Technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dave Mathewson, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and Geological Advisor to the Company.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131153
H1 2022 REVENUE: 8.1M (up 4%)

SLIGHT GROWTH IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR AMID A COMPLEX GEOPOLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

_ STREAMWIDE (FR0010528059 - ALSTW - eligible for the French PEA-PME), the expert in critical communications software solutions, posted revenue of 8.1 million for the first half of 2022, up 4% despite the challenging situation.

As announced in March 2022 to coincide with the 2021 full-year earnings release, the first half was marked by reticence among many market players exacerbated by presidential and legislative elections in France and the international events unfolding since February 2022, the short and medium-term consequences of which are still difficult to grasp. Despite these factors and the increasing challenges posed by prior performance, Group revenue continued to grow in first half 2022.

H1 2022 revenue breaks down as follows:

in k HY 2022 %Rev HY 2021 %Rev Ch. Ch.% TOTAL REVENUE 8 145 7 856 289 4% Licenses 4 197 52% 4 241 54% -44 -2% Maintenances 2 081 26% 1 679 21% +402 +27% Services 1 867 23% 1 936 25% -69 -3% Third-party sales - - - - - - "Platforms" business 5 372 66% 5 396 69% -24 -1% "Legacy" business 2 773 34% 2 462 31% +311 +12%



(*) H1 2022 revenue is currently being audited.

_ SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN RECURRING BUSINESS AND CONTINUATION OF STRUCTURAL PROJECTS

The new team on mission and team on the run critical communications and business platforms, which posted stable first half 2022 revenue of 5.4 million, still represent the Group's main revenue source (66%) and will continue to act as the primary growth driver over the coming years.

As previously announced, the mass roll-out of the PCSTORM project is currently underway, resulting in a significant order for new PCSTORM user licenses recorded towards the end of the period to support the project's deployment and scale-up.

The work carried out as part of the deployment of the PCSTORM platform has enabled us to stabilize revenues from services in the first half of 2022.

Meanwhile, the partnership with Airbus SLC continues to develop and generate regular revenue from orders for licences, support and professional services.

Looking at the breakdown of platform revenue totalling 5.4 million in H1 2022, licence revenue (3.5 million) was stable, while maintenance revenue (0.3 million) increased by 0.1 million offsetting the equivalent decline in service revenue to 1.6 million. The license contribution to platform revenue (almost 65%) reflects the strength of this business line and the growing number of end users. Meanwhile, platform installation among customers is also generating constant growth in maintenance revenue, a trend expected to continue over the coming months.

The legacy telecom operator solutions business posted 12% revenue growth for H1 2022 (up 0.3 million) and accounted for 34% of first half revenue (2.8 million). License sales, which are non-recurring by nature, remained stable at 0.7 million in H1 2022, mainly due to the extension of a French operator's user base. Legacy maintenance revenue increased sharply (up 0.3 million) due to the project currently undergoing deployment with the same French operator, which has required increased support during the migration period. Legacy services (0.3 million) were stable compared to first half 2021.

_ OUTLOOK: STRUCTURAL TRUST COUPLED WITH CYCLICAL PRUDENCE

As announced in the 2021 earnings release published in March, platform revenue in 2022 remains closely correlated with the final calendar of official notices and the operational deployment of French and European ministerial projects.

The scale-up and operational deployment of the PCSTORM project have been approved. Over the coming months, Group revenue will shift away from licence and service revenue towards recurring maintenance revenue. The challenge for those involved in the project is now to operate Europe's, and probably the world's, largest MCPTT platform over the long term and keep it in working order.

Other large-scale calls for tender in France, Italy and Spain are still underway. While the Group remains confident in its aptness for selection from the consortium shortlist, current economic conditions require continuing prudence. Over the short term, ministerial decisions could fall during the second half of the year. Over the medium term, underlying sector momentum should help further accelerate public safety projects, as well as projects for the armed forces, and the widespread adoption of new-generation communications solutions.

As such, the Group continues to develop its business ecosystem, which could spawn numerous projects across a wide spectrum of sectors and private operators in Europe, South East Asia and the United States in particular, over the coming months, thereby demonstrating the suitability of the solutions developed and marketed by the Group.

Sovereignty issues affecting proposed and applied collaborative solutions are and will be increasingly present and strategic in the future. The Group's developments in recent years, which have been integrated into secure and scalable technical architectures, offer distinct advantages over current rival solutions.

The proven resilience of the Group's technical, human and financial organisation places it in prime position to leverage upcoming growth in the communications and critical business market, while ensuring and enhancing the "end-to-end" quality of products, features and components (servers, mobile and web applications).

Meanwhile, the legacy business is expected to generate 2022 revenue close to 2021 values. Potential new customer acquisitions or extensions of the current user base could further stimulate growth.

First-half trends are therefore expected to continue during the second half. The geopolitical and economic events occurring at the beginning of the year and their consequences over the coming months are not expected to have a material underlying impact on the Group's business, which could even benefit from new business opportunities arising from the situation. Revenue stability in 2022 can be taken for granted and the Group is already anticipating and structuring its future profitable growth, the extent of which will depend on the aftermath to the present crisis.

Next financial release: H1 2022 Results, Monday 19 September 2022

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

About STREAMWIDE (Euronext Growth: ALSTW)

A major player for 20 years in the critical communications market, STREAMWIDE has successfully developed its Team on mission (mission critical) and Team on the run (business critical) software solutions for administrations and businesses.

These solutions for smartphones and PCs, offered in a SaaS model or on Premise, benefit from numerous functionalities such as the multimedia group discussions, VoIP, push-to-talk (MCPTT and MCx new generation 4G / 5G LTE), geolocation, digitization and automation of business processes. These innovative solutions meet the growing needs for digital transformation and real-time coordination of interventions. They allow field teams to transform individual contributions into collective successes and to act as one in the most demanding professional environments.

STREAMWIDE is also present on the Value-Added Services software market for telecom operators (visual voice messaging, billing and charging of calls in real time, interactive voice servers, applications and announcements) with more than 130 million end users all over the world.

Based in France and present in Europe, USA, Asia and Africa, STREAMWIDE is listed on Euronext Growth (Paris) - ALSTW FR0010528059.

For more information, http://www.streamwide.com and visit our LinkedIn pages @streamwide and Twitter @streamwide.

Contacts :

Pascal Beglin | Olivier Truelle Gregoire Saint-Marc Amaury Dugast CEO | CFO Investor Relations Press Relations T +33 1 70 22 01 01 T +33 1 53 67 36 94 T +33 1 53 67 36 34 investisseur@streamwide.com streamwide@actus.fr adugast@actus.fr

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SEATTLE, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Coherent Market Insights, the global stem cell banking market is estimated to be valued at US$ 4,483.31 million in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 18.9% during the forecast period (2022-2030).

Key Trends and Analysis of the Global Stem Cell Banking Market:

Increasing product approval by regulatory authorities is expected to drive the global stem cell banking market growth over the forecast period. For instance, on April 12, 2022, BioCardia, Inc., a developer of cellular and cell-derived therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, had announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved the company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for BCDA-04, a proprietary allogeneic mesenchyme cell (MSC) population that is Neurokinin-1 receptor-positive (NK1R+). This allows BioCardia to initiate its First-in-Human Phase I/II trial in adult patients recovering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to the COVID-19, with trial initiation.

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Key Market Takeaways:

The global stem cell banking market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 18.9% during the forecast period due to the increasing adoption of inorganic growth strategies such as agreements and collaboration by the key players in the market. For instance, on September 1, 2021, STEMCELL Technologies, a biotechnology company has announced the launch of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) characterization and banking services in partnership with WiCell, a nonprofit organization of advance stem cell technologies. These services, offered through STEMCELL's Contract Assay Services division, will provide researchers with comprehensive cell quality assessments and enable them to generate cell banks using standardized practices.

Among Source type, Cord Blood holds a dominant position, owing to increasing research and development for treating COVID-19 infection. For instance, in May 2022, Cells4Life Group LLP, an umbilical cord blood bank, published a study that was released to assess the safety of umbilical cord blood stem cells as a COVID-19 treatment, critically sick patients who had an umbilical cord blood stem cell infusion had a 91% survival rate. The use of mesenchyme stem cells was reported to have no side effects, and the procedure generally seemed secure.

Key players operating in the global stem cell banking market include Stem Cyte, Inc., CRYO-CELL INTERNATIONAL, INC., ViaCord, Cord Blood Registry, SmartCells, Inc., LifeCell International Pvt. Ltd., Cryoviva Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Cryo Stemcell, Reliance Life Sciences, and Transcell Biolife Pvt. Ltd.

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Detailed Segmentation:

Global Stem Cell Banking Market, By Source Type:

Cord Blood



Cord Tissue

Global Stem Cell Banking Market, By Service Type:

Collection and Transportation



Processing



Analysis



Storage

Global Stem Cell Banking Market, By Application:

Leukemia



Diabetes



Lymphoma



Cerebral Palsy



Thalassemia



Others

Global Stem Cell Banking Market, By Region:

North America

By Country:



U.S.





Canada

Europe

By Country:



U.K.





Germany





Italy





France





Spain





Russia





Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

By Country:



China





India





Japan





ASEAN





Australia





South Korea





Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

By Country:



Brazil





Mexico





Argentina





Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

By Country:



GCC Countries





Israel





South Africa





Rest of Middle East & Africa

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Find more related trending reports below:

Stem Cell Therapy Market, by Cell Source (Adult Stem Cells, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Embryonic Stem Cells, and Others), by Application (Musculoskeletal Disorders, Wounds and Injuries, Cancer, Autoimmune Disorders, and Others), and by Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) - Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2019 - 2027

Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market, by Stem Cell Type (Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Pluripotent Stem Cells, and Mesenchymal Stem Cells), by Treatment (Microfracture, Osteochondral Transplant, Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation, and Others), by End User (Hospitals & Clinics and Ambulatory Surgical Centers), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) - Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2019 - 2027

Stem Cells Market, By Type (Adult Stem Cells, Human Embryonic Stem Cells, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Natural Rosette Cells, Very Small Embryonic Like Stem Cells), By Application (Regenerative Medicine, Drug Discovery and Development), By Technology (Cell Acquisition, Cell Production, Cryopreservation, Expansion and Sub-Culture), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa) - Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2020 - 2027

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Nearly 20 Aerospace Companies Participate in event which included a Big Announcement from Sierra Space

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM / ACCESSWIRE / July 18, 2022 / The global aerospace community focused on New Mexico as 149 teams from around participated in the Spaceport America Cup, the world's largest intercollegiate rocket engineering conference and competition. The University of Sydney took home the top prize and as 1 ,500 students from 22 countries gathered in southern New Mexico to launch rockets to specific altitudes (10,000; 20,000; 30,000 feet).

The Spaceport America Cup also included an announcement from Sierra Space. At the event, the company said it will work with Spaceport America in New Mexico to use that commercial spaceport as a potential future landing site for the company's Dream Chaser vehicle. The company joins Virgin Galactic which (according to news reporters) plans to eventually conduct 400 suborbital tourism and research flights annually from Spaceport America.

The top aerospace companies participated in the event. They include Sierra Space, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, Fiore, NASA Spaceflight.com, Kansas City National Security Campus and more.

"New Mexico's long history of innovation in aerospace and defense has helped to pave the way for the state to host events like the Spaceport America Cup," said Melinda Allen, President & CEO, New Mexico Partnership. "Spaceport America is the perfect place to host an event like this, giving these students the opportunity to launch out of a world-renowned Spaceport. Industry leaders like Sierra Space, being involved also gives these students a unique networking and career-building opportunity. We're hoping to see many of these students back in the state working for one of our innovative aerospace companies."

Spaceport America recently announced the winners from the June 21-25, 2022 event, including:

2022 Spaceport America Cup Award Winners

Spaceport America Cup Winner

Winner: Team 133, The University of Sydney

Runner Up: Team 14, Case Western Reserve University

Sportsmanship

Winner: Team 81 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA.

Runner-up: Team 8 from Brigham Young University, UT.

Nancy Squires Team Spirit Award

Winner: Team 125 from Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Runner-up: Team 60 from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Charles Hoult Award for Modeling & Simulation

Winner: Team 26 from The University of Melbourne, Australia

Runner-up: Team 55 from Monash University, Australia

Dr. Gil Moore Award for Innovation

Winner: Team 119, University of Michigan - Dearborn

Runners-up: Team 34 from Chulalongkorn University from Thailand, Team 18, Cornell University, NY, and Team 57 from the University of Leeds, UK

Jim Furfaro Award for Technical Excellence

Winner: Team 89 from the University of Akron, OH

Runner-up: Team 139 from the University of Waterloo, Canada

James Barrowman Award for Flight Dynamics

Winner: Team 7, Boston University - difference of only 0.14% (14') from their predicted apogee

Runner Up: Team 8, Brigham Young University - 0.17% (18')

Chili Cup (Highest Score between University of New Mexico, New Mexico State, New Mexico Tech and UTEP)

Winner: Team 12, New Mexico State University

Runner up: Team 61, University of New Mexico

10K COTS

Winner: Team 14, Case Western Reserve University

Runner Up: Team 137, The Citadel

10K SRAD Solid

Winner: Team 65, Kent State University

Runner Up: Team 41, Iowa State University of Science and Technology

10K SRAD Hybrid/Liquid

Winner: Team 67, Polytechnique Montreal

Runner Up: Team 149, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology

30K COTS

Winner: Team 133, The University of Sydney

Runner Up: Team 60, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

30K SRAD Solid

Winner: Team 148, West Virginia University

Runner Up: Team 64, Oregon State University

30K SRAD Hybrid/Liquid

Winner: Team 134, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Runner Up: Team 27, ETH Zurich

The students competed in six different categories:

10,000 ft above ground level apogee with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solid or hybrid rocket propulsion system

30,000 ft above ground level apogee with COTS solid or hybrid propulsion system

10,000 ft above ground level apogee with student researched and developed (SRAD) solid rocket propulsion system

30,000 ft above ground level apogee with SRAD solid rocket propulsion system

10,000 ft above ground level apogee with SRAD hybrid or liquid rocket propulsion system

30,000 ft above ground level apogee with SRAD hybrid or liquid rocket propulsion system

"This being a yearlong competition, the culmination is the Spaceport America Cup," said Cliff Omstead, President, Experimental Sounding Rocket Association. "Not only do the teams come here to Las Cruces and meet at the convention center to show their rockets off and go through safety inspections, they go out to the vertical launch area, which is part of Spaceport America and launch their rocket. By having done that, they've achieved all of that year-long worth of effort."

Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The FAA-licensed launch complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, has a rocket friendly environment of 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, low population density, a 12,000-foot by 200-foot runway, vertical launch complexes, and about 340 days of sunshine and low humidity.

"New Mexico has some incredible competitive advantages for a spaceport," said Scott McLaughlin, Executive Director, Spaceport America. "We have weather, we have wide-open spaces, we have restricted air space right next to White Sands Missile Range, we have a good workforce, we have partners across the state including the universities and the DOE laboratories, so it's a great place for a spaceport."

About the New Mexico Partnership

The New Mexico Partnership is an organization designated by the state to serve as the single-point-of-contact to help business locate to New Mexico. They offer a coordinated approach and a formal network of economic developers to simplify the site selection process by providing expertise on talent, critical infrastructure, educational and R&D institutions, real estate and facilities, incentives, and all the other factors that go into a business location decision.

Media Contact:

Tom Garrity, tom@garritypr.com , 505-898-8689

SOURCE: Garrity PR

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/708952/Australia-Wins-Big-At-Spaceport-America-Cup
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 18, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with First Mining Gold Corp., Algernon Pharmaceuticals, G Mining Ventures, ApartmentLove, and Orvana Minerals on their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

First Mining Gold Corp. (TSX:FF) announces plans to acquire Duparquet Gold Project

First Mining Gold Corp. (FF) has offered to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Beattie Gold Mines Ltd. This acquisition increases the company's measured and indicated resource base in Quebec by more than 450 per cent and its inferred resource base in Quebec by more than 150 per cent. First Mining CEO Dan Wilton sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the acquisition.

For the full interview with Dan Wilton and to learn more about First Mining Gold Corp., click here

Algernon Pharmaceuticals (CSE:AGN) achieves co-primary endpoint in its Phase 2 Study of Ifenprodil

Algernon Pharmaceuticals (AGN) has met the co-primary endpoint in its Phase 2 proof of concept study evaluating NP-120 (Ifenprodil). Ifenprodil is being evaluated for the potential treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ("IPF") and chronic cough. Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals, sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the update.

For the full interview with Christopher J. Moreau and to learn more about Algernon, click here

G Mining Ventures (TSXV:GMIN) secures US$481 million financing for the Tocantinzinho Gold Project

G Mining Ventures has secured a $481 million construction financing package for the construction of its Tocantinzinho Gold Project in Brazil. The Project remains on track to achieve production in the second half of 2024. Louis-Pierre Gignac, President & Chief Executive Officer of GMIN sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Louis-Pierre Gignac and to learn more about G Mining Ventures, click here

ApartmentLove (CSE:APLV) acquires OwnerDirect.com

ApartmentLove (APLV) has acquired OwnerDirect.com, a short-term vacation rental marketing platform. OwnerDirect, one of the largest short-term vacation rental websites in its class, has operations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. President & CEO Trevor Davidson sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Trevor Davidson and to learn more about ApartmentLove, click here



Orvana Minerals (TSX:ORV) reports promising drill intercepts and substantial quarterly production increase

Orvana (ORV) has achieved standout intercepts from its OroValle operations in Spain. It is also announcing a 49-per-cent Q3 production increase from the property. Orvana is a multi-mine gold-copper-silver producer active in Spain, Bolivia and Argentina.CEO Juan Gavidia sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Juan Gavidia and to learn more about Orvana Minerals, click here

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

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SORUCE: The Market Herald

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/708962/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-New-Interviews-with-First-Mining-Gold-Corp-Algernon-Pharmaceuticals-G-Mining-Ventures-ApartmentLove-and-Orvana-Minerals
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2022) - Corcel Exploration Inc. (CSE: CRCL) (the "Company" or "Corcel") is pleased to announce that it has completed its 2022 exploration field season at its Peak Mineral Property located near Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada (the "Peak Property" or the "Property"), further to its announcement of June 7, 2022. The Company also announces a corporate update in regards to its Annual Shareholder Meeting.

2022 Exploration Program Highlights

The Company's 2022 exploration program is now complete. As part of the program, a total of 768 soil samples, 37 silt samples and 16 rocks samples were collected.

All samples are on route to the laboratory where they will undergo multi-element analysis. The results from the program will be released to the market once all results have been received, compiled, and interpreted by the Company.

Annual Shareholder Meeting

On July 18, 2022, the Company held its annual shareholder meeting. During the meeting, the shareholders elected Oliver Friesen (V.P. Exploration), Stephen Dunn (interim CEO) and Patrick Morton to constitute the Board of Directors. Mr. Joel Freudman has resigned from his board and office capacities as the President, CEO and a Director of the Company to focus on other business endeavors including TSXV-listed TRU Precious Metals Corp. The Company has appointed Stephen Dunn as interim CEO effective immediately.

Stephen Dunn, interim CEO of Corcel, commented, "On behalf of our Board of Directors and Corcel's management team, we thank Joel for his service and commitment to the Company. I want to extend our sincere gratitude for Joel's time and dedication throughout the Company's IPO process and recent operational advances."

About Corcel Exploration Inc.

The Company is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. Its initial objective is to focus on the exploration of the Peak Mineral Property located in British Columbia, Canada, for which the Company holds an option to acquire a 100% interest.

For further information contact:

Stephen Dunn

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Corcel Exploration Inc.

Tel: (416) 361-2827

Cautionary Statements

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains statements and information that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions and estimates of management with respect to the Company's exploration program at the Peak Property, which may ultimately prove incorrect. Forward-looking information herein includes statements relating to the Company's exploration program at the Peak Property.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the forward-looking information herein, including, but not limited to, challenges in collecting and analyzing exploration data, inaccurate assumptions concerning the exploration for and development of minerals, general risks associated with mineral exploration activities, volatility in commodity prices, changes in general economic conditions, and changes to corporate strategy and exploration plans. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information herein, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131202
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2022) - Bloom Health Partners Inc. (CSE: BLMH) (OTCQB: BLMHF) (FSE: D840) ("Bloom" or the "Company"), a leading provider of operational health and health technology, announces that it has closed the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") and has issued 2,770,000 units (the "Units") at $0.20 per Unit for gross proceeds of C$554,000. Combined with the first tranche of the Offering, the Company has sold 7,920,000 Units of the Company for aggregate gross proceeds of C$1,584,000. The Units are comprised of (i) one (1) common share in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares"); and (ii) one-half (1/2) of a transferable common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant" and collectively, the "Warrants"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) additional Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.30 per Warrant Share until July 18, 2023. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company for ongoing working capital and corporate development.

In connection with closing the second tranche of the Offering, the Company paid C$32,640 and issued 163,200 Warrants, exercisable at a price of $0.30 per Warrant Share until July 18, 2023 to an arms-length party who assisted in introducing subscribers to the Offering. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period until November 19, 2022 in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Investor Relations Engagement

The Company also announces that its board of directors has approved a change in the duties of an existing consultant to the Company, Spiro Kletas, to include advising the Company on shareholder communications and financing strategy. Mr. Kletas is presently compensated at a rate of $6,000 per month, and will continue at this rate. In consideration for his additional duties, Mr. Kletas has also been granted 150,000 incentive stock options, vesting over a twelve-month period and exercisable at a price of $0.40 until July 5, 2025.

About Bloom Health Partners Inc.

Bloom Health Partners Inc. is a global platform for healthcare security, diagnostic testing and occupational health-tech. Our mission is to ensure that "unstoppable is possible" for businesses and their employees through innovative, customized healthcare models. Bloom offers a system for businesses and organizations that helps engage employees and creates strategies to manage health and safety. Our stable, scalable system is an integrated health-tech platform that securely manages data while delivering comprehensive workplace health and safety outcomes.

For more information on the Company, please email investors@bloomhealthpartners.com

On behalf of the board of directors,

Bloom Health Partners Inc.

Andrew Morton, Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the Company's forward-looking statements include the potential that milestones may not be satisfied, acquisitions may not achieve expected benefits, financing requirements, and the other risk factors described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators on www.sedar.com. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.



NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131225
Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey gives his state address at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, in this photo taken on Jan. 10. AP-Yonhap



Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has already helped block one of former President Donald Trump's allies from winning the Republican nomination for governor in a crucial battleground state. Now he's hoping for a repeat in his own backyard.



Ducey is part of a burgeoning effort among establishment Republicans to lift up little-known housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson against former television news anchor Kari Lake, who is backed by Trump. Other prominent Republicans, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have also lined up behind Robson in recent days.



The push is reminiscent of how many leading Republicans rallied around Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in the final stretch of his ultimately successful bid to fend off a Trump-endorsed primary challenger.



Few states have been as central to Trump's election lies as Georgia and Arizona, the two closest 2020 battlegrounds where he pushed aggressively to overturn the results and fumed when Kemp and Ducey refused to go along. Trump has already faced a setback in Georgia, and the Aug. 2 race in Arizona is among his last opportunities to settle scores and install allies to lead states that may prove decisive if he decides to run again in 2024.



''In Arizona, people are independent minded, much like they are in Georgia, and they pick the person that they think will be best for the responsibility,'' Ducey told The Associated Press. ''In Georgia, the voters said Brian Kemp, and I'm hopeful in Arizona, they'll say Karen Taylor Robson.''



As an incumbent seeking reelection, Kemp had an advantage over his primary rival, David Perdue, and ultimately defeated him by nearly 52 percentage points. Without an incumbent on the ballot _ Ducey faces term limits _ the GOP contest in Arizona will likely be much closer.



But what once looked like an insurmountable lead for Lake could end in a more competitive finish.

With early voting already underway, Robson is drawing on her family's vast fortune to drown out Lake who, despite Trump's endorsement, has lagged in fundraising. Robson had outspent Lake more than 5 to 1 as of the end of June.



The final maneuvering by some leading GOP figures could prove significant in a close race. Beyond Ducey and Christie, Robson has lined up support from former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, who dropped out of the governor's race and endorsed her. The Border Patrol union, meanwhile, broke with Trump and backed Robson, citing in part Lake's prior statements supporting a pathway to citizenship for people living in the country illegally.



Former Vice President Mike Pence, who notably split with Trump in Georgia and campaigned alongside Kemp, has yet to pick a side in Arizona.



For her part, Lake is an unlikely MAGA champion.



A well-known former local news anchor who donated to Barack Obama and for years hung around with drag queens at a gay bar near the television station, Lake once was the antithesis of Trump's brand of politics.



Yet she rocketed to the top of the field since she walked away from her three-decade television career, declared ''journalism is dead'' and took a sledgehammer to a pile of TVs.



She built on the powerful connection she'd formed with viewers in the Phoenix media market over 27 years with the local Fox affiliate and created a uniquely strong bond with the base that propelled Trump to the White House in 2016 and still doesn't believe he lost in 2020.



Even Trump seemed impressed by the ovation her name inspired when he mentioned it during a rally in Phoenix last year. He endorsed her a short time later.



She, in turn, has adopted his combative style, his narrative about the 2020 election _ she falsely says it was corrupt and stolen _ and his get-tough approach to border security. She's walked away from her close ties with John McCain's family and now feuds with the late U.S. senator's children.



''We're either gonna go the way of the past, which is the McCain mafia running the show, or we're gonna go with America first,'' Lake told a crowd of hundreds at a country western bar in Tucson last week. Many arrived well over an hour early and waited in the Southern Arizona heat for a chance to get inside.



Lake, 52, routinely berates journalists trying to question her and releases the footage on social media.



Last year, she said she wants to put cameras in classrooms to monitor teachers, nodding to the backlash on the right to teachings on race and history in public schools.



If elected, she says, she'd immediately invoke an untested legal theory that illegal immigration constitutes an ''invasion'' of the United States and gives the governor war powers to remove people from the country without proceedings in immigration courts.



Since Robson and her allies began their full-court press, Lake has claimed without evidence that ''they might be trying to set the stage for another steal.''



''They have been such RINOs for so long, and I don't trust that they have our country as a priority,'' said Rosa Alfonso, a 60-year-old speech language pathologist in Tucson. ''That's a big deal.''



Robson, 57, is making her first run for office, though she has lifelong ties to GOP politics. He father and brother both held elected office as Republicans.



An attorney for real estate developers, she has been at the center of the suburban sprawl that has propelled the Phoenix area's prodigious growth. Ducey appointed her to the board overseeing Arizona's three public universities, her most high-profile public role before she quit to run for governor.



''These are serious times,'' Robson said during a recent debate. ''We need a serious candidate with a record of accomplishment.''



Her husband, housing developer Ed Robson, 91, is one of the state's richest residents, amassing a fortune building master planned retirement communities. She says the 2020 election was ''unfair'' but has stopped short of calling it fraudulent. Like Lake, she's running as a border hawk.



She brands her rival ''Fake Lake,'' highlighting a $350 donation she gave to Obama's 2008 campaign, though Robson has herself contributed large sums to Democrats.



''It's all an act,'' Ducey said of Lake. ''The campaign she's been running bears no resemblance to the life she's lived for the past three decades, nor to the interactions that she's had with me. She's putting on a show. We'll see how many people buy it.'' (AP)


LONDON, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

Geranium in Copenhagen is named The World's Best Restaurant 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna

in is named The World's Best Restaurant 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Announced this evening at an awards ceremony in London , the 2022 list includes restaurants from 24 territories in five continents worldwide and introduces 12 restaurants making their debut, along with two returning as re-entries

, the 2022 list includes restaurants from 24 territories in five continents worldwide and introduces 12 restaurants making their debut, along with two returning as re-entries South America and Asia are recognised as culinary powerhouses, with eight and seven restaurants on the list respectively

and are recognised as culinary powerhouses, with eight and seven restaurants on the list respectively Rene Frank of Coda, Berlin , receives The World's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Sosa

of Coda, , receives The World's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Sosa The Beronia World's Best Sommelier Award is presented to Josep Roca , sommelier of El Celler de Can Roca, in a new award for 2022

, sommelier of El Celler de Can Roca, in a new award for 2022 Aponiente in El Puerto de Santa Maria wins the Flor de Cana Sustainable Restaurant Award

in de wins the Flor de Cana Sustainable Restaurant Award Uliassi (No.12) in Senigallia takes homes the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles

(No.12) in Senigallia takes homes the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles Nobelhart & Schmutzig (No.17) is awarded the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award, as the Berlin restaurant climbs 28 places from the 2021 list

(No.17) is awarded the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award, as the restaurant climbs 28 places from the 2021 list Atomix (No.33) in New York wins the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award

(No.33) in wins the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award Estrella Damm Chefs' Choice Award goes to Jorge Vallejo of Quintonil in Mexico City

The creme de la creme of the world's restaurant community gathered in London this evening to celebrate The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. The awards ceremony, hosted by internationally renowned actor and gourmet Stanley Tucci, honoured gastronomic excellence from 24 territories across five continents before naming Copenhagen'sGeranium as The World's Best Restaurant 2022 and The Best Restaurant in Europe 2022.

For the full 1-50 list, please see the website here.

Taking over the No.1 position from Noma - which has been elevated to the Best of the Best hall of fame - Geranium, led by chef Rasmus Kofoed and sommelier Sren Ledet, was voted the No.2 restaurant in The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2021 list. Geranium's mission is to create food that awakens the senses, and Chef Kofoed's meticulous cooking and incredible vision, including his recent decision to go meatless, have won accolades and fans worldwide. Geranium is joined in the top three by Central (No.2) in Lima and Disfrutar (No.3) in Barcelona.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1855947/50_Best.jpg

PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1855939/50_Best.pdf

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1802051/World_50_Best_2022_Logo.jpg

Media centre access:

https://mediacentre.theworlds50best.com
Canvas Medical, a San Francisco, CA-based provides an EMR for improved care delivery, raised $24M in Series B funding.

The round was led by M13 with participation from Haystack, Inspired Capital, IA Ventures, Upfront Ventures, and Irongrey.



The company intends to use the funds to bring additional enterprise-grade capabilities to market, including security and governance features.



Led by CEO Andrew Hines, Canvas provides a full-stack ambulatory EMR and digital health developer platform, enabling both established and startup healthcare providers to launch a patient experiences and business models. Its offerings include an ONC-Certified EMR with care coordination and management workflows, a FHIR API and Workflow SDK that provide platform extensibility, and end-to-end RCM functionality. The company works with customers of all care models and verticals, from direct-to-consumer virtual care to at-risk complex care and everything in between. .

FinSMEs

18/07/2022
Delfi Diagnostics, Inc., a Palo Alto, CA- and Baltimore, MD-based developer of a new class of high-performance, accessible liquid biopsy tests for early cancer detection and monitoring, raised USD225m in Series B funding.

This round was led by DFJ Growth with participation from Eli Lilly and Company, Point72, Brown Advisory, Point Field Partners, Initiate Ventures, Open Field Capital, PTX Capital, and all existing investors including Cowen Healthcare Investments, Foresite Capital, Menlo Ventures, OrbiMed, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Northpond Ventures, Samsara BioCapital, Rock Springs Capital, AV8 Ventures, Illumina Ventures, Osage University Partners, and Windham Venture Partners. In conjunction with the funding, DFJ Growth Partner Justin Kao, joined Delfis board of directors.

The company intends to use the funds for the continued development and commercialization of high-quality and accessible blood tests for single cancer early detection, multi-cancer early detection, and treatment monitoring.

Led by Victor Velculescu, MD, PhD, CEO and Founder, Delfi has built a platform designed to efficiently develop high-quality liquid biopsy applications via a proprietary and scalable whole genome fragmentation approach. Delfi analyzes cell-free DNA fragments across the entire genome. This allows for a single, low-cost, and straightforward lab process for any test developed on the platform. When combined with breakthroughs in machine learning, the platform can deliver high-performing results for multiple applications.

The company is currently validating the technology for early detection of lung and other cancers in a 15,000-person prospective trial called CASCADE-LUNG, and is working with multiple research institutions to develop additional applications including screening for other cancer types, multi-cancer early detection, and treatment monitoring.

FinSMEs

18/07/2022
Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), the independent investment company created to found, fund and build transformational businesses via its partnership with the University of Oxford, raised a further 250 million ($300 million) in funding.

The fundraise involved a diverse group of international investors, with participation from existing and new blue-chip investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, pension funds and asset managers. This brings the total amount raised by OSE to more than 850 million (>$1 billion) since inception in 2015.

These funds enable the company to identify further science from the University of Oxford, providing initial funding, hands-on support and access to expert networks and start-up infrastructure, to create new spinouts across Life Sciences, Health Tech and Deep Tech.

In addition, OSE will continue to support its existing and maturing portfolio, deploying large amounts of capital in later-stage funding rounds.

In addition to funding, OSE provides strategic business-building and operational support to its portfolio companies, including access to a global network of entrepreneurs and advisers, and has added over 55,000 sq ft of lab and start-up space.

Founded in 2015 and led by Alexis Dormandy, Chief Executive Officer, OSE has invested in over 80 companies built on Oxford science, committing 0.5 billion itself and attracting over 1 billion from blue-chip, global co-investors. To date OSE has helped progress 27 companies from seed to Series A and 21 to Series B and beyond, including 2 IPOs and 5 trade exits.

FinSMEs

18/07/2022
Retia Medical, a Valhalla, NY-based innovator in advanced hemodynamic monitoring, secured $15m in Series B funding.

The round was led by Fresenius Medical Care Ventures with participation from a second strategic investor, Red Cedar Ventures, and existing investor, the Pritzker-Vlock Family Office.

The company will use the funding to expand its commercial team and accelerate the development of its next-generation algorithms for guiding care for high-risk patients.

Led by Marc Zemel, S.M., M.B.A., Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Retia Medical aims to provide accurate cardiovascular information and insights to help clinicians improve outcomes for high-risk patients. The company brings together expertise in physiology, signal processing, data science, and computational algorithms to engineer innovative hemodynamic monitoring solutions that give clinicians accurate, real-time data that they can rely on to make patient care decisions.

Its Argos Cardiac Output Monitor enables individualized, data-driven care to improve outcomes and lower costs for high-risk surgical and critically ill patients. This hemodynamic monitor features the Multi-Beat Analysis (MBATM) algorithm for accurate cardiac output measurements. The proprietary MBA algorithm analyzes multiple heartbeats to model the patients physiology and therefore provide high-quality hemodynamic data in real-time. The system detects important changes in a patients status and enables immediate clinical intervention, when required. Designed to streamline care, the next-generation Argos Monitor can be set up in less than one minute and leverages a patients existing arterial line for immediate use without requiring costly additional disposables or connections.

FinSMEs

18/07/2022
Stori co-founders left to right: GY Liu, Bin Chen, Marlene Garayzar, Nick Chen, Sherman He (PRNewsfoto/Stori)

Stori, a Mexico City-based fintech company offering credit card products to Mexicos underserved population, raised $150m, which valued it at $1.2 billion.

Storis financing includes a $50m equity investment from BAI Capital, GIC, and GGV Capital, existing and new investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, General Catalyst, Vision Plus Capital, Goodwater Capital, Tresalia Capital and Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP. Additionally, Davidson Kempner arranged a $100 million debt facility for the Company.

The company intends to use the funds to invest in the growth of the team and extend product offerings beyond the credit card, as well as expanding its geographic reach across Latin America targeting 100 million underserved consumers.

Founded in 2018 and led by Bin Chen, CEO, Stori offers credit card products to underserved populations. With more than 1.4 million customers in Mexico, the company offers every customer the chance to obtain a credit card and build their credit history with no complicated paperwork, no credit history, and no annual fee. The entire user experience  from applying for the card to paying bills  is carried out through the mobile app.

FinSMEs

18/07/2022
On July 14, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong co-chaired the sixth meeting of the China-Cambodia Intergovernmental Coordination Committee, which was held via video link.

Wang Yi said, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Cambodian leaders, China and Cambodia have strengthened coordination in a holistic approach, pushing for constant and new outcomes of all-round cooperation between the two countries. Next year will mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia, and the first five-year action plan of building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future will be completed. China is ready to work with Cambodia to keep bilateral cooperation always at the forefront of the times, so as to make it better serve the respective national development and more vigorously promote development and prosperity in the region.

Hor Namhong said, Cambodia firmly pursues the one-China principle, firmly supports the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, and wishes the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a complete success.

Hor Namhong said, Cambodia and China have made remarkable progress in fully implementing the action plan of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future. He thanked China for providing large quantities of vaccines and other anti-pandemic materials, which have provided a strong guarantee for Cambodia to effectively control the pandemic and realize economic recovery. He thanked China for bringing tangible benefits to the Cambodian people by helping Cambodia maintain stability and improve people's well-being. Cambodia is firmly committed to building a Cambodia-China community with a shared future and consolidating the "iron-clad" friendship between Cambodia and China, so as to better benefit the two countries and two peoples.

Wang Yi stressed, China and Cambodia have built a community with a shared future under the guidance of high-level exchanges, strengthened solidarity and mutual assistance with the goal of safeguarding common interests, deepened mutually beneficial cooperation in a people-centered approach, and strengthened multilateral coordination and collaboration with the purpose of championing international fairness and justice, thus consolidating political mutual trust and cementing the foundation for strategic cooperation. Facts have proved that the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the two peoples, meets the trend of the times, and conforms to the big picture of peace and stability in the region, thus representing a completely right direction. The two sides should firm up confidence, remove interference, and write a new chapter in the high-quality development of bilateral relations in the new era, with building a community with a shared future in a more comprehensive and in-depth way as the main task.

Taking stock of the implementation of the consensus reached at the fifth meeting of the China-Cambodia Intergovernmental Coordination Committee, the two sides were satisfied with the fruitful outcomes of solidarity and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, and also made plans for cooperation in the next stage:

First, maintain high-level strategic coordination. The two sides will formulate a new action plan for building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future, and advance exchanges and cooperation in various fields in a coordinated manner.

Second, step up efforts to ensure political security. The two sides will deepen experience-sharing on state governance, and firmly support each other in safeguarding core interests and pursuing a development path in line with respective national conditions.

Third, cement the foundation for pragmatic cooperation. The two sides will advance key projects of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, continue to fight the pandemic together, and expand cooperation in economy, trade, agriculture and other fields.

Fourth, consolidate the foundation of public support for the friendship. More flights between the two countries will be opened to facilitate the return of Cambodian students to China to continue their education. The two sides will well implement livelihood projects, and strengthen cooperation in fields such as science and technology, education, culture and tourism, as well as among think tanks.

Fifth, strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs. The two sides will stick to the ASEAN-led regional cooperation architecture, and resist any attempts to turn East Asian cooperation platforms into an arena for major-power rivalry. China supports Cambodia in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs and in performing its duties as the rotating chair of ASEAN.

After the meeting, the two sides jointly announced the signing of cooperation documents on human resources and infrastructure, among others.
John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh have tied the knot for a second time.

The 45-year-old star and Shay, 33, walked down the aisle in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday (07.15.22), 21 months after they first married in Florida.

The loved-up couple chose the Rosewood Hotel Georgia - a five-star hotel - for their second wedding, according to TMZ, which revealed that the wrestler-turned-actor wore a navy blue suit for the occasion. Shay, meanwhile, wore a white open-back gown for their wedding.

The happy couple actually met each other in Canada when John - who shot to global stardom in the WWE - was shooting his 2019 comedy 'Playing with Fire'.

John previously explained that the movie would always hold a special place in his heart because he got to meet "someone special".

Speaking at the 'Playing with Fire' premiere in 2019, he shared: "It's a wonderful day for a movie premiere and I got a beautiful date.

"What's truly special about this one is that, no matter what projects I'm involved in the future, this one will always have a special meaning because I got to film a special project and meet someone special."

Meanwhile, a source previously claimed it was a case of "love at first sight" for the Hollywood star.

John - who has also dated TV personality Nikki Bella - was said to have been "dazzled" by Shay.

The insider explained that Shay "is smart, has her own life and career and thinks for herself".

John and Shay tied the knot for the first time in Tampa, Florida, in a small ceremony in October 2020.

The source said at the time: "[They] knew they would marry, so the [private ceremony] wasn't a surprise. He just wanted to do it out of the limelight."
English Danish

This is to give notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting of Jyske Bank A/S, which will be held on Monday 22 August 2022, at 10.00 a.m. at Vestergade 8-16, DK-8600 Silkeborg.

AGENDA

Motions proposed by the Supervisory Board:

a. Reduction of Jyske Banks nominal share capital by DKK 47,279,050 (corresponding to 4,727,905 shares at a nominal value of DKK 10) from DKK 690,000,000 to DKK 642,720,950. With reference to S.188(1) of the Danish Companies Act we point out that the capital reduction takes place through cancellation of previously acquired own shares acquired by Jyske Bank in accordance with authorisation from members in general meeting. Hence, the capital reduction is spent on payment of capital owners.



If the motion is adopted, Jyske Bank's holding of own shares will be reduced by 4,727,905 shares of a nominal value of DKK 10. These shares have been bought back at a total amount of DKK 1,699,780,525 which implies that, apart from the nominal capital reduction, a total amount of DKK 1,652,501,475 has been paid to the capital owners in connection with the buy-backs. The capital reduction takes place at a share premium since it will be at DKK 359.52 for each share of a nominal amount of DKK 10, corresponding to the average price at which the shares have been bought back.



In consequence of the above, the following amendment to the Articles of Association is proposed:

Art. 2 to be amended to the effect that Jyske Banks nominal share capital be DKK 642,720,950 distributed on 64,272,095 shares.



b. Any other business.

Reference to Jyske Bank's website for further information

Where in this notice of a General Meeting, reference is made to Jyske Bank's website for further information, this link can be used: https://jyskebank.com/investorrelations .

Adoption of motions - special requirements

Motions to amend Jyske Banks Articles of Association (item a of the agenda) at extraordinary general meetings shall only be adopted where not less than 90 per cent of the voting share capital is represented at the extraordinary general meeting and only where adopted by both three fourth of the votes cast and by three fourth of the voting share capital represented at the general meeting, cf. Art. 12 of the Articles of Association. Where less than 90 per cent of the voting share capital is represented at the extraordinary general meeting, but the said motion obtains both three fourth of the votes cast and three fourth of the voting share capital represented at the extraordinary general meeting, the said motion may be adopted at a new general meeting by the said qualified majority irrespective of the proportion of the share capital represented.

Size of the share capital, voting rights of the shareholders and registration date

Jyske Bank's share capital is DKK 690,000,000, comprising shares at a face value of DKK 10. Each share amount of DKK 10 shall carry one vote, provided always that 4,000 votes are the highest number of votes any one shareholder may cast on his own behalf. Voting rights can only be exercised by shareholders or their proxies. For the voting right of a share to be exercised, the share shall be registered in the name of the holder in the Bank's register of shareholders not later than on the day of registration, which is 15 August 2022, or the title to such share shall be notified and documented to the Bank within that same time limit.

Proxy and postal vote

Shareholders may as from 28 July up to and including 18 August 2022 give voting instructions, appoint Jyske Bank's Supervisory Board or a third party as proxy either electronically or by means of the Power of Attorney form.

Shareholders may attend the General Meeting by proxy and cast their votes by proxy.

In addition, shareholders may as from 28 July to 19 August 2022, at 10.00 a.m. cast postal votes either electronically or by means of a form.

Proxies may be appointed or postal votes may be cast electronically at the Investor Portal via Jyske Bank's website. A form for the appointment of proxies or for casting postal votes is available at one of Jyske Bank's branches or can be downloaded from Jyske Bank's website. Where the form is used, please forward the completed and signed form either by post to Euronext Securities (VP Investor services A/S) at the address Nicolai Eigtveds Gade 8, 1402 Copenhagen K or by email to vp_vpinvestor@euronext.com. The form must reach Euronext Securities (VP Investor Securitas A/S) by the above-mentioned deadlines, and proxies must have been appointed or postal votes must have been cast electronically by the same deadlines.

Custodian bank

Jyske Banks shareholders may choose Jyske Bank A/S as their custodian bank in order to exercise their financial rights through Jyske Bank A/S.

Questions from shareholders

Shareholders may ask questions in writing about the items of the agenda or Jyske Banks financial position. Please send questions to Jyske Bank A/S, Juridisk Afdeling, Vestergade 8-16, DK-8600 Silkeborg or by email to Juridisk@jyskebank.dk. Questions and answers will be presented at the General Meeting. At the General Meeting, the management will also answer questions from the shareholders about matters of importance for the financial situation of Jyske Bank and questions for consideration at the General Meeting.

Additional information

The following documents and information can as of 28 July be downloaded from Jyske Bank's website or can be ordered from Jyske Bank's branches:

Notice of General Meeting. The total number of shares and voting rights at the date of the notice. Agenda and full wording of motions. The forms to be used when voting by proxy or by postal vote.

Admission card

Shareholders who wish to attend the General Meeting and cast their votes must acquire an admission card. Admission cards for the General Meeting can be ordered at the Investor Portal via Jyske Bank's website or from any of Jyske Bank's branches from 28 July and must be ordered by Thursday 18 August 2022 at the latest.

Jyske Bank will like previous years send admission cards via email. Therefore, you must - if you have not already registered your email address at InvestorPortalen - register your email address when you order your admission card. After registration, you will receive an electronic admission card which you may simply show on your smart phone or tablet when you attend the General Meeting. Unless you have appointed a proxy, you will receive your voting card upon presentation of your admission card. You must be aware that if, when you order your admission card, you do not choose to receive this via email, you must instead collect your admission card at the entrance to the general meeting. In order to receive your admission card, you must produce valid identification.

For the sake of good order, we point out that no refreshments can be expected to be served at the Extraordinary General Meeting.

Silkeborg, 18 July 2022

The Supervisory Board

Attachment
Pune, India, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global solar tracker market size was USD 6.05 billion in 2021. The market size is expected to rise from USD 6.88 billion in 2022 to USD 16.73 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 13.5% during the projected period. Fortune Business Insights publishes this information in a report titled, "Solar Tracker Market, 2022-2029". As per the report, the market is projected to rise during the forecast period due to the growing adoption of renewable sources for power generation.

Key Industry Development:

January 2022: PVHardware supplied 387 MWp of its Monoline 2V bifacial in the South Jeddah Noor PV project, located in the province of Saudi Arabia. With such continuous major projects at a large track record, PVH has surpassed 3GW contracted across the country.





Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/solar-tracker-market-100448





Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2029 Forecast Period 2022 TO 2029 CAGR 13.5% 2029 Value Projection USD 16.73 Billion Base Year 2021 Market Size in 2021 USD 6.05 Billion Historical Data for 2018-2020 No. of Pages 291 Segments covered Type, Movement, Application, Region Growth Drivers Green Energy Targets to Fuel Investments in Solar Industry Growing Adoption of Renewable Sources for Power Generation to Boost Market





Market Drivers-



Rising Adoption for Renewable Energy Sources to Propel Market Growth

The solar tracker demand is expected to rise during the forecast period due to rising green energy targets and increasing investment in the solar energy sector. Also, integrating software technologies such as artificial intelligence and control algorithms with renewable energy are expected to boost the market. Furthermore, increasing renewable power generation source adoption is anticipated to fuel the market growth during the forecast period.





Click here to get the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on this Market. Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/solar-tracker-market-100448





Highlights of the Report-



The report sheds light on current market trends and recent developments in the industry that affect the market growth. Also, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on market development and expansion is highlighted further in this report. Furthermore, drivers and restraints affecting the market growth are discussed in this report to elaborate on the possible lucrative opportunities for the key market players. The regional information regarding market share and development is provided further. The report focuses on providing factual information and statistical data regarding the current market state and future development during the forecast period.

COVID-19 Impact:

Restricted Import/Export Activities Amid Pandemic to Hamper Market Growth

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has affected various industries, including the energy and power sectors. The product demand declined during the lockdown due to several restrictions imposed by governments. Transportation and manufacturing operations were halted to restrict the virus spread, which affected the productivity and profitability of key market players. Stringent restrictions were applied on import/export activities to curb the virus spread, which, in turn, affected the solar tracker market growth.





Quick Buy - Solar tracker market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/100448





Regional Segmentation-



North America Dominates Global Market Due to Increasing Adoption of Solar Trackers

North America holds the dominant solar tracker market share due to increasing adoption of solar trackers to ensure operational efficiency. In addition, technological developments in the region are expected to drive the market during the forecast period. North America stood at USD 3.57 billion in 2021. Latin America is expected to hold the second-highest global market share due to high import of solar trackers. Majorly these trackers are imported from North America.

Competitive Landscape-

Contracts with Major Companies Allow Key Players to Strengthen their Position

The companies operating in the market focus on acquiring contracts from different countries in the segmented regions. Also, having a strong supply chain and product portfolio allows companies to attract global customers and expand their business. Furthermore, the key players implement product differentiation and development strategies to enhance their product portfolio.





Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/solar-tracker-market-100448





List of Key Players Profiled in the Report:

NEXTracker (U.S.)

Array Technologies (U.S.)

Trina Solar (China)

SunPower Corporation (U.S.)

ArcelorMittal Projects (Luxemburg)

Soltec (Spain)

Convert Italia (Italy)

PV Hardware (Spain)

Arctech Solar (U.S.)

Solar Steel (Spain)

Ideematec (Germany)

SunPower (U.S.)

Scorpius Trackers (India)

Sun Action Trackers (U.S.)

Solar tracker market Segmentation:

By Type

Photovoltaic (PV)

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)

By Movement

Single Axis

Dual Axis

By Application

Utility

Non-utility

By Region

North America (By Type, Movement, Application, Country) U.S. (By Application) Canada (By Application)

Europe (By Type, Movement, Application, Country) U.K. (By Application) Germany (By Application) France (By Application) Italy (By Application) Spain (By Application) Rest of Europe (By Application)

Asia Pacific (By Type, Movement, Application, Country) China (By Application) India (By Application) Japan (By Application) Australia (By Application) Rest of Asia Pacific (By Application)

Latin America (By Type, Movement, Application, Country) Brazil (By Application) Mexico (By Application) Rest of Latin America (By Application)

Middle East and Africa (By Type, Movement, Application, Country) GCC (By Application) South Africa (By Application) Rest of Middle East and Africa (By Application)







Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/solar-tracker-market-100448





About Us:

Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

Contact Us:

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APAC: +91 744 740 1245
Pune, India, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to MarketStudyReport, North America consumer electronics market size is expected to amass a valuation of USD 400 billion by the end of 2027.





Apart from this, the research literature highlights certain challenges that may impede the growth trajectory of the industry, while also divulging precise solutions to mitigate the impact.

A comprehensive segmental evaluation in terms of product type, application spectrum, and regional extent is encompassed in the document to aid stakeholders expand their profit margins.

Request Sample copy of this Report @ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/4966045/

Lastly, a thorough assessment of top contenders in the marketplace on the basis of their product portfolio, business overview, capital investments, and latest developments is furnished in the report to facilitate a clear understanding of competitive dynamics among stakeholders so that they can make well-informed decisions.

Penetration of artificial intelligence (AI), IoT, and machine learning (ML), coupled with noteworthy advancements, and a gradual shift in consumer behavior are the factors that provide a major growth impetus to the industry.

Furthermore, continuous efforts by top players to maintain their stance in the market by adding new features to smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other electronics are bound to benefit profit margins of stakeholders in the ensuing years.

Segmental outlook: -

Based on product type, North America consumer electronics industry space is bifurcated into audio & video equipment, digital photo equipment, major household appliances, and small household appliances. As per credible sources, the audio & video equipment segment is a promising avenue for revenue generation during the analysis, owing to the advent of AI enabled noise cancelling and wireless audio equipment.

Meanwhile, major household appliances segment is slated to generate a decent remuneration by the end of the study period, attributable to constant product innovations, rising demand for smart & efficient kitchen appliances, and escalating emphasis on health & hygiene.

Ask Discount of this research report at: https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/4966045/

Competitive framework summary: -

The Whirlpool Corporation, Vivo Communication Technology Co. Ltd., Toshiba Corporation, TCL Technology Group Corporation, Sony Corporation, Sonos Inc., Siemens AG, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, Panasonic Holdings Corporation, Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp. Ltd., Nikon Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, LG Corporation, Lenovo Group Ltd., Koninklijke Philips N.V., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., The Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company, Haier Group Corporation, GoPro Inc., Google LLC, Fujifilm Corporation, Dell Inc., Canon Inc., Bose Corporation, and Apple Inc. are the top contenders influencing North America consumer electronics industry trends.

These companies are constantly involved in curating new marketing strategies for maintaining a strong presence in the business sphere.

For instance, in January 2020, Dell Inc. launched new software and hardware solutions for its premium XPS and Latitude lines, which is enabled with cutting edge technology like 5G and AI to facilitate an efficient working system.

In a similar vein, in June 2020, Sony Corporation launched a new line of noise cancelling headphones dubbed as WH-1000XM4 in the United States, with five built-in microphones and a feature that allows linking two devices to improve sound quality as compared to previous product line.

To access a sample copy or view this report in detail along with the table of contents, please click the link below:

https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/north-america-consumer-electronics-market-statistics

North America Consumer Electronics Market by Product (Value, USD Billion, 2017-2027)

Digital Photo Equipment

Audio & Video Equipment

Small Household Appliances

Major Household Appliances

North America Consumer Electronics Market by Application (Value, USD Billion, 2017-2027)

Professional

Personal

North America Consumer Electronics Market by Region (Value, USD Billion, 2017-2027)

Canada

United States

North America Consumer Electronics Market, Company Profiles (Value, USD Billion, 2017-2027)

The Whirlpool Corporation

Vivo Communication Technology Co. Ltd.

Toshiba Corporation

TCL Technology Group Corporation

Sony Corporation

Sonos Inc.

Siemens AG

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Robert Bosch GmbH

Panasonic Holdings Corporation

Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp. Ltd.

Nikon Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

LG Corporation

Lenovo Group Ltd.

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

Hitachi Ltd.

The Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company

Haier Group Corporation

GoPro Inc.

Google LLC

Fujifilm Corporation

Dell Inc.

Canon Inc.

Bose Corporation

Apple Inc.

Acer Inc.

Electrolux AB

Table of Content:

Chapter 1 Methodology and Scope

1.1 Research methodology

1.2 List of data sources

1.2.1 Secondary

1.2.2 Primary

Chapter 2 Market Snapshot

2.1 North America consumer electronics market snapshot

Chapter 3 North America Consumer Electronics Trends

3.1 Industry coverage

3.2 Industry size, 2017 - 2027

3.3 Impact of COVID-19 pandemic

3.4 Value chain analysis

3.4.1 Company product snapshot

3.5 Innovation landscape

3.6 Regulatory norms & directives

Chapter 4 North America Consumer Electronics Market, By Product

4.1 North America consumer electronics market share, by product, 2020 & 2027

4.2 Audio & Video Equipment

4.2.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2017 - 2027

4.2.2 Personal

4.2.2.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2017 - 2027

4.2.3 Professional

4.2.3.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2017 - 2027

4.3 Major Household Appliance

4.3.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2017 - 2027

4.4 Small Household Appliance

4.4.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2017 - 2027

4.5 Digital Photo Equipment

Chapter 5 North America Consumer Electronics Market, By Application

5.1 North America consumer electronics market share, by application, 2020 & 2027

5.2 Personal

5.2.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2017 - 2027

5.3 Professional

5.3.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2017 - 2027

Chapter 6 North America Consumer Electronics Market, By Region

6.1 North America consumer electronics market share, by region, 2020 & 2027

6.2 North America

6.2.1 Market estimates and forecast, by product, 2017 - 2027

6.2.2 Market estimates and forecast, by application, 2017 - 2027

6.2.3 U.S.

6.2.3.1 Market estimates and forecast, by product, 2017 - 2027

6.2.3.2 Market estimates and forecast, by application, 2017 - 2027

6.2.4 Canada

6.2.4.1 Market estimates and forecast, by product, 2017 - 2027

6.2.4.2 Market estimates and forecast, by application, 2017 - 2027

Chapter 7 Competitive Landscape





Related Report:

Single Board Computer Market Size, COVID-19 Impact Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2022 - 2028

The single board computer market is slated to showcase significant expansion through 2028 owing to widespread adoption of the product in various applications. In addition, notable technological advancements in the product are likely to further support market growth over the forecast period. Single board computers (SBCs), unlike conventional motherboards, function as minicomputers that are equipped with all necessary functionalities, such as in-built memory and a processor, among others, which are fitted on a single circuit board. SBCs are lighter, smaller, and more cost-effective than larger alternatives available in the market. On the regional spectrum, the Latin America single board computer market accounted for more than 5% of the overall industry revenue in 2021 and is projected to witness substantial growth over the forecast timeline. Growing number of initiatives taken by the government to promote the adoption of industrial automation across LATAM is anticipated to support regional market growth in the upcoming years.



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PORTLAND, Ore., July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anitian, the leading cloud application security and compliance automation provider, is pleased to announce that Maria Crawford and Tom Pak have joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) respectively. Both executives have proven track records in their respective roles driving business strategy, sales, marketing, and process improvements at startups and high-growth companies. Their contributions will be pivotal in taking Anitian to the next level of growth in the cloud security and compliance automation markets.



Tom and Maria are truly exceptional in their fields and will help fuel our continued success as we continue our journey, said Rakesh Narasimhan, President and CEO of Anitian. Im very excited to welcome them both to our leadership team.

Maria Crawford, CMO, joins Anitian with 20 years of experience in security, marketing, and tech. She has a wide background in leading multiple marketing disciplines including marketing operations, digital marketing, brand building, and demand generation. Prior to this new role, Maria held the position of Chief Marketing Officer at Tripwire, an established Portland, Oregon security provider helping companies find, monitor, and minimize cyber threats. In her new role at Anitian, Maria will lead all marketing functions.

Anitian has created a market category that did not exist just a few years ago and one which is accelerating rapidly, said Maria. Anitian is way ahead of its competitors in getting companies secure and compliant quickly through automation as well as keeping them secure with their unique Cloud Security Posture Management technology. Im thrilled to be part of the team and look forward to sharing their success.

Tom Pak, CRO, brings over 25 years of executive level sales management experience to Anitian with a proven track record in building successful enterprise and channel organizations, go-to-market strategy, and implementing sales operational efficiency. Prior to joining the company, Tom lead sales at several leading technology companies including his role as Chief Revenue Officer at Pipl, a leading identity trust company headquartered in Post Falls, Idaho as well as multiple Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President of Sales roles in security and identity markets. Specializing in scaling global organizations, Tom will be responsible for all revenue production at Anitian.

Anitians disruptive value proposition for its customers was a driving force in my decision to join the team, said Tom. The cloud security and compliance automation market is ready to take off, and I wanted to be a key part of Anitians impressive growth. Im very excited to help take Anitian to the next level of success.

Anitian is seeing increased business momentum and demand for its SecureCloud platform, as more businesses look to automate and streamline their cloud security and compliance initiatives. Anitians explosive growth is powered by leading enterprises and organizations who are leveraging our proven compliance automation approach to get their applications to market rapidly and at the highest levels of security, added Rakesh.

The addition of Maria and Tom to Anitians executive team follows a breakout year for the organization. At RSA Conference 2022, Anitian received an astounding nine Global InfoSec Awards from Cyber Defense Magazine, including Hot Security Company of the Year. Earlier this year, Anitian announced its $55 million Series B led by Silicon Valley-based Sageview Capital, with participation from their existing investor, Forgepoint Capital.

To learn how Anitian offers the fastest path to security and compliance in the cloud, visit www.Anitian.com or follow the company on LinkedIn or Twitter.



About Anitian

Anitian makes your cloud applications secure and compliant so you can enter new markets and unlock revenue in weeks, not months or years. Our SecureCloud platforms for Compliance Automation and Enterprise Cloud Security unify DevOps and security to deliver the fastest path to security and compliance in the cloud. Anitians pre-engineered and automated cloud application infrastructure platforms deploy in a single day to empower enterprises to go from application to cloud to production 80% faster and at 50% of the cost. The standardized cloud platforms are pre-built from the ground up for Zero Trust and deliver a full suite of security controls  pre-configured to rigorous security standards such as FedRAMP, NIST 800-53, PCI, CMMC, SOC 2, and more. Anitian uses the full power and scale of the cloud to automate the complex burden of cloud infrastructure security and compliance to help you start secure, start compliant, and stay ahead. Find out more at www.Anitian.com or follow them on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Media Contact

Scott Emo

scott.emo@anitian.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5a734346-048d-4c55-87cb-ab3edbbf6b4d
Feature: Chinese-invested expressway speeds up travel, helps develop talents for Cambodia

Xinhua) 08:56, July 18, 2022

PHNOM PENH, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Connecting the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh and the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk, the Chinese-invested Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway project will not only further boost the economy, but also contribute to producing talents for the country's infrastructure sector.

Invested by China Road and Bridge Corporation, the construction work on the 187-km long expressway began in June 2019. The 2-billion-U.S.-dollar project is now over 94 percent completed and is scheduled to be open for trial operation in this September.

Nem Sreypov, a testing staff member at the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway's central laboratory, said the job has not only provided her a good salary, but also developed her skills and expertise.

"When I started to work at this laboratory, my impression was that the Chinese experts had taught me how to use every equipment," she told Xinhua. "I feel very excited to work at this laboratory in which equipment is new and modern, and its testing capacity is very accurate."

Sreypov, who has been working for the company for more than three years, said Chinese technicians have trained her how to test the quality of concrete, cement and stone, and now, she can do it independently.

The 26-year-old employee said she was interested in working for the project because since she was born, she had never seen the expressway in Cambodia.

"I'm very proud to participate in the construction of this huge Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway project, and I believe that it will greatly contribute to boosting Cambodia's economic development," she said.

Seng Makkra, a safety officer at the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway's Section 3, said the job was very useful to further develop his ability, giving him a chance to learn new technologies and methods in infrastructure development.

"I love this job very much because it gives me an opportunity to improve my knowledge and skills, and I'm confident that after this project is completed, I will be able to help build other transport infrastructure projects in Cambodia in the future," he told Xinhua.

Makkra, 38, who has been working for the company since 2019, said as infrastructure development demands high expertise and technologies, China Road and Bridge Corporation has greatly helped develop human resources for Cambodia in this sector.

Hu Zhaoguang, general manager of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway project office, said the company provided jobs for local people based on the idea of "both giving them fish and teaching them how to fish."

"Meanwhile, we also focus on passing the skills to them and scale up their ability to improve their lives through work," he told Xinhua.

Hu said the company also put priorities on fulfilling social responsibilities and improving local people's livelihoods.

"Since the start of the project, we have assisted 22 households in need, and the number of localized workers for the entire project has reached more than 3,200," he said.

"I believe that with the joint efforts of Chinese and Cambodian employees, the expressway project will be able to open to traffic on schedule with high quality and quantity," Hu added.

The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway is the first-ever freeway in the Southeast Asian country, and it is the fruit of cooperation between Cambodia and China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Cambodian Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said the project has created more than 3,000 jobs for Cambodians and it will play a crucial role in helping boost the country's economic growth when it is open for traffic.

"This project is very beneficial to our Cambodian workers because it provides them with technical know-how on the construction of an expressway, and we hope that after the project, they will be able to use their knowledge to help build other expressways in Cambodia," he said during a visit to the project.

At a length of 190 km, the expressway has a width of 24.5 meters with two lanes with vegetation in the middle. Vehicles will be able to travel at a speed of 100 km per hour, taking only two hours to travel between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, instead of five hours at present.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Pune, India, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global flat glass coatings market size was valued at USD 1.96 billion in 2021. The market is projected to grow from USD 2.22 billion in 2022 to USD 7.05 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 18.0% during the forecast period.

This information is published by Fortune Business Insights, in its report, titled, Flat Glass Coatings Market, 2022-2029.

COVID-19 Impacts:

Variation in Supply Chain Commenced by COVID-19 to Constrain Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic had a considerable influence on the flat glass coatings market growth. Owing to the lockdown and other limitations inflicted by governments to curb the spread of infections, there was lack of raw materials as well as a workforce, further swaying the supply chain for the market. Moreover, scarcity of raw materials and supply chain interruptions led to the termination of contracts of sub-contractors to monitor payments. The demand from building & construction firms went down due to the shutdown of construction activities, supply chain constrictions, and a momentary standstill on production.





Get a Sample PDF Brochure:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/flat-glass-coatings-market-102910





List of Key Players Mentioned in the Report:

Arkema S.A. (France)

The Sherwin-Williams Company (U.S.)

Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd (Japan)

Guardian Glass (U.S.)

Ferro Corporation (U.S.)

Fenzi Group (Italy)

Corning Inc. (U.S.)

Vitro Architectural Glass (Mexico)

Hesse GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)

Viracon (U.S.)

Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 1.96 Billion Revenue forecast in 2029 USD 7.05 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 18.0% 2022-2029 Base Year 2021 Historic Years 2018 - 2020 Forecast Years 2022- 2029 Segments Covered By Resin Type, By Application, By Technology Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2029 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered Unites States, Canada, Mexico, Unites Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Number of Companies Covered Arkema S.A. (France), The Sherwin-Williams Company (U.S.), Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. (Japan), Guardian Glass (U.S.), Ferro Corporation (U.S.), Fenzi Group (Italy), Corning Inc. (U.S.), Vitro Architectural Glass (Mexico), Hesse GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Viracon (U.S.) Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs.

Segments:

Perfect Properties of Acrylic Resin Led to Prime Share in the Market

Based on resin type, the market is segregated into acrylic, polyurethane, epoxy, and others. Acrylic segment held the largest share in the market in 2021 and is predicted to continue its dominance by the end of forecast period owing to the usefulness of the resin.

Water-based Segment to Create Greatest Revenue Owing to its Huge Environmental Obedience

By technology, the market is classified into water-based, solvent-based, and nano coatings. Water-based segment is anticipated to remain in its dominant position throughout the forecast period due to lower VOC emissions, environment-friendly nature, and superior properties involving sturdiness, good adhesion, and others.

Increasing Demand from End-use Industries to Fuel Mirror Segment Growth

Based on application, the market is divided into mirror, solar power, architectural, automotive, decorative, and others. Amongst these, the mirror segment held a chief share in 2021.

Geographically, the market is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.





Inquire Before Buying This Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/flat-glass-coatings-market-102910





Report Coverage:

The report highlights leading regions across the world to offer a better understanding of the user. Furthermore, the report provides insights into the latest industry trends and analyzes technologies deployed at a rapid pace at the global level. The report examines various paradigm shifts associated with the transformation of technology in the chemical & material sector. It further highlights some of the growth-stimulating factors and restraints, helping the reader gain in-depth knowledge of the market.

Driving Factors:

Rise in Demand from Solar Applications to Fuel Market Growth

Even though coated glass is expansively being utilized in the solar industry, the market is promptly expanding. The surging usage of coatings in solar glass panels is thrusting the market. Unstable inclination of consumers toward green and clean energy sources is increasing the demand for solar panels. This augmented the adoption of flat glass coatings.

Regional Insights:

Asia Pacific to Dominate Backed by Heavy Adoption of Product

The market size in Asia Pacific stood at USD 1.28 billion in 2021. Asia Pacific holds the largest flat glass coatings market share, and it is anticipated to endure to do so throughout the forecast period.

In North America, glass coatings are registering great usage rate as the demand for energy-efficient buildings is increasing. Moreover, nations and developed businesses in the region are majorly spending on solar power technologies to reduce their dependence on traditional energy sources.

The growing demand from prime nations comprising Germany and France is projected to amplify the utilization of flat glass coatings in Europe.

Competitive Landscape:

Procurements Instigated by Major Companies to Support Market Growth

The dominating players in the market incessantly opt for proficient tactics to bolster their brand value as well as promote the global market growth. One such effective plan is purchasing competitive companies and further ensuring a hefty profit for both involved companies.

Key Industry Development:

November 2021: Fenzi Group, a dominating adhesives and sealants producer for the glass industry, has declared the procurement of the Advanced Glass Technologies division of Johnson Matthey (JM) Advanced Glass Technologies (AGT).





Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/flat-glass-coatings-market-102910





Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Emerging Trends- For Major Region Latest Technological Advancement Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID 19 on Global Flat Glass Coatings Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak

Global Flat Glass Coatings Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2018-2029 Key Findings / Summary By Resin Type (Value) Acrylic Polyurethane Epoxy Others By Technology (Value) Water Based Solvent Based Nano Coatings By Application (Value) Mirror Solar Power Architectural Automotive Decorative Others



TOC Continued!





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Read Related Insights:

Flat Glass Market Size, Share & Regional Forecast, 2019-2026

Paints and Coatings Market Size, Share & Regional Forecast, 2022-2029

Paints and Coatings Additives Market Size, Share & Regional Forecast, 2020-2027

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FREMONT, Calif., July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeuShield , developers of the worlds first Mirror Shielding technology, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named NeuShield to its 2022 Emerging Vendors list in the Security category. This annual list, published during CRNs Emerging Vendors Week, July 18  22, recognizes the fast-rising technology vendors that have exhibited a commitment to driving positive change and continuous growth in the IT channel by delivering innovative, cutting-edge solutions.



The technology vendors featured on CRNs 2022 Emerging Vendorsall six years old or youngerare bringing a fresh approach to solving the IT challenges facing customers today, enabling their partners to deliver unique solutions that will ensure the IT channels continued success.

NeuShield created the worlds first Mirror Shielding technology which allows customers to get back on their feet quickly with instant recovery. This unique technology is a game changer for our customers helping them to sleep at night knowing their data and systems are protected even if they are hit with fully undetectable (FUD) ransomware.

As part of our 2022 Emerging Vendors list, CRN recognizes technology vendors that are transforming the IT channel by providing revolutionary and innovative products that help customers manage ever-evolving IT demands, said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. As a trusted industry resource, CRNs Emerging Vendors list gives solution providers insight into the latest groundbreaking IT channel technologies.

We are honored to be recognized a second time by CRN, a trusted industry source, said Yuen Pin Yeap, the Chief Executive Officer at NeuShield. Ransomware requires a unique set of tools to combat it. NeuShield is exactly what the industry needs to complete their security stack and complement their backup solution.

The CRN 2022 Emerging Vendors list will be featured in the August 2022 issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/EmergingVendors.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by nearly 40 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com

About NeuShield

NeuShield delivers a completely revolutionary approach to data protection. Rather than trying to detect and block threats one-by-one, the companys patent-pending NeuShield Data Sentinel product shields important data to prevent threats from modifying it. Business and consumers use NeuShield Data Sentinel as a simple, reliable and budget-friendly way to revert digital files and devices to their pre-attack state when other malware defenses, like antivirus and anti-ransomware, fail. For additional information, visit neushield.com or connect with us on Twitter @NeuShield .

Press Contact:

Mike Bradshaw

Connect Marketing for NeuShield

P: (801) 373-7888

E: mikeb@connectmarketing.com
TORONTO, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Class 1 Nickel and Technologies Ltd. (CSE: NICO/OTCQB: NICLF) ("Class 1 Nickel" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it proposes to complete a non-brokered private placement (the Private Placement) of up to 4,000,000 common shares of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.25 per share to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to Cdn$1,000,000. Mr. David Fitch, President of the Company, has committed to fully fund the Private Placement, which remains subject to the receipt of all regulatory approvals.



About Class 1 Nickel

Class 1 Nickel and Technologies Limited (CSE: NICO/OTCQB: NICLF) is a mineral resource company focused on the development of its 100% owned Alexo-Dundonald Property, a portfolio of komatiite-hosted magmatic nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide Mineral Resources located near the City of Timmins, Ontario. The Corporation also owns the Somanike komatiite-hosted nickel-copper sulphide property in Quebec, which includes the famous Marbridge Nickel Mine, as well as additional property interests.

For more information, please contact:

David Fitch, President

T: +61 400.631.608

E: dfitch@class1nickel.com

For additional information please visit our website at www.class1nickel.com and our Twitter feed: @Class1Nickel.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Forward Looking Statements  Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to the prospective nature of the Companys property interests. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Class 1 Nickel, including with respect to the receipt of all permits and licenses, environmental matters, results of exploration activities, increased costs, delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, receipt of regulatory approvals, completion of the Private Placement as presently proposed or at all, and availability of capital. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
New York, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Insight Partners published latest research study on Automotive Airbags and Seatbelts Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Airbags Type (Front, Knee, Side, and Curtain), Seatbelts Type (2-Point and 3-Point), and Vehicle Class (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, and Heavy Commercial Vehicles) The global automotive airbags and seatbelts market growth is driven by growing initiatives for introducing regulatory standards related to vehicle safety and increasing advancements in airbag and seatbelt technologies.





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Market Size Value in US$ 53.74 billion in 2021 Market Size Value by US$ 111.91 billion by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 11.8% from 2022 to 2028 Forecast Period 2022-2028 Base Year 2021 No. of Pages 178 No. Tables 89 No. of Charts & Figures 81 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Airbags Type, Seatbelts Type, Material, and Vehicle Class Regional scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA Country scope US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends





The automotive airbags and seatbelts market report is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and South America. Asia Pacific dominated the automotive airbags and seatbelts market in 2021 and is expected to continue its dominance throughout the forecast period. The growth of the automotive airbags and seatbelts market in North America is primarily attributed to a large number of airbags and seatbelts manufacturers in the region, coupled with the growing trend for adopting electric vehicles. The trend of pedestrian protection airbags is boosting the demand for automotive airbags and seatbelts. For instance, in October 2021, Japan's Toyoda Gosei Co. developed a pedestrian protection airbag to protect the pedestrian's head when a vehicle hit. Toyoda Gosei had developed various types of airbags that protect vehicle occupants. This would be Toyoda Gosei's first airbag on the market that protects pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. Among traffic accidents in Japan, the highest mortality rate is seen in those involving pedestrians. The main cause of death in these accidents is head injury. The pedestrian protection airbag covers the rigid parts of the vehicle, such as the front pillars, where the likelihood of fatal injury is the highest. The internal pressure is adjusted to the optimum level for each part of the vehicle covered, mitigating impacts to the head. These airbags will be used on the Subaru Legacy Outback models for Japan. The automotive airbags and seatbelts market analysis helps to understand the upcoming trends, new technologies, and macro and micro factors that influence the market growth in the coming years





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Automotive Airbags and Seatbelts Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

Autoliv Inc., Continental AG, Denso Corporation, Hyundai Mobis, Infineon Technologies AG, Joyson Safety Systems, Robert Bosch GmbH, Toshiba Device Corporation, Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd., and ZF Friedrichshafen AG are among the key players profiled in this automotive airbags and seatbelts market report. In addition, several other essential automotive airbags and seatbelts market players were studied and analyzed to get a holistic view of the market and its ecosystem. The automotive airbags and seatbelts market report provides detailed market insights, which helps the key players to strategize the growth in the coming years.

 In November 2021, Autoliv Inc. entered into collaboration with SSAB, a global steel company, to replace coking coal with fossil-free steel from SSAB for airbags and seatbelts

 In June 2022, Infineon Technologies AG designed the second generation of REAL3 automotive 3D image sensor in collaboration with 3D time-of-flight system specialist pmdtechnologies ag.





Automotive Airbags and Seatbelts Market: Vehicle Class Overview

The automotive airbags and seatbelts market, based on vehicle class, is segmented into passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and heavy commercial vehicles. The passenger cars segment is expected to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period. The number of passenger cars is rising noticeably in the developing nations of Asia Pacific. This can be ascribed to improved lifestyles, increased consumer spending power, and infrastructure development. Thus, the growing adoption of airbags and seatbelts owing to a rise in consumer awareness contributes to the growth of the automotive airbags and seatbelts market size.





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North America's automotive airbags and seatbelts market is also expected to grow during the forecast period. North America has a developed automotive industry due to the continuous production of commercial vehicles. For instance, as per the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA) 2021 report, the US produced 7,604,154 commercial vehicles in 2021; 6,895,604 in 2020; and 8,367,239 in 2019. Similarly, Canada produced 826,767 commercial vehicles in 2021; 1,048,942 in 2020; and 1,455,215 in 2019, as per the same report. Also, Mexico produced 2,437,411 commercial vehicles in 2021; 2,209,121 in 2020; and 2,604,080 in 2019, as per the same report. As per OICA statistics, the US, Canada, and Mexico are leading in the commercial vehicle production segment worldwide. Thus, with the continuous production of commercial vehicles across the region, the need for automotive airbags and seatbelts will increase significantly, supporting the growth of North America's automotive airbags and seatbelts market.

The MEA is expected to witness moderate growth in the automotive airbags and seatbelts market during the forecast period. The countries in MEA are taking several initiatives to support the automotive manufacturing industry growth in the MEA. For instance, the South African government launched the South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM) to broaden and deepen the local value chains. Moreover, the automotive manufacturers in South Africa are focusing on strengthening their position in the country. Further, in 2021, according to the article published by Yahoo Finance, the Saudi government strengthened safety regulations for new cars to be marketed, which led to the addition of front-seat airbags for passengers, smart braking systems, and anti-lock brakes in cars, which in turn propelled the demand for automotive airbags and seatbelts. This factor would drive the automotive airbags and seatbelts market in the MEA during the forecast period.





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Automotive Knee Airbags Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Yarn Type (Nylon Type, Polyester Type); Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles) and Geography

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PRESS RELEASE

ERRATUM  CANCELS AND REPLACES THE PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE1

July 18th, 2022

Aeroports de Paris SA,

June 2022 traffic figures

Upward revision of traffic assumptions

Over the first half of 2022, the Group's traffic reached 118.2 million passengers, including 37.5 million passengers for Paris Aeroport, respectively, at 71.9% and 71.6% of the 2019 traffic level over the same period.

Based on the traffic recorded over the first half of the year, the group is revising its assumptions for 2022 as follows:

Groupe ADP: traffic between 74 and 84% of 2019 levels (compared to 70 to 80% of 2019 previously)

Paris Aeroport: traffic between 72 and 82% of 2019 levels (compared to 65 to 75% of 2019 previously)

The impact of these new assumptions on Groupe ADP's 2022 financial guidance will be specified in the light of the 2022 half-year results to be published on Thursday 28 July after the market close.

Groupe ADP2 total traffic is up by +15.9 million passengers in June 2022 compared to June 2021, with 26.3 million passengers welcomed for the entire network of operated airports. It stands at 81,8% of the June 2019 group traffic.

Since the beginning of the year, Groupe ADP total traffic is up by +134.4% compared to 2021, at 118.2 million passengers, standing at 71.9% of the group traffic over the same period in 2019.

Unless otherwise indicated, the following changes are expressed in comparison with June 2021.

Regarding the Paris Aeroport:

June 2022 traffic is up by +5.3 million passengers, with 8.1 million passengers welcomed. It stands at 82.1% of the June 2019 Paris Aeroport traffic. In June 2022, Paris-Charles de Gaulle welcomed 5.5 million passengers (+3.8 million passengers), at 78.8% of the June 2019 traffic, and Paris-Orly 2.7 million passengers (+1.5 million passengers), at 89.6% of the June 2019 traffic. Since the beginning of the year, traffic in Paris Aeroport is up by +26.7 million passengers compared to the 1st semester of 2021, at 37.5 million passengers, at 71.6% of the traffic over the same period in 2019.

At Paris-Charles de Gaulle, all terminals are currently open to passenger traffic except Terminal 1. At Paris-Orly, all sectors are open.

In June 2022:

International traffic (excluding Europe, including French Overseas Territories) was up compared to 2022 +2.0 million passengers, at 77.0% of the June 2019 traffic. All the destinations are growing: North America +785,629 passengers, at 81.2% of the June 2019 traffic, Asia-Pacific +153,320 passengers, at 33.1% of the June 2019 traffic, Latin America +153,967 passengers, at 74.3% of the June 2019 traffic, the Middle East +264,998 passengers, at 84.0% of the June 2019 traffic, Africa +527,237 passengers, at 90.9% of the June 2019 traffic;

European traffic (excluding France) was up +2.8 million passengers, at 87.1% of the June 2019 traffic;

Traffic within mainland France was up +504 491 passengers, at 80.3% of the June 2019 traffic.

Traffic with the French Overseas Territories (included within the international traffic) was up +115,734 passengers, at 89.0% of the June 2019 traffic.

The number of connecting passengers stood at 804,019, up by +479,511 passengers, at 77.1% of the June 2019 traffic. The connecting rate stood at 19,6% down by -2.3 points.





In the context created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the international sanctions imposed on Russia, the group is monitoring the situation to assess its short, medium and long-term consequences. In 2019, traffic with Ukraine and Russia amounted to 1.4% of Paris Aeroport's total traffic, as well as to 17.1%3 of TAV Airports' total traffic, at 27.9%2 of TAV Airports' international traffic. At this stage, although air traffic between Russia and Ukraine on one part, and the airports operated by Groupe ADP located within the European Union (to and from) on the other part is heavily impacted, the Group does not anticipate, in the absence of any significant change in the situation, that the consequences of the conflict will challenge its financial forecasts and traffic hypotheses for 2022 full year.

Regarding Groupe ADP's international platforms:

Passenger traffic at TAV Airports, 46.4 %-owned by Groupe ADP, is up by +3.9 million passengers in June 2022, at 8.5 million passengers, standing at 80.2% of the June 2019 traffic. It is up by +102.6% since the beginning of the year compared to the same period in 2021, at 72.8% of traffic over the same period in 2019.

Passenger traffic at GMR Airports, 49%-owned by Groupe ADP since July 2020, was up by +5.3 million passengers in June 2022, at 7.3 million passengers, standing at 86.7% of the June 2019 traffic. It is up by +88.8% since the beginning of the year compared to the same period in 2021, at 76.2% of traffic over the same period in 2019.

Passenger traffic at Amman Airport, 51%-owned by Groupe ADP, was up by +322,662 passengers in June 2022, at 711,983 passengers, standing at 85.1% of the June 2019 traffic. It is up by +2.0 million passengers since the beginning of the year compared to the same period in 2021, at 78.3% of traffic over the same period in 2019.

Passenger traffic at Santiago de Chile Airport, 45%-owned by Groupe ADP, was up by +829,413 passengers in June 2022, at 1.3 million passengers, standing at 74.3% of the June 2019 traffic. It is up by +5.4 million passengers since the beginning of the year compared to the same period in 2021, at 69.2% of traffic over the same period in 2019.

All the Group's hubs are open to commercial flights. However, local restrictions may apply, particularly to international flights at Group airports.

ERRATUM  CANCELS AND REPLACES THE PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE

Passenger traffic data for Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly, which were inverted in the initial version of this press release, are corrected below

Passengers June 2022 Change 22/21

(in passengers) Jan. - June 2022 % change 2022/2021 Last 12 months % change 2022/2021 Paris-CDG 5,450,028 +3,762,599 24,839,405 +275.3% 44,417,110 +199.6% Paris-Orly 2,697,825 +1,523,945 12,613,395 +207.1% 24,230,380 +163.9% Total Paris Aeroport 8,147,853 +5,286,544 37,452,800 +249.2% 68,647,490 +185.9% Santiago de Chile 1,334,065 +829,413 8,710,432 +161.4% 15,391,052 +181.0% Amman 711,983 +322,662 3,248,467 +163.4% 6,574,319 +281.2% New Delhi 5,126,045 +3,619,388 27,191,467 +83.4% 49,504,737 +87.0% Hyderabad 1,646,282 +1,220,577 8,747,445 +80.2% 15,883,143 +71.7% Cebu 511,524 +414,588 2,115,086 +348.2% 2,960,077 +298.8% Total GMR Airports 7,283,851 +5,254,553 38,053,998 +88.8% 68,347,957 +87.4% Antalya 3,911,395 +2,180,540 10,219,631 +143.3% 28,027,469 +145.2% Almaty 684,779 +120,838 3,053,271 +11.8% 6,425,288 +34.8% Ankara 732,986 +114,934 3,905,235 +62.3% 8,513,446 +78.4% Izmir 1,002,634 +320,387 4,238,547 +69.8% 9,413,308 +70.7% Bodrum 550,111 +193,283 1,294,521 +86.8% 3,521,493 +85.3% Gazipasa Alanya 82,324 +35,046 299,421 +108.1% 763,578 +133.9% Medina 505,661 +389,233 2,765,710 +326.0% 3,874,403 +236.0% Tunisia 175,823 +109,864 461,508 +258.0% 856,860 +159.2% Georgia 310,406 +98,871 1,378,076 +147.2% 3,011,960 +355.5% North Macedonia 236,557 +122,410 948,815 +140.7% 1,945,969 +161.5% Zagreb(4) 292,761 +191,828 1,299,234 +285.1% 2,366,340 +231.2% Total TAV Airports 8,485,437 +3,877,234 29,863,969 +102.6% 68,720,139 +112.7% Other Airports 351,249 +301,421 907,372 +237.8% 1,265,502 +181.2% Total Groupe ADP(5) 26,314,438 +15,876,983 118,237,038 +134.4% 228,946,459 +127.9%





Aircraft Movements June 2022 Change 22/21

(in movements) Jan. - June 2022 % change 2022/2021 Last 12 months % change 2022/2021 Paris-CDG 36,724 +18,353 184,108 +114.0% 348,170 +88.2% Paris-Orly 17,734 +8,296 88,543 +143.5 % 170,736 +120.0% Total Paris Aeroport 54,458 +26,649 272,651 +122.7% 518,906 +97.6% Santiago de Chile 9,043 +4,446 60,472 +104.9% 108,720 +118.7% Amman 6,211 +2,262 31,547 +107.4% 62,940 +172.0% New Delhi 34,322 +20,695 185,800 +47.0% 348,696 +53.4% Hyderabad 12,801 +7,978 69,335 +41.3% 130,380 +37.9% Cebu 4,487 +3,358 19,022 +227.3% 27,463 +196.5% Total GMR Airports 51,610 +32,031 274,157 +51.3% 506,539 +53.0% Antalya 22,835 +12,018 65,685 +136.4% 166,462 +137.2% Almaty 6,226 +1,329 29,103 +14.3% 60,513 +25.4% Ankara 5,304 +617 28,885 +46.0% 64,509 +62.8% Izmir 6,493 +1,857 27,852 +53.5% 61,283 +48.4% Bodrum 3,697 +1,162 9,091 +74.8% 24,155 +76.5% Gazipasa Alanya 568 +157 2,213 +69.6% 5,669 +101.4% Medina 4,353 +2,925 22,957 +173.2% 34,367 +145.8% Tunisia 1,268 +746 3,710 +160.9% 7,103 +92.5% Georgia 2,944 +200 14,850 +71.4% 33,006 +149.7% North Macedonia 2,091 +629 8,367 +51.5% 17,831 +70.7% Zagreb(4) 3,763 +1,337 19,586 +83.8% 38,533 +77.9% Total TAV Airports 59,542 +22,977 232,299 +75.5% 513,431 +84.1% Other Airports 2,362 +1,361 9,282 +59,3% 15,247 +52,5% Total Groupe ADP(5) 183,226 +89,726 880,408 +80,9% 1,725,783 +80,6%

Geographic split

Paris Aeroport (Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly) June 2022

Change 22/21

(in passengers) Share of total traffic Jan. - June 2022 change 22/21

(in passengers) Share of total traffic France +69.2% 15.1% +3,140,019 15.8% Europe +244.7% 48.1% +13,343,772 45.6% Other International

Of which +200.9% 36.8% +10,242,544 38.6% Africa +135.9% 11.2% +2,784,246 11.8% North America +385.5% 12.1% +3,312,813 10.5% Latin America +335.5% 2.5% +962,952 3.4% Middle-East +221.2% 4.7% +1,446,640 5.3% Asia-Pacific +376.3% 2.4% +539,324 2.0% French Overseas Territories +58.5% 3.8% +1,196,569 5.7% Total Paris Aeroport +184.8% 100.0% +17,680,011 100.0%





Paris Aeroport (Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly) June 2022 Change

2022/2021 Jan.  June 2022 % change 2022/2021 Connecting Passengers(1) 804,019 +147.8% 3,979,458 +172.9% Connecting rate 19.6% -2.3 pts 21.4% -6.1 pts Seat load factor 85.8% +19.6 pts 78.4% +19.8 pts

(1) Departing passengers

Investor Relations: Cecile Combeau, Eliott Roch - +33 1 74 25 31 33 - invest@adp.fr

Press contact: Lola Bourget, Head of Medias and Reputation Department +33 1 74 25 23 23

Groupe ADP develops and manages airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget. In 2021, the group handled through its brand Paris Aeroport more than 41.9 million passengers and 2.1 million metric tons of freight and mail at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, and more than 118.1 million passengers in airports abroad. Boasting an exceptional geographic location and a major catchment area, the Group is pursuing its strategy of adapting and modernizing its terminal facilities and upgrading quality of services; the group also intends to develop its retail and real estate businesses. In 2021, group revenue stood at 2,777 million and net income at -248 million

Registered office: 1, rue de France, 93 290 Tremblay-en-France. Aeroports de Paris is a public limited company (Societe Anonyme) with share capital of 296,881,806. Registered in the Bobigny Trade and Company Register under no. 552 016 628. groupe-adp.com

1 See page 2

2 Group traffic is accounted for on a like-for-like basis, restated for the following changes: the acquisitions of Delhi, Hyderbad, Mactan Cebu and Almaty airports, and the non-renewal of the technical assistance contract (TSA) for Mauritius airport.

3 Including Almaty and Zagreb airports.

4 Groupe ADP and TAV Airports have, a shareholding of 21% and 15%, respectively, in Zagreb Airport. To be compliant with TAV Airports presentations, Zagreb Airport traffic figures are integrated into the TAV Airports group traffic figure.

5 Group traffic is accounted for on a like-for-like basis, restated for the following changes: the acquisitions of Delhi, Hyderabad, Mactan Cebu and Almaty airports, and the non-renewal of the technical assistance contract (TSA) for Mauritius airport. For the last 12-months traffic, Mauritius traffic is not taken into account. If Mauritius traffic was taken into account until December 31st, 2021, last 12-months traffic for Groupe ADP would be up by +128.0%.

Attachment
Savannah, GA, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While many people commute to work, few can say they literally dive into their jobs. Every week is Shark Week for Bill Eberlein, the founder of MegaTeeth Fossils, who dives day-in and day-out in the waters of Coastal Georgia in search of megalodon and mako shark teeth.

These fossils have laid sedentary for centuries, only moved by the tides of our oceans, Eberlein said. These pieces of our worlds history remained untouched by the human hand, and I get the honor of getting to find these unique fossils and share that history with the world.

The excitement generated each year by the Discovery Channels Shark Week  which takes place July 24-31 this year - prompts masses of people to learn more about the aquatic creatures and explore all things shark-related. Eberlein likes Shark Week because it makes him happy to know that others are interested in the elasmobranch fish he bases his livelihood on. Its a passion he is eager to share with those who are curious.

Megaladons were enormous sea creatures, members of the now-extinct family of sharks, the megashark. The name megalodon translates in Greek to big tooth, which is no exaggeration. These ancient sharks measured up to 60 feet in length, which is the standard length of an entire bowling lane. A single tooth from this shark is generally three to seven inches long and weighs just under a pound. Those teeth may sound rather small, but the force of the teeth add up, given that megalodons had 276 teeth! The bite force of a megalodon adds up to about an impressive 40,000 pounds per square inch, which is greater than the bite force of a T-rex dinosaur. Today, only the fossils remain to carry on the daunting legacy of the megalodon, who roved the deepest parts of the oceans any time between 3 and 20 million years ago.

Eberlein has accumulated more than 25 years of diving experience, honing those skills and combining them with his background in accounting to successfully build MegaTeeth. With most of his time spent on leisure dives at shipwreck sites, Eberlein wasnt introduced to fossil diving until the late 1990s, when he moved to Savannah. He went out in a charter boat off the coast of Hilton Head Island and truly knew he was hooked on fossil diving.

I never imagined how prolific my collection would become and certainly never imagined I would have created a business for myself doing what I love every day, Eberlein said.

As the fossil collection grew, he decided it was time to part ways with some of his precious pieces and in 2000 he started MegaTeeth fossils. Eight years later he decided to take the plunge to dive and sell his fossils full-time, leaving his day job. What was once a dream had come to fruition before his very eyes  a business built around passion.

Families from all over the map can enjoy a piece of Shark Week in their own home with a Megalodon tooth fossil. Eberleins Megalodon teeth and other fossils, exhibited on his on his website at https://megateeth.com/, are available for purchase. Each item is from Eberleins personal collection. Unless stated otherwise, each shark tooth purchase will include an acrylic display stand, certificate of authenticity and fossil identification information or an article about Eberleins hunt for shark teeth.

-ENDS-

Editors Note

For information about Shark Week visit www.discovery.com

For media inquiries, please call Lesley Francis at 912-429-3950 or lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com.contact Kristyn Fielding at 229-393-6457 or kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

Attachment
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Buchanan Technologies has been named as one of the worlds premier managed service providers in the prestigious 2022 Channel Futures MSP 501 rankings.



Buchanan Technologies has been selected as one of the technology industrys top-performing providers of managed services by the editors of Channel Futures. For the past 16 years, managed service providers (MSPs) from around the globe have submitted applications to be included on this prestigious and definitive listing. The Channel Futures MSP 501 survey examines organizational performance based on annual sales, recurring revenue, profit margins, revenue mix, growth opportunities, innovation, technology solutions supported, and company and customer demographics.

MSPs that qualify for the list must pass a rigorous review conducted by the research team and editors of Channel Futures. It ranks applicants using a unique methodology that weighs financial performance according to long-term health and viability, commitment to recurring revenue and operational efficiency.

Channel Futures is pleased to name Buchanan Technologies to the 2022 MSP 501.

We are greatly honored that Buchanan has once again been recognized as one of the technology industrys top-performing global managed services providers on Channel Futures MSP 501 list, said Jim Buchanan, founder and CEO of Buchanan Technologies. We feel this continued recognition is validation of our strategic initiatives to expand our recurring revenue services while providing innovative IT solutions and customer service to our clients.

This years list once again attracted a record number of applicants, making it one of the most competitive in the surveys history. Winners are being recognized on the Channel Futures website and will be honored at a special ceremony at the Channel Futures MSP Summit + Channel Partners Leadership Summit, Sept. 13-16, in Orlando, Florida.

Since its inception, the MSP 501 has evolved from a competitive ranking into a vibrant group of innovators focused on high levels of customer satisfaction at small, medium and large organizations in public and private sectors. Today, many of their services and technology offerings focus on growing customer needs in the areas of cloud, security, collaboration and support of hybrid work forces.

The 2022 Channel Futures MSP 501 winners are the highest-performing and most innovative IT providers in the industry today, said Allison Francis, senior news editor for Channel Futures. The 501 has truly evolved with the MSP market, as showcased by this years crop of winners. This is also the fifth consecutive year of application pool growth, making this years list one of the best on record.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 2022 winners, and gratitude to the thousands of MSPs that have contributed to the continuing growth and success of the managed services sector, said Kelly Danziger, general manager of Informa Tech Channels. These providers are most certainly driving a new wave of innovation in the industry and are demonstrating a commitment to moving the MSP and entire channel forward.

Background

The 2022 MSP 501 list is based on confidential data collected and analyzed by the Channel Futures editorial and research teams. Data was collected online from Feb. 1-April 30, 2022. The MSP 501 list recognizes top managed service providers based on metrics including recurring revenue, profit margin and other factors.

About Buchanan Technologies

Established in 1988, Buchanan Technologies is an award-winning managed services provider offering innovative IT services and customized solutions to mid-tier and enterprise-level organizations across the United States, Canada and Europe. Buchanan offers flexible and customizable solutions to accommodate any IT need  whether its help desk support, IT field services or managed IT solutions  and believes every interaction matters with each customer to provide a seamless user experience. To learn how Buchanan can simplify your IT solution, visit www.buchanan.com .

About Channel Futures

Channel Futures is a media and events platform serving companies in the information and communication technologies (ICT) channel industry with insights, industry analysis, peer engagement, business information and in-person events. We provide information, perspective, and connection for the entire channel ecosystem. This community includes technology and communications consultants, integrators, sellers, MSPs, agents, vendors and providers.

Our properties include the Channel Futures MSP 501, a list of the most influential and fastest-growing providers of managed services in the technology industry; Channel Partners events, which delivers unparalleled in-person events including Channel Partners Conference & Expo, the MSP 501 Summit and Channel Partners Europe; and Allies of the Channel Council (ACC) and DEI Community Group, our initiatives to educate, support and promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the ICT channel industry. Channel Futures is where the world meets the channel; we are leading Channel Partners forward. More information is available at channelfutures.com.

Channel Futures is part of Informa Tech, a market-leading B2B information provider with depth and specialization in ICT sector. Every year, we welcome 14,000+ subscribers to our research, more than 4 million unique monthly visitors to our digital communities, 18,200+ students to our training programs and 225,000 delegates to our events.




CHICAGO, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Senior Justice Law Firm is proud to announce the addition of attorneys Ian Norris and Benjamin Carter, as well as the opening of a new Chicago office.

We are compiling the best nursing home abuse attorneys in the country with a singular focus; justice for those that are injured in long term care facilities. - Michael Brevda, Managing Partner

Ian Norris, Esq.

Nursing home abuse attorney Ian Norris has dedicated his professional career to combatting elder abuse in America's long term care facilities. Mr. Norris has successfully recovered more than $33 million on behalf of nursing home abuse victims and their families.

Mr. Norris was plaintiff's counsel on a number of influential nursing home cases, including a $1,000,000 jury verdict on a hip fracture case where the pre-trial offer was $0. Additionally, Mr. Norris was counsel on a landmark Pennsylvania case which is widely regarded as a "seminal decision on corporate liability for nursing homes" and has been cited in multiple venues to connect corporate liability to nursing home facility negligence. Ian Norris was also co-counsel for the plaintiff in a Colorado nursing home malpractice case and was instrumental in litigating the case up to trial. At trial, the jury issued the largest nursing home verdict ($5.5 million) in the state of Colorado.

Attorney Ian Norris will assist the firm primarily on Philadelphia nursing home cases, but Mr. Norris also accepts cases in New Mexico, Arizona, New Jersey, Colorado, and Massachusetts.

Benjamin Carter, Esq.

Attorney Benjamin Carter has dedicated his professional career to advocating for families impacted by elder abuse.

Prior to joining Senior Justice Law Firm, Benjamin Carter worked at well-respected national law firms that also focused on nursing home negligence cases. Mr. Carter has recovered in excess of $10 million on behalf of his clients.

Mr. Carter's experience includes clerking for the Honorable Judge David Bunning, a United States District Judge. Following this clerkship, Mr. Carter practiced with national nursing home abuse law firms for more than a decade across multiple states. Attorney Carter has extensive experience representing families impacted by bed sores, facility falls, untreated infection, and general neglect. His unique legal perspective into this niche practice area affords him the ability to effectively advocate for his clients, and to empathize with what they are going through.

He is admitted in Illinois, Kentucky, California, Wisconsin, and Florida.

Senior Justice Law Firm's Chicago Office

The firm is excited to announce its new Illinois office, located at 2260 N Elston Avenue Chicago, Illinois. Our Chicago nursing home abuse attorney will assist families across Illinois and Wisconsin. To contact our Illinois office, visit www.SeniorJustice.com or call us locally at (773) 739-8250.

Related Images











Image 1: Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers - Senior Justice Law Firm





Downtown Chicago nursing home abuse law firm









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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ACHESON, Alberta, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. (NACG or the Company) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) announced today that it will release its financial results for the Second Quarter ended June 30, 2022 on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 after markets close. Following the release of its financial results, NACG will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 7:00 a.m. Mountain Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time).



The call can be accessed by dialing:

Toll free: 1-888-396-8049

Conference ID: 82943569

A replay will be available through August 28, 2022, by dialing:

Toll Free: 1-888-780-5871

Conference ID: 82943569

A slide deck for the webcast will be available for download the evening prior to the call and will be found on the companys website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at: https://app.webinar.net/QZ8arRAxJqe



A replay will be available until August 28, 2022, using the link provided.

About the Company

North American Construction Group Ltd. (www.nacg.ca) is one of Canadas largest providers of heavy construction and mining services. For more than 65 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource, and infrastructure construction markets.

For further information, please contact:

Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA

Chief Financial Officer

North American Construction Group Ltd.

Phone: (780) 960-7171

Email: ir@nacg.ca
Vancouver, British Columbia, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asante Gold Corporation (CSE: ASE | GSE: ASG | FRANKFURT: 1A9 | U.S.OTC: ASGOF) (Asante or the Company) is pleased to announce preparation of an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Bibiani Gold Mine (Bibiani or the Project), operated by Mensin Gold Bibiani Limited (Mensin Gold Bibiani), a 90% owned Ghana subsidiary of Asante (the 2022 Technical Report). The 2022 Technical Report has been prepared to the level of confidence of a Pre-Feasibility Study and will be filed on the Companys SEDAR profile (www.sedar.com) within 45 days.



The 2022 Technical Report when filed will supersede the previous Bibiani JORC/NI 43-101 submissions by Resolute Mining Limited ("Resolute") in 2018 (the Resolute 2018 Technical Report) and by Asante in November 2021, which were based on geological modelling for development of an underground mine (the 2021 Technical Report). By re-configuring to open pit mining, Asante increased the 2021 Project Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources by 26.4% to 2.29 Moz. The Mineral Resource estimate included in the 2021 Technical Report does not include significant gold mineralization outlined beneath the current pit shells (see Figures 1 to 4 below).

In July 2018, Resolute, released an updated feasibility study for Bibiani (see Resolutes ASX Announcement dated July 13, 2018) reporting JORC compliant Mineral Resources of 21.7 Mt at 3.6 g/t Au for 2.5Moz of gold, to be mined using underground methods to a depth of 475m. In November 2021, Asante released the 2021 Technical Report that was based on Resolutes underground modelling and interpretations that considered open pit mining. It defined a 1.8M oz resource to be mined using open pit mining practices to a depth of 350m. The mineralized material from the Resolute 2018 Technical Report located below the pit bottom was not included in Asantes 2021 Technical Report.

The 2022 Technical Report is based on updated geological data and resource modelling. It specifically reflects development of open pit mining plans, plus start of mining operation and processing facilities. The Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources have been increased to 2.29 Moz and are further classified as 1.95 Moz of Mineral Reserves. The open pit mine life has been increased from 6 years to 8.3 years, with more than 1.9 Moz of gold expected to be produced. The Bibiani Mine orebody remains open at depth and along strike. The Company continues with exploration at surface and will start an underground mine design project during Q4 2022, with a view toward commencing underground operations in 2024.



The 2022 Technical Report will include re-modelled and updated Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates along with a detailed mining schedule and economic analysis relevant for an open pit mining operation. Asante plans to mine using staged cut-backs of the Bibiani Main Pit and two satellite pits, Walsh and Strauss.

Key highlights of the 2022 Technical Report, on a 100% owned basis, include:

Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources of 31.57MT at 2.25g/t Au (2.29 Moz) and Inferred Mineral Resources of 4.02Mt at 2.75 g/t Au (0.355 Moz)

Proved and Probable Mineral Reserves of 28.41Mt at 2.14 g/t Au (1.95 Moz)

Project Life of Mine (LoM) of 8.3 years (Open Pit)

Post-Tax IRR 43% and NPV (5%) of US$392 million at US$1,703/oz gold

Cash costs US$823/oz

AISC US$1,222/oz

Total gold recovered 1.9 Moz

Payback Period of 2.0 years

Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources Bibiani Main Pit, include a 54% increase in tonnes and a 25% increase in ounces (Indicated portion)

Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources Walsh Pit, include a 16% increase in tonnes, a 45% increase in grade, and a 68% increase in ounces

The mine design and schedule results in a mining inventory of 28.41Mt at 2.14g/t Au. The LoM is 8.3 years at a steady state of 4.0Mtpa from 2025. The total material mined reaches a maximum of approximately 8Mtpm with an average LoM strip ratio of 17.

The 3Mtpa Bibiani mine process plant has been refurbished and updated to 2022 standards, and 24 hour per day operation has started. Current plans are to treat approximately 3Mtpa of ore from 2022 - 2023, comprised of both fresh and oxide ore from the Bibiani Main and satellite pits. Asante plans to expand the processing capabilities to 4.0Mtpa throughput by 2025 to meet the requirements of the LoM Plan.

We purchased the Bibiani Gold Mine in August 2021 and have recently announced the start of operations. We are pleased to report that our initiatives to conduct extensive near mine exploration, resume open pit operations and refurbish the Process Plant, have resulted in a significant increase to mine life and expected gold production at Bibiani. We continue our work to define and capture opportunity for significant upside at Bibiani. The Company continues with surface exploration activity and anticipates extending open pit mine life. An underground mine design program will start in Q4 2022, with a goal to start underground mining in 2024. These exploration, design and production initiatives are not considered in the 2022 Technical Report. Recently, we announced a forward gold financing agreement that will account for less than 30% of the next 12 months expected gold production at Bibiani. This agreement puts the Company on solid financial footing as we move forward, stated Dave Anthony, President and CEO, who added, Asante thanks the technical team of Mensin Gold Bibiani and principal consultants dMb Management Services Pty Ltd, BARA Consulting Pty Ltd and SNOWDEN Optiro for delivering the 2022 Technical Report ahead of schedule.



MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINERAL RESERVES

Snowden Optiro have re-modelled the Mineral Resources to be applicable and pertinent to Mensin Gold Bibianis open pit operational plan. This Mineral Resource Estimate and associated Mineral Reserve Estimate supersedes all previous submissions (the Resolute 2018 Technical Report; 2021 Technical Report).

The effective date of the Mineral Resource estimate is February 28, 2022 and comprises the Bibiani Main Pit and Satellite Pits (Walsh and Strauss), which have been combined into a global Mineral Resource estimate as presented below.

Summary of Mineral Resource at a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off as at February 28, 2022 Measured and Indicated Inferred Tonnes Au Grade Au Content Tonnes Au Grade Au Content Deposit (Mt) (g/t) (Moz) (Mt) (g/t) (Moz) Bibiani Main Pit 30.20 2.23 2.170 3.90 2.69 0.338 Satellite Pits 1.37 2.62 0.116 0.12 4.57 0.020 TOTAL 31.57 2.24 2.286 4.02 2.74 0.358

Notes:

Tonnes and ounces have been rounded and this may have resulted in minor discrepancies. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of any Mineral Reserves that may be derived from them. 1 troy ounce = 31.1034768g. A 0.5g/t gold cut-off has been applied and constrained by a RPEEE US$1,950 (metal price) Resource pit shell. A density of 2.75t/m, 2.50t/m and 2.0 t/m on fresh, transition and oxidized sediments have been applied respectively. Geological losses and depletions have been applied. Inferred Mineral Resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or part of the Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category.

The Mineral Resource Model is supported by an updated lithological model, analytical data, recent infill and exploration diamond drilling and geophysical logging and survey results. The data used as inputs to the model have been collected and compiled at a high standard supporting the conclusion that the Project is a high-quality mineral asset.

The Mineral Reserve Estimate has been prepared by BARA Consulting using CIM, 2014 and procedures for classifying the reported Mineral Reserves were undertaken within the context of NI 43-101.

The Mineral Reserves were derived from the Mineral Resource block models and estimates. The Mineral Reserves are based on the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources that have been identified as being economically extractable and which incorporate mining losses and the addition of waste dilution.

The mine design supporting the Mineral Reserve is based on an optimum pit shell using an US$1,850/oz Au price. The Mineral Reserve Estimate as at February 28, 2022 is presented in the following table.

Summary of Mineral Reserve as at February 28, 2022 Tonnes Grade Contained Gold (Mt) (g/t) (Moz) Proven Mineral Reserves 0.258 2.16 0.018 Probable Mineral Reserves 28.151 2.14 1.932 TOTAL Mineral Reserves 28.409 2.14 1.950

Notes:

The Mineral Reserve is reported in accordance with the requirements and guidelines of NI 43-101 and are 90% attributable to Asante and 10% to Ghana Government. Apparent computational errors due to rounding are not considered significant. The Mineral Reserves are reported with appropriate modifying factors of dilution and recovery. The Mineral Reserves are reported at the head grade and at delivery to plant. The Mineral Reserves are stated at a price of US$1850/oz as at February 28, 2022. Although stated separately, the Mineral Resources are inclusive of the Mineral Reserves. The mine plan underpinning the Mineral Reserves has been prepared by Mensin Gold Bibiani and reviewed by BARA Consulting. No Inferred Mineral Resources have been included in the Mineral Reserve estimate. Quantities are reported in metric tonnes. The input studies are to the prescribed level of accuracy. The Mineral Reserve estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential exploitation of such Mineral Reserve.



For readers to fully understand the information in this news release they should read the 2022 Technical Report in its entirety once available, including all qualifications, assumptions, exclusions, and risks. The 2022 Technical Report is intended to be read as a whole and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.

Reasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction

Mensin Gold Bibiani holds the relevant mining lease, surface rights, major approvals and permits required for the planned and ongoing mining operations.

The Bibiani mineralization is part of a regional structure and is not the only deposit of its type in the region. The nature of the mineralisation style and setting are well understood and can support a declared Mineral Resource and further exploration potential.

Sampling methods, preparation, analyses, and security are performed to Industry Standards and subsequent data is fit for use in Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation. Appropriate QA/QC programs, to address precision and accuracy of information, are adhered to by the Company geologists and exploration teams.

The 2022 Technical Report provides an update of the previous Mineral Resource Estimate that was compiled from a geological model relevant to an underground operating strategy by previous owners. The Company has prepared a new geological model and updated Resource Estimate to satisfy the open pit operations. Snowden Optiro have remodelled the geological information to produce a revised and updated Resource Model and Resource Estimation for the Bibiani Main Pit and Satellites Pits (Walsh and Strauss).

The Bibiani Main Pit and Satellite Pits relevant to the 2022 Technical Report have been historically mined by both open pit and underground operations by several previous owners. Mineral Reserves are supported by a positive economic assessment assuming a US$1,850/oz Au price. The cut-off grade selected is appropriate for the Company objectives.

Recovery methods in the refurbished and upgraded process plant facility and gold recovery assumptions (92%) are supported by historical production and test work.

Mensin Gold Bibiani has received all necessary legal requirements and complies with environmental and social requirements. The Tailings Storage Facility was historically designed, recently refurbished, and continues to be managed under a current contract by Knight Piesold Ghana Limited.

Mensin Gold Bibiani has implemented a Resettlement Action Plan in alignment with the LoM Plan that will require a phased engineering and construction program to relocate the impacted community.

The discounted cash flow model for the proposed operation demonstrates that the Project is robust under the current techno-economic assumptions described in the 2022 Technical Report. The analysis supports the declared Mineral Reserve and supports the Companys decision to progress the Project to full production.

About Asante Gold Corporation

Asante is a gold exploration, development and operating company with a high-quality portfolio of projects in Ghana. Asante is currently operating the Bibiani Gold Mine with forecast production of 175,000 oz of gold over the next 12 months, is completing the acquisition of the Chirano Gold Mine from Kinross Gold Corporation (the Chirano Acquisition), and is developing to production its Kubi Gold mine, all located on the prolific Bibiani and Ashanti Gold Belts. Asante has an experienced and skilled team of mine finders, builders and operators, with extensive experience in Ghana. Asante is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Ghana Stock Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Asante is also exploring its Keyhole, Fahiakoba and Betenase projects for new discoveries, all adjoining or along strike of major gold mines near the centre of Ghanas Golden Triangle. Additional information is available on our web site at www.asantegold.com.

About the Bibiani Gold Mine

Bibiani is a historically significant gold mine situated in the Western Region of Ghana, with previous gold production of more than 4Moz. It is fully permitted with available mining and processing infrastructure on-site consisting of a 3 million tonne per annum process plant, and existing mining infrastructure. Mining commenced in late February with the first gold pour announced on July 7, 2022. The Company is forecasting 175,000 oz of gold production over the next 12 months.

About the Chirano Gold Mine

Chirano is an operating open-pit and underground mining operation located in southwestern Ghana, immediately south of the Companys Bibiani Gold Mine. Chirano was first explored and developed in 1996 and began production in October 2005. The mine comprises the Akwaaba, Suraw, Akoti South, Akoti North, Akoti Extended, Paboase, Tano, Obra South, Obra, Sariehu and Mamnao open pits and the Akwaaba and Paboase underground mines. Gold Equivalent Production in 2021 was 154,668 oz on a 100% basis (source Kinross Gold Corporation).

Qualified Person Statement

The technical content of this news release with respect to the 2022 Technical Report has been reviewed and approved by the Qualified Persons (as defined under NI 43-101) and authors of the PFS: David Michael Begg of dMb Management Services Pty Ltd (South Africa), Clive Brown of BARA Consulting (South Africa), Ian Jackson of BARA Consulting (UK) and Senzeni Mandava of Snowden Optiro (South Africa). None of the Qualified Persons hold any interest in Asante, its associated parties, or in any of the mineral properties which are the subject of this news release. Other scientific and technical information has been reviewed and approved by Douglas R. MacQuarrie, P.Geo. (B.C.) Geology & Geophysics, Non-Executive Chairman and a director of Asante, who is a "qualified person" under NI 43-101.

Figure 1 - Bibiani Main Pit - Long Section looking West, showing New Pit on November 2021 underground resource model.

Figure 2 - Bibiani Main Pit Cross Section 5150N looking north, on November 2021 underground resource model.

Figure 3 - Bibiani Main Pit Cross Section 5300N looking N, on November 2021 underground resource model.

Figure 4 - Bibiani Main Pit Cross Section 5450N looking N, on November 2021 underground resource model.

For further information please contact:

Dave Anthony, President & CEO: GH+233 55 879 3309 or CAN+1 647 382 4215 or dave@asantegold.com

Frederick Attakumah, Executive Vice President, frederick@asantegold.com

Alec Rowlands, Capital Markets Consultant, alec@asantegold.com

Valentina Gvozdeva, Manager IR, valentina@asantegold.com

Kirsti Mattson, Media Relations, kirsti.mattson@gmail.com

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including timing for the completion of the Chirano Acquisition, the ability of the Company to complete the Chirano Acquisition, anticipated synergies, the resources, reserves, exploration results, and development program at Chirano, Bibiani and Kubi, including in respect of Bibiani resources, reserves, economic analysis, the timing of future mine development and the start of commercial production. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the inability to satisfy any condition required to completed the Chirano Acquisition, termination of the share purchase agreement, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Companys inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its planned activities, the Companys inability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies and the price of gold. The reader is referred to the Companys public disclosure record which is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except as required by securities laws and the policies of the securities exchanges on which the Company is listed, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

LEI Number: 529900F9PV1G9S5YD446. Neither IIROC nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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Marburg virus is the causative agent of Marburg virus disease (MVD), a disease with a case fatality ratio of up to 88%, but can be much lower with good patient care. Marburg virus disease was initially detected in 1967 after simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany; and in Belgrade, Serbia.

Marburg and Ebola viruses are both members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus). Though caused by different viruses, the two diseases are clinically similar. Both diseases are rare and have the capacity to cause outbreaks with high fatality rates.

Two large outbreaks that occurred simultaneously in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1967, led to the initial recognition of the disease. The outbreak was associated with laboratory work using African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda. Subsequently, outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa (in a person with recent travel history to Zimbabwe) and Uganda. In 2008, two independent cases were reported in travellers who had visited a cave inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies in Uganda.

Key facts

Marburg virus disease (MVD), formerly known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.

The virus causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever in humans.

The average MVD case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks depending on virus strain and case management.

Early supportive care with rehydration, and symptomatic treatment improves survival. There is as yet no licensed treatment proven to neutralize the virus, but a range of blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies are currently under development.

Rousettus aegyptiacus, fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, are considered to be natural hosts of Marburg virus. The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through human-to-human transmission.

Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks.

Transmission

Initially, human MVD infection results from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies.

Marburg spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.

Health-care workers have frequently been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed MVD. This has occurred through close contact with patients when infection control precautions are not strictly practiced. Transmission via contaminated injection equipment or through needle-stick injuries is associated with more severe disease, rapid deterioration, and, possibly, a higher fatality rate.

Burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body of the deceased can also contribute in the transmission of Marburg.

People remain infectious as long as their blood contains the virus.

Symptoms of Marburg virus disease

The incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) varies from 2 to 21 days.

Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Muscle aches and pains are a common feature. Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day. Diarrhoea can persist for a week. The appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing ghost-like drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces, and extreme lethargy. In the 1967 European outbreak, non-itchy rash was a feature noted in most patients between 2 and 7 days after onset of symptoms.

Many patients develop severe haemorrhagic manifestations between 5 and 7 days, and fatal cases usually have some form of bleeding, often from multiple areas. Fresh blood in vomitus and faeces is often accompanied by bleeding from the nose, gums, and vagina. Spontaneous bleeding at venepuncture sites (where intravenous access is obtained to give fluids or obtain blood samples) can be particularly troublesome. During the severe phase of illness, patients have sustained high fevers. Involvement of the central nervous system can result in confusion, irritability, and aggression. Orchitis (inflammation of one or both testicles) has been reported occasionally in the late phase of disease (15 days).

In fatal cases, death occurs most often between 8 and 9 days after symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.

Diagnosis

It can be difficult to clinically distinguish MVD from other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, shigellosis, meningitis and other viral haemorrhagic fevers. Confirmation that symptoms are caused by Marburg virus infection are made using the following diagnostic methods:

antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

antigen-capture detection tests

serum neutralization test

reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay

electron microscopy

virus isolation by cell culture.

Samples collected from patients are an extreme biohazard risk; laboratory testing on non-inactivated samples should be conducted under maximum biological containment conditions. All biological specimens should be packaged using the triple packaging system when transported nationally and internationally.

Treatment and vaccines

Currently, there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved for MVD. However, supportive care  rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids  and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.

There are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) under development and antivirals e.g. Remdesivir and Favipiravir that have been used in clinical studies for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) that could also be tested for MVD or used under compassionate use/expanded access.

In May 2020, the EMA granted marketing authorisation to Zabdeno (Ad26.ZEBOV) and Mvabea (MVA-BN-Filo). against EVD. The Mvabea contains a virus known as Vaccinia Ankara Bavarian Nordic (MVA) which has been modified to produce 4 proteins from Zaire ebolavirus and three other viruses of the same group (filoviridae). The vaccine could potentially protect against MVD, but its efficacy has not been proven in clinical trials.

Marburg virus in animals

Rousettus aegyptiacus bats are considered natural hosts for Marburg virus. There is no apparent disease in the fruit bats. As a result, the geographic distribution of Marburg virus may overlap with the range of Rousettus bats.

African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda were the source of infection for humans during the first Marburg outbreak.

Experimental inoculations in pigs with different Ebola viruses have been reported and show that pigs are susceptible to filovirus infection and shed the virus. Therefore, pigs should be considered as a potential amplifier host during MVD outbreaks. Although no other domestic animals have yet been confirmed as having an association with filovirus outbreaks, as a precautionary measure they should be considered as potential amplifier hosts until proven otherwise.

Precautionary measures are needed in pig farms in Africa to avoid pigs becoming infected through contact with fruit bats. Such infection could potentially amplify the virus and cause or contribute to MVD outbreaks.

Prevention and control

Good outbreak control relies on using a range of interventions, namely case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service, safe and dignified burials, and social mobilization. Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks. Raising awareness of risk factors for Marburg infection and protective measures that individuals can take is an effective way to reduce human transmission.

Risk reduction messaging should focus on several factors:

Reducing the risk of bat-to-human transmission arising from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies. During work or research activities or tourist visits in mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies, people should wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing (including masks). During outbreaks all animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

arising from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies. During work or research activities or tourist visits in mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies, people should wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing (including masks). During outbreaks all animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission in the community arising from direct or close contact with infected patients, particularly with their body fluids. Close physical contact with Marburg patients should be avoided. Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home. Regular hand washing should be performed after visiting sick relatives in hospital, as well as after taking care of ill patients at home.

arising from direct or close contact with infected patients, particularly with their body fluids. Close physical contact with Marburg patients should be avoided. Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home. Regular hand washing should be performed after visiting sick relatives in hospital, as well as after taking care of ill patients at home. Communities affected by Marburg should make efforts to ensure that the population is well informed, both about the nature of the disease itself and about necessary outbreak containment measures.

should make efforts to ensure that the population is well informed, both about the nature of the disease itself and about necessary outbreak containment measures. Outbreak containment measures include prompt, safe and dignified burial of the deceased, identifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with Marburg and monitoring their health for 21 days, separating the healthy from the sick to prevent further spread and providing care to confirmed patient and maintaining good hygiene and a clean environment need to be observed.

include prompt, safe and dignified burial of the deceased, identifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with Marburg and monitoring their health for 21 days, separating the healthy from the sick to prevent further spread and providing care to confirmed patient and maintaining good hygiene and a clean environment need to be observed. Reducing the risk of possible sexual transmission. Based on further analysis of ongoing research, WHO recommends that male survivors of Marburg virus disease practice safer sex and hygiene for 12 months from onset of symptoms or until their semen twice tests negative for Marburg virus. Contact with body fluids should be avoided and washing with soap and water is recommended. WHO does not recommend isolation of male or female convalescent patients whose blood has been tested negative for Marburg virus.

Controlling infection in healthcare settings

Healthcare workers should always take standard precautions when caring for patients, regardless of their presumed diagnosis. These include basic hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (to block splashes or other contact with infected materials), safe injection practices and safe and dignified burial practices.

Healthcare workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Marburg virus should apply extra infection control measures to prevent contact with the patients blood and body fluids and contaminated surfaces or materials such as clothing and bedding. When in close contact (within 1 metre) of patients with MVD, health-care workers should wear face protection (a face shield or a medical mask and goggles), a clean, non-sterile long-sleeved gown, and gloves (sterile gloves for some procedures).

Laboratory workers are also at risk. Samples taken from humans and animals for investigation of Marburg infection should be handled by trained staff and processed in suitably equipped laboratories.

Marburg viral persistence in in people recovering from Marburg virus disease

Marburg virus is known to persist in immune-privileged sites in some people who have recovered from Marburg virus disease. These sites include the testicles and the inside of the eye.

In women who have been infected while pregnant, the virus persists in the placenta, amniotic fluid and foetus.

In women who have been infected while breastfeeding, the virus may persist in breast milk.

Relapse-symptomatic illness in the absence of re-infection in someone who has recovered from MVD is a rare event, but has been documented. Reasons for this phenomenon are not yet fully understood.

Marburg virus transmission via infected semen has been documented up to seven weeks after clinical recovery. More surveillance data and research are needed on the risks of sexual transmission, and particularly on the prevalence of viable and transmissible virus in semen over time. In the interim, and based on present evidence, WHO recommends that:
Ricardo has signed a multi-year deal with Pratt & Whitney Canada under which the Ricardo aerospace engineering team will support Pratt & Whitney Canada in the development of advanced hybrid-electric propulsion technologies for next-generation aircraft.

The project is part of Pratt & Whitney Canadas regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator program. The company is targeting a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency and commensurate reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, compared to todays most advanced turboprop engines for regional aircraft.





The Pratt & Whitney Canada Regional Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator is based on a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 experimental aircraft.

Hybrid-electric propulsion technology is a core element of our strategy for continually advancing the efficiency of aircraft propulsion systems, in support of the industry-wide goal of achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions for aviation by 2050. Our collaboration with Ricardo brings valuable expertise around component design, system integration, and testing, which will ultimately enable us to demonstrate the potential of this technology, with ground testing starting later this year and eventual flight tests in 2024. Jean Thomassin, Executive Director new products and services, Pratt & Whitney Canada

The deal represents a significant investment in Ricardos aerospace capabilities and resource, as it looks to explore new opportunities to work with customers in the global aerospace sector, which includes policy, strategy, technology implementation and consultancy.
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You won't find a single beef burger, chicken nugget or dairy product at the newest "fast food" restaurant on West Hartford's New Park Avenue  but you won't be missing any indulgence, either.

Ami Beach and Mark Shadle recently opened G-Monkey, a "plant fueled" fast-casual concept at 625 New Park Avenue in late June, with a menu of vegan burgers and sandwiches, salads, soups, bowls and decadent desserts.

The new concept is a spinoff of their popular G-Monkey food truck, featuring some of the mobile eatery's most popular items, and their former G-Zen restaurant in Branford, which closed in April. Though the couple said they struggled with the decision to close their Branford restaurant, which opened in 2011, they felt quick service would be the best format for the future of their brand.

Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media

"We feel like this is the wave of the future," Beach said. "There will always be sit-down [dining], but we knew that to hit the masses, we needed to be higher visibility, next to a Chick-fil-A or McDonald's. We need to be right up front and center with other quick-service locations."

Shadle said in March that G-Monkey truck customers have been asking them to bring the concept to greater Hartford for years. They have a fan base in the region thanks to frequent stops at the Forge City Works and Coventry Farmers Markets, and they also made appearances at GastroPark, the West Hartford food truck park just down the street from their new brick-and-mortar.

The menu at G-Monkey pulls inspiration from the truck and the former Branford restaurant, with a few new additions. The truck's signature housemade black bean "Zen Burger" is available with toppings like caramelized onions, "nay-yo" vegan mayonnaise and housemade vegan cheddar. A "Brava Burger" is inspired by the couple's second home in Culebra, Puerto Rico, with grilled pineapple, sriracha and smoked coconut maple "bacon."

Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media

Grilled cheese sandwiches, served on housemade whole grain bread, are crafted with housemade vegan mozzarella, almond basil pesto and caramelized onions. A spicy "Kim K" version adds kimchi. Other truck favorites include the "downward dog" black bean burrito and a "Groovin Reuben" with marinated tempeh, sauerkraut, spicy mustard and Russian dressing. "Raw tacos," with walnut-based "meat," vegetables and cashew sour creme, are served on romaine lettuce leaves.

Shadle has long been known for his signature sweet potato fries, served on the truck and at the Branford restaurant with a housemade smoky hickory ketchup. At G-Monkey, they're available loaded with toppings like black bean chili, vegan cheddar, cashew parmesan "dust," roasted vegetable gravy and green onions. A sweet version features cinnamon-sugar dust and creamy coconut maple caramel sauce.

Other specialties include the "feisty monkey" pasta bowl with housemade spicy peanut cilantro sauce, and a poke bowl with kimchi, beets, carrots and a chickpea-based faux "tuna." Soups, salads, kids' menu items and Beach's herb tonics and elixirs round out the menu.

Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media

Desserts include vegan and raw options, like New York style cheesecake made with silken tofu and served with berry coulis, and cacao mousse, crafted with avocado, heirloom cacao and maple syrup. Beach also makes raw truffles with cacao and dragonfruit, and the couple is hoping to add oat milk-based soft serve ice cream to the menu.

All items are served in compostable packaging made from vegetable fibers or plant starches, including takeout boxes, drink cups, utensils, napkins and even the cups for G-Monkey's house ketchup.

The fast-casual concept is something Beach and Shadle have been talking about for about five years, Shadle said. They looked at new locations in Branford and other towns, but came up empty. Beach had originally written off West Hartford as an option, initially picturing a site in the town's center where they wouldn't have their own parking lot.

Lisa Penfield

But when the New Park Avenue space became available after Citizen Chicken & Donuts closed, they rethought their plans. It was ideal for what they wanted  ample parking for both their guests and their food truck, on a busy road with other restaurants and close to nearby apartments and CTfastrak's Elmwood stop.

They spent several months renovating the space, incorporating a living moss wall and plenty of green plants throughout the indoor seating area. A wall of rolling pins, including several hand-me-downs from family members, commemorates Shadle's culinary career, which stretches more than three decades.

Before opening the G-Monkey truck with Beach, Shadle was formerly the executive chef and co-owner of It's Only Natural (ION) in Middletown for 22 years. He's also won medals in the Culinary Olympics, and was invited to cook at the White House by first lady Michelle Obama in 2010.

Beach and Shadle are planning to open more G-Monkey locations, and they're hoping to return to the shoreline at some point. They're open to franchising or licensing the concept.

"We're open to all possibilities," she said. "We've been getting offers already [to open in other towns] but we really want to get this [location] humming."

Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media

Shadle said he's definitely seen an increasing number of people become vegan, or opt for occasional vegan meals, over his long career.

"When I was first doing this 30 years ago, there were a handful of vegan restaurants [around the country], in New York, San Francisco, Chicago," he said. "Now small towns have vegan options...you're really seeing a big change."



"We get all kinds of people who come in. It's always been that way," he said. "Now it's people who eat vegan once a week, or once a month...We try to be really welcoming."

G-Monkey is open noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday.)
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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Prosecutors plan to charge a Los Angeles man in connection with three murders across Southern California as part of a deadly string of robberies last week at a half-dozen 7-Elevens and a doughnut shop.

Investigators have linked Malik Patt, 20, to the fatal shooting of a homeless man in Los Angeles on July 9, as well as the July 11 deaths of a 7-Eleven clerk in Brea and a man who intervened in a robbery in a 7-Eleven parking lot in Santa Ana.

Three other people were shot and wounded in the July 11 violence, one of whom remained gravely injured Monday, according to Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.

Patt faces a slew of charges, including murder, attempted murder, robbery and carjacking. If convicted, his case could result in the death penalty or a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Spitzer on Monday called the violence among the cruelest, most inhumane crimes Ive ever seen in his time in law enforcement.

The July 11 robberies occurred within five hours in San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside counties, setting off an intensive manhunt that resulted in the arrests of the two men in Los Angeles on Friday. Authorities say Jason Payne, 44, was Patt's neighbor and accomplice but was not involved in the killings.

Both men are being held in jail and are expected to be arraigned Tuesday. It was not immediately clear whether they had attorneys who could speak on their behalf.

Police originally believed the spate of robberies at the convenience stories on July 11, or 7/11, might be linked to the day when the national 7-Eleven brand celebrates its anniversary. It was the chain's 95th year, and stores gave out free Slurpee drinks.

But Spitzer on Monday said that while investigators are still looking into the potential nexus, it appears it might be random and coincidental.

Matthew Hirsch, a 40-year-old clerk, was shot and killed at the Brea store, and Matthew Rule, 24, was shot and killed in the parking lot of the Santa Ana store while trying to intervene in the robbery of someone else. The identify of the homeless man who was slain in Los Angeles has not been made public.

Detectives also believe Patt may be connected to other crimes, including robberies in the San Fernando Valley.
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The Reno8 series is going global with two models  the Reno8 and Reno8 Pro. The latter launched as the Reno8 Pro+ in China in May, while the first one is an upgraded version of what is dubbed Reno8 in China. This means that both global phones are quite similar, except for two major changes. Lets start with the Pro and what makes is special, before moving on to the Reno8 and the shared features.



Oppo Reno8 and Reno 8 Pro are launching globally

Oppo Reno8 Pro

The Oppo Reno8 Pro is powered by the customized Dimensity 8100-Max chipset, This 5nm chip has four Cortex-A78 cores, four A55 and a Mali-G610 MC6 GPU. It has a fairly capable ISP, but image processing tasks are actually delegated to Oppos in-house MariSilicon X chip, which has 18 TOPS of number crunching power and works in 20-bit dynamic range. We will get back to the cameras in a second.

The other major advantage of the Pro is the 6.7 AMOLED display. It has 1,080 x 2,412px resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support (plus the certifications for high-quality video streaming from Netflix and Amazon).

PUBG can run on the Reno8 Pro in 90Hz mode, a first for the Reno series (phones need to be whitelisted for high refresh rate mode). Another cool feature for this game is Background Update: updates are downloaded in the background and you will see a hovering button when its ready to install (not available in Japan and India).

Both Reno8 phones have the same camera setups, at least as far as the hardware is concerned  the Pro model will have better processing thanks to that MariSilicon chip.

The main camera on the back is based on the 50MP Sony IMX766, a 1/1.56 sensor (1.0m pixels) behind an f/1.8 7P lens (23mm) with omni-directional PDAF, dual native ISO and 12-bit image output.

Also on the back is an 8MP ultra wide camera (IMX355, 1/4, 1.12m) with a 112 16mm lens. Finally, there is a 2MP macro camera on here.

Flipping over to the front, the selfie camera is based on the 32MP IMX709 sensor (1/2.74, 0.8m). This sensor uses an RGBW matrix for better low light performance. Another thing to note is that this selfie camera has autofocus and a fairly wide FoV of 90. Both the IMX709 and the IMX766 support DOL-HDR for 4x wider dynamic range.

There are a few other perks left to mention. The Pro model has dual speakers and an X-axis linear motor for haptic feedback. There is also an extra layer of graphite to lead head out through the back. The back of the Pro is made out of glass, by the way.

The Oppo Reno8 Pro will be available in India from July 19, starting at 46,000 for the 8/256GB version. There is also a version with 12GB of RAM.

Oppo Reno8

The Oppo Reno8 is powered by the Dimensity 1300. It is built on an older 6nm node, but has the same CPU make-up, 4x A78 and 4x A55, the GPU is an older generation Mali-G77 MC9.

The chipset is paired with 8GB of RAM (LPDDR4X) as well as 256GB storage (UFS 3.1). Note that the Indian version is getting only 128GB storage. Both phones are launching with ColorOS 12.1 based on Android 12.

The other difference between vanilla and Pro is the screen. The vanilla Reno8 comes with a 6.4 AMOLED display with roughly the same FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate (no HDR10 here, though).

The camera setup on the Reno8 is the same as on the Pro model (and as on the Reno7 Pro for that matter). Both phones have Ultra Clear Night Portrait modes and style themselves as "Portrait Experts".

The IMX709 sensor in the selfie camera uses an RGBW matrix to let more light in

Both phones run on a 4,500mAh battery, despite their size difference. This battery charges using an 80W SuperVOOC system, which gets to 50% in 11 minutes. Of if you need a quick top-up while gaming, 5 minutes of charging are enough to go for 2 more hours. Note that in countries with 110V electricity charging tops out at 66W.

The Battery Health Engine reduces battery degradation to extend the cells life to 1,600 charge/discharge cycles, which works out to 4 years of daily charging.

The Oppo Reno8 will be available from July 25 starting at 39,000.
A legislative measure that would require online publication of licensing restrictions and ongoing accusations filed against local doctors saw support from residents and opposition from physicians during a public hearing Monday.

Bill 317 would require the Guam Board of Medical Examiners post accusations made against doctors onto the physician registry hosted on its website if the case isnt resolved within six months. Conditions imposed on a doctors license to practice on Guam also would be published online.

The website with the registry was mandated by Public Law 34-79 in 2018 but didnt go up until last year. Its meant to contain information on doctors, such as suspensions and unresolved citations.

The bills sponsor, Speaker Therese Terlaje, said a recent oversight hearing revealed that some complaints filed with the medical board were ongoing for years. Her bill focuses on transparency and to put a little fire under board members to quickly resolve complaints.

I am not trying to take away anyones practice unnecessarily. And thats the balance. If we cant take away a persons license right away, we have to give them due process. Well, what about the patients right? Terlaje said.

Residents speak

Doesnt the mother of a young child have the right to know that her pediatrician was accused of killing a child through medical negligence? medical advocate David Lubofsky said in support of the measure.

Consumers are stuck having to rely on their own research as to whom to see medically, he said, adding the local medical board had a record of licensing doctors with histories of medical negligence and sexual misconduct.

Two recent examples include former government psychologist Dr. Abner Pasatiempo, who has had criminal charges filed against him by the attorney general, and Dr. Ugochukwu Akoma, who has a current pending case with the board.

Lubofsky also said wrongful death settlements are only disclosed under the current law if a doctor has paid more than four settlements in the past five years.

Resident Maria Espinoza, who said she was unaware she could have even filed a complaint with the board after her son died, also supported the bill. She said the current online registry of doctors had basically little to nothing to say about any one of them.

We entrust our family to them, Espinoza said, and anyone who took that for granted, they need to get their their names posted

Physicians

Dr. Annette David, a member of the medical examiners board, said she understood the need to inform patients but said there were ramifications to publicizing accusations against doctors.

As a naturalized U.S. citizen, I was always taught that in America, under a democracy, you are always presumed innocent until proven guilty, she said.

Doctors hold a position of public trust and no other position, such as attorneys or elected officials, are subject to the publication of every single accusation against them. Six months is a short period of time for cases which required medical expertise and could vary in the length of time needed, David said.

Phil Flores, the medical boards vice chair, said the bill would open the door for libel and defamation lawsuits against board members and the Health Professional Licensing Office. He didnt believe accusations should be published until a case was settled.

It is very difficult to find people just to sit on about any board in the government. This would make it harder for recruiting GBME members, Flores said.

Deeply disturbed

A joint statement from Dr. Samir Shankar Ambrale, president of the Guam Medical Society, and Dr. Thomas Shieh, president of the Guam Medical Association, said they were deeply disturbed by Bill 317.

This bill is intended to be a response to the systemic weakening of the Guam Board of Medical Examiners caused by years of underfunding and overburdening, they stated.

The Legislature was weakening the fragile health care system instead of properly funding the board.

What is at the heart of all of these legislative changes is this issue of trust between the medical community and the community, David said, explaining that whats needed for change were attorneys and hearing officers on the board staff.

David said in the CNMI, its medical board had a separate line item specifically for a staff investigator. Guams board took two years to bring an investigator and a hearing officer needed to prosecute complaints, and both on short-term, limited contracts, she said.

The Medical Examiners Board hasnt prosecuted a case against a doctor since 2015, the PDN reported last November.
Sex crimes on Guam are the most difficult cases to prosecute because the crimes normally are reported late and often involve family members or family friends, making it difficult to collect evidence and interview witnesses, according to police and prosecutors.

Its almost like investigating a cold case homicide, Guam Police Department Sgt. Eugene Charfauros told lawmakers during a legislative hearing Monday morning. Charfauros is part of the police departments Domestic Assault Response Team, which is responsible for investigating criminal sexual conduct.

Lawmakers held the roundtable hearing to receive information about the effectiveness of current laws and programs related to criminal sexual conduct.

The people of Guam have consistently expressed great concern and fear for their safety for what appears to be an epidemic of sexual violence in our community, said Speaker Therese Terlaje, chairwoman of the legislative justice committee.

We have many senators introducing bills to stiffen the penalties, thinking that is what is necessary, and that its the penalties that are at fault, Terlaje said. But the courts have testified over the years that they want flexibility in sentencing.

Although prosecutors often are criticized for cutting deals with accused sex offenders, plea agreements are an important tool to get convictions in cases that might be difficult to prove in court, according to the attorney generals office.

Our job is to try to resolve the case without further traumatizing victims, Chief Prosecutor Basil OMallan told lawmakers. When you put a victim on the stand, its very traumatic for them. The majority of our cases involve very young victims, and we have to be very careful in how we address those.

He said prosecutors, in charging documents, intentionally omit personal information, including relationships, the names of schools and villages of residence, in order to protect victims in sexual assault cases.

Attorney General Leevin Camacho said criminal sexual conduct cases often involve crimes that happened two or more years ago. Oftentimes they are young, he said about the victims, noting his office last week prosecuted a case involving a 4-year-old victim.

Those are the evidentiary challenges that we encounter in prosecuting cases, Camacho said, which is why prosecutors decide whether to negotiate a plea deal instead of going to trial. The risk that a 4-year-old is not going to be able to identify who did that to them, and what they did, is real.

Because most criminal sexual conduct cases involve someone in the home, close to the family, or even the familys main breadwinner, it can be difficult for victims to come forward and pursue the allegations, according to the attorney generals office.

I had a case earlier this year, where it literally broke up the family, OMallan said. I had two victims in that case. One victim is now living with grandma because mom doesnt believe her.

Theyre both telling the truth (and we) got a conviction. But it still broke up that family, and that is the concern we run into when we deal with these kinds of cases, he said.

The police department between 2017 and 2021 investigated 1,282 criminal sexual conduct cases, which resulted in a total of 547 arrests, police Chief Steve Ignacio told lawmakers.

Charfauros told senators the low number of arrests compared to cases is the result of a longer statute of limitations for cases related to first-degree and second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Second of all, these are very complex cases, he said, and the police department no longer has a unit to investigate only sex crimes.

Sex crimes are investigated by the police departments domestic assault team because most people who commit sex crimes are household and family members, Charfauros said. The police department is currently considering creating a dedicated sex crimes unit.

When asked whether any laws need to be changed, prosecutor OMallan said the Legislature should not impose additional minimum mandatory sentences for sex crimes.

He said the current 15-year minimum mandatory sentence for first-degree criminal sexual conduct can remain in place, and we can work with it.

The beauty of not tying our hands with a mandatory minimum gives us opportunity to work out plea agreements. ...people seem to forget a plea agreement is a conviction, and thats very important because it does resolve and close the case, OMallan said.

He said all plea agreements include requirements for assessments and the successful completion of counseling.

The Judiciary of Guam on Monday told lawmakers that, out of 1,135 registered sex offenders, 51 have committed multiple offenses.

I really dont think our recidivism rate is that bad or that high, OMallan said, citing the courts data. Fifty-one out of 1,1135  thats a very, very low percentage, which confirms my gut feeling.

Attorney General Camacho said his office supports a pending bill in the Legislature that would allow victims of sexual assault to get a restraining order against the perpetrator.

Its easier for a victim of family violence to get a protective order than it is for a victim of sexual assault, Camacho said.

Camacho said lawmakers should change the law to allow prosecutors to challenge a judges decision to suppress evidence in criminal cases.

Theres no avenue for us to have that decision reviewed, he said.
DHL partnered with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection (LCRP), providing logistics services to relocate four rescued chimpanzees from Guinea-Bissau to Liberia; in celebration of World Chimpanzee Day to raise awareness about the welfare, protection, and conservation of the global chimpanzee population.

DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) partnered with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection (LCRP) to safely transport four vulnerable chimpanzees from Guinea-Bissau to Liberia. With many years of DHLs expertise in transporting wildlife, all four rescued chimpanzees were re-located to their new home last weekend, on Saturday July 9, just in time to celebrate World Chimpanzee Day on July 14th. The collaboration aims to raise awareness about the welfare, protection, and conservation of the global chimpanzee population, which is critically endangered.

DHLs experience in the transportation of wildlife is world-class, and we could not envision partnering with another logistics organization to ensure the safe passage of these vulnerable chimps. This initiative would not be possible if governments from Guinea-Bissau (Directorate General for Forests and Fauna), and Liberia (Forestry Development Authority), the Jane Goodall Institute, Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), and the Born Free Foundation did not commit to working tirelessly together to ensure its success. Chimpanzees, a critically endangered species, are protected in both countries, and it is illegal to harm or keep them as pets, said Jenny Desmond, Founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection.

The Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP) was founded in 2016 to rescue chimpanzees who are victims of illegal bush meat and pet trades. One of the key purposes of LCRP is to ensure the conservation of wild chimpanzees in Liberia and globally and to make sure that wild chimpanzees are kept wild. The decision to relocate the four chimpanzees named Fifi, Tze, Simao, and Tita from Guinea-Bissau to Liberia was based on Guinea-Bissaus Directorate-General for Forests and Faunas commitment to combating international wildlife trade (IWT).

The country has no sanctuary to safeguard the four chimpanzees, prompting negotiations with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection. Therefore, the Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection partnered with the Governments of Guinea-Bissau and Liberia, several animal protection partners, and DHL Express SSA to ensure the safe passage, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the chimpanzees into a community in Liberia that is conducive for their survival.

We are really proud to support the Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection on their mission to give four rescued chimpanzees a new home. With many years of experience in transporting wildlife, we have gained valuable knowledge in ensuring the specific needs of the special cargo. Each wildlife mission we undertake has its unique requirements. That is why we always connect with our experts and specialists in order to guarantee that the animals arrive safe and in good health at their intended destinations. By supporting initiatives that are committed to wildlife, we can contribute to the protection of endangered species, habitats, and biodiversity, said Spokesperson, Anthony Beckley VP Operations DHL Express SSA.

DHLs undisputed African network led to Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection connecting with DHL to deliver the special cargo and to provide the operational and logistical requirements to guarantee the success of this intricate African initiative. This historical project which included many months of planning is the first-time western chimpanzees have been able to be relocated within their home region, which is vital to preserving their unique culture and characteristics.

Western chimpanzees are now extinct in three, soon five of eleven native countries. The four chimpanzees were transported in an ATR72 LCD (Large Cargo Door) designed for large cargo shipments, which allows minimal impact for the on and off loading of the animals throughout the transportation journey. The aircraft was also modified to ensure first-class treatment throughout the 2hrs 20minutes flight from Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Guinea-Bissau to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia. To further secure their safety, the chimpanzees were accompanied by veterinarian Jim Desmond, co-founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection.

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Haiti - Tabarre : 300 displaced people live in inhuman and degrading conditions on the Kay Castor Site





The insecurity and instability of the situation make it impossible to establish an overall picture of the number of people who have moved due to the clashes, either in host families for the most part, or in one of the 14 spontaneously constituted sites, (at least 16,828 displaced between April and May 2022) according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).



The majority of these people come from the communes of Croix-des-Bouquets and Cite Soleil. Among the displaced persons belonging to vulnerable groups have been identified : people with disabilities, pregnant and breastfeeding women, children heads of households, separated, unaccompanied and orphans, people injured or with urgent medical problems, people with chronic diseases, people living with HIV.



Of the 14 sites identified at the height of the crisis, only three are still open today "Kay Castor" (Tabarre), the Adventist Church of Eben-Ezer (Tabarre) and the Classic Center of Terre Noire (Cite Soleil) .



Friday, July 15, the Citizen Protection Office (OPC) urged the authorities to take care of displaced families, denouncing the conditions in which displaced people from the Cul-de-Sac plain live, in particular those accommodated in the "Kay Castor" site which accommodates 303 people : 58 men, 76 women and 169 children (74 girls and 95 boys).



The OPC and its partners in the Protection Group were able to observe the inhuman and degrading conditions in which these people live, particularly in the "Kay Castor" site where there are 11 pregnant women, 8 breastfeeding women, 4 people with disabilities. and 7 elderly people with special needs.



Within this site, the rights to food, drinking water and health do not exist. Both men and women live in promiscuity inside an unhealthy space that undermines their dignity. The sanitary situation leaves much to be desired, as there are only 2 latrines for the 303 people. Girls as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, while being exposed to the risk of sexual violence, do not benefit from any specific medical care.



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Gang war, 460 dead and wounded

On Sunday July 17, 2022, on a radio station in the capital, Pierre Esperance, the Executive Director of the National Network of the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH) revised upwards the toll of the war in Cite Soleil between the coalition of gangs of the G-9 (the aggressor) and G-Pep a rival coalition of the G-9. The new toll now stands at around 300 dead and 160 injured, mostly innocent citizens.



Despite 4 ransoms paid, the kidnappers kill their hostage

The entrepreneur Rony Dumont, husband of the Mayor of the town of Saut-d'Eau, kidnapped on June 13, was killed by his kidnappers after a month and 4 days of sequestration and after the payment of 4 ransoms, according to his spouse...



An AlterPresse journalist kidnapped

On Sunday July 17, 2022, armed individuals kidnapped journalist Edner Decime from Alterpress who was in his vehicle, not far from the petrol pump at Delmas 30.



A group of people kidnapped in Delmas 33

Saturday July 16 at the beginning of the evening in Delmas 33, heavily armed individuals kidnapped under threat, near the former premises of the restaurant "Rendez-vous 33" several people who were inside a car.



Gangs are trying to recruit children

According to two local youth organizations, 13% of children surveyed in a troubled neighborhood of Port-au-Prince had been in contact with members of armed gangs who tried to recruit them.



102 tanker trucks delivered in 24 hours

After a new suspension of its activities on Saturday July 16 due to insecurity, the loading of tank trucks resumed on Sunday July 17 at the Varreux oil terminal: 384,078 gallons of diesel, 24,800 gallons of kerozene and 423,572 gallons of gasoline were loaded in 102 tank trucks.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Rosas mother is singing again, for the first time since Papa died in an accident in the mills. But instead of filling their cramped tenement apartment with Italian lullabies, Mamma is out on the streets singing union songs, and Rosa is terrified that her mother and older sister, Anna, are endangering their lives by marching against the corrupt mill owners.

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County concedes it can't regulate mountain bike park

A mountain bike park that had stirred opposition from some neighboring landowners in Green River can go forward without a rezoning under Henderson County land-use code.

Henderson County Attorney Russ Burrell, the countys zoning administrator and its director of business and community development all conceded the point after an attorney for the developer wrote a letter justifying the use as agritourism, which under state law is exempt from zoning.

Dave LaMond, a physician and mountain bike enthusiast who developed Ride Kanuga Bike Park, wants to open Ride Rock Creek on a 326-acre tract of forest land off of West Rock Creek Road

The Zoning Board of Adjustment postponed a hearing on LaMonds request for special-use permits to allow the bike park and RV camping area on June 29 because neighboring landowners had just hired an attorney, Lucy Massagee, a few days before.

The next day, LaMonds attorney, Brian Gulden, laid out in an email to county Zoning Administrator Matt Champion the reasons why the bike park was exempt from county zoning regulations. Gulden confirmed that a longstanding forestry management remained in place for the land along with so-called present-use value, a county tax office-authorized tax deferral for farmland.

The proposed use is a permitted bona fide farm purpose under state law, Gulden said. Agritourism means any activity carried out on a farm or ranch that allows the public to enjoy rural activities, including natural attractions, regardless of whether or not the participant paid to participate. Although state law doesnt define rural activities, case law has interpreted them to mean activities related to the countryside rather than the town, Gulden said.

Once the attorney pointed out that the forestry plan and present-use value were in place, the countys zoning administrator and the county attorney, Russ Burrell, agreed that the county had no zoning authority to regulate the bike park. Champion issued a zoning determination letter that concluded the mountain bike park falls within agritourism under the bona fide farm classification and therefore is exempt from zoning regulations by Henderson County.

LaMond said hes moving ahead with trail design and hoping to welcome riders in the fall.

We're going to essentially operate under agritourism, which would mean that we're going to develop the land for and maintain and create trails for mountain biking, he said. Right now, as far as a formal RV park, we're not planning on doing that.  The county is able to kind of gracefully exit from the conversation and we're able to accomplish our goals through agritourism.

'We didn't have a fighting chance to stop it'

Melissa Missy Shealy, one of the neighboring homeowners who had opposed the development, was relieved that LaMond had dropped the RV park, which neighbors feared would lead to traffic and noise.

It's just going to be a bike park, she said. We're being told that if he has any events, over 250 people, he has to get a special permit through the county in order to do that. What we don't know is if there's any kind of limit, if he can pull a permit to do an event every two weeks. We don't know what that's going to be like.

We don't like it but basically we've been told by the county there's nothing we can do, she said.

Shealy and her neighbors have been questioning the countys neutrality in its treatment of the development. The reason: the county Tourism Development Authority authorized a $71,000 grant for the bike park.

We honestly feel this was pushed through by the county, Shealy said. We didn't really have a fighting chance to actually stop it.

Todd said in an interview he wasnt even aware of the tourism grant.

There is nothing for me to believe that any sort of funds would have impacted the decision on the legality of the application of this project, he said. We treat every applicant under the letter of the law and with fairness across the board.

TDA: Grant applications closely vetted

Michelle Owens, the TDAs executive director, said the board had recently made the tourism grant review process more rigorous. The board awarded $500,000 in grants out of around $1.5 million requested, she said. LaMond requested $500,000 and received $71,000.

Each application was reviewed by a grants committee for its compliance with state law and local policy, she said.

Our role is to understand what we can legally fund and to help guide them and make use of our dollars to help grow tourism in ways that are good for Henderson County, she said. Thats the goal for everything we do. What the committee decided and the board agreed with their vote that this project would make good use of this property and be good for tourism in Henderson County. They take it very seriously.

Like all grant recipients, LaMond has to carry out the development as outlined in a contract between him and the TDA. Eliminating the RV park, Owens said, would not be a reason to second-guess the grant, although she said the TDA may review the revised site plan.

As long as he is within compliance, the contract that we have with him makes sure this project is happening in the manner in which he said it was going to happen, she said.

Not like its going to be a zoo

LaMond said plans are under way to design trails, create a new entrance, make sure that trout streams are protected and update the forest management plan.

So we'll kind of get to work on trail design and development and we'll probably break ground in the fall and then hopefully have some riding come fall, he said.

As far as harvesting timber, Our goal is really to not clear-cut, he said. We've been working on less clear-cut less invasive methodology, what I would call selective harvest. We would do it in conjunction with trail building, so we're not clear cutting any land out there. That's the goal.

He said the bike park wont be disruptive to the sparsely populated community.

There'll be a handful  not like every weekend  it'll be a handful of events throughout the year, maybe a half dozen, thatll be appropriately coordinated with folks in the county, proper permits pulled and all that. So it's not like it's going to be a zoo down there every weekend. I want to try to reassure the community and the neighbors. I want them to feel good about it.

Shealy is one of the neighbors LaMond hopes will accept the bikes racing through the woods.

As long as he abides by what his plan is we welcome him to the neighborhood, she said. As long as that's truly what's going to happen we'll greet him in the same neighborly way we do everyone.
BOSSES of a telecoms company have refused to apologise for the chaos caused when installing a full fibre broadband network.

The directors of CityFibre were summoned by Reading councillors to explain the months of disruption, especially in Caversham.

The 58million programme, which began in January 2021, has meant roads and pavements being dug up, upsetting both residents and motorists.

Work on Caversham Bridge in March and in Church Road in April caused huge tailbacks of traffic, especially at peak times.

CityFibre executives were called to a meeting of Reading Borough Councils strategic environment planning and transport committee on Thursday last week.

Regional partnership director Stacey King told councillors: Our mission is really very simple  to bring first class, state-of-the-art broadband services infrastructure to Reading.

Having just gone through the pandemic, we can all appreciate the reason why we need digital infrastructure.

Councillor Liz Terry replied: Were not a bunch of luddites. We know that we need to ensure we are a competitive area, that our economy is thriving, and that means we need the best connectivity we possibly can have.

You havent just inconvenienced people, youve upset them. You havent communicated properly, you havent explained whats happening properly.

What Id like to see is a little bit of acceptance. It is a complicated, challenging job that youve had and we would all recognise that but at the end of the day, our residents expect us to stand up and speak on their behalf. Theyve had a terrible time.

Roy Griffin, director of network delivery for CityFibre, said he would take on board the comments but insisted many of the issues were down to the individual contractors.

He said: We had gangs who have blocked off residences, contrary to what theyre trained to do and what the rules say. We have removed those gangs from these builds.

Contractors in other areas had not sent letters to residents telling them to expect disruption but this issue had been dealt with.

Mr Griffin suggested that some people who had complained about CityFibres communications may not have read a letter sent to them.

Asked specifically about the disruption in Caversham, head of area build Paul Wilson called the work very complex.

He said: I stand by the steps we took to minimise disruption.

I understand it was disruptive but I truly believe that what we did in terms of working with the highways department was the right thing to do.

Caversham Heights councillor Paul Carnell said: My email inbox was full, my phone was ringing permanently.

Apart from the congestion problems, two problems which did seem to be recurring quite commonly were clearing up when you had finished. Id be told there was a pile of spoil that we would have to chase up.

The other quite regular complaint was that youd finish your works and traffic lights would remain.

Mr Wilson said that with an operation of this scale sometimes mistakes were made, adding: We are very responsive when those mistakes happen. In terms of noted failures, we see on average one issue for every six or seven thousand metres of digging we do.
JOHN HOWELL says Boris Johnson had to resign as Conservative Party leader.

The Henley MP said that it had become impossible for the Prime Minister to form a credible government after a record number of ministerial resignations.

But he wouldnt say who he wants to succeed Mr Johnson as Tory MPs voted this week to narrow down the initial 11 candidates for the vacancy to just two.

In an article in this weeks Henley Standard, Mr Howell says: I think the large number of candidates involved in the election says a lot more about the egos of individual politicians than it does about the Conservative Party.

All along, I have supported the Conservative Party, not Boris Johnson, and that is something I will continue to do.

Mr Johnson resigned on Thursday last week but said he would continue as PM until the autumn to allow the leadership contest to take place.

Some Tory MPs, including another former Henley MP Lord Heseltine, called for him to go immediately.

Mr Howell, who succeeded Mr Johnson in 2008 when he left to launch a successful bid to become mayor of London, said: It was impossible for him to form a credible government.

Most of the people he asked to take on a ministerial job had said no. I think with that fate he had no option but to resign.

He said the row over the decision to appoint Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip earlier this year was the straw that broke the camels back.

The Tamworth MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party over claims he groped two men at a private members club while drunk.

Mr Howell said: This should have been handled differently by successive leaders of the party and he should not have been appointed to the job.

He said he had already indicated to party whips how he felt about Mr

Johnson. He said: Boris and I have, over the years, crossed swords as much as anyone else and I am still not going to comment on the vote of no confidence that took place as I still believe that is a private matter to do with the Conservative Party.

The reason I have not commented is because it is complicated  you must separate the actions one could criticise Boris for against an unparalleled campaign to remove him.

You have got to understand the way a number of groups has acted against him alongside an objective assessment of what he has done, such as the lies that were told of Chris Pincher.

Mr Howell said Mr Johnson had recorded some very good achievements as Prime Minister, such as the support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion and the vaccine rollout during the coronavirus pandemic.

But he claimed the Prime Minister had questionable attitudes towards taxation.

Mr Howell added: The issue of whether Boris stays on as a caretaker Prime Minister will be something the party will be discussing.

Former prime minister Theresa May, who was succeeded by Mr Johnson, said that the new leader had an important first task.

The Maidenhead MP said: I would want to see somebody who wants to concentrate on healing division, who wants to unite the country and unite the party.

I think that we need to ensure we avoid going down that very polarised route of politics and society.

Steve Baker, MP for the Wycombe constituency, which includes Fawley, Hambleden and Frieth, said he was saddened to see Mr Johnson go but it had been the right thing for him to do.

He said: I was pleased and proud to back Boris Johnson. He saved us from a major constitutional crisis. He defeated Jeremy Corbyn, which should have been easy but we nearly failed to do it in 2017. If we had lost that election we would have seen this country wrecked for generations. It would have been a disaster.

So, on all these fronts, taking us out of the EU, saving us from a constitutional crisis and defeating the hard-Left, Boris ought to be remembered as a hero.

The problem is, once we got into the Christopher Pincher affair, ministers couldnt trust that they were going to be well briefed by No 10 and they avalanched out of government. At that point it was just over.

I know at that point people were angry, upset and bitter and Ive been called all the names under the sun but we have got to face reality. If he wasnt going, he couldnt form a government and you cant go on like that.

What we need is political stability. I regret hes going but its the right decision and we need to now find an optimistic way forward.

Lord Heseltine said there was a lack of trust in Mr Johnson and he should leave office straight away.

He said: Leaving him in a position where he can use the power of the premiership to suit his own causes and his own interests is a very dangerous thing to do.
A COUNCILLOR has been accused of breaching Henley Town Councils code of conduct after he criticised it for continuing to buy gas from a Russian-affiliated energy company.

Will Hamilton, a Conservative, raised the issue at a meeting in April and said town clerk Sheridan Jacklin-Edward should have found an alternative supplier.

The council pays a fixed amount of about 6,000 per year to Gazprom Energy, the UK arm of the Russian state-owned company, to supply council-owned buildings such as the town hall, Kings Arms Barn and the Old Fire Station Gallery.

Councillor Hamilton said: I understand that the town clerk has to provide value for money but he should have moved us away from Gazprom once the war started.

The reality is that we should do what is right and it shouldnt be about money. We should move the supplier to good people instead of bad people.

Although Gazprom does not sell gas from its Russian parent company, many businesses across the UK have chosen to exit their contracts with the supplier due to its close connection with the Russian state. Mr Jacklin-Edward said he wanted to end the contract as soon as possible but feared it would incur a penalty. The contract is scheduled to run until December 31, 2023.

Cllr Hamilton was offered the chance to apologise by Councillor Ian Reissman, a member of the ruling Henley Residents group, at a meeting of the finance strategy and management committee but he declined.

Cllr Reissmann said: As has been previously brought up, we continue to use Gazprom as our contracted energy supplier.

This is something that we are unhappy about and as soon as the Ukrainian conflict took place the town clerk was in contact with he National Association of Local Councils, looking for advice on what we as a council should do.

We are waiting for legal changes to take place which enable us to consider the termination of this contract , so I was particularly disappointed when in the Henley Standard a councillor said he was critical of the town clerk for not moving faster to find the town council a different gas supplier. I am disappointed that officers should be criticised for following the rules, investigating the options that we have and waiting on the decisions of central government in order to enable us to take action that is legal.

Id like to ask that councillor to take the opportunity to apologise for criticising officers in a way that was unreasonable and unfair.

Cllr Hamilton said he had nothing further to say, adding: If the town clerk wishes to write to me I will write back to him, thank you very much.

Cllr Reissmann said that in his view Cllr Hamiltons comments were in breach of the code, which was why he had given him the chance to apologise.

Councillor Ken Arlett (HRG) said that Henley MP John Howell, who also criticised the council, had since apologised. So there is actually someone in the Tory party who understands the word courtesy, he added.

Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak (HRG) said: It has been a longstanding rule of this council that officers are not criticised in public or in the press. If you have got a beef with them, you have a word behind closed doors. I would like to apologise to the town clerk on behalf of 15 of the 16 councillors.
PLANS for a 5G phone mast in Emmer Green have been turned down.

Three UK sought planning permission from Reading Borough Council for the 50ft mast at the junction of Grove Road and Kidmore End Road in April.

The application was opposed by residents as well as campaign group Keep Emmer Green.

Beatrice Malama, planning officer at the council, had recommended refusal, saying the design, height and bulk of the mast would detract from the visual amenity and appearance of the surrounding area.

Councillors refused the application, also citing a lack of alternative sites put forward by Three UK.

Councillor Harry Kretchmer, who represents the Emmer Green ward, said: While we are fully in support of improved connectivity, it cannot be at the expense of local residents.

This is one of the last green spaces in the area and an historic beauty spot.

Its heartening that residents concerns are finally being heard.

A spokesman for Three UK said: While we try to keep mast sites as unobtrusive as possible, they need to be situated where people will be using the service and, in many cases, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage.

The council had received 40 objections from neighbours, saying the proposed mast would be overbearing and intrusive.
Why Western predictions on China were mostly wrong in past decade

By Yang Sheng (Global Times) 09:26, July 18, 2022

When commenting on China, some in the West only see a country constantly at the cusp of crisis, ranging from predictions of a "China hard landing" or "China collapse," to "COVID is China's Chernobyl moment" and "the end of Communist Party of China's (CPC) rule." Over the past decade, whenever China encountered difficulties and challenges, some Western politicians, scholars and so-called China experts always repeat wild prophecies about the fate of China and the CPC. Needless to say, none was even remotely right.

Far from it, China under the leadership of CPC has overcome various challenges, become stronger than ever and is closer to the center of the global stage than ever. Even under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, China has showed a much better performance than the West in saving lives and controlling the epidemic since the beginning, and its economic growth is still faster than most major economies, Chinese experts said.

The wrong predictions about China in the past decade have shown an interesting trend of Western understanding of China: from downplaying China's development and exaggerating the problems that China has, to recognizing the fact of China's rise, and now to the anxiety of how to deal with a powerful China with a unique political system and culture that is very different from the West. In other words, from the China Collapse Theory to the China Threat Theory, said analysts.

Wrong prediction

The "China collapse theory" is a typical example of wrong Western predictions about China, and there are quite a number of Western scholars who used to or still hold these opinions. A representative prediction of such kind was made by Francis Fukuyama in 2012: China's top-down political system, under pressure from a growing middle class empowered by wealth and social networks, is likely to blow up at some point.

Fukuyama told media that "China has always been a country with a big information problem where the emperor cannot figure out what is going on at a grassroots level" [] and "this is in so many respects exactly the Communist Party's problem. Because they do not have a free media, they do not have local elections, they cannot really judge what their people are thinking."

Fukuyama is not alone in this regard. There were some other "famous" Western proponent of the hilarious theory that used their biased knowledge to predict China's course in the past 10 years, such as when former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said in 2011 that the "Chinese system is doomed." In an interview with the Atlantic, Clinton said Beijing's human rights record is "deplorable" and it is "trying to stop history" by opposing the advance of democracy.

Gordon Chang, a "well-known" "China Collapse" theory fanatic, has frequently prognosticated on "China's collapse," but despite all indications to the contrary, he just kept changing the time of the "collapse" again and again.

Why are they wrong?

At the background of Fukuyama's prediction was the Wenzhou high-speed train accident in 2011, which sparked a massive discussion by the Chinese public on social media platforms, with many voices expressing safety concerns about public transportation as well as questioning the credibility of the government over the crash investigation.

But was the incident proving Fukuyama's assumption that the CPC has failed to grasp what Chinese people are thinking? Has the growing access of the Chinese middle class to the internet weakened the authority of the government? Analysts say the answer is clear: Fukuyama was wrong.

In terms of social media, today China has more than 1 billion web users, compared with about 560 million in 2012. "Why didn't the expansion of web users weaken the political system of China? The reason is that China has successfully developed online public opinion platforms that allow people to express their opinions, reflect on the problems of Chinese society and effectively warn the government to fix them," said Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University.

In the past 10 years, China proved that its high-speed trains are reliable and the country has the biggest and most advanced high-speed rail network in the world. The accident in 2011 did not stop the development of China or change the people's confidence in the country, said analysts.

Many hotspot issues that were discussed every day on Chinese social media networks like corruption and air pollution have been effectively addressed in the past decade. The anti-corruption campaign launched by the CPC after the 18th CPC National Congress has successfully reshaped a clean and healthy political environment in China and has won full support from the people. Air quality in cities like Beijing has improved remarkably in recent years and residents in the capital can see blue skies frequently, compared to a decade ago.

All of these facts prove that the CPC can effectively collect information about the grassroots to find the problems and solutions, spot mistakes and effectively correct them as soon as possible, experts noted.

Zhang Weiwei, director of the China Institute of Fudan University, told the Global Times that Western political scientists or scholars have made a lot of efforts to predict events in the world, but most of time, they failed. "They failed to predict the collapse of the Soviet Union in the past, and they also failed to predict the rise of China, they couldn't even predict the rise of Trumpism, and most Western economists failed to predict the financial crisis in 2008."

There are two main problems with the failure of the West to make correct predictions about China, Zhang said. "First is that they have ideological bias, as they believe China or any other non-Western country will eventually be Westernized as long as it wants to be modernized. Another problem is that Western political science is based on the experience of Western history, so when Western scholars used such 'science' to analyze China, a country with an entirely different civilization, they will come to unreliable conclusions most of the time."

Correct prediction

Of course, not all predictions from other countries about China are pessimistic but the problem is that Western media and society does not pay enough attention to these predictions.

Martin Jacques, a former senior fellow at the Department of Politics and International Studies at Cambridge University, made some correct predictions in his work published in 2009, When China Rules the World. Jacques said China's history and its culture is so different that you cannot make sense of it using a Western template.

"My book was very controversial when it was published in 2009, because basically it did not accept what was then the Western common sense about China. Chinese economic growth would continue for a long time to come because its level of development allowed that possibility," Jacques said.

Jacques holds an entirely different opinion compare to many other Western scholars who always demonize the Chinese political system or the governance of the CPC in China. "Far from being in crisis, in fact, support for the Chinese political system had increased and would continue to increase as long as China was successful," he said.

Martin Jacques Photo: Sun Wei in London/GT

Because the people can see that it has "worked extremely well for China, and therefore would strengthen the political system in China. China would not only remain very different, but globally, as China rose, there would be an increasing process of 'sinification' of the world," in other words, growing Chinese influence in lots of different ways around the world, Jacques said.

On how to analyze China correctly, Zhang Weiwei has some suggestions to the Western scholars. "They should observe polls from creditable and authoritative institutes like Pew and Ipsos, as they conduct surveys on large samples of people on topics like government satisfaction in successive years, and you will get a cautious conclusion via comprehensive comparison of that data; second, to do the field research rather than only staying in the house to focusing on data and second-hand sources, otherwise your conclusions will be far from the facts."

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
After engaging in trade talks with the Knicks about Donovan Mitchell last week, the Jazz arent in any rush to make a deal before further gauging his value around the NBA, ESPNs Adrian Wojnarowski said on Monday during an appearance on Get Up (video link).

I think for the Jazz, they go out now around the league and see what else is out there for Donovan Mitchell, get a sense of what the market is, what teams are willing to do, Wojnarowski said. And I do think the Knicks and the Jazz will reengage at some point. Maybe its this week, maybe its next week, maybe its in two or three weeks. But the Jazz are not going to necessarily move quickly.

As Wojnarowski observes, Utahs Rudy Gobert trade discussions played out over multiple weeks  or even months  before the Jazz received an offer they couldnt refuse from Minnesota. Although the Knicks are motivated to land Mitchell, according to Woj, they also dont want to just give up everything to land him.

Utah and New York talked last week, and I think the Jazz got a sense of what New York might be willing to do, Wojnarowski said. Its not just one particular deal  I think theres options. Its almost like a sliding scale. The more players you put in a deal, the less draft picks you want to give up. The more draft assets you put in a deal, you want to put less players in. If youre the Jazz, I want the players and I want the picks, so thats where it starts.

Heres more on Mitchell:
The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts is delighted to announce the Early Stage Soft Opening of The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong today. Nestled in the southside of Hong Kong Island with breathtaking views of the South China Sea, the 425-room hotel marks the brand's debut in Hong Kong and its first resort worldwide.

As the latest addition to The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts' portfolio in Singapore and Australia, this opening signifies the expansion of the brand known for its heritage conservation efforts and award-winning offerings. Staying true to the hallmark of the brand, The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel embraces the early history of Aberdeen, once a bustling trading port filled with the fragrance of incense, earning Hong Kong its Chinese moniker 'Fragrant Harbour'. The waterfront urban resort, a mere 15-minute drive from Hong Kong's Central business district yet worlds away from the city's fast pace, is the ideal holiday retreat.

Apart from visiting the Water World Ocean Park adjacent to the hotel, guests can explore the charms of the dynamic Southside neighbourhood. From taking in the sights and sounds of nature at one of Aberdeen's numerous beaches and leisurely hiking trails, to rediscovering some of Hong Kong's oldest gems at historical temples and fishing market, or experiencing the area's up-and-coming cultural scene through charming local boutiques and exhibitions at neighbouring art galleries, there is truly something for everyone staying at The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong.

With its unique seafront location backed by lush mountains overlooking Hong Kong's southern archipelago, all 425 well-appointed guest rooms enjoy panoramic views of the sea. The two top-level signature suites both feature a private pool and an expansive outdoor terrace for guests seeking a splendid alfresco getaway, whilst the nine kids-themed rooms are the perfect choice for families wishing to treat their little ones to an unforgettable stay.

Committed to sustainability and guests' well-being, the hotel has attained the WELL Precertification under the WELL Building Standard v2, becoming the first hotel project in Hong Kong and Mainland China to receive this internationally acclaimed recognition. This commitment extends to environmental initiatives including the elimination of single-use plastics, sourcing sustainable seafood, and an in-situ hotel farm.

The Fullerton Ocean Park Hong Kong is set to become an oceanfront culinary destination with five dining concepts, including Jade, the signature Chinese restaurant of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. The Cantonese fine dining restaurant will be helmed by the acclaimed Chef Lai Ching Shing. In addition, the Lighthouse Lounge, Lighthouse Cafe, Satay Inn offer contemporary indoor and al fresco social space for unique dining experiences. Giardino, an oceanfront Italian restaurant locates on the 3/F with alfresco dining, will soon open later this year.

To cater to the demand for meaningful, restorative experiences, the hotel has carefully curated comprehensive wellness retreat offerings to ensure an ultimate resort getaway. A 24-hour gym, luxury spa and the expansive infinity pool with panoramic sea views provide the perfect setting for enriching fitness activities and relaxation. Meanwhile, a brand-new service team at the hotel, the F.U.N. Desk, will curate a range of Fun, Unique, Neigbourhood and Nature-immersive programmes for all guests including families to embark on an adventure both from and within the hotel, which features a kids' lagoon and 'The Explorers', a 6,400-square-foot indoor kids' zone with designs inspired by seven Hong Kong natural landmarks and heritage sites, offering a fun educational experience for children to learn about marine life and sustainability.

For wedding and event planners, the hotel features a variety of outdoor and indoor event spaces complete with stunning sea views, including a pillar-free ballroom that can accommodate up to 500 guests with a panoramic oceanview pre-function foyer.

The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong is the fourth Fullerton branded property worldwide, and a member hotel of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest independent hotel brand bringing together over 650 hotels in over 80 countries and territories.

The hotel, part of the exciting resort and leisure destination in collaboration with Ocean Park Hong Kong with a focus on education and conservation, is a joint venture of Sino Land Company Limited and Empire Group Holdings Limited.

For more details, please visit https://www.fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-ocean-park-hotel-hongkong.

Hotel website
Citymax Hotels has appointed Nidal Saloum as hotel manager for its Ras Al Khaimah hotel and pair of properties in Aswan, Egypt. He will head up day-to-day operations across all three hotels.

Nidal Saloum has close to 15 years of experience in hospitality, originally starting as a chef before moving into operations. In 2008, he was a commis III with Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, rising up to commis I by 2009 before moving to Park Rotana as chef de partie.

In 2012, he served as oriental chef with Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa before jumping into operations with RODA. He worked with Roda Amwaj Suites for close to two years before working as operations manager within Roda Boutique Villas and then cluster hotel manager at Roda Beach Resort and Roda Boutique Villas.

From 2018 to 2022, he worked with Al Khoory Hotels as a hotel manager.
Commonwealth Hotels announced today that Michael O'Malley has been appointed the general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Columbus Dublin. Mr. O'Malley brings over 23 years of hospitality experience to his new role as general manager having previously served as the area director of operations and general manager with Sonesta International.

Prior to joining the Courtyard by Marriott Columbus Dublin, O'Malley served in various hospitality leadership roles. Prior to Sonesta, Michael was the general manager for the Residence Inn Lexington North in Lexington, Kentucky for nearly seven years. Prior to joining the Island Hospitality Group, O'Malley served as the hotel manager for both the Residence Inn, Springhill Suites, and Extended Stay Hotel brands overseeing the daily operations and the opening of several properties. O'Malley is a graduate of Columbus State Community College and serves as an executive board member for the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau.
A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Institute in Peru with studies in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Elmer Benavente Lobon is an insightful Peruvian chef with strong culinary experience and leadership skills.

At his young age he has an extensive background in restaurants and hotels in Peru, Australia and Mexico; to name a few, the world-renowned Tetsuya's, Quay and Bennelong at the Opera House in Sydney and Pujol in Mexico City.

He began his professional career in Australia, and thanks to the bi g-name restaurants in which he worked, he had the opportunity to do international events in Japan, the United States, Mexico and New Zealand. After his time in Oceania, he returned to Peru to stay in the Imperial City and thus fuse the culinary experience in international techniques with local products, becoming the Executive Chef of local restaurants with great name, such is the case of Morena Peruvian Kitchen and Ceviche, which are located in the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.

He has extensive knowledge in Fine Dining service, and today, from Cusco, he seeks the implementation of new avant-garde techniques with millenary Peruvian techniques that, together with the use of local products, achieve a unique gastronomic experience.

Elmer Benavente currently serves as Executive Chef of JW Marriott El Convento Cusco, a property located in a mystical and millenary region, with a great variety of local producers, which help to rescue organic ingredients forgotten in time and thus rel ate to the Andean Pachamama, the enigmatic jungle and the modern coast.

Elmer's mission is to rescue native products of Cusco and, with a modernist vision, give them a new twist to a world that moves forward, but should not forget its roots and culinary bases, and this is what diners can enjoy in the gastronomic spaces of JW Marriott El Convento Cusco.
Global sustainability network, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, is delighted to be working with Marriott International as the charity temporarily locates its London headquarters in the Marriott International offices in Fetter Yard, Holborn. This move signals the continuation of a long-standing relationship between the two organisations, and furthers Marriott Internationals commitment to supporting the advancement of sustainability across the hospitality sector.

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance) will be based in Marriotts Holborn offices until at least Q2 2023, with Marriott providing space in its state-of-the-art Europe, Middle East and Africa regional office until the charity finds a permanent London base. This new office location marks a period of continued growth for the Alliance which brings the industry together to address key challenges facing the planet and its people. Last year they widened their membership to include other parts of the hotel value chain to increase joined up action and shared responsibility across the different stakeholders in the hospitality business model. In March this year, the Alliance also launched their Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality setting an ambitious vision for the industry to make a positive impact on environmental issues including climate change, biodiversity loss, and waste, in addition to working on social issues including human rights and inclusive employment.

Marriott International is committed to helping to address some of the worlds most pressing social, environmental and economic issues. Their sustainability and social impact platform, Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, guides their efforts which include a commitment to set science-based emissions reduction targets with a goal to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050.

Glenn Mandziuk, Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, said: Our organisation is built on collaborative action  across our members, the wider hotel industry, their business associates and other strategic partners  and this office will enable our team to work together on shared environmental and social solutions. We are grateful for our partnership with Marriott International as we transition from remote working towards a permanent HQ. Coming out of the pandemic, we are seeing a huge momentum across the industry, and beyond, for sustainability, and this workspace will enable our charity to continue its evolution and growth.

Dani Murray, Vice President, Business Finance & Administration, Europe, Marriott International, said: We are delighted to welcome the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to our office space. At Marriott International, we take our commitment to environmental, social and governance extremely seriously and we value the essential work of this global sustainability network. We look forward to working closely with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance over the coming months and welcome the opportunity to support the charitys growth and further drive collaborative action across the wider hospitality industry.

Find out more about the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

About Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together engaged hospitality companies and uses the collective power of the industry to deliver impact locally and on a global scale. They work with leading hospitality companies and strategic partners to address key challenges affecting our planet and its people, and develop free practical resources and programmes to enable the wider industry to operate responsibly and grow sustainably.

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, they commit to drive continued action on human rights, youth employment, equity, diversity and inclusion, and climate action, water stewardship and responsible resourcing. Their members make up 30% of the global hotel industry by rooms and include 16 world-leading hotel companies with a combined reach of over 35,000 properties and 5.5 million rooms.

For further information, visit www.sustainablehospitalityalliance.org.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the worlds largest business travel association, is calling on the European Commission to address the staff shortages threatening the industrys recovery. The current six-week background checks required for employees working at airports and in the airline sector is causing a bottleneck, and delay to the smooth travel experience required by business travellers. GBTA is calling for the European Union to temporarily adapt these regulations as a matter of priority to ease pressure on airports and the airline industry.

Projected to reach pre-COVID 19 levels of US $1.4 trillion in revenue by 2024, business travel bookings are seeing increases rebound month on month. However, travel managers cite staffing shortages and government policies and restrictions as having a significant impact on corporate travel programs, according to the latest poll of GBTA members. Travel suppliers share the same concerns, as more than half report their travel programs are most impacted by staffing shortages*.

Companies and employees are getting back to travelling for business, fueled by the need to generate revenue and retain and acquire new business. Staff shortages, however, are having a significant impact on travel programs and are threatening to affect the speed and trajectory of recovery of the business travel industry. GBTA is calling on the European Commission to prioritize and expediate the needed safety background checks to help alleviate the pressure at airports. The EU must set policies and procedures in place for the future as a precautionary measure should the situation arise again, said Catherine Logan, Regional Vice President, EMEA for GBTA.

About the Global Business Travel Association

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA's members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA delivers world-class education, events, research, advocacy, and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, visit www.gbta.org.
Oetker Collection, the hospitality group behind Masterpiece Hotels including Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, The Lanesborough, Le Bristol Paris and Eden Rock - St Barths, amongst others, and DREST, the worlds first luxury fashion gaming app, are proud to announce a pioneering partnership.

DREST players take on the role of a stylist, putting high-fashion looks together for daily challenges using an unparalleled catalogue of current collections from over 250 of the worlds top brands. Crucial to a players success in each photoshoot is their choice of location, as they select a backdrop most likely to help their photo stand out and win votes from the community.



I am thrilled to collaborate with Oetker Collection and together usher in a new era for travel experiences in the Metaverse. Oetker Collections beautiful properties, in some of the worlds most desirable locations, are truly iconic and synonymous with style and elegance, making them the perfect partner for this, DRESTs latest gaming adventure, said Lucy Yeomans, Founder of DREST.



Following on from partnerships with luxury brands such as Gucci, Cartier, Prada, Valentino and NARS who collaborate with DREST to unlock the highly engaged gaming audience, this is the first time a luxury hospitality brand will enable meaningful brand storytelling and discovery via mobile gaming.



We are delighted to partner with DREST on this exciting collaboration, marking our entry into the virtual world. It allows people to discover Oetker Collection hotels in a fun and immersive way and the interactive challenges truly bring the escapism and glamour of travel to life, shared Simon Neggers, SVP Sales, Marketing & Communications, Oetker Collection.





Source: Oetker Collection

The exclusive partnership will be available for DRESTs players to style with across all photoshoot challenges. To begin their virtual journey, players will be transported to Le Bristol Paris, the first hotel in France to receive Palace distinction, for a series of special photo shoots to coincide with Haute Couture Fashion Week. They will also have the opportunity to create a mood board for their stay at Le Bristol Paris, featuring scenes from inside the Parisian icon and special stickers such as Socrate, the beloved cat in residence.





Source: Oetker Collection

Next stop on DRESTs French Oetker Collection styling odyssey is the South of France and the legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, where players can get creative by pairing the latest vacation fashion featuring the propertys emblematic swimming pool as one of the backdrops.

Source: Oetker Collection

A visit to nearby Vence is next as Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa, the exquisite summer hideaway offering a dreamy panoramic view of the Riviera hinterland, is the third French destination of this first installment of this roving luxury travel partnership.The Lanesborough, the location of an intimate event to celebrate the partnership, will also feature in a challenge in the launch phase. Players will be invited to dress as if attending a lunch at the magnificent London landmark hotels chic new restaurant, The Lanesborough Grill.Exclusive challenges featuring Oetker Collections remaining Masterpiece Hotels including, LApogee Courchevel, Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Eden Rock - St Barths, Jumby Bay Island in Antigua, Palacio Tangara in Sao Paulo, The Woodward in Geneva and Hotel La Palma in Capri, will follow throughout the year.DREST is available to download from The App Store.

About Oetker Collection

Oetker Collection is an exceptional portfolio of Masterpiece Hotels and villas in Europe, the UK, Brazil and the Caribbean. Located in the world's most desirable destinations, each property is a landmark and an icon of elegance, blending legendary hospitality with genuine family spirit that is unique to Oetker Collection. Carrying on a refined legacy in hosting that originated in 1872, the Collection's mission is to preserve and extend its unparalleled standards through acquisition and management of one-of-a-kind properties. The current portfolio includes Le Bristol Paris, Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa in Vence, The Lanesborough in London, L'Apogee Courchevel, Eden Rock - St Barths, Jumby Bay Island in Antigua, Palacio Tangara in Sao Paulo, and The Woodward in Geneva and Hotel La Palma in Capri.
Luxury travel has recovered faster than other global travel segments following COVID, and according to a recent report, the global luxury travel market is expected to grow at an 8.8% CAGR from 2021 to 2028, as demand for unique, highly personalized, and exclusive experiences grows. In line with this trend, luxury train travel is also reviving around the world. The luxury tour operator, Luxury Gold, for example, has reported a 17% increase in demand for tours which include luxury rail journeys.

Luxury trains are introducing people to the joys of slow travel, or the experience of enjoying the journey rather than rushing to the destination because the vacation is the journey itself and a luxury in today's fast-paced world. These journeys enable travelers to visit multiple destinations in a single trip, with hassle-free boarding, comfortable seats (and even beds in most cases), personalized service, and fine dining  amenities that most airlines lack unless traveling first class. Furthermore, trains are more environmentally friendly than planes, emitting roughly half the CO2 that planes do. These factors are driving global demand for luxury trains, helping to resurrect their fortunes following the pandemic

The historic luxury train Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), which reopened in June 2021 after an 18-month hiatus, is nearly sold out on certain routes for 2022. To attract customers post-COVID, the company introduced new routes, as well as one-night trips to key European cities, along with packages that include a stay at one of its hotels. Meanwhile, Rocky Mountaineer, a luxury train operator based in Canada, is seeing bookings at 85% of their pre-COVID levels. Other luxury trains are also making a comeback around the world, buoyed by the revival in demand. Australia's The Ghan and The Indian Pacific recently resumed service, and Japan's Seven Stars Kyushu is set to return in October 2022. Meanwhile, the legendary Paris-Istanbul Orient Express is set to return in 2024, just in time for the Olympic Games in Paris.

While the Pioneer, the first railway carriage with attached dining and sleeping cars introduced in 1864, was the world's first luxury train, Palace on Wheels, India's first luxury train, began operations in 1982. Since then, several other trains, including The Maharajas Express, Deccan Odyssey, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, and the Golden Chariot, have been added to India's tourism portfolio. As an all-inclusive product aimed primarily at international tourists and NRIs, these trains were in high demand in the early 2000s. However, with increased competition and the introduction of low-cost airlines, luxury rail tourism in India began to lose its allure, with most of these trains only seeing occupancy in the range of 35-45% by 2018. Several initiatives to improve the situation had been planned but were put on hold due to the pandemic.

After a COVID-induced hiatus, the Palace on Wheels and the Maharajas Express, both of which have won numerous awards and are regarded as among the best luxury trains in the world, are expected to resume operations later this year. Perhaps now is the time to re-evaluate this niche product and take corrective action to capitalize on the opportunity.

Source: HVS

The Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), in collaboration with state tourism boards, is working to reinvent these trains, improving facilities, adding modern amenities such as wi-fi connectivity and smart TVs, and developing new itineraries to provide guests with a better travel experience. International safety certification is also being considered in order to boost traveler confidence in the post-COVID era. While these are the first steps in a long journey to bring these trains back to life. Much more work is required.

To begin with, luxury rail travel is not always at the top of consumers' minds when it comes to domestic vacation planning, and the fact that no effort has been made to attract this segment needs to change. International travel continues to present challenges, and now is an excellent time to attract affluent domestic travelers through targeted marketing and sales initiatives that position these train journeys as an exclusive travel experience comparable to cruises. Short-distance itineraries, similar to VSOE's one-night trips, can be introduced on some routes in India, making the trips more affordable and appealing to a larger target market.

India should also consider operating and managing these trains through a public-private partnership (PPP). The majority of luxury trains in the world are either privately owned and managed by hospitality companies or jointly owned with a government agency. Bringing in specialized private players, including hospitality players, to operate the trains can help improve not only operations and marketing initiatives, but also the traveler experience. However, the government must critically evaluate the PPP model, addressing specific challenges such as high haulage charges and seasonality, in order to make it commercially viable for private players while also balancing risks among all parties involved. Going forward, luxury trains operated in collaboration with hospitality players should also be explored as a development model for remote leisure destinations in India that are difficult to access by road or air, which can benefit both the tourism industry as well as the local economy of the destinations visited during the trip.
Products by hconnect

Registered in Ireland, hconnect is an Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) focussed on the hospitality industry. We help hoteliers to move and share their data between systems whilst removing complexity in todays data focused world. With over 35 years experience working with the hospitality industry, the founders of hconnect have built the platform with the intention to provide flexibility, security and scalability to an often difficult task.
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Last year, Core Scientific CEO Mike Levitt was the states highest-paid corporate executive. Until he wasnt.

Levitt, former CEO of investment firm Kayne Anderson Capital and previously vice chairman at private-equity giant Apollo Global Management, joined the Austin cryptocurrency-mining company last May, reaching a compensation agreement that included 8.4 million restricted shares  shares that vest over a period of time  plus 3.15 million more restricted shares once the company went public

As a result, Levitts 2021 compensation was valued at $160.7 million, which, on paper, dwarfed the $52 million in compensation that former WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar earned in 2020 to put him atop that years list of Texass highest-paid corporate executives.

Levitt, however, may never cash-in. When Core Scientific went public in January after merging with a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, shares were trading at almost $10. But since then, the value of cryptocurrencies has plummeted the companys stock price has followed, recently sliding below $2 a share and potentially wiping out 80 percent of the value of Levitts compensation.

The company, which was founded in 2017 and moved its headquarters to Texas from Seattle last year, has not filed disclosures with Securities and Exchange Commission indicating that Levitt has sold any of his shares.

Core Scientific didnt respond to requests for comment.

Levitt was not alone among top-paid Texas technology company executives whose compensation was heavy on paper and light on cash.. In fact, the list of top-paid executives in Texas (excluding Houston) reflected the states emergence as a technology-industry hotbed, whether in so-called Silicon Bayou Houston, Third Coast Austin or Silicon Prairie Dallas-Fort Worth.

On HoustonChronicle.com: CenterPoint's Lesar tops list of Houston's best-paid corporate executives in male-dominated lineup

Six of Texass 10 highest-paid corporate executives, including Levitt, run technology companies that went public within the past three years.

Still, the stock market has not been kind to those entities this year. Bryce Maddock, co-founder and CEO of the TaskUs, a New Braunfels digital services provider, earned $36.6 million in 2021 to make him the states third-highest-paid corporate executive. That said, virtually all of the compensation came through stock, restricted stock, and stock options.

The stock of the company, which moved its headquarters from Santa Monica, Calif. last year, has fallen about 30 percent since launching its IPO a year ago.

2021s No. 4 earner Bronson Crouch is CEO of the Dallas-based biopharmaceutical company Instil Bio. He earned $35.8 million, but $34.8 million of that was in stock option awards. The company went public last March, and its stock has lost almost three-quarters of its value since then.

Last years fifth-highest-paid corporate executive in Texas was Kevin Jones, CEO of San Antonio cloud-technology-services provider Rackspace Technology. Jones earned $35.3 million, including $33.1 million in restricted stock. Its shares have lost about two-thirds of their value since Rackspace went public in 2020.

No. 8 Alex Shootman earned $28.2 million as CEO of Plano-based cloud-based banking provider Alkami. That company also went public last year, and its shares have lost more than half their value since then.

Getting hammered

The stock market is hammering tech companies, said Wes Hart, managing director of the Houston office of Pearl Meyer, an executive compensation consultant. When we look back at end of the year, oil and gas bonuses are going to be good. The others? Not so much.

The exception to such a trend was CrowdStrike Holdings. Last year, the Austin cybersecurity firm, which went public in 2019 and moved its headquarters from Californias Silicon Valley late last year, paid CEO George Kurtz $147.7 million, making him Texass second-highest-paid corporate executive.

That pay package included 540,000 shares that were valued at about $110 million but didnt start vesting until this February and wont be fully vested until 2025. Fortunately for Kurtz, who co-founded the company in 2011, CrowdStrikes stock price this year was down about 9 percent through early July, but still worth about double its adjusted IPO price from 2019.

Meanwhile, the list of the states highest-paid corporate executives also reflected the changing nature of such C-suite jobs and compensation packages. Three of the states 10 best-compensated executives - Levitt, Shootman and No. 10 Robert C. Holmes, chief executive of Texas Capital Bancshares of Dallas, became CEOs of their respective companies just last year.

On HoustonChronicle.com: As crypto floods Texas, high energy use draws scrutiny from Congress

James Coulter stepped down from his position as co-CEO of Fort Worth-based private-equity firm TPG last May to become executive chairman and lead the firms fund that targets investments designed to help reduce climate-change. His $35.1 million pay package made him the states sixth-highest-paid corporate executive.

Rounding out the top 10 was No. 7 David Auld, CEO of Arlington-based D.R. Horton, with $30.6 million in compensation; No. 9 John Stankey, CEO at Dallas-based AT&T, who was paid $24.8 million and No. 10 Holmes, who earned $23.6 million.

In all, just one of the states 10 highest-paid corporate executives of 2020 - AT&Ts Stankey - made the 2021 list.

Salary accounted for just 1.3 percent of the compensation earned by the states 10 highest-earning executives last year. Stankey, the lone holdover from 2020, had by far the highest salary at $2.4 million, while Levitt, Shootman and Maddock, each earned salaries of less than $100,000.

Executives are not guaranteed to receive the vast majority of their compensation unless the company performs, said Ani Huang, CEO of Center On Executive Compensation, a group that studies, analyzes and promotes executive compensation policy. Thats why the bulk of executive pay is delivered in the form of performance-based annual and long-term compensation rather than salary.

Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox

In 2020, the list was led by WarnerMedias Kilar, Donald Horton of homebuilder D.R. Horton, former AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson and Jayson Adair of online auto-auction company Copart.

Regardless of industry, executive compensation continued to outpace employee pay last year. Excluding the outliers  Levitt and Kurtz  the average compensation of the third- to 50th-highest-paid Texas corporate executives last year was $18.2 million, which is 15% more than the $15.8 million average salary earned by the 50 highest-paid Texas corporate executives in 2020.

By comparison, compensation for Dallas-area and Houston-area private-industry workers on average increased 3.6 percent and 3.5 percent last year, respectively, according to the Labor Department.

Women lag

The list of the states highest-paid CEOs continued to be a boys club, as just five of Texass 50 highest-paid corporate executives in 2021 were women. They were No. 22 Patricia Cook, CEO of Finance of America Companies, who earned $19.2 million; No. 35 Mei Hu, co-founder and CEO of Vaxxinity, who was paid $13.5 million; and No. 36 Lori Ryerkerk, CEO of Celanese Corp., who earned $12.6 million.

Also, No. 45 Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle Corp. (the longtime Silicon Valley company moved its headquarters to Austin in late 2020), was paid $10.3 million; and No. 50 Susan Salka, CEO of AMN Healthcare Services, $9.47 million.
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Organizers of a family festival featuring Black and Latino performers say it was canceled by the venue due to discriminatory action.

The Kids Lets Party Fest was scheduled to take place Sunday at Levy Park in the Upper Kirby District with a lineup that included Nickelodeon star That Girl Lay Lay, father-and-son duo Enkyboys and singer Adassa, who voiced Dolores Madrigal in the Disney film Encanto.

'BRUNO' POWER: 'Encanto' star Adassa talks success and Latino representation

Less than 48 hours before gates were set to open, festival producer Ernesto Chuly Diaz says the park informed him via email that they were canceling it.

We've been producing concerts all over Texas, Louisiana, Florida. We have never encountered a situation like this. Never in 30 years, Diaz said after a press conference at Woodshed Smokehouse, adjacent to the park. Diaz was joined by That Girl Lay Lay, Adassa and Texas radio personality Jimmy Olson, another of the festivals producers.

"It has to be discrimination. What other thing can it be? Diaz said.

Officials blamed organizers for lack of permits.

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.

In an emailed statement, Levy Park officials stated: Mr. Diaz failed to provide all the requirements for use of the park for an event of this scale, including copies of applicable City of Houston permits, a security control plan, a site layout that complied with his permitted use of the park, locations of entrance and exit points, and when festival staff and contractors would be onsite.

Joey Guerra/Staff / Joey Guerra/Staff

Sunday afternoon, young fans and their parents wandered around the park grounds, searching for the festival. Some were dressed as Adassas character from Encanto, big red bows holding up their dark curly hair. Others clutched colorful drawings of the animated star.

I know yall were very excited. I want to say its not our fault. I dont want yall to think that we were part of an event that wasnt real. The event was very much real, Lay Lay told the crowd.

Adassa was particularly saddened, she said, because Houston holds a special place in her heart. She stayed for an hour after the press conference, signing autographs, posing for photos and singing We Dont Talk About Bruno with fans.

Its the first time Ive been back to Houston in years. This is where I met my husband. This is where I started my career. I went to high school here, said Adassa, who attended Conroe High School.

Earlier this week, a red banner alert appeared atop the park website announcing the event will not be held and directed all questions to a phone number for the festival. Diaz said he wasnt made aware of the cancellation until after the notice appeared. Both Adassa and Lay Lay also said they received messages from multiple fans about the status of the event.

Joey Guerra/Staff / Joey Guerra/Staff

Diaz also claims park employees, for at least two weeks, have told people who called to inquire about the festival that there was no such event happening. The park never listed the festival on its website or promoted it on social media channels.

In a recorded phone call obtained by the Chronicle, a park employee tells a caller theres no festival at Levy Park on Sunday.

When the caller asks if it was canceled, she responds, I dont know what to tell you. I have no idea.

According to the parks emailed statement,events cannot be publicized without certain items being in place, including an executed contract and compliance with Levy Park guidelines.

Our contract with Mr. Diaz does not require us to publicize his event in any way, it continues.

Texas radio personality and festival co-producer Jimmy Olson, who plans to put on a similar event in Tyler, said he believes park officials balked when they saw the Black and Latino performers on the flyer.

Joey Guerra/Staff / Joey Guerra/Staff

This was about families, kids. Of all the things that you might have a problem with, what else could it have been but the colors on that flyer? he said. Its about skin color. Its about nothing else.

I would like for the Upper Kirby District to do the right thing. I would like for them to admit what they did because this should never happen again. This is the most diverse city in the country.

The event was originally scheduled for June 25 at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park but moved to June 26 to avoid a conflict with the Pride Houston festival and parade. It was moved again to July 17 at Levy Park to accommodate Lay Lay, who was attending the BET Awards.

Diaz now plans to put on the festival at a different venue and will offer everyone free admission.
Crystal Gates and Copatriccq Dartis were fairly happy with their Oak Forest home when the coronavirus pandemic set in. Their workdays took them to an office and it felt like they were only home a couple of hours in the morning and evening, plus weekends.

Suddenly, like the rest of America, they were at home all day and night and they took a good look around.

When we lived in Denver, we fixed up (our house) to sell it before we moved (to Houston), and when it was done, it was beautiful. I wish we had lived in the house when it looked like that, said Gates, 49 and a tax partner at a Houston accounting firm. Dartis, 50, is an insurance adjuster.

Lesson learned. So Gates and Dartis set out to make the 2,200-square-foot home theyve owned since 2014 one they love  instead of one they simply live in.

MORE HOME DESIGN: A formerly 'drab' Katy house gets a total makeover with a splash of color, patterns and accessories

Their neighborhood is filled with homes built around the same year  small, two-story houses with small front yards and side patios so that the exterior maintenance is minimal. They had a handful of floor plans to choose from and changes werent really allowed. When they bought the home, Gates' two children  a son whos now 30 and a daughter whos now 26  lived with them. Now, they share the home with their two beloved rat terriers, Chloe and Moxie.

Gates chose her own tile, flooring and paint colors, feeling like shed made good choices. But all of those things she loved individually didnt work well as a whole.

Courtesy of Stephanie Vaughan

A self-described HGTV junkie, Gates spends time watching Property Brothers, Forever Home, Love it or List It" and other home makeover shows. Many who watch those shows end up with unrealistic expectations about how long projects take, as well as how much they cost.

Gates take-away, though, was that she knew she needed help. She could paint a room or pick things out, but, she said, theyd look like the work of an accountant, not an interior designer. Thats when she found interior designer Stephanie Vaughan of Design Dwell Interiors, who guided her through choices and offered ideas Gates knew she wouldnt have thought of.

I use (the kitchen) more. I enjoy cooking and look for things to make. And I can sit there and look at that tile all day, Gates said. Its also nice when we have company; it feels more welcoming to guests. Its the house Ive always wanted."

They started design planning in the spring of 2020, with construction getting under way in late October and finishing by New Years. Gates and Vaughan both acknowledge that schedule wouldnt be workable today with supply chain issues, so their pre-shortage timing was perfect.

When Gates and Dartis decided to remodel, they were primarily thinking of the kitchen, though the work spread to include the dining area, living room, stairs and powder bathroom.

Courtesy of Stephanie Vaughan

That main living area was dark, as Gates had painted the walls dark green and a deep plumb. The engineered wood floors were dark with red undertones and the cabinets were stained dark brown.

The kitchen got a complete makeover, reinventing the floor plan by moving appliances and changing the island from a C-shape to an extended rectangle that gives them three more feet of counter space both on the island and on the wall of perimeter cabinets. New cabinets extend to the ceiling with a top row of glass-front display cabinets and a dedicated place for a TV above the refrigerator. Before, the TV sat on top of the fridge, perched on a stack of books that put it at the right height.

When it came to the color palette, Gates knew one thing: her favorite color, purple, had to be used.

In the kitchen, a new, 48-inch Hestan range with five burners, a griddle and a double oven give Gates plenty of room for cooking. The brand  which started as cookware then shifted to outdoor grills and home kitchens  is both beautiful and functional and could be called the jewelry of the kitchen were it not for the eye-catching backsplash tile Vaughan and Gates found.

MORE FROM DIANE COWEN: Gulf Coast native prairie, Houston's original ecosystem, is nearly extinct  but conservationists wont let it die

Turkish marble called Milas Lilac was installed from the counter to the ceiling in a random pattern that initially made Gates nervous. She loved the tile  white with gray veins and patches of purple ranging from muted shades of lilac to plum  but the accountant in her couldnt quite embrace the random pattern.

Gates trusted Vaughan and now shes glad she did. When she sits at the island or spends time in the kitchen, she loves looking at the beautiful tile.

This end of the home also has considerably more natural light, since sliding door and window panels were installed where there once was a solid wall. Instead of looking at sheetrock, they look out to their patio.

Next to the kitchen is their dining area, smaller now since some of the square footage was used to enlarge the kitchen. Its just Gates and Dartis at home, so a smaller table works just fine. Their small, glass-topped table has a pair of upholstered chairs and a beautiful, two-ring chandelier dangling from the ceiling.

Vaughan designed an accent wall of wallpaper and fretwork in a pretty shade of purple, Sherwin-Williams Exclusive Plum. The wallpaper has a slight pattern/texture to it, and each section is laid with the same angle as the fretwork.

Where there once was a pillar that served no purpose other than to hold ductwork, Vaughan created a bigger, bumped-out section and installed an electric fireplace. The stacked quartz fireplace surround now also covers the space with the ductwork, so you dont even notice that its there.

Jeanette Bergen Photography

And Gates and Dartis get a new cozy spot with a pair of swivel chairs  yes, with purple decorative pillows  and can relax in front of their fireplace that displays faux flames and no heat. After all, in Houstons warm climate, how often do we really need a burning fireplace?

On the opposite wall is a circular staircase that the couple didnt initially intend to remodel. During the planning, though, pipes in the wall leaked and they woke up one day to find water in their home and the staircase in need of changes. Insurance covered those repairs, so the couple worked a remake into the project.

Their engineered wood flooring was replaced with softer luxury vinyl tile that looks like wood, and it now runs throughout the first floor, up the stairs and on part of the second floor. On the stairs they also brought in iron balusters to replace the original painted white wood ones and removed glass block windows to install traditional windows with pretty seagrass window shades.

The living room, part of this open space, was in the front of the house with three windows and had a simple arrangement with a sofa, settee, some tables and a TV.

Jeanette Bergen Photography

Vaughan created a wall of contemporary shelving, with space for books, photos and mementos and a TV that plugs into the wall. Drawers at the bottom hold things that can be tucked away, and theres an empty spot for the dogs bed.

A pair of windows on the front wall are a different size than the window on a side wall, so Vaughan used new window treatments to create symmetry. Window blinds and draperies now hang from the same height on both walls, regardless of where the window starts, and you have to look closely to see the difference.

The color scheme here is mostly neutral, with pops of purple in the accessories on the shelves and pillows scattered on the sectional sofa. Theres even a grouping of books, all stripped of their paper jackets to show off their purple bindings.
UVALDE, Texas (AP)  Two months after the Uvalde school massacre, Texas state police on Monday announced an internal review into the actions of dozens of troopers who were at Robb Elementary during 73 minutes of bewildering inaction by law enforcement as a gunman slaughtered 19 children and two teachers.

The announcement appeared to widen the fallout of a damning 80-page report released over the weekend by the Texas House that revealed failures at all levels of law enforcement and identified 91 state troopers at the scene  more than all Uvalde officers combined. It also amounted to a public shift by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which until now has largely criticized local authorities for failing to confront the gunman sooner.

The report made public Sunday laid bare for the first time just how massive a presence state police and U.S. Border Patrol had on the scene during one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history.

You got 91 troopers on the scene. You got all the equipment you could possibly want, and youre listening to the local school cop? said state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat whose district includes Uvalde and who has accused DPS of seeking to minimize its role in the response.

The findings that Border Patrol agents and state troopers made up more than half of the 376 law enforcement officials who rushed to the South Texas school on May 24 spread the responsibility for a slow and bungled response far wider than previous accounts that emphasized mistakes by Uvalde officers.

The report made clear that egregiously poor decision making by authorities went beyond local law enforcement in Uvalde, who were eventually outnumbered more than 5-to-1 by state and federal officers at the scene. Other local police from the area around Uvalde also responded to the shooting.

The report puts a new spotlight on the roles of state and federal agencies whose leaders, unlike local authorities, haven't had to sit through meetings where they were confronted by the furious parents of the dead children.

Of the nearly 400 officers who converged on the school, only two are currently known to be on leave pending investigation into their actions: Pete Arredondo, the Uvalde Consolidated School District police chief, and Lt. Mariano Pargas, a Uvalde Police Department officer who was the citys acting police chief during the massacre.

State police have previously said no troopers at the scene have been suspended. On Monday, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the findings in the report are beyond disturbing but did not single out any one agency.

Texas DPS did not put a timeline on when the review would be complete. It said the actions of every trooper, state police agent and Texas Ranger on the scene would be examined to determine if any violations of policy, law, or doctrine occurred."

Col. Steve McCraw, the director of Texas DPS, has previously laid much of the blame for the response at Arredondo, identifying him as the incident commander and criticizing him for treating the gunman in the classroom as a barricaded subject and not an active shooter.

The new report  the fullest accounting yet of the tragedy  also says Arredondo wasted critical time during the shooting by searching for a key to the classroom and not treating the gunman with more urgency. But it also emphasized that all law enforcement at the scene fumbled the response.

There is no one to whom we can attribute malice or ill motives. Instead, we found systemic failures and egregiously poor decision making, the report said.

Abbott said there are critical changes needed but in a statement did not address whether any officers or agencies should be held accountable.

In Uvalde, meetings of the city council and school board in the eight weeks since the shooting have become recurring scenes of residents shouting at elected leaders for police accountability, which continued after the report was made public.

Its disgusting. Disgusting, said Michael Brown, whose 9-year-old son was in the schools cafeteria on the day of the shooting and survived. Theyre cowards.

Shame on you! Shame on you! the families of the slain children and teachers and their supporters chanted at school board members at a special meeting Monday night.

Brett Cross, an uncle of 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia, who was among those slain, berated board members at length as not holding themselves accountable for the massacre. He particularly challenged members for not knowing school exit doors were locked to the outside and for not firing Arredondo.

If hes not fired by noon tomorrow, I want your resignation and every single one of these board members because you dont give a damn about us or our children, Cross said, addressing Superintendent Hal Harrell.

Harrell said the report released over the weekend will help the board decide Arredondo's future. However, he also noted that Arredondo is employed under a contract and cannot be fired at will.

Uvalde High School alumna Angela Villescaz, the founder of the group Fierce Madres, told board members that her organization has been surveying officials of schools that have suffered similar mass shootings. She offered the board her findings as advice so district officials do not try to reinvent the wheel.

However, she took note of the DPS troopers standing in the room, and said: "... I can't help but wonder if they just didn't find our children worthy of being saved.

Historically, the DPS has endured fraught relations with the Mexican-American community in Texas dating back to the 19th century. In the early 20th century, the Texas Rangers, from which the DPS evolved and remains part of, participated in numerous bloody attacks on Mexican nationals.

According to the report, the gunman fired approximately 142 rounds inside the school  and it is almost certain that at least 100 shots came before any officer entered, according to the committee, which laid out numerous failures.

Among them: No one assumed command despite scores of officers on the scene, and no officer immediately tried to breach the classroom despite a dispatcher relaying a 911 call that there were victims in the room.

The report also criticized a Border Patrol tactical team, saying it waited for a bulletproof shield and working master key for a door to the classroom, which was most likely never locked, before entering. In all, the report put nearly 150 Border Patrol agents at the scene.

Cecilia Barreda, a spokeswoman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said Monday that a review of the agency's response was still underway and has not reached any final conclusions.

Hours after the report was released, Uvalde officials separately made public for the first time hours of body camera footage from the citys police officers who responded to the attack

One video from Uvalde Staff Sgt. Eduardo Canales, the head of the citys SWAT team, showed the officer approaching the classroom when gunfire rang out at 11:37 a.m.

A minute later, Canales said: Dude, weve got to get in there. Weve got to get in there, he just keeps shooting. Weve got to get in there. Another officer could be heard saying DPS is sending their people.

It was 72 minutes later, at 12:50 p.m., when officers finally breached the classroom and kill the shooter.

___

Weber reported from Austin, Texas. Associated Press writer Terry Wallace in Dallas also contributed to this report.

___

More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/school-shootings

___

This story has been corrected to show Brett Cross relationship with the slain child is uncle, not father.
Metro Video Services

A man and woman were shot early Monday after a group of bystanders stepped in to stop a domestic assault in the city's Southside area, police said.

An argument broke out between the alleged shooter and another woman walking with a baby after midnight Sunday near Cullen Boulevard and Idaho Street, and the man began physically assaulting her, police said. A group of bystanders came to the woman's aid and began attacking the man.
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When lawyers for two employees of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo return to court, they will have to prove that the jobs of the indicted staffers are vital to county government and that no one else can assume their responsibilities.

A judge in the 174th District Court on Monday warned the defense attorneys for Wallis Nader, Hidalgos policy director, and Alex Triantaphyllis, Hidalgos chief of staff, to be prepared to argue against an attempt by the Harris County District Attorneys Office to enforce broad bond conditions. Prosecutors want the two employees to have no part in the planning or implementing of county contracts following a grand jury indictment on felony charges of tampering and misuse of official information.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Wallis Nader leaves after a hearing about her bond conditions in the 174th District Court on Monday, July 18, 2022, at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse at 1201 Franklin St. in Houston. / Alex Triantaphyllis waits during a hearing about bond conditions in the 174th District Court on Monday, July 18, 2022, at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse at 1201 Franklin St. in Houston. (Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer) Wallis Nader leaves after a hearing about her bond conditions in the 174th District Court on Monday, July 18, 2022, at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse at 1201 Franklin St. in Houston. / Alex Triantaphyllis waits during a hearing about bond conditions in the 174th District Court on Monday, July 18, 2022, at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse at 1201 Franklin St. in Houston. (Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer)

The employees are accused of helping to steer a since-canceled $11 million COVID-19 vaccine contract to Elevate Strategies by giving its owner early access to bidding materials. Elevate Strategies, whose owner has Democratic ties, won the contract over the University of Texas Health Science Center, despite lacking prior public health experience and a more expensive proposal.

CONTRACT ALLEGATIONS: Hidalgo defends aides indicted in vaccine contract probe, saying she wont cave to bullying

A third county staffer, Aaron Dunn, faces the same charges but now works in the Harris County Flood Control District.

he status conference Monday unexpectedly devolved into a formal hearing with Judge Hazel B. Jones demanding evidence from both sides. Prosecutors supplied some exhibits  but no witnesses  to back their motion for bond conditions, but Naders attorney, David Adler, was unable to offer evidence to support his assertion that she is vital to her job.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

A court coordinator intervened to remind the judge that the cases were scheduled for a status conference on their docket. Adler asked the judge to reset the evidence hearing, which she did.

Normally, when lawyers for both sides walk into the court room  we know if we're going to have an evidentiary hearing, said attorney Brett Podolsky, who also represents Nader. Neither side knew it was going to be a hearing.

Three months into the criminal case, bond conditions have not been finalized.

The lawyers for Nader and Triantaphyllis have until August to deliver witnesses and evidence. The judges initial thought was that prohibiting Nader from participating in the American Rescue Plan Act steering committee, composed of about 20 people, would not be egregious.

Why is that so overbearing on the client, she asked, specifying later what she wanted from the lawyers. Please be prepared on those issues: Does this person need to do this job, are they that important to the county.

Adler depicted the committee for the American Rescue Plan Act funds as a starting point for county policies and that Nader, as policy director, makes those policies happen.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

CONTRACT ALLEGATIONS: Lawyers for Hidalgo, aides say records undercut allegations in vaccine contract probe

Assistant District Attorney Michael Levine argued that Nader could continue to do most aspects of her job description should she be ordered to not participate in the American Rescue Plan Act committee.

Jones went on to express concern that the existing bail conditions could lead to prosecutors finding more charges to lodge against either Nader or Triantaphyllis.

I dont want to put her in a place where she could be charged with another crime, the judge continued.

An attempt to remove Harris County District Attorney Kim Oggs office from the prosecution and another to sanction the defense attorneys for pushing for the removal and the alleged disclose of grand jury secrets into the three employees were not discussed. The motions has resulted in lengthy back-and-forth motions filled with testy language against both sides, with the defense suggesting that the indictments stemmed from Hidalgos refusal to increase the district attorneys office budget to the point Ogg sought.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Hidalgo canceled the contentious contract in September as Republicans on Commissioners Court questioned the procurement process.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
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Superman and his friends lined the red carpet Sunday to welcome some of MD Anderson Cancer Centers youngest patients to a unique summer camp experience.

Camp H-Town, an urban camp for pediatric cancer patients and their siblings, returned in person at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston for the first time since 2019. The camp, which is free for the childrens families, features six days of activities, all under the supervision of MD Anderson doctors and nurses, hotel staff and volunteers.

The camp is a unique experience for children who have been diagnosed with a range of cancers, including leukemia, brain tumors and bone cancer, said Dr. Douglas Harrison, the center medical director for MD Anderson Childrens Cancer Hospital. Some of the children will go to MD Anderson for treatment while the camp is taking place.

It gives them a sense of normalcy, Harrison said. They can be kids as theyre literally fighting for their lives.

The camp provides a safe experience for children who are unable to go away to summer camp, Harrison said. MD Anderson doctors and nurses stay at the Four Seasons at all times to provide medical care if needed.

During Camp H-Town, the hotel's ninth floor is transformed into a campground for the children, complete with bunk beds and camping supplies. The campers get to enjoy some of the traditional activities that are part of summer camp - such as swimming and arts and crafts  and will be treated to field trips in the Houston area.

There are 33 campers taking part in this years camp, roughly half of them siblings of pediatric cancer patients. Some of those siblings lost a brother or sister to cancer recently, said Tom Segesta, the general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Houston.

We found a need this year that these siblings really needed an opportunity to go to camp and be children, Segesta said.

The theme of this years camp is Everyday Heroes, to recognize Houston's first responders. The camp is decorated with posters of superheroes like Spider-Man and Batman. Counselors and volunteers dressed in superhero garb to greet the children as they arrived on Sunday morning.

It feels really good, said Christian Garcia, a 7-year-old boy from Houston. It feels like theyre really superheroes.

Christian  whose favorite superheroes are Batman, the Flash and the Green Lantern  was 6 when he was diagnosed with a rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that forms in soft tissue. His cancer is now in remission.

For the children, the camp is also an opportunity to meet and connect with other kids who are living with cancer.

Ive never really met anybody, or siblings, who are going through the same thing, or sort of the same thing as me, said Akilah Lopez, 13, who was diagnosed in 2020 with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma.

Akilah, who lives in Pearland and loves Marvel superheroes like Wanda Maximoff and Spider-Man, said shes excited to be part of the camp and looking forward to the food, swimming and activities.

This years activities include a series of field trips where the kids will enjoy arcade games, bowling, an escape room, the Lakewood Yacht Club and an everyday heroes carnival at the Houston Fire Department. Later this week theyll also be treated to dinner and a prom night at House of Blues Houston.

The cost of running the camp is approximately $1,700 per child and is entirely funded through community donations, Segesta said. Earlier this year, the hotel raised more than $83,000 for the camp through its annual fundraiser, Celebrity H-Town Chefs Against Cancer, which featured 16 Houston restaurants.

The camp is an offshoot of Camp Kids are Kids Chicago, a similar urban camp that began in 2014 while Segesta was general manager of the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. He and his wife, Robin, brought the idea with them when he relocated to the Four Seasons Hotel Houston in 2015.

The first Camp H-Town took place in 2018, and it was held again the following year. The camp went virtual in 2020 and 2021, though, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Four Seasons and MD Anderson instead mailed a box of camping supplies to each child.

Camp H-Town is taking precautions now that the camp is back in person because many of the children are immunocompromised. Everyone participating in the camp was required to submit a negative COVID-19 test before it started, and they will be wearing face masks.

Robin Segesta, who serves on the board of directors for the camp, said its thrilling to see children back in person this year.

Weve been waiting for this, she said. It felt like we woke up this morning and it was Christmas.
Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday will consider a $25 million agreement to send jail inmates to the Giles Dalby Correctional Facility, a prison located in Post, a small Texas city near Lubbock.

In January, the county shipped hundreds of inmates to a facility in Louisiana. Now, the county could approve an agreement to send inmates to an additional facility 475 miles away from Houston.

Harris County has struggled for years with overcrowding at the downtown jail. Though Sheriff Ed Gonzalez managed to eliminate outsourcing inmates early in his first term in 2017, the county later returned to outsourcing while grappling with a court backlog in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. In 2018, the county housed inmates at both the Fort Bend County Jail and Jackson Parish Correctional Facility in Louisiana at a cost of nearly $1 million per month, over the objection of defense attorneys who said the 300-mile distance to the Louisiana facility interfered with their ability to represent their clients.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Hundreds of Harris County inmates headed to private Louisiana jail to prevent overcrowding

The outsourcing agreement is intended to alleviate overcrowding at the jail, which currently has 9,990 inmates, with 594 inmates outsourced to another facility. Of those, 8,109 inmates are awaiting trial. The median length of stay is 101 days, according to the sheriffs department.

The Harris County jail has 10,566 beds, but 1,072 beds only accommodate minimum risk inmates, leaving 9,494 beds available for the majority of the population, according to Chief Shannon Herklotz, who oversees the jail.

"I just don't have any available beds to put inmates that are coming in. So, the rate they're coming in is exceeding the rate they're going out. I'm just out of room," Herklotz said.

According to the Commissioners Court agenda, the Dalby facility is the only one in Texas that currently has the staff and beds to accommodate new inmates.

In May, Garza County Judge Lee Norman announced Darby would transition from a privately-managed federal prison to a county jail, with plans to offer the 1,096-bed facility as a place to hold other counties inmates, Lubbocks KBCD 11 reported.

Tarrant County also is working with the Darby facility to house inmates from its crowded jail. According to the yet-to-be-finalized agreement, Harris County will gain an additional 600 beds and Tarrant County will gain 400 beds. The cost per inmate per day could reach $98.

Overcrowding is not the only reason for the deal. The jail is required to meet minimum state staffing levels, county Budget Director Daniel Ramos said.

When the jail population is around 9,900 or above, the county reaches the limit of the staffing ratio.

Combined, Harris County's existing contract with the LaSalle Detention Center in Louisiana and the new contract with the Giles Dalby Correctional Facility in Post will cost nearly $40 million, the equivalent to hiring around 400 additional law enforcement officers, according to Ramos.

The county will use American Rescue Plan Act funding to pay for the outsourcing of inmates.

Ramos said spending more on jail capacity is concerning: "This is financially unsustainable, especially given the state revenue caps."

The LaSalle contract ends in December, but likely could be extended. The contract for the Darby facility would last through September 2023.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas will resume inmate transportation after completing review of convicted murderers escape

Rather than increasing the number of jail beds, the county needs to spend money on solutions to eliminate the case backlog, Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said.

Using taxpayer dollars to add even more capacity to the third largest jail in America doesnt make us safer, Ellis said. It just makes us more reliant on a system that is failing. Instead, we must ramp up the systemic changes that weve made in Harris County, like our Violence Interruption Program and Holistic Assistance Response Teams, which are game-changing efforts to reduce the likelihood of residents engagement with the criminal legal system and makes our community safer.

The $25 million contract does not include funding to help Harris County families make the eight-hour drive to visit their loved ones who will be incarcerated at the facility in Post.

Studies have shown that people who are able to maintain relationships with their loved ones during incarceration are less likely to cycle back into the system again, according to the Texas Center for Justice and Equity, an Austin-based group that advocates to end mass incarceration.

"Relocations like this mean that families who may not be able to afford bail would have to travel 500 miles to visit their loved ones  which will almost certain be impossible for many of them," Maggie Luna, policy analyst and community outreach coordinator with TCJE, said. "And what about the harm this will do to children whose parents are behind bars?"

Herklotz said inmates transferred to the Post facility would be able to visit with family members via video conferencing.

The long distance adds to an already stressful situation for families, Luna said.

"People stuck in county jails, the majority of whom are in pretrial detention and are legally innocent, lose their jobs, housing, and support networks while they sit behind bars," Luna said. "Being in jail already isolates people from their communities and causes undue stress onto their families, who may be struggling to come up with bail money while dealing with the loss of income and the trauma of having a loved one incarcerated."

jen.rice@chron.com
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At least one person is dead and two are injured after a car plummeted off a bridge into a northeast Houston bayou.

The fatality occurred around 8:10 p.m. Sunday, on N. Loop East Freeway near Kilpatrick, Houston police said.
Sunnyside resident Stephany Ramirez, 22, gave birth to her daughter on July 4 after a busy pregnancy, during which she pursued her real estate license and drove for Door Dash to build up a savings.

Another baby, she said, would be too much to handle financially. So next month, she will receive an IUD  a long term, reversible birth control device  at a Legacy Community Health clinic through her Medicaid plan.

"With the economy and everything going up, I just can't afford to have two pregnancies," she said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: A Houston mother's terrible choice: deliver Theodora and watch her die or terminate her pregnancy

Ramirez's situation reflects an immense need in the country: 21 million women of reproductive age needed publicly funded contraceptive care as of 2016, according the Guttmacher Institute. Demand is expected to increase in states like Texas, where strict abortion laws mean many people, mostly in poor communities of color, now will have to carry pregnancies to term.

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.

But Texas is ill prepared, healthcare advocates and policy experts warn. Significant policy changes and funding cuts over the last decade make it more difficult for low-income patients to access contraceptives, threatening to worsen the already poor maternal health outcomes in the state.

A lot of this (new) legislation is focused on protecting the rights of the unborn, but we need to be equally focused on protecting the rights of women and their ability to make decisions about their health, said Dr. Rola El-Serag, director of the Baker Institute's Center for Health and Biosciences at Rice University and former expert educator in womens health with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Increasing demand

Originally from Mexico City, Ramirez moved to Houston when she was 9 years old. She became a citizen at around 12 and enlisted in the Texas National Guard at 17. Her contract expired last year, she said, just as she became pregnant. Debt mounted, so she turned to Door Dash. Her fiance, a contractor who installs HVAC systems, also helped support them.

Now a new mother, she continues to pursue a career as a Realtor with Keller Williams while family members help at home with the baby. She stresses over breastfeeding and struggles with postpartum depression. Groceries, car payments and credit card bills remain a constant concern.

With an IUD, she will not have to worry about another pregnancy adding to her burden. Abortion laws did not factor into her decision, she said, but demand for contraceptives has already increased at some Houston-area clinics since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade three weeks ago.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, which covers eight clinics in the greater Houston region, has seen a 67 percent increase in patients seeking long-term reversible contraceptives, such as IUDs and implants, according to a spokesperson.

Legacy Community Health, the largest federally qualified health center in Texas, and the four family planning clinics operated by the Houston Health Department also have experienced a surge of interest in long-acting contraceptives, officials told the Chronicle. Other news outlets have reported similar trends elsewhere in the state.

Anecdotally, I can tell you, now women are taking family planning a lot more seriously, because they know an unplanned pregnancy is not going to be something that they can easily mitigate, said Dr. Devanshi Somaiya, chief of family planning for the Houston Health Department.

Health care gaps

Clinics are facing this growing interest after a decade of significant changes to the states family planning programs. Family planning includes contraceptive access as well as pregnancy testing, counseling and STD testing.

In 2011, the legislature slashed the family planning budget dramatically, from $111 million to $38 million, and made it harder for Planned Parenthood and other specialized family planning organizations to access the remaining funds, according to the researchers at the Texas Policy Evaluation Project based at the University of Texas at Austin.

As a result, 82 clinics across Texas closed or stopped providing family planning services, and fewer organizations provided IUDs, implants and female sterilization and vasectomy due to high costs.

Lawmakers reinstated funding over the next several years, which helped some providers rebuild services, while continuing to steer money away from Planned Parenthood, which serves a disproportionately high share of family planning patients. Even as funding stabilized, the state has struggled to fill coverage gaps and has consistently declined to expand Medicaid coverage.

Uninsured and publicly insured women commonly report issues paying for care, finding a provider that accepts their insurance and locating providers that offer the services they need, according to the policy evaluation project. Research also shows most women in that population are not using their preferred birth control method. Meanwhile, the state continues to boost funding for an anti-abortion program that supports faith-based pregnancy centers, which generally do not offer contraceptives.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston crisis pregnancy centers, labeled deceptive by experts, find new spotlight after Roe ruling

The loss of critical safety net providers, coupled with the growing shortage of healthcare workers and pandemic-related job losses, likely have contributed to longer wait times at some clinics, said Dr. Anna Chatillon, a researcher with the policy evaluation project. A typical wait for a family planning visit could be a month or more at Houston Health Department and Legacy clinics, officials say.

Somaiya said she could use more money at health department clinics to offer competitive salaries for a shrinking pool of healthcare workers. She would like to build out infrastructure, including mobile clinics, to dispense birth control to communities most in need.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

At Legacy, funds are needed to meet the steadily growing number of patients seeking family planning services. The number has ballooned from 46,562 in 2018 to 67,896 last year at all of its Houston-area clinics, according to data provided by organization. Already, in the firsts six months of 2022, Legacy has nearly surpassed the 2018 total.

What we've received from the state and the federal government has been very minimal compared to the amount of patients that we see on a normal day, said Lindsay Lanagan, vice president of government relations and public affairs at Legacy.

Something for myself

Its not just money that providers and patients need, said Dr. Vian Nguyen, an OB-GYN and chief medical officer at Legacy.

Cutting down on the logistical hurdles of applying for government funding might encourage more patients to seek out healthcare, she said. It takes more than an hour for some patients to work through different eligibility criteria and complete the paperwork, she said.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Funding is great, but if

we don't make it easy for people, the reality is, that's just not their number one priority in certain patient population groups, she said. It's not what they're thinking about.

Ensuring better access to womens healthcare is especially critical in a state with the highest uninsured rate in the country and one of the worst maternal death rates nationwide, experts say.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Ramirez is grateful to have access to doctors who, in the midst of her busy life, can answer all of her questions.

On Monday, she saw Nguyen at the bustling Legacy clinic on Mapleridge street, where they talked about what Ramirez described as mild depression. The doctor also helped her identify the type of birth control she preferred. The IUD will be free with Medicaid, she said.

Ramirez is eager to work with the goal of one day owning rental properties in Mexico.

I want to support my daughter, she said. And I want to do something for myself.
UVALDE  Relatives of those killed in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School expressed grief and outrage on Sunday in response to a Texas House committee report that found police  in waiting more than an hour to confront the gunman  prioritized their own safety over the lives of students and teachers.

Theyre going to have the blood of those kids on their hands for eternity, said Manny Renfro, the grandfather of Uziyah Garcia, 10, who died in the massacre.

THE LATEST: Uvalde gunman was bullied, possibly sexually assaulted as child, report reveals

Renfro, 65, said the thought of dozens of officers going up and down the hallway of the school, waiting to enter the classrooms where injured victims remained with the shooter, made him sick to his stomach.

Now Playing: Texas committee releases video of Uvalde school shooting response. Video: San Antonio Express-News

I think every single lawman who was on the scene should be held accountable, Renfro said. They lost 19 beautiful children, including my grandson. My blood just starts boiling, and I get upset because something more couldve been done to save those kids.

'COVER UP': Al Green blasts Gov. Abbott, demands answers for initial false claims about Uvalde

According to the report, 376 law enforcement officers from nearly two dozen federal, state and local agencies converged on Robb Elementary on May 24 after an 18-year-old gunman, Salvador Ramos of Uvalde, walked in at 11:33 a.m. with an assault-style rifle and began shooting inside two classrooms.

Ramos killed 19 children and two teachers. He wounded 17 others.

The police response to the crisis was chaotic, and no one was clearly in charge, the report said. It took officers 73 minutes to enter the classrooms, kill Ramos and begin treating the wounded, some of whom died after being evacuated.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Morning of chaos  A reconstruction of how the Uvalde massacre unfolded

Its disgusting, said Leticia Garcia, 42, Uziyahs aunt. They didnt have the courage to go in there. They had a shield. They all had vests. They had weapons, and they had numbers. There was one gunman.

Polly Flores lost two relatives in the massacre: Jackie Cazares, 9, her niece, and Annabell Rodriguez, 10, her great niece.

Jacinto Cazares

My niece, she had a pulse, Flores said. They rushed her to the hospital. She bled to death. Why? Because she didnt get medical attention. (The gunman) was one. One idiot. All of you jump on him  you swore to protect.

Some officers likely realized injured victims were in the classrooms with the shooter, yet they continued to wait to confront him, the report said. Some were waiting for more officers and better equipment to arrive, a Uvalde lieutenant told the committee.

That officer, Lt. Mariano Pargas, was serving as acting chief of the Uvalde Police Department on the day of the shooting. Pargas told the committee he and other officers were aware of 911 calls coming from the classrooms during the delay.

REACTIONS: Gov. Greg Abbott calls police response to Uvalde shooting disgusting

On Sunday, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Jr. announced that the city had placed Pargas on administrative leave while it investigates the role of the Uvalde Police Department in the botched response.

Flores, 59, blamed the disastrous response by police on one thing: Cowardice, she said.

They failed us, she said. Who protected our kids? Nobody. And they were cowards. Im sorry to say that, and Im embarrassed to say that, but every single individual who was in the hallway should be fired. If nobody was in charge, then anybody could have gone in.

The committees three members  its chairman, state Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock; state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso; and former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman  met Sunday with families of the victims.

Its about showing respect for the families and delivering our report, which we do so with humility, Guzman told the San Antonio Express-News.

WHAT HAPPENED: Uvalde City Council faces outrage after leaked video shows police response to school shooting

I think that they seek to understand what happened, Guzman added. And I hope that the families know that we grieve with them and that this report can in some manner allow them to seek and find peace.

However, some families of victims were either not notified or allowed into the meeting Sunday.

Alfred Garza III  whose daughter Amerie Jo Garza, 10, was killed in the attack  said officials told him that I wasnt on the list and that I wasnt welcomed there.

Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

McLaughlin, who coordinated the meeting, said another person had been responsible for drawing up a list of family members who could attend. He didnt identify the person.

Seeking justice

Mary Grace Garcia, another aunt of Uziyah, said on Sunday she was seeking justice.

Her main questions for officers: What were you all thinking? What was going through your mind by standing there in the hallway?

Col. Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, has blamed the flawed response on Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pedro Pete Arredondo as the incident commander.

A DEPARTURE: Embattled Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo steps down from city council after mass shooting

But any officer at the school could have taken command, the committees report said, and police should have realized that Arredondo could not have commanded the response effectively from inside the school, where he stayed with spotty radio communication throughout the crisis.

Arredondo spent 40 minutes searching for a key to a door to the classrooms that likely was unlocked the entire time. Other officers knew 911 calls were coming from inside the classrooms, yet they continued to wait, the report said.

U.S. Marshals delivered a shield at 12:20 p.m. that likely would have protected officers against rounds from Ramoss rifle. But officers continued to wait another 30 minutes to enter the classrooms and kill the gunman.

BORTAC, an elite tactical unit of U.S. Border Patrol, took command shortly before 12:30 p.m. Its acting commander tested a Halligan tool on another door and searched for a key before finally entering Room 111 at 12:50 p.m. and killing Ramos.

If theres one thing that I can tell you  there were multiple systemic failures, Rep. Burrows said during a news conference after meeting with victims families. The people of Uvalde before this, they felt it couldnt happen here. They felt that. Thats the false sense of security I worry about.

bchasnoff@express-news.net
A voting rights bill. A federal law codifying abortion rights. A stepped-up fight against climate change. All are still sitting on the shelf in the U.S. Senate, victims of a filibuster rule that requires nearly all legislation to win 60 votes in the 100-member chamber before it can even get a vote.

No wonder so many Democrats are urging Senate leaders to scale back, or even eliminate, the filibuster, which Republicans have been using to kill bills that in many cases would pass if they could make it to the floor.

President Bidens ambitious agenda has, as a result, faltered, despite the fact that his party holds a razor-thin majority. Democrats who have been urging him to go even bigger, and further to the left, keep running into a wall. The frustration among Democrats everywhere is palpable. Last months decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to eliminate the federal right to abortion, just one of several examples of a newly empowered, uber-conservative court, has only upped their sense of dread.

But when it comes to carving out new exceptions to the filibuster, or eliminating it altogether, we urge caution. Scrapping the legislative guardrails would have consequences for years to come, especially if it hastened some future Republican majoritys ability to pass bills pushed by its growing extremist wing. As we argued in January, there are simpler ways to change how the filibuster is used that will make it work better while avoiding the disastrous outcomes senators have seen before when they fooled with the filibuster. Democrats should heed lessons of the past.

Consequences

By the time Donald Trump was picking his Cabinet nominees back in January 2017, the Senate had already carved out two new exceptions to the filibuster: federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, and Cabinet-level appointees. That meant the Senates 51 Republicans could approve any nominee without a single Democratic vote. It made Trump the first president in decades who could choose his Cabinet without the slightest concern for whether the pick could win bipartisan support.

Presidents Carter, Clinton and Obama all named Republicans to their Cabinets, though not in all cases in the first term. Lyndon Johnsons CIA director, national security advisor, defense secretary, and treasury secretary were all Republicans. And Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush? Each put a Democrat in the Cabinet, as well.

But despite a narrowly divided Senate, Trump didnt need to worry about sending a bipartisan note. And it showed.

The Monday before the inauguration, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was on a panel in Austin with his colleague Sen. John Cornyn talking about the new administration. Having apparently forgiven Trump for dubbing him Lyin Ted on the campaign trail, Cruz gushed over the names Trump had been sending over. Its the most conservative cabinet in decades, he crowed.

He was right. But there was something else, too. Trumps picks werent just bypassing the Senates scrutiny on their ideological purity but also on their competence. Surely, other presidents had bungled Cabinet picks before  Clintons first round is famous for missteps  but rarely had they appointed so many who were so quickly caught up in career-ending scandals. Trumps picks for labor, the EPA, veterans affairs, and health and human services all resigned or were fired within roughly the first two years of his administration.

The fact that the filibuster was gone had defanged the Democrats so thoroughly that neither the president nor the Republican senators eager to show their loyalty had any reason to compromise  or even do adequate homework.

Its a cautionary tale about what happens when a party in power has too much power.

Lifeline for the minority

The filibuster - the procedural rule that allows senators to debate a bill to death  was designed to offer a check on the majority and a life line for the minority, who, in the old days, had to be determined, or desperate, enough to engage in the hours-long endurance test.

Its often been used for nefarious purposes. Civil rights bills with majority support in the Senate were stalled over and again in the middle years of the 20th Century because racist Southern senators refused to give their consent long after their views had lost currency nationally. Some see parallels between those votes and the ones blocking essential reforms in todays Senate.

But the filibuster has deep roots in our system for a reason. For most of American history until 1917, senators could keep debating a bill as long as they wanted, preventing it from being voted on. In 1917, however, a new cloture rule meant that with 67 votes, any debate could be cut off and the bill in question sent to the floor for a vote. The procedure was rarely needed  over the next 50 years, only 37 votes to cut off debate were taken.

But as filibusters became more common, the Senate struck a compromise to make them easier to defeat: The threshold for cloture went from 67 to the current 60.

In our current moment, thats meant a bill without at least 10 Republicans in favor wont advance. To the Democrats who call that a travesty, we say simply: Go get more votes.

Another way forward

But theres something else they can do in the meantime, too: Take a page out of the Senates history and force the return of the talking filibuster.

It used to be that senators who wanted to stop a bill by talking it to death had to literally keep talking long enough to wear out the opposition. If they sat down, someone would spring to their feet to declare the filibuster over and call for a vote. As Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said last year, mounting a filibuster ought to be painful.

Incidentally, thats how we still do things in Texas. Just ask Wendy Davis, the former state senator from Fort Worth who stayed on her sneaker-clad feet long enough in 2013 to help run out of the clock on an anti-abortion law. She did things the hard way  which is why filibusters are rare in Texas.

But along with the change in cloture, the 1970s compromise also created whats known as a two-track system in the Senate. When a senator threatens to filibuster a bill, that bill is set on the back burner until enough votes can be found to dislodge it. That can effectively mean forever, because while that bill is pending, the Senate moves on with other business  making a modern-day filibuster about as difficult as sending an email.

Thats what Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer should change. If the Republicans want to filibuster a bill, then let one of them do what Davis did: Put on his or her walking shoes and start talking. Let the rest of the Senates business pile up as the chambers focus  and that of the watching world  zeroes in on the filibuster. When enough senators are sufficiently frustrated, theyll vote down the filibuster.

Just like it used to be, and just like it still is in Texas.
ZANU PF functionaries are reportedly baying for Farai Maguwus blood, with the human rights activist claiming that he recently received death threats for exposing gold looting ostensibly orchestrated by some ruling party bigwigs.

The Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) director Maguwu recently launched a 35-page report which exposed President Emmerson Mnangagwas ally Scott Sakupwanya being at the centre of gold leakages and violence at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga where more than 1 000 small-scale miners are currently operating.

Sakupwanya runs the Betterbrands Gold Mining Company which has a tributary agreement to mine gold at Redwing Mine. The mine is managed by Prime Royal Mine, a company owned by Prime Royal Africa Investments.

Maguwu yesterday said he received death threats from Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna on Twitter.

Its very unfortunate that after the report, I have received deaths threats from Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna on his Twitter (handle). I want to make a police report over the matter because I am taking it seriously, Maguwu said.

The alleged threat read: He should be patriotic and happy to avoid early recall. Anger gnaws at your vitals and leads to early deaths.

In an interview yesterday, Nduna said he was not aware of the death threat made against Maguwu.

I am not God, I dont even know the person, he should first call me, (what) is the point of meeting him, Nduna said.

Meanwhile, Civil Society Organisations have claimed that gold leakages and illegal gold mining have become a security threat by attracting criminals from beyond Zimbabwes borders.

During a Parliamentary Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security tour in Manicaland, it was also revealed that the sector would soon create well-funded warlords.

The committee toured the gold-rich Penhalonga and diamond-rich Marange areas.

Maguwu said warlords were created by having too many people making millions of dollars out of the informal sector.

Illegal gold mining is now the main economic activity in the country and is politically organised. The violence and criminality in the sector is growing and the political connections make the sector ungovernable, Maguwu added. Newsday
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Fort Worth TX

259 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT

MONDAY...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures between 105

and 110 degrees and heat index values up to 110.

* WHERE...Portions of north central and northeast Texas.

* WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat and humidity will significantly

increase the potential for heat related illnesses,

particularly for those working or participating in outdoor

activities.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out

of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young

children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles

under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When

possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or

evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat

stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when

possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent

rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone

overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Temperatures up to 104 degrees and heat index values up

to 106.

* WHERE...Navarro, Hamilton, Mills, Lampasas, Coryell, McLennan,

Henderson, Hill and Bosque Counties.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity will increase the

risk for heat-related illnesses to occur, particularly for

those working or participating in outdoor activities.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

HEAT ADVISORY

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Shreveport LA

146 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022

...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heat index values from 105 to 110 degrees are expected.

* WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest Louisiana,

southeast Oklahoma, south central and southwest Arkansas and

northeast Texas.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat

illnesses to occur.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out

of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young

children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles

under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When

possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or

evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat

stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when

possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent

rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone

overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM CDT

MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heat index values from 105 to 110 degrees expected.

* WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest Louisiana and

east and northeast Texas.

* WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 7 PM CDT Monday.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
An architectural firm is advising the demolition of a carriage house at Thaddeus Clapp House, saying the barn's too far gone to save. Owner Berkshire Theatre Group is hoping to raze the building and replace it with artist housing.

Pittsfield Historical Commission Holds Off on Demolition Delay

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Historical Commission is torn on a demolition delay application from Berkshire Theatre Group for a carriage house located behind the Thaddeus Clapp House.

The panel decided to take some extra time with the application last week and will have a site visit to the structure.



After BTG spent more than $1 million to restore the Clapp House, a professional assessment indicated that the best path forward for the barn is to take it down. In the future, the theater sees more artist housing in that space, which is an area where it sees great need.



"We couldn't agree more about the historical value of that property and we feel it even more profoundly now as stewards of the house," Executive Director Nick Paleologos said.



The main house located at 74 Wendell Ave. was built in 1871 by Thaddeus Clapp and is an Italianate/Colonial Revival style. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the early 1990s.



"The detached barn in the rear, which is the subject of this demolition application, had been vacant and deteriorating for many years prior to BTG's purchase of the property," the application reads.



Bradley Architects Inc. was hired to analyze the timber-frame barn and deemed it "beyond repair" due to a lack of a foundation, compromised structure, lack of utilities, water-damaged interior, and weather-destroyed exterior.



A letter from the architects says the structure's sill plate is rotted out along almost the entire perimeter, that there are several holes in the roof causing water damage, that the asphalt roofing is beyond service, that windows are damaged or missing, and that the building's utilities are destroyed from neglect.



Paleologos explained that the theater group believes that the best thing it can do in the short term is take the barn down, regrade, and landscape that area.



"Ultimately, as we indicated, the need for artist housing is severe and one of the best decisions that we made as an organization, although it didn't seem it at the time, was to spend a million dollars on the Clapp House," he added.



"But right now, we're housing artists in there for most of the year in all of the rooms and we are saving a fortune every year because of that house's existence and that's a benefit directly to us. That doesn't even speak to the fact that the residents to that house are in downtown Pittsfield and enjoying the benefits of everything the city has to offer."






iciHaiti - Economy : All about the new 500 Gourdes note





The Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) has unveiled the characteristics and security elements of the new 500 Gourdes note put into circulation on the national market.



Characteristics:

On the front of the note is the portrait of Alexandre Petion (1770-1818). Signatory of the Act of Independence, his portrait is the main reference on the front of the paper money of 500 gourdes. Excellent tactician and outstanding gunner, he is the father of Pan-Americanism.







On the back is the Forts Jacques and Alexandre located in the heights of Petion-ville. These forts were erected after independence by Alexandre Petion, under the orders of Dessalines, to ensure the defense of the new nation against a possible return of the French.







Security elements:

On the back printed in iriodine ink "1804-2004".

On the front, microtext indicating the face value in letters.



The BRH asks the Haitian population to be vigilant so as not to take any counterfeit notes that may be in circulation.



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-37157-icihaiti-economy-all-about-the-new-250-gourdes-note.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-37100-icihaiti-economy-all-about-the-new-100-gourdes-note.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36972-icihaiti-economy-all-about-the-new-50-gourdes-note.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36957-icihaiti-economy-all-about-the-new-25-gourdes-note.html



IH/ iciHaiti


















THERE were long delays in clearance of commercial cargo at the Beitbridge Border Post yesterday, as South African Revenue Services (SARS) customs officials continued their strike pressing for a 12 percent pay rise.

The employer is offering 1,69 percent, and that gap has resulted in a crippling stalemate. SARS offices and border posts are now manned by managers who dont fall under the collective bargaining category.

The strike has led to slow movement of commercial cargo entering or leaving South Africa.

The long queues of trucks are also affecting road works in Beitbridge.

At its peak, the Beitbridge Border Post clears between 900 and 1 200 trucks a day. But now long and slow-moving queues of commercial trucks have become common on the main highways leading to Bulawayo and Harare in Zimbabwe and Musina in South Africa.

Beitbridge Border Post links South Africa not just to Zimbabwe but also to all points north, including other Sadc countries Malawi, Zambia, DRC, Tanzania, and Angola.

In a statement last week, SARS said it had come up with contingency plans to ensure continued services to its client pending a resolution of the salaries dispute.

SARS apologises for any inconvenience caused due to the industrial action taking place across SARS, we are experiencing delays in servicing our taxpayers.

While some branches may be closed to the public, they will continue to honour virtual appointments, as booked. In the event that a virtual booking is not honoured, please note that the branch will follow up to do the necessary service recovery. Please continue to also make use of our digital services during this time.

South Africas Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi last Thursday said he was hopeful SARS and its employees would find common ground in the interest of facilitating trade.

The minister visited Beitbridge to unveil the first batch of 200 border guards, who have been deployed to strengthen operations at the ports with Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

These fall under the newly constituted Border Management Authority, which is operating under the Home Affairs Ministry pending its independence in April next year. Herald
Name: Paul Nizov

Company: ABBYY

Job title: CIO and CISO

Date started current role: March 2021

Location: Charlotte, N.C.

Paul Nizov is VP, Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Security Officer (CSO) at ABBYY, a US-based global company that powers intelligent automation. Nizov advocates the importance and impact of security among the company's leadership team. He manages security risk, overseeing the strategic, operational, budgetary aspects of secure software development, data privacy, and information protection. Nizov has extensive expertise in regulatory compliance and security frameworks such as NIST, ISO, SOC, HITRUST, HIPAA and GDPR.

What was your first job? Like most youth, my first job was working within my community. At 15, I was happy to join the workforce and spent a year washing dishes at a local restaurant.

Did you always want to work in IT? I was drawn to science and technology from a young age. Having studied electrical engineering and computer science, I started in engineering and operations, but transitioned into IT.

What was your education? Do you hold any certifications? What are they? I have a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Juris Doctor. My certifications include CISSP and CISM.

Explain your career path. Did you take any detours? If so, discuss. Ive had the great fortune of working in and experiencing information security, cyber security and IT from different angles, from the public and private sector, working in the US and Middle East, and for global companies. For example, prior to working in software development, I spent time in energy and nuclear.

Most importantly, exposure to different industries allowed me to gain a broad perspective on risk and risk appetite, setting expenditure priorities, cultivating relationships with company leadership, and building InfoSec / IT functions that are both cost effective and deliver maximum value to the core business.

What business or technology initiatives will be most significant in driving IT investments in your organisation in the coming year? At ABBYY, we are continuously investing to improve cost-effective cloud consumption and resilience across the enterprise. We believe this is important for ensuring optimal customer experiences, business resiliency and agility.

What are the CEO's top priorities for you in the coming year? How do you plan to support the business with IT? Considering current events with the pandemic and geopolitical context, resilience is and will continue to be a top priority.

Does the conventional CIO role include responsibilities it should not hold? Should the role have additional responsibilities it does not currently include? The CIOs effectiveness goes beyond his roles and responsibilities. Having a good working relationship not only with your core teams but also across the enterprise is paramount to success. The success of the CIO depends on a shared focus on the business objectives.

Are you leading a digital transformation? If so, does it emphasise customer experience and revenue growth or operational efficiency? If both, how do you balance the two? At ABBYY were continuously reimagining how people can work  whether its bringing in new technology, revamping our processes or upskilling employees. Staying on top of the latest security and ISO standards is also very important and directly relates to how we continuously transform our technology and operations with customer satisfaction and revenue growth at the centre of everything we do. I believe customer experience and revenue growth are tightly tied together and is something our entire management team works to balance.

Describe the maturity of your digital business. For example, do you have KPIs to quantify the value of IT? Were an established company in the business of delivering innovation, so naturally we extend this to our business. If you look at Gartners Digital Business IT Transformation roadmap where they define different stages of digital business readiness as ambition, design, deliver, scale, and refine, I would definitely rate ABBYYs maturity level at the highest level

What does good culture fit look like in your organisation? How do you cultivate it? Be a team player willing to support the companys strategic objectives and core business. We encourage openness and transparency across all levels of the organisation with a focus on retention and career development.

My U.S. military service instilled in me a sincere appreciation for and commitment to hard work, teamwork, clear communication, and leadership responsibility (as well as succinct language). Those same values translate well into the business world, and I work to cultivate them with my teams.

What roles or skills are you finding (or anticipate to be) the most difficult to fill? Across the board, technical competencies are in demand but in short supply, from senior software developers to experienced cloud engineers.

What's the best career advice you ever received? No one cares more about your career than you.

Do you have a succession plan? If so, discuss the importance of and challenges with training up high-performing staff. As a leader, it is important to reflect on your own career path and empathise with the aspirations of others. To that end, we encourage training opportunities, knowledge sharing and cross-training.

What advice would you give to aspiring IT leaders? Never stop learning. Remain curious about technology. Follow trends. And anticipate the next technological disruptor  be it quantum computing that threatens todays encryption standards or otherwise.

What has been your greatest career achievement? There have been many milestones along the way, but the greatest achievements are those that were challenging due to unprecedented external factors. Currently that has been navigating InfoSec and IT functions through the pandemic and current geopolitical conditions.

Looking back with 20:20 hindsight, what would you have done differently? Few of us anticipated the disruption caused by the pandemic. Across the board, resilience has become of utmost importance.
The South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) today called on Sri Lankas political leaders to ensure accountability, democracy and a free and functioning media are upheld amid the countrys political and economic crisis. As the country marks 100 days of mass uprising in Sri Lanka, the regions media unions said there is a critical need for regional stability and a return to a functioning democracy reflecting the rights of Sri Lankas people.

Demonstrators take part in an anti-government protest outside the office of Sri Lanka's prime minister in Colombo on July 13, 2022. Credit: AFP

Since the Sri Lankan protests began on April 9, thousands of the countrys citizens have led calls for an end to the Rajapaksa-led government. The protests have been defined by violence and harassment against media workers, citizens and activists and widespread suppression of the media from the government, including the physical assault of at least eight journalists on July 9.

Following ongoing mass protests, on July 11, the prime ministers office confirmed that beleaguered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would resign. It followed dramatic scenes of his residence being stormed by protestors on July 9. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the acting president and Sri Lankas parliament begins preparations for the contentious election of a new government on July 20. Wickremesinghe has agreed to resign from the prime ministerial position once the new government is formed.

Concerningly, on July 18, the acting president enforced a state of emergency across the island under Article 40(1) of the Sri Lankan constitution, in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

SAMSN remains gravely concerned that the imposition of emergency can and will pave the way for a serious curbing of fundamental freedoms, including Freedom of Expression.

There is a critical need for a return to a peaceful political atmosphere in Sri Lanka in order for the proper parliamentary democratic process to be implemented. For Sri Lanka to obtain the urgent international help it needs, it must have a legitimate and accountable government that is respected by its people, SAMSN said.

SAMSN notes the demands of the Sri Lankan people and calls on political leaders to take immediate measures for:

Urgent political stability in the country;

Implementation of a proper economic plan against corruption;

Rapid recovery efforts for Sri Lankan civilians lives;

Freedom of media and access to information so ordinary citizens can remain informed of vital developments;

Protection for journalists covering developments on the ground according to international obligations.

SAMSN notes that protesting citizens have expressed continued opposition to any Rajapaksa-controlled Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) being involved in an all-party government. The Rajapaksa family is accused of widespread corruption, economic mismanagement, divisive politics and militarisation of the government, and there are legitimate fears that any SLPP government would give the family ability to control the country behind the scenes. Media activists have reported concerns at political horse dealing by MPs that could erode any hope of democratic stability.

The SAMSN said: Reiterating its solidarity with Sri Lanka journalists and media workers, Sri Lankas government must heed the calls of the people and ensure accountability and an end to the corruption. The divisive ultranationalism rhetoric perpetuated by the Rajapaksa family must end so that true reconciliation and recovery of the country can happen.

SAMSN members
On TikTok, a prank where people call their friends using an automated answering machine voice to tell them that a large amount of money is about to be debited from their account is gaining popularity. Kaspersky experts warn that this trend is a real fraud scheme, called vishing, and is actively used by cybercriminals.

Kaspersky researchers detected an increase in the number of vishing emails in June (almost 100,000 total) and collected approximately 350,000 vishing emails between March and June 2022. They also explained how vishing works and how to avoid falling into this trap of cybercriminals.

Vishing (short for voice phishing) is the fraudulent practice of convincing individuals to call cybercriminals and reveal personal information and bank details over the phone. Like most phishing schemes, it starts with an unusual e-mail from a large online store or a payment system. For example, it could be a letter from a fake version of PayPal telling you that they have just received a request to withdraw a large amount of money from your account.

Fake notification from PayPal about a purchase for a large amount of money

But here's the difference: while regular phishing emails ask the victim to follow a link to cancel the order, vishing emails ask that they urgently call the customer support number provided in the email.

Kaspersky experts emphasize that this method was intentionally chosen by cybercriminals because when people look at a phishing site, they have the time to think about their actions or notice signs that the page is not legitimate. But when victims talk on the phone, they are usually distracted and find it more difficult to focus.

Under these circumstances, attackers do everything they can to further throw them off balance: rushing them, intimidating them, and demanding that they urgently provide their credit card details to cancel the supposed fraudulent transaction. After gaining the victims bank account details, cybercriminals use the information to steal their money, leaving the victim with an empty wallet.

Kaspersky experts highlight that in the last four months (from March to June 2022) they have detected almost 350,000 vishing emails, asking victims to call in and cancel a transaction. In June, the number of such emails increased, reaching nearly 100,000, leading Kaspersky researchers to predict that this trend is only gaining momentum and is likely to continue growing.

Number of detected emails with vishing, March  June 2022

Curiously, TikTokers actively repeat one of the vishing schemes, with the only difference being that they do not send a fraudulent email in advance, nor do they steal anything from their victims  their goal is a show, not money.

The call is conducted through an answering machine, whose voice is generated with an online translator. Most often, pranksters introduce themselves as a representative from the customer service department of a large online store, claiming they have just received an order from the victim for several thousand dollars and asking for their confirmation. No matter how the victim replies, the next thing the answering machine says is, "Thank you, your order has been confirmed." People think the answering machine misheard them and that the funds are going to be withdrawn from their account immediately, so they panic, scream, and don't realize that they are being pranked.

When people are convinced to disclose their personal data during a phone call rather than on a phishing page, they often dont have the chance to consider that they are the target of a hoax  and a large number of TikTok videos with this prank are a prominent example of this.

I often come across videos on TikTok of bloggers pranking other people by calling them and telling them that their account is about to be debited thousands of dollars. The victims believe it and go crazy over it. When you look at these videos on your phone you think, "How can anyone fall for such a thing?" But when people encounter scam calls in real life, they are often affected by multiple circumstances at the same time. Such a call can catch them off guard, while their head is full of other things and they can't clearly assess who is on the other end of the call  a prankster, a fraudster or a real bank security specialist, comments Roman Dedenok, security expert at Kaspersky.

Read about other popular methods of email fraud in the full report on Securelist.

To protect yourself from vishing, Kaspersky recommends:
Stuart Landesberg admits it sounds apocryphal, but he swears that for a sixth-grade assignment he wrote that his dream job was to be CEO of Seventh Generation, the Burlington, Vermont-based company that makes and sells sustainable home and cleaning products.

Landesberg didn't go on to take over Seventh Generation. But he did build a similar business of his own: Grove Collaborative, a San Francisco-based company he co-founded in 2012 and took public on the New York Stock Exchange in June. Grove sells natural and environmentally friendly home and personal care products, and makes its own lines of cleaning supplies, soaps, and tree-free paper goods.

"I know, weird dream!" Landesberg tells Inc.'s What I Know podcast. But he explains it had sturdy roots with his parents: "The category of home and personal care was a really visible hallmark of sustainability for me as a child ... I've always cared about sustainability and my parents were a bit ahead of the curve."

Landesberg held onto the dream through college -- where he bemoaned his peers' use of non-compostable red plastic cups -- and a career that took him through banking and startups. In 2012, he set out to both sell and educate consumers about environmentally friendly home products, but made an immediate stumble. He explains: "I understood from my guilt-ridden beer pong days that it was important to make sustainability convenient. But I started the company under a terrible and embarrassing name, ePantry."

In its difficult startup years, ePantry was a third-party seller of sustainable goods, which Landesberg's team stored in a 200-square-foot self-storage unit in south San Francisco. "It turns out changing the world is hard!" Landesberg jokes. "The first four years were incredibly challenging. We couldn't really raise institutional capital. The business really didn't grow. It was a struggle to keep the lights on."

In 2016, Landesberg sought to pivot away from the ePantry name, and raise a round of venture funding to fuel growth. He met with 173 investors before getting a yes. But he came away from the meetings armed with some good advice -- including to create earth-friendly products labeled under the company's new name, Grove Collaborative. They'd include soap concentrates that could ship easily and cut down on waste, and glass or aluminum alternatives to plastic bottles.

With a slate of feel-good products came social sharing -- and much smoother and rapid customer acquisition. By 2018, Grove's fast growth landed it at No. 37 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the country. By 2021, the business had grown to more than 1,000 employees, and was on the path to a $1.5 billion IPO, via a merger with a Richard Branson-founded SPAC.

Landesberg says he's proud that he built in the values of sustainability from the company's very start. In 2020, Grove bolstered its mission by pledging to go plastic-free within five years. It's held to the pledge even in this new era where the company needs to appease public shareholders.

"We wanted to make ultra-clear to every one of our employees, everyone in the industry, our customers, what we stood for. And now, if I got hit by a bus today, whoever came in and ran the company would still have to adhere by those values. They're a part of the company and I think that's really powerful," Landesberg says. "I'm a big believer that corporations are the best shot we've got at keeping this planet habitable for future generations."

To listen to my full interview with Stuart Landesberg, click here, on the player above, or find What I Know on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or anywhere you listen to audio.

EXPLORE MORE Inc. 5000 COMPANIES
In this latest issue of India Briefing Magazine, we analyze the latest merger and acquisition (M&A) activity i...
Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, urged the Centre to remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) it recently imposed on pre-packaged and labeled food goods on Monday.

"The cost of food has grown as a result of the Center putting GST on them, which is contributing to a sharp price increase across the board. I urge that the Center remove it "Kejriwal told journalists.

On Monday, a 5% GST rate went into effect for pre-packaged and labeled foods including cereals, lentils, and flour that weigh less than 25 kg. According to Kejriwal, Delhi is the only state in the nation offering residents respite from rising prices by providing them with free access to transportation, water, electricity, health care, and other necessities.

GST "would apply on such specified commodities if the pre-packaged commodity is provided in packaging with a quantity of less than or equal to 25 kilos," according to the Union Finance Ministry.
An agreement was reached on Saturday between the Reserve Bank of India and Bank Indonesia to increase collaboration in payment systems, digital financial innovation, anti-money laundering, and countering the funding of terrorism (AML-CFT). On the side lines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Bali, the two central banks agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further their mutual cooperation.



According to a statement from the RBI, "With this MoU, RBI and BI committed to deepen relations between both central banks and strengthen information sharing and cooperation in the area of central banking, including payment systems, digital innovation in payments services, and regulatory and supervisory framework for AML-CFT."



RBI and Bank Indonesia concur to increase their collaboration in payment systems.



The MoU will also serve as a solid foundation for fostering intercultural understanding, creating effective payment systems, and attaining cross-border payment connectivity, according to the RBI.



According to the statement, such measures will be carried out through a routine discussion of current financial and economic concerns and trends, technical collaboration through training and joint seminars, and cooperative work to investigate the creation of cross-border retail payment linkages.



In the future, Governor Warjiyo is confident that such a great relationship will produce successful results that will benefit both central banks and the people of both countries.



Shaktikanta Das, governor of the RBI, said that "this MoU is a step forward in formalising our cooperative efforts."



He said that he hoped "the MoU will enable us to further strengthen our cooperation and facilitate our effort to make our financial systems open, inclusive, and secure" in the future.




The James Webb Space Telescope's first images opened to rave reviews from space enthusiasts last week when the cosmos' earliest galaxies were pictured for the first time in the universe's deepest and sharpest infrared images.

While James Webb Space Telescope will continue to awe us with its mesmerising pictures of distant space, could it be that the telescope serves a higher purpose? For instance, could the telescope aid in discovery of alien life in far off cosmos?

NASA

How James Webb could lead us to aliens

Using James Webb Space Telescope, scientists hope to study the "chemical makeup of atmospheres of planets around other stars," The Conversation reported. Their hope? That some of these planets will possess chemical signatures of life.

First off, it would be very narcissistic of humans to assume that no intelligent life exists elsewhere. In the Milky Way alone, there are about 300 million potentially habitable planets, which means they could also host life. From Earth, we've discovered 5,000 exoplanets so far.

NASA

Also read: Meet Three Indian Scientists Behind James Webb Space Telescope's Success

Chris Impey and Daniel Apai from the University of Arizona explained how scientists will look for life. All starlight that has been in interaction with the planet's surface or atmosphere will be first studied for clues about life or "biosignatures." For instance, Earth's atmosphere has a biosignature of oxygen on all light that passes through it, suggesting that life on Earth exists.

It's all in the light!

Most surfaces and material trap wavelengths of light, making all things organic different in colour. Scientists wish to study the specific colour of light that emanates from any planet to learn about the exoplanet's atmosphere or surface.

In turn, this method could lead scientists to gases like oxygen and methane that are associated with life. In its first suite of images, James Webb showed readings from a exoplanet WASP-96b and found that there was water and clouds on the planet, even if the gas giant may be too hot to host life.

Also read: James Webb Space Telescope's First Image Shows Universe's Earliest, Faintest Galaxies



NASA

Next up in James Webb Space Telescope's journey - TRAPPIST-1e, an Earth-sized planet that can be potentially habitable. It's just 39 light-years away from Earth. Webb looks for biosignatures by studying planets when they pass in front of their host stars - capturing all starlight that passes through a planet's atmosphere.

Even then, James Webb Space Telescope cannot explicitly detect life but instead depends on readings from atmospheres of planets to decide which planets may host life. Unbonded oxygen, the "strongest signal for life" cannot be read by the telescope.

Also read: Explained: What Is James Webb Telescope And Why Do People Want To Rename It



NASA/JWST

The telescopes of the future could in fact be designed to find life on other planets. Scientists are studying ways to block bright light coming from a planet's host star to reveal "starlight reflect back from the planet." Three such ground-based telescopes are currently under construction - the Giant Magellen Telescope, the Thirty Meter Telescope, and the European Extremely Large Telescope.

What do you think about the role of telescopes like James Webb to probe potentially habitable worlds for signs of life? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.



References

Impey, C., & Apai, D. (2022, July 14). To search for alien life, astronomers will look for clues in the atmospheres of distant planets  and the James Webb Space Telescope just proved its possible to do so. The Conversation.
In the last few days, NASA has been releasing some breathtaking images of our universe captured on the brand new James Webb telescope. And now, a recent post by NASA has revealed James Webb's prowess for capturing the planets of our solar system.

Researchers have captured a stunning image of the largest planet of our solar system -- Jupiter -- while calibrating the instrument. The image was captured on the telescope's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) instruments short-wavelength filter and it was able to show the stunning features of the large planet -- from the gas giant's distinct bands to its moon Europa.

NASA

The image also showed the Great Red Spot in perfect visibility, although it appeared white due to the image processing. When using NIRCam instrument's 2.12 micron filter, the image showed the Jovian moons Europa, Thebe, Metis and even Europa's shadow near the Great Red Spot. Using NIRCam's 3.23 micron filter, the image captured showed some of Jupiter 's rings.

The power of James Webb

Bryan Holler, one of the scientists who helped plan these observations, said in a statement, "Combined with the deep field images released the other day, these images of Jupiter demonstrate the full grasp of what Webb can observe, from the faintest, most distant observable galaxies to planets in our own cosmic backyard that you can see with the naked eye from your actual backyard."

NASA

Also read: James Webb Space Telescope Could Bring Us Closer To The Discovery Of Alien Life

What's crazier is that James Webb captured this while moving across its field of view in three different observations. This basically means that the telescope is powerful enough to look for stars while being in the presence of a celestial body as bright as Jupiter.

NASA

This also means that the telescope can be used to study moons in our solar system as well as offer us the first images of the plumes of material known to spew out of natural satellites like Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus. Let us know what you think about this story in the comments below.

Also read: Meet Three Indian Scientists Behind James Webb Space Telescope's Success



For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.
In a disturbing incident, the Mar Thoma Institute of Information Technology ordered female students taking the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) to take off their underwear before entering the exam room.



representational Image

According to reports, the parents of the female students confirmed that female candidates were forced to take the exam in front of male invigilators and other male students, which caused great embarrassment for the girls and caused both mental and physical distress.



"My daughter has been preparing for the NEET exam since 8th grade. We were confident that she would achieve a good rank on the test, but due to this issue, she could not concentrate and couldnt properly write the exam," a students father told ANI.

Citing the National Testing Agencys guidelines, the parent also highlighted that the NTA had not mentioned any ban on any form of brassiere (bra) and hooks.

Representational Image

"They were very uncomfortable. The guidelines issued by NTA had not mentioned any ban on bras and hooks. We were following all guidelines. But the staff did not allow them to enter the classroom without removing their underwear," he added.



A Father Shares Her Daughter's Ordeal:

"Is your future or innerwear big for you? Just remove it and don't waste our time," the girl was told, according to her father's complaint to the police, as reported by NDTV.

The Marthoma Institute of Information Technology, where the incident occurred, has explicitly denied all liability.

Representational Image

The girl's parents have reported the incident, according to Kollam police head KB Ravi. Additionally, they allege that some girls were made to remove their underwear, which was then left lying around in a storeroom.



"After a security check, my daughter was told that the metal detector detected the hook of the innerwear, so she was asked to remove it. Almost 90% of female students had to remove their inners and keep them in a storeroom. The candidates were mentally disturbed while writing the exam," said the girl's father.

In his letter to the police, he stated that his daughter had witnessed a "roomful of underwear" and that many girls were weeping and feeling "mentally tortured."

TOI

Many students, he wrote, were "cutting their hooks" and tying them up. "The mental state of these children was disturbed, and they could not attend the exam comfortably (sic),"

Clearing the NEET security check is a significant impediment for thousands of medical aspirants. Candidates must comply with a tight dress code that forbids wearing high heels, wallets, handbags, belts, hats, jewelry, and other accessories.

Representational Image

The Kollam case appears to be a case of unnecessary restrictions. The state's women's commission filed a suo moto complaint regarding the incident.



According to reports, the number of complaints about the incident continues to rise.

(With ANI inputs)

(For more trending stories, click here.)


A media release said the transaction continues Suncorps reshaping and simplification.

The release said Suncorps insurance operations in both Australia and New Zealand will not form part of the transaction and the Groups head office will continue to be in Queensland.

Suncorp Group, which is the proud home of several of Australia and New Zealands leading and most trusted insurance brands including AAMI, GIO, Shannons, Apia and Vero and of course the Suncorp brand, will continue to offer the same great service to Queenslanders, said McLoughlin.

Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston said the decision to divest the bank had not been taken lightly.

By combining with a larger banking group, Suncorp Bank will be well positioned for the future, he said.

As part of the transaction, said the release, both firms made commitments to the state of Queensland including Suncorps pledge to establish a Disaster Response Centre of Excellence. The release said this centre will incorporate the latest technology to monitor, prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural disasters.
Insurtech provider Betterview has partnered with areal imagery and location intelligence company Nearmap to enhance insurer response time and quality of response to catastrophic event-related claims. Customers of Betterviews CAT response system (CAT-RS) for claims will now have access to inspection-grade imagery of areas impacted by severe weather events through Nearmap ImpactResponse.

The recently released CAT-RS provides live predictions of real damage using fast computer vision processing, enabling insurers to better manage resources even in the face of unpredictable natural disasters. Integrating aerial imagery into Betterviews CAT-RS platform will help insurers rapidly and accurately assess the extent of damage to insured property, respond proactively to customers in need, and spot fraudulent claims by revealing historical property conditions before first notice of loss or arrival of a claims adjuster at the impacted location.
This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync.

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With AgentSyncs 50 State Summary Table, weve taken the top questions concerning licensing, appointments, adjuster, and business entity management and set them in a comparative grid across the states and territories. Instead of your team maintaining a spreadsheet or asking but WHY!?! every time you come across a nuance or variation in state regulations, have an at-a-glance understanding of how each state handles appointments or licensing.

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The AgentSync Compliance Library takes a jurisdictional approach to compliance data, listing a summary of known rules for Kansas carrier appointment procedures, for example. In contrast, the 50 State Summary is our selection of the top data points for each state, listed in a state-by-state table to compare and contrast data.

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The AgentSync Compliance Library

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The AgentSync compliance library is intended to be one of many resources to use to verify insurance compliance information. You should always consult with the applicable state and federal regulatory authority to confirm the accuracy of any of the information provided in this database.

AgentSync is working to be on the forefront of connecting the industry, and making it easier for agencies, carriers, and producers to work together (and work with the rest of us!). By taking an open-source, collaborative approach to compliance data, we hope to encourage regulatory transparency and clarity that can benefit everyone across the industry.

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Insurers and government self-insurance pools should be breathing a sigh of relief after the Alabama Supreme Court absolved a county commissions fund of direct liability in a marina fire that killed eight people and destroyed three dozen boats.

The court overturned a decision by a circuit judge in Jackson County and ordered the judge to dismiss the Association of County Commissions Liability Self-Insurance Fund from a lawsuit brought by victims and families of the people killed in the 2020 fire. The high court held that state law exempts the fund from liability other than what the fund is obligated to pay to the insured county.

The assertion came despite the conflicting wording of the state law.

We agree with the plaintiffs that the first sentence of (Statute) 11-30-7 does not entitle the fund to immunity from claims based on its own alleged torts, Justice Sarah Stewart wrote for the majority.

The second line of the statute, however, does appear to grant the fund immunity from third-party claims, the court decided.

The plaintiffs in the case employed a somewhat unusual tactic, charging that the fund itself was at fault because it failed to properly inspect the county-owned dock and marina, and failed to monitor a safety program. The lawsuit alleges that the dock had electrical problems that should have been flagged in an inspection, then repaired.

The National Transportation Safety Boards investigation of the fire also faulted the county for not having a pre-fire plan in place, and for not having life jackets, floatation rings, or a skiff at the dock for emergencies. Boats and the dock were cluttered with chairs, tables, grills and propane tanks, contributing fuel to the fire and making escape difficult.

The fire, on the Tennessee River in Scottsboro, in northeast Alabama, was described as a horrific scene when it blazed out of control on the night of Jan. 27. The cause of the fire was not clear, but the investigation said it appeared to originate near one boats electrical panel, according to news reports and the NTSB report.

The fire quickly spread to the dock and other boats, trapping people as they slept and blocking some from reaching the shore. A number of boats at the crowded marina were inoperable and couldnt be moved to safety. Others caught fire and drifted into other vessels.

This is absolutely devastating and certainly in my experience, one of the most devastating things I have ever seen, Scottsboro Fire Chief Gene Necklause said the morning after, according to The New York Times.

The Supreme Court ruling did not indicate how much the county commission self-insurance fund and other insurers have paid out on claims from the fire, or if the county will be allowed sovereign immunity for some of the damages.

Officials and attorneys for the fund could not be reached for comment, but the groups brief in the case notes that state law caps the funds coverage at $300,000.

The case will now proceed against the county and other defendants, once the circuit court dismisses the fund from the suit.

The high courts opinion appears to differ a bit from its own 1987 decision in Howton vs. State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Co. That opinion held that the rule barring tort actions against an insurer does not apply when an insurer, acting independently of its insured, commits a tort against a third-party claimant.

In the Scottsboro fire case, the court noted that the statute authorizing the liability pool includes a broad statement of immunity, other than for what the fund had contracted for with the insured counties.

The plaintiffs attorneys argued that the section merely limits the contractual liability that a self-insurance pool may incur.

The trial judge in the county where the fire occurred agreed and refused to dismiss the suit in late 2021.

The trial court reasoned that, because the first sentence of that statute indicates that an LSIF could be liable to a third party if the action is not based on a claim against a member county, the legislature would not negate the first sentence with the inclusion of a second sentence granting such broad immunity, the Supreme Court justices explained.

The justices said that another section of Alabama law, which created risk management cooperatives for local school districts, contains similar language granting liability immunity to the cooperatives. That statute, however, includes a notable clarification. The last line of the section reads that it does not prohibit actions due to fraud brought against the cooperatives.

The Legislature may have decided that the immunity granted to risk cooperatives and county insurance pools is needed to protect taxpayers, the Supreme Court said.

 We recognize that the Legislature may have determined that immunizing LSIFs from tort liability would serve to protect those public funds and the public purpose served by LSIFs. Indeed, this Court has long recognized the Legislatures ability to extend immunity from tort liability to counties, municipalities, and other governmental entities.

Topics Alabama
In the annals of how the pandemic changed things, toss in a positive tale from insurer CSAA Insurance Group.

Walnut Creek, California-based CSAA, a AAA Insurer, offers automobile, homeowners and other personal lines of insurance to AAA Members through AAA clubs in 23 states and the District of Columbia.

When the pandemic began to unwind, promising economic downturn, and reducing the number of miles people were driving  thereby reducing the need for numerous carrier personnel, such as those in claims  a CSAA executive was tasked to see what could be done to keep as many of the companys 3,500-strong workforce employed as possible.

Out of that conversation and the ensuing effort came a new subsidiary with 400 workers and a new line of business for the company: CSAA Specialized Services.

Joey Daryanani, vice president of Specialized Services, credits the idea to an employee who pointed out that the need for contact tracers during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak could be met by the companys claims personnel.

The companys chief operating officer asked Daryanani to look into it, with the initial goals of simply helping the community while also retaining claims employees.

The program landed a contract tracing engagement with a small city using 25 people, and it ballooned from there, with currently 400 full-time and contract workers working virtually in a contact center environment.

The new business-to-business endeavor offers claims handling, training, and call center support.

Their claims handling services include end-to-end claims management, specialty services like subrogation, total loss and salvage recovery and Medicare compliance. Training services include curriculums customized to meet an organizations learning objectives. The call center support component is comprised of contact center capabilities, staff, and community-related services.

We are going after these three areas, they are the core areas for us, Daryanani said.

In another unique, pandemic-related twist, this is an all-virtual business. It had to be from the start, and it has proven to be an efficient way to operate thereafter, according to him.

Now we can go around the country anywhere and land an account in a time zone and weve got resources in those places, he said.

To be fair, Daryanani and the operation had a bit of a head start.

Daryanani helped in setting up a body shop training facility in Las Vegas for CSAA with virtual attributes prior to the pandemic. The facility has vehicles on site, but a trainer anywhere in the world can virtually appear in front of a car and train employees.

CSAA Specialized Services started with state government contracts, and has continued to build out, according to Daryanani. The new subsidiarys clients include more government contracts for COVID contact tracing, vaccine support, disease investigations, processing of unemployment claims, and helping schools districts secure personal protective equipment.

Theyre also building out private clients, including other insurers. CSAA Specialized Services is the third-party provider for an autonomous vehicle company that transports people, and the company recently partnered with Verisk in a revenue sharing deal in which CSAA provides training through the Verisk platform.

Daryanani said that while the subsidiary is new, it is already a cash-positive operation.

I operate this as a start up, he said.

Other than original investment in resources and personnel from CSAA, they have invested the revenue and margins the company has earned in the last 18 months to maintain operations.

There really has not been a substantial dollar investment into this, Daryanani said. Its not a huge money maker, but we are in the positive right now.

He believes the business will continue growing long after the pandemic wanes.

In each of these three areas I do see an opportunity to disrupt and make things better given our CSAA culture and our ability to handle both claims and service interactions, he said. This is a service we can provide to the insurance industry and other industries. And I do see an opportunity to grow in that area.

Topics Carriers California COVID-19
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Southern New England is experiencing worsening drought conditions, government official said, urging residents to voluntarily take steps to reduce their water consumption.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont last Thursday declared a Stage 2 drought, based on a recommendation by the states Interagency Drought Workgroup, which determined that every county in the state is experiencing Stage 2 drought conditions due to below-normal precipitation.

Stage 2 is the second of five drought stages defined by the Connecticut Drought Preparedness and Response Plan. On June 2, the workgroup classified New London and Windham counties as being at Stage 1, essentially a heads up about the early signs of abnormally dry conditions.

Residents should be mindful of their water consumption and take sensible steps to reduce impacts on other water uses and on the environment, Lamont said in a statement.

Residents and businesses are being urged to take steps such as reducing automatic outdoor irrigation, postponing planting new lawns or vegetation and fixing leaky plumbing.

Much of Massachusetts and Rhode Island have been in a drought since May.

Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card declared on Wednesday a significant drought for a large portion of that state, and Rhode Island officials declared on Thursday that all but southern coastal areas are now in a moderate drought.

The city of Warwick, Rhode Island, instituted every-other-day watering restrictions effective immediately.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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A man who was exonerated last year in the 1965 assassination of Malcolm X has filed a $40 million lawsuit against New York City for the two decades he spent in prison for a notorious crime he did not commit.

Lawyers for 84-year-old Muhammad Aziz filed the lawsuit Thursday in federal court in Brooklyn over Azizs wrongful conviction in the murder of Malcolm X, the civil rights leader who urged Black people to seek justice by any means necessary.

An additional complaint was filed on behalf of the estate of Khalil Islam, a second man who was wrongly convicted in the assassination.

Malcolm X was shot to death Feb. 21, 1965 at the Audubon Ballroom in upper Manhattan. Aziz and Islam, then known as Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson, and a third man were convicted of murder in March 1966 and sentenced to life in prison.

The third man, Mujahid Abdul Halim, admitted to shooting Malcolm X but said neither Aziz nor Islam was involved. Halim was paroled in 2010.

A Manhattan judge dismissed the convictions of Aziz and Islam in November 2021 after prosecutors said new evidence of witness intimidation and suppression of exculpatory evidence had undermined the case against them. Then-District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. apologized for law enforcements serious, unacceptable violations of law and the public trust.

Attorneys David Shanies and Deborah Francois said in complaints filed Thursday that both Aziz and Islam were at their homes in the Bronx when Malcolm X was killed.

They said Aziz spent 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit and more than 55 years living with the hardship and indignity attendant to being unjustly branded as a convicted murderer of one of the most important civil rights leaders in history.

Islam spent 22 years in prison and died still hoping to clear his name. The damage done to Mr. Islam and his family was immense and irreparable, the lawyers wrote.

A spokesperson for New York Citys law department referred a request for comment to Mayor Eric Adams, who said in a statement, As someone who has fought for a fairer criminal justice system for my entire career, I believe the overturning of Mr. Aziz and Mr. Islams convictions was the just outcome. We are reviewing this lawsuit.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits New York
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A federal court in New Hampshire has denied gunmaker Sig Sauers bid to block a product liability lawsuit brought by a man who alleges he was struck by a bullet in the leg because his pistol fired without a trigger pull when he was removing the gun from its holster.

The plaintiff, Kyle Guay, alleges that Sig Sauer sold the P320 pistol in an unreasonably dangerous condition. The suit claims the pistol has a defect that allows it to fire without the trigger being pulled under certain conditions.

Sig Sauer had sought to avoid a trial based on its view that the plaintiffs two expert witnesses should be excluded.

But U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty declined the gunmakers bid to exclude the expert witnesses who offered opinions on the P320 pistols alleged defects.

The court noted that an experts testimony may be challenged on the grounds that the witness is not qualified to give the opinion, the opinion is not based on specialized knowledge, the opinion is not reliable, or the opinion is not relevant.

Judge McCafferty conducted a pre-trial hearing with the expert witnesses where Sig Sauer had the right to cross-examine. After the hearing, McCafferty found that both expert witnesses and the bulk of their opinions are admissible.

McCafferty ruled that there is sufficient evidence in the record for a reasonable jury to conclude, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Guay did not pull the P320s trigger and that the gun discharged because of the design or manufacturing defects identified by the two witnesses.

Guays suit alleges negligence, defective design, breach of warranties and unfair and deceptive marketing practices regarding a semi-automatic gun. It is being brought under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which governs consumer product warranties, and New Hampshires own consumer protection act. Sig Sauer is a foreign corporation with a principal office in Newington, New Hampshire.

The complaint cites dozens of incidents involving military and police personnel around the country where Sig Sauer pistols allegedly fired without the trigger being pulled and it claims that Sig Sauer has known for years about the alleged defect.

Guays Case

On the evening of January 28, 2020, Guay was wearing his Sig Sauer P320 gun in a Sig Sauer holster on the right side of his belt while walking his dogs. After the walk, Guay started to remove the holstered gun by pushing down on his belt and pulling up on the holstered gun. Guay said the gun fired and a bullet shot through his right thigh, causing nerve damage.

Guay asserts that he did not pull the guns trigger. Rather, he contends that the gun fired because a defect in its design or manufacture allows it to fire when it is jostled under certain conditions.

Sig Sauer has questioned Guays contention that he never pulled the trigger, pointing out that nobody else was present when Guy shot himself.

Sig Sauers main contention was that Guays two proposed expert witnesses, Peter Villani and Timothy Hicks, are unqualified and their opinions are unreliable.

Witness Villani has worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police since 2001 as a primary evidence custodian, senior firearms instructor/armorer, and operations officer with the rank of Major. His duties include detailed examination of guns used in the department and cleaning them once a year. During the pre-trial hearing, Villani testified that he also investigated an incident in which a police officer who worked for him was shot after his P320 discharged without a trigger pull.

Villani has also managed a shooting range and is certified by Sig Sauer as an armorer for several gun models, including the P320.

One of the defects Villani found was rollover on the striker foot and sear face and marks indicating that the sear and striker foot were not functioning as intended. He also found that the striker foot and striker housing had side-to-side movement that could cause the striker foot to land differently each time and, in his belief, cause the safety to be disengaged, allowing an unintended discharge.

Villani compared four P320s, including Guays, that had been involved in unintended discharges. He concluded that the four pistols discharged without manipulation of the triggering mechanism.

Sig Sauer contended that Villani is not qualified to opine about the design or manufacture of the P320 because he is not an engineer and has never worked in the design or manufacturing of guns.

The judge concluded that Villani is qualified to give his opinion to a jury based on his extensive professional experience even with minimal formal higher education.

[Villanis lack of engineering experience is less important than it might be in another case with a more complex machine, the judge wrote. Accordingly, neither a degree in engineering nor a lifetime designing firearms is necessary for Villani to develop sufficient practical experience to opine about how guns or gun safety devices are supposed to work.

However, the judge did limit Villanis opinion to his conclusions based on his testing, finding that he did not have any relevant experience about identifying the underlying cause of the defects he identified or about how they might be fixed.

Sig Sauer also opposed Hicks, who has a degree in mechanical engineering and is an engineer at Professional Analysis and Consulting, a firm that performs technical consulting in product performance and failure analysis and prevention. The bulk of Hickss experience is in the automotive industry. As a consultant engineer, Hicks has done certification tests on guns under California and Massachusetts regulations. He has also done tests for incidents involving guns. He holds certificates of eligibility from the California Department of Justice and Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety for certification testing of guns.

In his report, Hicks describes the process used to inspect and examine the guns in tests performed by a Sig Sauer expert under laboratory conditions. Hicks found that Guays gun had design and manufacturing defects that led to the uncommanded (unintended) discharge of the firearm.

Hicks noted that certain parts of the P320 were molded in metal without further machining, allowing for uncontrolled variability, that the sear and striker foot had inconsistencies on their contact surfaces, including rollover, that minimized their actual contact, that those parts had misalignment, and that other parts had gaps that allowed movement which could cause misalignment.

Sig Sauer contends that most of Hickss experience is in the auto industry and his experience with testing guns is too limited to qualify him to provide opinions about the design and manufacture of the P320 gun. But the judge again disagreed. Hicks is a mechanical engineer with substantial experience, and he specializes in the technicalities of product performance and failure, wrote McCafferty. Accordingly, his training and experience provide a basis for expertise in the mechanical workings of a product, including a gun.

In relation to the gunmakers criticism of the witnesses, the judge concluded: Sig Sauers desire for absolute certainty is misplaced because the standard of proof in this case is preponderance of the evidence.

The plaintiff originally sought punitive damages but the judge noted that those are not allowed under New Hampshire law. Instead, the plaintiff said he would seek enhanced compensatory damages. The plaintiff also withdrew his claim for negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Topics Lawsuits New Hampshire
JERTE, Spain  Authorities across southern Europe battled on Sunday to control huge wildfires in countries including Spain, Greece and France, with hundreds of deaths blamed on soaring temperatures that scientists say are consistent with climate change.

In Spain, helicopters dropped water on the flames as heat above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and often mountainous terrain made the job harder for firefighters.

Shocked residents watching thick plumes of smoke rising above the central western Jerte valley said the heat was making their previously green and cool home more like Spains semi-arid south.

Red Extreme Warning Forecasts Exceptional Heat Wave Next Week for UK

Climate change affects everyone, said resident Miguel Angel Tamayo.

A study published in June in the journal Environmental Research: Climate concluded it was highly probable that climate change was making heatwaves worse.

More than 1,000 deaths have been attributed to the nearly week-long heatwave in Portugal and Spain so far. Temperatures in Spain have reached as high as 45.7C (114F).

Spains weather agency issued temperature warnings for Sunday, with highs of 42 Celsius (108 Fahrenheit) forecast in Aragon, Navarra and La Rioja, in the north. It said the heatwave would end on Monday, but warned temperatures would remain abnormally high.

Fires were raging in several other regions including Castille and Leon in central Spain and Galicia in the north on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters stabilized a blaze in Mijas, in Malaga province, and said evacuated people could return home.

British pensioners William and Ellen McCurdy had fled for safety with other evacuees in a local sport center from their home on Saturday as the fire approached.

It was very fast . I didnt take it too seriously. I thought they had it under control and I was quite surprised when it seemed to be moving in our direction, William, 68, told Reuters.

In France, wildfires have now spread over 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) in the southwestern region of Gironde, and more than 14,000 people have been evacuated, regional authorities said on Sunday afternoon.

More than 1,200 firefighters were trying to control the blazes, the authorities said in a statement.

France issued red alerts, the highest possible, for several regions, with residents urged to be extremely vigilant.

In Italy, where smaller fires have blazed in recent days, forecasters expect temperatures above 40C in several regions in coming days.

Similar temperatures were recorded in Portugal on Sunday and are forecast in Britain on Monday and Tuesday, in what would top its previous official record of 38.7C (102F) set in Cambridge in 2019.

Britains national weather forecaster issued its first red extreme heat warning for parts of England. Rail passengers were advised to only travel if absolutely necessary and to expect widespread delays and cancellations.

Drought in Portugal

Around 1,000 firefighters tried to control 13 forest and rural fires in the center and north of Portugal, the largest being near the northern city of Chaves.

Portugals Health Ministry said late on Saturday that in the last seven days 659 people died due to the heatwave, most of them elderly. It said the weekly peak of 440 deaths was on Thursday, when temperatures exceeded 40C (104F) in several regions and 47C (117F) at a meteorological station in the district of Vizeu in the center of the country.

By Saturday, there were 360 heat-related deaths in Spain, according to figures from the Carlos III Health Institute.

Portugal was grappling with extreme drought even before the recent heatwave, according to data from the national meteorological institute. Some 96% of the mainland was already suffering severe or extreme drought at the end of June.

Emergency and Civil Protection Authority Commander Andre Fernandes urged people to take care not to ignite new fires in such bone-dry conditions.

In Greece the fire brigade said on Saturday 71 blazes had broken out within a 24-hour period.

(Reporting by Guillermo Martinez, Layli Foroudi, Sergio Goncalves, Jessica Jones, Renee Maltezou, Jon Nazca and Mariano Valladolid; writing by Raissa Kasolowsky, Frances Kerry and Frank Jack Daniel; editing by Mark Potter, Philippa Fletcher and Gareth Jones)

Photograph: This photo provided on Thursday July 14, 2022 by the fire brigade of the Gironde region (SDIS 33) shows a wildfire near Landiras, southwestern France, on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. A spate of wildfires is scorching parts of Europe, with firefighters battling blazes in Portugal, Spain and southern France. In France, two fires raged out of control in the region around Bordeaux in southwest France for a third consecutive day, despite efforts of 1,000 firefighters and water-dumping planes to contain them. Photo credit: SDIS 33 via AP.

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Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Europe Climate Change
Almost half of Black employees are planning to leave their jobs in the near future, resenting the lack of fairness in their companys management, according to new research.

A total of 46% of Black employees at UK firms intend to quit their current place of work in the next two years or sooner, compared to 34% of White professionals, the research from New York-based think tank Coqual published [on July 13] shows.

For Black women, the figure is even higher, at 52%.

Just from a human perspective its a sign that youre not supporting all employees equally, said Julia Taylor Kennedy, executive vice president for Coqual in an interview with Bloomberg News. From a business perspective it shows that youre not actually retaining and promoting the most talented employees  because youre disproportionately excluding employees of certain backgrounds.

Firms are bolstering efforts to increase the representation of ethnic minorities at senior levels and pressure is growing to show progress two years after the Black Lives Matter movement. But the report suggests that working environments are pushing Black employees to move on early in their careers, with 68% of Black people and 58% of mixed-race people saying theyve encountered racial prejudice.

Black professionals experience micro-aggressions more often than their White and Asian counterparts, according to the research, which surveyed 1,035 people this year. These include assumptions that Black Britons werent born in the UK or are from disadvantaged backgrounds, and expectations for employees to be representative of their entire race or ethnicity.

Black people were also 81% more likely than White people to say processes such as hiring and promotions were unfair or only slightly fair, adding to their likeliness to leave their jobs.

Frustrations from Black women in the workplace ranged from the lack of representation past junior management level, to Black issues becoming a box-ticking exercise after the momentum from the Black Lives Matter movement ebbed, leaving behind organizations that are still predominantly White.

Im not interested in being the first,' said one Black female professional, who was unnamed in the report. If I cant see it in your organization, Im not willing to make that fight because there are other companies I can go to.

In April, the Financial Conduct Authority set UK-listed companies three targets to boost diversity in their upper ranks, including having at least one member of their board from an ethnic minority. Coquals report recommends initiatives such as holding leaders accountable on diversity and inclusion goals through performance evaluations and sponsoring people from underrepresented groups.

You have Black talent in the UK surrounded by peers, managers and others who dont believe that they have to work harder to advance, said Lanaya Irvin, Coquals chief executive officer. Its all connected to the myth of meritocracy.

Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News, was one of the sponsors for the research.

Photograph: Skyscraper office buildings on the skyline in the Canary Wharf business, shopping and financial district in London, UK, on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. Photo credit: Jason Alden/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Talent
New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles!

A computer vulnerability discovered last year in a ubiquitous piece of software is an endemic problem that will pose security risks for potentially a decade or more, according to a new cybersecurity panel created by President Joe Biden.

The Cyber Safety Review Board said in a report April 14 that while there hasnt been sign of any major cyberattack due to the Log4j flaw, it will still be exploited for years to come.

Log4j is one of the most serious software vulnerabilities in history, the boards chairman, Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary Rob Silvers, told reporters.

The Log4j flaw, made public late last year, lets internet-based attackers easily seize control of everything from industrial control systems to web servers and consumer electronics. The first obvious signs of the flaws exploitation appeared in Minecraft, a hugely popular online game owned by Microsoft.

The flaws discovery prompted urgent warnings by government officials and massive efforts by cybersecurity professionals to patch vulnerable systems.

Major Companies Rush to Fix Software Flaw Before Hackers Strike

The board said April 14 that somewhat surprisingly the exploitation of the Log4j bug had occurred at lower levels than experts predicted. The board also said that it was unaware of any significant Log4j attacks on critical infrastructure systems but noted that some cyberattacks go unreported.

The board said future attacks are likely in large part because Log4j is routinely embedded with other software and can be hard for organizations to find running in their systems.

This event is not over, Silvers said.

Log4j, written in the Java programming language, logs user activity on computers. Developed and maintained by a handful of volunteers under the auspices of the open-source Apache Software Foundation, it is extremely popular with commercial software developers.

10 Cyber Attacks in 2021 Cost $600M With 40,000 Businesses Put at Risk

A security researcher at the Chinese tech giant Alibaba notified the foundation on Nov. 24. It took two weeks to develop and release a fix. Chinese media reported that the government punished Alibaba for not reporting the flaw earlier to state officials.

The board said it found troubling elements with the Chinese governments policy toward vulnerability disclosures, saying it could give Chinese state hackers an early look at computer flaws they could use for nefarious means like stealing trade secrets or spying on dissidents. The Chinese government has long denied wrongdoing in cyberspace and told the board that it encourages improved information sharing on software vulnerabilities.

The board offered a number of recommendations on mitigating the fallout of the Log4j flaw as well as improving cybersecurity generally. That includes the suggestion that universities and community colleges make cybersecurity training a required part of computer science degree and certification programs.

The Cyber Safety Review Board is modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board, which reviews plane crashes and other major accidents, and was mandated by an executive order Biden signed last May. The 15-member board is made up of FBI, National Security Agency and other government officials as well as people from the private sector. Some supporters of the new board criticized DHS for taking so long to get it up and running.

Bidens executive order directed the board to conduct its first review on the massive Russian cyber espionage campaign known as SolarWinds. Russian hackers were able to breach several federal agencies, including accounts belonging to top cybersecurity officials at DHS, though the full fallout from that campaign is still unclear.

Silvers said DHS and the White House agreed that reviewing the Log4j flaw was a better use of the new boards expertise and time.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cyber
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New York-based Noldor, said it recently closed on a $10 million seed funding round from a group of well-established insurance investors. According to CEO John Horneff, Noldors seed funding positions the company for long-term growth in using data to deepen relationships between coverholders and insurers.

Founded in D. E. Shaws venture studio DESCOvery in 2021, Noldors technology integrates with any entity with delegated underwriting authority regardless of their existing tech stack. This integration allows Noldors platform to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to aggregate data, uncover hidden drivers of loss ratios and automate back-office functions like reporting.

The funding round was led by the DESCOvery group at D.E. Shaw, a global investment and technology development firm based in New York City with participation from several other strategic investors.

John and his team have designed a platform that meets MGAs/MGUs where they are, using their existing systems and data repositories to optimize capacity without requiring investment in tech that only works with one specific insurtech provider or carriers system, said David Shainok, head of reinsurance and DESCOvery at D.E. Shaw. The potential to drive down expense ratios while improving profitability of program business has never been more mission critical for our industry and were excited about what Noldor is building.

Noldor is currently working with dozens of MGAs and across multiple carriers and reinsurance brokers responsible for billions of dollars in gross written premiums. Active in London and Bermuda (and across multiple lines of business), Noldors data platform is being developed to improve efficiency and reduce expense ratios of all stakeholders associated with delegated authority.

This funding was designed to ensure Noldor will continue to grow and adapt to new use cases alongside the enterprises we work with, said Horneff. Technology is shifting what the efficient frontier of program administration looks like, so were actively investing to enable the next generation of carriers, MGAs/MGUs, and reinsurance brokers.

Source: Noldor

Topics InsurTech Tech Funding Data Driven
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Agency consultancy OPTIS Partners said the pace of insurance agency mergers and acquisitions during the first six months of 2022 was above the average of activity during the same period over the last five years  a time regarded as the most active M&A market ever.

One of the drivers is the expanded appetite of the most active buyers to look at businesses adjacent to the agency/brokerage business, said Steve Germundson, a partner at OPTIS, which offers M&A representation of buyers and sellers, including due-diligence reviews. Germundson said 53 of the 427 deals announced during the first-half come from life/financial services, actuarial and human resources consulting, technology, and other insurance-distribution businesses.

The number of deals in the traditional agency/brokerage segment was nearly flat, added managing partner Timothy J. Cunningham. He said there arent the same number of sellers as in the past.

But buyers still have a lot of capital to deploy, and they are finding opportunities to fill other needs in their businesses with firms in this expanded space.

The 427 announced insurance agency M&A deals in the U.S. and Canada during the first half 2022 was up 16% from the same time a year ago. The increase was driven by activity in the second quarter  the fourth most active quarter of all time, OPTIS said. The 233 transactions during Q2 was 46% above the five-year average.

The 10 most active buyers have accounted for 55% of the deals so far in 2022. PCF took the top spot with 48 deals. Acrisure and Hub followed with 43 and 35 deals, respectively. OPTIS said other active buyers were Inszone, Patriot Growth, and Keystone Agency Partners.

A total of 83% of the business sold were in traditional retail insurance distribution, OPTIS said.

OPTIS said it expects activity to continue, and the deal count to rise through 2022, in the face of economic headwinds.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions
A former Southwest Airlines flight attendant who was fired after sparring with her union president over abortion and other issues won a $5.1 million jury verdict against the airline and the union.

A jury in federal district court in Dallas handed down the verdict Thursday. If it stands, Charlene Carter could collect $4.15 million from Southwest and $950,000 from Local 556 of the Transport Workers Union, mostly in punitive damages.

Southwest said Friday that it has a demonstrated history of supporting our employees rights to express their opinions when done in a respectful manner. It plans to appeal. A lawyer for the union said jurors might have misunderstood the judges instructions, and it also plans to appeal.

Carter alleged she was fired in March 2017 after complaining to the union president about flight attendants going to a march in Washington, D.C., where more than 500,000 people protested President Donald Trumps positions on abortion and other issues. Carter, who had clashed with the union for years over other issues, believed dues were paying for an anti-abortion protest.

Carter sent a series of Facebook messages, some containing videos of purported aborted fetuses, to Audrey Stone, who was president of the union at the time. She called Stone despicable and said she would be voted out of office. Carter had clashed with the union for

According to court documents, the airline said it fired Carter because posts on her Facebook page, in which she could be identified as a Southwest employee, were highly offensive and that her private messages to Stone were harassing. The airline said she violated company policies on bullying and use of social media.

The jury said Southwest unlawfully discriminated against Carter because of her sincerely held religious beliefs.

Carter, a 20-year veteran of Southwest, said the union did not fairly represent her and retaliated against her for expressing her views. Her lead attorney came from the National Right To Work Committee, which campaigns against compulsory union membership.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas Aviation
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Ascend Inks Payment Platform Agreement with Independent Agents of North Carolina

Ascend, an insurance payments platform, has announced an agreement with Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina to provide automated financing, collections and payables.

Participating agents can have access to Ascends payment platform, which the company said can reduce workload. Webinars also will be available to agents.

The agreement is one of several Ascend has signed this year. The firm was founded by insurtech entrepreneurs Andrew Wynn and Praveen Chekuri. IIANC has almost 900 member agencies that employ more than 7,000 people, the company said in a news release.

AmeriSave Lender Moves into Insurance Comparison and Quote Field

Atlanta-based AmeriSave, a mortgage lender, said it has launched a program to let new homeowners quickly compare and purchase insurance products for homes, auto, boats, umbrella and flood insurance.

AmeriSave Insurance, produced in partnership with Hippo, an insurance group that emphasizes proactive home protection systems, can provide insurance within minutes, the company said in a news release.

AmeriSave was founded in 2002 and has loan centers in six states and is licensed in 49 states.
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Sedgwick, one of the largest workers compensation claims-management firms in the United States, was penalized by Tennessee regulators more than any other company in the last five years.

But most of the fines have been relatively small, a consequence of a Tennessee workers compensation system that has been skewed against workers, the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper reported this week.

The investigative series also found that some out-of-state doctors, paid by employers, insurers and third-party administrators, have routinely denied surgeries during utilization reviews  without seeing patients or examining medical imaging. One New Jersey physician, licensed in Tennessee, has had his decisions appealed more than any others, and has been accused of insurance fraud and allowing a nurse to use his signature on utilization review reports.

Tennessee claimants attorneys have complained for years, since legislative reforms in 2013, that the states workers compensation fee structure makes it difficult to earn a reasonable fee representing injured workers. Many lawyers have dropped workers comp practice, forcing workers to navigate the system on their own, the newspaper and lawyers have reported.

The Commercial Appeal report said that Sedgwick may have been warned and fined by regulators more often than other TPAs because its larger than others and handles claims for some of Tennessees biggest employers. Penalties were issued over erroneous paperwork, mishandled surgery requests and lengthy denials of medical treatments.

But another company, Genex, performed about the same number of utilization reviews in recent years with few citations issued by the Tennessee Bureau of Workers Compensation, the news site reported.

Sedgwick responded with a statement from Max Koonce, its chief claims officer: As part of the work we do in Tennessee, Sedgwick is mandated by the state to process the appropriate workers compensation claims through the utilization review program, he said. Our focus is to provide the best outcomes in supporting injured workers while following all state requirements and regulations in Tennessee.

Topics Workers' Compensation Tennessee
Preston Brown knows the risk of wildfire that comes with living in the rural, chaparral-lined hills of San Diego County. Hes lived there for 21 years and evacuated twice.

Thats why he fiercely opposed a plan to build more than 1,100 homes in a fire-prone area he said would be difficult to evacuate safely. Brown sits on the local planning commission, and he said the additional people would clog the road out.

Its a very rough area, Brown said. We have fires all the time now.

Opponents like Brown, a member of the Sierra Club and California Native Plant Society, scored a win last year. A California court sided with a coalition of environmental groups and blocked a developers plan called Otay Village 14 that included single-family homes and commercial space. The groups argued the county didnt adequately consider fire escape routes, and the judge agreed.

Thats not the only time Californias escalating cycle of fire has been used as a basis to refuse development.

Environmental groups are seeing increased success in California courts arguing that wildfire risk wasnt fully considered in proposals to build homes in fire-prone areas that sit at the edge of forests and brush, called the wildland-urban interface. Experts say such litigation could become more common.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has backed a handful of the lawsuits, putting developers on notice.

You cant keep doing things the way weve been doing when the world is changing around us, Bonta said in an interview, adding that he supports more housing. His office has, for example, questioned the increased fire risk of a 16,000-acre (6,475-hectare) project that includes a luxury resort and 385 residential lots in Lake County, roughly 130 miles (209 kilometers) north of San Francisco in an area that has already seen significant fire.

Bonta said his office is working on a policy that will help developers and local officials avoid future opposition from his office. It will provide guidance on evacuation routes, planning for population growth and minimizing fire risk, he said.

Developers say they already consider wildfire risks in their plans, comply with strict fire codes and adhere to state environmental policies, all while trying to ease another one of the states most pressing problems: the need for more housing.

Builders also say communities sometimes unfairly wield wildfire risk as a tool to stop development. The AGs office has weighed in on this side, too. Last year, the city of Encinitas denied permits to an apartment complex citing the possibility of choked outgoing traffic if there were a fire.

Encinitas _ a city with a median home price of $1.67 million _ was thwarting the states affordable housing goals, Bontas office wrote. Months later, the commission approved the developers plan with some changes.

FIRE AND LAWSUITS

California is withering under a megadrought that is increasing the risk of fire, with 12 of the 20 largest wildfires in its history taking place in the past five years. UC Berkeley researchers estimate 1.4 million homes in California are located in high or very high-risk areas. Activists say the public is increasingly aware of fires.

The result is more lawsuits.

Opponents of the developments are employing the often-hated California Environmental Quality Act against local governments in these lawsuits. That law ensures theres enough information about projects like Otay Village 14 for officials to make informed decisions and address problems. In 2018, the state strengthened requirements for disclosing wildfire risk, leaving developers more vulnerable to this kind of litigation.

Peter Broderick, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, said environmental groups are challenging the worst of the worst, large projects in undeveloped, high fire-prone areas that cater to wealthy buyers.

Were talking about sprawl, Broderick said.

Pro-housing advocates have said the states policies encourage sprawl.

MAJOR HOUSING NEED

But by fighting big developments, environmental groups are holding up thousands of homes, said Mark Dillon, an attorney who represented the Otay Village 14 builders. New developments take fire risk seriously, employing techniques for fire-resistance and complying with building codes, he said. Otay Village 14 would build its own fire station.

California shouldnt just focus on building in city centers, Dillon countered.

We shouldnt be outlawing the single family home, he said.

Jennifer Hernandez heads the West Coast Land Use and Environmental Group at Holland & Knight LLP. She said developers are adjusting to changes in the environmental review law but that the attorney generals office should issue a public policy.

The ad hoc nature of unexpected interventions by the AGs office does a policy disservice to California housing needs, she said.

Hernandez represents an industry group that sued Calabasas, an affluent community of over 20,000 northwest of Los Angeles, arguing that it improperly cited wildfire risk to deny a 180-unit development.

Its on the main street of an existing community, she said. And why is this a problem?

Calabasas City Manager Kindon Meik said the project would violate open space rules and was in a high-risk area that had recently burned, adding the city has plans to meet its new housing needs.

Californias housing shortage has made homes unaffordable for many moderate and low-income residents. Researchers, housing policy experts, and others say development at the edge of the forest has been driven in part by these punishing home costs in cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and their suburbs.

In recent years, the state passed measures aimed at ensuring cities build enough new homes, but a recent statewide housing plan said 2.5 million new homes are still needed over the next eight years.

Greg Pierce, a professor of urban environmental policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, said theres very little land left in California that is undeveloped, cheap and at low risk of fire.

Meanwhile, activists have more projects in their crosshairs.

NeySa Ely of Escondido has a list of items like medicine and dog supplies to grab the next time she has to flee a fire. She had to evacuate in 2003 and 2007. The first time, she remembers driving away and seeing flames in the rearview mirror.

At that point, I just started sobbing, Ely said.

Her house survived that blaze, but the memory stuck. So when she heard about plans for Harvest Hills, a roughly 550-home development proposed about a mile from her house, she worked to block it, concerned that more residents and buildings in the area would clog the roads out and increase the chance of fire.

The project hasnt been approved yet, but if it is, Ely said, I think it will be heavily litigated.

Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
News

Global market trend 2025-2030 Does the EU coal power emergency have an impact on the reverse power relay schneider market by Newsintegra927

The latest report, "Coal Is Not Making a Comeback: Europe predicts Limited carbon growth," is released today by British think tank Ember. Using a series of quantitative analyses, the report concludes that the currently planned restart of coal-fired power plants in Europe will have a limited impact on Europe's carbon emissions and climate change commitments. Overall, even in the worst-case scenario, the EU's emissions would increase by only 1.3% a year.

Since February of this year, Europe has been facing an increasingly severe gas supply crisis. Gas supplies from Russia, Europe's biggest supplier, now look likely to fall further ahead of winter.

While the European Union has taken steps to increase gas storage, Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands and other countries plan or have already started to restart coal power generation.

The report's analysis finds that 14GW of coal-fired power is already on standby, increasing the EU's total installed capacity to 920GW (up 1.5%), while increasing existing coal capacity by 12% to 109GW. Most of the new coal-fired generation is in Germany, where the government has approved 8GW of spare capacity.

In addition, the Netherlands allows hard coal plants (4.5GW) to operate at full capacity until the end of 2023, rather than at a 35% loan rate. France will open 595MW coal-fired power plants this winter. Austria suspended the decommissioning of 246MW units. These units can only generate power in emergencies and remain on standby at other times.

In a worst-case scenario, the coal-fired reserve plant will operate at a load rate of 65% in 2023, generating 60Twh of electricity, enough to power Europe for a week, the report argues.

This would add an additional 30 million tonnes of co2 emissions in 2023, representing 1.3% of the EU's total emissions in 2021 and 4% of annual emissions from the power sector.

Market introduction of reverse power relay schneider

Time relay Industry competition and marketization degree: relay industry development is more mature, the market competition is more sufficient, major producing countries including China, the United States, Japan, Germany, etc., including the United States, Japan, Germany enterprise occupies most of the high-end relay market share, is mainly used in industrial automation control, automotive, communications, aerospace and other fields. The output of relays of Chinese enterprises accounts for about half of the global output of relays, but they are mainly medium and low-end products, which are mainly used in household appliances, electricity, automobiles and other fields.

Buy Safe and affordable reverse power relay schneider time relay, solid state relay and other relay accessories from Juzlong; Solid State Relay Accessories and Time Relay . Email: juzlongchina@gmail.com

Basic principles and classification of reverse power relay schneider

Basic concept and principle of relay: relay is a control component that automatically disconnects when the input parameters (such as electricity, magnetism, light, heat, sound and so on) in the circuit reach a specified value, which can make the output parameters of the circuit change in a predetermined step. In circuits, relays mainly control, protect, regulate and transmit information. The relay has an induction mechanism that reflects external input parameters, an executive mechanism that realizes "on" and "off" control of the controlled circuit, and an intermediate comparison mechanism that compares, judges and converts the size of the input.

As a control element, relays have the following functions:

(1) Expand the control range, such as multi-contact relay control signal reaches a certain value, according to the different forms of the contact group, at the same time open and close the multi-circuit;

(2) amplification, such as sensitive relay, intermediate relay, etc., with a very small amount of control, can control a large power circuit;

(3) comprehensive signals, such as when multiple control signals are input into the multi-winding relay in a specified form, after comparison and synthesis, to achieve the predetermined control effect;

(4) Automatic, remote control, monitoring, such as the relay on the automatic device and other electrical appliances together, can form a program control circuit, so as to realize automatic operation.

In the competition of the reverse power relay schneider market, enterprises in the United States, Japan and other developed countries constantly consolidate their dominant position in the global market by establishing technical standards, controlling core technologies, strengthening the integration of industrial chains, and firmly mastering the dominance of technical standards and international rules. In recent years, in order to further strengthen the core competitiveness, enterprises in the United States, Japan and other developed countries continue to expand reverse power relay schneider products and speed up technology integration. Their business scope has broken through simple relay manufacturing and developed to industrial control, system integration and other fields. The key to the competition in the high-end field has developed from the competition of quantity to the competition of the basic research and development of new relays, key materials, special equipment and other core products.

The raw material of the reverse power relay schneider

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Inquery us
Your recent article opens a welcome and timely discussion on the need for meaningful penal reform that will benefit not only people in prison but also prison staff and society as a whole.

Sarah Harte touched on many of the underlying issues that impact people in prison including their acute mental health and addiction issues.

There is currently a key opportunity to demonstrate political leadership, take a person-centred approach and divert people away from prison which is not a suitable place for people with a severe mental health illness or with serious addiction issues. Last year, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and ministers of state in the Department of Health appointed a high-level taskforce to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of persons interacting with the criminal justice system.

This taskforce has now completed its work and we eagerly await the sign-off and publication of its recommendations and a high-level implementation plan assigning responsibility and timelines. The immediate publication of the plan, in advance of Budget 2023, would allow time to cost and plan for the necessary resources and ensure vital work can begin as a matter of urgency.

The forthcoming Penal Policy Action Plan, committed to by Minister McEntee, will be another pivotal moment for transformation. The additional commitment by the Government to consider enshrining the principle of imprisonment as a sanction of last resort in legislation could be a gamechanger as alternatives to prison for less serious non-violent crimes can result in better outcomes for the people involved and relieve the pressure on our prison system. And the societal benefit of diversion should not be underestimated. Apart from the reduction in reoffending, in 2020 the Probation Service managed 1,161 Community Service Orders which resulted in 1.6m worth of unpaid work for the benefit of communities nationwide.

While we in IPRT are encouraged by the ministers constructive approach to penal reform, we now need to see these important commitments translated into action to achieve critical change sooner rather than later.

Saoirse Brady

Executive director, Irish Penal Reform Trust

High hopes of reality in Cork

Regarding Michael Moynihans column, an article like this in 2022 shows a lack of awareness of reality. Many countries have legalised dope, showing real evidence of how these old legends are all nonsense. Stop misinforming people.

Rosario S

Cork

Selfish culture is way of the world

As usual Michael Moynihan hits the nail right on the head with two sentences in his article. 1) Maybe the whims of the selfish are the way of the future when any and all passing fancies are given equal weight and 2) There is no legislation to make people less selfish. It seems to be the way of the world at the moment, Me, Me, Me. Well done Michael for highlighting the problem.

Frank Clarke

Passage West, Cork

Stench of weed invades my home

Re: Michael Moynihans column, I live in an apartment, I have to seal windows with duct tape to keep the smell of weed out of my home and childs bedroom.

They smoke it in the morning, afternoon, evening, and well into 2am or 3am with no let-up.

The smell is so strong Im afraid to drive to work in the mornings for fear I will test positive now that the gardai test for drug-driving as well as drink-driving.

I tried sealing the windows with wet towels, black bags, etc.

My daughter sometimes cries over the smell which is so strong. I have not reported the individual as they have children and we are in a housing crisis.

When other neighbours reported the incident, they ramped it up even more.

I wish the Government would have designated areas where people can smoke pot, it should be illegal to do so in your home or on streets though.

If people want to get high on pot thats fine, but they have no right to interfere with neighbours especially when they need to drive and get to work. They also have no right to subject children to the offensive smell.

I cannot understand why they cant bake it in a brownie or consume it some other way. The stench is stomach-churning.

Again, I dont have an issue with people smoking pot, I would be open to legalising it, but laws must protect children and residents.

Personally, I think this particular neighbour is extremely selfish and disrespectful. She is a good, kind mother and her child adores her, but the 24/7 pot smoking is an issue.

I also got the blame for reporting her, which caused tension, I had to go back to my letting agent and tell them in no uncertain terms that this was to be clarified which they did.

The pot-smoker tried to apologise after the attack, however the tension and damage was done at that stage.

Thank you for highlighting the issue. Everyone appears to be smoking pot. They need to consider legalising it in designated areas and strengthen laws for second-hand smoke.

Sharon Egan

Clare

Cork City and bus station is shabby

I am visiting Cork after many years spent in Australia and I am sad to see the state of the city. Its very run down with empty shops, smelly bus shelters and a general air of neglect. The bus depot is appalling, with complete lack of staff and poor information.

The city benefits greatly from visitors but how many of them would ever return? If it were not my home, I certainly wouldnt. Your saviours are your people, they are so friendly and helpful and (mostly) have a great sense of humour? Please, City Fathers and Bus Eireann take action! I look forward to seeing some real improvement on my next visit.

Mairead Vernon-Rogers

Australia

State must retain energy ownership

Your report on Shell Risk of Energy Rationing is a stark reminder of the need to learn the lessons of history.

The energy crisis affecting our country today could have been less acute had the government of the day had more consideration for the citizens of Ireland and had more vision for the future of the nation in respect of energy security.

The highly controversial deal with Shell for the Corrib gas field amounted to an appalling energy giveaway of the nations vital energy resources. The Corrib gas field has been in the ownership of UK, Norwegian, Canadian, and Spanish interests over the years with not a single share owned by the citizens of Ireland for the nation and with no representation on the Board of the Company. The mistakes of the past must not be repeated.

Given the need to run down fossil fuel production for the sake of the survival of the planet we see the welcome moves towards alternative energy. It is vital that this and future governments secure a meaningful portion of ownership of all energy fields for the future.

The rush to get the offshore sector up and running, just in order to get production going must be tempered with intelligent planning with a healthy degree of national ownership in mind.

Though at sea the areas most suitable for production of wind-driven turbines are finite and should not be taken out of the control of the nation so that private companies can divide them at will to increase their profit margins leaving the citizens vulnerable to the likes of Vlad the Butcher and company.

The so-called States role in securing energy supplies for the future has been disastrous and contrary to the principles of good governance and of democracy itself. The ownership of both offshore and land-based energy fields must not be handed over lock stock and barrel to private interests just to be farmed out at will as has been the case with the Corrib and others.

Joe Brennan

Ballinspittle,

Co Cork

Increase in military budget overdue

Defence Minister Simon Coveneys announcement of an increase in defence funding to 1.5bn by 2028 is, as he describes, one of the biggest things I have ever done in politics and something us old soldiers could only dream of.

Coming at a time when housing and health are so badly in need of greater funding, many are not cognisant with the military sphere may be angered at this increased spending.

In this context, it should be realised that there is never a good time to significantly increase the budget of any single government department, that the Defence Forces have been embarrassingly neglected for many years whereby funds that it would have reasonably expected was expended elsewhere and that this extra expenditure, in the context of our European partners, brings us roughly from one third to one half of their average spending. Finally, the potential that this affords for an enhanced professional career to thus enabling every soldier better serve this State in the future must not be disregarded either.

Michael Gannon, (Colonel retired)

St Thomas Square, Kilkenny
Burma Kachin Independence Army, Myanmar Regime Forces Clash in Hpakant

KIA troops in Kachin State / The Irrawaddy

Clashes continued for a second day on Monday between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin States Hpakant Township, with the military carrying out air raids, according to residents.

KIA troops clashed with junta forces near Sel Zin Village as the latter were advancing toward Hong Pa village-tract, and the regime carried out aerial attacks on Monday morning, residents said.

Clashes have been ongoing since yesterday evening. The military suffered casualties. There have been casualties among locals as the regime dropped bombs from the air. The KIA also clashed with the Myanmar military on the Myitkyina bypass, a Hpakant resident told The Irrawaddy on Monday.

Local residents have been forced to flee their homes as the regime has carried out air and artillery attacks since Monday morning. Details of civilian casualties were not immediately available, said residents.

Daily patrols have been reported following a KIA attack on the base of a junta-controlled militia group in Waingmaw Township in Kachin. Locals in the east of Waingmaw Township are concerned about the possibility of renewed fighting.

On Thursday last week, KIA Brigade 5 troops raided and torched an ethnic Lisu peoples militia base between Waingmaw and Sadone town amid allegations that it is cooperating with the regime.

The base, according to the KIA Information Department and some local residents, is an armed camp of the Lisu National Development Party (LNDP) led by U Shwe Min. The Irrawaddy was unable to contact U Shwe Min for comment.

Since the attack on the Lisu militia base, the Myanmar militarys Light Infantry Battalion 58 in the east of Waingmaw has reinforced itself and has been conducting patrols daily. The battalion was attacked by the KIA and the Kachin Peoples Defense Force on July 29, 2021.

A villager from Waingmaw Township said: I saw an open truck carrying around 20 armed junta troops driving up there recently.

An ethnic affairs analyst said the KIA attacked the junta-affiliated Lisu militia base in order to expand its control of the road linking Sadone and Waingmaw.

Lisu militias are headed by Shwe Min. They are not that strong. Shwe Mins group took arms from Zakhung Ting Ying and surrendered to Myanmars military. The military will use the Lisu militia if a clash happens in that area. But I dont think the group can be used in other places, said the analyst.

Zakhung Ting Ying is the leader of the New Democratic Army-Kachin militia group, which split from the KIA in 1993 and made peace with the previous military regime, the State Law and Order Restoration Council. The group came under military control when it transformed itself to a Border Guard Force in 2009.

U Shwe Mins group again split from Zakhung Ting Yings group to form a political party. The LNDP is estimated to have around 100 armed troops, said another ethnic affairs analyst.

If the military regime uses Lisu militia members to carry out operations between Waingmaw and Sadone, armed clashes with the KIA will be inevitable, the analyst said.
Burma Six Myanmar Regime Officials Assassinated in Yangon in Last Four Days

Army captain Aung Naing Phyoe and his wife after being shot by gunmen in Yangon's Hlaing Township on Monday. / CJ

At least six Myanmar junta officials including a judge and an army captain have been killed in the commercial capital Yangon in the last four days.

On Monday morning, army captain Aung Naing Phyoe from the militarys weapons factory and his wife Ma Jue Jue Aung were shot dead by gunmen in Yangons Hlaing Township while they were driving.

The Facebook page of the pro-military regime the News of Myanmar reported that the couple were shot dead at close range by terrorists.

Anonymous Urban Guerrillas (AUG), a local resistance group, claimed responsibility for the assassination.

AUG also claimed to have killed U Khin Maung Latt, a junta-appointed ward administrator from Yangons Mayangone Township, last Friday.

The urban guerilla group said that the victim was a junta informant who had been involved in torturing civilian detainees.

The AUG has also vowed to launch more operations targeting junta informants and regime subordinates in the west of Yangon.

Also on Friday morning, another man accused of being a junta informant was shot dead by two gunmen in Yangons Twante Township. No group has claimed responsibility for the killing yet.

On Sunday, a combined force of urban resistance groups attacked junta-appointed ward administrators at a teashop in Yangons Shwepyithar Township.

Ward administration member U Win Naing, who is a leader of the new pro-junta Thwe Thout vigilante group, died in the attack, said the Yangon Urban Guerrilla Army (YUGA), which coordinated the attack.

Another ward administrator, U Tun Min, suffered serious injuries in the attack, added the YUGA.

The Thwe Thout group, which is believed to have been formed by the military regime, has been murdering members and supporters of the National League for Democracy Party.

YUGA said also that the teashop attack was part of the Nann Htike Aung Operation targeting regime administrations across the country.

The operation, which started in April 2022, has seen 91 regime targets attacked and resulted in the deaths of over 80 regime forces, their allied members and informants, with another 90 injured.

On Sunday evening, a combined force of resistance groups bombed two entry gates of the military intelligence force in Yangons North Okkalapa Township. However, military casualties are still unknown.

A ward administration office in Yangons South Dagon Township was damaged on Sunday after being bombed by the combined forces of the Yangon Underground Association.

Another resistance group, Special Task Agency of Burma (STA), claimed to have killed U San Lin, the judge of the Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township court, on Friday night in Yangon.

The victim died on the spot after being shot by gunmen while in a taxi in Mayangone Township.

The guerilla group said the junta-appointed judge had jailed many anti-regime youths and students on unjust political charges.

On Friday evening, the STA also attacked Hlaing Tharyar Township court with mines.

Last week, a series of explosions rocked Yangon, as the junta struggles to control major cities as well as rural areas.

Regime forces are facing relentless attacks from Peoples Defense Forces and ethnic armed organizations across the country.
Burma Why Myanmar Junta Chief Downgrades Martyrs Day

People arrive at the Martyrs Mausoleum on July 19, 2018 to pay their respects to Gen. Aung San and his colleagues, who were assassinated on July 19, 1947. / The Irrawaddy

For the second year under military rule, Myanmar will on Tuesday mourn the death of the countrys independence hero General Aung San and his colleagues, who were assassinated on July 19, 1947.

Neither junta chief Min Aung Hlaing nor acting president U Myint Swe of the regime attended the Martyrs Day commemoration last year and many people saw his absence as an attempt to downgrade the importance of the day. Theoretically, Min Aung Hlaing, as the chief of Myanmars military, should attend the memorial for Gen. Aung San, the founder of Myanmars modern armed forces, but many believe that his deep hatred and jealousy of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Gen. Aung Sans daughter, kept him from paying tribute in person.

Min Aung Hlaing spent millions in public funds to organize the 75th annual Union Day on Feb. 12, including a grand military review. He has also assigned his deputy Soe Win to hold a grand-scale ceremony to mark the 75th Independence Day on Jan. 4 next year.

As Min Aung Hlaing is obsessed with jubilees, we will wait and see if he will attend the diamond jubilee of Martyrs Day on Tuesday in person, or send Soe Win on his behalf.

If neither attend, thenas he did last yearCulture Minister former colonel U Ko Ko will pay tribute at the mausoleum in Yangon, and Naypyitaw Mayor Maung Maung Naing will offer meals to monks in the administrative capital this year.

Martyrs Day in History

Under the now ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) government, the committee to organize the Martyrs Day event was chaired by Religious Affairs and Culture Minister U Aung Ko.

When the NLD held the Martyrs Day event in 2016 after winning the general election the previous year, Min Aung Hlaing attended, becoming the first army chief to join the annual ceremony since the student-led uprisings of 1988.

Aside from his appearance at the mausoleum, Min Aung Hlaing also visited Daw Aung San Suu Kyis residence in Yangons Bahan to join a Buddhist merit-making ceremony for the martyrs, reportedly becoming the first-ever army chief to attend an event hosted by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Min Aung Hlaing also attended Martyrs Day events in the following years, and paid tribute together with former President U Win Myint in 2020, a year before the general staged a coup.

But neither Min Aung Hlaing nor his acting president Myint Swe attended the 74th Martyrs Day last year, held under military rule for the first time since the February 2021 coup, which saw the detention and imprisonment of President U Win Myint, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and many NLD cabinet members. Last year, Min Aung Hlaing assigned Culture Minister U Ko Ko, who is merely a former air force colonel, to organize the event.

This shows that Min Aung Hlaing has followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, former dictator Than Shwe. The ex-dictator, who refers to Gen. Aung San as that bloke and hates Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for her popularity with the Myanmar people, never attended Martyrs Day ceremonies during his 19 years of rule, and the commemorations were muted. The events held from 2008 to 2010 were even further downgraded, with the Yangon mayor assigned to organize it instead of the culture minister.

The even was organized the same way till 2012 under U Thein Seins quasi-civilian government. In the later years of that administration, the events were attended by Vice President Sai Mauk Kham.

Given Min Aung Hlaings arrogance and the fact that he has gone so far as to imprison Daw Aung San Suu Kyi out of his jealousy over her personality and popularitywhereas the NLD leader was only placed under house arrest by previous military regimesit is obvious that Martyrs Day will be no more than a holiday this year, too.
Former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, told conservative activists in Tampa Saturday that the federal Education Department should be abolished, leaving education decisions to state and local boards.

I personally think the Department of Education should not exist, said DeVos, author of a recent book called Hostages No More and a keynote speaker at the Moms For Liberty summit. Members of the audience leapt to their feet, cheering and applauding.

DeVos is one of the prominent Republicans featured at the three-day summit in Tampa, which provided training to members from 30 states on how to create conservative majorities on their local school boards, in what they call a parental-rights movement. Moms For Liberty was founded in Florida, sparked in part by parents objections to their children being required to wear face masks at school during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a series of breakout sessions not open to the press, guest speakers instructed participants on how to recruit, vet, endorse and promote conservatives as school board candidates.

Moms For Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice, who interviewed DeVos, said, We love teachers here at Moms For Liberty but she called teacher unions a K-12 cartel. She said Moms For Liberty seeks to separate teachers from unions, which she claimed are imposing liberal politics in classrooms.

DeVos promoted school choice, school vouchers and other education freedom in the Trump administration.

Portions of this story appeared on the website of the Florida Phoenix, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to coverage of state government and politics from Tallahassee. You can visit them by clicking here.
Google Cloud has achieved Certified Strategic Status for Cloud services under the Australian Governments Hosting Certification Framework (HCF).

Being Certified Strategic as a Cloud Service Provider means Google Clouds security controls meet the requirements set by the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), which ensures the secure management of critical infrastructure, supply chains, government data and systems.

This comes nearly a year after Google Cloud region was launched in Melbourne.

Last year, Google Cloud also launched the Digital Future Initiativea $1 billion investment in local infrastructure, skills, and research to help build the digital economy.

Google Cloud Australia and New Zealand vice president Alister Dias welcomed the certification.

Security is the cornerstone of our business, and weve spent the last decade building infrastructure and designing products that implement security at scale. Our security model, built on the foundation of Zero Trust, ensures our customers can benefit from enterprise strategies that have achieved industry certifications and standards, he said.

In addition to HCF, we currently maintain an Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) certification, which confirms that Google Clouds security controls meet the requirements prescribed by the cloud security guidance issued by the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 15 July 2022.
GUEST OPINION: Large brands can often learn a lot from small retailers and direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, especially when it comes to providing a great customer experience and innovative ways of connecting to an audience.

Most small brands have a unique, personal relationship with each customer, allowing them to bet on customer loyalty and repeat purchases. This closeness is often lacking in big players in the market.

Additionally, small retail brands are often digitally-native and use the tools and technologies at their disposal. This is another area where large brands with traditionally physical stores struggle in.

So, lets jump right in and look at some customer experience lessons you can learn from small retailers:

1. Ultra-personalized omnichannel experience

Take advantage of AI and data software to build personalized offers for your customers. The more personalized you get, the better your chances of converting and retaining your customers. Small eCommerce brands are great at this!

For instance, the supplement subscription brand Care/of is doing an amazing job in the personalization department - they have a short quiz (or app, talk about omnichannel) allowing buyers to answer questions about their lifestyle. Then, they send them custom supplement recommendations that fit their needs.

The customer can simply purchase a subscription to these recommendations and get them at their doorstep regularly. Care/of provides convenience, and customers appreciate it!

Nike is perhaps one of the best examples of a large retailer that realized the power of personalization and implemented it. They built a 3D platform for customizing your own sneakers. What could be better than seeing your dream sneaker design on a pair of Nikes?

So many large players dismiss online sales channels and digital marketing efforts. One great example is Primark+, a budget clothing retailer in the UK. They said that their low prices cannot cover fulfilment costs. But, with eCommerce on the rise, not exploring online sales channels means leaving money on the table.

Source: Insomnobot 3000

2. Embrace technology and tools

Small retailers, especially DTC and eCommerce brands, are great at using technology and different tools to automate processes and achieve maximum efficiency. Often, these online retailers are a one-person show, practically forcing them to get creative and substitute manpower with tools.

A great example of this is chatbots which use AI to provide instant customer support, guide, and answer questions to website visitors on the spot. With the help of AI-powered chatbots, small retailers can save money and time while retaining satisfactory customer service and support levels.

Casper, a mattress retailer, found a creative use for this chatbot technology. They designed their Insomnobot3000 with one simple goal - chat with people who struggle with insomnia and cant sleep. As such, the chatbot was active from 11 pm to 5 am. While this chatbot didnt generate sales directly, it did create a lot of buzz and brand awareness for the company.

Furthermore, technology and gathering and comparing the right data can help you set a competition-based pricing strategy thats most profitable for your business model. This type of adjustable market pricing would be impossible without technology to help us compare data and draw conclusions.

3. Use IoT to boost in-store experience

Despite being increasingly tech-savvy, 73% of Aussies still prefer in-store shopping or physical shopping. And, more and more online-only brands are starting to realize this need and opening pop-up stores or showrooms to display their products.

In the area of providing an excellent in-store customer experience, IoT technology can help a lot. For example, retailers can use RFID tags (Radio Frequency Identification) on their products. These tags produce a signal using radio frequency, allowing customers to shop and check out on their own. So, this lets you turn your store into a self-service and avoid lengthy checkout lines.

One small retailer, Sams Club, opened a branch named Sams Club Now, where customers could use an app to scan the barcodes on products and complete the payment without waiting in line at the check register. Theyre practically merging mobile-first shopping and in-store experiences.

Large retailers can likewise benefit from IoT in terms of becoming more effective on a large scale. IoT can help them become more efficient in terms of energy, warehouse and inventory, security, and, most of all, boost their customer experience online and in-store.

Source: Freepik

4. Keep your employees happy

According to PwC research on customer experience, only 38% of consumers in the USA say the employees they interact with understand their needs. Furthermore, 32% of all customers in this report said that they would stop doing business with a brand they loved after just one bad experience. So, the connection between employee satisfaction and customer experience is undeniable.

In retail, your staff plays a huge importance in terms of closing sales, customer loyalty, and brand awareness. Motivated employees act as brand ambassadors for the retailer and are more productive.

To improve your staffs work-life balance and keep them happy, give them some flexibility. For instance, build a retail employee scheduling strategy and use software that allows your employees to effortlessly swap shifts, stay updated, and get properly compensated.

Finally, ensure that you properly onboard and train your employees. If your store is becoming tech-savvy, so should your staff.

Summary

Small retailers have limited funding, making them creative in terms of tapping into multiple sales channels, and using technology to gather data and gain a competitive advantage while saving on overhead costs.

So, big players can look up to smaller retailers and learn how to use these tools and technologies to become more agile and efficient.

Furthermore, large brands that so far relied on traditional, in-store sales might want to reimagine their strategy. Customers today expect an omnichannel experience, and convenience in terms of paying, buying, and delivery. Implementing the above lessons will help you provide these things and boost your customer experience

About the Author:

Rob Press is a content marketing manager at Deputy, a robust scheduling software that can be used to manage your workforce in a wide variety of different industries. Aside from helping businesses reach operational efficiency, he keeps up to date with the latest trends in SaaS, B2B, and technology in general.
Two of Australias leading ex-service organisations, Invictus Australia and veteran support charity Soldier On, have partnered to further support the health and wellbeing of military veterans and their families.

Both organisations will work together to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of the Australian veterans and families that they exist to serve, and the partnership will see more sport and recreational opportunities, events and resources available for the Defence community.

Invictus Australia will bring their sporting expertise and connections to the partnership, to help facilitate local initiatives, through its extensive network of sporting partners.

Whilst Soldier On will provide support for local activations around the country, helping to facilitate and communicate sport and recreational opportunities to their audience of veterans.

Invictus Australia CEO Michael Hartung said We are delighted to partner with Soldier On to share our expertise in the sporting arena, and together show real collaboration in action to deliver better outcomes for veterans and their families. We know the powerful role sport can play in the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of our veterans and their families, and look forward to working with the extensive Soldier On network across Australia to deliver upon our shared passion and purpose to support all those who have, and continue to serve our country.

Soldier On interim CEO Prue Slaughter said Soldier On is thrilled to team up with Invictus Australia. In their tremendous work, the Invictus Australia team works to strengthen the physical and mental wellbeing of our nations veterans and their families, a mission that very much resonates with Soldier On. With this collaboration, we look to broaden the support network available to our veteran community, providing more opportunities for connection and making these services more accessible than ever before.

Both organisations look forward to creating a larger impact for Australian veterans and their families by working together, supporting relevant programs, events and activities.

lnvictus Australia strengthens the physical and mental wellbeing of veterans and their families through the power of sport. As well as promoting the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport, we shine a light on the unique needs of younger veterans and the challenges they face as they transition from military to civilian life.

Invictus Australia is owned and operated by Australian International Military Games, the NFP responsible for organising Invictus Games Sydney 2018; and is officially licensed by the Invictus Games Foundation (UK) to carry the Invictus brand and represent the movement in Australia. A not-for-profit registered charity that relies on the generous support of government, corporate Australia and the general public.

Soldier On is a not-for-profit veteran support organisation delivering a range of services to enable current and ex-serving veterans and their families to thrive. It is Australia's only national fully integrated and holistic support services provider for our national service personnel and their families. Soldier On currently reaches more than 8,000 Australian veterans and their families. Soldier On's services include a range of mental health and wellbeing services, employment support and education programs, as well as activities focused on connections with family, friends, and the broader community.
Today

Mostly sunny. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 108F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 84F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 108F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
US ramps up military provocations despite calls to set 'guardrails' in high-level meeting

By Zhang Han, Liu Xuanzun (Global Times) 09:31, July 18, 2022

USS Benfold DDG-65 file photo: cnsphotos

The US has approved new arms sales to the island of Taiwan and sent a warship close to China's Nansha and Xisha islands in the South China Sea, only a week after a five-hour high-level bilateral meeting on July 9, which analysts believe fully demonstrates the internal chaos of US policy and its hypocrisy.

The US destroyer USS Benfoldsailed near the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea on Saturday, Reuters reported, citing a US Navy statement.

The provocation near the Nansha islands came after the same US warship was warned away on Wednesday by naval and air forces of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command for illegally entering Chinese territorial waters of the Xisha Islands also in the South China Sea.

On Friday, the US State Department approved the possible sale of military technical assistance to Taiwan for an estimated cost of $108 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a press release.

The deal is the US' fourth arms sale to the island of Taiwan in 2022 and the fifth under the Biden administration.

These recent military provocations fully demonstrate the US' hypocrisy in calling for "guardrails" for bilateral relations, a Beijing-based expert on international relations, who requested not to be named, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The US shouts about the need to manage divergences and prevent conflicts, yet it continues its dangerous provocations over the most sensitive topics including the Taiwan question and South China Sea, which conforms to the US' tradition in foreign policy - talk the talk but not walk the walk, the expert said.

Diao Daming, an associate professor at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, told the Global Times in an earlier interview that the Washington-proposed "guardrails" are entirely self-serving, as it wants to keep the bottom line of China-US relations stable and free of high-intensity conflict. But at the same time it seeks to contain China's development.

Observers pointed out the internal conflicts and chaos in the US' policymaking, as different US departments and officials send out different, sometimes opposite signals over a range of issues. The widening gap between US words and deeds has made the US "not trustworthy at all" in international affairs.

Yet China has fully recognized the US' nature and is prepared for all scenarios - China is always open for dialogue and communication but the same time is on high alert over US provocations.

A sequence of frequent interactions between senior officials from China and the US since June, including the meeting between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Bali, have underscored the two sides' consensus on avoiding escalating confrontations. But Chinese analysts still urged the US to take more concrete actions, rather than just lip service, to reduce twists and turns impacting bilateral relations.

On Wednesday, the PLA Southern Theater Command warned awaythe USS Benfoldand for the first time published photos of the operation, in a move that analysts said reflects the PLA's growing confidence and readiness against US provocations.

China no longer has unrealistic illusions over the US, and the PLA is preparing for the worst-case scenario in which a cross-Straits conflict would take place in order to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, analysts said.

Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, pointed out that in addition to a hegemonic mentality behind its intensifying military provocations, the US also feels anxious over China's growing capabilities to defend itself.

The US military's warplanes and warships approach the waters and airspace near China to flex their muscles, show off their presence and assert US hegemony, Wei said. "But the US will end up lifting a stone only to drop on its own feet," the expert said.

China is holding military exercises in a large area in the South China Sea from Sunday to Wednesday, according to a navigational notice released by the Maritime Safety Administration on Friday.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)










ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS PROPERTIES RECOGNIZED BY TRAVEL + LEISURE'S 2022 WORLD'S BEST AWARDS The ultra-luxury hospitality brands beloved Italian escape, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, named the #1 Hotel in the world on the publications list of the top travel experiences ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS PROPERTIES RECOGNIZED BY TRAVEL + LEISURE'S 2022 WORLD'S BEST AWARDS The ultra-luxury hospitality brands beloved Italian escape, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, named the #1 Hotel in the world on the publications list of the top travel experiences Events - Rewards

This is a press release Category: Worldwide This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2022-07-18



Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and 13 of the ultra-luxury brands unique properties have been honored by Travel + Leisures 27th annual Worlds Best Awards, one of the industrys most respected resources and an arbiter of exceptional hospitality experiences across the globe.



This years awards program is especially meaningful for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, as Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, the brands sophisticated and iconic estate in Tuscany, Italy, has earned the lists top global distinction of Best Hotel Overall.



Other impressive property performances include the number one rankings of Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende and Rosewood Villa Magna in their respective destinations of Santa Fe, Mexico, and Madrid. Additionally, Rosewood ranked number nine in the category of Best Hotel Brands, up an impressive six spots over last years ranking of number 15.



The rankings are based on the first-hand experiences and reviews of Travel + Leisures sophisticated readers, which are gathered in an annual survey.



Every year we anticipate the results of Travel + Leisures prestigious Worlds Best Awards, bestowed by the magazines discerning and worldly readers. To have Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco named the number one hotel in the world this year is surreal, and a great moment of pride for our brand, said Radha Arora, President of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.



Throughout Rosewoods history, our associates have worked tirelessly to enhance and evolve the guest experience, and these significant recognitions are a testament to their success. We thank the readers of Travel + Leisure for their support and remain committed to providing them and fellow travel enthusiasts with experiences that are authentic, original, and deeply personal, across all corners of the world.



The 2022 World's Best list showcases numerous accolades for the Rosewood brand, most notably that of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, which was not only awarded the global title of Best Hotel Overall, but also recognized as the Best Resort Hotel, Europe and Best Resort Hotel, Italy.



Situated in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Val dOrcia, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is dedicated to preserving the art and heritage of its 800-year-old estate by fostering an appreciation of the deeply-rooted Tuscan traditions of art, cuisine, winemaking, and craftsmanship.



This dedication is seen through the propertys unique programming, design, and amenities, all of which make it truly beloved by guests and visitors. Rosewoods full scope of recognition on the 2022 Worlds Best list is as follows: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts #9, 25 Best Hotel Brands

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco #1, 10 Best Resorts in Italy #1, 15 Best Resorts in Europe #1, 100 Best Hotels in the World

Rosewood Villa Magna #1, 3 Best Hotels in Madrid #2, 15 Best City Hotels in Europe #10, 100 Best Hotels in the World

Rosewood Miramar Beacho #2, 15 Best Resorts in California #9, 15 Best Resorts in the Continental U.S. #86, 100 Best Hotels in the World

Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi #1, 5 Best Hotels in Santa Fe

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende #1, 5 Best City Hotels in Mexico

Rosewood Mayakoba #6, 25 Best Resort Hotels in Mexico

Rosewood Hotel Georgia #2, 10 Best City Hotels in Canada

Hotel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel #4, 10 Best Hotels in Paris #13, 15 Best City Hotels in Europe

Rosewood London #10, 10 Best Hotels in London

Rosewood Sand Hill #12, 15 Best Resorts in California

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek #3, 5 Best Hotels in Dallas-Fort Worth

The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel #2, 15 Best Hotels in New York City #12, 15 Best City Hotels in the Continental U.S.

Rosewood Washington, D.C. #3, 10 Best Hotels in Washington, D.C.

The Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards program is a leading barometer of the places and companies that satisfy some of the most passionate and discerning travelers across the globe.



The results are determined by a survey developed by the editors of Travel + Leisure, in association with research firm M&RR, that invites the publications readers to rate their travel experiences in various categories including airlines, airports, cities, cruise ships, destination spas, hotels, hotel brands, islands, tour operators and more.



The survey was open for four months and promoted across Travel + Leisures many platforms, including the print magazine, tablet editions, newsletters, social media and travelandleisure.com.



Respondents were asked to rate a wide range of hospitality brands and offerings on several characteristics, selecting a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average or poor across each category, which were then accumulated and averaged to determine the final scores.



The full list of 2022 Worlds Best Awards can be found at https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/worlds-best-2022.



Rosewood Hotels & Resorts success during this years iteration of Travel + Leisures World's Best Awards further demonstrates the strong affinity and trust that the brand has garnered with the worlds most affluential explorers.



These accolades come amidst an exciting period of growth for Rosewood, including the opening of the brands first property in South America, the highly celebrated Rosewood Sao Paulo in January 2022, and the upcoming debut of Rosewood Vienna, slated for August 2022.



With an impressive pipeline of additional exciting developments, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its portfolio and to offer travelers even more opportunities to enjoy the Rosewood experience, worldwide.










On July 22, 2016, the main political opponent of Gambias then president Yahya Jammeh  Ousainu Darboe  walked into a quiet courtroom in the High Court complex in Banjul, Gambias capital city. The place was packed with his supporters and families of over a dozen executive members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) arrested with him. The vicinity of the court was equally packed with UDP supporters, often clashing with paramilitary forces.

This was barely 5 months before the presidential election that Jammeh would lose to Adama Barrow, a former treasurer of the UDP. The political climate was intense.

Darboe has been Jammehs main political rival since 1996. He was now sentenced to 3 years in jail for holding a peaceful protest demanding the return of the body of Ebrima Solo Sandeng, a former UDP youth leader who had died in the hands of operatives of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on April 15. A day before his death Sandeng had been arrested with over a dozen others for holding a peaceful protest demanding proper electoral reforms. The state admitted his death in custody. But they refused to release his body which, his murder trial would confirm, was buried at a training school of the NIA, an hour drive from Banjul. They claimed Sandeng died of shock and respiratory failure, in a death certificate signed by one Lamin Lang Sanyang.

Treating death with disdain

Six years later, on July 13, in the same court it was now the turn of the former leadership of the NIA to appear before Justice Kumba Sillah Camara and learn about their fate.

The ex-NIA chief Yankuba Badjie, former deputy director of operations Sheikh Omar Jeng, and agents Baboucarr Sallah, Masireh Tamba, and Lamin Darboe were found guilty of murdering Sandeng. They were all sentenced to death. (Death penalty still stands in the Gambia although it has not been applied for years. Death penalties are usually commuted to life imprisonment.)

Even after his death, his body was treated with disdain. Even the gloves they wore while digging his grave were thrown at him in the grave. He was not given a Muslim burial which he was entitled to as a Muslim, said Justice Kumba Sillah Camara, as he delivered his judgement.

The judge also found the six men guilty of inflicting bodily harm to the dozen others arrested with Sandeng. The doctor, who is in fact a nurse, Lamin Lang Sanyang, was found to have forged the death certificate of Sandeng and lied to the court about it. He got a 10-year sentence. The seventh accused in the trial, Haruna Susso, walked free as there was no evidence linking him to the death of Sandeng. Another accused, Luis Gomez, had died in detention.

This was the most talked-about, high-profile case connected to Jammehs crimes to be prosecuted in the Gambia. The Ministry of Justice, struggling with capacity challenges, had hired private lawyers to handle it.

A 300-page judgment

Fatoumata Sandeng last saw her father in the morning of April 14, 2016. He told me they were going for a protest. In my mind, I think he knew he would be arrested because that was the norm in the Gambia, she told Justice Info. While at work, she heard about his arrest but her father was held incommunicado. She would only learn later through others that he was tortured to death. The manner in which he was killed will always remain there. It hurts every single minute, she said.

Fatoumata Sandeng is part of the movement Jammeh-2-justice, which puts her at the center of the civil society crusade for Jammeh to be tried. However, on the day of the ruling, Sandeng had had no prior notification and she could not attend. Her brother who was in court called her on WhatsApp.

It was a long day. The 300-page judgement was read from 9 a.m to 8 p.m. It was worth it. I could not sit helplessly without feeling I was present because I really wanted to be there, said Fatoumatta Sandeng. Like my little sister told me this morning, it is like she is living in another world. She could feel some ease in her heart, Fatoumattas sister said.

The main missing target

Since his fall from grace in January 2017, Gambias former ruler has been exiled in Equatorial Guinea. But the grip of justice seems to be tightening. A state inquiry established by his successor Adama Barrow found Jammeh responsible for several killings. At least 5 members of Jammehs hit-squad, called the Junglers, have confessed during the inquiry to involvement in several executions and had an undisclosed deal with the state for their freedom. A former senior government minister under his regime is serving life for killing the country's former Finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay. A former Interior minister under his regime is in pre-trial detention in Switzerland. A former Jungler is being tried in Germany for involvement in the execution of prominent journalist Deyda Hydara while another Jungler is being detained in the United States. In May the Barrow administration said they have accepted the recommendation to prosecute Jammeh.

"The long arm of the law is catching up to Jammehs accomplices, one by one, in Gambia and around the world. What victims are expecting now is that the government will deliver on the long-delayed promise of justice by setting up a more thorough legal framework to allow the prosecution of Jammeh himself and all those who bear the greatest responsibility for the crimes of his regime," said Reed Brody, an American lawyer who is working with victims of Jammeh and is part of the campaign Jammeh-2-justice.
With her stone-cold aura that entices viewers, Go Yoon Jung's participation in "Alchemy of Souls" as a shadow assassin left a considerable impression. The rising star has appeared in many dramas since her debut and if you want to see more of her, then keep on reading!

'He Is Psychometric'

Go Yoon Jung made her television debut in 2019 with a supporting role in GOT7 Park Jinyoung and Shin Ye Eun's romance comedy drama "He Is Psychometric."

The actress played the role of Jinyoung's childhood friend, who got pregnant in high school. With her comical role that also delivered an important life lesson in the drama, Go Yoon Jung left an impactful impression on viewers.

'Sweet Home'

Go Yoon Jung also appeared in the first season of the Netflix blockbuster series "Sweet Home" starring Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Si Young and Lee Do Hyun.

"Sweet Home" follows the mystery and tragedy that occur in an apartment which becomes the citizen's shelter amid a monster attack that threatens to wipe out humanity.

In the drama, Go Yoon Jung transforms into a caregiver who practices medical care. The actress showed her romantic side in the Netflix series as she fell in love with Lee Jin Wook's character as the drama progressed.

'Hunt'

Despite having a minor role, Go Yoon Jung made her silver screen debut with the Cannes entry espionage action film "Hunt," which is directed by Lee Jung Jae.

Set in 1980, the film focuses on the betrayal and action-filled story of spies sent to North Korea.

As they try to hunt down the mole, they find themselves in a sticky situation while trying to uncover the truth and save South Korea.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Who Is Naksu? Things You Need To Know About 'Alchemy of Souls' Star Go Yoon Jung

The film stars real-life best friends Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung. As for Go Yoon Jung, she played the role of a college student who has been under Lee Jung Jae's protection and guidance.

In the same year, she starred in tvN's fantasy historical drama "Alchemy of Souls" as a mage and shadow assassin Naksu, stealing everyone's hearts.

'Moving'

Go Yoon Jung is set to return to the small screen with another fantasy supernatural drama "Moving."

Disney+'s new work stars veterans Ryu Seung Ryong, Han Hyo Joo, Lee Jung Hwa, Jo In Sung, and Go Yoon Jung, who was cast in the main ensemble for the first time.

The webtoon-based supernatural drama follows the story of high school students and their parents who discover their superpowers.

"Moving" is scheduled to air sometime in 2022 on JTBC and Disney+. It will mark Go Yoon Jung's first supernatural work with big names from the industry.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Collapsed sections of bridges destroyed by severe flooding and landslides on the Coquihalla Highway north of Hope, B.C., are seen in an aerial view from a Canadian Forces reconnaissance flight on November 22, 2021. Canada's emergency preparedness minister Bill Blair says Ottawa is providing $870 million, with more to come, to support recovery efforts after destructive flooding in British Columbia last fall. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Kenosha Unified high school students are out of their classroom and traveling abroad this summer as the districts Travel Club returns for the first time since 2019.

A group of club students went to Panama from June 20-28 and 16 students are traveling to England, returning on July 28, accompanied by parent and teacher chaperones.

The trips started at Tremper High School in 2007 with the launch of the club, which later was opened to all KUSD students.

I moved to Kenosha in 2004, and with the help of a lot of very interested students who wanted to travel, we started the travel club in 2007, Tremper teacher Laura Zajicek-Bagenski said. When I started at Tremper, I wanted to do something that I could give back to the community. I wanted to be able to do more than just what I do in my classroom,

Since the club started, students have gone on one to three trips each year, and the club has been to 23 countries. Zajicek-Bagenski, who said she has always loved travel, started the club to give that opportunity to students and families in Kenosha.

Students in the club get to decide trip destinations and what they want to learn about. There are a few countries the club has traveled to multiple times, including England and Italy. The England trip is the clubs fourth there, and will be a legends tour. The itinerary includes more of the countryside and historical sites for figures such as the Queen, Jack the Ripper, Shakespeare and the Beatles.

Its all the major legends that have impacted the island of England, Zajicek-Bagenski said. Shes particularly excited about traveling to Bristol, which is known for its artwork, as well as the English countryside.

Typically, when we traveled to England, we see London, and just the area right around the city, where this will be much more in-depth, and much greater outside of the city experience, she said.

Zajicek-Bagenski welcomes all KUSD students in grades 9-12 to join the travel club.

Overall, dropping the walls of the school, and getting kids out into the world and actually standing in the places that they read about and are learning about, it enhances their motivation for learning, Zajicek-Bagenski said. They come back with ideas and sort of a love for learning that they didnt have before. School becomes more interesting, because these places are real. I have seen kids become more responsible. I have seen them become more school- and college-ready.

The travel club would not be possible with support from the Kenosha community, and Zajicek-Bagenski said she wants to return that support by providing these global travel opportunities for Kenosha students and families.

Our goal is to take the benefits of a school community, and to make sure that we share that with our community here in Kenosha, Zajicek-Bagenski said. We want to make sure that we as a school stay dynamic and we stay up to date, and we make sure that our kids are competitive when they leave us. And this is just one more piece of that puzzle that we can give our community.
Sophia Floss has never known a time abortion wasnt her legal right  until now.

Floss, 18, of Bristol was one of more than 40 people who attended a rally and march in Kenosha to protest the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in late June that overturned the landmark ruling of Roe vs Wade, a decision that once conferred the constitutional right to an abortion for nearly a half century.

She and other advocates converged near the corner of 30th Avenue and Roosevelt Road Sunday afternoon holding signs that called for protecting safe, legal abortion, while others juxtaposed scrutiny of the 2nd Amendment including one that read: If only my vajayjay (vagina) was a gun Id have rights.

The march was one of several that have been held since May even before the countrys highest courts June 24 ruling. Organizers said marches will continue throughout the summer.

ABORTION RIGHTS MARCH Sophia Floss, left, and her mother Erin Floss, of Western Kenosha County, hold signs protesting the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision curtail

Floss, like the many in attendance, said they intend to keep the pressure on elected officials and others.

Im here because Im way too young to be going through this. Frankly, its B.S., Floss said prior to the march. Im here to fight for my rights as a person. Not just as a woman, but as a human being and thats what were all here to do today.

When she learned the right to an abortion was no longer an option, she was appalled.

Its barbaric. Truly, its barbaric, she said. My future is what Im fighting for.

Speaking out

Tanya McLean, Leaders of Kenoshas executive director, said that hearing from young women  at least half the marchers participating were between 18-25 years of age  is important.

This really, really affects your futures and your ability to decide when you want to become a mother. Or, if you want to become a mother at all, she said during the rally preceding the march. I think its important that we hear from our young people because, you know, weve had the luxury of having the right to choose for the last 50 years. But, now, these young women have lost that right.

Floss, then stepped up to speak.

Im only 18 years old and my life is just starting. I do want to have children one day, but not now. If I were to get pregnant right now, college would be over. I wouldnt have the education that Im striving for right now, she said. If I were to have children right now, theres no way I could provide a healthy, good life for them. We cant be fighting this anymore. We need to fight it now and then it needs to be over.

Citlali Garcia, public affairs coordinator for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said she was very angry with the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

We basically went back 50 years, which is messed up. And, we need to get going. We need to fight this fight now. We have not time to waste, she said.

During the 10-block march the chants went up of My body, my choice, along with the call for abortion on demand and that no church nor state should make health care decisions for women, including abortion. Armed security walked alongside the procession, which was, at times, greeted with drivers honking their horns in a show of support.

Rachel Davis, a western Kenosha County resident, said she was standing up for the right that she and other women once had.

(Im here today) because I live in an America thats supposed to be the home of the free and the (U.S.) Supreme Court seems to be taking rights away little by little, said Davis who held a sign that read, Mom by Choice not by Force. Theyre just chipping away, chipping away till they can  I dont know what their plan is, but we live an place thats supposed to be free and I should be able to decide what I do with my body.

Before the rally, Carrie Wilder of Milwaukee said she was at the march because everyone deserves to have a right over their bodies.

Im here as a therapist who works with survivors of sexual assault. Its unfair that anyone should ever have to carry their offenders child, Wilder said. Im here as a daughter. Im here as an aunt. Im here because I think as human beings we deserve to have rights over our bodies.

Stay involved

At the end of the march, McLean reminded youth to continue their involvement, and for those 18 and older, not only to be advocates, but to vote in upcoming elections.

If you do not make it your business to be involved and use your voice in whatever capacity you can, theyre going to take it all from you guys, she said, including same-sex marriage. Let your electeds know. This is their job, right?...You have to go and vote. You hear people say, Eh, it doesnt matter. Well, this is why were in this (expletive) show we are right now.

Erin Floss, Sophias mother, said it was an abomination that womens rights to choose have been stripped away.

Especially, after the hard fight our grandparents and parents put in to get them established in the first place, she said. Were not interested in going back quietly. Were going to fight.
BELLEVILLE  Illinois doesn't have a large population of venomous snakes, but there are a few, and there are ways to deal with them should you cross paths with one.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Specialist Scott Ballard said the types of venomous snakes commonly found in the metro-east area are not aggressive toward humans unless they are provoked.

Ballard said there's no cause of fear  only caution. In the meantime, snakes serve a useful purpose.

Snakes help control tick and mouse infestation. One snake will eat "a pillowcase full of mice each year," which is about 9 pounds' worth, Ballard said. Rodents are the No. 1 carrier of ticks, so less mice means a decrease in tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The state of Illinois is a large farming community and farmers have issues with rodents destroying crops year round. Snakes are beneficial in this case due to the fact that they eliminate many of the rodent pests.

Generally people can expect to see snakes during the warmer months once they've left their winter hibernation.

But their first instinct is always to get away from a person, even venomous snakes. Ballard is out every week and said he is lucky if he sees one venomous snake a week.

He said copperheads are common in the metro-east, but their fangs are so short that they can barely penetrate denim jeans. Ballard recommends hikers wear protective clothing, including long leather boots instead of open-toed shoes.

Ballard has a few copperheads in captivity for programs. He says their venom is weak and may take two venomous bites to kill a mouse.

Those who are allergic to bee venom are at risk to more severe reactions because snake venom and bee venom share similar proteolytic enzymes, he warned.

Nonvenomous snakes pose some degree of risk, too. Bites can cause infections and an allergic reaction so Ballard recommends that people treat every type of snake bite with caution.

What you should know about Illinois' snake population:

There are 40 species of snakes common to Illinois.

Native nonvenomous snakes include the common garter snake (most common snake in Illinois), Dekay's brownsnake, common watersnake, and plains garter snake.

Illinois' venomous snake varieties include the copperhead (most found in the southern two-thirds of Illinois), cottonmouth water moccasin (only found in Southern Illinois), timber rattlesnake, and eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

Snake venom symptoms

According to Johns Hopkins University, they include:

Bloody wound discharge

Excessive bleeding and difficulty with clotting of blood

Fang marks in the skin and swelling at the site of the bite

Discoloration, such as redness and bruising

Enlarged lymph nodes in the area affected

Diarrhea

Burning

Convulsions

Fainting

Dizziness

Weakness

Blurred vision

Fever

Increased thirst

Loss of muscle coordination

Nausea and vomiting

Numbness and tingling, especially in the mouth

Rapid pulse

Altered mental state

Shock

Paralysis

Breathing difficulties

Venomous snake bite treatment, according to Johns Hopkins:

Antivenin, also known as antivenom, is the most common snakebite treatment available in U.S.

Call emergency help and go to local hospital

Clean the bite with soap and water

Keep the bitten area still and below your heart

Remember what the snake looks like

Monitor breathing, heart rate and swelling

Venomous snakes can require your dog to be hospitalized and treated for the bite

If you need help identifying a snake then you can reach the Illinois Department of Natural Resources contact, Scott Ballard. To contact him, you can send a photo of the snake to his email: scott.ballard@illinois.gov or give him a call at 618-694-3398.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has advised to farmers to take steps to protect their livestock during the hot weather.

While the recent good weather is welcomed by the farming community across the country, we must remember that high temperatures can cause significant stress for livestock.

It is important that farmers consider the extra steps needed to take care of their animals in these circumstances, making them comfortable and avoiding serious health and welfare problems arising due to the heat.

Key points to reduce the impact of high temperatures on animals include;

Ensure plentiful supply of drinking water

 The number of watering points and water flow may need to be increased in hot weather as demand increases.

 Drinking points should checked be more often during hot weather to ensure they are working and that the pressure is adequate.

 Stock should be monitored for signs of problems with water supply such as queuing or crowding at water points.

Ensure access to suitable shade or shelter

 Vulnerable animals such as very young, old, or sick animals may need to be moved to a location with additional shade or shelter where they can be monitored more closely.

 Holding areas for livestock should also have shaded areas available where possible and holding times minimised.

 Outdoor poultry should have access to shade.

 Outdoor pigs require access to a wallow to cool down especially if the temperature is above 25 C as they are particularly vulnerable to heat stress.

Minimise handling and transport

Movement or handling of cattle during hot weather can increase their body temperature by 0.5 to 3.5 C, causing heat stress.

 Minimise handling in hot weather- if necessary, ensure it is done as early or late in the day as possible to coincide with cooler temperatures.

 Avoid transporting animals in hot weather where possible.

 If transport is necessary, plan to minimise journey length, transport during cooler hours and reduce the stocking density to allow for more airflow inside the vehicle.

Intensively housed species (pigs and poultry) need additional checks

 Monitor the temperature in the animal accommodation closely and adjust the ventilation accordingly.

 Where automatic ventilation systems are in place, increase the level of monitoring of alarm and back-up systems.

 Use water sprinklers for pigs to help cool them down.

Monitor livestock closely for health issues or heat stress

 Livestock should always be checked more frequently in hot weather. Animals at a higher risk of heat stress include young, dark-coloured or pregnant animals, animals recovering from illness, pigs and high-producing dairy cows.

 Signs of heat stress include faster breathing or panting; loss of appetite; increased water intake; drooling; listlessness or lethargy; and in severe cases, animals may become unconscious.

 If you suspect an animal may be heat stressed, it is vital to act quickly. Steps to manage heat stressed animals include moving them to shade or shelter; offering cool water; using sprinklers for cattle, pigs and horses, or allow them to stand in water; increase ventilation in housed species such as pigs and poultry; and reduce the stocking density to allow animals to lie out. If there is no improvement, seek veterinary assistance without delay.
Ireland has seen a remarkable 70% reduction in chewing gum litter since 2007 and gum litter now accounts for only 8% of all litter compared to over 26% in 2007 - thanks to the efforts of the Gum Litter Taskforce campaign. The campaign's message to "Bin your gum when your done" seems to be getting though to the Irish public with positive results for the nation's' streets.



Ireland has achieved a 70% reduction in chewing gum litter since 2007, according to the Gum Litter. Taskforce (GLT), the National Awareness Campaign to make gum litter an issue of the past. The GLT roadshow visited Kilkenny City last week to engage the public through its fun roadshow which saw the Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr David Fitzgerald shooting some hoops with the Gum Litter Taskforce crew on the Parade.

Cllr Fitzgerald said I welcome the Gum Litter Taskforce Street Crew to the Marble City, as its a terrific campaign which has aided in the reduction of gum litter. The playful campaign and the interactive display here today, is a great way to promote an anti-litter message. Kilkenny City works hard to keep the Marble City litter free, but chewing gum litter can be a nuisance,

especially on the Parade, as chewing gum can impact the beautiful limestone pavement. Im supportive of this campaign to encourage people to bin their chewing gum responsibly.

The Gum Litter Taskforce has led to a phenomenal shift in peoples attitude to gum litter. The awareness campaign has also increased knowledge of the fine associated with gum litter, with 81% of those surveyed after the campaign now aware of the 150 fine. However, just over one in four (27%) claim never to have dropped gum, highlighting the continued importance of this awareness and behavioural change campaign, particularly for future generations.



Acting Director of Environmental Services, Denis Malone who attended with the Mayor said:

Kilkenny County Council is delighted to support the Gum Litter Taskforce. Through continuing to engage with people and educate them on the harms of gum litter, we can work to make gum litter on the streets of Ireland a problem of the past. We especially welcome the Bin It! school roadshow that encourages students to responsibly dispose of litter, and particularly gum litter, through actor-led workshops. Educational engagement and encouraging positive behaviours from a young age will have long-term positive effects on attitudes towards litter. The Gum Litter Taskforce compliments many of the Councils objectives set out in the Litter Management Plan 2021-2023.



The Gum Litter Taskforce campaign, which is funded by Mars Wrigley, will run for a fifth cycle until 2025 on the back of a remarkable 70% reduction in gum litter since the initiative first began in 2007. The campaign has engaged with over 30 local authorities across the country, hosting awareness initiatives and localised launch events and providing materials to promote community-led action on gum litter. The Gum Litter Taskforce the Bin It! education programme will travel across the country and deliver 60 performances a year to primary schools nationwide, with the ambition to visit 180 schools by 2025.
People are being advised to take precautions as a three-day heat warning has come into effect in Ireland.

The Status Yellow alert began at 6am on Sunday and will last until 9pm on Tuesday, with temperatures of up to 32C possible in places on Monday.

The Met Eireann weather warning stated: On Sunday and Monday exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland with daytime temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees and possibly up to 32 degrees in places on Monday.

Night time temperatures will range from 15 to 20 degrees.

UPDATE: Status Yellow  High Temperature warning for Ireland  Exceptionally warm weather on Sunday & Monday over Ireland, daytime temperatures of 25C to 30C  Impacts: Heat stress High Solar UV index Risk of water related incidentshttps://t.co/yz9xhBqJow pic.twitter.com/1wdyd29XGm  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) July 17, 2022

Met Eireann said there was an increased risk of heat stress, high solar UV index and water-related incidents.

It came as a man in his 60s died after getting into difficulty while swimming in Portarlington, Co Laois, on Saturday.

The incident happened at around 3.30pm at Derryounce Lake.

The man was taken from the water and brought by ambulance to Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, but was pronounced dead a short time later.

It is the third swimming-related death to have occurred in the past week.

Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan urged people to be careful near water.

It happens every time, its so predictable, but so tragic for every family, Mr Ryan told RTE.

Lets not make it a fourth family, destroyed, ruined, in this good weather,

Be careful, dont go into waters that you dont know how safe they are, stay close to the shore, look after each other, we dont want another tragic loss.

As the heatwave arrived in Ireland, Dublin City Council put contingency plans in place to protect the homeless from extreme temperatures and Irish Water reminded people to be mindful of their water usage.
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Foreign diplomats in Korea hold a large rainbow banner on the stage of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival at Seoul Plaza, Saturday, as each of them gave a speech advocating for LGBTQ rights and equality. Korea Times photo by Choi Ju-yeon



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Small and large rainbow flags waved in Seoul Plaza, Saturday, as the Seoul Queer Culture Festival (SQCF) returned after taking two years off during the pandemic, with ever stronger support from a handful of foreign envoys in Korea.



This year, 15 diplomatic missions in Korea operated booths to promote diversity and inclusion, and ambassadors also took the stage to give speeches in support of the LGBTQ community in Korea.



As part of the official program, envoys from the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, European Union, Sweden, Ireland, the U.K., Canada, Finland, Australia and the U.S. went on the stage with a large rainbow banner and each gave a speech promoting the rights of sexual minorities and diversity.



New U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg made his first public appearance at the SQCF, showing the U.S.' strong commitment to ending discrimination.



The German, Italian, Czech and Bulgarian ambassadors took the stage with EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez.



"I am happy to be here today with many of my colleagues from the European Union," she said. "We stand with you. And it is much more timely and important today as human rights in the world are even given. Discrimination, prejudice and hate against individuals based on sexual orientation or gender are very prevalent these days... We want to tell you that pride is at the heart of European values."





U.K. Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks delivers a speech during the Seoul Queer Culture Festival at Seoul Plaza, Saturday. Yonhap



Some ambassadors gave parts of their speech in Korean, but U.K. Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks delivered his whole speech in Korean and received a great round of applause from the participants.



"We believe that everyone in society is equal. Discrimination against sexual orientation or sexual identity should not exist in the 21st century. We all have the right to live free from discrimination and violence," Crooks said.



"The U.K. shows that the best way to protect this right is to have the legal system... Hate should fail. Love will always win."



Crooks told The Korea Times that the diplomats were there to "show solidarity with minority communities in Korea."



"Because their rights are underpinned by values which all of us share  the values of freedom, of human rights and of democracy. In a society like this, we believe in those values and the rights of minorities," he said.





New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Philip Turner, left, takes a selfie with his spouse Hiroshi Ikeda while on the stage of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, Saturday. Captured from Twitter







The booth jointly operated by the Embassy of Australia and the Embassy of New Zealand was very popular, as visitors queued up to receive rainbow-themed bags and cups as souvenirs.



New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Philip Turner attended the festival with his same-sex spouse Hiroshi Ikeda for the third time.



"It is fantastic to be able to participate (in the SQCF) again. It's really important to have these opportunities, especially for young people, (as) so many happy young people coming out and enjoying themselves in a safe space," Turner said.



"The New Zealand government believes that everybody should be able to live their life with freedom and pride; that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. This is part of our values as people in New Zealand."





Booths of foreign embassies are lined up at the Seoul Queer Culture Festival in Seoul Plaza, Saturday, while Christians rally across the street in protest against the event. Fifteen foreign missions in Korea took part in Seoul's pride event to show solidarity with the LGBTQ community. Yonhap



The Embassy of Canada had an independent booth, while the U.S. Embassy joined hands with the British Embassy. The Netherlands, Spain and Ireland had a joint booth, while the European Union, Germany and France operated another joint booth.



The embassy booths were located across the road from where far-right and Christian groups were positioned, so it was difficult for festivalgoers to hear each other over the hate speech from protesters amplified over loudspeakers.



Outgoing Irish Ambassador Julian Clare noted that his country was the first in the world to vote to legalize same-sex marriage. Ireland held a referendum in 2015 to amend its Constitution to include marriage equality.



"In my country, we have traveled the journey from out there to in here, so we know that marriage equality and equality in society is possible. Never ever give up the hope that it can happen," Clare said referring to the hate groups outside the plaza.



Rouslan Kats, charge d'affaires at the Canadian Embassy, emphasized the values of democracy.



"There is no place for discrimination and violence in a democratic society. We live in a democratic society and we all deserve to be respected and to be treated fairly," he said.



Kats added that equal rights for sexual minorities are not a "zero-sum game" and that the existence of those rights does not impinge on the freedoms of others but rather expands freedom for all members of society.





A joint booth of four Nordic countries  Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland  is set up for the Seoul Queer Culture Festival at Seoul Plaza, Saturday. Courtesy of Danish Embassy in Korea
By Eric J. Topol



It takes a lot for a COVID-19 variant to become dominant throughout most of the world. It has happened only three previous times (alpha, delta, omicron) and now is occurring with the omicron family subvariant known as BA.5. How did this occur and what are the implications for the pandemic going forward?



In the last weeks BA.5 became the dominant COVID-19 variant in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the cause of nearly 54 percent of new cases, growing exponentially here since late April. It replaced another omicron family variant (BA.2.12.1), which has not achieved global dominance.



But we are seeing BA.5, first appearing in South Africa and Portugal, now progressing to or achieving dominance throughout much of Europe, South America and the Asia Pacific. It has led to new infection surges and an increase in hospitalizations but, fortunately, not a proportionate increase in deaths or admissions to intensive care units.



The reason why BA.5 is a standout is predominantly linked to its property of "immune escape." That is, multiple distinct mutations from prior omicron variants have blunted our immune response to it. The ability of multiple vaccine doses, boosters and infections to guard against it is reduced.



BA.5 doesn't completely evade our defenses  there is some cross-immunity that is enabled by vaccines and prior infections, reflected in sustained protection from the most severe COVID-19 illness. But the jump in reinfections, such as a recent doubling in San Diego Country, reflects our vulnerability.

BA.5 may have other "advantages" as well. Researchers in Australia just reported higher infectivity for this variant compared with prior omicron versions, by virtue of its ability to enter cells more efficiently.



The rise of the BA.5 variant is an outgrowth of accelerated evolution of the virus. The transition from omicron BA.1, first picked up spreading in late November 2021, to BA.5 now, with many other omicron subvariants in between, is quite rapid and unlike the first year of the pandemic when there were no substantive new versions of the virus seen.



BA. 5 puts the nail in the coffin of the myth that the virus will evolve into a milder form and fade away. We could easily see more variants  indeed a whole new family with more extensive immune evasion and growth advantage  in the months ahead.



So what should be done about the current situation and future prospects? More than we're doing now.



The CDC has done too little to warn Americans about the high risk of BA.5 spread, which can be mitigated to a significant extent by use of high-quality masks, physical distancing, ventilation, air filtration and booster vaccines. Only one in three Americans eligible has had a booster, which means the U.S. ranks 67th in the world for being up to date on protections against COVID-19. Among people age 50 and over, for whom a second booster has been shown to reduce mortality and severe disease and is freely available, only one in four has received it.



These boosters, while using the spike protein mRNA for the original strain of the virus, promote the overall broadening of our immune response and provide an important layer of enhanced protection to all variants. There is no reason for high-risk people to wait for a new vaccine booster, not knowing when that might be available or whether it will be more effective with the strain of the virus circulating at that time.



Beyond these currently available measures, we need to pull out all the stops to get ahead of the virus, for the first time in the pandemic anticipating its next moves and our vulnerabilities.



We need to apply money, pressure and government strength to the creation of a variant-proof vaccine. The scientific foundation for such a vaccine exists, but we must pierce regulatory concerns and get it done.



But even that's not enough.



The "leakiness" of current vaccines and boosters for preventing transmission can be patched up by nasal spray vaccines, for which three candidates are in late-stage randomized clinical trials. Such vaccines achieve mucosal immunity, protecting against the entry of the virus into our upper airway, which shots are incapable of achieving for any durable basis, especially as the virus has evolved.



Nasal sprays, like a variant-proof vaccine, deserve an Operation Warp Speed-like program to accelerate their success.



COVID-19 isn't conquered. The unprecedented acceleration, high efficacy and safety of the first vaccines, made available just 10 months from when the virus was first sequenced, is the model for what we should do next. We can't be so foolish as to learn nothing from our pandemic past.





Eric J. Topol is a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research and author of the newsletter Ground Truths. This article was published in the Los Angeles Times and distributed by Tribune Content Agency.




By Kim Won-soo





The new government of Korea is off to a hectic start with multilateral diplomacy. Last month, President Yoon Suk-yeol made a diplomatic debut at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit alongside the leaders of 30 member states, and for the first time, three other Asia-Pacific partners, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.



This attendance marks a double first: 1) the first time ever for a Korean president to attend a meeting held by an alliance group outside the Asian country's immediate regional security interests; and 2) the first overseas visit by Yoon. Last week Foreign Minister Park Jin followed suit by attending the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting.



From geopolitical and diplomatic perspectives, both gatherings are quite significant. NATO is extending its partnership with the Asia-Pacific with a clear view to check the growing Russia-China alignment. On the other hand, the G20 meeting was the first international gathering where Russia sat down with the Western leaders following its invasion of Ukraine.



Korea's participation in both gatherings bodes well for its new government. It is a clear departure from the past practices where the new president would visit the United States, China, Japan and Russia, usually in that order.



Overall, this is a great example of what Korean diplomacy should aspire to in a multilateral setting. Multilateralism is defined as the practice of coordinating national policies in groups of three or more states (Robert Keohane), based on the generalized principles of conduct (John G. Ruggie). This definition shows how multilateralism could greatly benefit Korea given how it is surrounded by bigger neighbors. Korea is considered one of the greatest beneficiaries of multilateralism in the postwar era.



Ever since gaining independence in 1945, multilateralism has been the preferred method of diplomacy for Seoul. For instance, the United Nations has been deeply involved in Korea's path toward political and economic development. Multilateral institutions, both global and regional, continue to offer Korea precious avenues of diplomacy in three important ways of providing:



1) norms and standards, through which Korea trades and invests freely and fairly around the world;

2) protection against the bullying behavior of its bigger neighbors; and

3) cost-effective venues for coalition building with like-minded countries. Multiple birds can be caught with one stone, so to speak. In fact, Korean leaders took advantage of both the NATO summit and the G20 meeting to meet a number of foreign leaders in diverse bilateral and multilateral settings.



So the new government of Korea deserves a big applause. But a large part of the credit should go to a set of external factors that turned American and European attention toward the Asia Pacific. The most important of them would be the rise of a more assertive China, coupled with an increasingly besieged Russia.



This situation provides Korea with both challenges and opportunities. The Western partners are coming to Korea, but with strings attached. There is no such thing as a free lunch in international politics. Not only that, Russia and China's negative reactions to the perceived NATO enlargement are heralding their stronger pushback to come.



Moreover, multilateralism cannot replace bilateral diplomacy necessary with Korea's bigger neighbors. The northern neighbors of Korea share a deep-seated fear of the current multilateral order as dominated by the US. To them, the recent NATO summit is a clear vindication of their fear of encirclement by an enlarged NATO partnership across the Asia Pacific. In this regard, having a Korea-China foreign ministers meeting on the sidelines of the G20 following the NATO summit was the right move to allay China's fears.



Here are three tasks to keep multilateralism at the forefront of Korean diplomacy, while complementing it with bilateral diplomacy:



First, Korea should stick to the principle of open and inclusive multilateralism. If invited to a multilateral forum, Korea should always give the priority to participating, regardless of which country proposes it.



Second, Korea should promote value-based approaches in any multilateral forum it chooses to participate in. This will allow Korea to maintain consistency throughout all forms of multilateralism and avoid arm-twisting by its bigger neighbors.



Third, Korea should complement multilateralism with bilateralism. The above two principles must be made clear to all of its neighbors, including China, consistently through bilateral diplomacy.



Korea-Japan relations should be mended as an immediate priority of bilateral diplomacy. The funeral of the late Prime Minster Shinzo Abe can serve as an opportunity to help restore mutual confidence between the leaders and peoples of the two countries.



Multilateralism matters to Korea. But it is not a panacea for all challenges facing the country. Multilateralism cannot completely replace bilateral diplomacy preferred by Korea's bigger neighbors. Korea has no other choice but to rely on multilateralism as much as it can in managing challenges coming from various sets of bilateral relations with its neighbors. The new Korean government has gotten off to a good start on the multilateral side. But that is the relatively easy part. Now the harder part is about to unfold. I count on the new government to handle it with finesse and consistency.





Kim Won-soo (wsk4321@gmail.com) is the former under secretary-general of the United Nations and high representative for disarmament. As a Korean diplomat, he served as secretary to the ROK president for foreign affairs as well as for international security. He is now the chair of the international advisory board of the Taejae Academy (Future Consensus Institute) and the chair professor of the Kyung Hee University.








Inherited ethnic embroidery culture becomes new money-maker for residents in NW Chinas Qinghai

People's Daily Online) 10:51, July 18, 2022

When I was 12, I started to learn embroidery from my mother and my grandmother, and Ive been engaged in the trade for 30 years. In the past, women of the Salar ethnic group would embroider pillows, waist belts, and shoe pads when they were preparing a dowry for a daughter of the family when she got married, said Han Yimina, an inheritor of the embroidery craft from the Salar ethnic group, the craft being a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage project in northwest Chinas Qinghai Province.

Photo shows an embroidery work completed by Han Yimina. (Peoples Daily Online/Kuang Yu)

Enjoying a long history, the Salar embroidery is known for the application of exquisite stitching skills and its workmanship, with the finished embroidery works taking on a three-dimensional form. Besides, the original features of the Salar embroidery works have been well-preserved and improved, which has enabled these artworks to fully embody local peoples traditional culture, folk customs, and other characteristics that define the locality.

Han Yimina and her husband founded a company in 2007 in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Haidong city, Qinghai. Nowadays, women from 120 households in the locality work for the company, with these women also having time leftover to do their own farm work at home, meaning that they make money as both workers and farmers.

A female embroiderer works on a piece of embroidery work. (Peoples Daily Online/Kuang Yu)

In 2012, Han Yimina found that the Salar embroidery had entered a bottleneck period and was on the verge of extinction. To save the craft from being forever lost, she sought support from various departments in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County and then, with assistance and support from relevant departments, she organized 29 training sessions in Salar embroidery techniques on behalf of women of the Salar ethnic group. Through the training sessions, more women in the locality came to know about the embroidery culture of the Salar ethnic group, while many young women were able to proficiently master the embroidery skills, contributing their efforts to inheriting and eventually passing on the culture of Salar embroidery.

Between 2010 and 2020, a total of 2,600 women of the Salar ethnic group were taught embroidery skills with the guidance of the training program.

In the past, women of the Salar ethnic group worked as migrant workers or ran restaurants. Nowadays, they can make money without leaving their homes. Most of the flexibly employed women can earn 20,000 yuan ($2,960) in a year, said Han Yimina.

Photo shows some of the various innovative embroidery products produced in the Salar embroidery tradition. (Peoples Daily Online/Kuang Yu)

In addition to inheriting the culture of Salar embroidery, Han Yimina also actively takes part in communication activities and has constantly embraced new innovations in a bid to inject a renewed impetus into the artform. Her company now produces over 380 embroidery products compared with 18 when it was just established.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
Meet Lake Geneva artist Neal Aspinall and view his work Friday through Sunday, July 29-31.

Aspinalls show, Pure Genuine Lake Geneva, will be July 30 and 31 in The Geneva Room at the Landmark Center, 772 Main St., Suite 202, Lake Geneva.

A special VIP experience event is July 29.

Pure Genuine Lake Geneva marks the first time that the works of Aspinall will be on view in Wisconsin.

From Lake Geneva, Aspinall is a graduate of the Art Institute of Colorado. He was inducted into the schools Hall of Fame in 2007.

Aspinall loves simplicity in his images and likes to allow the viewer to fill in the blanks. He is a big fan & student of pre-1960s Americana advertising.

His work has been described as using images of the past to communicate concepts of the present. He loves to connect with the viewer and his art feels very approachable and Mayberry-esque.

Organized by the Geneva Lake Foundation, the showing will feature over 25 works by Aspinall.

There will be a VIP Opening Night Collectors Preview Experience July 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $68 each.

The experience includes a cash bar, light appetizers, live music, a silent auction and a meet-and-greet with Aspinall, who will auction a private commission among other prints.

Also at the experience, Aspinall will unveil a unique, original piece that will be auctioned off.

Cocktails, music and exhibit viewing July 29 will be from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. The silent art auction begins at 6:30 p.m.

Introduction and meet-the-artist is at 7:15 p.m. Live demo and Aspinalls big reveal will be at 7:25 p.m., which is also the start of the live auction.

The silent art auction ends and the announcement of auction winners will be at 7:45 p.m. Networking time is 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.

For the general show July 30 and 31, tickets are $8. Children and students under age 12 are free.

Ticket includes access to open viewing and a special immersive photo op, plus a 20% discount on any poster purchases or orders.

Show is open July 30 and 31 from noon to 4 p.m. On July 30, the photo op and a poster signing with Aspinall is from 3 to 4 p.m.

The event is an evening of dedication to Aspinall, to support the Geneva Lake Foundation and to bring art to the community.

A portion of the proceeds goes to foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves the public in development for the purposes of promoting arts and education facilitating positive publicity for Walworth County and Wisconsin.

This public Foundation aims to deliver long term culture through a variety of immersive art experiences including various visual and performing forms such as film, sculpture, painting and performance art, and diverse and cultural representation of all mediums & installations.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to genevaroom.com.

To see Aspinalls work, visit www.nealaspinall.com.
For some, too much medication might make migraine worse. peterschreiber.media/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Migraine headaches currently affect more than one billion people across the globe and are the second-leading cause of disability worldwide. Nearly one-quarter of U.S. households have at least one member who suffers from migraines. An estimated 85.6 million workdays are lost as a result of migraine headaches each year.

Yet many who suffer with migraine dismiss their pain as simply a bad headache. Rather than seeking medical care, the condition often goes undiagnosed, even when other incapacitating symptoms occur alongside the pain, including light and sound sensitivity, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

Researchers have discovered that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the condition of migraine. They happen when changes in your brainstem activate the trigeminal nerve, which is a major nerve in the pain pathway. This cues your body to release inflammatory substances such as CGRP, short for calcitonin gene-related peptide. This molecule, and others, can cause blood vessels to swell, producing pain and inflammation.

For some, medication has its limits

A migraine can be debilitating. Those who are experiencing one are often curled up in a dark room accompanied by only their pain. Attacks can last for days; life is put on hold. The sensitivity to light and sound, coupled with the unpredictability of the disease, causes many to forego work, school, social gatherings and time with family.

Numerous prescription medications are available for both the prevention and treatment of migraine. But for many people, conventional treatment has its limitations. Some people with migraine have a poor tolerance for certain medications. Many cant afford the high cost of the medicines or endure the side effects. Others are pregnant or breastfeeding and cant take the medications.

However, as a board-certified neurologist who specializes in headache medicine, Im always amazed at how open-minded and enthusiastic patients become when I discuss alternative options.

Your brain sends you warning signals, such as fatigue and mood changes, to let you know a migraine may be on the way.

These approaches, collectively, are called complementary and alternative medicine. It might be surprising that a traditionally trained Western doctor like me would recommend things like yoga, acupuncture or meditation for people with migraine. Yet in my practice, I value these nontraditional treatments.

Research shows that alternative therapies are associated with improved sleep, feeling better emotionally and an enhanced sense of control. Some patients can avoid prescription medications altogether with one or more complementary treatments. For others, the nontraditional treatments can be used along with prescription medication.

These options can be used one at a time or in combination, depending on how severe the headache and the cause behind it. If neck tension is a contributor to the pain, then physical therapy or massage may be most beneficial. If stress is a trigger, perhaps meditation would be an appropriate place to start. It is worth talking to your provider to explore which options may work best for you.

Mindfulness, meditation and more

Because stress is a major trigger for migraines, one of the most effective alternative therapies is mindfulness meditation, which is the act of focusing your attention on the present moment in a nonjudgmental mindset. Studies show that mindfulness meditation can reduce headache frequency and pain severity.

Another useful tool is biofeedback, which enables a person to see their vital signs in real time and then learn how to stabilize them.

For example, if you are stressed, you may notice muscle tightness, perspiration and a fast heart rate. With biofeedback, these changes appear on a monitor, and a therapist teaches you exercises to help manage them. There is strong evidence that biofeedback can lessen the frequency and severity of migraine headaches and reduce headache-related disability.

Yoga derives from traditional Indian philosophy and combines physical postures, meditation and breathing exercises with a goal of uniting the mind, body and spirit. Practicing yoga consistently can be helpful in reducing stress and treating migraine.

Meditation is an alternative therapy that could help with your migraine.

Manipulation-based therapy

By lowering stress levels and promoting relaxation, massage can decrease migraine frequency and improve sleep. It may also reduce stress in the days following the massage, which adds further protection from migraine attacks.

Some patients are helped by acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese medicine. In this practice, fine needles are placed in specific locations on the skin to promote healing. A large 2016 meta-analysis paper found acupuncture reduced the duration and frequency of migraines regardless of how often they occur. Acupuncture benefits are sustained after 20 weeks of treatment.

Whats also fascinating is that acupuncture can change the metabolic activity in the thalamus, the region of the brain critical to pain perception. This change correlated with a decrease in the headache intensity score following acupuncture treatment.

Vitamins, supplements and nutraceuticals

Herbal supplements and nutraceuticals, which are food-derived products that may have therapeutic benefit, can also be used to prevent migraine. And there is evidence to suggest vitamins work reasonably well compared to traditional prescription medication. They also have fewer side effects. Here are some examples:

Devices can be beneficial

The Food and Drug Administration has approved several neurostimulation devices for migraine treatment. These devices work by neutralizing the pain signals sent from the brain.

One is the Nerivio device, which is worn on the upper arm and sends signals to the brainstem pain center during an attack. Two-thirds of people report pain relief after two hours, and side effects are rare.

Another device that shows promise is the Cefaly. It delivers a mild electrical current to the trigeminal nerve on the forehead, which can lessen the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. After one hour of treatment, patients experienced a nearly 60% reduction in pain intensity, and the relief lasted up to 24 hours. Side effects are uncommon and include sleepiness or skin irritation.

These alternative therapies help treat the person as a whole. In just my practice, many success stories come to mind: the college student who once had chronic migraine but now has rare occurrences after a regimen of vitamins; the pregnant woman who avoided medication through acupuncture and physical therapy; or the patient, already on numerous prescription medications, who uses a neurostimulation device for migraine instead of adding another prescription.

Granted, alternative approaches are not necessarily miracle therapies, but their potential to relieve pain and suffering is notable. As a physician, it is truly gratifying to see some of my patients respond to these treatments.

Danielle Wilhour 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.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
The Village of Williams Bays ambitious plans to place two referendum questions on the Nov. 8 general election have run into complications, with plans scaled back to just one question on the fall ballot.

On June 20, the Williams Bay Village Board unanimously gave its approval to procedurally move forward with two referendums eyed for a Nov. 8 vote to exceed state-mandated tax levy limits, sending the two referendum proposals to the Finance & Personnel Committe to develop referendum language and set cost figures.

One referendum question would seek funding approval for an additional full-time officer position for the Williams Bay Police Department, while the other would seek funding approval for the hiring of seven full-time equivalent (FTE) emergency medical services (EMS) positions for services contracted from the Fontana Fire Department.

But at their July 5 meeting, members of the villages Finance & Personnel Committeechairman Lowell Wright, Robert Umans and Jim DAllessandrowere advised by village attorney Mark A. Schroeder that only one referendum question could be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

It was determined by our attorney that we cannot have two questions on the ballot that would directly impact the tax levy, village administrator Becky Tobin said. The Finance Committee voted to just proceed with the EMS question for the November ballot and not the police question for the additional police officer. They could decide to do the police officer [referendum question] on the April ballot if they wanted to, but for now itll just be EMS.

Tobin said the Finance & Personnal Committee considered but ultimately rejected the idea of combining the two referendum questions into a single referendum question.

The Finance & Personnal Committee is continuing to work on the language and dollar amount for the referendum question.

Tobin said the Williams Bay Village Board is expected to discuss and possibly take action on the Finance & Personnel Committees recommendation on referendum question language at its next business meeting, slated for Monday, July 18 at a new start time of 6:30 p.m.

I think the Finance Committee recognizes the immediate need is for EMS, Tobin said of the focus on moving ahead with the proposed emergency medical services referendum question. Weve entered into this contract with Fontana and if we want to be able to move forward with this contract to provide the service to Williams Bay, this is what needs to happen first.

Wright agreed with Tobins assessment of the challenges faced by committee members.

Its not an easy situation, he said. We are so constrained in terms of our levy and the increased cost of services. As I look at it, EMS is such a critical and urgent service that were obliged and obligated to provide. It was important for us to continue to fund that. Thats not to say the police are not important, they certainly are and we will get to their funding, but it was the committees belief that we ought to focus our energy and the peoples money on EMS services.

While saying the committeees decision impacts the community from a law enforcement perspective, given spiking overtime costs and ongoing department staffing challenges, Chief of Police Justin P. Timm said he understands the difficult decisions that the Finanace & Personnel Committee faced July 5.

I do not envy their position, Timm said. They had a very difficult position where they had a couple decisions that they had to make ... I was disappointed, but I know they have their decisions to make ... to try to benefit the community in the best way possible ... My hope is, moving forward, that they will reconsider for an April [police] referendum. They saw the value in it ... I hope they will continue to see the value in it.

In the meantime, Williams Bay Police Department operations will continue as they have been, with overtime shift staffing, cancelled or delayed vacations, and Timm and Lt. William Kostock sometimes pulling away from their administrative duties to cover road patrol shifts.

We just need to keep pushing forward, Timm said. The officers are in the right state of mind, our community supports us whole-heartedly ... Were trying to make sure were being beneficial to the entire community and make sure that everyones being safe and enjoying their time at Williams Bay.

Wright said addressing Timms request for an additional officer remains a priority for the Finance and Personnel Committee moving forward.

I would hazard a pretty informed guess that we will certainly reconsider it at some point in the near future, he noted. Obviously, we have to do our budget here in the next few months, we probably cant squeeze another officer into our budget, but certainly as we look at future referendum possibilities I know we will consider it.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 18 (ANI): The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved Ashish Kumar Chauhan as the Managing Director and Chief Executing Officer of the National Stock Exchange.

Chauhan, who is currently the CEO of Bombay Stock Exchange, holds a B Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bombay and a PGDM from IIM Kolkata. He joined BSE as Deputy CEO in 2009 and was appointed as CEO in 2012.

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His appointment is, however, subject to acceptance of the offer made to him and fulfilment of terms and conditions including approval from the shareholders of the NSE, SEBI said on Sunday.

The appointment of the successor comes after incumbent Vikram Limaye's term as managing director and the chief executive officer at the NSE ended on July 16, 2022.

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In the interim, the Governing Board of NSE has decided on a framework till the new MD and CEO assume charge.

An Internal Executive Committee comprising Yatrik Vin, Group CFO and Head Corporate Affairs, Priya Subbaraman, Chief Regulatory Officer, Somasundaram KS, Chief Enterprise Risk and Information Security Officer and Shiv Kumar Bhasin, Chief Technology and Operations Officer has been constituted for the purpose of running the affairs of the company.

The committee will be dissolved upon the new MD and CEO assuming the office. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Tehri, Jul 18 (PTI) A bus from Maharashtra overturned on Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway on Monday evening, injuring all 31 on board, an official said.

The bus carrying 31 pilgrims was returning from Kedarnath when it met with the accident near Vyas Gufa Kaudiyala, the district disaster management office here, informed.

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18 of them sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Rishikesh for treatment.

The remaining 13 who got away with minor injuries were given first aid treatment on the spot and sent to Haridwar in another bus, SDM DS Negi said. PTI COR ALM

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(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Guwahati, Jul 18 (PTI) Two main opposition parties in Assam engaged in a war of words on Monday over the presidential elections, as the AIUDF alleged that 20 of the 27 MLAs of the Congress voted in favour of NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu, a charge denied by the grand old party.

Murmu is up against joint opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha in the fray.

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Talking to reporters, AIUDF MLA Karimuddin Barbhuiya said he had evidence that 20 legislators of the opposition Congress have cross-voted in favour of Murmu.

The MLA from Sonai in Cachar district, however, did not produce any evidence to make his point.

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He lashed out at Congress state unit president Bhupen Bora for not inviting AIUDF members to a meeting of opposition parties when presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha had come to Assam to seek the support of MPs and MLAs.

Reacting to the allegations, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Debabrata Saikia told PTI that Barbhuiya's claims were absurd as votes were cast through a secret ballot system.

Saikia said that the AIUDF had been maintaining "double standards" on the whole presidential poll issue.

I will not assume or speculate which of their MLAs voted for whom. That said, AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal had participated in two meetings of opposition parties in New Delhi but did not give any assurance.

Ajmal later announced that he would support Murmu only to change the stance a day before polls, the Congress leader maintained.

The results will reveal the true picture, Saikia said.

Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi also came down heavily on the AIUDF, accusing Ajmal of being the biggest liar on this earth.

After casting his vote, the the Raijor Dal president said that the AIUDF's communal politics was one of the reasons why the BJP came to power in the state.

As long as AIUDF practises communal politics, the BJP will continue to have its way, he added.

The Congress and the AIUDF had entered into an electoral alliance before the 2021 assembly polls. After facing a humiliating defeat in the polls, the Congress withdrew from the alliance and the two parties had since then often engaged in a spat over various issues

Several BJP MLAs had visited the residence of AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal on Sunday requesting the party to change its decision and vote in favour of the NDA nominee.

AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam later said that the BJP, which does not want to do anything with our party, is now shamelessly asking for votes.

The AIUDF had announced on Sunday that it would vote for the opposition candidate, despite not getting an invite by the Congress to the meeting organised during Sinha's visit.

The AIUDF has 15 MLAs in the 126-member Assembly and one MP in Lok Sabha. Two of its MLAs did not exercise their franchise as they are away in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.

The Congress has 27 MLAs but three of them have been suspended due to anti-party activities. The suspended legislators did not reveal their choice of candidate.

The sole CPI(M) legislator and an Independent MLA have pledged their support to Sinha.

Congress MLA Bharat Chandra Narah, currently undergoing treatment at New Delhi, had sought permission to exercise his franchise in Parliament.

The ruling NDA has 79 MLAs in the Assembly while three BPF members, who support the ruling alliance, did not make their preference public.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kohima, Jul 18 (PTI) Of the 60 legislators of the Nagaland Assembly, 59 voted in the Presidential election held in the state assembly complex here on Monday, an official said.

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Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Y M Yollow could not vote due to ill-health, said Khruohituonuo Rio, Additional Secretary of the Assembly and Assistant Returning Officer for the poll.

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All these MLAs came together and formed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), an opposition-less government, in September last year for facilitating an early solution to the Naga political problem.

They have declared their support for NDA's Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu.

The MLAs, including UDA chairman T R Zeliang, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Speaker Sharingain Longkumer stood in a queue, according to their assembly constituency numbers, to cast their vote.

The oldest among the legislators, 88-year-old Kejong Chang, was helped by security personnel of the Assembly to walk to the polling booth.

Chief Minister Rio expressed confidence that Murmu will get 100 per cent votes from Nagaland.

The vote value of each MLA in Nagaland is 9 and the value of all 60 votes of MLAs totals 540. Nagaland has two MPs and the value of the vote of an MP is 700.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): To commemorate the 23 years of victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999, the Indian Army on Monday organised a motorcycle expedition from New Delhi to the Kargil War Memorial at Dras (Ladakh).

The 30-member rally was flagged off by Lt Gen B S Raju, the Vice Chief of Army Staff from the National War Memorial, New Delhi on Monday.

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Over the next six days, the team of 30 serving personnel who have embarked on this expedition will endeavour to replicate the indomitable spirit of the Kargil brave-hearts by rekindling the spirit of fortitude, courage and adventure synonymous with the Indian Army, said the Ministry of Defence.

The bike rally would pass through Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh before culminating the expedition at the Kargil War Memorial, Dras on July 26, 22.

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In order to cover maximum areas, the rally is being split into two teams, who will move along two different axes; that is the Zojila Pass axis and Rohtang Pass axis, covering a distance of 1,400 Km and 1,700 Km respectively. During the rally, the team will traverse through high mountain passes and arduous tracks with an endeavour to reach remote localities along the route.

The rally intends to spread the message of patriotism by highlighting the grit and determination portrayed by our brave soldiers, deployed in service of the nation, said the Ministry. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jaipur, Jul 18 (PTI) Rajya Sabha MP Dr Kirodi Lal Meena lodged a complaint on Monday after he received a hand-written life threat note at his Pandara Road bunglow in New Delhi.

Meena has written a letter to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, and the Delhi Police Commissioner to get the matter investigated and take necessary action.

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A man identifying himself as Qadir Ali Rajasthani has given a life threat to the BJP MP accusing him of spreading vitriol against Muslims.

Qadir Ali, in his letter shared by Meena with the media, expressed his anger at Meena's advocacy for Hindus and considering himself a Hindu leader.

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In the letter, the man said that a few days ago Meena had offered one month's salary to tailor Kanhaiya Lal's family, and accused him of calling Muslims Talibani hardliners.

Qadir Ali said no matter how big a leader one is, he will teach a lesson to those who insult Prophet Mohammad, and Meena is next in the list.

Kanhaiya Lal was hacked to death at his tailor shop in Udaipur by two men for supporting former BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who had earlier made some controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammad during a TV debate.

Meena in a statement issued to the media said he was "not afraid of the threat and he will keep exposing jehadis and political forces harbouring them.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, Jul 18 (PTI) Main opposition Congress' Sonipat MLA Surender Panwar, who recently claimed receiving threat calls, sent his resignation to the assembly Speaker, but has withdrawn it after five days.

Speaker Gian Chand Gupta told reporters Monday evening Panwar had called him on July 14 to inform that he had sent his resignation. Gupta said he had received Panwar's resignation through an email, on WhatsApp and later in a signed letter.

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"When I asked him the reason, he said it was due to personal and family reasons," the Speaker said.

Gupta said the MLA had told him that he will meet him personally.

Also Read | Presidential Election 2022: Congress Could Not Prevent MLAs From Cross Voting in Presidential Poll.

Accompanied by several Congress MLAs including Geeta Bhukkal, Varun Chaudhary, Jagbir Malik, Neeraj Sharma, Panwar met the Speaker on Monday and submitted a letter seeking to withdraw his resignation.

"We will consider it and take legal opinion on this and take a decision accordingly," said the Speaker.

Asked why he had resigned, Panwar told reporters it was due to personal reasons and then added he was feeling pressure after his family also started getting threats.

"I sent it (the resignation) through an e-mail... Speaker sahab told me to come and meet him personally. I have withdrawn it (resignation) now. The Speaker assured me as well the other MLAs that their security will be ensured and the culprits will be caught," said Panwa.

"If anyone gets threat that his son will be eliminated, you can understand the pressure," Panwar said.

"But I am satisfied now," he said, adding the Speaker has given the assurance that it will be ensured the MLAs get foolproof security.

On the threats received in recent weeks by some MLAs, the Speaker said, "It is a serious issue. I think the government should take cognisance and ensure a foolproof security of the legislators. It will be ensured that MLAs get foolproof security".

Last Wednesday, a delegation of Haryana Congress MLAs had met Governor Bandaru Dattatreya here and submitted a memorandum to him expressing concern over deteriorating law and order in the state and raised other issues.

Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda had alleged that the government is failing to provide security to the public and public representatives.

They told the Governor that the situation has become so "bad" that ransom is being demanded from the legislators and they are getting death threats.

Taking note of threats received by some MLAs in Haryana, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had on Wednesday convened a meeting of senior officers and directed them to take immediate and strict action in the matter.

While one MLA who received a threat call is from the BJP, the remaining four are from main opposition Congress and most calls pertain to extortion threats made over mobile phones of the legislators from unknown numbers.

Speaker Gian Chand Gupta had a week ago held a meeting with the police brass and it was decided that the MLAs will be protected by four to five additional security personnel.

Gupta had written to the chief minister recently demanding to increase the security of the MLAs who received threat calls.

Home Minister Anil Vij had earlier said the matter has been handed over to the special task force for further investigation and he is daily monitoring the developments connected with the probe.

The Congress has 31 MLAs in the 90-member State Assembly. Kuldeep Bishnoi, who had last month cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls, had been expelled from all party positions.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) Human rights group Amnesty India has demanded immediate and unconditional release of fact-checking website Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, saying debunking fake news is not a crime.

Separate FIRs have been lodged against Zubair in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Hathras districts of Uttar Pradesh on charges of allegedly hurting religious feelings, making sarcastic remarks on news anchors, disrespecting Hindu gods, and putting out inflammatory posts

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The Supreme Court Monday directed that no precipitative steps be taken against Zubair in connection with five FIRs in Uttar Pradesh.

Amnesty India said Zubair's continuing detention is an alarming reminder that "you are not allowed to speak the truth in India".

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"Debunking fake news is not a crime. @zoo_bear must be immediately and unconditionally released. #FreeZubair #ProtectDissent," it said in a tweet.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, Jul 18 (PTI) To avoid narcotics from being seized during raids, smugglers in Punjab now conceal drugs in ponds and fields instead of their houses, according to the Punjab Police.

Highlighting trends in drug smuggling, Punjab Inspector General of Police Sukhchain Singh Gill said drug smugglers nowadays prefer smuggling the drug "on foot to prevent arrest.

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He said drug smugglers also prefer to sell drugs in small quantities to ensure that even if they are caught their case should not be considered as commercial.

Instead of concealing drug consignments at their houses, they have been using ponds and fields as safe storage for concealing drugs to avoid recovery during raids, said Gill here.

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Following the disclosures of the arrested drug smugglers that the supply of drugs is either from the area of villages such as Chhanni-Beli in Himachal Pradesh, and those in adjoining Pathankot, or from neighbouring Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, border district police chiefs have been asked to work in closer coordination with police from these states, said Gill.

The IGP said a new modus operandi was also noticed in Malerkotla where a drug smuggler, identified as Rohit Sahi alias Goldy of Amargarh, camouflaged in army uniform, was found selling heroin.

Police recovered 50 grams of heroin from his car, he said.

Gill said that the Punjab Police in two interstate operations conducted last week managed to effectively recover 147.5 kg heroin from states including Gujarat and Maharashtra.

These two recoveries are in addition to the 7.89 kg heroin recovered in the state last week, taking the cumulative quantity of heroin seized to 155.39 kg, said Gill here.

In a joint operation with Gujarat ATS on July 12, the Punjab Police recovered 75 Kg heroin from a container at Mundra Port in Gujarat, while, in a similar operation with Maharashtra Police on July 15, they seized 72.5Kg heroin from a container at the Nhava Sheva Port in Mumbai.

The IGP said Police arrested 565 drug smugglers and suppliers registering 453 first information reports (FIRs), including 34 commercial, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act across the state in the last one week.

He said that with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann having given the Punjab Police a free hand to wage war against drugs, extensive drives have been launched to combat the drug menace from the border state.

Apart from recovering a big haul of heroin, Police have also recovered Rs 16.29 lakh in cash, 15 kg opium, 37 kg ganja, 16 quintals of poppy husk, and 64,000 intoxicant pills or capsules among other drugs in several cordon-and-search operations in the drug-affected areas.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) India and Bangladesh began their director general-level border conference in Dhaka on Monday where the two countries will discuss a host of issues to address cross-frontier crimes and future challenges.

Officials said the Indian delegation is led by Border Security Force (BSF) DG Pankaj Kumar Singh while the Bangladeshi side is headed by the DG of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed.

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The BSF chief also called on the home minister of Bangladesh Asaduzzaman Khan on Monday.

This is the 52nd edition of this bi-annual conference.

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The Indian delegation reached Dhaka on Sunday and the talks will end on July 21 with the signing of a joint record of discussion, a senior officer said.

"During the border coordination conference, both sides will be deliberating on a wide range of issues related to border management, joint initiatives to implement the coordinated border management plan (CBMP), ways to enhance mutual trust between the BGB and BSF and further strengthen the existing bilateral relations," a BSF spokesperson said.

The BSF is tasked to guard the 4,096 kms long international Indian front with Bangladesh on the country's eastern flank.

These talks were held annually between 1975-1992 but they were made bi-annual in 1993 with either side alternatively travelling to the national capitals of New Delhi and Dhaka.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jammu, Jul 18 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir Police has busted a Lashker-e-Taiba module operating in Jammu city by arresting three people involved in receiving and ferrying consignments of weapons and explosives dropped by 15 drone sorties in border areas from the Pakistan side, officials said on Monday.

The police seized an AK rifle, pistols, silencers and grenades from a Jammu-based residence of an LeT terrorist, thereby foiling possible terror plots in the city.

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A joint team of the Jammu and the Kathua police and the Special Operations Group has solved the case of a drone shot down by troops on May 29 at Talli-Hariya Chak area of Kathua district, which was loaded with UBGL rounds and sticky bombs among others, ADGP Mukesh Singh told reporters here.

He said the case involved another drone shot down at Manyari in Kathua on June 20, 2020, which was carrying a huge payload, including an M4 rifle and other explosive materials.

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Singh said the team apprehended many suspects on the basis of technical analysis and subsequently zeroed in on Habib of Harie Chak of Kathua.

During questioning, he admitted that he was the receiver of multiple consignments of arms and ammunition dropped via drones controlled from the Pakistani side and that that he was part of an illegal terror-associates network.

He further said he was motivated by Faisal Muneer of Talab Khatikan area of Jammu city and was working on his directions, the ADGP said.

The consignments received by Habib were carried to Jammu and delivered to different people on directions of Faisal, he said.

Subsequently, Faisal Muneer was picked up and questioned, during which he accepted his links with Pakistan-based handlers and his involvement in this terror nexus, the officer said.

Muneer disclosed he was in touch with Pakistan-based handlers for over two years and that he received more than 15 drone-dropped consignments at multiple locations in Samba and Kathua, including Manyari, Mawa, and Hari-e-Chak, the ADGP said.

On disclosures made by Muneer, seizures were made from his residence which included an AK 46 rifle, two magazines, 60 rounds, five pistols, 15 magazines, 100 rounds, two pistol silencers, eight grenades and a weighing machine, besides weapon cleaning accessories, Singh said.

He said another accused, Miayan Sohail of Kathua, was also arrested, and involvement of more people in the network is suspected.

Replying to a query, Singh said the seizure of silencers points towards designs of selective killings.

Majority of the weapons and explosives airdropped through drones in the last two years have been recovered, he said.

Efforts to track down two more members of the module is on, the officer said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): In line with the Centre's vision for modern infrastructure, Jindal Stainless will provide 3,500 MT stainless steel for the construction of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link (USBRL) Tunnel Project.

This project by the Indian Railways is a 272 km-long railway link in Jammu and Kashmir. This will be the first-ever application of stainless steel cable trays in an Indian railway project.

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Lauding this major development, Managing Director of Jindal Stainless, Abhyuday Jindal said, "We are the government's partner in progress and are committed to developing a state-of-the-art railway infrastructure. USBRL is a prominent project of the Indian Railways that will be a milestone in improving the economic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir."

He further stated that this will the first time, that stainless steel cable trays will be implemented in an Indian Railway project.

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"We congratulate the Indian Railways on executing this engineering marvel by overcoming various topographical challenges, and appreciate its decision to choose stainless steel for developing a robust, long-lasting, and sustainable railway infrastructure," he added.

Jindal Stainless' service centre arm, Jindal Stainless Steelway Limited (JSSL), will be supplying EN 1.4404/316L (dual certification) stainless steel grade in 2B finish for the project owing to its high corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and a lower life cycle cost.

Notably, USBRL has been declared a project of national importance and is the biggest one in the construction of a mountain railway since independence. It is also the highest altitude railway network and the most challenging railway project undertaken by the Indian Railways.

The newly constructed railway line will provide an all-weather and reliable connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir, said the Ministry of Railways. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washim (Maha), Jul 18 (PTI) Some Muslim girls have claimed they were made to remove their burkha and hijab when they reached an examination centre to appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) in Maharashtra's Washim district, police said on Monday.

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Some aggrieved parents have complained to the police and a probe was underway, a police official said, adding that at least two Muslim girls have approached the police.

"The NEET (Undergraduate) exam was held at six centres in Washim on Sunday. This incident of two girls being asked to remove their burkha and hijab (face veil) allegedly happened in Matoshree Shantabai Gote College. Their application to the police claims that the staff involved in checking students made objectionable remarks like threatening to cut the burkha-hijab if they didn't remove it voluntarily," he said citing the complaints.

One aggrieved student told reporters the concerned college authorities first allowed them on the premises for the exam and then later told them to remove their hijab and burkhas outside, adding that staff also entered into arguments with them.

"We asked them to check us and then allow us in, but the concerned staff spoke to us disrespectfully and their behaviour was not good," one of the students alleged.

The parent of one of the students, who allegedly faced the ordeal, said they had filed a complaint with the Washim City police station and wanted action to be taken to against the college for acting in an "arbitrary" manner.

Inspector Rafiq Shaikh of Washim City police station is investigating the matter, a senior official said.

A record 18,72,329 students had registered for the NNET (UG) held by the National Testing Agency, with 95 per cent of them attending it at 3,570 centres in 497 cities across the country on Sunday, officials said.

NEET-UG is the qualifying entrance exam for admission to Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS), Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS), and Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) and BSc(H) Nursing courses.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kollam (Ker), Jul 18 (PTI) Young women and girls who appeared for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) at a private educational institution in Kollam district of Kerala suffered a humiliating experience on Sunday when they had to remove part of their undergarments to be allowed to write the exam.

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According to the father of one such 17-year old girl, who was sitting for her first ever NEET exam, his daughter is yet to come out of the traumatic experience wherein she had to sit for the over 3-hour long exam without a brassiere.

Also Read | Presidential Election 2022: Voting Concludes, Results To Be Out on July 21 and Next President To Take Oath on July 25.

The father, who has lodged a police complaint and intends to move the Human Rights Commission also, told a TV channel that his daughter was dressed as per the dress code mentioned in the NEET bulletin which does not say anything about innerwear.

Reacting to the incident, Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu on Monday said the test was not organised by a state-run agency and what happened indicated a grave lapse on the part of the organisers.

Such a conduct of the organisers towards the women and girl candidates without considering their human rights was unacceptable.

We will be conveying our disappointment regarding what happened to the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) -- a central government agency which conducts entrance examinations for educational institutions -- the minister said.

Following the incident, on Monday, different parties held protest marches against the college in connection with the incident, police said.

A senior police officer of the district said that a team of women officers have gone to record the statement of the girl and based on what she has to say appropriate action, including lodging of a case, would be taken.

The officer also said that they were looking into the private agency which was given the responsibility of conducting the test.

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission, meanwhile, on Monday ordered an investigation into the incident.

The Commission directed the Kollam Rural SP to file a report within 15 days.

The complainant-father told the TV channel that on July 17 afternoon, after his daughter entered the exam centre, he and his wife were about to have their lunch in the car when they got a call from a number shown as 'information technology' asking them to come to the gate, he said.

"When we reached the gate, we saw our daughter in tears. She said that she and other girls were being asked to remove part of their inner wear and asked for a shawl to wear during the test.

"My wife gave her shawl to my daughter and she went back inside and we thought that was the end of it. However, after the exam got over, when our daughter came back, she was distressed and fell into my wife's arms crying. On the way home she told us what had transpired during the test. It was startling," the father said.

He said that according to his daughter, one of the invigilators, most of them were men, said that she can either remove her brassiere or she can write the exam.

"There were two rooms where undergarments of young women and girls were stacked on top of each other in violation of COVID-19 protocols. Those writing the exams are between the age groups of 17 to 23. Imagine how uncomfortable it would be for them to concentrate during the exam when surrounded by male students as well," the anguished father said.

When I heard what had happened, on the way home from the centre we went to the Kottarakkara DySP office and lodged a complaint, the father said.

"I also spoke to the college which said it had no role in conducting the test and only provided the necessary infrastructure," he further said.

The college authorities told him that they were also looking into what had happened and that an outside agency based in Chadayamangalam here was responsible for conducting the exam, he said.

Subsequently, I also got a call from the Kollam SP who said that Chadayamangalam police were looking into the matter and how I want to proceed further.

"I told him that I am not doing it only for my daughter, but for all the other girls and women there. In future, no other parent should have to face such a situation again. I am ready to go to any extent for that.

"I will also move the Human Rights Commission as I feel that it is also a violation of human rights. This should never again happen in our country," he said.

He further said that his daughter, who is a brilliant student, was yet to recover from the experience and is sitting in a room without speaking to anyone.

"We expected her to get into one of the national level colleges, but she could not concentrate during the test because of what happened," he said.

He said that his elder daughter too had appeared for medical entrance exams in the past, but this was a first of its kind experience for them.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jul 17 (PTI) The BJP on Monday accused opposition parties of doing politics over the GST imposed on packaged food items like milk and cereal as it noted that state governments run by them were also part of the decision taken by the GST council.

BJP spokesperson Zafar Islam said opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi were deliberately misleading people by blaming the central government for the five per cent Goods and Services Tax rate which kicked in from Monday on pre-packed and labelled food items such as milk, curd, cereals, pulses and flour weighing less than 25 kg.

Also Read | Presidential Election 2022: Voting for Presidential Poll Ends With 98.90% Total Turnout at Parliament House.

The GST council takes these decisions after thorough deliberations with finance ministers of states, including where the opposition parties are in power, and finalise any rates unanimously, he said.

While members of opposition parties support the decision in the meeting, their leaders mislead people outside, he said, claiming that this will backfire on them as people are aware of reality.

Also Read | Presidential Election 2022: Voting Concludes, Results To Be Out on July 21 and Next President To Take Oath on July 25.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had earlier hit out at the ruling BJP at the Centre over high taxes and unemployment, accusing it of destroying the world's fastest growing economy.

He said this while sharing a graph on Twitter showing how commodities like curd, paneer, rice, wheat, barley, jaggery and honey are being taxed now. PTI KR

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New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences after a Maharashtra Roadways bus travelling from Indore to Pune fell off the Khalghat Sanjay Setu in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on Monday.

"The bus tragedy in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh is saddening. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. Rescue work is underway and local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted quoting PM Modi.

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The bus carrying 55 people was enroute from Indore to Pune when it fell off the bridge over Narmada river after the driver lost his balance.

"Twelve people died and 15 people have been rescued," MP Minister Narottam Mishra said adding that the Maharashtra Roadways bus

Also Read | MP Bus Accident: PM Narendra Modi Expresses Grief Over Maharashtra Roadways Bus Incident in Madhya Pradeshs Dhar.

The Dhamnod Police and Khaltaka Police rushed to the spot and conducted rescue operations with the help of divers.

So far, two injured persons have been taken to the Dhamnod Government Hospital in Madhya Pradesh.

More details awaited. (ANI)

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Chandigarh [India], July 18 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday said that 99 per cent of the votes from Punjab are going to Yashwant Sinha for the President post.

Speaking to the media persons outside the Punjab Assembly, Bajwa said the meeting of the Punjab Congress Legislative Party (CLP) has been called to avoid any mistake that may lead to the cancellation of votes.

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"All MLAs will be guided about the process of casting votes for the election of the President to avoid any mistake that may lead to the cancellation of votes. Most of the MPs will be going to Delhi to cast their votes, they can come here too, then they have both the preference He also asserted that 99 per cent of the votes from Punjab are going to Yashwant Sinha," said Bajwa.

Voting to elect the 15th President of India will be held on Monday as the tenure of Ram Nath Kovind will end on July 24.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: 12 Passengers Killed as Maharashtra-Bound Bus Falls Into Narmada River in Dhar.

National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu and joint opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha are the two contesting candidates for election to the Office of the President.

A total of 4,809 electors will vote in the Presidential elections today. The polling will take place between 10 am and 5 pm in the Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.The counting of votes will take place on July 21.

NDA's Murmu has the support of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (Secular), Shiromani Akali Dal, both the factions of Shiv Sena and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

Murmu is a former Governor of Jharkhand and a former Odisha minister. If elected, she will be the first tribal President of India and the country's second female President.

Meanwhile, Sinha resigned from TMC before he was nominated as the Opposition's candidate for the presidential poll.

The Opposition's Sinha, a former Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government who later joined Trinamool Congress is backed by Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

As per Article 54 of the Constitution of India, the President is elected by the members of the Electoral College consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all States including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The nominated members of either Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha or Legislative Assemblies of the States are not eligible to be included in the Electoral College and therefore, they are not entitled to participate in the election. Similarly, members of the Legislative Councils are also not electors for the Presidential election.

The value of votes of the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies and both Houses of Parliament is governed by Article 55(2) of the Constitution. (ANI)

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New Delhi, July 18: Several Chief Ministers including Uttar Pradesh's Yogi Adityanath, Odisha's Naveen Patnaik and Gujarat's Bhupendra Patel among others cast their votes on Monday from their respective State Assemblies for the Presidential polls.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy casts his vote in the Presidential election.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot casts his vote for the Presidential election, at the State Assembly in Jaipur. Vice Presidential Election 2022: Margaret Alva Will Be Opposition's Candidate for Post of VP of India, Announces Sharad Pawar.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin casts vote in the Presidential election, in Chennai.

Voting to elect the next President of India is underway in Manipur Assembly Secretariat, Imphal.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will commence today and will continue till August 12. There will be 18 sittings during the Session.

This session is important given the fact that the Presidential Election and the Vice Presidential Election will be held during this period. The Presidential Election is being held today while the Vice Presidential election will be held on August 6.

Price rise, the Agnipath scheme and unemployment are some of the issues which are likely to be raised by the Opposition during the Monsoon session.

Various Bills including the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, and Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill are likely to be taken up in the session. (ANI)
Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 18 (ANI): Opposition Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha on Monday urged all the MPs and MLAs to vote for him to save the democracy adding that he is not just fighting a political fight but a fight against government agencies too.

"This election is very important and will set the path for the country's democracy, whether it will stay or end. I appeal to all voters to listen to their hearts. This is a secret ballot and I hope they will use their discretion and elect me to save democracy," said Yashwant Sinha.

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Read @ANI Story |  Latest Tweet by ANI Digital.

Targeting the Centre, he also alleged that they have become too powerful that they are breaking up parties, forcing people to vote for them and said that there is also a game of money involved.

"I am not just fighting a political fight but a fight against government agencies too. They have become too powerful. They are breaking up parties, forcing people to vote for them. There is also a game of money involved," he added.

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Punjab's Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said asserted that 99 per cent of the votes from Punjab are going to Yashwant Sinha.

However, BJP's MLA from Darjeeling Neeraj Tamang Zimba expressed confidence that Droupadi Murmu will emerge victorious in the presidential election.

"This (Presidential poll) is just a formality. She has already won. Statistics say that Droupadi Murmu will become the first tribal woman President of the country. It's a joyous occasion. There's support from everywhere. It is historic," he said.

Minutes ahead of the commencement of voting for the Presidential election, BJP president JP Nadda hailed the candidature of Droupadi Murmu.

"Draupadi Murmu's candidacy for the highest office is a defining moment for India & the most glorious moment in our quest for social justice and transformation. This is an election for the "People's President" I have penned a few thoughts," Nadda said in a tweet.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to cast his vote in Parliament as voting for the presidential election began on Monday in which NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu is pitted against joint opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha.

National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu and joint opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha are the two contesting candidates for election to the Office of the President.

Polling began at 10 am at the Parliament House and the state legislative assemblies with MPs and MLAs casting their votes to elect the 15th President of India. The voting process will conclude at 5 pm. Counting of votes is scheduled to take place on July 21.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced today and will continue till August 12.

Price rise, Agneepath scheme and unemployment are some of the issues which are likely to be raised by the Opposition during the Monsoon session.

Various Bills including Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill are likely to be taken up in the session. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday arrived in Parliament to cast her vote for the presidential poll wearing a full PPE kit as she had Covid, officials said.

Union minister RK Singh too wore full protective overalls to Parliament to cast his vote. Many MPs and MLAs were also seen wearing masks while polling officers were wearing gloves.

Also Read | Presidential Election 2022: Voting for Presidential Poll Ends With 98.90% Total Turnout at Parliament House.

In Chennai, Tamil Nadu Minister SM Nasar and AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam also wore PPE kits while casting their vote for the president poll in the state assembly.

In Patna, Janata Dal (United) MLA Damodar Rawat also wore full protective gear while casting his vote in the state Legislative Assembly.

Also Read | Presidential Election 2022: Voting Concludes, Results To Be Out on July 21 and Next President To Take Oath on July 25.

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Lucknow, Jul 18 (PTI) Two MLAs, one each from Samajwadi Party and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, did not cast their votes in the presidential poll at Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Bhavan's Tilak Hall here on Monday, officials said.

Of 403 MLAs, 396 cast their votes in the election at the Tilak Hall, they said.

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"396 of the total 403 MLAs in the state cast their votes. Two MLAs -- SP's Nahid Hasan and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) MLA Abbas Ansari did not cast their votes," Brij Bhushan Dubey, returning officer for the presidential poll in UP, told PTI.

Five MLAs were to cast their vote outside the state due to personal reasons. The five MLAs are BJP's Mukesh Choudhary, Neel Ratan Patel and Brijbhushan Rajput; Samajwadi Party's Zia Ur Rahman; and Rashtriya Lok Dal's Pradeep Kumar Singh.

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Mukesh Choudhary, Zia Ur Rahman, Pradeep Kumar Singh and Brijbhushan Rajput were to cast their vote in Delhi and Neel Ratan Patel in Kerala.

SBSP MLA Abbas Ansari, son of mafia-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari, did not turn up to cast his vote, as a court had issued a non-bailable warrant against him, party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar said, adding that rest of the five MLAs of SBSP voted for NDA's presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu.

Nahid Hasan, SP MLA from Kairana who did not turn up for voting, is in a Muzaffarnagar jail, the officials said.

Amidst reports of cross-voting by Shazil Islam Ansari, the SP MLA from Bhojipura in Bareilly told PTI, "Why should I cross-vote? I have voted as per the party line."

Shazil was seen with Shivpal Singh Yadav, giving air to the speculation.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was among the early voters, prayed for more power to Indian democracy as he voted for the presidential election.

"Voted in Lucknow today to ensure participation in the 2022 presidential election. May the democracy of India be more empowered," Adityanath tweeted in Hindi.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati claimed that his party rose above politics to support NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu and urged legislators belonging to weaker sections to vote on the basis of their conscience.

UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and SBSP chief Rajbhar arrived together to cast their votes.

Rajbhar is an ally of the state's main opposition SP, which is supporting former Union minister Yashwant Sinha in the election. However, Rajbhar's SBSP has broken ranks while declaring support to Murmu.

Meanwhile, BSP chief Mayawati in a tweet said, "Rising above the party politics and as per the thought process of the party and movement, the BSP was the first to announce its support to a woman hailing from tribal society."

"Appeal to other people of the weaker sections to vote on the basis of their conscience today," she tweeted in Hindi.

Two ballot boxes, which came from Delhi, were sent back to the national capital after voting completed at 5 pm, Dubey said, adding that the counting of votes will take place in Delhi on July 21.

With the highest vote value of 208 for each of its 403 MLAs, UP will be an important state to watch out for in the presidential election.

NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu is pitted against joint Opposition pick Yashwant Sinha in the poll to elect the 15th President of India.

The electoral college which elects the President through the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote comprises MPs and MLAs. Nominated MPs and MLAs, and members of legislative councils are not entitled to vote in the presidential poll.

The MPs and MLAs got ballot papers of different colours for voting. While the MPs got green papers, the MLAs were given ballot papers printed in pink.

Major political parties have already announced their support for the candidates.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) Activists affiliated with the Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) office here on Monday against the "careless conduct" of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) examination.

The SFI also submitted a memorandum to the UGC demanding that students who were unable to write exams due to last-minute changes in exam centres be allowed to reappear in the exams.

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"The National Testing Agency (NTA) has clearly shown its incapability to conduct CUET examinations in its first attempt. Students appearing for the examination were met with last-minute changes in their centres which led them to be unable to attend the examination," an SFI statement said.

"Several students were also misinformed at the centre that their test was rescheduled. Along with that some students were forced to write up to five exams on the same day," it said, targeting the agency for "careless conduct" of the CUET examination.

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The SFI also demanded that the officials responsible for "this fiasco" be made accountable.

"Either the NTA reorganise all the tests, or else allow this batch to take admission through the previous admission procedure. It is clear that the 'One Nation, One Exam' policy is a sham." said Pritish Menon, SFI Delhi state secretary.

The CUET exam is being conducted in two phases -- phase 1 in July and phase 2 in August. Candidates who have opted for physics, chemistry or biology have been assigned phase 2 of the CUET exam, given that NEET (UG) 2022 was held on July 17.

The UGC chief had in March announced that CUET scores, not Class 12 marks, would be mandatory for admission to 45 central universities which can fix their minimum eligibility criteria.

The first set of CUET-UG papers, the gateway for undergraduate admissions in all central universities, began at 9 am Friday at centres across more than 510 cities in India and abroad.

With 14.9 lakh registrations, the CUET is now the second largest entrance exam in the country, surpassing JEE-Main's average registration of nine lakh.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 18 (ANI): Srinagar police on Monday arrested a man, accused of hiding explosive material.

According to the police, some technical inputs were received and the accused, who has been identified as Zahid Ahmad Mir was arrested for hiding IED material.

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Read   Latest Tweet by ANI Digital.

During operation, he led the police team and recovery of P3 type explosive material (weighing approximately 06 kg), one electric detonator and around 500 gms of ball bearings and nails were made.

The accused also revealed that these ball bearings and nails were to be used as projectiles during a blast.

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The explosive substance was recovered near Sham lal petrol pump located on NHW. The explosive substance recovered was meant for the manufacture of IEDs, so as to target the security forces deployed on the National Highway.

In this regard, a case has been registered at Batmaloo Police Station, under sections 13, 23, 38, 39 of UAPA and 3/5 of Explosive Substances Act. (ANI)

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Lucknow, Jul 18 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the state will be holding a 'UP Global Investor Summit' in January 2023, in which a target has been set to attract investments worth Rs 10 lakh crore.

He said Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a "dream destination" for industrial investment in the country by imbibing the mantra of 'Reform, Perform and Transform' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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"UP Global Investor Summit-2023 will be the one to give flight to the new aspirations of Uttar Pradesh," Adityanath said, addressing a review meeting for the preparation of the summit at his official residence here.

Five years ago, the economy of the state was at fifth or sixth position in the country, but at present, it is fast moving towards becoming the second-largest economy of the country, the chief minister said.

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He said the dates for the summit would be decided soon.

The event should be of at least three days, and one day should be earmarked for the MSME sector, Adityanath said.

The summit should be widely publicised through roadshows in countries like the UK, the USA, Canada, the UAE, Sweden, Singapore, Netherlands, Israel, France, Germany, South Korea, Mauritius, Russia and Australia, the chief minister said.

A team should be sent to create a conducive environment for the 'UP Global Investor Summit-2023' in the industrial world of these countries, he added.

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New Delhi, July 18: Voting for the presidential poll ended on Monday with the 98.90 per cent of the electors permitted to vote in the parliament house exercising their franchise, Returning Officer PC Mody said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi cast their votes at the parliament house. Also Read | Presidential Election 2022: Voting Concludes, Results To Be Out on July 21 and Next President To Take Oath on July 25.

Voting also took place in state assemblies across the country. Going by the stand taken by various parties, NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu is set to win the poll against joint Opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha.

Briefing reporters after the voting, Returning Officer Mody said out of 736 electors comprising 727 MPs and nine MLAs permitted by the Election Commission to vote at the Parliament house, 728 (719 MPs and nine MLAs) cast their votes.

Earlier, the officer had said that six MPs did not cast their vote, but the figure was revised to eight after recompilation of the data.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): The world will not respect our indigenously developed weapons unless we do it ourselves, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

Speaking at Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar 'Swavlamban' at Ambedkar International Centre, PM Modi said, "If you do not give love and respect to your own child and expect the same from your neighbours, can it be done? If we do not value our products, how can we expect the world to invest in us? When we showed confidence in our indigenously developed BRAHMOS, the world came forward too."

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He added that innovation is a necessity and it should be regular and only indigenous, no innovation can be done from items available for sale.

"We developed the habit of being dependent on foreign countries for even the simplest products. Like drug addicts, we were addicted to the products imported from abroad. To change this mindset, we worked on mission mode after 2014, after learning from the approach of the past, to create a new ecosystem of Defence with the help of 'Sabka Prayas'," he said.

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He added that 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence is very crucial for the India of the 21st century.

"Creating 75 indigenous technology for the Navy by August 15 next year is the first step; goal should be to take India's defence to unprecedented heights by the time we celebrate 100 years of independence," he said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and SP Shukla, President of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) were also present on the occasion.

"Innovation and indigenisation are two components of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In a few cases, the ingenious equipment in defence manufacturing has reached upto 90 per cent. Today, India is fulfilling the defense requirements of other nations," said Rajnath Singh. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) Delhi BJP leaders including MPs Manoj Tiwari and Parvesh Verma on Monday attacked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asking him why he was so "desperate" to visit Singapore to participate in a mayors' summit.

Kejriwal had earlier in the day said that he was an elected Chief Minister not a "criminal", and charged at the central government for keeping his request pending for the visit for "political reasons."

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"Why is Delhi Chief Minister who does not have charge of any department in the government so desperate to go to Singapore?" Tiwari took a dig at Kejriwal in a tweet.

The North East Delhi MP also shared an invitation of the summit that showed mayors and other functionaries of cities in various countries.

Also Read | Delhi Govt To Bear 50% Cost To Train Woman As Commercial Drivers.

Kejriwal said he was specially invited to the World Cities Summit in Singapore by the government of the country, where he would present the Delhi Model before world leaders and bring glory to India.

West Delhi BJP MP Parvesh Verma said that the programme in Singapore had nothing for Kejriwal as he does not have any department matching the subject of the event.

"It's a mayors' summit yet Kejriwal is so desperate to go there," he said.

Miffed over the pending clearance from the Centre for the visit, Kejriwal had on Sunday written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has been waiting for the permission for over a month.

"I am not a criminal, I am a chief minister and a free citizen of the country. There was no legal basis to stop me from visiting Singapore, so there appears to be a political reason behind this," Kejriwal on Monday said.

High Commissioner of Singapore Simon Wong had in June invited Kejriwal to the World Cities Summit to be held in the first week of August.

The Delhi CM has been asked to attend a programme on the first day of the summit.

The CM said he usually does not go on foreign visits but wanted to go to the Singapore summit as it concerned progress of the country.

Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta also questioned Kejriwal's desperation to visit Singapore.

Kejriwal who had no time to meet mayors of Delhi when they sat outside his residence demanding from him release of dues of municipal corporations in 2020, should instead visit slums in the city where people are facing water crisis, he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) State-owned RINL on Monday signed an agreement with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and STPINEXT for promotion of innovation and startup activities.

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is an organisation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), while STPINEXT is its subsidiary which acts as the nodal agency and common implementation vehicle for various startup and entrepreneurship activities at STPI.

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"An MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between STPI, STPINEXT and RINL-VSP (Visakhapatnam Steel Plant) for Industry 4.0 CoE (Kalpataru) for promotion of innovation & startup activities for RINL and other industries in and around Visakhapatnam," steel ministry said in a statement.

The agreement was signed in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) between Atul Bhatt, CMD of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), and C V D Ram Prasad, Director of STPI.

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Bhatt said that the setting up of the 'Centre of Excellence (CoE)' under the MoU was the need of the hour and it will become an example of industry and academia.

"India is now becoming the epicentre of steel making in the world. India stands as the second largest steel producer in the world and I hope that Vizag will become the hub of providing digital solutions in steel making to the country," he said.

According to the statement, the CoE will come up over 6,000 square feet at Ukkunagaram. The CoE has been named 'Kalpataru'. It will house an industrial robotics lab, an industrial drones lab and an industrial IoT (Internet of Things) lab.

"This MoU is to set up our 21st centre of excellence-Kalpataru. The STPI startup ecosystem has potential to become leading destination for Industry 4.0. This CoE will foster innovation for the steel sector. Startups here can become part of the steel industry value chain by enabling automation and enhancing manufacturing efficiency," STPI director general Arvind Kumar said.

The Centre will also be provided with high-speed internet and server set-up using cloud computing having capabilities for working with artificial intelligence and machine learning.

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Stuttgart [Germany], July 18 (ANI): The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart conducted a study to discover how animals learn to walk and learn from stumbling. They created a four-legged, dog-sized robot to assist them in figuring out the details.

The findings of the research were published in the journal 'Nature Machine Intelligence'.

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A newborn giraffe or foal must learn to walk on its legs as fast as possible to avoid predators. Animals are born with muscle coordination networks located in their spinal cord. However, learning the precise coordination of leg muscles and tendons takes some time.

Initially, baby animals rely heavily on hard-wired spinal cord reflexes. While somewhat more basic, motor control reflexes help the animal to avoid falling and hurting themselves during their first walking attempts.

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The following, more advanced and precise muscle control must be practiced, until eventually the nervous system is well adapted to the young animal's leg muscles and tendons. No more uncontrolled stumbling - the young animal can now keep up with the adults.

"As engineers and roboticists, we sought the answer by building a robot that features reflexes just like an animal and learns from mistakes," said Felix Ruppert, a former doctoral student in the Dynamic Locomotion research group at MPI-IS. "If an animal stumbles, is that a mistake? Not if it happens once. But if it stumbles frequently, it gives us a measure of how well the robot walks." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Buffalo (US), Jul 18 (AP) The white gunman charged with killing 10 Black people in a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket pleaded not guilty on Monday to federal hate crime charges that could be punishable by the death penalty.

Payton Gendron was indicted last week on hate crimes and weapons counts. The plea was entered in court by Gendron's attorney, who said she hoped to resolve the case before trial. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles, Gendron was silent during the brief arraignment.

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The 27-count federal indictment contains special findings, including that Gendron engaged in substantial planning to commit an act of terrorism and took aim at vulnerable older people, specifically 86-year-old Ruth Whitfield, 77-year-old Pearl Young, 72-year-old Katherine Massey, 67-year-old Heyward Patterson and 65-year-old Celestine Chaney.

The Justice Department said a decision on whether to seek the death penalty against the shooter, who turned 19 in June, would come later.

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Gendron, who livestreamed the May 14 attack, was arrested just outside the entrance of the Tops Friendly Supermarket after donning body armour and opening fire on weekend shoppers and employees in the parking lot and inside. Three people were wounded.

The store reopened to the public last week, two months after the attack.

Investigators say the shooter drove for more than three hours from his home in Conklin, New York, to a busy grocery store chosen for its location in a predominantly Black neighbourhood, with the intent of killing as many Black people as possible. He was motivated, they said, by white supremacist beliefs which he described in online diary entries.

Gendron wrote as far back as November about staging a livestreamed attack, practised shooting from his car and did reconnaissance on the store two months before carrying out the plans, according to the writings.

He arrived at the store wearing camouflage clothing and a tactical-style helmet fitted with a video camera.

The indictment seeks the forfeiture of an extensive arsenal recovered from Gendron's car and home. It includes the Bushmaster XM-15 semi-automatic rifle used in the shooting and a 12-gauge loaded shotgun and loaded bolt-action rifle and ammunition taken from the car. Authorities seized additional ammunition and firearms accessories from his home.

The federal indictment charges Gendron with 10 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, three counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill three people and another hate crime count alleging Gendron tried to kill other Black people in and around the store. It also includes 13 counts of using a firearm in a hate crime.

Gendron also faces a parallel state prosecution on charges including hate-motivated domestic terrorism, murder and attempted murder as a hate crime. The domestic terrorism hate crime charge carries an automatic life sentence. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges as well. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ottawa, July 18: To track the importation of the COVID-19 virus into Canada and identify new variants of concern, the country is set to re-establish its mandatory random COVID-19 testing at four major airports from Tuesday.

The Government of Canada paused mandatory random testing for those entering Canada by air on June 11, 2022, as part of a broader strategy to transition testing for air travellers outside of the airports.

Citing the safety of Canadians as a number one priority since the beginning of the pandemic, a Government Press release read, "Mandatory random testing will resume as of July 19, 2022, for travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated, arriving in Canada by air to the four major Canadian airports, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto." India Reports 16,935 New COVID-19 Infections, 51 Deaths, Remarkable Decline Against Last Days Count.

"The Government of Canada set up entry restrictions, testing, and quarantine requirements to manage risks at the border. Testing was and remains an important part of our surveillance program to track the importation of COVID-19 virus into Canada and identify new variants of concern." it added.

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, travellers must have been vaccinated with a primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine accepted by the Government of Canada for the purpose of travel at least 14 calendar days before entering Canada.

All testing for air travellers, for both those who qualify as fully vaccinated and partially or unvaccinated people, will be completed outside of airports, either via an in-person appointment at select testing provider locations and pharmacies, or a virtual appointment for a self-swab test.

Travellers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated, unless exempt, must continue to test on Day 1 and Day 8 of their mandatory 14-day quarantine. Moving testing outside of airports will support testing for travellers arriving by air while still being able to monitor and quickly respond to new variants of concern, or changes to the epidemiological situation. Mandatory random testing continues at land border points of entry, with no changes.

"Border testing is an important tool in Canada's detection and surveillance of COVID-19 and has been essential in helping us slow the spread of the virus.

Data from the testing program are used to understand the current level and trends of importation of COVID-19 into Canada. In addition, these data have and continue to inform the Government of Canada's safe easing of border measures," the statement read.

Air travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated and who are selected for mandatory random testing, as well as air travellers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated, will receive an email notification within 15 minutes of completing their customs declaration.

The email will contain information to help them arrange for their test with a testing provider in their region. Unvaccinated travellers can complete their tests by a virtual appointment or an in-person appointment with the test provider at their store or at select pharmacies and still respect their quarantine requirements.

All travellers must continue to use ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) to provide mandatory travel information within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada, and/or before boarding a cruise ship destined for Canada, with few exceptions.

"It is the fastest, easiest and most secure way for travellers to show they meet public health requirements. Additional efforts are being undertaken to enhance compliance with ArriveCAN, which is already over 95 per cent for travellers arriving by land and air combined."

All vaccinated travellers who are randomly selected for the border testing surveillance program must complete arrival mandatory testing requirements.

If the arrival test result is positive, one must go into isolation and follow the federal requirement to isolate for 10 days from the date of the test result. The 10-day isolation is required, even if the isolation requirement is shorter in one's province or territory.

Mandatory random testing and information in the ArriveCAN app are necessary tools that help inform public health advice to protect the health and safety of Canadians. India Achieves Milestone of 200 Crore COVID-19 Vaccine Doses in 548 Days: Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya (Watch Video).

Jean-Yves Duclos, Canadian Minister of Health said, "As we have said all along, Canada's border measures will remain flexible and adaptable, guided by science and prudence. We need to keep border testing measures in place because that is how we track the importation of the COVID-19 virus, and of new variants of concern. We will keep adapting our border measures to balance the need to protect Canadians while supporting our economic recovery."

"As demand for travel increases across the world, today's announcement marks an important step in our progress to streamline testing processes outside our airports while preventing the further spread of COVID-19. The Government of Canada will continue to protect travellers and employees and ensure our transportation system is safe, reliable, and resilient for the long term," Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport said.

Moreover, Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, said, "The safety and security of Canadians remains our top priority. As more people continue to travel again, we're working hard and adding resources to keep things moving.

The CBSA is hiring new people - including retired officers and student border services officers - making additional kiosks available and improving ArriveCAN so it is faster and easier to use. As the situation evolves, we'll continue to make adjustments and enhancements at the border because that's what Canadians expect."

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Khartoum [Sudan], July 17 (ANI/Xinhua): The death toll from days of tribal clashes in Sudan's southeastern Blue Nile State rose to 65 till Sunday morning, Al-Sudani Newspaper reported Sunday.

In addition, "192 people (were) injured and 120 families displaced," Jamal Nasir Elsayed, the state's health minister, was quoted by the report as saying.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Crisis: Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe Declares Emergency As Protests Continue.

The majority of the victims were young people who were either shot or stabbed, the minister said.

In Khartoum, Sudan's Security and Defense Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the security situation in Blue Nile State, the council said in a statement on Sunday.

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The council directed the attorney general to form a fact-finding committee and called on the state's security committee to take necessary legal measures against those who provoke sedition and violence.

The council also decided to reinforce the security forces in the region and to continue to firmly deal with all cases of disorder and attacks on individuals and private and public property.

Clashes broke out recently between Hausa and Berta tribes in many areas in Blue Nile State following the killing of a farmer in the state's Gisan area.On Saturday evening, the Sudanese army deployed armored vehicles on the main streets of Blue Nile State, which, according to residents and eyewitnesses, brought relative calm to the state. (ANI/Xinhua)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Punjab [Pakistan], July 18 (ANI): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has won the by-elections on Punjab Assembly seats which were held on Sunday.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has "conceded defeat and congratulated" its rival part on victory in "crucial by-elections on Punjab Assembly's 20 seats."

Also Read | China Infiltrating US Judicial System, Says Reports.

According to initial results on Sunday, PTI candidates secured victory in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, and Khushab provincial assembly seats while the party took the lead by a clear majority in 15 constituencies of the province, The Express Tribune reported.

PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, who spearheaded her party's by-election campaign, said the ruling party should accept the election results with an open heart.

Also Read | Arms Trafficking in Ukraine Will Feed Violence in Criminal Networks in European Union, Says EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson.

Maryam also called for carrying out introspection saying efforts should be made to identify and overcome shortcomings. "God willing, everything will be fine."

"PML-N should openly accept the results. One should bow before the decision of the people. In politics, there are always wins and losses. The heart should be enlarged. Wherever there are weaknesses, efforts should be made to identify them and overcome them. God willing, it will be fine," she tweeted.

Punjab was under the control of the PTI party until April when then-Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar resigned after the federal parliament took up a no-confidence against Khan.

The PTI's subsequent nominee for the position was defeated as a faction among the party's state lawmakers voted for the PML-N's candidate instead.

Khan then successfully petitioned the Election Commission of Pakistan to remove the state assembly lawmakers for illegally voting against the party's directive, leaving 20 seats vacant.

The polling began at 8 am and continued till 5 pm but in several districts, polling was stopped due to clashes, reported Dunya News.

20 seats fell vacant after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) "de-seated" 25 PTI dissident lawmakers on May 23 for voting against PML-N's Hamza Shahbaz in the Punjab chief minister's election.

By-elections were held in 20 constituencies of the Punjab Assembly including polling stations PP-7 Rawalpindi, PP-83 Khushab, PP-90 Bhakkar, PP-97 Faisalabad; PP-125, PP-127 Jhang, PP-140 Sheikhupura, PP-158, 167,168,170 Lahore; PP-167, Lahore, PP-202 Sahiwa; PP-217 Multan, PP-224 Lodhran, PP-228 Lodhran, PP-237 Bahawalnagar, PP-272,273 Muzaffargarh, PP-282 Layyah and PP-288 Dera Ghazi Khan. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Colombo [Sri Lanka], July 18 (ANI): As the Sri Lankan economic crisis persists, a 31-year-old suspect was arrested for stealing about 50 tear gas canisters from police during protests at Polduwa Junction near Parliament, media reports said.

Notably, the man stole the canisters on July 13 when the police and the army were trying to disperse protesters who tried to advance toward parliament.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Crisis: Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe Declares Emergency As Protests Continue.

A group of protesters attacked a three-wheeler belonging to the police that was carrying tear gas canisters to the Polduwa Junction protest site. After the incident, the Welikada Police has initiated an investigation into the matter, reported Daily Mirror.

The police said that on Sunday they arrested a suspect at Obeysekarapura and recovered 50 teargas canisters from his residence in Borella following the questioning. As per reports, the suspect was a mason by profession and a resident of Polonnaruwa.

Also Read | Indiana Mall Shooting: 4 Killed, 2 Injured in US After Gunman Open Fire in Food Court of Greenwood Park Mall; Witness Kills Gunman.

Sri Lanka's Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued an Extraordinary Gazette declaring a State of Emergency in the island nation with effect from Monday, as the country grapples with social unrest and crippling economic crisis.

The gazette notification says, the public emergency in Sri Lanka has been declared in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community, local media outlet Daily Mirror reported.

The state of emergency has been declared in a proclamation by Wickremesinghe in terms of Article 40(1)(C) of the Constitution, by virtue of the powers vested in him by Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40), as amended by Act No. 8 of 1959, Law No. 6 of 1978 and Act No. 28 of 1988, the newspaper reported.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had offered his resignation after fleeing the country to Singapore. The president first flew to the Maldives after tens of thousands of protesters stormed his official residence in the capital Colombo.The Sri Lankan Parliament announced that the nominations for the Presidential elections will be held on Tuesday and the new President of Sri Lanka will be elected on July 20. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): Vice President Marie Cyril Eddy Boissezon of Mauritius, arrived in Delhi on Monday to participate in the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave.

"A warm welcome to Vice President Marie Cyril Eddy Boissezon of Mauritius for his participation in the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave. Yet another step towards furthering the vibrant economic & people-to-people exchanges between India and Mauritius," the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Crisis: Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe Declares Emergency As Protests Continue.

India and Mauritius share cordial bilateral relations with each other. Earlier in January, PM Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth had jointly inaugurated the India-assisted social housing units project in Mauritius virtually. They also launched the Civil Service College and 8 MW Solar PV Farm project in Mauritius that is being undertaken under India's development support.

Notably, the CII- EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership is scheduled to take place between July 19-20 where both the countries, India and Africa will have the session on different topics under themes like "Building Financing Partnerships", "SERV Africa - Higher Education & Skill Development Partnership with Africa", Strengthening Value Chains in Agriculture & Food Processing Sector and many more.

Also Read | Indiana Mall Shooting: 4 Killed, 2 Injured in US After Gunman Open Fire in Food Court of Greenwood Park Mall; Witness Kills Gunman.

The event was launched in the year 2005 with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Government of India, according to CII-EXIM Africa Conclave's official website.

It said that the level of economic engagement between India and Africa has grown multi-dimensional and to reflect the changing contours of this dynamic relationship, the Conclave is being rechristened as "CII EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Growth Partnership" expanding the earlier focus on "Project Partnership".

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and President of Confederation of Indian Industry Sanjiv Bajaj will also be present at the meeting. In the last sixteen editions, the Conclave has played a pivotal role in encouraging Indian companies to establish and grow their footprints in Africa.

The upcoming edition will focus on project exports, trade, investments, and exchange of knowledge and expertise creating shared value for business and industry at large between India and Africa. The two-day event will take place at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Paris [France], July 18 (ANI): Following the killing of a Tibetan National by three men from the Chinese community on July 11 in Normandy, representatives of the Tibetan community gathered in France on July 17, Sunday to perform a white march and pay a tribute to the deceased.

The Tibetan national, named Tsultrim Nomjour Tsang, 32 received a fatal stab wound to the side in front of the restaurant Les Delices d'Asie, which had been employing him for a week in Saint-Leonoard, near Fecamp, local media reported, adding that the attackers were the two managers of the establishment and an employee who were indicted for intentional homicide and imprisoned, within the framework of the investigation opened by the prosecutor of Le Havre, reported DecodeTheNewspodcast.

Also Read | Nepal: Import of Color TV, Tobacco Products, Liquor and More Banned Till August End, Details Inside.

Tibetans from all over Europe - Belgium, Switzerland, and Spain assembled in Paris on Sunday, July 17 with bouquets of flowers, for a white march of unprecedented magnitude. According to internal intelligence, they were around 7,000, perhaps 10,000 according to representatives of the Tibetan community in France.

"We had never experienced anything like it, it's really a shock," said the representative of the Dalai Lama in Europe, Monde Rigzin Genkhang.

Also Read | Canada to Resume Random COVID-19 Testing at Four Major Airports From Tomorrow.

Hundreds of Tibetans, who had made the trip from Paris, Rennes, Nantes, Marseille, or Toulouse, visited the scene on July 14, Thursday to pay the first tribute but when they learned that the body of their compatriot had been placed in a plastic bag near the garbage room by the attackers and discovered traces of blood present on the ground, the protestors started to ransack the restaurant, DecodeTheNewspodcast reported.

According to his widow, like many Tibetans, Tsultrim also fled the country and arrived in France in 2019.

Tibet is an "autonomous region" for China, a cut-off by Beijing, which is eradicating its culture and language by imposing Chinese policies.

The murder of Saint-Leonard deeply shook the community as they mentioned "one event too many", in an increasingly tense political context which sees Beijing increasing its pressure on its diaspora.

"We fled Tibet for political reasons, to join a free country here" testified Tsering, 32 years old, met during the white march. "Having the Chinese do this is a direct blow to our hearts. We are coming together to make sure this doesn't happen again.

"The problem of young people arriving in France is that they don't speak our language and often have the only solution to work in Chinese restaurants where they are not always well treated" explains Celine Menguy, press officer for the Tibet office in Paris.

In another statement, Ugen-Tenzing Nubpa, a Tibetan representative for Switzerland, said that the case goes beyond a simple news item.

"That the Chinese kill Tibetans in Tibet, occupied territory, it is common. In France, in Europe, this is a first. It is difficult to say whether this is a racist act. But we have been asking for justice for Tibet for sixty years, and now there is a form of urgency, we have taken a step. We are a nonviolent people and we demand justice," he said.

The six community associations which organized the demonstration on Sunday (another is planned for Fecamp on Monday, July 18) wish to prevent the situation from escalating, said Nancy Palmer of DecodeTheNewspodcast.

"The barbarous killing has inculcated a sense of fear among those who work in Chinese restaurants as they are concerned and no longer feel safe," emphasized Thupten Gyatso, deputy of the Tibetan parliament in exile.

In Paris, dozens of them have decided not to go to work for a month, he said.

"There are disputes between employees and employers. But we have always encouraged Tibetans to defend themselves within the framework of labour law," he added.(ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Moscow [Russia], July 18 (ANI/Sputnik): The RaHDIt Russian hacker group has handed over information on Russian citizens who have been collaborating with Ukrainian military intelligence to competent authorities, a RaHDIt member told Sputnik on condition of anonymity.

Earlier this month, RaHDit hackers leaked information on thousands of officers of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense (GUR, or HUR). The hackers said that the published data contains information about the relatives of the said officers and people living together with them, as well as individuals who have been receiving payments from GUR bank accounts.

Also Read | China Infiltrating US Judicial System, Says Reports.

"We handed over the identified contacts of our [Russian] citizens with employees from that list of Ukrainian military intelligence officers... The list is quite extensive," a RaHDIt member told Sputnik.

According to data leaked by RaHDIt, among Ukrainian GUR officers, there are drug addicts and former criminals convicted of robbery, illegal trafficking of weapons and drugs, infliction of grave bodily injuries, and rape. The disclosed spies include representatives of diplomatic missions in Russia, India, Austria, Vietnam, South Africa, Italy, Turkey and Iran. Data on military intelligence curators in Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia, as well as instructors in sabotage and representatives of special forces for conducting undercover and power intelligence, has also been leaked.

Also Read | Arms Trafficking in Ukraine Will Feed Violence in Criminal Networks in European Union, Says EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson.

A source in one of the Russia special services has confirmed to Sputnik the authenticity of the data leaked by RaHDit hackers. The group said that it had handed over the data to law enforcement bodies. (ANI/Sputnik)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Moscow [Russia], July 18 (ANI): Russian journalist who in March interrupted a live TV broadcast to denounce military action in Ukraine has been arrested near her house in Moscow, according to media reports.

Her lawyer on Sunday said that the Russian police detained Marina Ovsyannikova.

Also Read | China Infiltrating US Judicial System, Says Reports.

Ovsyannikova published a post on Instagram, stating that she was taken to the police station in the capital's Krasnoselsky district, Radio Free Europe reported.

Later, she wrote she had been charged for discrediting the actions of the army of Russia because of an interview she gave near the Basmanny Court of Moscow in support of opposition politician Ilya Yashin, who is being held in pretrial detention for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian military, according to the media outlet.

Also Read | Arms Trafficking in Ukraine Will Feed Violence in Criminal Networks in European Union, Says EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson.

However, no official statement has been made so far.

In March, Ovsyannikova walked onto the set of a live Russian state television broadcast to protest against Moscow's military operations in Ukraine.

During the "Vremya" news program on Russia's main TV channel, Ovsyannikova, a Channel One employee, rushed in front of the camera with a poster saying "stop the war, don't believe the propaganda."

On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics requested help in defending themselves.

The military operation in Ukraine resulted in a large-scale humanitarian situation.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired the chief of the country's domestic intelligence and security agency and its prosecutor general.

Zelenskyy in a video address published on Telegram said that he had dismissed the security chief, Ivan Bakanov, a childhood friend who led his presidential campaign, and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, a close ally who was his foreign affairs adviser during his presidential run, after losing faith in their abilities to run their offices.

Zelenskyy also said he had fired the top officials because many cases had come to light of members of their agencies collaborating with Russia, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Colombo [Sri Lanka], July 18 (ANI): Sri Lanka's Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday said that he is requesting the assistance of the UK Government and their intelligence services because a proper Easter Sunday investigation has not been carried out which indicates that the issue has not been fully resolved.

The Acting President said that he is requesting assistance owing to the incomplete nature of the Easter Sunday investigations, Daily Mirror reported.

Also Read | European Union Zooms In on Tighter Sanctions Against Russia; Backs Ukraine Aid.

On April 21, 2019, three churches in Sri Lanka and three luxury hotels in the capital Colombo were targeted in a series of coordinated terrorist suicide bombings. Over 250 people were killed and scores suffered injuries.

A local terror group called National Thowheeth Jama'ath had claimed responsibility for the devastating attacks. The island nation was put under a state of emergency for a period of four months from April to August.

Also Read | Nepal: Import of Color TV, Tobacco Products, Liquor and More Banned Till August End, Details Inside.

According to the government, a total of 676 persons were arrested in connection with the Easter attacks, of whom 202 remain in remand custody, 66 have been detained for questioning, and 408 released on bail, yet investigations on them are continuing.

Wickremesinghe issued a special statement saying that the country's economy had collapsed and the country was having power cuts that lasted for 5 hours a day when he was appointed as the Prime Minister on May 13.

Relief is being provided to the people who are still struggling with the economic crisis, he added.

The Acting President further mentioned that the deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was nearing conclusion.

He said that the Executive Presidency is responsible for the current political crisis in the country and many issues that the citizens are facing will be addressed following the re-introduction of the 19th Amendment.

The Acting President added that the elements which attempt to disrupt the peace in the country will be prohibited from disrupting the country's progress, local media reported.

The statement added that the government would engage with peaceful protesters who had legitimate concerns and a way out will also be found.

Wickremesinghe urged the political parties to put their differences aside and form an All-Party Government that would allow the country to recover from the economic crisis.

Sri Lanka has been facing the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948, leading to an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas, and fuel across the island nation. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], July 18 (ANI): Taliban on Monday issued a new diktat against female employees and told them to send male relatives as their replacements.

The announcement came a year after female employees working in the public sector were banned from government jobs and told to stay at home, reported Geo News.

Also Read | Solar Storm To Hit Earth on THIS Date; Check Timings, Effects and Other Details Inside.

Several women said that they received the same calls from Taliban officials.

"I was asked to introduce a male family member to replace me, so I could be dismissed from the job," says a woman.

Also Read | Child Labour: China Exploit 40,000 Child Workers in Cobalt Mines of Congo.

Maryam, who worked at the Afghan ministry of finance for more than 15 years, said, "I was asked to introduce a male family member to replace me at the ministry, so I could be dismissed from the job."

"Since they came [to power], the Taliban have demoted me and reduced my salary from 60,000 Afghanis (Pound 575) to AFN 12,000. I cannot even afford my son's school fees. When I questioned this, an official rudely told me to get out of his office and said that my demotion was not negotiable," she said.

It is pertinent to note that the restrictions on women's employment resulted in an immediate economic loss of up to USD 1 billion, reported Geo News.

"Current restrictions on women's employment have been estimated to result in an immediate economic loss of up to USD 1 billion - or up to 5 per cent of Afghanistan's GDP," said Executive Director of United Nations Women Sima Bahous.

Afghan women have been protesting against the Taliban for the violations of their rights and the removal of women from government institutions since they took over Afghanistan last August.

Despite Taliban officials stating repeatedly that they will decide whether or not women will continue to work in government institutions, their fate is still unclear.

Afghan women have been unable to work for 10 months and are facing a wide range of problems.

Most female workers in government institutions have been denied access to work since the Taliban assumed control of the country last August, and a number of them have been fired.

The atrocities of the Taliban against Afghan women have been on an incessant surge since the organization seized power in Afghanistan in August last year, banning young girls and women of humanitarian rights. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jammu and Kashmir, July 18: The Indian Army expressed grief over the death of two officers who lost their lives in an accidental grenade blast along the Line of Control in the Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on Monday.

"General officer commanding (GOC) @Whiteknight_IA and all Ranks salute brave hearts Capt Anand and Nb Sub Bhagwan Singh who made the supreme sacrifice while performing their duties on the LoC in Mendhar Sector. We offer deepest condolences to their family members," the White Knight Corps tweeted. Also Read | 2 Army Personnel Killed in Accidental Grenade Blast Along LOC in J-K's Poonch.

Check Tweet Here:

 White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) July 18, 2022

According to the Defence PRO, Jammu, the officers succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment. "Last night, an accidental grenade blast occurred in Mendhar sector, Dist Poonch when troops were performing their duties along the Line of Control. The blast resulted in injuries to soldiers. During the treatment, one officer and one JCO succumbed to their injuries," said PRO Defence Jammu. Also Read | Karnataka Shocker: Youth Fakes Identity As 'Muslim' To Post Indecent Messages on Hindu Goddess, Arrested.

The blast occurred along the Line of Control (LOC) on Sunday night, when the Army troops were performing their duties, thus injuring them.

All the injured soldiers were immediately evacuated to Udhampur via helicopter.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, July 18: A massive solar flare was released from our Sun last month, and it's on the way towards the Earth! The solar storm which carries huge radiations from the Sun is expected to hit the planet around July 19, 2022 ie. tomorrow.

The solar flare had erupted from the Sun on June 14 and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had raised an alert regarding it. Dr. Tamitha Skov, dubbed as the Space Weather Woman, predicted a direct hit from a solar storm this time. Scientists Create Room that is Hotter Than The Sun to Generate Clean Energy in Southern England; SEE PIC

What Is Solar Storm Explained:

The Sun isn't angry to throw fire jolts at us. It is a regular phenomena of the Universe to release heat flares in a periodic manner. The Sun which heads the solar system timely erupts huge energy emissions away from it. To the unversed, the giant fire body undergoes huge explosions which can be similar to imagining the bombardment of billions of nuclear bombs. The solar storm is a process wherein the Sun emits heat energy along magnetic charges towards the planets revolving around it.

Is Solar Storm Harmful? Check Possible Effects Of The Happening:

Solar storms can be of varied intensities, some harmful to cause radio and server blackouts while others could go unnoticed. The recent solar storm, expected within the next 24 to 48 hours, is a powerful one which may lead to blackouts.

Check Tweet by Space Weather Physicist Dr. Tamitha Skov:

 Dr. Tamitha Skov (@TamithaSkov) July 16, 2022

NASA expects the radiations to hit Earth around July 19. It predicts to effect deep into mid-latitudes inparticular that other landscapes of the planet. Some users may be likely to witness signal disruptions when the solar storm would hit during the Earth's nightside.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2022 07:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Nicaragua is known for being the largest country in Central America, bordered by Costa Rica and Honduras. It also shares maritime borders with Colombia and El Salvador, according to Nations Online.

Nicaragua occupies an area that is somewhat larger than half the size of the United Kingdom or slightly smaller than the state of New York. It also offers various climates and terrains, with Pico Mogoton being the highest mountain in the country.

Nicaragua is famous for having several volcanoes and lakes. The two largest freshwater lakes in Central America - Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua - can be found in the country.

READ NEXT: Honduras Travel: Safety Advisories and Tourist Attractions You Should See During Your Visit in Honduras

Nicaragua History and People

Spain colonized the western region of the country. According to Every Culture, one story said Nicaragua's name is derived from an indigenous chief named Nicarao, who presided over a territory in southwestern of the country during the early 16th century. It was noted that Spaniards took his name for the country.

A related story said Nicarao took his name from his own people, who derived the name from the land's geographic location.

The meaning of the name of the country is "here united with water," according to Visit Nicaragua. Some noted that Nicaragua might be a combination of nic-atl-nahuac, which means "next to the water" in the Arawak language.

More than 70 percent of the population speak Spanish, the nation's official language. Aside from Spanish, the British occupation of Nicaragua also introduced many English words to the Spanish speakers. Its people also learned to adopt American slang during the period of U.S. Marines' presence in the country.

Nicaragua has indigenous peoples of the Caribbean lowlands, such as the Miskito, Rama, and Sumu, which all preserved their own tribal languages.

The Miskito is considered the largest minority group who have enjoyed greater autonomy compared to other indigenous tribes. They refer to Spanish-speaking Nicaraguans as "Los Espanoles."

Nicaragua had been part of Provincias Unidas del Centro de America, a federation of Central American provinces annexed to Mexico from 1823 until independence. International Living reported that Nicaraguans are generally passive people, with a "live and let live" motto in their mind.

Its food bears a similarity to the cuisines of Honduras and Guatemala while sharing some flavors and ingredients with Mexican food. Nicaraguans also eat tamales. However, they call their version nacatamal, which contains some unique features.

Nicaragua Culture and Tradition

Nicaragua's cultural tradition stems from writers and poets such as Ruber Dario. Salomon de la Selva, Azarias H. Pallais, and Alfonso Cortes are known as the "big three" who have also influenced other poets and novelists in the country.

Aside from its writers and poets, Nicaragua also prides itself on the churches of Leon as part of its cultural heritage. Leon Cathedral is one of the most significant historic landmarks in Nicaragua. It is among the largest cathedral in Central America.

Leon Cathedral, or the "Insigne and Royal Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary," is among the churches that keep a lot of history within their walls, according to UNESCO.

Visit Nicaragua noted that one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the Catholic culture of Nicaragua is the songs and prayers to Mary's conception. It has been celebrated throughout December of each year since 1857.

READ MORE: Travel in Brazil Amid Pandemic: Here Are Things You Should Be Aware of Before Visiting the Latin American Country

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: NICARAGUA - All You Need to Know - Geography, History, Economy, Climate, People and Culture - From Geography Nuts
After weeks of public scrutiny, Uvalde, Texas Mayor Don McLaughlin announced on Sunday that they are suspending acting Uvalde Police Chief Lt. Mariano Pargas.

This came as the mayor spoke with the families of the victims of the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting and members of the special Texas House committee investigating the police response to the attack.

According to the New York Post, it was found that Pargas was the highest-ranking officer during the day of the attack, which killed 19 young children, as well as two teachers.

The suspension came on the same day the Texas state House of Representatives probe revealed scathing findings about the bungled law enforcement response to the Uvalde massacre.

Texas House Committee Preliminary Probe Said Uvalde Officers Had 'Systemic Failures' and 'Poor Decision Making'

The Texas House committee has released its preliminary findings, and it was a scathing report against the officers who responded to the Robb Elementary School shooting. Almost 400 officers arrived at the scene, though none of them were able to stop a lone gunman from killing innocent children and their teachers.

According to the House's preliminary report, the police had "systemic failures and egregious poor decision making." It included how they disregarded their department's active-shooter training and the school district not fully adhering to its safety plan.

It also found that the shooter's family did not recognize any warning signs that he was mentally disturbed before he massacred children and their teachers.

A video shows how police officers waited over an hour before breaching the fourth-grade classroom that the shooter was in.

The officers could hear the screams of children as the gunman opened fire, but they still did not breach the classroom. Their non-action was widely condemned by the public, politicians, and the media.

READ MORE: Texas Shooting: New Video Shows Armed Police Were at Robb Elementary School Premises but Waited 58 Minutes to Enter Classroom

Texas House Report: There Was a Breakdown in Communication and Confusion Over Leadership

According to USA Today, the majority of the almost 400 law enforcement personnel who responded to the scene were federal and state law enforcement officers.

Also on the scene were approximately 150 U.S. Border Patrol agents and 91 state police officials. However, the report noted a breakdown in communication among the various agencies that responded to the incident.

There was also confusion about who was truly the commanding officer at the scene among the officers of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (CISD). It cited an "obvious atmosphere of chaos" as ranking officers from the other agencies did not approach the Uvalde CISD chief.

The scathing report also found that fully armed and armored police officers prioritized their own safety rather than the children. Responding police officers waited in the hallways for over an hour before finally breaching and killing the suspect.

A video also showed some of them running away from the gunman as he fired at the officers who arrived at the scene. Law enforcement experts reviewed the footage and found the police response to be "disastrous" and "inexcusable."

READ MORE: Texas School Shooting: New Report Reveals Heartbreaking Details About Police Delay

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Texas House Committee on Uvalde Shooting Shares Findings - From KVUE
Texas Border Patrol scores another victory against drug smuggling groups after confiscating over $600,000 worth of cocaine on Sunday.

According to CNN, the hard drugs were seized by Border Patrol officers and the Office of Field Operations (OFO). The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a media release that there were reportedly 32 packages containing nearly 90 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The confiscation of the illegal drugs took place on July 13 at the World Trade Bridge, according to KWTX.

READ NEXT: Bipartisan Gun Bill Passed; Legal Experts Weigh In on Pros and Cons Amid Mass Shootings in US

Texas Drug Smuggling Stopped by Border Patrol

Reports claimed that the authorities encountered a 2003 Freightliner tractor at the World Trade Bridge. The tractor manifested that it carried a shipment of air conditioner parts from Mexico.

Despite that, authorities still searched using canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, resulting in the discovery of the alleged cocaine in the vehicle.

The authorities discovered at least 89.68 pounds of alleged cocaine inside the trailer truck. The said narcotics have an estimated street value of around $691,560.

"Attempts to smuggle contraband through commercial supply chains are increasing," Director Alberto Flores of Laredo Port of Entry said in the release.

Flores added that their dedication to "maintaining a robust a border security operation" led them to discover the hard drugs within the trailer from Mexico last week.

The CBP seized the alleged cocaine and the trailer from Mexico. However, details on what action was made against the driver of the said trailer were unclear.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents are investigating the seizure.

Drug Smuggling in Texas and Other States

The discovery of the trailer from Mexico, which contained cocaine, came as the Lone Star State heightened its border security to stop smuggling attempts from other countries.

Early this month, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott's office said the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard continued to collaborate to stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and even migrants in the state.

Abbott also previously noted that the Texas DPS would also be in charge of inspection of semi-trucks at checkpoints. However, drug smuggling did not only plague the state of Texas alone. It is also evident in other areas, such as California.

Two weeks ago, authorities seized at least 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine from attempted smuggling across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Law enforcement discovered the said narcotics inside a box truck that tried to cross the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, California.

Authorities arrested four men in connection to the discovery of the methamphetamine. All of them were from Tijuana, Mexico.

They were reportedly facing charges of conspiracy to distribute the highly addictive drug with the possibility of life imprisonment and a fine worth $10 million.

READ MORE: Johnny Depp and Lawyer Camille Vasquez Had a Great Time in Europe as He Starts to Ignore Amber Heard

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Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Unemployed Americans Are Smuggling Drugs to Survive the Pandemic - From VICE News
More and more states have been releasing their respective SNAP Benefits update, with New York recently joining the list to provide aid to its residents.

California earlier announced that it would be issuing extra food stamps this month. Emergency allotments are the "extra food stamps" programs of the government. According to Houston Case Managers, these are additional food stamp benefits authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

READ NEXT: SNAP Benefits 2022 Update: Can You Use Your EBT Card for Online Payments?

SNAP Benefits New York

New York has announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be receiving food benefits this July.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the additional benefits that will result in around $234 million infusion of federal funding into the New York state.

Hochul said in her statement that the additional food benefits will help families while providing an economic boost to food retailers still recovering from the impact of the pandemic.

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado noted that SNAP food benefits are a "lifeline" for many New York residents as the price of groceries continues to rise.

SNAP Benefits in New York should be posted in the recipients' accounts on July 22, while SNAP households in the five-county New York City region could receive their benefits between July 19 and July 30.

Households near or at the maximum benefit level will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95. According to a recent study, about 14 percent of New York's population depended on SNAP Benefits last year.

In addition, more than 1.6 million households, including more than 2.8 million New Yorkers, enrolled in the program in May.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said families struggling before the pandemic were widely affected by the resulting economic fallout of the public health crisis. On top of that, Tietz noted that they are facing rising costs of necessities.

SNAP benefits payments will be delivered to recipients' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts, which they can access with their EBT cards and use to purchase food at authorized retail food stores.

SNAP Benefits Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) confirmed on Sunday that there is a SNAP Benefits outage, KFLY News reported.

DCFS noted in a statement that a communication outage caused EBT transactions in Louisiana, which led to transactions being denied. However, the department said that they anticipate resolving the issue later Sunday.

The DCFS has received approval to distribute additional SNAP benefits for July this year, with SNAP recipients already receiving the maximum amount and will receive a $95 supplement. All additional benefits were posted on recipients' EBT cards by July 10.

Meanwhile, those who applied for SNAP but are not yet certified as eligible will have supplements posted on their accounts on a weekly basis after their applications are approved.

Other states distributing SNAP benefits to their residents include Washington, D.C., where 90,000 recipients will get extra help.

Oregon will also be offering additional benefits to 422,257 Oregonians, with the benefits scheduled to be uploaded to their EBT cards on July 11, July 28, and August 1.

Houston Case Managers reported that Ohio would offer supplemental payments to the 701,287 families, with the benefits set to be uploaded on July 27.

READ MORE: SNAP Benefits 2022 Update: $301.8 Million Texas Payments Confirmed for July 2022

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: New York + Connecticut Now Offering Extra Food Stamp Benefits In July 2022 (2 New States) - From Houston Case Managers
Mexico's government has now declared a state of emergency in several areas struck by the ongoing drought. This has brought up extreme measures in saving water in some affected areas.

Mexico's national water authority, Conagua, stated that the national state of emergency enables leaders to take special measures to guarantee water supplies in several areas hit the hardest. Conagua added that these measures are designed to deal with the effects of "severe, extreme or exceptional" drought.

According to Drought Monitor, almost half of the country, particularly near the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as Baja California and most of Central Mexico, are currently experiencing either severe, extreme, or exceptional drought.

La Nina Effects Intensified by Climate Change

According to the Associated Press, the drought in Mexico is related to La Nina. The weather event known throughout Latin America and the Pacific is a natural cycle.

La Nina is described as the cooling of several parts of the equatorial pacific, and this changes weather patterns worldwide.

In the Asia Pacific region, such as the Philippines, this usually means heavy rains. However, in North America, particularly the Southern United States and Northern Mexico, this usually means heavy droughts, and with climate change, these effects have intensified.

France 24 reported that protests had already sparked due to a lack of water in Baja California, while Mexico City sent tanker trucks to some of the most populated areas to help alleviate water shortages.

READ NEXT: COVID-19 Warning: Omicron BA.5 Called the "Worst Variant," Dr. Anthony Fauci Warns About Quick Spread

Water Reservoirs in Nuevo Leon State in Mexico Almost Empty Due to Drought

One of the most affected areas in Mexico is Santiago, whose water reservoir is nearly empty. Monterrey, one of Mexico's main industrial hubs, relies on the Santiago Reservoir for water.

With it nearly drying up, along with another reservoir, the Cerro Prieto, also almost drying up, the city is now forced to ration water.

A third reservoir for the city, El Cuchillo, is now only at 46% capacity. Juan Ignacio Barragan, director general of the Monterrey Water and Sewer Services, said the city is planning to expand the use of tankers to deliver water to outlying neighborhoods around Monterrey.

The state of Nuevo Leon, where Monterrey is, has tried mitigating the worsening water situation by having its industrial and agricultural sectors agree to give the government a significant amount of their water rights to the state.

Experts are also raising the alarm as the water restrictions may be extended if the usual August rains are delayed. Experts have pointed out that while the city has faced water shortages before, this time would be different as right now, the only reservoir with water left is El Cuchillo.

This will inevitably hamper businesses and livelihoods, as water is essential not just in their daily operations but in everyday human life.

In Santiago Reservoir, tourists have stopped coming on the weekends. This has been devastating to local business owners, who have said this matter is much worse than the pandemic.

Companies renting boats and offering boat tours in the area have also laid off workers as the reservoir has almost dried up.

READ MORE: COVID-19: Sesame Street's Elmo Now Vaccinated Against COVID-19, Urges Kids to Get Vaccinated

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Monterrey Is One of Mexico's Richest Cities, so Why Are Residents Having to Queue for Water? - From Euronews
Donald Trump has reportedly planned to win the 2024 Presidential Election to steer clear of the criminal probes against him brought by the January 6 events, among others, according to a source.

Four people familiar with the matter noted that Trump has told his associates that the legal protections of sitting in the Oval Office are currently on his mind.

An exclusive report from Rolling Stone noted that Trump underscores how when one is a president of the U.S., "it is tough for politically motivated prosecutors to get you." The source added that Trump claims a new Republican administration will halt the Justice Department criminal investigation against him once he is president again.

The four sources noted that when Trump is talking about running in the Election 2024, he is leaving his close circle the impression that he is focusing on the legal protections as his criminal exposure increases.

Ty Cobb, a former top lawyer in Trump's White House, told the media outlet last month that he thinks prosecutions are possible for Trump and his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows "certainly."

READ NEXT: Jan. 6 Hearings: Donald Trump Could Face Multiple Criminal Referrals to DOJ -Rep. Liz Cheney

Donald Trump and Election 2024

A member of the January 6 select committee noted that the former president will not be able to avoid the criminal investigation by announcing his presidential bid in the 2024 Presidential Election.

The Guardian reported that Elaine Luria, a Virginia congresswoman and one of seven Democrats on the committee, said that whether Trump is a president, a former president, or a possible candidate, they are going "to pursue facts."

The representative's comments were in response to questions about whether Trump could just run for the presidency again and protect himself from prosecution.

The House select committee leading the probe on the January 6 Capitol riot cannot charge Trump. However, it can recommend that federal prosecutors do so.

Luria and Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger are set to lead the January 6 committee's next hearing on July 21.

The select committee has recommended criminal charges against four Trump White House aides who refused to cooperate with its probe.

They were Steve Bannon, Peter Navarro, Mark Meadows, and Dan Scavino. Federal prosecutors pursued a charge against Bannon and Navarro. Meanwhile, Scavino and Meadows were not charged.

January 6 Probe on Donald Trump

Committee members noted that House select panel will show "the most compelling evidence yet" on Trump's alleged dereliction of duty during the January 6 Capitol riot.

Kinzinger was quoted in a CNBC News report, saying that the coming hearing is "going to open people's eyes in a big way." He added that the former president did not do anything.

The select committee noted that it still receives fresh evidence each day, adding that the members are not ruling out additional hearings or interviews with people close to the president.

The upcoming hearing on Thursday will be the first in the prime-time slot since the June 9 debut. The hearing was viewed by around 20 million people across the country.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Admits He Didn't Win Presidential Election 2020 During Interview With Presidential Historians

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Donald Trump says he's made a decision on 2024 presidential run - from KTVU 2 San Francisco
The United Nations condemned the rising death toll in Haiti amid the gang violence that continues to take place in the country.

The UN issued a statement about the issue on Saturday, claiming that the agency is "deeply concerned" about the worsening gang violence in Haiti. The agency also noted the recent death toll amid the unrest in Cite Soleil, a neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, recorded 99 people killed, per Associated Press.

The agency added that there were also 135 injured, citing data from the UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA) in Haiti.

On Saturday, UN's High Commissioner for Refugees Jeremy Laurence confirmed that there were at least 234 more people killed or injured from July 8 to 12 in Cite Soleil. Furthermore, the OCHA reported that 99% of recent casualties in the said neighborhood were deaths.

Laurence underscored that most of the victims were not related to gangs in Haiti.

Meanwhile, the commissioner also noted that there were 934 killings, 684 injuries, and 680 kidnappings in Haiti from January to June this year.

Laurence then urged the authorities in Haiti to ensure that fundamental rights are protected in the light of the gang violence.

"The right to life is the supreme right under international human rights law, and the State has a duty to protect that right, including from threats emanating from private individuals and entities," Laurence pointed out.

READ NEXT: Texas: Border Patrol Stops Drug Smuggling Attempt, Seizes 32 Packages of Alleged Cocaine Worth $690,000

UN Bans Small Arms Sales in Haiti Amid Gang Violence

The UN also banned selling small arms in Haiti amid the unrest in Port-au-Prince.

According to BBC, the banned weapons in Haiti are small arms, light weapons, and ammunition for anyone in the country who supports gang violence and criminal activity.

The said resolution from the UN was adopted in Haiti on Friday. Reports noted that the ban on small arms was proposed by the United States and Mexico.

In addition, the UN resolution also extended the mandate of the UN special political mission to Haiti for another year.

Haiti Gang Violence

The recent gang violence in Haiti started when rival groups tried to seek control of the country's capital Port-au-Prince. Gangs stepped up their rivalry in Cite Soleil when members of G9 stormed a territory of G-Pep, in an effort to unseat its leader, Ti Gabriel.

Both Groups formed alliances with local gangs, increasing their strength in terms of weaponry, manpower, and resources.

Hundreds of protesters in recent days burned tires and blocked roads as they demanded urgent actions to restore the supply of gasoline.

The unrest also affected the food supply in Haiti, with gangs blocking the roads leading to the country's southern peninsula, causing the UN to distribute food assistance through sea routes.

The water supply was also affected by the ongoing gang violence in the country, leaving thousands of residents in the Brooklyn neighborhood.

READ NEXT: Bipartisan Gun Bill Passed; Legal Experts Weigh In on Pros and Cons Amid Mass Shootings in US

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Haitians Protest After Gang Violence Kills Dozens in a Week - From Al Jazeera English
First Lady Jill Biden noted in a Democratic National Committee fundraising event that her husband, President Joe Biden, had been sidetracked by several issues when he got into office.

The Daily Mail reported that Jill said her husband "had so many hopes" for things he wanted to do. However, there were problems he had to address first at the moment.

Biden has faced Russia's war in Ukraine, the U.S. troops pullout from Afghanistan, as well as the Supreme Court's decision revoking Roe v Wade.

Jill said that nobody has ever thought about what happened with Supreme Court's ruling regarding Roe v. Wade while commenting on the gun violence in the country. The first lady also said that no one had seen the war in Ukraine happening.

She said that she, too, felt that she had been unexpectedly turned to other directions from the initial plans she laid out.

The first lady shared her sentiments on the overturn of Roe v. Wade, saying that protest is not enough, which goes against the president's statement, wherein he encouraged women to "keep protesting." Jill said she urged family members to think about more than protesting, according to a CNN report.

Jill's remarks came after a poll found that 64 percent of Democratic voters would want a candidate other than Biden in 2024.

READ NEXT: Jill Biden Caused Offense After Likening Latinos to 'Tacos' in a Speech; Hispanic Journalists React

Joe Biden's Chance in Election 2024

The New York Times reported that Biden has an alarming outlook from his own party, with voters nationwide giving him a 33 percent job-approval rating.

In addition, more than three-quarters of registered voters see the U.S. moving in the wrong direction.

Meanwhile, only 13% of American voters see the nation as being on the right track.

Meanwhile, Biden has an approval rating at his own party of around 70 percent, which is a "relatively low figure for a president."

Only 26% of Democratic voters think that they should renominate Biden in 2024. Younger voters were among those saying they wanted a different presidential candidate.

One in 10 voters cited that American democracy and political division are among the most urgent issue in the country.

In 2020, Biden won the Hispanic vote by 59 percent. However, a Quinnipiac Poll showed that Biden's rating among Hispanics plummeted to just 28 percent.

Jill Biden's Taco Gaffe

Jill Biden apologized for her taco remark, saying that Latinos are as "unique as breakfast tacos." The first lady was addressing Latinos in Texas when she made the taco gaffe, according to a BBC News report.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists responded to her remark by saying, "we are not tacos."

Jill's press secretary released a tweet apologizing for the remark, saying that the first lady admires the Hispanic community.

Aside from her taco comparison, she also mispronounced the word "bodegas" as "bogedas." Bodegas is a Spanish term for convenience stores.

The group called on the first lady not to reduce them to stereotypes, adding that their culture is molded by different food cultures and food traditions.

READ MORE: Pres. Joe Biden's Wives: Who Are Nelia Hunter Biden and Jill Jacobs Biden?

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WATCH: Jill Biden criticised for likening Latino Americans to breakfast tacos - from Guardian News
Uvalde community members were enraged over the Texas School shooting report released on Sunday that was not translated into Spanish.

According to Luz Moreno-Lozano, a community reporter from Statesman, community members of Uvalde who attended the Texas House conference on Sunday were "frustrated" in connection with the release of the report on the tragic shooting that happened in May.

Community members in attendance say they are frustrated. They say the report is complicated to read and was not provided in Spanish.  Luz Moreno-Lozano  (@LuzMorenoLozano) July 17, 2022

"They say the report is complicated to read and was not provided in Spanish," Moreno-Lozano underscored.

READ NEXT: UN Condemns Rising Death Toll on Haiti Over Gang Violence

Texas: Uvalde Mayor Claims It Will Take Two Weeks for Spanish Translation

Meanwhile, contributing editor to Law Crime News and Mediate, Sarah Rumpf, said that Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin got a question about the report being translated in English alone, but the mayor responded that the translation of the report from English to Spanish would take at least two weeks.

Note: my Spanish proficiency is very basic and I would love for someone who is fluent to take this document and help improve it to help these families. Thank you :)  Sarah Rumpf  (@rumpfshaker) July 17, 2022

Rumpf then shared a Google-translated version of the report into Spanish from a friend and claimed that her Spanish proficiency is "very basic." She also welcomed those fluent in the language to improve the document for the families.

Several reactors on Twitter also shared their suggestions.

They could easily get 14 translators, divide the pages amongst them and get in done in one day



If they caredhttps://t.co/PbORwmOklu  Stand With Ukraine-Defend Democracy-OpposeEvil (@CxlTheClownShow) July 17, 2022

One user claimed that the Texas House can "easily get" 14 translators and divide the report among them to get the translations done within a day.

Mayor needs to go.  StephanieM (@TheRealFeffie) July 18, 2022

Another user shared that Uvalde Mayor McLaughlin "needs to go."

The United States Census Bureau reported that at least 81.8% of the population in Uvalde City in Texas are Hispanic or Latino. Furthermore, at least 72.5% of the entire population of Uvalde County are accounted to be Latino or Hispanic.

Texas School Shooting Update: Uvalde Report Released on Sunday

On Sunday, the Texas House committee released its preliminary findings regarding the Uvalde shooting in Robb Elementary School.

Findings of the Texas House committee suggested that the police who responded at school had "systemic failures and egregious poor decision making."

The finding also noted that there was a breakdown of communication between the responders. Moreso, there was confusion about who was the commanding officer at the scene.

The report also discovered that the police officers prioritized their safety over the safety of the children inside the classroom with the shooter.

The report noted that almost 400 law enforcement agents responded when the shooter, Salvador Ramos, entered Robb Elementary School and killed 19 children and two teachers.

On Sunday, Mayor McLaughlin announced the suspension of Uvalde Police Chief Lt. Mariano Pargas. Pargas was known to be the highest-ranking officer who responded at the scene of the tragedy.

READ NEXT: Bipartisan Gun Bill Passed; Legal Experts Weigh In on Pros and Cons Amid Mass Shootings in US

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Report By Texas Lawmakers Finds Major 'Systemic Failures' By Police During Uvalde School Shooting - From MSNBC
At least eight people from the West of the United States tragically died on Sunday after separate incidents of aircraft crashes occurred in New Mexico and Las Vegas.

New Mexico Helicopter Crash Kills 4

In New Mexico, at least four people died when a helicopter suddenly crashed while responding to an area of wildfire, according to The Hill.

"The helicopter and its crew were assisting with a wildfire in the area, providing bucket drops and other air logistics needs to fire crews on the ground," the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) said in a statement to the New York Times.

The BCSO also said that at least three of its officers died in the helicopter crash, as well as a member of the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD).

The BCSO pointed out that there were no known survivors on board following the crash.

The four deceased responders who died in the New Mexico helicopter crash were identified as Undersheriff Larry Korn, Lt. Fred Beers, Deputy Michael Levison, and BCFR rescue specialist Matthew King.

The BCSO underscored that the tragedy occurred when the responders headed back to Albuquerque after assisting fire crews with the East Mesa Fire.

BCFD spokesperson Robert Arguelles noted that multiple agencies will collaborate to investigate the crash in the southwestern region in the U.S. National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation (FAA) will participate in the probe.

READ NEXT: Texas: Border Patrol Stops Drug Smuggling Attempt, Seizes 32 Packages of Alleged Cocaine Worth $690,000

Planes' Collision Kills 4 in Las Vegas

Another incident that involved aircraft on Sunday also claimed the lives of at least four people in Las Vegas after two planes collided at an airport.

According to New York Post, two small planes, single-engine aircraft, collided at Nevada airport, prompting the tragic demise of the victims. The planes reportedly carried at least two people each.

According to FAA, a PIPER PA-46 collided with a Cessna 172 while it was preparing to land. The Piper reportedly crashed into the field east of the airport's runway while the Cessna fell into a water retention pond.

Details regarding the identities of the victims nor what happened to the pilots of the aircraft were unclear. However, the Clark County Department of Aviation said in a statement that there were no survivors in the aftermath of the planes' collision.

Both NTS and FAA are also participating in the probe in connection to the Las Vegas aircraft incident.

Other Fatal Aircraft Incidents in the West

Last month, five people were presumed dead after a military helicopter crashed in a California desert.

Reports claimed that the military plane, known as MV-22B Osprey, belonged to a 3rd Marine Aircraft wing based in Camp Pendleton.

Authorities did not immediately release the identity of the victims, but former Los Angeles Dodgers player Steve Sax confirmed that his son, Capt. John J. Sox, was among the officers killed in the incident.

Sax was reportedly one of the two pilots killed in the crash, along with Capt. Nicholas Loaspio from New Hampshire.

READ NEXT: Texas School Shooting Update: Uvalde Community Members Angry Over Incident Report Not Translated in Spanish

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: 4 Emergency Responders Die in Helicopter Crash in New Mexico - From ABC News
A new book has claimed that Meghan Markle has refused Queen Elizabeth's request to visit her father, Thomas Markle.

Express News reported that the Sussexes' refusal to see Thomas allegedly brought confusion to the palace. It was the Queen and Prince Charles who suggested Markle fly out to speak to her estranged father.

The book was entitled "Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsors," written by investigative journalist Tom Bower.

It focuses on Markle and Prince Harry's wedding in May 2018, as well as Markle's relationship with her father.

Harry and Markle reportedly gave reasons for not reconnecting with Markle's father. However, "inconsistencies" were reported to have irritated Charles.

Bower wrote in the book that Charles never really understood Markle or what she wanted. The Prince of Wales allegedly "berated" Harry, telling him, "can't she just go and see him and make this stop?"

The remark came after Charles was irritated about Thomas' TV appearances, particularly his criticism of the Royal Family.

Bower revealed in his book that the "inconsistencies of Meghan's excuses" also irritated Queen Elizabeth.

READ NEXT: Queen Elizabeth Takes Note of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Daughter Lilibet in Her Christmas Speech

New Book Claims and Royal Family

The British journalist noted that Thomas had said he did not attend the wedding as he was embarrassed about staging paparazzi photos. He had also criticized the Royal Family in interviews while claiming that he had no way of contacting his daughter, according to a Page Six report.

He added that he feared he would die without speaking to her again. Thomas also contradicted the Duchess of Sussex's explanation that he was too ill to fly to the wedding.

Meghan Markle said during the conference call with Harry, Charles, and the Queen that it was "completely unrealistic" for her to fly to Mexico, where her father was living. She added that it could bring "more embarrassment to the royal family" with the media attention and intrusion.

Aside from Markle's issue with his father, she was also reported to be angry at Palace officials for not protecting her image, and in her perspective, she was "isolated, vulnerable, and stifled by conventions."

Markle and Harry then announced on Instagram that they are stepping back from their senior royals roles weeks after the call conference.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

After stepping out of their roles in the royal family, the Sussex couple is now worried that Lili will be "written out of royal history" as she was not able to spend more time with her great-grandmother.

Cosmopolitan noted that royal expert Neil Sean spoke to a source about the situation.

It is not yet known when Markle and Harry will be back in the U.K. with their children.

The family traveled to the U.K. for the Queen's Jubilee. However, they were reported to be denied a picture of Queen Elizabeth and Lilibet.

The two had installed their family in California and currently have several deals with Netflix and Spotify for content.

READ MORE: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Opt Not to Hold Daughter Lilibet's Christening in U.K. As It's Likely Be in California: Royal Sources

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Thomas Markle's BOMBSHELL Revelations About Meghan Markle and the Royal Family - from Entertainment Tonight
Laurel, MS (39440)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 97F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 73F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Ireland has recorded its hottest temperature in more than a century as parts of Dublin reached 33C, according to Met Eireann.

A status yellow high temperature warning remains in place across the country as it faces another day of high heat.

Data from Met Eireann shows that temperatures soared to 33C at Phoenix Park in the capital on Monday, making it provisionally the hottest day ever recorded in July.

It also breaks the high temperature record for the 21st and 20th century.

It said: Phoenix Park has broken the highest 21st temperature record with 33C which is Irelands highest of 2022 so far and 12.8C above normal.

This is only 0.3C below the all-time 135-year-old record set at Kilkenny Castle in 1887. Temperatures may still rise further.

The rise in temperatures has forced Met Eireann to issue a hot weather warning that is to last until midnight on Tuesday.

It said that exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland on Monday with daytime temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees generally and possibly up to 32 degrees in places.

Night time temperatures will range from 15 to 20 degrees.

People went to enjoy the heat in Phoenix Park on what is now the hottest day of the year so far.

Families flocked to the zoo as temperatures reached the low 30s, with children and adults buying 99s to help cool off.

Phoenix Park has broken the highest 21st temperature record with 33.0C which is Irelands highest of 2022 so far and 12.8C above normal. This is only 0.3C below the all-time 135 year old record set at Kilkenny Castle in 1887. Temperatures may still rise further . pic.twitter.com/bJAhdPtMea  Irish Observational Climatology (@METclimate) July 18, 2022

Jackie, who works at the toy stall across from the zoo, said that her stalls are in the shade now, but the sun will come around by 4pm.

She said: Itll be boiling. Its always very hot in the evenings here. But theres a nice little breeze coming up the hollow now.

Lucy, 13, who also works at the stall said the high temperatures worry her.

She added: It kind of freaks me out a bit. Ill be able to go out and enjoy it, but it is on my mind a bit.

Some sun worshippers bathed in the heat, while others retreated to shaded picnic benches to take a break from the unusually high temperatures for Ireland.

There appeared to be fewer dogs being brought for walks in the large park than normal, after people were warned not to expose their pets to the heat during the Status Yellow warning.

A cool breeze and bouts of overcast weather at the park provided some respite from the heat.

31-year-old Tadgh was out for a run in the Phoenix Park as the news broke that the temperature record for the year was broken.

I could do without it, he said of the heat.

Its hot enough, Itll be fine if it stays that way, he said, adding that he does not want it any hotter.

Im going slower than I usually go, the heart rate is higher, walking more than I usually do.

Im taking it easy, going as slow as I need to.

Patrick, who did not want to give his surname, said he had lived in hot climates before, so this high temperature feels comfortable to him.

Its not humid or anything like that, not that Im aware of anyway, so its really nice to enjoy the heat, he added.

Im originally from Sligo in the north west, and it tends to be a lot darker and cloudier than here [Dublin].

But when its sunny, its like a different place. Im certainly a lot happier today.

When asked about how hes dealing with the hottest temperate of the year so far this year, Patrick said: Well Im in and out between the sun and the shade. I have SPF 50 on me, on the top of my head and everywhere.

I actually dont like a lot of heat, but this is comfortable enough.

In the southside of the city, people headed in their droves to the Forty Foot in Sandycove.

Aimee McDonagh, 27, who swims at the famous bathing spot regularly, said: Its absolutely nuts. All these blow-ins.

All these kids with their speakers. I feel like an aul-wan. Its like the middle of Ibiza. Its good craic though.

The Dublin hairdresser added: Normally its very calm here but not today. I dont think Ive ever seen it like this.

Shannon Gibbons travelled across the city to take a dip at the popular swimming spot.

We couldnt miss an opportunity like this, the 25-year old said.

Its absolutely packed, Ive never seen it so packed. Its like a little rave.

She added: It makes it that bit better with the weather. We live in Blanchardstown  we got two trains but it was worth it. Its meant to be the last day of the heatwave.

In nearby Dun Laoghaire, fewer people than usual were walking the East Pier.

Dubliner Derek Hand, 57, who was fishing off the pier with some friends, said it was quieter than normal.

Everyones gone to the beach with all their kids, he said.

The fish werent biting but he was looking on the bright side as he was getting the colour.

Normally I take the T-shirt off but enough is enough  Ive had too much. I dont want to blister, he added.

Meanwhile, an Irish coastguard helicopter flew over Portmarnock beach near Dublin as a large crowd of people enjoyed the sun.

The public was warned about the dangers of the sun and against using inflatable toys in the sea.

Met Eireann said that Tuesday will continue to be very warm over the eastern half of the country, with highest temperatures of 22-26 or 27 degrees, with cooler and fresher elsewhere though with highs of 16-22 degrees.

The day will bring a mix of cloud and hazy sunshine with some showery rain  with an isolated thundery burst possible.

Light variable breezes will veer north-westerly, freshening a small bit through the day.
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Irelands largest Irish-language arts organisation, An tOireachtas, has announced that it will sponsor a student undertaking the new MA stream in Irish Language Performing Arts and Oral Traditions at Maynooth University during the forthcoming academic year, 2022/23. This innovative course, offered by the Department of Modern Irish at Maynooth University is the only Irish-medium MA course in the country where specialisation in creative practice and specialisation in Irish can be developed together.

An tOireachtas wishes to provide this 3,000 scholarship to a world-class traditional or contemporary practitioner, to support Irish-language/Gaeltacht practitioners who wish to further develop their creative practice as part of this unique MA stream. It is suitable for a wide range of Irish-language and Gaeltacht arts practices  for example song, music, dance, theatre, creative writing and many more. It is open to practitioners of all Irish-language art forms and genres. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must first apply to the MA in Modern Irish (full-time or part-time) by the 15th August 2022, and then complete the scholarship application form in Irish by the 17th August. As part of their application, to be submitted in Irish, candidates are required to submit a sample of their creative practice in either audio, video, or written form, as appropriate to the genre. As part of the scholarship conditions, the recipient of the Oireachtas Scholarship will have the role of ambassador for the MA Modern Irish Performing Arts and Oral Traditions stream.

Commenting on the initiative, Prof Triona Ni Shiochain, Professor of Modern Irish and Performing Arts, and Head of Department, Roinn na Nua-Ghaeilge, Maynooth University, said:

This is an exciting scholarship opportunity for practitioners of Irish-language and Gaeltacht performing arts, and we are extremely grateful to An tOireachtas for their generous support of the MA Nua-Ghaeilge stream in Irish-language Performing Arts and Oral Traditions.

This support from An tOireachtas will enable emerging Irish-language artists to have the time and space to delve deeply into both arts practice and language practices, allowing unique creative voices to come to the fore across a wide range of creative specialisms such as song, music, dance, theatre, creative writing, and a myriad of other areas.

Read more Kildare news

Prof Ni Shiochain added: We seek the very best creative artists for this programme, both traditional and contemporary, and we look forward to the vision and transformative engagement that the recipient of Scolaireacht an Oireachtais will bring to Maynooth University and Irish society at large.

CEO of An tOireachtas, Mairin Nic Dhonnchadha, said: This new initiative further builds on the already established partnership between Roinn na Nua-Ghaeilge, Maynooth University, and An tOireachtas, and we are delighted to be in a position to support up-and-coming talent through the medium of the Irish language.

Brochures with further information about the scholarship and course are available here and here or by contacting nua.ghaeilge@mu.ie or Triona.NiShiochain@mu.ie.
Ukrainian refugees are expected to stay in tents at a military camp in Co Meath for no longer than a week, the integration minister has said, as 150 people are to be moved there on Tuesday.

It comes after it emerged last week that the Citywest welcome centre for Ukrainians had reached capacity, coupled with a shortage of accommodation for other international protection seekers.

This led to Ukrainians sleeping on the floor in an old terminal at Dublin Airport for up to two days.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic OGorman said his two main objectives were ending the use of Dublin Airport to house Ukrainian refugees and reducing numbers in Citywest.

He said this would be done by opening a second welcome centre in the next two to three weeks, and using vacant buildings provided by the Department of Housing last week.

For non-Ukrainian asylum seekers, tents may need to be added to existing state-owned centres for asylum seekers, he said.

Mr OGorman said the system had come under pressure due to a surge in refugees arriving in Ireland in the past six to eight weeks.

We link it to the increase in attacks on civilian populations throughout Ukraine and I think we have managed the arrival of 42,000 Ukrainians and accommodating 30,000 of those over the course of the last couple of months in a reasonably systematic way, he told RTEs Morning Ireland.

The minister also reiterated the Governments assertion that the UKs intention to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing has contributed to a rise in asylum applications in Ireland.

He said: There have been a range of changes to migration policy in the United Kingdom, and the Rwanda policy is just one element of that.

And theyve taken place over the last nine months to a year, and we believe that they are one of the reasons why were experiencing an increase in international protection applicants.

Tented accommodation at Gormanston military camp is due to open for use for refugees this week, with around 16 people staying in each tent.

Initially, well be moving around 150 people in on Tuesday. Theres capacity for 350 in total, once Gormanston is up and running, Mr OGorman said.

Its tented accommodation, so its large military Defence Forces marquee tents. Theres a number set out as sleeping for families and then theres a number for recreation and a canteen as well.

Its not envisaged to be a long-term facility, its there when numbers are high at Citywest there we can use that as a short-term accommodation before moving people on.

I think a maximum of a week wed be looking at, that would be my hope.

The Government has agreed that a second welcome centre for Ukrainian refugees also be opened in the next two to three weeks that would mirror the range of services for refugees at Citywest.

We havent got a final determination on the location yet, were in negotiations at the moment, Mr OGorman said.

He added that further capacity has been found by the Department of Housing, and was referred to Mr OGormans department late last week.

The minister said: Well also be continuing to move Ukrainians into the new accommodation provided by the Department of Housing, that first tranche of refurbished buildings that the department handed over to us late last week.

These are a range of institutional buildings that local authorities identified, handed over to the Department of Housing, and the Department of Housing, working with local authorities, have refurbished those.

The department reckons it has identified at least 3,000 units of accommodation. This requires refurbishments, and for different areas the degree of refurbishment is greater or lesser.

The first tranche of that, which has space for 500 individuals, have been handed over and well be looking to move people into that this week and in the coming weeks.
Bank of Ireland is warning customers around a new wave of fraudulent text messages in circulation, where fraudsters are using customers card details to set up Apple/Google Pay.

The Bank has experienced a spike in smishing, where fraudsters send fake text messages appearing to be from delivery services including An Post or Government agencies including the HSE and Revenue.

Customers who click the links in the text messages are then directed to fake websites where they are asked for their card or online banking login details.

The fraudster uses these details to set up Apple/Google Pay on the customers card or to set up the customers online banking on a new device.

If the customer gives away the genuine One Time Passcode sent by Bank of Ireland to confirm the set-up, the fraudster can then access the customers account.

During the last month, the number of smishing cases detected by Bank of Irelands Fraud Prevention team has increased by 50% since the introduction of this tactic.

How the current scam operates:

- Customer receives a fraudulent text purportedly from An Post or alternatively HSE or Revenue  for example: Your parcel is ready for delivery. Please pay the outstanding charge on this link ----" or Youve been a close contact of someone with Covid. Please follow the instructions here to order a test -----"

- The customer clicks the link, is brought to a fake website and gives some personal information and their credit / debit card number.

The fraudster will then:

- Use the customers card details to set up Apple Pay or Google Pay.

- The customer then gets a genuine One-Time Passcode from Bank of Ireland to confirm Apple Pay or Google Pay set-up, but then gives away the code to the fraudster on the phishing website.

Or

- Based on the card number the customer has given, the fraudster directs the customer to a spoofed online banking login page. The customer gives their online banking login details and then gets a genuine One-Time Passcode to set up online banking on a new device.

- The customer gives that code away on the phishing website, which allows the fraudster to set up online banking and make payments from the customers account.

- Where customers have stopped part of the way through the scam process, they may then get a phone call claiming to be from Bank of Ireland in an attempt to get banking details and the One-Time Passcode. Those calls will often look like theyre coming from genuine Bank of Ireland numbers as the fraudster can spoof the number that appears in your display.

Edel McDermott, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said:

Fraudsters tend to use a range of tactics that have been the subject of regular warnings for some time. When a new variation on a familiar theme crops up, this is a cause for real concern, and we are warning customers to be extra vigilant.

Text messages appearing to be from third parties like delivery companies or Government agencies should be treated with caution and verified accordingly.

Following fraudulent links in these texts is leading to customers disclosing card details, and then having Apple or Google Pay set up on their card, generating a genuine One-Time Passcode from their bank.

When this Passcode is then disclosed, this allows fraudsters full access to the customers account.

Customers should never share this Passcode with anyone, even if they say they are from Bank of Ireland.

Bank of Irelands advice to customers in response to the current activity:

Do not click on links or respond to any SMS text messages which are designed to appear as if sent by the bank or other businesses and service providers.

Remember that Bank of Ireland will never send you a text with a link to a website that asks you for your online banking login details or any One-Time Passcodes that weve sent to you.

Do not share your One-Time Passcode to set up Apple/Google Pay on your card WITH ANYONE even if you the person advises they are from Bank of Ireland

If you get a suspicious text, please email a screenshot of the text to 365Security@boi.com and then delete the text.

If you think you may have given away any of your banking details, please call our 24/7 Freephone line 1800 946 764 immediately.

Remember, Bank of Ireland will never:

Send you a text or email with a link directly to the login page of our online banking channels to confirm banking details or ask you to update their banking details.

Ask you to click a link in an email with an urgent warning about suspicious activity on your account.

Ask you to transfer money out of your account to protect you from fraud.

Ask you to tell us any One-Time Password or code that you have received from us by text.

Where customers receive a text appearing to be from Bank of Ireland, the Check Your Text service (Security Zone - Bank of Ireland Group Website) is available and is outlined in the Report Fraud section.

For more advice and information on fraud, visit www.boi.com/security or www.fraudsmart.ie
People are being urged to take care around bodies of water during the current period of warm weather, with a government minister stating it's of "particular importance" to follow safety advice.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, made the comments at today's (Monday July 18) launch of a new multi-million euro leisure centre in Lahinch in Co Clare.

She said, "It is of particular importance during the current warm weather that the advice of Water Safety Ireland is followed."

"This advice, on www.watersafety.ie, states how important it is to swim within your depth, try to only use lifeguarded waterways, never use inflatable toys on water, always supervise children and dont mix alcohol and swimming."

The minister expressed her condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in bodies of water in the last week.

The fatalities include a teenage boy in Co Dublin, a man in his 60s in Co Laois and a man in his 50s in Co Kerry.

Minister Humphreys said, "It is deeply tragic that in the last number of days alone, three families have lost loved-ones through drowning.

I cant imagine the grief that these families are going through right now  and I think its fair to say that these events teach us all how precious life can be.

My heart goes out to the families impacted  and there are no words that will suffice when you consider the devastation that has been brought on these families as a result of these tragedies.

She continued: Our waters are an amazing resource. Yet in 2021, 80 people lost their lives to drowning. We need a greater awareness of the dangers presented by water, combined of course with developing swimming and life saving skills and the provision of safety measures, which centres such as this one in Lahinch will greatly help with.

The new centre opened by the minister will be used by life guards and volunteers to keep people safe while out on the water in Lahinch.

Minister Humphreys also expressed her deep appreciation for the vital roles played by the coastguard, emergency services, lifeguards and volunteers in keeping people safe and coming to the aid of those in danger.

She said, "We have a wonderful natural environment here in Ireland and it is essential that we know how to enjoy it safely and sensibly. I would also urge anyone to report damaged or missing safety equipment such as ringbuoys immediately.

Speaking about the new Lahinch Leisure Centre, which received 2.86million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, she said, "This new Centre is going to act as a huge tourist attraction for people heading to Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way this summer. And it will also lead to the creation of around 100 jobs.

What is remarkable about this opening today is that this project in Lahinch was among the first projects in the entire country to receive funding under RRDF.

So you have another small piece of history to be proud of here in Lahinch.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, during a press conference in Cyprus, April 16, 2021. AP

With Joe Biden's visit to the Middle East taking place in a context of rising tensions with Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are opting for appeasement with Tehran and is making it known. On Friday, before his visit to Paris, diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash to UAE President Mohammed Ben Zayed ("MBZ") announced that Abu Dhabi was considering sending an ambassador to Iran in the near future, six years after lowering the level of its representation in Tehran.

"We are now indeed considering sending an ambassador to Iran," Mr. Gargash said during a press briefing. "Our minister of environment and climate change [Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri] was in Iran a few days ago [on July 12]. Our exchanges with Iran continue at the ministerial level. We are thus giving a signal that confrontation with Tehran is not an option for us. If that happens, we will not be part of it."

Read more Subscribers only UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed arrives in Paris for controversial visit

These words are a clear de-escalation signal to Iran, at a time when the United States and Israel are hardening their rhetoric toward the Shiite country. On Friday, Mr. Biden ended his trip to Israel, Iran's sworn enemy, where he signed a strategic partnership whose main goal is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and "confront the Islamic republics aggression and counter its destabilizing activities," according to a statement. Mr. Biden then left for Saudi Arabia, the leader of the Sunni camp in the Middle East and a regional rival for Iran. The American president was to participate Saturday in a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council, where the Jordanian, Egyptian and Iraqi leaders were in attendance. The discussions were centered on the development of a regional defense architecture supposed to counter Iranian activities.

In 2016, after the Saudi embassy in Tehran was ransacked by protesters revolted by the execution of a Saudi Shiite imam, the Gulf countries significantly scaled down their relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since then, and especially after former US president Donald Trump's unilateral exit from the nuclear "deal" with Tehran in 2018, the UAE have hardened their stance against Iran, appearing at times as one of the most determined countries on the anti-Tehran front.

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Read more Subscribers only 'The secret war between Iran and Israel may lead to an open conflict, involving their respective blocs'

This sentiment was heightened in 2020, when the Emirates normalized relations with Israel, the leading country in the confrontation with the Islamic republic. The year before, attacks and boardings of tankers and ships by pro-Iranian actors increased in the Persian Gulf, especially off Foujeyra, one of the UAE's city-states. In January 2022, three people were killed in the Emirates in a drone attack attributed to Houthi rebels, a pro-Iranian rebel movement fighting the central government in Yemen and aided by a Riyadh-led coalition.

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Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Security and Development Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 16, 2022. MANDEL NGAN / AFP

"If you want to achieve something in the Middle East, you can't ignore Saudi Arabia." The phrase, repeated like a mantra by Saudi journalists and analysts for years, took on special significance at the end of Joe Biden's 24-hour visit to the country on Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16.

The American president left after a summit in Jeddah during which he told nine heads of state from the region  the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain), as well as Egypt, Jordan and Iraq  that his country "will not walk away" from the Middle East so as not to leave "a vacuum to be filled by China, Russia or Iran."

Read more Subscribers only Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman: The revenge of an outcast

The Gulf States remain dubious about the long-term commitments made by the United States, which they no longer consider a reliable bulwark against their rival Iran. The Biden administration has in fact concentrated most of its energy in terms of foreign policy on confronting China and  since the beginning of the war in Ukraine  Russia.

Washington has since sought to compensate for its disengagement with an "Israeli umbrella" policy that would see the Jewish state make its military and technological power available to countries ready to ally with it and join an emerging regional defense alliance against Tehran.

Read more Subscribers only Israel and Riyadh's reconciliation, one step at a time

No recognition of Israel by Saudi Arabia

The outcome of Mr. Biden's visit seems mixed. Riyadh decided to stick to informal relations with Tel Aviv for the time being, while the United Arab Emirates is using a much more cautious rhetoric than its new Israeli ally towards Iran.

The face-to-face between the American president and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Bin Salman, known as "MBS," generated a good deal of interest. Though Mr. Biden had promised to treat the Saudi crown prince as a "pariah" after the murder of journalist and Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, the US president was forced to perform an about-face.

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When he arrived at the White House, Mr. Biden said he would break the pattern of complacency toward autocrats associated with Donald Trump. He overtly denounced "MBS," who has been identified by the CIA as having ordered the assassination of the journalist in the compound of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The US president had previously refused to meet or even talk to the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia. That resolution ended on Friday. While officials from both countries said the two men discussed the assassination, the conversation resulted in significantly different accounts from the US and Saudi sides.

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The main goal of US President Joe Biden's tour of the Middle East was to reaffirm his country's willingness to engage in a region in which it has continually experienced setback after setback. One thing is clear at the end of this visit: it has left everyone disappointed.

Read more Subscribers only Joe Biden reunites with Mohammed Bin Salman but leaves empty-handed

The Israelis can only regret his predecessor Donald Trump, who had aligned US diplomacy with the Jewish state's intransigent positions like never before. The Palestinians deplored the absence of strong gestures that could have reflected Washington's desire to once again become the honest broker of an Israeli-Palestinian peace process now in a coma. There was no shortage of possibilities, from the reopening of the US Consulate in East Jerusalem once dedicated to the Palestinians, to a genuine tribute to Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was seemingly killed by Israeli fire in May.

The most delicate stop for Mr. Biden was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a meeting with the crown prince and de facto ruler of the kingdom Mohammed Ben Salman. In 2020, the Democratic presidential candidate had promised to avoid the prince because of his presumed involvement in the assassination of dissident Jamal Khashoggi in atrocious circumstances.

Read more Subscribers only Joe Biden in the Middle East: A tour haunted by two dead Arab journalists

But the president of the United States resigned himself to this meeting, hoping that his U-turn would be compensated by an increase in Saudi oil production. A drop in gasoline prices has become an absolute necessity, a few months before the mid-term elections which could turn into a rout for his camp.

Reneging

The fist bump between the president and the rehabilitated former pariah was a source of further disappointment. It was particularly costly for Mr. Biden and only followed by vague Saudi promises. It could hardly have been otherwise. Since Canossa, it has been well known that such reneging usually fails to restore confidence after a crisis.

There is no doubt that the crown prince learned a deep distrust of the Democratic presidency from his diplomatic quarantine. And Mr. Biden has obviously exasperated all those who may have been convinced by his initial willingness to place the defense of American democratic values at the heart of his foreign policy.

In his defense, Mr. Biden inherited a heavy Middle Eastern record when he took office. The last Democratic president, Barack Obama, had opened the way in 2013 to Russia's massive re-engagement in the region by refusing any intervention in Syria at a time when the dictatorship of Bashar Al-Assad was wavering.

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His Republican successor Donald Trump further weakened US interests by withdrawing his country from the 2015 international agreement setting a framework for Iran's nuclear program. On the contrary, his policy of maximum pressure to bring the Iranian regime to its knees pushed Iran to revive its efforts to acquire nuclear weapons and to refuse a return to the status quo ante, for the time being.

Mr. Biden found himself accountable for these strategic errors. By adding his own, he has further complicated the American posture in a region where the confrontation between the United States and the revisionist powers of Russia and China is also at play.

Le Monde Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.
THE University of Limerick has announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic partnership with UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh.

The trilateral partnership will explore several areas of mutual interest, including academic programme development. The vision is to link academics and innovation with excellence in clinical care to impact care delivery in the Mid-West Region, and also to promote interdisciplinary research beyond care delivery, across the health and technology sciences.

In May, Dr Maggie McDondald, Vice Chancellor for Academic and Global Affairs, Health Sciences for the University of Pittsburgh visited UL and met with Health Science leadership counterparts and with research teams in aging and digital oncology to progress the partnership.

The MoU, which has just been signed, incorporates a programme to facilitate clinical and academic rotations amongst the parties and identify work placement opportunities for clinicians from various disciplines to engage in this collaboration.

Another element of the agreement will be research mentorships, research collaborations, and the two-way cross exchange of knowledge and best practice between the parties.

Professor Rachel Msfeti, Executive Dean at the Faculty of Education & Health Sciences, University of Limerick, says the partnership brings a number of possibilities.

"We are hugely excited to embark on this new relationship which aligns with the Universitys commitment to creating synergies with partners that can optimise our societal impact, particularly in the area of healthcare, she said.

With this MoU, we intend to deepen our engagement with the healthcare sector by exploring undergraduate and lifelong learning programmes, and technologies to deliver innovative solutions for health issues, such as the areas of aging services and also in oncology, she added.

David Beirne, senior vice president of UPMC International has also welcomed the signing of the MoU. UPMC is changing how healthcare is delivered in Ireland, and we are excited to partner with UL and the University of Pittsburgh as we work together to assist and benefit communities in the Mid-West and across Ireland, he commented.

Mr Beirne added: As an organisation that is recognised globally as a leading academic medical cente, UPMC is a health care provider known for inventing new models of patient-centered care and bringing life changing medicine to communities close to home, meaning Ireland gets access of the most advanced medical technologies, innovation, research and IT capability for the benefit of Irish patients.
TANAISTE Leo Varadkar has officially opened Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) in Shannon - Irelands first full-scale development centre and test-bed for mobility technologies.

The new state-of-the-art facility, which cost around 5.5m to develop, focuses on technology research and development spanning ground and air uses.

FMCI aims to stimulate international investment and job creation as well as consolidating Irelands reputation for leadership in connected, automated, electrified and shared mobility solutions.

Projects involving unmanned drones, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, Advanced Air Mobilit, autonomous driving, micro-mobility, smart cities, and V2X vehicle communication systems are accommodated.

Congratulating involved in the opening of the new campus Mr Varadkar said: We want Ireland to be at the cutting-edge of new technologies, and that means we must continually invest in research, testing new ideas, seeing what works and how it can be improved. Future mobility is a particularly important and interesting area, given our need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, while at the same time making our cities more liveable. This is a particular challenge given our population is rising."

Funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through Enterprise Ireland, and financial contributions from the local authorities of Clare County Council, Limerick City and County Council, the Western Development Commission and industry partners, the unique FMCI campus at Shannon has state-of-the-art facilities for aerospace and automotive research and development, including a recently opened Advanced Air Mobility Hub.

The facility supports a range of parties including large and small-scale enterprise, from individual researchers to multi-national corporations, start-ups and Government entities.

Partners consist of companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Shannon Group, Cisco, Valeo, Seagate, Red Hat, Taoglas, Mergon, Exida, Analog Devices, General Motors, Pipiper, Collins Aerospace and Avtrain.

Our unique facility in Shannon is facilitating safe, cost-effective and sustainable transport of freight and people now and into the future. What we and our clients do here contributes to socio-economic development and technological advancement that has extensive business, public service and societal applications," commented Russell Vickers, CEO of Future Mobility Campus Ireland.

In June, a European consortium coordinated by FMCI was approved and funded by the EU to develop a Digital Sky Demonstrator for aerial Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems.

The ground-breaking new research was a major vote of confidence in Irelands resourcing of advanced air mobility development, and in the industry operators and expertise present locally, Russell Vickers says.

The UTM research project will also support modernisation of air traffic management in Europe, building an end-to-end ecosystem that supports safe operation of unmanned flights, to help both conventional and unmanned aircraft safely integrate operations.

In keeping with the Shannon facilitys rapid development, FMCI has also been awarded a priming grant as part of the Regional Enterprise Innovation Scoping Scheme , to prepare for development of a large-scale Advanced Air Mobility hub, which will enable large scale eVTOL services.

Tanaiste @LeoVaradkar opened @FMCampusIreland in Shannon today. Govt has provided over 5.5m for Irelands first full-scale development centre & test-bed for mobility technologies with projects featuring unmanned drones, autonomous driving, micro-mobility and smart cities. pic.twitter.com/7l5JZs55Ny  Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (@DeptEnterprise) July 15, 2022

Enterprise Ireland CEO, Leo Clancy, says there are significant growth opportunities for Irish companies in emerging technologies that efficiently move people and goods domestically and internationally.

A key focus for Enterprise Ireland is accelerating the development of innovation capability in Irish enterprise and driving job creation in the regions. This new state-of-the-art facility will provide a real boost to the Mid-West Region, delivering a key piece of infrastructure that will support Irish industry nationally in addressing the cutting-edge future mobility industry.

Acknowledging the tremendous achievement of establishing the FMCI state-of-the art mobility test-bed at Shannon, and welcoming the economic boost it represents for the region, CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine said: I would like to congratulate Russell and his team on todays launch. This incubation space, where future mobility technologies are being developed, is providing great opportunities for innovation in our region and nationally."
TENS of thousands of people have gathered in Limerick city centre to welcome home the three-in-a-row All-Ireland champions.

Ahead of the official homecoming event at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Mayor of the city and county of Limerick, Cllr Frances Foley, was present at Colbert Station to greet team captain Declan Hannon as he brought the Liam MacCarthy cup back to Limerick.

Thousands of supporters gathered outside to welcome the team and panel before they boarded an open-top bus which took more than an hour to snake its way to the headquarters of Limerick GAA on the Ennis Road.

Along the route, there was a guard of honour from Shannon Rowing Club at Sarsfield Bridge while the bells of St Mary's Catherdal proudly rang to mark the occasion.

Limerick Your're a Lady and Sean South of Garryowen were sung loudly by supporters as the open-top bus arrived at TUS Gaelic Grounds ahead of the formal celebrations.

Each of the team members received a rapturous reception as they were welcomed on stage and the celebrations are to sure to continue for a number of days to come.
Mumbai, July 18: Maximus International Limited (MIL) has drawn up an over 25-crore expansion plan for East African operations over the next 2-3-years. This plan is designed to augment its manufacturing capacity by setting up a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. It will also enable MILs expansion into high-potential markets in Africa.

The company aims to expand its top line by over 20 per cent CAGR in the same period and also expand its manufacturing capacity from the present 20,000 kilolitres per annum to 60,000 kilolitres per annum over the next 2-3-years.

MIL is a leading player in the lubricants manufacturing and distributing space with a strong presence in Africa and the Middle East. MIL operates in Kenya and other African markets through its step-down subsidiary Quantum Lubricants EA Ltd (QLL).

The latter was acquired in 2019 by MILs wholly-owned subsidiary MX Africa Ltd.

By almost tripling our manufacturing capacity, we will be ideally placed to exploit the market potential in our focus markets," said MILs Managing Director Mr Deepak Raval.

QLL started its business in Africa with a stock and sale business model by importing finished lubricants into Kenya. As its business expanded, it set up its first lube oil blending plant in Africa in 2014, whose present capacity stands at 20,000 kilolitres per annum. QLL has expanded at over 15 per cent CAGR in the last seven years.

Sensing an immense potential in the African market, the company now plans to further expand its footprint in East Africa. The expansion would be undertaken through the green-field route and its facilities commissioned within the next 2-3 years.

The company aims to expand and strengthen its lubricants business this year itself (2022) in Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania, either through a new subsidiary or an existing distributor partner.

We will be ready with our plans to expand our lubricants business within the next few months," said Mr Milind Joshi, MILs Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

The company has further identified DRC, South Sudan, Malawi and Zambia as high-potential markets. While the focus is on East and South Africa, MIL is also drawing up plans to enter the West African markets of Nigeria and Ghana in the near future.

Plans to set up manufacturing units in some of these countries are on the drawing board stage presently.

We are presently conducting feasibility studies to ascertain the viability, market potential and profitability of the business." Mr Raval said.

MIL through QLL caters to the requirements of both automotive as well as industrial and speciality oil clients in Kenya. It also exports to other neighbouring countries. QLLs major distributors have been pivotal in pushing 2-wheeler and 4-wheeler oils to a level on par with global oil majors.

For the industrial segment, MIL manufactures metal working fluids, textile machinery oils, extreme pressure grease and gear oils, while for the speciality segment, it manufactures refrigeration compressor oils, speciality hydraulic fluids and printing ink oils. For the automotive segment, MILs products include engine oils, gear oils and Automotive Transmission Fluid (ATF).

The company aims to accelerate its growth and expand its margins and profitability through a better product mix and focus on new potential markets.

Our adroit financial management enabled us to fare well during the pandemic. We will continue to focus on expanding our margins and profitability," said Mr Joshi.

With its business plans firmed up, MIL is confident of executing them seamlessly and attaining the next level of growth over the next 2-3-years with the support of its existing as well as future strategic stakeholders.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
A suspected case of Monkeypox has been reported in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada in a child who recently returned from Saudi Arabia.

News agency ANI quoted the GGH Hospital superintendent that samples of the child have been sent to Pune for testing.

Family of the child is kept under home quarantine. The family returned to India from a Saudi Arabia tour yesterday," said N Rao, the superintendent.

India reported its first case of Monkeypox on Thursday, with a Keralite who returned from the UAE testing positive for the virus.

Following this, the Centre rushed a high-level multi-disciplinary team to collaborate with the state health authorities in instituting public health measures.

Further, Kerala stepped up vigil to prevent the spread of monkeypox, issuing special alerts to five districts  Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam.

This came as people from these districts were co-passengers of the infected person in the Sharjah-Thiruvananthapuram Indigo flight. State health minister Veena George said that isolation facilities will be set up in all these districts.

Kerala has also intensified surveillance at airports. "As part of it, the Health Department will hold discussions with the airport authorities. If anyone found with symptoms, steps will be taken to isolate them and ambulances have been arranged to shift them to hospitals," said George.

She said training for monkeypox prevention is being held in a comprehensive manner and till now over 1,200 health workers have been trained.

"The health condition of the patient who was confirmed with the infection is stable. No one else has been diagnosed with the disease yet. All his contacts are under observation. The Health Department is constantly in touch with his contacts and speaks to them twice a day over phone to enquire about their mental and physical health," she said.

Central govt guidelines

The ministry of health and family welfare on Friday releases guidelines for the management of Monkeypox disease.

The ministry listed out points for the general masses to avoid the contradiction of the disease which included avoiding contact with sick people and avoiding contact with dead or wild animals(rodents, monkeys).

The general public has also been advised to visit the nearest health facility if one comes in close contact with monkeypox-affected person or an area with the affected persons or animals.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Friday informed about 15 Virus Research & Diagnostic Laboratories across the country on a micro-blogging website.
Facts about Russia-Ukraine conflict: Zelensky dismisses prosecutor general, security chief

Xinhua) 10:51, July 18, 2022

BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on late Sunday that he had decided to dismiss Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova and head of the Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov, the presidential press service reported.

In his address to the nation, Zelensky blamed Venediktova and Bakanov for insufficiently dealing with a large number of traitors in their agencies.

As of Sunday, Ukrainian authorities had launched 651 criminal proceedings on charges of "treason and collaboration activities" in law enforcement agencies, Zelensky said.

More than 60 employees of the prosecutor's office and the Security Service of Ukraine were "working against our state," he added.

- - - -

Russian forces destroyed a depot housing Harpoon anti-ship missiles delivered by NATO countries in Ukraine's important port city of Odessa with high-precision long-range air-based missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.

It said Russian forces also shot down one Ukrainian MI-17 helicopter near the town of Slavyansk in Donetsk, and one SU-25 warplane of the Ukrainian air force in the Kharkov region.

- - - -

The industrial infrastructure of the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv was destroyed after the city was hit probably by S-300 missiles on the night of Saturday to Sunday, but no civilian casualties were reported so far, the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency said.

Russian forces launched rocket attacks on eight communities in the northeastern Sumy region and one community in the northern Chernihiv region on Saturday, the State Border Service of Ukraine said on Facebook on Sunday.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
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Twitter trolls have engaged in rampant abuse and widespread targeted harassment of women on the social network who have voiced support for Amber Heard, according to a research firm that had previously been hired by lawyers representing Heard in her defamation court case with Johnny Depp.

The firm, Bot Sentinel, analyzed 14,292 tweets that included at least one of four viral anti-Heard hashtags  #AmberHeardIsAnAbuser, #AmberHeardLsAnAbuser, #AmberHeardIsALiar and #AmberHeardLsALiar  and found that 24% of the accounts that posted them were created within the past seven months. In the report, released Monday, Bot Sentinel said that abusive trolls who identified as Johnny Depp supporters had subjected women to verbal abuse and targeted harassment. (Accounts used #AmberHeardLsAnAbuser and #AmberHeardLsALiar with the letter I purposely replaced with the letter L to deceive Twitters algorithms, according to Bot Signal.)

Toxic trolls continued to tweet anti-Amber Heard hashtags and attack women weeks after the Depp vs. Heard trial ended, Bot Sentinel wrote in the report.

In at least one case, pro-Depp trolls doxxed a womans family and created a fake Twitter account using a photo of the womans deceased child to troll her, according to Bot Sentinel.

In the report, the company disclosed that Heards lawyers had contacted Bot Sentinel in 2020 and hired it to determine whether the social media activity against Ms. Heard was organic or if there was some other explanation (and the company concluded that a significant portion of the activity wasnt organic). For the report released Monday, the firm claimed, Neither Amber Heard nor anyone from her team hired Bot Sentinel to review the activity. No one hired Bot Sentinel to compile and publish this report.

Last week, Heards motion for a mistrial in her defamation suit with Depp was dismissed by a Virginia judge, who found no grounds to overturn the jurys verdict in Depps favor.

That came after the two-month trial concluded on June 1, with the jury finding that Heard had defamed Depp by alluding to domestic violence allegations against him in a December 2018 op-ed. They awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, the latter of which was reduced to $350,000 under the statutory damages cap. The jury also held Depp liable for a defamatory statement made about Heard by his lawyer, and awarded her $2 million.

According to Bot Sentinels website, founder Christopher Bouzy founded the organization in 2018 as a community-funded project to help fight disinformation and targeted harassment. We believe Twitter users should be able to engage in healthy online discourse without inauthentic accounts, toxic trolls, foreign countries, and organized groups manipulating the conversation, the company says.

Bot Sentinel said it sent Twitter a list of several hundred accounts that the company determined violated multiple rules and policies of the platform, including violent threats and platform manipulation. Twitter essentially left the women to fend for themselves with little to no support from the platform, Bot Sentinel wrote in the July 18 report.

Asked for comment, a Twitter spokesperson said, Our teams are reviewing the accounts flagged in this report, and will take action according to the Twitter Rules.

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Hard Boiled director John Woo is developing a historical drama about Chinese American Dean Lung  the valet of Oaklands first mayor Horace Walpole Carpentier  whose donation helped found Columbia Universitys Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. The film has the working title Dean Lung.

The university still refers to the letter Lung sent to Columbia president Seth Low in 1901. I send you here with a deposit check for $12,000 as a contribution to the fund for Chinese learning in your university, it said. Later, in order to honor him, Carpentier provided additional donations.

I hope I can make it before I retire. I really want to do it, Woo told Variety at Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal, where he picked up his Career Achievement Award.

He was this mans servant and there were conflicts at the beginning, but later, they started to learn from each other. When he retired, he donated all his savings to the university. His picture still hangs on the wall.

Woo described the film  whose script is being written, with financing being sought  as serious drama, but not too serious.

Its a very human story, he said, also underlining its universal appeal.

These days, there are so many misunderstandings between the people in the West and the people in the East. I think we need to work on it more, work on understanding each other. I want to make a movie that would serve as a bridge between two different cultures. We can be friends  I really believe that.

Before that, Woo will stretch his action muscles with Joel Kinnaman starrer Silent Night, already hailed as his comeback.

Its a pretty unique film, even though its a common story: a son gets killed and a father tries to avenge him. But there is no dialogue  its completely visual, he said.

It was very challenging. I had to make sure the audience understands the story and accepts it, and accepts this characters emotions. I am so lucky to have found an actor like Joel. He delivered a great performance and he was so happy to do it, too. After all, he didnt have to talk!

Always interested in dramatic storylines and high stakes, with his characters looking for redemption or fighting for their honor, Woo partly attributes it to his Christian upbringing.

I guess thats where it comes from. When I was younger, I just loved the church. When I decided to make films, I automatically started to put a lot of Christian imagery in them. Concepts of redemption and love for people, spirituality. I never wanted to lecture about religion. I just wanted people to feel this atmosphere.

Still, despite all the drama, humor is always the key, he said, which is something he misses in new action spectacles.

Its all about action, action, action and special effects. They are missing a sense of humor. But it helps, in real life as well, he said.

Humor brings meaning to our relationships. When I was still shooting films in Hong Kong, we always liked to make people laugh.

While the instant recognizability of his work might have eventually hurt his international career, he admitted, he grew to appreciate peoples love for some of his famed visual motifs, such as white doves flying around in slow-motion.

The funny thing is that sometimes, I didnt want to use these things in my films. I would go: Its too much, lets do something different. And then the whole crew would rebel! John, please, put some birds in there somewhere!, he said with a laugh.

But I am so grateful. After all these years, people still love my movies. I was so amazed, seeing all these people [at Fantasia] who care for me and support me. Its very encouraging.

Some of his stars also continue to reach out, including his Face/Off leads.

Nic Cage always says nice things about me in public. The truth is, I dont talk too much with my actors. They are busy, I am busy. And I am not very social! But some keep sending me Christmas cards, they keep celebrating my birthday. Especially John Travolta.

He has been sending me cards every year!

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A retired prosecutor recalled in 2010 that he was so concerned about the handling of the rape case against Roman Polanski in 1977 that he drafted a document seeking the removal of the judge.

Roger Gunson testified in a closed hearing that Judge Laurence Rittenband appeared to be having ex parte conversations about the case. Gunson also said that he understood Polanskis decision to flee the country in 1978, though he did not think it was justified.

I was surprised, but after reflecting upon what had happened, I wasnt surprised that he left, Gunson testified, saying he believed the judge had reneged on a promise to limit Polanskis sentence to a brief stay in prison for a psychiatric examination. There becomes a question as to whether he, Mr. Polanski, can rely upon the representation of Judge Rittenband.

Gunsons testimony was unsealed late Sunday night, after an appeals court ordered its release last week. The transcript documents a conditional examination that took place over three days in 2010, as Polanskis lawyers were seeking to have the case dismissed for judicial and prosecutorial misconduct.

The contents of Gunsons testimony were already largely known, as Gunson had cooperated with the 2008 documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, which addressed the allegations in detail. But the release of the transcript appears likely to spur renewed efforts to resolve the case, which has lingered for 45 years without a conclusion.

Polanski pleaded guilty in 1977 to a count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl. Rittenband ordered him to Chino State Prison for a 90-day diagnostic examination before sentencing him. Polanski was released after 42 days, leading to a public outcry. Rittenband then reversed himself, according to Gunsons testimony, saying he would send Polanski back to state prison.

Gunson testified that Rittenband said he would recall Polanski after he had completed the full 90 days, but it was not clear if Polanski could rely on that promise.

If he were sent to state prison and not recalled by the judge, then he could be there for 20 or 50 years, Gunson testified.

Gunson said that Rittenband would often have ex parte conversations about cases, and that he had once warned the judge that it was inappropriate. He said his office never sought to disqualify the judge from the case. In 2010, he said he had looked for the affidavit he had drafted in 1977 that laid out his concerns about Rittenbands conduct, but could not locate it.

Polanski has been a fugitive since 1978, living mostly in France. Since that time, seven people have served as Los Angeles County district attorney, and all have taken the position that Polanski must first return to U.S. and appear in open court before the case can be resolved.

But George Gascon, who was elected in 2020, appears to be reconsidering that position. His office has said it will reexamine the case with fresh eyes now that the Gunson transcript has been released, and has also made mention of wanting to obtain closure for Samantha Geimer, the victim in the case who has wanted for years to have it dismissed.

Steve Cooley, who served as D.A. from 2000 to 2012, criticized Gascon in an interview, saying it appears that he has already decided to resolve the case in Polanskis favor.

The first hurdle was to have the transcripts released, Cooley said. He will interpret it the way he wants to interpret it so he can reach the conclusions he wants to reach.

Cooley said that Gascon is merely seeking to distract attention from a pending recall campaign. And he argued that Polanski should be required to surrender to the court before any resolution occurs.

Why should he get to be sentenced in absentia? Cooley asked. Because hes an Academy Award winner? Because hes a great director? Theres no exception in the penal code for that. Show up like everybody else.

Polanskis lawyers have long sought to unseal Gunsons transcript, which they argued would prove that the director was mistreated by the court system. Last November, two journalists  Sam Wasson and William Rempel  filed a motion to unseal it. An appeals court ordered the transcript released on Wednesday, after the D.A.s office dropped its objections.

Much of the transcripts contents had already been disclosed in a 2010 defense motion, in which Polanskis attorneys sought the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the misconduct allegations.

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Rafael Cobos, the co-screenwriter of Alberto Rodriguezs Goya best picture winner Marshland and The Plague, one of Movistar Plus most ambitious series ever, is getting his own show.

Moving into production on July 18, El hijo zurdo stars Maria Leon, a stunning 2011 San Sebastian best actress winner for The Sleeping Voice, in a series which Cobos describes an emotional thriller.

Movistar Plus newly announced original is not only written by Cobos but co-directed too in the directorial debut of the Seville-based scribe.

A six part, half hour drama, El Hijo Zurdo is scheduled for release first half of 2023. Movistar Plus Internacional is handling worldwide distribution.

Cobos career-long relationship with Rodriguez takes in the Spanish directors 2022 San Sebastian opening movie Prison 77 and his episode in Offworld, a Movistar Plus anthology series which world premieres out of competition at San Sebastian.

Cobos has also co-written The Unit, Movistar Plus hit action-espionage series, and the films of Doghead director Santi Amodeo, most recently The Gentiles, a standout at last years Seville European Film Festival.

Some screenwriters steer clear of direction. Others dream of being able to get onto a screen the full nuances of characters which they have lived with for years. News of El Hijo Zurdo comes just two months after Movistar Plus unveiled Facil, the series directorial debut of Anna R. Costa, co-scribe with Paco Leon of the Ava Gardner in Madrid focused Arde Madrid, one of Movistar Plus biggest hits ever.

Co-directed by Paco Banos, whose Ali won a best first feature prize at 2012s Malaga Film Festival, El Nino Zurdo is produced with Atipica Films, the Madrid-based company headed by Jose Antonio Felez and Cristina Sutherland which made The Plague with Movistar Plus and co-produces Prison 77. Felezs relationship with Rodriguez dates back to his 2000 debut, The Pilgrim Factor.

I will always say that theres a sense of absolute complicity with Rafa, Alberto and Jose Antonio: After The Plague, we owe them a continuation in Movistar Plus originals, Domingo Corral, Movistar Plus director of original production, said at a presentation of El Hijo Zurdo which took place late last week in Seville.

Seville as a Singular Setting

The press conference unspooled against a spectacular backdrop taking in, just across a waterway, Sevilles iconic Torre de Oro and, little further away, the Giralda bell tower of Sevilles Cathedral.

The Plague, a conspiracy thriller, was set in Seville around 1580 as different factions fought for a city sluiced by vast wealth from the New World, and with it control of the destiny of Spain.

Based on the same-titled novel by Rosario Izquierdo, El hijo zurdo is takes place in a contemporary Seville, moving from its humble outer radius to its historic center. This will make for a highly singular story, Corral said.

Women as Mothers

In it, Lola, a well-heeled divorced mother of two, watches her teen son becoming ever more deeply involved in a local neo-Nazi gang. A mother at an early age, in an attempt to understand and recuperate her son, she strikes up friendship with Maru, from Sevilles humble outer suburbs, who faces a similar situation.

This is the story of a woman, Lola who, because of being a mother, has retired from the social frontline. With time, she needs to renew her lost social identity through her love for her son. Maria Leons character is among the most complex that Ive ever written and Maria will show the richness of her registers, Cobos commented in Seville.

My backgrounds is in thrillers, action titles. But when the chance came up to direct, I chose this project, which is nearer to my subjective self, he noted.

That said, The Plague and El hijo zurdo have a lot in common in their laboratory development, Cobos added. They share mechanisms, tools, though if ingredients ring true and theres real emotion which you can work on, all the better, Cobos added.

With The Plague, Rafa acted as a kind of showrunner, getting involved in not only the writing but the whole evolution of the series, and we talked about the possibility of a future project where he would write and also direct some episodes, said Felez.

We aim for this show to become a universal reflection on the role of women and women as mothers: What they become in a society where that role is very difficult, he added.

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Courtesy/U.S. Customs and Border Protection

A man wanting to sell his crafts at a festival in Laredo was arrested for possessing a counterfeit visa, according to an arrest affidavit.

The affidavit does not mention what festival Kevin Leonardo Salgado-Aguilar wanted to attend. But the Laredo International Sister Cities Festival did take place over the weekend.
A project that would see a new program and facility in Webb County to provide services for migrant children between ages 13-17 including education, relocation and health care was sponsored this week by Commissioner Wawi Tijerina.

A presentation regarding the project was followed by InGenesis representatives who discussed potentially working with the county to create the local program.

Webb County leaders approved issuing a letter of support to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in regard to the concept of the project. The federal government would be paying it including site, water, sewage and other infrastructure costs.

However, it does not mention any private company support vying for the contract award and emphasizes the support for humanitarian care for the children and placing them in a safe environment.

According to Christina Guajardo, Director of Operations of InGenesis, Inc., the staffing firm was started in 2008 and is connected with the International Organization of Standards. It has a history of community partnerships and is in nearly all 50 states as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, she added.

The presentation focused on the Aria Campus, in which InGenesis President of Business Intelligence Jerred Green said it would be funded by the federal government, specifically the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement. The cost would be approximately $300 million to build and operate the facility on an annual basis.

According to the HHS, The Office of Refugee Resettlement provides new populations with the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the United States. The programs provide people in need with critical resources to assist them in becoming integrated members of American society. ORRs Survivors of Torture program provides rehabilitative, social, and legal services to individuals  regardless of immigration status  who have experienced torture which occurred outside the U.S. ORR also provides care and placement for unaccompanied children who enter the United States from other countries without an adult guardian.

He described the secured facility as a self-contained small city with a clinic, school, recreational area, dormitories for children, food services and any needs of the children. Green specified the project would house 1,200 unaccompanied children in a 100-acre property for a summer-style campus. The site would be revealed by the end of the week with a site plan coming time after, but as of this week, commissioners maintained they would reserve the right to refuse the site in the letter of support.

This particular project, we expect we are going to employ on an ongoing basis over 1,500 employees that would range for a full spectrum of services from health care providers to social workers, teachers, etc., Green said.

The children can be expected to be received by the facility from around the country, from Border Patrol or ICE. The children are then processed through the ORR and they would then pass off the care of the children to the facility. The children, employees and visitors would have to go through a screen process to get tested for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, with the children having their own screening area. Children testing positive would then be put in a quarantine area to ensure they are safe.

He said while InGenesis is primarily a health care services company, they would focus on health care and public health services with a fully operational health care clinic with immunizations, vaccinations, dental services and more. However, education, religious and visitation services were referenced as other offerings from the facility.

For context, the presentation included information about the ORR Emergency Influx Shelter in Dallas. Green said they have a history of working on similar projects to the Aria Campus and they were responsible for leading the clinical and health care services of the Dallas shelter. Over 4,000 unaccompanied children were seen at the facility, and Green said they provided behavioral health exams, medical health exams, evaluations and counseling while they also managed a clinic and its supply chain.

According to the InGenesis CEO Veronica Muzquiz Edwards, the facility would be a federally-funded project, and she is not asking the county or the City of Laredo for funds, just their support regarding its implementation in the community. She cited the humanitarian support that comes with the facility and the wide range of employment opportunities as benefits to the community.

This is going to be a community engagement effort, and we are looking forward to reaching back to the chambers and through the contacts you all have to expand the opportunities and basically increase tax revenues in the community. ... Y'all are going to love us and all the business we are bringing.'

After the presentation, Edwards said the next step is to raise community support of the effort. She said they would be putting an offer on the 100-acre property Green mentioned and begin the draft work of the building design, as the project is expected to get started quickly.

After the presentation, Commissioner John Galo shared some concerns involving the number of health care workers that would be part of the facility and how the need to hire health care workers may stress local hospitals with the lack of personnel. In response, Green said it was not the intent to compete with the private hospitals and resources in the area. He added it is possible to relocate health care professionals from other areas to the facility.

We would love to give jobs to those who work in the area primarily, but we also understand that there is a fine line between doing that and taking health care workers from other local resources, Green said.

Furthermore, Galo asked if InGenesis had received a contract by the federal government regarding the project, to which he was told they had not.

Green said they are currently in the process of submitting a proposal response for the site, but they would like to show in the process that the presentation was given to the commissioners and the community and have their support.

The last concern by Galo revolved around stories of how children are placed in the facilities. Green responded that through the ORR partnership, they have a guideline on family reunification with background checks and FBI fingerprint checks.
Laredo's legend from the Apollo 13 mission is to be honored posthumously by sending a "moonikin" in his honor to the moon at a later date. But before that happens, Arturo Campos has already been immortalized in a different way.

Campos has been honored by NASA as part of a new comic book. He is the main protagonist of "The Adventures of Commander Moonikin Campos and Friends," which also introduces two of the other moonikins to fly aboard with Campos moonikin including Helga and Zohar.

Locals can read Part 1 on NASA's website. Part 2 will be releasing when the moonikin makes its voyage as it is titled "Campos and Friends Fly to the Moon."

I am thrilled that they made a comic about Artemis I with Commander Moonikin Campos, said Leticia Maddix, a billing assistant for Windsor EMS and a daughter of Campos. I was expecting it to be more like a comic book, less like a lesson book. I am still very happy that it is about the mannequins, in particular about dad.

Another of the sisters, Yvette Campos Brewer, was very thrilled when finding out about the comic. She states that she likes the character provided to her father, and she thought the idea of including him in the comic was something so great for his legacy.

Brewer never expected this kind of recognition or her father, as so much time has passed by. Campos died on Sept. 5, 2001 -- nearly 21 years ago. The sisters know that their father would be humbled by all these recognitions which have come his way in recent years.

My father would be proud of this honor, Maddix said. He would be so happy about all the extras that came with this honor, such as the web comic and the fact that he will be in the Kerbal Space Program video game as a character.

Deanna Campos Ranck, a certified pharmacy technician and another daughter of Campos, said she does not know how her father would react to all of this as he was a humble man. However, she states that since all of these recognitions are educational, then he would probably love it.

If the comic is educational, I think he would like that, said Deanna Campos Ranck, a certified pharmacy technician and another daughter of Campos. Dad was all about education. Dads been gone 21 years or longer, and to see his story shared after all this time is remarkable. I'm so proud of him. I had the honor of working at NASA because of dad. We would ride together to work. As I look back, it is really special to me that we shared this time together.

Brewer states that not only their father would be proud but also their mother, who was one of the ones that championed their father the most. She was always his biggest supporter, the sisters said.

My father and mother were exceptional people, Brewer said. Sometimes you don't know what you have until it's gone. After my father passed away, we had my mother here as a constant reminder of my father. Since she passed away almost three years ago in August, something has been missing. This whole experience has awakened awareness of their lives again and the impact they made. We were so blessed to have them as our parents and as role models.

Brewer said the fact that the City of Laredo plans to honor their father on the day of the launch every year would really make him proud as well. Due to all these honors, the sisters wish to thank the whole community for their continued support.

Now, with the recognition and the moonikin being sent to the moon, the video game and comic book, the sisters would love to see him as part of a new movie someday where he is actually recognized for his work -- a departure from the famous Apollo 13 film where his name is never mentioned. They also would love to see a federal holiday honoring the Hispanic hero.

It would be nice if they made a remake of Apollo 13 with more of the behind-the-scenes of the folks on the ground working diligently working around the clock for the return of the crew, Maddix said. I believe that this is God's perfect timing. He got more than just recognition at the present time. I wish that the federal government would create a new holiday to honor my dad. There are no Hispanic holidays.

Brewer states that she understands why the original movie did not include her father and other major players of the operation that saved the shuttle and crew, as she knows the focus was on the astronauts.

I think that enough attention has been given about the Apollo 13 flight that more people now know the truth, Brewer said. I understand that the movie wasn't concerned with the players behind the scene as much as the astronauts. That's what gets people to watch. If someone ever decides to remake the movie, I hope they include my father's name. That would be awesome.

Regardless of whether there will be a remake of the previous film or not, a documentary is in the middle of being created by filmmakers Heath Cozens and Michael Werner that will focus on Campos and his family -- mainly the three sisters which have been on top of making sure their father is remembered for his work.

They will be at the launch with us filming our reaction, Maddix said. It's been a wonderful thing for his family, all because he won the contest.

According to NASA, Campos was asleep on April 13, 1970 when Apollo 13 was heading to Earth in a crash trajectory rather than a normal landing. The native Laredoan learned after waking at his home that a service module oxygen tank aboard the Apollo spacecraft had ruptured. The command module's normal supply of electricity, light and water were lost as he found out, which left Astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise stuck in a crippled spacecraft about 200,000 miles from Earth.

Campos also helped establish the first League of United Latin American Citizens in NASA and in the Houston area, and he helped recruit engineers and other specialists of Hispanic background into the aeronautics industry.

Campos family honored him posthumously by asking his hometown to help him in NASAs Name the Artemis Moonikin Challenge. And on the same day as their mothers birthday in 2021, the Campos family was told their father would be represented in the upcoming mission.

Campos steamrolled through the NASA competition to win the honor. A moonikin  a mannequin which will also be used to gather data on the vibrations that human crewmembers will experience  will bare his name on an upcoming trip to the moon. It will gather info for Artemis I -- a mission which is set to send the first woman and person of color to the lunar surface.

Campos was one of eight submissions for the contest that NASA provided. And after a tournament-style system, Campos came out victorious. The field featured significant people in NASAs history or references to NASAs past or the Artemis program.

According to NASA, a mannequin is commonly used in training for emergency rescues, medical education and research. The moonikin ultimately chosen will not just be sent to space to travel with the real life crew but also will be used to collect data on the moons surface.
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TOKYO (AP)  The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan reaffirmed Monday the importance of bilateral ties and the three-way relationship with the United States as they renewed efforts to mend relations amid the war in Ukraine and other global tensions.

Park Jin, South Koreas top diplomat, and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi agreed to work together on the nuclear threat from North Korea and on the need to resolve a dispute over Japans colonial-era forced mobilization of Korean laborers, according to the two foreign ministries.

The countries' ties have been strained mostly over historical issues, including forced labor leading up to and during World War II.

At the heart of the dispute are South Korean court rulings in 2018, which ordered two Japanese companies, Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to compensate forced Korean laborers. The Japanese companies have refused to comply with the rulings, and the former laborers and their supporters responded by pushing for the forced sale of corporate assets of Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi.

The ministers shared a view that the disputes over the forced laborers must be resolved at an early date, the South Korean Foreign Ministry statement said. It quoted Park as saying South Korea would seek a resolution of the dispute before the sales of the two Japanese companies are made in South Korea.

According to the Japanese statement, Hayashi told Park that both sides need to build a constructive relationship based on the normalization of relations in 1965. Tokyo has long maintained that all compensation issues had been settled by then.

Since taking office in March, South Koreas new conservative government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol has been pushing to improve ties with Japan and bolster a trilateral security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo to better deal with North Korean nuclear threats.

At the start of the talks in Tokyo, Park and Hayashi bumped elbows and posed for cameras at the official guest house as they conversed softly in English. Both have attended schools in the U.S., and Park has also studied in Japan.

The visit, the first by a South Korean foreign minister since November 2019, comes after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, considered an influential figure in shaping Japans foreign policy.

Park expressed his condolences on Abe's death. Park is scheduled to stay in Japan through Wednesday, and may meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Park and Hayashi had also met ahead of the South Korea presidential inauguration in Seoul in May, as well as in Bali, Indonesia, for the Group of 20 meeting earlier this month.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry in July launched consultations with lawyers and activists representing the Korean forced laborers and other experts to collect opinions on how to resolve the dispute.

Besides painful history, the two nations also share a long-running territorial dispute over islands that are controlled by Seoul but also claimed by Japan. Tokyo calls them Takeshima and South Korea calls them Dokdo.

President Joe Biden's administration has tried to bring the two Asian democracies to work closer together on security and regional issues amid the war in Ukraine and tensions including threats from North Korea and saber-rattling from China.

North Korea this year stepped up missile and artillery tests in what is seen as an attempt to pressure Washington and Seoul to relax international sanctions against Pyongyang.

Park also expressed support for Tokyos efforts to bring back Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

About 20 years ago, North Korea reversed years of denial and acknowledged it had kidnapped Japanese citizens and returned some to Japan. But Japan believes more are still in North Korea.

___

Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea.

___

Hyung-jin Kim is on Twitter https://twitter.com/hyungjin1972

Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
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BANGKOK (AP)  Cybersecurity researchers reported details Monday of cases where Thai activists involved in the countrys pro-democracy protests had their cell phones or other devices infected and attacked with government-sponsored spyware.

Investigators of the internet watchdog groups Citizen Lab, Thailand's Internet Law Reform Dialogue, or iLaw, and Digital Reach said at least 30 individuals  including activists, scholars and people working with civil society groups  were targeted by an unnamed government entity or entities for surveillance with Pegasus, a spyware produced by the Israeli-based cybersecurity company NSO Group.

The reports from the two groups named many of those targeted, confirming earlier reports of the surveillance, which John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab said shows that governments are exploiting their ability to buy technologies designed to fight crime and terrorism to spy on critics and other private citizens.

Citizen Lab believes there is a fundamental challenge for civil society," John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab said in an online presentation at a briefing in Bangkok.

The attacks on the individuals devices spanned from Oct. 2020 to Nov. 2021, a timing highly relevant to specific Thai political events since they took place over the period of time when pro-democracy protests erupted across the country.

But Scott-Railton said Citizen Lab, which exposes digital espionage campaigns and insecure software, believed there was still an active Pegasus operator in Thailand.

Those whose devices were attacked were either involved in the protests in 2020-2021, or were publicly critical of the Thai monarchy. Lawyers who defended the activists also were under such digital surveillance, the researchers said.

The Pegasus spyware is known for zero-click exploits, which means it can be installed remotely onto a targets phone without the target having to click any links or download software.

The spyware can obtain any data on the devices, including contact lists and group chats, making it highly effective against political groups and movements, Scott-Railton said.

NSO Groups products, including the Pegasus software, are typically licensed only to government intelligence and law enforcement agencies to investigate terrorism and serious crime, according to the companys website. Citizen Lab and other cyber security researchers have tracked the spyware to 45 countries.

In a separate report Monday, the human rights group Amnesty International reiterated its call for a global moratorium on the sale of spyware.

The unlawful targeted surveillance of human rights defenders and civil society is a tool of repression. It is time to clamp down on this industry that continues to operate in the shadows," Amnesty Tech's deputy director Danna Ingleton said in a statement.

The company has rejected accusations that its snooping software helped lead to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, perhaps the highest-profile case so far. It maintains that its sales undergo a rigorous ethical vetting process and that Pegasus spyware is sold to governments only for security purposes.

In November, the U.S. government blacklisted NSO Group and Apple sued it and notified Pegasus victims. Facebook has sued NSO Group over the use of a somewhat similar exploit that allegedly intruded via its globally popular encrypted WhatsApp messaging app.

The reports by Citizen Lab and iLaw do not accuse any specific government actor but say the use of Pegasus indicates the presence of a government operator. When news that dissidents had been targeted first surfaced in November 2021, the government denied the allegations.

Apple said it sought a permanent injunction to ban NSO Group from using any Apple software, services or devices to to prevent further abuse and harm to its users."

Apple's notifications to customers of spyware infections are a crucial part of a defense strategy against such digital surveillance, Scott-Railton said.

Apple did something remarkable by notifying the recipients of this suspected targeting. If you look at the infection online, it stopped after Apple's notification," he said. It was a very consequential thing."

The cybersecurity experts said that turning off and restarting a device can break the spyware's digital connection. Security updates also have helped to close the loopholes such attackers exploit.

Layering up defenses on devices is very important," Scott-Railton said. Anything is better than nothing."

But the spyware is constantly being updated and it is designed to be difficult to spot, facilitating surveillance by governments that have found it a useful tool for suppressing dissent.

Thailands student-led pro-democracy movement ramped up activities in 2020, largely in reaction to the continuing influence of the military in government and hyper-royalist sentiment.

The movement was able to attract crowds of as many as 20,000-30,000 people in Bangkok in 2020 and had followings in major cities and universities.

There is longstanding evidence showing Pegasus presence in Thailand, indicating that the government would likely have had access to Pegasus during the period in question, researchers said in the report. The over 30 individuals targeted were also of intense interest to the Thai government.

The army in 2014 overthrew an elected government, and Prayuth Chan-ocha, the coup leader, was named prime minister after a 2019 general election put in power a military-backed political party. Protesters have campaigned for Prayuth and his government to step down and demanded reforms to make the monarchy more accountable and to amend the constitution to make it more democratic.

___

AP Technology Writer Zen Soo reported from Hong Kong.
The Irish Heart Foundation has welcomed measures aimed at preventing young people using e-cigarettes - including plans to ban flavoured vapes.

The charity lobbied extensively to have four sweeping recommendations included in a pre-legislative scrutiny report for an upcoming Bill.

One of the key suggestions in the report is a prohibition on the flavouring of all vapes, except tobacco.

Vape manufacturers clearly use flavours  and research has identified thousands of them  that they know will attract minors, said Mark Murphy, advocacy officer with the Irish Heart Foundation.

Many products are sold in bright, attractive packaging with cartoon characters designed to entice young people. In research we carried out, 3rd and 4th-year students were shown different e-cigarette products.

When asked for their thoughts, none believed the claim by e-cigarette companies that their design was for adults only and believed, instead, that they were highly likely to appeal to children more than adults.

The Oireachtas health committees report for the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill, published at the weekend, also tackles this issue  suggesting a restriction on brightly coloured packaging and the introduction of plain packaging.

It also suggests measures to prohibit e-cigarette advertising and promotion across all social media, online and on billboards.

In addition, the committee recommends that Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly, conducts a review and assembles research on international studies that have focused on increasing the age of tobacco and nicotine-inhaling product purchase from 18 years of age to 21.

We recognise that some long-term adult smokers use e-cigarettes to quit or reduce smoking, however, the Irish Heart Foundation is concerned over the rise of youth vaping, said Mr Murphy.

We can point to evidence showing that e-cigarettes are not harm free; they damage health, inflict short-term harm and act as a gateway to cigarette tobacco smoking.

Smoking causes thousands of deaths every year in Ireland. We are not prepared to let another generation of young people become addicted to tobacco.

Recent HSE research showed that 71% of the Irish public supports Tobacco 21  the move to ban tobacco sales to those aged under-21.
Local News, Business & Finance, Community, Charity & Cause

By Chris Boyle Published: July 18 2022

P.C. Richard & Sons unwavering support of our active-duty service members, veterans and first responders is deeply appreciated, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said.

Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D - Glen Cove) thanked P.C. Richard & Son of Greenvale for their ongoing support of Nassau Countys veterans during a recent visit to their Greenvale store.

Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton was joined by Nassau County Veterans Service Agency Director Ralph Esposito as she presented a Nassau County Legislature Citation to P.C. Richard & Sons Sales Director Joe Morrone in recognition of their $1,000 donation toward Nassaus Iraq and Afghanistan War monument, which is being built at Eisenhower Parks Veterans Memorial Park.

P.C. Richard & Sons unwavering support of our active-duty service members, veterans and first responders is deeply appreciated by so many Nassau County residents, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said. It was a pleasure to join Ralph in commending them for all they do to celebrate and honor our hometown heroes.
Governor Hochul Announces $5M in Funding to Support the Launch of New and Existing Cannabis Programs

Local News, Business & Finance

By Long Island Published: July 18 2022

SUNY and CUNY Community Colleges to Help New Yorkers Train for and Secure Careers in the Cannabis Industry

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that SUNY and CUNY community colleges will receive $5 million in funding to support the creation or enhancement of short-term credential programs or course offerings that provide pathways to employment in the cannabis industry. The funding supports programs that will create or enhance non-degree and degree-eligible courses and programs, stackable credentials, and/or microcredentials that quickly address local employer skill needs within the cannabis sector, a projected multi-billion dollar industry with tens of thousands jobs. Selected campuses must also partner with local employers in the cannabis industry and receive their input on curriculum development.

"New York's new cannabis industry is creating exciting opportunities, and we will ensure that New Yorkers who want careers in this growing sector have the quality training they need to be successful," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "Diversity and inclusion are what makes New York's workforce a competitive, powerful asset, and we will continue to take concrete steps to help ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in the cannabis industry."

"As we work to get our cannabis industry up and running in New York State, we must ensure that we have a properly trained workforce and a pathway for employment opportunities," said Lieutenant Governor Delgado. "This funding will ensure that SUNY and CUNY can create new or enhance existing programs that target employment within the cannabis industry."

This cannabis credentialing program aligns with Governor Hochul's continued commitment to delivering new employment opportunities to New Yorkers, especially those from historically underserved communities, while also supplying local employers with a highly skilled, locally sourced talent pool. Colleges will serve social equity candidates as defined by the Office of Cannabis Management in their local communities.

Awards have been made on a competitive basis within the SUNY and CUNY systems, with multiple campuses partnering with one college which assumes the lead role.

The three selected SUNY campuses which will each receive $1 Million are:

Schenectady County Community College: serve as lead campus with partners Adirondack Community College, Columbia-Greene Community College, and Fulton-Montgomery Community College. It is estimated to include over 300 participants.

Niagara County Community College: serve as lead campus with partners Erie Community College, Genesee Community College, and Jamestown Community College. It is estimated to include over 4,000 participants.

Orange County Community College: serve as lead campus with partners Dutchess Community College, Rockland Community College, Sullivan County Community College, Ulster County Community College, and Westchester Community College. It is estimated to include over 200 participants.

The selected CUNY campus which will receive $2 Million is:

Boroug h of Manhattan Community College: serve as lead campus with partner Lehman College. It is estimated to include over 360 participants.

Additionally, the New York State Department of Labor and the Office of Cannabis Management will support efforts to expand learning opportunities by helping to connect businesses and job seekers to these essential training programs. Upon completion, the Department will help candidates complete resumes, prepare for job interviews and provide regional job leads.



Each awarded campus or consortium of campuses will be supported by start-up funds for a three-year period.



New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "By investing in quality accreditation programs on SUNY and CUNY campuses, we are empowering New Yorkers to achieve their career goals. This is a win for cannabis employers and a win for workers looking to move into in-demand careers with untapped potential in New York State."



Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright said, "I am thankful to Governor Hochul and our partners at SUNY and CUNY community colleges for developing programs that will help develop a diverse, equitable and accessible New York cannabis industry," said Tremaine Wright. "As our cannabis industry grows, so does our need for skilled workers, and this is a wonderful way to create opportunities for New Yorkers."



SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, "SUNY educates and trains students not just to prepare them for the workforce of today, but to make them leaders in the workforce of tomorrow. This cannabis credentialing program is an exciting new field of study for those seeking a competitive edge when applying for careers in dispensaries, grow labs, or CBD and THC sales. We thank Governor Hochul for her continued investments in our students and the future of the New York State economy."



CUNY Chancellor Felix V. Matos Rodriguez said, "CUNY is proud to be at the forefront of creating innovative courses and degree programs that position our students to leverage the opportunities that the nascent cannabis industry presents. We thank Governor Hochul for continuing to open new opportunities for CUNY students to pursue careers in cutting-edge fields, and for ensuring the diversity and equity of New York's workforce."

Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander said, "Legal cannabis in New York means cannabis opportunities for New Yorkers. It's wonderful to see community colleges across the SUNY and CUNY systems help their students develop the skills necessary to be players in this burgeoning industry. This is an excellent step towards helping New York's cannabis industry grow."

Governor Hochul is expanding access to higher education while also increasing opportunities for employment. Innovative approaches like allowing the Tuition Assistance Program to cover students enrolled in six or more credits of study at a SUNY, CUNY, or not-for-profit independent college - an investment estimated to provide support to 75,000 additional New York students annually. Allowing these funds to also be used for credential and certificate programs.
Local News

By Long Island Published: July 18 2022

Long Island Awarded $3.65 Million for Two Projects to Protect Valuable Farmland

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $38 million is being awarded to strengthen New York's agricultural industry through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grants program. The 40 awarded projects will protect a total of 11,772 acres of valuable farmland across the State, helping to keep agricultural land in production and ensure the long-term viability of New York's farming operations. The Governor made today's announcement on Long Island, following a tour and listening session with farmers in the region.

"We must continue to protect New York's precious farmland so our agricultural footprint can grow and so our producers can thrive for generations to come," Governor Hochul said. "I am proud that we supported the Farmland Protection program in this year's budget with an increased allocation, demonstrating our commitment to York's agriculture industry. As a result of the funding being provided today, we are protecting nearly 12,000 acres of farmland for continued agricultural use, including right here on Long Island."

"Protecting our state's farmlands is one of the most important things we can do to maintain the economic viability of the state's agricultural industry," said Lieutenant Governor Delgado. "The Farmland Protection Implementation program promotes continued agricultural use of these land and the 40 new projects that have been selected will help ensure the long-term sustainability of our state's farmers."

The State's Farmland Protection program made critical adjustments for Round 18. For the first time ever, projects were awarded that support the State's top priorities, including food security, climate resiliency, and source water protection. In addition, eligibility criteria for the program was expanded to include the agroforestry, equine, and wine sectors, reflecting New York's diverse agricultural industry.

The following projects were awarded funding.

Long Island ($3,656,018 for 15 acres)

Peconic Land Trust (Suffolk County) - $1,656,018 to protect 6 acres on Barras Farm (vegetable operation), currently owned by Peconic Land Trust with ownership to be transferred to the current farm operator upon the closing of this conservation easement. (Source Water Protection category)

Peconic Land Trust (Suffolk County) - $2,000,000 to protect 9 acres on Zoumas Farm. (Sou rce Water Protection category)

Mid-Hudson ($6,406,100 for 768 acres)

Dutchess Land Conservancy ( Dutchess County) - $923,757 to protect 187 acres on Cedar Ridge Farm. (Equine category)

Dutchess Land Conservancy ( Dutchess County) - $1,460,944 to protect 144 acres on Obercreek Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Dutchess Land Conservancy ( Dutchess County) - $615,299 to protect 109 acres on Primrose Hill Farm. (Agroforestry category)

Town of Warwick (Orange County) - $1,406,100 to protect 200 acres on Astorino Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Westchester Land Trust (Putnam County) - $2,000,000 to protect 128 acres on Ryder Farm. (Agroforestry category)

Capital Region ($5,215,403 for 1,515 acres)

Agricultural Stewardship Association (Washington County) - $280,739 to protect 88 acres on Kenyon Hill Farm. (Source Water Protection category)

Agricultural Stewardship Association (Washington County) - $420,350 to protect 238 acres on Lindsay Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Agricultural Stewardship Association (Washington County) - $185,507 to protect 141 acres on Slack Hollow Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Columbia Land Conservancy (Columbia County) - $1,399,453 to protect 366 acres on Grazin ' Angus Acres. (Agroforestry category)

Columbia Land Conservancy (& Scenic Hudson Land Trust as co-applicant) (Columbia County) - $1,282,865 to protect 216 acres of Samascott Orchards-McIntosh LCC and $893,925 for 316 acres of Samascott Orchards-Mutsu LLC. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Dutchess Land Conservancy (Columbia County) - $752,564 to protect 150 acres on Masters Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Central New York ($2,862,204 for 962 acres)

New York Agricultural Land Trust (Onondaga County) - $764,838 to protect 288 acres on Marshfield Farms. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

New York Agricultural Land Trust (Cayuga County) - $1,318,284 to protect 477 acres on Pearce Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Genesee Land Trust (Cayuga County) - $779,082 to protect 197 acres on Woodworth Farm. (Source Water Protection category)

Finger Lakes ($13,779,792 for 5,276 acres)

Genesee Land Trust (& Town of Walworth as co-applicant) (Wayne County) - $1,323,552 to protect 293 acres on Amsler Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Genesee Land Trust (Ontario County) - $947,426 to protect 279 acres on Goodell Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Genesee Land Trust (Monroe County) - $340,923 to protect 57 acres on Stonecrop Farm. (Climate Resiliency category)

Genesee Land Trust (Monroe County) - $1,620,113 to protect 200 acres on Van Voorhis Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston County) -$771,794 to protect 276 acres on Fish Creek Farms. (Climate Resiliency category)

Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston and Wyoming Counties) - $2,000,000 to protect 1,315 acres on Gardeau Crest Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston County) - $1,120,401 to protect 492 acres on McClennan Farm. (Food Security category)

Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston and Wyoming Counties) - $2,000,000 to protect 966 acres on Sunny Knoll Farms. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Genesee Valley Conservancy (Wyoming County) - $149,670 to protect 62 acres on The Cedars Farm. (Food Security category)

Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston County) - $1,677,595 to protect 567 acres on Willard Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Western New York Land Conservancy (Genesee County) - $403,667 to protect 368 acres on Springhill Farms. (Climate Resiliency category)

Finger Lakes Land Trust (Yates County) - $1,424,651 to protect 401 acres on Henderson Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Mohawk Valley ($246,820 for 407 acres)

Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (Oneida County) - $246,820 to protect 407 acres on Simons Farm. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)



North Country ($1,451,809 for 618 acres)

Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (Jefferson County) - $1,451,809 to protect 618 acres on Northrup Farms #2. (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)



The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets administers the Farmland Protection Implementation Grants program and its associated grant opportunities.



State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "The Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program continues to evolve, aligning for the first time ever with New York's priorities and goals in areas such as combating climate change. The awardees announced in this round are also for the first time inclusive of the agroforestry or equine industries, allowing us to reach farms we may not have traditionally reached in years past. I'm excited to see these changes taking effect and congratulate all the awardees for participating in this program that is helping us to forever conserve our working landscapes for future generations of farmers."



State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "Farmland is one of the most important natural resources we have and protecting it must be a priority to ensure that farmers today, and across future generations, have land to grow our food, help us fight the climate crisis, and protect our drinking water. I was proud to lead the fight in the State Senate for increased budget funding for the Farmland Protection program, and I am thrilled to see these grants being awarded to so many deserving New York farms."



Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, "Once again, the Farmland Protection Grant Program will help preserve valuable farmland for the next generation. I am very happy to see the program expand to include the agroforestry, equine, and wine sectors; all valuable assets to New York's farm economy. This year's state budget included significant funding for farmland protection, along with soil health and resiliency initiatives, ensuring our commitment to farmers and the land they farm."



Peconic Land Trust President John Halsey said, "All of us at the Peconic Land Trust are thrilled to be awarded funding through the State's Farmland Protection program. These funds will protect productive farmland from being developed and help us reassemble a multigeneration working farm. We thank all of our partners at Ag & Markets and in State government for their confidence in us and other land trusts across the State."



The Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program provides financial assistance to counties, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, and land trusts to enable them to implement farmland protection activities consistent with local agricultural and farmland protection plans. The most frequently funded activity is the purchase of development rights on individual farms. However, the program may also award funding to enable other implementation activities, such as amendments to local laws affecting agriculture, option agreements, and covering the transaction costs of donated agricultural conservation easements.
Grit Real Estate Income Group Ltd - pan-African property investment and management company - Says Letlole La Rona Ltd completes 30% co-investment into Grit's industrial facility in Nairobi, Kenya. Conditions are now met for the acquisition of a 30% interest in the Mauritian holding entity of the facility, with the total value of the transaction USD7.2 million. This will be made via equity subscription and shareholder loan repayments. The company will also receive additional USD600,000 fee post-transaction, as well as an annual asset management fee of 0.5% of the value of the facility.

Grit will use cash proceeds to increase stake in Gateway Real Estate Africa to 35% by the end of the month.

Current stock price: 32.49 pence, down 4.4% on Monday

12-month change: down 29%

By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Shaftesbury PLC - London West End property investor - Updates on resolutions that failed to pass at its annual general meeting back in February. The resolutions concerned dis-application of pre-emption rights, and failed to achieve 75% of the vote. Engages with the shareholder concerned who maintains that following the capital raise in 2020, the authorities to be granted granted under the resolutions were "unlikely to be imminently required".

"Whilst the board still considers the flexibility afforded by these authorities to be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders, it will continue to consider its approach on this matter and engage with shareholders as appropriate. An update will be provided in the 2022 annual report," Shaftesbury says.

Current stock price: 509.50 pence, up 2.8% on Monday

12-month change: down 13%

By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - ITV PLC on Monday appointed Gidon Katz as an independent non-executive director, bringing "extensive" digital and streaming services experience to the board.

ITV is a London-based television broadcaster and content producer.

Katz, who will join the ITV board immediately, is currently senior vice president of Roku Inc. Previously, he was at NBCUniversal Media LLC, Now TV Ltd, Box TV Ltd and Virgin Media Ltd. Notably, ITV said that Katz is "responsible for the transformation of Now TV in the UK".

ITV added that Katz will bring his "extensive" digital and streaming services experience to the board.

ITV Chair Peter Bazalgette said: "Gidon is a digital native with in-depth streaming experience who will further strengthen the diverse mix of expertise and experience on the board."

Shares in ITV were up 2.7% to 66.12 pence each in London on Monday around midday.

By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - London is predicted to be hotter than the Caribbean, the Western Sahara and popular holiday destinations in Europe as temperatures soar.

The Met Office has forecast the capital could see highs of 38C when the heatwave sweeps across England.

The rise in temperatures has forced the UK Health Security Agency to issue a level 4 heat-health alert  described as an "emergency"  while the Met Office has issued the UK's first red extreme heat warning, with both running from Monday to Wednesday.

The capital's scorching temperatures mean it will be warmer than Nassau in the Bahamas (32C), Kingston in Jamaica (33C), Malaga in Spain (28C), Athens in Greece (35C), Albufeira in Portugal (28C) and Dakhla, in the Western Sahara (24C).

Other areas of England will also experience hotter weather than the holiday destinations, with the Midlands predicted to see highs of 37C, East Anglia with 36C and the North West and North East with 33C.

It comes as new records were broken in Wales and Northern Ireland on Sunday.

Hawarden, a village in northern Wales, reached 33C while Armagh in Northern Ireland was 27.7C.

Tuesday is meanwhile predicted to be even hotter, with temperatures possibly reaching 40C  a new record for England.

Scientists at the Met Office have said the 40C prediction is a result of climate change, warning that the 40C figure "could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence".

Some schools in several counties, including Nottinghamshire and Hampshire, have confirmed they will close, while train companies urged people not to travel on Monday and Tuesday.

Network Rail will close the East Coast Main Line between noon and 8pm on Tuesday for all locations between London King's Cross and York and Leeds, with passengers warned not to travel.

Sam MacDougall, operations director for Network Rail said: "Closing the line to traffic is always a last resort but it is the right thing to do to keep people safe on Tuesday given the unprecedented heatwave forecast.

"The forecast temperatures are well above those which our infrastructure is designed for, and safety must come first."

Additional contingency support for ambulance services, such as more call handlers and extra working hours, have been put in place while the chairman of the NHS Confederation said hospitals are going to be "really, really pushed" over the next few days.

Britons are being urged to stay inside during the hottest points of the day, between 11am and 4pm, and wear sun cream, a hat, stay in the shade and keep hydrated with water.

Emergency services have also urged people to be cautious when cooling off after the body of a boy was recovered in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

By Isobel Frodsham, PA

source: PA

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Deux Filles \ Biography

The short, mysterious career of aptly named French female duo Deux Filles is bookended by tragedy. Gemini Forque and Claudine Coule met as teenagers on a holiday pilgrimage to Lourdes, during which Coule's mother succumbed to an incurable lung disease, and Forque's mother was killed and her father paralyzed in a grisly auto accident. The two teens bonded over their shared grief and worked through their bereavement with music. However, after recording two acclaimed albums and playing throughout Europe and North America, Forque and Coule disappeared without trace during a trip to Algiers in 1984, where Forque had lived from birth to the age of five.

In the years since not a trace of the duo has surfaced, save for a letter purportedly written by Coule which claimed that the pair had journeyed to India on a spiritual quest, only to meet with further hardships. Indeed the short and terribly unhappy lives of Forque and Coule are at the root of the small but fervent cult following the mysterious duo have gained since their disappearance, not least because the placid, largely instrumental music on both albums betrays no hint of the sorrow that framed their personal lives.

This would be a terribly sad story if a word of it were true...

In reality Deux Filles were Simon Fisher Turner, former child star/teen idol and future soundtrack composer, and songwriter/technician Colin Lloyd Tucker. Turner and Tucker left an early incarnation of The The in 1981 to pursue a different musical direction. Turner claims that the idea of Deux Filles came to him in a dream, and the novel fiction/roleplay would be strictly maintained throughout the girls' short career. As well as posing in costume for the album covers, the duo even performed live without the audience realizing that the girls on-stage were actually a pair of blokes from south London having a giggle.

Deux Filles released two highly collectable albums: Silence & Wisdom (1982) and Double Happiness (1983), both of which were included on a double CD edition issued by LTM in 2013. Three years later the pair reunited for a third album, Space & Time, released on Les Disques du Crepuscule.

Colin Lloyd Tucker interview

How did you meet? What lead you to start collaborating? My friend Matt Johnson came into the studio one day and said that he had met an interesting feller in a club the previous night. Shortly after that Matt and I were visiting the offices of Cherry Red Records and Simon was there, so Matt introduced us. I liked him straight away, I like anyone who isn't 'normal'. I think we all went to an old pub, after which we were chums.

How came the idea to perform dressed up as two girls under the Deux Filles moniker? It was Simon's idea to present it as two girls. That may have been before we had recorded a note, but it was just a loose concept. The story grew over time probably fueled by the sounds we came out of the studio with. I knew that if people thought that the music was coming from two French girls it would change the way they perceived the music.

The sound of Deux Filles is hard to classify - a kind of ethereal free pop. Some of the reviews talk about Brian Eno and the 4AD sound. Which projects influenced you at that time? I think the biggest influence on the Deux Filles sound was the fact that we had this idea that it wasn't us, we became Claudine and Gemini. I recall having to rein myself in at times (in the studio) thinking, "I might play it that way, but Gemini wouldn't."

We both loved to sing but, of course there was no place for male vocals on the record. Simon's hollow bodied Telecaster guitar and his playing style is a huge part of the Deux Filles sound. Also, the instruments that they had in the studio at the time, the acoustic piano, an upright bass, the Fender Rhodes electric piano were all utilized. We liked to use 'happy accidents' to. There is a track on the Silence album where Matt is playing a little Casio keyboard but the batteries were running very low, consequently when he held a key down too long the note swooped down in pitch and died. We loved it and no one said, "let's put some new batteries in it."

Another important aspect of the Deux Filles sound is the use of reverb and tape delay. That's perhaps what gives it some mystery. These were pre-digital days, at least in the studio we used.

The story on the cover of Silence & Wisdom puts one in mind of tragic poets' lives from the late 19th/early 20th century. Traveling in North Africa and then disappearing reminds me of the last tumultuous years of Rimbaud; the run of bad luck that accompanies Gemini and Claudine seems like a sexless version of The Misfortunes of Virtue by the Marquis de Sade. Were you influenced by literature too? Of course, everything you read is stored. I think we both liked Huxley's work at the time but everything really. I recall that my character (Gemini) was going to be a kind of Alice in Wonderland figure, young, naive and a bit spaced out in contrast to Simon's Claudine who was cosmopolitan, sophisticated and smart. There is also a Charlie Dickens element to their story.

How do you imagine the girls lived after Claudine sent her last letter and then disappeared? If they would have reached their goal and still alive, how their music would sound like? I think that their sound now would be even sparser, slower with more complex structures.

I heard tell that you performed live once, and that nobody realized you were two guys dressed up as two girls. How was the live set arranged? Which instruments did you play? We played guitars. Claudine played the Telecaster and Gemini a Watkins Rapier through a Binson echo unit. There was a real girl on the stage dancing and having a picnic, and a percussionist dressed as a Chinese man. Plus a film and a stuffed horse. This show was at The Venue in London on 2 November 1982, supporting The Monochrome Set.

Fiction behind artistic projects is really interesting. It's almost the opposite of ego and self-exhibition. So was hiding your identity linked to the fact that Deux Filles was playful and unpretentious, or was there something more behind the artifice? It was certainly playful. We would go out in character, shopping in Harrods, drinking at a bar. We had a lot of fun with it. Many musicians will confirm that the hardest thing when making music is keeping one's self out of the way. With Deux Filles we were able to do this, because it wasn't really us.

Simon Fisher Turner interview

How did you meet? We met in an old fashioned inn near Mayfair, London. We had mutual friends and both had a love of music, ranging from Ivor Cutler to The Beatles via the Clangers and Robert Fripp. We also loved animation and Disney films and felt close as friends. We had the music in us and I had a Revox. Colin was an experienced engineer already and I learnt everything from him, but also taught him a little too.

What led you to start collaborating? Our mutual love of singing and harmonics. Neither of us really wanted to be a frontman, so we thought how perhaps the music touched our female side. It's fun to dress up. Kids do it all the time. We've a lot to learn from our children. They are the pure, innocent artists. I've always felt strongly about womens' rights and issues and it just seemed logical that the music should be represented by two French girls. We would never have been Swedish.

I just had a dream once that if we dressed up as two French girls and people really thought that they were watching and listening to these girls, then that would be best, because people probably wouldn't throw things at us and we could just get on and play the music without being spat at and called names.

Did you compose the music first? The girls came first, then the music. It just seemed such a simple way of presenting gentle music like this. I'd been trying for years to try to get deals and go in to studios to make slow, quiet, simple music. Colin had the keys to a treasure trove in Soho. Once we knew we said the music was by two French girls, that's what people believed.

Was the music spontaneous? Silence & Wisdom wasn't really spontaneous. Lots of work went into the original backing tracks, then Claudine and Gemini improvised in the studio. It's what musicians do. "Ethereal free-pop?" Its music. It's only pop if its popular, and Deux Filles music has never been popular. I can't remember the music of the time. It's not important. The date isn't in my memory. What we made was what we listened too. Between us we've loved so much music, but we weren't trying to copy anyone. William Burroughs was an influence too. The life story of the girls is like novella, nothing more. A compressed life of two innocent wandering girls. I'm writing a screenplay as we type about their lives and travels.

So were you influenced by literature too? I've a feeling we are always influenced by literature. It would be a shame not to be. There is the beauty of language and sound, and the constant possibilities of discovery on every level. This is just a level of life which some call listening. Claudine loves poetry and Dickens and Vonnegut. Diversity is such a sweet world. It's always good to eat your vegetables and learn a little. Keep passing the open window and move on.

How the girls lived is a question I can't answer. They went looking for the truth within, I suspect. Lots of artists like to make up stories. If believed, they can be so much more interesting than the truth.

What about the live performance at The Venue? We played for 20 minutes or so to a backing track made of unmixed versions of songs from Silence & Wisdom. We played guitars, with Clive Bell on percussion and pipes, and also a dancer who really was a woman. She had a large basket on stage and kept making things appear. We were like a female Pink Floyd. We looked beautiful with our wigs and dresses from the Kings Road. Full make up, long scarves like Russian Princesses. A very Biba gypsy look. Gorgeous.
The Spanish authorities have revealed that the country welcomed more than 8.2 million international passengers in June, nearing the pre-pandemic volumes.

In June, according to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism, Spain reached 85.5 per cent of the levels registered in the same month in 2019 and surpassed those registered in June 2021, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

While the number of international arrivals remained below the pre-pandemic volumes, Spain registered over three times more arrivals in June this year than in 2021. Such a significant increase has been registered this year as the country facilitated some of its COVID restrictions.

Even though Spain continued to welcome arrivals from countries all over the world, the Ministry emphasised that tourists from the United Kingdom accounted for the highest number of arrivals. One in four passengers who reached Spain in June 2022 were from the UK.

The Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands are clearly leading the recovery of international travellers, undoubtedly favoured by the return this 2022 of the British tourists, who already represents one in four passengers. Our islands are thus approaching the pre-pandemic figures initially of high season for which we have really encouraging prospects even in the current context of rising prices, the Minister of Tourism, Reyes Maroto, said, commenting on the positive figures.

According to the Ministry, the Balearic Islands registered the highest number of British tourists. In total, the Spanish airports welcomed 2,079,084 passengers from the UK.

Apart from travellers from the UK, Spain also welcomed a high number of tourists from Germany and Italy. Passengers from Germany account for the highest number of arrivals after those from the UK. A total of 1,322,410 passengers from Germany entered Spain in June 2022.

In third place stands Italy. A total of 716,042 passengers from Italy reached Spain in June 2022. The majority of them flew to Catalonia and Madrid.

Apart from the above-mentioned, Spain also registered a high number of arrivals from France. Over 647,00 passengers from France entered Spain in June 2022.

Previously, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that Spain recovered nine out of ten international bookings made in 2019. The Secretary of Spain for Tourism, Fernando Valdes, said that the desire to travel to Spain this summer remains unchanged.

The island of Fuerteventura, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Santa Cruz de la Palma, and Malaga are the destinations that are expected to register the highest increase this summer. According to data, all these destinations will exceed the volumes registered in June 2019.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
OFFRE DEMPLOI N003/SB-RDC/KIN/2022

TITRE DU POSTE : Personal Assistant DEPARTEMENT : Executive Structure LIEU DAFFECTATION : Kinshasa TYPE DE CONTRAT : CDI assorti dune periode dessai de 3 mois

A PROPOS DE STANDARD BANK

Standard Bank RDC fait partie du plus grand groupe bancaire de lAfrique en termes de capitalisation boursiere dont le siege se situe a Johannesburg. Presente dans 38 pays dont 18 en Afrique, cest depuis 1992 quelle opere au Congo a la suite de lacquisition dANZ Grindlays Zaire qui existait dans le pays depuis 1973.

Standard Bank RDC offre une gamme variee de produits et services par le truchement de ses diverses branches a travers la RDC via un reseau des intermediaires (banques correspondantes). Nous avons developpe une expertise dans la prestation des services lies aux besoins des entreprises minieres, multinationales, Nations-Unies et autres organisations internationales operant en Republique Democratique du Congo.

Nos equipes allient leur connaissance approfondie sur les conditions et determinants du marche en RDC a lexpertise du Groupe Standard Bank operant dans les marches emergeants aux fins de developpement des solutions sur mesure repondant aux besoins de la clientele

I. JOB DESCRIPTION

Links to structure

Job title* Personal Assistant Job function* Business Support Job family* Secretarial Services Job reports to* Country Chief Executive

Dotted line to Head, People & Culture Career type* Functional/Specialist

Contribution

Level of Work* 2 - Supervisory and Analytical Job purpose description* To support the Chief Executive by providing administrative support, schedule coordination, secretarial functions, procurement, travel management, meeting, and workshop coordination.

The incumbent will also provide support to the People & Culture Unit in administrative tasks, secretarial and event management, as well as other related duties. Job criticality Operationally Critical

Key Responsibilities

CHIEF EXECUTIVE SUPPORT: Output group 1* Manage the Chief Executives schedule of meetings Outputs and measures* Proactively manage the diary of the CE, set up meetings as requested, independently scheduling appointments where necessary and referring to the Executive on the prioritization of appointments, therefore assisting in the management of the workload. Review the diary requests with the executive on a daily basis to determine which meetings should be accepted, delegated or declined.

Track and monitor the acceptances and declines obtained from parties that have been invited to the meetings requested by the executive. Resolve attendance issues. Liaise with relevant parties to reschedule any meetings.

On a daily basis, print meeting documents and packs and provide them to the executive for their reference, or ensure that the packs are available in electronic format if the executive uses a mobile device (such as iPad).

Compile meeting packs and presentations, including the printing and binding, to be distributed prior to meetings.

Co-ordinate the end-to-end organisation of meetings by ensuring required attendees are available, all logistics and accesses are arranged, all meeting documentation is prepared and distributed as required and that all related issues are resolved independently.

Take minutes of meetings on request. Ensure that the minutes are approved by the meeting Chair, distributed to the relevant stakeholders within the agreed time period and key action items followed-up.

Arrange teleconferences and video conferences and liaise with internal service provides to obtain dial in details.

Arrange refreshments for meetings on request from the executive. Output group 2* Manage all travel arrangements including transfer, accommodation and flights Outputs and measures * Co-ordinate and arrange all travel requirements, documents, plans and itineraries for the Chief Executive/s by liaising with bank-approved travel agencies in order to provide suitable travel options to the manager for their approval.

Determine the visa requirements for regional or international trips and ensure that the Chief Executive has the right documentation and appointments to obtain visas in good time.

Adhere to the bank's travel policy in relation to class of travel and hotel accommodation.

Arrange transfers to and from airports to ensure minimum disruption to the CEs schedule.

Ensure the executive is equipped with all relevant emergency numbers and contact numbers of hosts as well as accommodation and transfer companies.

Provide the CE with a detailed itinerary prior to each trip. Output group 3* Provide administrative support to the Chief Executive Outputs and measures * Develop the leave plan for the year, approve leave and payroll items for the Executives subordinates.

Maintain all confidential filing on behalf of the Chief Executive. This could include client files and employee files.

Review incoming emails into the executive's mailbox and flag for follow-up or redirect to other members of the team to act on.

Order stationery for the department, control stationery stock and proactively order high usage items to ensure all requirements are available to staff when needed.

Type out communications, speeches, articles, briefings and project proposals, board papers, agendas, reports and other documents, as requested, to be distributed in the business within the required deadlines.

Follow up with the CEs direct reports the submission of country reports within the required deadline.

Respond or redirect staff, customer or other stakeholder issues relevant to the Chief Executive and follow-up on closure or resolution of issues.

When applicable, view the Chief Executive's incoming mail on an ongoing basis. Flag items that need personal attention and direct selected emails to the Executive's direct reports or other departments for resolution.

Prepare records and documentation such as agendas, notices, minutes and resolutions for corporate meetings. Output group 4 Client Outputs and measures Co-ordinate events or conferences by arranging for facilities and caterer, issuing information or invitations and coordinating speakers. Output group 5 Data Outputs and measures Maintain staff or client files on behalf of the executive to ensure the information is accessible as required and only to authorised individuals. Output group 6 Provide support to enable the department to control costs and effect governance requirement Outputs and measures Review expense claims prepared by the executive's direct reports by comparing the supporting documents to the claim form. Highlight any out of policy expenses to the direct report. Present the expense claims to the executive for approval.

For purchases required in the department, prepare the shopping carts or purchase orders. Obtain approval before submitting to suppliers.

On a monthly basis, review departmental budget reports obtained from Finance. Highlight concerns with specific line items for the executive to attend to.

Support compliance processes by maintaining registers of gifts received as well as any other supporting check documents as required by Compliance. Output group 7 Risk, Regulatory, Prudential & Compliance Outputs and measures Maintain Gift and Asset Registers for the Executive's Office for the purposes of cost control and meeting compliance requirements. Output group 8 Financial Management Outputs and measures Compile and review expense claims of the executive's direct reports, highlight key concerns and present to the executive for approval.

Participate in corporate social investment identifying possible causes and participating in associated events. PEOPLE & CULTURE SUPPORT Output group 1 Provide general administrative support as advised by people & Culture Head Outputs and measures Ongoing

Employee wellbeing

Onboarding/Offboarding

Secretarial tasks

Other related admin tasks

II. EXIGENCES POUR LE POSTE

Qualifications

Minimum qualification 1* Diploma in Office Administration or Public Relations. Other relevant qualifications including B.Sc. in Administration or post graduate qualifications such as an MBA is considered a bonus.

Experience

Job Function .Job Cluster Years Experience Description Business Support Secretarial Services 3-5 years Experience in all aspects of supporting a senior person in the management of their office or administrative requirements.

Behavioural Competencies

Behavioural competency 1* Competency Label: Taking Action

Competency Description: This competency is about taking action in service of achieving the organisation's goals. It is about being energetic, showing initiative and being action oriented. Behavioural competency 2* Competency Label: Upholding Standards

Competency Description: Upholding Standards within the organisation is important for ensuring that high quality products and services are provided as well as for ensuring that trust is created and maintained. Individuals need to focus on developing proper and discreet behaviour and to honour their commitments in order to be effective at demonstrating this competency. Behavioural competency 3 Competency Label: Interacting with People

Competency Description: This competency is about fostering relationships that benefit the organisation as well as an individuals effectiveness and efficiency. More specifically, it includes personal networking behaviours, making contact with others and strengthening relationships. Behavioural competency 4 Competency Label: Developing Practical Approaches

Competency Description: Adopting practical solutions with an emphasis on learning by doing. This competency requires individuals to utilise common sense when required. Ultimately, this competency is important in order to ensure that organisations implement feasible solutions. Behavioural competency 5 Competency Label: Checking Details

Competency Description: This competency is concerned with the careful checking and confirmation of details in a task as well as being accurate, which requires individuals to have a strong quality orientation, to be thorough and detailed in their approach. Behavioural competency 6 Competency Label: Establishing Rapport

Competency Description: This competency is about the behaviours an individual should employ in order to effectively engage people, establish positive personal contact and improve the likelihood of maintaining positive relationships. This competency is therefore about putting people at ease, making friends and helping people feel welcome. Behavioural competency 7 Competency Label: Following Procedures

Competency Description: The important behaviours associated with Following Procedures in the organisation include adhering to rules, following instructions and being risk averse. Behavioural competency 8 Competency Label: Completing Tasks

Competency Description: This competency is about completing tasks and projects in a structured manner by employing effective planning and prioritising skills. Individuals also need to manage the project or task to completion in order to demonstrate effectiveness. Behavioural competency 9 Competency Label: Showing Composure

Competency Description: This is about the extent to which individuals can remain calm under pressure and maintain poise before and during important events. As such, the competency addressed in this document is concerned with the extent to which individuals show behaviours that lead to the effective handling of pressurised situations. Behavioural competency 10 Competency Label: Documenting Facts

Competency Description: Documenting Facts emphasizes logical reasoning, specifically when referring to an individuals understanding of information and the clear communication of such information in writing. Logical reasoning is supported by a fact based or objective approach. Behavioural competency 11 Competency Label: Meeting Timescales

Competency Description: This competency involves individuals adhering to time scales and meeting deadlines. The focus is therefore on being reliable at completing tasks and being punctual. Behavioural competency 12 Competency Label: Team working

Competency Description: This competency is about working well in a team. In order to develop this competency, individuals are encouraged to acknowledge the views and contributions of others, and to involve others in decision-making.

Technical Competencies

Technical competency 1* Competency Label: Dairy Management

Competency Description: The ability to review, plan and update meeting schedules and calendars for optimum use of available time.

Proficiency Level: PROFICIENT - Clear knowledge and application of the concept Technical competency 2* Competency Label: Email Monitoring

Competency Description: The ability to review emails and determine the priority and importance of responses required.

Proficiency Level: PROFICIENT - Clear knowledge and application of the concept Technical competency 3* Competency Label: Meeting Logistics

Competency Description: The ability to arrange meeting venues, refreshment and equipment such as projectors, video conferencing or teleconferencing tools.

Proficiency Level: PROFICIENT - Clear knowledge and application of the concept Technical competency 4 Competency Label: Procurement Process

Competency Description: Knowledge and application of the SAP vendor management modules and the supporting business processes.

Proficiency Level: PROFICIENT - Clear knowledge and application of the concept Technical competency 5 Competency Label: Travel Arrangements

Competency Description: The ability to analyse travel for value for money and engaging with travel agents to do the bookings and arrange the approvals..

Proficiency Level: PROFICIENT - Clear knowledge and application of the concept Technical competency 6 Competency Label: Written Communication

Competency Description: The ability to express ideas by means of clear and effective writing, in order to support professional communication internally and externally to the Bank..

Proficiency Level: PROFICIENT - Clear knowledge and application of the concept Technical competency 7 Competency Label: Record and Archive Management

Competency Description: The ability to store, retrieve and when needed, destroy documents according to regulatory requirements and company policies for document management.

Proficiency Level: PROFICIENT - Clear knowledge and application of the concept Technical competency 8 Competency Label: Applications: Microsoft Office Suite

Competency Description: Ability to use Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowePoint and Outlook.

Proficiency Level: PROFICIENT - Clear knowledge and application of the concept Technical competency 9 Competency Label: Expense Processing

Competency Description: Is able to process sums owed by the Bank in an timely manner using the SAP system.

Proficiency Level: PROFICIENT - Clear knowledge and application of the concept Technical competency 10 Competency Label: Financial Acumen

Competency Description: Knowledge and understanding of costing, budgeting and finance concepts and the understanding and application of related processes and procedures.

Proficiency Level: BASIC - Applies elementary concepts to develop activities under supervision

Additional Job Dimensions

Typical direct reports for this job* Number: No direct reports Financial accountability* Type of Budget: Operational Budget

Type of accountability: Monitoring only Internal relationships* Business area: Internal support functions

Nature of relationship: Provide a service to them

Description: Engage with the offices of other senior decision makers to coordinate meetings, arrange events or to relay information on behalf of the Executive Business area: Internal support functions

Nature of relationship: Receive a service from them

Description: Build relationships with key stakeholders across enabling functions to ensure the executives support needs are provided. Building relationships to ensure that office relocations, technology support, stationery, equipment and other new requests can be directed and completed quickly. External relationships* Role type of external contact: Customers

Nature of relationship: Provide customer service

Description or examples: Receiving complaints and enquiries, directing to the correct function or department for resolution and following up to ensure that the client has received a response. Role type of external contact: Suppliers

Nature of relationship: Manage the relationship

Description or examples: Follow up with external providers for outstanding services or to resolve payment queries. Work environment* Working Conditions : Domestic/local travel may be required

Physical Requirements: Open plan office

III. COMMENT POSTULER ?

Les personnes interessees sont priees dadresser leurs candidatures par e-mail a ladresse electronique info@standardbank.cd en reprenant lintitule du poste en objet de leur e-mail. Les dossiers comprendront uniquement une lettre de motivation ainsi quun Curriculum Vitae detaille a jour (en Francais et en Anglais) renseignant les numeros de telephone et adresses e-mails dau moins trois personnes de reference.

Seuls les candidats de nationalite congolaise remplissant les criteres susmentionnes seront consideres pour la suite du processus. Il sied de preciser quau regard de la nature du poste, les candidatures feminines sont vivement encouragees et que la maitrise de langlais oral et ecrit sera un element determinant dans la selection des profils.

La date de cloture pour la reception des candidatures est fixee au vendredi 05 aout 2022 a 17h00.

La Direction des Ressources Humaines
Nobody can forget the legendary jodis on celluloid  Om and Shantipriya, Veer and Zaara, Raj and Simran. They taught us what it was to love and be loved. They gave us iconic dialogues and songs that live in our heads rent-free. Most importantly, they gave us #CoupleGoals.

However, OTT platforms are not far behind. With a slew of new shows releasing every month, theres no dearth of modern love stories that appeal to our sensibilities. Some of these couples have a relationship that we aspire for, while others remind us of our own experiences or of those around us.

Here are some of the best couples OTT shows have given us:

1. Made In Heaven  Karan and Nawab

 Amazon Prime Video

Vikrant Massey has a brief, but impactful cameo as Arjun Mathurs high school sweetheart whom he broke up with to fit into societys definition of a normal man. As an adult, Karan (Arjun) is not ashamed of his identity as a homosexual, but regrets the way he treated Nawab (Vikrant) in school. When the two reunite after years, Karan apologises and the two end up in Nawabs hotel room.



After weeks of staying quiet about his sexual abuse inside a prison, Karan finally opens up to Nawab and cries his heart out. Nawab holds him tight as they both profess their love for each other. A man being vulnerable with his partner is the kind of openness we hope for in modern relationships.

2. Guilty Minds  Kashaf and Deepak

 Amazon Prime Video

Its tough to be friends with someone whos your professional rival and even tougher to be in love with them. Kashaf Quaze (Shriya Pilgaonkar) and Deepak Ranas (Varun Mitra) chemistry is exciting, mainly because these are two lawyers who often find themselves on opposite sides of a case. However, their animosity in the court doesnt translate into personal enmity as the two remain best friends with Deepak, not-so-secretly, in love with her.



Its a great lesson in how you may not agree with your partner on everything, but that shouldnt necessarily eat into your relationship.

3. Modern Love: Mumbai  Manzu and Rajveer

 Amazon Prime Video

You fall in love when you least expect it. Building a life away from home in Goa, Manzu (Pratik Gandhi) finds himself falling for a chef, Rajveer (Ranveer Brar). Still coming to terms with his identity as a gay man raised in a conservative family, Manzu ghosts Rajveer after a romantic date.



The next morning, Rajveer finds Manzu on a beach, catching him unaware. Though Manzu tries to push him away, Rajveer patiently stands there, asking him for a reason and Manzu breaks down. Sometimes, its difficult to stay and fight for your love, but it's absolutely worth it.

4. The Fame Game  Avi and Samar

 Netflix

If Amazon Prime Video gave us Rajveer and Manzu, Netflix gave us Avi and Samar. As the son of a Bollywood superstar, Avi (Lakshvir Singh Saran) is under constant scrutiny and pressure. This makes it difficult for him to accept his sexual orientation as a gay man, fearing hell bring shame to his family.

However, his mother accepts him with open arms and says he has nothing to be ashamed of. This instils in him the confidence to accept that hes always been in love with his best friend, Samar (Danish Sood). Afraid that Samar will leave for his studies abroad and forget about him, Avi confesses his love in a sweet scene that will make the coldest of hearts warm and fuzzy.

5. Permanent Roommates  Tanya and Mikesh

 TVF Play

This is one of the most realistic portrayals of a live-in relationship, or any relationship for that matter. When Mikesh (Summet Vyas) comes to India with the intention of marrying his long-time girlfriend, Tanya (Nidhi Singh), you expect excited screams and happiness. Instead, shes shocked, and rightly so. After all, its a decision that affects both their lives and Mikesh took such a major step without even discussing it with her.



Most romantic movies end with the protagonists getting married and living together. Here, the protagonists decide to move in together to understand each other and strengthen their relationship which had mostly existed on video calls and chats till now. Their relatable banter is a peek into the difference between dating and living with your partner.

6. Little Things  Dhruv and Kavya

 Netflix

From sending food for each other to overcoming long distance, Little Things follows a similar theme as Permanent Roommates. A young couple lives together in Mumbai and navigates love, life and all the craziness in between with each other.



The way they support each other on bad days and understand what the other person needs in a situation is just heartwarming. It makes you want to have a relationship where youre understood and cared for, as hard as that may be to find!
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BERLIN (AP)  Officials from 40 countries met Monday in Berlin to discuss how to stay focused on fighting the increasing impacts of climate change while the world reels from the economic fallout of the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The U.N. secretary general admonished countries to take action instead of playing a blame game.

European nations vowed to fulfill their climate targets even as the war in Ukraine prompts some to seek new fossil fuel sources and turn at least temporarily to coal to make up for shortfalls in Russian energy deliveries, something viewed with suspicion by developing countries.

Organizers have billed the two-day gathering in Berlin as an opportunity to rebuild trust between rich and poor nations ahead of November's U.N. climate summit in Egypt, after technical talks last month achieved little progress on key issues such as climate aid for developing nations.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that the global warming limit of 1.5 Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) agreed in the 2015 Paris climate accord was slipping further out of reach even as more people are being hit by extreme floods, droughts, storms and wildfires.

No nation is immune, he said. Yet we continue to feed our fossil fuel addiction.

Guterres, appearing by video, criticized countries for continuing to play the blame game instead of taking responsibility for our collective future, and urged rich nations to keep the promises they have made to the poor.

Developing countries are still waiting for rich nations to provide $100 billion in climate aid each year, a target they were meant to reach by 2020.

At the minimum, stop paying lip service to the $100 billion a year pledge, Guterres said. Give clarity through deadlines and timelines and get concrete on its delivery.

The issue of loss and damage  plays a prominent role in the Berlin meeting, where ministers will break into small groups for discussions in hopes of building trust ahead of the U.N. climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November.

Antiguan Environment Minister Molwyn Joseph, speaking for small-island developing nations that are among those most at risk, underlined the urgency of the issue.

What it is described as crisis, for us it is catastrophe, he told delegates. There are small islands that are disappearing.

Big polluters, however, have long resisted the idea that they should pay for the destruction their greenhouse gas emissions are causing around the world.

Meanwhile, scientists say the extreme heat slamming large parts of the northern hemisphere in recent weeks could become the new normal in summer if global warming continues.

As this meeting is taking place, parts of Europe are baking, indeed theyre burning. And sadly, its an experience that is all too familiar to many millions across the globe, said Alok Sharma, the British official who led last year's climate talks in Glasgow. He told delegates: My plea to you all is, please, let's speed up our work.

His successor for the upcoming climate talks, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, said it's essential to ensure that the current state of affairs is not taken as a pretext to backtrack or renege on previous commitments, especially those related to supporting developing countries.

The question of energy sources endangered by Russia's war in Ukraine looms over the Berlin meeting  in which China was participating, but Russia wasn't invited.

Environmental activists warn that recent efforts by countries such as Germany to tap new sources of fossil fuels such as gas could undermine countries' already fragile climate actions.

Germany's climate envoy, Jennifer Morgan, acknowledged that the Russian war of aggression is forcing us to take short-term decisions we dont like, including the increased use of coal for a very limited period of time.

But we are not only sticking rock-solidly to our climate goals  we are accelerating the energy transition and will phase out the use of fossil energy even faster," she told The Associated Press, citing a newly approved plan to ramp up solar and wind power generation in Germany.

Some appeared skeptical. South African Environment Minister Barbara Creecy said that we cannot have backtracking" on coal by rich nations.

"Developed countries must continue taking the lead with ambitious action," she said. The ultimate measure of climate leadership is not what countries do in times of comfort and convenience, but what they do in times of challenge and controversy.

The vice president of the European Union's executive Commission, Frans Timmermans, responded that even if some of our member states have to increase the use of fossil fuels now ... this will not take us away from the goals weve set.

The U.S. also comes to the talks following setbacks for President Joe Biden in his efforts to regulate pollution and boost renewable energy such as wind and solar power.

___

Follow APs coverage of climate change at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said Wednesday he wants his name off the list of the world's wealthiest people and vowed to make it happen by giving a percentage of his riches to the philanthropic foundation he shares with ex-wife Melinda French Gates.

With "the support and guidance of our board," Gates said in a Tweet he will increase the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations annual spending from $6 billion to $9 billion in 2026 by donating $20 billion of his own money toward its endowment.

Gates is worth about $103 billion, according to Forbes, making him the fourth richest in the world. He first appeared on the Forbes 400 list in 1986 shortly after Microsoft became a publicly traded company.

The donation, combined with longtime board member Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffetts $3.1 billion gift last month, brings The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations endowment to approximately $70 billion, making it one of the largest, if not the largest in the world, depending on daily stock valuations, according to reporting by The Associated Press.

Co-chair Melinda French Gates said the additional spending will help provide a more "fair and inclusive recovery."

"Philanthropy has a unique role to play in helping people around the world recover from the pandemic and rebuild the underlying systems that left so many so vulnerable to begin with," French Gates said in a statement.

The foundation was established in 2000 to combat world hunger and poverty, help control the spread of diseases and provide educational funding to students seeking higher education.

Gates thanked Buffet for his contributions to the foundation in a Tweet on Wednesday.

"Although the foundation bears our names, basically half our resources have come from Warren Buffett," Gates wrote. "His incredible generosity is a huge reason why the foundation has been able to be so ambitious. I can never adequately express how much I appreciate his friendship and guidance."

Gates donations come after what he described on Twitter as "global setbacks," including the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which have "left many people discouraged and wondering whether the world is destined to get worse."

According to the United Nations Development Program, 71 million people have been pushed into poverty since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February, mainly due to food and energy price surges. Households in the Balkans, the Caspian Sea region and Sub-Saharan Africa have been hit particularly hard. The U.N. World Food Program reports that the number of acutely hungry people is now 345 million, up 25% since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Gates wrote he is "obligated to return my resources to society in ways that have the greatest impact for reducing suffering and improving lives."

He hopes other billionaires will give away large percentages of their wealth, too.

"And I hope others in positions of great wealth and privilege will step up in this moment too," Gates wrote.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  The prosecutor seeking the death penalty for the gunman who massacred 17 people at a Parkland, Florida, high school detailed for jurors Monday how Nikolas Cruz coldly mowed down his victims, returning to some as they lay wounded to finish them off with a second volley.

Some parents wept as prosecutor Mike Satz described in his opening statement how Cruz killed their children at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018. Others sat stoically, their arms crossed over their chests. One woman who lost her daughter fled the courtroom, sobbing and holding tissue to her face.

Satz's comments came at the start of the trial to determine whether Cruz is executed or serves life in prison without parole.

The prosecutor's presentation went over how Cruz shot each of the 14 students and three staff members who died and some of the 17 who were wounded. Some were shot sitting at their desks, some as they fled and some as they lay bleeding on the floor while the former Stoneman Douglas student methodically stalked through a three-story building for almost seven minutes with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.

Cruz, 23, pleaded guilty in October to murder and attempted murder and is contesting only his sentence. The trial, which is expected to last four months, was supposed to begin in 2020, but it was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and legal fights.

Satz called the murders cold, calculated, cruel and heinous, quoting the video Cruz, then 19, made three days before the shooting.

This is what the defendant said: Hello, my name is Nik. Im going to be the next school shooter of 2018. My goal is at least 20 people with an AR-15 and some tracer rounds. Its going to be a big event, and when you see me on the news, youll know who I am. Youre all going to die. Ah yeah, I cant wait,'" Satz said.

Among the first witnesses was Danielle Gilbert, a junior who was in psychology class when the shooting began. The teacher told students to get behind her desk.

We were sitting like sitting ducks. We had no way to protect ourselves, said Gilbert, who is now a student at the University of Central Florida.

The jury was then shown cellphone video Gilbert took inside the classroom. The footage began with a girl curled up beneath the teacher's desk and others, including Gilbert, mostly unseen as they crouch behind it. About two dozen shots that seemed to be coming from just outside the door are heard in rapid succession as the fire alarm sounds. An unseen wounded boy cries out twice, Someone help me."

The gunshots get further away, but the students remain quiet and huddled, speaking only in whispers. Eventually, the voices of police officers can be heard approaching. The teacher stands up, holding her head.

They're coming, they're coming, we're OK, a boy whispers.

SWAT officers, carrying rifles, then burst in, wanting to know if anyone is hurt. The students point and Gilbert stands up with her camera. A wounded boy and girl are carried out. A dead girl lies in a pool of blood. The officers tell the students to run out. They passed two more bodies lying in the hallway before exiting into a parking lot.

Her testimony over, Gilbert broke down in sobs. Her father put his arm around her and led her from the courtroom.

Prosecutors also presented cellphone video from another student that showed classmates crouching behind chairs as Cruz fired through the classroom door window, the bangs reverberating over screams.

From the back of the courtroom, a relative of a girl who died in that classroom yelled for prosecutors to turn it off before bailiffs asked the woman to be quiet. The defense requested a mistrial over the outburst, but it was denied.

The seven-man, five-woman jury is backed up by 10 alternates. It is the nations deadliest mass shooting to go before a jury.

Nine other gunmen who killed at least 17 people died during or immediately after their shootings, either by suicide or police gunfire. The suspect in the 2019 slaying of 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, is awaiting trial.

It wasnt clear if anyone was in the courtroom to support Cruz, who sat at the defense table between his attorneys. During Satz's opening statement, he mostly looked down at a pad of paper with a pencil in his hand, but he did not appear to write. He would sometimes look up to stare at Satz or the jury, peer at the audience or whisper to his lawyers.

After Satz spoke, Cruz's lawyers announced that they would not give their opening statement until it is time to present their case weeks from now. That is a rare and risky strategy because it gives Satz the only say before jurors examine grisly evidence and hear testimony from survivors and the victims' parents and spouses.

When lead defender Melisa McNeill gives her statement, she will likely emphasize that Cruz is a young adult with lifelong emotional and psychological problems who allegedly suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome and abuse.

It's the first death penalty trial for Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer. When jurors eventually get the case in the fall, they will vote 17 times, once for each of the victims, on whether to recommend capital punishment.

Every vote must be unanimous. A non-unanimous vote for any one of the victims means Cruz's sentence for that person would be life in prison. The jurors are told that to vote for the death penalty, the aggravating circumstances presented by the prosecution for the victim in question must, in their judgment, outweigh mitigating factors presented by the defense.

Regardless of the evidence, any juror can vote for life in prison out of mercy. During jury selection, the panelists said under oath that they are capable of voting for either sentence.
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP)  The leader of Tunisias main opposition party is due to be questioned by the countrys anti-terrorism unit on Tuesday on suspicion of money laundering and terrorist financing through an association charity.

The accused, Rached Ghannouchi, was among a dozen top Ennahdha party officials whose bank accounts the north African countrys central bank froze earlier this month. Ennahdha vehemently disputes the accusations of money laundering and terrorism financing.
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Connecticut is receiving nearly $120 million under the U.S. Department of the Treasurys existing State Small Business Credit Initiative, which the state will use to support women and minority entrepreneurs as well as startups with business plans that address the environment.

Connecticut Innovations will use the money to launch two new venture funds  the Connecticut Future Fund which will support entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, and a ClimateTech fund that will provide money to businesses that focus on cleaner energy, manufacturing and climate resiliency.

Dating back more than a decade, the State Small Business Credit Initiative got a massive infusion as part of the American Rescue Plan created by Congress to provide an economic boost for the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Connecticut received the maximum award it had been allocated.

Speaking Monday afternoon during a press conference held online, Gov. Ned Lamont said it was an opportunity to help businesses grow.

Near-term, the American Rescue Plan kept a lot of our businesses including small businesses, minority-owned businesses, going during an incredibly tough time, Lamont said Monday during an online press conference convened by the Treasury Department and the White House. But now lets turn this into an opportunity to help some of these companies grow and expand.

Talent is widely distributed  but opportunity is not, Lamont added. Not every entrepreneur has to look like Zuckerberg or Gates. Theres a lot of amazing ideas out there. ... This is going to allow us to pay special attention to under-served communities, minority entrepreneurs, who otherwise might not get that opportunity.

During the Monday press conference, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo referenced a visit to Connecticut last year when he toured businesses in Hartford and Middletown.

During the peak of the pandemic, minority-owned small businesses were hit the hardest, Adeyemo said Monday. Capital is the key to any small business growth.

Having received periodic infusions of taxpayer support over the years, Connecticut Innovations is under the umbrella of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, but DECD does not actively manage Connecticut Innovations operations and investments.

Connecticut Innovations has focused the majority of its investments in recent years on information technology and life sciences companies, though making targeted investments in clean-energy businesses. Last year, Darien-based Greenworks Lending was acquired by the Nuveen affiliate of TIAA, with Greenworks financing solar installations for commercial buildings and other clean-energy projects in more than two-dozen states.

Earlier this month, portfolio company Budderfly announced $500 million in funding for the Shelton firms business taking over commercial utilities payments and implementing green upgrades to extract savings on energy bills.

Matt McCooe, CEO of Connecticut Innovations, compared the green-tech sector to life sciences in the amount of time many companies require to get a product to market, given the slow but accelerating pace of investment in climate mitigation.

Theres so much urgency around climate-tech  from a global-warming perspective, from a clean-water perspective, from an energy-storage perspective, McCooe told CTInsider Monday afternoon. A lot of it is really hard to do.

Connecticut Innovations has also been increasing its emphasis on businesses led by women and minority entrepreneurs. Earlier this month, it approved a $2 million investment in AmplifyHer Ventures, a Greenwich fund whose founder Tricia Black was the seventh employee at Facebook leading sales. AmplifyHer is focusing its investments on startups that have women in their founding teams.

Under earlier State Small Business Credit Initiative awards, Connecticut Innovations has invested $14 million in 14 companies, according to spokesperson Lauren Carmody. Those companies have gone on to raise nearly $400 million in total investments.

Includes prior reporting by Paul Schott and Luther Turmelle.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
Attorneys representing two Connecticut families seeking to reinstate the religious exemption for vaccines in school children argued Monday against a judge dismissing their lawsuit, which they say has national implications.

We feel the state has not come up with a compelling interest to justify taking away religious freedom, attorney James Mermigis, representing the families, told a state Superior Court judge in Stamford during a remote hearing Monday.

However, Attorney General William Tongs office, which is representing Gov. Ned Lamont and other state officials named in the lawsuit, said Connecticut doesnt need a public health disaster to enact a law that would increase vaccination rates.

The General Assembly was aware that religious exemptions were going up while medical exemptions remained static, said attorney Darren Cunningham with Tongs office.

The state has to provide safe schools to all Connecticut students not just the two students in the lawsuit, Cunningham said.

But for Keira Spillane, of Orange, one of the two plaintiffs in the case, it is personal.

With her two young children in front of her, Spillane emphasized at a news conference that the day's proceedings were about choice and family.

"The state of Connecticut has segregated my kids, allowing one to go to school and one not to go to school," she said. Both of her children are too young to understand why her daughter can attend classes while her son cannot.

"He could be eligible for preschool," Spillane said. But instead, she stays home with him as a stay-at-home mom.

If the ruling goes in the state's favor, Spillane said her family could explore moving to another state. Attorney Lindy Urso also representing the families, argued there are many other families in similar predicaments who aren't involved in the case.

"It's really, really devastating, and we really appreciate that they had the fortitude to stand up," Urso said of Spillane and Anna Kehle, of Greenwich, the second plaintiff in the case.

Spillane and Kehle have children who will enter kindergarten this fall and older children who are already attending elementary school, according to the lawsuit filed in April. The older children were grandfathered into the vaccine religious exemption when a law repealing it was passed in 2021, the lawsuit said.

But the younger children were not grandfathered in and must get vaccinated to start school, court documents said. As a result of the removal of the religious exemption, the younger children will not be able to attend public or private school as of September 2022 unless their families alter their religious beliefs, the lawsuit said.

Urso contends that Connecticut is the first state in the nation with a Religious Freedom Restoration Act that repealed the religious exemption making the outcome of the case a groundbreaking decision.

Spillane and Kehle want the law prohibiting parents from using religious exemptions, which previously allowed unvaccinated children to attend school, to be suspended while their lawsuit moves forward. Superior Court Judge Robert Louis Genuario will hear arguments on a possible injunction, halting the mandatory school vaccination requirement on Aug. 16.

In the meantime, Genuario heard arguments for about an hour Monday on whether the case should be allowed to continue. A similar lawsuit filed in 2021 in federal court was dismissed. The plaintiffs in that case are appealing the dismissal.

The women are suing Lamont, state Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, state Department of Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, the Orange and Greenwich boards of education on the grounds that the repeal of the exemption violates the states Religious Freedom and Restoration Act, court documents said. The Whitby School, which is a private Greenwich school, was removed as a defendant in recent weeks and replaced by the Greenwich Board of Education.

Attorneys with Tongs office filed documents seeking to have the case dismissed on the grounds that the claims were outside the jurisdiction of the court and the officials were protected from litigation due to sovereign immunity, which prohibits state employees from being sued for appropriate actions related to their jobs.

But Urso contended in court filings that the law repealing the exemptions is singling out parents with religious beliefs that prohibit vaccines because unvaccinated children who havent made the religious claims are still allowed to attend school.

Urso pointed to state figures that showed some school districts have lower vaccination rates that have nothing to do with the number of children who claimed the religious exemption.

The states General Assembly passed the law barring the exemptions in 2021 based on increasing religious exemptions, Urso said in court documents. But the General Assembly provides almost no data demonstrating increasing rates of infectious disease in Connecticut, Urso said.

Genuario said he would take the arguments and briefs filed under consideration while crafting a decision on whether the lawsuit can continue. Attorneys with Tongs office will have until Aug. 1 to file arguments against the injunction halting the repeal of the religious exemption.
The Air Force is reviewing its policies for transporting service members' pets across the globe after four animals have died this summer during flights.

Three pets have died in the last two weeks as troops and their families were traveling on Patriot Express, a commercial charter carrier contracted by the Defense Department, while moving overseas.

In a public letter, Gen. Mike Minihan, head of Air Mobility Command, said the deaths were "unacceptable" and promised changes.

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"As a pet owner with five overseas tours, I'm intimately aware of the risk, expense, and extreme concern when it comes to these important members of our families," Minihan wrote in a July 15 letter. "AMC is reviewing every aspect of Patriot Express pet travel, including equities beyond our responsibility, to further strengthen pet safety."

Patriot Express, which is managed by Air Mobility Command, is a flight option for service members who receive permanent change of station, or PCS, orders and must uproot their lives to move around the world for their military careers. It is a free or relatively low-cost option compared to commercial airlines and allows for more flexibility than major airlines when it comes to traveling with pets.

While many airlines have breed and size restrictions for in-cabin travel, Patriot Express offers more options. But the recent pet deaths have caused concerns for service members and animal advocates.

Air Mobility Command has transported nearly 46,000 pets for service members since 2017, with 16 dying during that time, the Air Force said in a statement. The service said 14 were snub-nosed breed dogs, which are more susceptible to long-term breathing problems and can't cool down as quickly in hot environments, according to the American Kennel Club.

"Besides the heat and stress of air travel, there have been commonalities amongst some of the recent fatalities that you need to be aware of now," Mininhan wrote in a letter to military families. "Pet health, age, breed, and sedation appear to be factors."

A french bulldog died in its travel crate July 14 at the Kadena Air Base terminal in Okinawa, according to Stars & Stripes. On July 1, a 10-year-old Pomeranian mix named Kolbie owned by a Marine Corps family died from heatstroke during a Patriot Express flight in Japan.

A July 14 statement and Minihan's July 15 letter both mention an additional pet death in July and also acknowledge that a dog had died earlier this summer traveling from Andersen AFB to Alaska" -- bringing the total to four animal deaths this summer.

Leave No Paws Behind USA, a nonprofit that helps military families with the costs and logistics of transporting their pets when assigned to a new duty station, was outraged by the deaths and called for immediate reforms.

"Pets aren't on the military's radar the way [they] should be," Leave No Paws Behind posted on Facebook. "The family pet is PART of our military family. There needs to be accountability, the policy needs to change!"

Minihan wrote in his letter that Air Mobility Command made some immediate changes, such as allowing owners to access their pets during layovers; permitting animals in climate-controlled terminals while being loaded onto planes; and cooling cargo loads while loading and unloading flights.

Honest Paws, a cannabinoid oil company that makes products for pets, last year released a study citing U.S. Department of Transportation data that showed 250 animals died either before or during commercial flights between 2010 and 2020.

After several headlines about pet deaths on planes, commercial airlines have instituted a wide array of rules and regulations for traveling with animals,ranging from breed and weight restrictions to limiting the number of animals allowed per passenger.

Minihan said the easiest solution would be for Patriot Express to follow those commercial flight policies, but it would cause a major inconvenience for service members trying to relocate with their pets.

"The easy thing to do during these challenging times is to immediately align AMC pet travel policies with airline industry standards, which would severely restrict and, in substantial numbers, eliminate travel for specific breeds, health conditions and climate environments," Minihan wrote. "Doing so would leave thousands of military pet owners with expensive and limited-to-no travel options."

Leave No Paws Behind USA said in another Facebook post that Air Mobility Command is "doing absolutely everything to change and update policies to prevent further deaths."

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

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The Coast Guard must invest in its workforce, providing opportunities for training and promotion at modern shore facilities and on updated ships and aircraft, Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan told members of Congress last week.

Without upgrades to the service's workforce management system, she said, the Coast Guard will not be able to recruit and retain the talent it needs to meet its mission.

"The most significant and most critical to the service is transforming our talent management system and addressing workforce issues," Fagan said in her first appearance as commandant before Congress, testifying before the House Homeland Transportation and Maritime Security subcommittee Thursday.

Read Next: Military Retirees and Dependents With ID Cards That Dont Expire Need to Get Replacements Within 4 Years

Data provided by the Coast Guard shows the service has not met its recruiting goals since 2018, falling short an average of 20% each year from 2019 through 2021.

Not surprisingly, the service's worst year was 2020, when COVID-19 lockdowns prevented potential recruits from meeting recruiters. During that pandemic year, the service needed to bring in 3,700 new personnel; it enlisted 2,812.

Fagan said that, as the military recruitment pool shrinks and fewer Americans meet the physical qualifications to join the military, the branches all are competing for talent.

"We ... need to get after policies that have served us well but do not continue to serve as well as we move forward in a way that is reflective of society and the work that we are asking our workforce to do," Fagan told the panel members.

The military branches have struggled in the past several years to fill their ranks, facing a competitive job market, declining public trust and a decrease in visibility following the end of the Afghanistan War.

The Army, having hit just 40% of its recruiting goals more than halfway through this year, has started offering enlistment bonuses of up to $50,000 and is allowing some recruits to choose their first duty station.

The Navy announced in April it would offer bonuses up to $25,000. In June, the service also announced that sailors may apply for a delay in separation or retirement and that it will waive "high-year tenure" requirements -- the limit on how many years of service a sailor can remain at various ranks -- so they can stay up to another year.

Fagan said the Coast Guard is not considering bonuses for enlistment -- she called them a "stopgap" measure -- but said policy changes are needed to draw people in and keep them.

For example, she said, civilians with certain professional credentials or experience should be able to join the service at a higher paygrade, and personnel should be able to defer promotion for a year if they are in a duty station where they want to stay.

"We haven't ruled bonuses out, but I believe, fundamentally, when you look at the generation that we're recruiting, you may draw them in with money but you won't be able to keep them. This is why the structure around talent management, the policy around how we're doing it, has to be transparent and, really, we need to bring it into the current state of being," Fagan said during an interview with Military.com.

Fagan's predecessor, Adm. Karl Schultz, rolled out a number of initiatives designed to draw more recruits, especially women and Americans from racial minority groups, to the service to ensure that it mirrors "the great diversity of the American people we are honored to serve," Schultz said in a hearing in June 2021.

Schultz implemented policies that allowed Reserve members to fill in for active-duty personnel while they take up to 120 days for parental leave; changed body composition and grooming standards; and adjusted assignment policies to attract and retain more personnel.

And he created a cadre of Coasties trained to lead diversity and inclusion training at units across the service.

The Coast Guard's recruitment goals include 25% women and 35% from racial minority groups.

Fagan said she is committed to continuing Schultz's diversity and inclusion initiatives, which is why she hasn't published her own.

"I have no intention to back away from [Schultz's plan]. ... We are continuing to action the one that he signed out. That is ongoing work and continues to be critically important," Fagan said.

During the hearing, subcommittee Chairwoman Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., said she was "particularly concerned" that the number of women and those from racial minority groups serving in the Coast Guard is low and declines significantly as the ranks progress.

While the Coast Guard Academy has the highest female population of any service academy, at 38%, the service's entire active-duty force is 15% women. Black men and women make up 6% of the service, compared with 14% in the general U.S. population.

"It is also my hope that the next three years will be a time of growth and success for the Coast Guard with more women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ community rising through the ranks and building off of your success," Watson Coleman said.

Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez, the panel's ranking Republican, suggested to Fagan that the service consider permitting military personnel to serve in one place for an extended period, allowing them to set down roots in the community.

"The armed services in general have people moving all around the place ... and it may be OK for people that may be single or not attached, but for families, that's a really tough thing. That may be something we need to look at culturally ... may help out in recruiting," Giminez said.

After the hearing, Fagan illustrated that all Coasties can recruit. She was approached by a young woman who said she planned to join the service following college. Fagan, whose daughter is a Coast Guard officer, spent 10 minutes with the woman, asking her about her interests and plans and telling her about the opportunities.

Fagan then handed her a business card with a point of contact.

"Make sure we follow up," Fagan instructed her staff. "That's what we're talking about."

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

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A federal court judge Thursday certified as a legal class a group of Air Force members seeking a religious exemption from the military's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The ruling affects 80 to 100 Airmen serving or having served at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

The federal court in Cincinnati also entered a nationwide temporary restraining order that prevents the Air Force from enacting disciplinary consequences for refusing the mandate when a request for a religious exemption is at issue.

The order is valid for 14 days, while the court weighs a request for a preliminary injunction, which would protect Airmen with religious objections until a trial.

The order was issued in the case Doster v. Kendall.

"We were pleased by the ruling," Kentucky attorney Christopher Wiest, who represents the plaintiffs in the case, told the Dayton Daily News on Thursday evening.

"My co-counsel at Siri Glimstad and I were fielding hundreds of calls a week from Air (Force) and Space Force members who were facing imminent punitive actions and in some cases the end of long careers, and the order came in the nick of time," Wiest said. "Today's ruling makes clear that Congress' directive to all federal authorities in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act means something: the Air Force cannot grant hundreds of administrative and medical exemptions and treat religious exemptions in a second-class status."

"This is a huge victory for our country and religious freedom," Stephen Crampton, Thomas More Society senior counsel, said in a statement sent to this news outlet. Crampton is one of the attorneys representing plaintiffs in the case. The Thomas More Society is a national not-for-profit law firm.

Reached Friday morning, a spokeswoman for the Department of the Air Force said the department will comply with the court order.

Air Force leaders have argued that vaccination is an important component of fitness and military readiness. In an unsigned order in April, the Supreme Court ruled that the military could take disciplinary action against an Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel who refused the COVID shot for religious reasons.

A December 2021 memo from the Air Force directs commanders to take "appropriate administrative and disciplinary actions consistent with federal law and Department of the Air Force ... policy in addressing service members who refuse to obey a lawful order to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and do not have a pending separation or retirement, or medical, religious or administrative exemption."

Refusal to comply with the vaccination mandate could result in discharge from the service, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and others have said.

___

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The Navy's aerial demonstration squadron -- the Blue Angels -- announced that it has selected its first female jet pilot in the unit's 76-year history.

In a social media post Monday, the Blue Angels announced that F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot Lt. Amanda Lee has been selected to join the famed unit. Lee is currently assigned to the "Gladiators" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

Lee's name was among six officers who will join the squadron in September and start performances next year.

Read Next: Coast Guard Turns Eye Toward Recruitment, Retention as It Misses Goals

Lee, who goes by the call sign "Stalin," enlisted in the Navy in 2007 and began her career as an aviation electronics technician, according to a Navy biography. She was later selected by the service's enlisted commissioning program, Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21), and became an officer in 2013 after receiving a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry at Old Dominion University. She was designated a naval aviator in April 2016.

The Blue Angels were formed in 1946 by then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Chester Nimitz "in order to raise the public's interest in naval aviation and boost Navy morale," according to the group's website. Since that time, the unit has flown a variety of planes; it moved to the Super Hornets in 2021.

Now, nearly 50 years after women first flew jets for the Navy, the service's most public and visible squadron has welcomed a woman into its jet pilot ranks, though it noted in its announcement that "hundreds of women representing the Navy and Marine Corps have served with the Blue Angels during the last 55 years."

The first female aviator to qualify on tactical jets was Capt. Rosemary Mariner in 1974. Though limited to training and other non-combat roles until 1993, female naval aviators have gone on to achieve other significant firsts. Mariner herself would be one of the first women to serve aboard a Navy warship, as well as the first female pilot to command an operational squadron. More recently, Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, also a Navy pilot, became the first female executive officer of an aircraft carrier in 2017 and, in 2021, the first female commander of one of the Navy's largest warships.

Lee was one of the pilots who participated in the first all-female flyover in Mariner's honor when the pioneering pilot died in 2019.

The Blue Angels' first female pilot was Marine Maj. Katie Cook, who joined the squadron in 2015 to fly the KC-130 Hercules logistics aircraft affectionately known as "Fat Albert."

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: The Blue Angels Just Got Their 1st Super Hornet Jet in Aircraft Upgrade
Sir Nils Olav III is a king penguin, but only holds a rank equivalent to brigadier general in the Norwegian Army. Give him time: He'll rise through the ranks eventually. He's held a long career for someone that started his service at a junior enlisted rank -- and gets promoted regularly.

The current iteration of Sir Nils Olav is the third in a line of penguins that have resided at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. Until 2016, his official title was colonel in chief, a ceremonial rank in military units of Commonwealth countries, those that were once part of the British Empire.

As the title suggests, Sir Nils Olav III is the patron of the Norwegian King's Royal Guard. So how did a penguin in Scotland come to be the ceremonial leader of the Norwegian king's bodyguard?

According to the Edinburgh Zoo, the first king penguin to come to the zoo was a gift of the Norwegian company Christian Salvesen in 1913. Salvesen himself died in 1911, but the company not only established a few businesses in Scotland, but many members of the Salvesen family also fought in World War I.

The patronage of the Salvesen family established memorials, housing and special veterans homes there after the war. The penguins of the zoo are a special memory of the Salvesens' and their company's contributions.

In 1961, the Norwegian King's Guard visited Edinburgh to take part in the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of the world's largest military festivals, made up of military bands. Lt. Nils Egelien of the battalion visited the penguin colony at the zoo during his visit.

(Courtesy of the Edinburgh Zoo) (Courtesy of the Edinburgh Zoo)

He became so enamored with the penguins that he adopted one when he returned to Edinburgh in 1972. The penguin was named Nils after the lieutenant and Olav after then-King of Norway, Olav V. Nils Olav was granted the rank of visekorporal, the equivalent of lance corporal -- but he would not be a terminal lance.

Every time the Norwegian King's Guard returns to Edinburgh, Nils Olav receives a promotion. In 1982, he was elevated to corporal, and in 1987, he was made a sergeant. Sgt. Nils Olav died shortly after making his rank in 1987, so the battalion adopted another king penguin, a 2-year-old who picked up where the original left off.

Nils Olav II was promoted to regimental sergeant major in 1993, to honourable regimental sergeant major in 2001 and to colonel in chief in 2005. In 2008, King Harald V of Norway approved a special title for the king penguin: Nils Olav II was knighted in a ceremony at the Edinburgh Zoo.

The penguin walked along a formation of 130 members of the King's Guard, flanked by the King's Guard color detachment. He was knighted by British Maj. Gen. Euan Loudon on behalf of Norway's King Harald V. The colonel in chief badge tied to his flipper was then replaced by a badge representing his knighthood.

Sir Nils Olav II died shortly after his knighting ceremony  king penguins can live as long as 40 years in captivity  and was again replaced by a third penguin, Sir Nils Olav III. When the King's Guard visited Edinburgh in August 2016, it promoted its patron to brigadier.

Today, a bronze statue of Sir Nils Olav III stands outside of the zoo's Penguins Rock. Another statue of the penguin stands at the King's Guard compound in Oslo, Norway.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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The Korean War ended in an armistice on July 27, 1953. The National Korean War Veterans Memorial was finished and dedicated 42 years later, on July 27, 1995. That same day, President Bill Clinton signed an amendment to U.S. Code Title 36 declaring July 27 as Korean War Armistice Day.

Read: Everything You Need to Know About Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

At the memorial's center are 19 statues of a unit on patrol, collectively known as "The Column," a masterpiece by sculptor Frank Gaylord. It also has a reflective mural wall by industrial designer Louis Nelson, reflecting representative images of those who fought the war.

There is also a United Nations wall, remembering allies who fought alongside the U.S. and South Korea, as well as the Pool of Remembrance.

In 2022, the memorial will receive a new addition, a 380-foot memorial wall listing the names of the 36,574 Americans and approximately 8,000 Korean Augmentation to the United States Army forces (KATUSAs) who were killed during the war.

"Memorials are important to a lot of people," Louis Nelson, Army veteran and designer of the Mural Wall, tells Military.com. "It's important to the people who served because it's recognition from the country they served. They can go to the memorial and feel a sense of presence and belonging.

Industrial designer Louis Nelson created the Mural Wall at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. (Courtesy of Louis Nelson)

"But it's also very important for families. People die, and we're losing our Korean War veterans at an extraordinary rate. Within the next 10 years, the last living veteran will have died, so it becomes important for them to recognize their service."

Nelson didn't take part in the creation of the newest addition, to be unveiled in a ceremony recognizing the 69th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. The Mural Wall he created was designed to represent the faces of those who fought and died to keep South Korea free from communist domination.

"I wanted to honor not just the men and women who served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, but also the jobs they did there," Nelson says. "Whether they were truck drivers or nurses, lawyers, landing ship operators or tank gunners in such a way so that people who visit could approach them as they would in life.

"Some of the faces would be life-size so that you would have eye-to-eye contact. Somehow or another, they would see that this is the face of America that we sent to war."

Visitors to the National Mall in Washington observe the Korean War Memorial Mural Wall (U.S. Army/Sgt. 1st Class Brian Hamilton)

Nelson appreciates the concept of writing the names of those who were lost in the conflict, such as the design on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. He says it harks back to a time when the tradition of remembering those who were lost was more personal and local.

"In the early days of the United States, when ships left their ports but didn't return, the names of the people lost were etched into the walls of local churches and other buildings," he says. "There's a long tradition of honoring the service of those who have given their lives with their names."

The latest addition to the Korean War Veterans Memorial will feature the names of American personnel and KATUSA forces who were killed between 1950 and 1953. KATUSA troops were South Korean draftees who served and fought alongside the U.S. 8th Army, filling in wherever there were shortages of American troops.

"There was a desire to list all of the names of the more than 36,000 Americans and 7,000 Koreans who died in the war, but it would take up a lot of space," Nelson says. "They dedicated an area just to the east of the existing memorial and attached it in such a way that it looks like it's grown out of the original design."

The newest addition was designed by Mary Katherine Lanzillotta. She also directed the renovation and restoration of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, which houses the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Renwick Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.

"It's a bit different than it was when it originally opened," Nelson says of the Korean War Veterans Memorial. "But they did some maintenance on the original patina and it looks absolutely terrific. I think they did a great job all around."

The Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall will be unveiled on July 27, 2022. To learn more about the memorial, visit the National Parks Service online or the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

Want to Learn More About Military Life?

Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox.
The Brewers announced over the weekend that right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez has chosen to become a free agent, rather than accept an outright assignment to the Brewers Triple-A affiliate. Gonzalez was designated for assignment last week and cleared waivers, and he had the ability to test the open market again because he has already been outrighted during his career.

The 30-year-old Gonzalez is now en route to pitching for his third different organization of 2022, after already seeing action with the Brewers and Twins in 18 1/3 combined innings. Minnesota signed Gonzalez to a minor league deal in March, and Gonzalez pitched in two games before being DFAed and then claimed off waivers by the Brewers a month ago. This brief tenure in Milwaukee consisted of four games for Gonzalez, two of them starts.

All told, the righty has a 6.87 ERA over his 18 1/3 IP, continuing a string of disappointing results over four consecutive seasons. Gonzalez didnt pitch in 2017-18 due to Tommy John surgery, and since returning in 2019, the righty has a posted a 6.17 ERA over 202 2/3 innings. Home runs have been a persistent issue for Gonzalez, and that trend has continued in 2022 with five homers allowed in his brief sample size of work.

Gonzalez did have a 3.44 ERA in 36 2/3 innings with the Twins Triple-A club this year, also delivering a 23.2% strikeout rate that (while modest) represented a step up for a pitcher who doesnt miss many bats. Gonzalez also had a 55.7% grounder rate at St. Paul, though while he has pretty consistently delivered excellent groundball numbers at the minor league level, the righty has only a career 42.4% grounder rate at the big league level  naturally, a setback for a homer-prone pitcher who doesnt record many strikeouts.

It seems likely that Gonzalez will catch on somewhere, though his lack of minor league options makes him a candidate for further trips to the DFA wire down the road. A turn to full-time relief pitching could eventually be required for Gonzalez to try and find a consistent niche for himself on a Major League roster, yet with clubs always on the lookout for rotation depth, Gonzalez will probably get another opportunity to make starts.
17.07.2022 LISTEN

The Electoral Commission of Ghana is in the news again and as usual it is for the wrong reasons.

Ever since Jean Mensah was put at the helm of affairs at the EC, the Commission under her leadership has been fraught with controversies, inconsistencies, and outright incompetence in the management of the main electoral body of the country. It was under Jean Mensahs leadership that nine unarmed Ghanaian citizens exercising their democratic right to vote were shot and killed in cold blood in Techiman South.

Prior to that, the country had witnessed the chaotic bye elections in Ayawaso West Wuogon, where Ghanaians were beaten, maimed, shot, and even a sitting Member of Parliament was subjected to severe physical abuse for voicing out concerns over electoral irregularities.

We need to remind ourselves as a country that as at today, the good people of SALL who are also Ghanaians have been without representation in parliament since 2020.

This is directly because of the orchestrations and machinations of the Jean Mensah led EC and the looting brigade of the NPP government.

We are currently learning from our indefatigable comrades in Parliament led by the honorable Minority leader that Jean Mensah now wants to use $80 million to compile a new voters register for the 2024 general elections.

How did we get here?

Can Madam Jean Mensah explain to us what she used the almost $100 million she was given in 2020 to compile a voters register with facial recognition technology for?

We certainly did not see facial recognition technology being used in the 2020 elections and till today there has been no account of how that money was used.

Is there any reason why the auditor general has refused to audit the accounts of the electoral commission under Jean Mensah?

And in any case, on what basis is the Ghana card the sole document for compiling a new register when we know provisions have been made for foreigners to acquire the Ghana Card?

What happened to the continuous registration process as we have known since the time of Dr. Afari Gyan and Charlotte Osei? Why a new register when Jean Mensah and Dr. Bossman Asare have told us the 2020 voters register remains the best in the history of Ghana.

NDC USA wishes to state unequivocally that we will join the good people of Ghana to embark on a lawful civil disobedience as suggested by our comrade Ras Mubarak if this decision by the electoral commission to use The Ghana card to compile a new voters register is allowed to stand. H.E John Dramani Mahama handed over a peaceful democratic Ghana to the NPP in 2017 and we expect this NPP government and the EC to do same when the time comes for the NDC to assume office in 2025. Long live Ghana, long live NDC, and God bless us all.

Signed

Vivian Maame Aba Dadzie

Chairman NDC USA Chapter
18.07.2022 LISTEN

The African Union Commission at its 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council held in Lusaka, Zambia has elected two Judges as members of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights.

The newly elected Judges are: Justice Dennis Dominic Adjei who is a new entrance replacing Ms. Marie-Theresa Mukamulisa from Rwanda to occupy the floating seat for a six-year term renewable, while Justice Ms. Ntyam Ondo Mengue from Cameroon was re-elected for another six-year term.

A statement from the African Court and copied to the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema - Ghana has stated.

The African Court is composed of eleven Judges, nationals of the Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity.

The African Court was established by virtue of Article 1 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples Rights (the Protocol).

The Protocol establishing the African Court was adopted on June 9, 1998 in Burkina Faso and came into force on January 25, 2004 after it was ratified by more than 15 countries.

The mandate of the African Court is to complement and reinforce the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (the African Commission  often referred to as the Banjul Commission), which is a quasi-judicial body charged with monitoring the implementation of the Charter.

The African Court applies the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and other human rights instruments ratified by the States concerned. It does not have criminal jurisdiction like the International Criminal Court.

The African Court was established to complement and reinforce the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (the African Commission  often referred to as the Banjul Commission), which is a quasi-judicial body charged with monitoring the implementation of the Charter.

Its mission is to enhance the protective mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights by strengthening the human rights protection system in Africa and ensuring respect for and compliance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, as well as other international human rights instruments, through judicial decisions.
The Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has organized the 2022 Smart Governance Quiz at Kpone-Katamanso at the end of which Accra Grammar School in Oyibi emerged the champion.

Accra Grammar school bagged 37 points; followed by Prince KKMA school and Martin Luther school who all pulled 36 points to place joint second while Michel Camp number one school managed 18 points to place third in the final rounds.

Eight schools were selected from the various private and public basic schools within the municipality to participate in the Smart Governance Quiz organized by the NCCE in collaboration with the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA).

Ms Barikisu Nfadina grade eight pupil of the Oyibi Accra Grammar school expressed gratitude to the NCCE for organizing the quiz competition adding that the competition has offered them the opportunity to study the 1992 Constitution.

She advised students to take their lessons very seriously stressing that understanding the constitution would help them become responsible citizens of the country.

Mr Seth Sotie, the Kpone Katamanso NCCE Director, interacting with the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) at Kpone explained that the NCCE in the Kpone-Katamanso as part of its priorities seeks to ensure that every pupil and student within the Municipality has a copy of the pocket-size 1992 Constitution.

Mr. Sotie urged stakeholders within the education sector to incorporate teaching the tenets of the 1992 Constitution into the basic school curriculums so as to equip the students with the details of the constitution as they progress in the various stages in life.

The Municipal NCCE Director opined that the quiz would become an annual activity on the Municipal NCCE calendar, stressing that the commission existed to ensure citizens were well sensitized on their rights and how to exercise such privileges as Ghanaians.

He stated that the essence of the quiz was to encourage the students to develop an interest in reading and understanding the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
18.07.2022 LISTEN

The Ghana Federation of Labour has charged workers; unions to safeguard workers welfare and protect their interests, the rate at which some workers were misused and left vulnerable, especially in the current economic status of the country is unacceptable.

The endless splintering of the workforce was undermining the bargaining positions of the care of workers in the country which only seeks to empower the employer to manipulate the work front a situation which has led to some companies maltreating their workers.

Mr Abraham Koomson, Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) therefore, called for unity among Labour Unions to protect the wellbeing of workers.

Mr. Koomson was analyzing the labour front at the 14th edition of the Stakeholders Engagement And Worker's Appreciation Day Seminar of the Tema Regional Office of the Ghana News Agency, which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema.

The GNA Tema Stakeholder Engagement is a platform rolled out for state and non-state actors to address national issues and serves as a motivational mechanism to recognize the editorial contribution of reporters toward national development in general and the growth and promotion of the Tema GNA as the industrial news hub.

The GFL Secretary-General said when there was unity in the Labour Unions to fight for working conditions for workers, it would go a long way to promote individual, family, and community well-being.

He noted that relegating issues to other entities was very dangerous and that was because of the consistent formation of new unions saying that portrayed the unions as weak which cannot fight for them.

If a union cannot handle grievances of its members, and they have to seek help outside indirectly we are relegating our own responsibilities to another entity and that is very dangerous, Mr Koomson added.

He said it was about time the unions come together to fight for higher wages, consider working hours, look at workplace hazards protection and other factors adding that they were also to ensure the wellbeing of workers.

He bemoaned that most of companies take advantage of the unemployment situation in the country and engage the citizens particularly the youth without employment letters with poor condition of services.
17.07.2022 LISTEN

Former President John Dramani Mahama has charged Members of the Minority in Parliament to keep a keen eye on the activities of the Executive arm of government.

Delivering a speech at a closing ceremony of a retreat for Minority Group MPs at the Volta Serene hotel in Ho on Sunday, July 17, 2022, Mahama said the style of this administration has been to subjugate and dominate institutions for parochial and partisan gain, and as such, there is a need for it to be monitored.

These institutions have thus become pliant tools for the furtherance of the political ends of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and President Akufo-Addo, he added.

He named the Electoral Commission as one of such institutions which instead of making it easy for our citizens to take part in elections, rather takes delight in making it difficult. 

They appear determined to ensure the disenfranchisement of sections of our population at all costs through a misguided insistence on the use of the Ghana Card as the only source of identification for a voter card. How do you do this, knowing that the Ghana Card is not available to everyone who should have one?

You [Minority MPs] have become the immediate hope of a people who labour under irresponsible governance and abuse of office. There is the need therefore to meet this expectation by injecting further impetus into your work by keeping an even keener eye on the activities of the Executive.

He admitted that the Ghana Card is a relatively new feature of the country and has its merits in the scheme of things.

His contention is that it is being brandished more as a political tool around which all manner of schemes is being fashioned ahead of the elections.

He believes there is the need to allow sufficient time for its full integration before this kind of unhelpful exclusion of all other legitimately acquired, credible and time-tested forms of identification is implemented.

Mr. John Mahama suspects foul play with the haste on the part of the Electoral Commission to exclude all other means of identification.

Even though the Electoral Commission has clarified that it is only demanding the Ghana card for continuous registration and is not in the process of compiling a new one, Mr. Mahama is not convinced.

He is demanding a system that enables all political parties and relevant stakeholders to possess the capacity to monitor same in real-time, to avoid fraud and exploitation to the undue advantage of any party.

citinewsroom
French President Emmanuel Macron warned against anti-Semitism and historical revisionism on Sunday as he commemorated victims of the Holocaust on the 80th anniversary of the Vel d'Hiv roundup of Jewish families. "Anti-Semitism is not over and we should say so," he said, inaugurating a new memorial site for victims of the Holocaust.

On July 16-17, 1942, close to 13,000 people were taken to the Winter Velodrome, the Vel d'Hiv, in Paris before being sent on to concentration camps across Europe.

4,115 were children.

It was the largest mass detention of Jewish people by French police in collaboration with the Nazi German occupiers.

Macron commemorated this dark chapter in French history, 80 years on, at the inauguration of a memorial in the central town of Pithiviers, about 100 km south of Paris.

Pithiviers was the second largest transit camp and deportation point in France for Jews, after Drancy.

"We have not finished with anti-Semitism, it is still there  stronger and more rampant," said Macron.

He cited examples of anti-Semitism in acts of terrorism, in graffiti on walls, on social media and as something that crops up in debates on some TV channels.

Part of France's soul lost

Earlier, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, whose father was sent to Auschwitz, said that "France lost part of its soul" in Vel d'Hiv.

The mass roundup "went even further than the Nazi occupiers demanded" and "no state official was unaware" of it, she said.

She told the survivors at the event: Your stories will never leave us. Your words are engraved on the spirits of the youth who hear those horrible testimonies."

Survivor Arlette Testyler said it was painful to speak at the event and shed tears as she shared her story of being arrested by French police with her mother and sister at the age of eight.

We should forget nothing, she said. To remember is a duty and we owe that duty to history.

New type of revisionism

In his speech, Macron warned against a "new type of revisionism" and reiterated the active role of France in targeting Jewish people during the occupation.

His comments come just a few months after failed far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour claimed that Marshal Petain, head of the Vichy regime, had saved French Jews during the war years.

Most historians contest the claim, pointing to Petain's well-documented anti-Semitism.

Macron was himself criticised for saying in 2018 that Petain had been a "great soldier" during World War I, even if he had subsequently made "fatal choices".

In Chirac's footsteps

Macron's speech continued the work of former president Jacques Chirac who in 1995, 50 years after the Vel d'Hiv roundup, acknowledged France's responsibility for what had happened.

"France, on that day, committed the irreparable," said Chirac, in what is now considered a landmark speech.

After Chirac, Francois Hollande went further during his presidency. In 2012 he spoke of a crime "committed in France, by France".

Shortly after becoming president in 2017, Macron reaffirmed France's responsibility for the roundup in a speech marking its 75th anniversary in the presence of then Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Memorial to the Holocaust

The Shoah Memorial in Paris, which collects archives on France's Holocaust victims, has launched an appeal to reach the last witnesses and survivors of the Vel d'Hiv round-up.

Pithiviers station, which has not served passengers since the end of the 1960s, has been converted into a memorial to the Holocaust. It opened earlier this month.

"This station is a place of memory unique in France," said Jacques Fredj, the director of the Shoah Memorial.

The new 400 metre squared centre is aimed mainly for academic research, said Fredj.

"It's a priority, in the face of the rise in anti-semitism, racism and conspiracy theories."
Sudanese mother Awadya Ahmed has long wondered why her youngest child Talab was born blind and unable to walk; now she suspects the piles of poisonous waste left by gold miners.

In recent years, a growing number of traditional miners have flocked to her village hoping to strike it rich.

But they leave behind hazardous white-powdered waste laden with toxic chemicals including mercury used in the gold extraction process.

The waste is dumped near farmland, water sources and residential areas.

"His four brothers were born in good health, but Talab is the only one born after mining residues spread," Ahmed, 45, told AFP at her home in Banat village, in River Nile state north of Khartoum.

The four-year-old lay beside her, unable to move.

Artisanal gold mining is widespread across much of Sudan, employing more than two million people and producing about 80 percent of the gold extracted nationwide, according to experts.

Gold mining residues are seen piled up near a residential area in the village of Banat in River Nile state, north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Sudan is one of the world's poorest countries, and gold mining remains a source of fast profits. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP)

Sudan is one of the world's poorest countries, and mining remains a source of fast profits attracting many.

The industry has flourished since oil-rich South Sudan broke away in 2011 during the rule of now-ousted president Omar al-Bashir, a period marked by economic hardship, government mismanagement, corruption and international sanctions.

'Harmful to health'

But chemical contamination from artisanal gold extraction poses clear health dangers.

Nafisa, 8, who is unable to walk, is pictured sitting next to her father in the village of Banat. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP)

Mercury damages the nervous, digestive and immune systems and can be fatal. It also threatens the development of children in the womb and early in life, according to the World Health Organization.

Ahmed is not the only one of Banat's 8,000 residents to have observed birth defects and miscarriages.

In a nearby house, Awad Ali says his daughter was "a very normal child," until she turned two. "Then she became unable to move or walk, stand up or sit down," he said.

Community leader Algaily Abdelaziz said the problems began five years ago.

"Since we saw these waste deposits appear, children have been born with deformities, and there have been still-births," Abdelaziz said, noting 22 children had been born in the village with deformities including blindness and brain damage.

Saleh Ali Saleh, from Khartoum's Neelain University's Faculty of Petroleum and Minerals, notes that it is well known "that mercury is harmful to health".

A January report by Saleh and other Sudanese researchers found that around 450,000 tonnes of mining waste -- rife with mercury -- dot the lush green landscape of River Nile state.

Samples of blood, urine, drinking water and soil from several parts of the state have shown high levels of mercury traces, according to the report.

"People, frankly, are not concerned with removing the waste," said Ali Mohammed Ali, head of the Sudanese Environment Conservation Society.

The process "requires special treatment" and is "ideally carried out away from residential areas or water sources," he added.

Such safety measures are far from the minds of miners.

Sudan is one of Africa's top gold producers, generating 30.3 tonnes of gold in the first half of 2021 alone, according to official figures -- which do not include the artisanal output. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP)

Around 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Banat, Mohammed Issa mixed mercury with sand in a large metal bowl with his bare hands, hoping to separate gold from other minerals.

"That's how people do it here," the 25-year-old said.

Issa said he abandoned a meagre life of farming and herding in North Kordofan state to search for the precious metal.

Years to fix

In 2019, Sudan's now-deposed transitional government issued a decree banning the use of mercury and cyanide after protests against their use at gold mines.

Talab, the son of Awadya Ahmed, lies on a bed in the village of Banat in River Nile state. Ahmed is not the only one of Banat's 8,000 residents to have observed birth defects and miscarriages. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP)

The decision has rarely been enforced and miners continue to use the chemicals in more secluded outlying areas, Saleh said.

Political and economic turmoil in Sudan has piled pressure on households already struggling to make ends meet.

The country's economic crisis worsened after an October military coup led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The coup triggered cuts to crucial international aid and fed into spiralling prices of basic commodities.

Sudan is one of Africa's top gold producers, generating 30.3 tonnes of gold in the first half of 2021 alone, according to official figures -- which do not include the artisanal output.

The Central Bank puts Sudan's gold revenues in the first quarter of this year at $720 million, reflecting the official output.

The state-run company supervising mining activities declined multiple requests for comment by AFP.

The lucrative business has long been controlled by shadowy companies with links to the security services which flourished under Bashir.

Saleh warns there will be no quick fix.

"The damage already done to the environment cannot be treated easily," said Saleh.

"If we managed to stop today, it will still take us years and years to contain the impact of artisanal mining."

For little Talab, it is already too late.
18.07.2022 LISTEN

The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong says about 400 bags of rice have been supplied to Senior High Schools (SHSs) that are in dire need of foodstuff in the region by the National Food Buffer Stock Company.

This follows threats by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools CHASS in the Eastern Region to recommend to the Ghana Education Service to shut down the schools over food shortage and the erratic release of funds if nothing was done to salvage the situation by last week Friday.

Speaking to Citi News, the Eastern Regional Minister, assured that academic activities would continue today following the intervention.

We have issued about 400 bags to schools that were in dire need of food. We realised some were in extreme need and others were struggling to make ends meet from what they had.

We are working to top up the supply and hopefully, academic activities can go on smoothly following this intervention.

The Eastern Region CHASS earlier complained of the food shortages it had suffered for the past two years, as well as struggles with reduced weight of food items supplied.

It also complained about arrears in schools because of the erratic release of funds meant for perishable foods.

Because of these challenges, the group considered the closure of schools if nothing changed by July 15.

It also considered recommendations that parents either feed their wards or pick them home until all the situations are normalised.

citinewsroom
Former President John Dramani Mahama has said at the moment, the Ghana Card is being brandished as a political tool around which all manner of schemes is being fashioned towards elections.

He said there is the need to allow sufficient time for its full integration into the way of life before this kind of unhelpful exclusion of all other legitimately acquired, credible and time-tested forms of identification is implemented.

Mr Mahama said this in his concluding remarks during a workshop held for Minority Members of Parliament in the Volta Region on Sunday July 17.

He stated that the National Identification Authority (NIA) cannot claim to have covered every Ghanaian who should be registered or distributed all the cards printed to those who have been captured in their system.

They have failed to distribute hundreds of thousands of cards to people who have registered. Until full and total coverage is achieved in the roll out of the Ghana Card, room must be made for those who are yet to be served, to exercise their democratic rights of voting, he said.

They cannot be excluded from the voter register due to no fault of theirs. This should be clear and quite easy to appreciate. The haste on the part of the Electoral Commission to exclude all other means of identification is therefore clearly indecent and informed by an ulterior objective.

Last week, you in the Minority raised red flags over suspected attempts to compile a new register on the sole basis of the Ghana Card. The Electoral Commission has been quick to deny that it harbours any such intentions.

Until the advent of the current leadership of the Commission, this denial would have marked the end of the matter. The Commission in its present guise is known to have walked back on similar commitments in the recent past and so we in the NDC will maintain eternal vigilance to ensure that no such thing happens.

The process of continuous registration as canvassed by the Electoral Commission must necessarily include a system that enables all political parties and relevant stakeholders to possess the capacity to monitor same in real time, to avoid fraud and exploitation to the undue

advantage of any party. We in the NDC will insist on this.

3news.com
Former President John Dramani Mahama

18.07.2022 LISTEN

Former Ghana President, John Dramani Mahama is not confident President Akufo-Addo can ride the current storm to overcome the economic challenges facing the country.

Speaking at a workshop held by the Minority Group on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at the Volta Serene Hotel, the leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) stressed that the ruling government cannot be relied on to find a credible remedy to the economic disaster it has created.

It is evident now more than ever, that those who superintended this disaster do not even realize the cause or gravity of the problem and cannot be relied upon to find any credible remedy. We in the NDC continue to do our part by holding this government to account and offering viable alternative paths, John Dramani Mahama said.

He further bemoaned the current state of the Ghanaian economy, insisting that it is evident now more than ever, that those who superintended over the disaster do not even realize the cause or gravity of the problem and cannot be relied upon to find the needed solutions.

We in the NDC continue to do our part by holding this government to account and offering viable alternative paths, ex-president Mahama stressed.

Due to the challenging times the country finds itself in, President Akufo-Addo directed Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to engage the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support.

A team from the fund concluded in-person talks with officials of government last week after a visit to Ghana.

However, it is unlikely to agree on a programme for the country this year due to the worsened debt sustainability power of the country.
A political scientist at the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante has said there may be hope for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) with its new crop of national executives

He noted although he was yet to see their performance he believed they were a better option judging from their past experience.

Speaking on Accra based Joy News on July 18, he indicated that if the NPP had maintained the old team they would have shot themselves in the foot.

He indicated that the party must strategize and organize itself well ahead of the 2024 general elections judging from events prior to the 2020 general elections.

I think its far better than the earlier team they put together in terms of the performance I saw. Even though this one I havent seen their performance, but to maintain the old order was to shoot themselves in the foot.

So now that they have all that is left is for them to organize it very well. Nkrumah said and I quote him all the time that organization decides everything.

This is the time for them to put their hands together, right the wrongs and get all the last election and examine them constituency by constituency and know what went wrong. Its a tall order, but I think that its nothing they cant succumb to, he emphasized.

He stressed that breaking the 8 was a daunting task and the executives will have to work extra hard to make it happen.
The supermarket sector in France has agreed on an "energy saving" plan that will be implemented in autumn in France, according to a statement released on Monday. This in a bid to cope with the risk of shortages linked to the war in Ukraine, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Faced with the risk of electricity supply shortages announced by the government for this winter", the Perifem federation, which brings together all the players in the retail sector to take action on energy and environmental issues, has defined "common and concrete measures" to reduce the energy consumption of shops, starting on 15 October.

It is planned to switch off illuminated signs "as soon as the shop closes" - as opposed to generally one hour after closing at present - and to "systematically reduce light intensity", by reducing the lighting of the sales area by half before the public arrives and by 30% during "critical consumption periods".

Other measures are also planned, such as "cutting off air renewal at night, shifting the production of ice" and emergency measures such as lowering the temperature in sales outlets to 17 degrees this autumn and winter, if requested by a regulatory authority.

Energy 'sobriety plan'

French president Emmanuel Macron explained on 14 July that the government was preparing an energy "sobriety plan" to deal with the risk of shortages linked to the war in Ukraine, calling for "a collective return to a logic of sobriety".

These initial measures, which have been adopted by supermarket chains such as E.Leclerc, Carrefour, Systeme U, Les Mousquetaires Intermarche, Auchan, Casino, Franprix, Monoprix, Lidl and Picard, are also measures for the brands to save on electricity costs.

While "the electricity bill represented 30%" of the net result of the brands "before the recent surge in energy costs", it is "essential to reduce the energy bill and to mobilise together to avoid too great a repercussion on prices for consumers", recognises the federation, while the Elan Law (Loi Elan) also provides for a reduction in the energy consumption of shops by 40% by 2030.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Energy transition minister, Agnes Pannier-Runacher, welcomed in a press release these "first commitments announced by Perifem".

"This is a first step that has been taken, with immediate measures, which the minister had called for," her office said, while calling for "continuing this work and going further", because "it is a matter of taking all the measures that will produce immediate effects to get through the winter, but also to sustainably reduce our greenhouse gas emissions."

The Perifem federation also wants to believe that this protocol can serve "as a basis for all trade and distribution federations to generalise these measures", which will be presented to them "at a meeting on 26 July".

(with wires)
Thousands of Sudan's Hawsa people set up barricades and attacked government buildings in several cities Monday, witnesses said, after a week of deadly tribal clashes in the country's south.

Violence in Blue Nile state, bordering Ethiopia, has killed 60 people and wounded 163 others, including 13 in serious condition, according to health officials.

The clashes first erupted a week ago on Monday between the Berti and Hawsa tribes, after the Bertis rejected a Hawsa request to create a "civil authority to supervise access to land", a prominent Hawsa member told AFP on condition of anonymity.

But a senior member of the Bertis had said the tribe was responding to a "violation" of its lands by the Hawsas.

Troops were deployed in Blue Nile on Saturday, and since then an uneasy calm has prevailed there although tensions have escalated elsewhere.

In the eastern city of Kassala, the government banned public gatherings after several thousand Hawsa people "set government buildings and shops on fire", according to eyewitness Hussein Saleh.

"It's panic in the city centre," Kassala resident Idriss Hussein told AFP by telephone. He said protesters were "blocking roads and waving sticks."

In the city of Wad Madani, some 200 kilometres (around 125 miles) south of Khartoum, "hundreds of Hawsa people put up stone barricades and burned tires on the main bridge to block traffic", resident Adel Ahmed told AFP.

Experts say a military coup led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in October 2021, has created a security vacuum that has fostered a resurgence in tribal violence, in a country where deadly clashes regularly erupt over land, livestock, access to water and grazing.

Pro-democracy activists have accused Sudan's military and ex-rebel leaders who signed a 2020 peace deal of exacerbating ethnic tensions in Blue Nile for personal gain.

The Hawsas, also known as Hausa, are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, with tens of millions of members living in several countries.

There are three million Hawsas in Sudan, where they largely follow the majority religion of Islam, but speak their own native language rather than Arabic.

They mostly live off agriculture in Darfur, Al-Jazira state and in the eastern states of Kassala, Gedaref, Sennar and Blue Nile.
South Africa is on a drive to broaden the existing pool of Black Industrialists. The objective is to accelerate transformation, ensuring that Black-owned businesses become active players in the mainstream economy.

Over the past seven years, the South African Government has helped black-owned and managed businesses expand their operations into vital productive sectors of the economy through the Black Industrialists program.

These businesses received financial and non-financial support -enabling them to invest in crucial industrial sectors and value chains of the economy  which without funding intervention, would have otherwise been beyond their reach.

More than 800 Black Industrialist businesses have benefitted from the programme. In 2021 alone, the developmental finance agencies approved R2.5 billion in the form of loans to support 180 black industrialists.

Given the shifting dynamics in both the global and economy, including the devastative impact of enforced economic closures in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it's become imperative for Government to reinvigorate its funding commitments and support to Black-owned businesses. As such, the Government will reflect on the performance of the programme at its inaugural Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference (BIEC) scheduled for the 20th of July at the Sandton International Convention Centre.

The conference will also incorporate the Inaugural Black Industrialists and Exporters Awards, whose objective is to recognise business excellence. The Awards will honour enterprises that seek to promote innovation, job creation, and sound business ethics.

The gathering will also explore opportunities created by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which local Black Industrialists can tap into. The AfCFTA advances the diversification of Africas export from being heavily dependent on raw materials to value-added products.

While the Black Industrialists programme has injected much need economic development and added jobs to our economy, it is also helping to reverse the legacy of apartheid, which skewed the bulk of the countrys industrial assets  currently concentrated among a minority few.

As we transform the skewed ownership of crucial industrial sectors of the economy, the government objective remains to accelerate the integration of black-owned businesses into the mainstream economy  in the process, building a cohesive society that is reflective of the aspirations of all South Africans.

The Black Industrialists programme falls in the ambit of our Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment ideals, which seek to transform the economy, broaden ownership, and create jobs. The transformation we seek in our country is about positive change, the only logical path to long-term and sustainable economic growth.

The transformation initiatives allow for new entrepreneurs into the economy by deracialising ownership patterns born of the apartheid regime- the objective of which is to open up more opportunities for black people, particularly women and youth.

Drawing on best practices, including international experience, shows that transformation is a win-win path to an inclusive growing economy. The great success of Malaysia's empowerment initiative demonstrates what can be achieved if we all unite to achieve this cause. In 1970, Malaysia found itself in a similar position we face today and began to transform its society and economy through economic empowerment.

Its empowerment plan, the National Economic Policy, assisted by the redistribution of the countrys wealth to the indigenous Malays known as Bumiputeras, became an acclaimed economic blueprint. It led to a 35 percent decline in poverty and an increase in Bumiputera ownership from 2.4 percent to over 30 percent. Today Malaysia is among the wealthiest countries in Southeast Asia by GDP per capita.

A similar transformation took place in South Korea, whose Government actively worked with companies in the country to address market failures. Local businesses known as Chaebol were guaranteed loans from the banking sector backed by the Government. In the late 1980s, this led to rapid industrialisation, with Chaebol businesses dominating the industrial sector in manufacturing, trading, and heavy industries.

The Government Black Industrialists programme is premised on similar ideals. It aims to achieve success by leveraging the state's capacity to unlock the industrial potential within Black-owned businesses. Over the past five years to March 2020, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), among several state-owned entities, approved R24.5 billion worth of transactions to Black Industrialists.

The Government is also creating Black Industrialists through sectoral masterplans, which drives localisation that benefits Black-owned businesses. For example, as part of our Poultry Masterplan, ten Black contract growers have been established with an investment of R336 million. Furthermore, we launched the Black Exporters Network to connect Black-owned companies in food, engineering products, auto components, and beauty products.

The Government's commitment as it advances to draw more Black businesses into the industrial sector is being supported by R21 billion from the IDC, NEF, and other institutions over the next three years. An additional R25 billion has been committed to helping black women, youth, and worker-owned companies.

As we help more Black business owners transform their businesses into industrial enterprises, we will develop our economy, ensure sustainable growth and ensure many more South Africans benefit.
18.07.2022 LISTEN

Human Augmentation projects the capacitation of human beings beyond their natural abilities and limitations. It is a basic aspiration of human beings, and has been going on since the emergence of humans. Human enhancement is both physical and cognitive and promises to cure and overcome diseases and disabilities that encumber and debilitate human existence. Interestingly, human augmentation is one of the themes of this year's University of Cape and Geneva Science Diplomacy Accelerator (GESDA ) Youth Anticipation Initiative. This initiative aims to use the science of the future to shape the present. More importantly, it tries to mainstream African youth participation, making sure that the voice of African youths is heard in this important conversation. The Youth Anticipation Initiative is a thoughtful and commendable program given the fact that the future belongs to the youths.

To situate the link between human augmentation and African youths, I would like to recount a recent incident.

It happened in my community in southern Nigeria. On Monday, July 11, 2022, I got a call that people in my village woke up early in the morning to discover that someone had poured some white sand across the major footpaths. It was a strange sight that evoked fear and panic among the population. Community leaders quickly summoned an emergency meeting to unravel what happened. Their inquiry traced the incident to a young man in his late 30s who was visiting. This gentleman lives in a city about 110 kilometers from his hometown. He works as a school teacher and also a part time pastor at a popular Pentecostal church in Port Harcourt.

According to family sources, some weeks ago the mother informed him that the aging father, over 80 years, was ill. Some years ago, two of his brothers took ill and died under what some within the family deemed "mysterious circumstances". Before traveling to see the father, this young man went and consulted, not a medical doctor, but a senior pastor in his church. The pastor told him to go and conduct a liberation prayer with some white sand and olive oil so that his aging and ailing father would recover. The ritual would supposedly neutralize any other malicious forces linked to the father's sickness and other misfortunes in the family and community. On Sunday night while the villagers were asleep, he went and poured some white sand and olive oil across the footpaths in the community as part of this prayer of liberation, and obviously, efforts to get his father healed.

The community leaders were angry and sanctioned him for conducting this ritual without their consent and permission. They asked him to pay some penalty, to give the community some kola nuts, a goat, a jar of palm wine, and five thousand naira to appease the gods of the land. But the young man objected to paying the penalty, and later went back to the city. This young man indulged in this ritual exercise to increase the father's and by extension other community members' health and lifespan. It was an exercise to tackle existential challenges. While this incident is not representative of what all Nigerian or African youths do or would do when confronted with illness and aging, it is indicative of a potent and pervasive mindset in the region. In the absence of technoscientific goods, African people deploy mythical formations and rituals in their efforts to cure diseases, defy death, and augment life. They resort to using traditional, christian and Islamic charms and accessories. Unfortunately, the mythical habit hampers the ability of Africans to use the science of the future to build the present, and increase health and lifespan. It stymies the possibilities of human augmentation and the potential of Africans to leverage other new science and technology advances. But the situation is much more complicated.

Existing techno-politics has orchestrated a gap between Africa and the rest of the world. This gap has made technologies inaccessible and unaffordable for many people. If urgent measures are not taken to rectify the technological disconnect of Africa from the rest of the world, the gap would persist in the anticipated augmented future. If Africa does not witness some radical shifts in policy, orientation, and mindset associated injustices and inequities would even worsen. Although human augmentation and other emerging technological schemes point to much better, healthier and happier futures, risks and dangers abound.

While Africans must be optimistic about the prospects of human augmentation and other emerging technological programs, there is a need to exercise caution, and temper optimism with realism. The technological differential has created a situation whereby these goods and benefits have largely been elusive, unharnessed, and underutilized. African countries have become a dumping ground of outdated and sometimes harmful technologies. Africans have been unable to access or optimally deployed existing technologies to tackle their everyday needs and challenges. Many Africans travel to Europe, America, India and the Middle east to access medical care at exorbitant costs. And this trend is not changing for now. If these gaps are not narrowed or closed, Africa could be left further behind in the race for human augmentation and other futurist schemes.

In addition, existing technologies have yielded a situation where African countries are described as developing, less developed, or underdeveloped. If the gap is not rectified, augmentation could become an identity political issue. Augmentation could become a way of defining and identifying humans. Africa might end up being designated as a continent of unaugmented, under-augmented, or less augmented humans as opposed to augmented humans in the west and the rest of the world.

Human augmentation is a welcome development. Highlighting the risks and dangers associated with human augmentation should not be misinterpreted. It should not be seen as an exercise in despair, or an attempt to stop or oppose the process of human capacitation. Rather, noting these concerns is a way to ensure that necessary measures are taken to mitigate envisaged risks; that promises and possibilities of this exciting project are harnessed as anticipated for Africa and the rest of the world.

Leo Igwe is the author of a paper titled Transhumanism and Emerging Technologies: Exploring Ethics and Human Enhancement in Africa
IT IS surrounded by communities like Bukom, Akanmajen, Aadenkpo, Jamestown, Swalaba, Mudor, Agbado/Okpongor-bu and Palladium. Together, they are part of the enclave called Ga Mashie.

The name Akoto Lante evokes nostalgic feelings in me because that was where I had the bulk of my primary education  St. Mary's Anglican Primary School. During those formative years, I trekked from Okaishie to Akoto Lante on a daily basis to receive the foundational education that has brought me thus far.

Samaria is the ancient, historic, biblical name used for the central region of the Land of Israel, bordered by Judea to the south and Galilee to the north  Wikipedia. People who hail from Samaria are called Samaritans just as someone from Ghana is Ghanaian.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is told by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. It is about a traveler (Jewish) who was stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road. First, a Jewish priest and then a Levite came by, but both avoided the man. Finally, a Samaritan chanced on the traveler. Although Samaritans and Jews despised each other, this Samaritan helped the injured man. Hence, he was called the Good Samaritan.

Ghanaians and Nigerians consider each other as brothers and sisters. However, recent developments have strained the fraternal relationship a bit. That's because the Nigerians are alleged to be involved in almost every crime in the country lately. Consequently, Nigerians are beginning to gain the status of 'Jews' in the eyes of their Ghanaian 'siblings'.

I have come across Ghanaians, especially the youth, who have sworn to deal drastically with any Nigerians who mess up with them in anyway. Landlords have also vowed never to rent their accommodation to any Nigerian.

In this write up, I have decided to name the main character as Akoto Lante-Samaritan because, what he did for a Nigerian who was allegedly caught stealing a mobile phone in the area, is similar to what the biblical Samaritan did for the Jewish who was left helpless after being beaten for a crime, we were not told about.

The Akoto Lante-Samaritan

Like Bukom and the other aforementioned communities, any first time visitor to Akoto Lante would write the place off as not capable of producing any morally upright person.

The reason is that, the youth are typically illiterate or semi-literate and highly susceptible to various crimes, having been brought up in the slums.

But here is what you may not know. The famous Dag Heward Mills, has his antecedents from Agbado/Okpongor bu. Also, Hon. Nii Lante Vanderpuiye, the renowned broadcaster and incumbent Member of Parliament for the Odododiodoo Constituency, hails from the area. Not to mention, Barima Azumah 'Zoomzoom' Nelson, Braimah Kamoko (Bukom Banku), Ike Bazooka Quartey, and D.K. 'Poison' etc who have demonstrated that something good can come from Ga Mashie.

The latest to raise the flag of Akoto Lante high is the man I have christened Akoto Lante-Samaritan, whose voice is the only identity available for now, on a video that went viral in May. He is believed to be an opinion leader in the community.

But for him, the 22-year-old Nigerian, Aliu John, could have suffered instant justice for the theft which took place on Saturday, May 13. In a characteristic deep-voiced male Ga tone, the Akoto LanteSamaritan could be heard telling his compatriots to stop beating the alleged phone thief.

Instead, he led them to take the stealer to the most filthily choked gutter in the area. Here is how Myjoyonline.Com reported the incident; He was given protective boots and a shovel to aid him in undertaking the task. To prevent him from escaping, his waist was tied with a thick rope held at one end by a man all through the cleaning task.

Instead of handing him over to the police, the residents asked the young man to clean a dirty gutter in the locality, after which they served him four balls of banku with fish, a bottled water and a drink of his choice.

This issue caught my attention because first, it was news to me that a typical 'Akoto Lantean' will choose to be this nice to a thief. Alas, civilisation has evolved and my Akoto Lante compatriots have not been left behind. Forget about the fact that the Akoto LanteSamaritan was a lone voice. Remember the fact that he got his people to do what for me, was the lesser of two evils  instant justice, to wit: illegally subjecting a suspect to punishment. They could have lynched him you know!

There is no doubt that what he led the mob to do amounted to taking the law into their own hands, but in an innovative way.

Is this commendable or condemnable? I will return to it presently.

The advocacy to decriminalise petty offences

What is intriguing though, is that the incident happened on Saturday. On Sunday, May 14, The Law on JoyNews channel discussed the need to decriminalise petty offences in Ghana.

Petty offences, according to the African Commission on Human and People's Rights, are minor offences for which the punishment is prescribed by law to attract a warning, community service, a low-value fine, or a short term of imprisonment, often for failure to pay the fine. However, in Ghana, there is no law prescribing community service.

The host of The Law, Samson Lardy Anyenini, has since joined a group of lawyers and human rights advocates to champion the cause that would ensure that persons who commit minor offences are made to serve the community rather than being incarcerated.

Currently, these acts of omission and commission are considered minor offences; being a vagabond, idling, loitering, begging, failure to pay debts, being a common nuisance and disobedience to parents; causing a public nuisance, hawking and vending, urinating in public and washing clothes in public.

What this means is that if you engage in any of the above, you are fined. In lieu of payment of the fine, you go to jail.

On The Law show aforementioned, the Director of Programmes at the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa, Edmund Foley, made a revealing statement, As the economic circumstances become more and more difficult for the ordinary man, people are committing crimes not as social defiance, but simply because they are too poor to take care of themselves.

For him, the way forward is decriminalisation of certain offences, particularly those described as petty offences.

For me, his suggestion is important because with the status quo, we imprison these persons and spend scarce state resources to feed them, not to mention the congestion in our prisons.

Steal two tubers of yam and you are going to sit in prison. We need to ask ourselves as a nation why we should continue to spend that GH1.80 for three years on that person, Mr. Foley quipped.

Instead, he recommended that Get the person to go sweep and the street or go and plant the yam. Sort of get them to do something more productive than to incarcerate them and spend money on them in prison.

When I heard Mr. Foley, I felt very sad. I soliloquised, So all the people we have been paying at the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Department have sat down all these years without realising the need to do what Mr. Foley has suggested. How?

BY Eric Mensah-Ayettey

The writer works at Myjoyonline.com. He is also an author of two books whose contents share knowledge on how anyone desirous of writing like him can do so. Eric can be reached via email [email protected]
Six armed robbers are expected to face court this week after their arrest by the Police in the Bono East Region over the weekend.

The armed robbers were apprehended by officers of the security service on Sunday, July 17, following a successfully intelligent-led operation.

In an official statement from the Ghana Police Service, it has disclosed that the six robbers are part of a gang of robbers that have been terrorizing people in the region.

The Police, through an intelligence-led operation on July 17, 2022, arrested six suspects who are a part of a gang of robbers terrorising people in the region, part of a Police statement said on Monday.

The arrested suspects include Issa Mohammed alias Baba/Container Money, Reagan Kwaku Boakye alias Baby Face, Kwaku Boateng alias Star Boy, Elija Osei, and Gyimah Sadique.

From the intelligence gathered by the Police, the armed robbers operate within the Bono East Region and beyond were arrested at their hideouts within the Techiman Municipality.
A Los Angeles judge privately told lawyers he would renege on a promise and imprison Roman Polanski for having sex with a teenage girl in 1977, a former prosecutor has testified. This in part explains why the renowned Franco-Polish director fled the Unites States, setting the stage for one of America's longest running legal sagas.

A previously sealed transcript obtained by The Associated Press late Sunday of testimony by retired Deputy District Attorney Roger Gunson supports Polanski's claim that he fled on the eve of sentencing in 1978 because he didn't think he was getting a fair deal.

Gunson said during closed-door testimony in 2010 that the judge broke a promise to let Polanski go free after state prison officials had determined he shouldn't serve hard time.

The judge had promised him on two occasions ... something that he reneged on, Gunson said. So it wasn't surprising to me that, when he was told he was going to be sent off to state prison ... that he could not or would not trust the judge.

Defense lawyer Harland Braun said Friday  in expectation of the transcript's release  that the development would renew his effort to have Polanski sentenced in absentia, which would end his status as a fugitive from justice.

Braun has unsuccessfully tried that before with prosecutors asserting and judges agreeing that Polanski needs to show up in Los Angeles Superior Court to resolve the matter.

Release of the transcript, which was ordered by a California appeals court Wednesday after Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon dropped longstanding objections his predecessors made to its release, may support Polanski's claims that he was going to be railroaded by a corrupt judge.

The legal saga has played on both sides of the Atlantic as a recurring scene over four decades of a life marred by tragedy and also triumph.

Born in Paris, Polanski spent time as a child with his father's Jewish family in Poland. He managed to escape the Krakow ghetto where Jews were rounded up during the second world war.

His wife, Sharon Tate, was among the seven people murdered in 1969 by followers of Charles Manson.

Polanski, 88, who was nominated for Oscars for 1974s Chinatown and 1979s Tess, won the best director statuette for The Pianist in 2003. But he wasn't able to accept it because he faces arrest in the US.

France, Switzerland and Poland rejected bids to extradite him back to the United States and he continues to be feted in Europe, winning praise and working with major actors. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, however, expelled him from its membership in 2018 after the MeToo movement spurred a reckoning about sexual misconduct.

Polanski's 13-year-old victim testified before a grand jury that during a photo shoot at Jack Nicholson's house in March 1977 when the actor wasn't home, Polanski gave her champagne and part of a sedative, then forced her to have sex. The girl said she didn't fight him because she was afraid of him but her mother later called police.

When the girl refused to testify in court, Polanski pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in exchange for prosecutors dropping drug, rape and sodomy charges.

Polanski has argued that there was judicial misconduct in his case. In 2010, a Los Angeles court took sealed testimony from Gunson about his recollections of promises made to the director by the judge in 1977.

Polanski's lawyers, who were in the room during Gunson's testimony but couldn't use it in court, have long sought to unseal that transcript to help their case.

Judge Laurence Rittenband, now deceased, had been swayed by publicity in the case and changed his mind several times about the punishment Polanski should face, Braun said.

After a report by probation officials that Polanski should serve no time behind bars, Rittenband sent the director to state prison for a 90-day diagnostic evaluation to help determine what punishment he should face.

The judge said that as long as Polanski received a favorable report from the prison, he would serve no additional time, Gunson said.

Only probation?

After six weeks of evaluation in prison, Polanski was released with a recommendation he only serve probation, Braun said.

But Rittenband thought the probation and prison reports were superficial and a whitewash," said Gunson, who agreed they downplayed or misstated Polanski's crimes.

The judge privately told Gunson and Polanski's lawyer that he had to be tougher because of criticism in the news media.

He said he would send Polanski to prison for a longer term but would then get him released within 120 days, which was possible under sentencing rules at the time.

Roman says, 'How can I trust the judge that's lied twice?' So he takes off to Europe, Braun said.

Gunson acknowledged during his testimony that the judge had discretion to sentence Polanski up to 50 years because there had been no agreed-upon sentence. But Gunson objected to the sham proceedings the judge was orchestrating and felt he had broken promises to Polanski.

The victim, Samantha Geimer, has long advocated that the case be dismissed or that Polanski be sentenced in absentia. She went so far as as to travel from her home in Hawaii to Los Angeles five years ago to urge a judge to end a 40-year sentence which has been imposed on the victim of a crime as well as the perpetrator.

I implore you to consider taking action to finally bring this matter to a close as an act of mercy to myself and my family, Geimer said.

The Associated Press does not typically name victims of sex abuse, but Geimer went public years ago and wrote a memoir titled The Girl: A Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski. The cover features a photo shot by Polanski.

Polanski agreed to pay Geimer over $600,000 to settle a lawsuit in 1993.

Long running saga

Geimer, who has pressed for investigation of judicial misconduct, asked that the transcript be unsealed and in a letter last month urged the DA's office to take a fresh look at the case.

Prosecutors have consistently objected to releasing the material but relented earlier this week to honor Geimer's wishes and be transparent with the public.

This case has been described by the courts as 'one of the longest-running sagas in California criminal justice history,' Gascon said in a statement. For years, this office has fought the release of information that the victim and public have a right to know."

However, the DA did not indicate that Polanski would be able to avoid a court appearance. The press release said Polanski remains a fugitive and should surrender to the court for sentencing.

(With AP)
Some women, chiefs and stakeholders from 24 communities in the Sissala East Municipality are to be supported to ensure the safety and welfare of donkeys in the area.

Officials of Action Aid Ghana disclosed this in Tumu during a meeting with stakeholders to preserve and sustain the donkeys as animals that help humans in both social and economic functions.

Madam Terence Tienaah, the Upper West Regional Manager of ActionAid, speaking at the function, said Action Aid as an organisation over the years had been friends with everyone with the objective of ensuring fairness and justice for all in society including the welfare of animals.

She said donkeys had over the years helped mankind in their work in the Sissala area, but their welfare had been neglected, hence the intervention to secure donkeys.

Madam Tienaah, therefore, reiterated the need to ensure greater welfare for the upkeep of the donkey for it to continue to help, with emphasis on its care, how it's fed, and what to do to ensure how to sustain the animal by prioritizing the donkey from being extinct.

She said the need to secure its safety against sale for the skin in a manner that would preserve them for the support that they give to humans especially women.

Madam Abibah Nibaradun, Programme Officer at ActionAid who gave an overview of the 'Donkey Sanctuary' (TDS) project said, it is an 18-month project for 24 communities from June 2022 to the end of 2023 in the Sissala East Municipality of the Upper West region.

The goal is to improve welfare for women with donkeys to ensure improved feed, provide and improve existing water system for donkeys, vaccines and veterinary services by increasing capacity of other stakeholders to bring about improved donkey harness, to make the carrying of load less stressful and increase the safety of the donkey, he explained.

She said: With a budget of 129,482.21, the Donkey Sanctuary from the United Kingdom is targeted at 54 groups,1,080 women, it will train 140 schoolteachers who will pass on the knowledge to 5,000 school children at the end of the project, Madam Nibaradun disclosed.

Mr Duwiejua Mumuni Dramani, a Senior Development Planning Officer of the Sissala East Municipal Assembly who spoke on behalf of the Municipal Chief Executive urged the stakeholders to take key interest in the project and asked ActionAid to work with the Environmental Health Unit of Assembly to ensure effective collaboration.

He asked the women to frequently clean the environment of the donkey to keep them healthy.

Madam Damata Chimson from Vamboi a mother of seven, stressed how helpful the donkey had been to her and appealed to other women to provide shelter for the donkeys as most of them are left homeless.

GNA
Nepal's quake-damaged world heritage palace restored with Chinese aid

Xinhua) 13:00, July 18, 2022

KATHMANDU, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the restoration project for the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Nepal has been completed with Chinese aid after hard work for nearly five years.

The Chinese government and the experts have been able to "erect this monument with its original authenticity, integrity as well as its outstanding universal value," Damodar Gautam, director general of Nepal's Department of Archaeology, said on Friday.

The complex, which lies at the heart of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a world cultural heritage site in the Nepali capital, was badly damaged in the 2015 massive earthquakes.

The top three storeys of the Basantapur Palace situated in the southwest corner of the complex totally collapsed, while part of the Bhaktapur Tower in the northeast corner collapsed as well, and some 80 percent of the complex walls suffered varying degrees of deformation and cracking, with over 10,000 wooden components damaged and scattered.

In the aftermath of the tremors, both the Chinese government and the Nepali government agreed to launch the restoration project for the Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex and the project started in August 2017.

According to the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage which has been undertaking the restoration project, post-quake recovery for the complex was pressing, challenging, risky and hard for the team, as the damaged parts of the complex would suffer less loss if the project could move ahead as quickly as possible.

In addition, the complex remaining open to visitors has challenged the team to ensure the safety of both tourists and the project. As many as some 200 people were involved in the reconstruction at the peak time.

Gautam noted that the Chinese experts always consulted with the Nepali side about how to keep the complex's traditional value, design and originality so that "the outstanding universal values of the world heritage site could be maintained."

"They are very cautious about maintaining the authenticity, integrity and values of the world heritage site," he added.

For chief engineer Zhou Jianguo and the team, they had insufficient historical references to work on at the very beginning, especially for the collapsed parts. They had to visit veteran craftsmen and collect old photos in their efforts to restore the historical traces of the complex.

The team moved to reinforce the structures by means of a so-called reversible soft connection, which enabled them to achieve a minimal disturbance but preserve the complex's originality to the most possible extent, and the Chinese team has achieved a patent for the innovative technology in China.

In addition, as the complex had numerous fine and exquisite wooden structures and sculptures, the team used as many original components as possible and all the damaged carvings in the windows have been restored elaborately.

About 85 percent of the old wooden components were applied in the project, while around 3,700 pieces of wooden components were newly built as supplementary parts for the restoration project, accounting for 15 percent of the total wooden components used.

Nepali sculptor Manhari Maharjan felt "fortunate" to work with the Chinese team.

"We could learn a lot from the Chinese team as they identified the carvings of designs that we had not seen earlier," he said. "If a window needed to be repaired, the Chinese team observed the window very well and invited us to discuss with them about whether something was missing in the window."

"They asked us to compare the available window with the picture of the original window and make the same window," he added. "We sketched the missing parts based on the picture of the original window and helped to create a window like the original one."

The restored palace complex looks "very beautiful" and "historical," said a Nepali tourist, who was not allowed inside at the time, as the open time had not come yet.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - The European Council on Monday adopted a series of decisions extending the mandates of four EU Special Representatives (EUSRs)
Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has launched the first nationwide e-Pharmacy in Africa, the National Electronic Pharmacy Platform (NEPP).

The new platform, a new digitisation measure to enable Ghanaians can order pharmaceutical products from the comfort of their homes, is the latest step in the nation's digitisation drive spearheaded by the Vice President.

Dr Bawumia launched NEPP at a program held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra today, Monday, July 18, 2022.

Speaking at the launch, the Vice President said the launch of NEPP is to help over 30 million Ghanaians have access to prescribed medicines in a more convenient, cost-effective and quality assured manner, scaling over counterfeit and inferior medicines.

A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry

Ghana has been undergoing a digitisation effort at warp speed since the current government took over power in 2017.

The global e-Pharmacy market is valued at $52bn compared to the $12.6bn of the global cocoa market.

Vice President Bawumia outlined a need for Ghana to tap into such a market and pushed for the establishment of such a platform.

In 2019, Dr Bawumia urged the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana to come up with a platform to digitise the buying of drugs in Ghana and tap into this multi-billion dollar market.

The National Electronic Pharmacy Platform (NEPP) is the result of that challenge - after extensive collaboration between the Pharmaceutical Society and the Vice Presidents office.

Cheaper, Cost-efficient and Reliable Drugs for All Ghanaians

The NEPP is to address a need of many Ghanaians who might need drugs but are not in a position or are unwilling to step out of their homes to get the needed drugs.

However, buying online comes with inherent risks that can only be eliminated by a national platform which is legitimate and reliable.

The introduction of the National e-Pharmacy Platform for short NEPP is meant to safely and securely make available medicines, reduce the burden of cost and save time, Bawumia stated.

Pharmacies across the country are required to sign up and join the platform. Only authenticated pharmacies would be allowed to dispense drugs via NEPP, with each order scrutinised by a team of professional pharmacists.

The operationalization of the platform is such that every drug request entered into the system is controlled by a team of professional registered pharmacists who based on medication approval and availability, dispense the medication to the patient in a trustworthy manner, Dr. Bawumia added.

Such guardrails and safeguards would ensure patients get exactly the medication they require to meet their health needs.

Currently, there are some unscrupulous pharmacies in the system that might sell the wrong or unlicensed medications out of a need for profit over human life.

Any unlucky Ghanaian who deals with such a pharmacy is at major risk of health problems compounded by taking unapproved drugs.

Such unscrupulous individuals might also price gouge consumers by selling drugs at inflated prices.

The use of the NEPP is designed to exactly weed out such entities due to the safeguards in place.

A 21st Century Economy

Ghana continues to make strides forward into the digitisation era through the tireless efforts of Dr Bawumia despite the continued mockery of the naysayers.

The future beckons and digitisation is the way forward whether we want to admit it or not.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, as the Veep puts it, is upon us and Ghana is striving hard to be at the forefront of it.

Ultimately, we must all remember that you cannot transform an economy with just bricks and mortar. You can only transform an economy with ideas, systems and institutions.

I am therefore very excited to be here today to launch another major innovation in Ghanas digitalization journey; Ghanas National Electronic Pharmacy Platform. This is a great day for Ghana and we should all be justifiably very proud

...Ghana is the first country in Africa and one of only a few in the world to launch a national-scale electronic pharmacy platform with all licenced pharmacies required to be a part of it and linked to the FDA, Dr Bawumia emphasised as he officially launched NEPP.
Despite governments 15 percent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) offer to organised labour to call off their strike, Members of the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana at KNUST say their strike is still in full force.

According to the group, they have several concerns that they have raised over the years, but the government has not addressed them.

They say their national leadership has asked them to lay down their tools until their specific concerns are addressed.

For example, the Secretary of the KNUST chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana, Kwadwo Bediako-Baryeh, noted that tier 2 interests accrued over the years and the desire for allowances to be normalised were major concerns.

Some of the allowances are paid to principles, some of the allowances are being paid to chiefs, but we want it to be normalised so that those who have just entered will be able to get some of these allowances, he said.

Citi News checks show that members of the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana at the Akenten-Appiah Menkah University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) are also embarking on industrial action over the same demands.

During Citi News visit to the KNUST Basic school, for instance, some members of the association were still at post, while others were strictly complying with their leaderships directive to embark on the strike.

Mr. Bediako-Baryeh explained that although some of their members are at post, they will ensure that all members cooperate to ensure their demands are met.

Though some of its members were at work today, Mr. Bediako-Baryeh said letters would be sent around clarifying the strike status and by tomorrow, almost all of them will not be at post.

---citinewsroom
Ankara is claiming a breakthrough in efforts to release trapped Ukrainian grain to world markets as global food prices soar. The breakthrough came after Wednesday's four-way talks between Russian, Ukrainian, United Nations, and Turkish officials in Istanbul.

Turkish defense minister Hulusi Akar said that Wednesday's talks opened the door to a deal that will release millions of tonnes of trapped Ukrainian grain in a statement.

Agreement this month?

Akar said an agreement could be concluded as early as later this month, saying Turkey would play a pivotal role in the proposed agreement for joint controls for checking shipments in harbors and guaranteeing the safety of Black Sea export routes.

The Turkish defense minister said a coordination center with Ukraine, Russia, and United Nations for exporting grain would also be set up in Turkey. United Nations Secretary-General Guterres cautiously welcomed the breakthrough.

"More technical work will now be needed to materialize today's progress. But the momentum is clear," said Guterres.

Trust is the main stumbling block to months of diplomatic efforts to reach a deal. Kyiv fears if it de mines its ports to allow cargo ships to export grain, Russian forces would take advantage and attack.

"This food corridor would require the Ukrainians to remove mines from seaports. They were put there for a reason to keep Russians from invading their country, "said Aaron Stein of Philadelphia-based Foreign Policy Research Institute.

International sanctions

Stein also warned international sanctions on Russia are also an obstacle to any deal. "there is no appetite whatsoever to lift sanctions, and that is the Russian demand, and that is not going to happen," said Stein.

But following Wednesday's talks, Washington announced its sanctions would not target any Russian grain exports that were part of a deal to get grain exported from the Black Sea. Moscow welcomed what it called the "goodwill gesture."

The UN is warning unless tens of millions of grain trapped in Ukrainian ports is not released, world food prices will continue to soar, threatening famines across the globe. Ukraine is the world's leading grain supplier, with Africa especially heavily dependent.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyir said they're determined to reach a deal, "We are indeed putting a significant effort into resuming the supply of food to the world market. And I am grateful to the United Nations and Turkey for their respective efforts."

The progress at the Istanbul talks has underlined Turkey's position as a critical facilitator in negotiations between the warring parties.

"President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been careful to highlight that Turkey wants to maintain relations with both sides," said Sinan Ulgen of the Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies, a research organization in Istanbul.

"So, as a result of this balanced policy, Turkey has been trying to carve out a space for diplomatic influence as a facilitator or potentially as a mediator," added Ulgen.

Ankara's diplomatic success

Ankara's apparent diplomatic success comes at a good time, facing mounting criticism over its refusal to enforce international sanctions on Russia.

In June, Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, accused Turkish companies of buying stolen Ukraine grain.

Kyiv was further angered when Turkish authorities released a Russian-flagged ship that Ukraine claimed was carrying stolen grain. However, international media continue to report grain from Russian-occupied Ukraine is being imported by Turkey.

Ankara vehemently denies the accusations, with Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu saying any charge is taken seriously.

"We are taking all claims seriously and investigating them in a very serious way. And share the outcome with the Ukrainian side all the time," said Cavusoglu.

But to facilitate Russian tourists, which Turkey relies heavily upon, Turkish banks joined Russia's Mir payment system, which Moscow is using to circumvent a ban on international credit cards.

Such moves are adding to broader concerns over Turkey's role in financial sanction busting. Timothy Ash is with Bluebay Asset Management and says Ankara sees a financial opportunity.

"The Turks kind of think, well, we can't afford to join the sanctions regime, and I have heard from the various (Turkish) government officials that they potentially see this as an opportunity to make money, actually," said Ash.

"They argue like the Iran sanctions, brokering sanctions can see Turkey win important foreign exchange earnings. So I think there is nervous about that in the west," he added.

Secondary sanctions

In June, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo visited Ankara to discuss enforcing Russian sanctions. Analysts warn Turkey could be vulnerable to secondary sanctions by Washington.

But Ankara insists enforcing sanctions would jeopardize its mediation efforts between Kyiv and Moscow. Asli Aydintasbas, a senior fellow of the European Council on Foreign Relations, says, for now, Turkey's western allies appear ready to give Ankara the benefit of the doubt.

"There is an acceptance among western allies that Turkey is involved in this balancing act that it's not going to cut off relations with Russia.

That it is going to do this strategic balancing between Russia and the west," said Aydintasbas, "And because Turkey is so geopolitically important at the Black Sea, with the Turkish straits, there is tolerance."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has close ties with his Ukrainian and Russian counterparts. Before Wednesday Istanbul talks on Ukrainian grain, Erdogan spoke with Zelenskiy.

While Tuesday (July 19), the Turkish president, is scheduled to meet face to face with Vladimir Putin in Tehran. A meeting that could prove key to finalizing any deal to get Ukrainian grain back onto world markets.
At Ouallam military base in western Niger, France's fabled Foreign Legion and local troops work side-by-side, and the tricolour that floats over the camp is the ochre, white and green flag of Niger.

"Every morning, we stop and salute the Nigerien flag," said a Foreign Legion lieutenant who had arrived at Ouallam a week earlier with the force's 2nd Infantry Regiment.

The flags symbolise the changes underway as France revamps its role fighting jihadists whose years-long insurgency has devastated the Sahel.

The base, located on the badly-hit border north of Niger's capital Niamey, has 300 French infantry, who operate alongside local troops -- and their commander is a Nigerien.

Cooperation with host countries and a lower profile have become keywords in French military conversation since President Emmanuel Macron in February announced a shakeup of strategy in the Sahel.

In the coming weeks, French forces are expected to complete a pullout from Mali, ending a nearly-decade-long commitment to the country's fight against Islamist militants.

The withdrawal was caused by a bustup following a coup that saw Mali swing towards the Kremlin and bring in Russian "advisers" condemned by France as mercenaries.

A campaign on social media that accused France of manipulating and exploiting its former Sahel colonies also found fertile ground.

Paris is expected to have over a thousand personnel in Niger after the Mali redeployment, providing air support and training. By BERTRAND GUAY (AFP/File)

Last November, violent protests erupted against a French supply convoy that wound its way to Mali through Niger and Burkina Faso.

Support role

French commanders say troop numbers in the Sahel -- 5,100 at their peak -- will fall to around 2,500 when the Mali pullout is done.

Instead of acting in the place of local forces, French soldiers will act more in a supporting role, and the host country will take the lead, they say.

"For our mission to succeed, we have to base ourselves on what Niger wants," Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said last Friday as he visited Ouallam with Nigerien counterpart, Alkassoum Indattou.

In Niger, France has an important air base near the capital Niamey, where assets include drones.

Paris is expected have over a thousand personnel in Niger after the Mali redeployment, providing air support and training, French sources say.

Indattou also gave a low-profile interpretation of the French military presence, implying that it was temporary.

"In the long term, our ambitions are to have sufficient numbers of troops and air support to take care of our own security. This is not yet the case. We need partners in order to be able build up," he said.

Niger, the world's poorest country by the benchmark of the UN's Human Development Index, has been badly hit by the jihadist insurgency that began in northern Mali in 2012.

France is revamping its role fighting jihadists whose years-long insurgency has devastated the Sahel region. By BERTRAND GUAY (AFP)

Thousands of civilians have been killed across the region and more than two million have fled their homes.

Niger is also facing an insurgency on its southeastern frontier with Nigeria -- a campaign launched by the notorious Boko Haram.

Scorching heat

The Ouallam base is building up, but conditions are rugged.

With dayside temperatures sometimes nudging 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), the Legionnaires sleep on camp beds inside tents.

Nearby, bulldozers are at work, clearing ground for a "living area" for comrades who are currently out on operations. There are four field showers and two lines of sinks in the open air.

The 2nd Infantry Regiment's operations centre is housed in a small beige-coloured tent where officers follow on computer screens real-time input from a reconnaissance operation that is under Nigerien command.

Just hours earlier, French reconnaissance power had helped the Nigeriens to capture two suspects.

Defence Minister Alkassoum Indatou said Niger needs partners to build up before being able to take care of its own security. By BERTRAND GUAY (AFP)

"We provide the (technical) means which they lack. But they have perfect knowledge of the terrain and the enemy -- they were born here," a French officer said.

Civilian aid

Lecornu was accompanied to Niger by Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, who was keen to stress France not just provided military aid but development help too.

Niger is one of the biggest recipients of French aid, receiving 143 million euros (dollars) last year.

The two sides signed agreements for a French loan of 50 million euros and a grant of 20 million euros and the Ouallam visit showcased a French-funded project to fight child malnutrition at nearby Simiri village.

Around 4.4 million people in Niger, out of a population of 24 million, are food-insecure -- a problem fuelled by climate change and the jihadist campaign.

"We are in a year of unprecedented food crisis," said the World Food Programme's Jean-Noel Gentile.

"If we have another poor rainy season, it will be a disaster."
Blogs are a double-edged sword. These online essays can be produced by anyone with access to a computer and the internet. The writers could be well-informed experts with valuable insights to share, or official government agencies. Some bloggers are outstanding academic authors who have published their work in accessible databases, like Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Others may be poorly informed people simply sharing a biased opinion.

Although readers might be able to comment on a blog, the material doesn't have the status of peer-reviewed academic research. Checks for quality and reliability aren't built into blog publishing as they are in academic journals. Previous research has discussed the role of blogging communities as reference sources in scientific manuscripts. The University of Cambridge has warned its researchers not to rely on them.

But some blogs still have appeal as sources of information and ideas for researchers because they often deal with new situations that haven't yet been covered in the traditional academic literature.

The emergence of COVID was a perfect example of a new and fast-changing situation like this. Vast amounts of information were becoming available online  some of it in blogs that were reliable and useful to the public and to academics, some not.

Researchers and students need to know how to balance their data sources.

Little is known about how to identify reliable blog content in our field of study, urban planning. We decided to explore this , starting by looking at which kinds of blogs were already being cited by academics, and what criteria they were using to guide their choice of blogs.

We found the blogs cited in academic publications were mostly published by governmental and non-governmental organisations. We analysed the ways in which these blogs had influenced the public dialogue over COVID, and demonstrated that they were founded on unique ideas that had not yet undergone peer assessment.

We also came up with three tips that academics can use for citing blogs in their research.

Citing blogs about COVID-19

A lot of academics and researchers of city planning and design turned to blogs during the coronavirus outbreak for information. We conducted a scoping study in 2020, analysing 31 samples from four types of blogging sources cited in 10 publications published in seven journals. We looked at social sciences journals published in 2020 and searched for blogs that were used as references in such articles about COVID-19.

We found that in the year 2020, academics and researchers in urban planning and design used blogs produced by four types of publishers: government agencies, nongovernmental organisations, private groups, and individuals.

Moreover, we found that academics and researchers cited blogs for three reasons:

collecting quantitative data resulting from statistical analysis

shedding light on qualitative knowledge related to social solutions like social distancing and lockdown

confronting the challenges of pandemics through the principles of urban planning.

Criteria for citing blogs

This analysis was part of a wider study of the use of blogs by academics. Based on this work, we have three tips for finding blogs that publish scientific findings on vital topics like COVID-19 and can be cited in scholarly articles.

It is possible for academics and researchers in urban planning and design to cite blogs in their scholarly works. This is done by selecting posts that provide relevant analysis, results and findings done by government agencies and nongovernmental organisations. For blogs written by individuals or private groups such as Brookings and CityLab , it crucial to keep track of bloggers in scientific databases, like the Web of Science , Scopus or Google Scholar . Several metrics can help to understand bloggers' standing, including the number of citations, h-index , and normalised citation impact . Citing blogs can be based on the number of views or reviews, which can indicate the possibility of an open-ended debate about the post. However, it is important to remember that while blog views can seem important, they are not necessarily a reliable metric to cite blogs. Blog views reflect the importance of the topic rather than the reliability of the information provided in the blog.

By following these tips, academics and researchers can use blogs as reliable sources of information. They can be cited in scholarly publications for emerging issues such as COVID-19 in its early stages. These tips can guide academics and researchers when they tackle topics still under research or not covered in scientific studies.

Abeer Elshater receives funding from Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF).

Hisham Abusaada does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Abeer Elshater, Professor, Ain Shams University And

Hisham Abusaada, Professor in Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC), Cairo, Egypt, Housing and Building National Research Center
A member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr. Richard Amoako Baah has described as needless, praises President Nana Akufo-Addo heaped on Freddie Blay, the outgone national chairman.

He said the former chairman under his leadership, failed to unite the party, which led to the party losing 32 seats in Parliament during the 2020 parliamentary elections.

President Nana Akufo-Addo in his speech during the ruling NPPs National Delegates conference in Accra heaped praises on outgoing national chairman Mr. Freddie Blay for his extraordinary work.

According to the President, Mr. Blay, who crossed from the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) to the NPP, helped rescue the party and won power in 2016 when they were in dire crisis.

Reacting to the presidents statement, Dr. Richard Amoako Baah, said Mr Blay deserves condemnation for bad leadership and the division he brought to the party.

The former Political Science lecturer at the KNUST, during an interview on Otec FMs Nyansapo show on Monday, July 18, 2022 mentioned Freddie Blay's failure to fulfil his promise of a bus to each of the 275 constituencies.

It was under his leadership that led to the losing of 32 seats in parliament by the party, for imposing parliamentary candidates on the supporters and his failure to resolve party disputes that led to the supporters voting skirt and blouse'," he told the program host, Captain Koda.

He added that under the Freddie Blay administration, electoral process has not been smooth, with Fomena constituency as a case study, and led to the party losing the seat to an independent.
The security detail of Majority Leader Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu had to act swiftly on Monday to guarantee his safety after visiting Suame Magazine.

The Member of Parliament of Suame today, July 18, visited Suame Magazine on a fact-finding mission following last weeks protest by artisans over the deplorable state of roads in the area.

After reaching Suame, angry artisans operating inside Suame Magazine, the popular spare parts shop in Kumasi mounted an attack with some pelting sachet water and other materials in his direction.

The security of Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu acted quickly and led the MP to safety into a conference room in an area called Tarkwah.

Thanks to the intervention of the Suame Divisional and the Ashanti regional police command, calm was restored as the Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs carried on with the mission of his visit to his Constituency.

The action of the angry artisans according to sources follow accusations that the MP has not been serving the interest of his people since he was voted into power.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu said he understands the aggression of the people and is not disturbed by their actions.

Despite reiterating that he cannot be blamed for the poor state of the road, he said the necessary engagements have been made for construction works on the deplorable road to begin this week.
In todays Money Morningeven the kitchen sinkregulators prepare for next bull runwill you miss out?and more

I came across a funny Twitter profile the other day

Its called the Inverse Cramer ETF (Not Jim Cramer).

In case you dont know, Jim Cramer is the very popular, long-time host of CNBCs Mad Money show.

On the segment, he basically shoots from the hip on whats happening in stocks and markets.

He can get quite emotional and is very entertaining.

But what the enterprising soul who started up the Inverse Jim Cramer ETF realised was that he got an awful lot of calls wrong too.

So he started tracking them and creating a pretend ETF of all Jims predictions, but doing the opposite!

Heres a good example:

The author claims  and Ive not checked this  that the Inverse Cramer ETF is significantly beating the market this year, writing on their website:

If youve been inversing Jimmy, congratulations on a spectacular month and year. You are significantly beating the market!

Look, it wouldnt surprise me if it were true.

The unspoken truth about financial media is that its all about eyeballs, not about being right per se.

And, of course, being right consistently in investment markets is a very hard thing to do.

I make plenty of bad calls myself!

But theres a subtle difference between how we think about a given subject and how the mainstream does.

The mainstream makes money by stating the obvious and not going too far outside the accepted wisdom.

Its a comfortable space for investors to live.

But as Jim Cramers performance suggests, probably not that profitable!

The truth of the matter is, if you want to give yourself an edge in investment markets, you have to think the opposite of what others are thinking.

Or explore places no one is thinking about at all!

Thats our niche in the investing industry.

So with that said, heres one sector I think represents a huge contrarian opportunity for you right now.

If youve the courage to go against the grain

Even the kitchen sink

Youve just seen what a good, old-fashioned bank run looks like in the digital asset world.

US$2 trillion vaporised from the crypto system in six months. For many of the 19,000 altcoinsan utter bloodbath.

Some say this is the end for crypto

Including our friend Jim.

Heres what he has to say about cryptocurrencies like Ethereum [ETH] right now:

I just noticed Ethereum popped 30% higher since Cramer said this!

But do you see how the mainstream operates?

When theres a bull market, they jump aboard. Then when things crash, they pile on the fear.

Theyre taking the easy route by appealing to your immediate emotional responses. Theyre certainly not getting you to challenge your thinking.

And Cramers not alone in this regard when it comes specifically to crypto.

Nearly every day for the past few months, Ive been reading stories from mainstream outlets about how bad crypto is and how bad its going to do in the future.

Meanwhile, quietly in the background, big players are hoovering up quality crypto assets (not the dodgy stuff) on the sly.

As reported in DeCrypt:

Earlier this week, blockchain analytics Glassnode also said that whales are adding to their balance aggressively, acquiring 140,000 Bitcoin per month directly from exchanges. Currently, whales own as much as 8.69 million BTC, or 45.6% of Bitcoins total supply of 21 million, according to Glassnode.

It was also revealed in the first week of July that the worlds richest Bitcoin [BTC] walleta giga-whaleis now officially on a massive shopping spree.

Splurging more than US$102 million so far.

Thats a lot of money to risk if you thought it had even a snowballs chance in hell of going to zero, as the critics claim.

So why are these big hands so confident in the face of all this negativity?

Well, theyre probably seeing the same subtle shifts Im seeing

Regulators prepare for next bull run

As I wrote to subscribers of my new Crypto Capital project on Thursday:

It appears those crypto bros over at the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) didnt get the memo about bitcoin being dead. Despite its public scepticism on cryptocurrencies, the BIS Basel Committee on Banking Supervision quietly issued a very interesting proposal. In it they recommended that banks be allowed to hold up to 1% of their total reserves in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. The document stated: Banks exposures to Group 2 cryptoassets will be subject to an exposure limit. Banks must apply the exposure limit to their aggregate exposures to Group 2 cryptoassets, including both direct holdings (cash and derivatives) and indirect holding (i.e. those via investment funds, ETF/ETN, special purpose vehicles). Make no mistake, this is a very big deal. While the 1% limit is still fairly strict, the fact theyre moving in this direction at all is a huge sign of progress. The BIS is a global supervisory body for central banks  so a sort of bank for central banks  which means this proposal has global implications. And they werent the only committee subtly shifting their stance on bitcoin There was also this new report issued by The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland recently:

The paper discusses how the Lightning Network is turning bitcoin into a more viable currency. Heres a good one-liner from the mostly technical paper: If the scalability problem can be successfully addressed, it may be possible for a currency based on a permissionless blockchain to obtain wide acceptance. Haters, be in disbelief!

Its certainly a lot of time and administrative effort for bureaucrats to waste on a dead asset class

Will you miss out?

Big hands buying

Regulators subtly changing their tone

Mainstream screeching at you to sell

To me, thats a very interesting combination of factors in play.

At the very least, I think it should pique your interest; especially if like me youre a contrarian investor interested in potential exponential opportunities.

If you are, look out as Ill have more to say on this over the coming week or two

Good investing,

Ryan Dinse,

Editor, Money Morning
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The Press House of Mali has launched an urgent appeal to journalists, videomen, citizens, bloggers, opinion leaders, influencers and civil society to be more responsible in the dissemination of information
July 18, 2022 Three Other Writers With Thoughts On Ukraine Today I will point to three other writers with current thoughts around the war in Ukraine. Yelensis of Awful Avalanche has fun with the current news from Kiev: Ukraine War Day #145: Zelensky Surrounded By Traitors And Spies The big news coming out of the Ukraine this past weekend: Zelensky has fired his Prosecutor-General Irina Venediktova, and also the head of the SBU (Security Agency, successor to Soviet KGB), a man named Ivan Bakanov. Both of whom used to be tight members of Zelenskys inner circle, especially the latter.

...

I love the way Zel just casually tossed that out, about Ukie security forces routinely chatting with Russian military intelligence. Russophile blogosphere having a field day, natch! Maria Zakharova trolled Zelensky on Twitter, calling these dismissals effective de-Nazification on Zelenskys part. Other bloggers have compared Zelensky to Stalin, in his paranoia starting to turn against his inner circle. However, to me it doesnt even seem like paranoia, I think these Ukrainian agencies probably are riddled with Russian spies. Ukrainian government officials are so corrupt, they would do literally anything for money. With some 35,000 people on staff the SBU is as big as the FBI but controls a 90% smaller population. Next to internal security it is also tasked with fighting economic crimes. It is brutal, utterly corrupt and filled with Russian spies and has been so since the Ukraine became on independent nation. The only correct but dangerous move would be to dissolve it. With Zel's inner circle falling apart the clock for his own demise is only ticking faster. --- Yves Smith is not impressed with the Ukraine's 'success' in the war. Russias Campaign in Ukraine: Nearing an Inflection Point? She reviews the current situation and suggest how the war will continue: Speculation among Western sources that read Russian or have good Russian contacts (see the Larry Johnson-Andrei Martyanov-Alexander Mercouris roundtable, hosted by Gonzalo Lira, as an example) is that Russia will pause after it has secured Donbass and will deliver its conditions for a peace to Ukraine. These are certain to be unacceptable since the bare minimum ask will be conceding the loss of Donbass and Crimea (and let us not forget neutrality and denazification too). The West of course will flatly reject it. Thats fine by Russia since it would not trust any deal with Ukraine or the West as far as it could throw it. The point of this offer at the point of securing the first objective of the Special Military Operation is to play to China, India, the global South, and secondarily to the more cautious and war-averse members of the Russian citizenry, that Russia going beyond the narrowest implementation of the SMO was not due to Russia wanting to take more territory, but being forced to do so to achieve its additional goals of demilitarization and denazificaition. If Ukraine and its allies wont do so voluntarily, Russia will by force. It was actually the Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, who has good relations with Russia and was surely told to transmit this message, who said that Russia will make a peace offer and that the west will likely reject it: I know what awaits us. As soon as Vladimir Putin finishes business in Sieversk, Bakhmut and Soledar, and then on the second line Sloviansk - Kramatorsk - Avdeevka, his proposal will follow. If they dont accept it, and they dont intend to, we will go to hell, Russian news service Izvestia quotes the Serbian leader as saying on July 14. So Russia will continue. Yves Smith concludes: My belief is still that Russia will give priority to taking Odessa unless there are logistical considerations that argue against that. The Ukraine military is so close to collapse that Russian forces going to Odessa sooner rather than later is a real possibility. Its the psychologically most important target for the Russian people, and economically more valuable than Kiev. The West would recognize that Russia getting control of what was Ukraines entire Black Sea coast as an enormous loss. I suspect what Russia decides to do with or about Ukraine to the west of the Dnieper is event dependent. However, the West has decided to tie itself even more tightly to the Ukraine albatross. I had said to Lambert that it was not impossible for Russia to have decisively won (as in taken Odessa) by sometime in October, but even with the Western forces clearly unable to rout Russia, that Europe and the US would keep its citizens cold and hungry this winter just to spite Russia. West of the Dnieper lies Kryvyi_Rih the mineral wealth of which was developed under Russian and then Soviet control. It has always had a symbiotic relationships with the heavy industry in the Donbas region. It is probably even more valuable than Odessa. Except for the last 30 some years Kryvyi Rih had been under Russian control since 1775. It is about 100 kilometer north-east of Nikolayev and only 40 kilometer from the current frontline. This map may reflect the Russian thinking of a future borderline in southern Ukraine.

bigger The last point Smith makes is important. Yes, the 'west' is likely to continue its suicidal sanctions even when Russia stops the war and offers peace. It is U.S. pressure on the Europeans that will keep the sanctions going. On February 7, before the war started, Michael Hudson pointed out that the real target of the U.S. instigation of a war in Ukraine is Germany: The threat to U.S. dominance is that China, Russia and Mackinders Eurasian World Island heartland are offering better trade and investment opportunities than are available from the United States with its increasingly desperate demand for sacrifices from its NATO and other allies. The most glaring example is the U.S. drive to block Germany from authorizing the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to obtain Russian gas for the coming cold weather. Angela Merkel agreed with Donald Trump to spend $1 billion building a new LNG port to become more dependent on highly priced U.S. LNG. (The plan was cancelled after the U.S. and German elections changed both leaders.) But Germany has no other way of heating many of its houses and office buildings (or supplying its fertilizer companies) than with Russian gas. The only way left for U.S. diplomats to block European purchases is to goad Russia into a military response and then claim that avenging this response outweighs any purely national economic interest. As hawkish Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, explained in a State Department press briefing on January 27: If Russia invades Ukraine one way or another Nord Stream 2 will not move forward. The problem is to create a suitably offensive incident and depict Russia as the aggressor. The current German government is more or less under U.S. control. I will need to be changed before the sanction nonsense can stop. A 'winter of discontent' (see below) will probably do that. --- At Larry Johnson's site Helmholtz Smith looks at the sanction disaster the 'west' has caused for itself and explains why Russia has no inventive to change its current way: OPERATION Z  DONT INTERRUPT One of Napoleons observations is that you should never interrupt your enemies when they are making a mistake. Russians know this, not least because they were careful not to interrupt Napoleon himself in 1812. Putin and his team have had plenty of opportunities to meet NATOs leaders, observe them, negotiate with them and assess them. Its unlikely theyre very impressed. But when they started their special military operation in Ukraine they could never have dreamed how self-destructive NATO would be. What mistakes? First, the West has not shot itself in the foot with its economic sanctions  Hungarys Viktor Orban is right when he observes that it has put a slug into its lungs. One can still limp along with a broken foot, but a shot to the lungs is pretty serious. Second, who in Moscow could have imagined that NATO would shovel its ammunition and weapons stockpiles into the Ukrainian black hole in the expectation that if they can get the latest wonderwaffe to General Steiner theyll be in Moscow by Christmas. A good reason for Moscow to take it slowly  let the mistakes develop, compound and metastasize. Its happening by itself. Naturally, inevitably, logically. No outside effort required. An unexpected bonus. Dont interrupt.

...

Even The Economist has noticed  Europes winter of discontent. (Still thinks that its Putin that put the double-tap into the lung though. But it is The Economist which has done its bit to bring us to this point.) Why would Moscow want this to end any time soon? Time is working and the enemy is making lots of mistakes. Dont interrupt. Posted by b on July 18, 2022 at 16:20 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
The Block NZ is back for its 10th season - and there are some familiar faces back to DIY for the win!

This year's season of The Block NZ is about Redemption. And four teams from previous seasons will aim to impress the judges, right those reno-wrongs, and pocket a decent profit with a rare second chance for success.

Meet the four teams on The Block NZ: Redemption for 2022:

Christchurch couple Quinn and Ben Alexandre (Season 3, 2014)
August Pfluger's Office

Members of Texas delegation are protesting the Environmental Protection Agencys possible redesignation of the Permian Basin as being in non-attainment.

Their protest came in a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, led by Rep. August Pfluger, the Republican whose District 11 includes Midland and other parts of the Permian Basin. The letter noted that the Permian Basin accounts for over 40 percent of US oil production and 15 percent of natural gas production. The designation, they wrote, would significantly burden Permian producers, slowing production and reducing supply in a region that is a key geopolitical tool for the US and its allies.
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BERLIN (AP)  The German government said Monday that a turbine at the center of uncertainty about future gas deliveries through a major pipeline from Russia to Europe was only supposed to be installed in September, underlining its insistence that there should be no technical obstacle to the gas flow.

Meanwhile, Germany's biggest importer of Russian gas said it had received a letter from Russia's Gazprom claiming force majeure  events beyond its control  as the reason for past and current shortfalls in gas deliveries, a claim that the importer rejected. Analysts say the impact of the move on future gas deliveries is uncertain.

Gazprom reduced gas deliveries through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany by 60% last month. The state-owned gas company cited alleged technical problems involving equipment that partner Siemens Energy sent to Canada for overhaul and couldnt be returned because of sanctions imposed over Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The Canadian government said over a week ago that it would allow the gas turbine that powers a compressor station to be delivered to Germany, citing the very significant hardship that the German economy would suffer without a sufficient gas supply to keep industries running and to generate heat and electricity.

German politicians have dismissed Russias technical explanation for last months reduction in gas flowing through Nord Stream 1, saying the decision was a political gambit by the Kremlin to sow uncertainty and further push up energy prices.

We don't see technical reasons, Economy Ministry spokeswoman Beate Baron told reporters in Berlin. Our information is that this turbine is a replacement turbine that was earmarked for use in September but, again, we are doing everything to take away possible pretexts for the Russian side.

Nord Stream 1 shut down altogether for annual maintenance on July 11. German officials are concerned that Russia may not resume gas deliveries at all after the scheduled end of that work Thursday and could cite an alleged technical reason not to do so.

Gazprom saying theyre not responsible for gas shortfalls does fit the market expectations/fears that there would be some kind of argument to not restart the Nord Stream 1 pipeline after the 10-day maintenance, said Hans van Cleef, senior energy economist at ABN Amro. It remains to be seen whether this is the argument or whether this is only a warning.

As for the turbine, Baron would not say where it was, citing security reasons. He said no European Union permit is needed for its transport because it doesn't fall under EU sanctions.

Gazprom has raised the turbine issue twice over recent days, saying Saturday that it had formally approached Siemens Energy to provide documents needed to transport the equipment back to Russia.

German energy company Uniper said it had received a letter from Gazprom Export in which the company claims force majeure retroactively for past and current shortfalls in gas deliveries.

We consider this as unjustified and have formally rejected the force majeure claim, Uniper said in an email.

On July 8, Uniper  Germanys biggest importer of Russian gas  asked the German government for a bailout to cope with surging gas prices.

While talks on that continue, Uniper said in a separate statement Monday that it was now fully using an existing 2 billion-euro (dollar) credit facility from Germany's state-owned KfW development bank and applied to increase that facility.

___

Follow all AP stories on developments related to the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
WPP Buys Brazilian eCommerce Agency Corebiz

Marcoms giant WPP has acquired eCommerce agency Corebiz, headquartered in Brazil, for an undisclosed sum.



Corebiz, which also has offices in Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Spain, offers a range of eCommerce digital solutions, including creating visuals for digital campaigns, CRO (conversion rate optimization), and loyalty solutions - from CRM system implementation to managing consumer data and running targeted promotional campaigns. In addition, the company conducts web and product analytics, user interface/experience testing, and A/B tests; it also helps clients reach audiences across multiple channels, and uncover new growth areas in Latin America and beyond.



The agency was founded in 2013 by Felipe Macedo and Renan Mota (pictured), and now employs more than 600 staff across Latin America, with the majority based in its Sao Paulo and Franca offices. As part of the deal, Corebiz Brazilian operations will join WPP's commerce specialist VMLY&R COMMERCE, with other parts of Corebiz joining WPP during the year.



Stefano Zunino, Country Manager for WPP in Brazil, states: 'Companies both in Latin America and around the world are looking to grow their eCommerce capabilities, having seen over the last two and a half years the impact that strong digital commerce strategies can have on business growth. Corebiz's market-leading knowledge of enterprise commerce platforms such as VTEX will further strengthen our commerce expertise. I look forward to welcoming the Corebiz team as we expand our offer to clients here in Brazil and beyond'.



Web sites: www.wpp.com , www.vmlyrcommerce.com and www.corebiz.ag .




If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Behaviorally Opens Bangkok 'Hub'

Digital consumer marketing insights specialist Behaviorally has opened a first office in Thailand, and appointed Vorasiri 'Pat' Supanichvorapart there as Vice President.



Behaviorally applies a 'digital-first' approach to insights, a behavioral framework, AI technology and decades of category expertise to define and diagnose the factors that influence behavior when making a purchase. The new hub adds to existing operations in Asia, and a network of recently opened offices spanning Switzerland, Australia, New York City, France, Germany and the Philippines.



Supanichvorapart (pictured) joins after working in the Strategy team of the CEO office at energy drinks company Carabao Group. Prior to this she held leadership roles at ABN Impact, Inspirio, Symphony Retail AI (formerly Symphony EYC), and dunnhumby.



Commenting on the appointment, Group President Crispin Beale said: 'We are very pleased to welcome Vorasiri 'Pat' to our Asia team. She is an accomplished top performer and intensely focused on partnering with our customers to ensure their success. She's creative, collaborative, and an enthusiastic team player who will be a great addition to our team further helping us implement our strategic vision in this region as we grow to help our customers'.



Web site: www.behaviorally.com .




Access to care is more important than ever amid our soaring overdose rates. This mobile medical unit will allow us to face that challenge, both geographically and demographically...

CODAC Behavioral Healthcare, the largest non-profit, outpatient provider for opioid treatment in Rhode Island, today announced the launch of its new mobile medical unit that will dispense methadone along with the other two FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (OUD as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). CODACs mobile medical unit is the first in the nation to be approved under the new DEA regulations that went into effect on July 28, 2021.

CODACs 27-foot long mobile medical unit was made possible by a generous grant from the Champlin Foundation; it features a dispensary examination/treatment room, counseling room, waiting area, restroom, and fully equipped security system. The mobile medical unit will begin providing MAT services, including counseling, and methadone dispensing (as well as treatment with buprenorphine and naltrexone) to patients residing in Woonsocket. Services will be provided on-site Monday through Saturday from 6:30 to 10 a.m., with the presence of a Medical Doctor on alternating days of the week. Counseling services will be facilitated via Telehealth in efforts to provide more hands-on support. Other on-site services will include but not be limited to Blood Pressure screening, Glucose Reading, and Mental Health Screening.

Access to care is more important than ever amid our soaring overdose rates, stated Linda Hurley, President/CEO of CODAC. This mobile medical unit will allow us to face that challenge, both geographically and demographically. It will allow us to bring treatment to individuals struggling with addiction and literally meet them where they are -- in the places where that treatment is most needed.

In Rhode Island, deaths from accidental drug overdose (OD) in 2021 were higher than for any other year on record, according to the state Department of Health, and recently passed the benchmark of 100,000 deaths nationally in a twelve-month reporting period.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee stated: A key element of our response to the opioid overdose crisis is meeting people where they are. This new mobile medical unit from CODAC Behavioral Health does just that, said Governor Dan McKee. This innovative intervention will help get tools, resources, and supports into communities throughout Rhode Island, and will allow public health workers to respond to trends in overdose activity. Recovery and hope are never out of reach.

K. Joseph Shekarchi, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives stated: Codac again brings RI to the forefront of the efforts to address the opioid overdose epidemic. The mobile medical unit will bring services to communities who have the most difficulty receiving those services and have the most need. Thank you again CODAC

Dominick J. Ruggerio, President of the Rhode Island Senate stated: We are extremely proud of the work that CODAC has done, again being the first in the nation to provide a newly DEA regulated mobile medical unit services to address the opioid epidemic. This is a big step in keeping our friends and family safer from this disease.

Mark W. Parrino, M.P.A. President, American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, stated: I am grateful to Linda Hurley and her CODAC colleagues for being among the first to launch a new mobile van under the DEA regulations, which will extend the reach of CODACs Opioid Treatment Programs into underserved areas of Rhode Island. It represents the opportunity to expand the OTP hub sites to reach underserved people in desperate need of care for their opioid use disorder.

Ben Lessing, MSW, CEO, Community Care Alliance, stated: "We have lost too many people in Woonsocket due to opioid addiction and overdose deaths. Community Care Alliance is pleased to welcome CODAC as an additional partner to address this acute behavioral healthcare need. Access, rapid response and addressing opioid concerns in a comprehensive manner is critical. We believe that the presence of CODAC's Mobile Medical Unit will help to improve current conditions on the ground."

About CODAC Behavioral Healthcare

CODAC Behavioral Healthcare, a non-profit organization founded in 1971, is Rhode Islands oldest and largest provider of outpatient services for opioid use disorder, other substance use disorders, and concurrent behavioral health challenges. With eight locations across Rhode Island, CODAC has attained Center of Excellence designations for each of its treatment sites. CODAC has done extensive work with individuals involved in the criminal justice system since 1994 and, in 2016, launched a program with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) that was the first of its kind in the United States to screen all inmates for opioid use disorder and provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for those in need. Results from CODACs RIDOC program have been studied and published, and the program has been recognized as a model for all 50 states by the Department of Justice, SAMHSA and multiple other national agencies. In addition, CODAC is now licensed in Massachusetts to operate an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP). For more information about CODAC, visit: http://www.codacinc.org

Media Contacts:

Bill Gordon; PR/Media Relations

646-924-6146

billgordon37@hotmail.com

Alisha Bourdeau,CFO; CODAC

(401) 654-8738

abourdeau@codacinc.org
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., leaves after voting on an amendment to the continuing resolution that averted a shutdown of the federal government, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Feb. 17, 2022.
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  A judge in West Virginias capital blocked enforcement of the states 150-year-old abortion ban Monday, opening the door for abortions to resume in the state, at least for now.

Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Tera L. Salango granted the Womens Health Center of West Virginia a preliminary injunction against the 1800s-era ban, saying that in the absence of action by the court, the state's sole abortion clinic and its patients, especially those who are impregnated as a result of a rape or incest, are suffering irreparable harm.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey decried the ruling, calling it "a dark day for West Virginia. He said his office will appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

West Virginia has a state law on the books dating back to the 1800s making performing or obtaining an abortion a felony, punishable by up to a decade in prison. It provides an exception for cases in which a pregnant persons life is at risk.

Lawyers for the Women's Health Center  the state's only abortion clinic  argued that the old law is void because it has not been enforced in more than 50 years and has been superseded by a slew of modern laws regulating abortion that acknowledge a womans right to the procedure. One example is West Virginias 2015 law, which allows abortions until 20 weeks.

Judge Salango agreed, saying the recent laws enacted by the state legislature hopelessly conflict with the criminal abortion ban and that it would be inequitable to allow conflicting laws to remain on the books.

The code is replete with examples of undeniable conflicts in the law that appear fundamental and irreconcilable, making the law incompatible by any reading, she said of the criminal abortion ban. Perhaps when it was drafted, that legislation was sufficient. However, in todays world, it is simply too vague to be applied.

The Womens Health Center of West Virginia had suspended abortion services June 24, the day the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Staffers canceled dozens of abortion appointments, fearing they or their patients could be prosecuted under the old statute.

The clinics attorneys said abortion services are essential health care, and the states most vulnerable residents are put at risk every day they dont have access to that care.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, however, argued that the law is still enforceable. State attorneys claimed the law has not been active in decades only because prosecuting people for getting or performing abortions would have been illegal under Roe  but that's no longer the case.

The laws passed in years since do not conflict with the old law, the attorney general's office said, but rather were intended to fill the void regarding unregulated post-Roe abortion," and if lawmakers wanted to repeal the 1800s-era law, they would have done so.

Before Monday's hearing, Morrisey's office wrote in court filings that the Women's Health Center's arguments are likely to fail and overlook basic history: the West Virginia Legislatures attempt to protect innocent, unborn life to the greatest extent possible against the backdrop of Roe v. Wade.

It is counter-historical to say that the Legislature intended less protection for unborn life if Roe was overruled than if Roe never existed," they said.

Salango said if lawmakers wanted to ensure that abortion would be criminalized in West Virginia if Roe fell, they should have taken more concrete action to do so.

I will not put words in the legislatures mouth," she said. "However, if the legislature intended for the criminal statute to be in full force, it was free to pass a trigger law, similar to a number of other states. The legislature chose not to do so.

In 2021, the Women's Health Center performed 1,304 abortions, according to court documents. The majority of patients  87%  were from West Virginia, with most others from Ohio and Kentucky.

Attorney Kathleen Hartnett from the Cooley law firm argued for the clinic, along with attorneys from the ACLU of West Virginia, Mountain State Justice and others.
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MEXICO CITY (AP)  The extradition of drug trafficker Rafael Caro Quintero, captured in the mountains of northwest Mexico, will not happen quickly, according to a judges ruling published Monday.

The Mexican judge issued what amounts to an injunction preventing Caro Quintero from being sent to the United States without going through the formal extradition process. The judge also ruled that he must remain in the maximum security prison west of the capital where he was taken after his capture while that process plays out.

After Caro Quinteros arrest Friday, the U.S. government said it would seek his immediate extradition. That process began Saturday, but as expected, Caro Quinteros lawyers intervened.

The extradition process can often be drawn out depending on the targets willingness to fight it and the governments desire to speed it along.

A judge reviews the United States extradition request, including evidence supporting the allegations, and gives an opinion to the Foreign Affairs ministry on whether it meets criteria for extradition. Even if the ministry decides that the extradition should proceed, Caro Quintero would have the ability to appeal.

In the case of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the former leader of the Sinaloa cartel now serving a life sentence in the United States, the process took a year.

Caro Quintero, who was convicted in Mexico for the murder of DEA agent Enrique Kiki Camarena and a Mexican pilot in 1985 was captured by Mexican marines Friday in the state of Sinaloa.

On Monday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the arrest showed the Mexican government no longer protects criminals.

If there is an arrest order it has to be executed and if support is asked of the (Mexican) government its executed, whoever it is, its a routine affair, they (the armed forces) dont need to consult me, Lopez Obrador said during his daily news conference.

Asked if the DEA had located Caro Quintero and told Mexicos marines where to find him, Lopez Obrador said no. He said the marines had developed the intelligence on where the 69-year-old drug lord was hiding was and acted on it.

The president did say that regular cooperation between the two countries exists and U.S. authorities participate when necessary, for example with drones, but clarified that that was not the case this time.

The arrest came three days after Lopez Obrador met with President Joe Biden in Washington. And DEA Administrator Anne Milgram had made it sound like a collaborative effort in a message to the agency late Friday.

Our incredible DEA team in Mexico worked in partnership with Mexican authorities to capture and arrest Rafael Caro Quintero, she said in a message to the agency late Friday. Todays arrest is the result of years of your blood, sweat, and tears.

Rear Admiral Jose Orozco, the Mexican navys spokesman, said Monday the services intelligence area had been on Caro Quinteros trail for two months. Once his location and habits were established, the special operations team decided how and when to act, he said.

The objective (Caro Quintero) moved very comfortably in the area, he didnt have security and when he saw the navy personnel arrive he tried to flee and hide in areas with a lot of vegetation, Orozco said. Thats where, with the help of the canine, we were able to find him.

He said this was the first operation to try to capture Caro Quintero in that area and it worked without a single shot being fired.

Caro Quintero had blamed Camarena for a raid on a huge marijuana plantation in 1984. The next year, Camarena was kidnapped in Guadalajara, allegedly on orders from Caro Quintero. His tortured body was found a month later.

Caro Quintero was captured in Costa Rica in 1985 and was serving a 40-year sentence in Mexico for the abduction and killing of Camarena and Mexican pilot Alfredo Zavala Avelar when an appeals court overturned his verdict in 2013. The Supreme Court upheld the sentence, but it was too late  Caro Quintero had been spirited off in a waiting vehicle.

Caro Quintero was added to FBIs 10 most wanted list in 2018 with a $20 million reward for his capture.
Heilind Electronics will be exhibiting at this years International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago from September 12 through September 17.

Heilind Electronics, a leading global distributor of electronic components, announces it will be showcasing some of its key interconnect products at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS)  an event that unites and educates the creators, builders, sellers, and drivers of manufacturing technology.

At the show, Heilind will be highlighting products from leading manufacturers Bel/Cinch Connectivity, Crouzet, HARTING, ITT Cannon, Molex and TE Connectivity.

Our team is thrilled to be exhibiting at IMTS for the first time, said Rick Roedell, Territory Business Manager, Heilind Electronics. As a global interconnect distributor, we will be showcasing a wide selection of connector solutions, electrical wire and cable, switches, and other innovative products designed for manufacturing professionals.

Heilind Electronics serves customers of all sizes, from start-ups to large multinational OEMs. Heilind representatives will be available at booth #121567 for the duration of the show, which will be held from September 12 through September 17 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.

About Heilind Electronics

Heilind Electronics, Inc. (https://www.heilind.com) is one of the world's leading distributors of connectors, relays, sensors, switches, thermal management and circuit protection products, terminal blocks, wire and cable, wiring accessories and insulation and identification products. Founded in 1974, Heilind has locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Follow Heilind on Facebook at facebook.com/Heilind and on Twitter at twitter.com/Heilind.
The state is expanding provisions of a law that allows it to reject or revoke the Firearm Owners Identification card of someone it considers to pose a safety threat.

Existing rules have allowed use of "clear and present danger" denials for those exhibiting dangerous "physical or verbal behavior, such as violent, suicidal or assaultive threats, actions or other behavior." The change will allow authorities to review past episodes of such behavior, even if the person did not have or was not seeking a Firearm Owners Identification card at the time.

Clear and present danger reports are different from a court-ordered firearms restraining order, and can be made by law enforcement authorities, school administrators, physicians or psychologists. The reports can be used to revoke or deny a Firearm Owners Identification card, as can certain mental health considerations, orders of protection or some criminal records.

"These modifications to administrative law will immediately give (state police) the legal authority to consider more evidence when determining whether to issue or revoke a (Firearm Owners Identification card) and will strengthen the ISPs ability to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said.

Illinois State Police is responsible for approving the cards, which are required for anyone in Illinois who wants to legally own a firearm.

The measure is being made as an emergency rule change, which can be done when the state considers it to address a threat to public interest, safety or welfare. It must be submitted to the secretary of state and considered by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. Emergency rules go into effect within 10 days of filing but cannot be used for more than 150 days.

Illinois State Police said it also will start the process to make the changes permanent.

"For the sake of public safety, any (Firearm Owners Identification card) applicant with prior clear and present danger information needs to have that considered when having their application processed," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. "These changes will immediately allow ISP to see a fuller picture of an applicants history and keep the people of Illinois safe from those who should not be in possession of firearms."
SolStock/Getty Images

Jacksonville firefighters are collecting new socks to give to students returning to school.

They are looking for donations of any sizes in white, gray or black. Collection tubs have been placed outside of the main fire station at 200 W. Douglas Ave. and the fire substation at 1600 W. Lafayette Ave.
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On July 4, 1776, the 13 united States of America declared their independence, throwing off oppression from Great Britain. The government in the new country would derive its just powers from the consent of the governed.

The recent celebration of our countrys independence was tragically marred by the Highland Park massacre of seven Americans with dozens more wounded during a patriotic parade. This tragedy underscores that our nation is still being oppressed, not by another country but by a minority of U.S. senators who use the undemocratic Senate filibuster rule to block even debate on a bill to address critical national issues like gun violence.

It had been nearly 30 years since Congress passed legislation addressing this issue. One of those laws banned the production of assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines for sale to the public. That prohibition ended a decade later, in accordance with the laws sunset provision.

Since then, the publics support has grown even stronger for stricter gun laws to stop the weapons-of-war mass killings that occur every week. But our Senate, oppressed by the minoritys use of the undemocratic filibuster rule, failed to deliver for the public.

It took the recent slaughter of seniors grocery shopping in Buffalo, New York, and children being massacred in their Texas classroom to move enough Republican senators to join the Democratic majority to meet the 60-vote threshold of the filibuster and pass a gun safety bill.

But while the bipartisan bill does have some improvements that will save innocent lives, it is modest and ignored the overwhelming public demand for strong measures needed to protect Americans at school, the grocery store and now a patriotic parade.

The public wants a ban on the sale of semiautomatic assault weapons. If not, the public wants a ban on selling these weapons of war to those under 21. And the public wants mandatory, universal background checks to stop criminals, emotionally challenged or those who intend to commit killing atrocities from getting any firearms.

Yet, because of the filibuster rule, it took 30 years for the Senate to deliver a modest gun control bill.

This is not democracy when the Senate minority  fearing not being re-elected because of the ire of their base and special interests  can hold the Senate and the safety of all Americans hostage.

Senators continue to support the filibuster. Senators in the minority, and some in the majority, cherish protecting their political power at the expense of protecting the rest of us from gun violence.

This same Senate filibuster rule is also responsible for Congress not passing critical legislation to protect our nations democracy and the constitutional rights of our citizens.

In some states, the enemies of democracy have or plan to pass state laws to allow state legislatures the ability to nullify elections when they do not like the results. These undemocratic actions of state legislatures will move the country toward becoming an autocracy of one-party rule.

If that happens, not only will our democracy be lost but so will our economy. A vibrant entrepreneurial economy depends on a strong democracy. The two go hand in hand. For example, one needs to look only at Vladimir Putins autocracy and a dismal economy.

The Senate filibuster rule is also stopping that body from protecting the right of women to control their own bodies via abortion services and even contraceptives. Other constitutional rights are also in jeopardy of being lost soon, but the Senate is impotent to protect these rights because of the filibuster rule.

The Senate must start protecting our democracy, our economy, our freedom from mass killings and our constitutional rights.

But first, it must pursue its own democracy by throwing off the oppression of its minority who use the filibuster to thwart the will of the governed.
At the start of last week's Jan. 6 hearing, Liz Cheney sent a critically important message to the Justice Department: Like everyone else in this country, (Trump) is responsible for his own actions and his own choices. ... Trump cannot escape responsibility for being willfully blind. ... He is a 76-year-old man, he is not an impressionable child.

Translation: Dont let Trump off the hook just because hes living in a fantasy world. For weeks and months, he was repeatedly told that hed lost fair and square, but refused to face the truth. Given the choice between conceding the race, as tradition required in a democracy, and summoning a violent mob to desecrate democracy, he opted for the latter. But willful blindness is not a defense against criminality.

Liz got that right. As the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 2011 case (with Justice Alito writing for the majority), criminal defendants cannot escape responsibility by deliberately shielding themselves from clear evidence of critical facts that are strongly suggested by the circumstances ... defendants who behave in this manner are just as culpable as those who have actual knowledge.

What we learned, in infuriatingly excruciating detail, was that over a span of six hours on the night of Dec. 18, 2020, Trump met with three of his favorite grifters  Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell and Michael Flynn  in the hopes of reversing his defeat despite the dearth of election fraud. Trump, by this point, had been told for many weeks that his prospects were nil; indeed, two White House attorneys, Pat Cipollone and Eric Herschmann, crashed the grifter bull session and stressed, yet again, that election fraud evidence did not exist.

It was a climactic showdown between the realists and the crazies. There was lots of insults and cursing. Cipollone, in his videoed testimony, recalled that the crazies floated the idea of having the military seize the voting machines. (I cant believe I just wrote that sentence.)

Cipollones reaction, as shared with the Jan. 6 committee: Having the federal government seize voting machines? Thats a terrible idea for the country. Thats not how we do things in the United States.

What was Der Leader doing while all this was going on? Weighing which side to embrace. The realists had repeatedly told him there were no legal options, but he was willfully deaf to their counsel. So he chose the crazies; as ex-aide Katrina Pierson later remarked, he loved the crazies. Shortly after that grifter bull session ended, in the early hours of Dec. 19, 2020, he posted his now-infamous tweet summoning his acolytes to march on Jan. 6, with the promise will be wild!

That tweet prompted his pet demagogues (Alex Jones, et al) to spread the word, and ordinary folks were duly incited. Stephen Ayres, an Ohio cabinetmaker who recently pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct at the Capitol, testified in person: I followed President Trump on all the websites. He basically put out (word of) the rally, I felt I needed to be down there. ... We were basically just following what he said. ... I was hanging on every word.

Others in Trumpworld knew exactly what he was doing. Brad Parscale, one of Trumps many former campaign managers, lamented in a Jan. 6 text to Pierson that he was witnessing a sitting president calling for civil war ... I feel guilty for helping him win. Pierson contended that Trumps rhetoric wasnt responsible for the violence and deaths on Capitol Hill, but Parscale tweeted back: Yes it was.

Its gratifying that nearly six in 10 Americans now believe that Trump should be criminally charged. And now, as Liz Cheney pointed out, there is bountiful evidence that he was willfully blind to the irrevocable facts and truth of his defeat; that he opted instead for havoc, in violation of numerous federal statutes.

As Barbara McQuade, a law professor and former U.S. attorney, said in a recent New Yorker interview, prosecutors have the easiest time if a defendant confesses that he consciously knew his actions were wrong  but you can still obtain a conviction (when) a jury is told that they should look at the totality of the circumstances and draw reasonable inferences based on their own common sense and life experiences. If someone tells you 100 times that the world is round and you think, Geez, the world looks flat to me, at some point, if you continue to deny the world is round, you really know better. You are engaging in willful blindness to say the world is flat, and to sell people things on the basis that the world is flat.

In the best of all possible worlds (to quote Voltaires Candide), Trump will sell his grifts only to fellow inmates.
Sonora, CA After 30 years of leading WATCH, Chris Daly has decided to retire. After her retirement notice, the organization contracted with Moran Company, a national search firm that specializes in non-profit leadership to find a new Executive Director. The Board of Directors selected Clint Bower as the new Executive Director of WATCH, Bower recently began his tenure at WATCH after relocating from Florida. He starts his new position with 40 years of experience in the field of developmental and intellectual disabilities as well as non-profit leadership. He was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and began his career there during the movement to free people from institutions and integrate them into the community. Bower is said to be excited about the opportunity to lead a quality organization that is firmly implanted in the local community.

WATCH has been supporting adults with intellectual disabilities in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties for 50 years and currently serves 160 individuals and occupies a 9,000-square-foot building on Cabezut Road in Sonora.
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Carl Warren & Company, LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Carl Warren & Company, LLC violated the California Labor Code. The Carl Warren & Company, LLC, class action lawsuit, Case No. 22STCV20017, is currently pending in the Los Angeles County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here.

The complaint states Carl Warren & Company, LLC allegedly failed to fully relieve Plaintiff and other California Class Members for their legally required thirty (30) minute meal breaks. Employees were also allegedly required, from time to time, to work in excess of four (4) hours without being provided the legally required ten (10) minute rest periods. The California Supreme Court defines off-duty rest periods as time during which an employee is relieved from all work related duties and free from employer control.

Additionally, Carl Warren & Company, LLC allegedly failed to pay employees for all the time they were under the employer's control. This, allegedly, includes the time Plaintiff and other California Class Members had to submit to mandatory COVID-19 symptom questionnaires and temperature checks prior to clocking in for the day. To the extent that the time worked off the clock did not qualify for overtime premium payment, Defendant allegedly failed to pay minimum and overtime wages for the time worked off-the-clock.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against Carl Warren & Company, LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today.

***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT***
Associated Press Writer

Those who prosecuted the murder case after the 1976 shootings at oil tycoon Cullen Davis' mansion say they don't believe an East Texas career criminal was involved, although he unexpectedly confessed just seconds before his execution.

Before Billy Frank Vickers received a lethal injection Wednesday night for a 1993 murder, he said he was involved in a dozen or so other crimes, including the shootings that have placed a cloud of suspicion over Davis for three decades.

"One I would like to clear up is Cullen Davis _ where he was charged with shooting his wife. He didn't do that," said Vickers, 58.

In the shooting rampage at the Fort Worth mansion on a summer night in 1976, Davis' 12-year-old stepdaughter, Andrea Wilborn, was killed. His estranged wife and the girl's mother, Priscilla Davis, was wounded. Her boyfriend, Stan Farr, was killed. A family friend, Bubba Gavrel, was wounded and paralyzed.

At the time, Texas law did not allow defendants to be tried for more than one slaying in a single trial. Davis was tried only in his stepdaughter's murder and faced the death penalty, but he was acquitted.

Davis, who was worth an estimated $400 million and was the richest man to stand trial for murder, did not return calls to The Associated Press on Thursday but has maintained his innocence.

Davis told Dallas-Fort Worth television station KTVT on Thursday that he had never heard of Vickers, "but it's good," referring to the deathbed confession. He also denied hiring Vickers.

Vickers was not in prison in 1976, and it's unclear where he was living.

But there is no evidence that anyone other than Davis shot the people at the Fort Worth mansion, said prosecutor Joe Shannon. Vickers' name never surfaced in the investigation, and the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office does not plan to reopen the Davis case, Shannon said.

"Anyone who suddenly confesses to 14 murders _ I would question his veracity, his believability," Shannon said Thursday.

Jack Strickland, a former prosecutor in the Davis case, said he had never heard of Vickers and that his surprising claims were a last-ditch attempt to get attention and "monkey around" with the system.

"I would add him to the volumes of people who have claimed to be involved in this case through the years," Strickland said. "We had groupies of every stripe and persuasion who claim to know something. It's a phenomenon that's attached to this case and other cases of such notoriety."

However, Davis' attorney Steve Sumner said Thursday that Vickers' name surfaced as the defense team investigated the 1976 shootings. Sumner said he could not remember exact details but that Vickers may have been linked to a friend of Farr's whom defense attorneys blamed for the killings.

"There was always a question in our minds that two people had to have been involved in the shooting," Sumner said.

Vickers first went to prison in 1967 for burglary and served a year, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He was behind bars again from 1970-73 and 1974-75, both times for burglary. His next prison stint was from 1983-86 for arson.

Vickers was executed for gunning down grocery store owner Phillip Kinslow, 50, in 1993 outside Arthur City, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas.

After Davis' acquittal, prosecutors thought trying him in Farr's death would violate the U.S. Supreme Court's "double jeopardy" rules barring a defendant from being tried twice for the same crime.

Davis later was acquitted in a separate case in which he faced life in prison. He was accused of hiring someone to kill the judge handling his divorce and a dozen others, including his younger brother and some witnesses who testified against him during the murder trial.

Davis, who had a well-publicized religious conversion in the early 1980s, still lives in North Texas.
San Antonio Burrito Bites, a weekly column searching for and grubbing on the best burritos in San Antonio and the Hill Country.

As the Texas Hill Country reporter, I am all over the map. So, finding quick stops to grab a bite to eat is key. And what better Texas food than burritos? This series will see me scouring Texas for burritos and trying some of the local favorite hotspots (with your help). My palate is a clean slate and ready to get to work for the good of the people. I understand that in South Texas, tacos are the king of all entrees, but great burritos are here too.

Last week, I did a round up of the five best spots I have hit up so far. To check that out click here.

Where to eat this week?

This week reader Mayola Galvez recommended that I head to Tacos and Chelas Mexican Kitchen to try one of their burritos. I've been getting recommendations every week for burrito spots, so I am grateful to those that have been instrumental in my weekly eats.

What I look for in a burrito

Before I begin, here are a few ways I judge a burrito. Does it taste good? Is it worthy enough to go into my burrito rotation? Is it cooked? How does it stack up? How is the service? (I understand there is a staffing shortage, so I won't go too hard on this one for now). Is it worth the price of admission? How is the salsa for the burritos? Every question is crucial to providing my rankings.

Photo by Gabriel Romero

Tacos and Chelas Mexican Kitchen

Tacos and Chelas Mexican Kitchen is located at 9902 Potranco Road in San Antonio. I've seen this place before, but I've never looked into the restaurant. I'd like to thank Mayola for opening my eyes to this spot. Tacos and Chelas Mexican Kitchen is just that, it made me feel like I was in someone's living room waiting for my food. They have these big windows in the dining room where guests can see their food being prepared.

There are two different kinds of salsa at the table. An extra strong tomatillo-tasting green salsa with some spice and a red salsa that was thick, but didn't have any kick to it at all. My burrito came out pretty fast and the waitress was quick with refills on my water. They serve carne asada fries, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, tortas, and more. They also have a variety of micholadas, which I'll have to try next time.

Photo by Gabriel Romero

Taking a bite out of the Birria Burrito

The burrito cost $9 and comes with your choice of meat, sirloin, al-pastor, birria, carnitas, chicken fajita, refried beans, rice, grilled pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream, and lettuce. I've never had a "side" come with my burrito, so I was surprised when a side of fries showed up with my burrito.

If you've had birria before, you know that the consomme that the meat is drenched in makes the dish. So, with that in mind, I couldn't stop thinking how soggy and wet my burrito would get. I couldn't fathom how to get that juicy taste into a handheld lunch. The first bite had nice pieces of shredded beef that didn't skimp on the flavor I expected. I did have to steal some of my wife's consomme for dipping, but the meat itself was plenty juicy.

The amount of cheese would make a Wisconsin cheesehead salivate. I've never had cheese on birria before and I might never eat it again without a sprinkle of cheese. I could barely taste the lettuce or grilled pico, which didn't really hurt this burrito, it was just something I noticed.

The thing that did hold this burrito back was it did get soggy, at least the second half did. When I picked it up it fell a part, so I had to use a fork to finish it off, but then it was real easy to add consomme to this burrito. The two main ingredients were meat and a health scoop of rice, not bad, but I'd like constantly in my burritos.

Photo by Gabriel Romero

Rating: 7 out of 10 chiles

If you feel like your favorite burrito place should be adored by all just like Mayola did, then hit me up and I will venture to wherever those burritos may take me. Email me at gabe.romero@mysa.com or on Twitter @romeroreports.
A sexual assault survivor chooses sterilization so that if she is ever attacked again, she won't be forced to give birth to a rapists baby. An obstetrician delays inducing a miscarriage until a woman with severe pregnancy complications seems sick enough. A lupus patient must stop taking medication that controls her illness because it can also cause miscarriages.

Abortion restrictions in a number of states and the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade are having profound repercussions in reproductive medicine as well as in other areas of medical care.

For physicians and patients alike, this is a frightening and fraught time, with new, unprecedented concerns about data privacy, access to contraception, and even when to begin lifesaving care, said Dr. Jack Resneck, president of the American Medical Association.

Even in medical emergencies, doctors are sometimes declining immediate treatment. In the past week, an Ohio abortion clinic received calls from two women with ectopic pregnancies  when an embryo grows outside the uterus and cant be saved  who said their doctors wouldnt treat them. Ectopic pregnancies often become life-threatening emergencies and abortion clinics arent set up to treat them.

It's just one example of "the horrible downstream effects of criminalizing abortion care,'' said Dr. Catherine Romanos, who works at the Dayton clinic.

More for you SAWS 'strict enforcement' of watering rules includes patrols

MEDICAL DILEMMAS

Dr. Jessian Munoz, an OB-GYN in San Antonio, Texas, who treats high-risk pregnancies, said medical decisions used to be clear cut.

It was like, the moms life is in danger, we must evacuate the uterus by whatever means that may be, he said. "Whether its surgical or medical  thats the treatment.

Now, he said, doctors whose patients develop pregnancy complications are struggling to determine whether a woman is sick enough" to justify an abortion.

With the fall of Roe v. Wade, the art of medicine is lost and actually has been replaced by fear, Munoz said.

Munoz said he faced an awful predicament with a recent patient who had started to miscarry and developed a dangerous womb infection. The fetus still had signs of a heartbeat, so an immediate abortion  the usual standard of care  would have been illegal under Texas law.

We physically watched her get sicker and sicker and sicker until the fetal heartbeat stopped the next day, and then we could intervene, he said. The patient developed complications, required surgery, lost multiple liters of blood and had to be put on a breathing machine all because we were essentially 24 hours behind.

In a study published this month in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, doctors at two Texas hospitals cited the cases of 28 women less than 23 weeks pregnant who were treated for dangerous pregnancies. The doctors noted that all of the women had recommended abortions delayed by nine days because fetal heart activity was detected. Of those, nearly 60% developed severe complications  nearly double the number of complications experienced by patients in other states who had immediate therapeutic abortions. Of eight live births among the Texas cases, seven died within hours. The eighth, born at 24 weeks, had severe complications including brain bleeding, a heart defect, lung disease and intestinal and liver problems.

Before it overturned Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court never allowed states to ban abortion before the point when a fetus can survive outside the womb  roughly 24 weeks.

Chicago diversity executive Sheena Gray survived a harrowing pregnancy-ending experience last year, when doctors discovered she had an embryo in a fallopian tube and an eight-week fetus in her womb. They removed the embryo along with the affected fallopian tube, and told her they needed to abort the other fetus to save her life.

The decision to proceed with treatment was hers  abortion is still legal in Illinois. In fact, the state provides greater access to abortion than most others, and has been flooded with patients seeking abortions following the recent Supreme Court decision.

Gray said shes heard about similar care being denied or delayed in other states, and fears the high court ruling will force other patients to face the same fate.

No one should make these choices for a woman, period, she said.

Her story has a much happier ending: Gray became pregnant again and gave birth July 8 to healthy identical twin girls.

CHOOSING STERILITY

Julie Ann Nitsch, a sexual assault survivor and community college trustee in Austin, Texas, is among many women in states with restrictive abortion laws who are taking drastic steps.

Nitsch says she chose sterilization at age 36 rather than risk getting pregnant by another rapist.

I ripped my organs out to avoid that, she said.

Nitsch said she "saw the writing on the wall after Texas enacted a law last year banning most abortions after six weeks, even in cases of rape or incest. She said she sensed that Roe v. Wade would be overturned, so she had surgery to remove her fallopian tubes in February.

Its sad to think that I cant have kids, but its better than being forced to have children, Nitsch said.

Dr. Tyler Handcock, an Austin OB-GYN, said his clinic has heard from hundreds of patients seeking sterilization since the Supreme Courts June 24 decision. Many choose this route because they fear long-acting birth control or other contraceptives could also become targets, he said.

His clinic scheduled a July 9 group counseling session to handle the surge, and every one of the 20 patients who showed up to hear about the risks and ramifications of fallopian tube-removal made an appointment to have the surgery.

Some physicians are reluctant to perform the surgery on young women with many reproductive years left, fearing they will change their minds later. Handcock said he heard from one 28-year-old woman who said six OB-GYNs declined to sterilize her.

Handcock said the choice should be up to patients.

I will protect my patients and their rights however I can, he said.

TARGETING MEDICATION

Becky Schwarz, of Tysons Corner, Virginia, found herself unexpectedly thrust into the abortion controversy even though she has no plans to become pregnant.

The 27-year-old has lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause the body to attack tissue surrounding joints and organs, leading to inflammation and often debilitating symptoms. For Schwarz, these include bone and joint pain, and difficulty standing for long periods of time.

She recently received a notice from her doctor saying shed have to stop taking a medication that relieves her symptoms  at least while the office reviewed its policies for methotrexate in light of the Supreme Court ruling. Thats because the drug can cause miscarriages and theoretically could be used in an attempt to induce an abortion.

For me to have to be essentially babysat by some policy, rather than being trusted about how I handle my own body ... has made me angry, she said.

The Arthritis Foundation and American College of Rheumatology have both issued statements of concern about patients access to the drug. Steven Schultz of the Arthritis Foundation said the group is working to determine how widespread the problem is. Patients having trouble getting the medication can contact the group's helpline, he said.

CONFUSING LAWS

Many abortion laws are vague and they vary by state. That can leave physicians in a quandary.

Weve asked some legislators, How are medical providers supposed to interpret the laws? said Dr. Dana Stone, who is based in Oklahoma, a state that recently banned almost all abortions.

They say, Theyll figure it out,'" she said.

___

Associated Press Medical Writers Carla K. Johnson and Laura Ungar contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Last year, a 35-year-old woman named Amanda, who lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, had a miscarriage in the first trimester of her pregnancy. At a large hospital, a doctor performed a surgical procedure often used as a safe and quick method to remove tissue from a failed pregnancy.

She awoke from anesthesia to find a card signed by the nurses and a little pink and blue bracelet with a butterfly charm, a gift from the hospital to express compassion for her loss. It was so sweet because its such a hard thing to go through, Amanda said.

Eight months later, in January, Amanda, who asked to be identified by her first name to protect her privacy, experienced another first-trimester miscarriage. She said she went to the same hospital, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, doubled over in pain and screaming as she passed a large blood clot.

But when she requested the same surgical evacuation procedure, called dilation and curettage, or D&C, she said the hospital told her no.

A D&C is the same procedure used for some abortions. In September 2021, in between Amandas miscarriages, Texas implemented a law banning almost all abortions after six weeks into pregnancy.

Following the reversal of Roe v. Wade, numerous states are enacting bans or sharp restrictions on abortion. While the laws are technically intended to apply only to abortions, some patients have reported hurdles receiving standard surgical procedures or medication for the loss of desired pregnancies.

Amanda said the hospital didnt mention the abortion law, but sent her home with instructions to return only if she was bleeding so excessively that her blood filled a diaper more than once an hour. Hospital records that Amanda shared with The New York Times noted that her embryo had no cardiac activity during that visit and on an ultrasound a week earlier. She reports having a lot of pain and she appears distressed, the records said.

This appears to be miscarriage in process, the records noted, but suggested waiting to confirm and advised a follow-up in seven days.

Once home, Amanda said, she sat on the toilet digging fingernail marks in my wall from the pain. She then moved to the bathtub, where her husband held her hand as they both cried. The bathtub water is just dark red, Amanda recalled. For 48 hours, it was like a constant heavy bleed and big clots.

She added, It was so different from my first experience where they were so nice and so comforting, to now just feeling alone and terrified.

The hospital declined to discuss whether Texas abortion laws have had any impact on its medical care. In a statement, the hospital said, While we are not able to speak about an individuals case due to privacy laws, our multidisciplinary team of clinicians works together to determine the appropriate treatment plan on an individual case-by-case basis. The health and safety of our patients is our top priority.

John Seago, president of Texas Right to Life, said he considers any obstacles miscarriage patients encounter to be very serious situations. He blamed such problems on a breakdown in communication of the law, not the law itself, adding I have seen reports of doctors being confused, but that is a failure of our medical associations to provide clear guidance.

The uncertain climate has led some doctors and hospitals to worry about being accused of facilitating an abortion, a fear that has also caused some pharmacists to deny or delay filling prescriptions for medication to complete miscarriages, providers and patients say. Last week, the Biden administration warned that if a pharmacy refuses to fill prescriptions for pills including medications needed to manage a miscarriage or complications from pregnancy loss, because these medications can also be used to terminate a pregnancy  the pharmacy may be discriminating on the basis of sex.

Delays in expelling tissue from a pregnancy that is no longer viable can lead to hemorrhaging, infections, and sometimes life-threatening sepsis, obstetricians say.

In this post-Roe world, women with miscarriages may die, said Dr. Monica Saxena, an emergency medicine physician at Stanford Hospital.

Medical experts define miscarriage as a pregnancy that ends naturally before 20 weeks gestation. Most miscarriages occur in the first 13 weeks; pregnancy losses after 20 weeks are considered stillbirths. Miscarriage befalls about 1 in 10 known pregnancies, and may occur in as many as 1 in 4 when including miscarriages that occur before patients realize they are pregnant.

Medical terminology often calls miscarriage spontaneous abortion, a designation that can increase patients or providers concerns about being targeted under abortion bans. In medical records, Amandas second miscarriage was also labeled threatened abortion: established and worsening.

In typical early miscarriages, when cardiac activity has stopped, patients should be offered three options to expel tissue, said Dr. Sarah Prager, an obstetrics and gynecology professor at the University of Washingtons School of Medicine.

D&C is recommended when patients are bleeding heavily, are anemic, have blood-clotting issues or certain conditions that make them medically fragile, Prager said. Some other patients also choose D&Cs, considering them emotionally easier than a lingering process at home.

Another option is medication  usually mifepristone, which weakens the membrane lining the uterus and softens the cervix, followed by misoprostol, which causes contractions. These same pills are used for medication abortion.

The third option is expectant management: waiting for tissue to pass on its own, which can take weeks. It is unsuccessful for 20% of patients, who then need surgery or medication, said Prager, who co-authored miscarriage management guidelines for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

When possible, patients should be allowed to choose the method because lack of choice compounds the trauma of losing a wanted pregnancy, doctors and patients said.

In Wisconsin, where a 173-year-old abortion ban may soon become enforceable again, Dr. Carley Zeal, an obstetrician-gynecologist, treated a woman who said that just after abortion rights were nullified, she showed up bleeding at a hospital, which determined she had miscarried but told her they couldnt do a D&C because of the laws. The hospital didnt offer her miscarriage medication either, advising her to find an obstetrician-gynecologist to help. By the time she found Zeal, who gave her mifepristone and misoprostol, the woman had been bleeding intermittently for days, putting her at increased risk of hemorrhage or infection.

Even in these straightforward cases of basic OB/GYN practice, the laws leave providers questioning and afraid, Zeal said. These laws are already hurting my patients.

Doctors say even greater risks may occur with cases of inevitable miscarriage, where there is still fetal cardiac activity, but the patients water has broken much too early for the pregnancy to be viable, said Greer Donley, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Law School.

A study from two Dallas hospitals reported on 28 patients whose water broke or who had other serious complications before 22 weeks gestation, and who, because of Texas laws, didnt receive medical intervention until there was an immediate threat to their lives or fetal cardiac activity stopped. On average, the patients waited nine days, and 57% ended up with serious infections, bleeding or other medical problems, the report said. Another article, in the New England Journal of Medicine, said similar patients returned with signs of sepsis after doctors or hospitals decided Texas abortion law prevented them from intervening earlier.

In such cases, Seago of Texas Right to Life said abortion bans might require delaying intervention. What he characterized as a doctor saying  I want to cause the death of the child today because I believe that theyre going to pass away eventually,  is prohibited, he said. He acknowledged that such delays could cause medical complications for women but said severe complications could legally be treated immediately.

One of the miscarriage medications, mifepristone, must be prescribed by certified providers and cannot be dispensed by typical pharmacies. Although the certification process is simple, Dr. Lauren Thaxton, an assistant professor in the department of womens health at the University of Texas at Austins Dell Medical School, said some hospitals have expressed concern about this medication also being used for abortion and whether or not that could create some sort of bad look.

So, in some states, doctors only prescribe misoprostol for miscarriages, which can work on its own, but less well. It is also used for other medical conditions and should be easily obtainable at pharmacies, but some have declined to fill miscarriage patients misoprostol prescriptions or required additional documentation from doctors, Thaxton and others said.

Cassie, a Houston woman who asked to be identified by her first name, said she learned she had miscarried the day Roe v. Wade was overturned, when her doctor detected blood in her uterus and no cardiac activity.

She was prescribed misoprostol, but said a Walgreens made her wait a day for extra approval from its corporate office.

When I went to pick it up, I then had to chat with the pharmacist and had to state again, even though they were aware my doctor prescribed it, that it wasnt for an abortion, Cassie said.

A Walgreens spokesperson said some abortion laws require additional steps for dispensing certain prescriptions and apply to all pharmacies, including Walgreens. In these states, our pharmacists work closely with prescribers as needed, to fill lawful, clinically appropriate prescriptions.

Thaxton said that when pharmacies delay dispensing misoprostol, some patients are financially or logistically unable to return for the medication another day. Instead, some visit doctors days later, still retaining pregnancy tissue or having significant bleeding that needs to be managed urgently, she said.

In March in Missouri, which now has a post-Roe abortion ban, Gabriela, who asked to be identified by her first name, said she had a blighted ovum, in which a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but doesnt develop. My body wouldnt release it, she said.

Her doctor prescribed misoprostol, but it didnt work well enough. When she asked for mifepristone, the doctor said it was difficult to obtain there, according to a doctors note Gabriela shared with the Times.

The doctor ordered a second round of misoprostol, but Gabriela said, The pharmacist at Walgreens told me she couldnt give it to me if I was pregnant. I was able to stutter out that I was having a miscarriage, and she gave it to me. I couldnt help but cry in front of all the people at Walgreens because I felt like I was being treated like a bad person for picking up a medication to prevent an infection.

Prager said she has been told that some Texas miscarriage patients had been turned away by doctors who worried the patients might have actually taken abortion pills that hadnt expelled the pregnancy, two situations that appear medically identical.

Theres a system being created where there is no trust between physicians and patients, and patients are potentially going to choose not to go to a hospital even with something like a miscarriage, because theyre fearful, Prager said.

Some women who have miscarried and are at risk of future losses say they are considering moving from states that ban abortion or are rethinking life plans.

We are not going to try and conceive anymore, Amanda said. We dont feel like its safe in Texas to continue to try after what we went through.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
ROUND ROCK, Texas  Pacing along bookcases that came up to his chest, a man, dressed in a black hoodie and carrying a long gun, charged into Walsh Middle Schools library.

He fired rounds into the carpet  loud booms and eruptions of smoke punctuating each shot. Within seconds, two armed educators pursued the gunman, shooting him with fake ammunition, forcing him to the ground and securing his gun.

A school police officer arrived a moment later and yelled at all three to raise their hands in the air.

School marshal, school marshal, the two educators yelled.

This Round Rock event is an example of the scenario-based training Texas uses to prepare educators to carry firearms on campus.

Texas schools have long had the option to arm teachers and staff, namely through the school marshal program, but few districts opted in. Only 256 employees are trained to carry a gun onto campuses as marshals, representing a fraction of the states nearly 750,000 public school staffers.

Since the school shooting in Uvalde, the state agency overseeing the marshal program is urging more districts to arm educators, and proponents believe more money and training opportunities are crucial to expanded access. State leaders are calling for better school security through physical upgrades and by increasing the number of armed personnel.

We all have concerns about putting guns in our schools, but at the same time, we know that these events are on the rise, said Huffman Superintendent Benny Soileau, who serves as a school marshal in his 3,400-student district near Houston. Weve got to have a way of combating this. And in the event something like this were to happen, we want to be well prepared to protect our kids.

Gov. Greg Abbott instructed the education commissioner to encourage schools to increase the presence of trained law enforcement officers and school marshals on campuses.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement doubled the number of training opportunities this summer from two to four so that school districts can add marshals. The agency is focused on expanding availability of the program even further.

The marshal program has existed for almost a decade. Private schools and community colleges can also participate. Only 62 of the states more than 1,000 school districts have marshals. Public school districts can also arm employees through a separate, less regulated measure called the guardian plan.

The names of districts and employees participating in either school marshals or the guardian plan are confidential though some officials, such as Soileau, have publicly discussed implementing the programs.

In recent weeks, more school leaders have called the commission asking for details about how the marshal program works. Cullen Grissom, the commissions deputy chief, said he couldnt quantify the increase.

Having an armed staff member on campus doesnt guarantee a school shooter will be stopped or prevented from carrying out an attack.

School marshals have no legal obligation to act during a threat.

During the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, an armed school resource officer never went inside the school or attempted to engage the gunman.

In Uvalde, state and federal officials are investigating why more than a dozen officers remained in the hallway as the gunman shot at students and teachers in a nearby classroom for more than an hour.

The educators who enter the program often have a distinct drive to protect their students, Grissom emphasized.

A marshal or a peace officers job in the event of an active shooter is to isolate, distract and neutralize the threat, Grissom said.

What training looks like

Huffman County school leaders  who have had the marshal program in place since 2018, after the deadly Santa Fe High School shooting  actively identify educators they believe are qualified for the role.

Well go through and talk with them extensively about the pros and cons and some of the things that they may face in the program to make sure that they are a good fit, Soileau said. Were very careful with our selections.

A variety of school staffers enter the states marshal training program, Grissom said. Some have background in the military, law enforcement or private security while others have limited related preparation.

Trainees must have a state handgun license and, therefore, experience working with guns. They also must be an employee of the school district and pass a psychological exam.

If they meet those requirements, they can begin training.

School marshals are required to undergo an 80-hour program, done throughout the course of eight- to 10-hour days, Grissom said. Two providers offer the program across the state, including the West Central Texas Law Enforcement Academy in Abilene.

Would-be marshals learn about weapons handling and basic marksmanship. The handgun training is almost identical to that of a peace officer, Grissom said.

They must also participate in simulated events that mirror circumstances marshals may face including chasing down a gunman on a campus.

We try to simulate as best we can an active shooter coming into a school district, going after the children, doing the bad things that they do and how our school marshals will respond, using their tactics, using what theyre trained to do, said Janna Atkins, the criminal justice manager and training coordinator with the Abilene law enforcement academy. Atkins also serves as a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement commissioner.

Some dont make it through training.

Not everybodys cut out to be a school marshal, not all educators or staff are cut out to lead an armed lifestyle inside a school, Grissom stressed. Some people come to the training and  remove themselves from the process because they dont feel comfortable.

Others may fail the written exam or simulated training scenarios, Atkins said.

Every two years after they are certified, marshals have to brush up on training and undergo a new psychological exam.

The state has not modified its preparation courses based on what happened in Uvalde, Grissom said. Since the deadly shooting, conflicting reports about the role of police officers have emerged, calling into question whether protocols were followed and lives could have been saved.

Grissom said the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement wants to look into whether the issues in Uvalde were because of problematic training or a misapplication of training.

Obstacles to implementation

A lack of financial support and logistic implications creates roadblocks for some schools interested in the marshal program, officials say.

The state covers the cost of the training course through a grant, but districts foot the bill for employees travel to sessions. They also must decide whether to pay employees for the training time and if staffers are provided guns or must bring their own.

Huffman school marshals receive a small stipend for their role. They often purchase their own equipment with the money, Soileau said.

The superintendent added that more state funding would aid schools in their rollout. But, he emphasized, it is important for local communities to decide whether to add marshals to school campuses.

Many question the potential hazard of having a non-peace officer with a weapon on campus, and teacher groups have criticized calls to arm educators as a response to school shootings.

We dont need more guns in schools, Zeph Capo, who is president of the Texas chapter of American Federation of Teachers, wrote in a letter to members. We dont need another roundtable to explore options; weve done that. We need legislation that addresses common-sense issues and ensures our children and their teachers can learn and work without constant fear for their lives.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement has no record of marshals discharging their weapons at inappropriate times, Grissom said. Its also hard to pinpoint how the marshal program has made a difference  if any  during active shooter events.

I dont know any of the active shooter events that weve had that weve actually had a school marshal stop it, said Atkins, the commissioner.

In Huffman, one of the benefits of having marshals on campus is cutting down on a potentially lengthy response time. Located in an unincorporated area of northeast Harris County, the district established a school district police department with officers based on campuses just a few months ago, said Police Chief David Williams.

Marshals should supplement their response, Williams said.

The benefit we see behind that is rather than having to wait for police response, which could be several minutes away, and then you have to worry about your approach into the school and breaching is always an issue, we have people inserted inside the school ready to respond, he said.



(The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.

The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from The Beck Group, Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Todd A. Williams Family Foundation and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Labs journalism.)


chamey/Getty Images/iStockphoto

A 2-year-old girl died following a drowning incident on Saturday, July 16 on Lake Meredith, a body of water near Amarillo and the Panhandle. News Channel 10 reported that Texas Game Wardens found the girl and immediately performed CPR while driving to another area for more advanced care.

However, the Fritch Volunteer Fire Department blocked the road allowing for an ambulance to come in after a drunk driver ran into a fire truck, delaying response by about 20 minutes.
A dramatic police bodycam video from the Uvalde school shooting, where 19 students and two teachers were killed, was released over the weekend, showing officers expressing confusion and doubt over the delay in moving in on the shooter.

"People are gonna ask why we're taking so long," an off-camera officer can be heard saying at one point, roughly an hour after officers first entered Robb Elementary School on May 24.

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin released chaotic body cam footage from the incident after the Texas House investigative committee released a 77-page report citing multiple "systemic failures" in law enforcement response to the massacre on Sunday, July 17.

In the string of body camera videos, officers can be seen smashing windows and helping children escape the deadly attack. In one video, an officer can be heard asking, "What are we doing here?" around 20 minutes after appearing to arrive at the school. In total, 376 law enforcement officers descended upon the school in a chaotic, uncoordinated scene that lasted for more than an hour.

The failures in the body camera footage have upset many Texas leaders. Donna Howard, Texas State Rep D-48, tweeted, "Forget about good guys with guns. Forget about arming teachers. It's time to do the obvious and pass common sense gun reform to keep these weapons of war that are being used to kill our children out of the hands of those who would do harm."

"At every single level, there was failure," said former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro. "...The video that shows officers actually retreating and running away when active shooter training said they should be doing the exact opposite thing... The most damming was that they prioritize their own safety and their own lives over the lives of innocent victims."

San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro tweeted, "Today's report on the #Uvalde shooting is an important account of what went wrong and how schools can keep kids safe going forward. But Texans need full transparency to rebuild our trust  starting with responses to the public records requests submitted since the massacre."

Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar pointed out on Twitter how Gov. Greg Abbott was "angry" with what unfolded in Uvalde and how now he's silent when the victims ask for the financial assistance he promised.

"Where's that anger now?" she wrote.

Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez also called out Abbott on Twitter, saying he has not visited Uvalde since three days after the shooting and didn't attend any of the victims' funerals.
On Sunday, July 17, a Texas House investigative committee released a 77-page report citing multiple "systemic failures" in law enforcement response to the massacre at Robb Elementary School on May 24 in Uvalde. Since then, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin said the city has placed a lieutenant with the local police department on leave and released body cam footage from the incident.

McLaughlin said in a statement that the city chose to release the footage despite District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee's orders not to because it would "provide further, necessary context." The mayor says in the statement that he agrees that the response was a failure, but he has more questions about who was supposed to take command and about other senior level command at the scene.

The body camera footage shows video from Uvalde Police Department officers Daniel Coronado and Justin Mendoza depicting a chaotic scene of law enforcement holding up inside the school and helping children escape from windows, CNN reports.

Key takeaways

Officer Coronado says at one point "Shots fired inside the building." Another officer asks, "Which building?" This shows the lack of communication among the officers.

Coronado says at another point that he believed the gunman was "barricaded" inside an "office" and not a classroom.

Officers are seen waiting in the hallway with no real sense of urgency.

Dispatch can be heard from Mendoza's footage saying that they have a child on the line saying that the gunman is in the room with multiple victims.

Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo was inside the school at one point trying to unsuccessfully unlock doors to adjacent classrooms.

Arredondo tried two times to make contact with the gunman asking him to put his gun down. There was no response from the shooter.

The footage cuts off before law enforcement breaches the classroom and kills the gunman.

The city has placed Uvalde police Lt. Mariano Pargas, acting police chief for the city on May 24, on administrative leave while his command and actions that day are investigated. The city has tapped Jesse Prado, a former Austin Police Department detective who now runs a private detective agency called JPPI Investigations, to conduct an internal investigation into local police response.

Representatives from the committee held a press conference after presenting the report and footage from to the families of 19 students and two teachers that were killed in the shooting.

"If there is only one thing that I can tell you is that there was multiple systemic failures," said State Rep. Dustin Burrows at the press conference.

The report revealed a breakdown in leadership over hundreds of law enforcement officers from multiple agencies. It was compiled from testimony from 35 witnesses from 39 independent interviews, crime scene photos, audio, video, and 911 calls.

"That day, several officers in the hallway or in that building knew, or should have known, there was dying in that classroom," Burrows said. "And they should have done more."

Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement on Monday saying the details of the report are "beyond disturbing and raise serious concerns." He goes on to say that the Texas legislature will work to improve public safety, school safety, and mental health assessment and treatment.

"There are critical changes needed as a result of the Texas Houses findings," Abbott said.

Abbott has used state funding recently to enhance school safety and access mental health services across Texas, he has yet to instruct legislature to explore any forms of gun control, ignoring calls from families to up the age requirements to purchase rifles at recent meetings.

Here are some of the biggest revelations from the report.

Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

It wasn't just local police

There was a total of 376 officers that responded to the shooting. A majority of the presence was Texas Border Patrol, with 194 officers, and 91 officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

There were 25 officers with the Uvalde Police Department and 16 Uvalde sheriffs deputies. Uvalde school district only had five of its officers at the school, led by Chief Pete Arredondo

The report says there was no communication, leadership, or sense of clear urgency to take the gunman down.

Arredondo didn't believe that he was leading the scene.

The shooter dropped hints

The shooter sent a direct message to someone on Instagram asking, "Are you still gonna remember me in 50 something days?

When the person said no, the shooter responded with "Hmm alright well see in May."

He would become enraged and threaten other players, especially young women, when he lost playing online video games.

The shooter was fired from his job at Whataburger after threatening a female coworker.

His violent behavior or threats were not reported to police.

Officials gave conflicting information

The report says that officials provided false statements about what happened on May 24.

A Uvalde police lieutenant fainted before he delivered information to state officials like Gov. Greg Abbott.

It's not clear if Lt. Mariano Pargas, who was acting Uvalde chief that day, is the officer that fainted. He is now on administrative leave.

DPS Regional Director Victor Escalon was then in charge of delivering secondhand information he received after he arrived minutes before the shooting was over.

That information gave a "false narrative," one being that the shooting only lasted 40 minutes because police "devised a plan, stacked up and neutralized the attacker."

The report says, "... one would expect law enforcement during a briefing would be very careful to state what facts are verifiable, and which ones are not.

Doors were left unlocked
Lambert here: I have no idea how the Biden Administration came to get anti-trust more right than wrong, but they seem to have done so.

By Harris Meyer, who has written for ABA Journal, Health Affairs, and Modern Healthcare. Originally published at Kaiser Health News.

Fresh off the Federal Trade Commissions successful challenges to four hospital mergers, the Biden administrations new majority on the commission is primed to more aggressively combat consolidation in the health care industry than it has in past years.

Although hospital mergers were supposed to improve cost efficiency, experts agree that the creation of huge conglomerates and hospital networks has driven up U.S. medical costs, which are by far the highest in the world. Many enjoy near-monopoly pricing power.

Last year, President Joe Biden ordered the FTC and other federal agencies to promote market competition in health care and other industries. Biden said hospital mergers and acquisitions had left the 10 largest health care systems in control of a quarter of the market and led to the closure of hospitals in rural and other underserved areas.

We are feeling invigorated and looking to fulfill the executive orders call to be aggressive on antitrust enforcement, said Mark Seidman, an assistant director in the FTCs Bureau of Competition, who chatted with KHN about the agencys efforts on health care (see accompanying interview). The trade commissioners say this is a key way to slow health care price increases; protect patient access to and the quality of care; and prevent employee layoffs, pay cuts, and unfair labor practices.

But antitrust experts said finding the right cases to test more muscular enforcement theories will take the FTC time. And bringing such cases will almost certainly trigger pushback from Republican commissioners, the health care industry, and the courts. They argue that some mergers continue to make sense, helping lower costs while preserving access for patients, employers, and insurers.

By overinvestigating, you are putting a tremendous burden on parties seeking to do combinations that are beneficial, potentially deterring pro-competitive behavior, said Leigh Oliver, a veteran antitrust attorney at law firm Clifford Chance who represents health care companies.

In one of the FTCs recent victories, RWJBarnabas Health, which operates 12 hospitals, in June scrapped its acquisition of St. Peters Healthcare System, which runs one hospital for adults and children in central New Jersey. The FTC had filed a federal lawsuit to block the deal, citing evidence that it would raise prices and hurt patient care.

Also in June, HCA Healthcare, which operates 182 hospitals, halted its acquisition of five Steward Health Care System hospitals in the Wasatch Front region of Utah shortly after the FTC filed a lawsuit to block the transaction, claiming it would raise prices and lower the quality of care.

This should be a lesson learned to hospital systems all over the country and their counsel: The FTC will not hesitate to take action in enforcing the antitrust laws to protect healthcare consumers, Holly Vedova, director of the FTCs Bureau of Competition, said in a statement.

Barry Ostrowsky, CEO of RWJBarnabas Health, disagreed with the FTCs challenge of his systems merger, saying in a statement that the proposed acquisition of St. Peters would have transformed quality, increased access, and decreased the overall cost of care for the people of this state.

In March, a federal appeals court upheld a lower courts injunction that blocked a merger between Hackensack Meridian Health and Englewood Healthcare Foundation in Bergen County, New Jersey. The FTC said it would have raised prices. That case was initiated by the Trump administration and continued under Biden.

State officials often join forces with the FTC to block mergers.

In February, a proposed merger between Rhode Islands two largest hospital systems, Lifespan and Care New England Health System, was called off after the FTC and the Rhode Island attorney general filed a lawsuit to stop the deal.

Extensive research has found that prices rise when hospital systems acquire or merge with their competitors or when they buy a significant percentage of physician practices in their market. Highly consolidated markets, such as Northern California (dominated by Sutter Health) and western Pennsylvania (dominated by UPMC) tend to have higher prices.

The FTC has a long history, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, of antitrust enforcement actions to block so-called horizontal mergers between hospitals that could stifle competition in a market.

Under the FTCs traditional economic theory, high prices in a region should attract new competitors and that competition will bring down prices. But regulatory hurdles and massive costs involved in setting up a health care network  which includes hospitals and doctors, as well other aspects like testing facilities  make such movement unlikely, if not impossible.

So Biden appointees at the FTC and Department of Justice have announced that they want to adopt some legal theories of antitrust enforcement that have been less frequently deployed.

In January, the two agencies launched a joint effort seeking public comment on ways to strengthen enforcement against mergers that could result in societal harm.

Last December, FTC Chair Lina Khan said the agency would scrutinize how proposed mergers might affect not only prices but also workers in the labor market. Robust antitrust enforcement can help ensure that workers have the freedom to seek higher pay and better working conditions, she said.

Excessive market power, she added, can allow companies to impose onerous, take-it-or-leave-it contract terms, including noncompete clauses.

Physicians and other health care professionals have said that large health care companies are increasingly pressing them to sign contracts that prevent them from going to work for competitors in the same market or even the same state. At a joint FTC-DOJ public forum in April on the effects of health care mergers, representatives of two emergency physician groups said their members were being given those types of take-it-or-leave it contracts.

In February, Khan and another Democratic commissioner, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, said they would have liked to include such an allegation about unfair labor practices in the FTCs challenge to the proposed Lifespan-Care New England merger.

But the two Democratic commissioners did not have a majority at that time, Oliver said, and they may not have wanted to go ahead without a consensus among the commissioners.

The commission had a 3-2 Democratic majority for part of last year after Khan joined the panel, but then another Democratic commissioner, Rohit Chopra, left in October to head a different federal agency. The Democratic commissioners did not regain the majority until the Senate confirmed Alvaro Bedoya in May.

Douglas Ross, a veteran antitrust attorney who has represented hospitals and teaches antitrust law at the University of Washington, said its well established that antitrust enforcers can block mergers if they harm labor market competition. Whats new is this administration is actively looking for cases where they can make that claim, he said.

The Democratic commissioners also want to take a tougher line in challenging so-called vertical mergers. In these deals, hospitals, insurers, or other types of health care companies seek to merge with or acquire companies that provide needed products, services, or staffing. One example is when hospitals or insurers acquire large physician practices, which studies have found leads to higher prices. Patients will visit a longtime physician only to find prices doubled or more, simply because the practice has been purchased by a hospital, which now sets the rates.

Antitrust enforcers have long viewed such mergers as promoting efficiency because the services and supplies can be obtained at a lower cost, but the FTCs Democratic majority in September argued that the purported benefits to the public of vertical mergers are not supported by market evidence. The two Republican commissioners sharply dissented, saying the majoritys action threatens to chill legitimate merger activity and undermine attempts to rebuild our economy in the wake of the pandemic.

Nevertheless, in a test of more vigorous scrutiny of vertical mergers, the FTC commissioners voted unanimously last year to file an administrative complaint to block Illumina, a top producer of gene-sequencing machines, from acquiring Grail, a promising developer of a blood test for early detection of many kinds of cancer. The agency argued that Illumina could use the acquisition to prevent Grails emerging rivals from competing in the market.

Today, the agencies are very suspicious of vertical acquisitions, and I think theyre willing to be extremely aggressive in investigating them, Ross said. But whether the courts go along or not, were way too early to know.

Even so, some experts questioned whether aggressive FTC antitrust enforcement will help patients and employers who are paying high prices in areas dominated by one or two health systems. It may be time for direct regulation of prices, they said.

Theres not a lot the FTC can do to challenge hospitals ability to raise prices once they have acquired market power, said Thomas Greaney, a research professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco who studies health care antitrust issues. So theres a natural reaction in some states to say, Lets regulate those prices.
As a provider of mass notification since 2006, Regroup takes our commitment to public safety very seriously. Weve spent years continually improving our technology and knowledge so that we are able to provide the most reliable tools for schools when emergencies arise. - Regroup COO, Chris Utah

Regroup Mass Notification (http://www.regroup.com), an industry-leading provider of emergency and day-to-day communication solutions, today responded to the proposed legislation, H.R. 6538 - the Active Shooter Alert Communications Act.

This bill was passed in the United States House of Representatives on July 13, 2022 and would require a mass alert protocol for government agencies at local, state and tribal levels once it is signed into law. It now heads to the Senate for further action.

Regroup recognizes this legislation as a direct response to the mass shootings that have plagued many of our nations schools and communities, said Regroup COO, Chris Utah.

As a provider of mass notification solutions since 2006, Regroup takes our commitment to public safety very seriously. Weve spent years continually improving our technology and knowledge so that we are able to provide the most reliable tools for schools, businesses and local governments when emergencies arise.

Regroup has scheduled a comprehensive online workshop for school districts and safety officers that will take place Thursday - July 28, 2002. In this learning session, Regroups panelists (including Chiefs of Police and other security professionals) will provide guidance on securing facilities, implementing preparedness plans, government funding opportunities and communicating with others in the event of an active shooter situation or other emergency. Additional study materials will also be provided.

School administrators and safety officers interested in learning more should visit https://4by9.short.gy/SSWS or call 866-828-7563 for more information and registration details.

It is our hope, continued Mr. Utah, that our efforts, these new legislative actions and community cooperation will help reduce acts of violence in our schools and in our communities nationwide.

To learn more about Regroups award-winning platform, visit regroup.com.

About Regroup Mass Notification

Since 2006, Regroup Mass Notification has provided a cloud-based, multi-channel mass notification platform for emergency and routine applications. Serving the educational community, enterprise, finance and government, Regroups continual pursuit of excellence has made it the most trusted name in mass notification and a leading-edge provider of smart communications for clients throughout North America.-
Yves here. While no one could argue against a concept like sustainable manufacturing, as in making much more resource-efficient plants, its an open question as to how widely this approach could be deployed. A big issue is that while new facilities could be built to these standards, retrofitting existing operations will only have at best limited impact. This has long been the case for airborne emissions, for example, and I thus have to believe that it is generally true.

By Nabil Nasr, Associate Provost Academic Affairs and Director of GIS, Rochester Institute of Technology. Originally published at The Conversation

Nabil Nasr is the associate provost and director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology. He is also the CEO of the Remade Institute, which was established by the U.S. government to conduct early-stage R&D to accelerate the transition to circular economy, which is a sustainable industrial model for improved resource efficiency and decreased systemic energy, emissions and waste generation. Below are highlights from an interview with The Conversation. Here, Nasr explains some of the ideas behind sustainable manufacturing and why they matter. Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.

How would you explain sustainable manufacturing? What does the average person not know or understand about sustainable manufacturing?

When we talk about sustainable manufacturing, we mean cleaner and more efficient systems with less resource consumption, less waste and emissions. It is to simply minimize any negative impact on the environment while we are still meeting demand, but in much more efficient and sustainable ways. One example of sustainable manufacturing is an automotive factory carrying out its production capacity with 10% of its typical emission due to advanced and efficient processing technology, reducing its production waste to near zero by figuring out how to switch its shipping containers of supplied parts from single use to reusable ones, accept more recycled materials in production, and through innovation make their products more efficient and last longer.

Sustainability is about the proper balance in a system. In our industrial system, it means we are taking into account the impact of what we do and also making sure we understand the impact on the supply side of natural resources that we use. It is understanding environmental impacts and making sure were not causing negative impacts unnecessarily. Its being able to ensure that we are able to satisfy our demands now and in the future without facing any environmental challenges.

Early on at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, emissions, waste and natural resource consumption were low. A lot of the manufacturing impacts on the environment were not taken into account because the volumes that we were generating were much, much lower than we have today. The methods and approaches in manufacturing we use today are really built on a lot of those approaches that we developed back then.

The reality is that the situation today has drastically changed, but our approaches have not. There is plenty of industrialization going on around the globe. And, there is plenty of pollution and waste generated. In addition, a lot of materials we use in manufacturing are nonrenewable resources.

So it sounds like countries that are industrialized now picked up a lot of bad habits. And we know that growth is coming from these developing nations and we dont want them to repeat those bad habits. But we want to raise their standard of living just without the consequences that we brought to the environment.

Yeah, absolutely. So there was an article I read a long time ago that said China and India either will destroy the world or save it. And I think the rationale was that if China and India copy the model and technologies used in the West to building its industrial system, the world will see drastic negative impact on the environment. The key factor here is the significantly high scale of activities needed to support their very large populations. However, if they are much more innovative and come up with much more efficient and cleaner methods better than used in the West to build up industrial enterprises, they would save the world because the scale of what they do is significant.

In talking about how these two countries could either ruin or save the world, do you remain an optimist?

Absolutely. I serve on the the United Nations Environment Programs International Resource Panel. One of the IRPs roles is to inform policy through validated independent scientific studies. One of the panels reports is called the Global Resources Outlook. The last report was published in 2019.

The experts are saying that if business as usual continues, were probably going to increase greenhouse gas emission by 43% by 2060. However, if we employ effective sustainability measures across the globe, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a significant percentage, even by as much as 90%. A 2018 study I led for the IRP found that applying remanufacturing alongside other resource recovery methods like comprehensive refurbishment, repair and reuse could cut greenhouse gas emissions of those products by 79%99% across manufacturing supply chains.

So there is optimism if we employ many sustainability measures. However, Ive been around long enough to know that its always disappointing to see that the indicators are there; the approaches to address some of those issues are identified, but the will to actually employ them isnt. Despite this, Im still optimistic because we know enough about the right path forward and it is still not too late to move in the right direction.

Were there any lessons weve learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that we can apply to challenges were facing?

We learned a lot from the COVID crisis. When the risk became known, even though not all agreed, people around the globe took significant measures and actions to address the challenge. We accepted changes to the way we live and interact, we marshaled all of our resources to develop vaccines and address the medical supply shortages. The bottom line is that we rose to the occasion and we, in most part, took actions to deal with the risk in a significant way.

The environmental challenges we face today, like climate change, are serious global challenges as well. However, they have been occurring over a long time and, unfortunately, mostly have not been taken as seriously as they should have been. We certainly have learned that when we have the will to address serious challenges, we can meet them.

Final question. Give me the elevator pitch on remanufacturing.

Remanufacturing is a process by which we bring a product that has been used back to a like-new-or-better condition. Through a rigorous industrial process, we disassemble the product to the component level. We clean, inspect and restore it, qualifying every part. We then reassemble the product similar to what happened when it was built the first time. The reality is that by doing so, youre using anywhere from 70% to 90% of the materials recovered from the use phase. This has significantly far lower impacts on the environment when compared to making new products from raw materials.

You dont mine virgin material for that. Youre saving the energy that made those parts; youre saving the capital equipment that made those parts; youre saving the labor cost. So the savings are significant. The overall savings are about 50%. For example, a remanufactured vehicle part in the United States requires less than 10% of the energy needed to make a new one, and less than 5% of new materials. That means lower costs for the producer while providing the consumer with a very high-quality product. Examples of commonly remanufactured products are construction equipment, automotive engines and transmissions, medical equipment and aircraft parts. Those products are similar to brand-new products, and companies like Xerox, Caterpillar and GE all have made remanufacturing an important part of their overall operations.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has published a report (PDF): A global analysis of worker protest in digital labour platforms (hereafter Worker Protest). Since its always worthwhile taking a look at the precariat  not to mention the international working class  I thought Id take a look at it and summarize the high points for you. But first, Ill take a look at the ILO, which I realized I knew nothing about when I read it was founded in 1919 (that is, of League of Nations, not United Nations, vintage). From the ILOs About page, How We Work:

The unique tripartite structure of the ILO gives an equal voice to workers, employers and governments to ensure that the views of the social partners are closely reflected in labour standards and in shaping policies and programmes.

No contradictions there! And Mission and impact:

The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.

Of course, its a minor miracle that something called The International Labor Organization is even permitted to exist. The ILO did win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969. From their acceptance speech:

What we in the ILO seek to achieve through all our programmes is the elimination of poverty, hardship and privation which weigh so heavily upon the dispossessed peoples of this earth. Our Organisation is central to the international effort to raise their standards of living, to improve their living and working conditions, and to secure to them fundamental human rights, to the end that they may take their place in society as free, dignified and self-governing people. To the extent that our efforts, and those of governments and members of the international community, are successful in achieving these ends, the basis will be laid for a stable and durable system of world peace. But in making this statement we have no illusions about the difficulties which stand in our way.

Indeed, the ILO is not without its critics. Emerging Challenges of International Labour Organization at SSRN criticizes ILOs deliverables:

Historically appreciated for its formal standard-setting activities, the nature of the ILOs outputs and the extent to which they are authoritative has evolved significantly over recent decades. The ILO has increasingly relied on soft governance instruments as opposed to legally binding standards. The ILOs Recommendations, Declarations, and overarching policy frameworks are examples of instruments that move away from traditional forms of legal authority. They are characterized by relatively lower degrees of obligation, precision and delegation and help overcome practical problems like the inability to reach broad acceptance of legally binding commitments and their associated high political costs. For critics, however, such instruments represent a weakening of legally binding commitments and a dangerous turn to more aspirational and promotional approaches to achieving broader progress in labour rights protection.

And:

The ILOs current lack of representativeness in its decision-making processes is untenable in the long run. Priority needs to be given to incorporating the voices of workers and employers from the informal sector. By the ILOs own estimates, the informal economy comprises more than half of the global labour force and over 90 per cent of micro- and small enterprises worldwide.

Perhaps, then, if the ILOs unique tripartite structure were more closely realigned to the actually existing international working class, its deliverables would not be quite so toothless. Worker Protest could be taken as a step in that direction.

Now lets turn to the report proper. I dont think Im doing it justice! The report is well-written and well-researched; the prose is not leaden, but its very dense. I do think organizers and others interested in the dynamics of the international working class will find it repays careful reading. This post will quote great slabs from Worker Protest, thrown into three buckets: methodology, data, and collective organization.

Methodology of Worker Protest

Here is the scope of Worker Protest, and its methodology. From the Introduction, pp. 7-8:

The growth of platform worker protest has been remarkable. Despite widespread predictions that platform models would render worker organization impossible (Vandaele 2018), platform worker protests have made headlines across the globe. Nevertheless, platform worker protest also presents researchers with considerable challenges. It does not fit easily into established frameworks of labour relations. Formal employment and collective bargaining are rare, and rates of unionization low (ILO 2021a). Some platform workers are organized in traditional unions  most commonly in parts of Europe  but there has also been a growth of much smaller, new unions. Other platform workers  notably in the global South  organize informally in ad hoc groups drawn together around specific grievances. As a result, platform worker discontent is difficult to capture by conventional means. While platform worker protest features in news media coverage and case study research, there is little understanding of the wider picture.

So, impressively, the Worker Protest authors built a database:

To overcome some of these difficulties, and as a contribution to building a more global understanding of platform worker protest, we have created a unique database: the Leeds Index of Platform Labour Protest (Joyce et al. 2020; Trappmann et al. 2020). This database gathers data on platform worker protests from online news media and other online sources and is based at the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. Drawing from the Leeds Index, this paper presents findings from 1,271 instances of worker protest during the period January 2017 to July 2020, in four platform sectors where protest has been prominent: ride-hailing, food delivery, courier services and grocery delivery. . Our analysis considers where and how often platform workers engage in protest activities; what issues are driving their protests; and what methods of protest and forms of organization they use.

Readers may recall that PayDay Reports undertook a similar project for United States Strikes during Covid; I have done a similar project in a previous incarnation. The PayDay Reports map was tip-driven; mine, like Worker Protest, was media driven, which involved a lot of reading and data entry, but more or less fell out of my normal blogging activiity. (These are hard projects to keep alive because funders dont do infrastructure.) Worker Protest has a potential difficulty in that it depends on online reporting, which filters out those who are not online; however, worker in the Global South, at least, are extraordinarily online, via their phone, which in any case are how they get their gigs.

The protest lens is a methodological issue as well. From pp. 9-10:

We adopted a focus on protest events as an indicator of labour unrest in platform work. In so doing, we drew on insights from social movement research. As della Porta and Diani (2015, 3) explain, social movement studies  stand apart as a field because of their attention to the practices through which actors express their stances in a broad range of social and political conflicts. Social movement research has also often featured labour and trade union struggles (for an overview, see Silver and Karatasl 2015; see also Gamson 1975; Shorter and Tilly 1974). A key strength is the commitment of social movement research to understanding changing forms of protest  that is, shifts in the way that grievances are expressed, and how new methods of struggle develop and diffuse in shifting repertoires of contestation (Millward and Takhar 2019; Silver and Karatasl 2015; Alimi 2015; Tarrow 2015; Krinsky and Mische 2013; Wang and Soule 2012). By contrast, industrial relations research tends to apply established, standard measures across many 08 ILO Working Paper 70 different historical and institutional settings: measures such as official strike data, union membership and collective bargaining coverage. While this approach brings benefits in terms of consistency and comparability, it also carries disadvantages that become especially problematic when trying to understand forms of worker contestation that fall outside these conventional, institutional forms. In platform work, with little formal employment, low levels of union membership and very little stable collective bargaining, the standard measures are obviously at a disadvantage. Consequently, the social protest approach offers important benefits for understanding labour unrest in platform work, where significant levels of worker protest take place outside conventional frameworks.

(I find the protest lens very congenial, because I tend to follow occupations and insurgencies by looking at methods of struggle.)

Data from Worker Protest

Heres a map of worker protests, on pp. 18-19:

Thats rather a lot. The authors comment:

When we look at overall frequencies across regions over the study period, there was a relatively even spread across Asia and the Pacific and across Europe and Central Asia, with close to 400 protests in each region. Between 200 and 250 protests were recorded for North America and Latin America and the Caribbean, with much lower numbers in Africa and the Arab States.

(Its interesting to see the concentration of protests in China, and to recall the stories about PMCs in China being unable to get their food delivered because of lockdowns, and the lack of stories about the workers who would have delivered that food.) The map doesnt show which protests are against a single platform (e.g., Uber) and which are against multiple platforms (Uber, Grab, Deliveroo). The authors comment:

Of the 1,271 protest events that we found, 67.2 per cent targeted a single platform, while 32.8 per cent targeted multiple platforms. The multi-platform type of protest features in previous case study research and seems to reflect the way in which individual workers often work through multiple platforms. It is often assumed that solidarity across workers at different companies is difficult to generate. Viewed historically, however, solidarity between workers in the same occupation, especially in a shared geographical space (e.g. city or region) is not unusual. Indeed, as authors such as Ruth Milkman (2020) have noted, the return of significant levels of insecure work  in which we would include platform work  in the global North has prompted a resurgence of the trade union forms and methods developed before the post-1945 consolidation of heavily workplace-based trade unionism, which has come to dominate much of the industrial relations thinking and research. Certainly, our evidence supports previous case study research that shows strongly similar worker grievances across different platforms, with common demands developing as a result. When we looked at multi-platform protests, the driving issues and types of protest were broadly similar to those in single-platform protests (we discuss this issue later). In one interesting divergence from other findings, however, we found that multi-platform protests were unevenly spread, being far more common in Latin America and the Caribbean (50 per cent) followed by Asia and the Pacific (26.6 per cent) and Europe (20.7 per cent). Reasons for this variation remain unclear.

32.8% percent multi-platform protests  by definition solidarity across workplaces, however virtual  strikes me as encouragingly high.

Here is a chart of issues driving the protests, pp, 21-22:

Wages and working conditions. Shocker! The authors comment:

[P]rotests were motivated by a wide variety of issues. However, by far the most prevalent cause, identified as a factor in 63.8 per cent of protests, was grievances over pay. The prevalence of pay as an issue driving platform worker discontent is one of our most striking findings, in sharp contrast to the emphasis in previous literature on issues around algorithmic management. In our findings, protests by platform workers are far more likely to be driven by platform company decisions about levels of remuneration than by day-to-day issues with the operation of algorithms.

And when Covid comes along:

Here is a chart of tactics used and numbers involved in protests, pp. 23-24:

The authors comment:

[W]e found wide variation in the number of workers involved. The modal range for participant numbers is 1149, followed by 5099. However, we counted 65 cases in which more than 1,000 workers were involved. An examination of data on the duration of protests indicates that they usually lasted less than 24 hours, suggesting that platform labour protest generally tends to comprise mainly very short actions. . . With regard to the number of participants per protest, the numbers of participants both for strikes/log-offs and for demonstrations are noteworthy. In many cases, activists were able to organize more than 100 individuals. In some 50 cases of strikes/logoffs, more than 500 workers participated.

Collective Organization of Worker Protest

Are unions involved? How much organization was bottom-up and spontaneous? The authors comment (pp. 23-24):

Regarding the collective organizations involved in worker protests, self-organized groups of workers were involved in approximately 80 per cent of cases . These groups of workers were the key form of collective organization in platform worker protests across the globe, significantly outstripping union organization, either traditional or new. In 48.3 per cent of the protests that we identified, a group of workers acted without the involvement of any other organization. Indeed, in our data, protests where self-organized groups of workers were not involved were far less common than cases where they were. This important finding reflects how platform worker protest is driven by self-organization among workers, more so than by union organizing efforts, however important these might be in some settings.

Seeing this comment on union leadership in the United States from Upstater, I cant help but feel theres something to be said for self-organized groups of workers. OTOH, its hard to see where that self-organization leads, beyond resolution of the immediate grievance. More:

Clearly, this finding rebuts the still widely held but mistaken belief that unions cause labour unrest.

Ouch. Dry, very dry. Nevertheless, union involvement does have distinctive features and some advantages for workers:

Where we did identify trade union involvement, traditional unions were present in 18.3 per cent of protests at the global level, and new unions in 13.1 per cent, giving a total of 31.4 per cent of cases in which some form of trade union organization was involved. Given the significant focus on new unions in much of the case study research, our finding that traditional unions are found more often in platform worker protests might come as a surprise On the other hand, given the huge disparity in size and resources between new and traditional unions, the fact that their presence is in any way comparable is truly remarkable. It is difficult to think of comparable examples from other sectors. Indeed, the prevalence of ununionized protest in platform work is reminiscent of much earlier periods of pioneer organizing among new groups of workers, such as the early days of the mass production industries (see Darlington 2013). A distinctive feature of union organization in platform work that may help to explain these unusual findings is that platform worker protests usually comprise a small minority of the workers on a platform. This gives unions the capacity to organize protests (of various types) while still working with a relatively small base of members. In addition, unions organizing in platform work can and do mobilize workers well beyond their immediate membership, organizing demonstrations and even strikes that involve both members and non-members. New unions have shown a marked tendency to do this (Joyce and Stuart 2021; Cant 2020). These features of union organization in platform work coincide to break the close link between union membership and collective action, which is a standard assumption of established industrial relations perspectives. In platform work, the relationship between collective organization, union membership/ non-membership and collective protest is much more fluid and dynamic than most settings where industrial relations are studied. As a result, the tendency of platform workers to self-organize, first noted in case study research, is strongly supported by our findings. The picture that emerges is one whereby platform workers first organize themselves and later may look towards established organizations  of various types  to aid their efforts, and may sometimes even move from one organization to another in search of a better fit (cf. Aslam and Woodcock 2020). Even these basic patterns vary considerably across different regions (see below). Moreover, labour organizing among platform workers is still in its infancy, and the final form(s) that this highly dynamic process might take remain unclear.

Conclusion

The authors conclude, pp. 34-35:

Our findings suggest both notable similarities and differences among platform worker protests across the world. The analysis shows that pay is universally a pre-eminent concern for platform workers and tends to be the subject of protests in all regions of the world. Indeed, the overwhelming presence of pay as the major cause of platform worker protest suggests that we need to be cautious about centralizing issues such as algorithmic control . Moreover, while much scholarship places emphasis on forms of online activity such as the subversion of algorithms, our findings show that more traditional methods, such as strikes and demonstrations, are also widely used in platform worker protests. At the same time, some genuinely distinctive aspects of platform work became apparent through analysis of our data. In particular, the number of protests that were directed at multiple companies is a distinctive characteristic of platform work, which likely reflects the nature of platform labour markets, where workers often rely on multiple platforms to earn a living. It also suggests that platform workers are well networked, with strengthening sinews of solidarity that transcend individual companies. It is also important to note that platform labour protest tends to emerge from the bottom up, particularly in the global South, where such protests are overwhelmingly led by informal groups of workers .

Personally, I find this conclusion, and the report in general, very hopeful (and in a time when we need all the hope we can get). It also shows that the same trends that are bringing us Starbucks and Amazon organizing in this country are worldwide, which is another sign of hope (and maybe for the ILO, too). Carry on!
Notice how the amount of Western reporting on Ukraine has fallen off dramatically? Thats because the war is going well for Russia and its allies.

Russia is continuing its steady and systematic grind through Donbass. However, Russia has also picked up the pace of its shelling, has moved some of its best equipment into Ukraine, presumably pre-positioning, and just had the head of its Ministry of Defense, Sergey Shoigu, visit key commanders in Donbass. Not only did Shoigu state that Russia would put an end to the Ukraine shelling of civilian targets in Donetsk, but also gave the necessary instructions for further buildup of the troops actions in all operational directions. In concert, Russia has moved its most advanced armor to the front lines en masse (see here at 42:45)

Part of this effort to stop the Ukraine shelling of civilians is recent and large uptick in Russian ballistic missile attacks. Jacob Dreizen (please filter out the Trumpian views for the comments on weaponry) describes starting at 14:10 of his latest video how the Ukrainians are so low on artillery that they are forced to use it strategically and are sending off 1-2 big salvos a day, targeting Russian ammo dumps behind the lines, with some effect. However, other Russia-friendly sources have claimed that Ukraine has been using Western munitions, including the HIMARS, to shell civilians in Donbass. Per Dreizen, Ukraine uses their Tochka-Us to tie up Russian missile defenses and then send some HIMARS and a few get through.

Russia, which had stopped the active use of the Tochka-Us to deploy the more advanced Iskanders, has pulled its Tochka-Us out of mothballs to respond, at least tripling its ballistic missile capability. Dreizen says that Russia used to fire 3-4 Iskanders daily and in the last 2-4 days is now sending off 10 Tochka-Us a day plus the Iskanders. Per Dreizen:

Alright, America, youre sending these HIMARS. Were still gonna beat you. We have ten times as much stuff as you can possibly send to the Ukraine...Whats gonna happen to the HIMARS is theyre gonna get destroyed just like the howitzers were destroyed.

Military Summary also confirms a shift in Russian priorities (see at 6:30), with reduced shelling in Donbass and a big increase in Mykolaiv and near Kharkiv.

In parallel, Russia also blew up a meeting between some senior Ukraine military officers and foreign weapons dealers, with total dead estimated in the hundreds. While many observers would contend that the arms merchants are not combatants and deliberately killing them amounts to a war crime, the Russian position is presumably otherwise, since they are taking credit for this kill. From RIA Novosti, via machine translation:

The strike of Kalibr high-precision sea-based missiles on the House of Officers in Vinnitsa destroyed the participants of the meeting of the command of the Ukrainian Air Force with representatives of foreign arms suppliers, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. On July 14, high-precision sea-based Caliber missiles struck the building of the garrison House of Officers in the city of Vinnytsia. At the time of the strike, a meeting of the command of the Ukrainian Air Force with representatives of foreign arms suppliers was held at this military facility on the transfer of the next batch of aircraft, weapons, weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as organizing the repair of the Ukrainian aviation fleet, the report says.

This action may also be a sighting shot against CIA and NATO operations in Ukraine. It also may be to give the West a taste of what might happen if they are so reckless as to let Ukraine get some of those 300km range HIMARS missiles that Ukraine has been begging for. There have been quite a few reports on the Ukraine innertubes demonstrating the governments lust to take out the Kerch Bridge that connects Crimea to Russia. Theyve made clear they want the longer-range missiles to do so (the US so far has given Ukraine only the 70km missiles precisely because they dont trust Ukraine not to hit targets in Russia). I am highly confident that Russia has a very clear idea of the sort of missile hell it would unleash were that to occur.

In the last few days, the Russian Security Council also met and issued an unusually uncommunicative summary.

To step back and put this in context, keep in mind that commentators keep focusing on Russian progress in terms of capturing territory, when that is not Russias primary goal. It is to destroy Ukraines ability to wage war. Thus while some Western accounts have fixated on the idea that Russia has or hasnt taken Bakhmut, Russia is more interested in getting fire or actual control of key roads and railroads to deny resupply and better yet, encircle troops so they can capture them or at worse, lead them to flee, abandoning materiel.

Accounts in the last few days indicate that Russia is destroying Ukraine units and soldiers at an accelerating pace, with some credible experts putting daily deaths at the end of last week at well over 1000. Even if that pace of destruction is not maintained, it points to a fighting force that is crumbling.

Russia forces took control of all of Lugansk on July 3, taking Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk faster than even Russia-favoring commentators had forecast. Russia has now been moving forces so as to achieve the final goal in taking Donetsk, that of capturing Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Once that is done, Russia will have freed the Donbass.

On the Ukraine side, the body language is the polar opposite. Zelensky has launched a purge, accusing officials right and left of collaboration with Russia. This could be somewhat or very much true, since a coup attempt is long overdue and the rebels would likely be more willing to consider a deal with Russia. However, Zelensky could also be searching for scapegoats, since its been clear for some time that the long-promised August and/or Kherson counter-offensives are na ga happen. Aside from the fact that Ukraine has yet to stage an offensive where it recaptured and held territory and its now reduced to having to conscript old men and women to refill its depleted army, Russia has such command over Ukraine that its impossible to train a sizable force and not have it subjected to Russian missile attack.

Speculation among Western sources that read Russian or have good Russian contacts (see the Larry Johnson-Andrei Martyanov-Alexander Mercouris roundtable, hosted by Gonzalo Lira, as an example) is that Russia will pause after it has secured Donbass and will deliver its conditions for a peace to Ukraine. These are certain to be unacceptable since the bare minimum ask will be conceding the loss of Donbass and Crimea (and let us not forget neutrality and denazification too). The West of course will flatly reject it. Thats fine by Russia since it would not trust any deal with Ukraine or the West as far as it could throw it.

The point of this offer at the point of securing the first objective of the Special Military Operation is to play to China, India, the global South, and secondarily to the more cautious and war-averse members of the Russian citizenry, that Russia going beyond the narrowest implementation of the SMO was not due to Russia wanting to take more territory, but being forced to do so to achieve its additional goals of demilitarization and denazificaition. If Ukraine and its allies wont do so voluntarily, Russia will by force.

The Military Summary channel has observed that once Russia secures Donbass, there are no major lines of defense to the west until the Dnieper. That may also explain the claim he made in his latest report (at 12:50), that Zelensky told the troops in Donass that the US told him if they lose the so-called Zaluzny defense line (Kramatorsk and Sloviansk are on this line) that it would be considered to be the total collapse of Ukraine forces and no more Western support would be forthcoming. I doubt that politically that the US can totally abandon Ukraine but they can certainly send only eyewash, and more importantly, stop funding the Ukraine government, which has become a money pit.

tThe remaining major troop concentration is around Kiev. The question is what Russia does next.

My belief is still that Russia will give priority to taking Odessa unless there are logistical considerations that argue against that. The Ukraine military is so close to collapse that Russian forces going to Odessa sooner rather than later is a real possibility. Its the psychologically most important target for the Russian people, and economically more valuable than Kiev. The West would recognize that Russia getting control of what was Ukraines entire Black Sea coast as an enormous loss.

I suspect what Russia decides to do with or about Ukraine to the west of the Dnieper is event dependent. However, the West has decided to tie itself even more tightly to the Ukraine albatross. I had said to Lambert that it was not impossible for Russia to have decisively won (as in taken Odessa) by sometime in October, but even with the Western forces clearly unable to rout Russia, that Europe and the US would keep its citizens cold and hungry this winter just to spite Russia.

Its already official. From TASS:

The EU will not withdraw the sanctions, imposed on Russia over the situation in Ukraine, if Moscow and Kiev sign peace treaty on Russias terms, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in his article for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagzeitung, published Sunday. The part of the new reality is that the EU has also consolidated. It has reacted to the Russian aggression quite unanimously and imposed unprecedentedly harsh sanctions, Scholz said. We knew it from the start that we will potentially have to keep these sanctions for a long time. And it is also clear that not a single one of these sanctions will be withdrawn in case of peace, dictated by Russia, he continued. There is no other path for an agreement with Ukraine for Russia than the one that could be accepted by the Ukrainians.

It does not seem to occur to Sholtz that even Ukrainians who are not that keen about Russia would choose having Russian or Russian-lite rule over the Wests plan of fighting to the last Ukrainian. It also seems likely that Russia will hold referendums, again to legitimate its actions in the court of non-collective-West opinion. But of course those will be deemed to be bogus even if the most reputable independent observers say otherwise.

So this is not going to end well for the West. But you knew that already if you were paying attention.
(Natural News) InfoWars host Harrison Smith touched on a video of a climate activist in the Netherlands supporting Amsterdams plan to seize farmlands in a recent edition of The American Journal.

The footage Smith played on his program featured a female Dutch climate activist, who told the man interviewing her: You have to get rid of all those big farms to save the climate.

The interviewer pressed on, asking her what would the farmers do if the government seizes their lands.

These are farmers who have [held] farmland in their families for generations, and now [men] in suits [are] basically coming to [their] door, telling them No more farming. Why should this happen? Why should they just give it up?

I worked as a nurse, and I was without a job because they had too many nurses, replied the activist.

Harrison did not hide his disgust over the exchange, and condemned the climate activist for supporting Amsterdam and its plans to punish farmers for daring to protest the destruction of their livelihood.

How [are farms] destroying the planet? Because nitrogen? OK, the most common substance in the known universe and on Earth is just nitrogen  but we have to stop it.

The InfoWars host also slammed the absurdity of climate activists such as the Dutch woman attacking nitrogen, even though other activities cause far worse destruction.

Its not the massive ships plying multiple times across the ocean dumping their sewage into the water. Its not the huge fish nets just gathering up millions of fish, dolphins and whales. Its not the deforestation. Its the farms, the cows and the farts they make thats the real issue here, he said sarcastically.

Furthermore, Smith blasted the attack on farms as a decision that would impact the worlds already-crippled food supply. He remarked: The obvious question would be Where do you plan on getting food then, lady?'

It reminds me of the lady  [who] went into the hunting store in Colorado [and asked] Why do you have to go kill deer? You should get meat from the store where it comes from. Where do you think it was before the store?

Crazy activist among the elites useful idiots

Its a war between the people and the elite, said Harrison. The farmers dont want this, but Klaus Schwab wants it.

But theres a large contingent of behind-the-scenes agitators  who are the traitors, the quislings [and] the useful idiots for the elite  [saying] things like Weve got to get rid of the farms to save the planet.

Harrison remarked that in the current war, there is humanity whos tuned in and awake fighting against the elites [who are] trying to crush them. The agitators and useful idiots in the middle, he added, should just shut up and go away because theyre not helping anybody.

True enough, Dutch farmers themselves already began pushing back against Amsterdams plans to seize their land. In the northern province of Friesland, farmers rode their tractors in protest  forcing a barricade of police officers and vehicles out of the way. However, the protest culminated with the armed police shooting at one tractor, resulting in the arrest of three individuals.

Smith added that farmers have also begun gathering in front of the Dutch Senate building at the Hague, with civilian cars joining the farmers blockade of tractors. (Related: Farmers across EU rise up against tyrannical green mandates that threaten food supply.)

The Dutch farmer protest is continuing [and] its only getting stronger. [They are] now blocking government buildings as more and more citizens get involved. Regular consumers are actually showing solidarity with the farmers.

Visit GreenTyranny.news for more stories about government proposals to seize farmland in the name of climate justice.

Watch this segment of The American Journal with Harrison Smith below.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Globalists in the Netherlands are targeting farms to deliberately achieve GLOBAL FAMINE.

Canadas tyrant Trudeau set to implement a policy that led Dutch farmers to revolt.

Dutch farmers protest governments plan to ban cattle emissions.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

PlantBasedNews.org
(Natural News) When the worlds richest man announced a plan to buy Twitter, one of the most influential social media platforms in the world, the left broke down in hysteria.

While the most common explanation for their breakdown was that Twitter was often used to silence conservative voices and censor any dissent to the deep state regime, it turns out that the panicking is likely due to something much more sinister.

According to News Punch, Musk, who founded Tesla and SpaceX and serves as the CEO for both of those companies, has come to believe that as many as 90 percent of the users on the platform are not real, but rather artificial intelligence-generated bots that are used by the globalist elite to drive their narratives and create mass psychosis.

The outlet reports:

Based on his assessment, Musk alleges that up to 90 percent of Twitters entire user base is fake. This situation has obvious implications for the valuation of the company. If most of the users are fake, advertisers will be far less interested in spending money to place ads on the platform. But the implications of the bot count dont stop there and reveal much about the true, inner workings of Big Tech.

Because Musks assessment reveals that Twitters fake accounts are not just about ad revenue. The vast majority of Twitters daily users, it appears, are automated spam bots that the Big Tech giant uses to induce mass formation psychosis and other forms of social conditioning.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is likely behind the AI bot front on Twitter. Now that we know Twitter is controlled by spam bots, its not a stretch to assume the same spam bots are also likely present on Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

After all, its no secret that the powers that be are conducting military-grade psy-ops on the public, noted Vince Quill. All of us have at one point or another encountered bots, sometimes it was obvious, other times not so much, but 90% of the users being bots is just beyond the pale.

To that end, Musk and his legal team have been pressuring Twitter executives to turn over more accurate information about the real number of bots on the platform, which Twitter has been reluctant to reveal, for obvious reasons.

For nearly two months, Mr. Musk has sought the data and information necessary to make an independent assessment of the prevalence of fake or spam accounts on Twitters platform, Musks team noted earlier this month. Twitter has failed or refused to provide this information.

A new report reveals that Musk is reviewing his options after his team accused Twitter of not disclosing enough information about bot and spam accounts on the platform.

Musks deal to buy Twitter is in serious jeopardy, the Washington Post reported, saying Musks team has stopped engaging in discussions with investors about the funding because they believe the spam figures provided by the company are not verifiable.

Musks team is seeking information on the true number of active daily users on Twitter but apparently, the social media platform is not providing enough information.

Musks team is poised to take potentially drastic action, the report said.

Twitters CEO and board of directors, however, arent about to let Musk out of the $44 billion purchase agreement, which is based on a share price of around $54 each.

According to a report from the Associated Press, shortly after Musk sent a letter  via his attorneys  stating that he was walking away from the deal, Twitter fired back stating they will sue the Tesla and SpaceX founder.

The chair of Twitters board, Bret Taylor, tweeted that the board plans to sue Elon Musk to complete the $44 billion merger he just rejected and that Twitter is confident it will prevail, the outlet tweeted.

But if Twitters executives allow this case to go to court that will mean during discovery the company will be forced to reveal the precise number of bots on the platform  which will likely destroy it.

Sources include:

NewsPunch.com

WashingtonPost.com
(Natural News) NATO continues to position itself to confront Russia, putting hundreds of millions of people at risk of nuclear vaporization.

Even as Russia remains bogged down in Ukraine, Moscow possesses the largest and most powerful nuclear force on the planet, and if pressed to the point of defeat, no doubt will use it, even if in a limited manner.

But that doesnt seem to bother the NATO globalists who are continuing to build up the alliances forces on the European continent opposite Russian forces.

CTV News reports:

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that the military alliance will increase the size of its rapid reaction forces nearly eightfold to 300,000 troops as part of its response to an era of strategic competition.

The NATO response force currently has about 40,000 soldiers which can deploy quickly when needed.

Coupled with other measures including the deployment of forces to defend specific allies, Stoltenberg said the move is part of the biggest overhaul of collective defence and deterrence since the Cold War.

The NATO chief made his remarks at a press conference ahead of an alliance summit that was held in Madrid later in the week, where the 30 allies agreed to provide further lethal support to Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion.

Stoltenberg said he expects all NATO allies to essentially threaten Russia by making it clear they consider Moscow as the most significant and direct threat to our security.

Whats more, alliance members also directed their attention at China, a legitimate rising power that threatens the security of the entire world, but more notably, the continued existence of Taiwan, an independent country that Beijing claims as a renegade province. The allies discussed the growing influence of both Russia and China in their southern neighborhood, he said.

The NATO chief said the alliance is in agreement to provide much more military support to Kyiv, with members expected to adopt a strengthened comprehensive assistance package that includes deliveries of anti-drone systems and secure communications equipment.

Over the long run, Stoltenberg said NATO will assist Ukraine in shedding Soviet-era arms and resupply the country with modern military gear and weapons systems.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to most Americans, the Biden regime has been sending more American troops to Europe, raising the troop level to around 100,000, or more than has been stationed on the continent since 2005. During his term, then-President Donald Trump started bringing U.S. forces home and implored NATO members to increase their defense spending to 2 percent of their GDP, which they agreed to do when they joined the alliance. He was roundly criticized for that, but now the current regime is imploring NATO to do the very same thing because the U.S. cannot supply all of NATO with its needs.

After an initial post-World War II demobilization, the number of U.S. troops in Europe surged from 97,000 in 1950 to over 450,000 in 1957, as the Soviet Union began to shift forces into its western satellite countries like Poland, Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia, Axios reported in March, a few weeks after Russias invasion of Ukraine.

That was the first of two major Cold War buildups, with the second peaking at about 340,000 troops in 1987, the report continued, adding: In 2018, the number of U.S. troops in Europe bottomed out at around 65,000, the posture history shows.

Now, Sweden and Finland appear set to join the alliance after Turkey ended its objections, literally resurrecting a former Cold War posture against a Russia that no doubt feels increasingly threatened.

NATO and the U.S. are inching the planet toward another world war that, with the advent of nuclear weapons, will lead to the deaths of billions and likely the end of the world as we know it.

Sources include:

CTVNews.ca

Axios.com
Siletz River Ranch - Represented by Agri-Investment Services "The ranch offers adventure right out your backdoor. Enjoy deep sea fishing or crabbing in the morning and take a horseback ride or fish for Steelhead in the evening. Walk miles of coastal beaches and enjoy fresh seafood in one of the many Newport restaurants. It's all close at hand. "

Agri-Investment Services was recently chosen to represent the marketing of the Siletz River Ranch, northeast of Newport, Oregon.

This 250-acre ranch boasts 1.25 miles of riverfront along the beautiful Siletz River. A wonderful fishing river famed for its Steelhead and Chinook Salmon runs. Fishing is excellent most of the year and the calm waters are wonderful for canoeing and other activities.

The Siletz River Ranch has traditionally been used as a hay and cattle ranch. The main home was designed by a renowned architect and custom built for the owners. It overlooks the river and a nearby waterfall. Set down a long, paved driveway it is private and secluded. A caretaker's home near the gated entrance ensures privacy.

The ranch offers adventure right out your backdoor. Enjoy deep sea fishing or crabbing in the morning and take a horseback ride or fish for Steelhead in the evening. Walk miles of coastal beaches and enjoy fresh seafood in one of the many Newport restaurants. It's all close at hand.

Located partially inside the City of Siletz, this property has the potential for subdivision development and other uses. As a private retreat, equestrian facility, family compound, or development opportunity - the Siletz River Ranch is a rare find.

The Siletz River Ranch is represented by Brett Veatch. Mr. Veatch is the regional director for Agri-Investment Services - the Natural Resources Division of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NW Real Estate. His practice area is with the farm, ranch, timber, livestock, vineyard, recreational, and rural estate properties throughout Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

As a division of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NW Real Estate, Agri-Investment Services offers a significant advantage over smaller, unspecialized brokerages. With 33 offices in the Northwest, they have the resources to provide robust marketing that places the property in front of the right market.

A real estate broker for more than twenty years, Veatch has experience with some of the largest and most complex transactions in the region. Operating out of Portland, Seattle, and Boise, Veatch consults with clients on strategic planning and works diligently to provide exceptional service throughout a transaction.

Visit Agri-Investment Services at https://agriinvestmentservices.com/oregon-farm-brokers/. Mr. Veatch may be reached directly by dialing 503.708.4663 or at info@agisg.com.
(Natural News) The ground war in Ukraine following Russias invasion has proven that industrial-level warfare is still very real and very plausible between great and even second-tier powers.

But what that conflict has also shown is the need for countries to have the manufacturing capacity to produce massive amounts of war materiel, and there are rising concerns that the United States, which became the arsenal of democracy during World War II because of our tremendous industrial might, is not at all prepared to repeat that Greatest Generation feat in 2022 should the need arise.

The massive consumption of equipment, vehicles and ammunition requires a large-scale industrial base for resupply  quantity still has a quality of its own, said a recently published analysis from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). The mass scale combat has pitted 250,000 Ukrainian soldiers, together with 450,000 recently mobilized citizen soldiers against about 200,000 Russian and separatist troops. The effort to arm, feed and supply these armies is a monumental task. Ammunition resupply is particularly onerous.

The RUSI analysis went on to note that in Ukraine, its much more difficult to resupply due to the long-range fires capability possessed by Russia in the form of artillery and missiles that are targeting Ukrainian military-industrial centers and transportation hubs and networks throughout the country. While the Russian forces have also suffered casualties from Ukrainian cross-border attacks and acts of sabotage, they have taken place on a much smaller scale.

But to the broader point, the rates of ammunition consumption by both armies can only be sustained on a large-scale industrial level, and that ought to be concerning to NATO alliance members because most Western countries including the most powerful member, the U.S., have dramatically scaled down their industrial capacity to rapidly produce large stockpiles of weapons and ammunition.

In sacrificing scale for efficiency, this strategy relies on flawed assumptions about the future of war, and has been influenced by both the bureaucratic culture in Western governments and the legacy of low-intensity conflicts, the analysis stated.

Currently, the West may not have the industrial capacity to fight a large-scale war. If the US government is planning to once again become the arsenal of democracy, then the existing capabilities of the US military-industrial base and the core assumptions that have driven its development need to be re-examined.

The report noted: There is no exact ammunition consumption data available for the RussiaUkraine conflict. Neither government publishes data, but an estimate of Russian ammunition consumption can be calculated using the official fire missions data provided by the Russian Ministry of Defense during its daily briefing.

While exact numbers of rounds fired or lost to combat are impossible to determine, its clear that  judging by the numbers of artillery  rocket tubes and other munitions Russia has deployed inside Ukraine, Moscows forces are expending thousands of rounds per day.

The winner in a prolonged war between two near-peer powers is still based on which side has the strongest industrial base. A country must either have the manufacturing capacity to build massive quantities of ammunition or have other manufacturing industries that can be rapidly converted to ammunition production. Unfortunately, the West no longer seems to have either, the analysis noted.

The report went on to say that the U.S. is currently rapidly depleting several weapons stockpiles as it feeds as much as Washington can send to Ukraine to fend off Russian advances. And this comes as successive congressionally-approved Pentagon budgets have been significantly reducing the purchase of artillery and ammunition for other U.S. systems for several years. For instance, the 2022 artillery round purchase by the Department of Defense would not last more than 10 days in Ukraine-Russia-style combat.

If competition between autocracies and democracies has really entered a military phase, then the arsenal of democracy must radically improve its approach to the production of materiel in wartime, the report concluded.

Sources include:

RUSI.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Joe Biden has until Sunday, July 17, to appoint a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) to mediate failed negotiations between the unions and the railroads, otherwise, Americas rail industry will come to a halt this upcoming week.

Agriculture companies, including Foster Farms, are starting to get nervous as no more rail service means no more feed for their animals.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) says it expects that Biden will appoint a PEB in the final hour before the deadline. However, Biden is currently in Israel announcing new Palestinian aid and expressing support for a two-state peace and safety solution at some point in the future.

Rail bottlenecks over the past several months are already impacting feed shipments, either with delays or cancellations. This is hitting farmers and ranchers hard throughout California and the southwest.

Some feed users in California say they have to pay $3 over the CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade) to secure grain shipments by truck  and the worst part is that the problems have only just begun.

Labor issues at the railroads were supposed to have been resolved by now, but that is not the case. Instead of reaching a solution this summer as planned, the industry is expecting its issues to drag on into the fall and even winter, which is terrible news for the fall harvest season.

What Im hearing from our members is there are fewer equipment issues and that the equipment and engines seem to not be breaking down, but the train times  the amount of time its taking to get the trains and the reliability of receiving them  are still quite a problem in quite a few areas of the country, announced Mike Seyfert, president and CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA).

If crop harvests dont get picked up and delivered, expect empty shelves at the grocery store

As many as 115,000 rail workers could end up walking off the job on Sunday, July 17, if Biden fails to appoint a PEB. And even if he does, that will not necessarily guarantee a resolution.

The rail industry is fully prepared, it says, to strike on Monday if nothing happens by Sunday. The White House, meanwhile, says it is going through the standard process that has been used in the past when considering a PEB, which leaves the situation unclear.

The National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC) says the railroads expect a PEB will be appointed in this dispute before the end of the 30-day cooling off period, as has been the case in prior unresolved national rail negotiations. Other industry players reportedly believe the same.

If a PEB is appointed, the board has 30 days to make settlement recommendations, during which time a strike is prohibited. Then, there would be another 30-day buffer period for either implementation or a strike.

Another problem that a resolution will not fix, however, is the labor shortage situation. There are simply not enough people willing to work the railroads anymore, we are told, which means those who do work in the industry end up with more responsibilities.

This is a major point of contention in the negotiations as workers say they need a lot more pay to make up for the extra work they are having to do, especially as rail companies tighten the noose on them in pursuit of higher profits.

If this slowdown continues at this rate, we risk not having space for the 2022 harvest for our 7,000 farmer members by an estimated total bushels of 15,750,000! reads a letter from Landus Coop, which represents 7,000 farmer owners in Iowa, addressing serious issues with the rail industry even before a potential strike.

To keep up with the latest news about this topic, visit FoodCollapse.com.

Sources include:

AgWeb.com

Foster Farms Petition

JTA.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Its common knowledge among Americans who are not cultist members of the Democratic Party that first son Hunter Biden is a corrupt degenerate.

From the moment the New York Post published the first contents retrieved from a laptop he abandoned at a computer repair shop in Delaware, it became obvious that Hunter is an opportunist who traded on access to his famous and politically connected father.

In addition to making corrupt deals with oligarchs in Ukraine and Moscow, Hunter has also entered into financial agreements with firms owned by the Chinese government.

In fact, according to a leading GOP senator, Hunter Biden is essentially working for the Communist Chinese government, as noted by evidence discovered on that laptop from hell.

I think the American people deserve the truth on this because Joe Biden is certainly compromised. I heard your last segment there talking about Joe Bidens soft-on-China policies. Theres probably a reason why Joe Biden canceled the China Initiative, which was (in) the Department of Justice a program to investigate Chinese theft of our intellectual property in our university systems, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said in an interview with Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo recently.

Why in the world would he cancel that? Is it because he knows that China knows all the transactions and exactly what Hunter Biden was involved in? Johnson continued.

So, no, this is a huge scandal. The American public deserves the truth because it is putting at risk our national security, because we have a compromised president who has lied repeatedly to the American public, saying that he never talked to Hunter about his overseas business transactions, Johnson, who has been looking into Hunter Biden corruption with fellow GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, for a couple of years, added.

Now we actually have voicemails from off of these computers. And, of course, the  my concern about all of this, in terms of our Department of Justice, is that, to the extent that they might indict Hunter, Im afraid they will enter a plea agreement. And part of that plea agreement might be to seal the records, so the American public never knows the truth. That would be a travesty of justice, Johnson said.

Meanwhile, Bidens regime is actively working to fully accommodate the Chinese, as evidenced by an action taken in February.

Then, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen announced an end to a tough-on-China initiative imposed by the real president, Donald Trump, as a means of pushing back on the massive influence Beijing had on our government before he took office.

The Trump administrations China Initiative, which the Democrat left complained was racist and bigoted (of course) was deemed inappropriate by Olsen, who proceeded to end it under the guise of civil rights violations.

The rise in anti-Asian hate crime and hate incidents only heightens these concerns. The Department is keenly aware of this threat, he said.

In light of these concerns, we began a review soon after I took officeWhile I remain focused on the evolving, significant threat that the government of China poses, I have concluded that this initiative is not the right approach. Instead, the current threat landscape demands a broader approachto tackle the most severe threats from a range of hostile nation-states, he added.

Fox News recently asked FBI Director Chris Wray if it was a mistake for the Biden administration to scrap the China Initiative: We are not going to engage in profiling by ethnicity or national origin. And we havent, Wray said.

And were going to work jointly with universities. In many cases, thats one of the most effective ways to prevent stealing of research.

Translation: China was let off the hook, again, because the ChiCom regime in Beijing owns most of our officials.

Johnson further noted that the FBI has had Hunter Bidens laptop since December 2019.

What have they been doing with it? he asked.

We all know the answer to that: Nothing.

Sources include:

En-Volve.com

CNSNews.com
(Natural News) Just hours before now-former United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned from his post on July 7, the British government quietly and strategically dropped a major bombshell confirming that Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines are not saving lives.

Since at least April of this year, the fully vaccinated population of England accounts for the vast majority of deaths that are being blamed on covid  this in terms of deaths per 100,000 people, which is how the data is presented.

While the unvaccinated are mostly doing just fine, going about their lives with normal health, those who took all the jabs in obedience to Johnsons regime are dropping like flies, probably due to vaccine-associated enhanced disease (VAED) and antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).

As you may recall, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced back in March that starting on April Fools Day, it would no longer be publishing the vaccination status of covid cases, hospitalizations, or deaths. Now we know why they did this. (Related: the UKHSA also deleted a study from its official reporting that linked covid injections to increased risk of infection.)

At the time, the UKHSA claimed this was because the UK Government had ended free universal Covid-19 testing and this, therefore, affected their ability to robustly monitor Covid-19 cases by vaccination status,' reports Expose News.

However, this was a lie.

Fauci Flu shots increase a persons risk of death from covid, data shows

As the UKHSA was fudging the numbers and changing its reporting standards, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), another British government agency, published a report of its own outlining deaths by vaccination status in England. That report showed that Englands vaccinated population accounted for a whopping 94 percent of deaths between April 1 and May 31.

Once again, it becomes abundantly clear why the UKHSA changed its reporting requirements starting on April 1: because the data shows, without a shadow of a doubt, that covid injections are killing people, not protecting them.

 now we can also reveal that this is not because the majority of people have been vaccinated, which in turn statistically results in more deaths, Expose News further reported.

It is instead, as the ONS data shows, because the Covid-19 injections are increasing recipients risk of death if infected with Covid-19.

Using Pfizers own vaccine efficacy formula, it can be further shown from official UK data that getting injected for covid has a negative effectiveness against death, meaning a person is more likely to die if he or she gets jabbed as opposed to just leaving natural immunity intact.

The Pfizer documents, which a court order forced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to release against the agencys will, further show that the mRNA (messenger RNA) injections from both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna induce ADE, which causes natural immunity to wane over time, much like AIDS.

Because of this, many now refer to the immune degradation that occurs post-injection for covid as VAIDS, or vaccine-induced AIDS, as it bears many of the same hallmarks as traditional AIDS  though mechanistically the action of immune destruction is different.

ADE can arise in several different ways but the best-known is dubbed the Trojan Horse Pathway,' Expose News further explains. This occurs when non-neutralizing antibodies generated by past infection or vaccination fail to shut down the pathogen upon re-exposure.

Instead, they act as a gateway by allowing the virus to gain entry and replicate in cells that are usually off-limits (typically immune cells, like macrophages). That, in turn, can lead to wider dissemination of illness, and over-reactive immune responses that cause more severe illness.

Fauci Flu shots are a death sentence for many. To keep up with the latest, visit ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

Expose-News.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Ukraine has unveiled a new, locally made robotic battlefield scout known as GNOM that will help in its fight against the Russian invasion.

The mini Terminator robot, which is made by the company Temerland and is around the size of a standard microwave, will be able to provide information about Russian positions and fire support using a machine gun. The first robots are expected to go into service next week.

Uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), which are essentially remotely operated robots, have not played a big role in the conflict so far. However, portable radio frequency jammers are increasingly knocking drones out of the sky, and GNOM provides a jam-proof way for Ukraine to gather information remotely. Moreover, the fact that GNOM operators do not use radios means it is more difficult for artillery to detect and target them the way that they would with drones.

Each GNOM has four large wheels, weighs around 110 pounds, and features a quiet five-horsepower electric motor and 44 drive. There are also stable firing platforms equipped with 7.62mm machine guns capable of hitting targets with remarkable accuracy.

Although most UGVs are radio-controlled, GNOM spools fiber optic cable behind it to provide a broadband link that resists radio countermeasures.

The operator doesnt deploy a control station with an antenna, and does not unmask his position, noted Temerland CEO Eduard Trotsenko. The cable is not visible, and it also does not create thermal radiation that could be seen by a thermal imager.

The cable gives GNOM a range of 1.25 miles. Should the cable break, the vehicle will automatically return to a predetermined location. It is also capable of some autonomous navigation despite being operated by remote control.

Other GNOM variants are in the pipeline

According to Trotsenko, GNOM can defend itself, thanks to the machine gun and can also offer fire support for situations that could be too dangerous for personnel. There are other versions of GNOM that can be used for sabotage, engineering, intelligence gathering and logistics. The company has also announced other potential variants that would service drone carriers.

One more aggressive GNOM can deliver TM62 anti-tank mines. In a video posted online, it can be seen driving beneath an enemy vehicle and detonating. The seven-kilogram explosive charge of the mines can destroy even the heaviest tanks, but just getting close to it would be enough to damage and immobilize it.

The current GNOM, however, will take advantage of its nearly silent nature and low profile to carry out scouting duty, accompanying Ukrainian forces while in hostile territory. When equipped with a 360-degree camera, it can provide detailed views of its surroundings. It can also deliver supplies like ammo to the front lines. When fitted with a special trailer, it could also evacuate injured soldiers and bring them to safety.

Tactical robots can often be used to keep soldiers out of the line of fire, reducing casualties while keeping a close view of the enemy, and GNOM could well play a valuable role in providing a view of Russian forces and guiding artillery fire without putting Ukrainian lives at risk.

Sources include:

GreatGameIndia.com

SpamChronicles.com
This historic dive aims to map the deepest spot on Earth. Dawn Wright, an expert in ocean mapping, is the first Black person to go to Challenger Deep.

Deep-Sea Mapping

One of the world's least understood areas in the deep ocean. Only around 20% of the ocean floor has been accurately mapped using contemporary techniques. This includes Challenger Deep, the deepest known location on Earth at about 11,000 meters below sea level, which is located in the Mariana Trench close to Guam.

Only 23 persons have ventured into this region since 1960 because it is so difficult to access. The first Black person to visit was Dawn Wright, a marine geologist and top scientist of Redlands, California-based Esri, a mapping software business, on July 12. Victor Vescovo, an explorer and the creator of the ocean research company Caladan Oceanic in Dallas, Texas, operated the submersible Limiting Factor. At the same time, Wright participated in a two-person dive on board.

Historical Mission

Wright talked to Nature before setting sail about the historic dive and the importance of charting the ocean's depths.

When visitors have the opportunity to enter Challenger Deep, they head to the eastern pool, where records for the ocean's absolute depth are set. The center and western pools are two more depressions, though. They want to create a detailed map of those areas using the submersible, which has never been done before.

Other dives have produced color-coded contour maps, like those you may use when hiking. To create the equivalent of an aerial snapshot is what they aim to achieve. That map will now seem differently. Instead of showing you the precise depths, it will be a sequence of grey tones that will reveal the structure of the bottom.

They are putting a new side-scan sonar to the test. It was recently used to find the USS Samuel B. Roberts, a Second World War ship, the deepest shipwreck known to man. This specific device has never been used below 6,000 meters, so it's somewhat of an experiment.

Also Read: Study Shows that Saltier Ocean Could Prevent Earth From Freezing

Nervous Anticipation

The first four hours, therefore, go downhill. The recovery process will then take an additional four hours. The critical part is the four hours in between when the team will perform its tasks. Any mapping involves 'mowing the lawn,' so to speak, walking back and forth until the entire area has been mapped.

We must be able to see through the water, which is the key. Other planets can be mapped more easily. These sensors work with electromagnetic radiation, easily transported through the atmosphere and into space. It is not nearly as effective when you try to shoot the same energy through water. Thus, the crew must travel to the sea to employ sound energy as a substitute. No satellite orbiting Earth can provide specialists with the same coverage for mapping large areas of the world using acoustic sensing.

Compared to Other Dives

Other dives have strongly focused on biology and for a good cause. It has resulted in the discovery of new species, such as the arthropod species known as Eurthenes plasticus, which was given that name because it contains microplastics-a sort of pollution created by humans-in its tissue. It's the first identified animal whose biology includes plastic, striking Wright as particularly unfortunate.

Challenger Deep serves as a warning. Every component of the planetary system will eventually be impacted by what humans do on land and to our atmosphere. The ocean also provides us with benefits, absorbing 25% of our carbon dioxide emissions and 90% of the heat we produce. We are buying time against climate change thanks to the ocean.

Understanding the Deep

We won't truly grasp the dispersion of heat in the seas until we comprehend the 'bathtub' that contains the water, which is one of the reasons why charting the ocean floor is important. Our everyday weather and long-term climate are eventually produced by heat moving across the seas.

The most hazardous location on Earth is the deepest ocean. The pressure is more than 1,080 atmospheres or 16,000 pounds per square inch. It's quite cold outside and entirely dark. An implosion will kill a human in a millisecond if something goes wrong with the submersible.

Are They Afraid?

Thus, it begs the frequently posed question, are they afraid? Wright responds negatively. She trusted this technology and Victor's ability to use it.

Related Article: Finding the "Holy Grail" of Shipwrecks May Lead to More Deep-Sea Discoveries

For similar news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
One of the private owners of the Hemker Park and Zoo was escorting one of the camels when he was a bit on the head and dragged for 15 feet.

One of the zoo's private owners, Roger Blenker, 32, was bitten by the camel on the head as he was ushering it around the premises. After the bite, the camel dragged Blenker for about fifteen feet by the head.

The camel was supposed to be prepared to be transported to another facility, according to accounts from the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.

Another employee, Seth Wickson, tried to help his coworker and tried to jam a plastic walking board into the camel's mouth to loosen its hold on Blenker's head.

Wickson was successful; however, after freeing Blenker, the camel charged at Wickson instead.

The camel got Wickson by the head as well but was able to free himself of the aggressive camel.

Wickson opted not to receive medical attention, while Blenker was airlifted to the St. Cloud Hospital.

Hemker Park & Zoo stated that the owner has been examined by the medical providers and per protocol, he had to be transferred.

Blenker has minor injuries that are all not life-threatening and has been alert, oriented, and mobile, according to zoo officials, who also stated that he is expected to make a full recovery.

The zoo expressed its gratitude to the medical staff and asked for everyone's prayers and support.

The camel is also unharmed, according to Hemker Park & Zoo, and the park is still open to visitors.

There are several camels in the zoo, including dromedaries and Bactrian camels, but it was unclear what kind of camel bit Blenker.

Also Read: Man Opts for Self-Defense Following Kangaroo Attack

Rutting Season

In the United States, camel bites are uncommon; they typically happen during the rutting season from December to March, when males are by nature more aggressive.

When human bites do happen, the head and face are hurt the most 60% to 70% of the time.

Due to their seasonal breeding habits, camels can only breed during the coldest winter months.

According to a study by Barbara Padalino from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" in Italy, males exhibit morphological, behavioral, and endocrinological peculiarities during the BS, also known as the "rutting period" or "rut," as discussed in the study.

Another study found that camel bite injuries could include penetrating and crushing wounds from the camel's jaw as well as blunt wounds from being picked up, lifted, and thrown by the animal.

These wounds could cause fractures, as well as severe lacerations of the skin, tendons, muscles, and nerves.

Due to its vertical, tusk-like canines that dig into whatever it is biting, a camel's teeth are primarily to blame for the damage to the head and face.

This leads to the tearing of soft tissue because camels have powerful jaw muscles and a tendency to shake their heads when they attack, Newsweek noted.

Related article: Wyoming: Bison Attacks and Tosses Ohio Woman Into the Air at Yellowstone National Park
A photo taken on January 25, 2018 from the city of Legazpi, Albay province, south of Manila, shows a fiery fountaining during an eruption of the Mayon volcano as it emits molten lava. Philippine authorities who have declared a no-go zone around an erupting volcano said January 25 they will remove all holdouts, by force if necessary, to avoid casualties after tens of thousands of other residents fled to safety. (Photo : Photo credit:TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images)

As a result of the Tonga eruption, Antarctica was flooded with vibrant hues. Scientists claim that the volcanic twilight "afterglows" are caused by aerosols released into the stratosphere in January.

Tonga Afterglow

The "afterglow" of the Tongan eruption has caused Antarctica's vast, white continent to be covered in brilliant pink and plum colors.

Scientists attribute the recent reports of abnormally flaming skies in Australia and New Zealand to an increase in aerosols sent into the stratosphere due to the January Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption.

Why is this happening?

When researchers in Antarctica saw that the same thing was occurring on the world's southernmost continent, they informed New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospherics (Niwa) about the occurrence.

Stuart Shaw, a science technician with Antarctica New Zealand, who is stationed at Scott Base for the winter and who was able to capture stunning images of the blazing skies, explained that typically in the middle of winter, Antarctica is nearly continuously dark, aside from a slight "nautical twilight" at around midday, which means the horizon is faintly visible in good conditions.

"However, this year, we were treated to an awe-inspiring performance, prompting most station staff to grab jackets and dash outside with their cameras to take in the stunning colors.

Shaw claimed, "Believe it or not, I haven't changed these colors either; they are essentially how we observed them. "It's amazing,"

According to Nava Fedaeff, a forecaster at Niwa, data from satellite lidar or laser radar reveals an abundance of aerosols in the stratosphere over Antarctica that wasn't present before the eruption.

"For months following a volcanic eruption, stratospheric aerosols cycle the globe, scattering and bending light as the sun descends or ascends below the horizon, producing a glow in the sky with colors of pink, blue, purple, and violets."

Also Read: Geologists Still Continues to Investigate the Historic Tonga Eruption

Remnants of Tonga's Eruption

The haze and cloudiness along the route of light reaching the stratosphere determine the color and intensity of the volcanic twilights, or "afterglows," she added.

We "share the same sky," despite Tonga and Antarctica being separated by some 7,000 kilometers, according to Jordy Hendrikx, chief science adviser for Antarctica New Zealand.

"Much of the work we fund attempts to understand those processes in the atmosphere, seas, and ecosystems and better understand the link between Antarctica, New Zealand, and the rest of the planet."

How Eruptions Affect the Atmosphere

While volcanic gases interact with the atmosphere in various ways, the climate is most significantly impacted by the transformation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) into sulfuric acid (H2SO4).

Volcanoes can affect climate change; during major explosive eruptions, enormous amounts of volcanic gas, aerosol droplets, and ash are injected into the stratosphere; injected ash rapidly falls from the stratosphere and has little effect on climate change; however, volcanic gases like sulfur dioxide can cause global cooling, while volcanic carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, has the potential to promote global warming.

Sulfate aerosols can reduce ozone levels and chill climates.

The conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid, which quickly condenses in the stratosphere to create fine sulfate aerosols, has the most effects on climate from volcanic injections into the stratosphere. The Earth's lower atmosphere, or troposphere, cools due to the aerosols' increased ability to reflect solar energy into space.

Related Article: Researchers Terrified as "World's Most Active Volcano" Slowly Rises from the Depths of a New Zealand Lake

For similar news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
England's first red alert from the Met Office for Monday and Tuesday also covers southern Scotland.

The warmest day of the year in the UK occurred on Sunday, when temperatures throughout England and Wales rose beyond 30C (86F). A high of 33C was recorded in Flintshire.

On Monday, the temperature might reach 41C, which would be a record high for the UK.

In Cambridge in 2019, the current temperature record of 38.7C was established.

High temperatures triggering national emergency

According to the Met Office, a strange setup caused the jet stream to break up near the coast of Portugal, allowing a whirlpool to flood air from North Africa towards Britain.

The seemingly harmless-looking yet dangerous weather system will move toward Britain as high pressure accumulates and concentrates scorching heat.

Today's temperature will rise gradually before potentially reaching 41C at the beginning of the week, setting off a national emergency.

"On Sunday, temperatures will start to rise throughout most of England and Wales, and this is the first day when temperatures really start to ramp up," said Aidan McGivern, a meteorologist at the Met Office, as per Express.

This has been moving down the Portuguese coast and has contributed to intensifying and concentrating the heat in Spain and Portugal.

As a result, people have seen some extraordinary temperatures.

This vortex will begin to approach through Sunday and the beginning of the week, and on Monday and Tuesday, a plume of extremely hot air will blanket the UK.

The vortex will work in tandem with a big area of high pressure to suffocate Britain and push air toward the ground, which will cause it to heat up quickly.

As it engulfs Britain, it will trap boiling air behind a dome of heat, sending temperatures soaring to 33C and continuing to rise over the course of the following 72 hours.

Also Read: Certain UK Counties To Experience Scattered Showers Before Massive Heatwave

Amber warning in the UK

The hottest temperature recorded in England was 32C at Nantwich, Cheshire, while Auchincruive, in Scotland's Ayrshire, recorded 26.4C, as per the BBC.

With a temperature of 27.7C recorded in Armagh, Northern Ireland also saw its warmest day of the year thus far.

Due to the weather on Sunday, there were long lines of cars at Camber Sands in East Sussex and crowded beaches all throughout the nation.

The heatwave is being handled like a national emergency, according to Downing Street.

However, when individuals attempt to cool off, they are advised to use caution when near water.

On Saturday, a teenager drowned in Salford Quays after swimming there, while a guy remains missing after going into a reservoir in West Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, water suppliers cautioned that due to increasing demand, some homes were experiencing decreased water pressure and delivery issues.

Lower pressure may impact homes in London, Essex, and Surrey, according to Affinity Water; King's Lynn has had supply outages, according to Anglian Water; and South East Water has also reported sporadic issues.

London, Manchester, and York are included in the Met Office's highest-level red heat advisory for Monday and Tuesday.

Since the introduction of the heat warning system last year, it has never been issued.

The amber alerts that were in effect for those days have been expanded to include all of Wales, southern Scotland, and the remainder of England.

An amber warning implies significant modifications are needed to work and habits, and health issues are more likely to affect some people.

Thomas Waite, the deputy chief medical officer for England, advised people to seek out cool locations and be well-hydrated during these rare few days.

Hospitals will be "very, really stretched" in the coming days, according to Lord Victor Adebowale, head of the NHS Confederation, who also told Times Radio that while the NHS "will cope," "coping isn't good enough."

Labour criticized the prime minister for allegedly not attending the emergency Cobra meeting on Saturday to discuss how to cope with the heatwave and for his intentions to hold a private lunch at Chequers for certain Conservative MPs on Sunday.

Related article: Heatwave to Hit the UK in April and Climate Change is to Blame: Met Office Forecast
Researchers described firsthand observations of size-resolved ice nucleating particles in the central Arctic throughout the whole sea ice development and decline cycle.

According to their findings, these particles have a pronounced seasonality, with lower concentrations in the winter and spring and higher concentrations during the summer melt of local flora.

The clouds that cover the Earth's surface and the tiny, airborne aerosols known as ice nucleating particles that initiate the creation of ice in those clouds are important contributors to climate change.

Climate is significantly influenced by this interaction of heat, cloud cover, and ice nucleation.

Earth is warming faster

But those crucial ice-forming aerosols, which can be mineral dust, microorganisms, or sea spray, have hardly ever been investigated in the Arctic, where they are most needed because their effects there are little understood, and few scientists travel that far north, as per ScienceDaily.

Scientists from the Colorado State University did, though.

In 2019, a brave group led by atmospheric research scientist Jessie Creamean boarded a ship, sailed north, collected thousands of samples of air, seawater, sea ice, snow, and meltwater, and returned with the tangible proof required to pinpoint the precise patterns of ice nucleation and cloud formation over the Arctic Ocean over time.

As part of the MOSAiC mission, Creamean and his crew set off for the icy Arctic aboard the Polarstern, a German icebreaker.

The CSU researchers wanted to publish previously unreported findings of ice-nucleating particles far from land-based areas that are affected by terrestrial sources of aerosols in the central Arctic.

Scientific research programs with an emphasis on the Arctic were hosted by MOSAiC, a sizable, global expedition.

Creamean and colleagues present their firsthand observations of size-resolved ice-nucleating particles in the central Arctic, spanning the full sea ice development and fall cycle, open-access research published in Nature Communications.

According to the findings, these particles have a marked seasonality, with lower concentrations in the winter and spring and higher concentrations during the summer melt from local.

Also Read: Arctic Tundra to Disappear in 30 Years Due to Climate Change

Climate change in the arctic

The climate of the world is constantly changing across a wide range of time frames due to several variables, as per the Norwegian Polar Institute.

Over millions of years, processes connected to continental drift have impacted atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, and the makeup of the atmosphere.

Over the past 60 million years, global cooling has altered the Arctic's climate from an ice-free area year-round to one that is entirely covered in ice.

Warm and cold cycles have been produced by variations in solar radiation over many millennia as a result of changes in the earth's orbit around the sun, resulting in changes that are roughly half as great as those brought on by continental drift.

On a shorter time scale, the current interglacial era (Holocene) has seen brief cooling episodes brought on by volcanic eruptions, negligible fluctuations in solar radiation, and other natural phenomena.

Since 1980, the Arctic has warmed by twice as much as the rest of the planet.

Most of the Arctic's temperatures have significantly risen in recent decades, especially during the winter.

Over the past 50 years, the winter temperature has risen by around 3 to 4C in Alaska and western Canada.

The Norwegian High Arctic's meteorological stations have likewise recorded rising temperatures.

Since observations began in 1912 through 2011, the annual average temperature in Longyearbyen has climbed by around 0.25C each decade, a somewhat higher increase than for the Arctic as a whole over the same period.

According to an analysis of the data and facts, the Arctic had its hottest period ever between 2005 and 2011.

Related article: Solid Aerosols Found in the Arctic Can Affect the Cloud and Climate Formation: New Study
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A common pathogenic fungus called Entomophthora muscae lives by infecting common houseflies with lethal spores.

Research now revealed that the fungus has a special strategy to secure its life.

When exposed to the fungal-infected carcasses of dead females, the fungus "bewitches" male houseflies and induces necrophilia in them.

Dead flies become attracted by fungi

The fungus spreads after infecting a female fly with its spores until the victim is gradually devoured alive from within.

The fungus takes control of the female fly's behavior after about six days and drives it to the highest place, such as a wall or some plants, where it dies.

After the zombie female is dead, the fungus starts to emit sesquiterpenes, which are chemical messengers.

Henrik H. De Fine Licht, an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Environment and Plant Sciences and one of the study's authors, explained that the chemical signals function as pheromones that seduce male flies and give rise to an intense desire for them to mate with dead female carcasses.

The researchers were able to show that deceased female flies gain in attractiveness over time by monitoring fly behavior.

Particularly, 73% of the male flies in the research mated with female fly corpses that had perished between 25 and 30 days previously due to the fungus.

Only 15% of the males mated with three to eight hour-old female corpses.

According to Licht, "We discover that a female fly gets more tempting to males the longer it has been dead because the amount of fungal spores grows with time, which amplifies the seductive smells," via ScienceDaily.

Numerous techniques were utilized by the researchers.

These included examining the fungus' genome using RNA sequencing and conducting chemical analyses of odors released by the fungus and amplified in dead female flies.

In behavioral trials, male flies were exposed to deceased female flies that were at various stages of fungal infection as well as females who had died from other reasons.

This allowed researchers to study the male flies' sexual behaviors.

In this instance, research findings showed that male flies preferred mating with dead females who had fungal infections.

Also Read: Zombie Ant Fungus 'Knows' its Host

Insect destroyer

When the lead researcher, Carolyn Elya, was a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley in 2015, she was luring wild fruit flies with a lovely, decaying watermelon when she discovered the fungus, which is Greek for "bug destroyer," as per the National Geographic.

This is the first investigation of the puppet-master fungus, which has been investigated in house flies since 1855.

The fungus first feeds on the fly's hemolymph, which is the equivalent of blood in invertebrates, before moving on to the fat cells of the insect.

Free liposuction is followed by the start of mind control.

According to Elya, the fungus causes the fly to "crawl up anything nearby" and extend its proboscis before it dies.

The fly then drools something onto the area it is standing on that is probably a fungal secretion; this sticky material sticks the poor insect to the floor.

The fly is then subjected to a form of mind control by the fungus, which causes it to lift its wings erect until they are pushed out from their backs at a sharp upward angle, according to Elya.

A few hours later, a striped pattern created by the white fungus spreading out through the bug's brownish body may be observed.

In a stunning demonstration of physics, spores develop at the ends of the fungal fuzz and then shoot out of the fly's body like bullets, searching for another fly to infect.

According to Elya, the spore has the ability to go further than, for example, if the fly died on the ground because of the insect's height, elevated wings that keep the road free, and the forceful (20 mph) ejection of the spores.

Related article: Zombie Fingers: This Extremely Rare Parasitic Fungus is Hanging on in Few Locations in Australia
A dust storm killed at least six people, including two children, and wounded eight others when it pummeled through a Montana highway.

It was during the evening hours of Friday, July 15, when the dust cloud hit Interstate 90 (I-90), causing a multi-vehicular crash or massive pileup involving 21 vehicles.

The incident occurred near mile marker 493 on I-90, which is located west of Hardin, Montana, specifically along the eastbound exit of the highway.

In another angle, the major car crash is also situated east of the city of Billings, Montana.

Local sources reported that the multi-car crash was purely accidental caused by the weather phenomenon. Motorists caught during last Friday night's sand storm had low visibility due to the dust particles present in the air at that time.

Sand storms are relatively not common in Montana and other parts of the United States.

However, they still occur nationwide, including in the Southwest US, depending on the climatic condition and season.

Rather, they are prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions like the Middle East and North Africa.

Montana Dust Storm Crash

Multiple reports suggested that wind gusts fueled the natural event.

There was no specialized forecast for the dust cloud's specific location and time of occurrence was issued in spite of an existing thunderstorm watch.

The wind gusts responsible for the dust cloud exceeded 60 miles per hour and also caused blackout conditions on I-90, a major route for both state of Montana and the Western US, according to the Associated Press.

During an initial investigation, local authorities said the multi-car was only caused by an isolated extreme weather event.

The magnitude of the accident was worsened by zero visibility during the peak summer traffic hour last week.

Also Read: Skies Turned Orange as Dust Storm from Sahara Spreads to Spain, Across Europe

What is a Dust Storm?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a dust storm is a "wall" of dust and debris lifted by strong winds from the ground and into the air during a thunderstorm.

The so-called "wall of dust" can stretch to several miles long and several thousand feet tall.

The US agency also emphasized that the geographical structure and number of plant life in a particular area determines the frequency of sand storms.

For instance, the said phenomenon is common in regions where the ground is flat, and with very few trees and plants.

The NOAA said the 180-degree angle or flat surface can allow winds to build up momentum and get stronger where they can carry the sand particles into the atmosphere.

Dust Storm Risks

In the past decade, scientists have realized the dangerous impact of sand or dust storms on the climate, environment, human health, and a number of socio-economic sectors, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

In terms of risks to humans, the WMO said that the airborne dust present in the storm poses serious risks for human health. Specifically, particles large particles can cause damage to externals organs like eye and skin irritations.

However, the organization warned that smaller particles can be inhaled, causing or aggravating respiratory disorder such as asthma, pneumonia, allergic rhinitis, silicosis, and tracheitis.

Related Article: Dust Storm Strikes Mongolia; Forecast of Strong Winds and Heavy Snow in the Coming Days
According to information published by Tasnim News Agency on July 15, 2022, the Iranian Navy unveiled its first division of watercraft carrying various military unmanned aerial vehicles.

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UAV launched from the Kilo-class attack submarine IRIS Taregh (Picture source: Tasnimnews)

The naval division, which joined the Iranian Navys southern fleet, consists of military ships and submarines carrying a broad range of combat, reconnaissance, and suicide drones.

The event was attended by Irans Army Commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi and Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi.

The UAVs on board the naval division include advanced aircraft manufactured by the Iranian Army and the Defense Ministry in cooperation with the knowledge-based centers, including Pelican, Homa, Arash, Chamrosh, Jubin, Ababil-4, and Bavar-5 drones, which flew over the Indian Ocean waters.

Apart from various types of Iranian sea-based drones that flew in the event, a number of vertical take-offs and landing (VTOL) combat drones went into the air from the homegrown Fateh and Tareq submarines.

About the Iranian Kilo-class submarine Taregh

IRIS Taregh or Tareq is the first Kilo-class attack submarine of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, serving in the Southern Fleet. The submarine is part of the 33rd Flotilla, along with two other vessels.

Her keel was laid down at Admiralty Shipyard in Saint Petersburg in the same year. She was launched in 1991 and was commissioned on 21 November 1992 at the naval base in Bandar Abbas. Taregh was transferred to Iran via sailing in the Baltic Sea by a Russian crew, which began in October 1992.

The submarine has a length of 72.6 m (238 ft 2 in-, a beam of 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in), and a draft of 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in). She has a displacement of 2,356 tons surfaced and 3,076 tons submerged.

She can reach a top speed of 10 knots (19 km/h) surfaced, 9 knots (17 km/h) in snorkel mode, and 17 knots (31 km/h) submerged. She can carry up a complement of 53 sailors.

The Iranian submarine is armed with eighteen torpedoes, twenty-four mines in lieu of torpedo tubes, and cruise missiles.
According to information published by Bursa on July 15, 2022, the Romanian Minister of Defense, Vasile Dincu, said during an interview that he has signed a letter of intent to buy French-made Scorpene class submarines and helicopters.

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Artist rendering about the French Scorpene class submarine (Picture source: Naval Group)

The Romanian Minister of Defence said that they have learned the lessons from what is happening in Ukraine and they want to see in the coming period whether the initial programming of the Armed Forces 2040 project, which passed the Supreme Council of National Defence two years ago, still meets the current requirements or not.

He said that the national defense industry could benefit from rapid development following the establishment by NATO of the Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA), which is funded in the first phase with 2 billion.

About the Scorpene class submarines

The Scorpene-class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines jointly developed by the French Naval Group (formerly the Direction des Constructions Navales) and the Spanish company Navantia.

The Scorpene class of submarines has four subtypes including the CM-2000 conventional diesel-electric version, the AM-2000 air-independent propulsion (AIP) derivative, the downsized CA-2000 coastal submarine, and the enlarged S-BR for the Brazilian Navy, without AIP. The Scorpene-class submarines are in service with Chile, Malaysia, India, and Brazil.

The Scorpene submarine is capable of carrying out all types of missions, such as anti-surface vessel warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations, or intelligence gathering. It is extremely stealthy and fast, and is equipped with a comprehensive range of weapons (torpedoes, missiles, mines).

The Scorpene submarine can carry 18 torpedoes and missiles or 30 mines. It is equipped with six bow-located 21in torpedo tubes providing salvo launch capability. Positive discharge launching is by an air turbine pump. It can launch anti-ship and anti-submarine torpedoes, as well as anti-surface missiles. The handling and loading of weapons are automated.
According to information published by the U.S. DoD on July 18, 2022, during the at-sea phase of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the Royal Malaysian Navy Kasturi-class corvette KD Lekir (F-26) showcased its maritime capabilities during a sinking exercise (SINKEX).

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Malaysian Kasturi class corvette Lekir launching missile during the exercise RIMPAC 2022 (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

Conducting their first missile firing outside their territorial waters, Lekir Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mohd Asri bin Dasman said the crew had prepared extensively and was confident they would be successful in hitting their intended target.

Military forces from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and the U.S. fired upon and sunk the decommissioned ex-USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), on July 12, during the SINKEX, to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting, and live to fire against a surface target at sea.

About the Malaysian Kasturi class corvette Lekir

KD Lekir is the second ship of Kasturi-class corvette currently serving in the Royal Malaysian Navy. Together with her sister ship Kasturi, Lekir serves in the 22nd Corvette Squadron of the Royal Malaysian Navy.

The Kasturi-class corvettes are two ships of the Royal Malaysian Navy, KD Kasturi, and KD Lekir. They were acquired in the mid-1980s. The two ships constitute the Malaysian Navy's 22nd Corvette Squadron, their homeport being Lumut.

The Kasturi class is powered by a CODAD propulsion system, provided by four MTU diesels driving two shafts and developing 23,460 horsepower (17,490 kW) driving two controllable pitch propellers. This gives a maximum speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph), and a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph).
According to information published by the UK government on July 18, 2022, British shipyard, Harland & Wolff, has been awarded a 55 million contract to regenerate a former Royal Navy mine-hunting vessel, HMS QUORN.

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The ex-mine hunting vessel HMS Quorn (Picture source: Royal Navy)

On behalf of the Lithuanian Government, the Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) awarded the contract that will see HMS QUORN renovated and restored, bolstering NATO maritime capability in Europe.

Supporting ambitions to bolster British shipbuilding, laid out in the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh, the regeneration will support 100 jobs at the southwest shipyard.

The work will see an influx of contractors for the project across the local and national supply chain, with 14 major subcontract packages in engineering, equipment, and integration, along with other refurbishment services.

Lithuania is a key NATO ally and Joint Expeditionary Force partner, and this mine-hunting vessel will bolster NATO maritime capability across Europe, ensuring the Alliance remains ready to respond to evolving global threats.

HMS QUORN completed 27 years of Service with the Royal Navy before being sold to Lithuania in April 2020. The vessel patrolled the seas as part of the Royal Navy fleet of Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMVs) until 2017.

The Hunt Class vessels specialize in active mine-hunting. They use high-definition sonar to scour seabeds for mines, which are then destroyed by the ships clearance diving teams or mine disposal system.

Tailored for the Lithuanian Navy, the work includes upgrades to the ships mission and sonar systems, and an additional search and rescue capability. The contract will also add new main engines, generators, and propulsion gear as well as refurbish the accommodation, hull, ancillary systems, electrical systems, and painting.

The Hunt-class MCMV is a 725 tons vessel specialized in active mine hunting built by Vosper Thornycroft and Yarrow Shipbuilders Limited for the Royal Navy from 1979. Of the 13 vessels built, 10 remain in service today. The Greek and Lithuanian navies each have two vessels in their fleet.

The mine countermeasure vessel is manned by a crew of 47 sailors. The weapons suite consists of a single 30mm DS30M Mark 2 gun, 2 miniguns, and 3 general-purpose machine guns.
Many of todays cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, edge computing and microservices , owe their start to the concept of the virtual machineseparating operating systems and software instances from the underlying physical computer.

What is a virtual machine?

A virtual machine (VM) is software that runs programs or applications without being tied to a physical machine. In a VM instance, one or more guest machines can run on a host computer.

Each VM has its own operating system, and functions separately from other VMs, even if they are located on the same physical host. VMs generally run on servers, but they can also be run on desktop systems, or even embedded platforms. Multiple VMs can share resources from a physical host, including CPU cycles, network bandwidth and memory.

VMs trace their origins to the early days of computing in the 1960s when time sharing for mainframe users was used to separate software from a physical host system. A virtual machine was defined in the early 1970s as an efficient, isolated duplicate of a real computer machine.

VMs as we know them today have gained steam over the past 20 years as companies adopted server virtualization in order to utilize the compute power of their physical servers more efficiently, reducing the number of physical servers and saving space in the data center. Because apps with different OS requirements could run on a single physical host, different server hardware was not required for each one.

How do VMs work?

In general, there are two types of VMs: Process VMs, which separate a single process, and system VMs, which offer a full separation of the operating system and applications from the physical computer. Examples of process VMs include the Java Virtual Machine, the .NET Framework and the Parrot virtual machine.

System VMs rely on hypervisors as a go-between that give software access to the hardware resources. The hypervisor emulates the computer's CPU, memory, hard disk, network and other hardware resources, creating a pool of resources that can be allocated to the individual VMs according to their specific requirements. The hypervisor can support multiple virtual hardware platforms that are isolated from each other, enabling VMs to run Linux and Windows Server OSes on the same physical host.

Big names in the hypervisor space include VMware (ESX/ESXi), Intel/Linux Foundation (Xen), Oracle (MV Server for SPARC and Oracle VM Server for x86) and Microsoft (Hyper-V).

Desktop computer systems can also utilize virtual machines. An example here would be a Mac user running a virtual Windows instance on their physical Mac hardware.

What are the two types of hypervisors?

The hypervisor manages resources and allocates them to VMs. It also schedules and adjusts how resources are distributed based on how the hypervisor and VMs have been configured, and it can reallocate resources as demands fluctuate. Most hypervisors fall into one of two categories:

Type 1. A bare-metal hypervisor runs directly on the physical host machine and has direct access to its hardware. Type 1 hypervisors typically run on servers and are considered more efficient and better-performing than Type 2 hypervisors, making them well suited to server, desktop and application virtualization. Examples of Type 1 hypervisors include Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware ESXi.

A bare-metal hypervisor runs directly on the physical host machine and has direct access to its hardware. Type 1 hypervisors typically run on servers and are considered more efficient and better-performing than Type 2 hypervisors, making them well suited to server, desktop and application virtualization. Examples of Type 1 hypervisors include Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware ESXi. Type 2. Sometimes called a hosted hypervisor, a Type 2 hypervisor is installed on top of the host machine's OS, which manages calls to the hardware resources. Type 2 hypervisors are generally deployed on end-user systems for specific use cases. For example, a developer might use a Type 2 hypervisor to create a specific environment for building an application, or a data analyst might use it to test an application in an isolated environment. Examples include VMware Workstation and Oracle VirtualBox.

What are the advantages of virtual machines?

Because the software is separate from the physical host computer, users can run multiple OS instances on a single piece of hardware, saving a company time, management costs and physical space. Another advantage is that VMs can support legacy apps, reducing or eliminating the need and cost of migrating an older app to an updated or different operating system.

In addition, developers use VMs in order to test apps in a safe, sandboxed environment. Developers looking to see whether their applications will work on a new OS can utilize VMs to test their software instead of purchasing the new hardware and OS ahead of time. For example, Microsoft recently updated its free Windows VMs that let developers download an evaluation VM with Windows 11 to try the OS without updating a primary computer.

This can also help isolate malware that might infect a given VM instance. Because software inside a VM cannot tamper with the host computer, malicious software cannot spread as much damage.

What are the downsides of virtual machines?

Virtual machines do have a few disadvantages. Running multiple VMs on one physical host can result in unstable performance, especially if infrastructure requirements for a particular application are not met. This also makes them less efficient in many cases when compared to a physical computer.

And if the physical server crashes, all of the applications running on it will go down. Most IT shops utilize a balance between physical and virtual systems.

What are some other forms of virtualization?

The success of VMs in server virtualization led to applying virtualization to other areas including storage, networking, and desktops. Chances are if theres a type of hardware thats being used in the data center, the concept of virtualizing it is being explored (for example, application delivery controllers).

In network virtualization, companies have explored network-as-a-service options and network functions virtualization (NFV), which uses commodity servers to replace specialized network appliances to enable more flexible and scalable services. This differs a bit from software-defined networking, which separates the network control plane from the forwarding plane to enable more automated provisioning and policy-based management of network resources. A third technology, virtual network functions, are software-based services that can run in an NFV environment, including processes such as routing, firewalling, load balancing, WAN acceleration, and encryption.

Verizon, for example, uses NFV to power its Virtual Network Services that enables customers to spin up new services and capabilities on demand. Services include virtual applications, routing, software-defined WANs, WAN optimization and even Session Border Controller as a Service (SBCaaS) to centrally manage and securely deploy IP-based real-time services, such as VoIP and unified communications.

VMs and containers

The growth of VMs has led to further development of technologies such as containers, which take the concept another step and is gaining appeal among web application developers. In a container setting, a single application along with its dependencies, can be virtualized. With much less overhead than a VM, a container only includes binaries, libraries, and applications.

While some think the development of containers may kill the virtual machine, there are enough capabilities and benefits of VMs that keep the technology moving forward. For example, VMs remain useful when running multiple applications together, or when running legacy applications on older operating systems.

In addition, some feel that containers are less secure than VM hypervisors because containers have only one OS that applications share, while VMs can isolate the application and the OS.

Gary Chen, the research manager of IDCs Software-Defined Compute division, said the VM software market remains a foundational technology, even as customers explore cloud architectures and containers. The virtual machine software market has been remarkably resilient and will continue to grow positively over the next five years, despite being highly mature and approaching saturation, Chen writes in IDCs Worldwide Virtual Machine Software Forecast, 2019-2022.

VMs, 5G and edge computing

VMs are seen as a part of new technologies such as 5G and edge computing. For example, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) vendors such as Microsoft, VMware and Citrix are looking at ways to extend their VDI systems to employees who now work at home as part of a post-COVID hybrid model.

With VDI, you need extremely low latency because you are sending your keystrokes and mouse movements to basically a remote desktop, says Mahadev Satyanarayanan, a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. In 2009, Satyanarayanan wrote about how virtual machine-based cloudlets could be used to provide better processing capabilities to mobile devices on the edge of the Internet, which led to the development of edge computing.

In the 5G wireless space, the process of network slicing uses software-defined networking and NFV technologies to help install network functionality onto VMs on a virtualized server to provide services that once ran only on proprietary hardware.

Like many other technologies in use today, these emerging innovations would not have been developed had it not been for the original VM concepts introduced decades ago.

Keith Shaw is a freelance digital journalist who has written about the IT world for more than 20 years.
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IBM is expanding its Power10 server lineup with four new midrange and scale-out systems designed for on-premises, data-intensive and business-critical workloads.

The new Power S1014, Power S1022, Power S1024 and Power E1050 platforms cover a range of workloads.

The E1050 is a four-socket system optimized for data-intensive enterprise workloads. In terms of how it ranks, the E1050 is a step below the top end of the Power10 portfolio, which is the existing E1080 four-socket rack server.

The new scale-out systems are the single-socket S1014, described as ideal for entry-level SMBs and remote offices, and the S1022 and S1024 systems, which are two-socket systems aimed at higher-end uses.

The Power S1022 scale-out server is optimized for cloud-native, containerized environments, while the S1024 targets the data analytics space and high-end apps like SAP/HANA. Both servers use transparent memory encryption, enhanced isolation and Trusted Boot to help prevent emerging side-channel attacks without impacting application performance.

Power10 is a different design from x86. It comes with 15 SMT8 cores, meaning each of the 15 cores has eight threads. This gives a single Power10 CPU effectively 120 threads.

Other security features include a quadrupling of AES encryption engines and much faster math acceleration for AI training. IBM is claiming 10x, 15x, and 20x faster AI inference for FP32, BFloat16, and INT8 calculations, respectively.

The new servers run several operating systems: AIX, IBMs flavor of the venerable Unix operating system; Linux; and IBM i, the former OS/400 mid-range OS. For optimized workload deployment across on-prem and public cloud, all servers have consistent automation and management built on Red Hat OpenShift and managed with IBM Cloud Pak.

IBM recently added a consumption-based pricing model as a purchase option along with outright acquisition. It's a little late compared to HPE, Dell, and Lenovo, but lets be honest, hardware is hardly IBMs business these days; software, consulting and services are. And it should be noted that IBM has a public cloud service while the other OEMs dont.

Its consumption-based offering is a mouthful: IBM Power Systems Private Cloud with Shared Utility Capacity. It includes pay-as-you-go options and by-the-minute metering by IBM.

Like other consumption models, IBM offers more hardware capacity than the customer needs and it sits off, unused. Should the customer be in need of expanded capacity, the idle hardware is activated, then it's shut down when no longer needed.
Navy aviation regiment conducts flight training

China Military Online) 17:10, July 18, 2022

An H6 bomber attached to an aviation regiment with the navy under PLA Eastern Theatre Command taxis on the runway during a round-the-clock flight training exercise on June 15, 2022. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Hu Fei)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
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Authorities say a 20-year-old man likely assembled a rifle in the bathroom of a suburban Indianapolis shopping mall before shooting five people in the food court, killing three of them before an armed shopper fatally shot him
Well into the third year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, novel vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to be developed. However, many groups and individuals remain hesitant about COVID-19 vaccination, including pregnant women who are at high risk for severe disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

A new Womens Health Reports study examines the feelings of pregnant women towards the COVID-19 vaccine based on a survey conducted at a single regional center in New York.

Study: Cross-Sectional Survey of High-Risk Pregnant WomensOpinions on COVID-19 Vaccination. Image Credit: Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock.com

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic led to extensive and crippling waves of disease worldwide. This triggered the implementation of quarantine measures that ceased travel, business, education, and social interactions.

The resulting disruption to global life led to an intensive effort by many pharmaceutical companies to develop safe and effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. The first type of COVID-19 vaccine to gain approval was based on the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) platform. Since then, several billion mRNA vaccine doses have been administered throughout the world.

Pregnant women were not included in the clinical trials of mRNA vaccines and were initially hesitant to receive these vaccines for fear of their impact on their health and that of their babies. This fear has been cited, even though COVID-19 during pregnancy is associated with a greater risk of severe disease, mechanical ventilation, and death as compared with non-pregnant women.

Pregnant women who were at high risk for COVID-19, such as frontline medical and other workers, received COVID-19 vaccines early on in the pandemic. Observational studies have shown that no harm was caused to the mother nor fetus as a result of these vaccinations.

This success has been referenced by many professional societies and public health agencies like the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to demonstrate that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy.

Despite the recommendations of these bodies, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM), and the CDC, social media pressure and the lack of clinical trial data have led many pregnant women to still resist vaccination.

Study findings

About 160 women participated in the current study, only about 33% of whom had received the vaccine. Of those who had not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, most cited lack of information about the vaccine used in pregnancy as the reason for their unvaccinated status and feared adverse effects.

Over 50% of study participants indicated that they felt the vaccine platform was too novel for them to trust its safety. About a third did not trust the governments benevolent intentions in recommending widespread vaccination.

There was a weak positive trend with the level of education, with those who had completed less than eight years of formal schooling being less than half as likely to be vaccinated. The differences in the other groups, from those who have completed ninth grade to a bachelors degree, were not significant.

Hierarchical logistic Bayesian regression.

Other factors did not appear to play a major role in the decision, including race, type of residence, employment, marital status, type of insurance, and drug use. The womans body habitus, number of children living, or term of pregnancy also did not have a significant difference on the decision to be vaccinated.

A history of influenza or tetanus-diphtheria pertussis (Tdap) vaccination also failed to show any correlation with COVID-19 acceptance rates. Interestingly, only a third of patients who received COVID-19 vaccines had taken the Tdap vaccine, whereas two-thirds of unvaccinated women had received this vaccine, though this difference failed to reach statistical significance.

Among study participants with high-risk factors such as hypertension, heart conditions, asthma, diabetes mellitus, cancer, chronic kidney disease, and developmental disabilities, only diabetes was associated with a 30% higher likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination.

Overall, the women said they would prefer to learn more about the vaccine from their physicians as compared to pamphlets, videos, websites, or social media. This response was referenced by half of the unvaccinated women as compared to 60% of vaccinated women. The least popular choice was a recorded short video or webinar and was selected by 10% or less of both groups.

Implications

Vaccination rates among pregnant women continue to be low. It appears that a lack of trustworthy data regarding the safety of current COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy is the primary obstacle.

The disconnect between influenza and Tdap vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination status in pregnancy belies hypotheses that hesitation regarding COVID-19 vaccination reflects a negative view towards vaccines in general. The importance of discussing the COVID-19 vaccine with patients during elective antenatal visits is evident given the confidence women expressed in gaining information about this vaccine from their doctors.

Perhaps the slightly higher rate of vaccination among pregnant diabetic women is due to their increased frequency of interaction with their healthcare providers, through which they may have gained a positive view of the vaccine as a result of increased information.

Further research could involve providing more clinical visits and assessing any change in vaccine willingness thereafter.

COVID-19 vaccination opinions are dynamic throughout the natural history of the pandemic and future studies may be useful tore-evaluate patients evolving views.
A recent Children journal study examined neonates born to mothers infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as compared to neonates who remained with their mothers. Herein, the researchers confirm the rarity of SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission and did not find a link between hospital outcomes of neonates born to infected mothers and premature birth in SARS-CoV-2-positive women.

Study: Outcome of Neonates Born to SARS-CoV-2-Infected Mothers: Tertiary Care Experience at USMexico Border. Image Credit: Iryna Inshyna / Shutterstock.com

Background

A woman's immune system undergoes several dynamic changes during pregnancy. For example, pregnancy often causes the woman to be more vulnerable to various pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. This occurs due to the immunosuppressed state of mothers, which, as a result, increases the risk that newborns will contract viral infections.

Throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous studies have confirmed that the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between the mother and infants is uncommon. Nevertheless, a considerable amount of evidence has demonstrated that COVID-19 during pregnancy is associated with poor outcomes such as fetal death, preeclampsia, and preterm birth, as well as both postpartum and postnatal problems.

Providing the best postpartum and postnatal care requires understanding the clinical significance, problems, and epidemiological aspects of a SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had considerable impacts on the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, as well as marginalized communities such as ethnic minorities and those living in poorer socioeconomic conditions. Considerable challenges exist for individuals residing along the United States and Mexico border, particularly regarding their ability to receive sufficient medical care. In fact, several studies have indicated that those living close to border areas are more affected by inequities in accessing adequate health care.

About the study

The objective of the present study was to assess the pregnancy and postoperative outcomes of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers admitted to a level IV maternal newborn care center on the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas.

The current study included all pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy from June 2020 through June 2021, as well as all newborns born to infected pregnant women. Additionally, neonates admitted to the NICU were compared to those who were allowed to stay with their mothers after birth.

Study findings

Overall, 88 neonates were born to 88 SARS-CoV-2-positive moms, 15 of whom were admitted to the NICU. Mothers of neonates admitted to the NICU were more likely to have had prenatal care outside the United States and require extensive resuscitation at delivery.

No significant variations were found in the gestational ages of neonates admitted to the NICU as compared to those who were not. Furthermore, no difference was observed between the two groups of newborns with respect to body weight at birth, Apgar score, gender, or mode of delivery.

Complete blood count (CBC) testing revealed no difference in white blood cell (WBC) counts, neutrophil percentages, platelet levels, band percentage, or hematocrit percentages among neonates admitted to the NICU and those who were not.

Infants in both groups had comparable rates of breastfeeding upon discharge, regardless of the median length of hospitalization. In addition, the rates of hospital readmission within the first month after discharge were not significantly different between the two groups.

Results of complete blood count at 24 and 48 h.

Limitations

The current retrospective study had a modest sample size, thus necessitating a larger investigation to corroborate these findings. Furthermore, insufficient information regarding full blood counts was utilized for all infants.

Owing to the rampant influx and outflux of individuals across the border, postnatal follow-up may have been lost. This could have led to an undercounting of data on the neonates and infants after hospital discharge.

The placentas of infected mothers were not assessed for abnormalities; thus, pregnancy-related complications due to COVID-19 could not be described. A larger study comparing babies born to pregnant women residing at the U.S.-Mexico border with and without COVID-19 would provide more information regarding pregnancy-related outcomes of this disease.

Conclusions

Taken together, NICU babies exposed to SARS-CoV-2 during gestation were more likely to require resuscitation. Of note, SARS-CoV-2 infection did not increase the rate of premature births in this study.

Within a month after hospital discharge, neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-infected mothers were less likely to contract severe infection necessitating hospitalization.

Importantly, the researchers advocated for continued breastfeeding by mothers, irrespective of their SARS-CoV-2 infection status.
Fresh off the Federal Trade Commission's successful challenges to four hospital mergers, the Biden administration's new majority on the commission is primed to more aggressively combat consolidation in the health care industry than it has in past years.

Although hospital mergers were supposed to improve cost efficiency, experts agree that the creation of huge conglomerates and hospital networks has driven up U.S. medical costs, which are by far the highest in the world. Many enjoy near-monopoly pricing power.

Last year, President Joe Biden ordered the FTC and other federal agencies to promote market competition in health care and other industries. Biden said hospital mergers and acquisitions had left the 10 largest health care systems in control of a quarter of the market and led to the closure of hospitals in rural and other underserved areas.

"We are feeling invigorated and looking to fulfill the executive order's call to be aggressive on antitrust enforcement," said Mark Seidman, an assistant director in the FTC's Bureau of Competition, who chatted with KHN about the agency's efforts on health care (see accompanying interview). The trade commissioners say this is a key way to slow health care price increases; protect patient access to and the quality of care; and prevent employee layoffs, pay cuts, and unfair labor practices.

FTC official: Antitrust push in health care must focus on a merger's 'human impact'

Mark Seidman, an assistant director in the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition, talks with KHN about efforts to police consolidation among hospitals and other health care providers.

But antitrust experts said finding the right cases to test more muscular enforcement theories will take the FTC time. And bringing such cases will almost certainly trigger pushback from Republican commissioners, the health care industry, and the courts. They argue that some mergers continue to make sense, helping lower costs while preserving access for patients, employers, and insurers.

"By overinvestigating, you are putting a tremendous burden on parties seeking to do combinations that are beneficial, potentially deterring pro-competitive behavior," said Leigh Oliver, a veteran antitrust attorney at law firm Clifford Chance who represents health care companies.

In one of the FTC's recent victories, RWJBarnabas Health, which operates 12 hospitals, in June scrapped its acquisition of St. Peter's Healthcare System, which runs one hospital for adults and children in central New Jersey. The FTC had filed a federal lawsuit to block the deal, citing evidence that it would raise prices and hurt patient care.

Also in June, HCA Healthcare, which operates 182 hospitals, halted its acquisition of five Steward Health Care System hospitals in the Wasatch Front region of Utah shortly after the FTC filed a lawsuit to block the transaction, claiming it would raise prices and lower the quality of care.

"This should be a lesson learned to hospital systems all over the country and their counsel: The FTC will not hesitate to take action in enforcing the antitrust laws to protect healthcare consumers," Holly Vedova, director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition, said in a statement.

Barry Ostrowsky, CEO of RWJBarnabas Health, disagreed with the FTC's challenge of his system's merger, saying in a statement that the proposed acquisition of St. Peter's "would have transformed quality, increased access, and decreased the overall cost of care for the people of this state."

In March, a federal appeals court upheld a lower court's injunction that blocked a merger between Hackensack Meridian Health and Englewood Healthcare Foundation in Bergen County, New Jersey. The FTC said it would have raised prices. That case was initiated by the Trump administration and continued under Biden.

State officials often join forces with the FTC to block mergers.

In February, a proposed merger between Rhode Island's two largest hospital systems, Lifespan and Care New England Health System, was called off after the FTC and the Rhode Island attorney general filed a lawsuit to stop the deal.

Extensive research has found that prices rise when hospital systems acquire or merge with their competitors or when they buy a significant percentage of physician practices in their market. Highly consolidated markets, such as Northern California (dominated by Sutter Health) and western Pennsylvania (dominated by UPMC) tend to have higher prices.

The FTC has a long history, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, of antitrust enforcement actions to block so-called horizontal mergers between hospitals that could stifle competition in a market.

Under the FTC's traditional economic theory, high prices in a region should attract new competitors and that competition will bring down prices. But regulatory hurdles and massive costs involved in setting up a health care network  which includes hospitals and doctors, as well other aspects like testing facilities  make such movement unlikely, if not impossible.

So Biden appointees at the FTC and Department of Justice have announced that they want to adopt some legal theories of antitrust enforcement that have been less frequently deployed.

In January, the two agencies launched a joint effort seeking public comment on ways to strengthen enforcement against mergers that could result in societal harm.

Last December, FTC Chair Lina Khan said the agency would scrutinize how proposed mergers might affect not only prices but also workers in the labor market. "Robust antitrust enforcement can help ensure that workers have the freedom to seek higher pay and better working conditions," she said.

Excessive market power, she added, can allow companies to impose onerous, take-it-or-leave-it contract terms, including noncompete clauses.

Physicians and other health care professionals have said that large health care companies are increasingly pressing them to sign contracts that prevent them from going to work for competitors in the same market or even the same state. At a joint FTC-DOJ public forum in April on the effects of health care mergers, representatives of two emergency physician groups said their members were being given those types of take-it-or-leave it contracts.

In February, Khan and another Democratic commissioner, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, said they would have liked to include such an allegation about unfair labor practices in the FTC's challenge to the proposed Lifespan-Care New England merger.

But the two Democratic commissioners did not have a majority at that time, Oliver said, and they may not have wanted to go ahead without a consensus among the commissioners.

The commission had a 3-2 Democratic majority for part of last year after Khan joined the panel, but then another Democratic commissioner, Rohit Chopra, left in October to head a different federal agency. The Democratic commissioners did not regain the majority until the Senate confirmed Alvaro Bedoya in May.

Douglas Ross, a veteran antitrust attorney who has represented hospitals and teaches antitrust law at the University of Washington, said it's well established that antitrust enforcers can block mergers if they harm labor market competition. "What's new is this administration is actively looking for cases where they can make that claim," he said.

The Democratic commissioners also want to take a tougher line in challenging so-called vertical mergers. In these deals, hospitals, insurers, or other types of health care companies seek to merge with or acquire companies that provide needed products, services, or staffing. One example is when hospitals or insurers acquire large physician practices, which studies have found leads to higher prices. Patients will visit a longtime physician only to find prices doubled or more, simply because the practice has been purchased by a hospital, which now sets the rates.

Antitrust enforcers have long viewed such mergers as promoting efficiency because the services and supplies can be obtained at a lower cost, but the FTC's Democratic majority in September argued that the purported benefits to the public of vertical mergers are not supported by market evidence. The two Republican commissioners sharply dissented, saying the majority's action "threatens to chill legitimate merger activity and undermine attempts to rebuild our economy in the wake of the pandemic."

Nevertheless, in a test of more vigorous scrutiny of vertical mergers, the FTC commissioners voted unanimously last year to file an administrative complaint to block Illumina, a top producer of gene-sequencing machines, from acquiring Grail, a promising developer of a blood test for early detection of many kinds of cancer. The agency argued that Illumina could use the acquisition to prevent Grail's emerging rivals from competing in the market.

Today, "the agencies are very suspicious of vertical acquisitions, and I think they're willing to be extremely aggressive in investigating them," Ross said. "But whether the courts go along or not, we're way too early to know."

Even so, some experts questioned whether aggressive FTC antitrust enforcement will help patients and employers who are paying high prices in areas dominated by one or two health systems. It may be time for direct regulation of prices, they said.

"There's not a lot the FTC can do to challenge hospitals' ability to raise prices once they have acquired market power," said Thomas Greaney, a research professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco who studies health care antitrust issues. "So there's a natural reaction in some states to say, 'Let's regulate those prices.'"
Gwyneth Paige didn't want to get vaccinated against covid-19 at first. With her health issues  hypertension, fibromyalgia, asthma  she wanted to see how other people fared after the shots. Then her mother got colon cancer.

"At that point, I didn't care if the vaccine killed me," she said. "To be with my mother throughout her journey, I had to have the vaccination."

Paige, who is 56 and lives in Detroit, has received three doses. That leaves her one booster short of federal health recommendations.

Like Paige, who said she doesn't currently plan to get another booster, some Americans seem comfortable with the protection of three shots. But others may wonder what to do: Boost again now with one of the original vaccines, or wait months for promised new formulations tailored to the latest, highly contagious omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5?

The rapidly mutating virus has created a conundrum for the public and a communications challenge for health officials.

"What we're seeing now is a little bit of an information void that is not helping people make the right decision," said Dr. Carlos del Rio, a professor of infectious diseases at the Emory University School of Medicine.

Del Rio said the public isn't hearing enough about the vaccines' value in preventing severe disease, even if they don't stop all infections. Each new covid variant also forces health officials to tweak their messaging, del Rio said, which can add to public mistrust.

About 70% of Americans age 50 and older who got a first booster shot  and nearly as many of those 65 and older  haven't received their second covid booster dose, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency currently recommends two booster shots after a primary vaccine series for adults 50 and older and for younger people with compromised immune systems. Last week, multiple news outlets reported that the Biden administration was working on a plan to allow all adults to get second covid boosters.

Officials are worried about the surge of BA.4 and BA.5, which spread easily and can escape immune protection from vaccination or prior infection. A recent study published in Nature found BA.5 was four times as resistant to the currently available mRNA vaccines as earlier omicron subvariants.

Consistent messaging has been complicated by the different views of leading vaccine scientists. Although physicians like del Rio and Dr. Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine see the value in getting a second booster, Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the FDA's vaccine advisory committee, is skeptical it's needed by anyone but seniors and people who are immunocompromised.

"When experts have different views based on the same science, why are we surprised that getting the message right is confusing?" said Dr. Bruce Gellin, chief of global public health strategy at the Rockefeller Foundation and Offit's colleague on the FDA panel.

Janet Perrin, 70, of Houston hasn't gotten her second booster for scheduling and convenience reasons and said she'll look for information about a variant-targeted dose from sources she trusts on social media. "I havent found a consistent guiding voice from the CDC," she said, and the agency's statements sound like "a political word salad."

On July 12, the Biden administration released its plan to manage the BA.5 subvariant, which it warned would have the greatest impact in the parts of the country with lower vaccine coverage. The strategy includes making it easier for people to access testing, vaccines and boosters, and covid antiviral treatments.

During the first White House covid briefing in nearly three weeks, the message from top federal health officials was clear: Don't wait for an omicron-tailored shot. "There are many people who are at high risk right now, and waiting until October, November for their boost  when in fact their risk is in the moment  is not a good plan," said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the CDC.

With worries about the BA.5 subvariant growing, the FDA on June 30 recommended that drugmakers Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna get to work producing a new, bivalent vaccine that combines the current version with a formulation that targets the new strains.

The companies both say they can make available for the U.S. millions of doses of the reformulated shots in October. Experts think that deadline could slip by a few months given the unexpected hitches that plague vaccine manufacturing.

"I think that we have all been asking that same question," said Dr. Kathryn Edwards, scientific director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program. "What's the benefit of getting another booster now when what will be coming out in the fall is a bivalent vaccine and you will be getting BA.4/5, which is currently circulating? Although whether it will be circulating in the fall is another question."

The FDA on July 13 authorized a fourth covid vaccine, made by Novavax, but only for people who haven't been vaccinated yet. Many scientists thought the Novavax shot could be an effective booster for people previously vaccinated with mRNA shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna because its unique design could broaden the immune response to coronaviruses. Unfortunately, few studies have assessed mix-and-match vaccination approaches, said Gellin, of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Edwards and her husband got covid in January. She received a second booster last month, but only because she thought it might be required for a Canadian business trip. Otherwise, she said, she felt a fourth shot was kind of a waste, though not particularly risky. She told her husband  a healthy septuagenarian  to wait for the BA.4/5 version.

People at very high risk for covid complications might want to go ahead and get a fourth dose, Edwards said, with the hope that it will temporarily prevent severe disease "while you wait for BA.4/5."

The omicron vaccines will contain components that target the original strain of the virus because the first vaccine formulations are known to prevent serious illness and death even in people infected with omicron.

Those components will also help keep the earlier strains of the virus in check, said Dr. David Brett-Major, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. That's important, he said, because too much tailoring of vaccines to fight emerging variants could allow older strains of the coronavirus to resurface.

Brett-Major said messages about the value of the tailored shots will need to come from trusted, local sources  not just top federal health officials.

"Access happens locally," he said. "If your local systems are not messaging and promoting and enabling access, its really problematic."

Although some Americans are pondering when, or whether, to get their second boosters, many people tuned out the pandemic long ago, putting them at risk during the current wave, experts said.

Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said he doesn't expect to see the public's level of interest in the vaccine change much even as new boosters are released and eligibility expands. Parts of the country with high vaccine coverage will remain relatively insulated from new variants that emerge, he said, while regions with low vaccine acceptance could be set for a "rude awakening."

Even scientists are at a bit of a loss for how to effectively adapt to an ever-changing virus.

"Nothing is simple with covid, is it? It's just whack-a-mole," said Edwards. "This morning I read about a new variant in India. Maybe it'll be a nothingburger, but  who knows?  maybe something big, and then we'll wonder, 'Why did we change the vaccine strain to BA.4/5?'"
Before the pandemic, over 1 in 10 children aged 10-12 years reported being lonely.

New research has shown that experiencing loneliness as a pre-adolescent child predicts problem drinking years later, in early adulthood.

Alcohol misuse is not the only health problem connected to loneliness. In older adults, loneliness contributes to poor physical health, including dementia, heart disease and stroke.

Researchers from Arizona State University examined the effects of experiencing childhood loneliness on current stress levels and drinking behaviors in young adults. The study will be published in Addictive Behaviors Reports.

In young adults, childhood loneliness before age 12 was associated with perceived stress right now and affected dysregulated drinking." Julie Patock-Peckham, assistant research professor, ASU Department of Psychology

Because stress affects whether people drink to excess, especially women, the research team tested whether past experiences with loneliness impacted the stress people feel today.

Over 300 college students participated in the study, completing assessments of childhood loneliness, current stress levels and drinking behaviors. Feeling lonely in the past was related to present-day stress levels and drinking behaviors.

Higher levels of loneliness before age 12 predicted more stress in early adulthood that was associated with greater alcohol use and alcohol-related problems.

"The data used in this study were collected before the pandemic, and the findings suggest that we could have another public health crisis on our hands in a few years as today's children grow up," Patock-Peckham said. "We need more research into whether mitigating childhood loneliness could be a way to disrupt the pathways that lead to alcohol use disorders in adults. Combating childhood loneliness should help to reduce impaired control over drinking, especially among women."

This study was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the Burton Family Foundation. The research team also consisted of Sophia Berbian and Kiana Guarino, undergraduate students at ASU; Tanya Gupta, a recent graduate of the psychology doctoral program; and Federico Sanabria and Frank Infurna, associate professors of psychology.
Through a wave of pandemic-related litigation, a trio of small but mighty conservative legal blocs has rolled back public health authority at the local, state, and federal levels, recasting America's future battles against infectious diseases.

Galvanized by what they've characterized as an overreach of covid-related health orders issued amid the pandemic, lawyers from the three overlapping spheres  conservative and libertarian think tanks, Republican state attorneys general, and religious liberty groups  are aggressively taking on public health mandates and the government agencies charged with protecting community health.

"I don't think these cases have ever been about public health," said Daniel Suhr, managing attorney for the Liberty Justice Center, a Chicago-based libertarian litigation group. "That's the arena where these decisions are being made, but it's the fundamental constitutional principles that underlie it that are an issue."

Through lawsuits filed around the country, or by simply wielding the threat of legal action, these loosely affiliated groups have targeted individual counties and states and, in some cases, set broader legal precedent.

In Wisconsin, a conservative legal center won a case before the state Supreme Court stripping local health departments of the power to close schools to stem the spread of disease.

In Missouri, the Republican state attorney general waged a campaign against school mask mandates. Most of the dozens of cases he filed were dismissed but nonetheless had a chilling effect on school policies.

In California, a lawsuit brought by religious groups challenging a health order that limited the size of both secular and nonsecular in-home gatherings as covid-19 surged made it to the U.S. Supreme Court. There, the conservative majority, bolstered by three staunchly conservative justices appointed by President Donald Trump, issued an emergency injunction finding the order violated the freedom to worship.

Other cases have chipped away at the power of federal and state authorities to mandate covid vaccines for certain categories of employees or a governor's ability to declare emergencies.

Although the three blocs are distinct, they share ties with the Federalist Society, a conservative legal juggernaut. They also share connections with the State Policy Network, an umbrella organization for conservative and libertarian think tanks, and the SPN-fostered American Juris Link, described by president and founder Carrie Ann Donnell as "SPN for lawyers." In the covid era, the blocs have supported one another in numerous legal challenges by filing amicus briefs, sharing resources, and occasionally teaming up.

Their legal efforts have gained traction with a federal judiciary transformed by Republican congressional leaders, who strategically stonewalled judicial appointments in the final years of Democratic President Barack Obama's second term. That put his Republican successor, Trump, in position to fill hundreds of judicial vacancies, including the three Supreme Court openings, with candidates decidedly more friendly to the small-government philosophy long espoused by conservative think tanks.

"You have civil servants up against a machine that has a singular focus and that is incredibly challenging to deal with," said Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

All told, the covid-era litigation has altered not just the government response to this pandemic. Public health experts say it has endangered the fundamental tools that public health workers have utilized for decades to protect community health: mandatory vaccinations for public school children against devastating diseases like measles and polio, local officials' ability to issue health orders in an emergency, basic investigative tactics used to monitor the spread of infectious diseases, and the use of quarantines to stem that spread.

Just as concerning, said multiple public health experts interviewed, is how the upended legal landscape will impact the nation's emergency response in future pandemics.

"This will come back to haunt America," said Lawrence Gostin, faculty director of Georgetown University's O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. "We will rue the day where we have other public health emergencies, and we're simply unable to act decisively and rapidly."

'Legal version' of Navy SEAL Team 6

The entities pressing the public health litigation predate the pandemic and come to the issue motivated by different dynamics. But they have found common interest amid covid, following the sweeping steps public health officials took to stem the spread of a deadly and uncharted virus.

A coalition of state-based libertarian and conservative think tanks and legal centers, known as the State Policy Network, long has operated behind the scenes promoting a conservative agenda in state legislatures. A KHN analysis identified at least 22 of these organizations that operate in the legal arena. At least 15 have filed pandemic-related litigation, contributed amicus briefs, or sent letters threatening legal action.

Typically staffed by just a handful of lawyers, the organizations tend to focus on influencing policy at the state and county levels. At the core of their arguments is the notion that public health agencies have taken on regulatory authority that should be reserved for Congress, state legislatures, and local elected bodies.

It's not about public health, it's about weakening the ability of government to regulate business in general." Edward Fallone, associate professor at Marquette University Law School

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, which calls itself the "legal version" of the Navy SEAL Team 6, has filed a flurry of covid-related litigation. Among its victories is a state Supreme Court ruling that found Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' declaration of multiple states of emergency for the same event  in this case, the pandemic  was unlawful. It used the threat of litigation to get a Midwest health care system to stop considering race as a factor in how it allocates covid therapeutics.

The Kansas Justice Institute, whose website indicates it is staffed by one lawyer, persuaded a county-level health officer in that state to amend limitations on the size of religious gatherings and stopped a school district from issuing quarantines after sending letters laying out its legal objections.

Suhr, of the Liberty Justice Center, noted one of his group's cases underpinned the Supreme Court's decision crimping the ability of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to mandate large-business owners to require covid vaccinations or regular testing for employees. The group teamed with the legal arm of Louisiana's Pelican Institute for Public Policy on behalf of a grocery store owner who did not want to mandate vaccines for his employees.

Republican attorneys general, meanwhile, have found in covid-related mandates an issue that resonates viscerally with many red-state voters. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry joined a suit against New Orleans over mask mandates, taking credit when the mandate was lifted. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody sued the Biden administration over strict limits on cruise ships issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arguing the CDC had no authority to issue such an order, and claimed victory after the federal government let the order expire.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined with the Texas Public Policy Foundation to sue the CDC over its air travel mask mandate. The case was put on hold after a Florida federal district judge in April invalidated the federal government's transportation mask mandates in a case brought by the Health Freedom Defense Fund, a group focused on "bodily autonomy." The Biden administration is fighting that ruling.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has sued and sent cease and desist letters to dozens of school districts over mask mandates, and set up a tips email address where parents could report schools that imposed such mandates. The majority of his suits have been dismissed, but Schmitt has claimed victory, telling KHN "almost all of those school districts dropped their mask mandates." This year, legislators from his own political party grew so tired of Schmitt's lawsuits that they stripped $500,000 from his budget.

"Our efforts have been focused solely on preserving individual liberties and clawing power away from health bureaucrats and placing back into the hands of individuals the power to make their own choices," Schmitt, who is running for U.S. Senate, said in a written response to KHN questions. "Im simply doing the job I was elected to do on behalf of all six million Missourians."

Numerous Republican attorneys generals teamed up and won a Supreme Court decision staying the OSHA vaccine mandate for large employers, building on the legal arguments brought by Liberty Justice Center and others. That decision was cited in the recent Supreme Court case rolling back the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate the carbon emissions that cause climate change.

A 'shared ecosystem'

Religious liberty groups were drawn into the fray when states early in the pandemic issued broad restrictions on recreational, social, and religious gatherings, sometimes limiting attendance at worship services while keeping open hardware and liquor stores. Although their legal efforts were unsuccessful in the first months of the pandemic, they gained traction after Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett, a stalwart conservative, was confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court justice in October 2020, following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a steadfast liberal.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, rewrote an executive order after receiving a letter from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a leading religious litigation group, announcing that Catholic and Lutheran churches would be opening with or without permission. In November 2020, the Supreme Court's newly constituted majority prevented New York from enacting some covid restrictions through a shadow court docket.

"Courts started saying, 'Show me the proof,'" said Mark Rienzi, Becket's president and CEO. "And when you start saying that 'casinos, good; churches, bad; Wall Street good; synagogue, bad,' those things at some point require some explanation."

In February 2021, Barrett joined other conservative justices in ruling against California in South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom, ending state and local bans on indoor worship services and leaving the state on the hook for $1.6 million in attorney's fees to the conservative Thomas More Society. That April, the high court struck down California and Santa Clara County rules limiting gatherings in private homes that prevented people from participating in at-home Bible study. Plaintiffs' lawyers arguing that case had clerked for Barrett and Justice Clarence Thomas.

American Juris Link, meanwhile, helped build out a list of covid-related cases for lawyers to reference and connected lawyers working on similar cases, Donnell said.

Peter Bisbee, head of the Republican Attorneys General Association, a political fundraising machine, sits on American Juris Link's board; Donnell said the two talk regularly. Bisbee said the groups have no formal connection but share a common cause of shrinking the "expansive regulatory administrative state."

Liberty Justice Center's Suhr said litigation groups like his operate in a "shared ecosystem" to curtail government overreach. "I have not been invited to any sort of standing weekly conference call where a bunch of right-wing lawyers get on the call and talk about how they're going to bring down the public health infrastructure of America," he said. "That's not how this works."

Still, he said, everyone knows everyone else, either through previous jobs or from working on similar cases. Suhr was once policy director for former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, and a deputy director of the student division of the Federalist Society.

'It's not about public health'

No equivalent progressive state litigation network exists to defend the authority housed in government agencies, said Edward Fallone, an associate professor at Marquette University Law School and expert in constitutional law.

The difference, he said, is funding: Private donors, corporate interests, and foundations with conservative objectives have the deep pockets and motivation to build coalitions that can strategically chip away at government oversight.

On the other side, he said, is often a county attorney with limited resources.

"It's almost as if government authority is not getting defended, and it's almost a one-sided argument," he said. "It's not about public health, it's about weakening the ability of government to regulate business in general."

Public health is largely a local and state endeavor. And even before the pandemic, many health departments had lost staff amid decades of underfunding. Faced with draining pandemic workloads and legislation from conservative forces aimed at stripping agencies' powers, health officials often find it difficult to know how they can legally respond to public health threats.

And in states with conservative attorneys general, it can be even more complicated. In Missouri, a circuit court judge ruled last year that local public health officials did not have the authority to issue covid orders, describing them as the "unfettered opinion of an unelected official."

Following the ruling, Schmitt declined the state health department's request for an appeal and sent letters to schools and health departments declaring mask mandates and quarantine orders issued on the sole authority of local health departments or schools "null and void."

"Not being able to work with the schools to quarantine students  that really inhibited our ability to do public health," said Andrew Warlen, director of Missouri's Platte County Health Department, which serves the suburbs of Kansas City. "It's one of the biggest tools we have to be able to contain disease."

You destroy government, and you destroy our emergency response powers and police powers  good luck. There will be no one to protect you." Connecticut Attorney General William Tong (D-Conn.)

The legal threats have fundamentally changed the calculus for what powers to use when, said Brian Castrucci, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving community health. "Choosing not to use a policy today may mean you can use it a year from now. But if you test the courts now, then you may lose an authority you can't get back," he said.

By no means have the blocs won all their challenges. The Supreme Court recently declined to hear a Becket lawsuit on behalf of employees challenging a vaccine mandate for health care workers in New York state that provides no exemption for religious beliefs. For now, the legal principles that for nearly 120 years have allowed governments to require vaccinations in schools and other settings with only limited exemptions remain intact.

Several lawyers associated with these conservative groups told KHN they did not think their work would have a negative effect on public health. "I honestly think the best way for them to preserve the ability to protect the public health is to do it well, and to respect peoples rights while you do it," said Becket's Rienzi.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, decried the wave of litigation in what he called a "right-wing laboratory." He said he has not lost a single case where he was tasked with defending public health powers, which he believes are entirely legal and necessary to keep people alive. "You destroy government, and you destroy our emergency response powers and police powers  good luck. There will be no one to protect you."

As public health powers fade from the headlines, the groups seeking to limit government authority have strengthened bonds and gained momentum to tackle other topics, said Paul Nolette, chair of the political science department at Marquette University. "Those connections will just keep thickening over time," he said.

And the pressure against local governments shows no signs of stopping: Schmitt has set up a new online tips form similar to his efforts on masking  but for parents to report educators for teaching critical race theory.

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
insights from industry Dr. Shuang Zhou Product Manager Sino Biological

In this interview, News-Medical talks to Dr. Shuang Zhou about cytokine-base cancer immunotherapy, the current state of the field, and future prospects.

Could you summarize the role cytokines play in cancer?

Cytokines are molecular messengers released by cells to regulate cell interactions and communications. As potent and complex immune mediators, they may either promote tumor growth and spread or mediate the antitumor immune responses.

Elevated levels of various cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF-, FGF, and G-CSF, have been found in biosamples of cancer patients. During cancer formation, cancer cells release various cytokines and growth factors and recruit and reprogram other types of cells into their surroundings to establish a tumor microenvironment (TME) conducive to cancer growth. These cytokines may also induce normal cells, such as tumor-associated macrophages and endothelial cells, to produce additional cytokines that support the pathological process.

On the other hand, as part of the immune response, cytokines released in response to infection, inflammation, and immunity can inhibit cancer development and progression. Because of the critical roles of cytokines in cancer, there has been considerable interest in harnessing cytokines for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer over the past decades.

Sino Biological, Inc. Play

Video credit: Sino Biological

What are some of the techniques that are typically being used to investigate the role of cytokines in cancer?

The detection and quantification of cytokines can be achieved by a series of techniques, including functional bioassays, protein microarrays, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot (ELISpot) and FluoroSpot assays, Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) electrochemiluminescence and bead-based multiplex immunoassays (MIA).

The analyses of cytokines are usually performed using serum, plasma, cell culture supernatants and tissue lysates. The selection of techniques to detect and analyze cytokines should be based on the type of samples, the number of analytes, the reliability of the methods and the sensitivity and specificity required. ELISA remains a popular technique for cytokine detection because it is quantitative, easy to perform and relatively inexpensive. ELISA kits and antibody pairs for cytokine sandwich immunoassays and multiplex systems are widely available to be used.

What's the current landscape of cytokine-based cancer immunotherapy?

Cytokines as monotherapy have not fulfilled the initial excitement they induced. IFN- was the first human immunotherapeutic approved by the US FDA for cancer as early as 1986. High-dose IL-2 (HDIL-2) was approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (1992) and later for metastatic melanoma (1998) by the US FDA. However, both agents are currently less commonly used because of severe dose-limiting toxicities.

At present, the biological roles of many inflammatory cytokines have been deeply explored. Some of these cytokines, such as GM-CSF, IFN gamma (IFN), IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, and IL-21 have been considered ideal targets for antitumor therapies and are being evaluated clinically. To circumvent the side effects and improve efficacy, cytokines are being investigated clinically with new approaches, such as structural modification, localized delivery and combinational therapy with other regimens.

How can cytokines be utilized in cancer immunotherapy?

Image credit: Alpha Tauri 3D Graphics/Shutterstock.com

Cytokine therapy to activate the immune system of cancer patients has been an important treatment modality and continues to be a pivotal contributor to current cancer immunotherapy. As cytokines in the TME shape host immunity, therapeutic manipulation of the cytokine environment is a strategy to potentiate protective immune responses. Systematic or local administration of specific cytokines, e.g., IFN- and IL-2, has shown clinical benefits. Novel cytokine mutants (superkines) and chimeric antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (immunokines) have shown superior efficacy and safety profiles compared to the original cytokines.

In contrast, specific cytokines released to the TME may promote all phases of tumorigenesis. In this regard, strategies to neutralize the pathogenic activity of such cytokines, e.g., M-CSF, can be developed to enhance cancer immunotherapy. The detrimental activities of immunosuppressive cytokines can be blocked by small molecules, antagonistic antibodies, cytokine traps or siRNAs.

In addition to single-agent therapy, cytokines may also be used in conjunction with other immunomodulatory drugs, such as adoptive cell therapy, cancer vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1/PD-L1) and cancer-directed monoclonal antibodies.

How can cytokines be used in adoptive celltherapy?

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT), also known as cellular immunotherapy, is a form of treatment that uses the cells of our immune system to treat cancer. ACT includes different cellular approaches, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, engineered T cell receptor (TCR) therapy, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, and natural killer (NK) cell therapy. Currently, ACT therapies targeting CD19 and BCMA have been approved by the US FDA. It is well recognized that cytokines and their receptors play pivotal roles in regulating ACT cells' functional and phenotypic features, such as persistence, trafficking, memory cell formation, survivaland proliferation. Cytokines, e.g., IL-2 and IL-2 superkine, have been used to enhance the in vivo survival and expansion of adoptively transferred anticancer TIL and CAR cells.

Genetical manipulations of different cytokines and their receptors in ACT cells have also shown promise in boosting ACT cells' efficacy against various types of cancers. For example, a truncated cytokine receptor that lacks a specific intracellular domain can be incorporated into CAR-T cells. These receptors can block signal transduction of inhibitory cytokines and thus enhance the persistence and effector function of CAR-T cells.

How can cytokines be used in the development of cancer vaccines?

Cancer cells can be genetically modified to express specific cytokines to stimulate the host immune response, thereby acquiring the capacity to function as cancer vaccines. Provenge, a US FDA-approved cancer vaccine, is developed from autologous dendritic cells loaded with an engineered fusion protein of prostatic acid phosphatase and GM-CSF. The GM-CSF-secreting whole tumor cell vaccine has been reported to induce strong T cell responses and inhibit tumor growth by recruiting and activating antigen-presenting cells at the injection site.

The use of cytokines in cancer vaccine formulations is becoming more prevalent. GM-CSF, IFN-, IFN-, IL-2, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18 and IL-21 have shown immunological efficacy when used as part of a vaccine adjuvant strategy.

Apart from being the therapeutic targets, how are cytokines applied in cancer research?

As essential messengers that affect nearly every biological process, cytokines are also involved in cancer diagnosis and prognosis, stem cell differentiation, vaccine efficacy and allograft rejection. In addition, cytokines are involved in establishing 3D culture organotypic models from stem cells. In the presence of specific cytokines and growth factors, organoids can be grown from patient-derived healthy and tumor tissues, which are revolutionizing patient-specific drug testing and personalized medicine.

What challenges remain for cytokine-based cancer immunotherapy, and what are your hopes for the future of the field?

It is clear that therapeutic targeting of cytokine pathways holds great promise for cancer treatment. However, there are several factors that have limited the use of cytokines in cancer therapy, including: 1) lack of danger signals for systemic cytokine blocking; 2) severe side effects due to the pleiotropic nature and functional necessity of cytokines for multiple cell types; 3) the production and manufacturing of biologics is relatively expensive; 4) in contrast to chemical drugs, recombinant cytokines usually have limited shelf half-life and require special handling conditions.

Therefore, the search for next-generation cytokine-based drugs has three pathways. Firstly, fine-tuning of the pharmacological properties is required for successfully developing cytokines into effective and safe cancer immunotherapy. For example, structure-modified superkines with increased binding affinity for select receptors are being evaluated for the effects in increasing antitumor responses and decreasing immunosuppressive cells.

The second concept would be to confine the effects of the cytokines to the site of action to avoid systemic pro-inflammatory effects. Strategies such as local or cavitary cytokine administration, chimeric antibody-cytokine fusion proteins or infusion of anti-cytokines in association with cytokines are being investigated to reduce the potential side effects.

Additionally, developing synergistic combinations, such as with the approved anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cells, is a hot research area. The excitement in this field has resulted in a number of ongoing clinical trials. Studies have shown that cytokines may synergize with other cancer therapies, including anticancer vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors and cancer-directed monoclonal antibodies, to become formidable partners in cancer treatment. The feasibility of this approach awaits the future to reveal.

Sino Biological has developed a comprehensive bank of cytokines and receptors reagents, including recombinant proteins, antibodies, ELISA kits, antibody pairs, and gene products, to support the research in this promising field.

About Dr. Zhou

Dr. Shuang Zhou is a Product Manager at Sino Biological, a global biotechnology company manufacturing high-quality research reagents, and she manages the drug target product portfolio.

Before joining Sino Biological, Dr. Zhou was a Senior Scientist in the biopharmaceutical industry. She completed her postdoctoral studies at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Baylor Scott & White Health in cancer biology and pharmacology after obtaining her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from North Dakota State University.

About Sino Biological Inc.

Sino Biological is an international reagent supplier and service provider. The company specializes in recombinant protein production and antibody development. All of Sino Biological's products are independently developed and produced, including recombinant proteins, antibodies and cDNA clones. Sino Biological is the researchers' one-stop technical services shop for the advanced technology platforms they need to make advancements. In addition, Sino Biological offers pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms pre-clinical production technology services for hundreds of monoclonal antibody drug candidates.

Sino Biological's core business

Sino Biological is committed to providing high-quality recombinant protein and antibody reagents and to being a one-stop technical services shop for life science researchers around the world. All of our products are independently developed and produced. In addition, we offer pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms pre-clinical production technology services for hundreds of monoclonal antibody drug candidates. Our product quality control indicators meet rigorous requirements for clinical use samples. It takes only a few weeks for us to produce 1 to 30 grams of purified monoclonal antibody from gene sequencing.
Several researchers have reported significant stress accompanying the lockdown restriction imposed on large populations to hinder the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), during the first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This was especially the case during the perinatal period, when many women require additional physical and emotional support.

Study: Mental health of pregnant women during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in France: evolution of self-perceived psychological state during the first lockdown, and anxiety frequency two months after the lockdown ended. Image Credit: Corpii/Shutterstock

A new preprint study posted to the medRxiv* server examined the changes in the mental state of pregnant women over the first COVID-19-related lockdown in France, and the persistence of anxiety-related symptoms over the two months following the end of the lockdown. This may help frame more appropriate interventions as required during future pandemics.

Introduction

Earlier pathogenic coronavirus-caused severe respiratory disease outbreaks occurred in 2002 and 2013, respectively, called severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). These were found to be especially severe in pregnant women, causing acute respiratory distress syndrome at a higher incidence than in the non-pregnant population.

As a result of these experiences, an early recommendation was made during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that pregnant women should be at higher risk of more severe disease from the virus. This led to their being asked to isolate or remain secluded from interactions outside their household for longer periods than the general population.

However, many studies subsequently demonstrated that lockdowns during earlier outbreaks of infectious disease have been associated with spikes in anxiety, depression, mental distress and sleep disorders, some of which continue to manifest after the lockdown is removed.

A second source of distress is from the removal of social and emotional support systems, which is already an identified risk for mental ill-health during pregnancy and the peripartum period.

Thirdly, the known increase in risk for this subset of women put them at risk of feeling anxiety for their health and the baby they were carrying. The enforced isolation of lockdowns would only exacerbate this.

And finally, this could impact their overall health and that of their children, while also affecting normal infant-maternal bonding.

In fact, a number of recent papers have described such negative results of the pandemic itself, with pregnant women being reported to have higher levels of anxiety, depression, and hostility. The current preprint is based on the data gathered during the Covimater study.

The aims were to understand how women saw their mental state, before and during the first lockdown in France, from March to May 2020; and how frequent was anxiety and factors linked to symptoms of anxiety, at 2 months post-lockdown.

The researchers asked questions like: Just before the lockdown, on a psychological level, how did you feel?, During the lockdown, on a psychological level, how did you feel?, to understand how the woman felt her mental health had changed.

They also asked how a range of emotions, from relief, peace, frustration, and fear to despair, were experienced during the lockdown  more or less intensely than usual. And finally, they were assessed for anxiety symptoms at the second time point, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD).

Analysis was done using demographic tabulated data, such as self-employed or managerial-level women, blue-collar or ordinary employees, and students or unemployed women; age and educational level, as well as financial level. The presence of children, professional workload, functioning of the healthcare system during the pandemic in the womans location, and social support as experienced by the woman were also analyzed.

Finally, the womans knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 spread, the presence of suspicious symptoms, and a history of family members with the disease were assessed. Her health status and the womans feeling of vulnerability to the virus were also asked about.

Other questions related to medical consultations during the first lockdown  cancellations or postponements of appointments by the doctor, talks with medical care providers about the pandemic and their pregnancy, having sleeping pill prescriptions for sleep disorders or mood aberrations during the pandemic, were other items that were included in the survey.

Findings

The mean participant age was 31 years, most had completed their high-school diploma or more, and a third were unemployed or students. A little over a third were employed in low jobs, and almost the same proportion was financially just scraping by. One in five was in financial distress.

About 45% said their location had experienced overwhelm by the healthcare system. One in three said family or friends had a history of COVID-19, and less than a half had young children at home during the lockdown period. About a fifth said they had little or no support during the lockdown, while almost a third had undergone an atmosphere of violence or severe quarrels at this time.

Over half the women said their mental health had suffered during the lockdown, and one in five said their previously good psychological state had become poor. This was largely linked to the absence of social support, overwork, and uncertainty about how the virus spread and how it manifested.

Less than 10% of those whose mental health suffered during the lockdown had a psychiatric or psychologist to support them, though one in five desired such support but failed to obtain it. Three out of four women said they did not need this kind of help despite their deterioration in mental health.

About 60% of women said they felt more powerless, frustrated, and fearful during the lockdown than they normally would, with most women checking off 3/6 negative feelings related to this period.

About one in seven had anxiety symptoms, related to one or more pregnancy complications, increased body mass index (BMI), young children (<6 years) in the household, family or friends with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and little social support during the lockdown. Women who tried to talk with their healthcare providers but failed were more likely to be anxious compared to those who succeeded. So were those who tried to obtain sleeping pills or antidepressants, compared to those who did not need such medication.

Implications

The findings of this study indicate that half of the women in the study sample experienced a deterioration of mental health during the first lockdown. A fifth of them said they went from having good mental health to ill-health, during this period. The research also identified several risk factors associated with such worsening, including poor support, overwork (as when small children are at home, along with a job), and inadequate knowledge of how the virus was transmitted and, therefore, of how this could be prevented.

This may account for the feelings of fear, powerlessness, and frustration reported by most women during this time. In addition, obesity, chronic illness, poor health and pregnancy complications are known factors for anxiety and decreased mental health in the peripartum period. At the same time, the well-publicized association of increased body mass with more severe COVID-19 may have impacted such women adversely.

Overall, a decline in mental wellbeing was significantly more frequent among pregnant women at 21%. Conversely, in the Coviprev study of women in the reproductive age group in the French general population at the same time, the incidence was <8%. This corroborates earlier studies during prior quarantines.

The persistence of anxiety symptoms was related to certain distinct factors, again related to those factors that precipitated a worsening of mental health. The actual incidence of such symptoms was, however, lower or comparable to that in other countries before the pandemic.

Our results for anxiety may reflect adaptation and habituation to Covid-19 health risks by pregnant women, as in women of childbearing age in the general population.

In fact, CoviPrev showed a higher incidence of anxiety symptoms among reproductive-age women. The reasons for this are still unclear.

The benefits of properly informing pregnant women about the modes of spread of the virus in safeguarding their mental health has been shown in such studies, as well, and is confirmed in the current research. In addition, attention must be given to maintaining healthcare for pregnant women; giving them mental and social support; providing opportunities for them to ask healthcare providers about pregnancy-related questions and about their hospitalization for labor and delivery; and ensuring childcare for those who need it.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
A recent study published in the Open Forum Infectious Diseases journal evaluated the impact of the lower severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine dosages in younger populations.

Background

In most age groups, the SARS-CoV-2 messenger ribonucleic acid RNA (mRNA) vaccinations were significantly successful in protecting against the CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. According to the most recent data, vaccine efficacy (VE) of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines appears to be lower in children aged five to 11 than in adults. Besides, understanding the reason for this phenomenon is essential for creating appropriate vaccination approaches for this population moving forward.

The study

The present work analyzed the VE of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and the associated mechanisms in adolescents, children, and young adults, given the vaccine doses were lower in these groups compared to adults.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccine efficacy in young adults, children, and adolescents

VE of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in five- to 11-year-olds against COVID-19 was 91% during the two-month monitoring period in a clinical experiment before the emergence of the Omicron variant in the United States (US). Following the vaccine's approval on October 29, 2021, children were fully vaccinated by December 13, 2021, just in time with the introduction of Omicron.

However, according to preliminary information from the New York State Department of Health, VE in children aged 5 to 11 decreased from 68 to 12%, and hospitalization rates from 100 to 48% during December 13, 2021, compared to January 24, 2022. On the other hand, VE in those aged 12 to 17 dropped from 66 to 51% for infections and from 85 to 73% for hospitalization.

During the study period, Omicron infections in New York increased from 19% on December 13, 2021, to above 99% on January 24, 2022. The median period following vaccination was 51 days for children aged 5 to 11 and 211 days for those aged 12 to 17.

When removing the confounding effect of time after vaccination from an examination of recently vaccinated children from New York, the incidence rate ratio for infection was 1.1 for those aged five to 11 and 2.3 for 12 to 17 years at 28 to 34 days after immunization. When the analysis was limited to the Omicron period, information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) demonstrated slight variation by age, with a VE of 51% in children aged 5 to 11, compared to 45% and 34%t in children aged 12 to 15 and 16 to 17, respectively.

However, during the pooled Delta- and Omicron-predominant timeframes, two-dose VE towards COVID-19-linked hospitalization for five11, 1215, and 1617 years continued at 73 to 94%. The available results indicate that BNT162b2 was less effective in younger children, yet further research is required to corroborate these findings.

Mechanisms of reduced vaccine efficacy in younger age groups

One theory holds that the lower dosage of 10 g of BNT162b2 delivered three weeks apart was the cause of the poor efficacy in children aged 5 to 11; however, evidence on neutralizing antibodies suggests that this was not the case. The evidence presented at the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting on October 26, 2021; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on November 2, 2021; and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC Advisory Committee meetings posit that adolescents, children, and young adults might attain an optimum humoral reaction with the existing BNT162b2 vaccine doses.

Two 30-g BNT162b2 doses administered in a 21-day interval resulted in geometric mean 50% neutralization titers of SARS-CoV-2 of 1146.5 and 1239.5 in individuals aged 16 to 25 and 12 to 15 years, respectively, one month after the second shot. Almost identical titers, 1197.6, were attained in children aged 5 to 11 years after two 10-g doses administered three weeks apart.

Children aged 9-11, 7-8, and 5-6 years acquired almost identical titers of 1191.5, 1236.1, and 1164.1 when further analyzed by age subgroup. These titers show that children and young adults have significant humoral immune reactions because they were more than three times higher than the peak titers attained by adults seven days following the second dose. As a result, it was conceivable that doses below 10 g could still produce significant levels of neutralizing antibodies in five to 11-year-old children.

Other causes for the decreased VE must be considered because, with the current dose, adolescents, children, and young adults produce noticeably high titers than adults. The Omicron variant reduces the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccinations in all populations, which most likely explains a large portion of the decreased efficacy among children aged 5 to 11 years. Other possible explanations include the younger cohort's shorter time between vaccination and infection, variations in circulating viral strains among age cohorts, past SARS-CoV-2 exposure, and unidentified lower effectiveness of mRNA vaccines among younger populations.

After vaccination, T- and B-cell responses continue to develop for several months, as does immunity against severe illness. Therefore, the 51-day post-vaccination period for children aged 5 to 11 compared to 211 days for children aged 12 to 17 in New York might have attributed to the lower efficacy against hospitalization seen in the younger sample.

Furthermore, given the dramatic rise in Omicron occurrence over the study period, there might have been variations in the variants circulating in high, elementary, and middle schools. Besides, there was a significant SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the US. Before the Delta variant increase, the age group of five to 11 had the highest seroprevalence in June 2021 at 42%. Previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure was linked to a decreased risk of catastrophic outcomes, but it was unclear how this may have changed the population's immune reactions.

Approaches to enhance VE in younger age groups

The team noted that mRNA vaccination was a novel vaccination approach that induces both T- and B-cell responses and shows promise for producing superior vaccines against numerous pathogens, some of which are now under development. Yet, an initial trial of the two-dose BNT162b2 series found the approach was ineffective in children aged two to five. Thus, the experiment was changed to assess a three-dose series.

Factors like prior seasonal CoV exposure might have a part in the notably altered immunological response seen in older people that were not present in younger children not exposed to CoVs as much or at all. Maximizing CoV vaccination in children depends on understanding the mechanism causing BNT162b2's decreased efficacy in children.

Altering the dose intervals was one action tried to enhance immunogenicity in individuals between the ages of 12 and 39. New research has shown that spreading out the initial and second doses of mRNA vaccines increases immunogenicity while reducing adverse reactions.

On February 4, 2022, the ACIP reviewed the new information regarding extended dose intervals and published a recommendation that an eight-week gap could be ideal for some individuals aged 12 and older, particularly for males between the ages of 12 to 39. The ongoing clinical trial for BNT162b2 has been expanded to include formal evaluation of the lower 10-g dose, administered in two doses eight weeks apart for patients aged 12 to 18 and older. The team highlighted the need for studies examining longer dosing gaps in children under 12 years to see if this tactic can increase the immunogenicity and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines in younger populations.

Side effects of present mRNA vaccines doses in younger cohorts

With the present dose of the mRNA vaccines, adolescents, children, and young adults also face higher side effects in addition to reduced efficacy. The cause of COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis was unknown. However, the prevalence of this uncommon event was lower after vaccination with BNT162b2 (30 g per dose) than mRNA-1273 (100 g per dose), reinforcing the idea that the myocarditis may be dose-related.

COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis was also more frequent after the second shot, especially with dosing intervals of  four weeks. However, increasing the time between the first and second doses to eight weeks reduced the frequency of myocarditis.

The FDA Brief for October 26, 2021, meeting noted that COVID-19 vaccine-linked myocarditis was probably related to dose number and dosage. Nevertheless, the decreased myocarditis incidence after the third or booster shot relative to the reduced incidence with extended dosing intervals, implies that interval spacing, instead of dose number, might be the strategy to minimize myocarditis.

Conclusions

According to the study findings, the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations demonstrated reduced efficacy in children aged 5 to 11. Neutralizing antibody titers induced by the COVID-19 vaccines in adolescents, children, and young adults illustrated that lower dosage was not responsible for the lower VE in these cohorts.

Optimizing COVID-19 vaccination approaches for younger populations in the future requires figuring out whether mRNA vaccination techniques were less effective in younger cohorts and identifying if adolescents, children, and young adults need adjusting the dosage, dosing gaps, and the number of doses.
Posted by Liam on at 08:45 AM CST

Hello,fans! Its time to learn a little bit of Shyriiwook, because this week were taking a trip to the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk. Chewbaccas home planet has been a part of theuniverse since the much deridedpremiered in 1978. Stay tuned throughout the week for more articles, insights, videos, and information on all the best merchandising content that youll want to add to your collection.In November of 1978,debuted on ABC. A variety show featuringcharacters celebrating the Wookiee holiday of Life Day was conceived by director Steve Binder. It featured the original cast of, including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, and Peter Mayhew in supporting roles, and introduced Chewbaccas extended family. Chewies dad Itchy, his wife Mala, and his son Lumpy all make their first appearances.Thehas been referred to as one of the most embarrassing moments in television history. George Lucas hated the special so much that he claimed that if he had time and a hammer, hed track down every known copy and destroy it. The special has never been released in any official format. Prior to the internet, the only fans who had seen it either watched (or taped) the original broadcast or got their hands on a bootleg DVD (a favorite item at conventions). Nowadays, The Holiday Special has been (unofficially) available on Youtube for quite some time. The animated portion featuring the first appearance of Boba Fett is available as a stand alone adventure on Disney+. Theres not much ofthat is remembered fondly, but the two hour television film did introduce the Wookiee home planet of Kashyyyk for the first time. The idea of a forest planet where Wookiees live in tree houses became an essential part of the canon. In fact, Kashyyyk was originally supposed to be featured in. Lucas opted to create the Ewoks instead, realizing that the smaller creatures would be cheaper to create. However, Endor shares many qualities with Kashyyyk.We finally got an extended look at the planet in. Yoda personally heads to the forest planet in order to help the Wookiee army stand up against the droid invasion. We meet a younger version of Chewbacca and his cousin, Tarfful. Chewbacca and the Wookiees help Yoda escape after the clones turn on the Jedi during Order 66.Ever since, Kashyyyk has become an even more popular planet in the Expanded Universe. In, the smugglers first origin tale before, a young Han visits Kashyyyk during his service to the Imperial military. Han refuses to kill Chewbacca, and becomes a fugitive from the Empire. Chewbacca swears a life debt to his new friend.Chewbacca is shockingly killed off in the 1999 novel. The first installment inseries introduced a ground of mysterious invaders from another galaxy called the Yuuzhan Vong. Chewie perishes trying to save his friends. It was one of the most controversial moments in the entire Expanded Universe. Lucas had expressly told the writers that killing Luke, Leia, or Han was off-limits, but they signified a darker tone for the New Republic era by slaying everyones favorite furball.What do you think,fans? Who are your favorite Wookiees? Did you watchback in 1978? Let us know in the forums, and as always, may the Force be with you!Check out Rebelscum.com merch!Be sure to follow us on all of our social media platforms:
(Newser)  Iran has the ability to make a nuclear bomb, though the country hasn't yet decided whether it will do so, according to a senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "In a few days we were able to enrich uranium up to 60% and we can easily produce 90% enriched uranium ... Iran has the technical means to produce a nuclear bomb but there has been no decision by Iran to build one," Kamal Kharrazi said in a Sunday appearance on Al Jazeera TV, according to France24. President Biden just took a four-day trip to the Middle East, during which he said Iran would be prevented from "acquiring a nuclear weapon."

Fox News calls the remarks "a rare suggestion that Iran might have an interest in nuclear weapons, which it has long denied seeking." It claims to only be interested in civilian energy uses. But while the cap was set at 3.67% in 2015 under Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers, Iran has been enriching way above that to 60%; it began violating the nuclear pact when then-President Trump ditched it in 2018. Uranium must be enriched to 90% to be used in a nuclear weapon. (Read more Iran stories.)
(Newser)  A gunman killed three people at the Greenwood Park Mall in Greenwood, Indiana, Sunday night, police say. The shooter was also killed; it is believed that a bystander shot him, the Indianapolis Star reports. The mall was closing at 6pm when about 20 shots rang out in the food court. The shooter, an adult male, "had a rifle with several magazines of ammunition, entered the food court and began shooting," Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison says. Two other people were also injured, including a 12-year-old girl with a minor injury to her back, WTHR reports. An unattended backpack was also found in a bathroom near the food court and a bomb squad was called in, but it was later determined to be harmless.

All police have said so far about the three killed and two hurt are that four were females and one was a male. "This has shaken us to our core. This isn't something we've seen in Greenwood before. It is absolutely horrendous," Ison says. Adds the assistant chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, "We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, in our city." Police are calling the armed bystander who shot the gunman, a 22-year-old who owned the handgun legally, a "Good Samaritan." (Read more Indiana stories.)
(Newser)  Two years ago, neighbors found Wanda Palmer on her couch in West Virginia, with injuries so severe that police who arrived on the scene at first thought she was dead. She wasn't, but she had been "attacked, hacked, and left for dead" with what authorities believe was a hatchet or an axe, and Palmer ended up in a coma for two years. Late last month, the woman, now 51, woke upand identified her own brother as her alleged attacker, CNN reports. A witness reported seeing Palmer's brother, Daniel, on her porch around midnight the night before police found her in June 2020 and police considered him a suspect, but there were no eyewitnesses to the attack and no surveillance footage or phone records to allow them to make an arrest.

After waking up, Palmer could only give very simple information, but was able to communicate to police that her brother had allegedly attacked her because "he was mean," and to give them enough information to finally allow them to arrest him. "Wanda Palmer is now awake to see her assailant in custody - her brother, Daniel Palmer," the Jackson County Sheriff's Department says on Facebook. The 55-year-old, who police say had a "violent history" with his sister, has been charged with attempted murder and malicious wounding. His sister is coherent, but still cannot have entire conversations. "From an investigator's standpoint, this is about as rare as it gets. I think it's a true testament to the perseverance and the strength of the victim herself," the sheriff says, per WCHS. (Read more West Virginia stories.)
(Newser)  Authorities are expressing their gratitude to an armed bystander after he shot and killed a gunman who opened fire in a shopping mall food court in Indiana. The mass shooting took place Sunday evening at Greenwood Park Mall in Greenwood, leaving three dead and two injured, including a 12-year-old girl who suffered a minor injury. The second injured person is hospitalized in stable condition, Greenwood Police Department Chief Jim Ison said at a presser, per CNN. The victims were all female, save for one male, ranging in age from early 20s to 30, reports USA Today.

"The real hero of the day is the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in that food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began," Ison said, identifying the citizen as a 22-year-old from Bartholomew County. Ison added that the gunman had been armed with a "long gun," while the "Good Samaritan" apparently had a handgun. The Washington Post notes that Indiana just this month nixed the requirement for those carrying, concealing, or transporting a handgun to have a permit, though certain people, including convicted felons and those under 18, are still barred from carrying a handgun. To buy a long gun, one has to be 18 and show valid ID, as well as pass a federal background check; Indiana doesn't require one itself.

Simon Property Group, which oversees the mall, has a ban on weapons included in its code of conduct, though it notes that "exceptions to this code of conduct will be determined by local center management." Patrons and workers in the mall are now describing the chaotic scene that broke out right around closing time at 6pm as gunshots rang out. "I jumped over the counter, locked the door, gathered my associates and other managers at the back door," an assistant manager at the Vans shoe store tells USA Today. "We just instructed everybody to keep quiet." A woman who was shopping at Old Navy with her mom tells CNN she now doesn't think she'll go back to the mall "for a very long time." (Read more mass shootings stories.)
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(Newser)  Update: Britain's heat wave is now in the record books and climbing. The temperature reached 102.4 degrees on Tuesday, surpassing the all-time high set in 2019, reports the AP. And it's expected to continue ticking up before the day is donethough it didn't nearly hit the 106 degrees the weatherman had predicted for Monday. Our story from Monday follows:

It might be a milestone day in Britain on Monday, but few are happy about it. The temperature is expected to reach 106 degrees, the highest ever recorded there, reports the BBC. That would easily break the previous record of 101.7 degrees recorded in 2019. The forecast has prompted the national weather service to issue its first-ever "red extreme" heat warning for large swaths of England, per the Washington Post. Many schools have closed and hospitals have canceled non-essential procedures in a nation where most buildings are generally designed to retain heat, notes the New York Times. The extreme heat is expected to last into Tuesday.

What's more, the UK better get used to it, according to a statement from the national weather service, which is called the Met Office. "The chances of seeing 40C (106 degrees Fahrenheit) days in the UK could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence," says Nikos Christidis, a climate attribution researcher at the office. "Even with current pledges on emissions reductions, such extremes could be taking place every 15 years in the climate of 2100. The heat wave is scorching other parts of Europe as well, with France, Spain, and Portugal battling massive wildfires. (Read more Britain stories.)
(Newser)  A Los Angeles judge privately told lawyers he would renege on a promise and imprison Roman Polanski for having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977, a former prosecutor testified, setting the stage for the renowned director to flee the US as a fugitive. A previously sealed transcript obtained by the AP late Sunday of testimony by retired Deputy District Attorney Roger Gunson supports Polanski's claim that he fled on the eve of sentencing in 1978 because he didn't think he was getting a fair deal. Gunson said during closed-door testimony in 2010 that the judge broke a promise to let Polanski go free after state prison officials had determined he shouldn't serve hard time.

"The judge had promised him on two occasions ... something that he reneged on," Gunson said. "So it wasn't surprising to me that, when he was told he was going to be sent off to state prison ... that he could not or would not trust the judge." Defense lawyer Harland Braun has asserted that Judge Laurence Rittenband, now deceased, had been swayed by publicity in the case and changed his mind several times about the punishment Polanski should face. Braun said Friday, in expectation of the transcript's release, that the development would renew his effort to have Polanski sentenced in absentia, which would end his status as a fugitive from justice. Braun has unsuccessfully tried that before, with prosecutors asserting and judges agreeing that Polanski needs to show up in Los Angeles Superior Court to resolve the matter.

Gunson acknowledged during his testimony that the judge had discretion to sentence Polanski up to 50 years because there'd been no agreed-upon sentence. But Gunson objected to the "sham" proceedings the judge was orchestrating and felt he'd broken promises to Polanski. Release of the transcript was ordered by a California appeals court Wednesday after Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon dropped long-standing objections his predecessors made to its release. France, Switzerland, and Poland have all rejected bids to extradite the 88-year-old back to the US. The victim, Samantha Geimer, has long advocated that the case be dismissed or that Polanski be sentenced in absentia. However, Gascon hasn't indicated Polanski will be able to avoid a court appearance. A press release said Polanski remains a fugitive and should surrender to the court for sentencing.

(Read more Roman Polanski stories.)
(Newser)  A Russian journalist who caused a commotion in March by protesting the war in Ukraine during a state news broadcast was briefly detained over the weekend by authorities. WION reports that Marina Ovsyannikova's social media shared a post Sunday that simply said, "Marina has been detained. Information about her location is unknown." The post showed the 44-year-old being escorted toward a white van by two uniformed officials. A little more than two hours later, Ovsyannikova noted that she was "sitting in the Krasnoselsky OVD, waiting for a lawyer," referring to a local police station in Moscow. Then, about three hours after that, Ovsyannikova wrote: "I'm home now. Everything is [OK]. ... But now I know that it's better to leave home with a bag and a passport just in case."

She added that a neighbor had called a lawyer for her. Her attorney confirmed to the Ria Novosti news agency that she was indeed arrested, per the Guardian. Reuters reports that just two days before her detention, Ovsyannikova had taken to social media to slam Russian President Vladimir Putin as a murderer for the Ukrainian invasion, as she held up a poster that read, "How many more children must die before you will stop?" Ovsyannikova is no longer working as a producer for the state-owned Channel Oneshe was hired in April as a correspondent working in Russia for the German outlet Die Welt. As for her previous March on-air stunt, she was hit with a fine for violating Russian protest laws. (Read more Russia stories.)
(Newser)  If you're tempted to feel moved by the words written in a recently leaked unpublished memoir by Carolyn Bryant Donham, the white woman who accused Black teen Emmett Till of untoward advances, leading to his murder, just ... don't, according to Charles Blow. In his latest op-ed for the New York Times, the columnist writes that in her newly revealed memoir, Donhamwho was married to one of the men acquitted for killing Till, though he later admitted he was culpablewrites that she "tried to protect" the 14-year-old, and how, in what Blow describes as "an astonishing stroke of insensitivity," she'd "always felt like a victim as well as Emmett." Blow isn't standing for that, noting that the octogenarian has "been alive and breathing for nearly 67 years since Till's bloated body was fished out of the Tallahatchie River with the fan of a cotton gin tied around his neck."

Blow details how Donham not only accused the teen of making improper advances toward her, but also claimed he'd forcefully grabbed her by the hand and around the waist, effectively alleging he'd physically assaulted her. Blow also notes how Donham called Till the n-word during her husband Roy Bryant's trial and how her story has apparently shifted over the years, including on how Till had supposedly grabbed her. Blow takes particular aim at how she, and others, had labeled Till a "man" during the trialan "adultification of Black children" that continues into the present day, such as in the case of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was fatally gunned down by police in 2014 in a Cleveland park. In short, per Blow: Donham "has failed at every turn to offer a redeeming word or action for the boy's murder and her part in it. ... Don't shed a single tear for her." Read his full column. (Read more Emmett Till stories.)
(Newser)  Liza Dmytrieva was pushing a toy stroller through a park on Thursday, accompanied by her mother. The 4-year-oldwho had Down syndromewas on her way to see a speech therapist at a nearby clinic when Russian cruise missiles struck the city center of Vinnytsia, killing 23 and wounding more than 200, reports the AP. Ukraines Emergency Services later posted images (graphic) of Lizas body beside the stroller and her mothers severed foot, along with a message calling on the world to immediately recognize Russia as a terrorist country.

According to the New York Times, the visceral nature of the images punched through the too-familiar stream of daily violence directed against civilians by the Russian military. Liza was laid to rest Sunday in a Vinnytsia cathedral. As the song Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow played, Lizas grandmother said, You loved this song very much, you danced every day. This song sounds for you now," per the Times. Lizas mother, Iryna Dmytrieva, remains in intensive care, and relatives did not inform her of her daughters burial for fear her condition would worsen.

Early in the war, the family fled southwest from Kyiv to the central city of Vinnytsia, which is far from the front lines and has been relatively safe. Per Radio Free Europe, images from the attack showed shattered buildings and bloodstains on cars and pavement. Newsweek says Russia claimed it was targeting a meeting between representatives of the Ukrainian Air Force and foreign arms suppliers, and that "the meeting participants were destroyed." Two other boys, ages 7 and 8, were also killed in the strike. (Read more Russia-Ukraine conflict stories.)
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
(Newser)  Sen. Ted Cruz has grabbed headlines and sparked a backlash over his opinion about the Supreme Courts 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage. I think that decision was clearly wrong when it was decided," Cruz said on his Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast Sunday, per USA Today. "It was the court overreaching." He went on to invoke states rights, saying the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges "ignored two centuries of our nations history. Marriage was always an issue that was left to the states."

Cruzs position is unsurprising, given that he told NPR in 2015 that he intended to put opposition to gay marriage front and center in his bid for the GOP presidential nomination, according to Newsweek, which also notes that Cruzs opinion is out of line with a solid majority of Americans. According to 2021 Gallup polling, 70% approve of same-sex marriage, including 83% of Democrats, 55% of Republicans, and 73% of independents. However, Cruzs comments were in line with Justice Clarence Thomas, who went further than his conservative colleagues in his concurring opinion last month overturning Roe v. Wade, writing that prior decisions regarding contraception, sodomy, and gay marriage were "demonstrably erroneous" and should be revisited.

The Independent reports that Cruz was lampooned on social media for his comments, including from Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, who tweeted: If you thought Republicans were done dragging our country backwardsthink again. They feel more emboldened than ever to turn back the clock on our rights. In an opinion piece on CNN, Dean Obeidallah says Cruzs comments raise red flagsnot only for his stance on marriage rights but also for his emphasis on states rights, an argument that has long been used to deprive Americans of fundamental freedoms and which continues to trend in conservative circles around various social issues. (Critics have noted that Thomas, whose wife is white, avoided the topic of interracial marriage in his opinion.)
(Newser)  A New York City firefighter was seriously injured Sunday afternoon while trying to rescue the occupants of a BMW SUV that had become lodged on top of a Volvo sedan. As firefighters tried to stabilize the SUV, "the driver of one of the vehicles hit the gas and caused a car to fall and pin firefighter Ryan Warnock below," Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said in a statement. Bystanders and other firefighters rushed to help and lifted the BMW long enough for firefighter Warnock to be rescued, Fox reports. Warnock was hospitalized in serious but stable condition with leg injuries.

"You could tell that when they pulled him out, he was definitely in pain, just grabbing his leg, he was in pain, but everyone clapped him, cheered him on when he was on the way to the ambulance because he's a true hero," witness Ben Arias, who helped lift the SUV, tells CBS. "That's a real New York hero right there." Nobody else was injured in the midtown Manhattan incident, which is being investigated. Volvo driver Matthew Wahn says they were "stopped at the light, just sitting in the car, and we feel a car drive up on the side of our vehicle. You didn't expect that."

"It's a miracle that we both came out of this without a scratch," says Wahn's wife, Randi. The BMW driver and his son were also rescued unharmed. Last week, Warnock was part of the team that rescued survivors from a Hudson River boat crash. "You just have a job to do and you do it, and we trained for this and that's why we're here," he told reporters afterward. (Read more FDNY stories.)
(Newser)  Police have identified the man who opened fire at a mall food court in an Indianapolis suburb Sunday evening, killing three people before he was shot by an armed bystander, as 20-year-old Jonathan Sapirman, who lived around a mile from the Greenwood Park Mall. Authorities identified the man who shot Sapirman as 22-year-old Elisjsha Dicken. Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers praised Dicken, who had been shopping at the mall with his girlfriend, for saving "countless lives," the Indianapolis Star reports. "Our city, our community, and our state is grateful for his heroism in this situation," the mayor said.

Police say Sapirman brought two high-powered rifles and more than 100 rounds of ammunition to the mall. They say he spent more than an hour in a restroom before he emerged and started shooting, firing 24 rounds before he was stopped by Dicken, the Washington Post reports. Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison said during Monday's press conference that Dicken, who fired a total of 10 rounds from a 9mm pistol, stopped the gunman within two minutes. The chief said Sapirman was hit several times and collapsed to the ground as he tried to retreat back to the restroom, where he had left one of the rifles, reports WKKG.

The Johnson County coroner identified the three victims Monday as Victor Gomez, 30, and husband and wife Pedro Pineda, 56, and Rosa Mirian Rivera de Pineda, 37, WRTV reports. Two people, including a 12-year-old girl, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No motive for the shooting has been disclosed but Sapirman's relatives said he had recently received an eviction notice, reports the AP. (Read more mass shootings stories.)
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The World Health Organization (WHO) has prepared a report on Bahrains strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its achievements.

The WHO documented the most notable achievements, including the formation of an integrated national team to address the pandemic, the launch of a multilingual national campaign to raise community awareness, the implementation of testing, tracking, and treatment policy, and the development of national testing strategies for early access to existing cases and contacts.

It also indicated that Bahrain has increased the capacity of public health laboratories to detect existing cases, as well as used modern technologies in communicating with existing cases through the application of a conscious society, conducting early clinical trials and vaccination studies, and continuing to provide high-quality healthcare services and free vaccination for citizens and residents.
Agencies | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The electronic service for providing health professionals license for practicing virtual medical consultation in Bahrain has been completed, confirmed National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) CEO Dr. Mariam Adhbi Al Jalahma.

Dr. Al Jalahma said that it comes as an implementation of the governments vision in facilitating procedures and enhancing governmental electronic services.

Chief Health Profession Regulation Dr. Zubaida Alshaikh explained that this electronic service is available to individuals wishing to renew their medical license to practice professions in Bahrain, including doctors, nurses and other related medical professions.

NHRA confirmed that the authority released the electronic platform Munshaat that allows all health institutions to register their own account and contains all their related information including services, reports, recommendations and licenses expiry dates.

The platform also provides transactions of requesting or renewing licenses, and requesting the addition of health services related to the authority.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Ambassador Houda Nonoo has retired after serving the Bahrain Foreign Affairs Ministry for 14 years and as the Arab worlds first and only Jewish ambassador. The Ambassador made the announcement on her official Twitter account.

She thanked His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, former Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and current Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullah Abdullatif Al Zayani for their trust and guidance. Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2008, Ive had the opportunity to participate in conversations shaping our country and region.

During my tenure, we saw some of our toughest times and some of our greatest, including the establishment of relations with Israel, Ambassador Houda said. To have a seat at the table in helping to create a region and a future for our children and grandchildren is something I will never take for granted.

Its been an honour and the privilege of a lifetime to serve this country which has given me so much. Ambassador Houda was a founding member of the Bahrain Human Rights Society in 2004 where she focused on womens rights and childrens rights and domestic workers.

She became the first Jewish female Ambassador from Bahrain, and the first Jewish woman from any of the Arab or Muslim states to be an Ambassador to Washington. Ambassador Houda always says that despite this historic first, as a woman and a Jewish Ambassador to Washington, Im Bahraini first.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

A leading senior female Bahraini lawyer is calling for authorities to adopt the Special Family Law Codes for non-Muslims.

Senior Attorney and Legal Consultant Lubna Mohamed Hasan Al Hasans comment comes in the backdrop of increasing investments in Bahrain from the part of expatriates and non-resident foreign citizens.

If we think in an economic aspect, the world economy is one unit with many national economies integrated into it. So, it is important for us to have rules and regulations that are compliant with the set standards of the world economy, she opined.

A former professor for International Business Relations and Laws at the University of Technology Bahrain (formerly AMA International University of Bahrain), Ms Lubna said we cant take a myopic view over the fact that the Kingdom is an integral part of the world economic framework.

As of now, inheritance cases involving non-Muslims are dealt with by civil courts in the Kingdom. This is the right time for a reform in the larger interest of the investors from abroad as well as the expatriate community.

Over 20 years ago, in 2001 when the National Action Charter was issued, there was an important mention of Family Law in it. However, despite having a Constitutional background, the Family Law Code only became a practical reality in the Kingdom in 2009, which was later amended in the year 2017.

I along with many other legal professionals have placed many proposals and submissions before the authorities concerned and the Legislative Body to enact Family Law Codes in line with the Kingdoms Constitution and National Action Charter before they became a practical reality in the year 2009.

I feel really proud to have taken up this issue since women empowerment is one of the basic principles of Family Law Codes. We were a group of women lawyers who campaigned for it.

Ms Lubna, who was formerly associated with the Ministries of Housing, Works, Electricity and Water, said Bahrain also requires special courts dealing with International Business Relations and Laws. These courts must have specially-trained judges who are proficient in both English and Arabic.

Ms Lubna is the daughter of Mohammed Hasan Al Hasan, a legal luminary, who was among Bahrains first to set up a private legal consultancy.

She said she is overwhelmed to see many youngsters opting law as their career choice. Any branch of law, be it criminal or civil, basically deals with human rights and their violations. So, I urge budding legal professionals to show 100 per cent commitment towards human rights, which forms the basis of the discipline of their choice.

The Daily Tribune earlier quoted legal professionals as saying that Bahrains inheritance rules need a tweak to facilitate the easy transfer of funds to legal heirs in case a labourer or resident dies.

It is also learnt that there are a few expatriate business families, who have been engaged in long legal procedures in the country of their origin to establish legal heirship following the sudden death of their family head.
Social withdrawal (hikikomori) has become an internationally recognized phenomenon, but its pathology and related factors are not yet fully known.

We previously conducted a statistical case-control study on adolescent patients with hikikomori in Japan, which revealed the non-specificity of pathology in patients with hikikomori. Further, environmental factors, such as the lack of communication between parents and Internet overuse, were found to be significant predictors of hikikomori severity. Here, we aimed to conduct a similar preliminary case-control study in France and to compare the results with those from the study conducted in Japan.

Conclusion

Hikikomori in Japan and France could be considered essentially the same phenomenon; moreover, our findings demonstrated the universal non-specificity and unbiasedness of the hikikomori pathology. This suggests that hikikomori is not a single clinical category with a specific psychopathology; instead, it is a common phenotype with various underlying pathologies. However, different strategies may be required in each country to prevent the onset and progression of hikikomori. ...continue reading
ATLANTA (AP)  Republican U.S. Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia is fighting a subpoena seeking to have him testify before a special grand jury that is investigating whether former President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to interfere in the 2020 election in the state.

The subpoena, which Hice received on June 29, orders him to appear before the special grand jury in Atlanta on Tuesday, his lawyer said in a court filing. Hice on Monday filed a motion to quash the subpoena in federal court in Atlanta.

Any discussions Hice had as he investigated alleged irregularities in the election were within his authority as a member of Congress and are shielded by the U.S. Constitution from any legal proceedings and inquiry, his lawyer wrote in the filing. High-ranking officials, such as members of Congress, also should not be called as witnesses unless the information that they could provide cannot be obtained from another source, the filing says.

Hice is challenging the subpoena in federal court rather than before the Fulton County Superior Court judge who's overseeing the special grand jury. A federal judge has set a hearing for June 25.

Hice's lawyer and the Fulton County district attorney's office have agreed that he will not testify before the special grand jury before the court has time to address the issues in his motion to quash, according to a court filing from his lawyer.

At this time, Mr. Hice is eager to return to Washington, D.C. to fulfill his duties as a member of Congress as the House of Representatives is in session this week, Hice spokeswoman Sarah Selip said in an emailed statement.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis opened an investigation early last year into whether Trump and his allies committed any crimes as they sought to overturn his narrow election loss in the state. A special grand jury with subpoena power was seated in May at her request.

A number of top Republican state officials  including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr  have already testified before the special grand jury. Gov. Brian Kemp is set to give a sworn recorded statement on July 25.

Hice, who will leave office in January after an unsuccessful bid to unseat Raffensperger, was one of several GOP lawmakers who attended a December 2020 meeting at the White House in which Trump allies discussed various ways to overturn Joe Bidens electoral win. Hice joined other members of the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative wing of the chamber, in the hourslong meeting to discuss with then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows two specific strategies to subvert the election results.

The first was an effort to appoint an alternate slate of electors who would falsely declare Trump was the winner in seven battleground states won by Biden. The second was a plan to ramp up a pressure campaign against then-Vice President Mike Pence to disregard the true electoral votes from those seven states when he presided over the ceremonial certification process on Jan. 6, 2021.

Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Meadows, revealed the details of the White House meeting to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Earlier this month, Willis began a process to subpoena out-of-state witnesses to testify. That included some close Trump advisers and allies, including U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who also served as Trumps lawyer.

Graham has filed a motion to quash in federal court in South Carolina to try to fight Willis attempt to get him to testify.

Willis, a Democrat, has indicted that she's interested in the actions of the group of 16 Georgia Republicans who, acting as an alternate slate of electors, signed a certificate falsely stating that Trump had won the state when it was actually Biden who got the most votes.

___

Associated Press writer Farnoush Amiri in Washington contributed to this report.
WINNIPEG, MB, July 18, 2022 /CNW/ - Across the country, Canadian farmers are on the frontlines of climate change. Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced 28 additional projects under the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program. This investment of more than $8.7 million will support the adoption of clean technologies across Canada.

Investments in clean technology are supporting farmers who must face the challenges of todayfrom drought to extreme weatherand propelling climate action to build a healthy future for Canada. This new investment builds on work already under way to help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop technology to adapt to climate change.

In Manitoba, more than $2.5 million will support five new projects. Under the ACT Program, farmers and agri-businesses will have access to funding to help develop and adopt the latest clean technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost their long-term competitiveness. This funding is focused on three priority areas: green energy and energy efficiency, precision agriculture; and bioeconomy solutions.

Through the recently expanded ACT Program, it is anticipated that current pollution levels will be reduced by up to 0.8 megaton as a result of fuel switching and decreased fuel consumption. This program is already helping hundreds of farmers with contributions of at least $50,000 to adopt clean technologies, including new grain dryers or barn heating systems.

The Government of Canada continues to make investments to create an enabling environment for the research, development and adoption of clean technology. This will help farmers and agri-businesses drive the changes required to achieve a low-carbon economy and sustainably feed a growing global population.

Quotes

"Recent droughts and flooding across Canada are another stark reminder that Canadian farmers are on the front lines of climate change. This new wave of innovative green projects announced today under our Agricultural Clean Technology Program demonstrates our intention to help farmers optimize the stewardship of the land, while increasing their productivity and profitability."

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Here in Manitoba, we are working closely with farmers to develop and implement farming practices to sequester carbon and tackle greenhouse gas emissions. Through investments in local projects, such as Baker Farms' new grain dryer, we continue to enable the adoption of practices that will accelerate emission reductions in the agricultural sector. With pivotal research and development under way, such as the work in the lab at Hylife Ltd. to offset fertilizer emissions, the future of farming in Canada is promising."

- The Honourable Jim Carr, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre

Quick Facts

As part of the Emissions Reduction Plan launched in March 2022 , the Government of Canada has committed over $1 billion in new funding to accelerate the agricultural sector's progress on reducing emissions and to remain a global leader in sustainable agriculture. This commitment includes an additional $330 million to the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program, tripling the support for innovation and the development and adoption of clean technologies in the agricultural sector, and an additional $470 million for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund to broaden and extend the program past 2024.

launched in , the Government of has committed over in new funding to accelerate the agricultural sector's progress on reducing emissions and to remain a global leader in sustainable agriculture. This commitment includes an additional to the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program, tripling the support for innovation and the development and adoption of clean technologies in the agricultural sector, and an additional for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund to broaden and extend the program past 2024. Announced today, through the ACT  Adoption Stream , 26 approved projects will support the adoption of clean technologies, with a priority on those that meaningfully reduce GHG emissions.

, 26 approved projects will support the adoption of clean technologies, with a priority on those that meaningfully reduce GHG emissions. And through the ACT  Research and Innovation Stream , two approved projects will support pre-market innovation including research, development, demonstration and commercialization of agricultural clean technologies.

, two approved projects will support pre-market innovation including research, development, demonstration and commercialization of agricultural clean technologies. Projects and final funding are subject to negotiation of a contribution agreement.

Program funding for the ACT  Adoption Stream is up to $100 million over five years with $50 million set aside for the purchase and installation of more efficient grain dryers for Canadian farmers, and up to $10 million over the next two years (20212023) is to be used toward powering farms with cleaner energy and moving off diesel fuel.

Related Products

Backgrounder - Database: Agricultural Clean Technology Program projects in Canada

Associated Links

2030 Emissions Reduction Plan

Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream

Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Adoption Stream

Agricultural Climate Solutions

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Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

For further information: Marianne Dandurand, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, [email protected], 343-541-9229; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]
In support of Ukraine, the CWB Group is proud to announce that the WCCA portal is now available in Ukrainian

MILTON, ON, July 14, 2022 /CNW/ - The CWB Group is pleased to announce the launch of the Welder Competency and Credential Assessment (WCCA) portal in Ukrainian. With the current crisis in Ukraine, the CWB Group felt it imperative to provide support and job-ready options to the Ukrainian community. Already being offered in English and French, the free online portal serves Canadians and internationally trained welders who have come to Canada or are arriving the opportunity to transition into their jurisdiction of choice easily. It will determine whether their skills, qualifications and credentials align with Canadian provincial requirements and identify what additional conditions need to be satisfied.

The program's objective is to effectively address the welding industry's skills shortages by assessing the foreign competencies of internationally trained welders and increasing pre-arrival preparedness for integration into the welding industry.

The WCCA portal offered in English, French and Ukrainian provides free online services and resources, including:

Mapping the jurisdictional requirement by profession (pathway to certification)

Competency assessment tool based on the CWB Learning resources and personalized gap analysis of knowledge against Canadian standards

Links to educational material and training institutions to upgrade knowledge and skills

Links to pre-and post-arrivals services, including settlement services, immigration support, financial assistance

Job search support/Links to Career Websites

As a newcomer, if you are looking to learn more about the qualifications needed in your jurisdiction, the WCCA portal will assist you in understanding the pathway to certification, how your skills compare to Canadian standards through the competency assessment platform and how to upgrade your skills through access to numerous training programs.

"We are delighted to support the Federal government's efforts to facilitate a smooth transition for Ukrainian refugees and newcomers who have been displaced by the current conflict in Ukraine with the launch of our WCCA portal in the Ukrainian language. Through the competency assessment platform, trained welders will be able to understand the pathways to welding certification better, assess their knowledge and skills against Canadian standards and be provided with the resources to numerous training, settlement services, financial support and career sites in hopes of supporting their transition into Canada," said Husam Mansour, Director of Government Relations and Public Safety at the CWB Group. "CWB Group will continue to support national campaigns that promote the skilled trades to youth, women, vulnerable groups and newcomers to be the first career choice."

For more information about the WCCA, please visit https://www.welderassessment.org.

The WCCA program was funded through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP), which provides funding to provincial and territorial governments, regulatory bodies, national associations, and credential assessment agencies.

About the CWB Group:

CWB Group is committed to improving existing immigration assessment and recognition programs to attract the best talent to address Canada's welding-related skill shortages. The goal is to ensure that newcomers who bring welding-related skills to Canada can employ their skills and experience while contributing to the Canadian economy. The WCCA is a mutually beneficial program making an attractive option for Canadians looking to relocate from one jurisdiction to another or for newcomers by streamlining how they can transfer their skills and expertise into the Canadian market.

SOURCE The Canadian Welding Bureau

For further information: Media Contact: Husam Mansour, Director, Government Relations and Public Safety, [email protected]
Todays elections will choose Indias 15th president; Droupadi Murmu, a candidate for the NDA, is running against Yashwant Sinha, a candidate for the opposition. However, considering the parties that expressed support for Murmu, the election is thought to be all but finished.

The main updates on this story are as follows:

On the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament, the election will take place. Before the 2017 presidential elections, Droupadi Murmu, 64, was a serious contender for the position; nonetheless, the government ultimately chose Bihar Governor and Dalit Ram Nath Kovind.

The NDAs selection of Murmu, a tribal woman from Odisha and a former governor of Jharkhand, is considered as a planned decision that won over both Naveen Patnaik of Odisha and the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.

Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, has also pledged his support for Murmu despite his recent tendency to diverge from his ally BJP.

Murmu is also anticipated to receive support from both Shiv Sena groups, whose schism and the subsequent fall of the Maharashtra cabinet dominated headlines for weeks.

The NDA candidate is supported by both the Uddhav Thackeray-led group and the Eknath Shinde faction, which is linked with the BJP.

The Thackeray camp, which had been backing Yashwant Sinha of the opposition, decided to change its support for the tribal woman Murmu when 16 MPs met with Uddhav Thackeray and made the suggestion. Thackeray, according to Sinha, was coerced into endorsing Murmu.

After three suggested candidates declined, the opposition finally chose Sinha, a former Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration who afterwards joined Trinamool Congress.

Sharad Pawar, the leader of the National Congress, Gopal Krishna Gandhi, the former governor, and Farooq Abdullah, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, all declined, claiming various justifications.

The Electoral College, which consists of elected representatives from all states, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, elects the President on behalf of the nation.

The MPs and MLAs are free to cast their votes however they wish without being subject to a party whip. According to the Election Commissions schedule, the votes will be counted on July 21 and the new President will take the oath of office on July 25.
Simranjit Singh Mann, a member of parliament from Sangrur in Punjab, caused a stir when he referred to Bhagat Singh as a terrorist.

Mann responded that Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was a significant national Sikh leader who battled for the community when asked about his opinion of the man who was purportedly referred to as a terrorist in the Punjabi University syllabus. The Shiromani Akali Dals Mann claimed credit for his victory in the Sangrur by-election on behalf of Bhindranwale.

Bhindrawala, the leader of a Sikh religious organisation, was slain in Operation Blue Star in 1984.

AAP, the party in power, described Manns statement as shameful and sad.

The party stated in a tweet on Friday, July 15, that it was disgraceful and disrespectful for Mann to refer to Bhagat Singh as a terrorist.

Punjabis are tied to Bhagat Singhs ideals, and we strongly reject this careless comment, it continued.

Shameful and pitiful!



Sangrur MP, Simranjeet Singh Mann, calling revolutionary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh a "terrorist" is disgraceful and disrespectful



Punjabis are connected to the ideology of Bhagat Singh & we strongly condemn this irresponsible comment#ShaheedBhagatSingh https://t.co/EveKRBOn4q  AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) July 15, 2022

A press conference was thereafter convened by Punjab minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, who sought an unqualified apologies from the Sangrur MP for referring to the illustrious freedom warrior as a terrorist.

Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, a Congress lawmaker and a former state minister of the interior, criticised Mann as well, saying that he must learn to distinguish between those who give their lives for the country and those who give their lives against the country.

The young man (Bhagat Singh) who fought and sacrificed for the freedom of the country is today being called a terrorist.Simranjit Mann Ji Learn to differentiate between those who give their lives for the country and those who give their lives against the country.  Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa (@Sukhjinder_INC) July 15, 2022

Raghav Chadha, an AAP lawmaker from Punjab, also denounced the Sangrur MPs remarks. That some people label him a terrorist is shameful. He stated on Twitter, Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh is a hero, a patriot, a revolutionary, and a true son of the soil.
Officials said that three people were killed and three others were injured on Sunday at a mall in the US state of Indiana, the most recent incident of gun violence in the nation.

A mass shooting occurred this evening at the Greenwood Park Mall, according to a statement from Greenwood, Indiana, mayor Mark Myers.

At this point, there have been three fatalities and three injuries.

Myers claimed that an armed individual had shot the gunman to death.

On its Facebook page, the Greenwood police posted a message requesting information from any witnesses to the incident.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, nearly 40,000 deaths in the US are brought on by firearms each year. This attack is just the most recent in a string of violent incidents involving firearms.

It happens only a few weeks after a shooter opened fire on a July 4 parade in a wealthy Chicago neighbourhood, killing seven people and injuring at least thirty-two more.

That killing came after two other massacres in May that left 19 students and two instructors dead at an elementary school in Texas and 10 Black people shot to death at a store in upstate New York.
Click here to read the full article.

When Donald Trump formally declares his 2024 candidacy, he wont just be running for another term in the White House. Hell be running away from legal troubles, possible criminal charges, and even the specter of prison time.

In recent months, Trump has made clear to associates that the legal protections of occupying the Oval Office are front-of-mind for him, four people with knowledge of the situation tell Rolling Stone.

Trump has spoken about how when you are the president of the United States, it is tough for politically motivated prosecutors to get to you, says one of the sources, who has discussed the issue with Trump this summer. He says when [not if] he is president again, a new Republican administration will put a stop to the [Justice Department] investigation that he views as the Biden administration working to hit him with criminal charges  or even put him and his people in prison.

Presidential immunity and picking his own attorney general arent Trumps only reasons for running again. And as he works on another run, Trump is in a tug-of-war with leaders and operatives of his own party about when to announce, according to multiple people with knowledge of the matter.

The former president is motivated to announce early  even before Election Day 2022  in the hopes of clearing the field of primary rivals. But GOP leaders, including some of Trumps closest advisors, dont want him to declare his intentions until after the midterm elections. The GOP wants to keep voters focused on President Joe Biden, rather than transforming the contest into a referendum on Trump. In recent months, Trump has reluctantly agreed to hold off, only to return shortly thereafter with threats to make an early announcement, either out of self-interest, spite, or some combination of the two.

But as Trump talks about running, the four sources say, hes leaving confidants with the impression that, as his criminal exposure has increased, so has his focus on the legal protections of the executive branch.

Its not just liberal wish-casters or Trump critics who are acknowledging the former presidents legal jeopardy. Trumps teams of lawyers and former senior administration officials speak about it commonly. I do think criminal prosecutions are possiblefor Trump and [former White House chief of staff Mark] Meadows certainly, Ty Cobb, a former top lawyer in Trumps White House, bluntly told Rolling Stone late last month.

Trump himself seems to acknowledge potential problems. He said something like, [prosecutors] couldnt get away with this while I was president, another one of the four sources recalls. It was during a larger discussion about the investigations, other possible 2024 [primary] candidates, and what people were saying about the Jan. 6 hearings  He went on for a couple minutes about how some very corrupt people want to put me in jail.

The powers of the presidency would offer a welcome pause to the various civil suits and criminal investigations now hanging over Trump. Its unclear whether the Justice Department will charge Trump in connection with fomenting the January 6 insurrection, but winning the White House would be extremely helpful to him. Department policy forbids the prosecution of a sitting president, effectively insulating Trump from any federal charges for another four years.

Jim Lo Scalzo/AFP/Getty Images Jim Lo Scalzo/AFP/Getty Images

The law is less clear on whether a president can face prosecution from states while in office, but any attempt to put Trump on trial in a state case would likely be litigated in the Supreme Court. Former New York City district attorney Cyrus Vances efforts to subpoena Trumps tax returns landed before the high court in 2020.

At the state level, Trump faces two criminal investigations. In Manhattan, district attorney Alvin Bragg empaneled a grand jury to investigate whether the former president committed fraud by allegedly lying about the value of his assets in financial statements. The grand jury has since expired, however, and there are few indications that Bragg intends to bring charges. In Georgia, prosecutors in Fulton County are investigating whether Trump illegally interfered in the counting of votes by pressuring Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find votes for him after the election. Just this month, Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis has subpoenaed Trump allies Rudy Giuliani and Sen. Lindsay Graham and sent letters to pro-Trump Georgia state senators warning they could be prosecuted as part of the case.

Trump faces a slew of lawsuits, both for his conduct while in office and before. In previous cases Trumps attorneys have claimed that the office of the president makes him immune to civil suits while sitting. That was Trumps defense in a since-dismissed lawsuit by former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos.

In the 1990s, Paula Jones suit against then-President Clinton established that presidents do not enjoy absolute immunity. But the Zervos suit against Trump dragged on for five years before she dropped it. The case demonstrated that the presidency can help delay civil suits, even if its not an insurmountable obstacle.

Trumps most recent legal headaches stem from his role in inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection. Capitol and Washington, D.C. Metropolitan police officers have sued Trump over the physical and emotional damages they suffered during the rioting. The former president also faces two separate suits from Democratic members of Congress. The suits accuse the president of violating their civil rights by conspiring with extremist groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers to prevent the count of electoral votes.

Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

E. Jean Carroll is still pursuing a case against Trump for defamation. She has accused Trump of raping her in a store in the mid 1990s and is suing over his 2019 claim that Carroll was totally lying. The Justice Department, under both Trump and Biden, has claimed that Trump is immune from the suit because he was acting within the scope of his office when he made the claims. A federal appeals court is currently weighing the departments arguments.

And in New York, attorney general Letitia James is pursuing a civil investigation into whether the Trump Organization lied about the value of its assets.

The suits add to mounting pressure on Trumpworld as the Jan. 6 committee and Justice Department investigations have heated up. A number of Trump aides have been pulled into a federal grand jury investigation into the effort to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. The investigation has yielded search warrants served on Trump campaign attorney John Eastman and Justice Department and former acting assistant attorney general Jeffrey Clark.

In the face of the investigations, many in Trumpworld have hoped that former aides could face prosecution for the efforts to overturn the election instead of the former president. In particular, Trump associates have tried to distance him from Eastman. And as Rolling Stone reported last week Trumps legal advisors also view former chief of staff Mark Meadows as a potential fall guy for the former presidents post-election activities.
South Windsor Police Department /contributed

SOUTH WINDSOR  A Meriden driver was charged with kidnapping Sunday after police said he strangled a teen passenger and wouldnt let her out of his truck.

According to Sgt. Mark Cleverdon, police received a call about 5:30 a.m. from a female caller, later identified as a juvenile. The 17-year-old said she was inside a pickup truck and the driver was not letting her get out.
NEW BRITAIN  Two men shot and killed each other in a fight near an apartment building on Walnut Street Monday afternoon, according to police.

Officers were called to Walnut Street just before 1 p.m. for a report of shots fired.

New Britain Police Chief Christopher Chute said a 33-year-old Rocky Hill man was who was found lying on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound was pronounced dead.

Officers then found a second man, a 25-year-old from New Haven, inside an apartment. He had also been shot and was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead, Chute said.

Chute said the two victims identities are being withheld until their families are notified.

The investigation showed that both men knew each other and engaged in an active dispute, Chute said.

Chute said a conflict escalated to where they exchanged gunfire.

This is a very specific and isolate incident, Chute continued. There is no threat to the public at this time.

The New Britain Police Department is investigating the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Sgt. Kyle Jones at 860-826-3132. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 860-826-3199.
When Lois and Bill Barker counsel young couples about lasting relationships, they have their own marriage to use as an example.

We mentor couples at our church, said Lois Barker, referring to the Black Rock Church in Fairfield. And one of the things that we say to them is that it's totally, vitally, important that you have something to do together that will keep you together, keep you excited about each other and what you're each doing. And I would say pottery is that for us.

The Barkers have been married since 1973 and have run a pottery business called Jean Elton for about as long. The title combines the couples middle names, Jean and Elton, and the two maintain a pottery studio in their Fairfield home.

Mike Horyczun/ For Hearst Connecticut Media

The story of Jean Eltons founding dates back to 1974, just after Bill graduated from West Point, and just after the couple originally from the Rochester, N.Y., area, got married. Bill was assigned to Fort Still, Okla., and it was there the newlyweds discovered a common interest that would become their life-long passion.

Bill was in the military, and we were stationed in Fort Still, recalled Lois. We decided to go to a recreation center, because we heard that they had a pottery studio there. We went there to learn to pour molds, and instead, we found that they were working on a potters wheel. I don't know why, but Bill and I together just went crazy over the wheel. We both were addicted to the point that Bill actually made a potter's wheel and put it in our bedroom in our rented apartment, and we threw pottery in the bedroom, she laughed, with wall-to-wall carpeting.

It got pretty ugly, added Bill.

Don Dempsey/ Contributed photo

The following year, Bill was transferred to Germany, and the couple took their interest in ceramics overseas. We didn't really think of bringing the pottery with us, said Bill. We thought of it really at the time only as just a stop gap. But when we got to Germany, we realized we missed it. I built a kiln, and we bought a wheel, and we started making pottery over there in my free time. Lois did it virtually full time.

I think our interest in pottery came about very naturally, said Lois. Bill was very involved in the glaze process, and I wasnt interested in that at all. He was great on the wheel. I was better at hand building. So we complemented each other.

Mike Horyczun/ For Hearst Connecticut Media

They started selling at craft shows in Germany and Bill discovered he enjoyed the business side of it as well as the creative. He took business courses while stationed in Germany, and right after he left the military he attended Dartmouth College, earning a masters degree from the Tuck School of Business in 1980.

Jean Elton continued to thrive during this time. The couple had pieces in galleries in Texas and Oklahoma, and they ran their own gallery in Vermont that featured their works and works by others.

After he graduated from Dartmouth, Barker got a job with GE Capital in Stamford following a stint with Aetna Life and Casualty. The couple bought a home in Fairfield in 1986, and have lived there ever since.

William Barker/ Contributed photo

Their daughter, Amy, was born in the early 80s, and for several years the Barkers took care of Lois mother, before she died in 2002, so pottery was not their primary concern for a period of time. I always did some things. I showed at the Made in America show at the Javits Center, for example. But what we were making were very primitive things, with browns, beiges, and tans, very traditional, very different than what we're making now.

Today the ceramic pieces are designed with brilliant colors and complex patterns, shapes, and designs.

It got to be more and more exciting experimenting, explained Lois. Some of the pieces I make now are very whimsical. With others, the lines are all straight and precise. Some are very, very detailed. Others are spontaneous, like swishes of paint. Whatever evolves, evolves.

The constant that remains for the Barkers, however, is communication.

Don Dempsey/ Contributed photo

Sometimes couples tend to outgrow each other if they dont nurture a common interest. And we dont have that problem, said Bill. When we go out to dinner, our conversation often is about the normal things that people talk about, but we also talk about Jean Elton, and we both enjoy it. Lois will say, What do you think about that design over there?, and it leads to endless conversations between us.

It has really helped us a lot during our marriage, added Lois. Pottery always brought us together.

While the biggest Jean Elton market is online, the couples pottery can be found in over half-a-dozen galleries throughout the country, including Cortile Gallery in Provincetown, MA, and CBL Fine Art in West Orange, NJ.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Millions of dollars worth of gems and jewelry were stolen in an armored truck robbery last week in Southern California, authorities said Sunday.

The Brinks truck was robbed in the early morning on July 11 near Los Angeles, said Dana Callahan, a spokeswoman for the security company.

The merchandise had been loaded onto the truck late on July 10 following an exhibit hosted by the International Gem and Jewelry Show in San Mateo, south of San Francisco, said Brandy Swanson, the groups director. It was going to an event at the Pasadena Convention Center just northeast of Los Angeles, she said.

Swanson said between 25 and 30 bags were taken, containing an unknown number of individual pieces. She said 18 victims were reporting more than $100 million in losses. Callahan said it was less than $10 million.

According to the information the customers provided to us before they shipped their items, the total value of the missing items is less than $10 million, Brinks said in a statement. We are working with law enforcement, and we will fully reimburse our customers for the value of their assets that were stolen, in accordance with the terms of our contract.

Laura Eimiller, spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Los Angeles, said the robbery was near Frazier Park.

Eimiller said the bureau agency was working with local authorities, but she could not immediately provide more information.

Swanson said vendors who travel between jewelry shows typically underinsure their merchandise because they cant afford to insure it fully.

Thats where the discrepancy comes in. These are mom-and-pop operators, Swanson said. Theyre devastated. Some of these people have lost their entire livelihoods.

The International Gem and Jewelry show hosts about 45 shows nationwide per year, she said.

___

This story has been updated to correct that the robbery occurred near Frazier Park, not in Lancaster.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  A mentally disturbed truck driver convicted of killing three men in a workplace shooting rampage more than two decades ago is set to be put to death on Sept. 22, the Alabama Supreme Court said Monday.

The clerk's office announced the scheduled execution date of Alan Eugene Miller, 57, who was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in the slayings, which occurred in Shelby County in 1999.

Miller could still mount a legal challenge to block his planned execution by lethal injection at Holman Prison in Atmore. While the prison system has said it is developing nitrogen hypoxia as an alternative way to put people to death, the state isn't yet setting execution dates for inmates who choose that untested method.

An executive entering Ferguson Enterprises in Pelham on Aug. 5, 1999, heard noises and saw Miller, a delivery driver, leaving before finding Lee Holdbrooks and Scott Yancy fatally wounded inside, court documents show. Miller drove off and then showed up a few miles (kilometers) away at Post Airgas, where Terry Jarvis was killed and Miller previously had worked.

Another worker at Post Airgas called police, who arrested Miller in his truck on a highway.

Testimony indicated that Miller was delusional and believed the men were spreading rumors about him, including one by Jarvis that he was gay. While a defense psychiatrist testified that the man was mentally ill, he also said Miller's condition wasn't bad enough to use as a basis for an insanity defense under state law.

Given the amount of evidence that prosecutors compiled, the defense concentrated on attempting to spare Miller's life at sentencing rather than convincing jurors of his innocence. Jurors convicted Miller after 20 minutes of deliberation and then recommended a death sentence, which a judge imposed under Alabama's capital punishment law at the time.

The U.S. Supreme Court refused an appeal by Miller in October.

Courts previously rejected Miller's claims that neither the jury nor a judge specified aggravating circumstances that made him eligible for the death penalty. Courts also rejected Miller's arguments that the judge instructed jurors about the law improperly and that his defense lawyer was ineffective.

Another Alabama inmate already is set for execution later this month.

A federal judge last week ruled that the execution of Joe Nathan James Jr. could go ahead as scheduled on July 28, refusing the condemned mans request for a postponement. James was convicted of killing his one-time girlfriend, Faith Hall, in Birmingham, almost three decades ago.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  An Oakland man was arrested for allegedly reporting a false bomb threat over the weekend, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of people from the San Francisco International Airports international terminal, police said Monday.

Terry Addison, 53, was charged with reporting a false bomb threat and malicious report of a false bomb threat, the San Francisco Police Department said in a statement.
Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media Group

HAMDEN  Two occupied houses were hit by bullets during a gunfight on a local street Sunday, police said. No one was wounded.

According to Hamden Police Detective Sean Dolan, bullets flew about 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the area of Blue Hills Avenue and Noble Court. A pedestrian and someone in a car fired at each other, causing the vehicle to crash into a stone wall, Dolan said.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to a viral social media video suggesting he is sick....

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to a viral social media video suggesting he is sick.

Atiku maintained that he is in good health.

A video had surfaced online of Atiku limping during his return to Nigeria ahead of the Osun State governorship election.

However, Atikus Media Aide, Paul Ibe, dismissed claims, stressing that mischief makers were behind the reports.

A statement by Ibe reads partly: Our attention has been drawn to a report and a video in a section of the media purporting to be of an ailing Atiku Abubakar being helped strapped to his car seatbelt by an aide.

Nothing can be further from the truth. For the records, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in robust good health.

We would not ordinarily have responded to this mischief, but for the impression that it will create in the minds of Nigerians, which is exactly the objective of the purveyors of this fake news.

We wish to state that Atiku is not averse to scrutiny because of the consequential nature of the 2023 elections. However, it is our position that such scrutiny must not be predicated on a slash and burn rogue journalism as is the case with this contrived report.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, says the recent lawsuit of the Peoples Democratic Party cal...

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, says the recent lawsuit of the Peoples Democratic Party calling for the disqualification of its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and his counterpart in Labour Party over controversy trailing the use of placeholders cannot be justified.

A fiery Adamu said while he cannot speak on behalf of other political platforms, the ruling party operated with the ambience of the law.

The APC chair made the clarification when he appeared on Arise TV programme on Sunday.

The PDP had instituted a suit compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission to prevent Tinubu and Labour Party standard bearer, Peter Obi, from replacing their running mates with Senator Kashim Shettima and Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed respectively.

The opposition party asked the court to disqualify Tinubu and Obi unless they contest alongside their previous running mates  Kabiru Masari and Doyin Okupe respectively.

While Tinubu nominated Masari as a surrogate running mate to beat the June 17 INEC deadline, Obi also elected his campaign manager, Okupe as a placeholder.

In the originating summons with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022, the PDP is seeking an order barring the Independent National Electoral Commission from replacing the running mates of Tinubu and Obi.

Those listed as first to seventh respondents in the case were INEC, APC, Tinubu, Masari, Labour Party, Obi and Okupe.





The PDP asked the court to determine if by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INECs timetable, Tinubu and Obi are bound by the submission of Masari and Okupe respectively as their running mates.

The party asked the court to rule that both Tinubu and Obi will be disqualified the moment they substitute the names of their running mates.

However, candidates of both APC and LP defied the legal proceedings and have since replaced the placeholders with Shettima and Baba-Ahmed respectively.

Defending the APCs action, Adamu maintained that they operated with the dictates of the electoral law, adding that as a legal practitioner, he wont comment much on the case because it is subjudice.

He stated, The laws of this land are absolutely clear. No matter how mischievous anyone of us wants to be, there is the law. As far as the APC is concerned, we had a convention where a candidate was chosen for an election.

Within the legal space available to us and to give us room to assess the candidates that will be desirous for our running mate or vice presidential candidate, we had to submit a name that will hold the position for our nomination. The laws of INEC do allow for this. If it doesnt, we wont contemplate.

It is within the confine and dictates of our electoral laws in this country. It is not something to lose sleep over. We now have a running mate that we have submitted to the INEC. Simple! If you say the PDP has gone to court, let the court decides on the case. It is subjudice anyway.

For your information, I am a lawyer by my calling. Once a case is in court, it is subjudice. I dont want to comment on it and I wont do it beyond what I have just told you now.
Three businessmen of Nigerian descent  Anslem Oshionebo, Opeyemi Odeyale and Aleoghena Okhumale  have been convicted for money launderin...

Three businessmen of Nigerian descent  Anslem Oshionebo, Opeyemi Odeyale and Aleoghena Okhumale  have been convicted for money laundering in the United States.





Their fate was sealed after Ping Express U.S. LLC pleaded guilty to failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program.





The Texas company, which transferred millions of dollars from America to Africa, admitted that it failed to play by the rules.





Though the firm was licensed to transmit money, it had no approval to conduct currency exchange.





Ping Express charged U.S. customers a fee to remit money to beneficiaries in Nigeria and other countries in the continent.





The company confessed to allowing over 1,500 customers to violate the laws. One customer remitted $80,000 in one single month, more than 17 times the limit.





Ping Express transmitted more than $167million outside America, including $160million to Nigeria, in less than three years.





The firm admitted it failed to request sufficient details about the sources or purposes of the funds involved in the transactions, or the customers.





A customer, Collins Orogun acknowledged accepting a fee in exchange for transferring money for romance scam fraudsters and other criminals.





Orogun received at least $1.3million, cashiers checks, wires into U.S. bank accounts and moved more than $1million to Africa through Ping.





The defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison; his sentencing is set for January 23, 2023.





Ping CEO Oshionebo and Ping COO Odeyale were sentenced to 27 months in prison; IT/Business Development Manager Okhumale got a 42 months jail term.





The company now faces five years of probation and a fine of up to $500,000; sentencing has been set for December 19, 2022.





Christopher Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas said agents and forensic accountants work to eradicate bulk cash smuggling.





Our investigative reach provides access to a wide range of financial networks allowing HSI to disrupt any criminal organization attempting to exploit global trade, Miller noted.





HSI Dallas Field Office conducted the probe in collaboration with the Texas Department of Banking. Assistant U.S. Attorney John de la Garza is the prosecutor.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers this afternoon. Thunder possible. High 83F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.
I dont know if Ive ever listened to a sushi roll before. But after biting into a hand roll at Sukeban filled with crab, rice and little else, I tuned my ear to the next bite. There it was again, the audible crunch as my teeth sliced through the whispery-crisp nori wrapper of the hand roll.

By the fourth and final bite, the texture had already softened, interacting with my hands and the ingredients inside. But then it was on to the next hand roll, and again that opening crunch.

This was a meal that included one hand roll with the intense marine umami of uni (sea urchin) paired with the bright bounce and pop of salmon roe. Another had toro, that softly luscious cut of tuna belly.

And yet for both it was the very first ingredient of the hand roll that set them apart  the nori, the seaweed wrapper, a component that ostensibly is there simply to hold a sushi roll together.

The quality and handling of this ingredient give a indicative first impression of Sukeban. Its sourced from Japans Ariake Sea, renowned for the quality of its nori. It looks like the color of the sea at night, black as squid ink with a ripple of iridescence. It tastes salty-crisp, subtly toasty and in harmony with the seafood and rice inside, a balanced whole, repeated four bites at a time with the next roll.

Sukeban opened earlier this month on Oak Street. It is an izakaya  that is, a Japanese-style tavern. You will not find the familiar, lengthy menu of sushi rolls and Japanese restaurant staples, but rather a small selection of temaki (a.k.a. hand rolls) with a few side dishes and daily specials, like the recent Ora King salmon sashimi.

Hand rolls themselves are a picture of simplicity. Theyre rolled by hand (rather than with a sushi mat) and handed over the counter as quickly as theyre assembled. You eat them by hand  theres no point in trying to maneuver chopsticks with these. The appeal is in the casually elegant interplay of just a few well-chosen ingredients.

Elegantly casual, focused

Sukeban accentuates all this with its single-minded focus on them. You're here to taste what a chefs attention to sourcing, treatment and presentation can do when distilled down to this level.

That chef is Jacqueline Blanchard. She made her name in the New Orleans restaurant scene as a supplier and trusted advisor on the prime tools of the trade.

She and business partner Brandt Cox started their knife store and culinary shop Coutelier in 2015 and it has become a hub for professional chefs and serious home cooks, people who see the value in knives that can cost hundreds of dollars and will perform through a career.

Before opening the store however, Blanchard herself was a chef working at the high end of modern American dining.

A native of south Louisiana, she cooked at the French Laundry and Bouchon in Napa Valley, Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York and Benu in San Francisco, which was awarded three Michelin stars while she was sous chef. In New Orleans, she was executive sous chef at Restaurant August.

Cutting into the izakaya

Many of the knives stocked at Coutelier are from Japan, and Blanchard and Cox travel there frequently to meet the craftsmen behind the generations-old family businesses that produce these knives in the traditional way.

Visiting izakayas on these travels made an impression on Blanchard, which led to Sukeban.

Its that feeling you get when you walk into these little places and everything has been really well prepared, Blanchard told me earlier. It totally remolded what I envisioned for the restaurant Id open, what I wanted.

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Sukeban means boss girl or delinquent girl, a term that came to rise through the girl gangs of Japan starting in the 1970s. Blanchard choose it because it also represents a whole subculture of rule breaking and independence.

The opening menu has seven hand rolls, changing specials and an assortment of side dishes from the izakaya tradition.

Crawfish dressed in spicy mayo bursts from one roll, shrimp and tiny tobiko roe fill another. The toro and the uni versions clearly are the marquee numbers; the sleeper hit is one of the two vegetarian rolls, the one with shiitakes cooked down to a caramelized texture with soy and mirin.

The side dishes do not scream for attention. This is deceptive.

The sliced cucumbers are served with a swirl of golden shiro miso with the texture of butter and a delicately sweet taste.

The potato salad is creamy and chunky with pickled carrots, lashed with dashi and ginger, and transformed by a topping of niboshi, or tiny sardines that are essentially candied in sesame oil to deliver sticky bursts of flavor.

Kanpai, repeat

Blanchard calls Sukeban a bar, though this is a bar for eating. The 16-seat bar is first come, first served; there's one six-top table open for reservations.

Like the food menu, the drinks list is short and focused. An orange wine from Spain in rotation one night was a good match for the richness of the seafood.

The sake we tried, the Maboroshi junmai ginjo, was dry, light, apple-crisp and a contender to convince a dedicated wine lover to pair with sake instead.

Order a sake bottle and Blanchard might walk you through the tradition of the masu cup too. That entails placing a glass inside a low cedar box, filling that glass to overflowing and then leaving you to lean in and slurp a bit off the top before shooting the overflow direct from the box.

Watch, learn, say kanpai (cheers), then repeat. Eventually Sukeban does indeed start to feel more like a drinking bar too.

Sukeban

8126 Oak St., for inquiries: domo@barsukeban.com.

Initial hours Tue.-Sat. 4-9 p.m.

+12 He cooked at Galatoires and on the street, now 8 Fresh Food Assassin is all his own Maybe you can drive past a restaurant called 8 Fresh Food Assassin without wondering what its all about. I cannot. Pulling over to find out f

+16 Ian McNulty: At enduringly different La Boca, steakhouse cravings against the grain We ordered the tasting menu one night at La Boca because thats how I like to do it when Im with people on their first visit to this Argentin
Gold Star awards were presented to Girl Scouts in southeast Louisiana included, from front, Alyssa Daigle, Alyssa Bishop, Lindsay Michel, Giavanna Raby and Lena Gunn.
Seventeen years after the only criminal trial held in the Operation Wrinkled Robe investigation of Jefferson Parish Courthouse corruption, three veterans of those proceedings gathered again in the same courtroom Monday for the trial of Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams.

Presiding over Williams trial is U.S. District Judge Lance Africk, who also oversaw the 2005 Wrinkled Robe trial of Judge Alan Green of the 24th Judicial District.

Defending Williams is Billy Gibbens, one of three prosecutors in the Green trial. Gibbens is now in private practice at the Schonekas Evans McGoey & McEachin firm.

Defending Williams law partner and co-defendant, Nicole Burdett, is Mike Magner, who was the lead prosecutor in Greens case. Magner is now a partner at the Jones Walker law firm.

In 2005, Gibbens and Magner were assistant U.S. attorneys. Joining them in prosecuting Green was Assistant U.S. Attorney Duane Evans, who now is the interim U.S. attorney in New Orleans.

Green was convicted of mail fraud for accepting what prosecutors said were bribes totaling $10,000 from a bail bonds company. Africk sentenced him to 51 months in prison and fined him $50,000. Africk declared a mistrial on six other charges; the government agreed not to prosecute him on those charges, again in exchange for Green not appealing his single conviction.

Wrinkled Robe was a nine-year FBI inquiry that ensnared 14 defendants, including Green, Judge Ronald Bodenheimer, three executives of a bail bonds company owner and five sheriffs deputies. All but Green pleaded guilty. Two other judges were forced out of office without criminal charges.
After more than two years of high-profile pre-trial hearings and intense public scrutiny, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams and his co-defendant Nicole Burdett are scheduled to go to trial in federal court on Monday, with the pair facing 10 counts of felony tax charges that, if convicted, could send both attorneys to prison and strip them of their law licenses. For Williams, it would also mean vacating his post as the city's top prosecutor.

UPDATE: District Attorney Jason Williams acquitted on federal tax charges

In June of 2020, Williams, then president of the New Orleans City Council, and Burdett, an attorney who worked in his private law practice, were charged in an 11-count indictment alleging they had committed tax fraud and conspiracy and failed to file forms for cash receipts of more than $10,500. One of charges related to filing forms has since been dropped.

Prosecutors allege that Williams and Burdett conspired to inflate Williams business expenses by more than $700,000 over five consecutive tax years ending in 2017, with the help of a Westwego tax preparer, Henry Timothy, who has since pleaded guilty to lying on his own taxes.

Prosecutors also recently charged Williams ex-wife, Bridget Barthelemy, with a single count of failing to file a federal tax return in a bill of information, a tell-tale signal that Barthelemy has agreed to plead guilty and is cooperating with the government. She is the daughter of former New Orleans mayor Sidney Barthelemy.

About the same time, Robert Hjortsberg, a former lawyer for Williams law firm, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor federal tax charge stemming from the Internal Revenue Service investigation that led to Williams and Burdetts indictment. He has paid restitution and faces up to one year in prison.

Several government witnesses have been subpoenaed for the jury trial, which is expected to last two weeks, including Barthelemy, Hjortsberg, bank officers, tax investigators, family members of both Williams and Burdett, and even former Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro.

In total, prosecutors allege, Williams and Burdett shaved $200,000 from his tax burden. U.S. sentencing guidelines show that based on that tax loss, they face up to 27 months in prison if convicted. The guidelines are advisory, however, and U.S. District Court Judge Lance Africk, who is presiding over the case, could decide to veer above or below them.

The defense

Since his indictment, Williams has adamantly claimed that he was vindictively prosecuted  targeted by government officials hell-bent on keeping a progressive reformer from ascending into the district attorneys office after decades of tough-on-crime administrations.

His indictment hit after he informally announced his desire to run for the office.

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At Jason Williams' trial, a reunion of Wrinkled Robe veterans The judge and both defense attorneys played key roles in a 2005 public corruption trial.

However, defense attorneys Billy Gibbens and Michael Magner  who are representing Williams and Burdett, respectively  have indicated that they do not plan to advance arguments or present evidence at trial related to vindictive or selective prosecution, according to a court order published on June 1.

Left without that argument, the defense will most likely point to tax preparer Timothy, who is expected to be the governments star witness.

One of the best and most important defenses is reliance on the advice of a professional, said Scott Schumacher, a law professor at the University of Washington School of Law, who has served as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division as well as defense attorney for clients fighting similar charges to Williams.

Williams and Burdett have said that Timothy falsely held himself out as a certified public accountant, and that he acted without their permission to bloat expenses  not just for the attorneys, but for Timothy's other clients.

Proving the allegations

U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman was originally slated to preside over the case but he died on Jan. 26. Before he passed, however, he ruled that lead prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Uebinger, will be barred at trial from introducing granular evidence of Williams past tax troubles, including years of late filings and liens. The case was reassigned to Africk, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit later upheld Feldmans ruling.

Burdett is also charged in a separate indictment over her own allegedly falsified tax returns. Prosecutors say she fudged her taxes for four consecutive years ending in 2017, claiming more than $280,000 in fraudulent business expenses.

To win their case, prosecutors would have to prove Williams and Burdett intentionally filed false expenses and purposefully hid cash payments from the IRS, said said Camilla Watson, a law professor at University of Georgia School of Law specializing in federal taxation and criminal law.

There is a big difference between tax avoidance, which is legal, though not always altogether moral, and tax evasion, which is a crime," she said. "And the real difference between the two is intent.

Jurors, like many Americans, may not be familiar with tax law or what constitutes allowable expenses. Prosecutors will have to provide blatant examples of expenses that could not be legitimate business, things the average juror can clearly understand is a crime, she said.

Williams has said he was never offered mitigation measures by the government, such as a tax repayment plan. But according to Schumacher, government officials dont negotiate once they believe a tax crime has been committed. They also only charge about 2,500 filers each year with tax fraud.

They dont think that way, Schumacher said. And they don't act that way.

CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this story misspelled Billy Gibbens' last name.
Brianna Breaux was many things  a poet, an artist, a chemist, a haunted house enthusiast  but above all, the 26-year-old student killed in a car accident last week is being remembered as the embodiment of her hometown.

If there was a definition of a 'quintessential New Orleans girl,' she would be it, her mom, Brandalyn Breaux, said.

Brianna Breaux was killed early Friday morning when her 2012 Toyota Prius hit the back of a truck on Interstate 10 over the Bonnet Carre Spillway and was engulfed in flames.

Breaux's family thinks that she was on the way home from working as a bartender in the middle of the night to stay with her boyfriend, Dylan, in Kenner when she took a wrong exit toward St. Charles Parish.

A full-ride to UNO

Breaux was born in New Orleans in 1995 but lived with her family in Violet in St. Bernard Parish until Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. Her family relocated to Metairie, and Breaux and her twin brother, Gage, went to Haynes Academy, where she graduated in 2014.

Breaux also attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts where she studied creative writing, her mother said.

She chose from multiple offers to go to the University of New Orleans on a full-tuition scholarship and graduated with a bachelors degree in philosophy in 2018, her mom added.

After taking a year off from school, Breaux decided to go back to study plant medicine and spent a year at Minot State University in North Dakota. But she became homesick and decided to come home to study organic chemistry at UNO in fall 2021, her mom said.

In the meantime, though, she landed a remote internship at NASA last summer and worked out of her high school bedroom during the pandemic.

'She fought the fight'

Breaux met her boyfriend at UNO, and they were saving money and planned to move in together, her family said.

While going to graduate school at UNO, she tended bar at three places: Oscars on Metairie Road, Lolas downtown and Electric Cocktail, a neighborhood bar in Metairie.

Brandalyn Breaux affectionately called Brianna Breaux her hippie, as she was an environmentally conscious person. She added that her daughter was a bookworm and brainiac, who loved to write.

She was a very strong, independent young lady, Brandalyn Breaux said. If she believed in something, she fought the fight. She was always going to defend what she thought was right.

One summer, Brianna Breaux obtained a permit to paint in Jackson Square. Her dad, Larry Breaux, made wood panels on which she painted.

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She was definitely a daddys girl, Brandalyn Breaux said. They were each others best friends.

A haunted house family

Larry Breaux was a longtime employee of the House of Shock, a locally renowned haunted house, and Brianna Breaux and her brother started hanging out there at age 8.

They were just really a part of the fabric of the whole place, Ross Karpelman, the owner of House of Shock, said Saturday.

Karpelman remembers Brianna Breaux as a vibrant performer for his haunted house.

Shed throw herself on the ground and freak out, and some great performances came out of Bri, he said.

She was Bri. She was just her own entity, Karpelman added. I will miss her very very much.

'She made me feel very good about myself'

Leigh Vila, Breauxs former high school classmate and friend, said she and Breaux started to meet up again in their mid-20s after both of them moved back to the city during the pandemic.

When we were at NOCCA, I always thought that she was one of the strongest writers in our class, Vila said. She was very intelligent as well  just a really intelligent and unique and talented person.

Vila added that she related to Breaux and that they shared a similar sense of humor.

She made me feel very good about myself, she said.

Brandalyn Breaux said that she doesnt know all of the details about the crash but that police did tell her that speed was a factor. The driver of the truck was uninjured, according to authorities. Routine toxicology reports are pending, authorities added.

This has just been traumatic, Brandalyn Breaux said. Im still in the wrap my brain around this phase.

Arrangements are pending as the family pools resources together to host services. Friends of the family have started a GoFundMe page to help the Breauxs memorialize their daughter and sister.
South Africa: Government addressing Nelson Mandela Bay water challenges

President Cyril Ramaphosa says all three spheres of government are working together to ensure that the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in the Eastern Cape avoids running completely out of water.

The President was speaking during a tour of the vital Nooitgedacht Water Treatment Works in Gqeberha which is used to transfer water from the Gariep Dam and into the drought stricken metro.

He is in the area to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day.

It is important for the private sector, all NGOs and other organisations to work together with the national [Water and Sanitation] Department, the provincial government as well as the local municipality here.

If we all work together, we are able to address the challenges and the difficulties that we face. I've been troubled by the water challenges here. But now I can see that all levels of government - the Minister, the Premier and the Mayor - are making all efforts to resolve the problem and to push away Day Zero, he said.

President Ramaphosa said the water treatment project is a beacon in the fight against Day Zero in the area.

This project [Nooitgedacht Water Treatment Works] is proof that if we work together, we will be able to save water and address all of the challenges when it comes to water supply. We are trying all we can to make sure that the water problems facing Gqeberha are fixed. What I have seen here shows me that we will be able to do so.

The President said although government is doing all it can to prevent Day Zero in the metro, communities living in the area must also help by using water sparingly and wisely.

He will conclude Nelson Mandela Day by embarking on the Clear Rivers Campaign at the river bank at Emlotheni Township in Veeplaas.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-07-18. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China, Vietnam agree to strengthen inter-party exchanges

Xinhua) 17:11, July 18, 2022

BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Chen Xi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held talks with Truong Thi Mai, head of the Organization Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), via video link on Monday.

Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department, said China is ready to work with Vietnam to give full play to the special advantages of inter-party exchanges, push for more fruitful exchanges and cooperation between the two parties in such areas as organization and cadres, and take concrete actions to expand the connotation of China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Truong Thi Mai, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPV Central Committee, said Vietnam is willing to strengthen inter-party exchanges with China and push forward bilateral relations and the socialist cause of both sides. She wished the 20th CPC National Congress a complete success.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
The first suspected monkeypox case in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada created a scare but the health authorities clarified on Sunday that the child has tested negative for the disease.

Andhra Pradesh's Commissioner for Medical, Health and Family wWelfare J. Nivas said that the two-year-old girl has routine skin rashes. There is no need to panic, he said.

The child, who had gone to Dubai with her family, was found to have skin rashes on her return. The suspected case was referred to the Old Government General Hospital in Vijayawada. The samples were sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune but tested negative for monkeypox.

After the family returned to Vijayawada on July 11, she developed rashes. Her parents consulted a paediatrician, who referred the case to the government hospital on suspicion that these could be symptoms of monkeypox.

The girl, who had more rashes on face, was kept in isolation at Old GGH. Her family members and close contacts were in home isolation.

India reported its first case of monkeypox in Kerala on July 15. The infected person, who returned from abroad, was hospitalised and he tested positive.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.

The virus originates in wild animals and then spreads to people. There are two main variants - the Congo strain - up to 10 per cent mortality, and the West African strain - a 1 per cent fatality rate.

The person tests positive for the virus when they come into close physical contact with an infected animal, especially one that is sick or dead. This includes contact with meat or blood. The WHO said that in nations where the virus is endemic or circulating, all meat should be thoroughly cooked before eating.


Polling in the Presidential election is underway at the Parliament House and the state legislative assemblies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, chief ministers from across the country, and other MPs and MLAs cast their votes on Monday morning. In all, around 4,800 MPs and MLAs will cast their votes till 5 pm on Monday to elect the 15th President of India. The counting of votes will take place on July 21 while the next President will take oath on July 25. Appealing to lawmakers for support on Monday, Opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha stated, I have repeatedly said that this election is very important as it will decide the direction as to whether democracy will remain in India or will slowly end. National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Droupadi Murmu has a clear edge over Sinha as over 60 per cent of votes are expected to be polled in her favour. She has the support of BJD, YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK, TDP, JD(S), Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and JMM. If elected, she will become the first woman from the tribal community to hold the countrys top constitutional post.




Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, who returned home on Sunday after a three-day India visit, said that his trip was largely successful and fruitful than what he had thought.

Prachanda had visited India at the invitation of BJP President J.P. Nadda.

"Before leaving for New Delhi, I made it clear that I will keep national interest at core while talking with Indian leaders which I did. I am happy and my India visit has become more successful and fruitful than what I had thought," he said at Tribhuvan International Airport here on his return.

In Delhi, Prachanda held talks with BJP President Nadda, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, among others. Before returning to Kathmandu, he also visited the BJP headquarters and discussed the building of party-to-party relations between the BJP and his CPN-Maoist Centre.

"I am happy with the hospitality and security given to me in New Delhi," he said, adding that on the day he reached New Delhi, he discussed many things over dinner with the Indian Foreign Secretary.

Prachanda was expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi but this did not happen.

"I was told I would meet Modiji but I don't know why it didn't happen," he said.

"I was told that I would be meeting Modiji by 1 p.m. and then was told that the meeting was not possible today.

"I don't know the reason why the meeting was cancelled. I am not aware about the reason," he said.

"Modiji could be busy in domestic things because yesterday, India was hit by floods and landslides," he said.

"I went to New Delhi at the invitation of J.P. Nadda. I met several leaders and put my agenda and position. There was no meaning in only taking a photo with Modiji. I am not in tension for not meeting Modiji. It would have been good if I had been able to meet Modiji but that couldn't happen... whatever I needed to communicate, I communicated though the Indian ministers and officials," Prachanda said.

"I didn't feel any difference between my visit as Prime Minister and now," he added.
CHESTERTON  Pulse Technology, the successor to McShanes in Munster and Kramer & Leonard in Chesterton, rewarded top-performing employees with a trip to a Florida resort.

The print management, network services and office solutions firm has offices in Schaumburg, Chicago, Rockford and Chesterton, where it consolidated its Northwest Indiana operations after closing the longtime McShane's office in Munster a few years ago.

The company recently sent 14 employees from its Indiana and Illinois locations on a weeklong Presidents Club retreat to Hawks Cay Resort in Florida. Pulse Technology President/CEO Chip Miceli said the company tries to reward top performers such as with trips to Hawaii and Alaska.

In Florida, they visited Key West, went on a chartered fishing trip and swam with the dolphins.

Its a great place. Plenty to do and a chance to have some fun with the people who we work with outside of the office setting," he said. We have always believed that, while compensation is important, there is much more to recognizing the contributions of our employees and we are pleased to be able to acknowledge and show our appreciation for their good work.

Cindy Schwerin, who works for the parts purchasing department in Chesterton, went on the company-sponsored trip with her husband.

It was a beautiful resort, she said. One of the activities available was that we could swim and interact with the dolphins. We didnt swim but did watch the others who did. It really impressed us that the trainers had such greater interaction with the dolphins, almost as if the dolphins were pets.

She had worked for the company since 1993, back when it was still Kramer & Leonard Office Products.

We did have fun on an offshore fishing charter, she said. There were five of us who went; it was an all-day charter. We all caught 17 Mahi Mahi fish. The captain of the ship filleted them for us, and the restaurant cooked them as an evening meal. The activities were fun, and it was great to be able to interact with co-workers on a casual level and get to know some people that we dont see on a daily basis.

The firm was recently named to the 2022 Best Places to Work in Illinois by HR Source Chicago, The Daily Herald Business Ledger and Best Companies Group.

We are always looking for top talent, Miceli said.
Paul Gallico's 1958 novel Mrs. Arris Goes to Paris, about a British cleaning lady with high couture dreams, wouldnt seem to have even a stitch of contemporary relevance. Yet Anthony Fabian's charming adaptation, snuggly tailored to star Lesley Manville, proves the durability of a good fairy tale and a smashing dress.

The film, which open in theaters Friday, has added an H to the title, in case the cockney accent got lost in translation. But Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris has not otherwise skimped on a warm helping of plucky British decency in resurrecting the tale of Ada Harris (Manville), a widow in post-WWII London who hasn't lost her stiff upper lip and good-natured optimism despite little that has gone her way in midlife.

She and her best friend, a fellow cleaner named Vi (Ellen Thomas), spend most of their days at the service of wealthy aristocrats who duck their payments, pleading poverty. At the pub, they're more likely to be asked to watch a dog than to dance. That's what we are, Vi, says Ada. The invisible women.

Nevertheless, hope hasn't gone out of Ada's life. When she catches sight of her lady's gown, a Christian Dior purchased for 500 pounds, Ada is completely enchanted and becomes determined to raise the money for one, herself. Aside from all the work and good fortune at the greyhound races needed to raise the money, realizing her dream requires much more than a trip to the nearest luxury store. Ada must travel to the House of Dior in Paris, a quixotic notion for anyone of her stature.

Youre a dreamer, says her bookie friend (Jason Isaacs). "Plain as the nose on your face

Yet Ada manages it. Along her journey, she's met by many who disapprove of such a low-class woman reaching for the hem of high-class elegance, among them, Isabella Huppert, playing a condescending atelier manager who tries to shoo her out.

But many of those Ada encounters are immediately disarmed by the sincerity of her quest. She's not aiming for a status upgrade; she just loves the dresses, that's all. Ada's straightforward and kind manner wins her a number of allies, including a courteous marquis (Lambert Wilson), a melancholy model (Alba Baptista) and a helpful accountant (Lucas Bravo).

With their help, Ada and her rolls of cash get a seat at a Dior fashion show, with pieces re-created by costume design master Jenny Beavan ("Cruella," Mad Max: Fury Road, Howards End). For Manville, who memorably played Cyril, the imposing sister of Daniel Day-Lewis' meticulous designer in Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread, it marks a return  through a very different entryway  to a mid-century house of fashion. For the terrific veteran character actor of Mike Leigh's films and many others, it's a lovely, lighter turn for Manville, and a most-deserved leading role.

Fabian's film embraces the familiar beats of its story, bathing Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris in the twinkling glow of fairy tale. It's best in its mostly London-set first half, as Ada seizes her dreams, and a little too cartoonish in Paris, where she not only wins over Huppert's character but leads a tidy labor uprising. Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris stretches a bit to make high and low meet harmoniously, but it often manages the feat, thanks especially to Manville. As a force of British charm, you could imagine her Ada one day teaming up with Paddington. I mean, so long as the bear was fitted for a new duffle coat.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, a Focus Features release, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for suggestive material, language and smoking. Running time: 115 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.
The LaPorte County Historical Society Museum is revving up for its 14th annual Old Car Show.

Vintage, historical, lovingly restored and just plain old cars will roll into the parking lot outside the history museum at 2405 Indiana Ave. in LaPorte from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 23.

It costs $15 to enter the car show, which includes museum entry and a chance to win awards. Visitors over 18 get in for $3 while it's free for kids under 18.

"We look forward to seeing you all at this fantastic event," said Assistant Museum Director Savannah Jackson.

The LaPorte County Historical Museum recently named Jackson the new assistant museum director. The LaPorte native graduated from Saint Mary's College and is pursuing a master's degree in history from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

"Currently, her favorite items in the museum are the collection of medical bottles and the ornate letter openers, both located on the first floor," said Danielle Adams, the previous assistant museum director who is now serving as director.

The Union Mills native graduated from DePauw University and is pursuing a master's degree in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University. Adams said her favorite item in the museum is Hank, the bartender at the Long Branch Saloon bar downstairs.

The three-story LaPorte County Historical Society Museum chronicles LaPorte County history, showcasing collections of period decor, vintage cars, antique firearms and artifacts belongingly to the infamous serial killer Belle Gunness.
GREENWOOD  Four people, including the gunman, died and two were injured in another mass shooting, this time at the Greenwood Park Mall in Greenwood down in Central Indiana.

A man with a long gun opened fire in the food court of the popular mall at U.S. 31 and County Line Road in Johnson County, just south of the Indianapolis border.

"We experienced a shooting this evening at the Greenwood Park Mall," Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers said in a press release. "The Greenwood Police Department is in control of the scene. I am in direct contact with the command post and there is no further threat. I would ask the public to please stay away from this area."

Greenwood police said a civilian shot the shooter at the mall, which is owned by Indianapolis-based Simon Properties, one of the largest mall operators in the country that also runs the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Michigan City.

"The shooter is among the deceased," Myers said. "He was shot by an armed individual. This tragedy hits at the core of our community. Please offer your prayers to the victims and our first responders."

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said that it was assisting but that Greenwood was taking the lead on the response and investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigations, Indiana State Police, ATF, Johnson County Sheriff's Department, Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies also investigated.

At about 6:05 p.m. Sunday, multiple people called 911 to report an active shooter in the food court, Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison said at a press conference.

"As you can imagine, this situation is horrible. It's rocked us to our core," Ison said. "We're still very early in this investigation. What we do know is we appear to have one shooter. It looks to be an adult male. We have not identified him yet. We do not have a motive yet."

The shooter had a rifle with several magazines of ammunition, Ison said.

"He entered the food court and started shooing," he said.

Three of the victims died and two were rushed to Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis for treatment. No immediate update was available on their conditions.

The shooter was killed by a shopper at the mall who had a handgun, Ison said. He was identified as a 22-year-old man from neighboring Bartholomew County.

"A Good Samaritan who was armed observed the shooting in progress and shot the shooter," Ison said.

Tactical teams went to clear the mall after the shooter was shot dead.

"The mall is very big," he said. "It takes a lot of time to clear every store, that large facility."

Police found a suspicious backpack left in a bathroom bomb squads were investigating, Ison said.

"The backpack was laying in the bathroom outside the food court that was unattended," he said. "Given the circumstances, it's suspicious."

Shoppers were evacuated from the enclosed one-story mall, one of the largest and most vibrant in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., who's running for U.S. Senate in Indiana, expressed sympathy for the victims.

My heart aches for those who lost loved ones today in the shooting at Greenwood Park Mall. There are simply no words for these tragedies that continue to unfold before our eyes.

Normally busy on the weekend, the Greenwood Park Mall anchors a commercial trade district about 15 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis. It's home to about 150 stores, including a Macy's and Von Maur and a town square-like "lifestyle center" with a Cheesecake Factory.

Greenwood is the largest south suburb of Indianapolis and is home to more than 63,000 people, experiencing rapid population growth amid a housing boom over the last few decades.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call Johnson County Dispatch at 317-346-6336.
After being denied a request to file an oversized motion, former Portage Mayor James Snyder's legal team has submitted his opening appeal to his bribery and tax violation convictions.

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago had ordered Snyder to file an opening brief of no more than 28,000 words.

His legal team had requested to file an appellate brief of about 60,000 words, "to accurately and fully present the facts and arguments in this appeal," the document reads.

Snyder argued the brief is atypical in that, "it raises three issues for which there is a split in the Circuits, requiring more than the ordinary word count."

The 44-year-old Republican was granted the right in December to remain free on bond rather than begin serving a 21-month prison sentence while his appeal moves forward.

The sentence given to him Oct. 13 by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly was well below the recommended sentencing guideline of 46 to 57 months.

Snyder was twice found guilty  most recently in March 2021  of soliciting and accepting a $13,000 bribe in 2014 in return for steering a $1.125 million contract for the purchase of garbage trucks for the city of Portage to the local Great Lakes Peterbilt company.

Federal prosecutors said he also obstructed the Internal Revenue Services efforts to collect unpaid taxes on a private mortgage company he ran.

His appellate brief argues, in part, that the lower court erred in denying Snyder's motions to disqualify the trial team and dismiss the indictment based on the government's "intrusion into the Attorney-Client relationship, in violation of Mr. Snyders Fourth and Sixth Amendment rights."

"The warrant to seize and search all Snyder's email accounts was overbroad in violation of the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures," the former mayor argues.

"The government's possession of and access to James Snyder's communications with counsel  both privileged and work product  violated his Sixth Amendment rights to effective assistance of counsel and to a fair trial."

Snyder's defense team further argues, "The evidence at trial did not support a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Snyder had accepted a bribe or reward. The Circuits are split regarding whether Title 18, United States Code, Section 666, can be applied to a case where the transaction at issue can at best be described as a gratuity, a charge not brought against Snyder."

The District Court also erred in finding, "that Mr. Snyders personal and business tax debts were intertwined for the purpose of extending the statute of limitations and denying the Motion to Dismiss," a court document says.

Snyder claims his rights under the speedy trial rules were violated and that there was insufficient evidence presented at trial.

"The testimony of two IRS Agents, one of whom testified only about IRS forms, was an insufficient basis upon which to find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt with respect to Count 3," Snyder's team argued.

Snyder is requesting his convictions be reversed or that he be given a new trial.
STARKE COUNTY  A Fishers man was seriously injured in a jet ski accident at Bass Lake in Starke County.

The jet ski accident took place at around 4:15 p.m. Saturday at the 1,300-acre lake, which is the third largest natural lake in Indiana and a popular camping site just south of Knox.

Indiana conservation officers patrolling the lake responded to the report of a serious personal watercraft accident.

Mark Hatch, of Fishers, was operating a jet ski on the lake when he collided with another jet ski at a high rate of speed.

"The impact caused Hatch to be ejected from the personal watercraft and lose consciousness. Hatch was immediately removed from the water and brought to shore," Indiana Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Tyler Brock said. "Hatch was transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital by Memorial Medflight helicopter in serious condition."

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the jet ski crash on Bass Lake.

"The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available," he said.

DNR was assisted by the Starke County Sheriffs Department, Bass Lake Fire Department, Starke County EMS and Memorial Medflight.
With the start of a new school year just weeks away, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has eased COVID-19 mandates for college students and employees.

On Wednesday, Pritzker announced new guidelines for testing and vaccine mandates for several professions, including education and health care.

"Vaccine mandates for higher education employees and students and emergency medical service providers will not be renewed," Pritzker's office said in a statement. "Vaccination mandates will remain in place in K-12 schools, daycares, state-run 24/7 congregate care facilities, and any health care facilities not covered under the federal CMS vaccine mandate (including independent doctors' offices, dental offices, urgent care facilities, and outpatient facilities)."

Though the state mandate has been lifted, colleges and universities around Illinois are taking different approaches moving forward.

South Suburban College in South Holland said in a news release that it's dropping its vaccination mandate. No updates on vaccine requirements appear on the websites for Prairie State College in Chicago Heights or Governors State University in University Park.

The Chicago Tribune reported Northwestern University will continue its vaccination mandate, while Northern Illinois University has dropped its mandate.

WGLT radio in Bloomington-Normal reported Illinois State University has eliminated its vaccination mandate, while Illinois Wesleyan University will retain a mandate for students but not for faculty and staff.

"We continue to remind everyone in Illinois that the most important step they can take to protect themselves, their loved ones and friends and colleagues is to remain up-to-date on vaccinations and booster shots," Acting Illinois Department of Public Health Director Amaal Tokars said in a news release. "This is especially important for those who are vulnerable to serious outcomes. We urge everyone to take advantage of the current availability of vaccines for the sake of their children, as well as getting up-to-date as a parent, guardian or grandparent."
MICHIGAN CITY  Michigan City Area Schools is again seeking retired educators, future educators and other community members to assist students who have fallen behind academically due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Classes resume next month.

Students in our district, like school-age children across the country, experienced learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Superintendent Barbara Eason-Watkins said. High-dosage tutoring is just one way we are working to help students get back on track.

MCAS began high-dosage tutoring as a pilot program at several schools last spring and hopes to increase the number of tutors this school year.

High-dosage tutors work with students at the elementary and middle school levels in the areas of language arts, reading and math. Students in groups of no more than four meet with tutors for 30 minutes per day, three days per week, during the school day.

According to Director of Curriculum Cathy Bildhauser, high-dosage tutoring is a proven model that is effective because tutors can pinpoint specific gaps and address them with an individualized catch-up plan.

Research shows that tutoring in small groups helps students develop a strong, comfortable relationship with the tutor that results in strong academic gains, she said.

This is not homework help. Its extra quality time on math, reading and language arts activities that will quickly accelerate student learning.

High-dosage tutors are paid $15 per hour, with retired teachers receiving their most recent hourly wage. The schedule can be flexible based on the tutors availability. All training and curriculum is provided by MCAS.

Our students missed 131 days of in-person instruction with educators and peers during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, Eason-Watkins said.

Many in our community have asked how they can help, and this is one tangible way for those who may have a couple of hours to spare each week.

For more information and an application to become a high-dosage tutor, visit educateMC.net/highdosage.
The plan, some details of which were reported earlier by The Washington Post, aims to address longer-term problems at the agency. Although recent months have been particularly dire, the Postal Service has not met its mail delivery service standards for more than eight years.

The proposal is almost certain to prompt resistance from the Democrats who control Congress and the White House, but it is also unclear what they will do about it.

Mr. DeJoy, a former logistics executive and Trump megadonor, had already drawn Democrats wrath when slowdowns began last year as he instituted operational changes during an election year with a historic influx of mail-in ballots. But President Biden cannot directly fire him. Instead, his fate rests with the Postal Service Board of Governors, minus Mr. DeJoy himself, composed entirely of Trump appointees.

Some Democrats have called for Mr. Biden to fire all of the governors, and though he may have the legal authority to do so, the president has shown little appetite for such a drastic move after repeatedly criticizing his predecessor for norm-breaking firings across the government. He has nominated three new governors for open spots, but the board does not intend to wait for the confirmation of Mr. Bidens picks to complete its 10-year plan.

The Postal Service has blamed the pandemic and a record holiday peak season for much of the poor service performance. David Partenheimer, a spokesman for the agency, emphasized that the pandemic had contributed to an industrywide shortage of air cargo capacity, and that for the Postal Service, which does not operate or own planes, air transportation is less reliable and more expensive than ground transportation. He would not comment on the contents of the plan beyond that it would include a review of current delivery service standards.

Our forthcoming plan to achieve service excellence and financial sustainability for the U.S. Postal Service is designed to strengthen our public service mission, Mr. Partenheimer said in an email early this month. We will share the final plans details in the coming weeks.
Americans would have to pay more to mail a letter under a series of price increases that the Postal Service proposed on Friday as part of a plan intended to reverse $160 billion in projected operating losses over the next decade.

Under the proposal, the price of a first-class stamp would increase for the first time since Jan. 27, 2019, to 58 cents from 55 cents. A postcard would increase to 40 cents from 36 cents and an international letter to $1.30 from $1.20.

The Postal Service said that the changes would take effect on Aug. 29, if approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission.
One of Germanys largest energy providers, Uniper, has used up a 2 billion-euro credit line from the German state-owned investment bank and has applied for more money, it said Monday, increasing the pressure on Berlin to bail out the company.

Uniper, which is also Germanys largest importer of Russian gas, has racked up daily losses of tens of million of euros since Russia cut gas flows to Germany last month, forcing it to buy gas from other sources at much higher prices. The company has been forced to begin drawing down its own natural gas reserves that were set aside for winter, and has informed customers that gas prices may rise, steps it described as emergency measures.

Flows of natural gas through Nord Stream 1, the main pipeline connecting Germany and Russia, have stopped for annual maintenance. The routine shutdown has raised concerns that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia will keep the pipeline closed to punish Germany and the rest of Europe for their opposition to the war in Ukraine.
Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, a choreographer who communicates cultural identity and issues of equity through dance, was awarded the 29th annual Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize on Monday. The award, which comes with about $250,000, is given to U.S. artists who, as described by the renowned actress Lillian Gish, have made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to peoples understanding and enjoyment of life.

I dont think about trying to have impact or trying to be recognized or seen, Zollar said in a phone interview. I think its in my social DNA to think beyond myself.

The leader of the selection committee, Kay Takeda, said the panel had received more than 100 nominations and chose Zollar in response to her community building and the engagement birthed through her creative work.
Extreme heat in Europe

A life-threatening heat wave is continuing its march across Western Europe this week.

Spain and Italy baked over the weekend, and wildfires raged in France, prompting the evacuation of more than 14,000 people near Bordeaux since early last week, the local authorities said. Frances national weather forecaster predicted temperatures of at least 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on the countrys Atlantic coast through tomorrow.

Now, the blistering weather is moving to Britain. Today and tomorrow, temperatures could soar to 41 degrees Celsius, which would shatter records. Air-conditioning is rare in the country, where buildings are constructed to retain heat (because cold temperatures have, in the past, been a bigger concern).

Heres a guide to staying safe and cool during a heat wave.

Climate change: Heat waves in Europe have increased in frequency and intensity over the past four decades.
None of these changes has nearly the impact that federal action would. But smaller changes can still add up  and even foster broader changes. Consider the vehicle market: By mandating electric vehicles, California and other states will lead automakers to build many more of them, likely spurring innovations and economies of scale that will reduce costs for everybody and thereby increase their use around the country.

Its a reminder that climate change is one of those issues on which activists may be able to make more progress by focusing on grass-roots organizing than top-down change from Washington, especially in the current era of polarization. Locally, the politics of climate change can sometimes be less partisan than they are nationally, as Maggie Astor, a climate reporter at The Times, has written.

Executive action

After Manchin seemed to doom the climate legislation last week, Biden vowed to take strong executive action to meet this moment. His authority is much narrower than it would be if Congress passed new legislation, especially given the current Supreme Courts hostility to many kinds of environmental regulation. But Biden does have several tools he can use.

Among them:

He has directed the E.P.A. to write new rules to reduce pollution from vehicles  the nations largest source of planet-warming pollution  and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.

Even with the recent Supreme Court ruling, the E.P.A. still has the authority to issue narrow rules that would affect coal-and-gas-fired power plants, the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

The E.P.A. also plans to issue regulations this year to curb leaks of methane from oil and gas wells, another significant source of greenhouse gases.

(The Timess Coral Davenport has explained each of these in more detail, as well as the potential legal challenges to them.)

Getting to 51

There are two basic reasons that a single senator  Manchin  has had the power to block climate legislation.

First, the chamber is split evenly between Democrats and Republicans (with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking ties), giving Democrats no margin for losing a vote. Second, no Republican senators are willing to vote for major climate legislation. Over the longer term, changing either of these situations could lead to more aggressive U.S. policies to slow climate change.
As officials hold back and the public drops its guard, Thomas told me, I think were at a point of trying to understand the consequences of complacency. We dont understand them yet. But the more widespread the virus, the higher the risks of a new variant. Thats the concern that the people I spoke to expressed.

Monkeypox: Worst pain Ive experienced

Over the weekend, Fauci went on CNN to discuss monkeypoxs potential to cause a second epidemic. Cases are increasing in the U.S., especially among gay men, and Fauci warned we might be seeing the mere beginning of the problem. The nation, he said, must start behaving as if the disease will have the capability of spreading much more widely than its spreading right now.

Monkeypox has typically been considered a fairly mild disease. But my colleague Sharon Otterman spoke to half a dozen patients in New York City, which has about 25 percent of the cases reported in the U.S. She documented excruciating symptoms and systemic health and hospital failures. Gabriel Morales, 27, kept himself isolated for eight days, trying to get treatment and waiting for test results that turned out to be lost. It was just the worst pain Ive experienced in my life, he told Sharon.

Sharon emphasized that theres a range of symptoms. Some patients have little more than a mild rash. But health officials estimate about 20 to 25 percent in New York have full body rashes or internal lesions that make it agonizing to eat or go to the bathroom.

At that end of the spectrum, Sharon said, it results in a level of pain we should not wish on anyone. Providers on the front lines have been surprised at how severe some patients are reporting it to be.
Delta Air Lines said on Monday that it planned to buy 100 of the largest variant of Boeings 737 Max, even as Boeing races to secure regulatory approval for that version of the jet by the end of the year.

The order is Deltas first for the Max and a boon for Boeing. A nearly two-year global ban on the plane, prompted by two fatal crashes, contributed to Boeings slipping behind in a competition for orders against its rival Airbus. In late 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration allowed two midsize versions of the plane  the Max 8 and Max 9  to fly again once certain fixes were made.

Deltas order is for the Max 10, the biggest variant of the plane. If Boeing is unable to secure regulatory approval for the plane by a December deadline, it will have to make significant changes to flight deck alert systems under a recently passed law, unless Congress intervenes. That would eliminate a key selling point of the plane: its similarity with other Max variants, which would eliminate the need for pilots to be trained separately for each model of the plane.
Two months ago, France experienced its hottest May on record, with record highs in some cities. Last month, France was blistered again, by a spring heat wave that also affected Spain, Italy and other countries. Then, this month, Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe suffered during a spell of extreme heat.

Now temperatures across Europe are soaring yet again, at or near triple digits from Spain to the British Isles and spreading east. Wildfires stoked by the heat are burning in many countries, and much of the continent is in the throes of a lengthy drought.

And there are still two months of summer left.

Scientists say the persistent extreme heat already this year is in keeping with a trend. Heat waves in Europe, they say, are increasing in frequency and intensity at a faster rate than almost any other part of the planet, including the Western United States.
Never mind the quality of your ingredients, or your marinade  barbecue like this doesnt just happen, casually, right at the table, while youre drinking beers and talking, looking up an actors name on your phone to settle an argument.

It requires both expertise and hypervigilance to keep time with the charcoal. In other words, it requires dedicated cooks. San Ho Won has about three working the grill in the kitchen on a busy night.

Tender, but resilient, thickly cut galbi, beef tongue, jebi churi and richer, fattier pieces of rib-eye cap are evenly colored and glossy, delicately crisp at their edges, impossibly juicy inside. The meat arrives hot and plump from the intense, glowing heat of the coals, enveloped in the deeply savory flavors you can only get from cooking this way.
Good morning. It takes almost a lifetime to learn how to do a thing simply, Joseph Mitchell wrote in Up in the Old Hotel. I suppose thats true of painting birds and writing sentences. Its absolutely true of cooking, where an economy of preparation, movement and execution comes only after hours and years spent doing the same tasks repetitively.

Consider the boiled egg, the centerpiece of a delicious dish known in France as oeuf mayo (above). Ive been messing around in kitchens for my entire adult life, and Im still trying to make my boiled eggs simply. Which is to say to make them easily, the same way every time, with the same result. Even J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, in his recipe for perfect boiled eggs, acknowledges the height of that summit: No technique in the world can promise that level of perfection.

And thats perfectly all right. Were on a journey here, each of us struggling to be a little better than the day before, to learn new things, to strip away whats unnecessary. That we havent succeeded is a reminder that theres still time on the clock. I take solace and strength from that. I hope you do, too, in life as with each recipe you strive to master.
Hirori and the films producer, Antonio Russo Merenda, a former Swedish Film Institute commissioner who has said he was heavily involved in the films editing, did not respond to requests for comment by The Times.

In his statement following the Kvartal investigation, Hirori said that the film was not intended to be journalism and that Swedish documentary tradition allowed filmmakers to express their own unique view of events.

Kristina Eriksson, a communications officer at the Swedish Film Institute, said, We follow the debate about the role of documentaries and welcome the discussion, but nothing has emerged so far that gives us reason to act in relation to the film. She declined to clarify whether the institute had procedures governing the veracity of documentary films it funded.

The issue of forced separations is the single most contentious one among Yazidis. While the Yazidi Home Center featured in Sabaya was responsible for finding and caring for hundreds of Iraqi Yazidis freed from ISIS captivity, the organization, acting on instructions from Yazidi elders in Iraq, also arranged for the children to be taken from their mothers. Most were sent to an orphanage in northeastern Syria that the women were not allowed to visit once they returned to Iraq.

Almost all the women were told that to go home after being rescued from Al Hol camp, they would have to give up their children. The women were also told, falsely, as was one of the woman in Sabaya, that the separation would be temporary.
Whats also striking, she said, about this outbreak, is how many of these patients have had difficulty getting the care they need to treat these symptoms.

Monkeypox, endemic in parts of Africa for decades, has been spreading globally since early May through networks of men who have sex with men, probably sparked by transmission at one or more raves in Europe, researchers believe. The disease, which mostly transmits though intimate, skin-to-skin contact, has resulted in fatalities in Africa, but no one has yet died of the disease in the United States.

The first American case was recorded on May 18. There have now been more than 1,800 cases, affecting almost every state. Experts are concerned that if the outbreak is not contained, the virus will persist and spread more widely.

In New York City, cases have nearly tripled over the past week to 461 total cases on July 15, up from 160 on July 8. While some of that increase stems from expanded testing capacity and awareness, the spread of the disease in the city is exponential, said Dr. Foote, and is likely to continue for a while.

The unexpected severity of symptoms is making patients encounters with an overburdened health care system that was not prepared for this outbreak even more difficult. Interviews with six recent and current monkeypox patients in New York City, and three in other cities across the country, suggest that the public health response has been slow and underresourced at every level, from testing to treatment to vaccination.

Another of those patients, Sebastian Kohn, 39, felt exhausted and feverish through much of the July 4 weekend and had painful, swollen lymph nodes. Then the rash started.
But heres the other thing history bears out: Leaving in search of something better is no guarantee of finding what you seek. Racism, for example, doesnt magically disappear once you cross the Mason-Dixon line. I left the South once myself, determined never to come back. But as it turns out, what I love about my homeland is bigger than what provokes me to despair. And I dont think Im alone.

All the tropes about how awful the South is  governed by thoughtless ideologues, fury-soaked and gun-littered  theyre all true, but these arent the only truths that hold in this tragic, broken, history-haunted place. In this green, green land shot through with creeks and rivers that smell so deeply of life.

Im sure youre rolling your eyes. How could you not? This troubled region is only ever in the news when the trouble reaches fever pitch.

Still, hear me out.

Southern hospitality is a real thing, and generosity is endemic. You can count on almost anybody you meet down here to give you a ride when your car breaks down, fetch your sick child from school so you dont miss your shift, help you clean up when a tornado roars through, even bring you supper when your dog dies. They wont ask if youre a liberal or a conservative. They wont ask where you go to church, or if you go to church. Theyll just pitch in.

We tell a good story down here, too. The lassitude of life in the un-air-conditioned South left behind a legacy of storytelling that continues to this day, even if screen doors and attic fans have mostly gone the way of ice delivery. (Sweet tea is going nowhere. Likewise the best barbecue, but that goes without saying.) The storytelling gene is so strong hereabouts that eavesdropping on strangers may become your favorite pastime.

And the music! My God, the music! The South has been the nursery and proving ground of virtually every original musical genre this country has yet produced. When people are isolated long enough, or brokenhearted long enough, or beaten down long enough, a lot of the time they turn to art.
Nonetheless, views on abortion here are more nuanced than one might assume. A survey conducted late last year by Fort Hays State University found that only around 20 percent of Kansans supported making abortion illegal in all cases, including rape and incest. More than 62 percent said that women are in a better position than politicians to make decisions about whether to have an abortion, and a razor-thin majority agreed that Kansas State government should not place any regulations on abortion.

Abortion opponents have no intention of losing this fight because of such pesky nuances. And the Republican-controlled legislature has strategically  one might even say sinisterly  arranged the details of the election to improve their odds of victory. Most notably, rather than put the amendment on the general election ballot in November, they pushed to hold the special election vote at the same time as the August primary elections, when turnout tends to be dramatically lower. This timing also disadvantages the states unusually large population of unaffiliated voters, who account for nearly 30 percent of the electorate. These voters are typically excluded from most races on the primary ballot and may not realize that they are even allowed to vote on the amendment.

But wait, theres more! The language of most legislation tends to be ponderous and opaque. But the Value Them Both amendment is confusing to the point of being misleading. It refers to government funding of abortions and specifies that legislators may pass laws regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, laws that account for circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, or circumstances of necessity to save the life of the mother. So does that mean laws that would protect abortion access under such circumstances or ones that would ban it even in those cases? That would be up to the legislators. But reading through the text, one could come away thinking that the amendment aims to shore up certain abortion rights or simply maintain the status quo. (Spoiler alert: It does not.)

The anti-abortion side claims that the goal of the amendment is to put the abortion issue back into the hands of the people of Kansas. (The effect would be a bit like a state-level version of what the U.S. Supreme Court said it was doing by killing Roe.) But this entire campaign seems designed to obfuscate and complicate the issue and to minimize the number of non-Republicans who vote. (The Value Them Both coalition declined requests to discuss these issues.) The whole process smacks not so much of returning power to the people as of showing contempt for them and for the democratic process  a trend that is becoming standard operating procedure for much of the G.O.P.
A wealth of prima facie evidence exists to indict Donald Trump. For example, anyone else pressuring an official to manufacture phony ballots would have been facing charges by now. But apparently Mr. Garland is wary of igniting violent protests if he actually does force Mr. Trump to appear in court.

I didnt hear Justice Samuel Alito worry about the potential social unrest that his recent weighty decision on abortion might cause.

Mr. Garland, remind me again how your timidity squares with the cherished notion that no one is above the law?

Bryan L. Tucker

Boston

To the Editor:

Andrew Weissmann understandably decries the approach and slow pace of the Justice Departments Jan. 6 investigation. Might an explanation be that the Justice Department and the Biden administration tacitly agree that the prosecution by a Democratic appointee-led Justice Department of a former Republican president is an undesirable precedent for the American political tradition, and that the best course is for the Jan. 6 committees fine work to condemn the former president to political irrelevancy and drive him and his minions from the scene?

If true, whether this is sufficient justification for not holding the alleged conspirators legally accountable is, of course, another question.
The smallest, most pragmatic and achievable goal concerns Russias territorial ambitions in Ukraine. Having failed to advance much further into Ukrainian territory since the first few days of war, Russia promptly downsized its ambitions, relinquishing the idea of taking Kyiv. The current, more realistic goal appears to be control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions  which the Kremlin sees itself attaining in a matter of time, a view seemingly vindicated by Russian forces effective capture of the Luhansk region  and the land corridor that would secure access to Crimea.

For this goal, of minimal geopolitical weight for the Kremlin, Mr. Putin appears to believe that time is on his side. You can see why. Western military support has shown its limits, while Washington has signaled that it is not prepared to risk invoking Mr. Putins wrath by crossing any red lines. His earlier threats to resort to nuclear weapons seem to have been heeded: The West will not directly intervene, nor will it assist Ukraine to a point that could lead to Russian military defeat. Today, for all the protestations to the contrary, the conventional wisdom in the West is that Ukraine will not be able to win back the areas occupied by Russian troops. The Kremlin appears to believe that sooner or later the West will abandon that idea completely. Ukraines east would then effectively be under Russian control.

The next goal appears to be focused on forcing Kyiv to capitulate. This isnt about the occupied territories; its about the future of Ukraines remaining territory  something that has far more geopolitical importance. On a practical level, capitulation would mean Kyiv accepting Russian demands that could be summarized as the de-Ukrainianization and Russification of the country. That would entail criminalizing the support of national heroes, renaming streets, rewriting history books and guaranteeing the Russian-speaking population a dominant position in education and culture. The aim, in short, would be to deprive Ukraine of the right to build its own nation. The government would be replaced, the elites purged and cooperation with the West voided.

This second goal sounds fantastical, of course. But for Mr. Putin it is also seemingly inevitable, though it may take longer to achieve. In one to two years, by which point the Kremlin expects Ukraine to be exhausted by the war, unable to function normally and profoundly demoralized, the conditions for capitulation will ripen. At that stage, the Kremlins calculation appears to be, the elite will split and an opposition seeking to end the war will coalesce to oust the Zelensky administration. Thered be no need for Russia to capture Kyiv militarily; it would fall of its own accord. Mr. Putin apparently sees nothing that could prevent it.
When Jeff Bezos was chief executive of Amazon, he took an arms-length stance toward the companys affairs in Washington. He rarely lobbied lawmakers. He testified only once before Congress, under the threat of subpoena.

Andy Jassy, Mr. Bezos successor, is trying a different approach.

Since becoming Amazons chief executive last July, Mr. Jassy, 54, has visited Washington at least three times to traverse Capitol Hill and visit the White House. In September, he met with Ron Klain, President Bidens chief of staff. He has called Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader, to lobby against antitrust legislation and talked with Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, about Amazons new corporate campus in the state.

He was very inquisitive, said Mr. Kaine, who met with Mr. Jassy at the Capitol in September and spoke with him by phone last month. Mr. Jassy was diplomatic rather than out to bowl you over by force of personality, Mr. Kaine said, and came prepared with knowledge of the lawmakers committee assignments.
CHICAGO  Covid-19 is surging around the United States again in what experts consider the most transmissible variant of the pandemic yet.

But something is different this time: The public health authorities are holding back.

In Chicago, where the countys Covid warning level was raised to high last week, the citys top doctor said there was no reason for residents to let the virus control their lives. The state health director in Louisiana likened a new rise in Covid cases there to a downpour  a surge within a surge  but characterized the situation as concerning but not alarming.

And the public health officer in King County, Wash., Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, said on Thursday that officials were discussing reissuing a mask mandate but would prefer that the public mask up voluntarily. Were not going to be able to have infinite series of mandates forcing people to do this, that and the other, he said.
Loree Anne Paradise, a lawyer for Mr. Hice, could not be reached for comment on Monday.

Earlier this month, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who has also been subpoenaed in the inquiry, went to federal court to try to shield himself from testifying.

The investigation is being led by Fani T. Willis, the district attorney of Fulton County, which encompasses most of Atlanta, and has already entangled a number of Mr. Trumps allies. Several members of the legal team that worked with the 2020 Trump campaign have received subpoenas, including Rudolph W. Giuliani, John Eastman, Cleta Mitchell and Jenna Ellis.

David Shafer, a Trump ally who chairs the state Republican Party, has been sent a letter informing him that he is a target of the inquiry and could be indicted, as have two state lawmakers. The special grand jury is looking into a range of potentially criminal acts, including the selection of a slate of pro-Trump electors in the weeks after the election and Mr. Trumps now-famous call to Mr. Raffensperger asking him to find nearly 12,000 votes that would reverse his loss there.

Mr. Hice helped lead efforts in Congress to keep Mr. Trump in power. On Dec. 21, 2020, Mr. Hice posted on Twitter about meetings that he and other pro-Trump lawmakers had that day with Mr. Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Mr. Trumps legal team. I will lead an objection to Georgias electors on Jan 6, Mr. Hice wrote. The courts refuse to hear the Presidents legal case. Were going to make sure the People can!
The North Las Vegas Fire Department said on Twitter that the crash, which occurred around noon Pacific Daylight Time, resulted in four deaths. The names of the victims have not been released.

Jake Levesque, a spokesman for the fire department, said on Monday that witnesses reported that the planes were attempting to land when they collided.

He said that one plane was on fire and that the people onboard both planes were dead on arrival.

He referred inquiries about the investigation to the National Transportation Safety Board and the F.A.A., which are investigating the crash. A spokesman for the N.T.S.B. said on Sunday that an investigator from the agency was en route to the crash site but did not provide any other information.

Mr. Levesque said that a collision of two planes at the airport was very rare. Photos from his department showed that the planes were heavily damaged in the crash, with splintered tails and wings.
But youre absolutely right. There will be some people  and were a large county, so that will translate into many people  who wont agree and wont want to do this. My hope is that certainly in places where theres businesses and theres lots of exposures to workers that our work force will get protected and theyll be offered respirator masks so that they can deal with the fact that they might have many, many exposures during the course of the day. And that patrons of places will also take note of the fact that we have an opportunity to keep other people safe.

Weve all heard that the BA.5 variant is the most contagious yet. It seems as though thats contributed to a sense of futility, with people thinking theyre going to get it somehow, so they might as well stop trying to avoid it. How are you thinking about that?

Even in my own family when we discuss this theyre like, Oh, come on, everyones getting it. What are you thinking? Im thinking, first of all, everyone isnt getting it.

You still have millions and millions of people here that have not yet gotten infected. Its not inevitable that people are going to get infected. And one thing that weve always known is that slowing down transmission just helps us reduce stress elsewhere. It helps reduce disruptions at work. Our emergency departments are now complaining because theyve seen pretty big increases. Urgent cares are complaining. So anything you can do to sort of mitigate the steepness of that increase in cases is always going to be helpful.

So Im going to continue to advocate for slowing the spread. Slowing the spread is still a meaningful strategy, even when we have these highly infectious variants that are circulating.

For more:
The U.S. Navy announced punishments on Friday to more than 20 sailors for their connection to the fire aboard the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard that destroyed the warship, injured more than 60 military and civilian firefighters, and took four days to extinguish at a San Diego naval base in July 2020.

The punishments against the sailors are separate from criminal proceedings against Navy Seaman Apprentice Ryan Sawyer Mays, who was charged with arson in the disaster. He faces a hearing on Aug. 17, with his trial expected to run Sept. 19 through Sept. 30.

Although Seaman Mays was accused of deliberately starting the fire, the findings of an investigation released by the Navy in October 2021 revealed that the damage could have been lessened had naval officers been better prepared. The ship was lost due to an inability to extinguish the fire, the report said. The investigation cited inadequate training, improper oversight and a failure to properly maintain equipment as reasons for the total loss of the ship.
The poll found that about 75 percent of Black Americans  compared with 88 percent of all Democrats  are now supportive of laws protecting most or all cases of abortion, a figure that experts said can be attributed to younger Black Americans being more likely than older Black voters to be fully supportive of abortion rights.

How Times reporters cover politics. We rely on our journalists to be independent observers. So while Times staff members may vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. This includes participating in marches or rallies in support of a movement or giving money to, or raising money for, any political candidate or election cause. Learn more about our process.

White House officials said that by entirely eliminating the constitutional right to abortion, the Supreme Court had made the issue a simpler one for voters who might otherwise be debating what the proper limits might be. And they said that Justice Clarence Thomass concurring opinion suggesting that the court should revisit the legal basis for other rights, including same-sex marriage and the right to contraception, made the issue starker.

Theres not a lot of shades of gray in that, said Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to Mr. Biden.

Sharonda Woodard, a corrections officer from Sanford, Fla., who attended the Black culture festival in New Orleans where Ms. Harris spoke, counts herself as someone who has ambivalent views on abortion while also supporting Roe. Raised a Christian, Ms. Woodard said she was taught that abortion was akin to killing a child, but she said she was also firmly opposed to eliminating a womans right to choose.

I have no heaven or hell to put anyone in, Ms. Woodard said. Its what you believe in, and its your choice.

Ms. Woodard said she was swayed by Ms. Harriss speech saying that the ruling is part of a broader effort threatening American liberties.

While the message may be resonating, it has come with expectations for the administration to take concrete action after the court ruling. But throughout Mr. Bidens presidency, his cautious, measured approach to divisive issues has run up against many Democrats who say the tumultuous state of the country requires aggressive action.
Former Vice President Mike Pence endorsed Karrin Taylor Robson instead of Kari Lake in Arizonas Republican primary for governor on Aug. 2, pitting him against former President Donald J. Trump in another closely watched race.

Mr. Pences endorsement, announced by Ms. Taylor Robsons campaign, came amid pushback from some Republicans against Mr. Trump and the candidates he has endorsed who echo his false claims of widespread election fraud in 2020  as Ms. Lake has done.

Gov. Doug Ducey, who has reached his term limit, has also backed Ms. Taylor Robson, as have other prominent Republicans like Chris Christie of New Jersey.
Nations that have refused to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine risk accelerating a global food crisis, the United States international aid agencys chief said on Monday, singling out China for hoarding fertilizer and grain while millions of people in East Africa face starvation.

Samantha Power, the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, also criticized China for contributing only $3 million to the United Nations World Food Program in 2022  compared with $2.7 billion donated by the United States  despite predictions of an explosion of child deaths in the Horn of Africa because of food shortages. The shortages started with a devastating drought and spiraled after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

Ms. Powers comments highlighted the increasing anger of the United States and its allies over Chinas tacit support for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and his war to control Ukraine.
The workers of the U.S. House of Representatives keep our democracy going, and its long past time that theyve had these rights, Mr. Levin said in a statement.

How Times reporters cover politics. We rely on our journalists to be independent observers. So while Times staff members may vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. This includes participating in marches or rallies in support of a movement or giving money to, or raising money for, any political candidate or election cause. Learn more about our process.

Every worker deserves a living wage and a union, including in the halls of Congress, Ms. Omar said in a statement. None of the work we do in Congress would be possible without our tireless staff.

The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights will determine if each office has an appropriate bargaining unit and then hold an election to establish a union officially. If a majority of workers vote in favor of unionizing, then the members can begin the bargaining process.

The movement gained traction earlier this year as staffers reassessed their workplace safety in the aftermath of the Capitol riot and workplace culture. Several stories gained visibility on a popular Instagram account, Dear White Staffers, that began as a venue for lampooning the lack of diversity on the Hill but quickly became a medium for staff members to air serious grievances and share their toxic experiences working on Capitol Hill.

A congressional union formed in February, and a majority of House Democrats signed onto the resolution extending labor protections. Under the resolution, bargaining units would be separated by representative or committee office, meaning no single unit represents the entire chamber.

Congress first voted to give its employees the right to unionize over 25 years ago but did not take additional action to extend worker protections to those who sought to bargain collectively, so the right was essentially meaningless.
The first day of the trial over whether the gunman who killed 17 people in Parkland, Fla., in 2018 should be sentenced to death or life in prison included disturbing videos taken inside classrooms where several students were shot.

Several jurors covered their mouths with their hands on Monday as the videos were played, and they watched students cowering in fear while the gunman stalked the hallways of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School with a semiautomatic rifle.

The judge barred the video images from being seen by the public during the trial, but the audio from the video clips permeated the courtroom. Students could be heard yelling for help, whispering to one another and admonishing others to stay quiet as they hid and waited for help.
He insisted such an end date was hardly news. I never, ever planned to go beyond Joe Bidens first term  even if he gets a second term I dont plan on being there for that, he said.

Still, the emergence of even a soft target date was notable.

In an interview in September 2021, he said he was not really thinking about when he would step down, but was working on a memoir and could not contract with a publisher until he left government service.

Im not completely crazy to think that Im going to be doing this when Im 92, he said. But right now, when youre caught up in this incredible, intense activity, you dont really think about retiring. You think about ending this pandemic, you know, putting it in the rearview mirror, and then maybe taking a deep breath and thinking about retiring.

Whats more, he added, As soon as I retire, you will see a book.

In an interview in January, he said that he would not let Republicans force him out, and that his timetable would be his own. In a quick text conversation in May, he was asked to respond to reports that he was about to step down.
WINDSOR, Australia  Emma Winley pointed to the markings on the outside of her house, recording the levels of the three floods that have hit in the past 16 months.

In March of last year, the water came up to her knees. In March of this year, it nearly reached her shoulders. Still rebuilding after that flood, she and her husband hadnt even moved back in when another one hit earlier this month, submerging half the house and going up to her neck  denoted by the film of sludge still smeared on the wall.

They each go up a bit higher, she said, her voice threatening to break.

In the first five days of this month, a storm system deposited 8.7 inches of rain on Sydney, double the months average rainfall and leading to the wettest July on record. Some surrounding areas received over 30 inches. In what has now become a familiar routine, tens of thousands of people living along the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, west of the city, evacuated. For some towns, it was their third severe flood in the past 16 months. For others, their fourth.
Schools, most of which are in their final week of classes before a summer break, were doing their best to keep children cool, especially in older buildings ill-equipped for the high temperatures. At one elementary school off Portobello Road, staff had set up a wading pool, and the children could be heard splashing and laughing up the street.

Especially at night, in the summer in my flat its already too hot, Ms. Suleiman said, adding that she was worried that it would become unbearable on Monday night.

Ms. Al Amin said the women, who are both Muslim and wore traditional dress and headscarves, didnt mind the weather outside in their lightweight cotton clothing, but were worried about boarding the bus.

At this time, its too difficult, she said. Theres not enough air.

In Hyde Park, a handful of sunbathers braved the afternoon heat and lay blankets on the visibly parched grass. Steps away, prospective swimmers were being turned away from the Serpentine Lido, where a sign signaled the facility was at capacity. Among them were Lalou Laredo, 19, and Rachel Trippier, 22, who were disappointed to be turned away but remarked that the warm water, which was 26 degrees Celsius (78.8 Fahrenheit), might actually make them feel worse.
The fact that every afternoon the fire explodes and takes back all the ground that we gained overnight or in the morning, thats grueling, Mr. Vermeulen said. But, he added, we are going to hold.

Dark plumes of smoke filled the sky as water-bombing planes buzzed overhead on Monday, flying back and forth to dip into the ocean and fill their tanks with water to fight the blazes. The fires closed some roads; others were clogged by snaking lines of cars leaving the area.

The fires have not caused any deaths, and have resulted in only minimal damage to buildings.

But local authorities braced for worse as the heat wave hit with full force on Monday. Officials announced the evacuation of thousands more people from towns that were in the path of the fires.

Its going to be a complicated night, Fabienne Buccio, the prefect, or top state official, for Gironde, told reporters. With the wind, the fire is expanding on all of its flanks.
LONDON  England on Monday was facing the possibility of serious disruption to its transportation networks as temperatures were poised to creep to unprecedented new highs.

Flights into and out of one of Britains busiest international airports were halted for much of the day after a surface defect caused by high temperatures was identified on the runway. Footage from Londons Luton Airport showed engineers repairing a roughly 15-foot-by-10-foot section of the tarmac. The airport reopened on Monday evening after work was completed.

Temporary speed restrictions were in place over large portions of Britains rail network, including on Londons tube system. Entire lines preemptively canceled service over fears that the extreme temperatures forecast could cause rails to buckle. And bold red warnings were posted in stations and on social media urging people to reconsider their trips.
KYIV, Ukraine  Even as it engages in fierce fighting with Russia on the battlefield, Ukraine is also waging war on a different, more shadowy front: rooting out spies and collaborators in government and society who are providing crucial help to the invading forces.

While Ukrainian society as a whole has rallied to the countrys defense, Russian sympathizers are reporting the locations of Ukrainian targets like garrisons or ammunition depots, Ukraines officials say. Priests have sheltered Russian officers and informed on Ukrainian activists in Russian-occupied areas. One official said collaborators had removed explosives from bridges, allowing Russian troops to cross.

The issue was cast into sharp relief on Sunday night when President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed two senior law enforcement officials, saying they had not been nearly aggressive enough in weeding out traitors. It was the first major reshuffle of his brain trust since the war began.
BUCHA, Ukraine  For the first time since the war began, the Stanislavchuk family was together again.

Yehor was leading his parents, Natasha and Sasha, his sister, Tasya, and his grandmother, Lyudmila, on a tour of Bucha, the quaint suburb of Kyiv that has become synonymous with Russian savagery.

Here was the school where Yehor had hid for two weeks as Russian troops bombed and murdered their way through the town. There, at the entrance to the school basement, was where a Russian soldier had shot a woman in the head just because he could. And over there, on top of the yellow crane, was where the sniper sat, picking off civilians as they scrounged for food and water.
He briefly attended an alternative school for students with emotional problems, where he thrived. But he wanted to return to Stoneman Douglas. He did well there for some time, but his behavior eventually worsened and he declined to receive therapeutic care once he turned 18. By February 2017, failing grades forced him to withdraw. Three days later, he bought the semiautomatic rifle he would use in the shooting.

There were warning signs, but the authorities did not take effective action.

The police were repeatedly called to Mr. Cruzs residences but said they never found enough reason to arrest him. The F.B.I. mishandled the investigation of tips about his interest in school shootings.

After his mother died, a friend of hers promised to take care of him and his brother. The friend kicked Mr. Cruz out after less than a month, having called 911 on him three times, in large part because he wanted to keep guns. He was living with a schoolmates family at the time of the shooting.

Before the massacre, he recorded three videos on his cellphone that indicated that, like other young perpetrators of mass shootings, he wanted to be remembered.

The gunman had a semiautomatic rifle and 300 rounds of ammunition.

The Parkland school shooting occurred near dismissal time on the afternoon of Feb. 14, 2018. Mr. Cruz slipped into the high school through an open pedestrian gate.

He carried a rifle bag stuffed with a semiautomatic rifle and more than 300 rounds of ammunition and walked into Building 12, also known as the freshman building.
New York University professor Paul C. Light will release research Wednesday, July 20, at 10:00 a.m. (ET) showing that public trust in government is at historic lows as the country approaches the 2022 midterm congressional elections in November.

The forum is sponsored by NYUs John Brademas Center in partnership with the Brookings Institution.

Registration for the webinar discussion on Zoom is required.

Light will share the report and field questions, and will be joined by Elaine C. Kamarck, senior fellow in governance studies at The Brookings Institution, and Tom Shoop, editor-at-large for Government Executive.

Lights latest findings are a continuation of an analysis of mounting government breakdowns. He finds that public demand for very major government reform is rising, while support for government careers is falling. Those are among six takeaways on which he will elaborate.

Absent large-scale repairs, Light, a nationally recognized expert on the Federal Service, writes in this research update, Americans have reason to ask whether the government can deliver on the promises its leaders make.

Light is the Paulette Goddard Professor of Public Service at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University. The author of 25 books, including works on social entrepreneurship, the nonprofit sector, federal government reform, public service, and the baby boom, Light formerly was Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow at Brookings.

For a copy of the full research update, please contact NYU public affairs officer Robert Polner at robert.polner(at)nyu.edu .
A staple of Huaiyang cuisine, hydrangea tofu soup is a testament to the impressive knife-cutting skills of chefs specializing in this type of Chinese cuisine.

Looking at a bowl of hydrangea tofu soup for the first time, youd be forgiven for mistaking the slender tendrils swaying in chicken broth for anything but tofu. It looks like a white hydrangea, hence the name of the dish, but it could also be some sort of edible sea anemone. In reality, its a block of soft tofu carefully cut 60 times in one direction, then turned around and cut another 60 times in order to create 3,600 delicate tendrils. Its challenging to make, as the tofu needs to be sliced just three-fifths in, otherwise, it will break apart and the flower illusion will be ruined.

Chen Xiaohe, the executive chef of 10 Shanghai, a popular Huaiyang cuisine restaurant in Hong Kongs Causeway Bay says that mastering the cutting skills required to create perfect tofu hydrangeas requires between 3 and 6 years of practice. Chen himself claims he needed five years to master the several cutting techniques of Huaiyang, and practiced with rolled newspapers to hone his skill.

Dating back 1,500 years to the Sun and Yuan dynasties (581-1368), Huaiyang cuisine originated from the indigenous cooking style of the area around the lower Huai and Yangtze rivers, centered in cities such as Huaian, Yangzhou and Zhenjiang of Jiangsu province. Unlike other more popular Chinese cuisines, Huaiyang is known less for its dishes and more for the cutting skills of its chefs.

According to Chen Xiaohe, Emperor Qianlong (1736  1796) visited the Jiangnan region 7 times, and because the people knew they couldnt compete with the cuisines of other regions to impress the monarch, they decided to become knife masters instead. Since then, Huaiyang chefs have become known as some of the best knife wielders in the world.

When cutting the soft tofu, the block is placed between two sliced radishes top keep it stable, and a scalion is placed in front of it as a rudimentary measuring stick. If the knife cuts through the scalion, the chef knows he cut to deep into the tofu so the artistic dish is ruined.

Photo: Sophie Steiner/Thats Magazine

Hydrangea tofu soup isnt the most complex dish in terms of ingredients, consisting of soft tofu, chicken broth, crab and the optional shiitake mushrooms, but the unique way in which the tofu is sliced makes it unique in terms of texture.

Why do we make 3,600 cuts into the tofu? It satisfies the different textures, Chen Xiaohe said. Youll think Is this really tofu? How can it be so smooth and thin? Secondly, when you eat it, it doesnt feel like tofu in your mouth, the tofu threads taste smooth, tender and they are full of flavor from the broth.



Fascinated by unique dishes? Check out this delicate Deep Sea Pudding, and the otherworldly whole scorpion soup.
Aman Gupta,

Shivani Gupta

Finn Partners has acquired SPAG, an 85-member healthcare PR shop that has offices throughout Asia.

Aman Gupta, SPAG founder, joins Finn as managing partner and leader of the independent firms Asian healthcare practice.

He will work closely with Gil Bashe, chair-global health and purpose, and Fern Lazar, managing partner & global health practice lead.

Shivani Gupta, SPAG co-founder, becomes managing partner, culture & brand reputation for health Asia.

Noting that Asia accounts for 50 percent of the worlds population, Bashe said more and more life science innovators are looking to the continent for growth, while companies headquartered there are marshaling talent and financial resources to invest.

SPAG and Finn share a mission to ensure that this innovation is available globally to as many people as possible to improve peoples health, said Bashe.

He views SPAG as an exceptional partner to achieve that market priority.

SPAGs offices are in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

Peter Finn said SPAG shares his shops passion for client success. SPAG and its community affirm the good sense of our acquisition strategy, which focuses first and foremost on partners with shared values and missions, he said.

Finn Partners ranked No. 6 in ODwyers healthcare rankings with fees of $44.2M in 2021.

The SPAG deal puts Finn Partners healthcare fees in the $50M range.
Paul Ryan

Teneo promotes former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to vice chairman. Ryan joined Teneo as a senior advisor in October 2020. He is also a partner at private equity firm Solamere Capital, president of the American Idea Foundation and visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. In his new role, Ryan will work closely with the firms senior leadership team to advise clients around the world and support its ongoing growth. Paul has unparalleled insights and experience across a wide range of key business, economic, policy and geopolitical issues, said Teneo CEO Paul Keary. He will add significant value to Teneo clients around the world.

Gina Cherwin

MikeWorldWide promotes Gina Cherwin to chief operating officer, a newly created position. Cherwin joined the firm in 2013 and has served as EVP & chief people officer since 2016. Before coming to MikeWorldWide, she was campaign services director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. In her new position, Cherwin will continue to lead the firm's focus on culture and talent strategy while adding all international operations, resource planning and forecasting, real estate and facilities management, and acquisition integrations. Gina has successfully operationalized our culture, elevating our purpose and values to a strategic function and a competitive differentiator," MikeWorldWide founder and CEO Michael W. Kempner.

Kimberley Gardiner

Tractor Supply Company names Kimberley Gardiner, senior vice president and chief marketing officer. Gardiner was most recently chief marketing officer and senior vice president at Volkswagen of America. Before that, she served as vice president and CMO at Mitsubishi Motors North America and director of marketing communications at Kia Motors America. At Tractor Supply, Gardiner will focus on elevating the companys brand and marketing capabilities. She succeeds Christi Korzekwa, who previously announced her plans to retire. Her extensive background and data-driven approach to brand development, as well as her reputation for innovation, will help evolve our marketing organization and continue to build on the strength of the Tractor Supply brand, said Tractor Supply president and chief executive officer Hal Lawton.
A MAN with a hands free mobile kit in his vehicle was handing the phone to one of his children when a garda saw him holding it, Tullamore District Court was told.

A plea of guilty to holding a mobile phone while driving was entered on behalf of Joseph Fergal Crowe (36), Killina, Robertstown, Kildare by his solicitor Donal Farrelly.

Garda Noel Tier said Mr Crowe, who had no previous convictions, admitted the offence after being stopped at Dublin Road, Edenderry on November 6 last year.

Mr Farrelly said his client was a father of three who had been speaking to his wife on the phone at the time using his hands free kit.

The man's wife was at a hospital with one of their children and the offence occurred when Mr Crowe handed the phone back to another child so they could speak to their mother.

Mr Farrelly added that Mr Crowe, a cabinet maker, had just missed the deadline for paying the on-the-spot fine and then did not notice the option on the summons which gave him a further opportunity to pay and avoid the court appearance.

Cash was handed in by Mr Farrelly on behalf of the driver and Judge Patricia Cronin imposed a fine of 120.
Five food businesses in Ireland were issued with closure orders last month for breaches of safety legislation.

According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the orders were served by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) for issues including visible rodent droppings and inadequate handwashing facilities.

Four of the closure orders were served under the FSAI Act 1998 to The Hudson Rooms (bar, indoor seating area, kitchen area and rear storage area) in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Apache Pizza in Blackrock, Co Dublin, and Roma Take Away in Portarlington, Co Laois.

One further closure order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on Han Lin Palace (now under new management from June 18 2022) in Balbriggan, Co Dublin.

Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in June include: a lack of pest prevention and control measures with rodent droppings visible in the premises; food handlers demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding the use of protective clothing and headgear, as well as a lack of understanding to prevent contamination from jewellery when preparing food; personal items such as a vape kit, car keys and mobile phones stored directly above cooling food; a lack of adequate labelling to facilitate traceability; undeclared allergen information; inadequate handwashing facilities and no food safety management system in place.

In addition to the closure orders, one prosecution was also taken by the HSE in June 2022 in relation to Freestyle Buffet in Co Cork.

Chief Executive of the FSAI, Dr Pamela Byrne, said that it is unacceptable staff are unaware of their responsibilities as food handlers.

She said, "Food business owners have a duty to their customers, their staff and themselves to ensure food regulations are being followed on their premises. It is not acceptable firstly that staff are not wearing appropriate protective clothing and secondly that they are unaware of the risks of possible food contamination when they do not follow such food preparation guidance.

"Staff must be properly trained and/or supervised to ensure compliance with the legal requirements and attention must be paid to the basics of good handwashing, effective cleaning and proper storage of food. These legal requirements are in place to ensure that consumers health is not being put at risk.

"Enforcement Orders are not served for minor breaches and consumers have a right to safe food.
''At the end of each day when the last case has been dealt with and I stand to leave the court, if I can say that I treated people with respect and courtesy, I decided cases impartially and to the best of my ability, I will have upheld my own standards and the standards that practitioners, gardai, the public and all participants are entitled to expect of me.''

These were the words of the newly appointed Judge Andrew Cody speaking this morning Monday July 18 on his first day presiding over Tullamore District Court.

Judge Cody was appointed following the promotion of Judge Catherine Staines to the circuit court.

The son of Seamus and Mary Cody, Clonmore, Templemore, Tipperary. Judge Cody is married with two children.

Prior to taking up office he practised as a solicitor in Newbridge for 32 years. He was also Chairman of the Complaints Committee of the Law Society.

Judge Cody was welcomed to Tullamore District Court on behalf of the court services office by Breda Costello who said she was looking forward to working with him in the future.

Sgt James OSullivan also welcomed him on behalf of the gardai and he too said he was looking forward to working with him.

Solicitor Donal Farrelly said he got to know Judge Cody as a colleague. He described him as a tough negotiator but extremely pragmatic. ''I wish you well,'' he said.

State Solicitor for Offaly Sandra Mahon said she echoed the sentiments and also wished him well.

Camilla McLoughlin, welcomed him on behalf of the press.

Responding Judge Cody thanked all those present for their ''kind comments''.

He paid tribute to his predecessor Judge Catherine Staines. ''I have big boots to fill,'' he said.

Judge Staines was ''unfailingly courteous, efficient and professional and I wish her well in her well-deserved promotion to the circuit court. I hope to meet those same high standards over the coming years.'' he added.

Continuing, Judge Cody said ''County Offaly and District Court Area 15 are no strangers to me as I spent six very happy years in secondary school in Offaly and have lived all my life either a few miles south of District 15 or a few miles north of it.

My first time in the district court was approximately 34 years ago when I attended Templemore District Court with my former Master Gus Cunningham. Echoing the circle of life the presiding judge that day was a Tullamore man Seamus Mahon and it is wonderful to see his granddaughter here today.

''I have known the practitioners here in Tullamore for many years and I know them to be professionals of the highest integrity. Breda Costello and her staff have made me very welcome since I was appointed two months ago and each one of my colleagues have spoken to me about the wonderful staff here in Tullamore and Portlaoise.

A special mention today must be reserved for the presenting Sergeant James OSullivan.

It is very reassuring to be welcomed by an old friend. As people often say, we go back a long way. We were both young guns together in Newbridge back in the early 90s and Sergeant OSullivan is still the same today as he was then, fair, compassionate, hardworking, polite and above all good humoured.

In other functions that I have discharged prior to my appointment such as my involvement with the Law Society I have always regarded it as imperative that everyone who ever came before me were entitled to be treated with courtesy and respect. Today I commit to the very same standards in this court,'' he said.

''The District Court is a very unique legal arena with plaintiffs, defendants, court staff, solicitors, barristers, court presenters, members of the An Garda Siochana, prison staff, probation workers, social workers and the press all working together and upholding the rights and duties of every citizen under the Irish Constitution. Each of us have a role to play in the smooth running of the District Court and when I am well settled in later in the year I intend to sit down with all stakeholders to see if there are any efficiencies that can be made to improve the smooth running of the court.

I am really looking forward to working with all stakeholders in the days and years ahead.''

Judge Cody received a round of applause from all those in the court.
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On July 5, 2022, local time, Pekka Haavisto, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and Ann Linde, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, hold a press conference following the signature of the NATO Accession Protocols for Finland and Sweden in Brussels, Belgium.

On July 5, representatives from NATO's 30 member states signed accession protocols for Finland and Sweden, marking the sixth round of NATO's expansion. Some people believe that Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO is their autonomous choice in the face of Russian military pressure.

On land, Finland shares a long border of over 1,300 km with Russia, which is difficult to manage if a war ever breaks out. At sea, Finland, Sweden and Russia all are Baltic states as bounded by the Baltic Sea, where the Russian Baltic Fleet has been deployed. Finland and Sweden face Russia with the Baltic Sea in between, and the strong smell of gunpowder in the Baltic Sea, coupled with the historical grievances among the three countries, and the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has made Finland and Sweden change their long-term neutrality policy and finally fallen into the arms of NATO.

The primary reason for their accession to NATO lies in the principle of collective defense at the very heart of the military blocs founding treaty since its very beginning, that is, an attack against one Ally is considered as an attack against all Allies. Iceland, unique among NATO Allies that does not have a standing army, can get a "free ride" to enjoy the security protection by the alliance, while Finland and Sweden, which have "positive assets" in military domain, are quite powerful and can bring multiple benefits to both NATO and the US.

The addition of Finland and Sweden serves to extend the power distribution of NATO's northern flank. Although Finland and Sweden are wealthy countries with small-scale militaries, their military equipment cannot to be underestimated. The two countries are characterized by strong defense industrial capability. To be specific, Finland, as an integral part of the military-industrial complex composed of the US and over 10 other countries, has the ability to build an even stronger air defense pattern in Europe together with its NATO Allies. Swedens Gripen fighter series has performed well, and Sweden has professional experience in the Arctic and submarine fields, and can also help expand the strength of other US-led multilateral alliances.

Not only can the two countries bring modern, highly specialized military forces into NATO, but they can also achieve a win-win situation with the US. On the one hand, the US nuclear umbrella is highly attractive to the two countries. Even if the two countries get into a conflict with Russia, there is no need to worry about the threat of Russian nuclear weapons. At the same time, the frequent commitment to European security as made by the US has also made the two countries feel quite assured. On the other hand, while committed to providing security for Europe, the US also takes the principle of collective defense as its concept to stabilize Europe with the European security strategic partners, and ensure the US worry-free in entering other parts of the world.

As of now, the Finnish and Swedish troops have regularly participated in NATO exercises, featuring high interoperability to jointly deal with Russia. And also the US is free to deal with opponents even tougher. The accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO may indeed allow the US to be free to deal with other opponents; however, it is still a big question as to whether Europe can gain stability and whether Finland and Sweden can benefit from the move.

Editor's Note: This article is originally published on thepaper.cn, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
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Farnborough, United Kingdom (AFP) July 18, 2022



Global aviation's Farnborough airshow opens Monday amid a sweltering heatwave, with the sector aided by a modest recovery in air traffic and with Ukraine boosting defence budgets. Tens of thousands of visitors will flock to the five-day show, held southwest of London, as weather forecasters warn of scorching record temperatures in England. "It's going to be the hottest Farnborough ever,
(RFE/RL)  Russia has lost some 50,000 killed or wounded soldiers in its invasion of Ukraine and nearly 1,700 tanks have been destroyed, the head of Britains armed forces says.



But Admiral Tony Radakin told the BBC in an interview broadcast on July 17 that any speculation the losses could bring down the government of...
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LONDON (AP)  Millions of people in Britain stayed home or sought shade Monday during the countrys first-ever extreme heat warning, as the hot, dry weather that has scorched mainland Europe for the past week moved north, buckling rail lines and forcing two airports to close their runways.

The red heat alert covers a big chunk of England and is to last through Tuesday, when temperatures may reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for the first time, posing a risk of serious illness and even death among healthy people, according to the Met Office, the U.K.'s meteorological agency.

The extreme heat warning stretches from London in the south to Manchester and Leeds in the north.

The temperature Monday reached 38.1 C (100.6 F) at Downham in eastern England, just shy of the highest-ever recorded in Britain  38.7 C (101.7 F), a record set in 2019. The country isn't at all prepared to handle such heat  most homes, schools and small businesses in Britain don't have air conditioning.

Wales provisionally recorded its highest-ever temperature, the Met Office said: 37.1 C (95.5 F) at Hawarden in northeastern Wales.

At least four people were reported to have drowned across the U.K. in rivers, lakes and reservoirs while trying to cool off.

Flights were suspended at Londons Luton Airport as engineers repaired the runway after high surface temperatures caused a small section to lift. RAF Brize Norton, a major air force base northwest of London, also closed its runway because of the heat. The air force said aircraft are using alternative airfields in line with a long established plan.

Temperatures are expected to rise further as the warm air moves north on Tuesday, Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby said.

So its tomorrow that were really seeing the higher chance of 40 degrees (104 F) and temperatures above that, Endersby told the BBC. Forty-one isnt off the cards. Weve even got some 43s in the model, but were hoping it wont be as high as that.

Hot weather has gripped southern Europe since last week, triggering wildfires in Spain, Portugal and France. Almost 600 heat-related deaths have been reported in Spain and Portugal, where temperatures reached 47 C (117 F) last week.

Climate experts warn that global warming has increased the frequency of extreme weather events, with studies showing that the likelihood of temperatures in the U.K. reaching 40 C (104 F) is now 10 times higher than in the pre-industrial era. Drought and heat waves tied to climate change have also made wildfires harder to fight.

Officials in southern Frances Gironde region announced plans to evacuate an additional 3,500 people from towns threatened by the raging flames. More than 1,500 firefighters and water-bombing planes are trying to douse the flames in the regions tinder-dry pine forests.

In Britain, train operators asked customers not to travel unless absolutely necessary, saying the heat was likely to warp rails and disrupt power supplies, leading to severe delays. Some routes were running at reduced speed or shutting down entirely in the afternoon amid peak temperatures.

Medical appointments were canceled to relieve strains on the National Health Service. Some schools closed while others set up wading pools and water sprays to help children cool off. Most British schools have not yet closed for the summer.

The extreme heat even led Parliament to loosen its strict dress code. The Speaker of the House of Commons said male lawmakers could dispense with jackets and ties for the week.

The high temperatures are even more of a shock since Britain usually has very moderate summer temperatures. Across the U.K., average July temperatures range from a daily high of 21 C (70 F) to a low of 12 C (53 F).

But nightfall on Monday will bring little relief from the heat, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures of 29 C (84 F) at midnight in London. Monday night will be very oppressive and it will be difficult to sleep, Chief Meteorologist Paul Davies said.

Tomorrow is the day where we are really concerned about a good chance now of hitting 40 or 41 C, and with that all the health conditions that come with those higher temperatures, he said.

___

Follow APs climate coverage at https://www.apnews.com/climate
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP)  The Idaho Republican Party has rejected adding language to their platform to allow an abortion to save the life of the mother.

KMVT-TV reported that a majority of the roughly 700 delegates from around the state rejected the change to the party's existing platform during its three-day convention that wrapped up Saturday. The platform does not have the force of law but states the partys position it wants Republicans in elected office to follow.
Photo courtesy of MichiganWorks! West Central

BIG RAPIDS  Michigan Works! West Central is hosting a Hiring Party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 22, at the Big Rapids service center, 14330 Northland Drive, Big Rapids.

The goal of the large-scale hiring event is to connect job seekers with employers, help employers fill vacant positions and help clients advance their careers.



MichiganWorks! West Central will provide hot dogs and several participating employers will be providing sides, snacks, drinks at their booths.
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Midland County Board of Commissioners will consider a request from Mosquito Control for drone capabilities to treat areas of the county.

The Mosquito Control Department expects a profound operational shift, if approved by the board Tuesday.

"I believe the time is appropriate to move into this capability at (Midland County Mosquito Control) due to the advances in the technology, but also out of a sense of necessity," Department Director Carl Doud wrote in his outline to the board.

The department's capacity to operate a drone lies in a few staff members trained as drone operators. The proposal would allow for a Mosquito Control drone to place treatment material in standing water areas, which would significantly support permanent-staffing's operational capabilities. The County Commissioners will consider this agenda item, among others, during its regularly scheduled board meeting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in the County Services Building, which is located at 220 W. Ellsworth Street in Midland.

The need comes after staffing struggles through the pandemic. In order to facilitate this capability by the next season, Doud proposes using departmental surplus to make purchases this season. According to the proposal, items such as the vehicle to support the drone is expected to have a three to nine month waitlist.

Proposed benefits Anticipated benefits of drone use from the Midland County Mosquito Control Department: Areas can be treated in less time than with foot crew personnel. Concentrates treatment capability away from seasonal positions and onto permanent departmental

staff. Allows access to hard-to-reach foot crew areas with uneven terrain and thick vegetation, thereby

reducing personnel injury risk. As the Sanford Lake bottom remains exposed, some areas may arise as mosquito breeding habitat.

The use of drones to survey and treat these areas will be far superior and practical compared to

doing so on foot. Surveys conducted this summer confirm low lying areas that will likely serve as

mosquito sources with heavy rains. Minimizes the need to walk directly on resident properties for treatment of mosquito habitat. Allows for more consistent application of material compared with human application and leads to

material cost savings. Drones equipped with technology such as LIDAR can map areas in great detail, which allows for

more precise treatment of habitat and savings of material. Expanding overall drone capability in Midland County may be useful in future emergency situations

and can be discussed and planned with the Emergency Management Coordinator. See More Collapse

Midland County Department of Public Health is requesting to hire three temporary employees at full-time hours for continued work to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for the positions have been secured through grant opportunities. The goal is to have these employees dedicated to the pandemic response efforts, while permanent employees can return to "normal capacity" at the health department.

The board will also consider the approval of an approximate $4,100 grant award from St. John's Episcopal Church for Mental Health Court of the 42nd Circuit Court. The grant is expected to fund the purchase of equipment for the court program.

A committee of Midland County, which focuses on employee wellbeing, has formed plans to help encourage mental wellness. The plans include a Service Agreement with the Calm App, which offers specific tracks of wellbeing, meditation, and mindfulness for work, kids, movement and breathing. The short interventions through the phone application capabilities are anticipated to create a difference in wellbeing throughout the workday and beyond. The board will consider this item on Tuesday.

In other business, the board will consider the following:

Agreements relating to job positions in the Circuit Court and prosecuting attorney's office

An amendment to the 2021/2022 Comprehensive Agreement with the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Submit a letter regarding the conclusion of the Administrator/Controller's performance review

In terms of new business, the board will consider appointments to the Juvenile Care Center Advisory Board and the Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board.
Dublin Maker Festival

The South Dublin Radio Club will be at the 'Dublin Maker' festival, Merrion Square, Dublin on Saturday the 23rd of July. 'Dublin Maker' is a free-to-attend, family-friendly, community-run event that celebrates the inventiveness, creativity, and resourcefulness of the 'Maker' movement.

It is a place where people show what they are making and share what they are learning. There will be 100 Makers at the event ranging from tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, artists, science clubs, students, authors, and commercial exhibitors. They are of all ages and backgrounds, coming from all over Ireland and beyond. The "Dublin Maker" mission is to entertain, inform and connect the Makers of Ireland while inspiring the next generation of Irelands Makers and inventors. In keeping with the Maker ethos, South Dublin Radio Club will demonstrate the knowledge and skills that can be learned through amateur radio by showcasing various projects and equipment.

The exhibit will feature HF and VHF stations operating for the duration of the festival, demonstrating all modes of communication. This will include a Digital Mobile Radio (DMR), home-built and based on a Raspberry Pi. There will be a TinyGS Ground Station. TinyGS is an open network of Ground Stations distributed around the world to receive and operate LoRa satellites, weather probes, and other flying objects. To give visitors a chance to give Morse a go South Dublin Radio Club will bring Morse keys and oscillators. A Software Defined Radio "waterfall" will be running on a screen, to be used as a visual aid to explain Radio communications to visitors. And there will be various projects made by club members, from simple AM receivers to Arduino and Raspberry-Pi based projects, and more!

"Dublin Maker takes place in a carnival atmosphere and is for all ages. There will be live music, food stalls, and toilet facilities on site. Entry is free. Dublin Maker runs from 10am to 6pm, Saturday the 23rd of July, Merrion Square, Dublin City. You can find more information about the festival online at www.dublinmaker.ie or by following the festival on Twitter /at/ DublinMaker. Alternatively, you can find more information on South Dublin Radio Club's involvement by visiting the club website www.southdublinradioclub.ie or you can keep tabs on the club's experience at Dublin Maker via Twitter /at/ SDRadioClub
With the primary elections coming up on August 2, one Midland resident is looking to be a "progressive" for his community in Lansing.

Matt Dawson is running to become the Democratic nominee in the new 95th State Representative District race. He is running on what he calls a progressive platform around issues relating to healthcare, education and lifting the working class.

Dawson was born in Midland and has lived there his entire life. He is a graduate of Midland High School and graduated from Saginaw Valley State University, working two jobs while attending SVSU.

He initially went to school to become a history teacher, but became disillusioned with this career path when he met teachers who were struggling with low pay, increasing class sizes and having to pay for school supplies out of pocket. He later became a business consultant.

When his consulting department was cut during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dawson transitioned into becoming a marijuana bud tender at the Skymint Dispensary in Saginaw. He intends to climb through the ranks of the cannabis industry.

As for his political experience, Dawson said he volunteered for Barack Obamas presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012 and Bernie Sanders's presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020. He also ran for the current 98th State Representative District in 2020 as an independent candidate.

Dawson said he is in the state representative race because he wanted to find, the most realistic big platform he could to promote his progressive ideals.

I believe in trying to move us forward, Dawson said. Thats what progress is. Some people like to tie the term progressive to some kind of idea of socialism, which is completely crazy, in my opinion. I believe that progressive means you want to see things progress, want to see things improve and get better.

Dawson said one issue he would like to address as representative is increasing access to healthcare. He said that his dad passed away in 2019 in large part because he could not afford access to preventive health care.

Eventually, Dawson said he would like to see a universal healthcare system statewide and nationwid. But he would ease into this system in Michigan by starting with a public option system first.

Dawson also wants to build up the working class by increasing the state minimum wage and cutting taxes for working-class families. He said that not enough candidates have working-class backgrounds, adding that he thinks many politicians are in the pockets of wealthy corporations. Before his first professional job, Dawson said he had to work three jobs totaling 60 hours a week to build up capital.

As for education, Dawson said solutions involve more than just pouring money into the system. He wants to address substandard access to school supplies and technology, provide access to mobile hotspots for children attending rural schools, and increase teacher wages.

I still know teachers who work second jobs, how burnt out they get and how overworked they are, Dawson said.

While he said parents should have some say regarding public school curriculum, Dawson wants to empower and entrust education experts who have been teaching their whole lives to shape the curriculum.

As for his campaign, Dawson said he has been working as efficiently as he can with the limited funds he has to get his name out to people. He has also been holding fundraisers and is starting to run social media campaign ads.

I think a lot of people are more receptive to (my) ideas than they may even realize until they are confronted by it, Dawson said. It is (a matter of) promoting that, talking about it, (and) putting it out there as much as I can.
PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Philadelphia police are looking for a man they say raped a woman on a subway platform while holding her boyfriend at gunpoint early Monday.

This is the third reported sexual assault since October on a Philadelphia-area commuter train or train platform.

The rape happened at around 4:30 a.m. on the Snyder Avenue station platform on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's Broad Street Line, said Philadelphia Police Capt. James Kearney, the head of the special victims unit, at a news conference Monday afternoon.

The 40-year-old woman was in the station with her boyfriend, trying on clothes he had bought her, police said. The suspect entered the station with his bicycle, and the three acknowledged each other.

A few minutes later the suspect came back to where the victim was, and demanded sex while pointing a handgun with an extended magazine at the victim and her boyfriend, Kearney said. In surveillance video from the station, Kearney said the boyfriend can be seen holding his hands up while the suspect points the gun at him.

After the assault, the man exited the station on his bicycle and the victim and her boyfriend left the station through a different exit to call police. Authorities said it was unclear if the station was open to the public when the three entered. The first SEPTA train arrives at the station around 4:45 a.m.

The assault Monday comes just a few months after police charged a man in an April sexual assault aboard a SEPTA train, also on the Broad Street Line.

A rape on a Market-Frankford Line train in October while other passengers were present garnered national attention and a campaign from the transit's police department to urge people to use call boxes and to report any questionable activity on trains. The suspect in that assault was arrested on board the train after a transit worker called police from the subway.

SEPTA officials have said they are working to address safety concerns, actively recruiting officers for the transit police department and working to increase the visibility of officers in the system. The transportation authority also put social workers on both the Market-Frankford Line and the Broad Street Line to make referrals for people with mental health issues or homeless people.

The system also recently added what it calls outreach specialists to help reinforce the rules of riding on the trains and to contact SEPTA police when needed.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Top Democrats running for the chance to take on U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson in Wisconsin largely kept their focus on the Republican opponent during the first and only televised debate Sunday, while the only female candidate faulted the men for not doing more to advocate for abortion rights.

The debate bringing together five candidates came just over three weeks before the Aug. 9 primary. The winner will advance to face Johnson, who is seeking a third term, in what is expected to be one of the most costly and hotly contested races in the country with majority control of the Senate at play.

Polls show Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry are leading the crowded field. Both Barnes and Lasry focused on Johnson, and not one another, in the debate as they advocated for getting rid of the Senate filibuster to pass a bill protecting abortion rights, passing gun safety laws, protecting the environment and tax changes to benefit the middle class.

Barnes pointed to his win as Gov. Tony Evers' running mate in 2018 over then-Gov. Scott Walker as evidence that he knows how to beat a Republican statewide. Lasry noted his union support to make the case for him to take on Johnson.

State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, the only woman in the race, took aim at her male opponents on abortion, asking why they had not made it more of a priority before the U.S. Supreme Court last month overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which put an 1849 state law banning abortion in Wisconsin back into effect.

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, who has trailed in the polls, attacked Godlewski for not voting in the 2016 election won by Donald Trump. He narrowly carried Wisconsin that year before losing the state by nearly an identical margin in 2020.

Godlewski worked for Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign in Wisconsin in 2016 but records show she did not vote.

As the only woman on this stage, I dont need to be lectured by any men about how important the 2016 election was," Godlewski said, highlighting her work for Clinton as director of outreached to women voters. I was the only one talking about reproductive rights because for me, this is not an afterthought.

Barnes, who last week launched a television ad featuring his mother talking about having to end a pregnancy, said he supported exploring "every option to make sure women get the health care they need and deserve.

Lasry, who noted that his wife works for Planned Parenthood, said defeating Johnson and doing away with the filibuster is the key to passing a law protecting abortion rights.

We need to make sure that were doing anything we can to make sure women can make their own health care decisions the way men can make their own health care decisions," Lasry said.

A fifth candidate, Steven Olikara, noted his experience leading a group called the Millennial Action Project that worked to empower younger people to bridge the partisan divide. He said he was running to change the system and reduce the influence of big money in politics.

Campaign finance reports filed last week showed that Johnson raised about $7 million over the past three months, more than the top four Democratic candidates combined. Lasry, whose father co-owns the Milwaukee Bucks, loaned his campaign $6.5 million of his own money.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal reports that the latest campaign finance reports showed Johnson had about $2 million on hand after spending about $6.5 million on ads during the second quarter.

Lasry actually outspent Johnson at $6.7 million thanks to the personal loan although his campaign brought in only $520,000 in outside donations.

Barnes collected $2.1 million in donations, Godlewski raised $900,000 and loaned her campaign $600,000 and Nelson collected $230,000.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Turkey can still freeze Sweden and Finlands membership in NATO unless the two countries take steps that meet Ankaras security demands, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.

Last month, Turkey lifted its objection to Sweden and Finland joining the alliance but warned that it would block the process if they fail to extradite suspects with links to outlawed Kurdish groups or the network of an exiled cleric accused of orchestrating a failed coup in 2016.

The Nordic countries accession still needs to be approved by the parliaments of all 30 NATO members and Turkeys parliament could refuse to ratify the deal.

I would like to remind once again that if these countries do not take the necessary steps to fulfill our conditions, we will freeze the (accession) process, Erdogan said in a televised addressed following a Cabinet meeting. Our stance on this issue is very clear. The rest is up to them.

Erdogan said that Sweden in particular was not projecting a good image, but didn't elaborate.

There was no immediate reaction from Sweden and Finland to Erdogan's comments.

Turkey accuses the two countries of being too lenient toward groups it considers to be national security threats. Turkeys justice minister said earlier this month that the government had renewed requests for the extradition of terror suspects wanted by his country.

Turkey, Sweden and Finland signed a joint memorandum during a NATO summit last month that allowed the alliance to move ahead with inviting the Nordic countries to the military alliance that seeks to enlarge and strengthen in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

With the memorandum, Finland and Sweden agreed to address Turkeys pending deportation or extradition requests of terror suspects expeditiously and thoroughly ... in accordance with the European Convention on Extradition.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - An independent UN human rights expert on Monday hailed a decision by the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights, to award reparations to the Ogiek indigenous peoples, for harm that they suffered due to injustices and discrimination
Photo: (Photo : Pexels)

A 14-year-old boy was pinned to the sidewalk, a knee pressed against his back, by an off-duty Chicago police officer who thought he had stolen his son's bicycle.

A video of the incident in Park Ridge, Illinois, has been circulating online wherein a man can be seen kneeling on a boy surrounded by his friends.

In the footage, the off-duty police officer was dressed in shorts and a bright blue jacket.

The boy was at the coffee shop with friends when they found an abandoned bike resting on the pavement. The bike belonged to the cop's son. The victim had removed the bike as it was blocking the sidewalk.

Police officer displaying the abuse of power

He accused the 14-years-old of stealing his son's bicycle despite the boy having his own bike with him. The boys' friends intervened and tried to put a space between the two. They also begged the police officer to get off their friend.

According to the Mirror, the man identified himself to responding Park Ridge Police officers as an off-duty Chicago officer.

The teenager was identified as Josh Nieves, a Park Ridge eighth-grader who is Puertorican. According to his parents, he was singled out from the other kids present due to his dark skin.

Angel and Nicole Nieves, Josh's parents, said the police officer was supposed to protect their son, not harm him, considering that he is a legal officer, per NBC Chicago.

Read Also: Children With Strong Family Connections are Most Likely to Succeed in Life

Discrimination against people with dark skin

According to the boy's parents, "We see the bias in an off-duty officer taking advantage of our brown boy, with afro hair, smaller in stature, choosing to take the law into his own hands with physical force, a clear abuse of his position of authority."

Discrimination against dark-skinned people is not just observed in the United States but also around the globe.

Per the We Forum, the vestige of colonialism is still present in countries in the Global South where white people are a minority. People with lighter skin tones benefit from preferential treatment in employment, media representation, and education.

Officials told Daily Mail that the police are currently conducting an internal investigation into the officer's behavior.

Nicole shared the footage of the incident in a post on Facebook Sunday, revealing she plans to file a formal complaint against the department.

Police are Legal Enforcers and they play a vital role in society as they protect citizens and maintain public order and safety but when they abuse their powers, they will cause harm to individuals, society, and freedom.

Such abuse of power is called police misconduct which refers to the illegal or inappropriate action done by an officer. Police misconduct occurs due to instances of excessive use of power, racial profiling, ans others.

Related Article: Viral Video: Missouri Dad Wants to Stop Transgender Youth Discrimination
Photo: (Photo : Succo)

An Ohio woman was sentenced for stealing her deceased father's pension funds and Social Security benefits, collecting $254,116. Cindy S. Hardway continued to claim her father's pension and Social Security benefits even after he passed away in 2005.

The 62-year-old woman was sentenced in the U.S. District Court to repay restitution, serve six months in federal prison, and three years under supervised release.

According to the legal documents, Hardway used some of the money for a Las Vegas trip after her father's death and continued taking the money for another 15 years.

Hardway pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of theft of public money and one count of theft or embezzlement from an employee benefit plan, per Bloomberg Law.

She admitted to not reporting her father's death, Joseph Fries, to the Central States, Southeast & Southwest Areas Pension Plan or the Social Security Administration.

Shall be held accountable

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, said the money was intended for some of the nation's most vulnerable people, including retirees, widows, and people with disabilities.

Parker commended the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Labor for continuing to audit their programs and recognizing irrelevant distributions and theft. He noted people should be aware that they can be identified and held accountable.

The woman accessed the funds using her father's debit card and used them for her benefit from the time of her father's death through May 2020, per the U.S. Department of Labor.

Judge James L. Graham of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division in Columbus, stated that Hardway must report to prison by September 6.

Read Also: Toys For Ill Children Stolen As An Ill Christmas Surprise

Failed to notify the Pension Fund

Hardway was held accountable for accessing her deceased father's account and stealing taxpayer funds.

Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, said that he is gratified that there was a review by the audit office which identified the case and warned the investigators of this kind of fraud.

He added that such efforts are crucial to maintaining the public's trust in the Social Security and want to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Landry for prosecuting the case.

According to Joe Rivers, Employee Benefits Security Administration Regional Director in Cincinnati, fraudulent transactions severely impact the integrity of pension plans and are a blatant violation of Federal Law.

Illegal use of pension or retirement benefits will be investigated, and he added that individual retirement earnings for rightful recipients would be protected, per The United States Attorney's Office Southern District of Ohio.

Related Article: Ohio Baker Steal Baby's Identity to Claim $1.5 Million Pandemic Relief, DOJ Says
The government of India and the state governments should not only be conscious of the ill effects of population growth in an already densely populated country, they should also make it appear before the people that the government is concerned about this grim situation.

by N.S.Venkataraman

The much-publicized UNDP report that by 2050, India's population will reach 166. 8 crore, surpassing China's population at 131.7 crores, is alarming. India will emerge as the most populous country in the world in the next year. India already accounts for around 17.5 % of the world population. This is a situation which would not make India proud.

Let not anyone think that this is Indias problem. On the other hand, it would be a world problem, as high population density in India beyond acceptable level will lead to several issues globally in a variety of ways. If a country has a highly dense population where economic growth cannot sustain such dense population by generating employment or opportunities, the people in such regions are bound to spill over to other countries, where there could be opportunities. This could create issues for other countries in course of time disturbing the demographic balance



It is said that Indias population growth is declining. This is not a reason for comfort, as even with declining population growth, Indias population will reach an unacceptable level. Such population growth would happen, even if childbearing were to fall immediately to around two births per woman. Even with a declining fertility rate, Indias population is expected to increase at alarming level.

There is a consensus view that economic development, adult literacy and women empowerment and education will lead to reduced children per family, there is also a view that when families realise that they are undergoing severe economic problems, they would themselves reduce the number of children. However, the ground reality is that India cannot afford to wait for such a slow pace of change to take place to reduce the population level.

There is also a vague view about demographic dividend , where it is said that more hands would mean greater work output and consequent faster economic development. This is a lopsided view, as in conditions where skill level cannot be imparted adequately due to high population density, it would not be a case of demographic dividend but only a case of demographic drag.

While it is pointed out that longevity of life due to medical advancement may also be a contributing factor for population issue, this is a negative way of viewing things. The only positive way of checking the alarming population growth is to prevent births by appropriate strategies and educative campaigns. Obviously, this is not being done adequately.

The ground reality is that after the national emergency, when coercive methods were adopted to control the population growth and people resented this and the then ruling party lost power, the subsequent governments seem to be viewing population control as a delicate issue and population control strategies and implementation have virtually gone for a toss.

It is surprising that while Prime Minister Modi is talking about several issues and is striving to find solutions, he has not paid enough attention to curtail the population level in India drastically by discouraging births. While Mr. Modi has occasionally spoken about the need for population control, he has not given the thrust that he normally gives for other issues such as public cleanliness, climate management and environmental issues etc.

The government of India and the state governments should not only be conscious about the ill effects of population growth in an already densely populated country, they should also make it appear before the people that the government is concerned about this grim situation. It should convince the people that urgent measures to control the population growth are not an option but inevitable, even as such measures s should not be coercive to the extent possible.

The government of India should insist that there should be only one child per family from now onwards. Some critics of one child family policy cite the example in China, where strict enforcement of the one-child norm has resulted in a disproportionate elderly population and caused a shortage of working hands. This again, is a false view, as with a better health scenario, people work for a longer period of life and automation has reduced the manpower requirement in several sectors

Some religious groups may object to one family norm for whatever reasons. Government should reject such views strongly and move ahead with its population control measures. Allowing one or two religious groups not to observe the one-child family norm and other religious groups observing this norm would lead to a severe demographic imbalance in the country that would create social issues.

Government should also strictly enforce the rule that there could be only one wife for a man and polygamy should be strictly banned. While there are some rules already existing in this regard, it is seen that this is not strictly enforced. There are several politicians in India, who have more than one wife and remain as legislators, parliamentarians or ministers. Strict enforcement of one wife for one man could be a meaningful proactive strategy.

Several disincentives should be introduced to prevent multiple children in families and there are many such disincentive possibilities.

It is well known that two states namely Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are largely responsible for population growth in the country and these two states account for a quarter of Indias population ( over 36 crores) Certainly, a highly focused population control campaign is required in these two populous states.

It is also necessary that a separate ministry should be created with a cabinet rank minister in central government and all state governments to focus on and implement government policies on population management with a firm time schedule.

Finally, Indians should be conscious of the fact that even if India were to succeed in bringing down the population growth to near zero level in a decade, India would still remain as the most populous country and most densely populated country in the world for a long time to come. This scenario clearly highlights the seriousness of the present population issue in India
Photo: (Photo : Rudy and Peter Skitterians)

A Kingston nan was accused of human trafficking and child pornography and now faces 76 Offences related to major sex crimes.

Michael Mark Haaima, 38 years old, was arrested in April. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Kingston Police announced the charges against Haaima on Monday.

According to court documents, the police identified a total of 18 victims, with two being underage at that time.

The 38-year-old's bail was denied in early May. On Tuesday, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice confirmed that Haaima has applied for a bail review.

Haaima made his provincial court first appearance on Tuesday since the charges were announced. He also appeared via video link from Quinte Detention Centre in Napanee, Ont., where he wore an orange jumpsuit and medical mask and kept his arms crossed behind his back while addressing the justice of the peace, H.W. Chiang, as "sir," per CBC News.

Haaima's next provincial court appearance is scheduled for July 19.

Sexually assaulted underage victims

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) dubbed the investigation "Project Shamrock," which began in January when Kingston Police were made aware of circulating allegations that a 38-year-old man was luring victims through social media.

Kingston police, Ottawa police, Peterborough Police, and the OPP coordinated the investigation.

According to the police, the victims involved are now safe. Additional victims were later identified, and more charges were laid.

According to CTV News Ottawa, the accused remains in custody.

Read Also: Parents Be Warned! Know These Pedophile Symbols To Protect Your Children From Predators

Keep away from children

Antje McNeely, Kingston Police Chief, said that the success of the Project Shamrock investigation is an important message that the Police Community must continue being committed to investigating and holding those predators or those who commit predatory crimes accountable.

Police believe there are still victims in the community who are afraid to speak up; thus, they are urging these people to come forward. Anyone with additional information can contact the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122, Kingston Police, or the local police.

If you or someone you know may be a victim of these crimes, call 911 as soon as possible.

According to BBC News, 1- to 2 percent of men are pedophiles. Some are preying on children, which is dangerous, while others don't act on their feelings. There are usually female pedophiles, but the vast majority are men.

Experts admit that women commit a fraction of child sexual abuse, but so much is hidden that it is difficult to be accurate. An influential study in the U.S. in the 1980s showed only 20 percent of offenses against boys while 5 percent were against girls.

A study by Professor Tamara Turner-Moore at Leeds Beckett University revealed that up to 10 percent of men have sexual thoughts about children at some stage in their lives.

Related Article: Watch Out for These 5 Online Threat That Put Your Teens at Risk
Photo: (Photo : Michal Jarmoluk)

Extraction of wisdom tooth is needed when there is an infection in its surrounding area to avoid problems. Arun Narang, a dentist and oral surgeon at Smile by Design in Ontario, Canada, strongly recommends the pulling out of the wisdom tooth before it starts causing problems. They usually emerge in the late teen years, making the procedure easier and predictable.

Teens do not have wholly formed wisdom teeth, and their roots are not entirely established. In addition, teenagers have a shorter recovery time compared to adults.

According to The New York Times, such extraction happens annually despite the risks of surgical procedures and asymptomatic wisdom teeth as part of college preparation.

Dental plans cover the extraction of infected teeth which have partly grown in or are impacted below the gum.

Why do Wisdom teeth need to be removed during teenage years?

Wisdom teeth usually appear between the ages of 16 and 21, the first sign that they need to be removed.

According to Olga Krikunenko, a dentist at Mint Dental of Franklin in Massachusetts, she hopes patients can go to the general dentist for checkups at any age.

In these appointments, dentists can monitor the teeth over the years as they take Panoramic X-rays every few years. However, higher-risk patients may need it done more often to evaluate the growth and positioning of the wisdom teeth.

Dr. Edward R. Gillis of the American Dental Association (ADA) revealed that pain, infection, cysts, tumors, and many things that can damage the way you chew or the jaw placement are signs that wisdom teeth need to be removed.

Chairman of Orthodontics at the University of Washington in Seattle, Dr. Greg J. Huang, said that he is not against removing teeth, but if wisdom teeth are not pulled out at a young age, a patient is just postponing the inevitable.

A professor of surgery at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Dr. Raymond P. White Jr., stated that approximately 60 to 70 percent of patients with wisdom teeth would sooner or later have trouble with them, according to their data.

Therefore, early wisdom teeth removal is safest, per Children's Health.

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Effects of removal of wisdom teeth

There isn't enough space in most teenagers' mouths for such extra teeth, and overcrowding can damage the mouth's teeth, nerves, and bones. Getting wisdom teeth removed may seem bothersome, but leaving them in is far less convenient in the long term.

The usual side effect of wisdom teeth extraction is a dry socket that occurs when wounds don't clot properly, leaving the nerves and bone exposed and causing pain as food may be trapped in the socket.

Hence, dry sockets can be treated by another visit to the dentist in which doctors clean out and apply dry socket paste medication and restitch if needed.

Damage to the adjacent molar, nerve injury, broken roots, numbness, and sinus aggravation is typically the serious side effects of the extraction, per Forbes.

Related Article: Opioid Addiction On Teens Starts With Wisdom Teeth, Study Says
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The lawyer of Dr. Caitlin Bernard, the doctor from Indiana who provided abortion for the ten-year-old rape victim in Ohio, sent a cease-and-desist letter to Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, demanding that he stop making false or misleading statements about the physician.

The letter said that Rokita made false, defamatory statements against Bernard on Fox News on July 13, 2022, casting the doctor in a false light and alleged misconduct in her profession, IndyStar reports.

Bernard, an obstetrician-gynecologist, provided abortion to the 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio. The young girl's case caught international attention after she was refused an abortion in Ohio in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision. She had to travel to Indiana for an abortion.

False and Misleading statements

On July 13, Rokita said on the Fox News Channel's "Jesse Watters Primetime" show that Bernard failed to report the abortion of the 10-year-old-girl in Indiana. The Attorney General said they are gathering evidence against Bernard as they speak and are also "looking at her licensure. He added that their office would fight the issue to the end, citing that intentionally not reporting a rape constitutes a crime. Rokita also said Bernard may have violated the patient information's confidentiality and claimed that Bernard has a history of failing to report. As per USA Today, Rokita did not offer any evidence to support his claims.

In the letter, Bernard's attorney, Kathleen DeLaney, said that Bernard complied with her reporting duties in the case. Per public records and related documents, Bernard filed a form with the Indiana Department of Health and the Department of Child Services disclosing the child's abortion and abuse.

Also in the letter is the request to Rikota to desist from making false and misleading statements about alleged misconduct by Dr. Bernard, citing that his accusations constitute defamation. She added that Rokita's message is beyond the general scope of his authority as Indiana's Attorney General. She reminded Rokita that his statement forms an actionable defamation claim.

Read Also: Police Arrest Man Who Raped and Impregnated 10-Year-Old Ohio Girl.

Inciting harassment or violence from the public

Meanwhile, Indiana University Health (IU Health) issued a statement Friday saying that the group conducted an investigation with the full cooperation of Dr. Bernard and other IU Health team members and found that the doctor complied with the privacy laws.

As per NBC News, a Terminated Pregnancy Report from the Indiana Department of Health showed that Bernard reported the procedure within the required timeframe. A review of state records found no issues with Bernard's medical license.

Delaney expressed concern that given the attorney general's controversial political context of the statement, his accusations could incite harassment or violence from the public.

The spokesperson from Rokita's office wrote in an email that the attorney general's office would review the letter, but "no false or misleading statement has been made."

Related Article: French Drug Company Applies for FDA Approval of First Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill in the US
Photo: (Photo : Unsplash)

A dad took to social media his frustration at Raging Rivers Waterpark in Grafton, Illinois, after the resort allegedly publicly humiliated a 13-year-old girl because of her weight.

Per Andrew Batton, his daughter was excited to ride the park's newest waterslide, the "Mississippi Monster," and was with a friend when she climbed the stair at the start of the attraction. The dad said that when the young teen arrived at the top, a worker gave her a weighing scale, asking her to weigh herself, despite the numerous strangers around her, Today says.

The ride had a weight limit of 200 pounds, and after weighing, the worker told her that she exceeded five pounds and was not allowed to get on the ride.

Her daughter said it was worse to have endured the public humiliation of being asked to step on the scale in front of everyone and told that you are overweight.

Batton explained that tears wound up in his daughter's eyes. As parents, they now had to undo the emotional damage Raging Rivers caused them.

No warning or signage

The employee working the new water slide was "extremely upset" and explained that the scene had been playing out the entire day and many people had been upset/ surprised by the reaction.

According to the Telegraph, a Raging Rivers employee on Tuesday said the park initially had a 300-pound weight for the new attraction, based on the slide's manufacturer. However, the water slide manual given to the employees had a weight limit of 200 pounds. The employee claimed several signs about the weight limit, but the father disagreed.

There was no warning or signage to warn swimmers about the weight limit posted at the bottom of the hill or at the ride's opening to spare the people from being subjected to public humiliation at the top of the slide. Batton added that despite the roll-out delays and announcements leading to the opening, there was never any mention of a weight limit.

Read Also: Dylan Kuehl: First Graduate with Down Syndrome Makes History at 51-Year-Old Evergreen State College.

Looking out for the safety

The spokesperson for Ragin Rivers, Jimmy Holmes, the rest's goal is not to embarrass anyone but to look at their customer's safety while visiting Ragin Rivers. The company takes many precautions to ensure the guest's safety while experiencing the slides and other attractions. He added that the resort imposed the reduced weight limit for "guest safety" and that new parts are expected to arrive on Wednesday to increase the weight capacity of the ride, KATV reports.

The father is not asking for anything from the company except for an apology to his daughter. He shared that resort has been her daughter's source of joy since childhood. The incident saddened him because of its negative impact on her daughter.

He said the incident was mentally damaging to her young teener and hoped other kids would not experience the same humiliation.

Related Article: Mom Charged with 1999 Murder of Her 6-Year-Old Son After a 23-Year Breakthrough Call from Family Friend
Photo: (Photo : Pixabay )

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill on Friday, July 15, to make imported baby formula cheaper for parents to buy in the wake of the nationwide shortage.

HR 8351, also known as the "Formula Act," was introduced by Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene of Washington and Earl Blumenauer of Oregon. The bill would temporarily suspend tariffs on imported baby formula until the end of the year, according to CNN.

According to Blumenauer's office, baby formula imported from countries without a free trade agreement with the United States is subject to tariffs, increasing the formula cost for American consumers by an average of 27 percent.

Formula Act passes on a 421-2 vote

DelBene said this legislation would help alleviate this crisis by lowering the price of imported baby formula from safe and trusted partners abroad while domestic production catches up.

The bill passed the House by an almost unanimous 421-2 vote and now moves to consideration in the Senate, according to The Hill. This is the latest bill passed by American lawmakers to address the baby formula shortage that has wreaked havoc in the United States.

President Joe Biden signed the Baby Formula Act in May after Congress passed it. The law aimed to ensure that American families in need could continue to buy baby formula with WIC benefits during a public health emergency or when supply chain issues arise, such as a product recall. WIC refers to the assistance program provided by the federal government known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

The Democratic-led House also approved a bill in May that would provide $28 million in emergency funding for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help alleviate the baby formula shortage. That said, legislation has stalled in the Senate.

Read Also: Iowa Nurse Midwives Fill Gap in Prenatal Care After Rural Hospitals Shut Down Delivery and Labor Units

Baby formula shortage still a problem in the U.S.

The baby formula shortage was compounded by the months-long shutdown of Abbott Nutrition's infant formula plant in Sturgis, Michigan, earlier this year. The facility resumed production on July 1 after a separate three-week shutdown caused by flooding from severe storms in the state of Michigan.

The FDA said in May that it would make it easier to import some baby formulas to ease the shortage. The federal agency announced last week plans to work with foreign infant formula manufacturers so that they can permanently sell their products in the United States.

The Biden administration has flown in millions of formula bottles overseas since May in what it calls Operation Fly Formula. More than 524 million 8-ounce bottles of formula have been imported into the US from nine countries as of July 8. According to the FDA, they have started hitting the US market, with more products slated to be in stores over the coming weeks and months.

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Photo: (Photo : skalekar1992 from Pixabay )

A West Virginia baby has become an instant celebrity after he was welcomed into the world in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven store on July 11.

Allie Sayers, a now mom of three, had a planned C-section on the calendar for her third kid, but she suddenly went into labor two days before the appointment. Sayers was being taken to the hospital for the delivery when she asked her fiancee, Chase Bush, to pull their vehicle over.

In an interview with WDTV, she said she knew her baby was coming, and there was no way he was waiting. She added that her fiancee delivered their baby in the car's front seat with their other two children in the backseat at 3:30 in the morning.

Dad had no clue what he was doing during the surprise delivery

According to the media outlet, the little boy, named Waylon Bush, weighed six pounds, eight ounces and was 19 inches long at the time of his birth.

Chase's sister, Ambra Bush, said her brother did not even realize the date was 7/11 when he performed the surprise delivery. He just told her sister, "I just delivered your nephew." Ambra pointed out the date to her brother, with both of them sharing a laugh about it afterward.

She told Fox Business that her brother was in construction and had no clue what he was doing with the delivery. She added that the baby was born with the cord wrapped around his neck, but his dad acted quickly to unwrap the cord.

Ambra said the 911 operator was trying to help guide him through the delivery, but he was like, "I already did it." Young Waylon was welcomed into the world while his two siblings, seven-year-old Aliannah and five-year-old Bryson, watched in the car.

Read Also: Cheating Mom Shoves Rival Mother to the Ground to Win Race at Daughter's School

7-Eleven offers a few perks to the couple and their baby

According to Ambra, Chase reportedly said his two children had a stunned look after the surprise delivery, but both were fine. Bush noted that Sayers had a long labor with her first kid and an emergency C-section with her second child. She added that Sayers' contractions began early that morning, but her water did not break.

A baby born at 7-Eleven on July 11 did not go unnoticed by the popular convenience store chain, as they offered the couple and their baby Waylon a few perks. 7-Eleven issued a statement to People magazine, saying that Baby Waylon now shares the 95th birthday of the convenience store retailer, and to celebrate this serendipitous event, 7-Eleven is gifting Allie and Chase with seven years of free coffee to help them stay awake on their latest nights or earliest mornings.

7-Eleven also will be gifting the infant and his family a care package filled with 7-Eleven and Slurpee branded items, including diapers, onesies, and other essentials, according to the store.

Related Article: Pregnant Woman Says Unborn Baby Should Count as Car Passenger After Receiving HOV Ticket in Texas
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People experiencing mental health crises can now easily dial or text 988. Vibrant Emotional Health, a nonprofit that operates the lifeline on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), launched dial 988 on Saturday.

Inspired by 911, the hotline will connect people with a network of crisis counselors, making mental health support accessible to Americans. The new-three digit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people who are suicidal or in other mental health crises to a trained mental health professional, per Huff Post.

Before, the dialing code for the suicide prevention lifeline was 1-800-273-TALK, which would remain operational as the expansion to 988 is in transition. If not comfortable talking about mental health concerns, individuals can also send text messages to the three-digit hotline number.

Features of the 988 Hotline

As per NPR, most people experiencing a mental health emergency call 911. However, 911 is not designed to address mental health needs. Most callers with mental health problems are sent to the emergency room to wait hours before treatment or get booked in jail or killed by police. The new hotline hopes to reduce these confrontations with law enforcement and connect them directly to mental health professionals.

The new lifeline will give people access to the network of more than 200 local crisis call centers around the country. When a person calls, they will be connected to a trained counselor closest to them. If the local crisis center could not respond, they would be routed to one of the 16 backup centers in the country.

The hotline is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a far cry from the country's expensive and inaccessible mental health care facilities. Families concerned that their loved one is going through a mental health crisis may also use the hotline.

Read Also: Dad Slams Local Water Park for Publicly Humiliating His 13-Year-Old

Breaking down barriers

According to Jennifer Christian-Herman, the vice president of Mind Body Medicine at Blue Shield of California, the 988 lines are expected to break down practical and stigma barriers to asking for and receiving mental health support.

The hotline aims to ensure that people get the help they need when and where they need it. Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, the administrator of SAMHSA, said that when a person calls 988, they can expect a conversation with a trained, compassionate crisis counselor who will talk with them about what they are experiencing. Delphin-Rittmon added that if the case needs further intervention, the crisis counselor will connect it to the local mobile crisis team.

According to CNN, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's five leaders finalized 988 in 2020. In the same year, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 became law. Last year, the 1-800-273-TALK received 3.6 million chats and texts, and SAMHSA expects that the number will double in the first year that 988 is launched.

Related Article: Woman Exposes Men's Excuses when Asked to Wear a Condom
Help integrate Israel with Arab despots and form anti-Iran alliance

by Latheef Farook

United States President Joe Biden, a hard core Zionist who often said that one need not be a Jew to be a Zionist, undertook a three day visit to Middle East between July 13 and 16. He loves Israel and this was his tenth visit to Israel

The journey also took him to Israeli occupied Palestine territories and Saudi Arabia where he attended a summit of Arab despots, US stooges, to form an alliance aimed at military strikes on Iran to destroy its nuclear facilities.

Israel rolled out red carpet for Biden, one of its best-ever friends as, on his arrival, Biden described the connection between the US and Israel as bone-deep.

Palestinian political analysts said Biden had two main goals ; to integrate Israel in the region by forming an alliance, a Middle East "NATO" ,that includes Israel, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi , Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq to curb the Iranian and to curb the economic repercussions resulting from the war in Ukraine.

However, the Palestinian issue was completely ignored as Biden's visit puts US interests and Israel over the legitimate Palestinians rights and regional security.

Therefore his visit was a deep disappointment to brutalized and oppressed Palestinians who look to U.S. to press Israel into restarting peace talks which collapsed over a decade ago leaving millions of Palestinians living under Israeli military rule.

Attending a reception to him by Palestine Authority at Bethlehem, West Bank, Biden said the ground is not ripe for restarting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Perhaps he is waiting for an auspicious time which will never come in view of US-Europe blind support to Israel and protecting from all its crimes.

Dismissing Israeli atrocities and barbarities on Palestinians, Biden said that the world cannot wait for a peace agreement and steps need to be taken to improve the lives of Palestinian people. He announced $316 million financial assistance for the Palestinians. Perhaps part of this would go to Swiss accounts of Palestine Authority which has become a stooge implementing the evil agendas of Israel against Palestinians.

A brave Palestinian nurse told Biden that what we need is our basic rights, justice and dignity

Bidens trip to the West Bank was met with bitterness among Palestinians who fear being further undermined by the Abraham Accords, a diplomatic vehicle for Arab nations to normalize relations with Israel despite its continuing occupation and atrocities.

Under the circumstance the Palestinian goal of an independent state in east Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza  territories Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war  appears more distant than ever.

Israel is expanding settlements in annexed east Jerusalem and the West Bank, which are now home to some 700,000 Jewish settlers. The Palestinian view the settlements  many of which resemble sprawling suburbs  as the main obstacle to peace, because they carve up the land on which a Palestinian state would be established. Most of the world considers them illegal.

Well-known human rights groups have concluded that Israels seemingly permanent control over millions of Palestinians amounts to apartheid. One of those groups, Israels own BTselem, hung banners in the West Bank that were visible from the presidential motorcade.

Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha said: "Biden's visit aims to liquidate the Palestinian cause, reactivate the American role in the Middle East, as well as the formation of new alliances in the region."

Hours before Biden was set to become the first U.S. leader to fly directly from Israel to the kingdom, Saudi announced its the decision to open its airspace for all air carriers

It signaled the end of Saudis longstanding ban on Israeli flights overflying its territory  an incremental step toward the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel that builds on the strong, but informal ties with the so called foes have developed in recent years over their shared concerns about Irans growing influence in the region.

Biden hailed the decision as an important step to help build momentum toward Israels further integration into the region.

This visit, a practical embodiment of the unlimited American support and blatant bias towards the occupation, forms a cover for Israels crimes of murder, displacement, racial discrimination, colonial settlement, and Judaization against our Palestinian land, people, and Islamic and Christian sanctities.

The purpose of the Middle NATO is to destroy Iran and its nuclear facilities in the same way US-Europe-Israel and their Arab collaborators who now form the Middle East NATO destroyed Iraq and killed more than a million of innocent Iraqis.

Israel wanted to destroy any Arab country which constitutes a threat to its dream to be the super power in the region with divided Arab world with weak rulers depending on US for its survival.

It ws as part of this strategy that US-Europe and Israel destroyed Iraq, Syria and Libya and turned Egypt into a satellite state with Saudi UAE and Kuwaiti conspiracies against the democratically elected President Mohamed Morsys government...

Today the only threat that Israel faces is Iran and its nuclear facility. So Iran need to be destroyed in the same way Iraq, Syria and Libya were destroyed,

The Arab despots who attended the Jeddah summit last week collaborated and even financed the destruction of these three countries and killing millions of Muslims there. Saudi Arabia alone spent more than 70 billion dollars to support US-Israeli war on Iraq.

Thus so called Middle East NATO is yet another conspiracy against Iran and the irony is the Gulf tyrants find it difficult to realize the dangers involved in antagonizing Iran-their immediate and giant neighbor.

Addressing the regional summit in Saudi Arabia attended by despots from six Gulf States, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, Biden repeated the US commitment to ensuring Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.

Saudi Arabia has been marked by his campaign promise to turn it into a "pariah," as well as to release an intelligence report implicating the crown prince in the murder of Washington Post and Middle East Eye columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

Saudi Arabian activists and dissidents have lambasted the trip, saying they feel betrayed by the Biden administration who promised to hold Saudi Arabia responsible for human rights abuses.

It appears US and Israel are preparing for another against Iran and destroy its nuclear facilities, ensure Israels safety and supremacy and slaughter millions of Iranians. Ends
At a glance Experts Rating Pros Durable and functional chassis

Top-notch keyboard

Great speakers, webcam, and microphone

Long battery life for its category Cons Too large for significant tablet use

Performance is just so-so

Extremely expensive Our Verdict Lenovos ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 is ideal for work and travel. Its also too dang expensive.

Best Prices Today: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 (2022)

Retailer Price Delivery Lenovo $2147.40 View

Lenovos Thinkpad X1 Yoga is now a veteran of the Windows 2-in-1 market. It has outlived competitors like the Microsoft Surface Studio and Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 to become one of the last flagship 2-in-1s with a 360-degree hinge. Lenovo seems aware of its unique position and is willing to charge for it. While we really liked the keyboard and speakers, performance is average at best. Read on to learn more.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 specs and features

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 I received was a relatively basic variant with mid-tier processor, RAM, and solid state drive options. It also equipped a 19201200 IPS touchscreen instead of the OLED option. Still, even this model has forward-looking features like two Thunderbolt 4 ports and Wi-Fi 6E, the latest wireless standard.

CPU: Intel Core i7-1260P

Memory: 16GB

Graphics/GPU: Intel iris Xe

Display: 1920 x 1200 IPS touchscreen

Storage: 512GB SSD

Webcam: 1080p

Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, Headphone/Microphone, HDMI 2.0

Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Biometrics: Fingerprint reader in power button

Battery capacity: 57 watt-hours

Dimensions: 12.38 x 8.75 x .61 inches

Weight: 3.04 pounds

MSRP: $1,938.60

Then again, this mid-tier model is rather expensive. This X1 Yoga I tested rang up at just under $2,000. The Lenovo X1 Yoga Gen 7 is priced higher than the Apple MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13, Dell XPS 13 Plus, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, among many others. Can it justify the premium?

Design and build quality

IDG / Matthew Elliott

Lenovos ThinkPad X1 family takes the if its broke, dont fix it approach to design. Thats not a great way to grab headlines, but its hard to find fault with the X1 Yogas look, feel, or function.

The X1 Yoga is a handsome and professional 2-in-1 with a slim, minimalist exterior. Those whove been away from ThinkPads for a few years may be surprised it has a silver aluminum chassis instead of the classic black magnesium alloy of older models. The newer aluminum design is more generic but also more luxurious. Thats important given the X1 Yogas high pricing.

Though designed as a 2-in-1 with a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen, laptop use is the clear priority. The X1 Yoga weighs about three pounds and is six-tenths of an inch thick, which means its no lighter or thinner than traditional laptop alternatives like the Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Air. The X1 Yoga also packs a large 14-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This makes for a comfortable typing experience, but the device is too heavy for comfortable tablet use.

Still, the touchscreen provides some versatility. Using the keyboard as a stand makes the touchscreen more accessible in tight spaces. Its also convenient when watching movies or YouTube. The touchscreen supports stylus use and, unlike most competitors, the X1 Yoga has a portable stylus that tucks safely inside the device.

Keyboard and trackpad

Created with GIMP IDG / Matthew Smith

The X1 Yogas keyboard is fantastic. It has a spacious layout with ample room between keys both vertically and horizontally and, despite the 2-in-1s thin profile, the key feel is spacious with a firm and responsive bottoming action. Most premium laptops and 2-in-1 lines, including Apples MacBook Air and Dell XPS 13, also have great keyboards, but the X1 Yoga remains at the front of the pack.

Lenovo stuffs in a few keys that some 2-in-1s ditch, such as the home, end, and insert keys, as well as the page up and page down keys. This isnt a big deal for most people but those who need them will appreciate their inclusion.

Keyboard backlighting is standard on all X1 Yoga models. Theres only two levels of backlight brightness, however, and a fair amount of light leaks around the edges of each key. Though not a functional problem, it is underwhelming for a premium 2-in-1.

The classic Lenovo TrackPoint nub sits in the middle of the keyboard. Im a fan of the TrackPoint, which I find quicker and more responsive than a touchpad, but theres nothing here to change the minds of those who dont like it.

The touchpad is responsive and has a smooth, pleasant surface, but its a bit small because of three physical, clicky touchpad buttons at the top of the touchpad. These buttons can be used with either the TrackPoint or touchpad. This, like the TrackPoint, sets the X1 Yoga apart from its competitors. Physical touchpad buttons are nearly extinct on competing devices.

Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

Lenovo ships the X1 Yoga with up to a 3,480 x 2,400 OLED display, but was bold enough to send me the less expensive 1,920 x 1,200 IPS display instead. I appreciate this  the OLED display is excellent, Im sure, but its not what most people will buy.

The basic display still holds up well, with good contrast, high brightness, and vivid, accurate color. Like most IPS screens, the display is best when viewing punchy, saturated, bright content, such as 3D esports games or animated shows. The display cant reach a deep and convincing black level but actually does better than most, hitting a contrast ratio of 1690:1.

The 1,920 x 1,200 resolution doesnt seem impressive on paper but still packs over 161 pixels per inch. Thats nearly identical to a 27-inch 4K monitor, which crams 163 pixels per inch. Sharpness is excellent across movies, web pages, and documents.

And, because this is a 16:10 display, theres extra display space when compared to a 16:9 alternative. Its not much of an advantage, as competitors have also moved to a 16:10 display. Still, the added space is useful when working with two windows side-by-side.

Though it may look professional, the X1 Yoga can rock out. It has a four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos certification. The Atmos branding is fluff (Ive heard Atmos home theater sound systems, and this aint it), but audio quality is strong with clear dialogue, good sound staging, and a hint of kick to the low end. Its a good effort and, while not as crisp or deep as Apples MacBook Pro 14 or Microsofts Surface Laptop Studio, its impressive.

Webcam, microphone, biometrics

A 1080p camera can be found above the screen of every ThinkPad X1 Yoga, with an upgrade to IR cameras with computer vision available.

My model had the base camera and, to my surprise, it was good. The camera handled modest lighting well and was able to adjust exposure to keep my face well lit in a room with mixed light sources. Color reproduction and sharpness were solid, as well.

The X1 Yoga also has an impressive quad-microphone array. It picked up my voice at a usable level from a variety of angles and, because of its volume, I didnt have to raise my voice for others to hear. Audio quality is still a bit tinny, as true of most laptop microphones, but its a solid effort overall.

A fingerprint reader is hidden in the power X1 Yogas power button, located just above the keyboard. It works well though, like most fingerprint readers Ive tried on Windows laptops, it misfires too often. The optional IR camera upgrade enables Windows Hello facial recognition login, which is quicker and more reliable.

Connectivity

IDG / Matthew Smith

The ThinkPad X1 Yogas connectivity has something for everyone.

A pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports offer strong support for modern devices. They can be used to charge the laptop or connect external displays. This is paired with two USB-A Gen 3.2 ports for older wired devices and an HDMI output for connecting to external displays without an adapter. A 3.5mm combo audio jack rounds out the physical ports.

Wireless connectivity is just as robust, offering support for the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard. This can reach speeds equal to and above wired Ethernet in ideal situations, which helps excuse the X1 Yogas lack of an Ethernet port. Youll need a Wi-Fi 6E router to unlock this potential. Bluetooth 5.2 is supported, as well.

Those who need truly mobile connectivity can upgrade to 4G or 5G modem, though my review unit did not offer this. These upgrades will allow Internet use anywhere your service provider offers mobile data. You pay for the privilege, though: the 4G modem is nearly $200, and the 5G modem is almost $300.

Performance

Intels Core i7-1260P processor powered my ThinkPad X1 Yoga review unit. Its a twelve-core processor with four performance cores, eight performance cores, and a maximum turbo frequency of 4.4GHz. My review unit paired the i7-1260P with 16GB of soldered LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of solid state PCIe storage.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Our first test, PCMark 10, evaluates total system performance with a heavy lean towards the processor. It achieved a respectable but not outstanding score of 5,118.

This score is a tad behind the Lenovo Yoga 9i, which was tested with the same Intel Core i7-1260P processor, and significantly behind several AMD Ryzen 7 5000 and Ryzen 7 6000 series processors that are popular in competing machines.

IDG / Matthew Smith

We next dig into Cinebench R15, a heavily multithreaded benchmark that provides the Core i7-1260P to show off. It reaches a score of 1,425, which is impressive, though perhaps not as good as Id expect from this processor. This benchmark suggests the X1 Yoga is not the quickest platform for this chip.

IDG / Matthew Smith

That was confirmed by the strenuous Handbrake benchmark, which throws a heavy-lift encode of Tears of Steel straight at the processors face. A test this long strains the thermal capabilities of a laptop and, arguably, the X1 Yoga flinches, requiring over an hour and twenty minutes to complete the task.

Theres two ways to approach this result. This is still a huge upgrade from the Intel 11th-Gen Core processors that were available in the prior model. So, if youre upgrading from an older machine, its a win. But this result falls well behind the Lenovo Yoga 9i, which suggests the X1 Yoga is reaching a thermal limit over longer workloads.

IDG / Matthew Smith

3DMark Time Spy comes to a score of 1,393. Continuing the X1 Yogas theme, this is a good result compared to older laptops but not impressive in 2022. The X1 Yoga will be defeated by some alternatives with Intel Iris Xe and also lose to laptops with AMDs new Radeon 680M graphics, which is found in some Ryzen 6000 mobile processors.

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark reached an average of 15 frames per second at 1080p resolution and Highest detail. Thats a respectable result for integrated graphics, though certainly still well behind most discrete graphics solutions. Older 3D games are playable but only at medium to low detail settings.

Its no surprise to see small gaming laptops are much quicker  though this comparison is not entirely strange, as the X1 FYogas pricing is in league with an Alienware x14 or ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14.

On balance, it seems the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 prioritizes portability and lower fan speeds over performance. The laptop is not particularly loud and, as Ill discuss in a moment, offers good endurance. Performance, on the other hand, is modest for this category of processor.

The X1 Yoga can easily handle day-to-day tasks easily and will also chew through many heavier workloads, like typical photo editing or programming, without issue. Its lackluster for gaming, however, and isnt the best choice for video editing and encoding, 3D rendering, and other extremely intensive tasks.

Battery life

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga had a 57 watt-hour battery. Thats not huge for a 2-in-1 in its segment, but it still turns out a strong result of 10 hours and 57 minutes. Thats much better than most laptops weve recently tested.

Theres a few reasons for this: the 19201200 IPS display and the laptops somewhat modest hardware. The lack of OLED, discrete graphics, or a top-tier mobile processor help the 2-in-1 wring respectable endurance from each watt-hour.

Solid battery life is great for portability, which is further enhanced by the laptops Thunderbolt 4 ports and its thin profile. The included power adapter isnt large and smaller third-party adapters are available, so packing both laptop and adapter isnt a hassle. Small

Conclusion

I like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7. A lot. Ive personally purchased ThinkPads for most of my life, and the X1 Yoga Gen 7 underscores the reasons for my preference. It has a handsome, durable exterior, a great keyboard, offers the unique TrackPoint impact, and delivers on connectivity and battery life. Its great for working long hours yet portable enough for travel.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Best Prices Today:

But the X1 Yoga, like many ThinkPads, comes with baggage: the price. The X1 Yoga Gen 7 starts a bit north of $1,500 and can easily breach $3,000. This isnt just Lenovos pricing, either. The X1 Yoga is expensive at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. I could excuse this if the X1 Yoga proved especially quick, but its slower overall than the less expensive (yet still premium) Lenovo Yoga 9i.

The X1 Yoga is also more expensive than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio which, though now a generation behind on processor performance, provides a more compelling 2-in-1 experience.

Lenovos premium ThinkPads target very specific customers with a willingness to pay for exactly what they want. If thats you (or your boss is willing to foot the bill), awesome. But most people would be better off buying the Yoga 9i and pocketing the savings.
Access Bank (Ghana) Plc. announces the appointment of its first female board chair, Ama Sarpong Bawuah. She succeeds Mr. Frank Beecham who served from January 2014 to May 2022.



Ama is an accomplished, resourceful businesswoman with over 25 years wealth of executive experience in public affairs and communications positions with several multinational corporations.



She served as Regional Lead for Public Affairs and Communications in North and Equatorial Africa for Coca-Cola and Senior Director for Government Relations for the Africa Region with Newmont Mining. Prior to these roles, she had also worked with Citigroup as Vice President in the Global Transactions Services team for their Corporate and Investment Bank Division at its headquarters in New York and consulted for DFID and UNDP at various points in her career.



In an interview with Ama ahead of her appointment, she commended Access Bank Ghana for committing to excellence in leadership over the years and looked forward to serving in her new role. I am excited about the opportunity to serve as Board Chair in the next phase of this great Bank. Access Banks vision of becoming the world's most respected African Bank is in focus and I look forward to working together with the excellent Ghana leadership team and staff to contribute to the achievement of this feat, she remarked.



Speaking on the new appointment, Managing Director of Access Bank (Ghana) Plc, Olumide Olatunji expressed optimism about the Banks prospects under Amas leadership. I am excited about Ama's appointment and look forward to the new phase of Access Bank Ghana under her leadership. She brings on board rich experience, diversity and clout. This is also a testimonial of our commitment to ensure womens participation at the highest decision-making platform of the Bank. Ama's wealth of knowledge and experience is great for our Bank and will spur us on to reach our vision of becoming the worlds most respected African Bank. I believe this will soon be evident in the solutions we offer customers and the value we bring to our shareholders, he noted.



Mr. Frank Beecham, immediate past chairman of the Access Bank Ghana Board thanked the Board and Management of Access Bank Ghana for the support he received while leading the Board. I thank the Board, Management, Shareholders and indeed all Staff of Access Bank for the opportunity to serve and the support you gave me during my tenure. I ask you to accord the same support to Ama, a great woman, who will lead our great Bank into its next strategic phase. I wish Ama the very best, Mr. Beecham noted.



Olumide also commended Mr. Frank Beecham, for his selfless dedication in positioning Access Bank Ghana as a leader in the Ghanaian banking sector. He noted that Mr. Beechams dedication to duty was par excellence. Mr. Beechams commitment to our Bank was excellent; he ensured he was present whenever the Bank called on Him. His tenure as Board Chair saw the Bank record a continuous growth trajectory and positioned it as one of the best in Ghana, through various awards recognition including Best Bank in Ghana.



Operating from 54 business locations across the country, Access Bank (Ghana) Plc has over the years developed a deep understanding of its customers, delivering excellent services and empowering them to achieve more through financial education.





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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.

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A notorious drug lord on the FBI's 10 most wanted list was detained on Friday in an operation that ended in tragedy when 14 Marines who assisted in his capture were killed in a helicopter crash, Mexican Navy officials said.



Rafael Caro Quintero was detained by Marines after he was found hiding in bushes by a navy dog in the town of San Simon, Choix municipality, in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, according to a Mexican Navy statement.



Caro Quintero, known as the "narco of drug traffickers," is considered by Mexican authorities to be the founder of the Guadalajara cartel. They accuse him of trafficking methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana.





The Mexican Navy Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Los Mochis, Sinaloa following the operation to capture him, according to the statement. One other Marine was injured and remains in hospital.



The cause of the crash was unknown and an investigation would take place, the statement added.



Caro Quintero, whose exact age is unknown but is believed to be in his 60s, is wanted by US authorities for allegedly kidnapping and conspiring to murder Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar in 1985.



Camarena Salazar was kidnapped, tortured and murdered in retaliation for a raid in 1984 of Caro Quintero's 2,500-acre marijuana farm by Mexican authorities, according to the DEA. The events were serialized in the Netflix drama "Narcos: Mexico."



Caro Quintero spent 28 years in prison in Mexico for his role in the murder before he was released on a technicality in 2013. The Mexican Supreme Court later overturned the decision that freed him.



Read Full Story .... HERE >>> :









Source: CNN









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.

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Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central Constituency has advised Ghanaian youth to sacrifice their spending for today and enjoy the benefits tomorrow.



He emphasized: If you sacrifice today's spending for tomorrow you will succeed,' but that requires the individual to wake up and take his/her destiny into his/her own hands through hard work, honesty and the ability to save and make investments.



According to him, there could be risk-taking alongside it, though they were bound to succeed.



Mr Agyapong, also a business mogul gave the advice at the fourth in the series of Guidance Conference held in Sunyani on the theme 'The Youth: Our Future Hope'.



The conference is an initiative by the MP and designed to instill hope in the youth by using his life as an example and other well-established personalities sharing their life experience for the youth to emulate.



Mr Agyapong encouraged the youth never to give up in life, but must always persevere, saying the Government could not employ all the graduates and must, therefore push hard because once there is life, there is hope.



He stated that most of the youth who went through challenges and could stand the test were the ones who possessed potential and abilities to succeed in 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.

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Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, has commended International Justice Mission Ghana (IJM), an anti-human-trafficking organization, for its determination towards ending human trafficking in the country.



He said the continuous support to government institutions in the fight against human trafficking was laudable.



Dr. Letsa said this during this year's National Justice Conference at Ho in the Volta Region organized by IJM Ghana.



The conference discussed practical solutions and re-energized stakeholders to continue the fight to rescue vulnerable children on lake Volta.



"I wish to express our profound gratitude to IJM for the inviolable support it has given in the efforts to end Human Trafficking in Ghana. We say a big thank you to IJM," he said.



He, however, expressed concern about the activities of fishermen who recruit school-going children some as young as six years old and engaged them on Volta Lake for fishing.



Dr. Letsa stated that such recruitments were done with the tacit support of parents of the innocent children while others were recruited by deceit by the traffickers, who promise to take good care of those children and end up trafficking them.



He said to fight the social menace, Parliament enacted the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) to criminalize the act of enslaving others with the purpose of exploiting them economically or sexually.



The Volta Regional Minister emphasized that the enforcement of the law remained a challenge due to the lack of logistics to facilitate the activities of the Ghana Police Service, which is supposed to visit the Islands and other remote communities to investigate and effect the arrest of suspects.



"The good news, however, is that IJM has intervened and provided enormous support not only to the Ghana Police service but the Office of the Attorney-General and other Law enforcing agents involved in the investigation, arrest, prosecution of suspects and the protection of victims of Human Trafficking," he said.



Dr. Letsa, therefore, called on all persons to support the fight against human trafficking in diverse ways as the Government was determined to end the menace.









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.

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The heightened activities of terrorism and violent extremism coupled with the political instability in neighbouring countries in recent times threaten cross-border trade and economic activities.



Mr Ali Anankpieng, the Upper East Regional Executive Secretary, National Peace Council (NPC), said the threats and risks are becoming more pronounced and there is the need to prevent a spillover which could have dare consequences on the growth of the economy.



For instance, in May just around our borders in Togo, there were some attacks, in Burkina Faso, the attacks are quite frequent and if we do not prevent it, it could affect trade and livelihoods of people, he added.



Mr Anankpieng was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a three-day training workshop organized for some Small and Medium Enterprises operators at Paga in the Kassena-Nankana West District.



It was organized by the NPC with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of efforts to equip cross-border traders with early warning signs of terrorism and violent extremism and how to engage stakeholders to prevent spillover.



The Executive Secretary noted that apart from the Sahelian region, which provided huge market opportunities for the country, the economic activities involving cross-border trading had significantly boosted the growth of local businesses and improved livelihoods.



However, he said, the recent political turbulence and activities by terrorists at the countrys borders put the security of the country at risk and could compel government to enforce restrictions that could affect trade along the borders and put pressure on the economy.



Within the first weeks of July 2022 alone, two terrorists attacks were recorded near Ghanas borders at Mognori in Bawku and Paga and the situation was not only putting fear in residents in the border towns but scaring people from transacting their business across the border.



For instance, during the peak of COVID when all the borders were closed, many traders suffered, so if Ghana perceives the threats are becoming more heightened whether from Togo or Burkina Faso, we could put a lot of pressure on the borders that could affect trade.



If you look at countries that are already affected by terrorism like Nigeria and others, trade has been affected, even the rail lines between Kaduna and Abuja are virtually not patronized because of the threats of violent extremism. So, if we lose our guard in Ghana, trade between the Sahelian countries and Ghana will become difficult, he said.



Mr Anankpieng said communities and persons especially those living and trading through and along the borders needed to be sensitized to play active roles to prevent spillover and identify early threats to sustain the stability of the country.



We need the business operators to know that while they are pursuing their livelihood, they should take their security paramount because, without security or secure space, they cannot go on with their business, he said.



Mr Gerard Ataogye, the District Chief Executive for Kassena-Nankana West noted that violent extremism was eating deep into our peaceful and loving country and urged all stakeholders to work together to prevent the country from being plunged into instability.



The training brought together traders along the chain of vegetables, livestock, meat, provisions, transport, currency exchange and border agents among others.



The training was part of a project dubbed, building resilience of youth and women-led MSEs through innovative and digitalization for green and inclusive recovery, aimed at reinforcing the sector to flourish in a green, inclusive and equitable manner.





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.

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Mr Samuel Akolgo, the Garu District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has called for the protection of children against all forms of abuse.



He said government and major stakeholders needed to fasten strategies that would ensure children enjoyed their rights as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution and unearth their potential to contribute to societal transformation.



Speaking to some identified groups and basic school pupils at Garu in the Upper East Region, Mr Akolgo observed that there were still some socio-cultural practices and beliefs that impeded the growth and development of children, particularly girls in many communities and called for a change.



Violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect of children, which are often rooted in social, cultural and gender-related beliefs and practices, adversely affect the development of children, especially girls.



However, Article 28 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana says that no child shall be deprived by any other person of medical treatment, education, or any other social or economic benefit by reason only of religious or other beliefs.



This is amplified by section three of the Children's Act which states that no person shall discriminate against a child on the grounds of health status, custom, ethnic origin, rural or urban background, birth or another status, socio-economic status or because the child is a refugee, he said



He, therefore, called for collective efforts to address challenges confronting the development of children and create a conducive environment in homes and communities, devoid of violence to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).



The District Director also called on parents to ensure that there was a review of household chores to ensure that both their male and female children had equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities, adding that the move would help achieve gender parity.

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.

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The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for a comprehensive and integrated approach to tackling child labour in the fishing and farming communities.



Mr Andrews Tagoe, Deputy General Secretary of GAWU who made the call, said it was important for effective collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, Civil Society Organizations and Trade unions to initiate and implement efficient strategies that would help eliminate child labour in Ghanaian society.



In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi, Mr Tagoe said effective collaboration was crucial in addressing child labour in the informal sector.



He said the International Labour Organisation, (ILO), had indicated that the informal economy had implications for policy and administration in respect of employment, social security, health and safety as well as migration, education, employment relations and microeconomic policy.



Its therefore important for government agencies which were mandated to address these issues, to find a way of sharing information and better coordinate their activities with other organizations in the sector to achieve positive results, Mr Tagoe advised.



He called on trade union educators to collaborate with government actors at the national, district and village levels to work towards eliminating child labour on farms.



Trade unions have a role to play in cooperating with government agencies and organised non-governmental organisations in ensuring that the appropriate labour inspection and regulatory systems identify those subjected to forced labour.



Mr Tagoe said preventing hazardous work was particularly important in rural communities where forced labour often occurred on farms, quarries, and mining sites that were remote and hard to reach,



He called on the media to allow some time to raise awareness on child labour issues to help educate the public on its effect on the economy and society.

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.

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Voting for the next batch of executives at the ongoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Delegates Conference has ended without any controversy, but counting of the ballots cannot go on as the delegates have refused to leave the inner perimeter where voting took place.



As a result, officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) have pulled the brakes on any form of collation until all delegates are cleared from the voting arena.



Per the rules of the conference, only an aspirant or candidate, the spouse or his or her agent, are required to still be within the inner perimeter.



But for nearly two hours, the NPP delegates, after voting have refused to budge.



Notwithstanding persistent pleadings from the MC and other leading figures of the NPP, these delegates are still holding the next phase of the conference to ransom.



Fatigue has also set in among the observer teams and even some media personnel as well, as a result of this impasse.



After hours of waiting and some cajoling, the patience of the NPP leadership appears to be running thin as the MC has finally asked the Police to move in and forcefully drive anyone who has no business in the inner perimeter away.



Due to the delay in collating the figures to ascertain the winners and losers, there is a lengthy period of musical interlude for calm to be restored.



It's after 11pm and there is still no sign of the ballot collation.



Currently, voting in all the constituencies has ended save the youth delegates of the party who are still voting.







More soon........





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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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.
Acting President explained that negotiations with the IMF were nearing conclusion, and discussions for assistance with foreign countries were also progressing.

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated that the absence of a proper Easter Sunday investigation has meant that this issue has still not been fully resolved, Acting President's Media Division said in a statement.

The rest of the statement reads as follows;

In a special statement, Acting President Wickremesinghe explained that when he took over as Prime Minister on May 13th the economy had collapsed, with power cuts lasting 5 hours a day. In the two months since then, the Acting President explained that power cuts had been reduced to 3 hours a day, fertiliser has been provided to the farmers and the gas shortage in the country has been solved.

He further stated that last minute he explained July would be a difficult period for the supply of fuel. However, diesel stocks have been secured and are being distributed while from the 21st of July petrol will also be distributed.

He also explained that relief was being provided to the citizens of the country who are struggling with the economic crisis. The Acting President stated that the loans taken by paddy farmers who have planted fields less than 2 acres have been cancelled. While due to the drop in the world oil prices, the fuel prices in the country have also been reduced.

While highlighting the steps taken so far, the Acting President further explained that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were nearing conclusion, and discussions for assistance with foreign countries were also progressing.

Acting President Wickremesinghe also said that due to the incomplete nature of the Easter Sunday attack he is requesting the assistance of the UK Government and their intelligence services.

He went on to explain that the current political crisis in the country is due to the Executive Presidency and stated that the 19th Amendment would be re-introduced which would address many of the concerns of the public.

The Acting President went on to explain that there were elements within society who were attempting to disrupt the peace in the country. He explained that these elements would be prohibited from disrupting the countrys progress. Hon. Wickremesinghe further stated that the peaceful protesters who had legitimate concerns would be engaged with the Government and solutions would be found for them.

Acting President Wickremesinghe called upon the political parties in the country to put aside their differences and not allow the country to suffer over differences over an individual. He urged them to come together and form an All-Party Government which would allow the country to recover from the economic crisis.
The immediate past National Treasurer of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Mr. Kwabena Abankwah-Yeboah, who was seeking the National Chairmanship position, has congratulated the newly elected National executives of the party who are to lead the party for the next four years.



He pledged his unflinching support for the new national executives led by the party's new Chairman, Mr. Stephen Ayensu Ntim, and promised to continually and assiduously work together for the NPP to emerge victor in the 2024 elections.



In a statement copied to Peacefmonline, he also extended his gratitude to delegates saying although I did not achieve my goal of becoming National Chairman of our great party, I have great respect for your choices and wholeheartedly accept the outcome of the process and shall work hand in hand with the new national executive putting forward my experience in the party anytime call upon to ensure victory in 2024.



Kwabena Abankwah-Yeboah contested as one of the three fore runners during the partys national congress held at Accra Sport Staduim in Greater Accra on Saturday, July 16, 2022



Read full statement below:



I thank you for the support and love during our recent Annual Delegates Conference.



Although I did not achieve my goal of becoming National Chairman of our great party, I have great respect for your choices and wholeheartedly accept the outcome of the process and shall work hand in hand with the new national executives putting forward my experience in the party anytime call upon to ensure victory in 2024.



I congratulate and pledge my unflinching support to the newly elected National Executives led by Mr. Stephen Ayensu Ntim.



May the Lord God Almighty protect and grant you travelling mercies as you all return to your various destinations.



Long live the New Patriotic Party (NPP)

long live Ghana



KWABENA ABANKWAH- YEBOAH



BY THE GRACE OF GOD





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.

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) just came out of a very busy weekend of party elections in which new national executives were elected.



The biggest of the results came from Stephen Ayesu Ntims victory as the Chairman of the ruling party, particularly because his success this time had been in the waiting pipeline for two decades.



From the biggest win, was the biggest shock, Justin Frimpong Kodua gave an upsetting defeat to the outgone General Secretary of the Party, John Boadu, even when many big names in the party, including pollster, Ben Ephson, predicted a third win for him.



That however did not happen but for two other executives of the NPP, they sure must be revelling in the glories of the massive wins they received.



And although the news headlines have not given them much attention, Rita Talata Asobayire and Kate Gyamfuah sure do deserve some commendation.



In this GhanaWeb article, we take a look at who these two women are and how well they did in defending their positions in the party.



It must however be stated that in the case of Rita Asobayire, while she is still a Vice Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party, her position has been shot one step down the ladder.



Rita Talata Asobayire:



At the 2022 National Executives Conference of the NPP, Rita Asobayire polled 2,927 to become the 2nd Vice Chairperson, as against her earlier position as the 1st Vice Chairperson.



In the 2018 elections of the party, she got 3,670 votes, securing for herself the 1st Vice Chairperson position.



Brief Profile



Rita started from the grassroots and worked to the top. She is a natural born organiser, committed and Loyal to the partys cause. Her motto is 'Party First'.



1. Rita is a founding member of Danquah Busia Dombo tradition.



2. Rita is one of the founding members of New Patriotic Party.



3. Rita is a founding member of USA branch & New York chapter



4. Rita is a leader of Wednesday Womens Club



5. In 1992, Rita was a member of Prof Adu Boahene campaign team.



6. In 1992,Rita was a polling station womens organizer



7. In 1993, Rita was a womens organizer of New York branch,USA



8. In 1996, Rita was the Ist Vice chairperson of New York branch, USA



9. In 1999, Rita was a member of former President John Agyekum Kuffour campaign team



10. Rita was the first elected National Womens Organizer in 2002



11. Rita was re-elected National Womens Organizer in 2005



12. From 2002 to 2005,Rita was a member of National Executive committee



13. From 2005 to 2010, Rita was a member of National Executive committee



14. Rita was a member of National campaign committee in 2008



15. Rita was a member of National Campaign Committee in 2012



16. Rita was a member of the Presidential and Parliamentary Review Committee in 2016



Kate Gyamfuah:



With an overwhelming victory in the 2022 National Delegates Conference, Kate Gyamfua, National Women Organiser of the NPP, re-secured her place in the executive body of the party.



Winning by 620, with the closest contender to her, Hajia Sawudatu Saeed polling only 32 votes, she surely made her imprint in the party more resounding.



Brief Profile



Kate Gyamfua was born on April 1 and is known as a woman with zeal, determination, focus, and passion  a natural leader with a knack for womens mobilization and empowerment.



She is a selfless, honest and sincere executive who doesnt shy from deep topics and is committed to achieving success for women nationwide.



Politics



For more than three decades in national and local politics, Kate has been contributing and doing party works for the NPP.



She started at the polling station level where she became the polling station chairperson for 10 good years in the Akwatia constituency.



At the constituency level, she served very well with good character and good human relations and ended up becoming the Akwatia constituency women organizer for 8 solid years.



At the national level, she became a deputy national womens organizer in the year 20122014.



She is also a member of the National executive council of our great party and a member of the National Council of patrons.



In the year 2016, which was an election year, Madam Kate came out with a group called Women for Change.











Source: ghanaweb.com









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Former President John Mahama has observed that Ghanas economic hardship persists and is set to remain for an extended period, noting: Amid this gloomy outlook, those responsible for the mess refuse to exhibit contrition and sobriety.



One of the key architects of the failed policies and mismanagement that have led to our economic downfall and suffering, found it necessary a couple of days ago, to put up a public display that verged on the ridiculous and comical, Mr Mahama said when he addressed the minority caucus at a workshop in the Volta Region on Sunday, 17 July 2022.



In a government where honour and responsibility are respected, the Chair of the Economic Management Team that has thrust us into this crisis would have stepped down or dismissed, he noted.



In fact, he said, the very idea that this government has requested for an IMF programme would have been sufficient reason for him to go, in view of all the unenlightened propaganda he dabbled in against our IMF programme of 2015.



Rather, he noted, Dr Bawumia has chosen to show a gaping deficit in leadership attributes by making untenable excuses and seeking to shift blame onto the government that left power almost six years ago and which had no role to play in the poor policy choices that have delivered these disastrous outcomes.



Speaking at the launch of two new high-level information technology programmes at the Accra Business School on, Thursday, 14 July 2022, Dr Bawumia blamed the Mahama administration, partly, for the Akufo-Addo governments resort to the IMF for a bailout.



In fact, the Vice-President noted, As I stated in my April 7th lecture, in addition to COVID-19, there were two major items of expenditure that are critical to understanding the evolution of the fiscal deficit and the debt stock: the Banking Sector Clean up (GHC 25 billion) and the Energy Sector Excess Capacity payments (GHC 17 billion).



The excess capacity payments of GHC 17 billion, he explained, relate to a legacy of take-or-pay contracts that saddled our economy with annual excess capacity charges of close to $1 billion.



These were, basically, contracts to supply energy to Ghana way in excess of our requirements, but we were obligated to pay for the power whether we use it or not, Dr Bawumia noted.



The excess capacity payments, he pointed out, include GH7 billion of payments for gas resulting from the previous government signing an offtake agreement for a fixed quantity of gas with ENI Sankofa on a take or pay basis which was way in excess of what was needed at the time. Not keeping up with the excess capacity payments would have meant throwing the country back into a new bout of dumsor.



Additionally, he said: We were also confronted with a banking crisis as a result of the mismanagement of the banking sector. Ghanas banking system was on the verge of collapse and not dealing decisively with it would have meant disaster for the economy with millions of people losing their savings.



Also, he said, direct COVID-19 expenditure amounted to GH12.0 billion, made up of GH8.1 billion in 2020 and GH3.9billion in 2021.



The data, Dr Bawumia explained, shows that the three items of expenditure cumulatively amounted to GH54.0 billion (the equivalent of some $7.0 billion), which was borrowed. The Ministry of Finance estimates that the interest payment on this borrowing for the three items amounts to GH8.5 billion annually.





Source: ghanaweb.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.

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Defeated General Secretary aspirant of the governing New Patriotic Party, Idrissu Musah Superior, says hes very excited that incumbent Secretary John Boadu has been kicked out of office.



According to him, seeing John Boadu being defeated was one of the reasons why he decided to enter the race for the General Secretary position.



The former Tamale Mayor said he believed strongly that the NPP was heading for a heavy defeat in the crucial 2024 general election if the party retained John Boadu in office.



I think the defeat of John Boadu is the best thing that happened. I think John Boadu was a terrible General Secretary; I think he didnt manage the party well, I think he was incompetent. One of the reasons why I came into the race was that I wanted him out because I saw defeat starring the NPP in the 2024 elections, with John Boadu still being the General Secretary of the NPP. I say this because he mismanaged the party; he was so poor. He made the party weak and left a gap between the government and the party people.



John Boadu simply did not handle the mandate given him; in fact, he abused the mandate, and Im absolutely glad that even though I did not win, the delegates of the party have taken a decision to replace the incompetent John Boadu with Justin Frimpong Kodua, Musah Superior said in an interview with Bonohene Baffuor Awuah on Ghana Kasa show on Kasapa 102.5FM/Agoo TV Monday, July 19, 2022.



Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong was over the weekend elected the new General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party.



He beat incumbent General Secretary John Boadu by polling 2,837 votes against 2,524 votes.



Other contenders, Idrissu Musah polled 104, Ramseyer Agyeman-Prempeh garnered 8 votes, and Fredrick Opare-Ansah secured 50 votes.

















Source: kasapaonline









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.

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Residency - DJ Brandt

Corey Martinez x Levo SL:

Rad Wahine:

Welcome To Green Hill:

Blackpoint - Jake Murray:

Jackson Goldstone - Forekaster:

RAW - Skills With Phil Gives Cumberland A Goodnight Kiss:

We Got Lost Bikepacking The Gulf Islands:

Barcelona Days:

Disruptor:

Fracture - Felix Prangenberg:

Anthony Perrin - Bienvenue!

Stay On The Train - Nathan Goring & Louie Mire:

Vincent Milou - Parenthese:

The Story of China Banks:

Coast 2 Coast:

The Secret Of Bottom Turn Island:

Streets Of Lagos:

Free To Run:

Paving Tundra:

Photo:

After years in Denver, DJ Brandt chose to settle in Cedar, southern Utah. A new daily routine riding mega spots with friends and having the funnest times on a bike. Sounds good to us! "Im really excited to put out this video because I feel like it is so different from anything Ive put out in the past. We tried to capture a bit more of the lifestyle and things outside of riding that make living in southern Utah so enjoyable. For the builds and riding I also tried to push a different direction, create some super unique features that highlight style and fun more than anything else. Filming in Utah in the spring is so difficult due to spring winds and random storms but luckily I had a great team of filmers who stuck it out and really brought this project to life. Much love to everyone involved and I hope y'all enjoy the video! Rider: DJ Brandt. Video: Tory Powers.Corey Martinez has deep roots in BMX, but he's digging out room for himself in the MTB world fast!Yeti Ambassadors Emma Olofsson and Robin Goomes take to the air aboard their SB140's and SB165's show what the New Zealand summer is all about, shredding and kicking it with friends. Video: TiltShift Studios.Thomas Vanderham, Wade Simmons, and friends visit the Greenhill Bikepark. Take a look at the newly built tracks and see how they liked it.A question I try to ask myself before doing anything in life is, will I regret doing this? Sometimes laziness or complacency can creep in, and I find this question helps me want to chase visions. Sure enough, no regrets were had after finishing this project with @jabrome_murray. I wanted to capture the moody, dank tones of the coast mid spring, and who better to highlight that than Jake! The guy oozes style, and is a pleasure to watch. I hope yall enjoy this one!There's a 100% chance of fun in the forecast. Join Jackson Goldstone as he rips on the redesigned Maxxis Forekaster tire.Phil Kmetz rides Cumberland, BC. Trails courtesy of United Riders of Cumberland.Bikepacking, again! This time were gravel biking for four days across BCs Gulf Islands.As the pandemic made it impossible to continue our ''Barcelona Days'' MTB street series over the last few years, the stars finally realigned and allowed us to continue what has now become a tradition at The Rise. As not everyone is lucky enough to reside in a region with year-round warm weather, there's no better winter escape plan than jumping on a plane and heading to the mecca of street riding; the beautiful Barcelona. We also invited some other riders to join us and have been amazed by the response, I mean how sick is it to see guys like Emil Johansson shred the streets? Now enough with the chit chat, sit back and watch nine riders make Barcelona their playground for 13 minutes of pure MTB street riding! @joeyforesta disruptor /disrptr/ noun a person or thing that interrupts an event, activity, or process by causing a disturbance or problem. "The film follows his evolution from Hollywood star to political disruptor" a company or form of technology that causes a radical change in an existing industry or market by means of innovation.Cologne, Germany is home to a wild selection of talent so when Felix Prangenberg picked up an HMC 150, it was a no-brainer to start work on a full-length video with the locals. Fast-forward two years and after a bunch of hard drive nightmares, 'Fracture' is the result, and oh boy is it a good'n! Soundtrack, riding, filming all VERY on point. You know what to do. "Fracture is something we started a few years ago when we all just needed something to film for. Cologne has probably the biggest BMX scene in Germany and there are just way too many talented people in one place to not film a video. I (Felix P.) just got more into filming over the years so I bought myself an old HMC 150 which we started filming this video on. I had no idea what I was doing when we started (I still dont) but I knew that we were all having the best time ever while doing it. So we all just kept going with the idea in mind to film a full length video. After a year and a half of filming and having a good amount of footage the whole project was on pause for a while. While I was editing a video part of Jordan Godwin and myself I accidentally dropped the hard drive which all the footage for this video was on. A lot of files were either partly damaged or completely gone. It took a few months to eventually get most of the footage recovered by a professional for a couple hundred euros. Deadlines never really work so we filmed for almost another year after all this happened and saying that we just want to film another 1-2 months to finish the video. All these people in the video motivate me more than anything and mean the world to me. I hope everyone enjoys the video as much as we did filming this!" - Felix PrangenbergCruise with Anto and the rest of the Kink family currently living in Barcelona, Spain to celebrate and welcome Anthony Perrin to the Kink Pro Team!5 days, 617 miles, 8 trains, 2 riders, 1 missing tent pole, 143 beers, and 1 hell of a time! The concept for this trip was pretty simple: catch a train from London to Cornwall, ride some bowls, camp along the way and have a good time. We started off from London Waterloo Station and headed down to Penzance (Cornwall) on the Friday. We had a rough idea of where we wanted to go so worked our way around a few towns and parks for the next few days using nothing but trains and pedal power whilst camping and sleeping where we could until we ended up on the edge of Cornwall in Saltash and caught the train back on the Tuesday.A short video by Yentl Touboul featuring Vincent Milou shot on location in Paris.In a city full of iconic terrain, the bricks of China Banks represent hallowed ground. From Julien to Duffy to Shao and T-Funk, this is our humble homage to a legendary spot.The Vans Japan skate team presents their first full length skate team video, Coast 2 Coast, filmed entirely in Japan; from the southern coasts of Okinawa all the way to the north of Hokkaido. Featuring skating from Cocona Hiraki, Daiki Hoshino, Hina Maeda, Junnosuke Hasegawa, Kihana Ogawa, Mami Tezuka, Raido Tajima, Rio Morishige, Sakura Yosozumi, Shogo Zama, Shor West, Sota Tomikawa, Toa Sasaki, Yuma Takei, Yoshiaki Nagado, and Yushin Hashimoto. Video: Kyota Kamei.Snowboarder Alex Yoder searches to the ends of the earth for the lost art of "snow-surfing" only to find the answers he seeks on Bottom Turn Island.Shot on location in West Africa, 'Streets of Lagos' provides a rare insight into the lives of Nigerias first generation of rollerbladers. What was once a niche sport that saw widespread participation across the globe in the late 90s has emerged in 2020 as a fringe subculture in the streets of Lagos. Originally used as a way to navigate the citys dense traffic, today, a select few use their skates as a form of self-expression, something which can be hard to find in one of the toughest cities in the world. The story is told through the eyes of Daniel Ogbogu, Lagos strongest up-and-coming street skater, who gives insight into the struggles of daily life in Nigeria and the strength that skating gives him. He is joined by travelling professional athlete, Brian Freeman, who seeks to nurture the sense of community he sees in these talented youths and to help them find sense in the chaotic world in which they live.After completing the TOR330 race four times, Stephanie Cases next goal in sight was the TOR450, all while working behind the scenes to organize an all-women expedition in Afghanistan with Free to Run. These women include Zeinab and Zahra, who represent not only Free to Runs ethos but the spirit of many other women in Afghanistan who believe in education and progress. This is a truly unique moment in history through the lens of Stephanies unshakeable strength and incredible belief in the power of the women around her.The Brooks Range is one of Earths largest roadless areas. In 2013, the State of Alaska proposed building a 225-mile industrial access road to facilitate the construction of an open-copper pit mine near the village of Ambler. This would be the largest road construction project in Alaska since the development of the Dalton Highway in 1974. The Ambler Road would parallel five subsistence communities, cross 161 rivers and streams (two of them designated Wild and Scenic Rivers) and pass through Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. The Ambler Mining District and proposed road serves as habitat for salmon, whitefish and sheefish as well as a crucial migration corridor for Alaska's largest caribou herd, the Western Arctic. Eleven Village councils have passed resolutions against the roads development. In 2016 we traveled 350 miles along road corridor into the Brooks Range to question the meaning of progress and ask what may be lost if the tundra is paved to Ambler.
2022 WSOP Day 48: Series Begins Wrapping Up; Five Champions Crowned

July 18, 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor

After all the drama of Day 47 where players and staff were fearful of an active shooter in Las Vegas, poker was the focus of Day 48 of the 2022 World Series of Poker. No fewer than five players got their hands on a last-minute bracelet, while two other events headed into their final throes.

Lawrence Brandt took down Event #84: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. for $205,139 and his second bracelet; Brandt won his first bracelet earlier this summer. Brandt only played this tournament, his first-ever H.O.R.S.E. event, because he stuck around in Las Vegas for the upcoming Tournament of Champions.

2022 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2022 WSOP is here. Click here

Michael Wang won his second WSOP bracelet by being the last man standing in Event #87: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em. Wang went into the heads-up battle against Colombia's Farid Jattin trailing 5,500,000 to 23,000,000 chips but never gave up. Wang's resilience was rewarded with his second WSOP victory and a cool $541,604.

Canada's Jaspal Brar became a WSOP champion for the first time after he outlasted 1,287 opponents in Event 88: $1,000 Super Turbo No-Limit Hold'em, the final open live bracelet-awarding tournament of the series. The fast-paced event eventually saw Brar heads-up against Jesse Lonis. The former's pocket queens held against ace-six in the final hand of the event.

The two other bracelets awarded came in the 2022 WSOP's last couple online events. Gianluca Speranza added to his glowing reputation and added $324,625 to his bankroll, by triumphing in the $5,300 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller Freezeout Encore, while "BabyLegs" became the champion of the $500 No-Limit Hold'em Summer Saver, a result that came with $125,330.

Nguyen Leads as The Closer Needs an Extra Day

Minh Nguyen

Event #85: $1,500 The Closer requires an additional day to crown its champion because Day 2 concluded with 17 players with chips in front of them. Day 2 did not kick off until 5:00 p.m. local time because of all the shenanigans mentioned earlier.

Minh Nguyen leads the final 17 players back to the table at 12:00 p.m. local time on July 18 with 20,275,000 chips in his stack. Mathematicians among you will have worked out this is the equivalent of 41 big blinds.

Michael Liang (19,200,000) is hot on Nguyen's heels, while Chris Moorman (5,475,000) is the only bracelet winner still in contention for this event's WSOP hardware.

Event #85: $1,500 The Closer Top 10 Chip Counts

Place Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1 Minh Nguyen United States 20,275,000 41 2 Michael Liang United States 19,200,000 38 3 Rudy Cervantes United States 16,475,000 33 4 Daniel Tabello United States 14,450,000 29 5 Zachary Johnson United States 12,050,000 24 6 Madelyn Carr United States 9,075,000 18 7 Tjan Tepeh United States 8,975,000 18 8 Ahmed Karrim South Africa 7,700,000 15 9 Sean Ragozzini United Kingdom 6,875,000 14 10 Vincent Lam Canada 6,000,000 12

Plesuv Grabs Chip Lead in the $10K Six-Max

Pavel Plesuv

Only six players remain in Event #86: $10,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em from a 394-strong field. Forty-five players returned to their seats on Day 3, and now only the final table of six remains in contention for the $824,649 top prize and the all-important bracelet.

Moldova's Pavel Plesuv (5,120,000) goes into the final day holding the chip lead and arguably his best shot at finally securing a gold WSOP bracelet. Plesuv has some incredible results on his poker resume, but victory in this event would be the icing on the cake.

Standing between Plesuv and poker gold are Gregory Jensen (4,740,000), Ali Eslami (3,785,000), Barak Wisbrod (3,205,000), Lucas Foster (2,380,000) and short stack Brock Wilson (2,080,000)

Day 4 gets underway at noon local time on July 18.

Event #86: $10,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em Final Table Draw
While a fourth day of play was needed, it didnt take Lawrence Brandt long in poker overtime to finish off his final two opponents to claim his second bracelet of the 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP), winning Event #84: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. for $205,139.

Brandt, who at the end of June won Event #58: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better for $289,610, came back from the shortest stack of the day to eliminate both Tomasz Gluszko in third place and then Roberto Marin heads-up to claim the top prize within 90 minutes of play Sunday to become just the third double bracelet winner of the summer. Brandt joins Main Event champ Espen Jorstad and current Player of the Year leader Daniel Zack as the only players to do it.

It feels awesome because this is my first H.O.R.S.E. tournament," said Brandt, who triumphed over a 328-player field. "The only reason I played this tournament was because I won the first one and I was staying around until the Tournament of Champions, so just running deep was a dream, getting to the final table was crazy, I came in third in chips today but was feeling really good and confident and the cards just went my way.

The cards certainly did go Brandts way as after Marin took the chip lead early in the day, Brandt took it over with a big Stud win over Marin and never looked back.

Shortly after that hand, Brandt extended his lead by eliminating Gluszko with back-to-back hand wins in Stud 8 or Better.

Then in the heads-up match, after Marin was able to close the gap partially, it was another one-two punch from Brandt that had Marin teetering, and then knocked out in the next hand as Brandt finished Marin off with quad nines.

Event #84 Final Table Payouts

PLACE PLAYER COUNTRY PRIZE 1 Lawrence Brandt United States $205,139 2 Roberto Marin United States $126,895 3 Tomasz Gluszko Poland $87,687 4 Richard Tatalovich United States $61,789 5 Kevin Gerhart United States $44,415 6 Kristan Lord United States $32,583 7 Perry Friedman United States $24,403 8 Yarron Bendor United States $18,669

Revisiting a Chaotic Day 3

Lawrence Brandt

Brandt not only had to persevere with his chip stack, but mentally as well on Day 3, as while four-handed, a frightening situation was unfolding along the Las Vegas Strip and within Ballys and Paris, as what would prove to be unfounded reports on social media of an active shooter created panic throughout the area, ending tournaments early in other areas of the building, while this tournament played on. Brandt said the situation definitely impacted him.

I was just trying to figure out what was happening and take a break and no one else wanted to. So I was rattled and I lost a big hand right after I found out about all the stuff going on, that I dont think I would have played otherwise, so I just had to put the headphones back in, zone back in, and then once I got back in the zone I felt like it was my tournament to win and I was able to overcome that."

Two Bracelets, But Not a Player of the Year Contender

Despite becoming one of only three players to win multiple bracelets this summer along with Jorstad and Zack, the win still only puts Brandt just inside the top 20 in the WSOP Player of the Year race. When asked whether he should maybe be higher in contention and if theres still a flaw in the points system, Brandt didnt seem concerned.

I honestly havent looked deeply into how the point structure works so Im not expert enough to call it out if it is flawed.," he said.

Two Down, How Many To Go?

Lawrence Brandt

While he may not be a Player of the Year contender, winning two bracelets in one World Series of Poker is certainly worth a breakthrough performance of the summer title. With a quick pair of bracelets now to his name, he was asked how many more he could see himself earning in his career.

I have to come back next year and figure out if this was beginners luck or if Im like just a mixed-game crusher, so Ill let you know next year," he claimed.

We at PokerNews will be looking forward to seeing which it is, and congratulate Lawrence on his impressive achievement.

That wraps up our coverage of Event #84: $3,000 HORSE. Stay with PokerNews for the final few days of coverage, including the WSOP Tournament of Champions starting Monday here at Ballys and Paris Las Vegas
An Aiken County woman who lost a primary for a South Carolina House of Representatives seat by more than 25% of the votes cast in the race said Thursday evening that the primary was illegal because the board in charge of administering the county's elections had been acting illegally for years.

Betsy Lamb was the third speaker to address the Aiken County Board of Elections and Voter Registration at their meeting Thursday evening in the Sandlapper Room of the Aiken County Government Center.

Lamb ran for the Republican nomination for the district representing south Aiken in the South Carolina House. She lost the election to incumbent Rep. Bart Blackwell by a margin of 62.68% to 37.32%.

She said Thursday that the board had been acting illegally for years because of an issue with the oaths board members are required to take when they assume a seat on the board.

South Carolina law requires that election board members take an oath affirming that they are qualified to be on the board, that they will do their jobs to the best of their abilities, and that they'll uphold the state and federal constitutions.

It also requires that records of the board members' oaths be provided immediately to the clerk of court.

"You ran an election that you weren't legally allowed to," Lamb said. "And you knew it because otherwise, yesterday, you wouldn't have run out and filed all the oaths."

Aiken County election board Chairman Andrew Marine said in comments he made at the beginning of the meeting that it was a credit to the citizens closely reading laws that they learned that oaths were required to be sent to the clerk of court's office.

"Just so you know, these are ministerial issues, not substantive issues," Marine continued. "It's our obligation to follow the law, but do not fall into the trap that failure to follow these procedural issues will overturn an election result."

Marine added that the commission was "on notice" and that failure to precisely follow the law was simply an oversight.

Lamb disputed Marine's characterization of the oaths issue as a procedural matter. She asked Marine if he could cite a court case that said such matters were procedural.

Marine said he was not in a position to cite such a case. When Lamb pressed, Marine replied, "It is what it is."

Marine said that he did not swear anyone in Wednesday but had simply filed the oaths with the clerk of court's office.

"But if they're not recorded at the courthouse, it doesn't matter," Lamb said. "That is why it has to be recorded at the courthouse. Sort of like a deed, anybody can sign a deed. Anybody can give an oath; but if it's not recorded at the courthouse, it doesn't mean a damn thing."

Marine said that oaths, like deeds, were effective when they are signed and are recorded to let the public know about the transaction in the case of a deed.

Previous protest

Lamb's accusations regarding the June 14 primary were the second series of allegations she made regarding the election.

Lamb previously protested the results of the election to the South Carolina Republican Party's state executive committee.

Lamb, gubernatorial candidate Harrison "Trucker Bob" Musselwhite, attorney general candidate Lauren Martel, and House District 43 candidate Mark Corral argued that the state's voter registration rolls were out of date, that poll workers hadn't taken their oaths of office, and that the state's voting machines were prone to interference.

All four of those protests were rejected by the Republican Party leadership at a June 23 hearing.

South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick said the party's state executive committee voted to uphold the results of the primary, meaning that committee determined no candidate provided credible evidence that could have quantifiably changed the outcome of the primary.
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

A few isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 83F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.
Charleston International Airport set a new passenger record in June, inching by the previous high mark set just a month earlier.

Nearly 515,000 arrivals and departures passed through the terminal last month, besting May's record by almost 1,300.

It's the second consecutive month the airport has seen more than half a million travelers, and the latest figures put it near the halfway mark of its goal of reaching 5 million arriving and departing this year.

During the first six months, 2.499 million people flew in and out of CHS, about 146,000 more than during the same time period in 2019, the last year before the pandemic nearly grounded air travel.

The airport's passenger record of 4.87 million was set in 2019.

So far this year, the terminal has seen 875,000 more passengers than during the first half of last year, when travelers began to fly again after the introduction of coronavirus vaccines.

To reach the goal of hitting the 5 million milestone this year, the airport will have to see just over 2.5 million additional passengers by Dec. 31, or about 417,000 a month on average. That's about 3,000 less each month compared to the final six months of 2019.

"I think we will make it," said airport CEO Elliott Summey.

Summey said he believes the upward trend in airline travel will continue unless bad weather, a new surge of the coronavirus or the airline industry labor problems come into play.

"Those are things out of our control," he said.

Before May, the previous one-month passenger record was set last July at 491,000.

The Transportation Security Administration leader for South Carolina airports believes July also will show a strong performance this year.

"I think we are pretty comparable to June," said David McMahon, federal security director. "We are still seeing about 10,500 people go through security on a Sunday." That's considerably higher than during the slower winter travel months.

McMahon said it remains to be seen how much high fuel prices and the overall economy play into travel demand, but he hasn't seen a drop-off in air travel.

"I don't see people pulling back from flying," McMahon said. "It's just that the airlines are cutting back."

Some of the airlines are trimming flights because of a lack of manpower.

McMahon predicted August will be another big travel month before children head back to school in the fall.

Summey lauded the airport's continued passenger growth but he also has to contend with growing pains.

To help with the rise in passenger travel, the first of three new boarding gates has been installed on Concourse A, and the other two are expected to be operational by the end of August.
A Swiss medical device company plans to open a manufacturing facility in North Charleston to help meet growing demand for its products, including injection pens used to administer a range of pharmaceuticals.

SHL Medical said its $90 million space at 7791 Palmetto Commerce Parkway will employ about 165 workers. Operations are expected to launch by the second quarter of 2024.

The company makes autoinjectors, pen injectors and other devices that let patients self-inject prescription drugs at home. It also offers contract manufacturing and engineering services for products such as wafer testing equipment, laboratory handling equipment, neurosurgical devices and industrial equipment.

"Our new U.S. site will be a state-of-the-art facility that will support our customers further with our end-to-end capabilities, providing high-quality drug delivery systems to end users  patients around the world," CEO Ulrich Faessler said in a written statement.

Faessler said the North Charleston operation "brings us closer to our customers and reduces the risk of supply chain disturbances" while supporting the company's sustainability goals by reducing global shipping distances.

The site will include medical device injection molding and fully automated assembly, the company said. The manufacturing mission will provide products for SHL's final assembly, labeling and packaging operations in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

SHL is building a similar manufacturing operation in its hometown of Zug, Switzerland, driven by a significant increase in the company's products overseas, Faessler said. The company also has research and development facilities in Sweden and a design, testing and manufacturing campus in Taiwan.

Charlotte-based SunCap Property Group is developing the Swiss company's 245,000-square-foot building. The shell of the structure is expected to be completed by the end of July, and SHL will upfit the space over the next 18 months.

The S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved state income tax credits the company can claim if it meets certain employment thresholds, and it also will provide a $250,000 grant to Charleston County to help pay for infrastructure.
GEORGETOWN  The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating after a Georgetown police officer over the weekend shot and killed a knife-wielding man.

SLED on July 18 released a few new details, including that James Robert Frazier Jr., 50, of Myrtle Beach, was armed with a knife when he was fatally shot around 12:15 p.m. July 16 behind a home near the corner of Palm and Church streets.

Frazier died at the scene. The Georgetown officer was not injured. Police Chief Bill Pierce requested that SLED investigate the shooting.

The shooting occurred at the same time the Georgetown Branch of the NAACP was holding a press conference a few blocks away at the Georgetown County School District office.

Authorities asked Coroner Chase Ridgeway at 1:45 p.m. to come to the address, according to a Coroners Office Facebook post.

Fraizers autopsy will be performed at the Medical University of South Carolina.

The state agency conducts law enforcement officer-involved shooting investigations at the request of the agency involved in the incident or the agency with jurisdiction.

Information gathered in the SLED investigation will be summarized in a case file report to be submitted to prosecutors.

Since the investigation is ongoing, no other information was disclosed by SLED.

The incident in Georgetown County was the 18th officer-involved shooting in South Carolina in 2022, according to SLED. This is the first involving the Georgetown Police Department this year.

In 2021, there were 40 officer involved shootings in South Carolina; the Georgetown Police Department had none.
GREENVILLE  About two weeks had passed since Ayers Leather Shop moved from one side of West North Street to the other.

On an early afternoon in July, Deb Ayers Agnew, the second generation owner of the 72-year-old leather goods and repair shop, chatted about the history of the downtown Greenville business over a round table covered with papers and magnifying glasses in the center of the new store.

Her son and third-generation owner, Payton, swept the floor. Along with Anderson University senior Noah Barker, the two greeted customers at the door, a bell sounding with each entrance and exit.

The Ayers  a family name Deb and her children claim alongside her married name Agnew  have been in the Upstate since the early 1950s and have operated in several locations in the city.

The business originated in a small spot down a side street close to the former federal courthouse on East Washington. From there, it moved to the Poinsett Hotel before it shuttered. Then to the corner of North Main Street and West North Street where it remained for decades before a potential eviction notice landed Deb in court.

In 2015, it moved to 25 W. North St. After its six-year lease was not renewed, the Ayers-Agnew family moved 150 feet across the road that connects travelers from the western side of Greenville to Interstate 385.

Ayers Leather Shop opened its new doors to the public on July 5 at 17 W. North St. The shop has shifted and grown over the years. Payton, 35, is committed to getting the downtown mainstay to its 100-year anniversary.

Three generations

The store started with Deb's parents, Charlotte and Elrod.

Elrod was a sailor in World War II and was shot on his boat. He was returned to land for treatment. After Elrods left, the boat was hit and almost everyone he knew was killed. He had a breakdown.

Veteran Affairs put Elrod into a rehabilitation program where he learned leathercraft. He eventually returned to the small Georgia town where he and Charlotte grew up. Deb described her parents as first-grade sweethearts who fell in love again later.

They married and moved to Atlanta where Elrod worked at a leather repair shop. He approached the owners one day and asked to go into business with them. He thought it would be a good idea to expand beyond just repairs, suggesting the addition of merchandise. The owners refused.

Not wanting to compete with his former employer, the Ayers decided to move and start their business elsewhere. The choice came down to Miami and Greenville. Greenville won.

The store opened on August 20 in the late 1940s when Deb was about six-months-old. For two days at the start, Charlotte left Deb with a babysitter as she and Elrod worked. She left Deb screaming with the sitter, and she was still screaming when she picked her up. Charlotte told Elrod she couldn't handle it, so the couple put a crib in the store.

"I've been raised in the store," Deb said. "I went away to college, but otherwise, I came to work every day, and I did the same thing with my kids."

Deb has run the business since the mid-1990s and Payton joined in around 2006.

Multiple moves

In the early 1950s, the business moved into the former Poinsett Hotel, which has since been revitalized into the Westin. After the hotel closed, it shifted to 201 N. Main St., where fashion accessories store Lou Lou Boutique is today. The Ayers rented for a few years before they bought the building, calling it home for several decades.

After running into problems with mortgage payments following the Great Recession, an investor stepped in to help with financing if the two entered into a development agreement, The Greenville News reported in 2014. The matter ended up in court after the investor attempted to evict the Ayers.

Deb was running the store by then, following Elrods diagnosis with Parkinsons disease and eventual death. Charlotte lived to be 99, passing away in late 2021.

After all the legal wrangling, Ayers relocated to 25 W. North St.

"We're a very positive family," Deb said. "We walked away with no hard feelings."

When the lease at 25 W. North St. wasn't renewed in 2021, Deb and Payton canvassed the streets of downtown Greenville looking for a good fit. Deb knew the family that owned the building at 17 W. North St. Their daughter was relocating her business located on the first floor, and they offered the space to Ayers Leather Shop.

Ayers moved into the space in 30 days. Deb laughed that it must be a record of sorts.

Always in Greenville

In mid-July, a longtime friend visited the store who had finally found a chance to stop by. She called it the best leather store and first learned about it when she needed a boot zipper repaired. Her co-worker at Furman University happened to be Deb's son Preston, who recommended Deb's shop.

"A lot of people know about us," Deb said. "We've been blessed to have so many people that have stuck with us simply because we were here to help, and carry things that you don't find anywhere."

Shelves near the door display hats, above which a small bust of a rhino head is mounted on the wall. Next to the hats, multi-colored umbrellas dangle from a rod, in front of chess boards atop a table. Bookshelves decorate the opposite wall, filled with knick-knacks like dog embroidered pillows and miniature replicas of musical instruments  a violin, an electric guitar, a banjo and a French horn.

Display cases, filled with leather coin pouches and Supreme brand merchandise, box in the table where Deb and the others sit to do repair work. The shop fixes luggage wheels, pull-up handles, zippers and more. Deb gestured to a vintage camel saddle she had just repaired, which required some sewing work.

While Deb will lead the store for the foreseeable future, she is confident Payton knows where the business needs to go next and that Ayers will remain a downtown stalwart.

"Greenville has people from all over the world," Deb said. "So we touch the world, but our heart and business will always remain here in Greenville."
The last time Patricia Moss danced with her husband, Lee Moss, the couple foxtrotted across the living room floor of their home in West Ashley.

He got so excited that we were dancing again, Moss said. I get such a grin on my face just thinking about it.

Taking the short and long steps of the ballroom dance that his walker would allow, Lee and Patricia reveled in the moment. These stolen dances were few and far between since Lee's 2013 diagnosis of dementia.

In 2018, the diagnosis turned to Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurologic disorder that causes a loss of brain cells and shrinks the brain over time.

Lee died in 2020 from complications with the disease. Now, Moss spends her days advocating for more resources and financial help for caregivers like her across the country.

I wanted to help people not go through what my husband and I did, Moss said. We had so many blockades and it was just so frustrating.

While the disease affects nearly 6 million people in the U.S., including over 90,000 South Carolinians, it also affects the people who care for them. There are more than 200,000 such caregivers in the state, many of whom have to rearrange their entire lives to support their loved ones.

Caregiving for Alzheimers patients is a 24-hour job for people who cant afford sitters on a regular basis. The cost of medications can be steep even with insurance coverage. These out-of-pocket costs put many in a situation where they are spending more on health care than they receive in income.

According to research from the Alzheimers Association, over 20 percent of caregivers in South Carolina suffer from depression and nearly 12 percent are in poor physical health.

He was healthy as a horse

Moss said Lee stayed in really great shape, frequenting the gym a few times a week, jogging regularly and maintaining a healthy eating regimen that included a fistful of vitamins every morning.

He really wanted to stay young, Moss said. It was actually an obsession.

Lee was a professional dancer for over 40 years and managed a ballroom dance studio in Charleston in the late 1970s.

That's how he and Patricia met in 1981, and they became dance partners in 1983. A year later, after their first date in the gold ballroom of the Francis Marion hotel in downtown Charleston, they were married on a sailboat in the middle of Charleston Harbor.

Together they choreographed ballroom dances for films including "The Tempest," "The Notebook" and "The Patriot."

He was healthy as a horse, Moss said.

Moss said Lee began presenting minor symptoms of dementia in 2012 like repeated conversations and forgetting his route to work that he took every day for over 30 years. His symptoms worsened in 2014, prompting Moss to get him checked out by a local physician.

Not receiving any help, Moss continued to look for physicians in the area who could provide some direction regarding treatment for Lees condition.

By 2018, his disease had progressed to a point where he was no longer able to take care of himself.

Symptoms of Alzheimers include a loss of thinking and memory skills to a point that interferes with a persons daily functions.

Dr. Nicholas Milano, a neurologist at the Medical University of South Carolina, said the disease causes abnormal proteins known as plaques and tangles to build up in the brain. These proteins are toxic and cause the brain to degenerate and break down over time.

"Initially it affects memory, but over time, it can affect other types of thinking like problem-solving and language skills," Milano said.

While there is no cure, there are medications to try to slow down its degenerative nature.

The crux of being a caregiver

Moss was forced to hire sitters to watch Lee when she was away at work, which can run over $25 per hour.

For many caregivers the cost keeps them from being able to do regular activities such as attending caregiver support meetings and taking mental health breaks.

This was the case for Tracey Noonan, a Charleston business owner and stand-up comedian. Both of Noonans parents were diagnosed with Alzheimers while living at their home in Florida. After realizing her parents could no longer take care of themselves, she and her husband moved back to their hometown of Boston, taking both of their parents with them.

The real crux of being a caregiver is theres a very sad and lonesome feeling that you have, Noonan said.

She recalled needing a break during the Fourth of July holiday, but had no one to help her with her parents.

I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was go to the beach, Noonan said.

Leaving her parents at home alone was risky, as it is for many caregivers who have to step away even briefly. On one occasion Noonan and her husband were both away from their home, fixing a flat tire she had a few miles away. She received a call from her mom saying her father was hurting her and asked if she should call the police.

Speeding home, Noonan walked into the house to find her father standing at the top of the second floor staircase. Dressed in nothing but her mothers short terry cloth robe, hed just finished capturing her mother. Her hands were tied up with dental floss.

Alzheimers had robbed Noonans father of many memories and they often did not know if he was going to respond with violence. She said he would have moments where he didnt know who any of them were.

Things were getting dangerous, Noonan said. I can't imagine waking up and not knowing where I am or who I am or who anyone around me is.

Noonan said she has lots of stories like these. She shares them through her television series, "What the Family," a TV pilot she wrote about her experiences.

Now, she and producer Doug Coupe are busy working to get the show in front of Hollywoods biggest names, hoping to start shooting in the near future.

Noonan was able to attend some caregiver support groups to help her cope with the wide range of emotions she was feeling. Not having the best relationship with her parents and then having to spend over $200,000 out of pocket while moving them into her home gave her a lot of resentment.

I knew from listening to other people that I was not the only one, Noonan said. It was very healing for us all to share stories that had some humor attached to them."

Alzheimers doesnt come with a manual, but it should

Caregiver support meetings like Noonans are all over the country. In Summerville, an organization called The ARK of SC hosts virtual and in-person support groups for Alzheimers and dementia caregivers across the Lowcountry.

Naomi Cills is a family caregiver advocate for the organization and moderates the in-person and virtual support group meetings. She helps families navigate the caregiving process and educates them on different tools they can use to make their jobs a little easier.

Cills is a registered nurse and cared for her grandmother who had dementia for over four years before she died.

It was not easy," Cills said. "I can only imagine how even more challenging it is for family caregivers with no information about nursing or where to find the resources.

Some common hardships Cills sees at The ARK are the emotional challenges for caregivers and their loved ones and learning new ways to communicate with people with short term memory loss.

Anger is common, not angry at the person, but at the illness and not being able to do anything about it, Cills said.

Other resources at The Ark include guest speakers like elder law attorneys and connections to financial resources for housing assistance. The organization also offers education on hospice and palliative care.

The Alzheimers Association is one of the leading voluntary health organizations for Alzheimers care. Historically founded to support caregivers, it now funds research, drives policy change through advocacy and provides educational resources for caregivers across the state.

Moss is one of its advocates and recently traveled to Washington, D.C., calling for support from senators for the Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer's Act. The bill was introduced to the Senate in the spring of 2021 and calls for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement a dementia care management model.

Alzheimers doesnt come with a manual, Moss said, but it should.

Moss said the bill would provide caregiver education and support and allow patients faster access to providers with dementia care expertise. The bill would also provide training and other support services for unpaid caregivers.

If passed, participating health care providers would receive payment under Medicare for services that are provided to individuals with diagnosed dementia.

Getting to someone who has experience with dementia is 90 percent of the battle, Moss said.

Moss also advocates for the Equity in Neuroscience and Alzheimers Clinical Trials Act, which aims to increase the diversity of participants in Alzheimers clinical trials.

Black people in the U.S. are twice as likely as Whites to have Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia but are rarely included in clinical trials.

According to a report from Alzheimers Impact, across all clinical drug trials, Blacks represented only 5 percent of trial participants and Hispanics represented 1 percent.

Hispanics are 1 times more likely than Whites to have Alzheimers and other types of dementia.

Save me a dance

Noonans father passed away on his 80th birthday in March of 2018. Her mom is currently living in a nursing home, where she receives around-the-clock care for her condition.

Lee passed away in an ambulance headed to Roper St. Francis Hospital in Charleston in 2020. Moss is still dealing with the trauma of not being able to be with him when he took his last breath.

When she was finally allowed to see him, she held on for hours, thinking of the times they had danced and held each other. Her last words to her husband of over 40 years were to just save me a dance.

Moss said she spoke those same words at his funeral ceremony, pushing his urn into the Charleston harbor where they took their vows decades before.

When I get to the other side, I know what Ill be doing, Moss said.
A federal moratorium on booting people off Medicaid has extended health insurance for thousands of children in South Carolina through at least October.

Without fanfare on July 15, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra extended the Public Health Emergency declaration for another 90 days. The order has been in place since the early days of the pandemic, and had been set to expire on that date.

When Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in March 2020, states were essentially offered a deal: They could receive a 6.2 percent increase in Medicaid funding from the federal government but, in exchange, could not terminate anyone from Medicaid coverage while the Public Health Emergency was in effect.

As many people lost jobs and employer coverage and also lost income, the Medicaid rolls in South Carolina and nationally rose dramatically. Enrollment in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program grew from 70.7 million in February 2020 to 87.4 million in February 2022, an increase of 16.7 million, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. States like South Carolina usually do an annual review to determine if someone is still eligible but agreed to pause that.

South Carolina Medicaid went from covering 1,044,980 people in February 2020 to 1,230,315 in March, an increase of 17.7 percent, according to a Post and Courier analysis of CMS data. The number of children on Medicaid and CHIP increased from 650,713 to 729,620, an increase of nearly 80,000 or 12.1 percent, the analysis showed.

Medicaid and CHIP provide health insurance for over half of the nation's children, and in South Carolina it is even higher at 65 percent, according to The Post and Courier's analysis. That is what is at stake once re-enrollments are allowed to begin again, said Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown Center for Children and Families.

"This is a major, major issue that a lot of people are not aware of," she said.

The center's own analysis from earlier this year showed nationally that 6.7 million children could be at risk of losing their health insurance, Alker said. By comparison, there were 4.4 million uninsured children in 2019.

"That gives you a sense of the kind of scale we are talking about here," she said.

Because South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid coverage, the majority of those at risk are under age 18 or women who received Medicaid for maternal services.

"So we are talking about children and their parents, most likely their moms, and they are at risk when this Public Health Emergency ends," Alker said.

To prepare for that, South Carolina Health and Human Services unveiled a detailed plan earlier this year for how to handle re-enrollment. That includes electronically checking income data available through other state agencies, such as the Department of Employment and Workforce, or through federal sources, spokesman Jeff Leieritz confirmed.

For those whose continued eligibility is in question, they will get a notice 60 days in advance, with a follow-up 30 days later, before terminating eligibility. The agency plans to use voice and text to also reach out to members and is asking its managed care providers to do the same.

Alker said she is glad to hear about the state's plans but also urged families and providers to be proactive

"Right now, the most important thing is for families to be updating their contact information and for states to be working with all of their partners in the community, the doctors, even the retail pharmacies" to prepare, she said.
CLEMSON  Clemson University President Jim Clements shook hands with a Space Force general at a ceremonial signing on July 18, solidifying the school's latest military partnership.

The Space Force, founded in 2019 as the newest branch of the military, established a partnership to grow and retain a workforce and add research options that further its mission to protect U.S. interests in space. It currently consists of about 15,000 members.

Vice Chief of Space Operations General David Thompson signed a memorandum of understanding, a nonbinding agreement, to form the partnership.

The program aims to achieve three goals: continue to develop advanced technology and capabilities, train future space leaders, and give opportunities for students to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills.

At the university level, the program will be implemented by two appointed "champions," as Thompson called them. A major general and a colonel will help with leadership development and recruitment primarily through the university's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program. They will also ensure the research needs of the university are being met.

More than 1,700 universities and colleges nationwide have ROTC programs, which prepare students to become officers in the military. The program pays for college, but students must serve after graduation. Clemson's ROTC program was founded in 1960 and has produced more than 10,000 armed service members.

"Partnering with the Space Force provides our students with the opportunity to engage in a new frontier of military service, and give our students, faculty and staff the ability to develop and to be part of cutting-edge research and advancements that are critical to the Space Force," Clements said.

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Space Force has named several partnerships so far, including MIT, Georgia Tech, Purdue University, University of Texas and University of Southern California. The first set of agreements include 14 total universities.

Thompson said the program may expand in the future with other universities but "our first objective is to establish this initial setup, create relationships, [and] begin to function effectively with each of the universities."

Each school chosen met the criteria of having STEM degree offerings, space-related research laboratories and initiatives, ROTC programs and diverse student populations. The schools also offer degrees and programming designed to support military members, veterans and their families.

A key feature for Clemson was its expertise in optics and engineer light space physics, atomic physics and photonics, radar systems, space environment, space weather and energy storage.

The partnership is expected to create opportunities for research, advanced academic degrees and leadership development for the Space Force.

Before the agreement was signed, Clemson already had a presence in Space Force. Three of the 21 top general officers are alumni, including Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. Jay Raymond and two Air Force generals assigned to Space Force  Maj. Gen. Leah G. Lauderback and Maj. Gen. Donna Shipton.
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. High 84F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable.
After months of deliberations, Charleston officials released a draft map of new City Council districts.

The top priority for city officials is rebalancing each district's populations. But after that, competing priorities such as racial makeup and community connections within districts can complicate the process.

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau releases new population and demographic data that governments use to redraw voting districts. In 2020, it was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

City Council voted last summer to delay redistricting until after the fall 2021 election.

Charleston Chief Innovation Officer Tracy McKee has led the city through this process three times in her career.

"This time I think it has definitely been the most challenging," McKee said.

The city's population and demographic changes in the past 10 years have been significant. Given Charlestons current population, the city is aiming for each of the 12 City Council districts to have just over 12,000 residents when the new map is approved. But districts have not grown evenly in the past decade.

The current District 5, which primarily includes Johns Island, grew a staggering 154 percent, increasing from just under 10,000 residents to over 25,000.

To compensate, the new draft map split Johns Island across three districts, two of which also include parts of West Ashley and one of which includes parts of James Island.

The current District 8, by comparison, lost 21 percent of its population, falling from about 10,000 residents to just under 8,000. That district primarily covers the peninsulas South of Broad neighborhood.

The revised map sliced off the eastern portion of Daniel Island, which is currently in District 1, and added it to South of Broad's District 8.

Doing so also helps adjust the population of Daniel Island's District 1 which had grown by 73 percent in the past decade.

Demographic shifts

Not only is the citys population shifting to its outer edges, but the demographics are changing as well. The peninsulas Black population hit a 100-year high in the 1960 census and has been falling ever since. After 1960, the peninsulas Black population began a 60-year decline, which accelerated after the 1980 census when the White population on the peninsula began rising, coinciding with the growth of the College of Charleston.

The city was 25 percent black in 2010 and 17 percent black in 2020.

Due to change in federal law, this is also the first year that the U.S. Department of Justice will no longer have to sign off on redistricting plans and verify whether minority populations are fairly represented.

The previous longest-serving councilman, James Lewis, was forced to run against his fellow Black colleague on council, Jimmy Gallant, when they were drawn into the same district in 2011. Gallant eventually bowed out of the race and eight years later, Lewis was defeated by a White challenger, Jason Sakran.

This time around, none of the sitting council members were drawn into the same district.

"I think the city did a really good job in a situation that wasnt easy," said Kendra Stewart, a professor of political science at the College of Charleston.

Districts 4 and 7 on the new map are majority-minority districts. When the maps were last redrawn in 2010, the city went from having five majority-minority districts to three.

Maintaining such districts is one of the goals of redistricting because it helps ensure that Black residents have a voice on City Council. Even if the council member is not a minority themselves, they will be held accountable to a majority-minority district.

"It's important to ensure that representation on council reflects the population in particular in terms of race, especially in the South where, historically, the black population has been not just marginalized but discriminated against," Stewart said.

Next steps

The formal public comment period for the draft map closed July 18, but McKee said if the city decides to make any major changes to the maps based on the current feedback, they will open the online comment portal again. Additionally, residents can send emails to redistricting@charleston-sc.gov to provide feedback.

Once city staff incorporates feedback into the draft maps, they will go to City Council for a vote.

This will likely happen in the next couple of months. When maps are presented to council, the city will host a public hearing to hear more comments and then take a vote over at least two separate meetings. Voters will choose representatives in these districts in the November 2023 city elections: Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.
NORTH CHARLESTON  Authorities are searching for a 19-year-old man they say fatally shot a teenager inside a gas station.

Javeon Breon Kayshard Campbell is wanted in the killing of Charrod Phillips, who was shot to death in the Mobil gas station at 3615 Dorchester Road.

North Charleston police officers found Phillips, 17, suffering from a gunshot wound around 3:30 a.m. June 29. He died at the scene.

Police spokesman Harve Jacobs did not say how Campbell was identified as a suspect in the boy's killing. Phillips' girlfriend and a store clerk were present when he was shot, according to an incident report.

Campbell is also charged with a firearm offense in the shooting. If convicted of murder, he could face up to life in prison.

Phillips was the second person killed at the gas station this year. Bobby Warthaw, 34, was fatally shot during the early morning Jan. 8 outside the business.

Three people have been charged with murder in Warthaw's killing.

Anyone with information on Campbell's whereabouts can contact North Charleston police's tip line at 843-607-2076. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111.
At the inaugural meeting of Charleston's most controversial commission, Councilman Jason Sakran outlined the challenges he and other board members will likely face as they try to reckon with racism in the city and the legacy of disparities it has helped create over the course of three centuries.

People will call them names and nitpick what they do and dont do. It is difficult discussing race in a public setting. And it will take time for them to trust each other enough to have in-depth conversations.

I hope we can get there, Sakran said.

Thus began the work of the Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission. It is the latest step in an effort by city leaders to confront racism in Charlestons past and present, following the 2015 massacre at Emanuel AME Church in which a white supremacist fatally shot nine Black worshippers.

People involved in the push for racial equity in Charleston say they are guided by a moral responsibility. But they also point to the economic gains that could occur for everyone in the region if longstanding racial gaps in areas such as wealth, education, health and hiring are closed.

That the new board was even formed is a sign of the desire by many to bring about change. But it took several months for a majority of City Council to agree to create the new commission.

How it came together showcased a deeply entrenched reality: Despite years of hand-holding and prayers, surveys and reports, community forums and kind words, many in the city are still resistant to acknowledge that racism exists and to discuss potential solutions to racial disparities.

There is a disconnect in the community, particularly the White community, around this work and what it actually means, said Sakran, who is White and serves as the interim chair of the new commission. People often feel that for someone to gain means someone else has to lose. Some suspect the goal is to blame White people or to focus only on slavery. None of that is true, he said.

Its about addressing barriers that have prevented African Americans from having equal opportunities, Sakran said.

Encountering resistance

The new group is a successor to a temporary committee on equity, inclusion and racial conciliation formed in 2020 after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed in Minneapolis by a White police officer. City Council directed the temporary committee to come up with recommendations to promote racial justice and equity across Charleston.

But last year, when the group returned with a 545-page report of suggested policy actions, they were met with resistance from both community and City Council members. The pushback mostly centered on a handful of ideas, including that the city create a reparations fund for Black residents and that it partner with the Charleston County School District to promote critical race theory, which holds that racism is embedded in Americas history and institutions.

Some labeled a recommendation to examine the Police Departments budget for potential reallocation and savings as a call to defund the police.

A majority of the City Council voted against formally receiving the groups recommendations, which were offered for consideration rather than direct action.

I thought we could come in and do this work and we could make things better right away, said Tracy Doran, president of the Humanities Foundation. She was one of dozens of local expert volunteers involved in the temporary committee. I realized thats not the case.

Despite the blowback, Sakran and fellow City Councilman William Dudley Gregorie forged ahead on the recommendation to create a board on equity, inclusion and racial conciliation.

A conservative advocacy group, the American Heritage Association, launched a targeted lobbying campaign against creating the new committee. Another group said it gathered some 1,700 signatures on a petition opposing the panel. After weeks of negotiations, council members in February voted to change the name and form the Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission. But it did so with restrictions.

The 13-person board is not permanent; City Council can review and reauthorize it every three years. It is made up of community representatives and council members who can recommend, but not make, policy changes. The board is also specifically not allowed to advocate for defunding the citys police, providing cash reparations, teaching critical race theory, or violating a state law that says only the Legislature can decide whether to remove war memorials on public property.

Other challenges

Further complicating matters for the new commission is that, in April, Amber Johnson left her role as the citys equity, inclusion and racial conciliation manager. She was the first person to hold that job with the city.

Johnson was seen as key facilitator for the temporary committee and was supposed to serve as an important ally for the new commission.

In an interview, Johnson said she decided to leave the job to get away from personal attacks made about her and her work in response to the recommendations proposed by the temporary committee. She declined to elaborate on those attacks but said she felt she was treated differently by critics because she is a Black woman.

At the same time, Johnson said she was also heartened by what she saw in her three years on the job. City staff wanted to improve equity and diversity. They helped her produce an interactive website, which documents some of Charlestons racial history and disparities. And numerous community members spoke out in favor of pushing for racial equity.

There are definitely people there who are willing to do the work and willing to fight for it, Johnson said.

As of early July, city staff was still working to hire her replacement. The job has a salary range of $70,165 to $77,182, city officials said.

Were the perfect place to be a leader in addressing issues of race and conciliation, Mayor John Tecklenburg said. It may seem ironic, in a way to some people, but that adds to the beauty of us pursuing this and doing it here.

Charleston was a major entry point for enslaved Africans, a bastion of segregation and the site of civil rights protests. In January, the International African American Museum is set to open at Gadsden's Wharf, an area of the peninsula that played a significant role in slavery.

In the meantime, many are hopeful the new commission can help spur action.

Discussion is good, but youve got to go to the next step, said Felice Knight, a Citadel professor who served on the temporary committee. We need implementation, not just conversation.

When the commission met on June 16, Sakran acknowledged that the group was a long time coming and that it had work to do.

The process for nominating committee members has taken months. The group is now made up of 11 members, eight of whom are White. Three are Black. Their members include an educator, a psychologist, an engineer and business people.

It is supposed to review the temporary commissions suggestions, make recommendations to the mayor and City Council, and work with the city on community engagement and education efforts.

Still, Sakran urged patience so board members could get to know one another.

If we dont trust each other, and we cant have honest discussions, then this commission really is just window dressing, he said.

Because the commission has only met once, it hasn't caused a stir among City Council members yet.

Other than city staff, the commissioners were alone. No one from the public showed up.

Emma Whalen contributed to this report.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  More than 500 women sought an abortion at a Planned Parenthood clinic in North Carolina last week, many of them from South Carolina. That's half the number for the entire month of June.

The Tar Heel State has become a destination for women in the Southeast looking to have abortions as part of the fallout of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month that overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case.

The court's reversal brought an end to legalized abortion nationwide and left the matter up to state legislators.

North Carolina is the closest state for women across the South to get an abortion after the court's decision triggered automatic bans in states like Mississippi, where the case that overturned Roe originated. States with laws like South Carolina's include neighboring Georgia and Tennessee. In Florida, a 15-week ban took effect.

Staff members at Planned Parenthood in Charleston and elsewhere have taken on a different role in this post-Roe environment. Tasks include setting up new appointments for patients, coordinating travel and helping with costs, as what is and isn't legal continues shifting across the country.

The Palmetto State's fetal heartbeat act took effect three days after the Supreme Court ruling. Similar to laws in at least four other states, it bans most abortions after an ultrasound detects what sounds like a heartbeat, typically around the sixth week of pregnancy.

A state House panel meets July 19 to begin debating details of a potential ban. In the backdrop are women like Sarah, a 20-year-old College of Charleston student.

She was scheduled to have an abortion the next day when a friend texted her on June 24: Had she seen the U.S. Supreme Courts decision?

Someone with Planned Parenthood called her next. Abortion appointments at its West Ashley clinic were canceled as the organization determined what the new ruling meant for South Carolina.

Sarah, who asked to use a different name in this story out of concern for her safety, got another call June 25 from Planned Parenthood. An appointment was available in two weeks in North Carolina, if she could get there.

When the day came, Sarah woke up at 3 a.m., though shed never really fallen asleep. A friend drove her more than three hours from her home in Charleston to make an 8:15 a.m. appointment at the clinic 200 miles away in Fayetteville, N.C.

The Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act

Planned Parenthood sued over the "heartbeat" bill within hours of Gov. Henry McMaster signing it last year, blocking it from taking effect until the Supreme Court made the federal challenge moot. The organization filed a challenge July 13 in Richland County, arguing the law violates privacy rights in the state constitution. Whether the law will again be blocked as that case moves through state courts remains to be seen.

The law bans abortions after an ultrasound detects what it defines as the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart." Opponents call it a six-week ban, since what's heard that early is not coming from a fully developed heart; they argue it bans abortions before many women know they're pregnant.

The law requires an ultrasound prior to an abortion. If no heartbeat is detected, an abortion can legally proceed. If an abortion is performed despite a heartbeat being heard, the provider can be charged with a felony punishable by a $10,000 fine and up to two years in prison.

Exceptions to the ban include women who are victims of rape or incest and less than 5 months pregnant. The provider is required to report the crime to the local sheriffs office within 24 hours of the abortion.

Democratic sheriffs in Charleston and Richland counties  Kristen Graziano and Leon Lott  have already said their departments wont investigate rapes reported to them by abortion clinics if the victim declines to pursue charges.

The Charleston County Sheriffs Office has developed a computerized system for doctors to report abortions under the law's requirements. The system will indicate whether patients want to be contacted and, if so, whether they want investigative or victim services, said spokesman Andrew Knapp.

A spokesman for Republican Sheriff Hobart Lewis of Greenville  the other South Carolina county with an abortion clinic  said the agency will enforce the existing laws.

Doctors may perform an abortion in South Carolina if a serious developmental defect means the child won't survive long outside the womb or if it is needed to protect the mothers life. In such cases, the doctor must document why the procedure was deemed necessary and keep those records in the patient's medical file for at least seven years.

Those files are banned from public view. The law requires the reporting of all abortions to the state's public health agency within seven days, but without information that identifies the woman.

The "heartbeat" law specifies the pregnant woman cannot be criminally prosecuted or fined for getting or seeking an abortion. However, a woman who gets an abortion that violates the law can sue the provider for $10,000, as well as court costs and attorneys fees. The law also specifies that it does not apply to birth control drugs or chemicals that prevent conception, which include the morning-after pill that remains available in South Carolina without a prescription.

That emergency contraception, a synthetic hormone, is different from the abortion pills that end a pregnancy. The drugs mifepristone and misoprostol can be taken in combination to abort an embryo, but not beyond 10 weeks.

Last year, medication  not surgery  accounted for nearly three-fourths of abortions in South Carolina. But unlike in other states where women can get the two pills through the mail following an online visit with a doctor, South Carolina patients must come into the clinic to get and take the pills.

The state has banned telehealth prescriptions for abortion medication since 2016.

It has been against the law for South Carolinians to buy abortion-inducing drugs on the black market or otherwise arrange an abortion at home since at least 1974, shortly after the Roe v. Wade decision.

A woman can be sent to prison for two years and ordered to pay $1,000 for what's called a self-managed abortion. Whoever provides the drugs could be imprisoned for five years and fined up to $5,000.

But it is unclear how often that decades-old law has been used. In the last three years, one person has been charged under that section, according to the State Law Enforcement Division. The agency had no other additional information. Whether it was the pregnant woman or provider is unknown. Neither the Attorney General's Office nor the state's public health agency has any data on charges or prosecutions for those crimes.

The new law doesn't create a special division within the state Attorney Generals Office or any other agency. Since it has no specific instructions, decisions on criminal charges are left to local law enforcement and the local solicitor.

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said she plans to continue making decisions about the cases brought to her office based on "evidence collected by law enforcement agents, the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of the situation and the communitys safety."

The Charleston County Sheriff's Office will evaluate any reports it receives relating to the new law on a case-by-case basis, Knapp said.

"We will not create any further barriers for women to access health care, he said.

Officials with both the Charleston and North Charleston police departments are reviewing the new law and educating officers on their role.

"There is so much that is unknown right now," said North Charleston Deputy Police Chief Ken Hagge. "If and when these cases arise, we would rely heavily on the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office for advice and help."

Charleston Sgt. Beth Wolfsen said her department has no planned proactive investigations relating to the law.

There are growing pains any time a new law comes through, said attorney Sue Berkowitz, a longtime advocate for the poor and director of the S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center in Columbia.

It will take time to figure out and think through the practical mechanics of the legislation. But its concerning police officers  the ones tasked with actually enforcing the law  have also been swept up in the confusion, she said.

And while everyone is trying to figure out their piece of the puzzle, womens lives will be further upended, Berkowitz said.

Timing issues

When Sarah made her initial appointment at the West Ashley clinic, she meant to have a medication abortion, the most common method.

But abortion is a time-sensitive procedure. An appointment rescheduled for the following day could make a difference in not only what state a patient can get an abortion but also in their options.

In the states that allow it, Planned Parenthood will provide the abortion pills through 10 weeks of pregnancy, after which a surgical abortion is needed, said Dr. Katherine Farris, chief medical officer for the organizations South Atlantic region.

One of the side effects of these bans is that they will end up causing more abortions later in pregnancy because of the barriers that are in front of patients and their ability to get the care they need, Farris said.

Sarah  who hadnt received an ultrasound prior to her first appointment  could only guess how far along she was, working backwards from her last menstrual period.

At the appointment in Fayetteville two weeks later, an ultrasound confirmed Sarah couldnt end her pregnancy with pills. She was 11 weeks and six days pregnant.

The Planned Parenthood clinics in Charleston and Columbia are still providing abortions in compliance with the states heartbeat law, said spokeswoman Molly Rivera.

The organization is encouraging people to make initial appointments at their nearest clinic if they suspect they might be pregnant. Most people dont know how far along they are, she said.

Traveling to another state for an abortion is costly. Sarah and her friend stopped twice for gas between Charleston and Fayetteville, at $90 per fill-up each way. She debated booking a hotel room. She took several days off of work, anticipating time to recover.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic  a four-state region that includes North and South Carolina  is able to provide up to $600 in financial assistance to each patient seeking an abortion. The money goes toward travel expenses as well as abortion costs, which average $500, Rivera said.

North Carolina politics

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It was barely 8 a.m. the day of Sarah's appointment when Fayettevilles modest skyline came into view. She looked out from her car window at North Carolinas fifth-largest city, home to the Army base Fort Bragg. She periodically glanced at the map screen, counting each minute that passed.

The Planned Parenthood clinic is a nondescript building, short and beige, sandwiched between two of the citys main thoroughfares. Cracks of light stream through closed blinds and frosted glass tiles. The patient entrance is hidden around the side, away from the protesters.

Sarah threw a blanket over her face when she saw them: Are they looking at me?

Clusters of people stood at the sidewalk corner where cars turn in, on the sidewalk bordering the busy four-lane road and along the buildings left side. Some of the protesters waved. One held a sign that read Babies are murdered here. A few paced up and down, eyes closed and arms outstretched, praying for those inside.

Staff members offered Sarah a print of her ultrasound at the appointment. She declined. The monitor displaying the embryo was pushed away from her, its volume turned down. Sarah caught a glimpse before she was taken to the education room, where an employee read her a state-mandated script about abortion options and risks.

A nurse gave her medicine, something to help with anxiety and pain. Sarah returned to the waiting room as it kicked in and looked around at the other patients. Some were with their partners. Others sat by themselves. The majority of them were young women. All were there for abortions.

It sounds bad, but that kind of makes me feel better, she said, to know Im not the only one.

After a draft Supreme Court opinion leaked to Politico in May predicted Roes reversal, Planned Parenthood increased staffing and added more clinic days, anticipating an influx of patients, Farris said. The Fayetteville clinic offers abortions three days a week.

The nonprofit also created patient navigators who specialize in assisting patients from states with stringent abortion laws. The employees are trained to help people make an appointment at the closest clinic, at the soonest possible time, as well as help secure financial resources.

North Carolina has 14 abortion clinics, compared with three in South Carolina. Planned Parenthood operates six of the North Carolina clinics.

In 2020, more than 25,000 abortions were performed across North Carolina, according to its health department. Only 1.5 percent of the patients were out-of-state residents. This number has already increased and will continue to rise following the Supreme Court ruling, Rivera said.

Planned Parenthood clinics in North Carolina provided abortions to 727 patients in June 2021. During the same month this year, the clinics saw 913 people for abortions, Rivera said.

In the last calendar week  some 14 days after Roe was overturned  there were 562 abortion appointments across North Carolina. Around a third of those patients were out-of-state residents, the vast majority of them from South Carolina and Tennessee. A few had traveled from as far as Texas and Louisiana, Rivera said.

Tennessee has a heartbeat law similar to South Carolina, though it will likely soon be superseded by a law banning abortions altogether. The only exception would be to save the mother's life.

North Carolina's Planned Parenthood clinics haven't seen too many patients from Georgia, where abortion remains legal through 22 weeks of pregnancy under a law similar to what South Carolina passed in 2016. Georgia's own "heartbeat" law has been blocked by federal courts since 2020, but it is expected to take effect soon.

North Carolina has become a haven for people in the South seeking abortions. But with a midterm election looming in November, this access could absolutely be temporary, Rivera said.

Abortion remains legal in the state with few restrictions: A patient must wait at least 72 hours after receiving information on abortion methods and fetal development  two days longer than South Carolina's mandated 24-hour delay. Like South Carolina, telehealth prescriptions for abortion medication are banned.

Additional restrictions could be coming. North Carolina law has banned abortions past the 20th week of pregnancy since 1973, though it has never been enforced. When legislators amended the law in 2015, abortion rights advocates sued. A federal judge declared it unconstitutional.

With Roe overturned, North Carolina lawmakers asked Attorney General Josh Stein to get the federal block lifted so the 20-week ban can be enforced. Stein, a Democrat, said his departments attorneys are reviewing the law.

Additional legislation would have to pass Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers desk. Cooper, who isnt up for reelection until 2024, has made clear he will veto any bill restricting abortion access.

Republicans would need to win several more seats in the November midterm election to reach veto-proof majorities and make any headway. Regardless, GOP lawmakers have promised abortion will be a primary concern next year.

North Carolinians can rest assured that we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that current restrictions on the books will be enforced, House Speaker Tim Moore said in a June 24 statement. North Carolinians can also expect pro-life protections to be a top priority of the Legislature when we return to our normal legislative session in January."

Months of debate

The question in South Carolina, meanwhile, has not been if the state will impose a stricter ban but how far it will go.

A 12-member House committee tasked with crafting that chambers proposal heard seven hours of testimony July 7 from an array of people on both sides of the issue, including doctors, lawyers and pastors.

No votes were taken. The legislative process resumes July 19, when legislators will begin debating the details.

The committee, led by ardent abortion foe John McCravy of Greenwood, is expected to propose banning the procedure. The debate will involve what, if any, exceptions the committee will include in what is now an empty, placeholder bill that then-House Speaker Jay Lucas introduced on the last day of the regular session in May.

House Majority Leader David Hiott, a member of the special committee, said he has personally received more than 3,700 emails on the issue. What they're advocating has cycled back and forth, he said, with initial emails mostly protesting against a ban and later batches mostly advocating for one. In all, it's roughly a draw between the sides.

And after years of debating abortion, legislators opinions are unlikely to be swayed. The House is not expected to take any additional testimony, said Hiott, R-Travelers Rest.

Whatever McCravys group comes up with will then move swiftly through the House Judiciary Committee before the full House takes up the bill next month.

The House has previously included exceptions for victims of rape and incest, as well as saving the mothers life, during yearly fights over GOP-sponsored proposals to further restrict abortions in South Carolina. During a 2019 floor debate on that years fetal heartbeat bill  which ultimately died in the Senate  the exceptions were included after then-state-Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Charleston, took the podium to share her story of being raped at 16.

McCravy attempted to strike the exceptions, despite her impassioned plea. His motion failed 38-62. But those voting with him included Hiott and four others now on McCravys committee.

What's next?

Regardless of what the House does, what becomes South Carolinas post-Roe abortion policy will ultimately be decided in the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, who has led Democratic fights against GOP abortion measures for years, said he hopes the Senate  which prides itself on being the deliberative body  finds a way not to put doctors in a situation where theyre forced to choose between following the law and essentially committing malpractice in high-risk pregnancies.

I hope our process allows us to carefully think through scenarios in which women face momentous medical decisions, when in many cases, all they want to do is have a child, said Hutto, D-Orangeburg. The ramifications for lets just ban everything are tremendous.

Sen. Richard Cash, arguably the Legislatures most strident abortion opponent, has already proposed legislation titled equal protection at conception  no exceptions, though it would allow an abortion needed to save the mothers life.

It threatens to charge an abortion provider and anyone who helps facilitate the procedure with a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. And it makes it illegal to help a girl under 18 cross state lines to get an abortion, a crime that would carry a sentence of up to 20 years.

Co-sponsors to Cashs proposal include Senate Medical Affairs Chairman Danny Verdin, R-Laurens, who will lead Senate hearings on the issue.

But Cashs bill is not expected to gain traction. For starters, the Senate process will begin with whatever the House sends. And Cashs efforts to outlaw all abortions  his primary mission since winning a special election in 2017  have been repeatedly scuttled as too extreme by colleagues in both parties.

SC laws restricting abortions South Carolina legislators regularly debate GOP-led proposals to restrict abortions. Heres a look at laws passed in the last 15 years:  2008: Law requires women to wait at least 60 minutes after an ultrasound before getting an abortion. It also requires doctors to ask women if they want to see the ultrasound, either on the screen or on a printout, and women must sign a document verifying theyve been informed of that right. The compromise followed debate over whether women could be mandated to see the images.  2010: Law requires women to wait at least 24 hours after receiving information about the types of abortion procedures, the stages of fetal development, and other options such as adoption. The information is available at health facilities as well as on the public health agencys website to download with a time stamp to prove the required delay. That was a compromise on what critics called the two-trip bill. Opponents argued the initial proposal, which required two trips to the clinic at least a day apart, created a burden, especially for poor, rural women who may have to take two days off work and may have difficulty arranging transportation for even one visit.  2012: The Born Alive Infant Protection Act says a fetus surviving an abortion attempt cannot be treated as medical waste. It defined a person as anyone who is breathing and has a beating heart after birth, whether by labor, cesarean section, or abortion, copying a 2002 federal law enforceable on federal property.  2016: Law bans most abortions beyond 20 weeks fertilization. The only exceptions are if the mothers life is in jeopardy or a doctor determines the fetus cant survive outside the womb. The law ties the fetus age to conception, rather than womens monthly cycle. But since this date cannot be scientifically pinpointed, the ban actually refers to what doctors consider a gestational age of 22 weeks. It affected abortions performed at hospitals only, since clinics already didnt perform abortions past 15 weeks.  2016: A separate law made it illegal to get abortion medication through the mail following an online doctor's visit.  2021: Law bans an abortion once an ultrasound detects a fetal heartbeat, which can occur as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, though opponents dispute whether the sound is an actual heartbeat. The law provides exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or when the mothers health is at risk. The law was immediately challenged and blocked by federal courts. But the U.S. Supreme Court's June 24 ruling made the challenge moot. The injunction was lifted three days later.

This year, Hutto and Sen. Sandy Senn, R-Charleston, jointly walked out of a Medical Affairs Committee meeting, blocking a vote on Cashs so-called trigger bill that would have outlawed all abortions if the high court overturned Roe v. Wade  as 13 other states had passed. The entire Senate later refused Cashs attempt to take that bill up during special sessions in June.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, said a look at the Senates past voting is a good indicator of whats to come.

Even after the GOP picked up Senate seats in 2020, which led to the fetal heartbeat law passing after years of failed attempts, a majority of senators insisted on providing exceptions for victims of rape and incest, a fetal anomaly in which the child is not expected to survive long outside the womb, as well as protecting the mothers life or long-term health.

We had a debate then about exceptions. I dont expect the vote to be different, said Massey, whos among Republicans supporting exceptions. I just think thats the right thing.

If theres any movement, he said, the support for exceptions will likely only be stronger following the high courts decision.

The difference is that it is no longer an academic argument, said Senate Labor Commerce and Industry Chairman Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, who has made clear throughout the yearslong fetal heartbeat debate that he couldnt support a bill without exceptions, despite his opposition to abortions.

Those debates and others over the years were done against the backdrop of knowing any law that defied U.S. Supreme Court precedent on abortion would be blocked in court. Even though the stated goal of many proponents was to challenge Roe in hopes the nearly half-century precedent would be reversed, with that now a reality and the decision entirely up to legislators, we have to look at this with new eyes, Davis said.

Were playing with live ammunition now, he said. This isnt an academic exercise. This is actually going to be the law. Im pro-life, but frankly, theres a level of seriousness that wasnt there before.

The full Senate is expected to return to Columbia in early September to debate the issue. A final version will likely be sent to McMasters desk by October. While the Republican governor has said he prefers no exceptions, he indicated he will sign whatever further restrictions legislators send him.

Steve Garrison contributed to this report from Charleston. Nick Reynolds contributed from Columbia.
The Africa Movie Academy Film in a box project, a four-week filmmaking training, ended in the Alimosho local government area of Lagos State on Thursday.

The brainchild of Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Film in a box, saw star actor Keppy Ekpeyong and director Achor Yusuf train over 200 young Nigerians with aspirations to become part of the Nigerian film industry.

A chat with the facilitators at the end of the training revealed that participants in Alimosho embraced the teachings and opportunities provided.

The event was held in collaboration with the Lagos State government under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Feedback

Speaking on the progress and general overview of the training, Mr Ekpeyong said: We had the mandate to train a minimum of 250 participants in three local government areas, so we flagged off here in Alimosho.

Initially, we did not expect what we encountered; we were shocked and surprised by the reception.

I think Alimosho changed the facilitators because we have evolved people who have become what they want to be. Some really with passion, and by the second week, they became unbelievable. We had people who came in a shy, crying, or mute, but right now, we have performers.

On his expectations from the participants, the actor said: We are so happy that there are more people here who would make it as actors outside mediocrity, outside social media hype, we have a lot of great people here in about six solid areas.

Another facilitator and film director, Achor Yusuf, expressed shock and delight at the talent and dedication of the participants.

Mr Achor said:  In time, we all will see the impact on the Nigerian film industry because I see the eagerness and zeal that the participants showed.

Sylvia Chiwendu, a participant, shared her experience during the four weeks of training.

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The 22-year-old, who majored in scriptwriting, said the experience has been inspiring.

She said: Its exciting, and I learned a lot from our facilitators. My major takeaway is learning the business of film.

For Samuel Sawyerr, AMAs film in a box project and training came at a trying time in his life. Film in a box found me at a time where I was almost losing it. I was home thinking about how to take the next step in my career, and I saw the ad online, and I put in for it. Though I thought it was a hoax or scam until I got the mail that I was admitted for the training. Its been amazing, he said.

Rationale

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Movie Academy and founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, was also spotted on the last day of the training.

Ms Anyiam-Osigwe engaged the participants in a mini-town hall meeting.

There, she touched on several issues and the need for the participants to be firm in their resolution to become film practitioners.

In a chat with the media, Ms Anyiam-Osigwe revealed plans by AMA to invest time and resources in the trainees.

She also thanked the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the State Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Tourism.

This is six weeks of training, and they have done four weeks of training and learning and will be going for practicals. That means shooting a film for the next two weeks. Its an exciting time, especially with the students we have had here in Alimosho.

We have done it from basics and taken them through the rudiments of the business of films. Its been interesting seeing the amount of talent that we have found. We have identified several real talents that will go on and do incredibly in the industry. From Alimosho, we would be moving to Badagry.

The organisers said the initiative would deliberately convert youths restiveness into productive ventures.
On Saturday the Emir of Yandoton Daji, Aliyu Marafa, made a wanted terrorist, Adamu Yankuzo, who is also known as Ada Aleru, the Sarkin Fulani of the emirate.

The well-attended ceremony confirms PREMIUM TIMES exclusive report about the decision to make Mr Aleru, who is notorious for his ruthlessness and was once declared wanted by the police, a chief.

Mr Aleru is the leader of a terrorist militia that operates in parts of Zamfara and Katsina states. Thousands of people have been killed in the two states and other neighbouring states by terrorists.

During the ceremony, the emir said he was making Mr Aleru a chief to ensure a lasting peace in the area.

After his inauguration as a chief, Mr Aleru told the crowd of people that gathered to witness the ceremony that he would do whatever it takes to prevent attacks on communities in the emirate.

While he accused some unnamed persons of enriching themselves from the attacks in the area, he said he and his militiamen were not criminals but freedom fighters.

Sources told this newspaper that the ceremony billed to take place at 11 a.m. was postponed following the public outcry after PREMIUM TIMES story was published on Friday.

He was later turbaned at 2:45 p.m. the same day.

The ceremony was attended by the Zamfara State Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Mamman Tsafe; security advisor to the governor, Abubakar Dauran; Tsafe Local Government Chairman, Aminu Mudi, and representatives of the information commissioner, district heads and other traditional title holders and government officials.

Event was almost cancelled

Sources who asked not to be named told this reporter that after PREMIUM TIMES exclusive was published on Friday, the emir of the town and the chairman of the local government threatened to cancel the ceremony.

The emir and the chairman (of Tsafe) were angry with the story in the media by your newspaper, a village head who earlier confirmed the date to PREMIUM TIMES said. Guests were already seated when the chairman called the council for a meeting in Tsafe and that was how the ceremony was put off.

He said before the emir left the town for Tsafe, he ordered that the ceremony be suspended until further notice.

The village head, who asked not to be named for fear of attacks, said they faced a lot of pressure from the government side to suspend the ceremony.

After the meeting in Tsafe, permission was sought from the state government by the local government sole administrator, Aminu Mudi, on the importance of going ahead with the ceremony.

After the chairman (sole administrator) was convinced by the emir, he called Gusau (possibly the state governor) and explained the situation after which it was agreed that the ceremony should go ahead, the village head said.

The emirate councils secretary, Bello Yusuf, told PREMIUM TIMES that there was a meeting at the Local Government Secretariat Council Hall before the dignitaries proceeded to Yandoto town.

Alerus threat

PREMIUM TIMES learned that the emir decided to continue with the ceremony following a veiled threat by Mr Aleru, who was already at the palace when he learnt that the ceremony was being put off.

The palace secretary, Mr Yusuf, confirmed the bandits leader was angry but said Mr Aleru did not make any threat.

He was angry that he had spent a lot of money and invited his friends (bandits leaders). He complained that he had made preparations and a lot of money was spent, he said.

But a security source, who attended the ceremony, said the emirate council knew what was to come hence their insistence that the ceremony should go ahead as planned.

Even in their Tsafe meeting, the security affairs commissioner was informed of the threat made by Aleru and they knew if the ceremony was cancelled, it would be a vicious circle of attacks. Dont forget that he didnt ask to be turbaned, it was the emirate that even reached out to him so, how could they even contemplate cancelling it?

He said Mr Aleru had slaughtered about 17 cows and several rams for the ceremony and that he had already had a mini event to celebrate the coronation in a village around Munhaye.

Why other militia leaders didnt attend

Residents had expected that other militia leaders in the region like Ali Zakwai, Bello Turji, Danboko, Sanata, Isuhu Yelo, Damina, and Mai Shamuwa would attend the ceremony but they stayed away.

While some of the militia leaders like Bello and Danbokolo were said to have withdrawn from the party at the last minute, others were told the ceremony had been put off and so decided not to come.

Most of them were waiting in some communities around the town waiting for words from their boys, the security source said. When the ceremony was suspended around 9 a.m., their boys that were already in Yandoto informed them which led to many of them going away. But most of them had their boys around until after Asr prayer (4pm) when Aleru entered the town.

Why we coronated him  Palace

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES through the phone, Mr Yusuf said the decision to honour Mr Aleru had nothing to do with politics or connivance.

He said the emir is a peace-loving person who has always explored ways of ensuring peace.

He (Emir) has always been an advocate for peace. Contrary to rumour, Aleru didnt beg for this title, Mr Yusuf said.

He said the decision was taken after a peace meeting in Mada town earlier this year.

After that particular meeting, Aleru and his boys came here to greet His Highness and expressed commitment to stop attacking people. He didnt give any conditions, he said he was ready to extend the peace accord to other places. When he left, one of the council members advised that even with the commitment, the emirate should explore ways of holding Aleru and other bandits and that was how we came up with the decision to make him the Sarkin Fulani, he said.

Mr Yusuf said the decision was therefore communicated to the Tsafe Local Government Area and Zamfara State government.

We couldnt have done that without approval from the state government. We did it with the best of intentions and because weve seen the commitment so far. Our people can now go to the farm and nothing happens to them. It used to be very difficult for everyone. Nobody was safe from the bandits attacks but we hope that the peace we are enjoying now will continue, he said.

Traditional title bastardised  Expert

Commenting on the traditional title, a security expert and risk analyst, Yahuza Getso, said monarchs in northern Nigeria have bastardized traditional titles.

He said the conferment of a traditional title on a notorious kidnapper and cattle rustler has vindicated his stand that some of the monarchs have cases to answer.

Mr Getso said a committee report indicted several traditional rulers in the state as part of the problems.

Weve been saying this for a long time. Traditional titles have been bastardized for worldly gain. This also goes to show that what weve been saying for long is true. Weve been saying that some of these monarchs and even government officials know who these bandits are, he said.
As is the new normal, the might of the Nigerian state did not count when terrorists invaded the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, on July 5. The terrorists freed 879 inmates; among them 64 Boko Haram members and other criminals. From the top to bottom, everybody, as it is now usual, was caught napping. The escapees and their liberators are still marauding around the Federal Capital Territory, heightening fears of the possibility of more attacks. President Muhammadu Buhari, who visited the Centre shortly after the attack, looked forlorn over the dereliction of duty that aided the security breach on his watch. I am disappointed with the intelligence system, he declared. Nigerians are even angrier, demanding that heads should roll.

Buharis cascading queries on the lack of a security watch tower at the facility, how the terrorists organised, got weapons to attack and escaped, are testament to gaps in his knowledge as Commander-in-Chief in the underbelly of our counter-insurgency plan. There are illicit arms everywhere and there is no concerted effort at mopping them up. Land and sea borders are porous. These weapons fuel insecurity. Indeed, these embarrassing developments have been occurring unremittingly. Nobody is held to account. This is reprehensible. The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which claimed responsibility for the attack, operated for about two hours in a commando-like style, using multiple explosives to destroy dozens of vehicles, pull down walls, and with a fusillade of bullets had easy access to the cells.

One immediate issue of key, but disturbing, significance is the discordant tunes from principal officials of the government, which underscores the divergence in the understanding of the challenges highlighted by the prison attack on the wider security of the country. Thus, if a well resourced platoon of 30 men with a functioning Armoured Personnel Carrier, drawn from the famed Special Forces Brigade in Gwagwalada could not repel, indeed put up no resistance to the attackers in a prison with three towers, who came on a working day, defying the now established tradition of weekend jailbreaks, what hope does the nation have that they cannot breach the highest seat of power in Abuja at will?

The observation of the president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, during his visit to the facility was though telling but at best groundless: the absence of functional Close Circuit Televisions at a facility with Boko Haram inmates, and the hint at complicity from within, given the efficiency the terrorists displayed in the operation hardly gets at the heart of the matter. Even more so the revelation by the minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, after an emergency National Security Council meeting that the terrorists had superior weapons and outnumbered our security operatives on guard was most shocking. At any rate, such disclosure is a morale armour for the insurgents.

The ministers observation might not have gone down well with his Interior Affairs counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, who was livid with the tepid firepower response to the attack. He insisted that sufficient security personnel were there to protect the facility, adding that strangely, something happened, most of which I cannot say on camera. Mr Aregbesola needs to be told that citizens who pay his wages want to know that thing he is unwilling to disclose on camera. The famous Nigerian official knee-jerk response like the current detention of the guards on patrol that night is inadequate as the country awaits thorough investigations into the jailbreak.

Apparently, at issue in the Kuje prison attack are official indifference to intelligence and the lack of synergy among the security services on existential threats. Before the recent ambush by gunmen in Niger State, which led to the death of 22 soldiers, the governor of the state, Abubakar Bello, had in April ominously drawn attention to the implications of Boko Harams resurgence in the state for Abuja, which is only a two-hour drive from Minna, the Niger State capital. This was after the terrorists had hoisted their flag in Kauri community in Shiroro Local Government. The governor said, I have been engaging the Federal Government and unfortunately it has got to this stage and if care is not taken, even Abuja is not safe. We have been saying this for long, and all efforts have been in vain. Following the AbujaKaduna train attack in which 68 persons were kidnapped, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State bemoaned the lack of attention to actionable intelligence. We get the reports; the problem is for the agencies to take action, El-Rufai stressed.

It is clear that the lack of information from citizens to security agencies was not the reason the Kuje prison attack happened. Harping on an intelligence void, as is often the refrain by security chiefs, is a canard that should stop. The Kuje prison attack is another major instance of the huge vulnerability in our national security, which should jolt the head of state into immediate action. On President Buharis watch, Nigeria has recorded 15 jailbreaks from September 2015 to July 2022, with some 7,000 escapees, according to one newspapers tally.

Interestingly, many of these breaches were orchestrated by non-state actors. Eight of them happened in 2021. These included the assault on the Owerri prison facility, from where 1,800 inmates escaped. The attack, which left the Imo State Police headquarters in ruins, occurred because three intelligence reports from the Department of State Services (DSS) shared with the governor, the police, military and prison authorities were ignored. This delinquency and hollow synergy among the security services, explain the prison attacks in Koton Karfe and Kabba in Kogi State, Oko/Benin in Edo State, Okitipupa, Oyo, Minna, Sokoto and Jos, among others, at different times.

It is scandalous that many of the escapees are yet to be recaptured. They become serious security threats to the society as they quickly return to the crimes for which they were convicted  terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, money-laundering and homicide. This was evident in 2020. The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Babatude Kokumo, said one of the Oko jail escapees went to his village and a few hours later, killed the prosecution witness in his trial. In other instances, the lives of policemen and judges are threatened by these escapees.

After more than a decade of fighting Boko Haram jihadists and other non-state actors, Nigeria ought to have developed a level of capacity in getting things done. Keeping 64 Boko Haram fighters in a medium prison facility that is not adequately protected is foolhardy. The failure of the government to prosecute and punish them in accordance with the law is unacceptable. Nigeria has failed to learn the lesson that pampering religious extremists who are hell-bent on undermining the secularity of the state is a key policy blunder. Chad was able to control Boko Harams incursions into its capital, NDjamena, when it swiftly prosecuted the 10 insurgents behind the death of 38 persons and executed them within 48 hours of their being convicted.

The war against terrorism is never won with its sympathisers plodding the corridors of power; or government foot-dragging in taking decisive steps. Nigerias counterinsurgency framework is at an unfortunate crossroads. This is the reason the 400 Boko Haram financiers, whom the United Arab Emirates (UAE) helped Nigeria to identify early in 2021, have not been prosecuted more than a year after, whereas the UAE swiftly prosecuted and convicted the six suspects it had arrested. The case of the 61,000 Boko Haram suspects in custody in the North-East, without trial, is a frightening development and must not be allowed to become a tinderbox.

The ISWAP Kuje prison attack symbolises many things: Primarily, it is a brutal reminder to the president that the regimes victory against insurgency is still light years away and he should shake off his lethargy and take charge. It is ridiculous that since he assumed office in 2015, no comptroller-general of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), minister of Internal Affairs or National Security Adviser has been fired on account of these major serial failures in official duties. Only a president detached from his or her remit would spare all those in the line of duty who should have averted the Kuje embarrassment.

Successive governments have attested to the fact that fifth columnists exist within the executive arm, and the military often witness operational schedules being leaked. These lead to ambushes of the countrys fighting forces and fatal consequences. Such malevolent elements need to be exorcised from the system. If surveillance cameras are not available in a prison where dangerous criminals are kept near the seat of power, how would they be provided in far-flung prisons?

It is important to know what the capital expenditures of these custodial centres are spent on. Clearly, the National Assembly has failed the country in relation to its oversight of government agencies. It is a no-brainer that walls of custodial centres with criminals should be cast in concrete to withstand attacks. From President Buhari to the security chiefs, ministers and the security bureaucracy, there is enough blame to go around for the rather brazen and unfortunate Kuje prison attack.
Twenty-four-year-old Olatunbosun Olawoye owns a mobile phone with which he monitors happenings around the world via Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites. As a member of the Gen Z generation, he said he is keen on adopting a diverse range of technological innovations that could help him gain more skills in the digital economy. However, he lamented, being a resident of Ile-Ogbo, a community in Osun State, comes with its own limitations.

In the whole of Ile-Ogbo community, there is no single ATM, he began, reeling out a long list of basic infrastructural amenities that the community lacks.

Some of these things can limit ones productivity and draw you back in your efforts to be digitally compliant. Apart from the absence of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Ile-Ogbo, there is no single commercial bank in our community.

Ile-Ogbo is an agrarian community near Iwo in Osun State. It is the headquarters of Aiyedire Local Government in Osun. The town lies midway between Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

In spite of its importance as headquarters of a major local government council in the state, the community hosts no commercial bank. In the absence of banks and ATMs, there are numerous Point-of-Sale merchants operating in and serving members of the community.

POS operators are the engine room of financial transactions in this community, said Gabriel, a POS attendant operating from the Idi-Ape area of the agrarian community.

The major problem is that we go through hell before we can get cash for our own business too. We go as far as Iwo to get cash daily because thats the only place you have banks and ATMs.

Gabriel explained further that on several occasions, ATMs in Iwo would have been emptied by the many POS operators operating in the community.

You can imagine going to Iwo to look for cash and coming back with nothing. But thats the problem we face sometimes. There are too many POS operators in Iwo already and many of them stay around the ATMs. So once the banks fill their ATMs, they (the POS guys) just empty them.

More than 42 million Nigerian adults live in rural areas that lack basic banking services. According to a 2021 EFInA study on trends in access to financial services in Nigeria, there are numerous gaps to fill in the rural areas populated by unbanked people excluded from the financial ecosystem.

The EFInA report shows that while 71 per cent of urban adults have bank accounts, only 40 percent of those in rural areas have a formal account. In over 60 percent of rural communities across Nigeria, there are no bank branches, agents or ATM.

Although it has helped in bridging the financial inclusion gaps, mobile money has not proven to be a widespread option as only 4 per cent of adults in the EFinA study report have such accounts. Worse still, in the Findex report of 2017, less than 6 per cent have such accounts.

Fewer ATMSs, Rising Operational Cost

Nigerias ATM per capita (number of Automatic Teller Machines per 100,000 Adults) as at December 2019 fell to about 8.75, down from the 16.92 ATM per capita recorded by the World Bank in 2018. According to data sourced from the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), the number of active ATMs in Nigeria dropped to 17,518 in December 2019, representing a loss of about 1,213 from the 18,731 ATMs recorded in March 2019.

Experts say that merger and acquisitions among banks may have led to the reduction in number of branches and ATM, as beneficiaries of mergers often cut down on cost by shutting down branches and ATM points especially in places they already operate.

Tunde Bamishe, a financial analyst, explained that the widespread adoption of mobile platforms may also have significantly affected the need for the use of ATMs in most places, prompting banks to cut down on operational cost and ATM installation.

For instance, data from NIBSS showed that although the volume of ATM transactions in December 2019 dropped to 839.8 million from the 875.5 million recorded in 2018, the value of ATM transactions remained unchanged at N6.5 trillion in 2019 from what was recorded in 2018.

Similarly, a World Bank data showed that the number of commercial bank branches (per 100,000 Nigerian adults) dropped to 4.5 in 2020 from 4.8 in 2019.

ATMs and new branches are very expensive to procure or maintain and since the COVID-19 outbreak, banks have learnt to cut down on cost, Mr Bamishe said.

The issue is that banks still serve their customers online and many more people are embracing internet banking. So, the solution might not be in banks installing new ATMs in rural areas or opening new branches as that is too expensive and not sustainable from the operations perspective.

The government and other stakeholders would need to invest in financial literacy projects to deepen financial inclusion via mobile banking and access to the internet in many parts of the country. That way, those in unbanked communities can have access to financial services even as the banks continue to cut down on cost.

Women Excluded

Several studies have confirmed that women are less likely to be financially included than men, especially due to poor infrastructure. The EFInA report shows that while 57 per cent of men in Nigeria have a financial account, only 45 per cent of women do.

For many of us women living in rural areas, the situation is far worse, said Bimpe Akinremi, a resident of Apatere village on the outskirts of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The rate of charges on withdrawals can discourage someone from even keeping money in banks or opening an account. They charge N100 per every N5,000; for many villagers, thats somehow huge.

Mrs Akinremi, who spoke in Yoruba, told PREMIUM TIMES that many of their men in Apatere work outside of the community, and that enables them to make use of banks and other financial institutions.

Our men work either in Iwo or Ibadan, and some of them only come home on weekends. That way, they have bank accounts and can use banks in those big cities.

But many of the women sell stuff here in Apatere and the absence of financial institutions could be a form of discouragement, to be honest.

A POS attendant in the community who declined to have her name in print told this newspaper that she charges N100 on each N5,000 withdrawal, adding that the charges are not huge if compared to the stress of moving outside the village to withdraw cash.

I go to Iwo or Iyana Church area of Ibadan to withdraw cash, so the money I charge them is not much at all, she said.

There is no bank here in Apatere and there is none too at Lagun (a neighbouring community). We spend money on transport to go to Ibadan or Iwo to withdraw so thats how we can also stay in business.

Financial Exclusion and Productivity

Financial inclusion has been identified as an enabler for 7 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The World Bank Group considers financial inclusion a key enabler to reduce extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.

According to the global financial institution, having access to a transaction account is a major step toward broader financial inclusion since a transaction account allows people to store money, and send and receive payments.

Mr Olatunbosun told PREMIUM TIMES in Ile-Ogbo community that the absence of banking infrastructure makes this goal quite difficult for residents of Ile-Ogbo.

Unlike Iwo, where there are over five commercial banks, we have just one microfinance bank in our community and it is barely even functional, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES visited the microfinance bank, Moyofade Microfinance Bank LTD, located beside the palace of the community king, and residents confirmed that it is operational.

But they dont have ATM and other stuff that could make banking seamless, an Okada rider told this newspaper.

In Iwo, PREMIUM TIMES confirmed that there are branches of major banks scattered across the community, from Oke-Odo area through Oja-Ale. In addition to the banks, there are numerous POS agents operating in various areas in the town.

Mr Olatunbosun called for more banking facilities in the community to help deepen inclusion to accelerate growth.

Ile-Ogbo is an important town and we need at least a branch of a major bank here to make transactions easier for our people. The POS operators are trying to fill the gap but it is not enough, he said.
Barring any last minute change, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California will, on Monday, sentence a co-conspirator who has pleaded guilty to a $1.1million fraud case involving Abba Kyari, a suspended Nigerian deputy commissioner of police.

A new court document obtained by PREMIUM TIMES shows how Yusuf Anifowoshe, who is of Nigerian descent, changed his earlier not guilty plea to guilty in February, while the American government pursues Mr Kyaris extradition to the U.S. to face trial.

The U.S. government had unveiled the charges in July last year, accusing all six defendants, including Messers Anifowoshe and Kyari, of playing different roles in the $1.1million fraudulent scheme led by Ramon Abass, also known as Hushpuppi, a former Nigerian Instagram celebrity.

Hushpuppi, who was prosecuted separately before the same court, has since pleaded guilty to the charges including the $1.1 million fraud, and is now awaiting sentencing on September 21.

The six co-defendants in the case involving Mr Kyari were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and identity fraud, last year.

But only three of the co-defendants, including Mr Anifowoshe, who are based in the U.S., have appeared in court for the case.

The three persons, all of whom are Nigerian descents  Mr Anifowose, Rukayat Fashola (aka Morayo) and Bolatito Agbabiaka (aka Bolamide)  had pleaded not guilty to the charges and been released from custody on bail.

The three others based outside the U.S.  Mr Kyari, Abdulrahman Juma, and Kelly Chibuzo Vincent  remain at large, the U.S. prosecuting authorities have said.

The court, in March, rescheduled trial the case to October 11, 2022.

But before the rescheduling of trial, Mr Anifowoshe had, earlier in February, changed his initial not guilty plea to guilty, and the judge, Otis Wright, subsequently fixed July 18, 2022 (today) for his sentencing.

The Court refers the defendant to the Probation Office for the preparation of a presentence report and continues the matter to July 18, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., for sentencing, the minutes of the February 14, 2022 change of plea proceedings read in part.

The judge said other dates scheduled for things other than sentencing would not be applicable to the defendant who had pleaded guilty.

All dates other than the sentencing hearing date are vacated as to this defendant, the court document read.

How co-conspirator pleaded guilty

The minutes of the change of plea proceedings obtained by PREMIUM TIMES shows that Mr Anifowoshe agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering which is Count Two of the three charges.

Mr Anifowoshe, his lawyer, Carel Ale, and the U.S. governments lawyer, Khaldoun Shobaki, were present at the proceedings as indicated in the minutes of the hearing.

Defendant moves to change his plea to the Indictment. Defendant now enters a new and different plea of Guilty to Count Two of the Indictment.

The Court questions the defendant regarding the plea of Guilty and finds a factual and legal basis for the plea; waivers of constitutional rights are freely, voluntarily and intelligently made; plea is provident; plea is accepted and entered, the document read in part.

Abba Kyaris extradition

The court had ordered the arrests of Mr Kyari and the two others who were outside the U.S and had yet to appear for the trial.

U.S. authorities had subsequently requested the Nigerian government to surrender Mr Kyari for trial in the court in California.

Following the request by the U.S. government, Nigerias Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubaka Malami, instituted extradition proceedings against Mr Kyari at the Federal High Court in Abuja earlier in the year.

The court, after taking closing arguments of the governments and Mr Kyaris legal teams, fixed August 29 to deliver its decision on the extradition request.

But apart from the extradition proceedings, Mr Kyari also faces ongoing criminal trial before another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of drugs trafficking.

Mr Anifowoshes change of plea is similar to how two Mr Kyaris co-defendants in the narcotics related trial in Nigerian have pleaded guilty and jailed by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Charges

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said in court documents released in July last year that all six defendants including Mr Kyari, were co-conspirators in the $1.1 million fraud coordinated by Hushpuppi, a former Nigerian Instagram celebrity.

A Qatari businessperson was the victim of the scheme perpetrated between November 2019 and April 2020, the FBI had said.

Mr Kyari, a deputy commissioner of police, allegedly played a role in the scam by helping Hushpuppi to detain a disenchanted co-conspirator who wanted to warn the victim businessperson about the scam.

He and his co-defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and aggravated identity theft.

Hushpuppi has pleaded guilty to various fraud activities, including the $1.1 million scheme in another case before the U.S. district court in Central California. He is now awaiting sentencing on September 21 this year.

He was arrested in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, in June 2020, and flown to the U.S. for trial.
A police investigation has confirmed that Stephen Ntukekpo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), used forged documents to obtain a court judgement which paved the way for him to be sworn in as the APC chairman in Akwa Ibom State.

A piece of legal advice from the police, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, on Monday in Abuja, recommended that Mr Ntukekpo be charged to court for forgery and impersonation.

From the facts and available evidence in the case file, we are of the considered opinion that a prima facie case of impersonation and forgery has been established against the suspect, Stephen Leo Ntukekpo and therefore advised that the suspect be charged to court accordingly, said a memo from the Legal and Prosecution Section, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The memo, dated July 4, 2022, and titled Legal Advice, was sent to the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the FCID.

It was signed by Ochogwu Ogbeh, a deputy commissioner of police, who heads the Legal and Prosecution Section at the force headquarters.

The police investigation was prompted by a complaint of forgery from a chieftain of the APC, Sheriff Banki, who chaired the APC committee which conducted the party state congress in Akwa Ibom State last year.

Another person, Austin Ekanem, who took part in the congress, was elected the chairman of the APC in Akwa Ibom, and not Mr Ntukekpo.

Mr Banki was shocked and angry when he learnt his signature was forged and Mr Ekanem, the man who was elected the APC chairman in Akwa Ibom, was replaced with Mr Ntukekpo.

Mr Ntukekpo is backed by a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, who has the support of the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, and the National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore.

The APC national chairman, Mr Adamu, swore in Mr Ntukekpo as the APC chairman in Akwa Ibom at Abuja in April, 2022, despite a contrary order by the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

The Appeal Court on April 7 directed all the parties in the case to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case, but Mr Adamu hurriedly swore in Mr Ntukekpo on April 11, about 72 hours after the court order.

The APC, however, fraudulently backdated to March 26, Mr Ntukekpos oath of office, to avoid the party being seen as violating an order of the court, according to documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

The forgery in APC and the multiple court cases that followed threw the party in Akwa Ibom into a complicated crisis which has made it incapable of producing a governorship candidate till now in the state for the 2023 elections.

The crisis has also truncated Mr Akpabios ambition to return to the Senate next year.

The police recommendation that Mr Ntukekpo should be charged for forgery and impersonation has confirmed the previous reporting on the matter by PREMIUM TIMES.

It has also vindicated the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, who some of the APC leaders in the state have been accusing, without proof, of being responsible for the party crisis in the state.

Ntukekpos reaction

PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach Mr Ntukekpo for his comment, as he did not respond to calls from our reporter.

But the APC chairman, in a previous interview with PREMIUM TIMES, had admitted that the police invited him for questioning over the forgery case.

Mr Ntukekpo was not categorical about whether the result sheets he presented to the court were forged or not.

I wasnt the author, I didnt manufacture, I didnt produce in any form or fashion the so-called result sheet of the congress. I was only an aspirant, he said in a response to a question from PREMIUM TIMES.
Four years ago, Ademola Adeleke said he would dance to Osun State Government House, should he be elected governor of the state.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2018 governorship election had made the statement against the backdrop of his now famous spontaneous dancing steps, which his opponents were using to de-market him ahead of the election and thus making him look unfit to be elected governor.

With sobriquets like the dancing senator, Ajobiewe, Ade dancer, among others, and numerous videos showing his energetic dance movements littering the Nigerian social media, Mr Adeleke became a darling to some Nigerians just as he became an object of scorn to some who disapprove of his epicurean engagements as a political leader.

Against the expectation of his numerous supporters and party, he lost the 2018 election under controversial circumstances. He challenged the verdict in court but could not overturn the victory of his main rival, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He returned on Saturday to win the keenly contested rematch and will be sworn in as the governor of the state at the end of Mr Oyetolas term in November, thereby solidifying the fame of the Adeleke Family of Ede in the politics of Osun State.

According to the chief returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the election, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Mr Adeleke polled 403,371 votes against his closest challenger, Mr Oyetola, who scored 375,027 votes.

Also, Mr Adeleke won in 17 of the 30 local council areas while Mr Oyetola won in the remaining 13 LGAs.

About 31 years earlier, the governor-elects elder brother, Isiaka Adeleke, now deceased, was elected the first civilian governor of the state.

Popularly called Serubawon, a moniker he earned by the way he defeated veteran politicians in an open ballot system to emerge the candidate of the then Social Democratic Party (SDP), the 37-year-old Adeleke went on to win the general election against the candidate of the then National Republican Convention (NRC).

READ ALSO:

Osun State was created on August 27, 1991, by the military administration of Ibrahim Babaginda and the governorship election was held on December 14, 1991, which Isiaka Adeleke won. He was sworn in as governor in January 1992 and stayed in office until November 1993 when the administration was dissolved by the new military dictator, Sani Abacha.

But unlike his late elder brother who had no prior experience in gubernatorial contests, the current governor-elect had a home teacher in his departed brother.

His victory on Saturday is seen in some quarters as a validation of his claim that he was cheated in 2018. He was leading until INEC declared the election inconclusive and conducted supplementary polls in seven polling units, which opened the door to Mr Oyetolas victory.

Adeleke political dynasty

From Ede, a major town in Osun West senatorial district, the Adeleke family can now be termed a political dynasty comparable to others in Nigeria and beyond the countrys shores.

Their late dad, Raji Ayoola Adeleke, was a senator from 1979 to 1983 in the Second Republic. He was elected under the banner of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and represented senatorial district 11 which comprised six LGAs  Ede, Osogbo, Irepodun, Ifelodun, Odo-Otin and Ila Orangun. He was very influential in the politics of old Oyo State from which Osun State was carved out. He was also a prominent leader in his Ede community.

Isiaka, continuing on the path laid by their late patriarch, was also elected a senator twice before his sudden demise. He represented Osun West from 2007 to 2011 on the platform of the PDP but lost the 2011 elections to the candidate of the defunct ACN, Hussein Mudashiru.

Isiaka contested again in 2015 after defecting to the APC and won but died while still serving as a senator in 2017.

Then entered Ademola, who attempted to be the senatorial candidate of the APC in the bye-election to take over his late brothers seat in the Senate. Denied the APC ticket, he crossed over to take the ticket of the PDP to actualise his senatorial ambition.

He was in the Senate between 2017 and 2019, during which he lost the 2018 governorship election.

Huge expectations

No doubt, the expectations are huge. The people of Osun will expect their governor-elect to deliver on the mandate they have given to him.

Although opinions vary on the performance of the outgoing governor, Mr Adeleke will be confronted by challenges such as widespread poverty in the state, increasing debt profile, pension and salary arrears, and high employment rate among the states teeming youths, among others.

The late Isiaka was said to have posted a modest performance in office as governor. Part of the footprints of his administration is the state polytechnic at Iree, College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, e.t.c. He was also an affable personality.

Can the new governor-elect replicate the performance of his brother or surpass him?

Unlike that of his elder brother, the governor-elects reign will be different as he has civilian predecessors like Bisi Akande, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rauf Aregbesola and the outgoing governor, Mr Oyetola, against whom his performance will be evaluated.

Already, the governor-elect said during the campaigns that his administration will prioritise the welfare of workers and pensioners; boost the state economy through partnering and support for businesses; Osun money securing Osun people through homegrown infrastructure policy; people-focused social policy through skill-based education; affordable healthcare; state security and social security support; agro-based industrialisation for wealth and job creation for youths and women.

Like most Nigerian political office seekers who usually roll out their manifestos during electioneering without providing the details of how they would implement such if elected, the new governor-elect also left out the policy details of what could be considered his social contract with the people of the state.

Adesina Tosin, a socio-political commentator, advising the new governor-elect, said he must sustain the salary payment system put in place by the outgoing governor, Mr Oyetola, as Osun State civil servants would not be patient with his administration if it fails to pay them as of and when due.

Mr Tosin, however, understands that it wont be an easy ride for the governor-elect by the time he takes charge in November, given the challenges facing the state and most states of the federation.

Late Mr Isiakas time is gone but left his footprints which speak to the impacts he made as governor and senator. It is Ademolas time as governor. The ball is in his court to write his own gubernatorial history. But in doing so, observers and analysts who understand the local peculiarities of the state say he cannot afford to underperform as that may stain the name of a family which has now become a political dynasty in Osun State and beyond.
Some users of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) transport in Lagos on Sunday expressed their views over the N100 increase in transportation fare which took effect on July 13.

They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved the increase of N100 on all routes of the BRT to cover the increase in operational costs, such as diesel and spare parts.

A printer, Saka Lawal, who resides in Ikorodu and works at Fadeyi, said the state government should have listened to the opinion of the people before the final implementation.

Mr Lawal, who is a regular BRT passenger, said they had been discussing with the government through their WhatsApp platform for more than a month before the final outcome.

He said the money was high for some people and there was fear that other commercial buses would follow suit and increase their prices.

Mr Lawal urged the government to provide additional buses, especially at Ikorodu, to solve the problem of long queues which make many get to the office late daily.

We understand that diesel is costly and not available at some filling stations but government should upgrade their standard and reduce queues at various bus-stops of BRT, he said.

Adewale Johnson, a banker on Lagos Island, said the N100 increment was reasonable.

He, however, said there should be more buses to reduce the crowd at the bus stops to the barest minimum.

Toyin Ayilara, a trader who plies Abule-Egba to Oshodi, said the increment would affect her daily budget.

She also urged the government to get more buses.

Also, a rug seller at Itire, Yekini Sanusi, said he had purchased a N600 BRT top-up on the Cowry card, but ended up boarding other commercial buses after waiting in the queue for three hours.

We are not satisfied with the increment, it used to be N300 from Ikorodu to CMS or Costain, during the heat of COVID-19 but it was increased to N500 while observing the social distancing.

After the period, government refused to reduce the fare and increase the numbers in the buses and now they increased fare with N100, Mr Sanusi said.

He pleaded with the state government to reverse the fare, as the country was facing a lot that was affecting the common people.

A tailor at Tejuosho market who resides at Ojo, Mary Emeka, pleaded with government to get more buses to ply the Ojo-CMS axis.(NAN).
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has terminated the appointment of his political aides with effect from July 31.

The termination is contained in a memo signed by Foluso Daramola, the Secretary to the State Government on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti.

The governor approve(s) that the services of all Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Technical Assistants and Executives Assistants will end on July 31 to enable the State Government process all outstanding allowances of the affected officials more so that the Government is winding up.

The termination is pursuant to the Ekiti state transition law, Mr Daramola said in the memo.

He said the action was also to ensure payment of entitlements of the political office holders and their terminal benefits.

The action will pave way for the state government to process all outstanding allowances to the affected officials.

This is to ensure smooth transition from the incumbent administration to the new government.

A Transition Committee was constituted to among others, evolve strategies for a smooth transition from the incumbent to the incoming government.

One of the duties of the committee, in line with Ekiti State Transition Law, is to ensure the payment of entitlements of political office holders including their terminal benefits.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN) reports that Mr Fayemis tenure expires on October 15.

The Governor-elect of Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji, candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, was declared winner of the governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on June 19.

Mr Oyebanji polled 187,057 votes to win the election and was declared winner by Oyebode Adebowale, the INEC returning officer, having satisfied the requirements of the law.

He defeated his closest contender and former governor, Segun Oni, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, who scored 82, 211, to come second.

At the end of collation of total votes, Mr Oyebanji won his opponents in 15 of the 16 local government areas of the state, an unarguably 94 per cent of the state by majority, while Mr Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP won in only one local government, which is Efon Alaye Local Government Area. (NAN)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has congratulated Ademola Adeleke on his emergence as governor-elect of Osun State.

The Chairman of the Forum, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, in a statement on Sunday, described Mr Adelekes victory as a landslide and welcome him to the forum.

Mr Tambuwal said that the Osun people reposed their trust and confidence in Adeleke, because they could see his heart, full of love and concern for their wellbeing.

This victory is as a result of the sagacity, hardwork, teamwork, skillful campaigns, efficient resource allocation, openness and humility exhibited by the governor-elect.

He concentrated on issues that mattered most to Osun people and they responded in kind, bestowing on him and PDP an earth-shaking victory of historic proportions, he said

Mr Tambuwal, however, said that Mr Adelekes victory was a lesson for all that everyone matters in politics, particularly the electorate.

It also confirms the famous dictum that Gods time is the best, he said

Mr Tambuwal who said that the light had shone on Osun State, in July, added it was time for the light to shine on Nigeria, again through the instrumentality of the PDP, come February, 2023.

He said that the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, would be coming to rescue and rebuild Nigeria.

He congratulated the PDP family led by its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and his team who ensured a credible primary.

The PDP presidential and vice-presidential candidates must be applauded for their leadership role.

Perhaps, a gold medal should be reserved for Sen. Douye Diri, Bayelsa State Governor, who served as Chairman of the National Campaign Council and other PDP governors and stalwarts who played various roles that culminated in this great outcome, he said.

Mr Tambuwal also congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies, election observers and monitors, the media and the people of Osun, who not only voted but ensured that their votes count.

(NAN)
The Oyo State House of Assembly on Monday approved the appointment of Adebayo Lawal as the new Deputy Governor, following the impeachment of Rauf Olaniyan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the approval followed the nomination of Mr Lawal to the lawmakers for consideration by Governor Seyi Makinde as a replacement for Mr Olaniyan.

NAN reports that Mr Lawal, who is the Chairman of the State Housing Corporation, had served as the state Attorney-General.

He hails from Kisi in Irepo Local Government area.

Mr Lawals nomination was contained in a letter by the governor to the lawmakers, which was presented at the plenary.

NAN reports that the House had gone on a short recess shortly after the impeachment of Mr Olaniyan as the deputy governor.

The lawmakers later reconvened at about 12.15 p.m. to consider the appointment of the new deputy governor.

The Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, while reading the letter from the executive, said it was in response to an earlier letter sent by the lawmaker to the governor dated July 18, informing him of the impeachment of Mr Olaniyan.

Defending the nomination of Mr Lawal, the House Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin, said the nomination should be favourably considered, approved, and adopted in view of his antecedents in contributing to the progress of the state.

Seconding the motion, Kazeem Olayanju, representing Irepo/Olorunsogo State Constituency, said the House should confirm Mr Lawal as the new Deputy Governor of Oyo State.

In his remarks, the Speaker put the nomination to a voice vote, which went the ways of the ayes.

According to him, with the vote, Mr Lawal has been approved as the Deputy Governor of the state.

The House adjourned plenary until July 21.

(NAN)
Some herders on Friday disrupted a weekly market in Tegina, a community in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State while fighting over a girlfriend.

Many traders and their customers were forced to flee for safety, abandoning their wares and other valuables fearing the market was being attacked by gunmen after the confrontation between groups of herders ensued.

Tegina is the town where 136 pupils of an Islamiyya school were abducted on May 30th and released on August 26 2021 after their parents reportedly paid N60 million cash and five new motorcycles as ransom to their abductors.

But contrary to the fear of the traders and customers at the weekly Friday market, the herders were observing an annual ritual that is usually done during Sallah celebration when the herders gather in numbers with their girlfriends in the market buying things and seeking fun.

During the ritual, a herder from different groups snatches the girlfriend of another person in a rival group leading to a violent confrontation between supporters of either faction.

The fighting is usually started by someone whose girlfriend is taken away

A resident, Hassan Muhammad, said mobile police personnel stationed in the restive community had to intervene by dispersing the warring groups while arresting others before peace was restored in the market.

Mr Muhammad said the police fired multiple gunshots into the air to scare and disperse the fighters.

The herders who were injured in the fracas are receiving treatment at private hospitals in the area, Mr Muhammad said.

The police spokesperson in Niger, Wasiu Abiodun, did not respond to phone calls and text messages to comment on the incident.

Tegina in the Rafi council area is in the 13 frontline banditry-prone areas in Niger State. It shares boundaries with the restive Maru council area in Zamfara and Birnin Gwari in Kaduna States.
ONE Campaign, a global organisation campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, has called on the government, donors and investors to make African agricultural productivity a priority to ensure food security on the continent.

The 2021 Global Report on Food Crises estimated that about 155 million people are living in severe hunger globally.

It noted that about 63 per cent of this chunk live in Africa, with Central and Southern Africa accounting for 40.4 million.

Edwin Ikhuoria, Africa Executive Director at the ONE Campaign, said the COVID-19 outbreak, the war between Ukraine and Russia, and global warming have led to loss of jobs and an increase in the number of hungry people on the African continent.

More than twice the population of the United States in Africa go to bed hungry on a regular basis even before the COVID-19 outbreak; this is not a new problem, Mr Ikhuoria said in a statement.

As the virus spread, Africas already-tight economy crumbled under the strain, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and a consequent rise in the number of hungry people. As a result of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and global warming, food supply, demand, and prices are all in flux. Africa is still grappling with the aftershocks of the pandemic, but self-sufficiency in food production is more crucial than ever for the continent.

He called on governments, donors, private businesses, and investors to prioritise agricultural productivity in Africa. This, he said, will lead to food self sufficiency for the continent, saying self sufficiency is the only solution for a continent in crisis.

He noted that while some countries are taking steps towards self-sufficiency, it could be counterproductive if the environment is not suitable for small-scale producers.

Mr Ikhuoria, therefore, advocated the provision of technologies, finances and land for farmers.

He said: Ethiopia stands out in their journey to becoming self-reliant. With the support of the African Development Banks Agricultural Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Programme, Ethiopia will not import grain in 2022. This should be the trajectory for all African states.

Investing today in the creation of cross-border food systems and institutions will help the entire world in the near future by unlocking Africas potential to feed itself and become the food basket of the world.

Food security is not an issue that should be addressed by individual nations on the continent. In order to expedite the creation of a continent-wide strategy that would aid in enhancing climate change resilience and developing sustainable agricultural systems, more transnational political relations and information sharing are required. In turn, this will produce a future defined by cooperation and coordination, fostering the development of a continent described by Nelson Mandela as an Africa where there is work, bread, water, and salt for all.

Mandela Day

In commemorating Mandela Day 2022, ONE recalled the iconic words of the late Nelson Mandela about food security.

Its not only about producing more food, but about making the political commitment to ensure that people have the means and services they need to buy or create enough safe and nutritious food, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nelson Mandela said.

In 2009, the United Nations declared every 18th of July, Mandelas birthday, as a day for all to take action and inspire change.

In a message to commemorate the day, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres, called for an end to racism, discimination, poverty and inequalities.

He said: Our world today is marred by war; overwhelmed by emergencies; blighted by racism, discrimination, poverty, and inequalities; and threatened by climate disaster. Let us find hope in Nelson Mandelas example and inspiration in his vision.

Today and every day, let us honour Nelson Mandelas legacy by taking action. By speaking out against hate and standing up for human rights. By embracing our common humanity  rich in diversity, equal in dignity, united in solidarity. And by together making our world more just, compassionate, prosperous, and sustainable for all.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.
The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has said the party and its governorship candidate in the just concluded Osun State election fought hard despite the outcome of the exercise.

On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election held on Saturday in the state.

Mr Adeleke polled 403,371 votes to defeat his closest opponent and incumbent governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, who scored 375,027 votes.

Yussuff Lasun, the LP candidate, came a distant fifth with 2,729 votes, representing about 0.34 per cent of the total valid votes, according to the results released by INEC.

But the LP presidential candidate said the party fought hard in the exercise despite the poor results.

I congratulate the candidate of our @NgLabour, Rt. Hon. Lasun Sulaimon Yussuff and his running mate, Adeola Adekunle Atanda, for a hard-fought battle and their spirit of resolve and sportsmanship, despite the outcome, Mr Obi said via his verified Twitter handle on Sunday.

Outcome not verdict on presidential ambition

The LP presidential candidate was quick to assure his teeming supporters that the outcome of the Osun election was not a verdict on his growing strength and prospect of winning the forthcoming presidential election in 2023.

Mr Obi said given that it was barely one month he joined the party, his supporters should not be disturbed by the outcome of the exercise considering that they contended with forces that had been entrenched in the state for the last two decades.

To the Obidient Movement Family and our supporters nationwide, the outcome of this particular election is not a verdict on our exponential growing strength nationwide, especially when viewed against the fact that we are barely one month old in the party.

However, within this very short period of only a few weeks, the Labour Party has made its presence and political impact felt nationally, he added.

The former governor of Anambra State, however, congratulated the PDP candidate, Mr Adeleke, for winning the election.

He urged his supporters not to relent but strengthen their resolve and also focus their efforts on the 2023 presidential elections.

In the fullness of time, our message of rescue and recovery will resonate throughout the length and breadth of the nation and most Nigerian electorate will buy into our mission to take back Nigeria, for the purpose of rescuing it from continued decline, shift the national psyche from consumption to production and from sharing dwindling resources to creating wealth and frontally combating poverty, he stated.
The Zamfara State government has suspended the emir of Yandoton Daji, Aliyu Marafa, after he conferred a traditional title on a wanted terrorist,

Ada Aleru, the leader of a gang of terrorists who is notorious for his ruthlessness, was made the Sarkin Fulani of the emirate.

His gang has been blamed for several attacks on communities in Katsina and Zamfara states where they are most active.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported the decision by the Emirate Council to appoint Mr Aleru a chief considered one of the ruthless bandits leaders operating in Zamfara and Katsina states.

Secretary of the Emirate Council, Bello Yusuf, told PREMIUM TIMES that the decision to give the chieftaincy title to Mr Aleru was to ensure peace returns to the emirate, Tsafe Local Government and Zamfara State.

He also said the conferment was done with the approval of the state and local governments.

But in a statement signed by Kabiru Balarabe, the Secretary Government of the state, the state government said it suspended the emir for appointing Mr Aleru a chief.

The statement also dissociated the state government from Mr Alerus appointment.

The emirs younger brother, a district head, Mahe Marafa, has been asked to temporarily take charge of the emirate pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter.

Mr Balarabe said a committee has been appointed to investigate the circumstances leading to the appointment of Mr Aleru

Members of the investigate committee include: Yahaya Chado (Chairman), Yahaya Mohd  Kanoma,Muhd Umar, Lawal Abubakar (Zanna), Isa Muhd  Moriki while Musa Garba, the permanent secretary Ministry of Justice will serve as Secretary of the committee.

Below is the state governments statement;

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT:

This is to inform the general public the Zamfara State Government has dissociated itself from the alleged turbaning of a Sarkin Fulani by the Emir of Birnin Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area. In this regard, the State Executive Governor, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON (Shattiman Sokoto) has directed for suspension of the Emir with immediate effect.

2. Accordingly, the Executive Governor has approved the appointment of a Committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the action of the Emir. The composition of the Committee is as follows:

a) Hon. Yahaya Chado Gora = Chairman

b) Hon. Yahaya Mohd Kanoma = Member

c) Hon. Muhd Umar B/Magaji = 

d) Hon. Lawal Abubakar Zannah = 

e) Isa Muhd Moriki (Rtd P/Sec) = 

f) Bar. Musa Garba

SG/PSec. MOJ = Secretary

3. In the meantime, Alh. Mahe Garba Marafa, who is the District Head of Yandoto is hereby assigned to take charge of the affairs of the Emirate.

Signed

Kabiru Balarabe Sardauna

(Lamidon Kaura Namoda)

Secretary to the State Government
The Oyo State House of Assembly on Monday impeached the Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, at its plenary.

Mr Olaniyan was found guilty of all the allegations levelled against him following the reports of a seven-man panel constituted by the state Chief Judge, Munta Abimbola.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chief judge had on Thursday constituted the panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the deputy governor by the lawmakers.

The panel was said to have begun its sitting immediately and worked all through the weekend.

The House Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin, read the panels reports at the plenary.

The lawmakers, after considering the panels recommendations, pronounced the impeachment of the deputy governor and that it should take immediate effect.

The House had in June directed Justice Abimbola to constitute a panel to investigate Mr Olaniyan.

It served the deputy governor with a notice of impeachment over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and financial recklessness, among others, following his defection from PDP to APC.

Abimbola Fashanu, Mr Olaniyans lawyer, had jointly taken the state House of Assembly; the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin and the Clerk of the House to court over the impeachment move by the lawmakers.

He said: We appeal for an order of injunction restraining the respondents from enforcing or implementing the judgment on Thursday.

This is pending the determination of the appeal lodged against the said judgment.

Its expedient that an order of injunction be granted so that the outcome of the appeal will not be rendered nugatory.

Mr Fashanu, however, stressed the need for Nigerians to respect the court processes, being the fundamental principles of the rule of law.

It is no longer news that His Lordship went ahead to constitute the panel despite the clear notice of pending appeal and application for Stay of Execution.

With Respect to His Lordship, the Honourable Chief Judge, as number one citizen in the Judiciary, should have respected the judicial process, he said.

(NAN)
The Kano state government on Monday announced a ban on the operations of tricycles popularly known as A Daidata Sahu from 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.with effect from Thursday, July 21, 2022.

A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, said the decision was reached at the state security meeting. He said the measure was part of the effort to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.

The commissioner, in the statement, urged tricycle riders to comply and stop operating during the stipulated hours as the government has directed security personnel to enforce the ban without compromise.

Kano government has been having running battles with the tricycle operators in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how many commuters and students were forced to trek long distances in January as commercial tricycle operators withdrew their services protesting against the tax hike.

The operators protested against N8, 000 fees for the renewal of tricycle number plates.

Tricycles are the dominant mode of intra-city transportation in the city.
The head of narcotics at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Patricia Afolabi, on Monday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja, how she conducted a forensic analysis on cocaine exhibits linked to Abba Kyari.

Mr Kyari, a suspended deputy commissioner of police and former head of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and his co-defendants are being prosecuted by the NDLEA.

Mr Kyari and the four IRT members face charges of illicit dealing in cocaine between January 19 and 25, 2022  an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act.

Two of their co-defendants who brought the illicit drug to Nigeria had already pleaded guilty to the charges and been jailed two years each.

At the commencement of the trial of Mr Kyari and the rest of the defendants on Monday, NDLEAs first prosecution witness, Mrs Afolabi, said her forensic examination of exhibits linked to them revealed that 21 of the exhibits contained cocaine.

Mrs Afolabi whose job specification involves receiving and conducting forensic analysis on drug exhibits, disclosed that she had on February 7, 2022, received from the forensic liaison officer of the agency, Abubakar Aliyu, one sealed transparent evidence pack containing 24 dispensing packs each.

Led in her evidence by NDLEAs director of the legal department, Sunday Joseph, the witness revealed that each of the packs contained white substances measured at 0.5grams.

I then issued an analysis report of my findings, which I signed and sealed. I repacked them as exhibits in a large envelope and addressed it to O.C. NDLEA Abuja, Mrs Afolabi said.

Following the no objection response from the defence lawyers, the judge, Emeka Nwite Nwite, admitted all the exhibits in evidence.

Cross-examination

While being cross-examined by Mr Kyaris lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the witness said it was not necessary for a suspect in a drug crime to be present for an analysis to be conducted.

She said it was not customary that all suspects would be present when substances are also handed over for analysis.

Mrs Afolabi who prided a three-decade career in forensic analysis, said: I was not present when the drug was recovered. I was not present when NDLEA received it.

READ ALSO:

She confirmed that NDLEA operatives were stationed at all entry points in Nigeria, including the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu where the cocaine linked to Mr Kyari and his co-defendants was recovered.

I dont know who recovered the substance; I did not come in contact with any of them, Mrs Afolabi added in response to Mr Ikpeazus question of whether it was the NDLEA that recovered the cocaine at the airport in Enugu.

The anti-narcotics agency claimed its operatives recovered the cocaine from Mr Kyaris two co-defendants  Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne  from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, southeast Nigeria.

They have since pleaded guilty to the crime and have been sentenced to two years in prison for the drug case.

Meanwhile, the court adjourned the suit until Tuesday, July 19, for the continuation of the trial.

Background

The NDLEA accuses Mr Kyari and his co-defendants of unlawful tampering with 21.25kilograms worth of cocaine that they seized from Messrs Umeibe and Ezenwanne.

The anti-narcotics agency alleges the police officers committed the offence between January 19 and 25, 2022, at the office of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) IRT, Abuja, in connivance with one ASP John Umoru (now at large), contrary to section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Also, Mr Kyari was said to have attempted to bribe a senior officer of the NDLEA with $61, 400. 00 at a restaurant in Abuja to prevent the testing of part of the cocaine that was confiscated from the two arrested drug traffickers.

Also, the NDLEA alleges that Mr Umeibe and Ezenwanne, conspired with one IK that is currently at large, to import 21.35kg of cocaine into the country without lawful authority and knowingly possessed same, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(d) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Abba Kyari, suspended deputy commissioner of police and former head of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and his co-defendants.

The NDLEA, on March 7, arraigned Mr Kyari; Sunday Ubua, an assistant commissioner of police; Bawa James, an assistant superintendent of police; Simon Agirgba, an inspector; John Nuhu, also an inspector, along with Messrs Umeibe and Ezenwanne.

After their arraignment, the defendants sought bail, arguing that they were entitled to bail on the grounds that the alleged offences do not attract capital punishment.

Mr Kyari and the four other police officers pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for the commencement of their trial on Monday.

Similarly, Nigerias Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, filed extradition proceedings against Mr Kyari, seeking the courts approval to surrender him to the United States government.

Mr Kyari is being wanted by the American government over pending fraud charges filed against him and others at the Central District Court of Central District of California.

U.S. prosecutors accuse him of complicity in the $1.1 million international fraud spearheaded by Abbas Ramon popularly known as Hushpuppi, a former Nigerian Instagram celebrity, who now awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to the scam and other criminal financial activities.

The judge, Inyang Ekwo, has fixed August 29 for judgement in the extradition suit.
The Police Command in Kaduna State says its operatives re-arrested a suspected Kuje Prison escapee in Kaduna on Sunday at about 1930hrs.

The Commands Spokesperson, Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the re-arrest in a statement on Monday in Kaduna.

Mr Jalige said the re-arrest was a sequel to the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna Command, Yekini Ayokus directive to all tactical commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs).

He said the officers were directed to mount purposeful surveillance across all inlets to Kaduna State in response to the recent infamous Kuje jailbreak.

As instructed by Inspector-General of Police Alkali Usman the operatives, without prejudice to existing crime prevention measures, responded effectively which started yielding a positive result with the re-arrest of a suspected escapee on July 17, he said.

He said the suspect, one Shuaibu, 60, and an indigene of Kano State was apprehended by the police operatives at a location in Kaduna while on transit to Kano, based on actionable intelligence.

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The suspect on preliminary investigation revealed that he was part of the inmates who escaped during the recent attack on the Kuje medium security correctional centre.

Mr Aoku directed that necessary protocols be carried out before handing the suspect over to the Nigerian Correctional Service for proper placement.

He further tasked the officers not to relent in their efforts to effectively tackle all forms of crimes and criminality in critical areas of the state.

(NAN)
The U.S court in Texas has sentenced two Nigerian founders of a fintech company to 27 months in prison for their role in sending $160 million in fraud earnings to Nigeria through their company, Ping Express U.S. LLC.

According to a statement released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday, the firm acknowledged it failed to maintain an effective anti-money laundering and unlicensed money transmission programme over the last three years.

The firm also admitted it failed to seek sufficient information about the sources or purposes of the funds involved in the transactions.

The Texas-based companys Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Anslem Oshionebo, 45, and its co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Opeyemi Odeyale, 43, were both handed a 27-month jail term for their involvement in the alleged crimes, according to US legal filings.

The firms IT/Business Development Manager also received a prison sentence of 42 months after he pleaded guilty to knowingly transmitting illegally derived funds.

The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad Meacham, said the Texas-based company which was licensed to transmit money but was not licensed to conduct currency exchange, charged U.S. customers a fee to remit money to beneficiaries in Nigeria and other African nations.

Citing part of the companys plea documents, the US government said the company also admitted it allowed more than 1,500 customers to violate its anti-money laundering policy.

The company outlined its anti-money laundering policy in a memo to state regulators, claiming it would cap first-time customer transactions at $499, cap daily transactions at $3,000, and cap monthly transactions at $4,500.

However, in plea papers, the company admitted it allowed more than 1,500 customers to violate these rules. In one instance, Ping allowed a customer to remit more than $80,000 in a single month  more than 17 times the purported limit, the DoJ statement read in part.

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Within a 3-year period, Ping Express US LLC, helped customers to remit a total of $167 million to Africa. Out of this sum, $160 million was remitted to Nigeria. And the company was said to have failed to verify the sources of the funds or what they were intended for, Mr Mecham said.

The acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Dallas Christopher Miller said investigation gives the agency access to a variety of financial networks, enabling the HSI to dismantle any criminal organisation trying to take advantage of international trade.

Through our special agents and forensic accountants, we work endlessly to eradicate crimes involving money laundering and bulk cash smuggling, said Mr Miller.

Our investigative reach provides access to a wide range of financial networks allowing HSI to disrupt any criminal organization attempting to exploit global trade.

Three people, including two of Ping Expresss most important clients, previously entered guilty pleas for using the company to transfer monies that were obtained unlawfully, according to the DOJ statement.

Other culprits

According to the DOJ statement, three individuals including two of Ping Express most important clients, previously entered guilty pleas for using the company to transfer monies that were obtained unlawfully

Collins Orogun admitted last week that he accepted a fee in exchange for transferring money for romance scam fraudsters and other criminals.

In one instance, an Indiana woman sent $15,000 to Carson Jacks, a purported oil roughneck in the Gulf of Mexico she fell in love with online, after he told her hed contracted malaria. In another, a second Indiana woman sent $6,300 to Thomas Ken, a purported Irish ship captain she fell in love with online, to fix his ship.

In two years, Orogun received more than $1.3 million in cash, cashiers checks, and wires into several US bank accounts he controlled and then quickly moved more than $1 million of the funds to Africa through Ping Express.

He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and is set to be sentenced on Jan. 23, 2023, the statement said.
    :      
A breakaway faction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)- Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), has dissociated itself from the ongoing strike in Nigerian universities.

In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Niyi Sunmonu, and the national publicity secretary, Ernest Nwoke, CONUA noted that it is not part of its decision to embark on the ongoing strike by ASUU.

The statement read in part: The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) would like to seize this opportunity to announce its independence as a union of academic staff in Nigerias public universities. Being a separate and independent union, it has never been part of the decision to embark on the industrial action which has paralysed academic activities in our universities for five months now.

CONUA said it believes that strikes have a crippling effect on the Nigerian university system.

It added that the negative effects of the strikes have always been greater than their positive outcomes.

The union added: Our strongly-held view is that strikes wreak great havoc on the university system, and the concessions that are earned after every strike, over the decades, have amounted to pyrrhic victories when weighed against the systematic destruction of the local and global image of university education in Nigeria. Our preferred alternatives to strikes in resolving industrial disputes, therefore, include constructive engagement and constant dialogue with all stakeholders.

As CONUA, we are of the strong belief that strikes should never be a strategy of first recourse. Their deployment should be contemplated only when all other options have failed, and they should not appear to be motivated by a desire to cause maximum damage.

The union noted that its members continued with academic activities at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma after the strike declared by ASUU.

In fact, before the incident which caused the students to be asked to vacate the campus, most of our members had concluded their lectures. Since it wasnt our members who declared a strike, lumping us together with those who are on strike is therefore patently unfair, it said.

Conditions of service, IPPIS

Meanwhile, the union has decried the conditions of service of Nigerian academics and the inconsistencies associated with the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), both major demands of the striking ASUU.

CONUA said the condition of service of the academics is one of the poorest on the African continent.

Furthermore, CONUA notes, regrettably, that the condition of service of academics in Nigeria is very poor. It is, in fact, pitiable. Research has, in this regard, shown that Nigerian academics are among the worst remunerated when compared to their counterparts on the African continent, CONUA said.

The union added that it wrote to Chris Ngige, the minister of labour and employment, demanding the review of the pay structure of all academic staff in our universities.

We continue to believe in the urgency of such an action, and would continue to work towards the well-deserved improvement in the condition of service, it noted.

The statement also stated that CONUA believes that there are a lot of problems with IPPIS, the current payment system.

It listed problems to include inconsistent deductions, and the erosion of university autonomy, saying it undermines the authority of vice-chancellors as chief executives and accounting officers of their respective institutions.

CONUA however believes that these are issues that can be sorted out through dispassionate, well-meaning collective efforts, and is ready to offer the professional expertise of its members to the government to solve the problems.

Finally, CONUA calls on the government to expeditiously register the union in order to provide a more robust platform for academics with alternative, pragmatic and more sustainable views to operate and engage with the government, the union added.

About CONUA

CONUA was founded at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2018 following the expulsion of some members of the union on the campus over leadership crisis.

The union, according to its national leadership, has presence across many universities in Nigeria, and that its mobilisation drive will continue to attract quality academics.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.
The police in Kano State on Monday said two illegal local miners died as a pit in an illegal mine they were working in collapsed.

The Kano police spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, told reporters that the incident happened in Bichi Local Government Area of the state.

The police identified the deceased as Sani Saidu, 70, and Ibrahim Sale, whose age is yet to be ascertained.

The police said the corpses of the victims were deposited at the Bichi General Hospital.

The spokesperson said the police are investigating the incident.

The two were among thousands of illegal miners who throng mining sites in the state in search of stones, like blue sapphires.

The state government has banned illegal mining activities due to its effect on the environment such as the degradation and pollution of fresh drinking water.
Gunmen, suspected to be herders, have allegedly abducted about 15 residents in Mgbuji, Eha-Amufu, a community in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigerias South-east.

The victims were abducted at about 7:00 a.m. on Monday along Mgbuji-Agu road within the community, according to a report by The Punch

A resident of the area, Onyekachi Odo, said some of the villagers were going to their farms with tricycles when they were intercepted by some gunmen numbering over 20.

The gunmen took the victims to an unknown location.

A spokesperson of the community, Chijioke Ogbodo, announced the abduction on Monday.

He decried the constant attack and abduction of residents of the community by terrorists, accusing security agencies of doing nothing to quell the attacks.

Since they (suspected herders) started attacking our community, neither the police nor the military had arrested any of the terrorists.

We received the information on the attack this morning. We called all the security agents deployed to Eha-Amufu, but unfortunately, they didnt respond to our distress calls. This is our tragedy, Mr Ogbodo was quoted as saying.

He called on the state government to rescue the victims.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, told PREMIUM TIMES that police had not gotten a clear information on the attack.

Mr Ndukwe said the police in the state were making efforts to ascertain the true state of the situation and obtain relevant facts that will aid appropriate police actions.

Frequent attacks

Mgbuji and other neighbouring communities in Eha-Amufu have been experiencing frequent attacks by suspected herders for a while now.

The latest incident occurred about one month after three persons were killed by suspected herders in the community.

Earlier this month, gunmen suspected to be herdsmen reportedly abducted seven residents of the same community and shot three others.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Abubakar Lawal, visited the area last month, alongside top officials of the State Security Service, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Airforce, among others, as part of the efforts to end the attacks in the area.

The attacks have continued despite assurances by the security agencies to decisively tackle it.
The victory of the opposition party, on the eve of next years general election, is an indicator of the complex nature of the electorate, greater awareness of the average Nigerian voter, and the changing dynamics of election management, influenced mainly by the use of technology and the social media.

As we await the festival of elections in 2023, a few polls this year have been increasingly signposting what the nature and manner of the general elections would be. The last of these off-season state elections (Anambra, Ekiti and Osun) took place last Saturday. The conduct and outcome of the just concluded Osun State gubernatorial election offer significant lessons for 2023.

Some may think otherwise, but we differ. The Yorubas of the South-West are arguably Nigerias most politically sophisticated nationality. They often define their interest per election and vote for it. The Osun election provides a barometer to gauge the political mood and eagerness of the electorate for drastic socio-political change in the country. Osun could well be the microcosm of the macro dynamism of the Nigerian political space.

Some are focused on the candidates and party platforms, while others are concerned about the increasing influence of the third force, represented by the Labour and the Accord parties. Others are concerned about the impact of intra-party feuds, the potency of incumbency, and so on.

Yet, others are keenly following how outcomes may be affected by the role of institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the media and, of course, independent election monitors and NGOs.

On the utilisation of technology, for example, there was a radical improvement in the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) across wards for the elections. Although there were a few technical impediments, the BVAS significantly improved the voter accreditation time and enabled an atmosphere of peace around voting areas.

This, is in addition to the enormous turnouts, has sent a strong message that our voters are imbibing the democratic culture.

One human element that has been the bane of Nigerias elections is rigging. The deployment of BVAS technology and electronic transmission of election results, coupled with the eagle-eyed vigilance of voters to ensure their votes count have made election rigging a bit more difficult than in the past. The era of politicians sitting at home and writing election results, irrespective of the actual voting outcomes in the field, is seemingly over.

However, vote buying is one aspect of rigging that has reared its ugly head in all the off-season elections. Osun politicians were more innovative in vote-buying than their Ekiti counterparts. Perhaps the presence of anti-corruption agencies may have reduced vote buying from the bazaar it was in Ekiti to a modest level in Osun. It is alleged that political agents from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bought votes at prices ranging from N2,000 to N10,000 per vote. It is good that the security agents arrested some culprits, and it is essential to prosecute these criminals and make a scapegoat of them.

Democracy is not for sale, and people should never be encouraged to sacrifice their future on the platter of paltry sums of N2000 to N10,000. Electorates should vote on the basis of their convictions and understanding of the qualities of the leaders they want. Although, the counter-narrative is that there is no guarantee that voters who collected money voted according to the dictates of their paymasters.

The victory of the opposition party, on the eve of next years general election, is an indicator of the complex nature of the electorate, greater awareness of the average Nigerian voter, and the changing dynamics of election management, influenced mainly by the use of technology and the social media. A review of some of the core lessons from the last election will suffice.

First, the effective use of technology in the election process has mitigated some human factors that create unnecessary bottlenecks in our elections. The BVAS technology worked efficiently in accrediting voters, and the electronic transfer of results helped INEC to start to upload the election results on time and in real-time. Nigerians are happy that the malfunctioning rate of the technology was insignificant and hardly impeded the election process. This efficient use of technology in the Osun election shows that INEC means business. If it works in Osun, it should work in other parts of Nigeria.

The second lesson is that rigging is becoming unpopular and may gradually belong to history in Nigerian elections. In all, it is self evident that votes are beginning to count in todays Nigeria. The call for voters to get their PVCs is germane, and people would be more inclined to vote now, knowing that their choices matter.

We hope that this will make leaders produced from this process to be accountable to the electorate. This marks the beginning of true democracy in Nigeria  the supremacy and power of the people through balloting.

However, the progress made in tackling rigging may be undermined by the politics of financial inducement. This anomaly seemed stubbornly present even in the Osun elections, and we must urgently do something to halt it radically. We must eliminate the markets for votes.

Democracy is not for sale, and people should never be encouraged to sacrifice their future on the platter of paltry sums of N2000 to N10,000. Electorates should vote on the basis of their convictions and understanding of the qualities of the leaders they want. Although, the counter-narrative is that there is no guarantee that voters who collected money voted according to the dictates of their paymasters. Proper secret balloting in safe and secure environments take away that luxury and gives voters the opportunity to act according to their conscience .

The third lesson is that social media is essential, but the on-the-ground mobilisation of voters is still the main battlefront in politics. Social media likes and positive commentaries will not replace actual participation by voting. All the people on social media canvassing for a candidate of their choice must walk the talk. They should start by getting their PVCs, mobilising people in their networks to get PVCs, and voting during the election proper.

As Nigerias voice and call for political and socio-economic change are reaching a crescendo, the battle line is drawn between the new kids on the political block and the oldies who have been maintaining the orthodoxy. The youths seem to be drawn to the new and fanciful political reality led by some of them to overhaul and completely take over politics, as leaders of today and tomorrow.

We cannot also underestimate the power of political structure. The weak structures of Labour Party and Accord Party may have contributed to their poor performances in the past election, although there is also the counter-narrative that if the election was about structure alone, the APC would not have lost.

Yet, fringe parties must develop and deploy political structures, networks, and systems to challenge the big two. This may however take some time to yield the expected results. Social media is an operational platform to educate, engage and mobilise followers to champion a partys ideology and the qualities and skills of a candidate to the electorate.

Social media as a tool for mass mobilisation points at their most potent and powerful usage for political purposes. Converting social media users to voters is where the job is. Therefore, new, and small parties must be careful not to confuse the two  social media engagement and the voting exercise. The outcome of the Osun election should not discourage non-mainstream parties from pushing for a new order.

The fourth lesson is that when all institutions work effectively in delivering a free and fair election, it makes for a peaceful state with no rancour or mayhem. States with flashpoints of electoral violence must study the Osun election, putting it in within the local context and milieu, and putting together a plan to eradicate electoral violence from our political lexicon.

As Nigerias voice and call for political and socio-economic change are reaching a crescendo, the battle line is drawn between the new kids on the political block and the oldies who have been maintaining the orthodoxy. The youths seem to be drawn to the new and fanciful political reality led by some of them to overhaul and completely take over politics, as leaders of today and tomorrow.

Most of the older ones are sceptical of the new songs of freedom sung by these youths. They have been around long enough to know that reality differs from the utopian nature of mass political movements that want to change existing political platforms and power structures.

Notwithstanding this raging conflict, and we are poised to see more of it in the coming days leading up to the 2023 general elections, we are sure that the elections next year could be the Mother of all elections in Nigeria. If technology and human factors allow for free and fair elections, as exemplified by the Osun election, it would be hope rising for democracy and the dream of a better country. We must get it right, come 2023.

Dakuku Peterside is a policy and leadership expert.
as he bows out gracefully after a successful sojourn in the FRSC as the last founding officers who has seen the growth and development of the Corps in the last 34 years, eight out of which he spent as its head, the common refrain is that, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi maybe retiring, but he should not be tired of rendering his services to the nation in whatever areas his expertise would be demanded, even in retirement.

When he was appointed as the first internally groomed Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) by former President Goodluck Jonathan on July 23, 2014, the emergence of Dr Boboye Olayemi Oyeyemi was celebrated widely, not only among the staff of the Corps but also among stakeholders and members of the public, who were conscious of developments within the Corps. The wide jubilation that heralded his appointment was borne out of the long expectations of the people that a competent officer with full understanding of the vision and mission of the organisation got the opportunity to manage the elite Corps that had earlier earned public trust and got certified with the global certificate of standardisation, otherwise referred to as ISO 9001:2008, for sustained improvement.

Prior to his appointment, Oyeyemi, who was one of the few founding officers of the Corps, had gained wide ranging experiences spanning all the major departments and commands of the Corps, all of which he excelled in managing without blame. With his robust background in operations, motor vehicle administration, training and policy, research and statistics, which he managed with excellence, all eyes were on the Federal Government to give him the opportunity to showcase the leadership skills he had learnt over the years under successive Corps Marshals.

His emergence was, therefore, not surprising to all those interested in the growth and development of the Corps. Interestingly, he did not disappoint the people as he hit the ground running after his swearing in by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim in the conference hall of the SGFs office. An advocate of policy continuity, Oyeyemi had no difficulty in recognising the need to uphold and build on the policy direction taken by his predecessor, Chief Osita Chidoka, who had earlier been appointed as a minister and member of the Federal Executive Council.

He announced his management ideals during his maiden strategy session with the principal officers of the National Headquarters and Zonal Commanding Officers, when he stated that the principles of his management would be anchored on the tripod of Consultation, Reward and Punishment (CRP), an acronym for the use of carrots and sticks in managing the affairs of the Corps. As a versatile computer user, Oyeyemi not only promoted the digitisation policy of the Corps, but took it to the next level, thereby widening the scope, usage and accessibility of computers among the generality of the Corps in the last eight years that he was saddled with the responsibility of leading the organisation.

Having successfully spent his two tenures at the topmost office of the Corps and is graciously bowing out, the questions on the lips of many anxious Nigerians are, what did he do differently that he could be remembered for by the coming generations? Here, we must point out, first and foremost, that the unprecedented levels of recruitment that he secured from the Federal Government within the years has, no doubt, raised the number of qualified personnel available to carry out specialist and general duty assignments that have significantly improved the presence and visibility of the Corps across the nations highways. His policy of ensuring effective management of the wide network of road nationwide has led to the introduction of Corridor Commands and Station Offices, which have made the presence of the FRSC in all the nations 774 local governments possible for collective ownership of traffic management, as envisaged by the Road Safety Strategy initiative.

Concerned with the poor office accomodation and dilapidated nature of most of the structures occupied by the Corps on rental basis across the states, the Oyeyemi-led management vigorously pursued the policy of constructing permanent office accomodation, most of which have been commissioned across states in the six geopolitical zones of the country. This has created opportunity for modern and permanent office structures owned by the Corps.

Towards ensuring a happier and more productive post service life for staff, the last man standing unveiled project 20,000 staff Housing Scheme to make house ownership easier for all staff of the Corps, while we brought into existence FRSC Post-Service Scheme (PSS) to help members of the Corps save for retirement before the retirement benefit/pension are paid.

Furthermore, the aggressive pursuit of the policy of fleet renewal by his management has led to the procurement of an unprecedented number of operational vehicles, tow trucks, ambulances, administration vehicles and other rescue equipment, the largest ever secured by any management in the 34 years of the Corps existence.

As an organisation built on the ingredients of knowledge, the FRSC management under Oyeyemi paid special attention to staff capacity development programmes through which opportunities for local and foreign trainings were offered to all cadres of staff. Further to this, various institutions of learning aimed at developing the intellectual and road traffic management expertise of the Corps were not only established, but some upgraded to make it possible for them to offer advanced knowledge and certification. To this end, the FRSC Academy, Udi, Enugu State was upgraded as a centre of excellence for the study of road safety and it was affiliated with the Federal University of Technology, Owerri for the award of post-graduate degree programmes in Transportation Management.

His management has been able to successfully negotiate and took delivery of an ultra-modern Inspectorate Training School, Owa Alero in Delta State, through the benevolence of the government and people of Delta State. In addition, he has been able to negotiate and secure the agreement of Plateau State Government to build the Road Marshal Assistant Training School in Shendam, Plateau State, where work is already at an advanced stage. And in his commitment to the career development of staff, which aligns with the policy of rewarding excellence, the yearly promotion exercise has continued to be observed in the last eight years of his management, thereby creating opportunities for the upward movement of staff, in line with available vacancies and strict adherence to the provisions of the federal character principles.

More to the above, Oyeyemi developed transformational initiatives focused on People, Processes and Technology (PPT), which is why today not only does its staff pride as the most disciplined but the Corps stands out as the best Information Technology (IT) driven organisation in Nigeria, with its robust data base and over 95 percentage digitalised administrative and operational procedures.

His administrative ingenuity that led to the deployment of FRSC personnel to Tank Farms has, to a large degree, dwindled the rate of crashes associated with articulated vehicles, particularly tankers carrying petroleum products. Through its Safe-to-Load initiative, articulated vehicle have been subjected to checks before they are allowed to load from the various depots across the country, with trained personnel of the Corps undertaking routine checks to ensure strict compliance.

Meanwhile, the need for constant education and enlightenment of road users and members of the public on road safety matters, as well as conditions of the roads as they move out everyday, led to the establishment of the National Traffic Radio (107.1 FM), Abuja. In the same way, the quest for improved service delivery in the licensing system of the country has led to the establishment of additional Print Farms in the country, while his management has given impetus to the operational performance of the Corps through the establishment of the operations monitoring and control centre, procurement and deployment of body cameras and establishment of the Drivers Proficiency Center at Inspectors Training School, Owa Alero, in conjunction with the Delta State government.

The Corps, on his watch, has successfully strengthened inter-agency cooperation with relevant stakeholders such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), all military and paramilitary organisations and banks in Nigeria, with evident success in inter-agency collaboration and harmonisation of data for national development.

Again, it is noteworthy to look at the direction of his leaderships swift response to the incessant abuse of traffic rules, which led to the putting together of the OPERATION COBRA to address certain life-threatening and traffic-related offences. Offenders arrested by the Operation Cobra squad are usually referred to a government health facility for the Emotional Stability Test. This step has entrenched compliance and safe road use within the operational areas where the Cobra squad operate.

The subsequent introduction of the body camera by patrol teams will no doubt increase the desire for transparency and evidence-based operations that could enhance public trust in the Corps. This will not assist in curbing violence and illegal transaction by personnel while on the highway, but will lend credence to the anti-corruption stance of the Corps.

The feat achieved by the FRSC in the last eight years of the Oyeyemi management has led to various local and international recognition and awards that have placed Nigerias FRSC as the best example of a road safety lead agency, which other governments in developing societies are encouraged to emulate by replicating it in their countries. And with more investments through increased budgetary allocation, as well as private sector intervention under the Corps partnership initiative and drives, theres high expectation that the message of road safety will reach a great number of people and would impact more on the driving culture of the people towards the envisaged attainment of the goals of a safer road environment in the country.

Nigerians who are conscious of the positive developments that have taken place in the Corps in the last eight years under the Oyeyemi-led management are no doubt convinced that that FRSC has reached a point where its capacity would be able to satisfactorily tackle the challenges of traffic management and safety administration in the country, such that road traffic crashes would not necessarily lead to death.

And as he bows out gracefully after a successful sojourn in the FRSC as the last founding officers who has seen the growth and development of the Corps in the last 34 years, eight out of which he spent as its head, the common refrain is that, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi maybe retiring, but he should not be tired of rendering his services to the nation in whatever areas his expertise would be demanded, even in retirement. By so doing, the country would stand to continue to derive from his wealth of experience in tackling some of the socioeconomic and security challenges bedvilling it and truncating its march to development.

Bisi Kazeem, an Assistant Corps Marshal, is the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Gunmen have abducted about four travellers in Nise Community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigerias South-east.

The incident happened at about 3 p.m. on Sunday in the communitys market, about seven kilometres away from the official residence of Governor Charles Soludo in Amawbia, a neighbouring community in the council area.

Sources said the gunmen robbed the travellers and razed a vehicle they were in.

They also stopped and robbed some residents around the area before zooming off with an SUV belonging to their victims, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

The gunmen were said to have left with about four passengers after the operation which lasted for about 30 minutes.

The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES but said only one person was abducted.

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The information I have before me shows that one person was abducted at 3:30 p.m. yesterday (Sunday), he said.

The police spokesperson said following the receipt of information about the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Echeng Echeng, immediately deployed some operatives to track down the gunmen.

The command operatives have since been on the track of the abductors and the situation is closely monitored, Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, added.

Worsening insecurity

Security in Nigerias South-east has deteriorated lately with frequent attacks by armed persons across the region.

Anambra State has witnessed some of the worst attacks in the region. The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

This latest incident occurred three months after gunmen abducted five wedding guests in Akpo, a community in Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

The Nigerian government has accused outlawed the Indigenous People of Biafra of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied their involvement.

The separatist group is the leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which they want to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria.

The leader of the secessionist group, Nnamdi Kanu, is detained in Abuja where he is facing trial for terrorism.
An Ado-Ekiti High Court on Monday discharged and acquitted four defendants, Ebenezer Faluru, 27, Onome Oghenekevwe, 28, Sanya Alufoge, 31, and Folorunso Dada, 42, charged with the murder of two policemen

The defendants, standing trial before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye were arraigned on September 28, 2021, on nine counts of conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, assault occasioning harm, riot, unlawful possession of firearms, and arson.

According to the charge, the defendants, individually and jointly, conspired between April 14 and April 16, 2017, at Igbara-Odo Ekiti in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, within the jurisdiction of the court, to murder Cpl. Tunde Oyedeji and Cpl. Ayilumo Ojo.

It also said the quartet attempted to murder a traditional ruler, Edward Jaiyeola, the Arajaka of Igbara-Odo Ekiti; and assaulted Sgt. Kehinde Sulyman, and conducted themselves in a riotous manner while in possession of an AK47 rifle.

The defendants were also alleged to have destroyed a Toyota SUV, Toyota Camry, and the palace of Mr Jaiyeola.

The offences, the prosecution counsel, Dolapo Oyewole, said, contravened Sections 516, 319, 320, 355, 71, and 451 of the Criminal Code Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.

And also Section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

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In his evidence during the trial, the Investigative Police officer said I and some officers were in Igbara Odo Ekiti to unravel civil unrest in the town around 2:00 a.m.

We acted on a tip-off that an AK47 rifle, earlier seized from a police officer by some errant youths was in the possession of the defendants.

When they were arrested, they took us to where the rifle was kept with its empty magazine. The defendants were taken to the station while the rifle was handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in the area.

To prove its case, the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered cutlass, the AK47 rifle, pictures of the destroyed properties, photographs of a deceased person, empty magazine among others as exhibits.

The defendants, represented by their counsel, Christopher Omokhafe, and Adefolaju Ayobioloja, in their own defence, denied knowing anything about the offences committed and called nine witnesses to prove their innocence.

In his judgment, Mr Ogunmoye said there was no proof before the court that the defendants met together before, during, and after the incident and agreed to commit murder.

He said neither was there evidence that the defendants knew each other nor that they knew anything about the riot which resulted in the deaths of the two police officers

In all, the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendants in any of the counts, thus, implying that the sole issue for determination must be resolved in their favour.

The defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted, the judge ruled.

(NAN)
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I would like to urge the splinter group which decided to part ways with the Methodists Church of Southern Africa (MCSA), and form the Wesleyan Church of Eswatini to reconsider their move and come back to the roundtable.

As a civilised Christian body, one would have thought the members of the splinter group were mature enough to bring issues to the roundtable so that members of the church in Eswatini, as a whole, would participate in negotiations and not for just a few individuals to desert the mother body.

Some of the reasons advanced for the formation of the Wesleyan Church of Eswatini, which is independent of the MCSA are valid.

Money

Firstly I agree that there is a money problem. Members of the local churches made offerings and paid tithes which were then taken to South Africa.

The money was paid monthly so our pastors could get salaries. It happened that some members did not afford to pay the offerings and tithes, resulting in them being listed as debtors. Local pastors were not paid due to the owed tithes and offerings and this lasted for months without being attended to.

The local members felt neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also stated that they, on numerous occasions, the local church members requested from the leaders based in South Africa to solve the issues in Eswatini, but they never attended to them for almost a year before they decided to establish their own church in January 2020.

Benefit

They added that the local pastors did not benefit from stipends (sondlo) once the money was taken to South Africa.

They also mentioned that the local members contributed a lot in building church structures without any help from the church based in South Africa.

They said they therefore, felt duty-bound to establish a Wesleyan Church of Eswatini, so that they could take care of their pastors.

Unfortunately, when Africans took over from the white missionaries, the church simple adopted the arrangement of grouping six countries without interrogating the reasons and consequences.

This arrangement worked for the early church because the missionaries used donations from their own countries to build churches.

However, in the current situation, people cannot afford to contribute money for buildings in addition to tithes and offerings, which are taken by the mother body. Each country now has to fend for itself.

Challenge

Secondly, it is true that the contradiction in laws between South Africa and Eswatini poses a challenge. For example South African laws allows marriage between couples of the same sex, yet such is not the case in Eswatini and as such the local church is operating under a different set of rules from the MCSA. However, having said that, I am of the view that the splinter group should have used a totally different name instead of Wesleyan since Wesleyan tag is associated with the Methodists Church of Southern Africa, and this would mislead the uninformed into believing that they a still operating under the same umbrella body. Otherwise I still believed that there is still room for sitting at the roundtable and resolve the issues which caused the rift in the first place.
Major electrolyzer market players include Linde plc, Suzhou Green Hydrogen Energy Co., Ltd., Air Products Inc., Cummins, Inc. Sunfire GmbH, Next Hydrogen, Green Hydrogen, Air Liquide, and Siemens Energy, among others.

SELBYVILLE, Del., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The electrolyzer market size is expected to record a valuation of USD 65 billion by 2030, according to the most recent study by Global Market Insights Inc. Rising demand for sustainable solutions for power generation in line with a shifting focus on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions will drive the market growth. Stringent norms and policies toward the growth of renewable infrastructure in line with substantial government investments for the development of clean technologies will sway the business trend.

Electrolyzer Market GMI

The growing integration of renewable sources at a large scale coupled with an increasing shift toward the reduction of carbon footprints will positively impact the business landscape. Ongoing development of advanced technologies in line with rising adoption of FCEVs as an alternative to traditional automobiles will boost the industry dynamics. Additionally, robust investments in the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure will fuel the industry statistics.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/4787

The COVID- 19 pandemic has slightly obstructed the electrolyzer market owing to a halt in major manufacturing operations coupled with continuous disruptions in product deployment during the period. However, the easing of government-imposed restrictions along with the restart of facilities has led to product deployment. Furthermore, significant strategies toward the implementation of renewables will foster the business outlook.

Solid oxide electrolyzer market is projected to witness substantial gains during the forecast period on account of shifting consumer focus to reduce carbon emissions along with the continuous development of advanced products offering reliable and efficient operations. Extensive research & development activities to cater to extreme climatic conditions coupled with the increasing demand for clean fuels for power generation will accelerate the industry demand. In addition, ongoing electrification across off-grid areas along with continuous upgrades in refineries and large-scale industries will strengthen the business potential.

The electrolyzer market for above 2 MW capacity segment is estimated to attain a 33% CAGR by 2030. Rising electricity demand in line with growing large-scale deployments of reliable hydrogen generation solutions. For instance, in April 2022, Green Hydrogen Systems received an order to deliver its electrolysis equipment for Gaznat's Innovation Lab in Switzerland. The company plans to provide the HyProvide A90 electrolyzer with approximately 5 MW capacity for renewable hydrogen production. Moreover, a paradigm shift toward the adoption of low-emission solutions for power generation will propel the industry scenario.

The industry feedstock application is poised to register a significant growth during the forecast timeframe due to surging demand for hydrogen as a feedstock across the manufacturing, metal processing, chemical, and other industries. Furthermore, favorable government funds & incentives for the development of green hydrogen production methods.

APAC electrolyzer market is predicted to observe a 23% growth rate till 2030. Rising demand for electricity across rural areas in line with increasing consumer awareness toward carbon emissions. Strict government norms & policies to develop the green hydrogen infrastructure along with growing usage of renewable alternative energy sources across various industries will also enhance the industry growth. In addition, ongoing government programs to minimize dependency on the conventional fuels will positively impact the adoption of efficient systems, thereby driving the business scenario.

Prominent players operating in the electrolyzer market include Linde plc, Suzhou Green Hydrogen Energy Co., Ltd., Air Products Inc., Cummins, Inc. Sunfire GmbH, Next Hydrogen, Green Hydrogen, ErreDue spa, NeL ASA, Cockerill Jingli Hydrogen, Idroenergy, ITM Power PLC, PLUG POWER INC., Air Liquide, and Siemens Energy amongst others.

Request for customization of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/roc/4787

Some of the key findings of the electrolyzer market report include:

Surging electricity demand across various establishments along with growing adoption of environmental-friendly solutions will accelerate the market dynamics.

Shifting focus toward alternative power solutions in line with increasing deployments of green hydrogen generation solutions will spur the market expansion.

Rising investments in the fuel cell infrastructure development coupled with the ongoing distribution of reliable and efficient electrolyzers across various industries will propel the industry outlook.

Table of Contents (ToC) of the report

Chapter 3 Electrolyzer Market Insights

3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis

3.2 Innovation & sustainability landscape

3.3 Regulatory landscape

3.4 List of key operating and upcoming/announced electrolyzer projects

3.5 COVID- 19 impact on the industry outlook

3.6 Industry impact forces

3.6.1 Growth drivers

3.6.1.1 Favorable government policies

3.6.1.2 Environment-friendly and a better alternative than existing options

3.6.1.3 Growing electricity demand

3.6.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.6.2.1 Lack of infrastructure

3.7 Growth potential analysis

3.8 Porter's Analysis

3.8.1 Bargaining power of supplier

3.8.2 Bargaining power of buyer

3.8.3 Threat of new entrant

3.8.4 Threat of substitutes

3.9 Competitive landscape, 2021

3.10 PESTEL Analysis

Browse Complete Table of Contents (ToC) @ https://www.gminsights.com/toc/detail/electrolyzer-market

About Global Market Insights Inc.

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.

Contact Us:

Arun Hegde

Corporate Sales, USA

Global Market Insights Inc.

Phone: +1-302-846-7766

Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688

Email: sales@gminsights.com

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SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc.
Offering security, reliability, and trustworthiness through the Metatrader 4 platform

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lirunex , an online trading platform and brokerage reassures investors looking to be productive for the second half of the year by offering a secure and regulatory-compliant platform to trade various assets from forex to commodities.

With the volatility of the forex industry, Lirunex provides a compelling proposition through transparent and reliable services to traders with no hidden terms regardless of investment size.

Fast-growing trading platform Lirunex reassures investors looking forward to a positive second half of 2022

Lirunex is designed to be efficient and rapid to ensure clients are well informed regarding their assets. Lirunex's account opening procedure is straightforward and the system, including its tech insights, is user-friendly.

Embedded with the Metatrader 4 platform, it allows users to trade Forex, analyse financial markets, and rely on expert advisors. Mobile trading, Trading Signals, and the Market are also integral parts of MetaTrader 4, serving to enhance the trading experience.

Additionally, Lirunex allows investors to keep funds segregated in accounts with trusted financial institutions, offering security for funds and transactions. It also does not impose restrictions on profitability and allows various trading strategies including hedging and scalping.

Lirunex is a globally licensed broker and regulated in three leading financial jurisdictions , namely, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC); Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), and the Republic of Maldives Ministry of Economy and Development (MED).

Trading platforms can be time-consuming to learn and use; inefficient at tracking and may come with high risks and low reliabilities. Investors can feel at ease as Lirunex boasts some of the lowest spreads and commissions in the industry as well as a fast speed of execution by design.

"Unlike many online trading platforms that turn out to be scams, Lirunex's reliability is proven with our licenses in three sound financial jurisdictions. Lirunex is a genuine platform where clients can rest assured of privacy and security while trading. We aim to be a global brand that users can trust to execute their investment activity with," shared Jack Foong, CEO of Lirunex.

Fledgling investors can kickstart their journey in this sector through the USD 25 LX-Standard plan . Apart from this, Lirunex offers various trading tiers of an incremental minimum trading amount up to USD 10,000, which comes with lowered spread benefits, for investors of all tiers.

Lirunex boasts trading volumes of USD 10 billion and counting, and currently serves clients from around the globe, to the tune of 15,000 traders, with USD 40 million worth of investments traded every week.

These, and Lirunex's rapid growth worldwide is a testament to how its clients trust Lirunex as a reliable and high-performance platform to trade on.

Lirunex accepts a variety of payment methods, such as local and bank transfers, Visa, Mastercard, Tether, Bitwallet, Bitpay, and Paypal, among others.

To learn more about Lirunex, or try a demo account, please visit their website.

About Lirunex

Based in Cyprus, Lirunex is an online brokerage licensed in three of the world's leading financial jurisdictions. Lirunex aims to become an industry leader based on transparent and trustworthy relations with clients. Lirunex's goal is to deliver superior services in currency trading, along with CFDs, equity indices, precious metals, and energies, whilst our clients remain satisfied with their trading experience, offering tech insights, tight spreads and best execution practices.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1859365/PR001_Lirunex_Banner.jpg

SOURCE Lirunex
Increase in prevalence of allergic diseases associated with house dust mites, rise in demand for immunological products, and rise in R&D activities for manufacturing of anti-allergy drugs drive the growth of the global house dust mite allergy treatment market.

PORTLAND, Ore., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market by Treatment (Antihistamine, Immunotherapy, Other), by Type (Prescription based drugs, Over the counter drugs), by Route of administration (Oral medication, Nasal administration), by Distribution channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031". According to the report, the global house dust mite allergy treatment industry generated $1.5 billion in 2021, and is anticipated to generate $5.2 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 13.4% from 2022 to 2031. The report provides a detailed analysis of changing market dynamics, top segments, value chain, key investment pockets, regional scenario, and competitive landscape.

Download Report (245 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/16943

Prime determinants of growth

Increase in prevalence of allergic diseases associated with house dust mites, rise in demand for immunological products, increase in funding from private & government organizations for development of pharmaceutical manufacturing segments, and rise in R&D activities for manufacturing of anti-allergy drugs drive the growth of the global house dust mite allergy treatment market. Moreover, increase in initiatives to spreading knowledge regarding different types of allergies presents new opportunities in the coming years.

Covid-19 Scenario

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on the global house dust mite allergy treatment market, owing to implementation of the global lockdown.

People were forced to stay at home for longer time, which increased the exposure to indoor pollutant. This in turn, boosted the demand for house dust mite allergy treatment.

Scope of the Report: -

Report Attribute Details Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 5.2 Billion Growth rate CAGR of 13.4% from 2022 to 2030 Forecast period 2022 - 2031 Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends Regional scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, MEA Country scope U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Saudi Arabia Key companies profiled ALK-Abello A/S, Allergy Therapeutics PLC, Bayer AG, Catalent Pharma Solutions Limited, GlaxoSmithKline Plc., Johnson and Johnson, Merz Pharma GmbH an Co. KGaA, Sanofi, Seqirus UK Limited, and Shionogi & Co. Ltd. Read More

The prescription-based drugs segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on type, the prescription-based drugs segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global house dust mite allergy treatment market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, owing to increase in prevalence of house dust mite allergy diseases and initiatives taken by government & private organization to spread awareness about allergic diseases. However, the over-the-counter drugs segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 13.6% from 2022 to 2031, owing to increase in demand for over-the-counter drugs and increase in number of approvals for over-the-counter anti-allergic drugs.

Specific Requirement on COVID-19? Ask to Our Industry Expert: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/17353?reqfor=covid

The hospital pharmacy segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on distribution channel, the hospital pharmacy segment accounted for the largest share in 2021, contributing to nearly half of the global house dust mite allergy treatment market, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Moreover, the same segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 13.9% from 2022 to 2031, owing to rise in prevalence of allergic diseases, surge in demand for monoclonal antibodies, and initiatives taken by government for advancement of hospital pharmacies.

Europe to maintain its dominance by 2031

Based on region, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue 2021, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global house dust mite allergy treatment market, owing to rise in prevalence of asthma & allergic rhinitis, increase in number of in-house dust pollution, presence of key players, and development in increase in R&D activities in the pharmaceutical sector in the region. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 14.4% from 2022 to 203, owing to increase in prevalence of house dust mite allergy diseases, rise in awareness about spreading knowledge regarding allergens, surge in healthcare expenditure, and rise in adoption of immunotherapy drugs for the treatment of house dust mite allergies.

Leading Market Players: -

ALK Abello A S

Allergy Therapeutics PLC

Bayer AG

Catalent Pharma Solutions Limited

GlaxoSmithKline plc.

johnson and johnson md&d

Merz Pharma GmbH an Co. KGaA

Sanofi

Seqirus UK Limited

Shionogi and Co. Ltd.

Key Benefits for Stakeholders: -

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the house dust mite allergy treatment market analysis from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing house dust mite allergy treatment market opportunity.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the house dust mite allergy treatment market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global house dust mite allergy treatment market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Key Market Segments

Treatment

Antihistamine



Immunotherapy



Other

Type

Prescription based drugs



Over the counter drugs

Route of administration

Oral medication



Nasal administration

Distribution channel

Hospital Pharmacy



Online Pharmacy



Retail Pharmacy

By Region

North America



U.S. House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





Canada House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





Mexico House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market



Europe



Germany House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





France House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





U.K. House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





Italy House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





Spain House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





Rest of Europe



Asia-Pacific



China House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





Japan House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





India House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





Australia House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





South Korea House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





Rest of Asia-Pacific



LAMEA



Brazil House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





Saudi Arabia House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





South Africa House Dust Mite Allergy Treatment Market





Rest of LAMEA

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"We have also published few syndicated market studies in the similar area that might be of your interest. Below are the report title for your reference, considering Impact of Covid-19 Over This Market which will help you to assess aftereffects of pandemic on short-term and long-term growth trends of this market."

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Orthodontics Market size was valued at $2,767.4 million in 2020, and is projected to reach $7,637.8 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 10.7% from 2021 to 2030.

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
Etsy is the first company to leverage Adyen's Giving round-up feature, allowing customers to round-up their totals to donate.

AMSTERDAM, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Adyen (AMS: ADYEN), the global financial technology platform of choice for leading businesses, and Etsy, which operates two-sided online marketplaces that connect millions of passionate and creative buyers and sellers around the world, announced today that Adyen has enabled ten million Etsy buyer donations to the Uplift Fund, administered by the Brooklyn Community Foundation.

Etsy launched the Uplift Fund with the Brooklyn Community Foundation in February of 2021 to give its buyers an opportunity to join them in supporting creators who face barriers to building successful businesses. When US shoppers check out on Etsy, they have the option to round up their purchase price and donate to the Fund via Adyen.

"Adyen's solution has enabled us to seamlessly engage the Etsy community in supporting our Uplift Fund," said Morgan Blake, VP of Payments at Etsy. "It's been amazing to see how a small change in checkout can have such a major impact, especially as the past few years have highlighted the gap in resources available to many communities who are eager to use their entrepreneurial talents.

"Partnerships like this one with Etsy and Adyen encourage and simplify the process for people to give to charitable causes. That's what we're seeing here, with the remarkable milestone of reaching 10M buyers," said Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO, Brooklyn Community Foundation. "We are thrilled to host Etsy's donor advised Uplift Fund to support nonprofits nationwide that work to dismantle barriers to building a successful small business."

"We've seen great traction with Giving and we are thrilled to reach this milestone with Etsy," said Ingo Uytdehaage, CFO at Adyen. "Etsy has been a key partner in building out our Giving solution, including the round-up feature. By combining strengths with Adyen's technology and Etsy's two-sided marketplace, we were able to come together to find a solution that drives impact, in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. We can't wait to see what else we accomplish together."

Giving is a product that enables Adyen's merchants to accept charitable donations during the online and in-store checkout process, and allows them to strengthen their bond with their shoppers by providing a platform for their preferred charitable causes. By doing so, Giving converts shoppers' good intentions into additional revenue streams for charitable causes. With a single tap on a point-of-sale terminal or the click of a button at an online checkout, shoppers can donate to the merchants' charity of choice. Giving transactions seamlessly integrate into existing checkout processes across all payment channels, and shoppers' donations are reported and settled to the charity of choice directly without impacting the merchants' existing reconciliation flow.

About Adyen

Adyen (AMS: ADYEN) is the financial technology platform of choice for leading companies. By providing end-to-end payments capabilities, data-driven insights, and financial products in a single global solution, Adyen helps businesses achieve their ambitions faster. With offices around the world, Adyen works with the likes of Facebook, Uber, H&M, eBay, and Microsoft. The cooperation with Etsy as described in this merchant update underlines Adyen's continuous growth with current and new merchants over the years.

To learn more about Giving, please go here.

About Etsy

Etsy, Inc. operates two-sided online marketplaces that connect millions of passionate and creative buyers and sellers around the world. These marketplaces share a mission to keep commerce human, and are committed to using the power of business to strengthen communities and empower people. Its primary marketplace, Etsy.com, is the global destination for unique and creative goods. Buyers come to Etsy to be inspired and delighted by items that are crafted and curated by creative entrepreneurs. For sellers, Etsy offers a range of tools and services that address key business needs.

About the Brooklyn Community Foundation

Brooklyn Community Foundation is on a mission to spark lasting social change, mobilizing people, capital, and expertise for a fair and just Brooklyn. It is the first and only public foundation solely dedicated to Brooklyn, working in partnership with generous donors and community leaders to advance racial justice and bolster vital nonprofits. Since its founding in 2009, the Foundation and its donors have provided over $75 million in grants to nonprofits in Brooklyn and beyond. Learn more at www.BrooklynCommunityFoundation.org.

SOURCE Adyen Inc.
NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest market research study published by P&S Intelligence, in 2021, the global biocontrol agents market had a $4,851.7 million value, which is on the track to touching $13,634.3 million by 2030, at a 12.2% CAGR. The market is growing due to the rising preference for biological solutions over chemical-based crop protection products. Additionally, biocontrol agents are safe for the environment, do not harm people, and work all year round.

Agrochemical companies are actively engaged in collaborations to address the rising demand for biopesticides. For example, a collaboration agreement was signed in May 2022 between Chr. Hansen Holding A/S and UPL Limited to provide ZOATIN, a novel bio-solution that efficiently supports plant absorption and usage of phosphorus, to enhance crop health and output.

Get the sample pages of this report: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/biocontrol-agents-market/report-sample

Key Observation Points in Biocontrol Agents Market Report

The microbials category, which accounts for almost 60% of the biocontrol agents market revenue, is predicted to grow at the highest rate. This is due to the incredible capacity of microorganisms to remove pests from crops and increase the yield.

Furthermore, unlike conventional pesticides, which have the potential to kill other organisms, including birds, insects, and mammals, microbicides often only hurt the target pests and those creatures that are closely related to them.

Additionally, people are rapidly embracing the concept of organic farming. For instance, the percentage increase in organic farming area relative to the total land under organic cultivation in the U.K. rose by 34% in 2021 over the previous year.

Based on crop type, the cereals & grains category holds a 40% share in the market. This is partly because of the high need for cereals and grains from the increasing global population.

The on-field category has the biggest share of the biocontrol agents market. Spraying biocides during the crop growing period is considered the most-effective way of ensuring healthy produce, which, combined with the benefits of such organic agrochemicals, continues to drive their usage.

In 2021, North America contributed more than 30% of the revenue to biocontrol agent manufacturers. This is because of the huge acreage of fertile lands, growing market for organic products, and rising awareness of people of microbial pesticides.

Furthermore, the highly established agriculture industry in the U.S. has just started to transition to organic and natural farming techniques, including biopesticides. For example, a source claims that in 2021, the need for organic farming increased by almost 30% in the country.

Browse detailed report on Biocontrol Agents Market Growth Analysis, Opportunities, Trends, Developments, and Forecast to 2030

To diversify their product offerings and increase their market share, major companies in the biocontrol agents market have been aggressively conducting R&D. These companies are Viridaxis S.A., UPL Limited, Nufarm, Corteva Agriscience, Marrone Bio Innovations, Biobest Group NV, Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Bayer AG, Novozymes A/S, and BASF SE.

Biocontrol Agents Market Report Coverage

By Active Substance

Microbials

Macrobials

Entomopathogenic Nematodes

By Crop Type

Cereals & Grains

Vegetables & Fruits

Pulses & Oilseeds

By Target Pest

Arthropods

Weeds

Microorganisms

By Application

Seed Treatment

On-Field

Post-Harvest

Regional Analysis

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

France



Germany



Italy



Spain



U.K.

Asia-Pacific

China



India



Japan



Australia



South Korea

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico

Middle East and Africa

and Saudi Arabia



South Africa

Browse More Reports Published by P&S

Seed Treatment Market Size and Share Analysis by Product Type, Crop Type, Application Method, Application Time  Industry Growth Forecast to 2030

Crop Protection Chemicals Market Size and Share Analysis by Type, Application  Industry Growth Forecast to 2030

About P&S Intelligence

P&S Intelligence provides market research and consulting services to a vast array of industries across the world. As an enterprising research and consulting company, P&S believes in providing thorough insights on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness. P&S keeps the interest of its clients at heart, which is why the insights we provide are both honest and accurate. Our long list of satisfied clients includes entry-level firms as well as multi-million-dollar businesses and government agencies.

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SOURCE P&S Intelligence
FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As the commercial aviation industry maps a path to net zero emissions, Boeing (NYSE: BA) today unveiled a new data modeling tool to show the most effective scenarios for reaching the destination by 2050. The model includes consultation with leading universities and will continue to be used with key stakeholders. The company also shared illustrative hydrogen and electric concepts that could power the future of flight.

Boeing Future of Flight Boeing Future of Flight Boeing Future of Flight Related Documents View PDF Cascade Fact Sheet

"There are multiple ways to a future where aviation has zero climate impact. We created Cascade on a foundation of credible data and analytical models to allow users to explore various pathways to net-zero. We think this model will help our industry visualize, for the first time, the real climate impact of each solution, from beginning to end, and to inform the most probable and effective strategies," said Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Raymond demonstrated Cascade, a data modeling tool Boeing created with consulting from leading universities. The tool appraises Boeing's major paths to decarbonize aviation and their potential power to reduce emissions through:

Airplane fleet renewal

Renewable energy sources such as sustainable fuel, hydrogen, electric propulsion

Operational efficiency improvements

Advanced technologies

The Cascade model assesses the full lifecycle impacts of renewable energy by accounting for the emissions required to produce, distribute and use alternative energy carriers such as hydrogen, electricity, and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Boeing plans to utilize the Cascade tool with airline operators, industry partners, and policymakers to inform when, where, and how different fuel sources intersect with new airplane designs.

"We have to take a holistic view to decarbonization," said Raymond. "And when we do that, it is clear that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a necessary lever. We know it will take a 'SAF and' approach and not a 'SAF or' approach to achieving net-zero by 2050."

As part of the 'SAF and' approach, Boeing continues to advance the safety and viability of other renewable energy sources and their use on aircraft. Since the mid-2000's, Boeing has conducted six hydrogen technology demonstrations with crewed and uncrewed aircraft using hydrogen fuel cells and combustion engines. Last year, Boeing successfully tested a cryotank designed for space with the capacity to hold 16,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen or the energy equivalent of the Jet A fuel in a typical regional jet.

Aside from its work on hydrogen applications, Boeing has invested in electric-powered aircraft through its joint venture Wisk, which is working to bring to market the first all-electric, autonomous air taxi in the U.S. Wisk's current all-electric, eVTOL aircraft  on display at the Farnborough Airshow -- has conducted more than 1,600 successful test flights.

Informed by the company's extensive evaluation and testing of alternative propulsion sources and its research partnerships, Boeing today also shared illustrative 'Future Flight Concepts,' depicting potential hybrid, electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft.

"Our common goal is to enable the societal benefits of air transportation while reaching zero climate impact on our planet. To make that a reality, we believe it is best to learn and share our findings broadly, based on a foundation of data, scientific research and collaboration, as we work together to decarbonize aviation," said Brian Yutko, Boeing chief engineer and vice president of Sustainability and Future Mobility.

Learn more about Boeing's sustainability commitments, partnerships and efforts in its recently released 2022 Sustainability Report and on Boeing's sustainability website.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

Contact

Lisa Maull

Global Enterprise Sustainability

+314-614-4583

[email protected]

SOURCE Boeing
FARNBOROUGH, UK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Delta Air Lines [NYSE: DAL] today announced the U.S. carrier will modernize its single-aisle fleet with the highly efficient 737 MAX to meet demand as well as its long-term sustainability goals. In a signing ceremony at the Farnborough International Airshow, the companies said Delta is ordering 100 737-10 jets  selecting the largest member of the 737 MAX family  with options for an additional 30 airplanes.

Delta Air Lines to Modernize Single-Aisle Fleet with Up to 130 Boeing 737 MAX Jets

"The Boeing 737-10 will be an important addition to Delta's fleet as we shape a more sustainable future for air travel, with an elevated customer experience, improved fuel efficiency and best-in-class performance," said Ed Bastian, Delta's chief executive officer. "These new aircraft provide superior operating economics and network flexibility, and the agreement reflects our prudent approach to deploying our capital."

Most importantly, Bastian said, "This aircraft will be piloted, served and maintained by the very best professionals in the business, and it's their hard work and dedication to our customers that always sets us apart."

The 737-10 will provide Delta Air Lines with the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle Boeing model, reducing fuel use and emissions by 20-30 percent compared to the airplanes it replaces. The jet can cover 99% of single-aisle routes around the world, seating up to 230 passengers with a maximum range of 3,300 nautical miles.

"We are proud that Delta Air Lines, is renewing its single-aisle fleet with the 737 MAX, the industry's most fuel-efficient family of airplanes," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Built in our factory in Washington state with support from key suppliers across the US, the 737-10 will provide Delta Air Lines with the best economics to carry more passengers across its short and medium-haul routes."

As part of today's announcement, Delta Air Lines has also contracted with Boeing Global Services for a full interior reconfiguration of 29 Next Generation 737-900ERs in its fleet. This will support having these airplanes ready to enter Delta Air Lines 2025 summer schedule with fully refreshed interiors.

One of the world's largest carriers, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines operates a fleet of more than 850 mainline aircraft, including more than 450 Boeing 717s, 737s, 757s and 767s.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

Contact

Dan Mosely

International Sales Communications

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

+1 425-336-9970

[email protected]

SOURCE Boeing
MOU ceremony in Navalmoral de la Mata (Caceres, Spain ) witnessed by Spanish Prime Minister

The industrial park (cluster) contemplates the construction of a gigafactory of batteries for electric vehicles; a development and innovation center for the digitalization of renewable energy systems, a green hydrogen generation plant and the manufacture of electrolyzers, and a wind power generation plant and the assembly of smart wind turbines.

Flagship Net Zero Industrial Park to lead new industry creation and Net Zero Transition in Spain

NAVALMORAL DE LA MATA, Spain, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Envision Group, a world-leading green technology company, today signed a General Protocol for Collaboration with the Government of Spain. Mr. Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon, the Prime Minister of Spain, attended and addressed the ceremony.

Pedro Sanchez, President of the Government of Spain and Lei Zhang, CEO of Envision at the MOU Ceremony in Navalmoral de la Mata (Caceres, Spain) Pedro Sanchez, President of the Government of Spain at the MOU Ceremony in Navalmoral de la Mata (Caceres, Spain)

Envision's partnership with the Spanish Government covers a wide range of innovative collaborations in the next five years across various regions of the country, under the umbrella of the first industrial cluster of net carbon emissions in Europe. Under the agreement, the first phase of Net Zero Industrial Park, these are: a gigafactory for batteries for electric vehicles in Navalmoral de la Mata (Extremadura); a center for development and innovation in the digitization of renewable energy systems; a green hydrogen generation plant for the manufacture of electrolysers in Alcazar de San Juan (Ciudad Real); and a wind power generation and smart wind turbine assembly plant in Las Navas del Marques (Avila).

It is believed that this business-government partnership will catalyze Spain's net zero transition and creation of new industry, not only for Spain but also as an important part of Europe's "building back better" program.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez highlighted the commitment and importance of the partnership with Envision. He said, "We welcome this important partnership with Envision to accelerate Spain's transition to net zero carbon by the mid-century. Envision is a strategic partner who can provide innovative solutions to boost our green economy."

Lei Zhang, CEO of Envision said "We are fully committed to supporting Spain's national agenda on net zero transition. The creation of new industrial opportunities such as the Net Zero Industrial Park will unlock the vast potential of renewable energy in Spain and serve as a gateway to building a pan-European greentech industrial ecosystem."

The electric vehicle battery gigafactory in Navalmoral de la Mata will have a capacity of up to 50 GWh in phase 1 and will create 3,000 green jobs with high added value when it is operational in 2025. The gigafactory is part of the VENERGY+ Project, which consists of 12 partners from 10 Autonomous Communities in which suppliers of vehicle parts and components would be located using advanced technology as part of an integrated battery ecosystem. The project has been submitted to the PERTE VEC (Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation) for the Electric and Connected Vehicle, whose provisional resolution with the winning bids is expected by the end of August 2022.

As the net zero technology partner of global companies and governments, Envision aims to develop 100 Net Zero Industrial Parks in the next decade globally, reducing global carbon emissions by 1 billion tons per year.

About Envision Group

Envision Group is a world-leading green technology company and net-zero technology partner. With the mission of 'solving the challenges for a sustainable future', Envision continues to promote wind and solar as the 'new coal', batteries and hydrogen fuels as the 'new oil', the AIoT network as the 'new grid', net zero industrial parks as the 'new infrastructure' and an ecosystem of net zero technology as the 'new industry', to create a net zero world.

Envision designs, sells, and operates smart wind turbines, storage system and green hydrogen solutions through Envision Energy; AIoT-powered batteries through Envision AESC; and the world's largest AIoT operating system through Envision Digital. It also manages Envision-Sequoia Capital Net Zero Fund and owns the Envision Racing Formula E team.

On April 22, 2021, Envision announced that it will achieve operational carbon neutral by 2022 and its value chain carbon neutral by 2028.

SOURCE Envision Group
Company Builds on Advances in Senior Care and Personal Safety and Security Markets, Grows Customer Base by 40% Year-on-Year

HERZLIYA, Israel, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Essence Group , a leading technology group developing and supplying wireless, cloud-based security solutions for homes, families and businesses, has marked the 10-year anniversary of Essence USA. Having acquired a significant portion of the personal emergency response systems (PERS) market, the company has achieved consistent yearly growth with the expectation of continued expansion in the coming years.

Founded in 1994 developing wireless alarm systems solutions, Essence Group emerged as a leading provider of cloud-connected IoT solutions and services in the global security and personal safety markets. The company established Essence SmartCare to introduce market-leading remote care monitoring solutions for the senior care and assisted living sectors. Essence currently operates across North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Oceania.

"Essence Group was founded over a quarter of a century ago with the singular goal of harnessing innovative technologies to provide peace of mind to individuals and families across the world," said Dr. Haim Amir, CEO and Founder of Essence Group. "Having established Essence as a leader in the European security and personal safety market, I am excited to witness our further expansion across the United States."

In 2012, Essence Group officially launched Essence USA, comprising a team with over a century of combined experience in the personal emergency response space. The company partners with leading monitoring and medical alert services providers, including Medical Guardian, LifeStation, Affiliated Monitoring, LifeFone and GetSafe. There are currently hundreds of thousands of individuals utilizing Essence solutions across North America. Essence USA has increased its client base by 40% year-on-year and estimates that it controls around one third of the PERS market through its partnerships with services providers.

"Over the past decade, Essence USA has leveraged its leadership in the senior care market to identify opportunities to implement solutions and services that improve the safety and wellbeing of individuals," said Yaniv Amir, President of Essence USA. "As we continue to increase our market share, the remainder of 2022 and beyond will see us advance further into the U.S. healthcare and security sectors, introducing advanced remote patient monitoring and proactive security solutions that allow people to live safer and healthier lives."

In May 2021, Essence launched VitalOn, a comprehensive remote patient monitoring platform combining telecare, telehealth and wellness capabilities in one holistic system that offers continuous monitoring for a variety of aging-related issues and chronic conditions. In November of the same year, the company unveiled MyShield, the first fog generating CAT M-connected all-in-one intruder prevention system. Both solutions were recognized as CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honorees.

About Essence Group

Essence Group is a global technology leader with a mission to develop and deploy innovative, cloud-based, end-to-end security and healthcare solutions, underpinned by supporting services, that provide peace of mind to users. For over a quarter of a century, Essence has challenged convention by making care and safety both accessible and affordable. With over 75 million connected devices deployed worldwide, Essence helps people to live safer and more independent lives.

For more information: https://www.essence-grp.com/

Follow Essence Group on LinkedIn , Twitter and Facebook

Media Contact:

FINN Partners for Essence Group

Danny Sudwarts

[email protected]

(+1) 469-297-2515

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1705604/Essence_Group_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Essence Group
Opioid registry, predictive modeling help identify at-risk Medicare members in Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- During the COVID-19 pandemic, drug overdose deaths increased 15% to over 107,000 Americans in 2021. with the overwhelming majority involving opioids, according to the CDC. Florida Blue Medicare, the state's Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare plan, recently announced results of a pilot program designed to help save the lives of Medicare members and their families with access to their medications. Through a collaboration with pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics, members who participated in the program took fewer opioid medications, contributing to a lower risk for addiction and more lives saved.

As part of the pilot program, at-risk Florida Blue Medicare members were identified using predictive modeling based on member claims data and Prime's opioid registry. The program emphasized education and safety for two groups, both of which had positive outcomes:

New opioid users consumed less, stopped earlier

Members with new opioid prescriptions received information that described what an opioid is, how they work and how to safely use and dispose of them, as part of the pilot program.

New users consumed a significantly smaller quantity of opioids , using 37% fewer morphine milligram equivalents (MME) than the control group. (An MME is an opioid dosage's equivalency to morphine and is used to help clinicians make safe, appropriate decisions concerning opioid regimens.)

, using 37% fewer morphine milligram equivalents (MME) than the control group. (An MME is an opioid dosage's equivalency to morphine and is used to help clinicians make safe, appropriate decisions concerning opioid regimens.) New users also voluntarily stopped using opioids at a higher rate while in the study, with 29% more new users stopping as compared to the control group.

Use by existing opioid users declined

Members who had an existing opioid prescription, as well as their doctors, received information about the safe use and disposal of opioids. The material also encouraged members to speak with a doctor or pharmacist about naloxone, a medicine that reverses an opioid overdose in an emergency.

One out of 10 members in the group stopped using opioids through the follow-up period. This resulted in a 7% reduction in opioid prescriptions and a 2.8% increase in naloxone prescriptions.

Florida Blue has taken an aggressive approach to fighting the opioid crisis in Florida. Through its Opioid Task Force, launched in 2016, the company has set into motion a number of key initiatives to significantly address the issue, including working with our pharmacy partners.

"We are committed to reducing opioid overuse by helping our members find other ways to effectively manage their pain, providing education and offering other innovative solutions. Prime Therapeutics has been an important ally in this fight," said Cynthia Griffin, PharmD, vice president, Medicare pharmacy programs at Florida Blue Medicare. "The results of this pilot are very encouraging. By using data to create customized programs for our members, we can positively contribute towards the reduction of opioid abuse in our community and potentially save lives."

Based on the positive results of this pilot, Florida Blue Medicare and Prime Therapeutics have plans to expand their opioid management programs to help more members and their families.

About Florida Blue Medicare

Florida Blue Medicare is committed to helping our Florida neighbors live healthier. We offer a wide range of plan options, including Medicare Advantage plans, to give our members what they need to live their best lives and improve their overall health and well-being. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Florida Blue Medicare is built for Florida's seniors and proud to be affiliated with Florida Blue, a health insurer that has served Floridians for over 75 years. Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at FloridaBlue.com/Medicare.

About Prime Therapeutics

Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime) helps people get the medicine they need to feel better and live well. Prime provides total drug management solutions for health plans, employers, and government programs including Medicare and Medicaid. The company processes claims and offers clinical services for people with complex medical conditions. Prime serves nearly 33 million people. It is collectively owned by 19 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, subsidiaries or affiliates of those plans. For more information visit primetherapeutics.com or follow @Prime_PBM on Twitter.

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). (May 11, 2022). (rep.). U.S. Overdose Deaths In 2021 Increased Half as Much as in 2020  But Are Still Up 15%. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/202205.htm

SOURCE Florida Blue Medicare
MBABANE  Slightly over 1 000 cases lie idle at the Industrial Court of Eswatini and their status is unknown.

From 2013 to date, 1 002 cases are outstanding at the Industrial Court of Eswatini. As a result, the Registrar of the Industrial Court, Sithembile Simelane, has issued a minute inviting legal practitioners and litigants to indicate among the listed cases the ones that have been settled mutually or those that are no longer proceeding. The minute, which was issued on July 4, 2022, was addressed to all legal practitioners, litigants and any other concerened party.

The cases comprise constructive dismissal, unfair termination of contract, unfair labour practice, workmens compensation and unlawful deduction of salaries matters. Others are unpaid wages, automatic dismissal, unpaid teminaition of benefits, breach of contract, salary arrears and underpayment of salaries cases.

The year with the most outstanding cases, 164, is 2021. The year 2018 has the second most outstanding cases with 146. In 2020, there were 143 cases and 96 in 2014. The least number of outstanding cases, 59, were registered in 2019 and the second least number of cases, were registered in 2015, and they are 66. During the opening of the 2019 Legal Year, before COVID-19 hit Eswatini, Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala said despite the challenges faced by the judiciary, they were determined to execute their mandate as required by the Constitution. At the time Maphalala stated that government would hopefully support the efforts of the Judiciary to execute its constitutional mandate. The CJ said the statistics of new and pending cases, which ran into thousands, within the Judiciary, were very high and the underlying cause of the backlog of cases was the shortage of courts and judges, among others.
First Round's on Me (FROME) a brand new dating app geared towards helping singles connect in real life

LOS ANGELES, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New dating and social networking app, First Round's On Me (FROME), is now available for iOS and Android devices. Founded on the concept of bringing back real dating and driven by the pervasive need for in-person connection, FROME is an online dating app designed to get people off their phones and together in real life. With its unique feature offering discounts at some of LA's hottest bars, coffee shops and restaurants, FROME also helps users find the perfect date spot, and alleviate the stress (and awkwardness!) when it comes to the bill.

Founder

The inspiration behind the name First Round's On Me is a nod to a time when people met for the first time, by chance, in person. You'd see someone across the bar, go up to them and ask if you could buy them a drink. In today's online dating world, and especially during a global pandemic with exposure to social and professional interactions slowly coming back, this "natural" style of meeting rarely occurs. Over the years, singles have gravitated towards a digital dating experience  whether they like it or not. With its venue partnerships offers and prompts to actively set up dates, FROME helps facilitate the old school way of kismet experiences in dating through the comfort and safety of their home.

"I am proud to help humans connect and stop relying only on technology," says founder and CEO, Joe Feminella who was inspired to design FROME after years spent on dating apps that never resulted in actual in person dates. Disillusioned with a dearth of bland digital interactions and the endless swiping cycle, he was motivated to find a way to encourage people to put the phone down and set a date to get to know each other in person, how he believes people should get to know each other.

"The dating-app world is saturated, yet it consistently leaves people unsatisfied. The more time I spent swiping, the more I realized it wasn't an effective way to make a real connection. Technology has solved so many problems in today's world, but one thing it hasn't done and probably will never do, is help people fall in love. That needs to be done in person." says Feminella.

With an emphasis on both inclusivity and intimacy, FROME melds the ease of technology with the value of organic meetings: Instead of forcing users to rely on an app for a potentially infinite amount of time, it motivates them to get out in public and meet each other. Each time a user signs on, they have the option to select between one of two modes: Available Today (those free for a date tonight) and Available This Week (those who like to plan ahead). When a user finds someone they're interested in, they send an invitation for a time and place to meet for a drink. If the recipient accepts  it's date! The date is then added to their calendars, (one date per day, Romeo!). One of the app's unique features is a time-based chat made available six hours prior to the date, giving users some time to break the ice before meeting in person later that day. From there, the rest is up to them!

FROME is proud to be partnering with a number of Los Angeles bars and coffee spots, including The Bungalow, Cha Cha Matcha, Juneshine, Library Alehouse, Independence Bar and Bravo Toast. A premium version of the FROME app will be launched later in 2022 and is slated to hit other major U.S. cities including Miami, New York, Austin, Dallas, and Chicago, in the coming year.

For more information, visit firstroundsonme.co or follow us on Instagram @firstroundsonme

App Store: FROME

SOURCE First Round's On Me
Gong also recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in the Bay Area for the third consecutive year

PALO ALTO, Calif., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine today honored Gong as one of the 2022 Best Workplaces for Millennials . This is Gong's first time on the prestigious list and comes a month after Gong was named one of the Best Workplaces in the Bay Area for the third consecutive year. In the Great Place to Work survey, 93% of Gong's employees said Gong is a great place to work, which is 36% higher than the average U.S. company.

Great Place to Work measured the differences in over 413,000 Millennials' survey responses to those of other generations taken from America's largest ongoing annual workforce study of over 1 million employee survey responses. The study also includes data from companies that represent more than 6.1 million U.S. employees.

"We're gratified to see our reputation as a great employer continue to grow," said Gong Chief People Officer Sandi Kochhar. "Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are intrinsic to our company culture. By encouraging employees to bring their authentic selves to work every day, Gong has created an environment of trust that enables people to perform at their best."

The vast majority of Gong employees rated the company highly on key attributes including "when you join the company, you are made to feel welcome," "you can count on people to cooperate" and, "our executives fully embody the best characteristics of our company," according to the survey.

The Best Workplaces for Millennials list is highly competitive. Great Place to Work selected the list using rigorous analytics and confidential employee feedback. Companies were only considered if they are a Great Place to Work-Certified organization.

Great Place to Work is the only company culture award in America that selects winners based on how fairly employees are treated. Companies are assessed on how well they are creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is.

In June, Gong was named one of the Best Workplaces in the Bay Area, ranking 17th on the list. In addition, Gong has earned "best workplace" awards over the last several years from a range of other organizations including Forbes , Glassdoor , and Built In.

For more information about joining Gong, please visit https://www.gong.io/careers/

About Gong

Gong unlocks reality to help people and companies reach their full potential. The Reality Platform autonomously empowers customer-facing teams to take advantage of their most valuable assets  customer interactions, which the Gong platform captures and analyzes. Gong then delivers insights at scale, enabling revenue and go-to-market teams to determine the best actions for repeatable winning outcomes. More than 3,000 innovative companies like Morningstar Inc., Paychex, LinkedIn, Shopify, Slack, SproutSocial, Twilio, and Zillow trust Gong to power their business reality. For more information, please visit www.gong.io.

About the Best Workplaces For Millennials 

Great Place to Work selected the Best Workplaces for Millennials by gathering and analyzing confidential survey responses from its study of thousands of companies representing more than 6.1 million U.S. employees at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place to Work Trust Index survey . Read the full methodology .

About Great Place to Work 

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, it has surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Its employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Everything it does is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All.

SOURCE Gong
Groundworks enters the Texas market with 26th acquisition

Virginia Beach, Va., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Groundworks, the nation's leading foundation, and water management solutions company, announced that it will acquire Foundation Support Specialists ("FFS"), a family-owned company serving San Antonio and Austin. FSS concentrates on providing foundation repair services to homes and businesses, along with crawl space encapsulation, waterproofing services, and concrete repair.

Currently celebrating their 5-year anniversary, FSS was founded by Brian Holt and Richard Reed, and has quickly become the area's trusted expert. Groundworks welcomes them to the mission and will continue to build on their strong reputation by investing in their employees along with marketing, and infrastructure, while still providing their customers the local expertise and heightened levels of service they've come to expect.

"With this acquisition, Groundworks enters the explosive Texas market. For years, Texas consumers have been underserved with cheap, low quality concrete foundation solutions. Despite being only 5 years old, FSS has been delivering proper steel pier solutions in the foundation repair business for the consumers of San Antonio and Austin. We look forward to quickly expanding FSS across the state to deliver a new standard of excellence in Texas," said Matt Malone, Groundworks Founder and CEO.

"By joining forces with Groundworks, we will continue to deliver on our record of success as well as be able to pursue many new and exciting growth initiatives in the future," said co-founder, Brian Holt. Co-founder, Richard Reed said, "We look forward to joining our talented new colleagues at Groundworks who have achieved remarkable growth by putting people first. That's exactly what we are going to continue to do for our employees and customers."

Since 2016, Groundworks has been disrupting an industry, building the country's first national foundation solutions company through a combination of acquiring industry-leading local brands and opening new locations across the country. This announcement further strengthens its market-leading position.

About Groundworks 

Groundworks, headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, is the nation's leading and fastest-growing foundation and water management solutions company. Groundworks Companies provide residential foundation and water management solutions, including foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space repair and encapsulation, plumbing, gutters installation, and concrete lifting services. Since inception, our combined brands have helped nearly 1.5 million homeowners protect and repair their most valuable asset, their home. Groundworks operates over forty-five offices and has been named for a remarkable six years in a row to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies, Qualified Remodeler Top 500, BBB integrity award, and Best Places to Work.

For more information about Groundworks, please visit: https://www.groundworks.com.

SOURCE Groundworks
Civic is all-time best-selling Honda automobile with global sales approaching 30 million

With more than 12.3 million in U.S. sales since its debut in 1973, Civic is America's best-selling small car over the last five decades

Honda has produced more than 11 million Civics in North America since 1986

11th-generation Civic earned 2022 North American Car of the Year honors

TORRANCE, Calif., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifty years ago this month, Honda held the global introduction of a fun and fuel-efficient three-door hatchback that would go on to change the automotive landscape forever  the Honda Civic. A half century later, with sales approaching 30 million globally and now in its 11th generation, Civic is the longest-running automotive nameplate in Honda history and the best-selling Honda automobile of all-time.

Fifty years ago this month, Honda held the global introduction of a fun and fuel-efficient three-door hatchback that would go on to change the automotive landscape forever  the Honda Civic. A half century later, with sales approaching 30 million globally and now in its 11th generation, Civic is the longest-running automotive nameplate in Honda history and the best-selling Honda automobile of all-time.

Since going on sale in America in early 1973, Civic's 11 generations have consistently set the benchmark for the U.S. auto industry by delivering class-leading quality and reliability, outstanding fuel efficiency and low emissions, refined and responsive driving dynamics and top-class safety performance. This has earned the trust of American car buyers and a reputation as a segment-defining product. With U.S. sales of more than 12.3 million units, the vast majority produced in Honda's North American auto plants*, Civic is one of the top three best-selling cars in America over the past five decades.

"Civic embodies Honda's commitment to delivering clean, safe and fun products of the highest quality for each generation of car buyers. That's been the magic of Civic and the key to its success for 50 years," said Mamadou Diallo, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda. "Civic is deeply woven into the fabric of American car culture and we are thankful for the loyalty and trust that our customers have placed in Honda and Civic over the last five decades."

Civic is also one of the world's most awarded cars of its generation, consistently collecting the industry's top honors, including North American Car of the Year three times, Car and Driver magazine's "10Best" honor eight times, and Motor Trend Car of the Year. And while Civic built its success through the loyalty of the baby boom generation, its popularity continues with younger buyers. Since 2011, Civic is the No. 1 vehicle among Millennial buyers, and has captured the most Gen Z, first-time, and multicultural buyers in the industry for the past six years.

A Half Century of Civic Excellence

Civic is the longest-running automotive nameplate in Honda's storied history, launched in Japan in 1972 and the U.S. in 1973

in 1972 and the U.S. in 1973 Introduced in the U.S. in March of 1973, Civic is America's third best-selling car over the past five decades with more than 12.3 million units sold

Civic was the first vehicle to get the CVCC engine (1975), first engine to meet U.S. emission standard without the use of a catalytic converter

Over its 11 generations Civic has been available in five body styles; 2-door coupe, 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback and wagon

The Civic Si, a performance icon in the sport compact segment, was first introduced in 1986

The first hybrid-electric powered Civic was introduced in Japan in 2001 and America in 2003

in 2001 and America in 2003 Civic Type R, the pinnacle of Civic performance, was introduced in America in 2017

Civic has dominated America's compact car segment for 12 consecutive years and in 2021 captured one in four retail sales in the category

Civic is the No. 1 vehicle among Millennial buyers since 2011 and has captured the most Gen Z, first-time, and multicultural buyers in the industry for the past six years.

All-new 11th-generation Civic was named the 2022 North American Car of the Year

Honda has produced* more than 11 million Civics in North America since the first Civic was built in in Ohio in 1986

since the first Civic was built in in in 1986 Today Civic is built in Honda plants in Greensburg, Indiana , Alliston, Ontario Canada and Japan *.

, and *. All-new for 2023, Civic Type R will be the most powerful Civic ever offered in the U.S.

An all-new hybrid-electric powered Civic will be introduced in the future

Celebrating Civic in America with the Honda Community

Honda is sharing the 50th Anniversary celebration of the iconic Civic with its community on the brand's social media channels. Throughout the month of July, Honda fans can take a "Ride Through History," starting with car influencer, Omar Rana, as he highlights Civic's 50-year history in 50 seconds. The campaign culminates with a video series showcasing five decades of Civic, through five distinct chapters  from Civic's debut in the 1970's, to the all-new, 11th-gen Civic lineup, narrated by John Cena, the voice of the Honda brand. Fans can follow along at: https://honda.us/civic50.

More information about the Honda Civic is available at Hondanews.com.

About Honda

Honda offers a full line of clean, safe, fun and connected vehicles sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. Honda has the highest fleet average fuel economy and lowest CO2 emissions of any major full-line automaker in America, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)1 latest data. The award-winning Honda lineup includes the Civic, Insight, and Accord, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. Honda's electrified vehicle lineup includes the Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid, Insight and, in the future, Civic Hybrid. In 2024, the Prologue SUV, Honda's first volume battery-electric vehicle will join the lineup.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 40 years and currently operates 18 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2021, more than 95% of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America.

More information about Honda is available in the Digital Fact Book.

*Using domestic and globally-sourced parts

1 2021 EPA Automotive Trends Report

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Supernal partnered with the Group's design studios to create the cabin concept as the Company works to certify its eVTOL vehicle for commercial use in the United States starting in 2028  and in the E.U. and U.K. shortly after. Beyond the vehicle, Supernal is collaborating with external partners and the Group's more than 50 affiliates  which span automobiles, automotive parts, construction, robotics and autonomous driving  to responsibly co-create the expansive AAM value chain.

"In order for Advanced Air Mobility to become a wide-spread mode of transportation, every detail  from the passenger experience to regulations and infrastructure  needs to be addressed from the start and work in lockstep with one another," said Jaiwon Shin, President of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. "Leveraging Hyundai Motor Group's mobility capabilities, Supernal is investing time and resources upfront to ensure the industry can scale to the masses in the coming decades and reach its exciting potential."

Harnessing Automotive Design

Supernal's five-seat cabin concept provides clues to how the Company is harnessing automotive design processes and materials  while meeting commercial aviation's highest safety standards  to optimize the AAM passenger experience and price-point. The design embodies biomimicry philosophy  a butterfly in this case  and the Company's pillars of safety above all, human-centered design and environmental responsibility.

"Supernal is partnering with Hyundai Motor Group's top automotive designers to develop our eVTOL vehicle for manufacturability and wide-spread public acceptance," Shin added. "We are taking the time to create a safe, light-weight commercial eVTOL that provides our future passengers with the security and comfort they find in their own cars."

The team of engineers and designers utilized the automotive industry's reductive design approach to create the light-weight interior cabin, which is made of forged carbon fiber. Ergonomically contoured seats offer a cocoon-like environment for passengers. Deployable seat consoles mimic automobile center consoles and provide a charging station and stowage compartment for personal items. Grab handles built into the cabin doors and seatbacks assist with ingress and egress. A combination of lighting  including overhead lights inspired by automobile sunroofs  adjusts with the various stages of flight to emulate a "light therapy" effect. The cabin layout draws on automotive space innovation with a minimized bulkhead, which allows for generous headroom and package functionalities.

With sustainability as a priority, the cabin concept incorporates materials such as advanced recyclable carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic, durable plant-based leather, recycled plastic fabric and responsibly sourced woods. The seat frame also utilizes excess raw material from the airframe manufacturing process.

"The Supernal eVTOL vehicle draws on the competence of the Hyundai Motor Group and the skillset of experienced automotive designers, which allowed us to develop a new air mobility concept that is not only safe and rational but also highly emotional," said Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group.

Developing Air Mobility Beyond Urban Markets

The Group is leveraging its expansive mobility and mobility-enabling capabilities to develop a family of electric air vehicles, as well as the surrounding value chain.

Complementing U.S.-based Supernal's battery-powered eVTOL vehicle designed for intra-city passenger journeys starting in 2028, the Group's Korea-based division (the Division) focused on Regional Air Mobility is developing a hydrogen-powered mid-sized vehicle for regional  city-to-city  cargo and passenger journeys. The Division plans to launch service of its hydrogen vehicle in the 2030s.

Supernal and the Division are partnering with the Group's manufacturing innovation teams across the globe to create a robust high-rate, high-quality AAM manufacturing process that will produce electric air vehicles at scale  at an increasingly affordable price-point  over the coming decades.

"Hyundai Motor Group is working to leverage synergies between automotive's high-rate manufacturing capabilities and aerospace's high certification standards to build the foundation for everyday use of passenger and cargo air vehicles," Shin said.

2022 Farnborough International Airshow

Supernal's eVTOL vehicle cabin concept is on display at the Farnborough International Airshow (Exhibit Hall 1, Booth 1307). Click here to follow the Company's on-site activities. Click here to access the Company's media kit.

About Supernal

Supernal (Supernal) is a U.S.-based mobility service provider on a mission to redefine how people move, connect, and live. We are developing an Advanced Air Mobility eVTOL vehicle and working to responsibly co-create the supporting ecosystem and integrate it into existing transit options. As part of Hyundai Motor Group, we are both a new business and an established company, with plans to harness our automotive manufacturing heritage to make Advanced Air Mobility accessible to the masses. Visit www.supernal.aero for more information and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group's mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all. More information about Hyundai Motor Group, please see: www.hyundaimotorgroup.com.

Supernal Contacts:

Jennifer Darland

[email protected]

Andre Carter

[email protected]

SOURCE Supernal
BOSTON and PHILADELPHIA, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Griffin Financial Group, a lower middle-market investment bank, announced today that Todd McMahon has joined the firm. He, along with Sophea Chau who joined last week, will establish a Boston office.

"We are pleased to welcome Todd to the Griffin team," said Matt O'Leary, CEO, Griffin Financial Group.

"In addition to his significant expertise in business and consumer services, Todd also brings a number of important financial sponsors, referral networks and advisors that are key to navigating in our industry," said Mr. O'Leary.

Todd McMahon has over 20 years of experience assisting clients in a wide range of industries to raise capital and execute strategic transactions. His background as an entrepreneur and an investor makes him uniquely situated to advise clients on growth strategies, including attracting institutional capital and exit strategy planning.

"I am excited to join a firm with such a solid reputation for success. My new colleagues have built a strong business in the lower middle market and are poised for growth. I have had the opportunity in my career to help grow boutique investment banks in this space and I look forward to doing so again," said Mr. McMahon.

About Griffin Financial

Griffin Financial Group is a boutique investment bank providing merger and acquisition advisory, financing and strategic consulting services for both healthy and financially challenged businesses. We also provide private equity placement and due diligence services, and assist clients in public offerings, institutional placements, sales, syndication and other capital markets activities. For more information about the firm, visit www.griffinfingroup.com.

About The Stevens & Lee Companies

The Stevens & Lee Companies is a platform of affiliated professional service firms that independently provide a full range of legal, investment banking, financial advisory, insurance risk management and government consulting services. For more information, visit www.stevenslee.com/our-companies.

SOURCE Griffin Financial Group
NOIDA, India, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report published by UnivDatos Markets Insights the Medical Equipment Maintenance Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 15% from 2021-2027. The analysis has been segmented into Device Type (Imaging Equipment, Advanced Modalities, Surgical Instruments, Endoscopic Devices, Electromedical Equipment); Service Type (Preventative Maintenance, Corrective Maintenance, Operational Maintenance); End-Users (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Others); Region/Country.

Click here to view the Report Description & TOC

The medical equipment maintenance market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data of various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the medical equipment maintenance market. The medical equipment maintenance market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the medical equipment maintenance market at the global and regional levels.

Request for Sample Pages

Market Overview

According to the United Nations, the global population aged 60 years or over was numbered at 962 million in 2017 and is expected to reach nearly 2.1 billion by 2050. This rapidly growing geriatric population base is an indication of the growing prevalence of various age-related diseases including diabetes, kidney diseases, and hypertension, heart diseases among others. This rise in chronic illnesses can lead to an increase in demand for various diagnostics and screening services which in turn will positively impact the medical equipment maintenance market. Furthermore, the medical equipment maintenance market is anticipated to grow on account of the rise in preference for the purchase of refurbished medical equipment, increase in the adoption of preventive maintenance, strategic agreements and collaboration between service providers and end-users, rising government and public-private investments, and various advantages such as reducing errors, calibration and reduced risks of contamination associated with the implementation of medical equipment maintenance.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided tremendous research resources while also highlighting the threat of deadly epidemic-prone diseases worldwide. The demand for medical equipment maintenance has significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as a broad range of medical devices are used in the diagnostic and treatment of life-threatening diseases.

The global Medical Equipment Maintenance market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated.

Amongst device types, the imaging equipment segment of the global medical equipment maintenance market grabbed a significant share in 2020 and is expected to grow substantially in the upcoming years.

By service type, the preventive maintenance segments dominated the global medical equipment maintenance market and will grow at a considerable CAGR during the projected timeframe.

Amongst end-users, the hospitals segment grabbed the major market share of the global medical equipment maintenance market in 2020 and is anticipated to grow with the lucrative CAGR in the coming years.

Have a Look at the Chapters

Medical Equipment Maintenance Market Geographical Segmentation Includes:

North America ( United States , Canada , and Rest of North America )

( , , and Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , United Kingdom , Italy , France , Spain , and the Rest of Europe )

( , , , , , and the Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , India , Australia , Japan , and the Rest of Asia-Pacific )

( , , , , and the Rest of ) Rest of the World

Geographically, the North America region dominated the medical equipment maintenance market in 2020 owing to the well-established market players in the region.

The major players targeting the market include

GE Healthcare

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Toshiba Medical System Corporation

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation

Carestream Health

Agfa-Gevaert Group

Hitachi Medical Corporation

Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA

Olympus Corporation

Althea Group

Competitive Landscape

The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the medical equipment maintenance market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition.

Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include:

What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the medical equipment maintenance market?

Which factors are influencing the medical equipment maintenance market over the forecast period?

What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the medical equipment maintenance market?

Which factors are propelling and restraining the medical equipment maintenance market?

What are the demanding global regions of the medical equipment maintenance market?

What will be the global market size in the upcoming years?

What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies?

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

About UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI)

Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights

About UnivDatos Market Insights

UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients.

Contact

UnivDatos Market Insights

Ankita Gupta

Director Operations

Ph: +91-7838604911

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://univdatos.com/

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1225049/UnivDatos_Logo.jpg

SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights
NEWARK, N.J., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the report published by The Brainy Insights, the global military aircraft avionics market is expected to grow from USD 34.11 billion in 2021 to USD 51.21 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.62% during the forecast period 2022-2030.

As a result of expanding territorial conflicts among nations and a growing number of non-state terrorists and radical organizations having access to sophisticated military gear and missiles, the security threat to any sovereign nation has increased. As a result, an increase in defense spending is seen worldwide to protect the country and its citizens from these state and non-state entities.

Get more insights from the 230-page market research report @

https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/12810

The additional funds will develop new military aircraft with advanced avionics and upgrade the old fleets with the latest technology. With growing defense spending worldwide, AI integration in military aircraft avionics is gaining pace. With superior imagery and navigation, AI allows military aircraft avionics to expand their surveillance scope and enhance target recognition. The expansion of military aircraft avionics will be aided by more developments that will enable artificial intelligence to enhance surveillance, thereby providing lucrative opportunities in the avionics market. However, the evolution of such advanced and complicated systems necessitates significant capital investment, which may limit the global military aircraft avionics market. Integrating modern and improved avionics with older aircraft systems is another challenge that could hamper the market's growth.

Competitive Strategy

To enhance their market position in the global military aircraft avionics market, the key players are now focusing on adopting the strategies such as product innovations, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, joint ventures, collaborations, and partnerships.

The US Navy awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a USD 65 million contract in March 2022 to complete full-rate manufacturing of Link-16 for the US Marine Corps' AH-1Z and UH-1Y military aircraft. The contract calls for the fleet's data link hardware to be integrated.

Market Growth & Trends

The military aircraft avionics industry will grow and develop as the defense budget increases to upgrade the army, navy, and air force. The changing geopolitical dynamics will encourage investments in building a new army, naval, and military aircraft avionics, emphasizing comprehensive surveillance, defense infrastructure, and systems to safeguard countries against unilateral aggression. Governments and private market participants working together to develop the military aircraft avionics market will also provide profitable prospects for 2022-30. The military aircraft avionics market will increase due to the growing trend of defense indigenization. Integrating advanced weaponry to combat enemy actions has garnered the attention of the governments, who are now producing high-end military aircraft avionics that is advanced and better equipped with new-age avionics to intercept and destroy incoming threats. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the importance of modernized military aircraft avionics. The devastation caused by the Russian airstrikes could have been substantially avoided if Ukraine had an upgraded, advanced, and capable aircraft fleet to neutralize the Russians. Other smaller nations with bigger adversaries realized the need to have robust military aircraft with advanced avionics and hence have recalibrated their security equations post the Russian invasion. India, for example, has acquired 36 Rafael jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation from France. UAE has also signed a deal with France to purchase 80 Rafael jets. Rafael is a multi-role, twin-engine fighter aircraft with sophisticated avionics.

Custom Requirements can be requested for this Report @ https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/request-customization/12810

Key Findings

In 2021, the fixed-wing combat segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 36% and market revenue of 12.27 billion.

The aircraft type segment is divided into rotorcraft, fixed-wing non-combat aircraft, fixed-wing combat aircraft, transport aircraft, & unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In 2021, the fixed-wing combat aircraft segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 36% and market revenue of 12.27 billion.

The flight control systems segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.72% over the forecast period.

The system segment is divided into communications systems, navigation systems, monitoring systems, flight control systems, weather systems, collision avoidance systems, & other systems. Over the forecast period, the flight control systems segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.72%.

In 2021, the aftermarket segment accounted for the largest share of the market, with 55% and a market revenue of 18.76 billion.

The end-user segment is divided into original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket. In 2021, the aftermarket segment accounted for the largest share of the market, with 55% and market revenue of 18.76 billion.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Military Aircraft Avionics Market

North America (U.S., Canada , Mexico )

(U.S., , ) Europe ( Germany , France , U.K., Italy , Spain , Rest of Europe )

( , , U.K., , , Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , Rest of APAC)

( , , , Rest of APAC) South America ( Brazil and the Rest of South America )

( and the Rest of ) The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa , Rest of MEA)

Among all regions, the North American region emerged as the largest market for the global military aircraft avionics market, with a market share of around 38.32% and 13.07 billion of the market revenue in 2021. The Asia Pacific region is expected to be the largest market during the forecast period. The military aircraft avionics market in the Asia Pacific has been expanding rapidly. China dominates the military aircraft avionics market in the Asia Pacific region. The increasing military expenditure by China to challenge the military might of the USA will contribute to the development of the military aircraft avionics market in the Asia Pacific.

Have a question? Speak to Research Analyst @ https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/12810

Key players operating in the global military aircraft avionics market are:

BAE Systems

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Thales Group

Aspen Avionics Inc.

The Boeing Company

Honeywell

Curtiss-Wright

ENSCO Avionics

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2019 to 2030. The Brainy Insights has segmented the global military aircraft avionics market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Global Military Aircraft Avionics Market by Aircraft Type:

Rotorcraft

Fixed Wing Non-Combat Aircraft

Fixed Wing Combat Aircraft

Transport Aircraft

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Global Military Aircraft Avionics Market by System:

Communications Systems

Navigation Systems

Monitoring Systems

Flight Control Systems

Weather Systems

Collision Avoidance Systems

Other Systems

Global Military Aircraft Avionics Market by End User:

Original Equipment Manufacturers

Aftermarket

About the report:

The global military aircraft avionics market is analyzed based on value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analyzed worldwide, regional and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report analyzes driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining critical insight into the market. The study includes porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, supply, and demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution, and marketing channels analysis.

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SYDNEY, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Bridge Market Research recently released Global Printing Machine Market Research with quite market data tables and figures and an easy to understand TOC in "Global Printing Machine Market research" To make business victorious and successful, adopting such reliable Printing Machine Market research report is one of the vital keys. It also figures out the probable market for a new product to be launched, assesses client company's market share and possible sales volume. The market analysis study finds out the general market conditions while working on this report. Moreover, it recognizes the types of consumers, their response and views about the products, and their thoughts for the step up of a product. The global Printing Machine Market business report also estimates the most appropriate method for the distribution of certain product.

When excellent resources from research, development, consulting, assessment, compliance and regulatory services field work together, such comprehensive Printing Machine Market report is put forth for the customers. This Printing Machine Market Research Report contains a quality research which has been carried out with transparent research studies. Incredible industry experience, industry insight, talent solutions and latest technology are employed while forming this report. This industry analysis report aids to get expert solutions and potential capabilities. It keeps marketplace clearly into the focus with the work, insights and analysis that has been carried out during research. Moreover, market research analysis data is presented in the detailed pattern in the Printing Machine Market document.

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the Printing Machine market was valued at USD 107.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach the value of USD 162.04 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 5.30% during the forecast period of 2022-2029. In addition to the market insights such as market value, growth rate, market segments, geographical coverage, market players, and market scenario, the market report curated by the Data Bridge Market Research team includes in-depth expert analysis, import/export analysis, pricing analysis, production consumption analysis, patent analysis and consumer behavior.

Grab Sample Report with Complete Graphs, Charts and Figures @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-printing-machine-market

Market Overview:-

A printing machine is a mechanical device used to apply pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium like cloth or paper, thus transferring the ink. It marked as a dramatic development on earlier printing methods in which the paper, cloth or other medium was rubbed or brushed repeatedly to attain the transfer of ink, and then accelerated the process. Normally it is used for texts, the invention and global spread of the printing machine which was one of the most powerful events in the second millennium

Printing machines are those devices which use template to reproduce images and text and the publishing companies use it to print numerous documents in commercial and large volumes. They are widely used for various purposes such as display and others, clothing/garment, technical textiles, paper, etc. The rising demand for advanced graphics in packaging industry, increasing the growth of the packaging industry. Furthermore, Offset printing process is one of the most extensively used segment in printing applications which is rising spending among people during forecast period.

Few of the major competitors currently working in the global Printing Machine market are

Heaford (U.K.)

BOBST ( Switzerland )

) WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER ( Germany )

) Rotatek ( Spain )

) Uteco Converting S.p.A. ( Italy )

) Shaanxi Beiren Printing Machinery Co., Ltd. ( China )

) Hsing Wei Machine Industry CO., LTD. ( Taiwan )

) QUEEN'S MACHINERY CO., LTD. ( Taiwan )

) Pelican Rotoflex Pvt. Ltd. ( India )

) HYPLAS MACHINERY CO., LTD. ( Taiwan )

) FUJI KIKAI KOGYO Co., Ltd. ( Japan )

) WEIJIN MACHINERY INDUSTRY CO., LTD. ( Taiwan )

) Comexi ( Spain )

) DCM ATN ( France )

) Shibaura Machine CO., LTD, ( Italy )

) FOR DAH INDUSTRY CO., LTD ( Taiwan )

) MG Electric (Colchester) Ltd, (U.K.)

Asia-Pacific dominates the printing machine market in terms of market share during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing demand for printing machine in this region. The Asia-Pacific region leads the printing machine market due to the increasing print markets and rising adoption of printed media in this region.

During the projected period, North America is expected to be the fastest developing region due to the rising demand of printing machine by middle income population in this region.

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Key Questions Answered in This Report: 

How has this market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

Which are the key product types available in this market?

Which are the major application areas in the market?

What are the key distribution channels in the global market?

What are the key regions in this market?

What are the price trends?

What are the various stages in the value chain of this industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the market?

Market Segmentation:-

Type

Web Offset Lithography

Flexography

Gravure

Others

Operation

Automatic

Semi-Automatic

Manual

Capacity

Large

Medium

Small

Ink

Solvent

Eco-Solvent

Aqueous

UV Curable

Latex

Metallic

Others

Application

Clothing/Garment

Paper

Display and Others

Technical textiles

Others

End User

Commercial

Publication

Packaging

Others

If opting for the Global version of Collagen Market analysis is provided for major regions as follows:

North America

(USA, Canada and Mexico)

Europe

(Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Russia, Italy and Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific

(China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, India and Southeast Asia)

 South America

(Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, rest of countries etc.)

Middle East and Africa

(Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)

To Gain More Insights into the Printing Machine Market Analysis, @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-printing-machine-market

Printing Machine Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rising the demand of offset printing process

The offset printing process is one of the most common printing methods used for several applications like marketing material, book notes, packaging, etc. If anything needs to be printed it can be done with the help of offset printing which increase the demand of printing machine in the market. This printing method is used for documents, magazines, brochures, business cards, letterhead, catalogues, newspapers, books, legal forms, booklets, business forms, flyers, brochures, calendars, invitations, packaging industry, and much more other application these are the main reason for increase the demand of printing machine and are expected to driver the market growth rate.

Rise the demand in food and beverage industry

The growth of the printing machine in the food and beverage sector is also expected to drive the printing machine market because the demand for the processed foods increases in the industry which increase the demand for detailed printing to signify the essential nutritional requirements, ingredients, price, etc. on the packaging which has furthered enhance the growth of the printing machine industry.

Ease of reading

Reports, documents and reading notes off of the computer screen can be tiring and harmful for the eye. Also that, we all know it is quite frustrating not being able to highlight required paragraphs and mark the important parts. Having a printing machine removes all these issues as hardcopies requiring only a few clicks. With a good printing machine that ensures brilliant output quality, consumers can get sharp texts that will add no worry to your life and make work easier to handle.

Table of Contents:

Printing Machine Market Overview Economic Impact on Industry Competition by Manufacturers Production, Revenue (Value) by Region Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type Market by Application Manufacturing Cost Analysis Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders Market Effect Factors Analysis Market Forecast Appendix

View Detailed Table of Content @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-printing-machine-market

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Label Printing Machines Market, By Product (Desktop Printers, Industrial Printers, Mobile Printers), Industry Vertical (Manufacturing, Packaging, Transportation and Logistics, Retail, Others), Country (U.S., Canada , Mexico , Brazil , Argentina , Rest of South America , Germany , Italy , U.K., France , Spain , Netherlands , Belgium , Switzerland , Turkey , Russia , Rest of Europe , Japan , China , India , South Korea , Australia , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand , Indonesia , Philippines , Rest of Asia-Pacific , Saudi Arabia , U.A.E, South Africa , Egypt , Israel , Rest of Middle East and Africa ) Industry Trends and Forecast https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-label-printing-machines-market

Rotogravure Printing Machine Market, By Automation Mode (Automatic Rotogravure Printing Machine, Manual Rotogravure Printing Machine), Substrate (Plastic, Aluminium Foil, Paper and Paperboard), Ink Type (Water Ink, Solvent Based Ink, Radiation Ink), Drying Source (Gas, Electrical, Thermal Fluid), Application (Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Consumer Goods, Others), Country (U.S., Canada , Mexico , Brazil , Argentina , Rest of South America , Germany , France , Italy , U.K., Belgium , Spain , Russia , Turkey , Netherlands , Switzerland , Rest of Europe , Japan , China , India , South Korea , Australia , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand , Indonesia , Philippines , Rest of Asia-Pacific , U.A.E, Saudi Arabia , Egypt , South Africa , Israel , Rest of Middle East and Africa ) Industry Trends and Forecast https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-rotogravure-printing-machine-market

Gravure Printing Machine Market, By Substrate (Plastic, Aluminium Foil, Paper and Paperboard), Ink Type (Water Ink, Solvent Based Ink, Radiation Ink), Drying Source (Gas, Electrical, Thermal Fluid), Application (Food Packaging, Magazines, Wall Paper, Wrapping Paper, Greeting Cards, Furniture Laminates, Paneling)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029 https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-gravure-printing-machine-market

Label Printing Machines Market, By Product (Desktop Printers, Industrial Printers, Mobile Printers), Industry Vertical (Manufacturing, Packaging, Transportation and Logistics, Retail, Others), Country (U.S., Canada , Mexico , Brazil , Argentina , Rest of South America , Germany , Italy , U.K., France , Spain , Netherlands , Belgium , Switzerland , Turkey , Russia , Rest of Europe , Japan , China , India , South Korea , Australia , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand , Indonesia , Philippines , Rest of Asia-Pacific , Saudi Arabia , U.A.E, South Africa , Egypt , Israel , Rest of Middle East and Africa ) Industry Trends and Forecast https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-label-printing-machines-market

About Data Bridge Market Research:

An absolute way to forecast what future holds is to comprehend the trend today!

Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavours to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Data Bridge is an aftermath of sheer wisdom and experience which was formulated and framed in the year 2015 in Pune.

Data Bridge Market Research has over 500 analysts working in different industries. We have catered more than 40% of the fortune 500 companies globally and have a network of more than 5000+ clientele around the globe. Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate.

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1011053/Data_Bridge_Market_Research_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Data Bridge Market Research
STOCKHOLM, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ) announces that The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC) has placed an order for the treatment planning system RayStation* through a public tender process.

To meet the high patient demand and bring new technologies to the patients UNMCCC is expanding its clinical radiation oncology services. The purchase of RayStation is part of this investment and will replace the center's current treatment planning system. The order includes new and advanced technology, such as adaptive planning and machine learning techniques for automated contouring.

Alan Tomkinson, UNMCCC Interim Director and CEO, says: "Our patients deserve the best. This new technology will enable us to serve more New Mexicans better."

Johan Lof, founder and CEO, RaySearch, says: "There are only a few Request For Proposals in the United States, and it is gratifying when we win these, which are based on objective measures. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center and to contributing to advanced technology in the care for the hospital's patients."

For more information, please contact:

Johan Lof, founder and CEO, RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ)

Telephone: +46 (0) 8 510 530 00

[email protected]

Bjorn Hardemark, interim CFO, RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ)

Telephone: +46 (0) 709 564 217

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/raysearch-laboratories/r/raysearch-awarded-treatment-planning-system-tender-at-university-of-new-mexico,c3602614

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/1102/3602614/1605434.pdf RaySearch Press Release July 18, 2022 https://news.cision.com/raysearch-laboratories/i/pr-unm-1200x620px,c3071325 PR UNM 1200x620px

SOURCE RaySearch Laboratories
MBELEBELENI - The Parliament Portfolio Committee for the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs was on Saturday disowned by Chief Prince Gcokoma at the Mbelebeleni Inkhundla, much to the disappointment of residents who had wanted to make inputs into the Marriage and Matrimonial Property Bills.

The committees visit to the umphakatsi was aimed at soliciting views of the residents which would be subsequently included in the Bills that are being currently drafted in readiness to be forwarded to Parliament before being endorsed as laws of the country. Interviewed residents expressed concern that the chief was robbing them of an opportunity to make submissions to the important legislation. Chief Prince Gcokoma is a former Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Regional Development.

Meeting

When the Parliament Portfolio Committee Chairman Member of Parliament (MP) Mabhanisi Dlamini approached the umphakatsi, a meeting on a community water project was in progress. He approached the chief, who is also a member of the Land Management Board (LMB). He told him: We are representing the Parliament of the Kingdom of Eswatini. We have come to solicit views of the residents, views that we will include in the Marriage and Matrimonial Property Bills.

However, the chief seemed unwelcoming to their request and said he did not know about their visit to the area. When reached for comment, Prince Gcokoma said he was expecting the committee to come with the constituencys Member of Parliament (Michael Masuku), who was unfortunately not present. He said the committee was supposed to be formally introduced to him by the Mkhiweni MP. Contrary to that, the Mkhiweni MP (Masuku) said he reported the committees visit to the Mkhiweni Indvuna Lubandze Khumalo prior to Saturday.

Accident

According to the chairman (Kwaluseni MP Dlamini), the Mkhiweni MP (Masuku) had reported that he was attending to a car accident in which his son was involved. The car that the Mkhiweni MPs son was driving was involved in an accident around Luve area on Friday, injuring seven people.

A team of officials from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs came to the umphakatsi a few months ago before the recent visit by the ministrys Parliament portfolio committee at Mcozini Primary School. On the first visit, it was during the Ministry of Justices visit at the inkhundla in 2020, according to Ministry of Justice Legal Advisor, Mlondi Sibandze who was also turned back by the chief at the umphakatsi on Saturday.

Justice Minister Pholile Shakantu expressed shock when called later by the Portfolio Committee Chairman (MP Dlamini) to brief her on what had transpired. The Parliament Portfolio Committee of the Ministry of Justice has already covered areas which include Sandleni and Nkwene. According to the chairman, the committee is preparing to visit the Manzini North Inkhundla whose MP is Macford Sibandze. The chairman said he was greatly disappointed by Chief Gcokomas action. He said the chief set a bad precedent for other chiefs. The other committee members also shared the same sentiments as the Kwaluseni MP. We are disheartened. This is unlike a man of his calibre who is working for the Tinkhundla System to snub a Parliament portfolio committee, said Manzini North MP Nsibandze.

Comment

When the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Shakantu was called for comment yesterday and briefed on what had transpired at the Mbelebeleni Umphakatsi, she said she was yet to consult with the committee chairman on a way forward. She asked to be sent a questionnaire so that she would give a more detailed response. Residents of Mbelebeleni, when interviewed, said they had been robbed of a rare opportunity to contribute to the enactment of the Marriage and Matrimonial Property Bills. This newspaper was able to reach the Indvuna of Mbelebeleni Khumalo for comment. He said: The portfolio committee members were turned back because they arrived not in the company of the Mkhiweni MP who should have introduced them officially to the chief. When informed that the Mkhiweni MP Masuku had reported that his son was on the previous day (Friday) involved in a nasty car accident, Khumalo said the MP should have relayed that message to the umphakatsi beforehand.
Savoy, the leading African American business and lifestyle magazine, announces its most prestigious list to date of the Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America in its summer issue, available at SavoyNetwork.com and Amazon.

ATLANTA, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Savoy magazine announced its 2022 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America listing in the upcoming summer issue. Savoy's Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America is the definitive listing of African American executives, influencers and achievers impacting corporate America.

Savoy Magazine Announces the 2022 Most Influential Black Executives In Corporate America - Featuring Marvin. R. Ellison, Chairman & CEO of Lowe's

"Savoy is proud to present the 2022 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America. In this issue, we assembled an elite representation of African American men and women who have been recognized for their executive and business leadership in national and global-leading corporations," said L.P. Green, II, Publisher of Savoy magazine. "These innovative trailblazers have led efforts to foster growth for some of the country's highest-performing companies throughout and beyond the U.S. market."

Savoy's summer issue features a cover story on Marvin Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Lowe's Companies, Inc. Under Ellison's leadership, Lowe's has supported many diverse small business owners before and during the pandemic. Lowe's commitment to investing $9 million to select schools and scholarship programs to help underrepresented students. Lowe's announced that full- and part-time employees are eligible to enroll in over 50 academic programs at 23 universities and education providers to obtain undergraduate degrees.

The selection of the Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America begins by examining the spheres of influence impacting Savoy's readership including: corporate sector influence, scholastic achievement, career growth, community outreach and recognition. The information received from over 500 prospective candidates in diverse fields was pre-screened by the selection committee.

The selection committee includes the Savoy editorial board and community leaders with representatives from the academic and business arenas. The committee reviewed information on executives in human resources, information, real estate, finance, investment banking, diversity, foundations, procurement, business development, marketing, sales, healthcare, manufacturing and legal. After reviewing all the profiles, the field of candidates were narrowed to the 2022 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America listing based upon their exemplary record of accomplishments and influence while working to better their community and inspire others.

Savoy's full 2022 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America listing is available online, as of July 18, 2022, exclusively at savoynetwork.com. Print editions of the summer issue of Savoy magazine are available for purchase online through Amazon and savoynetwork.com/shop.

About Savoy

Savoy magazine is a national publication covering the power, substance and style of African American lifestyle. From entertainment to sports, business to politics, design to style, Savoy is a cultural catalyst for the African American community that showcases and drives positive dialogue on and about Black culture. Savoy is published quarterly and distributed via subscriptions and newsstands worldwide.

SOURCE Savoy Media Group
The Move Makes FINN One of the World's Largest Agencies in Health Innovation and Increases SPAG Global Service Capabilities and Offerings for Clients

SPAG Founder Aman Gupta to Lead FINN Health Practice Throughout Asia; SPAG Co-Founder Shivani Gupta Appointed FINN Managing Partner, Culture and Brand Reputation, Health Asia

NEW DELHI and NEW YORK and SINGAPORE, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global independent marketing and communications agency FINN Partners announced today that SPAG, a leading, Asia-headquartered, health-sector communications and marketing firm with offices in Bangalore, Delhi, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mumbai, the Philippines and Singapore joins FINN Partners. SPAG serves global biopharma companies, health trade associations and health provider systems and is one of the region's top award-winning agencies. Aman Gupta, SPAG founder and managing partner, joins FINN as a managing partner and lead for the Agency's Health Practice throughout Asia.

Aman Gupta on the power of SPAG and FINN collaboration to create a health communications powerhouse in Asia based on shared values. Aman Gupta, Managing Partner, Health Practice Asia Lead Shivani Gupta, Managing Partner, Culture & Brand Reputation, Health Asia

SPAG becomes part of the FINN Asian region, overseen by Howard Solomon, founding managing partner, who also leads FINN efforts on the West Coast of the US. In his new role, Aman Gupta will work closely with Global Health Practice colleagues Gil Bashe, Chair Global Health and Purpose, and Fern Lazar, managing partner and Global Health Practice Lead. SPAG Co-Founder Shivani Gupta, joins FINN as managing partner, Culture and Brand Reputation, Health Asia, and will focus on building brand communications and Practice culture throughout Asia. Both become members of the agency's Global Health Practice leadership team, which is facilitated by Lazar. SPAG Asia will now be branded as "SPAG, a FINN Partners Company."

The addition of SPAG strengthens FINN's position as home to one of the world's largest independent Health Practices, with almost $50 million in revenues. The addition of SPAG Asia increases the FINN total staff to more than 1,300 employees with more than 150 based in Asia with 275 professionals worldwide dedicated to the health sector. There are no staff redundancies or client conflicts.

"Among the hallmarks of SPAG is our recognized passion for our people and clients," commented Aman Gupta, who, before founding SPAG in 2013, held executive positions at agencies and Bio-Pharma companies, including Imprimis Life (part of Perfect Relations Group) and Lupin Laboratories and Ranbaxy. "Joining FINN enables us to bring additional cutting-edge services, geographic reach, and health-sector and digital expertise to our clients. During the past year, SPAG and FINN worked side-by-side to support client efforts, and this new relationship  based on shared values  expands our services capabilities and opens doors to wonderful staff opportunities and knowledge-sharing around health developments and best practices."

Gupta, whose expertise includes Global Health, biopharma and provider health system clients, has been recognized as one of the 'Top 25 Innovators' by PRovoke Media, Asia-Pacific, for shaping influence and engagement in an era of dramatic marketing and communications disruption. He was the first and only Asian to make it to the TED Fellow list in 2003. Gupta was also listed in the PRWeek Global Powerbook as one of the brightest and most influential PR professionals worldwide. He has been honored as "Communicator of the Year" for Industry Association at the Fulcrum Awards.

"Asia is paving the way for global health innovation, and clients eager to engage can generate greater value by taking bold, strategic action in the region," said Peter Finn, CEO and founding managing partner, FINN Partners. "We are proud to welcome this outstanding agency, which shares our passion for client success, to FINN. SPAG and its community affirm the good sense of our acquisition strategy, which focuses first and foremost on partners with shared values and missions. This infusion of health-sector talent in Asia  where we already have great strength in technology and travel in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore  builds on our collaborative approach to growth."

"The addition of SPAG creates a strong connection among existing FINN Health Practice hubs in New York, Beijing, Boston, Chicago, Jerusalem, London, Minneapolis, Nashville, Paris, Portland, San Francisco, Shanghai and Singapore, and opens new opportunities to serve clients globally," reflected Lazar, managing partner and Global Health Practice Lead. "Aman Gupta, Shivani Gupta, and the entire SPAG/FINN team bring great expertise in public relations and marketing communications in the sector and a keen understanding of how Asia connects to worldwide health markets. We are very excited to continue our collaboration."

Gil Bashe, said, "The addition of Aman, Shivani and the incredible SPAG team  leaders in health marketing and communications  sends an important message that the greatest achievements of health innovation must reach everyone across the globe to make a difference in public health. When we consider Asia as a vast region fueling a significant percentage of global venture capital/private equity investments in digital health$6 billion of $14 billion in the past five years, SPAG knowledge and expertise are key to realizing our shared mission of serving clients to improve human health."

"After getting to know Peter, Howard, Gil, Fern and the FINN team, it was clear that our values and goals align," continued Aman Gupta. "Now, by joining our regional and global expertise with the benefits of FINN scale, reach, and highly respected health expertise, we can offer even more to the clients who have supported our agency's journey. I'm eager to become part of this dynamic community, which recognizes that dedication to a shared mission is essential to unlock human potential and achieve greater success for clients."

"SPAG and the FINN Health Practice share the perspective that clients need access to high-impact creative across media channels to be successful across the health payer, product innovation, and provider sectors," said SPAG Co-Founder Shivani Gupta. "Collaboration enables people to tap into each other's knowledge and apply it to the great challenges facing health innovators of all sizes and sectors. We are thrilled to be on this journey together."

About SPAG

SPAG is a health specialist, independent, award-winning Public Relations and Advocacy firm operating across Asia. In the last seven years of its journey, SPAG has been named Global New PR Agency in 2015, Asia-Pacific Healthcare Agency of Year (2017 & 2019) at Sabre awards, and Large Agency of the Year in 2021 & 2022 by E4M (IPRCCA).

It is reputed for offering bespoke communication strategies to shape conversations, influence perceptions, cultivate constructive knowledge and keep the dialogue going. As an integrated communications entity, SPAG harnesses the potential of a phenomenally diverse universe of conversations to shape the narrative for a better world.

About FINN Partners, Inc.

Founded in 2011 on the core principles of innovation and collaborative partnership, FINN Partners has grown from about $24 million in fees to almost $200 million in fees during the past 10 years, becoming one of the fastest-growing independent public relations agencies in the world. Recognized as a PRovoke Media 2022 Agency of the Year, the full-service marketing and communications company's record-setting pace results from organic growth and integrating new companies and new people into the FINN world through a common philosophy. With more than 1,300 professionals, FINN provides clients with global access and capabilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. In addition, FINN provides its clients with access to top-tier agencies worldwide through its membership in the global network PROI.

Headquartered in New York, FINN's other offices are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Delhi, Denver, Detroit, Dublin, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Guam, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Indonesia, Jerusalem, London, Los Angeles, Manila, Minneapolis, Mumbai, Munich, Nashville, Paris, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, Southern California, Vancouver, and Washington D.C. Find us at finnpartners.com and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @finnpartners.

Contacts:

Celia Jones, Global Director, Marketing Communications

[email protected]

+1 773 885 9781

Gil Bashe, Managing Partner, Chair Global Health and Purpose

[email protected]

+1 732 371 0922

Aman Gupta, Founder SPAG Asia, and Managing Partner, FINN Health Practice Asia Lead

[email protected]

SOURCE FINN Partners
- All 12 Margarita Flavors Available at Taco Cabana San Antonio Locations Starting

July 20, 2022 and Across Texas Starting August 3, 2022 -



- Taco Cabana Launches New Happy Hour, Welcomes the Return of the TC Salsa Bar and Extends Location Hours Across San Antonio Starting Week of July 18, 2022 -

SAN ANTONIO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following three wildly successful launches of Taco Cabana's popular MargaritaPalooza over the last two years, Taco Cabana announced today its plans to establish its Texas locations as "Margarita Headquarters," featuring 12 permanent margarita offerings on the TC menu. Available flavors will include beloved frozen classics like Lime, Strawberry, Mango, Strawberry Mango and Mangonada, in addition to returning favorites like Blue Curacao, Watermelon, Dragonfruit, Blood Orange, Green Apple and new exciting flavors including Coconut and Pineapple. Each will be available for $3 all day, every day.

"Margaritapalooza was a game changer for Taco Cabana," said Ulyses Camacho, Chief Operating Officer at Taco Cabana. "There was so much fun and excitement for both guests and team members when we previously executed it across the TC system. We pride ourselves on listening to what our guests want, and they have consistently asked us for on-going, everyday margarita innovation and variety, not just during certain times of the year. We are now thrilled to establish ourselves as the 'Margarita Headquarters' with so many margarita flavors for our guests to choose from each and every day."

Taco Cabana Margarita Tweet this

In addition to the 12 margarita flavors, a rotating thirteenth flavor will also be seasonally available for $4. Previous seasonal margarita offerings have included flavors like Pickle, Pumpkin Spice and Cherry among others. New or returning seasonal margaritas will be announced on an ongoing basis. Margarita Headquarters launches in San Antonio on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 and across all other Texas TC markets on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

In addition to launching "Margarita Headquarters," Taco Cabana will offer a summertime happy hour from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday for dine-in and drive-thru guests starting July 20, 2022 at all San Antonio locations.

Happy hour items will include:

$2 Lime or Strawberry Margaritas

Lime or Strawberry Margaritas $2 domestic beer

domestic beer Half-price bean & cheese nachos

$1.50 bean & cheese chalupa

bean & cheese chalupa $1 bean & cheese taco

Effective today, Taco Cabana is also extending its drive-thru hours of operation at all restaurants across San Antonio. Below are the new hours of operation for all San Antonio location drive-thrus:

Open Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Open Friday and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Dining rooms will continue to close at 10 p.m.

Lastly, Taco Cabana will welcome the return of its beloved salsa bar in all restaurants in San Antonio on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. The salsa bars will include Roja, Fuego, Salsa Ranch, Taco Cabana's new salsa Verde, Pico de Gallo and pickled jalapenos.

"Not only are we bringing margarita variety to our TC fans, we're also bringing tremendous value to our newly created summertime happy hour, launching first in San Antonio with plans to extend across Texas very soon," continues Camacho. "Our guests are experiencing challenging times right now with high costs in many categories of their daily lives, and we want TC to be a solution when they consider what and where to eat. We also know that many of our guests want to enjoy TC late-night as well. By extending our late-night hours, first in San Antonio, we will be able to serve delicious variety - food and alcohol - to a greater number of guests looking to solve that late-night craving."

All new menu items can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, in the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC! App or TacoCabana.com. For more information on Taco Cabana's menu items, visit TacoCabana.com .

About Taco Cabana:

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, freshly-made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of July 18, 2022, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas. For more info, visit www.tacocabana.com.

SOURCE Taco Cabana
Over $100m income milestone for the second year running, 10% year-on-year growth to $111.1m

Post-tax profits increased by 200% from $13.5m in 2020 to $40.4m in 2021

Trade Finance income grew by 9% year-on-year to $55.8m

Commercial Banking customer deposits reached $936m, up 7% year-on-year

Visa debit card added to our portfolio of customer-focused services

LONDON, July 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After a two year break The Access Bank UK Ltd celebrated hosting the return to its annual Access Bank Polo Day at Guards Polo Club Windsor on Saturday 16 July and reflected on another year of outstanding international business growth. This year The Bank has won Best African Trade Finance award from International Finance for the fifth consecutive year and Best Africa Trade Finance Bank by Capital Finance International for the seventh year in a row. Putting customers' needs ahead of its own sets the standard by which it judges itself and its performance.

The Access Bank Day return to Guards Polo Club on Saturday, delivered on and off the field. In the presentation Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO Access Bank plc, Dr Dere Awosika, Chairman Access Bank plc, Adamu Atta Chairman of Fifth Chukker with the Cup, and Herbert Wigwe, Chairman of Access Bank UK Ltd. UNICEF and disadvantaged children in Nigeria were the biggest winners with over $1.7 million raised funding 100 new equipped classroom blocks in disadvantaged areas of Nigeria.

According to Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Jamie Simmonds: "We are a bank where our growth has been fuelled by the strength of customer relationships. This enables us to develop innovative products and financial solutions for our customers. We have offices in the heart of the City of London, Dubai and Lagos. We invest significantly in attracting, retaining and developing professional staff in order to ensure customers always deal with an expert who is familiar with their business and personal financial needs, the foundation of our business is relationship management."

Corporate Social responsibility, balancing economic, environmental and social impact plays a key role in the growth of the bank. The Bank has continued to invest in people despite the constraints of remote working and is proud to be accredited as Platinum in Investors in People. The Group is actively involved in school projects, child support agency partnerships and the Save a Life initiative. The Access Bank Cup is part of its fund raising in partnership with Fifth Chukker for UNICEF for education projects in northern Nigeria in particular. It is the culmination of a programme of polo competitions across Nigeria and in South Africa. Since the UNICEF/Access Bank initiative was started it has rebuilt schools in Kaduna and has kept more than 8000 students in continuous education. At the same time new school blocks and a computer literacy building all in a more secure and friendly school environment have been developed. The communities surrounding the schools are supported with boreholes for water, and sewing and grinding machines to secure employment and stimulate economic and social development.

Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director of Access Holdings PLC and Chairman of The Access Bank UK Ltd, says: "The successes of The Access Bank UK Ltd has been a major milestone in the development of the banking group into the biggest Nigerian Bank in respect of assets and customer base and has charted our course for the future. Together our continuing support for the Fifth Chukker - UNICEF initiative reflects our view of our role as a change agent in Nigeria and Africa that can help institute socio-economic development through responsible business practice, social initiatives and environmental consideration. We continue to look for ways to enable more resources to be directed at supporting the children. We are part of the community and as such should support its wellbeing."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1860628/Access_Bank_UK.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/946980/Access_Bank_Logo.jpg

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Peter Walker

+44 (0)7836 223513

[email protected]

SOURCE The Access Bank UK Ltd
DUBLIN, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "SOP Writing, Training and Compliance in the Pharmaceutical Industry" training has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

In this course you will learn the keys to writing effective SOPs, the vital connection between the documentation and training spheres, and how to maximize this connection to improve the quality of both SOPs and training.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are the basis for a large part of the day-to-day training that most pharmaceutical employees are required to perform.

Still, it is not widely understood the extent of the commitments we make when we write an SOP or how the writing of the SOP can have a positive or negative impact on training or job performance. For example, there is an expectation that procedures describe the most critical processes for product manufacturing and will be followed consistently, with few if any deviations.



To accomplish these goals, we will review regulatory agency expectations when an SOP is written, provide suggestions for uncovering the process in its entirety and describe it clearly and concisely, indicate how to break portions of the process(es) into logical chunks, and show how the SOP and the training program can work together harmoniously.



Understanding how the average employee is swamped with more work than they can manage, we will also provide tips for shortening this process and take advantage of tools that probably already exist in the systems that you use on a day-to-day basis. We will provide valuable insights and examples that reflect the extensive experience of the instructor in the documentation and training fields., and which can assist you in writing and implementing SOPs with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.



Learning Objectives:

To improve the writing of SOPs for more effective training and reduction of errors.

To understand the regulatory implications of what is written in an SOP

To learn the parameters of an effective SOP

To distinguish a well-written SOP from a poorly written one

To define processes better by effective interaction with the SOP process owner and/or author

To integrate the SOP effectively into the position curricula of employees

To explore the connection between SOPs and job performance, and measure retention of SOP content at the training stage

Areas Covered:

Regulatory requirements for SOPs

Using process excellence tools to create a robust process and procedure



What commitments you make when you put your process in writing



Keeping training in mind while writing procedures



Consequences of noncompliance

Define the parameters of an effective SOP

How your foundation keeps subsequent steps from going awry

Why poorly written procedures have a negative impact on production

What identifies a poorly written procedure

Compliance risks with ambiguity or excessive detail

Interact with the SOP process owner/author to improve the writing of procedures

Integrate the SOP effectively into the position curricula of employees

Relationship between SOPs and employees' training curricula

Why the training department needs to be in the loop at the start of the SOP development process

Retention of the content at the training stage

The implications of good training for successful SOP execution

Perform an ongoing assessment of knowledge retention of SOPs for continuous improvement

Review of learning objectives

Key Topics Covered:



Day 01 (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT)



09.00 AM - 10.00 AM

Seminar objectives review, expectations and scope.

Interview attendees re their specific responsibilities and needs

Agreement on focus

10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

Regulatory requirements for SOPs

What commitments you make when you put your process in writing

Consequences of noncompliance

Review or knowledge check

11.00 AM - 12.00 PM

Parameters of an effective SOP (scope, length, conciseness, responsibilities)

Distinguishing good SOPs from poor SOPs

Practice exercise

12.00 PM - 01.00 PM: Lunch



01.00 PM - 02.00 PM

Using process excellence tools to create a robust process and procedure

Brief process excellence exercise using areas of expertise in room

02.00 PM - 03.00 PM

Pulling out the process from process owners and subject matter experts

Simulation of interview with stakeholders

Revision of procedures - avoiding pitfalls

Brief exercise to revise a process

03.00 PM - 04.00 PM

Keeping training in mind while writing procedures

Simulation of a discussion between training and documentation

Attendee practice

04.00 PM - 04.30 PM

Knowledge check for day

Day 02 (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT)



09.00 AM - 10.00 AM

Seminar objectives review, expectations and scope.

Review of Day 1 topics, feedback and conclusions

10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

Relationship between SOPs and training curricula

Basics of training curricula

Structuring courses and modules

Demo of creating a curriculum with existing SOPs

11.00 AM - 12.00 PM

Exercise in creating training curricula with existing SOPs - breakout groups and flip charts

Group review

12.00 PM - 01.00 PM: Lunch



01.00 PM - 02.00 PM

Curriculum completion and qualification to perform tasks

Special circumstances of systems training roles and curricula

Demo and practice of evaluating qualification

02.00 PM - 03.00 PM

Measurement of SOP and training effectiveness (e.g. knowledge assessment questions)

Tools in Learning Management Systems (LMSs)

How you as an SOP writer can access these tools

Exercise in evaluating training data

03.00 PM - 04.00 PM

Course review

Questions and feedback

04.00 PM - 04.30 PM

Knowledge assessment

For more information about this training visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ozj3x9

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "US Critical Communication Market (2022-2027) by Offering, Technology, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The US Critical Communication Market is estimated to be USD 2.23 Bn in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 3.4 Bn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.77%.

Market dynamics are forces that impact the prices and behaviors of the US Critical Communication Market stakeholders. These forces create pricing signals which result from the changes in the supply and demand curves for a given product or service.

Forces of Market Dynamics may be related to macro-economic and micro-economic factors. There are dynamic market forces other than price, demand, and supply. Human emotions can also drive decisions, influence the market, and create price signals.

As the market dynamics impact the supply and demand curves, decision-makers aim to determine the best way to use various financial tools to stem various strategies for speeding the growth and reducing the risks.

Company Profiles

Some of the companies covered in this report are Airbus SE, Ascom Holding AG, AT&T Inc, Atos, Cassidian Communications Inc.

The report provides a detailed analysis of the competitors in the market. It covers the financial performance analysis for the publicly listed companies in the market. The report also offers detailed information on the companies' recent development and competitive scenario.

Competitive Quadrant

The report includes Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.

Ansoff Analysis

The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the US Critical Communication Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for the growth of the company.

The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach.

The analyst analyses the US Critical Communication Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position.

Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, The analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth.

Report Highlights:

A complete analysis of the market, including parent industry

Important market dynamics and trends

Market segmentation

Historical, current, and projected size of the market based on value and volume

Market shares and strategies of key players

Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market

Market Dynamics

Drivers

High Demand for Critical Communication for Various Industries

Increasing Need to Modernize Old Equipment

Restraints

Limited Data Transport, High Cost and Bandwidth Issue

Complexity of Networks and Systems

Opportunities

Upgradation of Infrastructure Platforms

Requirement for Reliable and High-Quality Public Safety Communication Systems

Challenges

Interoperability Issues

Company Profiles

Airbus SE

Ascom Holding AG

AT&T Inc

Atos

Cassidian Communications Inc

Cobham Wireless

Ericsson

L3Harris

Huawei

Hytera

Kontron Transportation

Motorola Soloution

Nokia

Raytheon Company

Relm Wireless Corp

Thales SATEL

ZTE

Speedcast

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ktwpjy

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Hackers are targeting IoT devices and exploiting known flaws, according to the report. The increased vulnerability of critical systems, high investments from key players to develop secure and efficient systems are the factors driving the market growth.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Verified Market Research recently published a report, "5G Security Market" By Component (Solutions, Services), By Deployment Mode (On-Premises, Cloud), and By Geography. According to Verified Market Research, the 5G Security Market size was valued at USD 1.2 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 16.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 33% from 2022 to 2030.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=248779

Browse in-depth TOC on "5G Security Market"

202 - Pages

126  Tables

37  Figures

Global 5G Security Market Overview

Hackers are increasingly targeting IoT devices and exploiting known vulnerabilities, such as those involving default usernames, passwords, and static code backdoors. With the integration of IoT and high-speed networks, all verticals are now adopting automation. Critical infrastructures, such as power, water, and other vital resources, were among the first to adopt technology and are now in the automation phase. While automation has made operations far more efficient, it has also made systems more vulnerable to intrusions. All governments are now concerned about the growing vulnerability of crucial systems. Interfering with a nuclear reactor's controls, whether accidentally or maliciously, poses a serious hazard to human life and property.

Higher frequencies are a significant benefit in the development of the 5G network. However, all high frequencies (radio spectrum) are currently in use for a variety of purposes, including telecommunications and government agencies. Access to these high-frequency spectrums is critical for the development of 5G infrastructure. There is a conflict in accessing certain frequency bands because they are already allocated for various applications. However, there is no clear timeline for when wireless operators will be granted access to these spectrums to build 5G infrastructure. For the development of 5G infrastructure, consistency of spectrum distribution across regions and countries is critical. It has an impact on economies of scale and defines the role of equipment providers in developing appropriate goods.

Key Developments

In October 2021 , Singtel, a renowned communications technology company in Singapore , collaborated with Ericcson. This collaboration will help to speed 5G adoption across a variety of industries while also fostering industry collaboration to develop and deploy sophisticated 5G technologies in Singapore .

Key Players

The major players in the market are Ericsson (Sweden), Palo Alto Networks (US), Cisco (US), Allot (Israel), Huawei (China), A10 Networks (US), Nokia (Finland), F5 Networks (US), Juniper Networks (US), and Spirent (US).

Verified Market Research has segmented the Global 5G Security Market On the basis of Component, Deployment Mode, and Geography.

5G Security Market, By Component

Solutions



Services

5G Security Market, By Deployment Mode

On-Premises



Cloud

5G Security Market, by Geography

North America



U.S





Canada





Mexico



Europe



Germany





France





U.K





Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific



China





Japan





India





Rest of Asia Pacific



ROW



Middle East & Africa

&



Latin America

Browse Related Reports:

5G Enterprise Market By Frequency Band (Sub-6Ghz & mmWave), By Spectrum (Licensed & Unlicensed), By Application (Mobile robots (AGV), AR/VR, Communication, Video Analytics & Others), By Infrastructure (E-Ran Equipment, Small Cells, Access Equipment & Others), By Vertical (BFSI, Manufacturing, Retail & Healthcare), By Geography, Forecast, 2021-2028

5G Infrastructure Market By Core Network Technology (FC, SDN, MEC, NFV), By Communication Infrastructure (Macro Cell, Small Cell and Radio Access Network), By Chipset Type (RFIC Chips, ASIC Chips, Field-Programmable Gate Array), By Application (Home Automation, Public Safety & Surveillance, Healthcare, Energy & Utilities), By Geography, Forecast, 2021-2028

5G IoT Market By Component (Hardware, Platform, Connectivity), By Network Type (5G Standalone (SA), 5G Non-standalone (NSA)), By End-User (Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture), By Geography, Forecast, 2021-2028

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5 Best 5G Infrastructure Services upgrading technologies with better versions

Visualize 5G Security Market using Verified Market Intelligence -:

Verified Market Intelligence is our BI Enabled Platform for narrative storytelling in this market. VMI offers in-depth forecasted trends and accurate Insights on over 20,000+ emerging & niche markets, helping you make critical revenue-impacting decisions for a brilliant future.

VMI provides a holistic overview and global competitive landscape with respect to Region, Country, Segment, and Key players of your market. Present your Market Report & findings with an inbuilt presentation feature saving over 70% of your time and resources for Investor, Sales & Marketing, R&D, and Product Development pitches. VMI enables data delivery In Excel and Interactive PDF formats with over 15+ Key Market Indicators for your market.

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Verified Market Research is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ customers. Verified Market Research provides advanced analytical research solutions while offering information enriched research studies. We offer insight into strategic and growth analyses, Data necessary to achieve corporate goals and critical revenue decisions.

Our 250 Analysts and SME's offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance use industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 15,000 high impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research.

We study 14+ categories from Semiconductor & Electronics, Chemicals, Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Energy & Power, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive & Transportation, Information & Communication Technology, Software & Services, Information Security, Mining, Minerals & Metals, Building & construction, Agriculture industry and Medical Devices from over 100 countries.

Contact Us

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Verified Market Research

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SOURCE Verified Market Research
Loan to fund the construction of 348-Key Hotel

DULUTH, Ga., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ACRES Capital Corp. (together with its subsidiaries, "ACRES"), a nationwide commercial real estate middle-market lender, has originated a $74.75 million loan to fund the construction of the Westin Gwinnett Hotel in Duluth, Georgia.

"The property's proximity to Atlanta, coupled with being the first 4-star hotel of its kind in this market, will meet the growing demand for business and leisure accommodations in the area," said ACRES Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Fogel. "The Gas South District's campus has created a distinctive and exciting atmosphere for hosting a variety of events, and we are confident that will help Westin further distinguish itself by leading the 'path of progress' north of Atlanta."

Located just 30 minutes north of downtown Atlanta, the hotel will serve as the flagship hotel of the Gas South District's campus. Significantly larger than the neighboring hotels, the Westin will feature 348 rooms, 17,607 sf of meeting space, business center, fitness room, dining, and a rooftop bar.

"On behalf of Concord Hospitality and its investors, I am delighted to announce the closing of the construction loan for the Westin Atlanta Gwinnett with ACRES Capital," said Mark Laport, President & Chief Executive Officer, Concord Hospitality. "The 348-room hotel and conference center will anchor and attach to the Gas South Convention Center and Arena. The hotel is ideally positioned in one of the fastest growing counties in the greater Atlanta market. The various stakeholders recognize the tremendous future of the Westin Atlanta Gwinnett which will become one of the region's most distinctive premium branded hotel developments."

The loan was provided to Concord Hospitality, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

About ACRES

ACRES is a nationwide direct lender and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides construction, bridge and permanent debt capital solutions for the commercial real estate industry. ACRES partners on targeted opportunities in the $15 million to $100 million range, including multifamily, student housing, retail, office, hospitality, and industrial. Contact us at www.acrescap.com or at (516) 535-0015.

SOURCE ACRES Capital, LLC
FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AerCap Holdings N.V. ("AerCap" or the "Company") (NYSE: AER) today announced it has signed lease agreements with GOL for the lease of six 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter aircraft, three of which are scheduled to deliver to GOL in 2022, with the remaining three delivering in 2023.

The six 737-800BCF, passenger-to-freighter aircraft, will be operated for a Latin-American e-commerce company, as part of the growth strategy and logistics solution of GOLLOG, GOLs Logistics Business Unit, and will be based in Brazil, flying to destinations across South America.

Peter Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap, said, "We are very pleased to announce our agreement to lease six 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters to our longstanding customer GOL. These 737-800BCF's will be a versatile addition to GOL's fleet, allowing them to respond to the increased demand from e-commerce retail businesses in South America. We are delighted to expand our relationship with GOL and wish them every success with these aircraft in the years to come."

AerCap Cargo has more than 25 years' experience in freighter leasing, including Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversions, with more than 100 successful conversions.

About AerCap

AerCap is the global leader in aviation leasing with one of the most attractive order books in the industry. AerCap serves approximately 300 customers around the world with comprehensive fleet solutions. AerCap is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER) and is based in Dublin with offices in Shannon, Miami, Singapore, Memphis, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Seattle, Toulouse and other locations around the world.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements, estimates and forecasts with respect to future performance and events. These statements, estimates and forecasts are "forward-looking statements". In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "might," "should," "expect," "plan," "intend," "will," "aim," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," "potential" or "continue" or the negatives thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements and are based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors, including the impacts of, and associated responses to: the Covid-19 pandemic, our ability to successfully integrate GECAS' operations and employees and realize anticipated synergies and cost savings; and the potential impact of the consummation of the GECAS transaction on relationships, including with employees, suppliers, customers and competitors, that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. As a result, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate or correct. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future performance or events described in the forward-looking statements in this press release might not occur. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For more information regarding AerCap and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.aercap.com and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/aercapnv .

SOURCE AerCap Holdings N.V.
DUBLIN, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Anti-money Laundering Market (AML) by Component, Solution (KYC/CDD & Sanctions Screening, Transaction Monitoring, and Case Management & Reporting), Organization Size, Deployment Mode (On-Premises, Cloud), End User & Region - Forecast to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global AML market size is expected to grow from an estimated value of USD 2.8 billion in 2022 to USD 5.8 billion by 2027, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.9% from 2022 to 2027.

Some of the factors that are driving the market growth includes monetary penalties, regulatory sanctions, and reputational loss due to non-compliance with regulations, growing focus towards digital payments, and necessity to create a 360-degree view of data in the financial landscape. However, lack of skilled AML professionals with in-depth knowledge and lack of awareness related to government regulations and deployment of AML solutions are expected to hinder the market growth.

By Solutions, Insurance to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecasted period

Insurance includes life insurance, health insurance, travel insurance, corporate insurance, and vehicle insurance. Insurance firms offer flexible policies and investment products and services. These products and services allow customers to deposit and withdraw a large amount of money in terms of cash.

These flexible offerings and the massive flow of funds in the Life Insurance business has made this industry vulnerable to money laundering and other illegal activities in the insurance industry. Authorities have imposed AML regulations on insurance covering the transaction monitoring and sanction screening obligation. In the US, the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) has imposed regulations related to transaction monitoring on insurance firms to track cash flows.To keep a track of money coming in and out of the systems, government and financial bodies implement guidelines specific to the insurance industry, which are expected to fuel the adoption of AML solutions. Thus the Insurance sector is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecasted period.

By Organization, Large enterprises to account for a larger market size during the forecasted period



By organization size, Enterprises are categorized into Large and Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Enterprises with more than 1,000 employees are considered large enterprises. Large enterprises are the early adopters of AML solutions, as they use many business applications susceptible to fraudulent attacks.

As these enterprises are large, with different types of IT infrastructure, they face the difficult task of effectively managing the security of their applications. Unlike SMEs, large enterprises are well-equipped with technical skills, have higher investment capabilities, and are more exposed to incidents of fraud. This has led to higher awareness levels among large enterprises. Large enterprises are rich with resources and offer a number of options for money transactions to customers worldwide. Due to this, large banks, casinos, and insurance companies are more vulnerable than SMEs, due to which large enterprises account for a larger market share than SMEs.



By Region, North America to grow at highest market size during the forecasted period



Due to the presence of major vendors of AML solutions and services in the North America region and continuous innovations such as the implementation of AI and ML in AML solutions, North America is expected to hold the largest market size during the forecast period. There are two authorities present in the US: BSA and USA Patriot. These authorities create regulations and policies to combat financial crimes in the country. Such regulatory norms are the major foundations for dependence on AML solutions, which in turn, promote market growth.

Also, the increasing technological advancements and rising money laundering cases fuel the AML market in Canada. AML vendors in this country adopt advanced AI- and ML-based AML solutions to defend their systems against suspicious transactions. Hence, organizations in Canada are taking modern measures against money laundering and applying a risk-based approach to combat financial crimes, thus increasing the market growth.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Introduction



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

4.1 Attractive Opportunities in the Anti-Money Laundering Market

4.2 Market, by Component

4.3 Anti-Money Laundering Solutions Market, by Type

4.4 Market, by Organization Size

4.5 Anti-Money Laundering Market Share of the Top Three End-users and Regions

4.6 Market Investment Scenario

5 Market Overview and Industry Trends

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Increased Monetary Penalties, Regulatory Sanctions, and Reputational Loss due to Non-Compliance with Regulations

5.2.1.2 Growth in Focus Toward Digital Payments and Internet Banking

5.2.1.3 Necessity to Create an Infrastructure with a 360-Degree View of Data in the Financial Landscape

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 Increased Technological Complexities and Sophistication of Attacks

5.2.2.2 Budgetary Issues in Developing In-House Fraud Detection Solutions

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Higher Adoption of Advanced Analytics in Aml

5.2.3.2 Integration of Ai, Ml, and Big Data Technologies in Developing Aml Solutions

5.2.3.3 Adoption of Cloud-Based Aml Solutions to Combat Financial Crimes

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Lack of Skilled Aml Professionals with In-Depth Knowledge

5.2.4.2 Lack of Awareness Related to Government Regulations and Deployment of Aml Solutions

5.3 Use Cases

5.3.1 Use Case 1: Fico Helped 4Finance Increase Efficiency while Maintaining Regulatory Compliance

5.3.2 Use Case 2: Nice Actimize Helped a European Bank Improve Insight into Global Operations

5.3.3 Use Case 3: Sas Institute Helped a Bangkok Bank Stay Ahead of Emerging Risks and Changing Regulations

5.4 Tariff and Regulatory Landscape

5.4.1 Introduction

5.4.2 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

5.4.3 Financial Action Task Force (Fatf)

5.4.4 International Monetary Fund

5.4.5 General Data Protection Regulation

5.4.6 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

5.4.7 Sarbanes-Oxley Act

5.4.8 Regulatory Bodies, Government Agencies, and Other Organizations

5.5 Ecosystem

5.6 Technology Analysis

5.6.1 Anti-Money Laundering and Ai/Ml

5.6.2 Anti-Money Laundering and Data Analytics

5.6.3 Anti-Money Laundering and the Internet of Things

5.6.4 Anti-Money Laundering and Real-Time Authentication

5.7 Patent Analysis

5.8 Value Chain

5.9 Average Pricing Analysis

5.10 Trends and Disruptions Impacting Customers

5.11 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.12 Key Stakeholders and Buying Criteria

5.13 Key Conferences & Events

6 Anti-Money Laundering Market, by Component

6.1 Introduction

6.1.1 Components: Market Drivers

6.2 Solutions

6.2.1 Solutions: Market Drivers

6.2.2 Know Your Customer/Customer due Diligence & Sanctions Screening

6.2.3 Transaction Monitoring

6.2.4 Case Management & Reporting

6.3 Services

6.3.1 Services: Market Drivers

6.3.2 Professional Services

6.3.2.1 Consulting Services

6.3.2.2 Training & Education

6.3.2.3 Integration & Maintenance

6.3.3 Managed Services

7 Anti-Money Laundering Market, by Deployment Mode

7.1 Introduction

7.1.1 Deployment Mode: Market Drivers

7.2 Cloud

7.3 On-Premises

8 Anti-Money Laundering Market, by Organization Size

8.1 Introduction

8.1.1 Organization Size: Market Drivers

8.2 Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

8.3 Large Enterprises

9 Anti-Money Laundering Market, by End-user

9.1 Introduction

9.1.1 End-user: Market Drivers

9.2 Banking & Financial Institutes

9.3 Insurance

9.4 Gaming & Gambling

10 Anti-Money Laundering Market, by Region

11 Competitive Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Key Player Strategies

11.3 Revenue Analysis

11.4 Market Share Analysis

11.5 Ranking of Key Players in the Market

11.6 Company Evaluation Quadrant

11.6.1 Overview

11.6.2 Product Footprint

11.7 Company Evaluation Quadrant

11.7.1 Stars

11.7.2 Emerging Leaders

11.7.3 Pervasive Players

11.7.4 Participants

11.8 Startup/Sme Evaluation Quadrant

11.8.1 Progressive Companies

11.8.2 Responsive Companies

11.8.3 Dynamic Companies

11.8.4 Starting Blocks

11.8.5 Competitive Benchmarking for Startups/Smes

11.9 Competitive Scenario and Trends

12 Company Profiles

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Key Vendors

12.2.1 Nice Actimize

12.2.2 Sas Institute Inc.

12.2.3 Bae Systems

12.2.4 Gb Group plc.

12.2.5 Fico

12.2.6 Aci Worldwide

12.2.7 Oracle

12.2.8 Experian

12.2.9 Fiserv

12.2.10 Lexisnexis

12.2.11 Fis

12.2.12 Nelito Systems

12.2.13 Wolters Kluwer Financial Services, Inc

12.2.14 Comarch Sa (Comarch)

12.2.15 Allsec Technologies Ltd.

12.2.16 Dixtior

12.2.17 Temenos

12.2.18 Tcs

12.2.19 Complyadvantage

12.2.20 Featurespace

12.2.21 Feedzai

12.2.22 Napier Ai

12.2.23 Tier1 Financial Solutions

12.2.24 Finacus Solutions Pvt Ltd

12.2.25 Jumio

12.2.26 Friss

12.2.27 Transunion

12.3 Other Vendors

12.3.1 Idmerit

12.3.2 Imtf

12.3.3 Innovative Systems

12.3.4 Sedicii

12.3.5 Trulioo

12.3.6 Namescan

12.3.7 Datavisor Inc

12.3.8 Gurucul

13 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ezohui?

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

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SOURCE Research and Markets
MBABANE  The police officer killed on Saturday morning reportedly requested colleagues to pray for him not to come across solidarity forces minutes before being killed.

Solidarity forces are said to be a group of unknown individuals, who, according to some online publications, have taken ownership of the spate of killings of police officers and arson attacks. However, there has not been any arrest related to the shooting of the security forces. Meanwhile, in jest, the slain police officer who has been identified as Bonginkosi Dlamini (46), is said to have informed his colleagues whom he was travelling with that they should tell the solidarity forces not to approach him as he would retaliate.

Advised

This was after some officers supposedly advised him not to walk to his house as he was still in his uniform. It was said that he decided to walk to Matsapha Police Academy, where he was stationed, because it was sunrise and there was human traffic as people were walking to their various destinations. Dlamini was shot dead at Mathangeni, which is along the Ndlunganye - Police College Public Road. The information about his demise came after this publication sought to establish events leading to the police officers demise. According to a family member, Dlamini had forgotten his mobile phone charging at the guard point where he was working at on Friday night/ Saturday morning. Following this, Dlamini is said to have requested officers who were travelling in a bus from His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS), which was yet to depart from his duty station, to bring with them his phone.

Disembarked

In order to get his cellular phone, he is said to have alighted at Ngabezweni Bus Stop to wait for the officers who were bringing his phone with them. He was said to have disembarked from a Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) bus. The slain police officer reportedly boarded the bus from HMCS which left him at Ndlunganye Bus Stop, which is about two kilometers from his destination. It was said while walking toward the academy, a white Nissan NP 200 bakkie, with a South African registration off-loaded the gunman. It was said the bakkie drove past him while his assailant crossed the road and walked behind him.When at close range, the gunman reportedly pulled the police officers jacket. The deceased is said to have not paid attention to the provocation; however, the assailant is said to have aimed at the base of the head (where the head links with the neck). The fatal shot by the gunman is said to have resulted in the bullet exiting the deceased just beneath the eye.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that while the police officers killer walked away from the scene of the crime, the vehicle he had alighted from returned and made a stop, whereupon its driver approached the body of the police officer which was lying in a pool of blood. Impeccable sources claimed that he was confirming if the officer had ceased breathing. As reported by our sister publication  Times SUNDAY  gunshots had pierced through the still of the night at Mathangeni on Friday, as they reverberated in two instances. The first instance was when a member of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) was targeted by an unknown gunman.

Gunman

It has been gathered by this publication that the soldier was shot while inside the vehicle he was driving. Impeccable sources claimed that the soldier saw the gunman pull out the weapon beneath his jacket. The soldier was said to have failed to flee from the scene as his vehicle was in close proximity to the one ahead of him. He is said to have been treated and discharged at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital and later returned to the scene of the shooting in the company of police officers. Upon arrival at the scene, it was said police officers had to fire several gunshots to disperse a group of people who were still gathered there.

Police are yet to make an arrest following the two shootings at Mathangeni. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said they were still investigating cases of murder and attempted murder. She was over the weekend captured appealing that any information that would assist the investigations into the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting of the officer and the attempted murder of the army personnel would be welcome.

She said any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) should be forwarded to Manzini Regional Crime Branch Officer (RCBO) Thabo Hlophe at 7606 8570 or Matsapha Desk Officer, Inspector Langa at 7668 6833. It is worth noting that Mathangeni has had a number of shootings targeting law enforcement agents. Sibusiso Matsebula was killed about 500 metres from his duty station - Matsapha Police Station - by daring gunman at Sigodvweni, which is along the Ndlunganye - Police College Public Road. This was after a female officer, Zinhle Mavuso from the northern Hhohho Region, was shot dead while her colleague was shot in the chest. This incident happened in the wee hours of Saturday in the outskirts of the Manzini Central Business District (CBD).
Subscription Options from Luxe CA Wine E-Destination Available Now

COSTA MESA, Calif., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Premium wine and wine lifestyle e-destination Argaux announced today the launch of its inaugural Club Argaux membership program, offering flexible subscription options perfect for the wine aficionado or novice alike. The female-founded and run Team Argaux is committed to bringing sustainably-sourced hidden gem wines from around the world into the spotlight, and ensuring wine education, discovery and buying is accessible, easy  and above all, fun for all. Consumers are now invited to join the cru and unlock an unrivaled community of food, wine, friendship and fun.

Club Argaux gives consumers exclusive entry to unlimited perks, including their own 'gaux-to personal sommelier, access to highly sought-after allocated wines, preferred member pricing, exclusive private events, seasonal recipe drops, content, city guides and more. Convenient subscription options begin at $20/month and include complimentary shipping nationwide plus access to an Argaux 'Pocket Somm', an expert resource available on email or text. Members may opt-in to exclusive seasonal 6-pack shipments quarterly. All wine is selected seasonally and hand-curated by the Argaux Sommeliers specifically for Club Argaux members.

Club Argaux offers flexible subscription options to unlock a world of hidden gem, sustainably-sourced wines Tweet this

"We are so excited to announce our brand new, all-access membership program: Club Argaux," said Arden Gilfillan, co-founder Argaux. "We want our community to consider us their friends in wine so we are thrilled to offer a convenient, flexible program built with our consumers' needs in mind. Club Argaux gives us the exciting opportunity to invest in the unparalleled customer service we are committed to providing, and create unique original content and special events curated especially for the Club Argaux community."

"At Argaux, we represent wines that are farmed in an ecologically responsible way and made by people that we like and respect," added Margaux Reaume, co-founder Argaux. "Our goal is to tell the story of the many talented small producers around the world and celebrate their craft with our consumers. Club Argaux is the natural next step, allowing us to build a community of like-minded winos, foodies and travelers."

Born in 2015 in Laguna Beach, California by two best friends with a shared love of home entertaining, Argaux specializes in authentic, hand-curated wines from artisan winemakers. Known for its interactive and experience-based product bundles such as The Argaux Blind Tasting Kit and Argaux Year of Firsts bridal collection, each unforgettable gift is curated by the Argaux Sommeliers and features small production, family-owned and responsibly-farmed wines from around the world. Elevate any gift with Argaux home bar and table essentials sure to please every palate, party and mood.

Limited Club Argaux memberships will be available upon release. All wine and gift bundles are hand-selected by the Argaux Sommeliers and completed with white glove service. Argaux ships nationwide.

For more information or to join the A-list, visit Argaux.com and follow @_Argaux_ on Instagram.

ABOUT ARGAUX:

Founded in 2015, Argaux started as a passion project between two forever friends who shared a love for food, cooking, entertaining and what brings it altogether, wine. Born from their own dinner party acclaim, founders Arden & Margaux, soon transformed into Argaux  the luxe wine and wine experience e-destination offering unparalleled customer experience and the most convenient way to not only shop for wine online, but also discover new wines. Inspired by human connection and dedicated to personal service, Argaux delivers educational, engaging and entertaining wine-centric products for every table, every occasion and every day. Visit Argaux.com to open a bottle and celebrate the moments that matter.

SOURCE Argaux
SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global automotive electronics market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% during the forecast period, reaching a value of USD 392.49 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research. The growth is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of connectivity and autonomy in automobiles. Several factors including an increase in the demand for advanced safety features, a rise in the number of connected vehicles, and an upsurge in the deployment of electric vehicles are also driving the market growth. Other key factors contributing to the growth include the escalating popularity of electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies. In addition, increased investment in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles are expected to drive innovation in automotive electronics hardware and software products, contributing to the growth of the automotive electronics market.

Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report:

Based on the component type, the sensors segment is expected to expand a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period. The segment is becoming popular in automobiles as they detect parameters such as heat, speed, and tire pressure.

Based on the application, the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) segment is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 10.6% during the projection period. This is due to enhanced application possibilities and capabilities provided by these sensors.

Based on the sale channel, the aftermarket segment is estimated to register a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period. The upsurge in sales is due to the increased production, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of parts and accessories after the OEM has delivered the vehicle to the customer.

Based on geography, North America is expected to experience significant growth due to the extensive production of motor vehicles and the presence of the key manufacturers of automotive electronics components in this region.

Read 160-page market research report, "Automotive Electronics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component (Electronic Control Unit, Sensors, Current Carrying Devices), By Application, By Sales Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", published by Grand View Research.

Automotive Electronics Market Growth & Trends

Though the market is booming, there are several challenges that the automotive electronics market faces, including the need for better interoperability and battery life. Besides, there is a lack of standardization and complexity of products across different platforms, which hinders their adoption across various industries, limiting the market flexibility. Furthermore, technological obsolescence issues also hamper the growth prospects of the market. To address these challenges, new standards and specifications are being developed, which will help to improve the performance of electronic systems in cars. Overall, the automotive electronics market is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years due to increased demand from consumers and businesses alike. Also, the development of innovative products and solutions that address common market challenges, and expansion into new markets, can help companies gain a competitive advantage.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the demand for automotive electronics in 2020. Not only has it resulted in a decline in sales, but it has also caused critical shortages of components and parts, which, in turn, has caused a price hike. In addition, many manufacturers temporarily halted production due to safety concerns related to connectivity issues. Furthermore, the overall production volumes in North America and Europe, among other regions, decreased, contributing to the decline in global vehicle production. For instance, global automobile production dropped by more than 15% in 2020, from 91.7 million units to 77.6 million units, according to the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA). Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the automotive electronics market. It remains to be seen whether this will have a long-term negative or positive impact on businesses operating in this sector.

Automotive Electronics Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global automotive electronics market based on component, application, sales channel, and region:

Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Electronic Control Unit

Sensors

Current Carrying Devices

Others

Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

ADAS

Infotainment

Body Electronics

Safety Systems

Powertrain Electronics

Sales Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

OEM

Aftermarket

Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

Germany



U.K.

Asia Pacific

Japan



China



India

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico

MEA

List of Key Players in the Automotive Electronics Market

Continental AG

DENSO Corporation

Hella GmbH& Co. KGaA

Infineon Technologies AG

Robert Bosch GmbH

Valeo Inc.

ZF Friedrichshafen AG

Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.

Visteon Corporation

Xilinx, Inc.

Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research:

Automotive Relay Market - The global automotive relay market size is anticipated to reach USD 19.5 billion by 2025, at a registering a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing vehicular safety regulations in various regions across the globe is driving the automotive relay market.

The global automotive relay market size is anticipated to reach by 2025, at a registering a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing vehicular safety regulations in various regions across the globe is driving the automotive relay market. Automotive Electronic Control Unit Market - The global automotive electronic control unit market size is expected to reach USD 156.0 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2030. Growing demand for less carbon-emitting and air combating commute is raising the sales of hybrid and battery-powered vehicles in the market.

- The global automotive electronic control unit market size is expected to reach by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2030. Growing demand for less carbon-emitting and air combating commute is raising the sales of hybrid and battery-powered vehicles in the market. Automotive Interior Ambient Lighting Market - The global automotive interior ambient lighting market size is expected to reach USD 4.59 billion by 2025, according to a study conducted by Grand View Research, Inc., registering a 7.2% CAGR during the forecast period.

Browse through Grand View Research's Automotive & Transportation Industry Research Reports.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Grand View Compass | Astra ESG Solutions

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force has successfully held the G20 - B20 dialogue forum last week at Hotel Mulia, Jakarta.

Chair of B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force Ririek Adriansyah opened the forum by presenting the strategic and objective issues that the Digitalization Task Force aims to achieve.

Minister of Communication and Information of the Republic of Indonesia Johnny G. Plate, Chair of the G20 Indonesia Digital Economy Working Group Mira Tayyiba, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and Chair of B20 Indonesia Arsjad Rasjid, Chair of B20 Indonesia Shinta Kamdani, and Chair of B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force Ririek Adriansyah as well as global business leaders were in attendance during the forum.

The meeting discussed several recommendations that the B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force prepared following a series of discussions held during the past six months.

Chair of B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force Ririek Adriansyah opened the forum by presenting the strategic and objective issues that the Digitalization Task Force aims to achieve.

"The essence of our work as Indonesia's B20 Digitalization Task Force is to ensure that digitalization could drive future growth while bridging the digital divide, which eventually leads to an inclusive digital transformation," said Ririek, who is also the President Director of PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom).

Ririek presented the four recommendations that the Digitalization Task Force proposes.

First, driving universal connectivity by ensuring to support universal access for participation in the digital economy and government services, ensuring inclusive government services and eliminating digital divide.

Second, building foundation for sustainable and resilient digital economy, with the goal of accelerating development of digital infrastructure

Third, ensuring a digital-ready mindset for individuals and micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs), and enabling MSMEs through access to digital platforms.

Lastly, promoting risk and evidence-based, interoperable, and technology-neutral cybersecurity standards and best practices that support companies' efforts to protect their networks.

Minister of Communication and Information Johnny G. Plate said he appreciated the steps and recommendations that the B20 Digitalization Task Force proposed in the B20-G20 Dialogue. According to the Minister of Communication and Informatics, the world today is a digitized one, and the digital economy will be bigger in the global market.

"Although we have a palpable enormous economic potential, there are challenges before us that we must face together, of course with public-private collaboration. One of which is the digital divide, especially in developing countries," the Minister of Communication and Information said.

Minister Johnny said the discussion and recommendations from the B20 Digitalization Task Force greatly help the Government, since the recommendations are in line with Indonesia's G20 Presidency main vision to create an inclusive, empowering and sustainable digital ecosystem.

Meanwhile, responding to the recommendation of the B20 Digitalization Task Force, Mira Tayyiba, Chair of the G20 Indonesia Digital Economy Working Group said the government, especially the G20 Presidency, benefits significantly from the business and industry collaboration, which contributed to ensuring that public policies, including policies related to digital, could benefit all levels of the Indonesian society.

"We believe that this collaboration will enable the government to determine fair and practical policies, and to create a better policy space in the digital sector. The G20 Indonesia Digital Economy Working Group also encourages collaboration between innovation actors such as start-ups, venture capitalists, corporations and the government to support digital innovation," she said.

Recognizing the important role of the digital economy in many aspects of life, the G20 Indonesia Digital Economy Working Group is also committed to gaining more significant economic benefits from digitalization to achieve a resilient recovery.

Chairman of KADIN Indonesia who is also Chairman of B20 Indonesia, Arsjad Rasjid said that the world has been transformed by technological disruption. Roughly 52 percent of companies have gone bankrupt or were acquired because they couldn't keep up with the digitalization trend. Similar phenomenon also happened in Indonesia, not impacting big companies but also MSMEs that are the backbone of the Indonesian economy. With digitalization, Indonesia can achieve the next economic growth of up to USD 150 billion by 2025 as well as the potential to add 20 million net jobs by 2030. To achieve this goal, there are two major challenges, namely the digital infrastructure gap and the lack of digital skills or digital literacy.

Furthermore, Chair of B20 Indonesia Shinta Kamdani said the B20-G20 dialogue was designed to be a platform for public and business collaboration to express their concerns and propose their solutions. This dialogue, Shinta said, is expected to produce something concrete. "I am very optimistic that our policy recommendations will bring tremendous contributions to society in the future. Throughout the process, the formulation of these policy recommendations was rife with conflicting debates and arguments, which were able to spur the diversity of thoughts and aspirations from more than twenty countries, with different circumstances and abilities," Shinta said.

The B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force has completed its tasks for the last six months in 2022 with the presentation of these recommendations.

"On behalf of the leadership of the B20 Indonesia Digitalization Task Force, we would like to thank the inputs, thoughts, and ideas from more than 100 members of the task force that supported the formulation of these four recommendations formulation, which are expected to provide great benefits for business people, especially in G20 member countries as well as for the global economy," Ririek said. Telkom Indonesia as a state-owned enterprise continues to contribute in the three domains to support the recommendation through acceleration the formation of Indonesia's digital connectivity, platform and services. Through these three business focuses and ongoing investments, hopefully Telkom can become the engine of the nation's digital transformation in realizing digital inclusive.

#DigitalBisa

#UntukIndonesiaLebihBaik

Media Contact:

Pujo Pramono

VP Corporate Communication

[email protected]

www.telkom.co.id

SOURCE PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk
Acquisition expands BARBRI's influence in professional education and CLE market

DALLAS, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BARBRI Global, the world's premier legal education provider, announced the acquisition of Strafford, a leader in online courses. For more than 30 years, Strafford has provided courses focused on educating attorneys, accountants and other professionals on highly complex and practice specific topics.

"By bringing Strafford into the BARBRI Global legal education ecosystem, we continue to fulfill our vison to be the education partner for our clients at every step of their legal journey - from backpack to briefcase," said Stephen Fredette, CEO of BARBRI Global.

BARBRI Global, the world's premier legal education provider, announces the acquisition of Strafford. Tweet this

"This transaction brings together two market-leading companies with a shared commitment to excellence in professional content and premier customer service," said Richard Ossoff, Founder and CEO of Strafford. "BARBRI will provide the resources necessary to rapidly expand the breadth and scope of top-quality programming that are the hallmark of the Strafford brand."

In addition to the acquisition, BARBRI has also added a new position to its team, Vice President of Product for Professional Education. This position will bring an even greater focus to BARBRI's presence in the professional education arena.

"Justin Hummel will be joining us as Vice President of Product for the Professional Education space and will lead the Strafford integration and growth strategy," said Fredette. "Over the course of his career, Justin has driven multinational learning platforms responsible for educating millions of professionals and we are confident he will help BARBRI lead in this space."

The acquistition brings Strafford's library of advanced webinars into BARBRI's extensive learning offerings. Strafford webinars  focused on continuing legal education (CLE) and continuing professional education (CPE)  are developed by leading experts in their respective fields and provide relevant, timely content on the most current topics.

Hummel said, "Like BARBRI, Strafford delivers high quality, high value, premium content, appealing to seasoned professionals, partners, GC's and corporate legal offices. We are excited about extending Strafford's education content to a broader audience and new geographies in the BARBRI global network."

About BARBRI Global

BARBRI Global is a global learning company dedicated to meeting the legal education and specialized training needs of law students, attorneys and other professionals throughout their careers. Building on the success of its core bar courses, which have helped more than 1.3 million lawyers around the world pass a U.S. bar exam, BARBRI offers a comprehensive suite of learning solutions for higher education institutions and law-related businesses.

BARBRI Global is also the leading provider of legal education materials and digital learning solutions ranging from law school courses to topical overviews authored by distinguished law faculty and award-winning teachers. BARBRI's comprehensive portfolio covers products for U.S. bar prep, LSAT prep, curriculum, assessment, global license preparation, online program management, legal education materials, and professional development. BARBRI Global, founded in 1967, is a Francisco Partners portfolio company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices throughout the United States and around the world.

For more information, please visit www.barbri.com.

SOURCE BARBRI Global
2 nd edition of the index for 2022 from BritishAmerican Business and Bain & Company examines the strength of the transatlantic trade, business and economic relationship

American companies cite fractured UK-EU relations, rise in business tax and shortages of skilled workers in UK as key anxieties for future British investments and the business climate

Report highlights importance of transatlantic business relationships and the transatlantic corridor as key source of strength amid rising geopolitical and economic tensions

LONDON, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- US companies operating in the UK have seen their confidence in the British business environment dented by the ongoing impact of Brexit, along with anxieties over a rising corporate tax burden and increasing shortages of skilled labour, according to the latest Transatlantic Confidence Index issued today by BritishAmerican Business and Bain & Company.

The blow from Brexit to American businesses' view of the business and investment environment offered by the UK is the biggest change in the Confidence Index from the high levels shown by its launch edition last year.

The "progressive impact of the UK-EU split" is the predominant reason for a fall in sentiment seen among US firms in the index. US survey respondents cited this as one of the "most unattractive aspects of doing business in Britain", with persistent challenges over the UK-EU relationship having persisted, creating heightened political and regulatory uncertainty.

American businesses also singled out the prospect of a rising business tax burden and difficulties in attracting skilled workers as among their top concerns affecting their confidence for future investment in UK operations.

Today's report highlights that heightened concern over the UK business tax regime is likely to have been fuelled by the UK Government's controversial plan to increase the main rate of corporation tax next year from 19% to 25%.

The contentious corporation tax proposal has been thrust to the centre of political debate in the UK, with senior Conservative MPs and ministers who are vying to succeed Boris Johnson as the party's leader and the next UK Prime Minister, taking starkly opposing positions over the plan.

UK skills shortages emerged in the Confidence Index as the other key concern among US business operating in Britain. Despite the UK's post-Brexit efforts to relax its immigration framework to allow more workers to enter the country, a significant number of American firms reported ongoing labor shortages which they said cannot be met locally. The number of survey respondents with a negative view of the UK immigration and visa system outweighed those with a positive view by eight-to-one, making this the most negative overall factor in the UK business environment assessed by the Index.

However, despite these increased concerns over Brexit, taxation and skills, US businesses overall sentiment in the UK was only marginally lower than a year ago, with survey participants still reporting relatively high confidence. On a scale of 1 to 10, the average confidence rating reported fell to 7.3 for 2022, from 7.8 in 2021, while one in five respondents said their confidence in the UK is increasing. Although positive, this is fewer than in the previous edition of the Index. Last year, almost a quarter of companies expected their confidence in UK business conditions to increase over the next two to three years.

Today's report reveals that what US companies want to see from the UK is clear and that to ensure their future investments they want the British Government to look to repair its political and trade relationships with the European Union  an issue also at the forefront of the race to be the next UK Prime Minister.

Pursuing a US-UK Free Trade Agreement remains a high priority for US companies, although less notably than in the previous edition of the Index. The report finds this may reflect the current, unfavourable transatlantic political conditions for such a deal.

Instead, companies are more focused on solving the immediate problems in the transatlantic corridor without a full FTA. Specifically, companies are eager to improve business mobility and want to pursue joint initiatives around sustainability to forge new business opportunities. US companies also would like to see greater clarity around the UK's industrial strategy and support an expanded trade agenda with the rest of the world. However, the UK's "Levelling Up" agenda was not seen as a priority for attracting increased foreign direct investment from the US.

UK business confidence in the US continues to run at high levels

UK companies meanwhile have much higher confidence in the US as a place to conduct business than US companies have in the UK. One the same one-to-ten scale, UK respondents' average UK confidence rating was 8.0.

However, UK companies struggle with the US immigration system and practical barriers to business mobility. Problems associated with business mobility are seen as the most unattractive aspect of the US by UK companies, which also cited concerns over the US tax environment and political stability.

UK companies have a straightforward request from the US government: To attract future investment, they want the US to recommit to a clear trade agenda. An overwhelming majority of UK companies want the US to relaunch a comprehensive global trade agenda. They also want the US to take the lead on issues around sustainability. UK companies indicated moderated views of the Biden Administration's "worker-centric" trade policy with their detailed responses suggesting they respondents do not fully understand what the policy entails. At the same time, UK companies strongly favour US-UK trade talks continuing.

Transatlantic corridor a source of strength amid geopolitical and economic stress

Today's report emphasises the case for a strong transatlantic trade corridor between the US and UK as trusted partners, with the case for this being underlined at a time of rising geopolitical and economic stresses.

Duncan Edwards, CEO, BritishAmerican Business said: "The results from this survey illustrate that whilst overall confidence in the UK-US relationship remains very strong, transatlantic businesses operating in the United Kingdom are slightly less confident in it as a place to do business than last year. Concerns over the UK's post-Brexit relationship with the European Union, its future tax competitiveness, and perceived restrictions to labour mobility and access to talent are the driving force behind this slip in confidence.

"Addressing these concerns must be prioritised by the next Prime Minister and their Government if the UK is to stay as the leading place to do business for transatlantic investors. However, we are nonetheless encouraged to see how UK companies are taking advantage of the United States' business-friendly environment to accelerate growth and expand their business. The US government would do well to capitalize further on this high level of confidence in its market".

Jonathan Frick, partner at Bain & Company in London, said: "The business and economic partnership between Britain and America is a vital bulwark of stability. With economic stresses and recession fears rising, along with intensified geopolitical tensions, these relationships have rarely been more important. It's the importance of these connections to the UK and US, as an anchor for businesses in both countries, that led us to partner with BritishAmerican Business on this study.

"It's reassuring to see that transatlantic ties remain very strong. But the survey also highlights some important areas of concern  on both sides of the Atlantic  that both businesses and our governments should be thinking hard about, so that we can continue to bolster the transatlantic corridor to our mutual advantage."

Media contacts

For any questions or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Bain & Company: Gary Duncan (London)  Tel: +44 (0) 7788 163 791 Email: [email protected]

BritishAmerican Business: Mazar Ahmed (London) Tel: +44 (0)20 7290 9883 or +44 7366 300036 Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors

This is the second edition of the Transatlantic Confidence Index report issued by BritishAmerican Business and Bain & Company. The index survey measured the confidence of US companies that are active in the UK. This year, it also measured UK companies' confidence in the US. When appropriate, data from the inaugural survey are also referenced for comparison. Seventy-seven major companies responded to the survey (54 US companies and 23 from the UK). Together, they represent more than 4,000 years of activity and employ more than 288,000 people.

The respondents are based in all four nations and major regions across the UK and in all 50 US states. The respondents represent a range of sectors, including financial services, technology, healthcare, media, telecommunications, manufacturing, and others. While many factors influence confidence, our Transatlantic Confidence Index focused on overall confidence for investing and trading, short-term investment prospects, and the health of the US-UK relationship overall.

About BritishAmerican Business

BritishAmerican Business is the leading transatlantic trade association incorporating the British-American Chamber of Commerce in the US and the American Chamber of Commerce in the UK.

We are committed to strengthening the economic corridor between the United States and the United Kingdom by supporting policies and action that protect and enhance the environment for transatlantic trade and investment.

We convene and serve a growing network of companies and business leaders through networking opportunities, bespoke programming and marketing platforms.

About Bain & Company

Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future.

Across 65 cities in 40 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a gold rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 2% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry.

SOURCE Bain & Company
CHICAGO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BuildCentral Inc, a division of BCI Central, Inc. is proud to announce a new product, Geospatial Energy and Mining (GEM). Whether it's an electrical generation project, a resource extraction or processing plant, or a pipeline project, GEM has the project details and contacts needed to discover and track planned projects from proposal to completion.

Visualize BCI Gem Data Weather Parcel Ownership BCI Gem Data

Created with the user experience in mind, the site includes a multitude of features to help visitors quickly and easily navigate the site and to find the latest renewable, mining, or oil & gas projects in the United States and Canada.

GEM's coverage of renewable energy includes planned solar and wind farms, battery storage and waste-to-energy facilities, and hydropower plants is unmatched.

Damian Eastman, CEO of BuildCentral Inc, shares, "I'm pleased to announce the launch of the BCI GEM website. It is the result of an incredible amount of research to bring to market the latest North American energy and mining projects and the best contacts for those projects. We are constantly deploying new mapping features alongside our rich database of projects to provide insights not currently available into the growing renewable energy and resource extraction opportunities in North America."

GEM covers every stage of the energy and mining process from Exploration, Scoping, and Pre-Feasibility and Definitive Feasibility studies to the operations and maintenance stages.

You can find opportunities in all of the following development stages:

Concept: Early Planning, Exploration, Scoping Studies

Design & Documentation: Pre/Definitive Feasibility Studies, Development Applications/Approvals

Pre-Construction: Bidding Projects, Contracts Awarded

Construction: Main Contractor on Site, Site Works Commenced, including Awarded Subcontractors

Operational: Production including Maintenance, Shutdowns and Decommissioning

If you want to stay informed with the latest BCI Gem and industry news, visit our site or through the new online blog . The blog will contain richer online content such as technical tips, press releases, featured products and newsletters.

For more information on BCI Gem, and to view the site, please visit www.bcigem.com . All media contact can be directed to Kyle Camp ([email protected], (866) 316-5300), Executive Vice President of BuildCentral Inc.

SOURCE BuildCentral, Inc.
Technavio offers insights that assist global businesses to obtain growth opportunities. Read a Sample Report

Business-To-Consumer E-Commerce Market in China 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis and Scope

To help businesses improve their market position, Technavio's report provides a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the market. Some of the major vendors of the business-to-consumer e-commerce market in China include Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Amazon.com Inc., E-Commerce China Dangdang Inc., GOME Retail Holdings Ltd., JD.com Inc., LightInTheBox Holding Co. Ltd., Rakuten Inc., Sun Art Retail Group Ltd., Suning Holdings Group, and Vipshop Holdings Ltd. The key offerings of some of these vendors are listed below:

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. - The company operates its businesses through affiliated companies such as Taobao, Tmall, Tmall Global, AliExpress, Lazada, Alimama, 1688, and others. The company offers various products such as apparel, beauty and personal care, and consumer electronics.

The company operates its businesses through affiliated companies such as Taobao, Tmall, Tmall Global, AliExpress, Lazada, Alimama, 1688, and others. The company offers various products such as apparel, beauty and personal care, and consumer electronics. Amazon.com Inc. - The company offers B2C e-commerce services through its subsidiary Amazon China. It offers watches, books, products for mothers and infants, electronics, beauty and personal care products, kitchen products, and toys.

The company offers B2C e-commerce services through its subsidiary Amazon China. It offers watches, books, products for mothers and infants, electronics, beauty and personal care products, kitchen products, and toys. E-Commerce China Dangdang Inc. - The company sells products through mobile and desktop platforms. It also offers a platform for third-party merchants to sell their products. The company offers media products and general merchandise.

The company sells products through mobile and desktop platforms. It also offers a platform for third-party merchants to sell their products. The company offers media products and general merchandise. GOME Retail Holdings Ltd. - The company offers consumer electronics and home appliances through both offline and online channels in more than 700 cities, 2,800 counties, and 45,000 towns in China .

The company offers consumer electronics and home appliances through both offline and online channels in more than 700 cities, 2,800 counties, and 45,000 towns in . JD.com Inc. - The company offers products to its customers through its website and mobile applications. The company offers products such as computers, printers, mobile headsets, home appliances, apparel, etc.

The report also covers the following areas:

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Business-To-Consumer E-Commerce Market in China 2020-2024: Segmentation

Product

Apparel, Footwear, And Accessories



Consumer Electronics And Electricals



Beauty And Personal Care Products



Others

Device used

Mobile Devices



PCs

Receive our Market Sample Report Now to gain access to the contribution of each segment

Business-To-Consumer E-Commerce Market in China 2020-2024: Revenue-generating Product Segment

The apparel, footwear, and accessories segment will have significant market share growth during the forecast period. Rising fashion consciousness, evolving fashion trends, and growing attraction toward premium and international brands are expected to drive the segment's revenue.

Business-To-Consumer E-Commerce Market in China 2020-2024: Driver and Challenge

An increase in Internet and smartphone penetration is driving the growth of the market. The growth of wireless and fixed connections has increased the degree of broadband penetration in China. In addition, the rapid rate of smartphone penetration has led to significant growth opportunities for online retailers in China.

The absence of touch and feel element in online shopping is challenging the growth of the market. Customers prefer shopping in brick-and-mortar stores to purchase premium products such as apparel, luxury watches, footwear, fragrances, and others. Such stores allow the customers to examine the products physically.

Business-To-Consumer E-Commerce Market in China 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist the business-to-consumer e-commerce market growth in China during the next five years

during the next five years Estimation of the business-to-consumer e-commerce market size in China and its contribution to the parent market

and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the business-to-consumer e-commerce market in China

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the business-to-consumer e-commerce market vendors in China

Related Reports:

Indonesia Retail Market by Product and Distribution Channel - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Instant Grocery Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Business-To-Consumer E-Commerce Market in China Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2019 Forecast period 2020-2024 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 31% Market growth 2020-2024 USD 3851.34 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 45.23 Regional analysis APAC and China Performing market contribution APAC at 50% Key consumer countries China Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Amazon.com Inc., E-Commerce China Dangdang Inc., GOME Retail Holdings Ltd., JD.com Inc., LightInTheBox Holding Co. Ltd., Rakuten Inc., Sun Art Retail Group Ltd., Suning Holdings Group, and Vipshop Holdings Ltd. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

For more valuable insights, Download Latest Sample Report

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2019

Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 - 2024

Five Forces Analysis

Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Product

Market segments

Comparison by Product

Consumer electronics and electricals - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Beauty and personal care products - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Infant's and mother's products - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Others - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by Product

Market Segmentation by Device used

Market segments

Comparison by Device used

Mobile devices - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

PCs - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by Device used

Customer landscape

Market drivers  Demand led growth

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

Amazon.com Inc.

E-Commerce China Dangdang Inc.

GOME Retail Holdings Ltd.

JD.com Inc.

LightInTheBox Holding Co. Ltd.

Rakuten Inc.

Sun Art Retail Group Ltd.

Suning Holdings Group

Vipshop Holdings Ltd.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

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Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Technavio Research

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SOURCE Technavio
The companies will jointly develop 4D bio-fabricated corneal transplants for diseases that require endothelial keratoplasty and natural lenticule transplants

Carl Zeiss Meditec will invest in Precise Bio and fund the further development of Precise Bio's two cornea transplant products and has exclusive worldwide commercialization rights for these products

JENA, Germany and WINSTON SALEM, N.C., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carl Zeiss Meditec and Precise Bio, a regenerative medicine company advancing the use of bio-printed tissues and organs, announced today that the companies have entered into a partnership to develop and commercialize fabricated corneal tissue for transplants in patients that require endothelial keratoplasty and natural lenticule transplants for treating keratoconus and vision correction.

Precise Bio's bio-fabricated cornea

Under the terms of the agreement, Carl Zeiss Meditec will invest in Precise Bio and fund the further development of Precise Bio's two cornea transplant products and has exclusive worldwide commercialization rights for these products. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"This investment in Precise Bio is expected to complement our leading portfolio of cataract and corneal refractive workflow solutions," said Euan S. Thomson, PhD, President of Ophthalmic Devices and Head of the Digital Business Unit for Carl Zeiss Meditec. "The technology has the potential to advance treatment options for corneal disease, as well as for elective procedures  furthering enabling optimization of patient care."

"We are very excited with this partnership that builds on our successful, ongoing collaboration with ZEISS for the development of corneal tissues to address unmet needs in the field of ophthalmology," stated Aryeh Batt, Co- Founder and CEO of Precise Bio. "This strategic agreement leverages ZEISS' global leadership in ophthalmology and Precise' innovative and unique 4D bio-fabrication platform technology. We are confident that the synergy between the two companies will allow us to develop breakthrough solutions for recovering patients' eyesight, bringing hope to hundreds of millions of patients worldwide."

Precise Bio combines engineering, biomaterials, cell technology, bioengineering, and 3D printing into an unparalleled 4D bio-fabrication platform for transplantable organs and tissues. The Company's proprietary platform technology allows to fabricate tissues by 'printing' cells in a single-cell resolution and spatial accuracy, enabling complex organoid constructs with both structural integrity and long-term cell viability. Overcoming multiple technology challenges, Precise Bio's 4D bio-fabrication technology allows to reliably scale up tissue engineering for clinical use, and produce large quantities in a reproducible, quality controlled and cost-effective process. Precise Bio's ophthalmological pipeline consists of three products, the two cornea products that are the subject of the collaboration with Carl Zeiss Meditec and a retinal implant for age-related macular degeneration, all of which demonstrated successful results in animal models. The Company's ophthalmological products address global markets exceeding $10 billion annually.

Bio-fabricated tissues comprised of human cells and natural materials, mimicking the anatomical structure and natural tissue components, can replace damaged or diseased tissue, substitute for donor tissue in cases where there is lack of tissue or solve unmet therapeutic needs.

About ZEISS

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ISIN: DE 0005313704), which is listed on the MDAX and TecDAX of the German stock exchange, is one of the world's leading medical technology companies. The Company supplies innovative technologies and application-oriented solutions designed to help doctors improve the quality of life of their patients. The Company offers complete solutions, including implants and consumables, to diagnose and treat eye diseases. The Company creates innovative visualization solutions in the field of microsurgery. With approximately 3,531 employees worldwide, the Group generated revenue of 1,646.8m in fiscal year 2020/21 (to 30 September).

The Group's head office is located in Jena, Germany, and it has subsidiaries in Germany and abroad; more than 50 percent of its employees are based in the USA, Japan, Spain and France. The Center for Application and Research (CARIn) in Bangalore, India and the Carl Zeiss Innovations Center for Research and Development in Shanghai, China, strengthen the Company's presence in these rapidly developing economies. Around 41 percent of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG's shares are in free float. The remaining approx. 59 percent are held by Carl Zeiss AG, one of the world's leading groups in the optical and optoelectronic industries.

For further information visit: www.zeiss.com/med

About Precise Bio

Precise Bio develops regenerative medicine therapies that can transform patient care across a wide range of medical indications. Precise Bio's proprietary, break-through 4D bio-fabricating platform overcomes limitations of existing extrusion and ink-jet printers and paves the way for fabricating clinically viable tissues and organs. The Company's initial product pipeline is focused on ophthalmology and includes fabricated functional corneal grafts, intrastromal lenticules for treating keratoconus and vision correction, and a retinal implant for age-related macular degeneration. The Company also has earlier R&D programs to address unmet needs in additional medical indications, which are limited by the number of available donor tissues and organs, or where today's critical health problems can be solved using Precise Bio's naturally-based, hyper-accurate technology.

Precise Bio was founded in 2016 by Prof. Anthony Atala, MD, Director of the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Prof. Shay Soker, PhD, from WFIRM and Mr. Aryeh Batt, who developed the Company's transformative laser printing technology. The Company operates out of two centers, in Winston Salem, NC and Modi'in, Israel. For more information, please visit www.precise-bio.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1860898/Precise_Bio_Cornea.jpg

Precise Bio contact for investors:

Eyal Arieli

CFO/COO

Precise Bio

Phone: +972 76 539 1001

[email protected]

Precise Bio contact for press / media:

Tsipi Haitovsky

Global Media Liaison

Precise Bio

Phone: +972 52 598 9892

[email protected]

ZEISS contact for investors:

Sebastian Frericks

Director Investor Relations

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG

Phone: +49 3641 220-116

[email protected]

ZEISS contact for the press / media:

Laurie Ferguson

Head of Global Communications Ophthalmic Devices

Carl Zeiss Meditec

Phone: +1 925 719 7825

[email protected]

SOURCE Precise Bio
CHICAGO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Celegence, a global provider of regulatory affairs services and solutions for the life sciences industry, has today announced the acquisition of Qdossier, a supplier of end-to-end services to support document and dossier lifecycle management for pharmaceutical products. Qdossier also provides leading cloud-based technology, which creates transparency, consistency, and reusability across regulatory dossiers.

This acquisition will see Celegence enhance its extensive network of regulatory consultants for the pharmaceutical industry with the addition of Qdossier's regulatory experts. Together, they will continue to advise manufacturers on complying with regulatory requirements to launch and maintain products on the market.

In addition to providing consultative services, Celegence also developed CAPTIS, EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and In-Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) compliance technology to enable the automation of medical writing and document maintenance. With the addition of Dossplorer  , Qdossier's advanced cloud-based dossier management solution, Celegence has widened the scope of technology offerings that can now benefit the industry.

Sonia Veluchamy, CEO at Celegence stated: "Qdossier's regulatory expertise and technology complements our own portfolio of services and solutions. We work with our clients as trusted advisors with the aim of improving efficiency in regulatory compliance, helping them to successfully launch new products to market and maintain them."

"The combination of Celegence and Qdossier's expertise, coupled with technology that supports compliance and effective data and document management, will enable us to deliver hands-on, strategic, highly personalized regulatory support to pharmaceutical industries across the globe."

Partnering with Celegence will see the joint organization's total number of employees increase to 150, with the addition of two offices in the Netherlands and Romania. Celegence currently has offices in Chicago, London, and Bangalore.

Hans van Bruggen, CEO and Senior Regulatory Affairs Scientist at Qdossier said: "This partnership enables us to further expand our global presence with complementary expertise and technologies. We will continue to help our customers realize greater efficiencies as they record and exchange proof of quality, safety, and efficacy of medicinal products."

"We are delighted to join the Celegence team and work with them to deliver first-class customer service, as we support our customers to efficiently comply with complex regulations and successfully deliver products to patients."

About Celegence

Celegence helps life sciences companies navigate complex global regulatory requirements by providing consulting services and solutions dedicated to regulatory affairs. Celegence supports life science customers in the areas of EU MDR compliance, IVDR compliance, regulatory intelligence, RIMS data management , publishing, regulatory labeling including UDI consulting, and medical writing. Celegence's depth of experience and extensive delivery capabilities allow regulatory affairs and quality teams to operate more efficiently, reduce cost, and improve compliance. For more information, visit www.celegence.com or follow Celegence on LinkedIn .

About Qdossier

Qdossier helps life sciences organizations record and exchange proof of quality, safety, and efficacy of medicinal products. Its team of experts boasts a wealth of experience in regulatory affairs and electronic submissions, specializing in right first time eCTD lifecycle management and regulatory information management. Supported by Dossplorer  , Qdossier's advanced cloud-based dossier management solution, the firm's areas of expertise include regulatory information management, lean and structured authoring, IDMP, and regulatory strategy and procedural support. For more information, visit www.qdossier.com.

For further information please contact:

Rachel Hollos

Marketing director at Celegence

[email protected]

Press contact:

Fiona Whyatt

Senior PR manager at ramarketing

[email protected]

SOURCE Celegence Limited
DOVER, Del., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) will host a conference call on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. ET to discuss the Company's financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. The earnings press release will be issued on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, after market close.

To participate in this call, dial 877.224.1468 and reference Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's 2022 Second Quarter Financial Results Conference Call.

To access the replay recording of this call, please visit the Events & Presentations section of the Investors page on www.chpk.com.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions, and other businesses. For more information, visit www.chpk.com.

Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

For more information, contact:

Alex Whitelam

Head of Investor Relations

[email protected]

215.872.2507

SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Bahrain-based GFH Financial Group has announced that it had acted as joint lead manager, alongside other parties, on the pricing and issuance of a $400-million Islamic bond (sukuk) by leading Saudi developer Dar Al Arkan.

The sale of the three-year sukuk, which took place on June 30, was met with strong demand from both regional and international investors. This marks the 12th market issuance for the Saudi company till date.

Dar Al Arkan, which is listed on Tadawul, is the largest Saudi developer by market value and has a portfolio of assets valued at more than $8.5 billion.

Its iconic projects are spread across Saudi Arabia and also overseas including in key markets such as Dubai and Sarajevo (Bosnia). Proceeds from the issuance will be used to further support the company's development goals and pipeline of world-class projects, it added.

Commenting on its key role, Salem Patel, Chief Investment Officer, Debt and Capital Markets, at GFH, said: "We are pleased to act as a key JLM on another successful issuance by Dar Al Arkan. Having played a central role in syndicating the sukuk, the transaction demonstrates GFH's strong capital market capabilities and our ability to lead on important transactions to support our clients' aspirations and growth."

"We will continue to strengthen and expand our capital markets and advisory services to further support our clients," he noted.

Since the beginning of this year, GFH had acted as an arranger/advisor on nearly $1.5 billion sukuk issuances, including Infracorps perpetual sukuk, the first green sukuk issuance by a Bahrain corporate.

Dar Al Arkan CEO Andy Raheja said: "GFH was a key regional anchor and their support was invaluable in helping to successfully execute this trade despite challenging market conditions."

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the team in GFH for their pivotal role and wish the group all success in their DCM journey," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
BOSTON, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ParkMobile, the leading provider of smart parking and mobility solutions in North America and now part of the EasyPark Group, announced today a partnership with the City of Boston's Transportation Department to launch a new and improved ParkBoston app on August 15. The new city-branded app, powered by ParkMobile, will replace the current version of the ParkBoston app offering an enhanced user experience and more functionality. ParkBoston users will be able to easily pay for parking right from their mobile device in over 7,000 spots across the city and in any other location in North America where ParkMobile is accepted. Current ParkMobile users can also use that app to pay for parking in Boston.

The new city-branded app, powered by ParkMobile, will replace the current version of the ParkBoston app offering an enhanced user experience and more functionality. ParkBoston users will be able to easily pay for parking right from their mobile device in over 7,000 spots across the city and in any other location in North America where ParkMobile is accepted.

"We are very excited to launch our upgraded ParkBoston app, providing our residents and visitors with a better way to pay for parking on their mobile device," said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets for the City of Boston. "This new app offers an improved user experience and supports our goal of making City services convenient, clear, and accessible to residents and visitors."

With the launch in the City of Boston, ParkMobile expands its presence in Massachusetts, where there are already almost 500,000 users of the app. ParkMobile is widely available across the state in cities like Amherst, Holyoke, Northampton, and Somerville, as well as on-campus at the University of Massachusetts and Bunker Hill Community College. Beyond the state, ParkMobile can also be used to pay for parking in many New England cities like Burlington, VT, Greenwich, CT, Stamford, CT, Portsmouth, NE, Bar Harbor, ME, and Hanover, NH. Across the US, ParkMobile is available in over 500 cities and 125 universities.

The ParkBoston app is available for both iPhone and Android or can be accessed on the web at https://park.boston.gov/. Those with the old version of the ParkBoston app will have to update the app to the new version in the App Store or turn on auto-update so the app is automatically updated on launch day. The old version will no longer work after August 15. To pay for parking using the new ParkBoston app, users will need to create an account, enter the zone posted on the stickers and signs around the parking spot, choose the duration of time they wish to park, and touch the "start parking" button. The ParkBoston app will send alerts when the parking session is about to expire so a user can extend their time right from the app. Those who do not want to create an account can check out as a guest on the park.boston.gov website.

"We are very proud to launch the new and improved ParkBoston app," says Jeff Perkins, CEO of ParkMobile. "We know our solution will provide a better parking experience for residents and visitors in Boston. We now have most major cities along the Northeast Acela corridor, making it easy to use ParkMobile or our city-branded apps from Washington, DC to Philadelphia to Boston."

About ParkMobile: ParkMobile, LLC is the leading provider of smart parking and mobility solutions in North America, using a contactless approach to help millions of people easily find, reserve, and pay for parking on their mobile devices. In 2021, ParkMobile became part of the Swedish-based EasyPark Group. The company's technology is used in thousands of locations across the country, including 8 of the top 10 cities as well as college campuses, airports, and stadiums. People can use ParkMobile solutions to quickly pay for on-street and off-street parking without having to use a meter or kiosk. Additionally, ParkMobile offers parking reservations at stadium venues for concerts and sporting events. Reservations are also available in metro area garages, allowing people to drive into the city without having to worry about finding parking. ParkMobile has been named to the Inc. 5000, Deloitte Fast 500, Smart Cities Connect "Smart 50," and the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Top Workplaces. Additionally, the company won the 2022 Stevie Awards for Best Mobile On-Demand Application. For more information, visit ParkMobile.io or @ParkMobile on Twitter.

About the Boston Transportation Department: The Boston Transportation Department's vision is for Boston's streets to be safe, inclusive, and vibrant. The team plans, builds, maintains, and operates roads across the City of Boston. For more information about their work, visit boston.gov/transportation or @BostonBTD on Twitter

ParkMobile Contact: Mark Lister, SVP of Marketing, [email protected]io

ParkBoston Contact: Carla Tankle, Streets Cabinet for Boston Transportation Department, [email protected]

SOURCE ParkMobile
20-month program to provide students with critical skill set to meet evolving business demands

NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a commitment to prepare the business leaders of tomorrow, Columbia Business School and Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science will offer a new dual-degree program that pairs the foundational skill sets of business with those of engineering. Students in the 20-month program will receive two degrees: a Master of Business Administration and an Executive Master of Science in Engineering and Applied Science. The program will officially launch in September 2023 and interested students can begin applying now.

Designed to meet the evolving needs of leaders in technology, product managers, entrepreneurs, and other roles associated with technology and business, the Dual MBA/Executive MS in Engineering and Applied Science curriculum will cover core engineering, areas of "tough tech," and applied science foundations, as well as essential business courses in leadership, strategy, finance, economics, and marketing. Students will take courses with both Columbia Business School and Columbia Engineering faculty, spend a summer pursuing an entrepreneurial venture or interning at a technology company, and complete a capstone project.

"Today's business challenges are multidisciplinary, and their solutions often lean on technological innovations. Students need, on one hand, a broad exposure to and understanding of how technology and engineering breakthroughs are shaping our lives today and the world of tomorrow. And, on the other hand, they need a deep understanding of business and, importantly, how to manage and lead in this dynamic environment," said Columbia Business School Dean Costis Maglaras, the David and Lyn Silfen Professor of Business. "In this competitive marketplace, Columbia's new MBAxMS: Engineering & Applied Science equips students with both the management skills and the science and technology core that enables them to move seamlessly from the classroom to product development to large-scale innovation  and ultimately help create and grow companies and drive change."

The MBAxMS: Engineering & Applied Science core curriculum will focus on the creative application of technology and will include a variety of new and existing courses, including Digital Disruption & Tech Transfer, Business Analytics, Human-Centered Design and Innovation, and more. Students will also choose from an extensive array of electives designed to stimulate innovation, strengthen analytical skills, and bolster critical knowledge for their specific entrepreneurial or enterprise path.

"Technology, data, and analytics are transforming every aspect of modern businesses, especially those prized by the ambitious and entrepreneurial students who come to Columbia University," said Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang, the Morris A. and Alma Schapiro Professor of Engineering. "We recognize how important it is to provide students with broad exposures to emerging technology breakthroughs, the comprehensive training of business leadership skills, the unique experience in applying the human-centric design approach to innovative products and solutions, and importantly the ability to apply these unique skills in confronting major challenges facing our society and business world today. We look forward to partnering with Columbia Business School to launch an unprecedented program that can give our students a major boost."

The dual degree program, which is based in New York City, provides students with unmatched access and opportunities to work with and learn from the world's leaders in business, technology, data, analytics, and more. This includes opportunities to learn from guest speakers, meet with in-house mentors, and pursue internship opportunities that extend beyond the summer months. With one of the largest tech and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the country, the NYC location provides a unique, one-of-a-kind experience for the Dual MBA/Executive MS in Engineering and Applied Science students and graduates.

To learn more about the program, please visit https://academics.gsb.columbia.edu/mbaxms .

About Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School is the only world-class, Ivy League business school that delivers a learning experience where academic excellence meets with real-time exposure to the pulse of global business. The thought leadership of the School's faculty and staff members, combined with the accomplishments of its distinguished alumni and position in the center of global business, means that the School's efforts have an immediate, measurable impact on the forces shaping business every day. To learn more about Columbia Business School's position at the very center of business, please visit www.gsb.columbia.edu .

About Columbia Engineering

Columbia Engineering, based in New York City, is one of the top engineering schools in the U.S. and one of the oldest in the nation. Also known as The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School expands knowledge and advances technology through the pioneering research of its more than 250 faculty, while educating undergraduate and graduate students in a collaborative environment to become leaders informed by a firm foundation in engineering. The School's faculty are at the center of the University's cross-disciplinary research, contributing to the Data Science Institute, Earth Institute, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Precision Medicine Initiative, and the Columbia Nano Initiative. Guided by its strategic vision, "Columbia Engineering for Humanity," the School aims to translate ideas into innovations that foster a sustainable, healthy, secure, connected, and creative humanity. To learn more about Columbia Engineering, please visit engineering.columbia.edu.

SOURCE Columbia Business School
Life Enrichment Group programming now available at Tacoma facility

TACOMA, Wash., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The rechristened Community Home at Beacon Center now offers more aid to young adults experiencing homelessness and new programming with a mental health focus to serve young adults ages 18-24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The Day Program opened on July 11. The new programming expands activities at the center which also serves as an overnight shelter from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.

It is a privilege to expand our services and provide a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness or who are in need of support, said Monika Mathews, founder of L.E.G. We will ensure all those who enter the doors are treated with dignity, respect, and know their value to our community.

Life Enrichment Group (L.E.G.) oversees the day-to-day management of the center and builds on their long-standing legacy of offering a safe space and structured programming to enrich the lives of young people and their families.

"It is a privilege to expand our services and provide a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness or who are in need of support," said Monika Mathews, founder of L.E.G. "We will ensure all those who enter the doors are treated with dignity, respect, and know their value to our community."

Mental health and social services advocates will be available to aid guests with personal, family, and adjustment issues that interfere with the effectiveness of their plan of care. Young adult programming includes resources to live and thrive independently with an emphasis on health and wellness, life skills trainings, workforce development, employment training, and housing.

"We are excited to introduce innovative mental health approaches that focuses the voice of young adults and provides genuine care and concern for the well-being of the individual," said Mathews.

The facility is also undergoing renovations and modernizations to upgrade amenities including an enhanced resource center, computer lab, lounge area, and interior cosmetic improvements like painting and floor refinishing. The center supplies basic needs support, access to showers, and laundry facilities in addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Community Home at Beacon Center is located on the corner of 415 South 13th & Fawcett Street in Tacoma, Washington.

About Life Enrichment Group

Imagined in 2003 and incorporated in 2006, L.E.G. supplies culturally relevant programs focused on academic achievement and social/emotional support for young adults across the greater Seattle and Tacoma areas, with a focus on the success of those most often overlooked in society. Visit Life Enrichment Group for more information.

Media Contact only:

KD Hall, KD Hall Communications

(425) 765-1354

Christina Maguire

[email protected]

Suzanne Lavender [email protected]

SOURCE Life Enrichment Group
LAS VEGAS, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cosmoprof North America, the leading B2B beauty exhibition in the Americas, successfully concluded its 19th edition from July 12-14, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, a shift from the Mandalay Bay Convention Center previously. The trade show welcomed attendees from across the globe at its new location across a new two-hall format which saw Cosmopack North America, the only event in the Americas fully dedicated to the entire beauty supply chain, with its dedicated hall for the first time. Throughout the three-day event, 32,000 retailers, distributors, investors, beauty brands, suppliers, and the press connected with over 1,100 exhibiting brands to discover new product launches and facilitate business.

COSMOPROF NORTH AMERICA'S 19TH EDITION SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED Tweet this Cosmoprof North America attendees enjoy walking the show floor and discovering all its offerings.

In addition to the new location and two-hall format, the 19th edition also unveiled a new categorization of finished products into four macro categories (hair care, skin care & makeup, nails, and natural products), much to the delight of exhibitors and attendees alike. Alongside these macro-categories were the return of special areas Discover Beauty, Discover Beauty Spotlights, Discover Green, and The Beauty Vanities, in addition to the Country Pavilions, featuring brands organized by international delegations from Argentina, Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Korea, Morocco, and Spain.

The launch of highly anticipated special areas Discover Black-Owned Beauty, highlighting Black-owned and founded beauty brands that was curated in collaboration with The Beauty International Group, and Beauty Tech, highlighting companies providing the latest technological and digital solutions, made their debuts in the West Hall and North Hall respectively.

The show also saw the return of notable programs such as the Buyer Program, connecting exhibitors with leading retailers, e-commerce platforms, international buyers, distributors, and brands including Aminco, Bloomingdale's, Cos Bar, The Detox Market, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Revlon, Shiseido, and Space NK along with first-time participants Target and Coupang, South Korea's largest online marketplace.

Through CosmoTalks, the global educational program powered by Cosmoprof, the exhibition hosted 12 seminars featuring speakers including top executives from The NPD Group, thirteen lune, Ulta Beauty, Unilever, and more. Entrepreneur Academy, a unique one-day intensive workshop for up-and-coming beauty entrepreneurs, was sold-out, as was the newly offered Cosmopack Education, with each of its nine beauty supply chain-centered sessions standing room only.

Also returning was CosmoTrends, featuring trends showcased among exhibitors, including FILL IT UP (refillable beauty), LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX, SUPERCHARGED SERUMS, TEXTURED TRESSES, ETHICALLY SOURCED, and WFH SPA, and the Cosmoprof and Cosmopack North America Awards, which honored the best in beauty among exhibitors across seven categories live at the event. Both initiatives were conducted in strategic partnership with BEAUTYSTREAMS.

Other notable highlights of the show included Boutique, the onsite sampling bar featuring deluxe-sized samples from 20 brands with proceeds donated to Strength In Beauty (A CUT IT OUT grant for industry professionals), and the Press Zone, which connected exhibitors with influencers and press from leading publications like Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Refinery29, NewBeauty Seventeen, and Women's Wear Daily for one-on-one meetings. Also, the newly launched Innovation Studio at Cosmopack, showcasing innovation in the beauty supply chain across two installations on the show floor: LIFESCAPES, also in collaboration with BEAUTYSTREAMS, and Packaging Power!, presented by the FIT's Packaging Design BFA Program.

Cosmoprof North America will celebrate its 20th edition at the Las Vegas Convention Center on July 11-13, 2023.

ABOUT COSMOPROF NORTH AMERICA

Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) is the leading B2B beauty trade show in North America and the single most important networking opportunity in the US for all sectors of the global beauty industry. CPNA hosts an annual trade show that encompasses all sectors of the beauty industry across two halls, finished products (Cosmoprof North America) in the West Hall and beauty supply chain suppliers (Cosmopack North America) in the North Hall. CPNA is recognized as the premier launching pad for new beauty brands and introduces revolutionary technologies, product innovations and new channels for distribution, packaging and manufacturing. CPNA is one of the destinations of the Cosmoprof network, today a 360 worldwide platform for the international beauty community, with shows in Bologna, Hong Kong and Mumbai, which all together involve over 370,000 professionals and 7,000 exhibitors from all over the world. For more information, please visit cosmoprofnorthamerica.com .

SOURCE Cosmoprof North America
Major win for employee rights and the life sciences industry as court ends Medidata's moves to stifle innovation and free flow of talent

NEW YORK and PLEASANTON, Calif. , July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has dismissed the trade secret misappropriation lawsuit filed by Medidata, a Dassault Systemes company, against Veeva Systems (NYSE: VEEV). Midway through the jury trial, the judge ended the proceedings and rejected the suit, finding that Medidata was unable to substantiate its claims against Veeva. The ruling is an important move in the protection of employee and customer rights as the case represented an attempt to limit competition and the free flow of talent with unfounded trade secret claims.

The Honorable Jed Rakoff, federal district judge since 1996 and adjunct professor at Columbia Law School and NYU Law School, noted in his July 15 ruling:

"to the extent that [Medidata's] case rests on allegations regarding specific trade secrets that were misappropriated, they have failed to make their case." He went on to state, "I think a more general problem with [Medidata's] case is they seem to think that just about anything in the world can be a trade secret. And that, of course, would mean that you could never hire away an employee from another company because anything they said  one word out of their mouth  would indirectly reveal something they had learned at their prior employmentand both the statutes here involved, and also legislative history make clear that that was not the intent of the legislators..."

Despite a lack of evidence to support a case, Medidata filed the trade secret suit in 2017 against Veeva and five former Medidata employees in an attempt to block Veeva from innovating in the clinical data management market and intimidate Medidata employees to prevent them from joining Veeva, the emerging leader.

Medidata had many opportunities to drop the baseless suit over the past five years  including after the 2019 acquisition by Dassault Systemes  but chose not to, causing needless harm to many. The case caused confusion to mutual customers, harmed employees on both sides, and cost the two sides combined an estimated $40 million.

"We are pleased the court dismissed Medidata's suit and stood up for the rights of employees and customers in the face of an abuse of the legal system, intimidation of employees, and an attempt to limit companies' access to innovation," said Peter Gassner, Veeva CEO. "Baseless lawsuits like Medidata's harm individuals, customers, and the industry overall. I hope this ruling encourages others to focus their energy on innovation and employee success rather than unnecessary and harmful litigation."

Veeva has been a long-standing supporter of employee rights and the movement to ban the use of non-compete agreements. Medidata's abusive lawsuit further underscores the need for greater protection of worker rights to freely change employers, which promotes fair competition and economic growth.

Additional Information

To learn more about Veeva's position on non-compete agreements, visit veeva.com/noncompetes.

For more on Veeva's Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) status, visit veeva.com/pbc.

Connect with Veeva on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/veeva-systems

Follow @veevasystems on Twitter: twitter.com/veevasystems

About Veeva Systems

Veeva is the global leader in cloud software for the life sciences industry. Committed to innovation, product excellence, and customer success, Veeva serves more than 1,000 customers, ranging from the world's largest pharmaceutical companies to emerging biotechs. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Veeva is committed to balancing the interests of all stakeholders, including customers, employees, shareholders, and the industries it serves. For more information, visit veeva.com.

Contact:

Maria Scurry

Veeva Systems Inc.

781-366-7617

[email protected]

SOURCE Veeva Systems
Mark Carberry named Vice President Solution Delivery.

Scott Mitchell joins Modius as Vice President, Sales.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Modius Inc., a leading provider of Data Center Infrastructure Management solutions (DCIM), is proud to announce two Executive Team changes to help drive the continued growth of our flagship OpenData product line.

Mark Carberry will move to the newly created role of Vice President Solution Delivery. Carberry has been with Modius since 2018 and has an extensive telecom and equipment monitoring background. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in Cognitive Science, Computer Science, and Business Administration. Carberry's role is to ensure customers receive their purchased solutions expediently and meet cost efficiency parameters.

"Mark's substantial contributions as our VP of Sales have given him a unique window into customer solution and delivery requirements," said Modius President Craig Compiano. "As a result, he is ideally suited for this newly created role."

Scott Mitchell joins the Modius team as the new Vice President, Sales to lead revenue generation for the company, and further develop our sales capabilities and resources. His experience includes significant leadership tenure at Verizon, Ericsson, and Rackspace. Mitchell has extensive expertise in the data center industry, including MTDC (multi-tenant data center) colocation, dedicated hosting, IaaS, cloud adoption and migration, data center managed services, and system integration. Mitchell hails from Texas where he earned his BBA degree from The University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from Baylor University.

"Scott's consistent history of success, building lasting customer relationships, and driving revenue will position Modius for long-term success in the DCIM business," adds Compiano. "We are eager to have him join our team."

Modius is a leading provider of Data Center infrastructure management software for data centers, telecom facilities, smart buildings, and other industrial IoT environments. Founded in 2004 with headquarters in San Francisco, Modius helps customers simplify the operations of increasingly diverse and complex IT data facilities while at the same time improving performance and operational efficiencies.

For more information, visit www.modius.com or call (888) 323-0066 or (415) 655-6700.

SOURCE Modius
TSX.V: DME

U.S. OTC: DMEHF

Frankfurt: QM01

VANCOUVER, BC, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY CORP. (the "Company") (TSXV: DME) (OTC: DMEHF) (Frankfurt: QM01) From the President of the Company.

The Company is pleased to announce they have entered into an agreement with Beam Earth Ltd. to cooperate and define the commercial possibilities of the Company's sulphur-free hydrogen discoveries. Beam Earth Ltd. has expertise in cost-effective and innovative methods to produce hydrogen-related products which meld together with the Company's innovative helium processing facilities. This agreement not only encompasses current Company holdings in Arizona but will also be expanded into other jurisdictions.

"We look forward to working with a like-minded company that, by design, is also seeking to follow innovative design and ESG policies," says Robert Rohlfing, CEO of Desert Mountain Energy Corp. "Beam Earth Ltd. has extensive expertise in the hydrogen sector and teaming up with them allows DME to stay focused on the production of helium while at the same time monetizing the potential of our sulphur-free hydrogen assets."

The Company has proven its ability to find both helium, hydrogen and other noble gases and anticipates that formal separate joint operating agreements will be put into place to cover the specifics for each jurisdiction as they arise. Those specifics will include, geophysical, the scope of the individual project, timing, drilling, testing, participation level based on results, near term and ongoing operational attributes. The Company's helium processing facility was designed to reduce power consumption by 55% and DME looks forward to the application of the same innovative design input into their hydrogen processing.

ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. is a publicly traded resource company primarily focused on exploration, development and production of helium, hydrogen and noble gases. The Company is primarily looking for elements deemed critical to the renewable energy and high technology industries.

We seek safe harbor

"Robert Rohlfing"

Robert Rohlfing

Exec Chairman & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in polices of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in the future the planned exploration activities, receipt of positive results from drilling, the completion of further drilling and exploration work, and the timing and results of various activities.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and the United States; financial risks due to helium prices, operating or technical difficulties in exploration and development activities; risks and hazards and the speculative nature of resource exploration and related development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company's title to properties.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of the Company's exploration operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not intend to, and nor does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Desert Mountain Energy Corp.
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure services are now available from Oracle Paris Cloud Region in Interxion's Paris Digital Park (IPDP), the largest data center campus in France, located less than three kilometers from Paris

Companies can now implement their digital transformation strategies and deploy hybrid and multi-cloud while reducing their environmental impact

PARIS, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Interxion: A Digital Realty Company (NYSE: DLR), a leading provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation and interconnection solutions in EMEA, today announced that it is providing its customers located in Interxion's Paris data center campus with direct and secure access to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) via the new Oracle Cloud Paris Region.

Within Interxion Paris Digital Park (IPDP), Interxion's largest campus in France located just three kilometers from Paris, customers can deploy their critical infrastructure and be supported in their digital transformation by gaining access to one of the leading cloud and interconnection hubs in Europe and the fourth largest internet hub in the world as of today.

The decision to open Oracle's second cloud region in Paris, France, was made in direct response to the growing demand for hybrid cloud services emanating from the public sector, as well as enterprises and SMEs. This development marks the opening of Oracle's 38th cloud region worldwide, which is one of the fastest expansions of a major cloud provider.

Christophe Negrier, SVP EMEA South, Cloud Business and Managing Director, Oracle France, comments: "After the opening of our first cloud region in Marseille, we have selected Interxion again to help deploy our critical infrastructure and offer Oracle Cloud Infrastructure via our newest cloud region in Paris. This relationship is based on a common objective to support the digital transformation of companies by limiting their environmental impact. Interxion France's corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy has thus proved to be an important criterion of choice for us, particularly in view of their contribution to carbon neutrality for scopes one and two. In addition, Interxion's use of renewable energy corresponds to Oracle's commitment to sustainability and its pledge to power all Oracle Cloud regions worldwide with 100 percent renewable energy by 2025, which is already the case in all of our data centers in Europe."

The opening of Oracle's second cloud region with Interxion in France is a logical extension of its existing partnership, both at a local level, following the launch of its first cloud region in Marseille last year, and at a global level with Digital Realty. Through PlatformDIGITAL, Digital Realty's global data center platform, customers have access to top-tier cloud providers like Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, as well a platform of several densely populated connected data communities that includes 1,500+ enterprises, 1,200+ network service providers, and 1,100+ cloud and IT providers as of today, all via a single data center provider.

Fabrice Coquio, SVP, Digital Realty & Managing Director, Interxion France, comments: "We are very excited to welcome Oracle's second cloud region in France to Interxion. This partnership enriches our value offering for our customer communities by removing the barriers associated with the adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud environments in the Paris market. It is also satisfying to see that our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our data centers was a key factor in Oracle's decision to select Interxion again. We are proud to provide this level of service while supporting companies in their digital and environmental transformations."

About Interxion: A Digital Realty Company

Interxion: A Digital Realty Company is a leading provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data centre services across EMEA. With more than 700 connectivity providers in 105+ data centres across 13 European countries, Interxion provides communities of connectivity, cloud, and content hubs. As part of Digital Realty, customers now have access to 50 metros across six continents. For more information, please visit interxion.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .

About Digital Realty

Digital Realty supports the world's leading enterprises and service providers by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers a trusted foundation and proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for scaling digital business and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty's global data center footprint gives customers access to the connected communities that matter to them with 290+ facilities in 50 metros across 26 countries on six continents. For more information, please visit digitalrealty.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .

Trademarks

Oracle, Java and MySQL are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation.

For more information

Press Contacts

Claire Chadourne

Interxion: A Digital Realty Company

+33 (0)6 99 20 90 85

[email protected]

Emmanuelle Pionnier / Marie-Helene Veillon

Oxygen RP

+33 (0)6 09 09 15 06 / +33 (0)6 07 28 69 43

[email protected] / [email protected]

Oracle France

Bastien Rousseau  +33 06 27 45 32 06 ([email protected])

Agence LEWIS / PISTON  [email protected]

Aesa Langenhove  +33 06 66 41 80 35

Maxence Godefroy  +33 06 18 53 06 12

Gregory Alleaume  +33 07 77 00 56 52

Investor Relations

Jordan Sadler/Jim Huseby

Digital Realty

+1 737 281 0101

[email protected]

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially, including statements related to PlatformDIGITAL, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, expected growth in digital transformation, customer demand, and the French market. For a list and description of risks and uncertainties, see the reports and other filings by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Digital Realty
LOS ANGELES, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Behavioral Health, Inc ., an expanding network of evidence-based mental health, substance use and eating disorder treatment centers, has acquired Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry, with six TMS centers in California and six in Texas.

The acquisition is part of a continued expansion initiative of Discovery MD, Discovery's Professional Psychiatric Services Division, which offers outpatient treatment in TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), Ketamine, Medicated-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Addiction, medication management, assessment, and referral services.

A third of Americans believe it is harder to find a mental health care than it is to find a physical health care. Tweet this

Discovery President & CEO John Peloquin states, "We are pleased to welcome the team at Anew into the Discovery family. This addition builds on our strategic mission to create a fully integrative care model, with multiple treatment models, both conventional and innovative, available through one access point. A 2022 Harris Poll report revealed that a third of Americans believe it is harder to find a mental health care provider than it is to find a physical health care provider[i]. We are removing those barriers by expanding outpatient and telehealth services in psychiatry and addiction medicine which includes TMS treatment. When people can access a wide range of behavioral health services based on their needs and preferences, they have a greater chance to live happier, more rewarding lives, and that's why we're here."

About Discovery Behavioral Health

Everyone deserves a happy, rewarding life. That's why Discovery Behavioral Health has made evidence-based, outcome driven healthcare accessible and affordable since inception. With a full continuum of care  detoxification, medical residences, residential treatment centers, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, psychiatric and addiction medicine, TMS, virtual and telehealth services, we can offer the right care at the right time for adults or teens struggling with mental health, substance use or eating disorders. We are a contracted provider with 100 payers and other managed care organizations. Our portfolio of more than 145 treatment centers includes service lines in successful operation since 1985. When treatment is complete, our patients become part of Discovery's growing family of alumni, connected through free aftercare programs, support groups, activities, and a caring community. Because when quality behavioral healthcare is within reach, so is happiness.

Press Contact:

Greg Ptacek

Communications

Discovery Behavioral Health, Inc.

[email protected]

323-841-8002 mobile

SOURCE Discovery Behavioral Health
The Leading Spirits Company Announces Management Restructure as Brand Eyes Growth in Key Markets

NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Double Cross Vodka, LLC, one of the fastest growing ultra-premium vodka brands, announced today that J.B. Kropp has joined the organization as CEO, effective this month, bringing with him a significant track record of building and scaling companies with high-growth potential. Linda Gawne, the company's CEO for the past five years, will lead this transition as she moves into her new role as Board Chair.

"Our team, our Board and our investors share a collective commitment to taking the brand to new heights. I am particularly proud of the strides we've taken to make Double Cross Vodka the luxury craft brand it is today," said Gawne. "We are thrilled to welcome J.B. to the team. His track record, depth of experience and excitement about joining our business make him the ideal leader to build on the significant brand traction we've accrued thus far."

Double Cross Vodka is known for its superior ingredients and distilling process, as well as its provocative "Dare to Differ" marketing campaign. "I am looking forward to building upon the great foundation we've established and helping the brand achieve its full growth potential," stated Kropp. "Between the quality of our juice, our marketing campaign, our strategic sales partnership with Zamora, and our Distribution partnerships with Southern Glaser, Allied and Horizon, we believe we have all the ingredients in place to make Double Cross Vodka the country's leading ultra-premium vodka brand."

Most recently, Kropp was President of Dinovite, a pet supplement company where he successfully managed the sale of the business to private equity firm, Carlyle. Kropp also founded George Remus Whiskey, which was later successfully sold to MGP, and co-founded Faraday West Indies Rum. Gawne and Kropp will continue to work alongside one another through August 31st to support a seamless transition, after which Gawne will be advising on commercial strategy, providing business development expertise, as well as maintaining stakeholder relations.

The company also announced that Dan Ladenberger will be joining as CFO/COO of Double Cross Spirits, LLC. Dan brings a wealth of financial expertise and has been consulting with the company since early this year. Dan was formerly a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers with additional public market experience serving in numerous executive roles with SPX Corporation, a Fortune 500 Company.

For more information about Double Cross Vodka, visit www.doublecrossvodka.com.

About Double Cross Spirits, LLC

Double Cross is distilled in small batches in the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia. Seven-times distilled, and seven-times filtered, each batch is made with estate-grown winter wheat and pure mountain spring water drawn from aquifers located 200 feet below ground level. It was awarded a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a 98-point rating at the International Wine & Spirits Competition along with a rare 95-point rating from Wine Enthusiast and was the first vodka to ever win gold medals for both taste and bottle design at the World Spirits Competition. Double Cross Spirits, LLC is partnered with The Zamora Company and represented by Zamora Company USA, a sales and marketing joint venture in the US market. Double Cross Vodka is distributed by Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits in 41 states, Horizon Beverage in five states and Allied Beverage in New Jersey.

DOUBLE CROSS VODKA 40% Alc./Vol. Distilled from grain. Imported by Double Cross Spirits, LLC, Miami, FL.

 2022 Double Cross Vodka

SOURCE Double Cross Vodka
Kuwait-based Zain Group has recorded a net profit of KD50 million ($165 million) for the second quarter, up 22% over last year, while its revenue surged by 14% to hit KD421 million ($1.4 billion), thanks to double-digit growth at its subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia and Sudan.

A leading telecom innovator in seven markets across the Middle East and Africa, Zain said it has served 51.7 million customers at the end of the period, registering a 7.1% increase year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth.

Announcing its consolidated financial results for the three-month period ended June 30, Zain said its ebitda for the quarter reached KD166 million ($544 million), up 9% Y-o-Y, reflecting an ebitda margin of 40%.

Its net income for Q2 amounted to KD 50 million ($165 million), up 22% Y-o-Y, reflecting earnings per share of 12 fils (USD 0.04).

For the H1 period, Zain Group had generated consolidated revenue of KD829 million ($2.7 billion), an increase of 10% Y-o-Y. Ebitda for the period reached KD320 million ($1.1 billion), up 3% Y-o-Y, reflecting an ebitda margin of 39%.

According to Zain, its net income soared to KD98 million ($321 million), up 14% Y-o-Y, reflecting earnings per share of 23 fils (USD 0.07).

Over the six months, Capex investments focused predominantly on expansion of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) infrastructure; spectrum fees; 4G upgrades; and new network sites across its markets, as well as 5G rollouts in Kuwait, KSA, and Bahrain.

The telcom group said Zain Kuwait had become the first telecom operator globally to launch Vo5G with nationwide coverage and also it has completed first live trial in region for 4G / 5G Open and Cloud Native Radio Access Network (cRAN).

ZainTech, the enterprise (B2B) arm of the group, registered strong growth across markets landing key regional clients and new partnerships, with B2B revenues growing 21% Y-o-Y.

Lauding the solid results, Group Chairman Ahmed Al Tahous said: "The Board and management are focused on driving sustainable shareholder value through strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, diligent investments in 4G and 5G network upgrades expansion, and seeking new lucrative business verticals to drive growth."

Impressed with the results, Zain group's board has declared second consecutive interim dividend of 10 fils per share for the first six months.

Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO Bader Al-Kharafi expressed delight at the companys robust financial and operational performance for the first six months of the year, which reassured the board to declare a second consecutive half-year dividend of 10 fils per share.

"Our solid balance sheet and financial solvency is a result of the company's success in the execution of its 4Sight corporate strategy, which is driving growth, digital transformation, and optimal efficiencies across all operations," he said.

Al Kharafi said: "The healthy revenue and net income growth across multiple key markets vindicates the strategic investments we have made over recent years in network upgrades and cutting-edge digital platforms. By offering our individual and enterprise customers state-of-the-art technologies and services, we are enhancing our customer and revenue share across our markets."

"The 5G network of our flagship operation in Kuwait is the driving force of the 9% increase in customers and generation of multiple streams of profitable government and enterprise revenue, resulting in a 11% increase for all key financial indicators - revenue, Ebitda and net income," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Additional property acquisition, part of The Oxford Science Park, is adjacent to recently purchased Littlemore House

OXFORD, United Kingdom, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine is adding to its planned Oxford scientific campus, which will be a permanent home to research laboratories, a patient clinic, educational facilities, and collaborative spaces in support of the Ellison Institute's research and healthcare strategy.

The Ellison Institute acquired the 3.5 acre "Plot 18" from Magdalen College, part of Oxford University, through a 150-year land lease arrangement. The newly purchased property will connect with the adjacent 5.9-acre Littlemore House site that the Ellison Institute acquired late last year.

"We look forward to continuing the development of our Oxford presence and partnerships," said Dr. David Agus, founding director and CEO of the Ellison Institute. "These acquisitions give us greater capacity to undertake critical biomedical research as well as the educational initiatives of the Institute in collaboration with Oxford University."

The Ellison Institute is an interdisciplinary, patient-centered research center that provides cutting-edge cancer care and wellness services, undertaking research initiatives that span the scientific spectrum to change how cancer and other diseases are treated.

The Oxford Science Park was created by Magdalen College Oxford in 1991 as part of its mission to support discovery, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It is home to world-class research, engineering, technology, and clinical expertise, and aims to be environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable.

Rory Maw, CEO of The Oxford Science Park, said, "We're delighted to welcome the Ellison Institute to the Park and look forward to working with the team to help deliver their vision for the new Oxford campus. This commitment will reinforce the ground-breaking research and development already taking place on the Park, delivering benefits and opportunities for our occupiers and the wider Oxford innovation ecosystem."

Dinah Rose QC, President of Magdalen College, said, "Following closely on from our strategic partnership with GIC, the Singapore sovereign wealth fund, this is an exciting next step in the evolution of the Park. We look forward to developing a close, long-term relationship with the Ellison Institute and to enhancing further Oxford's enormous contribution to addressing global health challenges."

The Global Health Security Consortium (GHSC), a joint initiative of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the Ellison Institute, and the University of Oxford, will be one of the many Ellison Institute projects based out of the new campus. GHSC provides insight, analysis, and support for world leaders to help them deal with Covid-19 and future health security challenges.

The new campus will also enable the Ellison Institute to build collaborations with local companies such as Oxford Nanopore, also located within The Oxford Science Park. This collaboration will allow the Ellison Institute to link Oxford Nanopore's gene sequencing technology to other life science technologies in the Institute's network.

About the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine

The Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine leverages technology, sparks innovation, and drives interdisciplinary, evidence-based research to reimagine and redefine cancer treatment, enhance health, and transform lives. Under the leadership of Dr. David Agus, the Institute's goal is to redefine medicine by bringing together a diverse set of clinicians, scientists, and thought leaders to collaborate and drive innovation in cancer treatment, infectious disease, and overall human health.

Building community and forging partnerships are at the heart of what the Institute does to improve patient health. Through a multifaceted, collaborative approach, the Institute partners with research organizations and technology companies to accelerate medical innovation. The Institute offers multifaceted programs, including a cancer clinic, cross-disciplinary research laboratories, a health policy think-tank, and community outreach and educational programs.

SOURCE The Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine
Submission Follows Positive Results of Phase III TULIP Trial

Next Generation HER2-ADC Uses Byondis Technologies Aimed at Improving Treatment Outcomes

NIJMEGEN, Netherlands, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Byondis B.V., an independent, Dutch clinical stage biopharmaceutical company creating precision medicines, announced today that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for the company's investigational next generation anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985) in patients with HER2-positive unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

If granted, the marketing authorization applies to all EU member states, as well the European Economic Area (EEA) countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. SYD985 will be marketed by Byondis' commercialization partner and marketing authorization applicant medac GmbH, a privately owned pharmaceutical company based in Germany. medac has an exclusive license to market SYD985 in all approved indications in the EU, UK and other European countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

"The MAA validation is an important step forward in our mission to make hope real for patients," said Byondis CEO Marco Timmers, Ph.D. "About one in five breast cancers are HER2-positive, often resulting in a more aggressive disease. There is a dire need to provide an alternative treatment option to these patients."

"medac shares Byondis' passion for delivering tolerable, more effective cancer treatment options," said medac Managing Director, CEO Jorg Hans. "This important milestone brings us closer to realizing this goal."

The MAA is supported by data from Byondis' pivotal Phase III TULIP multi-center, open-label, randomized clinical trial comparing SYD985 to physician's choice (PC) treatment in patients with pre-treated HER2-positive unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (SYD985.002/NCT03262935). The study, of which the preliminary results were presented at the 2021 ESMO Congress, met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), demonstrating a statistically significant improvement of 2.1 months over PC. TULIP also demonstrated supportive overall survival (OS) results.

This is the second regulatory submission for Byondis' lead program SYD985. The therapy is currently under review by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA granted the therapy fast track designation in January 2018 based on promising Phase I data involving heavily pre-treated last-line HER2-positive MBC patients (SYD985.001/NCT02277717). Byondis is also preparing the medac SYD985 dossier submission for the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Trastuzumab Duocarmazine (SYD985), a Next Generation Antibody-Drug Conjugate

Trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985) incorporates Byondis' distinctive, proprietary duocarmazine linker-drug (LD) technology ByonZine. The ADC is comprised of the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab and a cleavable linker-drug called valine-citrulline-seco-DUocarmycin-hydroxyBenzamide-Azaindole (vc-seco-DUBA).

The antibody part of trastuzumab duocarmazine binds to HER2 on the surface of the cancer cell and the ADC is internalized by the cell. After proteolytic cleavage of the linker, the inactive cytotoxin is activated and DNA damage is induced, resulting in tumor cell death. SYD985 is considered a form of targeted therapy.

ByonZine, Byondis' Distinctive, Proprietary Linker-Drug Technology

While earlier generation ADCs improved targeting and cell killing, they were unstable in the bloodstream, leading to premature release of the cytotoxic payload, impacting healthy tissue and narrowing the therapeutic window. Byondis' next generation ADCs are highly stable in circulation and carry an intricate, inactivated and potent cytotoxic drug that rapidly self-destructs if it is prematurely released, limiting damage to healthy tissue and improving the therapeutic window.

Byondis' differentiated linker-drug, vc-seco-DUBA, owes its potent antitumor activity to a synthetic duocarmycin-based cytotoxin. Duocarmycins, first isolated from Streptomyces bacteria in the 1970s, bind to the minor groove of DNA and disrupt the nucleic acid architecture, which eventually leads to tumor cell death.

The distinctive design of the selectively cleavable linker connecting the antibody to the duocarmycin drug leads to high stability in circulation and induces efficient release of the cytotoxin in the tumor. Uptake of the activated payload by neighboring tumor cells with lower HER2 expression may improve the efficacy potential, the so-called bystander effect.

About Byondis

Driven to improve patients' lives, Byondis is an independent, privately held, Dutch clinical stage biopharmaceutical company creating innovative precision medicines targeting intractable cancers and autoimmune diseases. The company is developing next generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) using its proprietary molecular concepts such as ByonZine, its duocarmazine linker-drug (LD) technology, and ByonShieLD, its site-specific conjugation technology. It is also creating monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and new chemical entities (NCEs) that can stand alone or be incorporated in its ADCs.

Byondis' broad development portfolio comprises preclinical as well as early- and late-stage clinical development programs. The company has a dedicated team of about 400 employees, including highly educated scientists and skilled technicians working in state-of-the-art R&D and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production and conjugation facilities on its campus in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Byondis regularly collaborates with leading global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as many academic research institutions. For more information, visit https://www.byondis.com/.

About medac GmbH

medac GmbH is a privately held, global pharmaceutical company with a growing pharmaceutical and diagnostics business. Since its foundation in Germany in 1970, medac has been specializing in the treatment of diseases within the indication areas oncology, hematology, urology and autoimmune disorders. medac is committed to the refinement of existing and the development of new therapeutic products  always with the focus on improving patients' quality of life. medac has become known for developing innovative products also in less common indications. This dedication has resulted in a comprehensive portfolio of pharmaceutical products that help make a difference in the lives of patients. medac continually invests in its product development and manufacturing as well as logistic capacities to meet both patients' needs and the demands of healthcare professionals. For more information visit https://international.medac.de/home/.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1809746/Byondis_BV_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Byondis B.V.
Wolters Kluwer senior legal analysts provide guidance as ESG policies face fierce opposition from corporations, legislators and advocacy groups across the U.S.

NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

What: ESG under Attack

ESG under Attack: https://business.cch.com/srd/SP_ESG_UnderAttack_07142022_FINAL.pdf

Why: ESG policies, once surging with seemingly unstoppable momentum, are hitting fierce opposition in the form of fiery rhetoric, legislation, and lawsuits by some corporate leaders, state officials, and conservative advocacy groups. As some companies and entities push back on ESG to protect financial interests and ideological positions, companies and funds must steer a careful course on ESG policies going forward.

In a new Strategic Perspective entitled "ESG under Attack," Wolters Kluwer legal experts examine the increasing number of interests and actions clashing with ESG-related investor and legal demands to provide insight into what companies and investment managers will need to monitor, laws and regulations that may be struck down, and what to watch for in the future as political battles continue to spill into the financial, legal, and corporate landscape.

Who: Brad Rosen, J.D., Senior Legal Analyst; Matthew Garza, J.D., Managing Editor; Lene Powell, J.D., Senior Legal Analyst

The war on ESG is a well-conceived, well-calibrated and well-executed campaign that continues to vex corporations as new battle lines emerge on a near daily basis. In the aftermath of the Supreme Court overruling Roe v. Wade, Texas, along with other red states, have threatened criminal sanctions against companies pledging to assist employees in those states that are seeking abortion services. Challenges to corporations along these lines in the future promise to accelerate.

- Brad Rosen, Senior Legal Analyst

In a down market in the summer of 2022, it seems likely that the question about demand for ESG products, and ESG's success as an investment strategy, may be tested at the same time the SEC's climate disclosure proposal comes under attack.

- Matthew Garza, J.D., Managing Editor

Companies need to watch closely because some of these new 'anti-ESG' laws cast a broad net. For example, standard company diversity trainings could run afoul of Florida's new "Stop WOKE Act."

- Lene Powell, J.D., Senior Legal Analyst

To read "ESG under Attack," visit:

https://business.cch.com/srd/SP_ESG_UnderAttack_07142022_FINAL.pdf

Contact: To arrange an interview with Brad Rosen, Matthew Garza, Lene Powell or other legal experts from Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S. on this or any other legal topics, please contact Linda Gharib: [email protected]

About Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the healthcare; tax and accounting; governance, risk, and compliance; and legal and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2021 annual revenues of 4.8 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,800 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY).

For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com , follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , and YouTube .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Linda Gharib

Director, Brand & Communications

Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Tel: +1 (646) 887-7962

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Evergreen Nephrology is proud to announce they have joined the Living Donor Circle of Excellence. This program, an initiative from the American Society of Transplantation (AST), celebrates employers who implement internal policies that provide salary support to their employees who choose to be a living organ donor.

Heather Wasielewski-Lopez, Evergreen's Chief People Officer, knows firsthand what its like to have a loved one going through the transplant process. "Organ donation is such a powerful gift. At Evergreen Nephrology, part of our mission is to increase the number of people who are able to receive organ transplants, who are living with chronic kidney disease. My younger brother was fortunate enough to be given the gift of a transplanted kidney from my older brother, and to receive support from his place of employment. As an organization we strive to offer support to our employees and alleviate stress for families as they journey through the transplant process."

Evergreen's Chief Medical Officer, Nephrologist Stanley Crittenden said, "As an organization, Evergreen is committed to transforming kidney care by providing high quality care and outcomes to people living with kidney disease. Too many people living with kidney disease lose their independence and die on the kidney transplant waiting list. The challenge for us, then, is to increase the number of living organ donors and this is where we are putting our mission into action. I am excited that Evergreen is now offering our employees paid leave if they choose to become living organ donors. I believe this is our moment to set the new standard, and we are proud to support our employees who will give the gift of life."

John Gill, MD, Founder of the Living Donor Circle of Excellence said, "Living donors are heros amongst us, their gift is life-saving for patients in need of a kidney or liver transplant and has a huge positive impact on society. Patients facing life-threatening diseases are able to live normal lives, raise their families, and participate in their communities. By supporting living organ donors, we are also building stronger communities."

Today, more than 100,000 patients are waiting for a life-saving kidney or liver transplant. Of the transplants performed in 2021, living donors accounted for 24% of kidney transplants and 6% of liver transplants. Financial disincentives are a barrier for many potential living organ donors. Living organ donation typically includes a four- to six-week recovery period and many will use their vacation time or take unpaid absences during this period to donate.

The Circle encourages other employers to follow Evergreen Nephrology to help others in need of life-saving organ transplants. You can learn more about AST's Living Donor Circle of Excellence here.

About Evergreen Nephrology

Evergreen Nephrology was built with the mission to transform kidney care by putting nephrologists in the driver's seat. By empowering nephrologists, providing financial backing, best-in-class clinical resources, and analytical insights and tools, Evergreen strives to slow disease progression, improve clinical outcomes, and increase quality of life for people living with CKD and ESRD. In addition to providing high quality healthcare and strategic partnerships, Evergreen intends to launch a Medicare Advantage Plan in 2023.

About the American Society of Transplantation

Founded in 1982, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation and improving patient care by promoting research, education, advocacy, organ donation, and service to the community. The society is the largest transplant organization in North America (consisting of more than 4,000 professional members) and is recognized as the premier society for transplantation. AST members are sought out as transplant experts and advocates. Other transplant organizations, policy makers, regulatory agencies, payors, academic institutions, and the general public look to the AST for guidance, research, and resources related to transplantation. To learn more, visit: www.myast.org.

SOURCE Evergreen Nephrology
Teledyne Technologies acquires majority interest in NL Acoustics, a fast-growing Finnish technology company specialized in advanced acoustics-based predictive maintenance solutions.

HELSINKI, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Teledyne Technologies Incorporated ("Teledyne") announced on July 15th, 2022, that it has acquired majority interest in Finnish technology company Noiseless Acoustics Oy ("NL Acoustics"). US based but globally operating Teledyne is a conglomerate merited in enabling technologies within four major segments: Digital Imaging, Instrumentation, Engineered Systems, and Aerospace and Defense Electronics. In 2021, the company employed approximately 15 000 employees and recorded a revenue of US$4.61 billion and an operative income of US$623.4 million. "At NL Acoustics, we are very excited about the new opportunities that forming an even closer partnership with Teledyne will bring us in the near future. Together we are now able to agree on the best way forward and leverage the benefits of our shared resources," Kai Saksela, the CEO of NL Acoustics describes. "Having worked with NL Acoustics since 2019, we are delighted to strengthen our partnership with the company," says Rickard Lindvall, General Manager of Teledyne FLIR Solutions. "Collectively, Teledyne and NL Acoustics provide a wide range of condition monitoring and safety solutions, including acoustic imaging systems, optical gas leak detection cameras, and hazardous gas and flame detection instrumentation."

NL Acoustics' Success Story Set to Continue with New Majority Owner

Founded in 2015 by current CEO Kai Saksela and CTO Jonas Nyberg, NL Acoustics specializes in advanced acoustic imaging instruments. The company's easy-to-use acoustic cameras are designed and manufactured in Finland and used for predictive maintenance purposes, such as locating faults, making production processes more efficient, and saving energy and costs. Over 90 % of NL Acoustics' production goes to export and the most important customers are currently in industry and the energy sector, but new applications of the company's products are constantly being discovered. The fast-growing company currently employs close to 50 people and is located in Pitajanmaki, Helsinki. "Being part of the Teledyne family brings us a lot of synergies in the areas of R&D, sourcing and production", says Jonas Nyberg, CTO of NL Acoustics. "We look forward to joining forces with Teledyne Flir and utilizing their decades-long expertise to develop cutting-edge methods and solutions", he concludes. Following the transaction with Teledyne, both CEO Saksela and CTO Nyberg will retain their minority stake in the business and, together with the entire NL Acoustics team, continue in their current positions with the aim of taking the company's growth journey to the next level. "Continuity is the key; NL Acoustics will continue to work as a team to serve our customers and partners exactly as before, but with the support of Teledyne", CEO Kai Saksela sums up.

About NL Acoustics

Founded in 2015 and based in Helsinki, Finland, NL Acoustics provides advanced acoustics-based predictive maintenance solutions with a mission of turning sound into value. The company's multidisciplinary team comprises some 50 talented individuals. NL Acoustics' global reseller network serves industrial clients in over 50 countries and is constantly expanding to answer the growing demand. The company's flagship products, easy-to-use acoustic cameras, locate leaks in compressed air systems and partial discharges in electric power generation and distribution, using the latest technology to automate problem solving and bring their users simple diagnostics, clear results, and actionable data for intelligent maintenance decisions. Learn more at: https://nlacoustics.com/



About Teledyne

Teledyne is a leading provider of sophisticated instrumentation, digital imaging products and software, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne's operations are primarily located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne's website at https://www.teledyne.com/ .

For further information, please contact:

Jenni Salomaa

Head of Marketing

NL Acoustics

+358 50 4355 635

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/noiseless-acoustics-oy/r/finnish-technology-company-nl-acoustics--majority-interest-acquired-by-teledyne,c3602600

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/21774/3602600/1605431.pdf Press Release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/noiseless-acoustics-oy/i/kai-saksela-and-jonas-nyberg,c3071314 Kai Saksela and Jonas Nyberg https://news.cision.com/noiseless-acoustics-oy/i/kai-saksela-and-jonas-nyberg,c3071323 Kai Saksela and Jonas Nyberg

SOURCE Noiseless Acoustics Oy
TSX: FF

OTCQX: FFMGF

FRANKFURT: FMG

VANCOUVER, BC, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to announce that it has made an offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Beattie Gold Mines Ltd. ("Beattie Gold"), a private company that owns the mineral rights to mining claims that make up the former Beattie mining concession which forms a large part of the Duparquet Gold Project (the "Duparquet Gold Project") located in Quebec, Canada (the "Beattie Offer"). First Mining, directly and through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Clifton Star Resources Inc. ("Clifton Star), already owns approximately 25.3% of the issued and outstanding shares of Beattie Gold. The total consideration of the Beattie Offer is $4.43641 cash per Beattie Gold share and 35 First Mining Shares per Beattie Gold share for a total cash consideration of $6,227,176 and the issuance of 49,127,820 First Mining common shares. First Mining has received signed, irrevocable lock-up agreements from Beattie Gold shareholders holding, in aggregate, 1,358,652 Beattie Gold shares, representing 72.3% of the outstanding common shares of Beattie Gold. Upon acquiring the Beattie Gold shares committed under the lock-up agreements, First Mining, directly and through Clifton Star, will own 97.6% of the outstanding common shares of Beattie Gold.

Map of the Duparquet Project (CNW Group/First Mining Gold Corp.)

The Duparquet Gold Project consists of several properties held in different entities which, in addition to the Beattie property, include the Donchester, Dumico and Central Duparquet properties. First Mining, through Clifton Star, is currently a 10% shareholder of 2588111 Manitoba Ltd ("258 Manitoba"), a private company that owns the mineral rights to mining claims that make up the former Donchester mining concession and Dumico property that also form a part of the Duparquet Gold Project, and a 10% shareholder of 2699681 Canada Ltd ("269 Canada"), a private company that owns in whole or in part, the surface rights to the Beattie, Donchester and Dumico properties. First Mining already owns 100% of the Central Duparquet property.

Concurrent with making the Beattie Offer, First Mining has entered into share purchase agreements to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of 258 Manitoba (the "258 Manitoba Transaction") and 269 Canada (the "269 Canada Transaction", and together with the 258 Transaction, the "Concurrent Transactions") that are not already owned by Clifton Star. The Concurrent Transactions are conditional on the Beattie Offer, and will close on the same day as the Beattie Offer, which is expected to be in mid-September.

The total consideration of the Concurrent Transactions is $2.5 million in cash and the issuance of 20,000,000 common shares of First Mining. In aggregate, the total consideration of the Beattie Offer and the Concurrent Transactions (assuming that all shareholders of Beattie Gold tender their shares to the Beattie Offer) is $8,727,177 in cash and 69,127,820 common shares of First Mining. The total transaction value based on the twenty trading days volume weighted average price for First Mining's common shares as of the last trading day prior to this news release is approximately $24 million.

"This transformational acquisition has been a few years in the making and grows First Mining's M&I gold resources by 40% and inferred gold resources by 50%" said Keith Neumeyer, Chairman of First Mining Gold. "When First Mining acquired Clifton Star in 2016, we always contemplated the opportunity to consolidate this advanced stage, highly prospective project. Duparquet fits perfectly with First Mining's strategy and the capabilities of our team to advance and de-risk a second world class asset."

"This is a transformational acquisition for First Mining and the Duparquet Gold Project as we plan on consolidating this highly fragmented ownership structure under the First Mining banner. Duparquet hosts a robust resource profile where two past producing mines have operated in Quebec's most prolific gold mining district. First Mining has been a long-time minority shareholder of the companies that own this Project, and the timing was right to acquire full ownership of these companies. We are confident that Duparquet and the district will prove to be a critical strategic asset in the gold sector in Canada as this transaction affirms First Mining's positioning as a multi-asset developer of major projects in Tier 1 jurisdictions," stated Dan Wilton, CEO of First Mining. "Together with our ownership of the Pitt and Duquesne projects in Quebec located just east of Duparquet, First Mining will now have 100% ownership exposure to 3.3 million M&I ounces of gold and 2.0 million inferred ounces of gold located in the Abitibi, which is home to some of the largest and richest mineral deposits in the world. First Mining has completed extensive due diligence and will develop a comprehensive plan to advance the Duparquet Gold Project in the near-term. Springpole remains a core focus and priority as we continue to advance the project through feasibility and the environmental assessment process. The addition of Duparquet results in First Mining owning 100% of two projects with multi-million ounce gold resources in what we consider as the best mining jurisdictions in the world and will allow First Mining to leverage our team's experience with similar projects in advancing these two major gold deposits."

Transaction Highlights

Consolidates one of the largest advanced-stage, undeveloped gold projects in Canada  including the Duquesne and Pitt deposits, to create a multi-million ounce gold resource district (1, 2, 3)

 including the and Pitt deposits, to create a multi-million ounce gold resource district Transforms First Mining into a leading Tier I gold development company with ownership in two prolific Tier 1 multi-million ounce gold assets located in some of the best mining jurisdictions in the world in Quebec and Ontario

and NI 43-101 resource estimate of the Duparquet Gold Project (InnovExplo, 2014) 3.1 Moz M&I at 1.59 g/t Au and 1.4 Moz Inferred at 1.51 g/t Au meaningfully enhances total resource profile of First Mining

Increases First Mining's M&I resource base in Quebec by +450% and its inferred resource base in Quebec by +150%; increases First Mining's global M&I resource base by +40% and its global inferred resource base by +50%

by +450% and its inferred resource base in by +150%; increases First Mining's global M&I resource base by +40% and its global inferred resource base by +50% Accretive acquisition metrics to First Mining on a per ounce basis

Consolidates and simplifies highly fragmented and complex ownership structure of the Duparquet Gold Project by combining properties, mineral rights and surface rights ownership under one entity

Offers potential to significantly improve on 2014 Pre-Feasibility Study completed on the Duparquet Gold Project with development optimization and more robust economics based on an improved gold market environment

Creates exciting exploration upside potential with additional exploration drilling to expand mineralized zones along strike and at-depth

Provides platform for further district consolidation in Quebec

(1) Source NI 43-101 Technical Report and Prefeasibility Study for the Duparquet Project, InnovExplo, May 23, 2014 (2) Source NI 43-101 Technical Report Resource Estimate of the Duquesne Property, WSP Canada, Reissued May 25, 2016 (3) Source NI 43-101 Technical Report and Review of the Preliminary Mineral Resource Estimate for the Pitt Gold Project, Micon International Limited, January 5, 2017

Lock-Up Agreements

In connection with the Beattie Offer, First Mining has entered into binding lock-up agreements with certain shareholders ("Support Shareholders") of Beattie Gold who have agreed to support the Beattie Offer and to irrevocably tender all of their common shares of Beattie Gold to the Beattie Offer. The Support Shareholders collectively hold 1,358,652 Beattie Gold shares representing approximately 72.3% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Beattie Gold.

Transaction Details

First Mining intends to make an offer to all registered holders of common shares of Beattie Gold in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Beattie Offer will be subject to the following conditions: (i) there being deposited under the Beattie Offer, and not withdrawn, at least 464,643 of the outstanding common shares of Beattie Gold (the "Take-Up Condition"), which, when combined with the common shares of Beattie Gold already held by First Mining (both directly and through Clifton Star), would represent ownership of Beattie Gold of 50.1%; and (ii) completion of the 269 Canada Transaction..

First Mining has entered into binding share purchase agreements in respect of the 258 Manitoba Transaction and the 269 Canada Transaction, which are both subject to the Take-Up Condition and are expected to close concurrently with the closing of the Beattie Offer. All of the transactions are expected to close in mid-September 2022.

Upcoming Duparquet Work Plan

First Mining has concluded substantial due diligence on the Duparquet Gold Project to date, including understanding the existing mineral resource estimate and exploration potential at the Duparquet Gold Project and in the district. First Mining intends to complete an updated mineral resource estimate in accordance with NI 43-101 shortly after closing the Beattie Offer and Concurrent Transactions which will incorporate additional drilling from 2014 to 2020 not included in the previous mineral resource estimate.

First Mining will commence an environmental data collection exercise to update the environmental baseline data collected by Clifton Star in 2012 and 2013. Work is also expected to commence on engineering trade-off studies and an updated economic study to build on the solid technical foundation established by the Project in the 2014 Pre-Feasibility Study. First Mining has initiated discussions with the relevant Quebec ministries and is committed to working in partnership with regulators, the local municipality, and Indigenous communities to address environmental matters and legacy infrastructure as part of the property's redevelopment. In addition, First Mining intends to commence a robust regional exploration data compilation, integration and targeting exercise to develop a path supporting potential resource expansion, resource classification upgrading, and exploration discovery.

About the Duparquet Gold Project

The Duparquet Gold Project is located immediately north of the town of Duparquet, Quebec and covers an area of 1,079 hectares, and consists of 50 mining claims, including two historical mining concessions, which include the four mining properties: the Beattie property (historical mining concession 292) owned by Beattie, the Donchester property (historical mining concession 384) and Dumico property owned by 2588111 Manitoba Ltd., and the Central Duparquet property owned by First Mining. Both the Beattie and Donchester properties contain past-producing underground gold mines. Historical underground workings and a shaft were developed at the Central Duparquet property, but no gold was produced. The Duparquet Gold Project also contains a tailings pond area straddling the southwest limit of the Beattie property.

Gold was first discovered in the Duparquet region in 1910 with production commencing in 1933 on the Beattie property and on the Donchester property in the 1940s. Mining and milling operations ceased at Duparquet in 1956 after 23 years of continuous production. During its lifetime, the Beattie mill at Duparquet produced over 1.3 million ounces of gold at grades higher than 4 g/t. The Duparquet Gold Project remained mostly dormant until 1987 when increased exploration and drilling activity resumed. Clifton Star began work on the Duparquet Gold Project in 2008 and between 2008 and 2013, Clifton Star and its partners completed in excess of 260,000 m of drilling that were incorporated into the mineral resource estimate and completed a positive Pre-Feasibility Study in 2014, which detailed a development plan including a 10,000 tpd open pit mine and mill. Clifton Star was acquired by First Mining in April 2016.

Map of the Duparquet Project

Duparquet Gold Project Mineral Resource Estimate

This mineral resource estimate was prepared for Clifton Star Resources Inc. by InnovExplo Inc titled "Technical Report and Prefeasibility Study for the Duparquet Project" effective March 26, 2014. The NI 43-101 technical report detailing the mineral resource estimate for the Duparquet Gold Project is filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and available on First Mining Gold's website.

Area Cut-off Measured Resource Indicated Resource Inferred Resource (mining method) (g/t) Tonnage

(tonnes) Au Ounces Tonnage

(tonnes) Au Ounces Tonnage

(tonnes) Au Ounces



(g/t) (g/t) (g/t) Open pit 0.45 165,100 1.45 7,711 53,070,600 1.56 2,666,690 24,092,300 1.18 910,631 UG mining 2.00 - - - 3,520,700 2.78 314,275 5,592,400 2.96 532,059 Tailings 0.45 19,600 2.06 1,295 4,105,000 0.93 123,200 - - - Total

184,700 1.52 9,006 60,696,300 1.59 3,104,165 29,684,700 1.51 1,442,690

Notes to accompany the Mineral Resource Estimate:

1. The Independent and Qualified Persons for the Mineral Resource Estimate, as defined by NI 43-101, are Kenneth Williamson, M.Sc., P.Geo and Karine Brousseau, Eng. Under the supervision of Carl Pelletier, B.Sc., P.Geo. (InnovExplo Inc.), and the effective date of the estimate is May 22, 2012 for the Tailings resource and June 26, 2013 for the In-Pit and Underground mineral resources. 2. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. 3. Tailings results are presented undiluted and in situ. The estimate includes four (4) tailings ponds. 4. In-Pit results are presented undiluted and in situ, within Whittle-optimized pit shells. The estimate includes 60 gold-bearing zones and the envelope containing isolated gold intercepts. 5. Underground results are presented undiluted and in situ, outside Whittle-optimized pit shells. The estimate includes 60 gold-bearing zones and the envelope containing isolated gold intercepts. 6. Tailings resources were compiled at cut-off grades of 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.80 and 0.9 g/t Au. 7. In-Pit resources were compiled at cut-off grades of 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.80 and 0.9 g/t Au. 8. Underground resources were compiled at cut-off grades of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 5.0 g/t Au. 9. Cut-off grades must be re-evaluated in light of prevailing market conditions (gold price, exchange rate and mining cost). 10. Tailings: A fixed density of 1.45 g/cm3 was used in zones and waste. 11. In-Pit and Underground: A fixed density of 2.73 g/cm3 was used in the mineralized zones and in the envelope zone. 12. In-Pit and Underground: A minimum true thickness of 3.0 m was applied, using the grade of the adjacent material when assayed, or a value of zero when not assayed. 13. Tailings: High grade capping was done on the raw data and established at 13.0 g/t Au for Zone 1, 3.5 g/t Au for Zone 2, 1.7 g/t Au for Zone 3 and 2.2 g/t Au for Zone 4. 14. In-Pit and Underground: High grade capping was done on the raw data and established at 25.0 g/t Au for diamond drill hole assays and channel sample assays. 15. Tailings: Compositing was done on drill hole sections falling within the mineralized zone solids (composite = 0.5 m). 16. In-Pit and Underground: Compositing was done on drill hole and channel sample sections falling within the mineralized zone solids (composite = 1 m). 17. Tailings: Resources were evaluated from drill hole and surface channel samples using an ID2 interpolation method in a block model. 18. In-Pit and Underground: Resources were evaluated from drill hole and surface channel samples using an ID2 interpolation method in a multi-folder percent block model. 19. Tailings: Measured and Indicated categories were defined based on the drill hole spacing (Measured: zones 1 and 2 = 30m x 30m grid; Indicated: zone 3 = 100m x 100m grid and zone 4 = 200m x 200m grid). 20. The In-Pit Measured category is defined by blocks having a volume of at least 25% within an envelope built at a distance of 10 m around existing channels. 21. The In-Pit and Underground Indicated category is defined by the combination of blocks within a maximum distance of 15m from existing stopes and blocks for which the average distance to drill hole composites is less than 30 m. 22. Ounce (troy) = Metric tons x Grade / 31.10348. Calculations used metric units (metres, tonnes and g/t). 23. The number of metric tons was rounded to the nearest hundred. Any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects; rounding followed the recommendations in NI 43-101. 24. InnovExplo is not aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, socio-political or marketing issues or any other relevant issue that could materially affect the Mineral Resource Estimate. 25. Input parameters used for McoG estimation and Whittle pit design: Gold price: C$ 1,450; Gold selling cost: C$ 5.00; Mining costs: C$ 2.40; Processing cost: C$ 13.46; Transportation cost: C$ 0.25; Administration cost: C$ 4.18; Processing recovery: 93.9%; Mining recovery: 90.9%; Mining dilution: 10.0%; Overall pit slope: 52. 26. Parameters used for UcoG estimation: Gold price: C$ 1,450; Gold selling cost: C$ 5.00; Mining cost: C$ 58.00; Milling cost: C$ 13.46; Processing recovery: 93.9%; Mining dilution: 15.0%.

Pitt and Duquesne Mineral Resource Estimate

Property Indicated Resource Inferred Resource

Tonnage

(tonnes) Au Ounces Tonnage

(tonnes) Au Ounces

(g/t) (g/t) Pitt(1) - - - 1,076,000 7.42 257,000 Duquesne(2) 1,859,200 3.33 199,161 1,563,100 5.58 280,643 Total 1,859,200 3.33 199,161 2,639,100 6.34 537,643



Notes to accompany the Pitt and Duquesne Mineral Resource Estimate:

(1) Notes for Pitt:





Based on the technical report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Review of the Preliminary Resource Estimate for the Pitt Gold Project, Duparquet Township, Abitibi Region, Quebec, Canada" dated January 5, 2017, which was prepared for First Mining by Micon International Limited in accordance with NI 43-101, and which is available under First Mining's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com

Cut-off grade = 3 g/t Au, Minimum block width = 1.5 metres, Dilution grade = 0 g/t, Capping grade = 35 g/t Au. (2) Notes for Duquesne:





Based on the technical report titled "43-101 Technical Report Resource Estimate of The Duquesne Gold Property" dated July 26, 2011, which is available at www.sedar.com under the SEDAR profile for Clifton Star Resources Inc.

Cut-off grade = 1.0 g/t Au without taking into account the width and no dilution was applied when the horizontal width was 1 metre or less.

Webinar

For more context, please join CEO Dan Wilton for a quick live event on July 19, 2022 at 9am PT / 12 pm ET. Click here to register: https://my.6ix.com/L1_Gqkwn.

Qualified Person

Mr. Louis Martin P.Geo., (OGQ 0364), a consultant of First Mining, is a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and he has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

About First Mining Gold Corp.

First Mining is a Canadian gold developer focused on the development and permitting of the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario. Springpole is one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in Canada. The results of a positive Pre-Feasibility Study for the Springpole Gold Project were announced by First Mining in January 2021, and permitting activities are on-going with submission of a draft Environmental Assessment ("EA") and Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the project targeted for 2022. The Company also holds a large equity position in Treasury Metals Inc. who are advancing the Goliath Gold Complex toward construction. First Mining's portfolio of gold projects in eastern Canada also includes the Pickle Crow (being advanced in partnership with Auteco Minerals Ltd.), Hope Brook (being advanced in partnership with Big Ridge Gold Corp.), Cameron, Duparquet, Duquesne, and Pitt gold projects.

First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founding President and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp.

ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.

Daniel W. Wilton

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the satisfaction of the Take-Up Condition and the closing date of the Beattie Offer and the Concurrent Transactions; (ii) First Mining's plans to complete an updated mineral resource estimate for the Duparquet Gold Project in accordance with NI 43-101 shortly after closing the Beattie Offer and the Concurrent Transactions, including its plans to incorporate drilling data from 2014 to 2022 in such updated estimate; (iii) First Mining's plans to commence an environmental data collection exercise for the Duparquet Gold Project and its plans to undertake engineering trade-off studies and complete an updated economic study for the project; and (iv) First Mining's plans to commence a regional exploration data compilation, integration and targeting exercise at the Duparquet Gold Project. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors include, without limitation the Company's business, operations and financial condition potentially being materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, and by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, that may result in a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com , and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR.

First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.

SOURCE First Mining Gold Corp.
Study funded by the State of Florida will help protect youth and adults from the dangers of hookah

MIAMI, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A collaborative of tobacco control experts called the Hookah and E-cigarettes Health Communication Group, centered in Florida, is nearing the end of an important first stage in research designed to understand the impact of placing health warning labels on hookah products on reducing hookah use among young adults. The University of Miami in partnership with Florida International University is leading the effort with counsel from experts across the country.

There is considerable misinformation about the dangers of hookah use that the public is not aware of, especially young people. In addition, because for many people hookah use occurs at "hookah lounges" and restaurants, they often don't see warning labels on packages because the employees prepare the hookah for their use. Hookah lounges also benefit from a lack of regulation and oversight that limits the impact of local policies to deliver important health information to consumers.

The fact is hookah use is dangerous and addictive. Hookah smoking has been shown to be increasingly widespread among young adults in the United States, with the majority of past30-day smokers reporting intermittent use.1 In Florida, hookah smoking is increasing particularly among youth and young adults. Data from the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey show that hookah smoking in 2021 exceeded cigarette smoking among high school students (only behind e-cigarettes and cigars).2

Although many users think it is less harmful, studies have shown that hookah smoke contains many of the same harmful components found in cigarette smoke, such as nicotine, tar, and heavy metals.3,4 Hookah tobacco and smoke contain several toxic agents known to cause lung, bladder, and oral cancers.5,6 In a typical one-hour hookah smoking session, users may inhale 100200 times the amount of smoke they would inhale from a single cigarette.7,8

Hookah smoke can also be harmful to non-users. Even after it has passed through water, the smoke from a hookah has elevated levels of these toxic agents.[9] Secondhand smoke from hookahs can be a health risk for people who do not smoke. It contains smoke from tobacco, as well as smoke from the heat source (e.g., charcoal) used in the hookah.10,11,12

"The social appeal of hookah, particularly among teenagers and young adults, cannot be understated. Hookah lounges are very attractive to younger consumers because they can hang out with friends, it is relatively cheap, and is perceived as a low-risk activity that still has an edgy element to it, said Taghrid Asfar, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Miller School of Medicine. "It is important that consumers understand the high risk of addiction and health consequences from these products and our research into health warning labels will help to understand how best to communicate those risks."

Health warning labels represent one of the most successful tobacco control strategies to communicate smoking-related risks, and studies have consistently shown that health warning labels are associated with a decrease in smoking rates and smoking-related morbidity and mortality. Given the information that exists, our project highlights the importance of developing new health warning labels for hookah products to increase awareness not only at the local level, but at a national and international level as well. Studying the effects of health warning labels can allow us to advance risk communication and suggest innovative ideas to policymakers.

The first round of research of college students' attitudes and behaviors toward hookah and health warning labels is nearing completion, with a study to be released by September 2022. The first research project, "Developing and testing waterpipe-specific health warning labels targeting young people in Florida", is funded by the Florida Department of Health's James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program. This project aims to develop and test a set of pictorial health warning labels for hookah products.

"Health warning labels have been tested in focus groups and confirms there is a lack of awareness of the dangers of hookah use," said Wasim Maziak, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Florida International University. "More importantly, when health warning labels are seen by hookah users, their behavior changes, specifically, their use of the product decreases, which supports our view that warning labels need to be on the hookah devices themselves."

About the Hookah and E-Cigarette Health Communication Group

The Hookah and E-cigarettes Health Communication Group is a collaborative group of tobacco control advocacy specialists and investigators at the University of Miami (Dr. Asfar), Florida International University (Drs. Maziak and Bursac), Florida Tobacco Free Workgroup (Dr. Thurer), tobacco control media and advocacy specialist (Mr. Abrams; Golin), youth-oriented anti-tobacco campaigns expert (Dr. Vallone; Truth Initiative), health communication specialist from the University of Memphis (Dr. Schmidt), FDA legal advisor (Mr. Lindblom), tobacco products regulatory scientist (Dr. Eissenberg), and a national and international authority on health communication for tobacco products, with a focus on e-cigarettes (Dr. Noar). For more information visit: https://www.publichealth.med.miami.edu/research/research-labs/hookah-and-e-cigarette-health-communication-group/index.html

1 Gentzke AS, Wang TW, Cornelius M, Park-Lee E, Ren C, Sawdey MD, Cullen KA, Loretan C, Jamal A, Homa DM. Tobacco Product Use and Associated Factors Among Middle and High School Students  National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2022; 71(No. SS-5):129. [accessed 2022 July 12].

2 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (FYTS), Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology, 2021. [accessed 2022 July 12].

3 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012 [accessed 2022 July 12].

4 Shihadeh A. Investigation of mainstream smoke aerosol of the argileh water pipe. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2003;41(1):14352 [accessed 2022 July 12].

5 Cobb CO, Ward KD, Maziak W, Shihadeh AL, Eissenberg T. Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking: An Emerging Health Crisis in the United States.external icon American Journal of Health Behavior 2010;34(3):27585. 2012 [accessed 2022 July 12].

6 Akl EA, Gaddam S, Gunukula SK, Honeine R, Jaoude PA, Irani J. The Effects of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking on Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review.external icon International Journal of Epidemiology 2010;39:83457. [accessed 2022 July 12].

7 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012 [accessed 2022 July 12].

8 World Health Organization. Tobacco Regulation Advisory Note. Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking: Health Effects, Research Needs and Recommended Actions by Regulatorsexternal icon. Geneva (Switzerland): World Health Organization, Tobacco Free Initiative, 2005. [accessed 2022 July 12].

9 Cobb CO, Ward KD, Maziak W, Shihadeh AL, Eissenberg T. Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking: An Emerging Health Crisis in the United States.external icon American Journal of Health Behavior 2010;34(3):27585. 2012 [accessed 2022 July 12].

10 American Lung Association. Facts About Hookahexternal icon Washington: American Lung Association, 2007. [accessed 2022 July 12].

11 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012. [accessed 2022 July 12].

12 World Health Organization. Tobacco Regulation Advisory Note. Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking: Health Effects, Research Needs and Recommended Actions by Regulatorsexternal icon. Geneva (Switzerland): World Health Organization, Tobacco Free Initiative, 2005. [accessed 2022 July 12].

SOURCE Hookah and E-Cigarette Health Communication Group
FARNBOROUGH, England, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In its new study "The Market for Fighter Aircraft," Forecast International projects manufacturers of fighter aircraft are forecast to build over 3,855 fighters from 2022 through 2031. The value of this production is estimated at over $281.4 billion in 2022 dollars. Production will top 400 aircraft by 2023 and then remain roughly at that level through 2027. Annual production will then decline each year through 2031.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will account for the largest share of fighter production during the next decade, primarily due to demand from the Pentagon and U.S. allies in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has illustrated the need for a strike fighter that can operate in a high threat environment. Over the past 20 years, the overwhelming majority of air combat operations were conducted without much threat from local air defenses, but planners must now prepare to operate in more difficult environments.

The long-term outlook for the remaining U.S.-built fighters  the Boeing F-15 and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin's F-16  continues to improve. The U.S. Air Force is procuring a new, upgraded version of the F-15E, and Congress is likely to continue to buy more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets for the U.S. Navy. Lockheed Martin has also secured new customers for the latest version of its F-16 fighter as a lower-cost alternative to the F-35.

"The outlook for European competitors, including the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Saab Gripen, is more mixed," said Forecast International Senior Aerospace Analyst Douglas Royce. "Dassault has received a wave of new orders recently for the Rafale, and the Typhoon will rely on orders from Germany and Spain to keep the line running over the long term, but the Gripen will remain in production at only a low rate unless Saab can secure new customers."

Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) continues to provide fighters to nations outside the U.S. and European defense spheres, though over the long term China could begin to compete with Russia for these customers. The economic sanctions imposed upon Russia following its invasion of Ukraine will undoubtedly affect Russian fighter exports, but to what degree and for how long remains unclear.

Work is also underway on the next generation of stealth fighters. While still in the concept development phase in the U.S. and Europe, new fighter programs in Japan, South Korea, and Turkey are expanding the diversity of production beyond traditional manufacturers.

Forecast International representatives will be available during the Farnborough International Airshow (Hall 3, Booth 2521) to demonstrate the company's extensive line of Aerospace & Defense Market Intelligence products, including Platinum Forecast System 4.4.

About Forecast International

Accurate and reliable market forecasts are more critical than ever to achieving success. For over 45 years, Forecast International has been setting the industry standard for defense and aerospace research and analysis. Our unmatched expertise has served our clients well when markets change rapidly in response to dramatic global events. FI remains steadfast in its mission of delivering actionable intelligence that reduces uncertainties and makes the future as predictable as it can be. Visit forecastinternational.com for details.

SOURCE Forecast International
SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Demandbase, the Smarter GTM company for B2B brands, today announces that it has been honored as one of the 2022 Best Workplaces for Millennials by Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine, ranking 12th out of the top 100. Earning this spot confirms that Demandbase is one of the best companies to work for in the country. The honor demonstrates Demandbase's commitment to the growth, development, and well-being of each and every employee.

Great Place to Work measured the differences in over 413,000 Millennials' survey responses to those of other generations taken from America's largest ongoing annual workforce study. This spans over 1 million employee survey responses, with data from companies that represent more than 6.1 million U.S. employees. In that survey, 97% of Demandbase's employees said Demandbase is a great place to work. This number is 40% higher than the average U.S. company.

"There are a lot of companies that claim they are a great place to work by creatively adding words like inclusivity, diversity, etc. into their mission and vision statements. The problem is that most don't deliver," said Alli Macmanus, manager, sales development and enablement at Demandbase. "I'm lucky to work for Demandbase that walks out its promises and missions. As a millennial employee, I get to experience it first hand as I continue to grow my career."

The Best Workplaces for Millennials list is highly competitive. Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture, selected the list using rigorous analytics and confidential employee feedback. Companies were only considered if they are a Great Place to Work-Certified organization. Great Place to Work is the only company culture award in America that selects winners based on how fairly employees are treated. Companies are assessed on how well they are creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is.

"Every junior and senior leader at Demandbase is in tune with the unique needs and passions of millennials. Whether you enjoy being an individual contributor or want to start a leadership track, Demandbase will accommodate each, and actively work with you to grow both personally and professionally thanks to a dedicated team that specializes in learning and development," said Russ Martin, director of product marketing at Demandbase. "Our company also actively identifies and encourages cross-department moves when employees want to contribute in different ways. The culture is hard to quantify, but over the years that I've been here, there's a consistent trend of good policy decisions, open leadership, and general happiness about the current and future state of the company."

In 2022, Demandbase also ranked as a Best Place to Work in the Bay Area by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work and the number one Best Places to Work in the Bay Area, Large Category, by the San Francisco Business Times. The latter win marked the seventh year for Demandbase being named in the annual ranking.

About Demandbase

Demandbase is Smarter GTM for B2B brands. We help marketing and sales teams spot the juiciest opportunities earlier and progress them faster by injecting Account Intelligence into every step of the buyer journey and orchestrating every action. For more information about Demandbase, visit www.demandbase.com .

About the Best Workplaces for Millennials

Great Place to Work selected the Best Workplaces for Millennials by gathering and analyzing over 1 million confidential survey responses and data from companies representing more than 6.1 million U.S. employees at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place to Work Trust Index survey. Read the full methodology. To get on this list next year, start here.

About Great Place to Work

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, it has surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Its employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Everything it does is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook and Instagram .

SOURCE Demandbase
LUXEMBOURG and BASEL, Switzerland, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FORTY51 Ventures today announced the closing of FORTY51 Ventures I, raising USD 43 Million in its first close.

FORTY51's core strategy focuses on company formation and early stage investments in Biotech with geographic emphasis on Switzerland, France and Germany. FORTY51 Ventures will lead or co-lead early rounds (Seed and Series A) of its growing portfolio which will include both academic and Pharma spin-outs.

In addition, FORTY51 Ventures announces its first investment in Mosanna Therapeutics, a newly created company that pursues the development of a small molecule developed by Sanofi S.A. (Paris, France) to address patients' needs suffering from metabolic obstructive sleep apnea.

The fund is advised by a complementary founding team of three industry veterans, Sara Nunez-Garcia, Sascha Oliver Bucher and Tamas Schweighoffer, who bring a deep network and decades of drug development, transactions and venture expertise.

In addition, Peter van Vlasselaer, Bill Symonds, Jonathan Knowles, Hans Schikan and Darren Ji will support FORTY51 Ventures as Industry advisors who will lend deep expertise to the growing family of entrepreneurs. Alan S. Roemer will advise the fund as Strategic Partner in the US.

FORTY51 Ventures is anchored by a strong institutional investor syndicate with Stable Asset Management, as well as the Fischli Family. Seasoned Biotech entrepreneurs and private individuals also participated in the first close of the fund.

"We are incredibly excited to bring FORTY51 Ventures to life with the goal of supporting company creation and early stage Biotech in the European market, where we see unprecedented innovation yet a lack of venture builders" commented the founders.

Erik Serrano-Berntsen, Founder and CEO of Stable Asset Management mentioned "FORTY51 Ventures brings true company building to Europe's exciting Biotech scene and leverages a unique arbitrage opportunity with their reach into the US. I have not come across a truly differentiating investment strategy in Biotech coupled with such a highly complementary skillset among the founding Partners - Sara's scientific and investment expertise, Tamas's experience in bringing early programs into the clinic, and Sascha's ability in building and transacting businesses - we are extremely proud to help bring FORTY51 Ventures to its first close".

Walter Fischli, Biotech entrepreneur and investor commented "From personal experience, I know the great yet largely untapped, investment opportunity that exists in Biotech in Switzerland and its neighboring countries. It requires a very experienced team with the ability to focus on early stage companies being able to provide a clear development path for the assets  given the great prospects of FORTY51, I am very excited to become one of the anchor investors in their first fund ".

FORTY51 Ventures Fund I SCSp, FIAR is domiciled in Luxembourg. Legal and tax advice were provided by Dechert LLP (Luxembourg), Barnes & Thornburg LLP (USA) and Vischer (Switzerland).

www.FORTY51ventures.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1860879/Forty51_Ventures_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Forty51 Ventures
Manga Productions, a subsidiary of Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) which produces animations, video games and comics, is moving its headquarters to Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City opening in 2024.

The relocation of Manga Productions headquarters will ignite a new media sector within the City. It will support the Citys aims to foster a new generation of creative Saudi talents and enable young creative minds to live, learn, share and grow. Manga Productions will also benefit from the Citys culture of encouraging global collaboration, enabling further partnerships with international creatives.

Manga Productions will be a haven for young Saudi talents to explore and enjoy its different offerings. The company is designing and facilitating workshops in the City to provide a curated educational programme on the industry to train, empower and inspire Saudi youth.

Heroes of tomorrow

Dr Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, said: At Manga Productions, we aim to inspire the heroes of tomorrow. Our new headquarters in Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City will allow us to cultivate a culture of youth and creativity, create opportunity and inspire minds of the creative industry, while fostering young Saudi talent.

David Henry, CEO of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City, said: Manga Productions new headquarters will form part of the Citys human-centered ecosystem, which puts Saudi youth at its core. It will support the goals of the City and Vision 2030 to provide skills and opportunities for young Saudi talents, inspire them to realise their creative ambitions, while attracting global talent.

Manga Productions is a pioneer of Saudi Arabias media and creative content sector, developing inspiring and positive content that targets all different local and international groups of society. Manga Productions produced the first ever Saudi Japanese animation movie, The Journey, in partnership with TOEI Animation, one of the oldest and most renown Japanese studios.

The Journey marked a pivotal moment for Saudi Arabias creative industry and showcased Saudi culture and the historical stories of the Arabian Peninsula to international audiences across the globe.

Bringing innovation

Manga Productions brings its innovation to the City, combining the creative industry, enhance public academic and industrial partnership, and social development in Saudi Arabia.

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City is located in Irqah neighborhood, adjacent to Wadi Hanifa, on an area spreading over 3.4 square kilometres.-- TradeArabia News Service
DUBLIN, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "France Tractor Market - Industry Analysis & Forecast 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

France tractor market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.24% during 2022-2028



The study considers a detailed scenario of the present France agricultural tractor market and its market dynamics for 2022-2028. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The report offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent ones operating in the market.



KEY POINTS

In 2020, France was the 2nd largest agriculture tractor market after Germany in Europe with an overall unit registration of 26,121 units. The increase in tractor sales and crop production resulted from favourable monsoon rains in 2019 and 2020, which helped the country to recover from the drought-induced low in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic.



France's machinery, and equipment (M&E) industry is the world's 3rd largest supplier of machinery. Despite the pandemic situation, the FDI investment in the machinery and equipment sector has attracted foreign investors considerably that will support the growth of machinery and equipment.



SEGMENT ANALYSIS

With approximately 38% of the share, tractors account for the largest segment of agriculture equipment in France. Tractors can be rightfully called the backbone of the France agriculture industry.



Agriculture tractors accounted for 98% of the overall France tractors market in 2021. In 2020, France exported $2.95 billion worth of tractors. France is the world's 5th largest exporter of agricultural tractors and tillage machinery.

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

In terms of units sold, John Deere, New Holland and Fendt dominated the France tractor market with a collective market share of around 50%.



Key Vendors

John Deere

CNH Industries

AGCO

Claas

TAFE

Other Prominent Vendors

SDF

ACE

ISEKI

DEUTZ-FAHR

Mahindra & Mahindra

Yanmar

Escorts

Kubota

REGIONAL ANALYSIS: ZONES

North (Hauts-de- France , Ile-de- France , and Centre Val-de-Loire)

, Ile-de- , and Centre Val-de-Loire) South (Occitanie, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur (PACA), and Corsica)

East (Grand-Est, Bourgogne Franche-Comte, and Auvergne Rhone-Alpes)

West (Bretagne, Normandie, Pays de la Loire, and Nouvelle Aquitaine)

Key Topics Covered:



1 Research Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Scope & Coverage

4.1 Market Definition

4.1.1 Inclusions

4.1.2 Exclusions

4.1.3 Market Estimation Caveats

4.2 Base Year

4.3 Scope of the Study



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats

5.1 Key Caveats

5.2 Currency Conversion

5.3 Market Derivation



6 Market at a Glance



7 Introduction

7.1 Overview

7.1.1 France's Agricultural Incentives

7.1.2 Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) and Eu Agricultural Expenditure

7.1.3 France's Strategy for Food Security, Nutrition & Sustainable Agriculture

7.1.4 France's Agricultural Scenario

7.1.5 Import and Export Analysis

7.1.6 France Relance - Building Agricultural & Agri-Food Model of Future

7.1.7 Increasing Adoption of Precision Farming

7.1.8 Land Holding Structure in France

7.1.9 Tractors Lead French Agriculture Machinery Market

7.1.10 Technological Advancements

7.1.11 Impact of Covid-19 on French Agricultural Sector



8 Market Landscape

8.1 Market Overview

8.2 Market Size & Forecast



9 Horsepower

9.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

9.2 Market Overview

9.3 Less Than 50 Hp

9.3.1 Market Overview

9.3.2 Market Size & Forecast

9.3.3 Less Than 50 Hp Tractor Market in France by Zones

9.4 50-100 Hp

9.5 101-150 Hp

9.6 151-200 Hp

9.7 201-300 Hp

9.8 301-400 Hp

9.9 Above 400 Hp



10 Drive Type

10.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

10.2 Market Overview

10.3 2-Wheel Drive

10.3.1 Market Overview

10.3.2 Market Size & Forecast

10.3.3 2 Wd Tractor Market in France by Zones

10.4 4-Wheel Drive



11 Zone

11.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

11.2 Market Overview



12 Market Opportunities & Trends

12.1 Increased Assistance to Agriculture & Rural Development

12.2 Technology Disrupting Agricultural Tractor Market

12.2.1 Self-Driving Tractors

12.2.2 Gps Technology

12.2.3 Ict

12.2.4 Robots in Agriculture/Autonomous Tractors

12.2.5 Alternative Fuel-Based Tractors

12.3 France Relance: a Plan to Support Agricultural & Agri-Food Model



13 Market Growth Enablers

13.1 Growing Farm Mechanization

13.2 Growth in Agricultural Productivity & Exports

13.2.1 Agricultural Exports

13.3 Scarcity of Human Resources for Farm Labor



14 Market Restraints

14.1 Livestock Crisis Affecting Thousands of Farms

14.2 Increasing Demand for Used & Rental Tractors

14.3 Climate Change Adversely Impacting Agricultural Activities



15 Five Forces Analysis

15.1.1 Threat of New Entrants

15.1.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

15.1.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers

15.1.4 Threat of Substitutes

15.1.5 Competitive Rivalry



16 Competitive Landscape

16.1 Competition Overview

16.1.1 Brand Loyalty

16.1.2 Sales & Exports



17 Key Company Profiles

17.1 Business Overview

17.2 John Deere in Agricultural Tractor Market

17.3 Product Offerings

17.4 Key Strategies

17.5 Key Strengths

17.6 Key Opportunities

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jpjuz0

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

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SOURCE Research and Markets
LONDON, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

Chef Rasmus Kofoed, sommelier Sren Ledet and the team from Geranium, Copenhagen, receive the award for The Worlds Best Restaurant, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, at The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants awards 2022 held at Old Billingsgate in London, Monday 18th July 2022 Related Documents View PDF

Geranium in Copenhagen is named The World's Best Restaurant 2022, sponsored by S. Pellegrino & Acqua Panna

Pellegrino Announced this evening at an awards ceremony in London , the 2022 list includes restaurants from 24 territories in five continents worldwide and introduces 12 restaurants making their debut, along with two returning as re-entries

, the 2022 list includes restaurants from 24 territories in five continents worldwide and introduces 12 restaurants making their debut, along with two returning as re-entries South America and Asia are recognised as culinary powerhouses, with eight and seven restaurants on the list respectively

and are recognised as culinary powerhouses, with eight and seven restaurants on the list respectively Rene Frank of Coda, Berlin , receives The World's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Sosa

of Coda, , receives The World's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Sosa The Beronia World's Best Sommelier Award is presented to Josep Roca , sommelier of El Celler de Can Roca, in a new award for 2022

, sommelier of El Celler de Can Roca, in a new award for 2022 Aponiente in El Puerto de Santa Maria wins the Flor de Cana Sustainable Restaurant Award

in de wins the Flor de Cana Sustainable Restaurant Award Uliassi (No.12) in Senigallia takes homes the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles

(No.12) in Senigallia takes homes the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles Nobelhart & Schmutzig (No.17) is awarded the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award, as the Berlin restaurant climbs 28 places from the 2021 list

(No.17) is awarded the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award, as the restaurant climbs 28 places from the 2021 list Atomix (No.33) in New York wins the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award

(No.33) in wins the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award Estrella Damm Chefs' Choice Award goes to Jorge Vallejo of Quintonil in Mexico City

The creme de la creme of the world's restaurant community gathered in London this evening to celebrate The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. The awards ceremony, hosted by internationally renowned actor and gourmet Stanley Tucci, honoured gastronomic excellence from 24 territories across five continents before naming Copenhagen's Geranium as The World's Best Restaurant 2022 and The Best Restaurant in Europe 2022.

For the full 1-50 list, please see the website here.

Taking over the No.1 position from Noma  which has been elevated to the Best of the Best hall of fame  Geranium, led by chef Rasmus Kofoed and sommelier Sren Ledet, was voted the No.2 restaurant in The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2021 list. Geranium's mission is to create food that awakens the senses, and Chef Kofoed's meticulous cooking and incredible vision, including his recent decision to go meatless, have won accolades and fans worldwide. Geranium is joined in the top three by Central (No.2) in Lima and Disfrutar (No.3) in Barcelona.

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SOURCE 50 Best
LONDON, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

Chef Rasmus Kofoed, sommelier Sren Ledet and the team from Geranium, Copenhagen, receive the award for The Worlds Best Restaurant, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, at The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants awards 2022 held at Old Billingsgate in London, Monday 18th July 2022

Geranium in Copenhagen is named The World's Best Restaurant 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna

is named The World's Best Restaurant 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Announced this evening at an awards ceremony in London , the 2022 list includes restaurants from 24 territories in five continents worldwide and introduces 12 restaurants making their debut, along with two returning as re-entries

, the 2022 list includes restaurants from 24 territories in five continents worldwide and introduces 12 restaurants making their debut, along with two returning as re-entries South America and Asia are recognised as culinary powerhouses, with eight and seven restaurants on the list respectively

and are recognised as culinary powerhouses, with eight and seven restaurants on the list respectively Rene Frank of Coda, Berlin , receives The World's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Sosa

, receives The World's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Sosa The Beronia World's Best Sommelier Award is presented to Josep Roca , sommelier of El Celler de Can Roca, in a new award for 2022

, sommelier of El Celler de Can Roca, in a new award for 2022 Aponiente in El Puerto de Santa Maria wins the Flor de Cana Sustainable Restaurant Award

de wins the Flor de Cana Sustainable Restaurant Award Uliassi (No.12) in Senigallia takes homes the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles

Nobelhart & Schmutzig (No.17) is awarded the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award, as the Berlin restaurant climbs 28 places from the 2021 list

restaurant climbs 28 places from the 2021 list Atomix (No.33) in New York wins the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award

wins the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award Estrella Damm Chefs' Choice Award goes to Jorge Vallejo of Quintonil in Mexico City

The creme de la creme of the world's restaurant community gathered in London this evening to celebrate The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. The awards ceremony, hosted by internationally renowned actor and gourmet Stanley Tucci, honoured gastronomic excellence from 24 territories across five continents before naming Copenhagen's Geranium as The World's Best Restaurant 2022 and The Best Restaurant in Europe 2022.

For the full 1-50 list, please see the attached graphic or see the bottom of this release.

Taking over the No.1 position from Noma  which has been elevated to the Best of the Best hall of fame  Geranium, led by chef Rasmus Kofoed, was voted the No.2 restaurant in The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2021 list. Geranium's mission is to create food that awakens the senses, and Chef Kofoed's meticulous cooking and incredible vision, including his recent decision to go meatless, have won accolades and fans worldwide. Geranium is joined in the top three by Central (No.2) in Lima and Disfrutar (No.3) in Barcelona.

William Drew, Director of Content for The World's 50 Best Restaurants, comments: "We are delighted to announce the list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2022 and to celebrate Geranium as the new No.1. Rasmus Kofoed, Sren Ledet and their team have created an unforgettable dining experience, taking seasonal cooking to superlative heights and delivering precise, beautiful and elegant food that combines art and flavour alongside a ground-breaking drinks programme. Geranium has cemented its status as a global culinary destination and a much-deserved winner of the coveted title, The World's Best Restaurant 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. It is also very exciting to recognise this diverse list of restaurants spread across five continents and to see this vibrant culinary community coming together to celebrate in London."

South America continues to make culinary waves, as Central in Lima is named No.2 in the list and The Best Restaurant in South America, with the continent boasting eight restaurants overall including new entry Mayta (No.32) in Lima and Oteque (No.47) in Rio de Janeiro. Asia follows with seven restaurants in the list, including new entries Sorn in Bangkok (No.39) and La Cime, Osaka (No.41). The Best Restaurant in Asia is Den in Tokyo (No.20), while list debutant Fyn in Cape Town (No.37) is crowned The Best Restaurant in Africa. Pujol (No.5) in Mexico City takes The Best Restaurant in North America spot for the third time.

The Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award is presented to Atomix, a 14-seat tasting menu restaurant set around a single U-shaped counter in New York, run by husband and wife team Junghyun 'JP' and Ellia Park. With JP leading the kitchen and Ellia the front of house, the duo deliver a standout culinary experience, offering ground-breaking Korean cuisine and impeccable service to international visitors and New Yorkers alike.

Rene Frank of Coda, Berlin, is the recipient of The World's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Sosa. The renowned pastry chef leads Germany's first and only specialist high-end dessert restaurant. Frank's innovative and memorable creations, with a basis in traditional techniques, have attracted an ever-growing fanbase as well as help build the chef's reputation internationally.

Introduced as a new award for 2022, the Beronia World's Best Sommelier title is awarded to Josep Roca, sommelier and co-owner of El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain. Roca is a world-renowned sommelier, whose talent exemplifies excellence within wine and food and whose passion is captivating. El Celler de Can Roca, which Josep runs with his brothers Joan and Jordi, now sits in the Best of the Best hall of fame having won The World's Best Restaurant title in both 2013 and 2015.

Uliassi (No.12) in Senigallia, Italy is the winner of the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles, in recognition of the restaurant's contemporary cuisine inspired by the traditions of the Adriatic Coast.

Further new entries include: Alchemist (No.18) and Jordnr (No.38), both in Copenhagen; The Jane (No.23) in Antwerp; Le Clarence (No.28) in Paris; St Hubertus (No.29) in San Cassiano, Italy; and Ikoyi (No.49) in London.

Nobelhart & Schmutzig (No.17) is awarded the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award, after the Berlin restaurant climbed 28 places since the publication of the 2021 list. Proud of its "vocally local" philosophy, Nobelhart & Schmutzig sets its focus firmly on its producers, resulting in high demand for its 10-course signature menu.

Jorge Vallejo, chef-owner of Quintonil (No.9) in Mexico City wins the Estrella Damm Chefs' Choice Award. Voted on by his peers  the world's leading chefs  it is awarded to a chef who has had a significant influence on the culinary community.

Aponiente in the south-west of Spain takes home the Flor de Cana Sustainable Restaurant Award. This award is independently audited by the Sustainable Restaurant Association, which rates establishments that self-nominate for the award based on a wide range of criteria, including environmental and social responsibility.

The evening also celebrated those honoured with pre-announced special awards. These included the Champions of Change winners: Dieuveil Malonga, Koh Seng Choon and duo Olia Hercules and Alissa Timoshkina; Leonor Espinosa, winner of The World's Best Female Chef Award, sponsored by Nude Glass; social entrepreneur Wawira Njiru, winner of the Icon Award; and Marseille restaurant AM par Alexandre Mazzia, winner of the American Express One To Watch Award.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, held at the historic Old Billingsgate market in the City of London, marked the 20th year of the prestigious global gastronomic ranking.

The Voting Process

The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2022 list is voted for by 1,080 international restaurant industry experts and well-travelled gourmets who make up The World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy. The gender-balanced Academy comprises 27 separate regions around the world, each of which has 40 members including a chairperson. No sponsor from the event has any influence over the voting process. The World's 50 Best Restaurants list is independently adjudicated by professional services consultancy Deloitte. This adjudication ensures that the integrity and authenticity of the voting process and the resulting list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2022 is protected.

Best of the Best

Those in the elite group of No.1 ranked restaurants (listed below) have more than proved their worth and will now be forever honoured as iconic dining destinations in the Best of the Best hall of fame. The chefs and restaurateurs who have led their restaurants to the pinnacle of the list have expressed their desire to invest in the future of the sector and 'give back' to the food world through new projects and initiatives. The following restaurants have been named No.1 in The World's 50 Best Restaurants since the list's inception and were therefore not eligible for voting in 2022 and beyond:

El Bulli (2002, 2006-2009)

The French Laundry (2003-2004)

The Fat Duck (2005)

Noma  original location (2010-2012, 2014)

El Celler de Can Roca (2013, 2015)

(2013, 2015) Osteria Francescana (2016, 2018)

Eleven Madison Park (2017)

Mirazur (2019)

Noma  current location (2021)

EDITOR'S NOTES:

1-50 List:

Position Restaurant Location 1 Geranium Copenhagen 2 Central Lima 3 Disfrutar Barcelona 4 Diverxo Madrid 5 Pujol Mexico City 6 Asador Etxebarri Atxondo 7 A Casa do Porco Sao Paulo 8 Lido 84 Gardone Riviera 9 Quintonil Mexico City 10 Le Calandre Rubano 11 Maido Lima 12 Uliassi Senigallia 13 Steirereck Vienna 14 Don Julio Buenos Aires 15 Reale Castel di Sangro 16 Elkano Getaria 17 Nobelhart & Schmutzig Berlin 18 Alchemist Copenhagen 19 Piazza Duomo Alba 20 Den Tokyo 21 Mugaritz San Sebastian 22 Septime Paris 23 The Jane Antwerp 24 The Chairman Hong Kong 25 Frantzen Stockholm 26 Restaurant Tim Raue Berlin 27 Hof Van Cleve Kruishoutem 28 Le Clarence Paris 29 St. Hubertus San Cassiano 30 Florilege Tokyo 31 Arpege Paris 32 Mayta Lima 33 Atomix New York 34 Hisa Franko Kobarid 35 The Clove Club London 36 Odette Singapore 37 Fyn Cape Town 38 Jordnr Copenhagen 39 Sorn Bangkok 40 Schloss Schauenstein Furstenau 41 La Cime Osaka 42 Quique Dacosta Denia 43 Borago Santiago 44 Le Bernardin New York 45 Narisawa Tokyo 46 Belcanto Lisbon 47 Oteque Rio de Janeiro 48 Leo Bogota 49 Ikoyi London 50 SingleThread Healdsburg

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About The World's 50 Best Restaurants

Since 2002, The World's 50 Best Restaurants has reflected the diversity of the world's culinary landscape. The annual list of the world's most prestigious restaurants provides a snapshot of some of the best destinations for unique culinary experiences, in addition to being a barometer for and a pioneer of global gastronomic trends. The 50 Best family also includes Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants, The World's 50 Best Bars, Asia's 50 Best Bars, North America's 50 Best Bars and the #50BestTalks and 50 Best Explores series, all of which are owned and run by William Reed. 50 Best aims to bring together communities across the hospitality sector to foster collaboration, inclusivity, diversity and discovery and help drive positive change.

About the main sponsor: S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna

S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna are the main partners of The World's 50 Best Restaurants and 50 Best for Recovery. S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna are the leading natural mineral waters in the fine dining world. Together they interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of excellence, pleasure and well-being.

Other Partners:

Estrella Damm  Official Beer Partner; sponsor of the Estrella Damm Chefs' Choice Award

 Official Beer Partner; sponsor of the Estrella Damm Chefs' Choice Award American Express Resy  Official Credit Card & Booking Platform Partner (Resy); sponsor of the American Express One To Watch Award

Gin Mare  Official Gin Partner; sponsor of the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award

Flor de Cana  Official Rum Partner; sponsor of the Flor de Cana Sustainable Restaurant Award

Sosa  Official Ingredients Partner; sponsor of The World's Best Pastry Chef Award

Beronia  Official Wine Partner; sponsor of the Beronia World's Best Sommelier Award

Nude Glass  Official Glassware Partner; sponsor of The World's Best Female Chef Award

Villa Massa  Official Limoncello and Amaretto Partner; sponsor of the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award

Illycaffe  Official Coffee Partner

Dassai Sake  Official Sake Partner

Nyetimber  Official Sparkling Wine Partner

Cinco Jotas  Official Iberico Ham Partner

The London Essence Co.  Official Mixers Partner

Choco  Official Ordering Partner

Aspire Lifestyles  Official Concierge Partner; sponsor of the Highest New Entry Award

Jaen Seleccion  Official Olive Oil Partner

Culinary Roots / Castilla-La Mancha  Official Destination Promotion Partner

Sea Containers  Official Hotel Partner

One Hundred Shoreditch  Official Hotel Partner

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For media centre access, please visit:

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SOURCE 50 Best
VANCOUVER, BC, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Gold Royalty Corp. ("Gold Royalty" or the "Company") (NYSE American: GROY) will release its 2022 third quarter financial and operating results on Monday, August 15, 2022, after market close.

An investor webcast will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022 starting at 11:00 am ET (8:00 am PT) to discuss these results. The Company will be providing an update to interested stakeholders on the Company's third quarter results including key recent catalysts that have been announced on the assets underlying the Company's royalties. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session where participants will be able to ask any questions they may have of management.

To register for the Town Hall Meeting, please click the link below: https://www.bigmarker.com/vid-conferences/GoldRoyalty-VID-Forum-Q3-2022?utm_bmcr_source=GROY

About Gold Royalty Corp.

Gold Royalty is a gold-focused royalty company offering creative financing solutions to the metals and mining industry. Its mission is to acquire royalties, streams and similar interests at varying stages of the mine life cycle to build a balanced portfolio offering near, medium and longer-term attractive returns for its investors. Gold Royalty's diversified portfolio currently consists primarily of net smelter return royalties on gold properties located in the Americas.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information:

Certain of the information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking information' and 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Such statements can be generally identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "believe", "plans", "anticipate", "continue", "estimates", "targets", "goals", "forecasts" or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and other important factors, including assumptions of management regarding the accuracy of the disclosure of the operators of the projects underlying the Company's portfolio of royalties and those developments at certain mines, projects or properties that underlie the Company's interests, their ability to achieve disclosed plans and targets, macroeconomic conditions and commodity prices. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including, among others, any inability of the operators to execute proposed plans, risks related to exploration, development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any such projects, the influence of macroeconomic developments, the impact of, and response of relevant governments to, COVID-19 and the effectiveness of such responses, the ability of the Company to carry out its growth plans and other factors set forth in the Company's publicly filed documents under its profiles at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended September 30, 2021. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Gold Royalty Corp.
GREENVILLE, S.C., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GrandSouth Bancorporation (GRRB:OTCQX) (the "Company" or "GrandSouth"), the holding company for GrandSouth Bank announced today that net income for the second quarter of 2022 was $3.7 million.

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per common share ($0.1365 per Series A preferred share) payable on August 18, 2022 to shareholders of record on August 4, 2022.

Second Quarter 2022 Highlights  For and during the quarter ended June 30, 2022:

Net Income was $3.7 million , a decrease of $0.3 million , or 6.81%, from the same quarter in 2021.

, a decrease of , or 6.81%, from the same quarter in 2021. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.67 and $0.65 , respectively.

and , respectively. The annualized returns on average assets and average equity were 1.18% and 15.22%, respectively.

Total assets increased $0.8 million , or 0.06%, to $1.3 billion .

, or 0.06%, to . Gross loans increased by $16.6 million , or an annualized rate of 7.12%, to $952.8 million .

, or an annualized rate of 7.12%, to . Total deposits increased $2.2 million , or an annualized rate of 0.79%, to $1.1 billion .

, or an annualized rate of 0.79%, to . Cost of funds decreased by six basis points, or 12.50%, from the same quarter in 2021.

0.01% of Core Bank loans (gross loans excluding specialty floor plan loans) were 30 days past due as of June 30, 2022 . The annualized net recovery ratio for the quarter was 0.01%.

. The annualized net recovery ratio for the quarter was 0.01%. The efficiency ratio was 64.38%, up from 58.40% in the prior quarter and 57.44% in the same quarter in 2021.

To view the full report, visit https://www.otcmarkets.com/otcapi/company/financial-report/339722/content

About GrandSouth Bancorporation

GrandSouth Bancorporation is a bank holding company with assets of $1.3 billion at June 30, 2022. GrandSouth Bank provides a range of financial services to individuals and small and medium sized businesses. GrandSouth Bank has eight branches in South Carolina, located in Greenville, Fountain Inn, Anderson, Greer, Columbia, Orangeburg and Charleston.

www.grandsouth.com

SOURCE GrandSouth Bancorporation
No. 1 firearms auction house, Rock Island Auction Company, to auction the sole surviving blaster used in the creation of the original Star Wars trilogy

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- From Rock Island Auction Company and a galaxy far, far away comes the BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster carried by Han Solo, portrayed by Harrison Ford, in "Star Wars: A New Hope," which will be up for auction during the company's Premier Auction, Aug. 26  28. Star Wars fans refer to Han Solo's blaster, one of the most recognizable weapons in movie history, as the "Hero" prop from "Star Wars: A New Hope." The Blaster was used to spring Solo out of several scrapes and can be seen prominently strapped to his thigh at the film's triumphant conclusion. The pre-auction estimate for Han Solo's BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster is $300,000 - $500,000.

The BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster carried by Han Solo, portrayed by Harrison Ford, in Star Wars: A New Hope, will be up for auction during Rock Island Auction Companys Premier Auction, Aug. 26  28. Rock Island Auction Company

Han Solo's blaster was previously considered missing and presumed lost forever, requiring new prop blasters to be built for "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." The replacement wielded by Ford in the "Return of the Jedi" sold at auction in 2018 for $550,000. The current offering by Rock Island Auction Company is the sole surviving blaster prop remaining of the three used for filming the original trilogy. Han Solo's blaster could set the new high-water mark in the increasingly popular field of Star Wars collectibles. In 2017 an original R2D2 droid sold for $2.75 million, and an original X-wing miniature prop brought $2.3 million in June 2022.

Originally Han Solo's blaster was a Mauser C96 broom handle pistol that served as a prop in previous movies, such as the 1968 film "Naked Runner" where it was used by Frank Sinatra, playing an assassin. Roger Christian, set decorator for "A New Hope," told Esquire magazine that he wanted Han Solo's blaster to look like a western gun. The Mauser was modified with a World War II era scope and the muzzle from an airplane-mounted machine gun, along with a few other modifications. The blaster comprised of military surplus parts would go on to serve as the prototype for those carried by Solo throughout the first three Star Wars films produced.

Rock Island Auction Company's August Premier Firearms Auction offers a spectacular selection of legacy firearms, historic masterworks, supreme rarities from across the ages and some of the most desirable treasures found in the world of fine arms collecting. Whether collectors are in the market for a North American Arms Co. Model 1911 pistol, a Confederate Morse breech loading center-fire carbine, or a piece of Hollywood history, the August lineup caters to collectors at every level. Also offered in the auction will be a pair of pistols wielded by Angelina Jolie in the 2001 film "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," as well as a revolver of Wild Bill Hickok that many historians believe was on his person when he was killed in Deadwood, SD.

About Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Auction Company is the world's #1 auction company for firearms, bladed weapons and militaria. Founded in 1993 by its current CEO Patrick Hogan, RIAC continues to lead the industry with record sales numbers and their extensive and beautiful marketing efforts. Their 150,000 square foot campus consists of two buildings and hosts around 18+ auctions each year. They actively seek consignments, be it a single weapon or a collection of hundreds, a thousand-dollar item or one million. For more information, please visit www.rockislandauction.com or call 1-800-238-8022.

Media Contact:

Lauren Witt, [email protected], 817-721-5576

SOURCE Rock Island Auction Company
Since its first 17,573 square foot space signed in 2017, iCapital has grown by 123,651 square feet

NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) announced today that iCapital will increase its office space with ESRT for an additional two full floors which total 59,228 square feet in its fourth expansion at One Grand Central Place, for a total of 141,224 square feet across six full floors in a long term lease. iCapital is a leading global fintech company that drives access and efficiency in alternative investing for the asset and wealth management industries. Since its first signed lease in 2017, iCapital has expanded four times with ESRT.



"We are delighted to extend our five-year partnership with ESRT and continue expanding our domestic footprint in the heart of New York City with added space at One Grand Central Place," said Lawrence Calcano, chairman and chief executive officer of iCapital. "Our ongoing expansion has allowed us to drive innovation in a contemporary workspace and operate in an environment that invites collaboration. We look forward to making room for talented individuals to join our team, empowering us to better serve our clients and continue on our trajectory of rapid growth in an unmatched location."

One Grand Central Place offers premier tenant office spaces and amenities which include a tenant-only conference center, multiple dining options, and in-building access to Grand Central Station's five subway lines, commuter trains, and retailers.

"Convenient location, unmatched amenities, and premier indoor environmental quality contributed to iCapital's decision to make its fourth expansion at One Grand Central Place," said Thomas P. Durels, executive vice president, real estate at Empire State Realty Trust.

Lauren Crowley Corrinet, Al Golod, and Christopher Hogan of CBRE represented iCapital in the lease negotiations. Jordan Berger of ESRT and Erik Harris, Neil Rubin, Scott Klau, and William Cohen of Newmark represented the property owner.

More information about One Grand Central Place, and current availabilities, can be found online.

About Empire State Realty Trust

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a REIT that owns and manages office, retail, and multifamily assets in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. ESRT owns the Empire State Building  the World's Most Famous Building  and Tripadvisor's 2022 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards #1 attraction in the U.S. and #3 attraction in the world, in the newly reimagined and iconic Empire State Building Observatory. The company is a leader in healthy buildings, energy efficiency, and indoor environmental quality, and has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per square foot of any publicly traded REIT portfolio in New York City. As of Mar. 31, 2022, ESRT's portfolio is comprised of approximately 9.4 million rentable square feet of office space, 700,000 rentable square feet of retail space and 625 units across two multifamily properties. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and LinkedIn .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. You can identify these statements by our use of words such as "assumes," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects" or the negative of these words or similar words or expressions that do not relate to historical matters. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond ESRT's control and could materially affect actual results, performance or achievements. Such factors and risks include, without limitation, the current public health crisis and economic disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic, a failure of conditions or performance regarding any event or transaction described above, regulatory changes, and other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in ESRT's and ESROP's filings with the SEC, including those set forth in each of ESRT's and ESROP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 under the heading "Risk Factors." Except as may be required by law, ESRT and ESROP do not undertake a duty to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Category: Leasing

SOURCE Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
CHICAGO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- During the first day of its annual International Conference, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)  the internal audit profession's leader in standards, certification, education, research, and technical guidance worldwide  introduced two new global reports in front of an audience of roughly 1,500 internal audit professionals from around the world.

New Research Takes Global View of Internal Audit Profession

The IIA debuted its 2022 Premier Global Study, Internal Audit: A Global View . The extensive report collected feedback from 3,600 internal audit professionals representing 159 international locations. The study shows regional differences within a diverse profession that is broadly involved in traditional activities like risk and fraud but also demonstrates that the profession is adding ever-increasing value to stakeholders through environmental and social issues, cybersecurity engagements, and other emerging and evolving issues.

The extensive report collected feedback from 3,600 internal audit professionals representing 159 international locations. The study shows regional differences within a diverse profession that is broadly involved in traditional activities like risk and fraud but also demonstrates that the profession is adding ever-increasing value to stakeholders through environmental and social issues, cybersecurity engagements, and other emerging and evolving issues. The results offer a snapshot of the global profession and demographic trends:

61% of internal audit functions in North America are funded sufficiently

are funded sufficiently

80% of respondents from Africa and the Middle East are under age 50

and the are under age 50

64% of respondents from Europe under age 30 are female

IIA Partners with World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) to Issue New Guidance on Embedding ESG and Sustainability Considerations in the Three Lines Model

The IIA has partnered with the WBCSD on new guidance aimed at helping organization's future-proof their business.

The paper, " Embedding ESG and Sustainability Considerations into the Three Lines Model ," outlines key roles and responsibilities for the governing body, management, and internal audit to build structures and processes that support the achievement of business objectives to create and protect value for the organization.

outlines key roles and responsibilities for the governing body, management, and internal audit to build structures and processes that support the achievement of business objectives to create and protect value for the organization. Recent actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the creation of the new International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) underscore the importance of embedding material sustainability issues into business decision-making practices. It is also vital that governance mechanisms are in place to ensure effective oversight of risk management and controls.

The insights in the paper are intended for corporate boards, C-suite representatives within large corporations, and senior management to provide information and understanding on the role of the respective lines in overseeing the effectiveness of risk management and internal audit processes.

2022 Professional Achievement Award Recipients Announced

Also at the first day of the conference, The IIA awarded five Professional Achievement Awards, recognizing recipients from around the world who have excelled in research, education, publishing, advocacy, and other activities in the field of internal auditing and related professions. Click here for a full list of awards, recipients, bios and photos.

Victor Z. Brink Award for Distinguished Service

W. Charles Johnson - Senior Manager, Forvis Enterprise Risk Solutions

- Senior Manager, Forvis Enterprise Risk Solutions Doris Yi Hsin Wang - Chairman, Accounting Research and Development Foundation, Taiwan and Professor, Department of Accountancy, National Taipei University

Bradford Cadmus Memorial Award

Lal Balkaran - Risk, Governance, and Internal Audit Consultant, LBA Consulting

- Risk, Governance, and Internal Audit Consultant, LBA Consulting Brian Christensen - Executive Vice President, Global Managed Solutions and Collaboration, Protiviti

William G. Bishop III, CIA Lifetime Achievement Award

Carman L. Lapointe  International Consultant. Former Under-Secretary-General for the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services

About The IIA

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is an international professional association that serves more than 215,000 global members and has awarded 180,000 Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certifications worldwide. Established in 1941, The IIA is recognized as the internal audit profession's leader in standards, certification, education, research, and technical guidance throughout the world. For more information, visit https://www.theiia.org.

SOURCE The Institute of Internal Auditors
FARNBOROUGH, UK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - (NYSE: CAE) (TSX: CAE)  CAE announced today at the Farnborough International Airshow 2022 that it is relaunching its Women in Flight scholarship program and expanding its reach with airline partners to create a movement that encourages young women to pursue a career as a commercial pilot.

As a global partner, easyJet has once again pledged its support for Women in Flight as the first airline to sign on for the 2022 program. easyJet will provide one European candidate access to their first employment opportunity and CAE will fund pilot training for the successful candidate.

"The Women in Flight program demonstrates to young women that being a pilot is achievable and a wonderful profession," said Nick Leontidis, CAE's Group President, Civil Aviation. "Six women have already benefitted from the Women in Flight program since it was inaugurated in 2018, and with easyJet's continued support, the dreams of aspiring female pilots are one step closer to becoming reality."

"easyJet has long championed greater diversity across our business and the industry and we will continue to focus on challenging gendered stereotypes. Having doubled the number of female pilots flying with us in recent years, we are proud to have made progress, but we know there is still work to do. That's why we are delighted to be part of CAE's Women in Flight Scholarship once again," said easyJet's Chief Operating Officer David Morgan.

"We're pleased to see our first Women in Flight recipient, Georgina Thomas-Watson, currently completing her line training with us and look forward to another future easyJet pilot follow in her footsteps in 2022."

Currently, women make up only five percent of professional pilots and cadets in training worldwide. CAE is committed to the advancement of women in aviation to broaden the civil aviation talent pool. With the current pilot shortage and 260,000 new pilots needed over the next 10 years, the industry must take concrete action to attract more women to aviation.

To generate real change, the Women in Flight program will build a network of ambassadors, including Women in Flight recipients to share their stories and experiences with other women at events, within their communities, and on social media. The program will also create and share content about being a pilot that will allow the community to grow and reach girls who will one day fly aircraft.

ABOUT CAE'S WOMEN IN FLIGHT PROGRAM

CAE's Women in Flight scholarship program is a competitive program that is helping create a movement to encourage young girls and women to dream big and have no limits. With only five percent of female pilots worldwide, this program is geared to show women that they too can reach for the sky. The program helps recipients dream big as they receive a scholarship to the CAE cadet training program.

Since 2018, six women around the world have benefitted from the program. Eligible female candidates who meet the requirements of the Destination 225 program can submit their CAE Women in Flight scholarship application via CAE's website at cae.com/womeninflight.

ABOUT EASYJET

easyJet is Europe's leading airline offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe's primary airports, with great value fares and friendly service. Innovation is in easyJet's DNA  since launching over 25 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital, web, engineering and operational innovations to make travel more easy and affordable for its passengers.

The airline takes sustainability seriously and is committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions flying by 2050. Together with its partners, including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Wright Electric, easyJet is working to accelerate the development of zero carbon emission aircraft technology. In the meantime, the airline is offsetting the carbon emissions from the fuel used for all its flights, at no additional cost to its customers, and only supports projects that are certified by Gold Standard or the Verified Carbon Standard, internationally recognised certification schemes. In addition, easyJet continues to renew its fleet, operate efficiently, and aims to fill most of its seats. Since 2000, over a 20-year period, the airline reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by over one-third, and aims to bring this down further.

About CAE

At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, airlines, defence and security forces, and healthcare practitioners to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we're everywhere customers need us to be with more than 13,000 employees in more than 200 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents 75 years of industry firststhe highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators, surgical manikins, and personalized training programs powered by artificial intelligence. We're investing our time and resources into building the next generation of cutting-edge, digitally immersive training and critical operations solutions while keeping positive environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact at the core of our mission. Today and tomorrow, we'll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.

Follow us on Twitter: @CAE_Inc

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cae.inc

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cae

Hashtags: #CAE; #CAEpilot

Read our FY22 Annual activity and corporate social responsibility report.

SOURCE CAE INC.
After providing mentoring and career services to ACT-SO applicants, year one of Lancome's partnership with the NAACP for Write Her Future culminated in the donation of $400,000 in scholarships.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lancome is proud to announce this year's winners of its Write Her Future Scholarship Fund, who received their grants during the NAACP's ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) National Competition and Ceremonies during its annual National Convention today. Lancome and Lupita Nyong'o announced the NAACP partnership in September 2021, to help bring equity to education and encourage career development in the United States. Today's ceremony represented the culmination of the first year of the partnership, for which the brand has pledged to donate $2 million by 2025.

LANCOME & LUPITA NYONGO AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO 40 FINALISTS OF THE NAACPS ACT-SO COMPETITION THROUGH THE WRITE HER FUTURE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Lancome Ambassadress, Oscar award-winning actress and published author Lupita Nyong'o, who has been a supporter of the Write Her Future program, joined the brand at the ceremony to present the scholarships to the young winners and speak to attendees about the importance of equity in education.

"Since I was a child, I have always had big dreams, and my education has played a huge part in helping me realize them," says Lancome Ambassadress, Lupita Nyong'o. "I've always loved learning and I believe that learners change the world. I am so thrilled to join Lancome, on behalf of their Write Her Future Scholarship Fund, to award this incredible group of women with these game-changing scholarships."

ACT-SO is a year-long program targeted at high school students across that country that promotes their growth in disciplines ranging from visual arts and business to performing and culinary arts and provides scholarship opportunities.

Through its partnership with NAACP and ACT-SO, the Write Her Future Scholarship Fund builds on the Lancome's global commitment to empower women through literacy and education, as well as mentoring and entrepreneurship opportunities.

"We're excited to once again provide talented young women across the country the opportunity to further develop their creativity and achieve their academic dreams with purpose and unrestricted passion," said President & CEO Derrick Johnson. "Young people are the future. We're excited to see how participants in the program will positively impact their communities and create change for themselves and the next generation."

The scholarships awarded today will provide the students with the opportunity to further their development in areas ranging from STEM, business management, marketing, and writing.

"Lancome at its core seeks to bring happiness to its customers, but nothing brings us more joy than seeing the winners of our first Write Her Future Scholarship Fund receive their awards today," says Lancome USA General Manager Giovanni Valentini. "We've been so impressed by all the applicants, but we couldn't be prouder of the amazing finalists recognized today and see our mission of providing equitable educational opportunities for young women of color come to fruition today."

List of Winners

Ada Okolo

Anaya Brown

Anna Mkandawire

Ashley Blake

Bianca Cala

Brielle Ward

Brooklyn Cobb

Candace Jackson

Chiderah Osuchukwu

Dallas Watson

Danneil Mubbala

Denia Brielle Smith

Ebony Nkrumah

Hannah Baptiste

Heaven Cannady

Heaven Peoples

Hunter Stephenson

Isis Parker

Janah Richardson

Jeanne Lubika

Jibiana Jakpor

Jordan McKinney

Kaitlin Johnson

Kira Babbs

Leah Morgan Ross

London Merritt

Morgan Render

Music Miranda

Natalie Payne

Nia Hipps

Nnemdi Amanambu

Nurain Amier

Obaahemaa Mensah

Paris Roberson

Ryen Reed

Sanaa Liggans

Sy'Maya Summiel

Sydney Jackson

Zayda Adams

Suri Crawford

Enrolled Universities

American University

Berklee College of Music

Boston University

Brown University

California State University Northridge

Columbus State University

George Mason University

Howard University

Iowa State University

Johns Hopkins University

Macalester College

Mississippi State University

New York University

Princeton University

Salve Regina University

Savannah College of Art & Design

Spelman College

Stanford University

Stevenson University

Suffolk University

SUNY Purchase Conservatory

The College of New Jersey

The College of Wooster

The George Washington University

The Juilliard School

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Maryland

University of Michigan

University of North Texas Denton

University of Southern California

University of Texas at San Antonio

University of Virginia

Virginia State University

To learn more about the 113th NAACP Annual Convention, click here . To learn more about ACT-SO, click here . To learn more about Lancome's Write Her Future Scholarship Fund, click here.

About Lancome

Founded in 1935 by the visionary pioneer Armand Petitjean, with the wish of spreading the spirit and taste of French elegance around the world, Lancome immediately embodied the essence of beauty. More than ever before, the brand aims to offer every woman the possibility to blossom and embrace her beauty and femininity whatever her age or skin color. Lancome is present in 135 countries, with about 20,000 beauty advisers in as many points of sale offering sophisticated services and iconic products to an international clientele. Lancome successfully combines scientific expertise, and an intuitive understanding of women's needs to produce major innovations, unique and complementary between skincare, makeup, and perfume. Lancome affirms that happiness is the most attractive beauty. To embody that the brand has chosen charismatic and fully accomplished women such as Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz, Lupita Nyong'o, Lily Collins, Isabella Rossellini, Zendaya Coleman and Amanda Seyfried.

For more information, please visit www.Lancome-usa.com or follow us Instagram @LancomeOfficial, on Twitter @LancomeUSA, and on Facebook @LancomeUS #WriteHerFuture.

About NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund  also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.

SOURCE Lancome USA
New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) The 16th round of Corps Commander-level talks between India and China have concluded without any immediate progress on disengagement of troops in Eastern Ladakh, sources said on Monday.

A Joint Statement issued by the two countries today said, "The two sides reaffirmed that the resolution of remaining issues would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations."

The two sides on Sunday had a frank and in-depth exchange of views in this regard, in keeping with the guidance provided by the state leaders to work for the resolution of remaining issues at the earliest, the Joint Statement added.

It further said that the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in Western Sector and also agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

The talks, which began at around 9:30 am on Sunday on the Indian side at Chushul Moldo border meeting point, concluded at around 10 pm.

Sources said that India pressed for disengagement at Patrolling Point 15 in Gogra Hot Springs area to ensure de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh during the talks.

In the 15 rounds of talks held so far, the areas that still remain to be resolved in Eastern Ladakh are PP15, Demchok and Depsang, where the Chinese have remained adamant.

Notably, the talks on Sunday were held even as the Chinese Air Force reportedly embarked on an aggressive defence exercise across the border in Tibet region. There has also been instances when the PLA Air Force fighter jets flew close to contested areas in late June, triggering responses from the Indian side.

The lingering border standoff in Eastern Ladakh has entered in its third year and a full resolution is still not in sight.

The two sides, however, had partial success in disengagement of soldiers in some friction areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

More than 50,000 soldiers continue to be deployed on both sides of the Line of Actual Control. Altering the May 2020 status, the PLA has also carried out construction of infrastructure near the LAC to ensure long survival of troops in the high altitude area.

UNI ASU RJ
New Position in Global Risk Solutions Focused on Building and Scaling Capabilities to Holistically Deliver Solutions for Customers' Emerging and Complex Risks Globally

BOSTON, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Mutual Insurance Global Risk Solutions (GRS), today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Geary as President, Insurance Solutions. Geary will report to GRS President of Underwriting Matthew Moore, effective late August.

Elizabeth Geary is joining Liberty Mutual Insurance as President, Insurance Solutions, within its Global Risk Solutions business unit.

Geary is an established strategic and operational leader with vast experience in portfolio optimization, cycle and volatility management, data and analytics, and managing underwriting teams in complex lines. She will be responsible for building teams specializing in addressing customers' emerging risks, including cyber and energy transition, in a rapidly changing environment. Geary will work closely with global brokers and GRS underwriting leaders to understand and stay ahead of global risk trends, while looking for opportunities to build and scale new capabilities to deliver solutions to customers in a timely, consistent manner.

Geary's new role, which follows the recent appointment of Moore by GRS President Neeti Bhalla Johnson, is essential within GRS' new Office of Underwriting.

"Our vision is to provide holistic solutions to our customers through a purposeful portfolio of product and risk expertise while delivering consistent underwriting profitability through the cycle," said Moore. "We are thrilled to have Elizabeth join our team, as she brings the rare mix of skills and experience necessary to deliver enhanced global capabilities to our customers and underwriters as they adapt to dynamic and emerging risk environments."

Bhalla Johnson added, "A high-performing team and culture is critical to ensure successful execution of our operating model that seeks to bring global expertise, coordination and differentiated value to every client interaction. Elizabeth's proven leadership, market reputation and technical expertise will undoubtedly accelerate our transformation. We are excited to have her onboard."

Geary joins Liberty Mutual from TransRe, where she served in a dual role as President, Global Portfolio Management, and Chief Underwriting Officer, North America, balancing both transactional and portfolio experience. Prior to this, she was the company's Global Head of Cyber.

She is a graduate of Fordham University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree in Finance from the Gabelli School of Business.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people and businesses embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow.

In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today we are the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2021 gross written premium. We also rank 78th on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2021 revenue. As of December 31, 2021, we had $48.2 billion in annual consolidated revenue.

We employ over 47,000 people in 29 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, specialty lines, reinsurance, commercial multiple-peril, workers compensation, commercial automobile, general liability, surety, and commercial property.

For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com.

Contact: Liberty Mutual Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance
HOUSTON, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Meriplex, a leader in managed cybersecurity, IT and SD-WAN solutions focusing on SMB and mid-market enterprises in the United States, is pleased to announce the completion of a transaction in which Vitruvian Partners acquired a majority interest in Meriplex. Meriplex existing shareholder Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX: CVG) ("Clairvest") is retaining meaningful equity in Meriplex and will remain as a minority shareholder alongside the Meriplex management team led by Founder & CEO David Henley, who will continue to run the business.

Meriplex has a strong track record of industry-leading organic growth, financial performance and since 2018 has completed 13 acquisitions, expanding its reach to become a nationwide leader. EBITDA in 2022 is expected to be 10x of that achieved in 2017.

"Vitruvian Partners will help further accelerate our rapid growth, enabling us to continue to expand our nationwide footprint and capabilities to better serve our customers. We are very excited about this new partnership with them and to continue collaborating and partnering with Clairvest," says David Henley, Founder & CEO of Meriplex. "I am very proud of what we have achieved over the last few years and am excited to continue growing Meriplex and our customer relationships alongside Vitruvian as our new private equity partner."

David Nahama, Senior Partner at Vitruvian Partners, says: "We have been very impressed with the track record of growth at Meriplex and have seen the company consistently outperform, including executing multiple strategic acquisitions. Meriplex has established a nationwide leadership position in the highly attractive managed cybersecurity, IT and SD-WAN solutions markets, allowing it to deliver compelling and differentiated solutions to its customers, underpinning its attractiveness from an investment perspective. We approached David late last year and are delighted to be partnering with him, the broader Meriplex team and Clairvest on the next significant chapter of expansion and success for Meriplex." Luuk Remmen, Partner at Vitruvian Partners, adds: "Vitruvian Partners investment in Meriplex builds on our longstanding track-record and experience in cybersecurity, enterprise networking and managed services. Together with Clairvest, we believe we have significant capital and capabilities to support the growth and acquisition aspirations of Meriplex."

"We are incredibly proud of the Meriplex team. They successfully executed an aggressive growth plan and matured the business into a national player," says Mitch Green, Managing Director at Clairvest. "David and his team have been relentless in their pursuit of opportunities to grow and strengthen the business. We are thrilled to reinvest a meaningful equity stake into the transaction along with our management partners and welcome Vitruvian, whom we believe will be a great partner for this next stage of growth."

Q Advisors acted as exclusive financial advisor to Meriplex in connection with the transaction. Torys LLP acted as legal advisor to Meriplex. Evercore acted as exclusive financial advisor to Vitruvian in connection with the transaction. Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Jenner & Block LLP acted as legal advisors to Vitruvian.

About Meriplex:

Meriplex is a managed cybersecurity, IT, and SD-WAN solutions provider that enables transformation by combining secure, innovative technology with advanced expertise. As a trusted partner, we deliver business-driven solutions that provide the scalability and support needed to power growth for organizations. To learn more, visit www.meriplex.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Vitruvian:

Vitruvian is an international growth capital and buyout firm headquartered in London with offices in London, Stockholm, Munich, Luxembourg, San Francisco, and Shanghai. Vitruvian focuses on dynamic situations characterized by rapid growth and change across industries spanning information technology, financial services, life sciences & healthcare, media, and business and consumer services. Vitruvian Funds have backed over 70 companies and have assets under management of approximately 10 billion. Notable investments to date include global market leaders and innovators in their field such as Expereo, Bitdefender, Farfetch, Just Eat, Trustpilot, Easypark, Unifaun, Marqeta, Globale and CRF Health, Vitruvian is a signatory of the UN supported Principles of Responsible Investment ("PRI"). To learn more, visit www.vitruvianpartners.com.

About Clairvest:

Clairvest's mission is to partner with entrepreneurs to help them build strategically significant businesses. Founded in 1987 by a group of successful Canadian entrepreneurs, Clairvest is a top performing private equity management firm with over CAD $3.2 billion of capital under management. Clairvest invests its own capital and that of third parties through the Clairvest Equity Partners limited partnerships in owner-led businesses. Under the current management team, Clairvest has initiated investments in 57 different platform companies and generated top quartile performance over an extended period. To learn more, visit www.clairvest.com.

Media Contacts:

Macy Kirk

Meriplex

[email protected]

SOURCE Meriplex Communications
New facility to manufacture the company's Hi-Flow Plus lateral flow membrane used in rapid diagnostic test kit manufacturing, including Covid-19

Facility made possible by USD 136.7 million U.S. Government contract award

Supports strategy to add physical capacity and expand regional network in the United States

BURLINGTON, Mass., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today broke ground at its Sheboygan, Wisconsin site, for the company's first lateral flow membrane production facility in the United States. Lateral flow membranes are a key component in rapid diagnostic test kits for a variety of applications, including Covid-19 testing. The new facility is supported by a USD 136.7 million contract award from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

MilliporeSigma Breaks Ground on Companys First Lateral Flow Membrane Production Facility in the United States

"Our purpose is to positively impact life and health with science, and today's ground-breaking exemplifies this commitment by adding physical capacity and expanding our regional network to meet the growing needs of our customers and ensure supply chain security," said Matthias Heinzel, Member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and CEO Life Science. "This new, state-of-the-art facility will support the surge in demand experienced by our global in-vitro diagnostic manufacturing customers."

"From COVID-19 rapid testing to cancer therapies, the work MilliporeSigma does helps promote the health and safety of our families and communities while creating good jobs for hardworking Wisconsinites, and I am glad to be celebrating their success today," said Gov. Evers. "In addition to creating 60 new jobs in Sheboygan, this new facility will provide a major step forward in expanding domestic diagnostic testing as the company's first lateral flow membrane production facility in the U.S., ensuring our state and country are ready to tackle any public health crisis that comes our way now and into the future."

Once built, the lateral flow membrane facility will be MilliporeSigma's first facility in the United States capable of producing diagnostic-grade membrane. Its location further supports the company's competitive market advantage with improved supply security and reduced lead times for global customers. The lateral flow membrane production line in Sheboygan complements the global capacity network of the Life Science business sector of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, by adding redundant capabilities to its two production lines in Cork, Ireland, thereby mitigating supply chain risks.

"This new facility will expand much-needed access of critical raw materials to the world's most sophisticated diagnostic manufacturers. Our best-in-class lateral flow membranes provide the quality and consistency necessary as manufacturers prepare for new regulations for in-vitro diagnostics and medical devices," said Jean-Charles Wirth, head of Science and Lab Solutions, Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Hi-Flow Plus Lateral flow membrane enables reproducible results due to its consistent quality and optimized properties. The rapid point-of-care test kits developed by the company's customers are used for a variety of applications, including infectious disease testing (e.g., Covid-19, HIV, influenza, malaria), as well as in pregnancy testing, biomarker detection, drug testing, food safety and animal health.

The Life Science business sector of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is continuing to invest in products and technologies across its portfolio that are key to manufacturing novel therapies, vaccines and diagnostics. All expansions and investments are part of an ambitious, multi-year program to increase the industrial capacity and capabilities of the Life Science business sector to support the growing global demand for lifesaving medications and to make significant contributions to public health. Recent announcements have been made in Verona, Wisconsin, USA; Jaffrey, New Hampshire, USA; and Danvers, Massachusetts, USA; Carlsbad, California, USA; Cork, Ireland: Wuxi, China; Darmstadt, Germany; Buchs, Switzerland; Molsheim, France.

Follow MilliporeSigma on Twitter @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn.

All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service.

About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 26,000 employees and 55 manufacturing and testing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics.

More than 60,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene-editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices  the company is everywhere. In 2021, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany generated sales of  19.7 billion in 66 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com.

All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service.

SOURCE MilliporeSigma
TSX andOTCQX: MPVD

TORONTO and NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX: MPVD) (OTC: MPVD) is pleased to provide interim drilling results for the Hearne Northwest Extension at Gahcho Kue Mine. The Hearne kimberlite is one of four kimberlites being mined at Gahcho Kue, presently ranked at 5th in the world with an annual diamond production of approximately six million carats. Mountain Province is a 49% shareholder at Gahcho Kue with joint venture partner De Beers Canada as operators. With the success of the recently completed drilling program, further drilling of the Northwest Extension will be implemented with the goal to define the volume and depth extent of the kimberlite.

Hearne Northwest Extension - Pit Wall Expression (CNW Group/Mountain Province Diamonds Inc.) Hearn Northwest Extension - Plan View (CNW Group/Mountain Province Diamonds Inc.)

Drilling Highlights for the Hearne Northwest Extension Program

Kimberlite intersected in over 60% of 14 drill holes completed to date

Mineralized intersects range from 24.3 to 114.5 meters

Longest intersect of 114.5 meters contains hypabyssal and tuffisitic kimberlite

Lithologies are visually similar to the main Hearne kimberlite

Mark Wall, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"Hearne has been a consistent surprise since mining started at Gahcho Kue. Hearne was originally defined with separate north and south lobes, which we redefined in 2018 after drilling out additional kimberlite ore that connected the two lobes. In-pit mining has now discovered more kimberlite extending to the northwest and to depth and so far, the results fully support the opportunity to consider the underground extraction of diamonds at Gahcho Kue in the future. We look forward to further delineating the Hearne northwest extension with the goal of increasing the Gahcho Kue mine life."

The Hearne Northwest Extension was exposed in a bench face in late 2021 during routine mining operations. Geophysical surveys were conducted over the exposed kimberlite, on the ramp over the bench face exposure, and outside of the pit to the west-northwest. Based on in-pit geophysics, drilling focused to the west northwest where similar electromagnetic and gravity signatures were similar to those in the pit. The original exposure of kimberlite in the Hearne pit is provided in the first image. The kimberlite is outlined in yellow, with broken country rock above the kimberlite outlined in green. The horizontal distance across the kimberlite exposure is roughly 25 meters.

Since January 2022, 14 drillholes (4,284 meters) have defined the Hearne Northwest Extension. The results indicate that the extension trends more northerly than was suggested by the geophysics. The geophysics identified a northwest-trending structure, but two drillholes completed across the structure did not intersect kimberlite. Plan views of the Hearne Northwest Extension relative to the open pit, ground geophysics and recent drilling are seen in the second set of images.

The blue box on the left image is expanded on the right image. Three-digit numbers on the right image mark drillholes completed to date on the Northwest Extension. The dashed line indicates the approximate start of the Northwest Extension. The shape of the extension is approximate and based on modeling of the limited drilling to date.

Nine of the 14 drillholes have intersected hypabyssal kimberlite ('HK') and tuffisitic kimberlite ('TK') with intersects ranging from 23.02 to 114.53 meters. Drillhole MPV-22-595C is still underway in kimberlite with an intersect of 48 meters as at the time of this release. Both the HK and TK rock types are visually consistent with the known internal units at Hearne. The true thickness and depth extent of the Northwest Extension are unknown based on the limited drilling results. A summary of drilling that presently defines the Hearne Northwest Extension is provided below.











Drill Hole Azimuth2 Inclination2 Kimberlite Intersect1,2 (m) End of

Hole2(m) From To Length1













MPV-22-568C 355 -58 85.42 170.24 84.82 201 MPV-22-569C 35 -45 82.51 154.00 71.49 184 MPV-22-570C 255 -45 36.84 89.80 52.96 130 MPV-22-571C 195 -55 -- -- -- 294 MPV-22-574C3 95 -55 -- -- -- 250 MPV-22-577C 65 -45 183.10 224.40 41.30 260 MPV-22-582C 205 -45 241.90 266.25 24.35 333 MPV-22-583C3 150 -45 -- -- -- 203 MPV-22-584C 205 -55 261.75 330.00 68.25 375 MPV-22-587C 230 -60 -- -- -- 402 MPV-22-593C 220 -65 -- -- -- 450 MPV-22-594C 40 -61 260.29 374.82 114.53 405 MPV-22-595C 80 -63 407.00 455.00 48.004 4225 MPV-22-596C 68 -65 308.75 331.37 23.02 375































1Intersects are not true thicknesses. 2Initial measurements from field logs may change with further drillhole surveying and logging. 3Targeted on

geophysics west-northwest of the geological trend of the extension. 4A separate intersect of 0.31m of HK kimberlite is not included in this

intersect length. 5Drilling is ongoing and still in kimberlite as at the time of this release.

Logging, petrographic and mineral chemistry studies are underway to properly define the HK and TK contacts in the extension and their relationship to the main Hearne kimberlite. Following on results of these detailed studies, further drilling will be implemented with the goal to define the volume and depth extent of the Northwest Extension.

About the Company

Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine located in Canada's Northwest Territories. The Gahcho Kue Joint Venture property consists of several kimberlites that are actively being mined, developed, and explored for future development. The Company also controls 106,202 hectares of highly prospective mineral claims and leases that surround the Gahcho Kue Joint Venture property that include an indicated mineral resource for the Kelvin kimberlite and inferred mineral resources for the Faraday kimberlites.

For further information on Mountain Province Diamonds and to receive news releases by email, visit the Company's website at www.mountainprovince.com.

Qualified Person

The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding Mountain Province's mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Matthew MacPhail, P.Eng., MBA, and Tom E. McCandless, Ph.D., P.Geo., both employees of Mountain Province Diamonds and Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to operational hazards, including possible disruption due to pandemic such as COVID-19, its impact on travel, self-isolation protocols and business and operations, estimated production and mine life of the project of Mountain Province; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production; the future price of diamonds; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the ability to manage debt; capital expenditures; the ability to obtain permits for operations; liquidity; tax rates; and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Mountain Province, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates," "may," "can," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "likely," "will," "should," "to be", "potential" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Mountain Province and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include the development of operation hazards which could arise in relation to COVID-19, including, but not limited to protocols which may be adopted to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and any impact of such protocols on Mountain Province's business and operations, variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in market conditions, changes in project parameters, mine sequencing; production rates; cash flow; risks relating to the availability and timeliness of permitting and governmental approvals; supply of, and demand for, diamonds; fluctuating commodity prices and currency exchange rates, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated.

These factors are discussed in greater detail in Mountain Province's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent MD&A filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Mountain Province cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Mountain Province believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release.

Although Mountain Province has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Mountain Province undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as the property is developed.

Further, Mountain Province may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. The principal assets of Mountain Province are administered pursuant to a joint venture under which Mountain Province is not the operator. Mountain Province is exposed to actions taken or omissions made by the operator within its prerogative and/or determinations made by the joint venture under its terms. Such actions or omissions may impact the future performance of Mountain Province. Under its current note and revolving credit facilities Mountain Province is subject to certain limitations on its ability to pay dividends on common stock. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of Mountain Province's Board of Directors, subject to the limitations under the Company's debt facilities, and will depend on Mountain Province's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board

SOURCE Mountain Province Diamonds Inc.
SONOMA COUNTY, Calif., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Murphy-Goode , the Sonoma County winery that launched its second " A Really Goode Job " nationwide job search in April 2022, is pleased to announce the 12 finalists that will continue on their journey to land "A Really Goode Job." As announced in May, Murphy-Goode will hire two candidates to live out their ultimate dream job in the wine industry. The job includes a $10,000 per month salary, rent-free vineyard-front living in Healdsburg, California for one year, a year's supply of Murphy-Goode wine, and immersive on-the-job training across all facets of the wine business. As part of the interview process, Murphy-Goode will also welcome two prominent wine industry professionals as guest interviewers: Julia Coney, wine educator and Founder of Black Wine Professionals and Stacy Briscoe, Senior Editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

"We were once again extremely overwhelmed by the quality of candidates who submitted a video and showcased their passion for our industry," said Dave Ready Jr., Murphy-Goode Winemaker. "We saw several familiar faces from last year's submissions, too. There is a wealth of talent and excitement among this group, and I can't wait to meet them all."

In August, Murphy-Goode will welcome the 12 finalists to Sonoma County for in-person interviews and a fully immersive experience in Wine Country, giving them the opportunity to explore the region, and showcase their desire  and everything else that makes them the ideal candidate  for "A Really Goode Job." While in Healdsburg, the finalists will meet with winery executives and team members with whom the final two will work over the course of the year. The selected candidates will be announced in mid-August.

The Murphy-Goode team is pleased to name the following "A Really Goode Job" finalists who are now one step closer to turning their dreams into reality:

A.J. Kirsch - Berkeley, California

Jameelah Baker - New York, New York

- Justin Lewis - New York, New York

- Kendra Spalding - Folsom, California

- Kirsten Staley Rocha - Oceanside, California

- Lauren Neil - Reno, Nevada

- Lemar Scott - Orlando, Florida

- Marc Cunningham - Sherman Oaks, California

- Marvin "MJ" Towler - Red Bank, New Jersey

Michael Fucci - Los Angeles, California

- Roosevelt Johnson - Marana, Arizona

- Swan Dotson - Oakland, California

"I'm excited and honored to be a judge for A Really Goode Job," Coney said. "This is a life changing experience and it is with great joy I get to help select the wine industry's next change maker."

"I am so proud to participate in a program that provides the essential steppingstones to professionals embarking on their wine journey," says Briscoe. "I've been fortunate to learn from inspiring mentors throughout my career and am now a part of a company that encourages and supports my continued growth. I look forward to meeting each finalist and the opportunity to pay forward the knowledge, guidance, and mentorship that I've been afforded."

About Murphy-Goode Winery

Welcome to the Goode life. Founded in Sonoma County in 1985 in a spirit of love and friendship by Tim Murphy, Dale Goode and Dave Ready Sr., Sonoma County's own Murphy-Goode Winery crafts some of California's best wines without taking itself too seriously. The story lives on today under the Jackson Family Wines portfolio, continuing a tradition based on a shared appreciation of friendship, hard work, a wicked sense of humor and, of course, a good bottle of wine. Murphy-Goode offers high quality wines from some of California's great growing regions with the approachable and inviting attitude of Sonoma County. Murphy-Goode is never pretentious, often irreverent, and all about having fun. Because of its consistent quality, the brand has become a favorite wine for consumers everywhere. For more information, www.MurphyGoodeWinery.com , and follow Murphy-Goode on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter at @MurphyGoodeWine.

About Julia Coney, Black Wine Professionals

Julia Coney is a Washington, D.C. and Houston, Texas-based wine writer, wine educator, speaker, and Wine Consultant for American Airlines. Her wine writing includes stories on wine, winemakers, and the intersection of race, wine, and language. She holds a WSET Level Two Certification in Wine and Spirits and is currently pursuing her Master Level Champagne Certification with the Wine Scholar Guild and WSET Level Three Certification. Julia is a 2019 Fellow of the Professional Wine Writers Symposium at Meadowood Napa Valley. Julia has spoken at conferences such as wine2wine, Assemblage Symposium, The Culinary Institute of America's Summit for Sommeliers and Beverage Professionals, and Batonnage Forum.

About Stacy Briscoe, Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Stacy Briscoe serves as the Senior Editor of Print for Wine Enthusiast Magazine and reviews wines from Languedoc-Roussillon for the publication. She joined Wine Enthusiast in 2022 after contributing as a freelance writer for several years. She is the former managing editor for Wine Industry Network and former assistant editor of Wine Business Monthly. She has also written for numerous publications including SevenFifty Daily, Sonoma Magazine, SF Chronicle, among others. Briscoe regularly speaks at wine industry events, has completed her WSET Diploma and now teaches WSET courses. She has her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of California Santa Cruz.

SOURCE Murphy-Goode Winery
Nick Fouquet introduces the Reishi Collection, comprised of three new hat styles made with Reishi by MycoWorks, now available to shop on NickFouquet.com.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today biomaterials innovator MycoWorks announced the commercial launch of the first fashion items made with its flagship mycelium material, Reishi. The Reishi Collection by luxury hatmaker Nick Fouquet includes the Reishi Boletus , Coprinus , and Morchella hats, now available in limited runs on NickFouquet.com.

The Reishi Boletus, Coprinus, and Morchella hats are now available on NickFouquet.com. Reishi Boletus, $810 Coprinus, $875 Morchella, $1,725

"We are elated that consumers can now wear and enjoy designs made with Reishi," said Sophia Wang, MycoWorks Co-Founder & Chief of Culture. "MycoWorks partners with craftspeople and brands with whom we share artistic values, which is why we've partnered with famed hatmaker, Nick Fouquet. This Reishi collection exhibits the unique hand feel and versatility of our material."

Unlocking new design possibilities for brands, MycoWorks' Fine Mycelium technology engineers mycelium  the infinitely renewable root structure of mushrooms  as it grows to designers' exact specifications for hand feel, texture, strength, and functionality. The result, Reishi, is a luxury, natural material that matches the performance of the highest quality animal leathers with lower environmental impact.

For the Reishi Collection , Nick Fouquet leveraged all-natural, 100% plastic-free Reishi as the base material for the Reishi Boletus and as decorative details and trims for the Coprinus and Morchella .

"Our clients want luxury made from materials that feel good and that they feel good about," said Nick Fouquet. "MycoWorks' Reishi is the only leather alternative we've seen that matches the beauty, quality, and functionality of traditional leather. Reishi feels organic and rich, and has a beautiful, worn patina that we showcase through the distinct styles of our Reishi Collection."

The commercial availability of Reishi represents a major leap for fashion, which has long been seeking plastic-free, animal-free leather alternatives that meet the quality needs of high-end fashion with a lower environmental footprint.

This year, MycoWorks will continue commercializing Reishi with a range of carefully selected brands, spanning heritage brands and new, independent designers.

Reishi Collection Hi-Res Imagery: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hyr6r1gd45m66s0/AABllGaxraFum7SCOLL--PYTa?dl=0

Reishi Collection Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PEsKByJ8eI&feature=youtu.be

About MycoWorks

In 2013, co-founders Philip Ross and Sophia Wang formed MycoWorks, a San Francisco-based biomaterials company dedicated to bringing new mycelium-grown materials to the world. MycoWorks' patented Fine Mycelium technology, an advanced manufacturing platform and breakthrough in materials science, engineers mycelium during growth to form proprietary, interlocking cellular structures for unparalleled strength and durability. For more information, please visit mycoworks.com and madewithreishi.com .

About Nick Fouquet

Nick Fouquet is a French American designer known for his iconic hat styles. Fouquet has reinvented the headwear category by bringing a modern aesthetic to classic silhouettes, grounded in superior craftspersonship. Reflecting his European American roots, the brand infuses whimsical, California-inspired elements with bespoke European detail. Fouquet started the brand in a Los Angeles garage studio in 2013, has since expanded headquarters to a 5,000 square feet space in Venice including a design studio, manufacturing facility, and the retail flagship. In December of 2020, Fouquet opened his second retail store in Aspen Colorado, featuring collections designed exclusively for the Colorado market. The collection expanded into ready-to-wear in 2021 and is currently sold at nickfouquet.com and in luxury retail locations worldwide.

Contact

Lauren Daum

[email protected]

SOURCE MycoWorks
New Communities Offer Option For Home Buyers Seeking Affordable Home Ownership Solution

HOUSTON, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the nation's largest owner-operators of manufactured new home communities is expanding its presence in the Houston area with two new projects, including the re-development of an existing bayfront setting, for individuals, families, and empty nesters seeking an affordable home ownership solution.

Waterfront homes at Oceanway, a re-developed manufactured new home community on the shores of Trinity Bay. Photo courtesy of Inspire Communities.

Phoenix-based Inspire Communities (www.inspirecommunities.com), owner-operator of over 130 all-age and active- adult manufactured new home communities and RV resorts across the United States, has completed a multi-million dollar re-development of its Oceanway community. A 17-acre enclave, Oceanway (www.oceanwayhomes.com) offers 150 homesites, including 32 waterfront and bayview homes, on the shores of Trinity Bay.

Located at 7030 Tri City Beach Road, 5.5 miles from the newly extended Grand Parkway and ten miles from Baytown, the new-look, gated community of affordable, well-built, high-style manufactured homes offers the charm of bayside living while appealing to those seeking a nearby second home for weekend getaways  with home prices significantly below other home ownership options.

Feature-rich waterview homes, starting at $140,000, offer stainless steel appliances, vaulted ceilings, upgraded cabinetry, and crown molding. Stylish, open-concept floor plans range from approximately 1,200  2,000 square feet. Waterfront Smart Cottages start at under $200,000 and include a beautiful deck overlooking Trinity Bay. All new homes also meet stringent HUD manufacturing regulations. Interior lot homes begin in the $100,000's.

"It's the look, feel and quality of a traditional new home, but at a more affordable price," says Heidi Loftin, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Inspire Communities. "It's truly luxury living within reach."

Two, three and four-bedroom homes range from charming farmhouse designs to waterfront cottages. Features include island kitchen, oversized breakfast bar, Great Room, primary bedroom with walk-in shower, flex space, and two-car driveway. Several waterfront 'Smart Cottages' feature low-E double pane windows and upgraded exterior paneling with a 50-year warranty.

The re-development of Oceanway includes the addition of a charming main boulevard lined with white picket fences and tall palm trees, newly paved streets, fenced sport court and playground. Other amenities include a 650-foot commercially engineered fishing pier and an expansive boardwalk sundeck with lounge chairs. The property also has a professional onsite staff.

"Everything they've done is really nice and it's a great location right on the water," says Aaron Simon, a 41-year-old accountant who recently purchased a new home in Oceanway. "I love stepping onto my patio where I can enjoy a nice breeze and a beautiful view of the water. Plus, I like to fish so having the fishing pier here was a big selling point for me too. And of course you can't beat the price."

Loftin adds, "This was a unique opportunity to create a community of affordable new homes with the bay right outside your door, perfect for those who enjoy the view, fishing after work or perhaps for a second home on the water. It's really a hidden gem."

North of Houston in Willis, Inspire Communities is developing Rockrose Ranch at Lake Conroe (www.rockroseranchtx.com), a 170-acre affordable new construction residential community for all-age family living and a gated, active-adult village.

Located just two miles from Lake Conroe, the ground-up development will feature a sprawling amenity island with two swimming pools, pickleball courts, children's playground, fire pits, miles of walking trails, lakes and a fenced dog park. Rockrose Ranch at Lake Conroe is located off I-45 at Calvary Road two miles east of Lake Conroe.

Manufactured homes currently represent approximately nine percent of new single-family home construction, according to the National Association of Homebuilders. Today, more than 22 million people live in a manufactured home. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this year manufactured home builders are expected to deliver more than 100,000 new homes for the first time since 2006.

SOURCE Inspire Communities
SAINT PAUL, Minn., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) includes one of the largest and most flexible investments ever made by the federal government into Minnesota cities and counties. Thanks to the newly released MSP ARPA Tracker created by the GREATER MSP Partnership, decisions made by cities and counties to allocate ARPA funds are now visible publicly.

The MSP ARPA Tracker (mspfederalfundinghub.org/arpatracker) is a searchable, easy-to-use digital resource that tracks the spending plans of 12 counties and 17 cities in the Greater MSP region. (Cities with fewer than 50,000 residents are not included, due to a different ARPA funding process.) Combined, these local governments are receiving $1.2 billion in flexible funding via the American Rescue Plan Act's Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program (SLFRF).

The MSP ARPA Tracker reflects plans made by cities and counties for how they will use the funding. this data is based on detailed research into the city council and county board decisions and documents. City and county staff from across the region collaborated with GREATER MSP to compile the information.

"The MSP ARPA Tracker creates transparency into how cities and counties in our region are prioritizing $1.2 billion in flexible federal funding," said Peter Frosch, President & CEO of the GREATER MSP Partnership. "The decisions these cities and counties make now regarding their ARPA funds are incredibly important to our future. Maximizing the opportunity with ARPA funding could make our region more inclusive, safe, vibrant and competitive for decades to come. This is our chance to jumpstart a generation of growth and prosperity in the Greater MSP region," he said.

In addition to revealing the plans for individual counties and cities, the MSP ARPA Tracker enables users to combine the spending plans of local governments across the region to reveal trends and shared priorities.

Initial analysis of the data reveals:

Overall, government operations comprise the largest category of spending, at 32% ( $252 million ) of committed funds. This category includes fiscal-health recovery, government-employee wages or hiring, investment in government facilities, equipment or IT, and other government investment.

) of committed funds. This category includes fiscal-health recovery, government-employee wages or hiring, investment in government facilities, equipment or IT, and other government investment. Housing is the next largest category, with governments committing 25% ( $193 million ) of all funds. The largest portion of funds ( $115 million ) is going to affordable housing projects.

) of all funds. The largest portion of funds ( ) is going to affordable housing projects. Other categories include public health (12%, $93 million ), economic and workforce development (12%, 92 million), infrastructure (10%, $81 million ), public safety (7%, $51 million ) and community aid (2%, $14 million ).

Analyzing data from the MSP APRA Tracker alongside a national database on ARPA spending created by the Brookings Institution makes it possible to benchmark the Greater MSP region against the U.S. overall. Compared to large cities and counties across the country, our region's local governments have committed:

Nearly three times more toward housing, at 24.8% of all commitments, versus the national average of 8.6%.

Significantly less toward government operations investments, at 32.3% versus the national average of 42.5%.

Innovative investments to address our region's racial inequities, such as programs helping to close the racial homeownership gap and the digital divide.

For more high-level findings, read our fact sheet or go to the Tracker.

The MSP ARPA Tracker is a first-of-its kind resource in the United States. No other metro region has a quick and easy way to search where ARPA resources are being budgeted in every part of their region. That means the Greater MSP region has a clearer view than most places in the country on how local governments are making decisions about their ARPA funds.

Development of the MSP ARPA Tracker is part of a larger, long-term partnership between GREATER MSP and cities and counties with the aim of increasing access to federal funding opportunities. "After the ARPA bill was signed into law, we got calls from cities and counties wondering what they could do through GREATER MSP to maximize the positive long-term impact of these dollars," Frosch said. "Together, we built a federal funding hub in the GREATER MSP Partnership to make it easier for dozens of cities and counties to work together, be efficient and innovate for success."

The data in the MSP ARPA Tracker is current through March 2022  one year since passage of the American Rescue Plan Act. GREATER MSP will consider updating the Tracker to reflect funding commitments made after March 2022 later this year. The MSP ARPA Tracker was built with funding provided by GREATER MSP's 100 private- and public-sector investors along with contributions from the Joyce Foundation and Bush Foundation.

About the GREATER MSP Partnership

GREATER MSP is the economic development partnership for the 15-county Minneapolis Saint Paul region. Over 300 leading businesses, universities, cities, counties, philanthropies, and others are working together to accelerate the competitiveness of the regional economy and drive inclusive economic growth by creating jobs, expanding our labor force, and increasing investment. For more information go to greatermsp.org.

SOURCE GREATER MSP
Global Public Health Organization Announces Update to C-Suite

ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NSF, a leading global public health and safety organization, today named Sean Etheridge its Chief Legal Officer. Etheridge brings nearly two decades of experience to his new role, where he will advise and counsel NSF leaders on the legal, risk and compliance aspects of business and policies.

NSF, a leading global public health and safety organization, today named Sean Etheridge its Chief Legal Officer. Tweet this Sean Etheridge

As NSF's Chief Legal Officer, Etheridge will serve as a liaison for executive leadership, management, the Board of Directors, outside legal counsel, and regulatory agencies in all legal and compliance matters. He will oversee compliance programs and complex strategic transactions, review and develop agreements, and recommend strategies and solutions. Etheridge will also develop legal frameworks to support the company's business strategy, ensuring its ability to operate globally to advance NSF's reputation and mission.

"Sean's prior experience leading legal teams in the public health sector is invaluable to our global work," said Pedro Sancha, President and CEO, NSF. "We're confident he will succeed in elevating our operations to further our mission to protect and improve human health worldwide."

Etheridge joins NSF from Stryker Corporation, where he served as Vice President and Corporate Secretary since 2020. He has held positions overseeing global legal and compliance operations since he joined the Fortune 250 company in 2014.

Prior to Stryker Corporation, Etheridge was a partner at Michigan-based Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, a Senior Associate at Shefsky & Froelich Ltd. in Chicago, IL, and an Associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP in San Diego, CA. He earned his Juris Doctorate in 2003 from the University of Michigan Law School, preceded by a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1999.

Etheridge was honored as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers in 2012 and 2013, and was the sole recipient of the 2015 Rising Star Award at the Crain's Detroit General and In-House Counsel Awards.

About NSF

NSF is an independent, global organization that facilitates standards development to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment. With clients in more than 180 countries, NSF tests and certifies products for the food, water, health sciences, and consumer goods industries. Founded in 1944 at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. NSF is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Water Quality, Food Safety, and Medical Device Safety.

SOURCE NSF
GUANGZHOU, China, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Onion Global Limited ("Onion Global", the "Group" or the "Company") (NYSE: OG), a next-generation lifestyle brand platform that incubates, markets, and distributes the world's fresh, fashionable, and future brands to young people in China and across Asia, today announced that, it has received a letter from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") dated July 1, 2022, notifying the Company that it is below compliance criteria in connection with the performance of trading price of Onion Global's American depositary shares (the "ADSs").

Pursuant to applicable NYSE continued listing standards, a company is considered "below criteria" by the NYSE if average closing price of its security is less than $1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. A review of the current financial condition of the Company by the NYSE shows that as of June 30, 2022, the 30 trading-day average closing share price of the security was $0.93. Accordingly, the Company is now subject to the procedures as outlined in Sections 801 and 802 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. Since this is the only criteria that the Company has triggered, the procedures outlined in Paras. 802.02 and 802.03 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual do not apply. The Company must bring its share price and average share price back above $1.00 by six months following receipt of the notification.

The price condition will be deemed cured if the price promptly exceeds $1.00 per share, and the price remains above the level for at least the following 30 trading days. In the event that at the expiration of the sixmonth cure period, both a $1.00 share price and a $1.00 average share price over the preceding 30 trading days are not attained, the NYSE will commence suspension and delisting procedures.

The Company intends to monitor the market conditions of its listed securities and will consider various measures to resolve the non-compliance and avoid any potential delisting. These measures include but are not limited to improving business performance, expanding source of revenue, controlling expenditure, developing user base and focusing on growth strategies to boost investor sentiment.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, the Company's forecasts, general observation of the industry, and business outlook, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "anticipates," "target," "aim," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "potential," "estimates" "continue," "is/are likely to," or other similar statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Onion Global's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Onion Global does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About Onion Global Limited

Onion Global Limited (NYSE: OG) is a next-generation lifestyle brand platform that incubates, markets, and distributes the world's fresh, fashionable, and future brands, which we refer to as "3F brands," to young people in China and across Asia. The Company's mission is to be the dream factory of lifestyle brands for young people. The Company's platform offers an integrated solution to develop, market, and distribute new and inspiring branded products, thereby reshaping the lifestyle shopping and consumer culture in China. Onion Global Limited has been listed on New York Stock Exchange since May 2021.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.msyc.com/.

Investor Relations Contact

In China:

Onion Global Ltd.

Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

Christensen

Mr. Eric Yuan

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +86-10-5900-1548

In the United States:

Christensen

Ms. Linda Bergkamp

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +1-480-614-3004

SOURCE Onion Global Limited
New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) The election for the 15th President of India was held across the country on Monday, with over 99 per cent votes being polled, and 11 states and UT Puducherry recording 100 per cent voting.



The ECI said polling for election to the office of President of India, which is the highest elective office in the country, concluded successfully in a free, fair and transparent manner at the Parliament House today and in each of the 30 places of poll in State Legislative Assemblies, including the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Over 99 per cent electorate cast their votes today, while 100 per cent voting by MLAs was reported from Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu.

At the Parliament House in New Delhi, 721 MPs and nine MLAs voted, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and other prominent leaders.

A part of the first floor of Parliament was cordoned and Room no 63 in the Parliament House was converted into a polling center for the electors.

A red carpet was laid out for the electors, and part of the Parliament building's first floor, with its iconic red sandstone pillars, was covered with a white curtain, as the area was sanitised for voting.

Huge posters showcasing the historic Rashtrapati Bhawan were also put out outside the room, where the voting took place. Special posters on use of special pens and Do's and Don'ts for electors for casting of vote were provided by the ECI for displaying at prominent places outside the polling stations.

The voting started at 10 am on Monday and MPs could be seen beelining to cast their votes, despite long queues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to cast his vote shortly after the polling started. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh also arrived within the first hour of the voting, even as he arrived in a wheelchair. Singh and Modi were among the 350 electors, who exercised their franchise within the first 1.5 hours of the presidential ballot.

Four officers helped Manmohan Singh (89), stand up from his wheelchair and drop the paper in the secret ballot box.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav also arrived at the venue in a wheelchair, owing to poor health.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi also cast their votes later in the day.

Rajya Sabha Secretary General and Chief Returning Officer for the Presidential polls, PC Mody said out of 736 electors comprising 727 Members of Parliament (MPs) and nine Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), who were permitted by the ECI to vote at Parliament House, New Delhi, 730 electors - 721 MPs and nine MLAs cast their vote before the closure of poll.

"The total elector turnout at Parliament House was 99.18 percent," he said.

Ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Draupadi Murmu is fighting against Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha in the Presidential election. The numbers appear to be in favour of Murmu, with around 60 per cent votes belonging to the parties that have supported her candidature.

Ballots from different states will now arrive in New Delhi and will be taken to Parliament House, where counting will take place on July 21.

The term of President Ram Nath Kovind ends on July 24.

UNI AO RJ
The oral care market report is segmented by Distribution Channel (offline and online) and Geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and MEA).

Regional Highlights - 33% of the market's growth will originate from Europe during the forecast period. Germany and the UK are the key markets for the oral care market in Europe . Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the Middle East and African markets. The rising awareness of oral hygiene, government-aided medical benefits, and the introduction of new oral care products will facilitate the oral care market growth in Europe over the forecast period.

33% of the market's growth will originate from during the forecast period. and the UK are the key markets for the oral care market in . Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the and African markets. The rising awareness of oral hygiene, government-aided medical benefits, and the introduction of new oral care products will facilitate the oral care market growth in over the forecast period. Revenue Generating Segment - The oral care market share growth by the offline segment will be significant for revenue generation. Due to the expansion of different retailing formats across the world, the demand for oral care products is expected to increase during the forecast period. Various retailers, especially organized retailers, are expanding their stores in the local and regional markets to increase sales through offline channels.

Technavio report provides an accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments to the growth of the oral care market size and actionable market insights on the post-COVID-19 impact on each segment.

For additional insights into the contribution of all the segments and regional opportunities - Grab a sample now!

Oral Care Market - Vendor Analysis

The oral care market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. The oral care market forecast report offers in-depth insights into key vendor profiles. The profiles include information on the production, sustainability, and prospects of the leading companies. The oral care market report also offers information on several market vendors, including Amway Corp., Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., Combe Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Henkel AG and Co. KGaA, Johnson and Johnson Inc., Koninklijke Philips NV, The Procter and Gamble Co., and Unilever Group among others.

Amway Corp. - The company offers different types of oral care under the brand name Glister.

- The company offers different types of oral care under the brand name Glister. To gain access to more vendor profiles with their key offerings available with Technavio, Request a Sample!

Oral Care Market - Key Market Dynamics

Market Driver - The technological innovation and product line extension leading to product premiumization and a rise in demand for mouthwash for specific oral concerns are some of the key market drivers.

The technological innovation and product line extension leading to product premiumization and a rise in demand for mouthwash for specific oral concerns are some of the key market drivers. Market Challenges - The factors such as the availability of counterfeit products degrading brand value will challenge market growth.

The holistic analysis of the drivers & challenges will help in deducing end goals and refining marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge. The oral care market analysis report also provides detailed information on other upcoming trends that will have a far-reaching effect on the market growth

Enclose successful business strategies with detailed information on drivers & the market challenges - Click Now!

Related Reports:

The floss-picks market share is expected to increase to USD 173.22 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.77%.

share is expected to increase to from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.77%. The oral hygiene market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.75% and the market share will increase by USD 12.16 billion from 2021 to 2026.

Oral Care Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.42% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 10.62 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.59 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution Europe at 33% Key consumer countries US, China, Germany, UK, and Brazil Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Amway Corp., Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., Combe Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Henkel AG and Co. KGaA, Johnson and Johnson Inc., Koninklijke Philips NV, The Procter and Gamble Co., and Unilever Group Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get customized segments.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 01: Parent market



Exhibit 02: Market characteristics

2.2 Value chain analysis

Exhibit 03: Value chain analysis : Personal Products

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 04: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 05: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2020

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Exhibit 06: Global - Market size and forecast 2020 - 2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 07: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2020 - 2025 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 08: Five forces analysis 2020 & 2025

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 09: Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 10: Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 11: Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 12: Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 13: Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 14: Market condition - Five forces 2020

5 Market Segmentation by Distribution channel

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 15: Distribution channel - Market share 2020-2025 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Distribution channel

Exhibit 16: Comparison by Distribution channel

5.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 17: Offline - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 18: Offline - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 19: Online - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 20: Online - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Distribution channel

Exhibit 21: Market opportunity by Distribution channel

6 Customer landscape

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 23: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 24: Geographic comparison

7.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 25: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

Exhibit 26: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 27: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

Exhibit 28: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 29: APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 30: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 31: South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

Exhibit 32: South America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.7 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 33: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 34: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 35: Key leading countries

7.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 37: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

Exhibit 38: Vendor landscape

9.2 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 39: Landscape disruption



Exhibit 40: Industry risks

9.3 Competitive Landscape

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 41: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

10.3 Amway Corp.

Exhibit 43: Amway Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 44: Amway Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 45: Amway Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 46: Amway Corp. - Segment focus

10.4 Church and Dwight Co. Inc.

Exhibit 47: Church and Dwight Co. Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 48: Church and Dwight Co. Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 49: Church and Dwight Co. Inc.- Key news



Exhibit 50: Church and Dwight Co. Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 51: Church and Dwight Co. Inc. - Segment focus

10.5 Colgate-Palmolive Co.

Exhibit 52: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Overview



Exhibit 53: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 54: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 55: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Segment focus

10.6 Combe Inc.

Exhibit 56: Combe Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 57: Combe Inc. - Product and service



Exhibit 58: Combe Inc. - Key offerings

10.7 GlaxoSmithKline Plc

Exhibit 59: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Overview



Exhibit 60: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 61: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Key news



Exhibit 62: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 63: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Segment focus

10.8 Henkel AG and Co. KGaA

Exhibit 64: Henkel AG and Co. KGaA - Overview



Exhibit 65: Henkel AG and Co. KGaA - Business segments



Exhibit 66: Henkel AG and Co. KGaA - Key news



Exhibit 67: Henkel AG and Co. KGaA - Key offerings



Exhibit 68: Henkel AG and Co. KGaA - Segment focus

10.9 Johnson and Johnson Inc.

Exhibit 69: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 70: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 71: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 72: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Segment focus

10.10 Koninklijke Philips NV

Exhibit 73: Koninklijke Philips NV - Overview



Exhibit 74: Koninklijke Philips NV - Business segments



Exhibit 75: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key news



Exhibit 76: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 77: Koninklijke Philips NV - Segment focus

10.11 The Procter and Gamble Co.

Exhibit 78: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Overview



Exhibit 79: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 80: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 81: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Segment focus

10.12 Unilever Group

Exhibit 82: Unilever Group - Overview



Exhibit 83: Unilever Group - Business segments



Exhibit 84: Unilever Group - Key offerings



Exhibit 85: Unilever Group - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 86: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 87: Research Methodology



Exhibit 88: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 89: Information sources

11.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 90: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
North America post-harvest treatment market is expected to be valued at US$ 358.7 Mn in 2022 and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% over the forecast period. Indian post-harvest treatment market will grow at a CAGR of 5.5% between 2022 and 2032.

NEWARK, Del., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest report by Future Market Insights (FMI), the global post-harvest treatment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% during the assessment period (2022-2032), surpassing US$ 2.2 Bn by 2032.

Increasing trade of fresh vegetables and fruits as compared to the other commodities is the primary factor underpinning the growth in post-harvest treatment market. This growing trade of exotic vegetables and fruits is increasing the usage of post-harvest treatment to keep the inventory of exotic vegetables and fruits fresh for longer period of time.

Further, with increasing popularity of continental dishes, the consumption of exotic vegetables and fruits in hospitality industry is surging. Moreover, exotic fruits-based flavors are gaining popularity in countries such as India and China. Hence, the flavor ingredient manufacturers are investing extensively in food products such as ViDA Juice dragon fruit with tonic and flavored frozen pops Ruby Rockets with grape and acai.

Get a Sample of this Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-15200

Key Takeaways from Market Study

The post-harvest treatment market is expected to expand at a CAGR's of 8.7% and 7.9% in Latin America and Middle East & Africa , respectively through 2032.

and & , respectively through 2032. East Asia and South Asia are expected to hold market share of 18.5% and 13.7% respectively in 2022.

and are expected to hold market share of 18.5% and 13.7% respectively in 2022. Based on category, the fruits segment is expected to dominate the market holding around 67.4% share in 2022

Among the product type, coatings will account for around 43.6% share in 2022 and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% over the forecast period.

Regionally, North America is dominating the post-harvest treatment market with a demand share of around 23.9% share in 2022.

"Increasing adoption of innovative technologies such as chemical-free fumigation techniques for post-harvest treatment of vegetables and fruits is offering significant growth opportunities for the post-harvest treatment market players", says a Future Market Insights analyst.

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report : https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/post-harvest-treatment-market

Competitive Landscape

Key players operating in the post-harvest treatment market are focusing on developing new products in order to improve their existing product portfolio. For Instance 

In September 2021 , Pace International LLC (US) announced PrimaFresh 60 OR, which was created specifically to improve dehydration control in stone fruit and increase its fresh attractiveness.

, Pace International LLC (US) announced PrimaFresh 60 OR, which was created specifically to improve dehydration control in stone fruit and increase its fresh attractiveness. In March 2021 , Citrosol ( Spain ) released Citrocide Fresh Cut, which helps to prevent the decay of peppers, tomatoes, and avocados.

Explore More Valuable Insights

Future Market Insights, in its new report, offers an impartial analysis of the global Post-Harvest Treatments market, presenting historical data (2017-2021) and estimation statistics for the forecast period of 2022-2032.

The study offers compelling insights based on crop type (fruits, vegetables), type (coatings, cleaners, sanitizers, fungicides, sprout inhibitors, ethylene blockers) across seven major regions of the world.

Ask an [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-15200

Post-harvest Treatment Market by Category

By Category:

Fruits

Vegetables

By Product Type:

Coatings

Cleaners

Sanitizers

Fungicides

Sprout Inhibitors

Ethylene Blockers

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia

Oceania

Middle east and Africa

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/brochure/rep-gb-15200

Table of Content

1. Executive Summary

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand-side Trends

1.3. Supply-side Trends

1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis

1.5. Analysis and Recommendations

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

3. Market Background

3.1. Market Dynamics

3.1.1. Drivers

3.1.2. Restraints

3.2. Scenario Forecast

3.3. Product launches & Recent Developments

3.4. Product Life Cycle Analysis

3.5. Value Chain Analysis

4. Global Post Harvest Treatment Market Analysis 2017-2021 and Forecast, 2022-2032

4.1. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Mn) & Volume (MT) Analysis, 2017-2021

4.2. Current and Future Market Size Value (US$ Mn) & Volume (MT) Projections, 2022-2032

5. Global Post Harvest Treatment Market Analysis 2017-2021 and Forecast 2022-2032, By Category

5.1. Introduction / Key Findings

5.2. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Mn) & Volume (MT) Analysis By Category, 2017-2021

TOC continued..!

About Food & Beverage Division at Future Market Insights

The Food & Beverage team at Future Market Insights provides all the necessary insights and consulting analysis to fulfill the unique business intelligence needs of clients worldwide. With a catalog of more than 500 reports pertaining to the latest statistics and analysis from the food & beverage industry, the team is happy to help with every business intelligence research and consulting requirement.

Have a Look at Food & Beverage Domain Related Research Reports:

Microbial Seed Treatment Market Size - The microbial seed treatment market is projected to register a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period, up from US$ 0.9 Bn in 2021 to reach a valuation of US$ 9.8 Bn by 2027.

Postbiotic Supplements Market Shares - Postbiotics supplements are by-products of the fermentation cycle in the intestine performed by probiotics. In other words, postbiotics supplements are developed as the probiotics feed on prebiotics.

Postnatal Health Supplements Market Trends - Consequently, FMI expects the global postnatal health supplements market to grow with a CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast period 2021-2031.

Egg Protein Market Forecast - The global egg protein market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 8.3 Bn in 2022. Sales of egg protein are expected to increase at a CAGR of 6.7% over the forecast period, reaching US$ 16 Bn by 2032.

Granulated Tapioca Market Value - The demand in the global granulated tapioca market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4% to 5% during the forecast period 2022-2032.

Food Preservatives Market Forecast - Food Preservatives Market is estimated at USD 2,600 Mn in 2021, likely to surge at a vigorous 6.8% CAGR during the assessment period 2022  2032

Organic Stevia Market Demand - Organic stevia is a completely organic herbal sweetener and is also a great alternative for sugar. Organic stevia has zero calories and carbohydrates; it is also helpful to cure ailments

About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights (ESOMAR certified market research organization and a member of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) provides in-depth insights into governing factors elevating the demand in the market. It discloses opportunities that will favor the market growth in various segments on the basis of Source, Application, Sales Channel and End Use over the next 10-years.

Contact:

Future Market Insights Inc.

Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive,

Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA

T: +1-845-579-5705

For Sales Enquiries: [email protected]

Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com

Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/post-harvest-treatment-market

LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197648/FMI_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Future Market Insights
Participation Will Accelerate Medical Research Surrounding Life-Threatening Lung Disease

CHICAGO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) has launched the PFF Community Registry, a distinct data set of the PFF Registry that will collect participant-reported data provided directly by patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and interstitial lung disease (ILD), their caregivers and family members, and lung transplant recipients previously diagnosed with PF or ILD.

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation has launched the new PFF Community Registry to accelerate research and advance the understanding of pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease.

More than 250,000 Americans are living with PF and ILD. These disorders are characterized by varied amounts of inflammation and/or scarring that damage the ability of the lung to absorb oxygen from the air. Pulmonary fibrosis means scarring of the lung and can be seen in many types of ILD.

The PFF Community Registry will complement the PFF Patient Registry, established in 2016 to track medical data from more than 2,000 PF patients across PFF Care Centers nationwide. To date, the information collected by the PFF Patient Registry has aided clinical and translational research investigators to successfully conduct numerous studies and continues to be available to researchers for new analyses. In the future, researchers will be able to access even more information from both registries to evaluate contributing factors, treatment outcomes, and relevant data to make further advances in understanding PF and ILD.

"We are inviting people affected by PF or ILD to help find answers for these debilitating diseases by joining the PFF Community Registry," said Junelle Speller, MBA, Vice President, PFF Registry. "Through the collaborative efforts of each participant, we can accelerate medical research and improve the lives of patients with PF or ILD."

Joining the PFF Community Registry is easy and participation is voluntary. Information will be collected via online surveys, which can be completed at the individual's own pace and in the comfort of their homes with minimal effort. The database is highly secure, using the same technology trusted by doctors' offices, hospitals, and clinical trials worldwide. Any data that directly identifies participants will be removed before information is shared with researchers.

"A powerful aspect of the Community registry is that we can use the information gained from it to understand the experience of individuals living with PF or ILD, and how it impacts their lives and those of their families and caregivers," said Kevin Flaherty, MD, MS, Steering Committee Chair, PFF Registry. "Researchers can look at the data to better understand fibrotic lung diseases and learn about effective approaches to improve patient care."

The PFF Registry offers a wealth of longitudinal data on all forms of PF and ILD, providing unparalleled insight into the experience of patients, lung transplant recipients, caregivers, and family members. Information from the PFF Patient Registry data have already been used in almost 40 studies representing more than $32 million in PF research on various topics including: characteristics of patients selected for transplants, outcome differences based on sex, race, or smoking status, characteristics associated with people using supplemental oxygen, and effects of anticoagulants on survival in patients with interstitial lung diseases.

"The simple act of promoting awareness of the PFF Registry among patients, family members, and caregivers will lead to increased participation and a greater probability of finding answers to key questions about PF and ILD," said Speller. "There are no limits as to how large the Registry can grow, so it is imperative we reach everybody who may be affected by this disease."

"We all want to find a cure, and that dream begins with us," added Ken Vella, a patient with PF and member of the PFF Community Registry. "We know there is hope for future generations, but those aspirations can only be achieved through our participation."

To join the PFF Community Registry, sign up at pffregistry.org. To learn about PF risk factors, symptoms, and more, please visit www.AboutPF.org.

The PFF Registry is supported by founding partner, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, visionary partner United Therapeutics Corporation, sustaining partner Boehringer Ingelheim, and many generous donors. Each of these shares the belief that a comprehensive registry is fundamentally important to improving the lives of those living with PF or ILD.

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation mobilizes people and resources to provide access to high quality care and leads research for a cure so people with pulmonary fibrosis will live longer, healthier lives. The PFF rates among top charities in the U.S. The PFF has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and is an accredited charity by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance. The Foundation has met all of the requirements of the National Health Council Standards of Excellence Certification Program and has earned the Guidestar Gold Seal of Transparency.

Contact: Anna Figy

L.C. Williams & Associates

312-565-3800

[email protected]

SOURCE The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
XIAMEN, China, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Qudian Inc. ("Qudian" or the "Company") (NYSE: QD), a consumer-oriented technology company in China, today provided an update on its ready-to-cook meal business under the brand of QD Food, including its operational progress and recent initiatives. Introduced in March 2022, QD Food is Qudian's latest strategic venture leveraging its technology capabilities to create innovative consumer products and services.

Since its inception, QD Food has made remarkable progress. As of July 18, 2022, the Company has 15 warehousing, assembly and packaging facilities, delivering products to over 200 cities and towns across China. Consumers can currently place orders through three channels, Douyin's livestreaming platform, QD Food's WeChat mini-program, and the QD Food App. Presently, QD Food offers over 10 dishes, including delicious classic dishes such as boiled fish with pickled cabbage, steamed pork with rice flour and beer-braised duck, which are well-liked by the consumers and receiving much positive feedback.

In particular, on July 17, 2022, QD Food hosted the "717 Foodies Festival," a livestreaming event on Douyin featuring CEO Min Luo introducing QD Food's products to millions of viewers, whose sparkling performance fueled sales of a total of approximately 9.56 million dishes [1]. The event was ranked No. 1 on Douyin for over 10 hours during the livestreaming, with peak concurrent viewers reaching an impressive high of over 900 thousand and attracting about 4 million new followers for Mr. Min Luo's Douyin account "Qudian Boss Luo." As of July 18, 2022, the account's total number of followers exceeded 5 million.

"We are excited to see QD Food going from strength to strength, especially the outstanding commercial performance of our livestreaming event," said Mr. Min Luo, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Qudian. "To capitalize on the burgeoning popularity of livestreaming e-commerce and the vast market demand for ready-to-cook foods, we will continue developing high-quality products and delivering outstanding consumer experiences. The successful establishment of QD Food is enabling us to seize market opportunities to create a new, accelerated engine for our sustainable growth."

Catering to working families, QD Food features fresh ingredients and ready-to-cook dishes that can be conveniently and easily prepared at home, at excellent value-for-money prices.

[1] Without considering potential refunds and refunded orders.

About Qudian Inc.

Qudian Inc. ("Qudian") is a consumer-oriented technology company in China. The Company historically focused on providing credit solutions to consumers. Qudian is exploring innovative consumer products and services to satisfy Chinese consumers' fundamental and daily needs by leveraging its technology capabilities. In March 2022, it launched a ready-to-cook meal business catering to working-class consumers in China.

For more information, please visit https://ir.qudian.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the expectation of its collection efficiency and delinquency contains forward-looking statements. Qudian may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Qudian's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Qudian's goal and strategies; Qudian's expansion plans; Qudian's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Qudian's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products; Qudian's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with customers, business partners and other parties it collaborates with; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Qudian's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Qudian does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Qudian Inc.

IR team

Tel: +86-592-596-8208

E-mail: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Jenny Cai

Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677

E-mail: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Qudian Inc.
Bob Bondi Takes Helm to Build on Long-Term Goal of Supporting Independent Insurance Agencies

CHICAGO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Renaissance Alliance, a membership network that serves independent property & casualty insurance agencies, has announced the promotion of Bob Bondi to CEO from his current role as President and COO, effective immediately. Bondi has also been appointed as a director of the company.

Outgoing CEO Kevin Callahan commented, "It has been an honor to lead Renaissance. I've had a professional relationship with Bob for over 30 years which gives me full confidence that our clients, insurance partners, and our team members have the best leader for the next phase of our journey."

Bondi and Callahan partnered with Long Arc Capital in 2018 to acquire Renaissance Alliance with the intention of transforming it into the country's premier insurance agency network. Bondi has been instrumental in refining the capabilities of the company's member services platform, driving expansion into the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, and integrating the recent acquisitions of Agency Network Exchange and United Valley. Prior to joining Renaissance, Bondi served as a senior executive at Confie, Affirmative Insurance, and Aon.

"I'm honored and excited to transition to the role of CEO at Renaissance," said Bondi. "As part of Renaissance's executive leadership team for the past four years, I've formed strong relationships with our agency members, carrier partners, and team members. I understand the challenges faced by independent agencies and am focused on helping our members financially thrive while maintaining their independence."

Bondi plans to build upon the momentum Renaissance has generated in recent years. The company has expanded significantly, having grown from 80 agency members across six states in 2018 to over 300 members in 13 states today. The company also holds close relationships with more than 90 carrier partners and brokers.

About Renaissance Alliance: Renaissance Alliance, a Long Arc Capital portfolio company, provides technology, services, and carrier access to independent property & casualty insurance agency owners. The company's relationships with over 90 insurance carriers and brokers enable the network to provide its members higher commissions. Its technology-enabled services enable members to spend less time on internal administration and operations, and instead focus their time on growing their agencies and providing value to their customers. The net effect to member agencies is higher premium and revenue, cost savings, less operational risk, and accelerated agency growth.

About Long Arc Capital: Long Arc Capital is a private equity firm based in New York City dedicated to building and scaling breakthrough technology and technology-enabled businesses. Founded in 2016, Long Arc has six Partners collectively with over 150 years of investing and operating experience. The firm has a philosophy of "active ownership," partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams by bringing to bear a comprehensive suite of resources that advance the human capital, strategic, product development, technology, and financial strengths of its portfolio companies, successfully driving their profitable growth.

Media Contact: James Doyle, [email protected]

SOURCE Renaissance Alliance
In-built erosion control reduces land requirements by half

CLEVELAND, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Roll-A-Rack has developed a gutter-like solar racking system that captures rain falling on solar panels. Current racking systems require a large distance between rows of panels to grow vegetation to prevents erosion. The compact Roll-A-Rack has only eleven inches between rows of panels and requires half the land to produce the same amount of energy. Harvested water can also be used for irrigation.

The Roll-A-Rack rain harvesting solution will be presented as a technical poster "Collecting Rainwater Falling on Solar Arrays" at RE+ 2022, North America's largest renewable energy event, Sept. 17-22, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. Roll-A-Rack president Don Scipione will present an invited paper "Stormwater Management for Solar Arrays" at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources 2022 Ohio Statewide Floodplain Management Conference, Aug. 24-25, in Columbus, Ohio.

Roll-A-Rack is seeking developers and solar installers to help commercialize the installation processes. For more information about Roll-A-Rack or becoming a beta tester, visit roll-a-rack.com, email [email protected], or download the informational flyer.

Roll-A-Rack's development research is funded in part by a Small Business Innovation Research grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.

About Acme Express, Inc. dba as Roll-A-Rack

Acme Express, Inc. is a technology company that develops technologies for the transportation, finance, education healthcare and renewable energy industries. The company has been awarded multiple innovation grants from Ohio Third Frontier, U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Research Resources, National Library of Medicine, and U.S. Department of Energy.

About the Solar Energy Technologies Office

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office supports early-stage research and development to improve the affordability, reliability, and performance of solar technologies on the grid.

About RE+ 2022

RE+ 2022 is the umbrella event that includes SPI, ESI, RE+ Power, and RE+ Infrastructure. As North America's largest renewable energy event, it is a catalyst for industry innovation that's supercharging business growth in the clean energy economy. RE+ is powered by the Solar Energy Industries Association, the national trade organization for the U.S. solar industry, and the Smart Electric Power Alliance, a provider of education, research, standards, and collaboration to utilities, electric customers, and other industry players.

About Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)

ODNR's mission is to ensure a balance between the wise use and protection of out natural resources for the benefit of all.

News Media Contact

Joe Mosbrook

216-375-2141

[email protected]

SOURCE Acme Express, Inc.
Conference doubling down on networking capabilities by requiring attendees to be registered with iConnections

NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SALT, a premier global thought leadership forum, today announced that its upcoming SALT New York conference, taking place September 12-14 at Javits Center Expansion in New York City, will be an iConnections-members only event. iConnections LLC ("iConnections") is an industry-leading community and technology platform that connects investment managers and allocators through an information-rich platform and mobile app.

SALT New York will continue to feature the brightest minds from the global business and financial industries across various keynotes, content panels and stages during this year's event. As part of this new format, the agenda will include dedicated blocks of time on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons for GP/LP attendees to schedule meetings through the iConnections platform.

The following parameters have been put in place for SALT New York 2022 registration:

Institutional investors and financial advisors will be required to commit to a minimum of seven meetings during the conference for complimentary attendance

Managers must work with iConnections to register for the event and join the platform

Service providers can register and purchase individual tickets for the conference

"The opportunity to facilitate an environment for true business development at our events is becoming increasingly important, and we have partnered with the best global cap intro platform in the world to really bring this to life," said John Darsie, Managing Director of SALT. "While attendees can still expect the same high-caliber speakers and content SALT is best known for, we are doubling down on our commitment to fostering meaningful relationships for attendees by establishing dedicated time during the conference for GP-LP meetings."

SALT has partnered with iConnections for past events, such as Crypto Bahamas and SALT New York 2021, and the organizations are co-hosting SALT iConnections Asia this November 14-16 at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. This evolving partnership is a result of both organizations recognizing the opportunity to combine platforms and facilitate discussions that can lead to business impact within the global institutional asset management industry.

"SALT is a world class organization that features innovative content to help investors make informed decisions," said iConnections CEO Ron Biscardi. "Combining their longstanding and proven events concept with the power of iConnections' deep network of managers and allocators will create a more valuable and long-term impact for our community."

SALT New York's content agenda will be released in early August. More information on the conference, including registration information and FAQs, can be found here. For media attendance and media partnership inquiries, please contact [email protected].

About SALT

SALT is a global thought leadership forum focused on innovation and investing, founded in 2009 by Anthony Scaramucci and SkyBridge Capital. Its mission is to empower big ideas by connecting people and capital. SALT's flagship events bring together the world's foremost investors, creators and thinkers for high-level collaboration and networking. First airing in May 2021, SALT Talks is a digital media series featuring conversations with leading entrepreneurs. For more information please visit https://www.salt.org/ and follow SALT's Twitter and LinkedIn for content and updates.

About iConnections

iConnections is a software-powered community connecting the investment management industry. iConnections' platform and app allows managers to securely share company information with allocators, who can seamlessly evaluate and engage with relevant managers. The scalable technology powering iConnections can be used for all types of bespoke investor events. In an increasingly digital world, iConnections has reimagined how the investment industry connects. Visit https://iconnections.io to learn more.

Media Contacts

Prosek Partners, on behalf of SALT

[email protected]

Diana Arakelyan, CMO, iConnections

[email protected]

SOURCE SALT
Adds Extensive Executive-Level Leadership, Operations Expertise & Financial Experience in the Energy & Industrial Industries

HOUSTON, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) announced today the appointment of Scott Rowe to the company's Board of Directors. He brings extensive executive-level leadership, operations expertise and financial experience to Quanta's board.

David McClanahan, Quanta Services' independent Chairman of the Board, commented, "We are pleased to welcome Scott to the Quanta Services Board of Directors. He is an accomplished public company executive and director, with extensive energy and industrial experience. We look forward to working with Scott and are excited about the perspective he will provide to Quanta's board and to the company."

Since April 2017, Mr. Rowe has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Flowserve Corporation, a publicly traded developer and manufacturer of precision-engineered flow control systems that support global infrastructure industries, including energy, chemical, power generation and water management, and certain general industrial markets. From 2016 to 2017, Mr. Rowe served as President of Cameron Group of Schlumberger Ltd., an operating company of Schlumberger Limited, a publicly traded company that provides solutions and technologies to energy customers. Additionally, prior to Schlumberger's acquisition of Cameron International Corporation in 2016, he served in various roles of increasing responsibility with Cameron International, including as President and Chief Executive Officer from 2015 to 2016, as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2014 to 2015, as a director from 2014 to 2016 and as a division president from 2008 to 2014. Mr. Rowe also previously served as a captain in the United States Army and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Management and a Master of Business Administration degree.

About Quanta Services

Quanta Services is a leading specialized contracting services company, delivering comprehensive infrastructure solutions for the utility, communications, pipeline and energy industries. Quanta's comprehensive services include designing, installing, repairing and maintaining energy and communications infrastructure. With operations throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and select other international markets, Quanta has the manpower, resources and expertise to safely complete projects that are local, regional, national or international in scope. For more information, visit www.quantaservices.com.

Investors - Kip Rupp, CFA Media  Liz James Quanta Services, Inc. FGS Global (713) 341-7260 (281) 881-5170

SOURCE Quanta Services, Inc.
DUBLIN, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Production, Processing and Preserving of Red Meat in South Africa 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The red meat industry has still not completely recovered from droughts, which led to a red meat shortage, and is struggling with significant increases in input prices including fuel and feed. The slowing economy has seen consumers switch from lamb and beef to cheaper meat products such as pork and poultry, while some are reducing their red meat intake.

Beef and veal production has doubled since 2001, while the production of pork has almost tripled. The livestock value chain is dominated by big commercial producers that have linked production activities with distribution and processing.



Key Issues

Input costs of items such as fuel and feed have risen significantly, driven by the Russia-Ukraine war, and are reducing profitability in the sector. Exports are being affected by disease outbreaks and logistics issues such as port congestion, poor roads and attacks on rail infrastructure. Red meat exporters could significantly ramp up exports if they increase traceability. Uncertainty about land reform, expropriation without compensation and attempts to expropriate productive land continue to weigh on the industry.



Meat Alternatives

Retailers report a significant increase in demand for alternative meat products, but the industry is small as most South Africans remain big meat eaters. Some consumers have reduced meat consumption over concerns regarding the sustainability of meat production and to cut costs. Retailers have responded to increased demand by increasing the range of vegan and plant-based products in their stores.



Report Coverage

The report focuses on the production, processing and preservation of red meat and red meat products, with a specific focus on cattle (beef and veal), sheep (lamb and mutton), pigs (pork), game and goats and additional information on meat-alternative vegan products. It includes comprehensive information on herd sizes, production, producer and consumer prices and consumption, key trends and the latest developments.

There are profiles of 43 companies including large integrated players such as Karan Beef, Sparta Beef, Sernick and Beefmaster, abattoirs including Cavalier and Doornplaat, and processors such as Eskort and Famous Brands





Key Topics Covered:



1. INTRODUCTION



2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY

2.1. Industry Value Chain

2.2. Geographic Position

2.3. Size of the Industry

2.4. Key Success Factors and Pain Points



3. LOCAL

3.1. State of the Industry

3.2. Key Trends

3.3. Notable Players

3.4. Trade

3.5. Corporate Actions

3.6. Regulations

3.7. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development



4. AFRICA



5. INTERNATIONAL



6. INFLUENCING FACTORS

6.1. COVID-19

6.2. Economic Environment

6.3. Labour

6.4. Environmental Issues

6.5. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation

6.6. Government Support

6.7. Input Costs

6.8. Health and Diseases

6.9. Herd Rebuilding

6.10. Cyclicality

6.11. Crime, Predation and Stock Theft



7. COMPETITIVE ENVIROMENT

7.1. Competition

7.2. Ownership Structure of the Industry

7.3. Barriers to Entry



8. SWOT ANALYSIS



9. OUTLOOK



10. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS



Appendix - Summary of Notable Players



COMPANY PROFILES

Agriqua Livestock (Pty) Ltd

Agriqua Pecan Nuts (Pty) Ltd

Agriqua Processing (Pty) Ltd

Beefmaster Kimberley (Pty) Ltd

Bloemfontein Abattoir (Pty) Ltd

Bluff Meat Supply (Pty) Ltd

BMS Foods Properties (Pty) Ltd

Brickhouse Trading (Pty) Ltd

Bullhill Ontwikkeling (Pty) Ltd

Cape Deli (Pty) Ltd

Cavalier Abattoir (Pty) Ltd

Cavalier Feeders (Pty) Ltd

Cavalier Foods (Pty) Ltd

Cavalier Livestock (Pty) Ltd

Chalmar Beef (Pty) Ltd

Doornplaat Abattoir (Pty) Ltd

East London Abattoir (Pty) Ltd

Eskort (Pty) Ltd

Excellent Meat Market (Pty) Ltd

Fabvleis (Pty) Ltd

Famous Brands Ltd

Frey's Agriculture (Pty) Ltd

Frey's Food Brands (Pty) Ltd

Fry Group Foods (Pty) Ltd

Gen4foods (Pty) Ltd

Good Hope Meat Supply CC

Herbivore Earthfoods (Pty) Ltd

Hessequa Abattoir (Pty) Ltd

HKFT Properties (Pty) Ltd

Holstein Meats (Pty) Ltd

Irvin and Johnson Ltd

Kalahari Kid Corporation (Pty) Ltd

Karan Beef (Pty) Ltd

Kaya Grain Limpopo (Pty) Ltd

KYTO Operations (Pty) Ltd

Lentaba Meat (Pty) Ltd

Lexis Central Kitchen (Pty) Ltd

Lexis Eatery Rosebank (Pty) Ltd

Lexis Flamingo (Pty) Ltd

Lexis Healthy Eatery (Pty) Ltd

Lexis Seapoint (Pty) Ltd

Lexis Waterfall (Pty) Ltd

LIVEKINDLY Collective Africa (Pty) Ltd

Molare (Pty) Ltd

Morgan Abattoir (Pty) Ltd

Mzansi Meat Co (Pty) Ltd

New Style Pork (Pty) Ltd

On the Green Side (Pty) Ltd

Oos Vrystaat Kaap Bedryf Ltd

Orange River Popcorn (Pty) Ltd

Q-Meats CC

QK Meats SA (Pty) Ltd

RFG Foods (Pty) Ltd

Rica Meats (Pty) Ltd

Roelcor Malmesbury (Pty) Ltd

Sauce Advertising (Pty) Ltd

Seemanns Quality Meats (Pty) Ltd

Sernick Group (Pty) Ltd

Sinethemba Mafama (Pty) Ltd

Sparta Foods (Pty) Ltd

Stonecreek Meat (Pty) Ltd

Triotrade Gauteng (Pty) Ltd

Upington Abattoir (Pty) Ltd

UPT Meat (Pty) Ltd

Vereeniging Abattoir (Pty) Ltd

VGK Beleggings (Pty) Ltd

Watsons Baconeries (Pty) Ltd

Watsons Piggeries (Pty) Ltd

Winelands Pork ( Labelle Street ) (Pty) Ltd

) (Pty) Ltd Zodar Properties No 12(Pty) Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/edc9zy

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Surge in need for low earth orbit-based services, increase in space exploration missions, and rise in demand for satellite data drive the global space propulsion system market.

PORTLAND, Ore., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Space Propulsion System Market by Type (Chemical Propulsion, Non Chemical Propulsion), by Class of Orbit (Elliptical, GEO, LEO, MEO), by End User (Civil and Earth Observation, Government and Military, Commercial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031" As per the report, the global space propulsion system industry generated $8.9 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $32.8 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 14.3% from 2022 to 2031.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Rise in demand for low earth orbit-based services, surge in space exploration missions, and increase in demand for satellite data have boosted the growth of the global space propulsion system market. However, issues regarding space debris and increase in emission due to number of space launches hinder the market growth. On the contrary, surge in demand for advanced electric propulsion system and nanomaterial-based space propulsion systems would open new opportunities in the future.

Download Report (271 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures) at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/10808

Covid-19 scenario:

The Covid-19 outbreak forced governments to impose strict regulations regarding lockdown and ban import-export of raw materials. This led to sudden fall in the availability of raw materials for manufacturing space propulsion systems.

The prolonged lockdown disrupted the supply chain and created delays in activities regarding development of space propulsion systems.

Request for Customization at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/10808

The chemical propulsion segment dominated the market

By type, the chemical propulsion segment held the lion's share in 2021, accounting for nearly 90% of the global space propulsion system market, due to large usage of chemical propellants for launching satellites or other payloads into the space. However, the non-chemical propulsion segment is projected to portray the highest CAGR of 16.1% during the forecast period, due to increased use of non-chemical propulsion technologies in space propulsion systems.

The commercial segment to register the highest CAGR through 2031

By end user, the commercial segment is anticipated is estimated to register the highest CAGR of 14.6% from 2022 to 2031. Moreover, the segment held the lion's share in 2021, contributing to more than three-fourths of the global space propulsion system market, due to rise in number of space programs to support commercial applications globally. The report analyzes the civil and earth observation and government and military segment as well.

Interested to Procure the Data with Actionable Strategy & Insights? Inquire here at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/10808

North America held the lion's share

By region, the market across North America held the largest share in 2021, accounting for more than half of the market, as U.S. launches thousands of satellites annually. However, the global space propulsion system market across Asia-Pacific is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 17.0% during the forecast period, due to increase in space programs across various nations such as China, India, South Korea, and Japan.

Key market players

Accion Systems

ArianeGroup

IHI Corporation

Moog Inc.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

OHB SE

Sierra Nevada Corporation

Thales Group

Vacco Industries

Buy Complete Report Now! https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/ba4b6dc04cb9f2f4c3a5e85b2775de67

Similar Reports We Have on Space Industry:

Rocket Propulsion Market by Type (Rocket Motor and Rocket Engine), Orbit (Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and Beyond Geosynchronous Orbit (BGEO)), Propulsion (Solid Propulsion, Liquid Propulsion and Hybrid Propulsion), Component (Motor Casing, Nozzle, Igniter Hardware, Turbo Pump, Propellant and Others), Vehicle Type( Manned and Unmanned) and End User (Military & Government and Commercial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030.

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Rocket Solid Propulsion Market by Type (Rocket Motor and Rocket Engine), Orbit (Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), and Beyond Geosynchronous Orbit (BGEO)), Component (Motor Casing, Nozzle, Igniter Hardware, Turbo Pump, Propellant, and Others), Vehicle Type (Manned and Unmanned), and End User (Military & Government and Commercial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202030.

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About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
Kabul, July 18 (UNI) The Taliban have asked the women employees to send a male relative as replacement to do their job.

According to a report by The Guardian, women workers of Afghanistans finance ministry were asked by the Taliban to send a male relative to do their job.

One female employee from the HR department of the Afghan ministry of finance, where she had worked for more than 15 years, said: I was asked to introduce a male family member to replace me at the ministry, so I could be dismissed from the job.
NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stroock is expanding its Restructuring and Bankruptcy practice with a team from Luskin, Stern & Eisler, a Chambers-ranked boutique firm focused on restructuring and bankruptcy. The attorneys will be based in Stroock's New York office.

The team includes partners Richard Stern, Matthew O'Donnell, Alex Talesnick, and Stephan Hornung, senior counsel Michael Luskin, and associate Genna Grossman. Richard Stern will join Stroock partner Jeffrey Lowenthal as Co-Chair of Stroock's Restructuring and Bankruptcy Group.

"A key goal has been the acquisition of additional restructuring and bankruptcy firepower that represents banks and financial institutions, positioning us to serve a strategically important sector ahead of the widely anticipated acceleration of the restructuring cycle," said Alan M. Klinger, Stroock Co-Managing Partner. "Importantly, each of these attorneys is substantively strong and has the personality to foster relationships within the firm, support business development efforts and attract and retain top partners and associates. This is a great match, and we are terrifically excited to welcome the group to Stroock."

The team is well-known for providing top-quality representation to financial institutions in restructurings, bankruptcy matters, creditors' rights litigation, and financing transactions in the United States, as well as in cross-border matters spanning Latin America, Canada, and Europe. The practice represents more than 20 leading financial institutions as well as Fortune 500 companies, Chapter 11 trustees and court-appointed examiners.

Stroock's current Restructuring and Bankruptcy practice has extensive experience representing sophisticated financial institutions as well as creditors, equity holders and new money investors and lenders in complex bankruptcy matters. The team is also one of the few groups that advises on the interplay between insolvency and commodities and derivatives matters. Encompassing tax, debt finance and litigation practitioners, the team devises creative solutions to transition distressed companies into recovery and deploys targeted and high-impact litigation strategies, often involving ground-breaking areas of the law, to help clients with multidimensional negotiations.

"Stroock's long history and reputation for excellence in restructuring is well known to our team," Richard Stern said. "Stroock understands the nature of restructuring practice and knows how to cultivate it. And the firm's strong and cohesive culture will foster the continued success that we've enjoyed as a boutique. Opportunities abound to collaborate with current practice partners as well as partners from across the firm to provide our clients the full range of legal services as well as to lend our expertise to Stroock's institutional relationships."

About the Attorneys

Richard Stern has practiced bankruptcy law for over 35 years. He regularly represents financial institutions in out-of-court workouts, restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings and lending transactions with an emphasis on complex financial restructurings and has been appointed as a fiduciary in several bankruptcy matters. His recent focus has been assisting lenders with unique issues in workouts and insolvencies in the energy, travel, healthcare, retail, and hedge fund industries.

Michael Luskin focuses on bankruptcy and other litigation, enforcing a creditor's rights under the Bankruptcy Code or defending a creditor against "lender liability," fraudulent conveyance or preference claims brought by a creditors' committee or bankruptcy trustee. He also has substantial experience representing creditors in loan restructurings and out-of-court workouts and representing trustees and examiners in cases presenting complex litigation issues.

Matthew O'Donnell represents financial institutions in all types of loan restructurings, out-of-court workouts, bankruptcy proceedings and lending transactions including domestic and cross-border commodity financing transactions, asset-based loans, leveraged financing transactions, aircraft and other equipment financings.

Alex Talesnick represents financial institutions in out-of-court workouts, restructurings, and bankruptcy proceedings and on asset-based and leveraged financing transactions. Alex regularly advises agents, lenders, and hedge providers on complex financial restructurings, and has substantial experience in all aspects of bankruptcy proceedings.

Stephan E. Hornung represents financial institutions and other creditors in commercial litigation in state and federal courts, including bankruptcy courts, across the country.

Genna Grossman represents financial institutions in many types of finance transactions including asset-based loans, real estate financing, leveraged transactions, loan restructurings, workouts and bankruptcy proceedings.

About Stroock

Stroock provides strategic transactional, regulatory, and litigation advice to advance the business objectives of leading financial institutions, multinational corporations, and entrepreneurial businesses in the U.S. and globally. With a rich history dating back over 145 years, the firm has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, D.C. For more, visit www.stroock.com.

SOURCE Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
DALLAS, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tailwater Capital ("Tailwater"), a private equity firm that takes a full immersion approach to investing in energy and growth infrastructure solutions, today announced that it has become a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment ("UN PRI" or "PRI"). The UN PRI is a leading proponent of responsible investing across the globe, representing a global network of investors committed to integrating environmental, social and governance ("ESG") factors and risks into their investment practices.

Tailwater employs a proactive, committed approach to incorporating ESG considerations into its investment lifecycle, and is dedicated to directly linking ESG achievements with bottom-line performance. As a leading investor in the businesses at the forefront of the ongoing energy transition, Tailwater's approach to ESG is heavily focused on performance in areas most material to each portfolio company, including emissions, governance, leak detection, safety and diversity, equity and inclusion.

As a signatory, Tailwater pledges to incorporate the PRI's six principles for responsible investment into its investment and management practices to foster a more sustainable global economy. The firm's inclusion as a PRI signatory also provides a broader network of investment manager peers with which to share best practices and track tangible ESG achievements.

"Responsible investment is core to our philosophy at Tailwater," said Jason Downie, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Tailwater Capital. "We have long been committed to incorporating ESG best practices into everything we do  from diligence and execution to partnerships with industry-leading companies and management teams. Joining the PRI further underscores the positive impact we strive to continuously achieve."

"PRI continues to set the standard for driving tangible, sustainable change across the private investment and asset management industry," said Edward Herring, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Tailwater Capital. "Innovation in the energy industry plays a critical role in driving the progression to a low-carbon future, and we look forward to continuing to invest in the businesses that are building a more sustainable future."

"We're pleased to welcome Tailwater Capital as a signatory to the PRI," said David Atkin, CEO at the Principles for Responsible Investment. "Now, more than ever, it is vital for responsible investors to come together to work towards common goals, for the benefit of the planet and our society. We look forward to working alongside Tailwater Capital to realize these goals."

Most recently, the firm announced the launch of Tailwater Innovation Partners, a full-service solutions provider focused on supporting Tailwater's portfolio companies across ESG, research, engineering and operational improvement. The platform is led by Chief Executive Officer Roger Fox, who also serves as Head of ESG at Tailwater.

About Tailwater Capital

Dallas-based Tailwater Capital is a growth-oriented energy and growth infrastructure private equity firm with a well-established track record of working constructively with proven management teams to deliver value-added solutions. Tailwater has raised more than $3.7 billion in committed capital since inception and the team has executed more than 100 transactions representing over $22 billion in value. For more information, please visit www.tailwatercapital.com.

About Principles for Responsible Investment

The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is the world's leading proponent of responsible investment. Supported by the United Nations, it works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. The PRI acts in the long-term interests of its signatories, of the financial markets and economies in which they operate and ultimately of the environment and society as a whole. Launched in New York in 2006, the PRI has grown to more than 4,900 signatories, managing over $121 trillion AUM. For more information, visit www.unpri.org.

Media Contacts

Woomi Yun / Erik Carlson

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

212-355-4449

SOURCE Tailwater Capital LLC
The growth of the shape memory polymer market is driven by economic growth in developing countries, expanding construction sector, rapid urbanization, and proliferating biomedical industry, says this report.

SELBYVILLE, Del., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the report published by Global Market Insights Inc., the global Shape Memory Polymer Market was estimated at USD 450.4 million in 2021 and is expected to exceed $3.5 billion in revenue by 2030, progressing at a CAGR of 26.9% from 2022 to 2030. The report provides a detailed analysis of the top winning strategies, drivers & opportunities, competitive scenario, wavering market trends, market size & estimations, and major investment pockets.

Shape Memory Polymer Market

Shape memory polymers are produced through a complex process that requires a high level of technological knowledge. SMPs find extensive usage in various end-use sectors. In the aerospace industry, SMPs are used as morphing structures to build aircraft that could potentially alter their shape during flight. SMPs have also gained prominence in the healthcare sphere as a key biomaterial. Subsequently, the broadening scope of application of the product is likely to propel market growth over the forecast period.

Request for Sample Report: https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/3355

Shape memory polymers are widely used for manufacturing smart textiles, which are fabrics that are responsive to environmental stimuli. They find applications in several industries, including transportation, medical, communication, and construction. They have recently gained traction in body armor, lingerie, sportswear, and bandages, among other applications. Supported by the increased use of smart textiles, the textile end-user segment is primed to capture a substantial market share by the end of the assessment period.

Meanwhile, the shape memory polymer market share from the automotive end-user segment is set to observe solid growth over the review timespan. Escalating fuel economy would boost the usage of SMPs in automotive manufacturing, which is poised to support segmental development in the forthcoming years.

Key reasons for shape memory polymer market growth:

Rising product penetration in textile sector. Mounting utilization in biomedical industry. Soaring application in construction activities. Increasing product adoption in aerospace industry. Growing prominence in automotive manufacturing.

2030 forecasts show the 'polyvinyl chloride' segment retaining its dominance:

In terms of material, the polyvinyl chloride or PVC segment is speculated to witness significant growth at around 25% CAGR through 2030. Numerous benefits of PVC, such as its cost-effectiveness, advantageous chemical & mechanical properties, flame retardancy, excellent insulation with high dielectric strength, and superior resistance against corrosion, chemicals, weathering, and shock & abrasion, are anticipated to elevate product demand, especially in the biomedical and textile end-user industries, over the study timeframe.

Asia Pacific to continue its top status in terms of revenue:

With respect to region, the Asia Pacific shape memory polymer industry is poised to reach a valuation of about $540 million by the end of 2030 on account of surging income levels of consumers and rapid economic growth in the region. Moreover, due to the strong presence of automotive giants attributed to soaring consumer interest in automobiles in APAC, the SMP industry is slated to exhibit considerable progress. Furthermore, increased funding in Southeast Asian countries, including India, China, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia, is foreseen to drive market growth in the aerospace industry.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on shape memory polymer market:

Following the onset of COVD-19, the decline in operations in the automotive, construction, and textile end-user industries negatively impacted the SMP market. However, these polymers saw an upsurge in utilization in biomedical applications. Notably, in light of the burgeoning demand for facemasks during COVID-19, the mechanical properties of SMPs were found to be useful in making respirator masks that were sturdy and adaptable to different face shapes as well as offered protection against the coronavirus infection, which has been favorable for business growth.

Request for the Customization of this Report: https://www.gminsights.com/roc/3355

Leading market players:

Major firms functioning in the global shape memory polymer market include Nanoshel LLC, The Lubrizol Corporation, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Covestro AG, Cornerstone Research Group (CRG), MedShape, Inc., and others.

About Global Market Insights Inc.

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider. Offering syndicated and custom research reports, growth consulting and business intelligence services, Global Market Insights Inc. aims to help clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data that aid in strategic decision making.

Contact Us:

Arun Hegde

Corporate Sales, USA

Global Market Insights Inc.

Phone: +1-302-846-7766

Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.gminsights.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1860828/Shape_Memory_Polymer_Infographic.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661916/GMI.jpg

SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc.
DUBLIN, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Jewelry Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product (Necklace, Ring, Earring, Bracelet), by Material (Gold, Platinum, Diamond), by Region (North America, Europe), and Segment Forecasts, 2022-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global jewelry market size is expected to reach USD 518.90 billion by 2030. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2022 to 2030. The luxury goods industry continues to drive the market for jewelry, amid challenges concerning varying economic trends.



The demand for jewelry is increasing as the world is recovering from a recession and the global financial crisis of 2008. Over the past few years, consumer preference has turned to branded jewelry. This trend is more prominent among the emerging upper middle class or wealthy consumers, particularly in Asia Pacific, for whom branded jewelry is a status symbol. According to the World Gold Council, India and China accounted for more than 50% of the global gold jewelry demand in 2018.



Most consumers buy jewelry from international or established brands as they offer authentic and trustworthy products and unique designs. E-commerce is another important trend in the industry. Most consumers in this market prefer to research online before purchasing any product, and many make purchases from online portals for convenience.



Technological advancements have been transforming the jewel industry, from mining and discovering precious metals to cloud solutions and e-commerce platforms. Computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, and augmented reality (AR) are among the most notable technologies that have been prompting the growth of the industry in recent years. From a distribution standpoint, the emergence and popularity of these technologies have been aiding jewelry manufacturers around the world to realize higher profit margins in retail outlets.



A key trend that has been gripping the jewelry industry over the years is the transformation of the shopping experience using technology. For instance, in June 2017, YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP, an Italian online fashion retailer, partnered with Lumyer Inc., a U.S.-based app developing company, to launch an AR camera app designed to enable users to try on jewelry, sunglasses, and handbags in virtual reality.



The rising number of double-income households in emerging economies such as India, China, and Brazil have resulted in increased spending on luxury goods, including jewelry. Spending on luxury products is expanding at a more substantial rate in tier-II cities in India than in tier I cities. According to American Express, high-end spending in tier II cities between 2013 and 2018 grew 30 times faster than that in tier I cities. The rise in luxury spending in tier I and tier II cities is due to strict measures by the Indian government, such as an increase in excise duty on gold and diamond, demonetization, and a rise in taxes on luxury items to curb black money.



Jewelry Market Report Highlights

The ring product segment held the largest revenue share in 2021. The segment stood as the most popular product amongst end users as consumers' interest is growing in the intricate designs and details of the rings. Moreover, they are perceived as elegant and stylish statement-making jewelry among both men and women, which is supporting the growth of the segment

The gold material segment is projected to register the fastest growth rate over the forecast period. In 2020, the jewelry industry used over 1,400 metric tons of gold accounting for more than one-third of all gold demand worldwide

Asia Pacific held the largest revenue share in 2021. Highly populated and developing economies of the region including China and India generate humongous demand for jewelry boosting its consumption and revenue. Additionally, the high significance of jewelry in Indian culture, improving living standards, rising per capita income and spending power, and the rising influence of social media on consumers are fueling the growth of the market in Asia Pacific .

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope



Chapter 2. Executive Summary

Chapter 3. Jewelry Market Variables, Trends & Scope

3.1. Market Introduction

3.2. Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping

3.3. Impact of COVID-19 on the Jewelry Market

3.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.4.1. Raw Material Trend

3.4.2. Manufacturing & Technology Trends

3.4.3. Sales Channel Analysis

3.5. Market Dynamics

3.5.1. Market Driver Analysis

3.5.2. Market Restraint Analysis

3.5.3. Industry Challenges

3.5.4. Industry Opportunities

3.6. Business Environment Analysis

3.6.1. Industry Analysis - Porter's

3.6.1.1. Supplier Power

3.6.1.2. Buyer Power

3.6.1.3. Substitution Threat

3.6.1.4. Threat from New Entrant

3.6.1.5. Competitive Rivalry

3.6.2. PESTEL Analysis

3.6.3. Major Deals & Strategic Alliances Analysis

3.6.3.1. Mergers & Acquisitions

3.7. Market Entry Strategies



Chapter 4. Consumer Behavior Analysis

4.1. Consumer Trends and Preferences

4.2. Factors Affecting Buying Decision

4.3. Consumer Product Adoption

4.4. Observations & Recommendations



Chapter 5. Jewelry Market: Product Estimates & Trend Analysis

5.1. Product Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2021 & 2030

5.2. Necklace

5.2.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2017-2030 (USD Million)

5.3. Ring

5.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2017-2030 (USD Million)

5.4. Earring

5.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2017-2030 (USD Million)

5.5. Bracelet

5.5.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2017-2030 (USD Million)

5.6. Others

5.6.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2017-2030 (USD Million)



Chapter 6. Jewelry Market: Material Estimates & Trend Analysis

6.1. Material Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2021 & 2030

6.2. Platinum

6.2.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2017-2030 (USD Million)

6.3. Gold

6.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2017-2030 (USD Million)

6.4. Diamond

6.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2017-2030 (USD Million)

6.5. Others

6.5.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2017-2030 (USD Million)



Chapter 7. Jewelry Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis



Chapter 8. Competitive Analysis

8.1. Key global players, recent developments & their impact on the industry

8.2. Key Company/Competition Categorization (Key innovators, Market leaders, Emerging players)

8.3. Vendor Landscape

8.3.1. Key company market share analysis, 2021



Chapter 9. Company Profiles

9.1. Tiffany & Co.

9.1.1. Company Overview

9.1.2. Financial Performance

9.1.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.2. Louis Vuitton SE

9.2.1. Company Overview

9.2.2. Financial Performance

9.2.3. Product Benchmarking

9.2.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.3. Signet Jewelers Limited

9.3.1. Company Overview

9.3.2. Financial Performance

9.3.3. Product Benchmarking

9.3.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.4. Pandora Jewelry, LLC

9.4.1. Company Overview

9.4.2. Financial Performance

9.4.3. Product Benchmarking

9.4.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.5. H.Stern

9.5.1. Company Overview

9.5.2. Financial Performance

9.5.3. Product Benchmarking

9.5.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.6. Richemont

9.6.1. Company Overview

9.6.2. Financial Performance

9.6.3. Product Benchmarking

9.6.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.7. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited

9.7.1. Company Overview

9.7.2. Financial Performance

9.7.3. Product Benchmarking

9.7.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.8. Malabar Gold & Diamonds

9.8.1. Company Overview

9.8.2. Financial Performance

9.8.3. Product Benchmarking

9.8.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.9. Swarovski AG

9.9.1. Company Overview

9.9.2. Financial Performance

9.9.3. Product Benchmarking

9.9.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.10. GRAFF

9.10.1. Company Overview

9.10.2. Financial Performance

9.10.3. Product Benchmarking

9.10.4. Strategic Initiatives

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/93ahkz

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Unanimous Vote Reflects Enthusiasm of Workers

SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Drivers, mechanics and dispatchers working for Transdev Transportation have voted unanimously to join Teamsters Local 665. The workers provide paratransit services for San Francisco, Santa Rafael and other cities throughout the Bay Area.

"These workers demonstrated immense solidarity and enthusiasm throughout this campaign and we're honored to represent them," said Tony Delorio, Local 665 Secretary-Treasurer. "We're looking forward to bringing this momentum to the bargaining table."

"We're 100 percent committed to organizing as much of the transit and paratransit industries as humanly possible," said Matt Taibi, Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division Director. "Paratransit workers are everyday heroes who help some of society's most vulnerable people live their lives to the fullest. They deserve a union contract that reflects their service to their communities."

Janet Gunn has been a driver at Transdev for six years.

"We reached out to Local 665 a couple of months ago about organizing because we heard about how good the wages and benefits are for the other paratransit providers in our area that already have a Teamster contract," Gunn said. "I'm so excited to be a part of this!"

Teamsters Local 665 represents over 5,000 members throughout the Bay Area in a wide variety of industries. For more information, go to https://www.teamsters665.org/.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
NEW YORK and SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TransPerfect, the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business, today announced the opening of a new contact center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The facility is the second TransPerfect contact center to open this year and will serve as a primary hub for the company's TransPerfect Connect division, which specializes in bridging communication gaps through services that include over-the-phone interpretation, business process outsourcing (BPO), and remote customer support including email and chat translation in over 200 languages.

TransPerfect President and CEO Phil Shawe commented, "This new office is reflective of our expanding footprint in the Caribbean and throughout Latin America. We are excited for the future of our operations in the region."

The 300-seat center is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and numerous employee amenities including an on-site cafeteria, game room, and mothers' room. With free parking and close proximity to public transportation, the facility was designed with productivity, accessibility, and workplace enjoyment as key priorities.

"Our commitment to Santo Domingo and the Dominican Republic comes as the result of a stringent selection process," stated Steven Cheeseman, TransPerfect's Vice President of Contact Center Operations. "Hiring has already started at a rapid pace, and we look forward to bringing new talent on board that will help us in our goal to provide the best possible Spanish- and English-language support for our clients and their customers."

TransPerfect plans to develop strategic alliances with local universities, offering students greater opportunity to cultivate a career in the language industry.

To view available positions, visit the careers page.

TransPerfect Connect

Avenida San Martin #182

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Email: [email protected]

About TransPerfect Connect

TransPerfect Connect is a leading provider of global call center services, business process outsourcing (BPO), and remote interpreting solutions including over-the-phone interpretation (OPI), video remote interpretation, and multilingual email and chat support. With services in over 200 languages and industry-specialized interpreters screened for subject expertise, TransPerfect Connect enables businesses to bridge communication gaps in seconds. TransPerfect Connect is a division of TransPerfect, the world's leading provider of language and technology solutions for global business. Founded in 1992, TransPerfect has over 7,000 employees and maintains offices in more than 100 cities worldwide. www.transperfectconnect.com

About TransPerfect

TransPerfect is the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business. From offices in over 100 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 200+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 7,500 global organizations employ TransPerfect's GlobalLink technology to simplify management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com.

SOURCE TransPerfect
BERWYN, Pa. and FARNBOROUGH, England, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumph Group, Inc. (TRIUMPH) [NYSE:TGI] announced that its Actuation Products and Services business has been awarded a contract from Boeing. The contract spans hundreds of variations of wire control cables used on the Boeing 737 MAX, 767, 777 and 777X programs. TRIUMPH will provide manufacturing, and life cycle support for these highly engineered mechanical components. The work under this agreement will be performed at TRIUMPH's Shelbyville, Indiana facility.

"We are proud to be selected as the provider for Boeing's wire control cable requirements. We will continue to deliver enhanced value to Boeing over the life of the contract," said Mike Boland, President of Triumph Actuation Product and Services.

TRIUMPH is a leading provider of mechanical and electro-mechanical control cables for commercial, military, and industrial platforms applications and has been providing wire control cables to Boeing since 2003.

TRIUMPH Actuation Products & Services is a leader in design, development, manufacture and support of complex electro-hydraulic and mechanical systems and equipment for the aerospace and defense industry. Products include actuators, pumps, motors, reservoirs, control valves and a wide range of mechanical controls for commercial and military aircraft. Our Actuation Products & Services business services customers around the world with ten manufacturing sites across North America and Europe.

TRIUMPH, headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs, and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems and components. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators.

More information about TRIUMPH can be found on the company's website at www.triumphgroup.com .

SOURCE Triumph Group
BERWYN, Pa. and FARNBOROUGH, England, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumph Group (TRIUMPH) [NYSE:TGI] announced today that its Geared Solutions business has signed a five-year licensing agreement extension with RUAG, a company that specializes in aerospace engineering and defense, for continued sustainment support on the F/A-18 A-D Aircraft Mounted Accessory Drive (AMAD). With this licensing agreement, TRIUMPH and RUAG will collaborate to provide testing, repair, and overhaul support for the F/A-18 AMAD military applications.

RUAG's facility in Interlaken/Wilderswil, Switzerland supports international military operators by utilizing TRIUMPH's repair procedures and spares pool to support the F/A-18 AMAD product line.

Through the license arrangement, TRIUMPH allows for the sustainment of all non-US military F/A-18 AMAD's to be maintained at RUAG, ensuring worldwide readiness of F/A-18 A-D variants for international operators.

"TRIUMPH and RUAG have maintained a long-standing relationship since 2001 on the F/A-18 AMAD product line and are continually exploring future partnership opportunities on next generation commercial and military applications. We are excited to have their continued support for our international customer base," said Pete Gibson, President of TRIUMPH Geared Solutions.

Christian Roduner, BU Head LCM Air confirms, "The close partnership we have maintained with TRIUMPH enables us to support our military customers with value added solutions, while supporting sustainment and readiness levels".

TRIUMPH Geared Solutions provides complex geared solutions including design, development, manufacture and support of complete transmission and gearbox assemblies as well as complex gears and housings.

TRIUMPH headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs, and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems, and components. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators. More information about TRIUMPH can be found on the company's website at www.triumphgroup.com.

About RUAG

For sovereign security. RUAG is an innovative technology partner that focuses on the integration of new technologies into existing areas and systems, life-cycle management, and ensuring the availability of military and security systems. Their extensive product and service portfolio also includes ensuring the availability of fighter jets, helicopters, and anti-aircraft defense, as well as wheeled and tracked vehicles. RUAG is a private-law company under the ownership of the Swiss Confederation. In addition to their main contracting authority, the Swiss Armed Forces, their other customers are mainly national and international armed forces, government agencies and civil security authorities. For more information about RUAG please visit, www.ruag.ch.

SOURCE Triumph Group
The three-year project is being implemented in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Egypt to ensure the continuity and quality of learning under normal and crisis situations.

SHENZHEN, China, July 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A three-day cross-country seminar hosted in Accra, Ghana on the subject of the Technology-enabled Open Schools for All (TeOSS) project drew to a close on July 7.

Following the official launch of the TeOSS project on 25 November 2021, the seminar was co-organized by Huawei and UNESCO as part of the project's implementation phase. The event included a progress report on the first phase of the project, including results so far, and discussed the implementation of the second phase.

A three-day cross-country seminar hosted in Accra, Ghana on the subject of the Technology-enabled Open Schools for All (TeOSS) project drew to a close on July 7. Following the official launch of the TeOSS project on 25 November 2021, the seminar was co-organized by Huawei and UNESCO as part of the projects implementation phase. The event included a progress report on the first phase of the project, including results so far, and discussed the implementation of the second phase.

UNESCO is assisting the Ministries of Education and other partners in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana with the delivery of the three-year TeOSS project, which will run until August 2023. Developed under the framework of the UNESCO-Huawei Funds-in-Trust, the project spans the design, pilot testing, and scaling-up of open technology-enabled school systems. Including curricula, teacher-student interaction, and social care, these systems will be accessible in schools, homes, and other venues, ensuring education continuity and quality even if a crisis such as the pandemic occurs.

"There three axes to steer the digital revolution, which are all reflected in this project: to ensure connectivity for all; to build free, public digital learning content and platforms; and to focus on how technology can enhance pedagogical innovation and change," said Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO.

Planned in close collaboration with the governments of Egypt, Ghana, and Ethiopia and aligned with their respective national strategies, each TeOSS project has been developed to meet specific local needs.

In Egypt, an ICT skills framework has been developed for teachers and students in K12 schools. Digital courseware development experts and primary and junior high school teachers will receive training, and a National Distance Learning Centre will be established for use by educators nationwide to ensure continuity in professional development.

"Since Egypt launched its new system, the President has provided unprecedented commitment to modernize the country's education model," said Dr. Hanem Ahmed, Head of International Cooperation for the Minister of Education and Technical Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt on behalf of H.E. Dr. Tarek Shawki, Minister of Education and Technical Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The TeOSS project in Ethiopia is focusing on ICT infrastructure build-out to connect pilot schools, train teachers and students, and build a Learning Management System integrated with a Teacher Training Platform.

"The project perfectly aligns with Ethiopia's national strategies regarding the need to use ICT and digital content in our system. We will also scale up this system by adopting and customizing all activities according to the local context," said Dr. Zelalem Assefa, CEO of ICT and Digital Education for the Ministry of Education of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

In Ghana, the focus is on creating digital content for all subjects, as well as providing training for teachers and students of primary and junior high schools. The project is also building an e-repository that teachers can use to upload content and which learners can access online and offline with little or no supervision.

"We need to be able to embrace technology to enhance our education delivery. If we want to be able to achieve SDG-4, we need digital platforms as an enabler and leverage to achieve that," said John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, on behalf of H.E. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education of the Republic of Ghana.

TeOSS is aligned with the Tech4Education domain of Huawei's digital inclusion initiative TECH4ALL, which aims to drive education equity and quality with technology, and is working to enhance digital access, improve digital skills, and develop high-quality courses. Huawei ICT Academy program is designed to help cultivate ICT talent by improving digital skills.

"To achieve global education equity and share education resources, Huawei has launched the comprehensive one-stop service platform 'Huawei Talent'," said Zhang Jing, Senior Director of Huawei Education Talent Ecosystem, Huawei ICT Academy Development. "To bridge the gap between talent supply and demand in the digital era, Huawei is building talent alliances, improving skills, developing talent standards, and promoting the value of talent to help the world become more digital."

Technology is already demonstrating intrinsic value in transforming education, a value that will continue to grow in the future.

"Digital technology has become a new driver of productivity that supports innovation in education models, the transformation of education methodologies, and smarter education environments," said Kevin Zhang, CMO of ICT Infrastructure for Huawei. "We are exploring how to apply AI, such as computer vision, natural language processing, and speech processing, to education. Innovative technology can help solve the world's most pressing challenges. And we must continue working together to innovate."

The collaborative and innovative approach of the TeOSS project is helping to create inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all and underpin lifelong learning opportunities. It will empower nations to rethink education and underpin a new generation of digital schools and digital learners.

SOURCE Huawei
DUBLIN, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Pharmacy Benefit Management Market in the US - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The U.S. pharmacy benefit management market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.53% during 2022-2027



The study considers a detailed scenario of the present U.S. pharmacy benefit management market and its market dynamics. It covers a detailed overview of several industry growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The report offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent ones operating in the market.



MARKET INSIGHTS

The PBM industry refers to companies that act as intermediaries between insurance companies, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies. PBM is responsible for reducing insurers and their drug costs. They achieve this by negotiating with pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. The pharmacy benefit management systems entered the pharmaceutical industry in the 1960s to meet the needs of employer-based health benefits. They soon became an important stakeholder in the entire pharmaceutical supply chain.



Pharmacy costs represent almost 32% of the total health care spending, and this expenditure is expected to grow more than two times during the forecast period. Currently, pharmacy benefit management plays a major role and acts as an intermediary between payers, drug manufacturers, and pharmacies.



Since PBMs play a significant role in influencing out-of-pocket costs and patient access to medications owing to their management tools, formulary power, and price concessions. They are in a position of power to pass savings to customers. According to PBM lobby groups, between 2020 to 2029, PBM tools will reduce consumer and plan sponsors' spending by more than $1 trillion.



There is a growing criticism of PBMs with claims that they are driving up costs of drug prices, making huge gains via pharmacy spreads, rebates from manufacturers, and fees from the supply chain. This is being spurred by the opaqueness of the true cost of drugs to PBMs owing to the rules of engagement between manufacturers and PBMs.



The future of PBMs is going to be dictated by the implementation of state and national-level policies in terms of their revenue streams and business practices in the pharmaceutical space.



U.S. Pharmacy Benefit Management Market Segmentations

Based on services, specialty pharmacy services are the major contributor in the pharmacy benefit management market in the US, and it is likely to witness high incremental growth of $48.24 billion during the forecast period.

Based on health plans, commercial health plans are the major contributor in the pharmacy benefit management market in the US, and it is likely to witness high absolute growth of 34.69% during the forecast period.

VENDOR ANALYSIS

The presence of prominent market players, increasing favorable healthcare reforms, rising e-prescription, and growing adoption of healthcare plans by us residents are the primary factors for the significant market share in the country.



Key Company Profiles

CVS Health

Cigna

UnitedHealth Group

Key Companies to Watch

Humana Pharmacy Solutions

Medimpact

Prime Therapeutics

Other Prominent Vendors

Abarca Health

AscellaHealth

BeneCard PBF

CaptureRx

Centene

Change Healthcare

Citizens Rx

EnvisionRxOptions

Excelera

Magellan Rx Management

MedalistRx

MaxorPlus

Navitus Health Solutions

PerformRx

ProCare Rx

RxAdvance

Rite Aid

WellDyneRx

Walgreens Boots Alliance

Key Topics Covered:



1 Research Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Scope & Coverage

4.1 Market Definition

4.2 Base Year

4.3 Scope of the Study

4.4 Market Segmentation



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats

5.1 Key Caveats

5.2 Currency Conversion

5.3 Market Derivation



6 Market at a Glance



7 Introduction

7.1 Us Economy & Healthcare Industry Landscape

7.2 Pharmacy Benefit Management

7.2.1 Role of PBMs in Money Spent on Prescription Drugs

7.2.2 Reforms to Regulate PBMs



8 Pharmaceutical Ecosystem

8.1 Overview

8.2 Evolution of PBM Ownership

8.2.1 PBM Services Over Time

8.2.2 PBMs & Other Players in Pharmaceutical Ecosystem



9 Impact of Covid-19 on PBM Market

9.1 Overview

9.1.1 PBMs Covid-19 Response Strategies



10 Gaps in Information & Care in Us Healthcare Industry

10.1 Overview



11 Market Opportunities & Trends

11.1 Increased Adoption of E-Prescription & Mail Order Pharmacy

11.2 Growing FDA Approvals of Biologics & Biosimilars

11.3 Market Entry of Payers Through M&As

11.4 Entry of Digital Health Solutions in PBM Industry



12 Market Growth Enablers

12.1 Favorable Healthcare Reforms

12.2 Growing Adoption of Healthcare Plans by Us Residents

12.3 Prevalence of Fraud, Waste & Abuse in Healthcare

12.4 Increased Demand for Personalized Medicines



13 Market Restraints

13.1 PBMs More Susceptible to Lawsuits & Government Scrutiny

13.2 Lack of Transparency in Services by PBMs

13.3 Declining Growth from Generics

13.4 Legal Uncertainty & Impending Limitations on PBM Tools



14 Market Landscape

14.1 Market Overview

14.2 Market Size & Forecast

14.2.1 Insight by Health Plans

14.2.2 Insights by Services

14.2.3 Insight by Business Model

14.3 Five Forces Analysis



15 Health Plans

15.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

15.2 Market Overview

15.3 Commercial Health Plans

15.3.1 Market Overview

15.3.2 Market Size & Forecast

15.4 Medicare

15.5 Medicaid

15.6 Others



16 Services

16.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

16.2 Market Overview

16.3 Specialty Pharmacy Services

16.4 Retail Pharmacy Networks

16.5 Mail-Order Pharmacy Services

16.6 Claims Processing

16.7 Formulary Management

16.8 Drug Utilization Review

16.9 Price, Discount & Rebate Negotiations

16.10 Disease Management & Adherence Initiatives



17 Business Model

17.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

17.2 Market Overview

17.3 Insurance Companies & Retail Pharmacies

17.4 Pure Play PBMs



18 Competitive Landscape

18.1 Competition Overview

18.2 Market Share Analysis

18.2.1 Cvs Health

18.2.2 Cigna

18.2.3 Unitedhealth Group

18.2.4 Humana Pharmacy Solutions

18.2.5 Medimpact

18.2.6 Prime Therapeutics



19 Key Company Profiles

19.1 CVS Health

19.2 Cigna

19.3 Unitedhealth Group



20 Key Companies to Watch

20.1 Humana Pharmacy Solutions

20.2 Medimpact

20.3 Prime Therapeutics

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ro9sfz

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
With co-investment from philanthropist Sir Chris Hohn, the CRI Foundation, the Eleanor Crook Foundation, and The ELMA Relief Foundation, this monumental commitment will drive more than a 50% increase in the number of severely malnourished children who receive treatment with Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a lifesaving, nutrient-dense, peanut-based therapeutic food.

WASHINGTON , July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, USAID Administrator Samantha Power took a historic step forward in the fight against global malnutrition by announcing a US$200 million contribution to UNICEF to combat the deadliest form of malnutrition, child wasting. The Administrator was joined by philanthropist Sir Chris Hohn, the CRI Foundation (CRI), The Eleanor Crook Foundation (ECF), and The ELMA Relief Foundation who collectively committed at least an additional US$50 million in philanthropic resources to bring life-saving care to severely malnourished children around the globe.

Soaring food prices driven by the war in Ukraine, climate change shocks, conflict and the ongoing socio-economic impact of COVID-19 continue to drive up child wasting worldwide. Sustainably addressing wasting will require expanded and continued investment from all stakeholders. Participating philanthropies also committed to raising at least US$50 million more, to reach a target of US$100 million of their collective resources to address this growing crisis.

In the lead up to the 2022 UN General Assembly in September, USAID Administrator Power encouraged other bilateral donors, corporations, and country governments to come to the table with US$200 million in additional contributions, targeting a total of US$500 million in public-private investments. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell joined the call on all donors to deliver both increased and sustained investment in wasting treatment for as long as it takes to turn the tide on this long-standing public health emergency.

"With three packets of so-called Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic Food, or RUTF, a day for roughly six weeks, the vast majority of severely malnourished childrensome 90 percent are able to recover, as opposed to some 90 percent who now perish," said USAID Administrator Samantha Power. "Despite the power of this incredible tool in the fight against child wasting, it is drastically underutilized. Most parents who are able to bring their children to clinics to seek treatment are met with a lack of supply. Today, together, we are addressing that. With this commitment, we will help get this lifesaving care into the mouths of an additional 2.4 million childrenthe largest leap in coverage on record."

Child wasting is the deadliest form of malnutrition, but it is treatable in the form of Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). These newly announced investments will drive more than a 50 percent increase in the provision of RUTF, the largest single expansion in treatment coverage in history, and help UNICEF scale up treatment of wasting for an additional 2.4 million children. Consisting mostly of peanuts, milk powder, and a blend of micronutrients, RUTF can bring a severely malnourished child back to health in a matter of weeks, for less than $1 a day. RUTF is among the most proven and cost-effective child survival interventions, and yet for many years, fewer than 1 in 4 severely malnourished children have had access to treatment.

"In the most affected countries, the escalating global food and nutrition crisis has pushed an additional child into severe malnutrition every minute this year," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "We know how to prevent and treat severe malnutrition in children. But we need to be given the means to make it happen. UNICEF is immensely grateful for this critical funding which will mean the difference between life and death for an additional 2.4 million children. And we cannot stop until we reach every child with effective programmes to prevent and treat malnutrition."

"The world is in the midst of a growing food crisis, and many millions of families around the world are now on the verge of famine. This commitment from USAID is historic, timely, and it will save lives. RUTF is the most lifesaving food aid intervention, and much of it is produced right here in the U.S. We applaud USAID's leadership during this moment of global crisis, and we are honored, as philanthropies, to help fund this initiative. We look forward to joining forces with additional co-funders to ensure that no child dies from malnutrition when we have such a cost-effective treatment available." said William Moore, CEO of the Eleanor Crook Foundation .

"As a global community, we have gotten far too used to the idea that children and babies will die of malnutrition or wasting. We've treated this problem as if it's intractable and inevitable. But frankly, we know that it's not," said Kara Weiss, Executive Director of the CRI Foundation . "RUTF is a proven, cost-effective solution, and it will bring a child back to health almost every time. Today's announcement demonstrates that we are no longer willing to accept the status quo. With USAID's commitment, together with the investment of private philanthropy, we will more than double the number of children who receive treatment, shifting the coverage rate from 25 percent to over 50 percent. Finally, it feels possible to imagine a world in which treatment for severe malnutrition is the norm, not the exception."

"Leading humanitarian aid, international development, and private philanthropies are in agreement: We must prioritize RUTF so we can finally get ahead of the global malnutrition crisis and help children who are suffering worldwide," said Sir Chris Hohn, philanthropist and Chair of the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). "This partnership leverages the ingenuity of the public and private sectors to accelerate progress on one of the world's most tragic and longstanding emergencies. It will positively impact millions of lives, and act as a catalyst for partner organizations to create the infrastructure needed to sustain this growth now and in the future."

USAID, UNICEF, the Eleanor Crook Foundation, The ELMA Relief Foundation, The CRI Foundation, and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation are calling on partners to join this effort by bringing additional, new resources to ensure wasting treatment is available to any child who needs it, and that efforts to prevent this deadly condition are expanded across high-risk communities. Together with others, the U.S. government will fortify the fight against severe malnutrition now and for years to come.

Interested co-investors should contact [email protected] to learn more.

Watch the livestream of the press event here .

About The Eleanor Crook Foundation (ECF)

The Eleanor Crook Foundation is a growing U.S. philanthropy fighting to end global malnutrition through research, policy analysis, and advocacy. For over 20 years, the Foundation has worked to scale improved solutions to child malnutrition with the ultimate goal of saving children's lives and enabling them to excel in school, work, and beyond.

About the CRI Foundation

CRI Foundation is dedicated to reducing human suffering in low and middle income countries. The majority of CRI funding is allocated through flexible research funding, and grants to improve health outcomes in Africa.

About the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)

The Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) is an independent philanthropic organisation, with offices in Addis Ababa, Beijing, London, Nairobi and New Delhi. Established in 2002, CIFF works with a wide range of partners seeking to transform the lives of children and adolescents in developing countries. Areas of work include adolescent sexual health, maternal and child health, opportunities for girls and young women, tackling child slavery and exploitation, and supporting smart ways to slow down and stop climate change.

About The ELMA Relief Foundation

The ELMA Relief Foundation, part of The ELMA Group of Foundations, invests in crisis response, recovery, and resilience efforts anywhere in the world, with an emphasis on children in Africa.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org

Follow UNICEF on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube

CONTACT:

Mallory Royer,

[email protected]

SOURCE The Eleanor Crook Foundation
VALLEY FORGE, Penn., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard today announced that Vanguard Baillie Gifford Global Positive Impact Stock Fund is available for investment. The fund consists of a global equity portfolio with the potential to outperform the broad market through active management and contribute positively to solving some of the world's challenges, including social and environmental challenges.

Vanguard introduced the fund via a tax-free reorganization of the Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund. The new Vanguard fund will continue to rely on Baillie Gifford's significant expertise in fundamental equity research and impact analysis, as well as the firm's consistent framework for identifying high-quality growth companies that are driving solutions to global issues.

"We've taken a thoughtful and intentional approach to introducing ESG funds that help investors meet their long-term financial goals while also addressing their ESG investing preferences," said Dan Reyes, head of Vanguard Portfolio Review Department. "We believe Baillie Gifford's expertise positions them to build a portfolio with the potential to deliver excess return and positive impact for those investors seeking both."

About impact investing

Impact investing is an investment strategy in which portfolio managers target companies that they believe will generate long-term financial returns and generate positive social and/or environmental impact. Vanguard believes that an active approach to impact investing enables skilled managers to better navigate the complexities of identifying companies driving positive change to build a portfolio with the potential to deliver on outperformance and impact objectives. The fund's global mandate provides managers with the broadest opportunity set to identify companies that meet these objectives.

Vanguard selected Baillie Gifford for their differentiated approach to impact investing and long-term success in active management. Baillie Gifford leverages its diverse team and patience to identify companies making progress against global challenges that require creativity and a long time horizon.

Vanguard Baillie Gifford Global Positive Impact Stock Fund maintains the investment objectives and portfolio management team of its predecessor fund, ensuring consistency for shareholders. Baillie Gifford will also continue to produce an annual impact report using robust, bottom-up research that complements its investment analysis. The fund has an investment minimum of $3,000 and expense ratio of 0.59%, compared with the average expense ratio of 1.26%1 for funds in its peer category.

Vanguard's ESG lineup

Vanguard's ESG lineup reflects the evolving investment goals and preferences of some investors. The firm has offered ESG funds to U.S. investors for more than two decades and, in recent years, has broadened its lineup with products that enable investors to better align investment objectives with personal preferences by accounting for ESG considerations.

With the addition of Vanguard Baillie Gifford Global Positive Impact Stock Fund, Vanguard now has six ESG offerings in the U.S. Vanguard's exclusionary-screened equity and fixed income ETFs serve investors who want to avoid or reduce exposure to certain sectors or business-related activities that pose heightened ESG-related risks or conflict with their personal values. Vanguard's first active ESG mutual fund, Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund, is designed for clients who want to invest in companies with leading ESG practices and strong business fundamentals. The Vanguard Baillie Gifford Global Positive Impact Stock Fund broadens Vanguard's overall ESG product suite and is designed for clients looking to invest in companies that have the potential to outperform the broad market as well as deliver positive change.

About Vanguard

Founded in 1975, Vanguard is one of the world's leading investment management companies. The firm offers investments, advice, and retirement services to individual investors, institutions, and financial professionals. Vanguard operates under a unique, investor-owned structure where Vanguard fund shareholders own the funds, which in turn own Vanguard. As such, Vanguard adheres to a simple purpose: To take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success. For more information, visit vanguard.com.

About Baillie Gifford

Baillie Gifford is an independent investment partnership founded in Edinburgh in 1908, focused on long-term growth investing in some of the world's most exciting companies. With 1,684 staff and assets under management of $365 billion, it has offices in Edinburgh (HQ), Dublin, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Krakow, London, New York, Shanghai, Toronto, Amsterdam and Zurich. Baillie Gifford has worked with Vanguard since 2003 and manages $52 billion of assets on behalf of the Pennsylvania-based firm. Asset figures as of March 31, 2022.

1 As compared with the average of the lowest expense ratios offered for 14 global equity ESG impact mutual funds across the industry. Sources: Morningstar, Vanguard.

For more information about Vanguard funds, visit vanguard.com to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information about a fund are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

ESG funds are subject to ESG investment risk, which is the chance that the stocks or bonds screened by the index provider for ESG criteria generally will underperform the market as a whole or, in the aggregate, will trail returns of other funds screened for ESG criteria. The index provider's assessment of a company, based on the company's level of involvement in a particular industry or the index provider's own ESG criteria, may differ from that of other funds or of the advisor's or an investor's assessment of such company. As a result, the companies deemed eligible by the index provider may not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor and may not exhibit positive or favorable ESG characteristics. The evaluation of companies for ESG screening or integration is dependent on the timely and accurate reporting of ESG data by the companies. Successful application of the screens will depend on the index provider's proper identification and analysis of ESG data. The advisor may not be successful in assessing and identifying companies that have or will have a positive impact or support a given position. In some circumstances, companies could ultimately have a negative impact, or no impact.

Vanguard ETF Shares are not redeemable with the issuing Fund other than in very large aggregations worth millions of dollars. Instead, investors must buy and sell Vanguard ETF Shares in the secondary market and hold those shares in a brokerage account. In doing so, the investor may incur brokerage commissions and may pay more than net asset value when buying and receive less than net asset value when selling.

Investments in securities issued by non-U.S. companies and governments are subject to risks including country/regional risk and currency risk. These risks are especially high in emerging markets.

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor

SOURCE Vanguard
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) will host its second quarter earnings conference call on Thursday, August 4 at 9:00 a.m. CT (10:00 a.m. ET). Financial results will be released before the NYSE market opens.

The Company invites investors and other interested parties to listen to the live webcast of the conference call at www.vulcanmaterials.com. To participate by phone, call 800-225-9448 approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start. For international calls, the number is 203-518-9708. The conference ID is 2021457.

A replay of the webcast will be available after the call at the Company's website.

Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 index with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, is the nation's largest supplier of construction aggregates  primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel  and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. For additional information about Vulcan, go to www.vulcanmaterials.com.

Investor Contact: Mark Warren (205) 298-3220

Media Contact: Janet Kavinoky (205) 298-3220

SOURCE Vulcan Materials Company
Sloth Warmies Named Product of The Year in Baby Sensory and Toddler Soothing Categories

CHICAGO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Warmies, creators of the world's most soothing stuffed animals and wellness items, announced today that their Fully Microwavable Sloth Warmies have been selected as a winner of this year's Creative Child and Baby Maternity Magazine Awards. Warmies are fully microwavable stuffed animals that provide hours of soothing warmth and comfort. Warmies are scented with real dried French lavender, perfectly weighted to aid sleep, ease anxiety, provide the ultimate relaxation, and are safe for all ages.

Warmies Sloth

Creative Child and Baby Maternity Magazine, published by Scooterbay Publishing, Inc., hosted their 20th Annual awards program this month. This program honors the best toys, games, and youth products that are unique and demonstrate creativity. Entries are evaluated by real moms and judged against a high standard of merit in their category of entry. Sloth Warmies won in the Baby Sensory and Toddler Soothing Products categories.

"This year, we received nearly 400 product entries from 250 companies," said Scott Reichert, Publisher at Scooterbay Publishing. "Winning a Creative Child Award illustrates the manufacturers' creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great production."

Each year, moms and early education professionals are invited to review the latest and greatest products. Unlike other review programs, moms are asked to evaluate each product thoroughly, allowing every product to receive multiple reviews. One of the reviewers said the Sloth Warmies "is soft, cuddly and very soothing." Another added, "I just tried it out on my baby and I could tell that it calmed her and would help relax her tummy when she is experiencing colic. It's a really great product."

For more information, check out the full award listings:

https://awards.creativechild.com/product/4913-sloth-warmies-13

https://awards.babymaternity.com/product/4688-sloth-warmies-13

In addition to Sloth Warmies, the company has many cuddly friends, including recent additions such as a Pink Penguin, Owl, Avocado and more, that make a great gift for a loved one. The products are available at Warmies.com and retailers nationwide.

About Warmies

Warmies (est. London 1995) are the world's best-selling range of fully heatable soft toys and gifts with tens of millions of satisfied customers worldwide. These innovative designs are all fully microwavable and can be heated thousands of times, providing soothing warmth and comfort every time. Warmies are manufactured to the highest possible standards of quality and safety using the very finest quality materials. Use them to comfort and relax, or to simply soothe away everyday aches and pains. With hundreds of heatable designs to choose from, Warmies are the ideal gift for people of all ages.

CONTACT: Scott Wehrs, [email protected]

SOURCE Warmies by Intelex
DUBLIN, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Green Chemicals Market by Type (Bio-alcohols, Bio-polymers, Bio-organic acids, Bio-ketones, Others), Application (Industrial & Chemical, Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Packaging, Construction, Automotive, Other Industries) - Global Forecasts to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Green Chemicals Market is expected to reach $217.18 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 11.6% during the forecast period, 2022-2029.



The growth of this market is mainly attributed to the scarcity of non-renewable resources, growing awareness regarding sustainable products, rising government initiatives to promote the use of green chemicals, growing environmental concerns & the rising demand for bioethanol, and the growing demand for biodiesel as an alternative fuel. Moreover, the regulations & legislation supporting the use of bioplastics and the growing focus on R&D for algae-based biofuel production provide significant opportunities in this market.



The bio-alcohols segment is expected to account for the largest share of the green chemicals market in 2022. The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the abundant availability of raw materials, rapid urbanization, rising crude oil prices, stringent emission regulations imposed by governments of various countries, and increasing energy consumption.



However, the bio-polymers segment is expected to witness significant growth due to the consumer preference for bio-based products over synthetic products, rising R&D in bio-polymers, adoption of bioplastics by the packaging industry, and increased utilization of flexible packaging by the food & beverages industry. Moreover, regulations & legal acts supporting bioplastics usage hold attractive growth opportunities for players operating in the bio-polymers market.



Based on type, the bio-alcohols market is mainly segmented into bio-ethanol, bio-butanol, bio-methanol, and other bio-alcohols. The bio-ethanol segment is expected to account for the largest share of the bio-alcohols market in 2022. The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the growing environmental concerns that lead to an inclination of manufacturers towards bio-ethanol production, low cost, and abundant raw material availability.

However, the bio-butanol segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this segment is mainly attributed to its higher energy content and lower Reid vapor pressure.



Additionally, the growing demand for Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) in packaging applications, especially food packaging, is anticipated to drive the demand for bio-lactic acid in the next few years.



Based on application, the green chemicals market is mainly segmented into industrial & chemicals, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, packaging, construction, automotive, and other applications. The industrial & chemicals segment is expected to account for the largest share of the green chemicals market in 2022.

The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the growing industrialization and urbanization, increasing energy demand across the globe, increase in chemical transparency across the supply chain, and ban on the production and usage of hazardous substances.



Europe is expected to account for the largest share of the green chemicals market in 2022. The large share of this region is primarily attributed to the growing demand for sustainable products, coupled with the presence of prominent players in the region and the rising adoption of green chemicals across different industries, including food & beverages, personal care, automotive, and packaging. In addition, the chemicals industry of the region is increasingly focusing on the production of green chemicals to develop sustainable and eco-friendly solutions.



The key players operating in the green chemicals market are

Cargill Incorporated (U.S.)

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation ( Japan )

) BASF SE ( Germany )

) DuPont de Nemours Inc. (U.S.)

Koninklijke DSM N.V. ( Netherlands )

) Evonik Industries AG ( Germany )

) SECOS Group Ltd ( Australia )

) Braskem SA ( Brazil )

) Aemetis Inc. (U.S.)

Albemarle Corporation (U.S.)

Market Insights

Drivers

Scarcity of Non-renewable Resources

Growing Awareness Regarding Sustainable Products

Rising Government Initiatives to Promote the Use of Green Chemicals

Growing Environmental Concerns and the Rising Demand for Bioethanol

Growing Demand for Biodiesel as an Alternative Fuel

Restraints

High Costs of Green Chemicals

Fluctuating Raw Material Prices

Opportunities

Regulations & Legislation Supporting the Use of Bioplastics

Growing Focus on R&D for Algae-Based Biofuel Production

Challenges

Specific Requirements of the Biodegradation Process

Formation of Inhibitory Compounds During Bioethanol Production

COVID-19 Impact on the Green Chemicals Market

Scope of the Report

Green Chemicals Market by Product

Bio-alcohols

Bio-ethanol

Bio-butanol

Bio-methanol

Other bio-alcohols

Bio-organic Acids

Bio-lactic Acid

Bio-acetic Acid

Bio-citric Acid

Bio-adipic Acid

Bio-acrylic Acid

Bio-succinic Acid

Other bio-organic Acids

Bio-ketones

Bio-polymers

Polylactic Acid

Bio-polyethylene

Other bio-polymers

Other Green Chemicals

Green Chemicals Market by Application

Industrial & Chemicals

Pharmaceuticals

Packaging

Food and Beverages

Construction

Automotive

Other Applications

Green Chemicals Market by Geography

Europe

Germany

France

U.K.

Italy

Spain

Rest of Europe (RoE)

(RoE) North America

U.S.

Canada

Asia-Pacific (APAC)

(APAC) China

Japan

India

Rest of Asia-Pacific (RoAPAC)

(RoAPAC) Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dzjmnx

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
VANCOUVER, BC, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Zacatecas Silver Corp. ("Zacatecas Silver" or the "Company") (TSXV: ZAC) (OTC: ZCTSF) (Frankfurt: 7TV) is pleased announce the appointment of Mr. Jorge Ramiro Monroy as Advisor and receives overwhelming share approval of all matters at the Annual General Meeting held on July 15, 2022.

Highlights:

founder and Director of Mexican Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong

founder of Silver Council of Asia

extensive business experience in Mexico

Mr. Ramiro Monroy is the Founder and Managing Director of Emerging Markets Capital, an investment firm based in Hong Kong and investing primarily in mining exploration equities listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

He was a founding member of the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and a Founder of the Silver Council of Asia.

Having spent the majority of his career in Asia, Mr. Ramiro Monroy has founded a number of businesses with Asian capital doing business in North America. He is the CEO and Founder of Reyna Silver, a Toronto Stock Exchange listed company with silver exploration projects in Mexico and the US.

Mr. Ramiro Monroy currently serves in the boards of Sierra Madre Gold and Silver and Arabian Shield Resources. He is a former director of Prime Mining and a Director of Garra Esports, a private company looking to build an Esports business in Latin America.

Prior to founding Emerging Markets Capital, Jorge worked for Frontier Securities, a Japanese owned investment advisory and securities brokerage. He was part of the natural resources investments advisory team, advising and capital rising for mining and infrastructure companies with projects in Mongolia looking for investors in Asia and the Middle East.

Mr. Ramiro Monroy holds a Bachelor's degree from the State University of New York, an MBA in Finance from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Jorge is fluent in English, Hindi, Spanish and Portuguese and has passed the level III HSK Chinese Fluency Exam.

Zacatecas CEO and Director Bryan Slusarchuk, states, "Jorge has an excellent track record of successfully doing business in Mexico and has also done a great job introducing international sources of capital to various Mexican ventures. He is a promoter of Mexico, through his work within such entities as the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. We are pleased to welcome Jorge to the Zacatecas team as we advance the Esperanza Gold Project towards gold production while concurrently exploring the high grade Zacatecas Silver Project."

Voting Results from Annual General Meeting

Zacatecas is pleased to announce that shareholders overwhelmingly approved all motions put forth at the Annual General Meeting held on July 15, 2022, including the re-election of Bryan Slusarchuck, John Lewins, Christopher Wilson, Nancy La Couvee, Jonathan Richards and Charles Hethey as well as the appointment of previously announced Dr. Luis Chavez Martinez. Dr. Chavez is the Senior Vice President, Mexico, Alamos Gold Inc., is current Director of the Mexican Chamber of Mines, former President of the Mexican Mining Association and former General Director Mexican Geological Survey.

The shareholders also approved the appointment of Davidson & Company LLP as the auditors of Zacatecas and the 10% rolling stock option plan of Zacatecas.

The votes cast for each matter was as follows:

Resolution For % Withheld/Against % Number of Directors 99.41 % 0.59 % Directors



Bryan Slusarchuk 99.44 % 0.56 % John Lewins 98.55 % 1.45 % Christopher Wilson 99.44 % 0.56 % Nancy La Couvee 99.42 % 0.58 % Luis Chavez 99.42 % 0.58 % Jonathan Richards 98.54 % 1.46 % Charles Hethey 99.44 % 0.56 % Appointment of Davidson & Company LLP 99.45 % 0.55 % Stock Option Plan 89.43 % 10.57 %

A total of 22,596,743 common shares, being 27.4% of the issued and outstanding, were voted at the Annual General Meeting.

Stock Option Grant

In conjunction with the appointment of Mr. Ramiro and Dr. Chavez as well as other grants to consultants, a total of 1,100,00 stock options have been granted, having an exercise price of $0.70 and a five year term. Of these options, 400,000 were issued to Dr. Chavez, who is now a director of the Zacatecas.

Qualified Person

The contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Chris Wilson, B.Sc. (Hons), PhD, FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, Chief Operating Officer of Zacatecas Silver. Dr Wilson is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and is responsible for all technical information in this news release.

About Zacatecas Silver Corp.

Zacatecas is a mineral resource company with the gold focused advanced stage Esperanza Gold Project and the silver focused advanced stage Zacatecas Property. The Zacatecas Property is located in Zacatecas State, Mexico, within the highly prospective Fresnillo Silver Belt, which has produced over 6.2 billion ounces of silver. The Company holds 7,826 ha (19,338 acres) of ground that is highly prospective for low and intermediate sulphidation silver-base metal mineralization and potentially low sulphidation gold-dominant mineralization. On December 14, 2021, Zacatecas Silver announced a mineral resource estimate at the Panuco Deposit consisting of 2.7 million tonnes at 187 g/t AgEq (171 g/t Ag and 0.17 g/t Au) for 16.4 million ounces AgEq (15 million ounces silver and 15 thousand ounces gold) (see Company's news release dated December 14, 2021).

The Zacatecas Property is 25 km south-east of MAG Silver Corp.'s Juanicipio Mine and Fresnillo PLC's Fresnillo Mine. The Zacatecas Property shares common boundaries with Pan American Silver Corp. claims and El Orito which is owned by Endeavour Silver Corp. There are four main high-grade silver target areas within the Zacatecas Property concessions: the Panuco Deposit, Muleros, El Cristo and San Manuel-San Gill. The Zacatecas Property also includes El Oro, El Orito, La Cantera, Monserrat, El Penon, San Judas and San Juan silver-base metal vein targets, and such targets are relatively unexplored and will be the focus of rapid reconnaissance.

The advanced stage Esperanza Gold Project, comprising 14,337.83 hectares), is located in Morelos State, Mexico. To date, significant core and reverse circulation drilling has occurred at the Esperanza Gold Project resulting in a total of 389 drill holes for 69,716 metres.

Alamos Gold Inc. reported in its most recent annual information form a resource estimate of a measured and indicated resource of 34,352,000 tonnes at 0.98 g/t gold and 8.09 g/t silver for 1,083,366 ounces of gold and 8,936,201 ounces of silver and inferred resource of 718,000 tonnes at 0.80 g/t gold and 15.04 g/t silver for 18,375 ounces of gold and 347,192 ounces of silver. The Company considers this to be an historical resource for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Resource blocks were defined using with dimensions of 10 metres (m) by 10 m by five m. The estimation of grades was performed with the ordinary kriging method on capped composites. An added step in the estimation strategy was the utilization of the dynamic anisotropy technique in Vulcan's unfolding options. This added capability allows for a more realistic outcome of the estimated grade's spatial distribution as it follows the folded shape of the deposit. Assumptions used in the resource include the following metal prices: gold price of $1,400 (U.S.) per ounce (oz) and silver price of $22 (U.S.) per oz. The resource assumed the following economic assumptions: recovery of 60.4 per cent at 0.2 g/t to 71.9 per cent at 1.6 g/t for gold, 25 per cent for silver, $2.60-per-tonne mining costs, 64-cents-per-tonne general and administrative costs, $4.20-per-tonne milling costs and a pit slope of 45 degrees. The Company considers the resource relevant due to its identification and modelling of the Esperanza deposit.

The Company has not done sufficient work to classify the resource as a current mineral resource or mineral reserves and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Although the resource estimate is considered reliable, the Company will resample a portion of the drill core for the purpose of carrying out a new resource estimate. Furthermore, additional data verification, including resurveying of select diamond drill holes collars; review of graphic drill core logs, comparison of these logs with remaining half-cut core and a cross check of select geological logs agonist database entries; and a check of original assay certificates against the assays and drill hole database.

On behalf of the Company

Bryan Slusarchuk

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Zacatecas Silver cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Zacatecas Silver's limited operating history, its proposed exploration and development activities on its properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Zacatecas Silver does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Zacatecas Silver Corp.
MoU aiming at co-development and local manufacturing at ZeroAvia's UK R&D facility of world-leading aviation-optimized fuel cell stacks.

FARNBOUROUGH, United Kingdom, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ZeroAvia , the leader in developing zero-emission solutions for commercial aviation, today announced a memorandum of understanding with PowerCell Sweden AB , a leading hydrogen fuel cell stack manufacturer, that will see joint development and annual series deliveries of at least 5,000 aviation-optimized Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks between 2024 and 2028. As part of the MoU, PowerCell intends to establish a UK presence for the first time, building a production team alongside ZeroAvia's production facilities.The parties expect to reach a final agreement in the third quarter 2022.

The companies plan to jointly modify existing PowerCell stacks for optimal performance within ZeroAvias hydrogen-electric, zero-emission aviation powertrains.

The partnership will see both parties continuing work together to modify existing PowerCell stacks for optimal performance within ZeroAvia's hydrogen-electric, zero-emission aviation powertrains. PowerCell intends to assemble the modified stacks for incorporation into ZeroAvia's prototype, and later certified, powertrains.

PowerCell has been a key supplier of low temperature PEM (LTPEM) fuel cells as part of ZeroAvia's pioneering efforts to develop a certifiable 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain underneath the HyFlyer II project, supported by the UK Government through the ATI program . ZeroAvia plans to power 9-19 seat commercial aircraft up to 300 nautical miles using its ZA600 powertrains by 2024 - enabling guilt-free flights on routes such as London to Edinburgh and Stockholm to Malmo.

After conducting demonstration of 6-seat R&D prototypes, ZeroAvia is preparing for the inaugural test flight of its 600kW hydrogen-electric engine in the coming days, including the use of PowerCell fuel cell stacks as part of these systems. The company is also retrofitting a second Dornier-228 testbed in Hollister, California, to conduct further flight tests and demonstrations in the important North American market.

Val Miftakhov, ZeroAvia Founder & CEO, said: "This MoU further cements ZeroAvia's lead in the race to deliver true zero-emission engines for commercial flights. By co-locating this operation we can ensure the full collaboration of both talented teams in tailoring hydrogen fuel cell stacks for aviation. This will result in delivery of systems with the required power to enable electric aviation to achieve range and payload that are highly attractive to operators and airframe OEMs, while eliminating emissions."

Richard Berkling, CEO, PowerCell Sweden AB, said: "Working with ZeroAvia has been a core plank of our entry into the clean aviation market, which is a very large future market for fuel cell technology. We are delighted to further formalize that partnership and to establish our first UK development presence, given our opportunities here across multiple sectors."

ZeroAvia's mission is to deliver hydrogen-electric engines into every aircraft, having identified the technology as the most practical, economical, and farthest reaching solution for reducing aviation's climate change and clean air impacts. Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft's propellers, with the only byproduct being water.

About ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia is a leader in zero-emission aviation, focused on hydrogen-electric aviation solutions to address a variety of markets, initially targeting a 300-mile range in 9-19 seat aircraft by 2024, and up to 1000-mile range in 40-80 seat aircraft by 2026. Based in the UK and USA, ZeroAvia has already secured experimental certificates for its two-prototype aircraft from the CAA and FAA, passed significant flight test milestones, secured a number of key partnerships with major aircraft OEMs and major global airlines, and is on track for commercial operations in 2024. The company's expanding UK operations are supported by grants from UK's Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK, and ZeroAvia is part of the UK Government's Jet Zero Council. For more, please visit ZeroAvia.com, follow @ZeroAvia on Twitter , Instagram , and LinkedIn .

About Powercell

PowerCell Sweden AB (publ) develops and produces fuel cell stacks and systems for stationary and mobile applications with a world class power density. The fuel cells are powered by hydrogen, pure or reformed, and produce electricity and heat with no emissions other than water. As the stacks and systems are compact, modular and scalable, they are easily adjusted to any customer need. PowerCellwas founded in 2008 as an industrial spinout from the Volvo Group. The share (PCELL) is since 2014 subject to trade at Nasdaq First North Stockholm with G&W Fondkommission as Certified Adviser.

SOURCE ZeroAvia
British companies struggle to recruit staff remains at record levels and solutions are urgently needed to tackle the crippling labour shortages, which are putting livelihoods at risk and damaging the economy, according to business leaders.

New figures from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) revealed that 61% of companies were attempting to recruit staff in the second quarter of the year, compared with 60% in the first three months.

However, the survey of 5,700 businesses showed that 76% of firms continue to report recruitment difficulties, against 78% in the first quarter.

The biggest challenges were in the construction sector, with 83% reporting difficulties, followed by production and manufacturing on 79%, logistics on 79% and hospitality on 78%, according to the BCCs Quarterly Recruitment Outlook.

Businesses remain under huge pressure to fill jobs, but record levels of recruitment difficulty are showing no signs of improvement. Solutions are urgently needed, so that firms can keep their doors open throughout these tough times, said Jane Gratton, head of people policy at the BCC.

We have written to the government outlining a three-point plan on how they can work with businesses to solve this.

The BCC said firms must be encouraged to find new ways of unlocking pools of talent, by investing more in training, adopting more flexible working practises and expanding use of apprenticeships, while the government must help employers invest in training by reducing the upfront costs on business and providing training related tax breaks.

It also said the government must reform the Shortage Occupation List (SOL).

There are 1.3 million unfilled jobs in our economy and now fewer people in the workforce than before the pandemic. This is holding back productivity and growth, and employers are at their wits end. It is putting livelihoods at risk and damaging the economy, Gratton said.

The government must reform the SOL criteria to include more jobs at more skill levels to give firms breathing space to invest in their workforce.

Employers cannot wait for a new Prime Minister before this is sorted. Shortages are impacting not only on their ability to service order books but also on the morale and wellbeing of their people.

The economic challenge we are facing is huge and unless we start to fill the hole caused by 1.3 million vacancies, we cannot get back to growth.
Audioboom Group PLC (AIM:BOOM) posted record first-half and second-quarter revenues but cautioned that the current economic downturn is likely to test the advertising market.

The podcast company said revenues in the six months up to 30 June 2022 were up 79% to US$40.9mln, while adjusted underlying earnings (EBITDA) grew to US$2mln from US$200,000. Revenue in the second quarter was 59% higher at US$21.2mln.

Showcase, the global advertising partner, now contributes more than 12% of the groups revenue.

In its interim earnings statement, the London-listed company said that despite remaining confident that it is well positioned to grow and achieve its goals for 2022, it does expect the advertising market to be further tested by the economic downturn.

As a result, it has seen a softening in advertising demand in the third quarter due to lower consumer spending impacting brands confidence.

Audioboom said the overall outlook remains positive for several reasons, including an increase in advertising bookings compared to last year, a strong new business pipeline and expected further monetisation partnerships in Showcase.

2022 has presented global challenges and the advertising market is not immune to those, however, podcast revenue is expected to grow at a quicker pace than most other forms of audio and we are confident that our proven monetisation model will continue to deliver great value for brands, said chief executive Stuart Last.

Operationally, the group signed new partnerships, as well as renewed existing ones during the first half, and climbed up one place into third in Triton Digitals largest US podcast publishers based on weekly audience.
EQTEC PLC (AIM:EQT) said it has secured a resolution to grant planning permission from Sefton Council to build a waste-to-energy plant at Southport on Merseyside.

Phase 1 for the plant includes a waste processing facility, an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility, combined heat and power (CHP) engines and a 2 megawatt (MW) battery storage facility.

Anaergia is the EPC [construction] and O&M services [operator] contractor for phase 1 with Rotunda, through its subsidiary Shankley Biogas, EQTECs partner on the project.

Phase 1 at Southport will see 80,000 tonnes of waste per year converted into six million cubic metres of biomethane to be injected into the national gas transmission system, with gas from the grid also used to generate 9MWe for export to the electricity grid.

A phase 2 plan to generate clean hydrogen from Southport is being worked on with engineering giant Wood Group.

David Palumbo, EQTECs chief executive, said: "This is great news for Southport, which we have anticipated these past months.

"As the co-developer of the project, EQTEC has a strong interest in seeing construction get underway and this advances us significantly toward that work.

With Anaergia positioned as the technology, EPC and O&M partner on phase 1, we have a strong foundation on which to proceed with phase 2, which would position EQTEC and Wood to deliver the UK's first RDF-to-syngas-to-hydrogen capability.

In a separate announcement, EQTEC added it has appointed Petrofac as the front-end engineering design (FEED) contractor for its Billingham waste-to-energy project on Teeside.

A letter of intent has been signed with FTSE 250 group for the FEED phase and potentially for the EPC contract once funding is in place.

EQTEC added that as its plans at Billingham only account for 40% of the site, it is exploring a range of additional facilities for hydrogen production, battery storage and/or hydrogen refuelling.

All such options would be subject to further planning permission and agreement of future owners of the project, which the company intends to sell in whole or in part."

Jeff Vander Linden, COO of EQTEC, added: "As our largest and most complex project, Billingham represents a wide range of opportunities for innovative application of EQTEC technology in concert with other technologies; but it also requires a different approach to assemble investment."
Ondo InsurTech PLC (LSE:ONDO) said it signed an agreement with insurance provider Admiral to provide its LeakBot product to customers in the UK.

LeakBot measures air and pipe pressure and can detect any issues before it becomes a bigger problem and through the deal with Admiral, LeakBot will be supplied to 20,000 customers in the next six months.

Ondo, which is a claims prevention technology provider, said it in a statement that Admiral has become the first mainstream insurer to launch LeakBot in the UK.

It said the 20,000 Admiral customers to receive the LeakBot will be used to scope out opportunity for a larger scale roll out across the Admiral book, of which there are 1.3mln customers.

We now have the evidence that we can significantly reduce claims costs for insurers and we look forward to working with the team at Admiral to apply our proven model to a wider customer base, said Craig Foster, chief executive of Ondo InsurTech.
OnTheMarket PLC (AIM:OTMP) announced that Foxtons (LSE:FOXT) signed an agreement to advertise its UK residential sales and lettings on its website.

Foxtons (LSE:FOXT), which is one of London's leading estate agencies and has over 50 interconnected branches across the capital, will use OnTheMarket.com for selling and renting properties.

Jason Tebb, OnTheMarket chief executive, commented: We have been working hard to enhance our offer, adding products and services to deliver greater value to agents and consumers.

Being recognised by Foxtons is further proof that our strategy is working and there is more to come as we continue to develop our differentiated [and] technology-enabled property business."

Its shares rose 3.9% to 89.9p following the news.
Johnson Matthey PLC (LSE:JMAT) is to build an 80mln gigafactory at its existing site in Royston, UK to scale up the manufacture of hydrogen fuel cell components.

Capable of manufacturing 3GW of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell components annually for hydrogen vehicles, the new plant is being supported by the UK government through the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF), managed by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC).

Road freight meanwhile, accounts for about 9% of global CO2 emissions, with 62% arising from medium and heavy-duty trucking and a switch to hydrogen vehicles is seen as a key component in hitting the country's carbon emission targets.

Britain is forecast to need 14GW of fuel cell stack production and 400,000 high-pressure carbon fibre tanks annually to meet local vehicle production demands by 2035, said Johnson Matthey, which is targeting more than 200mln sales in Hydrogen Technologies by the end of 2024/25.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "This investment, backed by the government, is a major vote of confidence from Johnson Matthey in the UK."

Ian Constance, chief executive of the APC, added: "This is incredibly significant and puts the UK in an enviable position in the global fuel cell supply chain.

Our insight forecasts that the UK could dominate European fuel cell production and be a centre of excellence globally and today's announcement is a huge step towards realising that ambition.

"We already have 15% of the fuel cell value chain radiating from UK businesses but this could be as much as 65% just by expanding on current strengths in electrochemistry and coatings or using our automotive capability to volume manufacture components.
French government plans to nationalise the indebted French energy giant EDF amid a broad energy crisis aggravated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine are facing fierce opposition from employee shareholders who are to sue the government.

Association members say the decision is against the company and minority shareholders' interests.

"Today the state needs to explain itself for the management as an ultra-majority stakeholder of the company," the association 'Energie en actions' said in a statement, reports Reuters.

Tomorrow, the French government will announce the terms to acquire the outstanding 16% of the business it does not already own.

In an effort to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas, France and Europe are seeking alternative energy sources.

Shares of EDF, which has been plagued by nuclear reactor shutdowns and other problems, rose 5.96% on the news to close at 10.22.

EDF manages France's large fleet of nuclear reactors, which are facing a variety of technical challenges, and a new generation of reactors is years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget.

The French company is also in talks with Downing Street to arrange financing for the Sizewell C nuclear plant, which is running miles late and way over budget.

EDF had revenue of 84.5bn last year, profits of 5.1bn, and serves tens of millions of customers worldwide, though it was partially privatised in the early 2000s.
Rolls-Royce is to start trials of an engine that runs on hydrogen ahead of its possible use in business jets by the middle of the next decade, it will announce at the Farnborough Airshow, which starts today.

Combustion tests are already underway and the plan is to switch to ground testing shortly, according to the engineer.

Rolls-Royce is planning a comprehensive series of rig and engine tests to prove the fuel can safely and efficiently deliver power for small-mid size aircraft from the mid-2030s onwards.

It will run tests on its existing Pearl 15 jet engines which currently power Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) 16-seater business jets.

We are making real progress on the hard yards of research and development towards making Net Zero flight a reality, said Chris Cholerton, head of Rolls-Royce civil aviation.

Derby-based Rolls is also expected to announce this week that tests will start soon on a prototype of its UltraFan engine, which has been designed to be up to 25% more efficient than its current Trent engines.

The demonstrator has a fan diameter of 140 inches, the biggest size viable for the widebody aircraft sector, UltraFan chief engineer Andrew Geer told Reuters at Rolls' headquarters.

The technology could be scaled down for other programmes, he added, for example, if it re-enters the narrowbody plane market.

Geer said UltraFan was a platform for a range of technologies rather than a single engine with innovations such as carbon titanium blades and run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel from Air BP - which uses vegetable oils instead of fossil fuels.

Though with Boeing and Airbus scaling back production due to the impact of the pandemic real-world use realistically will be some years away, said the engineer
Coffee with Samso Episode 150 with Guy Le Page, non-executive director of Mount Ridley Mines Ltd (ASX:MRD) is all about the REE story.

One of the best kinds of exploration stories is the one that has substance and has a reasonable potential for it to come true.

The Mount Ridley REE project is something that stands out from the crowd. As an observer of the recent REE announcements coming out of the woodwork, I am learning bits and pieces. My understanding of the REE industry has been largely from my Coffee with Samso with Northern Minerals Limited (ASX: NTU).

The appearance of REE in Ionic Clays have made a splurge in recent times. I don't have much understanding of it and this was a great opportunity to talk to someone in this recent trend. It was refreshing to be able to talk to industry and learn whether REEs are REEs or not.

In this episode of Coffee with Samso, Guy shares with us the history and the contents of the MRD REE story. It was enlightening to hear from Guy that the REE deposit is not Ionic Clays and that they actually don't know much about the project. The company is in a learning phase and the upcoming drilling will drive a clearer picture on the whole project in the next twelve months.

What I like about this project is that it is 35km from a port, have a highway, railway and a gas pipeline adjacent to the project. This is critical (in any project) as the company continues to work on the technical aspects.

I encourage viewers to look at this story as an early exploration project or an early development mineral project.

Chapters:

00:00 Start

00:20 Introduction

01:52 Guy Introduction.

02:32 How did MRD come up with the project?

03:40 What elements of the REE does MRD have?

04:42 What does TREO mean?

05:56 What do we read in TREO?

07:11 The large Footprint for MRD.

07:50 Can investors assume the consistency of REE mineralisation?

09:11 Is this an alluvial process?

10:34 Can the project be host to other metals?

11:41 The REE market.

12:47 Could REE have ESG compliant issues which will lead to supply issues?

14:11 The geopolitical changes are driving the REE demand.

14:44 Co-Funding collaborations in Critical Metals.

15:35 News Flow for MRD.

16:41 Does MRD have environmental issues?

17:40 Why look at MRD?

18:49 The upside of MRD.

19:45 Conclusions

PODCAST

About Guy Le Page

Non-Executive Director

B.A., BSc (Hons), MBA, MAusIMM, FFIN

Mr Le Page is currently a Director & Corporate Adviser of RM Corporate Finance specialising in resources. He is actively involved in a range of corporate initiatives from mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings to valuations, consulting and corporate advisory roles.

Mr Le Page was Head of Research at Morgan Stockbroking Limited (Perth) prior to joining Tolhurst Noall as a Corporate Advisor in July of 1998. As Head of Research, Mr Le Page was responsible for the supervision of all Industrial and Resources Research. As a Resources Analyst, Mr Le Page published detailed research on various mineral exploration and mining companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The majority of this research involved valuations of both exploration and production assets.

Prior to entering the stockbroking industry, he spent 10 years as an exploration and mining geologist in Australia, Canada and the United States. His experience spans gold and base metal exploration and mining geology, and he has acted as a consultant to private and public companies. This professional experience included the production of both technical and valuation reports for resource companies.

Mr Le Page holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Adelaide, a Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) from the Curtin University of Technology and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.

About Mount Ridley Mines Limited (Mount Ridley Mines Ltd (ASX:MRD))

Mount Ridley Mines Limited is undertaking the exploration of a significant deposit of valuable clay-hosted rare earth elements in Western Australia. The Project was initially acquired for its nickel and copper sulphides potential and is now recognised as being prospective for ionic clay REE deposits.

Currently, this style of deposit is mined and processed only in China and Myanmar.

In November 2020 Mount Ridley Mines Limited (MRD) commenced a review of data for its namesake Mount Ridley Project and surrounding area.

The review concluded that areas of the Biranup and Nornalup geological provinces in south-eastern Western Australia have the potential for REE mineralisation, and in particular, the style of mineralisation referred to as Ionic Adsorption Clay (IAC-REE).

Globally, deposits of IAC-REE are most significant in southern China and are the worlds main source of heavy Rare Earth Elements.

The Project

REE mineralisation occurs as large, horizontal, near surface, sheet-like lenses up to a depth of 89 metres. REE mineralisation is interpreted to be present within the in-situ saprolite clay horizon. Patchy lower grade zones occur within transported cover which may vector towards stronger REE mineralisation deeper within the regolith.

Geological Survey of Western Australia (DMIRS) mapping[1] shows that the Mount Ridley Project REE mineralisation occurs within the weathered mantle (regolith) of the Recherche Super-suite, which is described as granitic and mafic gneiss; may include intrusions of Esperance Super-suite.

While the source of the REE mineralisation is currently unknown, a detailed sample and litho-geochemistry dataset from bottom of hole aircore samples has been established which includes whole-rock chemical analyses, sample pulps and some end-of-hole air core samples. These samples and data are being studied by the Companys consultant geochemist to identify the primary rock-type and whether units are REE-enriched.

Re-assay of 950 air core samples (162 pending) returned significant REE values over an apparent strike in excess of 25 km with over 20 samples returning >1,000 ppm Mineralisation remains open in all directions with a peak value so far at the Keiths Prospect from MRAC0711 with 10,461ppm (1.05%) from 23m downhole.

Significant REE intersections have been identified and grouped into 5 prospects  Winstons, Keiths, The Lake, Tyrells and Marcellus.

Planning underway for a 25,000m aircore program to test newly acquired tenements in addition to step-out and infill holes.

[1] (DMIRS) Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety 1:100,000 Interpreted Bedrock Geology

Please let Samso know your thoughts and send any comments to info@Samso.com.au. Remember to Subscribe to the YouTube Channel, Samso Media and the mail list to stay informed and make comments where appropriate. Other than that, also feel free to provide a Review on Google.

For further information about Coffee with Samso and Rooster Talks visit: www.samso.com.au

About

Samso is a renowned resource among the investment community for keen market analysis and insights into the companies and business trends that matter.

Investors seek out Samso for knowledgeable evaluations of current industry developments across a variety of business sectors and considered forecasts of future performances.

With a compelling format of relaxed online video interviews, Samso provides clear answers to questions they may not have the opportunity to ask and lays out the big picture to help them complete their investment research.

And in doing so, Samso also enables companies featured in interviews to build valuable engagement with their investment communities and customers.

Headed by industry veteran Noel Ong and based in Perth, Western Australia, Samsos Coffee with Samso and Rooster Talk interviews both feature friendly conversations with business figures that give insights into Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) companies, related concepts and industry trends.

Noel Ong is a geologist with nearly 30 years of industry experience and a strong background in capital markets, corporate finance and the mineral resource sector. He was founder and managing director of ASX-listed company Siburan Resources Limited from 2009-2017 and has also been involved in several other ASX listings, providing advice, procuring projects and helping to raise capital.

He brings all this experience and expertise to the Samso interviews, where his engaging conversation style creates a relaxed dialogue, revealing insights that can pique investor interest.

Noel Ong travels across Australia to record the interviews, only requiring a coffee shop environment where they can be set up. The interviews are posted on Samsos website and podcasts, YouTube and other relevant online environments where they can be shared among investment communities.

Samso also has a track record of developing successful business concepts in the Australasia region and provides bespoke research and counsel to businesses seeking to raise capital and procuring projects for ASX listings.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this article is the writers personal opinion and is provided for information only and is not intended to or nor will it create/induce the creation of any binding legal relations. Read full disclaimer.
Rooster Talk Episode 61 is with Matthew Boyes, managing director of Red Dirt Metals Ltd (ASX:RDT).

The Mt Ida project is fast becoming a double bonus for Red Dirt Metals as exploration is unveiling the gold credits.

When we were first introduced to the Mt Ida project (Red Dirt Metals Limited (ASX:RDT) - A Lithium Gem within a Gold Mine.) in April 2022, we were just trying to understand the lithium potential. As the market was having a lithium boom, it would be foolish not to discuss what the flavour of the last two years has been.

As we were talking through that Coffee with Samso with Matt Boyes, I was really interested in the gold potential. The Mt Ida story is very similar to what occurred at Mt. Holland a few years ago. For those that have not heard the story, Mt Holland was all about the discovery of a lithium bonanza because of a phone call. Mt. Holland was a legitimate gold mining project but was later discovered to be an even greater lithium project.

When you hear Matt talk about the lithium prospectivity in Mt. Ida, you can hear the frustration of not being able to rush into the gold project. The potential is yet to be finalised. In saying that, you can also feel the frustration of not being able to unwrap the potential of the lithium prospectivity.

The fact that there is still a large package of landholding that the company has not explored is definitely high on the list of things to do.

Matt is certain that there will be a resource coming out for the lithium and in time, there will be a gold resource to be released as well. When that will be is the million dollar question.

Check out this video - this is definitely a good story to follow.

Chapters:

00:00 Start.

00:20 Introduction.

01:07 Matthew updates.

02:38 Relationship between Gold and Lithium.

03:56 Mineralisation of Lithium and Gold.

06:41 Announcement key points for investors.

08:18 Understanding the geology from the announcement.

10:35 Future plans for the project.

11:59 Lithium market discussion.

15:24 Updates on covering the entire tenement package.

16:57 Potential focus on Gold.

19:49 Exploration potential.

21:32 Matthew summarises the news flow.

22:54 Conclusions.

PODCAST

About Matthew Boyes

Managing director

Mr Boyes is a qualified Geologist and Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy with 25 years of industry experience and a strong background in minerals resources, project development, construction and operations management.

Mr Boyes has recently served as COO for AIM-listed Patagonia Gold successfully overseeing the development and construction of two standalone Gold-Silver heap leach projects in southern Argentina. Mr Boyes has significant experience in product evaluations and financing with a focus on the junior market sector.

About Red Dirt Metals Limited (ASX: RDT)

Red Dirt is focused on the development and evaluation of underexplored brownfields exploration assets in Western Australia.

Mt Ida Gold Pty Ltd is the holding company of the Mt Ida Gold Project, comprising 19 tenements in the historical Mt Ida gold mining district, located approximately 100km north-west of Menzies in the WA goldfields.

The project tenements cover an area of 155km2 and include the historic Timoni Gold Mine and others, which have produced greater than 300,000 oz gold at 17.2 g/t head grade.

Highlights:

Acquired from Ora Banda Mining in September 2021 for $11M cash

A current gold resource of 318,000 t @13.8g/t gold for 141koz calculated under the JORC 2004 guidelines

Evidence of occurrences of Lithium-bearing pegmatites with Tantalum

Exploration activities to commence immediately October 2021

The Mt Ida project has total resources of 318,000 t @13.8g/t of gold for 141koz, Indicated resources total 136,000t @ 18.6 g/t gold for 81koz with 182,000t @ 10.3 g/t gold for 60koz in Inferred category. All resource currently stated at Mt Ida are calculated under the JORC 2004 guidelines with no material change to the existing resources since estimation.

Lithium review:

Whilst undertaking the technical due diligence of the Mt Ida Project, it was noted that multiple high-grade lithium intervals had been intersected within pegmatite bodies on the western contact of the main Mt Ida granite intrusive, known as the Copperfield Granite.

Initial investigations from available data shows pegmatite outcropping in 5 separate locations proximal to the main granitic intrusive, and along the contact with the western bounding mafic amphibolite units which host the high-grade Mt Ida gold copper lodes.

A preliminary target corridor has been interpreted and extends for up to 5 km in strike from the most southern-identified outcrop parallel to the granite and north into the Companys adjacent exploration tenement, with potential to extend further in both directions.

Of significance is that no historic exploration has been carried out with the intention of targeting these Lithium bearing pegmatite intrusives. This opens up large areas on both the eastern and western limbs of the granitic intrusive contacts for future exploration and will complement the Companys aggressive gold/copper exploration program at the Mt Ida Project.

Please let Samso know your thoughts and send any comments to info@Samso.com.au. Remember to Subscribe to the YouTube Channel, Samso Media and the mail list to stay informed and make comments where appropriate. Other than that, also feel free to provide a Review on Google.

For further information about Coffee with Samso and Rooster Talks visit: www.samso.com.au

About

Samso is a renowned resource among the investment community for keen market analysis and insights into the companies and business trends that matter.

Investors seek out Samso for knowledgeable evaluations of current industry developments across a variety of business sectors and considered forecasts of future performances.

With a compelling format of relaxed online video interviews, Samso provides clear answers to questions they may not have the opportunity to ask and lays out the big picture to help them complete their investment research.

And in doing so, Samso also enables companies featured in interviews to build valuable engagement with their investment communities and customers.

Headed by industry veteran Noel Ong and based in Perth, Western Australia, Samsos Coffee with Samso and Rooster Talk interviews both feature friendly conversations with business figures that give insights into Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) companies, related concepts and industry trends.

Noel Ong is a geologist with nearly 30 years of industry experience and a strong background in capital markets, corporate finance and the mineral resource sector. He was founder and managing director of ASX-listed company Siburan Resources Limited from 2009-2017 and has also been involved in several other ASX listings, providing advice, procuring projects and helping to raise capital.

He brings all this experience and expertise to the Samso interviews, where his engaging conversation style creates a relaxed dialogue, revealing insights that can pique investor interest.

Noel Ong travels across Australia to record the interviews, only requiring a coffee shop environment where they can be set up. The interviews are posted on Samsos website and podcasts, YouTube and other relevant online environments where they can be shared among investment communities.

Samso also has a track record of developing successful business concepts in the Australasia region and provides bespoke research and counsel to businesses seeking to raise capital and procuring projects for ASX listings.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this article is the writers personal opinion and is provided for information only and is not intended to or nor will it create/induce the creation of any binding legal relations. Read full disclaimer.
Australian Strategic Materials Ltd has thanked outgoing managing director & chief executive officer David Woodall for his contribution and particularly for laying the foundations for the company to take advantage of the global demand for critical metals.

Woodall has advised the board of his intention to step down from both roles and will be leaving the company immediately.

During his tenure, ASM has delivered a strong optimisation study for the Dubbo Project, acquired innovative metallisation technology, constructed its first metals plant in South Korea, and signed an engineering, procurement and construction definition contract with Hyundai Engineering.

New CEO

In announcing the resignation, chairman Ian Gandel also stated that the companys chief operating officer Rowena Smith had accepted the appointment of chief executive officer.

Smith is a highly experienced global mining executive and has been ASMs COO since July 2021.

In her first year with ASM, she led the Dubbo Project team, which included work for the optimisation study released in December 2021. She also led the construction and commissioning of the Korean Metals Plant.

A highly capable leader

Gandel said: We are delighted that Rowena is leading the company through the next phase of its development.

"Rowena has demonstrated that she is a highly capable leader, underpinned by her extensive experience and track record in the mining sector.

With this appointment, the board has confidence there will be a seamless leadership transition, enabling ASM to continue to focus on delivering its mine-to-metals strategy.

Mining experience

The new CEO has almost 30 years of global mining experience in various senior roles including strategy, commercial, operations and ESG.

Prior to joining ASM, she was South32s chief sustainability officer and vice president-supply, leading teams across Australia, South Africa, Mozambique, Colombia and the United States.

She has also held roles with Rio Tinto and BHP for Nickel West, including as head of Resource Planning & Development and Projects, manager Strategy and Acquisitions, and general manager Kwinana Nickel Refinery.

Smiths skills and experience in global operations and major projects, along with her achievements at ASM will enable her to lead ASM through its next phase.

David Woodall thanked

Gandel also paid tribute to Woodall, saying: The board thanks David, who led the company through its early stages following the demerger from Alkane, through to the delivery of a successful optimisation study and the construction of our Korean Metals Plant. We wish him all the success in the future.
Emyria Ltd (ASX:EMD) and its technology partner, the University of Western Australia (UWA), have made material progress in advancing their library of proprietary MDMA analogues, adding 19 new compounds in the third generation developed since the partnership began.

Read: Emyria and University of Western Australia expand MDMA analogue collaboration

Emyrias library has now grown to more than 125 novel MDMA-related compounds, supported by ongoing design and synthesis and guided by screening result data generated in the first two batches of compound screens.

The company has identified three priority areas for drug discovery:

Drug-assisted psychotherapy for major mental health disorders (next-generation MDMA analogues) where shorter-acting MDMA may be desirable.

Novel, small molecule treatments for neurological disorders such as Parkinsons disease.

Treatments for non-neurological disorders where selective activity at peripheral serotonin receptors is of interest.

Emyria and the UWA are now planning further testing to identify lead compounds in each priority area.

Results demonstrate drug discovery potential

Emyrias preclinical drug discovery program, inspired by MDMA, is making great progress. We are strengthening Emyrias intellectual property (IP) portfolio and potential slate of proprietary drug candidates targeting major unmet needs, Emyria managing director Dr Michael Winlo said.

Guided by our initial screening results, we have identified three therapeutic areas to target:

"(1) next-generation psychedelic-assisted therapeutics to help treat major mental health disorders and where more potent and shorter-acting treatments may offer advantages over MDMA-based therapy;

"(2) novel small molecule treatments for neurological disorders where selective receptor effects are desired; and

"(3) treatments for non-neurological disorders where selective activity at peripheral, (non-brain) targets are of interest.

Our preclinical program complements our advanced clinical programs and demonstrates the depth of our unique drug discovery and development opportunities and capabilities.

I look forward to updating the market with further progress and results as we advance towards our development milestones in the coming months.

A total of 45 new compounds have now been produced under this partnership, led by Associate Professor Matt Piggott and his expert team at UWA.

It's exciting to see the results of the first rounds of screening informing subsequent analogue design. This is the critical feedback loop that drives drug discovery, Associate Professor Piggott said.
Valor Resources Ltd (ASX:VAL) has emphasised the prospectivity of the Ichucollo target within the Picha Project in Peru, defining a 350-metre zone of copper mineralisation, open to the north and south, with channel sampling.

Assays from these channel samples include:

12 metres at 1.1% copper and 5.3 g/t silver;

30 metres at 0.79% copper and 7.56 g/t silver;

16 metres at 0.60% copper and 9.1 g/t silver; and

18-metre-long zone of strata bound or 'manto-type' mineralisation averaging 1.45% copper.

The company says there is also evidence of intrusive activity in the target area, in the form of breccias with intrusive clasts  suggesting proximity to a potential porphyry ore body.

Ichucollo taking shape as priority target

The latest assay results again demonstrate the untested potential of the Picha Project with widespread copper mineralisation discovered across the new Ichucollo target area, Valor Resources executive chair George Bauk said.

The evidence continues to mount that we have an exceptional project with large-scale porphyry copper potential.

Approvals for the maiden drilling program at Picha continue to advance with the current expectation that drilling will commence in October.

Due to the timing of the approvals process, the maiden drilling program will not include Ichucollo, but following the ground geophysics survey there in August, we expect to be drill testing this exciting new target early next year.

The Picha Project has to date identified seven targets, each with their own merits that all warrant drilling.

The new Ichucollo target is developing into the best target we have and we will now invest in the induced polarisation (IP)/resistivity survey and will continue with groundwork to develop the target further.

Several analogues have been drawn with the San Gabriel deposit located within 7 kilometres of the southwest corner of our tenement holding and along a regional fault structure.

In addition to Ichucollo, a high-grade rock chip sample of 6.78% copper and 25 g/t silver has indicated a new potential target area, 4.5 kilometres west of Cobremani.

Phase one of the maiden diamond drilling program will begin in October, targeting the Cumbre Coya, Maricate, Fundicion and Cobremani prospects.
NickelSearch Ltd (ASX:NIS) has bolstered its technical and management team with new high-calibre appointments, considerably enhancing the companys capacity to execute its nickel sulphide strategy at the Carlingup Nickel Project in Western Australia.

Strengthening the technical team, the company has appointed experienced geologist Andy Pearce as exploration manager.

On the corporate front, veteran finance executive Tanya Newby joins the company as financial and commercial manager.

Furthermore, Peter Evans has stepped down as CFO, to pursue non-executive director positions.

Advance nickel sulphide exploration strategy

NickelSearch managing director Nicole Duncan said: With two new appointments to our technical and management team, NickelSearch is well placed to further advance our nickel sulphide exploration strategy at the Carlingup Project.

As a team, our purpose is to work with our communities to find, develop and supply nickel for a sustainable future.

With a major greenfield exploration campaign in planning at four of our 11 high-priority targets, and refinement of the drilling targets now well progressed, we are incredibly excited by the added capability this well credentialed team will bring to the project.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter Evans for his contribution to the NickelSearch listing.

We wish Peter all the best in his future endeavours.

Notable experience

Exploration manager Andy Pearce brings significant experience in nickel sulphide exploration having previously worked at Black Mountain Metals and Poseidon Nickel.

Pearce will drive the companys advanced greenfield exploration program across the Carlingup Nickel Project that has identified 11 high-priority targets

Financial and commercial manager Tanya Newby brings more than 25 years of experience and was most recently finance manager at BCI Minerals
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Martin Place Securities Ltd's Barry Dawes speaks with Proactives Elisha Newell about the recently released research note put out on Siren Gold. Dawes discusses the potential of the company, including where it sits compared to its peers and highlights the similarities between Sirens New Zealand based Alexander River project and the famed Fosterville mine in the Victorian Goldfields. Fosterville has been producing over 31 grams per tonne (g/t) and has a resource of over $2 million ounces at 60 g/t. The structural setting and age between Alexander and Fosterville are very similar. Siren has cash, a good strategy and a strong board. The company is looking at high grade goldfields operated in the late 1800s in New Zealand and is acquiring tenements in an area that is in its early stage of renaissance. Siren has acquisition momentum and resource momentum and is looking to take its current 588,000 ounce resource in one deposit to 2.7 million ounces in two years.
Diamond drilling rig at work on the Dogwood Prospect in Victoria's East Gippsland.

First Au Ltd (ASX:FAU) is demonstrating the prospectivity of its Victorian Goldfields Project with strong results from a suite of sampling and drilling programs across its Dogwood, Haunted Stream and Snowstorm prospects.

FAU completed targeted face and surface sampling and structural mapping across the underground development at the Haunted Stream Prospect to refine drill targets, yielding sample assays of up to 135 g/t gold.

Face sampling from Ernestine (Haunted Stream) underground and open pit section view to the east with interpreted geology.

The company is encouraged by these results, which point to a potential down-plunge component of the gold system beyond the shallow, historical mining depths of about 100 metres.

Rock chip samples returning results up to 74.54 g/t gold from a sub-cropping quartz-sulphide reef at Snowstorm also elevated the area to a critical, high-priority target for further exploration, not far from its own set of historical workings to the south.

High-grade gold sample location VR5001 plotted against track, drilling, and historical rock-chip sampling (Snowstorm)

Dogwood drilling progress

First Au also completed a 2,000-metre, 14-hole maiden diamond drilling program at the Dogwood porphyry copper-gold prospect.

The program targeted points of interest generated from historical drilling, surface geochemistry signatures, magnetics and induce polarisation chargeability, and resistivity anomalies.

FAU says its encouraged by initial core observations, and the first batch of samples have been logged, sampled and sent to the lab, with results pending.

Variable sulphide mineralogy in drill core from Dogwood, including chalcocite, chalcopyrite and pyrite sulphides.

About First Au

First Au is an Australian-based exploration company with gold and base metal projects in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia.

The company intends to leverage an experienced team using modern exploration ideas and techniques in strategic ground positions to make a major mineral discovery.
Theta Gold Mines Ltd (ASX:TGM) continues to make permitting progress on the path toward production from the TGME Underground Gold Project in South Africa with more than 20 studies completed as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

The company has now submitted the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Environmental Management Program (EIA/EMPr) to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).

As well, the final technical documents for the integrated water use licence application have been submitted to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) for final decision.

Strong community support

TGM is encouraged that the findings from the EIA/EMPr and specialist studies to date have not identified any fatal flaw, unaddressed objection, or significantly high impact ratings.

Chairman Bill Guy said: We are now entering the final phase of the EA permitting process, with strong community support.

"All workstreams have been completed and final documentation delivered to DMRE so that a decision about the resumption of mining on MR83 can be made.

The outcome of the decisions from the DMRE and DWS on the applications are expected in the December quarter of 2022 with an additional 90-day review and objection period.

A positive decision from the Competent Authorities will enable the company to commence with its MR83 underground project.

Stakeholder engagement

TGM undertook a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process before the submission of the applications.

A successful open day was held in Pilgrims Rest on May 28, 2022. The company said feedback was very positive and the community was very excited about the job opportunities and economic upliftment that would be created by the project.

With the good turnout at the open day and various other stakeholder meetings, it can be concluded that the procedural requirement to consult during the EIA phase is satisfied.

Letters of support

Theta has received many letters of support from interested and affected parties (Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Local Ward Councilors). The local community and landowners have a direct project interest under the BEE structure, Guy said.

An application for an Atmospheric Emissions Licence was also submitted to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment during June 2022.

The application is available for public comments for a 30-day period that will end on August 10. 2022.

A final decision on the application is expected by the end of the current quarter. This licence will allow the operation of the processing plant.

Growing ESG program

The chairman added: We also confirm that a decision from the DFFE about continued mining under Forest Reserve is expected in Q3 of 2022.

"The company offered to include the ecological compensation into our growing ESG program, which will positively affect the local catchment area for years to come.

"Our decision to cornerstone this investment and work with stakeholders and the DFFE is set to benefit future generations in the region.
Atlantic Lithium Limited (AIM:ALL, OTCQX:ALLIF)s Len Kolff gives Proactives Elisha Newell the lowdown on the companys flagship project, the Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana, which is set to be West Africas first lithium producing mine and is fully funded to production under an agreement with Piedmont Lithium. Kolff speaks about the key deliverables of the project, the completion of the current drilling program and how all upcoming results will feed into the resource. Also of note is Atlantic Lithiums impending ASX listing, where the company feels the Australian investor community best understands the stage of the project and hard rock lithium pegmatite stories. Kolff explains the companys immediate focus on the PFS, the 37,000 metres of drilling currently being done with four rigs on site and consistent results and newsflow from that. Importantly, the PFS will see significantly improved fundamentals from last years Scoping Study, which was based on a resource of 21.3 million tonnes. The current resource is 30.1 million tonnes at similar grades, making it significantly larger.
Consumer health group Haleon PLC (LSE:HLN, NYSE:HLN) has become the largest company to list in London for over a decade after formally completing its spin-out from GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK).

It will not be issuing new shares as part of its flotation. Rather, existing investors in GSK will get one share in the new company for each current one they own.

This will mean GSK shareholders will own around 54.5% of the company on Monday, with the UK drugs giant hanging onto a stake of around 13.5% and Pfizer, which was part owner of Haleon pre-float, holding the remaining 32%.

GSK, meanwhile, has completed a share consolidation, which means the spin-out should have little to no impact on the stock price.

Created by pooling assets previously owned by GSK and Pfizer and bought from Novartis, Haleon describes itself as a dedicated consumer health company.

The company's name, in case youre wondering, is pronounced Hay-lee-on.

We are told it is inspired by the merging of the words hale', which means 'in good health' in old English, and leon, which is associated with the word strength as it is Spanish for lion.

Its revenues are divided between oral health, including toothpaste brands such as Sensodyne; digestive health and pain relief, where brands include Panadol, Advil, Volatol/Voltaren and Tums; and other sectors such as respiratory health.

Last year, it generated sales of 9.5bn. On that basis, it will be the second-largest consumer health company in the world and the only listed pure-play in the space of meaningful scale (until Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) lists its consumer health arm, which has been slated for 2023).

It is anticipated to have a debut enterprise valuation of between 40bn to 45bn, including debt, with an equity value of close to 33bn, which will place it safely in the top quarter of the FTSE 100.

The board will be led by chief executive Brian McNamara, who has been CEO of the division since 2016 and spent the previous two-and-a-half decades focused on consumer health at Novartis and Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG). He will be guided by former Tesco boss Sir Dave Lewis as chair.
Seufer-Wasserthal has been the chairman of the board of Willow since 2020

Willow Biosciences Inc said its board of directors has appointed Dr Peter Seufer-Wasserthal as the company's interim president and chief executive officer, effective July 17, 2022, following the retirement of Trevor Peters, who will remain as a director of Willow.

The Vancouver-based company said in addition, Willow director Barbara Munroe has been appointed as lead independent director.

"Peter is a visionary leader that has been chairman of the board of Willow since 2020," Munroe said in a statement.

"Peter's experience in biotech, pharma and consumer ingredients uniquely positions him to oversee the implementation of our strategic initiatives going forward as we expand our portfolio of functional ingredients beyond cannabinoids," she added.

Munroe continued: "On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Trevor for his stewardship through the challenges of the pandemic and broader industry headwinds. We are grateful for his contributions to Willow and wish him all the best in his retirement."

Commenting on his appointment, Seufer-Wasserthal said: I am enthused to take over as interim CEO at such an exciting time in the company's history.

"Willow's technology platform has been demonstrated with the rapid commercial launch of its yeast-derived cannabigerol and is now positioned to successfully deliver new consumer ingredients for the nutrition, food and beverage, and consumer care sectors, either independently or through partnerships," he added.

Seufer-Wasserthal's immediate areas of focus include identifying additional key functional ingredients and new markets for Willow's products; securing new strategic partnerships to accelerate commercialization; and continuing to build and lead the organization to successfully execute on its mission.

Willow develops and produces high-purity ingredients for the personal care, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. Willow's FutureGrown biotechnology platform allows large-scale production with sustainability at its core.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
Loncor Gold Inc has said it is hoping to develop a second mining district in the Ngayu greenstone gold belt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The company announced that it has applied for an exploitation permit for the potential development of its Makapela gold resource, which boasts an indicated resource of 614,200 ounces of gold and an inferred resource of 549,600 ounces at a 2.75 grams per ton (g/t) gold (Au) cutoff.

Makapela is located around 50 kilometres from Loncors flagship Adumbi deposit.

The preliminary economic assessment for Adumbi, released in December 2021, does not include the Makapela deposit.

Loncor CEO John Barker told shareholders that the award of a mining permit at Makapela would create a second avenue to release value held within the companys deposits.

"Makapela represents a high-grade opportunity either as a potential feed source for a future gold operation at Adumbi, or as an independent stand-alone high-grade project, Barker said in a statement.

The deposit remains open at depth, along strike, plus has a number of parallel zones that require further investigation, Barker noted.

Within close proximity, there are a number of other deposits such as Mokepa and Mongaliema that historically have been drilled and could hold the potential of future ore feed for Makapela, he added.

A total of 83 core holes have been drilled at Makapela with several significant drill intersections including 7.19 metres grading 64 g/t Au, 4.28 metres at 32.6 g/t Au, 3.47 metres grading 24.9 g/t Au, 4.09 metres at 21.7 g/t Au and 4.35 metres grading 17.5 g/t Au.

Loncor is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on the Ngayu greenstone gold belt in the northeast of the DRC.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
Red Pine Exploration Inc (TSX-V:RPX, OTCQB:RDEXF) Vice President for exploration Jean-Francois Montreuil joined Proactive's Stephen Gunnion to discuss latest results from the company's 2022 Phase 1 exploration program at its Wawa gold project in northern Ontario.

The company reported hitting high-grade gold mineralization in the Minto Mine Shear Zone with drill results that included 68.7 grams per tonne (g/t) gold over 4.7 metres (m) and 231.5 g/t gold over 1.2m.

Montreuil also confirmed gold mineralization in the extension of the Jubilee Shear south of the Parkhill Fault, adding more than 2.5 kilometres in strike length of known continuous gold mineralization to the Wawa Gold Corridor.
Copper Fox Metals Inc (TSX-V:CUU, OTCQX:CPFXF) president and CEO Elmer Stewart joined Proactive with an update on the company's Schaft Creek joint venture (JV) in British Columbia, where drilling for this year's planned 5,000-metre program has kicked off.

In addition to the field program, Stewart said the JV is advancing several initiatives, including investigating the potential to reduce the construction timeline.

He said the results of the 2022 activities will strengthen project base case metallurgical predictions and guide the potential 2023 geotechnical program.
Baghdad, July 18 : An Iraqi soldier and a militant of the Islamic State (IS) group were killed in two incidents in the central and northern parts of the country, the Iraqi military said.

Acting on intelligence reports, a joint force from the Army and a paramilitary Hashd Shaabi shot dead an IS militant wearing an explosive belt in the Tarmiyah area, nearly 30-km north of the capital Baghdad, the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said on Sunday in a statement.

In a separate incident on Sunday, a soldier was killed and another wounded in an attack by IS militants on an army base near the city of Mosul, nearly 400-km north of Baghdad, an army source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The source said the attack sparked a clash between the two sides before the attackers fled the scene, Xinhua news agency reported.

Iraqi security forces have been fighting IS militants over the past months to crack down on their intensified activities.

The security situation in Iraq has been improving since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, its remnants have since melted into urban centres, deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against the security forces and civilians.
Baghdad, July 18 : Five militants of Turkey's Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) were killed in a Turkish drone strike in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, official sources said.

The five PKK members, including a woman, were killed when a Turkish drone bombarded their vehicle moving near a village in the west of the provincial capital Mosul, nearly 400 km north of Baghdad, according to a statement by the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service.

The attack occurred at 2:20 p.m, on Sunday when a Turkish drone bombed a civilian vehicle in the west of Mosul and killed four men and a woman, said Governor of Nineveh Province Najm al-Jubouri in a separate statement.

Al-Jubouri strongly condemned the drone strike, saying such attacks would destabilise the security situation in the Iraqi province and demanding a protest by the Iraqi central government, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Turkish forces frequently carry out ground operations, airstrikes and artillery bombardments in Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, especially the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the PKK.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the European Union.
Kanpur Dehat/Gonda : , July 18 (IANS) Women are ploughing fields and men are writing letters to Lord Indra, praying for rains to end the current spell of drought.

In Madanpur village of Bhognipur tehsil in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh, women ploughing fields performed puja to invoke blessings of Lord Indra, the god of rain.

The women also carried out the ritual 'Bhauri' wherein they carried various kitchen tools and offered prayers in temples.

A local astrologer Avanish Dubey said, "In the modern era, people may term this practice as a superstition, but this is a popular belief here that if women replace bull and plough fields, the rain god gives abundant rainfall. In ancient times, Janakpur was the kingdom of Videhas, where Janak was the king. Once there was a drought in the kingdom and the people started facing hardships. They all went to King Janak for solutions to their problems. King Janak promised to the people that he would do all possible means to relieve them of their problems." Dubey added, "The king then asked all priests of his royal palace to come up with some solutions. One of the priests then suggested to the king that the rain god Indra must be appeased to bring rainfall. And to appease Indra, the king should himself plough the barren land. King Janak instantly agreed to plough the field. While ploughing the field, it rained heavily." The residents of the region have been upset since they have not received any rain this season and this is delaying the sowing of paddy.

In Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh, one Sumit Kumar Yadav has lodged a complaint with the tehsildar against Lord Indra, seeking appropriate action for the delay in rains.

In a surprising move, the tehsildar has forwarded the complaint to senior officials for 'suitable action'.
Jaunpur : , July 18 (IANS) Gold coins from the British empire era have been found in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh during digging of a toilet pit inside the house of a woman in Kotwali area of the district, police said.

The family members of the woman Noor Jahan and labourers did not let anyone know about this incident that took place last week.

The police got information over the weekend and seized the coins.

All coins belong to the British empire (between 1889-1912). The police are interrogating the workers while some labourers are said to be absconding.

Noor Jahan, wife of Imam Ali Raini, was getting a pit dug for the construction of a toilet in her house.

During the digging, some coins were found in a copper vessel, after which the labourers started quarrelling among themselves.

According to the family, the labourers left the work in the middle.

The next day, the labourers returned and started digging again due to greed. In the meantime, a labourer told the son of Raini about getting gold coins. When he started asking, the labourers gave him a coin.

The Inspector-in-Charge reached the spot and started the investigation.

The police went to the labourers with Raini's son and inquired. The labourers at first denied any such incident, but when the police acted firmly the former revealed finding gold coins.

The labourers returned the gold coins to the police.

It is not yet clear how many coins were originally found in the copper pot. The police are interrogating the workers.

Macchlishahar Officer Atar Singh said, "I had gone to the spot. When the labourers were contacted, a total of 10 coins were found. All the coins have been deposited in the government treasury. The interrogation of the workers is underway."
Shimla, July 18 : Several Tibetan organisations, including non-governmental organisations, political parties, student groups, etc., held massive protests in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamsala against China's repressive policies and illegal occupation in Tibet.

The Tibetan people in the hill state highlighted various incidents of atrocities and oppression by the Chinese government on the people of Tibet through various programmes.

Tibetan Women's Association (a women's group based in McLeodGanj, Dharamsala), National Democratic Party of Tibet (a major political party in the Tibetan government in exile), Gu Chu Sum Movement Association of Tibet (non-governmental organisation in Himachal Pradesh) and Students for a Free Tibet (global grassroots network of students and activists working in solidarity with the Tibetan people) held large-scale demonstrations against Chinese atrocities against the people of Tibet at the Main Square in Mcleodganj, Dharamsala on Sunday.

The International Justice Day was also celebrated on Sunday (June 17) by the Tibetan community living in India, inspiring people across the world to unite together for ensuring justice.

International Justice Day celebrates the importance of ensuring accountability concerning some of the most heinous crimes such as genocide, murder, forced detention, unjustified jail imprisonment, punishing the perpetrators of crime and bringing justice to the people.

Tsering Dolma, Vice-President of the Tibetan Women's Association, said it was important to celebrate the International Justice Day by acknowledging the human rights violations inside Tibet by the dictatorial Chinese Communist Party.

She added that during the 20th century, the Chinese Communist Party began its invasion of Tibet in 1949 by annexing Tibet's Amdo and Kham provinces.

After China illegally occupied the entire Tibet in 1959, a martial law was imposed to crackdown on the Tibetan resistance movement.

As many as six million people died in Tibet due to the invasion and illegal occupation by China, and many Tibetans were also forced to leave their homeland and live in exile, Dolma said.

The people of Tibet were denied justice and are fighting against atrocities committed against them violating basic human rights and freedom, she added.

The evidence of the human rights situation within Tibet is clear when His Holiness, the Panchen Lama, was forcibly abducted by the Chinese government at the age of six, Dolma said.

She added that due to the torture, cruelty and ill-treatment during his detention by the Chinese government, prominent Tibetan monk Jigme Gyatso had been unrecoverably ill since his release in 2016 after serving a five-year prison sentence when he pleaded guilty to "inciting separatism" in Tibet. Facing further health complications, Gyatso was hospitalised in Xiling in May this year and passed away on July 2.

On June 23, 2022, the Chinese police arrested a Tibetan woman Zumkar, for possessing a picture of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama in her house in Tibet.

She said that many Tibetan people have lost their lives under harsh persecution, torture, imprisonment and extrajudicial killings due to Chinese oppression. China's dictatorial policies have created a crisis in Tibet and provoked an unprecedented wave of self-immolations by monks, nuns and Tibetan people.

Tsering Dolma added that over the past decade, Chinese authorities have systematically closed local schools in Tibet and replaced them with colonised boarding schools, including those for primary age children.

By deliberately separating Tibetan children from their families and culture and keeping them in government boarding schools, Chinese authorities are using one of the most heinous means of colonialism to attack Tibetan identity.
Thiruvananthapuram, July 18 : The Kerala Assembly on Monday will join the process of electing the new president of India.

There are 140 members in the Kerala Assembly and it's a foregone conclusion that all the 140 members, which includes 99 legislators belonging to the ruling CPI-M led Left Democratic Front and the 41 members belonging to the Congress-led UDF, will vote for the joint opposition candidate Yaswanth Sinha, who was here to campaign recently.

The voting is being held at the third floor of the Assembly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

However, apart from the 140 legislators, the Assembly polling booth will see two visitors casting their votes. Apna Dal legislator Neel Ratan Singh Patel representing the Sevapuri Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh is undergoing an ayurvedic treatment and hence will cast his vote for Draupadi Murmu, the candidate of the BJP-led NDA.

The other visitor is S. Gnanathiraviam, the Thirunelveli DMK Lok Sabha member. He is presently Covid positive and will be the last member to cast his vote here, around 5 p.m.

The Kerala votes will be packed in one box while the other two ballots will be put in separate boxes.
Manchester, July 18 : India's series victory over England has seen the Rohit Sharma-led side further consolidate their third place ahead of Pakistan on the latest ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings.

India, with 109 rating points, are now three ahead of Pakistan (106), as New Zealand continue to be the No.1 side with 128 rating points. Jos Buttler's England, in spite of losing the three-match ODI series, are second with 121 rating points.

A maiden One-day International century by wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant helped India clinch a 2-1 series victory over England on Sunday and in the process ensured they held on to third spot.

That situation could change over the coming weeks, with sixth-placed South Africa currently only seven rating points behind Pakistan and with the opportunity to rise as high as fourth if they can sweep their upcoming three-match series against England.

India have their own three-match series against the West Indies later this month and could put further pressure on the likes of Pakistan, Australia and South Africa with a good performance in the Caribbean.

Pakistan are currently battling it out on the Test arena against Sri Lanka, with the next 50-over assignment for Babar Azam's side in August in the Netherlands.
New Delhi, July 18 : Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged all the MPs to follow parliamentary procedures saying the session is important as the nation is going to elect a new President and Vice-President.

"Elections for the office of President and Vice-President are being held in this session. Voting (for the Presidential election) is taking place today. During this session, the new President and Vice-President will begin guiding the nation," he said.

Prime Minister Modi said that this is the period of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' and special significance of the Independence day for the coming 25 years - when the nation would celebrate the hundred year of independence.

The government has listed 32 bills to be passed in this session and in which 24 are new. The opposition has objected to it citing time constraint.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the bills will not be passed in a hurry and adequate time will be given for debate.

The Congress, this morning, moved adjournment motion in Lok Sabha on LPG price hike and suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha on Agnipath scheme.

A total of 24 new bills will be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session, including Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2022.

"The Bill seeks to replace the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867 by decriminalisation of the existing Act, keeping the procedures of the extant Act simple from the view point of medium/small publishers and uphold the values of Press Freedom".

It may see stiff opposition as it is said that this bill is being brought to control the small publishers and digital media. The Opposition has already alleged that the government is trying to stifle the voice of dissent in the country.

Another important bill is Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which seeks to provide a regulatory framework for Carbon Trading in India, to encourage penetration of renewables in energy mix, and effective implementation and enforcement of the Energy Conservation Act.
Hyderabad/Amaravati, July 18 : Polling was underway for Presidential elections in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Monday.

Members of Telangana Legislative Assembly and Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly began casting their votes at their respective Assembly buildings in Hyderabad and Amaravati respectively.

The polling began at 10 a.m. under tight security arrangements and will continue till 5 p.m.

In Hyderabad, all 119 members of Telangana Assembly and one MLA from Andhra Pradesh are likely to cast their votes. Officials said 174 MLAs of Andhra Pradesh will cast their votes in Amaravati.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the polling at both the polling centres.

Barring three MLAs of BJP, all members in Telangana are expected to cast their votes for Yashwant Sinha, the joint candidate of opposition parties. Ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), its friendly Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and opposition Congress party have declared support for Sinha.

TRS has 103 MLAs in Telangana. MIM's tally is seven while Congress has six members.

Telangana ministers and TRS MLAs were the first to arrive at the Assembly building to cast their votes. As the clock struck 10, TRS working president and state minister K.T. Rama Rao along with other ministers and MLAs reached the Assembly building.

In Andhra Pradesh, all votes are likely to go to NDA candidate Darupadi Murmu. Both the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have announced their support for Murmu.

YSRCP has 151 members in the 175-member Assembly. Four MLAs of TDP and the lone member of actor politician Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena who switched loyalties to YSRCP will also extend support to the NDA candidate. All 19 MLAs of TDP will also back Murmu.

All the MPs of TRS, MIM, Congress, BJP, YSRCP and TDP will cast their votes in Parliament.

All the parties have taken measures to ensure that none of their legislators abstain and also vote in the prescribed format to avoid their votes becoming invalid.

TRS is holding mock polling for its MLAs at its headquarters Telangana Bhavan before they leave for Assembly to cast their votes.

Observers appointed by the Election Commission of India for both the Telugu states were supervising the poll process.

Krishna Kumar Dwivedi, the observer for Telangana, visited the polling station and store room situated on the first floor of the Assembly building to take stock of the arrangements.

According to Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj, two voting compartments have been readied at Committee Hall No. 1 in the Assembly Building.

Chandraker Bharti, who has been appointed observer for Andhra Pradesh, was supervising the polling process The Commission has supplied particular pens which will be given to the electors along with the ballot paper in the polling station. Marking the ballot only with any other pen shall lead to invalidation of the vote at the time of counting.

The officials brought ballot boxes, ballot papers and other poll material from Delhi. After the completion of the polling, ballot boxes will be sealed and transported to the national capital.
Chennai, July 18 : The father of the Plus Two student who committed suicide in a private residential school at Kallakurichi moved the Madras High Court on Sunday seeking a re-postmortem.

He alleged that injuries in the girl's body indicate that she had entered into a physical confrontation with someone.

Upon hearing the news on July 13, the girl's mother had rushed to the school and found blood stains on the wall of the hostel verandah, 10 feet away from where the body was found, the father said.

The petitioner accused the school authorities of trying to hush up the matter of a cognizable case and added that he was not even allowed to see his daughter's hostel room. The girl's father also complained that he was not allowed to interact with his daughter's roommates as well indicating some ulterior motives on the part of the school management.

The Madras High Court will hear the case on Monday.

Kallakurichi is tense after protesters pelted stones and bottles against the police demanding justice for the Class XII girl who had committed suicide. The protesters clashed with the police and later barged into the school compound and vandalised the school building and burnt several school buses and a police van and three jeeps.

Kallakurichi district collector P. N . Sridhar has declared a curfew under section 144 at Kallakurichi Taluk and in some areas of Chinna Salem taluk.
New Delhi :Prime Minister Narendra Modi casts his vote in the 16th Presidential election, at the Parliament in New Delhi on Monday, July 18, 2022. (Photo:IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi :Prime Minister Narendra Modi casts his vote in the 16th Presidential election, at the Parliament in New Delhi on Monday, July 18, 2022. (Photo:Twitter/@narendramodi) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 18 : Polling for President election started on Monday in Parliament and respective state Assemblies to elect the next President of the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast his votes at a polling booth in Parliament House. The ruling BJP-led NDA has fielded Draupadi Murmu as its candidate while opposition has fielded former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha as their joint candidate.

Polling started at 10 a.m. at booths set up inside Parliament and state Assemblies where MPs and MLAs were casting their votes. Secretary General, Rajya Sabha is the Returning Officer for this election.

Nine MLAs will be voting in the Parliament House while about 42 MPs will cast their vote in various Legislative Assemblies. Four MLAs from Uttar Pradesh will cast their vote in Parliament, one each from Haryana, Odisha and Assam and two from Tripura.

The President is elected by the members of the Electoral College consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all States, including National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The nominated members of either Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha or Legislative Assemblies of the States are not eligible to be included in the Electoral College and therefore, they are not entitled to participate in the election. Similarly, members of the Legislative Councils are also not electors for the Presidential election.

Total 776 Members of Parliament and 4,033 MLAs will vote in the Presidential elections. Total value of votes is 10,86,431. Value of votes of MLAs is 5,43,231 and MPs are 5,43,200.
Bengaluru, July 18 : The ruling BJP in Karnataka has taken all precautions and preparations to ensure that not a single vote goes invalid in the Presidential election which is underway here on Monday.

All 121 MLA's from the BJP, stationed in a private hotel for the past two days are being given special training in this regard. A special care has been taken as 17 votes turned out to be invalid in the last Presidential elections.

Initially, the training was given to Minister for Energy V. Sunil Kumar, National General Secretary and BJP MLA C.T. Ravi, MLA Abhay Patil. In turn, they gave training to all legislators. Mock voting was also conducted for MLA's, say party sources.

The BJP legislators arrived at the Vidhana Soudha in buses from the private luxury hotel, flaunting saffron shawls to cast their votes. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai joined them at the luxury hotel and had breakfast with the MLAs.

JD(S), which has a strength of about 30 MLA's in Karnataka Legislative Assembly, two in Kerala Legislative Assembly and one Lok Sabha seat has pledged its support to NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu. Opposition Congress' 67 MLAs will support UPA candidate Yashwanth Sinha.
Thiruvananthapuram, July 18 : Left Convenor E.P.Jayarajan on Monday pledged never to fly in IndiGo after the airlines banned him for three weeks over manhandling of two Congress youths in the flight.

The action was initiated on account of the June 13 incident when he allegedly manhandled two Congress youths who were protesting against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the flight.

The young protesters have also been banned for two weeks.

While Jayarajan first said he has no knowledge about the ban, one of the youth protesters told the media that he got a mail from the airlines on Saturday banning him for two weeks.

"I am yet to get any information from the airlines," said Jayarajan to the media on Monday and later asserted that going forward, he will never again travel by IndiGo.

"I was the one who prevented the protesters from reaching Vijayan. They should have awarded me for it. Instead, I have been penalised. This is a dirty airlines and hence from now onwards, I will never again travel in it," said Jayarajan, who added that he is yet to get the letter banning him.

When pointed out that no other airline from the state capital flies to Kannur- his home town, Jayarajan who is known for his tongue in cheek remarks, hit back by stating, "Even if I walk from here to Kannur, I will not travel again in IndiGo." With this fresh action imposed by the airline which announced its own internal probe by a retired Judge and two other people, the campaign by the CPI-M led Left Front top brass that the Youth Congress workers was planning for an attempt on the life of Vijayan appears to have turned nothing but a political allegation.

Congress Lok Sabha member from Ernakulum- Hibi Eden said just see the action taken by the airline.

"While Jayarajan has been handed out a three week ban, the Youth Congress workers who merely shouted slogans were given a two-week ban, which clearly shows the gravity of the crime. Just see, how the Kerala Police has conducted their probe. While they gave a clean chit to Jayarajan, the charges registered against the Youth Congress workers are all grave crimes. This double standard of the Kerala Police has now been exposed," said Eden.

Meanwhile, this airlines' report comes at a time when State Youth Congress vice-president and two time former Congress legislator K.S.Sabarinadhan has been served a notice to appear before the police probe team probing the 'attack' on Vijayan after chat messages between him and a few local Youth Congress leaders surfaced.

Snubbed by the airline's report, Kannur CPI-M district secretary M.V.Jayarajan on Monday demanded that the police conduct a detailed probe after the involvement of Sabarinadhan and other Youth wing leaders of the Congress party has surfaced by way of messages.

The IndiGo Thiruvananthapuram airport manager's first report that when its flight arrived here from Kannur, three Youth Congress workers protested against Chief Minister Vijayan who was on the flight, has been dismissed as rubbish by the Congress.

An angry Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan called up Varun Dwivedi, Associate Vice-President of the airline and expressed his displeasure.

Hearing the complaint, the top official asked Satheesan to give a complaint in writing and it would be looked up and it was after that things changed.

The incident occurred on June 13 when Vijayan was returning from Kannur and the flight had landed.

Even though Jayarajan who was also onboard the flight pushed down the two Congress workers who twice shouted slogans had first said the sloganeering took place after Vijayan had alighted from the aircraft, later changed his stand, so was the CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who also said what Jayarajan had said and then retracted.

Jayarajan soon after the incident while speaking to a TV channel said the Youth Congress workers were fully drunk, but later changed it and said they might have been drunk.
New Delhi, July 18 : Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest producer of aluminium, makes a case for 'green' aluminium at the recently held national webinar by Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) of India.

With its world class-aluminium smelters, metal expertise, global technology partnerships and deep R&D capabilities, Vedanta Aluminium has been a long-time partner to the auto industry, developing product solutions perfectly tailored to their evolving needs.

The company is keen to partner with the automotive sector across the value chain, from large players to OEMs and MSMEs, for reducing the industry's import dependence.

ACMA's event, themed on 'Light-weighting with Aluminium and Sustainability' witnessed participation of top executives from key players in the auto, auto components and aluminium industry.

Nikhil Bhagchandani, Dy. Director - Marketing, Vedanta Aluminium, who was the keynote speaker at the event, highlighted the importance of 'green' aluminium (i.e. aluminium with low carbon footprint) in bolstering the endeavours of automakers to decarbonise their products.

The company is India's first to launch low carbon aluminium, branded 'Restora', for customers looking to source raw materials responsibly for creating a green value chain. Restora has a carbon footprint that is nearly half the global threshold for aluminium to be considered as low carbon. It's second green product, Restora Ultra, has an even lower carbon footprint, that is near-zero and is amongst the lowest in the world.

Aluminium is currently the second most used metal in vehicles and the fastest growing, a clear indication of the metal's growing prominence in automobile manufacturing.

With evolving consumer consciousness towards sustainability and tightening of emission norms, there has been a significant increase in aluminium usage in vehicles, be it battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrids or internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The reason being aluminium's unique properties which lend themselves very well to the auto industry: Owing to its high strength-to-weight ratio, more aluminium in vehicles makes them significantly lighter, faster, easier to manoeuvre and high on performance.

Light weighting of vehicles also reduces their fuel consumption, thereby helping with cost savings and reducing carbon footprint.

In electric vehicles, increase in aluminium usage in the vehicle extends its driving range by offsetting battery weight, thereby reducing cost of ownership, even with addition of more safety features.

Aluminium continues to drive vehicle safety as well, since pound for pound, aluminium can absorb twice the crash energy of mild steel.

Highly malleable & ductile, aluminium also gives automakers exceptional design flexibility, across a wide range of applications - from car frames to engines, battery casings, doors & windows, wheels, and many other smaller components in between.

Further, aluminium's natural resistance to corrosion gives vehicles a longer life and reduces the need for frequent maintenance, again reducing cost of ownership.

Finally, nearly 90 per cent of all the aluminium used in a vehicle can be recycled at the end of its lifecycle, increasing the vehicle's salvage value.

The Indian automotive industry, which is gradually adopting the advantages of aluminium, is poised to become the 3rd largest automotive market in terms of volume by 2030 (as per Invest India), propelled by electric vehicles, heavy vehicles and passenger vehicles. Prior to the pandemic, India's auto component industry imports stood at USD 15.40 Billion.

Speaking on the opportunities of indigenous development and localised sourcing of auto components and parts, Rahul Sharma, CEO - Vedanta Aluminium, says, "The national vision for self-reliance calls for increased focus on localizing sourcing of raw materials, parts and components by the Indian automotive industry. At Vedanta Aluminium, we offer our customers 360-degree holistic solutions to meet their evolving business needs, such as catering to their need for decarbonisation with 'Restora', our low carbon aluminium brand. We are further keen to co-create innovative product solutions for new and emerging applications of aluminium in the automotive industry, and together with them shape the future of mobility." Ramachandra Rao, Chairman - ACMA CFT on Raw Materials, & Executive Chairman - Indo Schottle Auto Parts Pvt. Ltd., said, "Aluminium is a critical raw material for the auto industry, as is evidenced by the metal's increasing usage globally in automotive applications. As the Indian auto industry increasingly localises sourcing of raw materials, domestic aluminium manufacturers like Vedanta Aluminium can be ideal partners for automakers. Whether it is light weighting, environmentally-friendly products or new alloys, such partnerships can shape the future of our auto industry." Vedanta Aluminium has been a catalysing force for the automotive industry, producing high-end alloys like Primary Foundry Alloy and Cylinder-head Alloy, which address automakers' most pressing needs for cost, quality, safety and sustainability, with light weighting. Notably, both alloys were entirely being imported into India until Vedanta Aluminium started supplying them indigenously.

As applications of aluminium in vehicles continues to rise, Vedanta Aluminium is rapidly expanding its value-added product portfolio for the auto industry. The company has also developed an online solution that brings together all of Vedanta's products under one roof for customers, including after-sales technical support, logistics and financial solutions.

Vedanta Aluminium currently produces one of the largest product ranges in aluminium, including billets, ingots, wire rods, rolled products, slabs and more.
Bengaluru, July 18 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed confidence that NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu will get higher votes than ever and emerge victorious in Presidential elections. "Fearing defeat, the opposition Congress is indulged in low level politics," he stated.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote on Monday, he stated that there is goodwill among all parties on the candidature of Draupadi Murmu to the post of the President.

"It is not only NDA and its allies but opposition parties have also openly supported Draupadi Murmu. She has been an efficient administrator, minister, people's representative and also worked as the Governor," Bommai stated.

"Hailing from a tribal background, Draupadi Murmu is a person with humane values. She had been elected for the top post of the country by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he had given a message through this selection," he said.

"Opposition parties JD(S), Mayawathi Ji, Shiv Sena, Jharkahand Mukthi Morcha, YSR party have extended their support. Congress will understand that they have to follow the principle of goodness. Now they have been really out of power and suffering and further fear of losing powers is making them raise objections," he stated.

Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa stated that the Presidential candidate should be elected unanimously. "Drupadi Murmu will get 70 per cent of votes and register victory. It is common for the opposite parties to put up a candidate. However, it is common in democracy and victory of the NDA candidate is confirmed," he said.

All 121 MLAs from BJP were stationed in a private hotel in Bengaluru for two days. They arrived in buses to cast their votes. The MLAs were given special training in this regard as 17 votes had turned out to be invalid in the last Presidential elections.

The training was earlier given to Minister for Energy V. Sunil Kumar, National General Secretary and BJP MLA C.T. Ravi, MLA Abhay Patil. In turn, they had given training through mock voting to all legislators.

BJP legislators arrived at the Assembly in buses from the private luxury hotel, flaunting saffron shawls to cast their votes. CM Bommai arrived at the hotel and had breakfast with the MLAs. Bommai and Yediyurappa came in the bus along with the MLAs to cast their votes.

JD(S) which has strength of about 30 MLAs in Karnataka Legislative Assembly, two in Kerala Legislative Assembly and one Lok Sabha seat has pledged its support to NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu. Opposition Congress' 67 MLAs will support UPA candidate Yashwant Sinha.
Kodagu : , July 18 (IANS) Karnataka police have arrested a Hindu youth on charges of posting objectionable, indecent posts on goddess Cauvery and women in Kodagu district of Karnataka, police said on Monday.

The arrested youth has been identified as Divin Devaiah, a resident of Kedamulluru in Virajpet taluk in Kodagu district. According to police, the accused had opened an account in the name of Muslim youth and posted messages.

The accused, through his fake account, posted defamatory and insulting messages on goddess Cuavery, which the local Kodava community worship as their deity. He had also targeted women belonging to the Kodava community in his derogatory posts.

Kodagu is considered a bastion of BJP and Hindu organizstions and it is also considered as a communally sensitive region. Various organisations had given bandh calls condemning the posts and the issue had taken a communal turn, threatening law and order situation.

Following the arrest, the bandh call given in Kodagu district is being withdrawn. Police explained that they had to take the help of Mumbai police to crack the case. The Mumbai police had got the inputs from California City about the fake FB account and passed on the inputs to local police, sources explained.

Following the lead, the police have nabbed the accused youth. "This is an unfortunate incident which should not have taken place. Those who misuse social media handles must think twice, the incident of arrest must be a lesson for everyone," members from the Federation of Kodava Community stated.

Superintendent of Police Kodagu district, M A Aiyappa stated that it has become common to misuse social media with the lack of knowledge on its consequences. Further investigation in the matter is on.
New Delhi, July 18 : The number of digital transactions frauds under the category 'Card/Internet - ATM/Debit Cards, Credit Cards and Internet Banking' as per the occurrence of frauds has declined from 70,283 in 2020-21 to 58,111 in 2021-22.

In a written reply to a question on 'frauds in digital transactions', the Finance ministry said that the digital transaction platform is a pan India platform with a facility of "anytime anywhere" banking. Accordingly, the data is captured only at the National level.

It said that RBI has taken various steps to enhance security of digital payments transactions, including card transactions and to control frauds. These include various benefits in terms of increased safety of transaction, efficiency in grievance redressal mechanism, etc., being provided to customers.

To ensure all active cards by them are EMV Chip and Pin-based, RBI has issued Master Direction on Digital Payment Security Controls on February 18, 2021 wherein banks have been prescribed security controls, including card payment security such as regulated entities (REs) to follow various payment card standards prescriptions for comprehensive payment card security; secure their card payment infrastructure; and security controls to be implemented at hardware security modules (HSM).

Moreover, the Circular on 'Control measures for ATMs - Timelines for compliance' dated June 21, 2018 has advised banks to implement various control measures within a time bound manner, including implementation of anti-skimming, white listing solution, upgradation of software and to closely monitor the compliance.

Moreover, RBI has been running the awareness campaign under the banner of 'RBI Kehta Hai' on safe digital banking which include initiatives like not to share password/pin/OTP received through SMS'; act swiftly on alerts received on transactions, which customer have not initiated or not authorised; practicing safe mobile banking, not storing important banking data in mobile and using verified, secure and trusted website only.
New Delhi, July 18 : Founder and CEO of Blockchain platform 5ire, Pratik Gauri, along with and his partner Prateek Dwivedi who raised $100 million and attained the Unicorn status, said on Monday that breaking the stereotype was the crucial hurdle on their journey.

Back in India from their Malaysia meet, the duo was greeted at the airport with a lot of praise and family and well-wishers extended a warm welcome to the founders of 5ire which is India's 105th unicorns with a coveted $1 billion valuation.

Leader of Rajya Sabha and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, also extended a congratulatory tweet for the duo, praising them for their entrepreneurial skills and achieving unicorn status.

Talking about being praised by the government, Pratik said: "We did get a lot of help from our government, media, corporates, our team, family, and friends, I mean being grateful doesn't even describe the feeling I have for people who believed in us." Blockchain startup 5ire raised $100 million in Series A funding from UK-based conglomerate SRAM & MRAM, taking its valuation to $1.5 billion and becoming a new unicorn in the country.

The company was founded by entrepreneurs Gauri and Dwivedi, along with web3 financier Vilma Mattila, in August 2021.

About his journey and some of the deep-rooted challenges they faced, Gauri said: "We started our journey in a tea-shop, me and Pratik were thinking about creating something which will help 100 million people, we wanted to make their lives better, and Blockchain company was the answer. We were certain that within a year we want to achieve the unicorn status, one of the fastest growing billion dollar companies in the world." "In the beginning no one believed in us, we hail from very moderate households, we were not rich, so breaking that stereotype that kids from moderate households can dream big and create something bigger, was the biggest challenge for us, but we did it," added Gauri.

5ire had earlier raised $21 million in its seed round at a valuation of $110 million, with participation from both private and institutional investors like Alphabet, Marshland Capital, Launchpool Labs, Moonrock Capital, and others.

Adding about his company and core philosophy of 5th industrial revolution with his incorporated in company name 5ire, Gauri added that "Fifth industrial revolution thesis is something I created, the soul objective is explore space between profits and charity, we businesses are only thinking about profits, and big rich houses only believe in charity, but I wanted to create a balance and working environment between the two." Making India as their operational hub, the company is planning on expansion and venturing into different sectors and three continents: Asia, North America, and Europe.

--IANS na/vd

A
New Delhi, July 18 : The Supreme Court on Monday asked counsel to bring on record some concrete examples of Hindus being denied minority status at the state level.

The top court was hearing a plea challenging a provision of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act and seeking a direction to the Centre to define "minority" and lay down guidelines for the identification of minorities at the district level.

Senior advocate Arvind Datar, representing Devkinandan Thakur, submitted before a bench headed by Justice U.U. Lalit that a 1993 notification says six communities --Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsi, and Jain -- are minorities at the national level, and court judgments say minorities have to be notified by states.

Noting that a Christian institution claiming minority status in Mizoram will be a reversal of the situation, the bench asked Datar: "Are you denied the status in any state?" As Datar said that he is talking about Hindus being denied minority status and there is a general perception that Hindus cannot be minority, the bench replied that only if there is a concrete case that Hindus are denied minority status, for example in Mizoram or Kashmir, then the court can look into this.

Justice Lalit said: "We are not able to understand what is the injury the petitioner is claiming?" Pointing at linguistic minorities, the bench, also comprising Justices S. Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia, queried: "Kannada-speaking person in Maharashtra, is a minority....." Justice Lalit further queried is the notification of any particular institution as minority under challenge, or the challenge is to the legislation? If a Sikh institution claims minority status in Punjab, then it is a travesty of justice, he said.

"We are going ahead with these challenges in the air....," noted the bench.

As Datar cited a plea challenging the NCM Act pending in another court, Justice Bhat queried: "Why should the court look into this?" When Datar reiterated that Hindus are being denied minority status, Justice Lalit said: "We have to get to a concrete situation..." The bench said Hindus may be minority in certain states like Mizoram and Kerala, and they might have claimed minority status and running institutions. "Every person can be a minority in this (situation)...I can be a minority outside the state of Maharashtra... unless, we get a concrete situation, difficult to deal with the situation," said Justice Lalit.

At this, Datar sought some time in the matter.

The top court accepted Datar's request and adjourned the matter for two weeks.

The plea said: "Cause of action continues till date because followers of Judaism, Bahaism, and Hinduism; who are real minorities in Ladakh, Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Kashmir, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur, cannot establish and administer educational institutions of their choice because of non-identification of 'minority' at the state level, thus jeopardising their basic rights guaranteed under Article 29-30." The plea contended that their right under Articles 29-30 is being siphoned off illegally to the majority community in the state because the Centre has not notified them as 'minority' under the NCM Act. The plea challenged the Section 2(C) of the Act, which declared Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis, Sikhs and Jains as minorities at the national level and sought direction for district-wise identification of minorities and state-wise status.

In May, this year, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has told the Supreme Court that though the power is vested with the Centre to notify minorities, but emphasised on having a wider consultation with states and other stakeholder in the view of the plea seeking a direction to the Centre to lay down guidelines for identification of minority at the state level, saying the Hindus are in minority in 10 states.
Dolphins Youth Club Community BBQ Charity Fundraiser

Dolphins Youth Club recently held a community BBQ charity fundraiser, bringing together the young people and the community for an evening of fun whilst raising funds for two very important local charities; Caring for Gibraltar and The EV Foundation.

The event was a huge success, very well attended and thoroughly enjoyed and supported by over 200 members of the community.

The event formed part of the Giving Back to the Community Project, in which young people from the 14+ age group have worked hard and taken part in during the last couple of months.

A number of activities were organised for all to enjoy, including a bouncy castle, family games, raffles, cake stalls, an arts & craft corner, face painting, karaoke amongst other activities.

Dolphins Youth Club and The Gibraltar Youth Service, would like to publicly thank all who attended and the many local business that supported and made the event possible. Especially to all the local companies and shops which contributed with their generous donations to the BBQ and the raffle.
New Delhi, July 18 : Concerned over the rising number of technical glitches in flights, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia held meetings with chiefs of Indian airlines on Monday, asking them to strengthen safety oversight.

Scores of flights have been diverted owing to multiple technical snags in Indian carriers' aircraft in the last one month. Sources said that the Aviation Minister on Monday told each airline to take all necessary steps that are needed to ramp up safety oversight.

Earlier on Sunday, Scindia had held a meeting on safety issues with senior officials of his Ministry and aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

In the Sunday meeting, the Minister took a detailed report from officials about the incidents over the last one month and told them that there should be no compromise over passengers' safety.

Multiple incidents of technical glitches in planes have been reported recently. IndiGo's Sharjah-Hyderabad flight was diverted to Karachi as a precautionary measure after pilots observed a defect in one of the engines.

On Saturday night, the Calicut-Dubai flight of Air India Express was diverted to Muscat after a burning smell was detected in the cabin mid-air. A day earlier, an alive bird was found in the cockpit of Air India Express' Bahrain-Kochi flight.

Before this, an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Vadodara was diverted to Jaipur on Thursday night as a precautionary measure following vibrations in the engine for a fraction of a second.
Beijing, July 18 : Global heating is leading dozens of bat species to migrate to southern China and other southeast Asian countries, amid growing concerns that the climate crisis could fuel more zoonotic disease and further deadly pandemics, media reports said.

A 2021 University of Cambridge study found that climate change may already have played a role in the emergence of the current pandemic, after researchers tracked large-scale changes in vegetation patterns across southwestern Yunnan province and neighbouring Myanmar and Laos, RFA reported.

"Increases in temperature, sunlight, and atmospheric carbon dioxide -- which affect the growth of plants and trees -- have changed natural habitats from tropical shrubland to tropical savannah and deciduous woodland," the study said, adding, "This created a suitable environment for many bat species that predominantly live in forests." It said the number of coronaviruses in a given area is closely linked to the number of different bat species present, with an additional 40 bat species moving into Yunnan during the past 100 years, bringing with them around 100 new coronaviruses.

Genetic data suggests SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, may also have come from this region, according to the study's first author Robert Beyer, a researcher in the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology, RFA reported.

"Climate change over the last century has made the habitat in the southern Chinese Yunnan province suitable for more bat species," Beyer said.

"As climate change altered habitats, species left some areas and moved into others -- taking their viruses with them," he said.

"This most likely allowed for new interactions between animals and viruses, causing more harmful viruses to be transmitted or evolve," said Beyer.

Bats carry around 3,000 different types of coronavirus, with each bat species harbouring an average of 2.7 coronaviruses -- most without showing symptoms.

While most coronaviruses carried by bats can't jump into humans, several coronaviruses known to infect humans are very likely to have originated in bats, the study said.

The area of Yunnan covered by the study is also home to pangolins, which are a likely intermediary host for SARS-CoV-2, experts said.

"The virus is likely to have jumped from bats to these animals, which were then sold at a wildlife market in Wuhan, where the initial human outbreak occurred," a press release accompanying the study said, RFA reported.
New Delhi, July 18 : Amid sloganeering of the Opposition members demanding discussion over price rise, the Lok Sabha on Monday was adjourned for the day.

The Lok Sabha proceedings will resume at 11 a.m. on July 19 (Tuesday).

Earlier on Monday, soon after the proceedings of the Monsoon Session began, the House was adjourned till 2 p.m.

However, the House resumed for the day amid sloganeering, after the voting for Presidential candidate.

As the House met for the first time in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, three MPs, took oath as members of the Lok Sabha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi were among those present in the House.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs staged a protest in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the first day of the session.

Earlier on Monday morning, AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh gave a suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha under Rule 267 over 'Centre not allowing Delhi CM to visit Singapore' and demanded a discussion on the issue.
Kiev, July 18 : Six people have been killed in Russian shelling in Ukraine's Torestsk city on Monday.

In the Russian shelling since morning, a two-storey building was destroyed leading to the death of six people, Ukraisnka Pravda reported.

"Since this morning, the city of Toretsk has been shelled; a two-storey building with people inside was destroyed," State Emergency Services said.

"During search and rescue operations, employees of the Rescue Service recovered the bodies of five people. Three people were rescued from the rubble, while one of them died in hospital." Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, July 18 : A Sikkim Police personnel, posted in the national capital, on Monday opened fire on three of his colleagues, killing two of them, a senior Delhi Police official said.

"The Sikkim Police personnel were posted at Haiderpur water treatment plant. He shot three of his colleagues, of which two have succumbed to their injuries," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rohini, Pranav Tayal told IANS.

The third Sikkim Police personnel is currently admitted at Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini and his condition is said to be critical.
Hyderabad, July 18 : A Congress MLA in Telangana demanded a new ballot paper while casting her vote for the Presidential poll on Monday after a goof-up, but the poll authorities declined to provide the same citing rules.

There were speculations that Seethakka cast her vote by mistake in favour of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Darupadi Murmu. She, however, denied it.

Confusion prevailed when Seethakka was in the polling centre to cast her vote. As she spent a long time in the voting compartment, the polling personnel on duty tried to know the reason. Maheshwar Reddy, serving as Congress agent on behalf of Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha, suggested to the MLA that if she had any doubt, she can demand a new ballot paper.

The MLA made a request to the polling officer on duty for another ballot paper. The officer then consulted his seniors and also the poll observer appointed by the Election Commission of India. Meanwhile, the MLA kept waiting at the polling centre.

The official later informed her that a new ballot can't be provided to her as per the rules. The MLA then put the first ballot paper issued to her.

The MLA later clarified that there was an ink mark on top of the ballot paper and hence she demanded another ballot paper. She said since the officials refused to issue a new ballot paper, she inserted the ballot paper given to her into the box.

The MLA said she voted in favour Sinha, the candidate supported by her party.

Seethakka, whose real name is Danasari Seethakka, represents the Mulugu Assembly constituency. She is one of the six MLAs of the party in the 119-member Telangana Assembly.
New Delhi, July 18 : The Supreme Court on Monday orally remarked that Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair seems to get bail in one case and remanded in another in a "vicious cycle", as it ordered that no "precipitative action" be taken in 5 FIRs registered against him by the Uttar Pradesh Police until the next hearing on Wednesday.

A bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and A.S. Bopanna issued notice on the plea filed by Zubair seeking to quash the FIRs registered against him by the UP Police and scheduled the matter for further hearing on July 20.

During the hearing, Justice Chandrachud orally remarked "contents of all FIRs seem to be similar. But the problem is the vicious cycle. He gets interim bail in one case but gets arrested for some other case".

Zubair's plea was taken up after advocate Vrinda Grover sought urgent hearing on the matter.

She contended that there are now six FIRs in UP -- two in Hathras, and one each in Lakhimpur Kheri, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, and Sitapur. She added that as soon as the top court granted relief to her client in Sitapur case, a warrant came in case of Lakhimpur Kheri and pointed out that last week, a Delhi court granted hir bail in Delhi FIR.

Grover said all the FIRs are based on old tweets and that the police now say that they are looking into the larger conspiracy and funding. She submitted that all these issues are already covered by the FIR registered in Delhi and her client's electronic devices have already been seized.

"This kind of targeting must end. This is an abuse of the process of law," she said.

After hearing arguments, the bench said: "Since the petition is not on board today, we direct the registry to list the matter on July 20. In the meantime, we direct that no precipitative action whatsoever be taken against the petitioner in 5 FIRs without the leave of the court." Zubair moved the Supreme Court seeking to quash six FIRs registered against him by the Uttar Pradesh Police, over his tweets and also sought interim bail in the FIRs. The plea has also challenged the constitution of a special investigative team (SIT) to probe these cases.

On July 12, the Supreme Court extended the interim bail it granted to Zubair in the case registered against him at Sitapur.

The top court has listed the matter for final disposal on September 7. The bench noted that the state government seeks time to file a counter affidavit and allowed the government to file a reply within 4 weeks and rejoinder within 2 weeks thereafter. "Interim bail in Sitapur FIR case shall continue till further orders. List for final disposal on September 7, 2022," the bench said.
New Delhi, July 18 : Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday described his stewardship of the last 13 sessions as a "learning, revealing and even a testing experience".

Naidu, who is presiding over the last session of his tenure, stated 57 per cent of the sittings of the House were either fully or partly disrupted during this period and urged the Members to rise to address the demands of the next 25 years of 'Amrit Kaal' by the end of which the country's population is set to increase by another 20 crore.

In his opening remarks in the House on the first day of the Monsoon Session that got underway on Monday, Naidu said that he did his best for effective functioning of the House and was willing to take responsibility if his best was found short of the expectations.

"Dealing with about 245 Members of the House from over 30 parties with different minds, inclinations and ideologies is quite revealing and even a testing experience. I tried to the best of my abilities to draw the best out of all of you as a collective. The credit for the positives would entirely go to all of you. If my best was found to be short of your expectations, I would not hesitate to take responsibility for the same,'' he said.

Stating that he would give a detailed perspective account of the functioning of the House during the last 13 sessions of his tenure on his last day in office next month, Naidu told the House that the members that 141 of the 248 scheduled full sittings of the House during this period were either fully or partly disrupted and it could have been much better given the mission for the nation.

Noting that this monsoon session would be the last in the 75th year of Independence of the country, Naidu said that the 25 year 'Amrit Kaal' beginning thereafter is critical to take the country to an entirely new plane and urged the Members to rise to the occasion.

He expected this Monsoon Session to set the right tone in this regard.

"I would expect all of you to be propelled by the spirit of 'New India at 100' so that our nation makes up for missed time and opportunities. Our population will increase by about 20 crore when Independent India turns 100 years. The challenges and opportunities that come with it need to be addressed with a long term vision and imagination. Members of Parliament need to rise to the occasion," Naidu said.

He further told the Members that during the inter-session period, seven Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees of the House have held a total of 29 meetings at an average duration of two hours and attendance of over 46 per cent per meeting.

He complimented the chairmen and members of five of these committees for their good work.

Naidu referred to the milestone of 200 crore Covid-19 vaccination jabs in the country achieved on Sunday and placed on record the appreciation of the House to vaccine makers and producers, the Central and state governments, the frontline workers and the people in particular.

The Chairman urged the Members to enable a safe and productive monsoon session of the House.
What: PanXchange, the Midwest Hemp Council and Hemp Alliance of Tennessee Announce Partnership for Climate Smart Agriculture

Whats New: Association members will receive added value in education and pricing data, along with access to PanXchanges inclusive voluntary carbon credit market platform.

Find out more at: PanXchange.com, Midwest Hemp Council and Hemp Alliance of Tennessee.

PanXchange, a commodity market structure solution and benchmark price provider for agricultural commodities, announced that the company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two organizations representing independent US farmers. The partnership will offer a path to financial incentives for carbon sequestration by US agricultural producers.

Julie Lerner, founder and CEO of PanXchange, states, Partnering with strong agricultural membership organizations like the Midwest Hemp Council (MHC) and Hemp Alliance of Tennessee (HAT) is a win/win for all involved. She further explained, "We aim to be the most accessible, economical path towards remuneration for carbon smart agricultural practices for smaller-scale farmers who face barriers to participate in the voluntary carbon credit market."

The partnerships will allow farmers in the network to take advantage of PanXchange's deep knowledge of commodity trading and the potential impact of implementing climate-smart practices. Specifically, its carbon program that provides farmers a viable path toward financial rewards for implementing regenerative agricultural practices. Moreover, Lerner explains that the PanXchange program gives farmers full ownership of the carbon credits earned and full agency to market the credits directly to buyers through its online trade platform.

We aim to be the most accessible, economical path towards remuneration for carbon smart agricultural practices for smaller-scale farmers who face barriers to participate in the voluntary carbon credit market, Lerner said.

The company already has 31,000 acres of croplands committed to the program for the 2023 crop year.

Other aspects of the MOU include:



PanXchanges carbon program will be the preferred vendor for independent producers who are members of HAT and MHC under the new agreement.

PanXchange will serve as the preferred vendor for commodity trading and market fundamental data, such as pricing data, for members of MHC and HAT.

MHC and HAT will partner with PanXchange to craft joint educational programming on carbon credits and regenerative agriculture.

PanXchange will serve as MHC and HATs preferred vendor for research projects involving climate-smart commodity markets and climate-smart practices.

Small-scale independent farmers need an on-ramp to the voluntary carbon market so they can be rewarded for sustainable practices that can help our soil and our planet, said Frederick Cawthon, president of Hemp Alliance of Tennessee. Were proud to partner with PanXchange to make sustainable agricultural practices more accessible to our members; creating a stronger industry depends on collaboration across disciplines.

The Hemp Alliance of Tennessee recently announced a partnership with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the University of Tennessee to lead a study on the feasibility of the production of hemp fiber in the state.

Farmers need no-nonsense educational resources about the opportunities and rewards of carbon credits, so those who make climate-smart growing choices will reap the benefits of those decisions, said Jamie Campbell Petty, co-founder and executive director of Midwest Hemp Council. Since 2015, the driving factor for Midwest Hemp Council has been increasing environmental and economic diversification for farmers through hemp as a crop option. This partnership underscores our commitment to our members and the industry, from seed to shelf. PanXchange shares this commitment. Now, through their proven expertise and experience, PanXchange will be the gateway for our members access to the benefits of climate-smart practices.

About PanXchange: PanXchange specializes in creating ESG-focused physical commodity trading markets and benchmark pricing for better risk management. The firm is launching a vertically integrated and inclusive agricultural carbon program relying on its strong foundation in regenerative agriculture to generate carbon credits for sale on its platform. In doing so, PanXchange has developed buyer-approved and farmer-friendly carbon project methodologies for croplands and grasslands to lower the cost of entry for the average farmer.

About Midwest Hemp Council: Midwest Hemp Council stands as a credible information center, a trusted policy advocate and a dedicated trade organization for the hemp industry in Indiana and beyond. Since 2015, we have focused on a full plant economy, from seed to shelf, supporting full access to hemp as a diversified crop option.

About Hemp Alliance of Tennessee: Founded in 2020, The Hemp Alliance of Tennessee is a nonprofit trade association centered around empowering and growing a thriving hemp industry in the state of Tennessee. We support ethical business practices, including accuracy in labeling, use of environmentally-friendly technologies, sustainable and organic agriculture, a concern for human rights, and a drive to ensure we are creating high-quality products.

For more information Contact PanXchange: 877-917-9658 or info@panxchange.com

Contact: Frederick Cawthon, Hemp Alliance of Tennessee info@yourhat.org

Contact: Jamie Campbell Petty, Midwest Hemp Council: jamie@midwesthempcouncil.net
ABOVE Home Health today is excited to announce its partnership with the transformative new home care model called Vivia, which has been operating in Hawai`i for the past two years with remarkable results.

Over the past three years, ABOVE Home Health has experienced rapid growth. We have grown from initial three employees to more than 20, said Natalya Rubel, Chief Executive Officer of ABOVE Home Health. Despite this growth, something was still missing with the current homecare models. No in-home health service could meet community requests for shorter, more frequent visits. Now, with Vivia, we are excited to begin offering frequent, shorter visits by a consistent caregiver, which half of our clients have been requesting. Adding the Vivia service line will enable our continued growth and also allows us to begin offering a full-time, stable and attractive job opportunity to caregivers throughout Thurston County.

According to the most recent Washington State Plan on Aging report, Washingtons population of 65+ forecast is projected to at least double from 2010 (828,000) to 2040 (1,995,000) representing 22% of the states total population. Current gains per year of 40,000 persons age 65+ per year are expected to sustain through 2028. The need for in-home care is only increasing and the report notes that the available workforce is not able to meet these demands under current models. Introducing the Vivia model to Washington allows Above Home Health to meet the communitys needs by serving many more seniors.

Vivia by ABOVE Home Health is an entirely new way to experience in-home care. With Vivia, a senior is assigned a consistent Vivia Assistant and Vivia Team Leader who serve them along with a group of clients who live within a close geographic neighborhood. This enables the senior to receive consistent, frequent, and shorter visits by the same Vivia Assistant and there are no minimum hours required to be purchased.

Vivia Assistants are trained to deliver value to each family by understanding and achieving each familys specific goals. In addition to a consistent caregiver who helps with various homecare tasks and provides social engagement, the family can choose how often they would like services, including frequent, short visits several times a day. There are no minimum hours required and families develop a close working relationship with their neighborhood Vivia Assistant. Common family requests include:

 check-in visits a couple of times during the day while family is at work,

 daily in-person medication reminder visits to stay on schedule, or

 help with showers a few times a week.

Were so pleased to be adding Olympia as a service area to our growing network of affiliates, said Dew-Anne Langcaon, Vivias Chief Executive Officer. Vivias innovative model not only transforms the experience for seniors, but also transforms the job for caregivers by offering higher wages, guaranteed hours, and a company car for transportation to attract Vivia Assistants, thus making services much more readily available to many seniors. If a senior needs more care, Vivia Team Leaders work closely with ABOVE Home Healths traditional caregivers to coordinate services. For families, this is a seamless experience, while the Vivia Team provide solutions, even while waiting for traditional extended-hour caregiver resources to become available.

Vivia is also backed by a proprietary software and mobile app that connects the senior's home to the agency and allows for seamless communication, coordination and transparency for family members and accountability via GPS location visit tracking, task completion and verified activities for families' peace of mind.

Recently, Vivia was recognized as one of the nations Top Innovators of 2021 by national publication The CEO Views and in May 2022 won Hawaii Business Magazines SmallBiz Award in the healthcare category.

Vivias technology offered exactly what we needed to help scale and grow our service to clients, said Natalya Rubel. We were looking for a very specific software system that integrated health records, scheduling, care documentation and compliance and found it in Vivias innovation.

About ABOVE Home Health, LLC

ABOVE Home Health, LLC has been serving Washington area seniors since 2019, promoting health, independence, safety, and emotional balance. In 2022, ABOVE Home Health partnered with Vivia Cares, Inc. to the expand the transformative neighborhood model and opening access to home care services to the many seniors who desire assistance to remain independent at home in Olympia, WA. ABOVE Home Health is built on the foundation of the commitment to provide home healthcare to patients as if they were their own family! ABOVE Home Health goes above and beyond to help families realize their goals for health, safety and emotional balance. Learn more at http://www.abovehh.com.

About Vivia Cares, Inc.

Vivia Cares, Inc. was born out of the passion of its founders to bridge the widening chasm between the kind of in-home care services seniors and families wanted and what was available given the severe workforce shortage of home caregivers. Their innovative neighborhood model of care enables families to enjoy frequent visits by the same caregiving team that are consistent, reliable, and lower in cost than traditional hourly services. The Vivia model is powered by its own unique software and mobile app that facilitates efficiency in its services, allows for mobile communication with Vivia Assistants, and truly incorporate the family caregiver as a meaningful part of the caregiving team. Learn more at http://www.viviacares.com.
On 18 May, within the framework of a Coordinated Border Management event, organized jointly by the Federal Revenue of Brazil and PROCOMEX in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, a multilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for the implementation of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programmes in the Americas was signed by eleven customs administrations, namely Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic and Uruguay.

On this occasion, the Customs administration of Guatemala, as Regional Vice-Chair for the WCO Americas/Caribbean region, noted that this achievement marks not only a new milestone for Customs-to-Customs relationship, as recommended under Pillar I of the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, but also further consolidates trust between Customs and Private Sector. The Vice-Chair also underscored the role of the Regional Private Sector Group for the Americas and the Caribbean in this process, as well as the support of the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation during joint AEO validation visits. He also thanked the signatory Customs administrations as well as the WCO Secretariat for providing technical support as well as assistance with the implementation of instruments to improve Customs performance.
Car Wars is excited to announce a partnership with Kenect, a leader in the texting platform space, to bring automotive and RV dealers a best-in-class combined offering of call tracking and texting platforms.

Typically, to allow customers to both text and call the business, a dealership would have to provide customers with a line for texting and a line for phone calls. This experience is cumbersome for customers, and also results in a loss of both phone calls and texts when customers attempt to text or call a number without the correct functionality.

Dealerships who partner with Kenect and Car Wars can streamline communication and instantly connect customers with their intended party. By leveraging the integration, your customers can call and text via the same phone number. Text messages will show in Kenect so agents can quickly handle the conversation, calls on that same line will connect to the intended party at the dealership and provide tracking, categorization, and reporting on those phone calls through Car Wars.

These exchanges will provide dealers with up-to-date customer records in CRM for a modernized workflow.

"The number of consumers who consider texting as their preferred method of communication with dealerships is ever-increasing, especially in the Service Department. Kenect is one of the most powerful texting platforms on the market with intelligent routing, auto response capabilities, and can even facilitate payments, says Car Wars CEO, Stephen Bay. We're excited to bring them into the Car Wars ecosystem as a valued partner with a tight integration that we know will deliver return for our customers."

As the partnership continues, Car Wars and Kenect will innovate to provide improved customer experience and transparency over both calls and texts.

Kenect is excited to team up with Car Wars. This integration will be a game-changer in the industry, allowing businesses to send and receive text messages from their business' number, collect payments, and generate leads through texting. We're so thrilled to be partners with a great company like Car Wars, to add even more tools to help businesses succeed, said Shaun Sorensen, Kenect CEO.

---

About Kenect

Kenect helps businesses connect with their customers. We build simple texting tools that are elegant and easy-to-use. Thousands of companies across North America use our platform to text their customers, generate online reviews, gather leads from their websites, video chat, and collect payments.

Based in the Silicon Slopes of Utah, our team is committed to helping businesses improve their customer experience and customer communication.

To learn more about Kenect, visit kenect.com or text us at (888) 972-7422.

About Car Wars

Car Wars, a division of Call Box, leverages human reviews, artificial intelligence, and seamless integrations with top automotive CRMs to equip Sales and Service departments with everything they need to Own the Phone. By listening to and categorizing every inbound and outbound call at a dealership, Car Wars provides managers with insight into how every call is handled, alerts them when an opportunity needs attention, and actively improves phone performance in both Sales and Service.

Car Wars uses transparent accountability alongside live call insight to create a high-powered phone culture that helps more callers faster and, ultimately, converts more phone calls into booked appointments.

Questions or want to learn more? Contact us at content@carwars.com
Accion Systems, a leading manufacturer of the worlds most advanced ion electrospray in-space propulsion systems, today announced it will donate its scalable propulsion technology to the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys upcoming BeaverCube mission. BeaverCube is a nationwide educational mission to introduce high school students to aerospace science and technology through designing a 3U CubeSat. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station in July, where it will be deployed for operations later in 2022.

Accions TILE (Tiled Ionic Liquid Electrospray) propulsion system will be installed on MITs 3U BeaverCube spacecraft and will be used to demonstrate the applicability of the electrospray system for smallsat use. The TILE system will raise and lower the orbit of the spacecraft to demonstrate the technology and aid the students in learning about in-space propulsion and maneuvering.

All of us at Accion are rooting for the students and educators that make up the BeaverCube team and are proud to be joining them on this journey, said Courtney Oliver, Vice President of Product at Accion Systems. Working with the students reminds us that the future is bright for the growing space industry. We are excited to contribute our propulsion capabilities to their journey.

BeaverCube is overseen at MIT by The Space Telecommunications, Astronomy and Radiation (STAR) Laboratory, led by Professor Kerri Cahoy. The STAR Lab is part of the Space Systems Laboratory in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT.

BeaverCube was selected by NASA as part of the organizations CubeSat Launch Initiative, which to date has launched over 140 CubeSats on more than 40 missions as part of the Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) through NASAs Launch Services Program.

About Accion Systems

Accion Systems develops advanced satellite propulsion systems for the space industry.

Accions in-space propulsion technologies optimize scalability, performance, and efficiency. Accions flagship product, TILE, uses proprietary ion electrospray thrusters, bringing electric propulsion to satellites of all sizes and redefining in-space capabilities. Accion Systems was founded in 2014 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Visit:https://www.accion-systems.com
The process of healing starts when a decision is made to get help. Supportive withdrawal management at the detox level of care is crucial for the healing process, and our caring medical and clinical teams are dedicated to meeting people where they are and guiding them forward.

Origins Behavioral HealthCare is pleased to announce the launch of its premier medical detox facility for the Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding metro areas. Restored Path Detox will open its doors on August 1st, 2022. This tailored program will serve as a sanctuary of recovery from all types of substance use and will meet the critical local need for a standalone, state-of-the-art detoxification facility.

With an emphasis on providing the ultimate in comfort and privacy, Restored Path Detox features 24/7 medical supervision and a compassionate team of medical professionals and clinicians with years of withdrawal management experience. Upscale amenities will include spacious private and semi-private rooms, flat-screen televisions, private bathrooms, queen-size beds, gourmet meals provided by local restaurants, and inviting common spaces, including an outdoor courtyard. In addition, patients will enjoy cable, high-speed Wi-Fi, and access to their electronics and cellular phones, as clinically appropriate.

Jim Caldwell, Origins Behavioral HealthCare's CEO, is passionate about business ventures that positively impact peoples' lives and is excited that Restored Path Detox will play a critical role in helping patients and their families recover from the hopelessness of addiction.

Caldwell says, "based on our experience treating individuals in the DFW metroplex with substance use disorders, we realized there was a great need for a free-standing medical detox facility. Detox is often the first step in an individual's recovery journey. Restored Path Detox will safely detox patients in a comfortable residential setting and provide initial therapy designed to ensure the patient continues on their path to wellness. We look forward to collaborating with our many colleagues in the treatment professions as we provide their patients with high-quality medical and clinical care."

The facility works with most major insurance companies to offer detox from all types of substances, including alcohol, heroin, cocaine, suboxone, opioids, methadone, benzodiazepines, crystal meth and stimulants, Ambien, and other drugs.

Alison Watros is the Executive Director of Restored Path Detox. Before this role, she served as the Executive Director of Origins Counseling, founder and CEO of Windhaven House, and co-founder of Windhaven Counseling Center. She has a passion for helping people sustain long-term recovery from substance use disorders and has over twenty years of experience in the field.

Watros says, the process of healing starts when a decision is made to get help. Supportive withdrawal management at the detox level of care is crucial for the healing process, and our caring medical and clinical teams are dedicated to meeting people where they are and guiding them forward. We are passionate about recovery and will offer an inviting, recovery-oriented option for detox. I am excited that we are introducing this much-needed resource to our local community and the entire Restored Path team looks forward to setting patients on a path for long-term success."

For more information about the grand opening of Restored Path Detox or to attend our Open House on July 26th, call 1.855.740.4673. All calls are free and confidential.

About Origins Behavioral HealthCare

Origins Behavioral HealthCare offers a range of treatment programs targeting recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical and medical care for substance use and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting recovery. Visit OriginsRecovery.com or call 1.844.843.8935.

About Restored Path Detox -- An Origins Behavioral HealthCare Facility

The experts at Restored Path Detox have decades of experience in withdrawal management from a wide range of addictive substances. We leverage evidence-based medical care in a tranquil environment to deliver care that helps patients feel at home. Regardless of background, medical history, or the substances used, we can help you safely and comfortably overcome withdrawal complications. Our multidisciplinary team also provides support for co-occurring disorders and co-morbid medical conditions for patients of all ages, including younger, middle-aged, and older adults. We work with most major insurance providers and are conveniently located in the Dallas Metroplex. Call 1.855.740.4673 today for more information.
"We're thrilled to add these three strong female financial professionals to our Board who are committed to bringing gender and racial equity to the financial markets and are helping us expand our program to more students, cities and schools,"

Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS) is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) organization that provides a financial and investment literacy program designed to bring both gender and racial equity to the financial markets and spark the interest of high school girls into careers of finance - discipline in the M of STEM. The program runs throughout the academic year, where female financial professionals provide first-hand instruction on saving, investing, and budgeting at their local high schools. Industry volunteers go into high school classrooms across 34 cities in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. and provide instruction on project-based learning techniques. These subjects include stock research and analysis, market assessments, saving and budgeting as well as college and career mentoring sessions. The program offers a Wall Street Experience field trip held at a local financial institution to learn about financial careers. Graduates of the program then have access to the newly launched RTSWS Internship and Job Portal to gain entry into the profession.

New to the Board of Directors:



Olaolu Aganga, Senior Client CIO for Endowments and Foundations, BlackRock

Michelle Borre Senior Portfolio Manager, Head of Fundamental Alternative Strategies, Invesco, Retired

Penny Novick, Managing Director, Institutional Equity Division (IED), Global Co-Head of Prime Brokerage, Morgan Stanley

"We're thrilled to add these three strong female financial professionals to our Board who are committed to bringing gender and racial equity to the financial markets and are helping us expand our program to more students, cities and schools," said Maura Cunningham, Founder and CEO of Rock The Street, Wall Street. "To close the gender gap in wages, income, wealth accumulation and in the financial professions, we have to inspire girls to pursue the M in STEM by sparking their interest at a critical juncture in their lives, pre-college planning. STEM professions lift families out of poverty in one generation and we are grateful to our Board of Directors members for helping us make this mission possible."

Since its founding in 2013, more than 5,000 girls have gone through the RTSWS program. Upon completion of the program, students comprehension of financial and investment concepts improve by an average of 78%, and their interest in pursuing a degree in finance, economics, or related field is five times higher than the national average of the average woman attending college. 73% of our students are from BIPOC populations and 48% are from low-income households.

About Our New Board of Directors Olaolu Aganga has expertise that spans across asset allocation, portfolio construction, advisory, derivatives, factor-based strategies, overlay strategies, and outsourced CIO. Olaolu is responsible for the investment performance on client mandates and for delivering the best of BlackRock's investment thinking. Prior to joining BlackRock in April 2018, Olaolu spent seven years at Goldman Sachs. While there, she advised institutional clients on a variety of investment solutions, including the use of factor-based strategies and derivatives to optimize their investment exposure. Prior to Goldman, she spent six years at Citigroup in various structuring, advisory and trading roles. Olaolu earned a BA in Mathematics from Smith College and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Olaolu served on the Stanford Graduate School of Business Alumni Board from 2019  2022.

Michelle Borre is an accomplished financial services professional, with expertise in investing, business strategy, and teaching. She is currently focused on financial education through non-

profit organizations providing personal finance instruction for young people and as the founder of a nascent financial education platform. Michelle was most recently Senior Portfolio Manager, Head of Fundamental Alternative Strategies at Invesco, a position she held following a merger with OppenheimerFunds, the firm she was with for 17 years. She spearheaded numerous diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Michelle holds a bachelors degree from Barnard College, Columbia University Cum Laude, Deans List and Departmental Honors and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, Deans List and membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society. Michelle was an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School for a decade and is a member of several professional organizations, including the CFA Institute, the CFA Society New York, and The Economic Club of New York.

Penny Novick is a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley within the Institutional Equity Division (IED) as the Global Co-Head of Prime Brokerage and is a senior member of the management team serving within the Equity Operating Committee. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2000, she held positions within PriceWaterhouseCoopers Consulting and Audit practices. She serves on three advisory councils for Cornell University, is on the Managed Funds Associations Board of Directors as well as two MS Divisional Diversity Councils. Penny holds a BS from Cornell University, graduating with distinction, and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. She also holds a CPA license with the State of New York (inactive status).

About Rock The Street, Wall Street

Rock The Street, Wall Street is a financial and investment literacy program designed to bring both gender and racial equity to the financial markets and spark the interest of high school girls into careers of finance. Girls learn about positive money management habits and the capital markets, while simultaneously helping them see the real-world application of the math content they learn in the classroom. RTSWS programs are funded by sponsors; volunteers are female financial professionals who go into local high schools to teach the M in STEM, and serve as real-life role models and mentors for girls. RTSWS programs provide a strong focus on the barriers that need to be removed and the types of interventions that lift students interest, commitment, and ability to persist in the M of the STEM fields. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., RTSWS programs were in 51 high schools across 26 cities in the U.S. and Canada for the 2021-22 academic school year. In the fall of 2022, RTSWS will launch its first overseas chapter in London. RTSWS is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Almasol, LEs exclusive solid EP additive, provides an extra layer of wear protection to the proven technology of Easy Bar.

Lubrication Engineers and Easy Bar have partnered to develop a new high-performance solid lubricant bar to help kiln operators solve their toughest lubrication challenges. Easy Bar with Almasol (9210) features a unique blend of mineral and metal lubricants suspended in a solid polymer binder that melts at approximately 49C (120F). Almasol, LEs exclusive solid EP additive, provides an extra layer of wear protection to the proven technology of Easy Bar.

When the bar is placed between the tire bore and shell, the binder melts  leaving no residue  and the rolling action of the kiln distributes the lubricant to create a film that protects against costly steel-on-steel contact. Due to high temperatures and high loads, proper lubrication of the tire bore is essential to minimize shell ovality, protect wear pads, and lengthen refractory life. The auto-ignition point of the bar is 538C (1,000F), one of the highest in the industry, which prevents dangerous flame-ups.

Easy Bar has been the industry standard for solid bar technology since 1995, literally setting the bar when it comes to protecting the inside tire bore of rotary kilns and dryers. Its patented solid bar lubricant has prevented unplanned downtime and reduced costs for organizations around the world.

With Lubrication Engineers and its large network of U.S. consultants and international distributors, we can reach even more kiln operators, helping them with a holistic approach that includes their other lubrication reliability needs, said Clay Lockett CEO, of Easy Bar. With our 30 years of serving the industrial lubricant marketplace, we are excited to partner with a great lubrication company that is focused on helping customers. Together, we will work to lower total cost of ownership for cement, pulp and paper, and other operations that use kilns and dryers.

Easy Bar with Almasol is available to ship worldwide. Call 800-537-7683 or visit http://www.LElubricants.com for more about this and other LE products and services, or to find an LE consultant near you.

About Lubrication Engineers

A leader in lubricants since 1951, Lubrication Engineers is a trusted reliability partner to companies in a variety of industries worldwide. LE creates solutions for tough lubrication challenges, protecting its customers profits through longer equipment life, extended service intervals, reduced energy use, fewer repairs, and less inventory. It does this with trained consultants, technical expertise, reliability products and services, and a full line of enhanced lubricants manufactured at its plant in Wichita, Kan. LE formulates its industrial and automotive lubricants from high-quality base oils and proprietary additives, ensuring they exceed the performance of ordinary oils and greases. From its warehouses in Wichita, Tennessee and California, the company distributes products around the globe. It has distributors in more than 60 countries and operates under an ISO 9001 Certified Quality System
Fort Smith Public Schools' new Blue Bird Vision Type C buses equipped with ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel technology will be used daily to transport special needs students. Fort Smith Public Schools joins more than a 1,000 school districts across the country transitioning to clean-operating, low-cost propane buses. In addition to reducing emissions, districts are reporting that their total cost of ownership for propane buses is lower than with any other fuel.

Three clean-operating propane school buses arrived at Fort Smith Public Schools this month, marking the districts first alternatively fueled bus purchase. Amid rising gas and diesel prices, the district expects to save 60% in fuel costs and thousands of dollars more in maintenance costs.

Our district is excited about our new propane buses cost-saving benefits to help meet budgets and emissions-reducing benefits that are better for student health and the environment, said Dennis Siebenmorgen, transportation director of Fort Smith Public Schools. Were proud to be leading Arkansas to a cleaner future to improve the quality of air for kids, families, drivers and our community.

Fort Smith Public Schools currently runs 83 buses with 55 routes each day. The new Blue Bird Vision Type C buses equipped with ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel technology will be used daily to transport special needs students.

Fort Smith Public Schools joins more than a 1,000 school districts across the country transitioning to clean-operating, low-cost propane buses, said Steve Ahrens, Arkansas Propane Gas Associations executive director. In addition to reducing emissions, districts are reporting that their total cost of ownership for propane buses is lower than with any other fuel.

Many districts are tapping into state and federal funding. To help purchase the buses, Fort Smith Public Schools received funding from the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment. Additional funding for propane buses is available this year for Arkansas schools who qualify for the Environmental Protection Agencys Clean School Bus Rebate Program.

The school district added an on-site propane fueling station and locked in a long-term fuel price to help with yearlong budgeting.

Installing a propane fueling station costs less than any other transportation fueling infrastructure, said Gary Tedford, regional sales manager with Central States Bus. Plus, propane buses fuel as quickly and easily as gasoline or diesel buses.

Bus drivers and students who ride propane buses have significantly reduced exposure to harmful nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, soot and particulate matter. Fort Smith Public Schools three propane buses will emit about 2,600 fewer pounds of nitrogen oxides and 6,700 fewer pounds of carbon oxides each year compared to the aging diesel buses they replace.

###

About APGA: Arkansas Propane Gas Association represents the propane industry in the state of Arkansas. Its membership includes small businesses and large corporations engaged in the retail marketing of propane gas and appliances; producers and wholesalers of propane equipment; manufacturers and distributors of propane gas appliances and equipment; fabricators of propane gas cylinders and tanks; and propane transporters. For more information, visit arkansaspropane.com.
Patrick Young, an educator, businessman, organizer, and advocate currently serving as the Gun Violence Prevention Manager for the city of New Orleans, has completed his new book A Way Up: Economic Development Post Incarceration Workbook: a helpful guide for those released from prison looking to remain out of the system and not return to a life of crime due to financial issues.

A Way Up is a project very dear to my heart, writes Young. Apart from the fact that it reflects my personal life story, I am much more taken by the experiences of thousands, if not millions, of others who are presently incarcerated or who had seen what life behind bars is in todays cruel criminal justice system and presently trying to become productive members of the society once again. I wanted the book to bring them hope, faith, and belief. I wanted it to make them become mentally unstoppable while in incarceration. I wanted the book to help them take ultimate responsibility for their lives and believe that only they can truly chart the course of their destiny and shape their life outcomes. I wanted them to know that prison is not the end of the world. I wanted them to see the post-incarceration success story of Jeff Henderson, Lawrence Carpenter, Roy Castro, and Marian Hatcher among many others, and believe that despite the well-documented avalanche of recidivism-fostering challenges out there, they can also become successful and go all the way to live the best version of their lives. I wanted them to stop focusing on getting out but getting up and achieving economic relevance because only that would keep them from going back to their former lives and then back to prison.

And then theres the vicious cycle of mass incarceration and poverty feeding into each other to deny Americans, especially Blacks and others from minority communities that rimmed of economic disruptions, the chance to become successful economically. This is why focusing on staying up and not just getting out of prison means breaking the cycle of poverty. That means mastering the principles of wealth creation. That means forging an unstoppable mentality that the prison bars cannot hold you back from your dreams. That means giving in to constant and never-ending improvement, recognizing your gifts, connecting them to a wealth vehicle, and creating value in the marketplace. That means youve resolved to not just survive but thrive and create generational wealth. That is what this book is all about.

Published by Page Publishing, Patrick Youngs manual to financial and personal success after incarceration focuses on building habits to ensure a bright future after serving ones time. By breaking down each step and allowing readers to reflect on each section through interactive portions, Young presents a tool by which former prisoners can learn to take control of their lives and not slip back into a life of crime, thus breaking the cycle of incarceration.

Readers who wish to experience this impactful work can purchase A Way Up: Economic Development Post Incarceration Workbook at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
I wanted this to be the first novel to allow Earp to directly narrate his own story, as if he were speaking to a friend; Knief said, a friend he could trust with his deepest secrets. This is a historical novel, but it is not 100% factual, as many of the facts remain hidden.

In 1910, famous lawman Wyatt Earp and his wife, Josephine, have been living in Los Angeles for four years and now are broke. Now sixty-two, the Old West icon is forced to return to his career in law enforcement with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and ends up creating an international incident.

In A Handful of Dust, by award-winning author Charles Knief, readers are provided a first-hand look at the exciting tale of Wyatt Earps final gunfight. Knief spent ten years researching the facts, traveling to Searles Valley and throughout the Southwest, tracking down the trail Earp had left behind, to create a factual, yet entertaining, historical fiction novel, told in first-person from Wyatt Earps point of view.

I wanted this to be the first novel to allow Earp to directly narrate his own story, as if he were speaking to a friend; Knief said, a friend he could trust with his deepest secrets. This is a historical novel, but it is not 100% factual, as many of the facts remain hidden. So I held to that iconic line from John Fords The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.

The story centers on Earps work for the LAPD tracking bail skips. In true Wyatt Earp fashion, he creates an international incident by kidnapping two murder suspects from Mexico and bringing them back across the border, while staying two steps ahead of the Mexican cavalry. When he is fired from the LAPD, he is offered a job to run off a group of trespassers from a mine in Searles Valley, Calif. After partnering with Bat Masterson, his friend of 40 years, Wyatt ends up riding into the biggest gunfight of his life.

Kniefs previous publications, a four-book private eye series, was optioned for television by Warner Bros. and Jerry Bruckheimer and twice for film by Mariel Hemingway and actor Scott Glenn. Knief is currently finishing the sequel, with more of Wyatt, Josephine, King and Bat, also based on real events.

A Handful of Dust

By Charles Knief

ISBN: 9781665715508 (softcover); 9781665715485 (hardcover); 9781665715492 (electronic)

Available at Archway Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Charles Knief is an engineer with more than 50 years of experience. He has lived and worked on five continents, and his clients have included the United States Air Force and Space Command, the U.S. Navy, the US Marines, American insurance companies and sheriffs departments and law enforcement throughout the country. Knief previously published a series of four novels about the fictional private investigator John Caine. The first, Diamond Head, won the SMP/PWA Best First Private Eye novel in 1995.


This clinic is a great opportunity for us to meet the needs of our patients in the community due to growth in the Wellington and north Fort Collins area. We look forward to helping the community stay in motion. -- Brenda Cummings, Colorado in Motion COO

Colorado In Motion (CIM) is pleased to announce its newest clinic opened Saturday, July 18th, in Fort Collins, CO. Located at 331 Hickory St. Unit 130, Building 2, the clinic is CIMs 7th location.

Brenda Cummings, CIMs COO, will serve as the Old Town North Clinic Director until a permanent CD is identified.

CIM specializes in providing exceptional physical therapy through a combination of evidence-based practice, care excellence, and clinical excellence. Services offered by the Old Town North clinic will include orthopedic manual physical therapy and hand therapy.

I am excited to be opening this new location in Old Town North, and to help grow the CIM team, says Cummings. This clinic is a great opportunity for us to meet the needs of our patients in the community due to growth in the Wellington and north Fort Collins area. We look forward to helping the community stay in motion.

For more information about the new Old Town North clinic and a full list of CIMs services and offerings, please visit https://coloradoinmotion.com/locations/. To book an appointment at our new location, please call 970-221-1201.

About CIM

Colorado in Motion (CIM) is a Colorado-based, private physical therapy practice group. As a proud member of the Confluent Health family, CIM positively impacts patients' lives by delivering the best care and results through proven research, innovative treatments and technologies, and an approach that treats patients like family. For more information, visit coloradoinmotion.com, or find them on Facebook at @coloradoinmotion.
We strongly believe that emergency physicians should be fairly reimbursed for the delivery of emergency care, and payers should do their part to not undermine the emergency medical health care delivery system or the overall health of our healthcare system.

The Emergency Department Practice Management Association (EDPMA) is concerned that payers are denying payments to emergency medicine physicians for essential and lifesaving care they provide to patients.

EDPMA believes that emergency physicians should be able to deliver high-quality, cost effective care in the emergency department and that payers should reimburse highly-trained emergency physicians based on a patients presenting symptoms.

However, many payers prioritize profits over patient care with the systemic practice to unnecessarily delay, deny, or reduce payments. EDPMA believes this is wrong and advocates on the regulatory, federal, and state levels to combat this practice on behalf of its members.

EDPMA also supports the efforts of our member organizations to advocate on behalf of their emergency physicians, such as Fremont Emergency Services' litigation to hold UnitedHealthcare accountable for its policy to withhold payment to ER doctors after services have been rendered. In this vein, we support our colleagues efforts to advocate for emergency physicians and patients by any means necessary, including litigation.

"EDPMA continues to hold payers accountable for systemic practices that do not acknowledge or compensate for medical decision making in the emergency department, says Don Powell, DO, FACEP, EDPMA Chair of the Board. We strongly believe that emergency physicians should be fairly reimbursed for the delivery of emergency care, and payers should do their part to not undermine the emergency medical health care delivery system or the overall health of our healthcare system. EDPMA is in the business of emergency medicine and will continue to advocate for its members and patients.

About EDPMA

The Emergency Department Practice Management Association (EDPMA) is the nations largest professional physician trade association focused on the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective care in the emergency department. EDPMAs membership includes emergency medicine physician groups of all sizes, as well as billing, coding, and other professional support organizations that assist healthcare providers in our nations emergency departments. Together, EDPMAs members deliver (or directly support) health care for about half of the 146 million patients that visit U.S. emergency departments each year. Visit http://www.edpma.org.
The Best and Brightest competition seeks to identify and honor companies that have proven their commitment to excellence throughout company operations and employee enrichment.

Everest Business Funding recently has been awarded two honorable titles, including a 2022 Winner for Miamis Best and Brightest Companies to Work For and a 2022 Winner for the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation. The Best and Brightest competition seeks to identify and honor companies that have proven their commitment to excellence throughout company operations and employee enrichment.

The revenue-based financing organization works hard to always put employee needs first while setting high standards for HR and business practices. These actions were what Everest Business Funding is recognized for embracing even during previous and present economic hardships.

The National Association for Business Resources (NABR), which has conducted the Best and Brightest competitions for more than 20 years, announced the awards for the newest 2022 Best and Brightest Regional Competition Winners from major cities including Miami, Denver, Charlotte, and Nashville. The Best and Brightest program recognized 19 winning organizations, like Everest Business Funding, from these four cities out of 100 nominations. The companies who received the award came out on top after being assessed by an independent research firm and other competing companies.

President and CEO of NABR and The Best and Brightest Program, Jennifer Kluge, states that winners have proven they are an employer of choice while continuing to progress during uncertain times and never compromising the needs of employees, and maintaining such conditions as a top company priority. Those businesses who receive this honorable name uphold the best Human Resource practices and are leaders in the professional world for setting and meeting modern-day employment standards.

On a national scale, there were 139 organizations that stood out and were awarded the spring Best and Brightest Companies To Work For in the Nation, including Everest Business Funding. There were a total of 1,100 nominations from across the United States. The application process for summer, fall, and winter is currently still accepting nominations, and winners will be recognized in August and November.

Due to Everest Business Funding receiving awards on both a regional and national level, the company will be honored on two separate occasions. All 2022 Best and Brightest regional competition winners were celebrated the week of July 11, 2022, during the virtual Best and Brightest Conference. As for the 2022 Spring National winning companies, their moment of honor will come in November of 2022 and Spring of 2023 during the virtual Illuminate Business Summit.

For more information about Everest Business Fundings recent achievements and the quality services the organization offers to small businesses, visit https://www.everestbusinessfunding.com/.

About Everest Business Funding

Everest Business Funding provides alternative finance options and revenue-based funding to small business owners. They serve a diverse pool of businesses, from healthcare to retail, to help them obtain working capital to grow, buy inventory, launch marketing campaigns, or hire staff. Everest Business Fundings clients are treated with respect and receive high-quality guidance and service from its professionals.
The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (The Law Center) Board of Directors now includes Environmental Practice Shareholder Kaitlyn R. Maxwell of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP. The Law Center elected Maxwell in June.

We are thrilled that The Law Center chose Kaitlyn, said Curtis B. Toll, managing shareholder of the firms Philadelphia office. Her background, raw intelligence, and passion for social equity will further strengthen The Law Centers longstanding commitment to pro bono advocacyvalues shared by Greenberg Traurig.

Founded in 1969, The Law Center mobilizes attorneys to employ legal strategies that help improve the economic, social, and civil rights of citizens in the Philadelphia region. With a primary focus on combatting discrimination, inequality, and poverty, the nonprofit helps secure access to legal services for all through advocacy, organizing, and education.

This announcement holds special value for Maxwell, who began her legal career as an intern at The Law Center.

I am proud to serve on the board and work alongside this incredible group of dedicated individuals, she said. I am thankful for the support of the firm and appreciate the opportunity to contribute to The Law Centers meaningful advocacy work. I admire The Law Centers ability to create change through high-impact litigation.

In her practice, Maxwell handles complex litigation cases, including major environmental contamination, product liability, and toxic tort matters. She regularly defends clients in federal and state courts across the country.

The firm has a longstanding relationship with The Law Center, with a board presence for more than 25 years.

We are delighted to continue this relationship and remain an ally during a time of rapid shifts in social and economic issues in our society that will affect future generations, Toll said. The impact of The Law Center on this city and region is immense, and we are proud to be a partner in those efforts.

About Greenberg Traurigs Philadelphia Office: Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Greenberg Traurigs Philadelphia office has grown from an initial three-attorney Public Finance Practice to include more than 60 attorneys whose practices include Real Estate; Litigation; Intellectual Property; Labor & Employment; Environmental; Government Law & Policy; Restructuring & Bankruptcy; White Collar Defense & Special Investigations; Corporate; Investment Management & Regulation; Immigration & Compliance; Health Care & FDA; and Tax. The Philadelphia office represents a broad range of clients in real estate, manufacturing, health care, financial, and insurance industries, as well as state and local governments, professional services, and energy firms. The office also is known for its pro bono work and community service/social action initiatives in the Philadelphia region.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2400 attorneys in 43 locations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm, often recognized for its focus on philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono, reported gross revenue of over $2 Billion for FY 2021. The firm is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law 100, Am Law Global 100, NLJ 250, and Law360 (US) 400. On the debut 2022 Law360 Pulse Leaderboard, it is a Top 15 firm. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab and net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com.
National University unveils a new logo with the merger announcement

National University, a veteran-founded nonprofit university that serves approximately 30,000 working adult learners, online students, educators, and members of the military community, today announced plans to merge with Northcentral University, a unique, adult-serving institution offering doctoral degrees in an exclusively online format. Following a rigorous review process and a vote of approval from the WASC Senior College and University Commission, the two universities now have approval to continue their accreditation status under a merged academic structure.

As our country continues to grapple with rapidly changing workforce needs and a new round of economic uncertainty, colleges and universities face a new imperative to deliver educational offerings that are affordable, accessible and tightly aligned with the needs of the labor market, said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, interim president of National University and chancellor of the National University System, a network of nonprofit education institutions and educational programs spanning pre-K through doctorate level. The union of these two institutions will make it possible for us to offer workforce-relevant, in-demand programsalmost entirely in an asynchronously online formatto adult learners in all fifty states.

The merger will bring together the complementary strengths of the two institutions. National University brings experience in providing career-relevant degrees and credentials for adult learners at the undergraduate level, and its growing focus on graduate will be enhanced by Northcentrals diverse and well-established masters and doctoral offerings.

Under this new structure, National University will grow to become a fully-online university serving approximately 45,000 students, with a comprehensive suite of academic programs from the pre-college to doctoral level and a unique focus on microcredentials and workforce training programs designed with input from top employers.

The values that have made NU and NCU successfulflexibility, academic quality, workforce relevance, and inclusive and student-centric programminghave never been more timely or relevant than they are today, Eugene Wilkerson, Ph.D., co-president of Northcentral University. Bringing together the talent, expertise and commitment to service of these two diverse academic communities will enable us to deliver against our shared mission with significantly greater impact and reach.

In the coming months, academic leadership and administrators from the two institutions will consolidate into a unified academic structure organized around nine colleges and academic programs. Northcentral University serves approximately 10,000 students through a unique one-to-one online learning model, offers 24, fully online doctoral programs and became part of the National University System as an independent member institution in 2018.

A veteran-founded university that has for more than 50 years specialized in adult education, National Universitys highly diverse population of students reflect the shifting demographics of students in higher education today. Approximately 70 percent of National University students take the majority of their classes online. More than 25 percent identify as Hispanic, and 10 percent identify as Black. More than 80 percent of undergraduates are transfer students. The average age is 33. And about one in four students are active-duty service members or veterans.

Three years ago, the Board of Trustees approved an ambitious five-year plan, challenging National Universitys leadership to expand access to workforce-relevant credentials and skills at a lower price. This mergerwhich now has approval from our accrediting agency to move forwardis a significant step toward achieving that vision, said Dr. Ruthann Heinrich, chair of the National University System Board of Trustees. It will equip National University to develop educational offerings and student services that are even more comprehensiveand responsive to the complex needs and aspirations of todays learners.

The Systems other mission-aligned universityCity University of Seattleshares a similar focus serving adult and lifelong learners and is also piloting projects to reduce the cost of a degree through advanced technologies and other approaches consistent with the organizations non-profit mission.

###

About National University: National University, a veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults by providing accessible, affordable, achievable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego's largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 75 online and on-campus programs and flexible four-week classes designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to over 30,000 students and 190,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. Learn more at NU.edu.

About the National University System: The National University System (NUS) is a network of accredited nonprofit education institutions serving a diverse population of students including pre-K-12 students and working professionals. NUS higher-education institutions serve more than 45,000 students through National University, Northcentral University, and City University of Seattle. NUS education-focused initiatives include Workforce Education Solutions, Harmony SEL, Inspire Teaching & Learning, and Fundraising Academy Cause Selling Education. Learn more at nusystem.org.


Inspired by his own European travels, author Tim Scott has released Driving Toward Destiny, which follows protagonist Jack Higgins as he goes on a journey of self-discovery to find his own personal freedom.

It's 1971, and Higgins has just graduated from college. For him, it means the beginning of his adult life, but it also means he's eligible for the Vietnam draft. Certain that he wont survive the war if he is drafted, and facing pressure from his parents to pursue careers he doesnt care for, Higgins feels like he has lost control of his life.

Higgins decides that the way to find his own way in the world is to get away from his family, so he leaves the US to stay with a college friend in Berlin. Experience becomes Jack's teacher when he buys a BMW motorcycle and drives from Berlin to the south shore of Crete. To become his own man, he resolves his personal demons and faces challenges, all with the help of the open road.

The tale of Jack Higgins relates directly to the baby-boomer generation who suffered through the Vietnam draft process, Scott said. But it is broader than that. It takes into account all young people who have to go through a period of self-discovery at some point in their lives. I want readers to be inspired to leave their comfort zones and pursue their dreams.

Driving Toward Destiny

By Tim Scott

ISBN: 9781665722209 (softcover); 9781665722216 (electronic)

Available at Archway Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Tim Scott graduated from the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt., in 1971. Being draft-eligible, and not set on a career path, he spent the next year traveling in the United States and Europe. When he returned, not drafted, he joined a service industry firm in Boston where he lived for 12 years. Scott married and had two wonderful children before moving to corporate headquarters in New York City. Corporate life was not for him, so he attempted to set up a financial services business with three partners. Unfortunately, this failed, he divorced, and finished his career working for the United States Department of Labor in Jacksonville, Fla. When he retired, he turned immediately to writing, which was always his passion.

To learn more, please visit http://www.drivingtowarddestiny.com.

###

General Inquiries:

LAVIDGE  Phoenix

Ashley Fletcher

afletcher@lavidge.com
Russ Sanchez Russ has an impressive track record of developing technology centers and manufacturing operations to support the growth of high-technology sector customers, said Rezwan Lateef, President of YES.

Yield Engineering Systems, Inc. (YES), a leading manufacturer of process equipment for semiconductor advanced packaging, life sciences, and More-than-Moore applications, today announced that Russ Sanchez has joined the companys senior leadership team as Vice President of Quality and Managing Director of YESs new Technology Center in Chandler, Arizona.

Mr. Sanchez, who is based in Chandler, is a seasoned operations and business leader with over two decades of experience driving excellence in the manufacturing operations of semiconductors, microelectronics, printed electronics, antenna technology, and hard drives.

Russ has an impressive track record of developing technology centers and manufacturing operations to support the growth of high-technology sector customers, said Rezwan Lateef, President of YES. His ability to implement quality systems and to partner closely with our customers to realize their next-generation devices will be invaluable as we move into the next phase of our companys growth.

Mr. Sanchez came to YES from NthDegree Worldwide Technologies, where he was Vice President of Operations. Before that, he held a variety of roles within Manufacturing and Quality at technology companies including Airgain, NXP Semiconductors, ST Microelectronics/Western Digital Corporation, Hynix Semiconductor of America, and Philips Semiconductors. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

About YES

Yield Engineering Systems, Inc. (YES) is a preferred provider of high-tech, cost-effective equipment for enhancing surfaces and materials. The companys product lines include thermal processing systems, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) systems, and wet process equipment used for the precise surface modification of semiconductor substrates, semiconductor and MEMS devices, LED displays, and biodevices. Customers ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies rely on YES systems to create and volume-produce innovative products in a wide range of markets. YES is headquartered in Fremont, California, with a growing global presence. For more information, please visit yieldengineering.com.


Consumers and suppliers alike are always looking for better, easier ways to interact in the purchasing process. To ensure the sustainability of that process from start to finish, distilleries must first ensure they understand and are meeting all applicable compliance and tax concerns.

Widely varying state-by-state beverage alcohol laws create a daunting challenge for craft producers who want to bring new products to market and ship direct-to-consumer (DtC) with confidence that they are complying with all regulations. In keeping with their mission to reduce risk and lessen the burden of beverage alcohol compliance, Sovos ShipCompliant is providing education and resources for spirits producers at the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) 9th Annual Distillers Convention.

DtC shipping of alcohol has become an emerging focus for the industry, as producers feel increasing pressure from consumers for online availability, and 90% of recent online shoppers say they anticipate making more online purchases in the near future. In the Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping: Key Compliance Considerations session at the ACSA Convention, Alex Koral, regulatory general counsel, Sovos ShipCompliant, will discuss the varying rules and regulations in each state that allows for interstate DtC spirits shipping. Not following beverage alcohol regulations can have a variety of consequencesmost commonly monetary penalties, but in severe situations even a loss of license.

This is a great session for both distillers who are looking to start shipping DtC across state lines, as well as those with existing shipping programs who want to be sure they arent making potentially costly compliance or reporting mistakes, said Koral. Consumers and suppliers alike are always looking for better, easier ways to interact in the purchasing process. To ensure the sustainability of that process from start to finish, distilleries must first ensure they understand and are meeting all applicable compliance and tax concerns.

While DtC and three-tier distribution are sometimes seen as competing channels, these methods can work together to strengthen brand awareness and customer demand and loyalty. Most producers distribute different products through each channel, creating a reason and opportunity for customers to purchase through DtC, as well as in stores, restaurants and bars.

As distillers expand to reach more customers, three-tier compliance requires continued adherence to detail. Regulations and compliance requirements often increase with sales numbers, and everything from the licensing process to renewal deadlines can vary widely from state to state. To support a successful three-tier distribution strategy, Sovos ShipCompliant has created a free-to-download Three-Tier System Basics ebook that highlights the essentials of everything from getting started to remaining compliant for continued success in the channel.

To learn more about the basics of DtC spirits shipping, join Sovos ShipCompliant at its Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping: Key Compliance Considerations session on Sunday, July 24th at the ACSA 9th Annual Distillers Convention. To learn how to implement a successful three-tier distribution strategy, download the Three-Tier System Basics ebook.

About Sovos ShipCompliant

Sovos ShipCompliant has been the leader in automated alcohol beverage compliance tools for more than 15 years, providing a full suite of cloud-based solutions to wineries, breweries, distilleries, importers, distributors and retailers to ensure they meet all federal and state regulations for direct-to-consumer and three-tier distribution. ShipCompliants solutions reduce risk, lessen the burden of compliance, accelerate bringing products to market and enable revenue growth. With 60+ partner integrations, Sovos ShipCompliant leads a robust ecosystem of technology partnerships, enabling powerful complementary solutions. For more information, visit https://www.sovos.com/shipcompliant/ and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Superior Fence & Rail is happy to announce Walt and Jennifer Wilson as its newest franchisees. Their location in Wilmington, North Carolina is one of now four Superior Fence & Rail franchises in the state.

Walt and Jennifer Wilson are experienced franchisees that were looking to diversify and expand their business offering. Already Conserva Irrigation franchisees, the Wilsons looked to the companys sister brands to explore new opportunities  enter Superior Fence & Rail. They quickly learned the benefits of opening a fence company. Superior Fence & Rail has a proven track record of delivering high quality fencing to consumers in many markets, says Walt. It was a no brainer for us to join this winning team.

Were thrilled to have the Wilsons as part of the family, says Zach Peyton, Brand President and co-founder of Superior Fence & Rail. They know what it takes to build a successful business and team. They understand how to utilize the support that they have with corporate team, will be a great franchisees, and will no doubt be the leading fence provider in Wilmington.

Superior Fence & Rail of Wilmington services the greater Wilmington area including Wrightsboro, Carolina Beach, and Hampstead.

About Superior Fence & Rail

Superior Fence & Rail was founded in Florida and began franchising in the U.S. in 2017. Headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, Superior Fence & Rail is committed to providing first class service and quality fence products. Learn more about Superior Fence & Rail at superiorfenceandrail.com or fencefranchise.superiorfenceandrail.com


The University of La Verne now offers more than a dozen undergraduate and graduate programs fully online.

The University of La Verne is offering three additional masters degree programs fully online starting this fall. These include the Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Health Administration, and Master of Public Administration.

The university has long offered all three programs via in-person or hybrid formats. The new online options will be offered in addition to those options, providing students with flexible and convenient pathways to pursue degrees in these high-demand fields.

The Master of Arts in Teaching program in the LaFetra College of Education prepares students to shape the future of Californias youths, families, and communities by becoming an influential elementary, middle, or high school teacher. The program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and emphasizes language development, cultural diversity, and humanistic approaches to the learning process.

The new online format will allow students to pursue four credential tracks, which include: Multiple Subject Teaching Credential; Single Subject Teaching Credential; Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Preliminary Credential; and a Dual Credential option, which allows graduates even greater flexibility to complete both the Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Preliminary Credential and the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at the same time.

The Master of Health Administration in the College of Health and Community Well-Being is available part- and full-time. Learning objectives in this program include an in-depth understanding of the complex facets of health services management; specialized skills on how to analyze issues and recognize trends in healthcare; and knowledge on how to integrate evolving trends in healthcare management, leadership, finance, human resources, and information technology. Students may select from several high-demand concentrations: financial management, public health, supply chain management, or health data analytics.

The Master of Public Administration in the College of Business and Public Management is also available part- and full-time. The nationally-ranked and accredited program develops public service professionals looking to engage in socially responsible roles in their communities and organizations, including in local, state, and national government. Degree specializations include urban management and affairs, nonprofit management and governance, and public health.

The University of La Verne now offers more than a dozen undergraduate and graduate programs fully online. Programs are taught by experienced faculty, class sizes are small to ensure that each student gets personal attention, and students are eligible to take advantage of the full range of services provided by the university. Some online programs include fieldwork components that must be completed in an in-person environment.

The University of La Vernes online programs are available to students in select states.

For more information, visit laverne.edu/online.

About the University of La Verne

Founded in 1891, the University of La Verne is a private, nonprofit, comprehensive institution founded on four core values: lifelong learning, ethical reasoning, civic and community engagement, and diversity and inclusivity. Ranked among the best in the country for social mobility by US News & World Report, the university serves more than 6,000 students on the historic La Verne location as well as across eight regional campuses and online.
Valence Wichita (Formerly Chrome Plus International) recently received a number of new processing approvals to support the F-16 and F-22 military aircraft programs. These additions bring the total Process Code approvals at the KANSAS operating location to forty-nine unique capability approvals.

Valence Wichita (Formerly Chrome Plus International) recently received a number of new processing approvals to support the F-16 and F-22 military aircraft programs. These additions bring the total Process Code approvals at the Kansas operating location to forty-nine unique capability approvals.

Obtaining these new approvals supports the Valence strategy to increase regional capability, provide redundant capacity and supply chain risk mitigation across our North America locations. This further expands Valences ability to support all Lockheed Martin sub-tier supplier partners in the Central United States from the VST Central Region locations in Wichita, KS and Grove, OK (Formerly Pride Plating).

When asked about the significance of these approvals, General Manager Marcus Wagoner commented, Valence Wichita has worked hard to obtain these additional approvals and now has approvals for all Lockheed Martin programs. The team is excited to expand our support of the defense industry and to allow our customers to have a one-stop shop to complete all their processing needs with best in class quality and lead times.

Valence Surface Technologies is the largest independent provider of metal finishing to the commercial aviation, defense, space and medical market verticals, with OEM approved painting, plating and coating capabilities throughout the United States. Valence is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and is sponsored by equity investors ATL Partners and BCI; the British Columbia Investment Management Company.

Addendum - New Approvals Obtained

Lockheed Martin F-16 approvals:

(242B) FPS-1004 Fuel tank coating

(160) NDTS-1500 / NDTS-1501 Hardness testing

(161) NDTS-1500 / NDTS-1502 Conductivity testing

(110B) NDTS-1101 Penetrant inspection

(110C1) NDTS-1101 Prepenetrant Etch of Aluminum

(110C2) NDTS-1101 Prepenetrant Etch of Titanium

Lockheed Martin F-22 approvals:

(164) 5PTPCG09 Appendix A Hardness testing

(165) 5PTPCG09 Appendix B Conductivity testing

(166) 5PTPTL19 Hardness/Conductivity of Aluminum

(112) 5PTPCL02 Penetrant inspection

(146) 5PTPCG06 Penetrant inspection

(146B1) 5PTPGG01 Prepenetrant etch of aluminum

(146B5) 5PTPGL01 Prepenetrant etch of titanium

(146B6) 5PTPGL03 Prepenetrant etch of aluminum

Boeing approval:

MIL-DTL-5541 Type II Class 3 chem film

Valence Surface Technologies

Valence Surface Technologies is the worlds largest independent provider of Aerospace product finishing services. With 11 locations and over 2,500 unique industry approvals, Valence processes more than 1 million parts per month. In addition to being Nadcap accredited, all Valence sites provide specialized metal processing and finishing services to a diversified set of fast-growing commercial aerospace, defense, and space/satellite markets. Valence partners with its customers to deliver best-in-class quality, turn times, and full-service supply chain solutions.

About ATL Partners

Founded in 2014, ATL Partners is a premier sector-focused private equity firm that invests in aerospace, transportation and logistics companies. ATL brings deep sector expertise to its investment approach with ten investment professionals and seven Executive Board members who have decades of combined operating experience in each of ATLs core sectors. For more information about ATL Partners, visit http://www.atlpartners.com

About BCI

With C$199.6 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2021, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is one of Canadas largest institutional investors. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, BCI is a long-term investor that invests across a range of asset classes: fixed income; public equities; private equity; infrastructure; renewable resources; real estate; and commercial mortgages. BCIs clients include public sector pension plans, insurance, and special-purpose funds. BCIs private equity program, with C$20.7 billion of assets under management, has a well-diversified portfolio comprised of direct and fund investments. The team brings industry expertise with more than 40 investment professionals investing across financial and business services, healthcare, industrials, consumer, and TMT sectors. For more information about BCI, please visit http://www.bci.ca.

Contact

Julie Sims  Director Marketing and Communications

Valence Surface Technologies

Julie.Sims@valencest.com
This September, not far from Mount Rainier National Park, four authors will participate in a first-of-its-kind residency for U.S.-based Spanish-language writers. Sponsored by former Washington State poet laureate Claudia Castro Luna (Cipota Under the Moon), the residency will take place at Mineral School, a school-building-turned-artists-retreat. Castro Luna worked with Maria de Lourdes Victoria, founder of the writers workshop Seattle Escribe, and Mineral School founder Jane Hodges to establish the pilot program, which happens during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

There are hardly any programs in the U.S. for people who speak and actively pursue writing in languages other than English, said Castro Luna, who is Salvadoran American. In the Puget Sound region, Spanish-speaking writers can participate in workshops through Seattle Escribe, established circa 2014 as a free program through Seattle Public Library, and join writing communities like Seattles Hugo House, but no residencies existed until now. I decided that nobody was going to do this unless someone like me did it, Castro Luna said.

Castro Luna contacted Jane Hodges and proposed seeding a Spanish-immersion residency at Mineral School. Hodges was open to the prospect. What I realized from that conversation, and conversations with other artists of backgrounds that are underrepresented, is that theyd like to do the jurying and shape the residency, said Hodges. Were a white-led rural organization, but we dont want our program to just be for white people coming to the country. Some people want to be in a community from the same background, rather than be the lone person of a culture or language in a mixed group.

After discussing logistics with Hodges, Castro Luna got in touch with Maria de Lourdes Victoria, who established Seattle Escribe in 2014 (in cooperation with Marcela Calderon-Vodall of Seattle Public Library). Seattle Escribe provides free workshops entirely in Spanish; novelist Carolina Herrera and childrens author Mariana Llanos led online Spring workshops, and Gerardo Cardenas will lead one in September. Were trying to support the writers and the literature that is being produced in the United States by Spanish-speaking peoplethats our mission, Victoria said, citing the #NewLatinoBoom hashtag as evidence of this trend. We want to create awareness of all the talent that exists.

As their collaborative plan came together, Castro Luna and Victoria lined up three Spanish-speaking writers as judgesWorcester State University professor Naida Saavedra, journalist Miguel de la Cruz, and Seattle University professor Gabriella Gutierrez y Muhsand promoted the residency through AWP and Poets & Writers. More than 40 writers applied, and residencies were awarded to Alejandro Perez-Cortes, Claudia Hernandez Ocadiz, Elizabeth Sotelo, and Rossy Toledo. Teresa Luengo Cid, a Spanish language services specialist with the King County Library System, will be on site as host, and Siolo Thompson, a writer-illustrator fluent in both Spanish and that universal language, cuisine, will be the chef. (shes kind of a Renaissance woman, Hodges said.)

Castro Luna wants to see the residency offered twice a year, although she can only fund it for certain this one time. Mineral School is open to hosting again, and Victoria feels grant support is long overdue for Seattle Escribe. At what point are they going to recognize that we are part of this community? she asked. The organization operates on volunteer labor, and weve been doing this for eight years. We would like to formalize this, because we are growing, and we are creating literature that is being recognized in other parts of the world. Its due time that we get that recognition in the United States, in our hometown.

Victoria and Castro Luna observe that Spanish-language writers in the U.S. go unrecognized due to many factors: lack of focused workshops, publishers based largely outside the U.S., and booksellers unsure how to identify and order Spanish-language books through distributors. Retreat centers, publishers, and booksellers might not have bilingual people on staff at all. When applying at one retreat center, Victoria said, I had to translate my work to send it in for consideration. (Her short-form work appears in U.S. publications, but her novels appear on Planeta de Libros and other Mexican publishers.)

There is a readership, said Castro Luna, but it is hard for people who are writing in Spanish to access the market. There is a break in the chain. Success stories do exist, and she points to venues like Tia Chuchas Centro Cultural and Bookstore in L.A., home to a bilingual inventory, as well as Adriana Pachecos podcast and blog Hablemos, escritoras, which includes an online bookstore and an encyclopedic listing of women-identified authors, translators, and books in Spanish.

The more we have room for all kinds of writing, the richer we are as a result, whether you speak that language or not, Castro Luna said. Mineral Schools immersive residency aims to foster a few Spanish-language writers, while raising wider awareness of an untapped category.
Sheree Whitfield says she hasn't heard from Tyrone Gilliams since their Philly scene aired on Real Housewives of Atlanta.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 52-year-old television personality gave an update on her relationship with Gilliams during Sunday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.

Whitfield dated Gilliams for several years, including during his prison sentence for wire fraud. The June 5 episode of RHOA showed Gilliams stand up Whitfield in Philadelphia, where Whitfield was kept waiting for nearly two hours.

On WWHL, Whitfield was asked when she was last in contact with her ex.

"It was a couple months ago," she said. "Since I did the scene in Philly? I've not heard from him."

Whitfield said being stood up in Philly made her finally re-evaluate the relationship.

"It made me re-evaluate, like, what are you doing? How can you let somebody treat you like that?" the star said. "It kind of opened my eyes and you know, I started getting back into me."

In addition, Whitfield said she and Gilliams decided to be celibate during their relationship because the sex was "horrible."

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"I realized one day, I'm, like, I'm not gonna spend the rest of my life just not satisfied," she said.

Whitfield was previously married to Bob Whitfield and has two children, son Kairo and daughter Kaleigh, with her ex. Whitfield is also mom to another daughter, Tierra, from a previous relationship.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 83F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
The Saugatuck is not the Seine, but it does have one thing in common  a charming French restaurant on its banks. In Westport, the Rive Bistro is a delightful place to spend a few hours in France without the distressing hassles of airports and customs.

Marsha and I have been recalling our summer-long honeymoon in Europe with local experiences. Roughly paralleling our ten-week driving tour from those many years ago, weve been following our journey at area restaurants. This leg of our honeymoon drive through France fifty years ago took us from Provence to Paris. The route went along many famous rivers  the Rhone, Saone, and finally the Seine  through picturesque mountains and past storybook castles to the City of Light.

The Rive Bistro readily conjured up our French memories. The vintage Citroen and Deux Chevaux cars parked out front set the stage. On a perfect summer evening, we sat on the patio under a striped awning watching the lazy traffic of birds and boats on the river and the ever-changing fashion show of our fellow guests.

Frank Whitman for Hearst Connecticut Media

Sipping a Lillet Blanc and nibbling on good bread and butter while surveying the menu made it easy to settle into French mode. We stuck (mostly) to the classics. Pate de Campagne ($14) is a benchmark for French chefs. This was a good one, accompanied by the de rigueur cornichons and some greens with a mustardy vinaigrette. Watermelon contrasted with tangy tomato in a refreshing gazpacho ($11). Plump mussels ($28) were cooked with white wine and herbs in a black-enamel steamer emblazoned with the word Moules. Lifting the lid released a cloud of enticing aroma. Irresistibly crisp and salty frites accompanied. Trout Almondine ($28) had been quickly sauteed and lavishly dressed with slivered almonds and butter, just as the French like it. Tender carrots and slim haricots were a colorful foil on the plate.

Reims, the home of Champagne, was the next stop after Paris. At home, Marsha and I popped the cork on a bottle of Veuve Clicquot (an anniversary gift) and remembered the cold rainy day when we toured the Mumm winery. Genuine Champagne is made only in this region in a labor-intensive hands-on process.

Most Champagne is sold by brand. Youll recognize the big labels from celebrations and special occasions. Every house has its own characteristic flavor and style  each with strong fans. Wine from grapes like chardonnay and pinot noir are grown in vineyards surrounding the charming cathedral city and then fermented twice, once to make the wine and a second time in the bottle to make the bubbles.

Frank Whitman for Hearst Connecticut Media

We only spent one night in Belgium after leaving France. In the multicultural country about the size of Maryland, French, Dutch, and Flemish are spoken. At Bruxelles Brasserie in South Norwalk, the diversity is evident on their menu. Our friend Myriam Bossuyt, a native of Belgium, joined us to guide us through the menu.

This is just like my mother made, she exclaimed about the Belgian Endive au Gratin ($18). Chef Roland Olah beamed at her praise. Braised in bechamel sauce, the heads of the endive were filled with gruyere and wrapped in ham  rich and satisfying. Bossuyt also praised the Belgian Croquettes ($14) flavored with Serrano ham and cheese, remembering the kitchen tool from her childhood that squeezed out long tubes of the potato mix.

Marsha marveled at her fat mussels ($23) steamed with Belgian ale, dijon cream and leeks, accompanied by those famous Belgian frites. Steak Frites ($32) is a crossover dish popular in both France and Belgium. Be sure to ask for both delicious classically-prepared sauces, Bernaise and Bordelaise, to avoid choosing.

At Bruxelles, there is a comprehensive selection of Belgian beers. Gin bowls, cooling in the warm weather, offered with a choice of craft brands, are a specialty of the bar. Large windows look out at the bustling SoNo scene. Vintage posters decorate the exposed brick. From some tables you can see the kitchen in action.

This summer, restaurant-chair travel is taking us back in time. The memories, Im happy to say, are as good as the food.

Frank Whitman can be reached at NotBreadAloneFW@gmail.com.
ELLINGTON  A New Britain woman was arrested Sunday for allegedly smashing car windows with a tire iron and striking a police officer with a car while speeding away from the scene, state police said.

Veronica Allen, 26, was taken into custody after troopers stationed at Troop C in Tolland responded around 4:20 a.m. to a reported disturbance at a residence on Cindy Road, the agency said in a news release.

The troopers encountered an individual when they arrived  later identified as Allen  who had used a tire iron to smash the windows out of several vehicles parked in the homes driveway, state police said.

State police said Allen ignored the troopers directions and fled the scene in a black Honda Civic. As she drove away, the cars open passenger-side door struck a trooper, pushed them to the ground and dragged them a short distance, the release said.

Allen then backed the Honda into a troopers patrol vehicle, resulting in minor damage, before driving off at a high rate of speed, state police said.

The injured trooper, officials said, was brought to Johnson Memorial Hospital by ambulance where they were treated and then released.

Officials later located Allen's vehicle parked on a street across from her residence in New Britain. Troopers and New Britain police then took Allen into custody and brought her to Hartford where she was processed.

Allen was charged with assaulting a public safety officer, two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, two counts of second-degree breach of peace, two counts of second-degree threatening, disobeying an officer, interfering with an officer, evading responsibility, unsafe backing, improper use of marker plate and driving without insurance.

Allen is being held on a $110,000 bond, police said. She is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Monday.

richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com
UPDATED at 4:55 P.M. EDT on 2022-07-18

On July 9, 2022, hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters came out on the streets of Colombo and occupied the official residence and offices of Sri Lanka's then president, who tendered his resignation after fleeing overseas.



Two things are closely associated in my mind with the current political turmoil in Sri Lanka: the Chinese debt trap and green agriculture.



Much of the Chinese-language reporting outside of mainland China and its state-controlled media blame the Chinese debt trap, while English-language media consistently lay the blame with green agriculture.



According to data from the Ministry of External Resources of Sri Lanka, as of April 21, 2021 , Sri Lankas foreign debt totaled U.S.$ 57 billion, 47 percent of which was international capital market borrowings, 13 percent of which is owed to the Asian Development Bank, 10 percent to China, another 10 percent to Japan, nine percent to the World Bank, two percent to India and the remaining nine percent to other creditors.



Sri Lanka's GDP ranks between 60th and 70th in the world, but it gets more international media coverage than a lot of higher-ranking countries simply because of its geographical location as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean."



It is also a key site of China's global infrastructure and supply-chain initiative, known as Belt and Road.



At the end of 2017, the Sri Lankan government announced it would formally transfer a 70 percent stake in Hambantota Port to the China Merchants Group, as well as allowing China to lease the port and its surrounding land for 99 years.



This is where the idea that Sri Lanka is in a Chinese debt trap originates from.



The deal was widely reported by Western mainstream media.



A July 29, 2017 report from the Associated Press reflects the Western media's take nicely.



"Sri Lankas government on Saturday signed a long-delayed agreement to sell a 70 percent stake in a $1.5 billion port to China in a bid to recover from the heavy burden of repaying a Chinese loan obtained to build the facility," the report reads.



"The document was signed between the government-run Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the state-run China Merchants Port Holding Co. in the capital, Colombo, in the presence of senior government officials from Sri Lanka and China. According to the agreement, the Chinese company will invest $1.12 billion in the port, which sits close to busy east-west shipping lanes," it says.



"Two local companies whose shares will be split between the Chinese enterprise and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority will be set up to handle the ports operations, security and services. The Chinese company will be responsible for commercial operations while the Sri Lanka Ports Authority will handle security. The lease period is 99 years."



A container ship arrives at a port in Colombo on July 16, 2022. Credit: AFP 'String of pearls'

Two things are important in this report. The first is that the equity transferred in the deal was actually a debt-to-equity swap, as Rajapaksa built the Hambantota port with a loan from China.



The port opened in 2011 and was criticized by opposition parties during 2015 presidential election campaign. Soon after, Sri Lankan authorities sought help from China because the port had lost U.S.$304 million by 2016, and Sri Lanka couldn't afford the heavy burden of loan repayments of ... U.S.$59 million annually.



The second is that the port was funded by Beijing as part of its "string of pearls" projects in the Indian Ocean.



The phrase was coined by Indian politicians to describe concerns over China's potential plans to wield influence in the region via a slew of civil and military infrastructure projects from Port Sudan in the Horn of Africa through Sri Lanka, along the coasts of Pakistan, Bangladesh, to the Maldives and the Straits of Malacca, Hormuz and Lombok.



Many Indian commentators believe that both the 'string of pearls' strategy and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will threaten India's national security.



Beijing was able to include Sri Lanka in this plan because Rajapaksa relied heavily on Chinese infrastructure projects.



China made massive investments in Sri Lanka's ports, airports, highways and power plants during his time in office, becoming largest foreign investor in the country.



On June 27, 2018, The New York Times published an article titled "How China Got Sri Lanka to Cough Up a Port," which argued that the Chinese government knew all along that the port could never turn a profit. The whole purpose [of funding it] was to take the port for China when Sri Lanka came to the point of not being able to repay the debt.



By 2022, China had been laying the groundwork, seeding global public opinion, to counter the Western media narrative of a Chinese debt trap.



Now, influential foreign affairs think pieces in the United States are barely mentioning it at all.



Instead, articles about Sri Lanka's green farming crisis have been on display since last year, including a Dec. 7, 2021 piece in The New York Times titled "Sri Lankas Plunge Into Organic Farming Brings Disaster."



A July 2019 survey by Colombo-based analytics firm Verite Research found that three-quarters of Sri Lankan farmers rely heavily on fertilizers, while only 10 percent do not. For important cash crops like rice, rubber and tea, the dependence is 90 percent or more.



Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in white, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping after officially launching a project to build a $1.4 billion port city on an artificial island off Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sept. 17, 2014. Credit: AP Organic farming push

Both the Sri Lankan government and environmental groups believe the excessive use of fertilizers will cause growing problems with water pollution, and scientists have found that excessive exposure to nitrates increases the risk of colon, kidney and stomach cancers.



So Rajapaksa pledged in his 2019 election campaign to convert the country's farming industry to organic farming within 10 years, rushing to deliver on the plan by banning imports of synthetic fertilizer and pesticides ... prompting soaring food shortage and price rises.



Rice production fell by 20 percent in the first six months of 2022 alone. Rice prices have risen by nearly one third compared with a year ago, and the price of tomatoes and carrots has risen fivefold.



Sri Lanka, once self-sufficient in rice production, was forced to import U.S.$450 million worth of rice, while the bans also damaged the country's tea crop, its main export and source of foreign exchange.



A March 5, 2022 article in Foreign Policy by Ted Nordhaus -- co-author of the "Ecomodernist Manifesto" -- and food and agriculture analyst Saloni Shah titled "In Sri Lanka, Organic Farming Went Catastrophically Wrong" argues that what led to the Sri Lankan crisis was a "farrago of magical thinking, technocratic hubris, ideological delusion, self-dealing, and sheer shortsightedness" by the country's political leadership and environmental advocates.



"Having handed its agricultural policy over to organic true believers, many of them involved in businesses that would stand to benefit from the fertilizer ban, the false economy of banning imported fertilizer hurt the Sri Lankan people dearly," the article says.



Meanwhile, Sri Lankan scholars have argued that the main threat to their country has come from a combination of neoliberal economics and global financial capitalism.



This is similar to a theory proposed by Egypt's Samir Amin about the relations between the center and the periphery, which ignores the specifics of processes, and attributes all misfortune to the influence of Western capitalism.



The above is a summary of the ins and outs of Sri Lanka's 2022 crisis, based on past knowledge, and reading tens of thousands of words of the latest data.



I have always believed that facts are more important than positions. If Sri Lanka wants to return to normal, it must also correctly understand the root cause of the crisis.



Tea pickers remove weeds at an organic tea plantation in the southern district of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, July 31, 2021. Credit: AFP Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.

U.S.-based economist and author He Qinglian writes columns for RFA Mandarin.

CORRECTION: Corrects to make clear that Sri Lanka's president resigned after fleeing abroad.
The drill comes after U.S. ships arrived in the area.

Caption: An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches on the flight deck of the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) on July 16, 2022.

UPDATED at 9:55 A.M. EDT on 2022-07-18

China announced a large-scale military exercise in the South China Sea as the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan sails near the Spratly Islands and a U.S. destroyer conducted consecutive sail-throughs.

The Hainan Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) issued a navigation warning on Friday, saying that military drills would take place from Saturday to Wednesday in a large area overlapping the Paracel archipelago, contested by China, Taiwan and Vietnam but controlled entirely by China.

A navigation warning is a public advisory notice to mariners about changes to navigational aids and current marine activities or hazards such as military exercises.

According to the coordinates provided in the Hainan MSA warning, the planned drills cover an area of approximately 100,000 square kilometers (38,600 square miles) east of Hainan island, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) from Vietnams port city of Danang.

China often holds military exercises at short notice as a response to U.S. naval activities in disputed areas of the South China and East China Seas.

Last Wednesday, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group entered the South China Sea on its first deployment there this year. The strike group is led by the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

It has been operating around the Spratly Islands at the same time as the U.S. guided missile destroyer USS Benfold conducted two consecutive freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea, a rare event.

China labelled the U.S. FONOPs trespasses.

Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam hold territorial claims over the sea but the Chinese claim is by far the most expansive.

A C-2A Greyhound launches from the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan on July 16, 2022. CREDIT: U.S. Navy





Provoking China

Chinese state media called the latest U.S. naval activities an escalated provocation and Chinese analysts warned of an unwanted conflict.

Military expert Song Zhongping was quoted by the Global Times as saying that by operating in the South China Sea, the U.S. wants to provoke China in its core interests, create crises and hype tensions with the strategic goal of containing China.

On Sunday the South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI), a Beijing-based Chinese think-tank, detailed the USS Ronald Reagans movements since it departed Guam on July 1, saying the carrier will probably make a port call in Danang in central Vietnam.

RFA reported on the plan earlier this month, citing Vietnamese sources close to the matter, however the U.S. Pacific Command declined to confirm it.

There were talks about a similar planned visit by another aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, in May but it didnt materialize.

The U.S. 7th Fleet said in a statement that carrier operations in the South China Sea are part of the U.S. Navys routine operations in the Indo-Pacific.

Our presence in the South China Sea demonstrates America's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Capt. Fred Goldhammer, commanding officer of USS Ronald Reagan, was quoted as saying.

The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), named after the 40th U.S. President, is a Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered supercarrier, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

CORRECTION: Corrects to indicate the the area covered by the Chinese drills is 100,000 square kilometers.
Chinese export figures show a massive spike in chip, circuits and alumina exports since the Ukraine war began

A man walks past a billboard advertising international logistics transportation to Russia, in Ritan International Trade Center in Beijing,March 22, 2022. Beijing is Moscow's largest trading partner.

An international alliance of lawmakers has called on more countries to blacklist Chinese companies accused of providing military-industrial support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The cross-party Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), whose members hail from 25 parliaments in North America, Europe and Australia, have called on their governments to replicate sanctions made by the U.S. Department of Commerce on Hong Kong World Jetta Logistics, Sinno Electronics, King Pai Technology, Winninc Electronic and Connec Electronic.

China claims it doesn't extend military assistance to Russia, but Chinese customs data showed increased exports of raw materials for military use to Russia.

In the first five months of 2022, Chinese chip shipments to Russia more than doubled from a year earlier to U.S.$50 million, while exports of components like printed circuits also recorded double-digit percentage growth.

China also exported 400 times more alumina -- an important raw material for weapons production and the aerospace industry -- to Russia compared with the same period in 2021.

"The signatories call for an export control and scrutiny mechanism to target [Chinese] entities providing support to Russias military efforts in Ukraine," the IPAC said in a July 15 statement on its website.

"Technologies produced on our shores cannot be allowed to further aid Russias senseless war in Ukraine," they said in a joint letter to their foreign ministries.

"As [China is] Russias largest single trading partner, ensuring the [its] entities do not act to weaken the impact of international sanctions on Russia is of critical importance," said the letter, which included U.S. Representatives Congressman Mike Gallagher and Congresswoman Young Kim, German Green MEP Reinhard Butikofer, and former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP.

"Russias invasion of Ukraine comes amidst a deepened no limits friendship between Moscow and Beijing," IPAC co-chair Butikofer said.

"The Chinese government is working around the clock to push the Kremlins lies and disinformation on Ukraine across the globe, while Chinese companies continue to supply the Russian military with crucial technologies. Companies which service Putins senseless war in Ukraine must be named, shamed and face the consequences."

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a photograph during their meeting in Beijing, Feb. 4, 2022. Credit: AFP China Poly Group

The Wall Street Journal quoted the Center for Advanced Defense (C4ADS), a Washington-based security threat research organization, as saying that between 2014 and January 2022, it had tracked down 281 undisclosed shipments of goods that could be used for military purposes made by a subsidiary of China Poly Group, to the Russian authorities.

China Poly Group is controlled by the Chinese central government and its subsidiaries include a major Chinese arms maker and exporter of small arms, missile technology and anti-drone laser technology.

In late January, its subsidiary Poly Technology Group exported a batch of antenna parts to the sanctioned Russian defense company Almaz-Antey.

Russian customs records show that antenna parts are used exclusively for radar and are used in Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile system, which, according to Russian media reports, has been used in Ukraine.

However, the Center for Advanced Defense Research said it hadn't detected further China Poly shipments to Russian defense companies since the war began.

The Commerce Department announced the targeted companies on June 29, saying they had supplied items to Russian "entities of concern" before the Feb. 24 invasion, adding that they "continue to contract to supply Russian entity listed and sanctioned parties."

The agency also added another 31 entities to the blacklist from countries that include Russia, UAE, Lithuania, Pakistan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

"Today's action sends a powerful message to entities and individuals across the globe that if they seek to support Russia, the United States will cut them off as well," Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez said in a statement quoted by Reuters.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman rejected the claim that the companies were exporting goods to aid Russia's war effort.

"China and Russia carry out normal trade cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit. This should not be interfered with or restricted by any third party," Zhao told reporters in Beijing in response to the announcement.

Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
They include the founder of an online school for students boycotting classes.

Teachers from Hlaing Thar Yar township stage a protest in front of the Chinese embassy in Yangon on Feb. 18, 2021.

Myanmars military junta has been rounding up teachers who are members of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CMD) and have been giving online lessons at a school linked to the shadow National Unity Government (NUG).

Kaung for You was set up to educate pupils who are boycotting classes or have been unable to attend school. It offers online education by CDM teachers for around 20,000 children across the country.

We heard that up to 15 people were arrested in Yangon, Mandalay, Shan state and Thanintharyi region, a member of the Myanmar Teachers Federation (MTF) told RFA on Monday.

The parents of the students are so worried. I warned Kaung for You school to be careful before the arrests. Anything can happen at any time when [the school] is public, said the MTF member, who declined to be named for safety reasons.

The arrests took place between July 13 and July 18 and included Kaung for You founder Kaung Thaik Soe, the assistant director for education at Myitthar township in Mandalay region.

The schools plan to move from online lessons to classroom teaching last Wednesday was halted by the arrests that day of Kaung Thaik Soe and two teachers. The junta announced the arrests three days later.

The school says its website was then hacked, allowing the military council to locate and arrest other teachers.

Students and parents told RFA they were also afraid of being arrested if their names and addresses had also been leaked.

The NUGs Ministry of Education denounced the arrests as a violation of childrens rights to free education. It said it would offer help to the detained teachers, continue courses for pupils and open an emergency hotline to provide advice and assistance.

Aside from school boycotts, many children in Myanmar have been denied education since the coup on Feb.1, 2021 due to a surge in attacks on schools, teachers and students.

There were at least 260 attacks on schools between May 2021 and April this year, non-profit organization Save the Children said in a report last month.

In April bombs were found in four schools and there were three explosions in or close to schools. There were also 33 recorded cases of educational buildings being set on fire, 10 direct attacks on teachers and 10 schools occupied by the military.

The ruling junta says at least 40 teachers have been killed in demonstrations and fighting between troops and militias.
Nguyen Duc Hungs family say they were denied visits and found out about the sentence the following day.

Nguyen Duc Hung holds up a banner against the Formosa steel factory which caused an environmental disaster on Vietnams central coast in 2016.

Facebook activist Nguyen Duc Hungs family say he was denied visitors and they only found out about his five-and-a-half-year sentence from state media the day after it was handed down.

Hungs posts aimed to raise awareness of an environmental disaster in his hometown of Ky Anh. The Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh steel factory discharged chemical waste into the sea and environmentalists say the effects are still being felt by the residents.

His social media posts did not focus solely on the disaster in his home town. He told his 9,000-plus followers about cases of social injustice and human rights abuses. He also focused on religious freedom, posting comments about the case of Thien An Monastery in which the provincial government of Thua Thien Hue "borrowed" land from the religious facility.

Hung was convicted of conducting anti-state propaganda under Article 117 of the criminal code.

The indictment said Hungs actions directly affected the implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws, and the strength of the people's government, divided national unity, reduced the people's trust in the Party and State, and potentially caused national insecurity and disorder.

While the court claimed it was a public criminal trial Hungs family said they heard nothing from the police or the court.

When they carried out the trial, my family did not know, Hungs father Nguyen Van Sen told RFA.

I phoned the detention center and was told that the trial had been carried out the day before. When I asked why they didn't notify my family, the police said the family was not involved."

Sen got the same response when the called the provincial polices investigative department.

According to a lawyer who has defended many similar trials Hungs case is not uncommon. Ha Huy Son said the court does not have to notify the family or invite them to the trial. He said Criminal Procedure Code 2015 only stipulates telling the family the person is in custody, or has been arrested in the case of an urgent arrest. It is only necessary to tell the defense lawyer, the victim and any other parties involved at least 10 days before the trial.

Hung is the sixth Facebooker this year to be convicted of "conducting propaganda against the state." The others received sentences of between five and eight years.

Hung, 31, was arrested on Jan. 6 this year and has been held incommunicado since then. His father said, despite repeated trips to the detention center, the family was not allowed to see him.

The family did not hire a defense lawyer and Sen said he did not know if one was present at the trial. Sen did not want to comment on the sentence, other than saying he hoped it would be reduced because Hungs wife had left him to raise their two primary school children.

State media did not mention whether Hung had a lawyer, only saying he had pleaded guilty and asked for leniency.

RFA called the Peoples Court of Ha Tinh province but no-one replied

Communist Party paranoia

Given the worsening situation for activists and human rights defenders in Vietnam, it was sadly just a matter of time before Nguyen Duc Hung got arrested, said Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson.

It's become obvious that the Vietnam Communist Party is so paranoid about dissenting views that it considers mere writing of words online to be a threat to state security. By giving out a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence for just writing criticism of the government on Facebook, the government has committed an outrageous and unacceptable violation of Nguyen Duc Thung's rights. In reality, he did nothing that would have been considered wrong, or even out of the ordinary, if he was in a democratic society, but of course he is stuck living under a single party dictatorship.

Robertson said Vietnams crackdown on freedom of expression means no peaceful activist can spread his views via social media without facing what he called bogus state security charges and many years in prison.

Quite clearly, Vietnam has become one of the worst rights abusing and dictatorial governments in Southeast Asia and now it wants to control the Internet as strictly as China. Any government donor or international business investor should think twice about investing in a country like Vietnam where freedom of expression and access to information is so strictly controlled," Robertson said.
Moving shipping containers from China through Russia to the European Union became a vital part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but Moscows invasion of Ukraine and the Western sanctions that followed have forced China to search for alternatives.

Faced with the economic fallout of trade disruptions after five months of war, many freight forwarders that move Chinese goods are looking further south to move rail-cargo across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Turkey to Europe despite long-standing logistical problems with the route.

In order to survive, the BRI has no alternative but to adapt to the new circumstances. Andreea Brinza, vice president of the Romanian Institute for the Study of the Asia-Pacific, told RFE/RL.

The main alternative is the roughly 6,500-kilometer network of roads, railroads, and ports stretching across Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and into Europe known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).

It's also known as the Middle Corridor of the BRI -- the globe-spanning infrastructure and investment project championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The route has received billions of dollars in Chinese investment in infrastructure over the last decade but received a smaller share of shipments due to cost and predictability concerns. As a result, Russian trains -- which brought goods directly to Europe by rail or port, or entered via Belarus -- became the main path for Chinese-EU overland trade, making up 68 percent of westbound traffic and 82 percent of eastbound traffic in 2021.

But that changed sharply following the Kremlins February invasion of Ukraine.

According to the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Association, cargo shipments across Central Asia and the Caucasus are expected to reach 3.2 million metric tons in 2022, a sixfold increase over the previous year. The route also received a boost in April when Maersk, one of the worlds largest shipping corporations, canceled new bookings through Russia and started a train service along the Middle Corridor, which was joined by the Finnish company Nurminen Logistics in May.

Since then, multiple governments along the route -- from Turkey to Romania to Azerbaijan to Georgia to Kazakhstan -- have met to discuss further investment and deepening cooperation, including a state visit to Ankara in May by Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, where he discussed the future of the route with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The refocus on shipments away from the Russian route also received the backing of many Chinese logistics companies, which had previously neglected the Middle Corridor as being unprofitable and vaguely defined.

The combination of the preexisting interest [from governments along the route] and Chinas limited options because of the war made the Middle Corridor possible, Brinza said. But [the] main driver of this route was China.

Searching For Alternatives

The change marks a substantial and quick reversal of fortune for the TITR and opened up new possibilities for countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The northern rail network through Russia was increasingly boosted by both Chinese and Russian officials as they deepened their ties, and it won over freight forwarders and cargo companies during the COVID-19 pandemic as an alternative to ocean transport because ports around the world closed or curtailed operations to try to stop the spread of the virus.

In 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the state monopoly Russian Railways to substantially grow container traffic and -- prior to its invasion of Ukraine -- Moscow said it expected container flows to increase to 3.6 million boxes by 2035.

During that span, Beijing worked hard to subsidize, promote, and make profitable those railway lines and the efforts led to a 50 percent increase in cargo transported in 2020, a marked improvement from only a few years previously when trains mostly ran empty on the eastward route back to China.

As transit across Eurasia grew, the northern shipping route through Russia was boasted about as a BRI success story, with Chinese officials saying that it provided continental supply chain stability.

But with many large companies and shipping firms unable or unwilling to rely on transport through Russia, a substantial hole has been created and many governments are trying to capitalize by filling it.

Kazakhstan has announced plans to invest more into its ports along the Caspian Sea and its state-run railway operator Kazakhstan Temir Zholy reported that terminals along its western coast have already doubled their shipping volume.

Chinese officials have also moved to simplify transport, with Wang Lingjun, deputy minister of Chinas General Administration of Customs, saying on May 25 that Beijing is improving its customs procedures at the Alashankou and Khorgos land ports on its border with Kazakhstan that would lead to increased volumes of goods being sent by rail.

Adapting To The Future

While the Middle Corridor is experiencing a boom because of the war in Ukraine, its future viability is far from guaranteed, says Emil Avdaliani, the director of Middle East studies at the Georgian think tank Geocase and a professor at the European University in Tbilisi.

Concerns largely stem from higher costs and more complicated logistics on the southerly route. While critical infrastructure is in place, some of which is the result of BRI projects, the geography of the Middle Corridor -- which consists of sea and land lines -- is more complex.

The Middle Corridor also lacks infrastructure in the Caspian Sea for easier transit from Central Asian ports to Azerbaijan. Similar troubles beset the Georgian side of the Black Sea, especially since there is no deep-sea port, Avdaliani said.

The construction of a deep-water port in Anaklia was embroiled in Georgias tumultuous domestic politics and the project was canceled by the government over concerns about financing. But Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili said in April that the venture has received new investor interest, even though its construction would still take years.

Avdaliani says domestic political concerns in many of the countries along the Middle Corridor are part of what propelled the Russian line to take on the majority of the overland freight shipments and that Beijing is unlikely to be satisfied relying on one route again. He says China may instead be looking to diversify and build up as many alternative lines as possible in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine.

A renewed push from Tashkent and Bishkek has led to progress on the long-delayed China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project and all three parties said they hoped for construction to begin next year, which could help provide more alternatives and even be linked to countries further south, such as Turkmenistan and Iran.

We often tend to portray the BRI as a static initiative, but [like] all trade routes throughout history, the BRI is fluid and is adapting to [new] challenges and opportunities, Avdaliani says. Closed borders require finding new routes and this is what is happening at the moment.
Tehran says Salman Rushdie is to blame for the stabbing that left the award-winning author seriously wounded as Washington slammed Iranian state media for its "despicable" reaction to "this heinous attack."

In its first reaction to the stabbing, Tehran on August 15 "categorically" denied any link with the attack that occurred three days earlier in the western part of New York state.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said freedom of speech did not justify Rushdie's insults against religion. His 1988 novel The Satanic Verses is viewed by some Muslims as containing blasphemous passages.



"[Regarding] the attack on Salman Rushdie, we do not consider anyone other than himself and his supporters worthy of...reproach and condemnation," Kanaani told a news briefing on August 15. "No one has the right to accuse Iran in this regard."

Rushdie was taken off a ventilator on August 14 and was able to speak after suffering serious injuries in a knife attack as he was preparing to speak at a panel on the topic of freedom of creative expression at the Chataqua Institution.

Tehran was initially silent on the attack, but U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Iran's state media for its reaction.

"Iranian state institutions have incited violence against Rushdie for generations, and state-affiliated media recently gloated about the attempt on his life," Blinken said in a statement issued late on August 14. "This is despicable."

The man accused of attacking the author of the novel The Satanic Verses has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges in what a prosecutor called a preplanned crime.

An attorney for Hadi Matar entered the plea on his behalf during an arraignment. A judge ordered him held without bail.

Rushdie, 75, suffered a damaged liver and severed nerves in an arm and an eye in the attack. He is likely to lose the injured eye.

Matar, 24, is accused of running onto the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and stabbing Rushdie at least 10 times in the face, neck, and abdomen.

NBC News quoted a law enforcement official as saying that Matar's social media accounts showed him to be sympathetic to Shi'ite extremism and the causes of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

There are no definitive links to the IRGC, but the initial assessment indicates he is sympathetic to the Iranian government group, the official said, according to NBC.

"More than a literary giant, Rushdie has consistently stood up for the universal rights of freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of the press," Blinken said in his statement.

"While law enforcement officials continue to investigate the attack, I am reminded of the pernicious forces that seek to undermine these rights, including through hate speech and incitement to violence," he added.

The Satanic Verses was banned in Iran. A year after it was published in 1988, Irans leader at the time, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa calling for Rushdies death.

Irans government has distanced itself from Khomeinis decree, but anti-Rushdie sentiment has lingered. In 2012, a semiofficial Iranian religious foundation raised the bounty for Rushdie from $2.8 million to $3.3 million.

Rushdie, who was forced into hiding for many years because of the fatwa, dismissed that threat at the time, saying there was no evidence of people being interested in the reward.

In 1991, a Japanese translator of the book was stabbed to death and an Italian translator survived a knife attack. In 1993, the books Norwegian publisher was shot three times and survived.

Khamenei has never issued a fatwa of his own withdrawing the edict, though Iran in recent years hasnt focused on the writer.

Born in Mumbai, India, Rushdie holds British and U.S. citizenship and has lived in New York since 2000.

Matar was born in the United States to parents who emigrated from Yaroun in southern Lebanon, the mayor of the village, Ali Tehfe, told AP on August 13

Flags of the Iran-backed Shi'ite militant group Hizballah are visible across the village, AP reported, along with portraits of leader Hassan Nasrallah, Khamenei, Khomeini, and slain Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters
Relatives of Manuchehr Bakhtiari have warned that the Iranian political prisoner's health is deteriorating due to him being on a hunger strike and in solitary confinement.



In an interview with Radio Farda on July 18, a relative who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals from authorities, said that Bakhtiari, whose 27-year-old son Pouya Bakhtiari was killed in a crackdown on protests in Iran in November 2019, is on hunger strike and his family is not allowed to contact him.

In November 2019 thousands of citizens protested in more than 100 Iranian cities and towns against the government's sudden decision to raise gas prices. The protests quickly turned political, with many chanting against the Iranian clerical establishment and its leaders.

The Iranian Human Rights Organization has confirmed the death of 324 citizens, including 14 children, in these protests, but Reuters estimated that the actual number of people killed was around 1,500.



Iranian authorities have not held anyone to account for the killings.

Security agents on July 11 raided and arrested a number of family members of victims of the November 2019 protests, the day before a planned protest against the mandatory wearing by women of the hijab, or head scarves.

From prison, Bakhtiari condemned the police raids in an audio address, calling for nationwide protest to condemn this "barbaric act." Following this, he was moved to isolation.



The families of other victims of the 2019 crackdown have reportedly also faced pressure. Mahboobeh Ramezani, the mother of Pejman Gholipur, who was killed in the November 2019 protests, has been sentenced to 100 lashes.

Peyman Gholipur, Pejman's brother, announced the news on Instagram on July 17, and said that his mother's sentence was probably related to the campaign against the mandatory hijab that was held on July 12.



He also called his mother's only crime "seeking justice" and said, "The biggest reason why they fear her is that she shouts the truth" Gholipur said. "They are afraid of her because she does not put down Pejman's picture for a minute."



The charges against those arrested on July 11 have not been officially announced.

With writing and reporting by Ardeshir Tayebi
Iran's supreme leader voiced strong backing for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's war in Ukraine, accusing Western countries of opposing an independent and strong Russia.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that if Russia hadnt sent troops into Ukraine, it would have faced an attack from NATO later, a statement that echoed the rhetoric that Putin used before sending Russian forces into Ukraine on February 24.

Khamenei, who met with Putin after he arrived in Tehran on July 19, also called for strengthening long-term cooperation with Russia, according to a statement on his official website.



"There are numerous memorandums of understanding and contracts between the two countries, including in the oil and gas sector, which must be followed up and implemented fully," Khamenei added.

He said world events showed the need for ever-increasing mutual cooperation between the two countries, "especially in the wake of Western sanctions," the statement said.



The White House said Putin's trip to Tehran, his first beyond the borders of the former Soviet Union since the invasion of Ukraine began, showed how isolated Russia has become.



John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, also told reporters that there is no indication yet that Iran has given drones to Russia.



The United States last week said it had information showing that Iran is preparing to provide several hundred drones, including some that are weapons capable, and train Russian forces to use them. Iran's foreign minister denied the U.S. claim.



Putin also met with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts, Ebrahim Raisi and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while in Tehran.



He thanked Erdogan for his mediation to help move forward a deal on Ukrainian grain exports.

Not all the issues have been resolved yet, but it's good that there has been some progress, Putin said ahead of his one-on-one meeting with Erdogan.



He said afterward that he and Erdogan discussed the export of Ukrainian and Russian grain as well as food security, but he provided no further details.

The Turkish leader praised what he described as Russias very, very positive approach during four-way talks last week in Istanbul between representatives of Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and the United Nations. He voiced hope a deal will be made, and the result that will emerge will have a positive impact on the whole world.



The negotiations in Istanbul reportedly came close to a deal to allow shipments of grain to begin moving through Ukraine's blocked Black Sea ports.



Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to meet with UN and Turkish diplomats again on July 20 in Istanbul to discuss the possible agreement.



The negotiators hope the solution will resolve an impasse over grain exports that has helped send global food prices soaring and raised concerns about hunger among people in Africa and the Middle East who depend on shipments of Ukrainian grain.



Three-way talks held later between Putin, Raisi, and Erdogan focused on the conflict in Syria in which Turkey is on the opposite side of Russia.



Putin said he and Raisi and Erdogan adopted a joint declaration, pledging to strengthen cooperation in the interests of the "normalization" of the situation in Syria.



Turkey, a NATO member, and Russia have been in opposing camps not just in the conflict in Syria but also in conflicts in Azerbaijan and Libya.



But Ankara hasn't imposed sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine, making it a much-needed partner for Moscow.



A Putin adviser said earlier that the discussions on the conflict in Syria would encourage a political settlement despite Turkey's threat of a new military offensive in northern Syria to drive away U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) from its borders.



Erdogan has said that Turkey plans to launch a cross-border operation against the YPG.



During Erdogan's meeting with Khamenei, the supreme leader warned against a military attack, saying that would harm Turkey, Syria, and the entire region. He stressed the need to bring the issue to an end through talks.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
9 The exodus of so many Hasidic Jews has been a blow to Ukraine's Jewish community. The chief rabbi at the EMIH, Slomo Koves, says: "Jewish life was so thriving, so strong, so rich. Just before the war, they say it was like on a peak...it's such a shame that all this just scattered in one day because of the war."
Fostering Irelands Creativity

Inspiring and supporting creativity across Ireland

RTE Short Story Competition

Life, death and Zoom calls, culture clashes and suburban turf wars, success, failure, and love through the ages were among the themes which featured at the centre of ten exciting new stories shortlisted for the RTE Short Story Competition in honour of Francis MacManus 2021, from almost 2,800 entries. The Third Day, by Kevin Donnellan, a writer and journalist from Kilbride, Co. Meath, now based in England, won the 2021 RTE Short Story Competition. The winning story was announced on RTE Radio 1s Arena, as part of a special programme. All 10 stories were broadcast and podcast in a season of new writing as part of Late Date on RTE Radio 1.

Junk Kouture: Powered by RTE

The acclaimed Irish platform for youth expression, creativity and sustainability, Junk Kouture, announced in October that it would be joining forces with RTE for a second year in a row, continuing this successful partnership first initiated in 2020. The collaboration brought the design contest to the small screen for the first-ever televised Junk Kouture Grand Final on RTE2 and streamed on RTE Player, when the live final was rescheduled and redesigned because of Covid-19. The Junk Kouture 2021 Grand Final was once again televised on RTE2 and streamed on RTE Player featuring an array of incredible designs created and modelled by the talented young designers who waited so patiently throughout the pandemic for their moment to shine.

This is Art!

Due to the incredible response from young artists from all corners of Ireland, and as the country headed into another lockdown, RTE and the Creative Ireland Programme extended the closing date for This is Art! Almost 9,000 young people from around the country responded with creativity, enthusiasm and great thoughtfulness to the theme of This Is Now. What emerged was a visual representation of our young peoples perspective on the pandemic and how it has impacted their lives and the lives of those they love. All artworks are now showcased in an online art gallery on www.rte.ie/thisisart that will be available for generations to come.

Animating Success

In January, RTE and the Creative Ireland Programme continued a successful partnership by launching a new TV, social and radio campaign in support of a major new exhibition in Kilkennys Butler Gallery, Wolfwalkers. The exhibition went behind the scenes of the Oscar-nominated Cartoon Saloon Apple movie original. The campaign was voiced by the star of Wolfwalkers, 12-year-old Eva Whittaker.

Supporting the Arts

Like so much of what we do, RTE Supporting the Arts had to evolve during the pandemic. This is perhaps best illustrated through another collaboration with the Creative Ireland Programme to create a unique series of 24 short films, produced in 68 days at the beginning of 2021, supporting and celebrating 15 arts, cultural and community projects and organisations.

Scholarship for Artists

RTE 2fm continued its commitment to supporting the next generation of Irish musicians by funding, for a fourth year, a Music and Audio Production Scholarship at BIMM Institute Dublin. This scholarship offers one lucky student the opportunity to study BIMMs year-long Music and Audio Production Foundation Diploma course free of charge. Through this scholarship, RTE and 2fm are hopeful the successful student can develop their skill set to grow their career in music and contribute positively to the Irish music scene.
Central African Republic: Briefing and Consultations

Tomorrow morning (22 June), the Security Council will convene for an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the Central African Republic (CAR). Special Representative for the CAR and head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) Valentine Rugwabiza will brief on the Secretary-Generals latest report on MINUSCA (S/2022/491), which was issued on 16 June and covers developments since the Secretary-Generals 16 February report. This will be Rugwabizas first briefing to the Council since her appointment on 24 February. A civil society representative from the CAR is also expected to brief.

At tomorrows meeting, Council members will be interested in hearing about progress in the implementation of the roadmap adopted by the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in support of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic. Since assuming her responsibilities in April, Rugwabiza has taken steps to reinvigorate the political track. In this regard, she may describe her visit to Luanda, Angola, in May to consult with the chair of the ICGLR, Angolan President Joao Lourenco. She might also refer to the strategic review meeting that subsequently took place in Bangui on 4 June in the presence of the Angolan and Rwandan foreign ministers, as well as other international and regional partners, to take stock of the progress and challenges in the implementation of the roadmap. According to the Secretary-Generals report, the participants in the 4 June meeting agreed on the need to meet regularly to monitor progress, based on a clear division of labour, benchmarks and timelines. Council members may welcome the holding of the strategic review meeting and underscore the need for concrete follow-up based on the ICGLR roadmap.

Rugwabiza will also likely provide updates on the republican dialogue that was convened by the CAR government from 22 to 27 March. The Secretary-Generals report says that the dialogue was characterised by heightened political tensions because of the decision by several opposition parties and civil society groups to withdraw from the dialogue over several concerns, including about the exclusion of armed groups from the process. While noting the holding of the republican dialogue, Council members may emphasise the need for the government to facilitate an inclusive political environment by involving all signatory parties to the 2019 political agreement that have renounced violence. The other contentious issue at the republican dialogue was a proposal for a revision of the constitution to lift the two-term limit of the president, which opposition and civil society representatives rejected. Although this was excluded from the final report of the republican dialogue, media reports indicate that supporters of President Faustin-Archange Touadera have already submitted the proposal to the parliament.

For the first time in decades, local elections were expected to be held in the CAR in September. However, funding constraints and delays in adopting relevant legislation on administrative boundaries forced their postponement to 2023, according to the Secretary-Generals report. In this regard, Council members may support the Secretary-Generals call in his report for financial and technical assistance to facilitate the holding of local elections next year.

The security situation in the country remains volatile because of the activities of armed groups. MINUSCA had recorded 374 violations of the political agreement during the reporting period of the Secretary-Generals report, a decrease compared to the 396 violations registered in the previous reporting period. Most of these violations were committed by an armed group known as the Unite pour la paix en Centrafrique (UPC); the national defence forces and other security personnel have also committed several violations. The Secretary-Generals report notes that the national defence forces and other security personnel have been using former members of armed groups as proxies to conduct military operations at mining sites. (Some Council members prefer to avoid the ambiguity of using the term other security personnel, which appears to be a reference to the Wagner Group, a private Russian security company.)

The Secretary-Generals report notes that armed groups, national defence forces and other security personnel have continued to commit crimes such as extortion, illegal taxation, and sexual violence. It highlights protection challenges in the various prefectures, where civilians have faced intimidation, reprisal attacks and displacement. MINUSCA had documented human rights violations and abuses committed by all actors, and the Secretary-Generals report indicates that the 138 documented incidents were allegedly perpetrated by armed groups, while national defence and security forces and other security personnel were responsible for 118 incidents. These figures represent a decrease of 41.77 percent and 32.57 percent, respectively, compared to the previous reporting period. Despite this, the impact of the ongoing violence on the human rights situation in the country remains worrisome, and some Council members may express their continued concerns at tomorrows meeting.

Council members may also raise issues around the role of MINUSCA and the need to build trust between the CAR authorities and the mission. In particular, there have been concerns about the continued violations of the status of forces agreement (SOFA), which the Secretary-Generals report says have increased slightly in the reporting period, with 23 SOFA violations attributed to members of the national defence forces and other security personnel. Rugwabiza may update Council members about the recent establishment of a coordination mechanism by the CAR Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sylvie Baipo-Temon, to address issues and concerns related to the SOFAs implementation.

In July, the Council is expected to extend the CAR sanctions regime and renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts supporting the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee. The arms embargo, in place since 2013, remains controversial. Last year, China abstained on the vote renewing the arms embargo and expressed concern that the text failed to fully respect the wish of the Government of the Central African Republic for the lifting of the embargo. At the last Council meeting on the CAR, which took place on 22 February, Baipo-Temon reiterated her countrys request to the Council to consider lifting the arms embargo in order to allow the CAR to enhance the effectiveness of its defence and security forces. At that meeting, Executive Secretary of the ICGLR Joao Samuel Caholo underscored the need to reconsider the arms embargo, arguing that it continues to impinge on CARs ability to safeguard its territorial integrity and restore law and order.

However, Council members were divided on this issue. African members and China supported CARs request for the complete lifting of the arms embargo, while Russia called for the easing of the arms embargo, ultimately leading to its full lifting. On the other hand, France, the UK and the US argued against the lifting of the embargo, maintaining that it does not prevent the CAR government from acquiring military equipment. They also maintained that the decision should be part of an overall strategy attuned to progress on the political track. Furthermore, they indicated that it is difficult to think of introducing any changes to the sanctions regime in the face of continued human rights abuses in the country. Some of these views could be reflected at tomorrows meeting, especially in light of the upcoming negotiations in July.

The other contentious issue was related to the appointment of the Panel of Experts. Russia had placed a hold on the appointment for several months, calling for increased geographical diversity. Three of the five panel members were appointed only in April. The UN Secretariat has been in the process of recruiting two additional members. One additional expert was appointed on 1 June, and another expert is expected to be appointed soon. Even though the Panel of Experts was supposed to present a mid-term report in January pursuant to resolution 2588 of 29 July 2021, they were not able to do so, as only three experts started to work in April. But they were able to travel to Bangui and talk to the CAR authorities. Their final report, circulated to Council members last week, is expected to be discussed by the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee on 24 June.
Scientists said the juvenile humpback whale that washed ashore at Sharp Park Beach in Pacifica over the weekend was likely killed by a deadly encounter with killer whales, officials said Monday.

Researchers with the California Academy of Sciences, who spent the weekend examining the whales carcass, said the animal showed signs of an interaction with orcas, according to Academy Collections Manager Moe Flannery
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California is threatened with another difficult fire season this year as the states wildfire crisis collides with drought.

In anticipation, the state and federal governments have bumped up budgets for boosting forest resiliency. Firefighting agencies have worked to increase staffing. Communities have organized to build fire lines and clear trees out of neighborhoods.

Were doing everything we can on multiple fronts to prepare to make sure the state is less impacted than years prior, said Chris Amestoy, a staff chief for Cal Fire, the states firefighting agency. Were really doing everything possible.

Still, in an age of extreme wildfire, the prevention work can go only so far to tame Californias increasingly unruly infernos.

Amestoy and other fire experts advise that those living in high-risk areas take a moment now, before the peak of fire season, to figure out what to do if the flames bear down. Experts say that even those who dont live in places susceptible to burning should have a to-do list that includes such items as preparing for smoke and power outages.

The Chronicles Survival Guide offers the latest guidance from firefighters, insurance companies, fire victims and others on how to be ready. This guide can help with how to ensure safety around your home, what to include in an emergency bag, how to evacuate your pets, where to turn for info when the internet is down and more.

Online extra The guide is available in a downloadable format at sfchronicle.com/survival. See More Collapse

Even if you have an emergency plan, experts say its worth reviewing in light of the greater threat that looms this year.

The message for people to take home is that these fire seasons that seem so extreme are no longer exceptional things, said LeRoy Westerling, a climate scientist at UC Merced. They can happen any time.

The past two years are case in point.

The devastating 2021 fire season gave rise to the nearly million-acre Dixie Fire in the northern Sierra Nevada, which wiped out the town of Greenville, and the Caldor Fire west of Lake Tahoe, which leveled the community of Grizzly Flats. The more than 2.5 million acres burned in California last year was second only to the more than 4 million acres burned the year before  the most in modern history.

The recent surge in wildfires is largely the result of thick vegetation that built up from decades of fire suppression, and then was primed by the warming climate. Its a multipronged problem that is not easy to fix.

Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service are working to reduce the accumulation of forest fuels, pledging to thin trees and conduct prescribed burns on 1 million acres a year in the state by 2025. The Forest Service, on top of its annual operating budget, has committed $655 million in each of the next five years for forest management, much of it for California, while Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to add several hundred million dollars to Cal Fires annual budget over the next two years for similar efforts.

But even with an uptick in forestry, fire experts say it will take decades to clear brush and trees across Californias 33 million acres of woodlands and restore a more natural, healthier landscape. Meanwhile, the impact of higher temperatures and drought worsens.

The underlying pace of climate change is accelerating, Westerling said. The only way the (wildfire) situation becomes stable in the future is if we stabilize the climate system and give the ecosystem a chance to catch up.

This years fire season comes amid a foreboding backdrop of three dry years.

While the past winter began with a series of big, promising storms, the spigot shut off in January, February and March, when California historically receives the bulk of its rain and snow. Through May, much of the state remained in record territory for driest year.

As a result, the landscape is unseasonably ripe for burning.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Craig Clements, a professor of meteorology at San Jose State University and climate science director of the schools Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center, says vegetation moisture levels in June in many areas were more typical of those in midsummer.

Weve been two months ahead this whole season really, which is scary, Clements said.

The National Interagency Fire Center, a consortium of fire agencies from across the country, forecasts high fire potential for almost all of Northern California from June into fall. For parts of Southern California, high fire potential is projected from August into fall. The peril is largely the upshot of drought.

Of course, for fire to materialize, it takes a spark.

The record 2020 fire season got a boost from barrages of lightning that started such giants as the SCU, LNU and CZU complex fires in and around the Bay Area. Such stormy weather is hard to predict far in advance. So are heat and wind, which can quickly turn any small fire into a monster.

But for most wildfires, upward of 90%, the cause is humans. The electric grid of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has recently been a significant source of ignition. Last year, the company was blamed for the Dixie Fire in Butte, Plumas, Lassen, Shasta, and Tehama counties after a tree fell onto a distribution line.

People need to be really careful this year, Clements said. A lot of this can be prevented. No ignition, no fire.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
South San Francisco, like many cities, was pushed to consider its own legacy of historical injustices following the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the nationwide racial justice protests that followed.

Two years later, the city launched a permanent commission of ordinary residents to help tackle pressing social problems, starting with its response to mental health emergencies and the affordable housing crisis.

South San Franciscos Equity and Public Safety Commission consists of seven residents. Each member of the five-person City Council appointed a commissioner; the remaining two commissioners were chosen unanimously by the entire body.

We wanted to make sure that the commission reflected the community, said Mayor Mark Nagales. We have members who are Asian American, Latinx, members of the LGBTQ community.

Nagales appointee, commission chair Krystle Cansino, is a crisis clinician for the San Francisco Department of Public Health. She said she joined the commission because she felt it was important to really bridge the gap between public safety and public policy, where members of the community, not just those in positions of power, could have a more direct opportunity to make changes.

The commission held its first meeting on June 20 and will meet on the third Monday of each month. Although its just getting started, Nagales hopes the commission will help the City Council potentially come up with policies, in terms of public safety, that will help (the city) be more open and transparent.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 2020

South San Francisco, a San Mateo County city on the San Francisco Peninsula, has fewer than 65,000 residents. The population identifies as 41% Asian, 30% Latino, 23% white and 2% Black, according to the latest U.S. Census figures. Despite its relatively small size and six-figure median incomes, the city is no stranger to flashpoints over police violence.

Since 2017, South San Francisco police have fatally shot at least two individuals in apparent mental health crises. Both shootings were cleared by the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office.

Last December, the city, along with three others in San Mateo County, launched the Community Wellness and Crisis Response Pilot Project, which pairs mental health professionals with police officers to improve outcomes during mental health crises. One of the new commissions first tasks is to review the pilot program based on recently available data.

City Manager Mike Futrell said he hopes the city will eventually adopt a CAHOOTS model, referring to an Oregon-based program that dispatches mental health and medical professionals to mental-health-related calls instead of police. CAHOOTS operates in two cities: Euguene and Springfield, Ore. Two years ago, a CAHOOTS-inspired pilot program launched in Denver. That same year, San Francisco implemented a similar project, the Street Crisis Response Team. Earlier this year, Oakland also launched a CAHOOTS-inspired program called the Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland, or MACRO.

Cansino said South San Franciscos pilot program is already a huge step forward.

I felt like that was something the public has been asking for for a really long time, and Im really proud of South San Francisco to be spearheading policies like that, she added.

Another of the commissions priorities is the affordable housing shortage in the Bay Area.

It is unbelievably expensive to live in San Mateo County, Nagales said. San Mateo County is one of the most costly counties in the Bay Area, with nine of the priciest ZIP codes in the country based off of median home sale prices in 2021. In South San Francisco, the median gross rent is $2,279, and the median value of owner-occupied housing units is over $900,000, according to the Census Bureau.

Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area is assigned a certain number of affordable housing units that it must build in an eight-year period, known as the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, or RHNA, process. For the 2023-2031 period, the California Department of Housing and Community Development and Association of Bay Area Governments determined that the Bay is in need of 441,176 housing units, according to a 2021 final report. San Mateo County accounts for 10.8% of those units.

South San Francisco alone must plan to create over 1,000 low-income housing units and over 2,500 moderate-income units by the next decade. The city is currently exploring ways to meet the demand for affordable housing, including considering increasing the percentage of affordable housing units that new developments are required to have and looking into building or acquiring its own social housing.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Nagales said the commission could use a data-centered approach to help the city determine if its policies are equitable and inclusive.

They can help us to identify what we are missing in terms of our housing policy, Nagales said. Are we building enough units within South San Francisco based upon our growth?

The commission originated from one of the many recommendations proposed to the City Council last year by a different commission on racial and social equity, a year-long initiative that culminated in an action plan and final report. The previous commission formed in August 2020 and consisted of community and government partners, including the mayors office.

That summer, COVID-19 exposed cracks in our social fabric and unveiled social injustice in the health-care system and renter protections and the whole economic fiber of parts of the city, Futrell said. Then the murder of George Floyd absolutely opened (our) eyes to the need for a community conversation and understanding of policing and the interaction of the city with its residents.

The Equity and Public Safety Commission will convene Monday via teleconference for its second meeting.

Cansino said that before the commission and its predecessor, City Council meetings were one of the few places where ordinary people could voice their opinions. But now, she added, theres a direct link to the public.

Chasity Hale is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chasity.hale@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @chas_hale
The great white shark who mauled a man near Lovers Point beach in Pacific Grove  miscast in news headlines as one of the worlds biggest  was about 14 to 15 feet long, according to officials from California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Experts at the departments wildlife forensic lab analyzed photo measurements of wounds, statements from witnesses, and examined victims wetsuit to make the estimate, which puts the shark within the normal range for such animals found in the area of Monterey Bay, they said in a statement.

The estimate also dispels speculative media reports which alleged that the shark was 20 feet long, the statement read.

Yet even a moderate-sized shark managed to inflict severe injuries on 62-year-old Steve Bruemmer, the swimmer who set out on a clear day that devolved into a nightmare.

In a video taken at his hospital bed, Bruemmer described how he was languidly gliding through the water, staring at sea grasses and sea stars about 150 yards form the beach, when he suddenly found himself in the sharks jaws.

Ram  I dont even know exactly what happened  but it turns out I was bit ferociously by a shark right across my thighs and my abdomen, Bruemmer said, gesticulating as he recalled meeting the predator face-to-face.

It grabbed me, and then pulled me up, and then dove me down in the water, he said. Then, of course, it spit me out.

At that point, Bruemmer said, the shark stopped to look at him.

I pushed at it with my hand, and I kicked at it with my foot, then it left.

Wearing a navy blue Shark Attack Survivor T-shirt and a brace on his leg, Bruemmer recalled how two paddleboarders and a surf instructor rescued him from the bloody water, lifted him onto a surfboard, and pulled him to the beach, where two nurses and a doctor made tourniquets for his legs and arms from their own T-shirts.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

An ambulance rushed him to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, where surgeons saved his life in a two hour operation that used 28 units of blood, Bruemmer said, choking back tears as he thanked everyone from the blood donors to the doctors to the good samaritans.

He had significant soft tissue damage, including damage to muscles and nerves, Dr. Anthony Galicia, Medical Director, Natividad Acute Rehabilitation Center said in a statement, noting that medical staff closely monitored the bite wounds to stave off infection.

Bruemmer appeared to be recovering quickly, Galicia said, owing in part to his remarkable upper body strength and cardio endurance from swimming. He was discharged from the hospital July 13.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
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News that wine sales are slumping and failing to attract a younger audience has Napas marketing departments working overtime. But one new winemaker, Patrick Rue, is attempting to rethink what Napa wines should look like.

The approach Rue takes at his Erosion Wine Co. runs counter to most everything being done in Napa Valley. Hes putting wine in cans, ignoring vintages, fermenting with genetically modified yeast and adding uncommon ingredients to wine like cherries, hops and cocoa nibs. Its a playbook he borrows from the 12 years he spent running his acclaimed Southern California brewery, the Bruery.

Yet the learning curve from beer to wine for Rue has been steep, and as hes gotten used to the particularities of Napas wine landscape, hes had to adjust some of his radical, beer-inspired experiments. After three years of packaging his wines exclusively in cans, 750ml crowlers and kegs, for example, Rue recently started putting most of his wines in traditional bottles, having learned that customers are still reluctant to spring for an expensive canned wine.

I figured I could bring my weirdness to wine and see how that works, says Rue, who started Erosion in downtown St. Helena in 2019. (In May, Rue also became a partner in Santa Rosas Moonlight Brewing, buying the 50% stake previously owned by Heineken.)

Initially, Rue planned on hiring a winemaking consultant, but he ended up doing all the production himself. Because of his brewing perspective  and, he admits, a good dose of naivete  Rue immediately broke from the typical Napa routine.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Coming to one of the best places in the world to make wine, Rue knew it would be hard to break out as a new winery. Still, it surprised him how completely different it was to be a vintner than a brewer. Selling his beer had always been easy: Rue could walk into a bar, introduce himself and, if the beer was good, could get a keg into rotation the following week.

But with wine, its like getting married, says Rue of selling to bars and restaurants. Buyers want to carry wines that have received high scores from critics, but the Erosion wines havent been scored.

He quickly realized that people were still wary of high-end canned wine, even though his wines were affordable by Napa standards. We started off at the lower 20% of Napa pricing, and that was still too high, then I cut it in half again, says Rue.

Rues success in the craft beer industry, by contrast, was swift. He started the Bruery, a play on his last name, in Orange County in 2008. I was a big beer geek and home brewer, and a really bad law student, says Rue. His experimental beers drew a cult following, and eventually Rue brought in a private equity firm to help further grow the business. He initially retained a large portion of ownership and intended to remain on board. But Rue no longer has a stake in the Bruery. He could not go into detail about why they split, citing a nondisclosure agreement.

By 2019, he moved his family to St. Helena. He was contractually forbidden from opening another brewery, so he started thinking about wine.

While winemaking in California remains largely traditional, craft brewing celebrates innovation, and its not unusual to see brewers play with unusual grains, hops varieties, and adjuncts like fruits and confectionary ingredients. Rue applied that thinking directly to his wines, throwing vanilla beans into Merlot and tart cherries into Chardonnay. The ingredient lists might conjure thoughts of bold flavors, but the Erosion wines actually taste subtle and balanced.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Erosions Secret Handshake uses cacao and vanilla beans to complement, not dominate, Merlot grapes. The aroma is woodsy and earthy, with a faint floral quality, and the cocoa nibs add toasted wood notes.

Fire, a collaboration with Sierra Nevada, is made by dry-hopping Muscat Canelli grapes with Cascade, Simcoe and Citra hops. There is a piney, pineapple aroma, but it isnt dank. The taste is lightly fizzy and pleasantly hoppy in a way thats reminiscent of a spritz (it would be excellent at brunch).

In the Youre So Pretty, a carbonated Carneros Chardonnay, tart cherries lend bright acidity with plenty of fresh cherry flavor. Each sip starts with faint sweetness and ends dry with a lemony bitterness. Its like a Kir Royale (a cocktail of sparkling wine with creme de cassis) without the excess sweetness.

We arent going to stand out if we do what everyone else is doing, says Rue. Im too restless to do that.

The Erosion tasting room stands out in Napa, too. Rue and his wife, Rachel, designed the downtown St. Helena spot  they call it a tap house  to be the kind of place where Rues 21-year-old self would have felt comfortable, with bright colors and a wide selection of wines and beers on tap, many made by other producers. They even make their own ice cream.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

I dont need to take huge risks, but I feel like Ive been taking huge risks with this thing, says Rue. He will give almost anything a try, like sonic-wave fermentation to keep yeast in suspension and co-fermentation of Napa grapes with grain.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

But perhaps the most exciting experiment at Erosion is beer, which Rue can make again now that his non-compete clause with the Bruery has expired.

A few blocks away from the tap house is Erosions 3-barrel (108 gallons) brewing system, which is so small that Rue thinks of it as home brewing. Hes just started aging some beers in his own wine barrels. Hes been toying with a beer inspired by a peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich, using smoked malt, weizenbock yeast for banana flavors, and powdered, defatted peanut butter in the dry hopping.

The reception from the Napa community has been positive, Rue says, but ultimately thats not what drives him. I just want to do whatever I want to do, he says, and hopefully find someone that enjoys it.

Erosion Wine Co. 2-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday. 1234 Main St., St. Helena. 707-820-4445 or erosion.buzz

Lou Bustamante is a Bay Area freelance writer. Email: food@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thevillagedrunk
The average American consumes an estimated 224.8 pounds of red meat and poultry each year  primarily chicken, beef and pork. That level of consumption requires a robust, accessible, safe and inexpensive supply chain to bring animal products from farms to tables. During emergencies, however, it also demands the rapid destruction of large populations of animals, including aggressive policies to prevent the spread of zoonotic avian influenza among fowl or COVID-19 among the agricultural workforce.

The sanitized term for these mass killings of animals  usually on industrial farms  is depopulation.

Depopulation differs from the slaughter of animals for food in both its speed and scale. It also differs significantly from humane animal euthanasia in which the comfort and individual circumstances of the animals are prioritized.

As long as Americans consume meat in large quantities, depopulation will prove a necessary evil. Yet it is likely that few consumers of meat or poultry are aware of this phenomenon.

If they were, they would likely lose their appetites.

There are many methods of depopulation. But one of the approaches that has been approved and is increasingly relied upon by the American industry for killing chickens and pigs under crisis circumstances is ventilation shutdown plus, known as VSD+.

This is a highly misleading euphemism: The process subjects targeted animals to hyperthermia, essentially inflicting slow, painful deaths upon them through heatstroke. Such gratuitous cruelty is unnecessary. Alternative methods  such as portable electrocution units, conversion of slaughter houses to carcass production, captive bolts, nitrogen gas-infused foams or even carbon dioxide whole house gassing  are less likely to cause torture or suffering. They may increase slightly the costs and effort, but we believe most consumers will pay a penny or two more for meat per pound to avoid inflicting unnecessary agony.

Animals, after all, are not the only victims of inhumane killing methods. The collateral damage inflicted upon the human beings who care for these creatures is also significant. Evidence suggests that individuals who work with food animals  veterinarians, technicians, farmers and plant production workers  often suffer psychological distress from exposure to animal suffering. Swine veterinarians, in particular, have been shown to suffer profound moral distress after encountering VSD+. The veterinary profession is steeped in an epidemic of suicide with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that 1 in 6 veterinarians contemplated suicide in 2014. The persistently invasive moral distress imposed by mass killings of animals is surely contributing to this crisis.

Food animal veterinarians and farm production workers are among the small segment of the American population who must bear witness to animal suffering in order to meet our societys demand for animal products. They confront the challenge of caring for animals that are later harvested  and often of having to kill those animals. As a result, they often experience psychological distress, moral injury and even post-traumatic stress disorder.

Society has an ethical obligation to adjust depopulation methods to shield these caregivers from trauma.

In addition to altering depopulation methods, efforts should be made to reduce the necessity for depopulation events. Lawmakers, farmers and veterinarians already possess the tools to do so. But it is American consumers who have the powers to persuade them to act. One major step forward would be to reduce the demand for so-called concentrated animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs, another euphemistic term for meat, dairy and egg production units that confine over 1,000 animals in excess of 45 days per year.

The widespread growth of CAFOs has increased the need for potential depopulation events. Large scale agricultural enterprises that hold large numbers of chickens in battery cages or pigs in gestation crates generate the environments that spawn rapid mass culling. Such methods may prove marginally cheaper in the short run, but they are unnecessary to feed American diners and run contrary to the traditional values of family farming.

Several legislative efforts are under way to tackle these challenges. In 2021, the Farm System Reform Act was introduced in the House and Senate, and it seeks to limit the creation of additional CAFOs and scale back existing ones by 2040. Similarly, in 2018 California voters approved Proposition 12, which sets minimum confinement standards in the industry. The National Pork Producers Council has challenged the initiative, and the Supreme Court appears likely to resolve the matter later this year.

In the interim, both animals and their caregivers across the nation continue to suffer.

In a well-known short story, The Ones Who Walked Away from Omelas, the late author and humanitarian Ursula Le Guin describes a society in which the extreme suffering of a young child is necessary to buoy the prosperity of the community. We currently live in our own version of this story; a small fraction of the population witnesses animal welfare atrocities so that others may dine in benighted impunity. The horrific burden of VSD+ is one that neither animals nor their caregivers should have to carry.

Indu Mani is associate veterinarian at VCA Brookline Animal Hospital in Massachusetts. Jacob M. Appel is director of ethics education in psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City and the author of Who Says Youre Dead?
San Franciscos new school district leaders reiterated Monday that they will stay laser-focused on student outcomes and promised to produce a first-of-its-kind document by October with specific academic performance goals. Leaders pledged to spend 50% of board meetings on topics related to student outcomes.

The announcement comes a day after a governance workshop with the districts new superintendent, relatively new board president and three new board members who were seated following a historic recall.

The workshop was meant to go over student data that shows how far students need to come to be ready for life and college but also for board members to learn how to lead effectively.

Its really important that this board has made a commitment to be led by this student outcome, said board President Jenny Lam, who defined student outcomes as what students know and are able to do at each grade level. As the draft report created Sunday makes its way along, public input will be taken at every step. Part of our commitment is to be transparent and build trust with the public, Lam said.

Called Vision, Values, Goals and Guardrails, the draft document was hammered out by the entire 7-member board. The district plans to share the document with the public in the coming weeks, with multiple hearings before it goes to a final vote on Oct. 25. If approved, district resources will then be aligned to these new priorities.

The all-day Sunday meeting at district offices was the first under Superintendent Matt Wayne, who is in his third week on the job. Overseeing it was a facilitator from the Council of Great City Schools, a coalition of more than 75 of the nations largest urban public school systems that is focused on improving education.

The values that surfaced are student-centered, said Wayne. Integrity and equity rose to the top.

The districts dismal test results informed much of the conversation. Recent results reveal that 58% of students are proficient in reading, and 77% are proficient in math. Outcomes varied dramatically according to race and ethnicity. In math, 81% of Asians and whites are proficient, while 41% of Black students and 55% of Latino students are proficient.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In addition, absenteeism district-wide more than doubled from 12% missing at least 18 days of the school year before the pandemic to 28% this past school year.

For kids to learn, they need to be in school, said Wayne.

That seems obvious, but nothing was taken for granted at Sundays workshop. It began with the fundamental question Why do school boards exist? suggesting everything will be taken apart and examined during this community engagement process.

We are going to take everything we talked about yesterday and will likely be sharing them in the next several weeks, said Lam.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SamWhitingSF
San Francisco ride-sharing company Uber will pay a multi-million dollar settlement to resolve claims it violated federal law by charging people with disabilities fees for needing more time to get into vehicles.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued the San Francisco company in November, accusing it of unfairly penalizing people with disabilities in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

People with disabilities should not be made to feel like second-class citizens or punished because of their disability, which is exactly what Ubers wait time fee policy did, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division in a statement.

Uber had moved to dismiss the case in San Francisco federal, saying it applied the policy equally to all riders to compensate drivers saying, charging the same time-based fees to everyone is not discriminatory.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco refused to dismiss the suit in April.

Uber has charged a fee since 2016 when drivers have to wait more than two minutes for a rider to get into an UberX, and five minutes for its larger luxury rides to compensate drivers for their time. That is not enough time for many people with disabilities, and the lawsuit alleged that Uber failed to make accommodations for people even when notified of a disability.

This agreement removes that barrier to equal access for passengers with disabilities and provides a mechanism to compensate those harmed by Ubers past wait time fee policy, U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds of the Northern District of California said in a statement.

The settlement will see Uber pay $1,738,500 to more than one thousand riders who filed complaints with the company over being charged wait time fees because of a disability. $500,000 will also go to other people who the DOJ says suffered harm as a result of the policy.

It has long been our policy to refund wait time fees for riders with a disability when they alerted us that they were charged, and prior to this matter being filed we made changes so that any rider who shares that they have a disability would have wait time fees waived automatically, an Uber spokesperson said in an email.

We are always working to improve accessibility for all users and encourage riders with a disability to utilize our self-declaration form to have wait time fees waived.

Uber said the average wait time fee in 2020 was less than 60 cents, and that its wheelchair-accessible trips and Uber Assist rides available in some cities did not have wait time fees by default.

The DOJ said under the two-year agreement Uber will waive the time wait fees for people who certify that they or someone they travel with often has a disability and needs more time. The company will also ensure that refunds are easy to get for people who dont have a waiver but have a disability and are charged a wait time fee.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

The company will advertise its wait fee waiver program, and train customer service staff on the waiver program and refund process, stipulations the DOJ demanded in the November lawsuit.

Additionally, Uber will credit the accounts of more than 65,000 eligible riders who signed up for the waiver program for double the amount of wait time fees they were ever charged, which could amount to potentially hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in compensation, the DOJ said in its statement.

Riders looking to get a wait time fee waiver or refund can find more information here.

Chronicle Staff writer Robert Egelko contributed to this report.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
Taking aim at the administration, one San Francisco supervisor hopes to help stem the tide of scandal in City Hall.

Supervisor Dean Preston won $800,000 in funding  $400,000 in each of the next two years  in the city budget to expand the office of the Budget and Legislative Analyst.

The BLA does exactly what its title suggests. It reviews the budget every year, analyzes policy and reviews the performance of city departments at the request of the Board of Supervisors. With expanded funding for the first time in years, Preston hopes the office can play a more proactive role in weeding out corruption.

San Franciscans rightfully expect elected officials and department heads to be honest stewards of public trust, said Preston. By expanding the boards oversight capacity  the only branch of local government that has not been mired in scandal in recent years  we can better build trust with the people we serve.

Most prominently, former director of San Francisco Public Works Mohammed Nuru pleaded guilty this year to a federal fraud charge after admitting to accepting gifts and other benefits from city contractors.

Harvey Rose, whose public sector consulting firm is contracted to serve the BLA, told The Examiner the role the BLA plays in tackling misbehavior really depends on the direction of the Board of Supervisors.

The beefed-up budget will effectively expand the BLA from about 10 full-time equivalent employees to 11.5, Rose said.

That $400,000 of extra funding every year will amount to 2,600 new hours of staff time to dig into just about anything the Board of Supervisors wants. At its current level, some policy analyses can be turned around in a matter of weeks, but deeper work  like auditing a department  can take months.

The BLA gets a cost-of-living-adjustment every year, but its been many years since it won a boost like this years, Rose said.

But the BLA is not an auditor, or a city attorney or even a controller.

Our primary function is not to root out corruption, Rose said.

Unless, of course, the Board of Supervisors wants it to. Other city offices, including those of the city attorney and controller, have keyed in on corruption, but they do not answer to supervisors.

That flexibility could empower the Board of Supervisors to more proactively attempt to oversee the executive branch led by Mayor London Breed.
One year after Congress passed record funding in COVID-19 relief, a new analysis reveals that California school districts so far have spent little of it on efforts to address learning setbacks caused by the pandemic. This despite data that indicates that learning slowed, especially among the youngest students, and gaps in achievement between Black and Hispanic students and their white and Asian peers widened during distance learning in 2020-21.

As Thomas Kane, the faculty director of the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, wrote in a recent article in The Atlantic, "The achievement loss is far greater than most educators and parents seem to realize."

The analysis by the California School Boards Association, released earlier this month, represents the first comprehensive look at how the state's school districts have used a total of $40 billion in federal and state funding dedicated to helping them cope with Covid. It covered reports for spending through March 31.

While the report clearly lays out how much money districts collectively have spent, it's less clear on what they specifically spent it on. In part, credit Congress for that.

The spending categories that Congress set are broad and include the catch-all wording "other evidence-based interventions" for the learning loss money and "other activities necessary to maintain operations" for all other rounds of funding. Most districts appear to have listed most of the money they spent in that all-but-the-kitchen-sink category, which could include raises and bonuses to retain staff.

As a result, it's unclear from the statewide data whether many districts directed earlier rounds of Covid funding to learning loss strategies, or whether, consumed by staff shortages, the omicron surge last year and students' mental health needs, they have yet to make it a funding priority.

Congress requires all districts to file quarterly spending reports. Poring over those, school boards association researchers were able to track the shift in priorities, from buying cleaning supplies and computer purchases in the pandemic's initial phase, to Covid testing and instructional support in 2021-22 after schools reopened, to more recent attention to mental health and, to an extent, learning loss.

The analysis reveals whether districts are on track to meet spending deadlines. For the most part, they are; 89% of districts have spent almost all of the first round of federal funding, whose spending deadline is Feb. 1, 2023.

The school boards association report said that Congress intentionally included open-ended categories in recognition that financial conditions and needs greatly varied among states and districts. Indeed, Covid proved unpredictable during the past two years, with sudden surges of the omicron and delta variants forcing districts to alter their spending plans, said Troy Flint, spokesperson for the school boards association.

"Flexibility is a crucial feature of these spending packages, not a bug," the report said. And it noted that especially small districts don't have the staff to do both time-consuming outreach to parents for their spending priorities, as required by Congress, and to regularly update spending for multiple, often intertwined, funding sources.

But the result is also a lack of transparency, said Vince Stewart, vice president for policy and programs at the advocacy nonprofit Children Now. "We get it; schools have been dealing with a lot, and there was a concern to minimize additional reporting. But with billions and billions of dollars, we should be able to show how it is helping kids."

The only way to know for certain how funding was used and who received the money would be to examine itemized spending receipts of each district and charter school, an undue burden for interested members of the public.

The California Department of Education is required to monitor federal spending and to do spot audits of districts' spending. But in her own audit of the state's effort, State Auditor Elaine Howle criticized the department for not doing more audits and for not examining spending more closely. The department audited fewer than 1% of districts and charter schools in 2020-21. Howle called on the department to investigate districts that categorize the bulk of spending as "other activities," but the department, in its response, disagreed that should become a priority.

Stewart also called on the department to do more. "There's nothing to stop the state from saying we want more details than the federal government requires," he said. "Money is being spent within the categories, but the state could ask, 'How is what are you spending on benefiting students?'"

"It's advisable for school districts to go beyond the minimum reporting requirements to show that the money was spent wisely," Flint said. "That's part of good community engagement."

Three rounds of federal funding

The federal government funded two-thirds of California's K-12 Covid aid and the state about a third. Altogether, this unprecedented multiyear crisis response equals about a third of total state funding this year for TK-12 education.

It started with $1.6 billion that Congress appropriated in March 2020; the latest is $7.9 billion that the Legislature approved last month as part of the state budget for 2022-23. The three primary rounds of federal relief over the course of 12 months were called the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund or ESSER I, II and III. Congress also allocated two rounds of discretionary funding to governors -- $700 million to California -- through the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund.

Congress used the Title I formula, tied to a district's poverty rate, to distribute Covid relief, so the amount per student varied widely from several hundred dollars per student to more than $11,000 per student in Los Angeles Unified (go here to look up what every district received).

Many superintendents acknowledged in the school boards' survey that they have had difficulty spending all the Covid money. They reported that they could not find enough qualified candidates to hire; 91% of those surveyed said filling vacant or new positions were moderately or very challenging barriers to using the money. And many employees who said they felt burned out from teaching during Covid declined offers to work longer days or summer programs, they said.

Superintendents also cited the challenges of one-time funding, which limits districts' ability to hire permanent staff, with the possibility of layoffs a few years later when funding ends. But some superintendents are rethinking their strategy now that they can count on blending multiple rounds of funding with later spending deadlines to extend hires. The $7.9 billion Learning Recovery Emergency Fund in the 2022-23 state budget can be spent through 2027-28, for example.

The big prize

The $15 billion authorized by Congress in 2021 through ESSER III is also known as the American Rescue Plan and was the single biggest infusion of Covid relief. Districts must commit to spending 20% of that total -- $3 billion -- to address learning loss. Permitted uses are broad: mental health supports, social and emotional learning, purposes associated with community schools, summer enrichment learning and tutoring.

By March 31, school districts had spent only a sixth of the $15 billion in federal Covid relief that Congress authorized a year earlier. And they had spent but a 10th of the $3 billion Congress designated to address setbacks in learning caused by the pandemic. So far, only 5% had been spent on tutoring, a priority of some parents and student advocates, and, as of this month, the Biden administration.

Some districts may have stockpiled the American Rescue Plan funding, which can be spent through Jan. 31, 2025, and used Covid money with earlier deadlines. That's what Jessica Gunderson, the new co-chief executive officer of the Partnership for Children and Youth, which advocates for summer and after-school programs, suspects is paying for programs this summer.

The school boards association's analysis found that districts had spent only 4% of learning loss funding on summer learning as of March 31. Yet Gunderson said she has seen noticeably more districts offering summer enrichment programs this year.

While some districts continue to offer only remediation, more are approaching summer creatively, through partnerships with community groups for fun activities that kids need following a stressful year. Some districts are sending kids to camps, like the University of the Pacific's Summer High School Institute, which 240 Lodi Unified students are attending, or the STEM-focused Camp Galileo, which operates at school sites in the Bay Area.

The next quarterly Covid spending reports may capture some of this activity -- or not, depending on how precisely districts fill them out.

The school boards association's report is the first of three it plans to release. The second will report how districts have spent $6.6 billion in state Covid funding approved in March 2021. The final report will be the results of a survey of about 200 superintendents and business officers. The data does not include spending of charter schools.
Marlene Wolfe, an assistant professor in environmental health at Emory University, shared a graph on Twitter last week that might explain why it seems like everyone you know has recently gotten COVID-19.

Wolfes graph, which compares official case counts in San Francisco with the volume of viral COVID-19 RNA in samples of county wastewater, clearly shows that the number of people with COVID in San Francisco is far higher than official case counts would suggest. In fact, judging by the volume of poop containing the virus now flowing through the county sewers, there are as many or even more people with COVID-19 now than there were at the peak of last winters omicron surge.

Last week, the city recorded an average of 406 cases a day. But wastewater data suggests the real number could be much closer to the number of people infected during that January surge, when more than 2,300 people were testing positive for the virus every day on average.

Wolfe cautioned against extrapolating case numbers as she said even the January data when more people were going to clinics for PCR tests isn't considered "gold standard data," but she said it's probably safe to say that you can multiply today's official case numbers by 5 to get closer to a real number.

Undercounted case numbers aren't unique to San Francisco, Wolfe said; the situation is similar in other Bay Area counties and across the country.

Wolfe told SFGATE that the wastewater data is a useful way to compare the volume of cases across different time periods, especially since access to testing has varied so widely throughout the pandemic. "At the beginning tests werent available, and now we have wide availability of at-home tests," said Wolfe, an environmental biologist, engineer and epidemiologist with a Ph.D. in environmental health.

Still, she warned that this one graph doesn't show the full story  especially when it comes to the actual impact on public health.

"The amount of infection we see in the wastewater doesnt translate directly to the risk in the community," Wolfe cautioned. Hospitalization and mortality data are also key pieces of the puzzle. In San Francisco, for instance, hospitalizations are on the rise, though they haven't soared as high as they did in January.

Its not surprising that, when so many people are being infected, some of them will go to the hospital. BA.5 is the most easily transmissible COVID variant to date; preliminary research suggests it may avoid the first layer of antibodies in the body from vaccination and prior infections, making it more likely youll catch the virus if youre exposed.

However, the bodys other lines of defense still recognize and fight the virus, meaning far fewer people are being hospitalized than during earlier waves, such as the delta surge. Even at the peak of Januarys first omicron wave, 286 COVID patients were hospitalized. By comparison, 137 people were hospitalized on July 14, the most up-to-date number available.

It's important to keep in mind that some patients may be in the hospital due to COVID, while others came in for other reasons, such as surgery, and incidentally tested positive. Dr. Bob Wachter, the chairman of medicine at UCSF, wrote on Twitter last week that the number of people admitted to UCSF hospitals because of COVID, as opposed to being admitted for other reasons and later testing positive, is lower than it was over the winter. The ratio is now about 50/50; in January, two-thirds of COVID-positive patients were there to be treated for COVID complications, Wachter said.
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BRUSSELS (AP)  European Union foreign ministers promised another 500 millions euros in military aid to Ukraines war chest to beef up the defense of the nation as the bloc's foreign policy chief exhorted member states not to waver in their commitment to sanctions against Russia.

The aid decision came after a video debriefing on the latest developments by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who said he was grateful for the new funds, which brings the EU total to 2.5 billion euros but still urged the 27 nations to provide more.

If anything needs to be continued, it is weapons deliveries," said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, insisting it was also essential to secure the port of Odesa enough to make sure grain shipments could resume. "And anybody who can who can do that, obviously, this is the main industrial countries of of the Western world. They have to step up with that.

What remains essential within the bloc, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, was a unity of purpose to believe that the major package of sanctions targeting Moscow will work, even if the immediate effects on the battleground aren't always visible.

Ukraine needs more arms," Borrell said. "We will provide them. The war will continue.

Borrell lashed out at critics claiming that measures on anything from oil sanctions to monetary measures were counterproductive and hurting the EU more than Russia itself.

So even after he pleaded over the weekend for strategic patience when it came to sanctions to take hold, Borrell clearly lost patience with critics like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban who last week claimed the EU had not only shot itself in the foot but also in the lungs with the six packages of sanctions.

There is a big debate about are the sanctions effective? Are the sanctions affecting us more than Russia, Borrell said. Some European leaders have been saying that the sanctions were an error, were a mistake.

They dont have eyes? They dont look to the graphs? They dont consider figures, Borrell asked in staccato rhythm, pointing to economic figures showing that the impact on Russia was bigger than on the EU.

The EU is struggling with the circumstances because the imposition of sanctions against Russia comes at a time of surging inflation, runaway energy and food prices and the continued impact of the pandemic, all of which already dampen the EUs economic outlook.

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin was using such narratives to try to spread division within the bloc.

I am sure Putin is counting on the democratic fatigue. Im sure he believes that democracies are weak, Borrell said.

European societies cannot afford fatigue, Borrell said. They took the decisions on restrictive measures on the Russian economy, and they have to stick to it.

At the same time the EU is finetuning existing sanctions and assessing a ban on Russian gold, which is Moscow's second-largest export industry after energy. The Group of Seven leading industrial nations last month already committed to a gold ban, arguing that Russia has used its gold to back up its currency to circumvent the impact of several rounds of sanctions that nations around the world had already imposed on Moscow after its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

____

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Prologis Inc. (PLD) on Monday reported a key measure of profitability in its second quarter. The results missed Wall Street expectations.

The real estate investment trust, based in San Francisco, said it had funds from operations of $847.5 million, or $1.11 per share, in the period.
LATEST July 18 5:26 p.m. Officials announced that forward progress of the fire has been stopped.

Residents near the Anchorage Apartments are no longer required to shelter in place, but have been asked to avoid the area as personnel continues to "mop up the fire."

Commuters should look out for traffic delays as Northbound Highway 101 is currently restricted to one lane between Rodeo and Marin City.

July 18, 3:39 p.m. A brush fire broke out near Sausalito on Monday afternoon, closing northbound Highway 101 south of Marin City, officials said.

"Residents in the Anchorage Apartments in Sausalito, off Lincoln Drive, are being advised to shelter in place," the Marin County Sheriff's Office said.

"Traffic is standstill northbound," Sarah Stierch, a local journalist who covers wildfires, wrote on Twitter. "Moving very slowly. Fire is on the east side of Hwy 101. Southbound isn't impacted at this time. Smoke is very heavy."

The Lincoln Fire, as it is being called, emitted a large plume of smoke visible in the North Bay and from parts of San Francisco.

RELATED STORY: 2 things everyone should do amid California's peak fire season

This is a developing story and new information will be added as it becomes available.
Savvy consumers consider price, performance and reliability when making a major purchase, such as a car or home appliance. The greatest of these is reliability  particularly lately.

Supply chain disruptions can mean long waits for parts or replacements if something breaks. Getting a new refrigerator, dishwasher or other major appliance now often takes weeks or even months, says Paul Hope, home and appliances writer for Consumer Reports. Plus, the microchip shortage means many manufacturers prioritize making their most expensive models, which are typically the most profitable, Hope says.

Its getting increasingly difficult to get some of the inexpensive models of any given product, Hope says.

Even in normal times, of course, you dont want to waste money on unreliable products. Plus, buying stuff thats built to last can help save money and create less waste.

Its a huge expense to have to replace products prematurely. Its also extremely detrimental to the environment, Hope says.

PRICE AND RELIABILITY ARENT NECESSARILY RELATED

Finding truly reliable and durable products isnt always easy, however. You might assume that more expensive products will last longer, but that isnt necessarily the case. For example, you can spend $5,000 or more on a premium range that breaks down frequently or $850 on one that provides years of trouble-free use.

We actually find that many of the pro-style range brands are some of the least reliable products that we test, Hope says. On the contrary, we often find very good performance out of very inexpensive brands.

Consumer-generated reviews, like those on Amazon, may alert you to products that break quickly or dont perform as expected. But such reviews can be skewed by a grumpy few who had bad experiences or a torrent of fake reviews designed to boost a products star rating.

To create reliability ratings that are actually, well, reliable, you need large sets of data. Consumer Reports surveys tens of thousands of people each year about their experiences with various products. Similarly, J.D. Power , which rates cars, bases its dependability ratings on reports from more than 80,000 owners of 3-year-old vehicles, who detail the type and number of problems theyve encountered in the previous 12 months.

Even then, reliability ratings are predictions, not guarantees. You might luck out and have a great experience with a product thats usually flawed or get the rare lemon in a product line thats generally solid.

WATCH THE WARRANTIES

So its also important to check out a products warranty. A long warranty can signal a companys confidence in its products reliability. (You can typically add a year to a manufacturers warranty, by the way, if you purchase the item with a credit card that offers such extended protection as a benefit.)

A one- or two-year warranty is standard for major appliances, but some brands offer longer guarantees on certain parts, Hope says. An LG refrigerator typically has a one-year general warranty for parts and labor, for example, but compressors, which circulate the refrigerant, may be under warranty for five or even 10 years.

Lifetime warranties are obviously the gold standard, although companies differ considerably in their definition of lifetime. With Craftsman hand tools, for instance, lifetime essentially means indefinitely. According to the companys site, if a Craftsman wrench, screwdriver, hammer or other hand tool fails to perform for any reason, the company will replace it, with or without a receipt.

Meanwhile, Manduka, a manufacturer of yoga supplies, offers a lifetime warranty for many of its mats  but its for the expected 10-year lifetime of the mat, not your lifetime. Some lifetime guarantees are limited to defects in materials and manufacture, not normal wear and tear.

THEY DONT MAKE EM LIKE THEY USED TO

Some products are better built than ever before. Cars used to be ready for the junkyard at around 100,000 miles, but you can expect a typical new car to last over 200,000 miles, or roughly 15 years of average driving, without major problems if its well maintained, according to J.D. Power. The average price Americans paid for new cars exceeded $47,000 last year, according to Kelley Blue Book, so hanging onto your cars longer can be a smart financial decision.

Other products may not last as long as their predecessors, which means we have to budget for more frequent replacements. Your grandmas clothes washer or refrigerator may have chugged along for 30 or 40 years, but most major appliances these days have an expected life span of around 10 years, according to Consumer Reports.

That said, todays products may offer energy savings, convenience and technology the older versions lacked. A new refrigerator is typically twice as large as the workhorses from the 1970s and runs on a fraction of the electricity, Hope says. Many have ice and water dispensers. Some have smartphone apps, interior cameras and internet connectivity so you can check the contents of your fridge while youre standing in the supermarket.

Yes, things have become a little bit more disposable, but they actually have become far better in a lot of ways, Hope says.

____________________________

This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and the author of Your Credit Score. Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.

RELATED LINK:

NerdWallet: How to save money: 22 proven ways
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP)  Two people were killed and two others were hurt in a shooting early Sunday at a large party in in Vancouver, Washington, police said.

Vancouver police said officers responded at 1:20 a.m. Sunday to a house in the Harney Heights neighborhood where more than 50 people had gathered for a party.
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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  The Republican race for Maryland governor in Tuesday's primary election pits a candidate backed by outgoing Gov. Larry Hogan against a rival endorsed by Donald Trump.

Its an early showdown on Hogans home turf as he weighs a 2024 White House bid, potentially against the former president.

On the Democratic side, the crowded candidate field includes the former head of the national Democratic Party, a bestselling author, the current state comptroller and a former U.S. education secretary.

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen is facing a primary challenge as he seeks a second term following a stroke. In the U.S. House, Maryland has one open seat after the incumbent decided to seek a different office.

What to watch:

GOVERNOR

Democrats are eager to win back the governors office. Hogan is a rare two-term Republican governor in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1.

The Democratic primary for governor is shaping up as a competitive three-way race among former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, who previously served as chair of the Democratic National Committee; author Wes Moore, who held a virtual fundraiser with Oprah Winfrey; and state Comptroller Peter Franchot, who had wide margins of victory in his four terms as state tax collector.

Voters are casting ballots with the potential for history to be made in November: Moore or former U.S. Education Secretary John King could become the state's first Black governor, and Perez could become the first Latino chief executive in the state.

For the GOP, Kelly Schulz is running as Hogan's hand-picked successor to carry on his legacy. Schulz served as a labor secretary in Hogans administration and later as the head of the states commerce department. She is a former state legislator from Frederick County.

Schulz, the only woman in the field, would be Maryland's first female governor if she were to win in November. She contends she is the only Republican in the primary who could tap into Hogan's unusual political success in a heavily Democratic state.

She is running against Dan Cox, a state legislator who has been endorsed by Trump. Early in the pandemic, Cox sued over Hogan's stay-at-home orders and regulations, saying they were unconstitutional. The lawsuit was later dismissed by a judge, who said that Hogan had a duty as governor to protect public health.

Cox also filed a resolution of impeachment against Hogan, accusing him of violating the rights of residents by issuing orders that were restrictive and protracted during the pandemic. Lawmakers rejected the effort.

He helped organize busloads of protesters to go to Washington for the Stop the Steal rally that preceded the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection. Cox has said he didn't march to the Capitol afterward, and he condemned the violence.

U.S. SENATE

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, is seeking his second term. He first won election to the chamber in 2016, replacing retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski, who was then the longest-serving woman in congressional history.

Van Hollen suffered a minor stroke in May but said doctors had told him there would be no long-term effects or damage. He said he experienced lightheadedness and acute neck pain while delivering a speech and sought medical care once he returned home.

Van Hollen has just one challenger in his Democratic primary: Michelle Smith, a Freedom of Information Act policy analyst with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Van Hollen previously served seven terms in the U.S. House.

Ten Republicans are seeking the GOP nomination, including Chris Chaffee, who ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer in 2014.

Van Hollen, who is expected to win his primary, would be a strong favorite in November. Maryland has not had a Republican U.S. senator in the last 35 years.

U.S. HOUSE

The state has eight congressional districts but only one open seat this cycle.

Democratic Rep. Anthony Brown, who has represented Maryland's 4th Congressional District, is stepping down after three terms to run for attorney general. Former Rep. Donna Edwards, who held the seat from 2008 to 2017, is running to get her job back representing the Black-majority district in the suburbs of the nation's capital. She will face former county prosecutor Glenn Ivey.

___

Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics.
MADRID (AP)  Four people were shot and another was injured by a knife at a nightclub in southern Spain, police said Monday. Two people have been arrested.

Two of those shot were in serious condition, police said in a statement. They are an Irish man and a woman.
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP)  A customer and an employee of a Walmart were shot and injured along with three young men who authorities said were involved in an altercation inside the store Sunday, police said.

The Seattle Times reported police received calls about shots being fired inside the building shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday.

Investigators believe the shooting happened after a group of men entered the store and got into an altercation with another group of men who were already in the store, police said.

Injured in the shooting were a 72-year-old customer, a 24-year-old employee and the three 19-year-old men allegedly involved in the altercation, police said. Authorities did not announce any arrests and did not know the conditions of the victims.

Three victims were taken to a hospital by emergency workers and two arrived in private vehicles, police said.

As of Monday afternoon, no arrests had been made, according to Mount Vernon police. Police said there was no sign the men entered the store to create an active threat event.

Maybelline Gonzalez, of Sedro-Woolley, told the newspaper she was at self-checkout when she heard two gunshots.

At first, Gonzalez, 26, thought it was the sound of something falling off a shelf as employees were restocking. Gonzalez was near the entrance and said she was able to leave the store.

Mount Vernon is about 60 miles (97 kilometers) north of Seattle.
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COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP)  Six of the 31 members of a white supremacist group who were arrested near a northern Idaho pride event last month pleaded not guilty Monday to misdemeanor charges of conspiracy to riot.

The Patriot Front members were arrested June 11 with riot gear after a tipster reported seeing people loading up into a U-Haul at a hotel parking lot in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, police said.

Appearing via Zoom for Monday's brief court proceeding were Josiah Buster and his brother Mishael Buster and Connor Moran, all of Watauga, Texas; Derek Smith of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Dakota Tabler of West Valley City, Utah; and Justin O'Leary, of Des Moines, Washington.

Each had posted $300 bail and been released after their arrest.

First District Judge Robert Caldwell read the same charge against each defendant, which is punishable by up to a year in prison and/or a fine of $5,000.

The defendants all said they intended to hire a defense attorney.

None of the defendants made any statement other than answering the judge's questions.

The remaining defendants will be arraigned later.

Among those arrested in June was Thomas Ryan Rousseau of Grapevine, Texas, who has been identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as the 23-year-old who founded the group after the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.

Also among the arrestees was Mitchell F. Wagner, 24, of Florissant, Missouri, who was previously charged with defacing a mural of famous Black Americans on a college campus in St. Louis last year.

Michael Kielty, Wagners attorney, has said Patriot Front did not have a reputation for violence and that the case could be a First Amendment issue.

Even if you dont like the speech, they have the right to make it, Kielty said after the arrests.

Patriot Front is a white supremacist neo-Nazi group whose members perceive Black Americans, Jews and LGBTQ people as enemies, said Jon Lewis, a George Washington University researcher who specializes in homegrown violent extremism.

Their playbook, Lewis said, involves identifying local grievances to exploit, organizing on platforms like the messaging app Telegram and ultimately showing up to events marching in neat columns, in blue- or white-collared-shirt uniforms, in a display of strength.

Though Pride celebrations have long been picketed by counter-protesters citing religious objections, they havent historically been a major focus for armed extremist groups. Still, it isnt surprising, given how anti-LGBTQ rhetoric has increasingly become a potent rallying cry in the far-right online ecosystem, Lewis said.

The arrests come amid a surge of charged rhetoric around LGBTQ issues and a wave of state legislation aimed at transgender youth, said John McCrostie, the first openly gay man elected to the Idaho Legislature.

In Coeur dAlene, police found riot gear, one smoke grenade, shin guards and shields inside the van after pulling it over near a park where the North Idaho Pride Alliance was holding a Pride in the Park event, Coeur dAlene Police Chief Lee White said.

The group arrived at the scenic lakeside resort city wearing Patriot Front patches and logos on their hats and some T-shirts reading Reclaim America according to police and videos of the arrests posted on social media.

Those arrested came from at least 11 states, including Washington, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, Illinois, Wyoming, Virginia, and Arkansas.

Though there is a history of far-right extremism dating back decades in northern Idaho, once home to the Aryan Nations group, White said only one of those arrested was from the state.

The six-hour Pride event generally went on as scheduled.
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Several pieces of legislation passed through the Michigan Legislature and were signed into law by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week.

Bills covered everything from allowing Michigan bars and restaurants to install self-serving beer, wine or cocktail taps (Senate Bill 656) to eliminating a $5 service fee for veteran-designated license plates (House Bill 5678).

Here's what to know about the pieces of legislation.

SB 656 allows certain taverns, restaurants and other on-premises licensees to have self-service dispensing equipment for beer, wine and mixed spirit products. The bill also allows the drinks to be dispensed at a customers table.

"Michigan can now join 45 other states that currently allow self-dispensing technology as an option for busy establishments," the bill's sponsor Sen. Jim Runestad, R  White Lake, said in a statement. "The technology adds additional safety measures to limit and track the amount each individual consumes and reduces the touches on each individual glass."

Customers will be able to access the self-serve taps through prepaid key cards that could be worn as a necklace or bracelet and track their consumption, according to Runestad.

To prevent licensees from allowing minors or overly intoxicated individuals from using this equipment, the legislation contains safeguards.

For instance, self-serve tap machines are limited to serving a total of 96 ounces in a single prepaid order  no more than 16 ounces of beer, 12 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of a mixed spirit per serving. And they are not permitted to dispense straight spirits such as tequila, rum or whiskey.

The OK on self-serve alcohol machines in Michigan comes one month after Whitmer signed a bill to allow swim-up bars to operate in Michigan. Under the legislation, HB 5983 and HB 5984, the swim-up bars must serve beverages in non-breakable containers, provide lifeguards and enhance pool filtration.

"The Bavarian Inn Zehnder Family applauds Governor Whitmer and the Legislators for approving the swim-up bar legislation," Michael Keller Zehnder, general manager for Bavarian Inn Lodge said in a statement. "This will enable hospitality business operators the opportunity to provide a new experience for their guests which will boost the Michigan Tourism Industry"

HB 5678 eliminates the $5 service fee associated with having a veteran-designated license plate.

The Michigan Vehicle Code allows certain United States Armed Forces veterans, medal awardees, prisoners of war and spouses to access special registration plates for their vehicles. The bill removes the fee for obtaining or renewing any such plate.

HB 5678 was introduced by Rep. Bradley Slagh, R  Zeeland.

HB 6087 raised the minimum offset price the Michigan Liquor Control Commission must pay a vendor from $4.50 to $8.25 per case of spirits. The bill also raised the maximum offset price the Michigan Liquor Control Commission may pay a spirits vendor from $8.25 to $12.50 per case.

When the Michigan Liquor Control Commission purchases spirits, it pays the vendor an acquisition price and an offset price, the second of which aims to offset the vendor's cost of hiring an Authorized Distribution Agent, according to the state in a recent press release.

HB 6087 was introduced by Rep. Roger Hauck, R  Mount Pleasant.

SB 926 modifies the definition of a person in the limited liability company act, allowing nonprofit corporations to be members or "owners" of limited liability companies (LLCs).

The legislation allows Michigan to join the ranks of other states, where it is practice for nonprofits to create LLCs to perform certain functions while maintaining their nonprofit purpose that does not involve any financial gain or profit, according to the state in the release.



SB 926 was introduced by Sen. Wayne Schmidt, R  Traverse City.
David Applegate, a senior state prosecutor in Bridgeport and head of that offices cold case unit, has been appointed the new states attorney for Danbury.

Applegate was appointed by the state Criminal Justice Commission Monday afternoon. He replaces Stephen J. Sedensky III, who recently retired after serving as Danbury states attorney since 2007.

State Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald, chairman of the commission, said Applegates appointment was approved by a unanimous vote of the seven-member commission.

"I congratulate States Attorney Applegate on his appointment to this important position as an integral part of the senior management in the Division of Criminal Justice," McDonald said. The commission wishes States Attorney Applegate the very best as the division moves forward to address the critical issues facing the criminal justice system today.

The states attorney is the chief law enforcement officer for the Judicial District of Danbury, which includes the communities of Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield and Sherman.

Applegate joined the state Division of Criminal Justice in 2006 as a deputy assistant states attorney in the Stamford states attorneys office. In 2015, he transferred to the Cold Case/Shooting Task Force Bureau in the Office of the Chief States Attorney in Rocky Hill before joining the Office of the States Attorney in the Fairfield Judicial District in 2018. Prior to his service for the state of Connecticut, Applegate worked in private practice in New York City from 2004 to 2006.

David Applegate is a hard-working, roll-up-your-sleeves and get-down-to-business prosecutor, Bridgeport States Attorney Joseph Corradino said. He will bring dedication and the capacity for hard work to the post of states attorney.

As a prosecutor in Bridgeport, Applegate headed the cold case unit and worked with detectives of the Bridgeport Police Department to solve the 1993 murder of Theodore Teddy Edwards in the Bridgeport Duchess restaurant and the 2013 murder of a Bridgeport man whose remains were found last year buried under a garage.

Applegate earned a bachelors degree in political science from Lehigh University and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School in New York.
GREENWOOD, Miss. (AP)  The CEO of a financially troubled hospital in the Mississippi Delta has resigned as the hospital continues to pursue a possible joint operating agreement with a larger medical center.

Jason Studley announced his resignation from Greenwood Leflore Hospital on Friday in a memo to the hospitals employees and medical staff, the Greenwood Commonwealth reported.

At this time, I need to dedicate my focus to exploring other opportunities that may secure my own familys future, wrote Studley, who had been CEO since October 2020.

Studley, 45, said he had come to a mutual understanding with the board that oversees the publicly owned hospital that the timing was right for him to depart.

Studley said the hospital board is expected to recommend to the Greenwood City Council and the Leflore County Board of Supervisors that they seek proposals for a joint operating agreement between the Greenwood hospital and a larger medical institution.

Studley said it is unlikely that the Greenwood Leflore Hospital board will recommend a specific partner, but the hospital has been in talks recently with the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

I want to assure you that the joint operations plans with UMMC have been well-planned, and will continue as mapped out, even in my absence, Studley wrote in the memo Friday.

An affiliation with the states largest hospital would have to be approved by the City Council and the Board of Supervisors and by the board that governs Mississippi's eight public universities.

Studley became CEO as the Greenwood hospital navigated difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated its already troubled financial condition.

Although the hospital received almost $32.6 million in coronavirus relief money since 2020, the grants provided only a temporary respite as it continued to be plagued by rising costs and low patient volumes. Through the first eight months of the current fiscal year, the hospital has posted a loss of almost $9 million, and the administration has said it has only enough cash to operate through the end of 2022 without dramatic changes.

In May, the hospital announced it was laying off 30 of its 800 employees, including at least two physicians.
TIRANA, Albania (AP)  The Albanian government on Monday said its webpage and all those of the public institutions have been shut down following a cyberattack from an undisclosed source.

A statement said a wide and complex cyberattack started Friday afternoon following which all government infrastructure and systems were isolated.
Dozens of volunteers supported the Edwardsville Masonic Lodge Fundraising Breakfast Saturday, which benefits the Dyslexia Center of Southern Illinois located in Collinsville.

Several members of the Edwardsville Masonic Lodge #99, Edwardsville Boy Scout Troop 216, 15 different Masonic lodges and the community took part in the event. The final donation amount had yet to be disclosed as of Sunday.

According to the President of the Board of the Southern Illinois Dyslexia Center, Brian Brown, the center is one of 43 centers throughout the northeast and one of five in Illinois. The group is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), Scottish Rite Charity that tutors children with dyslexia, trains and certifies tutors in the Orton-Gillingham Approach  a multisensory phonics technique for reading instruction  and funds dyslexia research.

Our jurisdiction is really southern Illinois. If you take Interstate 70 across, anything south of that is our jurisdiction. However, we want to help any kid, so we actually tutor kids from Missouri as well, Brown said. Were nationally accredited and children come for free."

The program will begin its 20th year of operation this September. Brown said, on average, it costs about $5,000 a year for a child to go through the program. The board is responsible for raising the funds to pay the tutors so the students do not have to.

The tutors do not pay for their training, either. Anyone with a bachelor's degree can enter the program for free.

They go through our program and when they get done theyre nationally accredited and they have two options: they can come and work at our center or they can go and work in the private sector, Brown said. We just want to help as many kids as we can.

Brown said the center used to be located in the Scottish Rite building in Belleville. When the building was sold, the center relocated to Main Street in Collinsville, right across from the library.

The nice thing is we get a lot of visibility, Brown said. We opened up and went live in October 2021 in Collinsville and we recently just got six applicants to be tutors, so its a really great location and were seeing an increased interest.

However, the board must now budget for rent and utilities. The $130,000 budget is raised entirely through donations, and the past two years have made fundraising difficult. However, Brown said the group has several fundraiser events planned for the next fiscal year.

Were small but a mighty board," Brown said. "The small board has raised over $100,000 for many years in a row. So were really excited now that we can get back into the swing of things. Weve got several new board members and were really excited and weve got a great year planned.

[The Edwardsville Masonic Lodge] contacted me a few weeks ago and said theyd like to do this fundraiser for us and give the proceeds to the Dyslexia Center, Brown said. And you know, we work so hard to put on so many fundraisers, we average one or two a month before Covid and you kind of get burnt out.

"But when other organizations contact us and say we want to do a fundraiser for you its like, its such a tremendous gift to us," Brown said. "I cant say enough about the Edwardsville Lodge. Thank you, thank you to them.

Brown, who has been a Mason for 30 years, said that even though the Dyslexia Center is a Scottish Rite charity, individuals do not need to be a freemason to be a board member, tutor or help with fundraising events.

"Anybody who has an interest to help a child with dyslexia, we welcome you to our board," Brown said.

Im overwhelmed by the generosity of people I meet in our community," Brown said. "Theres a lot of people that care and want to help children, and the Dyslexia Center is very fortunate, we have a lot of advocates for children with dyslexia but were just like any other service organization. You know the Rotaries and the great things they do to eradicate polio, and then youve got the Lions Club, the Optimist, the Moose and their charities. Were just another service organization in our area.

This program doesnt eradicate dyslexia, it just gives them the tools, the skills to function with dyslexia. And so these children are very inspirational to have the courage and to go through this program, Brown said. And seeing the impact on these children's lives and their family is what inspires us. Were trying to make a difference in the lives of children in our community and its so exciting to see how these students improve and then go throughout their life.

For more information about the Dyslexia Center visit www.readwithdyslexia.com. There you can find upcoming fundraising events, parent testimonials and information about enrolling a student in the program or enrolling as a tutor. You can also make a donation to their PayPal.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  The number of hate crimes reported to law enforcement agencies dropped slightly in 2021, according to a report from the Idaho State Police, but experts say the states laws and culture make some people unlikely to report hate crimes and others unlikely to see justice when they do.

Idaho is one of 18 states that don't include hate crime protections for LGBTQ people, according to the advocacy organization Human Rights Campaign, though most local law enforcement agencies still track those crimes based on federal standards. Four of those states  Arkansas, Indiana, South Carolina and Wyoming  have no hate crime laws.

The Crime in Idaho annual reports show that dozens of hate crimes are reported to the state's law enforcement agencies every year. In 2021, 47 such crimes were reported  the bulk of them targeting people because of their race or ethnicity, followed by crimes targeting LGBTQ people. That's a slight drop from the previous year, when 54 hate crimes were reported.

But only a handful of hate crime perpetrators ever face malicious harassment charges in court, according to the Idaho Supreme Court's online database. Only six hate crime charges were filed in state courts in each of the last two years.

The state's numbers likely don't reflect the reality, because hate crimes are generally under-reported, said Chelsea Gaona-Lincoln with Add the Words, an organization that works to protect LGBTQ people from employment and housing discrimination and human rights violations.

Who even feels safe reporting? As somebody who exists in a brown body, I wouldnt feel safe going to law enforcement based on what we see from them, and the way we see certain law enforcement interact with the Proud Boys at rallies, said Gaona-Lincoln.

She's not alone.

Nationwide, only about 44% of hate crime victimizations were reported to police between 2010 and 2019, according to a report examining hate crimes in the U.S. by the U.S. Department of Justices Bureau of Justice Statistics. Of those reported to police, only about 13% were confirmed by police investigators as hate crimes, though the remaining 87% also met the report's definition of a hate crime because the offender used hate language or left hate symbols at the crime scene.

Hate crime victims sometimes fear reprisals or choose to handle the issue another way. Some organizations, like Add the Words, have created mutual aid programs to assist marginalized people facing harassment outside of the court system. Add the Words' program has helped people get access to mental health providers, find new jobs where they won't have to interact with a known harasser, or leave places where their safety is at risk, Gaona-Lincoln said.

Dan Prinzing, the executive director of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, said there's been an increase in racist and anti-Semitic language in recent years, as well as attacks against the LGBTQ community. Last December, anti-Semitic flyers were left on doorsteps throughout Boises North End neighborhood. In 2020, someone pasted swastika stickers on the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in downtown Boise.

Neither incident was considered a hate crime under Idaho's law. That's because the law requires the harassment to intentionally target a specific person because of their race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin. Targeting an area, a public place or a church doesn't qualify, said Boise Police Detective Mike Miraglia.

Miraglia investigated when the anti-Semitic leaflets were left in the Boise neighborhood.

I actually interviewed the person who did it, Miraglia said. That person did not articulate a specific target, simply the entire neighborhood. A lot of the times it comes down to that fine line.

Miraglia turned the information over to the county prosecutor, who agreed it didn't meet the components of Idaho's law.

Tagging buildings with stickers or chalk also doesn't qualify, as long as it doesn't cause physical damage to the structure, he said. Some aggressors are choosing methods of harassment so that they can skirt the boundaries of the state law, Miraglia said.

It would be nice if that code was updated, Miraglia said. But that's a task for the Legislature.

Police spokeswoman Haley Williams said people should contact police if they feel like they've been targeted for harassment, because even if the case isn't prosecuted, the department can offer support, such as increased neighborhood patrols.

Lately, lawmakers have been reluctant to tackle discrimination, said Prinzing. The Legislature has passed multiple laws in recent years specifically targeting transgender people, and a few years ago rejected a proposed license plate declaring Idaho Too Great for Hate.

Are we so afraid to call out what is hate? There was a time in our state history where leadership became not only vocal, they also took actions, Prinzing said, referencing decades-old efforts by state leaders to denounce the Aryan Nations group, which built a compound in northern Idaho in the mid-1970s. The neo-Nazi group was eventually forced out of the state a quarter-century later when the organization was bankrupted by a civil lawsuit after two members attacked two Native American people who were passing by the compound.

Law enforcement can only do so much. Prosecution can only go so far, Prinzing said. Idaho lacks a clear definition of what is a hate crime.
A man firing a rifle killed shoppers at an Indiana malls food court. A gunfight at a Houston home killed four people.

A stand-up act by the comedian Craig Robinson in North Carolina didn't even begin before club-goers fled from a man with a gun.

In Las Vegas, the specter of gunfire at the MGM Grand sent the crowded casino into pandemonium over a panic that started with a shattered glass door.

As gamblers fled for the exits at the MGM and others ducked behind overturned card tables, professional poker player Daniel Negreanu was trampled in what he called a sad reflection of an anxious America gripped by gun violence.

On the surface, other people would look at it and think it was an overreaction, Negreanu said. But its warranted ... because we live in a state of fear now.

It was a false alarm in Las Vegas, but the weekends gun violence left more than a half-dozen dead or wounded, including a 12-year-old, two 16-year-olds and an 18-year-old.

Fear of shooters has left more people on edge and the shootings  or panic over the fear of them  were just the latest to hit America in 2022 after a school, church, grocery store and a July Fourth parade in Highland Park, Illinois, all become murder scenes in recent months.

In addition, authorities released a damning report that criticized all levels of law enforcement  including inaction by hundreds of federal, state and local officers  for a chaotic and feckless response on May 24 to a gunman who killed 19 students and two teachers inside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

Here is a look at some of what happened this weekend:

___

GREENWOOD, INDIANA

Three people died and two were injured after a man with a rifle started shooting at the Greenwood Park Mall on Sunday evening. An armed civilian shot and killed him, police said.

The shooter began firing after leaving a bathroom at the suburban Indianapolis mall shortly before it closed, Greenwood police Chief James Ison said Monday.

Witnesses described panicked mall goers fleeing.

Killed were a married couple  Pedro Pineda, 56, and Rosa Mirian Rivera de Pineda, 37  and Victor Gomez, 30, according to coroners' offices.

A 22-year-old who was legally carrying a firearm killed the gunman, stopping the shooter almost as soon as he began, Ison said.

Many more people would have died last night if not for a responsible armed citizen, Ison said.

The three people who died were in addition to the 20-year-old shooter. Police did not yet know a motive.

Ison said the man used an AR-15-style rifle during the shooting, firing 24 rounds within two minutes. Investigators found another one and magazines with more than 100 rounds of ammunition in the bathroom. They also found a handgun on the shooter.

___

HOUSTON

Four people died after a gunfight at an apartment complex in Houston late Saturday.

The Harris County sheriffs office said witnesses reported seeing several people, including the victims, shooting at each other after they began arguing.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said those killed included two 16-year-olds, a 19-year-old and a 25-year-old.

The sheriffs office did not identify the victims, a motive or a suspect.

___

EAST GLACIER PARK, MONTANA

Two men and an 18-month old toddler died after being shot at the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, a community of 17,000 people just outside Glacier National Park.

Two women were injured, at least one of them wounded by a gun.

Authorities said there were no other imminent threats to the public and declined to release more information.

___

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Patrons waiting for the show to start at The Comedy Zone fled on Saturday night when a man waved a gun, told everyone to leave and then fired it in the empty venue, according to police and witnesses.

No one was injured. The man, identified by police as Omar McCombs, pulled the gun before actor and comedian Craig Robinson came out to perform.

About 50 customers had been inside.

McCombs, 36, was taken into custody and faces several charges, including assault. Police did not disclose a motive.

___

LAS VEGAS

People fled and upturned poker tables in a panic over the mistaken belief that gunfire had erupted at the MGM Grand casino hotel late Saturday night.

Police found no evidence of gunfire; just a shattered glass door in the valet area.

Video posted to social media showed people scrambling across the Strip, including one video that showed officers approaching with guns drawn and lowered as several people hurried in the opposite direction.

Negreanu said his wrist was bloodied and injured in the stampede of people fleeing.

___

TULSA

An 18-year-old woman was killed after an altercation led to gunfire early Sunday morning at a downtown gathering spot called the Center of the Universe, police said.

Police said she was a passenger in a vehicle when an altercation broke out between two groups of people. Gunfire erupted, hitting the woman and a building, shattering glass doors, according to police.

Police received a call about gunfire and kids running everywhere" at the gathering spot, a concrete circle known for its acoustic features.

___

UVALDE, TEXAS

Sunday saw the release of a long-awaited report that further laid bare the chaotic response to May 24's mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde.

The findings of an investigative committee criticized both state and federal law enforcement, and not just local authorities for the bewildering inaction by heavily armed officers outside while a gunman fired bullets inside adjoining fourth-grade classrooms.

Nearly 400 law enforcement officials rushed to the school, but egregiously poor decision making resulted in more than an hour of chaos before the gunman was finally confronted and killed, according to the report written by an investigative committee from the Texas House of Representatives.

The gunman fired approximately 142 rounds inside the building  and it is almost certain that at least 100 shots came before any officer entered, according to the report, which laid out numerous failures.

The committee didnt receive medical evidence to show that police storming the classrooms sooner would have saved lives, but it concluded that it is plausible that some victims could have survived if they had not had to wait 73 additional minutes for rescue.

Hours after the report was released, Uvalde officials separately released hours of body camera footage from the citys police officers who responded to the attack.

Video from Uvalde Staff Sgt. Eduardo Canales, the head of the citys SWAT team, showed the officer approaching the classrooms when gunfire rang out at 11:37 a.m.

A minute later, Canales said: Dude, weve got to get in there. Weve got to get in there, he just keeps shooting.

It was 72 minutes later, at 12:50 p.m., when officers finally breached the classrooms and killed the shooter.

___

Associated Press reporter Claudia Torrens in New York contributed to this report.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Information for this article is from "75th Anniversary Trinity Lutheran Church, Onekama, Michigan" compiled and written by Rev. E. A. Mueckler on Dec. 2, 1962 and Wellspring, The Lutheran School published in 1981.

Through the decades of the 1860s and 1870s, many German and Scandinavian families settled in Onekama and Bear Lake townships.

Among these early settlers were Christian Smith (1861), Gottlieb Schimke (1863) and August Zosel (1866) who later became charter members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Onekama.

Early on, those of shared religious beliefs banded together to worship in private homes on an occasional basis. Then sometime prior to 1885 there was a small church located in the southwest corner of section 25 in Onekama Township. A small group of German Lutherans met there occasionally for worship services conducted by a certain Pastor Hale from Springdale. However, this church burned down.

Later a group of German Lutherans in the Onekama area met regularly for worship once a month in a little church located in the extreme southwest corner of section 20 of Bear Lake Township. This church was later moved to the top of the hill, remodeled and became a home which exists to the present day.

Four Lutheran families in the vicinity of Onekama invited a pastor from Arcadia, Heinrich Schmidt, to conduct services for them. By the latter part of 1887 a group of 22 families were ready to organize a congregation.

On Dec. 26, 1887 the congregation was formally organized and officers were elected in the home of Richard F. Wendel. The first resolution of the congregation was to build a church. The church, which was dedicated Nov. 17, 1889, was to be 23 feet by 50 feet and was to have a steeple.

Other resolutions of significance from the 1887 meeting were: services were to be held every second Sunday of the month; and every member of the congregation was to be under obligation to pay $5 annually toward the support of a pastor and other expenses of the congregation.

On Aug. 14, 1898 the first resident pastor, Rev. William T. Schalm was installed. It was his first parish and for his services he was to receive an annual salary of $300.

A parochial school was immediately established with the pastor as teacher, an arrangement which was continued until the school closed in 1921. At first classes were conducted at a village store, which burned, and a new school building was constructed next to the church in 1900.

Mrs. Martha (Briske) Schimke who attended the school recalled, It was a regular one room school with religious classes in the morning and reading, writing and arithmetic taught in the afternoon. Pastor Schalm single-handedly taught the whole school which consisted of 20 to 25 children, fifth through the eighth grades. In order to be confirmed into the membership of the church you attended this school instead of a public school.

With the resignation of Pastor Peters on Jan. 9, 1921, the school closed. The new resident pastor, Rev. F.W. Wiese installed on Aug. 7, 1922, faced with the problem of finding new ways to provide religious instruction to children of the parish started a Sunday school with 40 pupils. Sunday school was taught in the former parochial school building located adjacent to the church.

In 1933, there was a change in the appearance of the church property. The congregation resolved to annex the school building to the church building. The school building was moved and turned to form a right angle that was attached to south side of the church. At the same time a basement was put under both the church and the attached school.

Church services were in German and the first reference to a service conducted in English was in 1904. During the pastorate of William Schierbaum an attempt is made to provide a regular time for English services and it was resolved to hold English service every fourth Sunday of the month. Over the next four decades the German services gradually reduced in number and in a meeting held on Jan. 1, 1946 the congregation resolved to discontinue them altogether.

Under the pastorate of Rev. O.N. Behringer in the 1950s, the congregation grew. Plans were proposed for the remodeling of the existing church or the building of a new church to accommodate the growth in membership.

In May of 1958 the congregation voted to build a new church. The new church was dedicated on Sept. 9, 1962 and is still in use by the current congregation.
EDWARDSVILLE  A Madison County grand jury issued indictments in several separate cases Thursday.

Trey D. Williams, 21, of Alton, was indicted July 14 for aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony. The case was originally presented by the Alton Police Department.

According to court documents, on Feb. 27 Williams allegedly fired a gun at an occupied building in the 800 block of Gold Street, Alton.

Other indictments issued July 14 include:

 Joshua D. Moore, 28, of Florissant, Missouri, was indicted for offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony; unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony; and obstruction of identification, a Class A misdemeanor. The case was originally presented by the Wood River Police Department. According to court documents, on July 1 Moore allegedly had a reported stolen 1998 Chevrolet Silverado and less than 15 grams of fentanyl. Moore also allegedly provided a false name to a Wood River police officer.

 Jerome A. Clark, 18, of Alton, was indicted for charged June 30 with robbery and aggravated battery, both Class 3 felonies. The original charge was downgraded to Class 3 from Class 2. The case was originally presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. According to court documents, on June 29 Clark allegedly took a cell phone from another person by use of force or threatening imminent use of force and dragged the victim down the road while driving his vehicle.

 Brandon A. Reames, 34, of Bethalto, was indicted on two counts of retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense), both Class 4 felonies. The case was originally presented by the Wood River Police Department. On June 10 and June 19 Reames allegedly took items valued at less than $300 from the Wood River Walmart. He has a 2017 conviction for retail theft (second subsequent offense) out of Madison County.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  An oil tanker truck smashed into cars and motorbikes near Indonesias capital on Monday after its brakes apparently malfunctioned, killing at least 11 people and leaving others injured, police said.

The tanker truck, operated by Pertamina, Indonesias state-owned enterprise and energy company, was speeding out of control when it hit two cars and 10 motorbikes that were stopped at red light in Cibubur neighborhood in eastern Jakarta, said Latif Usman, the Jakarta police director of traffic.
RANCHO TEHAMA RESERVE, Calif.  Gage Elliott became an orphan on Nov. 14, 2017. He was 7 years old.

That morning, his father and paternal grandmother, who were raising him together in a modest house at the end of a gravel road, were gunned down during a mass shooting across this remote north-central California community. Over two days, according to the FBI, five people were slain and 14 others were wounded, including five children at Rancho Tehama Elementary School, before the gunman, 44-year-old Kevin Janson Neal, took his own life.

Danny Elliott and Diana Steele were killed five years after Gage's mother died in an accident, said Sissy Feitelberg, Gage's maternal grandmother. They were the second and third people shot to death by Neal, who lived in a light-blue mobile home barely 100 yards from their property.

Gage never spent another night in that house on Bobcat Lane where he once played in the yard with his father. He never went back to Rancho Tehama Elementary School after that day, when he and approximately 100 other students were locked down after staffers heard gunfire nearby and quickly hustled them in from recess.

He never returned to the classroom where the gunman unsuccessfully tried to open the door, which had been locked just seconds earlier. He never saw the school's new windows, which replaced the ones shattered by Neal's bullets, or the repairs to the bullet holes in its cream-colored siding and turquoise-painted beams.

Gage never again saw fellow students who hid under their desks while Neal fired clip after clip at the school, including a 6-year-old who survived being shot in the chest by a bullet that traveled through a classroom wall. And he never saw the banner draped across the school's front columns that declares "Rancho Strong" in big block letters.

"His life changed that day forever. It was gone, gone. It ripped his world," said Feitelberg, who moved her grandson out of Rancho Tehama Reserve after the shooting. "He has not, and he will not, talk about his father. It's definitely affected Gage, and it will for the rest of his life."



Miles of rolling fields blanketed in faded wild oats and yellow starthistle line the gently curving roads into this isolated enclave an hour's drive south of Redding.

A patchwork of country homesteads and double-wides, Rancho Tehama Reserve's spare core features little more than a baby-blue post office with matching recreation center and homeowner's association office, a gas station, a shuttered pizzeria and a cracked asphalt airstrip.

In 2017, this census-designated place with fewer than 2,000 residents made national headlines in the same way as towns like Newtown, Connecticut, Parkland, Florida, and Uvalde, Texas.

Neal's shooting put Rancho Tehama Reserve  known by locals as Rancho Tehama or simply "the Ranch"  on the map, but only briefly. As with so many mass shootings across the U.S., because the death toll was comparatively low, Rancho Tehama's was little more than another blip on the slaughter radar, forgotten by many within months.

The timing was also bad for attracting sustained news coverage and support campaigns. Barely a week earlier, a shooter killed 25 people and an unborn child and injured 22 others at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. That was the fifth-deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

And the month before, in America's deadliest mass shooting, a gunman massacred a crowd of festivalgoers in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and leaving more than 850 others injured. The shooting in Rancho Tehama simply couldn't compete.

In part because of the limited media attention, people who were shot or lost loved ones that day say there has not been enough support available to help rebuild their lives.

Government programs have provided minimal long-term financial assistance, according to several people affected by the shooting who said they also were not provided sufficient access to mental health treatment. Crowdfunding efforts, which can be reliable resources for victims in the aftermath of prominent mass shootings with high death tolls, failed to raise enough money to defray the cost of their hospital bills and other needs.

That disparity echoes researchers' findings that "the higher the body count, the more the media attention," and the greater the outpouring of assistance, said James Densley, a sociologist and criminal justice professor at Metropolitan State University in Minnesota.

"Gun violence is so routine that there's just not the resources there to address the problem at all," he said. "We're only just beginning to understand the  lack of support that families impacted by gun violence get."

Time stopped in November 2017 for many who were affected by Neal's bloody rampage, which left behind seven separate crime scenes and ended when he turned one of his guns on himself. But there's no end in sight for the psychological misery and financial troubles left behind.

In this little-visited slice of Northern California, a mass shooting that occurred nearly five years ago has in some cases left behind battered people who have yet to reckon with its multilayered effects. Their stories are deeply personal, but they're part of a uniquely American modern phenomenon: communities broken by mass gun violence, then largely left alone to try to pick up the pieces.



Jessie Sanders has lived in Rancho Tehama Reserve since he was 5. Muscular but skinny after a recent battle with colon cancer, the 44-year-old has a couple-inch-long pink scar where one of Neal's bullets seared the outer flesh of his tattooed right arm.

To many in town, he's a hero, though he says he dislikes the term. On the morning of Nov. 14, 2017, he helped prevent a potential bloodbath at the elementary school by drawing fire from the gunman in an act he brushes off as his parental duty.

Like Gage, Sanders' son also was at Rancho Tehama Elementary when Neal arrived after shooting multiple people on his way from Bobcat Lane. After Sanders' sister showed up at his home and told him she heard shooting near the school, he raced there, first in her car and then on foot. He ran toward the gunfire, he said, drawing Neal's attention just as the shooter was about to step through a broken window into a classroom filled with cowering children.

Sanders yelled at Neal, calling him names and demanding the gunman shoot him instead of the children. Neal obliged, turning his assault-style rifle Sanders' direction and firing "like 60 times," Sanders said. Every bullet missed but the one that grazed his arm.

Asked about Sanders' actions that morning, Rancho Tehama residents speak of his selflessness, bravery and kindness. But that high regard hasn't meant much for Sanders' everyday life.

He's lived for several years now in a dilapidated mobile home by the airstrip. He spent most of two recent afternoons working in his yard, which has been partially subsumed by overgrown vegetation, children's toys and assorted junk since the mass shooting.

Sanders said he knows he probably needs years of therapy and mental health treatment, but his anxiety and emotions kept him from going to see the therapists who were made available in Rancho Tehama immediately after the incident.

They've long since left, and Sanders said he has yet to receive any treatment for his anxiety, depression and likely PTSD.

"I don't know how to fix it," he said. "I've always understood that people have mental issues. I've never had them. And then, all of a sudden one day after that, I had them."

Sanders also never received any money from crowdfunding or some of the government assistance programs that could help him make ends meet.

Dan Flannery, director of the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, said sustained assistance is key in the months and years following mass shootings.

"It's the attention (shootings) get or don't get that prompts the outpourings of support. I think it's the desensitization to these events that leads to people wanting to move on," he said. But, Flannery added, "the support that people need over time is just as important as the support needed at the time of the crisis."

Jeff Eldred, a victim witness coordinator with the Tehama County district attorney's office, said that the county has helped about 150 people who were affected by the violence apply for financial assistance from the California Victim Compensation Board.

"For most of them, it provided counseling, because that's what they needed. For those who were shot, it paid for medical bills. And it paid for all the funerals other than the shooter's," he said. "We were helping with that for a good two years afterward."

But little help has reached some of the hardest-hit people, like Sanders.

"I think it might have messed me up a little bit more than I thought it did, because I don't go into public anymore  and I seem to get real short with my family when I feel like I'm getting around too many people," he said.

"My life's been hell since then."



James Woods Jr. was driving near Rancho Tehama Elementary with his father, James Woods Sr., in the passenger seat on Nov. 14, 2017, when Neal opened fire on their car.

One bullet hit the vehicle's metal frame near the windshield, producing a piece of shrapnel that lacerated Woods Sr.'s face near his left eye. And one of the bullets entered through Woods Jr.'s chin, tearing through the lower-right portion of his face.

The younger Woods was hospitalized for more than a week. Medical professionals cut teeth and tissue out of the then-20-year-old's mouth. He was fed through a gastrointestinal tube. He said he's gotten "no help at all" from the government since he was shot, but he hopes to receive state funding to help pay for dental implants.

"I have the California victim compensation through Sacramento," he said, "so I'm kind of waiting on that. And then I have to do implants. But they still have to rip all my teeth out, and then I have to do a bone graft."

A GoFundMe set up after the shooting to help the Woods family raised less than $6,000. Another, to help with hospital bills for a 34-year-old Rancho Tehama father who was shot in the leg, brought in less than $5,000. Even the GoFundMe to help cover medical care for the 6-year-old who was shot in the chest raised just $27,290.

Those amounts are fractions of the sums donated after more highly publicized, deadlier mass shootings. The GoFundMe drive established by family members of a teacher killed in May at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and her husband, who subsequently died of a heart attack, has already brought in more than $2.8 million.

A GoFundMe drive for an 11-year-old Robb Elementary student who was injured by bullet fragments and released from the hospital shortly after the shooting has received more than $478,000. Less than four months after the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in 2016, a Florida nonprofit announced that it alone had raised more than $9 million for victims, including $100,000 from GoFundMe itself.

Woods Jr. first filed for state victim compensation this year. Woods Sr. said his son would have applied for the funding earlier, but the trauma  including the "fire pain" of being shot and the first round of dental treatments  only recently subsided enough for Woods Jr. to take that step.

"They said we're waiting to be approved still," Woods Sr. said as he watched his son play with his own young children at a riverside park in Rancho Tehama one hot afternoon last month.

Woods Sr. doesn't like to complain. But he said his son doesn't feel safe living in Rancho Tehama Reserve, and neither of them has the money to leave town.

"At first it was like, well, we can give you this and that help-you-move-wise, but then you've got to worry about your rent and all your other big bills," Woods Sr. said. "I feel like  if I wanted to go I can't."

For Woods Jr., who has extensive facial scarring, the most difficult part has been the question of how his kids will perceive him.

"Definitely the biggest thing," he said, "is wondering how they're going to look at their dad when they're older."



Now 12 years old, Gage moved with Feitelberg to her and her husband's home in Sacramento immediately after the shooting. But she said "the schools in Sacramento gave Gage no support whatever."

So Feitelberg and her grandson moved to a small town northeast of Springfield, Massachusetts. Her husband would not go with them, so they went alone to start a new life near her son and daughter-in-law.

Before they split up, Feitelberg and her husband successfully applied to be Gage's legal guardians, which enabled them to receive Social Security payments on his behalf. They also received some short-term assistance from Tehama County and about $55,000 from a GoFundMe drive.

"Other than that, we get no help from anybody. Gage gets his Social Security, I get my retirement from the state, and I get my Social Security. No one else helps us," she said.

"I lost my marriage over it, which I don't care, because my main thing was I wanted  to make sure Gage was safe and he felt safe."

Gage still has a poster hanging on his bedroom wall adorned with messages from his former classmates  "we'll miss you," "we love you"  but about three years ago, he lost touch with the last friend from his California life. Now, nearly five years after the shooting, Feitelberg said she and Gage only truly feel secure when they're together at home.

He gets good grades, she said, but for four years, "he kept to himself, he made no friends, he didn't want to go out anywhere. He stays at home, he has an Oculus (virtual reality headset), and he has a computer, and he does that and that's basically it."

This spring, Gage started playing Little League, which he enjoys. But he still runs frightened into the house when he hears loud noises, Feitelberg said.

"All of it, all of his problems are from this incident in Tehama."


OSCEOLA COUNTY  When Lake County Sheriff Rich Martin received a call from the emergency management director of Osceola County, he was in his car within minutes to help find a missing child.

"We went over there and tried to help the best we could," Martin said. "Fortunately we found him safe and sound."

The missing boy was a 2-year-old who walked away from his home in LeRoy. Over a dozen law enforcement agencies united within 10 minutes to help find the missing child.

From Osceola County Sheriff Mark Cool's perspective, it was an amazing sight to see several forces quickly unite to return the child to their family. He said it was an overwhelming amount of support, and it reminded him of his purpose.

"You know why you do what you do," when something like this happens, Cool said.

"This was something you can't wait around," Martin said. "There's a window where we need to get on it and do a successful search."

"Everyone has a family," Cool said. "This was almost the best case scenario, to be able to reunite these parents with their son," he said.

Cool said you "cant describe" how the parents felt when their child was missing, and there were tears of joy upon the reunion. The parents, naturally, were ecstatic.

"It was amazing sight," Cool said.

The search included two K9 units, one of which came from the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office and was handled by a deputy, a line-grid search of the wild area surrounding the property involving members of the community, and drones.

A person who lived locally saw the incident command center the Osceola County police had set up in the roadway, and offered to put his drone in the air to assist with the search.

"Our first K9 was deployed and a minute later we had a drone in the air. That was a God moment, if you will, for him to be there within minutes and have a drone up," Cool explained.

Many of those involved in the search, including Martin, as well as Cool's unit, went home feeling good that they were able to assist this family.

"That was a great feeling for me, I know that, and my guys expressed that to me. It was a great feeling to be a part of that," Cool said.

Martin shared this sentiment, also saying "half the time" they don't believe in borders at the Lake County Sheriff's Office and many other law enforcement agencies and fire departments across the Osceola County area.

"Its always a good experience working with the Osceola County Sheriff's Office," Martin said. "Anyone who needs help, if theyre in another county or not, well bring further assistance when we can. I personally went out there because I know the relationship that we have," he said.

In addition to Martin and the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office's K-9 team, personnel who assisted in the search included the Meceola Central Dispatch, LeRoy Fire, Evart Fire, Lincoln Fire, Reed City Fire, Luther Fire, Hersey Fire, Evart Police Department, Osceola County EMS, Victim Services, Big Rapids Township (Drone Team), Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State Police, Osceola County Emergency Management Department and Osceola County CERT team.

Cool wants people to thank all the agencies involved, and said the good outcome of the search wouldn't have been possible without them.

"It would have been about five people out there trying to do this," Cool said, if all these agencies didn't provide their assistance.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  A former Little Rock police chief who fired his gun at an armed suspect on New Year's Eve won't face charges in the shooting.

Prosecutor Larry Jegley said in a letter to Arkansas State Police dated Friday that Keith Humphrey was justified in the use of force in the shooting outside a convenience store. A state police spokesman said the letter formally closes the agency's investigation into the shooting.
The prosecutor seeking the death penalty for the gunman who massacred 17 people at a Parkland, Florida, high school detailed for jurors Monday how Nikolas Cruz coldly mowed down his victims, returning to some as they lay wounded to finish them off with a second volley.



Some parents wept as prosecutor Mike Satz described in his opening statement how Cruz killed their children at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018. Others sat stoically, their arms crossed over their chests. One woman who lost her daughter fled the courtroom, sobbing and holding a tissue to her face.

Satz's comments came at the start of the trial to determine whether Cruz is executed or serves life in prison without parole.

The prosecutor's presentation went over how Cruz shot each of the 14 students and three staff members who died and some of the 17 who were wounded. Some were shot sitting at their desks, some as they fled and some as they lay bleeding on the floor while Cruz methodically stalked through a three-story building for almost seven minutes with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.

Cruz, 23, pleaded guilty in October to murder and attempted murder and is only contesting his sentence. The trial, which is expected to last four months, was supposed to begin in 2020, but it was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and legal fights.

Satz called the murders cold, calculated, cruel and heinous, quoting the video Cruz, then 19, made three days before the shooting.

"This is what the defendant said: 'Hello, my name is Nik. I'm going to be the next school shooter of 2018. My goal is at least 20 people with an AR-15 and some tracer rounds. It's going to be a big event, and when you see me on the news, you'll know who I am. You're all going to die. Ah yeah, I can't wait,'" Satz said.

Among the first witnesses was Danielle Gilbert, a junior who was in a psychology class when the shooting began. The teacher told students to get behind her desk.

"We were sitting like sitting ducks. We had no way to protect ourselves," said Gilbert, who is now a student at the University of Central Florida. Four people were shot in that room, she said, including one who died.

The jury was then shown cellphone video Gilbert took inside the classroom. The footage began with a girl curled up beneath the teacher's desk and others, including Gilbert, mostly unseen as they crouch behind it. About two dozen shots that seemed to be coming from just outside the door are heard in rapid succession as the fire alarm sounds. An unseen wounded boy cries out twice, Someone help me."

The gunshots get further away, but the students remain quiet and huddled, speaking only in whispers. Eventually, the voices of police officers can be heard approaching. The teacher stands up, holding her head.

They're coming, they're coming, we're OK, a boy whispers.



SWAT officers, carrying rifles, then burst in, wanting to know if anyone is hurt. The students point and Gilbert stands up with her camera. A wounded boy and girl are carried out. A dead girl lies in a pool of blood. The officers tell the students to run out. They passed two more bodies lying in the hallway before exiting into a parking lot.

Her testimony over, Gilbert broke down in sobs. Her father put his arm around her and led her from the courtroom.

Prosecutors also presented cellphone video from another student that showed classmates crouching behind chairs as Cruz fired through the classroom door window, the bangs reverberating over screams.

From the back of the courtroom, a relative of a girl who died in that classroom yelled for prosecutors to turn it off before bailiffs asked the woman to be quiet. The defense requested a mistrial over the outburst, but it was denied.

The seven-man, five-woman jury is backed up by 10 alternates. It is the nations deadliest mass shooting to go before a jury.

Nine other gunmen who killed at least 17 people died during or immediately after their shootings, either by suicide or police gunfire. The suspect in the 2019 slaying of 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, is awaiting trial.

It wasnt clear if anyone was in the courtroom to support Cruz, who sat at the defense table between his attorneys. During Satz's opening statement, he mostly looked down at a pad of paper with a pencil in his hand, but he did not appear to write. He would sometimes look up to stare at Satz or the jury, peer at the audience or whisper to his lawyers.

After Satz spoke, Cruz's lawyers announced that they would not give their opening statement until it is time to present their case weeks from now. That is a rare and risky strategy because it gives Satz the only say before jurors examine grisly evidence and hear testimony from survivors and the victims' parents and spouses.

When lead defender Melisa McNeill gives her statement, she will likely emphasize that Cruz is a young adult with lifelong emotional and psychological problems who allegedly suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome and abuse.

It's the first death penalty trial for Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer. When jurors eventually get the case in the fall, they will vote 17 times, once for each of the victims, on whether to recommend capital punishment.

Every vote must be unanimous. A non-unanimous vote for any one of the victims means Cruz's sentence for that person would be life in prison. The jurors are told that to vote for the death penalty, the aggravating circumstances presented by the prosecution for the victim in question must, in their judgment, outweigh mitigating factors presented by the defense.

Regardless of the evidence, any juror can vote for life in prison out of mercy. During jury selection, the panelists said under oath that they are capable of voting for either sentence.

Jury selection

The jurors currently on the main panel are two banking executives and two technology workers, a probation officer, a human resources professional and a Walmart store stock supervisor. Also included are a librarian, a medical claims adjuster, a legal assistant, a customs officer and a retired insurance executive.

The jury selection was filled with setbacks and possible mistrials over the questioning of possible jurors and COVID-19 cases on the defense.

The defense asked to delay the trial because of the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that left 21 dead. McNeills team argued that the shooting has again raised emotions in Broward County and makes it impossible for Cruz to get a fair trial currently.

Many of the possible jurors were not able to hold seat because of the time commitment for the lengthy process.

Full Recap: Jury sworn in to sentencing trial for Parkland high school shooter

Pleading guilty to all charges

Cruz pleaded guilty in October 2021 to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the deadly shooting.

Legal analysts said Cruzs plan to plead guilty to all charges in the Parkland shooting  along with the guilty plea in a battery on a jail guard charge  is a calculated move by his attorneys for him to avoid the death penalty.

Video below: Cruz pleads guilty in court

By pleading guilty to killing 17 people and attempting to kill 17 more in 2018, legal experts said Cruz is hoping to convince the jury that he is taking some responsibility for his actions.

"Hes trying to save his life, and the only way to do that is to take responsibility and not put all these poor people through a trial," criminal defense attorney Marc Shiner said.

Death penalty trials in Florida and much of the country often take two years to start because of their complexity, but Cruz's was further delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and extensive legal wrangling.

If Cruz is sentenced to death, that will still not be the end of the process. Death sentences in Florida are given automatic priority review by the Florida Supreme Court.

Trial preparations

Trial preparations were extensive for what was expected to be the biggest murder trial in Broward County history for one of the most infamous crimes in Florida history.

Cruz was arrested about an hour after the attack with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle on Valentine's Day 2018.

Video below: Body camera of arrest of Nikolas Cruz released

His lawyers repeatedly offered to plead guilty in return for a guaranteed sentence of life in prison, but prosecutors refused to drop their pursuit of the death penalty.

Video below: Cruz interrogation video released

Much of the penalty phase is expected to focus on Cruzs mental condition at the time of the slayings, with prosecutors emphasizing their horrific nature and Cruzs intensive planning beforehand.

Victims of the Parkland school shooting

Seventeen students and staff were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018. Seventeen others were injured.

Can't see the graphic? Click here.

Settlement with Broward School District

The Broward County School District will pay more than $26 million to the families of the victims.

Board members approved the two legal settlements on in December 2021.

A total of $25 million will be shared by 51 plaintiffs, including families of the 17 dead as well as students and staff who were injured. Another $1.25 million will be paid in one lump sum to Anthony Borges, who suffered some of the most severe injuries.

Video below: Nikolas Cruz outlines shooting plan in video recording

Four years after shooting

For many families, they said there will never be closure for the loss of their loved ones.

Students and families turned into activists.

'I still can't believe this is my reality': Parkland parent creates way to track school violence after son is killed in school shooting

Jim Gard, a math teacher that day, said they were all victims.

"These kids that were in the class, just because they weren't hit doesn't mean they werent hit," he said.

And since that day, so many of those victims have refused to just sit back and do nothing. In the days following the shooting, a movement called March For Our Lives was born.

David Hogg was one of the founders.

"When we started doing the march, we thought there would be about 90 people that we could get up to D.C.," Hogg said. "We got near a million."

Video below: Father of Parkland victim hangs banner in view of White House four years after shooting

Four years later, March For Our Lives is still going strong with chapters across the country.

Theyve helped pass state laws designed to keep guns away from violent offenders. Theyve worked to get more federal funding to control gun violence.

'I have to accomplish her dream': Hunter Pollack changes career path after sister is murdered in Parkland massacre

It's become a full-time job nobody wants.

"We want our job to be done so we can go back to being college students or high school students and young people and young professionals," Hogg said.

When they watched the Parkland shooter plead guilty to the murders he committed, both Hogg and Gard are pleased to see this chapter end.

Video below: School safety changes made following Parkland school shooting

They just ask you not to call it closure.

"It's the parents of the kids, the parents who lost their children, I dont know if there can ever be closure on that," Gard said. "I know for a lot of the people that I talked to, families that I talked to, there is not closure that can come. Theres nothing that will ever bring their kids back, their siblings back, their best friends back."

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, call 211 or the National Suicide Hotline at 988.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Next Friday, July 28, several secretaries of Chambers of Commerce representing several of the largest cities in Michigan will be in Beulah to study the resort conditions.

There will be about 30 men in the party and it has been hinted to them that they might be entertained with a luncheon while stopping here. To make plans for the entertainment of the party while here, a meeting of the Beulah-Benzonia Board of Trade will be called for Friday night, July 21, and as this is an opportunity that we cannot afford to pass up, all members will be expected to be on hand.
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BATON ROUGE (AP)  Court battles prompted by the Supreme Court's June 24 ruling reversing abortion rights played out in multiple states Monday, with a judge in West Virginia blocking that state's 150-year-old abortion ban and one in Louisiana leaving an order against enforcement of that state's ban in place, for now.

In another Monday development, the Supreme Court issued an order that put Indiana a step closer to being able to enforce a parental notification law involving girls who get abortions before they turn 18.

In West Virginia, Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Tera L. Salango granted the Womens Health Center of West Virginia a preliminary injunction against the 1800s-era ban, saying that in the absence of action by the court, the clinic and its patients, especially those who are impregnated as a result of a rape or incest, are suffering irreparable harm.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey decried the ruling, calling it a dark day for West Virginia. He said his office will appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

Womens Health Center lawyers argued the 19th century law is void because it has not been enforced in more than 50 years and has been superseded by a slew of modern laws regulating abortion that acknowledge a womans right to the procedure. One example is West Virginias 2015 law, which allows abortions until 20 weeks.

State attorneys argued the law has not been active in decades only because prosecuting people for getting or performing abortions would have been illegal prior to the June 24 Supreme Court decision reversing Roe v. Wade. If lawmakers wanted to repeal the 1800s-era law, they would have done so, they argued.

In Louisiana, where an abortion clinic and others are challenging the state ban, District Judge Donald Johnson left a June 11 restraining order in place. He gave both sides until Tuesday morning to submit their "proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in the case and gave no indication when he would finally rule.

Johnson is pondering whether to allow enforcement of the abortion ban that was written in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court's June 24 decision.

Whatever Johnson decides, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said he anticipates that the case will ultimately end up before the Louisiana Supreme Court.

We believe that ultimately we will prevail and the rule of law will be upheld, Landry said during a news conference, that was mostly drowned out by the chants of nearby protesters, following Monday's court hearing. Those people who dont like it have two choices  they can try to change the law, but if they find themselves in the minority of ideas then they can pack their bags and go somewhere else.

In Indiana, a U.S. Supreme Court order put the state a step closer to being able to enforce a parental notification law involving girls who get abortions before they turn 18.

The law has been blocked for five years, but the Supreme Court ordered lower courts to take a new look at the law following the landmark June 24 decision. The order formally returned the Indiana case to lower courts that had refused to act while awaiting the judgement.

Abortion remains legal in Indiana up to about 20 weeks.

In Louisiana, there is little question that an abortion ban will eventually be in effect in the state where the Legislature has long been dominated by abortion opponents. The question as the lawsuit there progresses is when. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are a north Louisiana abortion clinic and other supporters of legal abortion. They have managed to buy time for Louisiana's three abortion clinics, in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, while they argue that the current law is unconstitutionally vague.

The plaintiffs say the law has multiple, conflicting trigger mechanisms. They also argue that state law is unclear on whether it bans an abortion prior to a fertilized egg implanting in the uterus.

In addition, although the law provides an exception for medically futile pregnancies in cases of fetuses with fatal abnormalities, the plaintiffs argue that the criteria for what constitutes such a pregnancy is unclear.

That leaves doctors paralyzed in trying to decide when an abortion would be legal, attorney Joanna Wright argued for the plaintiffs.

Landrys office argues that the state ban is constitutional and should no longer be blocked. Landry, in a filing last week, argued that the law needs only to delineate what is illegal  not define what is legal. John Balhoff, an attorney representing Landry, argued that the terms are clear and defined.

The lawsuit originated in New Orleans, where a judge issued a temporary order blocking enforcement of the ban June 27. Nearly two weeks later, a second New Orleans judge sent the case to Baton Rouge, saying state law required that it be heard in the capital. That move, in effect, ended the initial restraining order.

But Johnson issued a second temporary restraining order July 11.

___

Willingham reported from Charleston, West Virginia. Associated Press writers Kevin McGill in New Orleans and Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report.
BOSTON (AP)  Massachusetts lawmakers approved a $52.7 billion state budget Monday, more than two weeks into the states new fiscal year.

The unanimous votes in both chambers came after a six-member House and Senate conference committee finished hammering out the details of the final compromise budget plan over the weekend. The agreement was crafted after each chamber approved their own versions of the spending plan earlier in the year.

The budget negotiators increased by more than $2.6 billion their original estimate for available tax revenues for the 2023 fiscal year, based in part on a hefty budget surplus for the current fiscal year.

The budget  which now heads to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker for his signature  does not include any new broad-based taxes.

The state has been operating on an interim budget since the new fiscal year began on July 1 to avoid any disruption in government services while the final details of the new budget were worked out.

The budget plan approved by lawmakers Monday includes $1.2 billion in unrestricted aid to cities and towns, nearly $6 billion for local school aid and more than $110 million to increase access to school meals.

The plan also sets aside $266 million to help the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority address safety concerns spotlighted in a recent review of the transit agency by the Federal Transit Administration.

In addition, the budget creates a two-year pilot program aimed at providing individuals and families who earn up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level  about $68,000 a year for an individual and $139,000 for a family of four  access to subsidized health care coverage with reduced premiums, co-pays and deductibles.

The legislation also includes several nonbudget related sections, including one eliminating fees for parole and probation and a second banning marriage of people under age 18 in Massachusetts. Advocates said Massachusetts would become the seventh state to ban marriage for those under 18.

The brighter fiscal outlook for the state also allowed budget negotiators to plan to funnel more money into the state's rainy day fund  which could top more than $7.3 billion by the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The fund is used to help the state bridge budget spending gaps in the event of a sudden economic downturn.

The budget now goes to Baker, who planned to attend a meeting of the Republican Governors Association in Colorado during the first part of the week and return to Massachusetts on Wednesday evening.

Baker has 10 days to review the budget, sign it and issue any vetoes. The House and Senate, controlled by Democrats, can seek to override individual vetoes, although they would likely have to take the votes quickly before the end of the formal session on July 31.

Lawmakers are also hoping to send a separate $1 billion tax relief proposal to Bakers desk by the end of the month.
ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia's highest court has a new chief justice.

Michael Boggs, who had been the court's presiding justice, was sworn in Monday as chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. He replaces David Nahmias, who announced in February that he was stepping down from the court.

As chief justice, please know Im committed to helping our courts in ways that ensure theyre prepared to meet the needs of Georgias citizens, Boggs said, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Our judicial system will continue to need resources, even patience from everyone, as we work through the long-term consequences of the pandemic.

Georgia chief justices are chosen by their colleagues to serve a single four-year term leading the states judicial branch. The chief justice speaks for the high court and the rest of the states judiciary and presides over oral arguments and deliberation meetings. The chief justice also chairs the Georgia Judicial Council, which makes policy for the judicial branch.

Georgia Supreme Court justices run for six-year terms and can be reelected.

Justice Nels Peterson was sworn in Monday as the court's presiding justice. Typically, the presiding justice is next in line to be chief justice.

Boggs was appointed to the Supreme Court by then-Gov. Nathan Deal in 2016 and won election to a six-year term in 2018. He previously served on the state Court of Appeals and as a superior court judge in Waycross, where he founded that circuits drug court program.

Before taking the bench, Boggs served two terms in the Georgia General Assembly. Deal appointed him to serve as a co-chair of the Georgia Criminal Justice Reform Council from 2012 to 2018. A graduate of Georgia Southern College and Mercer University School of Law, Boggs also is a member or leader of numerous other organizations having to do with the judicial branch.

Boggs co-chaired the Criminal Justice Reform Council when Deal was governor and has also been a member of Gov. Brian Kemp's Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission, serving as chair of the mental health courts and corrections subcommittee.

In introducing Boggs Monday, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton applauded Boggs' dedication to criminal justice reform, the Journal-Constitution reported.

Im talking about work that has reduced incarceration rates among African-Americans by 25 percent, Melton said. Im talking about work that has brought lives back together and that has restored families, that has changed communities. Im talking about work that has done all this while reducing recidivism.
Port Arthur ISD is the latest school district in the region to approve new security measures for its schools, notably in the form of additional metal detectors at its elementary and secondary campuses.

The Port Arthur ISD school board in June approved the purchase of more than $64,000 in metal detectors for the district's eight elementary schools and other secondary campuses.

The decision came almost a month after a shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde that killed 19 students and two teachers.

Metal detectors have been in place at Memorial High School, Memorial 9th Grade Academy and Port Arthur ISD's two middle schools for two years.

RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Walk through school security measures with BISD's police chief

"Nothing is failsafe," Port Arthur ISD Police Chief Alton Baise told The Enterprise. "These metal detectors are just another tool to increase our safety in the schools."

The metal detectors, made by Garrett Metal Detectors, are sensitive, meaning that even small objects such as jewelry can make them sound, Baise said.

The detectors also can tell an officer where the alert is on the body. For example, if someone were to walk through the detector with a knife or other weapon tucked into their shoe, the detector would alert the monitor to the approximate location of the device.

In addition, each metal detector comes with a hand-held wand, which allows an officer to screen someone for a more detailed look.

RELATED: Local company offers free active shooter response training to area teachers

There is no timeline as to when the metal detectors might be installed because they're in high demand, Baise said.

Baise said his department consists of nine officers, including himself and his Assistant Police Chief Eugene Wilson.

For a district of about 8,000 students and 15 campuses, Baise said his force is mostly concentrated at the high school because the students and fights are bigger, usually requiring more manpower to break up.

There is an officer at the ninth grade center and one located at each of the middle schools as well.

"Myself and my assistant chief, we bounce from school to school because we get calls at the elementary school(s) about different stuff," Baise said. "We try to cover the high school and the middle schools -- the ninth grade center. Those are the most important, where, more than likely, if something's going to go down, it's going to go down with the bigger kids. So, we try to concentrate our efforts here."

RELATED: Map: Every Texas school shooting since 1970

Baise said the district does not utilize public safety or school resource officers but does have unarmed hall monitors who make sure students get to class in a timely manner.

Baise said that if the district's school board provided the department more openings, they'd look to hire qualified candidates.

However, Baise said those positions could be hard to fill regardless because, "Nobody really wants to be a police officer nowadays."

"Back in the day, you'd have 26 to 30 police candidates go into the police academy," he said. "Now, you have 14 to 16."

In fact, Baise said if he was 21 and was able to do it all over again, he's not sure he'd even be a police officer.

RELATED: Silsbee ISD looking to recruit police officers where others couldn't

"Police officer would be at the bottom of my list because police work is much more complicated now than it used to be," he said. "We've had some new recruits fresh out of the academy come through, especially in Port Arthur PD, and they'll see how complicated it is now and after a week or two they're like, 'Nah, I don't want to do this, I think I'll do something else.'"

Wilson said the problem isn't just local -- it's a nationwide issue.

Baise said the workload is a lot heavier than when he entered the job.

So, while he and Wilson would like more officers to help patrol campuses, even if the positions were allotted, they aren't necessarily confident in the ability for them to be filled.

RELATED: Texas approves $105.5M for school safety, mental health in wake of Uvalde

With the measures that are in place, like the metal detectors, Baise said he feels they've been effective in at least discouraging students from bringing weapons on campus.

"Students who were thinking of bringing a gun or a metal object (know) not to, because they know they're going to get searched when they come through," Baise said. "We've got the metal detectors, we've got the wands. So, why even take that chance, right? Whereas if you don't have (those measures), they're going to take that chance."

Since the Uvalde shooting, Baise said the district is looking at adding buzzers outside of more school entrances.

Many of the schools already have them at main entrances -- visitors can't get inside the building unless they buzz in and speak to someone at the front desk, who then decides whether they can be let in.

RELATED: How to contact lawmakers in Texas and Washington about gun violence

"Some of the schools don't have the outside buzzer on them but we're fixing it," Baise said. "We're also trying to get them installed on some of the exterior doors leading into the dressing rooms and stuff like that."

Baise said students will sometimes leave a door that typically locks automatically open for their friend by putting a pencil in the mechanism to prop it open.

"The door will look like it's closed, but it's not," he said. "So, we are looking at putting some buzzers on those doors so that if that door doesn't lock, the buzzer will go off."

All of the doors leading in-and-out of the district's campuses automatically lock, Baise said. However, they can be opened from the inside -- a student could open the door for a friend, allowing them to enter at any point instead of re-entering from the front after they've been buzzed in per protocol.

RELATED: Port Arthur's Memorial Stadium getting major upgrades

Wilson said the district's biggest safety risk is the students themselves.

"Kids don't like to follow the rules," he said. "They think of the convenience, the convenience of (letting) someone in. They don't think about the 'What if?' And that's the problem."

A growing concern among some parents is that schools are being over-policed. But Baise said in today's society, the police are needed on campuses.

"Back then it wasn't (necessary) because you had students, teachers, parents who respected officers more back in the day," he said. "An officer would say, 'Can you do this? Yes, sir.' Nowadays, it's not like that. There's a lack of respect for law enforcement -- that's what we're dealing with."

RELATED: Port Arthur ISD exhibit teaches students various sectors of Black history

Baise and Wilson say they see that same trend at the schools they police with the students.

"It starts at home with the parents," Baise said. "If the parents don't teach them to respect themselves or law enforcement, when they leave home they won't."

For officers assigned to specific campuses, Baise said it's good for them to build rapport with those students because then they feel that they can trust that officer and reach out to them in a time of need.

The more students trust the officers, the more likely they will also report if they hear another student might be planning something, Baise said.

RELATED: Check out Southeast Texas' valedictorians, salutatorians

Wilson said they are seeing more students come forward when they hear potential threats, but he also wants to stress the use of Crime Stoppers.

Students, teachers, parents and community members can call 409-724-8477 and anonymously report concerns that they have or potential threats that they come across.

Wilson said the district is trying to push that more as way for people to reach out when they hear something.

"Some of these kids are scared," he said. "Some will tell an officer, but some don't. With Crime Stoppers, they don't have to give their name."

RELATED: States most dependent on gun industry: Where does Texas rank?

Baise and Wilson highly recommend students use Crime Stoppers if they see on social media a classmate or anyone talk about bringing a weapon or doing harm at one of Port Arthur ISD's campuses.

Threat assessment teams are also in place on campuses, Wilson said.

These teams are comprised of teachers, custodians, food service workers -- people aside from police who spend enough time with students to notice odd behavior that they can then report.

"If they notice something, we have forms that enables us to document (behaviors)," Wilson said. "If someone writes up a threat assessment, then we started keying in on that person. We'll bring their parents in, talk to a counselor and see what's going on. It may not necessarily be that they want to shoot themselves or the school -- they could have something going on at home. Somebody could be bullying them. But you have to go to the problem. We always see it, but we've never documented it. That's our problem as a society."

RELATED: Port Arthur organization discusses how to report pollutants

Baise said he and his team look for ways to be as proactive as possible to prevent a potential situation.

When it comes to active shooter drills, Baise said that's not something the district like to publicize as to not alert a potential offender of plans. Students are also kept out of the loop in the case that the student could one day use those drills to act out an attack.

But, Baise said the Port Arthur ISD Police Department does respond immediately to active shooter threats.

"We're going to do what we have to do to make that situation safe," he said.

During the summer months, Baise said he and his team utilize different campuses for trainings, sometimes working with other school districts or the city police.

RELATED: Local charter pays teachers almost $10K more than area districts

"It's the same concept," Wilson said. "I don't care if it's Memorial High School or if it's Vidor High School -- it's the same concept."

Wilson said it's important for the community to work together to remain safe.

"Kids need to know that it's not OK to let your homeboy in here because he didn't want to go through the metal detector," Wilson said. "You've got to be aware of your surroundings. Not just here, anywhere in the world. You could be at the mall, it happened there. You could be at the movies, it happened there. It happens everywhere."

Wilson said in the past, district police would wait for a SWAT team to come and eliminate such a threat. Today, that is no longer an option.

"We signed up to be police officers," Baise said. "We've got to put our lives in the place of yours. That's what we signed up for -- to do police work, to shoot guns and try to take out bad people. We've got to do what we signed up for."
Many OB-GYNs, including some who perform abortions, are celebrating a decision that allows them to avoid traveling to Texas for certifying board exams.

Some feared gathering en masse would make them vulnerable to violence. Others who are pregnant themselves worried about developing complications and being forced to seek care in a state with strict abortion limits.

The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology exams are voluntary, but certification lends respect to doctors credentials, indicating they graduated from an accredited medical school and passed written and oral competency exams. Some employers also require the tests.

The Dallas-based board had held virtual exams during the pandemic but planned to have the upcoming fall oral exams in-person. On Thursday, the board announced a reversal, saying the exams would be virtual.

The decision was made due to the increase in COVID-19 cases across the country and concerns regarding the U.S. Supreme Court opinion" that overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, the board said.

The switch came after many OB-GYNs  including some taking the tests and others administering the exams  objected to traveling to Texas.

Theyre scared. They have nothing to lose but their own personal safety, said Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald, a Pennsylvania OB-GYN, who signed a petition against in-person exams.

The three-hour exams test skills, knowledge and ability to treat different conditions. The examiners also review cases related to patients whom doctors have treated during the past year, the board website says.

Doctors can start the certification process in their fourth year of medical residency training.

Fitzgerald, who has taken board exams in person and virtually, said the setup for both is similar and she could see no advantage to an in-person exam.

The board did not return calls and emails requesting comment.

___

Follow AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner at @LindseyTanner.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (AP)  A teen in Florida is facing a manslaughter charge after police say she killed her 3-year-old sister by putting a pillow over her head after their mother told the girl to quiet the toddler while she was on a work call at an extended stay hotel.

The 16-year-old girl was arrested last Friday, according to police officials in Altamonte Springs, a suburb of Orlando.
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NEW ORLEANS (AP)  New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams, elected as a reform candidate in 2020 even as he faced tax charges, arrived at the federal courthouse Monday for jury selection in his trial.

Williams and Nicole Burdett, who was an attorney in his law practice, are accused in an indictment of conspiring to cheat on Williams taxes during a five-year period ending in 2017.

A defense lawyer before he became the city's top prosecutor, Williams was president of the New Orleans City Council when he was indicted in June 2020. He was elected district attorney that December with support from criminal justice reform advocates.

He succeeded Leon Cannizzaro, a hardline prosecutor and frequent target of Williams' criticism who did not seek reelection. Williams took office facing pandemic-related backlog of cases and high expectations from criminal justice reform advocates.

There was also a growing violent crime problem that has not abated. And while Williams has drawn praise from reformers for efforts to free the wrongly accused and reexamine the cases of people convicted under a now defunct law allowing non-unanimous jury verdicts, he has also drawn criticism.

When Williams announced that two 15-year-olds would be charged as adults in the highly publicized gunshot death of a 52-year-old woman and her dog during a suspected carjacking attempt, he was accused by some advocates of going back on a campaign promise regarding juvenile offenders.

Williams has said the accusations in the tax case were ginned up by prosecutors for political reasons. His motion to have them dismissed was rejected last year by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman said at the time that Williams' lawyers failed to prove that federal prosecutors targeted Williams because he was a public official running for office or because Williams is Black.

Feldman, however, did give credence to the defenses point that other clients of a tax preparer at the center of the case  Henry Timothy, who pleaded guilty to tax fraud  were not being prosecuted.
Russias parliament moved Monday to tighten already stringent restrictions on the discussion of LGBTQ rights and relationships.

A draft bill calling for the broadening of a 2013 ban on the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations to minors, widely referred to as the gay propaganda bill, was announced on the website of the parliament, or Duma.

Introduced by a cross-party group of six Communist and socially conservative deputies, the bill would ban public discussion of LGBTQ relationships in a positive or neutral light, and any LGBTQ content in cinemas.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the parliament speaker and an ally of President Vladimir Putin, proposed similar measures earlier this month. On July 8, he spoke in favor of a broad ban on disseminating information on LGBTQ relationships after Russia had withdrawn from the Council of Europe, a human rights watchdog, in March.

With the exit from the Council of Europe, demands to legalize same-sex marriages in Russia have become a thing of the past. Attempts to impose alien values on our society have failed, Volodin wrote on Telegram.

Pro-Kremlin figures have repeatedly pitched the ongoing war in Ukraine as a battle against Western values, which they say include LGBTQ visibility and rights.

On the same day the bill was submitted for consideration, Putin formally recalled Russias representative at the European Court of Human Rights, or ECHR, via a decree published Monday on the Russian government portal for legal information.

Last month, Putin signed into law a bill releasing Russia from its responsibility to enforce ECHR judgments issued after March 15, when Russia withdrew from the Council of Europe. The ECHR was established by a 1953 convention drafted by the then-newly formed council, which all member states are expected to ratify.
One of the suspected middlemen in the 2018 kidnapping and death of a Vermont man as part of a murder-for-hire case stemming from a financial dispute is due in court for a change of plea hearing, federal court records show.

The records say Aron Lee Ethridge, 42, of Henderson, Nevada, is scheduled to appear in court in Burlington Friday.

Ethridge pleaded not guilty in April to a kidnapping charge in connection with the January 2018 abduction of Gregory Davis, of Danville, who was found shot to death the day after his kidnapping.

Prosecutors say Jerry Banks kidnapped and then killed Davis, but Banks, 34, of Fort Garland, Colorado, has only been charged with kidnapping. Banks allegedly called Ethridge the day after the kidnapping to inform him that Davis had been successfully kidnapped and killed. Banks has also pleaded not guilty and is being held pending trial.

The court records provide no detail about the change of plea, which was first reported by the Caledonian Record. Ethridge's defense attorney, Mark Kaplan, declined comment Monday.

Prosecutors allege that Ethridge served as a middleman between Banks, Berk Eratay, 35, of Las Vegas, and Serhat Gumrukcu, 39, of Los Angeles, who were arrested in May on charges of conspiring to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of the murder-for-hire that resulted in the death of Davis.

Eratay and Gumrukcu are both in custody pending their transfer to Vermont, where they will answer the charges after they arrive.

Prosecutors say Davis had been threatening to go to the FBI with information that Gumrukcu, the co-founder of a Los Angeles-based biotechnology company, was defrauding Davis in a multimillion-dollar oil deal that Gumrukcu and his brother had entered into with Davis in 2015.

Court documents say Ethridge told the FBI that Eratay approached him more than a year before Davis' death, asking if he could arrange a murder. Ethridge later approached Banks and arranged for the killing of Davis.

Eratay paid Ethridge more than $110,000, some of which was paid to Banks. After Davis' death, Eratay allegedly provided Ethridge with an additional payment in bitcoin.
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The Uvalde, Texas, gunman gave off so many warning signs that he was obsessed with violence and notoriety in the months leading up to the attack that teens who knew him began calling him school shooter.

He was once bullied as a fourth-grader in one of the same classrooms where he killed 19 children and two teachers. And in the planning for the May 24 massacre, he collected articles about the Buffalo, New York, supermarket shooting and played video games with a young student while quizzing him about the school schedule.

A state investigative report that highlighted law enforcement's bungled response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School has also provided the most in-depth account to date about missed red flags and possible motivations surrounding 18-year-old Salvador Ramos. Despite many warning signs, he still managed to legally amass more than $5,000 in guns, ammunition and gear in the weeks leading up to the killings.

Just days before the attack, Ramos spoke out on social media of his plans to do something that would put him all over the news. He wrote of a desire to kill himself, shared online videos of beheadings and violent sex, and sent footage of himself driving around with someone he met on the internet holding a plastic bag containing a dead cat and pointing BB guns at people out the window.

The attacker became focused on achieving notoriety, according the interim report released Sunday by an investigative panel of the Texas House of Representatives. He believed his TikTok and YouTube channels would be successful. The small number of views he received led him to tell those with whom he interacted that he was famous, that they were mere randoms by comparison.

The 77-page report  based on interviews with family members, testimony and data from Ramos phone  lays out a long trail of missed signals prior to the massacre but notes these clues were known only to private individuals and not reported to authorities. It also found Ramos had no known ideological or political views that would have made his rantings more widely known.

The report traces the descent of a shy, quiet boy once thought by a teacher as a wonderful student with a positive attitude into a mass murderer who gave plenty of signs online and to family members that he was prone to violence as he amassed an arsenal of rifles, body armor and ammunition.

A former girlfriend told the FBI that she believed Ramos had been sexually assaulted by one of his mothers boyfriends at an early age, the report said, but when Ramos told his mother at the time, she didnt believe him.

Without assigning a specific motive, the report noted that Ramos talked about painful fourth-grade memories to an acquaintance weeks before the shooting.

Family members told investigators how Ramos had been bullied as a fourth-grader in one of the same linked classrooms where he carried out the attack. They said he faced ridicule over his stutter, short hair and for wearing the same clothing nearly every day.

At one point, the report said, a fellow student tied his shoelaces together and Ramos fell on his face, injuring himself. The report noted that Ramos was flagged by school officials as "at risk, but never received any special education services.

Failing grades soon were accompanied by frequent absences  more than 100 a year beginning in 2018. The report noted it was unclear if a school resource officer ever visited Ramos' home. Uvalde High School officials involuntarily withdrew him last fall, when he had only completed the ninth grade. That was about the same time he moved out of his mother's house and began living with his grandmother, just blocks from the elementary school.

Months before the shooting, Ramos began contacting acquaintances with vague but ominous messages about doing something soon.

In March 2022, two months before the shooting, a student on Instagram told him that people at school talk (expletive) about you and call you school shooter.

The next month Ramos asked in a direct message on Instagram, Are you still gonna remember me in 50 something days? After the answer  probably not  Ramos replied, Hmm alright well see in may.

Crystal Foutz, who attended school with Ramos, told The Associated Press he was frequently angry and gave off vibes like he could shoot up the place, though it was taken more as joke than serious.

You heard people joke and say, He looks like a school shooter, said Foutz, though she quickly added, Ive heard it said about other people.

Ramos took jobs at two fast-food restaurants to save money for what he told acquaintances was something big, which family members assumed was his own apartment or car. Instead it was guns and bullets, which he tried to get two people to buy for him while he was 17 and unable to obtain legally.

But on May 16, the gunman turned 18, and began purchasing firearms and ammunition, persuading an uncle to drive him to a gun store. He eventually spent more than $5,000 on two AR-style rifles, ammunition and other gear. And with no criminal history or even arrest, Ramos passed all background checks.

He had earlier written online 10 more days, eliciting speculation from readers that he was planning to shoot up a school or something or commit mass murder. A friend told him that an acquaintance was telling everyone u shooting up the school.

He also spent time playing the childrens videogame Roblox with his cousins son, a student at the Robb Elementary, and elicited from him details about his schedule and how lunch periods worked at the school.

I got a lil secret, Ramos wrote on Snapchat to a German teenager he had befriended days before the May 24 shooting, adding that first he was waiting for something being delivered on Monday. His order of 1,740 hollow-point bullets that expand in bodies upon impact, more easily killing, arrived later that day.

None of his online behavior was ever reported to law enforcement, the report said, and if it was reported by other users to any social media platform, it does not appear that actions were taken to restrict his access or to report him to authorities as a threat.

Shortly before entering Robb Elementary, the gunman reached out to the German teenager he had befriended earlier, posting a message that he had just shot his grandmother in the face and was about to shoot up an elementary school.

Not sure he was serious, the German teenager replied: Cool.

___

Condon reported from New York. AP reporter Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report.



More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/school-shootings
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Former Trump adviser Steve Bannons contempt-of-Congress trial will stretch into a second day after lawyers labored through a long Monday session trying to select a jury without preconceived opinions. Bannon is facing criminal charges after refusing for months to cooperate with the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

Bannon, an unofficial adviser to President Donald Trump at the time of the Capitol attack is charged in federal court with defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee that sought his records and testimony. He was indicted in November on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress, one month after the Justice Department received a congressional referral. Each count carries a minimum of 30 days of jail and as long as a year behind bars.

Monday's session before U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols was entirely focused on jury selection in a slow-moving process known as voir dire. By the end of the day, 22 prospective jurors had been identified. The trial will resume Tuesday morning as lawyers for Bannon and the government whittle the list down to 14  with 12 jurors and two alternates.

Much of Monday's questioning of potential jurors by Bannons lawyer, Evan Corcoran, centered on how much of the wide coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings they've watched and whether they have opinions about the committee and its work.

In one case, a prospective juror told Nichols that remaining impartial would be a challenge for him since I do believe (Bannon) is guilty.

That admission, in addition to disqualifying the potential juror, prompted additional questioning of others who had sat next to the man to determine how widely he had shared his opinion.

The high-profile and divisive nature of the case hung over Monday's session, with Corcoran seeking to block jurors who expressed strong opinions about Bannon or Trump, or who had any sort of personal connection to Jan. 6 or the Capitol.

At one point, Judge Nichols agreed to disqualify a woman whose mother is a staffer for Democratic Florida Rep. Lois Frankel. In another case Corcoran argued successfully to disqualify a man who said the Jan. 6 committee's work was important and he was closely tracking its developments.

He comes into it with a frame of mind where he's highly focused on Jan. 6, Corcoran said. I just don't think he can be fair.

Bannon attended the entire session, but never spoke.

The trial follows a flurry of activity in the case since July 9. Over a week ago, the former White House strategist notified the committee that he is now willing to testify. His former lawyer, Robert Costello, said the change was because Trump had waived his executive privilege claim preventing the testimony.

Bannon, 68, had been one of the most prominent of the Trump-allied holdouts refusing to testify before the committee. He had argued that his testimony was protected by Trumps claim of executive privilege, which allows presidents to withhold confidential information from the courts and the legislative branch.

Trump has repeatedly asserted executive privilege  even though he's a former, not current president  to try to block witness testimony and the release of White House documents. The Supreme Court in January ruled against Trumps efforts to stop the National Archives from cooperating with the committee after a lower court judge  Ketanji Brown Jackson, now on the Supreme Court  noted, in part, Presidents are not kings.

The committee has also noted that Trump fired Bannon from the White House in 2017 and Bannon was thus a private citizen when he was consulting with the president in the run-up to the riot.

Judge Nichols declined motions to delay the contempt trial in separate hearings last week, including Thursday when Bannon's lawyers raised concerns about an upcoming CNN report that has since aired about their client and what they said were prejudicial comments made during a hearing last week held by the House committee.

I am cognizant of current concerns about publicity and bias and whether we can seat a jury that is going to be appropriate and fair, but as I said before, I believe the appropriate course is to go through the voir dire process," Nichols said Thursday. The judge said he intended to get a jury that "is going to be appropriate, fair and unbiased.

While the judge allowed the trial to move forward, Nichols left open the possibility that letters about Trump waiving his privilege and Bannon's offer to cooperate with the committee could be referenced at trial, saying the information was at least potentially relevant to Bannons defense.

Roscoe Howard Jr., the former U.S. attorney in Washington, said the best case for Bannon was if the information on his cooperation offer gets to the jury. Even if it does, however, a claim that executive privilege stopped him from cooperating earlier will be a hard argument to make because Bannon refused to even answer the subpoena, Howard said.

You have to show up to invoke the privilege claim. You can't phone it in," he said.

___

This story has been corrected to make the next-to-last word legislative rather than executive, in the 12th paragraph, which begins "Bannon, 68
EDWARDSVILLE  Two referendums for the Nov. 8 ballot will join nine zoning requests and a possible call to reconsider recently approved limits to Board Chairman Kurt Prenzlers powers on Wednesday's Madison County Board agenda.

The board will consider resolutions for a binding Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) referendum to limit increases as well as an advisory referendum on judicial subcircuits.

PTELL has been pushed by Prenzler, who considers the issue motivated board members last week to remove some of his powers as chairman. PTELL limits the total dollar amount certain property taxes may increase from year to year, based on the Consumer Price Index or 5 percent, whichever is lower. Larger increases can be made with voter approval.

While touted as a tax-saving measure, some county board members fear, at least initially, much higher property taxes for many residents as taxing bodies currently not at the maximum tax rate seek to raise rates in anticipation of the PTELL limits.

The other referendum, advisory only, would address Illinois' creation earlier this year of three judicial subcircuits in Madison County. The law also requires judges to be elected from one of those subcircuits this fall, rather than in 2024 when the regulations take effect in other counties.

Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine has challenged the state law; that case is now being considered by the 4th District Appellate Court.

Also on Wednesday the board will consider a Madison County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance recently approved by the Building & Zoning Committee. The ordinance is needed to continue compliance with federal regulations regarding the National Flood Insurance Program and to regulate development on floodplains.

Madison County Building & Zoning Administrator Chris Douchleff said the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has told the county it does not have a current flood damage prevention ordinance.

Nine zoning requests will also be considered.

Additionally, the board may be asked to reconsider its July 6 19-6 vote that stripped some of Prenzlers powers. Supporters said the limits were needed for a number of reasons, including inept management and personnel decisions that have created turmoil in the county.

An Executive Committee meeting is planned at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to consider the PTELL referendum and some labor-related issue. The full board will meet at 5 p.m. in the County Board Room of the Administration Building.
PARIS -- An unforgiving heat wave in Western Europe laid bare Monday how extreme temperatures will increasingly challenge everyday life, as dozens of heat records were shattered, key sectors were hobbled, and emergency services confronted spreading wildfires and rising death tolls.

In France, officials warned of a "heat apocalypse" as the temperature soared up to 109 degrees (43 Celsius). France's meteorological service placed a stretch of its Atlantic coast under the highest-possible alert level. More than 15,000 people were evacuated amid wildfires in France.

Wales reported a new all-time high, and Ireland registered its highest air temperature in more than a century, with Britain expecting on Tuesday temperatures of up to 106 degrees (41 Celsius) - far above the record of 101.7 degrees (38.7 Celsius) set in 2019.

British authorities declared a national emergency and for the first time issued a "red extreme" heat warning for large parts of England, as the nation struggled to adapt. In London, workers wrapped the historic Hammersmith Bridge over the River Thames in silver insulation foil to protect the cast-iron spans from cracking. Transit officials advised passengers to stay away and ordered trains to slow down as maintenance crews were on the lookout for steel tracks bending and buckling. Planes were diverted from at least two airports, amid reports of melting runways and roads.

Penny Endersby, the chief operating officer of the Met Office, the United Kingdom's weather service, called the forecast temperatures "absolutely unprecedented."

"Our lifestyles and our infrastructure are not adapted to what is coming," Endersby said.

The heat has been pumped into Europe by a zone of low pressure cut off from atmospheric steering currents west of Portugal. The counterclockwise flow around this low-pressure zone has drawn hot air from northern Africa directly into Western Europe.

After peaking in Western Europe on Tuesday, heat is expected to envelop Germany and Poland and then rebuild over Southern Europe. Much of Italy's north, which is facing one of its worst droughts in decades, remains under a state of emergency.

Some experts said Europeans are bearing witness to a heat wave unmistakably shaped by human-caused climate change.

"The chances of seeing 40C [104 Fahrenheit] days in the UK could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence," Nikos Christidis, a researcher at the Met Office, said in a statement.

While Europe produced some of the most indelible scenes of heat's impact, other parts of the world were also experiencing intense temperatures. Scorching heat is swelling from the western to the central United States. Salt Lake City soared to 107 degrees Sunday, matching its all-time high. Temperatures as high as 108 degrees reached Glasgow, Mont., not far from the Canadian border.

On Tuesday, temperatures above 100 are forecast across nearly the entirety of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, with record-challenging highs of 108 to 110 degrees projected in Dallas and Oklahoma City. About 40 million Americans are under excessive-heat warnings or heat advisories.

In Europe, the human toll and logistical challenges of extreme heat were becoming increasingly visible, with firefighting services under strain, hospitals preparing for increased admissions, and office work and schools disrupted.

In France, the Interior Ministry announced that it would deploy hundreds of additional firefighters to the regions most severely hit by wildfires, including popular beaches and vacation spots on the country's west coast. In Spain, authorities said that in many places, the available firefighting planes were already working at capacity.

"Full solidarity with firefighters and disaster victims," wrote French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Twitter. Her Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, on Sunday paid tribute on Twitter to a dead emergency service worker.

Models by Spain's public Carlos III Health Institute estimate that at least 350 people died during the previous week as a result of the country's heat - far above the weekly average of about 60 deaths, though in line with the impact of heat episodes in previous years.

The institute reported more than 800 heat-linked deaths last month, when similarly scorching temperatures hit the country and other parts of Europe, with temperatures reaching between 104 and 110 degrees (40 to 43 Celsius).

In Portugal, the Health Ministry said 659 people, mostly elderly, died because of the heat last week, Reuters reported.

The number of fatalities could still rise above the estimates - it sometimes takes days or weeks until authorities have a clear understanding of heat-linked death tolls, which are difficult to estimate in real time.

Authorities warned that the heat would degrade air quality in major urban population centers.

Hospital unions in France and other countries warned that the heat is putting an additional burden on services that were already dealing with a renewed rise in coronavirus-linked hospitalizations in recent weeks.

The U.K. Health Security Agency issued a Level 4 heat alert, its highest level, warning that illness and death could occur "among the fit and healthy."

Public health officials predicted that thousands of excess deaths could occur, even as some skeptics considered it hype. Conservative Party lawmaker John Hayes told the Telegraph newspaper that "this is not a brave new world but a cowardly new world where we live in a country where we are frightened of the heat."

But Britain isn't designed for extreme heat.

Few homes have air conditioning. Instead, houses have traditionally been built to retain heat. Maintenance crews were spreading sand on the highways to keep the roads from melting.

The extreme temperatures forced the diversion of flights from the RAF Brize Norton air base and Luton Airport on Monday. The Royal Air Force said the diversion had "no impact on RAF operations."

Repairs temporarily suspended all flights at Luton, one of the country's busiest airports, after a "surface defect" was spotted on its runway. The airport reopened later in the evening.

A Network Rail manager, Jake Kelly, told BBC Radio on Monday morning that the system was under "exceptional stress."

"Our railway is made up of lots of components, many of them metal, which expand in the heat," Kelly said.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan warned riders to avoid all public transit, including the London Underground, "unless absolutely necessary."

The subway becomes a sauna on hot days. The system, parts of which date to the Victorian Age, has never seen temperatures like those that are forecast.

This summer's heat has revived a debate over how to prepare citizens for the impacts of climate change.

While environmental concerns over the use of air conditioning remain widespread in Europe, with as many as 75% of all French having no air conditioning, it is increasingly seen as a key tool to protect the most vulnerable groups.

After a heat wave killed an estimated 15,000 people in France in 2003, French nursing homes developed emergency plans. Many of them are now equipped with air-conditioned rooms, additional ventilation or sprinklers that cool down building facades.

In Paris, city authorities encouraged residents and tourists to use a dedicated website to find 900 "islands of coolness," including parks, cemeteries, swimming pools and museums.

The site also points to dedicated "cooling routes" - for example, streets with lush trees - that connect those spaces. Some buildings are using cool water pipes as a more environmentally friendly alternative to air conditioning.

Studies suggest that such measures have brought down heat-related mortality since 2003, which has encouraged more adaptation plans in cities such as Paris. Over the next few years, the French capital wants to plant tens of thousands of additional trees, in the hope that they may help to lower air and surface temperatures in cobblestone squares and asphalt roads that trap heat.

But as climate change progresses, the increasingly brutal heat islands that build up in urban areas could pose risks that may be beyond conventional solutions - even today, the difference in temperatures between Paris and its greener surroundings can at times approach 18 degrees (10 Celsius). People in poorer areas, who are more likely to live in unrenovated buildings and without easy access to green spaces, are particularly affected. Many of the elderly residents who died in recent heat waves in France were at home and not in nursing facilities.

In rural areas, heat waves are expected to have an increasingly serious impact on agricultural production. This year, French farmers have faced a mix of frost, a record-hot May accompanied by a spring drought, and intense hailstorms that brought heavy rain, followed by more drought this summer.

"The drought in much of Europe is critical," the European Commission's research branch concluded in a report released Monday, which warned that "a staggering portion of Europe" - about half of European Union and British territory - is now at risk of drought.

- - -

The Washington Post's William Booth reported from London. Jason Samenow in Washington contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. will spend $1.3 billion to develop advanced satellites that will be able to better track hypersonic missile threats, the Pentagon said Monday, announcing two new contracts that will put the detection and tracking systems in orbit by 2025.

Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency, said the contracts will provide 28 satellites, as the U.S. moves to greatly expand and enhance its ability to counter increasing threats from Russia and China.

Both countries have been making strides in their development of hypersonic missiles, which are more difficult to track and shoot down because they maneuver more in flight than conventional weapons that travel in predictable paths. Last year China tested what U.S. officials said was a hypersonic missile, and Russia has used the weapons in strikes during the war in Ukraine.

Russia and China have been developing and testing hypersonic glide vehicles  these advanced missiles that are extremely maneuverable, Tournear told Pentagon reporters Monday. These satellites are specifically designed to go after that next generation version of threats out there so that we can detect and track these hypersonic maneuvering vehicles and predict their impact point.

Additional funding for the program was provided by Congress specifically in response to concerns in the Indo-Pacific region, in response to China's rapidly progressing military development.

Hypersonic weapons are defined as anything traveling beyond Mach 5, or five times faster than the speed of sound. Thats about 3,800 mph (6,100 kph). Intercontinental ballistic missiles far exceed that threshold but travel in a predictable path, making it possible to intercept them.

Historically, Tournear said, the U.S. has not flown satellites that were designed to detect and go after such maneuverable hypersonic weapons. Currently, he said, we have limited capability to do that tracking aspect." He added, however, that clearly we dont have zero capability to do tracking.

The new satellites, he said, will enable the U.S. to detect the launch, follow the hypersonic missile as it changes course, calculate where it is heading and provide that data to forces who can launch interceptors.

The contracts were awarded to teams led by L3Harris Technologies, Inc. of Melbourne, Fla., and Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems of Redondo Beach, Calif. L3Harris will produce 14 satellites at a cost of about $700 million, and Northrop will produce 14 at a cost of about $617 million. The total cost of the program, including the launches and ground control and support, will be about $2.5 billion.

Tournear said the program represents a shift for the U.S. toward a larger, overlapping system of satellites. Rather than relying on larger, more expensive satellites that stay in orbit for 15 or more years, the U.S. will have a greater number of cheaper satellites that would be replaced about every five years.

One set, he said, would be at a lower orbit of about 1,000 kilometers, and a second set would be at a medium orbit of about 10,000-20,000 kilometers, providing a more resilient presence. He said the first 28 satellites would likely be followed by a second group of about 54.

Earlier this year, the United States, United Kingdom and Australia announced that they will work together to develop hypersonic missiles. The April announcement came amid growing concerns about Chinas escalating military assertiveness in the Pacific. Last October, U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that China had conducted a test of a hypersonic weapon, calling it a very significant event that was "very concerning.
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A massive but uncoordinated and chaotic law enforcement response. A regrettable culture of noncompliance on school security regarding the basics of locked doors. Online signals of coming violence from the shooter.

The long-awaited Texas House report into the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde that killed 19 fourth-graders and two teachers spread the responsibility of the bungled response from law enforcement wider than previous accounts. It also questioned security protocols at the school and took a deeper dive into the shooter's background.

Here are major findings of the House investigation:

MASSIVE BUT INEPT RESPONSE

The report noted a massive but inept response from heavily armed local, state and federal law enforcement. That began moments after the shooter crashed his truck on school grounds and entered the building, then continued through the excruciating inaction that dragged out more than an hour, even as parents begged officers to do something and dispatchers took 911 calls from inside the classrooms.

"At Robb Elementary, law enforcement responders failed to adhere to their active shooter training, and they failed to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety, the report said.

Although much of the criticism has been leveled at the Uvalde school district police, the report cast blame across all responding agencies, spreading responsibility much further than previously suggested.

Nearly 400 law enforcement officials rushed to the school, most of them state and federal officers, only to spend a chaotic hour where no one seemed to take command. Pete Arredondo, the Uvalde schools police chief who has received more scrutiny than any other officer on the scene that day, failed to establish himself as the incident commander and didn't transfer that responsibility to anyone else, the report said.

And yet, no other officers stepped in to take over, despite an obvious atmosphere of chaos, the report found.

While the group of initial responders on the scene acted appropriately by attempting to breach the classrooms and stop the attacker, they were driven back by gunfire. They lost critical momentum by treating the scene as a barricaded shooter instead of active shooter.

LOCKDOWN FATIGUE

The report noted the initial response may have lacked urgency because of the frequency of school lockdowns in recent months as law enforcement chased suspected human traffickers smuggling migrants into the country. In some instances, traffickers will crash vehicles and passengers flee in all directions.

The school district had about 50 such alarms between February and May 2022. That frequency of less-serious alerts in Uvalde diluted the significance of alerts and dampened everyones readiness to act," the report concluded.

The initial reaction of many administrators, teachers, and law enforcement responders was that it likely was a less-dangerous" situation, the report said.

Even Arredondo and another responding officer said they considered that possibility when they didn't immediately see victims after they entered the school.

BUILDING SECURITY

Whether school doors were properly locked and could have delayed the shooter's unimpeded entry has been a key question since the day of the shooting.

Robb Elementary had a recurring problem with maintaining locks and doors, and the school had a culture of noncompliance regarding locked doors, which turned out to be fatal, the report said.

The door the shooter used to get into the building wasn't locked like it should have been, and the door to one of the classrooms he entered probably was not locked, the report said. The lock for that classroom was known by the teacher, the principal, another school employee and many fourth grade students to not be working properly. No work order was ever placed to fix it.

SHOOTER'S HINTS OF VIOLENCE

The shooter had given some hints of coming violence in the months and days before the shooting.

A year before the shooting, he was showing online interest in gore and violent sex and at one point carried around a dead cat. While playing online games, he would become enraged when he lost and would threaten others, especially women. He also shared a developing fascination with school shootings, and eventually earned the nickname school shooter on one online platform.

The report said a vague idea for a school shooting appears to have taken root in late 2021 and accelerated after the shooter had a falling out with his mother in early 2022.

Several family members knew he was estranged from his mother and that he had asked for help buying guns, so-called straw purchases that would have been illegal. They refused but later learned that the week between his 18th birthday and the May 24 attack, he had legally purchased firearms and that his grandparents insisted they be removed from their home.

In one May 14 online conversation, he simply wrote, 10 more days."

Prior to the shooting, the attacker had no criminal history and had never been arrested. He is not known to have espoused any ideology or political views of any kind. Private individuals alone knew the many warning signals" the report said.

BORDER PATROL

While much of the investigation initially focused on local and state law enforcement agencies, the report noted the U.S. Border Patrol had 149 officers who responded to the scene  by far the most of any agency.

And while the Border Patrol's tactical unit led the final breach of the classroom to take down the gunman, the report noted that Border Patrol officers were among those who waited to take action.

The commander of the Border Patrol tactical team waited for a bulletproof shield and working master key for a door to the classrooms that may have not even been needed, before entering and killing the attacker, the report said.

The committee was told none of the Border Patrol agents involved in opening the door to the classroom were wearing activated body cameras. The investigating committee spoke to the tactical team's Acting Commander Paul Guerrero, but the Border Patrol was not among the agencies to give any public testimony in Texas House and Senate hearings last month.

___

More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/school-shootings
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WATERBURY, Conn. (AP)  Waterbury police have largely stopped using police vans to transport prisoners in response to a man becoming paralyzed in a New Haven police van incident last month.

Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo and Mayor Neil O'Leary directed that the city's two police vans be used only for bringing prisoners to and from court until seat belts are installed and officers are trained how to use them, the Republican-American newspaper reported Sunday.

The directive took effect July 1, and the seat belt installation and training are expected to be completed by the end of the summer, Lt. Ryan Bessette, a police spokesman, said Monday. The vans had been used every day around the clock to transport most prisoners from arrest locations to the police station, to avoid taking cruisers off the streets for long periods.

We want to make sure the arrestees are safe during transport, Spagnolo told the newspaper.

O'Leary, a former city police chief who became mayor in 2011, said he has never heard of anyone being injured in a police van in Waterbury.

In New Haven, Richard Randy Cox was seriously injured in the back of a police van with no seat belts June 19 when, police say, the officer driving the vehicle braked suddenly to avoid an accident. Cox, who was handcuffed, flew headfirst into the metal divider between the driver's cab and the back and became paralyzed.

Cox's family and the state NAACP are calling for federal civil rights charges against New Haven police. After the van incident, Cox, who is Black, was driven to the police station, where officers pulled him out of the van by his feet and dragged him to a cell, despite him telling officers he was injured and couldn't move. He was eventually taken to a hospital.

Five officers were placed on leave pending an investigation, and city police announced reforms including having seat belts in all vans.
As a highly infectious coronavirus variant surges nationwide, 56 of the 58 counties in California are grappling with high levels of COVID transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But only one of them is planning to reinstate an indoor mask mandate.

While health officers nationwide are largely shying away from new restrictions during this latest COVID wave, Los Angeles County health officials hope that asking people to mask up will curb the virus spread as well as growing hospitalization and death rates.

Already, more than 4,400 people have died of COVID-related causes in 2022, far more than the number who die from flu or motor vehicle accidents annually, said the Los Angeles County public health director, Barbara Ferrer.

COVID is still one of the leading causes of death in LA County, Ferrer said in a press briefing Thursday. Every day when I report out who dies, there are people who die who have no underlying health conditions. So no one should not go into a space of saying, Im not at any risk. Because thats just absolutely not true.

The mask mandate is expected to take effect July 29 absent a sudden turnaround in COVID tracking metrics. It would apply to indoor shops, offices, events, schools and more. The order would be rescinded once case levels begin to drop again.

Some experts disagree with Ferrers approach and believe that mandates should be reserved for crises, which the BA.5 wave has not yet proved itself to be. I spoke with Ferrer by phone about her thinking behind the proposed mask mandate.

Here is our conversation, edited for clarity and space:

Q: Almost all of California is dealing with high COVID transmission and has been for weeks. But other than Alameda County (which put in a mask mandate and then quickly rescinded it), no other county seems to be instating new restrictions. Why is Los Angeles going in a different direction?

A: Weve always been very concerned about the disproportionate impact of COVID, particularly on people who are living in communities with higher rates of poverty, and on Black and brown residents. Every time we have a significant increase in our cases, our hospitalization and death numbers reflect this disproportionality.

I dont think we should be settling for high mortality that disproportionately affects people who have less economic means and people of color. And masking remains a strategy that layers in protections when transmission is high.

Im like everyone else: I hate wearing that mask. But more than that, I hate the idea that I might accidentally transmit to somebody else. And I hate the idea that Im not taking a simple step to layer in protections in my community.

Im not sure why other people feel comfortable sort of doing nothing when cases are going up this dramatically. And, while were nowhere near overwhelming the health care system the way we were before, were having significant numbers of people hospitalized and we still have, tragically, people dying. Theres something we can do to actually try to get those numbers lower. Its one thing if you cant do anything, but we actually have things we can do.

Q: When you say youre not sure why other people feel comfortable with inaction, do you mean regular citizens in Los Angeles County or public health officials in other places?

A: I just mean in general, with everyone. I dont want to call out any particular sectors. But Im looking at our data and I still think there are too many people dying of COVID. And if thats the case, and you have fairly straightforward sensible actions you can take that are not disruptive, then we should take them.

Thats my biggest fear  that were so anxious to be done with this virus that were getting complacent.

Q: I regularly see people in Los Angeles packing into indoor spaces without masks, seemingly unconcerned about COVID. Do you think people will actually follow a mask mandate?

A: I think theres a lot of people out there that, because its not a health officer requirement at the moment, feel like masking isnt essential. I think for a very large number of people a mandate will be an indication that its time to go ahead and layer in an additional safety measure.

But youre absolutely right. There will be some people  and were a large county, so that will translate into many people  who wont agree and wont want to do this. My hope is that certainly in places where theres businesses and theres lots of exposures to workers that our work force will get protected and theyll be offered respirator masks so that they can deal with the fact that they might have many, many exposures during the course of the day. And that patrons of places will also take note of the fact that we have an opportunity to keep other people safe.

Q: Weve all heard that the BA.5 variant is the most contagious yet. It seems as though thats contributed to a sense of futility, with people thinking theyre going to get it somehow, so they might as well stop trying to avoid it. How are you thinking about that?

A: Even in my own family when we discuss this theyre like, Oh, come on, everyones getting it. What are you thinking? Im thinking, first of all, everyone isnt getting it.

You still have millions and millions of people here that have not yet gotten infected. Its not inevitable that people are going to get infected. And one thing that weve always known is that slowing down transmission just helps us reduce stress elsewhere. It helps reduce disruptions at work. Our emergency departments are now complaining because theyve seen pretty big increases. Urgent cares are complaining. So anything you can do to sort of mitigate the steepness of that increase in cases is always going to be helpful.

So Im going to continue to advocate for slowing the spread. Slowing the spread is still a meaningful strategy, even when we have these highly infectious variants that are circulating.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
CLENDENIN, W.Va. (AP)  Three shop students and their teacher from a West Virginia high school are working this summer to build furniture for the new Intermediate Court of Appeals courtrooms.

Herbert Hoover High School in Clendenin won the bid to produce benches, podiums and tabletops for the main courtroom in Charleston and five satellite courtrooms.
The Oakland Police Department is encouraging people to avoid the Port of Oakland and surrounding areas on Monday, July 18, due to possibly large demonstrations scheduled for the area through Wednesday.

Police say they anticipate heavy traffic and congested roadways.

U.S. Marshals arrested the man Mountain View police believe shot their fellow officer at close range early Saturday morning.

Jeffrey Choy, 33, of Stockton, was arrested after a short foot pursuit in Fremont just before noon Sunday.

Early Saturday, Choy was allegedly pulled over at Villa Street and Wild Cherry Lane in Mountain View by an officer whom the department hasn't named but who has five years of experience as a police officer. Police said the officer was working an overtime shift focusing on DUI enforcement.

A person inside the vehicle shot the officer in his upper body. He didn't return fire as the suspect fled. The officer was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Oakland firefighters rescued a man in his 50s Sunday night who drove his vehicle off northbound Interstate 880 near the Oakland Coliseum, down an embankment, and into about three feet of water in a canal, where it landed on its side.

The California Highway Patrol received reports about the accident at 8:50 p.m., which occurred near 66th Ave. and High St. The man was trapped in the vehicle, with the driver's side submerged, but firefighters were able to extract him. He was transported to a hospital with unknown injuries.

The Napa County Sheriff's Office on Sunday evening said two people were killed when their small plane crashed Sunday morning near Berryessa Estates in Napa County.

The crash caused a vegetation fire that grew to 1-2 acres before firefighters from Cal Fire had it contained at 10:27 a.m.

Sheriff's office spokesperson Henry Wofford said the victims' families weren't notified as of Sunday evening, and authorities weren't able to release names. He said the crash investigation had been taken over by the National Transportation Safety Board.

A man was shot and killed Sunday morning in Oakland in the 2000 block of 13th Ave.

Oakland police received calls just after 11 a.m. about a shooting. Officers found the man with multiple gunshot wounds, from which he died at the scene.

Police are withholding the victim's name, pending notification of his family. The shooting death is Oakland's 63rd homicide of 2022.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPD's homicide section at (510) 238-3821 or the tip line at (510) 238-7950.

Oakland Police Chief LeRonne L. Armstrong will hold a news conference Monday to provide an update on the incident. Police said a media advisory will be sent Monday morning with details.

A Contra Costa Fire Protection District spokesperson said Sunday the district anticipates "several more days" of flooding marsh area near Bay Point and Pittsburg in an attempt to extinguish the Marsh Fire, which has burned since May.

Con Fire tweeted Sunday afternoon that approximately 20,000 gallons per minute are flowing on the site, thanks to the owner pumping water from the Delta and Contra Costa Water District diverting water at Mallard Slough.

The effort started Friday, after several days of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District extending an air quality advisory for wildfire smoke in the eastern part of the county, which is set to continue through Monday. The smoke has been impacting the areas of Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood.

The Pleasanton City Council on Tuesday will likely approve spending $912,821 on three new Type 6 Xtreme Fire Engines for the Livermore Pleasanton Fire Department.

The item is on the council's consent calendar, meaning it's considered routine and likely to pass without discussion.

If approved, the city would replace three similar type 6 engines that are at the end of their lives, according to a staff report.

Type 6 engines are smaller than typical engines, and primarily used for wildland fires where homes mix with vegetation. The engines' four-wheel interface allows them to better access wildland areas.

An Oakland man pleaded guilty Friday in a federal courtroom in San Francisco to a 2017 burglary of a marijuana grow warehouse in Richmond, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and other federal officials.

In the plea agreement reached with 25-year-old Joevonne Ralls, he admitted that he and two others broke into a Richmond warehouse containing a large marijuana grow and cut down 200 marijuana plants and stuffed the plants into trash bags, intending to sell the plants later.

Prosecutors said that as the three carried the bags outside to a waiting vehicle, a car pulled up on the street outside of the warehouse's gate. Its occupants began shooting at them.

Ralls described in his plea agreement that he was shot in the ankle and ran back into the warehouse's garage. He admitted that one of his associates fired shots from the garage back towards the street.

The National Weather Service forecast for the greater San Francisco Bay Area calls for slightly cooler conditions Monday under mostly sunny skies. Daytime highs are expected in the 60s along the coast, in the mid 70s to mid 80s around the bay and reaching the low 90s in the East Bay's inland areas. Overnight lows are expected in the upper 50s.

Expect lingering warmth inland early this week, followed by a cooling trend will return temperatures to seasonal normals this week.

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

An Oakland man pleaded guilty Friday in a federal courtroom in San Francisco to a 2017 burglary of a marijuana grow warehouse in Richmond, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and other federal officials.

In the plea agreement reached with 25-year-old Joevonne Ralls, he admitted that he and two others broke into a Richmond warehouse containing a large marijuana grow and cut down 200 marijuana plants and stuffed the plants into trash bags, intending to sell the plants later.

Prosecutors said that as the three carried the bags outside to a waiting vehicle, a car pulled up on the street outside of the warehouse's gate. Its occupants began shooting at them.

Ralls described in his plea agreement that he was shot in the ankle and ran back into the warehouse's garage. He admitted that one of his associates fired shots from the garage back towards the street.

Ralls is now scheduled for a sentencing hearing before United States District Judge Charles R. Breyer in San Francisco federal court on Oct. 19. Ralls remains out of custody pending his sentencing hearing.

On May 12, 2022, a co-defendant of Ralls in this case, Vernell Thrower, also admitted to participating in the attempted marijuana theft and to firing two shots from the warehouse's garage during the shootout. Thrower was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison.

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
By Tony Hicks

Bay City News Foundation

U.S. Marshals and Mountain View police Sunday afternoon arrested the man they believe shot their fellow officer at close range early Saturday morning.

Jeffrey Choy, 33, of Stockton, was arrested after a short foot pursuit in Fremont shortly before noon Sunday. Choy was allegedly pulled over at Villa Street and Wild Cherry Lane in Mountain View by an officer whom the department hasn't named but has five years of experience as a police officer and was pulling an overtime shift focusing on DUI enforcement.

A person inside the vehicle shot the officer in his upper body. He didn't return fire as the suspect fled. The officer was transported to the hospital with non-life-threating injuries.

The suspect shortly afterward crashed his car at Villa Street and Hidden Avenue and fled on foot.

According to a statement released Sunday afternoon, Mountain View Police said authorities spent the next 24 hours searching for Choy, whom they identified. They discovered he'd gone to Union City, where police detectives and officers from the U.S. Marshals Service tried detaining Choy. After a brief foot pursuit, Choy was apprehended in Fremont.

Police brought Choy back to Santa Clara County and will book him on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer.

"To say that I am proud of the around-the-clock work our teams did to find the man responsible for wounding our officer is an understatement," said Mountain View Police Chief Chris Hsiung. "I am overwhelmed with gratitude at their sacrifice, I am in awe of their persistence, and I am so thankful all are safe."

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
After the recent wave of conservative judgments from the Supreme Court on abortion, gun control and environmental regulation, many Americans are looking for alternatives to the courts for ways to enact democratic change. Yet, in the past several years, many state lawmakers  often Republicans  have systematically attempted to restrict other traditional paths for political participation.

Some of these shifts have received widespread attention, particularly a slew of new state laws that were inspired by President Donald Trumps false claims that he won the 2020 election. These laws limit opportunities to vote and set the stage for potential partisan interference in elections. As concerning as these laws are, they are only part of a much larger set of constraints facing citizens wanting to engage in our democracy. As the country has become increasingly polarized, politicians have targeted the ability of opponents to push dissenting views.

Consider those who wish to go into the streets to protest the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which allows states to restrict access to abortion, including making the procedure illegal. Since 2017, 45 states have considered over 200 anti-protest bills, so far enacting 38 of them, mostly in reaction to Black Lives Matter and environmental protesters. These laws significantly increase liability for common forms of peaceful protest. For example, after the protests in response to the murder of George Floyd by Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020, Arkansas, Iowa and Tennessee increased the penalty for blocking a sidewalk during a demonstration. Now in all three states a protester can be sentenced to up to a year in jail for this offense.

These laws can also appear to encourage violence. Iowa, for instance, enacted a statute last year that eliminated civil liability for certain drivers who hit those participating in an unauthorized demonstration in the street. While the regulation does not protect drivers who recklessly or willfully strike protesters, laws like these still send a chilling message.

Perhaps not surprisingly, a truck in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, drove through a group of pro-choice demonstrators last month, injuring several. No arrests have been made.

Another cherished U.S. tradition, the right to boycott, is also being targeted. Since our colonial boycott of British goods, Americans have long used their consumer power to make their voices heard. However, led by states such as Texas and West Virginia, policymakers have enacted laws that ban those doing business with the state government from engaging in boycotts of the fossil fuel industry, gun manufacturers or Israel. Legislation like this is often brought to lawmakers by lobbyists for these industries or supporters of Israel.

In June, the full 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against an Arkansas newspaper that refused to sign onto a state-mandated pledge that it would not boycott Israel, and the paper lost an advertising contract with a state college as a result. Remarkably, the judges found that economic boycotts are not protected under the 1st Amendment because they claimed they are neither speech nor expressive conduct. The ACLU has pledged to appeal the ruling.

It is not just demonstrations and boycotts that are threatened. Employee activism has long pushed companies to take stands against injustice, but even those actions are facing pushback. In May, under pressure from employees, the Walt Disney Co. spoke out against the so-called Dont Say Gay bill recently enacted in Florida, which restricts discussion of sexual orientation in schools. Gov. Ron DeSantis then led the successful charge to remove Disney Worlds special tax status in the state. The move was seemingly sparked not because the tax status was bad policy, but because the governor did not appreciate Disneys criticism.

Taken together, these moves represent a form of hardball by state officials that creates a climate of fear for those wishing to engage in traditional forms of political mobilization. With the Supreme Courts recent abortion decision, this adversarial environment will likely worsen.

Several states are moving to follow Texas lead and enact laws that allow private citizens to sue those who assist women in having an abortion. While the Texas laws reach is unclear, it could put activists who help pregnant people get out-of-state abortions in legal jeopardy. That could include something as simple as supplying them with information about abortion providers. States that ban abortion will likely continue to ratchet up their efforts to target pro-choice groups.

These attacks on the ability of Americans to engage in their democracy are not isolated or ad hoc  they are a larger compression of civic space. Any response will need to be holistic and should include educating fellow citizens about the importance of different types of protest throughout U.S. history.

But first, Americans must be made to recognize the scope of the danger.
An embattled city councilmember in the small Northern California town of Arcata is refusing calls from colleagues and the community to resign after being the subject of multiple allegations of misconduct over the past several months. The latest of those scandals  a sexual harassment claim by a city staff member, based on interactions that a third-party investigation called undisputed  follows DUI and cocaine charges that preceded a demotion from mayor to city councilmember last year.

Brett Watson first joined the Arcata City Council in 2017; in 2019 and 2021, the city council selected him as mayor. His second stint didnt last long, though: His colleagues stripped him of that position in October, a little more than two months after Watson was arrested by the California Highway Patrol for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. He was also in possession of cocaine and a smoking device at the time of his arrest, according to a report by the Mad River Union, which spoke to Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming about the case.

Around the same time, the council brought in outside investigators to look into allegations that he had sexually harassed a staffer he was romantically interested in. The resulting 602-page report, which SFGATE has obtained, determined Watson repeatedly abused his power as a city councilman, based on interviews with other city staffers, as well as notes, email excerpts and text messages.

According to the report, Watson became obsessed with telling the staffer he had romantic feelings for her. It also said Watson sent the staffer many texts and emails about his marital problems, mental health issues and use of alcohol and drugs, and that he tried to control her, including by pushing her to drink wine with him even after she had said no several times and threatening to bring up her performance with other council members, implying that shed be fired.

It is undisputed that Watson engaged [in] the conduct attributed to him by [the woman], the report concluded.

During a special meeting of the city council on May 17, Watsons colleagues decided in a series of 3-1 votes (with Watson dissenting) to strip Watson of his committee assignments and to take steps  including changing key codes  that would restrict the entire councils access to city hall after regular work hours. They also directed Watson to cease communications with city staff outside of council meetings, and ordered him to refrain from making any physical contact or engaging in personal correspondence with staff members.

The other three councilmembers also discussed the possibility of attempting to recall Watson in a special election later this year.

That same day, a group of more than 50 women submitted a letter to the Mad River Union  a weekly newspaper that has extensively covered the Arcata City Council  demanding Watsons resignation.

For the safety of current and future colleagues  especially women and girls  and to model for others what taking responsibility for your actions looks like, we demand that you resign from your position on City Council, the letter said.

Watson, for his part, has been defiant. During the special meeting on May 17, he said there was absolutely zero chance that he would resign and claimed the allegations against him were untrue. He also framed himself as a victim of harassment by city staff.

Watson responded to the claims made against him in the report in a letter that was also published in the Mad River Union.

At no time did I ever do anything to constitute sexual harassment. Also, at no time did any staff advise me that any interactions were unwelcome, he wrote. There is actually an abundant amount of evidence that the staff member in question enjoyed spending time with me, looked forward to it and encouraged it. The fact is that we had an intimate and consensual friendship for many months.

He goes on to cite text messages that the staffer sent to him, which are included in the report, as proof that she enjoyed the time she spent with Watson. As for resigning, Watson said there were only two things that could lead him to step down.

[One], the staff member falsely accusing me of these allegations takes responsibility for her role in the relationship, he wrote. [And two], the City Council and city attorneys sign a letter saying they believe the allegations to be true and they want me to resign.

In the meantime, Watson has continued to attend city council meetings, including making headlines again late last month for his behavior at a June 22 special meeting. During the meeting, according to the Mad River Union, he repeatedly complained about the restrictions placed on him and accused the city manager of [hiding] money in different accounts. He also reportedly said that he had a lot of evidence of lies and deception by the city attorney, and asked his fellow councilmembers to add those allegations to the agenda; they declined.

If Watson does not resign  or is not recalled in a special election  his seat will be up later this year and he will have to run for re-election. The next Arcata City Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m.
If youre packing up and hitting the road this summer, be prepared with hunger-beating snacks that hold well in the car. Whether youre crossing several state lines or just heading a few towns over, dont drive hungry this summer with these must-have road trip snacks.

Freshe Tinned Meals

These portable tins from Freshe contain a full, satisfying meal with flavors from around the world, such as Thai Sriracha, which is packed with wild tuna, beans, crunchy peanuts, and greens.

Olivias Croutons

Who says croutons cant be a snack? Or toss these exceptionally well seasoned and always crunchy croutons from Olivias on your take-out salad for an instant upgrade.

Popadelics Crunchy Mushroom Chips

Do not sleep on these umami-packed, totally addicting mushroom crisps. Theyre coated in mouthwatering flavors like truffle parm and Thai chili.

Bobby Sues Nuts Over Olives

This nutty mix gets a savory twist from salty roasted black and green olives tossed amongst almonds, cashews, and pecans. Everything is coated in Mediterranean herbs for a gourmet moment on your drive.

Nonnis Biscotti

When you need a light hit of something sweet on the move, stash these Classic Almond biscotti in your glove box. They pair especially well with coffee and tea.

Belli Welli Fudge Brownie Snack Bars

If the psychedelic pink packaging isnt enough to convince you, how about probiotic-filled soft and fudgy brownie bars as a healthy snack? These taste like dessert but are formulated to be FODMAP and dairy-free, so theyll sit comfortably in your stomach during a long ride.

Azzizahs Herban Green Popcorn

This popcorn gets its bright color from superfood spirulina and its fiery flavor from a blend of curry, garlic, cayenne, and turmeric. This is a feel-good snack that you wont mind turning your fingers green.

BUBLUV Bubble Tea

Save yourself a stop and bring your bubble tea in the car. BUBLUV has the classic flavors and chewy tapioca balls you live, in portable resealable bottles with no added sugar.

Clio Greek Yogurt Bars

These creamy Greek yogurt bars are perfect to stash in a cooler on a shorter trip. They taste like chocolate-coated ice cream bars, but are easier to transport and offer 9 grams of protein to keep you satisfied.

Cloud Chips

Satisfy your craving for crunch with these light-as-air chips. Theyre the perfect vehicle for hummus, guacamole, and salsa if your road trip involves a roadside picnic.

Togarashi Crunch

This is party mix, upgraded. It has crunch from savory rice squares, protein from almonds, and tons of flavor from Aleppo pepper, garlic, ginger, citrus peel, and seaweed.

Daily Crunch Nuts

Daily Crunch makes blends of nuts that have been sprouted and dehydrated at a low temperature, which requires no added oil, is meant to be easier to digest, and gives the nuts a lighter texture, for a snack that wont weigh you down.

Stryve Biltong

This beef jerky is jam-packed with protein (16 grams per serving) without added sugar or nitrates. The jerky comes in resealable pouches that help maintain the soft, chewy texture.

Without a Trace Power Bites

Kids and adults will appreciate the sweet flavor, soft chewy texture, and satiating nutrition profile of these two-bite treats. Theyre made without the top 9 allergies and have a bright, fruity flavor.

Nunbelivable Keto Cookies

These miniature chocolate chip cookies happen to be low-carb, but they have a wonderfully buttery flavor and soft, crumbly texture youll love (and youll skip the sugar rush).

Miltons Craft Bakers Crackers Crispy Sea Salt Crackers

These light and airy crackers happen to be gluten-free, but everyone will be reaching for seconds. Theyre baked, not fried, so theyre not overly greasy, and they have a slightly salty flavor thats great on their own or dipped in guacamole.

N!cks Almond Chocolate Nut Bar

With the look and flavor of a candy bar, you cant go wrong with these keto-friendly snacks. They have a sticky-sweet coating and a hard chocolate shell that will satisfy your cravings, but theyre sweetened with erythritol.

Love Crunch Granola

If chocolate is your thing, youll also want to pack a pouch of this dark chocolate granola, which is speckled with freeze-dried raspberries and strawberries. Enjoy it straight from the bag or pour some into yogurt for an on-the-go breakfast.

Real Phat Foods Crackers

These keto-friendly crackers are made with almond flour, egg whites, and seasonings like rosemary, black pepper, and garlic. Theyre the perfect road trip cracker because theyre so flavor-packed on their own, they dont need a dip.

Bear Bar

If you crave the convenience of a bar but would rather go savory than sweet, Bear Bars seedy, dried bars are a great choice. Plus, they pack an impressive nutrition profile from bell pepper, kale, and chia seeds.

Justins Nut Butter Squeeze Packs

Bring your favorite nut butter (almond, peanut, or cashew) on the go with these neat squeeze packs. You wont need a knife to make a peanut butter-topped banana on the move.

Toodaloo Trail Mix

You wont get bored of these fun-flavored snack mixes. Theyre made with plant-based adaptogens, nuts, seeds, and spices in unique blends like BBQ-flavored Smoke Show and Maple-flavored Slow Your Roll.

Quevos Chips

These light and crisp chips are made from egg whites to keep protein high and carbs low, but theyre every bit as crispy and addicting as your favorite potato chips.

Undercover Quinoa Crisps

Get a chocolate hit with crunch from these chocolate-coated-quinoa cakes. They come in milk and dark chocolate flavors with sweet additions like blueberries and currants so theres something for everyone in the car.

Outstanding Foods Pig Out Crunchies

These crunchy curls have the spice youre looking for in a hot snack without animal products. They even have 7 grams of protein per serving!

Rhythm Superfoods Cauliflower Bites

You wont believe youre actually eating veggies. These cauliflower bites are perfectly crisp and salty, but they happen to be full of vitamins and even some fiber.

Mikuna Chocho Protein Powder

Pack a bag of protein powder and youll always have fuel on hand. Add a scoop of this creamy chocolate powder to water for a drink that tastes like a milkshake.

IQ Bar

These hefty bars are so full of nutrients, they can be enjoyed as a meal replacement in a pinch. The variety pack includes Banana Nut, Wild Blueberry, and Lemon Blueberry bars that taste great for kids and adults.

Healing Home Foods Baked Graham Bites

These graham cracker-like cookies taste homemade and have a short, and sweet ingredient list. Theyre thick, crumbly, and just sweet enough to hit the spot during a long stretch of highway.

GG Scandanavian Fiber Crispbread

These crackers pack plenty of fiber to help with satiety and regularity on the move. Plus, they dont stale easily and come in neat, portable packages. Spread some hummus on top for a well-balanced snack.
WFO LAS VEGAS Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

West central San Bernardino County in southern California...

* Until 400 PM PDT.

* At 321 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles northwest

of Newberry Springs, or 10 miles northeast of Daggett, moving

northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated. Gusts to 60 mph was measured at the

Daggett-Barstow airport and dime size hail was reported

by trained spotters.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Daggett and Yermo.

This includes the following highways...

Interstate 15 in California between mile markers 81 and 105.

Interstate 40 in California between mile markers 6 and 19.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO NEW YORK CITY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service New York NY

235 PM EDT Mon Jul 18 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern New

London and northern Middlesex Counties through 315 PM EDT...

At 235 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Haddam, or near East Hampton, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Middletown, Norwich, Colchester, East Hampton, Salem, Portland, East

Haddam, Haddam, Lebanon, Sprague, Bozrah, Lake Pocotopaug--East

Hampton, Franklin, Moodus and Higganum.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 4166 7216 4166 7210 4155 7204 4146 7260

4155 7266 4163 7250 4158 7247 4159 7242

4160 7241 4159 7239 4160 7238 4160 7234

4161 7233 4164 7233 4167 7227 4169 7227

4171 7224

TIME...MOT...LOC 1835Z 242DEG 23KT 4151 7256

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO NEW YORK CITY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Upton NY has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southern Fairfield County in southern Connecticut...

Southern Westchester County in southeastern New York...

* Until 345 PM EDT.

* At 259 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Scarsdale, or

near Rye, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...

Rye around 305 PM EDT.

Port Chester around 310 PM EDT.

Darien around 330 PM EDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO NEW YORK CITY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in Upton has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Southern Fairfield County in southern Connecticut...

Southeastern Bergen County in northeastern New Jersey...

Bronx County in southeastern New York...

New York (Manhattan) County in southeastern New York...

Southern Westchester County in southeastern New York...

* Until 430 PM EDT.

* At 304 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain

have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are

possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected

to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as

other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Yonkers, Stamford, New Rochelle, White Plains, East Tremont, Port

Chester, Rye, Dobbs Ferry, Harlem, Greenwich, Riverdale, Co-op

City, Fort Lee, Harrison, Scarsdale, Bronxville, Hawthorne, City

Island, Mount Vernon and Eastchester.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage

areas and low lying spots.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law

enforcement and request they pass this information to the National

Weather Service when you can do so safely.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Storm Prediction Ctr, Norman, OK Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 473

NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK

213 PM EDT MON JUL 18 2022

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 473 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT

FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

NY

. NEW YORK COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BRONX DUTCHESS KINGS

NASSAU NEW YORK ORANGE

PUTNAM QUEENS RICHMOND

ROCKLAND SULLIVAN ULSTER

WESTCHESTER

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EDT THIS

AFTERNOON FOR CENTRAL SUFFOLK COUNTY...

At 214 PM EDT, Doppler radar estimates between 2.5 and 3.5 inches of

rain have fallen since noon. Flash flooding is already occurring in

the town of Greenport and additional flash flooding is likely in the

warned area.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,

highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor

drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Southold, Mattituck, Plum Island, Shelter Island, Greenport,

Peconic, Cutchogue, Laurel and Orient.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law

enforcement and request they pass this information to the National

Weather Service when you can do so safely.

The National Weather Service in Upton NY has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Eastern Passaic County in northeastern New Jersey...

Bergen County in northeastern New Jersey...

Southern Westchester County in southeastern New York...

Bronx County in southeastern New York...

Rockland County in southeastern New York...

* Until 300 PM EDT.

* At 216 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Hawthorne, or

over Paterson, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...

Ridgewood around 220 PM EDT.

Hackensack and Paramus around 225 PM EDT.

Oradell around 230 PM EDT.

Bergenfield and Englewood around 235 PM EDT.

Tappan and Riverdale around 240 PM EDT.

Nyack and Orangeburg around 245 PM EDT.

Yonkers and Dobbs Ferry around 250 PM EDT.

New Rochelle and Tarrytown around 255 PM EDT.

White Plains and Scarsdale around 300 PM EDT.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO BUFFALO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Buffalo NY

603 PM EDT Mon Jul 18 2022

...Strong line of thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern

Jefferson, Lewis and northeastern Oswego Counties through 700 PM

EDT...

At 601 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong

thunderstorms along a line extending from near Carthage to 7 miles

west of Redfield. This line of storms will produce brief torrential

rain which may cause localized flooding. Movement was northeast at

25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...

Carthage, Lowville, West Carthage, Redfield, Herrings, Highmarket,

Barnes Corners, Whetstone Gulf State Park, Richland, Denmark, New

Bremen, Watson, Martinsburg, Williamstown, Lyonsdale, Greig, Orwell,

Copenhagen, Port Leyden and Harrisville.

This includes Interstate 81 near exit 34.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead

to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded

roadways.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 4342 7553 4348 7581 4341 7585 4343 7618

4423 7548 4410 7517 4361 7511

TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 247DEG 23KT 4399 7555 4353 7596

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO NEW YORK CITY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in Upton has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Central Suffolk County in southeastern New York...

* Until 300 PM EDT.

* At 103 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of

rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are

possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected

to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as

other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Southold, Mattituck, Plum Island, Shelter Island, Greenport,

Peconic, Cutchogue, Laurel and Orient.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law

enforcement and request they pass this information to the National

Weather Service when you can do so safely.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO NEW YORK CITY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

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SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Upton NY has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Hudson County in northeastern New Jersey...

Southeastern Bergen County in northeastern New Jersey...

Northeastern Essex County in northeastern New Jersey...

Southern Westchester County in southeastern New York...

Queens County in southeastern New York...

Bronx County in southeastern New York...

New York (Manhattan) County in southeastern New York...

* Until 330 PM EDT.

* At 241 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Rutherford,

moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...

Secaucus around 245 PM EDT.

Union City and Teterboro around 250 PM EDT.

Hackensack and Ridgefield around 255 PM EDT.

Bergenfield and Harlem around 300 PM EDT.

Mott Haven and RFK Bridge around 305 PM EDT.

Flushing and East Tremont around 310 PM EDT.

Yonkers and Throgs Neck Bridge around 315 PM EDT.

New Rochelle and Bayside around 320 PM EDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

NY

. NEW YORK COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BRONX DUTCHESS KINGS

NASSAU NEW YORK ORANGE

PUTNAM QUEENS RICHMOND

ROCKLAND SULLIVAN ULSTER

WESTCHESTER

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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO NEW YORK CITY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Upton NY has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

West central Suffolk County in southeastern New York...

Northern Nassau County in southeastern New York...

* Until 430 PM EDT.

* At 326 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Glen Cove,

moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...

Bayville around 335 PM EDT.

Oyster Bay around 340 PM EDT.

Huntington Station and Huntington around 350 PM EDT.

Centerport around 355 PM EDT.

Northport around 400 PM EDT.

Commack around 405 PM EDT.

Smithtown around 410 PM EDT.

Stony Brook around 420 PM EDT.

Centereach and Port Jefferson around 425 PM EDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

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SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX

743 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022

...HOT TEMPERATURES CONTINUE THIS WEEK...

Well above normal temperatures will continue across the region

this week. Temperatures Monday afternoon will rise to around 98

to 102 across the Coastal Plains and Hill Country and 102 to 105

along the Rio Grande. Even warmer temperatures are possible

Tuesday through Thursday.

Residents with outdoor activities planned are urged to drink

plenty of water, wear light weight and light colored clothing and

take frequent breaks from the heat. Young children and pets should

never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, July 19, 2022

_____

HEAT ADVISORY

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX

243 PM CDT Mon Jul 18 2022

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Heat index values near 108 degrees Monday, increasing to

near 110 degrees Tuesday.

* WHERE...Portions of south central Texas.

* WHEN...From 2 PM Monday to 8 PM CDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out

of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young

children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles

under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When

possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or

evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat

stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when

possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent

rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone

overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM CDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Heat index values near 105 degrees in the Hill Country

and southern Edwards Plateau, with 106 to 112 degrees along the

Rio Grande and coastal plains.

* WHEN...From noon to 8 PM CDT Tuesday.

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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, July 18, 2022

_____

HEAT ADVISORY

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Shreveport LA

724 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heat index values from 105 to 110 degrees are expected.

* WHERE...Across north central and northwest Louisiana, southeast

Oklahoma, south central and southwest Arkansas and northeast

Texas.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat

illnesses to occur.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out

of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young

children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles

under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When

possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or

evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat

stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when

possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent

rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone

overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney (PW) has established an India Engineering Centre (IEC) in Bengaluru which will commence operation next January. The new center will focus on providing contract engineering services and employ 500 engineers and professionals when fully staffed.

Ashmita Sethi, United Technologies Corporation India Pvt Ltd (UTCIPL) MD, said, PWs growth in the country represents our strong ties and deep respect for the skills India offers, skills needed for the future of aviation.

Geoff Hunt, PW senior VP (engineering), said: Pratt & Whitneys IEC will be a first-of-its-kind investment for our company in India. The IEC will help PW leverage the engineering skills our future Indian workforce will deliver, as PW continues to advance the worlds only fielded geared turbofan and develop sustainable propulsion for the next generation of propulsion.

As part of PWs integrated global engineering operations, the IEC will work closely with centres in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and Poland. The IEC has begun recruiting its first tranche of engineers and professionals. The IEC will allow us to synergise with existing PW operations capabilities in India, said Paul Weedon, executive director, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney Canada.

The centre will be co-located in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, with the existing PW India Capability Centre.

The significant investments made in country include Pratt & Whitneys state-of-the-art India Customer Training Center in Hyderabad; the R&D collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; as well as the ICC in Bengaluru, PW said in a statement.
US President Joe Biden, welcomed UAEs economic initiatives including recent Free Trade Agreements as strengthened policies against financial crimes and illicit money flows

On Saturday, July 16th, United States President Joe Biden welcomed the United Arab Emirates-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Abu Dhabi signed during his talks with President Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Following the signing, the UAE and US Presidents held talks in Jeddah during the latters Saudi Arabia visit. According to the statement from the White House, President Biden welcomed the UAEs economic initiatives throughout the Middle East and beyond, including countries like Israel, India, and Indonesia, with which recent Free Trade Agreements were signed, as well as new investments in Jordan and Egypt.

India and the UAE signed free trade agreements earlier this year that became a key component of enhancing economic cooperation. The FTA is Indias first comprehensive trade agreement in a decade and under the deal. Consequently, the UAEs GDP is anticipated to grow by 9 billion USD by 2030 and, beyond that, a market for Indian products in the entire West Asian region. The I2U2 summit held last week saw comments on improving partnerships with mutual interests, which included the leaders from India, Israel, the UAE, and the US. It was the first ever I2U2 virtual summit that was conducted in a hybrid model. The summit focused on tackling the greatest contemporary challenges through improving joint investments and new initiatives in water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. The US also welcomed economic opportunities, including the advancement of economic cooperation in the Middle East and South Asia and the promotion of sustainable investment amongst the I2U2 partners.

The summit discussed innovative ways to ensure long-term and diversified food production and delivery systems. Other than the food security crisis, it also talked about advancing renewable energy projects. The establishment of food parks and renewable energy were the key announcements for India. Leaders welcomed Indias interest in joining the US, the UAE, and Israel in the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate initiative (AIM for Climate). It will lead the nations to a long-term strategic partnership to improve investments, trade, sustainability and resilience through partnerships in science and technology.

Therefore, the summit concluded with various benefits for India, such as integrating food parks across India to reduce food waste and spoilage, conserving fresh water, and employing renewable energy sources. The US and Israeli private sectors will offer innovative solutions to the sustainability of the project. The summit will also advance a hybrid renewable energy project in India. The United States and Israel showed interest in working with the UAE and India to highlight private sector opportunities. As a result, India is poised to become a global hub for alternative supply chains in renewable energy.
The family of one of the Jordan Brothers, who passed away earlier this year, released a song written over 30 years ago.





Starting back in the 1950's, the Jordan Brothers, Joe, Frank, Bob, and Lew, began rocking the airwaves with their song "Gimme Some Lovin" and "Heart" and playing venues in Schuylkill County and Philadelphia area.







The brothers from Frackville played together for over 30 years before officially "breaking up" in 1984.





Here in Schuylkill County, their music lived on and in 2015, they were recognized with a Legacy Room at the Frackville Historical Society.





Since their break-up, they all remained involved in music but sadly Bob passed away in 1993, Joe passed away in January of 2021, and almost a year later Lew passed away on January 3rd, 2022.





Lew's daughter, Kristie Antalosky, recently reached out to Skook News for some help.





Six months after her father's passing, a Celebration of Life was held to honor Lew.





As part of the service, Lew's family released a song called "Dedicated Music Man" that he wrote over 30 years ago and was inspired by his brothers, Joe, Bob, and Frank. The family has asked us to help share this song which was recorded by Kristie Antalosky and sang by Bryel Frasch and accompanied by Cody Antalosky playing Lew's Ovation acoustic guitar.





You can listen to song below













A video tribute of Lew was also shown









The family also asked us to share a web site they created celebrating his life
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.

A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
But she is clear about what she is not doing. Im not building a Berkshire 2.0, she said. Im building something different using some of the principles. She is also quick to establish that Kanbrick is not a traditional private equity firm that buys companies only to sell them a few years later, usually after stripping out costs. Neither is Kanbrick championing cryptocurrencies or risky startups in ways that promise to remake the investing world. Similar to Berkshire, the firm wants to buy old-school businesses that are easy to understand and hold them for the long term. Britt Cool founded Kanbrick in 2020 with Brian Humphrey, a former executive at one of Berkshires companies. Its name is a portmanteau of Kansas, where both founders are from, and brick, a nod to their notion that great businesses are built brick by brick.

I dont ever want Warren to feel were trying to ride on Warrens coattails, Britt Cool said at the offices of Kanbrick in Bucktown, a trendy Chicago neighbourhood dotted with boutique hotels and hip cafes serving $US6 ($8.80) oat lattes. The firm employs seven people, but three were working remotely that day. The vibe felt very much like what it was: a startup. Kanbrick has done only two deals so far, which Britt Cool said was the right pace for the firm. The universe of potential acquisition targets, though, is large. Humphrey said roughly 30,000 businesses in the United States  many of them owned by their founders or families  had annual operating profits of $US10 million to $US50 million. Those companies may have appealed to Buffett in the 1980s, when Berkshire was far smaller, but wouldnt interest the $US600 billion colossus it is today. Britt Cool wont divulge how much capital the firm has to invest, but the pool contains funds from her, Humphrey and a group of investors. She declined to say if Buffett had invested.

Buffett declined to comment on Britt Cool. His assistant, Debbie Bosanek, said the investor, who is 91, was turning down most interview requests. In the past, Buffett showered his protege with praise. She thinks like I would, he told his hometown paper, The Omaha World-Herald in Nebraska, in 2014. Britt Cool discovered early on that she had a mind for math, because she could calculate the taxes on a sale at the familys farm store without a calculator. Reaching the cash register as a 6-year-old was harder  until someone placed an upturned bucket for her to stand on. Warren Buffett turned Berkshire Hathaway into a $US600 billion investing colossus. Credit:AP By 15, Britt Cool was president of the local farmers market, collecting dues from dozens of vendors. She also recruited several of her friends from high school to work at the market, where she increased the farm stands weekly sales about fivefold to $US2,500. With her savings, she bought a red Ford Mustang convertible, which she held onto until she moved to Omaha.

I fell in love with building businesses at the farm, Britt Cool said. On May 19, 2003, The Manhattan Mercury ran a front-page article about Britt Cool  dressed in a lilac shirt with eye shadow to match, holding a bunch of asparagus. Harvard bound, the headline read, noting that the local standout had cobbled together scholarships and aid to attend the Ivy League university, where she majored in economics. Im not building a Berkshire 2.0, Im building something different using some of the principles. Tracy Britt Cool Elizabeth Knopf, who met Britt Cool during her freshman year through a Harvard organisation for undergraduate women interested in business, called her very driven, very aware of what she wanted. Once, Knopf, along with some friends, visited the Britt farm and saw her classmates drive in action. Knopf recalled how, although technically on vacation, she was woken up at 5 am on a Saturday so they could arrange the produce for the farm stand.

Britt Cool was on such a tear to get her business education that she entered Harvard Business School at 22, right after college. Mohit Bathija, an entrepreneur in Chicago, remembers his business school classmate as unassuming  and not someone he would have pegged as having the confidence to start her career by sending an unsolicited letter to one of the worlds most famous investors. If you would have scanned through 900 people and said pick out Warren Buffetts protege, never would I have said Tracy Britt would be that person, Bathija said. Normally, youd expect someone with more investing experience. Britt Cool wasnt a complete stranger when she asked Buffett in 2009 if she could spend a summer working for him. She had met him three times while a student, including on trips arranged by Smart Woman Securities, an investing group for women she had founded at Harvard. When he called her in response to the note to say she should look him up if she found herself in Omaha, Britt Cool didnt hesitate.

What do you take to a meeting with a billionaire? Britt Cool wondered as she prepared to stop by Buffetts office. In the end, she decided on some corn and tomatoes from the farm as a nod to their shared Midwestern roots. Britt Cool stood out at Berkshires quiet, modestly furnished headquarters in midtown Omaha, where only a handful of  mostly male  executives sat. As a blonde, blue-eyed woman of 25, she worried about how she might come across. Her solution was to always be put together, wearing a suit when the occasion called for it, and do the work, come prepared, read up. The culture at Berkshire is very difficult for young people, said Robert Miles, who has written several books about the firm. Its not a culture of coddling you or training you, he said. But she got a firsthand look at what Berkshire does. Tracy Britt Cool discovered she had a mind for math as a teen working in her family business in Kansas. family owns a farm stand in Kansas Credit:(Shawn Brackbill/The New York Times Britt Cools Berkshire years had a make-it-up-as-you-go-along quality that provided fertile training. Over the decades, Buffett bought dozens of small to medium-size companies, including Benjamin Moore, Dairy Queen and running-shoe company Brooks. He also bought NetJets, which sells ownership shares in private jets.

But as Berkshire grew, with gigantic insurance operations and a railroad, some of these companies became too small to merit Buffetts attention. That gave Britt Cool a chance to learn about business operations in real life. With Buffetts blessing, she travelled to the offices of various Berkshire subsidiaries, meeting with their CEOs and using what she heard to spur connections between executives. In 2014, shortly after she turned 30 and was pregnant with her first child, Britt Cool became CEO of Pampered Chef. The companys direct-sale model  a version of a classic Tupperware party  meant that people gathered socially to possibly buy a $US30 waffle pan or food chopper. Berkshire had bought the Chicago company in 2002, and revenue and profit were flagging. Customers had moved online, but Pampered Chefs business had not, so only about one-tenth of its sales were digital. Her immediate mission, to get the right people in the right roles within the right culture, took two years, including installing Humphrey as chief financial officer. By the time Britt Cool left in 2019, she said, digital sales were above 50 per cent, including through the companys network of sellers.

In a statement, Doris Christopher, the founder of Pampered Chef, called Britt Cool a thoughtful and decisive leader with clear vision. In 2013, when she married Scott Cool, a corporate lawyer, Buffett walked her down the aisle, knowing that she had lost her father. When she told him in late 2019 that she planned to start her own firm, Buffett was supportive. He told her, Britt Cool said, that it reminded him of when he parted ways with his mentor Benjamin Graham  a famed value investor  in the 1950s to pursue his own career. Britt Cool was on a short list of potential successors to Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway when she left the firm in 2020. Credit:Bloomberg Drew Van Pelt, a former CEO of Larson-Juhl, a picture frame maker owned by Berkshire, said Britt Cool had cleverly positioned Kanbrick as the antithesis of private equity  just as Buffett did with Berkshire. The No. 1 reason people dont want to sell to PE is: Who are these jerks? said Van Pelt, a business school classmate of Britt Cools whom she recruited to Larson-Juhl. Thats very much the opposite of her style.

In 2020, the firm bought a majority stake in Thirty-One Gifts, a company that sells bags and housewares through a network of sales consultants. Cindy Monroe, the companys founder, had followed the turnaround engineered by Britt Cool at Pampered Chef and was hoping for something similar. Loading In June, Kanbrick struck its second deal, buying a majority stake in Marine Concepts, which patented a system that simplifies the process of covering boats. During the pandemic, Britt Cool and her husband  whom she met in the elevator of her residential building in Omaha  moved to Nashville, Tennessee, with their three children, ages 7, 4 and 2. She was able to balance the demands of a young family and a new firm, she said, because Cool stepped into the role of primary parent. He spends a lot of time with our kids, which gives me flexibility, she said.
A silver lining from the last two years of lockdowns is that flexible working has become much more acceptable. In fact, Im writing this from home right now, something that as a daily news reporter wasnt normal as recently as early 2020.

People in all sorts of jobs that largely require sitting in front of a computer have been able to embrace flexible forms of work. And its particularly benefited women.

The pandemic shift to flexible work arrangements has benefited women. Credit:Shutterstock

Since the start of the pandemic, women have entered the workforce in droves. Womens participation rate is at a high of 62.5 per cent, and the move of women into jobs has helped drive the countrys unemployment rate down to 3.5 per cent, its lowest level in nearly 50 years.

ANZ senior economist Catherine Birch recently highlighted the fact it was particularly women with children under the age of 15 who were entering the workforce.
When Jess Abrahams was a boy he used to see koalas on his grandfathers farm in the Yarra Valley on Melbournes fringe. About 10 years ago the koala was first listed as vulnerable. Today, it is listed as endangered in much of the country under the federal governments key environmental protection law, the EPBC Act.

As a young man working as a National Parks ranger, Abrahams would lead night-time spotlighting walks and the greater glider was one of the most common animals he would show off to his guests. Six years ago, the greater glider was listed as vulnerable. Today it is endangered.

The gang-gang cockatoo has joined the ranks of Australian endangered species. Credit:Museum Victoria

The gang-gang cockatoo leapt onto the list as endangered, skipping the vulnerable status entirely.

Since I was a young man so many large, common, charismatic animals have slipped onto these lists, and once they are there it is normally a death knell, says Abrahams, now 48.
Former Northern Territory senator Sam McMahon, rolled by the Country Liberals to make way for Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, certainly made the most of her final months in office, billing taxpayers a whopping $74,635 for 186 nights away from home between April last year and January.

According to data from the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority, McMahons travel allowance claims made between January and March dwarfed those of her former colleagues, which the former senator puts down to the size of the NT.

I havent seen the data myself, but it wouldnt surprise me given the fact that I actually live 330 kilometres away from my office, she said.

A resident of Katherine, McMahon lived it up when travelling to her Darwin-based office, spending $457 a night on hotel accommodation on each of her 100-plus nights in town, a rate she described as pretty standard for the town. Hmm.

Its quite the luxury, and were sure McMahon will miss it almost as much as CBD will miss her flamboyant contribution to life on the Hill. A veterinarian who boasted one of parliaments biggest property portfolios, including investments in Lombok, Indonesia and Arizona (the latter sold last year), McMahons most recent brush with infamy came when she faced (and denied) claims she was maggotted during a late-night Senate sitting last year.
Clambering in and out of the rooms over the union roof, the students brought in food, blankets and a record player.

They arranged rosters for an all-night watch for police.

They also began to set up their own radio station, which would broadcast music and messages attacking conscription. This would be heard within about five miles around the university.

The chairman of the union board, Mr Phil Jones, declared that he could not accept the students vote as binding. The students were illegally commandeering the building.

But he would not call in the police, he added.
Six people have been rushed to hospital in Sydneys west on Tuesday morning after an outdoor charcoal makeshift heater was brought indoors to keep them warm, causing suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

The four adults and two children were sleeping in a granny flat at a Merrylands property when one person woke up and complained they were feeling nauseous.

The family used an outdoor cooker to heat up the charcoal beads. Credit:Fire and Rescue NSW

Emergency services were called to the scene just before 5am to assist the individual before paramedics and firefighters discovered an outdoor barbecue cooker, which had been brought in to warm the house overnight.

The temperature in Merrylands fell to a low of 6.3 degrees at 10pm on Monday.
More than half a million Australians had a fourth dose after eligibility was expanded last week as the medicines regulator considers whether it should allow toddlers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Australia administered its biggest week of coronavirus vaccinations in five months after advisory group ATAGI recommended fourth shots for people aged 50 to 64 and said those over 30 could also receive a second booster.

There were 558,000 fourth doses administered in the week ending Sunday  double the number given the previous week.

The percentage of eligible people aged 50 to 64 who had received four doses increased to more than 15 per cent. About 5 per cent of people aged 30 to 49 who had already received a booster opted to have a fourth shot.
Things continue to go from worse to much worse for troubled Aussie tech outfit Nuix, which gave investors a glimpse on Monday of the horrors to come when its full-year results are revealed next month via webinar with chief executive Jonathan Rubinsztein.

Revenue, contract values and before tax profits are all tipped to be heading south with statutory revenue likely to be between $151 million and $154 million, down from $165 million in 2020-21. Statutory earnings before tax plunged from more than $30 million in FY 21 to just $12 million at most in FY22.

Sharing the bad news: Jonathan Rubinsztein, CEO of Nuix. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The share price hit an all-time low of $0.64 on Monday.

It looks like the only people making money from Nuix are its lawyers, with non-operational legal costs during the financial year likely to top $14 million.
A refugee locked up in two Melbourne hotels for more than 14 months will take his case to the Federal Court on Tuesday, alleging the Commonwealth detained him unlawfully and seeking unspecified damages for his treatment.

Mostafa Moz Azimitabar was brought to Australia on emergency medical grounds in November 2019, having spent more than six years detained on Manus Island and in Port Moresby.

Moz Azimitabar in the Mantra in Preston in December 2020. Credit:Luis Ascui

Instead of being transferred for medical treatment, he was detained at the Mantra hotel in Preston, in Melbournes north, for 13 months before being transferred to the Park Hotel in Carlton for a further month.

During his time detained in Australia, Azimitabar became one of the most outspoken of the refugees and asylum seekers brought here under the short-lived medevac policy.
New laws that allow camping on riverside farmland present a biosecurity hazard and should be immediately suspended, the Victorian farming lobby has warned, as concerns grow that the foot and mouth livestock disease may reach Australia.

Local authorities are on high alert for signs of the disease, which was recently detected in Bali, causing fears that travellers may bring it back to Australia and expose the agriculture sector to billions of dollars in losses.

Travellers returning from Bali are being asked to declare any contact with farm animals after an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, which people can carry on their shoes or clothes. Credit:Bloomberg

People can transmit the highly infectious disease to farms through their clothes, shoes and even noses for up to 24 hours.

The Victorian Farmers Federation believes farms are now at heightened risk of exposure due to laws introduced late last year by the Andrews government that allow camping on riverside Crown land used for grazing cattle.
Australia has suffered catastrophic losses of wildlife and habitat, according to the official five-year scorecard on the state of the environment, released on Tuesday, as leading scientists plead with the Albanese government to urgently ramp up protections to halt the escalating rate of extinction.

The latest State of the Environment report says Australia has lost the most mammals of any continent. More than 80 per cent of Australias nearly 400 mammal species, from furry greater gliders that fly across treetops to egg-laying, poisonous platypus, are found nowhere else. Tragically, the 39 mammal species that have disappeared since colonisation in 1788 represent 38 per cent of the worlds lost mammals.

Logging coupes in the Huon Valley: Land clearing has been identified as a chief culprit in the escalating threat to Australias wildlife and habitat. Credit:Jason South

Since 2016, when the previous State of the Environment was released, 17 mammal species were either added to the endangered list or upgraded to the critically endangered list, as well as 17 birds and 19 frogs.

The extinction risk this month for greater gliders in NSW and Victoria has been upgraded by the federal government, which now rates the species once common in eastern forests as a risk of disappearing in coming years.
In high-end real estate, its all about the address.

Which is why a huge sandpit in the salubrious Los Angeles neighbourhood of Bel Air, connected to a Colombian billionaire, is commanding $US45 million ($66.8 million).

This excavated site in Bel Air is on the market for $66.8 million. Credit:Compass

The vendor, a Florida-based firm controlled by one of the worlds richest men, has been looking for a buyer since May last year, when the dust bowl was launched on the market for $US34 million.

Although no ink has been scribbled on a sale contract, the price last month was bullishly lifted by another $US11 million, according to The Real Deal.
Graphic content

When most of Ukraine is a crime scene, who will bear witness to mass atrocities? We reveal some of the victims who want to tell the world what happened.
Oleksandr Balo, the mayor of Barvinkove, cannot be any clearer in his assessment of the indiscriminate shelling that has ruined his town on the front line of the war in eastern Ukraine.

These are 100 per cent war crimes, he tells the Heralds Anthony Galloway and Kate Geraghty. This is genocide. This is the wilful killing of innocent people. This is murder.

In a four-part investigation months in the making, Galloway and Geraghty travel across Ukraine to shed light on possible war crimes committed there. They examine unlawful killings, abductions, torture and indiscriminate bombings committed by Russian leader Vladimir Putins forces. The reports are based on first-hand accounts of victims, witnesses and forensic investigators.

Natalia Kulakivska is one of thousands left to fear the fate of loved ones after her husband, Yevhen, was abducted at gunpoint. Olekdsndr Fayizov details the horrors inflicted in a railway station transformed into a torture cell. Alyona Lapchuk recalls overhearing her husband, Vitaliy, being beaten with sticks, electrocuted and choked in their home, and hearing from an adjoining room the moment he died.

The words are harrowing to read, and the photographs are heartbreaking to see, but we must not look away. Putins forces have claimed large swaths of Ukraines south and east, press daily to seize more territory and have left no quarter of the country unspared by attacks from the air.
London: Prince Harry has described the Roe v Wade abortion ruling in America as a global assault on democracy and freedom.

The Duke of Sussex appeared to criticise the ruling of the US Supreme Court during a speech at the UN headquarters to mark International Nelson Mandela Day. It follows comments from his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, after the reversal of Roe v Wade last month, when she spoke of the couples guttural reaction and claimed that the feminist Harry had been equally despairing.

The 1973 case guaranteed womens access to abortion as a constitutional right. Since its overruling, abortion has been banned in several US states.

While Harry would not have made such remarks when he was a working member of the royal family, he and Meghan have become increasingly vocal on certain topics since their move to the US.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Parliament of Sint Maarten invites, the public to submit nominations for the Annual President of Parliament Award 2022.

Each year the President of Parliament recognizes a youth who has contributed to the community and the country positively whether it be academic, voluntary, or in sporting achievements.

Any citizen of Sint Maarten who believes that an individual meets the criteria can send the nomination to the Parliament of Sint Maarten.

The eligibility criteria are:

the candidate must have Dutch nationality and/or have been legally residing in Sint Maarten for 10 years or more consecutively, and has been registered in the Civil Registry for that period of time

must be between the ages of 15-24 years

has made a worthwhile contribution to the development of the community and the country

these contributions/achievements must have taken place within the last three years

contributions/achievements must have been made while the individual was acting as a private citizen, not as an appointed or elected government official

, and must have demonstrated a capacity for leadership and the ability to motivate

The application form can be found on the Parliaments website: www.sxmparliament.org under the tab public. By selecting the President of Parliament Award you will be directed to the digital application form.

A hardcopy of the application form can also be collected at the reception desk at the Parliament Building located at the Wilhelminastraart #1 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

The deadline to submit your nomination(s) is August 15, 2022. This can be done by hard copy in a sealed envelope addressed to Annual President of Parliament Award Committee, Wilhelminastraart #1 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Or via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The award is presented yearly to the recipient during the reception ceremony at the Opening of the Parliamentary Year. Nominations for the Annual President of Parliament Award 2022 may be submitted by any citizen of Sint Maarten who believes that the nominated individual meets the criteria mentioned above.
MIAMI FLORIDA:--- For the first live event in two years, the Opening Ceremony of the CANTO 37th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition 2022, more than 300 guests arrived at the Fountainebleau Miami Beach.

The conference's theme, "Enabling the Digital Evolution," was reiterated by Ms. Teresa Wankin, Secretary General, in her opening remarks. She also reaffirmed CANTO's commitment to meet the needs of the Caribbean Community with a primary focus on Digital Development, Enablement, and Improvements that will result in digital transformation. She highlighted the incredible opportunity for knowledge sharing to strengthen ICT that this conference presents with all the appropriate people and businesses in attendance.

Following her heartfelt remarks, Mr. David Cox, Chairman of CANTO Caribbean, graced the stage with his presence. He thanked all stakeholders and attendees for their support during the previous two years of turbulence and said that it demonstrated the resilience of Caribbean people. In addition, Cox expressed his sincere gratitude and honor at having Guyana's prime minister deliver the keynote address at this auspicious event. Noting that Guyana is a significant member of the CANTO Caribbean family, he expressed his eagerness to learn more about Guyana, especially at this moment when the nation is undergoing incredible change.

Cox continues to hold the view that "CANTO's greatest value is that it is a unique market for ideas," as he has stated in previous contexts. The goal of CANTO is to provide a forum where ideas can debate one another, not to tell people what to think. Our mission is to inform, enlighten, challenge, listen, and ultimately to encourage the growth of our people. The chairman, the board of directors, and the staff at CANTO sincerely hope that these conference facilities will fulfill that goal.

After that, the keynote address was given by Hon. Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Anthony Phillips, M.S.S, Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. He began by highlighting the significance of CANTO and its mission to provide solutions and initiatives that will allow for the realization of this year's theme and to facilitate shaping the ICT industry in the Caribbean Region and the Americas."

Mentioning the widespread use of ICTs for service and product delivery in the post-pandemic era. They will enable us to socialize, plan and collaborate in the workplace, as well as carry out many of the other tasks that we were accustomed to doing in person. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic has firmly established the value and influence of ICTs in our lives.

In addition, he pointed out that the internet has drawbacks. As the national COVID-19 Task Force's chairman in Guyana, he witnessed firsthand the harm misinformation can do to the public good as they dealt with vaccine hesitancy and other types of skepticism about science-based public health measures. In response, made a request to the conference's telecommunications operators, content providers, and regulators to look into policies that support and guarantee responsible Internet usage while still maintaining the universally accepted principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression as their basis.

Hon. Brigadier (ret'd) Phillips addressed the issue of the digital divide, pointing out the harsh reality that less than 50% of Caribbean residents have access to the internet, and that, during the worst of the pandemic, those without internet access were essentially unable to access financial, governmental, and other essential services. For some people, a lack of meaningful social interaction made mental health problems worse. And the outcome was a nearly complete, if not total, loss of incomes and means of subsistence for many of those for whom participating in economically enabled by technology was not feasible.

The answer, according to Prime Minister Hon. Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Anthony Phillips, is for governments to commit to creating the required infrastructure to make it possible for everyone to use ICTs. His government is committed to this sentiment and has liberalized the telecommunications industry on October 5, 2020, ending a 30-year monopoly on fixed landline and international long-distance services. For residential customers, the value added tax on Internet data has been eliminated. This action has increased consumer disposable income and decreased the service's effective cost, both of which should lead to an increase in demand for the operator's services. He also stated We have made more spectrum available to the industry, especially in the critical 700MHz band, to increase coverage and enable the deployment of LTE and later generation networks.

The introduction of robotic applications, the use of drones in agriculture, apps for reporting public incidents, tax collection, e-health, e-banking, and other new technologies are now all a part of digital evolution, he said. He also noted that our service providers are moving from 4G to 5G services and that artificial intelligence (AI) engines drive many back-office operations.

With a closing ceremony on July 20, 2022, the CANTO 37th annual Conference and Trade Exhibition continues at the Fountainbleau Miami Beach. Canto members, government ministers, and speakers from across the region from all facets of ICT are present to support the extensive networking, discussion, and idea-sharing needed to close the digital divide.
Golden Rim identifies extensive additional oxide gold target areas at Bereko

West African gold explorer Golden Rim Resources Ltd (ASX: GMR; Golden Rim or Company  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/golden-rim-resources-ltd/ ) is pleased to announce assay results from a program of infill auger drilling at its Kada Gold Project (Kada) in Guinea.

Highlights

Golden Rim has received all assays from infill auger drilling at the Bereko Prospect (218 holes for 1,990m), 7km north of the 930,000oz[1] gold Inferred Mineral Resource at the Massan Prospect.

Infill auger drilling returned results up to 960ppb gold, confirming several parallel, north-south-trending, bedrock gold anomalies at Bereko with a cumulative strike length of more than 5km.

Auger gold anomalies extend from areas where Golden Rima?s recent initial program of Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling discovered high-grade and/or broad zones of oxide gold mineralisation, with intersections including 11m @ 6.3g/t gold,10m @ 5.6g/t gold, and 27m @ 1.2g/t gold[2].

Auger gold anomalies provide exceptional target areas for Golden Rim to delineate strike extensions to this highly significant oxide gold mineralisation.

Golden Rim has extended its Induced Polarisation (IP)/ground magnetics geophysical survey, and results are now expected in late August before plans will be finalised for follow-up RC drilling at Bereko.

Golden Rima?s Managing Director, Craig Mackay, said:

aSystematic auger drilling to identify areas with anomalous bedrock gold beneath the shallow laterite cover has been hugely successful at Kada.A At Bereko, we have hit significant bedrock oxide gold in almost every RC hole targeting the auger anomalies. Initial RC drilling results strongly suggest the area could deliver satellite oxide gold resources we can add to our existing gold inventory.

aThe initial auger drilling coverage at Bereko was broadly spaced to allow for a large under-explored area to be covered quickly. Now, with the completion of the infill auger drilling we have considerably improved our understanding of the extent and trend of the auger gold anomalies and we are better placed to target the next round of RC drilling to locate more oxide gold mineralisation.

aThe extent of the gold anomalies at Bereko, with a cumulative strike length of 5.5km, is highly significant given the current 930,000oz Mineral Resource, 7km to the south, extends over 1km.a

Auger Drilling at Bereko Prospect

Golden Rima?s exploration to date at the Bereko Prospect has discovered multiple parallel zones of oxide gold mineralisation along the broad 15km Kada Gold Corridor, 7km north of the 930,000oz Inferred Mineral Resource at the Massan Prospect (Figures 1 & 2). The Kada Gold Corridor lies along the Siguiri Mine trend which extends another 26km north of Bereko to AngloGold Ashantia?s +10Moz gold Siguiri Mine.

Golden Rim recently completed a 218-hole (1,990m) auger drilling program at Bereko, with holes drilled on 100m x 50m pattern to infill Golden Rima?s first pass 200m x 50m spaced auger drilling. The auger holes are vertical in orientation with an average depth of 9m. Drilling was designed to penetrate the shallow laterite cover to obtain a bottom of hole sample in each hole of the weathered bedrock (saprolite) beneath for gold analysis.

Hole locations are depicted on Figure 1. Golden Rim has received assays for all holes with results reported in this announcement.

Results from the infill auger drilling are highly encouraging with the delineation of several parallel, north-south-trending bedrock gold anomalies (Western and Eastern anomalies) with a cumulative strike length of more than 5.5km (Figure 1). These extensive and coherent gold anomalies extend from areas where Golden Rima?s recent initial RC drilling discovered high-grade and/or broad zones of oxide gold mineralisation, with intersections that include 11m @ 6.3g/t gold, 10m @ 5.6g/t gold and 27m @ 1.2g/t gold. This oxide gold mineralisation remains open to the north and south, and at depth. These newly defined auger gold anomalies provide exceptional target areas for Golden Rim to identify further strike extensions to this highly significant oxide gold mineralisation.

The main bedrock gold auger anomalies at Bereko are described below:

Western Anomaly

The Western Anomaly is the most coherent at Bereko and extends for 2.3km (Figure 1). Peak auger gold results include 960ppb gold, 830ppb gold and 720ppb gold. Towards the south, the Western Anomaly seems to coalesce with the Eastern Anomaly.

Very limited RC drilling has been conducted along the Western Anomaly. In the northern portion of the anomaly, Golden Rim achieved a highly significant oxide gold intersection of 11m @ 6.3g/t gold from 43m, including 2m @ 30.6g/t gold in KRC095. This is the best drill gold intercept obtained at Bereko to date. There is then no RC drilling along the Western Anomaly for 2km until hole KRC097, which returned 14m @ 1.2g/t gold from 55m in the southern portion of the anomaly.

To the west of the Western Anomaly, auger drilling has also outlined a smaller, parallel anomaly that extends for 800m. The infill auger drilling returned multiple results >100ppb gold. This anomaly has no RC drilling to date and will be a target for further investigation.

Eastern Anomaly

The Eastern Anomaly is not as continuous and seems to comprise three zones (Northern, Central and Southern) which are possibly separated by faulting (Figure 1).

In the Northern Zone, there is a highly coherent and strong anomaly extending for 1.2km which delivered a peak auger gold result of 580ppb gold. The anomaly encompasses an area of artisanal mining on stockwork veins in bedrock beneath the shallow laterite cover which have returned rock chip samples results up to 171.3g/t gold. Golden Rim has concentrated RC drilling to date around the artisanal mining area, which returned encouraging oxide gold intersections including 10m @ 5.6g/t gold from 5m in KRC092 and 13m @ 1.8g/t gold from 21m in KRC098. The most coherent portion of the anomaly extends 900m south of the artisanal mining area and has not yet been tested by RC drilling. New auger results up to 380ppb gold were obtained from this southern extension to the gold anomaly.

The Central Zone extends for 600m and has a peak auger result of 700ppb gold. No RC drilling has been conducted within this zone to date.

The Southern Zone is the broadest area of bedrock gold anomalism outlined by the auger drilling at Bereko. It extends for 1.2km and has a peak auger gold result of 2,720ppb gold.A To date, Golden Rim has drilled two RC holes within this area and each one has intersected significant oxide mineralisation, including 27m @ 1.2g/t gold from 27m in KRC099 and 13m @ 1.8g/t gold from 21m in KRC098 (Figure 2). This oxide mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth. Infill auger drilling both north and south of this RC drilling returned highly anomalous new gold results (up to 960ppb and 390ppb gold). These areas are to be tested in the next RC drilling program for extensions to the oxide gold mineralisation. A

Current Progress & Next Steps

Golden Rim has extended its IP and ground magnetics geophysical survey at Bereko and Massan, with three dipole-dipole IP lines (total of 3.6-line km) now planned for Massan (Figure 3). The survey is expected to be completed in approximately one month.

Golden Rim will use results of its RC and auger drilling programs as well as the geophysical survey to guide further exploration at Kada during 2022, including planning further drilling to follow up the highly encouraging initial drilling results received from Bereko and around the Mineral Resource area at Massan.A

[1] ASX Announcement: Kada Maiden Mineral Resource 930koz Gold dated 3 March 2022

[2] ASX Announcement: Golden Rim hits shallow high-grade oxide gold at Bereko dated 19 May 2022

Competent Persons Statements

The information in this report relating to previous exploration results and Mineral Resources are extracted from the announcements: Golden Rim Hits 43m at 1.2gt Gold Outside Kada Mineral Resource dated 21 June 2022; Golden Rim Commences Infill Auger Drilling at Bereko Gold Prospects dated 25 May 2022; Golden Rim hits shallow high-grade oxide gold at Bereko dated 19 May 2022; Golden Rima?s Drilling Outside Kada Mineral Resource Area Delivers More Oxide Gold dated 11 May 2022; Kada Maiden Mineral Resource 930Koz Gold dated 3 March 2022; Golden Rim Discovers More Oxide Gold in Exploration Drilling at Kada dated 1 March 2022; Golden Rim hits 171.5g/t gold in sampling at Kada with multiple new targets identified dated 22 February 2022; Golden Rim Discovers Exciting New Zone of Oxide Gold at Kada a 66m at 1.0g/t Gold dated 17 February 2022; Golden Rim Expands Kada Bedrock Gold Corridor to 15km dated 30 July 2021; Major Bedrock Gold Corridor Extends to 4.7km at Kada dated 20 May 2021; Major 3.5km Bedrock Gold Corridor Confirmed at Kada dated 19 April 2021. These reports are available on the Companya?s website (www.goldenrim.com.au). The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in these announcements and, in the case of the Mineral Resource estimate, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning estimate continue to apply and have not materially changed.

The information in this report that relates to exploration results is based on information compiled by Craig Mackay, a Competent Person, who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Mackay is a full-time employee of the Company and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the aAustralasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reservesa?. Mr Mackay consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this document are or maybe aforward-looking statementsa and represent Golden Rima?s intentions, projections, expectations or beliefs concerning among other things, future exploration activities. The projections, estimates and beliefs contained in such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Golden Rim, and which may cause Golden Rima?s actual performance in future periods to differ materially from any express or implied estimates or projections. Nothing in this document is a promise or representation as to the future. Statements or assumptions in this document as to future matters may prove to be incorrect and differences may be material. Golden Rim does not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of such statements or assumptions.
Posted Monday, July 18, 2022 7:54:47 AM

Summer vacation took an unexpected turn for General Hospital actress Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos), who shared on Friday that she is isolating in Colorado after testing positive for COVID-19.

The actress had been enjoying a family getaway in the Centennial state with her boyfriend, Wes Ramsey (ex-Peter August), when she learned the news.

"Amazing vacation, not so amazing ending," the actress shared in her Instagram Stories, along with a snapshot of her at-home COVID test reading a positive result. "Been isolating in Fort Collins -- watching every serial killer show ever made. #Netflix"

Further into the weekend, Wright reported that the binge-watching was ongoing, as was the recovery process.

"Ok lots of TV time while we are on the couch with COVID -- yes still feeling bad," she shared. "Right now we are finishing Midnight Mass. CRAZY!!! Haaaa And yes we've seen Terminal List -- so good!!!"

Ok lots of tv time while we are on the couch with Covid - yes still feeling bad - right now we are finishing Midnight Mass. CRAZY!!! Haaaa And yes we've seen Terminal List - so good !!!  Laura Wright (@lldubs) July 18, 2022

Many GH fans are wondering how Wright's diagnosis might affect her time as Carly. The ABC soap opera has experienced a lot of temporary recasts in recent months, including The Young and the Restless alum Robert Adamson (ex-Noah Newman) recently stepping in for Chad Duell (Michael Corinthos) due to "COVID-related" reasons. Will something similar have to be done for the role of Carly?

Fortunately, the answer looks to be no: Wright tweeted that the ABC soap is "on break right now, so, I'll be good when we start shooting again."

I'm good !!! And we are on break right now so I'll be good when we start shooting again  https://t.co/FMBVa6dKsU  Laura Wright (@lldubs) July 16, 2022

Fingers crossed that Wright is correct and that she'll be back to good health and filming scenes as Carly very soon!
STAMFORD  Aspiring performers from across Fairfield and Westchester counties converged on the Palace Theatre in Stamford for a two-week intensive program.

Luis Salgado, assistant choreographer of the Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights and Salgado Productions, led the Triple Threat Performer Intensive at the Palace Theatre.
A blimp promoting Discovery Channels Shark Week lands at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford on Friday.

Owned and operated by AirSign Airship Group, the blimp stopped for about 20 minutes in Stratford Friday afternoon to refuel on a day-long trip from Cape Cod to New Jersey.
STAMFORD  Things are heating up at Roxbury Elementary School, and its not just the rising summer temperatures.

It was recently selected as one of three schools in the state to be part of a cohort under the banner Higher Order Thinking Schools, or HOTS, which is administered through the organization Arts for Learning Connecticut.

Through the partnership, Roxbury staff will receive three three-hour professional development sessions over the next school year, five in-class art workshops and two eight-week artist residencies with teaching artists provided by Arts for Learning, as well as a school-wide performance at the beginning and end of the school year.

The HOTS approach is not new at Roxbury. In fact, school staff voted in 2018 to incorporate a theme to the school and HOTS was selected by a majority.

But the school wasnt able to fully incorporate the concepts over the years, partly due to lack of funding and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as part of an official cohort of schools, Roxbury will be able to do much more.

Well be part of a network rather than attempting to apply the approach mostly on our own, said Mark Bonasera, principal of Roxbury.

The HOTS program was originally developed 25 years ago by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Economic and Community Development. A couple of years ago, the program went through a relaunch, as it was essentially passed on to the nonprofit Arts for Learning Connecticut, an affiliate of the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network.

It also changed in structure, as the program is now designed for schools with a significant proportion of students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch or a large percentage of minority students.

In 2018, when the school embraced the higher learning approach, Roxbury fifth grade teacher Lori Ross was designated the HOTS coordinator for the school. She was one of the first people to suggest using the program for the school when a theme was discussed.

Ross had used HOTS as a teacher at Rogers School before it became an International Baccalaureate school.

The program is much more robust, she said.

It is not arts and crafts in the classroom, she said. It is taking our curriculum and lessons and making them highly engaging.

She gave the example of reading a novel. Under the HOTS model, a teacher may assign a group of students to act out what they read, while other students act as the audience and offer critiques of the performance.

Now they all have a job, Ross said, explaining how this model is more engaging.

She compared this approach to a standard read aloud in which a teacher reads a book to a classroom of students.

Sometimes when you do a read aloud in a class, some kids fall asleep and theyre not comprehending, she said.

Bonasera said the HOTS program involves integrating arts into all subject areas and strengthening student leadership opportunities. At the school, they call the arts teachers essentials, as opposed to the term specials most often used in education, he said.

We have amazing music, art, physical education and media teachers, Bonasera said. Weve always had amazing concerts and visual arts.

In the past five years, the school has adopted many ideas from the program, such as holding student-run town hall meetings and establishing its own artist-in-residence projects. Additionally, during the pandemic, school staff had fifth grade students record the morning announcements as part of the HOTS-based approach. Some of the filmed segments even included interviews of school staff.

Now as an official HOTS school, everything that Roxbury School has been trying to do over the last few years will only be amplified, Bonasera said.

Being part of a cohort now gives us a level of tangible support that is going to take us to the next level in implementing the approach, he said.

In all, each school receives about $35,000 in programming per school year. Roxbury will have the opportunity to continue in the HOTS cohort after the upcoming school year. Last year, an initial cohort of five schools were chosen in its inaugural season under Arts for Learning Connecticut. With the three selected this year, the total is now up to eight.

The new program is not the only major change planned for the school, as district officials have already submitted an application to the state for funding to demolish Roxbury and construct a new school building directly behind it that will serve as a K-8, as opposed to the K-5 elementary school in place now.

Ross was thrilled that Roxbury was chosen as part of the 2022-23 HOTS cohort, which also includes the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London and Concord Magnet School in Norwalk.

It was like the best news we had gotten in a long time, she said. It was a really difficult year.

She added, Now we can really start training and start getting ideas out and start making our school what it should be.

ignacio.laguarda@stamfordadvocate.com
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Donald Boesch, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and Donald Scavia, University of Michigan

(THE CONVERSATION) Midsummer is the time for forecasts of the size of this years dead zones and algal blooms in major lakes and bays. Will the Gulf of Mexico dead zone be the size of New Jersey, or only as big as Connecticut? Will Lake Eries bloom blossom to a human health crisis, or just devastate the coastal economy?

We are scientists who each have spent almost 50 years figuring out what causes dead zones and what it will take to resuscitate them and reduce risks of toxic blooms of algae. Researchers can forecast these phenomena quite well and have calculated the nitrogen and phosphorus pollution cuts needed to reduce them.

These targets are now written into formal government commitments to clean up Lake Erie, the Gulf and the Chesapeake Bay. Farmers and land owners nationwide received US$30 billion to support conservation, including practices designed to reduce water pollution, from 2005 to 2015, and are scheduled to receive $60 billion more between 2019 and 2028.

But these efforts have fallen short, mainly because controls on nutrient pollution from agriculture are weak and ineffective. In our view, there is no shortage of solutions to this problem. Whats needed is technological innovation and stronger political will.

Problems return to Lake Erie

State and federal agencies have known since the 1970s that overloading lakes and bays with nutrients generates huge blooms of algae. When the algae die and decompose, they deplete oxygen in the water, creating dead zones that cant support aquatic life. But in each of these big three water bodies, efforts to curb nutrient pollution have been slow and halting.

The U.S., Canada and cities around Lake Erie started working to reduce phosphorus pollution in the lake from domestic and industrial wastes in 1972. Water quality quickly improved, dead zones shrank and harmful algal blooms became less frequent.

But the scourges of low-oxygen waters and sometimes-toxic algae reappeared in the mid-1990s. This time, the source was mostly runoff from farm soils saturated with phosphorus from repeated applications of fertilizer and manure. Climate change made matters worse: Warmer waters hold less oxygen and cause faster growth of algae.

Slow progress in the Chesapeake Bay

Nitrogen and phosphorus reach the Chesapeake Bay from sources including wastewater treatment plants; air pollution emitters, such as factories and cars; and runoff from urban, suburban and agricultural lands. In 1987 the federal government and states around the bay agreed to reduce these flows by 40% by the year 2000 to restore water quality. But this effort relied on voluntary action and failed to make much progress.

In 2010 the states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency entered a legally binding commitment, to reduce pollutant loads below prescribed maximum levels needed to restore water quality. If the states make inadequate progress, the EPA can limit or rescind their permitting authority, and the states may lose federal funding.

Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution has been reduced primarily by tightening permit requirements and upgrading wastewater treatment plants. Air pollution controls for power plants and vehicles have also reduced nitrogen reaching the bay. Water quality has improved, and the yearly dead zone has shrunk modestly.

But with the commitments 2025 deadline nearing, nitrogen loads have been reduced by less then 50% of the targeted amounts, phosphorus by less then 64%. Most of the remaining pollution comes from farm runoff and urban stormwater. Intensifying agriculture in rural areas and sprawl in urban areas are counteracting other cleanup efforts.

Failure in the Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico dead zone forms every year during the summer, fueled by nutrients washing down the Mississippi River from Midwest farms. It typically covers at least 6,000 square miles, sometimes expanding up to 9,000 square miles (23,000 square kilometers), and affects an area very rich in fisheries.

In 2001, the EPA and 12 Mississippi River basin states agreed to take action to reduce the Gulf dead zone by two-thirds by 2015. Researchers estimated that this would require reducing nitrogen loads reaching the Gulf by about 45%, mostly from the Corn Belt.

Now that deadline has been extended to 2035. Nitrogen and phosphorus loadings at the mouth of the Mississippi River havent budged in 30 years, so actions taken to date have failed to shrink the Gulf dead zone.

Overwhelmed by agriculture

In 2020, the EPA and Ohio adopted an agreement similar to that for the Chesapeake to reduce phosphorus pollution below a prescribed maximum load from the Maumee River watershed at the western end of Lake Erie, where algal blooms occur most often. To date, Mississippi River basin states and even the EPA have opposed similarly mandating maximum pollution loads to reduce the Gulf of Mexico dead zone.

Despite substantial government subsidies to implement various agricultural management practices, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in streams in Iowa and Illinois has actually increased over the 1980-1996 baseline of the Gulf agreement.

Even with increasing crop yields and more efficient use of fertilizer, the expansion and intensification of agriculture in the Midwest has overwhelmed any water quality gains. One driver is ethanol production, which has increased fortyfold since the Gulf action plan was adopted in 2001. Today, over 40% of corn grown in the U.S. is used for ethanol, mostly in the Midwest, while most of the rest is used to feed animals.

In all three regions, the growth of large-scale livestock farms  hogs in the Midwest, poultry around the Chesapeake Bay  is also contributing to nutrient pollution. Improper management of animal waste adds to nitrogen and phosphorus loads in soils and local waters.

Studies show that agriculture contributes 85% of Lake Eries Maumee River phosphorus load, 65% of the Chesapeake Bays nitrogen load and 73.2% of the nitrogen load and 56% of the phosphorus load to the Gulf of Mexico.

Incentives arent working

We believe the evidence is clear that the largely voluntary approaches taken to date, with technical assistance and substantial public financing, are not working.

Economists have called for a fundamental shift in policies controlling agricultural pollution. Instead of offering polluters subsidies to clean up their operations, these experts argue, the strategy should be to pay farmers for performance, based on environmental outcomes that can be measured or predicted at appropriate scales and specific places.

Under this approach, government would set limits on the amount of nutrients that can be lost to the environment, and farmers would choose how to meet them, based on what kinds of action work best for their specific soils and climate. For example, restoring wetlands within the watershed could help to capture nutrients that unavoidably wash off of farmlands.

The ongoing shift to electric vehicles offers an opportunity to grow far less grain for ethanol, which doesnt even help the climate. And in the long run, developing efficient, plant-based food systems would both reduce nutrient pollution and limit climate change.

In June 2022, the Government Accountability Office concluded that federal agencies charged with preventing and controlling harmful algal blooms and dead zones under a 1998 law have failed to establish a national program to address these issues. Fifty years after the federal Clean Water Act was enacted, we believe such a program is long overdue.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/to-reduce-harmful-algal-blooms-and-dead-zones-the-us-needs-a-national-strategy-for-regulating-farm-pollution-186286.
PORTLAND  Four 911 calls in the moments after a jet boat crashed, killing one person and seriously injuring several others, shed new light on the chaotic scene this month on the Connecticut River.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is still investigating the July 10 crash that ejected all eight occupants and killed 60-year-old Wayne Hamler. Officials said they are investigating why the boat suddenly veered into the shoreline near Petzolds Marine Center in Portland.

Four 911 calls obtained Monday by Hearst Connecticut Media Group reveal the initial moments after the incident. The first call, made by a man who said he was on the boat, came into the Middletown Central Communications Center at 4:30:51 p.m.

Were on the Connecticut River, we just got into a boat crash, the man said.

Theres a bunch of people that are really badly injured, he said, informing the dispatcher that four people were hurt.

The second call, made at 4:30:59 p.m. was from a bystander who said he was not sure if anyone was hurt, but heard screaming.

The next call came at 4:31:15 from a woman who told the dispatcher she has trouble speaking English, but said there was an accident on the Connecticut River. A man then got on the line and told the dispatcher he saw a boat get into an accident while he was fishing.

I was right here fishing and they crashed the boat with rocks and theyve got kids and everything, he said shortly before the call ended.

The fourth caller was a woman on the Connecticut River who reported at 4:31.24 p.m. that she was just north of the Portland Fair Grounds.

Theres a couple of guys in deep trouble on the side  on the rocks by the side of the river, she told the dispatcher. It looks like theres a bad accident.

The woman, who was on a pontoon, told the dispatcher she could see two people on the rocks, one of whom was face down and not moving at all.

The woman told the 911 dispatcher she believed the people involved in the crash were saying that someone was missing.

We cant find her, the people can be heard yelling in the background of the 911 call.

Three adults, ages 45, 52 and 59, were hospitalized with serious injuries. The 59-year-old man was released last week from the hospital. There were two children on the boat, including a 6-year-old who was hospitalized with what officials described as a critically injured extremity.

Hamler, a manager at Electric Boat, was described by his family as a hardworking, generous father and grandfather.

His former wife, Andrea Hamler, said he was the kind of guy if you were stuck on the highway, hed be the first guy to come get you.
Hazleton, PA (18201)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 79F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable.
Blue Air is preparing to exit the market and is dragging out the minutes regarding the fine applied by the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) regarding the obligation of giving consumers their money back, said the ANPC chairman, Horia Constantinescu, during a press conference on Monday.

He said that unfortunately, there is not much chance for people to get their money back, as the company hasn't even paid its own employees.

"I received e-mails from Blue Air employees in which they told us that they have not received their money in three months and tell us 'how are they going to pay the clients if they don't even pay us,'" the ANPC chairman said, Agerpres.ro informs.

He specified that the Minute was already discussed with a company representative, at ANPC headquarters.

"Between writing the Minute and establishing the sanction I had a meeting with a Blue Air representative, Mr Nastase, along with ANPC commissioners that prepared control documents. He brought us up to the blackboard and told us that it would be wrong for Blue Air to be sanctioned because the financial situation is debatable. We talked about the situation in our office, including what happened with the consumers' money. There were 73,000 harmed consumers, vulnerable consumers, the money of whom was not reimbursed, even the electronic wallet wasn't working. He admitted that this is the number of consumers who were harmed," said Constantinescu.

He added that he even proposed an option through which the sums could be turned into Blue Air shares, which was not accepted by the company's representative.

"We are still being flooded with complaints from people who are at the gateway, with children, with luggage. Keep in mind that only 5% of those affected are complaining, the rest does not. They (the company, ed. n.) received state aid worth 67 million euros during the pandemic, it is not our concern what they did with the money, there are state institutions that can verify this," Constantinescu added.

Last week, ANPC announced that it fined Blue Air 2 million euros for cancelling over 11,000 flights during the period of April 30, 2021 - April 30, 2022, and compels the company to return the money to the customers in 10 days for all canceled flights.

"Following complains submitted by consumers and as a result of reactions from the media, ANPC established control actions during June 2022, to Blue Air Aviation SA economic operator. More exactly, during the period of 30.04.2021 - 30.04.2022, the company has canceled 11,289 flights, corresponding to 178,405 reservations, for which payments of 66,585,967,68 RON were made by consumers from 20 member states of the European Union, in which the air company regularly operates flights," ANPC specifies.
The Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) closed the trading session on Monday upwards, and the value of transactions amounted to 33.83 million RON (6.85 million euros).

The main BET index appreciated by 0.65%, to 12.111.89 points, and BET-Plus, which shows the evolution of the most liquid 37 shares on the stock exchange, also recorded an increase of 0.62%.

At the same time, the extended blue-chip BET-XT index of the 25 most liquid stocks closed 0.70% higher, while the SIF index, BET-FI, went up by 0.59%.

The BET-BK index, the benchmark of return on investment funds, closed the session with an increase of 0.74%, and BET-NG, which measures the evolution of the ten energy and utility companies, went up by 0.69%, Agerpres.ro informs.

The BET AeRO index, which includes 20 representative companies on the AeRO market, increased by 0.44%.

On the Regulated Market, the most traded were the shares of Fondul Proprietatea, with 11.78 million RON, followed by the shares of OMV Petrom, which generated exchanges worth 4.33 million RON, and Banca Transilvania, with 4.24 million RON.

The best evolutions were registered by the shares of Turism Hoteluri Restaurante Marea Neagra, which went up by 6.04%, followed by Banca Transilvania Broker de Asigurare (+3.13%) and Impact Developer&Contractor (+2.98%).

On the other hand, the most important decreases were recorded by the shares of Prefab (-9.63%), Farmaceutica Remedia (-5.92%) and Vrancart (-5.20%).
One of the arguments for proposing the change of the Education laws is the fact that society perceives the Education system as "obsolete", and the new provisions start from the student needs identified during over six years of consultations within the "Educated Romania" project, Minister Sorin Cimpeanu stated on Monday in a press release sent to AGERPRES.

"We are bringing changes because we want a quality, responsive and supportive education, and this requires a systemic and curricular reform, a mentality, a conduct and, last but not least, a proactive attitude. We are bringing changes because we want to support both excellence and fairness. We are bringing changes because we must have a foundation for restoring the prestige and dignity of the teaching profession, including through a motivating salary that is at least at the level of the average salary in the economy, since the beginning of the teaching career," Cimpeanu explained.

He added that a change in the laws of education is necessary because, in recent years, the results of the current system have displeased everyone, and functional illiteracy has remained constant or even increased, which obviously leads to poor results in terms of a relevant education for an independent and full life, Agerpres.ro informs.

"We need autonomous graduates, graduates who understand what is going on around them and think critically, graduates who seek creative and not template-based solutions to the problems facing society, graduates who can be entrepreneurs or work efficiently and to pay taxes and fees in Romania, so that the money invested in education will return to the education system and other public services. We need graduates who produce prosperity, have the ability to do so in an innovative, future-oriented way and not just reproducing existing patterns," Sorin Cimpeanu said.

"We are bringing changes because teachers are dissatisfied with curricula and their lack of freedom in creating content tailored to the needs of the class and the children they work with. We are bringing changes because high school students are unhappy that greater autonomy is not possible in choosing the subjects they are interested in, subjects that would allow them to specialize more at this level, depending on their interest and future plans. We are bringing changes because the relevance of vocational education for the labor market has been challenged, rightly so, because vocational schools/technological high schools function based on outdated models, without sufficient collaboration with the economic environment. We are bringing changes because students need to have access to a more flexible educational path, better adapted to their interests, which can identify talents and skills from an early age and which can guide them towards reaching their maximum potential," the minister mentioned.

He recalled that the draft education laws are under public consultation and any proposals that could lead to their improvement are expected.
As per available data, approximately 2.7 million tonnes of Ukrainian cereals, about half of the total quantity of cereals exported by Ukraine, have transited Romania so far, said Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu who participated, on Monday, in the meeting of the heads of diplomacies of the EU member states - Foreign Affairs Council, as cited by a press release of the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) sent to AGERPRES.

According to the cited source, Bogdan Aurescu welcomed the participation of the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs in the FAC meeting after the historic decision of the June 23-24 European Council to grant Ukraine and Moldova EU candidate status and reiterated Romania's support for achieving this goal.

He encouraged Ukraine to continue on the path of reforms in the areas included in the European Commission's official opinion of 17 June, but stressed the difficult context in which they must be carried out, following Russia's aggression, with the support of the EU and the Member States in this regard being needed, as well as the continued strong backing of the EU and the Member States for Ukraine at all levels, financial, humanitarian, military and economic, Agerpres.ro informs.

The Romanian minister also expressed support for strengthening the sanctions regime against Russia, as well as for the EU's support for Ukraine, including through the allocation of a new financial tranche through the European Peace Facility (EPF).

The Minister strongly reiterated that supporting Ukraine is in the strategic interest of all Member States, adding that in the event of its failure, the security of neighboring states, such as Romania, of their citizens, but also the European and Euro-Atlantic security as a whole could be threatened and affected.

At the same time, Foreign Minister Aurescu pleaded for the intensification of EU support for the Republic of Moldova, the states of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, regions particularly vulnerable to the actions of the Russian Federation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu met on Monday in Brussels with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias, on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting; the two top diplomats discussed the contribution of the Romanian firemen to containing the recent wildfires in Greece, with the Greek side extending thanks, the Foreign Ministry said in a release.

The two Foreign Ministers also tackled regional aspects of interest, particularly developments in Ukraine following the Russian Federation's unlawful, unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine, with emphasis on its regional and European consequences and implications, and on outlooks. Stress was laid on the importance of ensuring energy security, an area where Romania and Greece have converging interests and approaches.

Bogdan Aurescu welcomed the strengthening of the relevant bilateral dialogue and cooperation, referring to the commissioning, on July 8, of the Greece-Bulgaria natural gas interconnector (GBI), an important goal in the process of reinforcing the energy security of the countries in the region. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to continue bilateral energy cooperation, given the need to further develop energy interconnections to counter the consequences of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, Agerpres.ro informs.

The Romanian Minister presented the stage of the steps and actions undertaken in order to facilitate the export through Romania of as large as possible amounts of Ukrainian grains.

The two chief diplomats also examined in detail several other regional developments, with the Greek Foreign Minister reiterating the concern of the authorities in his country regarding the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean. In its turn, the Romanian side presented its own assessment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining regional stability, especially in the current context generated by Russia's war against Ukraine.
Climber Gabriel Baicus, the first Romanian who succeeded two months ago to scale two of the planet's highest peaks - Mt. Everest (8,848 m) and Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m) - in just a little more than 24 hours, this weekend shared his experience at Cea1 Borsec Festival, speaking of the hardships and beautiful moments of the the expedition, of his dreams and projects.

Gabriel Baicus is 36, a modest man, always with a smile on his face, appearing a little awkward when he is given attention, but wholeheartedly enjoying his success in a dream whose seeds he planted a decade ago.

In May 2022 he reached the world's tallest mountain, the Everest, and then conquered Mt. Lhotse, all in just over 24 hours. Even if the project had a 24-hour timeframe, this extraordinary achievement is in no way diminished, Agerpres.ro informs.

About the expedition, the Romanian climber says that it was beautiful but difficult, and amusedly explains that it took him longer to get from Brasov to Iasi, then to Borsec and back to Brasov, than to reach the Everest and Lhotse.

"There were some key moments, I can call them that. When I set off for the Everest I was very tired because I hadn't rested in camp three, I got to camp four and surprisingly, there were more of us in the tent than expected. And we crouched down, we couldn't rest properly, there was a terrible wind blowing, the noise wouldn't let us rest, but then you are so tired that you just ignore it. And there's something else. The departure for the peak is at night and it's even harder, because there's also the fight with the darkness, with the fact that you see nothing around but some headlamps and stars, possibly a few mountain contours, if you're lucky enough to have a full moon. This was a very difficult time, because I knew I was going on a night climb of 7-8 hours and it's a continuous mental battle; it's a battle with the mind, not to let it get control of you and decide for you. And somehow we took small but safe steps and reached the top," Gabriel Baicus told the press.

Another difficult moment was in Everest's Hillary Step area, where he felt the presence of death right on the path leading to the fulfillment of his dream.

''There was a lot of hustle and bustle on Everest because there were 20-30 people there, everyone seemed to be waiting to get an autograph from Everest Peak, that's how we sat around with the banners from our sponsors, the wind was blowing, I was extremely tired. Often, the expedition is not just about making it to the peak, but it's the whole journey around the expedition. (...) Then there's the summit, it's really very important, but that's not all. Then there is the descent. I was still focused and it is very important to stay fully alert because most accidents happen on the descent: you are very tired, that euphoric moment has passed. I took off my oxygen mask on top, for about half an hour, and it made me feel terribly dizzy, my vision was blurred. You immediately feel if your brain is not oxygenated," says the climber.

The Romanian mountain enthusiast attempted to summit the Lhotse last year, without additional oxygen and a personal Sherpa, but became infected with SARS-CoV-2 and had to return.

Born in the city of Nehoiu - Buzau County, Gabriel Baicus splits his life among Romania, Spain - where he has been living for 12 years now - and Nepal, where he organizes expeditions for Spanish speakers.

Until the May expedition, Gabriel climbed peaks in Europe, Africa and Asia, following a gradual approach that saw him conquering increasingly higher altitudes, without suddenly aiming for 8,000 meters from 3,000-metre summits.

His record includes Nepalese peaks Manaslu (8,163 m), Ama Dablam (6,814 m), Mera Peak (6,476 m), Island Peak (6,160 m) and Lobuche East (6,119 m).

The Romanian climber also has a larger project underway called "Himalaya 148" that involves ascending all of the world's 14 eight-thousanders, without standing under time pressure.

Meanwhile, he climbs European mountains and is planning to explore this fall a rarely visited wild and beautiful valley parallel to the Everest, in Makalu Barun National Park, from where he intends to conquer the Mera Peak (6,476 m) and the Baruntse (7,162 m).

Baicus says that he loves the Romanian mountains, which are lush with greenery, and encourages everyone to go hike the mountains, spend time in nature, yet only with the proper preparations and following the basic rules, so as not to put their life in danger.
Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi (TUIASI) announced on Monday that it will implement a project which aims to transform the city of Iasi into an important node within the future national and European quantum communication network, through the means of a project developed at a national level with European funds.

According to a press release, the Iasi Polytechnic University will train specialists in quantum technologies, in order to support the network's expansion at the level of the entire European Union and to continue fundamental and applied research in this field.

The RoNaQCI (Romanian National Quantum Communication Infrastructure) aims to develop a quantum communication network infrastructure in Romania, of over 1,500 kilometers and creating 6 metropolitan networks in the cities of Bucharest, Iasi, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Craiova and Constanta. To this network, 10 universities, 5 research institutes, 5 public institutions, three data centers and one clinic will be connected.

RoNaQCI is coordinated at a national level by Bucharest Polytechnic University and the support infrastructure of the university's network will be used - RoEduNet, which already has a 6,000 kilometer connection nationwide. The consortium that will implement this project is formed of 12 universities and 7 research institutes, with a total of 30 involved partners, Agerpres.ro informs.

"The project represents an important step for implementing cutting edge quantum communication technology, with the purpose of tackling the biggest challenges of the digital age. It will ensure secure communication, by virtue of laws that govern quantum physics. The project will be developed within the Digital Europe Program and continues TUIASI's own action, of digitizing the institution, the services and of developing research hubs in the area of digitization, big data and quantum communications," said Simona Caraiman, deputy-rector responsible for computerization and digital communication at TUIASI.

"The Technical University already offers, within the Faculty of Automatic Control and Computers, study programs through which they ensure basic competence in the field of quantum computing, quantum communications and cyber security. These study programs will be extended and filled in with new advanced training modules in the field of quantum technologies," said the dean of the Faculty for Automatics and Computers, Vasile Manta.

According to the press release, locally, this infrastructure will be established within the project through a partnership among TUIASI, RoEDU, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi (UAIC) and the ImagoMol cluster.

TUIASI specialists will implement and test a metropolitan network of quantum communications, where 3 secured communication links will be implemented in Iasi, all using Quantum Key Distribution type of quantum technology.

Furthermore, along with the ImagoMol cluster and the Sf. Spiridon Emergency Hospital, which belongs to this cluster, a case study will be implemented about how communications implying medical data could be secured. The project's important mission will be to develop, at a university level, the necessary competence to implement, operate and extend quantum communications nationwide, and later on, at an European level, but especially to create a critical mass of specialists in this area.AGERPRES
MONDAY, July 18, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- While California works to restore its landscape after years of historic wildfires, new research could transform the way in which veterinarians treat animals recovered from damaged forests.

The study found that cats who inhaled smoke or suffered burns are at risk for forming deadly clots. Not only that, the scientists were able to pinpoint microscopic issues in the cats' blood that could lead to new treatments down the line.

Prior to these two papers, we didnt realize that cats impacted by urban wildfires were prone to forming clots, which can lead to sudden death, said lead study co-author Ronald Li, an associate professor of small animal emergency and critical care at University of California, Davis. This study will change the standard of care for rescued cats from these wildfires and hopefully save more lives.

For the study, the researchers looked at the platelets, blood cells that trigger clotting, of a group of cats who were treated for their injuries after the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif. They discovered the injured cats had increased, overactive platelets when compared to healthy cats or cats with a common heart disease known as HCM, which causes a thickening of the heart muscle.

Cats with HCM are hypercoagulable, meaning they are more likely to form clots, explained lead co-author Ava Tan, a veterinary research fellow working in Lis laboratory. Thats why we used them as a control group to compare with cats in the wildfire group.

The overactive platelets of the injured cats released large amounts of microvesicles, which are microscopic, bubble-like structures filled with proteins. High quantities of these microvesicles could be an indicator of heart disease, as their presence threatens an increased risk of blood clotting.

We found cats exposed to wildfire smoke and injuries are even more prone to throwing clots, showing a direct association between wildfire injuries, platelet response and clot formation, Tan said in a university news release.

The findings were published July 14 in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Another study is now underway to determine why feline platelets are so prone to clotting.

But can smoke and burns impact humans in the same way? Although the underlying mechanism hasn't yet been identified in humans, this study in cats could lead to future developments on platelet activation in humans.

This study opens a new door to looking at how wildfires impact cardiovascular health in humans, Li said.

More information

Visit the U.S. Forest Service to stay updated on wildfires in your area.

SOURCE: University of California, Davis, news release, July 14, 2022

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MONDAY, July 18, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- A drug in development as a cancer therapy may also help the body regenerate damaged nerves after spinal injuries, new research suggests.

Scientists at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom report that they used cell and animal models to show that the drug, dubbed AZD1390, can block the body's response to DNA damage in nerve cells and restore function after a spinal injury.

This early study shows that AZD1390 could be used as a therapy in life-changing conditions," said Dr. Richard Tuxworth of the university's Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences. "In addition, repurposing this existing investigational drug potentially means we can reach the clinic significantly faster than developing a new drug from scratch.

The trial is also investigating whether the drug can aid the body's own DNA repair system. That system sometimes activates in response to common cancers and also spinal cord injury.

Study co-author Zubair Ahmed, a professor of neuroscience in the Institute of Inflammation and Aging at the University of Birmingham, hailed the findings.

This is an exciting time in spinal cord injury research with several different investigational drugs being identified as potential therapies for spinal cord injury," Ahmed said in a university news release.

Researchers are particularly excited about AZD1390 because it can be taken orally and it reaches the injury site in sufficient quantities to promote nerve regeneration and restore lost function, he added.

A few weeks ago, the same team found that a different drug  AZD1236  could reduce damage after spinal cord injury by blocking the body's inflammatory response.

After examining the effectiveness of the latest drug (AZD1390) in lab cultures, the researchers moved on to animal models.

The team found that oral treatments with the drug enabled damaged nerves to carry electrical signals across the injury and in nerve regeneration beyond the injury site.

The study was published online July 12 in the journal Clinical and Translational Medicine.

While the findings seem promising, results from studies in animals often fail to pan out in humans. The pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is supporting the research.

More information

The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about treatment of spinal injuries.

SOURCE: University of Birmingham, news release, July 12, 2022

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During the summer of 1993, the Mississippi River at St. Louis remained above flood stage at St. Louis for 147 days. The crest, on Aug. 1, was 19.6 feet over flood stage at St. Louis and halfway up the grand riverfront staircase at the Gateway Arch. During this summer we'll take regular looks back at key dates during the flood.

JULY 17, 1993:

Armed with checks and surrounded by members of his Cabinet, President Bill Clinton promised the governors of flood-damaged states that his administration would not abandon them once the water recedes.

"We are here to deal with basically two great issues," Clinton said as he opened a "flood summit" at Fox High School in Arnold.

"One is, what are we going to do right now, while everybody is up to their ears in alligators? "And the second is, how are we going to keep this effort going over the long run ... so that we can see these areas through to full recovery?"

After a helicopter tour of devastated St. Charles County, Clinton offered federal troops, short-term aid and less red tape. But he didn't offer up the billions of dollars that the governors say they need.

Clinton, who is seeking $2.5 billion in disaster aid from Congress, said that the federal government could not cover all flood losses.

Also on this date:

The Missouri River ripped through a levee in Defiance, burying more homes under 10 feet of water.

The Missouri River crashed through its levee in Maryland Heights, spewing water over farmland and reuniting with Creve Coeur Lake.

The Coast Guard abandoned its base on Iron Street in the face of the rising Mississippi.

Hundreds of sandbaggers races against time to fortify levees being built on the River Des Peres in south St. Louis. The levee had been built to protect against a Mississippi the crested at 45 feet. But the forecast crest was now 46.1 feet.
Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Patricia Buskuehl texted as it was getting dark.

It was a little after 9 p.m. in late May.

Im in a bad way, she wrote me. Im forced to sleep in my car tonight. I just want someone to know.

We had met earlier that month. Buskuehl called me after I wrote a column about the city of St. Louis giving a reprieve to the Riverfront Community, a tent camp of homeless people along the Mississippi River, near Lacledes Landing.

When most residents think of the homeless, Buskuehl told me, they think of people on the streets, living in tents, walking downtown asking for change, or flying a sign near a highway intersection. But theres a whole lot of homeless people like her who never show up in the statistics  the hidden homeless, she calls them.

Americans tend to go by what they see, she says. They turn a blind eye to others in the middle.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, female veterans are the fastest growing segment of the unsheltered population in the country. Buskuehls story helps explain why.

Patricia Tina Buskuehl is a 61-year-old Army veteran. She grew up in Ferguson. Since her long-ago military service  she was honorably discharged in 1980  Buskuehl has bounced among various places, mostly in California and Missouri. She survives on military disability payments and suffers from mental illness, which mostly goes untreated these days.

Buskuehl keeps her long, gray hair in a ponytail. She drives a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta that seems in good shape but is cluttered with clothes and belongings.

When she can afford it, she stays in hotels, finding deals and moving around a lot. She doesnt like the older extended-stay hotels along Interstate 70 that sometimes serve as de-facto homeless centers. She likes to be near her storage unit in Ballwin, where she keeps her paperwork and other possessions. At least a couple of nights a month, she likes to stay in a nice place. It makes her feel human.

I met her the first time outside the AC Hotel in Chesterfield. When she can find a good rate, she has even stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton. She paid only $89 for one night, after a bit of haggling. Most nights shes in a Hampton Inn or one of the chains of hotels found in every suburban highway exit in America.

On the night she texted, she had found a parking lot in a church along Manchester Road.

She texted me again the next day.

I found a safe place to park last night, she wrote. Thanks.

They get missed in the counts

For veterans, particularly those with post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health issues, being homeless is not an uncommon situation, even when some have disability income of up to $3,000 per month, as Buskuehl does.

Jason Kander, the former Missouri secretary of state, who wrote about his own struggles with PTSD in his new book Invisible Storm, says homelessness among veterans is such a huge problem because so many of them have untreated mental illnesses. Day-to-day tasks become hard to handle, even if money isnt the most pressing issue.

Its much more common than people realize, that people who are homeless have an income, Kander says. But when youre dealing with things like PTSD or other mental health issues, things that might seem like minor issues to some people can be major issues for those who are homeless. Being homeless can become a full-time job. It takes so much energy to make sure you know where your next meal is, or where you will sleep that night.

Kander is a top executive with the Kansas City-based nonprofit Veterans Community Project, which was founded by combat veterans in 2016. The mission of the organization is to build tiny house communities to help veterans who are homeless transition into full-time housing.

One of those tiny house communities is being built on North Grand Boulevard in St. Louis, just north of the John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital, where many veterans like Buskuehl have received treatment for PTSD.

The site hopes to open its first houses, and start providing other wrap-around services, in November. Some of the houses are being framed now. When finished, the community will have 50 houses. The 10 family units are about 320 square feet; the others will be 240 square feet. Every home will have a bed, television, kitchen, desk, chair and recliner.

Adam McBride, the executive director of VCP-St. Louis, says the story of homelessness among veterans is often similar to Buskuehls story. Every year, a national count of homelessness is conducted in January, but it mostly accounts for people in shelters and on the streets, with volunteers hitting the streets in cities across the country looking for unsheltered people and making a point-in-time count.

The last count found more than 37,000 homeless veterans nationally. The count identified 488 homeless veterans in Missouri and 690 in Illinois. McBride is sure the real count is much higher, particularly among female veterans, who, he says, based on Veterans Administration statistics, are two times more likely to become chronically homeless than men.

There are a lot of homeless veterans whose primary residence is their vehicle, McBride says. They get missed in the counts.

One of the most important elements of the community being built in St. Louis  as well as those in Kansas City, Colorado, South Dakota and Oklahoma  is they include offices for case managers to help veterans access services for PTSD treatment, bus vouchers and various housing programs. The goal is for veterans to stay in the tiny house community for up to 11 months while they seek permanent housing. When a veteran leaves the community, they get to take all their possessions, including furniture, from the tiny house.

For veterans with cognitive issues or mental health-related homelessness, assisting them with financial aid will not solve their housing instability, McBride says. It is the income and assistance with money management that allows the veterans to move into a permanent housing readiness state.

VCP-St. Louis wont have income restrictions, and it will have homes reserved for both women and families.

PTSD caused by sexual trauma

For many women who are homeless veterans, PTSD is caused not necessarily by combat, but by military sexual trauma, says Kathryn Monet, the CEO of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

Military sexual trauma is a risk factor for experiencing homelessness, Monet said.

The VAs research indicates that veterans who suffered a military sexual trauma are 1.5 times more likely to end up homeless, she said.

So it was for Buskuehl.

In her first year in the Army, she was raped by a superior officer at a base in California. The rape was never investigated, though her personnel and medical files are full of details as she has reported them for years during therapy sessions. Shortly after the rape, she sought to leave the Army, no longer feeling safe. Her request for honorable discharge was granted.

All too often, this is how the military deals with sexual assault, one of Buskuehls therapists wrote years later, in a letter to the VA explaining her difficulties.

It is also not uncommon for commanders  to have the service member sent to behavioral health and seen by a chaplain, to support the commander in his efforts to initiate a discharge from the military, the therapist wrote.

Sexual assault has long been a problem in the military, with most rapes  more than 75%, according to one survey  not even being reported. Thats in part because the military has long had a spotty record on following through on such investigations. The same study suggests more than 60% of service members who have been sexually assaulted say they have been retaliated against after reporting rapes up the chain of command.

Buskuehl says she was proud to serve her country in the Army. Her records show that before the rape, she had good marks in various evaluations. She was planning on making military service a career. She says her life, so well planned out until that moment, has been mostly a shambles since.

When a human being is denied justice, especially at an early age, when they cant make sense of the world yet, they continue to be victimized, Buskuehl told me. Ive been disabled since Nov. 20, 1979. I just didnt know it.

A fall into aimlessness

Buskuehl grew up in Ferguson, the child of first-generation immigrants. Her father drove a truck for a living. Her mom worked as a waitress at a restaurant downtown.

Buskuehl attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School. She was a good student and a member of the National Honor Society. She hoped to go to the University of Missouri-St. Louis, but a counselor told her the military might be a better option. Her senior year she lived away from home for a while, in a friends basement. She enlisted in the Army after graduation.

After basic training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, Buskuehl came back to Ferguson to work as a recruiter. Then, in fall of 1979, it was off to Fort Ord in California. The rape happened the first week she was there.

In a VA report, one of her therapists described the effects of the rape on Buskuehls life, detailing a fall into aimlessness, as well as mental trauma that would render her unable to hold a job.

The veteran reported that she was never asked whether she was assaulted even though symptoms of severe abdominal pain reflected that a trauma occurred and didnt receive proper care for the trauma, the therapist wrote.

For the bulk of her adult life after she was discharged from the Army, Buskuehl buried the rape deep in her memory banks. She bounced around odd jobs and relationships, never quite stable, but most of the time not homeless either.

In 1998, she came back home to Beardsley Court to take care of her ailing mother, who died two years later. Buskuehl stayed in the house. At the time, she wasnt receiving military disability payments. She wasnt in therapy. She knew her life was a mess but she didnt know why. Or she couldnt remember, anyway.

That changed in May 2011. Thats the first time she remembers telling a VA therapist about the rape. Various therapists, veterans advocates and even the office of former U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill would work over the next few years to get her financial aid for her PTSD, a diagnosis confirmed by multiple physicians and therapists.

By this time, Buskuehl was functionally homeless, and all alone. Her parents and siblings had all died. In December 2010, a pipe burst at the family home in Ferguson, rendering it unlivable. She didnt have the money to fix it, so she abandoned the home. Every couple of years, shed get caught up on back taxes, but she stopped living there. The empty house deteriorated. Eventually, she sold it for a fraction of what it was worth so she didnt have to keep paying the back taxes every year.

I dont deserve to be homeless

Without her home, Buskuehl was rudderless. When the VA first approved her for PTSD payments in 2013, she received about $1,200 a month. Thats because the federal government didnt yet recognize military sexual trauma as a cause for her PTSD, which would eventually spur a larger payment.

She found affordable housing for veterans in Long Beach, California, near where her grown daughter lived. When, in 2014, the VA upped her disability payments, after recognizing she was 100% disabled, she made too much for the complex where she lived and she had to move.

Unable to find housing in California, she came back to Missouri. Buskuehl hasnt had regular housing for years. Now, with the post-pandemic rise in rents, Buskuehl believes finding a regular place to live is a hopeless endeavor.

There are no caps on how much people can charge for rentals  and the government is not raising fixed income at the same level as housing rates are rising, Buskuehl says. Disability income is not enough to qualify for an apartment, even in St. Louis. I live out of my car and I live in hotel rooms, which eats up all the disability income. Thats not right for a disabled veteran.

Buskuehl is hardly alone, says Donald Burnes, founder of the Burnes Institute for Poverty Research in Denver.

A fair number of people experiencing homelessness receive disability, Burnes says. But typical disability checks are far short of providing sufficient funds to pay rent. The overall benefit system is really failing so many of our poorer brothers and sisters, in part because many of the benefits are tied to the federal poverty level, a grossly outmoded and unfair basis for providing benefits to anyone.

Buskuehl carries thick folders with her, held together with paperclips and wrapped with rubber bands. One has some of her military records; another includes various printouts of her apartment hunts. She visits the VA regularly but doesnt get much treatment these days for her PTSD, in part because every time she goes there she insists somebody help her unravel the story of what happened in November 1979.

She is still seeking redress for a rape more than four decades ago. She cant move on.

I was Patty Buskuehl for the first 19 years of my life, Buskuehl says. The rape left me with a new identity. I cant get those 32 years back.

So she muddles on, a night in a hotel here, another night in another hotel. One night last week, it was a coffee shop parking lot in Kirkwood.

I dont deserve to be homeless, Buskuehl says.

You wont pass her on the street, asking for money, or sleeping on a bench. But she is there, wandering around St. Louis, wondering where she will sleep tomorrow night.
JEFFERSON CITY  A federal appeals court has dumped Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitts lawsuit against the Biden administration over the ability of states to use federal pandemic aid to cut taxes.

In a 10-page decision, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court decision that rejected Schmitts lawsuit, arguing that the state has not been affected by a limit on using pandemic relief funds for state tax cuts.

Simply put, Missouri has only alleged a conjectural or hypothetical injury, not one that is actual or imminent, the court said. Because we conclude that Missouri has not alleged an injury in fact, we need not reach the question of whether its claims are ripe.

Schmitt, who is running for U.S. Senate in the Aug. 2 Republican primary, had argued that the U.S. Treasury Departments guidance on the use of $350 billion designed for states and cities in the American Rescue Plan Act was an overreach and a violation of the Constitution.

The rules prohibit states from using relief funds to directly or indirectly offset a reduction in the net tax revenue of such State resulting from a change in law, regulation, or administrative interpretation that reduces any tax or delays the imposition of any tax or tax increase.

Schmitt has filed scores of lawsuits against pandemic-related rules and regulations, including more than 40 against local school districts in Missouri for requiring students to wear masks to protect against a deadly respiratory disease.

Earlier this month, Schmitts lawsuit blaming China for COVID-19 was dismissed when a federal judge ruled his court has no jurisdiction over foreign governments.

The latest appeals court decision echoed U.S. District Court Judge Henry Autreys ruling that Schmitts office had not proven Missouri would be harmed by the federal law.

The alleged harm to Missouri is too speculative, abstract, and remote to hear the case, Autrey wrote at the time.

The decision comes just days after Gov. Mike Parson announced he wants the Legislature to return to action in a special session to lower the states income tax rate.

Parson, a Republican, said he wants to take the rate down to 4.8%. It currently stands at 5.4%.

He said the state budget currently is brimming with surplus revenue as part of a post-pandemic economic surge that has pumped up tax receipts by more than 14% in the past year.

We want to use that to cut taxes, Parson said.

A date for a special session of the Legislature has not been chosen. In addition to lowering the tax rate, Parson wants to raise the standard deduction to $16,000 for single filers and $32,000 for joint filers.

That would mean those taxpayers would owe no state income taxes.

The 4.8% rate would put Missouri a few notches below Illinois, which has a 4.95% income tax rate.

The announcement of a tax cut followed the governors decision to veto a proposed tax rebate plan floated by state lawmakers in May. That $500 million proposal would have sent checks worth up to $500 to people making a maximum of $150,000.
Updated with details from opening statements.

ST. LOUIS  Prosecutors this week will seek to prove that a pawn shop looter shot and killed retired St. Louis police Capt. David Dorn amid a night of violence and destruction in St. Louis following protests over the Memorial Day 2020 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Murder trial in St. Louis Capt. David Dorns killing focuses on key witness, surveillance video Cannon's lawyer says the only thing that directly connects Cannon to Dorn's killing is a witness who told investigators 'I'll witness anything you want me to witness.'

Jurors chosen this past Friday heard opening statements Monday in the first-degree murder trial of 26-year-old Stephan Cannon, of Glasgow Village, who is charged with killing Dorn on the sidewalk early June 2, 2020, outside Lees Pawn & Jewelry, 4123 Martin Luther King Drive, as dozens of others fled the store.

"Along with the unrest that came  that civil unrest  came chaos," Chief Trial Assistant Marvin Teer told jurors in opening statements. "And St. Louis was touched by it, too. ... Our streets were ravaged with looters, with chaos, a pain set ablaze. With that legitimate pain came acts, many of which are unconscionable."

Dorn retired from St. Louis police in 2007 after 38 years and became police chief in Moline Acres, a position he held for six years. He was killed at age 77.

His wife, Ann Dorn, a 28-year police veteran, has said her husband often checked on alarms sounding at the Ville neighborhood shop because he and the owner were friends.

Dorns killing gained nationwide attention, particularly when his wife visited the White House and spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention in support of former President Donald Trumps reelection bid. This week, she is expected to testify about her husbands work at the pawn shop and what she remembers from that night.

In a Facebook video Thursday, Ann Dorn mentioned the trial and asked for prayers.

We want nothing less than murder first(-degree) and we have utmost faith in (prosecutor) Marvin Teer, who is trying the case, she said. We pray that the jury sees the truth in all of this and that justice prevails and that we get justice for David.

Cannon was seen on surveillance entering the store with others, and then stealing several televisions, prosecutors said. Once Dorn arrived at the store, Cannon walked toward the street corner with a gun in his hand.

Cannon, police said, was the only person on the corner at the time shots were fired. After Dorn fell, Cannon approached the stores front door and a witness told police someone yelled for everyone to leave.

A stolen television was later found where Cannon was arrested, police said. He told detectives he changed his hair and appearance once he saw his image being distributed to the public.

The Cannon trial is Teers first as a lead prosecutor. A former city municipal judge, he became the Circuit Attorneys Offices chief trial assistant last year.

Before Teer was hired, the Circuit Attorneys Office requested a special prosecutor take over eight felony cases, including Cannons, due to a growing backlog of cases, understaffing and inexperienced lawyers. A judge denied the request.

Teer is expected to show jurors the Facebook livestream of the aftermath of Dorns death outside the store and elicit testimony from Liddell Chapple, who recorded the video.

Damn man, over some TVs, cuz? For real? Thats somebodys granddaddy, cuz! Chapple shouts on the video. Chapple then turns his phone to Dorn, gasping and bleeding out, and says Rest in peace, bro. Nothin but love, bro. ... You was doing the right thing.

One of the most important states witnesses is Mark Jackson, 24, who has agreed to testify against Cannon. Jackson is also charged with multiple felonies, including robbery, burglary and second-degree murder. Jacksons lawyer, Terry Niehoff, said Jackson will testify that he drove Cannon to the pawn shop but didnt know he had a gun. Jackson will also testify that he drove with Cannon after the shooting and that Cannon later admitted killing Dorn.

It is not clear if Cannon will testify. His lawyer, Brian Horneyer, declined comment.

Horneyer and co-counsel Adofo Minka are expected to attack the states video and witness evidence identifying Cannon as the shooter. In pretrial motions, they said Dorn fired a shot into the air when he arrived and that two people  one with a pistol and the other with a military-style long rifle  came to the corner of the pawn shop. The man with the pistol fired several shots and that a shell casing from a rifle was found at the scene, they said.

Horneyer told jurors Monday that there was no physical evidence linking Cannon to the killing and Jackson's testimony would be the state's only evidence putting Cannon at the pawn shop. Horneyer said Jackson told detectives he'd say "anything" they wanted for a plea deal and to escape a murder conviction.

"This was a tragedy but convicting Stephan Cannon will not solve that tragedy," Horneyer said.

Dorns killer was recorded on surveillance video wearing a mask and hat covering almost the entirety of his face, Cannon's lawywers said, and police arrested Cannon based on three things: anonymous tips to CrimeStoppers by paid informants, an arrest of Cannon three years ago with Jackson and their own opinion that Cannon resembled the shooter from the surveillance footage.

Cannons lawyers sought to block the admission of the livestream of Dorns death and testimony from Ann Dorn, and prevent uniformed police officers from packing the courtroom, arguing all would prejudice the jury against Cannon. His lawyers have also asked that spectators be prohibited from wearing memorial T-shirts, buttons and other symbols of support for Dorn, his family and police.

Several other men charged with looting Lees pawn shop have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.

Cannons criminal history includes August 2013 felony assault and robbery convictions in St. Louis County.

His murder trial before Circuit Judge Theresa C. Burke is expected to run through the week.

Murder trial in St. Louis Capt. David Dorns killing focuses on key witness, surveillance video Cannon's lawyer says the only thing that directly connects Cannon to Dorn's killing is a witness who told investigators 'I'll witness anything you want me to witness.'
UPDATED at 11 a.m. Tuesday with victim's name, information on a suspect

ST. LOUIS  A woman was killed Monday afternoon inside an apartment in the city's Mount Pleasant neighborhood, police said.

Robin Bonds, 56, was found dead about 4 p.m. Monday in her apartment in the 4200 block of Michigan Avenue.

Police said Bonds suffered from lacerations. A woman in her 40s is a suspect in Bonds' death, and the killing may have followed an argument, police said.

No additional information was available.
Through a wave of pandemic-related litigation, a trio of small but mighty conservative legal blocs has rolled back public health authority at the local, state, and federal levels, recasting Americas future battles against infectious diseases.

Galvanized by what theyve characterized as an overreach of COVID-related health orders issued amid the pandemic, lawyers from the three overlapping spheres  conservative and libertarian think tanks, Republican state attorneys general, and religious liberty groups  are aggressively taking on public health mandates and the government agencies charged with protecting community health.

I dont think these cases have ever been about public health, said Daniel Suhr, managing attorney for the Liberty Justice Center, a Chicago-based libertarian litigation group. Thats the arena where these decisions are being made, but its the fundamental constitutional principles that underlie it that are an issue.

Through lawsuits filed around the country, or by simply wielding the threat of legal action, these loosely affiliated groups have targeted individual counties and states and, in some cases, set broader legal precedent.

In Missouri, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, a Republican, waged a campaign against school mask mandates. Most of the dozens of cases he filed were dismissed but nonetheless had a chilling effect on school policies.

In California, a lawsuit brought by religious groups challenging a health order that limited the size of both secular and nonsecular in-home gatherings as COVID-19 surged made it to the U.S. Supreme Court. There, the conservative majority, bolstered by three staunchly conservative justices appointed by President Donald Trump, issued an emergency injunction finding the order violated the freedom to worship.

In Wisconsin, a conservative legal center won a case before the state Supreme Court stripping local health departments of the power to close schools to stem the spread of disease.

Other cases have chipped away at the power of federal and state authorities to mandate COVID vaccines for certain categories of employees or a governors ability to declare emergencies.

Although the three blocs are distinct, they share ties with the Federalist Society, a conservative legal juggernaut. They also share connections with the State Policy Network, an umbrella organization for conservative and libertarian think tanks, and the SPN-fostered American Juris Link, described by president and founder Carrie Ann Donnell as SPN for lawyers. In the COVID era, the blocs have supported one another in numerous legal challenges by filing amicus briefs, sharing resources, and occasionally teaming up.

Their legal efforts have gained traction with a federal judiciary transformed by Republican congressional leaders, who strategically stonewalled judicial appointments in the final years of Democratic President Barack Obamas second term. That put his Republican successor, Trump, in position to fill hundreds of judicial vacancies, including the three Supreme Court openings, with candidates decidedly more friendly to the small-government philosophy long espoused by conservative think tanks.

You have civil servants up against a machine that has a singular focus and that is incredibly challenging to deal with, said Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

All told, the COVID-era litigation has altered not just the government response to this pandemic. Public health experts say it has endangered the fundamental tools that public health workers have utilized for decades to protect community health: mandatory vaccinations for public school children against devastating diseases like measles and polio, local officials ability to issue health orders in an emergency, basic investigative tactics used to monitor the spread of infectious diseases, and the use of quarantines to stem that spread.

Just as concerning, said multiple public health experts interviewed, is how the upended legal landscape will impact the nations emergency response in future pandemics.

This will come back to haunt America, said Lawrence Gostin, faculty director of Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute for National and Global Health Law. We will rue the day where we have other public health emergencies, and were simply unable to act decisively and rapidly.

Legal version of Navy SEAL Team 6

The entities pressing the public health litigation predate the pandemic and come to the issue motivated by different dynamics. But they have found common interest amid COVID, following the sweeping steps public health officials took to stem the spread of a deadly and uncharted virus.

A coalition of state-based libertarian and conservative think tanks and legal centers, known as the State Policy Network, long has operated behind the scenes promoting a conservative agenda in state legislatures. A Kaiser Health News analysis identified at least 22 of these organizations that operate in the legal arena. At least 15 have filed pandemic-related litigation, contributed amicus briefs, or sent letters threatening legal action.

Typically staffed by just a handful of lawyers, the organizations tend to focus on influencing policy at the state and county levels. At the core of their arguments is the notion that public health agencies have taken on regulatory authority that should be reserved for Congress, state legislatures, and local elected bodies.

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, which calls itself the legal version of the Navy SEAL Team 6, has filed a flurry of COVID-related litigation. Among its victories is a state Supreme Court ruling that found Democratic Gov. Tony Evers declaration of multiple states of emergency for the same event  in this case, the pandemic  was unlawful. It used the threat of litigation to get a Midwest health care system to stop considering race as a factor in how it allocates COVID therapeutics.

The Kansas Justice Institute, whose website indicates it is staffed by one lawyer, persuaded a county-level health officer in that state to amend limitations on the size of religious gatherings and stopped a school district from issuing quarantines after sending letters laying out its legal objections.

Suhr, of the Liberty Justice Center, noted one of his groups cases underpinned the Supreme Courts decision crimping the ability of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to mandate large-business owners to require COVID vaccinations or regular testing for employees. The group teamed with the legal arm of Louisianas Pelican Institute for Public Policy on behalf of a grocery store owner who did not want to mandate vaccines for his employees.

Republican attorneys general, meanwhile, have found in COVID-related mandates an issue that resonates viscerally with many red-state voters.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry joined a suit against New Orleans over mask mandates, taking credit when the mandate was lifted. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody sued the Biden administration over strict limits on cruise ships issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arguing the CDC had no authority to issue such an order, and claimed victory after the federal government let the order expire. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined with the Texas Public Policy Foundation to sue the CDC over its air travel mask mandate. The case was put on hold after a Florida federal district judge in April invalidated the federal governments transportation mask mandates in a case brought by the Health Freedom Defense Fund, a group focused on bodily autonomy. The Biden administration is fighting that ruling.

Schmitt, the Missouri attorney general, has sued and sent cease and desist letters to dozens of school districts over mask mandates, and set up a tips email address where parents could report schools that imposed such mandates. The majority of his suits have been dismissed, but Schmitt has claimed victory, telling Kaiser Health News almost all of those school districts dropped their mask mandates. This year, legislators from his own political party grew so tired of Schmitts lawsuits that they stripped $500,000 from his budget.

Our efforts have been focused solely on preserving individual liberties and clawing power away from health bureaucrats and placing back into the hands of individuals the power to make their own choices, Schmitt, who is running for U.S. Senate, said in a written response to Kaiser Health News questions. Im simply doing the job I was elected to do on behalf of all six million Missourians.

Numerous Republican attorneys generals teamed up and won a Supreme Court decision staying the OSHA vaccine mandate for large employers, building on the legal arguments brought by Liberty Justice Center and others. That decision was cited in the recent Supreme Court case rolling back the Environmental Protection Agencys authority to regulate the carbon emissions that cause climate change.

A shared ecosystem

Religious liberty groups were drawn into the fray when states early in the pandemic issued broad restrictions on recreational, social, and religious gatherings, sometimes limiting attendance at worship services while keeping open hardware and liquor stores. Although their legal efforts were unsuccessful in the first months of the pandemic, they gained traction after Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett, a stalwart conservative, was confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court justice in October 2020, following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a steadfast liberal.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, rewrote an executive order after receiving a letter from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a leading religious litigation group, announcing that Catholic and Lutheran churches would be opening with or without permission. In November 2020, the Supreme Courts newly constituted majority prevented New York from enacting some COVID restrictions through a shadow court docket.

Courts started saying, Show me the proof, said Mark Rienzi, Beckets president and CEO. And when you start saying that casinos, good; churches, bad; Wall Street good; synagogue, bad, those things at some point require some explanation.

In February 2021, Barrett joined other conservative justices in ruling against California in South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom, ending state and local bans on indoor worship services and leaving the state on the hook for $1.6 million in attorneys fees to the conservative Thomas More Society. That April, the high court struck down California and Santa Clara County rules limiting gatherings in private homes that prevented people from participating in at-home Bible study. Plaintiffs lawyers arguing that case had clerked for Barrett and Justice Clarence Thomas.

American Juris Link, meanwhile, helped build out a list of COVID-related cases for lawyers to reference and connected lawyers working on similar cases, Donnell said.

Peter Bisbee, head of the Republican Attorneys General Association, a political fundraising machine, sits on American Juris Links board; Donnell said the two talk regularly. Bisbee said the groups have no formal connection but share a common cause of shrinking the expansive regulatory administrative state.

Liberty Justice Centers Suhr said litigation groups like his operate in a shared ecosystem to curtail government overreach. I have not been invited to any sort of standing weekly conference call where a bunch of right-wing lawyers get on the call and talk about how theyre going to bring down the public health infrastructure of America, he said. Thats not how this works.

Still, he said, everyone knows everyone else, either through previous jobs or from working on similar cases. Suhr was once policy director for former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, and a deputy director of the student division of the Federalist Society.

Its not about public health

No equivalent progressive state litigation network exists to defend the authority housed in government agencies, said Edward Fallone, an associate professor at Marquette University Law School and expert in constitutional law.

The difference, he said, is funding: Private donors, corporate interests, and foundations with conservative objectives have the deep pockets and motivation to build coalitions that can strategically chip away at government oversight.

On the other side, he said, is often a county attorney with limited resources.

Its almost as if government authority is not getting defended, and its almost a one-sided argument, he said. Its not about public health, its about weakening the ability of government to regulate business in general.

Public health is largely a local and state endeavor. And even before the pandemic, many health departments had lost staff amid decades of underfunding. Faced with draining pandemic workloads and legislation from conservative forces aimed at stripping agencies powers, health officials often find it difficult to know how they can legally respond to public health threats.

And in states with conservative attorneys general, it can be even more complicated. In Missouri, a circuit court judge ruled last year that local public health officials did not have the authority to issue COVID orders, describing them as the unfettered opinion of an unelected official.

Following the ruling, Schmitt declined the state health departments request for an appeal and sent letters to schools and health departments declaring mask mandates and quarantine orders issued on the sole authority of local health departments or schools null and void.

Not being able to work with the schools to quarantine students  that really inhibited our ability to do public health, said Andrew Warlen, director of Missouris Platte County Health Department, which serves the suburbs of Kansas City. Its one of the biggest tools we have to be able to contain disease.

The legal threats have fundamentally changed the calculus for what powers to use when, said Brian Castrucci, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving community health. Choosing not to use a policy today may mean you can use it a year from now. But if you test the courts now, then you may lose an authority you cant get back, he said.

By no means have the blocs won all their challenges. The Supreme Court recently declined to hear a Becket lawsuit on behalf of employees challenging a vaccine mandate for health care workers in New York state that provides no exemption for religious beliefs. For now, the legal principles that for nearly 120 years have allowed governments to require vaccinations in schools and other settings with only limited exemptions remain intact.

Several lawyers associated with these conservative groups told Kaiser Health News they did not think their work would have a negative effect on public health. I honestly think the best way for them to preserve the ability to protect the public health is to do it well, and to respect peoples rights while you do it, said Beckets Rienzi.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, decried the wave of litigation in what he called a right-wing laboratory. He said he has not lost a single case where he was tasked with defending public health powers, which he believes are entirely legal and necessary to keep people alive. You destroy government, and you destroy our emergency response powers and police powers  good luck. There will be no one to protect you.

As public health powers fade from the headlines, the groups seeking to limit government authority have strengthened bonds and gained momentum to tackle other topics, said Paul Nolette, chair of the political science department at Marquette University. Those connections will just keep thickening over time, he said.

And the pressure against local governments shows no signs of stopping: Schmitt has set up a new online tips form similar to his efforts on masking  but for parents to report educators for teaching critical race theory.

Posted at 5 a.m. Monday, July 18.
HAZELWOOD  For the first time in at least 30 years, an entire fire district board in St. Louis County will face recall, according to local elections officials.

All three members of the Robertson Fire Protection District board will be up for recall after a group of residents gathered more than 630 certified petition signatures for each member.

The St. Louis County Board of Elections voted unanimously Monday to add the recalls to the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

This is about holding fire districts accountable, said Jennifer Guyton, a leader of the group, Citizens to Save Hazelwood & Fire Services. It has long blamed the district for putting Hazelwood, the seventh largest city in St. Louis County, on the brink of bankruptcy.

The three elected board members, Joan Noel, Becky Reinsmith and Mike Conley, govern the district that serves just under 6,000 residents in Hazelwood and Bridgeton.

The three, interviewed by the Post-Dispatch Monday, said they question the tactics of the petition collection and are weighing a legal challenge.

To protect the integrity of the election we feel we should be allowed time to talk to the signees of the petition to obtain affidavits if they wish to have their name removed, Conley told the Board of Elections.

The district has been at the center of a yearslong conflict with critics who oppose Robertsons spending and costly contract with Hazelwood. District leaders, meanwhile, have described the opponents as Hazelwood-backed bullies aimed at getting the city out of its commitments.

Regardless, it will be a rare election, said Eric Fey, Democratic Director of Elections at the election board.

No one in this office ever remembers a fire district recall happening here before, he said.

On the ballot, voters will be asked both if they would like to recall the members and, if the recalls pass, which candidates they want to replace them. Current board members and newcomers will be allowed to run. The filing deadline is Aug. 19.

The petition for signatures cited four reasons: Refusal to lower costs to Hazelwood for service, retaliation against a resident critic, failure to turn over public records, and selling district property for less than market value.

The citizens group filed several lawsuits against the district, claiming misconduct. The district has denied the claims. The suits are ongoing.

But Robertson board members claim there was a former policy to sell used equipment to employees that has since been changed. They said the district wasnt withholding public records, but was overwhelmed with large volume of public records requests from critics and had an outdated records system. They argued the district and Hazelwood have been in mediation over the fire district contract for years, but believe the city should pay what is owed.

This is a blatant attempt by the city of Hazelwood to take over Robertson Fire Protection District, Noel said. Robertson Fire Protection District will be no more if this goes forward.

Guyton said her group has candidates in mind, but has not yet announced them.

Our candidates will bring better oversight into how public money is being spent, she said.

Heated debate

The legal battle between Hazelwood and the fire district has been ongoing for more than five years.

At the center of the dispute is a court-ordered contract formed between Hazelwood and the fire district in 1995 after the city annexed an area already covered by the district.

The result: About a fourth of Hazelwood gets fire service from the citys own fire department, while other annexed areas are covered by the Robertson and the Florissant Valley fire protection districts.

Hazelwood was required to pay any fire district tax exceeding 99 cents for each $100 of assessed value, a cost that has since grown over the years, raising the citys bill to $4.5 million last fiscal year, up from $1.16 million in 1995. Expenses for the three fire and EMS service providers took up about 30% of the citys $35 million budget last year.

The city stopped paying the district in 2018, triggering a lawsuit by Robertson. Both sides are now in mediation.

Hazelwood Mayor Matthew Robinson wrote in a letter to residents last month that the city would need to cut services, including canceling the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, in large part because of the Robertson contract.

But Conley, a former Hazelwood City Council member, said he feels the district is being scapegoated for the citys longtime financial mismanagement, overspending and over-reliance on tax cuts to incentivize business.

The city got themselves here, he said.

The fire district announced in April a plan to slash residential tax rates by nearly 60%. The residential tax rate would go from $2.41 to 99 cents.

Robertson officials said the move, to take effect next year, would save the city of Hazelwood an estimated $638,000 in taxes.

Robertson averaged about 2,542 calls for service per year from 2019 through 2021, according to dispatch statistics. Its latest public audit from 2020 shows the district had $9.1 million in expenditures, about 73% of which went to salaries and benefits.
Missouri Voters Guide for Tuesday's primary elections The Post-Dispatch and the League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis present this guide to the candidates and races on the Aug. 2 ballot.

CLAYTON  Jane Dueker, a Democrat running to unseat County Executive Sam Page in the Aug. 2 primary, raised more money in total than the incumbent since launching her campaign in March.

But Page has more money on hand to spend in the homestretch of the race.

Dueker, a longtime lobbyist and attorney, raised about $48,466 by June 30, the deadline for a July 15 campaign finance report. Dueker had de-registered as a lobbyist in order to fundraise for her campaign. Her campaign fund held $31,159.75 as of July 15.

A political action committee supporting her campaign, JanePAC, collected roughly $358,147. But the PAC has $107,278 left after spending $200,000 on media buys to run two attack ads against Page.

Page PAC, a political action committee supporting the incumbent, raised about $195,392 in the last quarter, but has $660,642 on hand.

Pages committee raised roughly $148,831, and held about $190,469 on hand.

The new campaign finance reports filed Friday revealed donations from some names familiar to county government.

Among current or former county officials donating to Duekers campaign fund were St. Louis County Police Lt. Keith Wildhaber, who settled a high-profile lawsuit with the county alleging he was denied promotion to lieutenant because he is gay; Gary Bess, former parks director under County Executive Steve Stenger; and John Saracino, president of Bartolinos restaurant group, which sued St. Louis County over COVID-19 occupancy restrictions.

Saracino was a former aide to Stenger who resigned in 2016 after asking Stenger and former Police Chief Jon Belmar to write letters to a judge on behalf of his nephew, who was facing drug conspiracy charges.

Pages campaign fund also reported recent contributions from some familiar names in county government: Kitty Ratcliffe, director of the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, and John Temporiti, a former chief of staff and campaign manager for former County Executive Charlie Dooley.

Among supporters to JanePAC are St. Louis Police Foundation leaders, former Anheuser-Busch chairman and longtime Republican donor August A. Busch III, several other local business magnates and the St. Louis County Police Association.

Pages PAC has reported contributions from business executives with Enterprise Holdings, Ameren, Centene, law firms, and political arms of Realtors, contractors, labor unions and ASAPAC, the arm of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Page, a former anesthesiologist, has been active with the group.

One of the largest donations to the Page PAC this year came from Sam Fox, a Clayton businessman, former U.S. ambassador to Belgium, and philanthropist who has been among Missouris most generous donors to the GOP locally and nationally. Fox gave $25,000 on Jan. 31.

Page campaign spokesman Richard Callow attributed Duekers fundraising to Republican-leaning donors willing to write bigger checks.

I guess Republicans give more money than Democrats, Callow said. He declined to name to whom exactly he was referring.

Callow said Page is preparing to run against the likely Republican nominee, Rep. Shamed Dogan, and that Dueker has not mounted a serious campaign.

There is not enough money to make Jane Dueker into a palatable Democratic candidate, Callow said Monday.

A Page fundraising letter criticizing Dueker had accused her of aiming to smear him before the general election. The letter referred to her problematic history with a convicted felon  referring to Stenger  and accused her PAC of taking donations from Trump Republicans, referring to the former president.

Dueker had been an adviser to Stenger who resigned in 2019 after he was indicted on charges of bribery, mail fraud and the theft of honest services. Page, who succeeded Stenger, won election in 2020 to finish Stengers term. He is now seeking a full four-year term.

Dueker campaign spokesman Ed Rhode, responding to Callow, issued a statement touting support of the St. Louis business community and criticizing Pages campaign for attacking donors.

We are proud to have the support of the St. Louis business community who agree addressing crime and public safety while rooting out corruption is the only way to get St. Louis county moving in the right direction again, Rhode said.

Attacking donors after getting outraised is the sign of a losing and desperate campaign, he said.

Page PAC also made three contributions in recent months, including to two Democrats aiming to flip the balance of power on the seven-member County Council.

The PAC contributed $2,600 to Terry Wilson, a Jennings councilman running against 1st District incumbent Rita Heard Days, and $2,600 to Vicki Lorenz Englund, a Democrat and former state representative running to flip the 3rd District currently represented by Republican Tim Fitch, who is leaving the council. Former longtime Fenton mayor Dennis Hancock is running unopposed for the GOP nomination.

Page PAC also contributed $10,000 to Unified Democratic Township Organization, a committee founded by north St. Louis County politico Elbert Walton Jr.

JanePAC did not make any contributions.

This article has been updated to correct the police rank of Lt. Keith Wildhaber.
Abortion-rights activists gather in front of the Supreme Court in May 2022 ahead of the Dobbs decision. Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion has far-reaching personal and political implications and may help decide the midterm elections in November 2022.

That influence extends to young peoples election participation. People ages 18 to 29 have historically been less likely to vote than older adults. But in recent years, they have been spurred to organize and vote by major national controversies, like school shootings and police violence against Black people.

As a researcher with more than 20 years of experience tracking youth voting and examining young peoples political views and engagement, I believe that the fight over abortion rights now taking place in states has strong potential to motivate and mobilize young voters on both sides of the issue  and that their participation could be decisive in key races around the country.

Voters cast their ballots at Santa Monica College in September 2021 to vote on whether California Gov. Gavin Newsom should remain in office. Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Young people are supportive of abortion rights

About 62% of Americans support abortions being legal in all or most cases, according to Pew Research polling from July 2022. But that view is even more widely held among people ages 18 to 29  70% of people in that age group support legal abortion.

Other recent polling puts young peoples support for abortion even higher  a CBS/YouGov survey conducted in June 2022, shortly after the Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision, found that 78% of young people favor legal abortion.

Young people are also the most likely age group to disapprove of the Supreme Courts decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion. Sixty-nine percent of young people disapprove of the ruling, compared with 60% of adults ages 30 to 49 and half of Americans older than 49.

Women and people of color across all age groups  especially Black and Asian Americans  are also more likely than men and white people to disapprove of the Supreme Courts ruling.

Thats notable because young women and young women of color, in particular, have led civic and electoral participation in recent years. Young women voted at a higher rate than young men in 2020. Young women of color were more likely to talk to their peers about politics, attend demonstrations and register others to vote than young white women.

Nearly half of young women said that they supported or were active participants in the reproductive rights movement, according to my 2018 survey of people ages 18 to 24. Women of color were more likely to be involved in the reproductive rights movement than young white women, our survey found.

Many young people want action on abortion

For some young people, political engagement goes beyond abortion, as a spring 2022 Harvard poll found that about half of young people think the country is on the wrong track.

And 41% of 18-to-29-year-olds surveyed in another poll say the Dobbs decision makes them more likely to vote in the midterms. In the Pew Research survey mentioned above, over two-thirds of those under 30 reported at least somewhat disapproving of the court decision.

Other surveys suggest that specific policies and laws to protect abortion access are top priorities to young voters.

When young people want action on issues they care about, like abortion, they can feel motivated to push political leaders. Their disappointment or disillusionment with particular politicians does not necessarily mean theyre disillusioned about their own political power. On the other hand, those who oppose abortion rights may now harbor positive feelings about politics: 19% of young people in the CBS/YouGov survey said they felt happy about the recent decision.

In 2018, my survey of young people before that years midterm election found that feeling more disappointed or cynical about politics actually led to a higher, not lower, likelihood to vote.

According to my estimates, the percentage of young people who voted more than doubled from the 2014 midterm election to the 2018 midterms  rising from 13% to 28%. My research groups analyses suggest multiple reasons for this jump, including many groups starting voter registration much earlier in the year, and the youth-led activism after the Parkland school shooting.

In 2020 a similar dynamic played out nationally following the murder of George Floyd, who was killed by police officers in Minneapolis. In a CIRCLE pre-election survey, young people ranked racism as the second-biggest issue that would influence their vote for president, just behind the environment and climate change. About 50% of youths voted during the 2020 election, compared with 39% of young people who did so in 2016.

Two young political activists try to register college students at Auraria Campus, home to three universities, in Denver, Colo., in September 2020. Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Youths can swing elections in key states

The youth vote can decisively shape election results at every level. In 2020, for example, young people cast hundreds of thousands of votes in key battleground states like Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia, helping President Joe Biden win all three states and Democratic senators win in Arizona and Georgia.

Now that states are deciding on their own abortion laws, young voters ballots in gubernatorial and other state and local races may be especially critical in such places as Pennsylvania and Georgia, where new abortion restrictions are a possibility depending on election results.

The potential for impact is there  not just for the majority of young people who support abortion, but for the significant minority who oppose it  32% of people ages 18 to 29 in the CBS/YouGov poll said they approve of the Supreme Courts decision on abortion.

Nevada, Maryland and Maine rank among the top 10 states where young people could decide governor races, according to my research. All three states have abortion protections in place, which could motivate young people to vote for candidates who share their position on abortion, whether for or against abortion rights.

___

CIRCLE team members Ruby Belle Booth, Megan Lam and Alberto Medina contributed to this analysis.

Abby has worked on research projects funded by private foundations including: the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, Youth Engagement Fund, the Democracy Fund, the Spencer Foundation, Ford Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, MacArthur Foundation, the Omidyar Network, the Knight Foundation, Tides Foundation, the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation. She is affiliated with Rock the Vote's Democracy Class (Advisory Council), Generation Citizen/Vote16USA (Advisory Board), and the Rural Youth Catalyst Project's Changing the Outcomes for Rural Youth Working Group.

___
Missouris new law regarding homelessness couldnt be more draconian if its Republican authors were trying to fill jails with nonviolent offenders, hinder cities ability to provide services and deliberately torment some of societys most vulnerable people. But dont take our word for it. Gov. Mike Parsons own top mental health official laid out to him all the reasons this law is counterproductive.

But Parson signed it anyway. Ignoring the experts in service to do the bidding of know-nothing ideologues is no way to run a government.

House Bill 1606 reads like it was written with hard-right bumper stickers in mind, while thumbing a nose at the latest expertise regarding the best ways to address homelessness. A key challenge is (obviously) stable and consistent housing for people with economic and/or mental health issues. Even with financial assistance, getting an apartment is difficult when people lack references or solid credit. The only thing worse is a criminal record. Yet this law will incarcerate people for sleeping on state-owned land such as under highway bridges.

Thats not to say the state doesnt have a legitimate interest in prohibiting impromptu camps under bridges. But what purpose is served by fining them $750, jailing them for 15 days (for an intrinsically non-violent offense) and giving them a criminal record that will make housing that much harder to find?

Its not just the homeless this law seeks to punish but also the cities that are trying to address their plight. In a breathtakingly punitive provision from a state that is doing next to nothing to help cities deal with this historically urban problem, the law actually deprives jurisdictions like St. Louis of funding for the homeless if their homeless rates are higher than the state average. The very nature of homelessness almost always yields disproportionate concentrations in urban areas.

The law also requires that cities use their homeless funding on temporary housing rather than seeking permanency  exactly the opposite of what experts throughout the field say is the most constructive approach.

Its not like Parson didnt know any of this when he signed the measure in June. As the Post-Dispatchs Kurt Erickson reports, Parsons own cabinet-level mental health director, Valerie Huhn, told the administration in May that the law would exacerbate, not alleviate, the homeless crisis in places like St. Louis.

Some of Huhns advice is beyond obvious. When people experiencing homelessness have criminal justice histories, she wrote, it is difficult to find housing. Yet this law makes criminals out of the homeless, for no infraction but their homelessness.

Parson might be forgiven for not understanding the more nuanced issues, like the fact that working toward permanent housing is considered preferable to temporary arrangements. But he only had to listen to his own expert to learn it. He and his party decided a punitive approach would get more votes. They shouldnt be rewarded for worsening the problem they claim to be solving.
I sometimes volunteer to register voters for the League of Women Voters, so now I have to fill out a form so the state of Missouri can add my personal info to its new list of voter registrars. This foolishness is to make our right-wing legislators pretend to make voting more fair. But these same goofy lawmakers wont allow gun owners to be put on a list because that might offend our single-issue gunslingers. It also took years to finally establish an opioid prescription registry because lawmakers thought that might violate patient privacy.
A month ago China formally launched and named its third aircraft carrier, the 80,000-ton Fujian (CV-18). China confirmed that the Fujian is powered by steam turbines that generate the needed electrical power for its EMALS (electromagnetic aircraft launch system) in a conventionally powered carrier. Satellite photos had earlier shown that Fujian has three EMALS catapults. Fujian turned out to be larger than expected, in part because of the space needed for the IEP (integrated electric propulsion) system that supplied the power for EMALS. The only other carrier using EMALS is the American nuclear-powered USS Ford. China was more deliberate in designing their EMALS system and appears to have learned from the mistakes the Americans made.

At 300 meters (984 feet) Fujian appears to be nearly as long as the 333-meter Ford, which displaces about 100,000 tons. Fujian has a smaller crew and operates fewer aircraft. Because it is nuclear powered the Ford moves at higher speeds for sustained periods than the Fujian, which has to dedicate a lot of internal space for fuel. Fujian is expected to be ready for sea-trials by the end of 2022 and enter service in 2023 or 2024,

China already has two carriers in service; Liaoning (CV-16) and the similar Shandong (CV-17), which completed sea trials and entered service at the end of 2019, as it was seen moving past Taiwan. Back then it was assumed that China wanted to build two more similar carriers (CV-18 and 19) which would lose the ski jump deck and instead adopt a catapult. This was the case with Fujian (CV-18) that was already under construction in 2019, and in the water a year later. At that point it appeared that CV-18 would be in service by 2024 but details of its layout and displacement were still vague.

It was believed that CV-18 might be delayed by the decision to use EMALS instead of steam catapults. The U.S. Navy has had problems getting its EMALS to work effectively and the Chinese were believed to be waiting to see how that works out before deciding. That was not the case as CV-18 was built with the IEP, which was only required if EMALS was used. What is unknown is if CV-19 will be similar to CV-18 or use nuclear-power. China has more problems with nuclear-powered surface ships than with EMALS. China has been working on nuclear propulsion for submarines for decades and encountered lots of technical problems that seriously limited the development of an effective Chinese nuclear submarine force. Chinese nuclear power experts informed the government that China did not yet have reliable nuclear power plants for surface ships and it would be a while before that technology was perfected.

With the official recognition of Fujian, it became clear that China probably would have five or six non-nuclear-powered carriers by 2030, with all but two of them based on the Fujian.

Since carriers spend a lot of time in port getting upgrades and maintenance, you need three or more in order to guarantee having at least two available at all times for operations. China has already built or is building enough escort and support ships, along with air wings, to keep several carrier task forces, each built around one carrier, busy while one or more carriers were sidelined by months of maintenance and upgrades. China announced in 2020 that their first carrier, a rebuilt Russian carrier, would not remain a training carrier but would be equipped and manned with a crew that would enable it to also serve as a combat carrier in an emergency.

Fujian was not a complete surprise. As early as 2014 there were official photos of carrier model displayed at an official event. The detailed model had the hull number 18 and the ship looked similar to an American Nimitz class CVN. The Chinese CVN has four catapults and three elevators and much other evidence of being nuclear and very similar to the Nimitz class. This was an early Chinese Navy proposal for a CVN and that has apparently been refined to something that is similar to the Nimitz.

At one point it was believed that the first Chinese CVN would be more like the American USS Enterprise (CVN 65). This was the first American nuclear-powered carrier and it served as the prototype for the subsequent Nimitz class. The Enterprise was an expensive design, and only one was built, rather than the expected class of six. While a bit longer than the later Nimitz class, it was lighter (92,000 tons displacement, versus 100,000 tons). The Enterprise was commissioned in 1961, almost 40 years after the first U.S. carrier (the Langley) entered service in 1923. CVN 65 was active until 2012 and decommissioned in early 2017, two months before the second Chinese carrier was launched. China may end up going that way before building their first nuclear carrier. A large oil-fueled carrier would enable them to gain experience with a large carrier and allow designers to perfect the design of a nuclear-powered large carrier.

Chinese are keen students of history, their own as well as that of others. Chinese ship designers know all about the Langley and the Enterprise. The Chinese are also well aware that in the two decades after the USS Langley there were tremendous changes in carrier aviation. While the innovation slowed after World War II, major changes continued into the 1950s (jet aircraft, nuclear-propulsion, anti-aircraft missiles). But in the ensuing half-century, there has been no major innovation in basic carrier design. This has not been a problem because the carriers have proven useful, at least for the U.S. Navy, the only fleet to use such large carriers. Currently the United States has 11 CVNs, although that may shrink to ten because of problems getting the Ford class operational.

No one else has maintained a force of these large carriers. Only the U.S. has felt a constant need to get air power to any corner of the planet in a hurry. More importantly, no navy has been able to give battle to the U.S. carrier force since 1945. The Soviets built new anti-carrier weapons and made plans to use them but that war never occurred. China is building carriers but does not yet seem committed to having a lot of them to confront the U.S., but rather just a few to intimidate its neighbors.

The Chinese Navy is very popular with most Chinese and its commanders are enthusiastic about expanding in order to protect the seaborne trade that the modern Chinese economy depends on. For thousands of years Chinese rulers did not consider naval power important because it wasnt. Now it is and the navy is getting the money and encouragement to do what China has never done before. But at the moment Chinese tech is not up to the task of providing capable carrier aviation, especially on a large scale. The government also realized that the money required to make it all work was not really available either. Another problem is the shrinking number of qualified Chinese willing to join the navy. The Chinese working age population is declining as a result of the one-child policy that began in the 1980s and lasted for three decades. But when the one-child limits were eased in the last decade it was discovered that a more affluent Chinese population was not interested in having large families. This is a common pattern, especially in the newly affluent nations of East Asia. Already South Korea and Japan are suffering from falling birth rates. It's worse in Europe. The United States has avoided this problem so far but that appears to be changing. For China the population problem is a major limit to the effectiveness of their growing navy and its aircraft carrier component. A carrier does not operate alone, but requires several destroyers and frigates as escorts, along with supply and fuel ships. Each carrier task force requires over 5,000 officers and sailors.

The sea trials for Shandong, Chinas second aircraft carrier took 19 months, which is six months longer than their first carrier, Liaoning. There was no official explanation why the second carrier took longer to debug but it was put into active service by December 2019. It is known that Shandong has more electronics, including a powerful AESA (flat panel phased array) radar and a more capable communications and control system built into the ship. It would not be surprising if those improvements caused unexpected and repeated problems.

Shandong is 315 meters (1,033 feet) long, which is three percent longer than Liaoning. Shandong displaced 75,000 tons, which is 12 percent more than Liaoning. Obvious differences are a slightly (about 10 percent) smaller control tower and about ten percent more flight deck area. There is more space internally for maritime and aircraft fuel. It appears that Shandong would have to be refueled about once a week when at sea and Fujian will be no different.

Shandong was considered a new design but based on the first Chinese carrier, the Liaoning. That first carrier was a 65,000-ton, 305 meter (999 feet) long ship that was itself a modified version of the last Cold War Russian carrier design. In 2016 China confirmed that Shandong would also have the ski jump deck like Liaoning, would be somewhat heavier, and incorporate new design features that would enable it to carry more aircraft (mainly the J-15) in a larger hangar deck (just below the flight deck) as well as more fuel and aircraft weapons. Photos of Shandong under construction revealed that it also incorporated design features that will make it more capable of surviving combat damage as well as operating more efficiently and effectively as a carrier.

In addition to the Chinese built J-15 fighter, the Shandong had an early-warning radar and anti-submarine aircraft, which had long been standard on American carriers, as well as some helicopters, The carrier itself had modern radars and electronics to detect and control aircraft. Shandong operates about 20 percent more aircraft than Liaoning (50 fixed-wing and helicopters compared to about 40). In 2019 China only had about fifty carrier qualified J-15 pilots and Liaoning was kept busy being what was designed for; a training carrier.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 18, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with First Mining Gold Corp., Algernon Pharmaceuticals, G Mining Ventures, ApartmentLove, and Orvana Minerals on their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

First Mining Gold Corp. (TSX:FF) announces plans to acquire Duparquet Gold Project

First Mining Gold Corp. (FF) has offered to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Beattie Gold Mines Ltd. This acquisition increases the company's measured and indicated resource base in Quebec by more than 450 per cent and its inferred resource base in Quebec by more than 150 per cent. First Mining CEO Dan Wilton sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the acquisition.

For the full interview with Dan Wilton and to learn more about First Mining Gold Corp., click here

Algernon Pharmaceuticals (CSE:AGN) achieves co-primary endpoint in its Phase 2 Study of Ifenprodil

Algernon Pharmaceuticals (AGN) has met the co-primary endpoint in its Phase 2 proof of concept study evaluating NP-120 (Ifenprodil). Ifenprodil is being evaluated for the potential treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ("IPF") and chronic cough. Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals, sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the update.

For the full interview with Christopher J. Moreau and to learn more about Algernon, click here

G Mining Ventures (TSXV:GMIN) secures US$481 million financing for the Tocantinzinho Gold Project

G Mining Ventures has secured a $481 million construction financing package for the construction of its Tocantinzinho Gold Project in Brazil. The Project remains on track to achieve production in the second half of 2024. Louis-Pierre Gignac, President & Chief Executive Officer of GMIN sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Louis-Pierre Gignac and to learn more about G Mining Ventures, click here

ApartmentLove (CSE:APLV) acquires OwnerDirect.com

ApartmentLove (APLV) has acquired OwnerDirect.com, a short-term vacation rental marketing platform. OwnerDirect, one of the largest short-term vacation rental websites in its class, has operations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. President & CEO Trevor Davidson sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Trevor Davidson and to learn more about ApartmentLove, click here



Orvana Minerals (TSX:ORV) reports promising drill intercepts and substantial quarterly production increase

Orvana (ORV) has achieved standout intercepts from its OroValle operations in Spain. It is also announcing a 49-per-cent Q3 production increase from the property. Orvana is a multi-mine gold-copper-silver producer active in Spain, Bolivia and Argentina.CEO Juan Gavidia sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Juan Gavidia and to learn more about Orvana Minerals, click here

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

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Morgan Stanleys top US equity strategist, Michael Wilson, has continued to urge investors to stay defensively positioned despite a counter-trend rally, which may continue to take place.

The strategist believes that it is premature to exit defensives, at least until either a recession is confirmed or the risk of one is extinguished.

With profit growth likely to fall sharply over the next several quarters, the risk of a labor cycle is increasing, in our view, and this is the only metric that we think matters for whether we enter a recession or not, Wilson told clients in a note.

He also noted that most investors still dont own defensives, which leaves more upside potential in these sectors as earnings cuts begin.

Consensus is calling for strong top line growth, but margin headwinds--change in net margin is expected to be negative Y/Y and detract from overall EPS growth. That said, this margin pressure dynamic is expected to be short-lived, and margins are expected to contribute positively to EPS growth post 2Q (out to YE 23). Were skeptical on this front given the myriad of cost pressures companies are facing, coupled with decelerating demand risk, Wilson added.

The strategist also reminded clients that the earnings revisions breadth is in negative territory, a key reason why he believes that EPS estimates are too high.

This move to the downside in revisions breadth has accelerated in the last week, and the measure is now at the lowest level since July 2020, Wilson concluded.

By Senad Karaahmetovic
Three new independent directors join the Board, two of whom will serve on the CEO search committee

New Board committee to conduct a strategic review of downstream retail business

Suncor (TSX: SU) (NYSE: SU) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Elliott Investment Management L.P. (together with its affiliates "Elliott"), pursuant to which Suncor's Board of Directors will appoint three new independent directors, two of whom will serve on the CEO search committee. The Board will also form a new committee to oversee a strategic review of Suncor's downstream retail business. These actions build on Suncor's ongoing efforts to enhance safety, reliability and operational excellence and to restore Suncor's industry leadership.

As part of its agreement with Elliott, Suncor has appointed the following three new independent directors to its Board, effective immediately:

Ian Ashby, former president of BHP Billiton's Iron Ore Customer Sector Group, who brings extensive global experience in surface mining, including technical and operational expertise;

Chris Seasons, former president of Devon Canada and partner with ARC Financial Corporation; and

Jackie Sheppard, former executive vice president, Corporate and Legal Affairs with Talisman Energy Inc.

Suncor is pleased to welcome all three directors to the Board. With these changes, the Suncor Board will temporarily expand to 13 directors, all of whom are independent and five of whom are female. Two existing directors will retire from the Board by year-end.

In addition, Suncor will undertake a strategic review of its downstream retail business with the goal of unlocking shareholder value. With support of external advisors, this review will evaluate and consider a wide range of alternatives, from a potential sale of the business to options to enhance the value of our retail business. A committee of independent directors, led by Board director Russ Girling and including newly appointed directors Chris Seasons and Jackie Sheppard will oversee the review and make a recommendation to the full Board. The Board expects to complete the strategic review in Q4 and will provide an update at that time.

As previously announced, the Board has formed a CEO search committee, led by Board director Eira Thomas and including newly appointed directors Chris Seasons and Jackie Sheppard to oversee the global search to select the company's next chief executive officer.

"Suncor is committed to the ongoing renewal of its Board of Directors to ensure we maintain diverse and qualified directors who are charged with overseeing the company's strategy and driving shareholder value," said Board Chair Michael Wilson. "Ian, Chris and Jackie bring valuable expertise to the Board, and we are confident Suncor shareholders will benefit greatly from their operational and commercial experience. In addition, the Board's review of the retail business builds on our long-standing commitment to openly consider alternatives to enhance shareholder value and will help ensure the company is well positioned for even greater success and value creation in the future."

"The top priority for Suncor's leadership team is forging ahead with our plans to improve our safety and operating performance," said Interim chief executive officer Kris Smith. "I look forward to working with the Board, including our new directors, to advance our efforts to drive long-term shareholder value, and to communicating our progress, delivering on our debt reduction and other capital allocation targets and restoring confidence in Suncor."

"We appreciate the collaborative dialogue we have had with Suncor's Board and fully support the appointment of three new independent directors who will bring fresh, relevant perspectives into the boardroom, as well as the Board's commitment to explore strategic options with respect to Suncor's retail business," said Elliott Partner John Pike and Portfolio Manager Mike Tomkins. "As a significant investor we look forward to continuing to work constructively with Suncor as it takes important steps to achieve best-in-class safety, improve operations and restore its industry leadership."

The agreement with Elliott contains customary standstill, voting and other provisions. In addition, the agreement includes the right for Elliott to nominate an additional director if certain performance criteria relative to peers are not met by December 31, 2022, and if applicable, includes the extension of the standstill for a period of 12 months following such an appointment. Elliott and the Company have also entered into an information sharing agreement, pursuant to which Elliott will have the ability to receive information and share its views regarding the CEO search process. The complete agreement will be filed on Form 6-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and with securities regulators in Canada on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval.

New Director Biographies

Ian Ashby brings extensive global experience in surface mining including technical and operational roles. Starting his career as an underground miner at the Mount Isa Mines base metals operations in Queensland, Australia, Ian has almost 40 years of experience in the mining industry, including 25 years in a wide variety of roles with BHP Billiton. During his tenure with BHP Billiton, Ian held a variety of roles in the company's iron ore, base metals and gold businesses in Australia, the USA, and Chile, as well as projects roles in the corporate office, ultimately becoming president of BHP Billiton's company's iron ore business. Since retiring from BHP Billiton in 2012, he has taken on a number of advisory and board roles with other mining and related organizations. Ian currently serves as an independent director on the boards of Anglo American plc and IAMGOLD Corporation. He has served as a director on the boards of New World Resources PLC, Genco Shipping & Trading, Nevsun Resources Ltd., and Alderon Iron Ore Corp. He has also served in an advisory capacity with Apollo Global Management and Temasek.

Chris Seasons, a partner at ARC Financial Corporation, brings over 30 years of operating and financial experience in the Canadian upstream oil and gas industry. He is the former president of Devon Canada Corp., a large cap Canadian energy company with diverse assets. During the ten years he served as president of Devon, the company successfully transitioned its production mix from a gas dominated asset base to a heavy oil company. Prior to that, Chris held a variety of leadership roles with Royal Dutch Shell both domestically and internationally, and at Stampeder Exploration Ltd., an exploration and acquisition company. In his role at ARC Financial Corporation, Chris provides support for ARC's investment team in the areas of strategy and risk management, as well as investment decision making. He is chair of the Board of Directors of Longshore Resources Ltd., and serves on the boards of Matrix Solutions Inc., Petronas Energy Canada Ltd., and Serafina Energy Ltd.
ESI Group brings Virtual Reality, Aircraft acoustics, and interior & exterior solutions

Virtual prototyping, an enabler for competitiveness and sustainable innovations while securing first time right production and saving time

RUNGIS, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

ESI Group (ISIN Code: FR0004110310, Symbol: ESI) (Paris: ESI), a global simulation and virtual prototyping software partner for the industry, will be present at the Farnborough International Airshow (18 and 22 July 2022). ESI Group will present an outline of aircraft Acoustics for both interior and exterior noise. Besides, The Group will illustrate how virtual reality solutions help power industry 4.0, showcasing and demonstrating its solution for human-centric virtual simulation and collaborative work with IC.IDO.

2 software solutions presented:

ESIs flagship Virtual Reality software IC.IDO for human-centric process validation and product integration: facilitating agile design processes, robust manufacturing, and safe maintenance operations.

ESIs vibro-acoustics software VA ONE

Promising progress in the aircraft industry thanks to digitalization and virtual reality

Digitalization plays a major role in developing sustainable aviation, hydrogen planes, electric aircraft, urban mobility, eVTOLs... Virtual reality helps industries achieve sustainability goals, to secure first time right, reduce costs, time and go to market. Throughout the years, Virtual reality upgraded processes, allowing faster turnaround for foundries and composite parts manufacturers, lower scrap rates, manufacturability despite new geometries. Industrials have been able to achieve their desired vibro-acoustic performance and virtually pre-certified products. Besides, the need for physical try-outs and prototypes significantly decreased, paving the way to more efficient assembly steps, increased productivity and output, reduced maintenance costs, and decreased industrial risks for operators.

ESI Group has been operating in the aircraft industry for the last decades. ESIs aerospace customers leverage the benefits of virtual reality solutions, helping them achieve their goal to producing clean, safe, and productive.

eVTOLS: ESI Group helps foster innovations  interior external noise and comfort

ESI has the mission to help aerospace companies in gearing their digital transformation, to be a partner they can trust to help foster innovations, such as the eVTOLS, that will change the landscape of urban mobility. ESI Group is already helping the pioneers of that segment achieve their product performance and safety targets while meeting stringent noise regulations, reducing noise impact in urban areas and meeting interior aircraft noise comfort levels. ESI Groups VA One software solution help manufacturers to predict and resolve potential noise and vibration challenges in very early stages of their development process. Thus, meeting safety standards and their objectives for aircraft acoustics, and minimizing weight and controlling costs.

ESI Groups software solutions for a clean, safe, and productive industry

1. Power systems manufacturer Rolls-Royce uses ESI casting simulation software ProCAST for Product-Process co-design and to collaborate more efficiently with their supply chain towards greater quality parts, avoiding late design changes and eliminating scrap rates in a more sustainable manner.

2. Saab Aerospace Systems relies on ESI composites manufacturing simulation software PAM-COMPOSITES to refine their injection strategies for the next generation aircraft doors, supporting the advanced manufacturing of ever lighter structures.

3. Latecoere counts on the advanced virtual reality capabilities provided by IC.IDO (1), to connect manufacturing engineering teams from around the world on the same virtual platform to secure First Time Right production and to train operators remotely, cutting down on travel emissions, yet providing a learning by doing approach.

(1) ESI Group at the exhibition: France Pavillion. ESI Group will be part of the GIFAS (& AsTech) area in HALL 1  Booth 13.60 Village ASTech

About ESI Group

Founded in 1973, ESI Group envisions a world where Industry commits to bold outcomes, addressing high-stakes concerns - environmental impact, safety & comfort for consumers and workers, adaptable and sustainable business models. ESI provides reliable and customized solutions anchored on predictive physics modeling and virtual prototyping expertise to allow industries to make the right decisions at the right time while managing their complexity. Acting principally in automotive & land transportation, aerospace, defense & naval and heavy industry, ESI is present in more than 20 countries, employs 1200 people around the world, and reported 2021 sales of 136.6 million. ESI is headquartered in France and is listed on compartment B of Euronext Paris.

For further information, go to www.esi-group.com.

Follow ESI: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220717005031/en/

ESI Group

Florence Barre

[email protected]

+33 1 49 78 28 28

Verbatee - Press & Shareholder Relations

Jerome Goaer, [email protected], +33 6 61 61 79 34

Aline Besselievre, [email protected], +33 6 61 85 10 05

Source: ESI Group
Board Strengthened with Addition of World-Class Proven Oil and Gas Finders

BOGOTA, Colombia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GeoPark Limited (GeoPark or the Company) (NYSE: GPRK), a leading independent Latin American oil and gas explorer, operator and consolidator, today announced that, based on a final vote count certified by the Inspector of Elections, GeoPark shareholders reelected all the Directors that were standing for reelection to serve a term ending at the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. In addition to the five reelected Directors, shareholders elected four new members to the Board.

Results of Annual General Meeting

The five reelected Directors were elected with a margin of 77% of the votes cast, on average, with a total of 65% of shares represented by proxies at the meeting. The two new Independent Directors and the two new executive Directors were each elected with a 99% majority of the votes cast. All the proposed Resolutions passed. The vote count is final and has been certified by the Inspector of Elections. Additional information regarding the results of the 2022 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be available in a report on Form 6-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and posted on GeoParks website, www.geo-park.com.

The elected Directors are:

Sylvia Escovar, Director and Chair

James F. Park, Director, co-founder and Vice-Chair

Robert Bedingfield, Director

Constantin Papadimitriou, Director

Somit Varma, Director

Brian F. Maxted, New Director

Carlos E. Macellari, New Director

Andres Ocampo, CEO and New Director

Marcela Vaca, New Director

Two New Independent Directors with Broad Technical Expertise and Impressive Track Records

Two new Independent Directors, Brian F. Maxted and Carlos E. Macellari, were elected to the Board. They are world-class executives and well-known international oil and gas finders and developers.

Brian F. Maxted holds a bachelors degree in geology from the University of Sheffield and a masters degree in organic geochemistry and petrology from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Mr. Maxted is a proven oil and gas finder, private equity entrepreneur and public company leader in the upstream E&P business, with a global track record of significant basin and play discoveries over 30 years. His illustrious career includes work for BP, Hess and Triton Energy. His work for BP included locations as diverse as Europe, Africa, North America and South America, where he was involved in the discovery of Colombias giant Cusiana and Cupiagua oil fields in the early 1990s. In 2003, Mr. Maxted became a founding partner and later the CEO/CXO and board member of Kosmos Energy. Under his guidance, the company made the large Jubilee Field discovery offshore Ghana as well as the giant Tortue gas find offshore Mauritania/Senegal. Mr. Maxted retired from Kosmos in 2019 and established Limatus Energy Advisory Limited to provide strategic counsel to upstream E&P companies. In addition, he led the formation of Lapis Energy, a company focused on carbon solutions in the US Lower 48, as well as in the UK/EU and Asia-Pacific, where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board.

Carlos E. Macellari holds a bachelors degree in geology from the Universidad Nacional de La Plata in Argentina, and a masters degree and a PhD in geology from Ohio State University. He has over 30 years of successful exploration, development and management experience in the oil and gas industry across several continents, at Tecpetrol, Repsol YPF, Hocol, Benton Oil & Gas, Enron Oil & Gas International and Pecten International (Shell Oil). Importantly, Dr. Macellari led the subsurface team responsible for making Fortin de Piedra the largest gas producing block in Argentina, and the discovery and development of the Pendare Field in Colombia. As Worldwide Director of Geology, he also led the technical group behind Repsols exploration success in locations such as Libya, Algeria, Pre-Salt Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, Venezuela and Peru. He has published over 40 technical papers and has been guest lecturer in numerous international forums. Since 2020, Dr. Macellari has served as a board member of Inverban, Tecpetrol Investments, Tecpetrol Servicios and Suizum.

Two New Experienced Executive Directors

Two new executive Directors join the Board: Andres Ocampo, CEO, and Marcela Vaca, General Director. Mr. Ocampo will contribute his substantial experience in GeoPark and ensure consistency in the execution of its strategy as CEO. Marcela Vaca is stepping away from her role as General Director to join the Board full-time and contribute her considerable legal and regulatory experience in Colombia.

Mr. Ocampo holds a bachelors degree in Economics from the Universidad Catolica Argentina, has more than 17 years of experience in business and finance and served as our Chief Financial Officer from November 2013 to June 2022. He joined GeoPark in 2010 and was the Director of Growth and Capital from January 2011 through October 2013. Mr. Ocampo has been instrumental in helping GeoPark reach some of its greatest milestones, including its entry into Colombia and Brazil, the IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, the acquisition of Amerisur Resources and the recent significant acreage expansion in Colombia. Our Board of Directors appointed Mr. Ocampo to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective as of July 1, 2022, by virtue of his wide experience in business management and finance together with his character, vision, and knowledge of the Company and his proven ability to lead successful teams. Before joining the Company, Mr. Ocampo worked at Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank and Citigroup, focusing on the oil and gas and commodities industries.

GeoPark General Director Mrs. Vaca graduated in Law with a specialization in Commercial Law from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia and was a Fulbright Scholar with a Summa Cum Laude Master (LL. M.) from Georgetown University. She is a Colombian executive with more than 20 years of experience in planning, legal, environmental and social articulation and management of hydrocarbon exploration and production projects in Colombia and other countries in the region. Mrs. Vaca joined GeoPark in 2012 and has extensive experience in the Colombian oil and gas sector. She is ranked by Bloomberg Linea as one of the 500 most influential people in Latin America. In 2020, 2021 and 2022 Forbes named her as one of the 50 most powerful women in Colombia. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Colombian Oil Association (Asociacion Colombiana de Petroleo) for more than 10 years and served as Chair in 2021.

Sylvia Escovar, Independent Chair of GeoParks Board of Directors, said: On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank GeoPark shareholders for supporting both existing and incoming Board members. The new Independent Directors, with years of hands-on technical experience and proven know-how in finding oil and developing upstream oil & gas companies internationally, will help GeoPark balance the multiple challenges of growth, returns and the energy transition. The new Executive Directors will strengthen the Board immeasurably by ensuring the smooth execution of the Boards strategy.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220718005567/en/

For further information, please contact:

INVESTORS:

Stacy Steimel

Shareholder Value Director

T: +562 2242 9600

[email protected]

Miguel Bello

Market Access Director

T: +562 2242 9600

[email protected]

Diego Gully

Investor Relations Director

T: +5411 4312 9400

[email protected]

MEDIA:

Communications Department

[email protected]

Source: GeoPark Limited
Demonstrates ongoing commitment to customers; reaches more than 3.5 million smart meter deployments in the region

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trilliant, a leading international provider of solutions for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), smart grid, smart cities and IOT, is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to the Asia-Pacific region with the announcement of the start of its manufacturing in Malaysia. Additionally, the company has reached a major smart meter deployment milestone in Asia Pacific, with more than 3.5 million smart meters currently deployed and operational, with millions more planned.

Were delighted that the manufacturing efforts are now underway in Malaysia, said Trilliant Chairman and CEO Andrew C. White. The plant will be an important hub for the APAC region and improve time of delivery to our valued customers. Our production process will be led by dedicated, experienced engineers that adhere to the highest levels of quality control and compliance. Trilliant is proud these products will say Made in Malaysia, and we look forward to supporting the creation of additional high-tech jobs and enhancing local expertise.

The manufacturing team will be focused on the Trilliant Communications Module (TCM) and the Trilliant Street Light Controller. Not only will local production reduce delivery cycles, but it will also result in CO2e reductions in manufacturing and shipping processes as Trilliant delivers products to local customers among others across the region. Approximately 119 tons of CO2e will be reduced over the course of the next three years in Malaysia alone.

Footprint in the region continues to grow

In addition to the new manufacturing activities, Trilliant has reached a milestone with smart meter deployments in India and Malaysia, a result of the companys continued commitment to the region, extensive industry expertise and its proven solutions. Customers benefit from Trilliants flexible systems that work with any application and are open for ease of integration with a broad range of devices and applications. Its recent expansion into Thailand will result in Trilliant technology being deployed, helping utilities provide more reliable access to electricity to their customers.

The company plans to deploy an additional seven million meters in the Asia-Pacific region through local partnerships over the next three years.

Trilliant continues to build upon its innovation and growth strategy to serve customers in Asia Pacific, as well as globally.

About Trilliant

Trilliant empowers the global energy industry with the only device-agnostic communications platform that enables utilities and cities to securely and reliably deploy any application on one powerful network. Our purpose-built portfolio has been designed to offer the power of choice, without risk of customers being locked in with one technology provider. We are proud to offer mission-critical solutions that support AMI, Data & Analytics, Smart Grids and Smart Cities. Customers worldwide benefit from Trilliants unique combination of flexibility, sustainability and scalability that connects utilities and cities to the IIOT and a more strategic path to the Energy Transition. Visit us at www.trilliant.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220717005023/en/

Tracey Mitchell

[email protected]

Cindy Watson/Anita Wong, StrategicAmpersand Inc.

[email protected]

Source: Trilliant
FILE PHOTO: A view shows a screen with the logo of Gazprom at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 17, 2022. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/

By Julia Payne

LONDON (Reuters) -Russia's Gazprom has told customers in Europe it cannot guarantee gas supplies because of "extraordinary" circumstances, according to a letter seen by Reuters, upping the ante in an economic tit-for-tat with the West over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian state gas monopoly said in a letter dated July 14 that it was retroactively declaring force majeure on supplies from June 14. The news comes as Nord Stream 1, the key pipeline delivering Russian gas to Germany and beyond, is undergoing 10 days of annual maintenance scheduled to conclude on Thursday.

The letter added to fears in Europe that Moscow may not restart the pipeline at the end of the maintenance period in retaliation for sanctions imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine, heightening an energy crisis that risks tipping the region into recession.

Known as an "act of God" clause, force majeure is standard in business contracts and defines extreme circumstances that release a party from their legal obligations. The declaration does not necessarily mean that Gazprom will stop deliveries, rather that it should not be held responsible if it fails to meet contract terms.

Gazprom did not respond to a request for comment.

Russian gas supplies have been declining via major routes for some months, including via Ukraine and Belarus as well as through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline under the Baltic Sea.

A trading source, asking not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, said the force majeure concerned supplies through Nord Stream 1.

"This sounds like a first hint that the gas supplies via NS1 will possibly not resume after the 10-day maintenance has ended," said Hans van Cleef, senior energy economist at ABN Amro.

Depending on what extraordinary circumstances have in mind in order to declare the force majeure, and whether these issues are technical or more political, it could mean the next step in escalation between Russia and Europe/Germany," he added.

Uniper, Germany's biggest importer of Russian gas, was among the customers that said it had received a letter, and that it had formally rejected the claim as unjustified.

RWE, Germany's largest power producer and another importer of Russian gas, also said it has received a force majeure notice.

"Please understand that we cannot comment on its details or our legal opinion," the company said.

TURBINE DELAY

Gazprom cut Nord Stream 1 capacity to 40% on June 14, the date that Gazprom said in the letter to buyers would be the start of the force majeure.

Gazprom blamed sanctions for that reduction, citing the delay in the return of a gas turbine from maintenance in Canada by equipment supplier Siemens Energy.

Canada sent the turbine for the pipeline to Germany by plane on July 17 after repair work had been completed, Kommersant newspaper reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the situation.

It will take another five to seven days for the turbine to reach Russia, the report said, provided there are no problems with logistics and customs. Germany's economy ministry said on Monday it could not provide details of the turbine's whereabouts.

But a spokesperson for the ministry said it was a replacement part that was meant to be used only from September, meaning its absence could not be the real reason for the fall-off in gas flows prior to the maintenance.

Austrian oil and gas group OMV, however, said on Monday it expected gas deliveries from Russia through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to resume as planned after the outage.

"Gazprom's motivations are uncertain, but the declaration will not have a material impact on the current landscape," said Zongqiang Luo, gas analyst at consultancy Rystad Energy.

The European Union, which has imposed sanctions on Moscow, aims to stop using Russian fossil fuels by 2027 but wants supplies to continue for now as it develops alternative sources.

"Russia continues to use natural gas as a political and economic weapon," said White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, adding that the Biden administration continues to work to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian fossil fuels."Russias energy coercion has put pressure on energy markets, raised prices for consumers and threatened global energy security.

For Moscow and for Gazprom, the energy flows are a vital revenue stream as Western sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin terms a "special military operation," have strained Russian finances.

According to the Russian Finance Ministry, the federal budget received 6.4 trillion roubles ($114.29 billion) from oil and gas sales in the first half of the year. This compares with a planned 9.5 trillion roubles for the whole of 2022.

The grace period for payments on two of Gazprom's international bonds expires on July 19, and if foreign creditors are not paid by then the company will be technically in default.

($1 = 56.0000 roubles)

(Reporting by Julia Payne in LondonAdditional reporting by Christoph Steitz in Frankfurt, Bozorg Sharafedin in London and Jeff Mason in WashingtonWriting by Nina Chestney in LondonEditing by David Gaffen, Barbara Lewis and Matthew Lewis)
Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced the U.S. carrier will modernize its single-aisle fleet with the highly efficient 737 MAX to meet demand as well as its long-term sustainability goals. In a signing ceremony at the Farnborough International Airshow, the companies said Delta is ordering 100 737-10 jets  selecting the largest member of the 737 MAX family  with options for an additional 30 airplanes.

"The Boeing 737-10 will be an important addition to Delta's fleet as we shape a more sustainable future for air travel, with an elevated customer experience, improved fuel efficiency and best-in-class performance," said Ed Bastian, Delta's chief executive officer. "These new aircraft provide superior operating economics and network flexibility, and the agreement reflects our prudent approach to deploying our capital."

Most importantly, Bastian said, "This aircraft will be piloted, served and maintained by the very best professionals in the business, and it's their hard work and dedication to our customers that always sets us apart."

The 737-10 will provide Delta Air Lines with the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle Boeing model, reducing fuel use and emissions by 20-30 percent compared to the airplanes it replaces. The jet can cover 99% of single-aisle routes around the world, seating up to 230 passengers with a maximum range of 3,300 nautical miles.

"We are proud that Delta Air Lines, is renewing its single-aisle fleet with the 737 MAX, the industry's most fuel-efficient family of airplanes," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Built in our factory in Washington state with support from key suppliers across the US, the 737-10 will provide Delta Air Lines with the best economics to carry more passengers across its short and medium-haul routes."

As part of today's announcement, Delta Air Lines has also contracted with Boeing Global Services for a full interior reconfiguration of 29 Next Generation 737-900ERs in its fleet. This will support having these airplanes ready to enter Delta Air Lines 2025 summer schedule with fully refreshed interiors.

One of the world's largest carriers, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines operates a fleet of more than 850 mainline aircraft, including more than 450 Boeing 717s, 737s, 757s and 767s.
Triumph Group, Inc. (TRIUMPH) (NYSE: TGI) announced that its Actuation Products and Services business has been awarded a contract from Boeing. The contract spans hundreds of variations of wire control cables used on the Boeing 737 MAX, 767, 777 and 777X programs. TRIUMPH will provide manufacturing, and life cycle support for these highly engineered mechanical components. The work under this agreement will be performed at TRIUMPH's Shelbyville, Indiana facility.

"We are proud to be selected as the provider for Boeing's wire control cable requirements. We will continue to deliver enhanced value to Boeing over the life of the contract," said Mike Boland, President of Triumph Actuation Product and Services.

TRIUMPH is a leading provider of mechanical and electro-mechanical control cables for commercial, military, and industrial platforms applications and has been providing wire control cables to Boeing since 2003.

TRIUMPH Actuation Products & Services is a leader in design, development, manufacture and support of complex electro-hydraulic and mechanical systems and equipment for the aerospace and defense industry. Products include actuators, pumps, motors, reservoirs, control valves and a wide range of mechanical controls for commercial and military aircraft. Our Actuation Products & Services business services customers around the world with ten manufacturing sites across North America and Europe.

TRIUMPH, headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs, and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems and components. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators.

More information about TRIUMPH can be found on the company's website at www.triumphgroup.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/triumph-receives-contract-from-boeing-for-wire-control-cables-301587891.html

SOURCE Triumph Group
FILE PHOTO: David Velez, cofounder and CEO of Nubank, and his wife Mariel Reyes, attend the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley Media Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., July 7, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

By Tatiana Bautzer

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Nubank, Latin America's largest fintech, is growing faster than expected in Mexico, Chief Executive David Velez said in an interview.

We thought it would be hard to beat the growth we had in Brazil in Mexico, and we now see Mexican ops beating Brazil metrics.

In a year and a half, Nu Mexico reached 2.1 million customers, equivalent to 2.2% of the country's total adult population. In Brazil, Nubank reached 53.9 million clients, equivalent to 30% of the adult population, after nine years.

Nubank became the largest issuer of new cards in Mexico in 18 months; such a position was only achieved in Brazil after five years, according to the CEO.

Competition in the financial sector is smaller in Mexico than in Brazil, Velez added. Almost 90% of Mexicans don't have access to credit cards, according to a survey by Comision Nacional Bancaria y de Valores.

Now the fintech backed by large investors such as Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and Softbank Group Corp wants to accelerate growth in Mexico with a $650 million loan it obtained in April to expand international activities. "There is a huge growth opportunity in the country", he said.

Velez said the drop of Nubank shares is "disappointing"-- the stock is almost 60% down this year. Less interest for investment in tech companies has reduced competition for assets and may allow Nubank to acquire startups, Velez said. He added that the fintech is involved in "several conversations" that may result in acquisitions in Latin America and the U.S.

The Nubank CEO said he is not worried about the rise in delinquencies in the credit portfolio, saying delinquencies were kept "artificially low" during the pandemic. Nubank has four times more deposits than credit, Velez added, saying the risk is low. Nubank still has a large cash position from the $2.8 billion raised in its initial public offering.

(Reporting by Tatiana Bautzer; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: The corporate logo of Northrop Grumman is shown on a Fire Scout MQ-8 B unmanned helicopter during a ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, May 2, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Blake

(Reuters) - Defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp said on Monday it had won a contract to build and deploy a low-Earth orbit constellation of 14 satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency.

The satellites are part of the agency's plan to build the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer for detecting, identifying and track hypersonic weapons and other advanced missiles from their earliest stages of launch through interception.

The agency said the Northrop award had a potential value of about $617 million.

The space agency also awarded a similar contract to L3Harris Technologies Inc, with a potential value of about $700 million.

The launch of the satellites is expected to start in April 2025.

(Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
New York, NY, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The McNulty Foundation and the Aspen Institute today announced the three winners of the 2022 John P. McNulty Prize, each of whom will receive $150,000 towards their organization. Their transformative social ventures are striving to end malnutrition worldwide, sparking a movement of guaranteed income programs in the US, and harnessing renewable technology to bring clean drinking water to communities, even in the most remote locations.

Since 2008, the McNulty Prize has identified leaders and ventures with innovative models of change, and put them on a fast track to greater recognition and support. "The McNulty Prize elevates global leaders who have answered the call to respond to the injustices of our time, said McNulty Foundation president Anne Welsh McNulty. Each of these breakthrough solutions represent a powerful model to ensure the essential elements of a life with dignity: food, water, and basic funds."

These courageous individuals and their organizations present three answers to dramatic worldwide disruptions of our human rights, said McNulty Prize juror Brizio Biondi-Morra. In a time of war, pandemic, racism, poverty, and social injustice, these ventures are mitigating despair with new and innovative models that promote human agency.

Learn more about the Winners:

NOURISHING THE WORLDS CHILDREN

Navyn Salem founded Edesia after witnessing the fatal effects of childhood malnutrition in her fathers homeland of Tanzania. To date, Edesias specialized therapeutic foods have treated 17 million malnourished children in 60 countries. Their foods are distributed in partnership with USAID, the World Food Programme, UNICEF and local nonprofits to children at the frontlines of war, natural disasters, and other emergencies.

Edesia works to increase the resiliency and sustainability of the worlds emergency food system by driving research, innovation, and providing technical assistance to others, and advocates for prioritizing nutrition on the US and global policy agenda. They are doubling their production capacity to address the growing disruptions caused by the conflict in Ukraine, climate change, and other crises. We do not have time to think, said Salem, we need to act at this very moment to end malnutrition. Learn more here.

TRUSTING MOTHERS TO DO WHATS RIGHT FOR THEIR FAMILIES

Dr. Aisha Nyandoro launched the cash transfer program Magnolia Mothers Trust to break the cycle of poverty in Jackson, Mississippi. Magnolia Mothers Trust replaces an adversarial system of welfare with one that trusts mothers to do what is best for their families. The program gives Black mothers in federally subsidized housing $1,000 a month for a total of one year, with no strings attachedand a college savings account for their children.

When we invest in our most vulnerable, Nyandoro said, that is when society flourishes. This one-year cash infusion enables families to reach longer-term stability: mothers increased their ability to pay all bills on time (from 27% to 83%), families with health insurance rose by 25%, and families with emergency savings increased from 40% to 88%. The model has inspired over 100 similar programs around the country, and its evidence has shaped practical and popular policies like the US Child Tax Credit. Learn more here.

MAKING WATER RENEWABLE FOR COMMUNITIES

Materials scientist Dr. Cody Friesen founded SOURCE Global, whose innovative hydropanels use the sun to transform water vapor in the air into high-quality drinking water, even in remote, low-humidity locations. A public benefit corporation, SOURCE has brought clean drinking water to over 450 projects in 50 countries, focusing on Indigenous communities and others that have been historically neglected. Through technology, communities around the world can regain ownership over water access and security, said Friesen.

SOURCEs impact goes beyond waterenabling women and girls to go to school or work instead of traveling to fetch water, and employing local community members to install and maintain the panels. Savings are generated from an alternative to bottled water, and health improves with a reliable, safe, source of water. In 2021 alone, SOURCE water offset over 3.6 million plastic water bottles. Learn more here.

Tune in to a livestream of this years Winners sharing their breakthrough solutions at the Resnick Aspen Action Forum in Aspen, CO on July 27th.

Visit mcnultyfound.org and follow the conversation on Twitter @McNultyFound and on Instagram @mcnultyfoundation with #McNultyPrize. Press should contact [email protected] for more information.

About the John P. & Anne Welsh McNulty FoundationThe McNulty Foundation seeks to give transformational support to emerging and established leaders at pivotal moments in their leadership journey. Founded in 1985, the Foundation embodies the founders belief that every individual deserves agency and opportunity in their own lives, and that courageous individuals can have a multiplier effect through their leadership. The John P. McNulty Prize celebrates breakthrough leaders of organizations dedicated to dismantling intractable problems. Created by Anne Welsh McNulty in honor of her late husband, the annual award is a call to action, recognizing Winners who have demonstrated moral courage, a vision for change, and a track record of bold and lasting impact. Each receives $150,000 and support to amplify their efforts. They are selected by an international jury that includes Darren Walker, Cheryl Dorsey, Olara Otunnu, and Brizio Biondi-Morra. Previous juries have included Madeleine Albright, Richard Branson, Mary Robinson, and Bill Gates, Sr. The McNulty Prize is given in partnership with the Aspen Institute, to recognize exceptional leadership ventures undertaken by their Fellows. For more information, visit mcnultyfound.org.

Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners. For more information, visit aspeninstitute.org.

The Aspen Global Leadership Networks (AGLN) is a growing, worldwide community of more than 3,000 high-integrity, entrepreneurial leaders from over 60 countries who share a commitment to values-based leadership and to using their creativity, energy and resources to tackle the foremost societal challenges of our times. or sector-specific AGLN Fellowships around the world. Fellows convene annually at the AGLNs flagship event, the Resnick Aspen Action Forum. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org/agln.

Ascend at the Aspen Institute is a catalyst and convener for systems, policy, and social impact leaders working to create a society where every family passes a legacy of prosperity and well-being from one generation to the next. Ascend co-creates and elevates innovative two-generation (2Gen) approaches with families and partners to forge pathways to educational success and economic mobility for both children and the adults in their lives. For more information, visit ascend.aspeninstitute.org.

Nina Sawhney McNulty Foundation [email protected]

Source: The Aspen Institute
MIAMI, July 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a major boost to the global fight against criminal syndicates engaged in the illicit trafficking of flora and fauna, ACAMS has partnered with TRAFFIC to launch a Simplified Chinese (SCH) version of its free-of-charge Ending Illegal Wildlife Trade: A Comprehensive Overview certificate.

The original certificate launched in 2020 developed by ACAMS and The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), with the support of the Basel Institute on Governance, United for Wildlife and the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, trains anti-financial crime (AFC) professionals on how to identify and investigate signs of an estimated $23 billion in illicit proceeds generated annually by criminals engaged in the illegal wildlife trade (IWT). The version launched today includes China specific case studies.

In addition to outlining the complex methodologies used to circumvent import-export laws and anti-money laundering (AML) controls of financial institutions, the SCH version of the certificate features new case studies highlighting recent ivory, timber, and wildlife-trafficking investigations in Thailand, Tanzania, and China.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which has focused on money laundering linked to environmental crime since 2019, concluded in a June 2020 report that IWT is a major transnational organised crime that fuels corruption, threatens biodiversity, and undermines the integrity of the financial system sector by exploiting banks and other institutions. Despite such concerns, nations rarely investigate the financial trail left by IWT syndicates, FATF noted.

Wildlife trafficking networks are international by nature, and their illicit proceeds often flow through accounts held for front and shell companies across multiple jurisdictions, said ACAMS CEO Scott Liles. Thats why its critical that AFC professionals in Asia and other parts of the globe understand how to identify, report, and mitigate the risks associated with IWT schemes.

Were proud that our continued partnership with WWF and now TRAFFIC has enabled us to not only to offer a Simplified Chinese version of our original IWT certificate but also to expand its scope with new content, he said. No jurisdiction is immune to this transnational crime that threatens our ecosystem while undercutting efforts to protect the financial system.

While traffickers smuggle wildlife from country to country, continent to continent, they exploit legitimate financial services to transfer proceeds of this multibillion-dollar crime internationally. Combating illegal wildlife trade through anti-money laundering measures is an innovative yet fairly new approach in China, even globally. Financial institutions undoubtedly play a significant role in exposing and interrupting the financial flow of wildlife crime, said TRAFFIC China Director Ling XU.

The ACAMS and TRAFFIC-led Simplified Chinese version of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Certificate Program will go a long way towards bridging the gaps in awareness in the financial systems that these criminals exploit to move, hide, and launder the proceeds of the illegal trade in wildlife. Through public-private partnerships and professional education we can make a dent in the illegal financial flows associated with wildlife trafficking, said Dr. Eric Wikramanayake, Lead of WWFs Asia Pacific Counter-Illegal Wildlife Trade Hub.

Now available in two languages, the Ending Illegal Wildlife Trade: A Comprehensive Overview certificate is one of five free social-impact programs launched by ACAMS since 2020, and the first of three designed to help AFC professionals identify IWT-related activity.

The Simplified Chinese translation of the certificate can be accessed via the ACAMS Learning Management System here.

About ACAMS

ACAMS is the largest international membership organization dedicated to providing opportunities for anti-financial crime (AFC) education, best practices, and peer-to-peer networking to AFC professionals globally. With over 90,000 members across 180 jurisdictions, ACAMS is committed to the mission of ending financial crime through the provision of anti-money laundering/counterterrorism-financing and sanctions knowledge-sharing, thought leadership, risk-mitigation services, ESG initiatives, and platforms for public-private dialogue. The associations CAMS certification is the gold-standard qualification for AFC professionals, while the CGSS certification is its premier specialist qualification for sanctions professionals. ACAMS 60 Chapters globally further amplify the associations mission through training and networking initiatives. Visit acams.org for more information.

About TRAFFIC

TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organisation working to ensure that wildlife trade is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Our team of staff around the world carry out research, investigations and analysis to compile the evidence we use to catalyse action by governments, businesses and individuals, in collaboration with a wide range of partners, to help ensure that wildlife trade is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Our team works in and connects across some of the worlds most critical wildlife trade hotspots to identify and help address both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development challenges and opportunities linked to trade in wild species. Visit traffic.org to find out more.

Lashvinder Kaur Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists +44 7388 264478 [email protected]

Source: Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists
PERTH, Australia, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today announced continued investment in its Economic Consulting segment in Australia with the appointment of Monish Paul as a Senior Managing Director.



Mr. Paul, who is based in Perth, has more than 25 years of experience advising clients in business and regulatory economics, transaction advisory and business transformation. Over his career, he has held senior positions in global management consulting firms including IBM and Deloitte, with a focus on government and public policy, infrastructure, energy and financial services.

Robert Southern, a Senior Managing Director and Head of Australian Economic & Financial Consulting at FTI Consulting, said, Monishs extensive experience across a number of consulting and industry roles will further strengthen our national team and service offerings into Western Australia and the broader Australian market.

Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Mr. Paul co-founded a boutique corporate advisory firm in Perth that focused on areas such as business strategy, capital and commercial structures, business economics and ESG. He is a respected non-executive director, and his current directorships include Western Power Corporation, P&N Limited and Landgate.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Paul said, Western Australia is a unique market, with world-class expertise in several industries as well as significant investments being made in economic and social infrastructure. I look forward to bringing FTI Consultings global expertise to clients in the market.

About FTI Consulting

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organisations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. With more than 6,900 employees located in 30 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and make the most of opportunities. The Company generated $2.78 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2021. In certain jurisdictions, FTI Consultings services are provided through distinct legal entities that are separately capitalised and independently managed. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com and connect with us on Twitter (@FTIConsulting), Facebook and LinkedIn.

FTI Consulting, Inc.

Central Park, level 47/152-158

St Georges Terrace,

Perth WA 6000

Australia

+61.8.9321.8533

Investor Contact:

Mollie Hawkes

+1.617.747.1791

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Rebecca Hine

+1.61.7.3225.4972

[email protected]
ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) ("Company" or "Kraig Labs"), the biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of spider silk, announces the signing of its first 3rd party production contract for large scale manufacturing of the Company's recombinant spider silk. The Company expects to immediately begin operations with this contractor to produce hundreds of kilograms of spider silk per month and to achieve production levels reaching multiple metric tons of spider silk per month as early as the first quarter of 2023. The contractor is in possession of the Companys specialized eggs and anticipates a 90-day ramp-up for the first deliveries under the contract.

Pilot testing with this contractor during the first two quarters of 2022 demonstrated the capacity and expertise of this manufacturer to operate at a large scale and with excellent quality.

Under the contract terms, Kraig Labs will become a minority owner of the silk producer. Kraig Labs will have complete access to the manufacturer's financial records and an onsite presence to ensure the proper handling and security of the Company's propriety spider silk technology.

"Our business model was designed to leverage the existing silk production infrastructure. The signing of this agreement rapidly expands our access into that production network and brings us to the next critical stage in our business plan," said Company COO Jon Rice. "Working with this contract manufacturer, we will soon be ready to deliver metric tons of eco-responsible and cost-effective spider silk to the consumer markets."

In the coming days, the Company plans to release the first in a series of behind-the-scenes videos looking into its operations in Vietnam and the commercialization of its spider silk materials.

To view the most recent news from Kraig Labs and/or to sign up for Company alerts, please go to www.KraigLabs.com/news.

About Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (www.KraigLabs.com), a fully reporting biotechnology company, is a developer of genetically engineered spider silk based fiber technologies.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

Statements in this press release about the Company's future and expectations other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These statements are made on the basis of management's current views and assumptions. As a result, there can be no assurance that management's expectations will necessarily come to pass. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as "believes," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "estimated," "hopes," "if," "develops," "researching," "research," "pilot," "potential," "could" or other words or phrases of similar import. Forward looking statements include descriptions of the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions and goals. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

Ben Hansel, Hansel Capital, LLC(720) 288-8495[email protected]

Source: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories
CHICAGO, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mastek, a turnkey & trusted Digital Engineering and Cloud Transformation provider, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire MST Solutions.

MST Solutions is based in Chandler, AZ, and is an independent Salesforce consulting partner in the Americas region. MST is a trusted partner to several Fortune 1000 and large enterprise clients. MST has built a strong reputation for themselves, especially in the Healthcare, Public Sector and Manufacturing Industry verticals.

"Mastek's Business Outcomes and Industry First DNA paired with MST's Salesforce led innovation capabilities will only strengthen the value we will deliver to our customers and help them in their journey to Decomplex Digital. This acquisition is expected to significantly increase our market share in existing accounts across industries in the Americas and provide a foundation to scale our Digital Transformation business globally," shared Hiral Chandrana, Global CEO, Mastek.

"We're thrilled to join the Mastek family. We share a strong cultural alignment and a deep commitment to the growth and experience of our colleagues. Partnering with Mastek is the right choice for us to expand into a global market with a continued focus on delivering outcomes for our customers. By combining our decade of experience in the Salesforce ecosystem across multiple clouds with Mastek's global scale, we'll be able to deliver value across a wide range of integrated service offerings," said Thiru Thangarathinam, Founder and CEO, MST Solutions.

"Our partner ecosystem is a key growth driver of the Salesforce Economy," said Tyler Prince, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Alliances & Channels, Salesforce. "The combined power of Mastek and MST Solutions will help companies drive their digital transformations and connect with their customers in this new digital economy."

"Mastek has built a Build-Buy-Partner strategic vision for Digital & Cloud services and Salesforce is identified as a growth opportunity. MST brings in all the right attributes with deep expertise in Salesforce clouds to help us achieve this strategy and provide differentiated industry solutions," shared Raman Sapra, President and Global Chief Growth Officer for Mastek.

Salesforce and others are among the trademarks of salesforce.com, inc.

About Mastek:

Mastek is a turnkey & trusted Digital Engineering & Cloud Transformation partner that delivers Innovative Solutions and Business Outcomes for clients in Healthcare & Life Sciences, Retail, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Government/Public Sector, etc. We enable customer success and business change programs by partnering with enterprises to unlock the power of data, modernize applications to the cloud, and accelerate digital advantage for all stakeholders. Customers Trust Mastek to deliver Business Value with Velocity, and we operate in 40+ countries including the UK, Americas, Europe, Middle East, APAC with ~5000 employees. We are in the business of de-complexing Digital and making our clients future-ready with an industry-first approach. Evosys, a Mastek company, is an Oracle Partner and a leading Oracle Cloud implementation and consultancy provider and has executed programs for 1,300+ Oracle Cloud clients. For more details, please visit our website www.mastek.com

Acknowledgments: E&Y served as exclusive financial advisor to Mastek, and Honigman LLP and Khaitan & Co. served as legal counsel.

About MST Solutions:

Founded in 2012, MST Solutions is the largest independent Salesforce consulting partner in the American Southwest region. With Summit level status in the Salesforce ecosystem and a 5 out 5 Customer Satisfaction score, they're service experts who take service to a whole new level. Through the framework of a proven effective Roadmap to Results, their team of Salesforce architects, developers, project managers, and administrators add their expertise to your team to craft agile, innovative solutions that answer your organization's operational challenges today and grow as you grow. For more details, please visit our website www.mstsolutions.com

Acknowledgments: Canaccord Genuity served as exclusive financial advisor to MST Solutions, and Weiss Brown served as legal counsel.

Press Contact:

Mastek: Kashmira Chavan | [email protected]

MST Solutions: Emma Dicker | [email protected]

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Source: Mastek
FILE PHOTO: Meta and Giphy logos are seen in this illustration taken June 16, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's competition regulator said on Monday it would carry out another review of Facebook owner Meta's acquisition of Giphy after a tribunal quashed its original decision to block it.

Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last year ordered Meta to sell animated images platform Giphy, which it acquired for a reported $400 million, because of its concerns about a loss of a possible competitor in advertising, and the potential impact on social media rivals.

Last month, the U.S. tech giant partially won an appeal against the regulator, when Britain's Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT) said that the CMA had "failed properly to consult" and had "wrongly excised portions from its decision".

The CAT said it had quashed the regulator's ruling and referred the matter back for a new decision.

In response, the CMA said the tribunal had endorsed its approach to reviewing mergers that might harm innovation, but had agreed to reconsider its ruling.

"We will commence our review shortly," it said.

(Reporting by Shanima A in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Michael Holden)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2022) - Bayhorse Silver Inc, (TSXV: BHS) (OTCQB: BHSIF) (FSE: 7KXN) (the "Company" or "Bayhorse") provides a Corporate Update on the Company's activities.

The Company has received gold and silver assays of samples taken from three Idaho gold claims it is acquiring as part of plans to provide additional gold/silver feed to the Bayhorse Mill.

The claims are on a large gold bearing structure, that extend north from, and are in close proximity to, Integra's Delamar Gold Project in Southwest Idaho, 120 km (75 miles) from the Bayhorse Mill. The significant gold mineralization in Southwestern Idaho is considered the northern extension of the Carlin Gold Trend.

The arseno-pyrite chip samples were taken from exposed outcrop on the structure that extends over 3 km (1.9 miles) on strike. The samples were fire assayed and returned 33.28 g/t (1.068 oz/t) gold and 96.42 g/t (3.1 oz/t) silver and 4.98 g/t (0.16 oz/t) gold and 138 g/t (4.45 oz/t) silver. These grades compare favorably to prior samples taken from claims on trend by the Company that returned 37.69 g/t (1.202 opt) gold, 40.31 g/t (1.296 opt) gold and 0.62 g/t (0.02 oz/t) gold. Under the small miner exemptions, a surface bulk sampling program on the between 10 - 20 ft wide structure is planned. Any bulk material sampled from the claims will be processed at the Company's Bayhorse Mill in Payette, Oregon.

The Company advises that chip samples are considered select samples and are not indicative of, or representative of, mined grades.

The Bayhorse Mill is capable of floating silver and gold from run of mine mill feed to produce concentrate. The Company has been in discussions with various independent operators to process their, mainly gold production, at the Bayhorse Mill. The Company intends to seek JV's with some of these independent operators and will increase the Mill capacity as required.

Currently, Bayhorse silver run of mine mill feed, concentrate and flotation tails are undergoing leach testing at SGS Australia using the advanced leaching techniques developed by Clean Earth Technologies of Singapore, in conjunction with CSIRO, Australia. If leachability recovery exceeds flotation recovery, the Company will then assess whether it can go from Mine, to Mill, and directly to Silver Metal production at its Payette Mill. The leaching test results are expected mid-August, 2022.

Bayhorse CEO, Graeme O'Neill comments, "Silver has dropped dramatically, over 30% in the last 90 days, and while gold has dropped significantly also, it has only seen a 15% drop in prices, leaving the Gold/Silver Ratio back at a very high 92:1." "While currently, gold and silver prices are under pressure, that is being attributed to the parabolic rise in the US$, the Company believes that this is an opportune time to add highly prospective and readily accessible and mineable gold/silver properties that have recently become available in close proximity to the Company's Payette milling facility to its portfolio."

"It has been our goal at the Bayhorse Silver Mine to be able to produce silver metal directly from the Mine at our Milling facility. Initially, the flotation tails will be leached to ensure any positive lab results can be replicated in the field, after which the run of mine material will be subjected to leaching. The Company has been advised that silver can be precipitated directly from the leachate. Successful leaching results will permit this to become a reality. This will permit the Company to balance off the significantly increased logistics costs, including transportation and container shipping costs, that many producing companies are experiencing."

At Brandywine, the Company has been advised that due to staffing changes, the BC Mines permitting process suffered delays. These issues appear to have been resolved, and the drill permitting process is now back on track. The Company has advised the diamond drill contractor, subject to timely permitting, of a tentative drilling schedule, that the contractor has stated they can meet.

In the Company's QA/QC Report of 2020, the 2010 drill core from the Dave's Pond drilling program was resampled and due to the presence of visible gold in the core, re-assayed using metallic screen assay. Gold values of up to 20.2 g/t (0.65 oz/t) Au over 1.5 m core length were returned from the re-assay of drillhole BRW10-05.

The planned diamond drill program is to comprehensively drill the Dave's Pond gold targets as soon as required permits are obtained to confirm the presence of high grade visible gold as identified in the QA/QC Report and the Brandywine NI-43-101 Report of 2021.

The Company's Annual General Meeting date has been set to be held at 10AM PDT at 2751 Graham Street Victoria BC, V8T 3Z1 on September 15, 2022.

The Company announces that, subject to TSX-V Exchange approval, a non-brokered private placement of up to 10,000,000 Units at $0.04 cents per Unit, for gross proceeds of $400,000.

Each $0.04 cent Unit will consist of one (1) common share and one (1) transferable common share purchase warrant, with each warrant exercisable into one (1) common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.10 cents, exercisable for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.

The proceeds of the financing are for the Bayhorse Silver Mine and Mill operations working capital, for Brandywine exploration, and for general and administrative expenses.

In addition to any other exemption available to the Company, participation in the non-brokered financing is also open to all existing shareholders, even if not accredited investors, under the "existing shareholder" exemption of National Instrument 45-106 as promulgated in Multilateral CSA notice 45-313 in participating jurisdictions.

Securities issued under this placement will be subject to a four month plus a day hold period from the date of issuance.

The Company is not basing any decision to produce on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and advises there is an increased uncertainty and specific economic and technical risk of failure with any production decision. These risks include, but are not limited to, (i) a drop in price of commodities produced, namely silver, copper, lead and zinc, from the pricing used to make a production decision; (ii) failure of grades of the produced material to fall within the parameters used to make the production decision; (iii) an increase in mining costs due to changes within the mine during development and mining procedures; and (iv) metallurgical recovery changes that cannot be anticipated at the time of production.

This News Release has been prepared on behalf of the Bayhorse Silver Inc. Board of Directors, which accepts full responsibility for its content. Dr. Stewart Jackson, P.Geo., a Qualified Person and Consultant to the Company has prepared, supervised the preparation of, and approved the technical content of this press release.

On Behalf of the Board.

Graeme O'Neill, CEO

866-399-6539, 604-684-3394

About Bayhorse Silver Inc.

Bayhorse Silver Inc. is an exploration and production company with a 100% interest in the historic Bayhorse Silver Mine located in Oregon, USA. With state of the art Steinert Ore-Sorting technology reducing waste rock entering the processing stream by up to 85%, we have created a minimum environmental impact facility capable of mining 200 tons of mineralization per day and the ability to process and supply 3,600 tons per year of silver/copper concentrate ranging between 7,500 to 15,000 g/t using standard flotation processing at its milling facility in nearby Payette County, Idaho, USA, with an offtake agreement in place with Ocean Partners UK Limited. The Company also has an option to acquire an 80% interest in the Brandywine high grade silver/gold property located in B.C. Canada. The Company has an experienced management and technical team with extensive mining expertise in both exploration and building mines.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131157
Vancouver, British Columbia and Rehovot, Israel--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2022) - BioHarvest Sciences Inc. (CSE: BHSC) (OTCQB: CNVCF) (FSE: 8MV) ("BioHarvest" or "the Company") ") is pleased to announce that its common shares are now trading on the OTCQB Venture Market under the ticker symbol "CNVCF".

"Admission to the OTCQB market is an important step to increase US investor access to BioHarvest Sciences, and it provides US investors an additional level of transparency as we expand both our investor base and our customer base in North America." Stated CEO Ilan Sobel. "We will continue to work on expanding our global visibility to investors to match the commercial entry of our products into new markets."

The BioHarvest Sciences Executive team holds regular online meetings to maintain close ties with the US investment community. All interested media and investors are invited to contact [email protected] for information on the Company's next interactive event. For more detail on 2022 progress, the July 7, Q2 Shareholder Update focuses on the Company's scale-up plans in the US for its VINIA product, and the market entry strategy for the Company's cannabis products. The recording of that event is available here: https://bioharvest.com/investors/

About the OTCQB Market

The OTCQB Venture Market is for early-stage and developing U.S. and international companies. To be eligible, companies must be current in their financial reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. The OTCQB quality standards provide a strong baseline of transparency, as well as the technology and regulation to improve the information and trading experience for investors.

Investors can find current financial disclosure and quotes for the company on https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/CNVCF.

BioHarvest Sciences will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) as "BHSC" and on Frankfurt as "8MV".

About BioHarvest Sciences Inc.

BioHarvest Sciences Inc. (CSE: BHSC) is a fast-growing Biotech firm listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. BioHarvest has developed a patented bio-cell growth platform technology capable of growing the active and beneficial ingredients in fruit and plants, at industrial scale, without the need to grow the plant itself. This technology is economical, ensures consistency, and avoids the negative environmental impacts associated with traditional agriculture. BioHarvest is currently focused on nutraceuticals and the medicinal cannabis markets. Visit: www.bioharvest.com.

BioHarvest Sciences Inc.

Ilan Sobel, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Dave Ryan, VP Investor Relations & Director

Phone: 1 (604) 622-1186

Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release includes forward-looking statements that are based on management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. There is no assurance that strong sales metrics experienced to date will result in future demand or that proposed additional marketing expenditures will result in increased sales. Markets for nutraceuticals are unpredictable and subject to changes in consumer tastes and trends as well as economic factors beyond our control. Delays and cost overruns may result in delays achieving our objectives obtaining market acceptance, and regulatory approvals for geographic expansion are subject to risk and cannot be guaranteed. Projected sales of BioHarvest products will require the Company to obtain production and/or export licensing which cannot be assured.

All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and actual results may be affected by a number of material factors beyond our control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. BHSC does not intend to update forward-looking statement disclosures other than through our regular management discussion and analysis disclosures.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131117
Delta, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2022) - Desert Gold Ventures Inc. (TSXV: DAU) (FSE: QXR2) (OTCQB: DAUGF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce results from the first RC/core hole drilled to test the Linnguekoto West Deposit, a metallurgical hole drilled into the Barani East Deposit and the first 2 holes drilled into the Mogoyafara South Deposit.

Desert Gold's President & CEO, Jared Scharf, commented, "I'm very pleased to have drilled our first three holes at Mogoyafara South and Linngeukoto West. Drill results confirm and support the historic drilling done by Hyundai circa 2002. Obviously much more drilling is needed at these deposits as they have only been tested to shallow depths and are mostly open to depth and along strike to the North and South. The metallurgical test hole at Barani East returned significantly higher grades than anticipated which bodes well when or if mining is carried out in this area."

The Linnguekoto West Zone, which hosts inferred mineral resources of 66,200 ounces of gold in 1.39 million tonnes of gold mineralization grading 1.48 g/t gold1, is located in the south-central part of the property (see Figure 5). One hole was drilled to acquire firsthand information as to the character of the zone. This hole returned a best intercept of 1.83 g/t Au over 27* metres including 2.25 over 20.7 metres and 26.5 g/t Au over 1.0 metres. As well, this hole returned a new gold lens intercept of 0.61 g/t Au over 23.8 metres, including 1.26 g/t gold over 5 metres and 0.64 g/t gold over 8.9 metres (Figure 1). The zones are hosted by moderately to intensely fractured and quartz veined siltstones, shales, limestone and micro-conglomerate (Figure 2). The Linnguekoto West Zone is interpreted to represent a steep-dipping higher-grade structure flanked by a series of shallow-dipping, gold-bearing dilational structures. More drilling is required to validate this model.

* True width is estimated at 13 metres

** True width unknown

1March 3, NI-43-101 compliant report (NI 43-101 Technical Report on the SMSZ Project, Mali, Mineral Resource Report" with an effective date of January 12, 2022)





Figure 1. Cross-section Linnguekoto West Zone



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/131096_05076006945f8a9c_001full.jpg





Figure 2. Core from Linnguekoto West hole KO-22-RCD-001 showing quartz vein healed, fractured siltstone and shale

* Estimated true thickness 13 metres

** Estimated true thickness unknown as hole was drilled down dip for collection of metallurgical samples



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/131096_05076006945f8a9c_006bfull.jpg

The Barani East metallurgical hole returned higher than expected grades returning 12.41 g/t gold over 45 metres (true width is unknown - see Figure 3). Nearby holes, that intersected the zone returned 7.82 g/t gold over 13 metres, 5.66 g/t gold over 16 metres and 1.5 g/t gold over 25 metres and 1.58 g/t gold over 7 metres. (True width in these holes is estimated at 80-90% of drilled length). The goal for this hole was to collect enough oxidized mineralization in one hole for a series of metallurgical and geotechnical tests and as a result was drilled mostly down dip. Core from this hole will be used to evaluate the gravity gold, heap leach and geotechnical characteristics of the oxidized upper portion of the Barani East Zone (see Figure 5 for location of the zone). Previous metallurgical work estimates gravity gold recoveries up to 64% with typical CN leach recoveries, together totalling up to 98.6%.





Figure 3. Section Barani East metallurgical hole MET-001



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/131096_05076006945f8a9c_009bfull.jpg

The final 2 holes of the program began the testing of the Mogoyafara South Zone (see Figure 5 for location) with two pit areas tested with holes approximately 800 metres apart. Gold mineralized zones were intersected where expected with better than expected widths of mineralization in hole KO-22-RC-001 with an intercept of 0.75 g/t Au over 17 metres (true widths estimated to be 88% of drilled width - Figure 4). Based on holes, 25 metres on either side, an 8-10 metre wide zone was expected (see Figure 4). Most of the gold mineralization in this hole is hosted by felsic intrusion. Less mineralization than expected was intersected in hole KO-22-RC-002. This hole, however, ended in gold mineralization, suggesting that the gold-bearing system is still open to depth. A significant amount of drilling is still required both to validate and test for zone extensions.





Figure 4. Mogoyafara South Zone. Cross section new hole KO-22-RC-001



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/131096_05076006945f8a9c_012bfull.jpg





Figure 5. Plan Map Mineral Deposits and Zones, significant drill hole intercepts*, soil geochem summary on color-contoured analytical signal; magnetic data

*All gold grades over width, with the exception of the Soa, Berola and Gourbassi prospects, represent drill holes with the true widths, for most holes, ranging from 65 to 95%. Estimated true widths for the Soa and Berola prospects are unknown. Estimated true widths at the Gourbassi Zones are estimated to range from 60% to 90%.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/131096_05076006945f8a9c_013full.jpg

Next Steps

Wire framing of the GWN lenses is in progress with a goal to plan additional drill holes and update the resource estimate. Auger and additional AC holes to the north and east of the Gourbassi West North Zone, as well as follow-up to 2021 drill and auger results, which were not completed during the recent program, still need to be drilled. A highlight summary of the 2021 high priority targets requiring follow-up include the following:

Sola

- 2.04 g/t gold over 30 metres Kamana

- 1.80 g/t gold over 17 metres Manakoto

- 1.65 g/t gold over 21 metres Sorokoto South

- 2.68 g/t gold over 6 metres Frikidi

- gold in auger values of 8,650, 3,100, 2.370, 462 and 440 ppb gold



A detailed review of the metallurgy and mineability of the oxide gold resources, with a start at the higher-grade Barani East Deposit, is in progress.

A follow-up drill program is being designed for the Gourbassi West North, Mogoyafara South and Linnguekoto West deposits.

QAQC

All auger and drill samples are delivered to SGS in Bamako, Mali where they are prepped. The prepped samples, are both shipped by truck to SGS's facility in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, or remain at SGS's laboratory in Bamako, for Au determination by fire assay. Standards, assay blanks and sample duplicates, are inserted into the assay stream every 22 to 30 samples, respectively equaling one control sample for every approximately every 8 assay samples. All assay batches are reviewed for quality with re-assays requested 20 samples on either side of standards that assay more than 2 to 3 SD from an excepted value and for blanks that contain more than 10 ppb gold.

Ashanti Gold drill results QAQC Procedures for the Gourbassi East and West Zones

Certified Reference Materials and Blanks were inserted into the sample stream at the rate of 1:20 samples. Field duplicates are collected at the rate of 1:50 samples. All samples have been analyzed by SGS Laboratories in Bamako with standard preparation methods and 50g fire assay with atomic absorption finish. SGS does their own introduction of QA/QC samples into the sample stream and reports them to Ashanti for double checking. Higher grade samples are reanalyzed from pulp or reject material or both.

Hyundai QAQC Procedures

Desert Gold does not have any information regarding Hyundai's QAQC procedures at the Linnegukoto West Zone. However, based on follow-up of historic drill results in the Barani Area indicates an acceptable level of accuracy.

This press release contains certain scientific and technical information. The Company is solely responsible for the contents and accuracy of any scientific and technical information related to it. Don Dudek, P.Geo. a director of Desert Gold both Qualified Persons under National Instrument 43-101, have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this press release.

On Behalf of the Board

"Jared Scharf"

___________________________

Jared Scharf

President & CEO

About Desert Gold

Desert Gold Ventures Inc. is a gold exploration and development company which holds 2 gold exploration permits in Western Mali (SMSZ Project and Djimbala) and its Rutare gold project in central Rwanda. In Mali, Desert Gold's SMSZ property hosts Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 8.47 million tonnes grading 1.14 g/t gold totaling 310,300 ounces and Inferred Mineral Resources of 20.7 million tonnes grading 1.16 g/t gold totaling 769,200 ounces. For further information please visit www.SEDAR.com under the company's profile. Website: www.desertgold.ca

This news release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations, are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks, and actual results may differ materially from those contained in such statements. These uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, the strength of the capital markets, the price of gold; operational, funding, liquidity risks, the degree to which Mineral Resource estimates are reflective of actual Mineral Resources, the degree to which factors which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable, and the risks and hazards associated with mining operations. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and available at www.sedar.com and readers are urged to read these materials. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such statements unless required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States securities act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to the account or benefit of a U.S. person absent an exemption from the registration requirements of such act.

Contact

Jared Scharf, President and CEO

Email: [email protected]

Tel. No.: +1 (858) 247-8195

Table 1. Summary of Significant Assays

BHID FROM (m) TO (m) LENGTH (m) Au_g/t KO-22-RC-001 8 14 6 0.34 Incl. 12 13 1 0.60 KO-22-RC-001 32 71 39 0.45 Incl. 53 70 17 0.75 KO-22-RC-001 74 94 20 0.31 Incl. 79 88 9 0.53 KO-22-RC-002 81 82 1 0.79 KO-22-RC-002 110 117 7 0.30 Incl. 113 114 1 1.21 KO-22-RC-002 124 141 17 0.28 KO-22-RC-002 133 135 2 0.65 KO-22-RC-002 144 150 6 0.29 KO-22-RCD-001 48 59 11 0.33 Incl. 54 57 3 0.61 KO-22-RCD-001 67 68 1 0.62 KO-22-RCD-001 90 98.9 8.9 0.64 KO-22-RCD-001 103.8 130.8 27.0 1.83 Incl. 112 113 1.0 26.5 KO-22-RCD-001 132.5 141.25 8.75 0.26 KO-22-RCD-001 152 153.6 1.6 0.13 KO-22-RCD-001 156.3 180 23.7 0.61 Incl. 174 179 5 1.26 BE-22-MET-001 0.5 45.5 45 12.4 Incl. 21.5 33.5 12 29.75

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131096
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2022) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed GABY Inc. (OTCQB: GABLF) ("the Company"), a California-focused retail consolidator and the owner of Mankind Dispensary, one of the oldest licensed dispensaries in California. CEO of the Company, Margot Micallef, joined Stock Day host Sever Copley.

Copley began the interview by asking about the Company's background and current projects. "We are a California-focused retail consolidator of dispensaries," said Micallef. "We bought our first dispensary in April of last year," she shared. "It is called the Mankind Dispensary, and it is one of the highest grossing dispensaries in California."

"Our goal is to consolidate in SoCal, using Mankind as the foundation for the SoCal market, and then look for a similar sized foundational dispensary in Northern California and growing in that area as well," she continued. "We also have our own proprietary brand that we sell out of our store, and our goal is to grow our brands as we grow our retail chains."

"My mission is to normalize cannabis consumption and to empower people to self-prescribe cannabis," shared Micallef. "We do that through our retail location by having a self-serve model, unlike other dispensaries."

"What sets GABY Inc. apart from all of the other companies?", asked Copley. "I would say that it is our management team," said Micallef. "One of the big failings in the cannabis industry has been lack of execution," she explained. "We have been very selective with the team that we've put together, and my strength is in building teams," she said. "Quite frankly, I believe we have the best management team in California cannabis."

Copley then asked about the Company's recently announced Q1 results, which reflected a 115% increase in revenues. "Part of that growth came from our moving to retail," said Micallef, noting that the Company also made significant strides towards increased operational efficiencies. "When we acquired Mankind Dispensary, we also increased our revenues, and it all serves as an example of the fact that we execute."

The conversation then turned to the investment potential of the cannabis industry. "There were a lot of large companies that raised significant capital and made a lot of promises, but did not deliver," explained Micallef. "There is some justification for investors to be negative with cannabis," she added. "However, if investors do their homework, they will find gems in the cannabis industry," she shared. "The industry is succeeding; there are good companies to invest in, including GABY."

To hear Margot Micallef's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/8122670-gaby-inc-discusses-q1-results-and-acquisition-strategy-with-the-stock-day-podcast

Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/

ABOUT GABY

GABY Inc. is a California-focused retail consolidator and the owner of Mankind Dispensary, one of the oldest licensed dispensaries in California. Mankind Dispensary is a well-known and highly respected dispensary with deep roots in the California cannabis community operating in San Diego. GABY curates and sells a diverse portfolio of products, including its own proprietary brands, Kind Republic" Dank Space" and Lulu's" through Mankind, A pioneer in the industry with a strong management team with experience in retail, consolidation, and cannabis, GABY is poised to grow its retail operations both organically and through acquisition.

GABY's common shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the symbol "GABY" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "GABLF". For more information on GABY, visit www.GABYInc.com or the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

For further inquiries, please contact:

General

Margot Micallef, Founder & CEO or Investor Relations at [email protected]

Media

Senior Communications Manager

Charlie Rohlfs

(631)579-0858

[email protected]

Currency Presentation

Unless otherwise indicated, all references to "$" or "C$" in this press release refer to Canadian dollars and all references to "US$" in this Listing Statement refer to United States dollars.

Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Information

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, management's expected continued improvement to GABY's profitability in 2022, the estimated current and future cost savings of the Company, the Company's future business strategy, including its plans to expand organically and through future acquisitions or greenfield expansions, and the anticipated benefits to be derived from GABY's New Standard Operating Procedures. Although GABY believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because GABY can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. Without limitation, these risks and uncertainties include: the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; risks associated with the cannabis industry in general; failure to benefit from partnerships or successfully integrate acquisitions; actions and initiatives of federal, state and provincial governments and changes to government policies and the execution and impact of these actions, initiatives and policies; the size of the medical-use and adult-use cannabis market; competition from other industry participants; adverse United States ("U.S."), Canadian and global economic conditions; failure to comply with certain regulations; and departure of key management personnel or inability to attract and retain talent. GABY undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To the extent any information contained in forward-looking statements in this press release constitutes "future-oriented financial information" or "financial outlooks" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, such information is being provided to demonstrate the anticipated financial performance of the Company and the reader is cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose and the reader should not place undue reliance on such future-oriented financial information or financial outlooks. Future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks, as with forward-looking statements generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and subject to the risks set out above for forward-looking statements. The Company's actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from its management's current expectations and, as a result, the Company's actual revenue may differ materially from the prospective revenue estimates or projections provided in this press release. Such information is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be an indication of the Company's actual financial position or results of operations for the applicable financial periods.

Selected financial information outlined above for the Company's Q4 2021 and fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 should be read in conjunction with, GABY's audited annual financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, which has been filed on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and the Company's website www.GABYinc.com.

Each of Mankind and GABY Manufacturing, are subsidiaries of GABY and hold a cannabis license in the State of California. Readers are cautioned that unlike in Canada which has Federal 032320-F legislation uniformly governing the cultivation, distribution, sale and possession of medical cannabis under the Cannabis Act (Federal), in the U.S., cannabis is largely regulated at the State level. Cannabis is legal in the State of California; however, cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal laws. Notwithstanding the permissive regulatory environment of cannabis at the State level, cannabis continues to be categorized as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act in the U.S. and as such, cannabis-related practices or activities, including without limitation, the manufacture, importation, possession, use or distribution of cannabis are illegal under U.S. federal law. To the knowledge of the Company, the businesses operated by each of GABY's subsidiaries are conducted in a manner consistent with the State law of California, as applicable, and are in compliance with regulatory and licensing requirements applicable in the State of California, respectively. However, readers should be aware that strict compliance with State laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve GABY, or its subsidiary of liability under U.S. federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding in the U.S. which could be brought against any of GABY, or its subsidiary. Any such proceedings brought against GABY, or its subsidiary may materially adversely affect the Company's operations and financial performance generally in the U.S. market specifically.

About The "Stock Day" Podcast

Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America.

SOURCE:

Stock Day Media

(602) 821-1102

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131132
Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2022) - Australia-based global communications solution Soprano Design has announced the expansion of its product offering in the US. Soprano is one of the leading providers of intelligent and secure mobile messaging software solutions globally for businesses and consumers. More than 12 billion messages are sent from its Soprano Connect CPaaS platform annually. Its mission is to make communications more fluid and incorporate technology into existing solutions to make them more efficient.

Although Soprano has been operational for the best part of three decades and has worked across five continents with thousands of the world's leading organizations, industries, and product categories, recent product enhancements and acquisitions have opened up new opportunities for US customers. Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) generated $3.7 billion in 2021 and is set to reach $15 billion by 2026, showing a significant increase in demand for outbound and inbound communications. North America is set to represent 45% of the global CPaaS market value by 2026.

Soprano's CPaaS platform integrates already existing applications and encompasses multiple forms of communication into one platform. The platform is built for business users around a philosophy of simple set-up and minimal training. Soprano's core business is delivering interactive B2C communication, which allows the firms to engage with their customers, incident management by providing rapid alert messaging facilities in emergencies, and two-factor authentication for business communications.

"We have expanded to go beyond the traditional 160-character SMS based on a vision of evolving the way we communicate with each other. We're not a new company. In fact, we've been around for nearly the entire evolution of automated communications, and today we remain at the forefront of the next generation. Mobile users themselves are the driving force behind the evolution of the industry. The big shift today is that consumers and employees are aware there are ways they can engage in a more meaningful and exciting way, and they expect this from the brands they interact with," says Matt Thompson, Head of Marketing at Soprano.

Soprano ensures its services help clients to achieve their desired business outcomes through the orchestration of SMS, email, voice, and IP messaging communications by giving the right access to the right people and increasing their confidence. It can even assist businesses in reducing the risk of security breaches by enhancing data privacy controls and options for encrypted data at rest and in motion. The 'omnichannel platform' by Soprano combines a consistent customer experience across channels and the flexibility to interact with customers effectively. It enables the best possible business outcome by ensuring the right message reaches the target audience.

Soprano provides its clients with messaging security by offering control options for message data encryption, data protection, customer data privacy, and compliance features that can provide government-grade messaging. It also helps them formulate their messaging policy enforcement with advanced applications and tools for data governance.

Analysts estimate that as many as 80% of business entities will deploy conversational customer engagement based on CPaaS solutions to enhance customer experience and satisfaction. Soprano is committed to ensuring that businesses around the world get the most efficient CPaaS solutions.

Another study from Juniper Research predicts the growth of the CPaaS industry to a $34bn market worldwide. Soprano is determined to equip its clients with state-of-the-art automation technology to assist them in unleashing the potential of communication while engaging with their customers.

"Our mission has always been to help large organizations and governments create richer meaning, deeper trust, and better connections with their audiences. We are building technologies for the future of communication. At Soprano, we all work with energy, passion, and ambition to understand our client's unique communication needs and create technology solutions that help them unleash their full communication potential. There are still so many options out there that many businesses still aren't aware of," says Matt Thompson, head of marketing at Soprano.

Soprano is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. It has a regional presence in Europe, North America, South America, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. Soprano was founded by Dr. Richard Favero, Ph. D, in 1994 as a software consulting firm specializing in the emerging industry of object-oriented software development. Soprano has recently announced the acquisition of UK-based conversational AI firm ubisend as part of its business expansion plan.

Media contact

Name: Marisa Brown

Email: [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131195
COVINGTON, Ky., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Commonwealth Hotels announced today that Cynthia Conner has been appointed the general manager of the Homewood Suites by Hilton Mobile East Bay Daphne.https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cvgca-courtyard-cincinnati-airport/ Ms. Conner brings over 13 years of hospitality experience to her new role as general manager having previously served as the general manager for the Home2Suites in Pensacola, Florida.

An experienced leader in both operations and sales, Ms. Conner is responsible for overseeing and executing the hotel and property operations, including staff management, guest satisfaction, and community relations.

Prior to joining The Homewood Suites Mobile East Bay Daphne, Conner served in multiple leadership roles with Encore Hospitality, including general manager and dual director of operations for the Courtyard by Marriott, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Spanish Fort, Alabama. Conner attended Pensacola State College and Wallace Community College and serves on the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association as well as Hospitality Roundtable.

About Commonwealth Hotels, LLC

Commonwealth Hotels, LLC was founded in 1986 and is a proven partner in providing hotel management services with superior financial results. The company has extensive experience managing premium branded full service and select-service hotels. Commonwealth Hotels currently manages 61 properties with nearly 7,600 rooms. Additional information may be found at www.commonwealthhotels.com.

ContactBarbara E. Willen Commonwealth Hotels, LLC [email protected]859.392-2254

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/commonwealth-hotels-appoints-cynthia-conner-as-general-manager-of-the-homewood-suites-by-hilton-mobile-east-bay-daphne-301588469.html

SOURCE Commonwealth Hotels, Inc.
Offering security, reliability, and trustworthiness through the Metatrader 4 platform

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lirunex, an online trading platform and brokerage reassures investors looking to be productive for the second half of the year by offering a secure and regulatory-compliant platform to trade various assets from forex to commodities.

With the volatility of the forex industry, Lirunex provides a compelling proposition through transparent and reliable services to traders with no hidden terms regardless of investment size.

Lirunex is designed to be efficient and rapid to ensure clients are well informed regarding their assets. Lirunex's account opening procedure is straightforward and the system, including its tech insights, is user-friendly.

Embedded with the Metatrader 4 platform, it allows users to trade Forex, analyse financial markets, and rely on expert advisors. Mobile trading, Trading Signals, and the Market are also integral parts of MetaTrader 4, serving to enhance the trading experience.

Additionally, Lirunex allows investors to keep funds segregated in accounts with trusted financial institutions, offering security for funds and transactions. It also does not impose restrictions on profitability and allows various trading strategies including hedging and scalping.

Lirunex is a globally licensed broker and regulated in three leading financial jurisdictions, namely, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC); Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), and the Republic of Maldives Ministry of Economy and Development (MED).

Trading platforms can be time-consuming to learn and use; inefficient at tracking and may come with high risks and low reliabilities. Investors can feel at ease as Lirunex boasts some of the lowest spreads and commissions in the industry as well as a fast speed of execution by design.

"Unlike many online trading platforms that turn out to be scams, Lirunex's reliability is proven with our licenses in three sound financial jurisdictions. Lirunex is a genuine platform where clients can rest assured of privacy and security while trading. We aim to be a global brand that users can trust to execute their investment activity with," shared Jack Foong, CEO of Lirunex.

Fledgling investors can kickstart their journey in this sector through the USD 25 LX-Standard plan. Apart from this, Lirunex offers various trading tiers of an incremental minimum trading amount up to USD 10,000, which comes with lowered spread benefits, for investors of all tiers.

Lirunex boasts trading volumes of USD 10 billion and counting, and currently serves clients from around the globe, to the tune of 15,000 traders, with USD 40 million worth of investments traded every week.

These, and Lirunex's rapid growth worldwide is a testament to how its clients trust Lirunex as a reliable and high-performance platform to trade on.

Lirunex accepts a variety of payment methods, such as local and bank transfers, Visa, Mastercard, Tether, Bitwallet, Bitpay, and Paypal, among others.

To learn more about Lirunex, or try a demo account, please visit their website.

About LirunexBased in Cyprus, Lirunex is an online brokerage licensed in three of the world's leading financial jurisdictions. Lirunex aims to become an industry leader based on transparent and trustworthy relations with clients. Lirunex's goal is to deliver superior services in currency trading, along with CFDs, equity indices, precious metals, and energies, whilst our clients remain satisfied with their trading experience, offering tech insights, tight spreads and best execution practices.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fast-growing-trading-platform-lirunex-reassures-investors-looking-forward-to-a-positive-second-half-of-2022-301587318.html

SOURCE Lirunex
VANCOUVER, BC, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Gold Royalty Corp. ("Gold Royalty" or the "Company") (NYSE American: GROY) will release its 2022 third quarter financial and operating results on Monday, August 15, 2022, after market close.

An investor webcast will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022 starting at 11:00 am ET (8:00 am PT) to discuss these results. The Company will be providing an update to interested stakeholders on the Company's third quarter results including key recent catalysts that have been announced on the assets underlying the Company's royalties. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session where participants will be able to ask any questions they may have of management.

To register for the Town Hall Meeting, please click the link below: https://www.bigmarker.com/vid-conferences/GoldRoyalty-VID-Forum-Q3-2022?utm_bmcr_source=GROY

About Gold Royalty Corp.

Gold Royalty is a gold-focused royalty company offering creative financing solutions to the metals and mining industry. Its mission is to acquire royalties, streams and similar interests at varying stages of the mine life cycle to build a balanced portfolio offering near, medium and longer-term attractive returns for its investors. Gold Royalty's diversified portfolio currently consists primarily of net smelter return royalties on gold properties located in the Americas.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information:

Certain of the information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking information' and 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Such statements can be generally identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "believe", "plans", "anticipate", "continue", "estimates", "targets", "goals", "forecasts" or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and other important factors, including assumptions of management regarding the accuracy of the disclosure of the operators of the projects underlying the Company's portfolio of royalties and those developments at certain mines, projects or properties that underlie the Company's interests, their ability to achieve disclosed plans and targets, macroeconomic conditions and commodity prices. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including, among others, any inability of the operators to execute proposed plans, risks related to exploration, development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any such projects, the influence of macroeconomic developments, the impact of, and response of relevant governments to, COVID-19 and the effectiveness of such responses, the ability of the Company to carry out its growth plans and other factors set forth in the Company's publicly filed documents under its profiles at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended September 30, 2021. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gold-royalty-to-release-2022-third-quarter-operating-and-financial-results-on-august-15-2022-301588339.html

SOURCE Gold Royalty Corp.
Only African Americans Are Eligible

AUSTIN, Texas, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Consovoy McCarthy PLLC sent letters on behalf of the Project on Fair Representation (POFR) to Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina and ITW Corporation domiciled in Glenview, Illinois warning them that the ITW Technical Fellowship Program is likely violating the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and other federal civil rights laws.

The letter notes that this fellowship program, while laudable, purposely excludes Hispanics, Asian Americans and whites. Currently, only African Americans are eligible for this program.

As highlighted in the letter, ITW and Central Piedmont Community College have created a fellowship programthe ITW Technical Fellowship Programfor students "pursuing a career path in Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology; Welding Technology; Automotive Systems Technology; or Electrical Systems Technology." The fellowship laudably offers "fully funded tuition" and other training benefits to selected applicants.

The letter underscored that the fellowship program inexplicably refuses to consider students of certain races. The program requires that the student "[m]ust be Black/African American" to be eligible for the program. In other words, whites, Hispanics, Asians need not apply. Even worse, it appears that ITW has established this same unlawful program at other colleges throughout the nation.

Edward Blum, president of the Project on Fair Representation said, "This racial discrimination is patently illegal and must stop immediately. No one should be denied a fellowship or scholarship because of their race or ethnicity"

The letter reminds both the corporation and the public community college that the Equal Protection Clause prohibits the government from denying to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. As the Supreme Court has written, distinctions between citizens 'solely because of their ancestry are by their very nature odious to a free people, and therefore are contrary to our traditions and hence constitutionally suspect.'

Blum concluded, "This program needs to be open to all students, regardless of their ethnic heritage or skin color. Excluding students from programs like this one because they are not the 'right' race or ethnicity is unfair, polarizing and illegal."

Contact: Edward Blum703-505-1922 [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/project-on-fair-representation-warns-central-piedmont-community-college-and-itw-corporation-about-racially-exclusive-fellowship-program-301588217.html

SOURCE The Project on Fair Representation
NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from The Conference Board reveals that boards are increasingly electing independent board chairs. In the S&P 500, the share of independent board chairs increased from 30 percent in 2018 to 37 percent as of June 2022, while the share of companies combining the chair and CEO roles decreased from 49 percent to 44 percent. These changes are not being driven by an overriding wave of shareholder sentiment, but rather by internal governance and business reasons, including an increase in the level and scope of responsibilities of US corporate boards.

Additionally, boards at larger companies in particular are holding more meetings than before the pandemica trend likely to continue: Whereas S&P 500 companies held 7.8 meetings on average in 2019, the average rose to 8.3 in 2021. Companies are also experimenting with committee structures to address the expanding set of ESG risks and growing workloads. While public companies with under $5 billion in annual revenue typically have just three committees, larger companies tend to have four or five standing committees. This reflects that larger companies have moved beyond simply satisfying the stock exchange listing standards and other regulatory requirements.

The report also reveals that smaller companies are seeing a decrease in independent chairs with business strategy experience. In the Russell 3000, the share with such experience decreased from 79 percent in 2018 to 76 percent in 2022and is poised to further decline in the years ahead.

The report includes insights and dataas recent as June 2022relating to board leadership, meetings, and committees at S&P 500 and Russell 3000 boards. It is the second in a three-part series, with the first report examining board composition and the third report (to come) examining board refreshment.

Findings and insights from the new report include:

Board Leadership

The trend toward board chair independence continues, especially at larger companies.

Independent board chairs increase:

S&P 500: The share increased from 30 percent in 2018 to 37 percent in 2022.

The share increased from 30 percent in 2018 to 37 percent in 2022.

Russell 3000: The share inched up from 42 percent in 2018 to 45 percent in 2022.

The share inched up from 42 percent in 2018 to 45 percent in 2022. CEO-board chairs decrease:

S&P 500: The share of companies combining the roles decreased from 49 percent in 2018 to 44 percent in 2022.

The share of companies combining the roles decreased from 49 percent in 2018 to 44 percent in 2022.

Russell 3000: The share ticked down from 37 percent in 2018 to 35 percent in 2022.

"A likely driver of the rise in board chair independence is the increased workload of boards and management. Both are contending with multiple crises, fundamental transitions in business models, and growing demands for companies to address ESG issues and the needs of stakeholders," said Merel Spierings, author of the report and Researcher at The Conference Board. "Against the backdrop of increased workloads, CEO succession eventswhich have recently seen an increase and may remain elevated in the coming yearsare often an opportune juncture for the board to reconsider its leadership structure and separate the two positions."

At larger companies, independent chairs with business strategy experience increase. But smaller companies see a decreasea worrisome trend that may accelerate.

Increase in the S&P 500: The share of directors with business strategy experience increased from 76 percent in 2018 to 79 percent in 2022.

The share of directors with business strategy experience increased from 76 percent in 2018 to 79 percent in 2022. Decrease in the Russell 3000: The share decreased from 79 percent in 2018 to 76 percent in 2022.

The share decreased from 79 percent in 2018 to 76 percent in 2022. The share dropped from about 68 percent in 2018 to 63 percent in 2022.



Why this trend may worsen in the Russell 3000: The share of directors with strategic experience in the Russell 3000the primary pool from which independent chairs are drawndeclined even more:

The share of with strategic experience in the Russell 3000the primary pool from which are drawndeclined even more:

The share dropped from about 68 percent in 2018 to 63 percent in 2022.

"Having strategic experience is critical for an independent chair in collaborating with the CEO, setting the board agenda, managing board conversations, and serving as a liaison between the board and management," said Paul Washington, Executive Director of The Conference Board ESG Center. "Even more importantly, that kind of experience is essential in helping to identify from board discussions key opportunities and risks that should be addressed by management and at future board meetings."

Board Meetings

The average number of board meetings has decreased since COVID's first year, but levels remain elevated, especially at larger companies.

20172019: In the years prior to the pandemic, boards at companies of all sizes met approximately eight times annually on average.

In the years prior to the pandemic, boards at companies met approximately eight times annually on average. The start of COVID, 2020: In the S&P 500, the average number of meetings rose to 9.1; in the Russell 3000 it rose to 9.5.

In the S&P 500, the average number of meetings rose to 9.1; in the Russell 3000 it rose to 9.5. 2021: Following the first year of COVID, the average number dropped but remained higher than it was pre-pandemic. This is especially the case at larger companies: 8.3 in the S&P 500 in 2021 versus 7.8 in 2019.

"Expect to see an increased average number of board meetings going forward," said Justin P. Klein, Director of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance. "Factors behind the increase include the multiple crises that are unfolding globally (including the ongoing pandemic and war in Ukraine), business challenges ranging from talent management to digital transformation, and increasing regulatory and disclosure burdens in areas such as cybersecurity, climate change, and human capital management."

"Larger companies, especially, may want to consider having their board committees meet (virtually) the week before the in-person board meeting. This has been effective for some of the bigger firms, as it allows them to hold longer committee and board meetings to accommodate an increased workload," said Justus O'Brien, co-leader of Russell Reynolds Associates' Board and CEO Advisory Partners practice. "But, without question, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Expect continued experimentation in the timing, length, and nature (hybrid, virtual) of committee meetings."

While the average number of formal board meetings is likely to remain elevated, a majority of companies continue to hold fewer than eight board meetings per year.

The pattern of number of meetings held resembles a barbell:

On one end: In 2021, the majority of S&P 500 companies held fewer than eight meetings per year.

In 2021, the majority of S&P 500 companies held fewer than eight meetings per year.

On the other end: The next largest share held substantially more meetings12 or more per year.

"While some directors have welcomed the return to in-person meetings, boards will likely continue using virtual or hybrid meetings for some committee meetings and to accommodate unanticipated issues," said Annalisa Barrett, Senior Advisor with the KPMG Board Leadership Center. "They may also consider holding more informal meetings, a model well-suited to bring directors up to speed on specific issues on which no immediate board decisions need to be taken and to allow for directors to get to know key leaders throughout the company."

Board Committees

While larger companies are most likely to have four or five board committees, smaller companies tend to have three or fewer.

As of June 2022:

Five committees: 20 percent in the S&P 500 compared to 13 percent in the Russell 3000.

20 percent in the S&P 500 compared to 13 percent in the Russell 3000. Four committees: 38 percent in the S&P 500 compared to 32 percent in the Russell 3000.

38 percent in the S&P 500 compared to 32 percent in the Russell 3000. Three or fewer committees: 25 percent in the S&P 500 compared to 48 percent in the Russell 3000.

In addition to the traditional audit, compensation, and nominating/governance committees, the most common standing committee is the executive committee.

As of June 2022:

Executive committee: 30 percent in the S&P 500 versus 17 percent in the Russell 3000.

30 percent in the S&P 500 versus 17 percent in the Russell 3000. Other common committees at larger companies:





Finance: 27 percent in the S&P 500 versus 10 percent in the Russell 3000.

27 percent in the S&P 500 versus 10 percent in the Russell 3000.



Science & Technology: 16 percent in the S&P 500 versus 9 percent in the Russell 3000.

16 percent in the S&P 500 versus 9 percent in the Russell 3000.



Risk: 13 percent in the S&P 500 versus 12 percent in the Russell 3000.

"Expect boards to increasingly explore a variety of approaches to committee structures, to address a broader array of environmental and social risks and associated stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements," said Umesh Chandra Tiwari, Executive Director of ESGAUGE. "Companies may deliberately change their respective approaches over timefor example, establishing a temporary structure to establish a sustainability program, and then a different approach once the program is up and running."

"If 'diversity' is a key theme in US board composition, as boards become more demographically diverse with a greater focus on functional expertise, 'variety' is the corresponding themeas these insights and data revealin board leadership, meeting practices, and committee structures," said Paul Rodel, Partner at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.

The project is led by The Conference Board in collaboration with data analytics firm ESGAUGE, along with Debevoise & Plimpton, the KPMG Board Leadership Center, Russell Reynolds Associates, and the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance.

About The Conference Board ESG CenterThe Conference Board ESG Center serves as a resource, platform, and partner to help Member companies address their priorities in corporate governance, sustainability, and citizenship. www.conferenceboard.org/esg

About The Conference BoardThe Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what's ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conferenceboard.org

About ESGAUGEESGAUGE is a data mining and analytics firm uniquely designed for the corporate practitioner and the professional service firm seeking customized information on U.S. public companies. It focuses on disclosure of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices such as executive and director compensation, board practices, CEO and NEO profiles, proxy voting and shareholder activism, and CSR/sustainability disclosure. Our clients include business corporations, asset management firms, compensation consultants, law firms, accounting and audit firms, and investment companies. We also partner on research projects with think tanks, academic institutions, and the media.

About Russell Reynolds AssociatesRussell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory and search firm, working with public, private and nonprofit organizations across all industries and regions. From helping boards with their structure, culture and effectiveness to identifying, assessing and defining the best leadership for organizations, our teams bring their decades of expertise to help clients address their most complex leadership issues. www.russellreynolds.com

About the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate GovernanceThe John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance was established in 2000 at the University of Delaware and is part of the Lerner College of Business and Economics. It is one of the longest-standing corporate governance centers in academia, and the first and only corporate governance center in the State of Delaware, the legal home for a majority of the nation's public corporations. The Center is recognized as a thought leader in the corporate governance field. www.weinberg.udel.edu

About Debevoise & PlimptonDebevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients' most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.

About the KPMG BLCThe KPMG Board Leadership Center (BLC) champions outstanding corporate governance to drive long-term value and enhance stakeholder confidence. Through an array of insights, perspectives, and programs, the BLCwhich includes the KPMG Audit Committee Institute and close collaboration with other leading director organizations promotes continuous education and improvement of public and private company governance. BLC engages with directors and business leaders on the critical issues driving board agendasfrom strategy, risk, talent, and ESG to data governance, audit quality, proxy trends, and more. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us/blc

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SOURCE The Conference Board
NEW YORK and SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TransPerfect, the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business, today announced the opening of a new contact center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The facility is the second TransPerfect contact center to open this year and will serve as a primary hub for the company's TransPerfect Connect division, which specializes in bridging communication gaps through services that include over-the-phone interpretation, business process outsourcing (BPO), and remote customer support including email and chat translation in over 200 languages.

TransPerfect President and CEO Phil Shawe commented, "This new office is reflective of our expanding footprint in the Caribbean and throughout Latin America. We are excited for the future of our operations in the region."

The 300-seat center is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and numerous employee amenities including an on-site cafeteria, game room, and mothers' room. With free parking and close proximity to public transportation, the facility was designed with productivity, accessibility, and workplace enjoyment as key priorities.

"Our commitment to Santo Domingo and the Dominican Republic comes as the result of a stringent selection process," stated Steven Cheeseman, TransPerfect's Vice President of Contact Center Operations. "Hiring has already started at a rapid pace, and we look forward to bringing new talent on board that will help us in our goal to provide the best possible Spanish- and English-language support for our clients and their customers."

TransPerfect plans to develop strategic alliances with local universities, offering students greater opportunity to cultivate a career in the language industry.

To view available positions, visit the careers page.

TransPerfect ConnectAvenida San Martin #182Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Email: [email protected]

About TransPerfect ConnectTransPerfect Connect is a leading provider of global call center services, business process outsourcing (BPO), and remote interpreting solutions including over-the-phone interpretation (OPI), video remote interpretation, and multilingual email and chat support. With services in over 200 languages and industry-specialized interpreters screened for subject expertise, TransPerfect Connect enables businesses to bridge communication gaps in seconds. TransPerfect Connect is a division of TransPerfect, the world's leading provider of language and technology solutions for global business. Founded in 1992, TransPerfect has over 7,000 employees and maintains offices in more than 100 cities worldwide. www.transperfectconnect.com

About TransPerfectTransPerfect is the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business. From offices in over 100 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 200+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 7,500 global organizations employ TransPerfect's GlobalLink technology to simplify management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transperfect-announces-new-contact-center-in-santo-domingo-dominican-republic-301588291.html

SOURCE TransPerfect
The three-year project is being implemented in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Egypt to ensure the continuity and quality of learning under normal and crisis situations.

SHENZHEN, China, July 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A three-day cross-country seminar hosted in Accra, Ghana on the subject of the Technology-enabled Open Schools for All (TeOSS) project drew to a close on July 7.

Following the official launch of the TeOSS project on 25 November 2021, the seminar was co-organized by Huawei and UNESCO as part of the project's implementation phase. The event included a progress report on the first phase of the project, including results so far, and discussed the implementation of the second phase.

UNESCO is assisting the Ministries of Education and other partners in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana with the delivery of the three-year TeOSS project, which will run until August 2023. Developed under the framework of the UNESCO-Huawei Funds-in-Trust, the project spans the design, pilot testing, and scaling-up of open technology-enabled school systems. Including curricula, teacher-student interaction, and social care, these systems will be accessible in schools, homes, and other venues, ensuring education continuity and quality even if a crisis such as the pandemic occurs.

"There three axes to steer the digital revolution, which are all reflected in this project: to ensure connectivity for all; to build free, public digital learning content and platforms; and to focus on how technology can enhance pedagogical innovation and change," said Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO.

Planned in close collaboration with the governments of Egypt, Ghana, and Ethiopia and aligned with their respective national strategies, each TeOSS project has been developed to meet specific local needs.

In Egypt, an ICT skills framework has been developed for teachers and students in K12 schools. Digital courseware development experts and primary and junior high school teachers will receive training, and a National Distance Learning Centre will be established for use by educators nationwide to ensure continuity in professional development.

"Since Egypt launched its new system, the President has provided unprecedented commitment to modernize the country's education model," said Dr. Hanem Ahmed, Head of International Cooperation for the Minister of Education and Technical Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt on behalf of H.E. Dr. Tarek Shawki, Minister of Education and Technical Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The TeOSS project in Ethiopia is focusing on ICT infrastructure build-out to connect pilot schools, train teachers and students, and build a Learning Management System integrated with a Teacher Training Platform.

"The project perfectly aligns with Ethiopia's national strategies regarding the need to use ICT and digital content in our system. We will also scale up this system by adopting and customizing all activities according to the local context," said Dr. Zelalem Assefa, CEO of ICT and Digital Education for the Ministry of Education of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

In Ghana, the focus is on creating digital content for all subjects, as well as providing training for teachers and students of primary and junior high schools. The project is also building an e-repository that teachers can use to upload content and which learners can access online and offline with little or no supervision.

"We need to be able to embrace technology to enhance our education delivery. If we want to be able to achieve SDG-4, we need digital platforms as an enabler and leverage to achieve that," said John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, on behalf of H.E. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education of the Republic of Ghana.

TeOSS is aligned with the Tech4Education domain of Huawei's digital inclusion initiative TECH4ALL, which aims to drive education equity and quality with technology, and is working to enhance digital access, improve digital skills, and develop high-quality courses. Huawei ICT Academy program is designed to help cultivate ICT talent by improving digital skills.

"To achieve global education equity and share education resources, Huawei has launched the comprehensive one-stop service platform 'Huawei Talent'," said Zhang Jing, Senior Director of Huawei Education Talent Ecosystem, Huawei ICT Academy Development. "To bridge the gap between talent supply and demand in the digital era, Huawei is building talent alliances, improving skills, developing talent standards, and promoting the value of talent to help the world become more digital."

Technology is already demonstrating intrinsic value in transforming education, a value that will continue to grow in the future.

"Digital technology has become a new driver of productivity that supports innovation in education models, the transformation of education methodologies, and smarter education environments," said Kevin Zhang, CMO of ICT Infrastructure for Huawei. "We are exploring how to apply AI, such as computer vision, natural language processing, and speech processing, to education. Innovative technology can help solve the world's most pressing challenges. And we must continue working together to innovate."

The collaborative and innovative approach of the TeOSS project is helping to create inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all and underpin lifelong learning opportunities. It will empower nations to rethink education and underpin a new generation of digital schools and digital learners.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unesco-huawei-technology-enabled-open-schools-for-all-project-progress-reviewed-in-cross-country-seminar-301587859.html

SOURCE Huawei
NEW HAVEN, Conn. and NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yale School of Nursing today announced plans to launch its first fully online master's degree programs in collaboration with Noodle, the country's fastest-growing online learning network. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program will begin enrolling students in Summer 2023 followed by the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program in Fall 2024. The programs are part-time and designed for registered nurses.

"With 100 years of experience and excellence behind us, Yale School of Nursing is thrilled to launch our first fully online MSN program in an area that the world desperately needs," said Yale School of Nursing Dean Ann Kurth, PhD, CNM, MPH, FAAN, FACNM. "By taking the next and necessary step of creating an online PMHNP degree program, we are answering this call, filling a gap in psychiatric care while meeting our students where they live and work, allowing them to continue to serve their local communities. We are committed to excellence, equity, and access, and this program helps advance our mission of better health for all people, no matter where they are."

The PMHNP program prepares students for advanced practice in a variety of settings. Students will be prepared to care for individuals across the lifespan with psychiatric needs ranging from health promotion and risk reduction to complex and persistent mental illness. The application of classic theories, research evidence, and a holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual-cultural approach provides a comprehensive framework for developing knowledge and skills for clinical management. Courses and clinical experiences in the curriculum meet psychiatric-mental health population competencies required by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). The PMHNP program meets the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's (AACN) Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing.

The FNP specialty emphasizes the primary care of newborns, infants, children, adolescents, adults, pregnant and postpartum women, and older adults within the context of family-centered care. FNPs are equipped to provide comprehensive care to all individuals in the primary care setting. Upon graduation, eligible FNP students can sit for board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) certifying boards.

"We are honored that Yale School of Nursing had the confidence in Noodle to launch their first online master's degree program with us," said Lee Bradshaw, Noodle's Chief Strategy Officer. "Due to the tremendous demand for advanced practice nurses, especially psychiatric and family nurse practitioners, we are confident that bringing Yale's top-ranked master of science in nursing programs online will offer a huge opportunity for both students looking to pursue this career and the many individuals they will help."

About Yale School of Nursing (YSN)

Founded in 1923 with funding through the Rockefeller Foundation, Yale School of Nursing was the first school within a university to prepare nurses under an educational program rather than an apprenticeship. The ultimate mission of YSN is better health for all people. YSN accomplishes this by educating each generation of nurse leaders, scholars, and practitioners; transforming healthcare practice; and advancing science. YSN students have access to Yale's world-renowned online library holdings and state of the art instructional technology and online simulation resources.

About Noodle

Noodle is a certified B Corp that creates excellent online and agile programs that elevate campus-wide teaching and technology. Since January 2019, Noodle has launched as many online programs with elite U.S. universities as have all of its competitors combined. Its network of universities, higher education leaders, providers, and students fuels innovation and efficiency in learning design, marketing, recruitment, technology, student and faculty support, and clinical placement. Follow Noodle on LinkedIn and Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACTS:Alissa PinckNoodle914-523-5320[email protected]

Niamh EmersonYale School of Nursing203-737-2521[email protected]

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SOURCE Noodle
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-KT

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from September 1, 2021 to

Commission File No. 000-55383

AGENTIX CORP. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada 46-2876282 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

32932 Pacific Coast Highway , #14-254

Dana Point , California 92629

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

( 321 ) 299-2014

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

____________________________________________

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,

if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $.001 par value

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer  Non-accelerated Filer  Smaller reporting company  Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its managements assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  No 

As of September 30, 2021, the last business day of the Registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant (without admitting that any person whose shares are not included in such calculation is an affiliate) was $ 30,204,191 .

As of July 11, 2022, there were 38,916,931 shares of the Registrants common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.

AGENTIX CORP.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K of Agentix Corp., a Nevada corporation, contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, will, should, could, expects, plans, intends, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential or continue or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about our market opportunity, the ability to protect our intellectual property, our strategies, competition, expected activities and expenditures as we pursue our business plan, and the adequacy of our available cash resources. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Actual results may differ materially from the predictions discussed in these forward-looking statements. The economic environment within which we operate could materially affect our actual results.

Our management has included projections and estimates in this Form 10-K, which are based primarily on managements experience in the industry, assessments of our results of operations, discussions and negotiations with third parties and a review of information filed by our competitors with the SEC or otherwise publicly available. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

All references in this Form 10-K to the Company, Agentix, we, us, or our are to Agentix Corp.

3 Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1. Business.

History

The Company was incorporated in the State of Nevada on April 18, 2013 and has established a fiscal year end of March 31. Effective June 17, 2019, we changed our name from FairWind Energy, Inc. to Agentix Corp. and to better reflect the new focus of our business. We are a clinical development stage corporation with a focus on pharmaceutical treatments in the metabolic disease space and have not yet generated or realized meaningful revenues from our business.

Until recently, our business plan focused on the design, engineering and manufacturing of composite products, specifically the supply products to the oil and gas industry. However, on May 28, 2020, entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the "Share Exchange Agreement") with GSL Healthcare, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("GSL Healthcare"), and the holders of common stock of GSL Healthcare, which consisted of two stockholders. The closing date occurred on June 1, 2020.

Under the terms and conditions of the Share Exchange Agreement, the Company offered and sold 27,932,271 shares of common stock of the Company in consideration for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of GSL Healthcare. The effect of the issuance is that former two GSL Healthcare shareholders now hold approximately 88.0% of the issued shares of common stock of the Company, and GSL Healthcare is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

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Overview

As a result of the Share Exchange Agreement, we plan to focus our business efforts on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat metabolic disease. Our principal business objective is to develop two key assets specifically designed to not cross the blood brain barrier (BBB); i.e., are peripherally-restricted. With these two assets, Agentix will endeavor to establish a firm presence in the area of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome, variously known also as syndrome X, insulin resistance, etc., has been defined by the WHO as a pathologic condition characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Though it started in the Western world, with the spread of the Western lifestyle, it has become now a truly global problem. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is often more in the urban population of some developing countries than in its Western counterparts. The two basic forces spreading this malady are the increase in consumption of high calorie-low fiber fast food and the decrease in physical activity due to mechanized transportations and sedentary form of leisure time activities. The syndrome feeds into the spread of the diseases like type 2 diabetes, coronary diseases, stroke, and other disabilities1 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5866840/).

The incidence of metabolic syndrome often parallels the incidence of obesity and incidence of type 2 diabetes (one of the outcomes of MetS). According to global survey of obesity in 195 countries, done in 2015, 604 million adults and 108 million children were obese. Since 1980, prevalence of obesity doubled in 73 countries and increased in most other countries. Of even greater concern was that the rate of increase was even higher in childhood obesity. According to IDF diabetes atlas, global prevalence of diabetes is 8.8% (415 m) as of 2015 and is expected to increase to 10.4% (642 m) by 2040. While there is difficulty on gathering the same quality of data for metabolic syndrome, some estimates have the global prevalence to be about one quarter of the world population  which amounts to over a billion people in the world are now affected with metabolic syndrome1.

The above factors will in part drive the global demand for biopharmaceuticals, along with an increase in the global acceptance of biopharmaceuticals to treat and manage these medical conditions. In addition, an increase in strategic partnerships between biopharmaceutical companies is also expected to complement the growth of the biopharmaceuticals industry. Furthermore, clearance for newer biopharmaceutical products and continuous R&D is also expected to improve this market positively. We envision that Agentix will play the part of developing new chemical entities to the initial stages of clinical efficacy and then partner with larger biopharma players for the pivotal stages of commercialization.

Cannabinoid type 1 receptor is expressed in several peripheral locations, such as the liver, adipose tissue, and pancreas, where it is involved in the regulation of various physiological effects, including glucose and lipid metabolism. It is also expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) where it regulates functions such as appetite and reward. Peripheral CB1 receptors have been demonstrated to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. Blockade of peripheral CB1 receptors in preclinical animal models results in a significant reduction in lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, decreased adiposity and hepatic steatosis, and protection in pancreatic  cells, demonstrating the potential of this strategy for amelioration of obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and also reduced incidence of T2DM. Thus, developing antagonists targeting peripheral CB1 receptors, without inducing psychological adverse effects, is a potential therapeutic strategy in managing these conditions.

Previous attempts to target the peripheral CB1 receptor by Pfizer (otenabant), Merck (taranabant) and Sanofi (rimonabant) were terminated due to toxicities resulting from these drug candidates crossing the blood-brain barrier. A renewed pharmaceutical development effort is underway to target peripheral CB1 receptors by designing drug candidates that are restricted from crossing the blood-brain barrier, and exert their therapeutic effect only within the periphery. For example, Takeda has entered into a license agreement with Goldfinch Bio to develop a monoclonal antibody with targets the peripheral CB1 receptor. Inversago Pharma is developing a peripherally-restricted CB1 inverse agonist as a possible treatment for the rare genetic disorder Prader Willi Syndrome.

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Our Pipeline

AGTX-2004

AGTX-2004 (also known as DBPR211) is a peripherally-acting CB1 receptor antagonist that has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). AGTX-2004 was well tolerated in animal models of toxicity, and did not cross the blood-brain barrier. An Investigational New Drug Application (IND application) was cleared by the Food & Drug Administration of the United States of America (FDA), and we are preparing to commence a Phase 1 safety and tolerability dose escalation assessment in humans beginning the first quarter of 2022.

We entered into a worldwide exclusive license agreement with Taiwans National Health Research Institute (NHRI) on March 21, 2021 for exclusive worldwide rights development and commercial rights to AGTX-2004. In exchange to global rights to the asset and its intellectual property, we will pay NHRI a series of development and commercialization milestones, and will pay royalties on product sales once obtaining market authorization from competent regulatory authorities.

AGTX-2003

AGTX-2003 (also known as RTI-1092769) is a peripherally-acting CB1 receptor inverse agonist that has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). AGTX-2003 was well tolerated in animal models of toxicity, and did not cross the blood-brain barrier. We are currently advancing AGTX-2003 in additional enabling animal studies in preparation of filing an IND application with FDA for the commencement of a Phase 1 safety and tolerability dose escalation assessment in humans expected to begin third quarter 2022.

We have entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement for ABP-2003 with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) on March 16, 2020. In exchange to the global development and commercial rights, we will pay RTI a series of development and commercial milestones, and royalties on product sales once obtaining market authorization from competent regulatory authorities.

License Agreement

On May 21, 2021, we received notice of effectiveness of that certain License Agreement (the "License Agreement"), dated May 10, 2021, by and between the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Applied BioPharma LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, and National Health Research Institutes, a Taiwan, Republic of China, entity, pursuant to which the Company purchased a worldwide, terminable, royalty-bearing, exclusive license for the technology and patent rights underlying patents and patent applications to make, have made, offer for sale, sell, have sold, use, have used, import or have imported products related to pyrazole compounds, to treat Type 2 diabetes, obesity and fatty liver disease. This technology is a peripherally restricted cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist that has successfully completed preliminary pre-clinical and in vivo testing requirements for advancement into Phase I clinical trials.

The Company is required to pay a licensing fee and a document delivery fee within 30 days of the date of the License Agreement. Additionally, the Company is obligated to pay 16 product milestone payments related to Phase I, Phase II, Phase III and US Food and Drug Administration, European Union, European Medicines Agency, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency and other market approvals, and upon achieving $100,000,000 in worldwide sales.

Additional payments the Company is obligated to pay are (i) an annual royalty equal to 4% of net sales of products sold using technology and patents rights under the License Agreement, and (ii) an annual license fee and quality and stability testing fees.

The term of the License Agreement is until the last of the licensed patent rights and the exclusive market approval for the products made or using the technology and rights underlying the licensed patents expire on a county-by-country basis. The terms of the patents subject to the License Agreement with the longest terms are 20 years.

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Biopharma Industry

The global demand for biopharmaceuticals is driven by a number of factors like increase in the elderly population, an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes, and an increase in the global acceptance of biopharmaceuticals. In addition, an increase in strategic partnerships between biopharmaceutical companies is also expected to complement the growth of the biopharmaceuticals industry. Furthermore, clearance for newer biopharmaceutical products and continuous R&D is also expected to improve this market positively. However, the high costs of these medications are one of the main constraints on this industry and, in order to make them economically viable, the cost needs to be reduced greatly.

The global market for the biopharma is segmented into product, therapeutic area, application, and region. Based on product, the market is for biopharma is segmented into recombinant growth factors, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, vaccines, purified proteins, recombinant hormones, and other product types. The monoclonal antibodies market is further divided into anti-inflammatory monoclonal antibodies, anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies, and other monoclonal antibodies. The purified proteins market is further bifurcated into P38 protein, leukemia inhibitory factor, P53 protein, and other purified proteins. The recombinant proteins market is further divided into serum albumin, defensin, amyloid protein, and transferrin. Vaccines are further divided into conventional vaccines, recombinant vaccines, and recombinant enzymes. The recombinant growth factors are further divided into granulocyte colony stimulating factors, and erythropoietin. The recombinant hormones market is further divided into recombinant human growth hormones, recombinant insulin, and other recombinant hormones. The market for monoclonal antibodies held almost 28% share of the market in 2019. Monoclonal antibodies are used in cancer treatment areas. Their usage is becoming increasingly widespread in developed countries like the U.S. and the U.K. Contrary, the recombinant proteins segment is expected to show rapid growth over the forecast period.

Segmentation Analysis

Based on therapeutic application, the market is categorized into oncology, inflammatory and infectious diseases, neurological diseases, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders, and other diseases. The oncology segment held almost 25% share of the market in 2019. According to the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC), there were almost 18 million new cases of cancer and 10 million deaths in 2018. In fact, the United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) estimated that 37 million people were living with HIV in 2017. Such disquieting statistics has raised an urgent need to change the situation by innovating new and successful medicines that can cure such deadly diseases consequently raising the number of deaths. Apparently, biopharmaceutical drugs are considered to be effective in curing these chronic diseases rather than merely treating the same symptoms.

Regional Analysis

Regionally, the market is divided into Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Middle East & Africa. North America held almost 37% in 2019 due to the presence of sophisticated healthcare facilities, increasing geriatric population base, and increased healthcare expenditure in the country. Asia Pacific is likely to grow at high CAGR in the forecast period. Increased investment in R&D, increased acceptance and availability of biopharmaceuticals for disease treatment and increased understanding of disease diagnosis are some of the factors of market growth in this region. Moreover, this area offers tremendous prospects for venture capitalists and investors as developed markets are largely saturated.

Competition

The biopharma industry is characterized by fierce competition, is growing rapidly, evolving constantly, and the possibility for innovative companies to succeed within it is significant. The biopharma industry is, in all respects, global and Agentix will have competitors around the world, including but not limited to the following: Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark), Johnson & Johnson (U.S.), Pfizer, Inc., (U.S.), Hoffmann-La Roche (Switzerland), Eli Lilly and Company, Ltd. (U.K.), Biogen, Inc. (U.S.), Merck & Co., Inc. (U.S.), Sanofi (France), Bristol Myers Squibb Company (U.S.), and Bayer AG (Germany) among others.

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Intellectual Property

We will rely on a combination of trademark laws, trade secrets, confidentiality provisions and other contractual provisions to protect our proprietary rights, which are primarily our brand names, product designs and marks. We do not own any patents, although we may apply for some in the future based on the success of our business plan.

Government Regulation

The process of obtaining regulatory approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal, state, local and foreign statutes and regulations require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources. Failure to comply with the applicable requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process or after approval, may subject an applicant to administrative or judicial sanctions. These sanctions could include the US FDA's refusal to approve pending applications, withdrawal of an approval, a clinical hold, warning letters, product recalls or withdrawals from the market, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, restitution, disgorgement, or civil or criminal penalties. Any agency or judicial enforcement action could have a material adverse effect on us.

Any product development activities related to Agentix or products that we may develop or acquire in the future will be subject to extensive regulation by various government authorities, including the FDA, other federal, state and local agencies and comparable regulatory authorities in other countries, which regulate the design, research, clinical and non-clinical development, testing, manufacturing, storage, distribution, import, export, labeling, advertising and marketing of pharmaceutical products and devices. Generally, before a new drug can be sold, considerable data demonstrating its quality, safety and efficacy must be obtained, organized into a format specific to each regulatory authority, submitted for review and approved by the regulatory authority. The data are often generated in two distinct development states: pre-clinical and clinical.

The products that Agentix may develop or acquire in the future must be approved by the FDA before they may be legally marketed in the United States. For new chemical entities, the pre-clinical development stage generally involves synthesizing the active component, developing the formulation and determining the manufacturing process, as well as carrying out non-human toxicology, pharmacology and drug metabolism studies that support subsequent clinical testing. These pre-clinical laboratory and animal tests are often performed under the FDA's Good Laboratory Practices regulations. A drug's sponsor must submit the result of the pre-clinical tests, together with manufacturing information, analytical data and any available clinical data or literature and a proposed clinical protocol to the FDA as part of an IND application, which is a request for authorization from the FDA to administer an investigational drug or biological product to humans. Similar filings are required in other countries.

Post-Marketing Requirements

Following approval of a new product, a pharmaceutical company and the approved product are subject to continuing regulation by the FDA and other federal and state regulatory authorities, including, among other things, monitoring and recordkeeping activities, reporting to applicable regulatory authorities of adverse experiences with the product, providing the regulatory authorities with updated safety and efficacy information, product sampling and distribution requirements, and complying with promotion and advertising requirements, which include, among others, standards for direct-to-consumer advertising, restrictions on promoting drugs for uses or in patient populations not described in the drug's approved labeling (known as "off-label use"), and limitations on industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities. Although physicians may prescribe legally available drugs for off-label uses, manufacturers may not market or promote such off-label uses. Modifications or enhancements to the products or labeling or changes of site of manufacture are often subject to the approval of the FDA and other regulators, which may or may not be received or may result in a lengthy review process. The FDA regulations require the products be manufactured in specific approved facilities and in accordance with current good manufacturing practices, and NDA holders must list their products and register their manufacturing establishments with the FDA. These regulations also impose certain organizational, procedural and documentation requirements with respect to manufacturing and quality assurance activities. Drug manufacturers and other entities involved in the manufacture and distribution of approved drugs are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and certain state agencies for compliance with current good manufacturing practice and other laws. NDA holders using contract manufacturers, laboratories or packagers are responsible for the selection and monitoring of qualified firms. These firms are subject to inspections by the FDA at any time, and the discovery of violative conditions could result in enforcement actions that interrupt the operation of any such facilities or the ability to distribute products manufactured, processed or tested by them.

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Other Regulatory Matters

Manufacturing, sales, promotion and other activities following product approval are also subject to regulation by numerous regulatory authorities in addition to the FDA, including, in the United States, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, other divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and state and local governments. These regulations include:

 the federal healthcare program anti-kickback law which prohibits, among other things, persons from soliciting, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce either the referral of an individual, for an item or service or the purchasing or ordering of a good or service, for which payment may be made under federal healthcare programs such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs;

 federal false claims laws which prohibit, among other things, individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for payment from Medicare, Medicaid, or other government reimbursement programs that are false or fraudulent. The government may assert that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal healthcare program anti-kickback law or related to off-label promotion constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal false claims laws;  the Federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act within the ACA, and its implementing regulations, require that certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biological and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (with certain exceptions) to report information related to certain payments or other transfers of value made or distributed to physicians and teaching hospitals, or to entities or individuals at the request of, or designated on behalf of, the physicians and teaching hospitals and to report annually certain ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members; and  the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH, and its implementing regulations, imposes certain requirements relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information. Among other things, HITECH makes HIPAA's privacy and security standards directly applicable to "business associates"independent contractors or agents of covered entities that receive or obtain protected health information in connection with providing a service on behalf of a covered entity. HITECH also created four new tiers of civil monetary penalties, amended HIPAA to make civil and criminal penalties directly applicable to business associates and possibly other persons, and gave state attorneys general new authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce the federal HIPAA laws and seek attorneys' fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions.  applicable child-resistant packaging requirements under the U.S. Poison Prevention Packaging Act;  The Lanham Act and federal antitrust laws;  state law equivalents of each of the above federal laws, such as anti-kickback and false claims laws, which may apply to items or services reimbursed by any third party payer, including commercial insurers, and state laws governing the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by federal laws, thus complicating compliance efforts.

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Distribution of pharmaceutical products is subject to additional requirements and regulations, including extensive record-keeping, licensing, traceability, and storage and security requirements intended to prevent the unauthorized sale of pharmaceutical products.

Research and Development Activities and Costs

We incurred $141,000 and $226,220, respectively, in research and development costs for the seven-month period ended March 31, 2022 and year-ended August 31, 2021.

Employees

As of March 31, 2022, we had no full-time or part-time employees but do have a total of three individuals devoting substantially full-time services to the Company under consultancy arrangement, including our Chief Executive Officer, Rudy Mazzocchi.

Properties

We currently do not rent any real property or offices. Our current business address is 32932 Pacific Coast Highway, #14-254, Dana Point, California 92629.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. Except as noted below, we are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating result.

There are no material proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates or any registered or beneficial shareholder of more than 5% of our common stock is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.

Facilities

We currently do not rent any real property or offices. Our current business address is 32932 Pacific Coast Highway, #14-254, Dana Point, California 92629.

OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICES

Our executive offices are located at 32932 Pacific Coast Highway, #14-254, Dana Point, California 92629.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

As a smaller reporting company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are not required to provide the information called for by this Item.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2. Properties.

Our current business address is 32932 Pacific Coast Highway, #14-254, Dana Point, California 92629. We believe that this space is adequate for our current needs. Our telephone number is (321) 299-2014.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

We are not currently involved in any legal proceedings and we are not aware of any pending or potential legal actions.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

None.

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PART II

Item 5. Market For Registrants Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters Market Information.

Market Information and Holders

Our shares of common stock are quoted on the over-the-counter markets, currently on the OTC Pink tier of the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (the OTC Markets Group), under the stock symbol AGTX. As of July 11, 2022, the Company had 38,916,931 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and we had approximately 226 holders of our common stock.

Dividends

Historically, we have not paid any dividends to the holders of our common stock and we do not expect to pay any such dividends in the foreseeable future as we expect to retain our future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business.

Transfer Agent

Our transfer agent is West Coast Stock Transfer, Inc. (West Coast Stock Transfer), whose address 721 N. Vulcan Ave., Encinitas, California 92024. West Coast Stock Transfers telephone number is (619) 664-4780.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

We have not established any compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance.

Purchases Of Equity Securities by the Registrant and Affiliated Purchasers

We did not purchase any of our shares of common stock or other securities during the year ended March 31, 2022.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

As a smaller reporting company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are not required to provide the information called for by this Item.

Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

OVERVIEW

The Company was incorporated in the State of Nevada on April 18, 2013 and established a fiscal year end of March 31.

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Merger with GSL Healthcare

On May 28, 2020, we entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the Share Exchange Agreement), by and among the Company, and GSL Healthcare, Inc., a Nevada corporation (GSL Healthcare), and the holders of common stock of GSL Healthcare, which consisted of two stockholders. The closing date occurred on June 1, 2020.

Under the terms and conditions of the Share Exchange Agreement, we offered and sold 27,932,271 shares of our common stock of the Company in consideration for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of GSL Healthcare. The effect of the issuance is that former two GSL Healthcare shareholders hold approximately 88.0% of the then issued shares of common stock of the Company, and GSL Healthcare is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

The merger between the Company and GSL Healthcare was treated as a reverse capitalization for financial statement reporting purposes with GSL Healthcare deemed the accounting acquirer and the Company deemed the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, GSL Healthcare assets, liabilities and results of operations became our historical financial statements. Prior to the Share Exchange, we had 3,806,613 shares of outstanding common stock which remained outstanding as part of the merger.

Merger with Applied Biopharma

In July 2021, we entered into and completed an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), by and among our Company, AB Merger LLC, a Nevada limited liability company and our wholly-owned subsidiary (AB Merger), and Applied Biopharma, pursuant to which Applied BioPharma merged into AB Merger and the effect of which is that, upon and assuming consummation of the Merger Agreement, Applied Biopharma became a wholly-owned subsidiary of our Company.

We paid one share of our common stock for the acquisition of Applied Biopharma under the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. The acquisition of Applied Biopharma was considered immaterial, as Applied Biopharma had minimal activity and had no assets or liabilities as of the date of acquisition. As such, we have included the activity of Applied Biopharma for the period following the completion of the Merger Agreement.

COVID-19

We continue to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and our Company and have concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on our financial position and results of our operations, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of this filing. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and to the understanding of our financial results:

Deferred Tax Assets and Income Tax Provision

We account for income taxes under Section 740-10-30 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent we conclude it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statements of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.

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We adopted section 740-10-25 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (Section 740-10-25). Section 740-10-25 addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under Section 740-10-25, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent (50%) likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Section 740-10-25 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We do not expect the adoption of recently issued accounting pronouncements to have a significant impact on its results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 as compared to Seven Months Ended March 31, 2021:

We recorded no revenues during the seven months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

For the seven months ended March 31, 2022, we incurred total professional fees of $2,010,442 as compared to $738,382 for the seven months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was mainly related to $1,770,000 non-cash stock compensation related to our issuance of our common stock in exchange for services as compared to $381,150 for the seven months ended March 31, 2021.

For the seven months ended March 31, 2022, we incurred total research and development expenses of $141,000 as compared to $226,220 for the seven months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease of $85,220 primarily related to availability of funds.

For the seven months ended March 31, 2022, we recorded $49,439 related to a provision for excess inventory that we deemed not sellable. We did not incur a similar provision for excess inventory during our seven months ended March 31, 2021.

For the seven months ended March 31, 2022, general and administrative expenses were $90,382 as compared to $40,382 for the seven months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was related to royalties we paid for a license.

For the seven months ended March 31, 2022, cash used from our operations was $1,623 of cash as compared to a use of cash of $397,401 during the seven months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease in cash used in our operations related primarily to obtaining funding from our related parties to pay operating expenses as compared to prior year in which we had a higher cash balance that was available to pay operating costs. In addition, we received $180,000 from the proceeds of our sale of common stock during the seven months ended March 31, 2021, which did not occur during the seven months ended March 31, 2022. Further, we did not incur or obtain cash from investing activities during the seven months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Year ended August 31, 2021 and for the period from inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020

GSL Healthcare, our now principal business and historical financial statements of our company, began operations on April 15, 2020. Thus, a comparable full 12 month period does not exist. The following are our results for the year ended August 31, 2021 and for the period from inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020:

We recorded minimal revenues of $1,240 since our inception on April 15, 2020.

For the year ended August 31, 2021, we incurred total operating expenses of $1,341,031, consisting of professional fees of $909,483, which included $381,150 of non-cash common stock expense related to shares we issued for services, research and development expenses of $365,132, and general and administrative expenses of $66,416. We also incurred interest income of $5 during the year ended August 31, 2021.

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For the period from inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020, we incurred total operating expenses of $344,389, consisting of professional fees of $227,055, research and development expenses of $94,100, and general and administrative expenses of $23,234. We also incurred interest income of $31 during the period from inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020.

For the year ended August 31, 2021, we used $420,982 of cash in our operations and did not incur or obtain cash from investing and obtained $180,000 from financing activities related to our issuance of common stock for cash.

For the period from inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020, we used $368,774 of cash in our operations, $17 in cash from an acquisition, and received $611,507 from the issuance of our common stock.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. As reflected in our consolidated financial statements for the seven months ended March 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit, we did not incur any revenue and we had a net loss along with no cash generated from our operations. In addition, we owe our vendors and related parties $1,092,876 as of March 31, 2022. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

We are attempting to commence operations and generate sufficient revenue; however, our cash position is not sufficient to support our daily operations. As such, we will need to raise funds to complete our plan of operation and fund our ongoing operational expenses for the next 12 months. Additional funding will likely come from equity financing from the sale of our common stock or debt financing. If we are successful in completing an equity financing, existing shareholders will experience dilution of their interest in our Company and if we obtain debt financing, the terms of any such debt financing may not be favorable to existing shareholders. We cannot provide investors with any assurance that we will be able to raise sufficient funding from the sale of our common stock or obtaining debt to fund our development activities and ongoing operational expenses. In the absence of such financing, our business will likely fail. There are no assurances that we will be able to achieve further sales of our common stock or any other form of additional financing. If we are unable to achieve the financing necessary to continue our plan of operations, then we will not be able to continue our development to complete our plan of operation and our business will fail.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to stockholders

Subsequent Events

In accordance with ASC 855, we have analyzed our operations subsequent to March 31, 2022 through the date these financial statements were issued, and have determined that we dont have any other material subsequent events to disclose in these financial statements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

As a smaller reporting company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are not required to provide the information called for by this Item.

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Item 8. Financial Statements.

Agentix, Inc.

Index to the Financial Statements

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Agentix Corp.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of March 31, 2022, August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders (deficit) equity, and cash flows for the seven months ended March 31, 2022 and each of the years in the two-year period ended August 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2022, August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the seven months ended March 31, 2022 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended August 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Going Concern

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has an accumulated deficit, net losses, and negative cash flows from operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. Managements plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there were no critical audit matters.

/s/ Fruci & Associates II, PLLC

We have served as the Companys auditor since 2018. Spokane, Washington July 14, 2022

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2022 August 31, 2021 From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020 Assets Current Assets Cash $ 145 $ 1,768 $ 242,750 Inventory - 49,439 - Prepaid expense 15,833 - 50,000 Total current assets 15,978 51,207 292,750 Total assets $ 15,978 $ 51,207 $ 292,750 Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity Current Liabilities Accounts payable $ 145,119 $ 121,239 $ 41,318 Accounts payable - related party 947,757 485,603 27,870 Accrued expenses 100 100 100 Total current liabilities 1,092,976 606,942 69,288 Long Term Liabilities - - - Total liabilities 1,092,976 606,942 69,288 Commitments and Contingencies - - - Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity Common stock par value $ 0.001 : 50,000,000 shares authorized; 38,916,951 , 34,874,605 and 34,489,605 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively 38,917 34,875 34,490 Common stock to be issued ( 520,000 shares at August 31, 2021) - 180,000 - Additional paid-in capital 2,879,606 933,648 552,883 Accumulated deficit ( 3,995,521 ) ( 1,704,258 ) ( 363,911 ) Total stockholders' (deficit) equity ( 1,076,998 ) ( 555,735 ) 223,462 Total liabilities and stockholders' (deficit) equity $ 15,978 $ 51,207 $ 292,750

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Operations

Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 Seven Months Ended March 31, 2021 Year Ended August 31, 2021 From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020 Revenue $ - $ - $ 1,240 $ - Cost of goods sold - - 561 - Gross margin - - 679 - Operating Expenses Professional fees $ 2,010,442 738,382 $ 909,483 227,055 Research and development 141,000 226,220 365,132 94,100 Provision for excess inventory 49,439 - - - General and administrative expenses 90,382 40,382 66,416 23,234 Total operating expenses 2,291,263 1,004,984 1,341,031 344,389 Loss from operations ( 2,291,263 ) ( 1,004,984 ) ( 1,340,352 ) ( 344,389 ) Other (income) expense Other expense - - - 19,553 Interest income - ( 5 ) ( 5 ) ( 31 ) Loss before Income tax provision ( 2,291,263 ) ( 1,004,979 ) ( 1,340,347 ) ( 363,911 ) Income tax provision - - - - Net loss $ ( 2,291,263 ) $ ( 1,004,979 ) $ ( 1,340,347 ) $ ( 363,911 ) Loss per share - Basic and diluted $ ( 0.06 ) $ ( 0.03 ) $ ( 0.04 ) $ ( 0.02 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic and diluted 36,558,010 34,549,171 34,734,990 23,179,141

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders (Deficit) Equity

For the Year Ended August 31, 2021 and For the Period From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020

For the Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022

Common stock par value $0.001 Common Additional Total Stockholders' Number of Shares Amount Stock to be Issued Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit (Deficit) Equity Balance, April 15, 2020 (Inception) - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Shares issued in reverse merger 3,806,613 3,807 - - - 3,807 Shares issued for cash 2,750,721 2,751 608,757 611,508 Shares issued for purchase of GSL Healthcare, Inc. 27,932,271 27,932 ( 55,874 ) ( 27,942 ) Net Loss ( 363,911 ) ( 363,911 ) Balance, August 31, 2020 34,489,605 $ 34,490 $ - $ 552,883 $ ( 363,911 ) $ 223,462 Common stock issued for cash 180,000 180,000 Common stock issued to consultant 385,000 385 380,765 381,150 Net Loss ( 1,340,347 ) ( 1,340,347 ) Balance, August 31, 2021 34,874,605 $ 34,875 $ 180,000 $ 933,648 $ ( 1,704,258 ) $ ( 555,735 ) Issuance of previous common stock to be issued 520,000 520 ( 180,000 ) 179,480 - - Common stock issued to management 3,000,000 3,000 1,497,000 1,500,000 Common stock issued to consultants 522,346 522 269,478 270,000 Net loss ( 2,291,263 ) ( 2,291,263 ) Balance, March 31, 2022 38,916,951 $ 38,917 $ - $ 2,879,606 $ ( 3,995,521 ) $ ( 1,076,998 )

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 Seven Months Ended March 31, 2021 Year Ended August 31, 2021 From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020 Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net loss $ ( 2,291,263 ) $ ( 1,004,979 ) $ ( 1,340,347 ) $ ( 363,911 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Provision for excess inventory 49,439 - - - Stock issued for services 1,750,000 381,150 381,150 - Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Inventory - - ( 49,439 ) - Prepayments and other current assets 4,167 - 50,000 ( 50,000 ) Accounts payable and accounts payable - related party 486,035 226,428 537,654 25,584 Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities ( 1,623 ) ( 397,401 ) ( 420,982 ) ( 368,774 ) Cash Flows from Investing Activities Cash acquired from acquisition - - - 17 Net Cash Used in Investing Activities - - - 17 Cash Flows from Financing Activities Proceeds from issuance of common stock - 180,000 180,000 611,507 Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities - 180,000 180,000 611,507 Net Change in Cash ( 1,623 ) ( 217,401 ) ( 240,982 ) 242,750 Cash - beginning of reporting period 1,768 242,750 242,750 - Cash - end of reporting period $ 145 $ 25,349 $ 1,768 $ 242,750 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid $ - $ - $ - $ - Income tax paid $ - $ - $ - $ - Non Cash Financing and Investing Activities Issuance of stock for software subscription $ 20,000 $ - $ - $ - Issuance of stock for acquisition $ - $ - $ - $ 110,910

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

For the Year Ended August 31, 2021 and For the Period From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020

Note 1 - Organization and Basis of Presentation Description of the Company FairWind Energy, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated on April 18, 2013 under the laws of the State of Nevada. Effective June 17, 2019, the Company changed its name to Agentix Corp. The Company is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutic agents for the treatment of metabolic disease like Type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Starting in March 2022, the Company changed its fiscal year end from August to March. Merger with GSL Healthcare, Inc. On May 28, 2020, the Company, entered into a Share Exchange Agreement with GSL Healthcare, Inc., a Nevada corporation (GSL Healthcare), and the holders of the common stock of GSL Healthcare, which consisted of two stockholders. Under the terms and conditions of the Share Exchange Agreement, the Company offered and sold 27,932,271 shares of common stock of the Company in consideration for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of GSL Healthcare. The effect of the issuance is that GSL Healthcare became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The closing date occurred on June 1, 2020. The merger between the Company and GSL Healthcare was treated as a reverse capitalization for financial statement reporting purposes with GSL Healthcare deemed the accounting acquirer and the Company deemed the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, GSL Healthcares assets, liabilities and results of operations became the historical financial statements of the Company. GSL Healthcares inception date was April 15, 2020. Merger with Applied Biopharma In July 2021, the Company entered into and completed an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), by and among the Company, AB Merger LLC, a Nevada limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (AB Merger), and Applied Biopharma, pursuant to which Applied BioPharma merged into AB Merger and the effect of which is that, upon and assuming consummation of the Merger Agreement, Applied Biopharma became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company paid one share of its common stock for the acquisition of Applied Biopharma and thus the acquisition of Applied Biopharma was considered immaterial, as Applied Biopharma had minimal activity and had no assets or liabilities as of the date of merger. As such, the Company has included the activity of Applied Biopharma for the period following the completion of the Merger Agreement. Going Concern The Companys consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that it will continue as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. As reflected in the consolidated financial statements, the Company had an accumulated deficit on March 31, 2022, a net loss, and net cash used in operating activities. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. The Company is attempting to commence operations and generate sufficient revenue; however, the Companys cash position is not sufficient to support its daily operations. While the Company believes in the viability of its strategy to commence operations and generate sufficient revenue and in its ability to raise additional funds, there can be no assurances to that effect. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to further implement its business plan and generate sufficient revenue and its ability to raise additional funds by way of a public or private offering. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, GSL Healthcare, Inc., AB Merger LLC, and Applied Biopharma, all 100 % owned entities. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

For the Year Ended August 31, 2021 and For the Period From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020

Note 2 - Significant and Critical Accounting Policies and Practices Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), and with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to Form 10-K and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes herein. Use of Estimates and Assumptions and Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions Preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Among other things, management estimates include the assumptions made in determining impairment and valuation of investments, accruals for potential liabilities and realization of deferred tax assets. These estimates generally involve complex issues and require judgments, involve analysis of historical information and the prediction of future trends, and are subject to change from period to period. Actual amounts could differ significantly from these estimates. Accounting for Leases The Company follows the guidance of ASC 842, Leases, which requires an entity to recognize a right-of-use asset (ROU) and a lease liability for virtually all leases. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. ROU assets represent the Companys right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Companys obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The Company uses an implicit rate of interest to determine the present value of lease payments utilizing its incremental borrowing rate, as the implicit rate of interest in the respective leases is not readily determinable. The Companys incremental borrowing rate is a hypothetical rate based on its understanding of what its credit rating would be. As of March 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any leases. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company follows paragraph 825-10-50-10 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for disclosures about fair value of its financial instruments and paragraph 820-10-35-37 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (Paragraph 820-10-35-37) to measure the fair value of its financial instruments. Paragraph 820-10-35-37 establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures, Paragraph 820-10-35-37 establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three (3) broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three (3) levels of fair value hierarchy defined by Paragraph 820-10-35-37 are described below: Level 1 Quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Level 2 Pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 3 Pricing inputs that are generally unobservable inputs and not corroborated by market data. Financial assets are considered Level 3 when their fair values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques and at least one significant model assumption or input is unobservable. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. If the inputs used to measure the financial assets and liabilities fall within more than one level described above, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

For the Year Ended August 31, 2021 and For the Period From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020

The carrying amounts of the Companys financial assets and liabilities, such as cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments. The Companys equity investments are considered Level 3, as pricing inputs are generally unobservable and not corroborated by market data. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined principally on a first-in-first-out average cost basis. Inventories consist of finished goods held for sale. Management regularly reviews inventory quantities on-hand and records an inventory provision for excess or obsolete inventory based on the future expected demand for products. Inventory write-downs are measured as the difference between the cost of the inventory and market value, based upon assumptions about future demand that are inherently difficult to assess. During the seven months March 31, 2022, the Company recorded a provision for excess inventory in the amount of $ 49,439 for inventory that was deemed not sellable. For the year ended August 31, 2021 and for the period from inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020, the Company did not record a provision for excess or obsolete inventory. Prepayment As of August 31, 2020, the Company recorded a $ 50,000 payment as a deposit for inventory, which was reflected in the Companys balance sheet as Prepayment. During the year ended August 31, 2021, the inventory was received. Prepaid expense at March 31, 2022 related to prepaid software (see note 7). Carrying Value, Recoverability and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company follows Section 360-10-35 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for its long-lived assets. Pursuant to ASC Paragraph 360-10-35-17 an impairment loss shall be recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset (asset group) is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset (asset group) is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset (asset group). That assessment shall be based on the carrying amount of the asset (asset group) at the date it is tested for recoverability. An impairment loss shall be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset (asset group) exceeds its fair value. Pursuant to ASC Paragraph 360-10-35-20 if an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of a long-lived asset shall be its new cost basis. For a depreciable long-lived asset, the new cost basis shall be depreciated (amortized) over the remaining useful life of that asset. Restoration of a previously recognized impairment loss is prohibited. Pursuant to ASC Paragraph 360-10-35-21 the Companys long-lived asset (asset group) is tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company considers the following to be some examples of such events or changes in circumstances that may trigger an impairment review: (a) significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset (asset group); (b) A significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset (asset group) is being used or in its physical condition; (c) A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset (asset group), including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator; (d) An accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset (asset group); (e) A current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset (asset group); and (f) A current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset (asset group) will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. The Company tests its long-lived assets for potential impairment indicators at least annually and more frequently upon the occurrence of such events. Pursuant to ASC Paragraphs 360-10-45-4 and 360-10-45-5 an impairment loss recognized for a long-lived asset (asset group) to be held and used shall be included in income from continuing operations before income taxes in the income statement of a business entity. If a subtotal such as income from operations is presented, it shall include the amount of that loss. A gain or loss recognized on the sale of a long-lived asset (disposal group) that is not a component of an entity shall be included in income from continuing operations before income taxes in the income statement of a business entity. If a subtotal such as income from operations is presented, it shall include the amounts of those gains or losses. Investments The Company follows ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments  Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01 primarily affects equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. Among other things, this guidance requires certain equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. As such, the Company measures its equity investments at their fair value at end of each reporting period.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

For the Year Ended August 31, 2021 and For the Period From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020

Investments accounted for under the equity method or cost method of accounting above are included in the caption "Equity investments" on the Balance Sheet. Management uses Level 3 inputs, as defined in paragraph 820-10-35-37 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, to measure the fair value of its financial instruments. The changes in carrying amount of the equity investment were as follows: Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 Seven Months Ended March 31, 2021 Year Ended August 31, 2021 Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020 Beginning balance $ - $ - $ - $ - Acquisitions - - - 19,553 Dispositions - - - - Impairment - - - ( 19,553 ) Ending balance $ - $ - $ - $ - Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Commitment and Contingencies The Company follows subtopic 450-20 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification to report accounting for contingencies. Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to the Company but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company assesses such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein. If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Companys financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potential material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, and an estimate of the range of possible losses, if determinable and material, would be disclosed. Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the guarantees would be disclosed. Revenue Recognition The Company follows the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which outlines a single, comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods and services is transferred to the Companys customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services, net of value-added tax. The Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:  Identify the contract with a customer;  Identify the performance obligations in the contract;  Determine the transaction price;  Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and  Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

For the Year Ended August 31, 2021 and For the Period From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020

Research and Development The Company follows paragraph 730-10-25-1 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 2 Accounting for Research and Development Costs) and paragraph 730-20-25-11 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 68 Research and Development Arrangements) for research and development costs. Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development costs consist primarily of remuneration for material and testing costs for research and development. Related Parties The Company follows subtopic 850-10 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions. Pursuant to Section 850-10-20 the related parties include a. affiliates (Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company; b. entities for which investments in their equity securities would be required, absent the election of the fair value option under the Fair Value Option Subsection of Section 8251015, to be accounted for by the equity method by the investing entity; c. trusts for the benefit of employees, such as pension and profit-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of management; d. principal owners of the Company; e. management of the Company; f. other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests; and g. other parties that can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties or that have an ownership interest in one of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that one or more of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The financial statements shall include disclosures of material related party transactions, other than compensation arrangements, expense allowances, and other similar items in the ordinary course of business. However, disclosure of transactions that are eliminated in the preparation of consolidated or combined financial statements is not required in those statements. The disclosures shall include: a. the nature of the relationship(s) involved; b. a description of the transactions, including transactions to which no amounts or nominal amounts were ascribed, for each of the periods for which income statements are presented, and such other information deemed necessary to an understanding of the effects of the transactions on the financial statements; c. the dollar amounts of transactions for each of the periods for which income statements are presented and the effects of any change in the method of establishing the terms from that used in the preceding period; and d. amounts due from or to related parties as of the date of each balance sheet presented and, if not otherwise apparent, the terms and manner of settlement. Deferred Tax Assets and Income Tax Provision The Company accounts for income taxes under Section 740-10-30 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management concludes it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statements of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company adopted section 740-10-25 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (Section 740-10-25). Section 740-10-25 addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under Section 740-10-25, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent (50%) likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Section 740-10-25 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

For the Year Ended August 31, 2021 and For the Period From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020

Earnings per Share Earnings per share (EPS) are the amount of earnings attributable to each share of common stock. For convenience, the term is used to refer to either earnings or loss per share. EPS is computed pursuant to section 260-10-45 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Pursuant to ASC Paragraphs 260-10-45-10 through 260-10-45-16, basic EPS shall be computed by dividing income available to common stockholders (the numerator) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (the denominator) during the period. Income available to common stockholders shall be computed by deducting both the dividends declared in the period on preferred stock (whether or not paid) and the dividends accumulated for the period on cumulative preferred stock (whether or not earned) from income from continuing operations (if that amount appears in the income statement) and also from net income. The computation of diluted EPS is similar to the computation of basic EPS except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued during the period to reflect the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through contingent shares issuance arrangement, stock options or warrants. Pursuant to ASC Paragraphs 260-10-45-45-21 through 260-10-45-45-23 Diluted EPS shall be based on the most advantageous conversion rate or exercise price from the standpoint of the security holder. The dilutive effect of outstanding call options and warrants (and their equivalents) issued by the reporting entity shall be reflected in diluted EPS by application of the treasury stock method unless the provisions of paragraphs 260-10-45-35 through 45-36 and 260-10-55-8 through 55-11 require that another method be applied. Equivalents of options and warrants include non-vested stock granted to employees, stock purchase contracts, and partially paid stock subscriptions (see paragraph 260105523). Anti-dilutive contracts, such as purchased put options and purchased call options, shall be excluded from diluted EPS. Under the treasury stock method: a. Exercise of options and warrants shall be assumed at the beginning of the period (or at time of issuance, if later) and common shares shall be assumed to be issued. b. The proceeds from exercise shall be assumed to be used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. (See paragraphs 260-10-45-29 and 260-10-55-4 through 55-5.) c. The incremental shares (the difference between the number of shares assumed issued and the number of shares assumed purchased) shall be included in the denominator of the diluted EPS computation. There were no dilutive common shares for the periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. Stock-Based Payments Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718, Compensation  Stock Compensation (ASC 718), which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). ASC 718 also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award. For non-employees, the Company follows ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. Under the ASU No. 2017-07, most of the guidance on stock payments to nonemployees is aligned with the requirements for share-based payments granted to employees. As such, most of the guidance in ASC 718 associated with employee share-based payments, including most requirements related to classification and measurement, applies to nonemployee share-based payment arrangements. No stock options or warrants were issued or outstanding as of March 31, 2022, August 31, 2021 or August 31, 2020. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 was effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2022. Adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have an impact on the Companys financial statements. On August 5, 2020 the FASB issued the ASU 2020-06 DebtDebt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entitys Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40). The amendments in this update address issues identified as a result of the complexity associated with applying generally accepted accounting principles for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. For convertible instruments, accounting models for specific features are removed and amendments to the disclosure requirements are included. For contracts in an entitys own equity, simplifies the settlement assessment by removing some requirements. Additionally, the amendments in this update affect the diluted EPS calculation for instruments that may be settled in cash or shares and for convertible instruments. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is assessing the effects, if any, that the adoption of this accounting pronouncement may have on its financial statements.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

For the Year Ended August 31, 2021 and For the Period From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020

Note 3  Related Parties SBS Management LLC During the seven months ended March 31, 2022, the Company incurred $ 339,000 of management fees of which $ 250,000 related to non-cash stock compensation for the issuance of 500,000 shares of the Companys common stock issued at a fair market value on the date of issuance of $ 0.50 per share; $ 35,000 for reimbursement of rent; and $ 8,530 of advances to the Company to cover certain operating expenses and accounts payable from SBS Management LLC, a company controlled by Mr. Scott Stevens who is a shareholder of the Company. The fair market value of the common stock issued was determined based on the historical market price of the Companys common stock as of the date of issuance. As of March 31, 2022, $ 288,419 was included in Accounts payable  related party in the accompanying balance sheet. During the seven months ended March 31, 2021, the Company incurred $ 88,099 of management fees; $ 35,000 for reimbursement of rent; and $ 11,494 of advances to the Company to cover certain operating expenses and accounts payable from SBS Management LLC. As of August 31, 2021, $ 41,233 was owed to SBS Management LLC and was included in Accounts payable  related party in the accompanying balance sheet. During the year ended August 31, 2021, the Company incurred $ 150,000 of management fees, $ 60,000 for reimbursement of rent, $ 12,093 of advances, and $ 5,000 advance of working capital to the Company to cover certain operating expenses from SBS Management LLC. As of August 31, 2021, $ 127,233 was included in Accounts payable  related party in the accompanying balance sheet. During the period from inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020, SBS Management LLC was paid $ 53,000 of management fees and the Company reimbursed SBS Management LLC $ 20,000 for rent expense. The advances are unsecured, non-interest bearing, with no formal terms of repayment. Grays Peak Capital Grays Peak Capital, a company founded by a shareholder of the Company, made advances to the Company to cover certain operating expenses. As of March 31, 2022 the amount due Grays Peak Capital for these advances was $ 218,620 and as of August 31, 2021 and 2020, the amounts due Grayss Peak were $ 120,870 and $ 27,870 , respectively. Amounts owed to Grays Peak were included in accounts payable  related party in the accompanying balance sheet. These advances are unsecured, non-interest bearing, with no formal terms of repayment. Consulting Fees During the seven months ended March 31, 2022, the Company incurred $ 750,000 of consulting fees related to the non-cash issuance of 1,500,000 shares of the Companys common stock at a fair market value of $ 0.50 per share on the date of issuance to Emmes Group Consulting LLC (Emmes), which the Companys Chief Scientific Officer is the managing director of Emmes. The fair market value of the common stock issued was determined based on the historical market price of the Companys common stock as of the date of issuance. Management During the seven months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company incurred $ 473,500 and $ 68,750 , respectively, of consulting fees of which $ 375,000 incurred during the seven months ended March 31, 2022 related to non-cash stock compensation for the issuance of 750,000 shares of the Companys common stock issued at a fair value on the date of issuance of $ 0.50 per share, from a consulting agreement with the Companys SVP Portfolio & Business Development. The fair market value of the common stock issued was determined based on the historical market price of the Companys common stock as of the date of issuance. As of March 31, 2022 $ 201,000 was included in accounts payable  related party in the accompanying balance sheet. During the year ended August 31, 2021, the Company incurred $ 112,500 of consulting fees from a shareholder of the company of which $ 5,000 was paid and $ 107,500 was included in accounts payable  related party in the accompanying balance sheet. During the seven months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company incurred $ 480,000 and $ 97,500 , respectively of consulting fees of which $ 375,000 incurred during the seven months ended March 31, 2022 related to the non-cash issuance of the 750,000 shares of the Companys common stock issued at a fair value on the date of issuance of $ 0.50 per share, from a consulting and employment agreement with its CEO. The fair market value of the common stock issued was determined based on the historical market price of the Companys common stock as of the date of issuance. As of March 31, 2022, $ 232,500 was included in accounts payable  related party in the accompanying balance sheet.

Agentix Corp. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Seven Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

For the Year Ended August 31, 2021 and For the Period From Inception (April 15, 2020) to August 31, 2020

During the year ended August 31, 2021, the Company incurred $ 112,500 of consulting fees from a shareholder of the company of which $ 5,000 was paid and $ 107,500 was included in accounts payable  related party in the accompanying balance sheet. During the year ended August 31, 2021, the Company incurred $ 130,000 from a consulting and employment agreement with its CEO of which $ 5,000 was paid and $ 130,000 was included in accounts payable  related party in the accompanying balance sheet.

Note 4  Acquisition of GSL Healthcare, Inc. On May 28, 2020, the Company, entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the Share Exchange Agreement), by and among the Company, and GSL Healthcare, Inc., a Nevada corporation (GSL Healthcare), and the holders of common stock of GSL Healthcare, which consisted of two stockholders. The closing date occurred on June 1, 2020. Under the terms and conditions of the Share Exchange Agreement, the Company offered and sold 27,932,271 shares of common stock of the Company in consideration for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of GSL Healthcare. The effect of the issuance is that former two GSL Healthcare shareholders now hold approximately 88 .0% of the issued shares of common stock of the Company, and GSL Healthcare is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The acquisition price consists of the issuance of 27,932,271 shares of the Companys common stock with an estimated value of $ 138,852 , which consisted of net assets of $ 17 , liabilities of $ 43,704 and fair value of common stock issued of $ 95,165 . The merger between the Company and GSL Healthcare was treated as a reverse capitalization for financial statement reporting purposes with GSL Healthcare deemed the accounting acquirer and the Company deemed the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, GSL Healthcares assets, liabilities and results of operations became the historical financial statements of the Company and no step-up in basis was recorded. As a result, the Company recorded $ 55,874 as a decrease in paid in capital related to the difference of consideration paid and net amount received.

Note 5  Acquisition of Applied Biopharma In July 2021, the Company entered into and completed an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), by and among the Company, AB Merger LLC, a Nevada limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (AB Merger), and Applied Biopharma, pursuant to which Applied BioPharma merged into AB Merger and the effect of which is that, upon and assuming consummation of the Merger Agreement, Applied Biopharma became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Under the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Company offered and sold 1 share of common stock of the Company in consideration for the purchase of Applied Biopharma. The effect of the issuance is that Applied Biopharma is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The acquisition price consisted of the issuance of 1 share of the Companys common stock with an estimated value of $ 1.15 . Applied Biopharma consisted of net assets of nil and had minimal activity. As such, the acquisition of Applied 
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) Registration No. 333-253980

Registration No. 333-256912

Registration No. 333-260300

Registration No. 333-263331

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NO. 7

(to Prospectus dated November 4, 2021, and

to Prospectus dated November 8, 2021)

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NO. 2

(to Prospectus dated May 9, 2022)

MEDMEN ENTERPRISES INC.

2,856,324,771 Class B Subordinate Voting Shares

309,925,534 Class B Subordinate Voting Shares

72,189,596 Class B Subordinate Voting Shares

This prospectus supplement updates and supplements the information contained in (i) the prospectus dated November 4, 2021, (as may be supplemented or amended from time to time, the November 4 Prospectus), (ii) the prospectus dated November 8, 2021 (as may be supplemented or amended from time to time, the November 8 Prospectus), and (iii) the prospectus dated May 9, 2022 (as may be supplemented or amended from time to time, the May 9 Prospectus and, each, as applicable, the Prospectus). This prospectus supplement is being filed to update and supplement the information in the each Prospectus with the information contained in our Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the filed with the SEC on May 25, 2022 (which is attached to and a part of this prospectus supplement), only to the extent that any information contained in such documents is deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The November 4 Prospectus and this prospectus supplement relate to the offer and sale, from time to time, by the selling shareholders identified in the Prospectus, or their permitted transferees, of up to an aggregate of 2,856,324,771 Class B Subordinate Voting Shares (the Subordinate Voting Shares), which consists of (i) up to 1,960,722,256 Subordinate Voting Shares, including Subordinate Voting Shares issuable as payment-in-kind interest (assuming payment on the maturity date and at the current conversion rate), issuable to certain selling shareholders upon conversion of senior secured convertible notes outstanding under the Fourth Amended and Restated Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 17, 2021 (the Convertible Facility), (ii) up to 208,102,565 Subordinate Voting Shares issuable to certain selling shareholders upon exercise of warrants outstanding under the Convertible Facility, (iii) up to 427,083,306 Subordinate Voting Shares, consisting of 416,666,640 Subordinate Voting Shares issued to certain selling shareholders in connection with the Companys private placement entered into on August 17, 2021 (the August 2021 Private Placement) and 10,416,666 Subordinate Voting Shares issued to certain selling shareholders as consideration for providing the Backstop Commitment in connection with the August 2021 Private Placement, (iv) up to 104,166,644 Subordinate Voting Shares issuable to certain selling shareholders upon exercise of warrants that were issued pursuant to the August 2021 Private Placement, and (v) Subordinate Voting Shares issuable upon exercise of a Short-Term Subscription Right entitling the holders to acquire either (a) an aggregate of 125,000,000 units at an exercise price of $0.24 per unit, with the units consisting of 125,000,000 Subordinate Voting Shares and share purchase warrants exercisable for 31,250,000 Subordinate Voting Shares at an exercise price of $0.288 per share, or (b) $30 million principal amount of notes at par, convertible into 125,000,000 Subordinate Voting Shares at a conversion price of $0.24 per share.

The November 8 Prospectus and this prospectus supplement relate to the offer and sale, from time to time, by the selling shareholders identified in the Prospectus, or their permitted transferees, of up to an aggregate of 309,925,534 Subordinate Voting Shares, which consists of 137,669,046 Subordinate Voting Shares and 172,256,488 Subordinate Voting Shares issuable upon exercise of warrants.

The May 9 Prospectus and this prospectus supplement relate relates to the offer and sale or other disposition, from time to time, by the selling shareholders identified in the Prospectus, or their permitted transferees, of up to an aggregate of 72,189,596 Subordinate Voting Shares, which amount consists of (i) 8,021,593 Subordinate Voting Shares issued pursuant to the Companys Sixth Modification to its Senior Secured Convertible Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 2, 2022, and (ii) 64,168,003 Subordinate Voting Shares issued in connection with certain vendor and legal dispute settlements.

This prospectus supplement updates and supplements the information in the Prospectus and is not complete without, and may not be delivered or utilized except in combination with the Prospectus, including any amendments or supplements thereto. This prospectus supplement should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and if there is any inconsistency between the information in the Prospectus and this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

Our Subordinate Voting Shares trade on the Canadian Exchange (CSE) under the symbol MMEN. The closing sales price of our Subordinate Voting Shares on the CSE on July 15, 2022 was C$0.085 per share. Our Subordinate Voting Shares also trade on the OTCQX under the symbol MMNFF. The last reported sales price of our Subordinate Voting Shares on the OTCQX on July 15, 2022 was $0.064 per share.

We are an emerging growth company, as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, we may continue to elect to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements in future reports. Certain implications of being an emerging growth company are described on page 3 of each of the November 4 Prospectus and November 8 Prospectus and page 2 of the May Prospectus.

Investing in our Subordinate Voting Shares involves a high degree of risk. You should refer to the discussion of risk factors, beginning on page 9 of each of the November 4 Prospectus and November 8 Prospectus and page 8 of the May Prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus supplement is July 18, 2022.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 19, 2022

MEDMEN ENTERPRISES INC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

British Columbia A1 000-56199 98-1431779 (State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer

Identification No.)

10115 Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

Registrants telephone number, including area code (424) 330-2082

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class Trading Symbol Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On May 19, 2022, MedMen Enterprises Inc. (the Company) received from Tyson Rossi notification of resignation as Chief Strategy Officer effective June 3, 2022. Mr. Rossis resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matters relating to its operations, policies or practices.

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

As previously reported in the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2022, the Company adjourned from its annual and special meeting of shareholders held on April 20, 2022 Proposal 3 regarding approval of an amendment to the MedMen Enterprises Inc. 2018 Stock and Incentive Plan to set the amount reserved for future issuance under the plan to 200,000,000 Class B Subordinate Voting Shares plus all shares underlying outstanding awards as of April 1, 2021. On May 19, 2022, the Company held the adjourned meeting on Proposal 3 (the Adjoined Meeting). At the Adjourned Meeting, the voting results of Proposal 3 were as follows: 43,074,759 voted for, 47, 233,847 voted against, 922,905 abstained and 222,200,629 were broker non-votes. Due to fact that the number of additional shares voted at the Adjourned Meeting did not meet the requirements for which the vote was being taken, Proposal 3 was withdrawn.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On May 23, 2022, the Company issued a press release, which is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and hereby furnished pursuant to this Item 7.01.

The information disclosed under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On May 20, 2022, the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County granted in favor of the Company a summary judgement with respect to a complaint filed on March 11, 2020 by Whitestar Solutions, LLC and Adakai Holdings, LLC regarding a purchase agreement for the sale of the membership interests in Omaha Management Services, LLC and control of EBA Holdings, Inc. on December 3, 2018 alleging fraudulent inducement and breach of contract.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit

Number Description 99.1 Press Release dated May 23, 2022

1

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: May 25, 2022 MEDMEN ENTERPRISES INC /s/ Ana Bowman By: Ana Bowman Its: Chief Financial Officer
(Tribune News Service)  It might be too dark to see them, but anyone near Columbia Metropolitan Airport should be able to hear the F-16 fighter jets flying over the Midlands at night this week.

The F-16 Falcon fighter jets are a part of the 169th Fighter Wing of the South Carolina Air National Guard, and will hold nighttime training flights near their temporary home at the airport, military officials said Monday in a news release.

The training flights will happen Monday through Thursday, according to the release.

Anyone who works or lives near the airport thats in Lexington County might see and hear F-16 fighter jets taking off or landing until about midnight, the S.C. Air National Guard said.

The fighter jets can fly up to twice the speed of sound, officials said.

Military training flights normally take place during the day, but S.C. Air National Guard pilots and maintenance crews are required to conduct periodic nighttime missions as part of their preparations, according to the release.

Pilots will follow flightpaths designed to minimize noise to those who live and work near the airport, the S.C. Air National Guard said. In an effort to limit the noise, afterburner takeoffs will be reduced and kept to a minimum, officials said.

We have taken every possible measure in our flight profiles to minimize noise generated from our training operations, 169th Fighter Wing commander Col. Quaid Quadri said in the release. We understand the impact to our neighbors and appreciate their support. We stand on the shoulders of giants in our community.

The 169th Fighter Wing said its temporarily conducting flight training operations from Columbia Metropolitan Airport in support of its 24/7 homeland defense mission because of renovations to the runway at McEntire Joint National Guard Base near Eastover, where the fighter jets are regularly based.

Between 200-300 members of the S.C. Air National Guard will be working at the airport on a daily basis, officials said.

The main runway at McEntire Joint National Guard Base closed on May 2, and improvements are expected to be completed by Oct. 31, according to the release.

Non-military flights at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport will not be disrupted, according to airport officials.

The construction at McEntire, which includes repaving the landing zone, installing new lighting and installing devices to aid in landing, is expected to cost $20 million, and will be paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense, Quadri told The State in March.

The improvements are expected to last 15 years and could help bring highly advanced jets such as the F-35 to McEntire, Quadri said in the previous interview.

The mission of the 169th Fighter Wing  also known as the Swamp Foxes  is to maintain wartime readiness and the ability to mobilize and deploy expeditiously to carry out tactical air missions or combat support activities in the event of a war or military emergency, officials said. It specializes in the suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses.

The S.C. Air National Guard will also respond to the South Carolina governor in the event of natural disaster or domestic disturbance.

Anyone interested in watching the F-16s take off and land in their temporary home can park at airports the cell phone waiting lot.

2022 The State.

Visit thestate.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The recent launch of a hypersonic missile from a Marine Corps logistics truck marked a breakthrough for a program focused on bolstering the militarys ability to strike faraway targets on the move.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agencys test in New Mexico last week was part of Operational Fires, which aims to integrate technologies so sophisticated missiles can be fired from trucks routinely driven by Marines and soldiers.

This is a promising step toward an ... on-demand capability for accurately firing medium-range missiles from highly agile, readily available logistics trucks that are already in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps inventory, Lt. Col. Joshua Stults, the DARPA program manager for OpFires, said in a statement.

DARPA said the system achieved all test objectives, ranging from usage of a logistics truck to launch a medium-range missile to incorporation of Army inventory artillery fire control systems.

Compatibility with existing command-and-control, vehicles, logistics infrastructure and operating environments ensures that OpFires is highly mobile and rapidly deployable, DARPA said.

The Pentagon has numerous hypersonic missile programs in the works. Such weapons fly faster than five times the speed of sound. Developing the missiles has become a priority in light of Russian and Chinese advances in the area of hypersonic weaponry.

DARPAs OpFires initiative is focused on development of a ground-launched system enabling hypersonic boost glide weapons to penetrate modern air defenses and hit time-sensitive targets, according to the agency.

Such advances coincide with ongoing efforts by the Army and the Marine Corps to develop more long-range precision weapons, a modernization focus for both services.
NAPLES, Italy  U.S. naval forces are taking part in a Black Sea exercise and visiting a Turkish city this week, bringing with them a message of NATO solidarity in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Navy P-8A Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance planes from Task Force 67 based at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily and expeditionary units from Task Force 68 based at Naval Station Rota in Spain are slated to participate in Breeze 2022, based in Bulgaria, Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet announced Friday.

The Bulgarian port of Varna is about 370 miles south of the Ukrainian city of Odesa, which has been under attack by Russian forces.

Meanwhile, USS Bainbridge, currently deployed to the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, made a scheduled port visit in the Sea of Marmara to Aksaz, Turkey, on Monday, the Navy said in a separate statement.

The visit provides another signal that the cohesion of the alliance is as strong as ever, said Cmdr. Desmond Walker, Bainbridges executive officer.

Soon after Russia launched its full-scale invasion into Ukraine on Feb. 24, Russian Black Sea Fleet submarines and patrol boats enforced a maritime blockade in the northern Black Sea, making it impossible for cargo ships, including those with Ukrainian grain, to safely transit the area.

Thats eased somewhat in recent days after Russian forces abandoned the strategic stronghold of Snake Island, which allowed shipments of Ukrainian agricultural products to begin transiting through the Danube-Black Sea Canal in Romania, the Ukrainian navy tweeted on July 11.

Additionally, Ukrainian strikes on Russian ships, including the sinking of the guided missile cruiser Moskva in April, have resulted in fewer Russian patrols near Odesa.

However, fears of Russian attacks on merchant vessels and other watercraft remain. Last year, Russia threatened to fire on ships participating in the annual U.S.- and Ukraine-led multinational maritime exercise Sea Breeze if they intruded into Russian territorial waters.

The threat followed a heated dispute in June 2021 involving a British warship traveling through the Black Sea.

Led by the Bulgarian navy, Breeze started Thursday and will take place in and around the cities of Burgas and Varna though July 25, the Bulgarian News Agency reported Thursday.

It will include 24 warships, cutters and auxiliary vessels, five planes and four helicopters manned by 1,390 naval personnel from 10 NATO member countries, including Albania, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Turkey, according to the news agency.

Task Force 68 units plan to take part in several events, including mine response, remote-operated vehicle searching techniques and underwater ordnance reconnaissance, the Navy said.

Bainbridges visit to Aksaz makes it at least the second by a Navy destroyer to the city since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

USS Mitscher, then also deployed to the 6th Fleet area of operations, visited in March. Mitscher since has returned to its homeport in Norfolk, Va.

Truman mostly has sailed in the Ionian, Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, supporting patrol and training flights in Eastern Europe since being deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in December.

Truman also sailed in the northern Aegean Sea in March. It is expected to be relieved by the USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group in August, USNI News reported July 11.
This article first appeared in the Stars and Stripes Europe edition, Dec. 2, 1962. It is republished unedited in its original form.

Stepping inside you face a huge bear wearing a necklace of emerald-cut Jade and matching earrings, while a delicate halo of sea shell rests lightly on its head. The right paw grasps an electric torch like the Statue of Liberty. The left cradles a weird assortment of walking sticks. There's no doubt this is the home of Salvador Dali.

Getting there is considerably less than half the fun. The madcap surrealist has maintained his artistic retreat for the past 30 years at the postcard fishing village of Port Lligat, the most inaccessible spot on the Costa Brava. Only one tortuous road twists around the sharply terraced hills, braves the narrow alleys of Cadaques, and emerges at the enchanting cove.

Upon arrival, strangers are waved toward a clutch of white buildings off to the right. The cluster gives the impression that a half dozen small houses of different size were shoved together. A single small gate blocks the way, and it remains unlocked.

Once inside, you step up to a small reception room  no two rooms in the house appear on the same level  that includes a Spanish fireplace. Hanging to one side is a plucked chicken carved from wood.

Next comes the library. A picture window looks out on the peaceful inlet where Onassis and other friends drop anchor at times. A stuffed eagle and three swans stand guard over the bookcases, while a wooden arm holding a miniature American flag extends from one wall. Bunches of bright seaweed add color to the room, as artificial beetles crawl across the fireplace.

The books cover a suitable range of subjects. "Leonardo's-Drawings of the Human Body" shares space with "Secrets of the Hittites." Several volumes on Picasso have a neighbor "Noel Coward's Song Book."

Picasso and Dali have been friends for many years, but their contact has been limited to letters "since he came so mach Communist."

Then "Voila"the 58-year-old host comes bounding into the room, his mustachios quivering "en garde." He is wearing a sweatshirt bearing a portrait of Brahms "Today ees cloudy.- so I theenk Brahms, Brahms." Over his right ear is a small flower.

When the spirited greetings subside, the explosive artist bolts for a side door. "Allons! Vamos a ver . zees way!" One difficulty in communicating with Dali is he shifts linguistic gears to mid-sentence without realizing it. A statement in English may get sidetracked Into French, double back into Spanish, and terminate in incomprehensible Catalan.

The door leads to an extended patio overlooking the sea. At the far end is an outdoor cooking hut made from an old wine press, drift wood, and who knows what else. Dali poses for photographs like a professional model, which of course he is, his body automatically assuming the proper angles to blend with his surroundings. No pose is too ridiculous, and he instinctively pops his eyes just before the shutter clicks.

Still another addition to the house is being added near the patio, and Dali hinted darkly this would house some of his future "inventions." "Eet was first for zee rhinoceros, but Madame Dali say no."

Dali has had a long-standing love affair with the rhinoceros  "eet ees cosmic  zee only true logarithmic curve en zee animal world"  and had supposedly made plans to add a pair of the monsters to the household menagerie.

The maestro insists that his wife is responsible for the decorations of the house  zee personalitee of Dali ees mach too violent  but there is no question as to how it fits in with his superb showmanship.

Returning to the house, Dali described a bullfight in his honor at nearby Cadaques. "I wanted a helicopter to take zee dead bull off to zee sky, but air force say impossible. So zey made bull zat blew up weez fireworks. Wan ball of fire hit me, but no hurt."

A group of Dali's friends in Bogota, Colombia, later heard about his frustrated plan for sending the bull to heaven and actually staged the grand exit with a chopper.

Back inside, Dali led the way (through his bathroom) to the master bedroom. On the wall behind the twin beds hung drapes of brilliant blue shaped in regal style  a crown at the top with the folds extended outward toward the floor.

Adjoining the bedroom is a dressing room with all four walls covered from floor to ceiling with photographs of Dali taken with famous people throughout the world.

Dali divides his time between his home and New York. "Port Lligat ees for leeving, New York ees for inspiration.'' He allegedly rises each day at dawn, works straight through the day except for a 15 minute siesta, and retires by 10 p.m. He maintains that he doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, and eats only "sea urchins."

Does the world's most publicity-conscious painter read what is said about him?

Non non, I no have time. I get package each day. On good day, package ees heavee."

Is he offended when people say he is  er, eccentric?

"On zee contraree! I love crazee people of fixed qualitee."

Many people who have had close contact with Dali feel he is crazy all the way to the bank. As a leading British journalist put it, "He's not even on cloud one."

The tour was interrupted by the appearance of his Russian-born wife. Gala, who models for many of his paintings.

"Wan day I opened my door and fen in love weez her nude back," he explained. "She came to Cadaques to see zee craze painter. Wan morning I opened zee door and she was swimming in zee sea."

Madam Dali took it all with the patience of someone accustomed to an old joke and accompanied her husband to the adjoining room, surreptitiously tucking in his shirt tail.

Dali is a practicing Catholic with strong feelings on immortality. One of his recent acts was to have pieces of tissue from both himself and his wife sent to a Barcelona lab for preservation. But as every literate person in the world should know, Dali has no intention of waiting a couple hundred years for critical and financial recognition.

The next room is perhaps the most impressive in the house. Shaped somewhat like the inside of an igloo, it is so acoustically perfect that a word whispered at any point can be heard perfectly throughout the room. A magnificent custom-made divan circles the entire room, and the decorations include a rare item  a painting by Dali of his wife, her back nude.

Why are there so few Dali paintings in the house?

"Zey are mach too expensif," he explained, with just a suggestion of a twinkle in his eye.

At last the big moment arrived  the studio. But it appeared to be empty!

Dali bounded to the far corner and started cranking a hand windlass, and from the floor emerged his latest work, a massive, stunning scene some 10 by 15 feet titled "The Battle of Tetuan." The painting is based on a battle between the Moors and the Spanish in 1860 at Tetuan near Tangier. He worked on it for five months, utilizing the same technique that made his "Christopher Columbus Discovers America" so widely acclaimed. The painting was lowered into the floor so he could work on any part of it without requiring a ladder.

Many people consider Dali one of the greatest living artists. Others consider him a fraud. Most everyone will agree that he is a remarkable draftsman.

The "Battle" was not commissioned (Huntington Hartford commissioned the "Columbus" for a reported $250,000 so it could be exhibited at the new Lincoln Center in New York) and no price has been set. "Ees better  eet geeves more freedom."

The new painting has a minimum of surrealistic touches. Of course it has religious overtones, like most of Dali's work, and he included the anticipated face of his wife, twice in fact, but by and large it is a roaring drama on canvas. Like the "Columbus," it could be cut up into many smaller pictures and still have great impact, but these parts blend magnificently into a powerful panorama.

Dali was pushing to get the painting completed in time for its presentation three weeks later in Barcelona, but he still found time for certain diversions.

Picking up a canvas covered with a jumble of right angles and two small portraits, he explained, "Zeeze are ghosts doing zee tweest en zee studio of Velazquez." The idea is that you look at it while playing "twist" music and flick the lights off and on  making the figures dance on canvas.

The three weeks passed and the art lovers of Barcelona turned out en masse, along with many officials, for the presentation of the "Battle."

But true to the Spanish tradition of confusion, things were not quite ready. Drapes had to be hung at the last minute, lights had to be moved, and a convex mirror was installed in front of the painting to illustrate the incredible third dimensional impact of the work. By looking into the mirror, the figures in the painting appeared to be charging right off the canvas toward you.

Dali was dashing madly about getting everything in order, not putting on a show for the crowd. When it comes time to be serious, nobody can be more serious than Dali. Although the press was there in force, he didn't pop his eyes once during the chain lightning of flash bulbs.

Does Madame Dali always understand her husband's paintings?

"No, and I don't think he does either," she replied with a smile.

Want to read Stars and Stripes interviews with other artists in Europe and the Pacific? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through http://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro arrived in Hawaii on Saturday to review the multinational fleet assembled here for the Rim of the Pacific exercise.

On Sunday, he flew from Pearl Harbor to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln at sea in nearby waters, where 38 surface ships from 26 nations are conducting drills until Aug. 4.

Del Toro touted the importance of the biyearly RIMPAC in maintaining the current rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific during a news conference at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after returning from the carrier.

RIMPAC demonstrates the value of maritime partners, Del Toro said.

The exercise contributes to the agility needed by the joint and combined force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict, he said.

RIMPAC demonstrates the power to bring together 26 nations that our adversaries cannot replicate themselves  Russia and China or anyone else out there, he said.

There are nations in the world that would have one believe their sovereign territories extend well beyond the established rules and norms, he said. They aim to misrepresent our lawful U.S. maritime operations, such as the USS Benfolds recent freedom-of-navigation operations in the South China.

The Benfold, a guided-missile destroyer, on Wednesday steamed past the disputed Paracel Islands in the northern portion of the South China Sea. On Saturday, the warship passed by the Spratly Islands in the southeastern part of the sea.

China claims sovereignty over both sets of islands, but other Southeast Asian nations have made similar claims, none of which have been resolved.

China reacted angrily to the passage on Wednesday, saying in a statement that the U.S. was a risk maker.

Del Toros RIMPAC junket will continue Tuesday, with visits to two amphibious ships participating in the drills: The USS Essex and South Koreas ROKS Marado.

Del Toro will later this week travel on to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, he said.

Joining RIMPAC this year are four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and roughly 25,000 personnel. The exercise fleet also includes 30 autonomous and remotely piloted systems.

On Sunday, a Peruvian Navy corvette, the BAP Guise, experienced an engine room fire that seriously injured two of its crew, according to statements from the Peruvian and U.S. navies. French and U.S. helicopters evacuated the injured from the ship to a hospital in Honolulu.

Among the at-sea drills are amphibious operations, gunnery practice, anti-submarine exercises and mine clearance.

Last week, ships and aircraft from Australia, Canada, Malaysia and the United States completed a targeting exercise that ended in the sinking of the decommissioned USS Rodney M. Davis.

The ship hulks are required to be sunk at least 6,000 feet below the surface and at least 50 nautical miles from land, the Navy said in a news release Friday.

The guided-missile frigate, which was decommissioned in 2015, had been named for a U.S. Marine sergeant who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after dying in combat during the Vietnam War.
ITOMAN, Okinawa  A week after the Battle of Okinawa, Marine Pfc. John Quinn Jr. entered a cave looking for souvenirs and never came out.

Now, 77 years later, Kuentai-USA, a Japanese nonprofit dedicated to repatriating World War II remains, is bringing Americans and Japanese together to excavate the cave in hopes of finally bringing the Marine home.

We have to do everything we can do to really confirm whether his remains are there, Kuentai-USA secretary general Yukari Akatsuka said July 11 during a break in the excavation. We just dont want to leave this unclear.

Quinn, a Reservist from the 29th Marine Regiment, entered the cave, reportedly once the Japanese 62nd Division field hospital, with a group of Marines on June 29, 1945, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency website.

Eyewitnesses reported that the Marines turned left toward the main chamber, Akatsuka said. They were ambushed by Japanese holdouts somewhere inside, and Quinn was killed, the agency website states.

Marine Pvt. John Hartman pulled one wounded Marine from the cave and rushed back to retrieve Quinn, 19. Marines outside reported hearing more gunshots, then silence. The cave was sealed after the Japanese soldiers refused to surrender.

American Graves Registration returned to the cave in 1951 and removed 19 sets of remains, but all turned out to be Japanese, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers article posted to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website said in April. Quinn was officially declared non-recoverable.

Japans Ministry of Health and Welfare removed about 100 sets of remains from the cave in 1977, yet Quinn and Hartman remain unaccounted for, Akatsuka said.

Akatsuka and Kuentais founder, Usan Kurata, said they were perplexed. Before the COVID-19 pandemic set in, they agreed to look again inside the cave. All they needed was local permission and to document their efforts for the Japanese government.

There [were] artifacts and pieces of bones even on the surface, Akatsuka said. They decided to dig.

Pending further examination

Kuentai in April first excavated the area where Quinn and Hartman fell. The group attracted 100 volunteers, including U.S. service members from nearby bases and members of the Japan Self-Defense Force, Akatsuka said.

They recovered 10 bags of wartime artifacts and two bags of human remains, including large leg bones that may have belonged to the two Marines. Those bones are stored at the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum in Mabuni, pending further examination.

Kuentai continued the search between July 7 and Wednesday. This time, 130 volunteers turned out. Inside the fragile tunnels, the group sifted through sediment from collapsed ceilings and walls, trying to work down to the original tiled floor.

I found a bone, retired Marine explosive ordnance disposal tech Matthew Small called out July 11. Everyone leaned in for a peek. I think its a finger.

Small, a civilian employee of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, overlayed the bone on his own gloved hand. The group also found teeth, American coins, vials of morphine, watches, bullets and a grenade.

Kuentai and Small have kept Quinns sister, Audrey Ponzio, and brother, Gerald Quinn, and Hartmans relatives apprised of their progress.

Its our job to find them, Small said.

Pop Quinn

Ponzio remembered her brother as a family man. He worked at a butcher shop before the war and asked if he could be paid in meat to feed his family. He was eligible for a deferment but joined the Marines instead.

He was the oldest of us seven, Ponzio told Stars and Stripes on July 8. He was a terrific kid. My mothers heart was broken.

Quinn was called Pop Quinn in their Brooklyn neighborhood because he was always helping everyone. He called his brother Gerald Six Cents, because he was always begging for candy money.

He was a wonderful person, said Gerald, who joined the Marines in 1955. I tried to emulate him in my life.

The Hartman family likewise appreciates Kuentais efforts, Jack Hartman, nephew of John, wrote in an email to Stars and Stripes.

Kuentai hopes the Japanese government will work with the Defense Department to sample the DNA of remains discovered thus far to see if they can finally identify Quinn and Hartman. During the dig, the group brought Ponzio and Gerald into the cave via video call.

My dad was so emotional and choked up, said Geralds daughter, Mary Anne DeVivio. When we closed the call, the first words out of his mouth were, I was able to say goodbye to my brother John.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered part of his forces to focus on destroying Ukraines long-range missile and artillery systems during a visit to troops in occupied territory.

Shoigu instructed the commander to prioritize the defeat of long-range rocket and artillery weapons of the enemy with high-precision weapons during a meeting with the militarys Vostok group, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday.

It wasnt clear how much of a change this would represent since Russian troops have tried for months to destroy Ukrainian weapons in a demilitarization campaign thats had mixed success as the U.S. and its European allies step up supplies of equipment to help the government in Kyiv.

Ukraine has received eight advanced U.S.-supplied HIMARS long-range artillery systems in recent weeks capable of striking Russian targets as far as 50 miles away. That has allowed it to hit logistics centers, supply lines and ammunition dumps deep behind the front lines and mostly from beyond the range of Russian artillery. The U.S. has promised to send Ukraine four more HIMARS, while the U.K. has also pledged to supply long-range missile systems.

Ukrainian military intelligence constantly follows the movement of Russian command posts and equipment in the occupied territories, Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of the service, said in televised comments Monday. The enemy evaluated the threat and started to relocate its storage to further away from the front line.

Russias Defense Ministry claimed Sunday that it had destroyed a HIMARS launcher and transport-loading vehicle in the Donetsk region and struck a warehouse in Odesa containing Harpoon anti-ship weapons.

Ukrainian officials havent commented on those claims, which could not be independently verified. Ukraine sees Russian forces struggling to find safe places to store munitions in occupied areas as they increasingly lack transport to move them, Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for the militarys southern command said on TV.

Shoigu earlier ordered the Russian military in Ukraine to intensify actions in all operational areas during a visit to troops in the South and Center groups seeking to take control of Ukraines eastern Donbas region, according to the Defense Ministry.

Russias military has regrouped for a grinding campaign to try to occupy Ukraines eastern Luhansk and Donetsk regions after Ukrainian forces rebuffed its efforts to seize the capital, Kyiv, following President Vladimir Putins Feb. 24 invasion order. Five months into the war, Ukraine is moving to try to reclaim parts of the south of the country taken by Russian troops.
LVIV, Ukraine (Tribune News Service)  In wartime Ukraine, Pyotr Tchaikovsky is having a turbulent afterlife.

The 19th century Romantic composer, beloved worldwide for "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker," is one of scores of Russian cultural, political and historical figures whose lives and works are immortalized in place names and statuary in cities and towns across Ukraine. Streets and Metro stations bear the names of Tolstoy and Chekhov; monuments to Russian Empress Catherine II dot broad urban plazas and leafy public parks.

But nearly five months into Moscow's full-scale invasion  a brutal onslaught that has left entire cities disfigured by bombardment, killed and maimed thousands of civilians and soldiers, and forced millions to flee ruined homes  such everyday reminders of an empire's imprint have become, for many Ukrainians, an unbearable affront.

"Right now, Russian culture is toxic," said Bohdan Tykholoz, a Ukrainian academic and author who directs a literary museum in the western city of Lviv.

Within weeks of the Feb. 24 invasion, efforts began to rename dozens of Ukrainian sites. In the midst of war's upheaval and lives' upendings, these ad hoc efforts gradually coalesced into a creaky bureaucratic structure: the creation of commissions and advisory boards, at both municipal and national levels, to wrestle with the question of what nomenclature to strip away  and what to put in its place.

In Lviv, long considered a cultural capital, city authorities are weighing or have called for name changes for more than 50 streets, from winding lanes to major thoroughfares. One of those is tree-lined Tchaikovsky Street, a gently curving cobblestoned expanse stretching for a few long blocks in the city center.

A McDonald's restaurant marks the turnoff into the roadway, but the street nonetheless exudes a quiet elegance, with ornate balustrades adorning apartment houses, artful boutique window displays, stained-glass signage and a trendy cafe and wine market.

At the street's midpoint is the concert hall of the Lviv National Philharmonic, a graceful honey-colored edifice where regular performances have resumed even though dozens of musicians and support staff have been displaced by war, or deployed to the front.

Once, the wild and melancholy strains of a Tchaikovsky concerto could lift the heart of Volodymyr Syvokhip, who at 57 has been the symphony's director for the last 17 years. But not now.

"It has to be rejected," he said of the Russian composer's oeuvre, once a repertory staple. There might be some room for reassessment later, he allowed  "after our victory."

Tchaikovsky, though, is a complicated case in point. Although Russian-born, he had family roots in Ukraine; his great-grandfather was a Zaporozhian Cossack, one in a fighting force in what is now east-central Ukraine. Before being Russianized, the original family name was Chaika, meaning "seagull." Scholars point to the likely influence of traditional Ukrainian folk melodies on Tchaikovsky's works.

In the capital, Kyiv, where the National Music Academy is named after the composer, controversy erupted over a move to drop his name, branded by critics as an "emblem of Russian imperial chauvinism." That prompted strong pushback from some instructors who signed a letter declaring that Tchaikovsky's free-spirited musical gifts transcended nationality.

All this might seem secondary in a country where each day yields up wrenching accounts of death and destruction. In recent weeks, Russian missile strikes have pummeled towns and cities far from the eastern and southern front lines, killing dozens of people in what Ukrainian officials say is a systematic campaign of terror against civilians. Moscow denies deliberately aiming at nonmilitary targets.

Even against such a backdrop, though, it would be difficult to overstate the role of cultural pride in the country's wartime zeitgeist. Russian President Vladimir Putin presaged the invasion by declaring that Ukraine does not even exist as a nation. Outrage in the face of the Russian leader's sneering dismissiveness helped fuel a Ukrainian military resistance that has so far staved off a far more powerful foe, though at immense cost.

Across the country, that sense of solidarity often finds expression in cultural touchstones: statues of revered Ukrainian figures painstakingly sandbagged; a crowd of onlookers spontaneously joining street buskers in an upbeat rendition of the national anthem; treasured works by Ukrainian artists tucked away deep in underground vaults for safekeeping; a premium placed on the reopening of landmark venues like the famed opera house in the Black Sea port of Odesa.

Ukraine, which became independent after the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, has undergone previous waves of renaming and reclamation, including the toppling of monuments dedicated to Communist and Soviet figures. More such counter-commemorations followed what Ukrainians consider the start of the current war, eight years ago, when Russia seized the Crimean peninsula and fomented a separatist battle in the industrial east.

But remembrance and history are plaited together in complex and painful ways, with meaning to be derived even from harrowing past associations, said Sofia Dyak, a historian who sits on a national advisory board set up by the Ministry of Culture. She spends hours in staticky, sometimes-contentious Zoom meetings with colleagues from around the country about name changes, part of what she and other historians see as a larger process of "decolonization."

"For myself, personally, I might not push to have a street that was called after Chekhov renamed," she said. "But I wouldn't cry over it, either  instead, I'd cry over someone killed in this war."

Ukrainians, highly attuned to the drumbeat of Kremlin propaganda that has underpinned the invasion, are aware that public repudiation of Russian place names can be exploited to feed Moscow's unstinting narrative of victimhood.

In keeping with a longtime pattern, Maria Zakharova, Moscow's foreign ministry spokeswoman, last week posted an aggrieved tweet about ongoing attempts to "cancel" Russian culture. That drew an avalanche of furious retorts, some accompanied by grim photos of a missile attack that same day in Vinnytsia, a sleepy provincial city in the center of the country, where at least 23 people were killed, including three children.

Many in Ukraine's cultural and political circles say turning away from Russian commemorative names is not an attack on the accomplishments of particular figures, especially those in the artistic sphere, but rather an assertion of Ukrainian identity.

"We have our own history, and our own heroes," said Andriy Moskalenko, a Lviv deputy mayor who heads an advisory body coordinating the city's street-renaming drive.

A short time earlier, in the interval after an air-raid alert that sent City Hall workers into shelters, he had hurried to the funeral  one of the day's customary back-to-back military memorials held at a nearby church  for a local man he had known, a father of five who was killed at the front.

But old habits die hard. At a coffeehouse on Tchaikovsky Street, server Valeriya Chernova, 22, said she never gave a moment's thought to the cafe's address. However, the expected name change on the street where she works made her think of her hometown, the bomb-battered eastern city of Kharkiv, where she has often walked a street named for Alexander Pushkin, the celebrated Russian poet.

Kharkiv, under attack since the war's earliest days, has traditionally been a Russophone city, located just 25 miles from the Russian border. But Chernova said it was familiarity, not any sense of lingering attachment to the country that has bombed entire swaths of the city into oblivion, that would likely keep the name alive.

"I think no matter what, we'll keep thinking of it as Pushkin Street, and keep calling it that," she said. "Just because we always have."

That's all the more reason that the renaming push should have taken place years or decades ago, said Roman Chmelyk, director of the Lviv Historical Museum. Russian cultural dominance should have been strongly challenged long before now, he said, without waiting for the horrifying impetus of war.

"Really, we should have done all this much sooner," he said.

Some historians, like Dyak, would like to see more diversity in replacement names, rather than defaulting to honoring mainly men, particularly to those in the political world. She would like to see more women commemorated, more remembrance of a thriving Jewish community wiped out during World War II, more nods to Ukraine's past intertwining with neighboring Poland.

Some of the suggested new tributes reach into unlikelier cultural realms. In Odesa, activists started a petition drive to scrap a monument to Catherine II, called Catherine the Great by Russians, in favor of a tribute to the late American gay adult-film actor Billy Herrington.

On Tchaikovsky Street, as a midsummer evening softened into dusk, the Lviv Philharmonic was tuning up for a tribute to Myroslav Skoryk, a contemporary Ukrainian composer who died in 2020. Concertgoers, some wearing jeans and T-shirts and others clad in their formal best, waited patiently for the auditorium doors to open.

Like so many Ukrainian public buildings these days, the concert hall doubles as a relief-supply center, with boxes of donated goods  medicine, diapers, toiletries  piled high in the anteroom and even tucked away in corners of the performance hall. Patrons threaded their way between the stacks to find their seats.

"It's a good feeling, to listen together to Ukrainian music," said attendee Damian Peretiatko, 30. "In these times, it helps."

The house lights dimmed. The music swelled. The audience sighed.

Tchaikovsky, it seemed, would have to wait.

2022 Los Angeles Times.

Visit latimes.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
ROUND ROCK, Texas (Tribune News Service)  Pacing along bookcases that came up to his chest, a man, dressed in a black hoodie and carrying a long gun, charged into Walsh Middle Schools library.

He fired rounds into the carpet  loud booms and eruptions of smoke punctuating each shot. Within seconds, two armed educators pursued the gunman, shooting him with fake ammunition, forcing him to the ground and securing his gun.

A school police officer arrived a moment later and yelled at all three to raise their hands in the air.

School marshal, school marshal, the two educators yelled.

This Round Rock event is an example of the scenario-based training Texas uses to prepare educators to carry firearms on campus.

Texas schools have long had the option to arm teachers and staff, namely through the school marshal program, but few districts opted in. Only 256 employees are trained to carry a gun onto campuses as marshals, representing a fraction of the states nearly 750,000 public school staffers.

Since the school shooting in Uvalde, the state agency overseeing the marshal program is urging more districts to arm educators, and proponents believe more money and training opportunities are crucial to expanded access. State leaders are calling for better school security through physical upgrades and by increasing the number of armed personnel.

We all have concerns about putting guns in our schools, but at the same time, we know that these events are on the rise, said Huffman Superintendent Benny Soileau, who serves as a school marshal in his 3,400-student district near Houston. Weve got to have a way of combating this. And in the event something like this were to happen, we want to be well prepared to protect our kids.

Gov. Greg Abbott instructed the education commissioner to encourage schools to increase the presence of trained law enforcement officers and school marshals on campuses.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement doubled the number of training opportunities this summer from two to four so that school districts can add marshals. The agency is focused on expanding availability of the program even further.

The marshal program has existed for almost a decade. Private schools and community colleges can also participate. Only 62 of the states more than 1,000 school districts have marshals. Public school districts can also arm employees through a separate, less regulated measure called the guardian plan.

The names of districts and employees participating in either school marshals or the guardian plan are confidential though some officials, such as Soileau, have publicly discussed implementing the programs.

In recent weeks, more school leaders have called the commission asking for details about how the marshal program works. Cullen Grissom, the commissions deputy chief, said he couldnt quantify the increase.

Having an armed staff member on campus doesnt guarantee a school shooter will be stopped or prevented from carrying out an attack.

School marshals have no legal obligation to act during a threat.

During the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, an armed school resource officer never went inside the school or attempted to engage the gunman.

In Uvalde, state and federal officials are investigating why more than a dozen officers remained in the hallway as the gunman shot at students and teachers in a nearby classroom for more than an hour.

The educators who enter the program often have a distinct drive to protect their students, Grissom emphasized.

A marshal or a peace officers job in the event of an active shooter is to isolate, distract and neutralize the threat, Grissom said.

What training looks like

Huffman County school leaders  who have had the marshal program in place since 2018, after the deadly Santa Fe High School shooting  actively identify educators they believe are qualified for the role.

Well go through and talk with them extensively about the pros and cons and some of the things that they may face in the program to make sure that they are a good fit, Soileau said. Were very careful with our selections.

A variety of school staffers enter the states marshal training program, Grissom said. Some have background in the military, law enforcement or private security while others have limited related preparation.

Trainees must have a state handgun license and, therefore, experience working with guns. They also must be an employee of the school district and pass a psychological exam.

If they meet those requirements, they can begin training.

School marshals are required to undergo an 80-hour program, done throughout the course of eight- to 10-hour days, Grissom said. Two providers offer the program across the state, including the West Central Texas Law Enforcement Academy in Abilene.

Would-be marshals learn about weapons handling and basic marksmanship. The handgun training is almost identical to that of a peace officer, Grissom said.

They must also participate in simulated events that mirror circumstances marshals may face including chasing down a gunman on a campus.

We try to simulate as best we can an active shooter coming into a school district, going after the children, doing the bad things that they do and how our school marshals will respond, using their tactics, using what theyre trained to do, said Janna Atkins, the criminal justice manager and training coordinator with the Abilene law enforcement academy. Atkins also serves as a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement commissioner.

Some dont make it through training.

Not everybodys cut out to be a school marshal, not all educators or staff are cut out to lead an armed lifestyle inside a school, Grissom stressed. Some people come to the training and  remove themselves from the process because they dont feel comfortable.

Others may fail the written exam or simulated training scenarios, Atkins said.

Every two years after they are certified, marshals have to brush up on training and undergo a new psychological exam.

The state has not modified its preparation courses based on what happened in Uvalde, Grissom said. Since the deadly shooting, conflicting reports about the role of police officers have emerged, calling into question whether protocols were followed and lives could have been saved.

Grissom said the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement wants to look into whether the issues in Uvalde were because of problematic training or a misapplication of training.

Obstacles to implementation

A lack of financial support and logistic implications creates roadblocks for some schools interested in the marshal program, officials say.

The state covers the cost of the training course through a grant, but districts foot the bill for employees travel to sessions. They also must decide whether to pay employees for the training time and if staffers are provided guns or must bring their own.

Huffman school marshals receive a small stipend for their role. They often purchase their own equipment with the money, Soileau said.

The superintendent added that more state funding would aid schools in their rollout. But, he emphasized, it is important for local communities to decide whether to add marshals to school campuses.

Many question the potential hazard of having a non-peace officer with a weapon on campus, and teacher groups have criticized calls to arm educators as a response to school shootings.

We dont need more guns in schools, Zeph Capo, who is president of the Texas chapter of American Federation of Teachers, wrote in a letter to members. We dont need another roundtable to explore options; weve done that. We need legislation that addresses common-sense issues and ensures our children and their teachers can learn and work without constant fear for their lives.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement has no record of marshals discharging their weapons at inappropriate times, Grissom said. Its also hard to pinpoint how the marshal program has made a difference  if any  during active shooter events.

I dont know any of the active shooter events that weve had that weve actually had a school marshal stop it, said Atkins, the commissioner.

In Huffman, one of the benefits of having marshals on campus is cutting down on a potentially lengthy response time. Located in an unincorporated area of northeast Harris County, the district established a school district police department with officers based on campuses just a few months ago, said Police Chief David Williams.

Marshals should supplement their response, Williams said.

The benefit we see behind that is rather than having to wait for police response, which could be several minutes away, and then you have to worry about your approach into the school and breaching is always an issue, we have people inserted inside the school ready to respond, he said.



The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
AUSTIN, Texas  An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances that led to the death of a 52-year-old sergeant in the Texas National Guard who suffered a medical emergency Thursday while deployed on a state-sponsored mission along the U.S. border with Mexico.

Sgt. Alex Rios Rodriguez of San Antonio died at the hotel where his unit was staying in McAllen, according to the Texas Military Department. Emergency personnel were unable to revive him.

"Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Sgt. Rios Rodriguez," said Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, Texas adjutant general. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

Rios Rodriguez was a truck driver assigned as a team leader for Delta Company of the 536th Brigade Support Battalion, 72nd Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division, which is based in the city of Bryan, the Guard said. He enlisted in the National Guard in 1998 and earned several state awards from Texas and Indiana, according to his official service record.

His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon.

About 6,000 troops are deployed on the state mission known as Operation Lone Star, which began in March 2021 and is under the command of Gov. Greg Abbott. The troops work alongside state police to patrol the border for illegal activity such as trespassing, drug smuggling or human trafficking. Troops are also building fences along the border.

The Texas Military Department has said Rios Rodriguezs death was non-mission related.
Record-breaking heat is set to scorch central U.S. for another week and threaten Texas  already in the bulls-eye for blistering weather  with searing temperatures that may drive electricity demand to new heights.

Fort Worth could hit 110 degrees Fahrenheit Monday and Tuesday, and Dallas may reach 109, the National Weather Service said. The states main grid operator is forecasting record energy demand this week as Texans crank up air conditioners to cool down.

Texas is basically ground zero for the heat, said Tony Fracasso, a senior branch forecaster for the U.S. Weather Prediction Center. Really, through the rest of the week, were expecting record highs.

The central U.S. has baked under a dome of high pressure since June and much of the region faces drought, which is making the heat worse. Records will be for the individual dates. Heat advisories stretch from Montana and North Dakota to Texas, with excessive heat warnings  the worst conditions  across parts of South Dakota, Oklahoma and northern Texas.

Almost all of the country east of the Rockies will be above average, Fracasso said.

Temperatures in Houston will linger in the high 90s to start the week and rise to 100 degrees on Wednesday. The heat will spread east toward the end of the week sending Washington and New York into the 90s, Fracasso said.

Electricity use on the main Texas grid is projected to peak at nearly 80 gigawatts Monday afternoon and hit new records in each of the next two days as the heat builds, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the states main grid operator. Officials say there is enough power to handle demand. A gigawatt is enough to power about 200,000 Texas homes.

The National Weather Service forecasts that New Yorks Central Park will hit 92 degrees on Tuesday and could rise to 96 by Thursday.

While the heat bears down across North America, Europe has also been gripped by a lingering heat wave. The UK Met Office issued its first Red extreme heat weather warning for across much of England, including a record-setting 104 degrees for London.

Bloombergs Naureen S. Malik contributed to this report.
(Tribune News Service)  A half-dozen air show acts, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, took to the skies Sunday, showing off high-flying acrobatics for Thunder Over Michigan.

The event Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, at Ypsilanti's Willow Run Airport drew aviation fans, particularly for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels featured during the afternoon shows.

"That obviously draws a big crowd," said Scott Buie, Thunder Over Michigan spokesman.

The event is an annual fundraiser for the Yankee Air Museum in Ypsilanti. It featured two shows with U.S. Navy Blue Angels and two with the U.S. Air Force's F-16 Demo Team. The F-16 Demo Team featured for the first time for its Thunder Over Michigan show a female pilot, Capt. Aimee "Rebel" Fiedler.

The air show was canceled in 2020 due to COVID, but returned in 2021 with a drive-up format that continued this year. Fans bought tickets per car and watched the show from the field in and around their vehicles.

In addition to the air show, the event also featured aircraft on display as well as helicopter rides, food and a "KidZone" area. Rosie the Riveters had a merchandise display and reminded fans of the critical role women held at the former WWII bomber plant.

Dennis and Pam Stom of Ann Arbor and their children, Nathan, 13, Carver, 11, and Betty, 8, are regular attendees. One of their first stops Sunday was a visit to a Navy helicopter on display, HSC-22.

"We love history," said Pam Stom after the family spent some time chatting with a naval aviator. "We love military history."

They started attending the event when Nathan was 5 because of his interest in planes.

"I like the history of planes and I like to look at them and how the mechanics work," he said. "I find it interesting they fly airplanes as their job."

Pam Stom said she was interested in supporting the Yankee Air Museum. At $225 per car, the proceeds benefited the museum.

"It's supporting a cause, and I think that's important," she said. "It's not cheap to be here. I think supporting the museum is doing your part."

About a half-dozen aircraft acts performed during the last show of the weekend, with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels performing for about 35 minutes.

Jeanene Van Every said she's drawn to the aerial displays because of the precision and form the pilots demonstrate. The Howell-area resident attended the event with her husband, son and daughter-in-law.

"It's like a ballet in the sky," she said. "It's beautiful. It's phenomenal technology."

cwilliams@detroitnews.com

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Gardai found Derek Mahon (43) shouting in the doorway of a shop: You P**i b*****d, you f**king P**i

Derek Mahon (43), of no fixed abode, leaving Dublin District Court last week where he was charged with public order offences. He pleaded guilty to abusive and threatening behaviour. Photo: Collins Courts

Derek Mahon (43) called a store owner P**i b*****d, then squared up to the officer who arrived at the scene in central Dublin.

Judge Bryan Smyth said the racial element to Mahons abuse was unacceptable and ordered a community service suitability report and evidence of a personal apology.

The accused, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

Derek Mahon (43), of no fixed abode, leaving Dublin District Court last week where he was charged with public order offences. He pleaded guilty to abusive and threatening behaviour. Photo: Collins Courts

Dublin District Court heard the incident happened at Talbot Street on May 6.

Garda Sergeant Maire McDevitt said gardai found Mahon shouting in the doorway of a shop: You P**i b*****d, you f**king P**i.

He was told to desist but continued to abuse the shop owner and told the garda: they are P***s and they are taking over our country.

He squared up to the garda, waved his fist in his face and attempted to headbutt him.

Defence solicitor Tracy Horan said Mahon obviously over-consumed alcohol on the day and was apologetic and asked the judge to take his guilty plea into consideration.

This had a racial element to it, which is unacceptable, Judge Smyth said.

Ms Horan said the accused accepted that.

The judge asked if Mahon was prepared to do community service.

The court heard the accused was currently employed at a food company and sometimes worked Saturdays.

Judge Smyth adjourned the case to a date in September and said if Mahon was not prepared to undertake community service he ran the risk of getting a prison sentence.

The judge recommended 60 hours of service instead of two months in jail if the accused is found suitable.

I also want some evidence that he has apologised personally to the people involved, Judge Smyth added.
Tom Colton (46) and his wife Linda secured debt write-offs of 2.7m and 2m respectively in February.

The High Court has terminated personal insolvency arrangements (PIAs) writing off millions of euro in debt, following revelations a couple secretly owned a luxury Spanish property.

The decision came after an investigation by the Irish Independent revealed convicted thief Tom Colton (46)  better known as the psychic swindler  and his wife Linda (46) failed to disclose their ownership of a villa in Lanzarote when their arrangements were approved.

The husband and wife secured debt write-offs of 2.7m and 2m respectively in February.

However, following the High Court ruling, those write-offs no longer apply, and the couple have lost protection from creditors meaning they could potentially face bankruptcy.

Mr Justice Alexander Owens said there were significant omissions from their financial statements which misled their mortgage lender into agreeing to the PIAs.

He said the omissions involved serious non-compliance by the debtors with duties of good faith and full and honest disclosure in the personal insolvency arrangement process.

Explaining his decision to terminate the PIAs, the judge said: The statutory system which gives debt relief is conditioned on honesty of debtors.

Debtors must fully disclose their affairs and put their best foot forward to meet their commitments in accordance with their means.

If courts do not uphold these standards, statutory provisions designed to safeguard creditors and public interest in a rigorous process which is subject to meaningful judicial oversight are set at nought.

In April, the Irish Independent revealed the Coltons were the registered owners of a plush holiday home with a private swimming pool and hot tub in Playa Blanca.

The villa was bought in their names last September, just a fortnight before they both filed sworn prescribed financial statements of their assets and liabilities which made no mention of the property.

It was subsequently extensively renovated and is now said to be worth over 400,000.

Following the publication of the story, their personal insolvency practitioner (PIP), Eugene McDarby, filed papers seeking the termination of the PIAs on grounds of material inaccuracy in the financial statements provided by the couple and their failure to fully disclose all assets, income and liabilities to him.

It was the first time such an application has ever been made in the High Court and it was supported by their mortgage lender, Mars Capital Finance.

Mr and Mrs Colton, who run a business which provides celebrants for spiritual wedding ceremonies, denied they were the beneficial owners of the property, claiming they were acting as trustees for a company, Gra Agus Solas.

But the court heard this was the company through which they run their weddings business, that it was 100pc owned by Linda Colton, that her husband was a director between August 2016 and May 2018 and remained hands-on in the day-to-day running of the business.

Mr Colton, who claims to be a medium who can communicate with the dead, was previously jailed for stealing 320,000 from an elderly couple while working as their accountant.

The husband and wife, from Celbridge, Co Kildare, accepted they should have disclosed the property.

Through their lawyers, they pleaded with the court not to terminate the PIAs, urging the court to order their PIP to prepare a proposal to vary the arrangements.

In affidavits, the Coltons said they took full responsibility for the non-disclosure of the villa but claimed this was caused solely by a misunderstanding on their behalf.

However, Mr Justice Owens said he had concluded the applications for the termination of the PIAs were appropriate and proportionate.

The judge said that even if he made the benign assumption the trust was genuine, the couple were seriously remiss in not advising their personal insolvency practitioner of these transactions.

He said he would not order that proposals to vary the arrangements be drawn up because the non-disclosures were so significant as to make it impossible to conclude that they deserve a second chance.

Mr Justice Owens also said any variations would involve changes so significant that they would essentially be new arrangements. This would be contrary to policy set out in the Personal Insolvency Act, which says debtors can only enter a PIA once.

He also said that in affidavits filed with the court, the Coltons did not show a clear path forward which could produce a result which is fair to creditors.

During the hearing of the application last month, Keith Farry, counsel for Mr McDarby, said faith in the personal insolvency system was at stake.

Niall O hUiginn, counsel for Mars, said the fund had only voted in favour of the PIAs on the basis the information provided in them was true and accurate.

In an affidavit opened in court, Joe Carter, head of recoveries at Mars, said it beggared belief that the Coltons swore prescribed financial statements which left out a significant foreign property transaction which they had completed only two weeks earlier.

Mr Carter said the integrity of the personal insolvency system depended on the accuracy of information supplied by debtors.

Mars had agreed to restructure the couples 681,000 mortgage debt so they could save their family home.

Under the now terminated deals, around 40,000 of what they owed Mars was written off and the couple were given a new 22-year term to repay the remainder of what was owed, with an attractive tracker rate.

Tom Colton was jailed and restricted as a company director in 2015 after he admitted misappropriating funds an elderly couple had given to him to make a tax settlement with the Revenue Commissioners.

He continued to be listed as a director of Gra Agus Solas for a significant period after his conviction.

In correspondence exhibited in court, he claimed not to have known about his disqualification and said he resigned once he became aware.

The former accountant was dubbed the psychic swindler in news reports following his imprisonment.

Despite the conviction he remains registered with the Department of Social Protection as a solemniser of marriages.

Until recently he was a prominent administrator and referee with Leinster Rugby, taking charge of under-age and lower level adult games in Dublin.

However, Leinster Rugby Branch said in May he had stepped away from all refereeing duties until such time as his personal matters are concluded.
Mr Phelan, a law professor, is charged with murdering father-of-four, Keith Conlon, at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 22

Further charges could be brought against a senior barrister accused of murdering a man in a shooting on farmland in Dublin, a court heard.

Diarmuid Rossa Phelan (53) had the case against him further adjourned when he appeared in Dublin District Court.

Mr Phelan, a law professor, is charged with murdering father-of-four, Keith Conlon, at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 22.

Keith Conlon

Mr Conlon, a dog breeder from Kiltalown Park in Tallaght, was seriously injured in an incident on land at the foot of the Dublin mountains.

This morning, state solicitor Tom Conlon said the case was before the court for the directions of the DPP but these had not been finalised yet. He said directions would be finalised shortly and asked Judge Bryan Smyth to adjourn the case.

Defence solicitor Donough Molloy said Mr Phelan was anxious to have a book of evidence served as soon as possible.

He asked the judge to put the case back for a week, when he would be making an application to vary bail conditions.

Garda Sergeant Michael McGrath said the file went to the DPP in February and there was a recommendation in relation to further charges.

Sgt McGrath said he was told the file was with the director for "consideration of same."

Mr Phelan, dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and dark tie, sat in the courts public gallery until Judge Smyth asked him to step forward.

He remanded the accused on continuing bail.

Mr Phelan was granted bail at 100,000 subject to strict conditions in April. Under the conditions, he is to reside at an approved address, obey a curfew of 10pm to 8am there and sign on daily at a named garda station between 9am and 9pm.

In May, he had his bail terms temporarily relaxed so he could take a short trip with his family.
Father-of-one Dwayne Barry (32) has 94 prior convictions including for arson

Father-of-one Dwayne Barry (32) was frustrated because he had no ticket to travel when he caused the damage at Dublins Connolly Station.

He admitted criminal damage and public order charges and Judge Bryan Smyth had adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for Barry to pay compensation.

However, Barry, of no fixed address, failed to appear in court when he was due to come back for finalisation, and the judge issued the warrant.

Previously, the court heard the incident happened on February 20, when Barry became verbally abusive to staff at the station.

He shouted at them and kicked a sliding door, which came off its hinges and broke.

The accused explained to gardai that he had no ticket and was frustrated so he kicked the door in anger. The cost of the damage was 235.

Separately, gardai found Barry slumped against a street sign on OConnell Street on June 21. He was drunk and was arrested for being a danger to himself.

Barry had 94 prior convictions including for arson.

Alcohol was the root of all his offending, his lawyer said.
Anthony McKeever (39) of Kilmartin Crescent, Tallaght, Dublin was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing the proceeds of crime at his home on dates between March 21, 2004 and July 26, 2020.

03/08/2021 ***FILE IMAGE **** - Brian Rattigan 28yrs, of Cooley Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, - yesterday(Tues) the Court of Criminal Appeal gave the go-ahead for Brian Rattigan to appeal his conviction for the murder of Declan Gavin outside a fast-food restaurant in Crumlin on 25 August 2001, Mr Rattigan was convicted by a jury last December.Pic: Collins Courts

A 39-year-old Tallaght criminal who was jailed this week for possessing 74k which was the proceeds of crime has links to many of the most dangerous gangs operating in the capital.

Anthony McKeever (39) of Kilmartin Crescent, Tallaght, Dublin was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing the proceeds of crime at his home on dates between March 21, 2004 and July 26, 2020.

His partner Adrienne Shepard (36), of the same address, walked free from court with a suspended sentence after she admitted possessing the proceeds of crime on various dates between June 13 and July 11, 2020 at her home.

McKeever's partner Adrienne Shepard got a suspended sentence

McKeever previously had close links to exiled gangster Brian Rattigan who is currently based in Spains and whose associates are being investigated for clubbing in with other criminal groupings in last months botched murder attempt of drug dealer Gary Carey in Kilmainham last month.

Sources say that McKeever previously had links to another gang who are being investigated for the attempted gun murder of Carey and this is the west Dublin mob nicknamed The Family.

It is understood that over the years, McKeever has had disputes with both these criminal organisations and had acted as a lone ranger until he became a major Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) target.

At another stage gardai suspect that McKeever was involved with a ruthless Clondalkin gang with links to the Kinahan cartel.

This gang was involved in a bitter local feud with James 'Nellie' Walsh and his associates, which claimed four lives before tensions eased at the start of 2019.

McKeever himself never got involved in murders or anything like that  making money from the drugs trade is what his motivation was, a senior source said.

But he was certainly on friendly terms with a number of individuals who are in the murder business.

"He is an unusual criminal in the sense that he seems to be aligned to every gang and yet none. It is fair to say that he is a lone ranger of sorts. the source added.

He has a total of 19 convictions, including one for assault causing harm and aggravated burglary when he was a teenager, and another for drugs offences linked to a cannabis growhouse.

At Dublin Circuit Court on Thursday, Sgt Mick McGrath told Michael Hourican BL, prosecuting, that gardai and CAB officers got warrants to carry out two searches of the couples home in April and July of 2020.

They recovered a total of 74,000 in cash concealed in various places including a pillow, a bedroom cabinet, a wardrobe and one sum of over 40,000 hidden in an extractor fan in the kitchen.

Gardai also seized an Audi Q7 parked outside valued at 45,000 along with two Rolex watches which turned out to be replicas.

Also recovered as the proceeds of crime were a Louis Vuitton wallet, a Gucci watch and four other designer watches, several pairs of designer sunglasses and a black Canada Goose jacket.

McKeever admitted owning two encrypted mobile phones found at his home. Gardai sought orders against McKeevers accounts with AIB, the Credit Union and Revolut, all of which were found to explain unaccounted sums of money.

The court heard McKeever suffered from long Covid and now had a suppressed immune system which causes him to catch infections roughly every two weeks.

Judge Martin Nolan agreed that this unfortunate medical condition will make McKeevers prison stay more difficult, but said he undoubtedly deserved a prison term.

It goes without saying, said Judge Nolan, noting that the money and car were the products of criminal behaviour but that the court had not been informed as to what type of criminal behaviour it was.

The court heard that McKeever worked in buying and selling cars and was an excellent family man, having acted as carer for his grandmother for nine years before her death.
After fleeing Amsterdam, Murphy moved to London where he used a number of aliases while living in the city and working as a carpenter.

Convicted rapist Larry Murphy  the chief suspect in the disappearance of Annie McCarrick, JoJo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob  has principally lived in the UK since his release from prison in August 2010.

Dubbed the Beast of Baltinglass, Wicklow native Murphy sought anonymity in Amsterdam after getting out of prison  only to be photographed in the company of fellow rapist, and since convicted killer, Rory OConnor in 2012.

Murphy had gotten to know OConnor in prison after the latter was given a ten-year jail term after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in Dublin in 2002.

Unlike Murphy, who has largely managed to avoid coming to the attention of the authorities since his release, OConnor was jailed for life in April of this year for the murder of fiancee Diane Nichol in Edinburgh.

Convicted rapist and suspected serial killer Larry Murphy(Wearing jacket and blue helmet at bike))

OConnor killed Diane by repeatedly kicking, stamping and striking her head against a floor.

Her family members have since urged gardai to quiz OConnor, believed to be one of Murphys closest friends, to see whether he may be able to provide information about Murphys suspected involvement in the murders of the three missing women.

After fleeing Amsterdam, Murphy moved to London where he used a number of aliases while living in the city and working as a carpenter.

While there, he entered into a relationship with a woman he met in a pub  telling her nothing of his own sick past.

Speaking with the Sunday World after Murphy was named as a suspect in the Deirdre Jacob investigation in 2018, the woman told the Sunday World she no longer had any contact with the rapist.

Im aware of it from what I read in the papers, she told the Sunday World of her former boyfriends links to the Jacob case.

But to be honest it [Larry]is a part of my life I have put behind me. I just want to get on with the rest of my life now.

When gardai travelled to London in 2018 to interview Murphy about his alleged prison confession to a cellmate, Murphy refused to cooperate.

Its understood he remains living in London.
lonely hearts | Number of lonely, single men on the rise as they struggle to meet higher standards of women
Travellers had been living in caravans on the St Margarets park site, which faces the giant IKEA store, before chalets were built in 1997 to house the residents

Big Brother star Hughie Maughan and his neighbours at a Traveller site are up in arms that their estate is being left to rack and ruin.

And theyre furious that the council has built a new depot next door at what they claim is a cost of more than 100 million.

The community is so angry they are staging daily human rights protests outside the Dublin City Council super depot in Ballymun, north Dublin.

Travellers had been living in caravans on the St Margarets park site, which faces the giant IKEA store, before chalets were built in 1997 to house the residents.

Residents protest at the councils depot

Since then, more than 50 families have made the estate their home, where they have raised hundreds of children.

The most famous resident among them is Hughie (28), who first found fame on Big Brother five years ago and later on Dancing With The Stars, Living With Lucy and First Dates.

For about 15 years Travellers in this site have been protesting for better facilities, which should be more humane and liveable for people with disabilities and people with young kids, explains Hughie, who owns his own chalet next to his parents home.

People that live in this community are disadvantaged and the council has sometimes listened  but its never gone over the line where it needed to.

Just over a year ago, the site was in such a derelict condition. The playground was smashed up, the roads had massive potholes. It hasnt been tarmacked since the site opened in the 1990s. Im a taxpayer, Id like my taxes to go to stuff like that.

The Travellers have staged four major protests in the past year.

Protest over their site

We started protesting because the council was building a massive depot on the land next to the site, which Travellers have lived off for 50 years.

That was land where they were hoping the council might build houses for the Travellers, so they can evolve and move forward in society but still within their culture, Hughie says.

They started protesting for those reasons. It has started to work. When you cause a bit of chaos, you disturb other peoples work and their plans because they are not upholding their end of the bargain, sometimes they can be backed up against a wall  that can start to help.

Hughie and his community believe they are being penned in by the council depot on one side next to IKEA and an estate of settled homes on the other side.

The wall that they are building at the front of the depot is still being built  its 25 foot, and its taller near the Travellers site than it is at the non-Travellers housing, which makes us think why are they building the wall down our end? he says.

The council built chalets for the Travellers at St Margarets

It just looks like a prison. The second you drive through the site, within 10 feet theres a massive grey wall. I just think its disgusting.

That building is being built for about a year and it has cost 100 million, so we have started a peaceful protest at the entrance to the building site.

According to Hughie, the nearby council depot is causing other problems.

The high walls and the new building blocks out light, he claims.

People fall over and injure themselves. Then you get other Travellers that come into the site, because there are Travellers who do bad stuff, and theres lots of pillars surrounding the grass and the playground is now all gone, the council decided to take them down.

People come in drunk and drive on top of the field where theres kids playing. You could be sunbathing on the grass and someone could land on top of you. They said they were coming in updating the site and they have done half a job  we live on a building site.

The community centre

Hughie also says that conditions are poor for some families living in the area.

Some people have better facilities than others, but they are facilities they have created for themselves, says Hughie.

They (the council) dont care about peoples culture, that they know their entire lives, the older generation. Im fine to live whatever way, because Ive gone through school all my life.

Theres no room to build anything else, he maintains. The land is taken up since 2006. They have deliberately done that, because they dont want us here ... if they could have their way we wouldnt be in here, he alleges.

Asked would they not prefer to live in houses on the site, he retorts: Thats like me saying to a Muslim child would you not prefer being Catholic?

You need to remember theres a fire hazard, look what happened in Carrickmines [where a fire on a halting site killed 11 people in 2015], he points out.

 You cant just double up on yards. There are people doing that and the council should be regulating it and not allowing it to happen.

The electricity is being double used as well.

You have all the same families having to use all the same facilities in 2022  its wrong.

Hughie Maughan says he is smitten with the Galway accent after moving to the West

There are several areas of the estate the community wants action taken on.

All we want is for the site to be updated for the people that need it.

The playground to be fixed, the yards to be tarmacked because people are falling and injuring themselves.

The streetlights to be working  only about a third of them work  the site is forgotten about, its like in the middle of nowhere.

A statement from Dublin City Council said: Significant upgrade works have been completed on site over the last 18 moths. The staff of the Traveller Accommodation Unit engage daily, with occupants on all of our sites  including St Margarets Park.

The Traveller Accommodation Unit looks forward to working with the occupants of St Margarets Park to provide good quality, sustainable housing through the planned redevelopment.
Mr Aylward (67) was described as a presence fuelled with integrity, humour, courage, resilience and kindness during his funeral mass at the All-Saints Church, Knockmoylan, in Co Kilkenny this afternoon.

Mr Aylward (67) was described as a presence fuelled with integrity, humour, courage, resilience and kindness during his funeral mass at the All-Saints Church, Knockmoylan, in Co Kilkenny this afternoon.

The former TD for Carlow and Kilkenny died on July 14 after a long illness.

His son Mark thanked the doctors and nurses at St Vincents Hospital for caring for Mr Aylward throughout his illness.

Dad was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and a very good friend to all.

"Im sure hes with nanny, granddad and his little sister Kathleen looking down on us all, he said.

Dad had great interests in life and his main one was the farm, up until the other day he was still the boss.

Bobby Aylward

"Politics was another of dads love, he had a couple of knocks over the time, but his drive was there.

Another one of dads love was the GAA and hurling in particular. And now the family, mam and dad have been together for 46 years and to be honest he was lost without mam. I dont think he ever cooked in his life and especially the last year, it just shows the love between two people.

Shes going to be heartbroken and so are we all but mam, he loved you so much and we want to thank you.

He was always so good to us all, he will be sadly missed but we will never forget him. I know hell always look down on us and hell take care of us of. Well greatly miss you dad, lots of love.

A number of symbols were brought to the altar to represent Mr Aylwards life, including the match programme from Sundays All-Ireland Hurling Final to symbolise his love for GAA, an election flier to represent his long political career, his cap which he wore daily on the farm to represent his lifelong love of farming and a family portrait.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he always received honest and constructive advice from Mr Aylward as a senior member of Fianna Fail and could always rely on his wonderful, warm and good humour.

Mr Martin described the 67-year-old as a wonderful friend, a trusted colleague and a wise counsel.

It is an honour to be with you today as we gather to mark the passing of our good friend Bobby Aylward.

Bobbys first wish today would be that we give our comfort and support to Helena, who was such a wonderful support and companion to him for so many years, he told mourners.

And also, to Triona, Bob and Mark and their families who he was so proud of and loved so dearly. The incredible fortitude and good humour which Bobby showed during his illness came from the support you gave him and the pride which he felt every time he spoke of his family.

Anyone that has the privilege to know the Aylwards, knows that theyre a tight family.

Bobby was always thinking of others and selfless in his devotion to family, community and country. I first got to know Bobby during his time on the county council and particularly as its Chair. He was always a passionate advocate for his community.

However, it was during the by-election in 2015 that I got to really know Bobby and saw the passion and empathy which made him such a special person."

He said everything Mr Aylward did as a public representative was driven by a very clear set of beliefs.

Whatever he did, he did it for the most important reasons, to be of service.

There was always a special place in his heart and in his work for farming. He had a deep connection to and understanding of the work and challenges of farming. He had a common sense understanding of what mattered to farmers.

Wherever he was and whatever position he held, Bobby remained rooted here, amongst his people and was sustained by the love and support of his family.

Mr Aylward is survived by his wife Helena, daughter Triona, sons Bob and Mark, daughters-in-law Lisa and Margaret, beloved grandchildren Dylan, Chloe, Leah, Taylor, Jack, Kate and baby Ella.
Police in Spain say an Irish man is in intensive care after being shot in the chest during an early morning incident

Police in Spain have said an Irish man is in intensive care after being shot in the chest during an early morning incident at a club in Marbella.

A spokesman for Spains National Police in Malaga confirmed a 32-year-old Irishman was one of two people in intensive care after he was shot in the chest.

He was rushed to hospital after being hit after 1am during a DJ set at the Opium Beach Club.

At least four other people were also injured in the incident.

Witnesses reported seeing a woman seen lying apparently lifeless on the floor at the popular beachfront venue just outside Marbella town.

Police confirmed they were not aware of any deaths, despite initial unconfirmed local reports pointing to one of the gunshot victims dying from their injuries.

A spokesman also confirmed they had arrested the suspected gunman, a Dutch national, who suffered stab wounds to his head and chest after allegedly firing his weapon in the packed club.

A spokesman for Spains National Police said: With regards to the shooting incident at Opium in Marbella we can confirm that five people were injured.

Four have suffered gunshot wounds, one of whom is in a serious condition.

A person who is the suspected gunman has suffered stab wounds to the chest and head.

He has been arrested and is under police custody.

The police investigation is ongoing.

At least one English speaker could be overhead saying: I heard gunshots after a stampede to exit the venue as four shots ran out and revellers rushed from the packed dance floor.

The shooting is believed to have occurred during a fight between two groups of revellers in a VIP area of the beach club after a man was thrown out moments earlier by bouncers.

He is understood to have returned moments later to confront the gunman who reacted by pulling out a pistol after being knifed and missing his intended target as he fired the weapon.

One man could be seen grabbing a giant bottle of Belvedere Vodka and swinging it round his head while another took his shirt off as if he was preparing for a punch-up before the shots rang out.

South African DJ Black Coffee, whose real name is Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, was among those due to perform at Opium Beach Club last on Sunday night.

A spokesman for Spains National Police in Malaga said: Two of the victims, a man who is Irish and a woman, are in intensive care in hospital.

The suspected gunman is still in hospital.

A Costa del Sol Hospital source said: Five people have been admitted to the hospital following the incident at the Marbella beach club overnight.

One is a man aged 40 and he has different stab wounds to his forehead, neck, back and eye.

His condition is not in principle serious but his evolution is being monitored and doctors are awaiting the results of further tests.

Another is a man aged 18. He has a bullet wound in his left hip. Again his condition is not serious but the results of more tests are still pending.

A man of 36 has suffered a gunshot wound to his back. He is not serious but we are monitoring his evolution and awaiting the results of tests.

Regarding the two most seriously injured patients, thought to be the woman lying on the ground at Opium Beach Club as well as the Irish national, the source added: A woman aged 32 suffered gunshot wounds and has trauma injuries to her abdomen and pelvic area.

She has been operated on and is serious in intensive care.

A man aged 32 has suffered chest injuries after being shot. He is also serious in intensive care and he is being monitored so his evolution can be charted.

The Irish man has not been named by police and it was not immediately clear if he was on holiday or lives in the area.

It was also unclear if he was one of the VIP revellers caught up in the violence that ended with the shooting or had been uninvolved and was caught in the crossfire.
The young women died within days of each other

Police at the scene of a sudden death in the Buoy Park area of Belfast City Centre on July 17, 2022 (Photo by Kevin Scott   Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

The lack of an Executive is no excuse for doing nothing about Belfasts growing homelessness problem, an Assembly member has said after the sudden death of two young women close to St Annes Cathedral in just three days.

A PSNI forensic team was at the scene on Sunday morning in Academy Street where the individual, believed to be a young female in her 20s, became the 14th person to die on the streets of Belfast in recent months.

The previous sudden death of a young woman, believed to have been aged just 19, was reported on Friday afternoon and occurred in Writers Square, just yards from the scene of Sunday's death.

She was believed to be homeless and had travelled to Belfast from Bangor, Co Down in recent weeks. Various homeless groups said she was not known in the Belfast area.

The Sunday Life revealed the harrowing extent of the growing drug and homeless crisis in Belfast, with Writers Square described as a place where addicts go to get their latest fix.

It also documented how many of the deaths of homeless individuals in Belfast are linked to addiction issues and drug use.

Belfast Homeless Services Liz Rocks, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph said she is disheartened by the number of recent deaths in Belfast, adding something needs to be done.

Its only the media which seems to take an interest and care, she said.

"Other people dont care because its not at their door.

"There has barely been anything said about these deaths by politicians.

Ms Rocks also spoke to the Sunday Life about the escalation of the drugs problem on the city streets.

Its scary, absolutely scary for our future and scary for these people.

"There just doesnt seem to be any kind of hope this will stop, she added.

I fear it will get worse and be passed onto the younger generation, then it becomes normal that we continue to watch open drug use, watching people being totally out of it in the town and continually hear about people dying.

Stephen Curran, a barber who works from oLo Hair, just minutes from where both the recent sudden deaths took place, said the area is overrun with homeless individuals and drug use.

Its very sad, and since post-lockdown, there has been a real surge of drug use in the area. We have a car park out the back and every morning its just covered with needles, he said.

Mr Curran also said there have been incidents of crime linked to drug use in the area, such as a business near the barber shop he works in that was recently targeted in a mid-afternoon break-in.

He said once the would-be burglar was apprehended by police it was clear he was high on drugs.

It's all about here, and all the age of them is unbelievable. I cant imagine thinking if it was my daughter or son, he said.

A manager of one business located close to where the two deaths were reported, who did not wish to be identified, said the presence of homeless individuals in the area has always been a constant.

Its always been here, I dont really notice it now, which I guess just says it all really, he said.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph on Friday, SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said: People feel trapped in the system and feel they cannot get out of the cycle of homelessness. The level of death and need is frightening. Its something weve never seen before.

The PSNI said no details were available regarding the sudden death on Sunday.
A revamp for the teaching of young teenagers, to be published today, could prove controversial among some parents

A new Junior Cert curriculum will see lessons about pornography given in the classroom for the first time in Ireland, following a major review of Relationships and Sexuality Education.

A revamp for the teaching of young teenagers, to be published today, could prove controversial among some parents.

The draft curriculum will tackle pornography, with reference to the online world, and the sharing of sexual images. It will then further deal with consent and matters such as gender stereotyping.

The demand for addressing such issues is student-led, theSunday World understands, and has now found official agreement.

The Department of Education has also concluded that the existing approach to such education in schools was heavily concerned with the risks and dangers associated with relationships and sexuality, and did not allow for sufficient discussion of the positive, healthy and enjoyable aspects.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) will today publish a draft course for all pupils on sex education. Every school, irrespective of ethos, will have to deliver it.

The two subjects involved are called SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education) and RSE (Relationships and Sexuality Education).

It involves new material on a range of issues, including consent, safe use of the internet, pornography, gender identity and sexual orientation, healthy and positive relationships, and addiction issues.

There will now be a three-month period of public consultation. It is intended that the curriculum can be finalised and rolled out in schools from September next year.

All interested parties can make their views known through this consultation process, a spokesman said.

National parent bodies have already had an input, but there has also been extensive consultation with students, as well as with teaching bodies and interested organisations.

Research revealed that for most students the instruction received was simply not meeting the demands of modern life.

The NCCA says there should now be only one integrated curriculum in this area, rather both RSE and SPHE courses.

Also taught will be sexual orientation, unhealthy abusive relationships, contraception, safer sexual health, LGBTQ+ and addictions.

The Department of Education said there will be proactive communication with stakeholders to inform them of the consultation period.

There will be major engagement with approximately 70 NGOs and special interest groups. The NCCA will also engage by physically going out to schools .

Meanwhile, work on updating the SPHE/ RSE curriculum at Senior Cycle is also now under way.

A background paper and brief are being prepared which will guide the work. It follows the announcement by Education Minister Norma Foley in March of ambitious plans for a reimagined Leaving Cert, with equity and excellence for all.

It will put the student at the centre of their Senior Cycle experience, officials said.

It is anticipated the draft updated Senior Cycle SPHE/RSE curriculum will be available for public consultation by the autumn next year.

Meanwhile, the NCCA is also in the process of redeveloping the primary school curriculum, with a foundation document, upon which curriculum specifications will be developed, to be furnished to the department late this year.
Nursing home staff and the man's family were left stunned when the two man crew insisted they were under orders to take him to Drogheda's Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital even though the Navan one was just 200 metres away.

A pensioner had to endure a bumpy ride around country roads after a tumble in a nursing home on Friday night after an ambulance crew insisted they had been instructed to take him to a hospital sixteen miles away despite there being another hospital less than a minutes drive from where he fell.

The 82-year-old man, who does not want to be identified, fell in the Beaufort Nursing home in Navan right beside Our Lady's Hospital, and had to endure an agonising wait as the nearest ambulance to him had to travel from Dublin.

And when it arrived, nursing home staff and the man's family were left stunned when the two man crew insisted they were under orders to take him to Drogheda's Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital even though the Navan one was just 200 metres away.

To make matters worse the main road between Navan and Drogheda is currently closed due to roadworks meaning that both the ambulance and the elderly man's 80-year-old sister who was following it in her car had to drive extra miles due to diversions being in place.

When the ambulance eventually arrived in Drogheda, the man was in such an agitated state he couldn't sit still enough for a scan to be taken and at 8am on Saturday medics decided to send him back to the Navan Hospital.

Hours later worried relatives called the Lourdes as the man had not arrived in Navan they were shocked to be informed he hadn't even left Drogheda yet.

He eventually arrived back in Navan 24 hours after he left it.

The HSE is currently trying to close the A&E in Navan and insisting all patients travel to Drogheda.

Recently thousands of people took to the streets of Navan to protest against the move and Meath West TD Peadar Toibin who heads up the Save Navan Hospital group told the Sunday World, I have been given reliable information about an elderly patient who suffered a serious fall on Friday night less than 250 metres from Navan A&E.

An 82-year-old man whose family have asked for his name to be withheld fell in a nursing home which adjoins Navan Hospital at 7pm on Friday evening last.

"An ambulance was called for and one had to come all the way from Dublin to pick him up. The family requested that the elderly man be brought next door to Navan A&E.

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin. Photo by Frank Mc Grath

"The ambulance drivers refused to do this, indicating that they have been told not to bring the patient to Navan A&E but to bring him to Drogheda. Even when the family protested this, the Ambulance drivers insisted on Drogheda and said that their jobs depended on it.

"They insisted on this despite being advised that the direct road is closed between Navan and Drogheda due to road works.

"As a result the ambulance had to travel for miles and miles on diverted country roads to get to Drogheda's Lourdes hospital.

The patient did not arrive to Drogheda until 11pm on Friday. His sister who is 80-years-old had to drive from Navan to Drogheda on these same diverted country roads.

"Because of the overcrowding in Drogheda, the man was not seen for hours. His elderly sister had to sit with him as he was agitated. Nurses in Drogheda took bloods, then decided to do a scan at 8am in the morning. This did not happen in the end as the patient was too agitated and the medics said he wasnt still enough for the scan.

"The staff in Drogheda then called an ambulance to take the patient back to Navan A&E. This ambulance did not arrive at Drogheda until 8pm on Saturday evening, over 24 hours after the accident happened to collect the elderly man.

"The 82 year old man was left lying on a trolley all that time and there was confusion among staff in Navan and Drogheda as to his location.

This begs the questions, is the HSE already reducing patient access to Navan by diverting ambulances away from Navan A&E, even from its own door step? Why are they doing it when the road between the two towns is closed? Why are they sending a patient to a far longer waiting time in Drogheda than dealing with them in Navan? What was the cost, as the ambulance was out of service in helping others for a far longer period? The Minister must answer these life and death questions.

A HSE spokeswoman said: We do not comment on individual patient cases.

There is no curtailment in services to patients to Our Ladys Hospital Navan. The hospital is bypassed for cases involving trauma, heart attack and strokes, which has been the case for a number of years.
Refugees granted a Convention Travel Document in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland will now need to apply for a visa to travel to Ireland.

Cabinet ministers met incorporeally today to temporarily suspend Ireland's participation in the Council of Europe Agreement for 12 months.

Refugees who have been granted refugee status from countries which have signed up to the agreement do not need a visa to travel to other countries which have also signed up to the agreement for three months.

However, ministers today decided to suspend this initiative due to pressures on the International protection system.

Ukrainians will still be able to travel to Ireland visa free.

Refugees granted a Convention Travel Document in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland will now need to apply for a visa to travel to Ireland.

The suspension will come into effect from noon tomorrow.

The decision was taken due to refugees who have already been granted refugee status in other countries travelling to Ireland and applying for refugee status again.

From January 2021 to January 2022, 760 refugees applied for refugee status here after having already been granted it in another EU country.

Over half (63pc), or 479 refugees had already been granted refugee status from EU Member States with visa exemptions.

This makes up 7pc of the 6,494 applications for international protection in that period.

Sources said the decision was taken due to pressures on the refugee system and the issues on accommodating refugees.

It emerged in recent days that Ireland is unable to house any more Ukrainian refugees.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said there is evidence that the system may be abused.

"In recent months, we have seen that the visa exemption provided for in the Council of Europe Agreement is being exploited, including by some who enter the State and subsequently claim international protection, despite having already been granted such protection by another European state, she said.

The suspension of the operation of the Agreement is temporary and will be reviewed in a years time.

In the meantime, Convention travel document holders who want to travel to Ireland can apply for a visa under standard visa arrangements."

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the Cabinet decision today will help protect Ukrainians.

"The decision taken today will assist in the protection of Ukrainians, and those of other nationalities, who are fleeing conflict, as it will lessen the incidence of abuse of this system, he said.

This step is not unprecedented: other Council of Europe member states have taken similar action previously.
The screen grab has been posted by a user claiming to illustrate how the Twelfth brings out the bitterness and hatred in Belfast

The 34-year-old is also pleading with furious social media users to leave his innocent elderly parents alone.

It has nothing to do with them  they didnt do anything so they shouldnt be taking the flak for it, he told the Belfast Telegraph.

Police said they are investigating the video threat as a hate crime.

A screen grab of the footage has been posted on platforms including TikTok by a user claiming to illustrate how the biggest day in the parading calendar brings out the bitterness and hatred in Belfast.

We can confirm the bald-headed man who looks directly into the camera before proudly declaring you dirty stinking f***ing Fenian b******s  I will kill every one of you is Jordan Hanna.

The Antrim resident claims he is now living in fear after horrified viewers tracked him down using his workplace information that he listed on his social media channels.

However the business is owned by his parents who have been inundated with complaints and phone calls following the shocking incident. Mr Hannas father, who is in his late 60s, told this newspaper his son is not an employee.

He helps out very occasionally because me and my wife are not able anymore, he explained.

People havent stopped phoning in about it and from what Ive heard he was acting the lig.

He said things which were not acceptable  I dont like what hes meant to have said.

But I doubt he was the only one getting on like a d*** on the Twelfth.

Jordan has issued a lengthy apology online after admitting to making the video.

"So everyone is seeing the video going about of me losing the head, he said.

Youre only seeing one side of a story and its a few seconds  that video is 18 minutes long of them threatening me and my friends and I snapped.

Thats no excuse. I should have known better I should of done what I normally do laugh it off, call them p****s and get on with enjoying myself.

If anyone personally knows me knows I get on with both sides.

The man, who claims his Catholic friends have reached out to console him, revealed he is in therapy and will focus on getting better and seeking the help he needs. He also claims he was taking prescribed medication which did not mix well with the alcohol he consumed on the day in question.

I apologise for any grief or hurt Ive caused, Jordan said.

On Sunday night, the PSNI confirmed they are aware of the incident.

Police have received a number of reports regarding an online video and officers are currently examining the content, they said.

At present this is being treated as a hate crime.

On Sunday night, Jordan told this newspaper he is receiving countless death threats from Provos.

It shouldnt have happened and anyone who knows me knows Im not like that, he said.

"Now I have Provos trying to figure out where I am so they can come and get me. They are threatening to shoot me  and theres constant threats to kill me.

The remorseful social media user is pleading with an angry online mob to leave him and his family alone.

"I havent worked for them [his parents] since September 2021, Jordan said.

"There is no point dragging them into it.
'Tragedy' | Mans body found in ongoing incident as areas of Antrim town cordoned off

The PSNI cordoned off areas leading from Main Street in the town. The discovery was made in an apartment block at Bath Terrace.

Police are currently in attendance at an incident in the Bath Terrace area of Portrush`Photo: Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Kurtis Reid Belfast Telegraph Mon 18 Jul 2022 at 15:12







A body has been found in Portrush, Co Antrim in an incident on Monday morning.
The US president, who has roots in Co Mayo and Co Louth, is in the Middle East for the first time since taking office in early 2021 and arrived in Israel on Wednesday to hold talks with Israeli leaders.

The US president, who has roots in Co Mayo and Co Louth, is in the Middle East for the first time since taking office in early 2021 and arrived in Israel on Wednesday to hold talks with Israeli leaders.

He has also met with Palestinian leaders in the occupied West Bank ahead of talks with Saudi leaders and other Gulf allies in Jeddah on Saturday.

My background  the background of my family is Irish American, he said near the beginning of his speech at the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem.

And we have a long history not fundamentally unlike the Palestinian people, with Great Britain and their attitude toward Irish Catholics over the years, for 400 years.

Biden then quoted a verse from Seamus Heaneys The Cure at Troy, a verse adaptation of Sophocles Philoctetes.

He said: History teaches us not to hope on this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime, that longed-for tidal wave of justice rises up, and hope and history rhyme.

He said that the poem was classically Irish, but it also could fit Palestinians and added that it is my prayer that were reaching one of those moments where hope and history rhyme.

Mr Biden also referenced his heritage as he penned an inscription in the guestbook in the presidential residence in Jerusalem upon his arrival.

"From our shared Irish roots to our shared love of Israel, we are united in heart and spirit, it read.

"May our friendship endure and continue to grow! That is the Irish of it, as my grandfather Finnegan would say. God bless you, Joe."

Many outraged social media users ranted about the Presidents speech online, with some suggesting that Biden is ruining Americas relationship with the UK.

Nothing to see here, just our foreign policy expert president insulting two of our closest allies, Britain and Israel, in an effort to buddy up to a group of people led by terrorists, John Cooper of the Heritage Foundation tweeted.

Political correspondent Jim Geraghty said: Im not sure that Irish-Americans who have lived relatively comfortable lives should run around saying we have suffered terrible pain because of the Troubles. Its like blurring the line between empathy and stolen valour

And author Ali Shihabi added: There goes the post Brexit special relationship.

It comes after President Herzog bestowed the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour upon the US leader at a ceremony in Jerusalem last week in recognition of his 50 years of support for the country as a politician.

I can say without hesitation that being known as a friend of Israel and receiving this award today is among the greatest honours of my career, Mr Biden said.

The president said he would not avoid talking about human rights when he visits Saudi Arabia on the second leg of his Middle East trip and stressed that his position on the murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "absolutely" clear.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky sacked the head of the country's domestic security service and state prosecutor, citing alleged collaboration with Russia

Buildings destroyed by military strikes are seen, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in northern Saltivka, one of the most damaged residential areas of Kharkiv, Ukraine July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Nacho Doce   REUTERS

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky sacked the head of the country's domestic security service and state prosecutor, citing hundreds of cases of alleged treason and collaboration with Russia, as Moscow appeared set to step up military operations.

Zelensky said more than 60 officials from the SBU security service and prosecutor's office were working against Ukraine in Russian-occupied territories, and 651 treason and collaboration cases had been opened against law enforcement officials.

The sackings on Sunday of Ivan Bakanov, head of the security service, and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who led efforts to prosecute Russian war crimes, and the sheer number of treason cases reveals the huge challenge of Russian infiltration as Kyiv battles Moscow in what it says is a fight for survival.

"Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the national security of the state ... pose very serious questions to the relevant leaders," Zelensky said. "Each of these questions will receive a proper answer.

In his nightly speech to the nation, Zelensky noted the recent arrest on suspicion of treason of the SBU's former head overseeing the region of Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 that Kyiv and the West still view as Ukrainian land.

Zelensky said he had fired the top security official at the start of the invasion, a decision he said had now been shown to be justified.

"Sufficient evidence has been collected to report this person on suspicion of treason. All his criminal activities are documented," he said.

3,000 CRUISE MISSILES

After failing to capture the capital Kyiv early in the invasion, Russian forces using a campaign of devastating bombing now control large swaths of Ukraine's south and east, where pro-Russian separatists already control territory.

Zelensky said Russia had used more than 3,000 cruise missiles to date and it was "impossible to count" the number of artillery and other strikes so far.

Dozens of relatives and local residents on Sunday attended the funeral of 4-year-old Liza Dmytrieva, one of 24 people killed in a Russian missile strike in the city of Vinnytsia last week.

Western deliveries of long-range arms are beginning to help Ukraine on the battlefield, with Kyiv citing a string of successful strikes carried out on 30 Russian logistics and ammunitions hubs, using several multiple launch rocket systems recently supplied by the West.

The strikes are causing havoc with Russian supply lines and have significantly reduced Russia's offensive capability, according to Ukraine's defence ministry.

Ukraine's southern Operational Command reported that in the Kherson region, it had destroyed two Russian Pantsir missile systems, three strategic communication systems, one radar station, two ammunition depots, and 11 armoured and military vehicles on Sunday.

The Russian military are also using radio-electronic warfare to suppress satellite communication channels, the Ukrainian General Staff said in a statement early on Monday.

RUSSIA INTENSIFIES OPERATIONS

Russia has ordered military units to intensify operations to prevent Ukrainian strikes on areas held by Russia, according to Ukraine which on the weekend reported shelling along the frontline in what it said was preparation for a fresh assault.

Ukraine's general staff said its forces had repelled Russian attacks in several towns in the Donetsk region.

"Fighting is currently ongoing near Hryhorivka near the administrative between Luhansk and Donetsk regions," it said.

Overnight at least 10 explosions were reported in the southern city of Mykolaiv, but there was no information on casualties, while two people were killed and 10 wounded in Avdiivka and Novy Donbas, said Ukraine's general staff, citing local officials.

Reuters could not immediately verify the reports.

The British defence ministry said on Sunday that Russia was reinforcing defences across areas it occupies in southern Ukraine after pressure from Ukrainian forces and pledges from Ukrainian leaders to drive Russia out. Read full story

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion on Feb. 24 calling it a "special military operation" to demilitarise its neighbour and rid it of dangerous nationalists.

Kyiv and the West say it was an imperialist land grab and attempt reconquer a country that broke free of Moscow's rule with the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The biggest conflict in Europe since World War Two has killed more than 5,000 people, forced more than 6 million to flee Ukraine and left 8 million internally displaced, says the United Nations.

Ukraine and the West say Russian forces are targeting civilians and been involved in war crimes, charges Moscow rejects.

Russia is preparing for the next stage of its offensive in Ukraine, a Ukrainian military official said, after Moscow said its forces would step up military operations in "all operational areas".
Investigation | Owner of Thai restaurant at centre of gay orgy storm denies holding sex party in premises
The Ministry of Health is today reporting 7612 new community cases of Covid-19, 797 current hospitalisations, and 22 deaths. There are 20 people in ICU with Covid-19.

There are 363 new cases that have recently travelled overseas. In Bay of Plenty hospitals there are 43 people with Covid-19 and 19 in Lakes hospitals.

The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 9689.

Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of 22 people with Covid-19, says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

They include one death from March, two deaths from April, two deaths from May and two deaths from June, which are being reported following completion of the cause of death assessment. In some instances it can take some time for the full clinical assessments to be finalised.

The Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora  Health NZ are closely monitoring the continued increase in Covid-19 positive cases and hospitalisations as part of their ongoing review and updating of the response to the current community outbreak.

The case, death and hospitalisation numbers emphasise the importance of everybody doing the basics well to help prevent infection and serious illness, says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

IIn particular, people should stay home if they are unwell, take a rapid antigen test (RAT) and upload the result on My Covid Record, and isolate if positive or while still symptomatic.

If youre heading out to pick up free RATs and masks, please check the Healthpoint website to find your nearest participating pharmacy  as not all pharmacies are providing this service. People can also continue to request free COVID-19 RATs kits online, says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

It is important to ensure you are up to date with all vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccinations. Many people are now eligible for a second booster dose, and flu vaccinations, which are free for many people.

Hygiene basics help stop the spread of winter illness

We want to remind people to keep up good public health habits to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and winter illnesses such as the flu, says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

Simple measures can make a big difference, so we encourage people to wear a mask, physically distance, wash or sanitise your hands regularly, and stay home if you are unwell.

Wearing a mask remains one of the best measures to reduce transmission of infectious respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

As a general rule, the Ministry urges people to wear a mask in public indoor settings outside the home and in poorly ventilated spaces, or when it is hard to physically distance from other people.

You must wear a mask on public transport and at transport hubs like airports and bus stations, inside public venues like museums and libraries, when visiting a health care service, and inside retail businesses like supermarkets and shopping malls, says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

If you have cold and flu symptoms, its important to get tested for Covid-19 and self-report the result  whether positive or negative  on My Covid Record. This helps us to understand the spread of Covid-19 and where to direct our public health resources.

Covid-19 hospitalisations

Covid-19 Cases in hospital: total number 797: Northland: 27; Waitemata: 135; Counties Manukau: 54; Auckland: 91; Waikato: 64; Bay of Plenty: 43; Lakes: 19; Hawkes Bay: 32; MidCentral: 31; Whanganui: 20; Taranaki: 13; Tairawhiti: 6; Wairarapa: 7; Capital & Coast/Hutt: 55; Nelson Marlborough: 13; Canterbury/West Coast: 138; South Canterbury: 10; Southern: 39.

Weekly Covid-19 hospitalisations - 7 day rolling average: 753 (This time last week 582)

Average age of current COVID-19 hospitalisations: 64

Cases in ICU or HDU: 20

Vaccination status of new admissions to hospital*: Unvaccinated or not eligible (53 cases); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (4 cases); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (79 cases); received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (368 cases).

*These are new hospital admissions in the past 7 days prior to yesterday who had COVID at the time of admission or while in hospital, excluding hospitalisations that were admitted and discharged within 24hrs. This data is from Districts with tertiary hospitals: Auckland, Canterbury, Southern, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Capital & Coast, Waitemata and Northland.

Covid-19 vaccinations administered

Vaccines administered to date: 4,028,928 first doses; 3,981,590 second doses; 33,674 third primary doses; 2,695,255 first booster doses: 177,670 second booster doses: 265,188 paediatric first doses and 140,474 paediatric second doses

Vaccines administered yesterday: 8 first doses; 12 second doses; 0 third primary doses; 412 first booster doses; 1,819 second booster doses; 35 paediatric first doses and 159 paediatric second doses

More detailed information, including vaccine uptake by District, is available on the Ministry website.

Tests

Number of PCR tests total (last 24 hours) 2,239

Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 11,831

PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 3,314

Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last seven days as of 17 July 2022): 4 million

COVID-19 cases

Total number of new community cases: 7,612

Number of new cases that have recently travelled overseas: 363

Seven day rolling average of community cases: 9,689

Seven day rolling average of community cases (as at same day last week): 9,281

Number of active cases (total): 67,774 (cases identified in the past seven days and not yet classified as recovered)

Confirmed cases (total): 1,498,402

Location of new community cases by district over past 24 hours

You can also view a detailed breakdown of daily case numbers for each district since the beginning of the pandemic by clicking the download button on the right hand side of this page: New Zealand COVID-19 data.

Please note, the Ministry of Healths daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a district or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO.

Covid-19 deaths

Todays reported deaths takes the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 to 1,849 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 23.

Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today: five were from Auckland region, two were from Waikato, one was from Bay of Plenty, three were from MidCentral, one was from Whanganui, four were from Wellington region, six were from Canterbury/West Coast.

Five were in their 60s, two were in their 70s, seven were in their 80s and eight were aged over 90. Of these people, nine were women and 13 were men.

This is a very sad time for whanau and friends and our thoughts and condolences are with them. Out of respect, we will be making no further comment on todays reported deaths.
Luke Thompson didnt mean to take five years to finish 2021s The Trials & Tribulations of Adam & His Seed, the follow-up to 2016s Tui-nominated Hosts.

The concept for the album had been percolating for a while, an unformed sense; a spirit, a hunch, a colour.

A return to folk music at its most elemental definition; songs as cultural stories, spanning generations like family heirlooms, that in the end had been set free right on time.

After the long-awaited release, came another test of patience to be able to take the expansive, philosophical album on the road and explore it in a live setting. Now, thanks to the support of the New Zealand Music Commissions Aotearoa Touring Programme, and the perfect winter setting, that wait is finally over.

The To Be Warm In This Great Winter Tour spans eleven dates across New Zealand this August and September, and will be audiences first chance to hear some new songs from The Trials & Tribulations of Adam & His Seed played live in what promises to be a warm and intimate night of music and connection, with supporting acts to be announced.

After an almost three-year hiatus from touring in New Zealand, Thompson explains his excitement and curiosity to return to the road.

I am really hopeful and expectant about returning to these spaces, both what it will be for performers and what it will be for an audience. I have a feeling we will all be more present and aware of the magic of gathering. This has always been my favourite part of playing music to a group of humans.

Wrapping up the tour in Auckland, the September 16th show will be a special event for both punters and the acclaimed artist. Performing tracks from the new album, as well as favourites from his catalogue, Thompson will be inviting fans to witness two live recording sessions at Parachute Studios for his first live album. With limited spaces available at each session, fans will need to get in quick to purchase tickets to this unique experience.

Ready to hit the road and connect with audiences once again, Thompson is excited to see what the tour becomes.

I dont have much of an appetite to do the same old thing. I hope you can come out this winter and we can see what happens as we gather around the modern day camp fire and stare at the flames together.

Tickets are on sale now from lukethompsonmusic.co.nz

Tour dates:

July 30 - Kumeu Live - Kumeu

August 12 - Love Music - Taupo

August 13 - House Show - New Plymouth

August 18 - Nivara Lounge - Hamilton

August 20 - Remaker - Tauranga

August 25 - Paisley Stage - Napier

August 27 - Two Todman - Wellington

September 2 - Loons - Christchurch

September 3 - Bark! - Dunedin

September 4 - Sherwood - Queenstown

September 16 - Parachute Studios - Auckland
Significant heavy rain and severe gale northwesterlies are being forecast for parts of southern and central New Zealand.

The MetService has issued severe weather watches and warning for different parts of the country.

A severe weather watch is in force for the Bay of Plenty.

"An active front over Westland is expected to move over the northwest of the South Island during today, and across the North Island during Wednesday," says a spokesperson for the weather organisation.

"Additionally, a low develops north of Northland during today and should move southeast over eastern areas of the upper North Island early Wednesday morning.

"During Wednesday the front and low connect east of New Zealand with a larger and deeper low developing just east of central New Zealand.

"The front is expected to bring more heavy rain to the South Island today, and severe gale northwest winds across central New Zealand.

"The low from the north could bring a period of heavy rain to some eastern areas of the upper North Island. Southerly winds could reach severe gale about eastern areas of central New Zealand late Wednesday and during Thursday as the large low deepens.

"This continues to be a significant severe weather event. People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made, and more areas are added."

Image: MetService.

HEAVY RAIN WATCH

Area: Northland

Valid: 12 hours from 3pm Tuesday to 3am Wednesday

Forecast: Periods rain with heavy falls and thunderstorms possible, amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Bay of Plenty from Rotorua eastwards

Valid: 12 hours from 2am to 2pm Wednesday

Forecast: A period of rain, with heavy falls possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Taranaki, about and north of the Mountain

Valid: 15 hours from 3pm Tuesday to 6am Wednesday

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially about the mountain.

Area: The Richmond and Bryant Ranges

Valid: 10 hours from 9am to 7pm Tuesday

Forecast: Periods of rain heavy at times. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Buller south of Little Wanganui

Valid: 8 hours from 8am to 4pm Tuesday

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially about the ranges.

Area: North Otago and the Canterbury Plains south of the Rakaia River

Valid: 7 hours from 9am to 4pm Tuesday

Forecast: Periods of rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

STRONG WIND WATCH

Area: Canterbury Plains and eastern Marlborough

Valid: 18 hours from 2am to 8pm Thursday

Forecast: Southerly winds are expected to strengthen in the early hours of Thursday, and may approach severe gale at times during Thursday.
Revvman BHPian

Join Date: May 2022 Location: Delhi Posts: 29 Thanked: 61 Times

Travelogue - Ireland, Scotland & London



Heres a travelogue of our recent family trip to the Ireland and UK during May-June, and though I'm not much of a writer, Ill try my best to pen down the details for benefit of anyone planning a trip to these places.



Selection of destination:

Well, with my brother staying in Dublin and wifey's brother staying in London and us having already covered part of Europe during our earlier trip, this time around the choice of destinations was an easy one as this would be a family reunion cum vacation in Europe. Also, with us and kiddo having been restricted in our travels for almost last 2 years, we wanted to break out and visit some unfamiliar places this time rather than the usual Dubai/Bali haunts.



Visa:

After some inputs from my brother and further research on the net, figured out that for visiting UK and Ireland together, theres a special facility for only Indian and Chinese short-term visa seekers (tourists or visiting family) that they dont need separate Irish and UK visas. The embassy endorses visa with a BIVS stamp which translates to British Irish Visa Scheme and allows visa holder to visit either/or any of the country with only condition being that port of entry should be of the visa issuing country.



Visa Process:

This was probably the most insane and stressfully exhausting part of our entire trip. Having travelled my fair bit, I never expected Irish visa requirements to be so detailed and demanding and in my ignorance/arrogance, went ahead with the Irish visa process. As I delved further into it after having paid appointment fees, I figured how much information they were asking for. To cut long story short, its insane the amount of your personal info the Irish embassy asks of you and by the time of your application submission, you feel totally robbed of any sense of privacy that you had prior to the application. Hence, my 2 cents, if planning a trip, try the UK visa and avoid Irish visa application at all costs.. itll drive you nuts!



Visa Processing Time:

One needs to fill an online application form for the Irish visa and subsequently needs to secure an appointment online by payment of fees. During the peak month of April, earliest availability was after 2 weeks. You need to prepare all your documents during this time and visit the VFS centre for submission. At the VFS, since the whole review process for VFS staff is also so detailed, it takes at least about 25-30 minutes for each application and after successful submission of documents and biometrics recording on the same day, wait for the visa starts. We got our visas exactly 4 weeks after submission.



Onto the travels..

Arrival into Dublin:

Airport  Dublin airport is probably one of the most forgettable airports in Europe and our experience here is nothing really to write about.

Stay  As expected, we stayed for a week at my brothers place and planned to visit the Dublin city centre along with some other sightseeing spots outside of Dublin.



Ireland is a small country and while Dublin as a city is quite beautiful with some of the old-world European charm and seaside views, due to BREXIT, it is also the only English-speaking country left in the Eurozone now. This has increased a lot of commercial activity in Dublin over the last 2-3 years with giants like Amazon, Google having opened huge offices in the city. You do tend to see the effect of this on the relaxed Irish infrastructure at some places, but mostly the city is neat, clean with amazingly warm, courteous and caring citizens. Irish people are one of the friendliest people youll come across in Europe.



Days 1, 2 & 3 - Onto the sights, for first 3 days we visited the locales around our residence and the city centre which is bustling with activity with great shopping arcades, coffee shops, bars, pubs, street music and good food. The usual tourist spots of Trinity College and Dublin Castle are totally, totally avoidable unless youre a history buff and like to ensure ticking boxes while travelling.



Random shots of Dublin city









Emptry streets at just 8:00 in the evening









View from our residence





Trinity College





Old Library at Trinity College





Day 4 - Next day, we rented a Renault Megane sedan from SixT and visited the Powerscourt Waterfall on outskirts of city near Wicklow Moutains  about a 50 minute drive, followed by a visit to Lake Guinness which signifies a Guinness pint when viewed from the hill top.



Lake Guinness





Day 5 - On our 5th day of the trip, we planned a visit to the very famous Cliffs of Moher which is actually across the country from Dublin towards the west side of Ireland. It was a 3-hour drive, mainly on the highway but with about 70 kms. in the countryside. The drive was beautiful and mesmerising and Im so glad we rented the car instead of taking the tour bus option.

Cliffs of Moher









Day 6 - This was the most anticipated day of our trip to Dublin as for many years both myself and wifey had been wanting to attend a Bryan Adams concert and for some reason or the other, had not been able to do so. We visited the 3 Arena Centre in Dublin for the show and had an amazing time with the guy still belting out hits after hits as if hes still in his 20s. Energy levels were electrifying and it was well worth the wait.



Day 7 - This day was mostly reserved for rest and packing for onward journey to Glasgow.



On to Scotland

Now, Scotland is a country mainly known for its natural beauty (Scottish Highlands and lakes) and theres not really much to see/do in the cities. The most beautiful and highly recommended country sides are Isle of Skye, Fort William and Inverness which form a triangle with their locations on map. Since we planned to drive all through the Highlands, it didnt make sense to stay in either of the 2 big cities of Glasgow or Edinburgh as the drive to/from these cities is around 5 hours each. Hence, as per a friends suggestion, we booked a cottage in Fort William which is a beautiful town 2.5 hours north of Glasgow and is quite central to both Isle of Skye and Inverness, reducing drive time to each of these cities by almost half in comparison to the bigger cities.



Day 8, 9 - We arrived in Glasgow city on day 8 and spent rest of the day and next day exploring city centre dotted with some old world architecture and shopping streets.



Day 10 - Rented a car from Enterprise through booking.com and by lunch time, we were on our way out of the city to Fort William. Arrived at our cottage in the evening after lunch stopover in the beautiful city centre.





Our cottage in Fort William





Day 11 to 13 - Were forced to rest for the next 3 days due to a flu that I caught sometime during our travel from Dublin to Glasgow. Thanks to the spacious cottage that we had booked, everyone got their space to relax and not feel too claustrophobic while down with flu.



Day 14 - Since this was our only trip day left in Fort William before we headed to Edinburgh, we decided to visit Isle of Skye which is about a 3-hour drive to the northern highlands. Its a mesmerising place with beautiful landscape, cliffs, lakes and waterfalls and not to forget the scenic drive. Very much worth the trip.









Our ride in Scotland

















Day 15 - We started in the morning for Edinburgh and booked a villa in the city for 1 night as next day was our onward travel to London. Arrived Edinburgh city at around 3 in the afternoon and went straight to the must do Edinburgh castle. Honestly, after taking a tour of the castle and being used to the forts that we have in our country, everyone was feeling bas ye hi hai. Apart from the view of city that one gets from the castle which is sitting atop a hill, theres nothing really to write about the castle visit.

View of Edinburgh city from the Castle









Piping his way in the rain





Day 16 - Handed over the car at Edinburgh airport and onwards to London.



Travel tips for Scotland:

Since its the beautiful countryside that youll be visiting Scotland for, avoid staying in the cities for more than 2 days. Look for top rated independent villas, cottages on Airbnb, Booking.com, rent a car and youll be set. We stayed at this highly rated (on Booking.com) cottage about 8.5 miles ahead of Fort William and the stay was excellent. I had a word with the owner and he was enterprising enough to offer a good discount to anybody booking directly with him. His contact details are:

Thistle Do Fort William

Contact: Gregor,



Days 17 to 20 - We spent the next 4 days doing the city stuff in London, visiting must do places like London Eye, Big Ben, Oxford Street, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park etc. and while we still had a day left, everyone was already so tired and so over London that we preponed our return home by a day. On our last day of the trip, since our flight home was for late at night, we scooted on a bolt taxi to one of the adventure parks on outskirts of city called Chessington World of Adventures Resort and had a great day. Came back and straight to airport for our flight home.

















Travel tips for London:

Keep your Uber account ready for use in London as getting around is quite tiring by walk and will leave you drained. Local cabs are expensive and you get to travel in some of the most well-kept, high end cars through Uber and similar apps like Bolt, Free Now. Our Bolt cab to the airport was a Jaguar XF ;-)



While most people will suggest staying on the outskirts to save on high accommodation costs in the city, I suggest otherwise.. its much more convenient to stay near the city centre and explore the city than having to travel every day from outside. Having said that, Ill suggest booking an apartment through Airbnb or Booking.com instead of booking a hotel as hotels just dont provide any worth of your money.



Note to Mods: Since this is my first travelogue, please feel free to make any changes/modifications as deemed necessary. Hello Everyone,Heres a travelogue of our recent family trip to the Ireland and UK during May-June, and though I'm not much of a writer, Ill try my best to pen down the details for benefit of anyone planning a trip to these places.Well, with my brother staying in Dublin and wifey's brother staying in London and us having already covered part of Europe during our earlier trip, this time around the choice of destinations was an easy one as this would be a family reunion cum vacation in Europe. Also, with us and kiddo having been restricted in our travels for almost last 2 years, we wanted to break out and visit some unfamiliar places this time rather than the usual Dubai/Bali haunts.After some inputs from my brother and further research on the net, figured out that for visiting UK and Ireland together, theres a special facility for only Indian and Chinese short-term visa seekers (tourists or visiting family) that they dont need separate Irish and UK visas. The embassy endorses visa with a BIVS stamp which translates to British Irish Visa Scheme and allows visa holder to visit either/or any of the country with only condition being that port of entry should be of the visa issuing country.This was probably the most insane and stressfully exhausting part of our entire trip. Having travelled my fair bit, I never expected Irish visa requirements to be so detailed and demanding and in my ignorance/arrogance, went ahead with the Irish visa process. As I delved further into it after having paid appointment fees, I figured how much information they were asking for. To cut long story short, its insane the amount of your personal info the Irish embassy asks of you and by the time of your application submission, you feel totally robbed of any sense of privacy that you had prior to the application. Hence, my 2 cents, if planning a trip, try the UK visa and avoid Irish visa application at all costs.. itll drive you nuts!One needs to fill an online application form for the Irish visa and subsequently needs to secure an appointment online by payment of fees. During the peak month of April, earliest availability was after 2 weeks. You need to prepare all your documents during this time and visit the VFS centre for submission. At the VFS, since the whole review process for VFS staff is also so detailed, it takes at least about 25-30 minutes for each application and after successful submission of documents and biometrics recording on the same day, wait for the visa starts. We got our visas exactly 4 weeks after submission.Onto the travels..Airport  Dublin airport is probably one of the most forgettable airports in Europe and our experience here is nothing really to write about.Stay  As expected, we stayed for a week at my brothers place and planned to visit the Dublin city centre along with some other sightseeing spots outside of Dublin.Ireland is a small country and while Dublin as a city is quite beautiful with some of the old-world European charm and seaside views, due to BREXIT, it is also the only English-speaking country left in the Eurozone now. This has increased a lot of commercial activity in Dublin over the last 2-3 years with giants like Amazon, Google having opened huge offices in the city. You do tend to see the effect of this on the relaxed Irish infrastructure at some places, but mostly the city is neat, clean with amazingly warm, courteous and caring citizens. Irish people are one of the friendliest people youll come across in Europe.Onto the sights, for first 3 days we visited the locales around our residence and the city centre which is bustling with activity with great shopping arcades, coffee shops, bars, pubs, street music and good food. The usual tourist spots of Trinity College and Dublin Castle are totally, totally avoidable unless youre a history buff and like to ensure ticking boxes while travelling.Random shots of Dublin cityEmptry streets at just 8:00 in the eveningView from our residenceTrinity CollegeOld Library at Trinity CollegeNext day, we rented a Renault Megane sedan from SixT and visited the Powerscourt Waterfall on outskirts of city near Wicklow Moutains  about a 50 minute drive, followed by a visit to Lake Guinness which signifies a Guinness pint when viewed from the hill top.Lake GuinnessOn our 5th day of the trip, we planned a visit to the very famous Cliffs of Moher which is actually across the country from Dublin towards the west side of Ireland. It was a 3-hour drive, mainly on the highway but with about 70 kms. in the countryside. The drive was beautiful and mesmerising and Im so glad we rented the car instead of taking the tour bus option.Cliffs of MoherThis was the most anticipated day of our trip to Dublin as for many years both myself and wifey had been wanting to attend a Bryan Adams concert and for some reason or the other, had not been able to do so. We visited the 3 Arena Centre in Dublin for the show and had an amazing time with the guy still belting out hits after hits as if hes still in his 20s. Energy levels were electrifying and it was well worth the wait.This day was mostly reserved for rest and packing for onward journey to Glasgow.Now, Scotland is a country mainly known for its natural beauty (Scottish Highlands and lakes) and theres not really much to see/do in the cities. The most beautiful and highly recommended country sides are Isle of Skye, Fort William and Inverness which form a triangle with their locations on map. Since we planned to drive all through the Highlands, it didnt make sense to stay in either of the 2 big cities of Glasgow or Edinburgh as the drive to/from these cities is around 5 hours each. Hence, as per a friends suggestion, we booked a cottage in Fort William which is a beautiful town 2.5 hours north of Glasgow and is quite central to both Isle of Skye and Inverness, reducing drive time to each of these cities by almost half in comparison to the bigger cities.We arrived in Glasgow city on day 8 and spent rest of the day and next day exploring city centre dotted with some old world architecture and shopping streets.Rented a car from Enterprise through booking.com and by lunch time, we were on our way out of the city to Fort William. Arrived at our cottage in the evening after lunch stopover in the beautiful city centre.Our cottage in Fort WilliamWere forced to rest for the next 3 days due to a flu that I caught sometime during our travel from Dublin to Glasgow. Thanks to the spacious cottage that we had booked, everyone got their space to relax and not feel too claustrophobic while down with flu.Since this was our only trip day left in Fort William before we headed to Edinburgh, we decided to visit Isle of Skye which is about a 3-hour drive to the northern highlands. Its a mesmerising place with beautiful landscape, cliffs, lakes and waterfalls and not to forget the scenic drive. Very much worth the trip.Our ride in ScotlandWe started in the morning for Edinburgh and booked a villa in the city for 1 night as next day was our onward travel to London. Arrived Edinburgh city at around 3 in the afternoon and went straight to the must do Edinburgh castle. Honestly, after taking a tour of the castle and being used to the forts that we have in our country, everyone was feeling bas ye hi hai. Apart from the view of city that one gets from the castle which is sitting atop a hill, theres nothing really to write about the castle visit.View of Edinburgh city from the CastlePiping his way in the rainHanded over the car at Edinburgh airport and onwards to London.Since its the beautiful countryside that youll be visiting Scotland for, avoid staying in the cities for more than 2 days. Look for top rated independent villas, cottages on Airbnb, Booking.com, rent a car and youll be set. We stayed at this highly rated (on Booking.com) cottage about 8.5 miles ahead of Fort William and the stay was excellent. I had a word with the owner and he was enterprising enough to offer a good discount to anybody booking directly with him. His contact details are:Thistle Do Fort WilliamContact: Gregor, grybacki@gmail.com We spent the next 4 days doing the city stuff in London, visiting must do places like London Eye, Big Ben, Oxford Street, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park etc. and while we still had a day left, everyone was already so tired and so over London that we preponed our return home by a day. On our last day of the trip, since our flight home was for late at night, we scooted on a bolt taxi to one of the adventure parks on outskirts of city called Chessington World of Adventures Resort and had a great day. Came back and straight to airport for our flight home.Keep your Uber account ready for use in London as getting around is quite tiring by walk and will leave you drained. Local cabs are expensive and you get to travel in some of the most well-kept, high end cars through Uber and similar apps like Bolt, Free Now. Our Bolt cab to the airport was a Jaguar XF ;-)While most people will suggest staying on the outskirts to save on high accommodation costs in the city, I suggest otherwise.. its much more convenient to stay near the city centre and explore the city than having to travel every day from outside. Having said that, Ill suggest booking an apartment through Airbnb or Booking.com instead of booking a hotel as hotels just dont provide any worth of your money.Since this is my first travelogue, please feel free to make any changes/modifications as deemed necessary. Last edited by Aditya : 18th July 2022 at 16:59 . Reason: Image tags fixed; extra smiley deleted
In brief: Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event will reportedly take place on August 10 and feature at least two new foldable smartphones and a couple of refreshed smartwatches. It's possible that Samsung could have a surprise or two up its sleeve as well, but we'll have to wait until next month to know for sure.

Phone enthusiast Evan Blass recently shared an image on Twitter highlighting the rumored date. He also claimed the name of the event will be "Unfold Your World" which doesn't leave a whole lot to the imagination.

**THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN EDITED TO OBFUSCATE CERTAIN DETAIL**



See what I did there? pic.twitter.com/BrH4sT99yU  Evan Blass (@evleaks) July 18, 2022

The date jives with previous Unpacked events. Samsung historically hosts its Galaxy events a month or so before Apple in order to get the jump on the latest iPhone refresh. August 10 fits this strategy perfectly as Apple typically likes to share news about its new handsets in early September before launching them a week or so later.

Samsung event / launch dump (thread, 1/2)



S22 launching in Lavender on Aug 26



Fold 4

Phantom Black, Green, Beige

Announcement / pre-orders Aug 10

Launch Aug 26



Flip 4

Graphite, Bora Purple, Pink Gold, Blue

Announcement / pre-orders Aug 10

Launch Aug 26  Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) June 8, 2022

According to the rumor mill, Samsung could unveil at least two new foldables next month including the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Galaxy Fold 4. Neither is expected to deviate much from current-gen counterparts in terms of overall design. Pre-orders could open the same day ahead of an August 26 launch.

Samsung is also expected to showcase a couple of new wearables including the Galaxy Watch 5 and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Leaks over the last couple of months seem to back up rumors that Samsung is doing away with the physical rotating bezel.
CryptoWatch serves you the latest roundup regarding the cryptocurrency industry now, and these stories include the Three Arrows Capital founders that went missing during their bankruptcy filing. Another top story this week is the Russian ban on cryptocurrency that still pushed through despite the debates in the country and with Robinhood's new feature for all.

Three Arrows Capital Founders are MIA After Bankrupt Filing

(Photo : Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

BANGKOK, THAILAND - MAY 14: A poster with the Bitcoin logo is on display at the Thailand Crypto Expo on May 14, 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Two of the founders of the famous cryptocurrency hedge fund, Three Arrows Capital (3AC), Zhu Su and Kyle Davies, are currently "missing" and have unknown locations. This concern is amidst its latest bankruptcy filing that has its hearing and liquidation process already in focus, and the transition to return assets is in place.

There were dockets in place for a hearing on the company's bankruptcy filing, which was previously scheduled for last Tuesday, July 12. However, the no-show caused a chain of events that led to its assets being frozen by regulators and a New York bankruptcy court's federal judge to prevent its access and transfers.

3AC's founders remain under the radar as of this moment.

Read Also: Voyager Digital Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Following Exposure to Three Arrows Capital

Russia Bans Crypto in its Country, Despite Debates

Cryptocurrency ban is present in several countries, as some politicians or government disapproves of the venture and trading of the digital currency available in the world now. The latest one to impose its ban is Russia, and last Saturday, July 16, President Vladimir Putin signed a law that prevents the use of digital assets on payments in the country.

The decision for the national ban on cryptocurrency came earlier this year for Russia, and according to Engadget, the Bank of Russia first proposed this ban last January. Additionally, Russia's Finance Ministry submitted a draft on cryptocurrency regulation that would allow investing in digital assets but not use them for payments.

That law was published in the Russian parliament, and the ban is felt nationwide.

Robinhood Has a New Feature on its App

Robinhood brings excellent news to the world, and it is the use of their application for more features and transactions without relying on other platforms to do it for them. This new feature is now supporting cryptocurrency transactions on the app, and it would help send and receive cryptocurrency as long as it is listed on Robinhood.

The company shared its sentiments via a tweet, saying that this feature is one of the most awaited ventures from the crypto trading platform that would help the public enjoy more of their needs for the app. Before this, users may only trade cryptocurrency but not use it for transactions online, which helps it get a smoother experience for all needs.

Related Article: Celsius Crypto Lending Platform Likened to 'Fraud,' 'Ponzi Scheme' in New York State Lawsuit

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Hyundai has released two performance-focused electric vehicle concepts that are called "rolling labs" as reported by The Verge. The two concepts come from Hyundai's "N" sub-brand that is focused on high-performance vehicles.

(Photo : The Punisher on Unsplash)

Hyundai Rolling Labs

Among the two, the N Vision 74 is the most striking with a design that draws elements from the 2025 Hyundai N Vision Gran Truism and the 1974 Pony Coupe concept.

The difference here is that instead of a gas-powered engine, it's using a hybrid hydrogen fuel cell system that can push the car over 260 kph. They also come with a 62.4 kWh battery with 800V fast-charging capabilities and over 372-mile driving range.

The RN22e, on the other hand, is sleek that uses the same aerodynamic streamliner design that is the same as the Ioniq 6 that was introduced recently.

The RN22e has a 77.4kWh battery with 400 or 800V fast multi-charging capability and a maximum speed of over 250kph. Also, it has an N Sound Plus feature that can generate fake engine sounds when you drive.

Also Read: Hyundai to Invest its First EV-Only Facility in Georgia

Not a First for Hyundai

This isn't the first attempt at creating an EV modeled after the Pony by the car brand. Back in 2019, the automaker showed off a 45 EV concept that is supposed to pay homage to the classic car. Later on, they covered a 70s-era Pony hatchback into an EV with some retro and modern elements.

It is not certain if the rolling labs will come to fruition, but one thing is for sure, Hyundai N will release its first EV, the Ioniq 5 N in 2023.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Even though there are not enough details about the Ioniq 5 N, it may share similarities with the RN22e concept, as reported by CNET. The Ioniq 5 N may also share the same powertrain specs as the RN22e with twin-clutch torque vectoring, yaw-controlling regenerative brakes, and specially designed exterior and interior noises. You can check out the video here.

There were also spy shots that give an idea of what to expect. It features wider fender flares that cover the larger wheels, additional air intakes at the front end, a bigger rear spoiler and diffuser, deeper side skirts, and more. It's also possible that it will come with the N brand's signature baby blue print.

The interior will likely have more supportive bucket seats, a sportier steering wheel, and suede trimmings.

A starting price of around $60,000 should be expected for the Ioniq 5 N. Its production may be followed by a production version of the RN22e in another year or two.

The rise of EV is here, and Hyundai seems to be keeping up. Are you excited to see the new EVs by the automaker?

Related Article: Hyundai Reveals IONIQ 6 EV's Design Featuring A Cocoon-Shaped Interior; When Is the Release Date?

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by April Fowell

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Israeli airlines say it plans to boost its flights to Asian countries shortly after Saudi Arabia has finally announced that it is opening access to its airspace.

The expansion of its Asian flights could result in cutting the travel time to various destinations in Asia by significant amounts.

(Photo : by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

This photo taken on March 7, 2021 shows an Israeli airline El-Al Boeing 737 aircraft on the tarmac at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

Israeli Airlines to Expand Asia Flights

A news story by Nikkei Asia reports that airlines based in Israel, including El Al Israel Airlines and its rival Arkia, have already applied for permission to fly over the airspace of Saudi Arabia.

The two Israeli airlines also touted that it would massively reduce the average travel time of Asia flights. Not to mention that it would also help them reduce their fuel consumption.

For instance, they estimated that the flight from the Southeast Asian country, India, to its neighboring nation, Thailand, would be cut by roughly two and a half hours.

So essentially, the move of Saudi Arabia to open access to its airspace would significantly shorten the travel time of folks traveling from India to Thailand. It, in turn, could also result in cheaper airfares moving forward.

In addition, Israeli airlines would no longer have to avoid flying over Saudi Arabia, wherein flights take a slower route, passing over the Red Sea near Yemen.

Read Also: Israeli Tech Start-up Camero-Tech's AI-Powered Xaver 1000 Allows Operators to See Through Walls

Saudi Arabia Opens Airspace

According to the latest report by Simply Flying, airlines in Israel could only currently overfly the airspace of Saudi for its select flights. It includes those exclusively going to destinations like Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

That said, flights to other Asian territories would have to avoid flying over the territory of Saudi.

On top of that, Simply Flying further notes that other airlines from other parts of the world headed to the Israeli nation were also prohibited from entering the Saudi airspace.

Well, except for a single airline, Air India.

It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia opened its airspace to Air India in 2018. And as such, it became the first commercial flight to Israel that Saudi opened its doors. It was possible after the airline debuted its route between Tel Aviv and New Delhi.

But this time, Saudi has officially announced that it is formally opening its airspace to all airlines, including flights from Israel.

And now, the two Israeli airlines were swift to apply for permission to fly over the airspace of Saudi Arabia, wasting no time as they plan to boost their Asia flights.

Related Article: Israel To Show Iron Beam Laser Weapon's Efficiency To US President Joe Biden

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
He said that he did not get rid of death.. Samir Kassimi: The Algerian novel is not present as we like, failure and death make the narrative line in my novels
Supermarket giant Woolworths is looking to take a bigger bite of the out-of-home advertising market with a $150 million purchase of targeted advertising company Shopper Media.

The grocery retailer told investors on Monday that its retail media business Cartology had inked a deal to buy Shopper Media, which has a network of more than 2,000 advertising screens in 400 shopping centres across the country.

Shopper Media chief executive Ed Couche said the deal was a strong result for the companys investors but was also a melancholy moment in light of the death of his friend and co-founder Ben Walker earlier this year.

Shopper Media installs screens in malls, which display ads that are tailored to the activity of customers logged into the free WiFi network.

Shopper Media was launched by Walker and Couche in 2015 as an out-of-home advertising business that uses data points, including free shopping centre Wi-Fi to help target digital billboards to consumers. The company was backed by private equity firm Fortitude Investment partners.
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai sent a surprising memo to his staff this week: Moving forward, we need to be more entrepreneurial, working with greater urgency, sharper focus, and more hunger than weve shown on sunnier days, he wrote, according to tech news site The Verge.

Not only did his message underscore the increasingly challenging outlook for tech firms, it marked a shift to a tougher tone from the tech industry that is poised only to intensify in the weeks ahead. Meta chief executive officer Mark Zuckerbergs own warning to employees last month was even darker: Realistically, there are probably a bunch of people at the company who shouldnt be here, he said in one of his weekly Q&As with staff. The Facebook founder added that he was pushing for more aggressive goals. Some of you might decide that this place isnt for you, he added, and that self-selection is okay with me.

Mark Zuckerberg has always considered himself a wartime CEO. . Credit:AP

Its a little jarring to hear a tech CEO turn up the heat in a way that echoes Jack Welchs rank-and-yank approach to culling low performers. Tech companies, after all, have generally operated like employee nirvanas, paying high salaries and offering lavish perks from catered meals and free concerts, to on-site massage and egg freezing.

But the sharper tone is necessary. Tech has entered an unfamiliar era of uncertainty, marked by tumbling shares and hiring slowdowns  challenges that would have been shocking even a year ago. To make matters worse, social media firms like Googles YouTube, Facebook and Instagram are also facing heightened regulatory scrutiny while trying to refashion their products on the fly to fend off competition from ByteDances TikTok.
We brought word last week of the crowded field on the right-wing political fringe assembling to contest Victorias upcoming state election.

And just when you thought things couldnt get more complicated, we now have two outfits brawling over the right to use the name Family First on the ballot come November. The row is already heading to the courts and its not even August.

The original Family First, fronted in Victoria by former Liberal hopeful Peter Bain, is in a legal battle over the right to use the name at the upcoming state election. Credit:Eddie Jim

Family First, originally formed back in 2002 and which managed to get a senator - Steve Fielding - elected in 2004 with just 2 per cent of first preference votes, was officially deregistered when it merged with Cory Bernardis Australian Conservatives in 2017, but applied this month to re-register as Family First Victoria with the Victorian Electoral Commission.

But theres a problem: mental health advocate Lisa Maree Bentley applied to the commission in March to register her group Family First Victoria, and told online outlet 6 News that she had first dibs on the name.
NSW public schools will begin a four week blitz to stem the spread of COVID-19 when students return from holidays on Tuesday, with more than 9 million rapid antigen test kits to be distributed.

The NSW Education Department has stopped short of mandating masks, but staff and students will be strongly encouraged to wear them and additional supplies made available to schools.

COVID measures will be scaled up at NSW schools when students return on Tuesday. Credit:Louie Douvis

Individual schools facing high case numbers will be directed to adopt additional circuit breaker measures, including stopping large indoor gatherings, excursions and limiting visitors.

The department said students at affected schools could also be directed to work from home for short periods if required.
A teenage boy has died in hospital almost one week after an electric scooter crash in Logan.

The 15-year-old local came off the e-scooter on the footpath on Basalt Drive at Yarrabilba just after 8.35am on Tuesday.

Police are investigating the death of the 15-year-old.

He was rushed with critical injuries to Queensland Childrens Hospital but died on Sunday.

The forensic crash unit and child protection and investigation unit are investigating the incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has claimed that modelling for the current wave of COVID-19 cases was just a couple of charts, as the current third Omicron wave continues to put pressure on the states health system.

The statement came just hours after health minister Yvette DAth said in a separate media conference that current modelling failed to predict the size of the current wave.

The premier also appeared confused about exactly where mask mandates still applied in the state, while saying she did not have any plans to reintroduce a broad mask mandate.

The state recorded 6682 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking the total active cases across the state to 49,359.
They travelled in style, hiring a private jet, staying at the finest of hotels, dining at expensive restaurants and missing official meetings. The trip began with a two-night stay at the Emirates Palace Hotel for $10,600 where they caught an $8000 helicopter flight to the top of the 7-star Burj Al Arab resort in Dubai for a $575 afternoon tea. The Ipswich contingent next to their chartered private jet in Geneva, Switzerland. The photograph was released under Right to Information laws. Then it was off to London for three nights at the Savoy Hotel for $14,200, two nights in Paris at the Hotel Barriere Le Fouquets for $18,000 followed by three nights in Rome at the Hotel Hassler for $8700. Traversing Europe was done in style with a private charter jet costing $27,600 for six days.

Official meetings were missed  including one with the head of utilities giant Veolia Group chairman Doug Dean. Veolia still has interests in Ipswich. At the time scheduled for the Veolia meeting, some of the officials went on a day trip to the Villers-Bretonneux Australian War Museum and did sightseeing in central Paris. Paul Pisasale, centre, and colleagues in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. A tour of the SCT Gasification waste to energy plant in Rome was also missed  for more sightseeing, guided tours of the Vatican and a visit to the Colosseum. Towards the end of the trip, Pisasale and his travel companions went off the official itinerary altogether, flying to Sicily for a side trip.

In the province of Syracuse, Pisasale socialised with relatives and visited his family burial sites. One of the four caught a boat trip around the coastline, before they all met up for dinner at a local restaurant. Once home, a 24-page pamphlet was produced containing their fresh ideas for the Ipswich redevelopment. Then Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale in Sicily, Italy, during a two-week study tour. The photograph was released under Right to Information laws. Pisasales only idea after visiting Paris was to copy the international icon of romance, the Pont des Arts bridge, proposing to turn the local Bradfield Bridge into a similar attraction. There is a bridge in Paris that had all these locks attached to it, he wrote in the Ipswich City Properties brochure.

Weve got the Bradfield Bridge that we can make a tourist attraction. When people get married they can engrave names on the locks and lock it to the bridge. The Pont des Arts, described by Paul Pisasale as a bridge in Paris that had all these locks attached to it. Nine News used Right to Information laws to access photographs, receipts and itineraries from the trip that had been kept secret by various government departments for the last 10 years. The trove of papers include a five-page briefing note from the Crime and Corruption Commission to Ipswich City Council explaining how the 2012 tour cost taxpayers in excess of $170,000  including more than $15,000 the four paid themselves in travel allowances.

The evidence obtained during the investigation supports a finding that during the 14-day trip to the United Arab Emirates and Europe in September 2012, the subject officers engaged in a significant amount of non-official activity and also spent an excessive amount on accommodation, travel and other activities, it states. Loading Details from the 2012 tour would ultimately form part of the evidence used by the Queensland Government to sack the council and appoint administrators in 2018, albeit with scant details for the public at the time. In July 2018, then local government minister Stirling Hinchliffe made reference to overseas jaunts which entailed chartered flights on private jets, bolstering his case to dismiss the entire council. But the full extent of these trips was never made public.

In the days before the council was dismissed by an act of Parliament, Tully told journalists he had never flown around the world on private jets, and slammed the minister for his unprecedented action. Administrators brought in to run council would eventually find Ipswich City Properties  the entity driven by Pisasale, Tully and their two executives  had suffered net losses of $78 million, with a $25 million debt to council later written off in 2019. The failed attempt to transform the heart of Ipswich into a new world city only resulted in the development of one building in the city mall. Ipswich Mall in August 2021 showing the new Ipswich City Council chambers, library and public open spaces. Ten years after the study tour, Pisasale sits behind bars for dozens of unrelated offences: extorting the partner of a Brisbane escort, sexual assault of a woman in his mayoral chambers and corruption for accepting bribes in the form of promised cash and escort services.

Wulff also remains in jail after pleading guilty to separate and unrelated offences again, accepting bribes worth more than $240,000. The separate investigation by the CCC resulted in 15 people being charged with 86 criminal offences, including seven council employees or councillors. Red carpet for the walk to the Burj Al Arab hotel helicopter pad. When approached by Nine News to discuss the details of the study tour, Tully suggested the helicopter ride from the Emirates Palace Hotel to the Burj Al Arab resort was not a very easy thing to remember. I dont have these records so Im not in a position to comment on any individual matters, Tully said.

Tully was re-elected to council in 2020, and has now served for more than 40 years as an elected official. Earlier this month he shocked some of his newly elected colleagues, including current mayor Teresa Harding, when he moved to reinstate Pisasales name on a bridge in Springfield and a road at Yamanto, after it was officially delisted last year. Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding. Credit:Tony Moore The motion initially passed five votes to four, only to be revoked after one councillor had a change of heart. Harding told Nine News the revelations of the excessive overseas spending would shock the Ipswich community.

I think the community of Ipswich will have lots of questions, she said. People work hard to pay their rates, fees and charges, those expenses are just out of the ballpark extravagant. To see that amount of money wasted on extravagant overseas travel, private jets, extravagant experiences, luxury accommodation is not fair, its unreasonable. She said she was almost speechless after seeing the itemised list of expenses. I just shake my head, she said.
It was announced today that Erich Bergen will join the Broadway cast of Chicago as Billy Flynn, taking on the role from August 1-September 11.

Bergen is best known as Blake Moran on the CBS series Madam Secretary, and was most recently seen as ADA Robert Jones on the final season of BULL. He played Bob Gaudio in the film version Jersey Boys, reprising his performance from the touring and Las Vegas casts of the stage production. He previously appeared on Broadway as Dr. Pomatter in the Sara Bareilles musical Waitress.

Set amid the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.

Chicago features a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Directed Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, this revival of has been playing on Broadway since 1996 and is one of the longest-running Broadway productions in history.


JM4 Tactical Gun Holster

Why would the Census Bureau request customer records from American gun holster companies?

That is the question AmmoLand News is asking. Several major holster manufacturers/providers received notices from the Department of Commerce Census Bureau requesting order numbers, product descriptions, and where the items were being shipped. A few holster companies have refused to turn over the requested information to the federal government.

Two of these companies that received the letters and refused are JM4 Tactical and On Your Six Holsters.

"We will never turn over any information on our customers to the government no matter the cost us," Chad Myers, President of JM4 Tactical, said. "To do so would violate our core beliefs. We need to stand up to an overbearing government. Our customers can rest assured that their information is safe with us!"

The Census Bureau sends out the Commodity Flow Survey to random companies every year. The purpose of the survey is to help the federal government understand the flow of commerce to help shape policies regarding transportation and shipping. This year it seems an abnormal amount of holster companies have received the notice leading some of the holster companies to wonder if the federal government has targeted them.

Some companies reached out to Arbiter Weston Martinez of Texas for help. Mr. Martinez is the former Texas Real Estate Commissioner under former Governor Rick Perry. Mr. Martinez is well connected in the political sphere and believes that the companies are being targeted to gather intel on the gun market. He has vowed to help push back against the alleged government overreach. .....
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A Harris County Sheriff vehicle in Harris County, Texas, in May 2022. (Google Maps/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

4 Killed Amid Gunfire During Argument at Houston Apartment

HOUSTONFour people were killed when gunfire erupted during an argument at an apartment complex in Houston, officials said.

The Harris County sheriffs office said that when deputies arrived, they found four males who had been shot late Saturday night. Three of them were confirmed dead at the scene and the fourth was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said on Twitter that those killed included two 16-year-olds, a 19-year-old, and a 25-year-old.

The sheriffs office said that witnesses reported seeing several males, including the victims, shooting at each other after an argument.

The sheriffs office said that no motive or suspect information has been determined yet, and the investigation continues.
Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin speaks to the media following a news conference where the Texas House investigative committee released its full report on the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on July 17, 2022. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

Acting Uvalde Police Chief During School Shooting Placed on Leave After Report Details Systemic Failures

The lieutenant who was the acting police chief on duty the day of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, has been placed on administrative leave, following a report that found systemic failures by law enforcement who responded to the incident.

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin confirmed in a statement published on July 17 that Lt. Mariano Pargas had been placed on leave. McLaughlin noted that the city has a responsibility to evaluate how the Uvalde Police Department responded to the shooting incident, including Pargass role as acting chief.

This administrative leave is to investigate whether Lt. Pargas was responsible for taking command on May 24th, what specific actions Lt. Pargas took to establish that command, and whether it was even feasible, given all the agencies involved and other possible policy violations, McLaughlin wrote in the statement.

The statement didnt provide details as to whether Pargas was placed on paid or unpaid leave.

The announcement came just hours after the Texas state House of Representatives on July 17 published a 77-page report noting that there were failures across the board by some of the roughly 400 law enforcement officers who responded to the May 24 mass shooting, including Pargas.

There is no one to whom we can attribute malice or ill motives. Instead, we found systemic failures and egregious poor decision making, the report said.

It also pointed to shortcomings and failures of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District [CISD] and of various agencies and officers of law enforcement and an overall lackadaisical approach.

Void of Leadership

Pargas told the committee that he figured CISD police Chief Pete Arredondo had jurisdiction over the incident and that he must have been coordinating the law enforcement responseand that the Uvalde Police were there to assist, the report states.

The committee, in its report, also determined that Arredondo, who was one of the first responders on the scene, failed to perform or to transfer to another person the role of incident commander on the day of the shooting, which left 19 students and two teachers dead.

This was an essential duty he had assigned to himself in the plan mentioned above, yet it was not effectively performed by anyone, the report states. The void of leadership could have contributed to the loss of life as injured victims waited over an hour for help, and the attacker continued to sporadically fire his weapon.

Arredondo was placed on leave in June following growing criticism over his failure not to immediately breach the classroom where gunman Salvador Ramos was fatally shooting students at the Texas school.

The committee wrote in its report that law enforcement failed to quickly confront Ramos on the day of the shooting, which saw law enforcement officers take more than 75 minutes to neutralize the shooter after he entered the building.

Missing Key

In June, Arredondo told The Texas Tribune that a missing key to a locked classroom door was the reason law enforcement officers took more than 70 minutes to take down Ramos.

The only thing that was important to me at this time was to save as many teachers and children as possible, he said.

But in its report, the committee noted that in this crisis, no responder seized the initiative to establish an incident command post.

Despite an obvious atmosphere of chaos, the ranking officers of other responding agencies did not approach the Uvalde CISD chief of police or anyone else perceived to be in command to point out the lack of and need for a command post, or to offer that specific assistance, the report states.

Given the information known about victims who survived through the time of the breach and who later died on the way to the hospital, it is plausible that some victims could have survived if they had not had to wait 73 additional minutes for rescue.

Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw also told a state Senate hearing in June that police officers wasted time that day searching for the classroom door key without ever testing to see if the door was locked. According to the report, none of the Border Patrol agents who used a key and ultimately opened the door were wearing body cameras which might have shed additional light on this question of whether the door was actually locked.

There is reason to question whether the door was actually locked, the report reads (pdf).

In his statement published on July 17, McLaughlin said he agreed with the committees review of the mass shooting incident and its finding that there was a failure of command, but said the city has further questions regarding that day, such as who was responsible for taking command and what specific actions were taken by each agency on the day.

The Uvalde mayors office didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for additional comment.
Akron Chief of Police Stephen L. Mylett, left, speaks during a news conference as he stands next to Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan at the Firestone Park Community Center in Akron, Ohio, on July 3, 2022. (Karen Schiely/Akron Beacon Journal via AP)

Akron Police Chief Says Bounties Put on Officers Head Over Jayland Walker Shooting

The Ohio police officers who were involved in the fatal shooting incident of Jayland Walker on June 27 have bounties placed on their heads, according to officials.

During a joint news conference last week, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan noted the primary reason officers names are not being released stems from a long-standing policy not to identify those involved in fatal shootings.

Steve Mylett, chief of the Akron Police Department, further clarified another reason was due to death threats being made against officers, which also prompted the chief to instruct officers to remove their name tags as a precaution.

Look, the challenge right now is, there [have] been bounties placed on police officers heads, Mylett said, adding that its the departments duty to protect not only the community, but also the officers and their families, News 5 Cleveland reported.

Walker, 25, refused to stop during a traffic stop and instead fled from authorities, prompting a pursuit. Just briefly into the chase, he fired a gunshot from his car, authorities said.

According to video footage released by Akron police, Walker is seen jumping out from the passenger side of his still-moving vehicle wearing a black ski mask. Officers deployed tasers in an attempt to stun the man, but these were unsuccessful. He then continued on foot into a nearby parking lot, where police opened fire after they felt threatened as Walker quickly turned towards the officers, making a threatening gesture.

A still image taken from body camera footage shows Jayland Walker, 25, jumping out of the passenger side of his vehicle wearing a black mask as he attempts to flee a traffic stop over equipment violations. (Courtesy of Akron Police Department)

Jayland Walker in a file photo. (Family photo)

Less than 24 hours before the police chase in Akron, authorities in neighboring New Franklin Township had attempted to stop a car matching Walkers for the same equipment violation reasons. The chase was called off by a supervisor when the car crossed the townships border with Akron.

Since police released body camera footage of the incident, Akron has been subjected to daily anti-police protests that have turned violent. A state of emergency was declared by Horrigan earlier this month as he also announced a curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., which will be active until further notice.

Meanwhile, Mylett said they obtained information from the FBI that violent extremists are entering the city to pose as demonstrators in order to perpetuate violence, which mirrors behavior that was observed during protests in Minneapolis in 202021, when people came from outside the city to stir violence during Black Lives Matter and anti-police protests.

The eight officers directly involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave while the state investigates the incident. Seven of those officers are white, and one is black.

Investigators recovered an unloaded handgun, an ammunition clip, and what appeared to be a wedding band on the front drivers seat of Walkers car, authorities said, adding that he was unarmed at the time he was shot.

During last weeks briefing, Mylett labeled the information that is being spread to the public claiming the officers involved are back on duty as false.

When you put out misinformation, that actually tends to increase the level of tension. Misinformation doesnt help the situation at all, the chief said, also noting that misinformation in relation to the names of the officers involved in the shooting is being spread as well.

Our officers are understandably concerned for public safety and for the safety of their loved ones at this time, the chief said. We have received death threats with officers information being posted.

From NTD News
A police vehicle looks out over an empty highway after protesters opposing federal COVID-19 mandates left following their blockade of the highway at the busy U.S. border crossing in Coutts, Alberta, on Feb. 15, 2022. (The Canadian Press)

Alberta Man Denied Bail Following Conspiracy to Murder Charge Related to Coutts Border Blockade

The fourth and last man charged with conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the Alberta border protest earlier this year has been denied bail.

Jerry Morin, 40, is to remain in jail to await trial after Justice Johnna Kubik ruled to deny him bail in a Lethbridge court on July 18.

Morin, along with Anthony Olienick, Chris Carbert, and Christopher Lysak, were accused of conspiring to commit murder earlier this year during a Canada-U.S. border blockade held at Coutts, Alberta. They were also accused of possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose and mischief over $5,000.

Morin was among 14 people charged after Alberta RCMP executed search warrants on three trailers on Feb. 14, in response to reports that the group was carrying firearms and a large quantity of ammunition.

RCMP found a cache of long guns, handguns, body armour, large amounts of ammunition, and high-capacity magazines in the trailers and police said the group had a willingness to use force against law enforcement if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade.

Olienick, Carbert, and Lysak had all been previously denied. All four men will face a trial in June next year.

The Coutts blockade, which started in late January and lasted for nearly three weeks, was one of several protests at Canada-U.S. border crossings in solidarity with the Freedom Convoy protest in downtown Ottawa that opposed federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions.

The blockade at the Coutts border ended after RCMP arrested the group found with the firearms. A convoy organizer later explained that they decided to end the demonstration at that time so as not to be associated with violence.

We want to wrap this up in a peaceful way, Marco Van Huigenbos said in a video message posted on Twitter by Rebel News reporter Syd Fizzard on Feb. 14.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article
Commuters walk past an ANZ Bank branch in Martin Place in Sydney, Australia, on June 7, 2022. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

ANZ to Take Over Suncorps Banking Business in $4.9 Billion Deal

Australias Suncorp Group has announced that it has accepted a $4.9 billion (US$4.02 billion) deal to take over its banking business from ANZ, one of the big-four lenders in the country.

The transaction represents $3.21 per share and is expected to yield net proceeds of $4.1 billion for Suncorp after deducting relevant transaction costs.

According to the deals terms, ANZ will pay a minimum fee of $50 million to use the Suncorp Bank brand for five years as it absorbs an additional $47 billion in home loans and $45 billion in deposits.

Both sides have set a target to complete the transaction in about 12 months. During the period, Suncorp Group will continue to operate its banking business.

After the deal was announced on July 18, trading in ANZ shares was suspended as the bank said it needed to raise about $3.5 billion to fund the takeover.

ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott said the deal would allow the bank to increase its presence in Queensland, one of Australias most significant regions.

The acquisition of Suncorp Bank will be a cornerstone investment for ANZ and a vote of confidence in the future of Queensland, he said.

A Suncorp Bank sign adorns a building in central Brisbane, Australia, on Dec. 5, 2011. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

ANZ also said it would not lay off staff or change the number of Suncorp Bank branches in Queensland for three years after the transaction.

For the deal to be complete, it needs to receive approvals from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

In addition, the transaction does not include the takeover of Suncorps insurance operations in Australia and New Zealand, and the current chief executive Clive van Horen will continue to lead the Suncorp banking arm.

Suncorp To Focus On Insurance Business

Suncorp, which owns many insurance brands, including AAMI, GIO and Shannons, said the sale of its banking business would strengthen its insurance operation.

This proposal has been assessed through the lens of creating value for shareholders and, just as importantly, to ensure there is an alignment of purpose and values and positive outcomes for our people and customers, Suncorp chairwoman Christine McLoughlin said in a statement.

Furthermore, Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston said the company would be singularly focused on its insurance business to remain at the forefront, given the rapid change in customers needs and the frequent occurrence of severe natural hazard events.

At the same time, he said the group had decided to sell Suncorps banking arm after extensive analysis and consideration.

By combining with a larger banking group, Suncorp Bank will be well positioned for the future, Johnston said.

Customers will see benefits including access to a wider range of products and services, and career opportunities will be enhanced for our people.
Bay Area Falun Dafa Practitioners Commemorate Victims of 23-Year Persecution

SAN FRANCISCOOver 300 people paraded from San Franciscos Ferry Building to Chinatowns Portsmouth Square on July 16 to mark the 23rd year since the commencement of the Chinese communist regimes persecution of the spiritual practice Falun Gong.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline consisting of meditative exercises and a set of moral teachings centered on the principles, truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The practice shot up in popularity in China in the 1990s with an estimated 70 million to 100 million adherents. But the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceiving this popularity as a threat to its authoritarian control, launched a society-wide campaign in July 1999 to eradicate the practice and its adherents.

Since then, millions of adherents have been detained in facilities across the country, and hundreds of thousands have been tortured in a bid to coerce them into giving up their faith, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center.

Sandy Wang, was has practiced Falun Gong since 1994, is among those who have been detained and tortured in China.

At the police station, they [tried to] force me to sign [a pledge to renounce my faith], Wang told NTD, a sister outlet of The Epoch Times. They would force my hand open, but I made a fist because I wont sign. They bent my thumb until it dislocated and couldnt sign anymore.

Sandy Wang speaks to NTD Television during the rally in San Francisco on July 16, 2022. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times)

Wang said she went out in public in China to tell people that Falun Gong was being unjustly persecuted, but she was arrested and sent to jail. After that, she was in and out of jail for years.

During that time, I was forced to do labor work. I had to wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning and work until 11 or 12 at night. It [was] common to work overtime. If we [didnt] work overtime, we [could] sleep before 11 p.m., she said.

Besides physical torture, she said she was mentally tortured, or brainwashed, so that she wouldnt be able to have any of her own thoughts. Wang said they constantly played propaganda through a speaker.

She said the persecution affected those close to her, too. One time, she was arrested during the Chinese New Year, the most important family holiday in China.

My whole familymy brothers and sisters were celebrating at my housefound out I suddenly disappeared. So it was not a joyous celebration. They were all looking for me, she said.

People hold flower wreaths with photos of Falun Gong practitioners who were persecuted to death by the Chinese Communist Party in China, during a parade in San Francisco on July 16, 2022. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times)

Wang said she chooses to continue practicing it because it has brought her many benefits. Before she started practicing, she was already divorced with a young child, and her life had lost its meaning. But after she took up Falun Gong, she found a purpose, and life no longer felt tiring.

In everyday life, I think of others first, Wang said. The daily routine at home is still the same, but I no longer feel tired or miserable.

Wang, an engineer, recalled a time when she went to the bank for 80,000 yuan (about $12,000), but the bank made a mistake and gave her another 80,000 yuan, so she had a total of 160,000 yuan.

At the time, I didnt even check and just left. When I finally checked, I immediately returned the amount. The bank was very grateful, she said.

The CCPs grisly practice of forced organ harvesting of detained Falun Gong practitioners was also highlighted at the rally. In 2019, an independent expert panel found that the Chinese regime has killed prisoners of conscience, primarily detained Falun Gong adherents, on a significant scale to supply the organ transplant market. The practice, the tribunal said, continues today.

People hold an anti-organ-harvesting banner during a parade in San Francisco on July 16, 2022. (David Lam/The Epoch Times)

Weve never seen anything like this before in the history of the world, Alejandro Centurion, a member of advocacy group Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting, told NTD. This is something so horrific. Its taking organs for profit; its part of a medical genocide.

In recent years, medical organizations in countries such as Canada and the UK have encouraged their governments to pass legislation condemning the CCPs forced organ harvesting. England passed an amendment in May prohibiting commercial organ tourism outside the United Kingdom.

Lawmakers in the United States are attempting to pass similar laws. A U.S. Senate bill condemning live forced organ harvesting, the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2021, was introduced to Congress last year. Centurion explained that if the bill is passed, doctors involved in the crime will be banned from traveling freely to the United States.

Many pedestrians stopped to watch the parade. Some expressed a wish that the issue of the persecution had more news coverage and visibility.

Practitioners demonstrate one of the Falun Gong exercises in a parade passing through Chinatown in San Francisco on July 16, 2022. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times)

I dont believe mainstream media reports on something that, to me, is a crisis. Organ harvesting, for example, Bob Spurlock, a retired police officer, told NTD. Our media, mainstream media, social media, does not want to end the CCP. Thats the bottom line, and its all money.

Youll see people passing out the fliers and people really not paying attention, Anita Whites, a San Francisco resident, told NTD. I hope the next generation doesnt fall for misinformation and really does its research and understand[s] whats going on in the world.

Some people were unaware of the atrocities taking place in China but agree that its a universal human rights issue.

It is very shocking, Gabriel Tapia, a tourist from Mexico, told NTD. I think these kinds of movements have to be made more often so we make [people] conscious.

Jorge Triana, a tourist from Columbia, said he wishes the situation in China would get better. He said he didnt know there were people from China here in this country fighting communism.

People still believe that socialist, communist is the good way to go, because they have free education and they have free things, which doesnt exist, Triana told NTD. There is no free anything. People pay for that.

Falun Gong practitioners held a candlelight vigil the following day in front of the Chinese Consulate to remember those who have lost their lives to the CCPs persecution.

Ilene Eng Reporter Follow Ilene is a reporter based in the San Francisco Bay Area covering Northern California news.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 27, 2021. (Graeme Jennings/Pool/Getty Images)

Biden Rebuked for Visit to Saudi Arabia: Bernie Sanders

In comments to ABC This Week host Martha Raddatz on July 17, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said that President Joe Biden should not have rewarded a brutal dictatorship like Saudi Arabia with a visit.

In reply to Raddatzs question whether the visit to Saudi Arabia should have been made, Sanders said, No, I dont think so.

Sanders pointed to an incident that happened back in 2018 saying, You have a leader of that country who was involved in the murder of a Washington Post journalist.

The crown prince has been accused of orchestrating the murder of Saudi Arabia journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, after Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post, went into a Saudi embassy in Turkey.

I dont think that that type of government should be rewarded with a visit by the president of the United States, he added.

Look, you got a family that is worth $100 billion, which questions democracy, which treats women as third-class citizens, which murderers and imprisons its opponents, he said of the Saudi royal family, Reuters reported.

Thus, it is not necessary for America to cozy up with such a country, Sanders pointed out.

Put Pressure on Oil Companies

Sanders further disputed the Biden administrations intent of reaching out to the OPEC countries for oil.

Instead, he urged the U.S. president to push the oil companies to cease swindling domestic consumers.

I happen to believe that weve got to tell the oil companies to stop ripping off the American people and if they dont, we should impose a windfall profits tax on them, he said.

Sanders expressed his concern about the looming recession that the United States could face, but noted that the billionaires had seen their wealth increase by $2 trillion throughout the pandemic.

If youre looking at the outrageously high cost of gas at the pumps right now, one of the things weve got to look at is the fact that while Americans are now paying $4.50, $4.80 for a gallon of gas, the oil company profits in the last quarter have been extraordinarily high, he said.

Further Disdain for the Saudi Visit

Biden has invoked opposition for meeting bin Salaman from Khashoggis widow and from human rights groups and journalism organizations despite the president defending the encounter.

President Biden once vowed to make Saudi Arabia a pariah and even released U.S. intelligence reports that pinned Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for ordering the killing of Washington Post Columnist Jamal Khashoggi, Jon Schleuss, president of the NewsGuild, said in a statement. Yet today he met with Saudi leaders and avoided answering questions from reporters asking if he planned to condemn Khashoggis killing.

Biden told reporters after the meeting, which also involved other Saudi officials, that he raised the murder of Khashoggi at the top of the meeting.

Yet, Sherif Mansour, a program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists called Bidens statement empty talk, and criticized his failure to hold the Saudi prince to account.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha speaks at the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, on June 2, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Bidens COVID-19 Coordinator Supports Los Angeles County Reinstating Indoor Mask Mandate

President Joe Bidens COVID-19 response coordinator, Dr. Ashish Jha, has voiced his support for a mask mandate to be reinstated in Los Angeles County amid an increase in COVID-19 cases.

In an interview with ABCs This Week on Sunday, Jha pointed to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) recommendation to wear face coverings in crowded places, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk.

Jhas comments come as Los Angeles County is looking likely to bring back its indoor mask mandate on July 29 if the county remains in the CDC-designated high level of COVID-19 transmission.

My view on this has been very clear, which is local jurisdictions, cities, counties, states should make decisions about mask mandates because communities are different and their patterns of transmission are different, Jha stated in the interview.

That said, CDC has very clear guidance on this as well through their COVID community levels. And the CDC recommendation is that when youre in a high zone, that sort of orange zone as L.A. County is, you know, people wearing masks indoors is really important, and it really will make a difference.

A Step Backwards

Los Angeles County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said on July 14 that her county is now seeing a high level of virus transmission and suggested that the indoor mask mandate would be reimposed if cases in the county stayed at this level for two consecutive weeks.

For many, this will feel like a step backwards. But we are not closing anything down, Ferrer said. We are not asking people not to gather with the people they love. Were asking you to take a sensible step, when theres this much transmission with a highly transmissible variant, to go ahead and put back on a well-fitting high-filtration mask when youre indoors around others.

LA County reported 8,954 new cases of COVID-19 on July 15 and another 16 virus-related deaths. According to official data, there were 1,223 COVID-19-positive hospitalizations, up from 1,202 a day prior.

However, in a news conference on July 13, Dr. Brad Spellberg, the chief medical officer of Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center, and epidemiologist Paul Holtom said that there have been no changes in the transmission levels of COVID-19.

Its just the same. Its not changed. Its been the same. Its like  two months of the same, Spellberg said.

The numbers at [the hospital systems] COVID-positive tests have continued to go up, but this isnt because were seeing a ton of people with symptomatic disease being admitted  were seeing a lot of people with mild disease in urgent care and [emergency department] who go home and do not get admitted, he said.

If a mask mandate is reimposed in Los Angeles, it would see citizens having to wear face coverings in places like offices, restaurants, bars, and gyms.

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, nearly 9 in 10 Californians live in counties with high COVID-19 levels.

Increasing Cases

The BA.5 subvariant of Omicron is fueling the latest increase in COVID-19 cases, with the World Health Organization reporting it was behind 52 percent of cases sequenced in late June, up from 37 percent in one week.

In the United States, it is estimated to be causing around 65 percent of infections.

Jha said on Sunday that its really important to remind people of the science, the public health science, and the public health science is very clear. If youre in a crowded indoor space, especially if its poorly ventilated, wearing a mask reduces your risk of infection and reduces your risk of spreading it to others. So weve got to continue to encourage people to do that.

Jack Phillips and Reuters contributed to this report.
Medical students studying in the library at Newcastle University's medical school in Nusajaya, Malaysia, on Nov. 15, 2013. (Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images)

Bridging the Cultural Divide in Malaysia: A Challenge for Doctoral Supervisors?

Commentary

Lately, Malaysia has become the education hub of choice for international students seeking higher education in Asia. Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) received over 11,000 applications in the January to March quarter of 2022 from prospective international students for study in Malaysian public and private institutions of higher education. Of these, 3,299 applied to a doctoral program.

The doctoral student population has become increasingly diverse in recent decades, with a considerable proportion of students for whom English is not their first language. In addition, some students are the beneficiaries of capacity-building programs or the recipients of home scholarships or are self-funded researchers seeking a Malaysian education.

The substantial increase in the number of doctoral study applications has spawned research into the cross-cultural benefits and challenges of doctoral supervision and the social and academic interactions between supervisors and their students.

Malaysia is a country with a diverse population of 32.37 million, comprising three dominant ethnic groups: 70 percent Bumiputera Malays, 22 percent Chinese, seven percent Indians, and one percent others. Because of its diverse ethnic make-up, different religious principles, traditions, languages, and values, which impact upon the economy, politics, education, and lifestyle, have influenced Malaysia.

People cross a street in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 8, 2021. (Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images)

Diverse Cultures

These distinct differences between the major ethnic groups, compounded by the arrival of an international cohort of students, affect the quality of academic supervision in Malaysias universities.

Specifically, an awareness of these diverse cultural values and a balanced view of their role in bridging cultural divides can improve students academic journey, making it a fulfilling and meaningful experience.

Hence, given the demonstrable increase of students pursuing doctoral education in Malaysia, it becomes useful to explore the intercultural exchanges between supervisors and their students.

In this context, the impact of these exchanges on students academic performance and well-being receives special attention in the research literature. This literature suggests that, as the pursuit of academic excellence in a multicultural society is integral to a doctoral journey, supervisors have a key role in bridging the cultural divides by facilitating students integration into the interethnic academic environment.

There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that supervisors regard doctoral supervision as a very rewarding experience (pdf)considered one of the most enjoyable aspects of academic work. This is because doctoral supervision offers an opportunity to embark upon an exciting academic journey with a student in pursuit of shared interest while also enabling supervisors to play a vital role in contributing to their students scholarly growth and skills development.

Given the strong commitment of supervisors to assisting students during their academic journey, each doctoral completion is a cause for celebration. But the challenges that confront doctoral candidates and the high attrition ratesbetween 30 to 50 percentsuggest that meaningful integration of students into the multicultural Malaysian society is a key to achieving success.

Malaysian Cultural Values

Hofstede, a global cultural advisory group, has assessed the cultural values of the major ethnic groups in Malaysia. Doctoral supervisors use this assessment to bridge the divide between these diverse groups and between these groups and the large cohort of international doctoral students.

Students attending class at the University of Southampton in Nusajaya, Malaysia, on Nov. 15, 2013. (Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images)

Hofstede assesses the values of the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia on several dimensions, including power distance, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and individualism.

Power Distance is the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organisations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally.

Masculinity distils a preference in society for achievement, heroism, assertiveness, and material rewards for success, whereas femininity connotes a preference for cooperation, modesty, caring for the weak and quality of life.

Uncertainty Avoidance deals with the degree to which the members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous or unknown situations and have created beliefs and institutions that try to avoid these.

Individualism is the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members.

Hofstedes study of these cultural values reveals that ethnic Malay people score high on power distance and uncertainty avoidance but low on masculinity and individualism. This compares with ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indians, who score high on power distance and individualism but low on masculinity and uncertainty avoidance.

Fulfilling Student Experience

In considering Hofstedes assessment of the three major ethnic groups, doctoral supervisors facilitate students acculturation into their academic discipline. In doing so, supervisors seek to articulate the need for students to become self-regulated learners by encouraging them to take responsibility for their projects.

Over time, considering the cultural values of Malaysias ethnic groups and the manifold values of the cohort of international students, supervisors encourage their doctoral students to assume ownership over their work to establish a more equal relationship with their supervisors.

Hofstede surmises that The ideal is the culture without leadership, where we are all equal  and that should be the tone we use in communication with doctoral students.

Additionally, Hofstede indicates that the use of humour in doctoral supervision may be a suitable strategy to convey a friendly attitude to students while ensuring that it is not the type of friendship that could damage their professional working relationship.

Notably, supervisors actions are gestures of goodwill, prompted by a desire to assist students academic progress and well-being. These actions acknowledge that doctoral studies are not only an arduous academic project but also entail students undergoing a personal transformation process.

Hence, a considered assessment of the different values of all doctoral students in Malaysia, whether they come from one of the three ethnic groups, or are international candidates, facilitates an academic journey that is meaningful and fulfilling for students and their supervisors.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Kashan Pirzada Follow Kashan Pirzada is an associate professor of accounting at Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz School of Accountancy (TISSA). He served as an Associate Fellow of the Asian Research Institute for Corporate Governance (ARICG) and senior researcher at the University of Malaya. He is the recipient of the University Utara Malaysia excellence service award in 2020.
A new type of 300-millimeter wafer with semiconductor chips and finished microchips of the semiconductor German manufacturer Bosch is pictured in Dresden, eastern Germany on May 31, 2021. (Jens Schlueter/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese Military Using US Semiconductors to Train Combat AI: Report

The Chinese military is purchasing semiconductors designed by U.S. companies and manufactured in Taiwan and South Korea to fuel its advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), according to a new report.

The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is making significant progress in adapting AI to its combat and support technologies, according to the June report (pdf), which was published by The Center for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University (CSET).

Through an analysis of 66,000 public contracts issued by the PLA, the authors of the report found just 24 that dealt with the purchase of the types of high-end chips used for AI applications, the vast majority of which were American designs.

Despite more aggressive efforts by the Trump and Biden administrations to limit technology exports to the Chinese military, the PLA is placing orders for AI chips designed by U.S. companies and manufactured in Taiwan and South Korea, the report said.

Of the 97 individual AI chips we could identify in public PLA purchase records, nearly all of them were designed by Nvidia, Xilinx (now AMD), Intel, or Microsemi.

China Reliant on High-End US Semiconductors

The PLA has steadily advanced its AI capabilities since 2017, when Chinas communist government published the New Generation AI Development Plan. That document outlined the regimes plan to achieve global dominance in AI by 2030.

In pursuit of that goal, the PLA has sought to greatly expand and enhance its AI capabilities, but its ability to train its own advanced machine learning systems currently relies on access to top-tier semiconductors designed by U.S. companies, according to the CSET report.

Indeed, of the 97 AI chips explicitly listed for purchase among the PLA contracts, just one originated from Chinas Fudan Microelectronics, and that one was a clone of a U.S. design.

We searched for, but could not find, any records of PLA units or defense state-owned enterprises (SOEs) awarding contracts for Chinese-designed AI chips  Indeed, while most of the contracts mentioning these firms were for CPUs and other processors, none were for AI chips, the report said.

That discrepancy offers new insight into how greatly Chinas military relies on U.S. products to power its most advanced research. It isnt, however, the first time that U.S.-designed chips have found their way into the regimes state security apparatus.

Not 1st Time for US Chips in China

Both Intel and Nvidia came under scrutiny in 2020, when it was uncovered that the companies chips were being used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to power its immense surveillance program in Xinjiang, where more than a million Muslim ethnic minorities have been detained in concentration camps.

A previous CSET report (pdf) also found that Intel had conducted research with Chinese company 4Paradigm at the same time that company had an open contract to develop AI decision-making software for the PLA.

The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, a Washington-based advocacy group, went so far as to say that Intel provided direct support to the PLA, and accused the company, among others, of supporting Beijings military modernization, surveillance state, domestic securitization, and attendant human rights violations.

The appearance of Intel and Nvidias technologies at the heart of the PLAs AI research thus serves as another example of how technologies developed by U.S. companies are supercharging the CCP and its military development through large-scale technology transfer.

The report also sheds light on how Chinas communist regime is able to continue to quasi-legally acquire cutting-edge technologies by leveraging front organizations to make purchases on its behalf when it is barred from doing so outright.

As an associated CSET fact sheet (pdf) on the issue noted, These previously unknown cases prove that the Chinese military uses intermediary suppliers to gain access to U.S.-designed AI chips to support their military modernization.

Chinas Military Is End-User of US Semiconductors

The CSET report also underscores a vital tension at the heart of U.S. export policy and Chinas technological ascent. The regimes emphasis on so-called dual-use technologies that can be used for both civil and military applications, combined with its policy of military-civil fusion, means that all exports of such technologies to mainland China may well be leveraged by the PLA.

Despite that risk, the report notes that the $600 billion global market for semiconductors means that U.S. tech firms are unlikely to be willing to slow the flow of such tech on their own accord.

Thats problematic, given that the U.S. government currently limits its exports based on end-user controls, effectively meaning that it cant realistically prevent the Chinese military from obtaining high-end chips through a third party.

To that end, the authors of the report suggest that the United States implement more exacting export controls that focus on the physical and technical characteristics of the chips themselves, rather than the chips intended applications and end users.

In each case, PLA units and state-owned defense companies awarded contracts for U.S.-designed chips to Chinese intermediary companies, the report said.

Effectively limiting Chinese military progress in AI and other cutting-edge technologies will require the U.S. government to adopt new and creative forms of export control which extend beyond the current focus on visible end-uses and end-users.

Only through a change in the specifications upon which export controls are built, the report said, could the U.S. adequately contend with the fact that the PLA was an end-user of U.S. semiconductors in everything but name.

It bears repeating that none of the seven PLA AI chip suppliers identified in this study are named in either the U.S. Entity List or Military End User List, the report said.

Congress should authorize, and the Department of Commerce should craft, a multilateral export control system based on the physical and technical characteristics of technologies exported to China, including high-end semiconductors.
The Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong announced on July 12 that the first large-scale study on long COVID in Hong Kong will be launched immediately to investigate the sequelae of patients who have recovered from COVID-19. (Yu Gang/ The Epoch Times)

CUHK Clinical Researchers Conduct Large-Scale Pilot Study on Long COVID

Many people who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection may live with post-COVID symptoms (also called long COVID) for an unknown period of time. Clinical researchers from Hong Kong are carrying out a large-scale pilot study on the prevalence of the disease. The data can be used to formulate diagnosis and treatment plans. The study will look at the distinct gut microbiome composition of some of the patients.

Long COVID, known also as long-term sequelae of COVID-19, refers to post-COVID symptoms that persist after recovery that can affect multiple organs and systems. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, heart problems, and brain fog, among others.

According to data by the UK national office on May 6, 2022, 2.0 million people were experiencing self-reported long COVID as of 4 June 2022.

It is estimated that over 20 million American adults are living with long COVID, while about 7 million are experiencing disabling long COVID.

Patients with long COVID are found to have unique gut microbial signatures that could be used to predict the risk of developing long COVID according to a medical study from the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) that was recently published in the prestigious medical journal Gut.

On July 12, the Faculty of Medicine of CUHK held a press conference to launch the first large-scale long COVID study in Hong Kong that will investigate the sequelae of post-COVID infection in people.

The survey will be conducted by sending an online questionnaire to every COVID-19 infected person, including the elderly and children.

The study will last for three years, and in the second phase, 1,000 people will be invited to participate in the treatment of long COVID through the analysis of intestinal microecology.

The Hong Kong Hospital Authority supports the study.

Scope of the Disease

According to a government press release, more than 1.2 million people in Hong Kong have been infected with COVID-19 after the fifth wave of the outbreak.

Professor Francis Chan Ka-leung, dean of the Faculty of Medicine and director of the Centre for Gut Microbiota Research at CUHK, said at the meeting that 76 percent of Hong Kong COVID-19 patients are still experiencing at least one symptom six months after recovery.

Chan also said that the subsequent follow-up study found that 70 percent of the 554 newly recovered patients suffered from moderate to severe symptoms of long COVID.

The scope of the study will help the authorities to provide a more comprehensive long COVID medical service, he said.

According to Chans estimation, if the number of confirmed cases in Hong Kong reaches 1.27 million, it is estimated that more than 900,000 recovered patients will have at least one symptom of Long COVID. He believes that there are already more than 1.27 million confirmed cases in Hong Kong.

If confirmed cases in Hong Kong reach 2 to 3 million, the number of people suffering from long COVID will be quite alarming, which will have a significant impact on Hong Kongs entire healthcare system and economic recovery, Chan said.

Siew C. NG, Professor of Department of Medicine & Therapeutics at the Faculty of Medicine of CUHK and associate director of Center for Gut Microbiota Research, said that long COVID not only affects patients health but also their family relationships and work.

The large-scale study currently underway will play a key role in the future in exploring diagnostic tools or custom-made treatment plans for patients, she said.
statements

"Because we're in a revolutionary cycle, or the left has now said, under the pretext that Donald Trump is so extraordinarily threatening to the Republic, that it requires any means necessary to end him." Victor Davis Hanson Classicist and Military Historian

"Half the country believes that when it comes to President Trump there are no rules. They have lost faith in the system." Lindsey Graham Chairman, US. Senate Judiciary Committee

"DOJ must immediately explain the reason for its raid ... or it will be viewed as a political tactic and undermine any future credible investigation." Andrew Cuomo Former New York Governor

"These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents." Donald Trump Former President

"[Russia hoaxers] have now been promoted into the Biden administration. ... Theyre definitely targeting [former] president Trump because they dont want him to run for president." Devin Nunes Former U.S. Representative

"Theyre using the full powerillegally, I think, unconstitutionallyof the law to harass, intimidate, and try to push Trump out of the picture." Louie Gohmert U.S. Representative

"[The raid] was the latest link a long series of operations starting six years ago with absurd claims that Donald Trump was the asset of a foreign country. That operation was called Russia gate." Lee Smith Author, The Plot Against the President

"Beginning in 2016, Americans began to have doubts when we began to unravel the Russia collusion reporting. ... Those doubts kept growing and you started to hear people say we have a dual justice system in America." John Solomon Editor-in-Chief, Just the News

"This is the modern day version of Watergate. Except the only difference is it wasn't political operatives breaking in to their opponents headquarters. It was the FBI and DOJ." Kash Patel Former Chief of Staff to the Acting Secretary of Defense

"It seems like this was ... without buy-in or notification of higher levels of government. But literally no one will believe that." Andrew Yang Former Democratic presidential candidate

"When Republicans take back the House, we will conduct immediate oversight of [the DOJ]." Kevin McCarthy U.S. House Minority Leader

"Lets be clear: This is a brazen weaponization of the FBI by Bidens DOJ against his political opponentwhile giving their political allies free passes." Steve Scalise U.S. House Minority Whip

"Its all a coordinated attack with the FBI. Do you think that the FBI director is going to raid the former presidents house  without getting the approval of President [Biden]?" Eric Trump Son of former President Donald Trump

"AG must explain why 250 yrs of practice was upended with this raid." Mike Pompeo Former Secretary of State

"[The raid represents] another escalation in the weaponization of federal agencies against the Regimes political opponent." Ron DeSantis Florida Governor

"No person is above the law. Not even the president of the United States. Not even a former president of the United States." Nancy Pelosi U.S. House Speaker

"[The] raid on the home of a former U.S. president without explanation will only further erode confidence in the FBI and the Justice Department." Chuck Grassley Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee

"The country deserves a thorough and immediate explanation of what led to the events." Mitch McConnell U.S. Senate Minority Leader

"Three FBI agents visited me and seized my cell phone. Im outraged ... [that the FBI] would seize the phone of a sitting Member of Congress." Scott Perry U.S. Representative

"I didnt actually get to oversee the search, they wouldnt let anybody see what they were doing." Christina Bobb Attorney to Trump

"If theres anything negative about Trump or his allies, that gets accelerated, leaked, and used for political purposes." Matt Gaetz Member, U.S. House Judiciary Committee

"They see the support that he has all over the country. His rallies terrify them." Marjorie Taylor Greene U.S. Representative

"[Democrat Party attorney] Marc Elias is saying that the criminal statute could result in President Trump being barred from future office. And I think its clearly part of his plan." Jeff Clark Former lawyer, Justice Department

"I think for anyone who doubted that there was a swamp when Donald Trump was saying drain the swamp now I think theres true believers." Warren Davidson U.S. Representative

"The security state complex and the complexity of the security state ... is now overtaking our system of government and our rule of law." Michael Flynn Retired lieutenant general
DOJ Shielding Records on Hunter Biden, Durham Probes: Lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is withholding records related to high-profile investigations, including the probe into President Joe Bidens son, according to a new lawsuit.

Protect the Publics Trust, a watchdog group, is seeking records seeking ethics waivers and determinations on allowing potentially conflicted employees to work on cases, but has been stymied.

The group submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records request on June 1, 2021, but didnt receive a response for more than a year, according to the suit.

After inquiring about the status of the request on June 10, the watchdog received an acknowledgment that had been sent to the wrong email address. But the records still havent been sent, nor have key determinations about which records will be provided, which violates federal law.

Based on the DOJs recent email, it appears that the Department has no intention of responding to Plaintiffs request anytime soon, Protect the Publics Trust said in the filing in federal court in Washington. Given these facts, it appears that absent litigation the Department has not and does not intend to meet its statutory obligations to provide the requested records.

The documents would help shed light on potential conflicts of interest, including whether Joe Biden-appointee Nicholas McQuaid, a top DOJ official, is at all involved with the investigation into Bidens son, Hunter Biden, according to the watchdog.

McQuaids former colleague is representing Hunter Biden, who has said that hes under investigation for tax-related issues. Documents obtained by The Epoch Times indicate that the probe touches on Hunter Bidens business dealings with China.

Susan Hennessey was hired in 2021 from CNN to be a lawyer at the DOJ. Before she was hired, she described the investigation from special counsel John Durham, which has uncovered more details about the effort to spy on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his associates in 2016, as partisan silliness.

Have these officials been granted waivers to participate in these matters, which would likely fall into their portfolios? Protect the Publics Trust said in a statement. By its refusal to properly respond to this FOIA request, as required by law, DOJ is hiding this information from the American public.

The DOJ didnt respond to a request for comment but has said that it doesnt comment on pending lawsuits.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee, issued a memorandum to agencies across the federal government that he said would strengthen the federal governments commitment to the fair and effective administration of FOIA.

Transparency in government operations is a priority of this Administration and this Department. We stand ready to work with each of you to make real the Freedom of Information Acts promise of a government that is open and accountable to the American people, he said at the time.
Dr. Deborah Birx (R) speaks alongside former President Donald Trump and Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci during a briefing at the White House in Washington, on March 29, 2020. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Ex-Trump Adviser Birx Says COVID-19 Came Out of the Box Ready to Infect

Former top White House COVID-19 adviser Deborah Birx said Sunday that COVID-19 came out of the box ready to infect when it was first detected in Wuhan, China, in 2019.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Birx said that COVID-19 was already more infectious than flu when it first arrived, saying that most viruses take months or years to become highly transmissible among humans.

Birx, who had worked under former President Donald Trump, told the paper that either COVID-19 was an abnormal thing of nature or that Chinese scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology were working on coronavirus vaccines. Researchers could have contracted the virus before spreading it to others or it escaped from the lab, she said.

Lab Leak

It happens, labs arent perfect, people arent perfect, we make mistakes and there can be contamination, Birx said, noting that individuals with COVID-19 can be asymptomatic. Someone working in the lab with one of the strains couldve caught it and not known they had it, she said.

An aerial view shows the P4 laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in Chinas central Hubei Province on April 17, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could have reduced deaths if officials told health leaders that the virus can spread asymptomatically, she said.

China was implying that they were containing it, but asymptomatic spread cannot be contained without testing, Birx told the publication. I think the world lost several months of preparation because we were thinking there wasnt that level of human-to-human spread when there clearly was.

While some news outlets and so-called fact-checking websites labeled the lab leak hypothesis as a conspiracy theory, top U.S. officials conceded later in 2021 that its within the realm of possibility. A report released by the 17-agency Intelligence Community in 2021 shows that some federal officials believe the virus emerged from the Wuhan laboratory, according to the White House in a May 26 news release.

Chinese officials, meanwhile, have claimed the virus was first found in December 2019, emerging from a wet market in Wuhan about 10 miles from the labs location. It was later revealed by the National Institutes of Health that it provided funding to researchers who were carrying out research on bat coronaviruses.

As of today, the U.S. Intelligence Community has coalesced around two likely scenarios but has not reached a definitive conclusion on this question, President Joe Biden said at the time. Here is their current position: while two elements in the IC leans toward the former scenario and one leans more toward the lattereach with low or moderate confidencethe majority of elements do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other.

During a House hearing in May 2021, Biden administration COVID-19 adviser Anthony Fauci was asked about whether the virus was natural. He responded, I am not convinced about that. I think we should continue to investigate what went on in China until we continue to find out to the best of our ability what happened.

In March 2021, former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield told CNN that he believes the virus emerged from the Wuhan facility.

Its not unusual for respiratory pathogens that are being worked on in a laboratory to infect a laboratory worker, Redfield said. Normally, when a pathogen goes from a zoonot to human, he added, it takes a while for it to figure out how to become more and more efficient in human to human transmission.
EXCLUSIVE: Hospital System Faces Staff Shortages Due to COVID-19 Infections, Despite Vaccine Mandate

The first U.S. hospital system to enforce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all employees could now be facing a staffing shortage because of a rise in infections.

Houston Methodist now has hundreds of employees out of work because they tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. At the same hospital system in 2021, 153 staff members who refused to get vaccinated quit or were fired. Now, Houston Methodists leadership is trying to avert a crisis.

What is worrisome is the climbing number of our employees who cannot work because they are home sick with COVID-19. Almost 400 employees tested positive last week, Dr. Robert Phillips, Houston Methodists executive vice president and chief physician executive, wrote in an internal email on July 12 obtained by The Epoch Times.

While most of these employees are getting COVID-19 from the community, it is vital that we dont face a situation where too many employees are out sick and we find ourselves with a staffing shortage.

Houston Methodist, with a workforce of about 28,000, was the first hospital system in the country to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for all of its employees. It also was the first system in the nation to mandate the vaccine for its private health care providers who are credentialed members of its medical staff. The hospital later required all its employees to get a vaccine booster by March 1.

While most employees got vaccinated and stayed, the system is having trouble with staffing as the vaccines prove increasingly worse at protecting against infection as new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, emerge.

The spike in cases is happening all over the country and is likely attributed to the highly contagious and more vaccine-resistant omicron subvariant, Phillips wrote. BA.5 is now the most infectious variant so far and is thought to be four times more vaccine evasive than the last dominant variant.

BA.5 is a subvariant of Omicron. It recently became the dominant strain in the United States, according to federal data.

Phillips nodded at how the vaccines provide little protection against infection, describing BA.5 as four times more vaccine-evasive than the last dominant strain, which was BA2.12.1.

While many employees are sick, Phillips said the spike is not yet correlating with a large surge in hospitalizations at Houston Methodist, with just 290 COVID-19 patients in the system as of July 12.

None of the patients are Houston Methodist employees, according to spokeswoman Stefanie Asin. Asked how many of the hospitalized COVID-19 patients are vaccinated, Asin said she didnt know. Nearly half of the patients in the system in late 2021 were vaccinated.

Jennifer Bridges in Houston on June 22, 2021. (Francois Picard/AFP via Getty Images)

Problem With Mandates

The problem with vaccine mandates is that they are immunologically ignorant by ignoring the powerful effect of natural immunity, Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon and professor, told The Epoch Times. Natural immunity has been formally studied in over 200 studies and has been found to be more effective than vaccinated immunity.

Studies from scientists in Qatar, the United States, and other countries have found those who survived COVID-19 had superior protection than the vaccinated, though a smaller number of studies indicate the opposite.

Nurse Jennifer Bridges was fired by Houston Methodist in June 2021 for refusing the vaccine.

This only proves our point that the vaccine doesnt work. A true vaccine would prevent you from catching the virus. Its time Methodist owns up to its mistakes, Bridges told The Epoch Times after reviewing Phillipss memo.

That is absolutely a false premise, Asin responded. The vaccines were never intended to stop you from getting it. The point of the vaccines is to keep you from severe illness and being hospitalized. The mandates and the vaccines are absolutely working.

Bridges now works at a private COVID-19 clinic located in Houston called BreatheMD, which is owned by Dr. Mary Talley Bowden.

I had COVID two years ago and have never gotten sick againeven though all I do is care for COVID patients, she said.

Bridges and a number of other former Houston Methodist workers sued their employer over its refusal to recognize natural immunity, as well as other aspects of the mandate, but the lawsuit was thrown out and an appeal was rejected.

But Makary, who is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, said the science shows the naturally immune should have been retained.

When Methodist fired nurses who had natural immunity for not being vaccinated, they fired those least likely to spread the infection at the workplace, he said. Many nurses have circulating antibodies that neutralize the COVID virus, but they are not antibodies that Methodist hospital recognizes.

Bridges said: The patients are suffering in the hospitals, and the little staff they have are overworked due to these shortages. Its sad that they would rather keep away very healthy, unvaccinated nurses with natural immunity when they need us so badly.

What does natural immunity actually mean? Asin responded. We required the vaccines for our employees to keep the patients safe. She said they dont currently have staffing shortages.

Filled vials wait to be distributed ahead of a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Houston, Texas, on May 13, 2021. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Change in Tune

The vaccines were authorized by federal regulators to prevent symptomatic infection, and were touted by vaccine makers and numerous health officials as offering high protection.

As that protection has waned, authorities have focused on the protection the vaccines provide against severe disease.

While Houston Methodist now says the vaccines were intended to protect its employees from severe illness, that isnt what its leaders said a year and a half ago, according to emails reviewed by The Epoch Times. In February 2021, the hospital system emailed an offer of a $500 bonus to any employee who got two shots of the vaccines. The email says, The Hope Bonus is a reward for setting the right example and doing our part to stop the spread.

Dr. Marc Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist, emailed employees on April 15, 2021, telling them that the mandate was for preventing infection and spread to patients.

Were seeing positive results as the number of employee infections has dropped inversely with the number of employees receiving the vaccine. It appears weve successfully created herd immunity at Houston Methodist, he wrote.

Herd immunity means the level of protection that comes from vaccines, prior infection, or both is so high that the spread of a disease is no longer an issue.

COVID vaccines were originally thought to reduce COVID transmission, but that understanding quickly changed, rendering policies for unvaccinated people obsolete, Makary said. If someone who does not have natural immunity chooses not to get vaccinated, they do so at their own individual risk, but they pose no public health threat now that population immunity is high.

Bowden, Bridgess new employer, lost her privileges with Houston Methodist after she announced that she would only treat unvaccinated patients who couldnt get care elsewhere. The hospital said Bowden was spreading misinformation. She was suspended, and then resigned.

Bowden said the number of vaccinated employees who are out sick means Houston Methodist leaders owe an explanation to those of us who were persecuted for questioning the mandates.

We have 400 employees out sick with COVID. They are out sick without severe illness. We stand by the effectiveness of the vaccine, Asin said.

Phillips told his employees to do their best not to get sick.

Our patients need us to stay healthy, so I strongly encourage our employees to be as vigilant as possible, he said. Please use good judgment in your personal lives as community spread  is high right now.
Falun Gong Adherents Hold Large-Scale Parade in Toronto, Call for End of Persecution Campaign in China

Interim Tory Leader Candice Bergen says adherents in China 'have suffered greatly for their faith'

A rally followed by a parade consisting of roughly 1,200 Falun Gong adherents was held in downtown Toronto on July 17 to call for an end to the ongoing persecution campaign launched by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against adherents in China 23 years ago.

During the rally, held outside the Ontario legislature in Queens Park, practitioners of the spiritual group heard stories from victims of the persecution, and received words of support from some Canadian officials, including Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen.

Religious freedom is central to a just society. No one should ever be targeted or harassed for their religion, no matter where they live, Bergen said in a letter that was read at the rally.

Sadly, for many years, the Chinese Communist Party has been persecuting Falun Gong practitioners who have suffered greatly for their faith. Reports of unacceptable human rights abuses against the Falun Gong continue to surface, despite the fact that Falun Gong traditions are rooted in the peaceful values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

A band consisting of Falun Gong adherents take part in a 1,200-strong parade through downtown Toronto on July 17, 2022, marking the 23rd year of the Chinese Communist Partys persecution of the spiritual practice. (Evan Ning/The Epoch Times)

Former Conservative MP Wladyslaw Lizon, who was born in Poland when it was under communist rule, called on governments around the world to take action to help end the persecution.

Everybody has a right to live in peace, to worship the way he or she chooses, and to have political views of their own. Freedom is a universal value, and it shouldnt be restricted by any government anywhere, he said.

It is very important that those people in China know that there are not alone, because if they are left alone, if the world forgets, the Chinese government wins.

Former Conservative MP Wladyslaw Lizon gives the victory sign as he speaks during a rally held by Falun Gong practitioners in downtown Toronto on July 17, 2022. (Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times)

Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, consists of five meditative exercises and moral teaching based on the tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Introduced in China in 1992, the practice quickly gained widespread popularity and by 1999 it had attracted between 70 million to 100 million adherents, according to official estimates.

However, former CCP leader Jiang Zemin deemed such popularity a threat to the regimes authoritarian rule, and he launched his extensive campaign on July 20, 1999. The persecution has resulted in countless Falun Gong adherents being illegally subjected to imprisonment, forced labour, torture, and death. They are also targeted for organ harvesting, where their vital organs are forcibly extracted to supply Chinas lucrative organ transplant industry.

Intense state-run hate propaganda has turned Chinese society against tens of millions of people who practise Falun Gong in China subjecting them to discrimination, abduction, imprisonment, unbelievable torture and death, Falun Dafa Association spokesperson Joel Chipkar said at the rally.

Legal experts affirm that crimes against humanity and genocide are occurring. Evidence also show that mass number of people who practice Falun Gong are being killed for their vital organs by the communist state.

Falun Gong adherents participate in a parade in downtown Toronto on July 17, 2022, calling for an end to the persecution of their fellow adherents in China. (Evan Ning/The Epoch Times)

Falun Gong adherents participate in a parade in downtown Toronto on July 17, 2022, calling for an end to the persecution of their fellow adherents in China. (Evan Ning/The Epoch Times)

Falun Gong adherents participate in a parade in downtown Toronto on July 17, 2022, calling for an end to the persecution of their fellow adherents in China. (Evan Ning/The Epoch Times)

Chipkar also said the CCPs foreign influence operations has led to the international communitys acquiescence to the persecution.

There has never been such international silence in the face of such massive crimes against humanity, as that observed in the persecution of Falun Gong over the past 23 years, he said. Why? Because the CCP has tried to manipulate the international community into indifference by using money, political pressure, and hate propaganda to attack Falun Gong.

Here in Canada communist agents continue to spread hatred against Falun Gong and pressure our government officials on all levels to remain silent to the persecution, he continued.

So the Chinese Communist Party is not just targeting Falun Gong. It is attacking the moral conscience of every onlooker who is being given the choice to side with innocence or evil.

Lizon urged people to work together to defeat this terrible government of China and bring freedom to followers of Falun Gong and all citizens of China.

I truly hope that one day, whether we meet here or somewhere else in Toronto, well be celebrating our victory, he said.

On July 16, Falun Gong adherents held a candlelight vigil outside of the Chinese consulate in Toronto in protest of the Chinese regimes persecution.

Falun Gong practitioners hold a candlelight vigil outside the Chinese consulate in Toronto on July 16, 2022, marking the 23 year of the persecution launched by the Chinese Communist regime against their fellow adherents in China. (Evan Ning/The Epoch Times)
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, responds to questions during a congressional hearing in Washington in a file image. (Greg Nash/Pool via Reuters)

Fauci Reveals Exactly When Hes Leaving the Federal Government

White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci revealed that after about five decades in the federal government, hes planning on leaving his position by the end of President Joe Bidens current term.

Were in a pattern now. If somebody says, Youll leave when we dont have COVID anymore, then I will be 105. I think were going to be living with this, Fauci, 81, told Politico in an interview published on July 18 that he plans to retire by the end of Bidens current term, which ends in January 2025.

Fauci has been the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since 1984. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became a household name as the face of the federal governments response, often generating criticism from Republicans and conservatives about his generally dire predictions about the pandemic.

Of his relationship with former President Donald Trump, Fauci said that we developed an interesting relationship  two guys from New York, different in their opinions and their ideology, but still, two guys who grew up in the same environments of this city. I think that we are related to each other in that regard.

And if Republicans win back either the House or Senate in 2022, Fauci noted that he will likely be investigated by GOP lawmakers. But he claimed that regarding those investigations, I dont make that a consideration in my career decision.

In the Politico interview, Fauci continued to defend his public recommendations, including school closures, mask-wearing, vaccination regimes, and lockdowns.

My telling somebody that its important to follow fundamental good public health practices  what are you going to investigate about that? he asked.

Possible Investigations

However, Fauci has faced public questions from Republicans in Congress about his agency having given funding to third-party groups to carry out research in China. COVID-19, caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, emerged in Wuhan, China, and a significant number of U.S. intelligence officials last year released a report suggesting the virus may be linked to the top-level Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Last month, amid questions from Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Fauci conceded that he isnt able to halt federal funding from being doled out to researchers in China.

The NIH [National Institutes of Health] is still funding research in China, at least $8 million since 2020, Marshall said. In the Intelligence Communitys 2022 Annual Threat Assessment, the Chinese Communist Party is presented as one of the top threats to the United States, along with Russia, Iran, Syria, and North Korea. To my knowledge, only China is receiving U.S. research dollars.

Later, he asked Fauci, When will you as director of NIAID stop funding research in China?

Federal health agencies, Fauci said in response, had very productive peer-reviewed highly regarded research projects with our Chinese colleagues that have led to some major advances in biomedical research.

We obviously need to be careful and make sure that when we do fund them we have the proper peer review and we go through all the established guidelines, he said.

NIAID officials didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz during the penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on July 18, 2022. (Carline Jean/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Parkland School Shooter Nikolas Cruzs Death Penalty Trial Begins

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.The prosecutor seeking the death penalty for the gunman who massacred 17 people at a Parkland, Florida, high school detailed for jurors Monday how Nikolas Cruz coldly mowed down his victims, returning to some as they lay wounded to finish them off with a second volley.

Some parents wept as prosecutor Mike Satz described in his opening statement how Cruz killed their children at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018. Others sat stoically, their arms crossed over their chests. One woman who lost her daughter fled the courtroom, sobbing and holding tissue to her face.

Satzs comments came at the start of the trial to determine whether Cruz is executed or serves life in prison without parole.

The prosecutors presentation went over how Cruz shot each of the 14 students and three staff members who died and some of the 17 who were wounded. Some were shot sitting at their desks, some as they fled and some as they lay bleeding on the floor while the former Stoneman Douglas student methodically stalked through a three-story building for almost seven minutes with an AR-15 rifle.

Cruz, 23, pleaded guilty in October to murder and attempted murder and is contesting only his sentence. The trial, which is expected to last four months, was supposed to begin in 2020, but it was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and legal fights.

Satz called the murders cold, calculated, cruel, and heinous, quoting the video Cruz, then 19, made three days before the shooting.

This is what the defendant said: Hello, my name is Nik. Im going to be the next school shooter of 2018. My goal is at least 20 people with an AR-15 and some tracer rounds. Its going to be a big event, and when you see me on the news, youll know who I am. Youre all going to die. Ah yeah, I cant wait,' Satz said.

Among the first witnesses was Danielle Gilbert, a junior who was in psychology class when the shooting began. The teacher told students to get behind her desk.

We were sitting like sitting ducks. We had no way to protect ourselves, said Gilbert, who is now a student at the University of Central Florida.

State witness Danielle Gilbert, who was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, cries during direct examination in the penalty phase trial of Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on July 18, 2022. (Carline Jean/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

The jury was then shown cellphone video Gilbert took inside the classroom. The footage began with a girl curled up beneath the teachers desk and others, including Gilbert, mostly unseen as they crouch behind it. About two dozen shots that seemed to be coming from just outside the door are heard in rapid succession as the fire alarm sounds. An unseen wounded boy cries out twice, Someone help me.

The gunshots get further away, but the students remain quiet and huddled, speaking only in whispers. Eventually, the voices of police officers can be heard approaching. The teacher stands up, holding her head.

Theyre coming, theyre coming, were OK, a boy whispers.

SWAT officers, carrying rifles, then burst in, wanting to know if anyone is hurt. The students point and Gilbert stands up with her camera. A wounded boy and girl are carried out. A dead girl lies in a pool of blood. The officers tell the students to run out. They passed two more bodies lying in the hallway before exiting into a parking lot.

Her testimony over, Gilbert broke down in sobs. Her father put his arm around her and led her from the courtroom.

Prosecutors also presented cellphone video from another student that showed classmates crouching behind chairs as Cruz fired through the classroom door window, the bangs reverberating over screams.

From the back of the courtroom, a relative of a girl who died in that classroom yelled for prosecutors to turn it off before bailiffs asked the woman to be quiet. The defense requested a mistrial over the outburst, but it was denied.

The seven-man, five-woman jury is backed up by 10 alternates. It is the nations deadliest mass shooting to go before a jury.

Suzanne Devine Clark, an art teacher at Deerfield Beach Elementary School, places painted stones at a memorial outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the one-year anniversary of the school shooting, in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14, 2019. (Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo)

Nine other gunmen who killed at least 17 people died during or immediately after their shootings, either by suicide or police gunfire. The suspect in the 2019 slaying of 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, is awaiting trial.

It wasnt clear if anyone was in the courtroom to support Cruz, who sat at the defense table between his attorneys. During Satzs opening statement, he mostly looked down at a pad of paper with a pencil in his hand, but he did not appear to write. He would sometimes look up to stare at Satz or the jury, peer at the audience or whisper to his lawyers.

After Satz spoke, Cruzs lawyers announced that they would not give their opening statement until it is time to present their case weeks from now. That is a rare and risky strategy because it gives Satz the only say before jurors examine grisly evidence and hear testimony from survivors and the victims parents and spouses.

When lead defender Melisa McNeill gives her statement, she will likely emphasize that Cruz is a young adult with lifelong emotional and psychological problems who allegedly suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome and abuse.

Its the first death penalty trial for Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer. When jurors eventually get the case in the fall, they will vote 17 times, once for each of the victims, on whether to recommend capital punishment.

Every vote must be unanimous. A non-unanimous vote for any one of the victims means Cruzs sentence for that person would be life in prison. The jurors are told that to vote for the death penalty, the aggravating circumstances presented by the prosecution for the victim in question must, in their judgment, outweigh mitigating factors presented by the defense.

Regardless of the evidence, any juror can vote for life in prison out of mercy. During jury selection, the panelists said under oath that they are capable of voting for either sentence.

By Terry Spencer
Pat King appears in a screenshot of a video posted to Facebook on Dec. 22, 2021. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Freedom Convoy Protester Pat King to Be Released on Bail

Pat King, a prominent figure during the Freedom Convoy protest this winter, has been granted bail and will be released after spending 150 days in jail.

The decision, delivered on July 18 by Superior Court Justice Anne London-Weinstein, comes after a two-day bail review for King last week in an Ottawa court. The proceedings were placed under a publication ban.

King will be released later today and is ordered to leave Ottawa within 24 hours to return home to Alberta, where he is required to live with a surety.

His bail conditions ban him from using social media and from taking part in activities related to the convoy. King is also prohibited from contacting convoy organizers including Chris Barber, Benjamin Dichter, Tamara Lich, and Tom Marazzo unless in the presence of legal counsel.

He is also expected to adhere to a curfew between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

He has waited for several months in jail to hear whether he would be released on bail since he last appeared in court in April. His bail review came to an abrupt halt after his lawyers computer was allegedly hacked.

A day after the April hearing, the Crown announced new charges against King, with three counts each of perjury and obstruction of justice. These charges were in addition to 10 charges related to his involvement in the three-week-long protest in Ottawa, which includes mischief, intimidation, obstructing police, and disobeying a court order.

The Freedom Convoy started in late January, initially to protest the federal governments mandatory COVID-19 vaccine mandate imposed on all cross-border truck drivers. The protests soon turned into a national movement with many joining in to call for an end to other pandemic-related restrictions.

The convoy ended after the Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14 and police cleared the demonstration in an escalated operation over a few days.

King, who was arrested on Feb. 18, has since remained in the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.

Despite being a visible figure, King isnt one of the Freedom Convoy organizers, according to a lawyer from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, which represents several of the convoy leaders.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article.
Freedom Is Our Birthright, Not Something That Can Be Granted

Commentary

The COVID-19 response has raised questions regarding freedom in Western societies that, a few years ago, we thought were settled. Is freedom something we are allowed or granted? Or is it something we are born with, which can therefore only be removed? What is the status, now or in the future, of a child born into slavery, or a child born into a camp in Xinjiang or North Korea, or a child born into a digitized, centrally managed society of some future Western dystopia?

The temptation through COVID-19 has been to use science or evidence to oppose the removal of our rights. Why should a college student be subject to a vaccine mandate if they already have post-infection immunity, or an unvaccinated person have their travel restricted when the vaccinated have higher infection rates?

Such approaches are tempting to embrace, as theyre based on logic and thus hard to refute. But they serve those who would remove freedom by reinforcing the fundamental requirements they need to justify their tyranny. They reinforce the tyrants requirement that freedom is granted based on actions or status, not the simple reality of ones birth.

We are free, or we are not. Science and logic cannot be the arbiters of that freedom.



COVID-19 Crisis Should Awaken, Not Enslave Us

COVID-19 vaccine mandates have highlighted societys creeping acceptance of anchoring basic human rights to medical status. Like many public health physicians, I accepted, even supported, mandating measles vaccination for school entry. Measles does, after all, kill many globally. I was also fine with hepatitis B vaccination for my workplace. Both vaccines are generally considered safe, and very effective in blocking the target disease. My medical training emphasized that those who were anti-vaccination were equivalent to flat-earthers.

The COVID-19 public health response stepped this up, requiring injections as a prerequisite for both adults and children to participate in normal community activities. Vaccination status governed access to rights considered fundamental under the Universal Declaration of Human Rightsincluding the right to work, travel, socialize, and access education. It has even determined the right to access health care. Medical coercion has emerged from the shadows into the mainstream of public health.

The mandates have been fought with logic. Demonstrating the sheer absurdity of a general mandate of a vaccine for a disease that targets a well-defined population group (old age and comorbidities), that does nothing to stop its spread (i.e., no protection for others), and against which most are already better protected by natural immunity is an easy argument to make.

On the back of such evidence and logic, the movement opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, spanning truckers, restaurateurs, hospital employees, and politicians, has made some inroads in rolling back mandates. But progress is fragile, as authorities elsewhere seek to strengthen and widen mandates, and entrench the international pandemic preparedness industry that seeks to perpetuate coercion in public health. The frequency of mandates in educational institutions should tell us that something deeper than illogic and anti-science underlies this movement.

Small tactical victories based on logic wont win a war. If health fascism is to be dealt with as was the Nazism of a previous era, highlighting particular logical flaws wont be enough. Nazism wasnt sidelined because of illogic, but because it was fundamentally wrong. It was wrong because it did not treat all people equally, and it put central authority, and a perceived collective good, above the rights, and equality, of individuals.

This is the hill on which we must stand if we are to block the use of public health as a tool to enforce the corporate authoritarian society envisioned by the adherents of the Great Reset. This is a fight that goes beyond public healthit concerns the fundamental status of the human position. It must deny unequivocally the right of one group to control and abuse another. I dont have the right to mandate a high-risk non-immune diabetic 80-year-old to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Neither do you.

Freedom Is a Birthright, Not a Reward

If we acknowledge that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights (Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), and that theres something intrinsically valuable about being human, then certain consequences must follow. Attempts were made to reflect these in the flawed declarations on human rights developed after World War II, and the earlier Geneva Convention. They are reflected in many religious beliefs, but arent exclusive to them. This view considers every human to be of intrinsic, equal, immeasurable, and independent worth.

As an alternate approach, Nazism demonstrated how the justification of coercion and restriction based on a perceived common good rapidly eroded society. The road to genocide was paved by doctors, using public health as a veil for self-interest, fear, and an ability to hate.

Common good approaches view humans, all or some, as mere lumps of biology, based around a complex series of chemical reactions. An individual has no fundamental rights, no fundamental worth, apart from the crowd. The future of the individual only makes sense where it benefits the whole. There is no fundamental right or wrong aside from the dictates of those deciding the future of the crowd.

Picking some middle ground between the twohumans are a little bit special but can be devalued when convenient (convenient to whom?)doesnt stand up well to deeper thought. Fundamental worth cant be restricted by decisions made within time and space.

Genuine equality leads to the concept of bodily autonomyI cant override you on matters concerning you. If humans have sovereignty over their own bodies, then they cannot be forced to modify that body or have it violated by others. Coercion involves threats to remove basic rights that autonomy and sovereignty provide, and is, therefore, a form of force. It seeks to remove a birthrighta part of our being if we believe that as humans we are born with such intrinsic rights. Such rights and freedoms mark us as more than a biological mass, never the chattels of others or the crowd.

Thats why we require free and informed consent for medical procedures when a person is in any way capable of providing it.

In consequence, freedom cant be conditional on medical status or choice of medical procedure. If we are intrinsically free beings, we dont acquire freedom through compliance. Fundamental rights cant therefore be restricted based on medical status (e.g., natural immunity) or choice of intervention (e.g., testing) or non-intervention. The promotion of such stigma and discrimination is contrary to recognition of these rights.

Opposing Mandates Solely Based on Science Acknowledges Authoritarianism

It remains tempting to take the easy route and oppose COVID-19 vaccine mandates by highlighting the obvious flaws in the science claimed to underlie them. This is a useful toolthe purveyors of illogic and lies should be exposed. But it can only be a tool in demonstrating the falsehoods of others, and not the path to a comprehensive solution. We must not feed the underlying disease.

Claiming natural immunity as a sole exclusion from COVID-19 vaccine mandates is no more logical than ignoring it. Immune members of older age groups are still at higher risk than the non-immune healthy young. Age-related risk varies several thousandfold (pdf), and neither vaccines nor natural immunity can bridge this gap. Do we mandate a young fit athlete to be jabbed because she happens to have avoided prior infection, while pretending an obese diabetic previously infected retiree be exempt?

If we are to nuance the risk, what thresholds of age and fitness will be used, and who will set them? How will natural immunity be measured? What type of testing will be used, how frequently, and at whose expense? Will vaccine mandates be more acceptable if the vaccine for the next pandemic is available before many become naturally immune? Basing the argument on logic alone feeds the needs of those who would own us, and subjugates us as subject only to the laws of biology, not those of being.

This is not freedom. However well-meaning, its on the slippery slope that leads elsewhere.

Freedom Has a Cost

Fundamentally, human rights cant be dependent on compliance with public health officials, or politicians. Or the whims of philanthropists and their favorite corporations. These rights must be an intrinsic part of being human, irrespective of the circumstance, irrespective of age, gender, parentage, wealth, or health status. Or we are, indeed, just complex chemical constructs with no real intrinsic value. Society, and each individual, must decide.

The COVID-19 public health response highlights the need to reexamine much of what we took for granted in health care. Respecting individual sovereignty doesnt exclude sanctions on those who intentionally do harm, but the imperative to control societys response to this underlies thousands of years of development of law. Cases of malfeasance are tested, transparently, in court.

Accepting individual sovereignty doesnt exclude protections from harm. Certain high-risk countries require evidence of yellow fever vaccination for inbound travel as an outbreak could result in high mortality. In contrast, school mandates for measles vaccination persist despite the vaccine effectively protecting all those who choose to be vaccinated.

In the light of recent events, we need to weigh such requirements transparently and carefully, preventing intentional harm to others, but keeping the natural law of the inviolability of humanness paramount.

Sometimes, respecting the freedom of others will cost us. The majority may need to swallow a risk for a time. Codifying the process, legalism, and law that expresses fundamental intrinsic human worth gives wisdom time to overcome fear. Its the insurance that keeps the members of a free society free. Insurance is the inescapable recurrent cost that protects from occasional, but inevitable, catastrophe. Enslavement in a medico-fascist society could become a catastrophe with no exit. So in opposing it, no quarter should be given.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A developing treatment using gold and infrared light may more safely treat cancer, complement other treatments

There are many ways to treat cancer, and some of them are nearly as frightening as the disease itself. But today, researchers are beginning to unravel some new approaches, including one that comes from seemingly miraculous recoveries in cancer patients who experienced severe fever.

And the interesting part is that gold might be just the ingredient needed to take advantage of a weakness some cancers have to a sudden increase in our body temperature.

Thats important, because cancer isnt going away.

In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of death. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2022, there will be 1.9 million new cancer cases and more than 600,000 cancer deaths.

Thats the equivalent of 5,250 new cases of cancer each day. Cancer is an enormous health concern.

The leading treatment options for cancer arent always successful and carry with them a slew of possible side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, increased risk of infections, and the possibility of secondary tumors.

Hyperthermia, also known as overheating, is a therapy that uses heat to kill cancer cells. Its best used alongside other therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

One of the challenges to using hyperthermia to treat cancer is making sure the heat goes to the right place. Thats where the gold comes in. Ongoing research reveals gold nanoparticles can be used to heat and kill tumor cells with great precision and minimal side effects. This form of hyperthermia is called photothermal therapy, and it has shown very promising results for a number of cancer types.

Cancer Is a Problem

Cancer is a serious health concern worldwide.

According to recent data by the American Cancer Society, U.S. females have a 38.5 percent chance of developing invasive cancer over their lifetime, while males have a 40.2 percent chance.

Cancer becomes invasive when it spreads beyond the layer of tissue where it developed and into surrounding healthy tissues and lymph nodes.

If untreated, cancer cells may enter the blood or lymphatic fluid and emigrate to other tissues or organs. This process of metastasis often results in secondary tumors in the body.

Leading Treatment Options for Cancer Arent Ideal

Since cancer is so varied, theres no single, fully comprehensive approach to treatment. Leading treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

While surgery is generally considered an effective therapy for early-stage cancers, it isnt ideal for metastatic cancers since the cancer cells have spread to other regions of the body. In some cases, even if surgery is done early on, the cancer can return.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells. This type of therapy often also damages surrounding healthy tissue. As with surgery, it is difficult to treat metastatic cancer with radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy can treat many different types of cancer, even if the cancer has metastasized. Unfortunately, chemotherapy drugs can be toxic to healthy, non-cancerous tissues of the body.

A significant problem with radiation therapy and chemotherapy is that both can cause cancer, making secondary cancer a serious possible side-effect.

Immunotherapy is a cancer therapy that helps the immune system fight cancer. As a biological therapy, this treatment uses substances produced by other living organisms.

There are several types of immunotherapy treatments including T-cell transfer therapy, monoclonal antibodies, immune system modulators, treatment vaccines, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

While side effects from immunotherapy typically arent as troublesome as the side effects from chemotherapy, they can still occur.

Since the bodys immune system has been amped up to fight against cancer cells, there may be some collateral damage to healthy cells, such as flu-like symptoms, heart palpitations, and organ inflammation.

A significant portion of cancer therapy research is dedicated to discovering therapies that can complement or replace current therapy options with greater effectiveness and fewer side effects.

Hyperthermia as Approach to Cancer Treatment

In the 1800s, doctors began noticing a number of intriguing cases of cancer patients who, after suffering high fevers from contracting erysipelas, found their cancer symptoms decreased. Some patients experienced complete tumor regression.

Erysipelas is a skin infection caused by Streptococcus bacteria, typically S. aureus or S. pyogenes. A key feature of the infection is a fever, which may be very high.

One surgeon, Dr. William Coley, was fascinated by these case studies and in 1891 injected S. pyogenes into a patients inoperable tumor to see if the infection would help shrink it.

The patients body temperature rose to 105 degrees. Days after the fever began, his tumor started to shrink. Remarkably, within two weeks, the tumor was gone.

Coley spent years perfecting bacterial injections to treat tumors. These formulations became known as Coleys toxins.

One pharmaceutical company created preparations of Coleys toxins from 1899 to 1951, making the treatment available to physicians in the United States and Europe.

The results varied on different cancer types, but The Iowa Orthopaedic Journal notes the treatment was especially effective on bone cancers and soft-tissue sarcomas.

Soft-tissue sarcomas are cancers that form in muscles, fat, nerves, the lining of joints, blood vessels, and tendons.

In 1962, the FDA removed Coleys toxins from the list of approved drugs, so it became illegal to use this toxin to treat cancer. At this time surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were becoming mainstays of cancer treatment.

Though these other therapies took the spotlight, scientists continued to research how hyperthermia reduces tumors.

Over the decades, they have generated a massive body of knowledge about treating cancer with hyperthermia. Lets take a quick look at some of the basics of the biology behind this therapy.

What We Know Now About Heat and Cancer

Tumors are generally more acidic than regular tissues and they often have regions of hypoxia (inadequate oxygen supply). A study in the International Journal of Hyperthermia notes these two factors make tumors resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, but more susceptible to heat stress.

A study included in the journal Nanomedicine found hyperthermia causes cell apoptosis (programmed cell death) by causing irreparable mitochondrial damage.

Hyperthermia can also trigger cell necrosis (uncontrolled cell death) by damaging the cell membrane and denaturing proteins, according to research published in Cytometry Part A, the journal of the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Hyperthermia can initiate both of these cell death pathways in a single tumor simultaneously. The amount of necrosis versus apoptosis occurring in the tumor depends on several factors, especially the degree of heat applied.

Apoptosis is a much cleaner and more organized process than necrosis. Necrosis is destructive to surrounding tissue, so its important for doctors to choose the intensity and duration of heat treatment carefully.

In their review article, Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics, authors note that malignant cancer cells tend to have diminished heat shock protection responsiveness, making them more susceptible to thermal stress.

Thermal stress makes tumors more vulnerable to radiation therapy, making this therapy more effective. This sensitization occurs through several cellular pathways according to research published in the journal Cancers. Similarly, thermal stress makes tumors more susceptible to chemotherapeutics.

For instance, one in vitro study in the journal Scientific Reports found that when malignant melanoma was treated with hyperthermia and clinically relevant chemotherapy drugs, hyperthermia made more than one chemotherapy drug more effective. This is great news for treating tumor cells.

The question is, how do we directly target tumor cells with hyperthermia so as not to damage healthy tissue?

Some current methods are invasive, particularly if the tumor is deep. For many methods, the heating distribution often isnt uniform. In addition, these methods tend to be directed at the tumor based on what can be seen with scans and the human eye, but they arent precise on a cellular level.

Nanoparticles

The trick to truly effective hyperthermia is to get the heat inside the tumor without heating all the tissue around it, and nanoparticles are key to that capability. Using nanoparticles and near-infrared light to generate heat in a tumor is minimally invasive, more uniform, and much more precise in targeting the tumor on a cellular level.

Nanoparticles are tiny, though they do vary in size from 1 to 100 nanometers (nm), though some scientists would argue nanoparticles can be up to 1000 nm in size.

If one of your hairs were blown up to be the size of a telephone pole, a nanoparticle would be a little dot with a diameter about as wide as the thickness of a piece of paper.

They are too small to be seen without an electron microscope, but they can exert a powerful effect depending on how they are used.

How Would Nanoparticles Get Into Tumor?

The blood vessels in tumors are different from the blood vessels in a typical organ. The tumor is not healthy, normal tissue, so the blood vessels that feed it arent normal or healthy either.

Healthy blood vessels that bring oxygenated blood into tissues have small gaps between the endothelial cells which line the blood vessels. Imagine a tiny straw with little slits in it. These endothelial cells are surrounded by smooth muscle cells. Imagine another straw, which is much stronger and slightly larger, with the smaller straw inside.

In tumors, the inner straw has much larger holes and no strong outer straw surrounding it. The result is that tumors are fed by very leaky blood vessels.

Your body relies partly on the lymphatic system to clear out the waste of dead cells and other body processes. Imagine a system very much like all your blood vessels but with a different role.

In a tumor, lymphatic vessels are compressed, causing poor lymphatic drainage out of the tumor.

The leaky blood vessels and poor lymphatic drainage cause an effect that allows the nanoparticles to move from the bloodstream into the tumor and accumulate there, according to a review article published in the journal Cancer in 2020.

Gold Nanoparticles Ideal for Photothermal Therapy

Gold nanoparticles are an ideal candidate for photothermal therapy, which typically uses infrared light to heat tissues. This form of light can penetrate deep into the body. Thats good, but even better if the heat is more intense in the area of the tumor. In that scenario, you dont have to risk damaging other tissues as much.

Thats where gold becomes essential. Gold is fairly biocompatible as it is an inert metal. Gold nanoparticles can absorb light energy and heat up to above 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

Near-infrared (NIR) light in the range of 800 to 1200 nanometers can be directed into the body, where it hits the nanoparticles, which then heat up. Think of it like a microwave that heats your cold coffee but not your mug. Depending on size and shape, gold nanoparticles can absorb different frequencies of light and can be designed for maximum absorption of NIR light.

The size of the gold nanoparticles matter. In general, smaller metallic nanoparticles more efficiently convert light energy to heat energy than larger metallic nanoparticles do.

According to research published in the journal Application of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy in 2021, there are typically two methods for inducing hyperthermia in a tumor.

First, the gold nanoparticles can be heated to high temperatures (higher than 113 degrees Fahrenheit) for several minutes. This leads to cell death through thermal ablation. The downside is that this can trigger the blood to stop flowing through the tumor and the tumor may hemorrhage. This would inhibit further treatment with a secondary therapy.

A second method creates mild hyperthermia (107.6 to 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit) within the tumor. This triggers cellular damage and makes the tumor blood vessels more leaky. This method allows for a synergistic therapy such as chemotherapy to be used simultaneously.

Pair Photothermal Therapy With Another Therapy

Because the blood vessels that feed the tumor arent healthy, there may be areas of a tumor that dont have good blood supplythis is why certain regions of a tumor may be hypoxic.

The nanoparticles may not accumulate in these regions since the blood supply is deficient, which means photothermal therapy alone may not destroy all the cancer cells in the tumor.

Importantly, research shows that surviving tumor cells exposed to heat can quickly become resistant to thermal stress, resulting in recurrence and spread of the cancer (metastasis), according to findings in the review Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment.

The above two points reveal why its important that in cases where photothermal therapy cant fully destroy the tumor, this therapy is paired with a secondary therapy such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy.

Conclusions

The National Cancer Institute notes that hyperthermia has been used to treat the following types of advanced cancers: appendix cancer, bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, head and neck cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, mesothelioma, sarcoma, and rectal cancer.

As a type of hyperthermia, photothermal therapy used in combination with other cancer therapies has great potential in treating primary tumors or metastatic cancer for several different types of cancer.

A number of gold nanoparticle-based platforms have been assessed in clinical trials. While the results so far are mostly encouraging, the review Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment notes many of these studies are still in early phase one or phase one clinical trials.

As researchers and clinicians perfect treatment with photothermal therapy, the hope is that one day it will become an available option for cancer patients everywhere.

References

Debele, T. A., Yeh, C. F., & Su, W. P. (2020). Cancer Immunotherapy and Application of Nanoparticles in Cancers Immunotherapy as the Delivery of Immunotherapeutic Agents and as the Immunomodulators. Cancers, 12(12), 3773. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12123773

Gao, Q., Zhang, J., Gao, J., Zhang, Z., Zhu, H., & Wang, D. (2021). Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 9, 647905. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2021.647905

Globocan 2020: New Global Cancer Data. UICC. (2022, June 27). Retrieved June 25, 2022, from https://www.uicc.org/news/globocan-2020-new-global-cancer-data

Hyperthermia to treat cancer. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2022, from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/hyperthermia#cancers-treated-with-hyperthermia

Kaur, P., Hurwitz, M. D., Krishnan, S., & Asea, A. (2011). Combined hyperthermia and radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer. Cancers, 3(4), 37993823. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers3043799

Koller, M. R., Hanania, E. G., Stevens, J., Eisfeld, T. M., Sasaki, G. C., Fieck, A., & Palsson, B. . (2004). High-throughput laser-mediated in situ cell purification with high purity and yield. Cytometry. Part A : the journal of the International Society for Analytical Cytology, 61(2), 153161. https://doi.org/10.1002/cyto.a.20079

Mantso, T., Vasileiadis, S., Anestopoulos, I., Voulgaridou, G. P., Lampri, E., Botaitis, S., Kontomanolis, E. N., Simopoulos, C., Goussetis, G., Franco, R., Chlichlia, K., Pappa, A., & Panayiotidis, M. I. (2018). Hyperthermia induces therapeutic effectiveness and potentiates adjuvant therapy with non-targeted and targeted drugs in an in vitro model of human malignant melanoma. Scientific reports, 8(1), 10724. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29018-0

McCarthy E. F. (2006). The toxins of William B. Coley and the treatment of bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. The Iowa orthopaedic journal, 26, 154158.

Moyer, H. R., & Delman, K. A. (2008). The role of hyperthermia in optimizing tumor response to regional therapy. International journal of hyperthermia : the official journal of European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology, North American Hyperthermia Group, 24(3), 251261. https://doi.org/10.1080/02656730701772480

Moyer, H. R., & Delman, K. A. (2008). The role of hyperthermia in optimizing tumor response to regional therapy. International journal of hyperthermia : the official journal of European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology, North American Hyperthermia Group, 24(3), 251261. https://doi.org/10.1080/02656730701772480

Pivetta, T. P., Botteon, C., Ribeiro, P. A., Marcato, P. D., & Raposo, M. (2021). Nanoparticle Systems for Cancer Phototherapy: An Overview. Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland), 11(11), 3132. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11113132

Siegel, R. L., Miller, K. D., Fuchs, H. E., & Jemal, A. (2022). Cancer statistics, 2022. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 72(1), 733. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21708

Tong, L., & Cheng, J. X. (2009). Gold nanorod-mediated photothermolysis induces apoptosis of macrophages via damage of mitochondria. Nanomedicine (London, England), 4(3), 265276. https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm.09.4

van der Zee J. (2002). Heating the patient: a promising approach?. Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology, 13(8), 11731184. https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdf280

Wong, A. D., Ye, M., Ulmschneider, M. B., & Searson, P. C. (2015). Quantitative Analysis of the Enhanced Permeation and Retention (EPR) Effect. PloS one, 10(5), e0123461. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0123461

Yang, Y., Zheng, X., Chen, L., Gong, X., Yang, H., Duan, X., & Zhu, Y. (2022). Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. International journal of nanomedicine, 17, 20412067. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S355142

Zou, L., Wang, H., He, B., Zeng, L., Tan, T., Cao, H., He, X., Zhang, Z., Guo, S., & Li, Y. (2016). Current Approaches of Photothermal Therapy in Treating Cancer Metastasis with Nanotherapeutics. Theranostics, 6(6), 762772. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.14988
To speed up the border reopening with mainland China, HKgov is to introduce the CCP COVID-19 Color Code system to track and restrict citizens movements. (Photo from Screenshot)

Hong Kong Government to Track Citizens With Next Level CCP Type COVID Smartphone App

Hong Kong Official: Freedom has limits.

Since the new chief executive, John Lee Ka-chiu took office; he has been ready to do whatever it takes to please the CCP.

The Hong Kong government (HKgov) has been proactively seeking ways to reopen cross-borders with China.

Hkgov plans to enforce the CCPs Health Code tracking into Hongkongers pandemic life. Commentators and netizens are nervous about losing personal freedom and privacy under the regime.

HKgov has plans to add the COVID-19 Color Code system to the current LeaveHomeSafe App. Doing so will further restrict citizens movements. This app is a HKgov-made mobile vaccine passport for tracing and tracking COVID-19 patients and their public visits.

Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health Authority (HA), said the Information, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) and HA had concluded an evaluation of LeaveHomeSafe just half a month after the new government took office on July 1.

Lo claimed that Hong Kong must mirror the CCPs Dynamic-Zero Policy to ease pandemic cases, as it is a good policy. Any policy which eliminates high-risk patients public visits is a good policy we should learn from. His comments confirmed citizens concern about real-identity-based registration on the app.

Limitation of Movement or Under Surveillance

Hong Kong has been quietly running a similar system since 2021. Nevertheless, the Hong Kong code had only been applied to those who cross the borders of Guangdong Province, China, or Macau under quarantine exemptions. The color code allowed both cities to watch their Covid-19 cases.

Hong Kong Code is essentially based on the PCR Test Pass, with PCR short for polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19.

Unlike the current Hong Kong Code, which only traces a small group of exempted visitors, HKgov is now discussing tracking everyone in Hong Kong.

Three color indicators will be added to the existing vaccine pass by bracketing media reports, and standards of both PCR and Hong Kong vaccine passes.

Code Red represents COVID-19 confirmed patients, close-contact persons, any coronavirus-positive patients within 14 days upon discharge, persons who are undergoing compulsory COVID-19 test, and anyone who had reported symptoms of the virus within the past 14 days.

Code Yellow symbolizes anyone who has visited or is currently living in the high-risk areas, those who are waiting to be tested. Public places such as restaurants and gyms will not grant entry to anyone with Code Yellow.

As for Code Green, anyone is tested negativebut the green code is only valid for one day.

Lo claimed that the new rule has nothing to do with wanting to reopen cross borders with China.

Hongkongers and critics are worried about Hong Kong becoming another CCP surveillance city.

Public Opinions Are Loud and Clear

As soon as the news broke, Hongkongers criticism and queries buzzed.

Some said that the new code could ban them from dining in restaurants even if they had been vaccinated. Other citizens criticized HKgov for being ignorant. One of the netizens expressed, Does HKgov realize how many people still dont own or know how to work a smartphone? Asking them to learn how to use your app sends them to their graves.

The general public is also wondering: Why would Hong Kong copy a failed policy of Dynamic-Zero from the CCP?

One of the netizens raised a worrying question. Will the government turn our Health Code to Code Red one day as they did in Henan Province? Will our banks ban us from withdrawing our money?

A Blow to Personal Privacy

Sam Ng Chi-sum, the former RTHK host of Headliners, commented during his online program that HKgov had never been able to eliminate privacy concerns of LeaveHomeSafe.

Ng continued, Many Hongkongers are still hesitant to install LeaveHomeSafe. If HKgov pushes for the real-identity registration policy, Hongkongers will have zero privacy.

Ng emphasized the Beijing regime has been using the Health Code to control and track the people of China around the clock. Ng said, The CCP has been using Code Red against human rights and political activists. Who can explain that?

In November 2021, Chinese human rights lawyer Xie Yang was about to fly to Shanghai to visit the mother of the citizen journalist Zhang Zhan. When he arrived at the airport, Xie was unexpectedly banned from flying as his PCR Test Pass turned red. Once he got home, the code became green again.

The publics concerns are not groundless.

Ng mentioned, If the regime is turning Hong Kong into a surveillance city, LegCo will not stop that from happening.

Health Tools Become Surveillance Tools.

The Beijing government launched the Health Code nationwide in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only those with Code Green can get a pass. Compulsory PCR tests or self-quarantine are required for everyone else, and they must remain home until Code Green is signaled.

Many other cases have proven that the authorities use the Health Code to restrict personal freedom.

In Henan Province, certain banks in rural areas have frozen customers assets since April 2022. Villagers could not withdraw their savings.

In June 2022, when hundreds of frustrated villagers planned to partake in a protest in Zhengzhou, everyones original health code turned from green to red. No one could attend the rally as everyone had to stay home.

Other bank account holders also said they encountered the same issue despite their negative PCR Test.

Mainland media outlet Caixin reported that these customers Health Code going red is not pandemic-related.

Those customers were the victims of frozen savings accounts by Henan banks.

The Supervisory Committee of Zhengzhou Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection later announced that the involved officials had been penalized, demoted, or dismissed from their positions in the CCP.

In the Henan village bank incident, 1317 villages were red-coded and blocked from withdrawing their savings by the banks.

On June 24, 2022, the Disease Control Bureau of the National Health Commission of China announced that any change in Health Codes colors except for COVID-19 will be forbidden.

Face Recognition Revealed by Hong Kong Media

So when people under the Beijing regime had no control over their money or personal freedom, the publics concerns about being watched were not groundless.

In May 2022, FactWire, a Hong Kong investigative news agency, reported that the Android version of LeaveHomeSafe had a built-in face recognition module.

The Office of the Government Chief Information Center admitted that the app development contractor had included a pre-existing facial recognition module during the development stage of LeaveHomeSafe. The office also claimed that the facial recognition function was never activated.

Freedom Has limits

Secretary for Health Authority Lo Chung-mau justified this in response to movement restrictions. Freedom would be limited for the uninfected if sick people were allowed the freedom to roam. Lo also claimed, Freedom has limits. At risk, people should not be allowed to go out and endanger others.
Pfizers contracts are almost exclusively slanted in Pfizers favor. Theyre guaranteed payment while having no financial liability for injuries and deaths, and it appears this indemnification applies even if they were to be found guilty of fraud

The U.S. had thrown away 82.2 million expired COVID jab doses as of mid-May 2022, yet the Biden administration ordered another 105 million doses at the end of June 2022 for a fall booster campaign that will cost taxpayers $3.2 billion

Pfizers COVID jab dominates 70% of the U.S. and European markets, and Paxlovid, its COVID drug, has become a standard treatment choice in hospitals. This despite findings showing the shot doesnt prevent infection or transmission, and that Paxlovid causes severe rebound and supercharges mutations

Pfizers revenue in 2021 was $81.3 billion  approximately double that of 2020  and the COVID shot accounted for $36.78 billion of that

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a real boon to Pfizer. Not only has it doubled Pfizers annual revenue, it has also given the drugmaker unique weight in determining U.S. health policy  something that concerns even staunch vaccine-pushers like Dr. Paul Offit

Internal research shows Pfizers executives have been announcing the next stage in the fight against the pandemic before government officials can even study the issue, annoying experts and scientists, and leaving the public questioning whom they can trust. Whos really in charge?

According to Kaiser Health News (KHN),1 the COVID-19 pandemic has been a real boon to Pfizer. Not only has it yielded outsize benefits in terms of profits, but it has also given the drugmaker unusual weight in determining U.S. health policy.

Based on internal research, the companys executives have frequently announced the next stage in the fight against the pandemic before government officials have had time to study the issue, annoying many experts in the medical field and leaving some patients unsure whom to trust, KHN reporter Arthur Allen writes, adding:2

When last year Bourla suggested that a booster shot would soon be needed, U.S. public health officials later followed, giving the impression that Pfizer was calling the tune.

Some public health experts and scientists worry these decisions were hasty, noting, for example, that although boosters with the mRNA shots produced by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech improve antibody protection initially, it generally doesnt last.

Since January, Bourla has been saying that U.S. adults will probably all need annual booster shots, and senior FDA officials have indicated since April that they agree  The companys power worries some vaccinologists, who see its growing influence in a realm of medical decision-making traditionally led by independent experts 

When President Biden in September 2021 offered boosters to Americans  not long after [Pfizer CEO Albert] Bourla had recommended them  Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia  wondered, Wheres the evidence you are at risk of serious disease when confronted with COVID if you are vaccinated and under 50?

Policies on booster recommendations for different groups are complex and shifting, Offit said, but the CDC, rather than Bourla and Pfizer, should be making them. Were being pushed along, he said. The pharmaceutical companies are acting like public health agencies.

The fact that a vaccine-pusher like Offit  infamous for claiming a baby can safely tolerate 10,000 vaccines at once3  is questioning and pushing back against Pfizers influence over health policy reveals just how brazen, unethical and potentially dangerous that is.

Massive Profits Made From Useless Products

According to Allen, Pfizers revenue in 2021 was $81.3 billion4  approximately double that of 2020  and the COVID shot accounted for $36.78 billion5 of that. For comparison, Lipitor, Pfizers previous top selling statin, generates roughly $2 billion a year,6 while their strep vaccine, Prevnar 13 rakes in $6 billion a year.7

Its mRNA gene transfer injection against COVID now dominates 70% of the U.S. and European markets, and Paxlovid, Pfizers COVID drug, has become a standard treatment choice in hospitals. This, despite researchers finding Paxlovid (molnupiravir) causes severe rebound and supercharges mutations.

In a rational scenario, that finding would have put a stop to its use, but no. In an official health advisory8 to the public, issued May 24, 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first warns that Paxlovid is associated with recurrence of COVID-19 or COVID-19 rebound, and then in the very next sentence stresses in bold print a narrative supporting its use and enriching Pfizer with instructions saying:

Paxlovid continues to be recommended for early- stage treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 among persons at high risk for progression to severe disease.

Allen also notes that, during an investor call, a Pfizer official highlighted reports of Paxlovids failure, but spun it into good news for investors, as patients may require multiple courses!9 Obviously the objective has long ago shifted from helping humans to raping them for as much profit as possible.

Similarly, while Pfizers COVID jab clearly doesnt prevent infection or spread, and Americans are rejecting the shots in growing numbers  82.2 million doses had expired and were chucked in the trash as of mid-May 202210  the U.S. government still went ahead and ordered another 105 million doses at the end of June 2022.

These are intended for a fall booster campaign, at a cost to taxpayers of $3.2 billion.11 The U.S. is actually paying about 50% more for each of these new jab boosters this time around  $30.47 per dose compared to $19.50 per dose paid for the first 100 million doses.

The U.S. government has also promised to purchase another 20 million courses of Paxlovid, at an eye-watering cost of $530 per five-day course. Basically, Pfizer is being financially rewarded for producing products that are useless at best and dangerous at worst, and were all paying for it. In case youre curious, that is another $10.6 billion transferred from U.S. taxpayers to Pfizer.

Future Boosters Wont Undergo Human Clinical Trials

After you likely thought it couldnt ever get any worse, KHN also touches on, but doesnt delve into, the fact that Pfizer suggested they skip human trials as they move forward with jabs that are reformulated for newer variants. If this strikes you as crazy, youd be right. Its sheer madness, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration  a clearly captured agency  has already surreptitiously agreed to this egregious miscarriage of science.

How this wicked scheme, known as the Future Framework,12 was adopted by the FDA without formal vote is explained by Toby Rogers, Ph.D.  a political economist whose research focus is on regulatory capture and Big Pharma corruption13  in the video above. He also explained it in a June 29, 2022, Substack article:14

Yesterday [June 28], the FDAs Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee approved a bivalent COVID-19 shot with the Wuhan strain and the Omicron variant  Wait, hold up, I thought the FDA was voting on the Future Framework yesterday?

The policy question was whether reformulated COVID-19 shots would be treated as new molecular entities (which they are) in which case they should be subject to formal review or whether reformulated shots would be treated as biologically similar to existing Covid-19 shots and be allowed to skip clinical trials altogether.

Apparently the FDA did not have the votes to just pass this as a policy question. If you ask anyone whether reformulated mRNA represents a new molecular entity, well of course it is, so that would require formal regulatory review.

What the FDA did instead was to smuggle the policy question in disguised as a vote about reformulated boosters for the fall.

In essence, the FDA just started doing the Future Framework (picking variants willy nilly, skipping clinical trials) and essentially dared the committee members to turn down a booster dose  knowing that all of the VRBPAC members are hand-picked because theyve never met a vaccine they did not like.

So of course only two people on the committee had the courage to turn down a booster dose  even though it was based on this preposterous process (that was never formally adopted) where there was literally no data at all  By stealth, the FDA replaced a system based on evidence with a system based entirely on belief.

Countries Held to Ransom

In 2021, secret details of Pfizers contracts came to light, showing they are essentially holding countries hostage to nonnegotiable demands for payment in full AND freedom from liability.15

In late February 2021, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported16 that Pfizer was demanding countries put up sovereign assets as collateral for expected vaccine injury lawsuits resulting from its COVID-19 jab.

Several countries, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Peru, agreed to this demand, putting up bank reserves, military bases and embassy buildings as collateral. In short, theses governments are guaranteeing Pfizer will be compensated for any expenses resulting from injury lawsuits against it, so the company wont lose a dime if its COVID shot injures people.

Shockingly, these terms are binding even if those injuries are the result of negligent company practices, fraud or malice!

Government purchasers must acknowledge that the effectiveness and safety of the shots are completely unknown, all while indemnifying Pfizer against any and all financial liability.

In October that same year, Public Citizen published the secret contracts17,18 between Pfizer and Albania, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Dominican Republic, the European Commission, Peru, the U.S. and the U.K., further revealing the extent to which these countries handed power over to Pfizer. In almost all scenarios, Pfizers interests come first.

For example, government purchasers must acknowledge that the effectiveness and safety of the shots are completely unknown, all while indemnifying Pfizer against any and all financial liability. This is the ultimate corporate maleficence, using their leverage to force the kill shot down these countries throats and avoiding any personal responsibility for damages.

Even if Pfizer eventually is convicted of fraud in the U.S. and loses all its liability protection from the COVID jabs because of it, that judgment would not impact these foreign contracts. These countries sold their souls to Pfizer and have absolutely no recourse but to pay even if the shots kill everyone.

The contracts for at least four countries also secure Pfizers intellectual property rights even if the company is found to have stolen intellectual property rights of others. In such case, the government purchaser becomes the liable party. As explained by Public Citizen:19

For example, if another vaccine maker sued Pfizer for patent infringement in Colombia, the contract requires the Colombian government to foot the bill. Pfizer also explicitly says that it does not guarantee that its product does not violate third-party IP, or that it needs additional licenses.

Pfizer takes no responsibility in these contracts for its potential infringement of intellectual property. In a sense, Pfizer has secured an IP waiver for itself. But internationally, Pfizer is fighting similar efforts to waive IP barriers for all manufacturers.

Equally shocking is that countries are forced to follow through on their vaccine orders even if other drugs or treatments emerge that can prevent, treat or cure COVID-19.20 Is it any wonder, then, that governments around the world have suppressed the use of safe and effective outpatient drugs like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin?

If these drugs were allowed to be used and could be proven to work, the COVID injections would be completely unnecessary and their emergency use authorization would disappear, yet governments are on the hook for hundreds of millions of doses.

Pfizer Has Habitual Offender Track Record

The fact that Pfizer has behaved like a criminal who works out a cover story for a planned murder before committing it is not surprising, considering its history. Pfizer, has been sued in multiple venues over unethical behavior, including unethical drug testing and illegal marketing practices.21

In his 2010 paper,22 Tough on Crime? Pfizer and the CIHR, Robert G. Evans, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor at Vancouver School of Economics, described Pfizer as a habitual offender, persistently engaging in illegal and corrupt marketing practices, bribing physicians and suppressing adverse trial results.

Between 2002 and 2010 alone, Pfizer and its subsidiaries were fined $3 billion in criminal convictions, civil penalties and jury awards. They are recurrent criminal felons. None of these convictions has deterred their nefarious behavior.

In 2011, Pfizer agreed to pay another $14.5 million to settle federal charges of illegal marketing,23 and in 2014 they settled federal charges relating to improper marketing of the kidney transplant drug Rapamune to the tune of $35 million,24 as well as $75 million to settle charges relating to its testing of a new broad spectrum antibiotic on critically ill Nigerian children.

As reported by the Independent25 at the time, Pfizer sent a team of doctors into Nigeria in the midst of a meningitis epidemic. For two weeks, the team set up right next to a medical station run by Doctors Without Borders and began dispensing the experimental drug, Trovan. Of the 200 children picked, half got the experimental drug and the other half the already licensed antibiotic Rocephin.

Eleven of the children treated by the Pfizer team died, and many others suffered side effects such as brain damage and organ failure. Pfizer denied wrongdoing. According to the company, only five of the children given Trovan died, compared to six who received Rocephin, so their drug was not to blame.

The problem was they never told the parents that their children were being given an experimental drug. Whats more, while Pfizer produced a permission letter from a Nigerian ethics committee, the letter turned out to have been backdated. The ethics committee itself wasnt set up until a year after the trial had already taken place. Pfizers rap sheet also includes bribery, environmental violations, labor and worker safety violations and more.26

Wolves in Sheeps Clothing

Now, despite Pfizer being one of the least ethical drug companies, were told to trust them with our very lives, and the lives of our precious children. Theyre going to put out booster shots this fall that have undergone absolutely no testing whatsoever, and were to simply throw caution to the wind because Pfizer  which has no liability whatsoever  says so.

In 2014, Pfizer faced a surge of lawsuits that accused it of hiding known side effects of its anticholesterol drug Lipitor.27 They got off scot-free that time, as a federal judge dismissed thousands of cases alleging the drug caused Type 2 diabetes.28,29 But at least they had liability and could be sued.

When it comes to the COVID jabs, injured patients and family members of those killed by it wont even have the ability to sue for damages, as governments around the world have indemnified them completely, and it looks as though they might not even be liable even if theyre found guilty of fraud. But we will have to see what the courts rule on that one. Still, that any nation would agree to a contract like that is just mindboggling.

Meanwhile, mounting evidence shows the COVID shots destroy immune function over time, and Pfizers own trial data reveal deaths and serious adverse events numbering in the tens of thousands.

Its hard to tell whos more deserving of punishment  Pfizer or the equally captured federal agencies, the FDA and the CDC, that go along with them and do nothing to protect the lives of the youngest members of our society. Clearly, its up to us to protect ourselves and our loved ones, because wolves in sheeps clothing are ruling the roost  theyre making all the decisions, and captured agencies are simply doing their bidding.

Originally published July 18, 2022 on Mercola.com
Indiana University Dr. Caitlin Bernard speaks during a rally in Indianapolis, Ind., on June 25, 2022. (Jenna Watson/The Indianapolis Star via AP)

Indiana Attorney General Responds After Abortion Doctor Issues Cease-and-Desist Letter

The office of Indianas attorney general says he didnt defame the Indianapolis doctor who performed an abortion for a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim in June.

No false or misleading statements have been made, a spokesperson for Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican, told The Epoch Times via email.

Dr. Caitlin Bernard, an obstetrician-gynecologist with the Indiana University School of Medicine, carried out the abortion on June 30, according to records obtained by The Epoch Times. She reported it to state health authorities within three days, as state law requires, although it remains unclear if she followed other mandatory reporting requirements by notifying the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Prior to the records being released, Rokita had said that he was investigating Bernard for potential failure to report.

The failure to do so constitutes a crime in Indiana, and her behavior could also affect her licensure. Additionally, if a HIPAA violation did occur, that may affect next steps as well. I will not relent in the pursuit of the truth, Rokita said in an earlier statement.

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a federal law that prohibits the disclosure of some details about patients.

Indiana University said a review concluded that Bernard didnt violate any laws, and the doctors lawyer subsequently sent a cease-and-desist letter to Rokita.

Please immediately cease and desist making any false or misleading statements about Dr. Bernard, Kathleen DeLaney, the lawyer, told the attorney general.

She said that Rokitas initial comments made during a Fox News appearance cast Dr. Bernard in a false light and allege misconduct in her profession, and criticized the statements made after the record release that the investigation into the doctor was still ongoing.

The statements have the potential to incite harassment or violence from the public which could prevent Dr. Bernard, an Indiana licensed physician, from providing care to her patents [sic] safely, DeLaney wrote.

Rokitas spokesperson said that the letter, like any correspondence, will be reviewed if and when it arrives.

Gerson Fuentes in a mugshot dated July 12, 2022. (Columbus Police Department via The Epoch Times)

Man Arrested

The man arrested for allegedly raping the 10-year-old girl, meanwhile, remains jailed in Franklin County, Ohio, according to jail records. Gerson Fuentes, described as an illegal immigrant by local and federal authorities, confessed to raping the minor, according to court documents. Testing of DNA taken from the suspect is pending.

The public defenders office in the county, which is representing Fuentes, hasnt responded to requests for comment.

Fuentes is 27. Bernard had listed the age of the father of the unborn child as 17. Her lawyer hasnt responded to requests for comment.

Fuentes was charged with raping a person under the age of 13 years and faces life in prison if convicted.

His next court appearance is scheduled for July 22.
Shoppers walk inside of the Greenwood Park Mall in Greenwood, Ind., on May 4, 2020. (Darron Cummings/AP Photo)

Indiana Shopping Mall Gunman Killed by Armed Good Samaritan: Officials

An active shooter at an Indiana shopping mall was killed on July 17 by a good Samaritan who was lawfully armed with a handgun, according to officials.

At least four people, including the shooter, were killed after the suspected gunman opened fire in the food court of the Greenwood Park Mall located in the suburbs of Indianapolis, police said.

Greenwood Police Chief James Ison said in a press conference on Sunday that law enforcement responded to reports of an active shooter at the mall at around 6 p.m. local time.

The suspected shooter, who has been identified as an adult male, appeared to be armed with a rifle and several magazines of ammunition, and he entered the food court and began shooting at people, Ison said.

Five people were shot during the incident, four of whom have died from their injuries, Ison said.

Two others were wounded.

The police chief said the victims were one male and four females, including a 12-year-old girl whose parents brought her to the hospital with minor injuries after the shooting,

She is expected to be just fine. The second injured victim was hospitalized and in stable condition as of Sunday evening, Ison said.

The suspected gunman was taken down by a 22-year-old good Samaritan from Bartholomew County who was lawfully armed and observed the shooting in progress, Ison said, referring to the individual a real hero.

Real Hero

The real hero of the day is the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in that food court and was able to stop that shooter almost as soon as he began, Ison said during a later press conference.

Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers also said in a statement on Sunday that the suspect was shot by an armed individual, adding that the tragedy hits the core of our community.

In a separate statement, Myers thanked the armed bystander, whom he also referred to as a good Samaritan, who was able to stop further bloodshed.

This person saved lives tonight. On behalf of the City of Greenwood, I am grateful for his quick action and heroism in this situation.

Police do not yet have a motive for the attack and are continuing to investigate the shooting alongside multiple other agencies, and speaking to people who were inside the mall at the time of the attack.

This has shaken us to our core. This isnt something weve seen in Greenwood before. It is absolutely horrendous, Ison told reporters.

SWAT teams have cleared the shopping mall and determined there was no threat to the area as of Sunday night. Investigators are currently examining the scene where the shooting took place.

Sundays shooting comes shortly after a string of mass shootings across the United States, including in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, prompting congressional lawmakers to pass a gun control bill aimed at reducing the threat of gun violence across the country.

There have been 352 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, according to Gun Violence Archive.

Greenwood Police Department is expected to provide further updates regarding Sundays shooting on Monday.
Is Africas Richest State Ready for a Breakthrough?

Commentary

Nigeria, in 2022, remained the state with the largest economy in Africa and the African state with the largest population (211 million in 2021). But it is a nation that even its staunchest supporters would admit was economically mismanagedand in social and security upheaval.

Yet its economy grew, albeit slightly, in 2021 over 2020, and has become far less dependent on oil and gas exports for the daily welfare of most Nigerians. The country proceeds toward presidential elections in early 2023, in which the party of incumbent President Muhammadu Buhariwho cannot run for a third termhas a chance to win, despite the widespread rise in violence and poverty, which he promised to eradicate.

What is significant is Nigerias economy and society has been progressing in large part despite, rather than because, of the national government and even the governments of many of the 36 states. There is little evidence that endemic corruption has diminished during the seven years thus far of the Buhari administration (even though he ran on an anti-corruption ticket). Still, much of Nigerian society goes about its business without much reference to modern governance. Indeed, due to massive public outcry, on Jan. 26, 2020, Buhari finally dismissed the full panel of service chiefs, including the defense chief. All of them had been implicated in corrupt practices over several years.

Defense corruption had caused massive inefficiencies in fighting the war against Islamist radicals, such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which had not only caused major loss of life for little progress in the war against the insurgents, but had destroyed the morale of the armed forces. At least with the change of defense leaders in 2020, morale and fighting capabilities began to improve. But, by that time, the war by the foreign-supported Islamists had spread throughout Nigerias north and had now even reached the federal capital, Abuja.

Nigerias chief of defense staff, Air Marshal Alex S. Badeh, second from left, and other army chiefs arrive to address the Nigerians Against Terrorism group during a demonstration calling on the government to rescue the kidnapped girls of the government secondary school in Chibok, in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 26, 2014. (Gbenga Olamikan/AP Photo)

But there was no attempt by the Buhari government to address the underlying structural conditions that had led to either the massive discontent of the north because of the changed economic conditions caused along the Niger River Basin or the social incompatibilities created by the nomadic movement of traditional Fulani herdsmen and the sedentary farmers. Both of these challenges are difficult, but there was the belief that because Buhari is a Fulani that he had exacerbated some of the problems.

Nonetheless, Nigerias socio-economic base has shown resilience despite facing challenges that would typically have been expected to return to the civil war brittleness of the early post-colonial period (196770). Nigeria is now a very different place in which a sense of democracy is inherent in the population. Nigerians expect that democracy will work while relying on traditional leaders in the various parts and customs of their diverse society to do the heavy lifting of providing cultural security.

Much of its settling into the status of a major modern state has to do with urbanization, which has also helped slow population growth rates. Even so, Nigerias population, now at more than 211 million, still grows at some 2.5 percent yearly. From 2010 to 2014, it was growing at 2.7 percent a year. But Nigerian urbanization is still in the phase of bringing healthcare benefits, which see an increase in life expectancy levels. By 2020, the Nigerian average life expectancy, in general terms, had reached 55 years. In 2000, it was 46 years.

In advanced Western economies, life expectancy averages have ceased to grow for much of the past decade. For example, the average life expectancy in the United States fell from 78.9 years in 2019 to 76.6 years in 2021. Urbanization appears to help in the process of extending life expectancy, both through health care and in improving childhood survival rates. Until, at some point, it doesntpossibly due to the rise in urban-related diseases related to stress.

But Nigeria, and much of Africa, are still at the point where average life expectancy is rising. This, rather than increased fertility rates, is driving Nigerian population growth. Urbanization in Africa is curbing average family sizes over earlier generations.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters gather in Lagos Tafawa Balewa Square, where the official opposition PDP party is holding a rally, in Nigeria, on Feb. 12, 2019. (Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images)

So how does all this impact the outlook for Nigerias fateful 2023 presidential election? What separates the two major candidates?

Buharis All Progressives Congress (APC) has offered up Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, 70, who served for eight years (until 2007) as governor of Lagos State. His running mate is Sen. Kashim Shettima, a former governor of Borno State in the north. They enter the race with the advantage of party incumbency of the presidency, but the disadvantage is that Buharis popularity had been consistently low, a situation that worsened in 2022. Tinubu, however, has a major media empire at his back.

The main contender is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) team of former Vice-President (19992007) Atiku Abubakar, 75, and Delta State Gov. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

The old, informal power sharing of Nigerian politics typically saw an alternating of the presidency between northern and non-northern candidates. Even though this arrangement has been largely observed in the breach, it will still be raised in the 2023 election. Buhari is from the north, and if the PDP wins, it would mean that another northerner, Abubakar, would succeed him. That will be a factor in the coming election, but to an extent as yet unknown.

Perhaps more significantly will be the question of whether election integrity can be maintained. Significant and credible claims of election fraud and intimidation have prevailed during the past two Nigerian presidential elections, at least, and Abubakarwho contested the 2015 and 2019 presidential electionsis keenly aware of that.

Both candidates are older men in a country where the average age is under 18.5 years. Thus, both candidates must address the aspirations of a youthful voter blocbut one which is highly dividedas top priorities. The northern youth remain angry at their loss of security and opportunity. And the southern and south-south youth are concerned about other things.

PDP candidate Abubakar is more attuned to attracting foreign investment and creating a vibrant marketplace economy than APC candidate Tinubu. As a northern candidate, Abubakar is aware that unless the norths security crisis is addressed, Nigeria cannot make the breakthrough to major growth. Tinubu, a southerner, however, is the status quo candidate.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The US HHS Administrative state has extended the COVID medical emergency

Are hospitals in USA full of COVID-19 Cases? No. Lets look at the data.

Senator Rand Paul has accused Dr. Fauci and the White House (which is captured by the HHS Administrative State) of emotionalism and sensationalism leading up to the renewal of the determination of a continuing medical emergency attributable to COVID-19 disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Is this medical emergency justified, or does it reflect yet more mis- dis- and mal-information from the HHS Administrative state acting in coordination with corporate media to propagate Fearporn to justify the continuing suspension of medical ethics, normal regulatory process, censorship, and war profiteering by the medical-pharmaceutical industrial complex?

Per Epoch Times reporting:

After White House adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra issued warnings about a new COVID-19 subvariant, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said they are not providing key facts about the latest strain. How come the flu vaccine changes every year and theyre not willing to change this vaccine? Paul told Fox News on Tuesday. Now, you might have me with an argument. Ill listen to you if you tell me, Weve got a new vaccine that actually has something to do with the current virus, he said. It came after Fauci, who has given hundreds of media interviews since the start of the pandemic, told CNN this week that the Omicron subvariant BA.5 is concerning due to its high transmissibility. People infected in the first COVID-19 waves really dont have a lot of good protection against the latest subvariant, Fauci also said at a White House briefing several days ago. But Paul, himself a doctor, told Fox that Omicron was about 90 percent less likely to put you in the hospital than the first variant, saying that Americans should discount what both Fauci and Becerra are saying about the latest subvariant. So if no ones telling you any information, how can you make any judgment other than the emotionalism and the sensationalism of the government? he asked.

Lets look at the data using the slide format that so many seem to find useful. Minimal interpretation, mainly just data. I give you the tools, you make your own assessment and determination. What do you think is going on here?

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This story was originally published on the Who is Robert Malone Substack.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
A Visit to US Immigration Court, Where the Action Is Not

NEW ORLEANSThe courtrooms handling illegal immigration cases here are tucked into the fifth floor of a white skyscraper on the bank of the Mississippi River. A few floors below is a Saks Fifth Avenue, reputed to be one of the tony department stores most profitable locations, and a few floors above is a U.S. passport office so busy admittance is barred without an appointment.

The New Orleans immigration courts have none of that bustle. Over five days during a two-week period in June that officials described as typical this year, two active courtrooms heard about 50 combined cases each morning, wrapping up business by 11 a.m. even though all those cases were continued.

The brief activity seemed puzzling for a system that all sides of the immigration debate agree has been overwhelmed by a growing national backlog of at least 1.8 million cases. For the New Orleans courts, the backlog currently stands at more than 40,000 cases, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, or TRAC, at Syracuse University, which focuses on immigration topics. But the darkly wooded courtroomsfeaturing the Department of Justice seal on to the wall behind the judge (photography not allowed)feel more like a sleepy municipal outpost than one of the key cogs in a national crisis.

Steeply upward: The growing case backlog in U.S. immigration courts. (Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse)

The day begins around 8:30 a.m. Handfuls of immigrants, very few of whom have lawyerswhich will turn out to be a wise legal strategywalk down an unmarked hallway typical of corporate office space. After buzzing to open the door, they pass through a metal detector into a small, windowless waiting room reminiscent of a Department of Motor Vehicles office. There are some 30 hard plastic chairs bolted in rows, and behind a thick glass panel on one wall a secretary is intermittently at work. On a back wall, hanging limply over the edge of plastic pockets, are stapled copies, in English and Spanish, of advice for immigrants, including, from the Department of Homeland Security, Have You Been A Victim of Trafficking? and What if You Disagree with the Judges Decision?

The immigrants coming to court are a fairly even mix of men and women. Some are accompanied by children; some clutch a few sheets of paper, usually their Notice to Appear, the first official document they receive from the United States, either when they first entered the country or got in the mail if they had a fixed address. They are then usually assigned to one of the 66 stateside immigration court locations nearest them. In one sign of the backlog, several of the immigrants had forms issued to them in March 2021.

When I started practicing immigration law in Baton Rouge in 2007, said Ken Mayeaux, one of Louisianas top immigration attorneys and former clinical professor at LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, there was only one immigration judge in New Orleans and at that time, from initial hearing to final decision, was typically four to six months. Now its more like four to five years.

The immigrants take their seats among a handful of wooden pews. A mask requirement was lifted on June 24, but attendance is sparse enough to allow ample social distancing in the audience.

The rising case backlog in the New Orleans immigration court mirrors the national trend. (Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse)

These morning procedures are what are known as master calendar hearings. On most days, given that everyone is going through the same procedure and few of the immigrants speak much, if any, English, the sessions begin like a dubbed movie. As the judge quietly runs through the legal boilerplate that applies to all first appearances, a translator stands in front delivering, much more loudly, the same legalese in Spanish.

They are then called up one by one. The immigrant dons the translating headphones at one table. Speaking rapid-fire, the judge whips through the fact the immigrant has come to the United States apparently illegally.

Sometimes something more than Spanish is required. In those cases, the judge phones in to a private business that offers translators, swears them in over the speakerphone and business flows as normal. On one morning, U.S. immigration judge Joseph La Rocca called in translators for two languagesArabic and Kiche, an indigenous Mayan tongue.

About typical, La Rocca said after clearing the 25 master calendar cases listed on his docket. Sometimes it does feel like we have the United Nations here.

The charges regarding illegal entry are quickly conceded. The judge then concludes the immigrant is removable and a country of return is requested. At times the immigrant will specify, Honduras, say, or Mexico. Should a country of return not be offered, the governments attorney will specify one, uttering some of the few words they speak throughout the morning sessions.

But that is not the end of the matter. Those who do not have a lawyer, which was almost everyone in court the days RealClearInvestigations attended, get a reprieveusually a four-month stay to allow time to find an attorney and be placed back on the master calendar to sit through the process once again. Immigrants are not entitled to representation, although the court does make available a list of nonprofit clinics that can offer legal advice.

A more substantive hearing will be required later, generally where immigrants can press claims for asylum. Those hearings, which usually take place in the afternoon in New Orleans, are rarely public. Although the morning numbers of cases would suggest busy afternoons, on the days RCI visited the court, there was only one afternoon when two such hearings were scheduled and no one showed up for them. Several attorneys said that indicates they were dismissed.

New Orleans and other coastal cities and border states have the most immigration courts. (Executive Office for Immigration Review)

The lack of activity in June was unusual, according to attorneys who practice in immigration court. They also said additional master calendar hearings are held by video, and that many days there is a separate room where the court will hear dozens more initial appearances. It may look like nothing is going on but believe me, there is a lot going on, Mayeaux said. But this is an abnormal time.

TRAC of Syracuse attributes much of the slowdown to the COVID pandemic, but another main cause according to attorneys is what the Biden administration calls prosecutorial discretion, which it has increasingly used to wipe clear cases against illegal immigrants.

The policy involves the governments lawyers in court, part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, simply dropping the cases. The new policy to unclog the system by letting illegal immigrants walk came from the so-called Doyle Memorandum, an internal guidance memo issued by DHS Principal Legal Adviser Kerry E. Doyle that went into effect April 25.

Under its terms, the government makes an unopposed motion to dismiss without prejudice  recipients who have been ordered removed or deported from the United States and are seeking to apply for lawful permanent residence with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

You are free to go and live your life, and the government has no interest in removing you from the country, Judge Charlotte Marquez told an immigrant in New Orleans accepting prosecutorial discretion, adding those terms could change should there be some future lawbreaking.

The Doyle Memorandum is tied to a series of memos DHS crafted in 2021, culminating in one from Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas last Sept. 30 that crafted new categories for illegal immigrants on whom the administration said it would concentrate its deportation efforts.

But states have successfully sued DHS over those terms, in federal lawsuits including, as one of their core arguments, that Mayorkas does not have prosecutorial discretion in matters on which Congress has passed clear mandates.

DHS declined to provide figures to RealClearInvestigations on how many people have received prosecutorial discretion since the Doyle Memorandum took hold, or to offer comment on its legal basis.

Statistics are not available at this time, an agency spokesperson told RCI, pointing to the web page that offers general information about its prosecutorial discretion, which appears to have been available to any illegal immigrant ICE deemed non priority.

At the end of June it appeared the Biden administration would suspend the policy after it lost a lawsuit filed by Texas and Louisiana, but the practice has continued, albeit less comprehensively, according to several immigration attorneys.

The resort to prosecutorial discretion seemed inevitable in a situation where the system is overwhelmed by its caseload and its judges are appointed by the attorney general and largely serve at the AGs pleasure, said Tony Rogers, who stepped down from the immigration bench in a Texas court in 2009.

Im not the greatest fan of how things are run now, Rogers said. And Im hyper-concerned now with the volume they have. The measure of efficiency now is strictly numbers, that is, how many cases are you completing in a month?

What is happening in New Orleans is but a tiny sliver of the nations immigration court system trying to handle what has become a crush on the southern border so severe that on July 5 several Texas counties declared they were under invasion.

U.S. immigration courts have a global reachthere are two judges based in Saipan, part of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth in the Western Pacific, added to those across 28 states and Puerto Rico. As might be expected, heavily populated coastal cities or border states have the most. In Texas, for instance, there are 100 judges on benches in 13 places. New York City alone has 71 immigration court judges operating in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Los Angeles, one of 10 California locations, has 35 judges, according to the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The total means Los Angeles eclipses the 25 judges in San Francisco and the 18 in Santa Ana, making it the largest California location.

All told, it takes at least 535 immigration judges in 66 stateside locations plus three outside adjudication centers to address the migrant challenge, according to the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge.

As might be expected, none of this comes cheaply to taxpayers. The immigration court systems budget has exploded in recent years, growing from $504 million in fiscal 2019 to a request for $891.19 million in fiscal 2022, an increase of 57 percent, according to federal figures.

Much of that increase is attributable to personnel. In fiscal 2019, EOIR had 2,798 full-time positions and 1,201 lawyers. By 2022, staffing had swelled to 4,361 permanent positions along with 2,921 full time equivalent (FTE) positions, a rise of 55 percent in three years, according to public figures.

TRACs figures show U.S. immigration courts have become more friendly for illegal immigrants under the Biden administration. For example, the relief granted by immigration judges has hit a record high in FY2022.

The number of cases in which a judge found the original charges sustained but also found provisions in the immigration law that entitle an individual to relief, from removal, allowing them to remain in this country rose from 19,935 in fiscal 2021 to more than 36,800 through early July in fiscal 2022, according to TRAC.

Meanwhile, the number of removals ordered has plummeted, according to TRAC. Under President Trump, removals rose from 102,167 in fiscal 2017 to 187,934 in 2019. President Biden took office four months into fiscal 2021, and removals that year fell to 38,258, according to TRAC, which did not respond to requests for comment. That number has climbed in the current fiscal year, but at a pace that will leave it below 100,000.

The odds a non-citizen will not be ordered deported have improved dramatically under President Biden. In the 2020 fiscal year, illegal immigrants stood a 70.3 percent chance theyd be ordered deported, and that figure has now plummeted to 24 percent, according to constantly updated TRAC charts.

And even if someone is ordered deported, state officials insist those orders arent being followed. Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey recently noted there are more than 1 million immigrants with standing deportation orders the Biden administration is making no effort to enforce, a figure state officials confirmed to RealClearInvestigations.

Its all become simply a matter of buying time, Rogers said. These things used to be around 20-day proceedings and the only people who ever showed up were the Chinese, usually seeking a change of venue to New York. Youd just show the person is not a citizen and an order of deportation would be issued.

But now you can buy time, at least five to eight years, he said. The best thing you can do is buy time, because then the law might change. There might be another amnesty.

One immigrant who no doubt hopes for an amnesty is Pedro Pablo Alvarez. The 17-year-old recently set out with his father, on foot, from De Boaco, Nicaragua, and after a month-long odyssey wound up before Judge Kevin Guillory.

Alvarez told RCI that despite widespread horror stories about such trips, his journey was not fraught with danger aside from one or two dicey days in Mexico. about which he declined to elaborate. Although crossings at the border are reputed to be controlled exclusively by Mexican cartels, Alvarez doggedly insisted he and his father crossed the border independently.

His master calendar appearance in New Orleans was like every other, in that Guillory gave him four months to look for an attorney and then scheduled a return appearance for October.

But Alvarez decided to take a chance.

I dont know if I should be saying this, he said, but I want the court to know. I came from a poor, farm territory and Im a high school graduate. I came to this country because I want to find a better life for myself and I hope to go to college. Our purpose here is just to do better in life.

Guillory told Alvarez, the court appreciated his candor, and with a caveat that his words were not a promise did his best to assure the earnest young man.

If theres any way at all the court can grant you relief it will, and the court will look at every possible avenue to grant you relief, Guillory said.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz sits at the defense table during the penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on July 6, 2022. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Life or Death for Parkland Shooter? Trial Will Take Months

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.Four years, five months, and four days after Nikolas Cruz murdered 17 at Parklands Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, his trial for the deadliest U.S. mass shooting to reach a jury begins Monday with opening statements.

Delayed by the COVID-19 lockdown and legal wrangling, the penalty-only trial is expected to last four months with the seven-man, five-woman jury being exposed to horrific evidence throughout. The jurors will then decide whether Cruz, 23, is sentenced to death or life without the possibility of parole.

Finally, said Lori Alhadeff, who wants Cruz executed for murdering her 14-year-old daughter Alyssa. I hope for swift action to hold him responsible.

All victim parents and family members who have spoken publicly have said directly or indirectly they want Cruz sentenced to death.

The former Stoneman Douglas student pleaded guilty in October to the Feb. 14, 2018, massacre and is only challenging his sentence. Nine other U.S. gunmen who fatally shot at least 17 people died during or immediately after their attacks by suicide or police gunfire. Cruz was captured after he fled the school. The suspect in the 2019 killing of 23 at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart is awaiting trial.

Lead prosecutor Mike Satz will give his sides presentation. Satz, 80, spent 44 years as Broward Countys state attorney and appointed himself lead prosecutor shortly after the shootings that killed 14 students and three staff members. He did not seek a 12th term and left office in early 2021, but his successor, Harold Pryor, kept him on the case.

Craig Trocino, a University of Miami law professor, said Satz will likely emphasize the shootings brutality and the story of each victim lost. The prosecutions theme throughout the trial will be, If any case deserves a death sentence, this is it, he said.

They are going to want to talk about how horrible the crime was, how culpable Mr. Cruz is, said Trocino, who worked on defendants death penalty appeals before joining the law school.

Cruzs lead public defender, Melisa McNeill, said in court recently that she hasnt decided whether her team will give its opening statement immediately after Satz or wait several weeks until its time to present their case.

Trocino said delaying their opening statement would be a risky and extremely rare defense strategy as it would allow the prosecution to have the only say for half the trial.

He said Cruzs attorneys will likely want to plant the seed in jurors minds that he is a young adult with lifelong emotional and psychological problems. The goal would be to temper the jurors emotions as the prosecution presents grisly videos and photos of the shootings and their aftermath, the painful testimony of the surviving wounded, and tearful statements from victims family members.

The jurors will also tour the sealed-off three-story classroom building where the massacre occurred. It remains blood-stained and bullet-pocked, with deflated Valentines Day balloons and dead flowers strewn about.

The defense will want to put a human face on Cruz, Trocino said. They will want to show why life without the possibility of parole is a sufficient punishment.

During the trial, the prosecution is expected to present an overarching narrative of Cruzs history of threats, his planning and the merciless nature of the shootings. But they will also spend time on each individual slaying as the jurors will eventually vote on 17 potential death sentences, one for each victim.

Satzs team will be required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Cruz committed at least one aggravating circumstance specified under Florida law, but that should not be an issue. Those include murders that were especially heinous or cruel; committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner; or committed during an act that created a great risk of death to many persons.

Cruzs team can raise several mitigating factors that are also in the law. Before the shooting, Cruz had no criminal history. The attorneys can argue he was under extreme mental or emotional disturbance, and his capacity to appreciate his conducts criminality or conform it to the law was substantially impaired.

They will likely present evidence that:

 Cruzs birth mother abused alcohol and drugs during pregnancy. His attorneys say that damaged his brain and left him intellectually disabled, with behavioral problems starting in preschool.

 A trusted peer sexually abused him.

 When Cruz was 5, his adopted father died of a heart attack in front of him, which left his adoptive mother to raise him and his brother alone.

 His adoptive mother abused alcohol and died less than four months before the massacre.

 He was an immature 19 when the shootings happened.

For each death sentence, the jury must be unanimous or the sentence for that victim is life. The jurors are told that to vote for death, the prosecutions aggravating circumstances for that victim must, in their judgement, outweigh the defenses mitigators. A juror can also vote for life out of mercy for Cruz. During jury selection, the panelists said under oath that they are capable of voting for either sentence.

It is possible Cruz could get death for some victims and life for others, particularly since he walked back to some wounded victims and killed them with a second volley. That might swing any hesitant jurors on those counts.

The prosecution only needs for the jury to come back (for death) on one, Trocino said.

By Terry Spencer
Domenic and Victoria Savini at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., on July 17, 2022. (Weiyong Zhu/The Epoch Times)

WASHINGTON, D.C.Domenic Savini, assistant director of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board, said he had waited a long time to see Shen Yun Performing Arts, and was so happy to finally get a chance to see the companys last 2022 performance at the Kennedy Center Opera House on July 17.

Mr. Savini, who is also a certified accountant and college professor, said Shen Yun imparts a message of hope.

We have to really think about humanity the way God wants us to think about it.  Domenic Savini

We have to realize that whats happening today is against all humanity, and we have to help stand against communism and Marxism in the world. We have to really think about humanity the way God wants us to think about it. Were all his children, and we all have to love one another, and we have to strive to overcome our differences so we can make this a very beautiful world. And Shen Yun showed us that, with not just the dancing and the art, but the color, everything, Mr. Savini said.

And even each of the dancers faces, you could tell, they wanted to give us that message of hope that we should never stop remembering that God is our creator and that we were destined to be good and we have to fight evil.

Shen Yun was formed by a group of leading classical Chinese artists in 2006 in New York, where they enjoy artistic freedom to revive Chinas divinely inspired culture. The classical Chinese dance and music company says its performances showcase China Before Communism.

Over the past decades, the Chinese Communist Party has treated traditional culture as a threat to its rule. Through campaigns like the Cultural Revolution, it has systematically uprooted traditional beliefs and destroyed ancient treasures, bringing 5,000 years of civilization to the brink of extinction, says Shen Yuns website.

The website adds that through dance, music, costumes, and legends, Shen Yun has sparked a cultural renaissance.

Elaborating on the inspiration behind the performance, the company explains that in the past, artists looked to the divine for inspiration. Today, the source of inspiration for Shen Yuns artists is the spiritual discipline Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, which is being currently persecuted by the communist regime in China, the website says.

Mr. Savini, who is a Christian, said he was very impressed with Falun Dafa adherents and their inspirational message that brings us back to the creator.

It made me feel hopeful that the Falun Gong, who have suffered so much, are strong to now bring this message to the rest of the world, he said.

And it is a beautiful message. It is a message that tells us: Yes, even though I have suffered, there is a greater good, and we have to work for that greater good. But how do we work for it? We have to stand up and fight the evil. We cannot sit back and let evil take over.

Seeing Shen Yun performers onstage, Mr. Savini said he thought, Thank God for young people who believe in the concepts of love and God and the divine and creation.

Too many young people today dont care about the spiritual life and about the spiritual walk. But while I saw those dancers, and I heard the singing, it made me encouraged, he said.

I said, Theres some young people who really understand, who want to bring this message, and it made me feel young again. It made me feel strong to watch them dance and to just see how happy they were. I was excited.

Supremely Talented

Frank Gaffney and Marisol Fernandini-Gaffney at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., on July 17, 2022. (Weiyong Zhu/The Epoch Times)

Frank Gaffney, executive chairman of the Center For Security Policy, said it was hard for him to find a superlative that is sufficient to describe Shen Yun.

Its impressive, he said. They are supremely talented and disciplined and capable.

Mr. Gaffney said Shen Yun opens a window to Chinas traditional culture, reminding people that China is not the Communist Party.

Theres a history, theres a tradition, theres a culture, theres a civilization that preceded it, and I hope will survive it.

Mr. Gaffneys wife, Marisol Fernandini-Gaffney, who does design work, said she was greatly impressed by all the different features of Shen Yun.

Im overwhelmed by the synchronicity, by what I hear, the beautiful music, the messages conveyed, the performance, and the colors. They are all perfectly arranged, and it overwhelms you, she said.

We Loved It

Steven and Linda Christensen at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., on July 17, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Steven Christensen, a retired director at Lockheed Martin and U.S. Navy veteran, said Shen Yun was really outstanding.

It was excellent, said Mr. Christensen. It was so vibrant, dynamic.

He added that since the company changes its program each year, he and his wife Linda will be back to see it again.

We loved it, he said.

Reporting by Weiyong Zhu and Terri Wu.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Tractor-trailers move along an interstate frontage road in Hampshire, Ill., on Jan. 13, 2004. (Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Midwest Truckers Group Warns of Catastrophe If California Environmental and Labor Regulations Spread

Illinois truckers are worried California trucking regulations could come home to roost in the Land of Lincoln.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) alongside the Union of Concerned Scientists commissioned a report supporting a move to no- and low-emission trucks and buses in Illinois.

Freight is a major part of the Chicago area economy, but air pollution caused by diesel emissions disproportionately harms Black and Latino communities in the region, Jose Acosta Cordova of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization said. This report shows how the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule and the NOx Omnibus rule will set Illinois on the path towards achieving zero-emission freight and mitigating the negative impacts of diesel-powered vehicles.

The report evaluated three policy scenarios Illinois could adopt. Two resemble California regulations like requiring increased numbers of new trucks to be zero-emission vehicles.

Don Schaefer with Mid-West Truckers Association said the industry supports moving toward cleaner energy, but its not there yet.

Sooner or later were going to get to that point, but its not going to be overnight, Schaefer said. Weve made great steps in the last couple of years, and its going to take a couple of years more to get to the point where we can have a zero-emissions fleet.

The NRDC report claims more environmental regulations will create more clean energy jobs.

The strongest scenario would add over 14,000 new jobs by 2045, NRDC said in a news release. The largest number of added jobs are in electrical component manufacturing and charging infrastructure construction, requiring many well-paid electricians and electrical engineers.

Schaefer said adding more regulations similar to heavily regulated California, as the NRDC report suggests, would do the opposite.

Its across the board, the state economy would suffer immeasurably if we were to adopt some of these California regulations in Illinois, he said.

Another regulation Schaefer said California is implementing deals with labor.

Independent trucking contractors are able to haul, work in construction, and do other things mid- to heavy-duty trucks can do. Schaefer said California aims to get rid of that independence, forcing truckers to work in larger, union operations.

The trucking industry is fragile enough now as is, Schaefer said, and following Californias lead would be catastrophic.

Its gonna be bad for California, but its also going to be something that every other state is going to look at and say, if we do this then the total trucking industry from the independent contractor standpoint will be in turmoil, Schaefer said.

With high fuel prices and labor shortages, some trucks are already parked, Schaefer said.

By Greg Bishop
Mikmaw Language Recognized as Nova Scotias Original Language

The Mikmaw language has been officially recognized as the original language of Nova Scotia, as Premier Tim Houston joined 13 chiefs in an official proclamation of the Mikmaw Language Act on July 17.

Today was an opportunity to gather in community and celebrate the partnership with Mikmaq who co-developed this legislation, Houston said in a statement on July 17. This proclamation is another key milestone as we move forward on the path toward reconciliation.

The act was passed in the Nova Scotia Legislature in April 2022, with the aim to recognize, promote, and support the revitalization of the Mikmaw Language. The act is set to take effect on Oct. 1.

During a ceremony in Potlotek First Nation, Mikmaw chiefs signed a resolution to affirm and uphold the provincial legislation on behalf of their communities.

In addition to revitalizing the language, the Mikmaw Language Act will also establish a Mikmaw Language Committee to promote indigenous culture and visibility across the province. The committee is composed of the government of Nova Scotia, the Mikmaq of Nova Scotia, and other members from the Mikmaw communities in the province.

The Mikmaw language has around 7,000 living speakers, according to a 2016 census. It is spoken in the territory of the Mikmaq, which spans the Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I., and Newfoundland, as well as parts of Quebec.
Test tubes labeled "Monkeypox virus positive and negative" are seen in this illustration taken on May 23, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/File Photo)

Monkeypox Cases Rising Rapidly in New York City, Mostly Among Men

Monkeypox cases are increasing rapidly in New York, primarily among social networks of homosexual and bisexual men, officials say.

The New York City Department of Health said in an update on July 15 that there are now 461 cases of monkeypox in the city, which is more than 30 percent of the recorded cases of monkeypox in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cases are increasing in NYC, the Health Department said, adding that there are likely to be more cases that havent yet been diagnosed.

Most of these people have not been hospitalized and have recovered on their own, officials stated.

The Health Department said that New York City, which is the epicenter of the monkeypox outbreak in the United States, has a limited supply of vaccine doses.

Given the rapid increase in cases, the Health Department has decided that providing first doses to offer protection to more at-risk New Yorkers is the best strategy until we receive adequate vaccine supply, officials said, noting that the single-dose strategy is in line with the distribution of monkeypox vaccines in the UK and Canada.

Monkeypox is a rare virus believed to be transmitted to humans from animals and, before this year, was endemic to Central and West Africa. It can spread from one person to another through close contact with bodily fluids, lesions, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials.

Monkeypox can cause pox-like lesions and flu-like symptoms including fever, body aches, fatigue, and headaches, according to scientists.

While anyone can get and spread monkeypox, the current cases are primarily spreading among social networks of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, according to health officials.

Vaccine Doses Arrive in New York

According to a chart posted on July 15 by Manhattan Borough President Mark D. Levine, 95.5 percent of cases between July 1 and 13 were among men and 60 percent of the cases were attributed to homosexual males and LGBT people.

Approximately 14,500 monkeypox vaccine doses arrived in New York from the federal government last week, and over the weekend, the city added three new vaccine clinics in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn boroughs for people who had already made appointments online. However, thousands of appointments were snapped up immediately.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said on July 15 that New York is scheduled to get another load of just under 33,000 doses.

New York State and New York City have already received more than 28,000 doses to date, and  will now receive another 32,785 vaccine doses next week to continue our efforts in responding to and meeting the needs of our most at-risk populations, she said.

However, Mayor Eric Adams, pointing to New York Citys surge in cases, said more vaccines are needed to combat spread of the virus.

We have 25 percent of the cases; this is ground zero, this is the epicenter, he said. We had great communication with the White House.  Were hoping that theyre going to hear us and bring in the numbers that we need.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has ordered another 2.5 million doses of the vaccine, in addition to the 2.5 million that were already ordered on July 1.

The latest order of vaccines announced on July 15 will begin arriving in the Strategic National Stockpile in 2023, bringing the federal governments available supply of vaccine to treat monkeypox to nearly 7 million doses by mid-2023, according to the HHS.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Paul Pelosi and Nancy Pelosi attend the TIME 100 Gala 2019 Cocktails at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 23, 2019. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME)

Nancy Pelosi Responds After Husbands Recent Stock Purchases

House Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) office responded to criticism about her husbands purchase of semiconductor stocks ahead of Congresss vote targeting the industry.

The Speaker does not own any stocks. As you can see from the required disclosures, with which the Speaker fully cooperates, these transactions are marked SP for Spouse. The Speaker has no prior knowledge or subsequent involvement in any transactions, Pelosis spokesman, Drew Hammill, told news outlets on Monday.

Hammill added that there are at least three proposals introduced in the House regarding whether Pelosi supports proposals to bar trading by members of Congress. The Speaker has asked the Committee on House Administration to review these proposals, he said.

To be clear, insider trading is already a serious federal criminal and civil violation and the Speaker strongly supports robust enforcement of the relevant statutes by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Hammill also said, according to Fox News. The Speaker led the House in passing the bipartisan Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act, which would subject federal judges to similar disclosure requirements as those in the STOCK Act. President Biden signed this bill into law in May. 

A disclosure that was filed by Pelosis office showed Paul Pelosi, her husband, exercised 200 call options, or 20,000 shares, of semiconductor company Nvidia at a strike price of $100 with an expiration of June 17. The purchase was worth between $1 million and $5 million.

At the same time, Paul Pelosi sold portions of his Apple and Visa holdings, according to the speakers disclosure, as the move to purchase Nvidia stock raised questions about whether he had insider knowledge about the legislation.

It certainly raises the specter that Paul Pelosi could have access to some insider legislative information, Craig Holman, a government affairs lobbyist, told the Daily Caller about the recent filing. This is the reason why there is a stock trading app that exclusively monitors Pauls trading activity and then its followers do likewise.

The Epoch Times has contacted Pelosis office for comment.

In late June, Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) issued a joint statement urging swift action on the $52 billion deal, which they say would subsidize U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and boost competitiveness with Chinese technology.

Democrats have already made accommodations in the name of reaching an agreement, which we are optimistic can happen soon, they said after reportedly meeting with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

The Senate legislation, passed in June 2021, included $52 billion for chips subsidies and authorized another $200 billion to boost U.S. scientific and technological innovation to compete with China.

The House version, passed in February, is nearly 3,000 pages long and includes a number of trade proposals not in the Senate bill. Some House provisions are likely to be removed for lack of approval in the Senate, officials say.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Good mental health is not about expressing ones feelings freely; its about controlling their expression, writes family psychologist John Rosemond. (Dreamstime/TNS)

National Mental Health Commission Heads to Canberra

A travelling commission will meet in the nations capital this week to hear from people with lived experience of Australias mental health support systems.

It will be the fifth stop on a three-month-long tour across the country to understand how Australians are interacting with mental health and suicide prevention services and how they can be improved.

The National Mental Health Commission expects its Connection2022 tour will provide critical insights as it develops a framework with recommendations to the federal government.

The commission has already visited Lismore, Dubbo and Bourke in regional New South Wales (NSW), where communities have been rocked by drought, floods, a mouse plague and the pandemic.

The commission is visiting the NSW south coast town of Batemans Bay on Monday before heading to Canberra on Tuesday.

Despite being in the early stages of the tour, there are already common themes emerging from each community, commission head Christine Morgan told AAP.

One of the positives weve seen is people are generally more comfortable with recognising that mental health is as central to overall wellbeing as physical health, she said.

I think that is a result of the pandemic where more people started talking about how they were coping with their mental health.

Communities are still reeling from lockdowns and isolation requirements, Morgan said.

The mental health consequences of COVID-19 dont finish with a vaccine, she said.

People talk about the fear they felt and the impact of the disconnection when schools and businesses, whole towns locking down and being stuck at home.

In each location, the commission holds roundtables with community leaders, mental health providers and people with lived experience, as well as holding in-person community meetings.

Morgan said the tour had so far seen a good turnout by locals keen to share their views, which is important for informing future policies.

Significant changes and investments have been made at national, state and territory levels, she said.

For current and future commitments to have the greatest effect, we need to assess the impact of those commitments on the ground.

Real change can only be measured by the reality of a persons experience and the improvements this makes to their mental health and wellbeing.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Health Anthony Fauci and his wife Christine Grady arrive at the White House for a state dinner on October 18, 2016. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

NIH Officials Ignore FOIA Request for Details of Faucis Wifes Health Agency Job

Open the Books is asking a federal court to force the National Institutes for Health (NIH) to comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to provide employment and compensation details for Christine Grady, the health agencys chief bioethicist and the wife of Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Open the Books, a Chicago-based nonprofit government watchdog, is the nations largest private repository of information on government spending.

The foundation has filed thousands of FOIA requests and obtained data on more than $6 trillion in federal spending, the official checks of 49 of the 50 states, and the pay and pension information for 25 million government workers.

Grady is listed on the NIH website as Senior Investigator and Chief of the Department of Bioethics at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. Her title is currently listed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management as Social Science with a pay level of $238,970, according to data compiled by Open the Books. The current top pay rate for federal government executive-level officials is $226,300.

Gradys husband, Fauci, is director of the NIHs National Institutes for Allergies and Infectious Diseases and the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden.

Fauci receives $456,028 in annual salary compensation, making him the highest-paid employee on the federal payroll. His salary exceeds those of the president, the vice president, the heads of federal departments, senators and representatives, and the justices of the Supreme Court.

Dr. Anthony Fauci out earns the President. His wife, Christine Grady, out-earns the Vice-President. When Fauci retires, hell retire on the largest federal golden parachute pension in history, Open the Books President Adam Andrezjewski told The Epoch Times. And all of that, our auditors at OpenTheBooks.com didnt get from Faucis employer at NIH. We had to file FOIAs with other federal agencies to put the information together.

The Fauci Family financials are buried deeper than the presidential safe place.

Open the Books filed in its April 8 FOIA request that it was seeking all employment contracts, modifications, and addendums for Grady since her promotion to her present position. The FOIA also requested all confidentiality agreements/documents, conflicts of interest waivers or documents, ethics disclosures, and financial interest and/or economic interest disclosure documents.

Finally, the FOIA request sought a copy of Gradys current official job description. All federal employment positions are required by federal law and regulation to have an official position description that describes the specific duties and responsibilities for which the individual holding the position can be held accountable.

The NIH acknowledged on April 28 receiving the FOIA, which was the maximum of 20 days allowed by federal law for an agency to do so. The FOIA law also stipulates that agencies must make a final determination on whether they will provide responses to requests, but Open the Books told the court that the NIH had failed to do so by the May 26 deadline.

The nonprofit also told the court that the NIH had failed to advise it of its potential administrative remedies, and has produced none of the requested documents or explained which, if any, of the FOIAs eight permitted exemption categories apply that would allow for the documents to be withheld.

As a result, the complaint asked the court to order the NIH to conduct a thorough search for all of the requested documents, to produce all such documents that arent subject to being withheld by a certain date, or to explain why doing so isnt possible, to provide what is known as a Vaughn Index describing each withheld document and why it was withheld, and to pay Open the Books the legal costs of the litigation.

The Open the Books FOIA lawsuit (pdf) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The NIHs refusal to disclose basic information about Gradys job comes amid continuing controversy sparked by The Epoch Times May 9 report that hundreds of the health agencys officials, scientists, and researchers have for years been receiving secret royalty payments from undisclosed private firms.

We estimate that up to $350 million in royalties from third parties were paid to NIH scientists during the fiscal years between 2010 and 2020, Andrzejewski told reporters in a telephone news conference on May 9.

We draw that conclusion because, in the first five years, there has been $134 million that we have been able to quantify of top-line numbers that flowed from third-party payers, meaning pharmaceutical companies or other payers, to NIH scientists.

The first five years, from 2010 to 2014, constitute 40 percent of the total, he said.

We now know that there are 1,675 scientists that received payments during that periodat least one payment. In fiscal year 2014, for instance, $36 million was paid out and that is, on average, $21,100 per scientist, Andrzejewski said.

We also find that during this period, leadership at NIH was involved in receiving third-party payments. For instance, Francis Collins, the immediate past director of NIH, received 14 payments. Dr. Anthony Fauci received 23 payments and his deputy, Clifford Lane, received eight payments.

Dr. Lawrence Tabak, acting director of NIH, told Congress in May that the secret royalty payments present the appearance of a conflict of interest, but he claimed the agency has sufficient internal safeguards to protect against abuse.

Tabaks predecessor as NIH director, Dr. Francis Collins, left the agency in December 2021 after leading it for a dozen years. He was then appointed by Biden as acting science adviser to the president. With an annual salary of $300,000, Collins is the highest-paid employee on the Biden White House payrollitself the costliest ever recorded.
Guests test out the new World of WarCraft expansion at BlizzCon 2017 at Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2017. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

Orange County Man Pleads Guilty to Stalking Professional Gamer Since 2020

An Orange County man pleaded guilty last week to a federal criminal charge for stalking and harassing a Canadian professional online gamer for almost two years.

Evan Baltierra, 29, of Trabuco Canyon, Calif., was accused of stalking, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

According to his July 11 plea agreement, Baltierra met the victim, a prominent gamer of World of Warcraft, at a gaming convention in Anaheim in November 2019. After that, he asked to meet the victim in her hometown in Canada and was rejected by her.

After the victim blocked him on various social media, he created hundreds of accounts to send her threatening messages beginning in June 2020.

One message sent via Twitter in January 2021 read in part, [t]imes ticking  waiting for the right opportunity, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

In October 2020, he hired a third party to create photoshopped images of the victim that placed her face onto pornographic images.

In the following five months, he posted these images to multiple pornographic websites and shared image links on various social media. He also sent the images to her friends and family.

The victim subsequently obtained a temporary restraining order against him in January 2021.

However, he began sharing her personal informationincluding real name and city of residence, which were listed on the protective orderon social media websites and during her video game live streams.

He also posted her Twitter handle to pornographic websites along with the images he had created.

During the victims live streams, he used multiple accounts to keep posting harassing messages. Eventually, his spamming reportedly forced her to stop streaming the next month.

In June 2021, two months after he agreed to not contact the victim or her family and friends as a part of a settlementin exchange for her dissolving the protective orderhe called her local police department to request a welfare check on her by falsely alleging that she threatened to commit suicide in an online forum.

He also attempted to obtain her home address during the call, after which time police visited her for a welfare check.

From January to March, he again sent threatening messages to her via various social media accounts, including one that read, get a casket ready.

In March, he was also accused of writing a letter to her boyfriends parents, which stated, in part, that the situation was going to end badly for her.

He also admitted to sending her an unsolicited, suspicious package that allegedly contained a box of condoms that same month.

His sentencing will take place Oct. 20.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault rises during question period in the House of Commons on April 4, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Ottawa Offers Two Options on Capping Oil and Gas Emissions as Part of Consultations

The federal government has released a discussion paper outlining two options to cut emissions from the oil and gas sector to achieve 2030 targets and net zero by 2050, and is calling on stakeholders to provide input.

The two options proposed by the Liberal government include the development of a new cap-and-trade system and the modification of existing carbon pollution pricing systems.

True global energy security and affordability can only come with reduced emissions, said Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault in a July 18 statement announcing the paper.

With this cap, we will work with industry, provinces, Indigenous groups, civil society, and others to take action on drawing down the emissions from oil and gas production.

The discussion paper says that the cap-and-trade option would set a quota on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions allowable within a defined period, which would decline over time.

Emission permits (allowances) would be issued for each tonne of emissions allowed under the cap for the period. Emitters covered by the cap would be required to remit one allowance for each tonne of emissions, expressed in tonnes of CO2 eq, says the paper.

Allowances would be fully or partially auctioned off, with proceeds that could be reinvested in sector decarbonization.

With the number of allowances for each tonne of emissions being less than the business-as-usual emissions in the system, it creates scarcity that drives demand in the cap-and-trade market, says the report.

Quebec and Nova Scotia currently have such a system in place.

The second proposed option includes building on the current federal approach to carbon pricing, with a modification to encourage further emissions reductions from the oil and gas sector.

The current federal benchmark includes a minimum national price per tonne of CO2 eq emissions which rises by $15 per year to reach $170 per tonne in 2030.

The paper says that if the carbon pricing set for the entire economy is on pace to achieve emissions targets, then it would also apply to the oil and gas sector. If not, the sector would have to follow another pricing scheme to accelerate emissions reductions.

Environment Canada says the oil and gas sector accounted for approximately 27 percent of total GHG emissions in 2020, which makes it the largest source.

The sector contributed $118 billion to Canadas 1,576 trillion GDP in 2020.

The government is seeking input from stakeholders on the proposed options by September 30.

The new policy is expected to be revealed in early 2023.
An Ontario provincial licence plate with a renewal sticker is shown in Mississauga, Ont., on Feb. 22, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette)

Police Warn Ontario Drivers That Licence Plate Renewal Is Still Required Even Though Its Free

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning that drivers could face fines of up to $110 in the province if they fail to renew their annual licence plate registrations.

Although the provincial government has removed renewal fees and licence stickers, the OPP is reminding drivers that they still must renew their licence plate registration every year if they wish to avoid being ticketed.

In a Twitter video, Sergeant Kerry Schmidt of the OPP Highway Safety Division reminded Ontarians that they will no longer receive annual renewal notices in the mail from the provinces Ministry of Transportation. Drivers must now visit the provincial governments website or visit a Service Ontario office to re-register their licence plates before they expire, which is usually during their birthday month.

It may not cost anything, but you are still required to go online and renew your registration, Schmidt said.

You are still required to renew your vehicles registration, even though there is no fee and no sticker is required on your plate.

If you drive a passenger  or light commercial vehicle , motorcycle or moped you can renew online herehttps://t.co/QPfGMLJYMY @ONtransport pic.twitter.com/HZafEBH6os  OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) July 14, 2022

The provincial government announced in February that as of March 13, vehicle owners no longer need to pay the $120 fee for annual vehicle registration. However, the government said that the annual re-registration requirement will remain in place to ensure drivers maintain valid insurance and that they pay any outstanding fines or highways tolls.

Some media reports have indicated hefty fines of up to $500 for driving with an expired licence plate. In a May article, CTV News said that a driver from Brampton, Ontario, received a $489 ticket for driving with an expired Ontario plate in Gatineau, Quebec.

In an interview with the Epoch Times, Sergeant Schmidt clarified that the largest fine drivers in Ontario can receive for having an expired licence plate is $110. Since the driver profiled in the CTV article was driving in Gatineau, he was under the jurisdiction of Quebec traffic laws, which differ from Ontarios in this regard.

Theres a set fine for driving with an expired licence plate in Ontario and its $110, Schmidt said. Even though [the driver] was an Ontario driver, his traffic ticket was a Quebec offence.

Only drivers of passenger vehicles, light commercial trucks under 3,000 kilograms, motorcycles, and mopeds are exempt from the renewal fees. Owners of heavy commercial vehiclesthose weighing over 3,000 kilogramsand snowmobiles must still pay for licence plate stickers every one or two years

Drivers can renew their licence plates on the government of Ontarios website or by visiting Service Ontario offices. To renew, drivers need to have their licence plate number, vehicle permit, insurance policy number, as well as vehicle odometer reading.
The AVZ lithium mine in the Manono region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. (Junior Kannah/AFP via Getty Images)

Ramping up New Oil Race, China Buys Lithium Mines in Argentina

Due to the limited supply of domestic lithium resources, battery-related companies in China have stepped up their competition for outside lithium sources.

Responding to a tweet on July 13 saying there is no security without energy independence, Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote, Absolutely. And lithium batteries are the new oil.

The production of this new oil is inseparable from lithium ore resources. In recent years, Chinese companies have stepped up the acquisition of lithium mines around the world, and thereby expanded their control over the upstream resources of the electric vehicle (EV) industry chain.

On July 11 , Chinas Ganfeng Lithium announced that it would acquire a 100 percent stake in Argentinas mining group Lithea for $962 million. Lithea is mainly engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium mines. The company owns two salt lake assets, Pozuelos and Pastos Grandes, also known as the PPG lithium project, in the mineral-rich Salta province of Argentina.

The PPG project uses lithium-containing salt lake brine to produce lithium carbonate, a key material in EV batteries. The two assets can provide roughly 11.06 million tons of lithium carbonate, with a projected first-phase annual production of 30,000 tons, and the potential to expand to 50,000 tons per year in the future.

In the announcement, Ganfeng Lithium said that the transaction will help improve the companys self-sufficiency in lithium resources and enhance the companys core competitiveness.

According to its website, in addition to the latest PPG project, the company has four other lithium salt lake projects in Argentina. Moreover, it also owns three lithium mine projects in Australia, and has invested in a spodumene project in Mali and Ireland each, as well as a lithium clay project in Mexico. Spodumene is an ore from which lithium is extracted.

Top Six Countries with the Largest Lithium Reserves

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said in a report that as of 2021, the worlds uncovered lithium reserves are highly concentrated in Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, the United States, Australia, and China, with these six countries accounting for 80 percent of the worlds total lithium resources.

Four mineral operations in Australia, two brine operations each in Argentina and Chile, and two brine and one mineral operation in China accounted for the majority of world lithium production. Additionally, smaller operations in Brazil, China, Portugal, the United States, and Zimbabwe also contributed to world lithium production, the report said.

In 2021, China accounted for about 6 percent of the worlds lithium sources, and its lithium ore production accounted for about 13 percent of the global output. However, Chinese companies produced about half of the worlds lithium-ion batteries, according to data provided in the USGS report.

Chinas Aggressive Acquisition and Production

Bolivia, home to the worlds largest lithium resources, has recently become the center of the lithium race.

On June 8, Bolivias energy minister announced that foreign companies competing for the countrys huge lithium resources had been reduced from eight to six, and later confirmed that four of the remaining six companies were Chinese companies, including the worlds largest power battery production Shang Ningde Times, Chinas Fusion Enertech, TBEA, and CITIC Guoan Group. The other two contenders are from Russia and the United States.

CATL and Ganfeng Lithium both joined the acquisition battle for Canadas Millennial Lithium last year, which owns two salt lake lithium projects in Argentina. In the end, Lithium Americas, which is 12.5 percent owned by Ganfeng Lithium, offered a higher purchase price.

At the end of May this year, Chinese state media The Paper reported that BYD, the Chinese EV and EV battery giant, had reached acquisition agreements for six lithium mines in Africa.

BYD also obtained the right to extract 80,000 tons of lithium over 20 years in Chile in January. Another top Chinese lithium company, Tianqi Lithium, purchased a 23.77 percent stake in Chilean lithium giant Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM) in December 2018 for about $4.2 billion with the support of a syndicate of funds led by China CITIC Bank. SQM has exclusive access to the worlds best and largest reserves of calcareous ore and brine underneath the Atacama Desert.

Nonetheless, after the new Chilean government came to power, it actively promoted the nationalization of mineral resources, posing uncertainties for BYD and Tianqi Lithiums mining projects.
Red State Justice Reforms Offer a Sane Alternative to Defund the Police Madness

Commentary

After decades of falling crime rates, violence is spiking again on U.S. streets.

According to FBI data, violent crime increased by nearly 30 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, and while national data for 2021 isnt yet complete, data from major cities, such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington, show further increases in murders and assaults. The Council on Criminal Justice estimates that the murder rate in 2021 increased another 5 percent from 2020.

In addition to violent crimes, there are other signs of disorder. Property crimes have increased in some major cities, and in others, formerly clean and family-friendly areas of major cities have been overrun by vagrancy. Homeless encampments operate as open-air drug markets. It has gotten so bad in some cities, such as San Francisco, that apps have been developed to allow citizens to report feces left by the citys homeless residents.

Crime, drug addiction, and homelessness are complicated issues impacted by many factors. Certainly, the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role. However, theres also no doubt that the hard left push to delegitimize law enforcement and the criminal justice system is helping drive the rising crime and disorder. Throughout the country, left-wing district attorneys have openly declared their intention to stop prosecuting crimes and tolerate vagrancy, with entirely predictable results.

Voters are beginning to render judgmentmost recently in liberal San Francisco, which voted overwhelmingly to recall its hard-left district attorney. Similarly, defund-the-police candidates in heavily Democratic cities have been losing to more sensible candidates who pledge to increase funding for police and crack down on vagrancymost notably in New York, which last year elected former New York Police Captain Eric Adams as mayor.

This is a welcome push back against the hard left, which is so animated by the belief that the United States is a racist, evil country that it only views the law and law enforcement as tools of oppression to be delegitimized and dismantled.

Theres a danger, however, that as part of the backlash against the hard lefts burn-it-all-down approach to law enforcement, well abandon smart, effective justice reform. In fact, over the past decade, red states, such as Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, have enacted reforms that reduced crime, aided victims, reformed offenders, and lowered the financial burden on taxpayers.

In Texas, state leaders realized that prison was a costly and ineffective tool for dealing with drug addiction and low-risk, nonviolent offenders. However, rather than taking the left-wing approach of simply refusing to enforce the law, Texas created rehabilitation pathways for people struggling with mental illness, addiction, and those on parole or probation. Texas leaders took seriously their responsibility to protect the public, but they also recognized the importance of providing opportunities for redemption. The result was increased public safety, with crime dropping by 29 percent; higher supervision success rates; and more than $2 billion saved in prison costs.

Other red states have followed the Texas model, continuing to enforce the law to protect the public while recognizing that prison is an expensive and ineffective tool for dealing with nonviolent criminals.

In 2016, Oklahoma had the highest incarceration rate globally. This deeply conservative state responded with reforms in 2018 that moved nonviolent offenders out of prison and into parole, where they could have an opportunity to rehabilitate and prove that they could be productive, law-abiding members of society. Similarly, after the ranks of Missouris prison population swelled because of the methamphetamine epidemic, the conservative state created special addiction treatment pathways and reduced barriers to occupational licensing for people returning from prison.

Other red states have further demonstrated their commitment to both public safety and rehabilitation. They recognized many probation rules were counterproductive and made it difficult for parolees to maintain jobs and get their lives together, instead pushing them back to a life of crime. Recognizing that people want to work, Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida recently signed a Republican-led probation reform measure that features practical changes, such as allowing probationers to check in remotely with their probation officers, so they dont have to leave their job sites during work hours. It also contained new incentives for probationers, such as opportunities to reduce their terms by completing a high school diploma or college degree or holding a steady job.

These smart, effective red state justice reforms reinforce the rule of law by recognizing the justice systems dual responsibility to protect the public and rehabilitate the offender. Lets be sure to continue this progress toward a more effective justice system, even as we reject the defund the police madness of the hard left.

From Gingrich360.com

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is test-launched by the Russian military at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk region, Russia, in this still image taken from a video released on April 20, 2022. (Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters)

Russian Official Threatens Doomsday If Ukraine Attacks Crimea

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Ukraine would be faced with a doomsday if the country launches an attack on Crimea.

In a warning on Sunday, Medvedev was quoted by the state-run TASS news agency as saying that some ecstatic bloody clowns, who pop up there with some statements now and then, are trying to threaten us, I mean attacks on Crimea and so on.

Should anything of the kind happen, they will be faced with a doomsday, very quick and tough, immediately? There will be no avoiding it. But they keep on provoking the general situation by such statements, he added. Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, did not elaborate.

The Crimean Peninsula was annexed by Russia in 2014 after Ukraines color revolution. Russia claimed that it has a centuries-old historical claim on the region, which is not recognized as a Russian territory by the United States and other Western countries.

Medvedevs remarks came one day after a Ukrainian official suggested that Crimea could be a target for U.S.-made HIMARS missiles, which were recently sent to Kyiv as a Biden administration-approved aid package.

Response

Vadym Skibitskyi, an official at Ukrainian military intelligence, was asked on Saturday in a televised interview if HIMARS could be used on targets in Crimea. He said Russia had carried out strikes on Ukrainian territory from Crimea and the Black Sea and so these were also justified targets.

Deputy Chairman of Russias Security Council Dmitry Medvedev attends a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2022. (Sputnik/Ekaterina Shtukina/Pool via Reuters)

The Russian Black Sea naval fleet is located in Sevastopol, Crimea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Medvedevs comment by saying that his forces wont be intimidated.

Today, another not-so-sober statement was made from Russia about the alleged doomsday for Ukraine. Of course, no one will accept such intimidation, Zelenskyy said, according to Ukrainian media. But look how cynical it is to say the same thing todayon the next anniversary of Russias destruction of the Malaysian Boeing in the sky over the Ukrainian Donbas.

Over the past weekend, the U.S. Department of Defense proclaimed that the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) missiles are effective in Ukraine.

I think there has been significant impact on whats going on, on the front lines, a Pentagon official said, according to a transcript from the Defense Department. If you think about the fact that the Ukrainians have been talking about a number of the targets [they] are hitting  theyre spending a lot of time striking targets like ammunition, supplies, other logistical supplies, command and control. And all those things have a direct impact on the ability to conduct operations on the front line.  Although theyre not shooting the HIMARS at the front lines, they are having a very, very significant effect on that.

Reuters contributed to this report.
An athlete runs in the 42kms Mont Blanc marathon in Chamonix, south-eastern France, on June 26, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images/Olivier Chassignole)

Search Continues for Ottawa Teenager Who Went Missing in the French Alps

A French rescue official says the search for an Ottawa teenager who went missing in the French Alps on July 12 continues, though his rescue team hasnt received any new leads as to where the young man could be located.

Commander Andre-Vianney Espinasse, of the Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne (PGHM) Peloton in Chamonix, told CTV News on July 17 that the search for Yassin Jouali, 17, has been difficult.

The problem is right now we havent received any new leads. The mountain is massive. Its like trying to empty the sea with a spoon, said Espinasse in French, whose unit specializes in mountain rescue missions in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc region of France, a resort area near the junction of France, Switzerland, and Italy, where Jouali was last seen while on a mountain trail.

On the evening of July 12, we received an alert concerning the disappearance of a young trail runner. His friends that were running with him could no longer find him, said the PGHM commander, referring to Jouali.

On July 13, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc PGHM issued a missing person alert, saying their search focused on the areas between Chamonix and Montenvers since Jouali was reported heading towards Montenvers starting from the Planards trail.

According to rescue officials, 35 people were involved in the mission, along with multiple helicopters, drones, and search dog teams at the peak of the search. Espinasse said in the interview that authorities are keeping in close contact with Joualis family.
South Korea Launches Probe Into 2019 Deportation of North Korean Fishermen

South Koreas Presidential Office on Sunday denounced the repatriation of two North Korean fishermen in 2019 as an act against humanity by the previous government and pledged to investigate the case.

President Yoon Suk-yeols office will reveal the substantive truth behind the [previous governments] act against humanity and take all measures to prevent its recurrence, the office said in a statement.

The remarks came after the Unification Ministry, which oversees relations with North Korea, released photos of the two North Koreans being forcibly hauled across the inter-Korean border, Yonhap News Agency (YNA) reported.

Yoons office accused the former government of ignoring domestic laws, which recognize North Koreans as South Korean citizens, and their rights to a fair trial. The deportation also violated international laws prohibiting forced repatriation of refugees.

The essence of this probe is to determine whether the process and decisions of the previous government were made based on the constitution and the national interests, it stated.

The two fishermen fled to South Korea in 2019 and admitted to killing 16 other men aboard their vessel. They expressed a desire to defect, but the then-government of Moon Jae-in rejected their request as insincere.

Lack of Investigation

Former Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong denied claims that the fishermen were deported at the request of North Korea, instead claiming that they were repatriated because they were grotesque killers who posed a danger to South Koreans.

Our domestic law stipulates that nonpolitical criminals like them should be deported without being allowed into the country. Nonpolitical serious criminals are also not considered refugees under international law, he said.

However, senior presidential secretary Choi Young-bum said that Chungs characterization of the two North Koreans as grotesque killers was unjustified because of the lack of investigation into the case.

Choi also criticized the former administrations assertion that the two North Koreans intention to defect was not legitimate, YNA reported.

Why did they ignore the letters of intention to defect these people wrote on their own? The point in this case is that the North Korean fishermen were sent back to the field of death when they had to be dealt with in accordance with our law, he said.

Some critics claimed that former President Moon ordered their repatriation to appease North Koreas government, following his administrations efforts to resume peace talks with the nuclear-armed nation.

Phil Robertson of U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said in a Twitter post that Moon was so desperate to please North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un that he shamefully disregarded basic principles of human rights and humanity.

Yoons administration is also investigating the killing of a South Korean fisheries official near the western sea border in 2020.
A woman walks past protesters blocking the entrance to the presidential secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on July 15, 2022. (Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo)

Sri Lanka Placed Under Emergency Declaration Ahead of Parliamentary Vote for New President

Sri Lankas acting president on July 17 declared a state of emergency across the crisis-hit island nation ahead of the parliamentary vote for a new president.

In the emergency proclamation, Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who previously served as the countrys prime minister, said an emergency declaration would be expedient in the interests of public security, the protection of public order, and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

Sri Lankas Parliament is set to convene on July 20 to vote for a new president to replace former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country after thousands of protesters stormed his official residence to demand his resignation.

Protesters storm into the Sri Lankan presidents official residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on July 9, 2022. (Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo)

Rajapaksa reportedly fled to the Maldives on a military jet and then to Singapore before formally stepping down as president.

Anti-government protesters retreated from government buildings and waved national flags to celebrate his resignation.

Protesters celebrate after entering the office building of Sri Lankas then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe amid the countrys economic crisis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on July 13, 2022. (Adnan Abidi/Reuters)

Protesters also demanded that Wickremesinghe quit as prime minister and set his house on fire. He agreed to resign but eventually backtracked on the decision after Rajapaksa appointed him as acting president.

Parliamentary Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said he had received Rajapaksas resignation letter on July 15, after which Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the acting president, Colombo Page reported.

Rajapaksa Brothers Barred From Leaving Country

The Sri Lankan Supreme Court banned the former presidents brothers, Basil Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa, from leaving the country until July 28 after a petition was filed against them for the nations economic crisis, according to local reports.

Basil Rajapaksa, the former finance minister, attempted to flee Sri Lanka through the VIP terminal at Colombo International Airport but was stopped by immigration officials.

Sri Lankas former President Mahinda Rajapaksa waits to be sworn in as the prime minister at Kelaniya Royal Buddhist Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Aug. 9, 2020. (Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo)

Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as prime minister on May 9 after the prolonged protests turned deadly, and has since been hiding at a military base. His replacement, Wickremesinghe, was sworn in on May 12.

The Rajapaksa family has ruled Sri Lanka, a country with a population of 22 million, for two decades. Mahinda Rajapaksa served as president from 2005 to 2015 and was appointed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa as prime minister in 2019.

Ukraine War Exacerbates Sri Lankas Food Crisis

Speaking at a panel discussion on July 17, Wickremesinghe said the RussiaUkraine war and Western sanctions imposed against Russia had caused an increase in commodity prices, which cash-strapped Sri Lanka could no longer afford.

A global crisis and an internal crisis both have come together and brought us to a level where many estimate that as much as 6 million people are facing malnutrition, he was quoted as saying by Colombo Page.

Wickremesinghe said the Group of Seven nations and the World Bank have offered to provide Sri Lanka with $14 million in financial aid to purchase food and support the agriculture sector.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, the then-newly appointed prime minister of Sri Lanka, arrives at a Buddhist temple after his swearing-in ceremony in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 12, 2022. (Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)

However, the acting president pointed out that global hunger could worsen if the RussiaUkraine war dragged on and said that imposing sanctions against Russia would just increase the burden on smaller nations.

Sanctions wont bring Russia to its knees, but it will bring the rest of the third world to its knees, Wickremesinghe said, while calling on Russia to cease fire in Ukraine.

Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt for the first time in May. The country has sought bailout packages from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and loan packages from its major lending partners, including Japan, China, and India.

Wickremesinghe declared Sri Lanka bankrupt on July 5 and said the government will need to submit its debt restructuring and sustainability plan to the IMF by August. The country has $51 billion in outstanding foreign debt, $6.5 billion of which is owed to China.
U.S. House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) attends a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 8, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Stefanik Criticizes Jan. 6 Committee for Keeping Pelosi Off-Limits From Probe

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is questioning why Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the Jan. 6 select committee, is keeping House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) off-limits from the committees scrutiny of the events that led to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

You have only one office thats off-limits to investigation and that office is Nancy Pelosis office, Stefanik, the chambers No. 3 Republican, told Fox News Life, Liberty and Levin on July 16.

Bennie Thompson said at the start of this witch hunt that everything is fair game, she added, except for the speaker of the Houses office.

In October 2021, Thompson told CNN that nobody is off-limits from the committees investigation, including former President Donald Trump.

We know that the speakers office was made aware of potential threats, potential violence that day. They failed to do their job to ensure the Capitol Police had the support they needed to secure the Capitol, Stefanik said. And they have not turned over the communication with the sergeant-at-armss office.

Chairman and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) arrives for a hearing on the January 6th Investigation on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 12, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Pelosi is facing questions about claims that she rejected a preemptive National Guard presence ahead of a Trump rally on Jan. 6, 2021. According to former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, he requested that the National Guard be brought in to ensure that the Jan. 6 rally went smoothly. However, Sund claims that Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving, overseen by Pelosi, rejected the request, citing concerns over the optics of deploying Guard personnel in the city.

Sunds requests were eventually denied or postponed six times, according to his interview with The Washington Post.

The American people deserve to have that information, Stefanik said.

She added the Jan. 6 committee is a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Its not dealing with the crises that are actually impacting and hurting the American people resulting from Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosis failed policies, she said.

The Jan. 6 committee consists of seven Democrats and two Republicans, all of whom voted to impeach Trump. Last year, GOP House Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) withdrew all of his picks for the committee after Pelosi rejected two of his selections, Reps. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Pelosi then picked Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) to sit on the Democratic-dominated panel.

In June, Trump told Punchbowl News that its not even a question that McCarthy should have put Republican lawmakers on the panel.

Well, I think in retrospect, I think it would have been very smart to put [Republicans on the committee], and again, I wasnt involved in it from a standpoint so I never looked at it too closely. But I think it would have been good if we had representation, he said.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Save America in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 9, 2022. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump added that it wouldve been great if Banks and Jordan were on the panel.

But when Pelosi wrongfully didnt allow them, we shouldve picked other people, Trump said. We have a lot of good people in the Republican Party.

Stefanik said at a press conference in June that the Jan. 6 committee is not about seeking the truth.

It is a smear campaign against President Donald Trump, against Republican members of Congress, and against Trump voters across this country, she said.

Also in June, Banks took to Twitter to warn that the committee was NEVER about addressing security failures at the Capitol or ensuring something like Jan. 6 never happens again.

Has ALWAYS been a witch hunt and a Trojan horse effort to advance radical left-wing agenda like abolishing Electoral College, he added. Dont be fooled!
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the press after taking part in a working session with Saudi Arabia's crown prince at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, on July 15, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Taking a Break From the Circus

Commentary

Three weeks in Europe seeing almost no American news made my return to this continent and to the routine presentation of the almost unbelievable antics of the Biden administration a startling experience.

Having closely followed the news from Washington since the middle of the Eisenhower years, other than when I was abroad, like most America-watchers, I naturally became accustomed to a reasonable level of official competence and Washington press corps professionalism. This return to the daily news about the Biden administration has been a shocking reminder of how peculiar, unbelievable, and other-worldly the whole process has become.

President Dwight Eisenhower was a universally respected victorious military commander and a well-liked president (I like Ike). He appeared a bit of a fuddy-duddy when he assumed that the pilot of the U-2 reconnaissance plane shot down over Russia in 1960 was dead and claimed to the world that it was a weather research plane. Soviet leader Khrushchev jubilantly revealed that the pilot, Francis Gary Powers, was alive and well and chirping enthusiastically about his aerial reconnaissance mission. Apart from that and the Sputnik surprise, Ike was always a credible and reassuring figure.

We now know that John F. Kennedys health was a good deal less robust than he appeared, but apart from the Bay of Pigs fiasco, which was redeemed in the Cuban Missile Crisis, he invariably seemed highly articulate, very well-informed, and fully in charge. There was a good deal of snobbery about Lyndon Johnsons Texas accident, and a credibility gap emerged over Vietnam, but not once in five years did he ever seem unequal to the task of being president.

The same can be said of Richard Nixon: Even in the worst days of Watergate, he was always able to manage the barrages of hostile and insulting questions that he received, and his knowledge of foreign affairs and domestic politics was legendarily encyclopedic. Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter werent fast on their feet, but they both earned respect as honest, diligent, and sensible presidents.

Ronald Reagan was a hypnotic public speaker and frequently revealed an extraordinarily detailed familiarity with particular elements of policy that interested him. He often seemed awkward in press conferences. But apart from the early and inexplicable days of the rather trivial Iran-Contra affair, he always got through his press conferences fairly well and his addresses to the nation were more effective than those of anyone except the founder of the genre, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Bushes werent very articulate, but they were knowledgeable, and George H.W. Bushs tangled syntax could never be mistaken for ignorance of important subjects. While George W. Bushs malapropisms were embarrassing, and he sometimes seemed more of a yokel than is appropriate for a U.S. president, he always seemed to know what he was doing. Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were always extremely fluent and alert, although almost nothing of what they said is easily remembered today.

It was much more complicated with Donald Trump, given the pathological hostility to him of 95 percent of the national political media. But he was never afraid of reporters questions, and if cant and emotionalism and snobbery could be set aside, even his media enemies would acknowledge that he was formidable, a powerful man of cyclonic energy who forced through his foreign and domestic programs in the teeth of an unprecedented fraudulent allegation of collusion with a foreign power, and a completely fatuous impeachment charge.

In Joe Bidens 44 years as a senator and vice president, he was never impressive nor original, but it was reasonable to assume that he knew the ropes. He fell in behind Edward Kennedy in a scurrilous assault upon Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork in 1987. As he was endlessly reelected in the pocket borough of Delaware, and the Democrats generally controlled the Senate, he eventually became the chairman of both the Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees, but never demonstrated much knowledge of either field.

He notoriously cribbed a platitudinous comment from the unsuccessful British opposition leader Neil Kinnock, never rose above 2 percent support in his early attempts at the Democratic presidential nomination, and was caught claiming to hold academic qualifications that were fictitious, as well as claiming to attempt to gain access to Nelson Mandela at Robben Island where he was imprisoned, although he was in fact 800 miles away. His remarks often strained credulity and even his supporters referred to him as a human gaffe machine, with a jocularity that implied that this quality made him likable. It didnt.

He didnt win the vice presidential debate with the much-mocked Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska in 2008, and it has never been clear what possessed Barack Obama to take him as his running mate. Unlike Nixon, Rockefeller, Bush, Cheney, and Michael Pence, he did nothing noteworthy as vice president, apart from enabling the egregious conduct of his son.

Returning last week from Europe, it was a tremendous shock to be reminded of the complete failure in every field of the Biden administration, of the inability of any authorized spokesperson for that administration to explain or justify any element of official policy, and particularly to see, all of a suddenand not after a gradual buildup through the infelicities and press baiting sessions of the Trump administrationBidens ill-tempered and completely inadequate explanations to the generally fawning press of his conduct.

The spectacle of the president of the United States, having taken drastic measures to reduce U.S. oil production, explaining why he was going to Saudi Arabia to beg a regime that he promised to make a moral outcast of mankind to raise its oil sales to the United States challenged belief as painfully as did the Afghanistan debacle. The complacent torpor of the press as television routinely recorded mass illegal entries into the United States amid official assurances that the border is closed, though familiar, was hard to assimilate.

The whole country seems to be tiptoeing through a make-believe world. Of course, Donald Trump will win almost all of the Republican primaries if he runs for renomination, and of course, he will be elected easily over any candidate manifesting any level of continuity with the shambles of the current Democratic administration. The only possible escape from this fate is for rabid Democratic prosecutors to indict Trump over Jan. 6. Even in the District of Columbia, where being a Republican is effectively a criminal offense, it will be impossible to convict the former president of a felonyhes the most maliciously investigated person in American history and nothing has been discovered.

The guardrails of the American political arena appear to be that the Supreme Court will not entertain overturning the results of a presidential election, though it probably had grounds to do so over improper changes in 2020 to vote-counting rules in several states; and on the other side, even the most rabid Democratic prosecutors seem to be reluctant to launch a spurious indictment of Donald Trump.

If the Democrats do indict Trump, they will lose the election to Ron DeSantis, and the failure of the attack on Trump will disqualify the Democrats from national office for 20 years. Trump is almost the presumptive president, and thats clearer after taking a break from the circus for a few weeks.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Texas Democratic Party chairman Gilberto Hinojosa speaks at a rally at the state Capitol on June 20, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (Sergio Flores/Getty Images)

Texas Democrats Reelect Hinojosa as Leader but Are Left With No Platform

Texas Democrats spent much of their final 2022 convention day electing a chairman, but they failed to adopt a party platform, prompting criticism from both sides of the political aisle.

The Democrats, who broadcasted the convention on their website, adjourned in the afternoon of July 16 when it became clear that a quorum couldnt be reached after many people left following the vote for chairman.

Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa won reelection against Kim Olson, a former statewide and congressional candidate, and Carroll Robinson, chairman of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats.

Democrats took to the partys Twitter and Facebook feeds to voice their consternation with the chairmanship election and lack of a platform.

This is what happens when people dont commit to doing the work. They show up, vote for party officers, and leave. By the time resolutions committee finished, there wasnt a quorum on the floor, one Democratic supporter wrote on Twitter.

Hinojosas bid for another term as chairman was met with opposition from two candidates for the leadership spot he has held since 2012.

Some Democrats expressed disappointment in the partys statewide performance during the 2020 election and called for new leadership. Ultimately, Hinojosa received enough votes for reelection after Robinson withdrew.

Ike Hajinazarian, deputy communication director for the Texas Democratic Party, didnt respond to a request from The Epoch Times for comment regarding details on when the platform will be announced and how it will be developed.

During the partys convention, Democrats attacked Texas Republicans on abortion, gun ownership, and election security. The convention also doubled as a fundraiser for Democrats running in the state, including Beto ORourke, whos trying to unseat incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican.

After the Republican state convention in June, Hinojosa rebuked them for rejecting Joe Biden as a legitimately elected president, saying Republicans live in a parallel universe full of conspiracy-fueled hate.

Texas Republicans engaged in tit-for-tat rebuttal on July 18, accusing the Democrats of extremism.

In a statement, Texas Republican Chairman Matt Rinaldi labeled local Democrats as a fringe party who cant even run a meeting, let alone a state.

The Texas Democrat platform will now be written behind closed doors by party bosses, Rinaldi said. The Republican Party of Texas is proud to be a grassroots-led party with a platform drafted by the more than 5,000 delegates in attendance at our convention, which is still the largest political gathering in the country.

Rinaldi was re-elected as Texas Republican chairman in June at the Republican Convention, where he ran unopposed.
The Feds Pile Up Vaccine Adverse Event Reports as They Decry Scaremongering Elsewhere

Since the Food and Drug Administration authorized the first vaccines for COVID-19 in late 2020, the government and much of the media have insisted that the medicines developed in record time are safe and effective. Those who raised questions about them have been routinely dismissed as conspiracy theorists.

And yet an online database co-administered by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control has compiled more than 1.3 million reports of vaccine-implicated adverse events running the gamut from mild to severe, including 29,000 deaths.

Representative entries include:

A 44-year-old male from California with a blood clot in the brain (CVST) five days after receiving Pfizer vaccine, dose unknown.

A 31-year-old female from Pennsylvania with heart inflammation (myocarditis) two days after receiving Modernas booster.

A 58-year-old female from California with blood clots in legs (DVT) after receiving Johnson & Johnson booster. She reported:

Day after booster on 11/16/21 my right leg was aching. 7 days later on 11/23/21 my sole of my right foot was very painful upon walking. This resolved 2 days later by 11/25/21. On day 11 (11/26/21) my ankle was slightly swollen and painful to touch. These symptoms continued to migrate up my leg to my inner thigh. On 12/13/21 I was seen by my primary care Doctor and was sent for a d-dimer blood test which was 1.77. I was seen in vascular dept and ultrasound indicated multiple DVT from my groin to my ankle.

These reports are not anecdotes from anti-vaxxers on the dark web. They come from the federal governments open-source log, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. It allows anyone to go online and report a bad reaction that could be linked to any vaccine, including those for COVID-19. (RealClearInvestigations has linked above to VAERS reports posted at Openvaers.com, an independently run and easier to navigate database that copies reports verbatim from the CDCs less user-friendly WONDER system.)

While the reports are unfiltered and unexamined, the idea is that such public input will allow researchers to identify potential problems. But the sheer number of reports, and their specificity, have the attention of concerned scientists and even some politicians like Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who has invited people harmed by vaccines to testify before Congress and advocates compensation for them.

Johnsons office said he has been admonishing the health authorities over the VAERS reports for a year. The senator believes the CDC and FDA need to take their own adverse event early warning system seriously and be transparent with the American people, it said in a statement. To date, they have not been.

VAERS was created in the late 1980s as an outgrowth of a congressional mandate to create a system for compensating vaccine victims and their families. In 2015, the CDC said the average number of annual reports was roughly 30,000. In 2021, there were nearly 1 million. Given the large increase during a politically charged pandemic, the usefulness of VAERS is the subject of great debate even among scientists.

Some health experts believe that the number of reports is primarily a function of increased publicity around the COVID vaccines, a high number indicating only that many more people are aware of the system and concerned about potential side effects from the shots. Others say the number and strong indications in certain symptom categoriessuch as the cardiovascular examples cited abovepaint a bleaker picture of the vaccines safety.

Dr. Peter McCullough, a renowned cardiologist and academic physician with over 600 papers published in medical literature, was one of the first professionals to publicly question the safety of the COVID-19 injections. On April 21, 2021, on his podcast The McCullough Report, he read out some of the early, alarming statistics from VAERS including reports of 502 heart attacks, 84 miscarriages, 321 cases of low blood platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) and 2,342 deaths. For Dr. McCullough, these numbers were a huge red flag. For comparison, he cites the last mass vaccination program undertaken in the United States, the 1976 swine flu vaccine. Dr. McCullough noted that there were approximately 55 million people vaccinated, with an accompanying 500 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, and around 25 deaths. And the government officials at that time said, were going to pull it.

Dr. McCullough said that by April 2021, VAERS reports were already so numerous that he felt the COVID vaccines should be pulled off the market. That same month, Fox News host Tucker Carlson voiced doubts about the vaccines effectiveness, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Bidens top medical adviser, blasted him for pushing a typical crazy conspiracy theory.

As of today, the system has more than 29,000 reports of deaths.

VAERS reports, however, are not hard evidence. Its website explains: A report to VAERS generally does not prove that the identified vaccine(s) caused the adverse event described. It only confirms that the reported event occurred sometime after vaccine was given. No proof that the event was caused by the vaccine is required in order for VAERS to accept the report. VAERS accepts all reports without judging whether the event was caused by the vaccine. Some of the FDA and CDCs most senior veterans advise caution in interpreting the data.

Susan Ellenberg, Ph.D., the former Director of the Office of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the FDAs Center for Biologics, told RCI that anything that gets reported goes directly into the [VAERS] system  so mostly what you get is noise. She said that its nearly impossible to prove causation with this dataset alone. Dr. Walter Orenstein, formerly the CDCs director of immunization, concurs. He said, Thats why its called adverse events as opposed to reaction because reaction implies causation. Event is basically something that follows. Elderly people, for example, die regularly; if they are dying days or weeks after being vaccinated, that does not necessarily mean the vaccine is killing them.

There are many reasons why the VAERS data is usually insufficient to prove causality between vaccination and adverse events, including:

There is no reliable denominator to establish event ratesand no control group against which to measure adverse events.

Reports are often messy or incomplete.

Underreporting has been a consistent and documented issue. (One CDC study shows that the system may capture as few as 12 percent of adverse events, meaning the total for COVID-19 vaccines could be as high as 10.8 million.)

On the other hand, overreporting is also an issue, as noted in this 2003 CDC review: Other potential reporting biases include increased reporting in the first few years after licensure, increased reporting of events occurring soon after vaccination, and increased reporting after publicity about a particular known or alleged type of adverse event.

In the case of childhood vaccinations, vaccine sets are co-administered, making it nearly impossible to know which specific vaccine caused the adverse event.

So why continue using an unreliable systemapart from the fact it was required by Congress? Experts agree that VAERS can be extremely useful in picking up signals of causation, which can be confirmed with further study, usually employing the governments other major monitoring system: the CDCs Vaccine Safety Datalink. The VSD uses the combined databases of nine major healthcare systems nationwide, providing detailed patient data, and the ability to look at control groups of unvaccinated patients. The downside to the VSD is that unless an issue comes through the healthcare system, its not going to be reported. So if someone dies at home after being vaccinated, it wont make it into VSD, though it might make it into VAERS.

One prime example of VAERS picking up a signal leading to an important safety discovery occurred in the late 1990s with the RotaShield vaccine for rotavirusan ailment that causes diarrhea and vomiting in the very young. While clinical trials revealed a small number of cases of intussusceptionthe sometimes-deadly folding of the intestine in small childrenthe finding was not seen as prohibitive. Nonetheless, public health researchers flagged it as something to look for in VAERS as the vaccine was distributed widely. When reports started piling up in VAERS, it led to a review process, which ultimately led to the manufacturer pulling the vaccine off the market and the FDA pulling its license. A clear success for the system.

In the case of the COVID-19 vaccine products, Dr. Orenstein said VAERS has been a success, and that the large number of reports has been helpful in identifying certain issues. The increased volume may be a good thing. Because of the increased reporting weve been able to detect causally related problems, with mRNA problems with myocarditis and pericarditis, and with J&J coagulation problems and Guillain-Barre, so in essence, VAERS is important.

Jessica Rose, an independent researcher in Israel, agrees, and has devoted the past year and a half to putting VAERS under a microscope. Dr. Rose has a Ph.D. in computational biology from Bar-Ilan University, a post-doc in molecular biology from Hebrew University, and another in biochemistry from the Technion, widely considered Israels MIT. She has become a fierce critic of the COVID-19 vaccines and spent countless hours poring over VAERS reports to craft her articles on the emergent issues.

For Rose, who has been collaborating with Dr. McCullough, the information available in the VAERS system on its own is sufficient to prove causality when it comes to vaccine-induced myocarditis from all three vaccines, especially the mRNA-based shots from Pfizer and Moderna. They specifically raise concerns around the high rate of myocarditis reported among boys ages 12-15. Their paper stating this was received, peer-reviewed, and accepted by Elsevier, the publisher of Current Problems in Cardiology, where the piece was to be released. It was then withdrawn from the site at the discretion of the editor. No basis was given for the removal. Dr. McCullough described the situation in detail to Bret Weinstein on his Dark Horse podcast in December. When asked for comment, Dr. McCullough told RealClearInvestigations:

Elsevier, the worlds largest medical publisher, has for the first time in its history started violating publication contracts with unilateral retractions in the pandemic era. These papers were fully peer-reviewed, contracted, and published without any threats to scientific validity. The one thing in common for these retractionsthey provided data on COVID-19 vaccine injuries, disabilities, and deaths. Thus Elsevier has broken the trust of the consuming public, doctors, and patients. In addition to legal exposure, Elsevier is losing ground to MDPI and other publishers that do not engage in corrupt censorship.

Asked to respond to the cardiologists comment, Elsevier issued this statement to RCI: We do not agree with these assertions; this article in press was withdrawn following our standard policies which are all publicly available on our website.

The Lyme Disease Precedent

Dr. Orenstein and the federal health apparatus now acknowledge that adverse outcomes like myocarditis, coagulopathies/thrombosis, and Guillain-Barre have been established as causally related to the COVID-19 shots in certain cohortsand that VAERS played a role in making those connectionsbut see them as rare.

Former FDA epidemiologist Ellenberg says the sheer number of events in VAERS may reflect the revival of an old phenomenon: high adverse publicity around vaccines, similar to what happened with the Lyme disease vaccine and arthritis.

Lyme disease can cause arthritis. So can aging. When many reports of arthritis started appearing in VAERS after that vaccine was rolled out in 1998, bad publicity followed. Ellenberg started receiving phone calls from lawyers asking her when FDA was going to pull the vaccine. Ultimately, FDA convened a panel to look into the correlation, and no causal connection was found. But because of the publicity, use of the vaccine waned and eventually the producer took it off the market.

Regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, Jessica Rose said VAERS shows a grim picture that has nothing to do with publicity. The reporting system is functioning as a pharmacovigilance tool right now, she said. There are an enormous number and range of safety signals being thrown out.

In March 2022, after the COVID-19 vaccine had been available for 15 months (462 days), she compared the number of VAERS reports related to these shots versus those for flu vaccines. Given the greater number of COVID shots administered during that period, she predicted that the rate of reporting in VAERS  should be about twice for COVID than for flu. What she found instead was 117.6 times as many reports of adverse events in the context of the COVID shots.

Rose is adamant. This is not about the number of doses, this is about these products doing more damage [than the flu vaccines], she said, systemic, comprehensive damage that weve never seen before. Theres no doubting that these products are different. When RCI queried Rose as to which three adverse events might be most readily proven as being caused by the vaccine with data posted in VAERS, she replied, Myocarditis, Bells palsy, and anything related to clotting.

Quietly, large numbers of peer-reviewed studies have been accumulating in legitimate journals, lending credence to those who believe many adverse events are occurring, and that they are causally related to vaccination. Just recently, a study of vaccines in three Nordic countries revealed a strong correlation between getting the Astra-Zeneca shot and a higher incidence of cardiovascular injury, and a lesser but still significant correlation for recipients of the Pfizer and Moderna products.

Finally, a preprint study (not yet peer reviewed) uploaded June 23 and co-authored by Peter Doshi, a senior editor at the British Medical Journal, as well as physicians from UCLA and Stanford, concludes that a careful analysis of all available data now suggests that the benefits of vaccination do not outweigh the potential harms. To make their calculations, the researchers used data from VAERS as well as its European equivalent, EudraVigilance, and the WHOs VigiBase.

But the story remains complicated. For instance, Rose agreed drawing conclusions is complicated by the lack of data in VAERS about whether reporting patients have also recovered from COVID. Studies have now shown that having had COVID also increases the risk of cardiovascular events in the year after recovery. On the other hand, an Israeli analysis shows a correlation to vaccine rollout, but not to COVID-19 infection rates.

With such variables, the task of monitoring vaccine safety can seem almost futile. But Dr. Robert Chen, the creator of VAERS, disagrees. He believes the system, in concert with the Vaccine Safety Datalink and other resources, has worked well in alerting the public health community to issues due to vaccination. He told RCI that in terms of its main function of telling you that something is going on, its amazingly effective.

Dr. Orenstein said the VSD should be expanded if possible as a complement to VAERS but said that without a single national database, the current system of monitoring vaccine safety is as good as it gets. For Ellenberg, a statistician by training, these are horrible, messy databases. Youre looking for a needle in a haystack. When talking to other epidemiologists and encouraging them to create better systems for analyzing VAERS, Ellenberg said she uses this analogy: If you can reduce the whole haystack to a handful of hay, then that makes your job just a little bit easier.

Rose acknowledges the messiness of VAERS, but believes it provides enough information to tell a story of danger. She said that in her analysis, 60 percent of VAERS reports describe events within 48 hours of vaccine administrationone more criteria for causality. Rose said: It isnt on me to prove that these products arent safe, this is on them [CDC, FDA], legally, to prove that these products are safe. And theyre not doing their jobs. On that point, a recent public records request by Josh Guetzkow, Ph.D., and the legal team at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Childrens Health Defense found that CDC has not been analyzing the VAERS data on COVID-19 shots using its own stated methods.

In an email to RCI, the CDC stated, COVID-19 vaccines are undergoing the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.
Freight lorries queue on the main route into the port of Dover on the south coast of England on Dec. 18, 2020. (Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)

UK Industry Leaders Urge New PM to Reset Trading Relationship With EU

UK industry leaders have called on the incoming prime minister to reset Britains trading relationships with the European Union, which remains the dominant market for British manufacturing exports.

In a report published on July 18, Make UK, a business group which represents British manufacturers, and business advisory firm BDO, said that the European market remains the overwhelmingly favoured destination for the UKs manufacturing sector, with half of British manufacturing exports going to the EU last year.

The report also revealed that regions which voted for Brexit, including Wales, the northeast, and the East Midlands, have increased their dependence on the EU for manufacturing exports.

Main Destination

Make UK said the new prime minister, who is set to replace Boris Johnson in Downing Street in early September, should take immediate steps to renew the trading relationship with the EU, as the 27-nation bloc remains by some distance the most important export destination for UK goods.

Verity Davidge, the groups director of policy, said: Despite the talk of Global Britain, history shows that geography is always the main determinant of trade. The EU was always going to remain the main destination for manufacturers who appear to be becoming more, not less, dependent on it as a market.

As a result, it is vital the government now takes steps to reset the trading relationship with the bloc and, wherever possible, eases and simplifies trading to boost exports for SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises] in particular.

Richard Austin of BDO said, Manufacturing businesses have done a good job in adapting to new post-Brexit rules for trading with the EU, but ongoing government support may well be required, particularly for firms at the smaller end of the spectrum.

Row over Northern Ireland

The UK is currently embroiled in a bitter dispute with the EU over the post-Brexit trade arrangements between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland, a UK province which shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state.

Johnson signed the Northern Ireland Protocol with the EU in 2019 as part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, with the measures aimed at preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland.

But the protocol has been fiercely opposed by unionists in the British province, who complain that it effectively keeps Northern Ireland within the EU single market while erecting a border in the Irish Sea between the province and mainland Britain.

Last month, Johnsons government unveiled plans to scrap parts of the protocol. In response, the EU launched legal action and slammed the UK for intending to unilaterally break international law.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Vehicles of Russian state-controlled broadcaster Russia Today (RT) are seen near the Red Square in central Moscow on June 15, 2018. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

UK Regulator Finds Russian Channel RT in Breach of Impartiality Rules Over Ukraine War

Russian TV channel RT breached due impartiality rules on 29 occasions in four days following the invasion of Ukraine, the UKs broadcasting regulator has found.

Ofcom investigated RT news bulletins and a documentary broadcast between Feb. 27 and March 2, and found the RTs coverage failed to preserve due impartiality in relation to the conflict in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

Ofcom said it considers the breaches serious and repeated, and is minded to consider them for the imposition of a statutory sanction.

The regulator noted that broadcasters must comply with its broadcasting code when dealing with major matters such as wars or areas of conflict and that this included giving due weight to a wide range of significant views.

Sanctions

RT is no longer broadcasting in the UK. Ofcom revoked RTs broadcast licence on March 18, citing new laws in Russia that effectively criminalise any independent journalism that departs from the Russian states own news narrative, which made it impossible for RT to comply with the due impartiality rules in the UKs broadcasting code.

UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said at the time that the channels lies and propaganda had absolutely no place on our screens.

On March 31, the UK government imposed sanctions on a number of Russian media organisations and propagandists for spreading lies and deceit about the war in Ukraine, including the Kremlin-backed TV-Novosti, which controls RT, as well as RTs Managing Director Alexey Nikolov.

The Foreign Office said the sanctions will ensure RT will not be able to find its way back on UK televisions, and will prevent companies and individuals operating in the UK from doing business with Russian state propaganda vehicles RT and Sputnik, and key figures in those organisations.

Retaliation

Russia has also placed restrictions on British news organisations. Shortly after the outbreak of the war, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the BBC of playing a determined role in undermining the Russian stability and security.

In early March, BBC World News said it had been taken off air in Russia.

Last month, dozens of UK journalists and media organisations were sanctioned by Russia over what the Kremlin called their alleged deliberate dissemination of false and one-sided information.

Among those on the list of 29 individuals were BBC Director-General Tim Davie, The Times of Londons Editor John Witherow, The Guardians Editor-in-Chief Katharine Viner, Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Telegraph Chris Evans, BBC Chairman Richard Sharp, and Managing Director of The Independent, Christian Broughton.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Ukraines President Zelenskyy Fires Spy Chief and Top State Prosecutor

KYIVPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday abruptly fired the head of Ukraines powerful domestic security agency, the SBU, and the state prosecutor general, citing dozens of cases of collaboration with Russia by officials in their agencies.

The sackings of SBU chief Ivan Bakanov, a childhood friend of Zelenskyy, and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who has played a key role in the prosecution of Russian war crimes, were announced in executive orders on the presidents website.

The firings are easily the biggest political sackings since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, forcing the entire Ukrainian state machine to focus on the war effort.

In a Telegram post, Zelenskyy said he had fired the top officials because it had come to light that many members of their agencies had collaborated with Russia, a problem he said had touched other agencies as well.

He said 651 cases of alleged treason and collaboration had been opened against prosecutorial and law enforcement officials, and that more than 60 officials from Bakanov and Venediktovas agencies were now working against Ukraine in Russian-occupied territories.

The sheer number of treason cases lays bare the huge challenge of Russian infiltration faced by Ukraine as it battles Moscow in what it says is a fight for survival.

Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the national security of the state  pose very serious questions to the relevant leaders, Zelenskyy said.

Each of these questions will receive a proper answer, he said.

Russian troops have captured swathes of Ukraines south and east.

It remains unclear how the southern, Russian-occupied region of Kherson fell so quickly, in contrast to the fierce resistance around Kyiv that forced Russia eventually to withdrew to focus on capturing the industrial Donbas heartland in the east.

In his nightly speech to the nation, Zelenskyy noted the recent arrest on suspicion of treason of the SBUs former head overseeing the region of Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 that Kyiv and the West still view as Ukrainian land.

Zelenskyy said he had fired the top security official at the start of the invasion, a decision he said had now been shown to be justified.

Sufficient evidence has been collected to report this person on suspicion of treason. All his criminal activities are documented, he said.

Bakanov was appointed to head the SBU in 2019, one of an array of new faces who rose to prominence after Zelenskyy, a former comedian, won election earlier that year.

Zelenskyy appointed Oleksiy Symonenko as the new prosecutor general in a separate executive order that was also published on the presidents site.
Under the Biden Administrations Watch, Iran Sanctions Are Violated With Impunity

Originally published by Gatestone Institute

Commentary

With total disregard to the Biden administration and the European powers, the ruling mullahs of Iran are defiantly and rapidly advancing their nuclear program to a point where they are now reportedly only few weeks away from manufacturing nuclear weapons according to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the White House.

The Biden administrations weak leadershipto hold accountable those who are violating Iran sanctionsis likely a critical reason the Iranian regime is flamboyantly ignoring the United States and forging aheadsoon, most likely, to become a nuclear state.

The U.S. sanctions are not hurting Irans economy anymore or cutting off the flow of funds to Tehran. The ruling mullahs are now producing more oil and selling it at levels close to the pre-sanctions era to countries such as China, which desperately needs more oil, while the Biden administration has cut off U.S. oil exploration.

Ever since the Biden administration assumed office, Irans oil exports have been on the rise. During the Trump administration, Irans oil exports were significantly reduced to 100,000 to 200,000 barrels a day. Iran is currently exporting more than 1 million barrels a day. Roughly 700,000 to 800,000 barrels a day of this oil are being exported to China. Oil sales have doubled, Irans hardline President Ebrahim Raisi recently boasted. We are not worried about oil sales.

Tehrans major revenues come from exporting oil. The Iranian regime reportedly possesses the second-largest natural gas reserves and the fourth-largest proven crude oil reserves in the world, and the sale of oil accounts for nearly 60 percent of the governments total revenues and more than 80 percent of its export revenues. Several Iranian leaders have, in fact, hinted at Irans major dependence on oil exports. Although we have some other incomes, former President Hassan Rouhani previously acknowledged, the only revenue that can keep the country going is the oil money.

Iran is also shipping considerable amounts of oil to Venezuela without either country fearing repercussions from the Biden administration. According to Reuters on June 13, an Iran-flagged tanker that was carrying nearly a million barrels of crude arrived in Venezuelan waters over the weekend, according to a shipping document seen by Reuters on Monday.

The cargo is the third of Iranian crude supplied by Irans Naftiran Intertrade Co (NICO) to Venezuelas state-run oil firm PDVSA following a supply contract providing the South American nation with lighter crude. Venezuela has been processing the Iranian oil in its refineries . Other two Iran-flagged tankers, the very large crude carriers (VLCCs) Dino I and Silvia I, had arrived last month at Venezuelan ports carrying the first cargoes of Iranian crude for Venezuela.

Presumably to take even further advantage of the Biden administrations weak leadership, the Iranian regime is also signing long-term agreements with its oil clients to permanently insulate its economy from the U.S. sanctions. Most recently, Iran also signed a 20-year cooperation agreement with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as the military. We have important projects of cooperation between Iran and Venezuela in the fields of energy, petrochemicals, oil, gas and refineries, Maduro stated.

In addition, China and Iran announced, in January 2022, the launch of the implementation of a comprehensive cooperation plan between the two nations after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian visited China and met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The comprehensive cooperation plan refers to the 25-year deal that was reached between Tehran and Beijing. One of its terms is that China will invest nearly $400 billion in Irans oil, gas and petrochemicals industries. In return, China will have priority to bid on any new project in Iran that is linked to these sectors. China will also receive a 12 percent discount and can delay payments by up to two years. China will also be able to pay in any currency it chooses. It is also estimated that, in total, China will receive discounts of nearly 32 percent.

Such agreements will most likely help the Iranian regime to more easily circumvent U.S. sanctions, gain access to funds, empower its militia and terror groups in the region, and continue advancing its nuclear program.

The Biden administration must impose drastic economic sanctions on Irans energy and financial sectors: that would threaten the ruling clerics hold on power, forcing the leadership to recalculate its priorities. The United States must hold those who violate the sanctions strictly accountable, and make clear to the ruling mullahs that if they continue advancing their nuclear program, military options are on the table.

Currentlythanks to Biden administrations weak leadership and its unwillingness to hold those who violate Iran sanctions accountable, and unwillingness to cut the flow of funds to Iranthe Iranian regime has no incentive to halt its march towards manufacturing nuclear weapons. The ruling mullahs of Iran and their oil clients are simply having their way without the United States.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser attends March for Our Lives 2022 in Washington on June 11, 2022. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images for March For Our Lives)

Washington Mayor Decries Illegal Immigrants Being Bused Into City

Washingtons mayor is criticizing two border states for busing illegal immigrants to the nations capital, which bills itself as a sanctuary city.

For months, Texas and Arizona authorities have been offering free rides to illegal aliens who have claimed asylum, citing a lack of resources in dealing with the immigrants and the hope that sending them to Washington will help convince President Joe Biden to increase immigration enforcement amid a record number of arrests at the border.

But Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who is a Democrat, isnt on board.

This is a very significant issue. We have, for sure, called on the federal government to work across state lines to prevent people from really being tricked into getting on buses. We think theyre largely asylum-seekers who are going to final destinations that are not Washington, D.C., she said on CBSs Face the Nation on July 17.

I worked with the White House to make sure that FEMA provided a grant to a local organization that is providing services to folks. But I fear that theyre being tricked into nationwide bus trips when their final destinations are places all over the United States of America.

Ranae Eze, press secretary for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, told The Epoch Times via email that the only lie is the Biden Administration telling the American people that our border is closed.

With our nations capital now experiencing a fraction of the disaster created by President Bidens reckless open border policies that our state faces every single day, maybe hell finally do his job and secure the border, she wrote.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, another Republican, wrote on Twitter: Welcome to our world, @MayorBowser. Now work with your party, your Congress, and your President to do something about it.

Complaints

Thousands of illegal aliens have been sent to Washington from the two states this year, beginning in April. Getting on the buses is a choice, according to officials in the states. But some of the immigrants complained to WUSA-TV that promises made by officials before getting on the buses werent fulfilled.

Ana Karina Arce Polano, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, told the broadcaster that she was told her family would be transported to Colorado via Washington, but that they didnt end up being offered transportation to Colorado.

We arrived here with faith to give them a better life, and it turns out that we do not even have a place to sleep and no way to get where we want to go, Polano said.

Another illegal alien said she was told that her family would be given a ride to Chicago after arriving in Washington, but that hasnt happened.

If anyone is being misled, we certainly want to know about it, Ducey spokesman CJ Karamargin told WUSA-TV.

Sister Sharlet Wagner, executive director of the Catholic Charities-run Newcomer Network, told NTD previously that most of the illegal immigrants were traveling to places beyond Washington.

Most of them do have family or friends in the place where they really want to go. Were happy to help them if they want to stay here. Most are choosing to move on, she said.

Federal authorities have said that states arent adequately coordinating with them or local authorities. They also said that most immigrants who arent expelled via Title 42, a pandemic-era order, are released into the U.S. interior with notices to appear in court.

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesman told The Epoch Times, Through its Southwest Border Coordination Center, DHS is executing carefully designed plans to manage the processing and transport of noncitizens arriving at the border.
Students walk to their classrooms at a public middle school in Los Angeles, California, on Sept. 10, 2021. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Worksheet at Boston High School Suggests Assassinations as Legitimate Form of Resisting Oppression

At Charlestown High School in Boston, certain teachers instructing students learning English who have recently arrived in the United States may be indoctrinating these children to incite violence as a form of resistance to their alleged oppressors, according to experts.

The classroom files of three of the schools teachers in the Sheltered English Immersion Program were previously available for download on the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) website. These teachers teach Humanities to ninth- and 10th-grade students who have recently arrived in the country from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and China, the website states. After the initial publication of this article, the page has been taken down.

One part of the curriculum profiled on the website involves notes and assignments around oppression, resistance, and narrative structure.

It includes detailed note-taking sheets and powerpoints on institutional, interpersonal, and internalized oppression, the BTU website reads. Students are invited to critically examine when certain forms of resistance might be appropriate.

A worksheet dubbed Forms of Resistance is included as an example of whats taught in the course.

The first page of the worksheet identifies three types of oppression as Instituional [sic], Interpresonal [sic], and Internalized, and then lists examples of each. One example of oppression at the institutional level listed is, Trump builds a wall on the border so it is harder for Latinos to enter the US. At the interpersonal level, an example given is, A husband tells his wife she must stay home to cook and clean. An example of oppression at the internalized level used by the worksheet is, An Asian girl hates her eyes, she thinks she is ugly so she gets surgery to change them.

Students were next asked to list different forms of resistance for each level of oppression.

The following pages of the worksheet with the heading Forms of Resistance Notes contains 11 rows identifying 11 types of resistance that could be employed to end certain forms of oppression. The column on the far left contains pictures identifying each type of resistance and students are made to name the type of resistance in the next column. Next, students are meant to fill in the blanks in the column that provides the explanation for each form of resistance. In the last section, students are to choose which of the three levels of oppressioninstitutional, interpersonal, or internalizedthat the type of resistance was most effective at ending.

Alongside peaceful protest methods, such as boycotts, sit-ins, and petitions, the worksheet also contains three images that appear to portray violent forms of revolt: riots, shown by masked protestors wearing all black throwing projectiles, including what appears to be a flare; fights, depicted by a cartoon image of two people brawling; and political assassinations, shown by an image of President Richard Nixon as a target of crosshairs.

Indoctrination

Parental rights advocates expressed alarm at what was apparently being taught to English as a Second Language students at the Boston high school.

Rebecca Friedrichs, founder of advocacy group For Kids & Country and author of Standing up to Goliath: Battling State and National Teachers Unions for the Heart and Soul of our Kids and Country, said that as a teacher for 28 years and a parent of two children, she was disgusted by the worksheet that she described as damaging and dangerous.

These English language learners [in these classrooms] are likely new immigrants to the country, coming to this country to experience freedom. [But in Boston], theyve run smack dab into Marxist indoctrinators posing as educators, Friedrichs said. Schools are meant for educating children, not indoctrinating them in radical ideology.

The worksheet is full of lies, she said, noting that teachers are using these lies to indoctrinate children.

Alex Newman, award-winning international journalist and executive director of the advocacy group Public School Exit, agrees.

The material was clearly designed to indoctrinate children into seeing themselves as victims of oppression, he said.

Newman was most alarmed by the worksheets examples of violent resistance that he said implied a need to overthrow anyone whos allegedly responsible for the oppression.

They seem to be promoting revolt and resistance to legitimate forms of authority, he said.

Newman is also a contributor to The Epoch Times.

The goal of such teachings is to prime children to accept illegitimate forms of authority and encourage them to engage in violence to achieve those ends, he said.

Legitimate authorities must be brought down if they want to impose new authorities, Newman said.

And this indoctrination program is an extension of that same lawless agenda.

Justifying Violence

The worksheets attempt to justify violence could be seen through the picture of three individuals dressed in black throwing various objects, including a flare. Both experts noted that the image alludes to groups such as Antifa, a far-left anarchist movement that seeks the overthrow of capitalism.

The explanation listed alongside the picture on the worksheet reads, Protesting or marching with [blank]. Friedrichs took issue with the characterization.

Theyre clearly engaged in violence, throwing bottles and more, she said.

In a second example, depicting crosshairs on the chest of President Nixon, Friedrichs said this type of image is extremely dangerous in the mind of a child.

When children are being encouraged to view assassination as a legitimate form of resistance, weve entered into some very, very dangerous territory, Newman said. The blatant encouragement of assassination as a tactic of resistance to oppression is how this image needs to be understood.

Images such as this are paving the way to more widespread violence in society, he said, noting that there are very, very powerful forces that want to see America break out into some very significant violence.

In America, theres a centuries-old tradition of tolerance for peaceful protest, for peaceful assembly, [and] for peaceful seeking of redress of grievances thats being lost, Newman said. A lot of these children are being indoctrinated to believe that the alleged oppression they are facing is so severe that violent rebellion is not only justified, but necessary.

Teachers Taught to Radicalize

Both Friedrichs and Newman said there have been great efforts to radicalize children against lawful and legitimate authority for quite a long time.

Part of the problem is that [U.S. education] has gone through a multi-generational process of indoctrination that has resulted in a situation where each generation is more indoctrinated, Newman said. As these teachers continue to accept even more extreme and more destructive ideas than the previous generation, theyre not realizing that theyre actually being subjected to the indoctrination programs.

After a K12 education, Newman said that they are further radicalized, [as] the indoctrination is often turbocharged at a four-year college, where they are brainwashed even more to believe that not only are these ideas legitimate, but that they are the correct pedagogy, and this is the way children should be educated.

They are made to believe that their education is for justice, education is for social justice, [and] their education makes the world a better place, he said. Many of these teachers are so brainwashed that they have a feeling of self-righteousness about thisand its very sad to see.

Friedrichs also noted that a small amount of activist union teachers have been planted in our schools who quietly push this type of nasty agenda.

Teachers unions have made gains in the political arena, and theyve gotten people into key places of power, which often allows them to get away with this nightmare, she said.

Friedrichs also pointed out the glaring misspellings on the worksheet. On the first page, it reads INSTITUIONAL and INTERPRESONAL. With three people using the document, she considers this a dead giveaway that these are not truly professional teachers, but union activists masquerading as teachers.

She said the misspellings are a huge embarrassment to professional teachers.

People are masquerading as teachers and unions all across the country so they can push a very radical agenda, Friedrichs said.

Potentially Criminal

The advocates called for those responsible for the worksheet to be investigated.

Those involved in putting together this worksheet need to be removed immediately and disciplined over this, Friedrichs said.

Had she presented a worksheet like this to her students in the past, she said she would have been fired.

It was out of the realm of possibility that anyone would have ever done this until recently, when the teachers unions opened the floodgates of their evil agenda, she said.

Newman said, Somebody who thinks this is appropriate to teach to children has absolutely no business teaching children; that much is clear; they should not be in a classroom.

Both Friedrichs and Newman believe that the document warrants a criminal investigation.

Theres a fine line between free speech and advocacy for violence, and this document appears to cross over that line, Newman said.

The responsible person or party for this document needs to be questioned, he said.

If it is determined that this was actually intended to encourage children to use violence as a political tool, I think serious measures and accountability are going to be justified.

At the very least, Newman is calling for a full investigation that results in a strong measure of discipline from education authorities.

Free Speech Exception

Attorney Daniel Schmid, senior litigation counsel for Liberty Counsel, agrees with Friedrichs and Newman. He told The Epoch Times that while the First Amendment allows for free speech, there are certain well-delineated exceptionsone of which is incitement to violence.

In Brandenburg v. Ohio, the Supreme Court established in 1969 that the First Amendment doesnt protect speech that incites people to violence or to imminent lawless action.

Encouraging people to commit an act of violence against political leaders, thats not protected speech, Schmid said regarding the worksheet. It probably falls under fighting words [according to the court case Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire] or incitement to violence.

Assassinating a political leader and committing acts of violence is not to be celebrated and encouraged. Its a crime, and it ought to be punished as so.

While he said theres always a question of intent, U.S. law, 18 U.S.C. Section 373, makes it a crime to solicit people to commit an act of violence. According to the law, its a felony to encourage people to commit an act of violence.

These teachers should be held accountable, Schmid said.

The Epoch Times contacted the Boston Teachers Union to determine if some of the classroom files were meant to incite violence. Neither BTU President Jessica Tang nor Professional Learning Director Paul Tritter have returned a comment. Representatives for Charlestown High School also didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.

This article was updated to reflect that the BTU webpage was taken down after this articles publication.
Dancers wearing South Korean traditional clothes perform on stage at a drive-in concert operation in Seoul by South Korean cultural heritage administration on July 17, 2020. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Yoon Vows to Uphold South Koreas Values of Democratic Freedom on Constitution Day

South Koreas president said on Sunday that his administration will work to uphold the constitutional values of freedom to democracy, as he recalled the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju where hundreds of civilians were killed by the military government.

President Yoon Suk-yeol made the remarks on the national Constitution Day, citing his visit to the southwestern city of Gwangju last year to reflect on the spirit of the 1980 pro-democracy movement there.

The universal value of freedom and democracy, which was recovered through the spirit of the Gwangju uprising, equals the spirit of the constitution, Yoon wrote in a Facebook post.

Yoon said the uprising underlined the importance of safeguarding South Koreas constitutional values of free democracy, human rights, and the rule of law to achieve national prosperity and development.

We will safeguard the spirit of the Constitution together with the great people, he remarked.

Gwangju was the center of a South Korean revolt against martial law, which was imposed following a military coup headed by late military dictator Chun Doo-hwan in 1979. Hundreds of people were killed and went missing as a result of the movement.

Former South Korean President Chun Doo-Hwan (C) is arrested by prosecution authorities at a relatives house in Hapchon, Korea, some 200 miles south of Seoul on Dec. 3, 1995. Chun was then taken to Seouls Anyang prison to be held on charges of leading a 1979 military coup. (KIM JAE-HWAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Chun was sentenced to death in 1996 on charges of corruption and treason, but the sentence was reduced to life in prison and later commuted. He died at the age of 90 last year due to blood cancer.

Years after the massacre, many details remain unconfirmed, including who gave the orders for troops to open fire on protesters. Many victims remain unidentified.

Yoons Inauguration

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during an inaugural dinner at a hotel, after his inauguration ceremony at the new presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, on May 10, 2022. (Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool via Getty Images)

Yoon was sworn in as the president of South Korea on May 10. The conservative leader of the People Power Party campaigned on a platform of fighting corruption and creating a more level economic playing field.

He pledged to seek a stronger U.S. security commitment to deter North Korean nuclear threats, saying that a preemptive strike may be necessary if North Korea shows signs of an imminent attack. Yoon also vowed to strengthen South Koreas deterrent capability.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Zaras Three Sister Brands Exit Chinese Market

The three sister brands of Spanish Fast Fashion brand ZARA: Bershka, Pull&Bear, and Stradivarius, recently announced they will officially withdraw from the Chinese market by the end of this month, joining an ongoing wave of international fashion giants withdrawing their operations from China.

Bershka, Pull&Bear, and Stradivarius, under ZARAs parent company Inditex, issued closure announcements in their respective e-commerce flagship shops, announcing that from July 31, their official flagship online stores on Alibabas Tmall platform will stop selling the brands collections, and the brands online customer service and brand customer service hotline will close after Aug. 31.

Inditex has not yet released a public statement regarding the matter.

Publicly available information showed that Bershka, Pull&Bear, and Stradivirus had already started closing around 50 stores across China between 2016 and 2019. According to Chinese media reports, the three brands closed the last of their stores earlier this year.

Other multinational fast fashion giants like H&M and Uniqlo have also experienced a slowdown in development in the China market and have also closed some stores. In addition, fast-fashion brands such as Superdry, Old Navy, and C&A have exited China.

The parent company of fast fashion giant Uniqlo revealed in its Fiscal Year 2022 interim report that Uniqlo has temporarily closed 133 shops in the Greater China region after declining sales revenue in the Chinese market.

This May, Danish fashion group Bestsellerthe first of its kind to enter the Chinese fashion marketannounced that it would close all 1,300 retail shops of its retailer Selected in China by July 31 this year.

The Bestseller group is one of the largest fashion groups in Europe with more than 20 individual fashion brands.

Also, on March 31 this year, Swedish retail giant H&Ms sister brand MONKI closed its official Tmall flagship store and the entire brand was taken off the shelves on April 1.

The 2021 Xinjiang forced labor incident was a turning point in H&Ms development in China. In 2020, H&M issued a statement saying that it does not work with any garment manufacturing factories in Xinjiang nor source products or raw materials from the region, responding to reports and allegations of Uyghur forced labor. A number of major fashion brands had also issued statements for similar reasons.

H&M has been suppressed by the Chinese authorities for the above statement, with its online platforms censored, and was fined by Chinese regulators at least eight times in 2021. Internal trolls pushed campaigns encouraging customers to boycott the company. For the second half of 2021 onwards, H&M began to close down a series of its shops in China. This culminated in it closing its three-storey flagship store in Shanghai on June 24. The store was the first to open in the country 15 years ago.

H&M still has 26 stores in Shanghai.
NORWALK  Joe Jensen is still enjoying life.

But theres been some strain after his attorney allegedly stole about $925,000 from him, stripping away the fruits of decades of work as a Norwalk police officer and homeowner.

His former attorney, Carl Ferraro, a Darien resident, was arrested in June after police said he stole funds from a number of clients.

It was a lifetime of effort, Jensen said in an interview. It all went down the drain.

The series of events began, Jensen said, after an unexpected boon. Following the death of his first wife, Jensen had expected to remain a widower, but a wonderful thing happened  he found love a second time.

With that joyous impetus, Jensen decided to sell his home. Jensen said he was initially hesitant since he had raised his children there, and sunk time and effort into it, including painting the place twice. But the funds could help take care of his family, and letting go of the property would allow for a fresh start.

After navigating the home-selling process for the first time in years, Jensen was compelled to seek a real estate attorney. He said a former colleague-turned-lawyer recommended Ferraro.

Things were good for a while, Jensen said, noting that Ferraro seemed sharp and knowledgeable. Everything went smoothly until the house was sold.

The purchase went through on Feb. 25. He said the buyer paid Ferraro, who in turn, was to supply him with a check.

But days went by and Jensen said he didnt hear from Ferraro. Jensen said he eventually went to Ferraros office and was given a check. But by the time he went to deposit it, Jensen claims the check had been canceled.

I was in disbelief. I was in shock, Jensen said. We were distraught.

Jensen filed a police report, and following an investigation, Ferraro was arrested this month on eight counts of first-degree larceny. In court proceedings, officials said Ferraro stole amounts ranging from $68,800 to $922,536 from clients between November 2021 and March 2022.

Ferraros attorney, Suzanne Sutton, of Bridgeport-based firm Cohen and Wolf, said her client has been suffering from serious mental and physical health situations that precipitated his alleged crimes and arrest. Ferraro resigned from the Connecticut law bar in April.

Hes been struggling with those issues for quite some time, which is really what led us to this point, she said.

First and foremost, it's very sad for the victims, she said. There's too many victims and too much money and a lot of pain, but he is feeling quite remorseful.

Jensen said hes hopeful the states Client Security Fund, set up for these types of circumstances, will eventually reimburse him.

In the meantime, Jensen said, he and his family are managing to make ends meet  he has his pension from his service with Norwalk police, a part-time job and some Social Security.

But, despite the difficulty of the matter, Jensen said hes glad to be alive. He and his wife had to cancel travel plans, but they are enjoying their time together.

Every day I wake up with a pulse, Im thrilled, Jensen said.

Staff writers Peter Yankowski and Veronica Del Valle contributed to this story.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
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TUCSON, Ariz. (AP)  Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has already helped block one of former President Donald Trumps allies from winning the Republican nomination for governor in a crucial battleground state. Now hes hoping for a repeat in his own backyard.

Ducey is part of a burgeoning effort among establishment Republicans to lift up little-known housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson against former television news anchor Kari Lake, who is backed by Trump. Other prominent Republicans, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have also lined up behind Robson in recent days.

On Monday, Robson's campaign announced the endorsement of former Vice President Mike Pence, who will campaign with her on Friday  the same day Trump is scheduled to hold a rally for Lake, creating a split-screen moment underscoring the divide between the GOP establishment and Trump.

The push for Robson is reminiscent of how many leading Republicans, including Ducey, rallied around Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in the final stretch of his ultimately successful bid to fend off a Trump-endorsed primary challenger.

Few states have been as central to Trumps election lies as Georgia and Arizona, the two closest 2020 battlegrounds where he pushed aggressively to overturn the results and fumed when Kemp and Ducey refused to go along. Trump has already faced a setback in Georgia, and the Aug. 2 race in Arizona is among his last opportunities to settle scores and install allies to lead states that may prove decisive if he decides to run again in 2024.

In Arizona, people are independent minded, much like they are in Georgia, and they pick the person that they think will be best for the responsibility, Ducey told The Associated Press. In Georgia, the voters said Brian Kemp, and Im hopeful in Arizona, theyll say Karrin Taylor Robson.

As an incumbent seeking reelection, Kemp had an advantage over his primary rival, David Perdue, and ultimately defeated him by nearly 52 percentage points. Without an incumbent on the ballot  Ducey faces term limits  the GOP contest in Arizona will likely be much closer.

But what once looked like an insurmountable lead for Lake could end in a more competitive finish. With early voting already underway, Robson is drawing on her family's vast fortune to drown out Lake who, despite Trump's endorsement, has lagged in fundraising. Robson had outspent Lake more than 5 to 1 as of the end of June.

The final maneuvering by some leading GOP figures could prove significant in a close race. Beyond Ducey and Christie, Robson has lined up support from former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, who dropped out of the governor's race and endorsed her. The Border Patrol union, meanwhile, broke with Trump and backed Robson, citing in part Lakes prior statements supporting a pathway to citizenship for people living in the country illegally.

Pence, who notably split with Trump in Georgia and campaigned alongside Kemp, praised Robson as the only candidate for Governor that will keep Arizonas border secure and streets safe, empower parents and create great schools, and promote conservative values. Pence said he was proud to support her.

For her part, Lake is an unlikely MAGA champion.

A well-known former local news anchor who donated to Barack Obama and for years hung around with drag queens at a gay bar near the television station, Lake once was the antithesis of Trumps brand of politics.

Yet she rocketed to the top of the field since she walked away from her three-decade television career, declared journalism is dead and took a sledgehammer to a pile of TVs.

She built on the powerful connection she'd formed with viewers over 27 years in the Phoenix media market and created a uniquely strong bond with the base that propelled Trump to the White House in 2016 and still doesnt believe he lost in 2020.

Even Trump seemed impressed by the ovation her name inspired when he mentioned it during a rally in Phoenix last year. He endorsed her a short time later.

She, in turn, has adopted his combative style, his narrative about the 2020 election  she falsely says it was corrupt and stolen  and his get-tough approach to border security. Shes walked away from her close ties with John McCains family and now feuds with the late U.S. senators children.

Were either gonna go the way of the past, which is the McCain mafia running the show, or were gonna go with America first, Lake told a crowd of hundreds at a country western bar in Tucson last week. Many arrived well over an hour early and waited in the Southern Arizona heat for a chance to get inside.

Lake, 52, routinely berates journalists trying to question her and releases the footage on social media.

Last year, she said she wants to put cameras in classrooms to monitor teachers, nodding to the backlash on the right to teachings on race and history in public schools.

If elected, she says, shed immediately invoke an untested legal theory that illegal immigration constitutes an invasion of the United States and gives the governor war powers to remove people from the country without proceedings in immigration courts.

Since Robson and her allies began their full-court press, Lake has claimed without evidence that they might be trying to set the stage for another steal.

They have been such RINOs for so long, and I dont trust that they have our country as a priority, said Rosa Alfonso, a 60-year-old speech language pathologist in Tucson. Thats a big deal.

Robson, 57, is making her first run for office, though she has lifelong ties to GOP politics. Her father and brother both held elected office as Republicans.

An attorney for real estate developers, she has been at the center of the suburban sprawl that has propelled the Phoenix areas prodigious growth. Ducey appointed her to the board overseeing Arizonas three public universities, her most high-profile public role before she quit to run for governor.

These are serious times, Robson said during a recent debate. We need a serious candidate with a record of accomplishment.

Her husband, housing developer Ed Robson, 91, is one of the states richest residents, amassing a fortune building master planned retirement communities. She says the 2020 election was unfair but has stopped short of calling it fraudulent. Like Lake, shes running as a border hawk.

She brands her rival Fake Lake, highlighting a $350 donation she gave to Obamas 2008 campaign, though Robson has herself contributed large sums to Democrats.

Its all an act, Ducey said of Lake. The campaign shes been running bears no resemblance to the life shes lived for the past three decades, nor to the interactions that shes had with me. Shes putting on a show. Well see how many people buy it.

___

This story has been corrected to show Lake worked in the Phoenix media market, rather than the Fox affiliate, for 27 years.

__

Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed reporting from New York.
The Nigerian senate panel on public accounts has ordered the arrest of Dr Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), for allegedly paying $5 million to a legal firm as a professional fee for the recovery of a $9.3bn loss.

The $5m was paid for the intelligence-based tracking of a global movement of Nigerian hydrocarbon and recovery of loss by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the sum of $9.3bn between 2013 and 2014.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Matthew Urhogbide, at a briefing on Sunday, berated the agency over the failure of NIMASA to appear before the panel, saying that the panel had no other option than to issue a warrant of arrest on the DG of NIMASA.

He said, We have invited NIMASA up to three times, but they have failed to honour our invitations. This committee has no other option than to issue a warrant of arrest against the Director General of the agency. They can come to the National Assembly for fund appropriation, but when it is time to give account they will be nowhere to be found.

The committee had invited NIMASA up to three times for the explanation on the payment of $5 million as professional fee and details of $9.3bn loss by the Federal government, but the agency declined the invitation.

The Auditor Generals report showed that all efforts by the Auditor General of the Federation to get the details of the $9.3bn loss by the Federal government for thorough scrutiny were not granted by NIMASA.

According to AuGF report, the money was paid from Zenith Bank (UK)s dollar account.

The query read, Audit observed that the agency engaged the service of a legal firm through a letter with reference number NIMASA/DG/KP/2014/001, dated 24th January 2014 for the intelligence-based tracking of a global movement of Nigerian Hydro-Carbon and recovery of loss by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the sum of $9.3bn between 2013 and 2014, with a start-off cost of $5m and five per cent of all sums recovered.

Payment instruction with reference number NIMASA/2007/DFS/WJ/5.500/VOL.11/341 dated April 2014 showed that the firm was paid the sum of $4,523,809.52 (Four million five hundred and twenty-three thousand eight hundred and nine dollars fifty-two cents only) net as professional fees from Zenith Bank (UK) Dollar account.

The naira equivalent of this amount was N741,904,761.28 at an exchange rate of N164 to a dollar as of that date.

No evidence of recovery of either part or the entire sum of the 9.3 Billion US Dollars was presented at the time of the periodic check-in in February 2018, despite the huge amount of money already paid to this effect.

It is instructive to note that details of the transaction leading to the loss of $9.3bn to the Federal Government which only came to audit attention through the review of the letter from the agency to the legal firm so as to ascertain what could have transpired, resulting in such a huge loss were not presented for audit.

Ordinarily, the firm should have deducted its fees from the amounts recovered for the FGN, and not receive fees in advance in lieu of the recoveries.

It added, Audit is concerned that payments were made for service not rendered and this may be a deliberate attempt to divert government funds for personal use.

The Director-General is required to justify the payment for service not rendered, failing which the sum of N741,904,761.28 should be recovered from the legal firm and paid into the CRF, forwarding evidence of payment to the Public Account Committees of the National Assembly and to the Office of Auditor-General for the Federation for verification. Sanctions stated in FR 3104 should apply. He is also required to provide details of the transaction(s) leading to the loss of 9.3 Billion US Dollars for thorough scrutiny.
This piece stemmed from two uniquely similar but different sources. First is a Whatsapp picture of Peter Obi, Labor Party Presidential Flag bearer, and his running mate Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, which I recently stumbled upon in a group platform. The referenced portrait was laced with the following inscriptions; Nigeria Has Never Had It This Good!; No missing certificates, Excellent academic achievements, Good, verifiable track records, Good business administration and no criminal records.

While reflecting on the portrait and its messages, I got yet another Whatsapp message. Like the first, it reads; Obicracy is a system where the masses choose a competent leader without structure over incompetent leader with full structure.

To cross check the validity of these claims about Peter Obis popularity, I sought a telephone conversation with a cross section of quietly influential Nigerians. While all comments were validly important and appreciated, the observations by Tony Ezeagwu, Chairman, Labour Party, Delta state/Coordinator, Peter Obi Campaign Organization, and another by Iwemdi Nwaham, Member of People Democratic Party (PDP), not only stood out but formed the nucleus of the present discourse.

Like a boil that can never be cured as long as it is covered up, until it is opened with all its pus-flowing ugliness to the natural medicine of air and light their remarks respectively brought to surface the hidden prospects and concerns inherent in Obis movement to where it can be seen and treated. Most importantly, the duo subjected Obis quest for presidency to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion.

Beginning with Tony Ezeagwu, he was not only emphatic as to Obis prospect but categorical as to why Nigerians should elect him as their next President.

In his words; as you can see, Nigeria as a country is in a state of decay. Everything has gone wrong, people are suffering, and schools are closed. No hospital to attend. People are being kidnapped and the people have no answer to all that is happening. And you have also heard of Obis background particularly when he was a governor.

You have heard all he did in Anambra state; how he revived the state. You know what made them impeach him on two different occasions. But each time he goes to the court, the court returns him to the office because of his steadfastness to doing the right thing. He was sure of what he was doing in the office as a Governor. He was doing the right thing and not the wrong thing. Even when they alleged that he did not follow due process and the rest of it, the court insisted that the man followed due process, except if it is a different thing that you are looking for.

Waxing philosophical, he asked rhetorically; do you know that it is in washing hands that we know who will scramble for the food? And are you also aware that charity begins at home? What you were not taught at your youthful age, you cannot learn in old age. Obi has taught us not to talk about other people. Instead, we should tell Nigerians what he is going to do and what he has done in the past-as that is better than looking into what others have done. Whether they have done well or have done wrong. It is Nigerians that have to say that.

He further stressed that the most important thing is that what he did in Anambra stands him out. Anambra he explained is a state, just as Nigeria is a state. If we are talking about the Ministry of Health in Anambra, there is nothing different between the Ministry of Health in Anambra state and the Federal Ministry of Health. If we are talking about the Ministry of Agriculture in Anambra state, there is nothing different from that of the Ministry of Agriculture at the Federal level. So, he is only going to replicate whatever he has done in the past.

The only thing is that it is going to be at a larger scope now. And because it is on a larger scope, it will require larger resources to spend on those demands. It is not the size of the fund that is in Anambra as a state that is at the Federal level. The only thing is that the size of the mans thinking, his ability that he used in Anambra, is the same ability that he is going to use at the Federal level. I think it is a very simple and straightforward thing. Anybody who is talking about Anambra being a small state and the rest of it might not be getting it right.

The issue is; does Peter Obi know what to do? That is the question.

I am sure you are aware that the issue we are talking about is somebody who will look at a problem on the ground and not only know what to do but figure out the solution. That is exactly what we are talking about. And if you see the people Labour Party is parading now; President and Vice Presidential aspirants, you will know that first and foremost, two of them possess the energy needed to function at that capacity. They are young people. They are successful entrepreneurs. So they know what to do to make Nigeria great.

At this point, he said something very interesting; Obi is not promising the youth anything extra-ordinary than what they are entitled to.

So, what are those things that they are entitled to? I queried.

Look, he responded; first and foremost they are entitled to good life. Secondly, they are entitled to go to school and if you have a course of four years, you will do it for four years and not for eight years. Thirdly, when you graduate, you will get a job. Fourthly, our people used to call Benue state the food basket of the nation. Today, Benue state is no longer the food basket. They have been driven out of the bush and their farms and you dont expect us (Nigerians) to be getting food the way they used to. Go to Zamfara state, people are being slaughtered every day. Go to Kaduna state, people are being slaughtered every day. So what he is going to do is that he has to bring Nigeria to oneness again. It will no longer be Christian/Muslim or Hausa/Igbo, Yoruba or south versus North. It has to be if you are a Nigerian, you are a Nigerian. That is what he wants to put in place.

However, while Tony exudes confidence about how Peter Obi will win the forthcoming Presidential election and turn the fortunes of this country around, Iwemdi Nwaham, member of PDP in Delta state, says something new and different.

He said in parts; I dont have a contrary opinion as per observation. I only have a contrary opinion as per actualization. When you open the social media, when you look around you, you just find people who are obedient all over the place. You go to school, you go to motor park, palm wine drinking bar, and honestly the mileage of stocks is in favour of Obi because Obi is saying the right things. Obi is really touching on the nerves and this is where APC must know that they have thrown up an Obi because of the way they have misruled this country. You know, when you come out of that, you look at the ingredients for electoral victory.

The ingredient for electoral victory is not just to sit down in a palm wine bar and talk. It is much more. When they say structure, you have to have a structure and because of the way people are interpreting it, I dont even like using the word structure anymore but it is real. In party politics, you entrench yourself; you put certain tentacles into the ground. If you dont have it, you will just ramble around it.

I tell you, Peter Obi might not even score 30 percent in Anambra state of the votes that will be cast for president. But he is so popular; people like to listen to him. His messages are resonating everywhere. He will get to the presidency but not in 2023. There are certain things that must be in place in dismantling the skewed nature of Nigeria. Nigeria is too skewed in favour of one ethnic group and it is not fair. Those things that will be done to dismantle it cannot be done by Peter Obi or Tinubu. It can only be done by somebody like them who will say look my people, I think this unfairness has become too much. We have gone too far. This country might go into a conflagration if we dont apply sense. Then he now begins to reorder gradually. It cannot be done mechanically. He concluded.

Whatever may be the case; this piece on its part holds the opinion that the current administration has no clear definition of our problem as a nation, the goals to be achieved, or the means to address the problems and to achieve the goals. Secondly, the system has virtually no consideration for connecting the poor with good means of livelihood-food, job, and security. This is the only possible explanation for the present situation and a fact that has made the need for a third force in the coming 2023 general election important!!!



Utomi is the Programme Cordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via; j [email protected]/08032725374








Women and girls Rights advocates in Nigeria have been advised to build networks and collaborations as a means of mitigating the risks associated with their job.

The State Coordinator, Coalition of Eastern Nongovernmental Organisations, Rivers State Chapter, Mrs Dumka David, gave the admonition in Uburu, Ebonyi State, during a capacity building outreach for Women Rights Organisations, Civil Society Organisations and Autonomous Social Movements in Ohaozara and Onicha Local government areas of the State.

The two-day training was organised by Women International League for Peace and Freedom, WILPF, a Nongovernmental Organization implementing the United Nation women spotlight project on Ending violence against women and girls.

The training was aimed at equipping participants with knowledge on Accountability tools and mechanisms for effective Advocacy in ending violence against women and girls in Ebonyi State.

Dumka, one of the facilitators at the training observed that women and girls rights activists work under precarious conditions heightened by culture, ethnicity and other social variables.

She advised them to build understanding and collaboration with their focal communities, government and other fellow advocates/Organisations in order to achieve greater impact and safety in their mission.

Dumka explained:" Going by the happenings around us, you will observe that the violence that women experience differ, based on various factors which include locality, ethnicity, age, language, class and religion.

"Those also determine the kind of risks that women rights advocates face.

"So, to give a direct or specific mechanism to address these would be for me, that everybody should seek how to come up with initiatives that would mitigate the risks.

"Advocates should collaborate with other bodies, build networks with other Civil society organisations to form a formidable force.

"In that case, the activist is not standing alone but in unity with others whose capacity has been built.

"That will go a long way to help in the cause which the activist is advancing.

"Also, collaboration with government and the community where they work is very key, for them to have an in depth knowledge of the mission.

"That way, they will build support."

Speaking on the accountability tools, the Lead facilitator, Mrs Rita Kigbara, listed some to include Citizens Score Card, Citizen's Report Card and the Shadow Report mechanism, among others.

She noted that no particular tool was better than the other in making government accountable, and advised Right Organisations and CSOs to choose based on the peculiarities of their operative environments.

She said: The advocate chooses a tool or mechanism based on peculiarities of his environment.

"Due to our peculiarity in this region, we look at the Citizens Score Card as a very good tool to use.

"The process can bring the community who are the right holders, and the government as duty bearers together to collaborate and work towards ending violence against women and girls."

Kigbara however, identified citizen's lack of knowledge about government provided laws and institutions on VAWG as the greatest impediment to the fight against the menace in Ebonyi State.

"For me, I would say that the greatest impediment to the fight against violence against women and girls in Ebonyi State is the lack of awareness of citizens on the available laws and institutions against the practice.

"Most people do not even know that the government has a part to play in such a way as to demand for such actions by holding government accountable to implement the laws.

"That is apart from the issues of culture and age long traditional beliefs against women which is all over Africa.

"We need to change some of our cultures and norms to begin to help ourselves" Kigbara observed.

Speaking on the essence of the training, the Country Director, WILPF, Nigeria, Professor Joy Onyesoh, stated that it was aimed at working towards ensuring that Ebonyi State achieve zero tolerance to violence against women and girls.

Onyesoh, represented by the Project Officer, WILPF, Oluchi Esther Nwite, further charged Women advocates to fight for their rights the right ways without endangering their lives.

"We are here to build their capacity to begin to demand, ask questions and hold government stakeholders accountable to women, in line with provisions of the law."

On the choice of Ohaozara and Onicha local government areas for the training, Onyesoh noted: " from recent research, it has been discovered that there are rising cases of VAWG in Ohaozara and Onicha LGAs of the State.

"We earlier had community stakeholders dialogue alongside State actors on Wednesday in Abakaliki.

"It is time for women to stand up and begin to hold the Bull by the horn, and that is why we are building people's capacities."

In an interview, one of the participants, Mrs Cecilia Elom, Promised to step down the training to the rural communities.

Elom, a Staff of Women Affairs department in the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, appreciated WILPF for the opportunity.

She enumerated some of the efforts of the Ministry in ending VAWG in the State to include setting up of a GBV taskforce as well as collaboration with organisations such as FIDA

She also noted that the Ministry has a Social Welfare department working assiduously to ensure that violence against persons were reduced to the barest minimum in the State.
During the Nigeria-Biafra war a young Igbo Biafran lieutenant and his platoon of diehards from the Biafran Commandos ambushed a Nigerian army company along the bullet-riddled road connecting Mbarakpa to Ihiala town, then under brutal contest between both sides. As the Nigerian convoy rolled in, unaware of the blissful welcome awaiting them, the lieutenant saw that their commander, seated Israeli paratrooper style beside the driver of the lead Land Rover, was the Gwari boy who shared a desk with him when they were students at St. Johns College, Kaduna; who taught him the fine art of chasing girls; who saved him and his family from rampaging mobs in 1966 and persuaded his father to ensure all of them escaped from Northern Nigeria unhurt.

The lieutenant did not order his men to open fire. He screamed the Gwari password his friend used to safeguard him and his family in those satanic days when mobs went amok, baying for Nyamiri blood. The Gwari boy, now a captain, nearly passed out when he heard it. He ordered his driver to stop.

The Biafrans watched, many with almost unbearable hatred. The gashes of 1966 were still dripping blood in the hearts of most of them. But they dared not shoot because they knew the stuff their lieutenant was made of. They stayed their itching trigger fingers.

Chimezie, dont shoot. Its Lami; I am unarmed. The captain matched his shout by tossing out his service pistol and raising his hands as he emerged from the vehicle. His men watched, their hearts beating feverishly for they knew they were staring into the face of the grim reaper. Chimezie watched, his MAAB machine-pistol at the ready, suppressing unsoldierly emotion with herculean effort. Tension walked on two legs at that moment.

As soon as the lanky and smiling captain stepped onto the road in full sight a rifle to Chimezies left chattered briefly but madly. Twice. Lami collapsed like a bag of water-soaked yams, blood oozing from a head wound. The triggerman was Chimezies platoon sergeant, Nwanze alias ndi awusa ga nwu (all Hausa people must die). A prosperous trader in Sokoto before the war, Nwanzes entire family and shops were destroyed in one day in August 1966 and he virtually walked home from the North.

Undiluted shock and terror filled the earth and hearts. But Chimezie reacted with the sharp-shooting speed which had earned him the nickname of Jet in the Commandos. Nwanze went down with five bullets from his machine-pistol.

The Nigerians went into desperate battle. It was short, sharp and brutal. The Biafrans made quick work of them. Chimezie called upon all his resources as he shot at the Nigerians and also dodged bullets from some of his men who saw him gun down their sergeant. Ten merciful minutes later it was over. Almost all the Nigerians were dead but eighty percent of Chimezies unit was wiped out.

The surviving Biafrans saw their commander kneeling beside Lamis corpse, crying like a child. They paused. All of them, to a man, instantly understood wordlessly. Chimezie looked up at the bearded, scarred face of Corporal Odogwu who was next in line to the dead Nwanze.

Corporal, he saved me in Kaduna. His voice was quiet.

I know, sir. Odogwus voice was soft but his eyes were lit up by hellfire.

You know your duty, Odogwu. Will you put me under arrest or shoot me here?

Odogwu looked at the mens faces, walked over to the lone surviving Nigerian writhing on the ground. The sounds emitting from what used to be his mouth could not be attributed to any living creature the corporal knew. The guy was still alive though his entire face had been shot off. Soundlessly but venomously cursing Ojukwu and Gowon, Odogwu aimed his pistol at the man and put him out of his misery. He swung his gun with cat-like speed on Chimezie who was still crouched beside Lamis body.

Lieutenant Chimezie Oke, you are under arrest for the murder of Sergeant Nwanze Ejidike, sir. The onetime Nigerian soldiers voice was cold but his eyes burned with pain. All the surviving commandos trained their rifles on the lieutenant instantly. Chimezie did not resist as two of his men took his gun and handcuffed him.

The court-martial back at the headquarters was a summary affair. Chimezie was led to a stake to await the firing-squad.

Final words, my son? asked the chaplain.

Chimezie smiled before replying. Once in a lifetime a higher duty makes its demand of us. Thank God I was not found wanting when it called.

Eight months after the war Odogwu used his still existing contacts in the Nigerian military brotherhood to reach out to Lamis people. They came to Igboland and he took them to the unmarked grave in which Chimezies corpse was unceremoniously buried by his executioners. Mama Lami stretched herself over it and wept like tomorrow would never come. My son, my son, my true Igbo son. God, why must two brothers die like this? She buried flowers in the grave.

A photograph of the grave adorns a wall of the Lami family home beside the picture of Chimezie and Lami in their third year at St. Johns.
Department ramps up piracy inspections as tourists return

BUSINESS: The Intellectual Property Department has vowed to tighten its inspection of pirated products, especially in tourist destinations, as they are projected to proliferate after the countrys reopening.

patongpolicecrime

By Bangkok Post

Monday 18 July 2022, 09:42AM

Tourists visit Wat Phra Chetuphon, better known as Wat Pho, on July 1, 2022. Photo: Apichart Jinakul

According to deputy director-general Jittima Srithaporn, the department recently had discussions with the Royal Thai Police, the Department of Special Investigation, the Customs Department, owners of trading areas and intellectual property (IP) owners to set guidelines for the supervision, protection and suppression of IP violations, reports the Bangkok Post.

The inspections will be more stringent, especially in red zones and notorious markets where pirated products are widely available, she said. This includes tourist destinations popular with foreigners such as Patong beach in Phuket, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Silom Road in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Rong Kluea market in Sa Kaeo near the border with Cambodia.

After the countrys reopening on June 1 to support tourism, a flood of foreign tourists is anticipated. Sales of pirated products may rebound in tourist areas following the reopening. The department, in cooperation with allies in the public and private sectors, want to intensify measures to prevent and suppress IP violations, said Ms Jittima.

She said the department and its partners are also committed to moving ahead with measures to prevent infringement of online IP rights.

In January 2021, the department signed a memorandum of understanding on the protection of online IP rights with the Business Development Department, large international online platforms such as Shopee, Lazada and JD Central, and 25 owners of IP rights, both Thai and foreign.

According to Ms Jittima, the cooperation has resulted in the dramatic reduction of sales of products that infringe on IP via the three major online platforms. Rights owners are now allowed to report directly to the operators of the three platforms if IP violations are found, allowing them to take down or remove merchants immediately.

She said the department is going to increase the number of rights owners and add more online platforms as well as Facebook and YouTube, where copyright infringements, especially for music, remain rampant.

In the first five months of 2022, 734 arrests were made, down by 23.1% from 954 in the same period last year, said Ms Jittima. The number of seized articles totalled 438,072 pieces, down by 88.2% compared with the same period last year.
Phuket small hotel operators are getting assistance, report officials

PHUKET: Assistance is currently being provided to hotel businesses in Phuket that were forced to close due to illegal construction on public land, reports state news agency NNT.

tourism

By The Phuket News

Monday 18 July 2022, 04:55PM

Image: NBT

The announcement came from Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong, who was reported to be clarifying the gathering of hotel operators in Patong last week to express their plight as their businesses were closed and their assets were auctioned off, said the NNT report, posted on Saturday (July 16).

Vice Governor Pichet stated that currently, 860 small hotels are permitted to open legally in Phuket, while 994 hotels were found to have violated regulations and must be rectified.

He did not clarify exactly how many hotels were actually currently open and receiving guests.

Some of the hotels were discovered to be built in prohibited areas such as national parks, SorPorKor agricultural land or designated zones in ministerial city planning regulations, the report said.

According to reports, 53% of the businesses violated building control laws, with the violation commonly related to environmental issues, the report added.

Meanwhile, around 6% of the hotels were found in breach of hotel and city planning regulations which disqualified them from getting state welfare and loans for their businesses.

Only 91 of the 994 small hotels had fixed their problems, while the remaining 903 hotels that hadnt are struggling and are in need of government assistance, said the report.

According to Vice Governor Pichet, provincial officials have approached the Interior Ministrys Land Department for assistance because some residents had purchased condo units with the intention of converting them into hotels.

However, the law requires that the building first be cleared of any condo or housing estate registrations before it can be converted into a hotel. The request must be approved by all members of the housing estate.

HOTEL ACT

In an effort to increase hotel rooms and customers, Vice Governor Pichet also mentioned a law revision that would require a minimum of 10 hotel rooms and 30 customers as a requirement for hotel registration.

Vice Governor Pichet added that authorities understand the plight of these people but the process of revising certain laws to help will take time, said the report.

The Department of Provincial Administration, which oversees the implementation of hotel laws, is working to help these people, as well as businesses that are facing similar problems in other provinces in Thailand, the report said.

The report by NNT omitted an explanation that under the Hotel Act all accommodation owners with venues with five or more rooms that are rented out at daily rates must be registered as hotels and the site must comply with the required building regulations for hotels  definitions that small hotel operators have for years been pleading for the government to revise.

Members of the Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium (BAC) filed another formal request last year, this one pleading for the government to extend an amnesty initiated in 2016 to upgrade their hotels in order to be registered under the Hotels Act. The amnesty expired on Aug 18 last year.

The issue of small accommodation venues that do not not comply with the Hotel Act came to a head in May 2018 when the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Court ruled that two separate condo owners were guilty of breaching the Hotel Act by renting out their properties at daily or even weekly rates.

The bookings for the condos were made through accommodation booking powerhouse Airbnb, which in 2018 launched its campaign to work with local officials to have small accommodation venues brought into the fold to finally become legal.

The issue was never completely resolved, despite the Department of Local Administration entering an official partnership with Airbnb.

Through the partnership, Airbnb and the Ministry of Interiors DOLA will work together to train local provincial officials on hospitality, hosting and compliance standards; and onboard existing homestays onto Airbnbs global platform, Airbnb announced at the time.

In November 2019, Airbnb also announced its best practices principles for regulations on short-term rentals, which included:

Simple and online national-level registration: A simple, swift and online registration system for short-term accommodation to ensure compliance and promote high safety standards.

Differentiated regulation: A differentiated  rather than one-size-fits-all  approach to regulation which distinguishes between the various types of short-term accommodation activity. For example, regulations should differentiate between someone sharing a room in their home, their own home occasionally or someone with a vacation rental for full commercial purpose.

Industry-wide approach: There should be an industry-wide approach to regulation and close cooperation between all industry participants and regulators in implementing regulations.

Regardless, the definitions used in the Hotel Act have remained unchanged, leaving many small accommodation venue operators illegal.
Prepare for tsunami evacuation drill, says Phuket disaster chief

PHUKET: Local government agencies and residents have been asked to prepare for tsunami evacuation drills to be held across the island on Wednesday (July 20), with all 19 tsunami-warning towers sounding the warning in five languages.

tourismSafetydisasters

By The Phuket News

Monday 18 July 2022, 05:42PM

DDPM-Phuket Chief Udomporn Kan. Photo: Radio Thailand Phuket

The sirens will sound two different warnings, Udomporn Kan, Chief of the Phuket Provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), said during a radio broadcast today (July 18).

The first warning will be an alert informing people of an inbound tsunami. The second warning will instruct people to make their way to the nearest safe evacuation zone.

According to a report of the broadcast by Radio Thailand Phuket, Mr Udomporn did not confirm at what time the towers will sound the warnings.

However, it was repeated in the report that the warnings will be In five languages: Thai, English, Japanese, Chinese and Russian.

Officials in all three districts had been instructed to ensure that all safe evacuation points were ready for the exercise. There are more than 200 locations, he said.

The exercise will simulate a 7.8 Magnitude earthquake under the sea, triggering a tsunami, he said.

The provincial incident command centre will inform the district incident command centre, and the district centre will notify the emergency operations center at local government organisations [municipalities] in the area to conduct evacuation drills, Mr Udomporn said.
Wounded dolphin dies after rescue at Patong

PHUKET: A wounded striped dolphin rescued from shallow water at Patong Beach late yesterday afternoon (July 17) has died, marine life experts at the Siritharn Rare Marine Life Rescue Center have confirmed.

patongmarineanimalsenvironmentnatural-resourcesdeath

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 18 July 2022, 10:43AM

Lifeguards at the beach were alerted at about 5:20pm that a young dolphin had been found in distress in shallow water near the bridge at the southern end of Patong Beach.

Soon after, lifeguards as well as Patong Police and Kusoildharm rescue workers were at the scene. Marine biologists at the Siritharn Rare Marine Life Rescue Center, based at Ao Makham on Phukets east coast, also soon arrived.

The marine life experts checked the dolphin for obvious signs of injury and found a wound on its tail. Coordinated efforts then saw the young dolphin brought ashore and rushed to the the Siritharn Rare Marine Life Rescue Center.

Marine biologists at the centre later confirmed that the dolphin had died. Details of any infections the dolphin may have been suffering or how serious the wound on the tail was have yet to be announced.
Zelensky sacks 2 top Ukraine officials as EU mulls Russia sanctions

KYIV: Ukraine faced new turmoil yesterday (July 17) with President Volodymyr Zelensky announcing he sacked his top two law enforcement officials, in the governments most serious shakeup since Russia launched its deadly invasion in February.

UkraineRussianviolencedeathmilitarypolitics

By AFP

Monday 18 July 2022, 10:41AM

A local resident, Raisa Kuval, 82, reacts next to a damaged building partially destroyed after a shelling in the city of Chuguiv, east of Kharkiv, on July 16, 2022. Photo: Sergey Bobok / AFP

The domestic crisis came as the European Union prepared to discuss tightening sanctions against Russia today, and as Kyiv accused Moscow of launching fresh strikes on multiple residential areas in eastern and southern Ukraine.

The new attacks came after Moscow announced it would step up its military operations and Ukraine accused Russia of installing missile launchers at Europes largest nuclear plant.

Zelensky said he was firing prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova and security chief Ivan Bakanov amid a high number of cases of suspected treason by Ukrainian law enforcement officials.

In a national address, Zelensky said over 650 cases of suspected treason and aiding and abetting Russia by Ukrainian security officials are currently being investigated, including 60 cases of officials who he said have remained in territories occupied by Russia and are working against our state.

Such a great number of crimes against the foundations of national security and the connections established between Ukrainian law enforcement officials and Russian special services pose very serious questions to the relevant leaders, Zelensky said.

Each such question will be answered.

Zelensky also highlighted the devastating military might Moscow has used against Ukraine, saying that as of yesterday Russian forces have launched more than 3,000 cruise missiles on targets in Ukraine.

High price

With the conflict grinding on and increasingly spilling out into global energy and food crises, EU foreign ministers are considering banning gold purchases from Russia.

And more Russian figures could also be placed on the EU blacklist.

Moscow must continue to pay a high price for its aggression, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after forwarding the proposed measures.

Brussels is expected to hold initial sanctions discussions today, but not make a same-day decision, according to a senior EU official.

The heaviest fighting continues to focus on the industrial east of Ukraine, and yesterday, Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko accused Moscow of shelling civilian infrastructure, especially education institutions.

But Igor Besukh, a chef in the local city of Kramatorsk, just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the frontline, was determined to stay strong in the face of Russian attacks.

Even after a Friday missile strike on Kramatorsk, which he admits scared him, Besukh continued operating his sushi restaurant, one of the few places still open in the city.

War is war, but lunch must be served on time, he said, quoting a popular saying.

Massive shelling

Near Ukraines Black Sea coast, the southern city of Mykolaiv came under massive shelling yesterday, regional governor Vitaliy Kim said.

Kim added that several residential areas were shelled in the region a day earlier, with three people killed in the village of Shevchenkove and one woman killed in Shyrokiv where a residential building was destroyed.

In a BBC television interview broadcast yesterday, the head of Britains armed forces, Admiral Tony Radakin, estimated that 50,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded in the invasion with nearly 1,700 Russian tanks and some 4,000 armoured fighting vehicles destroyed.

Radakin suggested that Russias land forces may pose less of a threat now, but more than 20 weeks since the invasion began, Moscow said Saturday it would step up its military operations.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu gave the necessary instructions to further increase military pressure, according to his ministry.

The orders come after Ukraines atomic energy agency accused Russians of installing missile launchers at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and using the facility to shell the Dnipro region.

Russias defence ministry said in its daily briefing yesterday that it destroyed a warehouse for Harpoon anti-ship missiles delivered to Ukraine by NATO in the port city of Odessa.

Ukraine denied the claim, saying Russia destroyed the storage facility of a company with no military links.

Hundreds of kilometres from the frontline, Ukraine said missile strikes earlier in the week left 24 dead in the central city Vinnytsia, triggering international condemnation.

Russias defence ministry said it had targeted a meeting in Vinnytsia of the command of the Ukrainian Air Force with representatives of foreign arms suppliers.

But a senior US defence official said on condition of anonymity that he had no indication there was a military target nearby.

Meanwhile, in Russia, police yesterday detained journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who in March interrupted a live TV broadcast to denounce the military action in Ukraine, her lawyer said.

No official statement has been made, but her detention comes days after Ovsyannikova, 44, demonstrated alone near the Kremlin holding a placard criticising Russias invasion and President Vladimir Putin.
We can't believe we're just finding out about this maddog..

A metalhead in the US has turned the skeleton of his dead uncle into an electric guitar, and we can't tell if its sick, or siiick.

The musician, who goes under the alias 'Prince Midnight', got his dead uncle's skeleton shipped to him from Greece to Florida.

In a Facebook post, he explains that his uncle Filip died in Greece in the '90s, and donated his body to science before passing.

"However, the schools in Greece discontinued using actual skeletons and he ended up in a box in a cemetery that the family has had to pay rent on (permanent grave was $150,000)," he explains.

"So, we finally made the move to bring him to the US. Happy to be reunited!"
He called Hawkins death a horrible thing and said that seeing the Foo Fighters drummer was always a highlight of touring.



Its just a simple n its awkward dealing with the gravity of something like this but in an effort to pay our respects wed like to dedicate this tour to our friend Taylor Hawkins.

Taylor was a really great guy and it was always great to see him!

He was a great n always welcome part of touring these last few years!

This is such a horrible thing and our hearts go out to his family, friends, bandmates, and everyone who loves him.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 28C. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 17C. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Press Release

July 15, 2022 LEGARDA PROPOSES FOR A DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION The creation of a Department of Technical Education and Training is sought with the filing of Senate Bill No. 6 by four-term Senator Loren Legarda. The proposed Department shall be the primary government agency tasked with the promotion and development of technical education, training, and certification. Legarda filed this measure to strengthen the role of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in making sure that it has the wherewithal to provide Filipinos skills and knowledge especially in this new normal. "Emerging industries will necessitate institutions of learning and capacity-building a wide scale of response to the changing demand for skills. There is a need to ensure that new initiatives and the right amount of resources will further promote opportunities to address key challenges in the employment sector," Legarda said. The veteran lawmaker has been been supportive of TESDA's programs noting its key role in upskilling Filipino workers such as the Barangay Kabuhayan Skills Training Program (BKSTP), Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), and Special Training for Employment Program (STEP), all under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) benefitting Filipinos nationwide. "TESDA is in a leading position to help the government create an improvement in the lives of the poor, as well as help reduce poverty incidence in the country. Through our coordination with TESDA, government agencies and private organizations collaborate in providing training packages that complement and address the need of a particular community. The introduction of innovative ways to enhance skills and provide additional learning is consistent with TESDA's objectives of social equity for workforce inclusion and poverty reduction" Legarda added. One of Legarda's legislative accomplishments is the passage of Republic Act No. 9509, also known as the Barangay Livelihood and Skills Training Act of 2008. This law establishes livelihood and skills training centers in the fourth, fifth and sixth class municipalities to open employment opportunities, combat poverty and improve the quality of life of the Filipinos. As then Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Legarda pushed for the augmentation of funds for TESDA's various scholarship and skills training programs. Legarda received the National TESDA Kabalikat Award in 2021 under the Legislative Category in recognition of her invaluable contribution in developing, enhancing, and implementing training programs that have resulted in better employability of Filipino skilled workers as well as in the promotion of entrepreneurship among Filipinos.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  A man accused of killing a retired St. Louis police captain while looting a store during a violent night prompted by racial injustice protests in 2020 is facing trial this week for first-degree murder.

Opening statements were held Monday in the trial of Stephen Cannon, 26, of Glasgow Village, who is accused of killing Capt. David Dorn, who was protecting a friend's pawn shop during looting on June 2, 2020, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The shooting came on a night of violence across St. Louis after demonstrations sparked by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020.

Dorn and four officers were shot, officers were pelted with rocks and fireworks, and 55 businesses were burglarized or damaged across St. Louis during the protests.

Along with the unrest that came  that civil unrest  came chaos, Chief Trial Assistant Marvin Teer told jurors Monday. And St. Louis was touched by it, too. ... Our streets were ravaged with looters, with chaos, a pain set ablaze. With that legitimate pain came acts, many of which are unconscionable.

Dorn, who was 77 when he died, served 38 years on the St. Louis force before working six years as chief in Moline Acres. His wife, Ann Dorn, said her husband often checked on alarms at the pawn shop because he was friends with the owner.

Prosecutors have said Cannon was one of several people looting the store that night. When Dorn arrived, Cannon went to a nearby corner, allegedly with a gun in his hand. Cannon, prosecutors said, was the only person on the corner when shots were fired and Dorn was hit.

Cannon's attorney, Brian Horneyer, told jurors Monday that no physical evidence linked Cannon to the killing. He also said the state's main witness, who is also charged with several felonies, told detectives he would say anything they wanted for a plea deal and to escape a murder conviction.

Prosecutors are expected to show jurors a Facebook livestream of the aftermath of Dorns death outside the store and will call Liddell Chapple, who recorded the video.

Damn man, over some TVs, cuz? For real? Thats somebodys granddaddy, cuz! Chapple shouts on the video. Chapple then turns his phone to Dorn, gasping and bleeding out, and says Rest in peace, bro. Nothin but love, bro. ... You was doing the right thing.

The trial is expected to last through the week.
Lets make a deal. This is a very important deal so that together we can work toward preserving democracy in these United States. If you and I can make this one deal, arrive at this one understanding, theres hope for America. And heres the deal.

We agree that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election in a fair contest. Thats it. That is all that we have to agree upon. To save our democracy a large majority of American citizens must agree on that one fact. Unless that happens, were screwed.

Notice, I didnt ask you to agree with me on guns, marriage, income equality, abortion or whether you have come to accept that the Cardinals lost the 1985 World Series because of Don Denkinger. I have only asked you to agree that following the decision of 60 judges, including 10 appointed by Trump, there exists no voter fraud that altered the outcome of the election. In fact, every Republican Secretary of State in every red state in the Union says that the election was untainted in their state, even if Biden won that states popular vote.

Trumps campaign manager, Bill Stepien, Attorney General Barr, Acting Attorney General Rosen, scores of federal prosecutors around the Country, and Ivanka Trump all agree that DJT lost. Mike Pence says he lost. Mitch McConnell says Trump lost. A lawful act of Congress declared Trump the loser. Every branch of government has acknowledged that Trump lost, including the military. I know of no credible source that says Trump won or that the election was unfair.

Over 300 separate allegations of fraud in Georgia alone were tracked down. All were false as were the allegations of voter fraud in Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. All were checked and rechecked and audited by people employed by MAGA Republicans to perform the investigations and audits. Heck, they did a hand recount in Georgia of over five million votes cast. No fraud and no faulty equipment.

Folks, it is past time to put this one to bed. Trump lost and despite his pleas to the contrary, he gives nothing but empty claims without facts or evidence, or he rehashes wild theories that are long debunked by his own party. Hes crying wolf and he knows it and he has known it all along.

So why is it so darn difficult to move past this? Because in addition to Trump there are over a hundred cowards running for federal and state offices that echo Trumps Big Lie. And like Trump, they offer no evidence of any kind that the 2020 election was somehow rigged. They just repeat Trumps words like good little parrots so Trump will stuff a cracker of support in their pleading beaks. Truth and democracy be damned.

No person of good conscious can be made to bow to Trumps threats. Conservative Republican, Rusty Bowers, Speaker of the House of Arizona, in refusing to go along with Trumps coup, refused to break his oath to the Constitution as did officials in Georgia. But despite these examples of courage and honesty, there are many candidates who are buckling under and who will not speak the obvious truth, that Trump lost. Instead, they hide their opinion in silence or repeat the Trump lie to suck up to the Loser-in-Chief.

Those candidates who go along with the Trump lie and refuse to admit Bidens legitimate victory are not standing on principle. They are standing on the political playground, confronted with the bully Trump, and are giving him their lunch money so they dont get pounded at the polls.. These are not leaders. They are followers of the worst kind, sycophantic toadies like Hawley and Cruz and Jordan and Johnson.

Senate snowflakes and Congressional cowards would rather toss democracy under the bus than cross Trump. They have forgotten their oaths to the Constitution and have replaced it with knee-bending fidelity to Trump.

In November, you have a singular litmus test that can be employed to separate the sheep from the shepherds. If a candidate does not declare that Trump lost in a fair election and that Biden won in that same fair election, they are unqualified for the position they seek because they cannot honestly fulfill the oath of office, to protect us against enemies foreign and domestic.

Now that we have that out of the way, lets go back to the really important topics of the day. Will Gorman or Edman wind up the Cardinals regular lead-off man?
Last years death statistics show an increasingly disturbing trend. Deaths due to COVID are down, but fatalities due to selfies are on the rise.

A selfie is a picture taken of oneself with a smartphone and usually in an extremely dangerous situation in order to attract followers on a social media platform. So, if you are starving for attention, selfies will temporarily satisfy this craving. Men are twice as likely to die from selfies than women and I dont know about you, but that comes as no surprise to me.

The problem is that people are increasingly choosing dangerous situations and locations, such as next to a steep cliff or overhang, near a vicious, wild animal (see grizzly bear or rhinoceros), in the path of an onrushing train, near a loaded weapon or near high voltage power lines.

What is driving people to do this besides an appalling lack of judgment? Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat just to name a few. They always warned you that social media was harmful to your health, didnt they?

Death by selfie even surpassed death by shark attack last year. There was one person who died taking a selfie with a shark, so I think that one was double-counted.

It may surprise you to know that India leads the world in deaths by selfie, but the US, Russia, and Pakistan are right behind them. These selfie deaths just go to show you that knowing how to use a smartphone doesnt necessarily make you smart.

The places people choose to take these selfies can be somewhat bizarre. Some places have had to ban them, because it is so inappropriate. For example, selfies had to be outlawed at Auschwitz concentration camp recently. And people continue to take and post selfies at Ground Zero, the Hiroshima Memorial and the USS Arizona site. I did mention an appalling lack of judgment already, didnt I?

In case youre wondering how to properly take a selfie, its very simple. First find a very dangerous place such as a high cliff with a steep drop off, (the north rim of the Grand Canyon will do nicely) or the roof of a skyscraper in lower Manhattan, somewhere in the wild near an extremely dangerous animal such as a grizzly bear, crocodile, lion or shark. You must stand as close to the dangerous thing as possible with your back to it so you cant see what room (if any) you have for a safety margin.

If you dont have a selfie stick, you must extend your arm with the smartphone as far as anatomically possible and lean your torso back the other direction without losing your balance. After all, you dont want to spoil a good shot. Make sure you have a good internet connection and that youre logged into your social platform so you can post the selfie quickly in the event the vicious animal youre posing next to is busy ripping you apart or youre falling to your death.

Once you snap the photo and post it, wait to see how many likes you get before moving out of harms way. If the photo doesnt generate enough interest, you might have to do it again only this time make sure you amplify the danger a bit to increase interest.

And thats how you take a selfie in these modern times. Get the picture?
A voter submits a ballot in an official drop box during early voting in Athens, Ga., on Oct. 19, 2020. The widespread use of absentee ballot drop boxes during the 2020 election was largely trouble-free, contrary to claims made by former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies. An Associated Press survey of state election officials across the U.S. revealed no problems that could have affected the results, including from fraud, vandalism or theft. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Parcel firms must get better at handling complaints, Ofcom warned today, as it confirmed new guidance amid a wave of problems with deliveries.

The regulator said that from April next year, customers will need to be told exactly who to contact and what channels they could use to make a complaint.

Parcel firms are also expected to tell customers what the complaint process will be and how long it will take to resolve, with problems to be dealt by staff 'who have received appropriate training'.

Parcel delivery firms have been told to improve their complaint handling process

As announced earlier this year, Ofcom will also introduce more protections for disabled customers, who are more likely to experience delivery problems and to suffer harm as a result.

Parcel firms will be required to 'establish, publish and comply with clear and effective policies and procedures for the fair treatment of disabled customers'.

'Under the new rules, postal operators must have policies and procedures in place to ensure disabled customers can communicate their delivery needs to them, and firms will need to ensure couriers will meet those needs when delivering parcels,' it said.

The regulator also imposed a cap on second-class stamp prices for Royal Mail, which, as the universal service provider, is subject to more regulation from Ofcom than other postal operator.

It was also told to provide the regulator with a view of the financial sustainability of the universal service over a longer period than currently required.

However, these measures only constitute guidance for now, meaning parcel firms are only encouraged to follow the regulator's recommendations but will not face any penalty if they fail to adhere to them.

Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said that they did not consider that guidance alone would be enough to improve parcel firms complaints processes.

Citizens Advice Scotland argued that Ofcom should go further and impose regulatory requirements in relation to complaints processes, or ensure that there are consequences, such as penalties and sanctions.

Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom's networks and communications group director, said the regulator would consider enforcement action or tighter rules 'in future' if it is not satisfied with how parcel companies respond to the latest guidance.

Parcel operators, including Evri, UPS, Whistl, Amazon and Royal Mail, have 'broadly agreed' with the regulator's proposals, Ofcom said.

'Deliveries are part and parcel of our daily lives,' Fussell added.

'But the customer service that some people have been getting when a delivery goes wrong simply hasn't been good enough.

'So we're strengthening our regulations to make sure people are treated fairly by delivery firms.'

The table shows the kind of issues people have with parcel delivery firms

Almost two-thirds of customers had issues with deliveries last year, while around a quarter found it difficult to make a complaint when their delivery didn't go to plan.

Meanwhile, two-in-five said their complaints were only partially resolved, and almost one in ten were left with their complaint completely unresolved, according to Ofcom's research.

Similar research findings from Citizens Advice showed that 71 per cent of consumers have experienced a parcel delivery problem.

The most frequent issues were having to stay home to receive parcels, parcels arriving late, drivers leaving parcels or slips before they can get to the door, and deliveries being left in insecure locations.

Around four billion parcels are now received each year in the UK - or more than ten million a day - and Ofcom said with such a high number of deliveries 'sometimes things can go wrong'.

'However, with the increasing importance of parcel deliveries to consumers across the UK it is crucial that parcel operators have appropriate processes and systems in place to deal effectively and efficiently with consumers when this happens,' it added.
A couple of months ago Bradda Head Lithium raised $12.9million on the strength of its diverse exploration portfolio in the USA.

American investors and institutions were amongst the new names on the register, and the enthusiasm was such that as at the end of May Bradda Head's cash balance stood at $16.5million.

Since then, of course, the lithium price has been a bit unsteady, in the wider context of slowing economic output in the US and elsewhere.

Bradda Head's will soon start drilling on the pegmatites at San Domingo in Nevada

But for a company with as much cash in the bank as Bradda Head has, and as much upside on its exploration portfolio, that wider economic environment ought not to be too destabilising.

After all, by most reckonings the lithium it's likely to end up producing will still be able to generate plenty of margin, even if the selling price isn't quite at the stellar levels it reached earlier this year.

Bradda Head's portfolio consists of several different types of lithium deposit. All are located in the US, in either Arizona or Nevada, and the idea is that production from all of them will feed directly into US markets.

Not all lithium deposits are created equal, though.

Bradda Head has hard rock pegmatite at San Domingo in Nevada, where it's just started drilling; it has clay in Basin East, Basin West and Wikiup in Arizona; and brine deposits Wilson Salt Flat and Eureka, also in Nevada.

Which of these groups of assets will deliver the most value? That's an open question, as they all have their attractions and their upside. But the market tends to like pegmatites best because they're more familiar.

Bradda Head's chief executive Charles FitzRoy puts it simply enough: 'Pegmatites are a mining operation, not a chemistry set.' And he cites a telling statistic too: round 60 per cent of the world's lithium comes from existing pegmatite mines.

That's one reason why Bradda Head's recent move to initiate drilling on the pegmatites at San Domingo is likely to meet with significant enthusiasm.

The plan is to spend around $2million-to-$3million on the programme.

Fifteen holes will go to a depth of 150 metres and fifteen holes down to 300 metres.

The market's likely to follow progress at San Domingo with interest, while noting at the same time that significant cash will still remain in Bradda Head's coffers once all the bills have been paid.

At the end of the process the hope is that Bradda Head's geologists will have a significantly greater understanding of the underground workings of a system that they already know is highly mineralised.

But in what style?  could it be that San Domingo bears significant similarities to the famously prolific Kathleen Valley in Australia? The early signs say yes, but that's what the drill programme is designed to find out.

Overall, the drilling is likely to take between four and five months, so it will be a little while yet before we know anything tangible on that score.

But if it's a tick in the box, it's worth noting that pegmatites can be moved towards production rapidly and at fairly modest cost, because the end goal, at least initially, would be to produce a concentrate product, rather than pure lithium.

'A spodumene concentrate is cheaper and easier to do,' says Charles FitzRoy. 'Really, you're just using a dense media separator to get the product.'

But the work at San Domingo isn't the only thing that's going on. Not at all.

On the clays, a 44-hole programme is likely to kick off later in the year, designed, if possible, to join up the known deposit at Basin East with Basin North.

If that works out as hoped, the plan is to produce a preliminary economic assessment for Basin by the end of next year.

Again  look at the cash pile, the money's there, all Bradda Head needs is the right drill results.

The brines in Nevada are more remote, however, and FitzRoy is open to bringing in a potential joint venture partner really to get them moving.

In the immediate term, though, interest on the market is likely to come from the drilling at San Domingo, and from the upcoming dual listing of the company's shares on the Venture Exchange in Canada.

This is the world's number one market for junior mining companies, and its investors have considerable interest and expertise in North and South American lithium companies.

New liquidity on the Venture Exchange could create a positive feedback loop to London and provide further support for the shares, currently 7p.

It will be the drillbit that ultimately decides the value, though. And it will have had its say by the end of the year.
A prototype of the cutting-edge Tempest fighter jet will be in the skies over Britain within five years, it was announced at the Farnborough Airshow yesterday.

The multi-billion-pound project is expected to launch a supersonic piloted demonstrator by 2027 to test a range of the technologies being developed for this combat aircraft of the future.

Boris Johnson, who opened the show in Hampshire after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, said he was obsessed by Tempest.

A piloted demonstrator of the Tempest fighter jet is expected to take to the skies by 2027 to test a range of the new technologies being developed for this combat aircraft of the future

More than 2billion has been committed to the project so far by the Government and 800million from the companies involved.

The consortium is led by British defence giant BAE Systems and includes engine-maker Rolls-Royce and the UK arms of European firms Leonardo and missile-maker MBDA.

More than 580 UK suppliers, some of them smaller firms, also benefit from the investment.

Development of the demonstrator is already under way at BAEs site near Preston, and with war in Ukraine pushing defence up the agenda, the Government is due to make a final decision on the project in three years.

The future combat air system (FCAS) programme already employs 2,500 people across Britain with an additional 1,300 expected to be taken on by the companies involved by the end of 2023.

If all goes to plan, the Tempest, which was formally announced at the last Farnborough Airshow in 2018, could eventually replace the Typhoon and F-35 at the heart of Britains defences.

This so-called sixth generation fighter jet features a wearable cockpit. Instead of dials or switches, pilots will wear a virtual reality helmet, including interactive displays, with everything they need to know, from altitude and speed to the location of enemy aircraft, beamed onto their visor.

Its development is being streamlined by the use of digital technology, which means more than 100 hours have already been test flown virtually on the demonstrator, producing results that are fed back into the manufacturing process.

The Tempest jet is being billed by the Government as the first time the UK will have developed a fast aircraft using 21st century technology.

More than 2bn has been committed to the Tempest project so far by the UK government and 800m from the companies involved

Herman Claesen, BAEs managing director for the project, said: We are really putting ourselves on the map here.

Claesen brushed off the idea that a change of prime minister might create uncertainty as the Tory contest to replace Johnson at No 10 continued.

But he added: Of course, we want political stability  the whole nation  especially from an industry point of view.

The nation will prosper when we have a stable government. Im sure we will get there.

Claesen highlighted the need for the programme in a world that is not becoming a safer place, adding that it was important we have a military capability in this country that can stand up to threats and protect the free world.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, meanwhile, said: The design and development of the demonstrator aircraft represents an important milestone.

The programme is also launching a recruitment and skills initiative known as Generation Tempest intended to create thousands of job opportunities across the UK.

Britain is also working with allies Sweden, Japan and Italy on potential collaboration on fighter jet programmes. There has been speculation about a relationship with a separate Franco-German programme.

Richard Berthon, the Ministry of Defences UK director for the FCAS programme, when asked about a collaboration with the Franco-German project, said that Britain was open to conversations as time goes by.
Fewer than one in four have adequate pensions, according to a recent study

Self-employed people should be auto-enrolled into pensions when paying tax to help close a massive savings gap, according to MPs.

The Government is also being urged to support finance industry efforts to develop 'sidecar' savings products, which would allow people to build up a rainy day fund alongside a pension.

A review of free childcare to help single parents enter the workforce is also being pushed by a cross-party group of MPs, which was set up during the pandemic to work on ideas to improve people's financial resilience.

No pension: Around a third of self-employed people do not save for old age, research has found

Its first report, 'Saving, Spending, Surviving', warns that the self-employed are falling through the cracks when it comes to pension savings.

The group cites data showing fewer than one in four self-employed people have adequate pensions and around a third do not save for retirement at all, drawn from previous research done by forecasting firm Oxford Economics for Hargreaves Lansdown.

Under auto enrolment, employed workers are signed up for a pension unless they actively refuse, which few do.

Employers are required to put a minimum of 3 per cent of earnings between 6,240 and 50,270 into staff pensions. Tax relief from the Government provides another 1 per cent. Workers must put in at least 4 per cent on their own behalf, and if they opt out all the above is lost.

The MPs also note with approval a trial by state-backed pension provider NEST of 'sidecar' saving, which combines a short-term pot with a pension. After the savings fund has hit a certain level all contributions will be diverted into the pension.

'We found this kind of opt-out saving appealing for getting people to save for a rainy day with as few steps as possible,' says the report. 'In effect, it would act as a behavioural tool in helping people save, reducing the vast complexity and noise that they could otherwise face.'

Meanwhile, the Government should do more to ensure single parents are financially stable, and review the 15 and 30-hour marks of free childcare support, according to MPs on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Resilience.

MPs say if hours were increased this would significantly help single parents to be part of the workforce, providing them with greater flexibility to find work that fits around childcare responsibilities and protecting against the costs of childcare.

'This report is a long-overdue account of how fragile personal finances can quickly turn into a disintegration in living standards, mental wellbeing, and future prospects, says the co-chair of the group, Tonia Antoniazzi, Labour MP for Gower.

'When we planned the inquiry last summer, we did not anticipate that a cost-of-living crisis so deep would emerge as we concluded our sessions.

'However, the pandemic can serve as a test-case for what can be done to help those across society cope with extreme financial pressures, both in terms of income and expenditure.'

Co-chair Shaun Bailey, Conservative MP for West Bromwich West, says: 'In the past there has been a focus on how to lift people out of difficult financial situations, but little has been done to understand why people end up there.

'What this report does is uncovers just how close large groups of the population are to experiencing a crisis in their personal finances.

'It is particularly important in revealing that those who we may commonly define as 'comfortable' or 'middle-class' can be one negative life event away from struggling to meet essential costs.'

What does the Government say?

'We recognise people are struggling with rising prices which is why we are protecting the eight million most vulnerable families with at least 1,200 of direct payments, starting with the 326 cost of 'iving payment currently being distributed with the summer holidays on the horizon,' says a spokesperson.

'We have spent more than 4billion in each of the past five years to support families with the cost of childcare. The number of childcare places available is stable and thousands of parents are benefitting from this support.

'The Government remains committed to developing effective durable retirement solutions for self-employed people.

'We are working with partner organisations to build evidence and test different approaches aimed at improving retirement savings for self-employed people, with analysis and evaluation of the current trials due later this year'

What does the finance industry say?

The lack of pension savings amongst the self-employed was a problem many were discussing long before Covid-19, but the crisis has further exposed the risks of under-saving, according to Quilter head of retirement policy Jon Greer.

Jon Greer: The prospect of utilising the annual tax return provides the clearest opportunity to get more self-employed people saving in pensions

'The APPG rightly calls out the success of auto-enrolment and the obvious practical issue of lack of an employer to act as facilitator for the self-employed.

'The prospect of utilising the annual tax return provides the clearest opportunity to get more self-employed people saving in pensions.

'However, it may be presumptuous to assume the inertia which has made auto-enrolment so successful extends to the entire self-employed population.

'Overlaying the automatic enrolment framework will be unpalatable for some and could breed further disaffection amongst segments of the self-employed who value personal autonomy highly.'

Greer says the 'sidecar' model for self-employed pensions, which combines liquid and long-term savings, has merit and some trials have taken place.

He adds that is is sensible to review the 15 and 30-hour marks of free childcare support, but adds: 'The Government could also provide quick relief by simply raising the High Income Child Benefit threshold to 50,271  the rate at which someone becomes a higher rate taxpayer.

'The UK tax system is already complicated and failing to have the HICB charge aligned with income tax bands just makes things even more complex and is taxation by stealth.'

Helen Morrissey, senior pensions and retirement analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, says: 'The pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have hammered our finances wiping out people's savings.

'Action needs to be taken to help people rebuild their financial resilience so they can face the future without worrying about their budgets being de-railed by an unexpected bill.'

Helen Morrissey: The pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have hammered our finances wiping out people's savings.

She says the self-employed are well known for being under-pensioned, and far less likely to be on track for a moderate retirement income than those who are employed by a company.

'Some kind of auto-enrolment equivalent would certainly get more saving into a pension though many may rail against locking up their money until the age of 55. Working for yourself means your income may not be steady and could come in peaks and troughs. This makes regular pension saving difficult for many.'

'The Lifetime Isa could be a better fit for self-employed basic rate taxpayers. The Government bonus acts in a similar way to basic rate tax relief and if they do need to access their money in a moment of crisis they can do so, albeit with a 25 per cent charge.'

Stephen Lowe, group communications director at Just Group, says: 'The pandemic not only upturned people's lives but has exploded the idea that people can be more relaxed about the future because automatic enrolment into pensions and the 'pension freedom and choice' policy means we can look forward to a comfortable old age.

'As the report highlights, financial problems increase the risk people will be unprepared for retirement and currently less than 40 per cent of working aged households are on track to achieve an adequate retirement income.

'We are pleased to see the APPG calling for measures to address the low levels of financial education and engagement, and in particular its support for a trial of automatically booking Pension Wise appointments to find a way of addressing persistently low usage levels.

'These free, independent and impartial guidance sessions for pension savers aged 50-plus are a key consumer protection measure against poor pensions decisions and scams.'
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ALBANY  Kory OHara, the former town supervisor of Prattsville in Greene County, pleaded guilty Monday to reaping nearly $25,000 in a conspiracy to scam storm aid allocated after the destruction of Tropical Storm Irene.

OHara, clad in a gray suit, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud before Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick Scullin.

The conviction of the 44-year-old carries a maximum of 20 years in prison term, but under federal sentencing guidelines can be as low as zero to six months behind bars. OHara agreed not to appeal any sentence of 14 months or less.

In August 2011, the tropical storm devastated Prattsville, a town of some 700 people, when floodwater from the Schoharie Creek overran its banks and forced some victims to cling to rooftops to survive. Federal aid was needed to help rebuild homes and businesses, build two new bridges and reconstruct Prattsvilles Main Street and a recreation complex.

In 2013, when the Times Union reported that critics in the town were complaining that town officials misused tens of thousands of dollars, O'Hara said the criticism was ridiculous. He had lost his family-run business, O'Haras Service Station, in the flood, he noted, calling the gripes politically motivated.

On Monday, as Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus Rieck detailed 24 pages of OHaras plea agreement, including the former town leaders series of fraudulent exchanges under false pretenses, OHara admitted he broke the law.

The facts just recited  are they, in essence, correct? the judge asked OHara.

Yes, he responded.

Moments later, when the judge asked OHara whether he was guilty or not guilty, OHara replied, Guilty, your honor.

OHara must repay $24,915 in restitution.

Joined by his attorney, Lauren Owens, he declined to comment outside the courtroom. He was also represented by attorney William Dreyer.

In 2017, the Times Union reported that state and federal investigators were probing the allegations of storm fraud. In November 2019, a federal grand jury indicted OHara and Stephen Baker, the owner of Moores Homes, a mobile home park in Prattsville, accusing them of teaming up in a scam to trick the government into reimbursing O'Hara with storm reimbursement funds for construction work that had not been done.

Between November 2013 and March 2015, Baker provided O'Hara with false invoices from Moore's Homes to reflect construction work supposedly performed on O'Hara's Service Station, even though the work never took place. O'Hara, in turn, issued checks to Moore's Homes to reflect payment on the invoices. Baker then returned the money.

O'Hara submitted the false invoices to his town and the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation to reap $24,915 in grant proceeds under the state's New York Main Street Program, the indictment said.

Between 2014 and 2016, the indictment said, OHara sent the same false invoices and reimbursed checks to the state Department of State and state comptroller's office to scam grant proceeds for Prattsville under the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. OHara also did it to reap money from the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, and NBT Bank, N.A., in applying for a business loan in November 2012.

The indictment charged OHara and Baker with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and theft concerning a program receiving federal funds. OHara was also charged with bank fraud and making false statements in a loan application.

In 2012, Baker told the Times Union his businesses suffered more than $500,000 in damages. Baker previously pleaded guilty in Prattsville town court to a misdemeanor charge of offering a false instrument for filing. The federal charges against him were dismissed.
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Jacquie Slater is back to sipping her 1 a.m. coffee.

The former WNYT anchor and reporter joined CBS6 as a part time anchor, filling the vacancy left by Heather Kovar. Kovar's contract was set to expire July 31, but she parted ways with the station earlier this month.

Slater officially left WNYT in January, although she'd been taking some time off and had been away from the Hubbard-owned station for several months prior to her departure announcement.

Slater joined NewsChannel13 in March 2018 as a reporter. She co-anchored mornings alongside Emily DeVito after Paulina Bucka left WNYT last summer and longtime morning anchor Subrina Dhammi moved to afternoons and evenings at the station.

Eventually, the station named Chris Onorato and Faith King as its morning co-anchor team. Slater eventually decided not to renew her contract with WNYT.

Teasing her return to TV, Slater posted a photo of a USS Slater mug to social media Saturday with the caption "coffee at 1 am.what could this mean???"

The journalist tells me it is a temporary, part-time contract (she's continuing to work at her weekday job).

Im happy to jump in and help with the weekend mornings, says Slater. "Its a great team of respected journalists and Im excited to work with them.

You can catch Slater from 6 to 8 a.m. on Saturdays and 7 to 9 a.m. on Sundays.
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UVALDE, Texas (AP)  Two months after the Uvalde school massacre, Texas state police on Monday announced an internal review into the actions of dozens of troopers who were at Robb Elementary during 73 minutes of bewildering inaction by law enforcement as a gunman slaughtered 19 children and two teachers.

The announcement appeared to widen the fallout of a damning 80-page report released over the weekend by the Texas House that revealed failures at all levels of law enforcement and identified 91 state troopers at the scene  more than all Uvalde officers combined. It also amounted to a public shift by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which until now has largely criticized local authorities for failing to confront the gunman sooner.

The report made public Sunday laid bare for the first time just how massive a presence state police and U.S. Border Patrol had on the scene during one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history.

You got 91 troopers on the scene. You got all the equipment you could possibly want, and youre listening to the local school cop? said state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat whose district includes Uvalde and who has accused DPS of seeking to minimize its role in the response.

The findings that Border Patrol agents and state troopers made up more than half of the 376 law enforcement officials who rushed to the South Texas school on May 24 spread the responsibility for a slow and bungled response far wider than previous accounts that emphasized mistakes by Uvalde officers.

The report made clear that egregiously poor decision making by authorities went beyond local law enforcement in Uvalde, who were eventually outnumbered more than 5-to-1 by state and federal officers at the scene. Other local police from the area around Uvalde also responded to the shooting.

The report puts a new spotlight on the roles of state and federal agencies whose leaders, unlike local authorities, haven't had to sit through meetings where they were confronted by the furious parents of the dead children.

Of the nearly 400 officers who converged on the school, only two are currently known to be on leave pending investigation into their actions: Pete Arredondo, the Uvalde Consolidated School District police chief, and Lt. Mariano Pargas, a Uvalde Police Department officer who was the citys acting police chief during the massacre.

State police have previously said no troopers at the scene have been suspended. On Monday, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the findings in the report are beyond disturbing but did not single out any one agency.

Texas DPS did not put a timeline on when the review would be complete. It said the actions of every trooper, state police agent and Texas Ranger on the scene would be examined to determine if any violations of policy, law, or doctrine occurred."

Col. Steve McCraw, the director of Texas DPS, has previously laid much of the blame for the response at Arredondo, identifying him as the incident commander and criticizing him for treating the gunman in the classroom as a barricaded subject and not an active shooter.

The new report  the fullest accounting yet of the tragedy  also says Arredondo wasted critical time during the shooting by searching for a key to the classroom and not treating the gunman with more urgency. But it also emphasized that all law enforcement at the scene fumbled the response.

There is no one to whom we can attribute malice or ill motives. Instead, we found systemic failures and egregiously poor decision making, the report said.

Abbott said there are critical changes needed but in a statement did not address whether any officers or agencies should be held accountable.

In Uvalde, meetings of the city council and school board in the eight weeks since the shooting have become recurring scenes of residents shouting at elected leaders for police accountability, which continued after the report was made public.

Its disgusting. Disgusting, said Michael Brown, whose 9-year-old son was in the schools cafeteria on the day of the shooting and survived. Theyre cowards.

Shame on you! Shame on you! the families of the slain children and teachers and their supporters chanted at school board members at a special meeting Monday night.

Brett Cross, an uncle of 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia, who was among those slain, berated board members at length as not holding themselves accountable for the massacre. He particularly challenged members for not knowing school exit doors were locked to the outside and for not firing Arredondo.

If hes not fired by noon tomorrow, I want your resignation and every single one of these board members because you dont give a damn about us or our children, Cross said, addressing Superintendent Hal Harrell.

Harrell said the report released over the weekend will help the board decide Arredondo's future. However, he also noted that Arredondo is employed under a contract and cannot be fired at will.

Uvalde High School alumna Angela Villescaz, the founder of the group Fierce Madres, told board members that her organization has been surveying officials of schools that have suffered similar mass shootings. She offered the board her findings as advice so district officials do not try to reinvent the wheel.

However, she took note of the DPS troopers standing in the room, and said: "... I can't help but wonder if they just didn't find our children worthy of being saved.

Historically, the DPS has endured fraught relations with the Mexican-American community in Texas dating back to the 19th century. In the early 20th century, the Texas Rangers, from which the DPS evolved and remains part of, participated in numerous bloody attacks on Mexican nationals.

According to the report, the gunman fired approximately 142 rounds inside the school  and it is almost certain that at least 100 shots came before any officer entered, according to the committee, which laid out numerous failures.

Among them: No one assumed command despite scores of officers on the scene, and no officer immediately tried to breach the classroom despite a dispatcher relaying a 911 call that there were victims in the room.

The report also criticized a Border Patrol tactical team, saying it waited for a bulletproof shield and working master key for a door to the classroom, which was most likely never locked, before entering. In all, the report put nearly 150 Border Patrol agents at the scene.

Cecilia Barreda, a spokeswoman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said Monday that a review of the agency's response was still underway and has not reached any final conclusions.

Hours after the report was released, Uvalde officials separately made public for the first time hours of body camera footage from the citys police officers who responded to the attack

One video from Uvalde Staff Sgt. Eduardo Canales, the head of the citys SWAT team, showed the officer approaching the classroom when gunfire rang out at 11:37 a.m.

A minute later, Canales said: Dude, weve got to get in there. Weve got to get in there, he just keeps shooting. Weve got to get in there. Another officer could be heard saying DPS is sending their people.

It was 72 minutes later, at 12:50 p.m., when officers finally breached the classroom and kill the shooter.

___

Weber reported from Austin, Texas. Associated Press writer Terry Wallace in Dallas also contributed to this report.

___

More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/school-shootings

___

This story has been corrected to show Brett Cross relationship with the slain child is uncle, not father.
BAY CITY, Mich., (AP)  A 76-year-old northern Michigan man pleaded guilty Monday to leaving two pipe bombs outside cellphone stores n Cheboygan and Sault Ste. Marie, federal prosecutors announced.

John Douglas Allen of Whittemore entered the plea in federal court in Bay City. He faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced, which is scheduled for Nov. 9.

Allen admitted that on Sept. 15, 2021, he placed pipe bombs containing shrapnel outside an AT&T store in Sault Ste. Marie and outside a Verizon store in Cheboygan, prosecutors said. Both pipe bombs contained a note demanding $5 million. Video footage taken from the stores and nearby businesses captured his actions.

Allen also pleaded guilty to placing letters containing threats aimed at telecommunications providers at cell towers ion the Upper Peninsula.
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GREENWOOD, Ind. (AP)  A 20-year-old man likely assembled a rifle in the bathroom of a suburban Indianapolis shopping mall before shooting five people in the food court, killing three of them before an armed shopper fatally shot him, authorities said Monday.

Jonathan Sapirman of Greenwood apparently was facing eviction before he opened fire at the Greenwood Park Mall shortly before it closed Sunday evening, the citys police chief, James Ison, said at a news conference.

Sapirman continued shooting people until he was shot and killed by 22-year-old Elisjsha Dicken, of Seymour, a city about 45 miles (72 kilometers) south of Greenwood, who was shopping with his girlfriend, Ison said, calling Dicken's quick action nothing short of heroic."

Many more people would have died last night if not for a responsible armed citizen, said the chief, noting that authorities were still trying to determine a motive for the attack.

The Johnson County and Marion County coroners' offices identified the slain victims as a married Indianapolis couple  Pedro Pineda, 56, and Rosa Mirian Rivera de Pineda, 37  and Victor Gomez, 30, also of Indianapolis. A woman and a 12-year-old girl who was hit by shrapnel were wounded in the attack, police said.

Although authorities said Dicken was legally armed, the mall prohibits people from carrying weapons on its property. The mall issued a statement Monday saying it grieves for the victims and praising Dicken's heroic actions. It didn't mention its no-weapons policy and its operator, the Simon Property Group, didn't respond to a request for comment.

As of July 1, Indiana law allows anyone age 18 or older to carry a handgun in public except for those prohibited for reasons such as having a felony conviction, facing a restraining order or having a dangerous mental illness as determined by a court. Indianas Republican-dominated Legislature retained provisions in the law that allow private property owners to prohibit firearms.

The attack Sunday was the latest in a string of mass shootings in the U.S. Schools, churches, grocery stores and a July Fourth parade near Chicago have all become killing grounds in recent months, though the country's staggering murder rate can often be seen more clearly in individual killings that rarely make major headlines.

Authorities said Sunday that four of the victims were female and one was male, but they corrected that Monday to two males and three females.

Ison said Sapirman entered the mall and walked into a bathroom, where he spent about an hour before he emerged and opened fire. He said investigators believe Sapirman spent that time preparing and possibly assembling a disassembled rifle that he had brought in his backpack. He ended up firing 24 rounds within 15 seconds.

Ison said Sapirman used an AR-15-style rifle during the shooting and that investigators found another one in the bathroom. They also found a handgun on Sapirman, who was wearing a waistband holster and had several magazines that contained more than 100 rounds of ammunition.

Although police don't know a motive for the attack, Sapirmans relatives told investigators that he recently received notice that he was being evicted from his apartment, though Ison said authorities were still trying to confirm that. Relatives also said Sapirman resigned from a warehouse job in May, he said.

Right now we have no motive. His family members that we spoke to, they were just as surprised as everyone else was. They said there were no indicators that he was violent or unstable, Ison said.

The chief said Dicken fired 10 rounds from his handgun, and that as he fired, Sapirman attempted to retreat back into the restroom and failed, and fell to the ground after being shot."

He engaged the gunman from quite a distance with a handgun and was very proficient in that, very tactically sound. And as he moved to close in on the suspect, he was also motioning for people to exit behind him, Ison said of Dicken.

Sapirman had a juvenile record, including for a fight at school and an incident where he ran away from home, but he had no criminal record as an adult, the chief said.

He said relatives told investigators that Sapirman has been practicing shooting at a gun range, and that records obtained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed he had frequented the range and bought ammunition there over the past two years.

Ison said officers recovered a cellphone from a toilet in the mall bathroom that they believe Sapirman placed there. At Sapirman's apartment, they found a laptop and can of butane inside the oven, which was on and set to a high temperature, the chief said without elaborating.

The cellphone and the laptop, which was damaged by the ovens heat, will be analyzed by the FBI, and that we are very curious to have those analyzed," he said.

Mark Myers, the mayor of Greenwood, a city of roughly 60,000 people just south of Indianapolis, said the grieving community is shocked to be the scene of a mass shooting.



This story was first published on July 18, 2022. It was updated on July 19, 2022 to correct the time it took for the gunman to fire 24 rounds.

___

Callahan reported from Indianapolis. Arleigh Rodgers is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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EAST GREENBUSH  Power was restored overnight to nearly every National Grid customer who lost service after an explosion Sunday at a substation off Forrest Point Drive.

As of 5 a.m., only a handful of customers remained in the dark and it was unclear if those outages were tied to the explosion.
ABERDEEN, Miss. (AP)  Work has begun to renovate a northeast Mississippi federal courthouse long plagued by mold.

WTVA-TV reports interior demolition began last week at the Thomas G. Abernethy Federal Building in Aberdeen.

The U.S. General Services Administration announced in 2020 that it would spend $24.3 million to fix the building's problems. That came after the GSA ordered the Tennessee Valley Authority to halt a $12 million replacement of the building's climate control systems when it was found that the project wouldn't reduce energy use enough to pay for itself over 20 years.

Judges and clerks left the building in 2017 when it was found to be uninhabitable. The Aberdeen post office has continued to operate on the bottom floor. Some federal court offices are temporarily located in Amory.

Aberdeen Mayor Charles Scott says most changes will be inside the 1973 building because the exterior has historic protection. Officials hope to reopen the federal court in April 2024.

City officials had feared that the court could permanently relocate from Aberdeen. A separate bankruptcy courthouse on Aberdeen's outskirts opened in 2005.

Officials credit U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock, normally stationed in Aberdeen, with helping fight for funding.

Besides replacing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, plans also call for repairing the building's envelope, upgrading fire protection, and removing mold and lead paint.

The federal government is also building a new courthouse in Greenville.
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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  Sri Lankas acting president on Monday declared a state of emergency that gives him broad authority amid growing protests demanding his resignation  just two days before the countrys lawmakers are set to elect a new president.

Ranil Wickremesinghe became acting president on Friday after his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fled abroad and resigned after months-long mass protests over the countrys economic collapse.

Wickremesinghes imposition of the state of emergency came as protests demanding his resignation continued in most parts of the country, with some demonstrators burning him in effigy.

The emergency decree invokes sections of the Public Security Ordinance that allow Wickremesinghe to make regulations in the interest of public security and order. Authorities can authorize detentions, take possession of property and search premises. Wickremesinghe can also change or suspend any law during the state of emergency.

Wickremesinghe said in a statement that negotiations for a bailout package with the International Monetary Fund were nearing conclusion while discussions for assistance with foreign countries have progressed. There has been no comment from the IMF on Wickremesinghe's assessment of the bailout talks.

He said that relief was being provided to people and steps have been taken to resolve shortages of fuel and cooking gas.

However, Wickremesinghe claimed elements within society were trying to disrupt peace in Sri Lanka. He did not provide specifics, but said that disruptions will not be allowed to hinder the countrys progress.

Wickremesinghe said that peaceful protesters who had legitimate concerns would be engaged with by the government and solutions found for them. He also urged political parties to put aside differences and form an all-party government which would allow the country to recover from the economic crisis.

There was no immediate response from political parties to his latest comments, but they have been working to try to form a unity government.

Lawmakers who met on Saturday began the process of electing a new leader to serve the rest of the term abandoned by Rajapaksa. Nominations for the election of the new president will be made on Tuesday. If there is more than one candidate, the lawmakers will vote on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka Bar Association said the emergency laws must not be used to suppress any legitimate expression of opinion on the election to the president nor to suppress any dissent or disagreement on a particular candidate.

The association also stressed that these laws should not be used to stifle peaceful protests and dissent or to make arbitrary arrests and detentions.

Sri Lanka for months has lacked funds to pay for imports of basic necessities such as food, fertilizer, medicine and fuel for its 22 million people. The country's rapid economic decline came as a surprise because he economy had been expanding with a growing, comfortable middle class.

Sri Lanka is seeking help from the IMF and other creditors, but top officials have said its finances are in such bad shape that obtaining a bailout has been difficult.

The economic hardships led to political upheaval and widespread protests demanding the resignation of the government led by Rajapaksa. Although many ministers resigned in April, Rajapaksa remained in power until last week, when he flew first to the Maldives then to Singapore.

The main protests have occurred in the capital, Colombo, where large crowds occupied the front of the presidents office for more than 100 days. The protestors stormed the president's official residence and office on July 9, forcing Rajapaksa to flee.

The protesters accuse Rajapaksa and his powerful political family of siphoning money from government coffers and hastening the countrys collapse by mismanaging the economy. The family has denied the corruption allegations, but Rajapaksa acknowledged that some of his policies contributed to the economic meltdown.
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EAST GREENBUSH  What town police described as an explosion at a substation off Forrest Pointe Drive on Sunday knocked out power on a humid evening to more than 11,000 people in Rensselaer County.

East Greenbush police said in a public service alert that National Grid crews and fire departments were on the scene, and that there were no injuries as a result of the explosion.
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LOS ANGELES (AP)  The case involving Roman Polanski, who fled the United States after he forced himself on a 13-year-old girl during a photo shoot, has spanned 45 years, sparking court battles on both sides of the Atlantic. On Sunday, The Associated Press obtained an unsealed court transcript of the former prosecutor in the case testifying that the judge privately told lawyers he would renege on a promise and imprison the renowned director.

Here are some key dates in the long-running case, which has kept Polanski living in exile in Europe:

___

March 10, 1977  Roman Polanski conducts a photo shoot with a 13-year-old girl at Jack Nicholsons house. As she later testifies, Polanski gives the girl champagne and part of a sedative during the shoot, then forced her to have sex. She says she repeatedly told Polanski no during intercourse, but says she did not fight him because she was afraid of him. The girls mother calls police after finding out what happened.

March 24, 1977  A grand jury indicts Polanski on six felony charges, including rape, furnishing a controlled substance to a minor and sodomy. He later pleads not guilty at arraignment.

August 1977  Polanski pleads guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and a judge orders the director to undergo further proceedings.

September 1977  A judge orders the director to undergo a 90-day diagnostic screening at a California state prison to help determine sentencing.

January 1978  The diagnostic screening  completed after 42 days  recommends Polanski be placed on probation.

Feb. 1, 1978  Polanski flees the United States on eve of sentencing after learning that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Laurence Rittenband intended to send Polanski back to prison. An arrest warrant is issued, confining Polanskis movements to France, Poland and Switzerland. Polanski alleges Rittenband met with a prosecutor who was not assigned to the case  without Polanskis lawyer present  to discuss sentencing.

September 1997  A new judge meets with prosecutors and Polanskis attorney to discuss the case in chambers. The meeting is not reported, and elements of the discussion remain in dispute. Polanskis attorney contends the judge wanted Polanskis sentencing hearing televised, which the judge denies. Prosecutors contend Polanski sought to be sentenced without reporters present, which the director denies.

November 2002  Lawyers for Conde Nast Publications successfully unseal grand jury testimony presented in Polanskis case.

March 2003  Polanski wins the best director Academy Award for The Pianist, but is unable to collect his Oscar in person due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

December 2008  Polanskis lawyers seek a dismissal of the charges against him. His motion is supported by his victim.

February 2009  A Los Angeles Superior Court judge rejects Polanskis dismissal motion, stating that Polanski must appear in court to resolve his case. The order goes into effect in May 2009.

July 2009  Polanski appeals the February ruling in his case.

September 2009  Polanski is arrested in Switzerland pursuant to a warrant. Extradition proceedings begin.

December 2009  A California court panel rejects Polanskis appeal, ruling that the director must appear in court to resolve his case.

January 2010  Polanskis lawyers request the director be sentenced without being present in Los Angeles.

February and March 2010  A Los Angeles court takes sealed testimony from Roger Gunson, the original prosecutor who handled Polanskis case, about his recollections of the judges 1977 promises to the director.

May 2010  A judge rejects a motion by Polanskis lawyers to unseal Gunsons testimony.

July 2010  Switzerland rejects U.S. request to extradite Polanski, citing its inability to obtain the Gunson testimony.

December 2014  Polanskis lawyers seek an evidentiary hearing to explore the directors allegations of judicial misconduct in Los Angeles. A judge rejects the motion without conducting a hearing.

February 2015  Polanski appears in a Polish court for hours of questioning on whether a U.S. request to extradite the director is valid.

October 2015  A Polish court rejects an effort to extradite Polanski.

May 2016  Polands new justice minister revives extradition proceedings against Polanski.

December 2016  The Polish Supreme Court rules Polanski will not be extradited to the United States.

February 2017  Polanskis attorney seeks an order in Los Angeles to unseal Gunsons testimony. Later motions by Polanski seek an order confirming the director should not serve any additional time behind bars if he returns to Los Angeles. Polanskis lawyer relies on information included in a lengthy Polish court decision.

April 2017  A Los Angeles judge rejects Polanskis requests to be sentenced without returning to court or for a determination he has served his sentence.

June 2017  Polanskis victim, Samantha Geimer, appears in a Los Angeles court to ask a judge to end the case, calling it a 40-year-sentence imposed on both her and the director.

August 2017  A Los Angeles judge rejects Geimers request to end Polanskis case.

May 3, 2018  The film academy announces it has expelled Polanski and Bill Cosby, who was convicted of a sex offense a week earlier, from its membership.

July 13, 2022  A California appeals court orders the unsealing of Gunson's testimony after Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon dropped longstanding objections his predecessors made to its release.

July 17, 2022  The transcript is provided to The Associated Press showing that the prosecutor believed the judge had broken his promises to Polanski.
Will Waldron/Times Union

KINGSTON  The National Weather Service confirmed over the weekend that an EF-1 tornado caused some of the damage when thunderstorms swept across the Hudson Valley on Wednesday.

The storm packed windspeeds of 90 mph and traveled for about a half mile in an area two miles to the west of Kingston. Meteorologists in Albany made the determination after assessing storm damage. Thunderstorms moved across past of the valley on Wednesday, leaving many utility customers without power.
A message for abortion-rights supporters in blue states: We red-state folks thank you for the offers on social media to open your doors to us post-Roe. You are big-hearted for thinking of us. We, however, probably arent coming.

How do I know? Because I was once an accidentally pregnant, broke mother of two in the anti-choice state of West Virginia, where I carried and birthed my son against my will.

Put a hold on fluffing your pillows and turning down your sheets. You see, people in red states encounter antiabortion policies that are designed to make even the thought of having an abortion fill them with gut-wrenching worry and paralyzing self-doubt. Abortion bans not only fashion physical and logistical barriers for women, but spur mental health challenges that prevent patients from seeking abortion care.

In fact, simplistic offers of brief sanctuary neglect the overwhelming depression, anxiety and grief of forced pregnancy. Instead of a cozy bonus room, what is needed is reassurance that choosing an abortion is an act of love for children that already exist, and that wanting to end a pregnancy doesnt mean you are, or will be, an unloving parent.

When I got pregnant, I was in the exact position of most people who seek abortion care  I was already a mother, and I had no idea how I could financially support another child.

At the time, the sole abortion clinic left in West Virginia was a three-plus-hour drive from where I lived. I would have had to spend at least a day and a night there, and then return two weeks later for a follow-up appointment. That meant finding transportation, child care, losing pay. The very reasons I wanted an abortion  exhaustion, lack of funds, dimming sense of self-determination and confidence  were what made it truly impossible for me to get to that clinic.

It only made it all worse that week by week, I absorbed more antiabortion propaganda from a state that felt it knew better than I about loving and responsible motherhood. And by the end of my pregnancy, I felt I knew less than nothing about how to care for my children, and even less than nothing about what they required. That mighty shame not only stopped me from traveling to my states lone clinic or to New York or California, it stopped me from believing all that was good about myself. I tried to imagine leaving West Virginia altogether, but every path seemed strung with a tripwire.

All the barriers to abortion left me feeling as if what I wanted was wrong, that I deserved every hard thing coming my way. Im still in the room with that ghost. Rationally, I know that I only wanted to exercise my choice, yet my guilt remains. The state-sponsored notion that Id wished to commit an unspeakable act still colors each day of my life as a parent.

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And Im not alone. Women denied reproductive health care more often experience serious complications: depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal ideation and even death.

So while I love my Manhattan and Los Angeles friends, I have to repeat: A 20-year-old woman in a red state with an unwanted pregnancy is highly unlikely to travel your way to fix her situation.

I know it sounds grim. Blue-state friends, I promise youre not powerless. Here are some things Id wished my family and friends had done after I didnt get the abortion I wanted: Cultivated deeper understandings of the practical and psychological ramifications of antiabortion law. Helped me locate a therapist and support groups. Listened harder when I told them how I struggled to breastfeed and bond with my baby after he was born.

Antiabortion lawmakers count on mothers who are forced to give birth to never speak up. They also count on you to overlook nuance and complexity. The key to real advocacy is to acknowledge that the struggle doesnt end when reproductive rights are taken away; it starts. If we raise our voices against taboos that fuel mental health issues during an unwanted pregnancy, we will be doing as much or more as offering red-state women a blue-state sanctuary.

Christa Parravani is a writer based in Pittsburgh and author of the book Loved and Wanted: A Memoir of Choice, Children and Womanhood. This essay originally ran in the Los Angeles Times.
The Supreme Court's term has ended and we can all agree the Republicans have gotten their money's worth.

With its recent rulings, the court has turned America into a de facto Christian nation, has made carrying a concealed gun easy for legal gun owners, has partially neutered the Environmental Protection Agency and has overturned Roe vs. Wade. In each, the majority opinions ran counter to the wishes of the American public but were deeply popular with the majority of Republicans.
ALBANY  During the second meeting of the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board last month, advocates were stunned to learn that the state Division of the Budget had set aside millions of dollars from the fund without their knowledge.

Based on a recently passed law, the 21 board members were to be consulted for recommendations before the state allocated any of the estimated $208 million poured into the Opioid Settlement Fund, advocates said.

The breakdown occurred even after members of the settlement board wrote a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul in early April urging her to activate and convene the newly established group so it could provide recommendations on how the state spends money received as part of opioid litigation settlements.

The letter signed by 13 members of the board requested that the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) convene the group before settlement money was spent. They noted the request was urgent due to the governors plan to spend $265 million in settlement funds in the 2022-23 state budget.

Convening the board will allow us to fulfill our legal duty to provide recommendations on how funding received by the state shall be allocated by the Legislature, the letter had stated.

About two hours into last month's meeting, however, it became apparent to the members that's not the case and their role had been sidestepped.

Peggy O'Shea, the state's chief budget examiner, said the agency already had allocated a significant chunk of the money, a decision that was reached by that office, the Executive Chamber and both houses of the Legislature. O'Shea said the decision was made to prevent a delay in entities receiving funding.

"So what are we here for?" asked Avi Israel, president and founder of Save the Michaels of the World, an organization founded after the death of his 20-year-old son, who died of suicide in 2011 after suffering from a prescription pain pill addiction.

O'Shea said the board could still make recommendations on $45 million for the current fiscal year, in addition to another roughly $60 million, and that it would continue making suggestions for the next 18 years. That's the amount of time O'Shea said the fund would continue to receive settlement money.

"I think that this is just a travesty if this is the direction we're now going," said Stephanie Marquesano, founder of the Harris Project. Her son, Harris, died of an overdose in 2013. "Because this is the year of the money; this is the year where we set the entire framework for the next 18 years."

Other board members expressed similar outrage and suggested legal action as a potential remedy.

"The recommending body never had a voice," Joyce Rivera, founder and chief executive officer of St. Ann's Corner of Harm Reduction, a non-profit that provides access to health resources, said at last month's meeting.

A letter written by state Sen. Peter B. Harckham, D-Westchester County, stated that board members reported that the Division of the Budget had set aside more than $180 million from the Opioid Settlement Fund without giving them a chance to provide feedback.

Adding to the confusion, Budget Director Robert Mujica wrote a letter to the secretaries of the Senate Finance Committee and the Assembly's Ways and Means Committee at the beginning of April, outlining how funding would be spent with consultation of the advisory board.

"At the Legislature's request," it reads. "Such funds will not be disbursed until the Opioid Settlement [Fund] Advisory Board has been constituted, consulted and conducted its first meeting." But advocates said that didn't happen.

O'Shea said the referenced letter wasn't the final version and that a more current version states the board will be made aware of additional, unallocated funding set aside as part of budget agreements. Some of the funds allocated without consulting the board went to measures such as an expansion of treatment services, a statewide transportation initiative and a transitional housing initiative, which members criticized for being too vague in its description.

Other funds were distributed to New York MATTERS, an electronic referral platform that connects patients to medications for opioid use disorder; the state's Opioid Overdose Prevention Program; and a college scholarship program for those in the addiction workforce.

OASAS disagrees with the characterization that money had been allocated without the board's consent.

"To date, no funding has been disbursed from the opioid settlement funding coming through New York state," Edison Alban, a spokesman for the agency wrote. "Some funding has already been distributed directly to municipalities per the terms of some settlement agreements. This funding did not flow through the state and is not appropriated in the state budget.

"The state continues to honor its agreement with the Legislature, and we are ready and willing to support the board in its advisory role to determine the best use of this funding."

Ashley Livingston, co-chair of Friends of Recovery Warren & Washington, was in disbelief during the meeting as the state's actions were explained. Still, she remains optimistic about the board's future.

"We have an opportunity to re-envision and re-imagine the whole system," she said.
ALBANY  A labor union representing 15,000 New York carpenters is planning to spend approximately $1 million to try and influence the outcome of Novembers general election  with the bulk of that money going to help Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

For the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters  which represents all union carpenters in New York outside New York City  heavy outside spending to help candidates is a new venture, according to the political consultant running the effort.

While the union has historically been politically active during election season, "given whats at stake this fall for the working class, they decided on a more robust voter contact and education effort," said Neal Kwatra, a longtime labor strategist and the founder of the New York City-based political consulting firm Metropolitan Public Strategies, which is managing the carpenters' expenditure campaign. "Its going to be one of the larger independent efforts anywhere in New York state on the Democratic side this cycle."

Though the bulk of the spending in 2022 will go to assist Hochul, Kwatra said, the union also plans to support Democrats in five or six closely contested state Senate races. Those are likely to include efforts to retain the seats currently held by state Sens. Michelle Hinchey, Jeremy Cooney, James Skoufis and Pete Harckham, all Democrats.

Both in New York and on a national level, the union has a history of bipartisanship, which makes the unions embrace of Democrats in races for the state Legislature this year more notable. The union had planned to back one incumbent state Senate Republican, Mike Martucci, but hes not running for reelection. Though the group has endorsed five other state Senate Republicans this year, including Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, its unclear whether it will spend to help any of them.

Since the 2018 elections, Democrats have held strong majorities in the Legislature, and the party has not lost a statewide election in New York since 2002. Democrats nationally face headwinds in the November elections, and Republicans typically fare well in elections where a Democrat holds the White House during a presidential mid-term election. Still, Hochul is favored to win a full term of office in November against her Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, and Democrats are favored to keep hold of the Senate and Assembly.

Kwatra said the unions plan to spend heavily on behalf of Hochul is in part a result of "she and her teams thoughtful cultivation and early engagement with labor."

"Working with labor on their core priorities from the Hochul folks has been far more sophisticated than you see from a typical Democratic politician," Kwatra said. "Theres been more listening and asking and wanting to understand goals."

Hochuls climate and energy initiatives have also included provisions, such as project labor agreements and prevailing wage mandates, that favor union contractors.

A union with a somewhat overlapping membership  the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters  spent more than $500,000 on an outside effort helping Democratic state Senate candidates in 2016. Kwatra said that the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters had existed since 2017, and has different political leadership and board members, and that its membership consisted of different states than the 2016 effort.

The overall landscape for independent expenditures this year is still taking shape. Labor unions generally will likely spend heavily to back Hochul.

It's unclear if Republicans nationally will decide to invest heavily in the governor's race in New York. So far, at least one group  "A New NY"  has formed to back Zeldin and oppose Hochul. The groups treasurer works for a firm, Crosby Ottenhoff Group, that has worked in the past for prominent Republicans across the country, as well as major outside conservative spending groups.

So far, A New NY has collected $145,00 in contributions, the largest being $100,000 from Howard Lutnick, chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, one of the world's leading financial services firms. The group has spent about $117,000 backing Zeldin, who faced a contested four-way primary to win the GOP nomination for governor in late June.
Refugees will begin to arrive at the Gormanston military camp on Tuesday, as part of a planned short-term accommodation measure.

Last week, An Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced that the camp would open today to house Ukrainian refugees and deal with the backlog arriving into the country.

According to the Irish Examiner, 150 people will initially be accommodated at the army camp which has a capacity for 320.

The publication also noted that the most recent surge in arrivals was possibly due to recent Russian military attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.

FACILITIES

Minister for Children Roderic OGorman explained that each military tent will each sleep 16 people with separate showers and toilets, recreation and canteen facilities.

He stressed that this would only be for a week 'maximum.'

The Green Party TD added said that tented accommodation could be added to existing facilities around the country for asylum seekers to meet any possible surge.

Over the weekend, he told RTE radio's Morning Ireland that 780 refugees and asylum seekers were accommodated at Citywest.
One of the suspected middlemen in the 2018 kidnapping and death of a Vermont man as part of a murder-for-hire case stemming from a financial dispute is due in court for a change of plea hearing
Over the weekend we noticed word of of the FIRST OF MANY legal challenges confronting new leadership at Guadalupe Centers.



In order to secure power, new bosses purged employees over the course of the pandemic and now they're confronting legal push back.

This isn't just barrio gossip . . . Even our progressive pals at public radio have picked up news of controversial firings that sparked concern throughout the community.

Accordingly, here are the basics . . .



It's the same old story about new management . . . They're disconnected suburbanites with far more ambition than community connections.

Recently the new bosses attempted to garner a bit of political support with yet another awards ceremony and even Mayor Q fell for it.

On the ground level . . .

The word is out . . . The tradition and history of Guadalupe Centers has been betrayed and now disgruntled former workers are taking the organization to task.

Developing . . .


Right now a newbie bikini hottie model made a splash over the weekend at a Sport Illustrated event and that inspires this peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Kansas City Vs. Vlad

As war continues in their homeland, Ukrainians welcomed in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - About 5,000 miles from Ukraine, in the middle of the United States, Kansas City residents and newly arrived Ukrainians gathered in the KC Bier Co. Biergarten for a picnic and social gathering.

Show-Me Progressive Hope

Can a Democrat win back Missouri? In U.S. Senate primary, three candidates take different paths. The Show-Me State's time as a political bellwether has passed. For decades leading up to the 2000s, Missouri voters chose the winner in almost every presidential race. But over the past 20 years, the electorate has drifted to the right, growing more and more red as Republicans took control of statewide offices and seats in Washington, D.C.

Rock Chalk Lineup . . .

Breaking down the Kansas primary field There isn't a lot of mystery about who will be the top candidates for the Kansas governor coming out of August's primaries. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly will almost certainly be re-nominated by her party, and state Attorney General Derek Schmidt will likely get the Republican nod.

Local Corny Fun Exposed

Precision Mazes Offer More Than 'Simply a Walk In the Corn' - Flatland Rob Stouffer describes his summers as a bit of a carnival. Every couple of days he and his team travel to a new location, unload the trailer, carve a design into a field and film it from aloft before packing up and driving to the next spot.

Still Pretending To Care About Lady Ballers

LaBonta scores, Kansas City Current swell unbeaten streak to seven straight KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Current remain red-hot. The club extended its unbeaten streak to seven straight games Sunday afternoon at Children's Mercy Park, beating OL Reign 1-0 on the back of a Lo'eau LaBonta penalty conversion.

Hottie Shares Good Life Love

SI Swimsuit Model Olivia Ponton's Guide To Naples, Florida We love Florida here at Uproxx - as a travel destination, if not as a state of mind. From the pristine beaches of Fort Myers to the party scene in Miami, the Sunshine State offers a year-round tropical oasis.

Dispute Follows Historic Fist Bump

Biden hits back after top Saudi official says he 'did not hear' Biden blame MBS for Khashoggi's murder President Joe Biden touched down in Washington D.C. just after midnight on Sunday, when he said the Saudi Arabian foreign minister who denied ever hearing Biden confront Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) about Jamal Khashoggi's murder was wrong.

MAGA Comeback Demanded

Trump Tells Team He Needs to Be President Again to Save Himself from Criminal Probes When Donald Trump formally declares his 2024 candidacy, he won't just be running for another term in the White House. He'll be running away from legal troubles, possible criminal charges, and even the specter of prison time.

IRAN NOW NUKE POWER?!?

Khamenei adviser says Tehran 'capable of building nuclear bomb,' Al Jazeera reports DUBAI, July 17 (Reuters) - Iran is technically capable of making a nuclear bomb but has not decided whether to build one, a senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Qatar's al Jazeera TV on Sunday. Kamal Kharrazi spoke a day after U.S.

Monkey Biz Turns Serious

U.S. has "failed to contain" monkeypox, former FDA chief warns The U.S. has failed to contain the outbreak of monkeypox and is "at the cusp" of seeing the virus become endemic, former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. Driving the news: According to CDC data, there are currently more than 1,800 monkeypox cases in the U.S.

Mom & Adult Daughter Sell Pix

Sami Sheen reacts to mom Denise Richards joining OnlyFans Sami Sheen is unbothered by her mom, Denise Richards, creating an OnlyFans account right after she joined the platform. "I don't mind at all, like, I'm happy for her," the 18-year-old told TMZ Thursday, adding that the "Wild Things" star, 51, is "doing really well" on the subscription-based service.

Royals Stay Losing COVID Road Trip

Late home run sends Royals into break with 4-2 loss in Toronto Kris Bubic pitched well (the instant he gets away from Cal Eldred!), but a late home run off the Royals bullpen doomed Kansas City on Sunday afternoon. The Toronto Blue Jays took a 4-2 victory on Sunday afternoon, sending the Royals into the All Star break on a three-game losing streak.

He'd Be Out By Now If He Would've Killed Somebody . . .

Kansas City couple celebrates 80 years of marriage KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Adolph and Lucy Velasquez sealed their love July 17, 1942. "I just feel like from day to day, I just kind of fell in love with her," Adolph said. Surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the couple shared memories and kisses they've given one another for 80 years at their celebration Sunday.

Erin Warns Against Ozone Alert

FORECAST: Dangerous heat expected by Tuesday, air quality alert issued for Monday KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) --- A Storm Track 5 Weather Alert is posted Monday due to poor air quality. An Air Quality Alert has been posted via AirQKC all day Monday with higher levels of ozone expected. Dangerous heat is expected by Tuesday with highs near 100.

Maggie Rogers - Horses is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
We'll get our bloggy opinion out of the way quickly on this post . . .

It's simply taking far too long for an official statement after the Westport Ale House mass shooting. As of this writing there hasn't been any determination from law enforcement about who killed a person during the tragic incident and how the events unfolded. The delay has sparked frustration and, even worse, allegations against police in the absence of verifiable evidence. A week is simply too long to wait in this era of instant digital global communication.



To be fair . . .

TKC has reported that KCPD has provided more info on Friday and added the victim to the KC Homicide tracker.

We've suggested this might provide a hint that police aren't culpable but that's just hopeful speculation or, more likely, an indication that the circumstances of the shooting are COMPLICATED and . . . As many reported from the scene . . . Gunfire was rampant during the chaos.

However . . .

We're not being unfair in noting that the delay has provided far too much time for public frustration to take hold . . . We're merely reporting a fact.



Today . . .

Social media allegations against are gaining traction police . . .



Here's a quote from a PUBLIC POST that is garnering hundreds of shares across Kansas City. We're going to withhold the name but, again, the post is public and gives voice to widespread speculation about this incident . . .

"After the Kansas City Missouri Police Department murdered my brother by continuously shooting him on the ground. They have failed to provide any answers but had the nerve to reach out to me and ask for permission to search my brothers phone which I legally own. My brothers phone has nothing to do with why he was murdered and I would like it back as it belongs to me. Further more Kansas City Missouri Police Department could have pepper sprayed the crowd to deescalate the entire situation but instead they allowed it to continue and proceeded to use excessive force murdering my brother. Mayor Quinton Lucas has been silent in our demand for answers. The police are suppose to be public servants and they have yet to disclose how the incident unfolded. The Westport Ale House declined to answer any questions as soon as I spoke with the manager she quickly stated no gun were inside the and had nothing further to say. This leads me to believe Westport Ale House did not provide proper safety the night my brother was murdered. Westport Ale House just because yall have paying people to post for yall does not mean the public will believe it. I will continue to shed light on this situation daily. I have time! #JusticeForCardellCrawford

Again, here's what's important and what is factual . . .

These allegations are UNCONFIRMED and so far there is no official statement from law enforcement on how the victim was killed or even the events that led to the spate of gunfire.



What we do know is this . . .

There has been a week long delay in sharing info with the public and now DURING ONE OF THE HOTTEST WEEKS KANSAS CITY HAS SEEN IN TWO YEARS . . . Public frustration is obviously rising regarding a controversial shooting in one of this town's most embattled entertainment districts. Our hope is that police will share info and our elected leaders, media and community voices will act responsibly and help the public process the details in order to avoid further human misery.



Realistically . . . It seems like this situation is just turning into yet another divisive hot mess.



UPDATE . . . Warrant: Gunman Killed Amid Westport Ale House Mass Shooting

Developing . . .


Summer is now in full swing and it's brutal out there . . .

FOUR MURDERS OVER THE WEEKEND REVEAL THAT KCMO ISN'T CLOSE TO SOLVING OUR HOMICIDE CRISIS DESPITE SO MANY POLITICAL PROMISES!!!



Remember that our current Mayor talked about getting the murder count below 100 and then spent the last three & a half years fighting with KCPD about money.

Here's a roundup and more empty talk regarding this ongoing disaster . . .

"These latest homicides bring the total to 86 this year. While homicide detectives are running on little sleep, so is community activist Rosilyn Temple, with KC Mothers in Charge. It has been overwhelming, especially for the family, but also for the police department, also for me. To see all the turmoil and the disruption in our community, Temple said. "



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas City sees four homicides in 24-hour span KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It's been a long weekend for the Kansas City Police Department, as homicide detectives investigate three shootings that left four people dead. "The numbers are disturbing and we can do better than this," Capt. Leslie Foreman of the KCPD said.

Kansas City police ask for help following 5th homicide of the week KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Police in Kansas City are again asking for help after two more shooting victims were found deceased. "We're hurting as a community," said Leslie Foreman, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department. KCPD has worked a total of five homicides since Monday, July 11 with a total of three happening since Saturday morning.

5 homicides in KCMO has city officials, police, community leaders concerned KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A string of homicides in the Kansas City metro has city officials, police and community violence prevention advocates concerned. Seven homicides have been reported throughout Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas, in the last week.

Developing . . .



Developing . . .
Honestly, it's too muggy outside to protest.



Still, we share more info about this weather trend if only to remind locals to take it easy and focus on keeping cool rather than raising your own temperature over all of the pollution caused by countries that don't respect environmental activism at all.

Check more advice . . .



"When the alert is issued, its recommended that active children and adults --- along with those with respiratory diseases --- should limit their time outdoors. "



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Orange Ozone Alert issued for Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo (KCTV) --- For the first time this summer, Kansas City will be under an orange Ozone Alert for Monday. The alert was issued on Sunday by SkyCast. When the alert is issued, it's recommended that active children and adults --- along with those with respiratory diseases --- should limit their time outdoors.

Americans Divided Over Direction of Biden's Climate Change Policies Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand how Americans view climate, environmental and energy issues. For this analysis, we surveyed 10,282 U.S. adults from May 2 to 8, 2022. Everyone who took part in the survey is a member of the Center's American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses.

Climate change: Heat deaths could triple by 2050 Heat-related deaths will triple over coming decades without government action on overheating in our homes, warn its advisors on climate change. The alert comes amid the first UK red extreme heat warning, with potentially life-threatening record highs near 40C expected as far north as York.

Developing . . .


Postmedia shares rise after Google deal while threats of a recession rattle RBC. Here are the past weeks winners and losers
Patrick Brown has announced he will seek a second term as Brampton mayor in the upcoming fall municiple election. - Graeme Frisque/Metroland
Police are seeking help to identify a man after a sculpture was defaced outside the Art Gallery of Ontario July 13. - Toronto Police Service image
Police search for man after pepper spray assault reported in Beach neighbourhood

Toronto police said a man pepper sprayed another man following an altercation near Queen Street and Lee Avenue
It was empty within minutes: Inside the Union Station evacuation Saturday evening

Chief Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins and her nine-year-old grandson were in Union Station when police locked it down after fatal shooting nearby.
We are speaking with the Police Social and Welfare Association about rouge officers within t
Russian military have fired over 60 projectiles at the city Nikopol with multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

The relevant statement was made by Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Head Valentyn Reznichenko on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

We have been under enemy fire again. Russian troops struck Nikopol with MLRS several times last night. Over 60 projectiles were fired at residential areas and city infrastructure, Reznichenko wrote.

According to the preliminary data, a 75-year-old woman was injured and taken to hospital. Dozens of detached houses were destroyed. The water and gas pipelines were damaged. Russian projectiles also hit a hospital, industrial and power enterprises, port facilities.

Relevant services are working at the scene to repair the damaged communications and establish the scale of destruction.

Photo: Valentyn Reznichenko, Telegram

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As a result of Russian aggression, two civilians were killed and ten more were wounded in Donetsk region on July 17.

Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, said in a Telegram post, Ukrinform reports.

The Russians killed two civilians in Donetsk region: in Avdiivka and Novyi Donbas. Another ten were wounded," he wrote.

Read also: Number of Ukrainian children injured due to Russian aggression rises to 666

Overall, 625 civilians have been killed and 1,608 injured in Donetsk region since February 24.

He noted that it is currently impossible to determine the exact number of victims in Mariupol and Volnovakha.

As reported by Ukrinform, as a result of Russian aggression, three civilians were killed and twelve more were injured in Donetsk region on July 16.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro have discussed the importance of resuming grain exports to prevent a global food crisis provoked by Russia.

Zelensky said this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"Had a conversation with President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro. Informed about the situation on the front. Discussed the importance of resuming Ukrainian grain exports to prevent a global food crisis provoked by Russia," Zelensky said.

He called on all partners of Ukraine to join sanctions against Russia.

Photo: President's Office
The Presidents decision to remove Iryna Venediktova from the position of the Prosecutor General and suspend Ivan Bakanov from his duties as the Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine does not mean their dismissal. Official checks will be carried out, after which the President will decide whether to file an appropriate motion at the parliament.

"Now we do not talk about dismissing these two officials. The Prosecutor General was removed from her office, and the motion of the Security Service of Ukraine was suspended from his duties. This is due to the fact that the President and all of us have been expecting long enough the heads of these agencies to take more specific and, perhaps, radical steps to clear away collaborators and state traitors," Andriy Smyrnov, Deputy Head of the President's Office, said during the nationwide telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to him, in the sixth month of the war, collaborators continue to be identified in these law enforcement agencies almost every week, so "to prevent the potential influence of these two officials on the criminal proceedings against Security Service employees suspected of collaborating with the aggressor country, and the same as regards the prosecutor's office, the President made appropriate decisions on removal from office and suspension."

Smyrnov explained the difference in wording by the fact that the prosecutor general was "removed from office" in accordance with the right of the President to remove an official who is appointed and dismissed by him.

At the same time, Bakanov was suspended from his duties in accordance with the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as the chief of the Security Service of Ukraine is a serviceperson.

"This is the key difference between these two by-laws on removal from office and suspension from duties," said the deputy head of the Presidents Office.

He informed that official checks and investigations would be conducted in relation to Bakanov and Venediktova.

"According to the results of these official checks and investigations, the President will make a decision on the need to file a motion at the parliament on approving the dismissal of the Prosecutor General and the Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine," Smyrnov emphasized.

As reported, on July 17, President Volodymyr Zelensky suspended Ivan Bakanov, Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine, from his duties and removed Iryna Venediktova from the post of Prosecutor General.

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In his address to the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba outlined three ways to restore peace and enhance security in Europe.

Today, I addressed EU ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council on Josep Borrells kind invitation. My key message: weapons to Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, and accountability for Russia are the three ways to restore peace, enhance security, and protect stability in Europe, Kuleba posted on Twitter.

In the context of weapons, the minister thanked for the extra 500 million under the European Peace Facility and urged additional bilateral military aid.

Sanctions: energy embargo, price cap on oil, ban on all Russian TV channels. I encourage EU states to support the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine, Kuleba added.

Before the start of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, EU High Representative Borrell said that the EU Foreign Affairs Council could make a political decision to continue supporting Ukraine, in particular by providing it with security assistance, and would consider ways to increase the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia.

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The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has dismissed Maryna Lazebna as minister of social policy.

Some 277 MPs voted for a respective decision, Yaroslav Zhelezniak, a people's deputy from the Holos parliamentary faction, said in a Telegram post.

He also added that the vote on the appointment of Oksana Zholnovych as Ukraine's social policy minister "will take place soon, but not today."

He recalled that only 27.2% or six out of 22 ministers from the initial composition of the 2020 government continue to work in the current Cabinet of Ministers.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal thanked Lazebna for her productive work.

"The government, together with the Ministry of Social Policy, headed by Maryna Volodymyrivna, launched a number of programs to support citizens. Despite all the challenges, we consistently increased pensions and social benefits. The unified information system of the social sphere has become operational in the pilot regions. A lot of important and exemplary work has been done. We thank the minister for her effective work," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.

He also recalled that Lazebna worked in the government for two years during the coronavirus pandemic and 145 days during a full-scale war.

Lazebna was appointed minister of social policy in March 2020.
Ukraine will sever diplomatic relations with Belarus if its armed forces cross the Ukrainian border.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this in an interview with Forbes, Ukrinform reports.

"Belarus is an accomplice in the crime of aggression, and no one throws this issue into question. We severed diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation immediately after the full-scale attack began. They will also be severed with Belarus if the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus cross the Ukrainian border," Kuleba said.

He also noted that Kyiv considered the Belarusian route for the transit of grain to the Baltic countries exclusively as a way of last hope, if no other way would work.

"No one wanted to deal with Minsk, which is an accomplice in aggression, on any trade issues. But logisticians and private investors (in fact, traders) worked very well to expand the possibilities of land routes through EU countries. Progress was made in the negotiations regarding the sea route, so the option of an emergency Belarusian route is no longer on the agenda," the minister said.

Due to Russia's unprovoked aggression in Ukraine, more than 20 million tonnes of grain intended for export, in particular within the World Food Program, turned out to be stuck. This put the world's most vulnerable countries, particularly those in Africa, at risk of hunger.

The EU organized "solidarity lanes" on the border with Ukraine for the export of grain by land, road and rail transport, as well as inland waterways.
When resuming the export of Ukrainian grain, it is necessary to take into account the interests and security considerations of Ukraine.

Thats according to Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, who made the statement at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, where Russia's aggression toward Ukraine was discussed, MFA Latvias press service told Ukrinform.

"In international efforts to restore the export of Ukrainian grain, it is necessary to take into account the interests and security considerations of Ukraine. Russia must compensate Ukraine for all damages caused by its aggression, including taking responsibility for the destruction of the Ukrainian economy and infrastructure," Rinkevics said.

The president also emphasized that coordinated communication and active political dialogue with the international community are necessary to maintain a unified position against Russian aggression in Ukraine. In his opinion, the EU should support the nations most affected by the food crisis engineered by Russia by providing them with direct food aid, thereby expressing solidarity and ensuring that these countries support the EU's position against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, this will contribute to the reduction of potential migration flows into the EU.

The minister said that the EU should develop a legal framework for the seizure and transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine as part of recovery efforts. Rinkevics expressed his support for the reconstruction process and further reforms in Ukraine, which should begin immediately, especially given that the new academic year and a winter period are ahead.

Rinkevics confirmed the need to work on the preparation of the seventh package of EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus. At the same time, it is necessary to continue the implementation of the current sanctions and work on eliminating their loopholes, he believes.

"We must continue to provide all necessary support to Ukraine, especially in the form of military aid and through the European Peace Fund. We support the approval of the fifth tranche of military aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine," added Latvias top diplomat.

During the meeting, the Council held a discussion on digital diplomacy, after which the Council Conclusions on EU digital diplomacy were adopted. To this end, among other things, Edgars Rinkevics stated that the European Union should provide support to protect Ukraines digital infrastructure and ensure public access to the Internet in the territories occupied by Russia.
Russian propaganda intensified an informational and psychological campaign aimed at Western audiences against NATO expansion, in particular circulating the narrative about the probability of nuclear war as a result of Sweden and Finland joining the Alliance.

Thats according to the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

Statements by certain American politicians alleging a possibility of a nuclear war, which the expansion of NATO could lead to, appeared simultaneously in a range of foreign media outlets.

In particular, on July 14, U.S. Senator Rand Paul, known for his narratives resonating with Russian propaganda, expressed his fears about the possible escalation of Russia's military activity on the European continent, and called on NATO not to accept post-Soviet nations into the Alliance.

On the same day, another American politician Patrick Buchanan, analyzing the movement of Finland and Sweden toward NATO, called such actions a senseless and risky provocation on the part of the Alliance against a nuclear power, that is, Russia.

"Attempts to intimidate the world with a nuclear war on the part of the Russian Federation have not stopped since February 24, 2022. Statements about the potential escalation of the military conflict are manipulation and an element of Russian informational terror," the watchdog emphasized.

As reported by Ukrinform, Russian propaganda and some foreign media are spreading a false narrative about a split in NATO regarding the attitude to the war in Ukraine.
South Africa: Concern over move to coal

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy has expressed concern at some developed countries who were reverting to coal in response to their negative national circumstances.

This as the Glasgow Climate Pact called upon nations to phase down unabated coal power and inefficient subsidies for fossil fuels.

We cannot have backtracking by developed country Parties. Developed countries must continue taking the lead with ambitious action. The ultimate measure of climate leadership is not what countries do in times of comfort and convenience, but what they do in times of challenge and controversy, the Minister said on Monday.

Creecy was addressing the opening of the 13th Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, Germany.

Climate change is currently costing African countries between three and five percent of their GDPs. Regionally, Africa is experiencing extreme climate impacts which the continent had very little role in causing.

Conference of the Parties (COP 27) needs to focus on supporting a people-centred just equitable transition in the developing world. The urgent need is to adapt now, while we build resilience for the future. We can only avoid loss and minimize damage with the appropriate scale of public finance that does not exacerbate the indebtedness of Africa, the Minister said.

Creecy said South Africa is further accelerating its climate actions, in the context of just transitions and sustainable development.

Since Conference of the Parties (COP 26), we have finalised our Just Transitions Framework, which will form the basis for our long-term climate action. To this end, we have set up a Task Team to develop an investment plan for the Just Energy Transition Partnership or JETP announced in Glasgow, with our Partner countries  Germany, France, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU), the Minister said.

The Climate Bill, which is currently before Parliament, lays the regulatory framework for the whole of government, business, organised labour and civil society to implement our countrys climate commitments.

However, we are very concerned at the lack of progress in the multilateral negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on key areas since COP 26. The discussions on loss and damage, finance, adaptation, and the just transition remain trapped in process-related discussions.

Last year in Glasgow some developing countries were vilified for stressing their national circumstances in relation to some of the desired outcomes in the Glasgow Climate Pact. Yet just over six months after Glasgow we are witnessing many developed countries reverting back to coal in response to their negative national circumstances, she said. SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-07-18. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Press Release

July 15, 2022 "Keep on learning and never, never give up", Villanueva tells grads Sen. Joel Villanueva gave words of inspiration and advice for the graduating students of the Bulacan State University (BulSU) to not give up from the challenges the country is facing, and continue building their knowledge even after graduation.. This was the senator's message to the 11,285 graduates as the guest speaker of the university's 81st Commencement Exercises held at the Philippine Arena last Friday (July 15). In his speech, Villanueva mentioned the challenges that the country's educational system is currently facing, particularly the low performance of Filipino students in math, science, and reading comprehension compared to other countries based on international findings. Another challenge he mentioned is dealing with the unemployment situation in the country, and the need for skills training for Filipino workers. Despite the situation, Villanueva advised BulSU's graduating class of 2022 to "keep on learning" and aspire for lifelong learning to continue the growth of their knowledge and keep up with the changes happening in the world. The senator said that lifelong learning is important as studies show that knowledge "goes back to square one" after five years, and it is a way to keep up with technological advancements such as artificial intelligence. Villanueva also shared the hardships he faced as a student in Harvard, and his personal tragedy of the recent loss of his mother and sister. According to the senator, these helped shape his character and taught him to never give up from any challenge, which is an advice he gave to the graduating students. "Never, never give up. Kahit sabihin pa ng pinakamatalik mong kaibigan, o ng iyong pamilya, na hindi mo kaya, huwag kang maniwala sapagkat kaya mo at kaya mong magtagumpay (Even if your best friend or your family says that you can't do it, don't believe them because you can and you can succeed)," said Villanueva. Villanueva also advised the graduates to not let anyone tell them to keep their dreams small. "Huwag po kayong papayag na sabihin kayo na liitan, paikliin, o papangitin ang inyong mga pangarap. Hold on to your dreams. Keep on learning. Never ever give up," the senator said. The senator also said that his advocacy of improving the country's educational system continues through the laws that he passed, such as the Philippine Qualifications Framework Act, Excellence in Teacher Education Act, and the Doktor Para Sa Bayan Act. Villanueva also recently filed his priority bills such as the Enterprise-based Education and Training to Employment Act, and institutionalizing the National Employment Recovery Strategy under the Trabaho Para sa Lahat ng Pilipino Act.
VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said on Monday that abandoning Russian gas is not even discussed and its time to be realistic.

"The key word is gas. There used to be a tough discussion that we should stop getting gas (from Russia), and we, like a number of other EU countries, clearly said - this is not up for a discussion, because it would greatly affect us.

Here we have to be realistic, even if it is emotionally unpleasant," Schallenberg said before the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
Kyiv, Ukraine, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jul, 2022 ) :Russian shelling in battle-scarred east Ukraine on Monday left six dead, Kyiv said, as the country was reeling from President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to sack two senior law enforcement officials.

EU foreign ministers were convening meanwhile to discuss toughening sanctions against Moscow and the bloc's foreign policy chief warned of the "life and death" consequences of Russia's blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea grain exports.

Rescue workers in blue helmets could be seen digging through debris and clearing rubble from the collapsed remains of a two-storey building in Toretsk in the industrial east that was struck by Russian artillery early Monday.

"Rescuers found and recovered the bodies of five dead people in total. Three people were rescued from the rubble and one of them died in hospital," the emergency services said, adding their rescue operations had concluded.

Toretsk, a town with of around 30,000 residents lies some 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Kramatorsk, a key target for Russian forces that were ordered into Ukraine in February.

They initially failed to capture the capital Kyiv early in the invasion but have made gains in the eastern region of Donbas recently, capturing the sister cities of Lysychansk and Severodonetsk.

Zelensky said late Sunday that he was firing Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova and security chief Ivan Bakanov amid widespread cases of suspected treason by law enforcement officials.

He cited "a great number of crimes against the foundations of national security and the connections established between Ukrainian law enforcement officials and Russian special services," making the announcement.
(@FahadShabbir)

UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jul, 2022 ) :UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his message to mark Monday's International Day in honour of Nelson Mandela, hailed the first Black President of post-Apartheid South Africa and racial justice icon, "a giant of our time", who remains a "moral compass" for us all." The UN chief said that Mandela was the champion of a free and democratic South Africa who spent nearly three decades in prison resisting the racist apartheid regime, and called him "a leader of unparalleled courage and towering achievement; and a man of quiet dignity and deep humanity." Mandela  or Madiba, the clan name he's affectionately known by at home - was a "healer of communities and a mentor to generations", said the UN chief, noting that "walked the path to freedom and dignity with steely determination  and with compassion and love.

" He demonstrated through his life that everyone has the ability  and responsibility  to build a better future, he added.

"Our world today is marred by war; overwhelmed by emergencies; blighted by racism, discrimination, poverty, and inequalities; and threatened by climate disaster. Let us find hope in Nelson Mandela's example and inspiration in his vision." The best way to honour his legacy, is by taking action, Guterres said in his video message. Amid a rising in hate speech around the world, everyone has the duty to speak out, and stand up for human rights, "by embracing our common humanity  rich in diversity, equal in dignity, united in solidarity." Together and by following Madiba's example, "we can make our world, more just, compassionate, prosperous, and sustainable for all", The Secretary-General concluded.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jul, 2022 ) :Minister for Water Resources and Pakistan Peoples Party's Veteran Leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah on Sunday evening said it was true democracy to accept election results with an open heart.

Referring to the results of by-polls in Punjab, he said, "Pakistan has to move forward and the democratic system has to continue." Khursheed Shah said the election results were proof of that it was the only way forward in politics. Political parties should give up protest and violent politics forever, he added.

He said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz would also get a chance to improve itself.

He proposed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan not to repeat his mistakes anymore in future.

Khursheed Shah said victory and defeat were not important in politics but democratic attitudes were important.

He said the chief election commissioner (CEC) continued to discharge his professional obligations while enduring severe criticism and personal attacks.

The CEC deserved to be congratulated for conducting fair and transparent elections, he added.

He expressed the hope that the CEC would perform the same responsibility in the general elections as well.
(@FahadShabbir)

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday rejected the allegations levelled by former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf I Chairman Imran Khan against the commission as baseless

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jul, 2022 ) :The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday rejected the allegations levelled by former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf I Chairman Imran Khan against the commission as baseless.

An ECP spokesman, in a statement, said there was absolutely no truth in the accusations of Imran Khan. The commission would continue working in accordance with the relevant laws and the Constitution, he added.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday ordered to release international drugs' smuggler Ibrahim Koko, a citizen of Burma on completion of his imprisonment sentence

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jul, 2022 ) :The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday ordered to release international drugs' smuggler Ibrahim Koko, a citizen of Burma on completion of his imprisonment sentence.

IHC's Justice Mohsin Akhter Kayani heard the case wherein Ibrahim Koko also appeared before the court.

The court asked the accused whether he wanted to go back his country.

The accused said that he wanted to go back to his home and prayed the court to issue orders for his repatriation. The court directed the repatriation of Ibrahim Koko till September 16, after preparation of travel documents and vaccination.

The court observed that it would write an appropriate order so that the accused wouldn't face problems after landing at his home country's airport.
(@FahadShabbir)

District Officer Population Welfare Department Sheery Sukhan Monday said the department was taking all measures to create awareness among the masses about the importance of family planning and extending relevant services so that sidelined section of the population and young people could plan their families

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jul, 2022 ) :District Officer Population Welfare Department Sheery Sukhan Monday said the department was taking all measures to create awareness among the masses about the importance of family planning and extending relevant services so that sidelined section of the population and young people could plan their families.

Talking to APP, she informed that Population Welfare Department, Rawalpindi, had chalked out week-long programmes in connection with "World Population Day".

Sherry said that seminars, walks and workshops are being organized in all tehsils of the district, including Taxila, Murree, Gujar Khan, Kotli Sattian, Kahutta and Rawalpindi, to mobilize the population of the district's rural areas and raise awareness on various issues, including family planning and the concept of small family size.

She added the issue of rapid population growth could only be resolved with the cooperation of the masses, and Population Welfare Department was trying its utmost to guide the youngsters about the challenges of population outbreaks.

395
(@Abdulla99267510)

Arif Alvi says we should speak against hate and stand for human rights to make our world more just, compassionate, prosperous and sustainable for all.

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-July 18th, 2022) President Arif Alvi has called for renewing pledge to strengthen democratic norms of civility across party lines and promote tolerance for dissent, freedom of speech and equality before the law for the empowerment of the country and the people.

In his message on the international day of Nelson Mandela, he said we should speak against hate and stand for human rights to make our world more just, compassionate, prosperous and sustainable for all.

The President paid rich tributes to the visionary leadership of Nelson Mandela saying he exemplified courage, compassion and commitment to freedom, peace and social justice.
(@FahadShabbir)

Austria has no plans to follow Sweden and Finland in joining NATO, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Monday

PRAGUE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th July, 2022) Austria has no plans to follow Sweden and Finland in joining NATO, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Monday.

The official made this statement at a press conference in Vienna after a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger, Slovak newspaper Pravda reported. According to the media, Nehammer stated that Vienna does not intend to follow the example set by Sweden and Finland, which have reconsidered their military neutrality amid Russia's special military operation in Ukraine and are now slated to join NATO.

There is "no such rhetoric in Austria," the Chancellor said, adding that his country remains committed to the EU's joint security policy and plans to invest more in domestic defense capabilities.

In response, Heger noted that Slovakia, just as other countries of the West, is providing ample assistance to Ukraine.

Finland and Sweden submitted membership applications to NATO in May, ending decades of neutrality in light of Russia's military operation in Ukraine. Their membership bids were initially blocked by Turkey, which accused them of supporting "terrorists," referring to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkey promised to lift its objections after the country leaders met in Madrid in June and agreed to address Ankara's concerns.
MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) Deputy Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of the Belarusian Armed Forces Dmitry Mikholap said on Sunday that the Belarusian army will soon be armed with the Russian S-400 air defense systems.

"The issue is being worked out and in the near future we will be armed with a Mi-35 attack helicopter, as well as an S-400 air defense system," Mikholap said in an interview with Belarusian broadcaster CTV.

In May, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Minsk bought the Iskander and S-400 air defense systems from Russia.
Britain and France went on heatwave alert on Monday facing record temperatures as southwest Europe wilted under a scorching sun and ferocious wildfires devoured more forests

London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jul, 2022 ) :Britain and France went on heatwave alert on Monday facing record temperatures as southwest Europe wilted under a scorching sun and ferocious wildfires devoured more forests.

Forecasters in Britain warned of havoc in a country unprepared for the onslaught of extreme heat that authorities said was putting lives at risk.

The mercury was set to rise to 38 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in London Monday -- not far below Britain's all-time record of 38.7C -- and could breach the 40C mark for the first time by Tuesday, meteorologists said.

Scientists blame climate change and predict more frequent and intense episodes of extreme weather.

Across the Channel firefighters failed to contain two massive fires in France's southwest that have created apocalyptic scenes of destruction.

For six days, armies of firefighters and a fleet of waterbombing aircraft have struggled against blazes that have mobilised much of France's entire firefighting capacity.

Forecasters have put 15 French departments on the highest state of alert for extreme temperatures, including in the western Brittany region where the Atlantic coastal city of Brest was expected to hit 40 Celsius Monday, nearly twice its usual July temperature average.

By early afternoon, Brest had already beaten its all-time record of 35.2 C set in 1949.

The European heatwave, spreading north, is the second to engulf parts of the southwest of the continent within only weeks.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) Russia believes that the cross-border mechanism of assistance to Syria should be shut down as it violates Syria's sovereignty, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Monday.

"We believe that the cross-border mechanism is a temporary and emergency measure that should be shut down, as it violates international humanitarian law and, most importantly, the sovereignty of Syria," Ushakov told a briefing.

The Kremlin aide also said that the fact that Russia supported a resolution of the United Nations Security Council on extending the mechanism for six months was a compromise.

"Next time our position will be expressed more categorically," Ushakov added.
(@FahadShabbir)

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin have met in Tokyo and agreed on the need to speed up the resolution of issues existing between their countries, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Monday

TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin have met in Tokyo and agreed on the need to speed up the resolution of issues existing between their countries, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"Minister Hayashi stated the need to develop Japan-South Korea relations on the basis of friendship and cooperation achieved after the normalization of relations in 1965. This requires resolving complex problems between the two countries, starting with the issue of Korean labor," the ministry said in a statement.

In 2018, the South Korean Supreme Court ruled that Japanese companies Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, Fujikoshi Corporation and Mitsui Heavy Industries must compensate four South Korean nationals for using forced labor during the Second World War.

The decision provoked an outcry in Japan, which claimed that the 1965 agreement between the two countries had resolved the issue of damages once and for all.

The Japanese companies did not pay the compensation and their assets in South Korea ended up arrested to then be cashed out.

"Foreign Minister Park said he would make efforts to ensure that a solution could be found before cashing out. Both sides expressed their support for a speedy solution of this problem," the statement read.

The South Korean official also expressed his condolences over the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the meeting.

This is Park's first official visit to Japan since taking office and the first visit to Japan by a South Korean foreign minister since 2019.
CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th July, 2022) Authorities in Moldova may have secretly made the decision to carry out an administrative and territorial reform, lawmaker and representative of the Socialist party Adela Raileanu said on Sunday.

On July 15, Bucharest hosted the the Ministerial Conference of the Moldova Support Platform, which was attended by Romania, Germany, France and Moldova. Upon conclusion of the meeting, the donors pledged to support Moldova's territory reform.

"This weekend, the authorities have taught us another lesson of 'transparency'. On the internet we learned that our 'night government of darkness' is launching a new reform. The reform has not been publicly discussed, local public administration authorities do not know anything about it, the Congress of Local Authorities is unaware and so are the citizens. At the same time, it turns out that in the neighboring country a working group is already set up, which will determine the administrative structure of Moldova. As four universities were shut down in two weeks, the same way villages and districts will be wiped out without asking us," Raileanu wrote on her social media account.

Western creditors, including the International Monetary Fund, have repeatedly insisted that Moldova carries our an administrative and territorial reform. The previous government of the country, headed by Ion Chicu, developed compromise options, but had no time to consider them.

Last November, deputies from the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity in Moldova announced their intention to carry out administrative and territorial reform and begin to abolish some districts in 2022. The authorities have developed a number of strategies that provide for the elimination of districts and the creation of three regions: Northern, Central and Southern. In January 2022, the Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Andrei Spinu, told the media that the existing administrative-territorial structure will remain until the fall of 2023.
The new package of EU sanctions against Russia does not contain bans on the transportation of energy and does not apply to Gazprombank, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said

BUDAPEST (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) The new package of EU sanctions against Russia does not contain bans on the transportation of energy and does not apply to Gazprombank, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

"A new agreement has been reached on EU sanctions against Russia. Basically, it is about clarifying existing rules.

There are no restrictions on the transportation of energy resources in the package. We made it very clear that if Gazprombank was included in the sanctions list, then Hungary would not be able to support it, therefore, Gazprombank does not appear in the proposal for sanctions, which has already been received by us, just as no restrictions on the transportation of energy appear," Szijjarto said.
Norwegian chemical giant Yara International pledged $20 million worth of fertilizer to support 100,000 farmers in Africa, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power said on Monday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) Norwegian chemical giant Yara International pledged $20 million worth of fertilizer to support 100,000 farmers in Africa, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power said on Monday.

"We are also working with fertilizer companies to increase distribution in Africa. Today, I am pleased to announce that Yara, one of the world's largest fertilizer companies, has offered to provide $20 million of free fertilizer that USAID will then help distribute... to support 100,000 farmers," Power said during an event organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "And we need other fertilizer companies benefiting from high prices to join them.

"

Power also announced that the United States will provide $1.2 billion in funding that will be dispatched to meet the immediate needs faced by the people of Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

During the G7 summit in June, US President Joe Biden pledged $2.76 billion in US government assistance to protect the world's most vulnerable populations from the escalating global food security crisis, according to USAID. Biden also announced $760 million in additional funding to combat the effects of high food, fuel, and fertilizer prices in those countries that need it most, $90 million of which will be spent in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) The presidents of Russia, Iran and Turkey will discuss issues related to humanitarian assistance to Syria during the Tuesday meeting in Tehran, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Monday.

"It is also expected that the heads of state will consider in detail the steps on the humanitarian track of the settlement.

The socio-economic situation in Syria is extremely difficult. It is also well known to everyone. The unacceptable unilateral sanctions of the West against Damascus had a serious negative impact," Ushakov told a press conference.

The Kremlin aide added that the United States and its allies have not fulfilled their obligations to support projects aimed at restoring infrastructure in Syria and to ease sanctions over the past years.
Microsoft is carrying out the order of the Pentagon and US special services to deprive Ukraine of "digital sovereignty" by seizing control over its information space and digital infrastructure, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said on Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) microsoft is carrying out the order of the Pentagon and US special services to deprive Ukraine of "digital sovereignty" by seizing control over its information space and digital infrastructure, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said on Monday.

"Microsoft is fulfilling the order of the Pentagon and special services to bring under absolute control the entire Ukrainian information infrastructure and deprive it of any 'digital sovereignty.' In fact, the company itself admitted this in the report," Syromolotov said, commenting on Microsoft's report where the company accused Russia of cyberattacks against Ukraine and its allies.

Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics, in particular, has promised the Ukrainian authorities protection against targeted cyberattacks and convinced them to grant it remote access to their networks, which gave the internet giant every necessary tool for carrying out digital provocations and false-flag cyberattacks, the Russian diplomat said.

"In particular, (it is done) with the use of the controlled folder access function in the Microsoft Defender cyberthreat protection application. With the help of RiskIQ services, under the pretext of assessing the level of information resources security of Ukraine's state bodies, devices with well-known unpatched vulnerabilities have been identified, which can now be used by the Americans," Syromolotov said.

Microsoft's goal is to show its US sponsors its effort in a bid to get itself a share of the $15 billion funding earmarked in the Pentagon for cyberwars, the Russian diplomat believes.

Syromolotov said that the Microsoft report's ill-grounded conclusions were noted not only in Russia but also in the US, particularly by experts of the Johns Hopkins University.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

A center for the study of the Russian language and culture will reopen at the University of Guayaquil, the oldest and largest institution of higher education in Ecuador, Russian Ambassador to Ecuador Vladimir Sprinchan told Sputnik

BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) A center for the study of the Russian language and culture will reopen at the University of Guayaquil, the oldest and largest institution of higher education in Ecuador, Russian Ambassador to Ecuador Vladimir Sprinchan told Sputnik.

The Russkiy Mir Foundation had previously signed an agreement on the establishment of the center, but the university's interim management viewed the idea negatively and the center was closed.

"A few months ago, the university management offered to restore everything. Recently, I had a meeting with the rector. We made a deal, chose the premises and are restoring the Russian language library," Sprinchan said.

The ambassador added that there are still organizational issues that need to be resolved, but the center will start operating in September or October.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) The Syrian armed forces are bolstering their positions in two towns close to the border with Turkey, the Syrian Arab news Agency (SANA) reported on Monday.

Units of the Syrian armed forces are fortifying positions in the cities of Ain Issa and Ain al-Arab as part of the steps taken by Damascus to ensure security and stability throughout Syrian territory, SANA said.

Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said earlier that Ankara was ready to launch a new military operation in northern Syria at any moment. Damascus has repeatedly called the presence of Turkish forces in the border area of Syria, where they carry out operations against Kurdish formations, illegal and urged Ankara to withdraw its troops.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) Russia is against any decisions that would violate Syria's sovereignty, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Monday when discussing Turkey's plans to conduct an operation in northern Syria, adding that the issue will be discussed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to Tehran.

"As for Turkey's plans to conduct a new operation against Kurdish formations in northern Syria, this issue will naturally be discussed (during Putin's trip). Our position in Russia is that we oppose any actions that violate the basic principle of the Syrian settlement, which is enshrined in the relevant Security Council resolutions and in the decisions of the Astana format. This is respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria," Ushakov told a briefing.
A missile attack was carried out in the area of the hydroelectric power station in Nova Kakhovka by Ukrainian troops, damage is being specified, the head of the city administration, Vladimir Leontyev, told Sputnik

SIMFEROPOL (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) A missile attack was carried out in the area of the hydroelectric power station in Nova Kakhovka by Ukrainian troops, damage is being specified, the head of the city administration, Vladimir Leontyev, told Sputnik.

"There was another enemy attack.

It was a missile attack by Ukrainian troops on the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, about an hour ago," Leontyev said.

He clarified that the degree of damage at the hydroelectric power plant, as well as possible casualties, are being specified.

A gas pipeline was damaged by the strike, a source in the city administration told Sputnik. Critical facilities of the HPP were not damaged, electicity supply remains stable, he added.
(@FahadShabbir)

The United States will ease immigration requirements for Afghans, a senior administration official said on Monday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) The United States will ease immigration requirements for Afghans, a senior administration official said on Monday.

"Starting July 20, all new Afghan SIV (Special Immigrant visa) applicants and the majority of applicants already in contact with us, will no longer be required to submit a separate form I-360 petition for special immigrant status to USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services)," the official told reporters.

"The elimination of this 19-page form will greatly ease the administrative burden on applicants and reduce processing time," the official added.

The change, when introduced, is expected to save about a month of adjudication time, according to estimates made by those proposing the fast-track procedure.

The change also means that applicants will no longer have to deal with several government agencies.

"The State Department will process these applications from start to finish," the official explained, noting that since last spring, the US has been averaging some 2,000 cases a month.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The United States will provide $1.2 billion in funding to meet the immediate needs of the people in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia amid the growing food insecurity crisis in the region, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power said on Monday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th July, 2022) The United States will provide $1.2 billion in funding to meet the immediate needs of the people in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia amid the growing food insecurity crisis in the region, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power said on Monday.

"Today, I am announcing here a surge of nearly $1.2 billion in funding that will be dispatched to meet the immediate needs, faced by the people of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia," Power said. "This is on top of the more than $507 million we've already given to the Horn (of Africa) response."

The United States will also provide $200 million to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to maximize the procurement of its Exchange Traded Funds and distribute them to aid those most in need, including countries in the Horn of Africa and in the Sahel region, Power said.

Power also said the United States working with UNICEF are going to raise an additional $250 million to meet global needs before the UN General Assembly gathers in September.

During the Group of Seven (G7) summit in June, US President Joe Biden pledged $2.76 billion in United States assistance to protect the world's most vulnerable populations from the escalating global food security crisis. Biden also announced $760 million in additional funding to combat the effects of high food, fuel and fertilizer prices in those countries that need it most, $90 million of which will be provided to Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.
EU and Southeast Asian nations will hold their first full summit in December, a sign that the two blocs are looking for closer ties amid concerns over security threats from China and Russia, officials told Reuters.

The summit, to be held in Brussels on Dec. 14 but yet to be publicly announced, is seen as a sign of "increasingly close relations in the current geopolitical context," one EU official said.

The move follows a U.S. "pivot" to Asia launched by the Obama presidency, amid increased attention on a region which sits on major trade routes and is rich in natural resources.

Previous meetings between the 27-nation EU and the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have usually been attended by leaders holding the temporary presidency of the blocs.

The European Union is seeking to boost its clout in the region amid growing concerns there about China and the impact of Beijing's tensions with Washington, a second EU official said.

"When it comes to hedging against the U.S.-China rivalry, the EU is always the very top answer in the region," said the official, who is directly involved in talks with ASEAN nations.

A third EU official confirmed security issues would be a key part of the discussions as Brussels seeks a clearer stance from Southeast Asian nations on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

China also claims almost the entire South China Sea, putting it at odds with some Southeast Asian neighbors which have their own claims.

The ASEAN secretariat did not reply to a request for comment. The governments of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia had no immediate comment. The Philippines' foreign affairs ministry said EU-ASEAN relations have been strong for decades.

Some EU countries, mostly in eastern Europe, want assurances from ASEAN partners that they would not help Moscow bypass Western sanctions and clear references to Russian "aggression" in Ukraine in a summit joint statement, diplomats said.

It is unclear whether they will succeed on this. Laos and Vietnam abstained in the U.N. vote on the Ukrainian war.

Myanmar's leaders would not be invited to the summit, reflecting the EU's criticism of the junta which took power by force after elections there in 2020. The country would be represented by an ambassador, multiple sources said, in line with other international gatherings after the military coup.
With the world reeling from the economic fallout of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, senior officials from 40 countries met Monday in Berlin for heart-to-heart talks on how to stay focused on fighting climate change and addressing its impact.

Organizers have billed the two-day gathering as an opportunity to rebuild trust between rich and poor nations ahead of this year's U.N. climate summit in Egypt, after technical talks last month achieved little progress on key issues such as climate aid for developing countries.

Many of the poorest and most vulnerable countries in the world are experiencing severe climate impacts now, Germany climate envoy Jennifer Morgan told The Associated Press. The question is how to support them in both adapting to those impacts and when they experience real losses and damages. We must also show more solidarity."

Developing countries are still waiting for rich nations to provide $100 billion in climate aid each year, a target they were meant to reach by 2020.

Big polluters, however, have also long resisted the idea that they should pay for the destruction their greenhouse gas emissions are causing around the world.

The closed-doors talks in Berlin kicks off with experts delivering a presentation on the issue of loss and damage  to ministers, who will then break into small groups to discuss and listen to each other in the hope of building trust ahead of November's U.N. summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.

The meeting in Berlin comes as scientists say the extreme heat slamming large parts of the northern hemisphere in the past few weeks could become the new normal in summer if global warming continues.

As this meeting is taking place, parts of Europe are baking, indeed theyre burning; and sadly, its an experience that is all too familiar to many millions across the globe already, said Alok Sharma, the British official who led last year's climate talks in Glasgow. He told delegates as the meeting opened: My plea to you all is, please, let's speed up our work.

It is incumbent upon us in these uncertain times to act swiftly to ensure that climate action remains at the top of the international agenda, and that the current state of affairs is not taken as a pretext to backtrack or renege on previous commitments  especially those related to supporting developing countries, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, who will chair the Sharm el-Sheikh summit.

China was taking part in the Berlin meeting. Russia was not invited.

The question of energy sources endangered by Russia's war in Ukraine looms over the talks.

Environmental activists warn that recent efforts by countries such as Germany to tap new sources of fossil fuels could undermine countries' already fragile climate actions.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to discuss buying liquefied natural gas from Egypt with the countrys President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Berlin on Monday, just a few miles from where the climate talks are being held.

The Russian war of aggression is forcing us to take short-term decisions we dont like, including the increased use of coal for a very limited period of time, said Morgan, who was previously the head of Greenpeace International.

But we are not only sticking rock-solidly to our climate goals  we are accelerating the energy transition and will phase-out the use of fossil energy even faster," she added, citing a newly approved plan to ramp up solar and wind power generation in Germany.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, likewise, comes to the talks following setbacks suffered in the U.S. by President Joe Biden in his efforts to regulate pollution and boost renewable energy such as wind and solar power.
EU officials warned against shrinking European Union support for Ukraine, as the bloc's foreign ministers agreed Monday to earmark half-a-billion more dollars in military aid to Kyiv and consider banning imports of Russian gold.

European foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned against what he called "democratic fatigue" which Russia would try to exploit.

"European societies cannot afford fatigue," he said. "European societies and European Union member states, governments have to continue standing behind the decisions they have taken. They took decisions on restrictive measures on the Russian economy and they have to stick to it."

Borrell insisted energy and other sanctions the bloc has taken against Moscow are working  although experts note Russia continues to rake in billions selling its oil and gas elsewhere.

"The Russian economy is severely affected. Certainly, it's not going to stop the war overnight, but the consequences of the sanctions will create a lot of economic trouble to Russia," Borrell said.

Analysts warn of fading EU support for more tough sanctions amid worries about rising consumer prices and a cold winter ahead, with less Russian oil and gas.

Germany is also feeling the more immediate fallout of a recent Russian gas pipeline cut, ostensibly for maintenance reasons.


Buses full of migrants continue to arrive in Washington from Texas. They are being sent by Greg Abbott, the state's Republican governor, who says U.S. President Joe Biden has not done enough to secure the southern border with Mexico. VOA News reporter Iacopo Luzi has the story.
Cameroonian authorities have been displaying the corpse of a separatist leader in towns and villages to deter the rebels and warn youth against joining their cause. Cameroons military says last week it killed Lekeaka Oliver, who was wanted for working with rebel groups in neighboring Nigeria to kill civilians, commit beheadings, and burn hundreds of public buildings.

Cameroons military says hundreds of people have watched the past few days as they paraded the corpse of separatist leader Lekeaka Oliver.

The military says its troops last week killed Oliver, a self-proclaimed field marshal who led the Red Dragon rebel group, in Menji, a town near the border with Nigeria, along with his bodyguard.

It accused Oliver of beheading at least 10 people, including three traditional rulers, and attacking scores of schools since 2017.

Chamberlin Ntouou Ndong is the highest-ranking government official in Meme, an administrative unit in Kumba, a town also along the border, where he spoke Sunday to a crowd.

Ndong said Cameroons government asked the military to display the corpse as a gruesome warning to Anglophone separatists fighting to carve out an independent state from Cameroon and its French-speaking majority.

"It is a testimony that all those who are not willing to surrender are going to face our forces of law and order. The head of state gave a word out to all who remain in the bushes to lay down their arms and join the remaining population in the development of this country," he said.

Ndong says the display aims deter Cameroonian youth from joining rebel groups.

Capo Daniel is leader of the Ambazonia Defense Forces, a separatist group that fights alongside the Red Dragons.

Daniel says the parading of their leaders corpse will not stop the rebels from fighting.

"Field marshal has been replaced by a younger and more vibrant leader," he said. "Our armed resistance against Cameroon rule will only intensify. Our forces have received instructions to carry out reprisal actions in response to the killing of [the] field marshal. Such display of dead body by the Cameroon government only adds to its list of terror tactics being used to subjugate our people. Our fight of self-determination will only intensify."

Ephraim Foreke is a teacher at a government school in Fontem in the Lebialem administrative unit where many of Olivers rebel camps were located.

Foreke says Olivers death is a relief for civilians who lived in fear of the Red Dragons.

Speaking to VOA Monday, Foreke said locals have started cleaning schools with the hope that children and teachers who fled the attacks will return.

"We are in front of the administrative block. There are some people below who are clearing down to the Francophone section. All the doors were destroyed. Chairs that were there were all eaten by rats. Every place is like a graveyard. They ransacked the whole place," he said.



Cameroons government vowed the military will protect civilians and their property.

The U.N. says Cameroon's five-year separatist conflict has killed more than 3,300 people and displaced at least 750,000 internally and to neighboring Nigeria.
A Ukrainian cargo plane carrying 11 tons of munitions from Serbia to Bangladesh crashed in northern Greece late Saturday. The munitions had been bought by the Bangladeshi defense ministry.

Explosives disposal experts have been called to the scene. Authorities will not be able to retrieve the Meridian airline planes black boxes until the disposal experts finish their work.

Ukrainian officials have confirmed all eight Ukrainian crew members died in the crash near the city of Kavala.

Local residents said they heard explosions for nearly two hours after the crash. They also said they saw the plane engulfed in a ball of fire before it crashed.

"I wonder how it didn't fall on our houses," Aimilia Tsaptanova, told journalists. "It was full of smoke, it had a noise I can't describe and went over the mountain. It passed the mountain and turned and crashed into the fields."

The pilot had asked Greek aviation authorities for permission for an emergency landing, but Greece lost contact with the plane soon after the request.

Initial reports of the crash said the planes destination was Jordan, but officials say that the plane was headed to Jordans Queen Alia international airport only to refuel
The Democratic Republic of Congo's intelligence service has detained U.S. journalist Stavros Nicolas Niarchos after he allegedly approached armed groups in the country's southeast, a senior government official said Sunday.

Local civil-society groups such as RECN quoted in local media said that Niarchos and a Congolese journalist were arrested in the southeastern city of Lubumbashi on Wednesday and taken to the capital Kinshasa.

A senior government official who requested anonymity confirmed to AFP on Sunday that the Congolese intelligence agency ANR is holding Niarchos in Kinshasa.

The 33-year-old journalist, who writes for U.S. magazines The Nation and The New Yorker, had made contact with armed groups including the Bakata Katanga militia, the official said.

"He made movements that were never previously reported to the authorities," the official explained, noting that the government "must be vigilant" after the murder of two United Nations experts in 2017.

The U.N. had hired experts American Michael Sharp and Swedish-Chilean Zaida Catalan to probe violence in the Kasai region of central DRC, where they were kidnapped and killed.

"The Congolese authorities have no interest in keeping an American journalist," the senior government official said, adding that he may be released on Tuesday.

Niarchos traveled to the DRC to report on nature conservation, the economy and culture for The Nation magazine, according to the journalist's official accreditation seen by AFP.

Neither The Nation nor the United States embassy in Kinshasa were immediately available for comment.
Diplomatic tensions soared Sunday between Balkan rivals Serbia and Croatia after Croatia refused to allow a private visit by Serbia's populist president to the site of a World War II concentration camp where tens of thousands of Serbs were killed by pro-Nazi authorities in Croatia.

Croatia's authorities said they learned about the planned visit to the Jasenovac camp by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic through "unofficial channels." Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman told reporters that the fact that the Croatian government had not been formally notified of the visit was "unacceptable."

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to stress that in the planning of any visit by foreign officials the time, nature and program of the visit should be subject of official communication and agreement by both sides," said Grlic Radman. "This was not a trip to the seaside. The president of a country is a protected individual."

Croatia's decision sparked outrage in neighboring Serbia, where officials described it as "scandalous." Serbia's hardline Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin said all Croatian officials from now on would have to announce any transit or visit to Serbia and would be placed under "special regime of control." He did not elaborate.

"This was an anti-European and anti-civilization decision and brutal violation of the freedom of movement," Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told the pro-government Pink television. "I don't know what our relations will look like in the future ... This is sending a frightening message."

Relations between Serbia and Croatia have remained tense since the breakup of the former Yugoslavia and the 1991-95 war in Croatia that erupted when its Serb minority, backed by Serbia, rebelled against Croatia's independence. More than 10,000 people were killed in the war.

Although the two nations have pledged to work to resolve remaining problems from the conflict  such as finding those still missing  occasional diplomatic spats have marred the postwar efforts. Serbia's populist authorities have insisted that Croatia's government has not done enough to acknowledge its World War II past, while Zagreb accuses Serbia of using the issue for internal politics and refusing to deal with own role in the 1990s' war.

"We see this as a provocation," Grlic Radman said. He added "such a visit is not sincere, it is not about honoring the victims" of the Jasenovac camp, where tens of thousands of Croatia's Serbs, Jews and Roma perished in brutal executions during the WWII rule of the pro-Nazi authorities.

Vucic, a former ultranationalist who supported the Serb rebellion in Croatia in the 1990s, has scheduled a news conference for Monday. He responded Sunday in an Instagram post featuring a photo of the Jasenovac monument.

"You (Croatia) just do your job! The Serbian people will live and never forget!" said Vucic.
Restaurant owner Leticia Rodriguez celebrated the construction late last year of a new lakeside boulevard in this northern Mexico town that she hoped would draw more people to her business. But now with the La Boca reservoir nearly empty, tourists have stopped coming to boat, water ski or just eat a meal.

Rodriguez had to let go most of her staff in April and now runs the restaurant with her husband and children.

A deepening drought in northern Mexico is not only making everyday life challenging for residents, but also in some cases is threatening their livelihoods.

"The only hope is that it rains," Rodriguez said. "That even the tail of a hurricane arrives so that the reservoir can recover, because that is what is killing us the most."

Last week, Mexico's National Water Commission declared a drought emergency allowing the government to take steps to guarantee the water supply. The country's Drought Monitor placed almost half the country -- nearly all of the north and central regions -- in drought conditions.

The drought is related to the weather event known as La Nina, whose effects have intensified with climate change. La Nina is a natural and cyclical cooling of parts of the equatorial Pacific that changes weather patterns worldwide. In some areas like northern Mexico and the U.S. southwest, that has meant increased drought.

The drying up of Santiago's reservoir is not the only problem for the industrial hub of Monterrey, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) to the north.

Another reservoir that feeds the city, Cerro Prieto is at less than half of 1% of its capacity -- basically empty -- leaving a third reservoir called El Cuchillo, which is 46% full, said Juan Ignacio Barragan, director general of the Monterrey Water and Sewer Services.

In normal conditions, 60% of the city's water comes from the reservoirs and the remainder from deep and shallow wells and subterranean water capturing tunnels.

In the next two weeks, Barragan said the city plans to expand the use of tankers to deliver water to more outlying neighborhoods.

To mitigate the worsening situation, Nuevo Leon state's industrial and agricultural sectors agreed to cede a significant amount of their water rights to the state. Even so, experts say the next few weeks will be critical. If the usual arrival of rains in late August are delayed, water restrictions in the city will have to be extended.

Aldo Ivan Ramirez, a professor in Monterrey Technological University's engineering school, said that while Monterrey's situation is worrisome -- it accounts for 12% of Mexico's GDP -- "it is much worse in other localities of the country."

The city faced serious drought in 1998 and 2013, but it's more complicated now because only El Cuchillo still has water, he said.

This year's water crisis still caught many in the city by surprise. Few homes had tanks to store water. Many people have now adopted measures to conserve water.

"I think this crisis has made the people think a lot," Ramirez said. "I wouldn't want to see a hurricane come and alleviate this crisis and everyone forget about it because that would be the worst thing that could happen to us."

Back in Santiago, Rodriguez, the restaurant owner, said that before it dried up hundreds of tourists came to the reservoir every weekend.

On a recent day, she pointed across the muddy lake bottom to an abandoned restaurant well into the lake where diners used to arrive by boat. It closed earlier this year when the water receded, and the tourists stopped coming.

"For me this is worse than the pandemic, because at least in the pandemic there were people," the 54-year-old Santiago native said.

Now ducks walk in the shallow water around the end of the dock where tourists used to board boats for lake cruises.

Sitting on one of the seats of the formerly floating dock, 65-year-old Juan Perez said he lost his job along with 60 others when the company that gave boat tours went under earlier this year. Now he survives working as a janitor for the town.



"It's sad to see it like this ... it's worse than a cemetery," Perez said, remembering the festive atmosphere that used to reign on weekends here.

Authorities are trying to get as much of the remaining water out of La Boca as possible.

They installed a floating pump that they hope will extract some 400 liters (105 gallons) of water per second that will be piped to Monterrey, said engineer Raul Ramirez, whose company installed the pump. They planned to leave enough water to keep alive the remaining aquatic life.

Standing on a dry lake bed that months ago was covered with water, Ramirez said: "We were warned of the possibility that this could occur since last year and unfortunately as a society we didn't listen, we didn't want to understand."
Despite an ongoing civil war and a record drought, Ethiopia's wheat production is expected to jump 70% this year as it seeks to reduce reliance on food imports. While the boost in wheat provides a glimmer of hope, millions of displaced Ethiopians still need food aid, which has been disrupted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Henry Wilkins reports from Semera, Ethiopia. Videographer: Henry Wilkins
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expanded the investigation into his security services Monday, saying 28 more officials could be suspended, a day after sidelining two senior officials over allegations they failed to root out Russian collaborators.

In his nightly video address Monday, Zelenskyy said a "personnel audit" of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was under way and that 28 officials were being considered for dismissal.

"Different levels, different areas of focus. But the reasons are similar  unsatisfactory results of work," Zelenskyy said.

The move comes one day after Zelenskyy announced the suspension of the country's top security chief, Ivan Bakanov, and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, pending further consideration as to whether they should be dismissed.

Zelenskyy cited what he said were hundreds of cases of alleged treason and collaboration with Russia, involving workers within the security service and prosecutor general's office.

On the battlefront, Russia continued its shelling campaign in Ukraine on Monday, killing six civilians in the eastern town of Toretsk, according to Ukrainian state emergency officials.

The State Emergency Service said on Facebook that a two-story shelter in the town had been destroyed and that rescuers found five bodies in the rubble and pulled out three people alive, but one later died in a hospital.

"The town of Toretsk was under fire today from early this morning. A two-story building sheltering people was destroyed as a shell slammed into it," the statement said.

A photograph showed rescuers digging through the rubble, but the emergency service said the search for survivors had been abandoned.

Russia has denied targeting civilians but has bombarded numerous nonmilitary sites in its nearly five-month onslaught, killing hundreds of people.

On the diplomatic front, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday he hopes there will be an agreement this week for Russia to end its blockade of Ukrainian ports in Odesa and elsewhere, with the lives of tens of thousands of people depending on such a deal amid food shortages in many countries.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Borrell said Russia must allow Ukrainian grain exports or else the international community will have to say Russia is "using food as a weapon without any consideration for human beings' lives."

"It's not a diplomatic game. It's an issue of life and death for many human beings," Borrell said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last week there is "broad agreement" on a deal between Russia and Ukraine, along with Turkey and the United Nations, to export millions of tons of Ukrainian grain stuck in silos since Russia's invasion February 24.

Guterres spoke on the phone Monday with Zelenskyy to discuss the ongoing negotiations to export Ukrainian wheat, according to the United Nations.

U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters Monday there has been incremental progress with the negotiations, "but nothing to announce at this stage." He said Guterres is ready to travel to Istanbul if need be.

European Union foreign ministers pledged another $507 million in military aid to Ukraine after a video briefing by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the latest war developments.

Kuleba said he was "grateful" for the new funds, which brings the EU total to more than $2.5 billion, but still urged the 27 nations to provide more.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said, "If anything needs to be continued, it is weapons deliveries," but also that it was essential to secure the port of Odesa to make sure grain shipments could resume.

Borrell said, "Ukraine needs more arms. We will provide them. The war will continue."

He said Russia has been using European reliance on Russian natural gas supplies against EU countries, but that EU leaders are preparing plans to "face any possible situation" and will not stop supporting Ukraine.

He added that EU members must have patience and resilience in carrying out the sanctions against Russia.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Monday with Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska at the State Department.

A statement released by the State Department Monday night said, "Secretary Blinken commended First Lady Zelenska's work to help Ukrainians impacted by the war."

Blinken "reiterated that the United States will continue to provide assistance to help Ukraine respond to the significant economic and humanitarian challenges it faces, including supporting the First Lady's mental health initiative for citizens affected by the war," the statement said.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Blinken assured Zelenska of U.S. support of Ukraine and commended the first lady for her work helping civilians traumatized by the war.

Zelenska meets with U.S. first lady Jill Biden at the White House on Tuesday and addresses the U.S. Congress on Wednesday.

Inside Ukraine, the country's military reported Monday that Russian shelling was ongoing in several areas, including the Slovyansk and Kharkiv regions.

In the Donetsk region, a main focus for Russia, Ukraine's military said Russian forces were trying to carry out an assault near Hryhorivka.

Britain's defense ministry said Russia's military is using the private military company Wagner to reinforce its front-line forces and make up for Russian casualties from the invasion.

"Wagner has almost certainly played a central role in recent fighting, including the capture of Popasna and Lysychansk. This fighting has inflicted heavy casualties on the group," the ministry said.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.


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As European Union Foreign Ministers meet in Brussels to discuss options for additional sanctions against Russia what are possible future implications for Eurasian security? Plus, how one American shares his experience supporting Ukraine while temporarily back home.
France was on high alert on Monday as the peak of a punishing heatwave gripped the country, while wildfires raging in parts of southwest Europe showed no sign of abating.

Forecasters have put 15 French departments on the highest state of alert for extreme temperatures as neighboring Britain was poised to set new heat records this coming week.

The heatwave is the second to engulf parts of southwest Europe in weeks, and blazes burning in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain have destroyed thousands of hectares of land and forced thousands of residents and holidaymakers to flee.

Scientists blame climate change and predict more frequent and intense episodes of extreme weather such as heatwaves and drought.

In France's Landes forest, in the southwest Aquitaine region, temperatures "will be above 42 degrees Celsius" Monday forecaster Olivier Proust said.

And Brittany, which until recently has escaped the worst of the heat, could register temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius, say experts, which would be a record for the region.

In the southwestern Gironde region, firefighters over the weekend continued to fight to control forest blazes that have devoured nearly 11,000 hectares since Tuesday.

Meanwhile Spanish authorities reported around 20 wildfires still raging out of control in different parts of the country from the south to Galicia in the far northwest, where blazes have destroyed around 4,500 hectares of land.

The fires have already killed several civilians and emergency personnel since last week, most recently a fireman who died late on Sunday while battling a blaze in northwestern Spain.

A heat apocalypse'

The wildfires in France forced more than 16,000 people -- residents and tourists combined -- to decamp. Seven emergency shelters have been set up for evacuees.

France's interior ministry announced it would send an extra three firefighting planes, 200 firefighters and more trucks.

"In some southwestern areas, it will be a heat apocalypse," meteorologist Francois Gourand told AFP.

The chapel of a historic hospital in the southeastern city of Lyon, Grand Hotel Dieu, offered refuge to tourists on Sunday including Jean-Marc, 51, who was visiting from Alsace.

"We came back to admire the place, but we can't leave, it's too hot outside. We say a prayer before the fire!" he quipped.

French cyclist Mikael Cherel, taking part in the Tour de France's 15th stage between Rodez and Carcassonne in southern France on Sunday, described "very, very difficult conditions".

"I've never known such a hot day on a bike. It really was no picnic."

'Risk to life' in UK

In Spain, firefighters managed to stabilize a wildfire that ravaged 2,000 hectares of woods and bushes in the southern region of Andalusia, regional leader Juan Manuel Moreno said.

The blaze started on Friday in the Mijas mountain range inland from the southern coastal city of Malaga and it spurred the evacuation of about 3,000 people.

Around 2,000 people had since returned home and now that the blaze has stabilized, Moreno said the remaining evacuees may do the same.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is due to visit the hard-hit eastern region of Extremadura on Monday where various fires have been raging for days.

In Portugal, almost the entire country remained on high alert for wildfires despite a slight drop in temperatures, after hitting 47C -- a record for the month of July -- on Thursday.

Only one major fire was burning on Sunday in the north.

The fires have killed two, injured around 60 and destroyed between 12,000 and 15,000 hectares of land in Portugal.

In the United Kingdom, the weather office issued a first-ever "red" warning for extreme heat, cautioning there was a "risk to life".

The Met Office said temperatures in southern England could exceed 40C on Monday or Tuesday for the first time, leading some schools to say they would stay closed next week.

The mercury is set to reach 38C in parts of the Netherlands on Tuesday.
The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan reaffirmed Monday the importance of bilateral ties and the three-way relationship with the United States as they renewed efforts to mend relations amid the war in Ukraine and other global tensions.



Park Jin, South Korea's top diplomat, and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi agreed to work together on the nuclear threat from North Korea and on the need to resolve a dispute over Japan's colonial-era forced mobilization of

Korean laborers, according to the two foreign ministries.



The countries' ties have been strained mostly over historical issues, including forced labor leading up to and during World War II.



At the heart of the dispute are South Korean court rulings in 2018, which ordered two Japanese companies, Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to compensate forced Korean laborers. The Japanese companies have refused to comply with the rulings, and the former laborers and their supporters responded by pushing for the forced sale of corporate assets of Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi.



The ministers shared a view that the disputes over the forced laborers must be resolved at an early date, the South Korean Foreign Ministry statement said. It quoted Park as saying South Korea would seek a resolution of the dispute before the sales of the two Japanese companies are made in South Korea.



According to the Japanese statement, Hayashi told Park that both sides need to build a constructive relationship based on the normalization of relations in 1965.



Tokyo has long maintained that all compensation issues had been settled by then.

Since taking office in March, South Korea's new conservative government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol has been pushing to improve ties with Japan and bolster a trilateral security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo to better deal with North Korean nuclear threats.



At the start of the talks in Tokyo, Park and Hayashi bumped elbows and posed for cameras at the official guest house as they conversed softly in English. Both have attended schools in the U.S., and Park has also studied in Japan.



The visit, the first by a South Korean foreign minister since November 2019, comes after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, considered an influential figure in shaping Japan's foreign policy.



Park expressed his condolences on Abe's death. Park is scheduled to stay in Japan through Wednesday, and may meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.



Park and Hayashi had also met ahead of the South Korea presidential inauguration in Seoul in May, as well as in Bali, Indonesia, for the Group of 20 meeting earlier this month.



The South Korean Foreign Ministry in July launched consultations with lawyers and activists representing the Korean forced laborers and other experts to collect opinions on how to resolve the dispute.



Besides painful history, the two nations also share a long-running territorial dispute over islands that are controlled by Seoul but also claimed by Japan. Tokyo calls them Takeshima and South Korea calls them Dokdo.



President Joe Biden's administration has tried to bring the two Asian democracies to work closer together on security and regional issues amid the war in Ukraine and tensions including threats from North Korea and saber-rattling from China.



North Korea this year stepped up missile and artillery tests in what is seen as an attempt to pressure Washington and Seoul to relax international sanctions against Pyongyang.



Park also expressed support for Tokyo's efforts to bring back Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.



About 20 years ago, North Korea reversed years of denial and acknowledged it had kidnapped Japanese citizens and returned some to Japan. But Japan believes more are still in North Korea.
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine.

The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT.

10:55 p.m.: Russia has offered to lift its blockade of Ukrainian ports in exchange for the West lifting economic sanctions -- a proposal European leaders say amounts to blackmail, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. Theyre discussing complex solutions to bring Ukrainian grain back to the world's markets  fast. Global wheat prices are skyrocketing, and there are fears that food insecurity could bring further unrest to countries that are already troubled

8:55 p.m.: In his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for people to provide information and emotional support to Ukrainians in the occupied areas.

Russia keeps most of them in an information vacuum. Every day in the occupied territories it spreads new lies about Ukraine and our actions. But despite propaganda and intimidation, people not only remember Ukraine, but also demonstrate what they really think and what they strive for, Zelenskyy said.

7:35 p.m.: A Moscow court fined Alphabet's Google $373 million for a repeated failure to remove content Russia deems illegal, such as "fake news" about the conflict in Ukraine, Russia's communications regulator said, according to Reuters.

Moscow has long objected to foreign tech platforms' distribution of content that falls foul of its restrictions. But the simmering dispute has erupted into a full-on battle since Moscow assembled its armed forces before sending them into Ukraine in February.

Alphabet's YouTube has been a particular target of the state's ire but, unlike Twitter and Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram, it has not been blocked.

The regulator, Roskomnadzor, said the Tagansky District Court had fined Google for repeatedly failing to restrict access promptly to banned materials and singled out YouTube for particular criticism.

It said YouTube had not deleted "fakes about the course of the special military operation in Ukraine, discrediting the armed forces of the Russian Federation."

Google, which can appeal, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

6:36 p.m.: British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace discussed the arrival of Ukraine soldiers in the U.K. for training.

5:47 p.m.: The United States will continue to proceed with providing intelligence to Ukraine after recent personnel changes in the inner circle of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the U.S. State Department said, according to Reuters.

Zelenskyy sidelined his childhood friend as head of Ukraine's security service, and another close ally as top prosecutor, in Kyiv's biggest internal purge of the war, citing their failure to root out Russian spies.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that his two allies -- SBU security service chief Ivan Bakanov and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova -- had failed to root out "traitors" in their organizations.

4:09 p.m.: Ukraine first lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Washington for her highest-profile event since Russian troops invaded her country five months ago, The Associated Press reported. Zelenska met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday. She will meet with first lady Jill Biden on Tuesday. And on Wednesday, she will speak to lawmakers in the congressional auditorium.

2:24 p.m.:

1:27 p.m.: European Union foreign ministers promised another $508 million in military aid to Ukraine's war chest to beef up the defense of the nation as the bloc's foreign policy chief exhorted member states not to waver in their commitment to sanctions against Russia, the Associated Press reported.

The aid decision came after a video debriefing on the latest developments by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who said he was "grateful" for the new funds, which brings the EU total to $2.7 billion but still urged the 27 nations to provide more.

12:05 p.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will discuss Ukrainian grain exports at their meeting on Tuesday in Tehran, an adviser to Putin has said, according to RFE/RL.

Putin is scheduled to travel to Tehran to meet Erdogan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as part of the so-called Astana format of talks related to Syria, the Kremlin said last week.

Yury Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, said that Putin's discussions with Erdogan would also include a plan to unblock shipments of Ukrainian grain.

Russia has captured some Black Sea ports and bombarded others, including Odesa, while Ukraine has mined the approaches to some of its ports to protect them from a Russian amphibious assault.

Negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations are reportedly close to a deal to allow shipments of grain to begin moving through the ports.

10:47 a.m.: It may take years to hold perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine accountable, the European Union's top justice official told Reuters on Monday, but those responsible should know the threat of prosecution will hang over them "forever."

EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders spoke as the United States and more than 40 other countries work to align evidence to help prosecution and trials for atrocities Russian troops committed in Ukraine.

"It will be for the next weeks, next months, next years, maybe for the next decades. For some cases, it will be very fast. It will be longer for others," said Reynders.

"But it is also a clear message to the Russian authorities - the risk of these investigations and prosecutions and trials will hang over them for the rest of their lives. It's forever."

Russia has denied targeting civilians in Ukraine.

9:38 a.m.: Officials from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations will most likely meet this week to discuss resuming Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports, Ankara said on Monday, while a Turkish official said lingering "small problems" should be overcome, Reuters reported.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine - two major global wheat suppliers - has sent prices for grains and other food products soaring. It has stalled Kyiv's exports, leaving dozens of ships stranded and some 20 million tons of grain stuck in silos at Odesa.

Last week Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the U.N. would sign a deal this week on the grain exports corridor after talks in Istanbul. But U.N. chief Antonio Guterres warned there was still "a long way to go" before there would be peace talks to end the war

8 a.m.: Six people have been killed after Russias military shelled a building in the eastern Ukrainian town of Toretsk, Ukrainian emergency service officials said on Monday, RFE/RL reported.

"Early in the morning, the town of Toretsk was shelled. A two-story building with people inside was destroyed," the Ukrainian State Service for Emergency Situations said in a statement on social media.

The service posted photographs on social media of rescue workers digging through rubble and what was left of the devastated building, and said the search for survivors had ended.

Toretsk, a town with an estimated population of 30,000 people, is located some 50 kilometers south of Kramatorsk, one of the last Ukrainian-controlled towns in the industrial east.

7:21 a.m.: European Union foreign ministers are zooming in Monday on tightening the extensive package of sanctions on Russia and looking at ways to add a ban on gold exports in hopes that the measures might finally start to have a decisive impact on the war in Ukraine, the Associated Press reports.

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said that at the moment the most important thing is a ban on Russian gold, which is Moscow's second largest export industry after energy.

The G-7 group of leading industrial nations last month already committed to a gold ban, arguing the Russia has used its gold to back up its currency to circumvent the impact of several rounds of sanctions that nations around the world had already imposed on Moscow for its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

5:50 a.m.: The Kyiv Independent reports that prosecutors say Russia's war on Ukraine has killed or injured hundreds of children.

4:45 a.m.:

3:45 a.m.: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged European Union foreign ministers to provide more military aid, enact an embargo on Russian energy and put a cap on Russian oil prices. He also encouraged European support for a tribunal to punish crimes of aggression against Ukraine.

2:30 a.m.:

1:30 a.m.: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is hosting Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska for a meeting Monday in Washington.

12:08 a.m.: Amid continued Russian shelling of Ukrainian cities, European Union foreign ministers are set to meet on Monday to discuss tightening sanctions against Moscow, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

Among the measures being considered  and likely to be approved  is a ban on gold purchases from Russia, a move already put in place by international partners.

The EU could also act to impose sanctions on additional Russian individuals.

"Moscow must continue to pay a high price for its aggression," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday in presenting the proposals that foreign ministers will consider Monday.

A senior EU official told AFP the EU was likely to discuss new sanctions at the meeting but would not make an immediate decision.
Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday as she began a series of high-profile appearances in Washington that will include a session with U.S. counterpart Jill Biden.



Blue and yellow Ukrainian flags flew alongside American ones on Pennsylvania Avenue as Zelenska headed for her first announced event in the United States, the meeting with Blinken.



State Department spokesman Ned Price said the secretary of state assured Zelenska of the United States' commitment to Ukraine. Blinken also commended her for her work with civilians dealing with trauma and other damage from the war.



The State Department announced and then canceled a planned brief appearance by Blinken and Zelenska before photographers there. The low-key arrival reflects that Zelenska is not traveling as an official representative of the government of her husband, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.



Zelenska studied architecture in college but worked as a comedy scriptwriter, including for Zelenskyy, who was a comedian with a popular television show before winning the presidency in 2019.



During the war, Zelenskyy has won admiration from Ukrainians and Ukraine's supporters abroad by staying put in the capital, Kyiv, after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his attack on Ukraine in February.



Zelenska largely disappeared with the couple's two children during the first months after the invasion. In an interview with Time magazine this month, she described the war forcing her to shelter away from Zelenskyy for security reasons from the first hours of Russia's bombing. Their children, like other Ukrainians, largely have seen Zelenskyy since then in nightly video addresses he makes to the country.



Zelenska emerged from seclusion May 8 to greet Jill Biden, who was making an unannounced visit to western Ukraine.

The two first ladies met then at a school, where they hugged, talked and joined schoolchildren making tissue-paper bears as gifts for Mother's Day.



Zelenska has taken a higher public profile since that meeting. That includes giving more newspaper interviews about Ukraine's struggles and about her projects during the conflict. She has promoted counseling for the millions of Ukrainians now dealing with grief and trauma.



She meets with Jill Biden on Tuesday and will speak in the congressional auditorium at the Capitol to lawmakers on Wednesday. Her husband received standing ovations from congressional members in a video address to lawmakers in the same auditorium earlier in the war.



Ukrainian officials did not immediately respond to questions Monday about the schedule of her visit.
Prince Harry told a United Nations commemoration on Nelson Mandela's birthday Monday that despite having suffered many injustices in his life, the South African leader always managed to find the light.

"A man who had endured the worst of humanity  vicious racism and state-sponsored brutality. A man who had lost 27 years with his children and family that he would never get back," Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, told the General Assembly, referring to the years Mandela spent in jail for fighting apartheid.

Yet in a photo with his mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, taken with Mandela in 1997, he said the leader is broadly smiling.

"Still able to see the goodness in humanity, still buoyant of the beautiful spirit that lifted everyone around him," he said. "Not because he was blind to the ugliness, the injustices of world. No, he saw them clearly. He had lived them. But because he knew we could overcome them."

The Queen's grandson, who left the family fold not long after his marriage to Meghan Markle and now lives in California, was the keynote speaker at the annual commemoration of Mandela that takes place on his birthday. Markle accompanied him to the U.N. event.

Harry said he made his first visit to Africa when he was 13 and always found hope there. One of his charities, Sentebale, works with vulnerable children and youth in the Southern African nations of Lesotho and Botswana.

Nelson Mandela, also known as Madiba, was a freedom fighter who was elected as South Africa's first Black president in 1994. Today marks his 104th birthday. He died at the age of 95 in December 2013.

Every five years an honorary award is given to recognize a man and a woman who have shown dedication to the service of humanity in honor of Mandela's life and legacy. Due to the pandemic, this is the first in-person U.N. commemoration since 2019.

Laureates Marianna Vardinoyannis of Greece, who was recognized for her work fighting childhood cancer, and Dr. Morissanda Kouyate of Guinea for his activism towards ending violence against women, including female genital mutilation, were the 2020 winners and recognized at Monday's event.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said of Mandela that he was a "giant of our time; a leader of unparalleled courage and towering achievement" who remains a moral compass for all.

"Today and every day, let us honor Nelson Mandela's legacy by taking action," Guterres' deputy, Amina Mohammed, said on Guterres' behalf. "By speaking out against hate and standing up for human rights. By embracing our common humanity  rich in diversity, equal in dignity, united in solidarity. And by together making our world more just, compassionate, prosperous, and sustainable for all."

Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed, who is Nigerian, said she has drawn personal inspiration from Mandela.

"I have taken to heart his profound lesson that we all have the ability  and responsibility  to take action," she said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams also addressed the assembly. He said he has visited the tiny Robben Island cell in Cape Town, where Mandela was jailed for 27 years.

"That small cell where he endured so much was a powerful site," said Adams, who is African American. "While he was in jail, he knew that where he was was not who he was."

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a written statement that she met Mandela briefly once, but it had a lasting impact on her life.

"To this day, his courage, compassion and leadership continue to inspire me as we collectively strive toward a world that is more peaceful, just and free," she said.

As part of the tributes to Mandela on his birthday, people are urged to make a difference in their communities. On Monday afternoon, U.N. staff and diplomats were to pick up litter, pull weeds and prepare food packages at a park in East Harlem, in upper Manhattan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Tehran on Tuesday for a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the first trip by the Kremlin chief outside Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.

Putin casts the West's attempt to cripple Russia's economy with the most severe sanctions in recent history as a declaration of economic war and says Russia is turning away from the West to China, India and Iran.

Just three days after U.S. President Joe Biden finished a visit to Saudi Arabia, Russia's leader arrives in Tehran to hold his fifth meeting with Khamenei, Iran's second supreme leader who came to power in 1989.

"The contact with Khamenei is very important," Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, told reporters in Moscow. "A trusting dialog has developed between them on the most important issues on the bilateral and international agenda."

Putin's visit to Iran will coincide with one by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the two leaders will meet in Tehran to discuss a deal aimed at resuming Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports, and Erdogan's threat to launch another operation in northern Syria which Moscow opposes.

In Syria, Russia and Iran prevailed in their support for President Bashar al-Assad against the West, which called repeatedly for him to be toppled since the Syrian civil war began in 2011.

The 69-year-old Kremlin chief has made few foreign trips in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then the crisis triggered by his February 24 invasion of Ukraine. His last trip beyond Russia was to China in February.

By heading to the Islamic Republic for his first major foreign trip since the Ukraine war, Putin is sending a clear message to the West that Russia will seek to build ties with Iran, a foe of the United States since the 1979 Revolution.

Before the trip, Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that Russia and Iran had long been subject to Western sanctions: the price, he said, of sovereignty.

For Tehran, building ties with Putin's Russia is a way to balance the clout of the United States and its alliances across the Gulf with Arab rulers and Israel. Putin will meet with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was elected last year.

Emboldened by high oil prices, Tehran is betting that with Russia's support it could pressure Washington to offer concessions for the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal.

Still, Russia's tilt toward Beijing has significantly reduced Iran's crude exports to China -- a key source of income for Tehran since then-President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions in 2018.

Talks with Erdogan will focus on a plan to get Ukrainian grain exports moving again and Turkey's threat to launch new military operations in Syria to extend 30-kilometer-deep "safe zones" along the border.

Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations are expected to sign a deal later this week aimed at resuming the shipping of grain from Ukraine across the Black Sea.

Any Turkish operation in Syria would attack the Kurdish YPG militia, a key part of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that controls large parts of north Syria and is regarded by Washington as an important ally against the Islamic State.


Aid group Refugees International has expressed concern about the reported relocation of more than 100 Eritrean refugees from areas near Addis Ababa to camps on the unstable border between Ethiopias Amhara and Tigray regions.

Ethiopian authorities are accused of targeting Eritrean refugees by arresting them in the capital and sending them back to the countrys restive north.

Abdullahi Halakhe is the Refugees International senior advocate for East and Southern Africa.

For the last few days, Eritrean refugees who have been living in Ethiopia for some time now and so the government rounded up these refugees who are in Addis Ababa and (put them) in several buses and took them back to Amhara region. The Amhara region and the Tigray region border each other and there is tension, said Halakhe.

Amhara and Tigrayan forces have been fighting over land and other long-standing disputes.

About 20,000 Eritrean refugees lived in two refugee camps in the Tigray region before the war between Ethiopias government and Tigrayan rebels broke out in November 2020.

After Eritrean and Tigrayan forces allegedly attacked the camps, many of the refugees fled to the Amhara and Afar regions, with others moving to the capital Addis Ababa.

In late 2020, Ethiopian authorities carried out a similar operation targeting Eritrean refugees in the capital, sending them to Adi Harush and Mai Ani in the Tigray region at the height of the war.

Halakhe said in many ways, Eritrean refugees are the most vulnerable group in Ethiopia.

They are caught between the Eritrean government tracking them because it paints a bad image about their country and the warring parties inside Ethiopia also targeting them, as such they are probably most difficult position, so death, sexual violence, and so many other egregious human rights and humanitarian violations have been visited upon them, said Halakhe.

Last year Human Rights Watch said Eritrean forces and Tigray militias committed killings, rape and other abuses against Eritrean refugees.

Ethiopia hosts at least 140,000 Eritreans who fled hardship and persecution in their home country.

Refugees International, an organization which promotes human rights and the protection of refugees, is calling on Ethiopian authorities to respect its laws and protect Eritrean refugees from those who wish to harm them.
Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who shot to prominence for interrupting a live TV broadcast to denounce Russia's military action in Ukraine, said Monday she had been released after a few hours in custody.

"I am at home. Everything is fine," she wrote on Facebook overnight. "Now I know it's better to leave home with my passport and my bag," she added.

Her lawyer, Dmitri Zakhvatov, said she was detained because she was suspected of having "discredited" the army in remarks outside a Moscow court last week in support of opposition activist Ilya Yashin, who is accused of spreading false information about the army.

After sending troops to Ukraine, Moscow adopted laws imposing sentences of up to 15 years for spreading information about the military deemed false by authorities.

So far, Russian authorities have not announced the opening of any criminal investigation against Ovsyannikova.

Her brief detention came several days after she demonstrated alone near the Kremlin, holding up a sign criticizing the military intervention in Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin.

Ovsyannikova became known internationally in March after interrupting a live TV broadcast on the channel for which she worked to denounce Russia's military action in Ukraine.

She barged onto the set of at Channel One's flagship Vremya (Time) evening news program, holding a poster reading "No War" in English.

Briefly detained, she was fined and subsequently released.

Images of her protest swept around the world, and she was applauded by people for her courage at a time when Russia is clamping down hard on dissenting voices.

The Russian opposition, however, did not universally welcome her protest. Some critics pointed out that she worked for years for another channel, Pervy Kanal, which they deemed a mouthpiece for the Kremlin.

In the months following her March protest, Ovsyannikova spent time abroad, including a brief period working for the German newspaper Die Welt.



In early July, she announced that she was returning to Russia to settle a dispute over the custody of her two children.
Security forces fired tear gas as Sudanese protesters marched in the capital Khartoum on Sunday against the country's military leadership, holding it responsible for an outbreak of violence in Blue Nile State.

More than 30 people were killed and 100 injured in tribal clashes that started last week between the Hausa and Fung tribes in the southeastern state, close to the border with Ethiopia, according to Sudanese officials and the United Nations.

Authorities said on Sunday they would reinforce the security presence in the state and investigate the clashes. A curfew has been declared in two towns.

Protesters in the capital carried signs reading "Stop Civil War," "Blue Nile is Bleeding," and "Cancel the Juba Peace Agreement," as they marched towards the presidential palace.

There have been sporadic outbreaks of violence in several parts of Sudan including eastern coastal regions and western Darfur, despite a nationwide peace deal signed by some rebel groups in Juba in 2020.

The anti-military movement, which has carried out a campaign of protests since a coup in October 2021, has accused the military of stoking internal conflict and failing to protect civilians.

"The continuation of the coup means more death as we saw in Blue Nile, Darfur, and other places," said Mohamed Idris, a 43-year-old protester in Khartoum.

Military leaders have said their takeover was necessary to preserve Sudan's stability amid political infighting, and that they are working to build on the peace deal in Darfur and other regions.
In a two-story apartment building in the Gupkar neighborhood of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, two transgender women are having a cup of tea as they sit cross-legged watching a soap opera on television.

Babloo, 50, was visiting one of her close friends, Sameer, 45, on a Friday afternoon to inquire about her health.

She does not keep well after heart surgery, Babloo said. I, being her best friend, make sure to visit her home time and again to know if she is in need of something.

According to the 2011 census, Kashmir was home to more than 4,000 trans people, but recent figures on that demographic are not known. Indias planned door-to-door 2021 census was put off because of the COVID-19 pandemic. An estimated 12 million people live in Kashmir.

Being transgender, Babloo said, is not easy in a place like Kashmir, as they are bombarded with epithets, abused, harassed and victimized.

Only a handful of trans people like me are lucky to find family support, while most of us are denied basic human rights because of our actual sexuality and gender identity, she said.

Members of Kashmirs transgender community have, in several awareness programs, claimed that crimes against them have increased over the years. They note physical and sexual assault as well as verbal abuse.

The territory has no official record of such crimes and data on such incidents is based on an ethnographic study of the transgender community of Kashmir in the book Hijras of Kashmir: A Marginalized Form of Personhood. The term hijras refers to a transgender person in the local Kashmiri language.

Mehak Mir, president of the Transgender Union of Kashmir, told VOA that rising crime rates against the transgender community forced them to seek an independent institution for themselves in 2011.

On July 13, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, the principal secretary of a civil service agency known as the General Administration Department (GAD), announced the formation of a Transgender Welfare Board on the direction of Kashmirs lieutenant governor, Manoj Sinha.

Its makeup, however, has angered members of the transgender community since they are not represented in the boards governing body. They accuse the local government in Indian Kashmir of deceiving them.

It took the government 11 years to set up the board, Mir said, adding that her community had high hopes.

I wonder how we are supposed to get help from the welfare board when not a single transgender is part of its governing body, she said. The current body has no idea about our suffering, and I believe they will use our name and identity to mint money from the government for their personal benefit.

Mir told VOA that only a transgender person can understand the needs of another trans person.

None of us can be a part of this board unless we are given full representation in the governing body, she said. The government announced [a] 13-member governing body to run the affairs of the Transgender Welfare Board but we would like to see only trans people running the institution that has been formed to safeguard our rights.

More than half a dozen transgender people who spoke to VOA expressed their happiness regarding the establishment of the welfare board but also said the governing body should have included trans individuals.

Malik Suhail, deputy secretary to the GAD, told VOA his office only constituted the welfare board after receiving a proposal from Kashmirs Social Welfare Department, which deals with social services.

VOA reached out to Sheetal Nanda, commissioner secretary to the Social Welfare Department, for a comment as to why transgender people were not on the welfare boards governing body. Nanda did not respond to repeated calls and text messages.

Aijaz Ahmad Bund, a prominent LGBT activist and author of Hijras of Kashmir: A Marginalized Form of Personhood, welcomed the establishment of the board, saying, There [is] no doubt that the body has been formulated for the welfare of the community.

He said, however, that the government should hand over the affairs of the Transgender Welfare Board to trans people in order to best serve that community.

Full-fledged representation of transgender in the governing body of Transgender Welfare Board is very important, he said. Bureaucrats and people unfamiliar with the suffering of a transgender wont serve any purpose.

Bund said that transgender welfare boards in other Indian states act as a governing body that facilitates the need assessment and percolation of benefits to the community. Bund said he expects the same kind of work from the newly established board.

Meanwhile, Babloo and Sameer said they believe that the major concern is the need for a home for older transgender people.

Two of our elderly community members in 2011 and 2018 died while spending nights on footpaths during the winter when the temperature was below the freezing point, Babloo said.

None of the people from the so-called civilized society bothered to look at them when their bodies were lying on the footpath. People realized both of them had died only after dogs started eating their flesh.

Siamak Dehghanpour and Kevin Nha contributed to this report.
The United States will continue to provide intelligence to Ukraine after recent personnel changes in the inner circle of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the U.S. State Department said on Monday.

Zelenskyy sidelined his childhood friend as head of Ukraine's security service, and another close ally as top prosecutor, in Kyiv's biggest internal purge of the war, citing the failure of the two to root out Russian spies.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that his two allies  SBU security service chief Ivan Bakanov and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova  had failed to identify "traitors" in their organizations.

"We are in daily contact with our Ukrainian partners. ... We invest not in personalities, we invest in institutions," State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters in a news briefing.

"We do have an intelligence-sharing relationship with our Ukrainian counterparts. ... We continue to proceed ahead with that," he added.

More than 60 officials from Bakanov's SBU security agency and the prosecutor's office were working against Ukraine in Russian-occupied territory, and 651 treason and collaboration cases had been opened against law enforcement officials, Zelenskyy said earlier.

Zelenskyy, widely feted on the world stage as a decisive wartime leader, had been dogged before the invasion by accusations that he had named friends and other outsiders to jobs in which they were out of their depth.

Bakanov, a friend since their childhood in southern Ukraine, had helped run Zelenskyy's media business during his television career. He then led the campaign in which Zelenskyy was elected in a landslide.

Venediktova, a jurist who attended a meeting just last week in the Hague discussing the international effort to prosecute Russian war crimes in Ukraine, had advised Zelenskyy on judicial reform since he entered politics.
A history-making team of Zimbabwean high school students that became world and European moot court competition champions has been widely praised in a country where the education system is beset by poor funding, lack of materials and teachers' strikes.

The 11-member Zimbabwean team of nine girls and two boys aged between 14 and 18 and drawn from different schools was crowned world champions last month after winning the International High School Moot Court competition held online at the end of May. A team from New York City came second in the competition where participants used fictional cases to simulate proceedings in the International Criminal Court pre-trial chambers.

Zimbabwe now has also been crowned champions of Europe after beating The Netherlands in the finals of the European Moot Competition for high school students on July 3. It was Zimbabwe's first time competing in both prestigious events.

Organizers of the European competition were so impressed with Zimbabwe's performance at the International High School Moot Court competition that they invited the team to be the first-ever African country to enter their competition, said team captain Ruvimbo Simbi.

"It is surreal and extraordinary," said Simbi after returning from Romania, where the European competition was held.

"When we were at the European Moot Court, many people didn't even know Zimbabwe. We put Zimbabwe on the map, letting the world know of the amazing talent found in this country," said Simbi.

The southern African country's president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in June invited the team to his official residence and presented them with $30,000 in cash following their victory in the high school competition. He described the latest win as "another victory for the pride of Zimbabwe."

The European Union delegation in Zimbabwe has also congratulated the team.

The winning team received a rousing reception by hordes of schoolchildren, parents and supporters when they returned last week. The usually subdued airport was filled with cheers, song and dance when the team arrived displaying their awards. The team was treated to a welcome with a red carpet, flowers and balloons. Some held placards reading "Welcome back champions." Others played drums and marimba, a traditional instrument of wooden bars played using mallets.

When Zimbabwe achieved independence and majority rule in 1980, the new government vigorously expanded the country's education system so that all Black children could attend primary and secondary school. Previously the education system had catered mainly for the country's white minority. Zimbabwe achieved one of Africa's highest literacy rates.

But in recent years, the country's debilitating economic problems have seen its education system deteriorate and become characterized by dilapidated infrastructure, shortages of key learning materials such as books and frequent pay strikes by teachers.

Despite these problems, Zimbabwe's education system is still rated highly in Africa.

The victories at the international moot court events "mean a lot to us Zimbabwean educators," said Kudzai Mutsure, head of Dominican Convent, a girls-only Catholic school in Harare where some of the team members are enrolled.

"We take academic, sport and cultural activities very seriously," said Mutsure. "A student can flourish in one of those areas."
KYIV  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued executive orders late on Sunday sacking the head of Ukraine's powerful domestic security agency, the SBU, and the prosecutor general.

The orders dismissing SBU chief Ivan Bakanov, a childhood friend of Zelenskyy, and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who led the effort to prosecute Russian war crimes in Ukraine, were published on the president's official website.

In a separate Telegram post, Zelenskyy said he had fired the top officials because many cases had come to light of members of their agencies collaborating with Russia.

He said 651 treason and collaboration cases had been opened against prosecutorial and law enforcement officials, and that more than 60 officials from Bakanov and Venediktova's agencies were now working against Ukraine in Russian-occupied territories.

"Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the national security of the state ... pose very serious questions to the relevant leaders," Zelenskyy said.

"Each of these questions will receive a proper answer," he said.

Zelenskyy appointed Oleksiy Symonenko as the new prosecutor general in a separate executive order that was also published on the president's site.
Russian missiles hit the strategic southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv on Sunday, even as Moscows forces pounded Ukraines eastern region with new attacks.

Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said that the Russian missiles struck an industrial and infrastructure facility in the city, a key shipbuilding center. There was no immediate information about casualties.

The Russian military says it is trying to cut off Ukraine's entire Black Sea coast all the way to the Romanian border. Early in the five-month war, Ukrainian forces fought off Russian attempts to capture Mykolaiv, which sits near the Black Sea Coast between Russia-occupied Crimea and the main Ukrainian port of Odesa.

Since then, Russia has bombarded both Mykolaiv and Odesa with regular missile strikes.

The British Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russia is moving personnel and equipment among Kherson, Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia and increasing security measures around Melitopol.

"Given the pressures on Russian manpower, the reinforcement of the south whilst the fight for the [eastern] Donbas [region] continues indicates the seriousness with which Russian commanders view the threat, the British assessment said.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, during a visit to the front lines on Saturday, ordered troops "to further intensify the actions of units in all operational areas."

Vadym Skibitskyi, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, said Russia is preparing for the next stage of its offensive. As Western-supplied long-range arms have begun to help Ukraine on the battlefield, he said Russia has pounded cities in strikes that Kyiv says have killed at least 40 people in recent days.

"It is not only missile strikes from the air and sea," Skibitskyi said. "We can see shelling along the entire line of contact, along the entire front line. There is an active use of tactical aviation and attack helicopters.

"Clearly preparations are now under way for the next stage of the offensive, he said.

Ukraine said Russia appeared to be regrouping units for an attack on Sloviansk, a symbolically important, Ukrainian-held city in the eastern region of Donetsk.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his daily address Saturday, urged Ukrainians to develop a kind of emotional sovereignty over the disinformation and propaganda that Russia and others have distributed in various media about Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said, We do not depend on what the enemy constantly launches against you and me.

He said the Ukrainian people must have the power to consciously perceive any information, any messages, no matter who they come from ... to see who needs them and for what.

Sometimes media weapons can do more than conventional weapons, Zelenskyy said. Ukrainian unity cannot be broken by lies or intimidation, fake information or conspiracy theories.

Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged artillery fire in Ukraines eastern Donbas region Saturday. Earlier, Russian cruise missiles exploded across several Ukrainian cities and towns, damaging residential buildings and other structures.

Workers cleaned the area within the central city of Dnipro, where officials reported three people were killed and 15 others were wounded in a missile strike, said Governor Valentyn Reznychenko on Telegram. Ukraines air force said it intercepted four additional missiles fired at the city.

In the northeast region around Ukraine's second largest city of Kharkiv, Governor Oleg Synegubov said an overnight Russian missile attack killed three people in the town of Chuguiv.

In the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia, officials said the death toll rose to 24 from last weeks Russian strikes after a woman died of her injuries in a hospital Saturday. Ukraine said three children were among the dead.

In other developments, Ukraine's atomic energy agency accused Russia of using Europes largest nuclear power plant to store weapons and shell the surrounding regions of Nikopol and Dnipro that were hit Saturday.

Petro Kotin, president of Ukrainian nuclear agency Energoatom, called the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant extremely tense with up to 500 Russian soldiers controlling the facility.

The plant in southeast Ukraine has been under Russian control since the early weeks of Moscow's invasion, although it is still operated by Ukrainian staff.

Grain exports

Despite the fighting, both sides have indicated signs of progress toward an agreement to end a blockade of Ukrainian grain.

Turkey, which has been mediating the efforts, says a deal could be signed this week.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said a final document had been prepared and was set to be completed in the nearest time, according to the Associated Press.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last week there is broad agreement on a deal between Russia and Ukraine, with Turkey and the United Nations, to export millions of tons of Ukrainian grain stuck in silos since Russias invasion February 24.

More than 20 million tons of grain are being stored in silos in Odesa, but dozens of ships have been stranded because of Russia's blockade. Turkey said it has 20 merchant ships waiting in the region that could be quickly loaded and dispatched to world markets.



Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The Harare City Council says its too incapacitated to settle a US$1,5 million bill for services rendered at the Pomona waste management energy plant, which is currently under the care of Netherlands-based Geogenix BV.

Speaking at an emergency full council meeting today, Mayor Jacob Mafume said a special delegation will be sent to Local Government Minister, July Moyo, to inform him about the outcome of the meeting.

Moyo recently wrote a letter to the Harare City Council ordering to pay the bill for the months of May and June. Harare refused to pay a US$780,000 bill in May and resolved to suspend the 30-year waste management deal between Geogenix BV and the local authority.

Mapfume said,  Councillor Nduma has pushed a motion to say we are still in a position where we are faced with incapacity to pay in terms of the point of the product. If we are to be in a position to pay, then there is a government guarantee and there is a statement which was saying people need to use devolution of funds and we need to go back to the minister and explain that we are still in a position of being unable to pay because of the poverty of council. That is illustrated by the fact that we are struggling with the employees who want money. Before coming to this meeting union leaders wanted to meet with me saying they also want U.S. dollars because government employees have U.S. dollars. So there is even a challenge of paying the salaries, among other reasons.

Geogenix BV is the brainchild of Delish Nguwaya, who was once linked to the alleged pilfering of funds meant for COVID-19. The courts found him not guilty of defrauding the government of millions of dollars.

In his letter to the Harare City Council after the local authority passed a resolution not to settle the Geogenix bill, Moyo said, In terms of your contract, the passing of a resolution does not in any way expunge the obligations set out in the contract by operation of any laws. The obligations remain pending unless and until a consensus is reached by the contracting parties. Needless to say, the failure, and/or neglect to pay the May invoice has serious repercussions, not only with respect to councils obligations, but also on government, which is the guarantor of the project. Your failure and/or neglect to pay have resulted in accumulation of arrears including interest due to the project 

Harare may pay up to US$3,5 million if it terminates the deal.
(The Center Square)  National Public Radio has announced a new disinformation team that is sparking controversy. NPR has covered disinformation formally since last year but is now expanding to a full team this summer.

Critics noted that NPR receives taxpayer funds and raised concerns about the weaponization of the phrase for political purposes.

Defund NPR, U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., said in response to the announcement.

Other critics pointed out NPRs handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story, one that went mostly uncovered during the last presidential election as many mainstream outlets denied either its veracity or newsworthiness. Later on, outlets like the New York Times confirmed the authenticity of the laptop in coverage after the election.

We don't want to waste our time on stories that are not really stories, and we don't want to waste the listeners and readers time on stories that are just pure distractions, NPR Managing Editor for News Terence Samuel said in an interview in October 2020. And quite frankly, that's where we ended up, this was  a politically driven event and we decided to treat it that way.

In April 2021, NPR reported that Hunter Bidens laptop had been discredited by intelligence officials, but then issued a correction.

A previous version of this story said U.S. intelligence had discredited the laptop story. U.S. intelligence officials have not made a statement to that effect, the correction read.

The term disinformation has been thrust front and center in part because of the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys recently created Disinformation Governance Board. The new board, which was immediately criticized as a threat to free speech, is under Congressional inquiry.

NPR did not respond to a request for comment.

NPR just announced the creation of a disinformation team, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., wrote on Twitter. NPR deliberately covered up the Hunter Biden laptop story by labeling it a distraction. NPRs first target needs to be itself.

The Hunter Biden coverage has been a focal point for criticism of NPR.

I thought [NPR] was already a disinformation team, said Ilya Shapiro, a Constitutional expert at the Manhattan Institute.

On its website, NPR stresses the need for federal funding, particularly for member stations, saying 8% of their funding comes from federal appropriations via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and another 4% from state, local and the federal governments.

Federal funding is essential to public radio's service to the American public, NPR says on its website. Its continuation is critical for both stations and program producers, including NPR. Public radio stations receive annual grants directly from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) that make up an important part of a diverse revenue mix that includes listener support, corporate sponsorship and grants. Stations, in turn, draw on this mix of public and privately sourced revenue to pay NPR and other public radio producers for their programming.

Elimination of federal funding would result in fewer programs, less journalism  especially local journalism  and eventually the loss of public radio stations, particularly in rural and economically distressed communities, the group adds.
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Incident comes after couple splashed around in Bernini fountain in Piazza Navona.

A man dressed in swimming trunks climbed between the statues of Rome's Trevi Fountain and dived into the waters of the Baroque monument before being detained by police.

The bather, described by Italian media as a 40-year-old Roman, ignored orders to get out of the fountain, leading a police officer to wade in and drag him out by the arm.

The incident took place just before 23.00 on Saturday night in front of onlookers who filmed the illegal dip on their phones, with footage shared on the Welcome to favelas Instagram page.

The man was reportedly fined 200 and handed a temporary ban or 'daspo' from returning to the UNESCO World Heritage site, according to Rome newspaper Il Messaggero.

However two hours later the man returned to the fountain for a repeat performance, jumping in from the same spot and being dragged out of the water a second time, by a different police officer.

In April two Dutch tourists were fined 1,000 for swimming in the Trevi Fountain, while on Friday night a man and a woman were filmed splashing around in Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona.

On Saturday Italian news outlets reported that the exterior of the Pantheon had been vandalised with graffiti that read "Aliens Exist", written in English with blue spray paint.

The police investigation into the incident was hampered after it was discovered that the city's security cameras guarding the site had long ceased to be functional.

Rome's tourism councillor Alessandro Onorato told Leggo newspaper on Monday that "more severe penalties" were required for those who damage the city's historic heritage.

"We need tourists who respect our city, who know how to experience it with the respect and attention it deserves" - Onorato said - "For us the tourist is sacred, but we need quality tourism that respects the city to the full."
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After years of sitting on an over 20% stake in Chinas BYD Co, Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway may be mulling an exit. A similarly-sized position showed up in Hong Kongs clearing system last week, fueling worries that the Sage of Omaha was over the hot Chinese electric vehicle and battery maker.

It sure seemed like odd timing: BYD has risen to the top of global electric vehicle maker rankings. Its closing in on Tesla Inc. while forging a clear path ahead on batteries and, somehow, circumventing severe supply chain snarls. The firm has done all the right things. On Thursday, the Hong Kong-listed company said it expects preliminary net income in the first half to jump 207%.

The question is, if the stake in the clearing house is Berkshire-related, what risk do Buffett and his vice chairman Charlie Munger see that others dont? Could it be a judicious call, much like the one that led them to take a stake in BYD to begin with?

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Beneath BYDs stellar performance, a wrinkle is emerging: lithium supply. While its been well-telegraphed that a raw material shortage looms as prices surge, the company has so far circumvented those cost pressures. Its been pushing a vertically integrated model: eyeing mines across the world, boosting production, making better batteries and keeping a tight hold on its supply chain. Among all those factors, its grip on lithium production has been the most uncertain. High material prices have been hitting Chinas industrial firms so hard that Beijing called for capping the rising lithium price and is planning policies to help downstream firms.

BYD has been on a mission to get its hands on lithium mines and resources this year. The firm is connected with Youngy Co, one of Chinas first spodumene, or raw lithium compound, miners. In March, it participated in a private placement in another miner, Chengxin Lithium Group. As part of this, the firm will get discounted lithium compounds in the future. While both are likely to continue buying more mines in the Sichuan region, it isnt going to lead to immediate or guaranteed supply: Most of the quarries have future  not existing  ore production capacity and Chengxin doesnt have full access to supplies in some of them.

Even if BYD were to take all the output from two of the mines, it would only get an equivalent of 80 gigawatt hours by 2025, according to Daiwa Capital Markets analysts. Across the top 9 Chinese battery companies, around 27 gigawatt hours of batteries were installed in June  and BYD added just over 5 Gwh. Clearly, the supply deficit is here to stay.

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Meanwhile, the types of batteries the firm makes  mostly lithium iron phosphate  are now gaining traction outside of China as key patents that restricted production to the country get closer to expiring. That means there will be even more demand to pressure supply.

There are other, less-appreciated issues. For instance, analysts are counting on more lithium-bearing minerals and ores from Sichuan, but it could be lower than expected because the terrain is difficult, which affects how long mines can operate. There are also escalating environmental issues in the region.

These pressures led BYD to look at Chile, where it won a contract for lithium extraction. It was hindered again when some of those contracts were suspended by the South American countrys top court. Its now looking for mines in Africa, but no clear deals have emerged.

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The firm bet on EVs after announcing it wouldnt make any more traditional cars. Still, it isnt clear how it will churn out its lithium-heavy top-of-the-line batteries, or the estimated 1.5 million EVs this year that will need those powerpacks, without tied up supply contracts.

Whether its Buffets stake or someone elses, investors are skittish around raw material supplies and costs, no matter how vertically-integrated a company is, or how good sales forecasts look.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Warren Buffett Knows His EV Batteries: Anjani Trivedi

 Vertical Integration Makes Comeback at U.S. Firms: Stephen Mihm

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Anjani Trivedi is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies in Asia. Previously, she was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal.

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It is the last-chance saloon for Tunisian democracy. A week from today, the country where the 2011 Arab Spring first bloomed will have what may be the final opportunity to prevent its president from institutionalizing a new dictatorship. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight On July 25, exactly a year after Kais Saied fired the government, suspended parliament and assumed absolute authority, Tunisians will vote in a referendum on a new constitution that would cement the presidents complete control of their country. As Zaid al-Ali, the preeminent scholar on constitutions in the Arab world, wrote in the Washington Post: The draft looks very much like the 1959 constitution, which laid the framework for Tunisia to be governed as an autocracy for half a century, until the breakdown that led to the 2011 uprisings.

The outcome of the referendum may not make the international headlines that accompanied those uprisings. But it will be watched closely in other Arab countries, especially in Iraq and Libya, where democratic shoots are shriveling as political parties prove, just as in Tunisia, incapable of delivering good governance. The vote also will be followed with interest in Algeria and Sudan, where pro-democracy uprisings of the past two years are withering under sustained pushback from entrenched elites.

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Where the tiny Mediterranean nation once raised aspirations across the Arab world by ejecting its tyrant, a vote for a return to one-man rule would represent a body blow to democratic movements across the Middle East and North Africa.

The Tunisian president has put his fingers on the scale to ensure things go his way. He has interfered with the drafting of the constitution itself: The head of the committee appointed for the job resigned in protest. Saied has jailed opponents, muzzled the media and extended his authority over the judiciary. In May, he appointed a new election commission  one member has already quit.

Saied is hoping to capitalize on despair about democracy at home and apathy abroad. He grabbed power just as Tunisians were giving up hope that their dysfunctional government and gridlocked parliament would be able to look past petty political bickering to address deep-seated economic problems. Many hoped the president, unbeholden to any political faction, would be able to do just that.

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The initially positive response to the coup from many Tunisians allowed the international community to absolve itself of any responsibility to protect the democratic institutions that Saied was undermining. The United Nations wrung its hands ineffectually; the US and European nations wagged a disapproving finger, weakly. France, which exercises considerable influence over Tunisian affairs because of its colonial history and trade ties, treated the autocrat with kid gloves.

It didnt take long for Tunisians to realize Saied was less interested in solving their problems than consolidating his power. Their hopes of last fall had turned to ennui by this spring, when few bothered to participate in an online survey that was meant to inform the new constitution. Turnout in municipal elections in March was even lower than in 2018  undermining the presidents claim that direct democracy, centered on local elections, is a better fit for the country than the parliamentary system enshrined in the current constitution.

But the international community hasnt gotten off the fence: The Biden administration, for instance, has only expressed mild concern about Saieds systematic appropriation of authority over the past year. Sterner measures, such as targeted sanctions against the president and his enablers, havent even been threatened.

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So the Tunisians are on their own against an autocrat, just as they were in 2011. This time, they may not need to take to the streets, although there have been scattered protests in recent days. The referendum gives them a chance to defeat Saied at the ballot box. Although he has the support of the armed forces, the generals have historically bowed to public pressure. A wholesale rejection of his constitution will leave the president no choice but to restore power to Parliament.

Much more than Tunisias democracy depends on the outcome.

More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:



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Biden Should Welcome the Middle Easts New Player: India: Mihir Sharma



People Power Has Brought Down Sri Lankas Strongman. What Now?: Ruth Pollard

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering foreign affairs. Previously, he was editor in chief at Hindustan Times, managing editor at Quartz and international editor at Time.

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This account, in previously unreported detail, shines new light on the road to war and the military campaign in Ukraine, drawn from in-depth interviews with dozens of senior U.S., Ukrainian, European and NATO officials.

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Most people who suffer from Covid-19 fully recover. Millions of others find complete healing to be frustratingly elusive, in whats often referred to as long Covid. Symptoms range from pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal or neurological problems to cognitive issues such as so-called brain fog. No single explanation, diagnosis or treatment can be applied to them. Colloquially known as long-haulers, these patients reflect the pandemics lasting burden on society and the economy.

1. What is long Covid?

Theres no universally accepted definition yet. According to the World Health Organization, people with what it calls post Covid-19 condition have symptoms usually three months after an initial bout of Covid that last for at least two months and cant be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Symptoms may persist from the acute phase of the illness or appear after -- even in a person who displayed no symptoms initially. They may also fluctuate. Other groups have proposed alternative definitions. The UKs National Health Service, for example, suggests referring to symptoms that last more than four weeks as ongoing symptomatic Covid, and post-Covid syndrome if they persist for longer than 12 weeks and cant be otherwise explained. Another definition may be needed for children.

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2. How often does it occur?

Its too soon to say. The lack of a standard definition variables such as what group is being studied and when the data were collected can lead to widely different results. For example:

 A report in May from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found about 1 in 5 adults between 18 and 64 years old had a health problem that might be attributable to a previous Covid infection.

 A study in July that accounted for pre-infection symptoms in a nationally representative sample of Americans in the first year of the pandemic found that 23% experience at least one symptom that emerges around the time of infection and lasts for more than 12 weeks.

 Another large study published last year, using data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, estimated that about 7% of people had at least one symptom of long Covid six months after their infection. The incidence beyond the first 12 weeks of illness was 4.1% among those never hospitalized for Covid, 16% among those who were hospitalized and 23% among patients who were admitted to intensive care. The study also found differences in symptoms by age, race, sex and baseline health status.

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Other studies have found the likelihood of long Covid is greater among women, the middle-aged and the obese.

3. What are the post-Covid symptoms?

Tiredness and shortness of breath are commonly reported as well as brain fog  difficulty with concentration or memory. Other prolonged symptoms include fever, cough, palpitations or pain in the chest, joints, muscles or abdomen. Neurological symptoms include headaches, disturbed sleep, tingling or numbness, or dizziness. Digestive issues can cover nausea, diarrhea or reduced appetite. Some people report a diminution of the sense of taste or smell, tinnitus, earaches or a sore throat. Depression or anxiety also can occur.

4. Do variants carry different long Covid risks?

It appears so, though identifying them is complicated by other factors, such as prior Covid immunizations and infections. For example, the UKs Office for National Statistics found in May that the odds of reporting fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating and other persistent symptoms were 50% lower following infections likely caused by the omicron BA.1 variant than those likely caused by the delta strain. The difference was only found among adults who were double-vaccinated when infected. Among those whod had three shots, the difference wasnt statistically significant. Among triple-vaccinated adults, however, the odds of reporting long Covid were higher following infection with the omicron BA.2 variant than the BA.1 variant, the analysis found.

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5. What causes it?

Some health problems are well understood, others arent. For instance, survivors can experience problems as a result of:

 the direct effect of the virus on organs and tissues

 the propensity of Covid to cause bleeding and clots that can restrict or block blood vessels including in the lung, which can cause a pulmonary embolism

 excessive inflammation by the immune system

 the bodys failure to properly repair injured lungs and other organs, leading to the formation of scar tissue

 a lack of oxygen in the blood that injures the brain, lungs and other organs

 an imbalance in the microorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract

 life-saving treatment, including the use of mechanical ventilation, corticosteroids, sedatives and painkillers administered in intensive care.

In a study published in January, scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington in Seattle found the risk of long Covid is increased by multiple early factors, including antibodies directed against their own tissues or organs known as autoantibodies, and a resurgence of the Epstein-Barr virus. Based on whats been observed with other viral diseases and research so far, other scientists speculate that different biological and genetic factors may be driving symptoms, none of which are mutually exclusive. These may include:

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 chronic, systemic inflammation

 immune dysregulation, such as when the bodys immune system overreacts or underreacts to a foreign invader

 interactions with the host microbiome, or microorganisms living in the body

 problems with the autonomic nervous system

 the persistence of viral particles or remnants in the body.

6. Is Covid-19 definitely to blame for these symptoms?

Not necessarily. Some symptoms might occur by chance or be triggered by stress or environmental factors such as allergens, while some pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, might have gone undiagnosed until Covid prompted medical attention. Social restrictions, lockdowns, school and business closures, loss of livelihood, decreases in economic activity and shifting priorities of governments all have the potential to substantially affect mental health, according to a study that appeared Oct. 8 in the Lancet. It found the pandemic has resulted in an extra 53.2 million cases of major depressive disorder and an extra 76.2 million cases of anxiety disorders globally. Diagnostic uncertainties have sometimes led to what patients describe as medical gaslighting by health professionals who dont take their complaints seriously, especially if the patient is a woman.

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7. Do vaccines help prevent it?

In a way, in that vaccination is the most effective tool to reduce the risk of getting infected by SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid, in the first place and it mitigates the likelihood of becoming severely ill. A UK study found receiving a second dose of a coronavirus vaccine at least two weeks before an infection was associated with a 41% decrease in the odds of self-reported long Covid at least 12 weeks later. Data from Israel support the finding, though a larger study of some 13 million users of the US Veterans Health Administration system in May found vaccination is associated with only a 15.7% reduction in the risk of long Covid.

8. How serious is it?

Most long Covid symptoms dont seem to be life-threatening, but things like shortness of breath or fatigue can be disabling. For some Covid survivors, the infection may damage vital organs and exacerbate other diseases, the effects of which may not become apparent for months, like a ticking time bomb. Some of the conditions that may manifest later include cardiac arrest, stroke, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, myocarditis and chronic kidney disease. Doctors have also noted an uptick in cases of diabetes linked to Covid. A study in February based on the veterans database in the US found the virus may significantly increase a persons risk of heart disease for at least a year after recovery -- even if the person wasnt hospitalized. Other studies from the US, UK and Germany showed that people who were hospitalized for Covid have an increased risk of being readmitted or dying 6 to 12 months later.

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9. Do people recover from long Covid?

The health trajectories of Covid survivors vary widely -- from a complete resolution and a return to previous level of health in most people, to needing lung transplants in a small minority. A UK study of hospitalized patients published in January found that a year after discharge, fewer than 3 in 10 patients reported feeling fully recovered. Its possible the use of treatments for Covid, including monoclonal antibody therapies and antiviral medications, reduces the likelihood of long Covid, though this hasnt been demonstrated. There is emerging evidence that multidisciplinary rehabilitation services can improve a patients prospects of recovery.

10. What are the broader implications?

The disability attributable to long Covid could account for as much as 30% of the pandemics health burden, researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine estimated. An uptick in treatments for depression, anxiety and pain has stoked concern of a spike in suicides and opioid overdoses. Surveys of long Covid sufferers indicate the condition is leading to reduced work schedules and absenteeism, which has implications for labor productivity. With more than 560 million confirmed infections worldwide as of mid-2022, even a small share with long-term disability could have enormous social and economic consequences. The US Government Accountability Office said in a March 2 report that long Covid could affect the broader US economy through decreased labor participation and an increased need for use of Social Security disability insurance or other publicly subsidized insurance.

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11. Do other pathogens cause prolonged illness?

Yes, scientists say its actually an expected phenomenon. For example, post-viral syndromes can occur after the common cold, influenza, HIV, infectious mononucleosis, measles, Ebola and hepatitis B. Diabetes and other long-term consequences were observed in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which is caused by a related coronavirus. A Canadian study identified 21 health-care workers from Toronto who had post-viral symptoms for as long as three years after catching SARS in 2003 and were unable to return to their usual work. Some people who were hospitalized with SARS in Hong Kong had impaired lung function two years later, a study of 55 patients published in 2010 found. Still, its not known yet whether the lessons of SARS are applicable to Covid-19. Long Covid shares characteristics with many other long-term health conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome and a blood-circulation disorder known as POTS. Studies into the drivers of long Covid could improve understanding of the causes of these conditions also.

12. What is being done?

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In the US, the National Institutes of Health was allocated $1.15 billion in funding to support research into the long-term effects of Covid. The studies hopes to get at issues such as the underlying biological causes and how they might be treated and prevented. Some researchers are pressing governments to focus attention on potential long-term organ damage. For example, researchers have shown the virus can infect insulin-producing pancreatic tissue, potentially triggering diabetes that in some cases persists beyond the acute infection. Thats prompted Australias Monash University and Kings College London to create a global registry for studying new onset diabetes. Some long haulers have reported feeling better after receiving a Covid vaccination, prompting researchers to examine the phenomenon and whether vaccines can offer clues to treatment. Avindra Nath, clinical director of the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, said vaccines, including for flu, have been known to help patients with chronic fatigue, but relief has almost always been temporary.

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Nothing says parochial quite like Queensland. So selling one of the states two major home-grown banks to a) the Victorian-based ANZ that is b) one of the big four  well, thats a deal littered with booby traps.

The biggest of these could be the thwarting of a competing proposal from Bendigo and Adelaide Bank to buy Suncorp. Regardless of whether this deal was more or less attractive, it could be pivotal to the competition regulators deliberations on whether to approve the ANZ deal. More on that later.

Suncorps solution may not be so simple. Credit:Fairfax

Having watched intense rivalry played out in last weeks State of Origin, there is one positive  ANZ is not based in NSW. Meanwhile, three sets of conditions need to be met before ANZs deal to buy Suncorp Bank.

In reverse order of difficulty, the first is a tick from Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, which probably wont require much more than inking up the rubber stamp.
Germanys all-time literary giant, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, once suggested to Caspar David Friedrich he should paint landscapes that systematically depicted each type of cloud identified in a famous treatise. Friedrich, by all accounts, was horrified at the suggestion. Being attracted by the freedom and mutability of clouds, he resisted the idea of placing them in neat categories. To reduce nature to a mere mechanism was to diminish the power and glory of the Creator.

I thought of Goethe when looking at Robert Wilsons Moving Portraits at the Art Gallery of South Australia. In his unutterably boring novel, Elective Affinities (1809), a group of friends amuse themselves by organising tableaux vivants staged versions of famous paintings. A lot of organisation results in a brief moment in the spotlight, when the amateur actors stand as still as wax dummies.

Wilsons video portraits are a new type of tableau vivant for an era of globalised culture and digital media. They are as highly structured as anything Goethe conceived, but with more variety and oblique humour. Neither are they completely still. Taking hours to shoot, each piece has been condensed into a few minutes that repeat on a loop. Although the subjects adopt fixed poses, there are slight movements, such as the blink of an eye, which remind us these are videos, not photographs.

Robert Wilsons Princess Caroline, Princess of Monaco; Lady Gaga: Mademoiselle Caroline Riviere; and Jeanne Moreau, actress. Credit:Courtesy of RW Work Ltd

One of the worlds most celebrated directors of large-scale theatrical projects, Wilson has been making these portraits for more than 50 years, initially for public TV. During the past two decades, taking advantage of advances in HD technology, he has produced a succession of works, squeezing photo sessions into those rare times he is not preoccupied with the theatre and opera. His commitments are prodigious. At the age of 80, Wilson currently has more than 20 productions being staged in different parts of the world.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Book critics Lucy Sussex and Steven Carroll cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction titles. Here are their reviews. Non-fiction pick of the week

Credit: Hard Joy: Life and Writing

Susan Varga, Upswell, $29.99 Susan Vargas distinctive memoir (incorporating her taut but resonant poetry) comes over as an effortless blend of the epic and intimate, and easy to read  but it was hard won. You finish with admiration both for the book and for the writer. Born in Hungary in 1943, she fled after the war, with her mother, sister and step-family (her father dying in a Nazi labour camp) to Sydney, where at university she entered the daunting, mostly male-dominated Sydney Push. Sex followed, relationships and marriage, until she met the woman with whom she fell in love. She started writing, was happy, was unhappy, and at 68 had a stroke. Hard Joy, global in its sweep but deeply personal, was written in its shadow. Beguilingly simple, she draws you in, covering the emotional and intellectual highs and lows of living  and of the writing life.

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Credit: 52 Ways to Walk

Annabel Streets, Bloomsbury, $29.99 The cold snap much of the country is experiencing at the moment is, according to the aptly named Annabel Streets, the perfect time to drag yourself from the heater and go walking. Walking in the cold is good for you: it stimulates brown fat (good fat). Even better if you can walk amid trees, the terpenes released by trees being highly therapeutic on all levels. Streets discourses on one type of walk for each week of the year. Theres walking to improve your gait (Simone de Beauvoir being a role model), wet walking, smelling as you go walking, breathing only through the nose walking (favoured by Kant), walking as a stimulant to memory and, among other ways, walking to experience a Wordsworthian sublime, and not necessarily in the Swiss alps. Written for the reader to dip into, its entertaining and surprisingly informative. Credit: Of Marsupials and Men

Alistair Paton, Black Inc., $32.99 One of the more bizarre exploits of World War II (described by Gerald Durrell as magnificently idiotic) occurred in 1943 when Churchill asked then-prime minister John Curtin to send him six platypuses. The PM sent one, appropriately named Winston, which died of depth-charge concussion during a U-boat attack.

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But, as Alistair Paton details in this fascinating and often wryly observed study, it was all part of an ongoing practice that in the 19th century was known as acclimatisation  a two-way freeway of animals coming from Europe to Australia and vice versa. But the emphasis is on overseas fascination with our bizarre creatures (Dante Gabriel Rossettis pet wombat, kangaroos in London and platypuses touring New York) as well as the gallery of naturalists who studied and advanced our understanding of the animals. Credit: Life with Birds

Bronwyn Rennex, Upswell, $29.99 The ordinary events of suburban living are apt to go overlooked, but not in Bronwyn Rennexs poetic family tale. Its grand themes of life and death constantly rub shoulders with the incidentals such as watching a TV soap character die, giggling through her teenage christening, or sitting in front of a mirror creating multiple images of herself that disappear into infinity. The key event, the before and after of her young life, is the sudden death of her father when she was 15. She delves into his past, mostly his military service in occupied Japan and Vietnam, at one point shocked to learn that her kind father taught troops jungle warfare. The birds? Among other things, theyre symbolic of resilience and not being able to control everything in life and nature. A deceptively simple combination of meditation and suburban family portrait. Fiction pick of the week

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Credit: Dele Weds Destiny

Tomi Obaro, Hodder Studio, $32.99 Afrofuturism is currently fab. So is Afro-realism. Dele Weds Destiny is a first novel about Nigerian womens lives. Zainab, Enitan and Funmi first met at university, staying in touch despite distance and differences in tribe and religion. Now they are reuniting at the wedding of Funmis daughter. The novel is immersive, no glossary or similar concessions made to Anglo readers. You dive in, as if attending a rich African wedding feast. Obaro depicts recent Nigerian history and herstory acutely, an education in itself. The trio marry, emigrate, survive, theres even political violence and crime gangs. They become very different, and yet remain friends, as WhatsApp replaces letters. If they have made mistakes, will their daughters do the same? Vibrant and assertive. Credit: The Faculty

John Dale, Brio, $29.99 Satire is like etching: it requires acid and a deft hand. Political is the most common, less so academic satire, a very rich subject. Heroine Sarah is delighted with her first casual contract, with a Sydney university. What she finds is a neoliberal madhouse, with maladministration, management jargon and scanty funding.

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Part of the fun of the book is spotting Geoffrey Blainey, slightly disguised, or wondering which humanities dean in particular has been transmogrified. It begins by spoofing woke activism, then more surely moves into an attack on the humanities. John Dale, being a crime writer, knows narrative and violence. The content is tragic, but even in the darkness Dale shows the way out. It just happens to be quite nefarious. Sure to cause conniptions or much joy in academe. Credit: The Golden Swift

Lev Grossman, Bloomsbury, $16.99 Lev Grossman has stated that it took 17 years of writing before he discovered he was a fantasy novelist, with the Magicians series. Now his new series is for children. It contains much that is familiar, child-friendly, and with the unusual twist of eco-activism. Siblings Kate and Tom are conductors on a magical train that rescues animals in peril. They talk, of course. The intent is very serious, mixed with high adventure. Inevitably the danger is didacticism, leavened here by much action. The younger reader learns about reintroduction of species such as beavers, and rewilding. Cassowaries and bushfires feature (Grossman married an Australian). It is nothing new, perhaps, but fun enough. For the junior eco-warriors in the family.

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Once, Adrian McKinty and his family were visiting a small island off the Australian coast. It was hot, there was nothing much to see. The locals carried shotguns to hunt rabbits and seemed vaguely threatening. On a race to get back to the last ferry, their car almost hit a woman on a bicycle who appeared out of the blue. Still shaken, McKinty joked to his wife that if they had hit her, they would never leave the island alive.

Cut to lockdown in New York, McKintys present home, where he was suffering from writers block. On the phone chatting to his agent, Shane Salerno, he told him about their near miss. You did hit her, Salerno said. Thats the book.

Janet Evanovich, Harlan Coben and Adrian McKinty spoke at BAD Sydneys International Online Festival.

That indeed is The Island, the second international bestselling thriller from the Belfast-born and one-time Australian resident, in which an American family visit Dutch Island and mayhem ensues. I watched McKinty talk about it via BAD Sydneys International Online Festival, in one of four interview sessions with top crime writers. The others were Janet Evanovich, Harlan Coben and Mick Herron (the fifth session with Don Winslow was postponed).

They were all promoting their latest books, but also had plenty to say about their long and prolific careers, which were by no means overnight success stories. Before his breakthrough into thrillers, McKinty wrote six noir crime novels about his Belfast cop Sean Duffy, which were well received but never sold more than 2000 copies in a year. Noir is still his favourite style: he can have the music-obsessed Duffy go off on a rant about Bono or Robert Plant and readers will stay with him. But you cant get away with that in a thriller.
The writ also alleged: [The] defendant [Granot] left the operating theatre and approached the plaintiffs mother showing her the labia and clitoral hood that he had removed from the plaintiff.

Dr Asarjahu Granot was served with a Supreme Court writ in June 2021 that accused him of several counts of negligence, including a claim the operation was inconsistent with the procedure consented to by the girls mother.

A Melbourne cosmetic surgeon has settled a lawsuit filed by a former patient who was left disfigured and psychologically traumatised after he removed her labia and clitoral hood when she was 13 years old.

Granot has avoided a civil court trial after a significant financial settlement was agreed to by the former patient and her lawyers last month. The payment is the subject of a non-disclosure agreement and will be covered by an insurance company acting for Granot.

The plaintiffs solicitor, Kathryn Footner, from Footner Wren Legal, declined to comment.

The civil case against Granot has renewed calls for tougher regulation of the nations booming cosmetic surgery industry, while also raising serious concerns about the suitability of such a procedure on a teenage girl.

The girls mother took her to see Granot because the teenager had concerns about the appearance of her vagina. They were advised by Granot that there was an abnormality with her labia minor, which could be corrected by a surgical procedure known as labiaplasty.

His former patient, who is now aged 27 and studying to become a doctor, has told The Age that her body was irreparably damaged by the surgery at a Malvern East clinic in 2008. She said the financial settlement could never compensate her for the harm done.
A group of Traditional Owners for the World Heritage-nominated Burrup Peninsula, also known as Murujuga which is home to more than a million petroglyphs, have asked federal Environment Minster Tanya Plibersek to block recently approved site preparations for a $4.5 billion urea plant.

The West Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation issued a works approval on Thursday that permits Perdaman to build a concrete batch plant and mobile crushing and screening plant, which are both needed to support the construction of the urea plant in the Pilbara.

Protesters call for greater protection of Murujuga during a march this month. Credit:Save Our Songlines

The letter from former Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chair and Mardudhunera custodian Raelene Cooper and Kuruma Marduthunera woman Josie Alec says several pieces of rock art, including a panel with a sacred motif, would be moved to make way for the plant which was an act of desecration.

There have also been concerns that emissions from other industrial projects on the peninsula could be accelerating the weathering and fading of the rock art.
Customers seeking refunds and attempting to retrieve credits issued by subsidiaries of Flight Centre say they have struggled to contact the booking giant via email or phone and have accused it of frustrating their attempts to claim travel funds held by the company.

Australians whose overseas trips were cancelled in the early days of the pandemic are still struggling to get thousands of dollars in airfares and accommodation refunded after booking with travel brands BYOJet and Aunt Betty, both owned and operated by Flight Centre.

Betty Batty missed out on a family trip to Thailand. Credit:Darrian Traynor

Albion grandmother Betty Batty booked a flight for her, her husband Trevor, daughter Ebony and two grandchildren Tamiah and Harrison to celebrate her 60th birthday in Thailand, with the family spending a combined $5050 on the trip, flying with Garuda Airlines.

After COVID-19 hit, Batty was given a credit in April 2020, but she has not been able to use it because she cannot contact the agent.
In 2012, the then-prime minister of Vanuatu Sato Kilman, was passing through Sydney Airport. Without warning, the Australian Federal Police swooped and arrested his Australian secretary on charges of tax evasion. Kilman was furious a staffer had been kidnapped and, back in Port Vila, threatened to tear up the agreement under which Australia trained his police, and invite China to take over.

Australian and Chinese ministers are talking again. Credit:Johannes P. Christo

As foreign minister, I was relieved when our intelligence reported the Chinese had considered this offer but declined. They had calculated Vanuatu (population 250,000) could offer China little compared with the trade and diplomatic opportunities with rich Australia, population 25 million.

Chinese wariness about offending us was vindicated in 2015 when then-prime minister Tony Abbott presided over the apogee of Australia-China relations by ratifying a free trade agreement, joining the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank and praising Xi Jinping for his reference to democracy in a speech to the Australian parliament.

Since then, China became the worlds biggest economy. It has become more authoritarian and assertive. All Western nations had to reassess their relations with Beijing. But from 2017, Australia deliberately swung behind hardening US attitudes hostile to Chinas rise. Peter Dutton, defence minister in the Morrison government, even implied war was coming.
There are plenty of things people do to each other that are awful, but in daily life one of the worst is taking someone for a mug. Its insulting. Its an attempt to humiliate. Ultimately, it degrades both parties. So you have to question why Anthony Albanese thought it was smart to treat the public like mugs over his now-reversed decision to end the pandemic leave disaster payment.

The justification for the decision  that the ALP had inherited the scheduled June 30 closure of the payment from the Morrison government, which had also left behind a massive budget deficit, so, you know, its got to find savings somewhere  did not wash. It fell over at the first hurdle.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reversed his decision on pandemic leave payments. Credit:Flavio Brancaleone

Albanese and his ministers also inherited the Coalitions building industry watchdog, which he and his ministers are determined to abolish. It was also bequeathed the Coalitions hands-off approach to national wage case submissions, which the new government reversed within days of taking office. The head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the climate target  the list of inherited people and policies that have been ditched goes on.

But that merely goes to the problem with presentation. As for the policy choice: bad budgetary position or not, what is a Labor government doing embracing a nine-month-old decision by a Coalition government that denies government support to some of the nations lowest paid, most insecure workers when theyre too sick or contagious to work?
I came to Ireland four years ago to cover the searing story of the Scarlet Letter in the Emerald Isle.

Back then, Ireland had a harsh abortion law, shaped by the views of the Catholic Church. The 8th Amendment to the Irish Constitution, added in 1983, gave fetuses rights equal to the mothers, ensuring abortion would be illegal, even in cases of rape or incest. Anyone getting the procedure or buying abortion pills online faced up to 14 years in prison. Women were forced to sneak out of the country and go to London if they wanted abortions. Some women went to loan sharks to get the money to travel.

A pro-choice demonstration in Austin, Texas last month after the US Supreme Court ended the nations constitutional protections for abortion. Credit:AP

In 2018, a referendum on repealing the 8th Amendment roiled Ireland with turbulent arguments on a subject that had been subterranean for eons. Edna OBrien captured the tortured drama in her novel Down by the River, based on the sensational 1992 case of a 14-year-old who was raped by a friends father and became suicidal when she was barred from leaving the country to get an abortion. She later miscarried.

There was also the heart-wrenching 2012 story of Savita Halappanavar, who rushed to a Galway hospital in distress the day after her baby shower. She was told that her 17-week-old fetus was going to die. As she went into septic shock, she begged the medical team to remove the fetus and save her life. One midwife coldly reminded her that she was in a Catholic country. She died after her stillborn infant. The horror of that case galvanised the nation.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  As Russia kept up its relentless shelling across the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expanded the shakeup of his security services on Monday by suspending 28 more officials, a day after he dismissed two senior officials over allegations that their agencies harbored collaborators and traitors.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said a personnel audit of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was underway, and the dismissal of the 28 officials was being decided.

Different levels, different areas of focus. But the reasons are similar  unsatisfactory results of work, Zelenskyy said.

On Sunday, he had fired SBU chief Ivan Bakanov and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova. Zelenskyy, citing hundreds of criminal proceedings into treason and collaboration by people within their departments and other law enforcement agencies.

Six months into the war, we continue to uncover loads of these people in each of these agencies," said Andriy Smirnov, deputy head of Ukraines presidential office.

Analysts said the moves are designed to strengthen Zelenskyy's control over the army and security agencies, which have been led by people appointed before the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24.

In the conditions of a war, Zelenskyy needs leaders that are capable of tackling several tasks at the same time -- to resist Russias intrigues within the country to create a fifth column, to be in contact and coordination with international experts, to do their actual job effectively, Volodymyr Fesenko, a political analyst with the Penta Center think tank, told The Associated Press.

Bakanov is a childhood friend and former business partner of Zelenskyy, who appointed him to head the SBU. Bakanov had come under growing criticism over security breaches since the war began.

Venediktova won international praise for her drive to gather war-crimes evidence against Russian military commanders and officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, over the destruction of Ukrainian cities and the killing of civilians.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price, speaking to reporters in Washington, said when asked about the personnel changes that the two governments were in close contact.

The fact is that in all of our relationships, and including in this relationship, we invest not in personalities. We invest in institutions and, of course, President Zelenskyy has spoken to his rationale for making these personnel shifts, Price said.

He said Washington would continue to work with Kyiv on war-crimes investigations and information sharing. Intelligence, he said, is "an important element of the assistance that we are providing to our Ukrainian partners in an effort to help them defend themselves.

Zelensky appointed the first deputy head of the SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, to be acting head. Maliuk, 39, is known for efforts to fight corruption in the security agencies; his appointment was seen as part of Zelenskyy's efforts to get rid of pro-Russian staffers in the SBU.

Fesenko said discontent with Bakanov and Venediktova had been brewing for a while, and it was possible that Ukraines Western partners pointed out the underperformance of the SBU and the prosecutor general's office to Zelenskyy.

Meanwhile, Russia pressed forward with its missile and shelling attacks, which Ukrainian officials said were designed to intimidate the civilian population and create panic.

The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, however, said his troops had stabilized the situation" on the front, largely thanks to Western deliveries of technically advanced rocket systems.

It is complex, tense, but completely controllable, Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhny wrote on Telegram after a phone call with the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Milley.

An important factor contributing to our holding our defensive lines and positions is the timely arrival of the M142 HIMARS, delivering targeted strikes against enemy command posts, ammunition and fuel depots, Zaluzhnyy said, referring to the light multiple-rocket launchers recently delivered from the U.S.

Ukraines Emergency Service said at least six people were killed by Russian shelling Monday targeting the city of Toretsk in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Toretsk was taken briefly in the Russian invasion of 2014, but Ukrainian forces ended up taking the city back.

Donetsk governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said Russian shelling there is incessant. Four Russian strikes had been carried out on the city of Kramatorsk, he said, and he urged civilians to evacuate.

Were seeing that the Russians want to sow fear and panic, Kyrylenko said in televised remarks. The front line is moving, so civilians must leave the region and evacuate.

Nearly 1,000 civilians were evacuated to Ukraine on Monday from Russian-held territories in the northern Kharkiv region, Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. About a third of the region remains in Russian hands after Moscows troops overran it in April.

In Kyiv on Monday, a funeral was held at St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery for a Ukrainian solider killed when his car hit a land mine near Izium last week. His family couldn't bury him in their hometown in eastern Ukraine because it remains under Russian occupation.

The cathedral was packed with mourners paying their last respects to Fanat, as the soldier was known. Whenever the priest paused, the voice of the soldier's mother echoed in the church.

"We will love you forever and ever. We will miss you so much!" she cried, caressing the closed coffin. Why do we need to live in this cursed war?

In other developments Monday:

 Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected troops involved in the fighting in Ukraine and ordered the military to prioritize destruction of Ukraines long-range missiles and artillery, according to a ministry statement. It was not immediately clear when or where the inspection took place.

 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spokesman said that incrementally, theres been a little bit more progress on a proposed U.N. package deal that would enable millions of tons of Ukraines grain to be shipped from the Black Sea, and Russian grain and fertilizer to be sent to world markets without restrictions. Spokesman Farhan Haq said the U.N. chief spoke to Zelenskyy about the negotiations. A new round of talks could take place in Turkey later this week, said Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. Some 22 million tons of grain are stuck in Ukraine because of the war.

 Ukraine says some Russian forces have been using topographical maps from 1969 as they fight in the countrys east. The Ukrainian militarys general staff, citing the countrys internal security service, said the maps were used by Russian troops fighting around the Kharkiv but did not have buildings built since the early 1970s.

 Ukraines first lady, Olena Zelenska, met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken as she began a series of high-profile appearances in Washington. She is to meet with her U.S. counterpart, Jill Biden, on Tuesday. Price said Blinken assured Zelenska of the United States commitment to Ukraine, and commended her for her work with civilians dealing with trauma and other damage from the war.

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Authorities in Bethlehem are investigating the death of a person whose body was found near a trail.

Police had a section of the South Bethlehem Greenway sealed off with crime tape for several hours Sunday night.

The coroner and county detectives were called to the trail in the area of East Third and Hayes street.

Authorities have not commented on what happened or who the person is.
ALLENTOWN, Pa.  The Liberty Bells hiding place in Allentown is being recognized statewide for its role in the American Revolution.

It joins more than 2,000 spots to receive recognition by the state.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission unveiled a historical marker outside Zions Reformed United Church of Christ in Allentown, known to many as the Liberty Bell church, shining light on a secret that was kept hidden during the American Revolution.

The church is where the Liberty Bell was kept beneath the floorboards, hidden from the British, fearing they might melt bells to alleviate an ammunition shortage.

Since the church itself is the place where the bell was stored, it didnt make any sense to us not to have a specific marker outside the church, state Sen. Pat Browne said at the ceremony.

Browne helped to secure approval and funding for the marker and the dedication.

When we pull together historic assets in the Lehigh Valley, this is by far one of the most important assets because it goes back to our contribution to the American Revolution and independence.

The marker is among about 2,500 in Pennsylvania.

The museum connected to the church has drawn crowds from across the Lehigh Valley and the nation to remember a story that now has a permanent reminder.

It signifies the important activity of the members of the congregation and members of the Allentown community in safeguarding the Liberty Bell during the American Revolution, said Karen Arnold from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

The Liberty Bell Museum on the 4th of July took part in a National Bell Ringing Ceremony to celebrate 60 years of service to the community.
The woman who was accused of fatally stabbing a prominent Schuylkill County jeweler in Louisiana three years ago has pleaded guilty.

Megan Hall pleaded guilty to manslaughter, armed robbery, and obstruction of justice, according to court documents.

Hall faces up to 15 years in prison.

Hall was sent to prison in 2019 after being charged with second-degree murder in the death of Patrick Murphy, the owner of Murphy Jewelers. The murder charge was later downgraded to manslaughter.

Murphy was found stabbed to death in a New Orleans hotel room.

At the time, witnesses said Murphy and Hall checked into a room together around 2 a.m. Surveillance showed her leaving the room alone just hours later.

Hall turned herself in days after the killing.

In September of last year, Hall was featured in a Netflix docuseries, giving insight into the story of her life.

Murphy was the third-generation owner of Murphy Jewelers, which has stores in Pottsville, Tilden Township, and the Lehigh Valley.

Around the time of his death, mourners said he was loved in the community and always went out of his way to help others.
GREENWOOD, Ind. (AP)  Three people were fatally shot and two were injured Sunday evening at an Indiana mall after a man with a rifle opened fire in a food court and an armed civilian shot and killed him, police said.

The man entered the Greenwood Park Mall with a rifle and several magazines of ammunition and began firing in the food court, Greenwood Police Department Chief Jim Ison said.

A 22-year-old from nearby Bartholomew County who was legally carrying a firearm at the mall shot and killed the gunman, Ison said at a news conference.

Four of those hit by gunfire were females and one was a male, Ison said. He didn't immediately know the specific gender or age of those who were killed.

He said a 12-year-old girl was among the two injured, both of whom are in stable condition.

Police confiscated a suspicious backpack that was in a bathroom near the food court, Ison said.

Officers went to the mall at about 6 p.m. for reports of the shooting.

The real hero of the day is the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in that food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began," Ison said.

The mass shooting was just the latest to unnerve Americans in 2022. Schools, churches, grocery stores and a July Fourth parade in Highland Park, Illinois, have all become killing grounds in recent months. Still, the reality of Americas staggering murder rate can often be seen more clearly in individual deaths that rarely make the news.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police and multiple other agencies are assisting in the investigation.

We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, Indianapolis Assistant Chief of Police Chris Bailey said.

There was no threat to the area Sunday night, authorities said.

Greenwood is a south suburb of Indianapolis with a population of about 60,000. Mayor Mark Myers asked for prayers to the victims and our first responders.

This tragedy hits at the core of our community, Myers said in a statement.

Authorities said they would provide more details Monday.
BATON ROUGE (AP)  Court battles prompted by the Supreme Court's June 24 ruling reversing abortion rights played out in multiple states Monday, with a judge in West Virginia blocking that state's 150-year-old abortion ban and one in Louisiana frustrating state authorities by leaving an order against enforcement of that state's ban in place, for now.

In another Monday development, the Supreme Court issued an order that put Indiana a step closer to being able to enforce a parental notification law involving girls who get abortions before they turn 18.

In Louisiana, where an abortion clinic and others are challenging the state ban, District Judge Donald Johnson left a June 11 restraining order in place. He gave both sides until Tuesday morning to submit their "proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in the case and gave no indication when he would finally rule.

Johnson is pondering whether to allow enforcement of the abortion ban that was written in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the 1973 decision that established abortion rights. That decision came June 24 and abortion access in Louisiana has been flickering ever since with a series of on-again-off-again court rulings.

Whatever Johnson decides, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said he anticipates that the case will ultimately end up before the Louisiana Supreme Court.

We believe that ultimately we will prevail and the rule of law will be upheld, Landry said during a news conference, that was mostly drowned out by the chants of nearby protesters, following Monday's court hearing. Those people who dont like it have two choices  they can try to change the law, but if they find themselves in the minority of ideas then they can pack their bags and go somewhere else.

In West Virginia, Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Tera L. Salango granted the Womens Health Center of West Virginia a preliminary injunction against the 1800s-era ban, saying that in the absence of action by the court, the clinic and its patients, especially those who are impregnated as a result of a rape or incest, are suffering irreparable harm.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey decried the ruling, calling it a dark day for West Virginia. He said his office will appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

In Indiana, a U.S. Supreme Court order that put the state a step closer to being able to enforce a parental notification law involving girls who get abortions before they turn 18.

The law has been blocked for five years, but the Supreme Court ordered lower courts to take a new look at the law following the landmark June 24 decision. The order formally returned the Indiana case to lower courts that had refused to act while awaiting the judgement.

Abortion remains legal in Indiana up to about 20 weeks.

In Louisiana, there is little question that an abortion ban will eventually be in effect in the state where the Legislature has long been dominated by abortion opponents. The question as the lawsuit there progresses is when. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit  a north Louisiana abortion clinic and other supporters of legal abortion  dont deny that the state can ban abortion as a result of the Supreme Court ruling. But they have managed to buy time for Louisiana's three abortion clinics, in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, to stay open while they argue that the current law is unconstitutionally vague.

The plaintiffs say the law has multiple, conflicting trigger mechanisms. They also argue that state law is unclear on whether it bans an abortion prior to a fertilized egg implanting in the uterus.

Joanna Wright, an attorney for the north Louisiana abortion clinic that filed the suit, argues that an ordinary citizen should be able to look at the statutes and know what is permitted.

In addition, the law provides an exception for medically futile pregnancies in cases of fetuses with fatal abnormalities, the plaintiffs noted it gives no definition of the term and that state health officials have not yet provided a list of conditions that would qualify as medically futile.

With the list of exemptions nonexistent, Wright said doctors are left paralyzed and trying to make sense of what situations count as an exception for abortion in order to avoid prosecution and criminal punishment.

Landrys office argues that the state ban is constitutional and should no longer be blocked. Landry, in a filing last week, argued that the law needs only to delineate what is illegal  not define what is legal. John Balhoff, an attorney representing Landry, argued that the terms are clear and defined.

The lawsuit originated in New Orleans, where a judge issued a temporary order blocking enforcement of the ban June 27. Nearly two weeks later, a second New Orleans judge sent the case to Baton Rouge, saying state law required that it be heard in the capital. That move, in effect, ended the initial restraining order.

But Johnson issued a second temporary restraining order July 11.

Associated Press writers Kevin McGill in New Orleans; Leah Willingham in Charleston, West Virginia; and Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report.
GREENWOOD, Ind. (AP)  A 20-year-old man likely assembled a rifle in the bathroom of a suburban Indianapolis shopping mall before shooting five people in the food court, killing three of them before an armed shopper fatally shot him, authorities said Monday.

Jonathan Sapirman of Greenwood apparently was facing eviction before he opened fire at the Greenwood Park Mall shortly before it closed Sunday evening, the citys police chief, James Ison, said at a news conference.

Sapirman continued shooting people until he was shot and killed by 22-year-old Elisjsha Dicken, of Seymour, a city about 45 miles (72 kilometers) south of Greenwood, who was shopping with his girlfriend, Ison said, calling Dicken's quick action nothing short of heroic."

Many more people would have died last night if not for a responsible armed citizen, said the chief, noting that authorities were still trying to determine a motive for the attack.

The Johnson County and Marion County coroners' offices identified the slain victims as a married Indianapolis couple  Pedro Pineda, 56, and Rosa Mirian Rivera de Pineda, 37  and Victor Gomez, 30, also of Indianapolis. A woman and a 12-year-old girl who was hit by shrapnel were wounded in the attack, police said.

Although authorities said Dicken was legally armed, the mall prohibits people from carrying weapons on its property. The mall issued a statement Monday saying it grieves for the victims and praising Dicken's heroic actions. It didn't mention its no-weapons policy and its operator, the Simon Property Group, didn't respond to a request for comment.

As of July 1, Indiana law allows anyone age 18 or older to carry a handgun in public except for those prohibited for reasons such as having a felony conviction, facing a restraining order or having a dangerous mental illness as determined by a court. Indianas Republican-dominated Legislature retained provisions in the law that allow private property owners to prohibit firearms.

The attack Sunday was the latest in a string of mass shootings in the U.S. Schools, churches, grocery stores and a July Fourth parade near Chicago have all become killing grounds in recent months, though the country's staggering murder rate can often be seen more clearly in individual killings that rarely make major headlines.

Authorities said Sunday that four of the victims were female and one was male, but they corrected that Monday to two males and three females.

Ison said Sapirman entered the mall and walked into a bathroom, where he spent about an hour before he emerged and opened fire. He said investigators believe Sapirman spent that time preparing and possibly assembling a disassembled rifle that he had brought in his backpack. He ended up firing 24 rounds within 15 seconds.

Ison said Sapirman used an AR-15-style rifle during the shooting and that investigators found another one in the bathroom. They also found a handgun on Sapirman, who was wearing a waistband holster and had several magazines that contained more than 100 rounds of ammunition.

Although police don't know a motive for the attack, Sapirmans relatives told investigators that he recently received notice that he was being evicted from his apartment, though Ison said authorities were still trying to confirm that. Relatives also said Sapirman resigned from a warehouse job in May, he said.

Right now we have no motive. His family members that we spoke to, they were just as surprised as everyone else was. They said there were no indicators that he was violent or unstable, Ison said.

The chief said Dicken fired 10 rounds from his handgun, and that as he fired, Sapirman attempted to retreat back into the restroom and failed, and fell to the ground after being shot."

He engaged the gunman from quite a distance with a handgun and was very proficient in that, very tactically sound. And as he moved to close in on the suspect, he was also motioning for people to exit behind him, Ison said of Dicken.

Sapirman had a juvenile record, including for a fight at school and an incident where he ran away from home, but he had no criminal record as an adult, the chief said.

He said relatives told investigators that Sapirman has been practicing shooting at a gun range, and that records obtained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed he had frequented the range and bought ammunition there over the past two years.

Ison said officers recovered a cellphone from a toilet in the mall bathroom that they believe Sapirman placed there. At Sapirman's apartment, they found a laptop and can of butane inside the oven, which was on and set to a high temperature, the chief said without elaborating.

The cellphone and the laptop, which was damaged by the ovens heat, will be analyzed by the FBI, and that we are very curious to have those analyzed," he said.

Mark Myers, the mayor of Greenwood, a city of roughly 60,000 people just south of Indianapolis, said the grieving community is shocked to be the scene of a mass shooting.



This story was first published on July 18, 2022. It was updated on July 19, 2022 to correct the time it took for the gunman to fire 24 rounds.

Callahan reported from Indianapolis. Arleigh Rodgers is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
The Uvalde, Texas, gunman gave off so many warning signs that he was obsessed with violence and notoriety in the months leading up to the attack that teens who knew him began calling him school shooter.

He was once bullied as a fourth-grader in one of the same classrooms where he killed 19 children and two teachers. And in the planning for the May 24 massacre, he collected articles about the Buffalo, New York, supermarket shooting and played video games with a young student while quizzing him about the school schedule.

A state investigative report that highlighted law enforcement's bungled response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School has also provided the most in-depth account to date about missed red flags and possible motivations surrounding 18-year-old Salvador Ramos. Despite many warning signs, he still managed to legally amass more than $5,000 in guns, ammunition and gear in the weeks leading up to the killings.

Just days before the attack, Ramos spoke out on social media of his plans to do something that would put him all over the news. He wrote of a desire to kill himself, shared online videos of beheadings and violent sex, and sent footage of himself driving around with someone he met on the internet holding a plastic bag containing a dead cat and pointing BB guns at people out the window.

The attacker became focused on achieving notoriety, according the interim report released Sunday by an investigative panel of the Texas House of Representatives. He believed his TikTok and YouTube channels would be successful. The small number of views he received led him to tell those with whom he interacted that he was famous, that they were mere randoms by comparison.

The 77-page report  based on interviews with family members, testimony and data from Ramos phone  lays out a long trail of missed signals prior to the massacre but notes these clues were known only to private individuals and not reported to authorities. It also found Ramos had no known ideological or political views that would have made his rantings more widely known.

The report traces the descent of a shy, quiet boy once thought by a teacher as a wonderful student with a positive attitude into a mass murderer who gave plenty of signs online and to family members that he was prone to violence as he amassed an arsenal of rifles, body armor and ammunition.

A former girlfriend told the FBI that she believed Ramos had been sexually assaulted by one of his mothers boyfriends at an early age, the report said, but when Ramos told his mother at the time, she didnt believe him.

Without assigning a specific motive, the report noted that Ramos talked about painful fourth-grade memories to an acquaintance weeks before the shooting.

Family members told investigators how Ramos had been bullied as a fourth-grader in one of the same linked classrooms where he carried out the attack. They said he faced ridicule over his stutter, short hair and for wearing the same clothing nearly every day.

At one point, the report said, a fellow student tied his shoelaces together and Ramos fell on his face, injuring himself. The report noted that Ramos was flagged by school officials as "at risk, but never received any special education services.

Failing grades soon were accompanied by frequent absences  more than 100 a year beginning in 2018. The report noted it was unclear if a school resource officer ever visited Ramos' home. Uvalde High School officials involuntarily withdrew him last fall, when he had only completed the ninth grade. That was about the same time he moved out of his mother's house and began living with his grandmother, just blocks from the elementary school.

Months before the shooting, Ramos began contacting acquaintances with vague but ominous messages about doing something soon.

In March 2022, two months before the shooting, a student on Instagram told him that people at school talk (expletive) about you and call you school shooter.

The next month Ramos asked in a direct message on Instagram, Are you still gonna remember me in 50 something days? After the answer  probably not  Ramos replied, Hmm alright well see in may.

Crystal Foutz, who attended school with Ramos, told The Associated Press he was frequently angry and gave off vibes like he could shoot up the place, though it was taken more as joke than serious.

You heard people joke and say, He looks like a school shooter, said Foutz, though she quickly added, Ive heard it said about other people.

Ramos took jobs at two fast-food restaurants to save money for what he told acquaintances was something big, which family members assumed was his own apartment or car. Instead it was guns and bullets, which he tried to get two people to buy for him while he was 17 and unable to obtain legally.

But on May 16, the gunman turned 18, and began purchasing firearms and ammunition, persuading an uncle to drive him to a gun store. He eventually spent more than $5,000 on two AR-style rifles, ammunition and other gear. And with no criminal history or even arrest, Ramos passed all background checks.

He had earlier written online 10 more days, eliciting speculation from readers that he was planning to shoot up a school or something or commit mass murder. A friend told him that an acquaintance was telling everyone u shooting up the school.

He also spent time playing the childrens videogame Roblox with his cousins son, a student at the Robb Elementary, and elicited from him details about his schedule and how lunch periods worked at the school.

I got a lil secret, Ramos wrote on Snapchat to a German teenager he had befriended days before the May 24 shooting, adding that first he was waiting for something being delivered on Monday. His order of 1,740 hollow-point bullets that expand in bodies upon impact, more easily killing, arrived later that day.

None of his online behavior was ever reported to law enforcement, the report said, and if it was reported by other users to any social media platform, it does not appear that actions were taken to restrict his access or to report him to authorities as a threat.

Shortly before entering Robb Elementary, the gunman reached out to the German teenager he had befriended earlier, posting a message that he had just shot his grandmother in the face and was about to shoot up an elementary school.

Not sure he was serious, the German teenager replied: Cool.

Condon reported from New York. AP reporter Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report.



More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/school-shootings
John Heffernan has quietly established himself as one of the National's go-to leading actors, with principal roles in Saint George and the Dragon and Edward II already under his belt.

His latest, as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, sees him star opposite Katherine Parkinson's Beatrice in a production that promises an "escape to the Italian Riviera". The setting is a 1930s-era hotel, which he says "makes perfect sense" for a play set amid a closed, exclusive community.

Heffernan, who is 41, points out that actors ranging from their 20s right up to their 80s (in the case of James Earl Jones at the Old Vic) have played Benedick, so he falls somewhere in the middle. "There's a lot of stuff about age in the play. We had quite a few conversations in rehearsals about what it means to be single in your 40s. Society asks questions about why you haven't coupled up  there's a lot of pressure. Katherine and I have really enjoyed exploring that, it's quite rich territory."

Shakespeare scholar Howard Bloom labelled Much Ado "the most amiably nihilistic play ever written", and a lot of its humour lies in the sardonic sparring between its central couple. Heffernan says much of this tension comes from the "armour" they have each developed, after so long on their own. "They are so well matched, in their frames of reference and the way they communicate, but they both try to keep each other at bay. The play becomes about the process of shedding that skin and letting yourself be known to another person."

Having been a Shakespeare aficionado since childhood  to his mum's surprise he asked her to take him to an RSC production of King Lear when he was 12  he rates the play highly. "There are some Shakespearean comedies where you have to work really hard, and the gags need a lot of help, but Much Ado still holds up, it still works."

But he adds that its popularity poses challenges. "With certain moments, particularly the gulling scenes [in which Beatrice and Benedick are tricked into thinking the other loves them], it can be hard coming up with new bits of business. In some way the most radical thing is to do nothing."

John Heffernan and Katherine Parkinson as Benedick and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing

 Manuel Harlan

Heffernan has played a number of comic roles on stage and says it is a more "cutthroat" form of acting. "When the audience are silent during a tragedy, you tend to think 'either they're captivated or they're asleep'. You can try and fudge it a little bit. Whereas with a comedy, either they're laughing or they're not. So you have to be bold."

He relays the experience of doing She Stoops to Conquer at the National in 2012, which featured a lot of direct audience address. "You might try to eyeball someone in the stalls and then realise they're looking at their watch. You've got to be prepared to fall flat on your arse, but the reward when it goes right is great."

Heffernan's CV is enviable in its range, both on stage and screen. He has also worked with a broad spectrum of directors, from Joe Hill-Gibbins and Carrie Cracknell to Jamie Lloyd and Trevor Nunn, and is quick to praise Much Ado's Simon Godwin. "He's a naturally very funny man, and he's wonderful at creating a company. He's also super smart, and has a great eye. He's involved in every aspect of the production."

Godwin is another fast-rising National stalwart, and Heffernan describes it as a place where "you're surrounded by creativity". He says he particularly enjoys its collegiate nature. "To be able to walk into a building, where everybody is working together from every possible angle to create that evening's show is a very special and unique thing."

He adds that, as a father of two children with his wife Kathryn, who works at the National, he's particularly impressed with how they support parents. He cites the example of a creative working there currently, who has been able to bring her new baby into rehearsals. "The hours are obviously not so great with young kids, and it can be tricky, but the National is genuinely amazing when it comes to helping out with childcare."

As for future plans, he says he tries to take the roles as they come. Having known him since university, I've long been impressed by his knowledge of theatre (many moons ago he directed me in a student production of Hamlet), and I'm curious to know if directing might be something he'd consider in a professional capacity? "I don't think so  I found it a bit lonely," he replies, adding that he is very happy to continue on the path he is currently on.

"As long as I get to do stuff that has a range, and doesn't too tightly pigeonhole me, then that excites me," he says. "Part of the joy of this job is that you never know what's next. I had no idea this was going to happen, it was a bolt out the blue, and it's been the most wonderful experience."
More than 80 Manitoba residential school survivors, their families and caregivers will travel together to Edmonton next week to see Pope Francis.

Two buses for survivors are being sponsored by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, one leaving from Thompson and one from Winnipeg.

The goal is to help promote the healing journeys, said Alyson Fournier, who provides support and trauma care for survivors. ANDREW MEDICHINI / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES More than 80 Manitoba residential school survivors, their families and caregivers will travel together to Edmonton next week to see Pope Francis.

MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee will accompany the group on its drive to Edmonton.

In a statement, Settee said he is going to support the ongoing healing work of the survivors and their descendants My hope is to provide support to the MKO citizens who are also making the journey to hear from the Catholic leader.

It is my wish to hear a sincere apology from Pope Francis delivered to those who were forced to attend residential schools in Canada, he added, noting survivors have been waiting a long time for such an apology.

Those words wont make the difference for everyone, Settee acknowledged.

Healing happens differently for all of us. There is no right way to heal from the generational trauma that has been inflicted upon our people due to the residential school system.

The Archdiocese of St. Boniface, too, will be sending a bus of survivors from Poplar River, Berens River, Bloodvein, Little Grand Rapids/Pauingassi, Hollow Water, Manigotagan and Sagkeeng/Fort Alexander.

That group will be accompanied by Archbishop Albert LeGatt.

faith@freepress.mb.ca
LONDON (AP)  Millions of people in Britain stayed home or sought shade Monday during the countrys first-ever extreme heat warning, as the hot, dry weather that has scorched mainland Europe for the past week moved north, buckling rail lines and forcing two airports to close their runways.

The red heat alert covers a big chunk of England and is to last through Tuesday, when temperatures may reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for the first time, posing a risk of serious illness and even death among healthy people, according to the Met Office, the U.K.s meteorological agency.

The extreme heat warning stretches from London in the south to Manchester and Leeds in the north. A young family of Tufted ducks walk near to a soldier from the Queen's Guard on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace during warm weather in London, Sunday July 17, 2022 The Met office has issued its first-ever red warning of extreme heat for Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures in southern England may reach 40 C (104 F) for the first time. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

The temperature Monday reached 38.1 C (100.6 F) at Downham in eastern England, just shy of the highest-ever recorded in Britain  38.7 C (101.7 F), a record set in 2019. The country isnt at all prepared to handle such heat  most homes, schools and small businesses in Britain dont have air conditioning.

Wales provisionally recorded its highest-ever temperature, the Met Office said: 37.1 C (95.5 F) at Hawarden in northeastern Wales.

At least four people were reported to have drowned across the U.K. in rivers, lakes and reservoirs while trying to cool off. A man sits on a bench on the south bank of river Thames, in London, Monday, July 18, 2022. Britains first-ever extreme heat warning is in effect for large parts of England as hot, dry weather that has scorched mainland Europe for the past week moves north, disrupting travel, health care and schools. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Flights were suspended at Londons Luton Airport as engineers repaired the runway after high surface temperatures caused a small section to lift. RAF Brize Norton, a major air force base northwest of London, also closed its runway because of the heat. The air force said aircraft are using alternative airfields in line with a long established plan.

Temperatures are expected to rise further as the warm air moves north on Tuesday, Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby said.

So its tomorrow that were really seeing the higher chance of 40 degrees (104 F) and temperatures above that, Endersby told the BBC. Forty-one isnt off the cards. Weve even got some 43s in the model, but were hoping it wont be as high as that. People prepare to enter the sea in Penzance, Cornwall, England, Monday July 18, 2022. The British government have issued their first-ever "red" warning for extreme heat. The alert covers large parts of England on Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures may reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for the first time, posing a risk of serious illness and even death among healthy people, the U.K. Met Office, the country's weather service, said Friday. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

Hot weather has gripped southern Europe since last week, triggering wildfires in Spain, Portugal and France. Almost 600 heat-related deaths have been reported in Spain and Portugal, where temperatures reached 47 C (117 F) last week.

Climate experts warn that global warming has increased the frequency of extreme weather events, with studies showing that the likelihood of temperatures in the U.K. reaching 40 C (104 F) is now 10 times higher than in the pre-industrial era. Drought and heat waves tied to climate change have also made wildfires harder to fight.

Officials in southern Frances Gironde region announced plans to evacuate an additional 3,500 people from towns threatened by the raging flames. More than 1,500 firefighters and water-bombing planes are trying to douse the flames in the regions tinder-dry pine forests. Sweat drips down the face of a member of the Household Troop at Horse Guards Parade in central London, Monday July 18, 2022. Britains first-ever extreme heat warning is in effect for large parts of England as authorities prepare for record high temperatures that are already disrupting travel, health care and schools. The red alert will last throughout Monday and Tuesday when temperatures may reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for the first time, posing a risk of serious illness and even death among healthy people, according to the U.K. Met Office, the countrys weather service. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)

In Britain, train operators asked customers not to travel unless absolutely necessary, saying the heat was likely to warp rails and disrupt power supplies, leading to severe delays. Some routes were running at reduced speed or shutting down entirely in the afternoon amid peak temperatures.

Medical appointments were canceled to relieve strains on the National Health Service. Some schools closed while others set up wading pools and water sprays to help children cool off. Most British schools have not yet closed for the summer.

The extreme heat even led Parliament to loosen its strict dress code. The Speaker of the House of Commons said male lawmakers could dispense with jackets and ties for the week. A man sunbathes on the beach at Mousehole, Cornwall, in England, Monday, July 18, 2022. Britains first-ever extreme heat warning is in effect for large parts of England as authorities prepare for record high temperatures that are already disrupting travel, health care and schools. The red alert will last throughout Monday and Tuesday when temperatures may reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for the first time, posing a risk of serious illness and even death among healthy people, according to the U.K. Met Office, the countrys weather service. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

The high temperatures are even more of a shock since Britain usually has very moderate summer temperatures. Across the U.K., average July temperatures range from a daily high of 21 C (70 F) to a low of 12 C (53 F).

But nightfall on Monday will bring little relief from the heat, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures of 29 C (84 F) at midnight in London. Monday night will be very oppressive and it will be difficult to sleep, Chief Meteorologist Paul Davies said.

Tomorrow is the day where we are really concerned about a good chance now of hitting 40 or 41 C, and with that all the health conditions that come with those higher temperatures, he said.

___

Follow APs climate coverage at https://www.apnews.com/climate
LA TESTE-DE-BUCH, France (AP)  A heat wave broiling Europe spilled northward Monday to Britain and fueled ferocious wildfires in Spain and France, which evacuated thousands of people and scrambled water-bombing planes and firefighters to battle flames in tinder-dry forests.

Two people were killed in the blazes in Spain that its prime minister linked to global warming, saying, Climate change kills.

That toll comes on top of the hundreds of heat-related deaths reported in the Iberian peninsula, as high temperatures have gripped the continent in recent days and triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans. Some areas, including northern Italy, are also experiencing extended droughts. Climate change makes such life-threatening extremes less of a rarity  and heat waves have come even to places like Britain, which braced for possible record-breaking temperatures. This photo provided by the fire brigade of the Gironde region (SDIS 33) shows a wildfire near Landiras, southwestern France, Sunday July 17, 2022. Firefighters battled wildfires raging out of control in France and Spain on Sunday as Europe wilted under an unusually extreme heat wave that authorities in Madrid blamed for hundreds of deaths. (SDIS 33 via AP)

The hot weather in the U.K. was expected to be so severe this week that train operators warned it could warp the rails and some schools set up wading pools to help children cool off.

In France, heat records were broken and swirling hot winds complicated firefighting in the countrys southwest.

The fire is literally exploding, said Marc Vermeulen, the regional fire service chief who described tree trunks shattering as flames consumed them, sending burning embers into the air and further spreading the blazes. This photo provided by the fire brigade of the Gironde region (SDIS 33) shows firefighters fighting wildfire near Landiras, southwestern France, Sunday July 17, 2022 . Firefighters battled wildfires raging out of control in France and Spain on Sunday as Europe wilted under an unusually extreme heat wave that authorities in Madrid blamed for hundreds of deaths. (SDIS 33 via AP)

Were facing extreme and exceptional circumstances, he said.

Authorities evacuated more towns, moving another 14,900 people from areas that could find themselves in the path of the fires and choking smoke. In all, more than 31,000 people have been forced from their homes and summer vacation spots in the Gironde region since the wildfires began July 12.

Three additional planes were sent to join six others fighting the fires, scooping up seawater and making repeated runs through dense clouds of smoke, the Interior Ministry said Sunday night. A firefighting plane drops retardant on a forest fire in the Castellgali area of Catalonia, Spain on Sunday July 17, 2022. Firefighters battled wildfires raging out of control in Spain and France as Europe wilted under an unusually extreme heat wave that authorities in Madrid blamed for hundreds of deaths. (Lorena Sopena/Europa Press via AP)

More than 200 reinforcements headed to join the 1,500 firefighters trying to contain the blazes in the Gironde, where flames neared prized vineyards and billowed smoke across the Arcachon maritime basin famed for its oysters and beaches.

Spain, meanwhile, reported a second fatality in two days in its own blazes. The body of a 69-year-old sheep farmer was found Monday in the same hilly area where a 62-year-old firefighter died a day earlier when he was trapped by flames in the northwestern Zamora province. More than 30 forest fires around Spain have forced the evacuation of thousands of people and blackened 220 square kilometers (85 square miles) of forest and scrub.

Passengers on a train through Zamora got a frightening, close look at a blaze, when their train halted in the countryside. Video of the unscheduled  and unnerving  stop showed about a dozen passengers in a railcar becoming alarmed as they looked out of the windows at the flames encroaching on both sides of the track. People sit covering their heads from the sun after a scaled down version of the Changing of the Guard ceremony took place outside Buckingham Palace, during hot weather in London, Monday, July 18, 2022. Britain's first-ever extreme heat warning is in effect for large parts of England as hot, dry weather that has scorched mainland Europe for the past week moves north, disrupting travel, health care and schools. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Climate scientists say heat waves are more intense, more frequent and longer because of climate change  and coupled with droughts have made wildfires harder to fight. They say climate change will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

Climate change kills, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Monday during a visit to the Extremadura region, the site of three major blazes. It kills people, it kills our ecosystems and biodiversity.

Teresa Ribera, Spains minister for ecological transition, described her country as literally under fire as she attended talks on climate change in Berlin. Smoke rises from at a forest fire near Louchats, 35 kms (22 miles) from Landiras in Gironde, southwestern France, Monday, July 18, 2022. France scrambled more water-bombing planes and hundreds more firefighters to combat spreading wildfires that were being fed Monday by hot swirling winds from a searing heat wave broiling much of Europe. With winds changing direction, authorities in southwestern France announced plans to evacuate more towns and move out 3,500 people at risk of finding themselves in the path of the raging flames. (Phillippe Lopez)

She warned of terrifying prospects still for the days to come  after more than 10 days of temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), cooling only moderately at night.

At least 748 heat-related deaths have been reported in the heat wave in Spain and neighboring Portugal, where temperatures reached 47 C (117 F) earlier this month.

The heat wave in Spain was forecast to ease on Tuesday, but the respite will be brief as temperatures rise again on Wednesday, especially in the dry western Extremadura region. People cool off while walking along the beach in Laredo, northern Spain, Monday, July 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

In Britain, officials have issued the first-ever extreme heat warning, and the weather service forecast that the record high of 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019, could be shattered.

Forty-one isnt off the cards, said Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby. Weve even got some 43s in the model, but were hoping it wont be as high as that.

Frances often-temperate Brittany region sweltered with a record 39.3 C (102.7 F) degrees in the port of Brest, surpassing a high of 35.1 C that had stood since September 2003, French weather service Meteo-France said.

Regional records in France were broken in over a dozen towns, as the weather service said Monday was the hottest day of this heat wave.

The Balkans region expected the worst of the heat later this week, but has already seen sporadic wildfires.

Early Monday, authorities in Slovenia said firefighters brought one fire under control. Croatia sent a water-dropping plane there to help after struggling last week with its own wildfires along the Adriatic Sea. A fire in Sibenik forced some people to evacuate their homes but was later extinguished.

In Portugal, much cooler weather Monday helped fire crews make progress. More than 600 firefighters attended four major fires in northern Portugal.

___

Leicester reported from Le Pecq. Associated Press journalists Danica Kirka and Jill Lawless in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Raquel Redondo in Madrid, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, and Jovana Gec from Belgrade, Serbia, contributed.

___

Follow APs climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
Canada must make good on a long-standing promise to implement a centralized mental health crisis line that bypasses police and connects those in need with professionals who can help them, experts argued as a similar system went live in the United States.

The new 988 mental health hotline American authorities launched on Saturday will, once fully operational, offer residents struggling with suicidal thoughts an easy-to-remember number that will connect them with trained mental health counsellors rather than law enforcement personnel.

Mental health advocates have been pushing for a similar system in Canada, and the House of Commons unanimously voted in favour of establishing a three-digit suicide prevention number in 2020, but those working in the field of suicide prevention said the gold standard now established south of the border makes it clear that Canada has some catching up to do. In this Aug. 11, 2019, file photo, a man uses a cell phone in New Orleans. Pressure is mounting for Canada to establish a three-digit suicide crisis hotline, similar to the one implemented by the United States this weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Jenny Kane

Sheryl Boswell, the executive director of Youth Mental Health Canada, said Canada should act fast to establish this essential mental health service.

We need to adopt best practices from other countries and go beyond that to do much better than what were doing, she said in a telephone interview on Sunday. Lets hope it doesnt take years to adopt 988 in Canada.

Dr. Allison Crawford, the chief medical officer for Talk Suicide Canada and a psychiatrist with Torontos Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, said a system like 988 would both show those struggling with mental health crises that suicide prevention is taken seriously and make it easier for Canadians to access urgent help.

The growing demand for mental health services spurred in part by the COVID-19 pandemic makes the need for such a system particularly pressing, she added.

There are huge mental health needs in our communities and thats only grown over the last number of years, she said.

I see this as one important access point into a mental health service that I think needs renewal, she added, noting shed also like to see improvements in wraparound mental health support that go beyond crisis services.

Pressure to take action is mounting in the political realm, too.

Todd Doherty, Conservative Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, B.C. who introduced the successful motion to establish a centralized hotline system back in 2020, said in a recent statement hes disappointed in what he calls the governments shameful lack of action on the issue.

Despite receiving the support of grassroots and national mental health organizations, municipalities from across the country and the unanimous support of parliamentarians, this lifesaving initiative remains unavailable to Canadians and its status continues to be unknown, the statement read.

A Health Canada spokesperson said the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is evaluating how this number could be introduced and the department expects a decision from the agency later this year.

The department recognizes the importance of everyone in Canada having access to critical mental health and suicide prevention resources, read an emailed statement.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is also currently trying to estimate the expected demand for this hotline and plan for managing increased call volumes, the spokesperson added.

The CRTC did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Statistics Canada reported in 2021 that on average more than 10 Canadians die by suicide every day, and Boswell said its expected that 446 people aged 10 to 24 will die by suicide each year.

Given the rates of suicide in Canada, Boswell said the country is never doing enough in terms of supporting those who struggle with suicidal thoughts.

And one death by suicide is too many, she added.

One of many benefits of a 988 number, Boswell said, would be eliminating the involvement of police for wellness checks.

A three-digit number for mental health crisis and support is what we need, not 911 criminalizing mental health. Not police response in uniforms and marked police cars, she said.

This is a health crisis and we need a compassionate health response.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2022.



This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
Suncor Energy Inc. said Monday that it has reached a deal with activist investor Elliott Investment Management LP that will see it undertake a strategic review of its Petro-Canada gas station chain with the goal of unlocking shareholder value.

The review of Suncors retail business will include the consideration of a range of alternatives including a potential sale of the operations, the company said in a statement.

There are more than 1,500 Petro-Canada gas stations and store locations nationwide. Suncor Energy Inc. says it has reached a deal with activist investor Elliott Investment Management LP that will see it undertake a strategic review of its downstream retail business with the goal of "unlocking shareholder value. The Suncor Refinery in Edmonton is seen on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

In an interview, Eight Capital analyst Phil Skolnick said he doesnt think Suncor will sell the Petro-Canada retail business in the end.

If they go through with a big sale process with retail, itll be a distraction to fixing the operational issues and personnel issues on the mining side, he added. Eight Capital downgraded its rating on Suncor to sell from neutral last week.

But if Suncor does end up making the move to sell its retail business, Skolnick said there would likely be multiple players involved in buying it. He didnt offer any ideas on who that could potentially be.

In a note to clients Monday, Credit Suisse analyst Manav Gupta said he does see the possibility of Suncor selling its retail business. Credit Suisse has an outperform rating on the stock.

We estimate normalized (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of $800 million for this business, he said. We see this business getting pre-tax cash proceeds of $9.6 billion to $11.2 billion and after tax cash proceeds of $7.7 billion to $8.9 billion.

RBC analyst Irene Nattel said in a note to clients that Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. would likely be interested in participating in the sale of Petro-Canada.

As with any potential transaction of size, we would expect (Alimentation Couche-Tard) to be part of any potential process involving Suncor retail assets, but market concentration likely precludes it from bidding for the full network, she said.

In 2016, Alimentation Couche-Tard acquired a significant portion of Imperial Oil Ltd.s 497 Esso retail stations.

Suncors board expects to complete the strategic review in the fourth quarter of this year and will provide an update at that time.

The agreement announced Monday will also see three new independent directors join the companys board.

The new board members are former BHP Billiton executive Ian Ashby, former Devon Canada president Chris Seasons and former Talisman Energy executive Jackie Sheppard.

Suncor is committed to the ongoing renewal of its board of directors to ensure we maintain diverse and qualified directors who are charged with overseeing the companys strategy and driving shareholder value, Suncor board chair Michael Wilson said in Mondays statement.

Skolnick said the three new board members are strong choices and will provide the right mix of mining and corporate transaction knowledge and expertise.

Elliott had expressed frustration with Suncor in April in what it called a recent decline in performance at the energy producer. In a letter, the firm called for an overhaul of Suncors board and management, along with the possible sale of Petro-Canada. Elliott highlighted Suncors safety track record, as well as other operational challenges and the companys lagging share price.

We appreciate the collaborative dialogue we have had with Suncors board and fully support the appointment of three new independent directors who will bring fresh, relevant perspectives into the boardroom, as well as the boards commitment to explore strategic options with respect to Suncors retail business, Elliott partner John Pike and portfolio manager Mike Tomkins said in Mondays statement.

Suncor chief executive Mark Little resigned earlier this month, one day after the company announced the death of a contractor at its Base Mine north of Fort McMurray, Alta., the latest in a string of workplace deaths and safety incidents that have plagued the energy giant.

Kris Smith, executive vice-president of Suncors Downstream division, was named interim CEO.

Two of the new directors will serve on the committee that the board has formed to conduct a global search to select the companys next CEO.

Gupta said Suncors next CEO will likely be an external candidate.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2022.

Companies in this story: (TSX:SU, TSX:ATD, TSX:IMO)
WASHINGTON  Its not just the relentless parade of deadly mass shootings, the draconian assault on abortion rights or even the prospect of a Donald Trump comeback that has Mackenzie Fresquez exploring a move to Canada.

Rather, its the abiding sense that in the United States, a country thats supposed to revere Abraham Lincolns government of, by and for the people, shes powerless to do anything about it.

It really just feels kind of hopeless, said Fresquez, 29, who lives in the Denver suburb of Lakewood with her husband, Isaac. Motorists wait at U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection booths at the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine, Wash., across the Canada-U.S. border from Surrey, B.C., on Monday, November 8, 2021. Amid ongoing cultural and social upheaval in the U.S., more Americans are seriously considering a move north of the border. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Both are keen outdoor enthusiasts who work as land surveyors in Colorado, where Fresquez moved from Ohio so she could frolic in the shadows of her beloved Rocky Mountains and one day start a family.

But sending children to school in the U.S. no longer seems like a good idea, she said  and theres no reason to think thats going to change.

Even if we elect all the right people  which, even that takes a lot in a country thats so divided  its just how our government is set up and how its running right now, Fresquez said.

It just feels like theres nothing really I can do, even if I do go full-bore activist and get everyone to go vote  I dont really know if it would change that much.

Her adopted home has a dark history of mass shootings: Littleton, home to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, is nearby, as is Aurora, where a gunman killed 12 people at a midnight movie premiere a decade ago.

Since May, three mass shootings  Buffalo, N.Y., Uvalde, Tex., and Highland Park, Ill.  have killed 36 people in the space of two months, including 19 children in a Texas elementary school classroom.

Just last year, Fresquez said, a friend left a grocery store in Boulder just 20 minutes before a gunman walked in and killed 10 people. Its things like that that just remind me it can really happen anywhere.

Statistics from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada show a fairly steady increase in the number of people from the U.S. who were granted permanent residence in Canada each year since 2015.

After a sharp decline during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the number of successful U.S. applicants reached 11,950 in 2021, up from just 7,655 in 2015 and the highest annual total since at least 1980.

So far, 2022 is shaping up to be another banner year: 3,235 applications were approved in the first quarter, the highest total for that three-month period in the last eight years.

In total, 70,330 applications from the U.S. have been approved since the end of 2014, including 5,040 in the first five months of 2022 alone.

Progressive-minded Americans arent lacking for motivation.

Top of mind for many is the Supreme Courts decision last month to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that for nearly 50 years had effectively guaranteed a womans right to a safe and legal abortion.

Fresquez, whose husband is Hispanic, said she fears a collapsing separation between church and state in a country where a conservative Supreme Court is dramatically reshaping Americas social and cultural contours.

The couple is exploring a move to Alberta, getting work permits under a section of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that streamlines the approval process for some 60 different professional occupations.

There are other precedents based off the same precedent that they negated when they overturned Roe, one of them being interracial marriage,she said.

This is maybe thinking a little extreme, but what if something like that was overturned? Is our marriage going to be affected?

Jo Kreyling, a video game developer who runs Pillow Fight Games out of her northern Virginia home with husband Conrad, said shes actively planning to move her family to Vancouver Island.

Kreyling wants to have another child. But her family vacations each year in North Carolina, one of roughly two dozen states where a post-Roe crackdown on abortion is either already in place or well underway.

If I get an ectopic pregnancy in the Outer Banks in two years, is that going to be safe for me? she wonders aloud.

From the big things like Roe vs. Wade to the extremely local thing, its all impacting the number 1 idea of, Its unsafe to have a family here.'

A vivid illustration of the U.S. hysteria surrounding abortion has been playing out this week in Indiana, where the shocking case of a 10-year-old rape victim has become a volatile political flashpoint.

The girl, unable to get an abortion in her home state of Ohio, travelled to Indiana for the procedure, which was reported in accordance with state laws that ban abortions after 22 weeks except in medical emergencies.

But that hasnt stopped the states attorney general from vowing to investigate the doctor who performed it, and certain right-wing lawmakers and media outlets from initially doubting the reports were even true.

Pulling up stakes and moving to Canada, of course, is harder than it might sound.

While the federal government has a variety of different channels and programs designed to attract certain would-be migrants, immigration experts say its important to understand that not everyone qualifies.

There are routes that can be taken, but not by everybody, and knowing how to navigate them requires some planning, said lawyer Henry Chang, a Toronto-based partner in the Employment and Labour group at Dentons who specializes in Canada-U.S. business immigration.

In Canada, certain skills and attributes are given priority over others. As a result, not everyone will be able to qualify for Canadian permanent residence.

There are three main categories for those interested in migrating permanently to Canada, and all of them have rigid criteria.

Applicants to the Federal Skilled Worker program must meet minimum standards for work experience, language skills and education level before being scored on a variety of factors.

A passing grade  67 out of 100  adds applicants to the pool of candidates known as Express Entry, where they are evaluated a second time; the highest-ranking among them are invited to apply for permanent residence.

Would-be migrants with at least a years worth of recent skilled work experience in Canada under a valid work permit can qualify under the Canadian Experience Class and be added to the Express Entry pool on that basis.

The Federal Skilled Trades program is reserved for those with at least two years recent work experience in a variety of disciplines, from industrial work and construction to chefs, butchers and bakers.

Most experts agree that the best strategy for those seeking permanent residence is a long-term one. For example, they can seek a study permit to obtain a degree in Canada, which can lead to a work permit, which would make the Experience Class an option at a later date.

In Canada, where abortion is decriminalized, the federal Liberal government has vowed to defend a womans right to choose, although theyve offered little in the way of detail.

This decision does not just impact Americans, and Canada is not immune to the potential repercussions, said Cid Cabillan, issues manager for Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

Canada is in regular contact with the U.S. government on issues related to our shared border and immigration. We will continue working with our U.S. counterparts while ensuring we remain fair and compassionate regarding immigration between our two countries.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2022.
When Rob Cohen arrived at the Grace Hospital emergency room on Thursday, screaming in pain, he was hoping for relief but was told no doctor was on duty, he and his wife said.

The Cohens experience  waiting more than hour for a doctor to arrive to an emergency room in the afternoon on a weekday  is an example of how Manitobas health-care system is broken, Sandy Cohen, 58, said.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority could not be reached for comment Sunday. Late Monday morning, the WRHA said it had confirmed that there were three doctors on shift in the Grace emergency department on Thursday afternoon. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Rob Cohen, shown with wife Sandy, went to the Grace Hospital emergency room in severe pain but they say it took more than an hour for a doctor to arrive and authorize pain medication.

While we cannot comment on individual cases, our physicians are experienced, dedicated, hard-working professionals who, despite ongoing challenges in our (emergency departments), are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to all our patients, a WRHA spokesperson said in an email.

Late afternoon Sunday, the wait-time at the Graces emergency department was listed at 7.75 hours.

Rob Cohen, 59, was diagnosed with bladder cancer and treated in 2013. After immunotherapy, he has had no reoccurrences since 2015.

In May of this year, doctors found a spot in his bladder, and he went in for a surgery  transurethral resection  to remove it on July 13, after a postponement.

When he came out of his procedure on Wednesday, he was catheterized, Sandy said.

When he came home, through the night, it would appear that there was probably swelling from the trauma of surgery, and his bladder became blocked, most likely from swelling, Sandy, a bookkeeper, said.

He wasnt able to void (his urine). Because he wasnt able to void, his bladder became full his body, his bladder, was spasming, which was causing him horrific pain.

His urologist told the couple to get to the emergency department.

The screener that was there at the door said, Theres no doctor on staff at that point, she said.

She put us through, and he went and immediately sat in the chair where they take his information, and then the woman doing the intake at that point said to the woman doing the vitals and triage, He needs to be seen first.

It took more than an hour for a doctor to arrive and eventually authorize the use of opioid pain medications, according to the couple, while Rob Cohen writhed in pain and nurses and health-care aides apologized profusely.

He was discharged at about 7:30 p.m., after narcotic painkillers took effect and he had had an ultrasound.

I can understand walking into an ER and the doctor is tied up with a critical patients  I totally get that. But walking into an ER and before I get past the screener, being told theres no doctor on in the ER  what is that? Sandy Cohen said.

This government made all these changes, they closed however many ER rooms, and their explanation for that is for efficiency and effectiveness.

In 2017, the WRHA converted the emergency departments at Victoria and Seven Oaks hospitals to 24/7 urgent care centres, while Concordias ER department was converted to an urgent care centre in 2019. The Misericordia Health Centres 24-hour urgent care centre was also closed.

That left emergency rooms at the Grace, Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface. At the time, the authority said the move was to streamline and concentrate resources, rather than spread them over multiple sites.

The wait was so excruciating, Rob Cohen said, he sought medical advice at the Grace on how to remove his catheter at home this week so he doesnt have to return to hospital.

If I dont do that, Im going to sit there and wait, and this thing hurts, the recent retiree said. Its obscene, really.

Sandy Cohen said she believes people will die needlessly because they cant access treatment.

Im very angry, Im livid with our medical system. I dont want anybody I know to be sick and have to be in the hospital or have to access medicine, Sandy Cohen said.

Its not the health-care professionals, its the system that our government put in place, and we got to see it up close and personal  for real how bad it is.

The Cohens said theyd like to see ERs reopen and medical workers given fair contracts.

Do I want something to happen? Yes, I very much do. Do I have faith our government is going to do it? No, I dont, I dont, and its really sad, Sandy Cohen said.

I have no faith that Manitoba health cares going to get better.

One of the Cohens two daughters plans to pursue medicine as a career, Sandy Cohen said. Theyve told her to move out of province after she gets her education.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @erik_pindera
A teen male has been arrested after a counsellor and several children were sprayed Friday with a noxious substance during a day camp in the Maples.

Officers were called to O.V. Jewitt Community School, a K-8 facility at 66 Neville St., at around 1 p.m. after an 18-year-old day camp staff member was hit with what Winnipeg police called Monday a lingering noxious spray.

The attack also affected six children aged six to nine years old.

No one required hospitalization; the children and female staff member were treated at the scene, police said.

City police arrested a 16-year-old male Friday evening.

The teen, who was released on an undertaking to appear in court, faces seven charges related to assault with a weapon. Investigators believe the day camp employee was approached by two youth who fled after she was sprayed, and the three knew each other.

Seven Oaks School Divisions Balanced Experiential Education Program co-ordinator, Meghan Cook, said the incident occurred during one of its camps, was handled quickly and the victim is doing well.

Police attended and are conducting an investigation, she said. Just making sure kids and parents were well taken care of  that was kind of my focus.

Police did not clarify to her what the noxious substance was, Cook said.

I would say that it was a completely unusual and kind of unheard-of sort of situation, when it happened it definitely caught us by surprise, she said.

Earlier this month, a child taking part in a day camp at Kildonan Park was randomly assaulted by a man. The child had no lasting injuries and was able to participate in the camp after the incident. The man, who has low-functioning autism and did not have a caregiver watching him at the time, did not face charges.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

The Kamloopa Powwow held on Tkemlups te Secwepemc territory is usually a big deal  maybe not so much this year.

Held in the middle of summer, the powwow near Kamloops B.C. is normally one of the best attended in the country with nearly $100,000 in prize money for dancers and drum groups.

Last Tuesday, the Kamloopa Powwow Society organizing committee announced its schedule and rules for dancers for the 41st annual competitive powwow.

Anyone competing must have at least one-quarter Native blood and be in full regalia during competitions, grand entries, exhibitions/spot checks and to be of the correct gender for that category.

It was all downhill from there.

The reaction on social media was swift, with thousands of posts and videos by Indigenous peoples calling for a boycott due to colonial ancestry rules, body control, and excluding two-spirit people and promoting transphobia.

An explosion of internet memes emerged. My favourite: Must have Bannock bum to prove lineage and dance.

Soon after, hundreds of dancers, drum groups, and sponsors of the powwow  including the company hired to keep scores for the dancing prizes  announced withdrawls from the event.

Then came the tipping point, when leadership of the Tkemlups te Secwepemc issued a statement that the powwow committee was independent of the First Nation.

Ouch. In 48 hours, one of the Canadas largest powwows had become one of the smallest; if it is even held at all.

A committee representative responded and argued the rules had been in effect for twenty years, adding that the demands for Native blood were the result of a non-Indigenous dancer from Germany winning a category and the correct gender stipulation was because an elder wanted the jingle dance category to be a womens only event.

In all powwows, there are seven competitive dance categories: fancy bustle, fancy shawl, grass, jingle dress, chicken, and two different traditional styles.

These are most often gendered, with men dancing fancy bustle, grass, and chicken in their own traditional category and women dancing fancy shawl, and jingle dress in their own traditional dress.

LGBTTQ+ peoples, and in particular the two-spirit community, have pointed out that gender binaries didnt originally exist in Indigenous cultures, with the categories male and female being more about role in traditional society  the work one does  than biology.

Activists argue that to incorporate these in powwow is to import western and Christian ideas of sexuality and gender and goes against the ways Indigenous cultures function.

To add to this, Indigenous society has also inherited legacies from residential schools of policing bodies and clothing. The idea that Kamloopa powwow judges would spot check dancers to verify the wearing of regalia when not dancing has some terrible precedents.

This is not to mention how most forms of gendered violence often targets Indigenous women and is full of messages like how women must be modest and wear skirts to cover up areas of their body  while men do not have to do the same.

The Kamloopa powwow  and many others who enforce similar rules  received a big message by Friday, and needed to change.

This change has been happening for a long time now. In Winnipeg, the two-spirit community has held their own powwow since 2016, allowing Indigenous dancers to dance their own style.

Like the term niizh-manidowag, or two-spirit (also birthed in Winnipeg in 1990), other communities have followed suit.

But, the lure of the powwow trail, which features tens of thousands of dollars for dancers competing in Indigenous communities from coast to coast, is powerful.

Now, powwows are being forced to confront these questions around gender, sexuality, and identity, too.

Most now have opened up categories, making them effectively genderless. Judges are told to determine winners based on dance style and dress  not a persons genitals.

Some offer the switch dance, a special event where males dance female styles and vice-versa. Others hold two-spirit honour dances. These are good steps, but miss the point of inclusivity.

These are the steps the Kamloopa Powwow Society announced they would take, after apologizing on social media.

By Saturday, organizers issued a statement announcing we have removed outdated and discriminatory language regarding gender and updated the rules to welcome all self-identified Indigenous people. Organizers added as annual committment to a switch dance special and 2Spirit round dance, as well as the appointment of youth and a 2Spirit Member to its committee.

And, to update: non-Indigenous Germans can dance, but cant win a category.

Its uncertain if the Kamloopa powwow will recover. This will become clear on July 29-31, when it is held.

The movement to make Indigenous celebrations and ceremonies more inclusive of all of our relations, however, cannot be stopped because it is driven by love.

niigaan.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca
Be alert Manitobans: invasive species are seeking to tag along on your beach and fishing trips.

Zebra mussels, rusty crayfish and spiny water fleas are the three main aquatic invasive species on the provinces radar. To prevent the spread, Candace Parks, aquatic invasive species specialist, said Manitobans should clean, drain and dry anything that goes in the water, be it boat, kayak or inflatable toy.

Although each species poses a threat to Manitobas ecosystems, Parks said zebra mussels are currently the greatest and most widespread. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Its a myth that zebra mussels cling only to boats. Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, sand toys and fishing rods must also be inspected and cleaned.

Zebra mussels are the poster child when it comes to aquatic invasive species, Parks said. We want to make sure we stop spreading species that we have and prevent any new aquatic invasive species from coming into Manitoba.

Zebra mussels likely first arrived in Manitoba in 2013. Although they were successfully removed in parts of Lake Winnipeg in 2014, they were later found in the southern basin of the lake and can no longer be eradicated.

The province now focuses on prevention, rather than elimination. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Rusty crayfish, like these specimens preserved for educational purposes, are among the top three most problematic aquatic invasive species in Manitoba.

The mussels remove plankton from the water, drastically impacting filtration and aquatic food chains. They are also microscopic in the youth stage, making them impossible to spot until adulthood.

To prevent the spread of zebra mussels, the government has set up six decontamination stations across the province. Manitobans who possess, bring or transport invasive species could receive a fine of $1,296. Those caught bypassing watercraft decontamination sites may also be fined $672.

Scott Higgins, a research scientist at the International Institute for Sustainable Development, explained aquatic invasive species are a detriment to ecosystems in many ways. Crucially, there are often no native predators to hunt them, leading to overpopulation and the loss of native species.

When a new species shows up in a lake or a river, they have the potential to cause large disruptions to food webs, in some cases eliminating species, which would mean a loss of native biodiversity, Higgins said. Even when species arent elimination, their abundance can be severely restricted.

Higgins said zebra mussels have an economic impact as well, clogging intake pipes in drinking water systems.

Ken Jeffries, an associate professor of biological sciences at the University of Manitoba, said introducing aquatic invasive species can lead to a loss of competition, changing the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem. He urges Manitobans to refrain from releasing live fish  including pet fish  into different bodies of water.

Sometimes, fishers will release live bait, which can cause a problem, Jeffries said.

The federal government has also taken action to prevent invasive species from wreaking havoc on ecosystems.

The Canada Food Inspection Agencyupdated the conditions for importing invertebrates, such as earthworms, into Canada. People must get a permit and zoo sanitary certificate to import frozen and preserved bait fish that are listed on the federal susceptible species list.

Parks said a common misconception is zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species only cling to boats. Rather, they may also cling to non-motorized watercraft (kayaks, canoes and paddleboards). Sand toys and fishing rods should also be thoroughly cleaned, Parks said.

Although zebra mussels cannot be eradicated from Manitobas waters, there are ways to slow the spread. Sightings in unreported areas can be reported onlinet (www.manitoba.ca) or by calling the provinces aquatic invasive species unit (1-877-867-2470).

Err on the side of caution, Parks said. We definitely need more people looking. Manitobans or visitors could be the eyes and ears on the landscape.

cierra.bettens@freepress.mb.ca
OTTAWA  Manitoba Sen. Don Plett is taking the unconventional step of endorsing a candidate in the Conservative leadership race, saying frontrunner Pierre Poilievre can rein in woke elements of the party.

Everyone has room in a Pierre Poilievre-led party, Plett told the Free Press.

As Conservative leader in the Senate, Plett planned to emulate the rest of the partys front bench by staying out of the race, which many Conservatives say is the most divisive in decades. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES As a member of the leadership team, I felt I should stay out of it. At the very tail part of this week decided that I would maybe not stay quite as neutral any more," said Manitoba Senator Don Plett on Friday, regarding his support of Conservative leadership frontrunner Pierre Poilievre.

For example, interim leader Candice Bergen, the MP for Portage-Lisgar, chose B.C. MP Ed Fast as finance critic, but she announced his resignation shortly after he decried Poilievres pledge to fire the governor of the Bank of Canada.

Senate leaders tend to not make endorsements in leadership races. Pletts predecessor did make an endorsement in the partys 2017 leadership race, but Plett opted against doing so in 2020.

As a member of the leadership team, I felt I should stay out of it, Plett said in an interview Friday. At the very tail part of this week decided that I would maybe not stay quite as neutral any more. JUSTIN TANG / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Don Plett supports leadership contender Pierre Poilievre for defending truck convoy members.

Plett said recent comments from senior Conservatives had him alarmed, but wouldnt name a specific person.

When people say, well if so-and-so wins, we cant win an election  then I feel that maybe we all have to come out of the closet and declare our stances, he said.

In recent weeks, longtime Conservative Marjory LeBreton said she was very worried by Poilievres lead in the polls. She said his embrace of the so-called freedom convoy went against conservative ideas of respecting law and order, and would make him unelectable in urban Canada.

LeBreton also feared the progressive flank of the party will be drowned out by a grievance brigade emanating from Western Canada. Its a concern she raised in the lead up to the merger of the Progressive Conservative and Canadian Alliance parties. Ultimately, that concern abated under Stephen Harper, who became primer minister in 2006  after which he gave her Pletts current job, as Conservative leader in the Senate.

Plett said Harper proved his party can hold together different views.

We have won elections with a diverse group of leaders, and we need to be a diverse party, said Plett, the partys former president.

Plett said he supported Poilievre in part because he stood up for convoy participants. To him, most were trying to make a point about vaccine mandates that lacked scientific justification, but ended up with Ottawa taking emergency powers to order some bank accounts frozen.

While the self-proclaimed leaders of the convoy movement had explicit plans to overthrow the government, many participants said they simply felt COVID-19 restrictions had gone too far.

We have had our freedoms taken away by this government; freedom of speech has been taken away, Plett said.

He took umbrage with people describing the Parliament Hill convoy as an illegal protest.

It only became supposedly illegal when they were told to clean up and they didnt move as fast as (instructed), he said.

This was a freedom convoy, of people who were frustrated.

Plett said cracking down on the protests, and describing the unvaccinated as having unacceptable views, has put strain on Canadas social fabric.

We have a woke society out there that we need to move back to where we were in the days of, absolutely, Stephen Harper  but also in the days of Brian Mulroney and our very founding forefathers and most Liberal prime ministers.

Plett said he had a lot of respect for Poilievres main challenger, Jean Charest, despite disagreeing with Charests assertion that the convoy was an illegal protest.

Plett said hell support whichever candidate the Tories elect as their new leader on Sept. 10.

The only way we can win elections is if we unite behind whoever wins.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
UVALDE, Texas (AP)  Two months after the Uvalde school massacre, Texas state police on Monday announced an internal review into the actions of dozens of troopers who were at Robb Elementary during 73 minutes of bewildering inaction by law enforcement as a gunman slaughtered 19 children and two teachers.

The announcement appeared to widen the fallout of a damning 80-page report released over the weekend by the Texas House that revealed failures at all levels of law enforcement and identified 91 state troopers at the scene  more than all Uvalde officers combined. It also amounted to a public shift by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which until now has largely criticized local authorities for failing to confront the gunman sooner.

The report made public Sunday laid bare for the first time just how massive a presence state police and U.S. Border Patrol had on the scene during one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history. FILE - In this photo from surveillance video provided by the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District via the Austin American-Statesman, authorities respond to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022. Nearly 400 law enforcement officials rushed to the mass shooting that left 21 people dead at the elementary school but systemic failures created a chaotic scene that lasted more than an hour before the gunman was finally confronted and killed, according to a report from investigators released Sunday, July 17, 2022. (Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)

You got 91 troopers on the scene. You got all the equipment you could possibly want, and youre listening to the local school cop? said state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat whose district includes Uvalde and who has accused DPS of seeking to minimize its role in the response.

The findings that Border Patrol agents and state troopers made up more than half of the 376 law enforcement officials who rushed to the South Texas school on May 24 spread the responsibility for a slow and bungled response far wider than previous accounts that emphasized mistakes by Uvalde officers.

The report made clear that egregiously poor decision making by authorities went beyond local law enforcement in Uvalde, who were eventually outnumbered more than 5-to-1 by state and federal officers at the scene. Other local police from the area around Uvalde also responded to the shooting. Media talks to the parents and other family members of shooting victim Uziyah Garcia after they picked up a copy of the Texas House investigative committee report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The report puts a new spotlight on the roles of state and federal agencies whose leaders, unlike local authorities, havent had to sit through meetings where they were confronted by the furious parents of the dead children.

Of the nearly 400 officers who converged on the school, only two are currently known to be on leave pending investigation into their actions: Pete Arredondo, the Uvalde Consolidated School District police chief, and Lt. Mariano Pargas, a Uvalde Police Department officer who was the citys acting police chief during the massacre.

State police have previously said no troopers at the scene have been suspended. On Monday, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the findings in the report are beyond disturbing but did not single out any one agency. Family of shooting victims listen to the Texas House investigative committee release its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas DPS did not put a timeline on when the review would be complete. It said the actions of every trooper, state police agent and Texas Ranger on the scene would be examined to determine if any violations of policy, law, or doctrine occurred.

Col. Steve McCraw, the director of Texas DPS, has previously laid much of the blame for the response at Arredondo, identifying him as the incident commander and criticizing him for treating the gunman in the classroom as a barricaded subject and not an active shooter.

The new report  the fullest accounting yet of the tragedy  also says Arredondo wasted critical time during the shooting by searching for a key to the classroom and not treating the gunman with more urgency. But it also emphasized that all law enforcement at the scene fumbled the response. FILE - Reggie Daniels pays his respects a memorial at Robb Elementary School on June 9, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Nearly 400 law enforcement officials rushed to the mass shooting that left 21 people dead at the elementary school but systemic failures created a chaotic scene that lasted more than an hour before the gunman was finally confronted and killed, according to a report from investigators released Sunday, July 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

There is no one to whom we can attribute malice or ill motives. Instead, we found systemic failures and egregiously poor decision making, the report said.

Abbott said there are critical changes needed but in a statement did not address whether any officers or agencies should be held accountable.

In Uvalde, meetings of the city council and school board in the eight weeks since the shooting have become recurring scenes of residents shouting at elected leaders for police accountability, which continued after the report was made public. Artists work on a mural to honor Eva Mireles, a teacher who was killed in the shootings at Robb Elementary school last month, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. The Texas House investigative committee released its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Its disgusting. Disgusting, said Michael Brown, whose 9-year-old son was in the schools cafeteria on the day of the shooting and survived. Theyre cowards.

Shame on you! Shame on you! the families of the slain children and teachers and their supporters chanted at school board members at a special meeting Monday night.

Brett Cross, an uncle of 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia, who was among those slain, berated board members at length as not holding themselves accountable for the massacre. He particularly challenged members for not knowing school exit doors were locked to the outside and for not firing Arredondo. A Texas State Trooper and other members of law enforcement listen to the Texas House investigative committee during a news conference after they released a full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

If hes not fired by noon tomorrow, I want your resignation and every single one of these board members because you dont give a damn about us or our children, Cross said, addressing Superintendent Hal Harrell.

Harrell said the report released over the weekend will help the board decide Arredondos future. However, he also noted that Arredondo is employed under a contract and cannot be fired at will.

Uvalde High School alumna Angela Villescaz, the founder of the group Fierce Madres, told board members that her organization has been surveying officials of schools that have suffered similar mass shootings. She offered the board her findings as advice so district officials do not try to reinvent the wheel. Tina Quintanilla-Taylor raises her and and voice as she tries to ask a question of the Texas House investigative committee at a news conference after they released its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

However, she took note of the DPS troopers standing in the room, and said:  I cant help but wonder if they just didnt find our children worthy of being saved.

Historically, the DPS has endured fraught relations with the Mexican-American community in Texas dating back to the 19th century. In the early 20th century, the Texas Rangers, from which the DPS evolved and remains part of, participated in numerous bloody attacks on Mexican nationals.

According to the report, the gunman fired approximately 142 rounds inside the school  and it is almost certain that at least 100 shots came before any officer entered, according to the committee, which laid out numerous failures. Michael Brown holds protest signs as the Texas House investigative committee prepares to present it's full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Among them: No one assumed command despite scores of officers on the scene, and no officer immediately tried to breach the classroom despite a dispatcher relaying a 911 call that there were victims in the room.

The report also criticized a Border Patrol tactical team, saying it waited for a bulletproof shield and working master key for a door to the classroom, which was most likely never locked, before entering. In all, the report put nearly 150 Border Patrol agents at the scene.

Cecilia Barreda, a spokeswoman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said Monday that a review of the agencys response was still underway and has not reached any final conclusions. Michael Brown holds protest signs during a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District where parents addressed last month's shooting at Robb Elementary School, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Hours after the report was released, Uvalde officials separately made public for the first time hours of body camera footage from the citys police officers who responded to the attack

One video from Uvalde Staff Sgt. Eduardo Canales, the head of the citys SWAT team, showed the officer approaching the classroom when gunfire rang out at 11:37 a.m.

A minute later, Canales said: Dude, weve got to get in there. Weve got to get in there, he just keeps shooting. Weve got to get in there. Another officer could be heard saying DPS is sending their people. Parents and family of students hold protest signs during a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District where parents addressed the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

It was 72 minutes later, at 12:50 p.m., when officers finally breached the classroom and kill the shooter.

___

Weber reported from Austin, Texas. Associated Press writer Terry Wallace in Dallas also contributed to this report.

___

More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/school-shootings

___

This story has been corrected to show Brett Cross relationship with the slain child is uncle, not father.
As the year concludes, for many it is a time to reflect on the past year and dream about the next. Prominent members of the Winona community a
JUNEAU  A 20-year-old Oconomowoc man made his initial appearance in court Monday on charges of taking $94,000 worth of property after using a forklift to gain entry into his former boss business.

James Schmeling faces felony counts of burglary and two counts of theft of movable property, and misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property and theft of moveable property. If convicted on the burglary charge, he could face up to 7 years in prison and five years of extended supervision.

Schmeling appeared before Dodge County Circuit Court Commissioner Steven Seim and was released on a $1,000 signature bond. As conditions of his bond, he may not have any direct or indirect contact or communication with the victim or the shop. He also may not scrap metal.

According to the criminal complaint:

The unnamed Ashippun business owner reported on July 2 that he had video footage of one of his past employees stealing property from him. The business owner identified the suspect as Schmeling and estimated that he took about $94,000 worth of property after entering the shop using a forklift.

The business owner said that Schmeling had been staying in a camper on the property for a few months and had been assisting with scrapping vehicles. His primary duty was cutting catalytic converters off of junk vehicles. However, after a structure fire, the owner of the property said that Schmeling could no longer live there. Schmeling was told this on June 30.

Schmeling left but allegedly returned a few hours later that night with additional people. A Bobcat skid steer loader was used to push a tow truck that was blocking the entry so one of the people could pull onto the property with a trailer. Schmeling allegedly used the forklift to open the garage door of the shop and force entry. The door was destroyed in the process.

The items taken or damaged include: a Bobcat skid steer loader, a four-wheeler, 300 to 400 pounds of copper, Milwaukee-brand tools, the garage door, a key programmer, other tools, two big bottles of change and miscellaneous cash bills, two dirt bikes, and 140 catalytic convertors.

Schmeling spoke to Dodge County Sheriffs Office investigators on July 8 and asked if a police report had been filed by the victim. He said he wanted to file a report because someone had assaulted him in retaliation for the situation.

A week later on July 13, the property owner said Schmeling and another individual came back on the property and took more scrap metal. The surveillance camera again was able to identify Schmeling.

Sheriff Office detectives met with people at Waukesha Iron and Metal and learned that Schmeling had brought in some stainless steel a short while back. The last transaction they had with Schmeling was on July 12. The only transaction that included specific information was the transaction on July 11. A receipt showed him selling 50 pounds of copper, eight pounds of aluminum, 1,814 pounds of stainless steel and 78 pounds of extruded aluminum.

Deputies were also able to locate Schmelings shop, where some of missing items were located. Schmeling was contacted and was agitated that they were going into his shop. He denied involvement in the theft, however, and said he could probably provide an alibi.

The name of the victim has been withheld by authorities based upon their interpretation of Marsys Law, an amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution meant to protect victims that was passed by voters in 2021.

A preliminary hearing in Schmelings case is scheduled for Aug. 25.
WAUPUN  Several local municipalities are establishing charitable funds to benefit the cities causes and projects.

Waupuns turn started Thursday as the Waupun Community Fund was launched. It is currently a donor-advised, non-endowed fund held at the Fond du Lac Community Foundation.

The Waupun fund was begun with a donation from longtime resident Mike Werner, who donated $52,000 to be used for parking expansion and a walking path.

The area is in Shaler Park, dedicated to the Waupun industrialist who either purchased or created seven sculptures that dot the city. Shaler Park is the location of the only monument-sized version of The End of the Trail, by James Earle Fraser. Adjacent is Forest Mound Cemetery, where The Recording Angel sculpture stands, also a donation from Shaler.

Mayor Rohn Bishop read a proclamation citing Werner for his many involvements in the city. Included among them are more than 50 years of being instrumental in shaping the economic landscape of Waupun by growing and diversifying his business interests within the community.

Under Mike Werners leadership, the Werner Harmsen (funeral home and furniture store) team has contributed to the economic development success of the city of Waupun through building renovations and expansions. Important roles include operating an ambulance service and serving on various boards and committees, including his time as a board member for the National Bank of Waupun. Werner also supported the community through donations to an untold number of local charity efforts.

Bishop continued, His generosity to this day has resulted in the creation of the Waupun Community Fund to encourage philanthropy focused on building the Waupun community and to improve the quality of life for all residents.

Werner said, It has truly been an honor for me to be a part of the creation of the fund and to have the opportunity to financially support it. That is made possible by the support that local community members provided to my businesses over the years and Im grateful for that support. The good Lord and the area community have been very, very good to me, and that has allowed me to give back in this way. Im very grateful for the success that the community has allowed me to have over many years.

Fund chairman Tyler Schulz explained that Waupun was inspired by places like Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, Horicon and Lomira, which formed foundations and funds over recent years. This was combined with Werners desire to donate some money to the city, which was directed to the Fond du Lac Community Foundation, Schulz said. A number of funding types are being established, including one-time donations and endowments that are invested to yield interest for selected purposes.

People can donate to specific purposes and projects and were going to announce that shortly, said Schulz. Our committee will decide on some of the projects we want to support. There are many needs in the community that we will address.

Contributions both large and small, dedicated to a cause or not, will be welcomed.

People can donate whatever they want to whatever purpose has been established, said Schulz. So we could have a $4,000 project that someone could donate the entire amount, or we could have 40 people donate $100 each. Its up to those who donate how much they want to contribute. The goal will always be the same  to meet the needs of the city and to help Waupun thrive.

Schulz and fund vice chairman Adam Vande Slunt are contacting people they believe will be positive contributors to the nine-member board. The boards initial mission is to raise funds.

The goal is to grow the fund so that it can do as much good for the city of Waupun as possible, Schulz said. Were in infancy stages yet, but once people realize what were out to do they can donate money and support us. Its entirely up to the community, which has always been very generous in the past. We may never reach millions of dollars like some other communities, but well be happy with whatever we get.
Two people died in separate vehicle crashes in Adams County over the weekend.

According to releases from Adams County Sheriff Brent York, one crash occurred at the intersection of County Highway B and Wisconsin Highway 23 in the town of Dell Prairie, and the other was a rollover on Wisconsin Highway 13. Both incidents occurred on July 16.

The Adams County Sheriffs and Medical Examiners offices responded to both incidents.

Late on Saturday at approximately 11:27 p.m., deputies and emergency services responded to reports of the rollover at Highway 13 and Fawn Avenue in the town of Easton.

According to another release from York, when responders arrived, they discovered a white vehicle driven by 42-year-old Christina Holman, of Wisconsin Dells, upside down in the tree line on the west side of Highway 13 just south of the intersection.

Responding agencies and bystanders extricated Holman from the vehicle, but lifesaving measures were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The initial investigation indicates that Holman was traveling at what is believed to be a high speed southbound on Highway 13 when she veered off the road into the ditch on the west side. After striking an embankment, the vehicle went airborne, overturned and eventually came to rest in the south ditch on Fawn Avenue.

The Lifestar Ambulance Service assisted the two county agencies at the scene.

Earlier in the day at 6:43 a.m., deputies and other emergency service personnel responded to a crash reported at the Dell Prairie intersection.

The preliminary investigation revealed that 43-year-old Michaela Schalke, of Grand Marsh, was traveling south on Highway B and did not stop at the intersections stop sign. This caused Schalke to collide with a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Debra Holloway, of Portage, who was driving westbound on Highway 23.

Upon impact, Holloways vehicle was forced off the highway and into the ditch on the south side of the road, where it overturned and she was subsequently ejected. Medical personnel declared Holloway to be dead at the scene.

Following the collision, Schalkes vehicle continued westbound on Highway 23 before coming to a stop across both lanes of travel. Schalke was then transported to Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital in Portage before being later sent to UW Hospital.

The Wisconsin State Patrols Traffic Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene and completed a reconstruction of the incident.

The Adams County Highway Department assisted the other two county agencies. The Wisconsin Dells Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Dells-Delton EMS, and the Kilbourn Fire Department from Wisconsin Dells also responded to this incident.

Future charges for this incident, which is currently under investigation, are expected to be referred to the Adams County District Attorneys Office at a later time.

No further information is being currently released for either incident.
Click the photo and watch the video.

URUMQI, July 17 (Xinhua)  Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, watched a show of the Kirgiz ethnic minority epic Manas at the Museum of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Wednesday morning.

Xi also talked with the performers of the Manas, which has been inscribed as an intangible cultural heritage.

Xi said the extensive and profound Chinese civilization is composed of outstanding cultures of various ethnic groups.

A cultural heritage like the Manas is a treasure of both the ethnic minority and the Chinese nation, Xi said, urging better preservation and promotion efforts.

(Source: Xinhua)
The lawyer of Soso Gogashvili, the former deputy head of the State Security Service of Georgia, who left Georgian Dream party in 2020, Dimitri Ghonghadze publicly spoke about the situation regarding the detainment and the plans of Gogashvili. He said that former deputy head of SSSG has a certain plan and will start publishing materials step by step, which will not only concern the elections, he will expose all branches of the government and the illegal actions they were committing.According to the lawyer, the relevant information will probably be published by July 25. According to him, the investigation is probably being conducted under the articles of illegal purchase-storage-carrying of weapons, abuse of official authority and violation of personal information.The lawyer also spoke about Soso Gogashvili's health condition and assessed it as satisfactory at this stage adding that he is suffering from the pain of injuries sustained during his arrest.We are waiting for the charge, which we expect in a few hours. We have requested an autopsy on the injuries, which should be done today. He was aware of the ongoing investigation, but he did not expect to be arrested. According to the arrest protocol, the investigation is being conducted under three charges - illegal purchase-storage-carrying of weapons, exceeding official authority and tampering with personal information. Most likely, this will regard the period of his tenure. Lawyer Ghonghadze states that Soso Gogashvili connects the illegal detention with his activism and the statement that he was going to publicly publish the evidence, which was related to the rigging of the elections over the years. He has a certain plan and will start gradually publishing the materials, which will not only concern the elections, he will expose all the branches of the government and the illegal actions they committed" Dimitri Ghongadze.For information, the former deputy head of the Security Service of Georgia, Soso Gogashvili, was arrested in his home as a result of a special operation.According to the information of the State Security Service, Gogashvili was arrested in connection with the current case, however, they do not specify the details of the case.Irakli Gharibashvili, the prime minister of Georgia, posted on Twitter, "I welcome the Azerbaijan-Armenia dialogue in Tbilisi."The Head of Government observes that maintaining peace is crucial to the prosperity of our countries.Welcome Azerbaijan-Armenia dialogue in Tbilisi. Georgia remains committed to play its positive role/further host meetings in a dialogue format that contribute to peace and stability in our region. Peace is absolutely essential to the prosperity of our nations, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili tweeted.
Madison is a small city situated in Morgan County in the US State of Georgia. Placed between the mountains and plains, Madison is one of Georgia's largest historic districts. It is a town containing some of America's most treasured architecture, a place where the best of the past merges with the hope of the future. People visit Madison for all kinds of reasons: the spectacular antebellum and Victorian homes, several outdoor activities, world-class cultural events, and unique shops and restaurants. The city is well-known for its high quality of life, providing its citizens with excellent public and private places to visit.

Geography And Climate Of Madison

Morgan County Court House in Madison, Georgia.

Madison is in the heart of the Piedmont region, just an hour east of Atlanta, located exactly between Atlanta and Augusta. Madison covers a total area of 22.94 sq. km, of which 22.75 sq. km is occupied by land, and 0.19 sq. km is covered by water. The climate in Madison is hot and muggy in the summer, short, chilly, and rainy in the winter, and partly cloudy most of the time. The average annual temperature fluctuates between 37F and 90F, rarely falling below 24F or rising above 97F. From May 24 to September 17, the hot season, which has an average daily high temperature exceeding 83F, lasts for 3.8 months. The hottest month of the year in Madison is July when highs average 90F and low 72F. Between November 28 and February 26, which is the length of the cool season, the daily high temperature typically falls below 62F. January has an average low temperature of 37F and a high temperature of 55F, making it the year's coldest month in Madison.

Brief History Of Madison

Historic Antebellum house in Madison, Georgia.

Madison, the countys capital and main town was founded in 1809. Madison is an authentic small southern town named after President James Madison and was one of the first cities named after him. Most of Madisons stunning houses were built between 1830 and 1860, a time when cotton was king, and the prosperous citizens of Madison constructed townhomes to complement their rural plantations.

The Population And Economy Of Madison

Raceway gas station store front in Madison, Georgia. Editorial credit: Alejandro Guzmani / Shutterstock.com

As per the latest US Census, Madison, Georgia, has a population of 4,447 residents. Of this population, 49.4% were male, and 50.6% were female. In terms of age distribution, 6% were under five years old, 23.3% were under 18 years old, and 17.7% were over 65 years old. Regarding the population's ethnicity, 49.81% were White, 43.15% were black or African American, Native Americans were 0.2%, Asians were 0.74%, Other races were 2.99%, and 3.1% were Hispanic or Latino. According to the same census, 61.6% of Madison's population aged 16 years and older were in the civilian labor force (58.4% female), and 14.5% were living in poverty. The median household income (2016-2020) was $51,142, and the per capita income in the past 12 months was $24,772.

Attractions In Madison

Madison, Georgia, antebellum homes district.

Heritage Hall

One of Madison's many antebellum homes, Heritage Hall was built in the early 1800s. It was built by Dr. Elijah Jones, a physician with the Confederate army. It constitutes a bedroom called the ghost bedroom; some visitors say they have seen the ghost of the young mother here. Hence, those interested in exploring this mysterious yet beautiful house can book a guided tour.

Madison Morgan Cultural Center

The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center served as one of Georgia's first graded schools. The center today accommodates a range of theatrical, dance, and musical performances.

Town Park

Town Park serves as a meeting space in the community. However, it is also where one will find festivals like the firefly festival, Madison fest and other fun gatherings in the community.

Madison, Georgia, is a lovely place to visit due to the many touristic attractions that it boasts of. Tourists have several activities to do while visiting this historic and unique city. They will be entertained and educated about the past by visiting the city's numerous antebellum houses.
St. Marys is a small city situated along the southern boundary of Camden County in the US State of Georgia. The city offers many lovely places and outdoor activities for the people visiting it. The community is home to the St. Marys Submarine Museum and the Crooked River State Park and hosts the annual St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival. St. Marys is also known for its beautiful beaches, Dungeness and Fernandina Beach, which are accessible to the public and are relatively close to downtown St Marys.

Geography And Climate Of St. Marys

Sunset at St. Marys, Georgia.

St. Marys is situated on Georgia's southernmost tip, directly across the St. Marys River from Florida's Amelia Island. St. Marys cover a total area of 64.5 sq. km, of which 58.3 sq. km is occupied by land and 6.2 sq. km is covered by water. As per the Koppen Climate Classification, St. Marys experiences a humid subtropical climate. The summers are long, hot, and largely cloudy, while the winters are short, cool, and partly cloudy, and it is wet year-round. The average yearly temperature ranges from 45 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, rarely falling below 31 or rising over 96 degrees Fahrenheit. In St. Marys, July is the hottest month, having an average high of 91F and a low of 74F. On the other hand, January is the year's coldest month, with an average low temperature of 45F and a high temperature of 64F.

Brief History Of St. Marys

The John Floyd Home - is one of the oldest structures in St. Marys Historic District, St. Marys, Georgia. Editorial credit: William Silver / Shutterstock.com

As a part of the Spanish Florida settlement, St. Marys was first explored in the mid-16th century. In 1566, the original Spanish settlement was established, making it the United States' second oldest continuously inhabited settlement that was founded by the Europeans. On November 20, 1787, a charter for the town of St. Marys was signed by the native residents of Camden County, and the city was incorporated in November 1802. The Battle of Fort Peter took place close to the town during the War of 1812, which eventually resulted in the capturing of the town by the British forces. The shoreside buildings of the town were heavily bombarded by the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

The Population And Economy Of St Marys

As per the latest US Census, St. Marys has a population of 18,256 inhabitants. Of this population, 50% were male, and 50% were female. In terms of age distribution, 8% were under five years old, 24.5% were under 18 years old, and 14.3% were over 65 years old. Regarding the populations ethnicity, 76.7% were white, 13.7% were black or African American, 7.6% were Hispanic or Latin, 1.4% were Asian, and 1.8% identified as two or more races. According to the same census, 52.1% of St Marys population aged 16 years and older were in the civilian labor force (47.1% female), and 16.4% were living in poverty. The median household income (2016-2020) was $66,033, and the per capita income in the past 12 months was $30,818.

Attractions In St Marys

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Wild Horse in front of Dungeness Ruins Historical Site, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a wilderness area located in St. Marys. Here, there are several undeveloped beaches and places of historical interest, as well as protected habitat areas for a variety of animals and plants. Visitors may enjoy the seashore but should be aware that bathrooms and access to drinking water are available primarily on the southern end.

Plum Orchard Mansion

Built in 1898, the Plum Orchard Mansion is a 22,000-square-foot mansion located on Cumberland Island. Constructed by Lucy Carnegie, it is a beautiful sight for the eyes. However, the mansion is not available for visits all year long as it closes for managed hunts in the area.

Crooked River State Park

Fisherman on a dock in Crooked River State Park, St. Marys, Georgia. Editorial credit: Cavan-Images / Shutterstock.com

Probably one of the city's most visited spots, Crooked River State Park is a 500-acre park located on St Mary's southern banks. Built in 1825, it is a place where people can enjoy a hike while seeing various animals, including gopher tortoises, fiddler crabs, herons, and other birds.

St Marys, Georgia, has various historical and outdoor attractions for tourists to explore. It remains a special place to visit throughout all touristic seasons, as it has a beautiful beach that one can enjoy in the summer and wonderful mansions and museums that can be visited in any month of the year.
The Buttermilk Falls is named for its frothy and churning water that resembles the item of the same name - buttermilk. Like, nearby Robert H Treman State Park, which houses Lucifer Falls, Buttermilk Falls was a gift from Robert and Laura Treman to become a state park. That said, Buttermilk Falls State Park isnt known to be the home to one waterfall, but 10 in total, which further continues to magnetize tourists to the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York within the Adirondack Mountains.

Geography Of Buttermilk Falls

Buttermilk Falls, Ithaca, New York.

A stunning location within the Finger Lake region, Buttermilk Falls resides southwest of Ithaca in Tompkins county. The Finger Lakes are praised for the abundance of green space, serving as an escape from cities such as Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany. For this reason, Upstate New York or central New York state welcomes all for outdoor recreation. As for Buttermilk Fall State Park, which houses the waterfall of the same name, the upper and lower portion of the park promotes various activities. Buttermilk Creek - which runs off Cayuga Lake to the north, offers visitors a small lake, playing fields, picnic area, and hiking around woodland forests and the gorges rim. The lower part of the state park contains several natural pools, playing fields, campgrounds, and a wetland with a hiking trail.

Geology Of Buttermilk Falls

Waterfalls along the Gorge Hiking Trail in Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca, New York.

Buttermilk, in addition to being beautiful, offers some awe-worthy natural features. Visitors will notice the unique angular and fractured slabs within the gorge. These layers of Devonian shale and sandstone hint at the erosion that took place during the last ice age within the Finger Lakes region. Approximately 20,000-30,000 years ago, Buttermilk Creek receded from the glacier-covered Lake Cayuga. As a result, it created the hanging valley where the water flows down. The Gorge Trail offers the best example of this decline, as the trail drops 600 feet through the Cayuga Valley. Of the ten waterfalls in the park, the largest is Buttermilk Falls, best described as a staircase waterfall dropping over 90 feet. A feature to note comes at the upper end of Buttermilk Falls State Park, known as the Pinnacle Rock. This towering example of a stack rock formation is widely described among locals as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Here you find the 19-foot-tall Middle Pinnacle Falls and examples of naturally occurring potholes. This will lead to the Upper Pinnacle Falls, which is 18 feet tall.

Hiking Trails Of Buttermilk Falls

Rim Trail at Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca, New York.

Of the hiking trail at Buttermilk Falls State Park, the Buttermilk Fall Gorge Trail is the most popular and sees large crowds for hiking and swimming from the trailhead located at the camping office. The Gorge Trail runs 0.65-miles in length and traces along the west side of Buttermilk Creek, showcasing the sandstone gorge and its lesser waterfalls. Once at the end of the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail, visitors have the option to continue on the 0.67-mile Bear Trail, which is an excellent option for those who prefer a peaceful hike or to bird within an untouched woodland forest. There is the option of completing the loop around Buttermilk Creek by simply crossing a footbridge at the end of the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail that leads to the Buttermilk Fall Rim Trail. Running at 0.82 miles in length, this moderately difficult trail features the west side of Buttermilk Creek with circular pools, a series of smaller waterfalls, and the cliffs of the gorge under a shaded canopy of the woods. Before reaching the end of the Rim Trail, there is the option to branch off onto the Owl Creek Trail. Although moderately challenging, hikers, who opt to take this less crowded trail, are rewarded with a scenic vista and overlook at the end of the trail. Lastly, the 1.02-mile Larch Meadow Trail Loop next to the Camping Office offers fields for outdoor recreation but allows visitors to peer at the wetland species found within the Cayuga Valley up close. As for all of these trails, dogs are permitted as long as they remain leashed at all times.

History Of Buttermilk Falls

Buttermilk falls received its name from early accounts of its appearance that were regarded as white churning waters that appeared like buttermilk. In 1924, 164 acres were gifted by Robert and Laura Treman. Henceforth, Buttermilk Falls State Park acquired additional acreage in the years to come, growing to 811 acres in total.
College University Centres to host series of summer sessions for prospective students

Coleg Cambrias University Centre will host a series of summer drop-in sessions for prospective students.

The college has a wide range of higher education courses on offer in partnership with leading institutions such as Bangor, Wrexham Glyndwr, Liverpool John Moores, Swansea, and Aberystwyth universities, in addition to programmes run alongside Pearson, the national awarding body.

Subjects include Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, Animal Management, Creative Media Production, Health and Social Care, Mechanical Technology, Teaching, Tourism and Hospitality, Sound Engineering, and Sport.

Emma Hurst, Dean of Higher Education and an assistant principal at Cambria, says there has been growing interest in their provision as school and college learners look ahead to the 2022/23 academic year.

One of the reasons is that due to the pandemic more and more learners are choosing to study closer to home, said Emma.

Another is our growing links with leading universities, and the option to gain a degree through Coleg Cambria as a natural pathway from school or an FE qualification.

The opportunity to achieve a degree with the college  which is at the heart of communities across north east Wales, has incredible facilities and a first-class level of support and pastoral care  is a major USP for them.

She added: The drop-in events are an opportunity for prospective learners and their families to come and see what we have to offer and speak to lecturers in a comfortable environment.

We have already had very positive feedback and look forward to welcoming people to the sessions in the weeks ahead.

Coleg Cambria, which has sites in Wrexham, Llysfasi, Deeside and Northop, recently unveiled a new higher education website and guide in partnership with the universities.

Emma said: To reinforce our commitment to HE we launched the dedicated website and guide with all of the information students and their families will need, from fees and finance to student support and guidance on what subject will best fit their chosen career.

All of the courses are designed with employment in mind and tailored with our university and industry partners to meet the needs of the students and their future prospects.

The summer drop-in events will be held at Yale, Wrexham, on Tuesday July 19 from 10am-7pm, and Deeside from 10am-7pm on Wednesday July 27.
First Minister to host summit on solutions to tackle river pollution in Wales

The First Minister will host a summit today at the Royal Welsh Show to identify ways of reducing pollution in Welsh rivers.

Representatives from local government, farming unions, the building industry, water companies, regulators and environmental agencies, together with food producers will attend the meeting on the Royal Welsh Agricultural Showground in Builth Wells.

Excessive phosphorus levels in Special Area of Conservation rivers are harming delicate ecosystems and wider catchment areas and could lead to problems with food production and affect housebuilding in the longer term.

The Welsh Government is investing 40m over the next three years to tackle river pollution and to protect our environment.

Protecting and improving the water environment is a priority for the Welsh Government and plays a central role in the response to the nature and climate emergencies.

Speaking ahead of the summit, First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

It is only by working together that we can tackle phosphorus pollution in our rivers.

This is a complex issue and there is no one easy answer  we all have a part to play if we are to reduce the level of phosphorus and tackle the root causes of pollution.

We must work together with the farming sector, with food producers and the water industry to find solutions to these problems, which is why I have called this summit at the Royal Welsh.

Minister for Climate Change Julie James, who will take part in the summit. said:

We must act now to tackle the high phosphorus levels in our rivers that impacts so negatively on the environment.

We will continue to work with all our partners to address these challenges.

The resilience of our marine and freshwater ecosystems and the benefits they provide must not be jeopardised for future generations.
Health Minister challenged over dentist shortage in North Wales

North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has challenged the Health Minister over the shortage of NHS dental services across North Wales, highlighting the impact this is having on people who are unable to join a Dental Practice.

Speaking in a meeting of the Welsh Parliament last week, Mr Isherwood said because NHS dental practices in the area have either closed or stopped treating NHS patients, people are being left in pain.

Asking the Health Minister Eluned Morgan MS what she is doing to address the shortage, he quoted constituents who have contacted him.

Speaking in the Chamber, he said: Before the Pandemic, constituents were contacting me about the lack of NHS dentists in Arfon.

As one stated in 2019: Both my daughter and myself have been without a dentist now for well over a year. Please, is there anything to you can do resolve this problem, regarding the lack of NHS dentists in Bangor and further afield.

I wrote to you last August on behalf of a constituent who stated I am writing to draw your attention to the drastic lack of NHS dentistry in North West Wales. Over the last few years I have been a member of 4 different dental practices all in or around my home in the City of Bangor. All 4 have either closed or stopped treating NHS patients.

In your reply, you stated Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are well advanced in their plans to establish a new North Wales Dental Academy in Bangor which will provide an opportunity for the Health Board to significantly increase dental provision improving access to NHS dental services in North Wales, and that you were making good progress with the recovery of dental services.

But half a year on, the Leader of the Opposition raised with the First Minister the case of a teacher in Bangor who found it impossible to find a new NHS Dentist when his current Dentist stopped carrying out NHS treatments and was told that there was a minimum two-year NHS waiting list.

People are in pain now. Its great that relief is coming down the road, but what are you doing about it for the people who need it now?

In her response the Minister referred to the Welsh Governments new dental contract, stating:  Im spending a heck of a lot of time on this, Ive got to tell you. We have a new chief dental officer, and I think hes really trying to grasp the situation, and he understands the severity of the situation. Its not a situation thats unique to Wales, its an issue that is a challenge across the whole of the United Kingdom.

We are actually further ahead than they are in England in terms of the new contract and we hope that that will provide 112,000 new opportunities for patient access, and I think that will be significant.

In North Wales, in terms of the contract, 96 per cent of the practices have signed up to that new contract. So, it will be a change in the way that dentists approach this issue, but we do hope that that will make a difference. And, of course, were really focused now also on training up more dental therapists and thats what the Bangor academy is all about.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Isherwood said: Although the Minister referred to the Welsh Governments new Dental Contract, this is the same new Dental Contract I referred to when questioning her in the Chamber in March, when I highlighted concerns raised by the British Dental Association that this reduced focus on regular check-ups, forced dentists to choose between old and new patients, and funded dentists by 15 per cent less than six years ago.
On July 14, a group of senior doctors and medical practitioners issued a powerful open letter to Australian federal and state health ministers demanding Free Speech for Doctors and condemning disciplinary measures imposed on Zero-COVID activist Dr David Berger.

Dr David Berger (Image: Supplied)

Berger, a respected and highly experienced remote area general practitioner, was ordered last month by the Australia Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to undertake a special education program or be deregistered over his social media criticism of governments response to the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Berger has been a prominent fighter against the let it rip policies adopted by Australian governments last December, which have resulted in millions of infections and over 8,000 deaths.

In opposition to this profit-driven program, he has advocated the scientifically-grounded measures required to eliminate transmission of the virus and protect the health and lives of the population. The attack against him comes amid a massive new COVID surge.

The letter and accompanying petition stridently denounce the blatant attempt to silence Berger and demands the immediate withdrawal of all punitive measures.

The open letter calls on the health ministers to revoke all disciplinary action against Berger, undertake an independent audit of AHPRAs handling of social media and public advocacy complaints and to affirm freedom of speech for doctors. It also calls for a review of AHPRAs ability to punish doctors for speaking out, its remit as a blanket defender of government health policy, and the removal of anonymity protections for those complaining about public advocacy.

AHPRAs punishment of Berger, first reported by the World Socialist Web Site, was in response to an anonymous complaint over what the authority claims are his impolite and unprofessional criticisms on social media of Australian government and health authorities responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A subsequent communication in late June, now quoted by several news outlets, claims that Bergers criticisms of politicians, government bodies and public health organisations, pharmaceutical companies and other medical professionals, involve the use of emotive and pejorative language.

This, it continues, would lead the reader to doubt the integrity of the persons and organisations targeted and to lose confidence in the public health pronouncements and programs promoted by them. In other words, all public criticism of unsafe government health policies on social media by Australian health practitioners is verboten and anyone violating this order will be punished.

Hostile to this blatant censorship, and its anti-democratic political implications, the open letter states:

We the undersigned concerned scientists, doctors and citizens of various diverse professional expertise, with a common interest in humanity and the reduction of suffering, disability and death caused by COVID-19, note with concern that Dr David Berger has a public condition placed upon his medical registration.

In opposition to AHPRAs bogus allegations, the letter describes Bergers social media comments as effective, scientifically valid and good faith COVID-19 advocacy in the best interests of Australian people.

It notes his clear, honest sustained contribution to public health through his personal and corporate advocacy and his unblemished clinical record, working in remote hardship locations, often with indigenous peoples and warns that the disciplinary action and deregistration threats could have a chilling effect on open political and scientific discussion.

AHPRAs policy, it continues, assumes government policy is always in the best interests of the people of Australia, and that doctors must be subservient to the State over their concerns for patients. This is in breach of our ethical and moral obligations outlined in, for example, the Declaration of Geneva. Governments may formulate public health policies that are not in the best interests of the community, and dissenting doctors may take a position that is for the better interest of population health Dr Berger is representative of all of us who take time to think, to care, and to comment in our own diverse way on how to make the public safer.

AHPRAs policy on social media, it states, could be interpreted one way to target some doctors who do not have support of government, and another to allow other doctors who are government spokespersons to behave as they wish on social media, simply because their views accord with the administration Australia must not be a country where reputable scientists and clinicians cannot speak for the public good because they fear reprisal from their government regulator. We stand with David Berger and specifically reject any suggestion that in a democracy we must politely agree with government policy, or stay silent.

Organised independently of the Australian Medical Association and the health sector unions, which have maintained a deafening silence, the open letter is another important affirmation that the most honest and principled doctors and medical scientists are determined to fight censorial and career-destroying threats from AHPRA and the catastrophic policies being implemented by Australian governments.

Within 18 hours of its publication the petition had won the enthusiastic response of more than 1,000 people, including from many leading figures in Australia and internationally fighting for Zero-COVID policies. Hundreds continue to add their names each day. Among them are GPs, lawyers, nurses, teachers, bus drivers and many others with passionate comments in support of Dr Berger and the role he has played in educating people to protect themselves against the virus.

Distinguished Professor Kim Prather, UC San Diego, an Aerosol expert with over 250 publications and member of the US National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering, commented:

David Berger has tirelessly advocated based on mounds of scientific evidence that SARS2 is airborne. This has saved countless lives. He has set an exemplary example that all MDs should follow. He should be supported by the medical board. This threat is a global scandal. He should be rewarded, not silenced. He is 100% correct and history will make this clear.

Catherine Dowlan, a teacher, wrote: I have been grateful for Dr Bergers evidence based advice on Covid safe mitigations. I apply his suggestions and so far myself & family have remained Covid free. Working as onsite teacher, Ive appreciated his support, highlighting the huge challenge for schools to remain Covid safe, amidst ongoing change to & reduction of regulations on Covid safe mitigations. Further, Dr Bergers inclusiveness, recognising those especially marginalised by this pandemic, is surely crucial to overall effective management.

Dr Carol Bird said: This isnt a matter for polite debate and respectful acceptance of others opinions. This is a pandemic with a rapidly evolving virus that vaccines alone cant keep up with. Strident agitating against the complacency of government and its advisors is a compassionate act.

Appeals to Australian health ministers, who have actively embraced the homicidal let it rip program since December 2021, will no doubt fall on deaf ears. Dancing to the profit-driven demands of big business, Australian governments of every colour are determined to stop any factual discussion about who is politically responsible for this catastrophe.

The open letter is, however, a powerful weapon to educate and mobilise the working class, youth and broad layers of the population to defend Dr David Berger and prevent his silencing by health authorities.

The democratic sentiments expressed in the comments on the petition should also be highlighted and discussed with family and friends and work colleagues across all industries. Resolutions, such as the one passed by the Health Workers Rank and File Group, last Wednesday are a useful guide.

The fight to end the pandemic can only be advanced through the unity of workers with the principled scientists and medical practitioners internationally fighting for a global elimination strategy. These are the foundations of the Global Workers Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic being developed by the World Socialist Web Site.
Polling in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) elections began on July 4 after a six-week campaign. The elections run until 22 July, with areas voting on different days and results due by 29 July. A total of 3,499 candidates, many motivated by potential access to money or favours, and 25 political parties are contesting 118 seats and the governorships of 22 provinces.

As the polls opened, the Post Courier declared that the 2022 election will be a game changer for a country that has seen and experienced more upheavals in the past five years than any other time in its 47 years of independence.

Within days, however, chaotic scenes were reported in the Highlands region where angry voters in East Sepik and Hela destroyed ballot boxes and set fire to hundreds of ballot papers after discovering their names were not on the Common Roll.

Despite assurance by Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai that more than five million voters could cast ballots, thousands have been turned away because their names were missing. By one estimate as many as 1 million people are not on the roll. In some locations there are not enough ballot papers and voting in the capital, Port Moresby, has been delayed several times.

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape addresses the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Sept. 24, 2021, at the UN headquarters. [AP Photo/Peter Foley/Pool]

Prime Minister James Marape has repeatedly appealed for peace and calm. The last election in 2017 was widely discredited, mired in bribery and corruption, ballot rigging and the wholesale omission of names from the roll. Protests erupted over accusations that vote counting was hijacked. More than 200 people were killed in violent clashes.

Some 8,000 security personnel, plus 140 Australian Defence Force (ADF) troops, have been despatched across the country. Police Commissioner David Manning said the security forces and police will be heavily engaged in election operations. In a revealing comment, he also warned them not to allow themselves to be coerced, bribed, forced or threatened to act in the manner that brings the whole security operation into disrepute.

Institute of National Affairs director Paul Barker told the National that electoral rolls had not been updated in the five years since 2017, when they were also not rigorously updated. Barker also alleged that police had intercepted containers with tampered papers, highlighting the immense temptation and readiness to defraud the election.

The past week has seen an escalation of the violence and mayhem. The Post Courier reported on July 11; People are being killed, properties are being destroyed and the guns are coming out in huge numbers to intimidate voters. There have been killings, fighting, deferral of polling, resignations and detainment of high-profile persons for been [sic] in possession of huge amount[s] of cash. It concluded that the election was already the worst ever experienced.

In the latest eruption of violence last Thursday, the Yumbilyam High School in Enga province was set on fire when frustrations boiled over after all the local ballot boxes were hijacked.

The explosive political tensions highlight the vast gulf that separates the poverty-stricken PNG masses from the countrys corrupt and venal political elite. Trust in the ruling elite has disintegrated following decades of social deprivation and growing inequality, buttressed by authoritarian military-police measures.

The crisis has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Tens of thousands of workers, as high as 25 percent of the workforce, have lost their jobs. Meagre government relief measures such as tax deferrals and loan repayment holidays were woefully insufficient. According to UN figures, 39 percent of the people live below the poverty line of $US1.90 a day.

To date, PNG has officially recorded 44,752 COVID cases and 662 deaths, but with testing all but abandoned the figures are meaningless. Less than 4 percent of the population has been vaccinated. The fragile health system is facing collapse, its inadequate conditions and low pay leading to repeated protests and strikes by nurses.

One young mother from Port Moresby told the Australian Broadcasting Commission about the election: We want services, the main one is water in our homes, we live in a settlement and there is no water, she said. The other issue is our youths, there are a lot of young people in the settlement, they dont have jobs or good schools.

Despite having significant natural resources, PNG is among the poorest countries in the world. All the parties blame each other for the economic crisis. The debt to GDP ratio increased from 19 percent of GDP in 2012 to 40 percent in 2019 under Marapes predecessor Peter ONeill, then to 52 percent of GDP in 2021 under Marape. Marape has sought concessional loans, including from Australia, Japan and China, to help the government repay its debts and finance infrastructure.

In November 2020, the Marape-led coalition almost collapsed when dozens of MPs, including cabinet ministers, defected to the opposition. Marape passed his 2021 budget in an emergency parliamentary session with the opposition absenta move the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. He then adjourned parliament for four months to avoid a vote of no confidence, ensuring that he could not, under the rules, be removed before the current election.

ONeill, who was himself deposed in 2019 amid corruption allegations, is Marapes main challenger. Marapes Pangu Party is contesting more than 80 seats, while ONeills Peoples National Congress (PNC) more than 90. Either party will only form government by cobbling together a coalition with several minor parties and independents, which produces intense factionalising, horse-trading and near permanent instability.

The burning issues facing the working class and rural poor were totally ignored during the campaign. Marape ran on his record, saying that ONeill left the economy bleeding and struggling. On taking office, he had resorted to nationalist demagogy proclaiming he would take back PNG through regime shifts in the resource industry, which he falsely claimed would bring more wealth to the people and reduce dependence on Australian aid.

ONeill in turn defended his own economic record, while making a suite of empty promises policies, running the gamut from political stability to public services reform, job creation to law and order, and investing in infrastructure.

As prime minister ONeill was responsible for brutal authoritarian measures aimed at suppressing social discontent. In 2016, police opened fire on student protesters demanding he step down and face fraud charges. Opposition intensified following the 2017 election, which ONeill only narrowly won. Police and military units were dispatched to the Highlands to crack down on subsequent violence. In 2020, after leaving office, ONeill was charged with misappropriation, abuse of office and official corruption.

The election is being closely watched by the US, Australia and China, after Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, visited early in June and signed several deals covering investment in Green Development, COVID-19 aid and an anti-narcotics centre. ONeill has promised to cancel the agreements should he win office.

Marape took part in the just completed Pacific Islands Forum which was addressed remotely by US Vice President Kamala Harris. She announced a major escalation of US involvement in the Pacific, aimed at ramping up the strategic, economic and military encirclement against China.

China is a significant trading partner and the biggest destination for PNGs exports. Australia, however, the countrys colonial ruler until 1975, is PNGs immediate geo-strategic security overseer, with members of the Australian Federal Police and the ADF based in the country full-time.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to visit PNG immediately after the new government is formed. While Albanese was at the Madrid NATO summit, further committing to the US-led confrontations with Russia and China, his Foreign Minister Penny Wong toured the Asia-Pacific region enforcing Washingtons anti-China agenda.

Canberra is determined to maintain its dominant geo-strategic position in PNG and, whatever the election outcome, significant pressure will be applied to the incoming administration in the Pacifics largest country.
The Democratic Party primary elections in Washington D.C. last month saw a number of nominally left candidates win out over their more conservative rivals. Matthew Frumin won the Democratic primary in Ward 3, Zachary Parker in Ward 5, and Brianne Nadeau (the incumbent) in Ward 1.

In the heavily Democratic city, the primary winners are usually all but guaranteed to win the general election. The three left Democratic council members-elect join at-large Democratic Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George, a self-avowed democratic socialist and supporter of the Black Lives Matter organization, on the council. This brings the number of left and even nominally socialist seats on the council to four out of 15, forming a significant bloc on the District legislature.

Parker was publicly endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, who pointed to his support for expanding rent control and tenant protections, as well as community safety efforts as opposed to simply expanding the police budget. In a public statement, the Washington D.C. chapter of the DSA proclaimed Parkers candidacy a massive opportunity for the progressive left to elect an uncompromising champion for our values.

The statement further declared, Metro D.C. DSAs endorsements are not just a recommendation to DSA members to vote for a particular candidate, but rather a commitment to fight to get that candidate elected.

Frumin and Nadeau, while not officially supported by the DSA, were endorsed by a number of labor unions and other progressive groups. A statement on the Washington D.C. DSAs blog states, [o]n the whole, District voters opted to boost left, progressive candidates over moderate alternatives in the June 21 primaries.

Frumin, a former State Department official in the Clinton administration, has also advocated for affordable housing in the District and declared himself a proponent of public education. These positions no doubt gained traction with workers throughout the District of Columbia (D.C.) who are facing the same cost-of-living increases as workers the world over. Rents in the district have increased over 23 percent since May 2021, and the average studio apartment rents for a staggering $1,924; two-bedroom apartments are going for over $3,000.

Frumin was able to clinch his victory a week ahead of the election, when three other Ward 3 candidates dropped out of the race, endorsing him over his main rival, former D.C. Council staffer Eric Goulet. According to the Washington Post, Ben Bergmann, one of Frumins rivals, denounced Goulet as a conservative yes-man for the business community as he dropped out of the race.

Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser won her primary but with a far less comfortable lead than her previous victory in 2018. This time she faced a serious challenge from Robert White Jr., who garnered 40 percent of the vote. White had campaigned to Bowsers left, criticizing the incumbents pro-police, law-and-order policies.

The left rhetoric of the candidates provoked the ire of the Post. The latter chided District residents in an editorial statement a week before the primary. The District has been blessed with sober, stable leadership, but voters should remember it was not that long ago that its government was in dysfunction and its finances in disarray. It would be a mistake to return to those days, the newspaper said.

The editorial board revealed the nature of its concerns in another statement published just after the election. In addition to the rise in gun violence ... the District is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic. How to bring back downtown? How to make up for student learning loss? In other words, the Post is demanding measures be taken to get workers producing more profits and give the police the power to quell any resistance.

In the same statement the Post breathed a sigh of relief that Bowser won her primary and will likely be reelected to a third term in November. However, the publication was nervous that an extreme left council would make it harder for Bowser to attain her goals.

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, center, speaks with constituents, Friday, June 10, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The Post revealed something of the undemocratic state of bourgeois politics, saying Bowser will need to recalibrate her my way or the highway approach if she hopes to continue to move the city forward.

Despite this in-fighting, no one should be under the illusion that any of the new council members will do anything of substance to help workers in the city. Parkers supposed left pretensions are thrown into question by his open support of the right-wing Biden administration.

In a tweet from August 2020, the democratic socialist stated we should all be proud that the Democratic Party had made Joe Biden and Kamala Harris its standard-bearers.

A deeper look at his platform substantiates this. Under his Cooperatives, Community Wealth, and Small Business Development Platform, Parker advocates racially based tax credits and other incentives for small businesses. His approach to Worker Power is to implement a local version of the PRO Act, a national Democratic Party initiative aimed at strengthening the corporate-backed unions and other measures to limit the class struggle to the confines set by the bourgeois state.

Matthew Frumin, despite the fulminations of the Post, is a similar case. In his campaign websites page on Public Safety, despite invoking the murder of George Floyd and claiming that we should not double down on old policies, lists as its first priority to grow the police force, followed by increasing recruitment and training of officers. The rest of his platform contains measures that claim to change the culture of police and other empty promises which commit him to nothing concrete.

Frumin was endorsed by Janeese Lewis George, Ward 4 council member, who was herself endorsed by Black Lives Matter and the DSA. George maintains a reputation of being critical of the police, but this is belied by her actual record on the council. This includes her open support for Bowsers recent pick for police chief, Robert J. Contee III. Contee, a longtime official in the Metropolitan Police Department, last year came into public view when he denounced politicians who want to coddle violent criminals.
It is on the issue of war that the candidates to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister will be judged by the ruling class.

This was made clear by Rupert Murdochs The Sun, which editorialised July 17, Whoever replaces Boris Johnson as Prime Minister must not falter from his course until Putin is vanquished.

Boris Johnson during Prime Minister's Questions [Photo by Jess Taylor / UK Parliament/ Flickr / CC BY-NC 4.0

The Sun boasted that a third of Russias firepower has been wiped out, thanks to Ukraines valiant defenders, its territorial gains have been humiliatingly meagre, Sanctions are slowly but surely choking the lifeblood from Russias pariah economy, and Putins wider strategic aims have backfired, with Finland and Norway [sic] joining a beefed-up NATO.

It then insisted, For all the criticisms of Boris Johnson, his robust support of Ukraine is undoubtedly paying dividends. Whoever replaces him as Prime Minister must not falter or deviate from the course he has set, until Putin is vanquished.

Its rose-tinted military analysis combined with a demand for more bloodshed was drawn from comments to the BBC by Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Antony David Radakin. The head of Britains armed forces said he believed Russia has already lost the war in Ukraine, but was still a threat to the world order that must be eliminated as it continues to be a nuclear power, its got cyber capabilities, its got space capabilities, and its got particular programmes under water so it can threaten the underwater cables that allow the worlds information to transit around the whole globe.

The Sun solicited an interview with the current favourite leadership challenger Rishi Sunak, which it ran under the headline, Fighting talk. Sunak, it reported, has vowed to do whatever it takes to help Ukraines President Zelensky defeat Vladimir Putins invasion, declaring in an open letter, President Zelensky, brave citizens of Ukraine, be in no doubt the United Kingdom will remain your strongest ally.

He promised that his first foreign trip would be to Kyiv to offer his full support to the war hero PM in person, while promising, I will reinforce our policy of total support for Ukraine that Boris has so ably led. The Conservative Party will stand united together in our support for you.

Yet to the extent that war is discussed amid the crisis gripping the Tory government, it is on their terms and with the full agreement of the Labour Party.

Amid acute class tensions provoked by the governments murderous pandemic policies and the crushing rise in the cost-of-living, Labour cannot do anything that raises before workers the central unspoken issue that led to Johnsons fall as party leader: the conclusion within ruling circles that he was too discredited, too hated and too incompetent to lead the UK as it escalates the war against Russia and the war against the working class at home.

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was able to move a motion of confidence in his own government because of Labours refusal to move its own.

The debate that ensued reinforces the demand raised by the Socialist Equality Party for workers to fight for an immediate general election in order to rouse opposition to the war policies of the government and to agitate for mass action by the working class to defeat the savage assault on living standards and democratic rights.

Even the manner of its calling confirmed that Labour is as anxious as the Tories that they remain in office to avoid any public discussion on policies hostile to the broad mass of the working class, but which both parties are committed to impose on behalf of big business.

Originally, Labour wanted a debate on a motion making a no confidence vote conditional on Johnson remaining prime minister until he is replaced on September 5. Its motion stated, That this house has no confidence in Her Majestys government while the Rt Hon Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip [Boris Johnson] remains prime minister.

This allowed the Tories to reject the motion, stating that Johnson had already resigned, and for Johnson himself to table a motion declaring, That this house has confidence in Her Majestys government.

Johnson used this to spend 30 minutes boasting of his achievements, including being the first government to reopen the economy during the pandemic, the first to arm Ukraine and the most bellicose against Russia. He warned that there are fears his political demise will mean the end of UK support for Ukraines war against Russia, saying, The Champagnski corks will be popping in the Kremlin.

He ended by referencing his photo-opportunity flight yesterday on an RAF Typhoon jet, saying he was at the helm for a glorious period but handed back the controls. That is exactly what I will do with this great party of ours, he boasted, after which the Tories will coalesce in loyalty around the new leader.

Left to the Labour Party, that is exactly what will happen.

Speaking in reply, Sir Keir Starmer focused almost exclusively on Johnsons serial lying because he cannot identify a single major policy issue on which Labour disagrees with the governmentabove all on war in Ukraine.

Again and again, he tried to embarrass Tory MPs by citing their moves against Johnson and resignation statements. But even while stating that there were no disagreements on policy between Johnson and those now competing to replace him, he ended with a series of questions as to why the Conservatives are leaving Johnson with his hands on the levers of power for eight weeks.

Of the fact that Johnsons replacement is supposed to have his hands on the levers of government until 2024, Starmer says nothing.

The Tories are so anxious to avoid public debate on their record in office and what they want to do next that two of the leading challengers, former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, pulled out of a televised leadership debate on Sky, forcing its cancellation. They were responding to Tory despair at the acrimony of previous debates. But if the Tories fear the impact of blue on blue infighting and the clear hostility to all candidates expressed by studio audiences, this is dwarfed by their fear that the governments crisis could trigger mass social opposition from below.

The same essential concern animates Labour, which shares the Tories agenda to the letter and wants nothing to cut across its implementation. Their aim throughout the deepening crisis of rule facing British imperialism has been to present Labour as a government in waiting should the Tory party be unable to carry on.

The SEP has raised the demand for a general election to create the conditions for workers to disrupt the conspiracy of the Tories and Labour. We explain that both parties are committed to: 1) the relentless escalation of war against Russia, even to the point of risking a nuclear war; 2) the criminal refusal to stop the endless transmission of the Sars-CoV-2 virus and to allow mass infection and death; and 3) the ruthless assault on the living standards and democratic rights of the working class.

The SEP will utilise a general election to develop the industrial and political struggle of the working class. We will mobilise workers against the trade unions suppression of the growing strike movement and their role in preventing any political challenge to the Tory government and its de-facto Labour coalition partners. We will make the case for the organisation of a general strike to stop the war, force the adoption of a zero-COVID policy, and build support for a socialist alternative to capitalism.
The reactions to the removal of the Ukrainian ambassador in Berlin, Andrij Melnyk, show how far the rehabilitation of the Nazis in Germany has progressed 77 years after the end of the Third Reich.

Although Melnyk is an avowed partisan of the Ukrainian fascist, anti-Semite and Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera and publicly honours and defends his murderous legacy, numerous leading politicians and media outlets in Germany have paid tribute to him and rushed to issue statements of praise and thanks.

Katrin Goring-Eckardt, vice-president of the federal parliament (Bundestag) and long-standing leader of the Green Party parliamentary group, wrote on Twitter: @MelnykAndrij has fought hard for his country. As far as Bandera is concerned, I was and still am not in agreement with him. Regardless of this, I wish him all the best for what is to come and, above all, for his country! And say: Thank you.

The chairman of the Bundestags Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth (Social Democrats, SPD), tweeted similarly. Melnyks statements had polarised and defending Bandera was bad, but these are dramatic times for Ukraine and Europe. The ambassador fought with all his might for the survival of his country and his people and for us not to look away. He wished him and his family a peaceful future in a free, democratic Ukraine. Goodbye.

The foreign policy spokesman of the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) parliamentary group, Roderich Kiesewetter, openly defended Melnyks statements. The fact that he did not always strike the diplomatic tone here is more than understandable in view of the incomprehensible war crimes and the suffering of the Ukrainian people, he told the Augsburger Allgemeine. The ambassador had rendered important services to his country and had always been a perceptible voice... campaigning for support for his country.

Similar statements can be found in the major media outlets. In spite of everything, a loss, writes Die Zeit, while Die Welt wrote, Thank you, Andrij Melnyk! Melnyks removal was also mourned in a commentary by public broadcaster ARDs capital city studio headlined, The man who made us look in the mirror will be missed. His attempt to cleanse Bandera was a grave mistake. But who could want to blame the diplomat for trying to save his country here by all meansverbally?

The author of the article, Kai Kustner, does not explain why he believes that the defence of a fascist and mass murderer contributes to the salvation of a country. He himself admits that Bandera not only collaborated with the Nazis, but that his partisans were also co-responsible for the mass murder of Poles and Jews in World War II.

But it is clear what Kustner is talking about. He writes: It was Andrij Melnyk who warned the Grand Coalition led by Angela Merkel against the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 2 as consistently as it was in vain. It was Andrij Melnyk who reminded the Social Democrats of the historical errors of their pro-Russian policy. It was Andrij Melnyk who, after the start of Putins war of aggression, vehemently criticised the traffic light coalition and also the chancellor for his reluctance to provide his attacked country with heavy weapons.

In other words, Melnyk has played a central role in directing German foreign policy towards an aggressive, anti-Russian war course in recent years and months.

After some initial reluctance, Germany is now at the forefront of military support for Ukraine. Berlin supplies heavy weaponry and is heavily involved in the NATO war offensive in Eastern Europe. In addition, the ruling class sees war as an opportunity to put its long-developed militarisation and great power plans into practice, and, after two lost world wars, re-emerge as the leading military power in Europe.

For this reason, Melnyk was invited onto numerous talk shows in order to present his insistent demands for more German weapons and to denounce anyone who even put the words negotiation or diplomacy in his mouth with regard to Russia. When Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced the 100 billion special fund for the German army in the Bundestag on February 27, Melnyk, together with former federal President Joachim Gauck, stood in the official gallery and received standing ovations.

Standing ovation for Andrij Melnik at the Bundestag on Feb. 27, 2022 (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Politicians and the media always knew exactly in whose ideological legacy Melnyk was working. Shortly after taking up his post as Ukrainian ambassador to Germany in 2015, he visited the grave of his idol Bandera in Munich, laid flowers there and called him a hero on Twitter. Since then, Melnyk has expressed his admiration and reverence for the Ukrainian Providnik (leader) in numerous interviews.

He recently went one step further in an interview with the online broadcast Jung & Naiv. Not only did he celebrate Bandera as a freedom fighter and Robin Hood of Ukraine, but he also denied the mass murder carried out by his OUN units in the Holocaust and massacres of Russians, Poles and Hungarians. There is no evidence that Bandera troops murdered hundreds of thousands of Jews, he claimed.

Bandera's OUN and Nazi officials at a joint parade in occupied Poland on July 7, 1941 (Bandera'sOUN propaganda unit copy of original document Jo0doe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

In reality, it is a historical fact that Bandera and his supporters in the radical anti-Semitic wing of the OUN helped to prepare the Nazi war of annihilation, and after the invasion of Ukraine by the Wehrmacht organised pogroms against the Jewish population and murdered Russian prisoners of war. When the journalist Tilo Jung confronted Melnyk with the crimes of the Banderites, the Ukrainian ambassador defended them with the words: I will not tell you today that I am distancing myself from them. And thats it!

The interview sparked a public outcry and sharp international reactions. The statements of the Ukrainian ambassador are a distortion of the historical facts, a trivialisation of the Holocaust and an insult to those murdered by Bandera and his people, the Israeli embassy in Berlin said on Twitter.

The Polish Foreign Ministry described Melnyks remarks as absolutely unacceptable.

In order not to jeopardise the Western war alliance against Russia, Kiev was ultimately forced to withdraw Melnyk as part of a diplomatic rotation. This does not change the close cooperation with him and the pro-fascist Bandera course of the Ukrainian government. On the contrary, according to media reports, Melnyk may even be promoted to deputy foreign minister of Ukraine.

Stepan Bandera Monument in Lviv (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

The WSWS already noted in an earlier article that Melnyks statements not only expose the Ukrainian government, which reveres Bandera and the OUN despite their terrible genocidal crimes, and erects statues, prints stamps and renames streets and squares in his honour. They also shed light on the essentially fascist character of the ruling class in Germany, which, 81 years after the invasion of the Soviet Union, is rearming massively and playing a leading part in the NATO proxy war in Ukraine against Russia.

The Melnyk case is a warning, but it also has a positive side. Support for Ukraine in the war has nothing whatsoever to do with defending values or democracy. It is a deliberately planned imperialist proxy war. With the decades-long military encirclement of Russia, NATO provoked Putins reactionary invasion of Ukraine and is now escalating the conflict. The most important allies in Ukraine refer to the same fascist forces with which Hitler-Germany made pacts during the invasion of the Soviet Union.

The war aims are also similar to those of that earlier period. The imperialist powers are intent on militarily subjugating and splitting up the resource-rich and geostrategically important country so that it can be exploited and controlled. Ideologically, the renewed war against Russia requires the rehabilitation of the Nazis and ultimately of Hitler himself. This is at the core of Melnyks defence. If the Ukrainian fascist leader Bandera was not a criminal, but a hero, why should the same not apply to the German Nazi leader?

The ruling class that brought Hitler to power to unleash World War II is not far from openly pronouncing such a claim. As early as 2014, right-wing extremist Humboldt University professor Jorg Baberowski described Hitler in Der Spiegel as not vicious and claimed: He did not want to talk about the extermination of the Jews at his table. In the same interview, he expressed his solidarity with the now deceased Nazi apologist Ernst Nolte, who already claimed during the historians dispute in the 1980s that the Holocaust was a justified reaction to the Soviet Union.

At that time, the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) were the only ones who opposed this gross falsification of history and trivialisation of the Nazis. They warned that the relativisation of the historical crimes of German imperialism serves the preparation of new wars and new crimes.

This has been powerfully confirmed. The same parties and media that defended Baberowski and denounced the SGP/IYSSE over the last eight years are now celebrating Melnyk.

Baberowskis positions now form the core of German government policy. On June 22, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) took advantage of the 81st anniversary of the German invasion of the Soviet Union to announce a massive expansion of the proxy war against Russia in a government declaration. He failed to utter a single word about Germanys crimes, including the murder of at least 27 million Soviet citizens and the Holocaust.

Resistance to this development is growing among the population. According to a Civey poll, 69 percent of Germans welcomed Melnyks dismissal. Only about one in 10 expressed regret about it. Fascism and war are hated among workers and young people precisely because of Germanys historic crimes. It is now more important than ever to organise this mass opposition and arm it with a clear perspective. The urgent task in Germany and internationally is to build a powerful socialist movement of the working class against capitalism.
Texas Governor Greg Abbotts July 7 executive order clearing state authorities to return apprehended migrants to the US-Mexico border has raised alarms among immigration lawyers and advocates, who say the order raises a number of legal questions.

Abbotts directive grants the Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety (DPS) the authority to arrest migrants suspected of illegally crossing the border or committing other violations of federal law. It also empowers state officials to return apprehended migrants to ports of entrystopping just short of using state resources to expel migrants from the country, as far-right forces have increasingly called for in recent months.

The order came two days after former Trump officials and right-wing officials in sparsely populated counties in South Texas called on Abbott to declare that Texas is facing an invasion and invoke emergency powers reserved for war to directly deport migrants.

Texas lawmakers have utilized the death of dozens of migrants found in a truck trailer in San Antonio last month to justify a further crackdown on immigration. An hour before the bodies were discovered in his district, Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales tweeted that immigration was incentivizing lawlessness and creating absolute chaos at our southern border.

Abbott directly blamed Biden for the deaths, tweeting: They are a result of his deadly open border policies. They show the deadly consequences of his refusal to enforce the law.

Although Texas has implemented numerous reactionary anti-immigrant laws and programs in the past, Abbotts most recent order is the most extreme move yet, signaling an open defiance of the federal governments authority to enforce immigration law.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said in a statement that the order is vicious and unlawful, and recklessly fans the flames of hate in our state.

According to Doris Meissner, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, Texas officials transporting migrants to the border raises questions of whether those authorities are attempting to enforce immigration law, a long-standing federal responsibility.

In terms of transporting, thats exactly the question Id have, Meissner told the Texas Tribune. Where would be the authority [come from] for state officials to transport people they suspect of being in violation of immigration law and having just recently crossed without arresting them for some reason? Were they to do that, I think that raises pretty basic civil rights violation questions.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnik, policy director for the American Immigration Council, said Abbotts order is in direct violation of the 2012 Supreme Court ruling in Arizona v. United States, in which the high court determined that state authorities can enforce immigration law only if theyve been permitted by the federal government.

Gov. Abbott is inviting a lawsuit from the Biden administration just as the Arizona legislature did over a decade ago which led to the Supreme Court laying out that the federal government alone has authority to do immigration enforcement, he said.

Texas state authorities are already under federal investigation for Operation Lone Star, Abbotts program authorizing state troopers and other authorities to arrest migrants for state crimes such as trespassing. Through Operation Lone Star, Abbott has deployed some 10,000 DPS officers and soldiers from the Texas National Guard to the border. Under the program, Texas has arrested thousands of migrants, holding them indefinitely in the states criminal justice system.

Beyond questions about its legality, Abbotts order omits details on when and how state officials will implement their new authority to arrest immigrants suspected of violating federal immigration or criminal laws. Representatives of the Texas National Guard and the Department of Public Safety refuse to say which groups of migrants they will apprehend and when they will start the arrests.

The Democratic Party has not outlined any policies or initiatives to combat Texas officials flagrant violation of federal law. The White House has only responded by defending its own reactionary policies at the border. A White House press release declared that Biden was focused on real policy solutions to actually secure our border, and bragged that Biden has secured record-breaking funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The militarization of the border is the result of long-standing bipartisan policies. In the 1990s, President Bill Clinton, with the support of Democrats and Republicans, enacted programs like Operation Gatekeeper and Operation Hold-the-Line, the aim of which was to force migrants, as a deterrence, to cross in uninhabitable desert regions.

This operation was expanded under the George W. Bush administration and subsequent presidencies. In 2006, Congress approved the Secure Fences Act, facilitating the construction of hundreds of miles of border barriers and further militarizing the border. In 2010, Barack Obama, who would become known as the deporter-in-chief, deployed a fleet of drones to the border and 1,500 additional National Guard soldiers to block or arrest immigrants.

The Biden administration has kept a Trump-era pandemic-related ban on asylum applicants and maintained Trumps Remain In Mexico policy. Last week, Biden approved the continuation of Trumps border wall despite having campaigned on a promise not to build one more inch of wall.

The horrific realities migrants face at the border exposes the hypocritical and fraudulent claims of US imperialism to be fighting for democracy in its proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. Both capitalist parties are united in their attacks on the democratic rights of the poorest and most vulnerable sections of the population. The protection of basic democratic rights, including the rights of immigrants, requires the socialist transformation of society.
On Saturday, more than 1,000 nurses, supporters and family members participated in a rally and informational picket at Michigan Medicines health care facilities in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The event commenced at a field nearby the hospital system and included a march through the medical campus, drawing attention to the expired contract that ended on June 30 and the ongoing intolerable working conditions for nurses.

As with all such events, the sentiments of the majority of those who attended the rally, which were mainly rank-and-file nurses, were at sharp odds with those of the events organizers. The protest was called by the University of Michigan Professional Nurses Council (UMPNC), which nominally represents the 6,200 Michigan Medicine nurses, and its parent-affiliate, the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA).

Hundreds of Michigan Medicine nurses and their supporters participated in an informational picket of the hospital facilities in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, July 16, 2022 to demand an end to the staffing shortage and a new contract which expired on June 30.

The disparity between the position of the union and the nurses found expression in the very divergent views voiced at the event. Numerous nurses told reporters from the World Socialist Web Site about the appalling and overwhelming conditions that they face. One nurse, who asked to withhold her name, said that it was a misnomer to speak of burnout in that the process began years ago, was accelerated by COVID-19 and seems to have a finished character to it now.

She spoke passionately about the tension felt every day between her desire to provide adequate care to all her patients and her own physical and emotional ability to do so. She referred to the epidemic of mental health issues faced by nurses and said that resources to address this were nowhere near meeting the need.

She agreed readily with the idea to broaden the struggle of the nurses to other sections of the working class rather than plead with the University of Michigan regents, even if she did hold out the hope that the latter would at some point recognize that the hospital could be more profitable if the nurses conditions were improved. When asked whether health care needed to generate profits at allshouldnt its purpose simply be to provide needed care? she paused and found herself in basic agreement with this point.

Another nurse, a veteran of more than a decade at the hospital, spoke of being forced to stay beyond her shift due to inadequate staffing. I have a young child at home. If I stay, who is going to care for him? she asked.

She drew attention not only to pay issues and COVID-19 protections for the nurses, but the level of care now being provided at the hospital. This is the first time that I have seen so many patients in the emergency room, spilling out into the hallways, she said. Did she agree that hospital management and the regents could be persuaded to provide what nurses require, as the union maintains? Yes, she argued, if we show that we are serious.

What about an appeal to broader sections of workers, including those in auto, retail, other services? Its true, this [poor pay and conditions] is a problem everywhere, she said, indicating the type of struggle that is required to take forward the struggle against the management of the health care system.

The rhetoric from the platform of the event, however, was of an entirely different character. The MNA sought to present the union as defending the interests of the workers and the idea that the Democratic Party, or sections of it, as being on the side of the workers.

This was chiefly demonstrated in the inclusion among the speakers at the rally of US Representative Debbie Dingell, Democrat from Michigans 12th Congressional District, which includes Ann Arbor. Never one to miss a photo-op, Dingell extolled the virtues of nurses, pointed out the sacrifice nurses have made working through the COVID-19 pandemic, and affected sympathy for the hardships they face.

The Democratic congresswoman claimed that she would fight with the nurses of Michigan Medicine to improve the situation. However, like all speakers on the stage, she failed to indicate precisely what that fight would entail.

With a tremor in her voice, Dingell recounted the story of a nurse at an unnamed hospitalnot Michigan, she stressedwho recently committed suicide. The congresswomans cynicism knows no bounds. What have Democrats, who control the Senate, the House of Representatives and the White House, done to help nurses or other health care workers? Where are the federally mandated staffing ratios? Where are the federal protections from mandatory overtime?

That Dingell was called in for the rally at Michigan Medicine suggests just how much pressure the MNA-UMPNC and the hospital are under to contain nurses anger.

The lackluster response from the crowditself a fraction of the total number of nurses at Michigan Medicinegave an indication that the ability of the union bureaucracy to keep the nurses struggle in check is approaching a limit. While just a few lines gained applause, the crowd ignored much of what was said from the podium and spoke in small groups around the field.

The determination of nurses to demand a resolution to the staffing crisis has been building, going back to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the union has sought to contain any mass struggle from breaking out. The refusal of the union to even hold a strike vote in the present contract fight, even though the management of Michigan Medicine has made it clear in negotiations that it is intransigent in its drive to impose a new concessionary agreement, is part of the preparations for a sellout of the nurses.

Indicating the concern within the upper echelons of the labor bureaucracy that the Michigan Medicine nurses will rebel against the MNA-UMPNC, Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber was also brought in to address the protest, claiming, weve got your back and you are going to win. This is a bald-faced lie.

Ron Bieber is the son of former UAW President Owen Bieber, who oversaw the conversion of the auto workers union into an instrument of the Big Three corporations in the 1980s and 1990s, the destruction of thousands of auto jobs and the imposition of massive concessions on wages, benefits and working conditions in the auto factories across the US.

The younger Bieber has spent his entire career as a functionary of the corrupt UAW bureaucracy, including the UAWs Community Action Program and various joint union-management structures at General Motors. Not only has Bieber never led or been involved in a single struggle by workers to win anything from the auto companies, he has specialized in give-backs to the employers and the treacherous union betrayals of recent decades.

While Bieber was on his way up in the Michigan AFL-CIO bureaucracy, the top leadership of the UAW was accepting bribes from the auto companies and embezzling union funds to go on vacation and buy luxury items for themselves and their family members. Michigan Medicine nurses can be certain that they will hear nothing from Ron Bieber about what is required to win their fight against the fifth largest hospital system in Michigan or about how they can unite with the many other health care workers struggles that are now unfolding across the state.

Other speakers at the rally included Renee Curtis, president of the Michigan Nurses Association-University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council (MNA-UMPNC), and Democratic state representative Felicia Brabec. Like Dingell, these speakers emphasized that they would fight and stand together with nurses but did not call for strike action or even the preparations for one. The only real weapon that workers possess, the power to refuse to work, is being withheld from the nurses by the union, and instead, the Democrats are being put forward falsely as though they are going to do something to address the crisis at the hospital.

While pseudo-left political groups, such as the Democratic Socialists of America and Left Voice, were present at the event and welcomed by the MNA-UMPNC and AFL-CIO, reporters for the World Socialist Web Site were received with hostility from the union bureaucracy. The purpose of the intervention of such groups is to prop up the union and its political alliance with the Democratic Party. Their role is to prevent nursesas well all other sections of the working classfrom developing an independent political struggle against the corporate structures of the health care industry, whether they are public, not-for-profit or private and for-profit hospitals.

Union operatives hounded the WSWS reporters at the rally, interrupting interviews with nurses, telling those nearby that the WSWS is anti-union, and hurling the word socialist as a damning epithet. Such tactics, however, which are motivated largely by fear of the rank-and-file nurses and the growth of left-wing sentiment among them, drew nurses toward the WSWS representatives and sparked interest in the program advanced by the WSWS Health Care Workers Newsletter.

The unions fear is because the newsletter has been distributed to nurses and other staff at Michigan Medicine for the past two months and has gained a following. Unlike the organizations of the pseudo-left who support the Democratic Party and endorse the unions role in blocking any struggle of workers from breaking out, the WSWS exposes the MNA-UMPNCs calculated fecklessness and encourages nurses to put forth concrete demands on staffing, wages and hours; to demand a strike vote, and to form democratic rank-and-file committees to take the struggle out of the hands of the union bureaucracy.
In an interview on CBS Face the Nation Sunday, former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb bluntly acknowledged the growing threat posed by monkeypox and the complete failure of the Biden administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to respond to the unprecedented global outbreak.

In this Wednesday, April 5, 2017, file photo, Dr. Scott Gottlieb speaks during his confirmation hearing before a Senate committee, in Washington, as President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Food and Drug Administration. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

As Face the Nation anchor Margaret Brennan noted, there are now more than 1,800 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States. Exactly one month ago, the cumulative number of infections had reached 112, and the seven-day rolling average was only 10 cases per day. Since then, the seven-day rolling average has risen to 173 per day. Spikes in monkeypox infections are occurring in large metropolitan centers in New York (489), California (266), Illinois (174), Florida (154), and Washington D.C. (108). Only Germany and Spain have had more cases, but the US is expected to surpass them by next week.

Brennan opened her remarks by quoting Gottlieb, You are saying this is a pandemic. That is not a word the [Biden] administration is using yet. What level of emergency are we at?

Gottlieb responded, I think they are going to be reluctant to use the word pandemic because it is going to imply they failed to contain this. And I think at this point we failed to contain this. We are now at the cusp of this becoming an endemic virus with this now becoming something that is persistent, that we need to continue to deal with.

He added, I think the window for getting control of this and containing it probably has closed. And if it hasnt closed, it certainly has started to close. With 11,000 cases across the world right now and 1,800 in the US, we are probably detecting just a fraction of the actual cases because we had for a long time a very narrow case definition on who got tested. And by and large, we are looking in the community of men who have sex with men at STD [sexually transmitted disease] clinics. We are looking there, and we are finding cases there. But it is a fact that there are cases outside of that community right now. We are not picking them up because we arent looking there.

At present, five laboratories across the US can run monkeypox PCR tests. Dr. Kavita Patel, a family medicine physician in Washington D.C. and former Obama administration director of policy for the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, recently noted the US could run approximately 6,000 tests per week, and the turnaround time on these can take upwards of two to three days.

Gottlieb explained that though this is a slower-moving virus than SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the response and the mistakes made with the COVID-19 pandemic are similar to what is happening with monkeypox. These include having a very narrow case definition, not having enough testing early enough, not deploying vaccines in an aggressive fashion to ring vaccinate. But now this is firmly embedded in the community. While its not going to explode because it is harder for this virus to spread, it is probably going to be persistent. You will have this as a sort of fact of life maybe spreading as a sexually transmitted disease, but also breaking out of those settings.

When Brennan asked about the reasons behind the current difficulties of New York politicians in accessing vaccines from the Biden administration, Gottlieb bluntly stated that there were inadequate supplies of the Jynneos vaccine in the strategic national stockpiles. There were only 2,000 doses there as a hedge against smallpox. We took our eye off that ball, so we didnt replenish that supply. He then sought to reassure viewers that things will get somewhat better, as the Biden administration has secured 800,000 doses to be sent to the US from abroad.

Notably, over the last five years, there were several minor monkeypox outbreaks across non-endemic regions and more significant outbreaks across Central and West Africa. Additionally, monkeypox experts warned that a global pandemic was inevitable unless active measures to survey these infections were put in place.

Gottlieb criticized the CDC and the federal government for their lackluster response to both the monkeypox and COVID-19 pandemics, stating emphatically, We need to fundamentally reform how we respond to these crises!

Gottliebs comments on monkeypox were remarkable, but incomplete and flawed. One crucial point that should have been raised is the threat posed by the lack of familiarity of health care systems with monkeypox and how to manage and treat it, as these facilities will once again soon become vectors of transmission.

Additionally, there was no urgent warning of the profound dangers posed to children as tens of millions are sent back to school in the coming weeks. Last week, the first report emerged of a child exposed to monkeypox at school in South London. Children, who are immunologically naive to monkeypox, face an immediate existential threat to which the public health infrastructure is unprepared and has remained publicly mute.

Furthermore, Nordic Bavarian, the manufacturer of the Jynneos vaccine, is currently doing maintenance on their manufacturing plants and will be unable to mass produce their vaccines until late this year at the earliest, at which point there could be over 1 million cases globally. Gottliebs assurance that the vaccine shortage will soon remedy itself is false. Brennan also did not raise the issue of vaccine nationalism that has been horrifically expressed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the monkeypox vaccines are not authorized for those under 18, which means the FDA and CDC will most likely have to waive these restrictions, a process which could take many months.

Most fundamentally, Gottliebs claim that Were now at the cusp of this becoming an endemic virus is completely false. As with COVID-19, the monkeypox pandemic can be stopped, and in fact much more easily by the nature of the virus and the infections it causes. But this will require a globally-coordinated initiative to conduct mass testing and contact tracing and direct vaccines where they are needed. Due to the more extended infectious period of monkeypox (three to four weeks) as compared to COVID-19, isolation facilities and medical treatments become critical to these efforts.

It has been just over two months since the first patient with monkeypox outside countries where the virus is endemic was identified by UK public health officials on May 7, 2022. Since then, cases have risen exponentially across the globe, with epicenters of the outbreak in Europe and North and South America. As of July 17, 2022, 12,701 confirmed and suspected cases were reported. The global seven-day rolling average of new monkeypox cases continues to climb at 723 cases per day and infections have been registered across 76 countries and territories.

This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. [AP Photo/Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC]

After a little over two months, Gottlieb is already proclaiming the latest infectious disease entrenched in society. Cultivating such a fatalistic attitude serves the interests of the American ruling class, which is determined to dismantle public health. In reality, if the unlimited resources being funneled to the military intelligence apparatus were instead used for social needs, COVID-19, monkeypox, and other infectious diseases could be eliminated in rapid succession.

Gottliebs premature comment that monkeypox is at the cusp of becoming endemic is made in the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, after months of relentless propaganda portraying the Omicron variant as the final variant that would cause SARS-CoV-2 to become endemic. Just as the financial oligarchs and their media spokespersons insist that the coronavirus is now a permanent fixture within every community and have declared it endemic, Gottliebs comments on this are not so much a scientific assessment as a political maneuver.

The World Health Organization (WHO) will be reconvening the emergency committee on monkeypox this Thursday, July 21. The committee met initially on June 23, 2022, but on a split decision recommended against declaring a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). There were only 3,600 cumulative cases at the time, and the daily rolling average in new cases stood at 225. In less than four weeks, cases have risen nearly four-fold.

It must be recalled that the WHO waited until March 11, 2020, almost six weeks from their declaration of a public health emergency of international concern, to declare COVID-19 a pandemic. The WHO has never fully explained this inaction or taken the US and Europe to task for their criminal policies, and have now effectively conceded to the learn to live with the virus policy being brutally enforced by nearly every government outside China.

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the criminal character of the world capitalist system. In the United States, the wealthiest and most technologically advanced country, the prioritization of profits over lives has killed over one million people and debilitated millions more. With this precedent set, the monkeypox outbreak is now being managed no differently.

The deepening catastrophe of the global monkeypox outbreak underscores the critical fact that despite the experience of the past two-and-a-half years, the world is woefully unprepared to face emerging zoonotic threats to which mankind will increasingly be exposed as a result of climate change, globalization and the highly interconnected nature of modern society.

It is essential that workers, scientists and anti-COVID activists assimilate the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic and develop a powerful global movement fighting for the socialist reorganization of the world economy. Only on this basis will there be a vast expansion of funding for public health and health care, and resources allocated to halt and reverse climate change.
The British government is pressing on with its Northern Ireland Protocol Bill despite opposition from the imperialist powers on both sides of the Atlantic. None of the prospective candidates to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader and prime minister have distanced themselves from legislation denounced repeatedly as breaking international law.

The bill removes all restrictions on trade between Northern Ireland and Britain, apart from checks on goods destined for the Republic of Ireland. It authorises the British government to alter state aid, tax rules and standards regardless of the European Union and ends the authority of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in disputes between the EU and the UK. Designed to appeal to the most hardline Brexiteers within the Tory Party and to Northern Irelands unionist parties, the bill calls into question key components of the Withdrawal Agreement with the EU, reached only three years ago, and threatens to undermine the 1998 Good Friday Agreement setting up power-sharing after decades of The Troubles.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss visits local businesses in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to discuss Northern Ireland Protocol, May 25, 2022 [Photo by Simon Worth / FCDO / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Brexit was an attempt to undercut British imperialisms rivals by ripping up such restrictions on profitability that were bound up with EU membership, seeking global trade deals instead and an intensified assault on the working class.

The hard Brexit negotiated by the Johnson government placed the UK outside of the EUs single market and, at a stroke, transformed the partition line brutally imposed on Ireland by British imperialism in 1921 into an external EU border. The protocol component of the Brexit agreement, seeking to avoid a border on Ireland itself, which would breach the Good Friday Agreement, allowed Northern Ireland to remain in the EU single market but, in doing so, imposed customs checks on the Irish Sea border with the UK.

The government undoubtedly negotiated this with the intention of reneging on it as soon as possible, relying on the outrage from its close allies in the hard right Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and their paramilitary loyalist extensions to force the issue. The DUP is currently refusing to allow the suspended Northern Ireland Assembly to be revived, pending abolition of the protocol, while inflaming sectarian tensions. The recent July 12 celebrations saw Irish nationalist politicians burnt in effigy on loyalist bonfires.

The bill has infuriated the UKs allies and rivals in the US and EU. Shortly after its publication, the European Commission (EC) launched infringement proceedings against the UK for its failure to comply with significant parts of the protocol. EC Vice President Maros Sefcovic said, Let there be no doubt: there is no legal, nor political justification whatsoever for unilaterally changing an international agreement. The EC cited a series of infringementslegal proceedings on which were either being launched, re-launched, or preparedincluding cases to the ECJ over border post staffing and trade data.

The Biden administration has repeatedly made clear that it opposes unilateral moves against the protocol as destabilising. US corporations have trillions of dollars invested and headquartered in the Republic. Moreover, Washington views tensions between major allies in NATOs war against Russia as dangerous.

These issues have provoked factional infighting within the Tory party, exposed when the bill was introduced to the House of Commons, June 27, by Foreign Secretary and hard-right Tory leadership contender Liz Truss.

Former prime minister Theresa May, forced out of office in 2019 by the Brexiteers and replaced by Johnson, complained that the bill is not legal under international law, wont achieve its aims and diminishes the standing of the UK in the eyes of the world. She questioned whether Truss would achieve her stated aim of encouraging the DUP back into power-sharing.

Tory MP Simon Hoare, chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in Westminster also opposed it, as did former Northern Ireland Secretary, Julian Smith.

Labours David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, attacked the bill because it threatened to undermine NATOs war against Russia. The precedent that it sets is dangerous and the timing could hardly be worse, he warned. It divides the United Kingdom and the European Union at a time when we should be pulling together against Putins war on the continent, and it risks causing new trade barriers during a cost-of-living crisis.

Citing his own dealings with US imperialism, Lammy complained, I have been to Washington on three occasions in the past six months, and I can say that across the political divide, Republicans and Democrats have raised the issue. On my most recent visit, they were aghast; they had not seen the content of the Bill at that stage, but they were aghast at the proposition.

Despite the alarms, the bills second reading was passed by a majority of 74. The bill is currently going through its committee stages.

On July 3, the German government weighed in with an unprecedented joint statement by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of the Greens and her Irish counterpart, Simon Coveney, warning that the bill would deepen divisions with Europe.

According to the pair, There is no legal or political justification for unilaterally breaking an international agreement entered into only two years ago. The tabling of legislation will not fix the challenges around the protocol. Instead, it will create a new set of uncertainties and make it more challenging to find durable solutions.

Baerbock and Coveney noted that 52 of the 90 members of the suspended Northern Ireland Assembly, from Sinn Fein, the Social Democratic and Labour Party and the Alliance Party, support the protocol.

Baerbock and Coveneys primary concern too was that the British position was undermining war against Russia. In these difficult times, as Russia is leading a ruthless war in Ukraine, breaking with our European peace order, the EU and UK must stand together as partners with shared values and a commitment to uphold and strengthen the rules-based international order.

Baerbocks concern for peace in Europe and rules in international relations is such that the German government is currently embarking on the largest rearmament since the Nazi period with a 100 billion Special Fund for the Bundeswehr, to be spent on the most modern weaponry, while older weapons systems are poured into Ukraine. The Irish government, for its part, is moving ever closer to NATO membership, recently announcing an increase in military spending to at least 1.9 billion annually and preparing to recruit 6,000 more troops.

The protocol dispute confirms that Brexit was only one expression of deepening tensions between the imperialist powers. Although the UK, EU and US are currently allied against Russia, tensions between British imperialism and its rivals over Ireland stretch back hundreds of years. The island has historically been the back door through which the European powers have sought to exert their influence against Britain and is now economically dominated by the US, while British imperialism has hung on to its last colonial outpost in the six counties of Northern Ireland to retain influence over and prevent revolutionary threats emerging from the entire island. Only the perspective of a unified socialist Ireland as part of a united socialist Europe, organised by the working class of the continent, offers a progressive way forward.
Late Friday, the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 coup issued a subpoena to the United States Secret Service demanding that the agency turn over text messages between its agents sent on January 5 and January 6, 2021.

The subpoena followed a letter sent July 13 by the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the parent organization of the Secret Service, to the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees informing them of the Secret Services efforts to obstruct his investigation into the role of the DHS and its agencies in then-President Donald Trumps attempted overthrow of the 2020 election.

In the letter, first reported by the Intercept, DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari said the Secret Service had deleted agents text messages after his office had requested all electronic communications on those days. He also raised that Secret Service personnel, citing orders from agency tops, were refusing to provide records to his office until DHS lawyers had reviewed them. The process was, he said, causing weekslong delays and confusion.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi quickly released a statement admitting that the agency had deleted text messages from the days before and during the mob attack on the US Capitol. But he presented the deletions as the entirely innocent result of a system migration process previously planned to begin in January 2021. The statement said that the agency had lost data on some phones, but that no texts relevant to the inquiry had been lost in the migration.

Representative Bennie Thompson (Democrat from Mississippi), who chairs both the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Committee on January 6, released a statement Thursday saying the January 6 Committee would respond to the extraordinarily troubling destruction of records. On Friday, Cuffari met with the committee in closed session, and later that day the committee issued its subpoena, ordering the Secret Service to retrieve and turn over the text messages by Tuesday, July 19.

The Secret Services claim that there was no malicious intent in deleting the messages is absurd. We are evidently to believe that the federal police agency charged with guarding the president, vice president and other top government officials has never heard of backing up devices, or is unaware that preservation of government documents is required by law.

It is trebly absurd to claim there could be an innocent explanation for failing to preserve records of the Secret Services actions during an unprecedented, bloody and nearly successful attempt to overthrow the Constitution and establish a presidential dictatorship, carried out by fascist paramilitaries backed by the defeated but still sitting president and his political party.

Moreover, it is well known that the Secret Service played a critical role in the attempted coup. Along with the Republican Party, the leadership of the Defense Department, substantial sections of the police and intelligence agencies and Supreme Court justices, it supported the attempt to establish Trump as dictator-president.

Testimony at a number of the public hearings of the January 6 Committee has revealed that Trump reacted to Vice President Mike Pences reluctant refusal to illegally reject the elector slates from battleground states that voted for Biden by targeting Pence for assassination at the hands of his fascist insurrectionists. His first tweet after the mob broke into the Capitol, decked out with nooses bearing signs saying, Hang Mike Pence, was issued at 2:24 p.m. In it he denounced Pence for lacking the courage to overturn the election.

Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021, file photo [AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File]

At that point, Pences Secret Service detail ordered him to leave the Capitol and get into an armored limousine headed for Andrews Air Force Base. Pence refused, knowing that if he was removed from the Capitol, the time limit for congressional certification of Bidens victory laid down in the Electoral Count Act of 1887 would be missed.

That would give Trump the pretext for throwing the election into the Supreme Court, where Trump allies Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas were prepared to intervene on his behalf, or back to Republican-controlled state legislatures, or into the House of Representatives, where the Republicans controlled the majority of state delegations.

They were confident, with good reason, that President-elect Biden and the Democrats would capitulate, just as they had capitulated to the stolen election of 2000. Outside of calling on Trump to call off his own coup, Biden said nothing throughout the hours-long storming of the Capitol, while Democratic lawmakers cowered under their desks. There was no appeal for the population to mobilize and stop the coup, because the Democrats feared above all igniting a mass movement that could threaten capitalist rule.

According to the Intercept article, Pences national security adviser Keith Kellogg told Tony Ornato, a top Secret Service official and Trumps deputy White House chief of staff for operations, You cant do that, Tony. Leave him where hes at. Hes got a job to do. I know you guys too well. Youll fly him to Alaska if you have a chance.

In the same article, author Ken Klippenstein cited a congressional official not authorized to speak publicly, who said, People need to understand that if Pence had listened to the Secret Service and fled the Capitol, this could have turned out a whole lot worse. It couldve been a successful coup, not just an attempted one.

Carol Leonnig, a Washington Post reporter and author of the 2021 book Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service, appeared on the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC the night after last months explosive testimony by Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Trumps White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Hutchinson told the January 6 Committee that Trump knew some of the insurgents he called on to storm the Capitol were armed, and that Trump said Pence deserved to be killed. She also said Trump intended to march on Congress at the head of the mob and was enraged when Ornato and the head of his Secret Service detail prevented him from doing so on the grounds that it was too dangerous.

Leonnig told Maddow that many members of Trumps Secret Service detail took to their personal media accounts to cheer on the insurrection and the individuals riding up to the Capitol as patriots.

Ornato, who has denied aspects of Hutchinsons account and the reported statement of Pences national security adviser Keith Kellogg, exemplifies the role of key state operatives elevated by Trump in preparation for the coup that unfolded on January 6.

Ornato served for three years as Secret Service deputy assistant director in charge of Trumps Secret Service detail. In December 2019, Trump took the unprecedented step of naming Ornato, still an officer in the Secret Service, to become deputy White House chief of staff in charge of operations. This was part of Trumps effort to turn the Secret Service and other police agencies, such as the Border Patrol, into his private Praetorian Guard.

This is how Wikipedia describes Ornatos new position:

With this shift Ornato left his role as protective agent to become a manager responsible for all aspects of security, travel, information technology, military operations, scheduling and operational logistics required in support of the President, managing a budget of approximately $800 million and leading a workforce of over 5,000 persons.

He and his team provided management and administration services, human resources support, financial oversight, and medical support. He managed the Residence staff assigned to the president and the Executive Office of the President complex. Ornato also had responsibility for a variety of offices related to the White House, including Camp David, the Presidential Airlift Group, the Presidential Marine Helicopter Squadron, the White House Communications Agency. He was also responsible for the Presidential Continuity Policy, Plans and Requirements.

As deputy chief of staff in charge of operations, Ornato played a central role in organizing Trumps June 1, 2020 photo op in front of St. Johns Church. That Der Fuhrer moment followed Trumps threat to invoke the Insurrection Act and mobilize the military across the country to crush ongoing protests against the police murder of George Floyd, and his deployment of federal police to violently clear out peaceful demonstrators protesting across from the White House.

Like all of his fellow coup accomplices, Ornato has not been prosecuted. He remains to this day the assistant director of the United States Secret Service Office of Training.

The Biden administration and congressional Democrats have been aware for months of the role of the Secret Service in supporting the coup attempt and seeking to undermine the DHS inspector generals investigation. They have done nothing and told the public nothing.

CNN reported that Inspector General Cuffari told the January 6 Committee on Friday that he had repeatedly complained to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Majorkas about the Secret Services refusal to turn over agents electronic correspondence related to the January 6 events, but could not get anywhere within DHS with his concerns. Cuffari also raised the issue in the last two semi-annual reports his office issued to Congress.
Documents obtained by lawyer Kellie Tranter and published on the Declassified Australia website cast a damning light on the Australian Labor governments role in facilitating the continued imprisonment of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange and his extradition to the US.

Anthony Albanese and Julian Assange

The material gives the lie to the claims of Labor supporters that the newly-elected government may be seeking to secure Assanges freedom through backroom diplomacy, despite the refusal of Labor ministers to condemn the attempted US extradition and prosecution.

They show that Labor is willing to let Assange be sent to the US, despite doctors and his family warning that it would be a death sentence. A successful extradition would also set a sweeping precedent for attacks on journalists and political dissidents globally.

Assange faces 17 charges under the Espionage Act, and 175 years imprisonment, for publishing true information exposing massive US-led war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tranter, a longstanding legal advisor to Assange, has for many years filed freedom of information requests aimed at acquiring official documents revealing the role of Australian governments in the persecution of Assange. Those released by Declassified Australia are the first she has published since the Labor government was installed after the May 21 federal election.

The two documents are redacted. What is present, however, gives a sufficient picture of Labors acquiescence to Assanges extradition, and the cynical, duplicitous character of the ambiguous public statements its leading representatives have made.

The first are internal talking points prepared for Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on June 2. It is entitled: Julian Assange  International Transfer of Prisoners process  talking points and background. Its heading indicates the central preoccupation of the document, which states:

Prisoner transfers cannot be agreed between governments in advance of a person being a prisoner (after a criminal trial, conviction and sentencing) in a particular country, and require the consent of the prisoner;

International prisoner transfers to Australia are initiated by an application from a prisoner after the prisoner has been convicted and sentenced;

If surrendered, convicted and sentenced in the US, Assange could apply under the ITP scheme to serve his sentence in Australia;

In other words, Assange is to be extradited to the US, where the former Trump administration and the CIA plotted to kidnap or assassinate him from London in 2017, before settling on a pseudo-legal criminal indictment. He would be hauled before a kangaroo court in the Eastern District of Virginia, with a jury likely stacked by the very same CIA officers and their relatives. The hearings would proceed in secret and Assanges detention regime would be one of total isolation.

With this hanging over his head, the document suggests that perhaps Assange will feel compelled to plead guilty to the crime of journalism, revealing the illegal killings of civilians, torture and other violations of international law.

Tranter notes that following a redacted section, the document continues: However, the UK High Courts judgment does note that the US has provided an assurance that they will consent to Mr Assange being transferred to Australia to serve any custodial sentence on him if he is convicted.

The US assurances are not worth the paper they are written on. Their sole aim was to overcome an earlier British court ruling, which found that Assanges extradition would be oppressive because of his deep on-going health issues and the horrific conditions in which he would be held in a US prison.

The assurances, accepted by a British High Court as bona fide last October, asserted that Assanges conditions of detention would not be as bad as his lawyers claimed. But those very assurances made plain that the intelligence agencies, including the CIA, would have complete control over the circumstances of Assanges imprisonment, which could be changed at any time.

The second, June 8 document, is a ministerial submission, entitled Julian Assange  extradition request from the United States to the United Kingdom. It recommends that Dreyfus note the situation confronting Assange, in the lead up to an announcement by British Home Secretary Priti Patel on whether she would approve extradition. Several weeks later, Patel gave her green light.

The submission to Dreyfus bluntly stated: The UK Home Secretary is due to make a final decision on Mr Assanges extradition to the US by 20 June. Mr Assange will have one final avenue of appeal with the leave of the High Court, otherwise he must be extradited within 28 days of the Secretary of States decision.

And again: If Mr Assange is extradited, convicted and sentenced in the US, he may apply for transfer to Australia under the International Transfer of Prisoners Scheme. This will require the consent of the US and Australian authorities.

The UK High Courts judgment notes that the US has provided an assurance that it will consent to Mr Assange being transferred to Australia to serve any custodial sentence imposed on him if he is convicted.

Later on, the document stated: If Mr Assange is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment in the US, it will be possible for him to apply under the ITP scheme to serve the remainder of his sentence in Australia. A transfer would also require the consent of the US, the Australian Government (through you as Attorney-General), and the relevant minister in the state into whose prison Mr Assange would be transferring.

In making any such decision, the department would provide you with advice on factors such as the extent to which the transfer would assist the prisoners rehabilitation, sentence enforcement, community safety and any relevant humanitarian considerations, in addition to any conditions of transfer required by the US.

In other words, as far as the Labor government is concerned, Assanges extradition is a done deal. Also striking is the fact that the documents do not countenance the possibility that he would be found not guilty in a US court. The entire thrust of the two documents is that the extradition and successful prosecution have already been stitched up, in a conspiracy involving the British government, the UK courts, the American authorities and the Labor administration.

Once Assange were in the US, moreover, the documents acknowledge that any prison transfer would be dependent upon the acquiescence of the American government whose President, Joe Biden, has previously branded Assange as a high-tech terrorist. A prison transfer, even in the unlikely event that it occurred, would mean years more of Assanges incarceration, in Britain, the US and then Australia.

The contempt of the government for Assange is summed up by the reference to factors such as the extent to which the transfer would assist the prisoners rehabilitation. Assange does not need to be rehabilitated. He is a heroic journalist who has done a major service to humanity. It is the war criminals he has exposed who need to be placed in an institution.

Obviously it is unknown what is contained in the redacted section. It may deal with the elephant in the room, which is excluded from the rest of the documents. Assanges doctors, lawyers and family have all testified that the WikiLeaks founder would take his life if he were to be extradited to the US. That judgment was effectively upheld by the British District Court, before it was overturned on the basis of the bogus US assurances.

All of the talk about prison transfers and the like is therefore window dressing for what would amount to a death sentence.

The documents reveal the sinister character of statements by Labor leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Dreyfus, that the Assange case has gone on for too long, and needs to be brought to a close. When asked by journalists, each has refused to elaborate on what this precisely means.

One thing that is entirely absent from the documents is any suggestion that Labor has so much as suggested the US government drop the charges against Assange and end the extradition proceedings. The continuation of the judicial frame-up and victimisation is taken as given.

The documents vindicate the warnings of the Socialist Equality Party that the greatest mistake defenders of Assange could make would be to harbour illusions that Labor will act to free the WikiLeaks founder.

The 2010-2013 Gillard Labor government initiated Australias collaboration with the persecution of Assange. Gillard slandered Assange by falsely claiming that he had broken Australian laws. Assange publicly accused Gillard and other senior ministers of secretly collaborating with the American state against him and other Australian citizens associated with WikiLeaks.

Those actions were bound up with the Gillard governments full-throated support for the pivot to Asia, a vast military build-up aimed at preparing for an aggressive US-led war against China.

A decade on and the military preparations are far advanced. The new Labor government is functioning as an attack dog of the Biden administration throughout the region. Last week, during a visit to Washington, Defence Minister Richard Marles hailed the US-Australia alliance as unbreakable, as he outlined a further massive military build-up.

The documents confirm that the fight for Assanges freedom requires a political struggle by the working class, the social constituency for democratic rights, against the Labor government and all of its defenders. A Labor government will only intervene diplomatically and legally to free Assange, if it is forced to do so by a mass movement from below.
US President Joe Biden rounded off his visit to the Middle East with a series of meetings with Arab leaders on Friday and Saturday. While the meetings repaired relations between Riyadh and Washington, no major breakthroughs were announced, with Biden widely seen as having paid a high price for little return.

The White House purpose was to reassert Washingtons standing with the regions bloodthirsty dictators and line them up behind Washingtons proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. The war that Biden has sought to justify as a war for democracy and human rights against autocracy has met a decidedly cool response from leaders throughout the region, with neither the Saudis nor the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signing on to the US/NATO sanctions on Russia.

Biden is also seeking to cement an anti-Iran alliance that would connect air defence systems throughout the region, building on CENTCOM, the US combat command whose base is in Qatar and which covers the Middle East, parts of central Asia, Egypt and the Horn of Africa and has, since early 2021, included Israel.

In this photo released by the Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, welcomes President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Al-Salam palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Friday, July 15, 2022. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)

This line-up is not only directed against Russia. It is part of US imperialisms broader efforts to limit Chinas expanding economic and political influence in the energy-rich Middle East.

Beijing has become the regions largest trading and investment partner, outstripping both the US and Europe some years ago. According to the American Enterprise Institute, the last 16 years has seen total Chinese investments and construction projects reached $43.47 billion in Saudi Arabia, $36.16 billion in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), $30.05 billion in Iraq, $11.75 billion in Kuwait, $7.8 billion in Qatar, $6.62 billion in Oman, and $1.42 billion in Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia has agreed wide-ranging trade and investment deals with both China and Russia. In the context of oil, China already is the Kingdoms largest customer, with the Saudis recently agreeing to import Russian oil in order to free up its own production, some of which is consumed domestically, particularly in its desalination plants, to increase exports.

Egypt, likewise, has extensive agreements with Russia which has started constructing a $25 billion nuclear reactor, while China is playing a major role in the construction of Egypts new administrative capital 35 km outside Cairo and has occupied much of the new industrial zone being built along the Suez Canal.

Qatar, which has close economic relations with Iran, is negotiating with China over the development of what will be the worlds largest gas field and the multi-year export of its gas to China, while Irans deal with China includes major investment in infrastructure in exchange for cheaper oil and naval outposts in the Persian Gulf. Iraq has signed a deal with China to build 1,000 schools in the country over the next two years.

At the NATO summit meeting a few weeks ago, Bidens new strategic concept for the Western alliance recognized China as a systemic challenge and described its policies as coercive and its cyberoperations around the world as malicious. He said that along with Moscow, Beijing was trying to subvert the rules-based international order. In other words, they were opposed to Washingtons political and economic domination.

It was this that led Biden to junk his election pledge to treat Saudi Arabia as a pariah state due to its crushing of all internal dissent with mass executions and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salmans signing off on the gruesome assassination of Saudi insider turned dissident Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 and grovel before the Saudi ruler. That the visit took place at all was seen as an achievement for the Saudis and above all for bin Salman.

When the US president brought up Khashoggis murder with bin Salman on Friday afternoon, the prince accused Washington of hypocrisy for allowing the shocking abuse of inmates by their US guards at Iraqs Abu Ghraib prison in 2004 and doing nothing about the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israel soldiers while covering an Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Jenin last May. Bin Salman could of course have itemized a far longer list of human rights crimes committed by US imperialism in the Middle East and beyond that more than match those of the barbaric House of Saud.

On Saturday, at a summit meeting with the leaders of the six Gulf sheikdoms and Egypt, Jordan and Iraq in Saudi Arabias western port city of Jeddah, Biden said, We will not walk away and leave a vacuum to be filled by China, Russia or Iran, adding And well seek to build on this moment with active, principled American leadership. Such principles evidently include support for the ruthless suppression of all dissent as exemplified by bin Salman and Egypts military ruler General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

In effect, Biden gave the regions tyrants, all of whom sit atop social volcanoes, a blank check guaranteeing Washingtons support against domestic opposition. It was the Obama administrations failure to defend Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak against the mass opposition that brought about his ouster in 2011 that precipitated a sharp deterioration in relations between Washington and its Arab allies.

In his first talks on the second leg of his trip on Friday afternoon, Biden met with bin Salman and Saudi leaders in Jeddah. Despite giving the nod to their client Bahrain to join the US-backed Abraham Accords with Israel, and years of back-channel talks between Riyadh and Jerusalem on security issues, intelligence sharing and trade deals, the Saudis refused to deal openly with Israel unless it agrees to the formation of a Palestinian mini-state as outlined in a 2002 Saudi initiative.

However, the Biden administration did announce the finalization of the agreement to transfer the tiny islands of Tiran and Sanafir from Egypt to Saudi Arabia. The two islands control the maritime entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba and thus all shipping to Eilat, Israels only port with access to the Red Sea. Long claimed by Saudi Arabia, but controlled by Egypt, the islands were subject to the 1978-9 Camp David agreements between US, Egypt and Israel that called for stationing a small peacekeeping force there, including US soldiers. The US will pull out its forces by the end of the year.

In return, the Saudis have agreed to allow international flights to and from Israel to fly over Saudi airspace, including the Israeli airline El Al, as well as allowing Israels Arab Muslim citizens to fly direct to Saudi Arabia for religious visits to Mecca, thereby shortening journey times between Israel and the Middle East and Asia.

Bin Salman gave a vague undertaking to increase oil production by up to 1.5 million barrels a day. This is expected to be a short-term increase that will have little impact on global oil prices. As in 1973, the House of Saud is determined to take advantage of the oil price increases to refill its coffers after several lean years, fund development projects for the next decade, and assert its own political and economic agenda throughout the region.

The US for its part signed a number of economic deals, including an agreement on cooperation on the development of next generation 5G and 6G mobile technology networks and on cybersecurity, in a bid to limit the economic reach of Chinas giant Huawei telecoms corporation, which has developed a significant presence in the region.

On Saturday morning, Biden held one-on-one meetings with the leaders assembled for the summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council, including el-Sisi of Egypt, whom he thanked for the incredible assistance in Gaza, which Egypt has promised to help rebuild after Israels murderous assault on the besieged enclave in May last year. He did not mention el-Sisis atrocious human rights record that includes the imprisonment of 65,000 of his critics, many of whom have died in custody due to medical negligence, including the democratically elected President Mohamed Mursi.

The summit itself made no substantive announcement on establishing a regional defence alliance nor did it set a schedule for further talks. There was no rush to cement an anti-Iran bloc with Israel by normalizing relations with Tel Aviv, in part because several Gulf States, along with Egypt and Jordan, already trade with Israel, buying its military, intelligence and agricultural technology, and have held joint military exercises via Centcom. Riyadh has already stated it doesnt want to start a war with Iran and is engaged in talks, brokered by Iraq, which is hugely reliant on Iran for electricity and gas, to restore diplomatic relations with Tehran, as is the UAE.

While the participants are in the final analysis dependent upon Washington for their security, they view Russia and China as useful counterweights and bargaining chips in their relations with the US.
On Friday, the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court sentenced German Army officer and neo-Nazi Franco Albrecht to five years and six months in prison for planning attacks on high-ranking politicians and public figures. The verdict is not yet final.

Franco Albrecht at the start of the trial in an interview with the television station RT deutsch

It is the first time that a German court has convicted a Bundeswehr officer of right-wing terrorism. But as in previous trials of far-right terroristssuch as Beate Zschape of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Underground (NSU) or Stefan Ernst, who murdered leading Christian Democrat Walter Lubckethe court was primarily concerned with damage control.

Although Albrecht is a key figure in a wide-ranging right-wing extremist network that reaches deep into the German armed forces and security agencies, the trial focused exclusively on him as an individual. Leading members of the network remained unchallenged. They were not charged or received only a trivial sentence in other trials and remain free.

As recently as June 2018, the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court had refused to open the trial against Albrecht at all. Although all the essential findings that have now led to his conviction were already present at that time, it was justified by claiming there was insufficient suspicion of the preparation of a serious act of violence endangering the state.

It was not until the Kassel district President Walter Lubcke was assassinated by a neo-Nazi a year later and public outrage over the right-wing conspiracy in the state apparatus grew that the Federal Supreme Court ordered the Higher Regional Court to conduct the trial against Albrecht.

The trial began on May 20, 2021 and spanned 40 days. Albrecht, who had been temporarily detained in 2017, remained free for most of the time. Only in February of this year was he taken into custody again because he sought to dispose of evidence. When he was arrested, he was found to have numerous swastika insignia, cutting and stabbing weapons, machetes, and 21 mobile phones with 50 prepaid SIM cards.

Albrechts original arrest in February 2017 had focused public attention on the extent of right-wing extremist activity within the Bundeswehr. Significantly, the arrest was not made by German authorities but by the Austrian police. The latter arrested Albrecht when he picked up a pistol at Vienna International Airport which he had previously hidden there.

A fingerprint check revealed that he led a dual existence. He was a first lieutenant in the 291 Jager Battalion of the Franco-German Brigade in Alsace and, although he did not speak a word of Arabic, had registered as a supposed Syrian asylum seeker David Benjamin. Apparently, he wanted to use the false identity to blame refugees for a terrorist attack.

Journalists now have begun to investigate, and it quickly became clear that Albrecht was part of an extensive right-wing conspiracy. He had hoarded several weapons and ammunition, supported by accomplices, and had drawn up lists of possible attack targets, including Green Party politician Claudia Roth, the then Justice Minister Heiko Maas (Social Democratic Party, SPD) and the founder of the anti-racist Amadeu Antonio Foundation, Anetta Kahane.

The attack plans on Kahane were the most advanced. Albrecht had visited the foundations premises in Berlin and produced photos of the underground parking garage, location sketches of the premises, plans for a weapons transfer and a suspected escape route.

Albrecht had confidantes and helpers in his unit, the 291 Jagerbataillon, where right-wing extremism was apparently tolerated. Hitler salutes and swastikas were observed again and again. His superiors knew about Albrechts right-wing extremist sentiments. As early as 2013, he had written a racist and anti-Semitic masters thesis at the French Saint-Cyr Military Academy, which was covered up by the responsible Bundeswehr officers so that Albrecht could continue his career as an officer.

He was also a member of a network of elite soldiers, operational police and state officials that were preparing for an armed coup on Day X, hoarding weapons, and planning the detention and murder of politicians, civil rights activists and refugee workers. The head of this network is Andre S. (alias Hannibal), a former member of the Bundeswehrs elite KSK military unit, with whom Franco Albrecht was in personal contact.

The discovery of the Hannibal network after Albrechts unmasking triggered hectic activity in state and political circles. In 2020, then Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU) was forced to dissolve one of four companies of the KSK after more and more details about right-wing extremist activities became public. The KSK had taken on a life of its own in parts, there had been a toxic leadership culture and large quantities of weapons and ammunition had gone missing, she said, explaining the move.

Raids against the Nordkreuz group, the northern offshoot of the Hannibal network with close ties to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), brought to light large quantities of weapons, ammunition, explosives and death lists. The interior minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lorenz Caffier (CDU) had to resign because of his connections to Nordkreuz. But nothing happened to those responsible.

In 2019, the Boblingen District Court fined Andre S. (Hannibal) for violations of the Weapons and Explosives Act, against which he has appealed. He was transferred out of the KSK but not discharged from the Bundeswehr.

In the Nordkreuz case, the Federal Prosecutor General dropped the investigation against two leading members, lawyer Jan-Hendrik H. and criminal investigator Haik J., an AfD member. Marko G.a former paratrooper, SEK (Special Tactical Unit) police officer and AfD memberwas the only member of the group to receive a suspended sentence.

Bundeswehr Officer Maximilian T., who was arrested in 2017 along with Albrecht for helping him disguise his dual identity, hide weapons and maintain a hit list, was soon released. He was even given free access to the Bundestag (federal parliament), frequented by many of the targeted victims, as an employee of AfD Member of Parliament Jan Nolte. Maximilian T. is the brother of Franco Albrechts fiancee Sophia T., with whom he has three children.

In the five and a half years since Albrechts initial arrest, numerous articles and books have revealed the extent of the far-right networks inside the military and state apparatus. The Frankfurt Higher Regional Court felt compelled to convict Albrecht because of the overwhelming burden of proof. But there is no effort to dry up the right-wing swamp. On the contrary, if those in ruling circles have their way, the verdict is supposed to draw a line under the criticism of militarism and right-wing extremism.

Hundreds of billions of euros are being spent rearming the Bundeswehr, which is supposed to move back into the centre of society. Any criticism of militarism is declared a crime. Pacifism does not lead to good but cements the dominance of the bad, the criminal and the inhuman, ex-Federal President Joachim Gauck recently declared on the Markus Lanz talk show. The veneration of Nazi collaborators, such as Ukrainian fascist Stepan Bandera, is considered understandable and welcome.

This must not be allowed.
25 years ago: International campaign frees jailed Sri Lankan Trotskyist

Platform of a meeting held by the SEP in August 1997 in Colombo to welcome the release of Selliah Rajkumar. Photo copyright: The Bulletin

On July 20, 1997, Selliah Rajkumar, a member of the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka, was released from a concentration camp at Bindunuwewa in Bandarawela district, after an international campaign for his freedom compelled the Sri Lankan authorities to release him.

Rajkumar was arrested by police at Anuradhapura and held at Aralaganwila police station in a remote eastern province since the previous July. The police and other authorities failed to give any valid reason for his arrest. Police detained him for more than a year despite legal challenges by the SEP through a habeas corpus case in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. After many months in a cell, Rajkumar was transferred to a concentration camp set up for those detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Well aware of the political campaign waged by the International Committee of the Fourth International and its Sri Lankan section, the Peoples Alliance regime did not allow SEP members to visit the camp or meet with Rajkumar. Such repressive measures, however, did not break Rajkumars morale. Defying the ban, the SEP had taken steps to make sure that Rajkumar was aware of the campaign by the ICFI.

Two SEP members met Rajkumar at the concentration camp upon his release. At a reception at the SEP branch office, Rajkumar thanked the SEP and ICFI for its struggle to secure his freedom. The following evening, he visited the central office in Colombo and was welcomed the next day in his home village by a gathering of over 200 people who heard of his release through SEP members.

The struggle for the emancipation of mankind is not over, he said in his address. Although I am at home, I am still not free to travel in the country in which I was born. The racist war and emergency laws continue to crush the masses under capitalist rule. That is the plight that you too face. That is the problem you have to overcome by building revolutionary leadership.

50 years ago: Egyptian president orders removal of Soviet troops

Anwar Sadat, right, in a 1979 meeting with then-Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware at Camp David

On July 18, 1972, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat ordered the immediate withdrawal of all Soviet military forces from the country and the transfer of control of all Soviet military bases to Egyptian administration. Thousands of military advisers from the Soviet Union had been in Egypt to train its soldiers and provide support against Israel, the central proxy of American imperialism in the Middle East.

The announcement was a major shift in policy for Egypt, which had relied on the Soviet-supplied weapons and aircraft since the 1967 Six Day War with Israel that left the Egyptian Air Force entirely destroyed. In May 1971, Sadat had initiated a Corrective Revolution aimed at reversing the policies of his predecessor Gamal Abdel Nasser, who had died in office in September 1970, purging the former presidents supporters from their offices.

In his speech to the Central Committee of the Arab Socialist Union, Egypts ruling party, Sadat said that the order to remove the Soviets was the beginning of a new stage in the relationship between the two nations. He added that he had become frustrated with conditions that Moscow had placed on the use of its weaponry, saying that Soviet officials had refused to provide the weapons and support needed to launch an attack against Israel to retake the Sinai Peninsula and the Suez Canal. Sadats government refused, he said, to place any restrictions on the use of arms, whatever their kind, based on Egypts principles that any political decision must be made in Egyptby its political leadership without having to seek permission from any quarter, whatsoever its status.

In the wake of US President Richard Nixons visit to Moscow earlier in the year, the Stalinist bureaucracy in the Soviet Union hoped to avoid any conflict that might draw the USSR into a new proxy war. Given the opportunity to cut deals with American imperialism, Moscow was more than willing to limit its support of the anti-colonial struggles in the Middle East.

Sadats predicament exposed the fatal weakness of Arab bourgeois nationalism. Mortally afraid of the development of a revolutionary movement in the working class, Sadat and other Arab leaders were totally dependent on support from the Soviet Union to prop up their governments against the threat from Israel. When that support dried up, Sadat was left without a leg to stand on. Looking to compensate, over the course of the next several years he would initiate a number of disastrous initiatives including the Yom Kippur War against Israel in 1973 and the Infitah economic reforms in 1974 that opened up Egypt to foreign capital investment and began breaking up the nationalized industries.

75 years ago: Dutch imperialism launches massive attack on Indonesian Republic

A Dutch military column during war against Indonesian Republic

On July 21, 1947, the Netherlands launched a major military offensive aimed at overturning the independent Republic of Indonesia, which had been proclaimed in August 1945. Dubbed Operation Product, the attack involved indiscriminate attacks on Indonesian villagers and civilians.

For months, the Netherlands had plotted a military onslaught. The Dutch bourgeoisie had never been reconciled to the loss of its former colonial possession in southeast Asia, a vast archipelago rich in resources and strategically located.

In the weeks prior to the offensive, the Dutch government asserted that the Indonesian republic had violated the terms of the Linggadjati Agreement. Signed between independence leaders and the Netherlands in March 1947, it had provided for a federal United States of Indonesia with links to Holland. The new entity was to be composed of a republic, based in Java, Sumatra and Madura, together with separate entities known as the Great Eastern State and the State of Borneo, which functioned as Dutch puppets. The resulting United States of Indonesia would not be permitted to have a foreign policy independent of the Netherlands. It would have a joint police force, its leadership stacked with Dutch loyalists.

Over the ensuing months, the compromises of the bourgeois independence leaders at Linggadjati, including Sukarno, provoked a significant backlash from more radical forces, expressing in distorted fashion the revolutionary sentiments of broad layers of workers and young people. This, combined with the terms of the agreement, which maintained Indonesias semi-colonial status, prompted the republic to begin developing its own foreign policy, including through relations with the Arab League, and to try and undermine the joint police force.

The highly limited actions of the independence leaders were magnified by the Dutch government to justify a long-planned intervention. The Netherlands had previously waged ruthless bombing campaigns in a bid to scuttle independence and preserve the old colonial order.

After the July 21 intervention began, Dutch troops rapidly secured large parts of Java and Sumatra. The guerilla operations of independence partisans were met with indiscriminate air strikes, combined with blockades aimed at starving the fighters and civilians alike. A ceasefire would only be declared in early 1948. The operation, the first of two by the Dutch, resulted in an untold number of deaths and injuries, with Indonesian casualties estimated to be at least 150,000.

100 years ago: League of Nations approves Palestine mandate

Front page of the Mandate for Palestine and Transjordan memorandum, presented to UK Parliament in December 1922

On July 22, 1922, the council of the League of Nations, dominated by the worlds leading imperialist powerswith the exception of the United States, which had refused to joinapproved a mandate that gave the British Empire authority over Palestine, part of the former Ottoman Empire seized by the British during the First World War.

Although most of the inhabitants of Palestine were Arabs, including Christians, Muslims and Druze, the mandate stated that British imperialism, should be responsible for putting into effect the declaration originally made on November 2nd, 1917, by the Government of His Britannic Majesty, and adopted by the said Powers, in favor of the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people  The declaration the mandate refers to was the infamous Balfour Declaration of the British government, a declaration of sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations.

The mandate stated, using language taken directly from the Balfour Declaration, nothing should be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine. Few words in the history of imperialist diplomacy have contained more lies than these. The conduct of the Zionist movement, both during the next 30 years of Mandatory Palestine and after the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948, was the exact opposite for the Palestinian people, and remains so todayincluding ethnic cleansing, violence against women and children, assassination, and abrogation of civil and religious rights.

From the very beginning, the imperialist approval for the colonization of Palestine was deeply antidemocratic. None of the victors of the brutal imperialist war of 1914-18 asked the Palestinian masses what they thought of this scheme, which, Zionist nationalism notwithstanding, was in reality nothing more than a new mechanism for the imperialist division of the peoples of the Middle East.

Although the House of Lords in Britain had voted against accepting the mandate in June, the House of Commons endorsed it on July 4 by a vote of 292 to 35 after a speech in support by the Colonial Secretary, Winston Churchill. US President Warren Harding had sent his greetings to the convention of the American Zionist Organization in Philadelphia on June 25, which had called upon the British to allow Zionists to proceed  in the work of building the Jewish National Home in Mandatory Palestine.
The main objective of the official visit was to exchange views with senior officials in all Timorese government branches and other involved stakeholders and to mobilise their support for the WTO accession process, which has entered a critical phase.

Ambassador Macieira met with President Jose Ramos-Horta and had follow-up meetings with Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, the President of the National Parliament Aniceto Longuinhos Guterres Lopes and chairpersons of committees responsible for public finance and economic and development matters. The WTO delegation was accompanied by the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession Joaquim Amaral and his team as well as Ambassador Lourdes Bessa, permanent representative of Timor-Leste in Geneva.

Government officials pledged to ensure the completion of all outstanding work, which includes the finalization of bilateral market access negotiations, the submission of updated documentary inputs and the enactment of the remaining WTO-consistent legislation.

Ambassador Macieira noted that Timor-Leste's accession process has been ambitious and exemplary, setting a high bar for other WTO accessions. Timor-Leste, which gained independence in 2002, has demonstrated a strong determination to participate in the multilateral trading system, with a proven track record of successfully overcoming challenges, said the Working Party chair.

Three cycles of the Working Party on the Accession of Timor-Leste have been held over the last year and a half, the most recent in April this year. During the WTO 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) on 12-16 June, Timor-Leste joined the WTO joint declaration on services domestic regulation as the first acceding least-developed country (LDC). Ambassador Macieira underscored the need to sustain and intensify the work in the coming months to meet the goal of acceding to the WTO in 2023.

Meetings in Dili confirmed Timor-Leste's strong political will to finalize WTO accession, which would complement its on-going efforts to join the Association of South-eastern Asian Nations (ASEAN). On 12 July, the chair and the Secretariat participated in the High-Level Conference on WTO/ASEAN Accession of Timor-Leste, which explored synergies and complementarities between the two accession processes.

The WTO delegation also met with representatives of civil society, private sector and academia, who expressed their full support for the government's efforts regarding WTO and ASEAN accessions. There is a strong national consensus on WTO accession, said Ambassador Macieira.

The chair also moderated a consultation meeting with development partners and donors. Representatives from Australia, the European Union, Indonesia, New Zealand and the United States attended in person, while other partners attended virtually, including from Geneva.

Maika Oshikawa, Director of the WTO Accessions Division, recalled the substantive progress achieved thus far, which made Timor-Leste one of the fastest moving accessions. This would not have been possible without the technical assistance continuously provided by members and development partners. She further noted that additional assistance is required to ensure the finalization of the accession process in 2023 and the successful integration of Timor-Leste in the multilateral trading system in the post-accession phase.

The WTO Secretariat delivered a series of technical sessions for Timorese government officials, aimed at closing gaps on the remaining technical work in Timor-Leste's accession. The legislative state of play and the negotiating inputs for the next Working Party cycle were reviewed. In addition, issue-specific sessions with the participation of experts looked at the various areas related to the accession process, such as trading rights, customs valuation, trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS), agriculture, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, and the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).

Coinciding with the visit, Timor-Leste signed on 15 July two bilateral market access agreements with Australia and New Zealand, which were officially deposited with the WTO Secretariat. Timor-Leste continues negotiations with seven WTO members, aiming to conclude them before the end of 2022.
Chrishell Stause, Jason Oppenheim

BACKGRID

Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim are clearly amicable exes! The real estate broker was right by his ex-girlfriend and current employee's side during an early birthday celebration.

The Selling Sunset realtor, who turns 41 Thursday, sported black and white skirt, which she paired with a metallic black top, black open-toe heels, and a silver sequined purse for dinner at Catch Steak LA. Oppenheim wore a black button-up shirt and Dior jeans.

Stause was joined on Sunday by other members of the Selling Sunset cast, including Emma Hernan, Amanza Smith, newcomer Chelsea Azkani, and Jason's twin brother Brett Oppenheim.

Jason helped coordinate the celebration, which was an early birthday surprise, Stause revealed on Instagram.

"So my actual bday is Thursday July 21st, & thought I was just going to dinner with @emmahernan. Bday elves Emma & @jasonoppenheim coordinated the absolute BEST early bday surprise!

I walked in and only saw @theninaparker at first & just was excited she was at the same restaurantThe video of me realizing makes me laugh so much-had no clue -you guys are GOOD!

I love you all SO much!! Had an absolute blast-my 1st ever surprise bday party! My lil emo cancer heart is soooo grateful for the best friends a girl could have."

Video: Jason Oppenheim Responds to Ex Chrishell Stause's Video Addressing G Flip Relationship

RELATED: Jason Oppenheim Had 'a Great Time' with Ex Chrishell Stause and Her New Partner G Flip at MTV Awards

Last July, Jason, who owns the Los Angeles real estate firm Oppenheim Group, and Stause confirmed they were dating during a group vacation in Italy. Oppenheim told PEOPLE at the time that the costars' close friendship had "developed into an amazing relationship." He added, "I care about her deeply and we are very happy together."

However, they amicably split five months later in December 2021 and have both seemingly moved on.

A source tells PEOPLE Oppenheim's new love interest is model Marie-Lou, whom he was seen kissing while vacationing in Mykonos, Greece, on July 8, in a video obtained by PEOPLE and originally published by SWNS.

Story continues

Oppenheim also used to date fellow Selling Sunset star and Oppenheim Group employee Mary Fitzgerald.

Jason Oppenheimer and chrishell stause

Axelle/Bauer-griffin/Filmmagic Jason Oppenheim and Chrishell Stause

RELATED: Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim Have Split 5 Months After Confirming Romance

At the iHeartRadio KIIS FM Wango Tango Festival in June, Oppenheim spoke with PEOPLE about his current relationship status with Stause.

"It's great. It really is. We justwere at the MTV awards together and just had a great time with her and her significant other." He added, "We're really in a healthy place and in a really good place. It feels good."

Stause has been dating Australian musician G Flip since May after she starred in the artist's music video

RELATED: Chrishell Stause Kisses G Flip, Thanks Fans for Support at MTV Movie & TV Awards: UNSCRIPTED

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Stause was previously married to This Is Us star Justin Hartley, whom she wed in 2017 after four years of dating. Hartley abruptly filed for divorce in 2019, ending the couple's marriage over text, according to Stause. Their divorce was finalized in February, PEOPLE confirmed.
Socialite Ivana Trump, circa 1992. (Photo by Kypros/Getty Images)

Kypros/Getty

Ivana Trump will get a flashy send-off in New York City on Wednesday, as friends and family gather at the St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church to celebrate her life.

Trump  who passed away at the age of 73 Thursday from injuries sustained during a fall  was all about glamor, according to R. Couri Hay, society columnist who knew Trump for more than 40 years. Hay tells PEOPLE that her funeral will honor that dazzling legacy.

"We are really grateful to the family, especially her children, for arranging this big, glamorous send-off with all of her friends," Hay says. "This would have been what she wanted."

RELATED: Ivana Trump's Longtime Friend Says She Was 'Like an Angel' and Believes 'She Could've Been Saved' from Death

The invite-only service will occur steps from Trump's longtime Upper East Side residence Wednesday afternoon, in an "old-school" and "beautiful" church. Hay says that many of her closest friends and family will be there.

PEOPLE confirms that her three children  Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric  all plan to attend. Sources close to the family presume that former President Donald Trump, her ex-husband whom she had remained close with, will also be in attendance.

"People are flying in from all over the world," Hay says, noting that guests are traveling from places like Saint-Tropez and Paris on "relatively short notice."

RELATED: Omarosa Says President Trump 'Constantly' Sought Advice from Ex-Wife Ivana: 'One of Very Few He Listened To'

Rather than bring flowers, PEOPLE learns, the Trump family has kindly requested that funeral guests make a donation to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a Florida-based nonprofit organization aiming to minimize dog homelessness.

The rescue has a longstanding relationship with Trump and wrote after her passing that she "was philanthropically involved with many charities throughout her entire life, but always remained steadfast and passionate in her love for animals."

RELATED: Remembering Ivana Trump's Life in Photos

"She would be happy, as are all her friends, that she is getting a fitting funeral," Hay says. "It's all a tribute to her."
A 25-year-old Flint, Michigan, man has been charged with firing a weapon at a motorist on I-295 near New Castle on Sunday.

No one was injured, Delaware State Police said, but the incident  which occurred about 6:45 p.m.  caused the closure of I-295 south at Route 13. The gunfire drew a large police response to the area.

I-295 fatal:1 dead, at least 4 injured following crash on I-295

According to police, the Michigan man was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a minor crash on I-295 south, south of U.S. Route 13. Following the crash, the man exited the vehicle and tried to block traffic so the involved vehicles could move to the interstate's shoulder.

As the Michigan man did that, a 58-year-old Wilmington-area man tried to drive past the crash. This, police said, started an argument between the two men.

The Michigan man, police said. returned to his vehicle and retrieved a gun. He then fired at the Wilmington-area man. The Wilmington-area man was not hit by the gunfire, but his vehicle was struck four times.

The Wilmington-area man fled onto I-495 north and called 911.

The Michigan man remained at the scene, where he was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with two counts of reckless endangering, a weapons charge and criminal mischief.

The man was being held at Young Correctional Institute in Wilmington on Monday morning after failing to post $33,000 secured bail.

Gas prices:Pain at the pump: We've got your guide to finding the cheapest Delaware gas prices

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Accident on I-295 in Delaware leads to gunshots, then charges
Sylvester Stallone came out swinging with social media messages criticizing Irwin Winkler, producer of the Rocky and Creed franchises, and his son David Winkler, who also produces the Creed films.

Stallone took to Instagram on Saturday to criticize Davids recently published memoir, The Arrangement: A Love Story, calling it by far the worst book he had read. Stallone went on to write that the unbearable worthless dreck was written by the painfully untalented David Winkler, with the actor then referring to Davids father, Irwin Winkler, as the remarkably untalented and parasitical Producer of Rocky and Creed.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

The star continued by posting that he respected and LOVED Irwins producing partner, Robert Chartoff, who also produced the Rocky franchise and was a producer of the first Creed film before his death in 2015.

If it wasnt for Winkler there wouldve been at least another three Rockys, that wouldve been wonderful, Stallone added. Frankly that crew are the worst unhuman beings Ive ever met in the movie industry. I will forever love the loyal fans and keep punching.!!! REMEMBER IT FEELS GOOD TO CLEAR YOUR HEART.

The following day, Stallone wrote in a follow-up post that he is upset over an ownership dispute related to the franchise. I really would like [to] have at least a little WHATs LEFT of my RIGHTS back, before passing it on to ONLY YOUR CHILDREN  I believe That would be a FAIR gesture, Stallone wrote. Calling this a painful subject, he posted that the situation eats at my soul, because I wanted to leave something of Rocky for my children.

Released in 1976, Rocky won three Oscars, including best picture, and Stallone was nominated for best actor for his title role as Rocky Balboa, in addition to earning a nomination for writing the screenplay. Stallone was also nominated for best supporting actor for reprising his role as Rocky in the 2015 spinoff film Creed.

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Irwin Winkler and Chartoff are credited as the sole producers on the first five Rocky films. Rocky Balboa, the 2006 film that revived the franchise, credits six producers, including David Winkler and Irwins other son, Charles Winkler.

Stallone is a producer on all of the Creed films, including the upcoming Creed III, as are Irwin, David and Charles Winkler, in addition to others. The Creed franchise stars Michael B. Jordan as the son of the late Apollo Creed, portrayed in the Rocky films by Carl Weathers.

Jordan, who is directing Creed III, has stated that Stallone will not appear in that film, which is scheduled for release Nov. 23.

Last month, Stallone told Metro that he had bowed out of appearing in Creed III and that the film takes the story in a different direction, but that he wished the film well.

Stallone originated the character of Rocky Balboa in 1976 (famously writing a 90-page script in three days) and made it part of the deal that he star in the film as the boxer. In 2019, Stallone lamented to Variety that he had zero ownership of Rocky. He explained at the time, It was shocking that it never came to be, but I was told, Hey, you got paid, so what are you complaining about? I was furious.

Our commitment to him was that he could star in it, Winkler recounted to The Hollywood Reporter in 1983, remarking on the making of the first Rocky with producer Chartoff. We convinced United Artists to give us the money to make it. They would only give us a limited amount of money, and they said that we had to put up our houses as collateral. We really mortgaged ourselves to make sure that we brought it in on time, and we did.

Representatives for Irwin Winkler and Stallone did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Click here to read the full article.
Biden Mideast Mandel Ngan/ AP Images

Former lawyer to murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi was arrested by UAE agents in Dubai, Reuters reported.

Asim Ghafoor, a US citizen, was reportedly heading to a family wedding when he was arrested.

A State Department official told CNN the US is aware of the arrest and will be providing appropriate consular support.

A United Arab Emirates court sentenced the former lawyer of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi to three years in prison on charges of money laundering Thursday, Reuters reported.

A UAE government official confirmed that Asim Ghafoor was detained while passing through Dubai International Airport on Thursday on charges related to an "in absentia" conviction for money laundering, which an Emirati court heard.

The Human rights organization Democracy for the Arab World Now, of which Ghafoor was a board member, stated in a release that Ghafoor was in transit to attend a family wedding in Istanbul when UAE agents arrested him while waiting for his flight.

According to DAWN, Ghafoor and Khashoggi were close friends, and his fiance and the organization are in current litigation against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the death of Khashoggi in 2018.

"We are outraged at the unjustified detention of our board member and extremely concerned for his health and physical security given the well-documented record of abuse in the UAE, including torture and inhuman treatment," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Executive Director of DAWN said in the release.

According to the statement, the last contact DAWN had with Ghafoor was a picture of himself in the police Wagon.

The Abu Dhabi Money Laundering Court convicted Ghafoor of committing "two crimes of tax evasion and money laundering related to a tax evasion operation in his country and sentenced him to three years in prison and a fine of three million dirhams [$US 816,748], with deportation from the UAE," UAE state media reported, according to CNN.

A senior US administration told CNN reporters on Saturday that they were aware of Ghafoor's arrest but could not say whether President Joe Biden would raise the issue with the UAE president during his visit to the Middle East.

Story continues

"We are aware of the arrest of U.S. citizen Asim Ghafoor in the UAE. We have raised his detention at senior levels with Emirati authorities and requested additional information. We are watching his case closely and providing appropriate consular support; consular officers from the U.S. Embassy visited him today," a State Department spokesperson told CNN. "We have conveyed our expectation that Mr. Ghafoor's rights to a fair and public hearing and to fair trial guarantees be fully respected and that he be treated humanely, as well as that U.S. rights to consular access be fully respected."

Biden told reporters on Friday that he addressed Khashoggi's killing directly with Prince bin Salman and said he believed the Crown Prince was responsible.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan responded to Biden's remarks to reporters on Saturday, saying "that this crime while very unfortunate and abhorrent is something that the Kingdom took very seriously, acted upon in a way commensurate with its position as a responsible country. These are issues, mistakes that happen in any country, including the US."

An Emirati official told Reuters that the UAE granted a request by the U.S embassy to conduct a consular visit, and Ghafoor is permitted to request a retrial since the original trial was held in absentia.

Read the original article on Insider
Alicia Garza

As smoke-filled scenes of the United States Capitol under attack by a group of avowed white supremacists on January 6th filled our television screens, the consensus for many Black Americans was the same, the backlash is here.

Few people saw this moment more clearly than Alicia Garza, co-founder of the international Black Lives Matter organization and Principal of Black Futures Lab.

Read more

Anytime in history when rights have been expanded for groups of people, says Garza, there are these movements that come forward to turn that progress around.

But what makes this moment in history so terrifying, she says, is the support white supremacists have found from the highest levels of the republican party.

The republican party has always embraced racism in some ways, but not as openly as they are today, says Garza. We now have unabashedly white supremacists serving in our US Congress.

In case anyone forgot, two Republican representatives, including Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) spoke at a white supremacist rally earlier this year without facing any real consequences (unless you count a stern talking to from the minority leader). And former Republican President Donald Trump, in-addition to having his finger prints all over the January 6th attack, also told white supremacists to stand back and standby, for his signal.

Trump, Greene, and several other republican insiders have spouted great replacement talking points, a white supremacist theory about white genocide, that made its way into the Buffalo shooters manifesto.

The Buffalo shooter took the lives of ten Black Americans who were out grocery shopping in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo, New York this May. The shooting left several others injured as well.

Story continues

Garza, whose connection to the Black Lives Matter movement has made her a target of right-wing political hate, was also mentioned in the manifesto.

[White Supremacists] are very wound up and riled up about the success of the Black Lives Matter movement and this generation of the Black liberation movement, says Garza. And theyre upset about that because they dont believe that Black people should have the same rights.

But as much as Black Americans have always been the focus of white supremacist violence in this country, this is about more than just hatred of Black people, says Garza.

Whether it be LGBTQ folks, whether it be Black people, whether it be women, says Garza. There is this notion that expanded rights for some diminishes rights for others.

Last month, police arrested 31 armed men connected to the white nationalist group Patriot Front in a U-Haul truck on their way to a pride event in Idaho.

The group was allegedly planning to rile up pride parade attendees and set off smoke grenades. But its unclear if the attack would have stopped there had they not been caught.

This isnt a movement of people who are unhinged, says Garza. These people have been organized, and theyre organized around the idea that somethings being taken away from them, and they have to fight to get it back.

The fact that theyre hearing that message from the top of the Republican political establishments, well that just makes them all the more dangerous, says Garza.

In part two of our series with Alicia Garza, we discuss her plan to address the rise of white supremacy.
Hollywood superstars Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have got married in Las Vegas, the pop star has confirmed.

The couple, who were engaged in the early 2000s before splitting up for 17 years, tied the knot on Saturday night at The Little White Chapel, according to Lopez.

We did it. Love is beautiful. Love is kind. And it turns out love is patient. Twenty years patient, Lopez, 52, wrote in her On the JLo newsletter on Sunday.

Exactly what we wanted. Last night we flew to Vegas, stood in line for a license with four other couples, all making the same journey to the wedding capital of the world, she wrote.

Behind us two men held hands and held each other. In front of us, a young couple who made the three hour drive from Victorville on their daughters second birthday  all of us wanting the same thing  for the world to recognize us as partners and to declare our love to the world through the ancient and nearly universal symbol of marriage.

Jennifer Lopez shared pictures from the wedding with subscribers of On The JLo

Lopez said that the couple only just made it to The Little White Wedding Chapel before midnight, and thanked the venue for staying open for them.

So with the best witnesses you could ever imagine, a dress from an old movie and a jacket from Bens closet, we read our own vows in the little chapel and gave one another the rings well wear for the rest of our lives, Lopez added.

They even had Bluetooth for a (short) march down the aisle. But in the end it was the best possible wedding we could have imagined. One we dreamed of long ago and one made real (in the eyes of the state, Las Vegas, a pink convertible and one another) at very, very long last.

When love is real, the only thing that matters in marriage is one another and the promise we make to love, care, understand, be patient, loving and good to one another. We had that. And so much more. Best night of our lives.

The couple rekindled their romance in 2021 (On The JLO)

Her confirmation of her wedding came hours after it emerged the couple had been issued with a Clark County marriage license in Nevada.

Story continues

The couple first met on the set of the movie Gigli in 2002 and got engaged in 2003 before breaking it off in 200, blaming excessive media attention for the split.

It is the fourth marriage for Lopez and the second for Affleck, who was previously married to actress Jennifer Garner.

Lopez has 14-year-old twins Emme and Max with ex-husband Marc Anthony. Affleck has three children with Garner - Violet, 16, Seraphina, 13, and Samuel, 10.

They were romantically linked in early 2021 following the pop stars breakup with former New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez. They went public with their relationship last July.

Lopez revealed her engagement to Affleck in April 2022.

In February she told People magazine about the differences in the couples relationship after almost two decades apart.

Were older now, were smarter, we have more experience, were at different places in our lives, we have kids now, and we have to be very conscious of those things, she said.

And she added: Its a beautiful outcome that this has happened in this way at this time in our lives where we can really appreciate and celebrate each other and respect each other.

We always did, but we have even more of an appreciation because we know that life can take you in different directions.

And in her April fan newsletter, she detailed Afflecks bubble bath proposal.

Did you ever imagine your biggest dream could come true? she wrote.

Saturday night while at my favorite place on earth (in the bubble bath), my beautiful love got on one knee and proposed. I was taken totally off guard and just looked in his eyes smiling and crying at the same time trying hard to get my head around the fact that after 20 years this was happening all over again, I was quite literally speechless and he said, is that a yes? I said YES of course thats a YES.

I was smiling so big and tears were coming down my face, feeling so incredibly happy and whole. It was nothing fancy at all, but it was the most romantic thing I couldve ever imagined...just a quiet Saturday night at home, two people promising to always be there for each other.

The Independent has reached out to representatives for Lopez for comment.
Rosemarie Rossetti and Mark Leder at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Courtesy of Experience Columbus

The Ohio city of Columbus is making it easier for travelers with disabilities to visit by publishing a brand-new accessibility guide that includes everything from hotels and restaurants to transportation options and more.

The guide highlights Columbus' accessible options in several categories: mobility, vision, hearing, and cognition, Experience Columbus, the city's destination marketing organization, shared with Travel + Leisure. The guide includes more than 20 attractions, restaurants (including outdoor options), hotels, and transportation options.

"We welcome visitors of all abilities to Columbus and want everyone to be able to comfortably experience and enjoy our city," Experience Columbus' Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer Sarah Townes said in a statement provided to T+L. "Our Accessibility Guide is a one-stop resource visitors and residents can use while planning an upcoming visit to Columbus or in real time while exploring the city."

Each option listed in the guide has been reviewed and screened by disability inclusion experts, according to the group, and will be continuously updated.

In addition to resources for travelers, the guide also features tips for planning an accessible meeting.

Rosemarie Rossetti and Mark Leder Biking with Experience Columbus

Courtesy of Experience Columbus

"During the past two years we have launched a variety of initiatives focused on diversity, equity and inclusion," Shannon Jones, Experience Columbus' director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, said in the statement. "We hope that this new Accessibility Guide will be a valuable resource for the community and visitors and show that Columbus is a welcoming and inclusive place to visit."

Columbus joins several others in the travel industry that are working to become more accessible. Last week, Six Flags, for example, introduced a new, specialized restraint harness on rides for park goers with physical disabilities and earned accreditation as a Certified Autism Center at each of its theme parks. And earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation published the first-ever bill of rights for airline passengers with disabilities.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
Photo: Broward County Sheriffs Office (AP)

Roses are red, the sky is blue, Kodak Black got arrested again, does that surprise you?

On Friday evening, the Super Gremlin rapper was arrested during a traffic stop in Florida on drug charges, according to TMZ.

Read more

In Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Black was driving a purple Dodge Durango when Florida Highway Patrol stopped him because his car tints were darker than the legal limit. Also, his license and tags were expired.

When Blacks, born Dieuson Octave, car was searched, officers found almost $75,000 cash and a clear bag containing 31 tablets of oxycodone. This opioid drug is a pain killer used to treat severe pain after a surgery or injury. It can become highly addictive.

The 25-year-old rapper was taken to Broward County jail and booked on charges of possessing a controlled substance without prescription and trafficking oxycodone.



Blacks attorney, Bradford Cohen said according to TMZ, Never judge a case based on an arrest. There are facts and circumstances that give rise to a defense, especially in this case. We negotiated a bond of $75,000 and we will move forward with resolving the matter quickly.

On Saturday morning, the rapper was released from Broward County jail.

This is not the first time the No Flockin rapper has been arrested. In April 2019, he was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct in South Carolina in an incident that involved a teenage high school student.

Later in 2019, the rapper was sentenced to three years in prison on weapons charges but was eventually pardoned by former President Donald Trump during his last day in office along with rapper Lil Wayne. He even went as far to call the rapper a prominent artist and community leader.

Outside of his legal troubles, Black was shot earlier this year in February, along with three others, outside of an afterparty for a Justin Bieber concert in West Hollywood. Blacks attorney confirmed the rapper was shot in the leg.
A veteran who says he was mistreated by police asks in a new court filing that a judge force the Gastonia Police Department to release the body camera footage that shows his encounter with police in October.

Joshua Rohrer, with his service dog, Justice Rae, outside Gaston County District Court on Wednesday, July 6.

Joshua Rohrer, 38, who served in the Army National Guard and spent time in Iraq, was arrested Oct. 13 and accused of resisting arrest and begging for money near the Gastonia Target store.

In court documents filed in Gaston County Superior Court on Friday, Rohrer's attorney, Andrew LaBreche of Woodridge Law in Rutherfordton, said that Rohrer was harassed for several months by Gastonia police before the encounter that culminated in his arrest and incarceration in the Gaston County Jail.

Sunshine Rae living in a tent near the Gastonia Target store.

LaBreche said in the filing that on Oct. 9, 2021, Officer Maurice Taylor III encountered Rohrer, who was homeless, on a sidewalk and accused him of panhandling. He then switched tactics and demanded Rohrer "pack up" and "leave town," the filing said.

While Taylor was standing there, a woman approached Rohrer and gave him $10, and Taylor tried to arrest Rohrer, the filing said.

The woman who gave Rohrer the money demanded that Taylor stop and said that Rohrer had not asked her for anything, the filing said.

Taylor then told Rohrer, "'If I see you again, I'm going to arrest you,'" LaBreche wrote, quoting Taylor.

Joshua Rohrer and his dog, Sunshine Rae, can be seen here in an undated photo.

LaBreche added that Rohrer tried to deescalate the situation by talking about Gastonia police officers who had been kind to him and Sunshine, and Taylor then demanded the names of those officers and said he intended to report them for violations of department policy.

Taylor also questioned whether Rohrer was really a disabled veteran, adding that Taylor, as well as his uncle, are disabled veterans and they still work, LaBreche wrote.

Four days later, on Oct. 13, someone called 911 and reported people standing near a shopping center with a dog and "using the dog to get money."

Officer Cierra Brooks responded.

Lawyer describes police video

LaBreche goes on to describe what he says the body camera footage shows:

Story continues

Brooks approached Rohrer and said that a caller had claimed he was panhandling, then claimed she'd just witnessed him soliciting money from a bystander. She demanded to see his ID.

Rohrer denied the allegations, and instead said a woman flagged him down and offered him money.

Brooks then radioed for backup and Taylor arrived in seconds. Brooks initially repeated her claim that she saw Rohrer panhandle, then instead said that she inferred it because she saw him walk up to a car.

Taylor then told Rohrer he could go to jail if he kept arguing with them, but the body camera footage, according to LaBreche, shows that Rohrer was not arguing.

Brooks went on to tell Rohrer that he was "going to jail, and we're going to call animal control on your dog," the filing states, while Taylor began talking about what happened on Oct. 9 and claimed he had told Rohrer not to stand idly on public property during their interactions several days earlier.

At that point, the filing states, Taylor asked for Rohrer's identification, and Rohrer offered him his military ID.

Taylor refused that ID and demanded to see a state ID, which Rohrer did not have.

What followed is the heart of Rohrer's allegations  Taylor, according to the filing, grabbed Rohrer's arm without warning and slammed him against the hood of a police car, and Rohrer yelled for help. Sunshine began licking his face, something she was trained to do to help him manage his panic attacks, and Taylor removed his taser and yelled at Rohrer, saying, "Call your dog off!"

Rohrer ordered Sunshine to get down and pleaded with Taylor to stop, and Taylor, who had moved approximately 6 feet away from Rohrer, Brooks and Sunshine, yelled that Sunshine had just bitten him and fired his taser into Sunshine's backside.

Taylor's body camera provided an unobstructed view that showed Brooks looking at Sunshine, which left no question that Brooks knew that Sunshine did not bite Taylor, the filing stated.

As Taylor fired his taser, Brooks slammed Rohrer face first into the ground, and Rohrer, thinking that the officers were firing bullets at Sunshine, tried to throw himself between what he believed was Taylor's gun and his service dog, the filing said.

As Rohrer was laying on the ground crying out in pain, Brooks told him, "You'll take that charge. Taylor was bit by the dog," and handcuffed Rohrer, according to the filing.

Rohrer, at the time he was handcuffed, was still holding his military ID.

The filing goes on to say that an angry crowd of bystanders gathered, with some disputing Brooks' and Taylor's claims. Brooks is alleged to have threatened bystanders, but at one point, apparently believing she had blocked the audio and video on her body camera, she said that the officers would suffer no consequences for their actions, saying, "I know they aren't going to do anything about it," the filing said.

Rohrer was taken to jail, and his service dog, Sunshine Rae, was struck by a car and killed in Cleveland County while he was incarcerated.

Charges dismissed

Taylor resigned from the Gastonia Police Department in February 2022. Brooks, who at one point posted on her personal social media account that Rohrer's defenders sounded "dumb as hell," received a three-day disciplinary suspension without pay in late January 2022. The Gastonia Police Department declined to say why she was suspended or whether it was at all connected to her Facebook post.

On July 6, the charges accusing Rohrer of panhandling and resisting arrest were dismissed. Rohrer instead pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge of driving with a revoked license, and he was sentenced to two years of supervised probation. His case is intended to end up in the Catawba County Veterans Treatment Court, a special court that is focused on using the legal process to divert veterans from the criminal justice system.

Rohrer said in an interview that although the charges Brooks and Taylor leveled at him were dismissed, his fight isn't over. He wants the police to release the body camera footage of his arrest.

When WCNC Charlotte requested that a judge release it late last year, Gastonia police publicly opposed the release of the footage. Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page also opposed releasing the footage, arguing that it's evidence should Rohrer's case go to trial in District Court.

Page said in a text message Monday that he is now comfortable with the release of the footage.

When asked whether Gastonia police would again oppose the release of the footage, Gastonia City Attorney Ash Smith declined to comment.

Rohrer said that he wants the public to see the footage because he wants Gastonia police to be held accountable for their treatment of himself and his service dog.

Joshua Rohrer holds a sign as he and others attend the Rally for Justice and Compassion in front of Gastonia City Hall Tuesday evening, March 1, 2022.

"I didn't do anything illegal, didn't break the law,  and my civil rights were violated. I'm trying to restore my reputation. Sunshine is still gone. She's dead,  and those officers have not been held accountable for that," he said.

Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 704-869-1850 or at kfohner@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing here.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Army National Guard vet asks Gastonia police to release video
An American lawyer who represented murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been sentenced to three years in prison in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after being detained at an airport amid President Joe Bidens controversial trip to the Middle East.

Asim Ghafoor, a US citizen and Virginia-based civil rights attorney, was convicted of tax evasion and money laundering related to a tax evasion operation in the US, UAE state media WAM reported on Saturday.

The Abu Dhabi Money Laundering Court sentenced him to three years in prison and a fine of three million dirhams ($816,748 USD), then deportation from the UAE, two days after he was arrested at Dubai airport.

State media said that his conviction came after US authorities reached out to their UAE counterparts for judicial assistance regarding their investigations of Mr Ghafoor for alleged tax evasion and making suspicious money transfers to the Middle Eastern country.

The US has not confirmed this version of events.The Independent has reached out to the US State Department to verify this account.

The State Department confirmed that it was aware of Mr Ghafoors detention in a statement on Saturday. It came as Mr Biden held a meeting with UAE President Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to further relations between the two nations.

We are aware of the arrest of US citizen Asim Ghafoor in the UAE. We have raised his detention at senior levels with Emirati authorities and requested additional information. We are watching his case closely and providing appropriate consular support; consular officers from the US Embassy visited him today, a State Department spokesperson said.

We have conveyed our expectation that Mr. Ghafoors rights to a fair and public hearing and to fair trial guarantees be fully respected and that he be treated humanely, as well as that US rights to consular access be fully respected.

Earlier, US officials told reporters that there was no indication that it has anything to do with the Khashoggi issue.

Story continues

Asim Ghafoor has reportedly been sentenced to three years (The Intercept)

Mr Ghafoor, who previously represented Mr Khashoggi, was detained in Dubai on Thursday while travelling to Istanbul for a family wedding.

Human rights group, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), said he was being held in a detention facility in Abu Dhabi on charges related to an in absentia conviction for money laundering. Mr Ghafoor reportedly had no prior knowledge of any conviction.

The human rights group, of which Mr Ghafoor is a co-founder and board member, called on Mr Biden to raise the issue when he met with the UAE president in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

It is unclear if Mr Ghafoors detention was raised in what appeared to be a friendly meeting between the two leaders. During the meeting, Mr Biden formally invited his UAE counterpart, who took office in May, to visit the US this year.

President Joe Biden meeting with President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Challenges you face today only make it a heck of a lot more important we spend time together, Mr Biden told him. I want to formally invite you to the States.

The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment.

The meeting came as Mr Biden met with several Middle East leaders as part of his four-day trip to the region, including the man believed to have ordered the hit on Mr Khashoggi.

On 2 October 2018, Mr Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist and outspoken critic of the Saudi government, was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

US intelligence agencies concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, had ordered his killing.

Biden blamed Saudis crown prince for ordering murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Biden met with MBS on Friday during his controversial trip, telling reporters after that he had confronted the crown prince about his role in the murder. MBS denied any responsibility and fired back at the president with the USs own controversies.

Saudi officials later claimed that they didnt hear Mr Biden raise Khashoggis death with the crown prince  comments that the US president instantly said were untrue.

Mr Bidens decision to visit Saudi Arabia and meet MBS has come under fire, particularly given Mr Bidens statements during his 2020 White House campaign that he would make Saudi Arabia a pariah.

The president sparked further backlash when he greeted MBS with a friendly fist-bump at the start of their meeting on Friday.
LONDON  Russia has used private mercenaries from the Kremlins shadowy private military to reinforce its depleted frontline, British intelligence said Monday.

In its daily intelligence update, Britains Ministry of Defense said that members of the Wagner Group had almost certainly participated in fighting  especially in the cities Popasna and Lysychansk, which were captured by Russian forces this month.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense estimates that as of Monday, Russia has lost 38,450 army personnel in the 144 days of the war, with Russia claiming to have lost just 1,351.

British Defense Intelligence said Wagner had been reinforcing its forces on the frontline in a bid to mitigate shortfalls and casualties. The intelligence report also said that the group had been lowering recruitment standards and hiring convicts and formerly blacklisted individuals to help increase numbers.

In this handout photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on July 4, a man sets a Russian national flag on a balcony of a residential building in Lysychansk, which is now territory under the Government of the Luhansk People's Republic control, eastern Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

In the past, Wagner mercenaries have been accused of committing war crimes in countries they have been found operating in such as Syria, Sudan and the Central African Republic. This will highly likely impact on the future operational effectiveness of the group and will reduce its value as a prop to the regular Russian forces, the statement read.

For the Wagner Groups alleged work in the region of Luhansk  a breakaway region in eastern Ukraine and the now self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic  the reported head of the group was made a Hero of the Russian Federation.

The group is believed to be owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, an oligarch and close friend to Russian President Vladimir Putin, also known as Putins chef. Prigozhin is wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in the notorious troll farm that targeted and interfered in the 2016 U.S. election. Prigozhin has been placed on both U.S. and EU sanctions lists for running disinformation campaigns to support Russias invasion of Ukraine. He has previously denied any connection to Wagner.

Story continues

Businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, left, serves food to Vladimir Putin during dinner at Prigozhin's restaurant outside Moscow, Russia, in 2011. (Misha Japaridze/Pool via AP)

Back in March, Ukraines Defense Ministry claimed that Wagner mercenaries took up arms  just three weeks into Russias brutal invasion. In a Facebook post this week, the Defense Ministry shared an image of a dog tag that allegedly belonged to a Wagner mercenary soldier. Wagnerists are already dying on the territory of Ukraine, the post read.

This claim was backed by Britains Ministry of Defense at the time. The Russian state almost certainly maintains extensive links with Russian [private military companies], despite repeated denials, a statement from the ministry said.

A report from the British newspaper the Times on Feb. 28 claimed that more than 400 mercenaries from the group had been deployed to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine claims that as of March 9, Zelensky had survived at least 12 assassination attempts  two of which were allegedly orchestrated by the Wagner Group.

Dog tags said to belong to members of the Wagner Group as posted on the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Facebook page.

The mercenaries, who are known for their heinous acts, have reportedly fought in many conflicts across continents, including the war in Syria. In March 2021, a lawsuit was filed against the Wagner Group by a Syrian man who claimed the group had committed war crimes.

The complaint is based on a video posted online in 2017 that reportedly shows an unarmed man being interrogated by Russian-speaking men in military uniforms. In 2019, another video reportedly showed the same man being beaten, tortured and beheaded, and his body being burned.

Last year, U.N. experts said Wagner had committed human rights abuses in the Central African Republic while fighting alongside government forces. The alleged violations included mass executions and torture during interrogation. A report from February 2021 stated that over 276,000 civilians had also been forcibly displaced since December 2020.

Cover thumbnail photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images; Wikicommons.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will call for the United States to leverage its allies to build more resilient supply chains during a speech in South Korea on Tuesday.

Her remarks will focus on the need to jointly develop stronger supply chains for key components, like semiconductors and electric vehicle batteries, with like-minded countries to combat Chinas attempted dominance in those industries, according to excerpts released by the Treasury Department.

We cannot allow countries like China to use their market position in key raw materials, technologies or products to disrupt our economy or exercise unwanted geopolitical leverage, Yellen will say.

She will speak during a visit to the LG Sciencepark in Seoul on Tuesday local time, which is Monday evening in the United States. Yellens visit to South Korea comes as part of a trip to Asia that included the Group of Twenty meeting of finance ministers and central bankers in Indonesia.

The speech comes as Yellen and other Biden administration officials push Congress to pass a bill to boost the domestic semiconductor industry and discourage companies from basing their manufacturing in China.

Lawmakers have been negotiating through a conference committee to develop a singular bill that can pass both chambers.

But with growing urgency over the funding, a new path has emerged for lawmakers to potentially push through roughly $50 billion in funding for the industry in the coming days and avoid contention over more controversial aspects of the larger proposal, which have delayed passage.

Yellen on Tuesday will acknowledge that countries remain vulnerable to adversaries leveraging their dominant market positions to exert their geopolitical goals, referencing Russias invasion of Ukraine.

One such example is China, which has directed significant resources to seek a dominant position in the manufacturing of certain advanced technologies, including semiconductors, while employing a range of unfair trade practices to achieve this position, Yellen will say.

Story continues

Although the semiconductor bill would boost domestic production, Yellen will argue that building resilient supply chains will require friend-shoring, a concept that a group of nations with shared values should convince companies to build manufacturing operations within their territories.

Friend-shoring is about deepening relationships and diversifying our supply chains with a greater number of trusted trading partners to lower risks for our economy and theirs, Yellen will say.

In doing so, we can help to insulate both American and Korean households from the price increases and disruptions caused by geopolitical and economic risks and facilitate our businesses access to vital inputs and products  from medicine to semiconductors to electric vehicle batteries, she will add.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Looking for a quick boost at the plate  though its too late for this year  the Detroit Tigers and general manager Al Avila selected Texas Tech second baseman Jace Jung with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft on Sunday night in Los Angeles.

Jung hit .335 with 14 homers and 18 doubles in 61 games for Texas Tech in 2022. That followed a 2021 season in which he hit 21 homers with a .337 average in just 56 games for the Red Raiders. The San Antonio native also has baseball bloodlines; his brother, Josh, was the No. 8 pick by the Texas Rangers (also out of Texas Tech) in 2019. Josh Jung entered this season as the No. 29 prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.

Texas Tech infielder Jace Jung during an NCAA baseball game against Grand Canyon on April 6, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.

The pick comes on the same day that the Tigers most recent first-round college hitter, first baseman Spencer Torkelson, was demoted to Triple-A Toledo. Torkelson, the No. 1 pick out of Arizona State in 2020, was hitting .197 in 83 games this season.

THE FIRST HALF: Tigers' first half, mercifully, comes to close with game vs. Guardians postponed

EVAN PETZOLD: Why Tigers had no choice but to demote 2020 No. 1 overall pick Torkelson

JEFF SEIDEL: How Tigers went from drafting like 'zombies' to finding late-round gems

The Tigers entered 2022 with hopes of contending for a spot in MLBs newly expanded postseason, but injuries to the rotation and a league-worst 3.13 runs per game have scuttled that plan. In addition to Torkelsons struggles, free agent signing Javier Baez (six years, $140 million) has sputtered to the All-Star break with just nine homers and a .213/.251/.375 slash line.

Sundays pick follows last years top pick of Oklahoma high school pitcher Jackson Jobe at No. 3 overall. The 19-year-old righty has 43 strikeouts and 18 walks with a 5.09 ERA in 13 starts for Low-A Lakeland this year.

THE PAST DECADE: Tigers' MLB drafts haven't resulted in many stars at big-league level

AVILA'S DRAFTING: Not great, but better than you think

Story continues

Texas Tech's Jace Jung (2) attempts to turn a double play at second base against UNC Greensboro's GC Jarman (12) during a game Saturday, June 4, 2022, in the Statesboro Regional held at J.I. Clements Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia.

This years selection is the lowest first-round pick for the franchise since taking college pitcher Alex Faedo from Florida at No. 18 in 2017.

The Tigers have 18 more picks in this years draft, including a second-rounder (No. 51 overall) later Sunday night.

The team does not have its own pick in the Competitive Balance Round B (No. 71 overall), as that was dealt to Tampa Bay in as part of the package for outfielder Austin Meadows. The Tigers also forfeited their third-round pick when they signed left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez last winter.

The MLB draft continues in LA with Rounds 3-10 at 2 p.m. Monday and finishes with Rounds 11-20 at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers select 2B Jace Jung with No. 12 pick in 2022 MLB draft
Taylor Rains/Insider

Singapore Airlines sources specially-raised trout from a fish farm in New York to serve in its premium cabins.

The airline uses the fish as the main ingredient in some meals served on its Airbus A380 and A350 aircraft.

I toured the farm and tried some of the meals and it was the best fish I've ever had.

Singapore Airlines operates the world's two longest flights reaching nearly 19 hours between Singapore and the New York City metropolitan area.

Komenton/Shutterstock

Specifically, the carrier flies its Airbus A350 aircraft nonstop between Singapore and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

BoeingMan777/Shutterstock

The airline also flies its mammoth Airbus A380 jet between Singapore and New York via Frankfurt, Germany, shuttling up to 379 passengers in four cabins, including economy, premium economy, business class, and first class suites.

Mike Fuchslocher/Shutterstock

Source: SeatGuru

On the ultra-long-haul flights, Singapore is devoted to creating a comfortable, relaxing journey for passengers. This includes upgrading its cabins, as well as serving "wellness meals" exclusively on its nonstop A350 flights from Newark, JFK, and Los Angeles.

First class suite. Taylor Rains/Insider

Singapore Airlines just relaunched the world's second-longest flight which connects the country to NYC  see the 'wellness meals' the carrier serves onboard the 19-hour flight

The meals are specially designed to improve taste, help passengers feel fuller, and reduce indigestion and insulin spikes on the 19-hour journeys.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Singapore sources most of the ingredients from AeroFarms, which is an indoor vertical farm located close to both New York-JFK and Newark airports. AeroFarm's food is part of the regular menu served onboard Singapore's A380 flights as well.

AeroFarms facility. AeroFarms

The wellness meals on the A350s and the regular menu on the A380 also use "tank-to-plane" Steelhead fish sourced from Hudson Valley Fisheries in New York.

AeroFarms products. Taylor Rains/Insider

Insider joined Singapore's global food & beverage director, Antony McNeil, and the farm's CEO, John Ng, to learn more about the process and taste a few of the airline's meals. Take a look.

Story continues

Taylor Rains/Insider

Hudson Valley Fisheries is located 130 miles from New York City, making the transport of the fish quicker and more environmentally friendly than shipping them from countries with large fishing operations, like Norway and Chile.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Specifically, the transport emits 43 tons of CO2, according to the company. This compares to 3420 tons if flown from Norway and 5035 tons of flown from Chile.

Fish at the farm. Hudson Valley Fisheries

All the fish at the farm, which has 80 employees, are raised in a "closed-loop" system rather than in open water, meaning there is no chance for contamination. Moreover, the system negates harmful side effects of open-water aquaculture, like overfishing, by-catch of other animals like turtles, and coral reef destruction.

Hudson Valley Fisheries

Ng told Insider that there is rarely any contamination at the facility, and only a few tanks have been compromised in its history.

Hudson Valley Fisheries

According to Ng, the 160,000-square-foot facility is monitored and controlled to keep bugs and other contaminants out, and the company doesn't use any pesticides.

CEO of Hudson Valley Fisheries, John Ng. Hudson Valley Fisheries

The fishery uses six different systems to grow the fish, from egg incubation to "grow-out" across 54 tanks in a controlled environment, meaning the health and welfare of the fish are monitored every day until they are ready for harvesting.

Hudson Valley Fisheries

The company uses all-natural feed for the fish, which is dispersed from a rotating mechanism attached to the middle of each tank, according to Ng.

Hudson Valley Fisheries

"The feed costs us a lot more, but we don't use GMOs in our farm, so we can't build all this and fall short on the feed, so that's why we use all-natural," Ng told Insider.

Hudson Valley Fisheries

The fish are fed small meals throughout the day so they aren't as hungry and are therefore less aggressive during meal-time, which can cause the fish to damage each other, Ng explained.

Collection of images showing the process. Taylor Rains/Insider

Because Hudson Valley Fisheries is environment-focused, 95% of water is reused throughout the process and fish waste is saved and turned into organic fertilizer.

Hudson Valley Fisheries

Once the fish are fully grown, they are harvested by hand at the facility. I toured this part of the building where I, along with all employees, was required to wear boots, a coat, a hair net, and a mask. Those with facial hair had to also wear a beard net.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Workers, with the help of machines, skin and cut the meat to the desired size, which is based on different factors like portion preference by the buyer.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Then, the meat is vacuum sealed and packed in insulated boxes. The fish are then sold to farmer's markets, restaurants, and other companies, like Singapore.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Inside the harvesting section, I noticed the absence of fish smell, which was surprising considering the operation. Moreover, Ng explained that nothing goes to waste, so any unwanted parts of the fish are composted, or sold to a pet food manufacturer.

Taylor Rains/Insider

According to the company, Hudson Valley Fisheries produces 7,000 market-sized fish per week, which equates to about 20,000 pounds. Ng explained the fillets can be harvested and on a customer's plate in 24 hours, making the meal extremely fresh.

The fish after it has been skinned and cut. Taylor Rains/Insider

After the fishery tour, McNeil showed me how the specific fish Singapore buys, which includes fillets, cold-smoked, and hot-smoked, is prepared and served on its aircraft.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The meals change seasonally, but I tried a salad made with hot-smoked trout. The meal used lettuce and bok choy from AeroFarms, as well as tomatoes, nuts, quinoa, and a vinaigrette dressing.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I had never had hot-smoked trout before but thought the taste was exquisite and liked that it wasn't slimy or too fishy.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I also tried another salad that had cold-smoked trout, radishes, lettuce from AeroFarms, cabbage, and a dressing.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I was genuinely impressed with this meal as well and enjoyed all the flavors. The dish is paired with other courses offered by Singapore, like chicken and vegetarian options.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Overall, both meals were presented beautifully, and McNeil showed me how the food is packaged before being put on the plane for flight attendants to plate. He explained the ingredients come in separate containers and there are instructions for the crew to follow.

I prepared the dish as if I were a flight attendant. Taylor Rains/Insider

This was the first time I had ever had this type of trout and I honestly do not think I've ever tasted fish so fresh and tasty. If I ever get a chance to fly Singapore's business or first class, I will look forward to trying both meals onboard.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider
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It Happened here is a weekly history column by Yakima Herald-Republic reporter Donald W. Meyers. Reach him at dmeyers@yakimaherald.com. Sources for this weeks column include the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Historylink.org, Kittitas County Historical Museum and the archives of the Yakima Herald-Republic.
A sign posted outside the Seattle Public Librarys Broadview Branch on Sunday, July 17, warns that a ballot box there is under surveillance. Republican activists in Washington are promoting surveillance of ballot drop boxes as midterm voting begins, echoing conspiracy theories about fraud in the 2020 election.
Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 106F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 85F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 106F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Its graduation day again in Memorial Stadium.

A sea of red tees and graduation caps stand near rows of family members on Friday afternoon. School has flown by for the 7- to 13-year-olds. Thursday was their first day.

Unlike their older classmates, the first to eighth graders arent on campus to earn their bachelors degrees. Theyre graduates of Future Husker University, an experience built for the children and grandchildren of University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni.

In the fifth year of the program, 150 prospective Huskers and alumni explored the universitys various colleges and programs, attending classes about canine behavior, broadcasting, forensics and more.

Classes began at 8 a.m. Friday, but families were able to spend Thursday night in a residence hall and go bowling on East Campus. Eating and sleeping in the dorms is meant to give children the full college experience.

Then, it was time for class. Students scattered to buildings across the campus bright and early to create activism posters or build teddy bear prosthetics.

Shelley Zaborowski, executive director of the Nebraska Alumni Association, said the program is meant to not only engage alumni but also plant seeds in budding students before they pick their university.

Some (alumni) have four and five generations of Nebraska grads, Zaborowski said. There's definitely a strong sense of tradition with some of those families.

With more than 200,000 living alumni, Zaborowski said the opportunities to get them involved are plentiful. And what better reason to bring graduates back to campus than to share their fond experiences with their children?

Many of UNLs alumni are involved with the university and would love to see their family members attend, too. Decades after graduation, several still believe the old song: Theres No Place Like Nebraska.

There's something just really special about being in Nebraska and graduating from the University of Nebraska, Zaborowski said. If you've traveled anywhere wearing a Nebraska T-shirt or a hat, no matter where you are in the world, you'll meet somebody who has that connection, and theres sort of this instant bond.

Patrice Ross is originally from Omaha, but today she and her family live in Nevada. Its their second year making the long trip. Her 13-year-old daughters wont be able to attend next year as they'll be too old for the program. But of course, she hopes theyll come back to campus  perhaps even as students.

As an alumni, I was very interested to show them my experience at the University of Nebraska, Ross said. It also gives them a great opportunity to kind of see what the college experience is like at a younger age.

Ross studied business, but Friday her twins Miranda and Sophie double majored in dog psychology and engineering  also called the building towers with spaghetti and marshmallows degree.

Forty-eight years ago, Jane Schuchardt graduated from the College of Education and Human Sciences. Friday, she brought her great-niece to campus.

UNL is a special place to Schuchardt. Its where she made some of her greatest memories, she said, and its where she met her husband. She went on to study at other universities, but this campus feels like home to her.

This is our institution, Schuchardt said. This is our first love, and this is where we belong.
To make Indian roads at par with those in America, the Indian Government has been working relentlessly throughout. To enhance the road infrastructure, many projects have been initiated by Union Roads, transport, and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari which would lead to new avenues of growth and wealth creation in the country.

Having said that, Nitin Gadkari recently shared an update on the four/six laning of the Hungund-Hospet expressway in Karnataka that provides connectivity to Kerala and Maharashtra. Nitin Gadkari in a series of tweets has explained the project in detail.

The Infrastructure Marvel That is New India!



The project for four/six laning of Hungund-Hospet in Karnataka has been operational and providing connectivity to Kerala and Maharashtra. pic.twitter.com/OB7QHZ5YcU  Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) July 17, 2022

The Infrastructure Marvel That is New India! The project for four/six laning of Hungund-Hospet in Karnataka has been operational and providing connectivity to Kerala and Maharashtra, his tweet read.

Spanning a length of 97 km, this stretch has been built with a capital investment of Rs. 946 crores. It consists of a 687-long tunnel that has been constructed near Hospet and major bridges on the Tungabhadra River.

Also read: Caught breaking traffic rule in Punjab? Deliver lecture in school, serve community service or donate blood

In another tweet, he appreciated the expressway saying that the stretch is a heaven for all the nature and wildlife lovers as the highway provides connectivity to Daroji Bear Sanctuary.

Further, this stretch is equally important from the perspective of religious tourism as the stretch provides seamless connectivity to the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, Anjani Parvat, and Kishkindha in Hampi.

The Hungund-Hospet Expressway aims at providing world-class infrastructure and connectivity to commuters and this alignment connects Hungund, Ilkal, Kustagi, Hitnal, Hulgi, and Hospet towns in Karnataka. The expressway runs on the 99km stretch of the National Highway-13 that runs through Karnataka. The expressway was partially operational in 2012, however, some parts of it are still being developed.

Live TV
The Indian aviation industry is going through a rough time with multiple Indian airlines reporting technical faults every now and then and a few of them even making emergency landings. A high level meeting was chaired by Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia along with other senior officials from his ministry and Indias aviation watchdog DGCA to take cognizance of the matter. In the last couple of days alone, multiple international flights have made emergency landings in India, while a couple of Indian airlines landed outside India. Heres a recap of the week gone by, full of emergency landings.

On Friday, July 15, a full emergency was declared at the Cochin International Airport in Kerala after an Air Arabia flight (G9 426) reported hydraulic failure. The flight was arriving from Sharjah and landed safely at the airport. The airport went on full alert and two flights were diverted in the process.

Sri Lankan Airline emergency landing in Chennai

On Friday itself, a Sri Lankan Airlines flight between Colombo and Chennai landed at the Chennai International Airport after an emergency landing was declared. Flight UL 121 also faced hydraulic issues and the Chennai International Airport (MAA) went on full emergency mode.

Ethiopian Airline emergency landing in Kolkata

On Saturday, July 6, and Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa to Bangkok made an emergency landing at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) following a pressurization issue.

On Sunday morning, an IndiGo flight from Sharjah to Hyderabad was diverted mid-air after the pilot reported a technical snag and landed at the Karachi International Airport in Pakistan. This is the second such landing by an India-based airline in Pakistan in the past few days.

An Air India Express Calicut-Dubai was diverted to Muscat after a burning smell was detected mid-air.

Live TV
Chinas air force is often considered among the best in the world thanks to its indigenous fleet of fighter jets made by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG). China is among a handful of nations to have 100 percent home-made fleet of fighter jets and also among the only three nations to have a fifth-gen fighter jet in the form of the Chengdu J-20. The workhorse, however, is the J-10 series of fighter jets that China also exports to Pakistan Air Force. The J-10 has proved to be a formidable fighter jet and proved its worth every now and then. In the past China has developed multiple variants of J-10, including the J-10, J-10B and J-10C, among which the J-10C is considered the most advanced variant and was acquired by the Pakistan Air Force earlier.

A report on Eurasiantimes now indicates that China is working on an even advanced version of the J-10, called J-10D. The leaked pictures of the J-10D have surfaced online recently highlighting a straight spine section, like the F-16 Block-52+, Block-60EF and Block-70 variants. This means the J-10D can house additional electronics and fuel, helping the jet to carry more electronic warfare equipment.

J-10's (J-10D) new variant with CFT or massive EW gadgets (Thread)



First of all some obvious changes in it are;

Plain Dorsal Spine or alleged CFT (Confirmal Fuel tank)

Old #Russian AL-31FN Engine instead of #Chinese WS-10

Slightly larger air inlet near vertical... pic.twitter.com/ZHA9cuJbJF  AM Raad (@AMRAADfdg) July 13, 2022

The internet, on the other hand, is not believing in the images and says China may be a standard Chinese disinformation tactic. On the other hand, a popular Pakistani channel analyzing Chinese defense aerospace issues, claims the image is real and is a modified J-10B used as a testbed.

The leaked images show the jet with a single-piece canopy design enhancing the stealth capabilities, while the delta wing appears straight unlike the twisted surface on the older J-10, J-10B and J-10C variants. This, again, adds to stealth, drag and aerodynamic abilities.

Meet IAF Rafale, India's most advanced fighter jet that terrifies Pakistan: IN PICS

The J-10D will most likely get the avionics from the J-10C, which has one of the best Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar amongst single-engine fighters, with 1,200 TR (transmitter/receiver) modules. The Dassault Rafale gets RBE2 AESA radar with 838 TR modules.

The J-10D can be counted as a Gen 4.5 jet, keeping it aligned with Rafale and Tejas from India and F-16 from the US and also supplementing J-20s.

On the other hand, by Pakistan acquiring J-10C, the PAF has got another frontline fighter apart from the F-16. India, on the other hand, has Sukhoi Su-30, Mirage-2000s, MiG-29 and the Rafale. Pakistans JF-17 which is used for point defense, ground attack is a no match to Indias advanced Tejas LCA and hence, Pakistan would be eagerly waiting for the J-10D to go in production.

Live TV
The Delhi High Court has announced its decision on the public interest litigation (PIL) filed to restrict the operation of the SpiceJet airline for operating its aircraft by breaching the safety and professional obligations. The court affirmed that it cannot bar the airlines operation based on the PIL and press reports. The decision came from the bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma. The bench further added that the law provides a "robust mechanism" to the aviation industry. Also, the court recorded the stand of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which has already taken the action and has issued a show cause notice to the airline..

In the recent past, the petitioner alleged, there have been instances concerning the "landing" of SpiceJet aircraft, its aircraft taking off without passengers' baggage, and employees not being paid. The petitioner contended that there have been "regular breaches" in service and there are even cases registered against the SpiceJet promoter.

The court said the "DGCA is very much working" and there is no reason to grant the relief sought by the petitioner. "The court cannot stop a particular airline to operate in the country based on averments in a PIL and press clippings," it said.

The court noted that the Aircraft Act provides for general flying and safety conditions as well as the airworthiness of an aircraft and the DGCA is the competent authority to look into the incidents alleged by the petitioner. As the petitioner's lawyer urged the court to grant the ad-interim relief of stopping the operation of SpiceJet, the court remarked, "So we start running the airline also?".

Also read - Hero Xpulse 200 4V Rally Edition launched in India at Rs 1.51 lakh; Gets offroad suspension

"That is not our domain. There is an expert body -- DGCA... Relief can be claimed only under the legal framework," the court said. The court also noted the DGCA's stand that whenever any incident, such as those alleged by the petitioner, is pointed out, action is taken with promptitude.

DGCA will proceed in the present case as well, it added. During the hearing, the court also observed that statistically, the percentage of road accidents was higher than in the aviation sector and every aircraft is checked before it takes off.

In the petition, the petitioner sought direction to the authorities to constitute a special commission of an aviation expert to look into the concerns raised by it and stop the operation of SpiceJet in the meantime.

The petition stated that the right to life includes the right to a safe environment for flight passengers.

With agency inputs
Patna: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait on Monday said that the condition of farmers is very bad in Bihar and asked them to be prepared for a `big agitation` from October to demand their rights. Tikait made this announcement while interacting with mediapersons here. He said the condition of farmers was extremely bad in the state. If necessary, he would meet the chief minister and ask him to address the situation, he added.

"It is not necessary for the farmers of Bihar to migrate to other states for jobs. If any farmer would get a genuine price for the crops, why would he go to other states? Similarly, if a labourer gets the job in the home state why would he go to other states to earn for their livelihood," Tikait said.

"The farmers of Bihar should come forward for their rights and raise their voices. We will interact with all small and large farmer`s organisations in Bihar to make them united and make them aware of the need to fight for their rights against the government. I will start campaigning in Bihar from October this year," Tikait said.

"At present, farmers` agitation is going on a small scale. They need to get united for a bigger fight against the government. The farmers of Bihar had a big contribution during agitation in Delhi. The farmers of Bihar are not getting adequate prices for their crops. This is the biggest worry for them. As they are protesting separately, their voice is not reaching the state government. I would appeal to the farmers of Bihar to prepare themselves for the struggle in the next few months," Tikait said.

The move of Tikait is important keeping in view that poll strategist Prashant Kishor will start a Padyatra from West Champaran in Bihar on October 2. Rakesh Tikait will also start the farmer`s agitation in Bihar in October.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Zee News staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NEW DELHI: Amid growing concerns over monkeypox cases, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday advised states, airports and port health officers to ensure health screening of all international passengers arriving in the country to contain the disease from spreading further. According to news agency ANI, the Centre reviewed Points of Entry (PoEs) Health actions at airports and ports and sought effective coordination between state administration, Bureau of Immigration, and airport and port health offices.

Centre Reviews Points of Entry (PoEs) Health actions at intn'l airports & ports. State, Airport & Port Health Officers advised ensuring health screening of all international travellers to minimize the risk of importation of Monkeypox Disease: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare  ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2022

States, Airport & Port Health Officers advised ensuring health screening of all international travellers to minimize the risk of importation of Monkeypox Disease, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare said.

Effective coordination between State admin, Bureau of Immigration, Airport and Port Health Offices: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare  ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2022

The new direction from the Union Health Ministry comes after a second confirmed case of monkeypox was reported in Keralas Kannur district. A 31-year-old man, who arrived in Kerala last week from Dubai, tested positive for monkeypox, making it the second case in India this year, states Health Minister Veena George said on Monday.

The minister said the patient, who arrived in Kerala on July 13, was a native of Kannur in north Kerala and was undergoing treatment at the Pariyaram Medical College there. His health is stable, she said.

The minister also said that all those who were in close contact with the patient are being closely monitored. The first case of monkeypox, a rare but potentially serious viral illness, was reported from the Kollam district of south Kerala on July 14. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.

Union Health Ministry officials said in New Delhi that the patient in Kannur had landed at the Mangaluru airport in Karnataka from Dubai on July 13. He was admitted to the hospital after he exhibited symptoms of the disease. His samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, and they tested positive for the virus, the official said.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Health Minister held discussions with the central team visiting the southern state to study the situation. After the meeting, she said the state government will introduce the monkeypox diagnosis system in government labs.

"There are 28 government labs in the state that can conduct COVID RT-PCR tests. In the first phase, test kits for detecting monkeypox will be immediately made available from NIV Pune to NIV Alappuzha and tests will be conducted in the Alappuzha lab itself," the minister's office said in a statement.

It said the central team briefed her about the details of their three-day visit to the state. "The team expressed satisfaction over the preventive measures being taken by the state," the statement said.

The minister's office said the state government is taking strong measures to prevent the spread of the disease. "Help desks have been set up at all international airports and surveillance has been intensified. If any of the passengers show symptoms of infection, they will be safely taken to isolation centres for testing and specialist treatment," it said.

It further said awareness about the disease has been strengthened for those coming from countries where monkeypox has been reported and state-level control rooms and a district level control room were set up to coordinate the activities.

Guidelines for disease surveillance and management are being prepared, the statement said. "Isolation facilities have been set up in selected hospitals in the districts. A special ambulance system has been arranged in the districts to shift the people with symptoms to hospitals. Health workers including doctors are being trained. The minister also informed that strong awareness activities are being carried out to avoid public concern", it added.

According to the World Health Organisation, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals), with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health.
New Delhi: Another school in Bengaluru received a bomb threat on Monday (July 18, 2022). The threat was sent on National Hill View Public Schools email ID, which is locatted in Rajarajeshwarinagar in South Bengaluru. The email was sent to the official ID of the school, which claimed that an explosive device had been planted on the premises of the private school.

The National Hill View Public School owned by KPCC president DK Shivakumar received a bomb threat message. The school management sent the children home in the morning after the email threat came to light.

The police rushed to the spot as soon as they came to know about the threat mail. In the wake of the bomb threat, a bomb disposal squad, dog squad and police came and checked the place.
New Delhi: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan on Sunday attended a meeting of the BJP-led NDA on the presidential poll preparation, a significant development as he had kept away from the ruling alliance's gatherings after walking out of the coalition during the 2020 Bihar assembly polls. Paswan told PTI that attending the meeting did not mean he was again a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The second-term Lok Sabha MP walked into the meeting venue along with several other MPs, mostly from the BJP, where a demonstration on the voting for the presidential poll was given on the eve of the election. The Jamui MP, however, said later that his presence at the meeting was because of his support for the ruling alliance's presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu. She also joined the MPs later. Paswan said he was invited to attend the meeting. "It does not mean that I am part of the NDA," he told PTI.

Also read: LIVE: India to elect its 15th President; Draupadi Murmu has edge over Sinha

Paswan had quit the NDA in Bihar due to his opposition to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), the biggest alliance member after the BJP. He had then claimed that he remained a BJP ally at the national level and had quit the grouping in Bihar for state-specific reasons. However, the JD(U)'s stiff resistance ensured that he did not attend NDA meetings.

The BJP's invitation to him to attend a ruling alliance's meeting ahead of Parliament's budget session had invited a sharp reaction from Kumar's party, leading to Paswan skipping it. JD(U) MPs, including its president Lalan Singh, also attended the meeting held in the Parliament complex on Sunday.

Also read: VP polls: Opposition's candidate to be Margaret Alva, says Sharad Pawar

Paswan's relations with the BJP had also soured after his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras split the Lok Janshakti Party and was joined by all other party MPs. The Paras faction was recognised as the real LJP in Lok Sabha, and he was sworn in as a minister in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. Chirag Paswan had also taken swipes at the BJP following his eviction from a government bungalow, first allotted to his father and stalwart Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan.
New Delhi: India witnessed a massive dip in fresh coronavirus infections today. The country recorded 16,069 new Covid-19 cases, 51 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the total death toll to 5,25,760, according to the data released by the Ministry of Health on Monday (July 18, 2022). The active cases stand at 1,44,264. The country also reported 16,935 recoveries in a day. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,30,97,510, while the case fatality rate has been recorded at 1.20 per cent.

#COVID19 | India reports 16,935 fresh cases, 16,069 recoveries, and 51 deaths in the last 24 hours.



Active cases 1,44,264

Daily positivity rate 6.48% pic.twitter.com/CXVSDdvXpY  ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2022

An increase of 815 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The ministry also informed that the active cases comprise 0.33 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.47 per cent.

The cumulative doses administered under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 200 crore on Monday at 8 am.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 6.48 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 4.58 per cent, according to the ministry.

The 51 new fatalities include 29 from Kerala, five from West Bengal, three each from Assam, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and one each from Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Karnataka, Manipur, Nagaland, Punjab,Sikkim and Tamil Nadu.

(With agency inputs)
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is down with COVID-19 infection after her return from Bali, Indonesia, where she attended G20 Finance Ministers' meeting. Sitharaman, who returned from Bali on Sunday, cast her vote on Monday in the Presidential election wearing a full PPE kit. Official sources said she contracted Covid-19 during her Indonesia visit and is taking precautions not to infect others. She is hale and hearty, sources said.

The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, met in Bali on 15-16 July 2022, for the third time under the Indonesian G20 Presidency. The meeting was attended by G20 members, invited countries (including Ukraine), and international and regional organizations.

Sitharaman also attended many events and held bilateral meetings on the sidelines G20 Finance Ministers meeting.
[July 18, 2022] Emergn Names Santiago Martin-Romani Vice President of Technology Services

Emergn, a global digital business services firm helping companies deliver valuable digital products and customer experiences faster, today announced Santiago Martin-Romani will serve as the company's Vice President of Technology Services within Emergn's Global Services organization. Martin-Romani will take on this role as Emergn continues to work with the world's most respected brands to help them build more competitive products and experiences. Emergn's Technology Services accelerate its clients' ability to build digital products and experiences that customers love. As VP of Technology Services, Martin-Romani will be responsible for demonstrating value to every customer Emergn serves. Martin-Romani's primary responsibility will be overseeing the execution of technology-related services and ensuring delivery excellence for every customer. He will also be responsible for building a strong community of delivery managers dedicated to Emergn's outcomes-driven approach to transformation based on three principles: Value, Flow and Quality. "As an experienced business leader who also has deep experience in technology, Santiago truly bridges the gap between technology and business. He will be an invaluable asset to the leadership team at Emergn," said Alex Adamopoulos, founder and CEO of Emergn. "Santiago has experience in both the commercial and solution side of the delivery process, which will serve our clients well as they look to transform to compete in today's fast-paced, complex environment." Martin-Romani brings over a decade of experience in senior roles focused on digital transformation, enterprise application portfolio modernization, and software engineering. Most recently, Martin-Romani served as VP of technology and digital transformation for BlackSwan Technologies, an enterprise software organization. Prior to that, Martin-Romani served as a digita transformation partner for WIPRO, a global technology and consulting business. In that role, Martin-Romani was responsible for championing change and digital transformations across Fortune 500 and scale-ups in banking, FinTech and insurance. Martin-Romani holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from the London Business School and a Master in Telecommunication Engineering from the Polytechnical University Catalonia.



"I'm passionate about Emergn's mission to help its customers improve the way they work and am eager to bring my experience in the technology and consulting space to our technology services," said Martin-Romani. "I look forward to building upon the success of Emergn and helping our customers with their most pressing technology, delivery and consulting needs." For more information about Emergn's team, visit Emergn's website.

About Emergn Emergn is a global digital business services firm with a mission to improve the way people and companies work. Forever. Emergn helps some of the world's most respected businesses-including Fortune 500, FTSE 100 and Global 2000 companies-develop their most promising ideas into valuable digital products and customer experiences, faster. Emergn offers learning, consulting, and technology services to help clients own their transformation, and create high-performing teams. Our capabilities span product innovation, experience design, product delivery, intelligent automation, learning skills and capabilities, data and analytics, and business transformation. Emergn has spent more than a decade perfecting its context-specific and outcomes-driven approach to transformation based on three principles: Value, Flow and Quality. This unique approach provides Emergn's clients with the frameworks, models and tools needed to drive lasting, sustainable change to the way they work and transform. Emergn has a strong presence in over a dozen countries, with its U.S. headquarters in Boston and EMEA headquarters in London. For more information, visit Emergn's website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220718005010/en/

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In India, a fake narrative is often coined that Muslims are unsafe in this country. Pakistan and other countries also spread propaganda against India over the same issue. However, these countries never raise questions on China, where Uighur Muslims are blatantly oppressed.



Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping openly said that Islam in China must be "Chinese in orientation" and it should adapt to the socialist society being pursued by the ruling Communist Party of China.



In today's DNA, Zee News' Rohit Ranjan makes an analysis of the double standards of certain nations and international groups on Islamic rights in India and China.



Xi visited the volatile Xinjiang region, where the Chinese security forces for the last several years have made efforts to control protests by Uygur Muslims over settlements from Han Chinese from outside the province.



During his four-day tour of the region which started on July 12, Xi met with officials. The official media reported that he stressed fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, promoting exchanges, interactions and integration among different ethnic groups.



Enhanced efforts should be made to uphold the principle that Islam in China must be Chinese in orientation, and to adapt religions to socialist society.



In the past few years, China has been advocating the "sinicization" of Islam which broadly means bringing it in tune with the policies of the ruling Communist Party.



China has been battling allegations of mass incarcerations of Uygur Muslims in camps, which Beijing describes as de-radicalisation and education centres.



Beijing also downplays western allegations of massive human rights violations against Uygur Muslims and refutes the US and the EU allegations of genocide against Muslims in the province.



While no exact figure has been released, analysts say hundreds of thousands and likely a million or more people have been detained over time, reported ABC News. Meanwhile, critics have described the crackdown that placed thousands in prison-like indoctrination camps as cultural genocide.



The US and others have placed officials responsible under visa bans for their part in extra-legal detentions, separation of families and incarceration of people for studying abroad or having foreign contacts.The US has blocked some import of cotton and other products from the region over reports of forced labour.



However, despite the blatant anti-Muslim policy, China is never questioned by western countries.
New Delhi: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday hit out at the ruling BJP at the Centre BJP over high taxes and unemployment, accusing it of destroying the world's fastest growing economy. He said this while sharing a graph on Twitter showing how commodities like curd, paneer, rice, wheat, barley, jaggery and honey are being taxed now. There was no tax on these items of mass consumption earlier.

"High taxes, No jobs. BJP's masterclass on how to destroy what was once one of the world's fastest growing economies," Gandhi said on Twitter.

He also shared how hospital rooms for which Rs 5,000 is charged will be taxed at 5 per cent and hotel rooms below Rs 1,000 will be taxed at 12 per cent under the GST regime.

HIGH taxes, NO jobs



BJPs masterclass on how to destroy what was once one of the worlds fastest growing economies. pic.twitter.com/cinP1o65lB  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 18, 2022

Gandhi also said the GST on solar water heaters has been increased from 5 per cent to 12 per cent and on LED lamps and lights, from 12 per cent to 18 per cent.

The Congress party has attacked the government for increasing GST rates on essential items used by the public.
Thiruvananthapuram: With heavy rains continuing to lash parts of Kerala, water levels in several dams, including the Mullaperiyar and Idukki, in the state are reaching their respective storage capacities and some even reached red alert status on Sunday. According to figures provided by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), water in six dams -- of which four are in Idukki -- under the control of Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) are at red alert levels and in one at orange alert level.

The dams where water has reached red alert levels at 11 am were -- Ponmudi, Kallarkutty, Erattayar and Lower Periyar in Idukki, Kuttiyadi in Kozhikode and Moozhiyar in Pathanamthitta districts of the state. Orange alert was announced in Poringalkuthu dam in Thrissur, KSDMA said.

The colour-coded alerts -- blue, orange and red -- refer to the storage level data of the dam with respect to each reservoir's capacity.

Later in the evening, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, referring to weather reports and KSDMA data, said an orange alert has also been announced in Meenkara irrigation dam in Palakkad.

Besides that, blue alerts have been announced in Neyyar and Mangalam irrigation dams in Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad, respectively, the Chief Minister said in a release.

It also said the water level in Mullaperiyar dam has reached 135.75 feet and once it reaches 136.60 due to the rains, Tamil Nadu will release water from its side through the spillway and therefore, nearby residents should be vigilant and take precautions.

The water levels in the Mullaperiyar dam were holding steady at 135.7 feet at 12 pm due to reduction in rainfall in the area during the preceding hours, an official from the control room set up in Idukki district had said earlier in the day.

The Chief Minister, in the release, also said water was being released from Malankara, Siruvani, Kuttiyadi, Kallada, Karapuzha, Kanjirappuzha, Peechi, Maniyar, Bhoothathankettu, Moolathara and Pazhassi dams in the state and people nearby these dams should take precautions.

He also said, in the release, that according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a yellow alert for rainfall has been declared in Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts for the day and for Monday in Idukki, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts. A yellow alert issued by IMD means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.

Vijayan asked people to be careful of wind hazards as strong winds are expected in the state and advised those living in low-lying areas, near river banks and hilly areas prone to landslides to be alert. He said, in the release, that 23 relief camps have been set up in various districts of the state and 1,485 people have been shifted there.

Meanwhile, 23 people have died so far in rain-related incidents, 11 were injured, three are missing, 81 houses have been completely destroyed and 1,278 homes were partially damaged, the release said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is constantly accusing the central government of obstructing his Singapore visit. He reiterated the allegations again on Monday and said that it seems that my visit to Singapore is being stopped due to political reasons. At the same time, he said, "I am not a criminal but the elected Chief Minister." The Chief Minister of Delhi has to go to Singapore to attend a summit, but Kejriwal alleges that the central government is not giving him permission for this. On this issue, AAP MPs also protested in the Parliament premises.

Kejriwal said that he has been invited by the government of that country to participate in the World Cities Summit in Singapore, where he will present the 'Delhi model' in front of global leaders and bring glory to India. Upset over the Centre's delay in granting permission for his visit, Kejriwal wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, saying he has been waiting for permission for the past one month.

AAP convener Kejriwal said, 'I am not a criminal, I am a Chief Minister and a free citizen of the country. There is no legal basis to stop me from going to Singapore, so there seems to be some political reason behind it. In June, High Commissioner of Singapore S. Simon Wong had invited Kejriwal for the summit. The conference is scheduled to be held in the first week of August." The Chief Minister of Delhi has been called to participate in a program to be held on the first day.

letter to PM Modi

The Chief Minister said that he usually does not go on foreign trips, but wants to participate in the Singapore conference as it is related to the development of the country. He had earlier written a letter to PM Modi about this and said that it is wrong to deny him permission to travel to Singapore to represent India at the 'World Cities Summit' (WCS).

According to sources, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has not approved the file related to Kejriwal's visit to Singapore. With the beginning of the Parliament session, AAP's Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha demonstrated with posters in the Parliament premises regarding this issue. He alleged that the BJP is upset by the global appreciation of the Delhi model and that is why the central government has not yet allowed Kejriwal to go to Singapore.
New Delhi: India on Sunday strongly pressed for early disengagement of troops from all the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh at the 16th round of high-level military talks with China, which took place after a gap of over four months. In the discussions that lasted for around 12-and-a-half hours, the Indian delegation also insisted on the restoration of the status quo ante as of April 2020 -- before the start of the military standoff, people familiar with the development said.

The talks began at 9:30 am at the Chushul Moldo meeting point on the Indian side of the LAC in the region, and ended at around 10 pm, they said.

There were some expectations of progress at the talks on completing the disengagement process at Patrolling Point-15 in the Hot Springs area.

The Indian delegation at the talks was led by Lt-General Anindya Sengupta, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, while the Chinese team was headed by South Xinjiang Military District Chief Major General Yang Lin.

There was no official word on the outcome of the talks.

India-China 15th round of military dialogue took place on March 11

The 15th round of the military dialogue took place on March 11 but it failed to yield any significant outcome, with both sides, in a joint statement, reaffirming that resolution of the issues would help restore peace and tranquillity in the region and facilitate progress in bilateral relations.

The Indian side pressed for disengagement of troops as soon as possible in all the remaining friction points, the people cited above said.

It is learnt that the Indian delegation also sought resolution of pending issues in Depsang Bulge and Demchok.

India has been consistently maintaining that peace and tranquillity along the LAC were key for the overall development of bilateral ties.

Situation in eastern Ladakh also figured in talks between S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart

The situation in eastern Ladakh figured prominently in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Bali on July 7.

At the one-hour meeting on the sidelines of a conclave of foreign ministers of the G20 nations, Jaishankar conveyed to Wang the need for early resolution of all the outstanding issues in eastern Ladakh.

"Recalling the disengagement achieved in some friction areas, the external affairs minister reiterated the need to sustain the momentum to complete disengagement from all the remaining areas to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement after the meeting.

The MEA further said Jaishankar "reaffirmed the importance of fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols, and the understandings reached between the two ministers during their previous conversations." The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas.

Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.

Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the sensitive sector.
Kannur: The Kerala government on Monday confirmed the second positive case of monkeypox, days after the first case of the highly infectious disease was detected in the southern state, triggering a countrywide alert. "The second positive case of Monkeypox in Kerala has been confirmed in Kannur District," Kerala's Health Ministry said, according to ANI.

"The second positive case of Monkey Pox in Kerala has been confirmed in Kannur District," confirms State Health Ministry  ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2022

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that a 31-year-old man who arrived in Kerala last week from Dubai has tested positive for monkeypox. "The man from Kannur is currently undergoing treatment at Pariyaram Medical College. The patient's health condition is reported to be satisfactory. Those in close contact with him have been put under surveillance," Veena George said.

The youngster, who had reached Kerala from abroad, was earlier admitted to Pariyaram Medical College in a suspected case of monkeypox, the district medical officer (DMO) said. The youngster, who had reached Mangaluru International Airport on Saturday, got himself admitted to the hospital after he experienced symptoms.

"His samples have been sent for testing and the infection can only be confirmed after the results are out," DMO said. The patient is currently in an isolation ward at the medical college hospital.

After the first case of monkeypox in the country was reported from Kerala on Thursday, a Central team had been sent to the State. The first case is that of a Keralite who returned from the UAE on July 12.

The Union Health Ministry rushed a high-level multidisciplinary team to Kerala which will assist the state authorities in instituting adequate public health measures to deal with the situation. "The Government of India is taking proactive steps by monitoring the situation carefully and coordinating with states in case of any such possibility of outbreak occurs," the health ministry said.

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare, usually mild infection, typically caught from infected wild animals in parts of Africa. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.

The disease was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name monkeypox. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. Since then monkeypox has been reported in humans in other central and western African countries.

The disease is a relative of smallpox, causing a rash that often begins on the face, according to the UK's NHS website. With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health.
NEW DELHI: Former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who was suspended from the party over her alleged derogatory comments against Prophet Mohammed and Islam, has once again approached the top court citing ''renewed death threats''. In her fresh petition, Sharma has also sought protection from her possible arrest and requested the highest court to club all nine cases filed against her across India.

Sharma also stated that after the Supreme Court's "unexpected and strong criticism" of her statements, she has been getting renewed death threats from unknown persons, which has put her life in grave danger.

It may be recalled that she was suspended from the BJP for making hateful comments on Prophet Muhammad and Islam while participating in a TV debate show nearly two months ago, which led to a diplomatic row besides huge protests in India.

Earlier too, Sharma had urged the Supreme Court to club all the FIRs filed against her but the court had made some scathing comments against her. She had then withdrawn her plea. Now she's argued that "fringe elements have renewed" rape and death threats since then. She'd cited death threats in her earlier plea as well.

It may be recalled that the SC came down heavily on Nupur Sharma over her televised remarks on Prophet Muhammad and said that she is ''single-handedly responsible'' for the unrest in the country.

A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala had then said, "We saw the debate on how she was incited. But the way she said all this and later says she was a lawyer, it is shameful. She should apologise to the whole country. She is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country."

The court had also suggested that Nupur Sharma should have apologised to the nation on national TV. Several cases have been registered against Nupur Sharma for hurting religious sentiments in Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi, West Bengal and Mumbai.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (July 18, 2022) expressed condolences after a Maharashtra Roadways bus travelling from Indore to Pune fell off the Khalghat Sanjay Setu in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. "The bus tragedy in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh is saddening. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. Rescue work is underway and local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," the Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet.

At least 12 passengers were killed after the bus, belonging to the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), fell into the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Monday, a senior MP government official said.

PM Modi saddened by the loss of lives in Dhar bus accident in Madhya Pradesh



"Rescue work is underway and local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," says PM. pic.twitter.com/otU8vM04uk  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 18, 2022

According to the officials, the bus carrying 55 people was enroute from Indore to Pune when it fell off the bridge over Narmada river after the driver lost his balance.

The Dhamnod Police and Khaltaka Police rushed to the spot and conducted rescue operations with the help of divers. So far, two injured persons have been taken to the Dhamnod Government Hospital in Madhya Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has instructed MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) to provide ex gratia of 10 lakhs each to the kin of the deceased in the MSRTC bus accident in Narmada river.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has instructed MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) to provide ex gratia of 10 lakhs each to the kin of the deceased in the MSRTC bus accident in Narmada river: Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office (CMO)



(File photo) pic.twitter.com/WafZXbdYdz  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 18, 2022

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident, and said the state government and the MSRTC were coordinating with the MP administration for the rescue operation and treatment of the injured.

"I am also in touch with Dhar collector and the state transport administration," Fadanvis said, adding the search and rescue operation was being carried out rapidly. He expressed condolence to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured passengers.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar Swavlamban on Monday (July 18, 2022). The NIIO seminar will be held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi at 4:30 PM today. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) in a release said that a key pillar of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is attaining self-reliance in the Defence Sector today and highlighted the details of the event. As per the release, PM Modi will unveil SPRINT Challenges, which are aimed at giving a boost to the usage of the indigenous technology in the Indian Navy, to further this endeavour.

As a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, NIIO, in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims at inducting at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy. This collaborative project is named SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC).

About NIIO seminar

The two-day Seminar aims to engage Indian industry and academia towards achieving self-reliance in the Defence sector. The seminar will provide a platform for leaders from Industry, Academia, Services and Government to come together on a common platform to ideate and come up with recommendations for the Defence Sector. Sessions dedicated to Innovation, Indigenisation, Armament and Aviation will be held.

The second day of the Seminar will witness outreach to the Indian Ocean Region, in line with the governments vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

(With ANI inputs)
Bhubaneswar: Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim created a flutter in political circles on Monday by announcing that he has voted in favour of NDA presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu as she happened to be a daughter of Odisha. Immediately after exercising his franchise in the Assembly, the legislator from the Cuttack-Barabati assembly segment said he went by his conscience call.

I am an Odia; I voted in favour of Draupadi Murmu as she is a daughter of Odisha. I went by my conscience. MLAs cannot be prevented from listening to their conscience, Moquim stated.

The Congress lawmaker also said that he had received phone calls from several eminent persons, including those staying abroad, requesting him to support the daughter of the soil.

People of Odisha will support my move. Murmu's victory will make me proud, Moquim explained.

Asked if he was under pressure from the ruling BJD, which has also pledged its support to Murmu, Moquim said, It is my personal decision... There is no other reason.

Presidential poll 2022: Congress condemns Mohammed Moquim's change of stance

Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra said all MLAs of the grand old party, including Moquim, had agreed to vote for joint opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha.

Condemning Moquim's change of stance, Congress MLAs S S Saluja and Taraprasad Bahinipati said the Cuttack-Barabati MLA must have been unhappy in the party.

Everyone should have toed the party line. Many meetings were held and all MLAs of the party had given assurance that they would vote for Yashwant Sinha. We will bring the matter to the notice of party high command for necessary action, Saluja maintained.

OPCC president Sarat Pattnayak, too, said that he would apprise the party high command of this latest development.

I cannot say for sure what exactly prompted him to go against the party line, he added.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday prayed for strength to Indian democracy as he voted for the presidential elections at the Vidhan Bhavan's Tilak Hall here. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati claimed that his party rose above politics to support NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu and urged legislators belonging to weaker sections to vote on the basis of their conscience. UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (BSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar arrived together to cast their votes. Rajbhar is an ally of the state's main opposition Samajwadi Party, which is supporting former Union minister Yashwant Sinha in the election.

The voting had started at 10 am and will continue till 5 pm, a senior official said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was among the early voters. Adityanath in a Hindi tweet said, "Voted in Lucknow today to ensure participation in the 2022 presidential election. May the democracy of India be more empowered."

#WATCH Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath casts vote to elect new President, in Lucknow#PresidentialElection pic.twitter.com/VDJ4WZIPp7  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 18, 2022

UP Cabinet ministers Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Surya Pratap Shahi too queued up to cast their votes. Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh was also among the early voters.

Meanwhile, BSP chief Mayawati in a Hindi tweet said, "Rising above the party politics and as per the thought process of the party and movement, the BSP was the first to announce its support to a woman hailing from tribal society." "Appeal to other people of the weaker sections to vote on the basis of their conscience today," she added.

Brij Bhushan Dubey, the returning officer for the election in Uttar Pradesh, said all legislators were informed and told what precautions they have to take. The MLAs will have to use a special pen given by the Election Commission of India to vote, he said.

Three polling booths have been set up. Two ballot boxes, which have come from Delhi, will be sent back to the national capital after voting is completed on July 18, Dubey said. The counting will take place in Delhi on July 21, he said. With the highest vote value of 208 for each of its 403 MLAs, Uttar Pradesh will be an important state to watch out for in the presidential election.

Five MLAs from the state will cast their vote outside the state due to personal reasons, Dubey had earlier said. NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu is pitted against joint Opposition pick Yashwant Sinha in the much-awaited poll to elect the next President of India.

The electoral college which elects the president through the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote comprises MPs and members of the state legislative assemblies. Nominated MPs, MLAs and members of legislative councils are not entitled to vote in this election.

The MPs and MLAs will get ballot papers of different colours when they vote to elect the next President of India. While MPs will get green papers, the MLAs will get ballot papers printed in pink. Major political parties have already announced their support for the candidates. In the opposition camp, Samajwadi Party ally Om Prakash Rajbhar's Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party has broken ranks while declaring support to Murmu.

Polling in Uttarakhand: Pushkar Singh Dhami among first to cast vote

Voting for the Presidential election in which NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu is pitted against joint opposition pick Yashwant Sinha began at the state Assembly in Dehradun on Monday at 10 am.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri, cabinet ministers Subodh Uniyal, Premchand Aggrawal and Rekha Arya were among the first to cast their votes.

Dehradun | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami votes in the 16th Presidential election pic.twitter.com/B5yWLVjnjJ July 18, 2022

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Yashpal Arya and Congress MLA from Haridwar (rural) Anupama Rawat also voted in the morning. The ruling BJP has 47 members in the Uttarakhand Assembly, while the Congress has 19, and the Bahujan Samaj Party and Independents are two each. Uttarakhand has five Lok Sabha and three Rajya Sabha seats -- all represented by the BJP in Parliament.
Lucknow: Senior Samajwadi MLA Shivpal Yadav, on Monday, voted for NDA presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu, defying the party line. It may be noted that the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party is supporting the joint opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha. Talking to reporters, Shivpal said, "Yashwant Sinha had once called Mulayam Singh Yadav an ISI agent and we can never support him. Hardcore SP leaders, those who follow Mulayam Singh`s principles will never support a candidate who levelled such allegations.

Shivpal had even written a letter to Akhilesh Yadav, asking him to reconsider support to Sinha. Another SP MLA Shahjeel Islam, the Samajwadi Party MLA from Bareilly, has also reportedly cross-voted in the Presidential election. He has cast his vote for Draupadi Murmu, whereas his party is backing Yashwant Sinha. Islam reached the Vidhan Bhawan, accompanied by Shivpal.

MPs and MLAs across the country are voting to elect India's 15th president, choosing between opposition pick Yashwant Sinha and NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu who is favoured to win the battle to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

With the BJP's dominance and support from regional parties such as the BJD, BSP, Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and now JMM, Murmu's vote share is likely to reach nearly two-thirds and she is set to become the first tribal leader and the second woman to occupy the top constitutional post.

While MPs filed into Parliament's Room No 63 which had been converted into a polling station to cast their vote, MLAs headed to state assemblies. Nearly 4,800 elected MPs and MLAs are entitled to vote in the election but nominated MPs and MLAs, and Members of the Legislative Council are not.

As polling gathered pace for a race in which the end result is seemingly clear, Sinha appealed to parliamentarians and legislators to listen to their "inner voice" and support him."I have repeatedly said this election is very important as it will decide the direction as to whether democracy will remain in India or will slowly end. The indications that we are getting is that we are moving towards its end," Sinha told reporters.

There is no party whip. This is a secret ballot. I appeal to all MPs and MLAs to use their discretion and elect me to save democracy," the 84-year-old added. The veteran politician, who visited 13 state capitals during his campaign, said he is not just fighting a political battle.

"Government agencies have become very active, they are causing split into political parties, they are compelling people to vote in a particular way and there is also a game of money involved," he alleged.

The voting process would conclude at 5 pm. The votes will be counted on July 21 and the next president will take oath on July 25. Though the result appeared to be a foregone conclusion, there was an element of political excitement with speculation about cross-voting in some places.
Presidential Election 2022: All the 30 MLAs and the lone Member of Parliament from the Union Territory of Puducherry only cast their votes in the Presidential elections only after 12 noon. It is believed the inauspicious period of `Yamagandakalam` is between 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon and all the people`s representatives waited for this time to pass before entering the voting hall in the Legislative Assembly compound. AMH Nazeem of the DMK was the first to cast his vote in the Presidential elections minutes after 12 pm and was followed by the Leader of Opposition R. Siva of the DMK and other members of the opposition, which comprises six DMK and two Congress members. The lone MP, V. Vaithalingam of the Congress also voted.

The ruling NDA members, including 10 MLAs of the All India NR Congress (AINRC), led by Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy, and six BJP MLAs voted after the opposition members cast their votes. Speaker R. Selvam also cast his vote.

The six independent MLAs also cast their votes.

The lone Rajya Sabha MP from the Union Territory, S. Selvaganapathy of the BJP cast his vote in the parliament.

Polling concluded with over 99% turnout

After the day's polling, the Election Commission said over 99 per cent of the total electors had cast their ballot.

In Delhi, voting ended with 98.90 per cent of the electors permitted to vote in Parliament House exercising their franchise, said Returning Officer PC Mody.

Briefing reporters after the voting, he said 736 electors -- 727 MPs and nine MLAs - had been permitted by the Election Commission to vote at Parliament House. Eight MPs, including BJP's Sunny Deol, did not cast their vote.
New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind's term ends on July 24. On July 23, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu is organizing a farewell ceremony in his honor at the Central Hall, Parliament House. During this, President Kovind will also be presented with a 'Memento' and a 'Signature Book' signed by the Members of Parliament. All Union ministers and MPs including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be a part of this program.

Two days before the end of the term, that is, on July 22, the entire belongings of President Ram Nath Kovind will be shifted to the new bungalow. However, officially, Kovind's departure from Rashtrapati Bhavan will be on July 25. When will the new President take oath?

What will be the new address of President Kovind?

President Ram Nath Kovind has been allotted a bungalow at 12 Janpath in Delhi after the end of his term. This is the same bungalow where Ram Vilas Paswan used to live till a few years back. Paswan lived in this bungalow for more than two decades. After his death the family vacated it. Now this bungalow has been allotted to Ramnath Kovind.

The bungalow has been completely redesigned. President's daughter Swati Kovind oversaw the renovation work of the bungalow. Next to this bungalow i.e. at 10 Janpath is the residence of Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

First Pashupati Kumar, then Ashwini Choubey was allotted. After the death of Ram Vilas Paswan, his brother Pashupati Kumar was offered to live in 12 Janpath bungalow. Pashupati is currently a minister in the central government. Pashupati refused it. After this, this bungalow was given to Railway and IT Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey. However, it was not empty then. In such a situation, Ashwini Kumar was given another bungalow.

What facilities will be available to President Kovind after retirement?

President Ram Nath Kovind will get a pension of Rs 1.5 lakh per month after retirement. Apart from this, 60 thousand rupees will be given per month for secretarial staff and office expenses. Apart from this, the rent of the bungalow given by the government will also be free. As former President, Kovind will also be given two landlines, mobile phone, broadband and internet connection. Apart from this, electricity and water bills will also not have to be paid. Kovind will also be given a driver and a car.

These facilities will also be available:

Health facilities will be completely free.

Train and air travel will be free. Along with the former President, one other staff will also be given this facility free of cost.

There will be a personal staff of five people. Apart from this, a free vehicle with all facilities will be given.

Security of Delhi Police will be given. There will also be two secretaries.

Live TV
Intellectual property that holds value can take valuable resources to create. This has been obvious in the information age. And its creation needs the incentive of fair rewards. Clarity on this part, on what drives the viability and quality of output, was held back in India for decades by a weak policy emphasis on profitability in particular and incentives in general. Our market reforms began to get motives in sync with commercial reality. But markets can also get distorted if a power asymmetry results in an unfair split-up of returns. And should a market fail to correct itself, the government must intervene. In the case of Indian news publishers whose work is routinely used by Big Tech firms for their own business ends, New Delhi has made its stance explicit. Last week, Indias minister of state for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar indicated that a legislative option was being weighed which would effectively make Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Twitter and Amazon pay Indian news- papers and -websites a slice of revenue for using their original content. This is welcome. It would not just be fair, it will serve the national interest. For democracy to thrive, we cannot let Indian news originators dedicated to truth, accuracy and Satyamev Jayate weaken financially.

Its a global worry. In 2014, Spain took a cue from Germany and tried enacting its own pay mandate. Google News withdrew from the Spanish market, but only to return recently with a clutch of deals with publishers under the EUs copyright rules of 2019 that marked the end of a market-wide free ride. French media also saw a flurry of sign-ups thanks to new rules. This May, the global search giant declared it would compensate over 300 EU publications for their feed. Last year, Australia passed a law to assure its local media a fairer share; while it was milder than its first draft, as it ran into a Google exit threat and Facebook news blackout, it did address a glaring power gap and help the Aussie press get a better bargain. India, Canada, France and the UK were among the countries whose leaders Australias then prime minister said he had discussed that law with. Canada has moved its own version. What unites these efforts is a publicly recognized need to restrain the clout of outsized online news dispensers. India also needs to fend off the risk of vital home coverage suffering deficiencies should local media earnings be squeezed by a shift to digital consumption under Big Tech dominance. As Chandrasekhar said, The market power on digital advertising that is currently being exercised by the Big Tech majors, which places Indian media companies at a position of disadvantage, is an issue that is seriously being examined." Legal leverage available to Indian news generators would help undo distortions wrought by internet gateways.

Last year, the Indian Newspaper Society and Digital News Publishers Association hauled Google to Indias regulator of rivalry, alleging its abuse of a dominant position in laying out terms for news aggregation. A probe is underway and its findings could inform our redressal of a fair-play problem. The affected sector in this case, however, isnt just another field of business. The media constitutes an important institution that upholds core Indian values and supports national sovereignty. Since Big Tech may seek to test our resolve on the latter, as weve seen elsewhere, this is not just about a market failure, its about governance in the age of globalization. Its about our reformist will. Whats unfair must not be allowed to go on.
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday cited he has "gloomy" information that there may be a suspected "foreign hand" behind the cloudbursts in some parts of the country, including the Godavari river basin which is in spate in the state. Speaking to reporters after visiting the flood-hit Bhadrachalam town in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, Rao announced allocation of Rs 1,000 crore as a rehabilitation package for the temple town to build colonies in highlands for a permanent solution from flood threat.

"A new method called cloudburst has come. They say there are conspiracies around it. We don't know how far it is true. Some foreign countries are deliberately doing cloudbursts in our country. Earlier, they did it in Leh (Ladakh). Later, they did it in Uttarakhand. We have received 'gloomy, gloomy' information that they are doing in the Godavari basin also. Whatever it is due to changes in climate these kinds of calamities occur. So, we need to safeguard our people," said Rao, popularly known as KCR.

Heavy rains in Telangana may continue till July 29

The current situation reflects the effects of incessant rainfall. As per the meteorological department and some private forecasters, this (heavy rains) situation may continue till July 29. So, the danger is not over yet, Rao said, after reviewing the flood relief measures with officials.

He directed the officials to not send back people from relief camps adding "we have to take care of them".

'Joke of the century': BJP reacts to KCR's comments on cloudbursts

Reacting to KCR's comments on the cloudbursts, Telangana BJP president and Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar described it as the "joke of the century".

Sanjay said in order to cover his "failures", KCR was enacting dramas. The Telangana BJP chief further alleged that KCR is trying to divert people's attention from "submergence" of Kaleshwaram project and talked about a foreign conspiracy theory.

Foreign conspiracy behind cloud burst in Godavari region says eminent scientist K Chandrashekhar Rao Mamata Banerjee has tough competition.



These are the kind of excuses one makes when you dont have a crop insurance scheme and dont implement PM Fasal Bima Yojana either pic.twitter.com/vlQh2qpxH3  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 17, 2022

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President and party MP A Revanth Reddy demanded that if KCR has information about the "foreign hand" behind the cloudburst then he should hand over the information to the Intelligence Bureau, RAW, and also the Central government and this is the Chief Minister's responsibility.

Telangana CM KCR allots Rs 1,000 crore to end woes of flood-prone Bhadrachalam

Rao, after visiting the rain and flood-hit areas and relief camps, also announced Rs 10,000 immediate relief to each flood-affected family and 20 kg rice free for each family for the next two months. "That way we can help them a bit and we will do it," Rao said.

Rao announced Rs 1,000 crore to permanently solve problems of low-lying areas (due to flood) abutting the Godavari river in Bhadrachalam. In this regard, residential colonies will be constructed, an embankment covering the entire Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple in Bhadrachalam would be developed and the embankment towards Burgampadu will also be strengthened to prevent inundation in the future.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao traveled in a bus to visit the flood-affected areas and participated in a review meeting on Godavari floods at Bhadrachalam today pic.twitter.com/H7cnisGA64  ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2022

Later, the Chief Minister undertook an aerial survey at Eturu Nagaram region in Mulugu district and also reviewed flood-relief measures there.

Heavy rains (recently) and inflows led to a massive rise in water levels in the Godavari river (though it started declining on Saturday) at Bhadrachalam town. Such massive water levels and flooding was last witnessed in 1986, some residents recalled.

The state government has shifted several thousand people to relief camps in view of the flooding in the district.

CM Sri KCR has undertaken the aerial survey of areas affected by #GodavariFloods from Bhadrachalam to Eturunagaram. Hon'ble CM has examined the Godavari River in spate and the villages inundated by the floods in one of the worst natural disasters #Telangana has seen. pic.twitter.com/5QwlLuV5VW  Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) July 17, 2022

Some of the flood-hit people held a protest at Bhadrachalam on Saturday demanding that the bund at the river be extended to prevent flooding of their residential localities.

Heavy rains lashed Telangana for about seven days, up to Friday last, causing inundation of low-lying areas across the state and damage to agriculture crops and others.
New Delhi: NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Sunday announced Congress veteran Margaret Alva as the Oppositions Vice-President candidate against NDAs Jagdeep Dhankhar. A five-term MP, former Union minister and Governor, Alva was once considered close to the Congress first family  right from Indira Gandhi. However, her outspokenness also got her into trouble with the party leadership on several occasions.

Alva retired as the Governor of Rajasthan in 2014 but her autobiography was published two years later and subsequent explosive interviews revealed her bittersweet relationship with Congress. From alleging a Gandhi family connect to the VVIP chopper scam accused Christian Michels father to insult former PM Narasimha Raos body to sale of tickets during the 2008 Karnataka assembly elections, Alva opened up old wounds, most of which have been documented in Courage and Commitment.

A Gandhi-Michel link?

In her autobiography, Alva talks about the Congresss connections with Christian Michels father Wolfgang Michel. The 1980s case, known as the tank scam, was about Sanjay Gandhi and his confidante CPN Singh allegedly trying to sell second-hand Indian army tanks to South Africa. Singh was removed due to the allegations, and Alva said Singh targeted her as she was about to blow the lid off his connections with Michel.

2008 Karnataka elections

Alva created a major uproar when she publicly accused the Karnataka Congress unit of selling tickets to the highest bidder after her son Nivedith was denied a seat in the 2008 assembly elections.

Alva then was the AICC general secretary in charge of the crucial states of Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra, but was removed after the controversy. She was also dropped from the Congresss election committee and denied a Union cabinet ministry. Later though, she patched up with the party leadership and was made Governor of Uttarakhand, Goa, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Insult to PVR

In an interview in July 2016, Alva expressed displeasure at the way PVR was insulted after his death. PVRs body was not allowed to enter the AICC headquarters, and instead, parked on the pavement outside the gates.

Whatever the differences, he had been the Prime Minister, Congress president, chief minister and the partys general secretary. He had done a wonderful job, except for the Babri Masjid and the mess up with it. When a man is dead, you dont treat him that way, Alva said during the interview and revealed that there is no picture of PVR in the AICC headquarters.

On Emergency

In another interview, Alva had said, there was a group of politicians, including Siddharth Shankar Ray and Rajni Patel, who was actively advising her (Indira Gandhi) to impose Emergency. The JP (Jayaprakash Narayan) movement was at its peak. There were reports that calls were being given to Army personnel to revolt, which were being seen by the Congress as hints of an impending insurgency.

In the same interview, Alva also shared her differences with Sanjay Gandhi and how some Congress leaders dragged her name into an alleged Catholic conspiracy' to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi and make Sonia the PM.
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance Vice Presidential candidate, Jagdeep Dhankhar will prove to be an excellent and inspiring vice president of India. "I am certain that he will be an excellent and inspiring Vice President," PM Modi said after accompanying NDA's VP candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar for nomination filing.

"I am certain that he will be an excellent and inspiring Vice President," PM Modi after accompanying NDA's VP candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar for nomination filing pic.twitter.com/HgODAiADxe  ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2022

PM Modi said that Jagdeep Dhankar brings with him an illustrious legal, legislative and gubernatorial career. He has always worked for the well-being of farmers, youth, women and the marginalised, PM Modi said.

"Kisan Putra Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji is known for his humility. He brings with him an illustrious legal, legislative and gubernatorial career. He has always worked for the well-being of farmers, youth, women and the marginalised. Glad that he will be our VP candidate,' the PM had said in a tweet earlier.

Kisan Putra Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji is known for his humility. He brings with him an illustrious legal, legislative and gubernatorial career. He has always worked for the well-being of farmers, youth, women and the marginalised. Glad that he will be our VP candidate. @jdhankhar1 pic.twitter.com/TJ0d05gAa8  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2022

Dhankar today filed his nomination in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of various different parties supporting his bid.

"I will always strive to enhance democratic values of country," Dhankhar said after filing his nomination. "Never even in my dreams did I think a person with a humble background like me would get this opportunity. I am grateful to PM Modi and the leadership for giving a humble man from 'kisan family' like me a such historic opportunity," he added.

Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, BJP president J P Nadda, JD(U) chief Lalan Singh and BJD's Pinaki Misra were present as when the former West Bengal governor filed his papers for the election in which his win is all but certain.

Union Ministers Pashupati Kumar Paras, Anupriya Patel and Ramdas Athawale were among the others present. Before filing his nomination, Dhankhar attended a meeting of MPs from different parties supporting his candidature.

The opposition has named Margaret Alva as its candidate for the election scheduled for August 6.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed that no precipitative steps be taken against Alt News co-founder Mohd Zubair in connection with five FIRs lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious feelings. The apex court observed that it seems to be a "vicious cycle" where the moment Zubair gets bail in one case, there is another FIR against him.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna said it would hear on July 20 the plea filed by Zubair, who is seeking quashing of these FIRs.

"In the meantime, we direct that no precipitative steps shall be taken against the petitioner (Zubair) in connection with any of the five FIRs, which have been extracted above (in the order), without the leave of this court," the bench said while issuing notice on his plea.

The bench noted that Zubair was granted interim bail, which was last week extended till further orders, by the apex court in connection with a case lodged against him in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious sentiments. It also noted in the order that Zubair was granted bail by a Delhi court on July 15 in a case lodged against him here.

"What seems to be happening is the moment he got bail in Delhi, he got bail in Sitapur, the moment that happens, there is another FIR or he is produced in another FIR," the bench orally observed while terming it a "vicious cycle". Earlier in the day, advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for Zubair, had mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana.

"Upon being mentioned by Vrinda Grover, counsel appearing for the petitioner for urgent listing of matter, we grant liberty to the petitioner to mention the matter before a bench presided over by Justice D Y Chandrachud," the CJI-led bench said in its order.

Later in the day, Grover mentioned the matter before the bench headed by Justice Chandrachud which said it would hear it during the day itself.

In the order, Justice Chandrachud-led bench noted that the subject matter of the present proceedings under Article 32 of the Constitution arises from five FIRs lodged against the petitioner. "Since the petition is not on board today, we direct the registry to list it on July 20," the bench said.

During the hearing, Grover said that now six FIRs have been registered in Uttar Pradesh against Zubair -- two in Hathras, one each in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Muzaffarnagar, and Ghaziabad. She said once the apex court granted him interim bail in FIR lodged at Sitapur, a warrant in another FIR came.

The fresh plea of Zubair has also challenged the constitution of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe these cases. The plea said all the FIRs filed in Uttar Pradesh that has been transferred to the SIT for investigation are the subject matter of the FIR which is being probed by the Delhi Police Special Cell.

The bench observed that it has requested Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present in the court, to assist in the matter. "What is happening Mr Solicitor is that contents of all these FIRs seem to be similar," the bench observed during the hearing. Mehta said he has not seen all these FIRs.

"We can have it the day after so that you can also take instructions and look at the FIRs," the bench said. While mentioning the matter before the Justice Chandrachud-led bench, Grover had informed the court that Zubair is being produced before Hathras court today and the remand order will be passed.

She had said that the matter requires an urgent hearing as there is a threat to his life. "The FIR was lodged against Zubair by the complainant after a cash prize was put on his head. This is the same FIRs and same allegations and same tweet. He is being produced before different courts of UP and remanded to judicial custody. Today, he is being produced before Hathras court," she said.

Separate FIRs have been lodged against Zubair in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Hathras districts of Uttar Pradesh on charges of allegedly hurting religious feelings, making sarcastic remarks on news anchors, disrespecting Hindu gods, and inflammatory posts.
New Delhi: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest forecast predicted that the rainfall activity is likely to increase over the Northeastern States & Sub-Himalayan West Bengal from Monday (July 18, 2022) and northwest India from Tuesday (July 19, 2022) for the next 3-4 days. The weather department has also put the district of Vidarbha and the state of Arunachal Pradesh on an Orange alert as heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya and Vidarbha is likely today.

IMD also informed that the depression over the Northeast Arabian Sea off Saurashtra and Kutch coast is moving in the northwest direction away from India.

According to the IMDs forecast, heavy rainfall is predicted at isolated places over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Odisha, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan & Goa, Marathwada, Gujarat Region, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Kerala & Mahe, Coastal & South Interior Karnataka and Telangana.

Isolated heavy rainfall very likely over Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh during 17th-21st; Vidarbha on 19th; Coastal Karnataka on 18th & 19th; South Interior Karnataka on 18th; North Interior Karnataka on 17th;  India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) July 17, 2022

The Met Office also said that few places in South Interior Karnataka, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi could receive light to moderate rain.

On Monday, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, West Bengal & Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal.

Rainfall is expected to intensify in Delhi

The national capital has been witnessing steady rainfall for the past few days, and as per the weather office the rainfall activity is expected to intensify this week in the city. With this the minimum temperature is likely to dip further in the next few days. According to the prediction, the trough of the southwest monsoon has shifted towards northern India, which is likely to bring more rainfall from July 19-20, in Delhi and adjoining areas.

After the national capital received light to moderate rainfall on Sunday morning, the high humidity levels increased the discomfort for the Delhiites. However, as per the latest weather forecast, the rainfall is expected to intensify this week.

Heavy rainfall in East Rajasthan

MeT department regional director Radheshyam Sharma said Baran, Kota, Bundi, Tonk, Ajmer, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Barmer districts are likely to receive heavy rains with thunder at some places. He said east Rajasthan is very likely to get rain coupled with thunderstorm at most places and heavy rain in some places for the next four to five days. As per the forecast, on Tuesday, there is a strong possibility of very heavy rain at one or two places and heavy rain at some places in Jaipur, Bharatpur, Ajmer and Kota divisions.

IMD issues yellow warning for Himachal till July 21

Yellow warning has been issued in the Himachal Pradesh till July 21 while for July 20 orange warning has been issued. Met Office has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the plains and mid hills of Himachal Pradesh while the higher reaches may experience fresh spell of snowfall. It may be noted that heavy showers may also disrupt essential services like water and power supply and communications besides triggering landslides.

Heavy rainfall to lash Kerala

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Idukki, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts today. With heavy rains continuing to lash parts of Kerala, water levels in several dams, including the Mullaperiyar and Idukki, in the state are reaching their respective storage capacities and some even reached red alert status on Sunday.

Orange alert issued for many Odisha districts

IMD has issued orange alert warning (be prepared), predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall of 7-20 cm in isolated places in Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Malkangiri and Bolangir districts in the next 24 hours till 8.30 AM on Monday. The weatherman also issued yellow alert (be updated), forecasting heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm in isolated places in Kandhamal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Rayagada, Khurda and Puri districts during the same period.

With heavy rain continuing to batter several parts of Odisha on Sunday, at least two districts are reeling under floods, while a landslide has been reported in another, officials said. The flood situation in Motu area in Malkangiri district adjoining Andhra Pradesh remained grim as backwaters of Godavari River inundated several villages, affecting many people.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed state governments and Union Territories to ensure family members of Covid-19 victims receive compensation without any delay, and the grievance redressal committee to decide on claims application within four weeks. A bench of Justices MR Shah and BV Nagarathna said if any claimant has a grievance in connection with compensation, or with the rejection of the claim, then they should move the grievance redressal committee concerned.

The bench said it is closing the proceedings while directing all state governments to see that the compensation, as per the court`s previous order, should be paid to eligible persons without wasting any time. "If any claimant has any grievance, they may approach the concerned grievance redressal committee," it said.

The top court made these observations while hearing a plea filed by petitioner-in-person advocate Gaurav Bansal, who contended that few claimants in Andhra Pradesh have not received compensation. Counsel representing the Andhra Pradesh government, however, informed the top court that as on the date of hearing, the compensation has been disbursed to them.

The top court also directed the grievance redressal committee to decide the application of the claimant within four weeks. The Supreme Court had directed that Rs 50,000 compensation should be given to the family of persons who succumbed to Covid, and this amount should be disbursed from the State Disaster Response Fund.

The top court, in connection with allegations connected with the transfer of funds by the AP government from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to personal deposit accounts, directed that the funds be transferred to the SDRF account within two days.

Bansal, who was appearing for petitioner Palla Srinivasa Rao, had contended before the top court that the AP government had diverted funds from the SDRF to personal deposit accounts which is not allowed under the Disaster Management Act.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Zee News staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
MUMBAI: In a major development, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, who is locked in a bitter battle with his rebel party leader and incumbent Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for control over his party, on Monday removed several party leaders for alleged anti-party activities. Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) chief Uddhav Thackeray removed senior leader Ramdas Kadam and former MP Anandrao Adsul for anti-party activities, Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut said, according to ANI.

Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) chief Uddhav Thackeray removes senior leader Ramdas Kadam and former MP Anandrao Adsul for anti-party activities: Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut  ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2022

Ramdas Kadam and his son Yogesh have reportedly joined the rebel Shiv Sena faction led by CM Eknath Shinde. However, it also emerged that Kadam, a senior Shiv Sena leader and former Maharashtra minister, has resigned, claiming he was consistently "insulted" while Thackeray always remained busy when he was the chief minister.

Kadam wrote a letter to Thackeray, who heads Shiv Sena, tendering his resignation as "Shiv Sena leader". In his letter, Kadam expressed his anguish over the 2019 post-poll alliance between Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Congress, which he said was a betrayal of the thoughts of Sena founder the late Bal Thackeray.

Kadam, who hails from the Ratnagiri district, became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the first time in 1990 and went on to win three more terms. He was appointed as Shiv Sena leader in 2005. He also served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 2005 to 2009. He became an MLC for the first time in 2010 and again in 2015.

Kadam had served as the state environment minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Bharatiya Janata Party-Sena government in 2014-19. Kadam has been sulking as he was not given any ministerial post when the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) remained in power (from November 2019 to June 2022). He was also denied another term as a member of the state Legislative Council last year. Last month, Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde rebelled against the party along with 39 legislators.

Ramdas Kadam's son Yogesh Kadam, the MLA from Dapoli in Ratnagiri district, had also joined the Shinde camp. Shinde was on June 30 sworn in as the chief minister and BJP's Devendra Fadnavis had taken the oath as his deputy.

"My MLA son Yogesh and I were consistently insulted and you were always busy after becoming the chief minister. I was appointed as Shiv Sena leader by the late Balasaheb Thackeray. However, I realised that there is no meaning to the post after his death," Ramdas Kadam stated in his letter to Thackeray.

"When you were forming a government with the NCP and Congress, I requested you with folded hands not to do so. (As) the late Balasaheb Thackeray always fought against Congress, it would be the betrayal with his thoughts."

Kadam said he has been feeling hurt since Thackeray went ahead with forming the government with the NCP and Congress. "You did not listen to me that time. It hurts me today as well. Had Shiv Sena supremo been around, I would have not faced this day in my life," he added.

(With Agency Inputs)
New Delhi: While we are still not over the news of Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor expecting their first child together, there can be more to rejoice as the couple might be expecting twins. Ranbir, who is busy promoting his upcoming film 'Shamshera', played a game of two truths and one lie with Film Companion, where he hinted that the couple might become parents to two babies soon. RK said, "I am having twins, I am going to be part of a very big mythological film, I am taking a long break from work.

After Ranbir made the statement fans are guessing that the actor might indeed be expecting twins. Omg they are having twins guysss that's the true one," commented one user. Another wrote, Long break from work looks a lie as he has just returned. Moreover he has 2 more movies after Brahmastra (Animal and Luv Ranjan's Romcom). Moreover Brahmastra 2&3 also in line. Producers won't stop until 2032. A third commented, "Long break, thats a lie.

While Ranbirs comment has definitely caused a stir we are only left guessing.

Ranbir has been sharing in his interviews how he has been thinking of having babies for a long time. The actor in an interview with The Indian Express also shared that he wants to be a hands-on dad and more present in his kids upbringing.

On the work front, Ranbir is currently busy promoting Shamshera that is scheduled to hit theatres on July 22. He also has his long awaited magnum opus Brahamastra finally releasing on September 9. The actor will also be seen in Sandeep Reddy Vangas Animal and Luv Ranjans untitled next.

Alia also has an interesting line-up of films. The actress will make her OTT debut with her maiden production Darlings that will premiere on Netflix on August 5. The Raazi actress is all set to make her Hollywood debut and has recently wrapped up shooting for Heart of Stone that also stars Gal Gadot. Alia will also has Karan Johars Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani in her kitty.
NEW DELHI: Ileana D'Cruz, who has been making waves for her rumoured relationship with Katrina Kaif's brother Sebastian Laurent Michel, has once again shocked her fans with her too-hot-to-handle bikini pictures. The actress is currently holidaying in Maldives with her rumoured boyfriend to ring in Katrina Kaif's 39th birthday. And while she shared glimpses from the birthday celebrations with her fans on Sunday, today she made sure to leave them gasping for breath with her Oh, so HOT bikini pictures.

"Did you even go on a beach holiday if you didnt take a selfie in a bikini???" the caption of her picture reads.

On Sunday, rumours surfaced that Ileana D'Cruz and Katrina's brother Sebastian are in a relationship for close to six months now. The report further added that the two spend time together at Katrina's old residence in Bandra, and also at Ileana's pad at Bandra, and in London too. Moreover, the two also follow each other on social media. However, there is no official confirmation on the same from either side.

Ileana was earlier in a relationship with photographer Andrew Kneebone for quite a few years. However, it's been a while since the two have parted their ways. While Ileana had admitted to dating him at a time, she preferred to keep her love life a secret.

Ileana was last seen in Kookie Gulati's financial thriller 'The Big Bull'. She has 'Unfair and Lovely' and an untitled Shirsha Guha film under her belt.

Apart from this, she also has a comedy-drama with Vidya Balan, Pratik Gandhi and Sendhil Ramamurthy in her pipeline.

Live TV
New Delhi: 7th Pay Commission latest update: Online media is yet again abuzz with updates regarding the payment of 18 months-pending Dearness allowance (DA) arrears. As per fresh reports, the Central government employees might soon hear on pending DA arrears. Media reports say that the issue regarding payment of DA arrears of 18 months from January 2020 to June 2021 might be taken up soon.

Earlier media reports cited Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary (Staff Side) of the National Council of JCM stating that the council has placed its demand before the government however both sides have not arrived at any conclusion as yet. Media reports further said that talks have been held with the Cabinet Secretary, which still remains inconclusive. The Labour union has been constantly pressing demands for a one time settlement of dearness allowance arrears.

According to Mishra, a joint meeting of the JCM with the officials of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure is to be held soon. It is expected that a one-time settlement of 18 months DA arrears will also crop up during the meeting.

The Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief of Central government employees and pensioners were restored to 31% from 17% from October 2021, however the arrears have not been deposited as yet.

Shiv Gopal Mishra of the National Council of JCM, was previously quoted as saying that the DA arrears of Level-1 employees range from Rs 11,880 to Rs 37,554. Whereas, for Level-13 (7th CPC basic pay scale Rs 1,23,100 to Rs 2,15,900) or Level-14 (pay scale), the DA arrears in the hands of an employee will be Rs 1,44,200-2,18,200 that will be paid, quoted the reports.

According to the annual report of the Department of Expenditure, there are a total of 48 lakh central employees in the country and about 60 lakh pensioners.
New Delhi: Garena Free Fire releases redeem codes on everyday basis. The 12-digit redeem code consists of alphabets and numbers. Players can get rewards such as skins for in-game weapons and characters to improve their gaming experience.

Garena Free fire is banned in India. However, if you are located outside India, you can access the reward codes and redeem them. For that you will be required to visit official Garena Free Fire reward site and log in to your Facebook, Google, Twitter IDs to access the Free Fire redemption page. (Also read: Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro features listed on ecommerce website: Details here)

Check out the Garena Free Fire Redeem Codes for July 18, 2022

FB9A JI8Q 76TR

F4VE R9FI OGVI

U2BE 4I56 I2JM

7N8M HC4G UC3G

EG6U 87YT GF7R

542E WSAS ER3T

GS5V CBI8 9VUY

HRJ4 K567 Y1ZK

M7N6 B8FD Y6KI

WO4R TG1J 8M76

N3TY FH2J N1Y6

(Also read: Shocking! Ex-Amazon Web Services engineer hacked data of 10 crore customers)

How to Redeem Garena Free Fire codes for today, July 18 2022

Step 1: Go to the official Garena Free Fire redemption portal



Step 2: Log in on the portal with either your Facebook, Twitter, Apple, Google, VK, or Huawei ID.



Step 3: Enter a redeem code in the designated text box.



Step 4: Click on the Ok button to get free rewards in your game account.

(Disclaimer: Garena Free fire is banned in India. Hence we advise people to adhere to government rules)
New Delhi: Google is set to no longer show permissions it automatically gathers from apps on its Play Store, giving developers control over what they wish to disclose to users on data collection. Developers have time till July 20 to fill out a data privacy form for their apps, and they "alone" must make "complete and accurate declarations" for their apps. Google said when it becomes aware of a discrepancy between "your app behaviour and your declaration, it may take appropriate action, including enforcement action".

The policy change has been seen in Google Play Store's new Data Safety section, which is similar to Apple iOS 14 that displays a list of developer-given privacy considerations, The Verge reported. "You alone are responsible for making complete and accurate declarations in your app's store listing on Google Play," read the new policy. (Also Read: Oskar Sala's 112th Birthday: Google Doodle celebrates German electronic music pioneer's birth anniversary)



"Google Play reviews apps across all policy requirements; however, we cannot make determinations on behalf of the developers of how they handle user data," the tech giant added in the Data Safety section. (Also Read: Facebook, Google to pay news publishers for using content? Centre hints at BIG change in IT policy)

Earlier this year, the Google Play Store launched a new data privacy section that relies on developers to disclose the information their apps collect. Google first announced the new data privacy section last year. "Only you possess all the information required to complete the Data safety form," said Google. Apple App Store has a similar policy in place for its privacy "nutrition" labels, and also requires developers to submit "self-reported summaries" about their apps' privacy practices.
New Delhi: Microsoft has delayed the enforcement of its policy, which was set to go into effect on July 16, to ban commercial open source apps that had left developers worried. In its new Microsoft Store policy, the company had said that developers must not attempt to profit from open-source or other software that is otherwise generally available for free, nor be priced irrationally high relative to the features and functionality provided by your product.



The announcement irked the developer community as it would hamper their efforts to monetize open source software. Giorgio Sardo, General Manager of Apps, Partners, and Store at Microsoft, has said that the company is delaying this policy. (Also Read: Microsoft to be Netflix's global advertising technology and sales partner)



"In listening to the developer community, we got feedback that it could be perceived differently than intended. We'll delay enforcement of that policy until we clarify the intent," Sardo said in a tweet. The policy change was first announced on June 16. (Also Read: Bill Gates moves $20 billion to the foundation, will drop in the wealthiest people's ranking)



Hayden Barnes, a senior engineering manager at open source software giant Suse, tweeted that he was disappointed with the proposed policy change. "I am disappointed by the @MicrosoftStore policy change that prohibits selling open source software. The Store provides independent open source developers an opportunity to create sustainable projects by charging a reasonable amount there," he had posted. There are several examples of open source software sold in Microsoft's app store such as video editing software Shotcut and FTP clients such as WinSCP.
New Delhi: Eight years old Aditya Patil beat All Stars group, Prateek Kumar Naik and Geet Kaur Bagga, to emerged as the winner of Dance Deewane Juniors on Sunday (July 17). Aditya was given a trophy and awarded Rs 20 lakh for his victory. Bollywood actor Aamir Khan also joined judges Neetu Kapoor, Nora Fatehi and Marzi Pestonji for the grand finale. Aditya was part of Pratik Utekars group and was also the first finalist.





After winning the show, Aditya in a statement thanked his family, mentor and judges for his victory and expressed a desire to continue his dancing journey.



I want to thank my family, friends, Neetu maam, Nora maam, Marzi sir and my captain Pratik Utekar for always being there to guide me  I owe it all to them. This stage has boosted my confidence, which will motivate me to win the world, he said.

Aditya further said, I wanted to win this title not only for myself but for my parents and grandparents who have supported me throughout this journey and stood with me like a rock. This will be like a breakthrough in my life, and I want to make the most out of it. I will never forget this journey and will always keep pursuing my passion for dance.

Throughout his journey, Aditya had constantly impressed judges and audiences alike by trying out various dance forms. The young dancer is a huge Tiger Shroff fan and even named his abs after the actor.

Dance Deewane Juniors aired on Colors TV and was hosted by Karan Kundrra.
New Delhi: As the world battles with Covid-19 and the rapidly spreading monkeypox, another virus may become a cause of concern  Marburg virus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Ghanas first outbreak of Marburg virus after two infected patients died of the disease last month. The first case was a 26-year-old male who checked into a hospital on June 26 and died on June 27. The second was a 51-year-old male who went to the hospital on June 28 and died the same day, WHO said, adding that both men sought treatment at the same hospital.

What is Marburg virus?

The Marburg virus is a is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever which can infect humans and animals both. According to WHO, it has a case fatality ration of up to 88 percent but can be lower with good care and treatment.

What are symptoms of Marburg virus?

The Marburg virus, when contracted by a person, shows itself in abrupt symptoms. Patients can experience:

High fever Severe headache Malaise Muscle ache and pains Watery diarrhoea Abdominal pain and cramping Extreme lethargy bleeding (fatal cases) Blood in vomit, faeces (fatal cases)

How does Marburg virus spread?

Marburg virus spreads through direct contact between humans. This means that it can spread through broken skin or mucous membranes. Blood, secretions and other bodily fluids of infected people left on surfaces and materials can infect other people.

Is there a vaccine for Marburg virus?

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatments for the Marburg Virus Disease. The only way to treat the disease is by rehydration with oral or other fluids.

A certain kind of bats commonly known as fruit bats are known to be carrying the virus. African green monkeys imported from Uganda were the source of infection for humans during the first Marburg outbreak.

Live TV
Nelson Mandela International Day 2022: South Africa's first black President Nelson Mandela devoted his life to numerous social issues. The United Nations officially designated Nelson Mandela International Day or Mandela Day in November 2009 to commemorate the achievements of the anti-apartheid leader and to carry forward his legacy for a better future. Mandela Day is celebrated every year on July 18, on the birth anniversary of the former President of South Africa.

Mandela Day is a celebration of the 67-year-long fight of the global leader against racial discrimination and human rights abuses. Nelson Mandela is known for his work towards empowering women and men regardless of their religion and ethnicity and promoting dialogue and solidarity for justice and lasting peace.

Here are some of the inspirational quotes by Nelson Mandela:

Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.

It always seems impossible, until it is done.

Lead from the back  and let others believe they are in front.

"I have always believed exercise is a key not only to physical health but to peace of mind."

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.

I am fundamentally an optimist. Part of being optimistic is keeping ones head pointed toward the sun, ones feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.
New Delhi: North Korea is on the path to "finally defuse" a crisis stemming from its first acknowledged outbreak of COVID-19, the state news agency said on Monday, while Asian neighbours battle a fresh wave of infections driven by Omicron subvariants. The North says 99.98% of its 4.77 million fever patients since late April have fully recovered, but due to an apparent lack of testing, it has not released any figures of those that proved positive.

"The anti-epidemic campaign is improved to finally defuse the crisis completely," KCNA said. It added that the North had reported 310 more people with fever symptoms. The World Health Organization has cast doubts on North Korea`s claims, saying last month it believed the situation was getting worse, not better, amid an absence of independent data. The North`s declaration could be a prelude to restoring trade long hampered by the pandemic.

"Under the current trend, North Korea could announce in less than a month that its COVID crisis is over and that could be a prelude to resuming cross-border trade," said Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Sejong Institute`s North Korea studies centre in South Korea. The authoritarian North has used the pandemic to tighten already strict social controls. Pyongyang blamed its outbreak on "alien things" near its border with the South, urging its people to avoid anything that comes from outside.

Daily new cases of fever in North Korea reported by KCNA have been declining since the reclusive country first acknowledged in mid-May that it was battling an outbreak of COVID-19. Lacking a public vaccination effort, the North said it was running intensive medical checks nationwide, with daily PCR tests on water collected in borderline areas among the measures. The North also said it has been developing new methods to better detect the virus and its variants, as well as other infectious diseases, such as monkeypox.

North Korea`s claim of "anti-epidemic stability" comes as other Asian countries grapple with a new wave of infections. China reported 691 new cases for Saturday with locally transmitted infections at a peak since May 23. In the neighbouring South, daily COVID infections jumped on Tuesday above 40,000 for the first time in two months, with authorities and experts predicting hundreds of thousands of new cases in coming weeks. Japan also warned that a new wave of infections appeared to be spreading rapidly, as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for special care ahead of school summer vacations.

Tokyo`s 16,878 new cases on Wednesday were the highest since February, while the nationwide tally rose above 90,000, in a recent surge of infections to levels unseen since early this year.

Live TV
Kyiv: Russia is preparing for the next stage of its offensive in Ukraine, a Ukrainian military official said, after Moscow said its forces would step up military operations in "all operational areas". As Western deliveries of long-range arms begin to help Ukraine on the battlefield, Russian rockets and missiles have pounded cities in strikes that Kyiv says have killed dozens in recent days.

"It is not only missile strikes from the air and sea," Vadym Skibitskyi, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, said late on Saturday. "We can see shelling along the entire line of contact, along the entire front line. There is an active use of tactical aviation and attack helicopters.

"Clearly preparations are now underway for the next stage of the offensive."

The Ukrainian military said Russia appeared to be regrouping units for an offensive toward Sloviansk, a symbolically important city held by Ukraine in the eastern region of Donetsk.

The British defence ministry said on Sunday that Russia was also reinforcing defences across areas it occupies in southern Ukraine after pressure from Ukrainian forces and pledges from Ukrainian leaders to drive Russia out.

Ukraine says at least 40 people have been killed in Russian shelling of urban areas since Thursday as the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24 intensifies.

Dozens of relatives and local residents attended the funeral of four-year-old Liza Dmytrieva in the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia on Sunday. The girl was killed in a missile strike on central Vinnytsia on Thursday that killed 24 people, according to Ukrainian authorities.

To the south, more than 50 Russian Grad rockets pounded the city of Nikopol on the Dnipro River, killing two people who were found in the rubble, Governor Valentyn Reznichenko said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia had used more than 3,000 cruise missiles to date and it was "impossible to count" the number of artillery and other strikes so far.

ZELENSKIY FIRES TOP OFFICIALS

Meanwhile, Zelenskiy fired the head of Ukraine`s powerful domestic security agency, Ivan Bakanov, and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who led the effort to prosecute Russian war crimes, saying many of their employees were collaborating with Russia.

Zelenskiy said more than 60 officials from their two agencies were now working against Ukraine in Russian-occupied territories, and 651 treason and collaboration cases had been opened against law enforcement officials.

"Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the national security of the state ... pose very serious questions to the relevant leaders," Zelenskiy said in a Telegram post.

Kyiv and the West say the conflict is an unprovoked attempt to reconquer a country that broke free of Moscow`s rule with the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Moscow calls the invasion a "special military operation" to demilitarise its neighbour and root out nationalists, says it uses high-precision weapons to degrade Ukraine`s military infrastructure. Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered military units to intensify operations to prevent Ukrainian strikes on areas held by Russia, according to a statement from the ministry.

His remarks on Saturday appeared to be a direct response to what Kyiv says is a string of successful strikes carried out on 30 Russian logistics and ammunitions hubs, using several multiple launch rocket systems recently supplied by the West.

The strikes are causing havoc with Russian supply lines and have significantly reduced Russia`s offensive capability, according to Ukraine`s defense ministry.

Ukrainian officials say the new U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) they began receiving last month allow them to reach targets in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, and other areas occupied by Russia.

"Good morning from HIMARS," Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukraine`s president, wrote on Telegram on Sunday alongside a video showing a large explosion which he said was another destroyed Russian ammunition depot in southern Ukraine.

On Sunday, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said the refusal of Ukraine and NATO powers to recognise Moscow`s authority over Crimea represents a "systemic threat" for Russia, which has the headquarters of its Black Sea fleet there.

A spokesperson for the Odesa regional administration, Serhiy Bratchuk, said on Telegram late on Sunday that a "significant number" of Russian warships moved from Crimea to Novorossiyisk, along Russia`s Black Sea Coast.

Russian-backed separatists have said HIMARS rockets killed two civilians and damaged a bus depot and several other buildings in Alchevsk, east of Solviansk. Ukraine`s armed forces said they struck the bus depot because they had information it was being used to house Russian troops.

The Russian defence ministry said its forces had destroyed a launch ramp and reloading vehicle for one of the HIMARS systems deployed near the eastern city of Pokrovsk.

The head of Pokrovsk regional police, Ruslan Osypenko, said a residential area had been shelled by Russia with multiple rocket launchers and there were dead and wounded. It released video of damaged homes and residents describing the attack.
Indianapolis [US]: Four people, including a gunman, were killed on Sunday evening (local time) at an Indiana mall after a man opened fire in a food court, media reported citing police. "In total, four people were killed and two were injured," Jim Ison, Chief of Greenwood Police Department said, The New York Times reported. During a news conference on Sunday, Ison said that the emergency call center received calls about the shooting in the food court around 6 pm (local time).

He said the shooting ended when an armed civilian stopped the gunman. "It appears that a good Samaritan that was armed observed the shooting in progress and shot the shooter," he said. The Mayor of Greenwood said in a statement said: "We experienced a mass shooting this evening at the Greenwood Park Mall. The Greenwood Police Department is in control of the scene. I am in direct contact with the command post, and there is no further threat. I would ask the public to please stay away from this area."

Also read: US July 4 parade shooting: 22-year-old man taken into custody; at least 6 killed, dozens injured

"This tragedy hits at the core of our community," the Mayor said. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said on Twitter that it was helping the local authorities and urged people to avoid the area.

With increasing incidents of gun violence in the United States, President Joe Biden had said that the US needs to ban assault weapons for the sake of protecting children and families or raise the age to purchase them from 18 to 21.

Also read: 3 dead in Copenhagen mall shooting; 22-year-old shooter arrested, terror angle being probed

Furthermore, on June 22, a group of US lawmakers reached a much-awaited deal on a bipartisan gun safety bill after recent mass shooting incidents in Uvalde, Buffalo and Texas, that struck a nerve in the country.

The new bill aims to take firearms away from dangerous people and provide billions of dollars in new mental health funding. The bill does not ban assault-style rifles or significantly expand background-check requirements for gun purchases, but it gives states more resources to take guns away from dangerous individuals.
Vinnytsia (Ukraine): As Russian troops pressed their offensive in Ukraine's east, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his state security chief and prosecutor general on Sunday, citing hundreds of criminal proceedings into treason and collaboration by people within their departments and other law enforcement agencies. "In particular, more than 60 employees of the prosecutor's office and the SBU (state security service) have remained in the occupied territory and work against our state," Zelenskyy said. "Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the state's national security, and the links recorded between Ukrainian security forces and Russian special services raise very serious questions about their respective leaders," he said in his nightly video address to the nation.

Zelenskyy dismissed Ivan Bakanov, a childhood friend and former business partner whom he had appointed to head the SBU. Bakanov had come under growing criticism over security breaches since the war began; Politico last month cited several unidentified Ukrainian and Western sources saying Zelenskyy was looking to replace him. He also dismissed Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, and replaced her with her deputy Oleksiy Symonenko. Venediktova has helped lead war crime investigations.

Meanwhile, Russian missiles hit industrial facilities earlier Sunday at Mykolaiv, a key shipbuilding center in southern Ukraine. Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said the missiles struck an industrial and infrastructure facility. Mykolaiv has faced regular Russian missile strikes in recent weeks as the Russians have sought to soften Ukrainian defenses.

The Russian military has declared a goal to cut off Ukraine's entire Black Sea coast all the way to the Romanian border. If successful, such an effort would deal a crushing blow to the Ukrainian economy and trade, and allow Moscow to secure a land bridge to Moldova's separatist region of Transnistria, which hosts a Russian military base.

Early in the campaign, Ukrainian forces fended off Russian attempts to capture Mykolaiv, which sits near the Black Sea coast between Russia-occupied Crimea and the main Ukrainian port of Odesa. Since then, Russian troops have halted their attempts to advance in the city but have continued to pummel both Mykolaiv and Odesa with regular missile strikes.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Sunday that Russian missiles destroyed a depot for anti-ship Harpoon missiles delivered to Ukraine by NATO allies, a claim that couldn't be independently confirmed. The Russians, fearing a Ukrainian counteroffensive, also sought to reinforce their positions in the Kherson region near Crimea and in part of the northern Zaporizhzhia region that they seized in the opening stage of the war.

Also read: Russia prepares for next Ukraine offensive in face of new Western weapons

"Given the pressures on Russian manpower, the reinforcement of the south whilst the fight for the Donbas continues indicates the seriousness with which Russian commanders view the threat," the British Defense Ministry said Sunday.

For now, the Russian military has focused on trying to take control of Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland of the Donbas, where the most capable and well-equipped Ukrainian forces are located. Ukraine says its forces still retain control of two small villages in the Luhansk region, one of two provinces that make up the Donbas, and are fending off Russian attempts to advance deeper into the second one, the Donetsk region.

Also read: Russia vows to ramp up operations as rockets pound Ukraine

The Ukrainian military's General Staff said Sunday that Ukrainian troops thwarted Russian attempts to advance toward Sloviansk, the key Ukrainian stronghold in Donetsk, and attacks elsewhere in the region. Yet Russian officials are urging their troops to produce even more territorial gains. During a visit to the front lines Saturday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu issued an order "to further intensify the actions of units in all operational areas."

The Russian military said it has struck Ukrainian troops and artillery positions in Donbas in the latest series of strikes, including a U.S.-supplied HIMARS multiple rocket launcher.

The Russian claims couldn't be independently verified. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, responded to Ukrainian officials' statements that Kyiv may strike the bridge linking Crimea and Russia, warning that would trigger devastating consequences for the Ukrainian leadership. "They will momentarily face Doomsday," Medvedev said Sunday. "It would be very hard for them to hide."

Medvedev, once touted by the West as more liberal compared to Putin, said Russia will press its offensive until fulfilling its stated goal of "denazifying" and "demilitarizing" Ukraine. He predicted the fighting will "undoubtedly lead to the collapse of the existing regime" in Kyiv. Zelenskyy condemned Medvedev's Doomsday comment as "intimidation" and said it was Russia that would eventually face a "`Day of Judgment." "And not in a figurative sense, not as loud talk, but literally," he said Sunday.

While focusing on the Donbas, the Russians have hit areas all across the country with missile strikes. In central Ukraine, relatives and friends attended a funeral Sunday for Liza Dmytrieva, a 4-year-old girl killed Thursday in a Russian missile strike. The girl with Down syndrome was en route to see a speech therapist with her mother when the missiles struck the city of Vinnytsia. At least 24 people were killed, including Liza and two boys, ages 7 and 8. More than 200 others were wounded, including Liza's mother, who remains in an intensive care unit.

"I didn't know Liza, but no person can go through this with calm," priest Vitalii Holoskevych said, bursting into tears as Liza's body lay in a coffin with flowers and teddy bears in the 18th-century Transfiguration Cathedral in Vinnytsia. 'We know that evil cannot win,' he added.

In the Kharkiv region, at least three civilians were killed and three more were injured Saturday in a pre-dawn Russian strike on the city of Chuhuiv, just 120 kilometres from the Russian border, police said.
[July 18, 2022] Fortune and Great Place to Work Name Workato One of the 2022 Best Workplaces for Millennials, Ranking #21

Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine have honored Workato as one of the 2022 Best Workplaces for Millennials, coming in at #21 for Small and Medium-sized companies. Earning a spot means that Workato is one of the best companies to work for in the country. Great Place to Work measured the differences in over 413,000 Millennials' survey responses to those of other generations taken from America's largest ongoing annual workforce study of over 1 million employee survey responses and data from companies that represent more than 6.1 million U.S. employees. In that survey, 98% of Workato's employees said the company is a great place to work. This number is 41% higher than the average U.S. company. "We are beyond grateful and proud to be named one of the Best Workplaces for Millennials in 2022 by Great Place to Work and Fortune Magazine. With Millennials representing nearly 70% of Workato's workforce, this generation has cemented themselves as leaders in how we continue to shape and think about the future of work," said Carle Quinn, Chief People Officer at Workato. "What has made our organization incredibly successful is our people, and providing them an opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves - a part of our mission that is changing the way people work and the impact our technology is having in driving business transformation while enriching the employee experience not only for us but also for our customers." Founded in 2013, Workato is transforming automation across businesses with a single platform for data, apps, and processes. The company is emerging as a market leader in enterprise automation as the only low-code, no-code platform that reduces fragmentation company-wide. Over the past year, Workato more than doubled its workforce and established subsidiaries in the U.K., India, and Japan, plus opened an office in Dublin and a data center in Frankfurt. The Best Workplaces for Millennials list is highly competitive. Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture, selected the list using rigorous analytics and confidential employee feedback. Companies were only considered if they are a Great Place to Work-Certified organization. Great Place to Work is the only company culture award in America that selects winners based on how fairly employees are treated. Companies are assessed on how well they are creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is. "These companies value their millennial workers by shwing genuine care, flexibility, and purpose in ways that matter to this generation," says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. "They expect company values to be lived by their leaders, which, in turn, elicits their loyalty and trust. Congratulations to the Best Workplaces for Millennials for their hard work."



In 2022, Workato ranked #3 in the Small and Medium category as a Best Workplaces in the Bay Area by Great Place to Work and Fortune Magazine. To learn more about Workato and the future of enterprise automation, please visit www.workato.com.

About Workato The leader in enterprise automation, Workato helps organizations work faster and smarter without compromising security and governance. Built for Business and IT users, Workato is trusted by over 11,000 of the world's top brands, including Broadcom, Intuit, and Box. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., Workato is backed by Altimeter Capital, Battery Ventures, Insight Venture Partners, Tiger Global, and Redpoint Ventures. For more information, visit workato.com or connect with us on social media: Blog: https://www.workato.com/the-connector/

Business Systems Community: https://systematic.workato.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/workato

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workato About the Best Workplaces for Millennials Great Place to Work selected the Best Workplaces for Millennials by gathering and analyzing over 1 million confidential survey responses and data from companies representing more than 6.1 million U.S. employees at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place to Work Trust Index survey. Read the full methodology. To get on this list next year, start here. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, it has surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Its employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Everything it does is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220718005494/en/

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" " Overnight prowls could be numbered for cats in Iceland. Thomas Winz/Getty Images

Cat people, you know how it is: Your cats are out carousing all night, and they think they're doing you a favor by bringing a dead  or, worse, half-dead  mouse into the house at the break of dawn. You've tried to enforce a curfew, but they just laugh in your face and go out to rumble with their friends and enemies alike. Cats, man.

The people of some towns in Iceland have decided enough is enough and instituted cat curfews. Beginning in 2023, the town of Akureyri, which has a population of about 19,000 humans and 2,000 to 3,000 cats, will require housecats to stay indoors from midnight to 7 a.m. Akureyri isn't the only town in Iceland where cats have a curfew  or are even banned from outdoor life completely  but it's been the hottest battleground, with an opposition party that supports the free movement of cats.

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The cat curfew people cite two main reasons for keeping these adorable demons inside at night: First, they kill a lot of wildlife. And second, they're a nuisance.

Let's tackle the wildlife question first. A pretty famous 2013 study by researchers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute found that "free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.3 to 4.0 billion birds and 6.3 to 22.3 billion mammals annually." Yes that's billion with a B! However, the very next sentence in this study says, "Un-owned cats, as opposed to owned pets, cause the majority of this mortality." It is very hard to impose a curfew on cats without homes.

Granted, that is a lot of animals that die at the paws of our domestic housecats. And Iceland may have a point, since the Smithsonian study estimated that the effect of felines may have more impact on islands: "Free-ranging cats on islands have caused or contributed to 33 (14 percent) of the modern bird, mammal and reptile extinctions recorded by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List."

Those are pretty compelling reasons, but why the residents of Iceland want to impose a curfew are a little smaller in scope. People complain about cats spraying urine on their patio, or trampling flowerbeds, or loudly fighting in the middle of the night. Annoying, yes. Causing mass extinction, not so much.

But it turns out that housecats may have an outsized impact on wildlife after all. A 2020 study published in Animal Conservation tracked 900 cats with GPS in the U.S. and found that cats kill very, very locally. They don't often range any farther than their own yard, or maybe their neighbors'. Yet they're responsible for billions of deaths, which means those kills are concentrated. So our friendly housecats can have more impact on wildlife populations than wild cats, which range over much larger territories than, say, a suburban block or two.

Peter Marra, the lead researcher on the 2013 Smithsonian study, told Science News: "The big message is responsible pet ownership." So maybe cat curfews can save some birds  and some neighbors' sanity.

Now That's Fancy If you want to give birds a fighting chance of escaping your furious feline, a tinkly little bell on their collar isn't going to cut it. To give birds enough of a head start, the bell would have to be huge. Instead, use a colorful, ruffled color or collar cover (like these from BirdsBeSafe). Birds are highly visual creatures, and a big, bright collar will take away your cat's stealth bonus. It will also make them look ridiculous, which is always a plus.
YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. Tax free border trade through Zero Point, the gate between Pakistans Taftan town and Mir Javeh town of Iran, was resumed on Saturday after the trade gate reopened following a 10-day closure for Eid holidays, DAWN newspaper reports.

Taftan Assistant Commissioner Zahoor Ahmed Baloch told DAWN that mostly edible commodities were imported from Iran through Zero Point, adding these days nothing was being exported to Iran from Pakistan.
YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. American-Armenian writer, philanthropist, activist Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, the President of the Westbrook City Council, visited Armenia not only for getting acquainted with the process of social programs being implemented at her initiative, but also to get the passport of Armenia as she has received an Armenian citizenship.

I applied a year ago, I was looking forward to this day. I was told that I have to personally visit the Department of Passport and Visa of the Police of Armenia for getting my passport. And now I am here to get my passport, which is a very important event for me, she said in an interview to ARMENPRESS.

Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte is also in Armenia to get acquainted with the programs being implemented by the Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation, as well as to get to know what kind of assistance programs are needed in Armenia and Artsakh. For this purpose she plans to visit Talin, Gyumri, Khndzoresk, Goris, as well as Artsakh.

On June 1 the Foundation launched Ser Artsakh charity program. The program is implemented by the efforts of Armenians living in Diaspora and Armenia. Within the framework of the program, families of around 200 children born in Artsakh have been provided with gift-boxes.

It was reported from Artsakh that the number of births has greatly increased after the war. Before that we were discussing how to help families and decided to give a gift-box to family of a new-born baby, which consists of 25 pieces, involving clothes, medical and care items for a mother and a child, toys, books, etc. After the war our compatriots continue living in Artsakh, having children, which is very important. And we should help mothers. I am a mother myself and I understand very well how difficult it is in the beginning. Therefore, we decided to provide gift-boxes with necessary items, she said.

During her upcoming visit to Artsakh, Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte plans to visit the babies and their parents. After that, meetings with local authorities are scheduled.

Our compatriots participate in the program financially, but the items of the box are purchased or ordered in the homeland and provided to the families of new-born babies in Artsakh. The purpose is to circulate the funds here and help our compatriots in Artsakh. I would like to note that the items in the gift-boxes are on a good quality, mothers also approved them. Most of our compatriots of the Diaspora have also liked that products, even some of them wished to get them, she said.

As for the meetings expected in Artsakh, she said that it is important in terms of obtaining information. She said that Diaspora lacks information about Artsakh. They have no information on what is happening in Artsakh and what will happen then.

Now I am trying to understand what are the developments in order to present them in the Diaspora. Many people there wait until the situation in Artsakh is clarified and then to provide support. Of course, we understand that the most important is the security of Artsakh. Without it its impossible to help develop the economy, build houses, develop business and implement educational programs. I am trying to explain that even if there is unstable situation, Armenians live there and need support, as new generation is being born. People living there deserve more, she said, adding that she understands very well what it means to be a refugee, lose a homeland and everything because years ago, living in Baku, she and her family passed through similar challenges. Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte is one of the witnesses of Armenian pogroms in Azerbaijan.

Asked what is her message to the residents of Artsakh as a person who faced such difficulties, Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte stated: I am conveying the most important thing: to help each other in any situation. We in Armenia think that someone abroad will see, will understand our pain and will help. But my message is that we should find that path on our own, by helping each other. Communication with them is very important for me. Artsakh and its people are a source of inspiration for me. When I visit Artsakh, I get a lot of energy, new ideas arise. Now its important for us to ensure the continuation of Ser Artsakh program. The more people are aware of the program, the more supporters it will have.

Interview by Anna Gziryan
YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov is in Brussels on an official visit.

According to Azeri media reports FM Bayramov will have a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, among others.

The meeting will be closed for media, according to a statement released by NATO.
YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. On July 19, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will be in Poland on an official visit, MFA Spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said on social media.

Within the framework of the visit, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan will have meetings with Foreign Minister of Poland Zbigniew Rau and other high-ranking officials.

Issues related to Armenian-Polish relations in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as regional stability will be discussed.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Zbigniev Rau will deliver statements for the press with the results of their meeting.
Before the May 14 massacre at the Tops Markets in Buffalo, the accused 18-year-old gunman turned to an Iowa man named Cory Clark for advice on purchasing body armor.

According to his online diary, Payton Gendron and Clark  a customer service specialist for the Iowa-based body armor manufacturer RMA Armament  interacted over a period of months on both the public social media site Reddit and in a private chatroom for weapons enthusiasts.

A Buffalo News review of nearly 3,200 posts Clark made on Reddit, as well as related marketing activity on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Discord, show that RMA has for years marketed military-grade body armor to civilian buyers ranging from firearms hobbyists to doomsday preppers.

Under the username shorta07, Clark promoted RMA as one of very few manufacturers to sell directly to the public. He has suggested buyers circumvent civilian body armor restrictions in one state and advised Reddit users on the types of body armor that protect against military bullets.

The company also works with an online influencer who has posted video "satires" about killing federal agents. In August 2020, Clark encouraged Redditors to stock up on body armor before the presidential election.

When Gendron finally placed a $607 order for the bulletproof RMA armor he wore during his attack, he left a single note on the order form:

Its recommended to give Corey (sic) a bonus.

Selling body armor to civilians is legal in most cases, and there is no indication that Clark knew about either Gendrons plans or his violent, racist ideology. Representatives for RMA opened, but did not respond to, emails seeking interviews for this article, and Clark hung up on a Buffalo News reporter after he was asked about his contact with Gendron.

In a May statement to The News, RMA Armament said it was saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred in Buffalo and that its products are intended for the protection of law-abiding private citizens, police departments and government partners.

But the companys sales and marketing practices could expose it to lawsuits, three legal experts said, particularly given the role that body armor played in the Tops massacre.

Police have said that Gendrons RMA-made body armor stopped a bullet fired by security guard Aaron Salter Jr., allowing Gendron to return fire and kill seven additional people, including Salter, inside the supermarket.

Attorney Terrence Connors, who represents the families of several victims as well as individuals injured in the attack, said his firm is actively investigating RMAs marketing practices.

Any company in the business of body armor or high-capacity weapons is operating with the knowledge of American history over the past several decades, where all of these products have been used repeatedly for mass slaughters, said Jonathan Lowy, the chief counsel for the national Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, which has pursued dozens of civil actions against gunmakers and dealers. Theyre not operating on a clean slate  they know for a fact how these products have been used. They have every reason to believe it will happen again and again.

Lawmakers and policy experts are directing new scrutiny at civilian body armor sales, which have grown steadily in the past 20 years and steeply since the start of the pandemic  motivated by social unrest and growing anti-government sentiment, said Aaron Westrick, a professor at Lake State University who has worked with body armor companies and law enforcement.

According to the Violence Project, a nonpartisan research center, body armor has featured in 17 mass shootings since 2009, including the attack in Sutherland Springs, Texas, that killed 26 people in 2017, and the shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., that killed 14 people in 2015.

In June, New York barred civilians from purchasing many types of armor, while New Jersey and Pennsylvania considered similar legislation. New York Reps. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and Chris Jacobs, R-Orchard Park, have also signed onto a federal proposal restricting civilian access.

In proposing all four measures, lawmakers pointed to the ease with which Gendron obtained his body armor and the degree to which it made his attack more deadly.

Body armor has been an increasingly common part of mass shootings, especially of mass shootings where the goal seems to be to kill the maximum number of people, state Sen. Brian Kavanaugh, D-Manhattan, said during a June 2 floor vote for the New York ban. ... It is often marketed as tactical gear you need along with your tactical weapons.

Advice and 'appreciation'

Its not clear where Gendron first encountered Clark, who has posted online as a representative of RMA since 2019.

The Centerville, Iowa-based company, founded in 2013, manufactures and sells hardened ceramic body armor through its website and third-party dealers. RMAs chief executive, Blake Waldrop, is a Marine veteran and former police officer who has said he founded the company after a comrade died during an IED attack in Iraq while wearing standard-issue armor. In 2017, RMA represented Iowa in a White House showcase of American-made products.

Clark started on the companys factory floor in 2018 but was promoted to a social media and customer service role, he wrote, after his managers noticed an influx of sales based on his personal Reddit posts.

In that role, Clark identified himself as a representative of RMA and promoted RMA products, sales and discounts in a range of Reddit groups  beginning with communities for military and law enforcement members, who sometimes buy their own body armor. RMA sold 80% of its products to law enforcement and defense agencies before the pandemic, Waldrop told a local news station.

But hundreds of thousands of civilians entered the market in 2020, shattering sales records and rapidly shifting RMAs main clientele, Waldrop said. In one five-day period that October, RMA sold more than 1,200 sets of one specific armor plate direct to consumers, Clark wrote on Reddit.

Under the username shorta07, Clark also began posting more frequently and in Reddit communities with far broader audiences, including r/TacticalGear and r/QualityTacticalGear, where he promoted RMA plates as an accessible option for civilian consumers.

Posts from the account identify Clark by his name and corporate email address, and biographical details shared by shorta07 in the years prior to Clark's work with RMA also match the work history listed on his public LinkedIn profile. Clark wrote that he told his boss early on that he did not want to post under a separate RMA username in order to make the account more personal.

The forums he frequented attract a wide range of members, from hobbyists, collectors and airsoft enthusiasts to regular citizens fearful of crime and survivalists prepping for social collapse. In 2020, a member of r/TacticalGear posted photos of his uniform for the Ohio Gadsden Militia, which describes itself as an armed citizen group.

Why do you want plates? Clark wrote in a 2021 post to r/TacticalGear. Because this is America, and people have a RIGHT to own plates. Thats the only answer you need.

Clark interacted with the accused Buffalo gunman on at least four occasions, according to Gendrons online diary and deleted Reddit posts. Transcripts of the diary, which Gendron wrote in a private Discord server, spread online in the hours after the attack.

In August 2021, Gendron posted in the subreddit r/TacticalGear that RMA was his go to for armor plates. Clark replied that he appreciated Gendron, according to a message deleted after the Buffalo shooting.

Months later, in December 2021, Gendron began shopping for body armor for his attack, his diary suggests. The 18-year-old wrote that he wanted armor that could withstand fire from at least a handgun in case he encountered a police officer or a customer with a concealed weapon.

On Jan. 8, Gendron wrote that he talked with shorta with RMA armament and concluded that the company sells cheap plates that are actually usable. He purchased a set of hardened armor plates through RMAs website two days later, posting screenshots of the order form  and his note about Clarks bonus  to his journal.

Gendron later wrote that Clark responded to a post he made on Plateland, a private chat room for gun enthusiasts linked to the anonymous message board 4chan, which is well-known for its violent and white supremacist content. On April 4, Gendron wrote that Clark gave him confirmation I can advertise RMA plates, though its not clear what he meant by that.

In a 180-page document published after his attack, Gendron spent 34 typed pages laying out his recommended body armor for future shooters, including 11 RMA products.

Clark has since continued to post to Reddit as an RMA representative.

On several platforms

Since he began posting on RMAs behalf, many of Clarks messages have concerned traits that distinguish the manufacturer. RMA, he wrote in one 2020 post, has passed numerous ballistic tests, makes its product in the United States, and obviously we have a Reddit guy also.

Unlike some other manufacturers, RMA did not limit its sales to military or law enforcement. To place an order, buyers provided basic shipping and contact information, similar to Amazon.

Many companies will not sell to civilians without some kind of paperwork, Westrick said, such as a letter of recommendation or support from local law enforcement. Text at the bottom of RMA's product pages does inform customers that, by placing an order, they "are acknowledging that you do not intend to use the body armor for any criminal purpose."

Through Clark, RMA also engaged in other, potentially controversial marketing practices, such as advising customers on how to subvert state body armor restrictions. In Connecticut, which requires that civilian customers buy body armor in face-to-face transactions, Clark suggested that customers ship to the state next to them ;) in posts to TikTok and Reddit.

Clark exhorted customers to buy body armor in August 2020, writing that my gut feeling tells me in November during the election, it's going to be BAD no matter which way the election goes.

A year later, in September 2021, an anonymous member of a chatroom affiliated with the community r/TacticalGear asked Clark which plates would defeat an enhanced M855A1 bullet, "setting aside" any restrictions that would limit such gear to soldiers or law enforcement. Clark recommended an RMA product. The M855A1 bullet is manufactured for military use and not available on the civilian market, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said.

RMA has also partnered with online influencers who review its products in exchange for a small cut of sales generated by their posts. One of those affiliates  a veteran and TikTok influencer who posts under the username NV_actual  has published multiple videos that joke about killing stacks of fed boys, terms commonly used to describe federal agents working for agencies such as the ATF and the FBI.

In one video, he dances to Katy Perrys California Gurls in full tactical gear, under the caption POV: You eliminated the entire stack outside your front door.

In another post from April, NV_actual nods his head while the song Boogaloo  whose lyrics describe a violent murder spree  plays in the background. Boogaloo is also the name of an anti-government extremist movement. A caption encourages viewers to use a discount code to buy RMA armor, while also calling the video satirical.

He did not respond to a Reddit message requesting an interview.

On a corporate Twitter account, RMA has also shared messages containing the hashtags #boogalo and #prepper.

Does villainous look good on us? the account posted on May 6, just days before the Tops massacre.

Legal obstacles

Victims and their families will face obstacles in any civil suit against body armor manufacturers, legal experts acknowledged. Plaintiffs would have to prove both that manufacturers could have predicted their product would be misused in an offensive attack and that their failure to intervene caused greater damage.

Is it shocking to a reasonable member of the jury, so to speak, that some portion of the people for whom those products are marketed use them in the way that they're depicted? asked Adam Skaggs, the chief counsel and policy director at the Giffords Law Center, which advocates for gun safety legislation.

At the same time, courts have signaled a new willingness to hold a wide circle of third parties accountable as mass shootings have grown more frequent, said Michael Steinlage, who chaired a recent committee on mass shooting liability for the American Bar Association. Judges have ruled that such shootings have become so routine that, under some circumstances, entities including schools, law enforcement, social media platforms and attackers families could have anticipated them.

Even gunmakers, who enjoy broad federal immunity in most civil suits, have recently faced new consequences: In a landmark 2019 case, the Connecticut Supreme Court greenlighted a suit against Remington Arms, the maker of the assault rifle used in the Sandy Hook massacre, after victims families argued that Remingtons advertising appealed to troubled young men. Remington settled in February for $73 million.

If successful, a civil suit against RMA would also set new precedent.

We are looking very closely at the marketing tactics deployed by RMA Defense and questioning why an 18-year-old civilian would need body armor of this type, Connors, the victims attorney, said.
Cayuga Community College's proposed budget keeps tuition flat for the second straight year, but the school is asking the county government to chip in more funds.

The college Board of Trustees on June 30 approved a $25,950,000 budget that is now under consideration by the Cayuga County Legislature. If finalized, the 2022-23 academic year budget proposal would mark the college's fifth straight year of decreased spending plans. Full-time tuition at CCC for county residents is currently set at $2,496 per semester.

The big driver of the budget decreases has been declining enrollment, a long-term trend that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Marie Nellenback, CCC's chief financial officer, said at last week's Legislature Government Operations Committee meeting. As the number of students has declined, CCC has trimmed positions.

"Pretty much every time we have a vacancy, we look as to whether or not we have to fill it," Nellenback said, noting that the college now has about 200 full-time employees.

The proposed budget projects 1,530 full-time equivalent students, down from the 1,600 budgeted for the current year. College officials are hopeful, though, that they can make the budgeted enrollment numbers in 2022-23, just as they have this year.

Nellenback said new programs at the school have been established with enrollment growth in mind. Those include the culinary arts program housed in downtown Auburn, an advanced manufacturing program in Fulton in Oswego County and new health science majors.

"We are hoping that some of those programs give us a bump in enrollment but it is a struggle right now because we are finding that education is really changing; there's a lot of competition," Nellenback said.

Although tuition would not change under the proposed budget, the contribution made by Cayuga County would increase by $46,000, or 1.5%, to $3,122,340. It would be the county's first increase since 2019.

The proposal passed at last week's committee meeting, with Legislator Lydia Patti Ruffini the only vote against it. She explained she could not support the proposal due to the State University of New York vaccine mandate for in-person enrolled students. Ruffini said she was sending a message to SUNY with her vote.

A decision on whether the vaccine mandate continues next academic year has not been made by SUNY, Nellenback said.

The budget proposal will be considered by the Legislature's Ways and Committee on Wednesday, and eventually the full Legislature on July 26.
July 18, 2007

After stepping out from under unions' umbrellas, workers who have moved to management positions in city hall may see some gray clouds ahead if a proposal receives council support.

During Thursday's work session, the Auburn City Council will review an ordinance that would change how city management staff gets paid, how much they earn, and what they will pay for benefits.

Some department heads in the past have pointed to what they consider a lack of incentives for their jobs, which are not subject to union contracts.

I think the city is a great employer and I don't think it should make any difference, Mayor Timothy Lattimore responded.

If the councilors approve city manager Mark Palesh's suggestions, the city would no longer provide for compensation time, for example, allowing workers to leave the office early if councilors asked them to attend a council meeting the night before.

The proposal caps salaries for elected officials, department heads, managers and management support personnel at $89,000 and lowers possible raises. Currently the management staff receives the same raise as the Civil Service Employees Association. The proposal would cut that amount to 75 percent. Last year, department heads turned down the 2.75 percent raise because of the city's financial woes.

Workers with salaries more than $89,000 will keep their current salaries, but would receive no additional raises, comptroller Lisa Green said.

Lattimore reminds workers the proposal could be a short-term solution to help the city become financially stronger.

The cap is not forever and a day, Lattimore said. You have to keep it in check.

The mayor suggested the city is offering salaries that are outpacing the private sector.

Members of management can accumulate up to 260 sick days during their tenures. Under the current system, employees don't earn any more after they rake in the 13 days a year for two decades. The proposal would change that by allow workers to continue to earn half a sick day each paycheck.

If workers, including police officers or firefighters get injured on the job, they use city-specified leave rather than sick time.

The proposal also would force management, including elected officials, to contribute 20 percent to their medical coverage, if and when a union agrees to the same policy.

The city boasts the Civil Service Employees Association, CSEA Professional Unit, Auburn Firefighters Local Union 1446 and assistant chief union, and Auburn Police Department Local Union 195.

The proposed changes for management may send a message to the unions about the city's finances, Lattimore said. He met with Palesh Tuesday morning to suggest changes to the potential amendment, for example switching percentages to set dollar amounts.

The potential changes would not affect Palesh because his contract contained specific provisions that covers these categories, Green said.

Palesh also drafted a new pay scheduled which lowered starting salaries for the 15 management positions, from police chief to city clerk. The lowest two salaries - councilor and mayor - are the only two not scheduled to change.

It's going to save some money but it's not that many people so it's a drop in the bucket. It's a start I suppose, Green said.
The 44th annual Myles Keough Paddle, Wheel, and Run, also known by most as the Great Race, returned to Emerson Park Sunday. It's the first tim
Volkswagen has revealed its goal of doubling sales of its ID series of electric vehicles in China this year. The automaker's strategy comes despite the Covid-19 disruptions. The German car brand is expecting to deliver up 20,000 ID cars every month in the Chinese market over the coming months, revealed Stephan Wollenstein, CEO of Volkswagen China.

(Also Read: Tesla to reimburse a customer over Autopilot issue, rules Munich court: Report)

The Volkswagen ID series of electric vehicles are the backbone of the automaker's EV ambition in China, which is the largest market in the world for new energy vehicles. It makes the ID series of electric vehicles in the country under the joint venture with SAIC Motor and FAW Group.

Speaking about the automaker's strategy for the ID vehicles, Stephan Wollenstein said that the company hopes that it can get the necessary parts in place. "By doing so, we will then be able by the end of the year to have sales of IDs more than double compared to last year," he further added.

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The German car manufacturer first set out the target in January of doubling sales of its ID electric vehicles in China this year from the 70,000 units it sold in 2021. The company claims that despite the Covid-19-related disruptions, it sold 59,400 units of ID electric vehicles in China in the first six months of this year. It also claimed that Volkswagen ID vehicle sales in China contributed 80 per cent of its total EV sales including plug-in hybrids.

Volkswagen is currently the most prominent foreign automaker by sales in China. Despite the EV sales growth, it said that the overall China sales of the OEM slumped 20.5 per cent in the first half of the year to 1.47 million units. Wollenstein, however, hopes for tremendously high growth in the second half for both the automaker and the overall industry thanks to the government policies spurring demand.

First Published Date:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already planted 1.25 lakh saplings in one day at more than 100 locations along national highways till now.

To celebrate 75 years of India's independence, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has undertaken a unique drive to make the national highways look greener. India's premier road construction agency in charge of building and maintaining national highways, will plant as many as 75 lakh saplings along the way. The drive has already started with around 1.25 lakh saplings planted in a single day. The agency aims to complete the drive by August 15, the day India celebrates 75 years of independence to mark the Amrit Mahotsav.

The NHAi planted 1.25 lakh saplings at 114 locations along the national highways across the country. The NHAI issued a statement on Sunday saying that the initiative was launched at Nagpur by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Gadkari said his ministry has been focusing on plantation and transplantation of trees. Gadkari also said that his ministry is giving emphasis on geo-tagging the saplings to monitor their growth and maintenance.

This is not the only drive undertaken by the NHAI to celebrate 75 years of India's independence. The agency is involved in other initiatives including creation of ponds, called 'Amrit Sarovars', near national highways to help rejuvenate water bodies and ground water.

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In recent projects, the NHAI is putting a lot of emphasis on maintaining greenery to keep the environment as clean as possible. There are several greenfield expressway projects currently underway. The agency will also come up with India's first animal crossing on a national highway when the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is completed.

Keeping the essence of cleaner mobility, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has also been pushing for electric and hybrid vehicles to reduce pollution as well as reduce dependency on costly fuel imports. Gadkari has been quite vocal about the need to switch to greener mode of transport.

First Published Date:
The Great Plains Welsh Heritage Center held a special open house and dinner to welcome new members to on Saturday evening.

Updates on the upcoming Heritage Inn project were also given to those in attendance.

The museum was formed in 2000 as a tribute to the Welsh immigrants that came as early as the 1860s to the Wymore area. It is the only organization in the United States and Canada dedicated to the Welsh settlers of the plains.

A separate non-profit was formed by Rebecca Cherney of San Francisco for the purpose of building a 6-8 room bed and breakfast that will be located on South Seventh Street in Wymore.

Cherney grew up in the Wymore area and has relatives that are active with the upkeep of the GPWHC.

Gwenith Closs-Colgrove, President of the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Center, said plans are progressing.

The architectural plans have approved by the Wymore City Council. The plans have been submitted to the State Fire Marshall and are awaiting approval. Contractors are reviewing the plans.

The Heritage Inn will be a great benefit to the community, said Closs-Colgrove. We host a lot of people who come to do genealogy research and this will give them a place to stay. It will also be a benefit when people come for alumni banquets, weddings, and funerals."

The 15 person board of directors for the GPWHC reside in throughout the Great Plains states. An advisory board also helps support the center.

The mission of the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project is to discover, preserve, interpret and celebrate the history and contributions of Welsh pioneers on the North American Prairies; and to further the public understanding and appreciation of Americas ethnic and cultural diversity.

The organization also includes the historic one-room schoolhouse that is currently in McCandless Park in Wymore, the Burlington Railroad Depot, and Bethel Welsh Cemetery south of Wymore. In 2013 a state-of-the art archive building was added to the museum.

We are the only repository of the Welsh language newspaper, Y Drych, in microfilm format, with issues dating back to 1851, said Jayne Rudder, Board member.

The North American Festival of Wales will be held for the first time in Lincoln, Nebraska during Labor Day weekend in 2023.

We will be hosting tours at the museum and it will be a wonderful celebration of Welsh heritage, said Closs-Colgrove.

More information can be found at welshheritageproject.org.
A Carbon County police deputy killed two men in a traffic accident on Friday night, Montana Highway Patrol reports. The collision took place on Highway 212 near Roberts.

The two men killed were Darren Shull, 52, of Billings, and Jesse L Beck, 45, of Rockvale, Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan said in a press release. Shull was helping a man on the side of the road when he was struck, according to a GoFundMe raising money for Shulls family.

While driving, Darren witnessed a motorcycle go down. In true Darren fashion, he pulled his car off to the side of the road and rushed to the motorcyclists side to start first aid. While trying to help the motorcyclist, Darren was hit by a car and did not survive his injuries, the GoFundMe said. It is unknown if the motorcyclist was Beck.

The deputy was driving a Carbon County Sheriffs patrol vehicle when they struck Shull and Beck. Where the deputy was going and the reason for the crash is unknown.

Montana Highway Patrol Sgt. Jay Nelson said the incidents investigation was disrupted by the Iron Horse Rodeo and a 21-car pileup near Hardin over the weekend. Further details are expected to be released in the next few days, Nelson said.

The deputy who killed the two men has been placed on administrative leave, and the incident is being investigated by outside agencies such as the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office, the Montana Highway Patrol, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, McQuillan said.

At this point in the investigation, it is of the utmost importance that we proceed with transparency and without the appearance of conflict, McQuillan said in his press release. To that end, I have asked for an independent coroner and outside agencies to investigate this tragic event.

The two men who were killed were transported to Billings for an autopsy at the State Crime Lab, McQuillan said.

A public coroners inquest is expected to be held, and the deputys name will be released later, McQuillan said.

At least 83 people have died on Montana's roads so far in 2022, according to MHP data and recent reports. Despite a recent rise in fatal crashes over the Fourth of July weekend, deaths are down compared to this same time in 2021, which saw 108 deaths by this time, and 2020 with just over 90 deaths.
WASHINGTON  As bullets and bombs fall in Ukraine, Russia is waging an expanding information war throughout Eastern Europe, using fake accounts and propaganda to spread fears about refugees and rising fuel prices while calling the West an untrustworthy ally.

In Bulgaria, the Kremlin paid journalists, political analysts and other influential citizens 2,000 euros a month to post pro-Russian content online, a senior Bulgarian official revealed this month. Researchers also have uncovered sophisticated networks of fake accounts, bots and trolls in an escalating spread of disinformation and propaganda in the country.

Similar efforts are playing out in other nations in the region as Russia looks to shift the blame for its invasion of Ukraine, the ensuing refugee crisis and rising prices for food and fuel.

For Russia's leaders, expansive propaganda and disinformation campaigns are a highly cost-effective alternative to traditional tools of war or diplomacy, according to Graham Brookie, senior director at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, which has been tracking Russian disinformation for years.

"Stirring up these reactions is the low-hanging fruit for Russian information operations," Brookie said. "Their state media does audience analysis better than most of the media companies in the world. Where these narratives have succeeded are countries where there is more weaponization of domestic discourse or more polarized media markets."

Bulgaria was long counted a stalwart Russian ally, though the country of 7 million residents has turned its attention westward in recent decades, joining NATO in 2004 and the European Union three years later.

When Bulgaria, Poland and other former Warsaw Pact nations sided with their NATO allies in support of Ukraine, Russia responded with a wave of disinformation and propaganda that sought to exploit public debates over globalization and westernization.

For Poland, that took the form of anti-Western propaganda and conspiracy theories. One, spread by a Russian-allied hacking group in an apparent effort to divide Ukraine and Poland, suggested that Polish gangs were harvesting the organs of Ukrainian refugees.

Russia's onslaught comes as Eastern European governments, like others around the world, grapple with dissatisfaction and unrest caused by rising prices for fuel and food.

Bulgaria is in a particularly vulnerable position. Pro-Western Prime Minister Kiril Petkov lost a no-confidence vote last month. Concerns about the economy and fuel prices only increased when Russia cut off Bulgaria's supply of natural gas last spring. The upheaval prompted President Rumen Radev to say his country was entering a "political, economic and social crisis."

The government's relationship with Moscow is another complication. Bulgaria recently expelled 70 Russian diplomatic staffers over concerns about espionage, prompting the Kremlin to threaten to end diplomatic relations with it.

The same week, Russia's embassy in Sofia posted a fundraising appeal urging Bulgarian citizens to donate their private funds to support the Russian army and its invasion of Ukraine.

Bulgaria's government reacted angrily to Russia's attempt to solicit donations for its war from a NATO country.

"This is scandalous," tweeted Bozhidar Bozhanov, who served as minister of e-government in Petkov's cabinet. "It is not right to use the platform to finance the aggressor."

The embassy also has spread debunked conspiracy theories claiming the U.S. runs secret biolabs in Ukraine. Embassies have become key to Russia's disinformation campaigns, especially since many technology companies have begun restricting Russian state media since the invasion began.

Fake accounts remain a valued part of the arsenal. Researchers at the Disinformation Situation Center uncovered what they believe is a network of fake Facebook accounts pushing Kremlin talking points and disinformation to Bulgarian audiences. The DSC, based in Europe, is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization of disinformation researchers working around the world.

The network, which is still in operation, typically posts criticism of Bulgaria's decision to side with NATO over Russia. "If Bulgarians somewhere in the world have a brotherly people, it is the Russian," read one characteristic post.

Some of the content appeared to gloat over Russia's decision to cut natural gas exports: "Prepare for a dark, cold and hungry winter," the author wrote.

Researchers at the DSC reported the network to Meta, Facebook's parent company. Meta did not respond to messages seeking comment about its decision to leave the network up.

"This network is just a tiny drop in the ocean of pro-Kremlin disinformation in Bulgaria," the DSC wrote, citing one study by a Bulgarian non-governmental organization that found pro-Russian propaganda on popular Bulgarian websites increased 10 times following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Other posts from the account attacked transgender people or featured content about QAnon, the U.S.-origin movement that argues Donald Trump is waging a covert war against satanic cannibals who secretly control world affairs. It's a conspiracy theory that has prompted violence in the U.S., and it's one Russian disinformation agents seem eager to encourage elsewhere.

The operation also sought to do damage control. After a senior Bulgarian official revealed Russia's scheme to pay certain journalists, politicians or other public figures 2,000 euros, or 4,000 Bulgarian leva, for posting pro-Russian content, the Facebook accounts identified by the DSC quickly posted a rebuttal casting Russia's actions as simply those of a benevolent patron looking to support everyday Bulgarians.

"Thank you Mr. Putin for the gesture, but I do not need 4000 leva to like Russia," the anonymous author wrote. "I like her for free."
A new dedicated housing unit for younger inmates of the North Dakota State Penitentiary seeks to better prepare them for life outside of prison.

The initiative began with the goals of helping people rehabilitate and to reduce the number of people who are reincarcerated, said Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Dave Krabbenhoft. The program involves mentors and staff modeling positive behaviors and attitudes.

"Approximately 97% of the people that we have are going to be released in three years, so it makes sense for us to try something so not so many people return to us," Krabbenhoft said. "Right now our recidivism rates are about 40%, which is too high. It's not something that we are satisfied with."

The housing unit, designed for inmates between the ages 18 and 25, gives people such as Ikenna Anugwom more resources, people to look up to and a sense of community. The young adults live with one another and older inmates who were selected to be mentors. There are around 14 mentors and 45 mentees living in the unit.

Anugwom is serving a sentence at the penitentiary for aggravated assault, terrorizing and conspiracy to commit burglary charges. The 21-year-old said the new housing unit is comfortable: he gets more time out of his cell, a chance to bond with other residents and a nicer mattress -- a personal highlight.

Anugwom said staying in the new unit is "a lot better" than staying in general population. He enjoys interacting with mentors and other residents his age who also want to better themselves. He said it is like being "free but not free."

"It's better living," he said. "It feels more like a brotherhood instead of just everybody for themselves."

The housing unit and a communal space was designed by residents and Corrections and Rehabilitation staff members in collaboration with architectural firm Mass Design. It will focus on creating a more restorative environment for residents, Krabbenhoft said. To accomplish this, the unit got a fresh coat of paint and was filled with wooden furniture made by the prison-based Rough Rider Industries. Krabbenhoft said the wooden furniture helps make the facility feel softer and more welcoming compared to the stainless steel that is typically used.

Benjamin Billups, who is serving time for various drug-related charges, lives in the young adult unit and is Anugwom's mentor. He said compared to his other prison experiences over the last 15 years, the new unit feels more humane. He jokingly described it as the "Ritz-Carlton in the NDSP."

"They treat us more like humans than inmates -- were actually residents now," he said. "We work hand-in-hand with the staff so it's a much smoother and easier transition back to the community."

Billups said for him, applying for the mentor position was a chance to make a positive impact on others. As a mentor, he gets to share his knowledge and experiences in resident classes and form positive relationships with his mentees. Billups said he and Anugwom, who he said is now like a nephew to him, get to hang out together often.

Mentor-taught classes include current events, Spanish, native language and culture, self-betterment, mental health and a writing class led by Billups.

"Im trying to use my skills in a positive way instead of tearing down my community," Billups said. "I will be 40 years old this year and I've just spent so much time doing negative things that when this opportunity presented itself, I thought I might as well try it out and it has opened my eyes to a new version of the world."

Both Billups and Anugwom agreed that the housing initiative is beneficial for the young inmates, who they say will now have the needed skills to transition back into their communities in a productive way.

Krabbenhoft said the housing unit, which opened in May, was a collaboration with Restoring Promise, an initiative of the MILPA Collective and the Vera Institute of Justice. He said the department sees the initiative as a step forward in the right direction.

"We can instill a sense of community and give people the opportunity to interact with dignity and respect in our facilities," Krabbenhoft said. "We just felt that that would be a safer environment to operate, not only for our residents, but also our staff and ultimately our community when people leave."
Late North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem's longtime spokeswoman has resigned after records revealed she directed his state email account be deleted the day after his death because of a desire to preclude open records requests.

Current Attorney General Drew Wrigley said he doesn't think Liz Brocker did anything criminally wrong, but a media attorney and the leader of the state Democratic Party say the matter is unfortunate.

Stenehjem, 68, a Republican, died Jan. 28 from cardiac arrest. About 24 hours after announcing his death, Brocker requested Stenehjem's email account be deleted, according to emails obtained Monday by The Bismarck Tribune.

"First thing Monday, could you have Wayne's nd.gov email account shut down and the emails in his in box, in box folders, sent items - deleted," Brocker wrote on Jan. 29 to the office's information technology/criminal justice information services director.

Brocker wrote that she and then-Chief Deputy Attorney General Troy Seibel went in that day and planned to meet the next day. She said she would search for emails Stenehjem's wife, Beth, might want and print them off.

"We want to make sure no one has an opportunity to make an Open Record request for his emails, especially as he kept EVERYTHING. This was approved by Troy," Brocker wrote.

Additional documents requested by the Tribune show that Brocker told the office IT staff that his laptop would be delivered to them "for 'wiping' but to preserve personal information."

The office IT staff moved photos from the laptop onto a drive for Stenehjem's family to use at his Feb. 3 funeral, according to the records, which comprise a timeline.

The attorney general's IT staff submitted a ticket Jan. 31 to the state IT Department to "Please delete Attorney General Stenehjem's email account. The deputy attorney general and his administrative assistant have already reviewed and retained what was needed."

North Dakota Newspaper Association attorney Jack McDonald called the deletion "not a good situation" but said he doesn't think Brocker was attempting to hide "some vital state secret."

"I really doubt whether there was a real intent to violate any law. I think there was just an overzealousness and maybe overprotectiveness," McDonald said.

Only emails pertaining to state business would be public records, according to McDonald. Copies of the deleted emails might still exist with the senders and recipients, he added.

Name emerges

Wrigley and Deputy Claire Ness on Friday said that they learned in early July of Stenehjem's and Seibel's email accounts being deleted while processing a records request for the Tribune related to a $1.8 million construction cost overrun on a leased building in south Bismarck.

Gov. Doug Burgum in February appointed Wrigley to complete the remaining months of Stenehjem's term. Wrigley must win election over Democrat Tim Lamb in November to continue serving beyond 2022.

Seibel resigned in mid-March after Wrigley told him he planned to name his own chief deputy, which Wrigley said was "customary" for changing leadership.

Seibel told the Tribune on Friday that he doesn't recall a conversation about Stenehjem's email account. Seibel also said he had no control over how his email account was handled after he resigned.

He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday on Brocker's late-January emails.

The Tribune emailed Brocker early Monday for comment but received a response that she was not in the office and did not have access to email. The Tribune then asked the Attorney General's Office for information regarding Brocker's status.

Brocker resigned Friday in a letter to Wrigley and Ness, saying, "You have been very understanding and patient as we have worked together during the transition, but I believe we both now recognize that we will not achieve the close working relationship that is vital between the attorney general and his executive assistant."

She had been with the office 21 years.

Her letter did not mention the email situation. But in another letter dated Friday, she outlined how she had full access to Stenehjem's and Seibel's accounts and often handled the former's emails.

"After Wayne's death, during a discussion with Troy, he directed that Wayne's email account should be deleted. I relayed the instruction to IT," Brocker wrote in the letter that Wrigley said was unprompted after a discussion between them.

Wrigley declined to discuss Brocker, saying "the record responses are speaking for themselves."

Deleted accounts

A statement Friday from Wrigley's office said Stenehjem's "entire state email account" was deleted Jan. 31 -- days before his Feb. 3 funeral -- "at the instruction of a nonsupervisory, non-attorney employee of the Attorney Generals Office who stated the action was approved by then-Deputy Attorney General Seibel."

Wrigley said Seibel gave verbal approval to the employee, who relayed it to IT staff.

Seibel's entire email account was deleted May 23 "at the instruction of the same nonsupervisory, non-attorney employee of the Attorney Generals Office," according to the office.

Wrigley on Friday said the deletion was done "without authorization."

Seibel's emails had been "culled through extensively to see whether there were loose ends, some work, some follow-up that needed to be done," a kind of "triaging" that ended after two weeks, concluding with the account's deletion, Wrigley said.

Brocker directed the office IT staff to delete Seibel's account "during an oral conversation and (this) was not authorized by any Attorney General's Office personnel," according to the timeline document.

The record states that office IT staff then submitted a ticket to the IT department to "Please remove the shared mailbox with Liz Brocker and then delete the email account."

That record further outlines that Brocker around July 5 "confirmed she directed the deletion of the email accounts" of Stenehjem and Seibel.

"Ms. Brocker was asked what authority she could offer for ordering the deletion of (Seibel's) account, and she did not provide any," the timeline document states.

Wrigley last week declined to say whether the person who ordered the deletion of the accounts was disciplined, citing an "internal personnel matter," but said he would disclose those details "eventually."

He said he and Ness did express their "surprise and disappointment" to the employee.

Intent?

Wrigley said Friday that the deleted accounts bring no "legal implications" for any pending records requests and no violations of office policy. He said his office will formalize a policy for preserving the emails of the attorney general, deputy and office division directors.

He said he "saw no evidence of what I would call a bad intent or a nefarious intent" in the accounts' deletion. He also said he saw "no indication of anything that would lead me to conclude that there would need to be an outside criminal investigation."

He reiterated that point Monday, saying there were no open records requests at the time of the deletions and no evidence of the deletions being done to hide wrongdoing.

He said his office evaluated "intent elements," and saw nothing to warrant potential criminal charges.

"I don't have any evidence of some nefarious act of wrongdoing," said Wrigley, who declined to elaborate.

He said "this matter is closed from what we know right now."

Democratic-NPL Party Chairman Patrick Hart said in a statement, This isnt a surprise to anyone who has made an open records request from Ms. Brocker in the past, so much so shes earned the nickname Liz Blocker.'

"If we want to see change in our state government we have to start voting for people with integrity, which is something we haven't seen from the GOP in quite some time, Hart said.
South Africa: Government taking steps to address challenges, says President

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated governments assurances that it is taking steps to address all of the challenges the country is facing, including the challenges facing Eskom and rising crime.

He was speaking on Monday on the river bank at the Emlotheni Township at Veeplaas in Gqeberha, where he was leading the national Nelson Mandela Day activities.

Yes, we are currently engulfed by a number of challenges. Some of them are security related and the police are now taking action against a number of pockets of people who are doing wrong things. Be it at Eskom, be it killing people at taverns. All that is now being attended to quite strongly and firmly.

The things that are happening now that are causing people anger, that are causing people anxiety are going to be addressed and are being addressed now as we speak from energy to criminality, to disorderall those matters are being addressed. And I hope that we will be able to restore the fabric of this nation, he said.

Turning to the issues besetting the state power utility, Eskom, President Ramaphosa said he has held several meetings with the top brass of the utility.

The crisis that we are going through now has been caused by a number of factors and you can never really pinpoint one. It is a multiplicity of factors, of missed opportunities or missed actions and we are going to be addressing that. Soon we will have something to say to address the full spectrum of what we are dealing with and how we believe we can deal with it going forward.

I am going to be meeting people in business. I am going to be meeting the trade unions and Im going to be meeting a whole lot of organisations as well so that we bring about an understanding of how we should move forward, he said.

On Mandela Day and its meaning, President Ramaphosa said the day represents a moment where South Africans should reflect on the ideals that the former late President stood for.

Today is a very special day in our annual calendar where we remember the father of our democracy and nation, Nelson Mandela. Where we should remember him is in terms of the values that he stood for and in terms of the work that he did for the vulnerable, the majority of our people.

This is a day where we need to rededicate ourselves to the values that Nelson Mandela stood forand rededicate ourselves to building a South Africa that Nelson Mandela wanted to see, he said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-07-18. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
[July 18, 2022] Global Retail Communications, Collaboration and Contact Center Solutions Markets 2022: Importance of Infrastructure Capabilities when Choosing Enterprise Telephony/Unified Communications Platform

DUBLIN, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Growth Opportunities for Communications, Collaboration and Contact Center Solutions in the Retail Industry" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This study leverages the input of IT decision makers from a global survey conducted by the publisher in November through December 2021, which was analyzed in 2022. Retail sales are an important economic indicator because consumer spending reflects the strength of an economy and its fundamentals. Retailers are expected to invest in transformative technologies to prepare for unexpected events, new emergencies and build resilience. Currently, among the primary focal areas for retailers is to build e-commerce capabilities and support the diverse workforce with unified communications and collaboration (UCC) and contact center technologies.



IT decision maker participants spanned across global regions, and business sizes. The survey focused on the current state of adoption among various unified communications, collaboration and contact center tools, key investment drivers and future investment plans, perceived benefits of those tools, top challenges that retail organizations face, the current and future state of hybrid work, as well as future office and real estate plans.



The retail sector encompasses a rage of business types, from automotive retail; consumer and professional electronics retail; fashion, fitness and personal care; convenience, hyper markets, grocery stores and more. As such, the industry is comprised of a diverse mix of worker roles across back office and frontline staff, including industry-specific and general business roles.



Key Topics Covered:



1 IT/Telecom Decision-maker Survey: Research Objectives and Methodology Research Objectives

Research Methodology

Sample Distribution - Country 2 IT/Telecom Decision-maker Survey: Respondent and Organization Profile Respondent Profie - Decision-Making Authority

Respondent Profile - Familiarity with IT Budget

Respondent Profile - IT/Telecom-Related Purchase Involvement

Organization Profile - Size of Organization

Organization Revenue



3 Market Overview Why Retail? Why Now?

Retail Industry - Definition, Revenue and ICT Spend

Retail Industry Overview - Workforce Characteristics

Disruption in the Retail Industry

Overview of Key Trends in Retail industry

Retail Industry in the Spotlight

Frontline Workers in the Retail Industry 4 Digital Transformation in the Retail Industry

IT/Telecom Decision Maker Perspectives: Digital Transformation Strategies

Impact of Covid-19 on Digital Transformation Strategy and Investments in 2021-2022

Business Goals for Retail Organizations in 2022

COVID-19 Impact on Digital Transformation Objectives in 2022

Employee Engagement Initiatives in 2022

Hurdles in Achieving Digital Transformation Objectives

Digital Transformation Success measurement 5 UCC and Contact Center Adoption in the Retail Industry IT/Telecom Decision-maker Perspectives: UCC and Contact Center Adoption

Usage of UCC and Contact Center Solutions

Usage of UCC and Contact Center Tools

Enterprise Telephony/Business Call Control Environment

Usage of Primary Type of Telephony solution in the Organization

Importance of Infrastructure Capabilities when Choosing Enterprise Telephony/Unified Communications Platform

Selection Criteria for Cloud PBX Solution/Providers

Importance of Purchasing Tangential Capabilities from the Same Provider

Usage of UCC Technologies in Meeting Rooms

Importance of Mobility Features

Usage of Business Communications Services on Mobile/Cellular Devices

Usage of 5G Mobile Devices

Factors Prohibiting Investments in UCC Technologies

Type of Interaction Channels Employed

Technologies Used to Improve Contact Center Performance and Workforce Engagement 6 Frontliner UCC Adoption in the Retail Industry IT/Telecom Decision Maker Perspectives: Frontline Workers

Frontline Workers in Retail Organizations

Perception of Organization's Capabilities to Empower Frontline Workers

Importance of Technology Investment for Frontline Workers by 2024

Technologies Used by Frontline Workers Today

UCC Tools Used by Frontline Workers

Importance of Capabilities for Frontline Workers

Provisioning of Mobile Apps by Worker Type

Provider Selection Criteria for Investing in UCC Solutions for Frontline Workers

Factors Preventing Frontline Workers Empowerment 7 Work from Home and Remote Work in the Retail Industry IT/Telecom Decision Maker Perspectives: Work from Home and Remote Work

Percentage of Employees Working at a Desk and Not Classified as Frontliners

Workforce Working From Home

Covid-19 Impact on Technologies for Remote Workers

IT Challenges in Supporting Remote Work 8 Future Investment Plans in the Retail Vertical IT/Telecom Decision Maker Perspectives: Future Investment Plans

Usage of UCC and Contact Center Solutions in 2023

CX Priorities Over the Next Year

Factors Driving Investments in UCC Solutions by 2023 9 Retail Vertical Industry Trends Best Practices in Delivering Value to Verticals and Frontline Workers

Examples of Vertical Solutions 10 Conclusion For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vibvi2 Media Contact: Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-retail-communications-collaboration-and-contact-center-solutions-markets-2022-importance-of-infrastructure-capabilities-when-choosing-enterprise-telephonyunified-communications-platform-301588103.html SOURCE Research and Markets

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As we come into the final few days of our Beethoven: Idealist. Innovator. Icon exhibition, open until Sunday 24 April, we are concluding our series of Beethoven blog posts with a blog dedicated to Beethovens legacy.

Join us also for our last events celebrating Beethoven on Friday 22 April at 19.00: Beethoven in concert, with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the Bach Choir and on Saturday 23 April at 19.30: Late at the Library: The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble.

Drawing from the rich collection of Beethoven material kept at the Library, the objects on display have given visitors a unique opportunity to experience the composers manuscripts, published scores, notebooks, letters, and personal belongings in the flesh. The immediacy of Beethovens chaotic handwriting shows his creative imagination at work, his personal notebooks reveal an individual troubled by progressive hearing loss, and his letters show that Beethoven was as much an astute businessman as a composer. But whilst the intimacy of these objects gives us access to Beethoven the individual, it remains difficult to gain a single perspective on the composer.

Beethovens image

It is the often-ambiguous image of Beethoven that carries his influence through music, literature, and the visual arts; to frequent adaptations and reinterpretations in popular culture; and that has allowed his music to be appropriated by diverse (often conflicting) political movements since his death. Beethovens image was elusive even during his lifetime. Prints of the composer circulated widely in Europe, and likenesses were contested by his contemporaries and even by Beethoven himself. The exhibition features several depictions of Beethoven that show the changing image of the composer in his life, death, and legacy.

The title image of the exhibition recreates a portrait of Beethoven by Carl Jager (1870). The painting was completed over 40 years after Beethovens death. It shows a highly Romanticised image of the composer with a thoughtful look and swept-back hair. After its completion, an engraved version was printed and distributed by major publisher Frederick Bruckmann who traded in Berlin, Paris, New York and London.

Johann Peter Lysers sheet of Beethoven sketches (1833) include a full-length image of Beethoven in a top hat and coat and one of his head in profile. Although Lyser had never met Beethoven, the lithograph was considered a good likeness and was popular throughout the 19th century. Lyser produced the image from written descriptions of Beethoven but implied its authenticity visually by writing Created after an original drawing below the image and including a copy of Beethovens signature. The British Librarys copy of the print made its way to England via Ignaz Moscheles, co-director of the Philharmonic Society in London, who included it in his autograph book.

Johann Peter Lysers sketches of Beethoven in Ignaz Moscheless album. Zweig MS 215, f.7r

One of the most striking moments in the exhibition are the sketches made by Austrian painter and lithographer Josef Teltscher who attended Beethoven at his deathbed. The two images show a rough sketch of the deathbed scene (right) and a touched-up version (left). Teltschers depictions sit on the boundary of Beethovens life and legacy. The rough sketch on the left shows a stark representation of Beethovens death, departing life with fists clenched, hair dishevelled, and face grimaced, whilst on the right we are presented with an image of Beethoven at rest, his softened facial features and pillow detail remarkably peaceful in contrast. Between these two images we see the Romanticisation of Beethoven in process: the immediate observations of the artists preliminary sketch followed by the idealised reconstructed image, perhaps ready for reproduction in paint or print.



Josef Teltschers sketches of Beethoven on his deathbed. Zweig MS 207, f.1v-2r.

At the centre of the final section of the exhibition on Beethovens legacy sits a bust of Beethoven, copied from one sculpted by Johann Nepomuk Schaller (1777-1842). The bust presents the Romantic image of Beethoven in full swing. His swept back hair, classical attire, and piercing look form one of the most recognisable images of the composer today. The bust was donated to the Philharmonic Society in 1870 and has featured at every Society concert since 1871. The Society have adopted this image of Beethoven as 'a symbol of enduring musical excellence', and use the image for their prestigious gold medal.

Plaster bust of Beethoven from one sculpted by Johann Nepomuk Schaller (17771842). British Library Board, BLWA 43. Photography by Justine Trickett

Since the production of contemporary prints, the deathbed sketch, and Schallers iconic bust, Beethovens image has become ubiquitous in popular culture, reimagined in the screen prints of Andy Warhol (1987) and in Terry Adkins Synapse (2004) as part of his Black Beethoven series.

Legacy section

The legacy section of the exhibition provides a glimpse of the myriad ways Beethoven has influenced art, politics, and popular culture over the past two hundred years. Visitors are invited to contemplate the adoption of Beethovens music by a diverse range of political movements, his influence on countless composers, writers, and visual artists, and how his music and image have frequently found their way into popular culture.

A pamphlet of Wartime Songs from the BBC (1944) broadcast to Nazi-occupied France sees Beethovens music playing a part in the V for Victory campaign during the Second World War; May Byrons romanticised fictional account of the composers daily life (1910) show his image being adopted into popular literature; Charles Schulzs yearly celebration of Beethovens Birthday in his Peanuts cartoons brought Beethoven to a younger audience; and the Voyager Golden Record sees Beethovens music sent drifting out into deep space.

Charles Schulz highlighting Beethovens birthday in Its a Dogs Life, Charlie Brown. A New Peanuts book (1962). X.429/1504

The Golden Record which included the first movement of Beethovens Fifth Symphony and the Cavatina movement from the String Quartet in B flat major (opus 130). 1ss0013021

There are only a few days left to experience this Beethoven material on display, until the exhibition itself becomes part of Beethovens legacy. But the items on show only scratch the surface of the Beethoven material available at the library, and readers will be able to explore Beethoven through the rich physical and digital collections that have made this exhibition possible.

Dominic Bridge, Collaborative PhD student, University of Liverpool and British Library
There were 376 cops lurking around last month's mass shooting of children and teachers at an elementary school un Uvalde, Texas, just one more grim fact reported in the Texas House's probe into the incident. Even the political hackwork intended to spread blame can't avoid damning them for "systemic failures and egregious poor decision making."

In total, 376 law enforcement officers  a force larger than the garrison that defended the Alamo  descended upon the school in a chaotic, uncoordinated scene that lasted for more than an hour. The group was devoid of clear leadership, basic communications and sufficient urgency to take down the gunman, the report says. Notably, the investigation is the first so far to criticize the inaction of state and federal law enforcement, while other reports and public accounts by officials have placed the blame squarely on Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police Chief Pete Arredondo for his role as incident commander and other local police who were among the first to arrive.

The thick blue agglomeration.

Correction: 376, not "nearly 400". Replaced New York Post citation with one from Texas Tribune.
A University at Buffalo aerospace engineering team has invented a stingray-shaped planetary exploration spacecraft that is being backed by NASA in hopes it will eventually fly  to Venus.

The inflatable airship dubbed BREEZE  short for Bio-inspired Ray for Extreme Environments and Zonal Exploration  is designed to visit a planet whose scorching surface and dense, acidic atmosphere are extremely hostile to exploration.

Venus is hard to study because its surface is like an oven and its atmosphere is 90 times denser than Earths, said Ron Turner, senior science adviser for the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Program, a NASA grant program whose slogan is Changing the Possible.

The BREEZE research team led by professor Javid Bayandor received an initial Phase I grant of $125,000 from NIAC in 2019 and just won $600,000 in Phase II funding to continue developing a flyer that can steer through a layer of Venus corrosive atmosphere that may hold significant data but wont destroy the exploration vehicle.

BREEZE offers a way to orbit Venus in a layer of atmosphere thats almost earthlike, above the caustic layer where sunlight doesnt penetrate to the surface, Turner said. So its a more benign layer, but it may have traces of chemicals that could indicate a kind of life that could live in these clouds.

BREEZE is the second project from Bayandors lab at UBs School of Engineering and Applied Sciences to be accepted into Phase II of NIAC in recent years. His mechanical and aerospace engineering lab is also working on a planetary probe that could deploy a heat shield to collect data from the volatile Venusian surface.

Bayandors lab has made UB the first SUNY school to be accepted into NIACs ranks. Most grant programs call their award recipients principal investigators,  Turner said. NIAC calls them fellows, because they are brought into a fellowship of their comrades who have also gotten this elite award.

Securing the highly competitive and prestigious NIAC Phase II means a great deal to our team of students and researchers, showing that the study and the work they perform matter, Bayandor said. Their work could have a significant impact on future explorations of our solar system as well as research and education in the fields of engineering and science.

The influx of NASA funding also impacts UBs goal of meeting Gov. Kathy Hochuls challenge to attract $1 billion in research funding by 2030.

UB currently brings in about $430 million per year in research funding, about 25% via the engineering school. But UB is on a quest to double that with help from increased federal grant opportunities through President Bidens Build Back Better initiative; Hochuls designation of UB as a flagship state university, which is getting a new engineering hub; and UBs mission to become a top 25 public research university.

NIAC is extremely competitive because it welcomes early stage ideas from anyone, from the research community to garage inventors as a first step to turning todays science fiction concepts into tomorrows real space missions, Turner said.

About 200 NIAC applications a year get boiled down to 16 that receive initial funding. Of those, about a third go on to Phase II, Turner said.

Phase III of NIAC is possible, but it is reserved for Phase II projects that may be this close to being adopted as missions, but without another round of funding they will be less likely to bridge that valley of death, Turner said. When our fellows win Phase I funding, we tell them, Dont plan on Phase III. 

NIAC project topics are all over the solar system  including Earths moon  and so are the ideas being explored in Bayandors UB lab, whose full name is Crashworthiness for Aerospace Structures and Hybrids (CRASH) Lab.

A team of UB CRASH Lab students recently won first place in the 2022 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Regional Student Conference for its concept mission to Jupiter, which would design spacecraft to survive crushing atmosphere, extreme temperatures and winds up to 400 mph. Other UB teams are exploring how to obtain ice core samples on Mars and extract oxygen from the moons surface on a lunar visit.

But the hottest topic in the solar system may be Venus. The second rock from the sun is of special interest to scientists because it is similar to Earth in size, average density, mass and surface gravity.

Venus is often referred to as Earths twin. Turner said it is more like Earths evil twin or Earth gone bad  which, from a climate change standpoint, we want to know why.

Venus surface reaches 900 degrees and its atmosphere contains thick clouds of sulfuric acid. The last NASA craft to visit the planet, the Magellan space probe, orbited and mapped the planets surface using radio waves before entering the atmosphere and burning up in 1994.

Venus sweltering surface has rough, jagged terrain, active volcanoes and torrential winds  and how it evolved may shed light on Earths future, Bayandor said. A day on Venus lasts as long as a year on Earth, so a large portion of the planet  the dark side  stays hidden from view for long periods.

Bayandor started exploring how to get a birds-eye view of Venus years ago, and NASAs involvement is putting his UB graduate, post-graduate and even undergraduate students to work making the idea mission-worthy.

Bayandor said the most important thing for a lay person to know about BREEZE is that it is bioinspired. Not just its manta ray shape, but its propulsion and control systems are based on stingray motion, with wings that flap like a rays fins to maintain the crafts control and efficiency while carrying instruments to gather data and solar panels to power them.

This is inspired by nature, highlighting the fact that nature has much to teach us, Bayandor said, and this enriching knowledge can be extrapolated and applied in ways previously unimagined.

BREEZE is a versatile flyer that can be used in many environments with sufficient atmosphere for all sorts of applications, Bayandor said.

But specifically for Venus, Earths sister planet, exploring the planet, mapping its surface through its thick acidic clouds as well as analyzing its atmospheric constituents can help us better understand the origin and evolutionary journey of our own Earth, he said, as well as providing insight into the burning question of the existence of microorganism life in the Venusian atmosphere.

As for what it will look like, the team has yet to finalize the design and configuration for the Venus explorer, but early calculations indicate a wingspan of around 30 meters (32 yards) would be suitable for the type of science payload that needs to be carried by BREEZE, Bayandor said.

The next steps for BREEZE will be to develop an early Earth prototype  with about a 4-meter wingspan  for open-air trials.

We are also making some small desktop models with wingspans of up to one meter to better understand the behavior of the flyer, Bayandor said. Based on that, we can assess our modeling techniques and refine the next versions of BREEZE, and improve the systems used for control and propulsion.
Rare indeed is the restaurant that holds the key to unlocking its treasures in its very name.

"Compass Run is named after chef and co-owner James Roberts' childhood memories of running foggy pre-dawn routes in a bayou boat with only a compass for guidance, read the restaurants announcement, written by a seasoned marketing professional named Connie Roberts, his wife and business partner in Compass Run and Toutant, their Ellicott Street restaurant.

En route to fishing, shrimping and hunting in the Louisiana Delta and marshes, Roberts learned to trust the compass from his father and grandfather, who would count the turns between landmarks to navigate the water when fog descended.

Compass Runs menu zigzags across the landscape of Louisiana but also the world of Roberts hunger. If you trust his compass, its the trip of a lifetime.

There's Cajun classics like fried catfish and boudin balls, but also a raw seafood crudo. Cajun cuisine doesnt celebrate raw fish, but Roberts does, and the result is breathtaking. Domino-thick slices of yellowtail ($16) were stacked waiting for swiping through tomatillo and smoked fresno chile sauces, blessed with coriander blossoms.

Omnivorous but with a distinct appetite for seafood, Compass Run delivers pristine shrimp, fish, oysters and more with a level of precise care that approaches reverence.

Let the Good Livin platter ($26) take you to the church of fresh seafood.

Four jumbo poached shrimp, four raw oysters, a split poached lobster tail, housemade cocktail sauce and mignonette, plus fresh shredded horseradish are bedded on a tray of ice. Custom hot sauces Loup Garou (green glow) and Suzumebachi (habanero-based, one drop is enough) are there for your imagination.

As a person who prefers shrimp to lobster, Compass Runs tasty waterbugs are Crustacean Cuisine Hall of Fame material. Jumbo only describes size, not provenance. Here they are from the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana if possible. Bottom-dollar shrimp farmed on the other side of the world are the Yellowtail Cabernet Sauvignon of the species, while these are the Grand Cru Bordeaux. These are trophy shrimp, worthy of hanging on your mantel.

Eating one, I experienced a new sensation, at 55 years of age. For the sake of preserving that perfect shrimp moment, I wanted to stop eating right there.

Oysters, from Prince Edward Island, were cool, briny swallows of ocean, punctuated as desired with the crunchy zing of fresh grated horseradish root.

The Captains Platter ($28) is the fried seafood spread of expertly cornmeal-coated and fried catfish fingers and more of those trophy shrimp. Theres crispy-fried smashed potatoes and tartar sauce jacked with dill pickles and herbs, to boot.

Warm buttered buns ($10) speckled with sesame seeds and accompanied by honey butter, are the perfect hello. Pork belly burnt ends ($12) offset the meltingly luscious fat with pickled Fresno chiles.

How can Compass Run please? Let me count the ways.

Roasted poblano mac and cheese ($10), with charred chiles and biscuit crumble, was voted All-Star honors by tablemates, a highlight in their lifetime mac-and-cheese ledger. Diners can add crawfish or pork belly, but this gorgeously lactic lily needs no gilding.

Nationally honored Bentons country ham ($10), an all-American prosciutto cousin, arrived with grapefruit marmalade and housemade mustard. A humbler hit was bouillon mushrooms ($6), button mushrooms in an addictive spicy broth.

Roasted local beets ($11), with their greens, basil, stracciatella cheese and icewine tomato vinegar, extended the record of keeping a thoughtful seasonal dish on the menu.

A smoked half chicken ($24), atop sweet corn grits, drizzled with white Alabama barbecue sauce, was the surprise stunner of the night. Deeply smoky yet lushly moist chicken is rare already, but finding it married to fresh corn and slow-burn house-pickled chiles was thrilling all the way down to the bones.

Another wide-ranging specialty that lands at Compass Run is the Oklahoma-style smashburger ($16), griddled over steamed onions. Its grass-fed Plato Dale beef reminded my guests of when hamburgers tasted like beef. The bun, house-baked, of course, didnt hurt.

Its worth noting that Compass Run is a highly accessible restaurant, unlike Toutant, which has staircase issues. But Compass Run does share its sister restaurants standard of menus clearly marked to guide the gluten avoidant, right down to the dessert card.

The sweets lineup at Compass Run is another exhibit in my ongoing case against not telling customers about dessert choices up front. Here, desserts ($8) should be contemplated before eating, because later, you might be full, and then sad.

Our visit found Thorpes blueberries in the buckle. Bananas Foster brought carefully bruleed bananas over ice cream and a caramel bourbon sauce tableside pour-over. A bourbon praline collaboration with Lake Effect Ice Cream ($5) is worthwhile, and then theres pie of the day.

With all of the American heartland cooking landscape covered by Roberts zigs and zags, the shortest distance between you and satisfaction just might be a Compass Run.

Location: 500 Seneca St., compassrunbuffalo.com, 716-322-6004

Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday

Prices: small plates, $6-$15; entrees, $18-$38

Atmosphere: muted buzz

Parking: lot

Wheelchair accessible: yes

Gluten-free: many choices, on clearly marked menu

Outdoor dining: no, but interior patio
A baby boy was born in a Niagara County Jail cell Saturday evening as an ambulance rushed to the scene, the jails top administrator said Monday.

Within 30 to 40 minutes from the incarcerated individual saying they were having some pains, there was a baby born, Chief Daniel N. Greenwald said. So it happened extremely quickly.

He said the mother and the infant are now doing fine in a local hospital, which he refused to specify.

With the jails medical staff tending to her, the mother gave birth weeks before the due date, Greenwald said.

The mother is still considered in custody and, without a court order, will eventually be returned to her cell, Greenwald said. He said the woman has arranged for someone to care for the baby until she is freed.

Records show the mother is in her early 30s, was booked into the jail in the middle of May and is awaiting court action. Her Facebook page shows her as a devoted mother to her other children. A family member asked that her name not be used to spare her from the public eye.

Its not uncommon for jails and prisons to hold expectant mothers. A study by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that 4% of women who entered a prison in the United States from 2016-17 were pregnant. Other studies, stressing the need for better care for pregnant inmates, found that they have higher rates of miscarriage, preterm infants and infants who are small for their gestational age, as compared to women in the general population.

Lawsuit: Niagara Jail medical team refused to believe inmate's sore backside was due to bullet wound Germaine V. Brown is suing the county, its Sheriffs Office and PrimeCare Medical, a Pennsylvania company hired to provide medical, dental and mental health care at the jail.

It is less common for births to occur in jails, which lack the resources hospitals have to respond to complications during delivery. In examining reproductive health care in New Yorks jails, the New York Civil Liberties Union reminded jail administrators that state law requires them to timely transport expectant mothers to appropriate facilities for labor and delivery.

Niagara County contracts with PrimeCare Medical Inc. for the jails medical care. Though the company has had peaks and valleys in its care of the countys inmates, it helped the Niagara County facility earn accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.

She was being seen regularly by our OB-GYN, so she was being cared for, Greenwald said of the woman who gave birth Saturday. But as I said, the baby came quick. We had the right people on, he said of the medical staff and jail employees who assisted with the delivery.

It certainly wasnt normal, Greenwald said. Not that we havent had mothers have a baby while theyve been here in custody. But they generally have them in the hospital. This one didnt work out that way.
Hamburg town police are looking for at least three suspects who stole 16 cars from West Herr Toyota on Southwestern Boulevard late Friday night or early Saturday morning.

"It occurred over several hours," said Capt. Nicholas Ugale.

The suspects pulled up to the dealership at 4141 Southwestern in a silver Dodge pickup that had been reported stolen from Akron. Two individuals pried open one of the overhead doors leading to the repair shop.

"They crawled underneath and gained access to the repair shop," Ugale said.

The cars in the shop had keys with them, and four cars were taken from the repair shop.

"Then they proceed to break into the lock box that contained the keys and fobs to the vehicles that were outside in the lot," Ugale said.

They took 12 vehicles from the lot late Friday into early Saturday morning. Then they returned to the same lot Saturday night but were interrupted by a West Herr employee.

Thirteen of the vehicles have been recovered, six in Hamburg and seven in Buffalo.

"They weren't damaged. I think they just put them wherever they could get them," Ugale said.

The suspects wore masks, hats and gloves.

Sometimes vandals jack up cars in a dealership lot and take the tires. Other suburbs have seen an increase in theft of vehicles, including East Aurora, which experienced a rash of stolen cars earlier this month.

"It's a common element, it's been going on I'd say for at least the past year," he said. "It's never gone to this extent."

Ugale said authorities are still examining security video.
A Buffalo man pleaded guilty Monday to attempted assault during a road rage incident, according to Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn.

Prosecutors said Orlando Oquendo-Torres, 31, fired a handgun several times at a motorist he did not know, causing the victim to crash his vehicle as he fled.

At about 8:16 a.m. July 17, 2021, Amherst police responded to a report of shots fired on Mona Drive and found the victim outside of his car. The victim told police that Oquendo-Torres pulled up alongside his vehicle and began firing shots at him. As the victim attempted to duck bullets and flee, he crashed into a tree, according to authorities.

The victim was not injured by gunfire but suffered minor injuries from the collision. Investigators found a bullet in the trunk of the victim's car and shelling casings on the street.

Five days later, police arrested Oquendo-Torres, calling the event a "suspected road rage incident."

Oquendo-Torres pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree attempted assault before Supreme Court Justice ;Paul B. Wojtaszek.

He is being held in custody without bail and faces a maximum of 15 years in prison as a second violent felony offender. His sentencing is set for Sept. 1.
School superintendents around the state have pushed for years for an increase in the amount of unrestricted fund balance  or money in the bank  they can have on hand.

State law requires them to have no more than 4% of the budget total in unrestricted fund balance, to provide cash flow to meet unexpected expenses.

A bill in the State Legislature would raise that amount to 8%.

And if it was 8%, school districts like Clarence Central would not have drawn rebukes from state auditors. An audit released this week concluded Clarence collected more taxes than needed to fund its operations the last four years.

It's a common finding of audits by the state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, whose office mentioned the same finding in a recent audit of the Cattaraugus-Little Valley School District.

Districts responded that they budget conservatively to cover unexpected costs.

School budgets must plan for known expenses, such as staffing and facilities costs, said Clarence Superintendent Matthew T. Frahm.

But the amount of some expenses, such as health care and special education, often don't become clear until after the budget is approved, he said.

A budget is "your best bet on what costs are going to be for the coming year," said Frahm, who was not with the district for much of the audit period.

Surplus above the 4% mark can be used to reduce taxes or put into reserve funds. Clarence kept more than 4% of surplus instead of putting it into reserve accounts, he said. School officials told auditors the district routinely overestimated expenses and maintained surplus over the limit.

"The business administrator and two board members told us that they believed budgeting in this manner would protect taxpayers from sudden and significant tax increases," the audit stated.

The Clarence audit covered the period from July 1, 2018 to Feb. 16, which included the Covid-19 pandemic when New York State threatened to cut state aid in the middle of the budget year.

"It's been really difficult to budget with a high degree of accuracy," Frahm said.

"The near-term funding outlook for schools is hard to predict but we can anticipate that, once federal stimulus aid is exhausted, hard choices will face state and school district leaders," the New York State Council of School Superintendents said in support of raising the 4% limit. "Schools need additional financial tools to manage potentially difficult years ahead."

"Most school officials think that 4% is too low," Frahm said.

He noted that Clarence has stayed at or below the tax cap and has one of the lowest tax rates in Western New York.

Frahm said the district will create a corrective action plan that likely will include a long-term plan to address reserve funds.
Eleven days before a racist gunman rampaged through a Buffalo supermarket on May 14, Rep. Chris Jacobs joined a group of Second Amendment advocates in rural West Falls to film an ad for his re-election campaign.

The hunters and gun rights backers he consistently supported as a Second Amendment champion volunteered their help that morning, and the Republican congressman from Orchard Park even sported a shotgun for a crew filming for television this fall.

The ad will never run.

After 10 Black Buffalonians were killed in the Jefferson Avenue Tops Markets, Jacobs began to see the world differently. According to many of those who know him best, as well as the congressman himself, the tragedy affected him in a profound way  enough for him to reject his past alliance with the National Rifle Association and its absolute rejection of gun control measures, and ultimately, to end his political career.

Friends and associates say that to win a tough primary for Congress in 2020, Jacobs  a longtime moderate who began his public service career working for then-Housing Secretary Jack Kemp  assumed a new political persona in New York State's most conservative congressional district: that of an acolyte of then-President Donald Trump. In return, he received a "complete and total endorsement" from the then-president that many believe guaranteed his election.

But following the killings at Tops and in a Texas elementary school, Jacobs announced on May 27 he would join House Democrats and seek a ban on assault weapons. The disclosure stunned all who knew him, prompting Republican and Conservative leaders to immediately demand his removal from the congressional race. Several sources close to him say the announcement amounted to "political suicide."

A few days later, Jacobs withdrew his candidacy, again surprising those around him. Party chairmen were flabbergasted. So was his campaign manager, his immediate family, and even his wife  Martina  according to several sources. Yet some were recognizing a change in Jacobs, a desire to escape Washington's bitter partisanship, and in the gun issue, maybe a "way out."

"Why else would you do that unless deep down you are not happy with the situation?" asked Erie County Conservative Chairman Ralph C. Lorigo. "Was this his way out? Yes. I don't think he was happy there."

But that's not how Jacobs sees it. In an interview, he said his departure was about one thing only: the breach between him and the many Second Amendment absolutists in the largely suburban and rural district he had planned to represent.

"After Tops, I really was struggling with this," he said. "It just made me think about the issue of these military-grade firearms."

Jacobs said he started asking people he respected, including from a local gun rights group known as 1791 Society, why semiautomatic rifles should be legal.

"They're very knowledgeable, but when it came to that issue, it just seemed like a blind spot," Jacobs said. "Their rationale seemed empty to me. It didn't ring true to me."

Not 'conservative enough'

Jacobs, 55, has never needed a political job to survive. As the wealthy scion of the family that founded Delaware North Cos., he could have pursued his real estate development career without the partisanship now dominating Washington. Jack O'Donnell, a Democratic lobbyist and longtime friend, said Jacobs nevertheless deftly advanced through his local and state positions. As a Republican in a Democratic Senate district, O'Donnell noted, Jacobs not only succeeded but thrived.

"Chris built a powerful brand as a moderate, reasonable Republican," he said, "and there's not a lot of that in either party these days. He is a thoughtful politician, and I think Chris has really tried hard to get the right answers.

But then the congressional candidate found himself in a GOP primary field chock-full of arch-conservatives. He began leaning to the right  and won Trump's support in the process. Even so, Washington's conservative funding groups like the Club for Growth not only passed on helping in 2020, but savaged him in the process.

Its 2020 ads painted him as a never-Trumper with a history of supporting liberal policies  even though an independent PolitiFact analysis labeled the claims false.

Lorigo and his Conservatives backed attorney Beth A. Parlato in 2020, deeming Jacobs not "conservative enough."

"As much as I like him, he wasn't cut out for that district  the reddest in New York State," Lorigo says now. "I had to go with Beth, though Chris was able to overcome it because of Trump."

A West Falls production

Frank J. Panasuk, president of the 1791 Society, recalls recording the pro-gun ad for Jacobs just a few days before the Tops shooting. The congressman requested the gun group's help, he said, resulting in their West Falls meeting for a campaign event that loomed as important to Jacobs.

"It was quite the production. We were there for hours," Panasuk said, listing a camera crew, lighting people and a makeup person all assisting in the effort.

To hear Jacobs tell it, that video shoot was a reflection of his thinking on the gun issue at the time.

"I view myself as a Second Amendment supporter," he said. "In the rural communities that I represented the last couple years, hunting is very much part of their culture: fathers taking their sons and teaching them about hunting and conservation as their fathers did for them. Conservation clubs and gun clubs are part of the social fabric there. So you know, that was the kind of line of that ad."

Panasuk said Jacobs supported gun rights ever since issuing pistol permits as county clerk, and it seemed natural to return the favor. But in only a matter of days, Panasuk and other gun enthusiasts could barely fathom the news that Jacobs would now join Democratic efforts to ban assault weapons.

"He always consulted with us; asked us for help," he said. "But then he turned around and stabbed us in the back."

'Is nowhere safe for us?'

But to Jacobs, calling for an assault weapons ban was all about standing up for his friends in Buffalo, his family and law enforcement.

"What happened in Buffalo profoundly affected me," he said. "It was profound in terms of friends, mostly colleagues from the school board and how they were suffering because of those that they knew that had been lost. And there was a real sense of: 'Is nowhere safe for us, you know, that can't go to the supermarket?' "

Then, just days after the Buffalo shooting, 19 fourth-graders and two teachers were slaughtered in a Uvalde, Texas, classroom, prompting Jacobs to think of his own two young daughters.

Around the same time, Jacobs had a conversation with a police officer that helped seal his decision that semiautomatic weapons don't belong on the streets. That officer said that even though the officers that responded to the Tops shooting were wearing body armor, the shooter's high-power rifle, with a high-capacity magazine, could have done grave damage to them if he had decided to keep shooting instead of surrendering.

"You know, that just floored me," Jacobs said.

With all of that in mind, Jacobs announced his newfound stance on gun control after a May 27 news conference with the pro-gun Republican candidate for governor of New York, Rep. Lee Zeldin. Jacobs said in the interview that he didn't tell anyone about his decision: not his political advisers, not his staff, not even his wife.

"I'm a person that certainly on the whole loves to get as many opinions on things, but there's some times, I think, that you just have to digest things individually and come to your conclusion without external noise," he said.

Company that sold Tops gunman body armor left controversial digital trail According to his online diary, Payton Gendron and Cory Clark  the customer service lead for the Iowa-based body armor manufacturer RMA Armament  interacted over a period of months on both the public social media site Reddit and in a private chatroom for hardcore weapons enthusiasts.

'He needed to vote his conscience'

Some of the congressman's closest friends and advisers now acknowledge that Jacobs faced no other option but to exit from this year's race. He faced no intraparty opposition before his decision, they note, but any attempt to defend his new position was guaranteed to fail.

Former Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, knows the congressional turf to which Jacobs planned to move from his own days representing much of the area in the Assembly. Few other issues, he says, surpass gun rights in importance.

"Second Amendment rights are like a sacred part of life in these communities  you're almost born with it," the Springville native said. "I'm a Second Amendment guy; it's part of my being."

Long a mentor to Jacobs, Reynolds said he witnessed his protege drift rightward in Congress, more than when Jacobs represented much of the City of Buffalo in the State Senate. It all changed on May 27.

"I believe he came to the conclusion he needed to vote his conscience on certain aspects of gun control," he said. "And as someone from Buffalo and Orchard Park, he knew some of those people senselessly murdered at Tops."

More political reality entered the calculus. Jacobs was looking to assume the bulk of retiring Rep. Tom Reed's district in the Southern Tier. Now he faced the daunting task of explaining his newfound conscience in a district where gun rights are sacrosanct  and where Jacobs is virtually unknown.

"Chris Jacobs had people forming an opinion of him before they actually had a chance to form an opinion of him," Reynolds said.

Jacobs, too, knew it would be an ugly battle for him to try to keep his seat in a district so vehemently pro-gun.

"I probably could have made it through, but it would have been an incredibly divisive campaign with a lot outside money," he said. "And you know, I just didn't think that was good for a productive dialogue on this issue."

'We would have organized'

Anthony H. Gioia, the veteran Republican fundraiser, former ambassador to Malta, and longtime Jacobs family friend, calls the gun issue "the unfortunate blind spot for so many Republicans at a time when the country faces so many serious, serious problems."

Did the move offer a "way out?"

"I don't know if that's true," Gioia said. "I assume he thought he had a right to say that without being drummed out of the party. He's a very moral guy who wanted to do the right thing for the right reasons, and to lose that kind of voice in Congress is a real shame."

Other Republicans lament Jacob's exit from the House after only one term. They praise his quick grasp of agricultural issues, his adherence to other core GOP principles and his past defense of Trump. But not even his staunchest supporters believe he could survive the vote to ban assault weapons.

"We would have organized," said Panasuk of the 1791 Society. "If gun owners tolerated what he said and did, what's the sense of standing for the Second Amendment?"

Others say Jacobs could still survive politically, maybe in an executive post like county executive, but never in a body that requires more votes on guns.

"There is no question in my mind he is an honorable person," said Lorigo, the Conservative chairman, adding he told Jacobs he could support him for county executive next year.

"I told him: I would have no problem endorsing you for county executive. I think you would be perfect for it," Lorigo said. "That's how we left it."

Back to Buffalo and the private sector

O'Donnell, the Democratic lobbyist and Jacobs friend, believes Jacobs will continue in some capacity of public service.

"I think he feels called to serve and that he's part of the community," he said. "Exactly what that looks like and when it is, I don't know."

For now, though, Jacobs plans to return to his real estate development company. He and his family will move back to Buffalo, to the house they never sold, where his daughters will be nearer to their grandmother and the rest of their family.

Will he ever run for office again?

"I never say never, but right now I'm kind of excited to go to the private sector," he said.

And he does so thinking still of Kemp, who represented a different kind of Republican Party at a different time: one where leaders pushed first and foremost for broadening economic opportunity, while leaving a little leeway for members to chart their own path on other issues.

"I would have loved to continue to serve for a while more, and again, it was an honor to serve in the district Jack Kemp served," Jacobs said. "But I also hope that the likes of Jack Kemp would be proud that I took a stand on a major issue of our time, and that is that we need to get more measured in terms of our Second Amendment rights, balancing that with safety."
ROSEDALE, Md.  Rain pouring down all around him, Tom Perez bounded from townhouse to townhouse in this working-class Baltimore suburb that he likened to Lackawanna, and he did so armed with a sales pitch: that he was the "get stuff done" Democrat who would be the best next governor of his adopted home state.

His ever-so-slight Buffalo accent and much-advertised passion for the Bills not withstanding, Perez  a Snyder native who's lived in Montgomery County, Md., for decades  received warm greetings from the people he met here in Ravens country on a dreary Saturday earlier this month. And an older couple that answered one of his door knocks seemed especially engaged in what he had to say.

"Tell your friends to vote," he told them, beaming. "We want to make sure we restore great schools ... and safety and jobs and sanity."

"Sanity! That's what we need!" replied the woman at the door.

"Not Hannity  sanity!" replied Perez, a proud progressive who just couldn't help but take a dig at the popular Fox News host Sean Hannity.

So it goes on the campaign trail with Perez, a live-wire campaigner with a loaded resume who, at age 60, is waging a spirited race for the highest office he has ever sought. He is one of three leading candidates in a 10-person field for the Democratic primary to replace a popular term-limited Republican incumbent, Gov. Larry Hogan, in one of the nation's bluest states.

The primary is Tuesday, and the polls and pundits say one of three Democrats is likely to win:

Perez, a Harvard-educated civil rights lawyer, former U.S. and Maryland labor secretary and former Democratic National Committee chairman.

Wes Moore, 43, an Army veteran, businessman and nonprofit executive.

Peter Franchot, 74, who has served as Maryland's comptroller for the past 16 years.

Perez, not surprisingly, said he's the best choice. Over sandwiches at a bar and grill blocks from where he was campaigning, he said his depth and breadth of experience set him apart.

"I always talk about how I'm part of the GSD wing of the Democratic Party," he said. "I get stuff done."

He is by no means alone in thinking that. Perez's track record prompted both the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post to endorse him.

Perez "is by far the most qualified and battle-tested of the candidates," the Sun wrote.

The Post, meanwhile, lauded Perez for bolstering protections for immigrants and the LGBTQ community, as well as for cracking down on police brutality while serving at the Justice Department.

"None of the candidates can match Mr. Perezs track record or command of governing," the Post wrote. "Few candidates in Marylands history, or the countrys, would enter a governors office so well prepared."

To hear Perez tell it, he is now prepared to bring big change to Maryland. Saying the state "punches under its weight" in many ways, he has offered a detailed platform that aims to make the state a green-energy leader while preparing for the ravages that climate change might wreak on the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean coastlines.

"I'm running for governor because I think there's a tremendous set of opportunities here to help people, to help create good jobs, to build a clean energy economy," he said. "We lost manufacturing here just like in Buffalo, and we have an opportunity to replace those good union jobs with the union clean energy jobs. ... And when you have 3,100 miles of coastline, you're on the frontlines of climate change. And you know, we have to address that."

If he were to win both Tuesday's primary and the November election, Perez would take the helm of what is, on paper, the nation's wealthiest state  but one with a troubled city at its core. Baltimore's homicide rate was the nation's second highest in 2019, and the number of killings there has fallen only slightly in more recent years.

Perez aims to counter that trend by working with all levels of government, including his longtime contacts in the Justice Department. In addition, he was the first candidate to sign a memorandum of understanding with African-American faith leaders in the city calling for greater state investment in their community.

"There's too many people who are not benefiting from the aggregate prosperity that exists here," Perez said.

Perez's message seems to be resonating. Eight points behind Franchot in an early June Baltimore Sun poll, Perez was only two points behind two weeks later in a Goucher College poll conducted in partnership with the Baltimore Banner and WYPR public radio.

Perez's promise to "get stuff done" appeals to a wide swath of Democratic voters from progressives to those more in the middle, said Mileah Kromer, director of the Sarah T. Hughes Center for Politics at Goucher College. And as a former U.S. and state labor secretary who touts that he worked on a garbage truck in Buffalo to pay for college, Perez has won the vast majority of labor endorsements throughout the state.

"The unions are huge here," Kromer said. "The union folks get door-knockers out, boots on the ground. So it's no wonder that he's been climbing."

But Franchot and Moore have huge assets in the race that Perez doesn't have. Having won four statewide races, Franchot has unmatched name recognition. And Moore is a charismatic African American from Baltimore with an endorsement from a longtime friend named Oprah Winfrey.

With three strong candidates and several others  including former New York State education commissioner and U.S. education secretary John King  mired in the single digits, political pros say the Democratic primary is difficult to read.

"If anybody tells you they know what's going to happen, they don't  and if they do tell you they know what's going to happen, they're lying," said Yvette Lewis, who chairs the Maryland Democratic Party.

What's more, no one will know the winner on primary night. Under state law, absentee ballots can't be counted until the Thursday after the primary. And that Lewis said that count will take a while, which is why the party didn't schedule a kickoff rally with its new gubernatorial nominee until Aug. 1.

Republicans, meanwhile, have a neck-and-neck primary of their own between Dan Cox, a conservative state legislator endorsed by former President Donald Trump, and state Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz, a moderate allied with Hogan.

For now, though, Perez is focusing on winning his own primary  which is why he effusively thanked the couple dozen door-knockers who joined him in the pouring rain just east of Baltimore.

"I think when you knock on a door on a crappy day like today, people really appreciate that because they see you must have a passion for that candidate," he told them, adding: "This is what we call a typical day where I grew up."
CCTV: John Bolton, former White House national security adviser, said earlier in an interview that he had helped plan coups in foreign countries. There are media reports saying that it is very common for the US to instigate coups in other countries. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: I noted that when this former senior US official mentioned his experience planning coups in foreign countries, he spoke unashamedly and was even proud of it. This means overthrowing foreign governments is deep in the bones of how the US conducts its foreign policy.

Lindsey A. ORourke, an Assistant Professor at Boston College wrote in her book Covert Regime Change: Americas Secret Cold War that the US engaged in 64 covert attempts and six open attempts at regime change between 1947 and 1989. The USs acts of regime change remain unchecked even after the end of the Cold War. For years, the US has created political unrest in Latin America, played a part in the Arab Spring, and instigated color revolutions in Europe and Asia. Senior US officials even went to the streets themselves in some of those countries to support opposition forces in stoking political confrontation.

Boltons admission is so revealing. Leading US politicians trumpet the so-called rules-based international order for one purpose: to ensure that the US can easily interfere in other countries affairs and overthrow their governments at its own will. This is exactly the kind of rules and order that people like Bolton want absolutely to defend. The people of the world, however, will not let them.

CCTV: The US Department of State submitted the 2022 Elie Wiesel Act Report to Congress and released publicly the first ever comprehensive US Strategy to Anticipate, Prevent, and Respond to Atrocities on July 14. The report once again accused China of perpetrating genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and made allegations about forced labor in Xinjiang in the China section. What is Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: The reports section on China distorts and smears the human rights conditions in Xinjiang, wantonly attacks Chinas Xinjiang policy, tramples on international law and basic norms in international relations and lacks factual basis. It is nothing more than a repetition of the USs lies on Xinjiang-related issues.

As we have previously stressed, the issues related to Xinjiang are not about human rights, ethnicity or religion. They are about fighting terrorism and separatism. The governments counterterrorism and deradicalization measures have substantially turned the security situation around in Xinjiang. Thanks to these measures, there has been zero violent terrorist incident over the past five years. For more than 60 years since the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region was established, the regions economy has grown 160 times. Its Uyghur population expanded from 2.2 million to about 12 million, and average life expectancy there increased from 30 to 74.7 years. Workers of all ethnic backgrounds in Xinjiang are free to choose their occupations according to their own will, and fully enjoy the protection of their labor rights and remuneration.

For quite some time, the US has been propagating and playing up lies about genocide, forced labor and crimes against humanity and using them as the basis to engage in a massive campaign to smear, sanction and suppress China. Just weeks ago, the US put the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act into effect despite Chinas strong opposition in an attempt to engender forced unemployment and return to poverty in Xinjiang. Now by issuing the so-called report and strategy, Washington is continuing to unscrupulously discredit and attack China. This is another example of the US undermining human rights, rules and the rule of law in the name of exercising them. The intent to destabilize Xinjiang and use Xinjiang to contain China is all too clear.

If the US truly cares about the issue of genocide, it should issue a report on genocide against Native Americans, investigate and hold accountable those responsible for slaughtering millions of Native Americans and committing forced migration and cultural genocide against them, and apologize to and compensate the Indian community still suffering discrimination and living at the bottom of the social-economic ladder.

If the US truly cares about the issue of forced labor, it should issue a report on forced labor inside the US, thoroughly investigate the modern-day slavery of at least half a million people in the US and the trafficking of nearly 100,000 people into the US for forced labor each year, and ratify at once the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

If the US truly cares about the issue of crimes against humanity, it should issue a report on the crimes against humanity committed by US troops in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, etc., bring to justice the perpetrators who abused prisoners of war and slaughtered civilians at their own will, deliver accountability to the families of the 400,000 innocent victims killed by the US military and prevent such atrocities from happening again.

No one can hide facts forever and justice will eventually prevail. Blind to its own human rights record but obsessed with lying about and attacking other countries -- the US is acting like a mafia boss and the world knows it. China will do everything necessary to defend its sovereignty, security and development interests. Washington will not succeed in its attempts to propagate lies about Xinjiang and use Xinjiang-related issues to interfere in Chinas internal affairs.

Phoenix TV: President Biden said in a briefing during his visit to Saudi Arabia that the US and Saudi Arabia will cooperate in developing 5G and 6G networks and the relevant technology solution will outcompete other platforms, including from China. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: 5G is a technological innovation for the world to share. In recent years, countries and carriers in the Middle East, including the Gulf region have had excellent cooperation with Chinese companies in the 5G sector, which has benefited people on both sides tremendously. This has had a demonstration effect for efforts to develop high quality Belt and Road cooperation. This is also evidence of the quality, security and reliability of Chinese information technologies.

Any attempt to interfere in 5G development, application and cooperation through administrative means or even resorting to bullying and coercion would only impede access to 5G worldwide, particularly in developing countries. More importantly, it is against the principle of fair competition and inconsistent with the common interests of the international community. We believe that the vast majority of countries in the world, including those in the Gulf region and the rest of the Middle East, will make independent policy decisions based on their own interests, and create an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for businesses from China and elsewhere in the world.

PTI: Do you have any update on Sundays military talks between Indian and Chinese commanders to resolve the border-related issues?

Wang Wenbin: On July 17, China and India held the 16th round of Corps Commander Level Meeting in the Western Sector of the China-India boundary at the Moldo-Chushul border meeting point on the Indian side. The Chinese side will release further information soon. Please stay tuned.

AFP: The Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in an interview yesterday that a key step to restoring Australia-China ties would be to lift the ban on Australian coal imports. Whats Chinas response to this comment? Is there any plan to allow coal shipments again?

Wang Wenbin: I would like to reiterate that Chinas position is consistent and clear on practical cooperation with all countries, including with Australia. We hope the Australian side will seize the opportunities in our bilateral relations, take concrete actions, shape up a right perception of China, handle China-Australia economic and trade relations under the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit, work with China in the same direction to reduce liabilities and build positive dynamics for improving bilateral relations, and create enabling conditions for the sound and steady development of economic and trade ties.

Beijing Youth Daily: According to reports including by the BBC, members of the British Special Air Service (SAS) posted in Afghanistan repeatedly killed captives and unarmed civilians, and even competed with each other to get the most kills. The inquiry also found that the troops were suspected of crime scene cover-ups and that officials concealed the cases. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: What these reports uncover is simply shocking and outrageous. It reminds me of the earlier revelations of the killing of Afghan civilians by US and Australian troops. US and its allies atrocious abuses of human rights that challenge human conscience are not isolated cases. They are persistent, systemic and prevalent recurrences.

According to reports, between 2003 and 2008, thousands of Iraqi civilians were abused by British soldiers in ways such as detention, beating, humiliation, sexual assault and even murder. The USs track record was even more abhorring. Over the past nearly 20 years, the US launched more than 90,000 air strikes on countries including Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, claiming as many as 48,000 civilian lives. Farmers harvesting in the fields, children playing on the streets, families fleeing from wars and villagers hiding inside buildings all became US troops targets.

Worse still, instead of reflecting on their atrocities, the UK and the US tried every possible way to deflect the blame. According to media reports, the Overseas Operations Act 2021 introduced by the British Parliament shields British soldiers who committed torture and other serious crimes overseas and hampers efforts to hold the perpetrators fully accountable. The British Ministry of Defence claimed to have conducted extensive investigation into British soldiers acts in Afghanistan and Iraq, but 90% of the alleged war crimes were not looked into. Earlier, the US government sanctioned ICC officials who had been investigating war crimes allegedly committed by US troops in the war in Afghanistan.

These are the facts. Those who are most vocal about defending human rights have turned out to be the deadliest murderers of innocent civilians; and those most fervently attacking other countries human rights conditions are the ones who should be put in the dock on human rights. There should be a thorough international investigation into the UKs and USs war crimes and human rights violations, let justice be done for the innocent victims and protect people all over the world from more bullying and cruelty.

China News Service: According to reports, the Philippine Department of Transportation recently said that they were instructed by President Marcos to have consultations with China on loan agreement on three railway projects including the Subic-Clark Railway Project as soon as possible. What is Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: The Philippines is a friend and a neighbor of China. China always sees the Philippines as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. With the new Philippine government coming into office, China-Philippines relations are at a new starting point. Not long ago, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the Philippines and had in-depth communication with the new Philippine government. The two sides identified four key areas of cooperation, namely large-scale agriculture, infrastructure, energy and people-to-people exchange, so as to jointly carry forward the friendship and cooperation and deliver more benefits to the two countries and the two peoples.

Infrastructure cooperation is a highlight in the practical cooperation between China and the Philippines in the past six years. We have jointly completed key projects such as bridges and dams. The construction of more projects, including three railways, are well underway. China welcomes President Marcoss instruction to the responsible department on discussing the projects with China. We will coordinate seamlessly with the new Philippine government on this, move the projects forward, explore new projects while implementing existing ones, and launch more projects that will set new benchmarks for our cooperation and help upgrade Philippine infrastructure in both traditional and emerging sectors.

******************

The following question was raised after the press conference: According to reports, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement on July 15 that the US State Department has approved the potential sale of military technical assistance to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US worth an estimated $108 million. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The US arms sales to Chinas Taiwan region seriously violate the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique of 1982. The sales gravely undermine Chinas sovereignty and security interests, and severely harm China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this. We have made serious demarches to the US side over this.

We urge the US side to abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques, revoke the above-mentioned arms sales plan, stop arms sales to and military contact with Taiwan and stop creating factors that could lead to tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China will continue to take resolute and strong measures to firmly defend its sovereignty and security interests.
Buffalo developer Carl Paladino holds a lopsided financial advantage over his opponent, state Republican Chairman Nicholas A. Langworthy, in their congressional primary thanks entirely to the $1.5 million he loaned his campaign.

Paladino has collected just $50 in campaign contributions, compared to the $307,000 raised so far by Langworthy in the Aug. 23 contest.

But Paladino has $1.45 million in cash on hand as of June 30, according to federal campaign finance reports due Friday, nearly five times the $304,000 the Langworthy campaign had left to spend.

The reports detail how Langworthy's deep political connections helped him rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from current and former elected officials, political appointees, lobbyists, business owners, developers and lawyers.

But they also show that Paladino, at least for now, doesn't need to rely on donations when he can spend so much of his own money on political ads, signs and campaign consultants.

Disclosures filed in the region's two other congressional primaries show incumbent Reps. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford, and Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, with sizable financial leads over their foes.

It's the Paladino-Langworthy contest that shapes up as the most interesting congressional primary. The two are running in the 23rd congressional district, which covers much of the Southern Tier, for a seat previously held by Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning.

Rep. Chris Jacobs, R-Orchard Park, had planned to seek election in this neighboring district until a recent statement of support for gun control sparked blowback in the bright-red district.

This left Paladino running against Langworthy.

'I should have used Churchill': Paladino again on defense after report unearths Hitler remarks For the second time in a week, Republican congressional hopeful Carl P. Paladino is explaining controversial remarks unearthed by a media watchdog group, this time noting Adolf Hitler's ability as an "inspirational" leader.

Paladino, who previously served on the Buffalo School Board and ran for governor against Andrew Cuomo in 2010, is the founder and chairman of Ellicott Development Co. and has drawn notoriety for controversial comments he's made.

Where Tenney's disclosure form runs 310 pages, and Langworthy's is 85 pages, Paladino's is just 10 pages long. He loaned his campaign $200,000 on June 23 and $1.3 million on June 28 and took in $50 in un-itemized donations.

Paladino paid $49,000 to his campaign manager and other consultants over the three-month period ending June 30. He also paid back $5,356 of his campaign loans.

"Carl will fundraise eventually. He has many people across Western New York and the Southern Tier that want to hold fundraising events for him," Vish Burra, communications director for the Paladino campaign, said in an email. "He will also be ramping up his small dollar digital fundraising program shortly. Carl has been very successful and doesn't need D.C. and NYC donors like his opponents."

Langworthy, the former Erie County Republican Party chairman, is backed by the GOP establishment and he pulled in donations from metro Buffalo, throughout downstate New York and in South Florida.

Donors included numerous lawyers and law firms; developers such as Gerald Buchheit and William Huntress; New York City billionaire John Catsimatidis; Benjamin Landa, founder of a network of nursing homes; Erie County Conservative Party Chairman Ralph Lorigo; Lorigo's son, Joseph, an Erie County legislator; Charles Joyce, the oil and gas pipeline industry executive from Allegany County; and Eugene Vukelic, chairman of Try-It Distributing Co.

Many gave the maximum contribution of $5,800 for the primary and general elections. This includes both Christopher M. Grant, Langworthy's general consultant, and his wife, Andrea, also a political consultant with the same firm.

Langworthy reported just $2,816 in expenditures for the quarter, primarily payments to WinRed, the GOP fundraising platform.

"This district is finished with millionaires trying to purchase a seat in Congress. There's a reason why Nick's raised more than $300,000  an eye-popping number  in less than three weeks," campaign spokesman Bryan Piligra said in a statement. "Nick's broad-based coalition is a clear sign that the voters of this district want a stable, proven conservative who won't embarrass them any longer."

Analysis: Warming temperatures in the 23rd Congressional District Digital ads and social media figure heavily in politicking these days, but TV remains king, Bob McCarthy says.

Tenney had $1.27 million in hand at the start of this quarter and raised another $334,465. She spent about $602,000, leaving her with just over $1 million.

Her main opponent in the GOP primary for the newly redrawn 24th district, Mario Fratto, had $206,000 coming into the quarter, raised $135,000  mainly through a $100,000 campaign loan  and spent nearly $113,000. This left him with $228,591.

Higgins came in with $1.55 million and raised $150,267. His campaign spent $119,173, leaving it with just under $1.6 million on hand.

His primary opponent in the 26th district, Eddie Egriu, started with $15,938 and raised $18,000, all through campaign loans. He spent $29,191, leaving him with just $4,747.
Pam Armstrong appreciates Amherst police responding to her burglarized home and later recovering some of what was stolen.

The East Amherst resident, however, wants the town to reimburse her for two pieces of jewelry that Amherst police lost, according to a notice of claim she filed.

Three Chileans held on bail in string of East Amherst burglaries Erie Countys district attorney found a loophole in the states new bail reform law that will help keep three burglary suspects in custody on attempted second-degree burglary charges. The states new bail reform  which took effect Jan. 1  is supposed to eliminate pretrial detention and the imposition of cash bail for many nonviolent crimes. A spokeswoman for

Armstrong said she got back about half of what was taken by brazen thieves from South America, and she counts herself lucky that she was wearing some of her favorite jewelry the night of the burglary.

Two of the items, however, were mishandled by police before they could be returned to her, she said. A pair of half-hoop diamond-and-gold earrings was lost as it was being transferred between the police laboratory and the evidence room, Armstrong said, and another pair of gold dome earrings was mistakenly given to a different burglary victim.

Armstrong said she learned about the loss on May 24 from an police detective. Her claim puts the value of the gold earrings at $425 and the gold and diamond earrings at $625.

Town Attorney Stanley J. Sliwa said the town needs to make sure the earrings are gone for good and verify their value, but he doesn't expect much of a delay in paying Armstrong's claim. He said it is unusual for the town to have a claim related to lost police property because the department has a good system for logging in evidence.

The pieces were taken in a 2020 theft that was no ordinary burglary.

It was one of several in Amherst, among numerous others in well-to-do neighborhoods outside this area, carried out by thieves from Chile, according to law enforcement officials, public records and news accounts.

"To have, you know, three Chilean nationals who were arrested here in Buffalo is very unique and not common at all," Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said.

The burglars carefully staked out targeted homes, struck quickly after dark when no one was home and acted deliberately in stealing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, cash, designer purses and other valuables.

Three Chileans arrested in string of Amherst burglaries Three Chilean nationals were arrested Saturday in connection with a string of recent burglaries in East Amherst, according to the Amherst Police

Local news outlets reported on the three arrests following a string of burglaries in East Amherst. But the connection to similar thefts in far-flung places hasn't previously been reported.

"These thefts are going on all over the country," Armstrong said. "It's really horrible."

The theft at the Armstrongs' home took place in January 2020, Armstrong said, while they were at a wedding reception in downtown Buffalo.

"They broke in. They broke a window. The alarm was sounding. And they continued to go through, and rifled through, the house and opened every drawer  just ransacked the house and took whatever they wanted," she said.

They didn't want any large electronics, Armstrong said, and instead took about 50 rings, necklaces, sets of earrings and other items of jewelry, worth several thousand dollars.

"They were pretty focused on what they were looking for," she said.

The alarm company called the Armstrongs right away and police got to their home within about four minutes.

"The response time was excellent. But these guys were pros," she said, adding, "They hit a house while the police were at our house."

Later that month, three Chilean nationals  Itan Jadiel, then 36; Christian Antonio Rodriguez-Gonzalez, then 35; and Angelica Marie Rivera Perez, then 27  were arraigned in Amherst Town Court on on numerous felony charges stemming from a string of burglaries in East Amherst between Jan. 19 and Jan. 25, 2020, authorities said.

Prosecutors said at the time that the three typically broke rear windows to get into the homes.

Flynn said the suspected burglars were arrested after a homeowner in Niagara County saw an SUV that looked out of place, jotted down the license plate number and called police.

The SUV matched the description of the vehicle sought in connection to the thefts in Amherst, based on video surveillance footage from outside one or more of the burglarized homes.

"They then saw the car driving in Amherst and pulled it over. And when they pulled it over, went to the car, they had all this merchandise and stuff in the car. And all three of them were in the car, and they got arrested," Flynn said.

The three were found in possession of purses, jewelry, cash and a safe.

Flynn later spoke to senior prosecutors on Long Island and learned they were dealing with their own string of crimes tied to a wide-ranging Chilean burglary organization.

"We are looking at cases down in Miami," Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said at a Jan. 23, 2020, news conference announcing arrests in a series of burglaries there. "We are looking at cases in California, and we are looking at Jersey and Connecticut also."

The three people arrested in Nassau County back then were part of a cell that stole "$5 million, easy" from more than 100 homes in this country as just one piece of an international "theft tour," according to a Vanity Fair article.

The thieves traveled from Chile to the United States or other countries, typically on a 90-day tourist visa, moving from town to town, committing burglaries, fencing the stolen goods and sending the proceeds back home, the magazine reported, calling it "a network of gangsters who have been systematically plundering wealthy citizens worldwide."

Of the three arrested in Amherst, the cases against two are sealed because, Flynn said, they were deported or were in the process of being deported back to Chile, with one first taken to Nassau County to face additional charges there.

The third suspect, Jadiel, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted burglary and was sentenced in October to two years in prison. He had been held without bail and received a conditional release in December, records show.

Armstrong said she wants fair reimbursement, but she has nothing bad to say about town police.

"Keep in mind, these are big international criminals and little Town of Amherst Police Department caught them," she said. "So I think, you know, that's the big deal."
The Buffalo Maritime Center is using construction of a replica of the Seneca Chief canal boat to tell the overlooked story of how that historic event impacted the region's Indigenous people.

"The Haudenosaunee and the Erie Canal," which opened earlier this month at the Longshed at Canalside, is one of three exhibitions this month celebrating the history and culture of the Haudenosaunee (pronounced ho-DEE-no-sho-nee) Confederacy.

"Haudenosaunee Resurgence: Marie Watt, Calling Back, Calling Forward" opened Friday at the Buffalo History Museum, and "O'nigoei:yo:h Thinking in Indian" opened the day before at UB Art Galleries, which includes the Center for the Arts and Anderson Gallery.

"I hope people walk away with a sense of complexity of our communities, and our reach into history," said Joe Stahlman, a Tuscarora and director of the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum in Salamanca. "Buffalo hasn't really celebrated Haudenosaunee culture very much. It's not at the forefront; you don't see it like pride celebrations or ethnic celebrations.

"While Buffalo didn't really pay attention, we've been doing our own thing," he said. "We have continued to flower."

It's a story Brian Trzeciak, Buffalo Maritime Center's executive director, was anxious to tell.

"The Seneca Chief provides an opportunity for us to tell a story that has really not been told," Trzeciak said. "I think if we're going to have a genuine narrative about the actual history that happened, we need to tell the entire history as much as we can."

The maritime center is building a replica of the packet boat for the Erie Canal Bicentennial celebration in three years, commemorating Gov. DeWitt Clinton's ceremonial trip from Buffalo to New York City to open the Erie Canal in October 1825.

Text panels and videos located in the Longshed's mezzanine highlight the history of Native peoples in Western New York beginning in 1776. Battles with U.S. troops, duplicitous treaties and displacement are recounted, along with relocations that occurred during and after the canal's construction.

The panels, written by Stahlman, include a quote from Clinton describing Indigenous people as "barbarians and savage beasts," before the governor softened that view in later years.

Clinton "crafted a narrative of New York's own Manifest Destiny in which the Haudenosaunee were seen as the inevitable tragic loss in the march of 'progress,' " one of the panels reads. "The name Seneca Chief probably fell in line with this attitude, and serves as a stinging honor towards the people pushed aside."

"There was a lot of really great things that happened with the Erie Canal, and obviously Buffalo is here because of that, and we should lift that up, but we should also acknowledge the cost," Trzeciak said.

The exhibit also celebrates Haudenosaunee pride and resiliency.

"This isn't a story of victimhood and the Haudenosaunee being annihilated," Trzeciak said. "This is a story that, despite all of the obstacles along the way and all the broken promises, they persisted and remain here."

'Trial of the century'

An art exhibition  by a Portland, Ore.-based artist with familial ties to the Cattaraugus Reservation  is a departure for the Buffalo History Museum.

Anthony Greco, director of exhibits, said the initial challenge in displaying Watt's work  "she's an artist and we're a history museum, so how does her art blend with our history?"  worked itself out.

It is an unusual exhibition for other reasons, too, he said.

"This is the first step of hopefully many that the museum takes regarding co-curation with our Indigenous populations, and working with other communities we haven't worked with in the past," Greco said.

The museum repatriated the silver Red Jacket Peace Medal in May 2021 that was in its possession for more than a century. The medal was awarded to Red Jacket by President George Washington.

The exhibit, which includes textiles, beadworks and sculpture, came from the Hunterdon Museum in Clinton, N.J. Included are the use of blankets, which Watt said are held in high regard in Indigenous cultures, and other materials used to engage with objects from the history museum's collection, demonstrating linkages with the Haudenosaunee.

"Ideally, my work shows a connection between things that are important to me now and things that are important to my ancestors, and that I hope will be important to future generations," Watt said.

One large canvas of cloths stitched together by members of a sewing circle features words and phrases from Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?"

"In the song he calls out 'mother, mother, brother, brother.' I was thinking that in our tradition the call would continue as auntie, auntie, uncle, uncle, grandmother, grandmother and grandfather, grandfather, turtle, turtle and sky, sky," Watt said. "It's a way to call back to our ancestors and forward to future generations."

Neon letters on the back of the museum, visible from the Scajaquada Expressway, spell out "Nancy Bowen." The 66-year-old Seneca in 1930 killed Clothilde Marchand, the wife of Paris-trained artist Henri Marchand working at the Buffalo Museum of Science.

Lila Jimerson, a Seneca having an extramarital affair with Henri, was said to have convinced Bowen that the victim was a "white witch" responsible for the death of Bowen's husband, Charley "Chief Sassafras" Bowen.

The trial, which included racist epithets used against Jimerson, was called a "trial of the century" and became a scandal of international proportions. Bowen pled guilty to manslaughter and served one year in Erie County jail.

The use of the lettering is intended to draw attention to the justice system's treatment of Bowen and the media's coverage of the trial, Watt said.

'Incredible convergence'

The art exhibition at UB is celebrating the 50th year of the school's Indigenous Studies. On display are artwork from nearly 50 artists of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy  Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora.

The exhibition includes an array of works made from paint, glass beads, digital data, black ash and moose hair.

"There is an incredible convergence, and I am so happy that there is finally this representation of the brilliance of our artists and visionaries and thinkers," said Theresa McCarthy, the interim chair and associate professor of UB's new Indigenous Studies department.

"What an incredible moment this summer of 2022 is," she said. "It's just so awesome."

McCarthy, an Onondaga, said the school's renowned Native American Studies program was part of the American Studies department and added a lot to the scholarship of the Haudenosaunee. After the program fell on hard times due to deaths and retirements of key faculty, she said their fortunes changed in 2019 with a $3.2 million Mellon grant to launch a stand-alone Indigenous Studies department.

There are now eight Indigenous faculty members and 287 Native undergraduate and graduate students registered for the spring semester, McCarthy said.
A 40-year-old Buffalo woman found dead Sunday in a vehicle parked outside an apartment complex in the Town of Tonawanda was the victim of an apparent homicide, police said.

Town of Tonawanda police received a report at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday that Akeda Howton of Woodlawn Avenue was missing.

At about 4 p.m. Sunday, Tonawanda detectives found her body in the parking lot at the Raintree Island apartments, west of Ellicott Creek Park.

The victim appeared to have been shot, but the cause of death is pending an autopsy, police reported Monday.

Police described the killing as an isolated incident. The department did not release additional details.

The Town of Tonawanda Police Departments Criminal Investigation Bureau is investigating Howton's death. Anyone with information is asked to call 879-6614 or the confidential tip line at 879-6606.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A House committees prime-time hearing Thursday will offer the most compelling evidence yet of then-President Donald Trumps dereliction of duty on the day of the Jan. 6 insurrection, with new witnesses detailing his failure to stem an angry mob storming the Capitol, committee members said Sunday.

This is going to open peoples eyes in a big way, said Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., a member of the House committee investigating the riot who will help lead Thursday's session with Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va. The president didnt do anything."

After a year-long investigation, the House Jan. 6 panel is seeking to wrap up what may be its last hearing, even as its probe continues to heat up.

The committee says it continues to receive fresh evidence each day and isnt ruling out additional hearings or interviews with a bevy of additional people close to the president. One such figure is Steve Bannon, whose trial begins this week on criminal contempt of Congress charges for refusing to comply with the House committee's subpoena.

The committee also issued an extraordinary subpoena last week to the Secret Service to produce texts by Tuesday from Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, 2021, following conflicting reports about whether they were deleted.

But panel members say Thursday's hearing will be the most specific to date in laying out and weaving together previously known details on how Trump's actions were at odds with his constitutional legal duty to stop the Jan. 6 riot. Unlike members of the public who generally have no duty to take action to prevent a crime, the Constitution requires a president to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

The commander in chief is the only person in the Constitution whose duty is explicitly laid out to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed, Luria said. I look at it as a dereliction of duty. (Trump) didnt act. He had a duty to act.

Thursdays hearing will be the first in the prime-time slot since the June 9 debut that was viewed by an estimated 20 million people.

Luria said the hearing will highlight additional testimony from White House counsel Pat Cipollone and other witnesses, not yet seen before, who will add a lot of value and information to the events of that critical time on January 6." She cited Trump's inaction that day for more than three hours, along with a tweet that afternoon criticizing Vice President Mike Pence for lacking courage to contest Democrat Joe Biden's win in the 2020 presidential election that may have served to egg on the mob.

We will go through pretty much minute by minute during that time frame, from the time he left the stage at the Ellipse, came back to the White House, and really sat in the White House, in the dining room, with his advisers urging him continuously to take action, to take more action, Luria said.

The hearing comes at a critical juncture point for the panel, which is racing to wrap up findings for a final report this fall. The committee had originally expected at this point to be concluding much of its investigation with a final hearing but is now considering possible options for additional interviews and hearings, panel members said.

This investigation is very much ongoing, said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. The fact that a series of hearings is going to be concluded this Thursday doesnt mean that our investigation is over. Its very active, new witnesses are coming forward, additional information is coming forward.

For instance, the committee took a rare step last week in issuing a subpoena to the Secret Service, an executive branch department. That came after it received a closed briefing from the Homeland Security Department watchdog that the Secret Service had deleted texts from around Jan. 6, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The finding raised the startling prospect of lost evidence that could shed further light on Trumps actions during the insurrection, particularly after earlier testimony about his confrontation with security as he tried to join supporters at the Capitol.

Thats what we have to get to the bottom of, said Luria, regarding possibly missing texts. Where are these text messages? Can they be recovered? And we have subpoenaed them because theyre legal records that we need to see for the committee.

Luria spoke on CNN's State of the Union," Lofgren was on ABC's This Week, and Kinzinger appeared on CBS' Face the Nation.
Hes a little late in acknowledging the obvious, but it is perhaps telling, nonetheless, that as Rep. Chris Jacobs winds down his political career he is able to tell the truth about Donald Trump.

Like many other Republicans in Congress, Jacobs couldnt see  or wouldnt admit  that Trump was a threat to the country, so intimidating was the former president to conservatives seeking re-election. Nothing Trump did, up to and including inciting an insurrection, could pry them loose from his suffocating grasp.

Thats changed. With his thoughtful change of heart on the easy availability of military-style weapons, Jacobs made himself an outlier in his own party and dropped his bid for a second term, this time in the newly redrawn 23rd Congressional District. Released from the need to fawn over the former president, Jacobs said what has long been evident to anyone not in Trumps thrall:

I just think his judgment from Election Day to January 6 was  I just think he lost his mind, Jacobs told News Washington Bureau Chief Jerry Zremski. I really do. I just do. He wants the party to choose a different presidential nominee in 2024.

It was a startling acknowledgment, given how closely Jacobs had aligned himself to Trump, as he sought election in the states most heavily Republican district. Even after the 2020 election, though  after the lies about a stolen election, after the Jan. 6 insurrection, after Jacobs voted against accepting Joe Bidens victories in Arizona and Pennsylvania  Jacobs continued to seek Trumps approval, even appearing with him at the countrys southern border.

With a typical president, that would count as politics as usual. Republican congressional candidates in the 1980s benefited from their association with Ronald Reagan. Democrats likewise bask in the glow of the partys popular presidents. Thats the system we have.

But Trump wasnt a typical president and, Jacobs belated observation notwithstanding, the evidence was clear long before the 2020 election.

Trump advocated violence against protesters in his 2016 campaign rallies. He threatened even in that campaign not to accept the results of an election he lost. He fired FBI Director James Comey after first pressuring him to drop an investigation into former Gen. Michael Flynn.

He tried to extort Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by holding up congressionally authorized military aid in exchange for a phony investigation of Biden. That led to the first of Trumps two impeachments. To observe that Trump was not a normal president is to conclude that Jimmy Hoffas disappearance is beginning to look suspicious.

Still, Jacobs is saying more than most of his colleagues are willing to admit. The two Republicans now running for the 23rd Congressional District seat  Nick Langworthy and Carl Paladino  continue the partys insistence on normalizing Trumps political deviancy. So do Rep. Claudia Tenney, running in the new 24th Congressional District, and the No. 3 House Republican, Elise Stefanik of New Yorks North Country.

In Congress, only the two Republicans serving on the Houses Jan. 6 committee  Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois  have consistently called out the threat Trump poses to the country.

But the word is spreading, at least a little. A new book about Trump  Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trumps Washington and the Price of Submission by Mark Leibovich, of The Atlantic  quotes former Republican Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming, as conservative and honorable a man as has sat in the Senate. In it, reports say, Simpson derides Trump as a vicious animal who has poisoned our democracy and transformed the party of Lincoln into a cult.

Would it have been better if Jacobs had spoken out sooner? Yes, of course, but hes shown welcome courage in crossing his partys unhealthy orthodoxy, first on guns, now on Trump. Heres hoping the word spreads and that Jacobs plays a role in that necessary work.

  

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
A New York Times article in the fall of 2021 indicated that in the prior five years, police in pulling over cars had killed more than 400 unarmed motorists across the country. The recent senseless shooting of an unarmed man of color in Akron, Ohio, is just another statistic. This man got out of his stopped car by police, and he fled on foot. The man was shot by a slew of police up to 60 times.

To say that this occurrence was a horrendous blunder is a dramatic understatement. Why arent police instructed to never shoot a gun at a fleeing suspect without a gun, especially if its due to only a vehicle infraction of some aspect? What could have been done differently in Akron, instead of a bunch of police shooting to stop and kill a person running away? How about shooting guns in the air, letting the man run away and confiscating his car to then check the license plate to find out his name and where he lives? Then, to go to the address, interview anyone there, and if none to stake out.

In addition, what about a police officer or two getting in a police car to chase him instead of shooting, or instead of car chasing and running after the man? I respect the police, but either they have to use common sense, or be trained better than they are now. If changes are not made soon, then 400 dead, as per the New York Times article, could go to 600, 700, or 800.

Joseph Borzelliere

East Amherst
Uncle Art was to keep an eye on me and my cousin Art for a quiet afternoon while he tended bar at the Club 440 on Broadway. He and an older brother owned this neighborhood bar and grill, a former night club. Uncle Art was a big robust man, who wore a thin little mustache and a big smile. Behind the bar, he wrapped himself in a white bartenders apron.

The Club was a musty old place. Young Art and I hung around on the cement steps outside watching the passers-by. When we got tired of that, we went up the steep stairs to the second floor where heavy silver drapes covered the walls and there was a stage, a dancefloor and, Art told me, A dumb waiter. 

Uncle Art had warned us that the dumbwaiter was old and dangerous and not to be played with. So I was a little nervous.

What a relief to find that the dumbwaiter wasnt a scary old Grinch, but just a little wooden elevator that the kitchen help had used to save them running up and down stairs. We were sorely tempted to get in and try it out.

At the bar, I watched hungrily as Uncle Art warmed up hamburgers on the grill and served them to customers along with beer. I asked, Could I have a hamburger?

Uncle Art seemed amused, but he served one up. It was huge and came on a kummelweck role that had an eighth-of-an-inch rock-salt and caraway-seed crust and a healthy dose of horse radish.

I took one big bite. The sensations and flavors were astounding. Art laughed as I put the mouthful back on the plate and lifted it up on the bar.

Another afternoon, when Uncle Art had the duty, he took us to a matinee showing of Four Feathers. I remember British soldiers in scarlet uniforms. Afterward he said, Lets get a soda.

I never expected ice cream on top of a movie. He ordered strawberry sodas for all of us. I had never had any but chocolate sodas. I discovered strawberry sodas were delicious.

Uncle Art and Aunt Ruth used to rent a cottage in Angola. They invited me to stay with them for a week. One evening, Art and I and Uncle Art were inspecting motorboats at the Marina. Uncle Art chuckled and said, I had a motorboat once. Art and I were all ears.

Yeah, he said, There was this speed boat that was parked out behind a gas station on Bailey Avenue. It was a long sleek good-looking job, and the story was that a bootlegger had owned it and used it to outrun the Coast Guard, bringing in booze from Canada.

I bought it pretty cheap, cause it was old. I had it hauled out to a marina and gassed up. A couple of friends and I took it out in the lake for a spin. All of a sudden, this guy in a little outboard is racing us and hes doing circles around us. I got mad and floored it.

We took off like a rocket ... for about 10 minutes. Then we slowed down and sank. The wood was all dried out, so the seams opened up. That was the end of my boat.

Art and I were inspired. We built a boat of our own from scrap lumber that we commandeered from building sites. We got into a little trouble, though. We sawed an oar in two to make a paddle. Turned out the oar belonged to the Marina. But thats a story for another time.
Precedence Research

According to Precedence Research, the global combined heat and power market size is expected to hit around USD 46.3 billion by 2030 from valued at USD 28.6 billion in 2021 and growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2022 to 2030.

Tokyo, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global combined heat and power market size was estimated at USD 30.17 billion in 2022. The overall joined intensity and power market is being explored in numerous areas like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Europe and North America are the two most significant regions for the overall market. Great state motivations, strength measures, approaches, and CHP-accommodating ecological regulations are among the essential drivers driving business sector extension. The US government has declared an improved program Self-Production Incentive Program (SGIP) across gas age offices to increment inexhaustible fuel use because of a base mix of fuel mix of half renewables.



Get the Free Sample Copy of Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sample/1892

The Asia Pacific region is probably going to contribute impressively to income all through the projection period. Fast turn of events and urbanization, as need might arise for clean fuel energy, will drive market extension nearby. Moreover, close fossil fuel byproduct guidelines, as well as decentralized power age, will drive market development nearby.

Key Takeaways:

By type, the large-scale segment has contributed 81% revenue share in 2021.

The small-scale segment is predicted to reach at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2022 to 2030.

By technology, CHP frameworks segment has garnered 56% of overall revenue share in 2021.

By application, flammable gas segment has garnered 67% of revenue share in 2021.

In 2021, Europe had the most noteworthy income share 52%.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2022 to 2030.

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Story continues

Report highlights

In 2021, the large-scale type segment accounted largest share. This item is generally utilized in the business and modern areas. In 2020, the worldwide enormous scope joined intensity and power establishment framework drove the general interest for huge scope CHP establishment.

As far as innovation, joined cycle innovation-based CHP frameworks represented more than 55.0 percent of complete limit in 2021. With a market capitalization of almost $6 billion, the joined cycle framework was the top innovation in 2021.

Developing power steadfastness and cost reserve funds are driving business sector extension.





Scope of the Report

Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2021 USD 28.6 Billion Revenue Forecast by 2030 USD 46.3 Billion CAGR 5.5% from 2022 to 2030 Base Year 2021 Forecast Year 2022 to 2030 Key Players Wartsila, Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc., Caterpillar, Cummins Inc., Aegis Energy Services Inc., General Electric, Siemens, E.ON SE, Tecogen Inc., Elite Energy Systems, LLC, Capstone Turbine Corporation, Clarke Energy

Market dynamics

Drivers

Government motivations and plans to advance CHP government drives and motivations, quite in OECD countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and others, are projected to push the CHP business forward. In 2012, the United States established another strategy to advance CHP for energy productivity; the then-president of the United States marked a chief request to advance energy proficiency in organizations. The mandate laid out an objective for CHP to represent 20% of complete power age in the United States by 2020, up from 8% in 2012. The central administration of the United States, as well as different state legislatures, have given impetuses and tax reductions to CHP establishments. The request orders the United States Departments of Energy, Commerce, and Agriculture, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to arrange exercises to offer business and specialized help to states to energize interests in modern energy productivity. In February 2018, the US Congress established regulation to drag out a 10% tax break for firms who introduce CHP in their offices to further develop energy effectiveness. Nations in Europe, as Germany and the United Kingdom, have done whatever it may take to advance CHP. Germany has the biggest CHP market in Europe, with unofficial laws and endeavors driving the area. Germany sent off its cogeneration methodology in 2001, zeroing in generally on location CHP units controlled by biomass and flammable gas. The German Cogeneration Act was revised in 2016 by the country. By 2025, the revision lays out a volume objective of 120 TWh of power yield by CHP plants in Germany. This would liken to a fourth of the general age in the country. The regulation gives tax cuts to CHP establishments, especially biomass-based CHP frameworks, with tax reductions reliant upon the size of the establishment.

Restraints

CHP framework establishment and upkeep costs have risen. One of the main detriments of laying out a CHP plant is the high beginning capital expense. CHP offices require additional hardware like intensity exchangers, retention chillers, boilers, and other gear notwithstanding power creation hardware like main players, generator frameworks, and others. The expense of a customary CHP plant may be north of 240% more than the expense of a power creation plant of a similar limit and main player, representing a huge hindrance to the CHP market. CHP framework support costs are likewise huge because of the mind boggling gathering of the framework, which includes a large number like a main player, an intensity recuperation framework, and intensity and steam pipelines. Standard support of all parts is expected to guarantee the CHP's high proficiency, which improves the general upkeep costs.

Opportunities

The developing pattern of disseminated power creation opens up huge open doors for the gas turbine-based CHP business. Disseminated age is portrayed as power age close to or at the place of purpose. Already, power was conveyed by small power plants with low-voltage DC-based power dissemination. Power and mechanical work can both be provided by conveyed creating (giving force to move objects). Conveyed producing frameworks are described as fixed or versatile frameworks having a limit of under 100 MW. Conveyed age shifts from concentrated power producing in that essentially bigger limit age happens far away from the place of interest, with plants staying stationary consistently. Gas turbines are a fundamental part of the present appropriated power creating innovations, which additionally incorporate responding motors, sunlight based chargers, wind turbines, and energy components. Gas turbines enjoy an upper hand over other disseminated age innovations for providing reinforcement power limit and on location creating requests because of their improved proficiency and stable age limit. Subsequently, the development of conveyed power creation gives a critical potential to the CHP business.

Challenges

Debasements in biogas-powered CHP offices make central players fall flat. Figuring out the importance of gas pretreatment and laying out a procedure for it is one of the most troublesome errands in CHP offices. Biogas-filled CHP frameworks utilize main players like a gas turbine, a miniature gas turbine, a responding motor, or a Stirling motor to oxidize methane in an ignition chamber. This gives nuclear power, which drives a cylinder or turbine, and the subsequent shaft work is moved to power in a generator. At the point when energy components run, methane is oxidized electrochemically, and generally speaking, methane is the chief fuel in each main player. Nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are additionally present in biogas and don't hurt the fundamental mover. They do, in any case, weaken the fuel and breaking point execution. Pollutions such hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), and smelling salts (NH3) adversely affect the essential mover. The oxidation of H2S produces sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfuric corrosive (H2SO4), which causes consumption and disappointment of the main player. Siloxanes can be oxidized in the burning chamber to make silicon dioxide (SiO2, strong stage), which is destructive to the turbine and cylinder. In spite of the way that the main player can deal with a modest quantity of these poisons, a bigger convergence of contaminations restricts the existence of the CHP to a couple of years.

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Recent Developments

Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the overall forerunner in brilliant, solid, and maintainable structures, said in April 2022 that it has charged another intensity siphon establishment to help European energy firm Vattenfall arrive at its point. The objective is to kill fossil fuel byproducts from its power creation and warming offices by 2050.

The European Marine Energy Center (EMEC) and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) will accomplice in March 2021 to decarbonize intensity and power at Kirkwall Airport utilizing green hydrogen innovation.

In July 2021, Capstone Green Energy inked a 10-year administration contract for 1.2 MWs of microturbines put in New York City's fourth tallest high rise. The 1.2 MW energy proficiency plant on the structure is comprised of two Capstone C600S microturbines with Capstone's Integrated Heat.





Market Segmentation

By Type

Large Scale

Small Scale

By Fuel

Coal

Natural Gas

Biomass

Others

By Technology

Gas Turbine

Steam Turbine

Reciprocating Engine

Fuel Cell

Microturbine

Others (stirling engine and combined cyle power plants)

By Capacity

Up to 10 MW

10-150 MW

151-300 MW

Above 300 MW

By End user

Residential Space Heating/Cooling Water Heating Cooking Lighting & Others

Commercial Educational Institution District Energy Office Buildings Government/Military Others

Industrial Chemicals Petroleum Refining Food Paper Primary Metals Others



By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA)





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Demonstrates ongoing commitment to customers; reaches more than 3.5 million smart meter deployments in the region

SINGAPORE, July 18, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Trilliant, a leading international provider of solutions for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), smart grid, smart cities and IOT, is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to the Asia-Pacific region with the announcement of the start of its manufacturing in Malaysia. Additionally, the company has reached a major smart meter deployment milestone in Asia Pacific, with more than 3.5 million smart meters currently deployed and operational, with millions more planned.

"Were delighted that the manufacturing efforts are now underway in Malaysia," said Trilliant Chairman and CEO Andrew C. White. "The plant will be an important hub for the APAC region and improve time of delivery to our valued customers. Our production process will be led by dedicated, experienced engineers that adhere to the highest levels of quality control and compliance. Trilliant is proud these products will say Made in Malaysia, and we look forward to supporting the creation of additional high-tech jobs and enhancing local expertise."

The manufacturing team will be focused on the Trilliant Communications Module (TCM) and the Trilliant Street Light Controller. Not only will local production reduce delivery cycles, but it will also result in CO2e reductions in manufacturing and shipping processes as Trilliant delivers products to local customers among others across the region. Approximately 119 tons of CO2e will be reduced over the course of the next three years in Malaysia alone.

Footprint in the region continues to grow

In addition to the new manufacturing activities, Trilliant has reached a milestone with smart meter deployments in India and Malaysia, a result of the companys continued commitment to the region, extensive industry expertise and its proven solutions. Customers benefit from Trilliants flexible systems that work with any application and are open for ease of integration with a broad range of devices and applications. Its recent expansion into Thailand will result in Trilliant technology being deployed, helping utilities provide more reliable access to electricity to their customers.

Story continues

The company plans to deploy an additional seven million meters in the Asia-Pacific region through local partnerships over the next three years.

Trilliant continues to build upon its innovation and growth strategy to serve customers in Asia Pacific, as well as globally.

About Trilliant

Trilliant empowers the global energy industry with the only device-agnostic communications platform that enables utilities and cities to securely and reliably deploy any application on one powerful network. Our purpose-built portfolio has been designed to offer the power of choice, without risk of customers being "locked in" with one technology provider. We are proud to offer mission-critical solutions that support AMI, Data & Analytics, Smart Grids and Smart Cities. Customers worldwide benefit from Trilliants unique combination of flexibility, sustainability and scalability that connects utilities and cities to the IIOT and a more strategic path to the Energy Transition. Visit us at www.trilliant.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220717005023/en/

Contacts

Tracey Mitchell

tracey.mitchell@trilliant.com

Cindy Watson/Anita Wong, StrategicAmpersand Inc.

TrilliantPR@stratamp.com
By Ayya Lmahamad

The Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Turkish Albayrak Holding have signed a memorandum of understanding, Azernews reports.

The document was signed by Port's Director-General Taleh Ziyadov and the head of the holding, Ahmet Albayrak.

According to the document, the holding will invest in the construction and management of a bulk cargo terminal in the Port of Baku, as well as in the management of a Ro-Ro [ed. roll-on/roll-off ships] terminal in order to redirect Turkish wheeled vehicles from Central Asia to Azerbaijan.

"The strategic location of the port, its technical capabilities and achievements became the basis for cooperation with the Turkish Albayrak Holding," the statement reads.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Taleh Ziyadov noted that the signed agreement will enhance Azerbaijan's transit potential, adding that the document is aimed at increasing mineral fertilizers' transit through the Port of Baku.

Ziyadov also added that the launch of the new port terminal will provide for additional workplaces.

"Currently, the transshipment of mineral fertilizers is conducted by the major cargo terminal, whereas the launch of the new terminal is expected to boost the transshipment and the overall cargo flow," he said.

Moreover, Ziyadov noted that the cooperation between the Port of Baku and Albayrak Holding will increase the transit of wheeled vehicles from Turkiye to Central Asia through the territory of Azerbaijan. In this regard, he mentioned that Azerbaijan currently, accounts for 23 percent of exports of wheeled vehicles from Turkiye to Central Asia.

"This figure is planned to be increased to 50 percent in the near future within the framework of joint cooperation," he said.

The director-general also noted that the opening of the Zangazur corridor will increase the transportation of goods between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, as well as transit through Azerbaijan.

Additionally, Ahmet Albayrak emphasized that the holding is keen to invest in Azerbaijan's liberated territories.

"The holding is interested in boosting its investments in projects in Azerbaijan, including the liberated territories. We are interested in accelerating the restoration of Azerbaijans Karabakh," he concluded.
Royal Helium said it anticipates drilling operations will take approximately two weeks to be followed by a service rig to complete and test the well

Royal Helium Ltd (TSX-V:RHC, OTCQB:RHCCF) said it has begun drilling its first well in the Val Marie field located in southwestern Saskatchewan near the Canada-US border.

Val Marie-1 is located on the southernmost of three large land blocks in the Val Marie field which encompasses 13,000 hectares of the Canadian portion of the Bowdoin Dome. Royal Helium contracted Stampede Drilling to drill the directional helium well located at 9-20-1-14W3 to a vertical depth of approximately 2,600 meters.

The company said it anticipates drilling operations will take approximately two weeks to be followed by a service rig to complete and test the well. Results will be announced as they are received, it added

In a statement, Shayne Neigum, Royal Helium's Well Operations manager commented: "Utilizing the newly acquired proprietary 2D seismic and trade seismic, historical maps, and offset wells in the area, the Royal exploration team is excited to test one of several prominent structural features at Val Marie which sits atop the Bowdoin Dome."

"This large dome feature extends upward from northern Montana into Saskatchewan and is believed to be the major feeder system for inert gases found on both sides of the border. More recently, helium specific wells have been successfully drilled on the Montana side of the Bowdoin Dome. Royal's targets at Val Marie are several stacked zones in multiple horizons found within Devonian and Cambrian strata," he added.

Andrew Davidson, Royal Helium president, and CEO said: "Following on our success and continued development at Climax and Ogema, we are pleased to extend exploration to our third of 12 separate fields. The highly sought-after Val Marie ground was one of the first target areas we acquired and added to since 2016. Not only is the Bowdoin Dome known to host helium, but its proximity to the Climax project also makes this a highly prospective target field".

Royal Helium controls over 1,000,000 acres of prospective helium land in southwestern and south-east Saskatchewan. All of Royals' lands are in close vicinity to highways, roads, cities and importantly, close to existing oil and gas infrastructure, with a significant portion of its land in close proximity to existing helium-producing locations.

With stable, rising prices and limited, non-renewable sources for helium worldwide, the company intends to become a leading North American producer of this high-value commodity.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
First Mining Gold CEO Dan Wilton joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has made an offer to offer to acquire Beattie Gold Mines Ltd. This company is holds a large portion of the Duparquet Gold Project located in Quebec. First Mining already hold about 25.3% of Beattie Gold. First Mining is looking to consolidate the entire property and with this move the company, through their subsidiary, Clifton Star Resources will hold just over 97%. The company is also looking to acquire of other shares of another company to own 100% of the project. The Duparquet is considered one of the largest advanced-stage, undeveloped gold projects in Canada.
Blue Jays draft pick Brandon Barriera has a chip on his shoulder after being passed over by 22 teams. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

Brandon Barriera was projected by many MLB draft experts to be well off the board by the time the Toronto Blue Jays selected at 23rd overall on Sunday. Instead, the hard-throwing left-hander remained available and became the latest intriguing arm in the Blue Jays' prospect pool.

The 18-year-old out of American Heritage School in Florida seems to be using his perceived snub as motivation as he gets ready to embark on his professional career.

"Looking at those 22 teams before me, they're going to regret this," Barriera said on the MLB Network broadcast shortly after being drafted. "I'm going to become the best pitcher in MLB."

Looking at those 22 teams before me, theyre gonna regret this



Blue Jays mightve just drafted the most confident player in baseball in Brandon Barriera  pic.twitter.com/U21ZSVhWiF  Farm To Fame (@FarmToFame_) July 18, 2022

In addition to his upper-90s fastball and four-pitch mix, that confidence and competitive spirit Barriera displayed on the draft floor was another factor that impressed the Blue Jays in the scouting process.

"The compete level is something we definitely noticed and that drew us to him," Blue Jays amateur scouting director Shane Farrell said following the selection. "We look forward to seeing that play out on the field and in our uniform."

Despite falling several picks below where he might have expected, Barriera is excited about the opportunity in front of him with the Blue Jays, who have showed a willingness to give opportunities to their young players, whether at the big-league level or with challenging minor-league assignments.

"I'm glad they picked me...," Barriera told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. "When you look at their team, they play their young guys, they're not scared to bring up their young guys. That's something that I would love to be a part of."

Story continues

One of those examples Barriera is referring to is All-Star pitcher Alek Manoah, who logged just 35 innings in the minor leagues before getting called to the majors in 2021. Perhaps it should come as no surprise Manoah is the Blue Jays player Barriera is most looking forward to meeting.

Who's Brandon Barriera waiting to see the most in the Blue Jays? All Star and Cy Young Candidate Alek Manoah. Solid Answer. #BlueJays #MLBdraft2022 pic.twitter.com/AGdZ0rWX0U  BabyJays Breakdown (@BabyJaysBD) July 18, 2022

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In utero, an umbilical cord is the babys lifeline  and after birth, it still has the potential to sustain life.

Rather than cutting the cord immediately, Dr. Dennis Costakos, neonatologist at Mayo Clinic Health System La Crosse, advocates for delaying clamping for 30 seconds to a minute to increase distribution of blood to the infant rather than leaving this precious blood in the placenta. Clamped at 10 to 15 seconds, 67% of the umbilical cord blood will go directly to the infant, a percentage that increases to 80% at the 60-second mark.

Costakos implemented delayed cord clamping at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse in 2006 after presenting his research. The process has been around for hundreds of years but was not always common. In the 1960s, early cord clamping was the norm due to concerns about maternal and infant outcomes, but studies over the decades led to making delayed clamping standard some 50 years later.

For babies born at full term, the extra blood can improve iron stores and may enhance development.

For babies born prematurely, waiting to clamp can decrease risk of some potentially life threatening complications of being born earlier than full term. Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Obstetric Practice and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend delayed cord clamping, with a 2012 systematic review of 15 studies showing a wait of 30 to 180 seconds had significant health benefits for preterm infants.

Among the infants studied, cord blood was found to improve transitional circulation and red blood cell volume, and reduce the chances of necrotizing enterocolitis (inflammation of intestinal tissue) and intraventricular hemorrhage.

It is possible there will be enough cord blood to both stay with the baby and be saved or donated. The cord blood can be stored in a private bank for use to help a family member with a qualifying condition, or donated to a public cord blood bank to aid in treating others.

If a sibling is currently suffering from leukemia, sickle cell disease, Hodgkins lymphoma or thalassemia, physicians may  after discussion with the siblings care team and looking at the best treatment options  recommended saving it for the sister or brother.

Cord blood banking for personal use is not recommended, as it is a highly costly service  up to $2,000 to start, and additional fees of around $100 annually  and not covered by insurance. The chance that the baby may later need their own stems cells is miniscule, and if requiring medical intervention a donors stem cells would likely be used.

The chances that you would ever call for the cord blood would not be more than one in 10,000, maybe even as low as one in 250,000, Costakos says.

Donations, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration, are in need. Around 70% of patients do not have a fully matched family member, and for them A transplant of bone marrow or cord blood from an unrelated donor may be their only transplant option. The National Cord Blood Inventory aims to collect and store at least 150,000 new cord blood units, with donations from members of diverse racial and ethnic groups especially needed.

Donating, however, may not be feasible. Costakos notes moms-to-be could be disqualified from donating to public banks due to existing health conditions, and travel would be necessary as there are no collection centers in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Should they opt in to bank or donate, parents must express their wishes to save the cord blood in advance. The collection process is painless for the baby, Costakos says, as there are no nerve fibers in the umbilical cord.

Blood is drained from the umbilical cord with a needle, and a special collection bag is attached, Costakos says. After the bag is sealed, the placenta is delivered. The process takes about 10 minutes.

In some cases, immediate cord clamping may be necessary, such as if the cord placenta has already separated from the baby. This condition, called abruptio placenta, can interrupt or prevent oxygen and nutrient supply to the baby and cause the mother to bleed excessively.

For more information on cord blood donation, visit https://bloodstemcell.hrsa.gov/.
A sexual assault survivor chooses sterilization so that if she is ever attacked again, she wont be forced to give birth to a rapists baby. An obstetrician delays inducing a miscarriage until a woman with severe pregnancy complications seems sick enough. A lupus patient must stop taking medication that controls her illness because it can also cause miscarriages.

Abortion restrictions in a number of states and the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade are having profound repercussions in reproductive medicine as well as in other areas of medical care.

For physicians and patients alike, this is a frightening and fraught time, with new, unprecedented concerns about data privacy, access to contraception, and even when to begin lifesaving care, said Dr. Jack Resneck, president of the American Medical Association.

Even in medical emergencies, doctors are sometimes declining immediate treatment. In the past week, an Ohio abortion clinic received calls from two women with ectopic pregnancies  when an embryo grows outside the uterus and cant be saved  who said their doctors wouldnt treat them. Ectopic pregnancies often become life-threatening emergencies and abortion clinics arent set up to treat them.

Its just one example of the horrible downstream effects of criminalizing abortion care, said Dr. Catherine Romanos, who works at the Dayton clinic.

Medical dilemmas

Dr. Jessian Munoz, an OB-GYN in San Antonio, Texas, who treats high-risk pregnancies, said medical decisions used to be clear cut.

It was like, the moms life is in danger, we must evacuate the uterus by whatever means that may be, he said. Whether its surgical or medical  thats the treatment.

Now, he said, doctors whose patients develop pregnancy complications are struggling to determine whether a woman is sick enough to justify an abortion.

With the fall of Roe v. Wade, the art of medicine is lost and actually has been replaced by fear, Munoz said.

Munoz said he faced an awful predicament with a recent patient who had started to miscarry and developed a dangerous womb infection. The fetus still had signs of a heartbeat, so an immediate abortion  the usual standard of care  would have been illegal under Texas law.

We physically watched her get sicker and sicker and sicker until the fetal heartbeat stopped the next day, and then we could intervene, he said. The patient developed complications, required surgery, lost multiple liters of blood and had to be put on a breathing machine all because we were essentially 24 hours behind.

In a study published this month in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, doctors at two Texas hospitals cited the cases of 28 women less than 23 weeks pregnant who were treated for dangerous pregnancies. The doctors noted that all of the women had recommended abortions delayed by nine days because fetal heart activity was detected. Of those, nearly 60% developed severe complications  nearly double the number of complications experienced by patients in other states who had immediate therapeutic abortions. Of eight live births among the Texas cases, seven died within hours. The eighth, born at 24 weeks, had severe complications including brain bleeding, a heart defect, lung disease and intestinal and liver problems.

Before it overturned Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court never allowed states to ban abortion before the point when a fetus can survive outside the womb  roughly 24 weeks.

Chicago diversity executive Sheena Gray survived a harrowing pregnancy-ending experience last year, when doctors discovered she had an embryo in a fallopian tube and an eight-week fetus in her womb. They removed the embryo along with the affected fallopian tube, and told her they needed to abort the other fetus to save her life.

The decision to proceed with treatment was hers  abortion is still legal in Illinois. In fact, the state provides greater access to abortion than most others, and has been flooded with patients seeking abortions following the recent Supreme Court decision.

Gray said shes heard about similar care being denied or delayed in other states, and fears the high court ruling will force other patients to face the same fate.

No one should make these choices for a woman, period, she said.

Her story has a much happier ending: Gray became pregnant again and gave birth July 8 to healthy identical twin girls.

Choosing sterility

Julie Ann Nitsch, a sexual assault survivor and community college trustee in Austin, Texas, is among many women in states with restrictive abortion laws who are taking drastic steps.

Nitsch says she chose sterilization at age 36 rather than risk getting pregnant by another rapist.

I ripped my organs out to avoid that, she said.

Nitsch said she saw the writing on the wall after Texas enacted a law last year banning most abortions after six weeks, even in cases of rape or incest. She said she sensed that Roe v. Wade would be overturned, so she had surgery to remove her fallopian tubes in February.

Its sad to think that I cant have kids, but its better than being forced to have children, Nitsch said.

Dr. Tyler Handcock, an Austin OB-GYN, said his clinic has heard from hundreds of patients seeking sterilization since the Supreme Courts June 24 decision. Many choose this route because they fear long-acting birth control or other contraceptives could also become targets, he said.

His clinic scheduled a July 9 group counseling session to handle the surge, and every one of the 20 patients who showed up to hear about the risks and ramifications of fallopian tube-removal made an appointment to have the surgery.

Some physicians are reluctant to perform the surgery on young women with many reproductive years left, fearing they will change their minds later. Handcock said he heard from one 28-year-old woman who said six OB-GYNs declined to sterilize her.

Handcock said the choice should be up to patients.

I will protect my patients and their rights however I can, he said.

Targeting medication

Becky Schwarz, of Tysons Corner, Virginia, found herself unexpectedly thrust into the abortion controversy even though she has no plans to become pregnant.

The 27-year-old has lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause the body to attack tissue surrounding joints and organs, leading to inflammation and often debilitating symptoms. For Schwarz, these include bone and joint pain, and difficulty standing for long periods of time.

She recently received a notice from her doctor saying shed have to stop taking a medication that relieves her symptoms  at least while the office reviewed its policies for methotrexate in light of the Supreme Court ruling. Thats because the drug can cause miscarriages and theoretically could be used in an attempt to induce an abortion.

For me to have to be essentially babysat by some policy, rather than being trusted about how I handle my own body ... has made me angry, she said.

The Arthritis Foundation and American College of Rheumatology have both issued statements of concern about patients access to the drug. Steven Schultz of the Arthritis Foundation said the group is working to determine how widespread the problem is. Patients having trouble getting the medication can contact the groups helpline, he said.

Confusing laws

Many abortion laws are vague and they vary by state. That can leave physicians in a quandary.

Weve asked some legislators, How are medical providers supposed to interpret the laws? said Dr. Dana Stone, who is based in Oklahoma, a state that recently banned almost all abortions.

They say, Theyll figure it out, she said.
LANCASTER  Authorities have announced an arrest in the stabbing death of a 19-year-old woman in Pennsylvania almost a half-century ago, crediting advances in DNA technology and genetic genealogical research.

Lancaster County prosecutors and Manor Township police said Monday that a criminal homicide charge had been filed against David Sinopoli, 68, in the December 1975 murder of Lindy Sue Beichler.

Lindy Sue Beichler was 19 when her life was brutally taken away from her 46 years ago in the sanctity of her own home, District Attorney Heather Adams said. She said she hoped the arrest brings some sense of relief to the victims loved ones and to the community (who) for the last 46 years have had no answers.

Biechler, a flower shop clerk who had gotten married about a year earlier, was killed in the living room of her suburban Lancaster apartment after she returned from grocery shopping. She was stabbed 19 times; prosecutors said evidence at the scene suggested a sexual motive and investigators believed the killer knew her.

In 2019, prosecutors released composite images of a man they said left DNA evidence at the scene. The following year, prosecutors sought further genetic analysis that pointed to Sinopoli, who previously lived in the same four-unit apartment complex. In February, investigators surreptitiously obtained DNA from Sinopoli from a coffee cup he used and threw into a trash can before traveling at the Philadelphia International Airport," authorities said.

This case was solved with the use of DNA, and specifically DNA genealogy, and quite honestly without that I don't know that we would have ever solved it," Adams said, adding that the suspect was just not on our radar" before the new evidence pointed to him.

Cece Moore of Parabon Nanolabs said at the news conference she used a novel, nontraditional" strategy using the DNA to narrow down candidates through their familial descent from a particular area and town in Italy and following up with public records, social media and other resources. Such research only provides a lead or tip  a highly scientific tip but a tip just the same"  for investigators to follow up on, she said.

Sinopoli was arrested at his Lancaster home Sunday and was being held without bail on a charge of criminal homicide. Court documents don't list an attorney representing him; a message seeking comment was left at a number listed in his name.
Waynesboro Police are investigating a home invasion and stabbing that left two residents with injuries Sunday afternoon.

Officers responded to a home on Harrison Avenue around 4 p.m. for a report that "one or two masked individuals" had forced entry into the residence, police said.

One resident suffered 13 stab wounds and was treated and released from Meritus Medical Center while a second person was treated at Waynesboro Hospital for a leg injury and released.

Their identities has not been released.

Police received reports that one assailant possibly remained inside the home, and police established a perimeter. They requested the assistance of a tactical team from the State Police and cleared the residence without locating the assailant.

Waynesboro officers were assisted by the Washington Township Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department and fire police, the Franklin County Coroner's Office, Medic 2, the Waynesboro Ambulance Squad and the Franklin County Department of Emergency Services, police said.

Police said they do not believe there is a threat to the community.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 717-762-2131.

Further details regarding this incident will be released on Cumberlink when they become available.
Mary Peebles is concerned by the scope of the threat cropping up along the Interstate 81 corridor in Pennsylvania.

Once those warehouses are built, you cant go back, she said during a recent phone interview. Once you lose that history, you just cant go back to the way it was.

A dentist from Bloomfield, Colorado, she visited Cumberland County in late June to see the Peebles Homestead located along Cramer Road in Southampton Township.

Peebles is a direct descendant through her fathers line to the Scotch-Irish family that once lived on the property northeast of Shippensburg.

It was amazing to see a house that old, she said of the stone building constructed in 1775. Im in Colorado.  Theres nothing even close to that old around here. To see that and have that connection to it was just amazing. It was in good condition.

This is an important site, Peebles said. The people of Shippensburg and Cumberland County could learn from it. The family would like to see the house preserved.

Under threat

Situated on 156 acres of farmland zoned commercial, the homestead is one of four at-risk properties added this year to a list of endangered historical resources compiled by Preservation Pennsylvania.

The homestead is flanked by a housing development and 45 acres of farmland to the north, a warehouse to the west, a 61-acre farm to the east and I-81 to the south, said Mindy Crawford, executive director of the statewide nonprofit organization.

The house is currently vacant and the land is cultivated by a local dairy farmer, who uses the barn and an out-building, Crawford said. One warehouse has been constructed on a neighboring property. There are plans to develop another [nearby] parcel into a convenience store and trucking terminal. Numerous historic homes along the I-81 corridor have been demolished for warehouse construction. Without intervention, the Peebles Homestead could suffer the same fate.

As with other properties on its list, Preservation Pennsylvania could partner with a grassroots effort to identify issues and priorities and provide experts willing to offer their services pro-bono.

Historic resources are not saved just because we list them, Crawford said. They are saved when many people come together, usually at the local level, to change the situation. However, we know that putting a property on a statewide list puts some focus to it and it does make a difference.

Peebles said she hopes Preservation Pennsylvania could offer guidance to descendants and supporters on what may be good options to preserve and re-purpose the site. In terms of its historical significance, advocates have focused on the association that Alexander Peebles had to the property.

Alexander Peebles

Greg Highlands of Jonesborough, Tennessee, can trace his ancestry back to one of the daughters of Alexander Peebles, a veteran of the French and Indian War who settled with his family in what was then Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, as early as 1766.

A blacksmith and father of eight children, Alexander Peebles managed a farm of about 300 acres that included livestock, but no servants, Highlands said. One can easily surmise that he was a very busy and industrious man. The family belonged to the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church in Shippensburg.

On March 17, 1777, during the Revolutionary War, lawmakers passed the Pennsylvania Militia Act that required all men ages 18 to 52 to serve stints of up of two months in the fight against the crown. Two months later, in May 1777, Peebles was commissioned a captain in charge of the Hopewell Township contingent of the Cumberland County Militia, Highlands said.

Three hundred men of the county militia reported to Gen. George Washington in Chester on Aug. 29, 1777. They were assigned to defend Philadelphia during a series of battles that became known as the Pennsylvania campaign. Specifically, they participated in the Battle of Brandywine on Sept. 11, 1777, the Battle of Whitehorse Tavern on Sept. 16, 1777, and the Battle of Germantown on Oct. 4, 1777.

Less than two years later, in September 1779, Alexander Peebles was called up again as part of a unit that included three officers and 15 enlisted men, Highlands said. They were sent to Fort Augusta, a stronghold in the upper Susquehanna River Valley tasked with protecting colonists displaced by incursions from British rangers, loyalists to the king and Indian raiders.

I found no documents telling me why they were being sent or what their mission was, Highlands said. Fort Augusta is located in the present-day city of Sunbury, Northumberland County, he said.

A vanishing landscape

A Shippensburg native, Highlands knew about the Peebles Homestead growing up. Its a great thing, he said about the property being listed with Preservation Pennsylvania. Its definitely warranted because of the history there. I dont know what the future would be. I just hope they will be able to save it.

David Smith, a former interim executive director of the Cumberland County Historical Society, heads up a group that looks at preservation issues within the county for the Historical Society.

Its not a glorious example of architecture, Smith said of the homestead. But its a good solid example of the kind of architecture that was being built at that time. The Peebles are an important early family.

The more the public becomes aware of its historical significance, the greater the likelihood that some effort could be organized to protect and preserve the homestead, said Shawn Gladden, the societys executive director. Its definitely a vanishing landscape as we see more industrial construction in that area.

Brian Fritz of Shippensburg said he hopes Preservation Pennsylvania takes the lead in the effort to bring awareness to the homestead.

Its a reputable, respected organization, he said. They will bring people to the table. All were looking for is options, to sit down with somebody and say Lets look at this. Lets not destroy this.
In 1988, five years after calling the Soviet Union an evil empire, President Ronald Reagan visited Moscow where he addressed an audience of students from Moscow State University. At the heart of his speech, Reagan promoted the virtues and success of liberty and his vision that tyranny would ultimately be defeated (recall his other forecast made to the British Parliament in 1982 that the Soviet Union would end up on the ash heap of history).

Contrast those remarks with the current president and his trip to the Middle East. A headline in the Connecticut Post asks the right question: Biden once wanted to make Saudi Arabia a 'pariah'  so why is he playing nice with the kingdom's repressive rulers now?

Biden met with Saudi Arabias Prince Mohammed bin Salman (affectionately known as MBS), who has been accused by U.S. intelligence of sending a hit squad to murder journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Apparently feeling the heat of criticism from people opposed to the trip, Biden felt the need to explain himself in an op-ed for The Washington Post.

In it, Biden makes this ludicrous claim: The Middle East Ill be visiting is more stable and secure than the one my administration inherited 18 months ago. He must have forgotten the Abraham Accords, which Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner cobbled together. It normalized relations between Israel and five Arab countries, including Bahrain, the UAE and Morocco, something never before achieved. As usual, Biden gives no credit to Trump.

Speaking of not forgetting, Biden was part of an administration that spent nearly $350,000 supporting a group trying to unseat then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a U.S. Senate investigation. The administration has also been pushing for a nuclear deal with Iran, which has clearly failed and never had a chance of succeeding. Thats because Irans leaders have repeatedly said they are obeying Allahs command to acquire nuclear weapons.

Biden has said he will raise the issue of human rights with MBS. That is unlikely to produce positive results in a nation that has only recently allowed women to drive cars.

Despite the cover-up with noble intentions, this trip is about trying to persuade Saudi Arabia to produce more oil so U.S. gas prices will come down to tolerable levels ahead of the November and 2024 elections. What will the U.S. get in return? Probably no more than Biden and Obama got from opening diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Last February, Biden telephoned MBS to effectively ask him to pump more oil after he had curbed additional domestic oil production, reversing the much lower gas prices during the Trump administration. Biden seemed to be offering him a deal  Biden would provide more so-called defensive weapons for the Saudis to fight the Houthis in Yemen in exchange for more Saudi oil. Reading between the lines of reports about the call, it appeared MBS turned him down.

When Reagan visited Moscow, his approval ratings were 53 percent, according to Gallup. He dealt from a position of strength and moral clarity. Bidens approval numbers (if they can be called that) have declined to a record 33 percent, according to a New York Times/Siena College survey with a majority of Democrats wanting him to be replaced in 2024. Ninety percent of young Democrats want another candidate.

The Middle East has been relatively quiet in recent years. Bidens trip is unlikely to enhance stability and more likely to stir things up again. It has the potential of being a lose-lose for America and for Israel, which would be quite an accomplishment.
A St. Francois County jury found an area man guilty of domestic assault last week after a one-day trial.

At the conclusion of the trial on Thursday, it took a jury an hour and 20 minutes to render their verdict that Andrew Paul Gregory, 31, of Bonne Terre, was guilty of second-degree domestic assault and tampering with a witness.

Representing the state at trial were St. Francois County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tim Wright and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Rachel Smith. Assistant Public Defender Geralyn Ruess and Assistant Public Defender Ariel Epulle represented Gregory. Circuit Judge Wendy Wexler Horn presided over the trial.

A formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16. Since Gregory was found guilty as a prior and persistent offender, he could face potential sentences of 3-10 years in prison on each of the two counts.

Following the guilty verdicts, St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Gilliam expressed appreciation for the victim and everyone who aided in the case.

"Thank you to the victim in this case who bravely testified," said Gilliam. "Also, this verdict was the result of the hard work and preparation by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tim Wright and Sgt. Tim Harris with the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department."

The case was filed last year after an investigation of an assault that took place at a rural Bonne Terre home.

According to charging documents, on Oct. 26, Gregory, who lived at his mother's house in Bonne Terre, assaulted his mother by striking her in the face with his fist. The man reportedly knocked the woman to the floor and then began choking her with a purse strap.

An investigator with the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department noted in his report that the woman had serious bruises on her face and marks around her neck consistent with being strangled by a strap.

Court records show Gregory has previous convictions for offenses. The man pleaded guilty in 2015 to receiving stolen property, felony stealing, and unlawful use of a weapon. He was sentenced to serve seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections in the cases.

Filings indicate Gregory has pleaded guilty to other past felonies, including felonious restraint, stealing, and fourth-degree assault.
The number of requests in Azerbaijan related to computer security amounted to 3 million in the first half of 2022, Azernews reports with reference to the Center for Combating Computer Incidents (CERT).

Some 94.3 percent (2.8 million) of the total number of requests were considered and satisfied.

According to CERT, the computer incident response team prepared and sent 204 reports to the relevant structures based on the information security audit, during the reporting period.

Additionally, 28 domain names and 85 subdomains were registered in the Azerbaijani segment of the Internet from January through June 2022.

The number of unique cyber incidents in the Azerbaijani segment of the Internet decreased by 20.3 percent in 2021 compared to 2020, to 3.9 million.
The St. Francois County Commission had a relatively light meeting Tuesday morning with few items on the agenda.

The county received no sealed bids for striping several roads, so the county's Road and Bridge Department will reach out to several different companies to receive prices for striping work.

County Clerk Kevin Engler said so far, 212 absentee votes have been received for the Aug. 2 primary. He also reported that as of June 29, the 2022 assessed valuation of the county showed an increase from last year of $47 million or 5.4% in real estate taxes.

Things are really looking good for us, he said. Not a lot of commercial (new construction), just residential construction.

The commission made a second clarification on the modification of maintenance of five roads in the county from a 2010 agreement. In the June 28 meeting, the county accidentally modified the agreement for Ridgewood Hills Drive, Ridge Top Road, Sunset Court and Hillcrest Drive that already had full maintenance. The commission clarified that they were modifying the agreement for Whitetail Lane, Maple Hill, Doe Lane, Ridgetop Drive, Timber Lane and Fawn Circle Drive.

As before, the commission stressed that the Road and Bridge Department is not taking on new roads, but changing the agreement from partial maintenance to full maintenance. The roads that are updated already receive funds from the state of Missouri through the County Aid Road Trust (CART) to maintain those roads.

Collector Pamela Williams spoke to the commission about two money counters that her office purchased.

This is a maintenance agreement on those two money counters, she said. Its for $1,170, and we are asking for approval to sign that contract.

The contract is for one year and was approved. Williams was asked about how many citizens actually pay their property taxes in cash.

We have a lot who pay in cash, she said.

Presiding Commissioner Harold Gallaher said he found out in a discussion with Williams that a lot of people dont have checking accounts and credit cards and have to pay in cash.

The commission also approved an ADA Grievance Procedure for St. Francois County as part of applying for the TAP grant for the West County School Sidewalk project. Engler explained the need for the approval.

Most of your federal grants have this standard boilerplate language that you have to have, he said. Youre going to see more of these  even if it doesnt pertain to (the grant).

The next St. Francois County Commission meeting will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the courthouse annex in downtown Farmington.
Those of us who live outside the Beltway that encircles Washington D.C. often forget how the partisan gridlock in Congress impacts our lives. It takes something like the presentation U.S. Sen. Mark Warner made at the University of Virginia last week to drive home the importance of bipartisan cooperation in the lives of average Americans.

Warner made a fortune as an early investor in cell phone technology after two failed efforts at entrepreneurialism. He talked at UVa about how others can find the capital to chase their dreams, especially people with low incomes and minority and non-traditional investors such as Blacks, immigrants and women.

Private venture capital can be hard to come by for those folks. So the government funds Community Development Financial Institutions known as CDFIs and Minority Depository Institutions known as MDIs. In the Charlottesville region, this includes the Community Investment Collaborative, the Piedmont Housing Alliance, the Staunton Creative Community Fund, Virginia Community Capital and Virginia Foodshed Capital

Warner, a Democrat, authored a $12 billion CDFI Rapid Relief program that was included in the 2020 COVID relief bill. The first round of funding sent $21.6 million to lenders in Virginia. More will come in subsequent rounds.

But billions more in funding for low-income and middle-income entrepreneurs and non-traditional and minority borrowers remains hostage in the spending bill blocked in the Senate by Republicans and a couple of Maverick Democrats.

Federal spending bills are enormous and comprehensive. Funding for entrepreneurs is just a tiny fraction. But for many of the people who gathered at the Darden School of Business last week, the bill provides the lifeblood of what America is supposed to represent. This country prides itself on rewarding personal initiative and creative thinking. No reward exists where members of the U.S. House and Senate are so hidebound in their desire to destroy the opposition party that they simply refuse to engage with the other side.

Congressman Bob Good, a Republican representing the mostly rural Fifth Congressional District that also includes Charlottesville and Albemarle County, actually prides himself on his refusal to work across party lines. The Lugar Center recently rated Good the fifth least bipartisan member of the 435-member House of Representatives. He bragged about it at a nominating convention where the party base chose him to run again in 2022.

By way of contrast, the Lugar Center ranked Seventh District Rep. Abigail Spanberger the fifth most bipartisan member of the House.

The Lugar Center, named for former Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, ranked Warner 35th out of 100 senators.

An example of how Warner works  and how Congress is supposed to work  comes in his latest effort in behalf of entrepreneurs, small business start-ups and low income people looking for other ways to realize the American Dream. Warner wants to offer tax credits to private financial companies that provide funds for CDFIs to lend to low income people of every race, creed, color, faith and political persuasion. This is because borrowing requests far outstrip available funds at CDFIs. So Warner teamed with Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, and Republican Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi.

We hope this common sense bill passes quickly. But in the current atmosphere at the Capitol that is anything but sure.

For instance, Warner has fought for a year to get a computer chip bill he authored through Congress. The chip bill will establish computer chip production facilities in the U.S. to provide high-paying jobs. It will also give the U.S. defense, car and appliance industries a domestic source of computer chips. The chip bill protects national security because the U.S. now buys most of its chips from Taiwan. Taiwan faces a takeover by China that would dangerously compromise the U.S. military and this countrys economy.

Warners struggle begs a question:

If Congress cant reach bipartisan agreement on a bill that keeps us safe and financially stable, what can it agree on?
The Benton County Sheriffs Office has arrested a Philomath man on suspicion of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Deputies arrested Charles Harold Mellick, 32, on Friday, July 15.

According to court documents, Mellick allegedly assaulted and caused physical injury to another person using a knife and/or shard of glass. Court documents indicate the alleged attack was considered domestic violence and occurred Thursday, July 14.

Court documents also allege Mellick damaged tires belonging to the victim.

Mellick was reportedly on probation or post-prison supervision at the time of the alleged assault, according to court documents.

Mellick was arraigned in Benton County Circuit Court on July 15 on charges of second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and second-degree criminal mischief.

According to Oregons online court database, Judge Matthew Donohue appointed John Rich as Mellicks defense attorney during the arraignment. Donohue set bail at $50,000 for the alleged assault case and $1,000 for another open case where Mellick is accused of failing to report as a sex offender.

The next court appearance in the matter is scheduled for July 21.
Summer is in full swing, which means summer temperatures are too. With highs in the 80s and 90s, community members may need to find ways to beat the heat.

But if you find yourself outdoors on a particularly hot day without the option to retreat to an air-conditioned building, its crucial to know how to stay healthy and cool.

The National Weather Service will issue warnings when a heat wave is on the way. Its important to understand the various types of announcements the service may issue in order to properly respond.

Excessive heat warning: Take action. Extremely dangerous heat conditions are coming.

Excessive heat watch: Be prepared. Increased risk of an excessive heat event, but the occurrence and timing are uncertain.

Heat advisory: Take action. There has already been an onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions.

Excessive heat outlook: Be aware. There is a potential for an excessive heat event in the coming days.

Stay cool

The summer months tend to increase the risk of heat-related illness. The most serious of these conditions is heat stroke, but something as simple as a heat cramp can be the first sign of trouble, according to the National Weather Service.

Heat stroke symptoms to look out for include throbbing headache, confusion, dizziness, a body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, hot and dry or damp skin, a rapid pulse or fainting, the NWS reports.

If someone is experiencing symptoms of heat stroke and is vomiting, seek medical attention immediately.

Delay can be fatal, according to the NWS. Move the victim to a cooler environment and try to reduce their body temperature. Keep in mind a fan may actually make someone hotter depending on the temperature. Do not give fluid to someone exhibiting signs of heat stroke.

Tips for avoiding heat-related illnesses include staying in an air-conditioned space, hydrating, limiting outdoor activities and exercise and wearing lightweight and loose fitting clothing, according to the NWS.

The 'Good Samaritan'

Some populations may be more vulnerable when it comes to extreme heat events. These groups include infants and children, the elderly, pregnant and pets.

Because of this, its critical to never leave a pet or child in a hot car during a high-temperature day.

People really want us to give them an exact outdoor temperature when it is not OK to leave your pet in the car, but the truth is there are many variables, said Laura Hawkins, Albany Police Department community engagement officer, in an email. Is the car in direct sunlight? In 70 degree weather the interior of a car can get to 99 degrees in 20 minutes  113 degrees in an hour.

Hawkins said variables officers need to consider when responding to calls of children or pets in hot cars include whether or not the windows are cracked, where the sun is in the sky and if the child or pet is exhibiting signs of distress.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald.

Oftentimes community members will want to rapidly respond and even break someone elses car window to free the child or dog. Hawkins said its important to use best judgment.

If you come across someone in a hot car and you have reasonable belief that the child or animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm, you are OK to break a window, Hawkins said. You should call 911 either before or soon after entering the vehicle to get help on the way.

Oregons Good Samaritan Law offers some legal protections to citizens offering aid to an injured or ill individual, and this includes breaking a car window. However, Hawkins said citizens should only use minimum necessary means to get into a vehicle.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan and Latvia have discussed "ample opportunities" for cooperation in agriculture and digital economy sectors, Azernews reports.

The discussion took place during the meeting between Azerbaijan's Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov with Latvia's Agriculture Minister Kaspars Gerhardt.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed opportunities for Latvia companies to participate in the restoration and reconstruction process of Azerbaijan's liberated lands.

Moreover, they exchanged views on opportunities for cooperation in projects implemented in the Araz Valley Economic Zone, Aghdam Industrial Park, and Alat Free Economic Zone.

The sides also discussed the current state of trade and economic relations and the directions of partnership expansion.

Earlier, it was reported that Azerbaijan's Vegetable Institute and the Latvian Life Sciences University have signed a memorandum of cooperation. The document was signed during the meeting between Latvian and Azerbaijani agriculture ministers.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 11, 1994. The Azerbaijani embassy in Latvia was opened in 2005, and the Latvian embassy in Azerbaijan in 2006.

Relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia have developed at a high level in all areas. The political dialogue between the two countries continues through regular reciprocal visits at the highest possible levels.

The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $27.1 million in 2021 and $19 million in the first five months of 2022.
Telecom Namibia pledged to invest NAD2.3 billion (US$134m) into its infrastructure to address the countrys urgent need to improve low connectivity adoption and high prices.

In a statement, Telecom Namibia said it will invest the money over the next five years in its fixed and mobile infrastructure. It will begin with the core network and access technologies.

The first round of investment which amounted to US$5 million, went to the co-landing of the Google Equiano submarine cable with Paratus on July 1 this year, expanding capacity by 4Tbps. This was the second submarine cable landed by Namibia Telecom, the first was the West Africa Cable System that landed in February 2011.

The operator is positioning Namibia as a regional ICT hub for landlocked African countries such as Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, and the DRC.

The next phase of the companys investment plan will be to accelerate the rollout of fibre to upgrade its existing 10,676 km of fibre, although it did not state how much will be injected. To date, the company invested over NAD148 million in deploying fibre.

Telecom Namibia also did not detail future plans for investments in its mobile infrastructure. But stated it aims to rapidly increase our current population coverage, and quality of service.

The company also pledged to continue sharing infrastructure fairly with rival operators through its neutral operator PowerCom.

The state-owned operator cited a report from the World Bank Group which highlighted what the operator calls a digital divide in the country, caused by high data costs, low coverage and lack of stable electricity access for enterprises.

The report stated the cost of data in Namibia is high with an average cost of US$8.30 (NAD142.83). Mobile adoption is only at 36% which is behind its regional peers that have a penetration rate of 52%. Fibre rollout in the country is also slow with only 2.5 subscriptions per 100 citizens.
Latin American data centre deals have been in the news recently thanks to a major acquisition in Ecuador and two facility openings in Mexico.

In Ecuador a leading infrastructure as a service (IaaS) provider in Latin America and emerging markets, EdgeUno, has acquired all the assets and shares of business continuity provider and data centre operator New Access.

New Access provides managed services including hosting, backup and recovery, and cybersecurity services from two data centres in Quito and Guayaquil.

EdgeUnos offering includes colocation and cloud services. It operates its own data centre facility in Colombia and has a presence in more than 20 facilities across North and South America and the Middle East.

As the Data Centre Dynamics website points out, EdgeUno launched four facilities in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Santiago in Chile and Buenos Aires in Argentina in 2019. It also acquired Colombian company Red One in 2019, followed by Sunnyvale Networks and NuiTEC in Brazil. The purchase or building of many more data centres is apparently planned.

This news followed hard in the heels of an announcement from Ascenty, a leading data centre service provider in Latin America, which highlighted the opening of its first two units in Mexico, launching its operations in the country.

The total investment for the installation of the two new data centres, located in the city of Queretaro, was BRL1 billion (about US$184.3 million). Ascenty now has 28 data centres in Brazil, Chile and Mexico  21 currently operating and six under construction.

Queretaro has apparently become an area attracting a lot of foreign and domestic data centre investment as it is close to important industrial areas, has a low risk of natural catastrophes and allows access to an efficient electrical infrastructure.

Ascenty will open a second unit in Chile later this year and is believed to have its eye on other markets in the region, such as Colombia and Peru.
Ethiopian mobile money service TeleBirr has now passed the 20 million subscriber mark. In fact the Xinhua agency reports that TeleBirr, a service designed and rolled out with help from Huawei, now boasts more than 21 million subscribers.

TeleBirr was launched by the state-owned operator Ethio Telecom in May 2021. As well as 21.14 million users (and rising) it boasts that TeleBirr-based transactions have reached 25.67 billion Ethiopian birr (just under US$492 million) integrating with 13 banks to transfer money from the banks to the platform.

Theres also the little matter of the many extensions to the service that now include the purchase of domestic flight tickets from Ethiopian Airlines, utility bill payments and penalty payments for drivers, supported by numerous agents and master agents and thousands of merchants.

In fact the latest TeleBirr innovation was announced last week. According to the Walta news service, Ethio Telecom and the National Lottery Administration (NLA) have signed an agreement to launch a digital lottery known as Admas. This digital lottery will use TeleBirr and short SMS services. It is hoped that, as well as being convenient for end users, the new system will reduce printing costs, enhance lottery accessibility, and save time for the NLA.

Ethio Telecom has made it clear that partnerships with other public and private organizations are planned. However, as we pointed out recently, a new operator, Safaricom Ethiopia, will enter the market in August and in April Ethiopia began changing its national payments law to clear the way for Safaricom to bring its popular M-Pesa service to the market. This will offer real competition to Ethio Telecom  and TeleBirr  for the very first time.
The cut-throat competition to get into Vietnam's high schools has revealed a dark side of urbanization that destroys the very notion of a level playing field.

This situation, with students in major city centers having to fight tooth and nail to get into a reputed school while other institutions in the suburbs are unable to get enough admissions, affects millions of children and their parents.

For many years, Hanoi has split its 30 districts into 12 areas for the purpose of high school entrance examinations. This year, each student gets three public high school choices to register with certain conditions. The first two priorities have to be located in the area that the student resides. The third choice can be any school they wish.

If a student's scores allow entrance to her/his top choice school, she/he cannot apply to the their second and third choice schools. If students fail to get into their top school choice, they can apply for admission to their second and third choices, but the bar would be 1-2 points higher than what the schools demand. And once the three choices are made, they cannot be changed.

Such admission restrictions have led to harsh competition between students to get into the best schools. There are areas where there are too many students and too few schools, and vice versa.

Students living in a particular district have to compete with several peers to get into the high school they covet, but in a different district, every student resident can get admission to any high school in the area because there are not enough students applying in the first place.

Dog-eat-dog

The high school entrance exam was held late last month and the results were revealed on recent days. Given the harsh competition, some students scoring as high as seven or eight out of 10 for each subject still could not get into their desired schools.

Hanoi's 12 downtown districts have a population of around 3.74 million, according to city statistics released earlier this year. They account for 44.6 percent of the city population, although they take up just 10 percent of the city's total area.

These 12 downtown districts alone have 36 public high schools, while the other 18 districts in the city have 71 schools in total. Despite having much fewer schools, around 44,628 students picked a school in the downtown areas as their first choice this year, accounting for 42 percent of all students.

The competitive rate in downtown areas is around 1/1.89 (one student would need to compete against 1.89 others to get into the same school). This figure for suburban areas is 1/1.35.

Cau Giay District in particular has the highest competitive rate of 1/2.66. Over 3,700 students picked schools in Cau Giay as their top choice, even though the district only has two high schools capable of receiving 1,395 students in total.

Cau Giay, alongside Thanh Xuan and Dong Da, are among Hanoi's most densely-populated districts. Cau Giay was formed quite recently in 1996 and it has seen high population growth and a large influx of immigrants.

The same thing is also happening in other districts like Ha Dong (competitive rate 1/2.2), Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem (1/1.97), Dong Da (1/1.9) and Thanh Xuan (1/1.98). Among these, no district has more than four public high schools and the number of students applying is at least twice the number of available spots.

In districts like Tay Ho, Hai Ba Trung, Hoang Mai, Long Bien, Bac Tu Liem and Nam Tu Liem, competitive rates are a bit lower, but still fall between 1/1.58-1/1.7.

Downtown districts are usually where the best schools are usually at, and they typically demand high entrance examination scores from their students.

On the other hand, there are 18 suburban Hanoi districts that account for 90 percent of the capital's total area, yet only have around 900,000 people. As such, their competitive rate is considerably lower at 1/1.2-1/1.3. Each of these districts also has around 4-5 public high schools.

Gia Lam as a suburban district is somewhat of an outlier, having a competitive rate at 1/1.64, the highest of all suburban districts and even higher than certain downtown districts like Long Bien and Nam Tu Liem. Its proximity to downtown areas and a population of 300,000 with just four high schools could be factors in the unusually high competitive rate.

In this year's high school entrance examination, there were four high schools in Hanoi where all students who applied would theoretically get admitted because there were not enough applicants in the first place. No surprise that all of them are located in suburban areas.

Over the past five years, the number of students applying for public high schools in Hanoi has exceeded the preferred schools' capacity by 18,600-31,400. This year, the disparity is 29,500 students, the highest in the last four years.

Meanwhile, in HCMC

While there are no districts in Ho Chi Minh City that has seen as high a competitive rate as Hanoi's 1/2.66, similar issues are still prevalent.

The southern metropolis's downtown areas take up around 20 percent of the city's total area, but its population is a staggering 7.1 million people, accounting for 77 percent the citys total, according to data from the General Statistics Office last year.

Meanwhile, 78 percent of students typically choose a high school in downtown area as their first choice and only 22 percent opt for suburban area schools. The average competitive rate in HCMC's downtown area is around 1/1.52 and around 1/1.01 in suburban areas.

As in Hanoi, HCMC students are allowed to pick three school choices (except for certain specialized ones). City authorities advise students to pick a school near where they live.

The best high schools in HCMC see competitive rates of around 1/2-1/2.5. Each of these districts has an average population of 200,000, with Thu Duc City  formed by combining three erstwhile districts - having a population of over a million people.

While students have to compete hard to win a seat at the top downtown schools, their counterparts in suburban districts like Binh Chanh, Can Gio, Nha Be, Cu Chi and Hoc Mon, dont have enough students applying.

The Trung Lap High School in Cu Chi, for example, wants to accept 540 students this year, but only 274 applied. There are schools in Can Gio District where teachers have to encourage students to go to school.

HCMC might see over 21,000 students not being able to enter a public high school in the city this year, the highest number in the past five years.

Choosing battles

Do Dinh Dao, principal of the Nguyen Huu Tho high school in HCMC's District 4, said suburban areas often have low population density, meaning there are fewer students likely to pick local schools as their top choice.

Furthermore, parents and students prefer downtown schools because of the higher quality of education they can get there even if their admission requirements are tougher.

Dao said several families pick their second and third school choices at random, so when their children fail to get into their top school choice, they would be sent to a suburban school to study for a semester or two, before being transferred to a downtown school.

"We cannot force parents and students to choose schools, but they should understand the importance of picking schools in accordance with their children's academic level, the family's financial capabilities and ease of travel," Dao said, adding that suburban schools should have policies to encourage students to apply, while downtown schools should be willing to accept more students so the admission process wouldn't be too competitive.

The principal of a suburban high school in Hanoi, who wanted to remain unnamed, said students should be allowed to freely pick schools regardless of their locations.

"Forcing students to apply for schools in their own areas has prevented capable students from applying for top schools, simply because they live in the suburbs. On the other hand, students in downtown districts like Cau Giay and Bac Tu Liem should be able to apply to schools with lower requirements in the suburbs if their academic level isn't good enough," she said.

"Parents should not make their children carry their own dreams and expect them to enter top schools as a matter of pride or prestige," she said, adding that policies should also encourage high-quality teachers to move to the suburbs.

"When teachers' quality improves, so would education quality."
A Vietnamese student in Japan was awarded a certificate of merit for saving the life of a man who fainted in a bathroom by summoning emergency assistance.

On June 8 Nguyen Van Duc, 23, had heard cries for help from a woman in a parking lot in Iseda Town, and discovered her husband had passed out in a bathroom.

Duc called an emergency line for help, and the man was taken to hospital but discharged the same day.

Duc was awarded a certificate of merit by the the West Uji City fire department last week for his bravery and timely help despite the language barrier, Kyoto Shimbun newspaper reported.

There are around 433,000 Vietnamese nationals living in Japan, accounting for 15.7 percent of all foreigners, according to the Japan Immigration and Residence Administration.
Nguyen Trung Khanh, deputy head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said at a conference late last week that the industry has shown signs of marked improvement after the government opened up international travel and allowed quarantine-free entry starting March 15.

In the first half of this year, the country received 602,000 foreign tourists, 6.8 times the number last year when pandemic-related entry restrictions were still in force.

However, this was just 12 percent of the five million target set for this year.

Khanh said that for the rest of this year the industry should focus on attracting tourists from potential markets like India, the U.S. and the Middle East.

According to statistics from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the U.S. sent the second highest number of visitors to Vietnam after the country reopened its borders.

Before the pandemic India was one of Vietnams fastest-growing tourism markets with a year-on-year increase of 28 percent in 2019.

Vietnam Airlines currently operates direct flights connecting Hanoi and HCMC to San Francisco while Vietjet Air plans to open more routes connecting Vietnams major tourist destinations with Indian cities.

In addition, tourism officials will work with travel firms and foreign ambassadors to boost travel campaigns in Western European countries, South Korea, Japan and ASEAN, particularly those that Vietnam has offered visa exemption to.

The tourism industry will also organize fam trips to welcome travel firms from Europe, the U.S. and South Korea to promote the countrys image.

Starting March 15, Vietnam has allowed quarantine-free entry and resumed its pre-pandemic visa exemption policy for citizens from 24 countries, including Japan, South Korea and E.U. members.

However, the government only issues one-month single-entry visas to visitors from other countries, and has not resumed the pre-pandemic normal of issuing three-month visas.

Travel firms have complained that unfriendly visa policies are still the biggest barrier in Vietnam's tourism recovery.
Maryland EDD Helps Eastern Shore Businesses Navigate the Pandemic



The Eastern Shore Economic Recovery Project Team receives the 2022 Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Award. Pictured are John Wasilisin, Danny Thompson, Scott Warner, Greg Padgham, Erin Silva, Dan McDermott, Susan Banks, Debbie Bowden, Cassandra Vanhooser and Gordon Knox. Photo by Rick Lippenholz.

With just two employees, the Mid-Shore Regional Council (MSRC) may be among the smallest of EDAs economic development districts. But by leveraging the strength of its regional partners, the MSRC makes an enormous impact on Marylands Eastern Shore.

Founded in 2001, this council operates as a regional planning and development agency between three Maryland counties  Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot. The goal: to foster physical, economic, and social development in the region.

That mission was put to the test at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic early in 2020. With COVID-19 cases rising and businesses in lockdown, the counties on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay struggled to support local businesses and the people they employed.

To aid in the COVID-19 response, MSRC created the Eastern Shore Economic Recovery Project, turning to long-time partner EDA for financial support.

When the CARES Act was announced in 2020, we thought wed get $40,000 to $50,000 in EDA funding, said Scott Warner, MSRC Executive Director. We were pleasantly surprised when EDA awarded $400,000 for this project.

The first order of business was to assemble the team. Rather than hire a consultant, Warner turned to his regional partners. The Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland brought manpower and an additional $107,000 of EDA funding. The Mid-Shore economic development offices in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot counties provided additional resources, while leaders of the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board and the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance both signed on.

Warner rounded out the team with data scientists from the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative, creators of the well-known Delmarva Index. These were the people who could take economic data and, using the cutting-edge technology at their disposal, create data maps and dashboards that would make the information easy to understand so the team could best respond to the needs of the business community.

The group started with 31 different ideas for tools that could be developed. Ultimately, they winnowed the list down to four, the first of which was a web portal that houses all of the tools and offers easy access to key economic indicators. Data visualizations include interactive dashboards, web mapping applications, interactive reports, key points, and summaries.

Other tools include original tax revenue dashboards built with data collected by the Maryland Comptrollers Office. Dashboards show tax collections across years, county boundaries, and industries. Data visualizations correspond with charts showing COVID-19 cases and the influx of federal economic stimulus. A final dashboard shows the deep impact of the pandemic on the hospitality industry.

To create a regional survey to gauge business sentiment, the group worked with Salisbury Universitys Business Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON). The 50-question survey was administered first by the economic development offices in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot counties. All nine counties on Marylands Eastern Shore deployed the most recent survey that ended in June 2022.

Our team came up with about 50 questions, which we tweaked, and eventually narrowed down to the final survey, which was targeted at business managers, said Warner. We took all of that data and created a database for each question, which is now easily accessible for businesses looking for the path forward. The data will also be used to present feedback to councils and businesses in the form of dashboards, infographics, and summary reports.

Together, these tools provide free, easy-to-use economic data for making decisions in crisis situations. Economic development directors and their boards, as well as elected officials, now have a reliable way to gauge the impact of an economic crisis and the corresponding recovery. The tools will be maintained by the GIS cooperative and are now a permanent part of the Delmarva Index.

Each economic development office has launched its own public outreach initiative to share the tools with stakeholders and the public, to effectively illustrate how MSRC is working to build economic resilience within the community. Tailored for each municipality, these included an in-person symposium for local business leaders, presentations on the various dashboards, and a short educational video featuring the economic development directors from each county.

Looking ahead, the State of Maryland Department of Commerce has received funding to expand the project, creating similar dashboards for other regions across the state. Warner hopes to present the finished projects to Maryland representatives on Capitol Hill and to his colleagues at EDA.

The committee is proud of our partnership and the tools we created, Warner says. We are working together to provide real economic change in the three counties we represent to build a stronger and more resilient state of Maryland.

Tags: Economic Development Districts
The COVID-19 outbreak battered the education sector worldwide. The pandemic forced the sector to strip its conventional teaching strategies and adopt new technologies and concepts like Education 2.0. When the schools and colleges were left fidgeting on how to adapt to Education 2.0, EdTech platforms came to their rescue with their innovative services. As a result, the Edtech industry suddenly witnessed a boom in its business. This could be understood by the fact that 800 news Edtech companies were launched in 2020 alone.This article explores the correlation between Education 2.0 and the Edtech industry and how Education 2.0 will help EdTech firms to thrive in the Indian market.For laymen, Education 2.0 integrates e-learning into the conventional teaching system (Education 1.0), which was traditionally a one-way process.Education 1.0 is a teacher-oriented method with less focus on students interests. In contrast, Education 2.0 targets the students interests and emphasizes teacher-student interactions, student-to-student, and student-to-expert interactions. Education 2.0 incorporates cooperative learning, using technology like skype, sharing wikis and blogs for a better understanding of the subject, and using social networking in virtual classrooms. In Education 1.0, students were passive learners, whereas, in Education 2.0, students were active participants in the learning process. The students, through Education 2.0, have a better understanding of technical aspects like making presentations, using various EdTech platforms to collect study material, etc.EdTech was first introduced in India around 2001 with the concepts of smart classrooms and satellite-based education, a nascent step in integrating Education 2.0. However, between 2014 and 2019, India witnessed the launch of nearly 4,500 EdTech start-up companies, thus marking a new chapter in the EdTech space.However, its importance was recognized only when EdTech platforms started providing uninterrupted education, given the country's consecutive lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions thereafter. EdTech firms earlier had their respective strategies to impart education. But, when they collaborated with schools and colleges, they had to ingrain Education 2.0 in its strategies like incorporating the traditional and digital tools for the convenience of both teachers and students.PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Confederation of Indian Industrys report indicate that students, teachers, and parents are happy with this new education style and are stirred by the benefits like flexible timings and customized study material that EdTech platforms offer. As a result, India's EdTech market is predicted to grow at an approximate CAGR of 30% by 2025 to earn $10.4 billion.EdTech platforms have also been crucial for international students who had to engage in study-abroad-from-home mode due to the pandemic. With EdTech platforms like WorldGrad, the e-learning concept through Education 2.0 mode helped these study abroad students to finish their international studies from the confines of their homes.Digital education is promoted heavily in the National Education Policy (2020). The Government of India also constituted the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) in the Union Budget 2021-2022, which aims to strengthen the digital infrastructure. The Government also introduced the PM eVidya scheme making e-learning accessible to more students and teachers. Apart from these, the Government also launched SWAYAM, DIKSHA portal, SWAYAM Prabha, ePathshala portal, Nishtha, etc., to help EdTech smoothly integrate into the education system.Further, the Government also eased regulations on online education in 2020 and allowed universities to extend 20% of their degrees online. With the help of EdTech, Government now has a better reach to rural areas like the Teach for India and iTeach Schools campaigns in a joint venture with Esper that targeted the rural children.Along with this, the Government of India is planning to frame an EdTech policy to monitor and regulate the Edtech platforms. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared this information during a program organized by AICTE earlier this year.A Blume Ventures report claims that the EdTech market will strike a $4 billion mark by 2025 against the $750 million growth in 2020. Whereas Redseer, a market research firm, claims the growth number to be $5 billion by 2025. Additionally, among the 100 unicorns that India has, six are from the EdTech space.With online education predicted to grow to $11.6 billion by 2026, the EdTech platforms will surely witness a surge in their growth. EdTech firms innovative products like online courses, digital tools and services, gamification to make learning fun and interesting, and courses to up-skill industry professionals will further boost the industry. The collaboration of reputed institutes like IIMs with online service providers for online and blended courses is again proof that EdTech is here to stay, and so are the Edtech firms.Although traditional classroom learning will gain impetus with the reopening of schools and colleges, EdTech will shine in 2022 and beyond. EdTech has impacted the teaching methods, and it will soon be ingrained in conventional methods with concepts like Education 2.0.India has witnessed a paradigm shift of conventional studies towards EdTech platforms in the past few years, and the growth figures exemplify the strengthening of this trend. Moreover, the capability of EdTech platforms to create more skilled and industry knowledge-oriented students will push the industry's further growth in the Indian market. In the competitive exams space, the students are realizing the worth of EdTech and thus are turning towards these skill-driven courses for better prospects.The growing figures, better integration of Education 2.0, and capability to empower youth with industry-driven skills all testify that EdTech firms are sure to thrive in India.
Elko County Board of Fire Commissioners will meet at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, in the Nannini Administration Building. The board will consider approving the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Elko County Fire Protection District debt management plan and an infrastructure plan that includes shared funds for a mobile command vehicle at a cost up to $150,000.

Elko County Board of Commissioners meets at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, in the Nannini Administration Building. The board will consider donating $5,000 toward the proposed Historic Routes Preservation Act, and a resolution to establish an Opioid Recoveries Fund.

Elko County Board of Health meets at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, in the Nannini Administration Building. The board will hear updates from Nevada Health Centers, including new providers and the Behavioral Health Program. The board will also discuss back-to-school immunization clinics and receive an update from Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital on any illness outbreaks, activities of the emergency department and other issues.

Elko County Planning Commission will meet at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, July 21, Wednesday, July 20, in the Nannini Administration Building. The commission is scheduled to conduct six public hearings on requests including conditional use permits and variances.
SALT LAKE CITY  A Tooele man accused of setting a dog on fire, killing the animal in an effort to intimidate his ex-girlfriend and her family, is going to prison.

Michael Paul Busico, 41, pleaded guilty in May to arson, a second-degree felony, and torture of a companion animal, a third-degree felony, in exchange for two other charges being dismissed.

On July 13, a judge sentenced Busico to one to 15 years in the Utah State Prison for the arson conviction, and up to five years for the animal cruelty conviction. The judge also ordered the sentences to run consecutively, meaning Busico could serve up to 20 years in prison if he serves his full time.

The incident began on March 1, 2021, when Dixie, a 4-year-old Red Heeler, was taken from her yard. Her owners told investigators that a family member had recently broken up with Busico and took the dog to intimidate his ex and her family members, according to police.

Police say Busico took Dixie to the frontage road off Interstate 80 near 9300 West, poured fuel on the dog and lit her on fire. Dixie suffered second- and third-degree burns over 30% of her body, according to court documents, and had to be euthanized due to the severity of her injuries.

On Tuesday, Busico issued a written apology to the family in court.

I am very sorry, remorseful and ashamed of my actions. My actions were as a result of depression, and are not a reflection of the man I am, the letter states.

Busico goes on to say that he still cant believe he made such a terrible decision, but also claimed, as he has before, that the family member had taken money from him.

The things I did were done out of pure hurt, anger and confusion. I was wrong and stupid. I cant believe that I caused your pet death, he wrote.
By Trend

Azerbaijan is becoming a much more significant player in the European energy market, ex-President of Serbia Boris Tadic told Trend in an exclusive interview.

Azerbaijan is becoming a more valuable partner amid the global energy crisis. With building TANAP and TAP, Azerbaijan already has been and can play a much more significant role in the future in this regard, he said.

As Tadic noted, hopefully, Serbia will get a chance to connect to the pipeline and get Azerbaijani gas in the upcoming years.

I was always in favor of diversification of energy supplies. It is natural that Azerbaijan has now become the most valuable energy partner for Serbia. The fact that my country did not approach the TANAP project earlier is very disappointing. I was suggesting building the interconnector with Bulgaria even during my term as a president, and I am glad that Serbia is finally approaching this project. This is of interest to both European countries, and Azerbaijan. It will be possible for Azerbaijani gas to reach not only Italy but all the countries on the way, he added.

I do not expect that Southeastern Europe will be highly interested in the LNG imports, such as from Norway because it is too far and complicated. In general, after Russia is under sanctions, Azerbaijan is going to be a much more important player in the European energy market, Tadic said.

The ex-president also added that there are huge opportunities in many aspects of the gas industry for Azerbaijan and Serbia.

Serbia, being one of the central players in terms of production of food, may cooperate with Azerbaijan in fertilizers production, which is very important for the agriculture sector and food security, he said.

Speaking about the renewable energy sector, Tadic noted that the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Serbia lays the foundation for strong cooperation toward clean energy transition.

Investments in clean energy are very important both for Serbia, and Azerbaijan. My vision of expanding our bilateral relations with Azerbaijan has always been beyond the traditional energy sector. Counting on the gas industry only means losing other opportunities. Azerbaijan has a huge capacity in solar and wind energy, in which Serbia is also highly interested, he said.

According to the former head of state, there is a huge potential for the two countries to cooperate in many aspects of the gas industry, in particular, in the construction of gas power plants, which are much better for the environment than the ones using coal.

We need two big gas power plants in Serbia, and I am strongly suggesting to our leadership and Azerbaijani leadership to take this into consideration in the future, Tadic said.

Further speaking, the ex-president noted that the cooperation between the private sector of Azerbaijan and Serbia is of most importance for the partnership between the two countries.

Serbia wants to see active cooperation not only between two friendly countries but also between friendly businesses. Various fields, such as energy, software and modern technologies, education, agriculture, and the pharmaceutical industry can be one of the many promising sectors within the partnership with Azerbaijan, he said.

Both of our countries have a lot of talented people. We have to cooperate in exchanging knowledge within our human resources. Big countries tend to underestimate smaller countries, and we have two think about how we can assist each other and succeed in such fields, where the big players do not expect us, he added.

Touching upon the IX Global Baku Forum on "Challenges to the Global World Order" organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the ex-president pointed out its importance in terms of finding solutions amid the global challenges.

If the world is going to be even more complicated than today, then the importance of such events as the Global Baku Forum will be very high, Tadic concluded.
Winnemucca has been part of me my whole life. I was raised here and I returned here after college to start a career and settle down. I care about the City of Winnemucca so much, I served as its Mayor for 12 years. So I know a thing or two about my City, what we need out here in rural Nevada, and who we can trust to fight for us.

I am a lifelong Republican who voted for Donald Trump in the last election, and I will continue to vote for Republicans up and down the ballot. But this November, there is one Democrat Im supporting: Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, because she shows up for Winnemucca.

Out here in the rurals, its often difficult to get our elected officials to hear our voices over the din of big cities. But Catherine doesnt just hear us out, she puts in the work to get us the resources we need. During my time as Winnemucca Mayor, Catherine sat down with me several times to make sure our community was supported, and she delivered for us over and over again.

I have personally worked with Catherine on closing the digital divide in rural Nevada and expanding broadband to homes, schools, and businesses out here. This is an important issue for us in the rurals, and a place where Catherine has been a leader. The work she has done to connect us to broadband will bring good-paying jobs to our state and increase access to high-speed internet in every corner of Nevada.

I served on the Winnemucca Domestic Violence Services board for many years, and Ive been impressed by Catherines work to protect women and girls. Back when she was Nevada attorney general, Catherine led efforts to crack down on sex trafficking here in Nevada, getting our Governor Brian Sandoval to sign her bill into law to make trafficking a felony crime and expand resources for survivors. And in the Senate, she has continued to work to support victims in Nevada, fighting for legislation Trump signed to address online sex trafficking by allowing victims to sue websites that enabled their abuse.

The main reason I am splitting my ticket this fall is because Catherine is not afraid to go against her own party to do whats right for Nevada. When Democrats wanted to impose new mining taxes, Catherine single-handedly prevented them from passing to protect this industry that is so critical to our communities. There are countless jobs, families, and businesses that are supported by our mining industry. She stuck her neck out for them, even when Democrats were attacking her for it. Its clear she puts Nevada and our country over her party.

Many Democratic politicians before her have disregarded rural Nevadans as unimportant; Catherine never has. Whenever she comes out to Winnemucca, its not under false pretenses. It doesnt matter to her that most of us are Republicans who may not have voted for her the first time around, she wants to use her position in Washington to help us out. Every time, her mentality is I dont care if you voted for me, my job is to work for you. Given whats going on in the world today and the harsh political environment we find ourselves in, Catherines approach is refreshing. And I think thats why she has been able to get so much done for Nevadans.

Winnemucca is my home, and I will always do what I think is best for our City. For rural Nevadans, whether youre a Democrat or a Republican like me, that means re-electing Senator Catherine Cortez Masto.
The seminar was held online with the participation of more than 70 guests. (Photo: congthuong.vn)

Ms. Vu Thi Bich Hau, Deputy Director of Da Nang Department of Science and Technology, said that there are great opportunities and potential between Da Nang and Japanese partners. Therefore, the workshop is a premise to promote investment connection activities so that Da Nang's innovative start-ups have conditions to develop, access to the Japanese, Northeast Asia and the Southeast Asian region, and international market.

At the workshop, the delegates discussed the issues relating to strengthening cooperation between Da Nang and Japanese partners to organize programs, seminars and courses of the two sides to improve the ability of start-up, exchange and experience sharing; develop a startup and innovation ecosystem to access regional and international markets; propose possible solutions in completing the system of legal corridors and policies to attract investment capital in the integration period.

Representative of Japanese enterprises, Mr. Nakagawa Wataru, Director of Murata Manufacturing Vietnam Company, shared that Central Vietnam has a close relationship with Japan and is also a place where Japanese businesses can conveniently carry out business activities. Therefore, the Japan Business Association will cooperate with the Vietnamese and contribute to the further development of Da Nang.

Since the beginning of 2020, Da Nang has supported 23 innovative start-ups with a total budget of more than VND4.1 billion. In addition, the city has a total of 147 projects and over 50 innovative start-ups formed through support programs.

In 2021, the locality has further connected with partners such as India, Singapore, Australia, the United States, France, and the International Association of French-speaking associations as a premise for extensive cooperation on innovation startups after the pandemic./.
At the reception (Photo: PANO)

At the meeting, on behalf of the leaders of Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense and in his personal name, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien sent his deepest condolences to the Japanese people and the family of late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, and expressed his belief that the Japanese people and the family of the late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo will soon overcome this tremendous loss.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense always attaches great importance to the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, considering it as a premise to promote bilateral defense cooperation to constantly expand, bringing more and more practical effects.

According to Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, over the past time, despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, defense cooperation between Vietnam and Japan has maintained its development momentum, promoting its important pillar role in the relationship between the two countries. Senior leaders of the defense ministries of the two countries maintain contacts and visit each other. Cooperation contents were actively implemented and promoted in accordance with the aspirations and needs of the two sides and achieved positive results in a number of areas such as exchange of delegations, maintenance of existing cooperation mechanisms, training, participating in UN peacekeeping activities, supporting capacity building, cybersecurity, military medicine, overcoming of war consequences, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance.

He acknowledged and highly appreciated Colonel Hara Takashi's positive contribution during his last working term in Vietnam and wished that he would continue to show good affection for the Vietnamese people and army, actively contributing to the promotion of the two countries' relations in general and the defense cooperation relationship in particular.

He also welcomed Colonel Ishihara Masanao to begin his working term in Vietnam as Japan's Defense Attache; showed his hope that Colonel Ishihara Masanao will continue to promote the results that Colonel Hara Takashi has made in the implementation of defense cooperation contents and continue to have new initiatives to promote defense cooperation.

Thanks to Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien for his reception, the previous and current defense attaches of Japan emphasized that in the year Vietnam assumes the role of ASEAN Chair 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some activities must be moved to online form or have not yet been implemented, including the International Maritime Parade and the International Defense Exhibition.

They expressed hope that in the coming time, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense will organize the organization of these activities. Colonel Ishihara Masanao also hoped that the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam would support and create conditions for him to successfully complete his working term in Vietnam, contributing to promoting the development of defense cooperation between the two countries./.
French Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn)

On July 14, the French Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City celebrated the 233th anniversary of the French Republic's National Day (July 14, 1789 - July 14, 2022).

According to Ms Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser, during the COVID-19 pandemic, France and Vietnam still had constant exchanges. In particular, France is very proud to have been able to maintain the reception of Vietnamese students in France, even in the context of unfavorable health conditions and closed borders.

She added that the pandemic is also an opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of mutual affection between the two countries, as shown by Vietnam's donation of masks to support France in the fight against COVID-19 in 2020, or 3.5 million doses of vaccines sponsored by France for Vietnam through the COVAX Facility. The reopening of the border has created favorable conditions for the two countries to continue exchanges and cooperation in all fields, not only in economy, but also in science, culture and art, she said.

The relationship between the two countries is also based on a large, dynamic and enthusiastic French community in Ho Chi Minh City, with 6,000 French citizens registered in the Consulate General's protection book, thereby contributing positively to the economic development of Vietnam.

The year 2023 will be a special year for both countries when they celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, as well as the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and France, she added. I hope that the two sides will cooperate to organize many meaningful activities for these activities.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan delivers a congratulatory speech at the event. (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn)

Speaking at the celebration, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan expressed his pleasure that Vietnam-France relations continue to develop well in many fields, despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. France has always been one of the leading important partners of Vietnam in Europe. The Vietnam - European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) taking effect has been a solid basis for Vietnam and France to strongly promote economic cooperation activities; opening up many new business opportunities for the business communities of the two countries and two regions. Cooperation between localities continues to affirm its important position in the overall relationship between Vietnam and France.

As one of the leading localities nationwide in consolidating and strengthening relations with France, in the first 6 months of 2022, France is one of the top 20 investors in Ho Chi Minh City with 328 projects and a total capital of nearly USD300 million. Regarding trade, the import-export turnover between Ho Chi Minh City and France in 2021 reached more than USD800 million, up 11% over the same period in 2020. The relationship between Ho Chi Minh City and French localities is maintained in a positive direction, with outstanding point being the relationship between Ho Chi Minh City - Lyon in many artistic lighting works.

He affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City will work closely with the French Embassy and Consulate General to effectively implement programs and projects of bilateral cooperation, especially activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-France strategic partnership in 2023./.
Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee's Secretariat Vo Van Thuong (left) was received by General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. (Photo: VNA)

His visit aimed to attend the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962  2022) and the 45th year of the singing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977  2022).

The Vietnamese officials were received separately on July 17 by General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane in Vientiane.

During the meetings, Thuong highlighted the significance of the establishment of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties 60 years ago and the signing of the treaty 45 years ago, which marked milestones in the history of the relations between the two Parties and States.

Thanking Laos for consistently providing support for Vietnam, he expressed his delight at the steady growth of the special ties between the two nations, contributing to maintaining political stability and socio-economic development in each country and heightening their international status.

Vo Van Thuong (left) is hosted by Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh. (Photo: VNA)

He proposed both sides direct their concerned ministries and local administrations to actively coordinate in implementing agreements signed by leaders of the two Parties, Governments and National Assemblies; deepen the political ties; and successfully organise visits by the two countries' leaders and activities marking the Year of Solidarity and Friendship 2022.

He also suggested the two sides further share experience in Party building, socio-economic development and international integration; closely cooperate in defence, security and external affairs; and together address issues hampering the effectiveness of the bilateral economic partnership.

Echoing Thuongs view, the Lao leaders also said they are happy to see the bilateral ties expanding in various areas, bringing practical benefits to people of both nations.

Vo Van Thuong (left) pays a courtesy call to President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane. (Photo: VNA)

They emphasised the long-standing tradition and the importance of the Vietnam-Laos relationship, saying it remains the valuable asset of both peoples and a rule for the existence and development of each country.

They pledged to do their utmost to nurture and promote the ties and asked the two sides to closely work together to effectively enforce high-level agreements, including the strategy for cooperation in the 2021  2030 period, the 2021  2025 cooperation agreement and a plan for cooperation between the two governments for 2022.

Later the same day, Thuong and his entourage paid a courtesy visit to former General Secretary of the LPRP and President Choummaly Xayasone and attended the opening of an exhibition on the Vietnam-Laos relations./.
By Trend

The road infrastructure created in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan will contribute to the countrys transformation into a new transport hub, expert, Professor, Head of Department at Odlar Yurdu University Elshad Mammadov told Trend.

According to Mammadov, the restoration of transport communications between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) and other territories of Azerbaijan creates prerequisites for the beginning of a new stage of development in the region.

The transport and logistics infrastructure, in which Azerbaijan has invested huge funds for the past 20 years, has led to positive results, he said.

"Azerbaijan has already begun to receive its economic and political dividends. There is an impressive potential not only from the point of view of transit but also in terms of the transport and logistics component of our country as a whole," the expert noted.

"We must ascertain the wisdom of the head of our state, who was one of the initiators of the development of transport and logistics routes passing through the territory of Azerbaijan, including the East-West and North-South corridors which connect Russia with the Asian market," Mammadov also noted.

"Azerbaijan has significant potential opportunities in this direction, and the further development of the transport infrastructure will allow it not only to become a transit country but also to gain access for its products with a higher added value to other markets," he further said.

The expert also stressed that the Zangazur corridor will open opportunities for the social and economic development of Azerbaijan, including Nakhchivan.

"Actually, the implementation of the Zangazur Corridor will enable our country to increase non-oil and non-primary exports. As the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted, positive results have been achieved in a number of issues in the country, Mammadov reminded.

"Its not by chance that the head of the state appreciated the work of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, because solving issues of a social nature will continue to be a priority," added the expert.

According to the MP, political expert Rasim Musabayov, the opening of the Zangazur Corridor will provide Azerbaijan with unimpeded and safe access to Nakhchivan, as well as allow NAR to establish a land connection with the western regions of Azerbaijan.

Musabayov also said that the capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway (BTC) hasnt been fully utilized. The throughput capacity of BTC is 10 million tons of cargo per year. However, at present, about three million tons of cargo are transported along this route per year.

The MP noted that its much more important for Azerbaijan to expand the infrastructural capabilities of the Baku International Sea Port.

"Accelerated commissioning of the second phase of the port construction is required, as the flow of all types of cargo is increasing. The low capacity of ships to transport cargo is also an extremely constraining factor. In this context, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are lagging behind very much," he pointed out.

"As the President of Azerbaijan noted in his speech at the meeting dedicated to the results of the first half of 2022, Azerbaijan has a large shipbuilding plant, and there is a need to increase its potential for shipbuilding. The implementation of this initiative will speed up the transportation of goods," the MP added.

According to him, in the future, when the Zangazur corridor will be fully built and commissioned, there will be a need to transport cargo along the East-West route, and a corresponding chain of routes will be created.

"Today, we dont see any necessity in this, and this issue is not on the agenda. However, this corridor will, first of all, provide Azerbaijan with a land connection with Nakhchivan, Russia with Iran, and Armenia with Turkiye. Moreover, the corresponding road infrastructure will be built to connect Azerbaijan with Turkiye through Nakhchivan," concluded Musabayov.
Ihor Zhdanov, Information Defence Project, The Open Policy Foundation

I am Vinnytsia.

I am Mariupol.

I am Chasiv Yar.

I am Ukraine.

You are Kremenchuk.

You are Odesa.

You are Popasna.

You are Ukraine.

We are all together - Ukraine.

It is very difficult to write analytical materials when rockets strike the city of your childhood. When dozens of civilians die and the children go to the heavens.

On July 14th, three russian missiles flew into the center of Vinnytsia. 23 people were killed, including three children.

I am from Vinnytsia. In this war, for me, Vinnytsia became the last line of defence against the rushists.

The maternity hospital where I was born is 300 meters from the Officers' House. My kindergarten is 100 meters away, on the opposite side of the Victory Square. And my native school is 500 meters away. Ironically, in the distant peaceful year of 1989, I did my wedding hairstyle in the men's salon, Yuvileinyi, in the subsidized store.

My elderly parents, God bless them, are alive, although they were at the scene of the tragedy only an hour before the impact.

That's why I don't want analytics, but I want to say everything you think about these underdogs, bastards and chumps.

I don't want to listen to the respected author of the article, who is probably right: obscene vocabulary is inherent in the russian language, and there are no obscene words in the Ukrainian language, there never were and there cannot be.

I agree with him. Theoretically.

But not in our reality, in which, on the contrary, you want to openly say that you think about the racist nonsense, using a big boatman's death. Do you want me to tell you about the russian bitches and scumbags who systematically destroy Ukraine and its people? Everything destroyed to the last person, because, in their opinion, we do not have the right to exist.

What is this, if not fascism?

That's why I don't want to listen to Oleksii Arestovych, who urges against posting videos of the torture of rushist prisoners of the war. In contravention of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, it destroys the image of Ukraine among its partners.

I agree with him. Theoretically.

However, it is simply impossible to put this argument to our soldiers who had lost their loved ones in the rear, or comrades who have been murdered by the rushists. Absolutely - after Bucha, Borodianka, Mariupol, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv.

Practically impossible - after 144 days of torture.

War embitters people, dehumanizes them. And when you are asked about torture cases, ask the Americans, British, Germans and other Europeans about Oradur, Treblinka, Khatyn, Sonmi, Hamburg and Leipzig.

This is not an excuse, but the truth we live by now. Unfortunately.

I don't want to listen to German intellectuals who call the defence of Ukraine a further escalation of military operations. And that is why they categorically oppose giving us weapons. Instead, these pseudo-intellectuals tell us how to trade our own country.

Please, gentlemen, all Germany is yours - give to the bastard putin Saxony, Bavaria or the Rhine. Everything is in your hands.

We do not trade our own country. We do not need to cover the sky with the hands of our partners. Just give us weapons, and we will do everything, so that not a single fascist flies over Ukraine. We ourselves will protect our sky.

We have to win the war. The price may be high, but the price will be even greater if we lose the war. Then the price will be measured not by human life, but by the life and existence of an entire nation  Ukraine.

The question is very simple - either us or them. And it was not us, Ukrainians, but the rushists who put it that way.

Yes, you can make another decision: go abroad and forget about the existence of Ukraine, betray it in the end.

And you can go abroad and, at the same time, help your native country - with taxes, volunteer help, remote work and informational pressure on our partners. Staying here and fighting bravely at the front, killing the rushists, because the only good rushist is a dead rushist. After all, we did not invite them to Ukraine.

You can work hard in the rear, tightening the straps. We need a strong and powerful Army, and it is expensive. But remember: whoever does not want to feed his own army, will feed someone else's.

We need modern Ukrainian weapons, but not only the weapons of our partners: Neptunes, Stuhny, Alders and other weapons. We are able to make them. We have brains, but we need political will and, again, money, or rather taxpayers' money.

Therefore, we will not behave as beggars who turn to partners with an outstretched hand.

After Bucha, in April, I asked how many Ukrainians needed to be killed so that you hear us? B ut I will no longer ask this question. Our partners do not have a fully adequate answer to it. The world is pragmatic and cynical, it only hears what it wants to hear. And, as a rule, each nation hears its own citizens.

Our safety is in our hands. Because together we are Ukraine.

Not theoretically anymore. Practically.

I am Vinnytsia.

I am Mariupol.

I am Chasiv Yar.

I am Ukraine.

You are Kremenchuk.

You are Odesa.

You are Popasna.

You are Ukraine.

We are all together - Ukraine.

P.S. In order not to end this post on a somewhat pathetic note, I would like to "repent" to Victoria Spartz. Recently I have been to a restaurant. My friend came from the front, whose birthday was last week. We had a good time, the four of us drank three glasses of dry wine. The focus of the discussion is, of course, the war.

My comrade is really well-served, at the front since 2014. That's when we met, when together with him we formed the 34th TRO battalion. He was almost the first to receive the title of the Hero of Ukraine after the beginning of a large-scale war, in March of 2022.

I do not mention his last name because he asked me not to. But I have asked him: Have you been awarded a Hero of Ukraine star yet? His response is: Yes, I received it today in Mariyinka. We were all shocked. We have almost persuaded him to bring the star. Such are our modest heroes and restaurant meetings.

By the way, Mrs Spartz, I also had a shock in 2014, when I was in the Donbas quite often doing volunteer work. There is war in the East, and in peaceful Kyiv people sit in cafes, laugh and live their peaceful lives. In psychological terms, it is called cognitive dissonance, and I am telling you this as a PhD of political sciences.

The shock disappeared quickly, which I sincerely wish for you.
The State Property Fund (SPF) of Ukraine will initiate the continuation of the exemption from paying rent for state property in areas where hostilities have been or are ongoing, acting head of the State Property Fund Olha Batova has said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"We will definitely initiate this. There is a need to make a lease exemption for seaports, for example. They don't work. I understand that the Ministry of Finance will be against it, but we will again find a consensus," Batova said.

She noted that closer to August, the State Property Fund will initiate an extension of the period of discounts for areas where they operate until September, and active shelling and hostilities continue.

As reported, during martial law, the State Property Fund listened to business and introduced a comprehensive system of benefits and discounts for many categories of tenants. According to resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 634, until September 30, the territories of the regions where hostilities took place were exempted from rental payments: Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and Mykolaiv regions as well as the city of Kyiv (except for administrative-territorial units in certain territories). Tenants in the territories of Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr and Odesa regions are exempt from rent until May 30.

Upon the expiration of these terms in the specified territories, the rent is charged in the amount of 50% of the amount of the fee established by the agreement, taking into account its indexation. The discount is valid during the period of martial law, within three months after its end, but in any case until December 31, 2022.

Previously, throughout Ukraine, except for areas where other benefits are temporarily applied, tenants of state property are provided with a 50% discount, tenants of unified property complexes  25%.

"In the western regions not affected by active hostilities (Lviv, Zakarpattia, Volyn regions), about 70% of the planned payments were received from tenants. At the same time, if we talk about southern Ukraine, in particular, about Odesa or Mykolaiv, the Fund sees reduction of rent payments in about 50% planned," Batova said.

In general, most of the regional offices of the State Property Fund report an almost two-fold drop in rental income.

"To a large extent, the growth of rental payments depends on the scale and duration of hostilities on the territory of our state. We hope that by the end of 2022, business activity in most regions will recover, which will positively affect the amount of rental income," Batova said.
The Ministry of Energy is working out the issue of creating a single state electricity trader on the basis of the Energy Company of Ukraine, head of the department Herman Haluschenko said.

"This issue is not dead. It is in the process. Therefore, ECU was transferred to the Ministry of Economy, because in this case the company cannot be under the Ministry of Energy, so as not to violate our European obligations," the Minister of Energy said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, the trader will be the same market participant as any other, and the state generation will be his key supplier of electricity.

We are not talking about a monopoly, some special rules or exclusive exceptions for the state - the rules will remain the same for everyone," Haluschenko stressed.

At the same time, he noted that this idea has some resistance, but it is primarily aimed at protecting the interests of the state.

As reported, at the end of June, the Cabinet of Ministers transferred to the Ministry of Economy the authority to manage 100% of state shares in the charter capital of the Energy Company of Ukraine, which were under the control of the Ministry of Energy.
SOE ProZorro expects the first pilot purchases together with the World Bank in the autumn of 2022, however, the state-owned company feels the need to adapt procurement procedures to those of international donors, the company's CEO Vasyl Zadvorny has said.

"We expect the first pilot procurement procedures with the World Bank in autumn," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, significant resources for the restoration of infrastructure and other facilities destroyed by Russia's war against Ukraine will come through the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and international financial organizations have their own requirements for procurement procedures. This means that Ukraine needs to adapt its procedures to those of international donors.

"Some things need to be changed in ProZorro for this, so that purchases can be made in our system at the expense of international donors. We are already working closely with the World Bank, they have already provided a relevant report with an analysis of how our system meets their requirements," Zadvorny explained.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has suspended Iryna Venediktova from duties of Prosecutor General and appointed Oleksiy Symonenko as Acting Prosecutor General.

Respective decrees No. 500/2022 and No. 501/2022 were made public on the president's website on Sunday, July 17.

"In line with Part 2 of Article 11 of the law of Ukraine on the legal status of martial law, I order to suspend Venediktova Iryna Valentynivna from duties of Prosecutor General," reads the first decree.

"In line with Part 2 of Article 11 of the law of Ukraine on the legal status of martial law, I order to appoint Symonenko Oleksiy Yuriyovych as Acting Prosecutor General," reads the second decree.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has suspended Ivan Bakanov from duties of Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Respective decree No. 499/2022 was made public on the president's website on Sunday, July 17.

"In line with Article 47 of the Disciplinary Regulations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) adopted by the law of Ukraine No. 551-XIV dated March 24, 1999, I order to suspend Bakanov Ivan Hennadiyovych from duties if Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine," reads the document.

Article 47 of the Disciplinary Regulations of the AFU states that "non-fulfilment (improper fulfilment) of duties that has caused human losses or other heavy consequences or created a threat of such consequences constitutes grounds for the dismissal of such a serviceman."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky believes that the crimes against the foundations of national security committed since the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion raise questions for leaders.

"As of today, some 651 criminal proceedings have been registered regarding high treason and collaboration activities of employees of the prosecutor's office, pretrial investigation agencies, and other law enforcement agencies. In 198 criminal proceedings, the relevant persons were notified of suspicion. In particular, over 60 officers of the prosecutor's office and the SBU remained in the occupied territory and are working against our state," he said in a video statement on Sunday evening, July 17.

According to Zelensky, "such an array of crimes against the foundations of the state's national security and ties that have been recorded between employees of the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine and the special services of Russia raise very serious questions for the relevant leaders. Each of these questions will receive an answer. Today I made a decision to remove the Prosecutor General from office and to dismiss the head of the State Security Service of Ukraine."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainians would not accept Canada's decision to hand over a turbine for Nord Stream to Russia.

"I spoke today with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. Of course, we discussed our cooperation and I thanked him, thanked Canada for its support. But I separately emphasized that Ukrainians will never accept Canada's decision regarding the Nord Stream turbine, which was decided to be handed over to Germany in violation of the sanctions regime," he said in a video statement on Sunday evening, July 17.

"This issue is not just about the turbine. This is a matter of compliance with sanctions. If there is one violation now, it is only a matter of time before there will be others. Russia deliberately does this blackmailing with gas and provoking violations of sanctions," Zelensky said.

According to him, "there are enough routes for the transit of Russian gas to Europe. And every country must maintain principles."
The EU Foreign Affairs Council, which will meet in Brussels today, plans to work in three directions: support for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, informing the international community about the consequences of the war, a source in the EU has said.

A senior EU official told reporters on condition of anonymity, briefing them on the agenda of the ministerial meeting on Friday, July 15. According to the official, on the first part, there will be a discussion of additional military support for Ukraine.

The media interlocutor said there will be a discussion on sanctions against Russia. The EU Foreign Affairs Council is preparing a number of measures. The Council will also listen via video link to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the situation in the country.

With regard to military assistance to Kyiv, Brussels expects from the EU Council a political decision of the member states on the fifth tranche in accordance with the instructions of the European Council. The high-ranking source said the member states must open the way for a possible fifth tranche of the European Peace Facility.

According to him, this is not another package of sanctions as usual. This is about maintaining the existing sanctions, improving them. Some measures will be added to the existing ones, but this is about improving, consolidating their previous packages of sanctions.

The interlocutor of the journalists also said that during the discussion, the members of the council would discuss the proposal to ban Russian exports of gold.

The EU official said the ban on importing gold into the EU should be among these measures, and this is not a symbolic measure. It is known that Russia is a significant exporter of gold. The idea is to turn off another funding tap for it.

Answering a question about the effectiveness of EU sanctions against Russia, he pointed to a reduction in a number of industries in Russia as a result of European restrictive measures and a decrease in economic indicators.

According to him, about 1,000 foreign enterprises left Russia, hundreds reduced their presence in the country.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan and Germany have signed an agreement for the establishment of a joint venture for the production of aluminum products, Azernews reports.

The document was signed between Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation OJSC and Germany's Achenbach Buschhutten company.

Within the framework of the cooperation, the production of aluminum rolling products in Ganja, with an annual production capacity of 105,000 tons and an investment of $132 million in the first phase is planned.

" According to the agreement signed between the Azerbaijani Industrial Corporation OJSC and Achenbach Buschhutten company of Germany, a joint venture for the production of aluminum products will be established. Within the framework of the project, the production of aluminum rolling products in Ganja, with an annual production capacity of 105,000 tons, and the #investment of 132 mln. dollars in the first phase of the project are planned. This will contribute to the creation of more than 800 new jobs, development of the #aluminumindustry, expansion of competitiveness, and growth of #export opportunities," the country's Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his official Twitter page.

Azerbaijan and Germany established diplomatic relations on February 20, 1992. On September 2, 1992, Azerbaijan opened its first embassy in Western Europe, in Germany, while on September 22, 1992, Germany established its embassy in Azerbaijan. The two countries are successfully cooperating in various fields of economy. Azerbaijan is the main economic and trade partner of Germany in the South Caucasus.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Germany amounted to $1.2 billion in 2021.
There is no talk of dismissing SBU Head Ivan Bakanov and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova yet, Deputy Head of the President's Office Andriy Smirnov said during a telethon on Monday.

"Now we are not talking about the dismissal of these two officials, but about the fact that the prosecutor general has been removed from office, and the SBU head has been temporarily suspended from his duties," he said.

"In order to make impossible the potential influence of these two officials on the criminal proceedings that are being investigated against the SBU representatives, who are suspected of collaborating with the aggressor country, as well as for prosecutors, the president made the relevant decision," Smirnov said.

He did not rule out that, based on the results of the checks, the decision to dismiss them may not be made.
Ukraine may use HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems and other long-range MLRS against Russian targets in Crimea, Spokesperson for the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense Vadym Skibitsky said.

Answering a question on the air of the telethon on Saturday, July 16, Skibitsky said the Crimean peninsula has become "just a hub for the movement of invaders," which means that their accumulation in the form of military equipment, ammunition and materials can become the target of the MLRS.

In addition, according to him, the Black Sea Fleet is constantly used for missile attacks against Ukraine, "and this is also one of the targets that must be hit to ensure the security" of our country.
British Deputy Secretary for International Trade Penelope Mordaunt, who is running for the post of Prime Minister of the country, said that if elected, she would continue the policy of supporting Ukraine of the outgoing head of the cabinet Boris Johnson.

"As prime minister, I will step up to lead the Wests response to this brutal aggression and make sure that our Ukrainian friends will ultimately achieve their freedom," she wrote in an article for the British edition of The Telegraph.

"Taking a lead in backing Ukraine has been one of Boris Johnson's greatest legacies. I will continue that leadership, and there will be no question of diminishing our effort to assist our allies. When a crisis strikes, Britain stands up," Mordaunt said.

She said, as prime minister, she will "redouble our cooperation with the United States and the EU, as well as other key partners, to coordinate military support."

Mordont promised to continue to "lead the G7" on imposing sanctions on Putin and his regime, and increase our efforts in enforcement.

Her plans include the creation of a "Royal Navy-led taskforce" to lead communications and de-mining in the vital strategic waters of the Black Sea, the activation of "information operations in Ukraine," and the restoration of the Ukrainian economy.
Ukraine has officially completed the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and sent respective documents to Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Bjorn Berge.

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejcinovic Buric has welcomed this fact.

"I warmly welcome Ukraine's deposit today of the instrument of ratification of the Istanbul Convention. Ukraine is the 36th state party to this landmark treaty," she said on Twitter on Monday.

The document will enter into force on November 1, 2022.
Kuleba: Ukraine wont agree to any solution that leaves at least slightest gap for possibility of frontal attack by Russia from sea

Ukraine will not agree to any solution that leaves at least the slightest gap for the possibility of a frontal attack by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian ports from the sea, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"We will not agree to any solution that leaves even the slightest gap for the possibility of a frontal attack on Ukrainian ports from the sea by the Russian Federation," Kuleba said in an interview with Forbes.

He pointed out that for an agreement on the export of grain from Ukraine, it remains to resolve issues related to logistics and security.

"At the meeting in Istanbul, delegations at the expert level sat down and discussed a number of security issues that are within the competence of the military and logistics. We understand the political framework. It remains to resolve issues related to logistics and security. Yesterday, the delegations and negotiating teams largely resolved these issues. Now it all needs to be put on paper," the minister explained.

According to Kuleba, the President of the Russian Federation may agree to an agreement based on the desire to show countries in Africa and Asia that adhere to neutrality or are more inclined to the Russian position on the war that he saved them from starvation.

"From the point of view of logic, I see only one argument why Putin should agree. This is his desire to show countries that adhere to neutrality or are more inclined to the Russian position regarding the war (in Africa, Asia) that he saved them from famine, from rising food prices. Otherwise, I don't understand why he might need it. By agreeing to unblock Ukrainian ports, he undermines his efforts to strangle the Ukrainian economy. I think he now has Russia's reputation for Asian and African countries on one side of the scale, and the unwillingness to let Ukraine earn a penny on the other," he said.
Ukrainians in Poland will be able to maintain Ukrainian tax residency without paying taxes in the host country from income received in Ukraine, the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) reported, citing an official letter from the Ministry of Finance of Poland in response to a request from BRDO and the IT Association of Ukraine.

"In May, BRDO and the IT Association of Ukraine appealed to the government of our state and the Ministries of Finance of Bulgaria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia with a request not to change the tax residency of refugee entrepreneurs who ended up in these countries. The success of our advocacy is evidenced by clarification that we received the other day from the central executive authority of Poland," the office said.

According to the letter of the Polish Ministry of Finance, Ukrainians will be able to retain tax residence in Ukraine and not pay taxes in the host country, if it is not about income from sources in Poland.

As reported, the European Business Association called on the government to resolve the issue of tax residence of Ukrainian citizens abroad, since staying outside the country for more than 183 days, they can be recognized as residents of the host country and there will be a risk of double taxation of income received in Ukraine.
Head of Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration Serhiy Borzov on Monday appealed to European diplomats with a request to help restore the House of Officers, which was damaged as a result of a missile attack inflicted on the center of Vinnytsia by Russian invaders.

"Today, a delegation of ambassadors from the EU countries and Israel  20 diplomats came to support Vinnytsia residents. Vinnytsia is now on the map of Russian war crimes ... On July 14, Caliber missiles hit a cultural center, a parking lot near the hospital and a park. Three missiles cost the lives of 24 people. Three children  four-year-old Liza, seven-year-old Maksym and eight-year-old Kyrylo," Borzov wrote on Telegram.

He specified that there are still 63 citizens wounded as a result of shelling in hospitals. At the same time, four seriously wounded patients were transported to hospitals in Lviv and Poland. Two patients are in critical condition.

"Victory Square is blocked. Investigators are working. Public transport passes without stopping ... But the facade of the House of Officers survived. I appealed to diplomats with a request to help save it," Borzov said.

According to him, the building is an architectural monument, and it was "the possibility of its restoration that was discussed with respected guests at the site of the tragedy."

"After all, international partners are already taking concrete steps to restore and reconstruct the destroyed and damaged cultural heritage sites of Ukraine. In particular, in the form of cultural patronage. As an example, Italy, together with Ukraine, will restore the drama theater in Mariupol, which was destroyed by the Russian occupiers," the head of Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration stressed.

Borzov specified that in the near future a special commission on this issue would be created under Vinnytsia regional military administration.

"We must take into account all possible options for restoring the House of Officers. Its address is symbolic: Vinnytsia, Victory Square. It is waiting for the victory of Ukraine," he said.

He expressed gratitude to "all our partners and friends of Ukraine," specifying that Vinnytsia was visited by diplomatic representatives of France, Croatia, Slovenia, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Austria, Greece, Latvia, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Israel.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received credentials of newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic Milan Sedlacek, Trend reports.

Milan Sedlacek presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev.

President Ilham Aliyev then spoke with the ambassador.

The ambassador extended Czech President Milos Zemans greetings to the head of state and noted that the Czech President gave him instructions regarding the expansion of cooperation, particularly the economic relations with Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings of the Czech President and asked the ambassador to extend his greetings to President Milos Zeman.

Pointing out the contribution of high-level visits, including regular contacts of delegations between the two countries to the development of bilateral relations, the head of state hailed the good potential for expanding economic cooperation and increasing the volume of mutual trade.

President Ilham Aliyev also underlined the energy cooperation between the two countries.

The President praised good opportunities for cooperation in the fields of industry, agriculture, modern technologies as well, and emphasized the importance of issues related to transport infrastructure. The head of state noted that taking into account the increase in the volume of cargo transportation from East to West passing through Azerbaijan, there are opportunities for cooperation in this field as well.

President Ilham Aliyev also emphasized the importance of expanding relations between business circles and exploring opportunities for mutual investment.

Expressing his countrys keenness to cooperate with Azerbaijan in energy sector, the ambassador pointed to other projects, including the great interest of the Czech Republic in the Alat Free Economic Zone and in the restoration and reconstruction work carried out in the liberated territories.

The sides exchanged views on prospects for cooperation in humanitarian, scientific, educational, and tourism fields.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. The statements of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Azerbaijan's Karabakh, peace and status at the meeting dedicated to the results of six months of 2022 are very serious messages, and everyone, especially, the Armenian authorities, should learn lessons from them, Azerbaijani MP Elshan Musayev told Trend.

According to Musayev, Armenia experienced hard times during and at the end of the 44-day 2020 Second Karabakh War. Therefore, it hastily signed the act of surrender [trilateral statement signed by Armenian prime minister, Azerbaijani and Russian presidents on November 10, 2020 to end the war], withdrew its armed forces [from occupied Azerbaijani territories], admitted its defeat and declared that it would strictly observe the agreements.

"Now that the situation a little stabilized, Armenia is trying to avoid fulfilling its promises, obligations, and to take time. Prime minister, minister of foreign affairs and other officials of Armenia continue to make statements about giving status [to Armenians living in Azerbaijans Karabakh], however, they well know that its impossible. There will be no status. Karabakh is Azerbaijan, MP said. Azerbaijan is the side that dictates its terms. Armenia must realize this reality and accept its fate, otherwise, it will again face the "Iron Fist" [name of Azerbaijan Armys counter-offensive operation to liberate its territories from Armenian occupation in the second Karabakh war], the expert noted

At the same time, President Ilham Aliyev rightly noted that talking about status is very dangerous for Armenia, because we can also talk about status, we can demand status for Zangazur [historical Azerbaijani province], which was separated from us [and ceded to Armenia] in 1920, he said.

Azerbaijan always has the right to have its say. Previously, Armenia committed acts of injustice, seizure and occupation. We wont allow repeat such acts of seizure and occupation. Armenia will pay and will be liable for every mistake and irresponsible step," Musayev added.

Another MP Jeyhun Mammadov said that President Ilham Aliyev mentioned many important issues at the meeting dedicated to the results of the first half of this year.

Armenia must fulfill its obligations under the statement of November 10. Unfortunately, the Armenian side constantly raises the status issue. As President Ilham Aliyev noted, there is no status issue anymore. A verbal agreement on this was also reached at trilateral meetings [between Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the second Karabakh war].

According to the MP, constant raising the status issue by the Armenian side once again shows that the Armenian side hasnt abandoned territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

"As for the OSCE Minsk Group, Azerbaijan's position on this structure is firm and concrete. What contribution to the subsequent process can this structure, which hasnt been able to resolve the conflict for 30 years, make? Despite that the Minsk Group members declared the impossibility of joint activities, Armenia still insists on the revival of this structure. The Minsk Group has already become an inactive structure, and its impossible to revive it," Mammadov said.

The MP noted that anyway Armenia must fulfill its obligations in connection with the November 10 statement.

"For 30 years, Azerbaijan repeatedly warned Armenia. However, Armenia didnt learn any lessons from this. As a result, the population of Armenia faced another tragedy in the second Karabakh war. If the Armenian side doesnt want to experience another tragedy, it should do conclusions from the heavy defeat in the war," he also noted.

"If this does not happen, the result for Armenia will be very difficult. If Armenia had learned a lesson from these warnings in time, it wouldnt have suffered so many losses in the second Karabakh war. Armenia should seriously think and make a decision," added Mammadov.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in Azerbaijan to hold talks on a gas deal with President Ilham Aliyev. The sides are expected to discuss further strengthening the existing cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan, as well as energy diversification issues. Moreover, a gas deal is expected to be signed within the visit.

In an exclusive interview with Azernews, the former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza spoke about his expectations of Ursula von der Leyen's visit to Azerbaijan, the expected gas agreement, the country's role in the world market, and the personal role of President Ilham Aliyev to this end.

A: I expect that European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson will pursue an agreement with the government of Azerbaijan, where Azerbaijan commits to selling and delivering natural gas to the European Union over the next year and beyond. But for now, most of that gas would end up being Turkmen gas, so Azerbaijan would serve as a transit state, because, Azerbaijans natural gas production has already been sold.

I hope to see that the TANAP pipeline would be filled with even more gas from Azerbaijan soon, but there wont be new production coming out from Azerbaijans own natural gas fields until like 2025. So in the meantime, the only significant amount of additional natural gas that can make its way from the territory of Azerbaijan to Europe would be produced in Turkmenistan and then will come to Azerbaijan most likely via the swapping arrangement that is currently underway with Iran. So what happens now is, that Turkmenistan produces gas and sells it to the eastern side, north-eastern Iran, and then the same volume of gas that is produced in Iran is exported through the pipeline system on the other side of Iran, on the western side of Iran, and then that gas enters Azerbaijan. So that could be an agreement that is reached.

I dont know if there will be an agreement reached, but I know that Azerbaijan very much wants to help Europe. I think this is a wise foreign policy approach by Azerbaijan and President Aliyev, which is a continuation of the policy of the last two decades, to use natural gas pipelines as a way to connect Azerbaijan to Europe via Turkey and Georgia, and thereby strengthen Azerbaijans sovereignty, independence, and prosperity. So wise policy and its continuing.

Azerbaijans role is the same as it has been, which is being, in this case, a supplier of oil and gas to European markets. And Azerbaijan has been very careful to be friendly to the European Union and the United States, while at the same time, not being unfriendly to Russia. And in the current situation where the European Union is trying to end its consumption of any Russian gas, of course, the gas delivered from Azerbaijan or via Azerbaijan to the Iran swap is more important than ever.

Background:

EU and Azerbaijan are in active dialogue on increasing gas supplies amid the energy crisis. A joint statement on energy cooperation with the EU was signed more than ten years ago. The EU-Azerbaijan energy cooperation had reached a new level and is still ongoing within the framework of the Southern Gas Corridor. The EU places a high value on energy supply diversification, and the Southern Gas Corridor is particularly important in this regard.

On July 15, Aliyev announced the signing of an energy security agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan during the meeting on the results for the first six months of 2022.

To recall, with the completion of the TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline) construction on December 31, 2020, Azerbaijan began commercial gas supplies to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor. The Southern Gas Corridor is an initiative of the European Commission for a natural gas supply route from the Caspian and Middle Eastern regions to Europe. The route from Azerbaijan to Europe consists of the South Caucasus Pipeline, TANAP, and TAP.

Last year, TAP transported 8.1 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe. By late 2022, Azerbaijan plans to increase gas supplies to Europe to 9.1 billion cubic meters, and in 2023, the volume of gas supplies is expected to reach 11 billion cubic meters.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. The speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the meeting dedicated to the results of six months of this year can be divided into several important aspects, Editor-in-chief of the SS (Voice) newspaper, political expert Bahruz Guliyev told Trend.

According to Guliyev, these aspects are successes achieved in foreign policy, ensuring food security, strengthening stability in the region, opening transport infrastructures, continuing to build the army, supplying new weapons and military technology, also in a short time and a qualitative level of the implementation of social security for war veterans.

Most important factor is opening of a new page in the sphere of achievement of peace and progress in the South Caucasus region, he said.

Guliyev said that the Head of Azerbaijani State mainly touched upon the fact that defeated Armenia did not fulfill the agreements reached in the period after the 44-day Second Karabakh War and emphasized that the presence of illegal Armenian armed forces in Azerbaijans liberated from occupation Karabakh is unacceptable.

"In this regard, President Ilham Aliyev also spoke about the importance of implementing the conditions set forth in the tripartite Declaration, and also noted that the sides that signed the Declaration should respect their signature, Guliyev said.

Head of State reminded the promise of the Russian Defense Ministry that in mid-June of 2022 illegal Armenian military units would be withdrawn from the territory of Azerbaijans liberated Karabakh, but it is already the middle of July and time flies fast, he noted.

The presence of Armenian armed formations on the territory of Azerbaijan is completely unacceptable. We are a victorious country, and we have restored our territorial integrity. If Armenia does not want to withdraw its armed formations from the territory of Azerbaijan, then let them clearly tell us about it, so we know what to do," President Ilham Aliyev said at the meeting.

I think that Armenian officials have two options for the future - either fulfill its obligations or face the powerful Azerbaijani army again, Guliyev added.

The political expert also particularly addressed President Ilham Aliyev's concept of army building and emphasized that modern army building will continue.

"This means that the Azerbaijani state must always and at any time be ready for emerging threats. Therefore, President Aliyev also reminded what war is and what it means to be occupied, Guliyev said.

This reminder creates the basis for the conclusion that there is always a danger, and the main force to prevent it is the brave Azerbaijani army. Our neighbors in the region and global circles are already aware of this reality," he noted.

The speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the meeting dedicated to the results of six months of this year has a very significant effect in determining the strategic goals of the next stage, Editor-in-chief of Bak xbr (Baku news) newspaper, political expert Aydin Guliyev told Trend.

"President Ilham Aliyev quite rightly noted, at the meeting, that major countries and international organizations perceive the signing of an agreement based on new realities and Azerbaijan's proposals as the main condition for lasting peace in the region, Guliyev said.

President Ilham Aliyev explained with convincing arguments that foreign policy before Second Karabakh War created a solid legal and political basis for the victory in Karabakh. It was once again demonstrated that Azerbaijan's foreign policy at every stage is purposeful, initiatory," he noted.

Guliyev noted that President Ilham Aliyev expressed a very objective and courageous critical opinion on the implementation of the trilateral agreements reached.

"President Ilham Aliyevs opinion can only speed up the implementation of the agreements that Armenia is trying to evade by all means. Specific criticism of President Ilham Aliyev about the slow implementation of agreements with Armenia has a corrective effect, Guliyev said.

Armenia and its supporters should draw the appropriate conclusion from President Ilham Aliyevs hint of many negative manifestations. President Ilham Aliyev said very precisely that Armenias policy towards the Minsk Group co-chairs still has unresolved territorial claims, he also added.

These words of President Aliyev are a strategic strike against the policies of the aggressor country. The President once again gave a message to the world that it is impossible to follow the lies and hypocritical policies of Armenia, Guliyev noted.

Guliyev emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev has shown that Armenias alleged renunciation of its territorial claims and talk about the OSCE Minsk Group is nothing but a two-faced policy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Azerbaijani state always shows care and attention to martyr families and veterans, Hero of the 2020 Second Karabakh War Azer Abdullazade told Trend.

We are grateful for this to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Ilham Aliyev, Abdullazade said.

He stressed that the head of state always shows great attention and care for the martyr families and veterans, is interested in their problems, and gives instructions for their solutions.

"The martyr families and veterans are provided with apartments and private houses, and necessary work is carried out to ensure their social protection. I highly value the attention shown to me by the state, the war hero said.

I want to thank the President of Azerbaijan, the Victorious Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev for his attention and care. Im proud of participation in the Second Karabakh War," Abdullazade noted.

According to him, his requests to any local state institutions are immediately considered.

"Im a resident of Tartar. When I appeal to state institutions in Tartar or Baku, they immediately consider my request and provide the necessary assistance," he stressed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov will meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at NATO Headquarters on July 19, 2022, Trend reports via the organization.

Azerbaijan's cooperation with NATO began in March 1992 when the country entered the North Atlantic Partnership Council's Consultation Forum, which was renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997.

On May 4, 1994, Azerbaijan joined the NATO "Partnership for Peace" Program.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with Vice-President of the German Bundestag Katrin Goring-Eckardt on July 18, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.

During the meeting, Bayramov underscored the importance of developing bilateral relations and inter-parliamentary cooperation with Germany. He also noted the celebration of the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2022.

The minister expressed satisfaction with his visit to Germany in March 2022 as well.

Moreover, the sides exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues, the situation around Ukraine, and energy security issues.

They also discussed Azerbaijan's potential in energy security, energy exports to Europe, as well as in renewable energy development.

The meeting addressed the current situation in the South Caucasus after Azerbaijan's victory in the 44-day second Karabakh war, peacekeeping efforts, reconstruction activities, and renewable energy projects in the liberated territories.

Furthermore, the sides reviewed humanitarian and cultural cooperation between the two countries, as well as other issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a Decree appointing Shahin Baghirov as first deputy chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The temporary performance of duties of the State Customs Committee's chairman is entrusted to First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee Shahin Baghirov.

The decree comes into force from the date of its signing.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on amending the "Regulations on State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan", approved by the Azerbaijani Presidents decree No. 646 dated June 4, 2012, Trend reports.

According to the decree, paragraph 5.5 of the above regulations has been amended.

Following the amendments, the chairman of the State Customs Committee will have two first deputies appointed and dismissed by the President of Azerbaijan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov left for a working visit to Belgium's Brussels to attend the meeting of the Azerbaijan-EU Cooperation Council, Trend reports citing the ministry.

As part of the visit, Bayramov is scheduled to attend the 18th Cooperation Council meeting between Azerbaijan and EU, as well as to hold bilateral meetings.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell welcomed the meeting between foreign ministers of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, Borrel wrote on his Twitter page, Trend reports.

"Welcome the meeting between Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov in Tbilisi. Important step towards the comprehensive solution. EU is fully engaged in support of peaceful, secure and prosperous South Caucasus. Normalisation/Reconciliation can be achieved only in direct dialogue," he wrote.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Monkeypox hasn't been revealed in Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Health told Trend.

According to the ministry, the epidemiological situation in the country is carefully controlled, and when identifying suspected cases, there are all possibilities for laboratory PCR diagnosis.

"Up until now, two monkeypox tests have been carried out. The test samples were sent to the Center for Control of Particularly Dangerous Infections. Both of the test results were negative," the ministry said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. The State Agency for Public Service under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan keeps conducting activities for the social reintegration and rehabilitation of persons repatriated from Iraq and Syria, the ministry told Trend.

According to the ministry, ten more repatriated children and two mothers brought to Azerbaijan from Syria and Iraq have passed a detailed social work assessment and a social rehabilitation plan has been prepared for them.

Psychological testing was conducted for each person, assessing the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Rehabilitation work with repatriated persons and their family members is underway, which is of particular importance for psychosocial support.

Some 105 repatriates were involved in social rehabilitation and reintegration in the first half of 2022. Currently, Azerbaijan is working with a total of 378 repatriates in 146 families, the ministry said.
By Laman Ismayilova

President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva met with Jordanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Sami Asem Ghosheh at the headquarters of the organization, Azernews reports, citing the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.

During the meeting, Gunay Afandiyeva informed the Jordanian ambassador about the organization's project aimed at preserving, studying, and promoting the history of the Turkic world at the international level.

Gunay Afandiyeva stressed the importance of cooperation in the development of intercultural dialogue.

The president of the foundation highlighted the book "Anthology of poetry by women in Azerbaijan" published by the organization in Arabic as part of the rapprochement between the Turkic and the Arabic world.

Jordanian ambassador to Azerbaijan Sami Asem Ghosheh hailed the activities of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in bringing together different civilizations. He expressed confidence in the successful partnership between the organization and Jordan.

The meeting continued with an exchange of views on the assessment of further prospects for cooperation.

Initiated in 2012, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on the preservation of the Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third countries.

The foundation provides assistance in the protection, study, and promotion of Turkic culture and heritage through supporting and funding various activities, projects, and programs. It carries out its activities in cooperation with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. The process of returning the natives of Aghali village, Zangilan district of Azerbaijan will begin on July 19, Trend reports.

The film crew of Trend got acquainted with the process of preparing for the resettlement of one of the families who return to Aghali.

The family members expressed their joy for the return to Zangilan and gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijan Army for the liberation of their native lands from Armenian occupation.

They honored the memory of the martyrs and wished the veterans recovery.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Azerbaijan is becoming a much more significant player in the European energy market, ex-President of Serbia Boris Tadic told Trend in an exclusive interview.

Azerbaijan is becoming a more valuable partner amid the global energy crisis. With building TANAP and TAP, Azerbaijan already has been and can play a much more significant role in the future in this regard, he said.

As Tadic noted, hopefully, Serbia will get a chance to connect to the pipeline and get Azerbaijani gas in the upcoming years.

I was always in favor of diversification of energy supplies. It is natural that Azerbaijan has now become the most valuable energy partner for Serbia. The fact that my country did not approach the TANAP project earlier is very disappointing. I was suggesting building the interconnector with Bulgaria even during my term as a president, and I am glad that Serbia is finally approaching this project. This is of interest to both European countries, and Azerbaijan. It will be possible for Azerbaijani gas to reach not only Italy but all the countries on the way, he added.

I do not expect that Southeastern Europe will be highly interested in the LNG imports, such as from Norway because it is too far and complicated. In general, after Russia is under sanctions, Azerbaijan is going to be a much more important player in the European energy market, Tadic said.

The ex-president also added that there are huge opportunities in many aspects of the gas industry for Azerbaijan and Serbia.

Serbia, being one of the central players in terms of production of food, may cooperate with Azerbaijan in fertilizers production, which is very important for the agriculture sector and food security, he said.

Speaking about the renewable energy sector, Tadic noted that the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Serbia lays the foundation for strong cooperation toward clean energy transition.

Investments in clean energy are very important both for Serbia, and Azerbaijan. My vision of expanding our bilateral relations with Azerbaijan has always been beyond the traditional energy sector. Counting on the gas industry only means losing other opportunities. Azerbaijan has a huge capacity in solar and wind energy, in which Serbia is also highly interested, he said.

According to the former head of state, there is a huge potential for the two countries to cooperate in many aspects of the gas industry, in particular, in the construction of gas power plants, which are much better for the environment than the ones using coal.

We need two big gas power plants in Serbia, and I am strongly suggesting to our leadership and Azerbaijani leadership to take this into consideration in the future, Tadic said.

Further speaking, the ex-president noted that the cooperation between the private sector of Azerbaijan and Serbia is of most importance for the partnership between the two countries.

Serbia wants to see active cooperation not only between two friendly countries but also between friendly businesses. Various fields, such as energy, software and modern technologies, education, agriculture, and the pharmaceutical industry can be one of the many promising sectors within the partnership with Azerbaijan, he said.

Both of our countries have a lot of talented people. We have to cooperate in exchanging knowledge within our human resources. Big countries tend to underestimate smaller countries, and we have two think about how we can assist each other and succeed in such fields, where the big players do not expect us, he added.

Touching upon the IX Global Baku Forum on "Challenges to the Global World Order" organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the ex-president pointed out its importance in terms of finding solutions amid the global challenges.

If the world is going to be even more complicated than today, then the importance of such events as the Global Baku Forum will be very high, Tadic concluded.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @mariiiakhm
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Azerbaijan will be a crucial partner for our security of supply and on our way to climate neutrality, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen tweeted, Trend reports.

"The EU is turning to more reliable energy suppliers. Today Im in Azerbaijan to sign a new agreement. Our goal: double the gas delivery from Azerbaijan to the EU in a few years," von der Leyen wrote.

During the meeting on the results for six months of 2022, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev announced the signing of an energy security agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Azerbaijan and EU have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy, Trend reports.

The document says that the Sides concur that strategic energy relations and cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan are a key factor contributing to open, competitive, diversified and secure energy markets. The Sides also recall the objectives defined under the Paris Agreement that has been ratified by the Sides and, consequently, intend to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 C by reducing their respective greenhouse gas emissions. The Sides aim to cooperate towards meeting the objectives of the Agreement and ensuring its full implementation, including via regular NDCs updates aiming at rapid, deep and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and designing Long Term Low Emission Development Strategies aligned with the aims of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The European Union acknowledges that natural gas will continue to play an important role in terms of energy consumption and electricity generation in the European Union until 2030. Going forward natural gas will continue to be used in the European Union while being progressively replaced in line with its climate neutrality commitment by 2050. The Sides also acknowledge the importance of the Global Methane Pledge that requires its signatories to reduce methane emissions collectively by at least 30% by 2030; and to take necessary steps to reduce methane emissions across supply chains. Since Azerbaijan produces fossil natural gas, and the European Union imports it, the Sides recognise that the collective responsibility is to make this supply chain as efficient, environment and climate friendly as possible. The Sides acknowledge the importance of green electricity in fighting global warming and mitigating climate change and its potential for increasing the security and resilience of the energy systems, and consider that there is an important cooperation potential in the renewable and energy efficiency areas including electricity exchanges.

The Sides recall the importance of recent declarations, initiatives and agreements in implementing the cooperation of the Sides in the field of energy, in particular:

The Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy signed in 2006 by the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan;

The EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Priorities adopted via Recommendation No 1/2018 of the EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council of 28 September 2018. On 22 December 2021, Page 2 of 5 through an exchange of notes, the validity of the Partnership Priorities has been extended until 2024 ;

The Joint Declaration on the Southern Gas Corridor signed on 13 January 2011 by the European Commission and Azerbaijan;

The REPowerEU plan , which recognises that the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor will play a major role to secure gas supply for South Eastern Europe;

Azerbaijan 2030 National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development.

The Sides also emphasise their commitment to the respect for and support to the territorial integrity, inviolability of international borders, independence, sovereignty of each other, including all EU Member States, as well as to the principle of good neighbourly relations.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. EU and Azerbaijan will discuss prospects for the development of generation capacity, transport and trade of renewable hydrogen and other renewable gases, Trend reports citing the text of the new Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy signed today between the EU and Azerbaijan.

The Sides concur on the importance of renewable hydrogen and other renewable gases as a sustainable solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in hard-to-decarbonise industrial processes, economic sectors and applications such as power generation, and of creating the conditions for a pick-up in investment into capacity and usage of renewable hydrogen and other renewable gases underpinned by competitive domestic and international markets. The Sides concur on continued cooperation on: 1) discussing prospects for the development of generation capacity, transport and trade of renewable hydrogen and other renewable gases; 2) using renewable hydrogen and its derivatives in a large number of applications such as industrial processes and energy storage; and 3) identifying and implementing appropriate means to ensure that bilateral trade and investment is not distorted.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. EU and Azerbaijan will encourage financing of the Southern Gas Corridors expansion, Trend reports citing the text of the new Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy signed today between the EU and Azerbaijan.

The Sides acknowledge that any further exports of natural gas to the European Union beyond those that are being delivered to date will require significant investments to the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor pipeline network and the upstream project development.

The Sides endeavour to encourage financing of the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor pipeline network taking into consideration the EUs climate policies and its REPowerEU strategy, including through cooperation with international financial institutions.

The Sides endeavour to support infrastructure, to the extent possible, to be conversion-ready with a view to transporting renewable gases, including hydrogen and its derivatives, so as to avoid lock-in of resources. This entails that new infrastructure should be capable of carrying renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen and its derivatives, as well as making existing infrastructure future proof and hydrogen ready. The Sides endeavour to promote mutually beneficial natural gas trade, anticipating future trade in hydrogen, hydrogen-derivatives and other renewable gases (bio-methane, etc.), and renewable electricity.

To this end, the Sides, within their powers and legislative constraints, endeavour to support the optimal use of existing energy infrastructure. This would also entail support in making the existing infrastructure, to the extent possible, capable of carrying new energy sources like hydrogen and the development of the necessary additional, future infrastructure and assets.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Southern Gas Corridor plays key role in diversification of EUs natural gas supply, EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

My visit to Baku, together with President von der Leyen, is primarily aimed to strengthen the EUs cooperation with Azerbaijan in the energy field. Over the past months, the EU has seen Russia and Gazprom use energy supplies as an instrument of blackmail, increasing risks to our security of gas supplies. On top of revealing itself as a brutal aggressor, Russia has showed that it is an unreliable energy supplier for the EU. We are therefore stepping up our efforts to diversify away from Russian supplies and switch to international partners that are trusted and reliable, like Azerbaijan, she said.

Simson noted that the REPowerEU plan recognises that the Southern Gas Corridor plays a key role in the diversification of the EUs natural gas supply, in particular for the South Eastern Europe.

For the past months, we have worked intensively with our Azeri partners to boost our cooperation on this matter and put in place a framework for increased gas deliveries. I had my first visit to Azerbaijan in February to explore the opportunities for boosting gas trade. Now, we are working to ensure attractive and stable conditions for natural gas supplies to the EU, reflecting the long-term nature of the energy partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan, and looking beyond gas to a clean energy partnership in the future.

EU Member States and the Commission have been preparing for many months for disruptions from Russia, reinforcing the resilience of the EU energy system and accelerating our transition away from Russian fossil fuels. Our system is designed to ensure reverse gas flows when needed, and solidarity between Member States, and we have built the infrastructure to ensure that no Member State is left on its own to face this challenge. However, Russias continued weaponisation of its gas deliveries puts us in a very serious situation, which could deteriorate further. We cant exclude a full disruption at this stage. This is why next week, we will come forward with a plan to be ready for the upcoming winter and take preemptive action to reduce our energy consumption, to minimize the impact of possible further supply cuts by Russia, noted the EU Commissioner.

She went on to add that alongside Azerbaijan, EU is also looking to several other partners across the globe where it sees the potential not only for gas supplies for which it has an immediate need but for longer term cooperation, including on hydrogen and renewables.

We are strengthening our energy cooperation with the US and have signed an agreement for extra LNG deliveries. We have already seen a significant increase in LNG shipments reaching EU ports.

We also recently concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with Egypt and Israel for the export of LNG from the Mediterranean region to the EU. And last month, we agreed to further step up our cooperation with Norway on gas deliveries, as part of a deeper long-term energy partnership.

Qatar and Algeria are some of the other partners we are working with to reduce our dependence on Russia. Our newly established EU Energy Platform will be a fundamental tool of our outreach to international partners and will pave the way for joint purchases by the interested Member States, said Kadri Simson.

She pointed out that renewables are the best way to make Europe energy independent.

Accelerating their deployment is a key pillar of our REPowerEU Plan that we proposed to phase out the EUs dependence on imported Russian fossil fuels. Renewables are good for the environment and good for the economy.

The clean energy transition will be a key element of our energy security strategy and for this reason we are advancing work on legislation raising the overall EU targets and facilitating the permitting processes for projects that still take too long to see the light of day. The Commission has proposed that 45 percent of our European energy mix is made up of renewables by 2030.

The IGB is another successful example of the EU infrastructure policy and it will allow Azeri gas to flow to Bulgaria and boost the security of supply in the region, at a time when it is much needed. Improving interconnections among the Member States is a key element of our REPowerEU plan and helps us build a truly functioning Energy Union, the EU Commissioner concluded.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 11. Kyrgyzstan increased imports of natural gas from Russia from January through April 2022, Trend reports with reference to the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan.

The amount of Kyrgyzstan's natural gas imports from Russia in the first four months of 2022 totaled $25.1 million, which is an increase of 6.8 percent compared to the same period of 2021 ($23.5 million).

In addition, Kyrgyzstan in the reporting period imported natural gas from Uzbekistan in the amount of $2.7 million, which is a decrease of 10 percent compared to the same period of last year ($3 million).

Meanwhile, the total amount of imports of Russian goods to Kyrgyzstan in the first four months reached $648.2 million - an increase of 17.8 percent compared to the corresponding period of 2021 ($550.2 million).
South Africa: SIU applies to set aside R215 million IT tender

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says it has instituted civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal to set aside and review a R215 million ICT tender awarded by the Moretele Municipality.

This after the arrest of the former municipal manager Theletsi Nkhumise on Friday for allegedly wrongfully awarding the tender to Flame IT Strategy to render those services.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the corruption busting unit investigated the tender following a proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Kganyago added that the R215 million was inherited by the Moretele Municipality from the Madibeng Local Municipality.

The arrest of Nkhumise follows an investigation conducted by the SIU, which revealed that the [Moretele] municipality increased the scope of work with two addendums to the original contract without following processes governing municipal procurement of goods and services.

Furthermore, the SIU investigation revealed that the price from that of the original contract between Madibeng Municipality and Flame IT are definitely not in sync with the pricing between Moretele Municipality and Flame IT. Madibeng paid Flame IT approximately R64 million for a similar service, Kganyago said.

He said if successful, the proceedings instituted in the Special Tribunal will claw back some of the monies lost by the local municipality through the tender.

The SIU has instituted a civil action in the Special Tribunal to review and set aside the contract. This will pave the way for the States only anti-corruption, forensic investigation and civil litigation agency to recover financial losses suffered by the municipality due to negligence and corruption.

In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU referred evidence pointing to a criminal action to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action, Kganyago said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-07-18. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Orkhan Amashov

A long-overdue new gas deal between Brussels and Baku will need to address, inter alia, two fundamental issues: the investment in the extension of the existing pipeline network and gas fields in Azerbaijan, and the substantial increase in volumes delivered to Europe. The draft memorandum of understanding, dated 11 July, which is reported to have been submitted as a proposal by the EU Commission for the consideration of Member States, appears to fit the bill on both counts.

Nub of the design

As of now, any prediction as to its content is based on the reports made by Reuters and EU Observer who claim to have seen the document. On 15 July, President Ilham Aliyev announced that gas deal negotiations are underway, the substantial part of the work has been completed and a new agreement will be signed soon, without delineating its details.

On top of this, given that Ursula van der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, and Kadri Simpson, EU Energy Security Commissioner, are to visit Baku next week, and a bilateral meeting is scheduled in Brussels for 19 July, one could safely assume the that the wheels are in motion at maximum velocity.

The strategic partnership that the EU and Azerbaijan has carefully cultivated over the past few decades is a deeply rational relationship. In the energy sector, its essence is primarily based on the following: Europe needs gas, Azerbaijan wants to increase its export capabilities, there must be a clear consensus on risk-sharing in terms of long-term investment, and the whole scheme should be in line with the EUs climate change priorities.

These are the main ingredients that will form the bulk of a future deal, with all other considerations being subservient to them. The text of the draft memo seems to be guided by these exigencies, yet certain critical details, such as the exact delineation of investment shares, are yet to make their way to the public domain.

Although the document-in-progress does not mention the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the fallout from which lies at the very heart of the EUs current exacerbated predicament, the work on a new deal is undoubtedly part of the efforts to diversify the Continents energy supply sources, routes and overdependence on Russian gas.

A proposed no-strings-attached agreement aims to increase annual gas exports from Azerbaijan to Europe, via the westernmost Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) segment of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), to 20 bcm by 2027, in accordance with commercial viability and market demand. The draft memo recognises that such an increase is possible by means of investing in the existing pipeline system.

Investment: Risk sharing

One is given to understand that the risks will need to be shared. No exact figure has yet emanated from the scant sources available. President Ilham Aliyev has consistently raised the issue of funding, with a special reference to the nature of the gas business, in which investments precede gas exploration and production. In this vein, the memos mention of stable, secure and predictable gas supplies are of heightened significance.

What can be ascertained for now is that the draft outlines the significance of the encouragement of financing of the expansion of the pipeline network by both sides. It should not be forgotten that such an increase, in addition to the investment required for the purpose of enlarging the SGCs capacity, will require pumping money into gas exploration itself. In this vein, the memo appears to be short on detail.

The memorandum of understanding, in line with the spirit of strategic partnership, refers to respect for and support for the territorial integrity, inviolability of international borders, independence, and sovereignty of each other, including all EU Member States.

This provides Azerbaijan with additional diplomatic assurance in the aftermath of the Second Karabakh War, partially paving the way to a peace treaty with Armenia, which will incorporate similar provisions.

The memo also envisages the development of electricity interconnections between the EU and Baku, via the Black Sea and through the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, this being corollary to the main provisions.

Environmental considerations

The memo highlights the importance of adhering to Europes climate-change objectives. In fact, one of the obstacles, as voiced by Mikayil Jabbarov, Economy Minister of Azerbaijan, in Davos in late May this year, that have had negative implications for EU-initiated investment in Azerbaijans gas sector over the past years, is linked with Brussels currently-shelved policy of a drastic switch to green energy.

Now, it seems in the face of the present crisis engendered by the Ukrainian crisis, Brussels is back to a steady and incremental approach. The current goal is to follow the path of plummeting gas imports from 2030 onwards and now focus on a wide range of environmentally-friendly measures satisfying contemporary exigencies.

The draft memo underlines the import of making existing infrastructure future-proof and hydrogen-ready, thereby reducing methane emissions and pollution.

The sides also support the creation of schemes to collect natural gas that would otherwise be vented, flared, or released into the atmosphere. The memo also mentions that the aim should be to incentivise fossil-based natural gas collection through price mechanisms.

The EU Commission's proposal is subject to subsequent alteration by the Member States, whose consent is mandatory. Although the fundamental design and spirit of the document are unlikely to be changed, it would no doubt benefit from some investment-related specifications.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Uzbek Air Marakanda, the operator of Samarkand Airport, has announced the launch of a new route from Samarkand to Dubai, with flydubai, the Emirati government-owned low-cost airline, Trend reports via Air Marakanda.

The twice-weekly service will be launched on September 20.

This is the 12th and latest route to be announced from the newly expanded and redesigned Samarkand International Airport, with further, new route announcements scheduled for the following weeks and months.

The Dubai-Samarkand flights will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Samarkand International Airport (SKD), departing DXB at 22:40 (GMT+4) to arrive at SKD at 02:50 (GMT+5), with the return flight departing at 04:05 (GMT+5) and arriving at 06:30 (GMT+4). Emirates will codeshare on the route offering passengers more options for connections.

The exciting news follows an $80 million redevelopment and expansion project for Samarkand international airport between Air Marakanda and state partner Uzbekistan Airports JCS. The new airport will serve the regions population of 3.9 million and act as a hub for international transit flights.

Serving visitors to Uzbekistans most frequented tourist sites in, and around, historic Silk Road city Samarkand - the modern facility will be able to handle triple the number of passengers than it could previously.

As a result of the modernization, the number of regular flights is anticipated to increase from 40 to 120 per week, with the addition of 16 new aircraft parking spaces. Having previously served twelve destinations, Air Marakandas route development plan aims to increase destinations to 30 by 2030. New routes will include major international destinations such as Beijing, New York, Dubai, and Munich.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Georgia recorded an increase in the number of visitors arriving from Tajikistan in June 2022, Trend reports via the Georgian National Tourism Administration.

In Georgia, the total number of visitors from Tajikistan in June 2022 amounted to 651 people, which is an increase of 52.8 percent compared to the same month of 2021 (426 people).

Moreover, the number of people visiting Georgia from Tajikistan in June 2022 also increased by 10.7 percent compared to May 2022 (588 people).

Meanwhile, the total number of visitors arriving in Georgia in the reporting month amounted to 445,894 people, which is almost three times more than the same month of 2021 (156,189 people).
Authorities across southern Europe battled on Sunday to control huge wildfires in countries including Spain, Greece and France, with hundreds of deaths blamed on soaring temperatures that scientists say are consistent with climate change, Trend reports citing Reuters.

In Spain, helicopters dropped water on the flames as heat above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and often mountainous terrain made the job harder for firefighters.

Shocked residents watching thick plumes of smoke rising above the central western Jerte valley said the heat was making their previously green and cool home more like Spain's semi-arid south.

"Climate change affects everyone," said resident Miguel Angel Tamayo.

A study published in June in the journal 'Environmental Research: Climate' concluded it was highly probable that climate change was making heatwaves worse. read more

More than 1,000 deaths have been attributed to the nearly week-long heatwave in Portugal and Spain so far. Temperatures in Spain have reached as high as 45.7C (114F).

Spain's weather agency issued temperature warnings for Sunday, with highs of 42 Celsius (108 Fahrenheit) forecast in Aragon, Navarra and La Rioja, in the north. It said the heatwave would end on Monday, but warned temperatures would remain "abnormally high".

Fires were raging in several other regions including Castille and Leon in central Spain and Galicia in the north on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters stabilised a blaze in Mijas, in Malaga province, and said evacuated people could return home.
Austria is not planning to take the cue from Sweden and Finland and join NATO, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer told a news conference in Vienna, according to Bratislavas Pravda newspaper, Trend reports citing TASS.

Nehammer underscored that his country is not going to follow the example of Sweden and Finland, which "have reviewed their military neutrality" and "are seeking to enter NATO." He also noted that "Austria adheres to the EUs common international and security policy and plans to boost investments in its own defenses."

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde along with representatives of 30 NATO member states inked protocols on July 5 for the two Nordic countries to enter the North Atlantic alliance at an official ceremony at the military blocs headquarters. Finland and Sweden will become NATO member states after the accession documents are ratified by all of the alliances member countries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Dr. Serhat Koksal assumed office as the new President of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) for a period of four years as of 16 July 2022, Trend reports via BSTDB.

Following a nomination of the Republic of Turkiye, Dr. Koksal was unanimously elected at a special meeting of the Banks Board of Governors held on 25 February 2022. Dr. Koksal is replacing Mr. Dmitry Pankin, who has run the Bank since July 2018.

Dr. Koksal, 40, was born in Turkiye. Having started as an expert at the Turkish Statistical Institute, he served for seven years as head auditor at the Turkish Court of Accounts, before becoming Deputy Secretary General of the Constitutional Court of Turkiye. In 2017, he joined the Ministry of Treasury and Finance as Deputy Director General of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations and became Director of the Department in August 2020- a position he held until his appointment at BSTDB. Throughout his tenure at the Turkish Ministry of Finance and Treasury, he was mainly in charge of the countrys participation in international financial institutions, investment and financial relations and regional economic cooperation.

In 2020-2022, he represented Turkiye on the Board of Directors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank.

During his career, Dr. Koksal has been actively involved in the implementation and supervision of public and critical infrastructure projects in Turkiye (hospitals, highways, powerplants).
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Iran on Tuesday for a summit of the guarantors of the Astana Process on Syria (Russia, Iran, Turkiye), Trend reports citing TASS.

He will hold bilateral talks with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts, Ebrahim Raisi and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as with Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the sidelines of the event.

The previous summit of the Astana trio, the sixth one, took place online on July 1, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The parties agreed to hold an in-person meeting in the Iranian capital once the situation allowed. Two years later, the time has come to discuss pressing issues.

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said that the leaders planned to adopt a joint statement following the Astana-format meeting in Tehran, the draft of which "has been prepared and almost agreed on."

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of Putins trip to Tehran that the upcoming meeting of the Astana trio would provide a good opportunity to discuss global and international problems.

According to Peskov, apart from a wide range of Syria-related issues, the leaders intend to exchange views on hotspot foreign policy issues at bilateral meetings.
Turkiye has given conditional approval to Sweden and Finland's NATO membership bids and could pause the process if the two countries fail to take the necessary steps against terrorist groups, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

"We see that Sweden has especially not been living up to its promises," the president told a news conference at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara.

Erdogan noted that Turkiye has openly and frequently reiterated its concerns regarding NATO's expansion and that Ankara has a determined attitude regarding the matter.

"As Turkiye, our stance is clear. The rest is up to them," he said.

Turkiye, Sweden and Finland signed a trilateral memorandum in late June on the Nordic countries NATO membership process after an important meeting in Madrid in which Ankara got the concrete steps it was awaiting especially in the field of terrorism.
The United States and its allies will use sanctions in case Iran supplies drones to Russia, Ned Price, spokesman for the US Department of State, said on Monday, Trend reports citing TASS.

"We've spoken about our concerns regarding potential Iranian provision of UAV technology to Russia. We will continue to watch very closely, all of our sanctions remain in force. Any transaction of this sort would implicate a number of sanctions that we have on the books and presumably a number of sanctions that countries around the world have on the books. So this is something that we'll continue to monitor," he said.

The US administration said earlier that Iran was planning to supply several hundred unmanned aerial vehicles, including those capable of carrying weapons, to Russia.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has left for a working visit to Georgia, the press service of the ministry told Azernews.

The major objective of the Azerbaijani foreign minister's visit to the Georgian capital is a scheduled visit with the Armenian foreign minister as President Ilham Aliyev confirmed in his speech at the 15 July meeting of his cabinet on the results of the six months of 2022.

"Foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia are meeting tomorrow. This will be the first meeting between the ministers and we look forward to the meeting producing results. I have had several meetings with the Prime Minister of Armenia, representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia have also had a meeting. But there hasnt been a meeting between foreign ministers, this will be the first such meeting. But the issues to be discussed are already on the table. I think that a good outcome of this meeting could be the Armenian side establishing its own working group. Because the Azerbaijani side has already established its working group for the preparation of a peace treaty. Members of the group, those represented in that group have been identified. Armenia has yet to take this step. I think this could be viewed as a good result and then other issues can be discussed," Azernews quotes the Azerbaijani president as telling the cabinet meeting on 15 July.

Apart from his scheduled meeting with Armenia's Ararat Mirzoyan, the Azerbaijani foreign minister is also expected to have meetings with the host nation's prime minister and foreign minister in Tbilisi.
Massive explosions and fires hit a military depot in Russia-annexed Crimea on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people, the second time in recent days that the Ukraine war's focus has turned to the contested peninsula.
In recent times, security, or, more accurately, the lack of it, has been one of the most prominent items on the news agenda in Nigeria.

Hardly a week goes by without a report of a terrorist attack or cases of kidnap for ransom being reported in the media. Hundreds of civilians and members of the security forces have been killed.

The incidents have been labelled in various different ways. From terrorist attacks, such as the attack on Nigerian President Muhammadu Buharis convoy in July and the hijacking of an entire train in March, to targeted ambushes.

There have also been multiple attacks on government facilities and churches over the past year.

But, whatever name they go by, the terrorists appear to be running free across the Nigerian landscape.

At The Conversation Africa, we have been working with academic experts to try to make sense of what is happening in Nigeria. Here are five essential reads that weve published on the countrys state of insecurity:

Where It All Started

Banditry started as an isolated rural phenomenon in the late 2000s, notes political scientist Al Chukwuma Okoli, a senior lecturer and consultant-researcher at Federal University Lafia in Nigeria.

With time, banditry grew into sophisticated violent criminality, characterised by syndicates with immense reach across regions and countries in the Sahel.

They Are Not Unknown

At some point in the evolution of the violent gangs ravaging Nigeria, bandits and terrorists started being called unknown gunmen. The label was wrong and misleading, writes Sallek Yaks Musa, a lecturer in criminology and security studies at the University of Jos in Nigeria.

The atrocities and motivation of bandits had assumed insurgent-type criminality and the Nigerian governments reluctance to call them terrorists or insurgents was unhealthy.

Eventually, a court order forced the governments hand and the terrorist label got stickier.

Who Is At Risk?

Nigeria now ranks among the kidnapping hotspots of the world. This practice has evolved among the bandits and terrorists of northern Nigeria, militants and cultists in the Niger Delta, as well as the ritual killers of the western and eastern parts of the country.

Al Chukwuma Okoli explores the nature of the kidnapping threat, factors accounting for its upswing and who is at risk of being kidnapped in Nigeria.

Why Government Strategies Have Failed

Explaining why government efforts had failed to rein in the terrorists, Sallek Yaks Musa says the country first needs to tackle hunger, poverty and unemployment.

He takes a critical look at five strategies to end banditry that the Nigerian government has tried, without success.

Reintegration As A Failed Strategy

One of the strategies used by the Nigerian government to stem the tide of terrorism, especially from Boko Haram elements, is the idea of reintegrating repentant former combatants into society.

This idea borrowed from the general amnesty deal the government has with Niger Delta militants. The idea appeared to have worked in the Niger Delta region but was not so successful with Boko Haram and bandits.

Tarela Juliet Ike, a lecturer in criminology and policing at Teesside University in the UK, looks at the weaknesses of the Boko Haram reintegration process and suggests how they could be fixed.

* This story was published in the Conversation

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During the meeting, El-Sisi stressed the importance Egypt attaches to promoting cooperation with the German company, a highly reputed global shipbuilding mogul with broad experience in this industry, according to a statement by Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady.



The meeting was attended by Khaled Galal, the Egyptian ambassador in Berlin, and Lieutenant General Ahmed Khaled, the head of Strategic Command and supervisor of military manufacturing.



Meanwhile, Lurssen expressed pride in the company's joint cooperation history with Egypt, highlighting the promising Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities in Egypt, especially in light of the comprehensive development the country has been witnessing in all infrastructure sectors.



The two sides reviewed joint cooperation frameworks related to shipyard development, technical training programs, and enhancing Egyptian cadres' abilities in these areas.

President El-Sisi started a two day official visit in Berlin on Sunday as Egypt and Germany co-chair the 13th Petersburg Climate which Germany is holding annualy ahead of UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) that Egypt will host in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Shiekh this November.

In 2021, Lurssen met during his visit to Cairo with President El-Sisi to follow upon the implementation of plans to develop and upgrade the maritime industry in Egypt.

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Egypt wants to cement its ties with Germany, particularly on the economic and commercial levels by increasing German investments in Egypt, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi told his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

El-Sisi, who is on an official visit to Germany to co-chair the 13th edition of the Petersburg Climate Dialogue, was received earlier today by Steinmeier at the presidential palace in Berlin.

During the meeting, El-Sisi said that Germany is one of Egypts most important European partners, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement following the meeting.

El-Sisi highlighted the opportunities available in the Egyptian market, including the modern infrastructure and improvements in the business performance climate.

Steinmeier praised Egypts development projects, stressing Germany's keenness to support its efforts in all fields by exchanging experience and joint investments.

The two leaders discussed a host of regional and international issues of mutual concern, focusing on the crises in Ukraine, Libya, and Yemen.

El-Sisi affirmed the Egyptian stance based on supporting the national institutions of the countries in crisis to end the suffering of their peoples and help fill the vacuum that has allowed terrorist groups to proliferate.

Steinmeier said Egypt plays a pivotal role in consolidating stability in the Middle East and Africa.

They also tackled the Palestinian issue and stressed the need to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the long-standing conflict in accordance with the provisions of international references, Rady noted.



President El-Sisi signing a note in the German presidential protocol book

President El-Sisi is scheduled to hold several meetings with a host of German officials during this visit, including with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, to discuss means of boosting bilateral ties.

On Sunday, El-Sisi met Peter Lurssen, owner and board chairman of German boatbuilder Lurssen, to discuss ongoing cooperation in the maritime industry.

The Egyptian ambassador to Berlin Khaled Galal had earlier explained to MENA that hundreds German companies are currently operating or have regional offices in Egypt.

The ambassador pointed out that there is a high-level program for technical cooperation between the two countries amounting to 160 million euros annually to implement development projects in the fields of water, sewage, and education in Egypt.

Galal also noted that the German side hailed the infrastructure development that is currently taking place in Egypt, referring to the cooperation in the Siemens project to construct the high-speed train at a total cost of eight billion euros.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Niveen Gamea said in previous statements that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries totalled 5.1 billion euros in 2021 adding that German investments in Egypt amount to about 2.9 billion euros.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said the current global crises place a great responsibility on the international community to address climate change and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the outcomes of the UN Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow last year.

Addressing the High-Level Session of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, El-Sisi said Egypt will be hosting COP27 amid successive challenges, primarily the current global energy crisis and the food crisis many developing countries are suffering from.

The challenges include the accumulation of debt, poor flow of funds, the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the complicated political scene caused by the war in Ukraine, he added.

El-Sisi commended Germany's leading role in addressing climate change and dealing with its impact, saying that Berlin's efforts in this respect demonstrated its political commitment at the highest level to support international climate action.

The Egyptian president stressed that the Petersberg dialogue has become an important forum to mobilise international consensus on the political level on climate action.

The 13th Petersburg Climate Dialogue is co-chaired by Egypt and Germany.

El-Sisi reiterated that climate change has become an existential threat to many countries to the extent that it is no longer possible to postpone the implementation of climate-related pledges and commitments.

The heatwave experienced by the European continent these days is a good evidence of the accuracy of these projections, he noted, calling for stepping up efforts to implement the Paris Agreement and turn the Nationally Determined Contributions into a reality within the framework of the international principles governing international climate action.

Egypt, El-Sisi asserted, seeks to make COP27 a turning point to maintain international momentum and affirm the commitment of all governmental and non-governmental parties to turn their promises and pledges to actions on the ground.

This includes ensuring that the process of transitioning to a low-emission economy will make it capable to deal with and adapt to the negative effects of climate change, he explained.

Egypt is set to host COP27 in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Shiekh in November.

The Egyptian efforts will also focus on contributing to enhancing the size, quality, and mechanisms of climate financing that is available to developing countries, he added, stressing this is the cornerstone to empowering them to play their role within this global effort.

To achieve this vision Egypt counts on the support of all parties and their contributions to a climate of trust to achieve the aspired results, he noted.

El-Sisi lauded the statements on climate change, the environment, and development issued during the latest summit of the G7 of the world's leading industrial nations held in Germany last month.

He said these statements included positive political positions and clear visions on supporting a fair energy transition process in a number of developing countries, while assuring the importance of expanding the scale of this support to include other developing countries, which also exert unyielding efforts to this end.

The president underlined the impacts of climate change on Africa which he said is suffering from desertification, water scarcity, high sea levels, floods, and torrential rains, among other extreme weather conditions, changing at a faster pace and leaving a stronger impact.

He stressed that the recent food and energy crises have exacerbated the challenges that African countries face, referring to their limited capacities and financing available to overcome these difficulties.

The president urged supporting African countries and empower them to benefit from their natural resources and to achieve economic development in accordance with efforts to combat climate change and protect the environment.

El-Sisi called for adopting a comprehensive approach that puts into consideration the economic and developmental conditions of each country, particularly because the African countries have already made great strides in this direction, given the vast areas of forests they have and their ability to generate solar and wind energy.







Egypt has taken effective steps to shift to a sustainable development model in line with its efforts to preserve the environment and confront climate change, El-Sisi noted.

The country is also taking serious steps to increase the use of renewable energy and is preparing a comprehensive strategy for hydrogen, he noted.

It also seeks to implement ambitious plans for electrical interconnection with regional countries in a way that turns Egypt to a renewable energy hub in the region, in addition to raising energy efficiency and reducing carbon and methane emissions in the oil and gas sectors, the president noted.

Furthermore, Egypt is implementing wide-ranging plans to rely more on clean transportation by expanding metro and train networks and localising the electric car industry.

In parallel, Egypt has boosted efforts to adapt to the negative effects of climate change, including projects to rationalise water use, line canals, effect the integrated management of coastal areas, and install early warning mechanisms.

Egypt has recently submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution document, in accordance with the Paris Agreement, including ambitious and specific quantitative goals in a number of key sectors.

The president called on all countries to update their Nationally Determined Contributions and raise the ambition of the commitments before and during the Sharm El-Sheikh conference.

He assured that Egypt will spare no effort to render COP27 successful by providing conducive and inclusive conditions for all parties, including states, international organisations, civil society and others to maintaining the 1.5C target within reach and putting the world on the right path towards implementing the Paris goals and the resolutions of successive climate summits.

The country, he added, will seek to make real progress on the governmental negotiating track and to reach broad consensus on the topics being negotiated.

Egypt will also seek to make progress on informal tracks and will launch initiatives and sponsor a large number of constructive dialogues and discussions between various governmental and non-governmental parties during COP27.

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Russia's blockade of Ukrainian ports threatens grain supplies to tens of thousands of people vulnerable to starvation and must end, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned Monday.

"It's an issue of life and death for many human beings. And the question is that Russia has to de-block and allow Ukrainian grain to be exported," Borrell told reporters.

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators will meet UN and Turkish diplomats in Istanbul on Wednesday to discuss a possible agreement to end the months-long blockade of Ukraine's ports.

President Vladimir Putin's Russia invaded Ukraine in February and its forces have captured some Black Sea ports and bombarded others, including the key grain exporting outlet in the city of Odessa.

Ukraine has also mined the approaches to some of its ports to protect them from Russian assault.

But Ukraine's farms are a major source of grain for the world market, in particular in the Middle East and Africa, where food supplies are critically tight.

"The most worrisome thing is the lack of food in many countries around the world, and there is not food because Russia is blocking the export of Ukrainian grain," Borrell said.

Borrell spoke as he arrived at a meeting in Brussels of EU foreign ministers to discuss closing loopholes in their sanctions regime to punish Russia for the invasion.

He said that Ukraine's European allies would do what they can to help Kyiv export its grain through overland routes and across the Danube river, but warned that the ports were key.

"So, I hope -- and I think I have a hope -- that this week it will be possible to reach an agreement to de-block this and other Ukrainian ports," he said, referring to Odessa.

"The life of thousands -- more than thousands -- tens of thousands of people depends on this agreement. So it's not a diplomatic game."

'Alternative route'

But Germany's agriculture minister Cem Ozdemir did not share Borrell's guarded optimism that the talks would bear fruit and reopen Black Sea shipping.

"There are the negotiations in Turkey. I don't think much will come out of them. If you believe in Putin's word, you might as well believe in Father Christmas or the Easter Bunny," he said.

"I don't believe the Black Sea will be safe again for Ukraine as long as Vladimir Putin or a comparable criminal in Moscow is in charge. Brussels must look for a permanent alternative route."

Borrell said that if Wednesday's UN talks failed, Brussels would continue to blame Russia for using the threat of starvation as "a weapon" in its conflict.

NATO member Turkey -- on speaking terms with both Russia and Ukraine -- has spearheaded efforts to resume the grain deliveries.

Turkish officials say they have 20 merchant ships waiting in the Black Sea that could be loaded quickly with Ukrainian grain.

But a Russian foreign ministry spokesman has stressed that Moscow would attend the meeting with a list of firm demands -- including the right to search grain ships for weapons.

Ukraine has its own list of demands for security guarantees and has stressed the importance of the UN's role in brokering the talks.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday renewed his threat to "freeze" the NATO membership bids of both Sweden and Finland unless the military alliance complies with Ankara's conditions.

At a NATO summit in Madrid at the end of June, Erdogan called on the two countries to "do their part" in the fight against terrorism, and accused them of providing a haven for outlawed Kurdish militants.

Speaking Monday, the eve of three-way summit with Russia and Iran, Erdogan told reporters; "I want to reiterate once again that we will freeze the process if these countries do not take the necessary steps to fulfil our conditions".

"We particularly note that Sweden does not have a good image on this issue," the Turkish leader added.

Earlier this month NATO kicked off the accession procedures for Sweden and Finland after a deal was struck with Turkey, which had blocked the Nordic nations from joining.

Erdogan has accused both countries of being havens for Kurdish militants, specifically highlighting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) he has sought to crush, and for promoting "terrorism".

He is due to board a plane to Tehran on Monday evening for talks on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raissi, from whom he hopes to get the green light for armed intervention in northwest Syria.

Ankara has been threatening since late May to launch an operation to create a 30-kilometre (19-mile) "security zone" along its border to tackle Kurdish fighters waging an insurgency against the Turkish state.

Both Tehran and Moscow have already expressed their opposition to such an offensive.

Russia, Turkey and Iran are all major players in the war that has ravaged Syria since 2011, with Moscow and Tehran supporting the regime of Bashar al-Assad and Ankara supporting rebels.

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Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have underlined the importance of breaking the current stalemate in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) talks to reach a balanced, legally-binding solution on the filling and operation of the dam.

El-Sisi met Scholz in Berlin on Monday for the first time since the German chancellor took office in December last year.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations, regional and international issues as well as cooperation on the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) that Egypt will host in November, according to Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady.

The talks tackled coordinating efforts between Egypt and Germany on regional and international issues of concern, at the top of which is the Libyan crisis.

This is especially in light of Egypt being a neighbouring country to Libya and the Egyptian efforts to back the Libyan political track. This is in addition to Germanys significant role in this regard through the Berlin conference on Libya.

El-Sisi and Scholz agreed on consolidating Egyptian-German efforts to settle the situation in Libya in a comprehensive and integrated way that takes into account all aspects of the Libyan crisis.

They also agreed that this should also contribute to eliminating terrorism, protecting the states resources and national institutions, and curbing foreign interference.

Over the past years, Egypt has worked along with international partners and Libyan officials to help find a political settlement to the longstanding crisis in its western neighbour and to restore order in the country by holding elections.

Egypt has participated in various events that aimed to settle the Libyan crisis, including the first and second Berlin conferences in 2020 and 2021, and also hosted a set of meetings to bridge the gap between various Libyan parties and to foster dialogue.

Bilateral relations, economic ties

El-Sisi hailed the qualitative progress currently seen in Egyptian-German relations in various fields, and he affirmed Egypts aspiration to maximise bilateral cooperation in the coming period.

The president also stressed Egypts keenness to enhance political coordination with Germany and exchange visions on various issues of mutual concern.

For his part, Scholz praised the significant progress in relations with Egypt in recent years, especially in economic relations and trade.

The chancellor affirmed that Egypt is one of Germanys most important partners in the Middle East and is a fundamental pillar for stability and security in the region.

El-Sisi expressed keenness for further German engagement in Egypts priority development plans through the mechanisms of the various German development institutions.

Egypt also aspires to double German investments in the country, especially in its mega national projects, El-Sisi added.

The volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Germany reached 5.1 billion euros in 2021, according to recent figures released by the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry.

German investments in Egypt amounted to $300.2 million during FY2020/21, up by more than 12 percent from the previous fiscal year, according to Egypts statistical agency CAPMAS.

The number of German companies working in Egypt is 1,180 with total investments of $7.1 billion in energy, railways, industry, and tourism, Chairman of the General Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC) Ibrahim El-Araby said on Sunday.

During their talk, Scholz expressed Germanys keenness to back the ambitious measures Egypt is taking to achieve comprehensive development, especially by boosting investments, transferring technology, and localising German industry in Egypt.

The leaders agreed to work on achieving successful models of partnership between Egypt and the giant German companies similar to that which already exists with German company Siemens.

Late in May, Egypt signed a contract with German train manufacturer Siemens Mobility to build about 2,000 kilometres of high-speed railway in the country, the sixth largest of its kind in the world.

The railway is planned to connect 60 cities nationwide via trains that can operate at up to 230 km/hour.

The countrys first high-speed rail network will include three lines and will enable about 500 million journeys annually, the company said, noting that the network will be accessible by around 90 percent of Egyptians.

El-Sisi and Scholz discussed ways of boosting their bilateral cooperation, especially in liquified natural gas, clean energy, green hydrogen, and developing the basic education system in Egypt.

Cooperation on COP27

The leaders also discussed cooperation and coordination on Egypts hosting of the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November this year in Sharm El-Sheikh city.

Scholz expressed wishes for Egypt to succeed in hosting this giant international event and to ensure a tangible outcome that would enhance international climate work.

During COP27, Egypt will focus on a number of important issues, especially regarding adaptation in Africa and financing African efforts to face climate change, El-Sisi affirmed.

El-Sisi attended in Berlin today the 13th edition of the Petersburg Climate Dialogue co-chaired by Egypt and Germany as the last international stop ahead of COP27.

In a speech at the High-Level Session of the Petersburg Climate Dialogue, El-Sisi asserted that Egypt seeks to make COP27 a turning point to maintain international momentum and affirm the commitment of all governmental and non-governmental parties to turn their promises and pledges to actions on the ground.

El-Sisi said the current global crises place a great responsibility on the international community to address climate change and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the outcomes of the UN Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow last year.

He added that Egypt will be hosting COP27 amid successive challenges, primarily the current global energy crisis and the food crisis many developing countries are suffering from.

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German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht praised on Monday Egypts efforts in hosting more than 6 million refugees and providing them with decent lives despite the huge burdens this puts on the country.

In a meeting with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the German defence minister asserted support for cooperation in the military and security fields, especially in combating terrorism, border control, and irregular migration, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said.

For his part, El-Sisi asserted Egypts keenness to continue strengthening bonds with Germany on various levels, including the military field, in light of the growing regional challenges, with terrorism being at the top of these challenges.

El-Sisi affirmed that necessity of concerted efforts to advance the mechanisms of confronting this cross-border challenge at the international level.

During the meeting, El-Sisi and Lambrecht exchanged views on the latest developments in a number of regional issues in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. They agreed to enhance coordination in facing the challenges whose effects extend beyond the region.

Moreover, Lambrecht expressed her country's appreciation for the recent growth and prosperity of Egyptian-German relations, stressing Germany's interest in deepening these longstanding relations.

El-Sisi is on an official visit to Berlin, where he discussed today enhancing bilateral relations and boosting coordination on regional and international issues in meetings with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

El-Sisi also attended the 13th edition of the Petersburg Climate Dialogue co-chaired by Egypt and Germany as the last international stop ahead of the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) set to be hosted by Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh city this November.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi headed on Sunday to the German capital of Berlin to co-chair the 13th edition of the Petersburg Climate Dialogue that will open on Monday, Egypt's Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady said in a statement.

Rady added that Petersburg Climate Dialogue is a remarkable step ahead of the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) that will be held in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh in November, as it represents an opportunity for consultation and coordination among a large group of active countries in efforts to confront climate change.

Since 2009, Germany has been holding the Petersburg Climate Dialogue ahead of annual UN Climate Change Conference for preliminary discussions.

The invitation by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for Egypt to co-chair with Germany this important forum comes in appreciation of Egypts vital role under the leadership of President El-Sisi, in the framework of climate change negotiations over the past years, said Rady.

Egypt has been coordinating with other countries and international partners on COP27 in the capacity of its presidency of the conference.

Furthermore, Egypt wishes to focus in COP27 on ensuring the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate and turning pledges into actions.

Last month, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, the president-designate of COP27, participated in the Bonn Climate Change Conference (56th session of the Subsidiary Bodies) in Germany, which aimed to lay the groundwork for the success of COP27.

During the conference, Shoukry and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Patricia Espinosa officially signed the Host Country Agreement for COP27.

Bilateral relations and agenda

Besides the mutual priority of climate protection, El-Sisis visit to Berlin will focus on celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the German Embassy in Egypt said on Thursday.

Diplomatic relations between both countries began on October 16, 1952.

The foreign ministries of Egypt and Germany launched a joint logo in April, designed by the Egyptian Embassy in Germany and the German Foreign Ministry to commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

El-Sisis visit to Berlin reaffirms the depth of the German-Egyptian relations and the mutual keenness of the two countries to deepen cooperation in the field of climate and stability in the Middle East, German Ambassador to Cairo Frank Hartmann said.

The Egyptian Ambassador to Germany Khaled Galal explained to MENA that the Egyptian president will meet his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in addition to convening meetings with the CEO of mega German companies interested in investing in Egypt.

In an interview with the news agency MENA, Galal also stressed the importance of the visit and its great impact on advancing the process of joint cooperation between the two friendly countries and their distinguished bilateral relations, as well as exchanging views on regional and international issues of common interest.

Galal explained that hundreds German companies are currently operating or have regional offices in Egypt.

The ambassador pointed out that there is a high-level program for technical cooperation between the two countries amounting to 160 million euros annually to implement development projects in the fields of water, sewage, and education in Egypt.

He also noted that the German side hailed the infrastructure development that is currently taking place in Egypt, referring to the cooperation in the Siemens project to construct the high-speed train at a total cost of eight billion euros.

The Egyptian president is expected to meet with several German officials including the German chancellor to boost bilateral relations in all domains and discuss mutual interest files, according to the presidential statement.

El-Sisis visit to Germany is the first since Scholz took office in November and the fifth for El-Sisi as president. Since he took office in 2014, El-Sisi paid four official visits to Germany in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019, as he discussed many issues of mutual concern with former Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Niveen Gamea said in previous statements that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries totalled 5.1 billion euros in 2021 adding that German investments in Egypt amount to about 2.9 billion euros.

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EU has credited Azerbaijan and Armenia for their bilateral decision to have a meeting of their foreign ministers, EU Special Representative Toivo Klaar tweeted.

"Excellent meetings today with @presidentaz Ilham Aliyev, FM @bayramov_jeyhun and Deputy PM Mustafayev. Assessed state of play of peace process. Also expressed EU support to AM and AZ bilateral decision to hold FMs meeting in GE tomorrow," Toivo Klaar said in the tweet.

The first meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers is scheduled for 16 July in neighboring Georgia.
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry stressed on Monday the importance of acting swiftly to ensure that climate action issues remain at the top of the international agenda.

Addressing the 13th Petersburg Climate Dialogue (PCD13) in Berlin, Shoukry called for ensuring that the current state of affairs is not taken as a pretext to backtrack or renege on previous climate commitments, especially those related to supporting developing countries.

FM Shoukry is the president-designate of the UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP27) that will be hosted by Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh this November.

As the incoming president of the COP, Egypt is committed to an inclusive conference where all parties and stakeholders are given the necessary space to showcase their actions, present their priorities, and voice their concerns, Shoukry stressed.

We will only succeed through this participatory approach, the Egyptian top diplomat assured, adding that there is a lot of work ahead in the coming months to bridge the gaps.

Shoukry said that the PCD13 comes at a very critical juncture on the world stage with unprecedented geopolitical tension taking its toll on energy prices, food security, and global supply chains, expressing his hope that the event will give the chance to address a number of climate issues ahead of the COP27.

FM Shoukry and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock opened the PCD13, in which ministers and senior negotiators from representative countries are gathering to engage in climate dialogue following the SBs in Bonn and G7 Summit in June.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are co-chairing the event.

Germany has been holding the Petersburg Climate Dialogue since 2009 ahead of the annual UN Climate Change Conference to engage in preliminary discussions.

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Tigrayan rebels have set up a team to negotiate with the Ethiopian government, a spokesman for the Tigray People's Liberation Front told AFP on Monday, 20 months after war broke out in the northern region.

The announcement comes less than a week after an Ethiopian government body tasked with examining the possibility of peace talks with the TPLF held its first meeting.

But in a sign of the challenges dogging the process, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party has insisted any negotiations could only be led by the African Union (AU), a stance rejected by the rebels.

The TPLF has voiced concerns about the "proximity" of the AU's envoy, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, to Abiy and said it wants any talks to be held under the auspices of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"We will be ready to send a delegation to Nairobi... and have established a team with high-ranking members," TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda told AFP, without offering further details.

"It would be very irresponsible for us to submit all negotiating processes to the AU," he said, adding that any talks would have to involve Kenyatta, who has played an active role in peace efforts.

The government's committee is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonen, who also serves as foreign minister.

The conflict has driven hundreds of thousands of people to the brink of famine, displaced more than two million and left more than nine million in need of food aid, according to the United Nations.

Fighting has eased since a humanitarian truce was declared at the end of March.

But Tigray continues to face dire shortages of food and fuel while lacking access to essential services such as electricity and banking, according to aid agencies.

Getachew reiterated the rebels' stance that the status of western Tigray, claimed by both Amharas and Tigrayans and currently occupied by Amhara forces, was not up for negotiation.

The conflict erupted in November 2020 when the government sent federal troops into Tigray to topple the TPLF, the region's former ruling party, saying it was in response to rebel attacks on army camps.

After the TPLF mounted a shock comeback in June, retaking Tigray and then expanding into the neighbouring regions of Afar and Amhara, fighting intensified in the second half of 2021, before reaching a stalemate.

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With his governments fate in limbo, Italian Premier Mario Draghi is visiting Algerias capital Monday to finalize deals boosting Algerian gas supplies to Italy as Europeans brace for a possible cutoff of Russian gas.

In a sign of the importance of the visit, the Italian delegation includes the foreign minister, interior minister, justice minister and ecological transition ministers. Theyll hold a day of talks, meet with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and sign joint agreements.

Algeria is set to displace Russia as the main supplier of gas to Italy, after a major agreement was reached during a trip by Draghi to Algeria in April between Algerian energy giant Sonatrach and Italian company ENI to increase gas exports. EU countries have scrambled to diversify energy sources after Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Mondays trip comes at a precarious time for Draghi, who had to cut it a day short because of political troubles at home. A main partner in his pandemic unity government, the populist 5-Star Movement, boycotted a confidence vote in the Senate last week on an energy costs relief bill, jeopardizing the survival of the 17-month-old government.

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Israel's army chief arrived in Morocco on Monday for meetings with senior defence officials, military sources said, as cooperation between the countries expands following a normalisation of ties.

Aviv Kohavi's three-day trip is the first official visit of an Israeli army chief to the North African kingdom.

Kohavi will meet Morocco's minister delegate in charge of defence administration, Abdellatif Loudiyi, as well as the Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk, and senior defence officials, an Israeli spokesman said.

Morocco had cut relations with Israel in 2000 following the outbreak of the second Palestinian intifada, but re-established ties two decades later in a deal that saw Washington recognise Rabat's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara.

Since then, a steady stream of Moroccan and Israeli officials have visited each others' countries and signed cooperation deals in various fields.

They have included Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, who on a visit to the kingdom in November last year signed a security agreement making it easier for Rabat to acquire high-tech exports from Israel's defence industry.

Last month, Israeli military observers for the first time attended the annual "African Lion" military exercise, vast drills involving thousands of personnel from several nations, co-organised by Morocco and the United States.

And in March, an Israeli army delegation met with Moroccan officers in Rabat, in the first visit of its kind since the 2020 normalisation deal, signing a military cooperation agreement.

The North African kingdom's mending of relations with Israel re-ignited its long-standing rivalry with Algeria, which in August last year cut diplomatic ties with Rabat.

Algiers cited "hostile acts" and Morocco's relations, including on military and security issues, with "the Zionist entity", referring to Israel.

Morocco considers the Western Sahara an integral part of the kingdom, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front has long demanded an independence referendum there.

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Most known for viral hit Matkhafeesh Yamma, Egyptian rising star Ali Loka is on Spotifys spotlight for his recent booming success as part of their RADAR ARABIA Programme.

The globally leading Swedish audio streaming platform Spotify produced a mini documentary telling the story of Loka and his team in their journey to mainstream popularity after over a decade of making music in the shadows.

I started feeling there was more responsibility; not just on me, but the people around me. Because, suddenly you find out that there are a million people listening to you, Loka told Spotify in a press release issued on Monday to announce a wide promotional campaign for him across the region.

After releasing over 38 tracks, Loka has suddenly become viral in recent months across many platforms thanks to the success of his hit Matkhafeesh Yamma, which featured producer Ouzzy.

The impact of Matkhafeesh Yamma can be witnessed on Spotify, where the hit song continues to captivate audiences from North Africa to Saudi Arabia and is the most-streamed Egyptian song outside of Egypt, with 73% of its streams coming from non-Egyptian markets, Spotify explained.

When you listen to my music, it will make you dance and fill you with joy. It will send you good vibes. Thats what I try hard to do. But if you listen deeply and want to know more about me, youll hear everything that has to do with me; all my personal stories and everything thats happening in my life. All the small intimate details that I cannot talk about face to face are in my music, Loka added.

Loka is the fifth MENA artist to be boosted by Spotifys RADAR ARABIA Programme after Xriss Jor, Bader Alshuaibi, Elyanna, and Issam Al-Najjar.

Launched in 2020, RADAR is designed to help emerging artists reach the next stage of their careers and strengthen their connection to listeners.

The authenticity of Lokas lyrics makes it easy for any fan  whether in Morocco or Tunisia  to connect with him. His inclusion in RADAR will boost the discovery of his music around the globe, said Spotifys Head of Artist and Label Partnerships in MENA Wissam Khodur.

Lokas latest single, Mehtar, is currently available on Spotify and other platforms, as well as his latest EP Setta Bel Hob.

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Music teacher Oksana Shevchenko sits near a small pile of twisted metal and cement, the only break in a flat expanse of desolate, empty terrain.

It is all that is left of the music school where she worked for 30 years, pulverised when the Russian army took over her home town of Borodianka, an hour's drive northwest of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.

"Look, just burned down wasteland," the 53-year-old says, visibly angry.

"Soil and nothing else in this place of culture, where children used to study... This is the extermination of culture and Ukrainians by Russian occupiers."

Borodianka, a town of 14,000 before the February 24 invasion, is the most battered of the towns encircling Kyiv, bearing the profound scars of Moscow's failed attempt to take the Ukrainian capital.

Its main street is a shocking testament to the devastation visited upon its people, with buildings reduced to rubble almost every step of the way.

According to town hall officials, 12 apartment blocks were levelled and 24 damaged. More than 400 houses were hit.

With every administrative building destroyed by war, institutions like the police, prosecutor's office, post office and mayoralty are now forced to share one building -- a school that escaped the onslaught.

'Sense of oppression'

Shevchenko holds her music lessons here too, for the children who returned after Borodianka was wrested back from Russian occupation on April 1.

"We find each other and create. And it was painful when it was taken from us," says Shevchenko, now in a small classroom crammed with musical instruments, chairs, benches and boxes.

"It also adds up to the stress when you lose your favourite profession and children lose their favourite activities. It creates a sense of oppression."

The music school has benefited from donations from NGOs and people helping from home and abroad. A metal band recently donated musical instruments including a keyboard, drums and a guitar.

"There are children that want to go back. They are returning, teachers too. So by ourselves, and with help from charities and kind people, we have started to renew our supplies," says Shevchenko.

Inside the cramped classroom, 15-year-old Diana Kovun hits all the right notes, her singing voice imbued with the confidence of a virtuoso. She left Borodianka the first day of the war but has since returned.

"Before, I used to think whether I should go abroad to work or to study. Now I'm sure that I want to secure my future and get my education here in Ukraine. I want to live here," she says.

'Music heals'

Guitar teacher Tetyana Kryvosheyenko is also back giving lessons. Lip trembling as she holds back tears, she recounts her escape from Borodianka.

"We had to make it out on foot, in circles, so as not to encounter Russians. We walked 10 kilometres (six miles) at night through fields to the neighbouring village, Zagaltsi," she tells AFP.

"The children were crying. Their hands hurt because we were dragging them. My child was asking me not to take him by the hand anymore," she recalls.

In the end she made it to western Ukraine and returned to Borodianka in early May.

"Music heals because it helps you switch off from your problems. And children were asking me to continue my lessons, even those who are abroad," says Kryvosheyenko.

More than 150 people died during the Russian offensive, including eight children.

According to acting mayor Georgiy Yerko, whose makeshift office is also in the school, there are around 9,000 people left in the town. Almost half are homeless.

"If a rooftop leaks, you should repair it so that you can live in the building. It's the same thing with the town. Borodianka is not a ghost town. The war will come to an end. Life will go on," he says.

"I hope for better. People returned and they should live in normal conditions. We work hard to assure that. Winter can't be stopped. People need to live somewhere."

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Palestinian young singer, producer, and songwriter Nai Barghouti will be holding a concert in Cairo on Thursday 4 August at the Cairo Opera House.

Accompanied by conductor Ahmed Ashrafs orchestra, Barghouti is expected to sing some of the successful songs from her first original album, Nai 1  which was released earlier this year  like Mum... Sing to The Wind, Granada Calling, Granada Medly, Haramt Aghani, Min Guwaya, and Yimken Habbeit.

Known for her activism and support for the Palestinian cause, Barghouti released a music video in May titled Nasheed El-Ard (Anthem of the Land), dedicating it to the memory of Shireen Abu Akleh, marking the 74th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba

Born in Ramallah in 1996, the Conservatory of Music in Amsterdam graduate is known for merging Arab traditional scales with Western classical and jazz harmony and arrangements, proving her excellent talents since she launched her career in 2011.

Performing in a few important venues across the globe, Barghouti won the Royal Concertgebouws Young Talent Award in Amsterdam in 2020.

Accompanied by conductor Ahmed Ashraf's orchestra, Nai Barghouti is expected to sing some of her successful songs from her first original album early this year titled Nai 1. like Mum, Sing to The Wind, Granada Calling, Granada Medly, Haramt Aghani, Min Guwaya, Yimken Habbeit and other songs in addition to some covers.

Known for his activism regarding the Palestinians causes, Nai Barghouti has in May released a music video titled Nasheed El-Ard (Anthem of the Land), dedicating it to the memory of Shireen Abu Akleh, marking the 74th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba

Born in Ramallah in 1996, the Conservatory of Music in Amsterdam graduate is known for merging Arab traditional scales with Western classical and jazz harmony and arrangements, proving her excellent talents since she launched her career in 2011.

Performing in a few important venues across the globe, Barghouti won the Royal Concertgebouws Young Talent Award in Amsterdam in 2020.

Programme:

Fountain Theatre, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek

Thursday 4 August at 8pm

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Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday as she began a series of high-profile appearances in Washington that will include a session with US counterpart Jill Biden.

Blue and yellow Ukrainian flags flew alongside American ones on Pennsylvania Avenue as Zelenska headed for her first announced event in the United States, the meeting with Blinken.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said the secretary of state assured Zelenska of the United States' commitment to Ukraine. Blinken also commended her for her work with civilians dealing with trauma and other damage from the war.

The State Department announced and then canceled a planned brief appearance by Blinken and Zelenska before photographers there.

The low-key arrival reflects that Zelenska is not traveling as an official representative of the government of her husband, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenska studied architecture in college but worked as a comedy scriptwriter, including for Zelenskyy, who was a comedian with a popular television show before winning the presidency in 2019.

During the war, Zelenskyy has won admiration from Ukrainians and Ukraine's supporters abroad by staying put in the capital, Kyiv, after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his attack on Ukraine i n February.

Zelenska largely disappeared with the couple's two children during the first months after the invasion. In an interview with Time magazine this month, she described the war forcing her to shelter away from Zelenskyy for security reasons from the first hours of Russia's bombing.

Their children, like other Ukrainians, largely have seen Zelenskyy since then in nightly video addresses he makes to the country.

Zelenska emerged from seclusion May 8 to greet Jill Biden, who was making an unannounced visit to western Ukraine.

The two first ladies met then at a school, where they hugged, talked, and joined schoolchildren making tissue-paper bears as gifts for Mother's Day.

Zelenska has taken a higher public profile since that meeting. That includes giving more newspaper interviews about Ukraine's struggles and about her projects during the conflict. She has promoted counseling for the millions of Ukrainians now dealing with grief and trauma.

She meets with Jill Biden on Tuesday and will speak in the congressional auditorium at the Capitol to lawmakers on Wednesday. Her husband received standing ovations from congressional members in a video address to lawmakers in the same auditorium earlier in the war.

Ukrainian officials did not immediately respond to questions Monday about the schedule of her visit.

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European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen will arrive in Baku on July 18," the European Commission told Azernews.

The report adds that she is expected to hold a number of high-level meetings in Baku.

Political Editor Nick Powell of EU Reporter in his report "Exclusive: Von der Leyen flying to Baku to seal Gas deal with Azerbaijan" says that "a deal to boost Europes gas imports from Azerbaijan is imminent. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to fly to Baku as soon as Monday to seal a deal. Its aimed at reducing the EUs dependence on Russian energy and alleviating expected gas shortages this winter".

The report further adds that "the European Unions search for energy security is about to take an important step forward, with a deal that will essentially commit Azerbaijan to supply -and Europe to purchase- as much gas as can be transported through the pipeline network. The European Commission has been keen to take the lead in this process as it sees co-operation between member states as the best way of coping with gas shortages caused by reductions in supplies from Russia.

"This pan-European approach will be symbolised by President von der Leyen flying to Baku to sign the deal with President Aliyev. She is due to arrive there on Monday, according to Commission sources.

"A draft memorandum of understanding with Azerbaijan has been circulated by the Commission to the governments involved. It states that `the Sides aspire to support bilateral trade of natural gas, including through exports to the European Union, via the Southern Gas Corridor, of at least 20 billion cubic metres of gas annually by 2027, in accordance with commercial viability and market demand'.

"Urgent plans have been drawn up to increase the capacity of the Southern Gas Corridor, which involves pipelines across Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Greece, with one branch crossing the Adriatic Sea to Italy and another supplying Bulgaria. The Turkish pipeline will expand from 16 billion cubic metres a year to 31 billion and the Trans-Adriatic route from 10 billion to 20 billion.

"Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, who is also expected in Baku this month, has previously noted that Azerbaijan has stepped up and supported the EU and is a reliable and trusted partner. The Commission has also drafted a gas demand reduction plan to help Europe get through next winter.

"In 2021, 155 billion cubic metre of gas were pumped from Russia to the European Union, 40% of the EUs consumption of its favourite fuel. Its hoped that economic measures on the one hand and the deal with Azerbaijan on the other, plus supplies from both EU and non-EU sources in the North Sea, as well as liquified natural gas from further afield, will make it possible to cope with the loss of more than two-thirds of the Russian gas supply.

"The reduction is of course a consequence of Russias invasion of Ukraine and the EUs response but it is not a direct consequence of sanctions, which do not restrict gas imports. Unlike oil, which is crucial to Russias foreign earnings and the target of a European Council agreement to drastically reduce imports by the end of the year, gas is an economic weapon in Russias hands.

"It can bear the loss of gas revenue, which is a fifth of what oil produces. Russia is clearly reducing deliveries to stop EU countries from replenishing their reserves. Russian attempts to give EU citizens a cold winter and cause disillusionment about solidarity with Ukraine are being met with urgent moves to frustrate Moscows strategy.

"There will be an emergency summit on July 28. Returning from Baku with a deal will be a major boost for President von der Leyens efforts to keep member states united behind the Commissions efforts to face down Russia without causing more economic pain and social problems than national governments think their countries can cope with."
Switzerland will not accept patients from Russia's war in Ukraine for treatment in Swiss hospitals, the government said Monday, citing its military neutrality and the difficulty in distinguishing civilians among the wounded.

The Tages Anzeiger newspaper said some Swiss cantons were willing to respond positively to a request by NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, which is organising medical evacuations from Ukraine internationally.

Neutral Switzerland is not a member of NATO.

The federal government looked into the international request but nonetheless ultimately decided against admitting war wounded.

"After the call became known, it was clarified with the departments and federal offices concerned whether Switzerland could also accept patients in this case," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Switzerland generally provides better and more efficient support with its aid and humanitarian commitment on site than if patients are admitted in Switzerland.

"In addition, there were obstacles under the law of neutrality, when military patients were admitted and it was hardly possible to distinguish between civilian and military patients."

The ministry stressed that as part of its humanitarian aid, Switzerland was supporting rehabilitation measures for people injured in the conflict.

It said the main hospitals in Lviv, Sumy and Chernihiv had been provided with treatment equipment and training for physiotherapists.

Within days of Russia's February 24 invasion of Ukraine, Switzerland decided to match the neighbouring European Union's sanctions on Moscow, breaking with the neutral Alpine country's traditional reserve.

Switzerland's long-standing position is one of armed neutrality and the landlocked European country has mandatory conscription for men.

Switzerland insisted last month that it would not allow Swiss war material to be transferred via third countries to Ukraine, in line with its strict military neutrality.

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Africa faces a growing threat from zoonotic diseases such as monkeypox, the WHO said, with the continent recording a 63-percent rise in such outbreaks over the past decade.

A World Health Organization (WHO) analysis found 1,843 public health events, such as disease outbreaks, in Africa between 2001 and 2022.

Thirty percent of those events were outbreaks of diseases spread to humans by animals, which are known as zoonotic diseases.

Ebola is included among these diseases, for example, as well as dengue fever, anthrax, plague and monkeypox.

Africa has seen a 63-percent rise in zoonotic disease outbreaks over the past decade in comparison to the 2001-2011 period, the WHO said in a statement.

WHOs Africa director Matshidiso Moeti was quoted in the statement as saying that poor transport infrastructure had once limited mass zoonotic infections on the continent.

But Africa could become a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases, she warned, as improved transport links raise the threat of zoonotic pathogens travelling to cities.

Moeti urged researchers with different specialities to collaborate closely to stem zoonotic diseases. Only when we break down the walls between disciplines can we tackle all aspects of the response, she said.

Scientists have frequently sounded the alarm about the risk from animal-born diseases, especially as growing human populations come into closer contact with wild species through hunting or habitat loss.

The period covered by the analysis included the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The novel coronavirus emerged in China from a suspected animal source before becoming classified as a human disease as it spread.

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The Indian government's COVID-19 vaccinations hit 2 billion on Sunday, with booster doses underway for all adults, as daily infections hit four-month high, official data showed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extolled the vaccination milestone, celebrating the world's largest and longest-running inoculation campaign, which began last year.

"India creates history again!" Modi said in a tweet. The prime minister has faced allegations from the opposition of mishandling the pandemic that experts claim killed millions. The government rejects the claims.

Health ministry data shows the COVID death toll at 525,709, with 49 deaths recorded overnight.


Russian missiles hit the strategic southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv on Sunday, even as Moscow's forces pounded Ukraine's eastern region with new attacks. Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said that the Russian missiles struck an industrial and infrastructure facility in the city, a key shipbuilding center. There was no immediate information about casualties.

The Russian military says it is trying to cut off Ukraine's entire Black Sea coast all the way to the Romanian border. Early in the five-month war, Ukrainian forces fought off Russian attempts to capture Mykolaiv, which sits near the Black Sea Coast between Russia-occupied Crimea and the main Ukrainian port of Odesa. Since then, Russia has bombarded both Mykolaiv and Odesa with regular missile strikes.

The British Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russia is moving personnel and equipment among Kherson, Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia and increasing security measures around Melitopol. "Given the pressures on Russian manpower, the reinforcement of the south whilst the fight for the [eastern] Donbas [region] continues indicates the seriousness with which Russian commanders view the threat," the British assessment said.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, during a visit to the front lines on Saturday, ordered troops "to further intensify the actions of units in all operational areas."

Vadym Skibitskyi, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, said Russia is preparing for the next stage of its offensive. As Western-supplied long-range arms have begun to help Ukraine on the battlefield, he said Russia has pounded cities in strikes that Kyiv says have killed at least 40 people in recent days.

"It is not only missile strikes from the air and sea," Skibitskyi said. "We can see shelling along the entire line of contact, along the entire front line. There is an active use of tactical aviation and attack helicopters. Clearly preparations are now under way for the next stage of the offensive," he said.
Tottenham Hotspur players flew back to London on Sunday after playing two friendly matches in Korea.

Spurs fans flocked to Incheon International Airport to see off Son Heung-min and his teammates.

Son spent about an hour signing autographs for fans before heading to a departure gate.

The English Premier League team drew 1-1 with Sevilla of Spain's La Liga in a friendly match in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on Saturday.

While last Wednesday's friendly between Tottenham and the K-League All-Stars team was a goal-fest with Spurs winning 6-3, Saturday's game against the Spanish team was more like a UEFA Champions League match.
Hyundai and affiliate Kia achieved record sales in Europe in the first half of this year.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) on Sunday, the two Korean automakers combined sold 556,369 cars in the region in the first six months of this year, up 12.6 percent on-year. The previous record was set in the first half of 2018, when they sold 555,062 cars.

Analysts attribute the stellar performance to the popularity of their new electric cars. Kia's EV6 won the European Car of the Year Award earlier this year, while Hyundai's Ioniq 5 was chosen as Car of the Year in Germany and the U.K.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo will visit Korea later this month, diplomatic sources said Sunday.

Widodo and President Yoon Suk-yeol are expected to discuss Korea's vision for strengthened economic security in the region.

This is their first meeting.

Yoon plans to seek Indonesia's support and cooperation for an Indo-Pacific strategy that he hopes to announce within this year. "We are expanding our diplomatic reach to the Indo-Pacific and Indonesia, with its population of more than 200 million and ample resources, is an important partner," a government official said.
There is a principle in politics that claims that a disapproval rating of 70 percent and an approval rating of 30 percent prompts the minority to hide and the majority to prevail. That principle applies to presidents as well. If a leader's approval rating falls to the 30-percent level, the voices of his supporters become quieter, while critics become louder, so that whatever the president says falls on deaf ears.

Opposition lawmakers are already having a field day attacking the President Yoon Suk-yeol, while the ruling camp is embroiled in infighting. His 40-percent approval rating came as a warning last week, but a 30-percent approval rating would be the Maginot Line before he becomes a lame duck.

Former President Roh Moo-hyun's approval rating plummeted below 40 percent just six months after inauguration due to unguarded remarks and internal strife within the ruling party. After his approval rating fell below 30 percent, the National Assembly voted to impeach him. But Roh managed to survive that maelstrom and the ruling party managed to win the general election that followed. But his approval rating sank to the 20-percent range after the ruling party railroaded through legislation and his real estate policy failed. The president's influence waned within the ruling party, which lost public support.

President Lee Myung-bak's approval rating also plummeted below 40 percent level just three months after inauguration due to excessive confidence in his own leadership. Korea almost fell into a state of anarchy due to the mad cow disease scare and relentless attacks by the main opposition party.

President Park Geun-hye enjoyed a 40 to 50-percent approval rating until her third year in office, but it tanked amid factional infighting within the ruling party in 2016. Once it fell below 40 percent, her corruption and misrule came to light, and just before she was ousted her support fell to single digits.

President Moon Jae-in was able to maintain a 40-percent approval rating until the end of his five-year term, but it fell below that level three times during his tenure -- the scandal surrounding fly-by-night Justice Minister Cho Kuk, the coronavirus pandemic and a land speculation scandal involving public officials.

Moon resorted to major pump-priming measures and photo ops with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to boost his support ratings, but the ruling party ceded control to the main opposition after suffering humiliating defeats in the Seoul and Busan mayoral elections. A president with a 30-percent approval rating often ends up paying a high price.

Yoon's approval rating had already fallen below 40 percent, which is unprecedented for a president who is just two months into office. Some of Yoon's supporters, who rallied behind him during the presidential race, have abandoned him. This is a clear warning sign.

But Yoon brushed off the latest developments and said approval ratings had never meant much to him. That may or may not have been true, but such comments will not win back supporters.

Yoon may view his declining approval rating as a temporary phenomenon, and even his close advisers told him his approval rating has reached a trough and can only go up. But few former presidents, if any, have succeeded in boosting their approval rating by more than 10 percentage points, and many leaders ended up paying the price after claiming they were not swayed by the ratings. A president who fails to read the pulse of the public faces an imminent crisis.

Instead, Yoon fired back at his critics by saying, "Did the Moon government do a good job?" and insisted that his ministerial picks and policy decisions were better than Moon's. Some ruling party lawmaker seem to believe that exposing the flaws of the former administration would push up Yoon's approval rating, but while that strategy worked during the presidential election, it will not work now.

Yoon no longer competes with Moon. People want to see an administration that is better than the previous one and a president who is more accessible as well as being able to bridge a divided society. That is why they disappointed by Yoon's arrogance and high-handed selection of ministerial candidates. The president's advisers seem unable to read the message.

The global recession is making it harder for people to make a living, while North Korea poses an increasing security threat. The Yoon administration must present a blueprint that will give the public confidence in overcoming these crises. The president should continue communicating with the public, but he must say what people want to hear rather than what he wants to tell them. He must also show leadership that embraces the opposition party. A 10-percentage-point drop in approval rating can happen in a flash, but it is extremely difficult to claw back that support.


By William Hollingworth, KYODO NEWS - Jul 18, 2022 - 14:04 | World, All

As Britain's ruling Conservatives begin a contest to find a new leader and prime minister, experts believe whoever assumes the role will probably be the only European leader to offer front-line defense support to the United States in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan.

Outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who leads the center-right Conservatives, is a vocal advocate of upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific and has won plaudits for promptly supplying Ukraine with military support.

This has raised questions in the media about what support Britain could offer in the face of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The Financial Times recently reported that in March that U.S. officials met their British counterparts to discuss the subject.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who is one of the possible successors to Johnson, has talked about the free world working together to help Taiwan defend itself. She has spoken of the need to learn lessons from Ukraine and the risk of China making a "miscalculation" over Taiwan.

The Conservatives have traditionally been strong on defense and have frequently backed U.S. interventions across the world.

It is probable whoever succeeds Johnson on Sept. 5 is likely to lend support to the United States in the event China invades Taiwan, although for some of the candidates, including front-runner Rishi Sunak, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, trade relations with China may weigh more heavily.

But any British contribution could be limited due to logistical difficulties and the ongoing threat Russia poses to Europe, analysts interviewed by Kyodo News say.

The possibility of other European countries, most notably France, assisting is less likely due to political, commercial and logistical considerations, according to some analysts.

Commentators believe despite the threat from Russia and constrained defense budgets, European nations are likely to maintain their presence in the Indo-Pacific over coming years.

In May, U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States would intervene militarily if China seeks to seize Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island Beijing regards as a renegade province, by force.

The remarks ran counter to a long-held policy by Washington of maintaining ambiguity over intervention. The United States is opposed to any unilateral change to the status quo of Taiwan and expects differences to be resolved peacefully.

Euan Graham, a senior fellow for Asia Pacific security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies said, "The United States wants dependable allies that they can build into their contingency planning and the key countries are Japan and Australia, but beyond that there are very few countries in the region the U.S. could depend upon."

"I think that would also extend to the Europeans just because they are so far away," Graham said.

He believes Washington's "optimal expectation" is London will dispatch a "big asset" possibly an aircraft carrier, submarine or amphibious task force in the event of a crisis.

"But the ability of Britain to send a task force is contingent upon the situation in Russia. If it deployed at strength to the region that could create a potential vacuum in the Atlantic," he said. "And, in the context of a still viable Russian submarine capability, would the Royal Navy be willing to risk that and potentially be unable to surge resources if they were urgently needed closer to home?"

Graham feels Paris is less likely to assist Washington because it has traditionally set a "high bar" for joining U.S.-led operations, particularly so far away from home.

In addition, the recent decision by Canberra to pull out of a deal with France for nuclear submarines and hand over the contract to the United States and Britain as part of the AUKUS arrangement has complicated relations.

He said France may offer background support and intelligence because it has several territories and a military presence in the region already.

Jon Grevatt, head of Asia Pacific news at Janes, the global agency for open-source defense intelligence, believes Britain will, at least initially, restrict itself to offering "back-end support, like logistics."

But Grevatt said given the evidence of London's full-throated support for Ukraine, Britain could well end up taking a more front-line role over Taiwan, following pressure from Washington.

However, he said, "There would be massive logistical problems having British forces in the region. They have expanded their naval fleet, but it's a lot of show at the moment."

"There isn't any real great capability in terms of forward operating bases or logistical hubs. Britain would have to rely on some of their big transport ships and big aircraft in bringing in defensive equipment. It would be slow and cumbersome."

Grevatt does not see any appetite from other European countries to get involved due to their close commercial ties to China.

This has been shown by the fact that over the past decade, European Union defense sales to Taiwan have been "virtually nil" for fear of provoking China, he claims.

Simon Chelton, a former British defense attache in Tokyo and an associate fellow of the Royal United Services Institute, a defense think tank in London, said, "If the intelligence warning time were to be similar to that seen in Ukraine, then some European countries might contribute intelligence, maritime and air assets generally to the region."

Chelton said, "There is no reason to believe that war in Ukraine has changed the underlying logic behind the U.K.'s independent review, published in 2021, which identified the tilt to the Indo-Pacific as a response to global challenges and interests."

Experts agree that it would make sense for European nations to pool their resources in order to provide a larger, permanent presence, but it is likely conflicting national interests will make this impossible.

Graham said, "France is not going to prioritize cooperation with Britain in the Indo-Pacific. France is in a competitive and defensive mindset following the row over the defense technology agreement between Australia, Britain and the United States, or the AUKUS."

Related coverage:

FOCUS: NATO's reference to China challenge a symbolic turning point

U.S. will stand with Taiwan, senator tells President Tsai

U.S. OKs $100 mil. arms sale for Taiwan to improve missile defense
KYODO NEWS - Jul 18, 2022 - 23:15 | World, All, Japan

The foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea agreed Monday they will seek an early settlement of a dispute over the issue of compensation demands from South Koreans about wartime labor that has frayed bilateral relations.

Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin reached the agreement in a meeting in Tokyo, the first formal sit-down between them since South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's inauguration on May 10, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Despite the show of willingness, a gap on ways to address the long-standing row remains wide.

In the meeting, Park told Hayashi he will make efforts to produce "desirable solutions" before the liquidation of Japanese corporate assets in South Korea that plaintiffs in labor lawsuits have seized, the ministry said.

Hayashi stressed the need for the two neighbors to address pending issues including the dispute over former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula.

Japan maintains all issues related to its 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula, including the issue of compensation for requisitioned Korean workers as well as so-called comfort women, were settled "completely and finally" under a bilateral agreement signed in 1965.

"It is necessary to develop Japan-South Korea relations based on the foundation of friendship and cooperation the two countries have built since the normalization of our diplomatic relations in 1965," Hayashi was quoted by the ministry as telling Park.

Tokyo has called on Seoul to avoid the liquidation of assets seized from the companies, warning of a serious consequence to the bilateral relationship.

Meanwhile, South Korea's top court is expected to possibly issue a ruling on the envisioned liquidation in August or September.

In an effort to address the dispute, Seoul set up a public-private body for officials and experts earlier this month.

A Japanese government official told reporters that Japan's government has a recognition that the liquidation is imminent.

The issue of Koreans forced to work as comfort women in Japan's military brothels was also discussed at the meeting, which lasted about two and a half hours, according to the official.

In 2015, Japan and South Korea reached a landmark deal to settle the comfort women issue "finally and irreversibly." But the administration of Yoon's predecessor Moon Jae In effectively nullified it.

Hayashi reiterated Tokyo's stance that the issue has already been resolved and Seoul should follow through on the 2015 accord, the official said.

According to the South Korean Foreign Ministry, Park and Hayashi confirmed the two governments will accelerate discussions over the pending matters.

The two ministers exchanged views on how to develop "future-oriented" relations, it said.

Hayashi and Park also agreed to boost trilateral cooperation with the United States over North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programs, the Japanese ministry said.

Pyongyang has repeatedly conducted ballistic missile tests since the beginning of the year, with speculation growing that the nation may carry out what would be its seventh nuclear test, or the first since 2017.

The two ministers also discussed the operation of a bilateral military intelligence-sharing pact, known as GSOMIA, which was on the brink of termination during the Moon administration, a South Korean government official said, without providing details.

The top diplomats did not discuss arranging a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Yoon, both having expressed a strong desire to prevent ties from deteriorating further, according to the Japanese official.

During his three-day visit to Japan through Wednesday, Park is arranging to meet with Kishida on Tuesday.

Park directly conveyed his condolences to Hayashi over the death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot during a stump speech early this month in western Japan.

Related coverage:

South Korean leader Yoon visits memorial altar for Japan's Abe

Japan, U.S., South Korea vow to closely cooperate to counter North Korea

S. Korea holds 1st talks of body on wartime labor during Japan's rule
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met visiting Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov ahead of the latter's scheduled meeting with his Armenian opposite side Ararat Mirzoyan, Azernews reports.

The Azerbaijani minister underscored the strength of friendly relations, good neighborliness, and strategic partnership between the two nations. Bayramov also added that the high-level political dialogue between the two countries and intensive mutual visits of officials produce a positive impetus to the further development of bilateral relations.

For his turn, Garibashvili expressed satisfaction with the relevant development of Azerbaijan-Georgia relations. Moreover, the sides exchanged views on economic, trade, energy, transport, and humanitarian cooperation.

Thanking Georgia for organizing the meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, Bayramov outlined the actions taken to normalize relations during the post-conflict phase.

Garibashvili welcomed the peace efforts to achieve peace and outlined Georgia's support for the process.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 18, 2022 - 13:45 | Arts, All, Japan

About 120 people gathered for a commemorative service in Kyoto on Monday to remember 36 artists and others killed in an arson attack on Japanese anime studio Kyoto Animation Co. three years ago.

The attack on the company known for a long line of popular anime works, including "K-On!" and "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya," shocked many fans at home and abroad who affectionately call the studio "KyoAni."

The service was held on the site where the company's No. 1 Studio stood in Kyoto's Fushimi Ward with company President Hideaki Hatta among those present, while an 11-minute-long memorial video was streamed on YouTube for fans and others.

"It's been three years...Time has stopped when it comes to you," an unnamed bereaved family member writes in a message in the video. "The thought of you catches me off guard and overwhelms me with emotions. And as tears well up, I'm thinking, 'I want to see you! I want to hug you!'"

When the attack occurred on the morning of July 18, 2019, 70 workers were inside the studio. Of those, 36 were killed and 32 others suffered various degrees of injuries. It remains the worst mass murder case the country has seen since at least 1989, according to the National Police Agency.

The victims included Yasuhiro Takemoto, 47, who served as director in a Haruhi Suzumiya film, Mikiko Watanabe, 35, who served as art director in "Violet Evergarden: The Movie," and Yuki Omura, 23, who had just joined the studio three months earlier.

"With grief in our hearts, we have been producing animations while supporting each other and have kept moving forward day by day since then," the company said in a statement earlier this month.

"We sincerely express our gratitude for your continued kindness and support," the statement said, urging fans to refrain from visiting the site in person out of consideration for residents in the area.

The suspected arsonist, Shinji Aoba, 44, is alleged to have poured gasoline and set fire to it on the premises of the studio. He suffered severe burns himself and underwent advanced treatment before he was arrested in May 2020.

Aoba was eventually indicted for a litany of charges such as murder and arson, but it took roughly half a year of psychiatric evaluation for prosecutors to conclude that he can be held criminally responsible for the attack. No date has been set for the start of his trial, however.

Related coverage:

Suspect in Osaka clinic fire may have copied animation studio arson

Japan animation industry sales fall 1.8% in 2020, 1st drop in decade

36 victims of 2019 Kyoto Animation arson attack remembered
Photo taken on July 17, 2022 shows plane debris scattered in a field near Kavala city in northern Greece.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko on Sunday confirmed reports that a Ukrainian cargo plane crashed overnight in northern Greece, killing all eight crew members on board. (Xinhua)

KIEV, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko on Sunday confirmed reports that a Ukrainian cargo plane crashed overnight in northern Greece, killing all eight crew members on board.

The crew members on board the Antonov An-12 plane were Ukrainian nationals, Nikolenko said on Facebook, adding that the aircraft was a commercial flight on route Serbia-Jordan-Bangladesh and was carrying dangerous cargo.

The crash occurred near the Greek city of Kavala, Serbia's Defence Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said at a news conference on Sunday.

According to Stefanovic, the Ukrainian-operated cargo plane was carrying around 11 tons of weapons, particularly landmines, to Bangladesh when it crashed on Saturday night.

Ukrainian spokesman Nikolenko said a preliminary investigation found a failure in one of the plane's engines, which likely caused the crash.

Kiev has set up an operational headquarters at the Consulate of Ukraine in the second largest Greek city of Thessaloniki after the accident, the spokesman said, adding that representatives of the Ukrainian consulate have already arrived at the crash site. 

Members of fire brigade head for the site where a Ukrainian cargo airplane crashed, near Kavala city in northern Greece, on July 17, 2022.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko on Sunday confirmed reports that a Ukrainian cargo plane crashed overnight in northern Greece, killing all eight crew members on board. (Xinhua)

Police and rescuers head for the site where a Ukrainian cargo airplane crashed, near Kavala city in northern Greece, on July 17, 2022.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko on Sunday confirmed reports that a Ukrainian cargo plane crashed overnight in northern Greece, killing all eight crew members on board. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on July 17, 2022 shows plane debris scattered in a field near Kavala city in northern Greece.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko on Sunday confirmed reports that a Ukrainian cargo plane crashed overnight in northern Greece, killing all eight crew members on board. (Xinhua)

Ambulances head for the site where a Ukrainian cargo airplane crashed, near Kavala city in northern Greece, on July 17, 2022.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko on Sunday confirmed reports that a Ukrainian cargo plane crashed overnight in northern Greece, killing all eight crew members on board. (Xinhua)

Ambulances head for the site where a Ukrainian cargo airplane crashed, near Kavala city in northern Greece, on July 17, 2022.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko on Sunday confirmed reports that a Ukrainian cargo plane crashed overnight in northern Greece, killing all eight crew members on board. (Xinhua)
Tourists visit the site of the giant Buddha ruins in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan, July 10, 2022. Once a popular destination for tourists, Afghanistan's central Bamiyan province has been gradually recovering from the war aftermath to attract sightseers, but the scarcity of accommodations has become a new problem. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

BAMIYAN, Afghanistan, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Once a popular destination for tourists, Afghanistan's central Bamiyan province has been gradually recovering from the war aftermath to attract sightseers, but the scarcity of accommodations has become a new problem.

"More than 60,000 tourists have visited Bamiyan over the past three months. In recent days the number of visitors is on the rise as up to 600 tourists visit the giant Buddhas' area every day," provincial head of Information and Culture Mawlawi Saifurahman Mohammadi told Xinhua.

Mohammadi said the number of daily visitors to Bamiyan had crossed 1,000 during the three-day Eid al-Adha holiday which ended on Monday.

Bamiyan province, boasting pleasant weather, beautiful landscape, the Band-e-Amir lates, historical sites and above all the giant Buddhas, which was a popular tourist destination nearly five decades ago, has been doing its best to reclaim its title as a tourist destination with returning peace.

However, the mountainous province has yet to accommodate tourists and guests, as there are few hotels and rest houses for the visitors.

Abdul Shah, who recently visited Bamiyan, told Xinhua that many tourists were forced to sleep inside their cars or in the open air due to a shortage of accommodations last week.

The 23-year-old came along with her fiance from Afghanistan's northern Mazar-i-Sharif city lamented that poor facilities could be a problem in developing the tourism industry in the province.

Tourism is booming as up to 500 cars and vehicles bring in sightseers to the pictureque lakes of Band-e-Amir every day and some 40,000 tourists including foreigners had visited the national park Band-e-Amir, said Sayed Ismael, an official of the national park.

"About 40,000 tourists have visited the Band-e-Amir lakes since Eid al-Fitr which began in early May and every day we have thousands of guests here," Ismael told Xinhua.

Another visitor to Band-e-Amir, Sayed Milad, also expressed happiness over his visit to Bamiyan. "I used to swim here and really I have enjoyed the fresh water and fresh air here," he said.

"I really love the green and friendly atmosphere in a peaceful environment while visiting many natural landscapes and historical monuments," said Zahra from Kabul, but adding that the tourism industry will not develop unless the authorities build facilities to accommodate tourists. 

Tourists visit Band-e-Amir National Park in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan, July 11, 2022. Once a popular destination for tourists, Afghanistan's central Bamiyan province has been gradually recovering from the war aftermath to attract sightseers, but the scarcity of accommodations has become a new problem. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Tourists visit the site of the giant Buddha ruins in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan, July 10, 2022. Once a popular destination for tourists, Afghanistan's central Bamiyan province has been gradually recovering from the war aftermath to attract sightseers, but the scarcity of accommodations has become a new problem. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Tourists visit Band-e-Amir National Park in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan, July 11, 2022. Once a popular destination for tourists, Afghanistan's central Bamiyan province has been gradually recovering from the war aftermath to attract sightseers, but the scarcity of accommodations has become a new problem. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), presides over the 74th Chairperson's Council meeting of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang on Monday called for steady progress to greet the convocation of the 20th national congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) later this year.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), urged steady progress in improving the quality and efficiency of the CPPCC's work in the second half of the year.

Wang said the CPPCC should conduct various consultation activities so as to strengthen theoretical and political guidance, respond to social concerns, and unite and encourage people from all sectors of society to better gather minds and strengthen their confidence.

The remarks were made as Wang presided over the 74th Chairperson's Council meeting of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC in Beijing.

The meeting also reviewed and approved a draft agenda and schedule for the 23rd session of the Standing Committee of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, among other matters.

The session will take place from August 22 to 24 and will discuss implementing an employment-first policy. 
RAMALLAH, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Palestine on Sunday warned against Israel's new settlement plans after U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to the region.

Israel's planning and building committee will convene to discuss plans to build 2,000 settlement units southeast of Jerusalem, according to Israeli media reports.

Part of the plans was postponed until after Biden's visit, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, calling it "an ugly Israeli exploitation of the visit to deepen and strengthen settlements."

The statement called on the international community and the U.S. administration "to be vigilant and pay attention to this issue, especially since President Biden called for stopping unilateral measures, foremost of which is settlements."

The issue of Israeli settlements is a prominent aspect of the longstanding Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 
Tourists visit the site of the giant Buddha ruins in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan, July 10, 2022. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Bamiyan province, boasting pleasant weather, beautiful landscape, the Band-e-Amir lakes, historical sites and above all the giant Buddhas, which was a popular tourist destination nearly five decades ago, has been doing its best to reclaim its title as a tourist destination with returning peace.

BAMIYAN, Afghanistan, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Once a popular destination for tourists, Afghanistan's central Bamiyan province has been gradually recovering from the war aftermath to attract sightseers, but the scarcity of accommodations has become a new problem.

"More than 60,000 tourists have visited Bamiyan over the past three months. In recent days the number of visitors is on the rise as up to 600 tourists visit the giant Buddhas' area every day," provincial head of Information and Culture Mawlawi Saifurahman Mohammadi told Xinhua.

Tourists visit the site of the giant Buddha ruins in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan, July 10, 2022. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Mohammadi said the number of daily visitors to Bamiyan had crossed 1,000 during the three-day Eid al-Adha holiday which ended on Monday.

Bamiyan province, boasting pleasant weather, beautiful landscape, the Band-e-Amir lakes, historical sites and above all the giant Buddhas, which was a popular tourist destination nearly five decades ago, has been doing its best to reclaim its title as a tourist destination with returning peace.

However, the mountainous province has yet to accommodate tourists and guests, as there are few hotels and rest houses for the visitors.

Abdul Shah, who recently visited Bamiyan, told Xinhua that many tourists were forced to sleep inside their cars or in the open air due to a shortage of accommodations last week.

The 23-year-old came along with her fiance from Afghanistan's northern Mazar-i-Sharif city lamented that poor facilities could be a problem in developing the tourism industry in the province.

Photo taken on June 19, 2019 shows the Band-e-Amir lake in Bamiyan province, central Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Noor Azizi)

Tourism is booming as up to 500 cars and vehicles bring in sightseers to the picturesque lakes of Band-e-Amir every day and some 40,000 tourists including foreigners had visited the national park Band-e-Amir, said Sayed Ismael, an official of the national park.

"About 40,000 tourists have visited the Band-e-Amir lakes since Eid al-Fitr which began in early May and every day we have thousands of guests here," Ismael told Xinhua.

Another visitor to Band-e-Amir, Sayed Milad, also expressed happiness over his visit to Bamiyan. "I used to swim here and really I have enjoyed the fresh water and fresh air here," he said.

"I really love the green and friendly atmosphere in a peaceful environment while visiting many natural landscapes and historical monuments," said Zahra from Kabul, but adding that the tourism industry will not develop unless the authorities build facilities to accommodate tourists. 
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (R, Front) and his Somalia counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, addressed a press conference in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, on July 15, 2022. (Photo by Fred Mutune/Xinhua)

Kenyan and Somali leaders have recommitted to fighting terrorism, tackling drought, and resuming cross-border trade as the two countries revitalize their engagement in all areas of mutual interest.

NAIROBI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan and Somali leaders have recommitted to fighting terrorism, tackling drought, and resuming cross-border trade as the two countries revitalize their engagement in all areas of mutual interest.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somalia counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who visited Kenya last week, have directed the security agencies of the two countries to coordinate their efforts in the anti-terror fight to ensure the safety and protection of the citizens of both countries while intensifying the fight against terrorism.

In a joint communique issued in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, the two leaders agreed that Kenya and Somalia will collaborate with other regional and international actors to provide the much-needed humanitarian assistance to mitigate the effects of the current drought in the Horn of Africa region.

The two leaders also announced plans to open their borders and re-launch direct flights between Nairobi and Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

"Further agreed that the Kenya Airways scheduled flights to Mogadishu will resume immediately based on the existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). The BASA will be reviewed by the relevant authorities," they said.

Both Kenyatta and Mohamud directed that the Joint Commission for Co-operation (JCC) between the two nations be convened in Mogadishu in August to discuss and agree on matters of mutual interest such as joint security activities, defense, agriculture, trade, intelligence exchange, health, education, training in various fields, and continuous review of the visa regime.

The two leaders said the opening of the border between the two countries will ease the movement of people and enhance trade in goods and services.

Kenyan and Somali traders have complained that the border closure and subsequent suspension of khat export to Mogadishu have had huge effects on their businesses.

The traders said many cargo businesses depending on transportation of cross-border cargo were closed with flights grounded due to a diplomatic spat between the two countries.

The two leaders also agreed to facilitate, diversify and promote trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

They directed the immediate market access of fish and fish products from Somalia to Kenya and vice versa, and the resumption of trade in khat from Kenya to Somalia resumed with immediate effect.

The two neighboring countries also resolved to issue visas free of charge on arrival for diplomatic and service passport holders from both countries.

"For holders of Somali Service Passports, Courtesy Visas free of charge/gratis on arrival will be issued within 48 hours, after completion of online visa application accompanied by a Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation," they said.

The two countries also underscored the need to process visas for holders of ordinary passports as soon as possible, preferably within ten working days, and directed the ministries of foreign affairs to implement the issues agreed upon within two weeks. 
Louis Ng, director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), introduces a book of teaching resources featuring various exhibits of the HKPM in south China's Hong Kong, July 18, 2022. The HKPM has partnered with the Education Bureau (EDB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government in publishing a book of teaching resources in an effort to foster a passion for Chinese history and culture among secondary school students, the museum announced Monday. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)

HONG KONG, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) has partnered with the Education Bureau (EDB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government in publishing a book of teaching resources in an effort to foster a passion for Chinese history and culture among secondary school students, the museum announced Monday.

Featuring various exhibits of the HKPM, the book encourages teachers to trigger the interests of students in Chinese history by telling the stories behind the cultural relics and guiding interactive learning experiences, said Chan Ka-man, strategic professional partner with the EDB.

The book will be distributed to all secondary schools in Hong Kong in the new academic year.

While the use of the material won't be compulsory, the teaching material has gained much recognition from history teachers in Hong Kong, said Chan Pik-wa, principal assistant secretary with the EDB.

"I don't believe teachers would leave aside such well-designed material," she said.

Louis Ng, director of the HKPM, said that education has always been a priority for the museum. Looking forward, the museum would expand cooperation with more partners, including primary schools and kindergartens.

"There is much room for cultural relics-based education. It's not only about history, but it also contains visual art, culture and music," he said.

Located in the West Kowloon Cultural District of the HKSAR, the HKPM was open to the public on July 3, with more than 900 treasures from the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing on display on rotation at the opening exhibitions. 

Louis Ng (4th R), director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), and guests show a book of teaching resources featuring various exhibits of the HKPM in south China's Hong Kong, July 18, 2022. The HKPM has partnered with the Education Bureau (EDB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government in publishing a book of teaching resources in an effort to foster a passion for Chinese history and culture among secondary school students, the museum announced Monday. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)
NINGBO, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were confirmed dead after strong winds hit a dock in Ningbo City, east China's Zhejiang Province, leaving a boat and gangway capsized, local authorities said on Monday.

At around 12:33 p.m. Sunday, gusts of up to 117 kph struck the dock in the city's Fenghua District. A total of 16 people fell into the water. 
PHNOM PENH, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia exported 168,280 tons of milled rice to China in the first half of 2022, up 17.4 percent over the same period last year, said an official report on Monday.

China remained the largest buyer of Cambodian rice during the January-June period this year, said the report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, adding that the export to China accounted for 51.4 percent of the country's total exports of the commodity.

Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF)'s president Song Saran said China is a huge market for Cambodian rice and the kingdom is expected to export more rice to China after the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal took effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

"The RCEP will further ease trade in goods between Cambodia and China as well as other participating countries," he told Xinhua. "This mega-regional trade pact provides a larger market access for Cambodia's products, and I think it will attract more foreign investors to invest in various sectors, including in the rice industry, in order to export finished products to those RCEP countries, with tariff concessions."

Saran, who is also chief executive officer of Amru Rice (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., said currently, his company exports milled rice mainly to China, Singapore and Australia.

According to the report, the Southeast Asian country exported a total of 327,200 tons of milled rice to 51 countries and regions around the world during the first half of this year, up 16.6 percent year on year.

Of that, some 98,624 tons were shipped to the European market, up 47 percent, the report said. 
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried has highly appreciated the first direct meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Tbilisi, Azernews reports, citing the Foreign Ministry.

In a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on July 17, Donfried underlined the importance of maintaining direct contacts.

The parties exchanged views on current regional issues, including various directions of the Azerbaijani-Armenian normalization process.

Bayramov brought to her attention Azerbaijan's well-known position on securing peace and progress in the region, including the opening of communications, delimitation of the two states' borders, beginning work on the future peace treaty, and Azerbaijan's initiatives in these directions. The need to fully carry out the parties' obligations under the trilateral statements was highlighted.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the telephone conversation, the ministry said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also welcomed the first direct meeting between the Azerbaijani Foreign minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan on July 16 in Tbilisi.

Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan took a positive step today, meeting in Tbilisi. Direct dialogue is the surest path to resolving Azerbaijani and Armenian differences, Blinken wrote on his Twitter account.

Moreover, Iran's ambassador to Azerbaijan Seyed Abbas Mousavi also expressed support for the first direct meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers.

The Islamic Republic of Iran supports any process/initiative that leads to lasting peace, stability, and security in the region. Bilateral talks and intra-regional dialogues (3+3 Mechanism/Iran, Russia, Turkiye+Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia) are the best for long-term stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus, Mousavi tweeted.

On July 16, 2022, a bilateral meeting was held between the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The ministers touched on a number of issues related to the normalization of relations between the two countries. Both parties underlined the implementation of their commitments and exchanged views on possible future steps.

Bayramov noted that all efforts should be aimed at achieving progress in the regulation of interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia based on the post-conflict realities that arose after the resolution of the armed conflict between the two states. In this context, the need to implement all the provisions of the trilateral statements signed by the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders, especially the withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the territory of Azerbaijan, was emphasized.

Touching on humanitarian issues, Bayramov drew attention to the importance of clarifying the fate of nearly 4,000 missing Azerbaijanis.

The ministers stressed the importance of maintaining direct engagement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
CHENGDU, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Paleontologists have confirmed that marks noticed by a diner in the yard of a restaurant in southwest China's Sichuan Province are dinosaur footprints dating back to the early Cretaceous period.

On July 10, Ou Hongtao was dining in a restaurant in the city of Leshan and noticed some special dents on the ground in the yard of the restaurant.

Ou, who has a great interest in paleontology, speculated that the marks were probably dinosaur footprints and contacted Xing Lida, associate professor with the China University of Geosciences, that evening.

On July 16, Xing led a team of fellow paleontologists and conducted an investigation at the site. The marks were later identified as the tracks of two brontosauruses in the early Cretaceous period.

According to Xing, the discovery is significant in that it is the first time dinosaur footprints have been found in Leshan's city proper.

The marks are the tracks left by two eight-meter-long sauropod dinosaurs, which moved along the river in the arid environment of ancient Leshan about 100 million years ago. This set of sediments was also the basis for the Giant Buddha of Leshan, the world's largest stone Buddha statue, which is just 5 km away, Xing added. 
A freight train to Laos' Luang Prabang departs from a logistics base in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, May 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Xian)

WUHAN, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Central China's Hubei Province saw its foreign trade exceed 290.91 billion yuan (about 43.1 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2022, a year-on-year increase of 18.4 percent, according to local customs.

In the first half, the province's exports rose 27.9 percent year on year to 193.66 billion yuan, while imports increased 3.2 percent to 97.25 billion yuan, data from Wuhan Customs shows.

During the period, exports of high-tech products reached 62.46 billion yuan, approximately one-third of the province's total export volume. Exports of laser equipment surged 59.9 percent year on year, with a total value of 320 million yuan.

Hubei's trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), its largest trading partner, topped 43.11 billion yuan in the first half of the year, accounting for 14.8 percent of the province's total.

Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand are the three ASEAN members with the highest trade volumes with Hubei, respectively occupying 24.2 percent, 19.1 percent and 15.7 percent of the province's total trade with the ASEAN. 
Joe Biden on Saturday concluded his first visit to the Middle East as the U.S. president, achieving a limited number of strategic goals on his selfish agenda.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
People work at a factory in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia on July 19, 2022. The value of imports and exports passing through the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia reached 1.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2022, up 38 percent year on year, said an operator's report on Monday.

Situated in the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, the SSEZ is the country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy. (SSEZ/Handout via Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The value of imports and exports passing through the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia reached 1.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2022, up 38 percent year on year, said an operator's report on Monday.

Situated in the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, the SSEZ is the country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy.

"In the face of the continuous challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the SSEZ has carried out practical and meticulous pandemic prevention measures, steadily promoted the development and maintained the momentum of growth," the report said.

"The growth in the first half of this year reflects the resilience of the zone's development, and it has made new contributions to local economic and social development," it added.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's undersecretary of state and spokesman Penn Sovicheat said the SSEZ is a perfect example of a win-win cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"The SSEZ has provided a lot of jobs to workers and served as a role model for cluster industries and as a base for exports," he told Xinhua.

Neak Chandarith, director of the Cambodia 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Research Center, said the industrial zone greatly supports the country's exports during and after the pandemic.

"The SSEZ, together with other BRI projects, has been playing a crucial role in helping boost Cambodia's economy in the post-pandemic era," he told Xinhua. 

Workers make face masks at a factory in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia on July 19, 2022. The value of imports and exports passing through the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia reached 1.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2022, up 38 percent year on year, said an operator's report on Monday.

Situated in the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, the SSEZ is the country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy. (SSEZ/Handout via Xinhua)

People work at a factory in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia on July 19, 2022. The value of imports and exports passing through the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia reached 1.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2022, up 38 percent year on year, said an operator's report on Monday.

Situated in the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, the SSEZ is the country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy. (SSEZ/Handout via Xinhua)

People work at a factory in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia on July 19, 2022. The value of imports and exports passing through the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia reached 1.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2022, up 38 percent year on year, said an operator's report on Monday.

Situated in the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, the SSEZ is the country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy. (SSEZ/Handout via Xinhua)

Photo taken on July 19, 2022 shows the entrance of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia. The value of imports and exports passing through the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia reached 1.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2022, up 38 percent year on year, said an operator's report on Monday.

Situated in the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, the SSEZ is the country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy. (SSEZ/Handout via Xinhua)

Workers make face masks at a factory in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia on July 19, 2022. The value of imports and exports passing through the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia reached 1.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2022, up 38 percent year on year, said an operator's report on Monday.

Situated in the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, the SSEZ is the country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy. (SSEZ/Handout via Xinhua)

Aerial photo taken on July 19, 2022 shows the entrance of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia. The value of imports and exports passing through the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia reached 1.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2022, up 38 percent year on year, said an operator's report on Monday.

Situated in the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, the SSEZ is the country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy. (SSEZ/Handout via Xinhua)

People work at a factory in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia on July 19, 2022. The value of imports and exports passing through the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia reached 1.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2022, up 38 percent year on year, said an operator's report on Monday.

Situated in the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, the SSEZ is the country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy. (SSEZ/Handout via Xinhua)
BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- To this day, Mexican archaeologist Jose Huchim Herrera vividly remembers a tour of the ancient Maya civilization site about nine years ago, during which he served as a guide for visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On June 6, 2013, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan visited the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza upon invitation from then Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Located some 1,400 km east of Mexico City, Chichen Itza features stepped pyramids, temples, columned arcades and other stone structures sacred to the Maya. It is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico.

Recalling the trip, Huchim Herrera said Xi showed great curiosity about the Maya civilization. Throughout the tour, the Chinese president listened to his narration attentively and asked specific questions regarding the features of the ruins, such as the connotation of the relief sculpture carved on the ruins' foundation.

"Different cultures and civilizations, while retaining their uniqueness, should tolerate and coexist with each other with an open-minded attitude so as to achieve common development and prosperity," Xi said.

About a year later, when attending the opening ceremony of the Exhibition of Mayas: The Language of Beauty at the National Museum of China in Beijing with Pena Nieto, Xi reiterated that China is willing to join hands with Mexico to promote mutual respect, learning and exchange among civilizations, so as to make new contributions to the progress of human civilization.

Today, China and Mexico are striving to revive the long-standing association between their civilizations. Just as how the Chinese people are fascinated by the Mayan ruins and its cultural embodiment, people in Mexico are awestruck by the marvels of Chinese civilization manifested by archaeological findings in China.

For years, Huchim Herrera and his colleagues have paid close attention to the archaeological work at the famed Sanxingdui Ruins in China's Sichuan Province. He has attended a number of symposiums focusing on ancient Shu civilization and Maya civilization, and has personally visited the site.

In June 2022, more astonishing discoveries were made at the site. For Huchim Herrera, the advanced technologies used by his Chinese peers were impressive. He expressed hopes that China and Mexico can continue to work together to preserve humanity's collective legacy of civilizations and spiritual heritage.

From the Acropolis Museum in Greece to ancient ruins in Mexico, President Xi has promoted and championed vibrant and constructive dialogues between the Chinese and other cultures, achieving fruitful outcomes.

"We should encourage different civilizations to respect each other and live in harmony, so as to turn exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations into a bridge promoting friendship between peoples around the world, an engine driving human society, and a bond cementing world peace," Xi said.

Echoing a similar view, Marco Antonio Santos, director of the Chichen Itza archaeological site, said about the findings in Sanxingdui -- "Both that culture and the Maya looked at the same sky, they had the same stars on the horizon." 
Aerial photo taken on Nov. 15, 2020 shows the construction site of the first expressway in Cambodia in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia. (Photo by Li Zhen/Xinhua)

The 2-billion-U.S.-dollar project connecting the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh and the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk is over 94 percent completed and is scheduled to be open for trial operation in September.

PHNOM PENH, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Connecting the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh and the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk, the Chinese-invested Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway project will not only further boost the economy, but also contribute to producing talents for the country's infrastructure sector.

Invested by China Road and Bridge Corporation, the construction work on the 187-km long expressway began in June 2019. The 2-billion-U.S.-dollar project is now over 94 percent completed and is scheduled to be open for trial operation this September.

Nem Sreypov, a testing staff member at the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway's central laboratory, said the job has not only provided her a good salary, but also developed her skills and expertise.

"When I started to work at this laboratory, my impression was that the Chinese experts had taught me how to use every equipment," she told Xinhua. "I feel very excited to work at this laboratory in which equipment is new and modern, and its testing capacity is very accurate."

Sreypov, who has been working for the company for more than three years, said Chinese technicians have trained her how to test the quality of concrete, cement and stone, and now, she can do it independently.

The 26-year-old employee said she was interested in working for the project because since she was born, she had never seen the expressway in Cambodia.

Aerial photo taken on Dec. 2, 2020 shows an asphalt mixing station at the construction site of the first expressway in Cambodia in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia. (Photo by Li Zhen/Xinhua)

"I'm very proud to participate in the construction of this huge Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway project, and I believe that it will greatly contribute to boosting Cambodia's economic development," she said.

Seng Makkra, a safety officer at the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway's Section 3, said the job was very useful to further develop his ability, giving him a chance to learn new technologies and methods in infrastructure development.

"I love this job very much because it gives me an opportunity to improve my knowledge and skills, and I'm confident that after this project is completed, I will be able to help build other transport infrastructure projects in Cambodia in the future," he told Xinhua.

Makkra, 38, who has been working for the company since 2019, said as infrastructure development demands high expertise and technologies, China Road and Bridge Corporation has greatly helped develop human resources for Cambodia in this sector.

Hu Zhaoguang, general manager of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway project office, said the company provided jobs for local people based on the idea of "both giving them fish and teaching them how to fish."

"Meanwhile, we also focus on passing the skills to them and scale up their ability to improve their lives through work," he told Xinhua.

Hu said the company also put priorities on fulfilling social responsibilities and improving local people's livelihoods.

Aerial photo taken on Nov. 15, 2020 shows a concrete mixing plant at the construction site of the first expressway in Cambodia in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia. (Photo by Li Zhen/Xinhua)

"Since the start of the project, we have assisted 22 households in need, and the number of localized workers for the entire project has reached more than 3,200," he said.

"I believe that with the joint efforts of Chinese and Cambodian employees, the expressway project will be able to open to traffic on schedule with high quality and quantity," Hu added.

The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway is the first-ever freeway in the Southeast Asian country, and it is the fruit of cooperation between Cambodia and China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Cambodian Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said the project has created more than 3,000 jobs for Cambodians and it will play a crucial role in helping boost the country's economic growth when it is open for traffic.

"This project is very beneficial to our Cambodian workers because it provides them with technical know-how on the construction of an expressway, and we hope that after the project, they will be able to use their knowledge to help build other expressways in Cambodia," he said during a visit to the project.

At a length of 190 km, the expressway has a width of 24.5 meters with two lanes with vegetation in the middle. Vehicles will be able to travel at a speed of 100 km per hour, taking only two hours to travel between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, instead of five hours at present.
TEHRAN, July 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden's first Middle East tour meant to rally support to counter what he called "Iranian threats" is most likely to see a watered-down achievement, given Iran's sustained efforts to improve relations with neighbors and other countries in the region, analysts said.

A handful of Iranian media outlets recently reviewed the track record of Iran's foreign policy under the current administration that has put regional countries on top of its priorities, finding some fruitful outcomes in fixing Iran's strained ties with regional powers such as Saudi Arabia.

WEST NO LONGER PRIORITY

Since the first day of his administration, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been focusing on developing ties with, firstly, neighbors and regional countries and, secondly, Asian and other countries.

"As widely confirmed by experts, Iran's neighbors offer considerable capacities for exchanges in the economy, energy, transit and trade sectors," the semi-official Tasnim News Agency wrote in a recent analysis on Raisi's approach.

The most important strategy Raisi has pursued is to go beyond the "unwritten" convention of limiting Iran's foreign policy to the interactions with the West, Khabaronline news website wrote in an opinion piece on the 11-month performance of the Raisi administration.

Instead, "he and his team have constantly taken major steps toward opening new chapters in bilateral ties with neighbors and regional states and clearing up the misunderstandings," the website wrote.

The Raisi administration managed to prepare all the ground for Iran to get full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, in a bid to enjoy the abundant opportunities the transnational group can offer, it added.

NEUTRALIZATION OF SANCTIONS

Tasnim said the Raisi administration has made "diverse achievements" in diplomacy, such as a 400-percent increase in transactions with Tajikistan, expansion of strategic relations with Russia, and expressing willingness for cooperation with BRICS and other regional and international organizations.

Raisi has sought to minimize the impacts of intensified U.S.-led Western sanctions on his country with such a "dynamic diplomacy" and by adopting a "Look to the East" policy, among other efforts, semi-official Fars News Agency said in a recent article.

Iran has been a target of U.S. coercive measures over the past four decades, especially since May 2018 when then U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled Washington out of a 2015 nuclear deal and intensified sanctions on Iran.

However, the rise in vaccine imports and oil sales, Iran's more active and influential role in the region, and its increased interactions with the rest of the world are all evidence of the positive outcomes of Tehran's approach against such sanctions, the Fars article noted.

In line with its policy of boosting ties with neighbors and regional countries, the Raisi administration revived Iran's relations with the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), an Asian political and economic intergovernmental organization, and had an active presence in the 15th ECO Summit hosted by Turkmenistan last November, where Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan signed a gas swap deal that helped resolve Iran's gas dispute with Azerbaijan, Khabaronline said.

Abbas Moqtadaei, vice chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian parliament, told official news agency IRNA that the Raisi administration's good-neighborliness approach will open up new cooperation potential in economy, trade and politics.

EFFORTS BEARING FRUIT

Over the past years, Iran's strained ties with some regional countries allowed the United States sufficient room to pressure Iran through sanctions and isolation policy, analysts said. But under Raisi, Tehran managed to revive or, at least, began to mend some of its strained relations, Khabaronline wrote.

"One of the measures taken by the Raisi administration was to start a new round of Iraq-brokered normalization talks with Saudi Arabia," as Tehran-Riyadh tensions in recent years are among the most challenging problems to solve in the region, according to Khabaronline.

Iran and other Arab states have also seen frequent mutual visits over the last few months, Tehran Times said, adding that Raisi has travelled to many countries, including Oman and Qatar, in a bid to advance the country's foreign policy goals.

Official voices from countries with strained relations with Iran, including those that came during Biden's first trip to the Middle East, have shown that the Raisi administration's diplomatic efforts are gradually coming to fruition.

Anwar Gargash, a senior diplomatic advisor to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) president, told reporters on Friday that the UAE is working to send an ambassador to Tehran in thawing relations.

"We are open to cooperation, but not cooperation targeting any other country in the region and I specifically mention Iran," he said. 
BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- China Development Bank (CDB) has boosted financial support for the protection and green development of the Yangtze River.

The CDB issued loans worth 256.1 billion yuan (about 37.97 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of the year, up 14 percent year on year, providing support for critical areas in the Yangtze River protection.

These include environmental protection and ecological restoration in urban and rural areas, industrial pollution control, comprehensive transportation system construction, and rural infrastructure construction along the Yangtze Economic Belt.

With the environmental protection and restoration projects, the sewage and garbage treatment capacity will be increased, rivers, lakes and wetlands will be treated, and polluting enterprises will be closed or relocated, the CDB added. 
BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the World Economic Forum Special Virtual Dialogue with Global Business Leaders, deliver remarks and hold dialogue and exchanges with participating global business leaders on July 19, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced Monday. 
Photo taken on June 17, 2022 shows the desiccated bed of a river in Turin, Italy. (Str/Xinhua)

The lack of rain in winter and spring in the EU and the UK was further exacerbated by early heatwaves in May and June. River discharge has been impacted all over Europe and stored water volumes are depleted, according to the Commission.



BRUSSELS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Almost half of the European Union's (EU) territory and the United Kingdom (UK) are at risk of drought in July, according to a report published on Monday by the European Commission's Joint Research Center (JRS).

"A staggering portion of Europe is currently exposed to warning (44 percent of EU+UK) and alert (9 percent of EU+UK) drought levels, associated with either soil moisture deficit or its combination with vegetation stress," a European Commission press release said.

The lack of rain in winter and spring in the EU and the UK was further exacerbated by early heatwaves in May and June. River discharge has been impacted all over Europe and stored water volumes are depleted, according to the Commission.

To counter this shortage of water, "extraordinary water and energy management measures (are) to be taken in affected countries."

The vegetation is taking a toll, as water gets more difficult to extract by plants from drier soil. Regions affected include the Italian lowlands; southern, central and western France; central Germany; eastern Hungary; Portugal; and northern Spain. Crops are to be affected in several countries.

Aerial photo taken on April 22, 2020 shows the farming land in south of Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)

The energy sector is also impacted, as hydropower generation and the cooling systems of power plants require water.

"Energy production from run-of-river plants until the beginning of July was lower than the 2015-2021 average for many European countries. ... The same decrease is true for hydropower reservoir levels."

"In summary, drought conditions and water scarcity are affecting energy production and reducing crop yield."

As a result, competition for water is keen and started earlier than usual. Unfavorable weather forecasts for the coming months mean that this competition will remain intense, according to the Commission.

People cool themselves off at the seaside aimd a heatwave in Nice, south France, July 13, 2022. (Photo by Serge Haouzi/Xinhua)

While immediate action to manage the water shortage and drought is to be taken, addressing climate change, which is the root cause of the water cycle disruption, is also paramount, the Commission said.

Moreover, preventive action should be taken to climate-proof energy supply and to apply sustainable solutions in agriculture as weather patterns are changing.

Much of Europe is in the midst of a heatwave that scientists say is in line with climate change and has pushed temperatures to 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, with wildfires raging in the dry countryside of Portugal, Spain and France.
By Trend

The speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the meeting dedicated to the results of six months of this year can be divided into several important aspects, Editor-in-chief of the S?S (Voice) newspaper, political expert Bahruz Guliyev told Trend.

According to Guliyev, these aspects are successes achieved in foreign policy, ensuring food security, strengthening stability in the region, opening transport infrastructures, continuing to build the army, supplying new weapons and military technology, also in a short time and a qualitative level of the implementation of social security for war veterans.

Most important factor is opening of a new page in the sphere of achievement of peace and progress in the South Caucasus region, he said.

Guliyev said that the Head of Azerbaijani State mainly touched upon the fact that defeated Armenia did not fulfill the agreements reached in the period after the 44-day Second Karabakh War and emphasized that the presence of illegal Armenian armed forces in Azerbaijans liberated from occupation Karabakh is unacceptable.

"In this regard, President Ilham Aliyev also spoke about the importance of implementing the conditions set forth in the tripartite Declaration, and also noted that the sides that signed the Declaration should respect their signature, Guliyev said.

Head of State reminded the promise of the Russian Defense Ministry that in mid-June of 2022 illegal Armenian military units would be withdrawn from the territory of Azerbaijans liberated Karabakh, but it is already the middle of July and time flies fast, he noted.

The presence of Armenian armed formations on the territory of Azerbaijan is completely unacceptable. We are a victorious country, and we have restored our territorial integrity. If Armenia does not want to withdraw its armed formations from the territory of Azerbaijan, then let them clearly tell us about it, so we know what to do," President Ilham Aliyev said at the meeting.

I think that Armenian officials have two options for the future - either fulfill its obligations or face the powerful Azerbaijani army again, Guliyev added.

The political expert also particularly addressed President Ilham Aliyev's concept of army building and emphasized that modern army building will continue.

"This means that the Azerbaijani state must always and at any time be ready for emerging threats. Therefore, President Aliyev also reminded what war is and what it means to be occupied, Guliyev said.

This reminder creates the basis for the conclusion that there is always a danger, and the main force to prevent it is the brave Azerbaijani army. Our neighbors in the region and global circles are already aware of this reality," he noted.

The speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the meeting dedicated to the results of six months of this year has a very significant effect in determining the strategic goals of the next stage, Editor-in-chief of Bak? x?b?r (Baku news) newspaper, political expert Aydin Guliyev told Trend.

"President Ilham Aliyev quite rightly noted, at the meeting, that major countries and international organizations perceive the signing of an agreement based on new realities and Azerbaijan's proposals as the main condition for lasting peace in the region, Guliyev said.

President Ilham Aliyev explained with convincing arguments that foreign policy before Second Karabakh War created a solid legal and political basis for the victory in Karabakh. It was once again demonstrated that Azerbaijan's foreign policy at every stage is purposeful, initiatory," he noted.

Guliyev noted that President Ilham Aliyev expressed a very objective and courageous critical opinion on the implementation of the trilateral agreements reached.

"President Ilham Aliyevs opinion can only speed up the implementation of the agreements that Armenia is trying to evade by all means. Specific criticism of President Ilham Aliyev about the slow implementation of agreements with Armenia has a corrective effect, Guliyev said.

Armenia and its supporters should draw the appropriate conclusion from President Ilham Aliyevs hint of many negative manifestations. President Ilham Aliyev said very precisely that Armenias policy towards the Minsk Group co-chairs still has unresolved territorial claims, he also added.

These words of President Aliyev are a strategic strike against the policies of the aggressor country. The President once again gave a message to the world that it is impossible to follow the lies and hypocritical policies of Armenia, Guliyev noted.

Guliyev emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev has shown that Armenias alleged renunciation of its territorial claims and talk about the OSCE Minsk Group is nothing but a two-faced policy.
ADDIS ABABA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in a report published on Monday said 2,803 Sudanese refugees have returned from camps in Ethiopia in recent weeks.

In an Ethiopia Emergency Situation Report, the UNHCR said the refugees returned to their home country, Sudan, through the Kurmuk border point, in Ethiopia's western Benishangul Gumuz region.

The UNHCR report also said a total of 7,559 Sudanese and 452 South Sudanese refugees have returned to their home countries from camps in Ethiopia since February 2022.

Benishangul Gumuz region has in recent years hosted thousands of Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict in their respective countries.

The UNHCR said separately that 772 Sudanese refugees have returned to their home country in the last two weeks from camps in Ethiopia's southwestern Gambella region, citing recent insecurity in the area for their return.

Ethiopia last month imposed a night curfew in Gambella city, capital of Gambella region. The curfew is still in effect.

The curfew was imposed in the immediate aftermath of a joint attack by Gambella Liberation Army and Oromo Liberation Army rebels that left an unspecified number of combatants and civilians dead.

In recent years, deadly clashes between various ethnic groups in the Gambella region have killed scores and displaced thousands. The clashes are mainly over access to power and land resources.

Gambella region has also hosted tens of thousands of South Sudanese refugees fleeing civil war since 2013. 
DAR ES SALAAM, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities on Sunday announced measures they were taking to boost the production of sugarcane that will lead to ending sugar scarcity in the East African nation.

Hussein Bashe, the minister of Agriculture, said the measures included the construction of irrigation schemes for small-scale sugarcane growers in sugarcane growing regions.

Bashe directed the Sugar Board of Tanzania and the National Irrigation Commission to earmark areas in sugarcane growing regions for the construction of irrigation schemes.

"Most of the sugarcane grown by smallholders in the country is rain-dependent. We should stop this and use irrigation," Bashe told a meeting of sugar stakeholders in the Morogoro region organized by the Sugar Board of Tanzania.

He said another measure was to mobilize production and use quality sugarcane seedlings that will produce better yields.

Bashe also directed the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) to research high-yielding sugarcane seedlings.

Kenneth Bengesi, the director general of the Sugar Board of Tanzania, said the lack of sufficient sugarcane was the reason behind the poor production of sugar in the country.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Tanzania's annual demand for domestic sugar is about 470,000 metric tons while the country's five sugar processing factories only have the capacity of producing 378,000 metric tons annually. 
ACCRA, July 18(Xinhua)-- The Chinese medical team in Ghana said Monday that they have achieved big progress in helping a local hospital improve its capacity of performing laparoscopic surgeries.

LEKMA hospital, where the team is based, has long been unable to carry out laparoscopic surgeries due to a shortage of the latest equipment and relevant experience, said Yu Dongnan, chief of the team.

"We are fully aware that laparoscopic surgery is very important to increase the cure rate, so in this case, we have to reassemble the old equipment in stock to deal with some emergent surgeries," Yu told Xinhua.

The team's first laparoscopic surgery was met with bumps. The doctors realized that they were not able to obtain a clear screen vision during the process, but the experienced Chinese doctors finally overcome the difficulties and finished the surgery using six hours.

Together with their Ghanaian counterparts, the team gradually fixed these problems. In late June, the team involved more Ghanaian medical staff in its third laparoscopic surgery for a local patient, which turned out to be a success.

"It showed that our collaboration has moved a step forward," Yu said, adding that the team plans to introduce more laparoscopic surgeries in the hospital and involve more Ghanaian counterparts.

Over the years, China has dispatched 11 medical teams to Ghana, which significantly helped boost its health sector. 
COLOMBO, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Health Ministry on Monday urged the people to take the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine given the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant.

Director General of Health Services Asela Gunawardena said over 95 percent of the people have received their second dose of the vaccine.

However, a significantly lower percentage of the people have taken the third dose, he said.

Taking four doses of the vaccine minimized the risk of contracting the virus and in case of infection, the severity of the disease will also be lower, the health official said.

The vaccines can be obtained at all state hospitals, medical offices of health, and stipulated vaccination centers, Gunawardena said. 
NEW DELHI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The second Monkeypox case was detected in India on Monday in its southern state of Kerala, confirmed an official in the state's health department.

The 31-year-old male patient is said to be a native of the Kannur district and is undergoing treatment at a government medical facility there.

"He arrived from Dubai on July 13. The patient's health condition is satisfactory. Those in close contact with him have been put under observation," said the official.

The country's first Monkeypox case was also detected in Kerala four days ago. The infected person was a traveler from the UAE and had reached the state on July 12.

After the detection of the first Monkeypox case, the federal government rushed a multi-disciplinary team of senior doctors to the state to help investigating the outbreak, and initiate requisite public health measures.

According to Kerala Health Minister Veena George, the second Monkeypox case was confirmed after his samples were tested at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune city.

Meanwhile, the Kerala government has intensified the preventive measures against the disease. 
NEW DELHI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people died when the bus they were traveling in fell into a river in the Dhar district of India's central state of Madhya Pradesh on Monday.

A total of 13 bodies have been recovered from river Narmada, as the rescue work continues at the site. The total number of passengers on the bus hasn't been ascertained yet.

"The bus, belonging to the southwestern state of Maharashtra, had started its journey from Madhya Pradesh's Indore city this morning," a local police official told Xinhua.

According to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the identity of five victims had been established.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the mishap, saying "the tragedy is saddening."

"Rescue work is underway and local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," Modi tweeted. 
BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on late Sunday that he had decided to dismiss Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova and head of the Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov, the presidential press service reported.

In his address to the nation, Zelensky blamed Venediktova and Bakanov for insufficiently dealing with a large number of traitors in their agencies.

As of Sunday, Ukrainian authorities had launched 651 criminal proceedings on charges of "treason and collaboration activities" in law enforcement agencies, Zelensky said.

More than 60 employees of the prosecutor's office and the Security Service of Ukraine were "working against our state," he added.

- - - -

Russian forces destroyed a depot housing Harpoon anti-ship missiles delivered by NATO countries in Ukraine's important port city of Odessa with high-precision long-range air-based missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.

It said Russian forces also shot down one Ukrainian MI-17 helicopter near the town of Slavyansk in Donetsk, and one SU-25 warplane of the Ukrainian air force in the Kharkov region.

- - - -

The industrial infrastructure of the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv was destroyed after the city was hit probably by S-300 missiles on the night of Saturday to Sunday, but no civilian casualties were reported so far, the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency said.

Russian forces launched rocket attacks on eight communities in the northeastern Sumy region and one community in the northern Chernihiv region on Saturday, the State Border Service of Ukraine said on Facebook on Sunday. 
HOUSTON, July 17 (Xinhua) -- "Systemic failures" were blamed for the May 24 primary school shooting killing 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, south central U.S. state of Texas, said a Texas House investigative committee report released Sunday.

As many as 376 law enforcement officers rushed to Robb Elementary School shortly after Salvador Ramos, the single shooter, opened fire -- most of them federal and state law enforcement with responsibilities including responding to mass attacks in public places, said the 77-page report, the most complete account of the shooting to date.

However, none of them was able to subdue the 18-year-old gunman before he carried out the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, partly because of "systemic failures and egregious poor decision making," said the report.

There was no clear leadership, no basic communications and no sufficient urgency to stop the shooter in a chaotic and uncoordinated scene lasting for more than an hour, said the report.

"Hundreds of responders from numerous law enforcement agencies -- many of whom were better trained and better equipped than the school district police -- quickly arrived on the scene. Those other responders ... could have helped to address the unfolding chaos," it said.

Local police, especially Pete Arredondo, who was then police chief of Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (CISD), were widely criticized for failing to follow the active doctrine developed after the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, which dictates that officers immediately confront active shooters. Instead, Arredondo did not take charge, and the local police retreated after coming under fire and then waited for backup.

"They failed to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety," the report echoed the criticism.

And "these local officials were not the only ones expected to supply the leadership needed during this tragedy," the report noted. "In this crisis, no responder seized the initiative to establish an incident command post."

"Despite an obvious atmosphere of chaos, the ranking officers of other responding agencies did not approach the Uvalde CISD chief of police or anyone else perceived to be in command to point out the lack of and need for a command post, or to offer that specific assistance," it said.

A small team of Border Patrol agents finally decided they would breach the classroom without seeking permission from Arredondo and killed the shooter, but the decision could have been made far earlier, it said.

The report also noted that a culture of complacency weakened the safeguards of Robb Elementary School since employees often left doors unlocked.

"Had school personnel locked the doors as the school's policy required, that could have slowed his (the gunman's) progress for a few precious minutes -- long enough to receive alerts, hide children, and lock doors," it said.

The doors to the classroom where the gunman was inside were later found to have been unlocked the entire time, but when law enforcement arrived, they assumed that they could not break them down to reach the gunman, showed the report.

The report also found that there were a number of warning signs showing that the gunman, a high school dropout, was unstable and has even earned the nickname "school shooter" on social media platforms. However, no one interacting with the gunman had attempted to alert authorities about his troubling behaviors.

In its coverage on the report published Sunday, The Texas Tribune said the investigation is the first ever to criticize the inaction of state and federal law enforcement.

"The facts laid out in the report also made clear that neither existing gun laws, nor expanded background checks passed by Congress in response to the shooting, would have prevented the gunman, Salvador Ramos, from obtaining the weapon he used," The New York Times said in an article published Sunday. 
WASHINGTON: Four people were killed after the small planes they were travelling on collided in mid-air around noon at North Las Vegas Airport in the US state of Nevada, say officials.

The North Las Vegas Fire Department confirmed the fatalities following the tragedy, which happened on Sunday afternoon at the airport. "There have been four reported fatalities as of right now. Accident investigation is ongoing "the Fire Department of the City of North Las Vegas tweeted.

According to the Xinhua news agency, each aircraft had two passengers on board. The Piper PA-46 and Cessna 172N, both single-engine fixed-wing small planes, were involved in the disaster that occurred in Las Vegas, according to a tweet from the US National Transportation Safety Board.

As per preliminary data, the Piper PA-46 and Cessna 172 collided as the Piper was getting ready to land. According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, which was cited by the ABC affiliate KTNV-TV, a local television station in Las Vegas, the Piper crashed into a field east of Runway 30-Right, while the Cessna went into a water retention pond.

Israel Govt to set up national calculation centre to predict climate impact

Sudan reopens border crossing with Ethiopia to resolve disputes

Iraqi soldier, Islamic State militant killed in Iraq
IRAQ/BAGHDAD : An Iraqi soldier and a militant of the Islamic State (IS) group were killed in two separate incidents in the central and northern parts of the country, the Iraqi military said.

A joint force from the Army and a paramilitary Hashd Shaabi killed an Islamic State militant wearing an explosive belt in the Tarmiyah region, about 30 kilometres north of Baghdad, after acting on intelligence reports, according to a statement released on Sunday by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command's media office.

In a seoperate incidneet, on Sunday, Islamic State terrorists attacked an army post close to the city of Mosul, around 400 kilometres north of Baghdad, inflicting one death and two injuries, an army source told Xinhua on the condition of anonymity.

According to the source, before the attackers left the scene, there was a fight between the two sides following the incident, the report said. Over the past few months, Iraqi security forces have engaged in combat with IS militants to put a stop to their escalating activities.

Since the demise of the IS in 2017, Iraq's security situation has improved. But over time, its remains have dispersed into populated areas, arid regions, and mountainous terrain, where they continue to launch guerilla operations against law enforcement and ordinary citizens.

Iran Govt denies sending drones to Russia

Iranian military accuses US and Israeli leaders of using force in their threats

Iranian Sentenced to Life in Prison for 1980s Crimes in Sweden
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov will meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at NATO Headquarters on July 19, 2022, Azernews reports, citing NATOs official website.

There will be no media opportunity. Photographs will be available on the NATO website after the event, the organization underlined.

Relations with NATO started in 1992 when Azerbaijan joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. This forum for dialogue was succeeded in 1997 by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, which brings together all Allies and partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic area.

Bilateral cooperation began when Azerbaijan joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program in 1994. Thanks to regular participation in PfP activities, Azerbaijan has been able to contribute actively to Euro-Atlantic security by supporting NATO-led peace-support operations.

Azerbaijans participation in the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) since 1997 has allowed NATO and individual Allies to assist Azerbaijan in developing selected units to improve interoperability with those of the allies.

NATO and Azerbaijan started work on a jointly agreed Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) in 2008 to integrate NATO standards into the teaching methodologies and curricula of the countrys Professional Military Education (PME) institutions.

In 2018, Azerbaijan asked NATO to also involve the Military High School, a pre-commissioning school, in DEEP.
Russia has yet to admit to its crimes in the MH17 downing 18 July, 01:19 PM An armed pro-Russian militant stands guard as crash investigation teams examine the crash site of flight MH17 (Photo:REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev)

A Boeing 777 passenger plane was shot down over the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast on July 17, 2014, a few months after the annexation of the Crimean peninsula and Russia's invasion of Donbas.

The Malaysia Airlines-operated flight MH17 flew from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. As proven by numerous further investigations, a missile from a Russian Bus anti-aircraft system hit the plane. All 298 people on board were killed. This is the largest number of casualties in the history of aviation, from all cases of downed civilian airliners.

 

Read also: US creates team to investigate Russian war crimes in Ukraine

NV recaps one of Russia's biggest crimes during its eight years of war with Ukraine, which Moscow has not yet admitted.

Flight crash circumstances

On July 17, 2014, the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 passenger plane operated a scheduled flight from the Netherlands to Malaysia. It took off from Amsterdam at 12:13 pm and was supposed to land at the Kuala Lumpur airport after 16 hours of flight (at about 6:10 am on July 18).

Flight MH17 did not reach its final destination: communication with the aircraft was lost at 4:20 pm, it disappeared from radar after almost three hours of flight. At that moment, the plane was at an altitude of more than 10,000 meters above an occupied portion of Donetsk Oblast and was supposed to soon cross the border with Russia. Ukrainian air traffic controllers leading the aircraft had already received Russian permission to transfer the flight to Russian airspace.

Reconstructed wreckage of MH17 / : REUTERS/Michael Kooren

It was at 4:20 pm that the aircraft's "black boxes" stopped working: the flight data recorder (FDR) and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which were subsequently found and thoroughly investigated. According to their data, the flight went smoothly, and at the last moment before the crash, they recorded a sound burst  probably an explosion outside. At that time, the plane was above the village of Rozsypne. Most of the aircrafts fragments fell in the area of the neighboring village of Hrabove (both settlements are located in Donetsk Oblast on the border with Luhansk Oblast). Torez (currently Chystiakove) and Snizhne are the nearest towns from here.

Read also: Air force publishes aerial view of Donbas battlefront

All 298 people on board the aircraft were killed. These are 15 crew members and 283 passengers, including 80 minors. There were at least 20 families of several people on board the Boeing 777, and many of the passengers were flying to vacation destinations or to visit relatives. Two-thirds of the passengers were citizens of the Netherlands (193 people), 43 had Malaysian citizenship, and 27 were from Australia.

Murder weapon: Russian Buk

Later, an investigation established that the plane was hit by a missile from a Russian Buk anti-aircraft missile system in service with the 53rd Kursk anti-aircraft missile brigade.

This is an air defense formation connected to the 20th Russian combined arms army. The Buk was delivered to the territory of Ukraine on the day of the downing of the aircraft and taken back to Russia the very next day, minus one missile  as open-source investigation outlet Bellingcat and the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which includes Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine, discovered during the course of their investigations. The systems crew, most likely, was also Russian.

Thanks to numerous photos and videos, investigators managed to establish the full route of transportation of the Buk air defense system from Russia's Kursk Oblast to Ukraine through non-Ukrainian controlled borders. In late June, a large convoy of troops of almost 50 vehicles left a base there, including six Buk missile systems on tractor trucks. On June 25, the convoy arrived in the town of Millerovo (Rostov Oblast) in Russia, from where the systems were transported to various points along the Russian-Ukrainian border.

A Russian serviceman walks past a Buk missile system / : REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

The system from which flight MH17 was shot down crossed the border of Ukraine on the eve of the crash, overnight on July 17, near the border village of Sievernyi (Luhansk Oblast). Further, on the territory of Ukraine, the Buk was reloaded onto a Volvo tractor and delivered to Donetsk (probably via Luhansk, Alchevsk, Debaltseve and Makiyivka), and then via Zuhres, Shakhtarsk and Torez  on the outskirts of Snizhne.

Most likely, the missile was launched near Snizhne, Donetsk Oblast, about 15 km from the crash site. Later, a witnesses told the court that he saw the Buk in a field near Snizhne on July 17, 2014, and after a short time, he saw the launch of a missile from this area.

The aircraft was shot down by a 9M38 missile. A part of it, containing the engine housing, was found on the territory of Ukraine and demonstrated to the public in 2018.

According to the investigation, most likely, the missile hit the fore-body of the plane, to the left and above the cockpit. In fact, the plane was likely destroyed before it even hit the ground. As a result of explosive decompression, the fore-body fell apart, while the central and rear parts of the fuselage continued to fall forward  that's why the wreckage and the bodies of the dead were scattered over an area of about 50 square kilometers.

Testimony of "DPR" proxy forces confirming Russia's crime

Even before the downing of the Malaysian airliner, the Russian military, who control the armed forces of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" (DPR"), had launched a real hunt for Ukrainian aviation. In May 2014, two Mi-24 helicopters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were shot down near Slovyansk, and an Il-76 aircraft was shot down in June while landing in Luhansk. On July 14, a few days before the tragedy of flight MH17, an An-26 transport aircraft was shot down from Russian territory by the Buk anti-aircraft missile system in Luhansk Oblast, as well as a Ukrainian Su-25 on July 16.

Read also: Russian National Guard commander put on international wanted list for war crimes

That is why Ukraine had closed the airspace over the combat zone for civil aviation since July 1, 2014  first to an altitude of 7,900 meters, and later on July 14, this restriction was raised to 9,750 meters. Flight MH17 flew over the territory of Ukraine at an altitude of more than 10,000 meters, however, conversations between the "DPR" proxy forces and the Russian military immediately after the crash indicate that they deliberately fired on the passenger airliner, apparently considering it to be another military target.

In addition, a few days before the downing of the plane, the SBU Security Service of Ukraine recorded numerous conversations between proxy forces and their Russian supervisors about the expectation and delivery of the Buk anti-aircraft missile system from Russian territory.

Probe into tragedy and MH17 trial

Russia, its leadership and all those responsible for the tragedy could be brought to justice in three ways:

 through the MH17 criminal trial at the District Court of The Hague;

 as part of the collective complaint of the Netherlands and Ukraine against Russia to the European Court of Human Rights;

 as part of Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia to the International Court of Justice, where Ukraine included the downing of passenger flight MH17 in the list of the largest terrorist attacks by Russia.

Read also: Volodymyr Vyatrovych We will not allow Russia to place their crimes upon us

Most of the world's attention is focused on the first of these three points  the trial, which is being conducted by the District Court of The Hague. The court sessions, which took place in the Schiphol Judicial Complex in the suburbs of Amsterdam, began in March 2020 and ended on June 10, 2022.

The court is expected to make a final decision in November or December 2022.

It is this process that is based on the findings of a large-scale investigation by the JIT. It was created in the summer of 2014 and brought together representatives from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine to work on a criminal investigation of the crime. In May 2018, the JIT presented its final detailed report as part of the investigation into the tragedy of flight MH17 (the first was made public in the autumn of 2016).

The investigation rejected all other versions of the tragedy that Russia tried to promote. In particular, the Dutch prosecutor's office checked in detail and refuted the following versions due to lack of evidence:

 explosion right on board the aircraft;

 shelling of a Malaysia Airlines flight from a military aircraft;

 hitting a passenger aircraft with an air defense system, but not with a BUK air defense missile;

 hitting the MH17 flight with the BUK anti-aircraft missile system, which belonged to Ukraine, and not to Russia.

At the same time, investigators confirmed that the plane was hit by a missile fired from the Russian Buk anti-aircraft missile system.

The main facts have been established during many years of thorough investigation by JIT specialists, the authors of additional independent investigations of Bellingcat and The Insider, as well as the testimonies of witnesses who were brought to trial in the Netherlands.

Given these facts, in June 2019, the Dutch prosecutor's office filed formal charges against four suspects in the murder of passengers and crew of flight MH17:

 Igor Girkin (nom de guerre "Strelkov"), former leader of pro-Russian armed forces in the Donbas;

 the "DPR" commander, Russian Major General Sergey Dubinsky (nom de guerre "Khmury");

 reserve lieutenant colonel of the Russian Airborne Forces Oleg Pulatov (nom de guerre "Gyurza");

 citizen of Ukraine Leonid Kharchenko (nom de guerre "Krot" ("Mole")).

Who was charged and for what exactly

The District Court of The Hague is due to sentence the four suspects charged in the summer of 2019. These are Igor Girkin (Strelkov), Sergey Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Leonid Kharchenko.

Prosecutors will ask for each of them to be sentenced to life imprisonment. Not a single one has admitted to their involvement in this tragedy. All of them are on the international wanted list, but reside in Russia, which refuses to comply with international warrants.

The Dutch prosecutor's office is convinced that all four took part in organizing the transportation of the Russian Buk anti-aircraft missile system to the occupied territory of Donetsk Oblast and its export back to Russia (or contributed to these processes). The prosecution does not believe that any of them directly launched the missile. However, investigators are convinced that the suspects planned the transportation of Buk precisely to shoot down planes.

According to Dutch prosecutors, the accomplices in crime cannot be justified by the fact which plane they wanted to shoot down using the Buk anti-aircraft missile system  either military or civilian. They also cannot enjoy combatant immunity under the Geneva Conventions because they did not fight openly on behalf of their country, represented illegal armed formations, and did not comply with the laws and customs of war by participating in torture, murder, looting, and other crimes.

None of the suspects has yet been arrested or attended the trial, and only one (Oleg Pulatov) was represented in absentia by Dutch lawyers.

Igor Girkin (Strelkov) / : NV

Russian citizen, retired officer of the Russian armed forces, former FSB colonel

Participated in military campaigns in Chechnya, Transnistria, Bosnia. After the creation of the "DPR" puppet authority, he became the first "defense minister" of the sham republic and performed this function at the time of the downing of the Malaysia Airlines aircraft. He left his post in August 2014 and returned to Russia.

The investigation believes that it was Girkin who "ordered" the delivery of the Buk anti-aircraft missile system from Russia, and since all the "DPR" fighters were accountable to him, he actually supervised the tasks of this system on Ukrainian territory. According to SBU audio intercepts, the day after the downing of flight MH17, Girkin was discussing the return of the Buk to Russian territory.

Sergey Dubinsky ("Khmury") / : NV

Russian citizen, major general of the Russian army

Participated in the wars in Afghanistan and Chechnya, served in the 22nd brigade of the GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate) special forces. In 2014, he allegedly retired and left for Ukraine, where he headed the "DPR" intelligence services.

Taking into account numerous SBU audio intercepts, the investigation concluded that it was Dubinsky who controlled the transportation of the Buk to the launch site and then took part in sending it back. On the morning of the crash, Dubinsky told other proxy forces that the Buk anti-aircraft missile system and its crew had already arrived in Donetsk. It was on July 17, 2014 that he instructed to transfer the Buk toward Snizhne, from where the missile was likely fired on flight MH17.

Shortly after the downing of the aircraft, considering it a military aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, being at that moment in Marynivka, a village south of Snizhne, Dubinsky said in another telephone conversation: "Constantly shelling with Grads, a break now. Just downed a Su plane. We've got the Buk-M."

Oleg Pulatov ("Gyurza," or "Khalif") / : NV

Russian citizen, retired officer of the Russian Airborne Force

He graduated from Kyiv Higher Combined Arms Command School in the early 90s. Later, he fought in Chechnya, was the commander of military unit 85954 in Ulyanovsk. He was early dismissed from the service (supposedly "for health reasons") in 2008. He ended up in Ukraine in the spring of 2014, headed the 2nd department of the "DPR" GRU, which was engaged in military intelligence.

By the time the plane was shot down, he was actually a subordinate of Dubinsky. Dutch investigators have established that it was Pulatov who was probably near the Buk system at the time of the missile launch on the Malaysian passenger plane, and also accompanied the anti-aircraft missile system on the way from Snizhne. Bellingcat investigators believe that Pulatov also found and handed over the flight recorders of the aircraft to the "DPR" leaders.

Pulatov is the only one of the suspects who is represented by lawyers at the trial in the Netherlands, even though he interacted minimally with them.

Leonid Kharchenko ("Krot" ("Mole")) / : NV

Ukrainian citizen, "DPR" fighter

At the time of the downing of the plane, he was a subordinate of Pulatov and Dubinsky, probably was the commander of various intelligence units of the "DPR" GRU.

In the spring of 2015, it was Kharchenko who replaced Pulatov as the head of the 2nd department of the "DPR" GRU. The Ukrainian Air Force Service reported that Kharchenko was detained in occupied Donetsk in 2020, but in a completely different case initiated by the "DPR" puppet authorities. The sources of the Ukrainian Air Force assumed that Russia had planned to "isolate" Kharchenko in this way and prevent his abduction by the Ukrainian special services.

On the day of the tragedy, according to SBU audio intercepts, Kharchenko coordinated other "DPR" fighters, pointing them to the Buk's whereabouts, and then took part in its removal to Russia.

When will the world hear the final verdict on MH17?

Consideration of the criminal case on the merits of the downing of flight MH17 was completed on June 10, 2022. The District Court of The Hague will announce its verdict on the four defendants in the last months of the year. Nov. 17 or Dec. 15 are among the possible dates. The final date will be announced by late September.

The Dutch prosecutor's office is aware that the sentence will be impossible to fulfill if the perpetrators of the tragedy do not fall into the hands of justice. To do this, they must either be extradited from Russia or detained in a third country as being put on the international wanted list.

Read also: US Congress set to declare Russian war against Ukraine to be genocide

Relatives of the victims, who spoke in court in the Netherlands in person or through their lawyers, insisted on restoring the truth. Dutch citizen Ria van der Steen, who lost her father and stepmother in the MH17 crash, said in an emotional courtroom speech almost a year ago: "I will never be able to finally say goodbye to them until those responsible for their deaths are found guilty."

And at the beginning of her speech, she turned to the Russian regime, quoting Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn in the original: "They are lying. We know they are lying. And they know that we know that they are lying."

"I know who is responsible," said the woman, who is awaiting sentencing along with the relatives of the other 296 victims of the disaster and the whole world.

Help NV continue reporting on the Russian invasion



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Description

"The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) announced that New York State will provide free Learn-to-Swim programs. Enrollment for the Learn-to-Swim program for children is open at all participating New York State parks. Participants' parents are asked to sign up ahead of time as space is limited and expected to fill up quickly. Each swim program is 30 minutes in duration and participants who enroll in these lessons will receive a New York State Parks swag bag and participation certificate. Please note participants should park on the West side of the Field 4 parking lot and must pay the $10 parking fee. The Learn-to-Swim Program incorporates guidelines set forth by the American Red Cross to teach swimming and water safety skills. Our morning Learn-to-Swim Program is for children ages 6 through 15, at Jones Beach State Park. It is encouraged that participants bring their own goggles and a swim cap. Times: 8am-8:30am = Level 2, 8:45am-9:15am = Level 1, 9:30am-10am = Parent and Child, 9:30am-10am = Pre-K, 7:00PM - 7:45PM - Adult Swim. https://bookwhen.com/learntoswimli"



NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Fortune Business Insights

Companies covered in Mead Beverages Market Are Tallgrass Mead (Canada), Moonlight Meadery (U.S.), Nektarmeadery (U.S.), Bunratty (Ireland), Charm City Meadworks (U.S.), PasiekaJaros (Poland), Redstone Meadery (U.S.), Schramm's Mead (U.S.), Superstition Meadery (U.S.), Meadery of the Rockies (U.S.)

Pune, India, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global mead beverages market size was USD 432.4 million in 2020. The market size is expected to rise from USD 487.9 million in 2021 to USD 1,621.0 million by 2028 at a CAGR of 18.71% during the forecast period of 2021-2028. Fortune Business Insights publishes this information in a report titled, "Mead Beverages Market, 2021-2028". As per the report, the global market is expected to rise during the projected period, owing to increasing development of meaderies globally.

Mead is a fermented beverage acquiring flavors from fruit, spices, grains, or hops. The mead is considered a healthier beverage compared to wine and beer. The content of alcohol is comparatively less in the mead. Rising demand for non-alcoholic beverages is likely to boost the market growth during the forecast period. The development of meaderies in segmented regions is expected to increase these beverages' production and consumption rate.

COVID-19 Impact:

Restrictions on Restaurants Hampered Market Growth during Pandemic

The outbreak of COVID-19 virus affected market growth in various industries. The food and beverage industry faced mild impact due to restricted supply of material and production due to limited workforce. Stringent restrictions imposed by governments on import/export policies and social distancing norms restricted the market growth during pandemic. Restaurants and food joints were shut for a long period, which restricted product sales and affected the revenue generation rate of the industry.





Get a Sample PDF Brochure:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/mead-market-102278

Story continues





List of Key Players Profiled in Market Report for Mead Beverages:

Tallgrass Mead (Canada)

Moonlight Meadery (U.S.)

Nektarmeadery (U.S.)

Bunratty (Ireland)

Charm City Meadworks (U.S.)

PasiekaJaros (Poland)

Redstone Meadery (U.S.)

Schramm's Mead (U.S.)

Superstition Meadery (U.S.)

Meadery of the Rockies (U.S.)

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2020 USD 432.4 Million Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 1621.0 Million Growth Rate CAGR of almost 18.71% during 2021-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2017 - 2019 Forecast Years 2021- 2028 Segments Covered By Type, By Distribution Channel and By Geography Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2021 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered Unites States, Canada, Mexico, Unites Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Number of Companies Covered Tallgrass Mead (Canada), Moonlight Meadery (U.S.), Nektarmeadery (U.S.), Bunratty (Ireland), Charm City Meadworks (U.S.), PasiekaJaros (Poland), Redstone Meadery (U.S.), Schramm's Mead (U.S.), Superstition Meadery (U.S.), Meadery of the Rockies (U.S.) Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs.



Report Coverage:

The report shares complete information and statistical data about market development and industry trends. Also, drivers and restraints affecting market development are highlighted further in this report. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on market expansion and business globalization is elaborated further. Business strategies adopted by major key players in the market are discussed along with the competitive environment globally.

Segments:

Fruit Mead Dominates Market Due to Authenticity of Flavors

By type, the market is bifurcated into fruit mead and traditional mead.

Based on distribution channel, the market is segmented into supermarkets/hypermarkets, specialty stores, online sales channels, and others.

By region, the market is categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.





Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/mead-market-102278





Drivers & Restraints:

Developing Meaderies Globally to Stimulate Market Growth

The market is expected to rise during the projected period, owing to the growing trend of low or no alcohol consumption. Also, developing meaderies across the segmented regions are expected to bolster market growth. Furthermore, consumers tend to shift toward wine, and avoiding alcoholic drinks is anticipated to propel growth. These factors are expected to ensure mead beverages market growth in the coming years.

However, high cost of mead production may hamper the market growth during the projected period.

Regional Insights:

Europe Holds Highest Position Due to High Demand in Developing Countries

Europe is expected to dominate the global mead beverages market share during the forecast period, owing to increasing demand for wine and low alcoholic beverages. The region stood at USD 183.56 million in 2020 due to the rising development of meaderies in the region.

North America holds the second-largest global market share due to the presence of major key players in the industry. Innovation and high export rate of beverages are expected to fuel the market in the coming years.

Competitive Landscape:

Strategic Alliances Allows Key Players to Expand Business Globally

Key players in the market implement various business development strategies such as partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, and form alliances. These strategies allow companies to expand their business reach. Furthermore, innovation management ensures enhancing the company's product portfolio.





Inquire Before Buying This Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/mead-market-102278





Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Emerging Trends

Key Insights Overview of the Parent/Related Markets Industry SWOT Analysis Supply Chain Analysis Recent Industry Developments - Policies, Partnerships, and Mergers & Acquisitions Qualitative Analysis Related to COVID-19 Impact of COVID-19 on the Market Supply Chain Challenges amidst Pandemic Potential Opportunities due to this Global Crisis

Global Mead Beverage Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecast By Type Fruit Meads Traditional Mead By Distribution Channel Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Specialty Stores Online Sales Channels Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa



TOC Continued!





Speak to Our Expert:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/mead-market-102278





Key Industry Developments:

July 2021: Second City Meadery opened Albany Park Tasting Room for customers. Second City Meadery is its second meadery tasting room and only meadery on the North Side. The tasting room features a bar with eight stools, three standing tables, and two long tables with barstools at them. It has board games and is pet and family-friendly.

May 2020: Moonshine, India's first Mead brand, launched salted kokum mead. It is a fruit mead made of Kokum, a small fruit primarily grown in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.





Read Related Insights:

Beer Market Size, Share, Growth | Global Industry Trends [2028]

Craft Wine Market Size & Share | Industry Forecast [2020-2027]

Non-alcoholic Beverages Market Size, Share | Industry Analysis [2027]

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Loan to fund the construction of 348-Key Hotel

DULUTH, Ga., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ACRES Capital Corp. (together with its subsidiaries, "ACRES"), a nationwide commercial real estate middle-market lender, has originated a $74.75 million loan to fund the construction of the Westin Gwinnett Hotel in Duluth, Georgia.

ACRES Capital Logo

"The property's proximity to Atlanta, coupled with being the first 4-star hotel of its kind in this market, will meet the growing demand for business and leisure accommodations in the area," said ACRES Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Fogel. "The Gas South District's campus has created a distinctive and exciting atmosphere for hosting a variety of events, and we are confident that will help Westin further distinguish itself by leading the 'path of progress' north of Atlanta."

Located just 30 minutes north of downtown Atlanta, the hotel will serve as the flagship hotel of the Gas South District's campus. Significantly larger than the neighboring hotels, the Westin will feature 348 rooms, 17,607 sf of meeting space, business center, fitness room, dining, and a rooftop bar.

"On behalf of Concord Hospitality and its investors, I am delighted to announce the closing of the construction loan for the Westin Atlanta Gwinnett with ACRES Capital," said Mark Laport, President & Chief Executive Officer, Concord Hospitality. "The 348-room hotel and conference center will anchor and attach to the Gas South Convention Center and Arena. The hotel is ideally positioned in one of the fastest growing counties in the greater Atlanta market. The various stakeholders recognize the tremendous future of the Westin Atlanta Gwinnett which will become one of the region's most distinctive premium branded hotel developments."

The loan was provided to Concord Hospitality, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

About ACRES

ACRES is a nationwide direct lender and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides construction, bridge and permanent debt capital solutions for the commercial real estate industry. ACRES partners on targeted opportunities in the $15 million to $100 million range, including multifamily, student housing, retail, office, hospitality, and industrial. Contact us at www.acrescap.com or at (516) 535-0015.

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Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acres-originates-74-75m-loan-for-westin-gwinnett-in-duluth-ga-301588403.html

SOURCE ACRES Capital, LLC
BlueWeave Consulting and Research Pvt Ltd

North America dominates the market because of the high concentration of pharmaceutical industry giants such as Pfizer, Merck & Co., AbbVie, etc. Increasing healthcare expenditures and rigorous regulatory policies for sterilization of pharmaceuticals are also contributing to the growth of the aseptic pharma processing equipment market in North America. Europe also covers a substantial share in the market with Germany and Denmark being some of the biggest exporters of drugs and medicines, which propels the demand for aseptic pharma processing equipment.

New Delhi, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The growth of the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market is attributed to the flourishing pharmaceutical industry and the increasing production of drugs and medicines, along with stringent government policies for sterilization and hygiene of the products



A recent study conducted by the strategic consulting and market research firm, BlueWeave Consulting, revealed that the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market was worth USD 8.0 billion in the year 2020. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% earning revenue of around USD 12.9 billion by the end of 2027. Due to the growth of the pharmaceutical industry and expanding production of drugs and medicines, the global market for aseptic pharma processing equipment has been experiencing rapid growth. Furthermore, stringent government policies for sterilization and hygiene of the products will boost the global market in the forecast period. However, a shortage of skilled workforce for performing aseptic pharma processing techniques may act as a barrier to market growth.

Increasing Prevalence of Contract Development in Pharmaceutical Industry Favoring Market Growth

The demand for various types of drugs and medicines is increasing at a rapid rate around the world. Therefore, to meet the growing demands of pharmaceuticals, manufacturers are increasingly resorting to contract development. With expanding manufacturing operations of pharmaceuticals, the demand for aseptic pharma processing equipment is also rising.The contract development service providers offer the best expertise, ensuring the presence of skilled workers to perform aseptic pharma processing techniques.As a result, the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market is experiencing significant growth.

Story continues





Request For Free Sample Report @ https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/report/aseptic-pharma-processing-equipment-market/report-sample

Growing Research and Development Activities Is Projected to Drive the Aseptic Pharma Processing Equipment Market Growth

With the increasing prevalence of various zoonotic and lifestyle diseases, the R&D activities have amplified significantly. Thousands of researchers from around the world are trying to reduce or eliminate the side effects of the medicine.As a result of the growing R&D activity, the demand for aseptic pharma processing equipment has also increased.Since pharmaceutical companies are working toward expanding their production by producing new medicines, the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market is projected to grow at a high CAGR during the forecast period.

Global Aseptic Pharma Processing Equipment Market - By Application

Based on applications, the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market is segmented into ophthalmic suspensions, reconstituted lyophilized powders for injection, sterile injectables, aqueous-based aerosols for inhalation, and other applications. Among these, the ophthalmic suspension segment holds the largest market share. The ophthalmic products contain one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients and are intended for application to the conjunctiva or the eyelids. The chances of microbial content or the bio-burden of the raw materials are very high, because of which the aseptic pharma processing technique becomes very crucial. As such, this application is a major growth driver for the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market.

Global Aseptic Pharma Processing Equipment Market - Regional Insights

Geographically, the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle-East & Africa. Among all the regions, North America dominates the market, followed by Europe. However, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Several countries, including India and China, are investing heavily in expanding pharmaceutical production in their regions and becoming world leaders.Furthermore, the government and private institutions are also investing in the R&D activities for the development of various drugs and medicines, which is expected to boost the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market in the upcoming years.

Please Visit the Press Release of Global Aseptic Pharma Processing Equipment Market: https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/press-release/global-aseptic-pharma-processing-equipment-market-projected-to-touch-market-worth-usd-12-9-billion-growing-at-a-cagr-of-7-2-in-the-forecast-period

Impact of COVID-19 on Global Aseptic Pharma Processing Equipment Market

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the global aseptic pharmaceutical processing equipment market enjoyed tremendous growth opportunities.The growing demand for medicines and drugs during the global crisis drove the growth of the pharmaceutical sector.Due to the extensive R&D activities for COVID-19 vaccine development and mass production of vaccines across the globe, there has been a spike in the demand for aseptic pharma processing equipment.As a result of its effectiveness in preventing the introduction of microbial contamination into pharmaceutical products, this process has become increasingly essential in pharmaceutical production.Furthermore, this market is anticipated to grow in the post-COVID-19 period as well.

Competitive Landscape

The leading market players in the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market are AMCOR PLC, Automated Systems of Tacoma, LLC (AST), Becton, Dickinson, and Company, DuPont, SPX Flow, Inc., GEA Group, Rommelag, Greatview Aseptic Packaging Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, IndustriaMacchineAutomatiche S.P.A., John Bean Technologies (JBT) Corporation, SP PennTech, Steriline, Biopharma Group, SaniSure, Atmos-Tech Industries, Nicos Group, and other prominent players.

The market is highly fragmented with the presence of several global and regional market players. Moreover, the industry participants significantly focus on product approvals and launch to increase their product penetration and expand their market share. The companies also invest significantly in R&D activities to gain a competitive edge. Furthermore, the adoption of organic and inorganic strategies like mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations is also very prominent in this market.

Dont miss the business opportunity of the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market. Consult our analysts to gain crucial insights and facilitate your business growth.

The in-depth analysis of the report provides information about growth potential, upcoming trends, and statistics of the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market. It also highlights the factors driving forecasts of total market size. The report promises to provide recent technology trends of the global aseptic pharma processing equipment market and industry insights to help decision-makers make sound strategic decisions. Furthermore, the report also analyses the growth drivers, challenges, and competitive dynamics of the market.

Recent Developments

In July 2021, SP Scientific Products, a leading scientific products brand, launched two new fully GMP-compliant loading systems compatible with SP Hull LyoConstellation Freeze dryers to expand its freeze dryer loader range for aseptic pharmaceutical processing.

In April 2021, ILC Dover, a US-based special engineering development and manufacturing company, introduced the soloPURE flexible aseptic isolator.Their new offering is now marketed as a cost-effective, closed-barrier system for sterile manufacturing.

Scope of the Report

Attributes Details Years Considered Historical data  2017-2020 Base Year  2020 Forecast  2021  2027 Facts Covered Revenue in USD Billion Market Coverage U.S, Canada, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, China, India, UAE, South Africa, Saudi Arabia Product Service/Segmentation By Product, By Application, By Region Key Players AMCOR PLC, Automated Systems of Tacoma, LLC (AST), Becton, Dickinson, and Company, DuPont, SPX Flow, Inc., GEA Group, Rommelag, Greatview Aseptic Packaging Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A., John Bean Technologies (JBT) Corporation, SP PennTech, Steriline, Biopharma Group, SaniSure, Atmos-Tech Industries, Nicos Group, and other prominent players.

By Product

Processing Equipment

Drying Equipment Extruders Mills Granulation Equipment Tablet Compression Equipment Feeders Fill/Finish Equipment Mixing Equipment Pneumatic Conveying Equipment

Packaging Equipment

Inspection Machines Labeling Machines Aseptic Packaging Machines

By Application

Ophthalmic Suspensions

Reconstituted Lyophilized Powders for Injection

Sterile Injectables

Aqueous-Based Aerosols for Inhalation

Other Applications

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Please Find Below Some Related Topics:

About Us

BlueWeave Consulting provides comprehensive Market Intelligence (MI) Solutions to businesses regarding various products and services online and offline. We offer all-inclusive market research reports by analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data to boost up the performance of your business solutions. BWC has built its reputation from the scratch by delivering quality inputs and nourishing long-lasting relationships with its clients. We are one of the promising digital MI solutions companies providing agile assistance to make your business endeavors successful.

Contact Us:

BlueWeave Consulting & Research Pvt. Ltd

+1 866 658 6826 | +1 425 320 4776 | +44 1865 60 0662

info@blueweaveconsulting.com

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Avante Logixx Inc.

Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or for dissemination in the United States

TORONTO-Ontario, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --





Avante Logixx Inc. (TSX.V: XX) (OTC: ALXXF) (Avante or the Company) is pleased to announce that Mr. Wade Burton, has been appointed to Avantes Board of Directors, effective July 18, 2022.



Wade Burton is President and Chief Investment Officer at Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd., in its capacity as investment manager of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited and certain affiliates thereof (Fairfax).

Fairfax beneficially owns and controls (indirectly through its insurance company subsidiaries) 5,297,434 of the issued and outstanding common shares of Avante, representing approximately 19.9% of all issued and outstanding common shares. Mr. Burton was nominated by Fairfax to join the Avante Board of Directors pursuant to Fairfaxs director nomination right in its convertible debenture subscription agreement dated November 13, 2019.

Emmanuel Mounouchos, Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair said on behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to appoint Wade to Avantes board. Wade has been active in his role at Fairfax supporting the Company over the last several years and I know that he will provide excellent insight into the capital markets, financing activities and business operations as a board member. I look forward to working with Wade on our companys board.

About Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited

Fairfax is a holding company incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act which, through its subsidiaries, is primarily engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment management.

The common shares of Avante are held by Fairfax for investment purposes and in the future, it may discuss with management and/or the board of directors any of the transactions listed in clauses (a) to (k) of item 5 of Form F1 of National Instrument 62-103  The Early Warning System and Related Take-over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues and it may further purchase, hold, vote (if applicable), trade, dispose or otherwise deal in the securities of Avante, in such manner as it deems advisable to benefit from changes in market prices of Avante securities, publicly disclosed changes in the operations of Avante, its business strategy or prospects or from a material transaction of or with Avante.

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An early warning report will be filed by Fairfax in accordance with applicable securities laws and will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or may be obtained directly from Fairfax upon request from John Varnell, Vice President, Corporate Development at (416) 367-4941.

About Avante Logixx Inc.

Avante Logixx Inc. (TSXV: XX), provides high-end security services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Avante Security Inc., serving residential customers located in Toronto and Muskoka regions of Ontario, Canada. With an experienced team, a focus on customer service excellence and development of innovative solutions, we remain committed to providing our shareholders with exceptional returns. Please visit our website at www.avantelogixx.com.

Emmanuel Mounouchos

CEO and Board Chair

Avante Logixx Inc.

416 923 6984

manny@avantesecurity.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




FILE PHOTO: The logo of Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA is seen at the company's headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos

By Gabriel Araujo

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Eve Holding Inc, the electric aircraft unit of Brazil's Embraer SA, on Sunday announced its first deal to provide a software for air traffic management, and is in talks with other potential customers in the sector.

The company signed a letter of intent with UK-based Halo Aviation Ltd to develop and launch its air traffic solution, with operations expected in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Halo had ordered 200 electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) from Eve last year, in a bid to enhance the development of the so-called Urban Air Mobility sector.

The software will not be focused only on Eve's aircraft as its eVTOLs will share airspace with drones, helicopters, commercial airplanes and other flying taxis, co-chief executive Andre Stein said.

"It is an agnostic solution," he told Reuters in an interview from Great Britain, where Eve is participating in the Farnborough Airshow.

Eve and Halo did not disclose how much the deal was worth.

Stein said Eve is talking to other potential customers to expand its footprint on air traffic management. He did not provide details, but noted such negotiations include both eVTOL operators and air traffic controllers.

Eve currently has a backlog of 1,910 orders, the largest in the industry, and sees Embraer's successful certification record as an advantage over its competitors.

"We are one of the few companies that can say we've done it before," Stein said, noting that Embraer obtained certification for 30 aircraft models in the last 25 years.

Stein said Eve, which expects to launch its flying taxis by 2026, doesn't have a target for orders but hopes to be a leader in the market it sees reaching 50,000 aircraft by 2035 and 100,000 by 2040.

Peers include Joby Aviation Inc, Vertical Aerospace Ltd, Lilium NV and Archer Aviation Inc.

Eve debuted on the New York Stock Exchange earlier this year after combining its business with Zanite Acquisition Corp, raising $377 million in the process to manufacture its flying taxis.

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Sunday's announcement came as the firm also unveiled its first full-sized eVTOL cabin mock-up in Farnborough.

Stein had told journalists in May the company was not rushing to launch its prototype, but "doing it right".

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; editing by Diane Craft)
What sets veterans apart from all the others not having access to medical marijuana?

The system. Veterans obtain their healthcare via the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is a federal agency. As a federal agency, the VA is not allowed to recommend or prescribe a substance that is considered illegal under federal law.

With cannabis being a Schedule 1 drug, it falls under this category, making it inaccessible to military veterans.

These and many other issues were discussed and explained in the latest Benzinga Cannabis Insider episode, hosted by Javier Hasse and Eliot Lane, and moderated by Sarah Chase, executive director of the Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation (CFCR). Brian Mast, a U.S. representative from Florida and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, and Victor Bohm, senior director of communications at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), joined as guests.

Fight For Cannabis Equals Fight For Freedom

Mast, an Afghanistan War veteran who lost two legs and a finger, considers his new job similar to what he was doing in the military  serving his country and defending the U.S. Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. For him, fighting for veterans access to cannabis means fighting for freedom.

Descheduling marijuana from the list of federally scheduled substances is just number one thing, in my opinion, that we can do, to give what this place is all about  freedom and states right, Mast said.

We know that there are benefits to cannabis out there for people undergoing a host of medical conditions, whether it's post-traumatic stress disorder, something that can aid individuals that are contemplating suicide, or somebody that's suffering from cancer, the list goes on, Mast continued. If it can help, then let it.

IAVA & Congressional Cannabis Caucus Efforts

How are these organizations pushing towards the same goal  getting medical marijuana legal for military veterans?

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Bohm, who is an Air Force veteran, said that IAVA, as an advocacy organization, is primarily engaged in connecting and uniting all veterans to access the resources and benefits they deserve for fighting for their country.

US Rep. David Patrick Joyce, who is also a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus will be one of the speakers at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, Sept. 13-14 in Chicago. Get your tickets HERE and reserve your spot at the Palmer House Hotel HERE.

We work on a series of legislation, Bohm said. What we do is we survey our members every single year. We take the top six issues that are weighing on our community and have those influence our policy agenda. Then we take our policy agenda and find legislation that supports those issues and we go forth and advocate for those pieces of legislation on Capitol Hill.

Bohms support of pushing for veterans access to medical marijuana comes from seeing many friends in the military being treated with opiates and amphetamines by the VA.

Ive seen the degradation of our community, the downfall of some veterans, who fall into disarray, their families fall apart, they lose their jobs, Bohm said. They get into these situations that they normally wouldnt get into if they had access to proper medications or even just alternative therapies that will help them. I appreciate Representative Musts work in this arena.

This Benzinga Cannabis Insider episode was recorded live just a couple of hours before House approved a package of bills as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Among the approved measures was Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Masts amendment, which codifies the ability of VA doctors to discuss and recommend medical marijuana to veterans.

Another important amendment that passed the House this way contains the language of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which would protect financial institutions that provide services to state-legal marijuana businesses from being penalized by federal regulators.

Bohm further talked about how IAVA has gotten behind the Medicinal Cannabis Research Act because it realized there wasnt enough support for cannabis legislation, and explained how the organization is urging support for its proposals.

We get support by having the people that the legislation affects talk to the members of Congress who are deciding whether to support this legislation or not, Bohm said.

Mast also shares a few examples of things that the Congressional Cannabis Caucus plans to deal with, such as medical marijuana patients and gun rights issue. Also, taxes.

Federal government is going to look to find a way to get $1 off every single ounce of anything that is sold, as that is something the federal government does. I don't want to see any taxes on anything, Mast said.

In the end, to veterans who want to get more engaged with their lawmakers on this issue, Mast advised putting some thought into reaching out: handwrite a letter instead of using a generic one from the Internet and just signing it; talk to representatives directly; and explain why the issue is so important, how it affects them and what would they want their representative or senator to do.

Take a look at the entire episode below or at https://youtu.be/KXuyR_tFa_k

Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

See more from Benzinga

Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better.

 2022 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
G2 Goldfields Inc.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



TORONTO, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- G2 Goldfields Inc. (G2 or the Company) (TSXV:GTWO; OTCQX:GUYGF) is pleased to announce that it has completed the first tranche of the non-brokered private placement announced by the Company on June 22, 2022 and later upsized on June 29, 2022 (the Offering). The first tranche of the Offering consisted of 19,733,401 common shares of the Company (the Shares) at a price of $0.60 per Share, for gross proceeds of $11,840,040.60.

The proceeds from the Offering will be used to advance exploration activities at the Companys 19,200-acre OKO project, Guyana and for general corporate purposes. The second tranche of the Offering is expected to close next week. The Offering is conditional on the satisfaction of customary conditions, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV). All of the Shares sold pursuant to the first tranche of the Offering are subject to a hold period which will expire on November 16, 2022 in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

In connection with the closing of the first tranche of the Offering the Company paid each of Cormark Securities Inc. (Cormark) and Sprott Global Resource Investments, Ltd. a cash commission, and issued an aggregate of 954,994 broker warrants to Cormark. Each broker warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.70 per share until July 15, 2023.

About G2 Goldfields Inc.

The G2 Goldfields team is comprised of professionals who have been directly responsible for the discovery of millions of ounces of gold in Guyana as well as the financing and development of the Aurora Gold Mine, Guyanas largest gold mine. G2 recently announced its maiden mineral resource estimate on the newly discovered Oko property in Guyana (see press release dated April 25, 2022), and has recently filed on SEDAR an independent technical report entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate for the Oko Gold Property, Cooperative Republic of Guyana, South America, with an effective date of April 14, 2022. Highlights of the report include:

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974,000 oz. Au  Inferred Mineral Resource contained within 3,274,000 tonnes @ 9.25 g/t Au; and

220,000 oz. Au  Indicated Mineral Resource contained within 793,000 tonnes @ 8.63 g/t Au.

Significantly, all of the maiden mineral resources lie within 350 meters of surface and remain open down plunge. The Oko district has been a prolific alluvial goldfield since its initial discovery in the 1870s, and modern exploration techniques continue to reveal the considerable potential of the district.

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dan Noone (CEO of G2 Goldfields Inc.), a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Noone (B.Sc. Geology, MBA) is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.

For further information please contact:

Dan Noone

CEO

+1.416.628.5904

Email: d.noone@g2goldfields.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the Offering, including the expected closing date of the second tranche of the Offering, the proposed use of proceeds and approval of the TSXV. Wherever possible, words such as may, will, should, could, expect, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict or potential or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan and Turkiye have signed a memorandum on intellectual property, Azernews reports, citing Trend Life.

The signing ceremony was attended by Chairman of Musical Work Owners Group Professional Association (MSG) Ferhat Gocher; deputy chairman of the Azerbaijani Intellectual Property Agency Sanan Tapdigov; director of the Rights Protection Center under the Intellectual Property Agency Najaf Guliyev; chairman of the For Rights Public Association Govhar Hasanzada; chairman of the NGO Industry of digital and audiovisual broadcasting Murad Babayev; and executive director of the NGO Industry of Digital and Audiovisual Broadcasting Ali Aliyev.

"The development of fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye is reflected in all spheres of life. In recent years, active work has been carried out in the field of protection of copyright and related rights," said Govhar Hasanzada.

She pointed out that the MoU provides for the protection of the intellectual property of authors through the joint efforts of the parties, and helps rights holders and their heirs.

"The memorandum not only supports Azerbaijan's efforts in the direction of copyright protection but also helps to improve Azerbaijan's image in the world," she said.

As part of the memorandum, it is planned to hold international seminars, round-tables, forums, and thematic bilateral and multilateral meetings to exchange experience in the field of collective management of intellectual property rights.

Speakers stressed the importance of the exchange of experience between Azerbaijani and Turkish sides in the field of collective management of rights.

The meeting participants emphasized that it is necessary to ensure the development of an open and transparent intellectual property market in Azerbaijan as well as to give local authors access to international platforms and organizations.

"We hope that our cooperation will not only strengthen the mechanisms of copyright protection in the country but also open up new opportunities for representatives of creative professions to receive a decent reward for their work. The memorandum also provides for the development of cooperation with Turkish collective societies for the management of intellectual property rights in the field distribution and payment of remuneration for public performance, broadcasting of musical works, phonograms, and excerpts from musical and dramatic works," said Hasanzade.

The document is an example of friendly cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, which indicates that cooperation between the parties is reaching a qualitatively new level.

The memorandum will further contribute to the reliable protection of the copyrights of poets, and creative people of the two countries.
NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The " Hair Care Market in Brazil - Market Dynamics, Competitive Analysis, Impact of COVID-19, Segmentation, Five Force Analysis " report has been added to Technavio's offering. The hair care market in brazil value is anticipated to grow by USD 895.73 million from 2021 to 2026, progressing at a CAGR of 4.19% as per the latest market report by Technavio.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Hair Care Market in Brazil by Product and Distribution Channel - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Hair Care Market In Brazil - Market Dynamics

Major Driver:

The influence of social media and blogging is one of the key drivers supporting the hair care market growth in Brazil.

Investments in promotion through social media help brands become more efficient with their spending. Increased penetration of smartphones and the Internet across the world has influenced the popularity of web blogs, primarily among the millennial population.

Consumers are now more engaged in social networking and blogs to learn about personal and beauty care products. Thus, social media and blogging have increased product visibility in the global market, which is positively influencing sales volume and revenue.

Hence, social media and blogging strategies are expected to be significant factors driving the growth of the hair care market during the forecast period.

Major Challenges:

The availability of counterfeit personal care products is hindering the hair care market growth in Brazil.

Counterfeits are often contaminated with petrochemicals, bacteria, and other harmful chemicals. Hence, their use can cause many health problems.

Low production cost is an advantage that the manufacturers of counterfeit hair care products enjoy. This helps keep the prices of these products low and increases their sales. This is a major factor that adversely affects genuine vendors' sales and pricing strategy of personal care products.

Thus, the low prices of counterfeit personal care products will pose a major price challenge for key market vendors during the forecast period.

Story continues

Refine your marketing strategies by knowing more about drivers & challenges - Request a sample report now!

Hair Care Market In Brazil - Company Profiles

The haircare market in Brazil is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as price and quality of the end-product to compete in the market.

The hair care market in brazil report provides complete insights on key vendors including Colgate-Palmolive Co., Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV, Grupo Boticario, Henkel AG and Co. KGaA, Johnson and Johnson Inc., LOreal SA, Moroccanoil, The Procter and Gamble Co., Unilever Group, and Wella Operations US LLC.

For Instance, Henkel AG and Co. KGaA - The company offers a wide range of hair care products under brands such as Schwarzkopf Professional and BC Bonacure.

For in-depth insights into all vendor profiles with complete offerings - Request a sample!

Hair Care Market In Brazil - Competitive Analysis

The report includes the competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and market performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.

Hair Care Market In Brazil - Market Segmentation

By Product, the market is classified into shampoo, conditioner, hair color, and others

By Distribution Channel, the market is classified into offline and online

Hair Care Market In Brazil - Revenue Generating Segment

The haircare market share growth in Brazil by the shampoo segment will be significant during the forecast period.

Shampoos clean and protect hair from dirt and polluting agents, remove dandruff, adding softness and shine to the hair. They also assist in protecting hair color.

Shampoos aid in the rejuvenation of the hair by acting against the damage caused by pollution, ultraviolet (UV) rays, and harmful chemicals. Therefore, growing disposable income, a rise in the middle-class population, growing urbanization, advertisements, and promotions are major factors influencing the market growth.

To know about the accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments - Grab a sample!

Related Reports:

The haircare market share in Africa is expected to increase to USD 994.06 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 6.35%.

The hair color market share is expected to reach an estimated USD 18.09 billion by 2026 at an accelerating CAGR of 8.21%.

Hair Care Market In Brazil Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.19% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 895.73 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 9.96 Performing market contribution Brazil at 100% Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Colgate-Palmolive Co., Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV, Grupo Boticario, Henkel AG and Co. KGaA, Johnson and Johnson Inc., LOreal SA, Moroccanoil, The Procter and Gamble Co., Unilever Group, and Wella Operations US LLC Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Content

1. Executive Summary

1.1 Market Overview

Exhibit 01: Key Finding 1

Exhibit 02: Key Finding 2

Exhibit 03: Key Finding 5

Exhibit 04: Key Finding 6

Exhibit 05: Key Finding 7

2. Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

2.1.1 Parent Market

Exhibit 06: Parent market

Exhibit 07: Market characteristics

2.2 Value chain analysis

Exhibit 08: Value chain analysis: Fertilizers and agricultural chemicals

2.2.1 Inputs

2.2.2 Inbound logistics

2.2.3 Operations

2.2.4 Outbound logistics

2.2.5 Marketing and sales

2.2.6 Support activities

2.2.7 Innovation

3. Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 09: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 10: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021 - 2026

Exhibit 11: Brazil - Market size and forecast 2021 - 2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 12: Brazil market: Year-over-year growth 2021 - 2026 (%)

4. Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five Forces Summary

Exhibit 13: Five forces analysis 2021 & 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 14: Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 15: Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 16: Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 17: Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 18: Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 19: Market condition - Five forces 2021

5.Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 20: Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 21: Comparison by Product

5.3 Shampoo - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 22: Shampoo - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 23: Shampoo - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Conditioner - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 24: Conditioner - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 25: Conditioner - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Hair color - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 26: Hair color - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 27: Hair color - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 29: Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.7 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 30: Market opportunity by Product

6 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 31: Distribution channel - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Distribution channel

Exhibit 32: Comparison by Distribution channel

6.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 33: Offline - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 34: Offline - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 35: Online - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 36: Online - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Distribution channel

Exhibit 37: Market opportunity by Distribution channel

7. Customer landscape

7.1 Overview

Technavio's customer landscape matrix comparing Drivers or price sensitivity, Adoption lifecycle, importance in customer price basket, Adoption rate and Key purchase criteria

Exhibit 38: ?Customer landscape?

8. Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.1.1 Influence through social media and blogging

8.1.2 Introduction of products with an added value proposition

8.1.3 Rise in demand for hair care products for men

8.2 Market challenges

8.2.1 Availability of counterfeit personal care products

8.2.2 Growing preference for DIY hair care products at home

8.2.3 Adverse health effects of chemicals used in hair care products

Exhibit 39: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

8.3.1 Increased application of keratin in the hair care market

8.3.2 Surge in sales through the online distribution channel

8.3.3 Rising demand for natural and organic hair care products

9. Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

Exhibit 40: Vendor landscape

9.2 Vendor Disruption

Exhibit 41: ?Landscape disruption?

Exhibit 42: Industry risks

9.3 Competitive Scenario

10. Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 43: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 44: ?Market positioning of vendors?

10.3 Colgate-Palmolive Co.

Exhibit 45: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Overview

Exhibit 46: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Business segments

Exhibit 47: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Key offerings

Exhibit 48: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Segment focus

10.4 Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV

Exhibit 49: Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV - Overview

Exhibit 50: Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV - Business segments

Exhibit 51: Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV  Key news

Exhibit 52: Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV - Key offerings

Exhibit 53: Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV - Segment focus

10.5 Grupo Boticario

Exhibit 54: Grupo Boticario - Overview

Exhibit 55: Grupo Boticario - Product and service

Exhibit 56: Grupo Boticario - Key offerings

10.6 Henkel AG and Co. KGaA

Exhibit 57: Henkel AG and Co. KGaA - Overview

Exhibit 58: Henkel AG and Co. KGaA - Business segments

Exhibit 59: Henkal AG and Co. KGaA  Key news

Exhibit 60: Henkel AG and Co. KGaA - Key offerings

Exhibit 61: Henkel AG and Co. KGaA - Segment focus

10.7 Johnson and Johnson Inc.

Exhibit 62: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Overview

Exhibit 63: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Business segments

Exhibit 64: Johnson and Johnson Inc.  Key news

Exhibit 65: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Key offerings

Exhibit 66: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Segment focus

10.8 LOreal SA

Exhibit 67: LOreal SA - Overview

Exhibit 68: LOreal SA - Business segments

Exhibit 69: LOreal SA - Key offerings

Exhibit 70: LOreal SA - Segment focus

10.9 Moroccanoil

Exhibit 71: Moroccanoil - Overview

Exhibit 72: Moroccanoil - Product and service

Exhibit 73: Moroccanoil - Key offerings

10.10 The Procter and Gamble Co.

Exhibit 74: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Overview

Exhibit 75: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Business segments

Exhibit 76: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Key offerings

Exhibit 77: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Segment focus

10.11 Unilever Group

Exhibit 78: Unilever Group - Overview

Exhibit 79: Unilever Group - Business segments

Exhibit 80: Unilever Group  Key news

Exhibit 81: Unilever Group - Key offerings

Exhibit 82: Unilever Group - Segment focus

10.12 Wella Operations US LLC

Exhibit 83: Wella Operations US LLC - Overview

Exhibit 84: Wella Operations US LLC - Product and service

Exhibit 85: Wella Operations US LLC  Key news

Exhibit 86: Wella Operations US LLC - Key offerings

11. Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.1.1Market definition

11.1.2 Objectives

11.1.3 Notes and caveats

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 87: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research Methodology

Exhibit 88: Research Methodology

Exhibit 89: Validation techniques employed for market sizing

Exhibit 90: Information sources

11.4 List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/

Technavio (PRNewsfoto/Technavio)

Cision

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SOURCE Technavio
New York City may have seen the best installment yet of the Formula E electric racing series, on the streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn, this past Sunday. During an exciting hour of racing, DS Techeetah driver Antonio Felix da Costa held off Mercedess (MBG.DE) Stoffel Vandoorne for most of the race, with a hard-charging Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing finishing third as he worked his way up the field of closely matched competitors.

Despite an exciting race here in New York City  the fifth time the series has come to the East Coast  the sport at large finds itself at a crossroads.

Though the series counts among its teams a number of big manufacturers, powerhouses like Mercedes-Benz, Audi (VWAGY), BMW (BMWYY), have left the sport. Mercedes is focusing its business on the electrification of its road cars, and Audi and BMW are placing their motorsports bets elsewhere.

Despite those losses, Porsche (PAH3.DE), Nissan (7201.T), DS Automobiles (STLA), Jaguar (TTM), and Nio (NIO) still remain, along with a few smaller privateer teams. These outfits ostensibly still see value in electric racing, despite the cost, uncertainty of the sports future (the New York race hasnt been renewed yet for next year), and also being in the shadow of its big brother, the Formula 1 World Championship (FWONK).

The 'testbed' approach

Jul 17, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Mitch Evans (9) in action during the New York City E-Prix racing event at Brooklyn Circuit. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguar TCS Racing has been in the sport for a few years now, and is also committing to the sports future as the new Gen 3 car debuts next year. A new gen car entails considerable cost and time to get up to speed with a new specification and technology, but for Jaguar and parent Jaguar Land Rover, the cost is justified as the Jaguar brand goes fully electric by mid-decade.

What we wanted is a platform to not only promote the benefits of electric mobility and the adoption of EVs, but actually, a real-world testbed for the technology, said James Barclay, Jaguar TCS Team Principal in an interview with Yahoo Finance about Jaguars racing efforts. We are pioneering technologies, pioneering materials, pioneering designs and solutions, all of which are relevant for our future passenger vehicles.

Story continues

The testbed of racing allows for experimentation to happen on track that then trickles into the road cars that everyday people drive. GKN Automotive, a powertrain company thats an official technical supplier for Jaguar TCS, finds the racing series an ideal fit for its R&D efforts to maximize efficiency under extreme conditions.

Jul 17, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Antonio Felix Da Costa (13) in action during the New York City E-Prix racing event at Brooklyn Circuit. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

The beauty of Formula E in contrast to potentially other racing classes is that the design and engineering objectives of a race car pretty much match with the design objectives for a civilian car, says Dirk Kesselgruber, GKN President of ePowertrain in an interview with Yahoo Finance in the Formula E paddock. All the work we are doing with Jaguar Racing directly applies to what we can offer to our customers with better e-drive systems.

Kesselgruber says GKN is helping Jaguar specifically with cooling the important powertrain components, and optimizing controls, meaning making torque and power delivery more efficient and less wasteful, ultimately leading to smaller motors and less power consumption. These are very important factors when designing and making electric vehicles, he said.

Winning on Sunday, selling on Monday

Jul 17, 2022; New York, New York, USA; First place finisher Antonio Felix Da Costa (13) reacts after winning the New York City E-Prix racing event at Brooklyn Circuit. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

GKN also works with Stellantis, the global automaker, on various products. Stellantis also owns DS Automobiles, the French automaker thats behind the Formula E team DS Techeetah, one of the most successful teams on the Formula E grid, which also won on Sunday. Starting in 2024, every new model launched by DS will be fully electric.

Jean-Marc Finot is head of Stellantis Motorsport, which manages a whopping 14 brands in racing.

Motor racing is a technological laboratory to develop new technologies, like high-efficiency electric powertrains, but its also a marketing tool, Finot said in a post-race interview with Yahoo Finance. [Racing] has to be competitive versus any other marketing tool, like sponsorship, sales, advertising and other marketing activities.

Stellantis uses various metrics to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of its racing program from a marketing perspective. The costs need to justify the return on investment, Finot said, but winning is also important, and for him, winning in New York is huge.

Its a dream, Finot said, staring at the post-celebration jubilee of the podium where his driver, covered in champagne, just came in first.

A few years ago when I was coming with the DS brand to New York, people were asking me, What is DS? Are you part of Peugeot? What is Peugeot?, I had to explain, he said. Now we are Stellantis - Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, lots of brands - and everyone now knows us, and we are very proud.



Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

Download the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or Android

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and YouTube
Publishes compilation of articles on smart manufacturing in the industry

Global Industry Organizations

Global Industry Organizations

BOSTON, MA, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Industry IoT Consortium  (IIC) published the C ompilation of Views on the Smart Manufacturing Industry , a series of articles focused on the smart factory. Sponsored by the Global Industry Organizations (GIO) Smart Manufacturing Group, the publication examines the many facets of smart manufacturing.

Manufacturing covers all industrial IoT verticals, from smart cities to automated vehicles to health care and mining. Human logic is being replaced by machines, leading to an increased need for softer skills in smart manufacturing and corresponding regulations and standards.

"Today, the pace of innovation and digital transformation in the manufacturing value chain is faster than ever. The need for best practices, standardization, and knowledge of the most valuable solutions and industrial guidelines are essential for a successful future strategy for smart factories," said Farid Bichareh, Chair of the IIC Smart Factory Working Group.

The Compilation of Views on the Smart Manufacturing Industry examines multiple factories, deployments, and modes of manufacturing and provides insights and a case analysis regarding the digital transformation of manufacturing, said Zhou Yaling, GIO, IIoT Industry Specialist.

"At present, we're asking 'how does a human fit into a smart factory?' But we need to ask, 'how can machines augment the work of a human in a smart factory?' said Michael Linehan, Director of Program Operations, IIC."

In this publication, IIC members and GIO participants from many different industries offer their experience, best practices, knowledge, and guidelines to help the manufacturing community on its journey towards the smart factory of the future.

This paper covers the following topics:

Insights from end users

Enterprise perspectives about digital transformation

Technology trends

Koreas new manufacturing service and digital transformation

Connected factory for packaging consumer goods

Neural manufacturing

A case study on a smart factory

Story continues

Download C ompilation of Views on the Smart Manufacturing Industry from the IIC website.

Industry IoT Consortium

The Industry IoT Consortium delivers transformative business value to industry, organizations, and society by accelerating the adoption of a trustworthy internet of things. The Industry IoT Consortium is a program of the Object Management Group (OMG).

Note to editors: Industry IoT Consortium is a registered trademark of OMG. For a listing of all OMG trademarks, visit https://www.omg.org/legal/tm_list.htm. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Attachment

CONTACT: Karen Quatromoni Industry IoT Consortium 9788550412 Karen@omg.org




COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 18, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Installed Building Products, Inc. (the "Company" or "IBP") (NYSE: IBP), an industry-leading installer of insulation and complementary building products, today announced that Robert H. Schottenstein has been appointed as an independent director to the Companys Board of Directors. Mr. Schottenstein previously served on the Board from April 2014 to March 2020. With this appointment, the Board now has nine members.

"I am extremely pleased to welcome Bob back to our Board," stated Jeff Edwards, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IBP. "Bob brings a wealth of residential construction and corporate management experience at one of the leading publicly traded homebuilders, as well as a strong understanding of IBP."

Mr. Schottenstein has more than 40 years of experience in the real estate industry and currently serves as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of M/I Homes, Inc. (NYSE: MHO). Mr. Schottenstein joined M/I Homes in 1990, was named President in 1996, Chief Executive Officer in 2004, and elected Chairman in 2004.

Mr. Schottenstein serves on the board of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The Ohio State University Foundation. In addition, Mr. Schottenstein serves on the Executive Committee and as Vice Chair of The Harvard University Joint Center for Housing.

About Installed Building Products

Installed Building Products, Inc. is one of the nation's largest new residential insulation installers and is a diversified installer of complementary building products, including waterproofing, fire-stopping, fireproofing, garage doors, rain gutters, window blinds, shower doors, closet shelving and mirrors and other products for residential and commercial builders located in the continental United States. The Company manages all aspects of the installation process for its customers, from direct purchase and receipt of materials from national manufacturers to its timely supply of materials to job sites and quality installation. The Company offers its portfolio of services for new and existing single-family and multi-family residential and commercial building projects in all 48 continental states and the District of Columbia from its national network of over 210 branch locations.

Story continues

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220718005479/en/

Contacts

Investor Relations:

614-221-9944

investorrelations@installed.net
NEW YORK, July 18, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announced the appointment of Melinda Maher as the airlines new vice president, financial planning & analysis and structural cost. She will report to Ursula Hurley, JetBlues chief financial officer.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220718005802/en/

Melinda Maher, Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis and Structural Cost, JetBlue. Photo courtesy of JetBlue.

Maher comes to JetBlue from Amazon, where she has served as a senior finance manager within Amazon Transportation Services since 2020. She previously served as a director in financial planning & analysis at Alaska Airlines for four years for both corporate and operational functions. Earlier in her career from 2013-2016 she was a manager of financial planning & analysis at JetBlue. She also brings with her professional experience working on Wall Street in transportation equity research for both UBS and Barclays Capital.

Maher will lead JetBlues long-range financial planning, forecasting and budgeting to deliver maximum benefit for its customers, crewmembers and owners. Shell also lead efforts to strengthen JetBlues cost structure for the long term through improved efficiencies and process effectiveness to help drive margin expansion beyond pre-pandemic levels.

"At JetBlue were deeply committed to setting our company up for long term success by having a competitive and sustainable cost structure," said Hurley. "Melinda and her impressive finance experience both in and outside of our industry will be a significant asset to our work in this key foundational area for JetBlue," said Hurley.

"Im so honored to step in to lead the FP&A and structural cost teams as the company continues to expand and diversify," said Maher. "JetBlue has an incredible brand, great people, and many competitive advantages that will help us continue to win over the long term."

Story continues

Maher is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and earned her MBA from Babson University. She is also a licensed commercial pilot and flight dispatcher.

About JetBlue Airways

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries customers to more than 100 cities throughout the United States, Latin America, Caribbean, Canada, and United Kingdom. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220718005802/en/

Contacts

JetBlue Corporate Communications

Tel: +1-718-709-3089

corpcomm@jetblue.com
NANOOSE BAY, BC, July 18, 2022 /CNW/ - The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), will announce funding to help improve community infrastructure and strengthen tourism experiences throughout central and northern Vancouver Island.

Media Advisory, Nanoose Bay, BC (CNW Group/Pacific Economic Development Canada)

The event will begin with a walk around Jack Bagley Park to view the upgrades in progress, followed by remarks and a question and answer session with media.

Event: Minister Sajjan to announce funding to revitalize community spaces and tourism experiences on Vancouver Island.



Date: Tuesday, July 19, 2022



Time: 2:00 pm PT



Location: Jack Bagley Community Park

2925 Northwest Bay Road (Nanoose Place parking lot)

Nanoose Bay, B.C.

IMPORTANT: Anyone attending the news conference in person must not present any symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 and must not have been in contact with anyone who has received a positive diagnosis within the last 14 days. Public health guidelines must be respected at all times.

Stay connected

Follow PacifiCan on Twitter and LinkedIn

SOURCE Pacific Economic Development Canada

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2022/18/c8567.html
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Chinese President Xi Jinping. RIA NOVOSTI/AFP via Getty Images

A pipeline bringing gas from Russia to China will break ground in 2024, the Financial Times said.

The Power of Siberia 2 pipeline will allow gas to flow through to China via territory in Mongolia.

Meanwhile, the European Union signed a new gas deal with Azerbaijan on Monday.

A Russia-China gas pipeline will break ground within the next two years, the Financial Times said Monday, as the two allies deepen their economic and energy ties.

Mongolia's prime minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai told the FT that construction should begin in 2024, despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine constraining some of the plans for the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline.

The pipeline will run 2,600 kilometers and is expected to begin service in 2030. Mongolia will also benefit from transit fees and taxes to help an ailing economy hit hard from the coronavirus pandemic.

Russia's gas exports to China have been ramping up since 2019, but strengthened flows are pivotal to Moscow as Europe moves further away from a reliance on its supplies.

The earlier Power of Siberia pipeline was previously a pivotal source of flows to Europe, but the Siberian fields will now re-direct gas to China.

The news comes as the European Union signed a new gas deal with Azerbaijan Monday to double imports of natural gas by 2027 to at least 20 billion cubic meters.

"Today, with this new Memorandum of Understanding, we are opening a new chapter in our energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, a key partner in our efforts to move away from Russian fossil fuels," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Read the original article on Business Insider
UVALDE  The first in-depth report on the Uvalde school shooting, released to the public and victims' families Sunday, determined that top-to-bottom failures combined to turn the May 24 attack into the worst school shooting in Texas history.

"Systemic failures and egregious poor decision making" included school officials who failed to follow established safety plans and responding law officers who failed to follow their training for active-shooter situations and delayed confronting the gunman for more than an hour, the 77-page report by a specially created Texas House committee concluded.

"They failed to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety," the report said of law officers.

After a closed-door meeting with family members of the victims where they viewed an edited video of the police response to the shooting, the committee met publicly and laid out the details of the report.

More:Uvalde families deserve the Texas House Committee report in Spanish. Here it is.

During an hourlong question-and-answer session with reporters, members declined to address policy questions such as whether lawmakers should restrict access to assault-style weapons and who, if anyone, should be held accountable for what the committee found was a catastrophic and systematic breakdown.

State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock and chairman of the special committee, also said that no community should assume it is safe or immune from the violence and death that visited Uvalde on May 24.

"I think some of the same systems that we found here that failed that day are (in place) across the entire state and country," Burrows said. "I do not want to say because of one thing or one person (at Robb Elementary), it could not happen elsewhere. I think that's a disservice and not the respectful thing to do."

Members of the panel, Burrow said, "have strong opinions about changes to policy that needs to be done."

"Today is not the day we're going to share our strong feelings and convictions about that," he said.

Story continues

The lack of specificity about what steps are needed to better defend Texans from mass gun violence left many of the people inside the Uvalde civic center frustrated. Several shouted insults, including "cowards," and asked "what about guns?" as the committee members filed out.

"You are a bunch of cowards," shouted Ruben Mata, who said his great-granddaughter was among the children who were killed. "We already knew what was in the report," he told reporters a short time later.

Vicente Salazar, whose granddaughter Layla was killed in the attack, made no effort to mask his anger after picking up a copy of the report just after noon at the Uvalde community center.

Vicente Salazar, grandfather of Layla Salazar, a victim of the Uvalde mass shooting, holds up a copy of a preliminary report from the special House investigative commitee on the massacre at Robb Elementary in May. Families were allowed to pick up copies of the report Sunday at the Uvalde Civic Center.

Its a solid cover-up. Its a joke," he said. "Texas failed the students. Law enforcement failed the students.

The report by the three-member House Investigative Committee on the Robb Elementary Shooting compiled details gleaned from interviews with 33 witnesses, all conducted in private during eight hearings in Uvalde and at the Capitol, and 39 other informal interviews. Its release was a milestone in efforts to understand events that grew muddled as the official version of the shooting  relayed by political leaders and law enforcement  shifted radically in the chaotic days after the attack that left 19 fourth-graders and two teachers dead.

The committee report focused primarily on actions taken by school employees before the shooting and law enforcement during the attack, finding significant deficiencies in both.

The committee also released an edited version of the hallway video footage previously published by the American-Statesman and KVUE-TV. The committee's video did not include sound or images of the gunman walking into the school and firing his military-style assault rifle. Neither video showed children, teachers or the gunman being shot.

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat whose district includes Uvalde, said the report confirms many of the shortcomings and procedural breakdowns he's been pointing out since the earliest days after the shooting.

"It's clear from the report that no one was in control," said the lawmaker, who was unable to attend Sunday's briefing because of an illness. "There were experienced law enforcement officers on the scene, but they didn't take charge. It was a complete and total breakdown."

Also Sunday, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin announced that the city was releasing bodycam footage from Uvalde police officers related to the Robb Elementary shooting.

The city held off releasing the footage at the district attorney's direction, he said, adding: "However, with the release of the school district's hallway video, we believe these body camera videos provide further, necessary context."

The audio and video was edited to protect the victims, and the families of the shooting victims were given the opportunity to review the video, McLaughlin said.

More:Why the Austin American-Statesman chose to publish video from inside Robb Elementary

'Regrettable culture of noncompliance'

Robb Elementary did not adequately prepare for the risk of an armed intruder, the committee's report said.

A 5-foot-tall exterior fence was inadequate to impede an intruder, and "there was a regrettable culture of noncompliance by school personnel," who frequently ignored security procedures by propping doors open and deliberately circumventing locks, the report said.

Administrators and police were aware of the situation but did not treat the infractions as serious. "In fact, the school actually suggested circumventing the locks as a solution for the convenience of substitute teachers and others who lacked their own keys," the report said.

The door to Room 111, where the gunman entered and was killed more than 70 minutes later, had a faulty lock that needed extra effort to ensure that it was engaged, but nobody ordered a repair, the report said.

And although school policy required that outside doors be locked, none of the three doors into the school's west building were locked, giving the gunman unimpeded access.

Uvalde school shooting:Special Texas House committee releases first in-depth report

The committee acknowledged that locking the doors might not have been enough. "But had school personnel locked the doors as the school's policy required, that could have slowed his progress for a few precious minutes  long enough to receive alerts, hide children, and lock doors; and long enough to give police more opportunity to engage and stop the attacker," the report said.

The first police officers entered the school only minutes after the gunman, and any delay for the gunman could have saved lives, the committee said.

"The attacker fired most of his shots and likely murdered most of his innocent victims before any responder set foot in the building. Of the approximately 142 rounds the attacker fired inside the building, it is almost certain that he rapidly fired over 100 of those rounds before any officer entered," the report said.

'Void of leadership' in police response

The committee outlined what it identified as faulty assumptions and poor decisions by responding law officers, including a failure in leadership.

Trouble began when law enforcement leaders  including Pete Arredondo, chief of the school district's police department, and the commander of the Uvalde Police Department SWAT team, whose name was not included  arrived at the school early in the attack, yet failed to take adequate command of the situation, the report said.

The Uvalde district's active-shooter plan directed Arredondo to assume command at the school, but "he failed to perform or to transfer to another person the role of incident commander" as directed by the plan.

"The void of leadership could have contributed to the loss of life as injured victims waited over an hour for help, and the attacker continued to sporadically fire his weapon," the report said.

In addition, the committee said, a command post could have transformed chaos into order, but nobody ensured that officers inside the school knew that students and teachers had survived the initial burst of gunfire, were trapped in the connected Rooms 111 and 112, and had called 911 seeking help, the report said.

Law enforcement personnel from state and federal agencies also failed to step forward and provide needed leadership, the committee found.

"Hundreds of responders from numerous law enforcement agencies  many of whom were better trained and better equipped than the school district police  quickly arrived on the scene" and could have "helped to address the unfolding chaos," the report said.

In all, 376 law officers responded to the school shooting, including 91 members of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the report said, concluding, "In this sense, the entirety of law enforcement and its training, preparation, and response shares systemic responsibility for many missed opportunities on that tragic day."

Families and community members still questioned the acts of police, and why it took more than an hour to storm the classroom. Burrows said he shared many of their frustrations on that score.

"If someone knew there were victims inside dying and did nothing about it then those agencies will have to hold those officers accountable," he said.

After the committee's press briefing, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin said in response to questions from community members that the committee's report would be translated and available in Spanish in two weeks, and told the public that he would try to get it sooner.

'Same shortcomings' found across Texas

The committee said the impact of its report needs to be felt beyond Uvalde.

"We acknowledge that the same shortcomings could be found throughout the State of Texas. We must not delude ourselves into a false sense of security by believing that 'this would not happen where we live.' The people of Uvalde undoubtedly felt the same way," the report said.

The committee also said its work is not done because it has not questioned all witnesses, the medical examiner reports have not been issued, and other investigations are still pending, including by the Texas Rangers and U.S. Department of Justice.

Even so, the committee said it believes its report is the most comprehensive look at the events in Robb Elementary, an important touchstone after the official version of events shifted.

Speaking to reporters and Uvalde residents at a news conference May 25, Gov. Greg Abbott praised officers, saying their swift action "to respond to ... and eliminate the gunman" saved lives at Robb Elementary. After news to the contrary trickled out, Abbott said he was livid that his briefing by law enforcement made no mention of the delay.

Another key detail that was mistaken included law enforcement reports that a Robb teacher had propped open an exterior door and left it that way, giving the gunman access to the school. Later reports revealed that the teacher shut the door but that it did not lock.

Preliminary reports that a school resource officer arrived on campus to confront the gunman outside the school also proved to be wrong as further details showed that the officer initially mistook a teacher for the shooter behind the building.

Relying on the Texas Public Information Act, multiple news organizations sought records related to the shooting, including video taken from inside the school and officer bodycam footage. Many of the open-records requests, including those from the American-Statesman, have been denied or are awaiting a decision by the state attorney general's office.

Hallway video edited by House committee

The hallway video that captured the long delay in confronting the gunman was a key piece of evidence, and its release to the public was supported by Abbott; DPS officials; McLaughlin; Rep. Dustin Burrows, the Lubbock Republican who leads the investigative committee; and others who said the footage was essential in understanding what took place during the attack.

But Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee opposed releasing the video, according to a DPS official. Busbee also sent letters to Uvalde officials ordering them to keep the video and other records confidential while investigations continued.

The hallway video, disclosed to the American-Statesman and KVUE, was published last week after extensive internal deliberations by news leaders who determined that the newspaper and TV station would not follow the government's lead in keeping the information private. That decision was criticized by those who said it should have first been made available to the families of victims.

The report was publicly released after families of the Uvalde victims were given the opportunity to review the committee's findings earlier Sunday. Committee members, along with some Uvalde community leaders, then met privately with the families and the committee's version of the video was shown.

The video released by the committee Sunday did not include the first several minutes of footage released by the American-Statesman and KVUE last week showing the gunman walking on the campus and into the school. That video also showed the attacker calmly walking down the hallway before firing into the classroom carrying his AR-15. The video released Sunday, which the report called "prudently edited" also did not have audio.

The report said the footage omitted any images of the gunman because he desired fame.

"We regret that others, under the cloak of anonymity, and for their own motives, have sensationalized evidence of this horrible tragedy at the risk of glorifying a monster," the report said.

More than seven weeks after the Robb Elementary shooting, flowers, candles, photos and other mementos were still piled in front of the school sign. The memorial at the town square was drawn back, but photos of the children and teachers were attached to some of the trees with signs reading "no justice, no peace."

Rep. Joe Moody, an El Paso Democrat and member of the three-person committee, said he would make the same promise to those in Uvalde as he made to residents of his hometown after a mass shooter there targeted Hispanics at a popular shopping center nearly three years ago: Help the Legislature understand what happened and why," and that he would fight for better solutions.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Uvalde shooting report released by Texas House investigative committee
(Adds Clean Horizon and Dorado LNG tankers) July 18 (Reuters) - The following liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are expected to arrive in Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands in the coming weeks. Estimated arrival dates, often revised by port authorities and AIS Live ship-tracking data on Refinitiv Eikon, are updated below. Some tankers heading for Belgium and Britain may be loading at the terminal. Those expected to load are indicated with an (L). Those likely to perform ship-to-ship transfers are indicated with (STS). Tankers that have docked are indicated with (A). For the Reuters LNG guide, click here: LNG TANKER CAPACITY in EXPECTED ARRIVAL FROM PORT cubic metres BRITAIN LNG River Orashi 143,000 July 16 (A) Nigeria Isle of Grain Pearl LNG 156,000 July 20 Peru Milford Haven Al Mayeda 262,000 July 21 Qatar South Hook Al Gharrafa 212,000 July 24 Qatar South Hook BELGIUM Al Zubarah 136,000 July 19 Qatar Zeebrugge Hoegh Gannet 170,000 July 21 Ghana Zeebrugge Clean Horizon 159,000 July 23 Russia Zeebrugge Dorado LNG 156,000 July 26 Qatar Zeebrugge NETHERLANDS Oak Spirit 173,000 July 18 United States Gate Stena Crystal Sky 173,000 July 21 United States Gate Gaslog Gladstone 171,000 July 24 United States Gate Maran Gas Ithaca 170,000 July 26 United States Gate Golar Celsius 160,000 July 28 United States Gate La Mancha Knutsen 174,000 July 30 United States Gate Sources: Ports, AIS Live ship tracking, Refinitiv Eikon data. (^) Partial unload (*) Arrival date calculated using www.searates.com at an average speed of 13.5 knots (Reporting by Nina Chestney)
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in Azerbaijan on July 18, Azernews reports.

She was greeted at the airport by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, the head of the European Union (EU) delegation in Azerbaijan, Ambassador Peter Mikhalko, Azerbaijani ambassador to Belgium Vagif Sadigov, and other officials.

President von der Leyen is expected to hold a meeting and a joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The sides are expected to discuss further strengthening the existing cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan, as well as energy diversification issues. The Southern Gas Corridor has a central role to play in the EU's natural gas supply, in particular for southeastern Europe, Azernews reports, citing the European Commissions website.

As both sides pursue their green transition and the Paris Agreement's objectives, the EU and Azerbaijan are also collaborating to develop a long-term relationship on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The EU and Azerbaijan are discussing a new comprehensive deal that will allow for increased collaboration in a variety of sectors, including economic diversification, investment, trade, and full use of civil society's potential.
(Bloomberg) -- Chinas Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., the worlds biggest maker of batteries for electric vehicles, is considering at least two locations in Mexico for a manufacturing plant to potentially supply Tesla Inc. and Ford Motor Co.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The battery manufacturer is considering Ciudad Juarez, in the state of Chihuahua, and Saltillo, in Coahuila, according to people familiar with the deliberations. Both are near the Texas border. The company is contemplating an investment of as much $5 billion in the project, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information.

Ciudad Juarez is attractive in part because its close to the San Jeronimo-Santa Teresa port of entry into the US state of New Mexico. That would provide a route around the border crossings of Texas, which is the home of Teslas new factory but in recent months has taken measures that complicated shipping and entry into the US.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott in April increased inspections of commercial vehicles, stating a desire to crack down on illegal drug trafficking and immigration. But analysis by one economics research body found that it cost the states economy more than $4 billion in lost output due to shipping delays and bridge blockades.

Read more: Tesla Supplier CATL Weighs Sites for $5 Billion Battery Plant

CATL, as the Ningde, China-based company is known, is also considering splitting its investment across two locations -- one in the US and one in Mexico, the people said. A final decision hasnt been made and the total size of the investment is fluid. Bloomberg reported in March that the investment could build an 80 gigawatt-hour factory.

Story continues

The battery maker and Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford declined to comment. Austin, Texas-based Tesla didnt respond to a request for comment.

CATLs shares jumped 3.5% Monday in Shenzhen.

Backed by Chinas strategic push into electric cars, CATL is riding a boom in demand for EVs as countries work to reduce carbon emissions and consumers embrace cleaner cars. The company, which completed an initial public offering in 2018, controls more than 30% of the global EV battery market.

CATL has been contemplating a battery plant in the US for years, but rising geopolitical tensions between the US and China have complicated the effort. Its also under competitive pressure to speed a decision as rivals like LG Energy Solution Ltd., Samsung SDI Co. and Panasonic Holdings Corp. ink deals with automakers to build battery plants in the US.

The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade, negotiated under then-President Donald Trump, further complicated CATLs plans by introducing higher wage requirements for cars to trade duty-free, along with stricter content rules. A CATL site would help Mexico, which has long been a major part of the auto industrys supply chain, cement its role in the regions electric vehicle production.

Read more: Panasonic Is Scouting U.S. Sites for New Battery Factory by 2024

CATL could opt to manufacture battery cells in Mexico and then ship them to Kentucky to be assembled into battery packs. In 2020, the Chinese battery giant purchased a former RR Donnelley & Sons Co. printing plant in Glasgow, Kentucky, and formed a subsidiary in the state, documents show. In April 2021, it hired Charles Huang, a manufacturing executive, to be chief executive officer of the project, according to his LinkedIn page.

Huangs LinkedIn page says his mandate is to establish corporate structure and strategy for CATL manufacturing project in North America.

A spokesman for Kentuckys economic development agency declined to comment on CATLs plans in the state.

An expanded presence in North America could unsettle US officials who are keen on supporting domestic suppliers. President Joe Biden is allocating billions to cultivate the US battery supply chain and wean the auto industry off its reliance on China, but those efforts will take years to come to fruition through American startups and partnerships with Korean and Japanese companies.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
By David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday said it approved nine state plans for the State Small Business Credit Initiative worth $940 million, bringing total approvals under the COVID-19 recovery venture capital program to $1.5 billion.

The $10 billion SSBCI program aims to address a shortage of capital for new business startups and other small business development, particularly in disadvantaged communities, by attracting $10 of private investment for every $1 of taxpayer funding. It was reauthorized and expanded as part of last year's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act.

The state plan approvals announced on Monday include a variety of venture capital funds, loan participation programs, loan guarantees, collateral support programs and portfolio insurance to make capital more accessible to small firms and entrepreneurs.

Connecticut was approved for up to $119.4 million to launch two new venture capital funds supporting entrepreneurs from "underserved and diverse backgrounds" and a climate technology fund for clean energy, environmentally safe manufacturing, and climate resiliency.

"We're going to be investing equity, hopefully alongside other investors as well," into "young, entrepreneurial, scrappy companies," Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont told a news briefing. "I think you're going to see this $120 million grow to $1 billion in investments over a period of time and represent tens of thousands of jobs."

Pennsylvania was approved for up to $267.8 million, Alabama for up to $111 million, South Carolina for up to $101.3 million, Indiana for up to $99.1 million, Maine for up to $62.2 million, New Hampshire for up to $61.5 million, South Dakota for up to $60 million and Vermont for up to $57.9 million.

The funds are released in tranches, with each subsequent disbursement dependent on meeting performance targets from prior funds.

A Treasury official said that there was now a "strong pipeline" of additional state plans that were close to being approved, and the Treasury hopes to be finished reviewing all state applications by late summer.

(Reporting by David Lawder; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Sloth Warmies Named Product of The Year in Baby Sensory and Toddler Soothing Categories

CHICAGO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Warmies, creators of the world's most soothing stuffed animals and wellness items, announced today that their Fully Microwavable Sloth Warmies have been selected as a winner of this year's Creative Child and Baby Maternity Magazine Awards. Warmies are fully microwavable stuffed animals that provide hours of soothing warmth and comfort. Warmies are scented with real dried French lavender, perfectly weighted to aid sleep, ease anxiety, provide the ultimate relaxation, and are safe for all ages.

Copyright  Intelex Group Holdings (UK) Ltd. 1995-2022. Warmies is a registered trademark belonging to Intelex Group Holdings (UK) Ltd. All rights reserved.

Creative Child and Baby Maternity Magazine, published by Scooterbay Publishing, Inc., hosted their 20th Annual awards program this month. This program honors the best toys, games, and youth products that are unique and demonstrate creativity. Entries are evaluated by real moms and judged against a high standard of merit in their category of entry. Sloth Warmies won in the Baby Sensory and Toddler Soothing Products categories.

"This year, we received nearly 400 product entries from 250 companies," said Scott Reichert, Publisher at Scooterbay Publishing. "Winning a Creative Child Award illustrates the manufacturers' creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great production."

Each year, moms and early education professionals are invited to review the latest and greatest products. Unlike other review programs, moms are asked to evaluate each product thoroughly, allowing every product to receive multiple reviews. One of the reviewers said the Sloth Warmies "is soft, cuddly and very soothing." Another added, "I just tried it out on my baby and I could tell that it calmed her and would help relax her tummy when she is experiencing colic. It's a really great product."

For more information, check out the full award listings:

https://awards.creativechild.com/product/4913-sloth-warmies-13

https://awards.babymaternity.com/product/4688-sloth-warmies-13

Story continues

In addition to Sloth Warmies, the company has many cuddly friends, including recent additions such as a Pink Penguin, Owl, Avocado and more, that make a great gift for a loved one. The products are available at Warmies.com and retailers nationwide.

About Warmies

Warmies (est. London 1995) are the world's best-selling range of fully heatable soft toys and gifts with tens of millions of satisfied customers worldwide. These innovative designs are all fully microwavable and can be heated thousands of times, providing soothing warmth and comfort every time. Warmies are manufactured to the highest possible standards of quality and safety using the very finest quality materials. Use them to comfort and relax, or to simply soothe away everyday aches and pains. With hundreds of heatable designs to choose from, Warmies are the ideal gift for people of all ages.

CONTACT: Scott Wehrs, scott@intelexusa.com

Warmies Sloth

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/warmies-wins-2022-creative-child-and-baby-maternity-magazine-awards-301588384.html

SOURCE Warmies by Intelex
The tiny Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is pioneering a program to give electric vehicle owners a break when charging up their wheels  as long as they do so when other members power demand is relatively low.
A trial for a Spotsylvania deputy charged in connection with the shooting of a county resident last year has been put off until February.

David M. Turbyfill, 24, is accused of shooting Isiah Brown early April 21, 2021, outside a home in the 12200 block of Catharpin Road in Spotsylvania. Brown was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher at the time, and Turbyfill apparently mistook the phone for a gun.

Brown was shot at least eight times and suffered multiple serious injuries. A Spotsylvania grand jury indicted Turbyfill last July on a felony charge of reckless handling of a firearm resulting in serious injury. That charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

A five-day jury trial had been scheduled to start Monday in Spotsylvania Circuit Court, but a continuance was granted following a joint request by special prosecutor Elizabeth Humphries and Turbyfills attorneys, Mark Bong and Andrew Meyer.

Both sides reported having use of force experts who were unable to be in Spotsylvania this week. The trial is now set for Feb. 610.

Turbyfill had given Brown a ride home that morning after Browns car broke down, police said following the incident. He returned to the area in response to a 911 call made by Brown that a dispatcher appeared to consider frivolous.

As Turbyfill approached Brown on the dark road, he could be heard on an audio recording shouting drop the gun, drop the gun before multiple shots were fired. A Virginia State Police investigation showed that Brown had no gun.

Turbyfill is still working for the Sheriffs Office in an undisclosed capacity, Sheriffs Maj. Troy Skebo said. His arrest powers have been suspended pending the outcome of his criminal case, Skebo said.

Browns civil attorney, David Haynes of the Cochran firm in Washington, has filed a $26 million civil suit against Turbyfill and Sheriff Roger Harris. That suit is still pending in U.S. District Court in Richmond.

The Spotsylvania Commonwealths Attorneys Office and the circuit court judges who regularly sit in Spotsylvania have all recused themselves from the case, citing conflicts of interests. Judge Michael McKinney will preside over the case and Humphries, the commonwealths attorney in Fredericksburg, is heading the prosecution.
There are a few more weeks of summer vacation left and supporters of the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center museum hope that families will bring their children to learn about the history of segregated education in Spotsylvania County.

This should be on every kids list for summer vacation, said Mo Petway, president of the Spotsylvania NAACP and a local pastor. This museum is still important to ensure that we remember the John J. Wright School for a long time. This is the history of the people of Spotsylvania County.

The center, located off Courthouse Road, was built in 1952 and was the only public high school for Black citizens of Spotsylvania. The 1952 building replaced older structures that had been educating Black students since 1913.

First named the Snell Training School, the school was renamed in 1940 for John J. Wright, an education advocate who led the Spotsylvania Sunday School Unionthe coalition of 12 African American churches that first organized in 1905 to establish a secondary school for black children.

The last class of high school seniors graduated from John J. Wright in 1968, when Spotsylvania schools were integrated. After integration, the school became an intermediate school serving all students until 2006, when it closed its doors.

Following a renovation, it reopened in 2008 as an educational and cultural center, which houses a museum telling the story of the building and displaying artifacts from a century of education and everyday life in Spotsylvania.

But the museum doesnt just tell the story of the past. On Saturday, it accepted into its collection a proclamation issued this year by the county Board of Supervisors in honor of Juneteentha day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans that was first recognized as a federal holiday last year.

Board of Supervisors member Deborah Frazier, who is the first Black woman elected to the board, visited the museum Saturday morning to read the proclamation and present it to Renee Beverly, chair of the museums board of trustees.

This is about the celebration of Black people in Spotsylvania, Frazier said. We cannot forget our history and we cannot let others forget.

On Saturday the museum also premiered an exhibit of art by Carlos Moore, who taught in county schoolsincluding at John J. Wrightfor many years.

Moores work on display includes paintings and mixed-media sculptures with themes of religion and social justice. There are images of protests from the Civil Rights movement decades ago and the Black Lives Matter movement in recent years, collages made up of pages of hymns from local Black churches and one piece that Moore calls his babyofficially named Sold, 1769.

The piece is a doll-sized human figure completely wrapped in black canvas and draped in chains. Moore said that as he was making it, he felt like the figure resisted being chained until he used gold necklaces.

It was like he was telling me, Show me in my majesty, Moore said, so the finished piece confronts the viewer with both the inhumanity of the institution of slavery and the humanity of the individual enslaved person.

The goal of the John J. Wright museum is to teach people about the past so that knowledge will inform the future, Beverly said.

Thats also the goal of the John J. Wright Alumni Association, which gathered on Saturday for its first annual reunion since 2019.

Lena Henderson, president of the alumni association, attended John J. Wright in the 1970s, when it was the countys only intermediate school.

You got to meet everyone else from the other end of the county, she said.

John J. Wright was always a place where people from different parts of Spotsylvania came together and forged a path forward, Henderson said.

Today, through the alumni association and the museum, it still is.

We walk on other peoples shoulders, Henderson said.
Fremont Police officers were dispatched at 1:47 a.m. July 17 to a business in the 200 block of West 23rd Street in reference to a disorderly male.

Upon arrival officers contacted Redman E. Day, 28, of Fremont, who was causing the disturbance. He was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.
We have an important alert for parents, grandparents and caregivers: Consumer Reports is urging everyone to stop using inclined sleepers and c
WOODLAND PARK  With half a month left, a group that wants voters to remove three of five board of education members in Woodland Park School District RE-2 still needs about half of the signatures required to bring recall questions to the ballot.

We feel strongly that we are solidly halfway there, said Kim Morris, a parent and a volunteer with We Can Recall.

By law, organizers of a recall must submit signatures of at least 40% of votes cast for all candidates for school board director in the preceding election, which for the November 2021 election in Woodland Park RE-2 amounts to around 2,700 valid signatures per seated board member.

The petitions are due to the county clerk and recorders office on the 60th day following the paperwork being submitted. Because July 31 is a Sunday, circulators will have until Aug. 1, said Stephanie Kees, Teller Countys chief deputy clerk and recorder.

Both seated board members being targeted for recall and the group that wants to oust them accuse the other side of the same wrongdoings, including not being transparent, focusing on special interests and failing to represent residents desires for the district of 1,830 preschool through high school students.

The contentiousness in Woodland Park, west of Colorado Springs, has followed a pattern of public scrutiny, rebuke and governance controversy as seen elsewhere, such as Douglas County School District RE-1, north of Colorado Springs.

Self-defined conservative slates of candidates promising improvements, openness and attention on whats best for children won seats and majority control of the boards in Douglas and Teller counties last November.

Vocal divisions quickly became apparent.

Recall supporters claim Woodland Park board President David Rusterholtz, Vice President David Illingworth III and member Suzanne Patterson have breached open records meeting laws; attempted to silence the local teachers union, the Woodland Park Education Association; are voicing disparaging policies of one political party; are following personal interests; and other allegations.

The targeted members refute all the allegations, saying they are dedicated to transparency and openness and are making decisions the majority of residents back.

A small group representing radical ideologies and national teacher unions that kept your child from attending school and forced them into masks is trying to undo what we've achieved together, Illingworth wrote in his rebuttal to the claims.

Woodland Parks new members have been scrutinized for their questioning of some curriculum and allowing a public charter school to lease part of the middle school building. They're facing a lawsuit alleging violations of Colorados open meetings laws and non-transparency of the middle school issue. One of the newest members resigned after comments he made while visiting the middle school were called into question, and the seated superintendent announced recently he would vacate the job at the end of this month.

In Douglas County, disagreements over mask mandates that began before the November election continued after the new board took office, leading to teacher walkouts and protests about board votes, termination of the superintendent, lawsuits over allegations of violations of Colorado open meetings laws, student walkouts over proposed changes in an equity policy and other ongoing arguments.

Jefferson County School District R-1, in the northwest Denver area, went through board upheaval nearly a decade ago, with familiar issues of education reform and curriculum changes. A successful recall election in 2015 in that county ousted a conservative majority bloc and replaced the seats with teacher union-backed board members, who had reigned previously. Victories last November maintained the board's 4-1 majority of teachers' union-backed members.

In Colorado Springs School District 11, former superintendent Michael Thomas negotiated an exit agreement with the seven-member board after several open seats went to conservatives last year, and a new equity initiative ended with his departure.

School board contenders are prohibited by law in Colorado to run as a candidate of any political party.

Delegates drafted the state constitution to vest control of instruction in public schools in local boards of education, rather than a political entity, due in part to concerns of making the whole thing a political affair, said Bryce Reedy, spokesman for the Colorado Association of School Boards. The organization trains and supports elected leaders in most of the states 178 school districts.

Reedy points to the words of one delegate, who said, There ought to be no possibility of a suspicion that politics should run the schools of the territory, as quoted in a Colorado Supreme Court ruling in 2004.

The past several years have been some of the most challenging for school board members, Reedy said, as they worked to navigate the pandemic and make decisions about mask mandates and other social restrictions.

As citizens who serve students and represent their communities, school board members face complex and demanding challenges, he said in an email. School board members are one of the most local forms of government in our democracy, and as such, reflect a diversity of views.

Historically, candidates financed and endorsed by teachers unions or associations have an upper hand in winning races over independent candidates.

In the Pikes Peak region, unions typically spend anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per candidate they support.

But in recent years, candidates not sanctioned by unions have fought back, with some Christian leaders such as Andrew Wommack, founder of Andrew Wommack Ministries headquartered in Woodland Park, encouraging followers to run for school boards to get their views in the public. And Teller County's Republican party donated money to the conservative candidates' campaigns last year.

"What happened in the last election nationwide is that you had a lot of parents that got more exposure to their children's education because they were at home, learning remotely, so you had a lot of conservatives elected to school boards because parents want more transparency about what's being taught in schools," said resident Jameson Dion. "Shortly after, you started to see a lot of chatter among the union-connected folks about what they were going to do."

While supporters of seated Woodland Park board members point to members of the teachers union, the Woodland Park Education Association, as the primary instigator and agitator of the growing schism, recall advocates allege board members special political interests are driving their decision-making.

This is not radical Democrats against Republicans, Morris, the recall advocate, said. What this is more about is their special interests and political agendas they want to push instead of listening to what the community is saying.

Those who stand with the board members say the reverse is true.

A majority of voters chose the seated board members, said Dion, who claims the educators' union is coordinating disruption and doing everything they can to maintain the perception of chaos in the district.

Morris said parents, not the union, are behind the recall. She also said open records requests to the Woodland Park district have not been filed by the union but by parents and residents who want to document what's going on.

Others, including Dion, say union members are involved. For example, one woman who led a lawsuit against the new board members and whose name appears first on the recall petition is married to a woman who has been an officer in the local educators' union, and "attempts to silence the Woodland Park Education Association" is among the allegations listed on the recall complaint forms.

Dion said union-backed opposition to board members with conservative views follows a playbook of sorts in their objections to board leadership.

Morris, who raised more than $17,000 from more than 100 donors on an online fundraising appeal to "save the board from a lack of lawfulness" refutes those claims.

"This is to show how democracy works, to say hey, did we make a mistake, let's rethink this since we've had eight months to see how this board behaves," said petition circulator Michelle Bayless.

Says Dion, who says he has obtained emails to back his claims: "There are other forces at play here. There's a cohesive, organized effort on the local, state and national unions that are pushing this."

If the recall group succeeds in meeting the deadlines to ask voters to remove the three board members, the questions will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot, at an approximate cost to taxpayers of $38,760, according to Kees.
In case you missed it  summer's most popular meteor shower is set to peak tonight above Colorado, with the celestial event remaining active through September 1.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is holding an expanded meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Addressing the event, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Welcome Madam President. I am very glad to see you. I thank you for your visit. Your visit really demonstrates the importance of our bilateral cooperation. We are happy that the relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan are developing very successfully within the framework of bilateral cooperation, as well as the Eastern Partnership. We have very good achievements in terms of the development of political relations, in the true sense of the word. And political contacts are very active. You know that the EU is our major trading partner and I am sure that the projects which we are planning to implement in the coming years will increase our trade cooperation. Of course, energy cooperation was always on top of our agenda and today, in particular. So, I think we have very good results, very good achievements and after the visit of Madam Commissioner earlier this year we started energy dialogue. So I think thats also a very good sign of mutual interest. The issues related to energy security definitely today are one of the top issues on global agenda. But not only that, we are interested in expanding cooperation in the area of education, area of transportation and in all areas. Actually, what we are now discussing with respect to the new agreement between EU and Azerbaijan covers all areas of our potential cooperation. I am sure that during your visit we will discuss this and other issues, also we have a very important ceremony today which we also mark, I think, the beginning of new broad cooperation in energy. Welcome, wish you a pleasant stay.

***

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said:

-Thank you very much, Mr. President, for the warm welcome here. Indeed as you said, we have a long-standing partnership. Eastern Partnership had specifically with Azerbaijan, also an excellent relationship that we want to deepen now. If you look at the Memorandum of Understanding that we are signing today, I first of all, really want to commend the two of us but maybe building on an excellent work that has been done by our collaborators for achieving this MoU. It puts an emphasis on a reliable partnership in the energy sector and it also looks forward towards the mid and long-term with an emphasis on renewable energy. So, it encompasses all that we are discussing in detail today. But of course, theres more there, than the MoU, as you said, the agreement between Azerbaijan and the European Union. We just discussed with the Foreign Minister we should give it a push now, so that we move forward a lot to discuss and many thanks again for the warm welcome.




By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Vice President of the German Bundestag Katrin Goring-Eckardt discussed the regional situation and energy security issues on July 18, Azernews reports per the ministry.

Bayramov emphasized the need for boosting Azerbaijani-German bilateral ties that mark their 30th anniversary in 2022, as well as inter-parliamentary collaboration, recalling with delight his March visit to Germany and the discussions he had there.

During the meeting, the sides discussed perspectives on bilateral and regional concerns, as well as the situation in Ukraine and its environs, as well as energy security challenges. The activities and possibilities of Azerbaijan in the fields of energy security, energy resource export to Europe, and alternative energy resource development were covered.

Moreover, the guest was also briefed about the post-conflict regional situation following Azerbaijans victory in the 44-day war with Armenia, the countrys peace-building efforts, reconstruction activities, as well as "green energy" projects on its liberated territories.

The officials discussed humanitarian and cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

It was earlier reported that in addition to formal meetings, Goring-Eckardt is expected to hold discussions with civil society, journalists, and human rights advocates as part of her visit.
DENVER  It's hard not to look at Brendan Rodgers' season and wonder what it would have been like if he could wipe April off the calendar.
The Globe Gazette is working on a series of stories examining the leading causes of death in North Iowa  over the last 20 years and more recently.
A teen will spend at least 40 years in prison for a deadly 2021 shooting at the Danville-Pittsylvania County Fair.

Tito Nathaniel Cobbs was sentenced last week in Pittsylvania County Circuit Court to 70 years with 30 years suspended on a first-degree murder conviction. In addition, Cobbs received three years for a charge of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

He pleaded guilty to those charges in April.

Bartlett Yancey High School student Joshua Rone was killed in a shooting Sept. 18 at the fair. Fair operators said on Facebook a fight broke out in the parking lot that ended with the fatal shooting.

School officials recalled Rone as a thoughtful and beloved student in Caswell County, North Carolina. Cobbs, a juvenile under the age of 18 at the time of the shooting, was set to be tried as an adult, but instead pleaded guilty during a suppression hearing, Pittsylvania County Commonwealths Attorney Bryan Haskins said in April.

Haskins wasnt sure of Cobbs current age and online records did not specify a year of birth.

During the hearing, Cobbs wanted the judge to suppress statements Cobbs had made about the shooting. The statement he wanted suppressed was that he was at the fairgrounds, he had the gun pulled and fired it, but he didnt shoot anybody, Haskins said.

However, the judge agreed that Cobbs constitutional rights were honored and declared the evidence was admissible in court, Haskins said. Cobbs, who had initially pleaded not guilty, changed his plea to guilty and the judge convicted him.

Sentencing guidelines ranged from 23 years to life in prison plus three years. The use of a firearm charge carried a mandatory minimum sentence of three years.

Bartlett Yancey High School Principal Lance Stokes said of Rones death, Words cant express our feelings on the loss of a young mind.

Rones biology teacher, Ramonda Brooks, only taught him for the first few weeks of school but already knew he was special.

I could tell he was very lovable and likeable, Brooks said. A lot of his peers liked to be around him. When he smiled at you, it made you want to smile back.
By Trend

German gas storage facilities are currently not full enough to get through the winter without Russian gas supplies, Klaus Mueller, who heads the countrys regulatory office for electricity and gas, said in an interview with Bild am Sonntag on Sunday, Trend reports citing TASS.

"The gas storage tanks are almost 65% full. That's better than in the previous weeks, but still not enough to get through the winter without Russian gas," the Federal Network Agencys Mueller said. He also recalled that Nord Stream maintenance work was scheduled to end next Thursday.

"Now a lot depends on whether and how much gas flows through the pipeline after" the maintenance, the president of the German Bundesnetzagentur said.
RALEIGH  Democratic nominee Cheri Beasleys campaign entered this summer with a cash advantage over Republican candidate Ted Budd, while also outraising him handily over the past three months in North Carolinas U.S. Senate race.

Budds campaign collected over $2.1 million during the second quarter  $1.8 million of which was accounted for in a campaign finance report essentially covering May and June and due Friday at the Federal Election Commission.

The second-quarter total was less than one-third of the more than $7.4 million that Beasley had already announced a couple days before the FEC filing deadline. Of her total, $6.4 million was collected from April 28 through June 30, her campaign reported. The candidates already had filed reports in advance of their May 17 primary elections that covered Aprils first four weeks.

As far as cash on hand, Beasley reported $4.8 million in her campaign coffers beginning in July, while Budd had $1.8 million.

Beasleys campaign last week already trumpeted her figures as the largest raised in a second fundraising quarter by a U.S. Senate candidate in North Carolina. Budds campaign sought to downplay Beasleys financial lead, saying in a news release that it anticipated getting outraised, and crediting the ActBlue online fundraising program for attracting out-of-state donors to her.

Budd adviser Jonathan Felts also said that North Carolina GOP Sens. Thom Tillis and Richard Burr won statewide elections dating back to 2014 despite getting outraised by their Democratic rivals. Beasley and Budd are running to succeed Burr, who isnt seeking reelection. The Beasley-Budd race could determine the Senates majority in a chamber that is currently equally divided among Democrats and Republicans.

National Republican groups have already said they plan to spend tens of millions of dollars on advertisements in North Carolina helping Budd or criticizing Beasley, a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court. The National Republican Senatorial Committee already has run commercials questioning some of Beasleys legal rulings. The Senate Majority PAC, which supports Democratic candidates, responded with its own ad.

Beasley, meanwhile, has been running commercials for the general election. In the latest one, she criticizes Budd, a central North Carolina congressman, for voting this spring against a bill that would have capped insulin prices for consumers.

Since getting into the race in April 2021, Beasleys campaign has raised $16 million. Budd has reported raising $6.4 million since early 2021.

While both Beasley and Budd won their primary elections by comfortable margins, it was Budd who faced robust competition by former Gov. Pat McCrory and ex-Rep. Mark Walker.

Budd benefited from well over $10 million in outside spending by the Club for Growth Action super PAC, which ran ads and mailers backing Budd and criticizing McCrory and Walker. Former President Donald Trump also endorsed Budd for the nomination.
Almost four years after it hit bookshelves, the film adaptation of Delia Owens 2018 novel Where the Crawdads Sing has made it to the big screen.

Since its release, the Crawdads book has captivated readers around the world, spending more than 160 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list.

Now, moviegoers are flocking to theaters to see the people and places of the novel come to life in the film, which stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as protagonist Kya, also known as the Marsh Girl. The movie soundtrack features a song by Taylor Swift called Carolina.

If you havent read the book, or if you just need a refresher, you should know that the book and movie are set in North Carolina  although filming actually took place in Louisiana.

The states coastal marshes, which author Owens placed around the fictional town of Barkley Cove, account for most of the setting. Real-life locations of Chapel Hill, Asheville and Greenville get smaller mentions at various points throughout the book.

If youre curious about these North Carolina locations that provide the setting for Crawdads, we have information about each. (Dont worry, weve avoided including spoilers.)

Where is the Crawdads marsh?

As the site of Kyas lifelong home  which is basically a fishing shack  the marsh accounts for most of the setting in Where the Crawdads Sing.

In the marsh, Kya lives among the wild and natural plants, animals and other creatures of her surroundings, leading her to be called the Marsh Girl by the people of nearby coastal town Barkley Cove.

But just where is the marsh? Thats subject to some interpretation.

Here are the clues:

Marshes and swamps:

Owens doesnt name the specific marsh where Kya lives and keeps any major hints about the marshs possible real-life location to a minimum in the book, but we do know that its meant to be somewhere on the North Carolina coast. Its also worth mentioning that while the book notes the difference between marshes and swamps, we do know that the area where Kya lives has both  a key fact in determining where the real inspiration for the fictional setting could be.

Easy trip to Greenville:

One helpful hint about the marshs location is that at one point in the book, Kya takes a bus from Barkley Cove to the town of Greenville. Theres an implication that the bus ride to Greenville from Barkley Cove only takes a couple hours or less, with one character saying its an easy trip.

County seat:

Another helpful hint is that Barkley Cove is described as the first village settled in this torn and marshy stretch of the North Carolina coast. Barkley Cove is also described as the county seat of Barkley County.

While these pieces of information dont narrow down the possible location of the marsh and Barkley Cove that much, it does give us some help.

Knowing that the area where Kya lives should be near a coastal town, about two hours or less from Greenville and has both marsh and swamp wetlands, we propose two probable locations for Barkley Cove and the surrounding marsh: New Bern or Bath.

Other towns that Barkley Cove could possibly represent would perhaps be Ahoskie, Edenton, Jacksonville or Elizabeth City  though those areas tend to lack either marsh, swamp or both. But theyre all relatively near Greenville.

The Wilmington area, sitting about two hours and 15 minutes away from Greenville, is likely too far away and too large of a city to be the real-life version of Barkley Cove.

Other NC places in Crawdads

While we may not know the exact location of Kyas marsh or Barkley Cove, there are some real-life North Carolina places that are mentioned, and that characters visit, throughout the book.

Chapel Hill is mentioned in passing a few times throughout the book, mostly as a source of conflict and distance between Kya and Tate, one of her love interests.

Tate leaves the marsh and Barkley Cove to attend UNC-Chapel Hill, where he works in labs under the guidance of professors.

Not much else is said about Chapel Hill or the university in the book, other than it being mentioned a couple of times that Tate might be tempted to see other girls besides Kya while hes there.

The mountainous western North Carolina city of Asheville is also mentioned several times throughout the book. Kyas dad, Pa, is from Asheville. His family owned a plantation there, but lost it during the Great Depression, the book says.

At one point in the book, Kya travels to Asheville, marking the first time in her life that she leaves the marsh.

Some readers have expressed qualms with the books mentions of Asheville, saying that it seems the plot doesnt take into account that going to Asheville from the coast of North Carolina would take several hours, which may be too long of a trip for the errand trips some characters are described as taking.

Finally, as weve mentioned before, Kya at one point in the book takes the bus from Barkley Cove to Greenville, the real-life home of East Carolina University.

Not much is said about Kyas trip, other than that she makes the trip to meet another person, and that she stays in a hotel near the bus stop while shes in town.
" " The 988 Lifeline will connect callers with specialists trained to assist with mental health crises, including psychotic symptoms and substance abuse. Georgijevic/Getty Images

As of July 16, 2022, people struggling with mental health crises can now call 988, a new number focused on providing lifesaving suicide prevention and crisis services. But 988 is not just a shorter, easier-to-remember replacement for the current suicide hotline. Congress and the Federal Communications Commission also established the 988 Lifeline to address longstanding concerns in mental health care.

The Conversation asked Derek Lee, a Ph.D. student at The Ohio State University in counselor education and supervision and a therapist, to explain the new service and how it is different from the old hotline. Lee's academic and research focus is on suicide, including training, intervention and prevention.

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What Is 988?

The three-digit number is part of a new national mental health program. In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission designated 988 as the help line number, and Congress authorized funding for the 988 Lifeline Program.

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Can People Still Call 1-800-273-TALK?

Sure. The soon-to-be old number has been operational since 2005, but it will not be going away just yet.

July 16 is when 988 went live nationally and callers can also begin using it to call, text or chat.

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What's Wrong with the Old Number?

The system behind it, including its 200 call centers currently in the national crisis line network, according to a 2019 report on the program.

A major problem is that call centers don't always have the staff or the technology to handle growing numbers of calls.

Calls that in-state centers are unable to answer get rerouted to centers out of state through the system's backup network. This means that the operator may be less familiar with local crises, according to a spokesperson for Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit that administers the crisis line program. Or incoming calls might simply "bunch up," creating a telephone logjam, and leave callers waiting on hold "too long," a time period the report does not define.

The report does note, however, that there isn't a consistent standard for wait times, staffing or other operational aspects of the call centers. State governments regulate them, and they are independently operated.

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How Will 988 Be Different?

That's unclear. Vibrant hasn't released specific plans. Congress hasn't either, but the Behavioral Crisis Services Expansion Act introduced last year requires call centers to "offer air traffic control-quality coordination of crisis care in real-time."

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Where Will the Money Come From to Pay for All This?

The shift to 988 comes with funding at the state and federal levels, as well as federal oversight to assure equitable access. Initial funding is coming through federal channels, including the American Rescue Plan, Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and President Biden's proposed 2022 fiscal year budget. Most of the long-term funding will come from individual states.

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Why Is All This Happening Now?

Much of the discussion began during the pandemic, which really brought mental health issues to the forefront. A study of 8 million calls to help lines in 19 countries and regions found that call volumes jumped during the initial wave of coronavirus infections. At the six-week peak, the total number of calls was 35 percent higher than before the pandemic.

In the U.S., the coronavirus national emergency and the widespread lockdown that followed brought nationwide increases in the number of people struggling with depression, anxiety and other mental conditions. Alcohol use increased, particularly among women and college students.

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Who Does 988 Benefit?

Anyone who needs help with their mental health, particularly people in crisis. A major goal of the 988 Lifeline is creating equity in mental health services, especially for those who have not always had consistent or reliable access to mental health care.

For example, Vibrant will provide operators who speak both English and Spanish and telephone interpreter service in over 150 additional languages.

One improvement experts would like to see is the implementation of virtual visits with mental health professionals for those who can't travel to in-person appointments, like people with disabilities or those in rural areas.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect Vibrant Emotional Health's most recent plans for the 988 Lifeline.

Derek Lee is a doctoral student in counselor education and supervision at The Ohio State University.

The Ohio State University provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation U.S.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here.
Montanans won't be voting on any citizen-initiated statewide ballot issues this November, according to preliminary reports provided by the Secretary of States office.

Of the 34 ballot issues submitted since the 2020 general election, only four were approved to allow supporters to circulate petitions to get them on the ballot. Supporters were required to submit their petitions by June 17 to county election officials. After reviewing signatures and determining whether to accept or reject them, those officials faced a deadline last Friday to submit the results to the Secretary of States office.

As of Monday, none of the proposals had come close to garnering the numbers of signatures they would need to be put to the voters in the general election.

Backers of two of those efforts previously acknowledged they had fallen short  a proposed cap on residential property taxes and an effort to add strict environmental regulations to stretches of the Gallatin and Madison rivers.

Another ballot initiative sought to amend the Montana Constitution to add pre-kindergarten to the states system of free quality education. It would have tasked the Legislature with funding the additional cost.

The preliminary report from the Secretary of States office indicated it had only received a single petition signature supporting its inclusion on the ballot. The measure wasnt approved for signature-gathering until the beginning of May, after the Montana Supreme Court ruled that Attorney General Austin Knudsen wrongly rejected the proposal as legally insufficient.

John Meyer, an attorney who frequently works on environmental issues in Montana, submitted the proposal and said Monday that he had no illusions about being able to gather the more than 60,000 signatures it would have needed during the two-week time frame before the deadline.

He said hed consider trying again next election cycle, in the absence of state or federal legislation that expands education to pre-K. Montana is one of just a handful of states that don't already offer it, Meyer noted.

Montana can change that, he said. We dont want to be dead-last in the country in terms of educating our youth.

A fourth proposal approved for signature-gathering aimed to amend the Montana Constitution to require that winners of elections receive a majority vote. Currently, those seeking elected office in Montana can win with a plurality if no candidate gets at least 50%. The proposal didnt directly address how to determine the winner in those circumstances, stating those outcomes would be determined as provided by statute.

It was the latest ballot issue to be submitted to the state, and wasnt approved for signature gathering until late May. It didnt receive any signatures, according to the state report. Chris Shipp, who submitted the proposal, couldnt be reached on Monday.

The only two statewide ballot issues that will be on this years general election ballots were proposed by the state Legislature during its last session, in 2021.

One would amend the state constitution to extend search-and-seizure protections to electronic data and communications. The other would establish a law requiring health care providers to take "all medically appropriate and reasonable actions to preserve the life and health" of any child born as the result of natural, induced or cesarean labor or an abortion.
MOUNT ZION  Two local soldiers will be honored when a cross-country torch ride by the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Northwest makes a stop in Mount Zion on Wednesday, July 20.

The group left Oregon on July 9 and plans to be at Arlington, Virginia on Aug. 7. Along the way, the group reaches out to Gold Star Families and offers to have their motorcycle ride stop in tribute to their fallen family member.

We do not ask for anything from the locals or the families. We travel from Oregon to Arlington to honor those that have provided our freedoms, said group member Warren Williamson.

During a stop at about 4:15 p.m. in Mount Zions Fletcher Park, the group will honor Army Sgt. Jesse Tilton and Army Cpl. Karen Clifton.

Tilton, 23, of Long Creek, died July 16, 2010 in the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Frankfurt, Germany from injuries suffered while tending to a fellow soldier during a battle in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Clifton, 22 of Mount Zion was killed on June 21, 2007 when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the Humvee she was driving while serving as a military police officer in Baghdad.

Local riders are encouraged to join the ride from Coziahr Harley-Davidson in Forsyth to Fletcher Park. Currently, the group is scheduled to enter via U.S. 51 North and should be at Coziahrs about 3:40 pm. It will then turn east on U.S. 36 and continue to Illinois 121. They will turn south on 121 and will meet the families at Fletcher Park. Updates of the timeline will be posted on the Cruise 11 to Remember 911 Facebook page.

The public is encouraged to line Illinois121 to the entrance of Fletcher Park and to fly American flags.

For more information contact tiltonjulie@yahoo.com or 217-853-3906.
Once a week, typically on the day that the Centers for Disease Control updates its COVID data tracker, I send my dad a text: Did you make an appointment to get your booster?

Yes, Im a nudge. But the data for people his age are unambiguous: A second booster helps keep them alive and out of the hospital. Each new variant of omicron, currently the worrisomely contagious BA.5, provides fresh kindling for infections. And even though fewer people are dying these days compared with earlier waves, hospitalization rates are ticking up  most dramatically among people 70 and older.

My father is hardly the only one in that group not up to date on COVID vaccines. While public health experts have been debating the makeup of fall booster shots, they seem to be overlooking a concerning trend: a growing lack of enthusiasm for more shots. Very few of those eligible have received their second boosters, and many have missed even the first one. Most children under 12 remain unvaccinated. COVID shots are being thrown out in the U.S. at an accelerating pace; since May, some 12 million doses have expired, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The White House is reported to be considering making second booster shots widely available for all adults. It should also be carefully planning how to better sell the value of those vaccines before the U.S. heads into the first winter COVID season with little mask-wearing or other protective measures in place.

People are tired of the pandemic, and persuading them to get more shots keeps getting harder. Easy-to-understand guidelines for vaccination could help get people back on track  especially if theyre paired with evidence-backed messaging.

Most parents said they would be less likely to get their children a COVID shot if its side effects appeared to be greater than those from other childhood vaccines. Clearly, public health officials and pediatricians will need to emphasize that most kids experience only mild, short-lived symptoms from the shots.

Parents are also weighing the risks of the vaccine against those of COVID itself, which underlines the need for public health officials and pediatricians to explain why vaccinating children matters. Sean OLeary, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at the University of Colorado who studies barriers to vaccination, gives families a pitch that goes something like this: Although adults stand a greater risk of serious outcomes from COVID than children do, infections are not benign in kids. More than a thousand have died from COVID in the U.S. And if that sounds like a small number in the larger context of COVID deaths, well, it should  because the death of any child is rare and uniquely tragic. Just as we would leap at the chance to prevent other causes of childhood deaths, things like pediatric cancer or drownings, so should we leap at the chance to vaccinate against COVID.

Communicating the importance of vaccination to adults is tougher. People who happily got their initial shots may no longer be keeping track of when they are due for the next one. Or they may be concerned that if they get one now, theyll miss out on an updated vaccine in the fall. Some are questioning the need for any more shots because theyve had COVID, maybe more than once, and have recovered just fine.

Heading into fall, when new boosters tailored to omicron variants are expected to arrive, the challenge will be to recapture the high percentage of adults who got their first round of shots. Ideally, people of all ages will be able to get vaccinated at once  as they are with flu shots.

Restoring peoples enthusiasm for vaccines will require nuanced messaging as well as plain honesty around what the FDA and CDC know and dont know about how well the shots protect people. The ground campaign needs to ramp up now.
Alfred Garza III, father to one of the school shooting victims, speaks to the media at the Civic Center in Uvalde after a press conference on Sunday. Several residents and victims relatives expressed anger that officials are still not answering some of their questions.
BRISTOL, Va.  With more than 2,400 new cases of COVID-19 in the past week and testing positivity rates at or above 30%, the region continues to experience its first true summer surge.

Ballad Health System reported 98 COVID positive inpatients on Monday, including 12 in intensive care units with five on ventilators. That is the largest number of inpatients since mid-April.

During the previous two years, case numbers were relatively low during June and July but historically rose in August. This current surge  while on a much smaller scale than last fall  was forecast by the University of Virginia back in May.

The 10 counties and two cities of far Southwest Virginia have reported more than 950 new cases since last Tuesday, nearly double that areas weekly average of 504 new cases per week over the past 13 weeks, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Three counties were in triple figures of new cases, with 228 new cases in Wise County, 179 in Washington and 110 in Tazewell. The city of Bristol reported 55 new cases during the past seven days, compared to 29.4 per week over the past 13 weeks.

Three health districts statewide have surging levels of cases including Mount Rogers and Cumberland Plateau, according to VDH.

Additionally all three Southwest Virginia health districts have seven-day testing positivity averages at or above 30%, meaning nearly one in every three people tested is positive for the novel coronavirus. That is substantially higher than Mondays statewide average of 23%

The Mount Rogers Health District was at 31.4% over the past seven days, Cumberland Plateau was 31.8% and LENOWISCO was 28.7%, but results were abnormally low from Buchanan County, due to flooding, power and utility interruptions since last Tuesday, which impact access to testing and health care.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classify Buchanan, Tazewell and Wythe counties as having high levels of community transmission. Residents are urged to wear a mask indoors, stay up to date with vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms.

In Northeast Tennessee, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Unicoi and Washington counties are also listed with high levels of community transmission by the CDC.

Ten Northeast Tennessee counties reported 1,471 new cases from July 3-9, the most recent figures available from the Tennessee Department of Health. That is more than double the regions 13-week average of 696 cases per week from April through July.

Sullivan County led with 420 new cases during that period, while Washington County Tennessee had 305 and Hawkins County had 117. Both Sullivan and Washington counties have seven-day testing positivity rates of 30% or higher.

University of Virginia modeling shows four different tracks. One features a short-term bump with cases peaking in July then falling by September. A new scenario forecasts a steady increase through the fall, peaking in December. Others forecast a small surge in October while another forecasts a rapid rise in cases after September, peaking in November.
By Trend

Shanghai will require residents across nine of the city's districts and some smaller areas to undergo testing for COVID-19 over July 19-21 in an effort to stem any community spread of the virus, the city government said on Monday, Trend reports citing Reuters.

Residents of the districts, which include Xuhui, Jingan and Huangpu, will be required to take two COVID-19 tests over the three day period.
" " An ancient Aztec skull wall is displayed at Templo Mayor, Mexico City, Mexico. Bill Perry/Shutterstock

Buried beneath the streets and plazas of modern-day Mexico City are the ruins of ancient Aztec temples where human sacrifices were routinely performed to appease the gods. In the late 1990s, while excavating a circular temple dedicated to Ehecatl, the Aztec wind god, archeologists uncovered the remains of a 20-year-old boy, beheaded and squatting at the base of the temple's main stairway.

What made the Mexico City discovery so remarkable was that the skeleton of the human sacrifice was found clutching a pair of musical instruments in each hand. They were small, ceramic whistles decorated with a menacing skull's face. As the archeologists quickly realized, the skull image represented Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of the underworld and of death itself.

And with that, the world became fascinated with a mysterious new instrument known as the "Aztec death whistle."

Today, if you Google "Aztec death whistle," you'll find articles claiming that the "haunting shrieks" of the death whistle were used to "terrify" the Aztecs' enemies in battle or to mimic the agonizing cries of sacrificial victims as their living hearts were torn from their chests. You can also watch this popular video clip of the late musician Xavier Yxayotl conjuring blood-chilling sounds from an oversized death whistle.

But the sober truth, experts say, is that we know very little about how the Aztecs really used these intriguing instruments or even how the instruments actually sounded when played by an ancient Aztec priest or musician. What we can safely infer from the find in Mexico City, is that death whistles undoubtedly had ritual and ceremonial significance, and that they may have been used to guide the spirits of the dead through the afterlife.

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An Instrument That Defies Classification

Arnd Adje Both is a music archeologist, which means that he examines ancient musical artifacts and attempts to reconstruct the musical culture in which they were played. Both is fascinated with the pre-Columbian musical instruments of Mesoamerica, where three advanced civilizations once flourished: the Olmecs, the Maya and lastly the Aztecs.

In the early 2000s, he had the honor of being the very first person to play the two death whistles excavated from the temple site in Mexico City. If it was a Hollywood movie, sounding those ancient whistles would have summoned an army of the undead to ravage Mexico City. In real life, the death whistles made a slightly distorted, wind-like sound, not the shrill cries of the damned.

Arnd Adje Both plays an Aztec death whistle replica Your browser does not support the video element.

For further study, Both took CT scans of the death whistles to understand their internal structure and acoustics, and then he built replicas. He discovered that the Aztec death whistles were a type of "air spring" whistle first invented by the Mayans around 700 to 800 C.E. When air is blown through the intake tube, it interacts with a well or "spring" of air inside a rounded internal chamber, creating distortions. An additional opening on the bottom of the whistle can be covered with a cupped hand to shape the tone of the sound.

"These air spring whistles don't fit into the Western classifications of wind instruments  trumpets and horns, flutes or reed instruments  which means that they're singular worldwide and only produced in pre-Columbian America," says Both. "For me as a scientist, that's much more interesting than the fantastic tales told about death whistles on YouTube."

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How Death Whistles Fit into Aztec Beliefs

" " An illustration of the Aztec gods Quetzalcoatl (or Ehecatl) and Mictlantecuhtli from ancient Mesoamerican manuscript Codex Borgia. Shutterstock

According to Both, it's not a coincidence that a human sacrifice laid at the feet of the wind god Ehecatl was holding a pair of death whistles. There is a strong connection in Aztec mythology between the wind god and Mictlantecuhtli, the god of the underworld.

The most striking evidence comes from a remarkable pre-Columbian document called the Codex Borgia, an illustrated manuscript that depicts the Axtecs' complex pantheon of gods, as well as Aztec history, their studies of the stars, botany and more.

One page of the Codex Borgia shows two gods standing back-to-back: Mictlantecuhtli and Ehecatl. Both says that the gods are guarding the entrance to the underworld and represent two parts of a whole: death and life.

"There's this notion in the Aztec tradition that when someone dies, they have to walk a very dangerous path to the underworld," says Both. "During that journey, certain rituals are carried out by the living in order to give strength to the deceased, so they can safely arrive in the underworld."

In one level of the underworld, for example, the dead need to cross a large field while being whipped by fierce, ice-cold winds. In the Codex Borgia, those cutting winds are represented by obsidian blades, the sharpened black stones used by the Aztecs to make human sacrifices.

Both says that at the Mexico City temple site, a ceramic bowl containing obsidian blades was found next to the body of the young man. And like the back-to-back image from the Codex Borgia, the boy was sacrificed to the wind god holding whistles bearing the image of Mictlantecuhtli, the god of the underworld.

"All of these elements start to fit together like a puzzle," says Both. "There's a possibility that these instruments were played inside the temple as part of a ritual performance related to death and sacrifice. They were meant to simulate the cold night winds of the underworld."

Both's theory lines up well with the description of an Aztec festival dedicated to Tezcatlipoca, the god of the night sky. In 1913, the folklorist Lewis Spence wrote a book called "Myths of Mexico and Peru," and described Toxcatl, a festival held in the fifth month of the Aztec year:

"On the day of this festival a youth was slain who for an entire year previously had been carefully instructed in the role of victim... He assumed the name, garb, and attributes of Tezcatlipoca himself... [as] the earthly representative of the deity.... He carried also the whistle symbolical of the deity [as Lord of the Night Wind], and made with it a noise such as the weird wind of night makes when it hurries through the streets."

If that description is accurate, then the young man sacrificed in the Mexico City temple may have sounded the death whistle right before he lost his head.

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Were Death Whistles Used in Battle?

When the Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernan Cortes, clashed with Aztecs in 1521, they described the Aztec warriors using drums, conch shells and other musical instruments during battles to communicate with each other and possibly to unnerve their enemies.

The Spanish friar Tomas de Torquemada wrote that one Aztec general "carried a drum on his shoulders which he played at the start of a battle, while others blew large shell trumpets."

But what about the claim, made by the indigenous musician Xavier Yxayotl and others, that the Aztecs terrified their enemies by sounding hundreds of screaming death whistles at one time?

"There's no proof, but it's still a possibility," says Both. "Up to this point, we haven't excavated an individual classified as an Aztec warrior with such an instrument [a death whistle] around their neck. For now, it seems to be more of a ritual instrument."

Another reason to question the battlefield theory is that the death whistles recovered from the temple site in Mexico City are less than 2 inches (5 centimeters) long, compared to the much larger replicas played by Yxayotl and others. The smaller ancient whistles fail to produce the same ghastly screams of the large, modern replicas.

" " Aztec death whistle models done in a Lovecraftian style. Hamstur/Flckr

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A New Tradition Inspired by the Ancients

As a music archeologist, Both has to shake his head and laugh when he thinks about the wild theories that he's seen on the internet about the origins and otherworldly properties of the Aztec death whistle. But in a way, he only has himself to blame. In the early 2000s, he and some colleagues were among the first to publish papers about Aztec death whistles in English.

"From then onward, this new tradition emerged of artists, musicians, Aztec dancers and Mexican nationalists incorporating the death whistle into their own, in many cases, new stories," says Both. "It's a new layer on an ancient tradition."

Now That's Cool Archeologists have uncovered thousands of distinct clay instruments from Incan, Mayan and Aztec sites, including ocarinas shaped like animals and humans, and triple or quadruple flutes capable of playing multiple tones at once. "There can be no doubt that pre-Columbian music reached a level of development comparable, perhaps superior, to the contemporary cultures of European and Asiatic origin," wrote Mexican anthropologist Samuel Marti in 1978.
ACS has released the 2022 edition of ACS Australias Digital Pulse, the leading annual report on the state of the IT workforce and digital economy in Australia.

The report this year focuses heavily on the issue of diversity in the IT industry as well as the critical demands for IT skills that are driving up wages in the sector.

According to the report, by 2027 Australia will need more than 1.2 million IT professionals to meet demand, up from the current 870,000, representing an annual growth of 5.5 per cent.

In the past year alone, the IT workforce has grown 8 per cent, among the fastest growth rates on record, and well above the 3.4 per cent growth rate of the Australian workforce as a whole.

To meet those demands, Australia will need to do more than import workers, said ACS President Dr Nick Tate.

This years Digital Pulse report is the eighth we have released, and each has had the consistent message that we need to improve the nations digital skills pipeline, Dr Tate noted.

With the Federal Governments Jobs and Skills Summit approaching, Digital Pulse makes a strong case for boosting technology training at school, vocational and tertiary levels.

Australias Digital Pulse details some of the key drivers of change for the domestic pipeline, including the provision of better tools and resources for teaching Digital Technologies in schools; encouragement of industry to look at retraining rather than 'fire and replace' hiring practices; and greater acceptance of non-traditional pathways to IT professionalism.

The report also reveals that the short supply of IT talent has been driving up wages for IT professionals, and IT professionals currently earn, on average, $11,000 more than professionals in other comparable occupations.

Focus on diversity

This years Digital Pulse, has a strong focus on the issue of diversity and inclusion, which new ACS CEO Chris Vein describes as both a moral imperative and a practical way to resolve worker shortages.

If we can build workplaces supporting diverse workforces and flexible working conditions, we can do a much better job of retaining current workers as well as attracting new workers, Vein said.

The report contains a detailed breakdown of the diversity in the IT sector, noting that female representation, while improved from 29 per cent to 31 per cent in the last year, still lags substantially behind the workforce as a whole, where 48 per cent of workers are women.

The IT industry does fare better with respect to sexual orientation, neurodiversity, and support for people with disabilities, with most of those metrics being on par or slightly better than the average.

However, discrimination is still a significant problem in the industry, according to Digital Pulse, with 58 per cent of surveyed IT professionals reporting having experienced discrimination at some point in their careers.

Analysis by report partners Deloitte Access Economics found that those who experience discrimination are twice as likely to expect to leave their current workplace within the next two years compared with those who have not experienced discrimination.

It also reveals that increasing diversity in the IT workforce can potentially create 14,000 new IT jobs per year on average for the next 20 years.

The report notes that, thanks to a large number of overseas workers being brought in to fill the skills gap, a huge proportion of IT workers in Australia were born overseas  currently 45 per cent.

In his foreword, Dr Tate noted that this is a risky long-term strategy and that there is so much that can be done and needs to be done domestically to improve the technology worker pipeline.

The full report can be downloaded here: https://www.acs.org.au/insightsandpublications/reports-publications/digital-pulse2022.html
The Concord Police Department has charged one person and is looking for another in relation to the shooting death of a teenager.

The Concord Police Department responded to multiple reports of shots being fired in the Southern Chase subdivision off Zion Church Road on Friday, July 15, around 1:12 a.m.

A few minutes later, officers made contact with a vehicle on Old Charlotte Road Southwest, police stated.

Occupants of the vehicle reported having exchanged gunfire with another party after a dispute that began at 530 Pullman St. SW as the result of a verbal argument.

Officers discovered that an occupant of the vehicle, a 17-year old male, had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Concord police have charged Paris Chandler Johnson, 24, of Concord, with murder.

Concord police also issued warrants for Witness Haynes, 18, also of Concord, for murder.
OAKLAND  Volunteer firefighters from three departments extinguished a house trailer fire Sunday on the south side of Oakland.

The Oakland Community Fire Protection District reported in a press release that its firefighters were called out at 5:04 a.m. Sunday for a structure fire at 205 Ashmore Road, just south of Illinois Route 133, in northeast Coles County.

"When units arrived on scene, the rear of the trailer was on fire. Extinguishing efforts commenced, and the fire was brought under control and extinguished at 6:15 a.m.," the release said, adding that no one was at home at the time of the fire.

The Oakland Community Fire Protection District reported that it is investigating the fire in cooperation with the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office. Crews from the Hindsboro Fire Protection District and Ashmore Fire Protection District assisted at the scene.
UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. human rights office has expressed concern about rising violence around Haitis capital, saying 99 people have been reported killed in recent fighting between rival gangs in the Cite Soleil district alone.

The warning came hours after the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution renewing the mandate of a U.N. office in the troubled Caribbean nation and calling on all countries to stop the transfer of small arms, light weapons and ammunition to anyone there supporting gang violence and criminal activity.

U.N. humanitarian agencies said they were ready to help embattled communities once it is safe to do so, and Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the U.N.s High Commissioner for Refugees, laid out those dangers.

We have so far documented, from January to the end of June, 934 killings, 684 injuries and 680 kidnappings across the capital, he said Saturday. In addition, Over a five-day period, from 8-12 July, at least 234 more people were killed or injured in gang-related violence in the Cite Soleil area of the city.

He said most of the victims were not directly involved in gangs but were targeted by them.

Separately, the U.N,s humanitarian affairs office reported that 99 of the recent casualties in Cite Soleil were deaths.

Laurence called on gangs to halt the violence, while also urging Haitian authorities to ensure that fundamental human rights are placed at the front and center of their responses to the crisis. The fight against impunity and sexual violence, along with the strengthening of human rights monitoring and reporting, must remain a priority, he said.

The Security Council resolution drafted by the United States and Mexico was approved 15-0 Friday. It demanded an immediate cessation of gang violence and criminal activities  a point stressed by China.

The heavily armed gangs are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their actions, conducting simultaneous, coordinated and organized attacks in different areas, Laurence said.

The government, he said, has a duty to protect citizens right to life even from threats that come from private entities.

The U.N. agencies said some gangs even deny access to drinking water and food in order to control the population, aggravating malnutrition.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Richard Mills said the new resolution will allow the U.N. mission to promote political dialogue and bolster the capacity of the Haitian National Police to control gang violence and protect human rights.

A year after the unsolved assassination of President Jovenel Moise, gang violence has grown worse and many Haitians have tried to flee a country that seems to be in economic and social freefall. Attempts to form a coalition government have faltered, and efforts to hold general elections have stalled.

The United Nations has been involved in Haiti on and off since 1990, and the last U.N. peacekeeping mission was in the country from 2004 until October 2017. The political mission now there advises Haitis government on promoting political stability and good governance.
Two Winston-Salem situations about a mile apart but separated by several years amplify the impact of energy choices on communities and the climate.

One highlighted the risks posed by natural gas and other fuels flowing unseen through buried pipelines.

The other was a reminder that extreme weather driven by climate change  caused largely by the burning of those same fossil fuels  poses a threat to facilities we count on to supply our drinking water and treat waste.

Gravity-fed

On July 5, as evening storms dumped more than 2 inches of rain over a two-hour period, a swollen Salem Creek struggled to absorb the accumulating runoff from nearby Griffith Road in southwestern Winston-Salem.

With nowhere else to go, the gathering flood followed the path of least resistance and let gravity guide it to lower ground  which turned out to be the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities Archie Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Operations at the facility were unaffected, spokeswoman Gale Ketteler said. But video shared on social media showed muddy water flowing into the complex toward ground-level storage ponds. Its a reminder of potential infrastructure threats tied to climate change, experts who viewed the images told the Winston-Salem Journal.

Many gravity-fed treatment systems are built on low-lying sites so wastewater will flow naturally to the facility, explained Austin Thompson, co-author of a 2021 study from the Environmental Finance Center at UNC-Chapel Hill on the flood vulnerabilities of utilities.

The Archie Elledge facility, at a little more than 700 feet above sea level, sits within a designated floodplain in one of the countys lowest areas.

This basically means that theyre highly susceptible to flooding as water rushes to the same place during storms, Thompson, now a doctoral student at N.C. State University, said of facilities like Archie Elledge.

That plant, which opened in 1958, has the capacity to process 30 million gallons of wastewater per day. The treated water is discharged into Salem Creek.

While wastewater facilities have traditionally been located in low areas, many are built with safeguards to protect them from flash floods like the one July 5, Thompson noted.

Thats the case locally, said Gale Ketteler, spokeswoman for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities.

Our engineers design wastewater plants for these types of rain events, she explained in an email. No plant process tanks or equipment were impacted (July 5). Should we have major flooding, it might enter our tanks, but it would be maintained within the plant system.

However, climate change already is altering the meaning of major.

Hurricanes Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018 produced unprecedented rainfall over large portions of North Carolina.

Florence, which lingered for days, dumped more than 30 inches of rain in some areas, where an estimated 121 million gallons of untreated and partially treated sewage washed out of more than 200 wastewater treatment systems, according to Flood Resilience and NC Water and Wastewater Utilities, the study co-authored by Thompson.

The North Carolina Climate Science Report, published in 2020 by the N.C. Institute for Climate Studies, predicted that flooding in the state will become more common and more severe as instances of extreme rainfall increase with continued warmer weather. The report forecast temperature increases of at least two degrees in the state by the middle of the century.

When asked about Winston Salem/Forsyth County Utilities preparations for future extreme rainfall, Ketteler declined to give specifics.

For a catastrophic flood, like a hurricane that would shut down everything in the entire county, you are asking about a hypothetical situation, Ketteler replied. Rest assured we do have emergency response plans in place for a variety of scenarios and conduct exercises with Emergency Management. Due to security concerns, we are not at liberty to share this information as it is protected at the federal level.

Former Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator Stan Meiburg, who now leads Wake Forest Universitys graduate program in sustainability, has visited Archie Elledge plant and said the utilities department moved some pumps and electrical systems to higher ground years ago, but that some parts of the facility would be at risk in a high-enough flood event.

Local officials expect more flooding around the plant.

The city of Winston-Salem plans to erect Road Subject to Flooding signs at the northbound and southbound approaches to the area, and is looking to install a guardrail on Griffith Road to protect drivers when water is high, Winston-Salem Field Operations Director Keith Huff said Friday.

Wrong pipe

In 2017, about a mile west of the Archie Elledge facility, workers from the city of Winston-Salem tried to tap into what they thought was a waterline on Jonestown Road.

It turned out to be a natural gas pipeline.

The error led to a leak of 91,000 cubic feet of gas, enough to serve 500 average U.S. homes for a day.

That was one of 32 gas pipeline leaks in North Carolina and nearly 2,600 nationally over the past decade, according to a recently released report from the North Carolina Public Research Group and the Environment North Carolina Research & Policy Center.

Nationally, 328 of the leaks resulted in explosions and fires that killed 122 people and injured 603, the authors found in their research of records from the U.S. Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

In North Carolina, five explosions, two deaths and nine injuries were linked to natural gas pipeline leaks from 2010 through 2021, according to the report.

Four leaks  none leading to explosions, injuries or deaths  were recorded in the Triad over the past five years. They all were in lines directly or indirectly linked to the Transco Pipeline, which cuts diagonally through the area on its route from Texas to New York City

In addition to the Forsyth incident, two leaks were identified in Guilford and one in Rockingham County.

More natural gas is expected to flow into the state.

The Williams Companies, owners of the Transco Pipeline, announced plans last month for $212.5 million in upgrades in North Carolina to increase deliveries to Piedmont Natural Gas by 423 million cubic feet per day.

Gas and climate change

The leak reports release comes amid a growing debate over the role natural gas should play in the shift to clean energy.

Many electric utilities  including Duke Energy, North Carolinas largest  are looking to increase gas capacity as they shutter coal-fired plants.

Natural gas accounts for more than one-third of Dukes current energy production. The company has proposed adding 2,000 megawatts of gas-powered production as it moves to meet state requirements to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 70% compared to 2005 levels by the end of this decade, and reach carbon-neutral status by 2050.

Gas-fired plants release about half the carbon dioxide of those burning coal. Thats not enough for many critics who insist adding production that still emits greenhouse gases is evidence of a lack of commitment by Duke to clean energy.

Duke counters that natural gas replaces the reliability lost by eliminating coal-burning operations and unavailable with solar and wind power.

Whether its emissions from coal, methane from natural gas; whether its implications from mining, for materials that may be necessary for renewables and batteries, there is no solution thats without some form of environmental impact or some impact that we need to deal with, Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good said Wednesday during an interview for the CNBC Evolve Global Summit. Its our commitment as we continue this transition to clean energy that we take all of those things into consideration and deliver it in a way that our customers expect.

Last months report on leaks argues that building new gas-powered plants will result in a small return on utilities investment  in many cases, funded by rate increases for customers  because the facilities will have limited lifespans.

Dukes new natural gas facilities will eventually be capable of burning carbon-free hydrogen, likely by 2035, according to the company.

Critics also argue that the reliability of natural gas is offset by the volatility of fuel costs.

Why it matters

The electricity-generation sector is the second largest producer of greenhouse gases in North Carolina, so the states commitment to reducing emissions from power plants is critical in efforts to minimize rising temperatures that climate scientists say are already fueling more destructive storms, heavier rainfall, increased flooding and extreme droughts.

Duke Energy submitted a proposal to the N.C. Utilities Commission in May outlining how it would meet the states 2030 and 2050 emissions requirements.

The commission has until the end of the year to approve Dukes submitted carbon plan, incorporate elements of multiple alternative proposals submitted by intervenors or come up with its own version.

Natural gas released from transmission pipelines also contributes directly to climate change, the study notes.

Gas leaks reported to the federal government resulted in the release of 26.6 billion cubic feet of methane gas from 2010 through October 2021, equivalent in its effects on global warming to emissions from more than 2.4 million passenger vehicles driven for a year, the study found.

Methane causes about one-quarter of human caused climate change.

With growing awareness of the impact of methane leaks on the climate, and with growing availability of safer alternatives, it is clear that gas has no place in a modern clean energy network, the studys authors insist.
GREENSBORO  Former Greensboro Fire Chief Ray Flowers died Saturday after a short illness, the fire department said.

Flowers, who served from 1993-99, was the citys first Black fire chief. He joined the fire department in 1961 when he was 21, the Greensboro Fire Department said in a news release announcing his death.

An N.C. A&T graduate, Flowers was one of the first group of African American firefighters hired and was assigned to Station 4 on Gorrell Street after completing training.

He became a captain in 1975, battalion chief four years later and was named deputy chief in 1988 before being picked to lead the department in 1993. During his tenure as chief, he started an educational program for fire personnel and initiated closed circuit television fire training.

After being named chief, Flowers told the News & Record he was a lucky man.

Sometimes I dont think its right that anybody should enjoy his work this much, he said.

He also talked about the No. 1 priority for firefighters.

Thats saving lives. Thats what a firefighter does. Its routine. And it takes a tremendously motivated, dedicated group of people to do that, he said. Thats why I get excited just coming to work every morning.

Fire Station 7, where he had been a driver early in his career, was dedicated to Flowers last year in December. He attended the ceremony with family and friends to accept the honor, the fire department said.

It is a sad day for the City of Greensboro and the Greensboro Fire Department, Greensboro Fire Chief Jim Robinson said in the release. Chief Flowers represents everything that is right with public safety and the Greensboro Fire Department.
Winston-Salem Police investigated a report that a gun was fired Sunday night at the Embassy Suites on North Cherry Street in downtown.

Numerous officers responded at 8:26 p.m. and the building was cleared but no signs or evidence of a firearm being discharged was found, police said. No one was injured.

Police said a 911 caller had advised seeing individuals running in a hallway and believed that a firearm had been discharged.

Based on there being only one call to 911 and no evidence being located, it appears that no firearm was discharged, police said.

North Cherry Street from East Fourth Street to East Fifth Street was blocked for approximately 30 minutes.

Anyone with any information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800, or En Espanol 336-728-3904. You can also view Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem Forsyth County on Facebook
To lead by example, sometimes it is as simple as that: Being the person others see so they can see whats possible for themselves.

There wasnt a lack of successful women at the Abby Winthrop SMART Girls Inspiring Womens Leadership Conference, nor were the stories of overcoming difficult events in their childhoods before they got to where they are today. One of those was state senator Vickie Sawyer, who told the story of her upbringing and the challenges she overcame.

She was very honest with us, she didnt sugarcoat anything, Anna Rufty said. She went from a not-so-great place to being very successful.

While the young women come from a variety of backgrounds, overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals was the message heard over and over and the conference this week. Stories like that from Sawyer, County Commissioner Melissa Neader, Dr. Alvera Lesane of Durham Public Schools, and others were ones of sometimes being the first from their family or the first in their position. That resonated with the young women this week as the camp has given them a chance to meet and speak with women that are leaders in Statesville, Iredell County and the state of North Carolina.

Abbys Smart Girls program coordinator Alethea Hyde said these examples of successful women help the young girls see a tangible example of success, not just the idea of it.

Its not always been easy for them to get where they are, but they did get to where they are. They are in the positions they are in because they worked hard for it, Hyde said. You can do anything you put your mind to, but show them in leadership positions and how they got there.

Putting these young women in that forward-thinking mindset, giving them tangible examples around them, and giving them a chance to see and experience it firsthand was the goal of the conference, according to Brady Johnson, the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmonts director of development. Russ and Vicki Winthrop, who founded the club and helped organize the camp, wanted to expand on the programs success, according to Johnson.

They wanted to focus on leadership, and what female leadership in the community looks like, Johnson said. Weve got some of the top women leaders in the county, and this week they came in and told their personal stories. There are some resounding themes the girls have gotten to hear this week, about being resilient, and not letting your current circumstances dictate what your tomorrow looks like.

Its a really good lesson in what leadership looks like, and they are being inspired by these local leaders to realize that they can achieve these same lofty goals if they set them early and persevere and work hard.

The camp at Mitchell Community College consists of a number of speakers sharing their stories, tours of Statesville city hall, the countys government complex, and other downtown locations as well as other speakers from local groups speaking on different topics.

The week will be capped off Friday with the girls being paired with mentors who will continue to advise and guide them in the years ahead.

They will serve as mentors now until they graduate from high school, Johnson said. Thats the icing on the cake: These lessons wont end on Friday afternoon.

Learning by example

The conference, as well as Abbys Smart Girls, is open to young women in middle school and high school. And while many of the lessons apply universally across all backgrounds, some of what the young students have learned can apply particularly to young Black women who often face more scrutiny in their appearance and behavior, and what is considered professional.

It can be really difficult how you present yourself as a person of color, certain hairstyles, types of clothing, or a certain way I want to express myself, that could be deemed unprofessional, so its sometimes just finding a good balance, Promise Lovelace said. You have to figure that out early on in life, or youll be set back.

She said she can early see that at times in school, even people that may have good grades, treat people well, but might do things that lead to them being judged otherwise.

And sometimes, being judged as a woman simply doing something traditionally seen as a more masculine activity.

Even though were working just as hard, or even harder because of the setbacks we have, Lovelace said.

Even with that, just like the women that have spoken to the girls this week, there is something anyone can learn from, or be reminded of as challenges present themselves to everyone in any walk of life.

One of the things they picked up on throughout the week was the passion behind the work of those speakers, a reminder that money cant be the only motivator at a job.

Money cant be the only thing, and thats something I really thought in middle school when thinking about a career. You have to like your career to be successful, Keyannah Graham said.

And along with that passion, having a plan and adapting is important as well.

I have a vague idea of what I want to do, but I want to have a plan and do the best to follow that plan, though the plan most likely wont go the way I expect it, I still need to have that option that if things go as expected, I can do that, by Ill still have room for changes, and I can accept what happens either way, Lovelace said.

Planning for the future isnt always easy to think about, or something they have been thinking about, but the young women said that had been more on their minds this week as they listened to the speakers at the conference.

Its helped me to think about my future, I havent thought a whole lot about it yet, but its got me thinking of career options, Anna Rufty said.

Talking about what could happen in the future, people talking about the way they handled it, what to do, and how fast things go, Ava Sweatte said.

Looking ahead

Abbys Smart Girls was founded by the Winthrops after their daughter Abby Winthrop died in 2019 at the age of 24 while awaiting a heart transplant. The club provides support to young women at the Boys & Girls Club in Statesville.

Johnson said that the work the club is doing today is the type that Abby would have been doing once she graduated from college.

Were carrying on her legacy, and we hope to continue to do that with this conference next year as well, Johnson said.

He said they hope to double the size of the several dozen young women, as well as possibly split it into middle and high school groups.

Johnson also expressed gratitude to all the local leaders and groups involved for their time and said many plans to take part next year as well.
By Trend

The police received a signal about a bomb planted in the house of the first president of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan. The information was confirmed by the press secretary of the ex-president Arman Musinyan, Trend reports citing Armenian media.

Police officers, sappers and cynologists arrived at the scene, Ter-Petrosyan's house was cordoned off.

The bomb signal in the house of the first president of Armenia .turned out to be false: no dangerous items were found as a result of the check.
Monolith, the Lincoln-based clean energy company, announced this week that it received what is likely the largest single investment in Nebraska history.

The company, which has a plant near Hallam that produces carbon black, a powdery substance that's used in tires, inks, plastics and other products, said it recently received more than $300 million from a host of big-name investors.

The round of investment was led by TPG Rise Climate, the dedicated climate investing strategy of TPGs global impact investing platform TPG Rise, and Decarbonization Partners, a partnership between BlackRock and Temasek. Additional investment was also received from NextEra Energy Resources, SK, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America and Azimuth Capital Management. Some of the same companies participated in a $120 million investment round for Monolith last year.

That $120 million investment had tied a 2020 Hudl investment as the previous largest in state history.

Global decarbonization by 2050 will require bold steps and transformational partnerships, which we believe weve found in working with TPG Rise Climate and Decarbonization Partners, Rob Hanson, co-founder and CEO of Monolith, said in a news release. Were eager to continue Monoliths growth trajectory to support a high energy, low emissions future.

The company is in the process of building a second carbon black plant that will increase its production capacity to nearly 200,000 tons of carbon black per year, as well as an anhydrous ammonia plant that will use the hydrogen produced in the carbon black manufacturing process and combine it with nitrogen to produce the liquid fertilizer that farmers use. That plant will have a capacity of about 275,000 metric tons annually.

In December, Monolith announced that it had received conditional approval for a $1.04 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energys Title XVII Innovative Energy Loan Guarantee Program. It is expected to start construction on the plant either later this year or early next year, with a planned completion date of 2026.

Producing sustainable hydrogen and carbon black is crucial to decarbonizing the energy and materials industry," Dr. Meghan Sharp, global head of Decarbonization Partners, said in the release. We are pleased to support Monoliths growth and continued expansion.

Monolith has now raised more equity investment than any startup company in the history of both Lincoln and Nebraska.

Ben Williamson, principal and general counsel of Invest Nebraska, said Monolith is attracting a lot of investment because it has a lot going for it that is attractive to investors.

"Climate/decarbonization tech is very sexy right now," Williamson said, especially for large private equity and publicly traded firms, and it has become an even more attractive industry because of the war in Ukraine, he said.

In addition, Monolith's $1.04 billion loan from the federal government also makes it attractive because it means investors know the money they give the company can be used for expansion rather than on capital projects.

In its news release, Monolith said the new investment will go toward "further technological development that will offer next-generation product capabilities and other corporate-level expansion."

The company also said the capital infusion will enable it to continue development of "a deep backlog of clean hydrogen, ammonia and carbon projects with industry-leading partners."
The National Guard Bureau has pledged to pay part of the cost of a future runway reconstruction project at the Lincoln Airport to ensure the runway isn't shortened.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, on Monday announced a commitment from the Bureau, which is a joint bureau of the Army and Air Force responsible for the administration of the National Guard, to use available funding to cover a portion of the cost. A specific amount was not disclosed.

The airport is looking at totally rebuilding its main runway sometime in the next few years in a project estimated to cost somewhere between $30 million and $80 million.

The Federal Aviation Administration would pay for 90% of the project with the airport covering the rest, but there's a caveat.

The FAA will only pay for a length it determines is needed for commercial airline flights at the airport.

Because the airport was a former Air Force base, it has one of the longest runways of any commercial airport in the country  nearly 13,000 feet.

Airport officials last month estimated the FAA would only pay for a runway somewhere around 8,000-10,000 feet long.

However, the airport is home to the Nebraska Air National Guard's 155th Air Refueling Wing, with its fleet of eight Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers, which are very large planes that need a longer-than-normal runway.

Fischer said in a news release that once she found out additional funding would be needed to keep the airport's runway at its extended length she worked with the Nebraska National Guard, senior leadership at U.S. Strategic Command and the Department of Defense, the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base and Lt Gen. Michael Loh, Director of the Air National Guard  to help find a solution.

"Preserving the runways unique size is essential to the operations of 155th Air Refueling Wing and its mission partners, which are vital to our national security," Fischer said.

I am pleased that the National Guard Bureau has committed to providing the funding necessary to make this rebuild project happen. This remains a long-term priority for the state, and I will continue to advocate on behalf of its completion," she said.

David Haring, executive director of the Lincoln Airport, said the airport has long valued its relationship with the Nebraska National Guard and Offutt Air Force Base.

We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Sen. Fischer and the National Guard Bureau in recognizing the importance of this infrastructure and prioritizing the resources necessary to protect it," he said in an email.
Lancaster County deputies are investigating after an unknown man broke into a home in Bennet early Sunday morning and fired a gun at the resident before fleeing, according to the sheriff.

The intruder, who identified himself to residents only as "John," kicked in the door of the house near Birch and Monroe streets around 12:50 a.m. Sunday, running through the house and firing a gun before leaving out the back door, Sheriff Terry Wagner said.

The bullet narrowly missed a 43-year-old man who lives at the house, Wagner said, instead striking an interior wall.
The Scotts Bluff National Monument proved to be valuable to the local economy drawing in 194,000 visitors.

Those visitors pumped $12.6 million into the local economy and had a cumulative benefit of $15 million for the economy and supported 169 jobs, according to a report by the National Park Service.

Scotts Bluff National Monument is a vital part of our valleys economy, especially for park gateway communities where visitors each year find a place to hike, drive to the top for a view, eat and sleep and make use of other local services that help drive a vibrant tourism and outdoor recreation industry, Scotts Bluff National Monument Superintendent Dan Morford said in a press release. At Scotts Bluff, we are excited to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature the park as a way to introduce our visitors to western Nebraska and all that it offers.

The spending analysis was conducted by economists at the National Park Service and the U.S. Geological Survey, according to a press release. The report shows $20.5 billion of direct spending by more than 297 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 322,600 jobs nationally; 269,900 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $42.5 billion.

Karla Niedan-Streeks, executive director of the Gering Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the monument plays an important role in the local economy and in Panhandle tourism.

The Scotts Bluff National Monument is certainly our number one attraction. Its our most recognized attraction, and, obviously, the most visited attraction that we have in Gering, Scottsbluff and in the region. I think people at times dont realize how important this attraction is to our communities from a tourism aspect, she said. The monument  is a tremendous draw for our community because those people who are going to the monument are spending time at our other attractions.

We know that (tourists) are not just stopping at the monument, but theyre taking some additional time, whether its to purchase a service or a meal, or hopefully staying overnight. We know that those monies are certainly coming into Gering.

On July 7, Jarod Cunningham and his girlfriend, Makayla Becker, visited the monument on a cross country trek from West Virginia to California.

Cunningham said he had planned to visit Scotts Bluff National Monument for some time.

Ive been to all 48 (contiguous) states, he said.

He hadnt yet been to the monument, and Becker has only been to around 31 states on her quest to check off all 48 contiguous states.

Cunningham said the monument was a great place to check off Nebraska for Becker. The couple said they planned to stay overnight before heading to Fort Laramie, then on to California with stops along the way.

Niedan-Streeks said, (The monument) is a tremendous economic boon to our community and certainly puts us on the map as a as a tourism destination for all those who are seeking the great scenery, the great hiking and the great history that they get to experience at the Scotts Bluff National Monument.

Historically, the monument has always pulled in lots of tourists.

Ive been here for about 25 years  as I recall, one of the highest visitation numbers that they recorded annually was just over 205,000, so (194,000) is a great number post-COVID recovery, she said.

COVID didnt really slow down tourism much at the monument, Niedan-Streeks said.

One interesting thing, which I dont think is really mentioned, is that the monuments visitation numbers during the height of COVID were really, really good. It was April of 2020 where they set the highest visitation number in April of any year, she said.

Niedan-Streeks said a good number of those tourists were from Colorados Front Range who were wanting to visit someplace safe that was a short drive and outdoors.

Scotts Bluff County Visitors Bureau Director Brenda Leisy said the monument plays a huge role in the local economy.

If we did not have the national monument, I think that we would definitely have a really hard time pulling people into our community. It just plays such a significant role in our tourism operation, Leisy said.

Leisysaid it takes a community effort to draw in tourists.

It takes every single person, events and attractions to make it a large package to try to get (tourists) to stay here longer.  We all work well together, and thats very important, she said.
RACINE  Racine Christian School, in partnership with Children of the Promise, has provided furniture and supplies to assist Lagosette Christian School in Haiti.

Pete Van Der Puy, head of school, along with former Board member Tim Joosse, disassembled and packed 80 desks into a trailer to bring to Willmar, Minn., to be loaded into a shipping container headed for Cap Haitien, Haiti where the supplies will then be brought to Lagosette to equip classrooms.
Three people who were injured, including two who were shot, in the parking lot of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill., Sunday evening, are
1. Yes. The new high school has made it a must. Thousands of people are impacted..

2. Yes. Even if it means revising some budgets, these entities must move on the project.

3. No. Its been known for years that the road was a problem.. Why the urgency now?

4. No. If prioritizing the road means more taxes, forget it. The project will just have to wait.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say until school has been in session for a few months.

Vote

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Under the instruction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the training level of military personnel and combat capability of units of the Azerbaijan Army is increasing, Azernews reports, citing the website of the Defense Ministry.

In accordance with the training plan for 2022, a ceremony of presenting certificates and berets to servicemen, who successfully completed the Commando Training Courses, was held.

First, the memories of Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev, and Shahids (Martyrs), who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, were honored by observing a minute of silence. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed.

The positive impact of the Commando Training Courses, organized on the basis of the experience of the Turkish Armed Forces, on improving the combat capability of units and increasing the professional level of servicemen was emphasized at the graduation ceremony.

The servicemen, who successfully completed the courses, were wished success in their further military service and presented with certificates and berets.

In the end, the military personnel solemnly marched in front of the podium.
There is a tendency today to view medicine through a strictly physiological lens.

A patient presents symptoms. A physician makes a diagnosis and attempts to treat the disease using the latest drugs or surgical procedures. Some patients get better. Others do not. Outcomes become data points. Names become irrelevant.

And, somewhere along the way, for health care workers nationwide, the work of healing becomes just another chore.

But at Creighton University, health care students, faculty and administrators understand that every diagnosis is a narrative  the lived experience of a real person. They understand that true healing means more than mitigating symptoms. It means nurturing the human spirit  for both patient and physician.

There is a looming crisis of fatigue among health care workers. In May, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on the urgent need to address health care worker burnout, which was already at crisis levels before the COVID-19 pandemic. With physician demand outpacing supply, the country could experience a shortage of between 54,000 and 139,000 physicians by 2033.

Aided by the expertise of professionals at its clinical partner, CHI Health, Creighton has made the study of the humanities an important cornerstone of its medical curriculum in the hopes of creating well-rounded graduates who enter the workforce with the mental and spiritual tools they need to face the challenges of modern health care.

Led by the newly formed Department of Medical Humanities, the university is committed to producing health care professionals who understand the Jesuit charism of cura personalis, or care for the whole person, and who endeavor to build their own character as much as their medical ability.

I think the medical humanities helps clinicians connect to the why of what we do, says Kate McKillip, M.D., assistant professor in the School of Medicine at Creighton and a physician on the palliative care team at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center  Bergan Mercy.

Immersing ourselves in story, in narrative, in poetry can help us rekindle that sense of wonder.

"We are going to need a much richer and more comprehensive understanding of what it means to be human and what it means to be well in order to deliver the kind of care people need and deserve," says the Rev. Kevin FitzGerald, SJ, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Medical Humanities.

The department works with faculty across disciplines to offer courses such as:

The Art of Examination, in which students study works of art to boost their powers of observation and other skills to aid in their understanding of patients.

Death, Health and Dickens, which explores the links between social conditions and health as illustrated by the work of Charles Dickens.

McKillip also was involved in selecting readings for End of Life in a Clinical Setting, a masters course in which students study the work of health care professionals treating patients who are dying. Part of the course, she says, deals with working with patients to develop a personal metaphor for their health care journey.

We encourage our students to take a mindful approach and echo the patients language, and not force a metaphor like battle or fight, McKillip says.

Engaging in the humanities can also provide a mental boost for health care professionals working in the field. The key to addressing burnout, says, Robert Bo Dunlay, M.D., dean of the Creighton School of Medicine, is for physicians to cultivate the skills to connect with their patients at a deeply human level, both to help heal the patient and to help heal themselves.

The key here is compassion, empathy linked with action that promotes healing, Dunlay says. Studies show that it takes less than a minute to show compassion and change the course of someones life.

Creighton, through its Jesuit, Catholic tradition, is in the business of character formation, Dunlay says.

The medical humanities are essential to that, he says. This curriculum weve developed isnt an add-on. Its a critical part of the foundation of everything we do. We want to be bold. And this is a bold approach to medical education.

For more information, visit creighton.edu.

This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios connects advertisers with a targeted audience through compelling content programs, from concept to production and distribution. For more information contact sales@brandavestudios.com.
MINDEN  A rat ran over Alan Farlins face one night when he slept in grass-thatched hut.

His wife Delores, an R.N., vaccinated Filipino children who did not know how old they were because their culture did not know what a calendar was.

Alan and Delores have lived without a telephone and hot water. Theyve rigged up a five-gallon bucket with a rope and pulleys to take a shower.

It all happened because Farlin took a leap of faith 40 years ago and headed to Indonesia and the Philippines to teach children of missionary parents there.

I dont preach. Im not a pastor. I dont marry or baptize or do other pastoral things. I never went to seminary. Im just a teacher, for Christs sake, Farlin, 70, said.

The story begins in 1982, when Farlin was a math teacher at Axtell High School. His brother-in-law was a missionary pilot who worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators to get Scripture into the mother tongue of the people.

One day, the brother-in-law visited and suggested that Farlin go overseas to teach children of the pilots, the linguists and others who support the people who do missionary work.

Farlin begged off, saying he was just a teacher.

All you need is a teaching certificate, and you have that, his brother-in-law said.

Farlin went home and talked to Delores. I had lived overseas as a child, and I loved it. I loved teaching in Axtell, too, but I loved cross-cultural things. I was young and adventurous. It would be fun, he said. He then filled out a Wycliffe inquiry card and sent it in.

Within a week, Farlin got a call from Wycliffe. It wanted him to head to the Philippines right away.

Farlin hesitated. We were the typical American family. Two cars, two kids, two dogs, two jobs, he said. He had a teaching contract at Axtell.

The idea was appealing. Delores grew up on a farm near Minden and had traveled to Central America. They had talked about living overseas when they were dating. So when the district found a replacement teacher within 48 hours, that sealed it. In August 1982, Farlin, Delores and their two daughters were on a plane to the Philippines.

First assignment: Manila

Their first assignment was at Faith Academy in Manila, a school of 500 children of missionaries from numerous missionary agencies. Farlin taught a few math classes and launched the schools computer program.

We were living in a different culture with 20 million people stacked on top of each other, and I loved it, he said. As military brat who moved often, I understood being the new kid in school and rearranging your life to a new way. As a child Id led a highly mobile life, but my parents were positive about every move. I knew how to deal with that. I felt right at home with these kids, he said.

Two years later, when the assignment ended, Farlin and Delores had one request: We like this. Can we do this long-term? Their only stipulation: they wanted to live in a rural location.

First, they returned to the U.S. for three years for more training. Farlin taught at Christian High School in Lincoln. Then, in 1987, the Parlins and their now-three children left for Irian Jaya (now Papua), on the island of New Guinea in Indonesia.

No phone, no TV

Travel was nothing new to Farlin. Born to military parents in Valdosta, Georgia, he had attended 14 schools while living in Missouri, Germany, Colorado, Cape Cod, and beyond. When he was 16, his parents separated, and his mother brought him to Nebraska. He graduated from Central City High School in 1970 and enrolled at Kearney State College.

School was only place I felt really comfortable, he said. He excelled in math. It was a gift from God that I could do math easily, he said, so he became a math teacher. He taught for two years in Greeley, then went to Axtell. Now, he was headed to New Guinea.

Arriving in New Guinea, they found that many people were still living like in the Stone Age, with no connections to the modern world, Farlin said. Their town was more modern, like the 1950s, but it was 1987, he said.

They had no telephone and no TV. They had electricity, but no hot water. Farlin put in western toilet, and created a five-gallon shower using pulleys and a rope to hoist a bucket of warm water above the bathers head.

On off days, he and his family headed to interior villages. Natives in that region speak over 700 languages, but the Farlins learned the trade language common to everyone. The people there are more intelligent than I am, and they know how to live in that rural place. I couldnt, he said.

Farlin taught computers and math to missionaries children from the U.S., England, France and Germany. Tuition was just $2,000 per year, which was far less than the $20,000 paid by missionary kids to attend other international schools.

When a new high school opened, Farlin was named its principal. He got his principals credentials through correspondence classes at Azusa Pacific University near Los Angeles and eventually got his masters degree in educational administration from UNK.

Delores: nursing

Along with raising their four children, Delores served as a nurse to the mission community in Irian Jaya. The medical infrastructure there was not up to snuff, Farlin said. It was a government clinic, and they had a single lancet to check for malaria, for example. I never saw them use sterile techniques.

Delores said people came to their front gate all the time. Some were hungry, but it was mostly medical issues. I sutured, I ordered lab work, just like a doctor. God worked in spite of me, she said.

She went up into the mountains to give shots to children for measles, mumps and rubella. She assisted the midwife with delivering babies, communicating with a translator.

These are people who didnt know what a calendar was. We often had to guess a childs age. On market days, people would bring in fish lines, candles, stone axes and salt. They would also would bring their kids in, and wed immunize them. I saw a lot of skin fungus, too, she said.

Our dining room was constantly full of very needy people, she said. Skin conditions were common because people lived in hot, humid climate in the mountains. They perspired often, but they dont take baths regularly. It can be cold at 6,000 feet, so they kept warm by spreading pig grease all over themselves, she said.

Davao City

In 1996, after six years in Indonesia, they came back to Minden. By then, their oldest daughter Shannon had enrolled at UNK. From 1996-99, Farlin was the principal at Minden East Elementary.

In 1999, the Farlins left for Davao City, on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, where a new high school eventually opened in a small rented house. Later, for just $50,000, a 10-classroom high school was built.

With 160-180 kids, we were always a little short-staffed, so I taught an English class, a Bible class, whatever, but we even offered AP calculus. We had to raise our own money. Kids returned to their passport country and succeeded in post-high school education, Farlin, the new schools principal, said.

The Farlins were in Davao City for 17 years. In 2016, they returned to Minden. Farlin now works for SIL International, the Wycliffe Bible Translators linguistic side. He works remotely 20 hours a week. Delores has retired.

The Farlin children, partly educated overseas, are thriving. T oday (Saturday) Shannon Farlin will marry Daniel Ginn of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at Minden eFree Church. They are missionaries in Indonesia. Daughter Rachel is a nurse at Platte Valley Medical Center. Daniel works for Xpanxion in Kearney. Angela lives in Hawaii with her military husband.

Making a difference

Farlin and Delores believe they made a difference. One former student makes films to help the Christian cause around the world. Hed have never have gotten to the university had it not been for our opening a high school where he lived, Farlin said.

God can use anybody. Availability is all thats necessary. I became an administrator not because I wanted to, but I was available, and thats what was needed, he said.

He added, It was fun to watch how God worked. Sometimes He worked with us, and sometimes he worked in spite of us. We had to join him wherever he was.

He believes he and teachers spoke to those kids not just educationally, but spiritually. God has no grandchildren. People think missionary kids are Christians because their parents are, but no. They have to decide where theyre going to walk.

Farlin is an elder at his church and its overseer of missions and outreach. Late last fall, he became the volunteer coordinator at Pioneer Village.

Ive had experiences money couldnt buy, and I loved every moment of it, he said. Some people do things for a living. I was living. I dont have a great retirement program, but weve had the opportunity to really live.
When I told a friend I was going to a National Federation of Press Women convention in Fargo, N.D. last month, he sneered. He has never been to Fargo, but he told me Fargo was the coldest, most God-forsaken place in the country.

He was wrong. Fargo was fabulous. The experience reinforced my belief that there is something unique to see and striking people to meet in every crevice of the U.S.A.

Take Fargos Hjemkomst Center in neighboring Moorhead, Minnesota. Hjemkomst means homecoming in Norwegian.

On the Hjemkomst Center grounds is a full-sized replica of the 12th century Hopperstad Stave Church in Vik, Norway.

Theres also the Hjemkomst Viking Ship, a replica of a 9th century burial ship. Robert Asp, a Moorhead middle school guidance counselor, read about such ships while recovering from a fall. He started building the replica in 1974 in an old potato warehouse in Hawley, Minn. that he rented for $10. He used more than 100 trees.

He completed it in 1980 and sailed it from Duluth to Lake Superior. He died of leukemia three months later. In 1982, four of his children and eight crew members braved rough seas and sailed it across the Atlantic to Bergen, Norway. In 1983, a barge carried it back to Minnesota.

The NFPW conference bubbled with intrigue, too. I heard speakers like Christopher Ingraham, a Washington Post reporter who, in 2015, wrote a story listing the 50 least desirable places to live in the U.S. Plunked at the bottom of his list was Red Lake Falls, Minnesota.

That story found its way to Red Lake Falls. The mayor invited Ingraham to come visit. Unexpectedly, Ingraham fell in love with Red Lake Falls.

Worn down by his lengthy Washington commute and the capital citys Mt. Everest-sized cost of living, he moved his family to Red Lake Falls, where theyre living happily ever after. Ingraham has written a book, If You Lived Here, Youd be Home by Now: Why We Traded the Commuting Life for a Little House on the Prairie.

Another speaker, Andrea Mokros, was the vice president of communications for the 2018 Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee. It transformed Minnesotas cold into a stellar asset with the slogan, The Bold North. She also talked about being the director of strategic planning for First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House.

We learned about podcasts, workplace kindness and more. Even Mother Nature entertained us. Friday night, a violent thunderstorm ripped a piece of siding off our hotel, and the lights went out.

My 513-mile drive to Fargo was a gem. Sure, Highway 30 slogged on forever at first, but at last I turned north from Columbus on Highway 81 and, in bright sunshine, hurried past rumpled farm fields and grain elevators.

I crossed the Missouri River into South Dakota. In Yankton, I met the friendliest, kindest convenience store clerk Ive ever chatted with. When I asked him for a choice picnic spot, he directed me to a shady park bench by a duck pond. He deserves a raise.

Most of the afternoon, Highway 81 carried me through bleached, windblown South Dakota towns. Finally, reluctantly, I had to leave the two-lane road behind. I connected with I-29, which led me into North Dakota and, 60 miles later, Fargo.

I exited I-29 and drove past blemished gas stations and pawn shops, but when I got downtown, a street fair was in full swing, with crowds, live music, and artists offering jewelry, candles, dog leashes and T-shirts. I ate dinner with friends at a restaurant in a gentrified Fargo building with high ceilings and old brick walls.

Late Saturday afternoon, I wandered around downtown Fargo. I passed a stately Presbyterian church that was an enormous Scottish Gothic wonder. I poked into unique boutiques, including one selling Scandinavian goods. I stopped for a blue cotton-candy-flavored ice cream cone.

Driving back to Kearney on Sunday was a joy. The sun beamed down. Traffic was light. I stopped for a picnic lunch in a park in Freeman, S.D. and watched kids splashing in the public pool on this perfect summer afternoon.

Fargo is cold and God-forsaken? Not in my eyes. I suggest my friend give Fargo a try. He might be surprised.
Teri Ouimette, the director of Chippewa Falls Main Street, works to ensure that downtown Chippewa Falls has what it needs to flourish. With its parades, car shows, clean-up projects, historic preservation, downtown revitalization and business assistance programs, the organization keeps itself pretty busy.

We do everything here actually, Ouimette said. When you see any parades going on, thats what we do. We do the festivals. We do the farmers market. We do all the retail events. We do sweepstakes. We do Halloween. We do the Christmas parade.

In the summertime, Chippewa Falls Main Street five car shows on Saturdays.

I think we had over 200 cars downtown for the last one, Ouimette said. We shut down the main drag and park the cars, and everybody walks around. Its a great time. People eat at the restaurants and enjoy themselves.

Then the second week of August is Pure Water Days. This year will offer the 45th annual Pure Water Days Parade, which starts at the courthouse and goes south toward the roundabout.

Its about an hour long parade and then right after that down at the Riverfront Park, we have River Fest, which is a community fun event, Ouimette said. We have giant inflatables, magic shows, live music with two bands. We have beer, of course, were in Wisconsin. We have giant bubbles and a lot of free stuff for kids plus vendors and nine food trucks.

Pure Water Days is a citywide event that goes from Thursday, Aug. 11, to Sunday, Aug. 14. The parade and River Fest runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. down at the riverfront on Saturday, Aug. 13.

But Chippewa Falls Main Street does more than organize festivals and parades. The organization also facilitates low- or no-income loans for property owners to rehab their business facades.

Ouimette said that the organization has been around since 1989. The nonprofit is one of many involved in the Main Street nationwide program. But Chippewa Falls Main Street was one of the first to begin the national program, Ouimette said.

Ouimette looks forward to working with business owners, she said. One of the things Chippewa Falls Main Street does that is atypical is that it will set up a website and Facebook page for small downtown businesses and show business owners how to maintain them.

Going on a one on one with business owners, I think is really, really cool; getting to know them and getting to know their businesses, she said.

Ouimette is a previous business owner in downtown Chippewa Falls.

For about 15 years I was partners with my sister, so I kind of have a background in that, she said. You know you got to be a little bit out there to be a business owner. You got to really be able to take the dip and really dive in and want to do it. It takes a special kind of person, and I really appreciate that.

Ouimette grew up as a military brat. Her dad had a career in the Navy. Although born in Hawaii, she grew up mostly in Norfolk, Virginia, but admits she has lived all over.

Shes one of six children, and her mom is originally from Chippewa Falls. She said her parents retired here, and she graduated from high school in Chippewa Falls.

I think when youre 18 youre like, I can I can hardly wait to get out of this town. Im leaving. Im going to New York. As the years went on, it was like, Wow, Chippewa really is pretty special.

Because Ouimette didnt grow up in one place, she thought it was important for her daughter to have that opportunity. Thats why she stayed.

I didnt grow up where you went to school with somebody from kindergarten to high school, and I always wanted that for my for my daughter, she said. She has had that. So and shes known people all of her life. And I think that thats really important.

Above all Ouimette said her work is her way to show Chippewa Falls how much she cares about it. Thats why shes been here all these years.

At my job were continually working on the events and thats really fun, but its the people that make this place special, she said. You never know who is going to walk through the door or call up on the phone. Thats pretty cool. I love it.
WEST SALEM  The School District of West Salem has begun its first ever solar project, a solar array on the roof of West Salem Middle School.

The system consists of 288 panels that will produce approximately 140,000 kW during the systems first year of use, offsetting 22% of the buildings energy use. The project is currently being installed and is scheduled to be completed prior to the beginning of the districts first day of school.

This project is made possible by a generous anonymous donor, as well as grants from the Midwest Renewable Energy Associations Solar on Schools program and Hammond Climate Solutions Solar Moonshot program out of San Diego.

Since the Solar on Schools program began, it has helped to fund over 23 school solar programs throughout Wisconsin. The Solar Moonshot program has also helped to fund solar projects for other districts throughout the state including the Madison Metropolitan School District, Eau Claire Area School District, and the School District of La Crosse.

In addition to cost savings, the system will offer educational opportunities for students in the districts science, STEM and math classes, where they will learn lessons about solar energy, how the system operates, the amount of energy it produces, the cost savings compared to traditional electricity, the long-term impacts of the system on energy use and district sustainability, and much more.

Superintendent Ryan Rieber says, As a district, we are very thankful to our local donor who is helping to bring energy savings to our district and provide educational learning opportunities for our students. This is a big win for our district and the West Salem community. 
A nonprofit higher education organization says Saint Marys University of Minnesota failed to follow widely accepted standards and procedures when they eliminated 13 faculty positions this spring as part of sweeping academic cuts.

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) cited violations of their 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure and recommended administration rescind the terminations of the all 13 faculty. Saint Marys, a private, Lasallian school in Winona, responded with a statement last Wednesday, saying the administration followed the protocols outlined within the universitys college faculty handbook.

I believe Saint Marys University fulfilled its commitment to shared governance these past months through collaboration between administration and faculty, President Father James Burns said in the statement.

In May, the administration announced they were ending 11 academic programs beginning in the 2022-23 academic year, most of which were in the liberal arts. These cuts included the 13 faculty positions, and were met with concern and pushback from Saint Marys students and alumni.

A Saint Marys professor, who was fired this spring as part of the cuts, notified AAUP of the terminations of faculty in tenured positions. This professor, who chose to remain anonymous, said the terminations were handled the exact opposite as suggested within the guidelines.

The AAUP guidelines are recognized by more than 250 educational institutions, and are commonly used within university policies and collective bargaining agreements. While the AAUP has no legal power, the procedures represent the gold standard of higher education policy, according to Anita Levy, a senior program officer with AAUP.

When institutions do not follow our guidelines, the climate for academic freedom and tenure is jeopardized, which, in turn, affects the quality of student education. The Associations longstanding position is that, if tenure is to have any meaning at an institution, tenured appointments cannot be terminated just because a shortfall in enrollments leads to program discontinuance as was the case at St. Marys, Levy said.

Ben Murray, Saint Marys executive vice president and chief financial officer, said the AAUP policies and guidelines have served and will continue to serve as a resource for our university.

The AAUP recognizes that tenured faculty positions may need to be cut under extreme financial crises that compromise the integrity of institutions. While Saint Marys administration cited ongoing economic stressors and declining enrollment as the motivation for making these cuts, they have not declared a financial exigency.

In his statement, Burns said this is not a requirement for termination within the Saint Marys handbook.

The AAUP guidance on the termination of tenured faculty also calls for faculty participation on all matters related to financial exigency and resulting terminations.

This participation should include an elected faculty body to help determine if a financial crisis is occurring, where program cuts should be made and which faculty appointments should be terminated.

In his statement, Burns said participation did occur through appointed faculty representatives, whose identities remain confidential. These appointed representatives also reviewed the financial status of the institution and made program adjustment recommendations, Burns said.

However, the Saint Marys professor said they thought this consultation was limited.

They basically just said, heres what were going to do  any questions?  the professor said.

The guidelines also recommend faculty be given access to complete financial data on the institution, have the opportunity to respond with a written statement and to contest any decisions in an open hearing.

In addition, the tenure and academic freedom policy says institutions must not hire any new tenured faculty for three years after terminating positions. However, Saint Marys has begun advertising adjunct position openings, according to Levy and the Saint Marys professor.

It seems very clear that what theyre doing is essentially what we call adjunct-ifying the faculty, Levy said. In other words, theyre letting go of tenured or long-serving faculty members and theyre looking to hire adjunct faculty in their place. Of course, they can pay them less, they dont have to give them benefits. Theres many reasons why institution wants to do this, but its not really legitimate in our eyes.

AAUP guidelines recommend that administrations will attempt to relocate the faculty to another area of the institution, rather than terminating the positions. Burns said Saint Marys will seek to do this.

In line with the recommended AAUP procedures, Saint Marys administration did offer severance packages to the terminated faculty and give them another year of employment, through the 2023 academic year.

It remains unclear why Saint Marys, voluntarily or not, choose not follow the guidelines outlined by the AAUP within the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure, according to Levy and the professor.

I think nobody questioned the fact that something drastic needed to be done, the professor said in reference to the falling enrollment numbers at Saint Marys. The question is  was it this?
Wisconsins longtime Secretary of State Doug La Follette will face Dane County Democratic Party chair Alexia Sabor in the Aug. 9 Democratic primary for the seat. The winner will face in the Nov. 8 election either Amy Loudenbeck, John Schmidtka or Jay Schroeder, who are running in the GOP primary. The term is four years. (I) indicates incumbent.

Doug La Follette (I)

Age: 82

Address: 1211 Rutledge St., Madison

Family: Single

Job: Secretary of state

Prior elected office: State senator, 1972-1974; secretary of state, 1975-1979 and since 1983

Other public service: None

Education: Research associate, UW-Madison; international research associate, University of Freiberg, Germany; doctoral degree in organic chemistry, Columbia University; masters degree in chemistry, Stanford University; bachelors degree in chemistry and business, Marietta College

Alexia Sabor

Age: 52

Address: Madison

Family: Married with one child

Job: Most recently worked for 10 years as a project manager at Earthling Interactive (left in March to run for secretary of state)

Prior elected office: None

Other public service: Chair, Democratic Party of Dane County since 2019; board member, Wisconsin Alliance for Womens Health since 2019; president, Cherokee Middle School PTO, 2018-20; Democratic Party of Dane County communications committee, 2017-19; board member, Bernies Place Childcare Center, 2009-11

Education: Bachelors degree in anthropology, Loyola University of Chicago; masters degree in anthropology, UW-Madison; masters degree in conservation biology and sustainable development, UW-Madison; Ph.D. in forest ecology and management, UW-Madison

Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for the job?

La Follette: The most important issue in this election is making sure that a Democrat is in control of the Secretary of States Office so Republicans cannot fiddle with the election results in future elections. Because of my record of winning elections, getting more votes than other Democrats and winning even when (Gov. Scott Walker) and the Republicans won the entire state twice, I am the strongest candidate for the November election.

Sabor: I will bring a fresh perspective and new energy to this office. Ill elevate the importance of the Secretary of States Office by using it as a loudspeaker for democracy to educate voters and push back on attempts to undermine our elections. My environmental science and project management background will ensure I excel at the official duties of the office.

What unique experience/expertise do you bring to the office?

La Follette: Ive been elected a number of times, I know the office well, I know the issues, and I know how to deal with the very difficult situation that the Republicans have put the office in by eliminating some many of the responsibilities and the staff.

Sabor: As a local county party chair, Ive worked to increase civic engagement through outreach by educating people about how our electoral processes, government and political parties work. I would continue doing this critical work as Secretary of State because understanding is key to building trust, and lack of trust is at the heart of whats eroding our democracy.

How do you view the Secretary of States role in elections and what changes, if any, would you want to see implemented if elected? If no changes are needed, why?

La Follette: I believe the election responsibilities should be under the responsibility of an independent board, not an elected official, and I will fight to maintain that if Im elected.

Sabor: Im running for fairness and transparency for all the people of Wisconsin, so I oppose partisan oversight of our elections. It would be a dangerous concentration of power to have elections certified by a single person, as the Republicans are seeking. Instead, we should bring back the Government Accountability Board, which was a national model for nonpartisan election oversight.
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan have been taken under scientific control, Azernews reports.

Speaking with journalists, Vice-President of the National Academy of Sciences Ibrahim Guliyev said that the work is being carried out within the project implemented with the funds of an international grant won by the academy.

The National Academy of Sciences has installed 22 stations - special sensors, including those around volcanoes.

"The grant is related to the expansion of the seismic network in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Around 60 stations will be delivered, including ours in the Caspian Sea, as well as on mud volcanoes," the academician said.

He noted that more than half of the 1,300 mud volcanoes in the world are located in Azerbaijan, and almost a third of them are in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

"All of our major oil infrastructures are offshore. There are 3-4 volcanoes in all our fields (Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli, Shah Deniz). Therefore, the monitoring of volcanoes is a separate issue. Unfortunately, an attempt to create earthquake warning systems in the sea turned out to be a failure, which cannot be said about mud volcanoes. Now we are installing special seismic sensors on the Caspian coastline and around volcanoes to observe them," said Guliyev.

Azerbaijan is home to some stunning and unique natural wonders. The Land of Fire has the most significant number of mud volcanoes worldwide.

At present, there are 365 mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan. Most volcanoes are active, and 43 of them are protected by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. For security reasons, the admission of people is prohibited.

Until the end of 2019, Azerbaijani scientists expect several volcanic eruptions, including Bozdag-Gobu volcanoes in Absheron district, Bahar in Alat village, and Shikhzahirli volcano in Gobustan.

Tourists can get a unique panoramic view of the spectacular natural wonder in the Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve.

The worlds largest mud volcanoes - Boyuk Khanizadagh and Turaghai - are both in Azerbaijan. Boyuk Khanizadagh erupted on October 10, 2001, shooting out flames for 300 meters in the air. It was the highest record for flames shot from a mud volcano.

NASA geologists studying Mars concluded that the mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan are similar to the uplands of the planet in their structure.

On September 5, 2004, the largest mud volcano in the territory of Azerbaijan was added to the Guinness World Records. Azerbaijan's rich fields of oil and gas condensate such as Lokbatan, Garadagh, Oil Rocks, and Mishovdag were also discovered near mud volcanoes.

The lava, mud, and liquid spewed by mud volcanoes are used as raw materials for chemical and construction industries, as well as pharmacology.

Enriched with specific components - mineral salts, organic substances, microelements, volcanic mud has medicinal properties that have a beneficial effect on the human body. Volcanic mud greatly affects the treatment of patients suffering from diseases of the peripheral and central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, etc.
Three Republicans all seeking to shift election administration from a bipartisan board to an elected office will meet in the Aug. 9 primary for secretary of state. The winner will go on to face in the Nov. 8 election either incumbent Doug La Follette or Alexia Sabor, who are running in the Democratic primary. The term is four years.

Amy Loudenbeck

Age: 52

Address: 10737 S. State Road 140, Clinton

Family: Married

Job: State representative

Prior elected office: State Assembly since 2011; Town of Clinton board, 2010-12

Other public service: Town of Linn Fire Department, 1997-2001; numerous boards and community organizations

Education: Bachelors degrees in international relations and political science, UW-Madison

Justin Schmidtka

Age: 34

Address: 1126 Jaymar St., Green Bay

Family: Married with two children

Job: Truck driver

Other public service: Four years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; four years with the Village of Howard Fire Department

Education: Fire 1 and Fire 2 certificates

Jay Schroeder

Age: 60

Address: 1295 N. Lake St., Neenah

Family: Married with four children

Job: Real estate and stock investor

Prior elected office: Menomonie City Council, two terms; Town of Menasha supervisor, two years

Other public service: Previously elder for Peace Lutheran Church and Finance Chair of Winnebago County Republican Party

Education: Fox Valley Technical College Applied Science Real Estate, Bachelors Degree Business Administration, UW-Stout

Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for the job?

Loudenbeck: Wisconsin wants and deserves a Secretary of State who actually earns their paycheck by performing duties in a timely, transparent and professional manner. My strong work ethic and record of success as an elected official are unmatched by any other candidate in this race. I have a clear understanding of what needs to happen to make this neglected constitutional office work again.

Schmidtka: I am the only candidate in this race that has led the way with actual solutions to election integrity and constitutional restoration. I was the only candidate in this race that fought against the illegal mandates and forced vaccinations! I am a new face in politics and I am invested in this state and country. My service in the USMC and time on my local fire department are testament to that.

Schroeder: I was the first to call for the Wisconsin Elections Commission to be fired. They have allowed voting in the park, drop boxes and Zuckerbucks to cities in Wisconsin. My father passed away seven years ago yet I can still log in to register him to vote. I am the best candidate to beat Doug La Follette. I received 71% of the vote in the primary in 2018 and 1.2 million votes in the general election, the most any Republican has ever received.

What unique experience/expertise do you bring to the office?

Loudenbeck: During my 12 years in the Legislature, I authored over 50 bills that were enacted and served on the budget-making Joint Finance Committee. I get things done. I identify problems, work with stakeholders to find solutions, and make the case for change. This experience and collaborative approach will allow me to be an agent for change on day one.

Schmidtka: I have educated through my podcast (Badger State Resistance) on the actual role of the Secretary of State. Most Wisconsinites were unaware of the role and many did not even know we had a Secretary of State.

Schroeder: I have worked harder at getting the message out about the problems in Wisconsins elections by attending two times as many events as my opponent has. My opponent voted to create the Wisconsin Elections Commission and voted to give them $10 million in the last state budget. The clerks in Wisconsin should be in charge of elections, not the WEC as my opponent suggested.

How do you view the Secretary of States role in elections and what changes, if any, would you want to see implemented if elected? If no changes are needed, why?

Loudenbeck: Election confidence has been shaken thanks to actions by the unaccountable Wisconsin Election Commission. I would advocate a model that disbands WEC and involves the Secretary of States Office in administrative election duties as it once did, and as most other states currently do. This includes providing consistent and legal guidance to locally elected clerks who actually run Wisconsin elections.

Schmidtka: The SOS should be as founded by our State, the chief election officer. The WEC should be abolished as they have no accountability to the people! Whereas an elected official does. Voting rolls need to be cleared after every election cycle for election security. A return to an in-person paper ballot would be solution.

Schroeder: The founding fathers of Wisconsin had elections under the Secretary of States Office for 125 years. It was replaced with unelected bureaucrats in one way or another for the past 40 years. It has been a mess to put it directly. We need direct accountability. Independents, Republicans and some Democrats all agree. I would NOT have signed off with the Seal of Wisconsin on the last election.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The Azerbaijani armys rocket and artillery units have conducted fire drills under the annual combat training plan, Azernews reports, citing the Defense Ministry.

According to the ministry, the units providing fire support were transferred from their permanent deployment locations to the assembly zones and assigned firing positions in line with the plan.

It added that during the drills, which were held in environments comparable to real battles, the responsibilities of detecting and destroying imaginary enemy targets with precise fire were accomplished.

The drills' major goals were to improve the management abilities of rocket and artillery unit commanders, increase servicemen's knowledge and skills, organize actions during combat operations, and establish interoperability with other types of troops, the ministry underlined.

Azerbaijan undertakes drills on a regular basis to strengthen the combat readiness of its military personnel.

The drills also seek to strengthen servicemen's interaction and combat coordination during operations, as well as to improve commanders' military decision-making and unit management skills.




African nations along the coast of the Indian Ocean hope they can borrow money for rebuilding and conservation efforts.

They are planning to offer what they are calling blue bonds to companies and investors. A bond is a lending agreement in which the borrower agrees to pay back the money with interest.

The United Nations says the money is needed because many wealthy nations have not followed through on promises to pay for projects to fight the effects of climate change.

Some of Africas eastern nations hope that private investment will pay for projects that could help boost the economies of coastal communities, protect the environment, and prepare for bad weather and other effects of climate change.

The project is being called the Great Blue Wall. It is similar to another idea, Africas Great Green Wall plan. The Green Wall project is supposed to help create a barrier of trees and agricultural areas that will protect soil and keep the Sahara Desert from expanding. The Green Wall plan stretches from East to West Africa along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert.

Discussions about the Great Blue Wall came as the U.N. held a forum on sustainable development from July 5 to 15 in New York City.

The bond plan means that people who invest in financial markets can help pay for the projects. If the bonds are successful, the investors will make a profit.

Jorge Familiar is Vice President of the World Bank. He called blue bonds a powerful example of the critical role that the capital markets can play in supporting sustainable objectives.

The Great Blue Wall plan started last year during the U.N.s climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland. The goal is to create protected areas along the coast of 10 western Indian Ocean nations.

Supporters of the plan hope it will restore and conserve millions of hectares of ocean, capture 100 million tons of carbon dioxide and help 70 million people get regular work.

The project goes from Somalia in the north to South Africa. It also includes island states like Madagascar and the Seychelles.

Jean-Paul Adam is the head of the climate division at the U.N.s Economic Commission for Africa. He said the plan will recognize the value of the environment in future wealth creation and empowerment of local communities.

Adam said right now less than one percent of blue and green bonds are issued for projects in African nations.

He said African nations need to be able to offer more bonds in financial markets, calling it a next step.

The African Development Bank (ADM) said much more money is needed for countries to reach international climate goals. The bank said an investment of between $1.3 and $1.6 trillion is needed by 2030. The ADM said currently blue bonds only make up a small percentage of ocean conservation money.

The bonds will not be a full solution for the lack of financing, Adam said, but they can allow us to raise large amounts.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report from the Associated Press.

____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

conservation  n. the protection of animals, plants and natural resources

boost v. to increase or improve

forum  n. a meeting at which a subject can be discussed

capital n. money and property that is used to start and operate businesses

empowerment n. giving power to (someone)

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Is an animal or bird extinct if no one has seen it in almost 80 years? Or is it just good at hiding from those looking for it?

That is a question the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is trying to answer about a large bird called the ivory-billed woodpecker.

No one has seen it since 1944.

The woodpecker has been on the critically endangered list for a number of years. Right now, however, the Fish and Wildlife Service is trying to decide if it is no longer living. If it is considered extinct, it would no longer be protected by the U.S. government.

The bird is one of the largest woodpeckers. It once lived in the old forests in the southern U.S. However, the wood cutting industry destroyed the birds habitat, or living place.

Some birdwatchers believe the birds still live deep in the remaining forests and swamps in the American south. Those places are hard to reach. And no one has seen the ivory-billed woodpecker in nearly 80 years.

Christian Cooper is an experienced birdwatcher. He called the woodpecker something of a holy grail of North American birding.

Even though its almost 95 percent certain that its gone, theres that slender chance that theres still a population, small population, hanging on to be found in some remote swampy forest in the south.

The bird was placed on a list of 23 species that may be extinct last September. But after many birdwatchers complained, the agency decided to delay its decision about the woodpecker from this September until March 2023.

But birdwatchers only have until August 7 to provide photographic evidence that the woodpeckers still live.

Cooper noted that a research group led by the National Aviary in Pittsburgh recently said it found evidence of the bird in Louisiana, using unmanned cameras and listening for its special call. The group would not say the area of the study because it hopes to keep the birds safe. The study has not been fully examined by other bird experts.

Ian Fischer is a spokesperson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife. He said there is a lot of passionfor this bird  but there has been no clear evidence that it lives, unfortunately.

The species on the proposed extinction list include: a fruit bat, 11 birds including the woodpecker, eight freshwater mussels, and two kinds of fish.

Cooper expressed a bit of hope that the mysterious bird may not be extinct.

So, is the bird gone? Is the bird still around? No one can say for certain, but theres always hope.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report from Reuters and his own reporting.

_______________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

extinct adj. no longer existing

critical adj. extremely important

swamp n. land that is always wet and sometimes covered with water

holy grail  n. something you want very much but is very hard to get

slender adj. small or limited

remote adj. far away or distant

species n. a group of animals or plants that are similar

passion n. a strong feeling of enthusiasm

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A recent public opinion study suggests a limited number of Americans are likely to continue using online services put in place during COVID-19 restrictions.

In 2020, many daily routines went online, including schooling and office work. Food delivery services, online activities, teleworking, and telemedicine became more normal. Many services were created, reimagined, or popularized during the pandemic. Some services, such as online shopping and video conference calling, were in wide use before the pandemic.

But researchers for The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research wanted to know if the new online services would remain popular.

The study found that fewer than one in three Americans said they were very likely to use new, online services at least some of the time.

The study found that close to half of adults in the United States said they were not likely to attend online, or virtual, activities or receive virtual health care. The Americans also said they were not likely to use food delivery or pickup services after the coronavirus pandemic is over.

Close to half of those questioned said they wanted virtual options for health care, community events, exercise, or religious services to continue after the pandemic.

Donna Hoffman is director of the Center for the Connected Consumer at George Washington School of Business. Hoffman said, Rather than this either-or, I think were likely to be facing a hybrid future.

She said, People have found convenience in some of these virtual options that just makes sense

Hoffman added that many virtual options may have started during the pandemic. But they do not necessarily have anything to do with health safety. They are simply easier.

Food delivery services

Cornelius Hairston, a 40-year-old father, is married and his wife works on the front line of the health care field. So, he said his family was very careful throughout the pandemic. He said they only went out when necessary.

Hairston said that his twin four-year-old boys are COVID babies. For much of their young lives, the children did not enter a food store. The family used delivery services to avoid going to stores. But in the future, he expects to use delivery services from time to time or not often.

Others say some food delivery or food pickup services are not as good as buying in-person.

Tony DiGiovane told the AP that he felt nervous about high COVID-19 infection numbers in his home state of Arizona. So, the 71-year-old used food delivery services. He found them to be troublesome.

By the time I picked up the stuff, he said, I needed more stuff. He added that there was always something missing or wrong on pickup or takeout orders.

Online healthcare

For Angie Lowe, a 48-year old woman from the state of Illinois, telemedicine was convenient. Her first telemedicine appointment was early in the pandemic. She was able to talk with a doctor without missing work or driving to a medical center.

Lowe said, It was my first telemedicine appointment, but it wont be my last. If I can do it, Im going to do it. She and her husband returned to doing things in public more than a year ago, but she continues to use telemedicine.

Sixty-three-year-old Karen Stewart understands that video calls are useful. She also sees some of her doctors online and likes that she does not have to drive to her appointments.

However, she said it was scary when all of her appointments before a medical operation were online. She wanted more hands on care. Stewart added, there are things that a doctor might pick up on that they cant see online.

The pandemic created a chance to balance in-person and virtual services to support the physical and mental health of older adults, said Alycia Bayne. She is a researcher at NORC.

Bayne said telemedicine could help people who have difficulty traveling, who do not live near a medical center, or who live alone.

But technology has limits. Bayne said technological difficulties may explain why the public opinion study found that older adults are less likely to use digital services after the pandemic.

She noted, however, that the AP-NORC study also found similar percentages of adults across all ages saying virtual options should continue after the pandemic.

They recognize the benefits of virtual services," she said. "But theyre also ready to start getting back to their pre-pandemic routines." Bayne added the new services are an added benefit for people needing them: The silver lining, of course, is that these services are now available.

Im Anna Matteo.

Hannah Fingerhut and R.J. Rico reported this story for the Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English.

____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

routine n. a regular way of doing things in a particular order

delivery n. the act of taking something to a person or place

option n. something that can be chosen; a choice or possibility

hybrid n. the combination of two or more things

convenience n. a quality or situation that makes something easy or useful for someone by reducing the amount of work or time required to do something : convenient adj.

stuff n. materials, supplies or equipment

appointment n. an agreement to meet with someone at a particular time

benefit n. a good or helpful result or effect

silver lining idiom something good that can be found in a bad situation

__________________________________________________________________

Have you used an online service during the COVID-19 pandemic?

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LEXINGTON  A Lexington man has been sentenced to 18-20 years in the 2021 shooting death of a 15-year-old Lexington resident.

Ramon Gonzalez Romero, now 20, had been charged with first degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony but accepted a plea deal that lowered the charge to manslaughter, the second charge was dropped.

During sentencing on Friday, July 15, Dawson County District Court Judge James Doyle sentenced Romero to 18-20 years in prison, he was given credit for 559 days already served.

According to the Lexington Police Department, on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, at 7:25 a.m., the Lexington Police Department received a call that there was an individual with a possible gunshot wound at Lexington Regional Health Center, a 15-year-old Lexington resident.

Officers spoke with two individuals, who reported a physical altercation had taken place near Airport Road and 20th St.

Romero had exited a white SUV and fired three rounds from a 12 gauge shotgun at a 15-year-old, according to the affidavit for arrest.

The 15-year-old was transported to LRHC by friends, but was pronounced deceased.

Officers interviewed one of the three occupants of the SUV who had been riding with Romero before the altercation took place.

One of the occupants of the SUV reported they had been driving around when they started being followed by a black Chevy pickup, whose occupants were the 15-year-old and the two individuals officers had spoken to earlier.

The vehicles stopped around 20th St. and Airport Road, and one of the SUV occupants reported, at the beginning of the altercation, the 15-year-old possessed a black handgun, according to the affidavit.

After Romero had fired the shots, occupants of the SUV asked him, did you really just shoot him, to which Gonzalez Romero replied, Yeah I did, according to the affidavit.

Officers determined Gonzalez Romero had graduated from Lexington High School in 2020 and was joining Nebraska Army National Guard, according to the affidavit.

Major Scott Ingalsbe, of the Nebraska National Guard, said Gonzalez Romero was in the process of joining the Guard, but had not yet attended basic training or been assigned to a unit.

The Lexington Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for Romero, who later turned himself in to law enforcement custody.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are monetized by the Skimlinks, Amazon, Rakuten Advertising, and eBay, affiliate programs. All prices are subject to change, and this article only reflects the prices available at time of publication.

UPERFECT has been selling laptop docks for a few years, offering customers a device that effectively lets you use your smartphone (or Raspberry Pi or other small PC) like a laptop computer.

The original UPERFECT X is a 13.3 inch model with a 1080p IPS touchscreen display. The UPERFECT X Lite is a cheaper model with a 14 inch non-touch display. And the UPERFECT X Pro steps things up with a 15.6 inch 4K touschreen. Now theres a new model for folks looking for something a little more compact: the 11.6 inch UPERFECT X Mini.

Like all of the companys lapdocks, the UPERFECT X Mini basically looks like a thin and light laptop computer. But it doesnt have its own processor, memory, storage, or operating system. Its basically a display, touchpad, keyboard, and USB hub designed to connect to a smartphone or other small computers.

Have a Samsung smartphone with support for the companys DeX software? Then you can plug it into a UPERFECT X series laptop dock to run your Android apps with Samsungs desktop-style user interface. Motorola users with a supported phone can use the companys Ready For interface. And if you dont have one of those devices, there are a handful of apps in the Google Play Store designed to give Android a desktop-style UI. But youll need a phone that supports video output over a USB port.

Specs for the new UPERFECT Mini X include:

11.6 inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel 60 Hz IPS LCD display with up to 220 nits brightness and 5-point capacitive multitouch input

360-degree hinge

2 x USB Type-A ports, 1 x USB Type-C port, 1 x mini HDMI port, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack, 1 x microSD card reader

Stereo speakers

10,800 mAh battery

The company says you can connect your phone to the UPERFECT X Mini with a single USB-C cable which transfers video from the phone to the lapdock display while also allowing you to use the lapdocks keyboard, touchpad, and touchscreen as an input device for apps running on your phone.

You can also use the lapdock like a hub, with its additional USB, headphone, and HDMI ports extending the functionality of your phone.

The 10,800 mAh battery is said to offer around 6 hours of battery life and takes 2-3 hours to fully charge.

The UPERFECT X Mini is available for pre-order now and it has a list price of $300, but UPERFECT is offering a $50 discount if you use the code XMini50 when placing a pre-order. Theres also an optional smartphone stand that sells for $30 (or $20 while its on sale).
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a leading global financial centre, has announced that Lord Abbett (Middle East) Limited, a leading asset manager, has received approval from DFSA to operate its first Middle East office.

The approval will enable Lord Abbett to bring its investment and client-led proposition to the Middle East investment community. Lord Abbett has more than 50 years of experience in multi-sector credit investment and an impressive depth of analytical credit research. The firm will use its DIFC presence to deliver relevant investment solutions and deepen relationships with regional asset owners.

Lord Abbett joins more than 250 leading wealth and asset managers at DIFC, the regions largest Wealth and Asset Management hub. Collectively, these firms oversee more than $450 billion of assets under management and over 100 significant domiciled funds.

Strategic position

DIFCs strategic position helps wealth and asset managers access emerging wealth across the fast-growing markets across the Middle East, Asia and South Africa region. The Centre provides wealth and asset managers with direct access to institutional and high-net-worth individuals seeking conventional and alternative investment products.

With an independent and internationally recognised common law system, combined with a robust and dynamic regulatory environment, DIFC provides an attractive jurisdiction for wealth and asset management firms.

James Savastano, Senior Executive Officer and Head of MEA at Lord Abbett said: We are delighted to launch our MEA business within DIFC. This strategic hub will allow us to serve our regional client base even better by operating closer to them, while also bringing the full breadth of Lord Abbetts investment capabilities to the Middle East market.

Important hub

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said: DIFC is home to more than 250 wealth and asset management firms, making us the largest and most important hub for the sector in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. The opening of Lord Abbetts first and only Middle East office at DIFC reflects our reputation and reaffirms the opportunity for asset management companies in the region.

DIFC continues to strengthen its global position as one of the world's leading financial centres by attracting firms like Lord Abbett who are bringing their legacy experience as well as commitment to help us shape the future of finance.

Among the 3,644 registered companies, DIFC hosts 17 of the top 20 banks in the world, 25 of the 30 most key banks globally, five of the top ten insurance companies, five of the most prominent ten asset management firms, and many more world-leading law firms and advisory firms.-- TradeArabia News Service


It was last year when Austrian ultra-high-end TV brand C Seed introduced the worlds first 165-inch folding MicroLED TV that fully hides under the ground when not in use. However, the C Seed foldable TVs eyewatering price tag of $400,000 made it more expensive than the base Rolls-Royce Ghost. C Seed was aware that its flagship MicroLED TVs steep pricing might be a problem and it went back to the drawing board. Well, the Austrian company has released a new, more affordable version of its foldable TV that has a starting price of $190,000  less than half the price of the foldable TV from last year. Meet the equally impressive C Seed N1 TV that has retained the companys signature foldable design and is available in three oversized dimensions.



The smallest one measures 103 inches diagonally, while the N1 TV can be purchased in 137- and 165-inch sizes as well. If youre wondering how did C Seed manage to reduce the price of its foldable TV by more than half, then let me tell you that the N1 model loses out on one crucial feature in comparison to last years M1 TV. The latter is designed to fully disappear into a recessed cavity underneath the floor. On the other hand, the N1s MicroLED folds down to take the form of a one-piece sculptural, minimalistic piece of art that reflects contemporary architectural sensibilities. The N1 is machined from aerospace aluminum and looks simply gorgeous in its folded as well as unfolded forms. Thanks to its standalone design, the TV can be placed anywhere in the room and doesnt need structural and architectural work to be installed.



Once fully erect with the display fully unfolded, the N1 can be rotated up to 180 degrees to offer the perfect viewing angle. As far as the specifications are concerned, the N1 TV features 4K MicroLED technology along with HDR10+ support, a built-in 9.2-channel A/V receiver, and a pair of 100-watt speakers. Most MicroLED TVs are created from multiple panels, which has the downside of visible seams between the panels. C Seed claims it has addressed the issue with something that the company calls Adaptive Gap Calibration. Thanks to it, the seams between the panels are almost undetectable to the naked eye. The only gripe is that the N1 is not a smart TV and youll have to attach external hardware to use streaming services.
One person was killed and another was critically injured in a motorcycle crash on Interstate 90 near Tomah on Saturday, the Wisconsin State Patrol reported.

At about 9:50 a.m. Saturday, a motorcyclist swerved to avoid a vehicle that had entered their lane and hit another vehicle, causing the motorcycle driver to lose control and crash, the State Patrol said in a statement.

Despite life-saving attempts, the driver, a 68-year-old man from Pigeon Falls, was pronounced dead at the scene, the State Patrol said.

The passenger, a 67-year-old woman, suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to a hospital, the State Patrol said.

No names were released.
Yasmine Clendening would love to be a pilot an occupation historically not held by many Black women.

Becoming a pilot is a career that previously wasnt on her radar because it wasnt promoted, said Yasmine, who is Black. A student at OKeeffe Middle School last year, she will attend ninth grade in North Carolina this fall.

I never have thought of being a pilot. Its not really mentioned, at least not to girls, said.

So when Yasmine heard about Camp Willa, run by the nonprofit Willa Brown Aviation Academy, she initially was lured by the chance to have a flight lesson.

Not a lot of people can say they have gotten the experience of flying a plane, she said.

But the free program is so much more. It introduces youths ages 12 to 17 to Madisons aviation infrastructure and community through tours, presentations and an airplane ride and lesson. It is targeted toward historically underserved area youths to expose them to a number of aviation careers.

Last week was the second year the camp was offered at the Dane County Regional Airport and Middleton Municipal Airport, and Yasmine has attended both.

The 20 campers experienced three days of tours, presentations from aviation professionals and hands-on activities. The last two days, campers could go on a free airplane ride through a partnership with the Experimental Aircraft Associations Young Eagle Program.

This is kind of a way for me to explore my interest in (aviation), said seventh-grader Sofia Ruder. Camp is really well run, and theres so many activities each day.

Eighth-graders Luke Hanauer and Landon Herelle, who were already aviation enthusiasts before attending the camp, said getting into the cockpit of an airplane was a highlight.

I want to be a pilot when I grow up, eighth-grader Jackson Thomas said. Its helped me to be even more interested in aviation.

While the camp is targeted toward underserved youth, others also attend.

If we dont have everyone being in the same place, people dont feel commonality with each other, said Fareed Guyot, president of the Willa Brown Aviation Academy. So far weve had a really nice mix, the majority being from underrepresented communities ... Every year we are trying to work out a better way to reach kids.

Guyot came up with the idea for the camp after learning about something similar run by the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. Guyot was motivated because of his own chance to learn about aviation through a program at East High School when he was a student there and obtaining a pilots license with the help of his parents before he graduated. Growing up in a middle-class family and being half Lebanese and half German was ambiguous enough, Guyot said, but he is aware of the disparities for some.

Generally, Madison is struggling with how to help our minority communities ... We have a lot of affluence in this community, and its mostly white, Guyot said. I wanted to find a way that I could help narrow that gap in Madison.

He was looking for a partner to start up a camp when he happened to meet Mike Griffin, a fellow pilot from Madison, who was a founder of the General Daniel Chappie James Flight Academy camp in Pensacola, Florida, in 1996.

I can serve my own community right in Madison, Griffin said about his new efforts toward Camp Willa. One thing I regret is I didnt have this camp available to me as a kid.

Together, they created the camp and also brought in Susan Schwaab, a retired United Airlines captain of a Boeing 777, whose Wings To Fly organization has the same goals but focuses on providing flight experiences, Guyot said. She serves as vice president of the academy.

Schwaab and Guyot, who is a first officer with UPS Airlines flying the Boeing 757/767, bring a civil aviation background. Griffin, a retired Delta Airlines Boeing 757 captain, brings a military background, as he also has been a member of the Armed Services.

The camp benefits from donated time and resources through partnerships in the aviation community including the Dane County Regional Airport, Morey Airplane Company, Wisconsin Army National Guard, Madison Air Traffic Control Tower, Women in Aviation International-Four Lakes Chapter, EAA Chapter 93 Madison-Middleton and Wisconsin Aviation.

Griffin, co-founder and board member emeritus, is the one who suggested the camp be named after Willa Brown, the first African American woman to earn a pilots license in the United States and run for Congress and the first African American to become an officer in the Civil Air Patrol. She also was the first woman in the nation to have both a pilots license and an aircraft mechanics license.

Im thinking about researching more about it and what she did, aspiring pilot eighth-grader Jeremiah Macnack said about the camps namesake. I wish it (the camp) was longer.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the identity of one of the students in a photo caption. In the photo, eighth-grader Angel Lopez-Barrios looks through night-vision binoculars as 10th-grader Kyle Iverson observes.

School Spotlight: Adventures in learning, inside and outside the classroom Each Monday, the Wisconsin State Journal features a story about learning in Wisconsin. Here are School Spotlight stories from the past year.
With Planned Parenthood halting abortion services throughout the state after the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the University of Wisconsin is being forced to revisit how it trains its OB-GYN residents on abortion procedures.

In order to maintain accreditation from the national Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for its OB-GYN residency programs, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority is required to give OB-GYN residents the option to train in abortion care.

Wisconsin state law, however, says that state funds, including money appropriated to UW Hospital cannot be used to pay a doctor or a facility to perform abortions.

To maintain the option for residents to receive abortion training, UW Hospital has historically worked with Planned Parenthood. The organization paid a stipend for residents to work at its Wisconsin locations, eliminating the use of school funding for abortion services.

Now that Planned Parenthood has stopped providing abortion procedures in Wisconsin amid uncertainty about whether an 1849 state law banning abortion except to save the mother's life is now in effect, it is unclear how residents will have the option to be trained to perform abortions.

The rotation was not required, though Dr. Laura Jacques, a doctor with UW Obstetrics and Gynecology, said 95% of OB-GYN residents she surveyed expressed a desire to learn about abortion services.

Though hospitals in Wisconsin may still perform abortions when the life of the pregnant person is at stake, those are likely to be few and far between. Without the Planned Parenthood rotation, residents are lacking the bulk of their training on abortion services.

New policies and solutions

With abortions banned in 17 states and likely to be banned in five more, ACGME is looking to change its requirements on abortion training.

Its proposed revisions still require that programs in states that legally restrict abortion training must provide options for OB-GYN residents to learn abortion procedures in other states.

Once regulations are changed, UW Hospitals and Clinics Authority must provide its OB-GYN residents with a method to learn abortion procedures out of state to remain accredited by ACGME.

"While the OB-GYN residents previously had access to clinical training in abortion, that access is now significantly limited," UW Health said in a statement. "It remains too soon to predict what options we will pursue, but we are focused on training OB-GYN physicians to provide the most comprehensive care possible."

Planned Parenthood Illinois and Planned Parenthood Wisconsin announced a partnership Thursday that allows providers in Wisconsin to perform abortions in Illinois.

Jennifer Welch, CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois, said abortions in Illinois have increased tenfold. Wisconsin providers are now traveling to a center in Waukegan to help address that increased need. Planned Parenthood Wisconsin said the majority of the state's abortion providers are travelling to Illinois' Waukegan clinic, but did not say whether UW doctors or residents are among them.

Jacques said OB-GYN residents currently completing a Planned Parenthood rotation remain in Wisconsin and are, for the most part, not learning abortion procedures.

"Residents on those rotations are available if any patients come in with a post-abortion complication," she said. "The majority are doing simulation training or have been deployed to other clinical spaces."

It is not yet clear how UW Hospital will provide abortion training opportunities to residents in the long term, she said.

Though accredited OB-GYN residency programs are required to provide opportunities for abortion training, students at the University of Wisconsin Medical School interested in obstetrics and gynecology do not have to be offered training in the procedure. Medical residents have graduated from medical school and work for UW Hospital, while medical students are in graduate school.

Still, some UW medical students have already had trouble studying abortion procedures out of state.

Fourth-year medical student Zoey Shultz said she applied for a family planning rotation at the University of California San Francisco before the Supreme Court ruling. The rotation would have included abortion training.

Medical students are permitted to take part in an "away rotation," where they visit and learn at another school, Shultz said. She was interested in pursuing a family planning rotation away from UW because she wasnt sure how much practical experience on abortion she would be able to obtain in the state.

"I want to be an abortion provider one day, and the earlier I am able to get exposure to that kind of care, the more competent I will be, the better a practicing physician I will be and the more ideas I will have for myself and what my career will look like," she said.

Shultz said she was told the university could not award credit for the rotation or provide her liability insurance for her time away because she would be studying abortion care. That left her unable to complete the rotation.

Though Shultz suspects the university presented the barriers to protect its funding, she said the reasoning behind their policy was never explained to her. She said away rotations do not require school funding.

"I am disappointed in the medical school for not supporting my career, frustrated that abortion care continues to be othered in the realm of health care and treated as something different when evidence shows it's health care," she said. "If I were applying to any other specialty, this wouldn't be the case."

Medical students at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health do not receive clinical training in abortion procedures, nor do they receive course credit for training at other institutions, the medical school said in a statement to the Wisconsin State Journal.

That approach has been in place for some time, and is not a consequence of the recent Supreme Court ruling, the school said.

Sarah Walkenhorst Barber, an attorney with the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, said the legality of out-of-state abortion training is still unclear because public funds are not allowed to be used in abortion training.

"We do not currently have sufficient information on what arrangements might be available to UW Health residents out of state or the funding involved to provide an opinion on the interaction of any potential arrangement with the Wisconsin statute," she said.

OB-GYN shortage

Some local medical leaders speculate that changes in training opportunities for OB-GYN medical residents will worsen the obstetrics and gynecology shortage in Wisconsin.

In 2018, one in every three counties in the state did not have an OB-GYN, said Dr. Ellen Hartenbach, who will become chair of the schools Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in September. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists found Wisconsin had 2.38 OB-GYNs for every 10,000 women in 2014.

"There are no specific projections yet, but a worsening OB-GYN shortage is something we are concerned about," said Tanya Atkinson, CEO of Planned Parenthood Wisconsin. "We have certainly heard anecdotally from some folks that are less inclined to want to practice in Wisconsin  in a lot of rural parts of Wisconsin access to physicians and health care is already challenging, and people have to travel hours and hours."

Jacques said she expects OB-GYN residents and doctors to leave the state.

"There is no question that people will consider the law in Wisconsin and that people will leave," Jacques said. "It's a very different time to be practicing. We have to worry about if we can really provide the best care for the patient or if we might be compromised. It's very draining."

The consequences of a worsening OB-GYN shortage could be severe, Jacques said. She already sees patients who travel an hour or more to get to her clinic in DeForest, using gas money and time off work to do so.

She added that, as an adviser for medical students, every OB-GYN student she knows is considering the legality of abortion where they are applying for residency.

"Ninety-five percent of our OB-GYN students want to learn abortion care in some capacity," she said. "They are really motivated to learn about abortion. If they are not able to learn it here, they will go elsewhere. They won't learn those skills and return to Wisconsin not to practice them."

Shultz said she was born and raised in Wisconsin but is grappling with whether she wants to do her OB-GYN residency in a state where abortion is not legal.

"I have a column in my list of OB-GYN residency programs titled 'Is abortion legal or not?," Shultz said. "That is factoring into where I'm applying, and I know that's the case for some of my peers as well. We want to provide this care."

It's almost certain that if residency programs in the state of Wisconsin are unable to provide adequate abortion training, prospective students will be less inclined to apply, she said.

Eventually, these changes will decrease the number of doctors in the state, since it's common for doctors to live where they complete their training, Schultz said.

"That could be a big problem for states like Wisconsin," she said. "There's going to be a brain drain of physicians who want to provide this care. I'm from Wisconsin, I grew up here and I consider myself having a professional duty to the patients of Wisconsin. But I also really want to provide this care in my practice."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify in several instances that "residents" refers to OB-GYN residents, and that state funds cannot be used to pay a doctor or a facility to perform an abortion. Some references to "the university" have been changed to "UW Hospital." Additional context has been provided to clarify the distinction between students and residents. And the title of Dr. Ellen Hartenbach has been corrected.
TOKYO (AP)  The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan reaffirmed Monday the importance of bilateral ties and the three-way relationship with the United States as they renewed efforts to mend relations amid the war in Ukraine and other global tensions.

Park Jin, South Koreas top diplomat, and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi agreed to work together on the nuclear threat from North Korea and on the need to resolve a dispute over Japans colonial-era forced mobilization of Korean laborers, according to the two foreign ministries.

The countries' ties have been strained mostly over historical issues, including forced labor leading up to and during World War II.

At the heart of the dispute are South Korean court rulings in 2018, which ordered two Japanese companies, Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to compensate forced Korean laborers. The Japanese companies have refused to comply with the rulings, and the former laborers and their supporters responded by pushing for the forced sale of corporate assets of Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi.

The ministers shared a view that the disputes over the forced laborers must be resolved at an early date, the South Korean Foreign Ministry statement said. It quoted Park as saying South Korea would seek a resolution of the dispute before the sales of the two Japanese companies are made in South Korea.

According to the Japanese statement, Hayashi told Park that both sides need to build a constructive relationship based on the normalization of relations in 1965. Tokyo has long maintained that all compensation issues had been settled by then.

Since taking office in March, South Koreas new conservative government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol has been pushing to improve ties with Japan and bolster a trilateral security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo to better deal with North Korean nuclear threats.

At the start of the talks in Tokyo, Park and Hayashi bumped elbows and posed for cameras at the official guest house as they conversed softly in English. Both have attended schools in the U.S., and Park has also studied in Japan.

The visit, the first by a South Korean foreign minister since November 2019, comes after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, considered an influential figure in shaping Japans foreign policy.

Park expressed his condolences on Abe's death. Park is scheduled to stay in Japan through Wednesday, and may meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Park and Hayashi had also met ahead of the South Korea presidential inauguration in Seoul in May, as well as in Bali, Indonesia, for the Group of 20 meeting earlier this month.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry in July launched consultations with lawyers and activists representing the Korean forced laborers and other experts to collect opinions on how to resolve the dispute.

Besides painful history, the two nations also share a long-running territorial dispute over islands that are controlled by Seoul but also claimed by Japan. Tokyo calls them Takeshima and South Korea calls them Dokdo.

President Joe Biden's administration has tried to bring the two Asian democracies to work closer together on security and regional issues amid the war in Ukraine and tensions including threats from North Korea and saber-rattling from China.

North Korea this year stepped up missile and artillery tests in what is seen as an attempt to pressure Washington and Seoul to relax international sanctions against Pyongyang.

Park also expressed support for Tokyos efforts to bring back Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

About 20 years ago, North Korea reversed years of denial and acknowledged it had kidnapped Japanese citizens and returned some to Japan. But Japan believes more are still in North Korea.

Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea.

Hyung-jin Kim is on Twitter https://twitter.com/hyungjin1972

Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
LA TESTE-DE-BUCH, France (AP)  A heat wave broiling Europe spilled northward Monday to Britain and fueled ferocious wildfires in Spain and France, which evacuated thousands of people and scrambled water-bombing planes and firefighters to battle flames in tinder-dry forests.

Two people were killed in the blazes in Spain that its prime minister linked to global warming, saying, Climate change kills.

That toll comes on top of the hundreds of heat-related deaths reported in the Iberian peninsula, as high temperatures have gripped the continent in recent days and triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans. Some areas, including northern Italy, are also experiencing extended droughts. Climate change makes such life-threatening extremes less of a rarity  and heat waves have come even to places like Britain, which braced for possible record-breaking temperatures.

The hot weather in the U.K. was expected to be so severe this week that train operators warned it could warp the rails and some schools set up wading pools to help children cool off.

In France, heat records were broken and swirling hot winds complicated firefighting in the country's southwest.

The fire is literally exploding, said Marc Vermeulen, the regional fire service chief who described tree trunks shattering as flames consumed them, sending burning embers into the air and further spreading the blazes.

Were facing extreme and exceptional circumstances, he said.

Authorities evacuated more towns, moving another 14,900 people from areas that could find themselves in the path of the fires and choking smoke. In all, more than 31,000 people have been forced from their homes and summer vacation spots in the Gironde region since the wildfires began July 12.

Three additional planes were sent to join six others fighting the fires, scooping up seawater and making repeated runs through dense clouds of smoke, the Interior Ministry said Sunday night.

More than 200 reinforcements headed to join the 1,500 firefighters trying to contain the blazes in the Gironde, where flames neared prized vineyards and billowed smoke across the Arcachon maritime basin famed for its oysters and beaches.

Spain, meanwhile, reported a second fatality in two days in its own blazes. The body of a 69-year-old sheep farmer was found Monday in the same hilly area where a 62-year-old firefighter died a day earlier when he was trapped by flames in the northwestern Zamora province. More than 30 forest fires around Spain have forced the evacuation of thousands of people and blackened 220 square kilometers (85 square miles) of forest and scrub.

Passengers on a train through Zamora got a frightening, close look at a blaze, when their train halted in the countryside. Video of the unscheduled  and unnerving  stop showed about a dozen passengers in a railcar becoming alarmed as they looked out of the windows at the flames encroaching on both sides of the track.

Climate scientists say heat waves are more intense, more frequent and longer because of climate change  and coupled with droughts have made wildfires harder to fight. They say climate change will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

Climate change kills, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Monday during a visit to the Extremadura region, the site of three major blazes. It kills people, it kills our ecosystems and biodiversity."

Teresa Ribera, Spains minister for ecological transition, described her country as literally under fire as she attended talks on climate change in Berlin.

She warned of terrifying prospects still for the days to come"  after more than 10 days of temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), cooling only moderately at night.

At least 748 heat-related deaths have been reported in the heat wave in Spain and neighboring Portugal, where temperatures reached 47 C (117 F) earlier this month.

The heat wave in Spain was forecast to ease on Tuesday, but the respite will be brief as temperatures rise again on Wednesday, especially in the dry western Extremadura region.

In Britain, officials have issued the first-ever extreme heat warning, and the weather service forecast that the record high of 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019, could be shattered.

Forty-one isnt off the cards, said Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby. Weve even got some 43s in the model, but were hoping it wont be as high as that.

Frances often-temperate Brittany region sweltered with a record 39.3 C (102.7 F) degrees in the port of Brest, surpassing a high of 35.1 C that had stood since September 2003, French weather service Meteo-France said.

Regional records in France were broken in over a dozen towns, as the weather service said Monday was the hottest day of this heat wave.

The Balkans region expected the worst of the heat later this week, but has already seen sporadic wildfires.

Early Monday, authorities in Slovenia said firefighters brought one fire under control. Croatia sent a water-dropping plane there to help after struggling last week with its own wildfires along the Adriatic Sea. A fire in Sibenik forced some people to evacuate their homes but was later extinguished.

In Portugal, much cooler weather Monday helped fire crews make progress. More than 600 firefighters attended four major fires in northern Portugal.

Leicester reported from Le Pecq. Associated Press journalists Danica Kirka and Jill Lawless in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Raquel Redondo in Madrid, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, and Jovana Gec from Belgrade, Serbia, contributed.

Follow APs climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
Im supporting Tom Nelson, county executive of Outagamie County since 2011 and state representative for six years before that, in the upcoming Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Nelson is a true public servant of the old school. His commitment to working families and rural Wisconsin, based on his upbringing as a fifth generation Wisconsinite, is heartfelt and real.

Nelson grew up at a time when the greatness of Wisconsin was still in the common memory. Products from Wisconsin -- agricultural, industrial and intellectual -- were known throughout the country and around the world for their quality and value. Wisconsin was known for its work ethic, friendly people and natural beauty. Wisconsin politicians, educators and business leaders believed in public service and embodied the faith of neighboring U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., We all do better when we all do better.

Nelson understands why it is necessary for working people to have elected representatives who are committed to their well-being. He knows from experience how government works and how important it is, especially to the most vulnerable. Nelson can help restore our faith in the decency of our neighbors and the purpose of our government.

Jim Hirsch, Madison
High oil prices will lift Saudi Arabias growth into double-digits this year, the fastest pace since 2003, predicts Bloomberg Economist Ziad Daoud.

The kingdom will pump crude at near-capacity to meet rising global demand. Higher prices are also filling the governments coffers, providing room to increase spending on activities such as construction and services, he says.

Oil output is set to rise more than 10% this year, even if Saudi Arabia keeps production at the May level. Volumes will actually climb above this mark -- both the US and the UK are asking for higher output. With crude extraction accounting for nearly half of the economy, that alone will push overall growth to high single-digits.

4.2pc non-oil growth

The kingdoms non-oil sectors are more reliant on oil than mining -- petrodollars fund most of these activities. Historically, when international crude prices rose above $100 per barrel, annual non-oil growth ranged between 5% and 8%. Weve pencilled in 4.2% growth for this year, contributing 2.5 percentage points to the overall level, he says.

Why did we forecast slower non-oil growth than the historical range? The government has indicated it will save the surplus until the end of the year before deciding how to spend it. This may delay the transmission of higher oil prices into faster growth, he says.

High crude prices are a boon for Saudi Arabia given its dependence on the commodity. But they also increase demand from citizens for the government to spend more and lower taxes -- including the value-added tax, the rate of which was tripled in 2020.

Authorities recently earmarked $5.3 billion to support citizens. More could come, he adds.-- TradeArabia News Service
She just couldnt do it.

Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin has been dogged by scandal almost since the moment she took office. But after her bruising loss in the primary to Gov. Brad Little, she had a chance to sit back, kick her feet up, and simply wait out her lame-duck period until she could be replaced.

It would have been so, so easy to avoid yet another scandal.

And yet.

As the Associated Press first reported Wednesday, McGeachin notified the state that she would be paying Machele Hamilton, first vice-chair of the Idaho Republican Party and the only employee of her largely ceremonial office, what amounts to an annual salary of around $77,000  apparently for secretarial work.

Hamilton had been paid about $20,000 per year for part-time work. No explanation has been forthcoming for nearly quadrupling her salary.

Those funds will have to come out of the next lieutenant governors budget  and Hamiltons annual salary plus benefits amount to almost half of the budget for that office  which has led some to speculate that this was an act of bureaucratic sabotage.

Thats possible, but its not McGeachins most likely motivation.

Lets consider two explanations for McGeachins actions. In one scenario, shes trying to use up funds meant for her successor while she still holds office, in an effort to hamstring them  both Republican Scott Bedke and Democrat Terri Manweiler have been quite critical of McGeachin. This is the corrupt, but not incompetent, explanation.

Its possible this is true, but McGeachin has rarely shown this level of creativity or capacity for strategic thinking. And if she were capable of strategic thinking, why intentionally kick off one last, and eminently predictable, scandal to tarnish what little of her reputation remains in her last few weeks in office?

More likely is an explanation that involves both corruption and incompetence:

McGeachin had some taxpayer money in her personal piggy bank  the budget of the Office of the Idaho Lieutenant Governor.

She had a friend and political ally in Hamilton, a party official and legislative candidate coming off a primary defeat.

Loyalty means a lot in this business, so shes one that I count as being one of my most loyal friends, McGeachin told Kevin Fixler in an April interview. Fixler also noted Hamilton had served as McGeachins campaign treasurer for a time. And the two hit the campaign trail together before voters rejected both.

So perhaps McGeachin simply gave public funds to her friend. Perhaps these are the wages of loyalty to McGeachin.

Or maybe Hamilton is such a good administrative assistant that she warranted $37 an hour  roughly twice her hourly rate and nearly four times her annualized pay during the period when McGeachin was not a lame duck on the verge of leaving office.

The Attorney Generals Office or the U.S. Attorneys Office should investigate to determine whether this action violates Idaho Code 18-5701(10), which forbids using public funds for any purpose other than for the use or benefit of the governmental entity.

If McGeachin would answer questions about her conduct, perhaps we could learn more about her motives. But she has fled accountability since she first took office, despite betrayal after betrayal of the public trust. Indeed, she worked so hard to deny Idahoans access to public records that she essentially bankrupted her office and had to defer her last paycheck.

Her only public statement did not address her own conduct at all, and simply lobbed accusations about, while claiming those investigating the scandal had ulterior motives.

This is just the latest in a sickeningly familiar pattern from McGeachin.

If once, during her time in the Idaho House, she had the integrity required to hold public office, she lost it long ago. The former campaigner for President Donald Trump so modeled her new political persona on his that she took on all his worst qualities  the deception, the view that her office is an opportunity to dispense favors, the total disinterest in the complex realities of governing, the habit of blaming the media every time she fails, the perpetual victimhood.

The best thing that can be said about McGeachin is that we will soon be rid of her.
RUPERT  Police are releasing few details about an officer-involved shooting over the weekend in Minidoka County.

The Twin Falls Police Department was called to the scene as part of the Critical Incident Task Force, Police Lt. Justin Dimond said, sometime on Saturday morning on Idaho Highway 25 outside of Rupert.

A suspect is in custody, Dimond said. And there is no continuing threat to the public.

The suspect was arrested in Minidoka County, he said.

Dimond said he could not release whether there were any injuries or whether the Heyburn police officer or the suspect was the shooter.

He also said he could not release the officer or suspects name.

The Critical Incident Task Force includes all area law enforcement agencies and is deployed during officer-involved shootings or other incidences involving officers, Dimond said.

The Twin Falls Police Department was the lead agency in this case and was assisted by Jerome and Gooding county agencies and the Idaho State Police.
TWIN FALLS  Bureau of Land Management fire crews quickly took charge of a wildfire Sunday north of the Snake River Canyon.

The blaze burned about 25 acres of BLM ground 5 miles northeast of Twin Falls, spokesperson Kelsey Brizendine told the Times-News.

Four engines, one water tender, one fire investigator and one fire manager responded at about 4 p.m., Brizendine said.

The fire, called Corral 2, burned ground between Interstate 84 and the canyon rim, she said. The blaze was contained by 7 p.m. and expected to be controlled by 10 a.m. Monday.

Wildfire west of Eden burns 5,000 acres Wednesday Multiple agencies are responding to an estimated 5,000-acre-fire five miles west of Eden.
WEST NEWTON, Pa.  As the sun dipped below the horizon of the Laurel Mountains off in the distance of the Evergreen Drive-In Theater, families with children were spread out on their sleeping blankets in front of their cars. A cluster of couples were sitting in folding chairs, enjoying each others company.

Then, they all stood and placed their hands over their hearts. They joined together in singing the national anthem as it was played across all three screens.

They remained standing and sang along with the images on the screen to Lee Greenwoods Proud to be an American immediately after that. Seasoned attendees can always tell who the newbies are to the experience  theyre the ones moved to tears and wonder on their faces.

It is a scene repeated over and over again seven days a week before each movie; I have been hard-pressed to find anyone, young or old, who refuses to participate. When the music starts, everyone immediately stands up and sings. It is and remains a truly remarkable and moving experience for anyone who consumes the news or social media on a regular basis.

Equally rare is a night, any night, when the Evergreen Drive-In isnt packed. There are often several dozen cars waiting in line at dusk, hoping there will be enough room for their family or their group of friends to attend this nights showing.

The minute you pull up with your family or friends, there is a sense of community all around you  very different from the sterile atmosphere at a traditional movie theater. Everyone here has bought into the experience of spreading out a blanket and chairs and taking in a movie under the stars, downing some concession food and even meeting some new friends during the show.

The Evergreen Drive-In got its start in 1947 as the Ruthorn Drive-In. Its opening made the front page of the local newspaper with the headline Capacity audience at Opening Night; Drive-In Theater. The story gushed that the first drive-in theater in Westmoreland County drew people from all points across this county and Fayette County, with ushers escorting each car to its space.

The Ruthorn Drive-In opened in the industrys infancy just two years before Richard Hollingsheads 1933 patent for Drive-In Theater was to expire. Subsequently, the drive-in industry exploded. In 1949, the same year Hollingshead lost his patent, Ruthorn became the Evergreen and has been so ever since.

It was here during the heyday of B-movies that splashed across the screens on pastures across the Midwest, Appalachia and both the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines; it was a rite of passage for the American family (as well as lusty teenagers) to spend at least a dozen weekends at a drive-in every summer.

The 60s were the golden age of the drive-in, peaking with more than 5,000 outdoor screens across the country. Now, that number is at around 500, according to numbers calculated by the United Drive-In Theater Owners Association.

The Warren family, which has been in the drive-in business since 1949 and owns seven other such drive-ins in the area, purchased the Evergreen in 1999. Two years later, they added two additional screens, and they began showing first-run movies a year later.

This week, if you get here in enough time, you have your choice of Thor: Love & Thunder and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on screen one, Minions: The Rise of Gru and Elvis on screen two, and Jurassic World: Dominion and Top Gun: Maverick on screen three.

Adults pay $10 for admission, ages 6 to 12 pay half-price and children under 5 are free. Its cash only, and you must follow the rules: no cussing; the speed limit is 5 mph; no alcohol; and dont even think about littering.

In an era filled with new stories and social media posts listing grievances and reasons to hate living in this country, places such as the Evergreen Drive-In, where they celebrate America, are more common than you think.

Last weeks Gallup poll showed that Americas love of country is at an all-time historic low. A dwindling number of Americans, just 38% now, are extremely proud to be Americans. Thats down from 70% just after 9/11 and before the boom of social media.

Perhaps the question lacks nuance. Peoples views on politics and government and the current state of the nation may have muddled many peoples answers. But Im guessing that the answers at the Evergreen Drive-in would be remarkably different if you asked the same thing. Even with love of country falling out of fashion with our cultural curators (the people in power in news organizations, Hollywood, corporations, government, politics, institutions, academia and Big Tech), many, many people out there remain deeply proud to be American.
With help from an $180,000 grant, McDowell Mission Ministries will hire a new development director and renovate the buildings that provide services for the local homeless.

McDowell Mission Ministries is one of six nonprofits in western North Carolina that will receive $1,078,950 over a three-year period from the Melvin R. Lane Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC). The program supports human service organizations in improving operations, increasing capacity, and becoming more collaborative and sustainable to better the lives of western North Carolinas citizens, according to a news release.

McDowell Mission Ministries will get $180,000 over three years to hire a development director, improve board governance, and implement a strategic plan to improve organizational capacity and management.

These three-year grants are made possible through a trust, created by Melvin and Georgianna Lane, longtime residents of Henderson County. Lyn Fozzard, daughter of Melvin R. Lane, created the Melvin R. Lane Fund at CFWNC in 2000. Her son, Peter Fozzard, oversees the Fund and manages it with his brother, Richard, wife Libby and members of the Lane Advisory Board. The Lane Fund grant program builds capacity and improves operations so that human service nonprofits can help more people, according to the news release.

Arwen March, the executive director of McDowell Mission Ministries, said the $180,000 grant and other funds will help the local homeless shelter expand and improve its services.

This grant is part of an overall capacity building/long-term sustainability plan that McDowell Mission Ministries has been working to put into place for over a year now, said March to The McDowell News. We also have capacity building funds from Dogwood Health Trust that are being used in the capacity building/sustainability plan as well.

March added the Melvin R. Lane grant money will go specifically to build the capacity of McDowell Mission Ministries, helping to develop long-term organizational sustainability to ensure that those experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder in McDowell County have the support they need to improve their circumstances and build better lives.

This includes a full-time development position that will be responsible for grant-writing, fundraising, donor development and planned giving, said March.

This also includes training for the Missions board of directors, which is the board governance part. The training will help board members better understand their roles, better support Mission staff, and more effectively make governance decisions on behalf of the organization.

Also included in the plan, and funded by Dogwood Health Trust, is the renovation of the facility at 800 State St. (former thrift store) which is currently being used as the overnight shelter. It will soon be a 26-bed, six-room family (non-congregate) shelter. The overnight shelter will still be part of the facility but during the day, the space will serve as street outreach which will allow those experiencing unsheltered homelessness to wash clothes, bathe and use the bathroom.

Additionally, the plan contains funds to make repairs to both the mens shelter (804 State St.), and the womens shelter on 124 Fleming Ave., according to March.

We are so excited about these expansions of our capacity here in Marion for people experiencing homelessness, March told The McDowell News. We look forward to a long and sustainable future here in McDowell County.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina works with families, businesses and nonprofits to strengthen communities through the creation of charitable funds and strategic grantmaking. A permanent charitable resource, the Foundation manages over 1,200 funds and has facilitated more than $328 million in philanthropy since its founding in 1978. Learn more at www.cfwnc.org.

Last month, the McDowell County Board of Commissioners agreed to take away the county funding for McDowell Mission Ministries and spread it to other organizations as part of their action to adopt the budget for 2022-23. The local homeless shelter was one of the many organizations and groups that receive county funding. Previously, McDowell Mission Ministries got $17,500 a year from the county.

The county officials took this action after hearing concerns from Commissioner Chris Allison about McDowell Mission Ministries possibly changing its name and its bylaws being rewritten by people from Burke County and with no input from people from McDowell. The new board for the local homeless shelter would have seven members from McDowell and six from Burke, Allison told the other commissioners last month.

Allison said last month he had no problem helping Burke care for its homeless population but his priority is to care for McDowells homeless population.
Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, Prime Minister of Guinea until the military coup of 2021 and in detention since April, is prosecuted for embezzlement of more than 40 million dollars intended for the management of the epidemic of Covid-19 and unjustified disbursements, revealed last Friday the Attorney General of Conakry.

Mr. Fofana, the last Prime Minister of President Alpha Conde (2010-2021), overthrown in September 2021 by the junta led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, is charged and imprisoned since April 6 for misappropriation of public funds. But the facts of the case have not yet been revealed.

We accuse Mr. Ibrahima Kassory Fofana (of) embezzling several billion Guinean francs () including the sum of 46.2 million dollars in the context of the emergency procedure to support the epidemic of Covid-19, said at a press conference the Attorney General Ali Toure, appointed by the ruling junta.

Amounts of 81.2 billion Guinean francs (more than 9 million euros) have been fully disbursed by order of Mr Ibrahima Kassory Fofana. We have no justification for the use of this amount, the prosecutor said, without specifying the initial destination of this money.

In addition, suspicious movements in his bank accounts have been noted, he added.

Fofana was charged and imprisoned on 6 April with three other former officials, former Defence Minister Mohamed Diane, Environment Minister Oye Guilavogui and Hydrocarbons Minister Zakaria Coulibaly.

Head of government from May 2018 until the coup detat in September 2021, he had just been appointed on 31 March to head the former ruling party under Mr. Conde, until a forthcoming congress.
Egypt will temporarily suspend the participation of its soldiers in the UN Mission in Mali (UNMIS) from 15 August for an indefinite period, after several deadly attacks against its contingent.

The Egyptian decision was announced the day after Mali suspended all rotations of its military and police contingents in the UN Mission in Mali (UNMIS) due to the national security context.

Cairo expressed earlier this week during a UN meeting in New York, its concern about the increasing number of attacks against its peacekeepers. We have been informed that as a result, the Egyptian contingent will temporarily suspend its activities within the Minusma, the Mission wrote in a statement without specifying the duration of the suspension.

Seven Egyptian peacekeepers have been killed in Mali since the beginning of the year. Egypt has a contingent of 1,035 troops deployed in Mali out of a total of 12,261 peacekeepers in Mali, said a UN official in Bamako. It is one of the largest contingents in the mission, he said.
The military junta in Chad has set 20 August as the date for a national reconciliation dialogue that has been postponed several times since it took power 15 months ago, while it still cannot reach an agreement with the rebels or with the opposition.

Following the death of President Idriss Deby Itno, who was killed at the front against rebels in April 2021, his son, the young General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, was proclaimed president at the head of a Transitional Military Council of 15 generals. He immediately promised free and democratic elections within 18 months, after an inclusive national dialogue with the entire political opposition and all the countless rebel groups.

But after 30 years of very authoritarian rule by Idriss Deby, this national reconciliation forum, initially scheduled for 15 February and then 10 May, was postponed, mainly because a pre-dialogue in Doha for a peace agreement between the junta and some fifty rebel groups has been stalled for four months.

The inclusive national dialogue is convened from 20 August, reads a decree of the Transitional Military Council signed on Thursday by the junta-appointed prime minister, Albert Pahimi Padacke,

The authorities do not specify at any time how to start this dialogue if the fifty or so armed rebel groups negotiating with them in the Qatari capital since 13 March do not reach an agreement and if the main platform of the unarmed opposition, Wakit Tamma, does not return to the talks it suspended on 6 April with the junta, whose power it refuses to acknowledge.
The candidate of Nigerias main opposition party has won the governorship election in the southwestern state of Osun, the Electoral Commission said on Sunday, a setback for President Muhammadu Buharis party seven months before the presidential election.

The regional election, the last before the presidential election, is a final indicator before the vote scheduled for February 2023 in Africas most populous country.

Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won with 403,371 votes against 375,027 votes for incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

I declarethat Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke of the PDP, having met the requirements of the law, is hereby elected, the Inec returning officer, Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, said in Osogbo, the state capital.

According to Inec data, Mr Adeleke, 62, won 17 of the 30 local government areas in the state, while Mr Oyetola won 13 in the poll held on Saturday.

Shortly before noon, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated Senator Adekele on his victory. The people of Osun have expressed their will and the will of the people must always be respected in a democracy, he said in a statement.

The PDPs victory is a setback for the APC, especially since Osun State is located in the southwest, the stronghold of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APCs presidential candidate, where he is nicknamed the Godfather for his influence and networks.

The PDP and its presidential candidate, former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, 75, are dealing a blow to the party of President Buhari, elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, who has announced that he will not stand for re-election in 2023, as provided for in the Constitution.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Roadblocks to accessing data on vaccine effectiveness from provincial health ministries impede researchers' ability to inform a national pandemic response and maintain public trust, according to an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Despite recommendations after the SARS outbreak in 2003 to fast-track access to administrative health data to guide pandemic responses, timely access to important data is limited and can limit research abilities.

"Robust COVID-19 clinical data sets, with linkages to patient-level administrative data on vaccination, could be leveraged as clinical trial platforms to prospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and novel COVID-19 therapies," writes Dr. Andrew McRae, University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine, with coauthors. "Without linkage to provincially held, patient-level vaccination data, the utility of carefully collected national COVID-19 clinical data sets is substantially constrained."

In this analysis, authors highlight how health ministries can release data for research while also protecting patients' privacy. Establishing partnerships between provincial data groups and Health Data Research Network to link data, enable timely data transfer and support research into vaccine effectiveness would be a key step.

"The absence of a coordinated, pan-Canadian, secure research environment for interprovincial data linkage and analysis has been highlighted as a shortcoming in Canadian research infrastructure that has limited the timeliness of Canadian research, both before and during the pandemic," the authors write.

Provincial health ministries hold COVID-19 vaccination data, but have been reluctant to share it with researchers, limiting researchers' ability to conduct Canadian vaccine research.

"Making administrative data available to independent researchers presents an important opportunity to validate the effectiveness data for vaccines and build public trust in Canada's public health and vaccination strategy."

Explore further Vaccine use in pregnancy: Deferring risk

More information: Reducing barriers to accessing administrative data on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for research, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2022). Journal information: Canadian Medical Association Journal Reducing barriers to accessing administrative data on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for research,(2022). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.211712
Visa, a world leader in digital payments, has announced that Ali Bailoun, General Manager for Saudi Arabia, has taken on the additional role of leading the companys operations in Bahrain and Oman, effective July 12. Bailoun will continue to be based in Riyadh.

As part of his expanded role, Bailoun will lead in driving Visas innovation agenda and meeting the growing demand among consumers, businesses and governments in Oman and Bahrain for seamless, secure digital payments.

Dr Saeeda Jaffar, Visas SVP and Group Country Manager for GCC, said: We are pleased Ali will take on the additional role of leading our operations in Bahrain and Oman, and to strengthen our Saudi operations to serve as a hub for this cluster of key markets. During the pandemic we saw consumers increasing expectations for digital payments and as a result the growing need for businesses to be part of the digital economy not only to survive but also grow. We are confident that under Ali's leadership we can continue to expand the acceptance of seamless, secure digital payments in Oman and Bahrain and support the local economies in their digital transformation."

Trusted engine of commerce

"I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead Visa's operations in Bahrain and Oman and further strengthen our presence and role as a trusted engine of commerce in those key markets," said Bailoun. "I look forward to further deepening our relationships with banks, fintechs, governments, merchants and other businesses, whose partnership and collaboration are critical to our strategy of expanding access to the digital economy for more consumers and businesses in Oman and Bahrain."

Bailoun is an accomplished business leader bringing almost 20 years of payments, banking and management experience to support issuers, acquirers, merchants and governments in Visas key market to improve their profitability and grow their business. He joined Visa in 2012 and has since been responsible for the overall strategy that has successfully led Visa's business in Saudi Arabia.

Under his leadership, Visa grew its portfolio of client financial institutions including Saudis leading banks; supported clients and merchant partners including national airlines in bringing global best in class payment products to Saudi-based consumers and merchants; partnered with largest Saudi MNO to deliver the issuance of Visa payment credentials to millions of customers; launched first non-banking FI and fintech in Saudi Arabia as well as low-cost acceptance solution (Tap to Phone) for local SMBs; launched first card to card remittance solution in Saudi (Visa Direct); enabled digitising of government payments in line with Saudi governments Vision 2030; and collaborated with local industry stakeholders to help drive Saudis Mena-leading adoption of contactless payments.-- TradeArabia News Service
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The use of precise, accurate language in defining Black communities in health care research must improve in Canada, or there is a risk that health research will fail to meet the needs of Black people in Canada, argues a University of Ottawa professor in a commentary published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

In "Who is Black? The urgency of accurately defining the Black population when conducting health research in Canada," Dr. Jude Mary Cenat, an associate professor in the School of Psychology, writes that definitions of "who is Black" vary widely, which leads to broadly reported research results that may not align with the realities and needs of Black populations.

"Accurate, reliable and unambiguous data should be used for research to inform public health policies, training policies for health care workers and culturally appropriate and antiracist health care practices for Black communities," writes Dr. Cenat, who is also Director of uOttawa's Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health and V-TRaC Lab.

"Inability to find a common term to describe Black people in health research in Canada may perpetuate inequities and hamper useful research on Black health in Canada."

Use of vague terminology, including "African-Canadian," "Caribbean," "African" and others, constrains researchers' ability to compare the findings of studies and may also lead to inclusion of people who do not identify as Black in studies.

"Thus, the answer to the question "Who is Black?" in health research is nuanced: self-identifying Black people of diverse ethnic backgrounds (e.g., African, Caribbean, South American or Canadian)," writes Dr. Cenat, who suggests using the phrase "Black individuals, peoples or communities" combined with asking participants to identify country of origin for their family and/or a subgroup with which they identify, such as generation status, among others.

Addressing this can provide more clarity to ensure that health research tangibly affects public policies, health care programs, strategies and action plans for Black communities in Canada.

Explore further Depression part of daily life for many Black Canadians

More information: Who is Black? The urgency of accurately defining the Black population when conducting health research in Canada, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2022). Journal information: Canadian Medical Association Journal Who is Black? The urgency of accurately defining the Black population when conducting health research in Canada,(2022). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.220274
Frequencies of CD38+ MTB-specific IFN+ CD4 T cells over time in AFRICOS study participants with LTBI, incipient TB and active TB. The figure shows the frequencies of MTB-specific CD4 T cells that express CD38 (as % IFNg+ cells) over time using the indicated color code. (A) shows CD38+ cell frequencies from participants with active and incipient TB from time points before and after TB diagnosis (X axis, study months). A positive Xpert MTB/RIF test result is indicated by an X+, black lines show the initiation and duration of HZRE TB treatment for each patient with TB. A blue line indicates initiation and duration of INH preventive treatment. CD38+ cell frequencies from participants with LTBI are shown in (B) together with their ART, baseline QuantiFERON (QFT) data. (NR: no response). TB=tuberculosis. Abbrevations: MTB=Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB=tuberculosis, aTB=active tuberculosis, LTBI=latent tuberculosis infection, IFN=interferon gamma, HZRE=isoniazid, pyrazinamide, rifampicin and ethambutol, INH=Isonazid. Credit: eClinicalMedicine (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101470

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one-quarter of the world's population is estimated to be infected by TB bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), which can cause tuberculosis (TB). Although it is preventable and curable, 1.5 million people die from the infectious lung disease each year. TB is also a leading cause of death for people living with HIV. Most people infected with TB bacteria remain in a stage of latent TB and never develop TB disease. However, about 5 to 15% of people with latent TB may develop active TB disease in the future and potentially spread it to others. As X-ray and CT diagnostics are too unspecific for early and accurate detection of subclinical TB disease, there are to date no diagnostic tools to assess TB disease activity in living patients during clinically latent TB or during a HIV/TB coinfection.

In collaboration with the AFRICOS Study Group, a research team led by the DZIF scientists Director Michael Hoelscher, Christof Geldmacher and Inge Kroidl from the Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at the LMU University Hospital Munich and Col. Julie Ake from the U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, sought to understand the dynamics of TB disease activity. Within the AFRICOS cohort, the researchers assessed TB disease activity over five years in people living with HIV who are co-infected with MTB. The study team used a blood-based biomarker throughout multi-year follow up, combined with a yearly assessment of MTB occurrence in sputum. Their results are published in eClinicalMedicine.

AFRICOS: A systematic longitudinal cohort study

Established by MHRP in 2013, AFRICOS is a systematic longitudinal cohort study of people living with HIV and of HIV-uninfected adults. The study is conducted at eleven clinics across five geographically distinct HIV treatment and care programs, which are supported by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Nigeria.

"AFRICOS, a 15-year longitudinal study, is helping us capture the broader picture of the overall health of our HIV-infected patients, including outcomes data on co-infections such as TB," said Col. Julie Ake, M.D., the director of MHRP and the AFRICOS lead investigator. "The progression of latent TB to active disease can be life-threatening to people living with HIV, so an early biomarker for active TB disease could be a critical tool to profoundly improve clinical outcomes for patients with this co-infection."

For this study, HIV-infected AFRICOS participants were randomly selected from existing clinical patient lists or new enrollees at the clinics. Between January 2013 and August 2018, the participating African clinics screened 2,014 people with HIV annually for active TB using the Xpert MTB/RIF diagnostic assay. In addition, the scientific team examined longitudinal blood mononuclear cell samples from HIV-infected participants before, during and after diagnosis of microbiologically confirmed active TB and TB recurrence, as well as patients with a clinically latent TB infection over up to five years.

Based on these samples, the researchers analyzed the activation status of MTB-specific CD4 T cells as a surrogate biomarker to diagnose TB disease in HIV-positive patients. Christof Geldmacher explains: "Activated MTB-specific CD4 T cells in blood are a sputum-independent surrogate biomarker, which has been shown to differentiate between latent and active TB disease with high accuracy and hence mirrors in vivo TB disease activity. Assessment of these over time is possible and does not require repeated exposure of patients to Xray/CT related radiation."

Blood-based biomarker could facilitate the early detection of incipient TB

The laboratory analysis showed that the MTB-specific CD4+ T cell activation differentiated active TB (Xpert MTB/RIF positive result) from latent TB with a sensitivity and specificity of 86% in study participants living with HIV. In many cases, the progression to active TB disease, characterized by activated MTB-specific T-cells, started six to twelve months before the diagnosis by clinical symptoms and sputum occurrence of bacilli. This provides evidence for the onset of disease active TB long before a sputum-based TB diagnosis.

The findings suggest that using a blood-based biomarker, like the activation status of MTB-specific CD4+ T cells, could facilitate the early detection of incipient TB. Once a diagnostic product based on the principle described in this basic research becomes available in the future, this could improve clinical outcomes, reduce the transmission of MTB, and potentially save lives.

Explore further New blood test can help doctors diagnose tuberculosis and monitor treatment

More information: Inge Kroidl et al, Assessment of tuberculosis disease activity in people infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and living with HIV: A longitudinal cohort study, eClinicalMedicine (2022). Journal information: EClinicalMedicine Inge Kroidl et al, Assessment of tuberculosis disease activity in people infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and living with HIV: A longitudinal cohort study,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101470

Provided by LMU University Hospital Munich
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Caregivers for patients with multiple myeloma may suffer from higher rates of anxiety and depression than patients themselves, according to a new study published today in Blood Advances. While medical professionals have long acknowledged the toll a serious or terminal diagnosis can have on a person's mental health, few studies have investigated how these conditions affect the family members, friends, and loved ones who care for these individuals.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer affecting the blood plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in the bone marrow. While existing treatments can greatly extend a patient's life, the condition remains terminal. People with MM often require extensive and aggressive cancer treatment regimens, which can be both physically and emotionally taxing, and come at high financial costs.

"Over many years of working with patients with multiple myeloma and their families, I gained a deeper understanding of how much this condition decreases the quality of life of everyone affected by it," explained study author Elizabeth O'Donnell, MD, a medical oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. "Myeloma treatments, like chemotherapies, not only take large physical tolls on those diagnosed with the disease but can place a tremendous financial and emotional burden on patients and their families."

To conduct this study, Dr. O'Donnell and colleagues enrolled 127 caregivers for patients recently diagnosed with MM and receiving treatment within the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Network between June 2020 and January 2021. Researchers sorted participants into three cohorts based on the treatment regimen the patients they cared for were currently receiving. The caregivers completed questionnaires assessing their own quality of life and psychological distress, as well as their perceptions of their loved one's cancer prognosis.

Results highlighted that 44.1% of caregivers had symptoms of clinical anxiety, 15.8% had symptoms of depression, and 24.2% had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In fact, when compared to patient symptoms as reported by the research team in a complementary study published in volume 128, issue 10 of Cancer, caregivers reported higher rates of clinical anxiety than patients with MM.

The study also uncovered a critical gap in communication between providers and caregivers. While most caregivers reported that their oncologist had informed them that their loved one's cancer was incurable, only 50.9% acknowledged that the patient's cancer was, in fact, terminal. Dr. O'Donnell voiced that wishful thinking, hope, and poor provider communications, could all play a role in this gap in understanding.

She also emphasized that improving the way providers communicate an MM diagnosis and treatment options to patients and caregivers may improve quality of life in both populations. Screening people affected by MM at different points during the disease's progression could allow health professionals to support those suffering from mental illness and provide intervention sooner.

The research team noted that this study took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have played a role in both patient and caregiver anxiety levels. Further, while this study provides crucial information about the effects of serious diagnoses like MM on caregiver well-being, future studies will help inform the specific sources of anxiety and depression they may be experiencing, such as treatment costs, the frequency of clinic visits, the fear of losing a loved one, and watching someone close to you suffer. They hope that these findings can inform future caregiver services.

"One thing I hope that people take away from this study is that health care providers really do care about people's experiences as they go through diseases such as multiple myeloma, and that they're not alone in their suffering. Over a third of patients struggle with depression and anxiety and we urge you to tell your doctor if you're suffering because we can help," said Dr. O'Donnell. "We strive to give all our patients and their families the best quality of care not only from a cancer standpoint, but for their emotional well-being as well."

Explore further How older adults and their caregivers view pain, depression and other patient symptoms

More information: Elizabeth K. O'Donnell et al, Quality of Life, Psychological Distress, and Prognostic Perceptions in Caregivers of Patients with Multiple Myeloma, Blood Advances (2022). Journal information: Blood Advances , Cancer Elizabeth K. O'Donnell et al, Quality of Life, Psychological Distress, and Prognostic Perceptions in Caregivers of Patients with Multiple Myeloma,(2022). DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007127
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Before the pandemic, over 1 in 10 children aged 1012 years reported being lonely.

New research has shown that experiencing loneliness as a pre-adolescent child predicts problem drinking years later, in early adulthood.

Alcohol misuse is not the only health problem connected to loneliness. In older adults, loneliness contributes to poor physical health, including dementia, heart disease and stroke.

Researchers from Arizona State University have examined the effects of experiencing childhood loneliness on current stress levels and drinking behaviors in young adults. The study will be published in Addictive Behaviors Reports.

"In young adults, childhood loneliness before age 12 was associated with perceived stress right now and affected dysregulated drinking," said Julie Patock-Peckham, assistant research professor in the ASU Department of Psychology.

Because stress affects whether people drink to excess, especially women, the research team tested whether past experiences with loneliness impacted the stress people feel today.

Over 300 college students participated in the study, completing assessments of childhood loneliness, current stress levels and drinking behaviors. Feeling lonely in the past was related to present-day stress levels and drinking behaviors.

Higher levels of loneliness before age 12 predicted more stress in early adulthood that was associated with greater alcohol use and alcohol-related problems.

"The data used in this study were collected before the pandemic, and the findings suggest that we could have another public health crisis on our hands in a few years as today's children grow up," Patock-Peckham said. "We need more research into whether mitigating childhood loneliness could be a way to disrupt the pathways that lead to alcohol use disorders in adults. Combating childhood loneliness should help to reduce impaired control over drinking, especially among women."

The research team also included Sophia Berbian and Kiana Guarino, undergraduate students at ASU; Tanya Gupta, a recent graduate of the psychology doctoral program; and Federico Sanabria and Frank Infurna, associate professors of psychology.

More information: S. Berberian et al, Does loneliness before the age of twelve indirectly affect impaired control over drinking, alcohol use, and problems through perceived stress?, Addictive Behaviors Reports (2022). S. Berberian et al, Does loneliness before the age of twelve indirectly affect impaired control over drinking, alcohol use, and problems through perceived stress?,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100448

Provided by Arizona State University (ASU)
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

As new omicron subvariants of COVID-19 continue to sweep across the United States, researchers at the University of Missouri have identified specific mutations within the virus' spike protein that help omicron subvariants evade existing antibodies humans have from either vaccines or previous COVID-19 infections. These mutations help explain why some people are continuing to test positive for the coronavirus, which, like most viruses, continues to evolve.

The findings can help developers of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines consider which parts of the virus to target going forward to produce the most effective outcomes.

Kamlendra Singh, a professor in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine and Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center principal investigator, collaborated with Saathvik Kannan from Hickman High School in Columbia and MU undergraduate student Austin Spratt, to analyze protein sequences from more than 10 million omicron-related coronavirus samples collected since November 2021 from around the world. Singh, Kannan and Spratt have worked together to analyze protein sequences from COVID-19 samples since 2020, including the identification of specific mutations for both delta and omicron variants.

"Throughout the pandemic, the virus has continued to get smarter and smarter. Even with vaccines, it continues to find new ways to mutate and evade existing antibodies," Singh said. "Omicron now has more than 130 sublineages, and they have been here for quite a while. We are now just finally able to detect them and differentiate among them with this research. Previous variants, including alpha, beta, gamma and delta, contributed to many of the mutations occurring now with these omicron variants. So our research shows how the virus has evolved over time with new mutations."

Singh said that as the pandemic progresses, new variants and their sublineages will continue to evolve going forward. Additionally, investigators are beginning to see individuals infected with a combination of two variants, such as delta and omicron variants simultaneously.

"Vaccinated individuals or those that have previously tested positive may have the antibodies for one variant but not necessarily for any of the other variants," Singh said. "The various mutations may seem like only subtle differences, but they are very important."

Singh said that similar to the influenza virus, the coronavirus is likely never going to vanish from society, but new vaccines can be developed to target the virus' most up-to-date version. However, with how rapidly the coronavirus has been mutating, the vaccines may become less effective over time.

"The ultimate solution going forward will likely be the development of small molecule, antiviral drugs that target parts of the virus that do not mutate," Singh said. "While there is no vaccine for HIV, there are very effective antiviral drugs that help those infected live a healthy life, so hopefully the same can be true with COVID-19."

Recently, Singh, who has tested positive for COVID-19 multiple times himself, helped develop CoroQuil-Zn, a supplement that can be taken while infected with COVID-19 to help reduce one's viral load. The supplement, which is currently being used by patients in India, southeast Asia and Great Britain, is awaiting FDA approval for use in the United States.

"I am proud of my team's efforts, as we have identified specific mutations for various variants throughout the pandemic, and it feels good to be contributing to research that is assisting with the situation," Singh said. "We will continue to help out, as there will surely be new variants in the future."

The research was recently published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Explore further Researchers identify mutations of Delta, Delta Plus variants

More information: Saathvik R. Kannan et al, Complex Mutation Pattern of Omicron BA.2: Evading Antibodies without Losing Receptor Interactions, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022). Saathvik R. Kannan et al, Complex Mutation Pattern of Omicron BA.2: Evading Antibodies without Losing Receptor Interactions,(2022). DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105534
S100A9 suppresses diabetic ketogenesis via hepatic TLR4. A Scheme indicating the generation of RIP-DTR;Tlr4WT (n = 5), RIP-DTR;Tlr4WT; S100A9OE (n = 6), RIP-DTR;Tlr4KO; S100A9OE (n = 7) and RIP-DTR;Tlr4Liver; S100A9OE (n = 6) experimental groups. Adenoviral injections and HTVI were done 3 days before or the same day of the first DT injection, respectively. B Plasma insulin levels of mice at day 0 (i.e., before DT injection) and 7 days after first DT injection (p = 0.001). C mRNA content of Tlr4 in the liver, muscle (gastrocnemius), and adipose tissue (interscapular brown adipose tissue) of indicated groups (p = 0.001). D Hepatic S100A9 content of indicated cohorts 7 days after first DT injection (p = 0.011, p = 0.001 & p = 0.0003). E Plasmatic hepatic -hydroxybutyrate levels in the indicated cohorts and time after first DT injection (p = 0.017 and p = 0.012) and F hepatic -hydroxybutyrate levels in the indicated cohorts and time after first DT injection (p = 0.03, p = 0.003). Error bars represent SEM, statistical analyses were done using one-way or two-way ANOVA (Tukeys post- hoc test). In B, comparison was made to basal values. In CF comparison was made to RIP-DTR; Tlr4WT group or otherwise indicated. *p  0.05, **p  0.01, ***p  0.001. Credit: Nature Communications (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31803-5

People with a severe form of diabetes, where the beta cells of the pancreas do not produce or no longer produce enough insulin, have no choice but to inject themselves regularly with artificial insulin in order to survive. But Insulin therapy is not without its dangers: it is difficult to dose and, in the long term, it can also lead to serious metabolic and cardiovascular problems. Scientists at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have been working for several years on an alternative therapy based on the S100A9 protein. They have now provided proof of principle that this protein can significantly improve metabolism in insulin deficiency. In addition, by deciphering the biological mechanisms at work, they have discovered a previously unknown anti-inflammatory effect that could prove key well beyond diabetes. These results are published in the journal Nature Communications.

Insulin therapy, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021, has probably saved the lives of hundreds of millions of people suffering from type 1 diabetes or severe forms of type 2 diabetes. However, it has some risks, if the doses are too high or too low, and is even directly responsible for some potentially fatal conditions. Consequently, the life expectancy of insulin-dependent diabetics is reduced by 10 to 15 years compared to the norm. "Life-threatening hypoglycemia, negative impact on fat metabolism and increased cholesterol: these are some severe side effects of insulin. This is why we are looking to develop complementary or alternative treatments that are more effective and less dangerous," says Roberto Coppari, a professor in the Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism and Coordinator of the Diabetes Center of UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, who directed this work.

The S100A9 protein proves its worth

In 2019, Professor Coppari's team identified a protein called S100A9 that regulates blood glucose, lipids and ketones (a product of fatty acidic oxidation in the liver when the body no longer has enough glucose to function), without the side effects of insulin. "To develop a drug, however, we had to understand how this protein works precisely and demonstrate its effectiveness in animal models," says Girorgio Ramadori, a research associate in Professor Coppari's lab and lead author of this study.

The team first set out to decipher the mode of action of S100A9 in diabetic mice. "It turns out that this protein acts in the liver," says Gloria Ursino, a first author of the study and post-doctoral fellow in the research team. "It activates the TLR4 receptor, which is located on the membrane of certain cells, but not on the hepatocytes, which are the main functional cells of the liver." This is excellent news from a pharmacological point of view: it means that S100A9 does not need to enter the liver cells to act and allows for a simple injection mode of administration.

In diabetic people, insulin deficiency can cause a sudden increase in ketones and acidification of the blood, a mechanism called diabetic ketoacidosis. This is a life-threatening emergency that affects 24% of people with type 1 diabetes every year. "TLR4 activation in the liver controls the production of ketones," explains Gloria Ursino. "But this activation process does not trigger inflammation, whereas TLR4 is usually pro-inflammatory. The S100A9-TLR4 dialogue therefore seems to act as a totally unexpected anti-inflammatory drug."

A strategy in several steps

The scientists completed their results by examining the blood of diabetic people arriving at the emergency room with severe insulin deficiency. "A slight but insufficient natural increase in S100A9 is detected," explains Giorgio Ramadori. "Therefore, additional administration of S100A9 is expected to enhance this compensatory mechanism."

While the idea of a combination of drugs has already been explored, previous research has focused on drugs that increase insulin sensitivity. "But this only leads to the same results with lower doses. The side effects of insulin therapy remain the same," explains Roberto Coppari. "Here, we propose a radically different strategy with a drug that works independently of insulin and that can neither trigger hypoglycemia nor disrupt fat metabolism."

The scientists will initially test their drug in conjunction with low doses of insulin, but do not rule out the possibility of administering the S100A9 protein alone in the future, in specific conditions. To further develop this highly innovative therapy, Roberto Coppari and Giorgio Ramadori have created a start-up company, Diatheris, supported by UNITEC, the UNIGE's technology transfer office, and FONGIT, the main foundation supporting technological entrepreneurship in the canton of Geneva.

Explore further Team identifies a protein that helps regulate blood glucose and lipids

More information: Gloria Ursino et al, Hepatic non-parenchymal S100A9-TLR4-mTORC1 axis normalizes diabetic ketogenesis, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Gloria Ursino et al, Hepatic non-parenchymal S100A9-TLR4-mTORC1 axis normalizes diabetic ketogenesis,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31803-5
Total, direct and indirect effects of perceived discrimination measures on epigenetic clocks through depressive symptoms: structural equations modeling (sem); hrs 20102016 (n = 2,806). Credit: Beydoun et. al.

A new research paper was published in Aging entitled, "Epigenetic clocks and their association with trajectories in perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms among US middle-aged and older adults."

According to the paper, "perceived discrimination may be associated with accelerated aging later in life, with depressive symptoms acting as potential mediator."

In this recently published study, researchers May A. Beydoun, Hind A. Beydoun, Nicole Noren Hooten, Ana I. Maldonado, Jordan Weiss, Michele K. Evans, and Alan B. Zonderman from the National Institute on Aging's Intramural Research Program, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, University of Maryland, and the University of California Berkeley examined a nationally representative sample of 2,806 older U.S. adults. The team evaluated associations of perceived discrimination measures with 13 DNA methylation (DNAm)-based measures of epigenetic aging. They used group-based trajectory and four-way mediation analyses.

"Here we examined retrospective data from the HRS [Health and Retirement Study 20102016] cohort study of U.S. adults aged 50100 years and investigated measures of perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms in relation to 13 different DNAm-based epigenetic clocks (EPICLOCK) age-estimators."

Overall, and mostly among female and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) participants, greater reasons for perceived discrimination (RPD) had a significant adverse total effect on epigenetic aging: 2050% of this effect was explained by a pure indirect effect through depressive symptoms (DEP). Sustained, elevated DEP among females was associated with greater LIN DNAm age, patterns observed for elevated DEP (high vs. low) for GrimAge and MPOA DNAm markers. Overall and in White adults, the relationship of the Levine clock with perceived discrimination in general (both experience of discrimination (EOD) and RPD) was mediated through elevated DEP.

In conclusion, sustained elevations in DEP and RPD were associated with select biological aging measures, consistently among women and White adults, with DEP acting as mediator in several RPD-EPICLOCK associations.

"In sum, sustained elevations in depressive symptoms and reasons for perceived discrimination were associated with select measures of epigenetic aging, consistently among women and NHW adults. Furthermore, depressive symptoms acted as potential mediator in the perceived discrimination-epigenetic clock association in most 4-way decomposition models with detected total effect in which perceived discrimination was linked to accelerated epigenetic age."

Explore further Impaired vision tied to perceived discrimination in older adults

More information: May A. Beydoun et al, Epigenetic clocks and their association with trajectories in perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms among US middle-aged and older adults, Aging (2022). May A. Beydoun et al, Epigenetic clocks and their association with trajectories in perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms among US middle-aged and older adults,(2022). DOI: 10.18632/aging.204150

Provided by Impact Journals LLC
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says nearly 100 people have now been hospitalized and hundreds have become ill in at least 26 states after consuming a lentil-based product from Daily Harvest.

The fallout is mounting for the food delivery company, which first recalled its French Lentil + Leek Crumbles on June 23.

After an Oklahoma woman sued the company in June, blaming the product for an array of serious health problems, including gastrointestinal illness and liver and gallbladder dysfunction, more lawsuits have been filed against the popular vegan food company, including one involving an infant who was breastfeeding, NBC News reported.

In that case, the baby and her mother became ill and were hospitalized after the mother ate the lentil crumbles at the end of May and beginning of June, according to a lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, NBC News reported. The infant experienced vomiting, diarrhea, screaming and dark urine after her mother consumed the product and breastfed her, the lawsuit said.

After consuming the product again in June, the baby's mother was hospitalized with extreme abdominal pain and gastrointestinal distress from June 8 to 15, the lawsuit claimed.

At the time, the infant also began having symptoms including fever, vomiting and gastrointestinal distress, the suit said, adding the mother continued to breastfeed during her hospitalization on the advice of her doctors, who did not know the cause of her illness.

The company said last week that it is doing comprehensive testing to rule out potential causes, but that "thorough scientific processes require extensive laboratory analysis."

"Testing has ruled out hepatitis A, norovirus, a range of mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, food-borne pathogens including Listeria, E. coli, salmonella, Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph), B. Cereus, and Clostridium Species and major allergens including egg, soy, milk, and gluten. Tests have also confirmed that there are no pesticides," the company statement said.

Meanwhile, the FDA said consumers, retailers and others should not eat, sell or serve the product.

The product, touted on social media by high-profile influencers, was shipped nationwide. Illnesses have been reported in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington state and Wisconsin.

The most recent reported illness was July 9, according to the FDA.

Candice Smith, of Raleigh, N.C., told CNN recently she thought she was having a heart attack after eating the product.

"It was the worst night of my life," she said. Though she had no preexisting health conditions, Smith said she spent four days in the hospital undergoing tests on her enlarged liver and elevated liver enzymes.

Her gallbladder had to be removed, Smith told CNN.

Carol Ready, the Oklahoma woman who has sued Daily Harvest, told the Los Angeles Times she wound up in the emergency room twice after eating the crumbles. She, too, had elevated liver enzymes and her gallbladder was removed.

The FDA is investigating the outbreak in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It said the company sent about 28,000 units of the product to U.S. consumers between April 28 and June 17. A small number of consumers received samples.

Daily Harvest touts its products as "vegan-friendly" and distributes them through online sales, direct delivery, its Chicago retail store and a pop-up store in Los Angeles.

The company contacted consumers for whom it had contact information and issued a credit, according to the FDA. Those who may still have the product in their freezers should throw it out.

All lot codes of the French Lentil + Leek Crumbles are affected. The product is packaged in a 12-ounce white pouch with the words "Daily Harvest" at the top, a large "CRUMBLES" immediately below the top and the words "French Lentil + Leek" in bold.

The FDA said anyone who experiences yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, itching with no rash, gastrointestinal illness, nausea, fatigue, body aches, severe abdominal pain and/or fever after consuming this product should contact their health care provider.

Providers should report these illnesses to their local health department, the FDA said.

Explore further Many very ill after eating Daily Harvest lentil crumbles; FDA investigating

More information: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asks consumers to The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asks consumers to report adverse reactions to the manufacturer

Copyright  2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: Shutterstock

To seek "respite" is to look for a break from strenuous effort to recharge and regroup. In the context of aged care, subsidized respite care provides temporary support to older people, which gives their caregivers a brief relief or "respite" from their caring responsibilities.

Caregivers look after a family member or friend who is frail or has a disability, mental illness, substance dependency, chronic condition, dementia, terminal or serious illness. Having access to respite services is crucial, as only one in five caregivers of an older person reports they can easily organize a friend or family member to help them out.

Access to respite can also improve a caregiver's well-being, enable them to continue in their caring role, and postpone the need for an older person to move into permanent residential care.

However, in a recent survey, only 30.6% of caregivers reported accessing respite in the previous year, and just over half of those who did were satisfied with it.

What is respite care?

Respite care is a support service for older people designed to give their caregivers a short-term break from their caring responsibilities. It can be planned or used in an emergency, such as when a caregiver falls ill.

In Australia, respite occurs in a variety of settings. The more formal residential respite occurs when an older person stays temporarily in an aged-care home. However, there is also a range of community-based respite services. These include "day stays" in local community clubs, overnight stays in dedicated "respite cottages", as well as options for care workers to provide support in people's own homes.

In 202021, 67,775 people received residential respite care, and 46,527 received community-based respite care.

While this may seem like a lot, it is small compared with the 428,500 people who are the primary caregiver for a person aged 65 years or older. And formal respite services accounted for just 3.2% of all government expenditure on aged care.

Australia's emergency respite care for older people is seriously broken. Even with prior ACAT assessment, very difficult to find care. Main advice from many providers: call ambulance and send person to ED. @ACEMPresident @CarersAustralia @AusHealthcare  Alison Verhoeven (@AlisonVerhoeven) July 4, 2022

Why don't people use it?

Caregivers consistently report accessing respite care is difficult. The obstacles they face include:

not enough residential respite care beds

residential aged care facilities that do not routinely offer respite care

respite providers that can't support people with dementia and high care needs

respite care that is not close to home

assessment delays that mean caregivers can't access respite when they need it.

The royal commission heard evidence respite care can be risky for the care recipient due to poor communication in the transition process. For example, health and medical information about care recipients tends to be stored across multiple systems, some of them paper-based. This leaves scope for errors when care recipients move into a new care system.

Potential providers of respite care also face financial disincentives to offer short stays. The cost of the admission process is relatively high, so providing residential respite care for less than two weeks may not be financially viable.

A lack of appropriate respite care has significant consequences for both caregivers and the family or friends they look after. As one caregiver told the royal commission: "I have asked whether or not Betty can get respite care in Broome but I'm told that it is full. One time I had to go for a funeral out in the desert and I had to take Betty with me because I could not get her into respite care and I couldn't leave her with other family. We drove over 1,000km to the funeral. Betty got sick and needed antibiotics. Having more access to respite care would make a difference, a big difference to me."

What needs to change?

From October 1, funding for residential respite care will change to better align with the funding provided for permanent residents. This aims to remove the financial disincentives for providers and improve respite availability in existing aged care homes.

But given the strong preference for respite in smaller cottage settings, further resources could be directed to expanding the availability of community respite. The royal commission noted that, while these services exist, they are limited, particularly in regional areas.

Improving the uptake of respite care will require more active and personal support for caregivers so they have the skills and confidence to organize respite care.

The previous government committed extra funding for the Caregiver Gateway program to streamline access to respite care and provide more face-to-face support for people looking for local services.

Perhaps most importantly, respite care needs to be understood as a service for the caregiver as much as for the older person they care for. We need to understand caregivers' needs so we can design and match services for them.

Explore further Stroke survivor caregivers face barriers to accessing care for themselves, study finds

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A recent increase in fatal sodium nitrite poisonings has some health experts calling for stricter regulation of the substance. Sodium nitrite is a white salt commonly used in curing meat. But in recent years, it's also being used as a poison in suicides.

Ontario has seen at least 28 sodium nitrite poisoning deaths between 1980 and 2020, with most happening in the last two years of that period. Alberta Health Service's poison center, which also serves the Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan, saw at least two sodium nitrite poisonings causing serious harm last year, and two more this year. These numbers are likely an undercount because Canada does not collect comprehensive data about sodium nitrite poisoning.

Toxicovigilance Canada, a poison control network led by Health Canada, was unable to share national figures, citing "no national data from medical examiners, coroners or poison centers." Poison centers also do not have a clear picture of the problem because it's not mandatory for healthcare workers to pass along information about the poisonings they treat.

In the United States, the National Poison Data System recorded 47 cases of sodium nitrite poisoning between 2015 and 2020. Like in Ontario, most of these poisonings occurred in 2019 and 2020.

Online forums promoting poisonings

Sodium nitrite poisoning was virtually unheard of until very recently, says Eric McGillis, a Calgary-based medical toxicologist at Alberta's Poison and Drug Information Service. However, "the cases are increasing exponentially over the last several years."

The trend appears to be driven by online forums detailing how to dose sodium nitrite for suicide.

Amazon became a key marketplace for the substance, leading to lawsuits from bereaved families. (Sodium nitrite no longer shows up in top search results on the site.) Other online marketplaces, including Etsy and eBay, have banned sales of the substance.

Dana Saleh, a fourth-year respiratory medicine resident at the University of Calgary, says it's concerning to see online communities encouraging people to kill themselves. She is the lead author of a case report about a 20-year-old man who ingested sodium nitrite purchased online as part of a "suicide kit."

"These are very vulnerable individuals to begin with, and then they have access to these websites essentially teaching them how to suicide," Saleh says. "It's coming in assembled and it's easily accessible."

Sodium nitrite poisoning can be difficult to identify, and deaths can appear natural without further investigation or evidence suggesting suicide. A lethal dose can vary widely, Saleh notes. "It actually can be a very small dose to a very large dose, so it's unpredictable about how lethal it is, and we know it can certainly take lives even at a lower dose."

What physicians should look for

Sodium nitrite ingestion generates methemoglobinemiaa blood disorder in which too little oxygen is delivered to the cellswhich can quickly lead to hypoxia and sometimes death. Many patients present with a heart rate over 100 beats per minute and blueish-purple skin. Other symptoms include low oxygen levels and chocolate-brown colored blood. The antidote is the rapid use of methylene blue.

Last May, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada recommended that all emergency departments should have methylene blue on hand to treat patients with sodium nitrite poisoning. Margaret Thompson, medical director of the Ontario, Manitoba and Nunavut Poison Centers, advocated for the bulletin after incidents where confusion over the availability and dosing of methylene blue led to treatment delays. Because the food industry uses sodium nitrite for legitimate purposes, Thompson says it could be a challenge to prevent poisonings by restricting access to the substance.

However, some physicians argue that lawmakers could intervene to block the purchase of sodium nitrite online.

"There have to be hoops before anyone accesses sodium nitrite," says Yub Raj Sedhai, an assistant clinical professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. In April, Sedhai and his colleagues published a case report about their experience treating a 37-year-old man who ingested sodium nitrite bought from Amazon.

"It would be fair to question a person buying sodium nitrite with the intent to help them," says Sedhai. Because the substance is easily accessible and can be mistaken for table salt, people may also "unknowingly overdose," Sedhai and colleagues noted in their case report.

Could restricting sodium nitrite sales save lives?

The United Kingdom has listed sodium nitrite as a "reportable substance," meaning sellers must report suspicious purchases to authorities. However, it's unclear if such measures reduce intentional poisonings.

After Sri Lanka passed bans on certain pesticides, the country saw a 70% reduction in the total suicide rate.

"Certainly that has worked in Sri Lanka, where there was a lot of suicides using pesticides," says Thompson. But restrictions on other substances haven't had the same impact, she says. "In Britain, for example, where you can't buy more than 30 acetaminophen at a time, that didn't decrease the number of acetaminophen poisonings."

One alternative to bans is to sell dangerous substances in small quantitiesenough for those who need it for legitimate reasons, but not enough to cause death. That doesn't necessarily apply in the case of sodium nitrite since small amounts can be lethal. And regardless, Thompson says, "determined people could buy multiple packages."

Restricting sales to individuals while allowing sales to businesses is another option.

According to a Health Canada spokesperson, "regulatory oversight of sodium nitrite is shared amongst federal, provincial, and territorial regulators, depending on the end use of the product sold." When asked what Health Canada is doing to address intentional poisonings, the spokesperson told CMAJ in an email that the government is focusing on supporting mental health and wellness.

"Regulatory action is not the appropriate tool to address this issue," they said, given that sodium nitrite has "many legitimate and necessary uses."

Explore further Intravenous sodium nitrite ineffective for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Nearly 90,000 skilled professionals will be needed in the hospitality sector by 2026 in major markets such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia and any shortfall in skilled professionals could affect the GCCs status as a global tourism hub, according to Cyril Lincoln, executive vice president, global head of real estate finance and advisory at Mashreq Bank.

In the GCC alone, there are more than $143 billion worth of leisure and hospitality projects planned and under construction, according to data from projects tracking service Meed Projects.

Nearly $28 billion of this total is already under construction, including developments such the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum in the UAE; Saudi Arabias King Salman Park Royal Arts Complex; the Six Flags Theme Park in Riyadh; and luxury hotel projects by the likes of The Red Sea Development Company and Katara Hospitality.

"As the GCC advances on its tourism ambitions, it needs to pay equal attention to the softer aspects of development  people, technology, and sustainability," stated Lincoln.

Lincolns comments are particularly critical given the huge number of new investments in the sector.

The future pipeline of projects is considerable. Over $115 billion worth of tourism projects are in various pre-execution stages, indicative of the expected rise in demand for skilled labour.

"The challenge now is not the absence of opportunity, but perhaps the lack of manpower and technical skillsets," remarked Lincoln.

"Covid-19 sparked unemployment across travel and tourism not just in the region, but globally. As the industry recovers, there are clear indications of pent-up demand  but not all workers may choose to return," he added.

The majority of leisure and hospitality projects planned and underway in the GCC are hotels and resorts. As per Meed Projects report, $13 billion worth of hotel and resort projects are currently underway in the GCC, and nearly 45 per cent of these are in Saudi Arabia, as it seeks to establish itself as a major tourist destination.

Real estate service provider Colliers identifies that the GCC will require more than 90,000 skilled professionals in its hospitality sector by 2026, of which nearly 86,000 will be needed in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The number is expected to grow bearing in mind the considerable projects pipeline, it added.

"The projects market is a reflection of how important the tourism sector is to the GCC governments," remarked Lincoln. "It is seen as a contributor to national incomes, as well as a means for a countrys brand building," he added.

But even as stability returns to the industry, Lincoln states that more needs to be done in terms of the efficiency of recovery.

As the industry regains its strength, it needs to ensure it is actively investing in more than just projects  it needs to bring back its people, while also futureproofing.

Lincoln sees training and retaining talent as an equally important part of the process, which countries such as the UAE are enabling through policy changes and visa reforms. He further emphasises the need to create a balance between local and expatriate manpower in the sector.

"Governments need to drive the development of local capabilities, and this can be done by establishing relevant training institutes and university programmes. This further aligns with the vision to establish a knowledge-based economy, while also creating business opportunities for international educators in the field," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
iHandUapp. Credit: INESC Brussels HUB

Parkinson's disease affects 10 million people worldwide and its symptoms include tremors in the fingers and hands, small handwriting, loss of smell, walking difficulties, dizziness, and others. As these symptoms worsen over time, monitoring and treating PD is crucial to preserve the patients' autonomy and enhance their quality of life.

This is the goal of a group of Portuguese researchers. The project iHandUapp extended the iHandU project to the full cycle of the PD. It resorts to mobile and wearable proprietary technologies to monitor PD patients' symptoms, with the possibility of sharing the data with their doctors in real-time, including quantitative automatic evaluation of the symptoms, medication or even disease-related events.

James Parkinson was an English surgeon, geologist and political activist born in 1755. After almost being arrested due to his political career, he directed his attention to Medicine, following the steps of his father. As a strong advocate of the underprivileged, Parkinson focused on improving the general health of the population. The peak of his career in Medicine was the publication of "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy," in which he described six patients with similar symptoms of unintended shaking. The disease that today bears his name was coined by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot about 60 years after.

We have learned a lot about Parkinson's disease (PD) since the 18th century. PD is characterized by uncontrollable movements and rigidity of the arms and legs that are known to worsen over time. In the basal ganglia, a region of the brain that regulates movement, nerve cells get impaired and/or die, which results in the most noticeable signs and symptoms of PD. These nerve cells, or neurons, normally produce a crucial brain chemical called dopamine. It seems that movement issues linked to the disease are caused by decreased dopamine production, as a result of the neurons' degeneration and death. The reason why neurons degenerate in the first place is still unknown.

Parkinson's disease affects 10 million people worldwide, and family members are usually those who notice the first signs of the disease. These include tremors in the fingers and hands, small handwriting, loss of smell, walking difficulties, dizziness, and others. As these symptoms worsen over time, monitoring and treating PD is crucial to preserve the patients' autonomy and enhance their quality of life.

The project iHandUapp uses mobile and wearable proprietary technologies to monitor PD patients' symptoms, with the possibility of sharing the data with their doctors in real time, including quantitative automatic evaluation of the symptoms, medication or even disease-related events. This technology displays the information on a web platform, providing doctors access to the evolution of the symptomology of their patients, and allowing them to prescribe new tests and change medication remotely.

"The system includes a hybrid mobile application for Android and iOS devices, through which patients can manage their medication and perform tests to monitor symptoms associated with the disease, at home or during medical appointments, while keeping the healthcare professionals informed about relevant events that may occur. Moreover, iHandUapp features a specialized dashboard so that healthcare professionals can monitor the medical history of patients and a cloud-hosted database that displays information in real-time," said Duarte Dias, a researcher and coordinator of the Biomedical Engineering Research Center at the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC).

The system works best with the information provided by external components called appcessories. iHandU is a wearable device with embedded electronics integrated into a patented technology that can measure wrist rigidity, one of the PD symptoms. INESC TEC has been developing this technology since 2015 and led to the creation of a spin-off in 2019, dedicated to evolving the technology to the marketInSignals Neurotech.

"The first iHandUapp prototype is a promising proof-of-concept that will add value to the monitorization of Parkinson's disease. The app and its features have been analyzed in collaboration with the Hospital Centro Hospitalar Universitario de Sao Joao (CHUSJ), taking into consideration the health professionals' problems and needs. So far, the feedback has been very positive, which reinforces the usability, simplicity and suitability of our solution," said Duarte Dias.

The technology is also being used during deep brain stimulation surgeries, a therapy proposed to suppress motor symptoms when medication is no longer effective. A crucial part of the surgical procedure is choosing where to place electrodes in the patient's brain, and neurosurgeons typically use rigidity as feedback to optimize electrode placement. Currently, this crucial step is carried out based on human perception, but the wearable device developed at INESC TEC provides quantitative data free of human bias with an impressive 80% accuracy.

The iHandUapp was publicly announced in June 2022, during the IEEE MELECON conference that took place in Italy. Duarte Dias and his team presented the work "PDapp: A Companion Mobile Application with Appcessories for Continuous Follow-up of Parkinson's Disease Patients," which received the Best Paper Award, demonstrating the solution's scientific, technological and clinical impact.

The paper was authored by researchers Nuno Oliveira, Joana Silva, Duarte Dias and Joao Paulo Cunha, a professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto and senior researcher at INESC TECthe team responsible for the development of the iHandUapp system. They were supported by Dr. Joao Massano, a neurologist at CHUSJ, who was essential in designing a system adapted to clinical needs. The system has been evolving and will be used in a clinical study already approved at CHUSJ, now with two other researchers involved: Eduardo Campos and Adriana Arrais. The goal is to commercialize this promising technology via INESC TEC's spin-off company InSignals Neurotech.

Scientists are exploring ways to identify biomarkers for PD that can lead to earlier diagnosis and more adapted treatments to slow down the disease process and, one might hope, even find how to cure it. In the meantime, this technology is ready to help patients and doctors to better manage the disease, helping to increase the quality of life of those affected by it.

Provided by INESC Brussels HUB
The Government has today agreed to a joint proposal from the Minster for Justice, Helen McEntee, T.D., and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, T.D., for Ireland to avail of the option to temporarily suspend the operation of the Council of Europe Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees (Council of Europe) for a period of 12 months.

Signatory countries to this agreement issue Convention Travel Documents to refugees, which allow the holders of such documents travel to other signatory countries without a visa or prior clearance if the purpose of the journey is solely for a visit of a maximum of three months.

The visa exemption applies to holders of a Convention Travel Document issued by Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland.

Article 7 of the Agreement allows for suspension of the Agreements operation. The suspension will come into effect from noon tomorrow, Tuesday 19 July 2022.

The visa free travel arrangements for Ukrainian nationals introduced on 25 February in response to the war in Ukraine remain unaffected by this decision. Refugees holding Convention Travel Documents will still be able to travel to Ireland but will now be required to apply for a visa under standard arrangements.

The Government has agreed to the temporary suspension to protect the integrity of the immigration and International Protection systems. The International Protection Office has been receiving applications from some people who already have granted refugee status by other states.

The International Protection Office checks every applicant over the age of 14 against the Eurodac database  the EU database that stores the fingerprints of international protection applicants or people who have crossed a border illegally. It is used by the countries of the EU and also Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Switzerland.

Eurodac notifies Ireland if the person has been granted International Protection in another EU Member State. From January 2021 to January 2022, IPO received 760 notifications on the basis that the person was a beneficiary of international protection in another State.

Of those 760 notifications, 479 or 63% came from EU Member States whose beneficiaries of international protection are visa exempted. Those 479 notifications relate to 7% of the 6,494 applications for international protection in that period.

Speaking after Cabinet, Minister McEntee said:

This is not a decision that the Government has taken lightly. We are committed to upholding our international and EU obligations towards asylum seekers (international protection applicants) and refugees. However, where there is evidence that there may be abuse of such systems, the Government must act swiftly to mitigate the risks to maintain the integrity of our immigration and international protection systems and uphold public confidence in those systems.

In recent months, we have seen that the visa exemption provided for in the Council of Europe Agreement is being exploited, including by some who enter the State and subsequently claim international protection, despite having already been granted such protection by another European state.

The suspension of the operation of the Agreement is temporary and will be reviewed in a years time. In the meantime, Convention travel document holders who want to travel to Ireland can apply for a visa under standard visa arrangements.

Minister Coveney said:

Irelands commitment to protecting and assisting those in need, especially those fleeing the unjust and illegal war being waged by Russia against Ukraine, remains steadfast.

The decision taken today will assist in the protection of Ukrainians, and those of other nationalities, who are fleeing conflict, as it will lessen the incidence of abuse of this system. This step is not unprecedented: other Council of Europe member states have taken similar action previously.

We will keep this decision, which is temporary in nature, under review, and will revisit it twelve months from now.

Article 7 of the European Agreement, provides for parties to the agreement to temporarily suspend it for reasons of public order, security or public health. France suspended its operation of the Agreement in 1986 and the UK in 2003 for similar reasons.

Irelands temporary suspension of the Agreement will be notified to the Council of Europe and Minister McEntee will make an order to amend the Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2014.

ENDS
MONDAY, July 18, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Every town wants low crime rates. But a new finding may offer a whole new reason to advocate for the change: Falling crime rates may lower heart disease fatalities.

An analysis of 2000-2014 data from Chicago illustrated a significant decline in violent crime. Across the city, the drop in total crime was 16%, while simultaneously there was a 13% decrease in heart disease deaths.

Its important to acknowledge the impact of the built environment on health, said the studys lead author, Dr. Lauren Eberly, a clinical fellow in cardiovascular medicine and associate fellow of the University of Pennsylvania.

Exposure to violent crime appears to be an important social determinant of cardiovascular health within the broader context of the ways in which structural racism harms health, she said in a university news release.

When the data was put under a microscope, the Penn researchers found that at the neighborhood level, deeper declines in violent crime appeared to correlate with deep declines in heart disease-related deaths. One group of neighborhoods saw a 59% drop in violent crime averages, which lined up with a nearly 15% total drop in heart disease deaths.

Because community areas that experienced the smallest decline in crime also experienced the smallest improvements in cardiovascular mortality, pre-existing disparities in mortality between neighborhoods in the city are likely to worsen over time, especially with the recent rise in crime rates in the United States, Eberly said. While these results represent one large, urban U.S. city that could potentially not be generalizable to other cities, we suspect that these results are likely reflective of many other large urban cities across the country.

The dataset used was the most recent one available, but since then, violent crime has increased in the United States. Eberly said it was possible that the increases are also leading to increases in heart-related deaths, but statistics aren't available to back that up.

Research has shown that high crime rates disproportionately affect areas where people of color live, suggesting that the study's findings have strong significance regarding the long-term health prospects of people in these neighborhoods.

We hope that, given these results, people will consider the root causes of violence, Eberly said. We must acknowledge the legacy of racist policies and practices that have led to concentrated disadvantage and crime in Black and other racially and ethnically minoritized neighborhoods. Policies must be implemented to address the health consequences of structural racism and racial segregation.

The study was published online July 14 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

More information

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has tips for keeping your heart healthy.

SOURCE: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, news release, July 14, 2022

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Missoula County Attorney Kirsten Pabst is in Denver this week, promoting her office's work at two national conferences.

Pabst chairs the National District Attorneys Association's Wellbeing Task Force. As chair, she is hosting a panel on recruitment and retention of prosecutors at the association's Summer Summit event running the first half of this week. Pabst is also presenting on Calibrate, the county's pre-trial diversion program, lauded for being the first of its kind in Montana.

"I am so proud of the people on my team," Pabst said in an interview with the Missoulian. "(They) have some of the hardest jobs out there in the trenches of trauma, (they) work long hours and rarely complain."

The Missoula County Attorney Office works to retain its prosecutors through market-range salaries, trauma and resiliency skills courses and flexible work schedules, she explained.

Prosecutors' offices around the country have lost lawyers during the pandemic, Pabst said. Recent research Pabst has read says women, and women of color in particular, are disproportionately affected.

"As leaders, we need to acknowledge the changing vocational landscape and take steps to reverse this concerning trend," she said.

In the second half of the week, Pabst is slated to present on Calibrate, the county's pre-trial diversion program that aims to provide alternatives to incarceration for those face drug-related charges. It launched in 2019.

Pabst's presentation on the program will be in front of Justice and Public Safety Policy Steering Committee, which consists of about 150 to 200 elected and appointed county officials from across the country. Calibrate was recognized as one of the best new programs in the country in 2021.

"It is going well," Pabst said of the program. "(It's) Montanas first prosecution-led pretrial diversion, designed to reduce recidivism and jail population by diverting lower-risk offenders off of the criminal justice track."

Last January, the program received a $600,000 grant. The money was primarily used to hire a second staff person to assist with managing the program.

"I am grateful that these flagship national organizations are noticing the innovative work we are doing at the Missoula County Attorney's Office," Pabst said.
Missoula firefighters responded to the first significant grass fire this season in the Grant Creek area on Sunday evening. Teams were able to control the blaze in an hour.

Missoula County 911 started getting calls about the fire around 10:32 p.m. At first, the exact location of the ignition couldn't be determined, but a caller who lives at the 4000 block of Gleneagle Way told dispatch the flames were on their property, according to a press release from Missoula Rural Fire.

The caller said it was rapidly spreading south toward the Gleneagle subdivision.

Initial attack crews found an area of 3-foot-tall grass burning that was estimated to be about two to four acres and spreading southwest. Flames were as long as 6 to 8 feet in some places.

Teams attacked the blaze working downhill along its east and west flanks. Crews that arrived later positioned themselves on Gentry Way, below the fire. It burned just over four acres and was contained in under an hour.

No structures were damaged, and there were no firefighter or civilian injuries, according to the press release.

The Missoula Fire Department and Montana Department Of Natural Resources and Conservation responded too.

Missoula Rural Fire had three engines, three water tenders and a command unit at the scene. Missoula Fire Department was on-scene with two engines and a command unit, and DNRC brought one engine. Twenty firefighters were involved.

Several Missoula County Sheriff's Office deputies were also on-scene.

Investigations haven't concluded the cause of the fire yet, but the press release states fireworks were reported in the area shortly before the flames started.

Crews will remain on scene throughout Monday.

Jared Stabnau owns the parcel of land where the blaze broke out. He recalled sitting on his property and seeing fireworks pop off around 10 p.m. One of the projectiles seemed faulty, and Stabnau watched it fall to the ground and blow up in the grass.

It was 100% the fireworks that caused it, Stabnau said.

The wind was carrying the blazes, but it tapered off when fire crews arrived which made it easier for them to knock it down, he said.

The fire department did a great job, he added.

Missoula County moved its fire danger level to high on Monday, cautioning the public about the risks of rising temperatures and drying vegetation.

When fire danger is high, dry grasses and needles ignite easily and fires can spread rapidly and may be difficult to control, a press release from the Missoula County Fire Protection Association said.

This means campfires easily escape control and high-intensity burning can occur on slopes and grassy areas.

Spring and early summer rains have provided us with plenty of grasses and flashy fuels that are now starting to dry and cure, increasing the likelihood of a fire start growing quickly and becoming a much more complex, larger wildfire, Colt Mortenson, Lolo National Forest fire staff officer, said.

On average, three out of every four fires in Missoula County are human caused, the MCFPA release stated.

Equipment and vehicle sparks were the main cause of wildfires in 2021. Officials ask people to exercise caution when theyre mowing, haying or dragging a trailer.

Outdoor burning is also closed, and emergency officials ask citizens to refrain from burning outdoor debris piles. Burn permits are now invalid.

Visit www.MCFPA.org for more information.
I've been a big-game hunter in Montana since the '50s and can't understand why anyone needs an assault rifle for hunting unless they're a really bad shot. Like many others I was in Vietnam and know the destruction assault weapons can do.

In more recent years I was an EMT. I never had to respond to a Uvalde or Highland Park incident, but can well imagine the carnage. No area of the country is immune.

What are we to make of the plague of gun violence all over America? What have we done or not done to prevent its continuance?

This is a complex psychological, social and cultural problem. Immature, disturbed males with an urge toward violence and having access to super-lethal weapons leads to the disastrous convergence in many high-profile mass shootings. A University of Rochester Medical Center paper titled On Understanding the Teen Brain states: "The rational part of a teen's brain isn't fully developed and won't be until age 25 or so...In teen's brains the connections between the emotional part of the brain and the decision-making center are still developing."

All gun roads lead back to the Second Amendment, which says: A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. (Ratified 1791).

The first deep look into the Second Amendment by the Supreme Court was D.C. vs. Heller in 2007, which overturned a 32-year ban on handguns in the D.C. area. Also, the right to possess firearms was "unconnected" from militia service.

However, the summary of D.C. vs. Heller includes restrictions: "Like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose. For example, concealed weapons prohibitions have been upheld under the Amendment or state analogues. The Court's opinion should not be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by the mentally ill, or laws prohibiting the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools or government buildings or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms." Are we now to include 4th of July parades or grocery stores as "sensitive places?"

Highland Park, Illinois, had banned assault weapons locally. That didn't stop the troubled 4th of July shooter from legally obtaining weapons elsewhere. No wonder officials in Illinois have been critical of the lack of a nation-wide ban on assault weapons, which are emerging as the mass-murder weapon of choice.

For perspective, mass shootings in Australia, Canada and Great Britain prompted strengthening gun laws. Israel and Switzerland have large "gun cultures" but very tight restrictions, and a small fraction of the United States' violence. American federal laws seem anemic by comparison. The 1994 U.S. ban on assault weapons expired after 10 years because of a sunset clause. Assault weapons skyrocketed. Attempts to revive the ban failed.

The bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which President Biden signed days before the Highland Park incident, includes new, enhanced background checks for gun buyers under 21 and funds for school-based mental health programs and red-flag laws. But it does not include some more restrictive measures sought by Biden and most Democrats, such as an assault-weapons ban or higher minimum age for rifle purchase.

We need good governance and preventative laws to stand up to this moral crisis. The Safer Communities Act was a compromise, not a cure-all. This issue is not over. Ultimately voters must choose wise representatives to do the hard work.
VALDESE  Local residents and state leaders joined members of the Friends of the Valdese Rec for the official grand opening of the McGalliard Creek Bridge Wednesday, July 13.

The 160-foot bridge connects Valdese Lakeside Park to McGalliard Falls Park and is part of a 2-mile greenway trail.

More than 100 people turned out to the event, which included a ribbon cutting and full lineup of speakers, including Valdese Mayor Charles Watts.

When I announced I was running for mayor of Valdese, the first question I got was Why do we have to have that park, Watts said. Well, they need to be here and see why we have to this park. It is obvious why we need this park.

The Valdese Lakeside Park and Bridge project received early help from the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. Tom Kenney, land protection director for the conservancy, helped the town negotiate the Valdese Lakeside Park land purchase and helped write the grant that brought $673,000 from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund.

Valdese has a place for now and in the future, for visitors and for tourists, to play in the woods, to play in the creek, to shape their lives, Kenney said while reminiscing about his early childhood growing up in Raleigh with the sounds of nature all around that are not as abundant now.

Will Summer, North Carolina Land and Water Fund director, spoke to the strength of the project

The state does not just hand out money to every applicant, Summer said. It is a competitive process, and many projects do not receive funding.

He thanked all the partners involved, including the Foothills Conservancy, Friends of the Valdese Rec, the town of Valdese, PARTF (Parks and Recreation Trust Fund), the Rostan Family Foundation, Kellex Seating and community members who donated their time and funds to help make the project a reality.

Brian Strong, deputy director of North Carolina State Parks, visited Valdese Lakeside Park before the ribbon cutting and said he could feel his blood pressure lowering and noticed everyone he passed was happy, grateful to be out there, energized.

Reid Wilson, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, reiterated the importance of parks and trails for North Carolinians well-being.

The state has a new initiative called PATH  Parks and Trails for Health  that aims to help connect all people to parks and outdoor spaces across the state. Wilson said.

Beth Heile, president and founder of Friends of the Valdese Rec, encouraged the crowd to cheer every time the word bridge was spoken during the event. She shared that the McGalliard Creek Bridge is important for several reasons:

The bridge connects Valdese Lakeside Park to McGalliard Falls Park with a 2-mile greenway trail

The bridge is part of the Burke River Trail (20 miles from Morganton to Hickory in the works running south of the river)

The bridge provides the loop for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail through Valdese (Bakers Mountain to South Mountains to Chimney Rock  with loop to Valdese)

The bridge is a type of suspension bridge with a little bouncewhich is lots of fun and a little scary to some (technically a catenary bridge)

The bridge was built by a local company, Beanstalk Bridges

Because we have a community of giversgivers of their time, talents and money, along with the perfect project that blends conservation and recreation, the state rewarded our efforts, Heile said.

State grants matched every dollar in community donations with $1.80 of state funds to complete the $2.7 million Valdese Lakeside Park Phase 1 and Bridge project.

There is more to come in Valdese for parks and trails, Heile said. A fishing pier and kayak launch will be built by the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission in late fall at Valdese Lakeside Park. In addition, Friends of the Valdese Rec has started fundraising to convert the second mile of grassy greenway to crushed cinder, as used on the first mile.

Watts surprised Heile with a Key to the Town of Valdese and a Resolution of Appreciation for her enthusiastic, energetic and endless drive and support.

To access the McGalliard Creek Bridge, visitors can either park at McGalliard Falls Park and walk a half mile from the picnic shelter, or park at Valdese Lakeside Park and walk 1.3 miles down the greenway.

If you prefer to experience the bridge with a group, Friends of the Valdese Rec will host a group walk Sunday, July 17 and Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. Those interested in attending should gather at the restrooms at Valdese Lakeside Park and walk to the bridge and then on to McGalliard Falls Park. Attendees can stay with the group or go at their own pace. Dogs on a leash are welcome, and they may want to visit the dog park to run free before or after the group walk.
Western Piedmont Community College will hold a registration event Saturday, July 23 for new and continuing college students and those interested in exploring educational opportunities available to them.

The event, held on campus in Hildebrand Hall, is designed to be a one-stop shop where students can walk in, register for classes and leave with everything they need to start classes in August.

Well have financial aid here, the bookstore will also be open as well as the business office, Director of Records and Registration Tou Vang said . Were trying to make it a one stop for the students who come in.

In addition to registering for classes, Vang said the event will include opportunities for students to meet with academic advisors, purchase required textbooks, meet with business office representatives and receive financial aid information including the colleges Pioneer Promise No-Cost Tuition Scholarship.

According to the WPCC website, The Pioneer Promise is a program instituted by the college to remove financial barriers to higher education. The scholarship is available to qualifying WPCC students who are North Carolina residents for tuition purposes  including many DACA recipients, enrolled in at least three credit hours for the summer term or six hours for the fall in an approved program of study. Financial eligibility for the scholarship is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Well have financial aid staff available here that day as well, Vang said. Financial aid staff can answer those questions and see if students are eligible for that scholarship.

Vang also said staff from the schools Career and College Promise program will be available to offer information to Burke County high school students interested in dual enrollment. The CCP program offers high school students a variety of programs that satisfy BCPS high school course requirements as well as earn college credit that transfers to WPCC programs or four-year colleges and universities.

Vang encouraged people to come to the registration event even if they are still undecided about taking classes.

We can answer any questions and assist any students whether they are undecided, already have their minds made up, or someone who is just trying to come in and get registered and they already know what they want to do, he said.

The Western Piedmont Community College Special Registration Saturday will take place on Saturday, July 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information or to register online for fall classes, visit www.wpcc.edu/fall.
Realiste, a leading AI developer in the real estate market has launched in the Middle East, changing the real estate and housing landscape using the latest advanced technologies within all operations.

Realiste is an AI-based real estate market development company committed to providing users with accurate and timely market value appraisals. The company's mission is to digitise the real estate market of every major city across the world, while offering free access to appraisals and personalised recommendations.

Since launching in December 2021 it has established operations in Riyadh, Dubai, London, New York, and Moscow and are planning more expansions in the next year.

Displaying true value

Realiste has successfully fielded an application capable of monitoring the market round-the-clock and displaying the true value of real estate, as well as predicting price movements of properties for the next 6 to 12 months.

The reality of the real estate market is not as stellar as the global volumes of $3.69 trillion stated in past research statistics. In Dubai alone, buyers end up overpaying at least 2% of the original price of a property due to lack of quality market information.

The most popular types of real estate in Dubai start in price from $500,000, and cash losses on each transaction range from $10,000 for investors.

Viable solution

Modern technologies such as Realiste can provide a viable solution that saves buyers from having to navigate the real estate market in the dark. The advent of functional and versatile Artificial Intelligence constructs, or AI, can open immense opportunities for transparent property search with minimal loss of capital.

CEO Alexey Galtsev adds: Surely, some properties can be purchased online, but their quality, pricing fairness, resale value, and actual location worth are questionable. In essence, we have an inert and opaque environment in which a deal is a long and expensive procedure.

Buyers must spend months searching for the right property, all because they do not have access to quality analytical information aggregated and streamlined by an automated system and this is where we come in hoping to streamline the process in the most effective and efficient manner, to guarantee customer satisfaction.

The Realiste AI engine is self-learning, based on constant streams of input, and is capable of digitising real estate market data in every major city in the world to provide users with free access to accurate property valuations and personalised recommendations. Current AI forecast accuracy exceeds the 88% value for Dubai at Level 1 development. Such a broad range of functionality makes the Realiste AI the ideal real estate search aggregator to help buyers and businesses resolve housing issues both quickly and efficiently.

Aggregating massive volumes

Realiste AI operates by aggregating massive volumes of data that can be utilised through a simple plug-in integrated in under a few minutes into the platform of a developer or a bank.

With its real-time market monitoring system, the Realiste AI selects 0.1% of investment-friendly offers that have a discount on market price and shows users the price history, how much to invest in any particular property, and how much profit can be obtained through resale.

The business impact of such AI usage is a 2.5 times reduction of the Customer Acquisition Costs, giving valuable query-related results in under 10 seconds.

Realiste is also a useful tool for any bank, developer or realtor seeking to attract more customers efficiently and to close deals faster. With its capabilities of analysing massive databases, the AI automatically sifts unattractive properties that are not projected to generate profits within selected timeframes, thus giving banks invaluable insight into market dynamics and investment potential.

Real estate agents can also tap into the value offering of the Realiste AI by streamlining property databases for their clients based on specific criteria, saving immense amounts of time on selection. The result is shorter lists of suitable properties, more precise matches, and shorter deal closing times.

Global goal

The global goal of Realiste is to streamline the international and Mena region real estate markets by injecting automation. When the process of choosing an asset, buying and selling it becomes as simple and fast as modern stock trading, the result is increased liquidity of assets and market acceleration.

Transparency and market fairness are the ultimate values Realiste strives to achieve with the deployment of its AI, and now luckily it does not take a hardcore realist to understand the prospects of selecting a dream property in under 10 seconds with the help of an advanced AI.-- TradeArabia News Service
Cornwall-born Thomas Couch left Britain for the copper mines of Lake Superior in 1863, when he was 20 years old. He knocked around the mines of the west, in Grass Valley, California; White Pine, Nevada; and in Utah before landing in Butte about 1883, and although he did some work for Marcus Daly with a roving commission to check out the mines in Neihart and other parts of the state, Couch made his fortune with the Boston & Montana Company.

Couch had become friends with Charles X. Larrabee, owner of the Mountain Chief Mine. When Larrabees Mountain View Mining Company merged with the Boston-based Montana Copper Company in 1887 it created the Boston & Montana, which soon became the second largest copper producer in Montana (and in the United States). The Larrabee connection probably led to Couch being appointed superintendent of Boston & Montanas mines.

Although its not evident that he served in the military, Couch was referred to as Captain, and when Captain Couch signed on with the Boston & Montana, he received 1000 shares of their stock, valued at $70 each, creating the start of his fortune. Couch spearheaded the purchase of the Pennsylvania Mine for Boston & Montana, but he seemed to become more interested in ranching up the Sun River near Great Falls, and he resigned from the Boston & Montana in 1896 to focus on his ranch there, including raising stallions for the Brelan Horse Company. His $14,000 ranch house was called the finest farm house in Montana, built on the ranch he purchased from Robert Vaughn in 1889 for $46,000.

In Great Falls he and his sons ran three telephone companies as well as real estate businesses, but all that was a consequence of the wealth generated by his mining connections in Butte. In Butte, Couch lived in the Lewisohn Building in the first block of Granite Street west of Main (destroyed by fore in 1978). That was appropriate enough, since the building was named for Leonard Lewisohn, one of the New York brothers who led the Boston & Montana until it was acquired by the Amalgamated (Anaconda) Company in 1901.

Couch died in San Francisco in February 1902 at age 58. He still held interests and investments in Butte mines when he died, and left an estate estimated at about $1,000,000 in dollars of 1902. He is buried in Great Falls.
George Everett, director of the Montana Folk Festival, is one happy guy. The reviews are in and this years three-day musical celebration in Butte was a rousing success.

As most people know, the last folk festival was held in 2019 and then canceled for the next two years due to the pandemic.

With experience on their side, the organizers just picked up where they left off and followed their sure-fire recipe for success, which included outstanding performers, hard-working volunteers and an enthusiastic audience.

Thanks to those three essential ingredients, the festival, according to Everett, was the best and most beautiful Montana Folk Festival ever produced.

People were happy to have live music going again, he said. It made for a great time.

An added bonus was how the performers, nearly two dozen in all, responded to their audiences.

Everett explained that all the performers were taken aback by their enthusiastic audiences who enjoyed the music at six stages in Uptown Butte, including the main stage at the Original Mine.

The performers were so very appreciative, Everett said.

With only a few minor interruptions due to rain, the festival went off almost without a hitch. The credit, according to Everett, goes to the staff and nearly 900 volunteers who helped to keep the festival up and running. This year, there was plenty of running to do.

"Thanks to the coordinated efforts of nearly 900 volunteers, we were able to properly greet and entertain thousands of guests, including friends and family from throughout the world," said Everett.

Uptown parking lots and nearby county parks were full and attendees were hard pressed to find a parking spot in the area surrounding the Original Mine. Everett estimated the festival drew about 165,000 this year  40,000 on Friday, 75,000 on Saturday and 50,000 on Sunday.

So far, contributions have reached $142,000 and officials hope post-festival contributions continue. Mainstreet Uptown Butte is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit and these tax-deductible contributions can be sent to Mainstreet at P.O. Box 696, Butte, Montana 59703 or they can use Paypal Giving Fund for certified charities by going to paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1876197.

As for 2023, plans are already underway, literally.

We started the day after, laughed Everett.

Next years festival is scheduled for July 14-16, and Everett hopes that long-time sponsors will renew their support early in the coming year including the continued critical support of the festivals major partner, Butte-Silver Bow County.

The Montana Folk Festival recently received welcome news when it was announced July 8 that one of their major donors, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, in conjunction with Montana Resources, would extend their funding for three more years. The generous three-year grant totals $600,000.

In the coming weeks, the organizers main task will be to review comments and suggestions, all of which are encouraged and welcomed to improve the organization and effectiveness for the 11th Montana Folk Festival in 2023.

Looking back at the 2022 festival, Everett summed up the three-day event as spectacular, and added, the Buttes skies were magical in the evenings."

For anyone who missed festival, images and videos can be found on The Montana Standard's website, mtstandard.com.
Butte police reports

Accidental shooting

At St. James Healthcare last Wednesday afternoon, a man was treated for a gunshot wound to the abdomen. According to the police report, the 33-year-old accidentally shot himself as he was removing his .22 pistol from his shoulder holster. The injuries were reportedly not life-threatening.

Criminal trespass

At around 4 a.m. last Wednesday, Samuel James Long, 35, of Butte was arrested for misdemeanor criminal trespass to property, the Front Street Market at 8 W. Front St.

Booked into jail

Tyler Benjamin Wetzel, 39, of Butte was booked into the jail just before 12:30 a.m. last Wednesday. An officer saw Wetzel behind Aarons at 3605 Harrison Ave., and stopped to see what he was doing. Turns out Wetzel had a felony warrant out for his arrest for violation of release condition.

Last Tuesday, Chase Colton Robinson, 33, of Butte was booked into the jail for felony violation of release condition. He was extradited from the Missoula County Detention Center.

Arrest assist

Butte police assisted Adult Probation & Parole in the Thursday afternoon arrest of William Forrest Paul, 39, of Butte in the 100 block of West Iron Street.

He was jailed on a felony probation violation.

Out of jurisdiction

Butte police are holding Eziekiel Z. Ward, 42, of Helena for Lewis & Clark County law enforcement officials.

Ward was picked up Thursday afternoon in the 10 block of Bennett Street on felony and misdemeanor out-of-jurisdiction warrants.

Alleged shoplifter

Early Thursday afternoon, a Billings man was caught shoplifting at Walmart. The alleged shoplifter took multiple items of food without paying. When questioned by an officer, he gave a false name.

Turns out the man was 36-year-old Jacob Dean Niebel, who had felony warrant out for his arrest for probation violation, along with an out-of-jurisdiction warrant. He was also jailed for the miscellaneous offenses of shoplifting and obstructing a police officer.

Off to jail

Two men were fighting Thursday morning in the 100 block of East Broadway Street. Turns out one of the men, Samuel Joel Ames, 31, of Butte had a warrant out for his arrest for felony parole violation  so off to jail he went.

Criminal trespass

Anthony Calvin Wallace, 28, of Erin, Tennessee was arrested Thursday morning for felony possession of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor criminal trespass to property.

Wallace trespassed at two locations  a residence in the 600 block of Placer Street and a yard in the 800 block of South Washington Street.

Lying in the street

Police arrived near the intersection of Main and Summit around 8 p.m. Friday to find Cindy Alane Charon, 41, of Butte lying in the middle of the street.

Charon, reportedly intoxicated, was brought by officers to the sidewalk where she became verbally abusive. She was arrested for the misdemeanor offenses of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia (syringes)

Sound asleep

Late Sunday morning, an officer found Shawn Michael Durham, 45, of Butte sound asleep in the passenger seat of a car parked in the 400 block of South Main St.

Durham had two felony warrants out for his arrest for assault with a weapon. At the time of his arrest, he had in his possession dangerous drugs.

House break-in

At around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, officers arrived in the 700 block of Kenwood Street to investigate a disturbance.

Samantha Jean Gray, 28, of Butte allegedly broke into a house but left before officers arrived. She was stopped on Alabama Street and arrested for aggravated felony burglary.

Felony, misdemeanor

Ryan Graeser Forsch, 38, of Butte was picked up around 3 a.m. Monday near the Town Pump on Continental Drive for a $50,000 felony out-of-jurisdiction warrant out of Gallatin County and misdemeanor possession of dangerous drugs

Before midnight

While driving near the intersection of Cornell and Harrison shortly before midnight Friday, a car driven by Garry Leon Coblentz, 60, of Butte ran out of gas.

An officer at the scene learned there was a warrant out for Coblentz arrest from U.S. Marshals in Salt Lake City so he was taken to the jail.

MHP arrests

Just after 3 a.m. Saturday, Brandon Lee Butler, 23, of Butte was arrested by a trooper with the Montana Highway Patrol for the misdemeanor offenses of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (second offense), no liability insurance in effect, three counts of criminal contempt and driving with a suspended or revoked drivers license.

Darren Roger Roy, 55, of Butte was arrested around 1 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of Platinum and Montana by the MHP for misdemeanor aggravated driving under the influence.
MUSCATINE  People experiencing a mental health crisis have a new option to reach out for help that is only a three-digit phone call away.

People can call or text the numbers 9-8-8 for the new national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Based on the 911 emergency line, the lifeline is designed to be fast and memorable and will connect people who are contemplating self-harm with a trained mental health professional. The goal of the hotline is to make it easier for people to call for help. Since its inception, the Biden administration has invested over $400 million to strengthen crisis centers to support the new hotline. The crisis center network is made up of 170 centers, with two in Iowa. The numbers are guaranteed to be manned, and callers wont be put on hold.

We deal with mental health issues inside the facility (the Muscatine County Jail) on a daily basis, Muscatine County Sheriff Quinn Riess said. Unfortunately, this is one of the stops in that process.

Riess also said there were several projects in the works at the Muscatine County Jail to streamline the mental health process, including a tele-health program. In many cases when people are having a mental health crisis 911 is called.

The 988 system promises to get people in crisis to mental health professionals and possibly free up law enforcement officers who would have otherwise had to answer the call, Riess explained. He said the system was much the same as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, but the contact number is a lot easier to remember.

Muscatine County Emergency Management Director Chris Jasper explained the Federal Communications Commission designated 988 as the three-digit number of the federal suicide lifeline on July 16, 2020. It went live July 16, 2022. He believes there will be a learning curve with the public to know when it is appropriate to call 911 and when to call 988.

The thought process is instead of people having a mental health crisis remembering an 800 number, they are going to remember an easier three-digit number, he said. Also, instead of keeping a dispatcher or law enforcement officer tied up with one of those calls, it allows them to handle other emergencies.

Jasper said if needed, the call centers could confer with local dispatch centers if there was an emergency that would be appropriate for law enforcement to respond to. There is also a Mobile Crisis Team in Eastern Iowa that can be dispatched to the scene of incidents, if need be.

In the years Riess has worked in law enforcement, he has seen the need for training in mental health response among law enforcement officers rise. In the police academy, there is a block of instruction specifically for dealing with subjects experiencing mental health issues. He also said there was continuing training for area law enforcement.

Absolutely, Riess said when asked if knowledge on how to deal with mental health was more important for law enforcement. I think it is more prevalent these days. The more capabilities we have to deal with it  it is better for us and it is better for the people.

He also said the new 988 system would allow officers to put people into direct contact with mental health professionals who had the resources to help subjects.

Muscatine County Jail Administrator Matt McCleary said mental health issues in the jail ranged from someone with just behavior symptoms to someone having a full mental health crisis. He said the jail worked closely with area mental health programs. In the most extreme cases, the jail can work with Trinity Medical Center-Muscatine to have an inmate committed for either a 48-hour or 72-hour hold. The inmate is then transferred to a mental health treatment facility. He said recently there had been a few cases where the subject was taken directly to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
Britains first-ever extreme heat warning is in effect for large parts of England as hot, dry weather that has scorched mainland Europe moves north. The high heat is disrupting travel, health care and schools. Two airports were forced to close when their runways buckled. The temperature Monday reached 38.1 C (100.6 F) at Downham in eastern England, just shy of the highest-ever recorded in Britain. That record is 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019. Wales did set a provisional national record of 37.1 C (95.5 F) at Hawarden. Britain's red heat alert will last through Tuesday. The country is not remotely prepared to handle such heat since most homes, schools and small businesses don't have air conditioning.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon's contempt-of-Congress trial will stretch into a second day after lawyers labored through a long Monday session trying to select a jury without preconceived opinions. Bannon is facing criminal charges after refusing for months to cooperate with the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

Bannon, an unofficial adviser to President Donald Trump at the time of the Capitol attack is charged in federal court with defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee that sought his records and testimony. He was indicted in November on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress, one month after the Justice Department received a congressional referral. Each count carries a minimum of 30 days of jail and as long as a year behind bars.

Monday's session before U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols was entirely focused on jury selection in a slow-moving process known as voir dire. By the end of the day, 22 prospective jurors had been identified. The trial will resume Tuesday morning as lawyers for Bannon and the government whittle the list down to 14  with 12 jurors and two alternates.

Much of Monday's questioning of potential jurors by Bannon's lawyer, Evan Corcoran, centered on how much of the wide coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings they've watched and whether they have opinions about the committee and its work.

In one case, a prospective juror told Nichols that remaining impartial would be "a challenge" for him since "I do believe (Bannon) is guilty."

That admission, in addition to disqualifying the potential juror, prompted additional questioning of others who had sat next to the man to determine how widely he had shared his opinion.

The high-profile and divisive nature of the case hung over Monday's session, with Corcoran seeking to block jurors who expressed strong opinions about Bannon or Trump, or who had any sort of personal connection to Jan. 6 or the Capitol.

At one point, Judge Nichols agreed to disqualify a woman whose mother is a staffer for Democratic Florida Rep. Lois Frankel. In another case Corcoran argued successfully to disqualify a man who said the Jan. 6 committee's work was "important" and he was closely tracking its developments.

"He comes into it with a frame of mind where he's highly focused on Jan. 6," Corcoran said. "I just don't think he can be fair."

Bannon attended the entire session, but never spoke.

The trial follows a flurry of activity in the case since July 9. Over a week ago, the former White House strategist notified the committee that he is now willing to testify. His former lawyer, Robert Costello, said the change was because Trump had waived his executive privilege claim preventing the testimony.

Bannon, 68, had been one of the most prominent of the Trump-allied holdouts refusing to testify before the committee. He had argued that his testimony was protected by Trump's claim of executive privilege, which allows presidents to withhold confidential information from the courts and the legislative branch.

Trump has repeatedly asserted executive privilege  even though he's a former, not current president  to try to block witness testimony and the release of White House documents. The Supreme Court in January ruled against Trump's efforts to stop the National Archives from cooperating with the committee after a lower court judge  Ketanji Brown Jackson, now on the Supreme Court  noted, in part, "Presidents are not kings."

The committee has also noted that Trump fired Bannon from the White House in 2017 and Bannon was thus a private citizen when he was consulting with the president in the run-up to the riot.

Judge Nichols declined motions to delay the contempt trial in separate hearings last week, including Thursday when Bannon's lawyers raised concerns about an upcoming CNN report that has since aired about their client and what they said were prejudicial comments made during a hearing last week held by the House committee.

"I am cognizant of current concerns about publicity and bias and whether we can seat a jury that is going to be appropriate and fair, but as I said before, I believe the appropriate course is to go through the voir dire process," Nichols said Thursday. The judge said he intended to get a jury that "is going to be appropriate, fair and unbiased."

While the judge allowed the trial to move forward, Nichols left open the possibility that letters about Trump waiving his privilege and Bannon's offer to cooperate with the committee could be referenced at trial, saying the information was "at least potentially relevant" to Bannon's defense.

Roscoe Howard Jr., the former U.S. attorney in Washington, said the best case for Bannon was if the information on his cooperation offer gets to the jury. Even if it does, however, a claim that executive privilege stopped him from cooperating earlier will be a hard argument to make because Bannon refused to even answer the subpoena, Howard said.

"You have to show up to invoke the privilege claim. You can't phone it in," he said.

___
The Americans had a spectacular day at the world championships by winning nine medals on home turf. It will go down as one of the most memorable days for the red, white and blue in their long, successful track and field history. This also was the best single medal day for a nation at worlds, according to meet organizers. It could've been more, too. Hurdler Devon Allen left the track after being disqualified for leaving the blocks too early in the final. The medal-favorite will now make his way to the football field after signing a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The U.S. leads with 14 medals as it hosts the world championships for the first time.
Two forensic investigations into the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) have found that the body spent millions of rand on an app that never worked, reports the City Press.

The reports also found that suspended CEO Mamodupi Mohlala disregarded the appropriate supply chain management processes when she procured the app.

Malatji & Co Attorneys found that R3.6 million was paid to software company Rural Brand Technologies (RBT) to develop the mobile app that never worked.

The report recommends that the PPRA stop using the RBT app and that all implicated employees  including Mohlala  be disciplined.

It is clear from the information provided to us  that the application is not functional. As a result, RBTs performance in relation to the agreement is defective and, as such, there is no basis for the PPRA to make any further payments to RBT, said the report.

The investigators also found that there had not been a competitive bid process before RBT was appointed, and Mohlala had instead tried to follow an unsolicited bid route.

However, the PPRA did not follow the unsolicited bid process as set out in practice note 11, explained Malatji & Co Attorneys.

This is because the proposal did not meet the requirements set out in the practice note, nor did the PPRA undertake the evaluation process set out therein. It is on this basis that the PPRA was required to reject the proposal by RBT.

Mohlala has denied these allegations:

I deny all the allegations of procurement irregularities resulting in irregular and/or fruitless and wasteful expenditure. I will respond to all these claims in the appropriate forum or at the disciplinary hearing.

Pension fund problems

Mohlala was initially suspended for multiple allegations  including non-compliance with the Pension Fund Act.

The second set of investigators, Kettle Consulting, has now found that Mohlala had instructed the PPRAs HR department to stop deducting five employees pension fund contributions to boost their salaries.

It appears the CEO had not read the rules of the fund before making this instruction, said Kettle Consulting.

The investigators found that this has incurred R160,801 in penalties for not paying these contributions.

Kettle Consulting also found that Mohlala inflated the number of Namibian delegates who had attended a group of meetings.

We established that the total number of persons who attended the meetings over the two days were three Namibian delegates and not more than 30 executive and management committee members, said Kettle Consultings report.

The regulators accountant had refused to sign for the payment to host these individuals because the service provider had catered for 120 people, as the invoice stated.

However, the CEO insisted that the invoice was correct with a number of 120 people, said Kettle Consulting.

Disaster at Denel

This is far from the first instance of mismanagement and corruption significantly affecting public entities.

State-owned company Denel is in the process of having its motor vehicles auctioned to pay the R90 million in outstanding salaries to employees who are members of Solidarity.

Despite failing to pay these salaries for two years, the state-owned company continued to pay the full salaries of executives suspended over alleged corruption.

The first auction took place Friday, 15 July, and saw several passenger and utility vehicles, as well as office equipment, being made available, including:

1 x Chevrolet Aveo

3 x Nissan NP200

1 x Toyota Conquest

4 x Toyota Hilux

1 x Toyota Venture

3 x Volkswagen Polos

1 x Manitou forklift

1 x TCM forklift

1 x LG Plasma TV

1 x boardroom table + 10 x black leather chairs

4 x office tables + 4 x filing cabinets

8 x grey couches

1 x Kevlinator bar fridge

Its a sad day. We definitely did not want to continue with any auction processes, said Solidarity defence and aerospace sector coordinator Derik Mans.

We really hoped that the shareholder, and by extension, the Denel board, settle these items before it came to an auction.
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industry in the UAE outside oil and gas, has announced that young EGA engineers provided career advice to more than 500 UAE high school students. This was done at Emirates Schools Establishments virtual career fair to encourage them to Make it in the Emirates.

The sessions for students in grades 11 to 12 were held as part EGAs Ambassador Programme.

EGAs Ambassador Programme is led by young Emirati engineers and professionals, who explain the practical application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies in the UAEs industries.

Inspiring young people

The objective of the programme is to inspire more young people to pursue careers in these fields, to support the achievement of the UAEs Operation 300bn industrial growth strategy and Make it in the Emirates.

Since its inception in 2019, EGAs Ambassador Programme sessions have reached more than 14,500 students, mostly at universities including the American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University, and the Higher Colleges of Technology. EGAs ambassadors are often graduates of the universities they visit.

EGA also runs Engineer the Future, a programme in partnership with Emirates Schools Establishment to provide hands-on learning experiences in high schools exploring the science on which the aluminium industry is based.

Important pillar

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: Through Operation 300bn and Make it in the Emirates, the UAEs industrial sector is set to become an even more important pillar of our national economy. As a nation, we need more young people to choose and succeed in careers in science, engineering, technology and maths. It is vital that industrial companies like EGA help inspire young peoples interest in these fields, and we are proud to work with Emirates Schools Establishment and our university partners to do so.

EGA is also offering students additional virtual and in-person workshops under the theme Future Skills. The weeklong programme aims to enhance the employability of Emirati students through a series of business presentations, case studies, problem-solving activities and research assignments.

EGA is a significant employer of professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with more than 1,500 employees working in these fields including over 500 UAE Nationals.-- TradeArabia News Service
Stem Connect, a specialist business ISP, is celebrating its 20th year of business in 2022.

Key to its continued success is that it has always remained focused on innovation.

It should therefore be no surprise that Stem Connect has grown tremendously over the last two years and solidified its position as a key player in the connectivity market.

This includes the company establishing a strong presence in important global markets  such as the United Kingdom, where it is now delivering the same services that it does in South Africa.

Its international expansion has been a big success, and Stem Connect expects to grow its UK business substantially moving forward.

It has also established an office in France, from which it provides valuable connectivity services across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Big success in South Africa

Stem Connect continues to thrive in South Africa, too, and has experienced particularly strong growth in the financial sector.

The business ISP now offers connectivity services to four South African banks, as well as to a variety of other financial institutions and microlender groups.

This includes the implementation of a fully redundant SD-WAN solution for a local bank that has over 380 branches.

Thanks to its growth in the financial sector, Stem Connect has employed a senior service delivery manager who has extensive knowledge of the banking industry, and its licensing and regulations.

This ensures it provides the best services to its client while satisfying all regulatory requirements.

Business packages

Along with its growth in the banking sector, Stem Connect remains focused on providing the best products and solutions to its South African business clients across all industries.

It offers ultra-reliable connectivity solutions to businesses of all sizes  including fibre, voice, and a range of cloud-based tools that improve employee performance and efficiency.

Additionally, as an industry leader in the business connectivity space, Stem Connect continues to be an early adopter of the latest trends and is evolving its product offering with new bundles.

This is in alignment with a key market trend: businesses now want to get all their business connectivity solutions from a single provider.

Stem Connects bundled product offerings will include core products  such as fibre connectivity and uncapped voice solutions  as well as various other services from Stem Connect and its partners.

Stem Connect believes these comprehensive offerings will be key to attracting new customers and retaining existing clients.

To learn more about Stem Connects range of product bundles, click here to contact Stem Connect today.
In early March, California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a controversial proposal to compel people with serious mental health issues into care and housing.

Mental health advocates, mayors and family members who stood alongside him at the press conference at a San Jose behavioral health treatment program heralded the plan, known as CARE Court, as a visionary move.

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But some county officials say they were stunned.

"They really sprung it on everybody," said Farah McDaid Ting, public affairs director at the California State Association of Counties, who said lawmakers didn't consult or even give her organization a heads-up.

Four months later, the bill to establish CARE Court has sailed through all of its policy committees in the Legislature, secured unanimous approval from the Senate in May and is widely expected to become law later this summer. CARE Court  short for Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court  has garnered enthusiastic support from leaders of more than 45 cities, many of whom face fiery criticism over their handling of homelessness. Many family members, who for decades have felt stymied by strict eligibility rules for conservatorship, are also celebrating the new plan.

But county representatives continue to ring alarm bells about their ability to implement the proposal, especially as an aggressive timeline comes into focus. A handful of counties have registered support for the proposal, including Marin, Contra Costa and San Diego.

Many of the counties' concerns come in the form of questions: Will the necessary housing be available? Where can they find the outreach workers and therapists needed to serve the population, given massive statewide shortages of both? What happens to all the struggling people who want housing and treatment, and already can't get it?

Disability rights advocates are raising fundamental questions about the very premise of CARE Court: Is it effective to compel people into care? Is involuntary treatment a violation of their civil rights?

But many of those who support the concept say the practical questions feel especially pressing right now, as the Legislature continues its deliberations. While many details are still in flux, the gist of the proposal remains the same as initially outlined. Anyone from family members to first responders could petition a civil court to create a court-ordered care plan for people who meet specific criteria. These include a diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, along with being at risk of harming themselves or others or being unlikely to survive on their own. Participants would receive legal counsel and a range of mental health services, medication and supportive housing. Following a series of check-ins during a yearlong period, the participant could either graduate or be referred to an additional year of treatment. If a person refuses to comply, or "fails out", they could be considered by the court for conservatorship.

Conversations about CARE Court have been peppered with frequent references to people living on California's sidewalks and under freeway overpasses. But the administration hasn't been clear about how much of a dent the proposal would make in the state's massive homelessness crisis. Prior to the pandemic, more than 161,000 people in the state were estimated to be homeless on any given night; that number has likely grown since. The administration says the program will serve 7,000 to 12,000 people with the most acute mental health needs. Homelessness isn't a prerequisite to participate.

The administration says the proposal represents a crucial step toward addressing one of the state's great moral and policy failings: the vast ranks of unhoused people languishing with serious mental illness and without care.

"What CARE Court is saying is we must create a pathway wherein these individuals that live in the shadows and often die in the shadows, become a priority group," said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, who has been championing the program on behalf of the Newsom administration.

CARE Court's supporters say no more time can be wasted. Judge Stephen Manley, who started the state's first mental health court in Santa Clara County nearly 25 years ago, notes the growing percentage of people in local jails and prisons with serious mental illnesses. Only by mandating that counties prioritize this population, he said, will anything change.

"People are always telling me it can't be done," he said. "To me it is a tragedy that we repeatedly, year after year after year after year, talk about this issue, do nothing, and all these individuals end up in the criminal justice system."

Is there enough housing or will there be?

Perhaps the most prominent question that has emerged among legislators and advocates is whether there is enough housing available to get the CARE Court program started.

Short answer: No.

But the state believes that bringing CARE Court participants to the front of the line, along with making unprecedented investments in housing this year, will allow counties to meet the needs of this population. Opponents fear others awaiting voluntary services will be bumped to the back of the line, leaving their needs to intensify.

"I worry if it houses some but leaves others out, are we just reshuffling things?" said Margot Kushel, director of the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

While the new budget deal includes $65 million this year and $49 million in ongoing annual funding to cover training, court costs and legal representation, counties say the proposal doesn't include any new funding for housing or services.

"There's a new door being built onto a small house," Ting said. "There's no square footage, there's no nothing, just a new door. That's what's kind of frustrating about the premise."

The administration points skeptics to a $14 billion multi-year homelessness budget put together before the proposal's announcement  which includes about $5 billion to build thousands of mental health treatment beds and homeless housing. This year's budget includes $1.5 billion for interim treatment beds to hold patients over while permanent units come online. In response to counties' concerns that even the bridge beds won't be ready in time, the bill's authors recently said counties would be phased into the program over two years, starting in July 2023.

Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, the bill's co-author and a Stockton Democrat, says she believes counties are unhappy with the proposal because it finally holds them to account. It requires that they provide the care and housing a participant needs and if they don't, face court fines of $1,000 per day. The money, collected by the state treasury, would eventually fund local services for the people CARE Court targets.

"We're not just saying the person has the obligation to accept, we're saying the system has the obligation to treat," Eggman said during a recent hearing.

Counties counter that these penalties will only take away from their already limited resources to treat people.

While the bill says a county has to provide services during the program, courts can't enforce a participant's post-graduation plans. Advocates worry that without guaranteed housing people will wind up back on the streets, in emergency rooms and county jails.

"We're going to release them back into the streets but we expect them to continue to adhere to the care plan and continue to be taking medication," said Shonique Williams, a statewide organizer for Dignity and Power Now, who opposes the proposal. "But they're going back into survival mode."

The state doesn't keep any sort of waitlist or even a count of treatment beds and housing that's available to people exiting homelessness. As a result, it's impossible to gauge the exact shortage in each county.

But a state-commissioned report released in January found that more than 80% of counties need more mental health treatment beds and homeless housing. A 2021 study from the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit think tank, showed the state lacks 5,000 psychiatric hospital beds and another 3,000 beds at residential treatment facilities and board-and-care homes. The shortage is most pronounced in the San Joaquin Valley and for patients with additional medical needs.

Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the California Behavioral Health Directors Association, said one recent survey showed counties had 14,000 unhoused individuals with serious mental illnesses voluntarily participating in full service partnership programs. But they couldn't find housing for more than half of these individuals, in part because many were screened out for reasons related to their mental health conditions, she said.

In Sacramento County, beds are increasingly rare at board-and-care facilities, where residents receive housing, 24-hour care and three daily meals.

"It is a needle in a haystack right now," said Terry Fiscus, a behavioral health worker at Turning Point, which contracts with the county.

The less calm and rule-abiding the patient, the less chance they have of getting or keeping a spot, he said. On top of that, facilities have been closing at a rapid clip as housing prices soar and government-set reimbursement rates remain stagnant.

"There are a lot of people that want to come in all the time. We cannot take them," said Jeanny Leung, who runs a board-and-care home in Sacramento.

"Squeezing blood from a turnip"

Housing isn't the only big concern counties are raising. To run, CARE Court requires staff and resources.

Some counties say they fear that, without new funding, the program will end up draining resources from other populations, potentially including children and youth.

Cabrera, of the California Behavioral Health Directors Association, uses phrases like "squeezing blood from a turnip" and "robbing Peter to pay Paul."

"We're at our limit in terms of what we can do," she said. "We need more resources to do more."

The proposal's proponents argue that there's plenty of money to get things up and running. They say county mental health systems have had a huge influx of taxpayer dollars in the past two years, thanks to the Mental Health Services Act, a 1% tax on incomes over a million dollars that was enacted in 2004.

"Our millionaires in California seem to be doing very well for themselves," said Karen Larsen, CEO of The Steinberg Institute, a nonprofit focusing on mental health policy, which supports the proposal. She notes that revenues from the tax have hit historic highs  they were at more than $4 billion this past year.

For two decades prior to assuming her current role, Larsen served as director of Yolo County's Health and Human Services Agency. She believes counties can afford the costs of the new program.

"If they can prove they don't have enough resources, I'd love to see it," she said.

Phebe Bell, Nevada County's behavioral health director, said she was, indeed, able to tap the influx of Mental Health Services Act funding to purchase a new house, providing beds for six people who were unhoused. But strict rules often limit what that pot of money can be used for, she said.

If the county has to pivot to focus on CARE Court mandates, she worries about who won't be served.

"Many of our people are only stable because we have someone coming twice a day to deliver their meds and check in with them and make sure their furniture is upright," she said.

When her county examined their full service partnership program, they found more than a third of the 78 people in their program at any given moment were inadequately housed, with many sleeping on the streets.

"I don't have a single empty bed in our system of care," she said. "Who exactly are we incorrectly prioritizing in our work right now?"

Both sides agree on one specific challenge: a massive shortage of mental health providers.

At the beginning of the pandemic, many counties worried they'd face significant shortfalls and pre-emptively laid off mental health workers.

Now, as need surges, staffing has simply not kept pace. Counties are finding themselves losing bidding wars for therapists being courted by everyone from school districts to telehealth start-ups to major providers like Kaiser. Burnout is driving others from the field entirely.

Some counties now face vacancy rates of 30% to 40% in their behavioral health workforce, and many of the nonprofits they contract with are in the same situation, Larsen said.

"I think it's the biggest issue we face in mental health and substance use right now," she said.

This year's budget includes $1.5 billion to build out the state's entire health care workforce, including hundreds of millions that target behavioral health.

The state's public guardians and conservators have also eyed the CARE Court proposal warily. While they are not officially affected by the proposal, they say they expect the program could lead to a surge in new referrals.

The programs are already severely underfunded and understaffed, said Scarlet Hughes, executive director of the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians, and Public Conservators. Right now, caseloads hover at 65 to 85 individuals per caseworker, though in some counties they're as high as 135. That translates into visiting a client every three or four months, she said.

"Any impact to our members is going to be significant because they're underwater already," she said.

What's next?

Questions over implementation, in addition to the ongoing debate over civil liberties, have been woven through CARE Court's journey from the start. That hasn't stopped the Legislature from voting overwhelmingly in the bill's favor. It is expected to easily clear its final hurdles: an appropriations vote later this summer, a floor-wide vote in the Assembly and a signature from the author, the governor himself.

But despite their ongoing questions, counties have conceded that CARE Court is coming whether they like it or not. They know they're not likely getting any more money for housing and staffing. For now, they're using the appropriations process to petition for more time and tools to implement the program.

The administration acknowledges that counties around the state face severe shortages. But it remains committed to the idea of a better way to serve the people who are struggling the most.

"California has done this before," Ghaly said. "We've stepped up for the most vulnerable, the most overlooked many, many times. And we can do it again."
There appears to be no end to the new laws that Sacramentos dominant Democratic legislators want to pass in their effort to make California at least as dense as New York state.

Their latest effort seems likely to be as onerous  and unsuccessful  at this task as the infamous 2021 SB 9 and SB 10, which effectively end single family residence (R-1) zoning everywhere in this highly varied state. The two earlier laws  which may face a referendum to cancel them in the 2024 election  have so far had little effect.

They allow all but the smallest current R-1 lots to be split in two, with each lot eligible for a duplex and a small additional dwelling unit, also known as a granny flat. Cities and counties cannot nix such efforts to multiply housing units by a 6-1 ratio over current levels.

But its not happening on a large scale, very possibly because the state housing shortage estimates they were designed to mitigate probably are nowhere near accurate. The actual housing shortage appears to be far smaller than levels claimed by the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

Using HCD numbers, Gov. Gavin Newsom campaigned hard in 2018 for construction of 3.5 million new units by 2025, but fewer than half a million have actually been built on his four-year watch.

Newsom now says just 1.8 million new units are needed, half what he claimed four years ago. And a springtime report from the non-partisan state auditor found HCD figures lack solid documentation, suggesting the real need may be far lower than even Newsoms latest numbers, which he proffered without any documentation.

Now come the legislators with a new bill called AB 2011, based on a supposed HCD estimate of 2.5 million new housing units needed as soon as possible.

This proposed law, titled the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022, offers no explanation of what a High Road job might be, except that any building under its auspices would require that all labor be paid union wages  in short, the highest in the construction industry.

No wonder several under-construction affordable housing projects are coming in right now at more than $1 million in building costs per unit. These may be offered at below-market rents to some Californians, but they in no way are affordable for the taxpayers who are actually footing most of the costs.

AB 2011 is different and probably even less affordable to local taxpayers than the laws that spawned the current hyper-expensive housing construction.

It provides a ministerial approval process for all affordable or low-rent housing proposed along commercial transportation corridors. In short, this means automatic approval by a rubber-stamping official in each city or county where developers might want to build along major streets and highways. It makes such projects exempt from virtually all laws governing environmental or neighborhood impacts of these purported new buildings, which must also offer ground-floor commercial space.

But if a developer finds a project approved under these terms doesnt pencil out, a portion of the units can be rented or sold at market rates much higher than so-called affordable housing. Even the states building trade unions dont like that. The bill provides a path to developer profits with little protection for workers or meaningful impact from community members, said a statement from the states Building and Construction Trades Council.

So even the unions, which enthusiastically backed SB 9, SB 10 and other densifying measures passed over the last five years dont much like this one.

Some opponents note both the unreliability of HCD need estimates and the fact that many investors and speculators buying up existing housing are keeping it vacant, producing what is essentially a false, manufactured housing shortage designed to keep prices up.

So this latest densifying proposal, sponsored by Democratic Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks of Oakland, may have too many flaws to make it past a very pro-density Legislature and an even more pro-housing governor.

But maybe not. The flaws in SB 9, SB 10 and other densifying measures that did pass were just as evident as those afflicting the newest proposal, yet they passed handily and Newsom signed them into law. So whats to stop this one, too?
A British man has been found dead alongside a woman with serious injuries at a hotel in Italy, Manchester Evening News reported.

The couple, who are from Manchester according to reports in MailOnline, were found at the four-star Hotel Continentale in Florence on Saturday morning.

According to local media reports, a 40-year-old man was found in his hotel room after staff alerted the police.

He is reported to have arrived in the Italian city on Friday night with a 43-year-old woman, who is understood to be his partner.

The woman is being treated at the citys Careggi hospital after being found with serious injuries.

Local police and forensic teams were seen at the luxury hotel on Saturday.

Hotel staff were unable to provide any further information regarding the incident.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired the countrys top prosecutor and the head of the state security service, in a shakeup spurred by reports that dozens of people from the services are now working against Ukrainian interests in Russian-occupied territory, RFE/RL reported.

The decrees signed on Sunday dismissed Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova and Ivan Bakanov, head of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU).

In a statement, Zelenskyy said without mentioning Venediktova or Bakanov by name that "the specific actions and any inaction of each official in the security sector and in law enforcement agencies will be evaluated."

He said that, "as of today, 651 criminal proceedings have been registered regarding treason and collaboration activities of employees of the prosecutor's office, pretrial investigation bodies, and other law enforcement agencies.

"In particular, more than 60 employees of the prosecutor's office and the SBU remained in the occupied territory and are working against our state," he said.

Such an array of crimes against the foundations of national security of the state and the connections recorded between the employees of the security forces of Ukraine and the special services of Russia raise very serious questions for the relevant leaders.

Each of these questions will receive a proper answer. Today, I have decided to remove the prosecutor-general from office and to remove the head of the Security Service of Ukraine," he said.
Two Armenian Startups Advance to EWC Global Finals (PHOTOS)

Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia

Yerevan market explosion death toll is 16 as of 3:30pm, Armenia emergency ministry says

Putin calls Pelosi's trip to Taiwan gamble

Russia embassy: Russian citizen considered missing in Yerevan market blast is alive and well

Gazprom: European gas price will exceed $4,000 per thousand cubic meters in winter

Yerevan subway operations resume

Yerevan market explosion: 6 people still considered missing

Former head of NSC: Bomb alerts have never been so systematic and periodic before

Armenia truckers temporarily block Goris-Sisian motorway

Georgia PM: Our thoughts and prayers are with families of those killed in Yerevan

Yerevan market blast: 14 of 16 casualties identified, official says

Georgia President: I stand with the people of Armenia

Bloomberg: Jump in gas prices sent European electricity prices to a new record

Armenia official: Pointless to say that Surmalu market was deliberately blown up

Japan embassy expresses condolences over Yerevan market explosion

No bombs found at 4 Yerevan subway stations, international airport

Armenia, Russia defense ministers hold talks

Shoigu says there is no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine

Bomb threat at Yerevan international airport

Putin: Russia will ensure its national interests, protection of allies

US lifts F-35 flight ban

Armenian Red Cross Society: 140 people asked for psychological service, 110 othersfor first aid, in 3 days

14 of Yerevan market blast casualties are identified

Trump says after leaving Afghanistan, US left Taliban weapons worth $ 85 billion

India blocks Azerbaijan's participation in upcoming BRICS summit as a guest

Baku is concerned about safety of its diplomatic mission in London

Yerevan explosion: 13 of 16 dead are identified, emergency ministry spokesperson says

Iran responds to EU nuclear deal proposals

Yerevan market explosion: 17 people considered missing, Armenia official says

Yerevan explosion: 7 injured continue to receive hospital treatment

Day of mourning to be declared in Armenia

Newspaper: Unpunished crime gives birth to new, more catastrophic crime in Yerevan

Bomb threat made at Yerevan subway

Newspaper: Who is No. 1 accountable for Yerevan market tragedy?

Yerevan market explosion: Fire extinguishing no longer being carried out, emergency minister says

Yerevan market explosion death toll reaches 16

Armenia emergency minister: Rescuers removed young child, pregnant womans bodies from under rubble

Yerevan explosion death toll climbs to 15

Yerevan market explosion death toll reaches 10

Yerevan explosion: 5 of 6 assumed missing Iranians are in Georgia, Armenia emergency ministry spokesman says

Musk plans to build at least 1,000 starships to send groups of pioneers to Mars

Russian DM: Ukraine is preparing large-scale provocations near Zaporizhzhia NPP

Rescuers find another body from rubble of Surmalu shopping center

Deputy Minister: Tomorrow it will be known when we can finish rescue work near Surmalu shopping center

FBI and DHS say threat grows after search of Donald Trump's residence

Armenian Emergency Ministry updates list of citizens missing in Surmalu explosion: Six Iranian and one Russian citizen

Modi says they must transform India into developed country in next 25 years

Ministry of Emergency Situations denies information about pregnant woman and her son found

Myanmar Military Court hands down second sentence to Aung San Suu Kyi

Head of Emergency Ministry unable to confirm another survivor has been pulled out of rubble

German Chancellor: Visa ban for Russians must be discussed

Rescuers hear sounds under rubble of Surmalu shopping center

Emergencies Ministry: 22 people missing in Surmalu shopping center

Bloomberg: Recession risk in eurozone has reached highest level since November 2020

Investigation into explosion in Surmalu shopping center continues

Georgia's tourism revenues have exceeded pre-pandemic levels

French Embassy expresses condolences to families of Surmalu explosion victims

CSTO Secretary General sends condolences to Armenian Prime Minister over Surmalu trade center explosion

Hungary and Turkey plan to launch joint drone production

Russian-Armenian Humanitarian Response Center joins work to eliminate consequences of explosion in Surmalu

Tesla has produced more than 3 million cars since company was founded

Rescuers find another body under rubble of Surmalu shopping center

Ministry of Emergencies presents new list: 21 people are missing from Surmalu shopping center

Electricity bills in Germany will rise by another 480 euros year because of gas surcharge

12 injured in Surmalu shopping mall explosion remain in hospitals

Media: Russia signs contract with Iran to buy 1,000 drones

Armenian DM attends opening of Army 2022 exhibition at Patriot center near Moscow (PHOTOS)

Former Armenian Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan released from jail

China sends 30 aircraft and five warships to Taiwan

Russian and Iranian citizens among those missing in Surmalu shopping center

Lawlessness continues: Shots fired again in Yerevan

India's prime minister promises that in 25 years India will be developed country

Artsakh Internal Affairs Minister expresses readiness to assist colleagues from Armenia

Court in Netherlands to rule on MH-17 case on November 17

Putin invites allies and partners to participate in military exercises

Karabakh President: Protection of new corridor will be carried out by Russian peacekeepers

Dollar rises, euro falls in Armenia

Specialists say those injured in Yerevan market explosion are in satisfactory condition, health minister says

Yerevan explosion: We have report about 19 confirmed missing, emergency ministry spokesperson says

Yerevan explosion: One of the missing is Iran citizen

Yerevan market explosion: 56 injured, 18 others considered missing

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff chief on new weapons: We choose what our army needs

Yerevan explosion: Search-and-rescue dogs found certain track, emergency ministry spokesman says

Iran MFA: International borders need to be preserved

Armenian member of Turkey parliament expresses condolences to people of Armenia

Putin condoles with Pashinyan regarding Yerevan market explosion

Yerevan explosion: Turkish special representative extends condolences to Armenia

Yerevan market explosion: Emergency minister dismisses terrorism claims

US embassy charge d'affaires expresses condolences regarding Yerevan explosion

Georgia MFA extends condolences to Yerevan explosion casualties families

1,713 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia past one week

Yerevan explosion: There is real danger building collapsing, says emergency minister

Yerevan explosion: Firefighting continues since Sunday (PHOTOS)

Artsakh president on Yerevan market explosion: Armenian people must arm themselves with fortitude

Yerevan explosion: All 6 casualties identified

Yerevan explosion: We are dealing with highly flammable materials, Armenia official says

Yerevan explosion: 21 injured continue to be treated at hospitals

Yerevan explosion: 2 of 6 casualties not identified yet

Yerevan explosion: 15 people found as result of search
Sweden is developing a new strategy for its next-generation fighters, Defense News reported.

Swedish Air Force Commander Carl-Johan Edstrom said his service is developing a strategy that will address future fighter jet needs in light of budget increases. We need to put out a new strategy, as a nation, for our fighter systems, Edstrom said in a speech at the Royal Air Force Club in London. The service expects to complete the work in November.

In June, the Swedish Logistics Authority awarded Saab a 250 million kronor ($23.8 million) contract to study the development of a future fighter jet. The Swedish-headquartered aerospace company produces Gripen aircraft for the Swedish Air Force. The service plans to begin decommissioning its Gripen models in 2035, and Saab's study will serve as the basis for a strategy to replace those aircraft.

Asked if the country's membership in NATO would require the service to specialize in any areas, Edstrom said it was too early to say.

Because of Sweden's position as one of three Western countries, along with France and the United States, with a proven ability to build domestic fighters, he said, he expects that NATO would like us to stay in that position and be a leading nation when it comes to developing the future fifth-generation systems.

Edstrom said he is quite confident that the Swedish Air Force will create a seventh fighter squadron.According to Edstrom, this increase would require the purchase of Gripens to staff the squadron - probably 60 aircraft of the new E model and up to 60 C/D models.

The Swedish Air Force is also considering upgrades to its Gripen C/D fleet, including modern armament and a new radar system.
Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, will set up a state-of-the-art India Engineering Centre (IEC) in Bengaluru, which will start operations in 2023.

The new centre will focus on providing contract engineering services. The IEC is expected to employ 500 engineers and professionals when fully staffed.

Pratt & Whitneys India Engineering Centre will be a first-of-its-kind investment for our company in India, said Geoff Hunt, Senior Vice President, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney.

Fielded geared turbofan

The IEC will help Pratt & Whitney leverage the engineering skills our future Indian workforce will deliver, as Pratt & Whitney continues to advance the worlds only fielded geared turbofan and develop sustainable propulsion for the next generation of propulsion.

As part of Pratt & Whitneys integrated global engineering operations, the IEC will work closely with centres in US, Canada, Puerto Rico and Poland. The IEC has begun recruiting its first tranche of engineers and professionals.

The IEC will allow us to synergise with existing Pratt & Whitney Operations capabilities in India, said Paul Weedon, executive director, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Global supply chain support

The centre will be co-located in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, with the existing Pratt & Whitney India Capability Centre (ICC). The ICC is a world-class global supply chain support and operations centre, established in 2022 as part of United Technologies Corporation India Pvt Ltd (UTCIPL), employing nearly 200.

Pratt & Whitneys growth in the country represents our strong ties and deep respect for the skills India offers, skills needed for the future of aviation, said Ashmita Sethi, managing director of UTCIPL.

DJ Dalal and Rema Ravindran have been named as Pratt and Whitneys North American project director and general manager of the IEC, respectively.

The significant investments made in-country include Pratt & Whitneys state-of-the-art India Customer Training Centre in Hyderabad; the R&D collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; as well as the ICC in Bengaluru.-- TradeArabia News Service
Demonstrators in Hungary have blocked one of the capital's main thoroughfares in the latest series of protests against recent changes to the country's tax code that have been going on for nearly a week, AFP reported.

The protesters blocked traffic in both directions on one of Budapest's main bridges over the Danube River. Many of the demonstrators were independent businessmen affected by legislative changes passed by the Hungarian parliament last week that they believe will lead to significant tax increases or job losses.

The wave of demonstrations has taken on an increasingly anti-government character since they began on 12 July.

Hungary's ruling Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, used its parliamentary majority last week to pass changes against a popular tax scheme known as KATA, which allows small businesses and freelancers such as drivers to pay a flat, low tax rate.
We cannot allow countries like China to use their market position in key raw materials, technologies or products to disrupt our economy and exercise unwanted geopolitical leverage, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in Seoul.

Her remarks came after touring the facilities of South Korean technology giant LG Corp during the final leg of her 11-day visit to the Indo-Pacific region, Reuters reported.

Yellen said the United States and allies like South Korea should focus on "friend-shoring", or diversifying their supply chains to rely more on trusted trading partners, strengthening economic resilience and lowering risks.

In her view, this would support the dynamism and productivity growth associated with economic integration and help insulate U.S. and South Korean citizens from price increases caused by geopolitical risks.

She noted that the pandemic and the war in Ukraine clearly demonstrated the need to address supply chain vulnerabilities and work to reduce congestion and shortages that have led to price increases around the world.

She suggested a way for the United States and its allies to preserve the best features of a rules-based global order while eliminating China's "unfair" trade practices and ensuring access to vital resources and products, from medicines to semiconductors to batteries for electric cars.

The key to a new approach to trade requires that countries properly consider the costs of overly concentrated supply chains, geopolitical concerns, and cost, rather than "overly focusing on costs".
"Hayeli.am" referred to the news that Armenian Yezidi politician Rustam Bakoyan allegedly physically abused and financially exploited his Armenian ex-girlfriend. His ex-girlfriend accused Mr. Bakoyan of physically abusing her several times and robbing her of a large sum of money.

The site writes: "On July 6th, 2022 a meeting of the chairman of the board of the Central Council of Yezidis Germany, Mrs. Zemfira Dilovani, and Mr. Bakoyan took place in the Armenian embassy in Berlin. On the Facebook page of the Central Council of Yezidis in Germany, the meeting between Mrs. Dilovani and Mr. Bakoyan is being hailed and looked upon with great satisfaction, but no critical word nor sentence were the accusations that Mr. Bakoyan is accused of addressed.

Mrs. Dilovani, who publicly complained a while ago in an online conversation with Dr. Irfan Ortac on air at the Alevi TV station Yol TV that she as a female chairperson of the board of ZED (Central Council of Yezidis in Germany) is often not taken seriously or noticed by male Yezidis, seems to have no problem meeting with a politician who is accused of physical and psychological violence against women, despite her own alleged experiences as a woman in a leading position. However, not only Mrs. Dilovani seems to have no problem with the alleged actions of Bakoyan.

For example, Sahir Alias, nephew of the current and controversial spiritual leader Baba Sheikh Ali Alias and online activist posted a photo with Mr. Bakoyan on his Instagram profile on July 10, 2022, with the following caption:

"It was nice to meet you Mr. @rustambakoyan, I hope we can find a good solution for the Yezidis worldwide. Fighting for human rights/fighting for the Yezidi rights."

Apparently, it seems to be no problem for Mr. Sahir Alyas to meet with Mr. Bakoyan despite the massive accusations, even less so does he seem to be interested in the "human rights" of Mr. Bakoyan's ex-girlfriend.

We are amazed and shocked that Yezidi activists, dignitaries, and public figures have no problem meeting with Mr. Bakoyan without voicing any criticism about the allegations made against him.

This meeting is particularly surprising in light of the fact that Sahir Aliyas presented and introduced himself in public as a champion and representative of women's rights.

We hope that all parties involved will apologize publicly for this misconduct and take a clear position on the accusations made against Mr. Bakoyan."
The 3rd edition of Saudi Maritime Congress, to be held in Dammam from September 28 to 29, is set to revolutionise the shipping and logistics sectors in the kingdom and the GCC.

One of the kingdoms most influential gatherings of professionals from the maritime and logistics industry, the much-awaited exhibition and conference has garnered great support from major regional and global companies such as Saudi Global Ports Co, DP World, ATCO, Al Tamimi & Co, Red Sea Gateway Terminal, Ince, Columbia Shipmanagement and Inmarsat, among others.

Enriching Saudi economy

Saudi Arabia is currently experiencing a boom in the maritime sector due to several mega infrastructural, land and sea projects in progress. The kingdom intends to issue 12 bids for investment in the development of its ports during 2022 as part of privatisation plans in its maritime industry. In view of these developments, Saudi Maritime Congress will further amplify the success of the sector.

Chris Morley, Group Director  Maritime Events, Informa Markets said: Owing to the significance of the event in transferring experiences and demonstrating investment opportunities, Saudi Maritime Congress is of strategic importance to the kingdom and the GCC. We aim to heavily complement the kingdoms pioneering model and the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030.

Increase in attendees

Morley added: In the 2019 edition, in just its second occurrence, we witnessed the presence of nearly 1,000 maritime influencers. This year, we are looking at a drastic increase in the number of attendees as the event makes its long-overdue comeback after the pandemic. With 30% of the events attendees being C-suite leaders and 49% working at the managerial level, Saudi Maritime Congress is a great platform to network with high-level professionals.

Additionally, with over 30 countries represented, businesses and professionals can explore multiple opportunities to reach new and potential customers from across the globe. Our ultimate aim is to facilitate fruitful cooperation between the public and private sector entities that are working tirelessly to ensure the progress of the sector.

As a knowledge-sharing platform, the Congress will also provide key insights on the rapidly progressing shipping and logistics sectors that are key economic pillars, paving the way for economic diversification in the kingdom. Additionally, the two-day event will offer a platform for insightful discussions among regional and international stakeholders and decision-makers.

Some of the key subjects that will be highlighted will be maritime infrastructure and investments, sustainability regulations, offshore developments, FDI opportunities in the kingdom, and automation and smart technologies.-- TradeArabia News Service
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the Ministry of Defense and introduced the newly appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Minister of Defense Edvard Asryan to the top-ranking officers of the Armed Forces, the press service of PM reported.

In his speech the Prime Minister particularly said,

Dear Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia,

Dear representatives of the command staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia,

Dear Deputy Ministers,

I am here today to introduce the newly appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, First Deputy Minister of Defense Edvrad Asryan.

First, I would like to thank Lieutenant General Kamo Kochunts for performing the duties of the Chief of General Staff for the past six months. I would like to wish Mr. Asryan success in fulfilling his mission in this important position.

You already know that certain legislative changes have also taken place, and the Chief of the General Staff will also be the First Deputy Minister of Defense from the moment the law enters into force, with the consequences arising from this. We made this decision by analyzing a number of events that have taken place in the recent years, including the issues of cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff. I think, naturally, the right decision has been made. I want to express my hope that as a result of the implementation of this decision, the effectiveness of our work in the field of the Armed Forces, army reforms will become even more effective.

Mr. Kochunts, once again let me thank you for the work done and to wish Mr. Asryan success in this important position."

First Deputy Minister of Defense, newly appointed Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Edvard Asryan said,

Honorable Mr. Prime Minister,

Dear Mr. Minister,

Dear colleagues,

The primary task of the Armed Forces is to ensure the military security of the state, therefore, assuming this responsible position, also considering that the Staff is a collegial body, and the Chief of the General Staff is the first deputy to the Minister of Defense, we will work in the General Staff based on the principle of collegiality, definitely by the decision of the Chief of the General Staff and will present proposals to the Minister of Defense. In that responsible position, Honorable Mr. Prime Minister, I undertake to fulfill all the envisaged functional duties and fulfill the tasks set before the Armed Forces."

Then the Prime Minister gave the floor to the Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, who said,

Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

Mr. Generals, officers,

Let me congratulate the Chief of the General Staff, Mr. Asryan, on the occasion of his appointment as the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, the First Deputy Minister of Defense, and wish him fruitful activity. I want to thank Lieutenant General Kamo Kochunts for honorably fulfilling the duties of Chief of General Staff in the recent period."

Then, according to the established procedure, the solemn ceremony of transfering the position of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces took place. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan handed over the military flag of the Armed Forces to the newly appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Edvard Asryan.
Saudi-based Abdul Latif Jameel Energy said its key unit Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) has started work on one of Britains largest battery storage projects at Essex in partnership with leading UK developer Harmony Energy.

A major global renewable energy business, FRV said the Clay Tye site located in Essex and will have a total power capaity of 99MW / 198MWh, making it one of the biggest projects of its kind under construction in the UK.

Clay Tye follows the successful completion of FRV and Harmony Energys West-Sussex based battery storage facility, Contego, which has a capacity of 34 MW / 68 MWh. It also follows the completion of FRVs Dorset-based Holes Bay battery energy storage project, which has a capacity of 7.5 MW / 15 MWh.

The project reflects FRVs long-term investment plan to develop energy storage projects globally in countries like Australia, Mexico, Chile and Spain.

On the big UK project, Fady Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman, Abdul Latif Jameel, said: "We are always looking for opportunities to spearhead the move to a more sustainable future. Today, we are collaborating with Harmony Energy to commence the construction of Clay Tye, which highlights our commitment to tackling climate change in a tangible and sustainable way."

"The energy transition has always been a core priority for us, and we are working hand-in-hand with the right partners to develop an energy system that is more sustainable, secure and affordable," he noted.

Clay Tye uses 52 Tesla Megapack lithium-ion batteries along with Teslas Autobidder AI software for energy capacity exchange and efficient project management.

Megapack batteries have a capacity of 15 MWh and are connected to the Southern Electric Power distribution network, providing the capability to store energy from renewable sources and afford peak-time flexibility to the UK National Grid as part of the UKs continuing shift away from fossil fuels.

Both FRV and Harmony Energy expect the BESS plant to be operational during the Q1 of 2023.

Felipe Hernandez, FRV Managing Director of Engineering and FRV-X, said: "Clay Tye is going to be a significant milestone in our growth objective in the UK energy storage market. This BESS strengthens the long-term sustainability of our business model and our leadership position in the market."

"In this way, we are continuing the path for the future FRVs assets in the country, which are in the commercial operation, construction and development phase," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Ombudswoman of Armenia Kristinne Grigoryan and representatives of the Office of Human Rights Defender visited the Central gathering point of the Ministry of Defense on Monday to observe the process of summer draft on the spot, Ombudswoman's Office informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Kristinne Grigoryan accompanied by the head of the army recruitment and mobilization service of the Defense Ministry and the leadership of the Central recruitment center, toured the recruitment center.

She followed the process of the draft, got acquainted with the existing conditions of the organization of the draft at the assembly point, the order of meeting, reception and registration of conscripts.

During the inspection of the assembly point special attention was paid to the work of the medical commission and the process of medical examinations of conscripts. The questions connected with the process and methods of examination of conscripts were discussed with the doctors.

During the conversation with conscripts, special attention was paid to issues related to their health, moral and psychological state, and questions of interest to the latter were touched upon. The draftees were also introduced to their rights, as well as the procedure of appealing to the Ombudswoman.

The Human Rights Defender congratulated the conscripts on joining the Armed Forces, wished them a peaceful and safe service, noting that the issues related to their rights will be under her close attention.

At the end of the visit there was a separate discussion with the head of the service of draft and mobilization replenishment of the Ministry of Defense and the management of the Central assembly point. The Human Rights Defender was presented with a number of important issues related to conscription and requiring priority solutions.
Story Highlights 16% of Americans have a great deal/quite a lot of confidence in newspapers

11% have some the degree of confidence in television news

Democrats' confidence low but higher than Republicans', independents'

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans' confidence in two facets of the news media -- newspapers and television news -- has fallen to all-time low points. Just 16% of U.S. adults now say they have "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in newspapers and 11% in television news. Both readings are down five percentage points since last year.

###Embeddable###

Gallup has tracked Americans' confidence in newspapers since 1973 and television news since 1993 as part of its annual polling about major U.S. institutions. The latest readings are from a June 1-20 poll that saw declines in confidence ratings for 11 of the 16 institutions measured and no improvements for any.

Television news and newspapers rank nearly at the bottom of that list of institutions, with only Congress garnering less confidence from the public than TV news. While these two news institutions have never earned high confidence ratings, they have fallen in the rankings in recent years.

A majority of Americans have expressed confidence in newspapers only once -- in 1979, when 51% did. But there is a wide margin between that and the second-highest readings of 39% in 1973 and 1990. The trend average for newspapers is 30%, well above the latest reading of 16%, which is the first time the measure has fallen below 20%. The percentage of Americans who say they have "very little" or volunteer that they have no confidence is currently the highest on record, at 46%.

Confidence in television news has never been higher than its initial 46% reading in 1993 and has averaged 27%, considerably higher than the current 11%. This is the fourth consecutive year that confidence in TV news is below 20%. And for just the second time in the trend, a majority of Americans, 53%, now say they have very little or no confidence at all in TV news.

###Embeddable###

Democrats' Media Confidence Higher Than Other Partisans' but Below Average

Republicans' (5%) and independents' (12%) confidence in newspapers is the lowest on record for these party groups, while Democrats' (35%) has been lower in the past. Democrats' confidence in newspapers rose to the 42% to 46% range during the Donald Trump administration but fell when President Joe Biden took office.

###Embeddable###

Confidence in newspapers among partisans today is far below the trend averages for Republicans (24%) and independents (28%) and slightly below average for Democrats (38%). Majorities of Republicans have registered little or no confidence in newspapers since 2017, while this is the first year that independents' low confidence is at the majority level.

Confidence in TV news follows a similar pattern, with Democrats expressing higher confidence than Republicans and independents. However, Democrats' and independents' confidence ratings are down significantly from last year and are now at historical low points -- 20% and 8%, respectively. Meanwhile, the 8% of Republicans with a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in television news is not statistically different from last year's 6% record low.

###Embeddable###

As with partisans' confidence in newspapers, the current ratings for television news are below the trend averages of 22% for Republicans, 25% for independents and 35% for Democrats. Majorities of Republicans and independents have expressed little or no confidence in TV news since 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Bottom Line

Multiple Gallup measures of Americans' views of the news media show a growing distrust. Last fall, Gallup found near-record-low trust in the media to report the news fully, accurately and fairly, and few Americans rated newspaper and television reporters as highly ethical in Gallup's annual honesty and ethics of professions poll in December. Although trust in the media in the U.S. has been scarce for many years, confidence ratings for newspapers and TV news have never been as low as they are now. Taken together, these data suggest that the media has a long way to go to win back the public's confidence.

To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.

Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works.

View complete question responses and trends (PDF download).
From early childhood, Sophie Estoppey found happiness in traveling and helping others.

When the opportunity to shadow doctors abroad emerged, the Charleston, South Carolina, native decided there was no better way to fulfil her wanderlust than through the DoctorsinItaly

Fellowship Program, which offered an opportunity to work with medical professionals in the European country.

Estoppey, a senior psychology major at the University of Miami, landed in Milan, Italy, earlier this summer to experience what clinical shadowing at Ospedale San Giuseppe Hospital would be like. One of Italys most modern medical facilities, the hospital is part of the MultiMedica Group.

My dad was born in Switzerland. So, growing up Ive been very fortunate to visit his family, and both my parents taught me early on the benefits of travel and learning about other cultures, she said. I already had plans to spend my summer traveling, so this allowed me to explore Italy for the first time and learn about health care from an international perspective.

Created in 2018, DoctorsinItaly was designed with the purpose of doctorsin varying specialties including dermatology, orthopedics, and neurosurgeryto share their knowledge with students from around the world who are seeking a career in medicine. The creators of the fellowship program also saw a chance for college students to immerse themselves in Italian culture while earning shadowing hours and experiences required for graduate and medical schools.

For two weeks, Estoppey, who is on the premedical track at the University, was offered the opportunity to shadow physicians in different specialties for four days a weekincluding her top two interests: geriatrics and pediatrics.

I started off doing physical therapy in the geriatrics department and then spent some days in the neonatal department, said Estoppey, who didnt allow a language barrier to hold her back from such an opportunity. I loved how the program was tailored to my interests and allowed me to look at the international health care system and also meet great mentors along the way.

After completing the program, Estoppey said it was eye-opening, and it also offered an environment in which she was able to network and meet like-minded peers from the United States who have the similar goals.

Because of the program, Estoppey said that she hopes to one day fuse her passion for travel and medicine to become a traveling physician.

This was my first time shadowing abroad. So, it was really cool to compare it to my experience in the states and speak to doctors in the Italian care system and get their perspective on things, she noted. It has definitely made me a lot more interested in other health care systems and inspired me to want to travel more when I begin to practice medicine.

Her whirlwind summer did not end in Italy. Estoppey also visited Israel as part of a birthright tripa 10-day educational group excursion for young adults to discover and explore their Jewish identity.

The senior will be returning to the University this fall to complete her studies. With just one semester left before graduating, she said that she is looking forward to reaping the benefits of all her hard work.

I cant wait to finish this last semester with the people that Ive grown to love on such a beautiful campus, she declared.
Sweden, Netherlands reach Euro 2022 quarters

Sweden's Kosovare Asllani scores from the penalty spot to help Sweden beat Portugal 5-0 in a Euro 2022 match in Manchester. Photo: AP

Sweden thrashed Portugal 5-0 to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2022 on Sunday as holders the Netherlands needed a flurry of late goals to beat Switzerland 4-1 to ensure their place in the last eight.



Silver medallists at last year's Olympics, Sweden are the highest ranked team in the tournament, but failed to hit top gear in drawing with the Dutch and squeezing past the Swiss 2-1 in their opening two games.



Peter Gerhardsson's women clicked into gear in Leigh to claim top spot in Group C and were 3-0 up by half-time.



Manchester City's Filippa Angeldal struck twice before Carole Costa headed into her own net in first half stoppage time.



Kosovare Asllani's penalty made it 4-0 before Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius finally got on the scoresheet after having two earlier efforts ruled out.



Sweden will face whoever finishes second in Group D with Belgium, Iceland and Italy all in with a chance to finishing behind France in Monday's matches.



"We were really satisfied that we did enough to win the group. That was something we hoped for when we started," said Gerhardsson.



The Netherlands lie in wait for the French in the last eight as they had enough to get through despite missing star striker Vivianne Miedema for the second consecutive game due to a positive case of coronavirus.



"We're playing a big opponent and so are they. I don't think they want to play us," said Netherlands boss Mark Parsons, whose side lost 3-1 to France in February.



"The result wasn't what we wanted (last time), but we said that the next time we played them, we were confident that we would be better. We saw opportunity."



In front of a new record crowd of 22,596 for a women's Euro group match not involving the hosts, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic's own goal put the Dutch in front in Sheffield.



Switzerland responded almost immediately when Geraldine Reuteler coolly finished from Romana Bachmann's pull-back just three minutes later.



A draw would have been enough for Mark Parsons' side to reach the knockout stages, but they made sure of the three points with three goals in the final six minutes



Substitute Romee Leuchter struck twice, either side of Victoria Pelova's effort, which survived a lengthy VAR check for offside. (AFP)
The Taliban have asked women working at Afghanistan's Finance Ministry to send a male relative to do their job a year after female public-sector workers were barred from government work and told to stay at home, media reports said. Women who worked in government positions were sent home from their jobs shortly after the Taliban took power in August 2021, and have been paid heavily reduced salaries to do nothing, The Guardian reported. But several women told the Guardian they had received similar calls from Taliban officials requesting they recommend male relatives in their place, because the "workload in the office has increased and they need to hire a man instead of us", according to one woman who did not wish her identity to be revealed. It is not clear if women from other state departments have also been asked to send male relatives to do their job. However, at least 60 female workers from the Finance Department received similar calls. "The Taliban have a history of eliminating women, so hearing this is not surprising or new," said Sahar Fetrat, assistant researcher with the women's rights division at Human Rights Watch (HRW), which has documented extensively the Taliban's atrocities against women since they took over Afghanistan, The Guardian reported. Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, said in May: "Current restrictions on women's employment have been estimated to result in an immediate economic loss of up to $1bn or up to 5 percent of Afghanistan's GDP. "There is almost universal poverty in the country," she added. "An entire generation is threatened by food insecurity and malnutrition." --IANS san/ ( 285 Words) 2022-07-18-19:26:02 (IANS)
Consumers will now have to shell out more for rice, wheat and flour, among other items, if branded and packed in a unit container from Monday as the revised Goods and Services Tax comes into effect. Pre-packaged and labelled pulses, and cereals like rice, wheat, and flour (atta) will now attract GST at the rate of 5 per cent when branded and packed in a unit container. Other items such as curd, lassi, and puffed rice too would attract GST at the rate of 5 per cent when pre-packaged and labelled. The decision to hike GST on these items were taken in the recently held 47th GST Council meeting in Chandigarh. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document put out by the Ministry of Finance defines "pre-packaged" as a commodity that without the purchaser being present is placed in a package of whatever nature, whether sealed or not, so that the product contained therein has a predetermined quantity. It is also clarified that a single package of these items [cereals, pulses, flour) containing a quantity of more than 25 Kg or 25 litre would not fall in the category of a pre-packaged and labelled commodity for the purposes of GST and would therefore not attract GST. Prior to July 18, 2022, GST applied on specified goods when they were put up in a unit container and were bearing a registered brand name or were bearing brand name in respect of which an actionable claim or enforceable right in a court of law was available. Now, this provision undergoes a change and GST has been made applicable on the supply of such "pre-packaged and labelled" commodities attracting the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act. Other items that will be dearer are printing, writing or drawing ink, knives with cutting blades, paper knives, pencil sharpeners and blades, spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, and cake-servers. These items would now attract 18 per cent instead of 12 per cent. LED lamps and solar water heaters too will attract 18 per cent tax. Further, Tetra Pak (or aseptic packaging paper) used for packaging liquid beverages or dairy products will now attract 18 per cent GST instead of 12 per cent. Cut and Polished diamonds will be taxed at 1.5 per cent compared to 0.25 per cent earlier. Also, hotel accommodation rates up to Rs 1000 per day will now be now taxed at 12 per cent, On the other hand, tax on transport of goods and passengers by ropeways would decline to 5 per cent from 18 per cent. Renting of truck/goods carriage where the cost of fuel is included will be cheaper as the tax is reduced to 12 per cent instead of 18 per cent. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI/PNN): Studying abroad has always appealed to undergraduate and post-graduate students. The pandemic caused an abrupt halt to this movement, with countries shutting borders and implementing precautionary policies that impacted the global education sector. However, recent data coming in from top study abroad destinations, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and others, highlight a dramatic increase in numbers of international students in the current year. Indian students have maximized the post-pandemic opportunities to kickstart their global collegiate journeys. According to the Indian Bureau of Immigration, 1,33,135 students departed for their higher education abroad in the first quarter of 2022, and 4,44,553 students in 2021. The US Consulate recorded the highest number of visa approvals, 62,000, in 2021 and is expecting to double these numbers in 2022. 1,15,000 Indian students were approved to study in Canada between January to September 2021, with a 95 per cent PGWPP approval rate for Indians in the last five years. According to UK's Higher Education Statistics Agency, the total number of Indian students enrolling in UK universities has increased by 220 per cent. Recent figures from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) also showcase an increase in international students, with 3,30,000 international students currently enrolled in German universities. The data also highlights a significant rise in Indian students picking Germany as their preferred destination, with a 10 per cent increase in the number of fresh student enrollments from India. Pursuing an education abroad is no more exclusive propriety of the elite. With increased scholarship programs and education loans becoming an accessible and feasible alternative, finance is no longer a roadblock to actualizing study abroad ambitions. With the revolution brought about by EduTech platforms, these aspirations are not only limited to students from India's metropolitans. Suraj Bajaj, CEO of Collegepond, opines, "the marrying of technology with the global education sector has allowed for wider reach and accessibility. The Converge App, launched by Collegepond at the onset of 2022, now hosts a student community of 1,25,000+ pan India with dreams to go global." Applications like Converge have made it simple for students to access a range of information about studying abroad at their fingertips and apply to leading universities from across the globe. With readily available guidance and resources, students can now achieve their academic pursuits abroad conveniently, simpler, and stress-free, and unravel the limitless prospects of global education. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI/GPRC): A collaboration can boost success or result in downfalls for your business. Speaking of which, IMDDXB is the influencer marketing agency that is emerging as a leading platform for brands to strengthen their social media presence. While this company has worked with a wide range of brands, they have a few partners too, one of them being the mighty Versace. IMDDXB has worked with Palazzo Versace Dubai. Working with this global brand has played a major part in benefiting IMDDXB. Well, Palazzo Versace was amongst the early brands that this influencer marketing agency partnered with. Talking about this collaboration, the founder of IMDDXB, Rahul Kaul, says, "As a trend-setting company, we always strive to keep pace with the latest trends and innovations and partnering with Palazzo Versace was one of the best experiences and opportunities for IMDDXB. We got a chance to contribute to the marketing strategies of the brand. While initially collaborating with them we hoped to reach out to a wider audience and showcase Brand Palazzo Versace in a new light. Moreover, we also wanted to show the world exactly what IMDDXB is capable of." Besides Versace, IMDDXB also partners with other leading Dubai-based brands like Barasti, Tilda, Pizzetta, Shisha Puff, Inka, and Cosmo Yachts. The agency is a channel between influencers and brands. IMDDXB has a community of influencers that come from a global level and different niches - from food to fashion and everything in between. To date, they have worked with various brands like DANUBE, LaMezcaleria, Vii Dubai, Boudoir, The White Room, Staycation, Al Jazira Farm, Better Eggs, AAMC, 10AK, BOB's, Hala Lashes, Hi5, Laveq Lash, and more. We hope that IMDDXB keeps partnering with such big brands and bolsters its client base. This story is provided by GPRC. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GPRC)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 18 (ANI/NewsVoir): Students are looking to drive change in society by leveraging their skills in tech. They can now transform into a subject-matter expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) be a leader in an industry that is predicted to bring a 26 per cent boost in India's GDP by 2030. With a 4-year BSc. (Hons.) degree from ATLAS SkillTech University, one can balance their technological proficiency with business acumen. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning has seeped into every aspect of our lives and will shape the wave of innovation we are currently experiencing. AI entails several subfields, such as machine learning, robotics, and computer vision. These fields have a rising demand for skilled resources who can drive the modern technological revolution. Complete a 4-year B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in AI and ML to develop your expertise in emerging areas of computer programming, business analytics, computational thinking, and disruptive technologies. With the proportional growth of jobs titles in the field, a degree from ATLAS SkillTech University will open up numerous promising career paths for you. What you will learn - Computer science and programming (R & Python)- Algebra and Calculus- Statistics and Probability- Natural language processing- Artificial intelligence- Machine learning- Deep neural networks- Big data and blockchain- Design thinking- Computer vision Why choose ATLAS - Multidisciplinary environment with 5 schools and 15 other programs- A diverse group of over 50 electives across 5 school to choose specializations from- Expand your knowledge to other fields such as design, entrepreneurship, media and communication while you study your niche area- Become career-ready with social skills beyond technological expertise- Have a global experience with access to 40+ international university partners across 5 continents- Multiply your network and get connected with our 200+ corporate partners- Access 500+ organizations at the ATLAS campus in the heart of Mumbai city Prospective industries you can work in As AI and ML is the future tech that will impact all business functions across the world, your options are literally endless! From healthcare to marketing, all the leading industries require skilled data scientists and analysts to work in various capacities. Career prospects Knowledge in AI and ML will not only clear the path for a glorious career but also lay the foundation of becoming the next global leader of the future. From AI Engineer to Machine Learning Engineer, you can don many hats that will make you indispensable in the technology job market and open a clear path to growth and success. Admission procedure: 1) Fill out the application form with your personal details, previous grades, educational and extra-curricular background.2) Wait for review by the Admissions Committee after completing the payment of application fees. Important points to note: 1) Ensure that the data submitted is accurate and complete in all respects.2) No alterations will be permitted after the application has been submitted.3) Submit your application well before the deadline to avoid any unprecedented errors.4) Reach out to us for any queries. Since Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are emerging fields, even entry-level careers in them have tremendous scope for growth. ATLAS SkillTech University's 4-year BSc. (Hons.) in AI and ML degree uses new-age pedagogy and a modern syllabus to ensure students graduate from one of the best programs in India and move onto multi-faceted careers on a global scale. ATLAS SkillTech University is India's first new-age urban multidisciplinary university and delivers education across 3 new-age streams: Design & Innovation, Management and Entrepreneurship and Digital Technology. ATLAS follows a futuristic model co-created with an international community of scholars, academicians, industry experts, and world leaders in education. ATLAS Fellows has gone on to pursue higher education at top-ranked universities in the world and work shoulder-to-shoulder with leading industry stalwarts. The University's interdisciplinary approach, industry-integrated experiential learning, and wide exposure ensure that the ATLAS students are future-ready to continue to drive global impact. For more details on the program, admission, selection process and other information, please visit ATLAS SkillTech University website. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Bollywood actor Sara Ali Khan finally wrapped up shooting for her forthcoming film in London. On Sunday, 'Kedarnath'actor treated fans with a new video on her social media account. Taking to her Instagram handle, the 'Atrangi Re' actor shared a post on her story in which she was seen donning a white tank top and keeping her hair half tied, enjoying the fresh air. Sharing the video, Sara captioned, "Pack up and last night in London, Home calling." Earlier, the 'Love Aaj Kal 2' actor dropped a video while getting ready for the shoot along with a caption, "Shoot day." The video features, Sara getting her hair done by the hairstylist and she was seen in a white outfit. Her makeup was all done. She looked stunning as always. Apart from her performances, Sara is also in limelight for her statement in the new episode of Karan Johar's chat show, 'Koffee with Karan Season 7' in which the actor spilled some beans on the show. In one of the segments when Karan Johar asks "Sara, give me the name of a boy you feel like you want to date today." At first, she denies it but later blurts out, "Vijay Deverakonda". Making her fans wonder if something is brewing between Vijay Deverakonda and Sara. The 'Kedarnath' actor is quite an active social media user and has been treating her fans with her stunning pictures on her social media. The 26-year-old actor is currently shooting for her upcoming project in London. Recently, the 'Coolie no.1' actor shared a reunion picture on her Instagram, where she can be seen posing with her father Saif Ali Khan, and her brothers Ibrahim Ali Khan and Jeh Ali Khan. Meanwhile, on the work front, Sara will be next seen in producer Dinesh Vijan and director Laxman Utekar's next yet-to-be-titled film alongside Vicky KaushalApart from that she also has 'Gaslight' with Vikrant Massey and Chitrangada Singh. (ANI)
As Covid-19 infection rates shift and countries re-open their borders for tourism, travel in some places has returned at an even higher rate than pre-pandemic. With expanding travel comes expanding cyber risks, it is as important as ever for those heading abroad this summer to practice cyber hygiene.



Why is practicing cyber hygiene essential for travellers?

Cyber hygiene is like personal hygiene, it's all about having a daily routine. That includes good practices to ensure that your environment stays clean, especially when traveling.



When you travel, you typically carry a device, a computer or smartphone, with you. These devices are known as endpoints. The nature of endpoints is that they connect to different networks, whether that be a hotel, a corporate network, public Wi-Fi, or at a conference. Endpoints are thus the last stage of a network, making them the most at risk.



For example, if you travel with your laptop, and then you come back to your own environment, your computer, which has been connected to a lot of different devices, is now being brought back to your own network where it's connected to your own servers, and your own infrastructures. And if while you were traveling, your endpoint device was infected with malicious software like viruses, there's a chance you could infect your corporate network.



If threat actors can gain access to your specific device, then they can gain access to your corporate network. With this, threat actors have a foot inside the network, which allows them to move laterally through the networks and scan the network from inside. This often leads to ransomware down the line at the later stage of an attack.



How have cybercriminals taken advantage of the recent increase in travel?

Threat actors are ahead of the curve; they always have been. The better they are prepared, the more likely they will be successful.



What were seeing from attackers, is that they are closely monitoring how people are behaving differently than they used to with the world changing. So, for example, when travel opens up, they are monitoring what that means, with regards to what people are doing and their behaviours. Sometimes travellers forget the very basics of staying cyber safe, and that's why it's really good to remember the importance of cyber hygiene.



We have seen just in the last couple of weeks different kinds of phishing campaigns leveraging the fact that people are traveling again. One example that we released recently, is phishing scams that contain malicious weaponized PDF files pretending they have information about the travel itinerary. Conferences are super popular for this for these kinds of attacks, as well as airports. Wherever there's travel involved, this risk exists.



What can travellers do to protect themselves against cyber-attacks?

I think the most important point is to patch your systems. This is something which should be something of high priority whether you're traveling or not. A good example is when you open the App Store or Google Play Store and update the apps on your smartphone. Next time you do this, check out the release notes, and why the vendor is recommending you update their app. More often than not, it's not about a feature or a new UI.



In most cases, it's about security features, it's about a bug that has been fixed. If you don't update these apps, threat actors who are aware of these issues as disclosed by the vendor can take advantage of these vulnerabilities. Its not that difficult for an attacker to scan systems that haven't been patched and compare if the systems are on different software levels If they are, they know whether something is vulnerable or not. So, updating the system is really important.



Another important point is not to install random stuff on your computer for which you dont know the legitimacy. This was very popular at the beginning of Covid when people wanted to understand what was happening with the spread of the virus, and therefore installed trackers. When traveling, sometimes you need different kinds of tracking software, especially if you are in different countries, and especially now with a lot of countries asking for certain kinds of trackers at airport immigration for example. Make sure you install the right one and not some weaponized files which might be floating around the Internet.



It's also really important to be aware of with whom you share your devices. For example, when you travel, don't let someone else use your laptop, even quickly to just browse a website or check some emails. This is really dangerous because if someone else connects to their own inbox, this could lead to you opening a certain file and downloading malicious stuff onto your computer. The same holds for connecting USB sticks from others to your computer. You never know what's what kind of software is stored on a USB stick; it may automatically run once it's connected to your system. I highly recommend never using a USB stick from others.



Also, don't leave your laptop unlocked near others, even if its just for a moment. Always make sure your computer is locked and that it has a complex password. The best case would be to utilize a password manager, so you don't have to remember your passwords for all your websites, but they remain secure. You have one master password for the manager, and in case of a breach of a certain application, that password is not that valuable because it's not connected to your email account or different other platforms.



For IT admins there are a lot of good things we can be doing to make cyber hygiene a much better environment. For example, we should enforce updates on computers by default and always make sure that administrative privileges are only given to the people who really need them. We need to understand certain behaviours happening on these endpoint devices and know which kinds of systems are becoming end-of-life. For example, if someone in your Finance Department is using a lot of Power Shell scripts, note that this is irregular for a Finance Department.



Data in laptops should always be encrypted in case of a loss, which can happen very easily when people travel. Laptops get stolen or are lost, and if you don't encrypt the system, even with a password on the device, it's not that difficult for threat actors to get access to the data in the end because they have physical access to the device itself. You should always have an inventory of all the hardware and software in your company, especially if people bring back different kinds of devices to your network, so you know whether it's your own device or not. And even if think you have everything under control, you should always have an incident and response plan so you know what is going to happen if, a laptop gets stolen.



How can employees continue to work from anywhere while traveling and connecting to their essential networks?

If possible, don't connect to public Wi-Fi, especially if a lot of people are around the network. If you can connect to a public Wi-Fi, pretty much anyone in that area can as well, and you are not in control of what is happening on this network. You don't know who is on this network or what they are doing, because you don't control the security. If the network has bad security, then you now enable your system to be scanned directly by other people on this network.



I recommend different kinds of solutions to solve this problem. The best case would be to buy a SIM card from the specific country you are traveling to, to create your own hotspot, where only you are part of the network. If you travel around to different countries, another option is to buy a mobile Wi-Fi router and only use it by yourself. This way, it's very easy, no matter where you are, to access this environment with usually low costs. And no matter what, if you must join a public network, avoid any sensitive task. Don't do online payments or log into your bank accounts. This brings down the possibility of you being involved in a cyber security incident.



Social media becomes popular during travel. What should employees avoid when using social media to stay cyber safe?

One thing I try to avoid is using social media accounts to log in to certain kinds of platforms. For example, if you connect to Wi-Fi, sometimes you are asked to create an account or log in with one of your social media accounts. If you log in with one of your social media accounts, typically you allow the people running the platform to get access to a lot of sensitive information. My recommendation to avoid this is to create a throwaway account for traveling. This account can be used for the specific purpose of connecting to Wi-Fi without any sensitive information being involved.



Another area to be cautious in with social media is the scams happening around instant messaging services. Social engineering is still one of the most prevalent and most successful tactics for gaining access to user accounts and the more information you expose from yourself and social media accounts, the easier you make it for attackers. One such example is people asking for help on social media websites like Reddit and other big forums. Sometimes, other users try to be helpful and ask for more details. But you need to be aware that if you start to post configuration files or sensitive information about your environments on public websites so others can help you, it's also not that difficult for others to find this information with open source intelligence techniques to take advantage of this information and use it against you.



QR codes became super popular for tracking during the last two years, and the potential risk of scanning QR codes is something that you need to keep in mind as well. Usually, when you scan a QR code, it opens a certain website on your device. If it opens a website, that website may be compromised and download malicious files to your device.



About the author: Jonas Walker is Security Strategist at FortiGuard Labs.
Bollywood diva Janhvi Kapoor celebrated the release of the song 'Mor Mor' from her film 'GoodLuckJerry' by sharing a refreshing video. "Aap kaise dikhte hain aur kaise hain asal mein? Bataiye Zara, nikaliye apne Mor wale pankh," captioned Janhvi on Instagram, adding a string of emojis. https://www.instagram.com/p/CgJkOPEo_nO/?hl=en In the video, Janhvi could be seen sitting on a makeup chair surrounded by makeup artists, presumably, the crew from 'GoodLuckJerry'. The makeup artists were seen applying makeup on Janhvi as the actor pretended to read a script. However, soon all of them went on a dancing spree as the 'Mor Mor' song started playing in the background, grooving to the lyrics. Janhvi looked pretty as she enjoyed herself, letting her dive deep into the song, dancing and tossing her hair back and forth. The 'Mor Mor' song is the first soundtrack from her comedy crime thriller 'GoodLuckJerry'. Taking to Instagram, the actor gave a glimpse of the fun soundtrack which revealed Janhvi's Jerry dancing her heart out in a Kurti. https://www.instagram.com/p/CgJdS7Sg_by/?hl=en Talking about 'GoodLuckJerry', the trailer of the film has managed to grab eyeballs for its interesting look and feel. The film is said to be an official Hindi remake of a Tamil feature film 'Kolamaavu Kokila' which starred south actress Nayanthara in the lead role. Apart from Janhvi, the film also casts 'Hindi Medium' actor Deepak Dobriyal and 'Baby' actor Sushant Singh in prominent roles. Directed by Sidharth Sengupta, 'GoodLuck Jerry' is all set to premiere exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar from July 29, 2022. Produced by Anand L Rai, the film marks the 'Gunjan Saxena' actor's first step into the comedy genre. Meanwhile, the 'Dhadak' actor will also be seen in Nitesh Tiwari's next social comedy film 'Bawaal' alongside Varun Dhawan. They have recently wrapped up their film shoot in Poland. The film is slated to release on April 7, 2023. (ANI)
There has been a lot of support for Johnny Depp on social media ever since he won the defamation trial against Amber Heard. Now, a bar has come out in support of Johnny. A picture of a bar's signboard is being shared on social media, in which a drink is named after Johnny Depp. Also, this drink is for male customers who are 'feeling unsafe or scared'. "Feeling unsafe or scared, just come to the bar and order a Johnny Depp shot," the sign reads. The menu also lists three types of shots available- Neat, On The Rocks, and With Lime. When a customer orders a 'Neat Johnny Depp shot', he will get safely escorted out of the bar with an employee. The other two variants, 'On The Rocks' and 'With Lime' will prompt the staff to either call a cab or call the police. The particular bar menu has insanely gone viral on social media. "Hahahah so cool," a social media user commented. "Can't wait to order my Johnny Depp shots," another one wrote. Following the six-week trial in Fairfax County, Virginia, a seven-person jury reached a verdict on June 1, deciding that Depp, proved that Amber Heard defamed him in the 2018 op-ed, in which she described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." Depp has maintained that he never assaulted Heard and claimed she physically harmed him. The jury awarded Depp USD 15 million in damages but Heard will only have to pay USD 10.35 million due to a Virginia law limiting punitive damages (the judge reduced the amount). In her countersuit, Heard won one of the three defamation counts and was awarded USD 2 million in damages, as per People magazine. (ANI)
The Nagaland government has prohibited the state government doctors' indefinite cease work from Monday and warned them of arrest if they go for the agitation, Chief Secretary J. Alam announced on Sunday night. The Nagaland In-Service Doctors' Association (NIDA) earlier announced to launch indefinite cease work from Monday, demanding the increase of age of superannuation for doctors to 65 for clinical and 62 for administrative. They said that their members would provide only emergency services in all the government hospitals and health centres and from July 21 onwards, cease work even there for an indefinite period. The Chef Secretary, in a notification, said that the Governor has promulgated Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978 on being satisfied that in public interest it is necessary to do so, prohibiting the call for indefinite cease work by the NIDA from July 18. "No doctor employed and deployed in any government health unit or facility shall go for agitation or cessation of work, and any such act shall be considered illegal. Any doctor employed and deployed in any government health unit and facility who goes for cessation of work or strike, under the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978, shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to Rs 1,000 or with both," the notification said. It also said that the strikers could be arrested without a warrant. --IANS sc/vd ( 253 Words) 2022-07-17-22:58:04 (IANS)
According to recent research from Penn State and Michigan State, regardless of whether the dads and children are genetically related, adolescent depression and behaviour issues are on the rise, and parental depression may be contributing to this increase. This study has been published in the journal 'Development and Psychopathology'. According to Jenae Neiderhiser, distinguished professor of psychology and human development and family studies at Penn State and co-funded faculty member of the Social Science Research Institute, "a lot of research focuses on depression within biologically related families." "Adoptive families and blended families now have access to more information." In the 720 families taking part in the Nonshared Environment in Adolescent Development (NEAD) study, with more than half of those families having a stepparent who is responsible for raising children, the researchers examined naturally occurring variations in genetic relatedness between parents and their adolescent children. Burt, who has worked on projects with Neiderhiser since the early 2000s, said that the findings "pointed clearly to the environmental transmission of sadness and behaviours between fathers and children." "A crucial validation of our findings came from the fact that we still saw these relationships in a sample of "blended" families where the father was biologically related to one participating child but not to the other. We also discovered that a significant portion of this effect seems to be a result of parent-child conflict. These kinds of findings strengthen the case that parent-child conflict influences teenage behaviours in the environment." Neiderhiser claims that although the results were anticipated, people also believed that genetically related parent-child couples would experience a stronger influence on children's behaviour and sadness. More research on the step and blended families should be done, she thought. They are frequently an underutilized natural experiment from which we could learn more about how to separate the effects of genetic and environmental factors on families. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday directed state governments and Union Territories to ensure family members of Covid-19 victims receive compensation without any delay, and the grievance redressal committee to decide on claims application within four weeks. A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna said if any claimant has a grievance in connection with compensation, or with the rejection of the claim, then they should move the grievance redressal committee concerned. The bench said it is closing the proceedings while directing all state governments to see that the compensation, as per the court's previous order, should be paid to eligible persons without wasting any time. "If any claimant has any grievance, they may approach the concerned grievance redressal committee," it said. The top court made these observations while hearing a plea filed by petitioner-in-person advocate Gaurav Bansal, who contended that few claimants in Andhra Pradesh have not received compensation. Counsel representing the Andhra Pradesh government, however, informed the top court that as on the date of hearing, the compensation has been disbursed to them. The top court also directed the grievance redressal committee to decide the application of the claimant within four weeks. The Supreme Court had directed that Rs 50,000 compensation should be given to the family of persons who succumbed to Covid, and this amount should be disbursed from the State Disaster Response Fund. The top court, in connection with allegations connected with transfer of funds by the AP government from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to personal deposit accounts, directed that the funds be transferred to the SDRF account within two days. Bansal, who was appearing for petitioner Palla Srinivasa Rao, had contended before the top court that AP government had diverted funds from the SDRF to personal deposit accounts which is not allowed under the Disaster Management Act. --IANS ss/vd ( 322 Words) 2022-07-18-20:44:02 (IANS)
Singh, however, later apologised, saying his statement was taken out of context. He also maintained that he respects women and did not intend to hurt anyone.

Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Sarveen Chaudhary said Singh's apology "was not acceptable to the general public".

"Vikramaditya should clarify what he means by 'sitting on the lap'. Such language is unacceptable. Vikramaditya should think before speaking," the BJP minister said.

"Rohru (where Singh made the remarks) is a reserved constituency and belongs to Scheduled Caste category... This statement shows the mindset of Congress leaders towards women. And Vikramaditya should not forget that his mother Pratibha Singh is also a woman," Choudhary said.

"The Jairam Thakur-led government has introduced Gudiya Helpline no. 1515 and Saksham Gudiya Board for women empowerment. The government has taken major steps to stop the atrocities on women," she said.

During the press conference, deputy chief whip Kamlesh Kumari, MLAs Rita Dhiman and Reena Kashyap were also present along with Sarveen Chaudhary.

--IANS umesh/uk

( 208 Words)

2022-07-17-22:44:03 (IANS)
Three persons have been arrested in connection with the case of a murder of a woman here in the Govindpuri area, the police said on Sunday, adding she was killed by her live-in partner in a fit of rage following an argument. The arrested individuals have been identified as Om Prakash -- the woman's live-in partner, Raj Kumar and Sanjay. A senior police officer said one Brajesh on July 7 went to the Govindpuri Police Station and reported that his tenant -- Julekha (the deceased), was missing. He said that the woman was living as a tenant in his house, and he suspected that one Om Prakash has kidnapped her. Acting on his complaint, the police lodged an FIR of kidnapping During investigation and scanning of the CCTV footage of the area, it was noticed that on June 26, three persons were taking away a woman's body on a black Swift Dzire car. Police identified Om Prakash and his brother Raj Kumar who could be seen in the CCTV footage while the third person could not be identified then. "Immediately, a raid was conducted on the hideout of the accused but they managed to flee. Later, the mobile phone numbers of the accused persons were collected and put on surveillance. After thorough search and questioning of relatives of the accused, Om Prakash and Raj Kumar were apprehended from Seemapuri on July 5," a police officer said. Following sustained questioning, Om Prakash revealed that he was in a live-in relationship with Julekha Bibi Khan a.k.a. Rekha. A quarrel had taken place between Om Prakash and Julekha over a petty issue on transfer of money to a female neighbour. Infuriated over that, Om Prakash strangulated her to death. He then called his brother Raj Kumar and his friend Sanjay to dispose off the body. They dumped the body near the Yamuna Expressway. The Uttar Pradesh police, however, found the body. After conducting post mortem, the body was cremated. The autopsy revealed that she was strangled to death. The police later added Section 302 in the FIR, and also managed to arrested their associate Sanjay from a south Delhi area. --IANS atk/pgh ( 369 Words) 2022-07-17-23:24:01 (IANS)
A key pillar of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is attaining self-reliance in the Defence Sector, the Prime Minister's Office informed today highlighting the details of the event.

To further this endeavour, during the programme, Prime Minister will unveil 'SPRINT Challenges', which are aimed at giving a boost to the usage of the indigenous technology in the Indian Navy.

As a part of the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', NIIO, in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims at inducting at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy. This collaborative project is named SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC).

The seminar aims to engage Indian industry and academia towards achieving self-reliance in the Defence sector. The two-day Seminar (18-19 July) will provide a platform for leaders from Industry, Academia, Services and Government to come together on a common platform to ideate and come up with recommendations for the Defence Sector. Sessions dedicated to Innovation, Indigenisation, Armament and Aviation will be held.

The second day of the Seminar will witness outreach to the Indian Ocean Region, in line with the government's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). (ANI)
Police tightened security outside the school in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district where violence broke out after a class 12 student died by suicide on Sunday. The violence broke out in Kallakurichi as protesters set ablaze buses and school property demanding justice for the student's death. Speaking to the media, Tamil Nadu Director general of police (DGP) C Sylendra Babu informed that school correspondent Ravikumar, secretary Shanthi and Principal Shiva Sankaran were arrested over the death of a student and failing to maintain safety at the school hostel. "School correspondent Ravikumar, secretary Shanthi and Principal Shiva Sankaran were arrested over the death of a 17-year-old girl and for failing to maintain safety at the school hostel. Case transferred to rime Investigation Department (CBCID)," Babu said. The state Home Secretary Phanindra Reddy said the investigation of the case will be conducted from all angles and requested the public not to indulge in acts of violence. "The government's aim is to clarify all doubts in this case. We are assuring that probe will be conducted from all angles in this case. We appeal to the public not to indulge in acts of violence and not pay heed to rumours," Reddy said. Earlier, Babu and Reddy, along with other officials, met the police personnel at a hospital who were injured during the violence in Kallakurichi. On Sunday, more than a thousand people staged a protest in front of the school demanding justice for the student's death. Protesters pelted stones at the police van. Police tried to control the situation but the protestors damaged the police vehicle. A few policemen also sustained some injuries. Appealing for peace, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin tweeted, "Violence worries me. The accused will be punished when the police probe over the school girl's death ends. I have asked DGP, Home Secretary to travel to Kallakurichi. I request people to maintain peace." According to Police officials, "the deceased girl died by suicide on Tuesday night in the school premises and there was a note found in which it was alleged that two teachers from the school tortured her forcing them to study all the time." The student death case was registered under section 174 (unnatural death). (ANI)
To mark the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Assam government plans to plant saplings in 80,000 government offices premises from July 17 to August 15.

The Assam Chief Minister appealed to all government employees to plant 75 'Amrit Briksha' in each government office premise.

He also said that the state forest department must commission drone surveys in all reserve forest areas every six months.

He directed the forest department to go after a zero-tolerance policy against encroachment and encroachers.

Assam Cabinet Minister for Power, Mines and Minerals, Nandita Gorlosa also tweeted about the programme and said, "The environmental stress has always been less focussed by all. Today, with the motive of helping the healing of our environment, we are grateful to CM, @himantabiswa for launching the Chief Ministers Institutional Plantation Programme. A great initiative by ST&C Change Department."

Meanwhile, the Assam flood situation has started improving even as a population of 2,10,746 people continues to suffer from the deluge. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced an assistance of Rs 1,000 each to over 1 lakh students who got affected by the floods.

The Chief Minister on Saturday took to Twitter to make the announcement where he said that a total of 1,01,539 students were given a total amount of Rs 10.15 crore from the CM's Relief Fund.

"In our humble effort to provide relief to students affected during recent floods in the State, we have provided an assistance of Rs 1,000 each to over 1 lakh student beneficiaries, from CM's Relief Fund," tweeted Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. (ANI)
MAGRABi, a leading optical retailer in the Middle East, has unveiled a Lens Innovation Centre (LIC), the regions biggest and most efficient manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses, capable of producing two million lenses a year.

MAGRABi will invest a total of AED54 million ($15 million) into developing the LIC by 2025 and has also partnered with Hoya and Seiko Optical for the lens designs and supply of premium materials, bolstering its position as a leader in innovation and technology.

LIC consolidates MAGRABis position as the leading optical retailer across the Middle East and will create a total of 90 jobs by 2025. Opened in January 2022, the LIC will serve MAGRABis premium brand, as well as the Companys mainstream brand Doctor M.

Advanced lab

The centre is the most advanced lab in the Middle East, partnering with Schneider Optical, a leading manufacturer of the state-of-the-art ophthalmic lens machinery and equipment. The facility has a current capacity of one million lenses per year, operating 24/7. This is anticipated to double to two million lenses per year by 2025.

MAGRABis LIC is the only lens manufacturing facility in the region that utilises Schneiders Modulo Line technology, enabling the centre to run at maximum efficiency levels not seen in the Middle East before. The advantages of the Modulo Production Line are wide-ranging, reducing costs and improving overall efficiency and capacity to world-leading levels.

The next-generation technology consists of a series of cognitive machines, built-in quality control, and intelligent systems. By utilising advanced intelligent learning, the technology monitors the production process, recognises errors in the production process, and creates a variety of production data that the Modulo Production Line automatically reacts to.

Global expansion

Amin Magrabi, CEO of MAGRABi Group, commented: As the leading high-end optical retailer in the Middle East, and the only chain operating across the entire Middle Eastern region, the next stage in MAGRABis journey is to expand internationally and serve other markets. Before exploring this option, we are focused on cementing our position in the Middle East and ensuring we are well prepared to expand.

We want MAGRABi to dominate the entire vertical chain in the region to ensure we are ready to disrupt the global optical market and we continue to invest significantly to meet this ambition. Our most valuable investment, however, remains our team of talented staff where we are proud to have some of the most experienced managers, engineers, technicians, and machine operators.

The companys strategy is focused on consolidating its position as the leading optical retailer in the Middle East region, before exploring international expansion. The LIC is a significant step in this journey as the Company progresses to controlling the entire optical value chain, an important milestone to exploring other markets.-- TradeArabia News Service
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda on Sunday urged all the political parties, especially UPA allies to support National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) vice presidential candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar. Nadda said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are all walking with the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and it has been our endeavour to include the poor, deprived, exploited Dalit, tribals who are standing at the last rung in the society to the mainstream and strengthen them. Keeping this in mind, we have selected a tribal woman as the presidential candidate." The BJP chief further said that for Vice-Presidential polls, the NDA has nominated a 'Kisan Putra', a person from a humble background, who also served the country in different capacities for three decades. "Now we have a farmer's son, a person who has come out of a simple family and facing socio-economic difficulties, a farmer son has advanced himself as a professional as the first generation and as an able administrator and even as a capable politician, he also served the country in different capacities for three decades," he said. He urged the allies of the UPA to come together and cooperate in making a farmer's son the Vice President. "For such a farmer's son, we all should come together and I request all political parties to support Jagdeep Dhankar for the post of Vice President. Now is the time, now is the opportunity, so urge all political parties, especially UPA allies to support Jagdeep Dhankhar. I hope that our UPA colleagues will definitely pay attention to our appeal," he added. Nadda on Saturday had announced that Dhankar will be the NDA's vice presidential candidate after a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board at the party headquarters. Dhankhar will file his nomination on Monday. Earlier on Sunday, Dhankhar met JP Nadda in Delhi. He also called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Born in an agrarian household in a remote village in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, Dhankhar completed his school education from Sainik School, Chittorgarh. After finishing his graduation in Physics, he pursued LLB from the University of Rajasthan. Despite being a first-generation professional, he became a leading lawyer in Rajasthan. Dhankhar has practised in both the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court of India. He entered public life after getting elected as a Member of Parliament from Jhunjhunu in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. Subsequently, he also served as a Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in 1990. In 1993, he was elected to the Rajasthan Assembly from the Kishangarh constituency in Ajmer district. In July 2019, he was appointed as the Governor of West Bengal. The Election Commission made an announcement that the elections for the 16th vice president of India will take place on August 6, 2022. In 2017, the NDA had nominated Venkaiah Naidu as its candidate for the vice-presidential election and he went on to become India's 15th vice president. His term ends on August 10, 2022. (ANI)
Communist Party of India (Marxist) floor leader in Rajya Sabha, Elamaram Kareem on Monday gave notice under rule 267 to suspend business and discuss the issue of price rise and imposition of 5 per cent GST on essential items. The GST council has decided to hike the prices of several daily essential items from today. Pre-packaged and labelled pulses, and cereals like rice, wheat, and flour (atta) will now attract GST at the rate of 5 per cent when branded and packed in a unit container. Other items such as curd, lassi, and puffed rice too would attract GST at the rate of 5 per cent when pre-packaged and labelled. The decision to hike GST on these items were taken in the recently held 47th GST Council meeting in Chandigarh. It is also clarified that a single package of these items [cereals, pulses, flour) containing a quantity of more than 25 Kg or 25 litre would not fall in the category of a pre-packaged and labelled commodity for the purposes of GST and would therefore not attract GST. Other items that will be dearer are printing, writing or drawing ink, knives with cutting blades, paper knives, pencil sharpeners and blades, spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, and cake-servers. These items would now attract 18 per cent instead of 12 per cent. LED lamps and solar water heaters too will attract 18 per cent tax. Further, Tetra Pak (or aseptic packaging paper) used for packaging liquid beverages or dairy products will now attract 18 per cent GST instead of 12 per cent. Cut and Polished diamonds will be taxed at 1.5 per cent compared to 0.25 per cent earlier. Also, hotel accommodation rates up to Rs 1000 per day will now be now taxed at 12 per cent, On the other hand, tax on transport of goods and passengers by ropeways would decline to 5 per cent from 18 per cent. Renting of truck/goods carriage where the cost of fuel is included will be cheaper as the tax is reduced to 12 per cent instead of 18 per cent. (ANI)
As the Monsoon session of the Parliament commenced on Monday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid tribute to former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated recently. "It is with heartfelt sadness that I wish to inform former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe passed away recently. The House pays heartfelt condolences on the same. He passed away on July 8, 2022. He (Abe) was the longest serving Prime Minister of Japan," Birla said. "Abe supported various interests that were beneficial for India. He considered Asia's two prominent democracies ie, India and Japan, as 'friends'. Due to this reason, the relationship between India and Japan became stronger under his regime," the Lok Sabha Speaker said. He added, "On one hand, Japan has lost a visionary leader, on the other hand, India has lost a true friend. Abe will always be remembered for his work and excellency. The House pays heartfelt condolences on Abe's demise and hopes that God provides strength to the families and kins of the deceased." The former Japanese Prime Minister Abe died on July 8 after being shot in the chest twice while delivering a speech in Nara in western part of the country. He collapsed and was bleeding as people heard two gunshots. He was then rushed to a hospital where he passed away. Meanwhile, the Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced today and will continue till August 12. There will be 18 sittings during the Session. This session is important given the fact that the Presidential Election and the Vice Presidential Election will be held during this period. The Presidential Election is being held today while the Vice Presidential election will be held on August 6. Various Bills including Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill are likely to be taken up in the session. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday posted July 21 for hearing a plea filed by Hindu devotees seeking the right to worship the 'Shivling' that was found at the disputed Gyanvapi site, which is adjacent to the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. The plea was mentioned for urgent hearing by advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain before a Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli which posted it for hearing on July 21 along with other related pleas. "This is a petition to allow darshan and puja of the Shivling which has been found in the complex and also to direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to do carbon dating," Jain said. The Bench said the fresh plea will be heard along with the petition filed by Anjuman Intezemia Masjid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi mosque, challenging the survey report of the court-appointed Commission which inspected, and conducted a survey of the mosque. The plea sought direction to allow worship of the 'Shivling' and for Kashi Vishwanath Temple trust to take possession of the Shivling. It further sought carbon dating of the Shivling purportedly discovered in the Gyanvapi mosque. The plea also sought direction for Kashi Vishwanath's trust to take possession of the Shivling. "Direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to make an appropriate survey or undertake Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and/or excavation associating the petitioners to find out the nature of construction beneath the Shivlingam discovered on May 16, 2022. Direct the Central government to install live video streaming equipment to stream on the website of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Trust... making it possible for the devotees to have virtual darshan and perform symbolic pooja...," the plea stated. Another plea was filed in the top court seeking a direction to allow Hindus to perform religious practices or rituals at the Shivling. The petition filed by one Rajesh Mani Tripathi, president of the Shri Krishana Janama Bhumi Mukti Sthal, has said that since the month of 'Shravana' is starting, Hindus may be allowed to offer puja and exercise their right. "The petitioner's right to preaches his own religious practices and rituals according to Hindu customs as provided under Article 25 of the Constitution of India and it is a facts that the month of Shravana is being celebrated to offer puja to Lord Shiva... and the petitioner came before the court seeking permission to practice his prayer in the month of Shravana to offer puja, exercise the rights of "freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion" as guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India," the plea stated. Furthermore, the plea said that the petitioner wishes to perform religious practices as guaranteed under the Constitution of India on the 'Shivling' found during the survey conducted in pursuance of the order passed by the concerned Court of Varanasi. On May 20, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the case related to worship at Gyanvapi mosque from the civil judge to the District Judge, Varanasi. It had ordered that its interim order passed on May 17 -- to protect the area where the Shivling was found and access to Muslims for namaz -- shall continue in operation till maintainability of the suit is decided and thereafter for eight weeks to enable parties to pursue legal remedies. It had said that District Judge should decide the maintainability of the civil suit in the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath on priority as sought by Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Varanasi. The appeal was filed by the Committee that manages the Gyanvapi mosque in the top court challenging an order of Allahabad High Court permitting a court-appointed commissioner to inspect, conduct a survey and videography of the Gyanvapi mosque to which Hindus and Muslims have laid claim for the right to worship. (ANI)
NDA's vice presidential candidate West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar filed his nomination on Monday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He filed his nomination papers for the Vice-President's post on the day when Presidential elections are being held. His name was announced for the second top constitutional post by BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday. Immediately after filing the nomination, Dhankhar said that he will strive for the democratic values of the country. "I will always strive to enhance the democratic values of the country. Never thought even in my dreams that a person with a humble background like me will get this opportunity." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, BJP chief Nadda was present when Dhankar filed his nomination. JP Nadda said Dhankhar was a "Kisan-Putra" (son of a farmer) who has established himself as a "people's governor". Nadda has also urged all the parties including UPA allies to support the NDA vice presidential candidate. Dhankhar, who is a lawyer by profession, entered into politics in 1989. He became the governor of West Bengal in July 2019 and has made headlines since then over his tumultuous relations with the Mamata Banerjee government. Earlier on Sunday, Jagdeep Dhankhar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who congratulated him on his nomination as NDA's VP candidate and said his understanding of ground problems and constitutional knowledge will greatly benefit the country. The Union Home Minister wrote in a tweet in Hindi, "Congratulations to Shri @jdhankhar1 ji on being elected as NDA's Vice Presidential candidate. Born in a simple farmer family, Dhankhar ji's life was dedicated to the welfare of the people and upliftment of the society." "I am sure that his understanding of ground problems and constitutional knowledge will be of great benefit to the country," Shah tweeted. Meanwhile, Dhankhar will face Opposition candidate veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Margaret Alva in the August 6 Vice Presidential election 2022. NCP chief Sharad Pawar had announced on Sunday, "We have unanimously decided to field Margaret Alva as our joint candidate for the post of Vice President." The decision came after the opposition party leaders met in New Delhi at Sharad Pawar's residence to select a joint VP candidate. Sharad Pawar said their candidate is being supported by 17 Opposition parties and they have also reached out to TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for supporting Alva. Margaret Alva will file her nomination papers on Tuesday July 19 which is the last date for filing nominations for the Vice Presidential election. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday asserted that there appears to be a "political reason" behind the delay in granting him permission to visit Singapore for a global summit. "It's not like I'm a criminal. I'm an elected CM of a state in the country. It's beyond my understanding why I'm being prohibited from visiting World Cities Summit, Singapore. I think this visit would only bring more glory to India," said Kejriwal while addressing a press conference today in the national capital. Miffed over the pending clearance from the Centre, Arvind Kejriwal stressed his visit to the "World Cities Summit" in Singapore is a matter of pride for India. On Sunday, he wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him for the clearance for the summit which is due to be held at the end of this month. "It is a matter of pride for India as the world is inspired by the health and education model of Delhi. The country will feel proud when I will present the model of Delhi's schools, hospitals, mohalla clinics, free electricity and others. My Singapore visit will elevate the country's pride and stature," the letter added. "The Government of Singapore has invited us to present the Delhi model at the global summit. During the summit, the Delhi model has to be presented in front of many big leaders of the world. Today the whole world wants to know about the Delhi model. This invitation is a matter of pride and honour for the country," the letter stated. Kejriwal had said in June that he had accepted the invitation of the Singapore high commissioner, Simon Wong, to attend the summit on August 2-3. (ANI)
BJP MP from Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh) Dinesh Lal "Nirahua" Yadav, Trinamool Congress MP from Asansol (West Bengal) Shatrughan Sinha, BJP MP from Rampur (Uttar Pradesh) Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) MP form Sangrur (Punjab) Simranjit Singh Mann take oath as Members of the Lok Sabha.

Notably, BJP's Dinesh Lal Yadav defeated SP's Dharmendra Yadav by 8,679 votes. The BJP candidate secured 3,12,768 votes while the SP candidate got 3,04,089 votes.

Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha registered a landslide victory in Asansol parliamentary constituency bypoll.

Sinha, who recently joined Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured 6,56,358 votes with a winning margin of over 3 lakhs over Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Agnimitra Paul, who took second place by winning 3,53,149 votes.

Simranjit Singh Mann, who was a candidate from Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) won the by-poll defeating Aam Aadmi Party's candidate in Sangrur, the home turf of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

BJP's Ghanshyam Lodhi won the Lok Sabha bypoll in Rampur by over 42,000 votes.

However, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till tomorrow.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament began today and will continue till August 12. There will be 18 sittings during the Session.

This session is important given the fact that the Presidential Election and the Vice Presidential Election will be held during this period. The Presidential Election is being held today while the Vice Presidential election will be held on August 6.

Price rise, the Agneepath scheme and unemployment are some of the issues which are likely to be raised by the Opposition during the Monsoon session.

Various Bills including the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill are likely to be taken up in the session. (ANI)
The Sessions Court of Patiala House Court on Monday upheld the magistrate court judgement convicted real estate barons Sushil, Gopal Ansal and two others in Uphaar cinema fire evidence tampering case. The District Judge of Patiala House Court Dharmesh Sharma on Monday found no merits in appeals moved by Sushil Ansal Gopal Ansal, PP Batra and Dinesh Chand Sharma. The court fixed the date to July 19, for the arguements on the quantum of punishment in the case. However, Court has allowed the appeal of one co-accused Anup Singh in the case and granted him bail in the case. On July 19, 2022, the same sessions will decide the period of sentences granted by the magistrate court needs any change or not. Sushil and Gopal Ansal had challenged their conviction and sentecing to 7-year jail terms for tampering with evidence in a case related to 1997 Uphaar cinema fire, which had claimed 59 lives. The Magistrate court awarded them seven years imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 2.25 Crore. Other co-accused including former court staff Dinesh Chand Sharma and PP Batra and Anoop Singh were awarded 7-year-jail terms each and was imposed with a fine of three lakh rupees each. The Delhi High Court earlier had dismissed the application of Ansal brothers which sought suspension of sentences. In Delhi HC, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhavi, who appeared for Ansal, had submitted before the bench that no judicial system considered the primary conviction as final. There is a need to adopt a larger view and not a tectical one. He further submitted that the allegations related to continuing conspiracy of tampering with evidence. But there is no direct evidence of tempering the evidence. The only ground was that I would be the beneficiary of the delay. Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa appeared for the Association of The Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) strongly opposed the petitions and submitted that the offence of tampering is extremely serious in nature, as it affects the entire criminal justice system. It is direct interference in the administration of justice and thus requires serious consideration while Suspending the sentence of seven years & fine of 2.25 Crores. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court on November 8 last year had sentenced seven-year imprisonment and imposed Rs 2.25-crore fine each on Sushil and Gopal Ansal for tampering with evidence The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court while passing the order also said, "After thinking over nights and nights, I have come to the conclusion that they deserve punishment." In the matter, Court had earlier convicted businessmen Sushil Ansal and Gopal Ansal along with their two employees among others in the case related to tampering with the crucial evidence in the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy case. The Court had found all accused guilty under sections 409, 201, 120B of IPC and pronounced the order. Out of seven accused, two accused Har Swaroop Panwar and Dharamvir Malhotra died during the course of the trial. At least 59 people died of asphyxia and over 100 others were injured in the stampede after fire broke out in Uphaar cinema on June 13, 1997, during the screening of JP Dutta's film 'Border'. (ANI)
The pictures and videos of former Prime Minister and Congress MP Manmohan Singh reaching Parliament in a wheelchair to cast his vote for the presidential election 2022 on Monday are being widely shared on social media. "Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India and Congress leader, casts his vote in the Parliament for the 16th Presidential election in a wheelchair. Long Lives Singhji, Long Lives India!," a Twitter user wrote. Another Twitter user poured heartfelt wishes and wrote, "Even after being ill, came to vote and explained the value of one vote." "This man who once stood tall in all adversaries and made India reach great heights from utter chaos and uncertainties is today wheel-chair bound. My heart cried seeing this great man like this. But then life is like this. History will be kinder to him surely. #ManmohanSingh," wrote another user of the micro-blogging site. Singh, 89, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were reportedly among the first few electors to cast their vote in the initial two hours of the presidential poll. When Singh reached the ballot box, he was helped by officials to get up from his wheelchair and cast his vote. Notably, Singh took a leave for the entire Winter Session of Parliament last year on health grounds. The veteran Congress leader and the two-time former prime minister were admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on October 13 last year after he complained of weakness following a fever. He was discharged from the hospital on October 31. It is worth mentioning that in February this year, Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav cast his vote in Jaswantnagar, Saifai during the third phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections as well. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to cast his vote in Parliament as voting for the presidential election began today morning in which NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu is pitted against joint opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha. Polling began at 10 am at the Parliament House and the state legislative assemblies with MPs and MLAs casting their votes to elect the 15th President of India. The voting process will conclude at 5 pm. The counting of votes will take place on July 21. Ahead of the commencement of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged all members of Parliament to make the session fruitful and productive by holding discussions and debates with an open mind. "There should be dialogue in the Parliament with an open mind, if necessary, there should be a debate. I urge all MPs to contemplate deeply and discuss matters to make this session as fruitful and productive as possible," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament. The Prime Minister also briefed about the upcoming Presidential and Vice-Presidential polls. PM Modi said, "This Session is also important because elections for the office of President and Vice President are taking place right now. Voting (for the Presidential election) is taking place today. During this period, the new President and Vice President will begin guiding the nation." The Presidential Election is being held today while the Vice Presidential election will be held on August 6. Highlighting the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister said, "This period is very important. It is the period of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. There is a special significance of August 15 and coming 25 years - when the nation would celebrate 100 years of independence, would be the time to make a resolution to decide our journey and the new heights we scale." The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced today and will continue till August 12. Price rise, Agnipath scheme and unemployment are some of the issues which are likely to be raised by the Opposition during the Monsoon session. Various Bills including Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill are likely to be taken up in the session. (ANI)
The Allahabad High Court will hear on August 1 a plea challenging the acquittal of all the 32 accused, including BJP leader LK Advani, who were acquitted by the special CBI court here in 2022 in the Babri Masjid demolition case. The petition has been filed by Haji Mehboob, a resident of Ayodhya in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court seeking punishment for the acquitted people. The court will debate the matter of its sustainability on August 1. Earlier, a revision petition was filed in the high court against the CBI court judgment, which has now been changed to appeal suit. The lawyer says that if the court considers it hearable, then the case of Babri Masjid demolition will also open. On September 30, 2020, the special CBI court of Lucknow had acquitted all accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case. The Babri Masjid demolition case was lodged on December 6, 1992, with 1,026 witnesses and 49 accused listed during the trial in the case out of which 17 have passed away. Therefore, the court pronounced its judgement on the rest 32 accused. Some of the high-profile personalities in the case include senior BJP leaders such as Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharati, Kalyan Singh, among others. Apart from them, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Champat Rai, and others are also accused. There were two cases registered in connection with the Ram Janmabhoomi temple-Babri Masjid dispute. The first was a title suit, whose judgement was pronounced by the Supreme Court on November 9, 2019, paving the way for the construction of the Ram temple at the site. (ANI)
Air Marakanda, the operator of Samarkand Airport, has announced the launch of a new route from Samarkand  with flydubai, the Emirati government owned low-cost airline.

The twice-weekly service will connect the historic Silk Road city of Samarkand, and the UAEs largest city, Dubai. The service will launch on September 20.

The service is the 12th and latest route to be announced from the newly expanded and redesigned Samarkand International Airport, with further, new route announcements scheduled for the following weeks and months.

Cementing links

Gairat Nematov, CEO of Air Marakanda, said: We are delighted to welcome flydubai to Samarkand, and connect the UAE to the history and heritage of our Silk Road city and region. The UAE is an important trade and cultural link for Uzbekistan, and we are proud to play our part in cementing and extending these links.

Todays announcement is just the latest in Samarkand Airports expansion and redevelopment. We expect to announce many more routes very soon, regionally and internationally - to match the demand we are witnessing to visit Uzbekistans leading tourist area.

The Dubai-Samarkand service will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Samarkand International Airport (SKD), departing DXB at 22:40 to arrive at SKD at 02:50, with the return flight departing at 04:05 and arriving at 06:30. Emirates will codeshare on the route offering passengers more options for connections.

Airport expansion

The news follows an $80 million redevelopment and expansion project for Samarkand international airport between Air Marakanda and state partner Uzbekistan Airports JCS. The new airport will serve the regions population of 3.9 million and act as a hub for international transit flights.

Serving visitors to Uzbekistans most frequented tourist sites in, and around, historic Silk Road city Samarkand - the modern facility will be able to handle triple the number of passengers than it could previously. Independent research by market research firm, Lufthansa Consulting, forecasts an increase in annual passenger traffic from 480,000 to two million.

As a result of the modernisation, the number of regular flights is anticipated to increase from 40 to 120 per week, with the addition of 16 new aircraft parking spaces. Having previously served twelve destinations, Air Marakandas route development plan aims to increase destinations to 30 by 2030. New routes will include major international destinations such as Beijing, New York, Dubai, and Munich.

International standard modernisations include 29 check-in desks, eight boarding gates, 21 passport control booths, and a 3,000 sq m commercial zone. Other upgrades include 3.1 km of runway, 800 car parking slots, new taxiway areas facilitating fast access to the airports terminals.-- TradeArabia News Service
The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking direction to restrain convicted and undertrial MPs and MLAs from voting in the Presidential election. Justice Sanjeev Narula dismissed the petition moved by Satvir Singh after hearing the submissions of the petitioner, the Election Commission and the Centre. Justice Narula said, "I am dismissing your petition." The petitioner Satvir Singh replied in Hindi that he is satisfied that the court heard him. The petitioner himself argued his case in Hindi. He argued that there are many convicted and undertrial MPs and MLAs who are voting in the Presidential election and their votes have not been deleted. On the other hand, advocate Siddhant Kumar, counsel for EC argued that the petition is not maintainable and the petitioner has no locus to file this petition. He also argued that if any MP or MLA is convicted with more than two years of jail, he is disqualified and cannot be elected and he is automatically barred from voting as well. Besides, if any MP or MLA is in custody, he is also not entitled to vote. He referred to the recent Supreme court judgement in Nawab Malik's case. On the other hand, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma said this petition is filed under People's Representation Act but the presidential election is not governed by that Act. The Presidential election is governed by the President's Election Act. If any petition arises out of that Act that would be heard in the Supreme Court and not before this court. The ASG also submitted that this petition has become infructuous as the presidential voting is going on and will be over within half an hour. (ANI)
Highlighting the development of a new defence ecosystem in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India is moving fast from being the biggest arms importer to a big exporter in the defence sector. Speaking at Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar 'Swavlamban' at Dr Ambedkar International Centre here. Modi said, "The goal of self-reliance in the Indian forces is very important for the India of the 21st century. Organizing the first self-reliance seminar for a self-reliant navy is an important step in this direction. Creating 75 indigenous technologies is kind of the first step. We have to work to increase their number continuously. The goal should be that our navy is at an unprecedented height when India celebrates 100 years of its independence." Prime Minister emphasised that the defence sector of India used to be very strong even before independence. At the time of independence, there were 18 ordnance factories in the country, where many types of military equipment including artillery guns were made. He said then India used to be an important supplier of defence equipment in World War II. "Our howitzers, machine guns made at the Ichhapur Rifle Factory, were considered the best. We used to export a lot. But then what happened that at one point in time we became the world's biggest importer in this field?" Modi said. He said, "We have given new strength to our public sector defence companies by organizing them in different sectors. Today we are making sure that how we connect our premier institutions like IITs with defence research and innovation." The Prime Minister said learning from the approach of the past decades, today a new defence ecosystem is being developed in India. Defence research and development has been opened for the private sector, academia, MSMEs and start-ups. "In the last 8 years, we have not only increased the defence budget, but we have also ensured that this budget is useful in the development of the defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country itself. Today, a large part of the budget earmarked for the purchase of defence equipment is being spent on procurement from Indian companies. In the last 4-5 years, our defence imports have come down by about 21 per cent. Today we are moving fast from the biggest defence importer to a big exporter," he emphasised. As a part of the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', NIIO, in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims at inducting at least 75 new indigenous technologies and products into the Indian Navy. This collaborative project is named SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC). The seminar aims to engage Indian industry and academia towards achieving self-reliance in the defence sector. The two-day seminar (July 18-19) will provide a platform for leaders from industry, academia, services and government to come together on a common platform to ideate and come up with recommendations for the defence sector. Sessions dedicated to innovation, indigenisation, armament and aviation will be held. (ANI)
With an aim to provide rural people with the right to document their residential properties so that they can use them for economic purposes, the Jammu and Kashmir administration in collaboration with district administration Udhampurhas started the drone survey of residential lands in villages across the district to issue property cards to its owners. The exercise is being undertaken under the central government's scheme, 'Svamitva' which was launched in 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the National Panchyati Raj day. The stakeholders involved in the scheme include the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Survey of India, State Revenue department, local district authorities and several others. "With the help of Survey of India, the drone survey of residential lands is taking place for the first time in our Udhampur district. It is bringing a lot of accuracy. Earlier we were not able to denote several things but now with the use of drone technology, they are easily detectable," Naib Tehsildar (Udhampur's Tikri village) Purab Chand told ANI. He further added that earlier the locals could not avail the benefits of government schemes as they didn't have property cards with them but now under the Svamitva scheme, all those who are living in residential areas will be provided with property cards and which will enable them to avail the benefits of all the government schemes. Locals in Udhampur expressed their gratitude to the central government for launching such a scheme that will empower the people in rural areas. The Sarpanch of Sundrani Panchayat in Udhampur, Pawan Kumar Sharma said, "I express my gratitude to the central government for launching such a scheme for people in rural areas as earlier their residential properties were not registered in revenue records due to which they were not able to avail the benefits of various schemes. Moreover, the Revenue department also used to face a lot of problems whenever the farmers used to come to them to enquire about their property records." SVAMITVA, a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj was nationwide launched by the Prime Minister on National Panchayati Raj Day, 24th April 2021 after the successful completion of the pilot phase of the scheme (2020-2021) in 9 states. The scheme is a reformative step towards the establishment of clear ownership of property in rural inhabited (Abadi) areas, by mapping land parcels using drone technology and providing a 'Record of Rights' to village household owners with the issuance of legal ownership cards (Property cards/Title deeds) to the property owners. The Scheme is implemented with the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Revenue Department, State Panchayati Raj Department and Survey of India. The scheme covers multifarious aspects including facilitating monetisation of properties and enabling bank loans; reducing property-related disputes and comprehensive village-level planning. (ANI)
The Presidential election was held in a peaceful and orderly manner on Monday with Parliament House seeing a voter turnout of 98.91 per cent. Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody, who is returning officer for the Presidential election, said the voting closed at 5 pm at the Parliament House and at designated places in the capitals of all states besides the UTs of Puducherry and Delhi. "The polling was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner in all designated places," he said. Of the 736 electors comprising 727 MPs and nine MLAs who were permitted by the Election Commission to vote at Parliament House, 728 electors cast their vote. This includes 719 MPs and nine MLAs. The total turnout at Parliament House was 98.91 per cent. Mody said Assistant Returning Officers of various states will start arriving with the polled sealed boxes to Parliament House by road and by air from Monday evening. He said the first ballot is expected to arrive in Parliament House at around 10 pm on Monday and all necessary security arrangements for safe transit of ballot boxes have been made. The Parliament Security Service is coordinating actively with the Delhi Police, airport authorities, CRPF and other security agencies to ensure smooth and secure transport of ballot boxes. The counting will take place in Room No 63 in Parliament House on July 21 from 11 am and the result will be declared immediately after the counting. The immediate precincts of Room Number 63 have been declared as sanitised and silent zone. Only counting officers, officials deployed to assist the Rajya Sabha Secretary General, candidates and one authorised representative of each candidate, observers appointed by Election Commission and media persons with valid passes will be allowed entry in the counting hall. Besides Parliament House, some MPs had sought permission of Election Commission to vote from state capitals. The contest is between BJP-led NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu and opposition parties' candidate Yashwant Sinha. (ANI)
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) on Monday moved to Delhi High court challenging the guidelines restraining the restaurant from charging service charges. Justice Yashwant Verma listed the matter for July 20 after counsel for one of the respondents sought time to take instructions. NRAI and others have moved a petition through advocate Nina Gupta and Ananya Marwah seeking inter alia for quashing or setting aside guidelines of July 4, 2022, issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for 'Preventing Unfair Trade Practices and Violation of Consumer Rights with regard to levying of service charge in hotels and restaurants. Senior Advocate Lalit Bhasin argued that there are three categories of restaurants. Firstly, those who do not levy service charge, second are those who levy service charges without consent of the consumer and thirdly those who levy service charges and it is reflected in their menu. The Senior advocate argued that these guidelines should not be applied to those who are reflecting this on the menu. It is a police matter and the rate of service charge is subject to price, it may be different. Service charge is always meant for the staff. It is submitted that guidelines issued on July 4, 2022, iss On the other hand, the counsel for CCPA sought time to take instructions. The court asked him to come with complete instructions on Thursday. Thereafter the court fixed the next date of hearing.ued by CCP are arbitrary, untenable and ought to be quashed/set aside by this Court in as much as the same has been issued without an appreciation of the facts and circumstances. It is also submitted that levy of service charge has been a standing practice in the hospitality industry for more than 80 years which is evident from the fact that the Supreme Court took notice of this concept way back in 1964 in the case of Management of Wenger and Co. Vs. Their Workmen. The petition has stated that there is no law which disallows restaurants to charge service charges. There has neither been a new law nor an amendment to the existing laws which makes charging the service charge illegal. In the absence of due authentication and promulgation of the guidelines, the contents thereof cannot be treated as an order of the Government. The wide publicity of the issue regarding Service Charge has led to a fear psychosis among the restaurant owners and has created a wrong impression in the minds of the public. This has adversely affected the smooth functioning and business of the restaurants, the petition stated. It is also stated that the levying of service charges has a socio-economic angle as well. The system of levying service charge ensures that there is a systematic and logical distribution of service charge collection amongst the employees and not just the employee serving the customer in the restaurant. This ensures that the benefit is divided equally among all the staff workers including the utility workers, back end staff etc. The levying of service charge is a universally accepted trade practice. Service charge is being levied in various countries like UK, Singapore, Japan and USA with varying percentages between 8 and 12.5 per cent. In the UK, accounting and distribution of service charge is also done through an independent agency through a system called Tronc, the plea stated The legality, reasonableness or justification of levying service charge has been considered by the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, erstwhile Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission and by the Income Tax Authorities (ITAT). The levy of service charge as a substitute for tips has been upheld in various judicial pronouncements, the petition submitted. (ANI)
The Kerala High Court on Monday granted time till July 22 to the Crime Branch of Kerala Police to complete the further investigation into the 2017 actress assault case and to submit the final report before the trial court. The court issued the order while disposing of the petition filed by the state government seeking three weeks' more time to complete the probe. The court also observed while issuing the order that the revelation made by former DGP R Sreelekha IPS in favour of actor Dileep, who is the eighth accused in the case, has nothing to do with the further investigation initiated by the Crime Branch. The time granted by the High Court was completed on July 15 and then the state government approached the court for an extension. The case pertains that an actress, who worked in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films, was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car by a group of men who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. (ANI)
After frequent engineering-related glitches were reported in several airlines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted several spot checks and advised that all aircraft at base and transit stations shall be released by certifying staff holding a licence with appropriate authorization by their organization, said officials on Monday. The DGCA mentioned that there have been reports of increased engineering-related occurrences in scheduled airlines in recent times. In order to ensure that airlines are adhering to the laid down standards, DGCA has conducted several spot checks in the recent past. The spot checks carried out by DGCA teams have indicated the improper identification of the cause of a reported defect, increasing trend of minimum equipment list (MEL) releases and non-availability of required certifying staff to cater to multiple scheduled arrivals/ departures in a short interval. "It is also seen that airlines are resorting to frequent one-off authorisation to Category A certifying staff at transit stations which is not in line with existing regulatory provisions. Keeping the above in view, it has been decided that all aircraft at base and transit stations shall be released by certifying staff holding Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) Category B1/B2 licence with appropriate authorization by their organization," read the letter. "The airlines are therefore advised to position certifying staff (AME Category B1/B2 licence) at all base and transit stations including the availability of required tools and equipment. Alternatively, you may opt for sending the certifying staff on flight duties. The compliance with the above shall be ensured by July 28, 2022, under intimation to their office," added the letter. The move comes after several instances were reported in the country where flights were diverted citing safety or functioning issues. An Air India Express aircraft while operating from Calicut to Dubai was diverted to Muscat after a burning smell was observed from one of the vents in the forward galley of the flight on Saturday. A senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the Air India Express B737-800 aircraft VT-AXX operating flight IX-355 (Calicut-Dubai) was diverted to Muscat as, during Cruise, a burning smell came from one of the vents in the forward galley." "Crew carried out a non-normal checklist for smoke fire or fumes and diverted to Muscat and landed safely," he said. The official also told that the on-ground engineering inspections were carried out as a relevant task of the Fault Isolation Manual. He said that the Engine Ground run was carried out with both the ENGINE and auxiliary power unit (APU) operating. Another Indian flight, a Hyderabad-bound IndiGo airliner from Sharjah was diverted to Pakistan's Karachi airport after the pilot reported a technical defect. "IndiGo flight 6E-1406, operating from Sharjah to Hyderabad was diverted to Karachi. The pilot observed a technical defect. Necessary procedures were followed and as a precaution, the aircraft was diverted to Karachi," IndiGo said in a press release. It further added that an additional flight will be sent to Karachi to fly the passengers to Hyderabad. Notably, this is the second Indian Airline to make a precautionary landing in Karachi in 2 weeks. The Union Minister had earlier chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) over air safety after three emergency landings at airports in the country in the last 48 hours. (ANI)
Major General SS Salaria General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the counter-insurgency Kilo Force, on Monday visited martyred constable Mudasir Sheikh's house in Uri, on the occasion of his sister's marriage. The General Officer on his visit congratulated the newlywed couple on the beginning of a new era of life as well as expressed his solidarity and gratitude towards the martyred constable's gallant actions. While interacting with the family, the General Officer emphasized that the young population should emulate the character and valour shown by the martyred constable Mudasir and make him their hero. "I am really grateful to the Indian Army that they have come all the way to attend my son's condolence meet. I am proud of my son that he has sacrificed his life for this country and its people", said Maqsood Ahmad Sheikh, father of Mudasir. "I am thankful to the GOC Sahab, 52 RR, who has come here for my brother's condolence. They understand the pain of losing someone. I am proud of my brother who lost his life for this country," Basit Sheikh, Brother of Mudasir. Constable Mudasir Sheikh laid down his life while fighting furiously for his motherland in an encounter at Baramulla last month which also saw the neutralization of three Pakistani terrorists of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit at Kerri Baramulla. (ANI)
The 16th round India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held on Sunday with the two sides reaffirming that the resolution of remaining issues in eastern Ladakh would help in the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations. India-China joint statement issued on Monday said the two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. The two sides continued discussions for resolution of the relevant issues "in a constructive and forward-looking manner". The 16th round India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side. There was a frank exchange of views. "The two sides continued discussions for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in a constructive and forward-looking manner building on the progress made at the last meeting on March 11 this year," the statement said. "They had a frank and in-depth exchange of views in this regard, in keeping with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. The two sides reaffirmed that the resolution of remaining issues would help in the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations," it added. The Indian side in the talks was led by Fire and Fury Corps Commander Lt Gen A Sengupta, India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May 2020 over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan Valley, Hot springs, and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020. The talks have led to disengagement from some areas including the North and South Banks of Pangong Tso and Galwan but some friction points remain. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear a plea filed by former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma seeking a stay on her arrest in the FIRs registered against her for the alleged hate statement on Prophet Muhammad. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala will hear the fresh application of Sharma seeking to revive her withdrawn petition which was filed to club the multiple FIRs registered in different states over her remarks. Sharma has sought direction to club all the FIRs registered against her across the country. She said that after the top court's strong criticism of her, the fringe elements have renewed their threat to her life and also given rape threats. Sharma has requested the apex court that since the first FIR against her was registered in Delhi, all FIRs at other places be clubbed with Delhi FIR. On July 1, the Supreme Court came down heavily on Sharma and said that she and "her loose tongue" has set the entire country on fire and she is singlehandedly responsible for what is happening in the country. The bench had slammed Sharma for her statement made during a TV news channel debate and while referring to the Udaipur incident, where two men murdered a tailor, said her outburst is responsible for the unfortunate incident. Rejecting Sharma's request to transfer all the FIRs registered against her in many states for her alleged remarks on Prophet Mohammad, to Delhi for investigation, the bench had observed that "She has threat or she has become security threat?" Senior advocate Maninder Singh appearing for Sharma had then withdrawn the plea. "The way she has ignited emotions across the country. This lady is singlehandedly responsible for what is happening in the country," the bench had said. The apex court then said that Sharma should have gone to the TV and apologised to the nation. It also slammed Sharma for her arrogance and said because she is the spokesperson of a party, power has gone to her head. It had also asked about what the Delhi Police has done after a complaint was registered against Nupur Sharma. The bench had said on her complaint a person is arrested, but despite multiple FIRs she has not yet been touched by Delhi police. The apex court was hearing a plea filed by Sharma seeking the transfer of all the FIRs registered against her across the country to Delhi for her remarks on a TV news channel debate about Prophet Muhammad which had led to violent protests and riots in many states. After the observation made on Sharma, both the judges were targeted on social media by users. Later, while attending an event Justice JB Pardiwala even expressed concerns at the personal attacks on judges and said that personal attacks on judges for their judgments lead to a "dangerous scenario" where the judges have to think about what the media thinks instead of what the law really thinks. Justice Pardiwala had said that social and digital media is primarily resorted to expressing personalised opinions more against the judges, rather than a constructive critical appraisal of their judgments. (ANI)


On June 15, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition filed by Chattisgarh activist Himanshu Kumar seeking a probe into alleged rights violations by security forces in Dantewada in 2009. The apex court also fined Kumar Rs five lakh and ordered a CBI inquiry.

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NEW DELHI  Activist Himanshu Kumar from Dantewada, Chattisgarh, was fined five lakhs by the Supreme Court on June 15. A petition filed by Kumar sought a probe into the security forces alleged torture and extrajudicial killings during anti-Maoist operations in Dantewada in 2009. Not only was the petition junked by the Supreme Court, but Kumar was fined, and a CBI enquiry into the possible conspiracy behind the petition was also allowed by the court.

Born to parents who were freedom fighters, Himanshu Kumar was brought up in a Gandhi Ashram in Meerut, and the teachings of Vinoda Bhave had huge influences on him. He started the Vanvasi Chetna Ashram (VCA) in Dantewada in 2005. Through VCA, he helped Adivasis access their rights under the law. He worked for 17 years in VCA to get displaced Adivasis back to their homes, for the acquittal of falsely accused, and rehabilitation of the victims of police and vigilante crimes during the murderous Salwa Judum campaigns. In 2010, his Ashram was later bulldozed, citing government land encroachment, and he was forced to move to Delhi.

The incidents in the case happened on September 17 and October 1, 2009. In a joint CoBRA, STF and district police operation, 17 Adivasis were killed in the villages of Gachhanpalli, Gompad and Belpocha, situated in the district of Dantewada, State of Chhattisgarh. At the time, the BJP government led by Raman Singh blamed Naxals for the killings. After Kumar approached the court in 2009, police exhumed seven bodies from the outskirts of Gompad, one of the villages. Himanshu Kumar, along with 12 relatives of the deceased people, filed a petition in 2010 in which Chhattisgarh Police, Special Police Officers, and activists of Salwa Judum (government-backed vigilante group) and paramilitary forces comprising CRPF and CoBRA Battalions were accused of the massacre. Kumar presented eyewitnesses who had seen security forces attack the tribals with bayonets, shoot them at close range, and mutilate the bodies. The petition demanded a CBI probe into the killings, strict action against the security forces and compensation for the victims families.

After the complaints filed by Kumar gained media attention, the killing of Adivasis caused national debate. Salwa Judum came under harsh criticism, and the central ministry was called for accountability in actions against the Adivasis under the guise of anti-Naxal operations. In response to Kumars petition, the Centre filed a petition in the Supreme Court where it sought perjury proceedings against the activist for misleading the court and argued for a probe by the National Investigation Agency into those behind such petitions. Centre responded to his petition as a conspiracy to provide a legal protective shield to members of Left Wing Extremist outfits.

Giving a clean chit to the accused security forces, the Supreme Court on Thursday declared that 17 Adivasis were killed by Naxalites and not by the forces. In a 94-page judgment by the bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and J.B. Pardiwala, the SC allowed the CBI and the Chhattisgarh police to investigate whether the filing of the PIL was meant to malign and discredit the security forces to stop the from carrying out operations against left-wing extremists. This could mean that the petitioner and his NGO might face more investigations from the central agencies.

Responding to the Supreme Court order, Himanshu Kumar said to Indian Express that he knows that he will be jailed but wont pay the fine imposed on him. Paying the fine would mean accepting that I did something wrong, he said.

Kumar tells Indian Express that he has been targeted by the authorities since the time he filed the petition in the Supreme Court. He also stated that his co-petitioners were abducted, and he was not allowed to speak to them. Eventually, Kumar was informed by some of his friends that the state was ready to take extreme measures to silence him and that he should leave. I had to flee overnight from Chhattisgarh, and the Vanvasi Chetna Ashram was later demolished, he adds.

Dismissal of our plea by the Supreme Court means several families have lost the hope of justice, the Gandhian activist said to Indian Express.

Basil Islam is an independent journalist and researcher based in South India. He tweets at @baasiie
India and China on Monday said the 16th round of Corps Commander-Level Meeting held on Sunday was held in a constructive, forward-looking manner and reaffirmed that resolution of remaining issues in eastern Ladakh would help in the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations. The statement comes amid indications about both sides expecting a positive outcome in the near future. India-China joint statement issued on Monday said the two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. The 16th round India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side. They had a frank exchange of views. "The two sides continued discussions for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in a constructive and forward-looking manner building on the progress made at the last meeting on March 11 this year," the statement said. "They had a frank and in-depth exchange of views in this regard, in keeping with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. The two sides reaffirmed that the resolution of remaining issues would help in the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations," it stated. The Indian side in the talks was led by Fire and Fury Corps Commander Lt Gen A Sengupta, India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May 2020 over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan Valley, Hot springs, and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020. The talks have led to disengagement from some areas including the North and South Banks of Pangong Tso and Galwan but some friction points remain. (ANI)
The National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) vice presidential candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar filed his nomination papers before Returning Officer and Secretary General, Lok Sabha in Parliament House on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, and BJP chief JP Nadda were present when Dhankar filed his nomination. It is pertinent to mention that nomination papers may be delivered by a candidate or any one of his proposers or seconders to Secretary General, Lok Sabha, at his office in Parliament House. Each nomination paper shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the entry relating to the candidate in the electoral roll for the Parliamentary constituency in which the candidate is registered as an elector. Every candidate shall deposit or cause to be deposited a sum of Rs 15,000. This amount may be deposited in cash with the Returning Officer at the time of presentation of the nomination paper or deposited earlier in the Reserve Bank of India or in a Government Treasury and in the latter case a receipt showing that the said deposit of the sum has been so made is required to be enclosed with the nomination paper. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed confidence that Dhankar will be an excellent and inspiring Vice President. "Ministers, MPs and leaders from various parties accompanied Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji for the filing of his nomination papers. I am certain that he will be an excellent and inspiring Vice President," tweeted PM Modi. Dhankhar, who filed his nomination in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that he is grateful to PM and his able leadership for this opportunity. "Not even in my dreams did I think that a common man like me would be given such an opportunity. A farmer's son has filed his nomination today...Grateful to PM Modi and the leadership for this opportunity," said Dhankhar after filing his nomination. He filed his nomination papers for the Vice-President's post on the day when Presidential elections are being held. His name was announced for the second top constitutional post by BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday. Immediately after filing the nomination, Dhankhar said that he will strive for the democratic values of the country. "I will always strive to enhance the democratic values of the country. Never thought even in my dreams that a person with a humble background like me will get this opportunity." JP Nadda said Dhankhar was a "Kisan-Putra" (son of a farmer) who has established himself as a "people's governor". Nadda has also urged all the parties including UPA allies to support the NDA vice presidential candidate. Dhankhar, who is a lawyer by profession, entered into politics in 1989. He became the governor of West Bengal in July 2019 and has made headlines since then over his tumultuous relations with the Mamata Banerjee government. He tendered his resignation as the Governor of West Bengal on Sunday. Earlier on Sunday, Jagdeep Dhankhar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who congratulated him on his nomination as NDA's VP candidate and said his understanding of ground problems and constitutional knowledge will greatly benefit the country. The Union Home Minister wrote in a tweet in Hindi, "Congratulations to Shri @jdhankhar1 ji on being elected as NDA's Vice Presidential candidate. Born in a simple farmer family, Dhankhar ji's life was dedicated to the welfare of the people and upliftment of the society." "I am sure that his understanding of ground problems and constitutional knowledge will be of great benefit to the country," Shah said. Meanwhile, Dhankhar will face Opposition candidate veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Margaret Alva in the August 6 Vice Presidential election 2022. NCP chief Sharad Pawar had announced on Sunday, "We have unanimously decided to field Margaret Alva as our joint candidate for the post of Vice President." The decision came after the opposition party leaders met in New Delhi at Sharad Pawar's residence to select a joint VP candidate. Sharad Pawar said their candidate is being supported by 17 Opposition parties and they have also reached out to TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for supporting Alva. Margaret Alva will file her nomination papers on Tuesday, July 19 which is the last date for filing nominations for the Vice Presidential election. (ANI)
Delhi Police arrested an aspiring model and his female friend for allegedly supplying drugs in the Delhi University student circle. Police seized 1.010 kg of charas, known as "Malana Cream" worth more than Rs 1 crore in international market from the arrested persons. Delhi Police Crime Branch had information that charas is being supplied to students in Delhi University by Shubham Malhotra (25) alias Sunny, a resident of Delhi's Gupta Colony. Police said Shubham used to supply Charas after procuring it from Malana. Upon interrogation, Shubham revealed that he was born and brought up in Delhi. His father owns a workshop of air conditioner compressors in Delhi. He runs a farm of mushrooms in partnership with his friend, in Delhi. Due to his good looks and tall appearance, one friend suggested him for modelling. He tried and got some assignments too. He was struggling for a proper breakthrough. Meanwhile, due to bad company, he started smoking and consuming charas in the year 2016. Soon he got addicted to it. To cover his expenses, he started selling charas to his friend. After seeing the margins of this trade, he started procuring more charas from Kasol and Malana in Himachal Pradesh. Gradually he became famous in the party circle of North Delhi. He lured his female friend Kirti (27), a graduate into drug peddling, for his assistance, Shubham told Delhi Police. Police further said that accused Shubham Malhotra was using his woman associate as a shield, They were carrying a pillow in car, while traveling with contraband. She was pretending that she has a baby in her lap, to eyewash police at check posts. They were supplying charas in the university area to youngsters. A case has been registered under relevant sections of NDPS Act. Efforts are being made to trace the source and receivers of contraband. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Minister EV Velu on Monday condemned the violence that broke out in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district after a class 12 student died by suicide. "Unfortunate incident happened in Sakthi ECR International School. One girl died. Her parents raised questions about her death and filed a petition also in Court. Even they protested at Kallakurichi. Over 108 persons got injured in the Kallakurichi violence. District Administration and Police Department controlled the situation," said EV Velu. Amid the violence over the death of the girl, lots of rumours are being spread over social media. "Chief Minister has called officials to make team probe regarding this violence as per High Court Judge note," said Velu. That team will investigate in detail and according to law actions will be taken, he added. There have been a few protests outside the school premises. "In a democratic state protest is respectable. They should have protested in a peaceful manner. But in the name of protesters, 67 vehicles including school buses, cars, tractors, JCB, and Lorry were set on fire by protesters. Police vehicles were also set on fire," he added. Lauding police action in the incident, he said, "As Police handled this well there were no more damages caused to life and property. We have seen many incidents where shootouts and all have happened. But in this situation, also police handled everything well. We can see from this how Chief Minister is guiding his department." Speaking on reopening the school, he said, "Few petitions were given to us by school parents requesting to open the school soon. We will give this to Chief Minister and after discussion, we will decide on that." "Only after completing the investigation can we say who or which organization is the reason for this violence. So far, 278 people have been arrested. Around 22 are minors. We won't indulge in any politics on this. We will arrest all accused," the minister said. Opposition leader E. Palaniswami from AIADMK said, "It is due to the lethargic response of the government, that violence broke out in the aftermath of the suicide. The unrest could have been averted if some timely measures had been taken. It also exposes the shortcomings of the intelligence department. The ruling state government should be ashamed of the incident." The violence broke out in Kallakurichi as protesters set ablaze buses and school property demanding justice for the dead student. Speaking to the media, Tamil Nadu Director general of police (DGP) C Sylendra Babu informed that school correspondent Ravikumar, secretary Shanthi and Principal Shiva Sankaran were arrested over the death of a student and failing to maintain safety at the school hostel. "School correspondent Ravikumar, secretary Shanthi and Principal Shiva Sankaran were arrested over the death of a 17-year-old girl and for failing to maintain safety at the school hostel. Case transferred to rime Investigation Department (CBCID)," Babu said. The state Home Secretary Phanindra Reddy said the investigation of the case will be conducted from all angles and requested the public not to indulge in acts of violence. "The government's aim is to clarify all doubts in this case. We are assuring that probe will be conducted from all angles in this case. We appeal to the public not to indulge in acts of violence and not pay heed to rumours," Reddy said. Earlier, Babu and Reddy, along with other officials, met the police personnel at a hospital who were injured during the violence in Kallakurichi. On Sunday, more than a thousand people staged a protest in front of the school demanding justice for the student's death. Protesters pelted stones at the police van. Police tried to control the situation but the protestors damaged the police vehicle. A few policemen also sustained some injuries. Appealing for peace, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin tweeted, "Violence worries me. The accused will be punished when the police probe over the school girl's death ends. I have asked DGP, Home Secretary to travel to Kallakurichi. I request people to maintain peace." According to Police officials, "the deceased girl died by suicide on Tuesday night in the school premises and there was a note found in which it was alleged that two teachers from the school tortured her, forcing her to study all the time." The student's death case was registered under section 174 (unnatural death). (ANI)
The Assam cabinet approved Rs 839.95 crore for the formation of five new Commando Battalions, informed the officials on Monday. The new Commando Battalions will be set up at Birsima in Hailakandi district, Doldoli in Karbi Anglong, Geleky Kamalabari in Sivasagar, Pabhoi in Biswanath district and Ambikapur in Sadiya. The battalions will be stationed in sensitive areas and will boost Assam Police's capabilities of dealing with crimes as well as play a crucial role in counter-insurgency operations. The state cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma decided that National Forensic Science University, Assam Campus will also be established. Assam Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah informed that the state cabinet has modified the economic weaker section criteria. "The state cabinet has approved the modified criteria of the Economic Weaker Section. Now the people who have below Rs 8 lakh income, 30 bigha agriculture land in village areas, 2 bigha land in urban areas, 8640 sq feet in Municipality Corporation Board areas and 2000 sq ft building will get the Economic Weaker Section certificate," Jayanta Malla Baruah said. The state cabinet also approved the Revised State Action Plan on Climate Change 2021-2030 and Assam has now become fourth state in the country adopting the Climate Change plan. The Assam cabinet has approved the Assam Aerial Ropeways Bill, 2022 to be tabled in the upcoming assembly session to authorize, facilitate and regulate the construction and working of aerial ropeways and to ensure legislative and administrative safeguards. The state cabinet also approved for appointment of 55 Assistant Engineers (Civil) under Regulation 3 (f) against vacant posts till the vacant posts get filled by APSC after proper advertisement and process.(ANI)
The American woman whom Delhi Police recovered from Greater Noida within 24 hours of the US Embassy raising concerns over her safety, has told police that she had run out of cash and that is why she staged her abduction and assault, police said on Monday. Deputy Commissioner of Police of New Delhi Amrutha Guguloth said they had received information from the US Embassy on May 15 that a woman who had arrived in India on May 3, had been abducted and is being physically assaulted. "As soon as the US Embassy raised the matter, our teams wrote to Yahoo to get the IP address of the email that the woman had written to US Embassy alleging that she has been kidnapped and is being assaulted. WhatsApp was also contacted to get details of the phone number that the woman had used to call her mother and narrate her ordeal. Our teams also visited the address that the woman had mentioned in her immigration form but they found it was a five-star hotel and the woman wasn't found their," the DCP said. She said, finally, using technical surveillance, police teams, based on call details and technical surveillance of the mobile number from which the woman had called her mother, traced it to Gurugram. "Following a raid, it was found that the number is being used by a Nigerian man based in Gurugram he was questioned and he further revealed that the woman, Chole Renee McLaughlin is in Greater Noida. Our teams had reacted immediately and the woman was recovered from Greater Noida within 24 hours," the officer said, adding that she had no injuries and she was happy too. Police said the woman's questioning revealed that she was in touch with the Nigerian man since she was in the US. "Both got in touch via social media in 2021 and the woman had been wanting to come to Delhi to meet him for a long time but couldn't come due to COVID restrictions. She further revealed that she had run out of cash and that using the hotspot from the Nigerian man's phone she had called her mother via WhatsApp and lied to her that she had been abducted and that she was being assaulted by unidentified men. Similarly, she also wrote an email to the US Embassy claiming that she was abducted and created a story of her assault. She also told police that she and the Nigerian man had been planning to get married," the officer said. The DCP said that both the man and the woman have been sent to the FRRO and will soon be deported to their respective countries. (ANI)
Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav on Monday claimed that present Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai met him when he had not obtained the Union Minister's post and sought to join his RJD. "He (Rai) came to me and requested me to take him in the RJD. He told me that he was not feeling well in BJP. Now, what would he say?" Tejashwi Yadav told media persons as he came out of the Assembly after casting the vote in the Presidential poll. On supporting opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha, he said: "I am not anti-women or anti-tribal women or against any other person who belongs to tribal family, scheduled caste, or any extremely backward class. Draupadi Murmu Ji is a very decent lady and I have much respect for her but our stand is clear. We are supporting Yashwant Sinha as he has put his points in the public domain. Every person who casts their vote always chooses candidates on the basis of what promises they made during the election campaign. "Yashwant Sinha did press conferences everywhere he went for the election campaign but I have not seen Draupadi Murmu Ji do the same. Yashwant Sinha has given the perspective of what he would do when elected as president of India but Draupadi Murmu Ji did not." "As I am a voter in the presidential election, when I was asked about the quality I am looking for in a President, I replied that I do not want a 'murti' (statue) in the President's house. I have seen Yashwant Sinha talking everywhere but I have not heard the voice of the candidate given by the ruling party," Tejashwi Yadav said. "The Narendra Modi government is not concerned about tribals. If they were concerned about the tribal people, they should expand the reservation of the community. Then, we will also support him," he added. Following his 'murti' jibe, BJP leaders, including Rai, attacked the RJD and Tejashwi Yadav, saying he is not respecting the decision of his father, Lalu Prasad when he installed Rabri Devi as Chief Minister. The BJP leaders also attacked Tejashwi Yadav for being anti-women. Reacting to the allegation, Tejashwi Yadav said that when Pratibha Patil was projected as a presidential candidate, they had supported her. "But the BJP was against the decision. They were making questions on it. They should answer why they were objecting to the first woman candidate who was projected as the post of president of India. Are they not anti-women?" he asked. --IANS ajk/vd ( 440 Words) 2022-07-18-19:00:02 (IANS)
Not allowed to wear jeans by her husband, a woman of Jorbhitha village in Jamtara district of Jharkhand stabbed him to death. The police have arrested the woman, who has confessed to the crime. The marriage of Andolan Tudu of Jorbhitha village and Pushpa Tudu, a resident of the neighbouring village Dudhkebara, took place three months ago. After the marriage, Pushpa wanted to go to public places wearing jeans, but her husband objected to it. In the past, she had gone to a fair held in nearby Gopalpur village wearing jeans. On her return, the husband forbade her to wear jeans again. When the dispute between the two escalated over the issue, Pushpa stabbed her husband several times with a knife on the night of July 12. The critically injured Andolan Tudu was admitted to the Medical College Hospital in Dhanbad for treatment, where he died on Saturday night. Pushpa Tudu has been arrested on the complaint of Kaneshwar Tudu, father of the deceased. After the death of their young son, the family is in deep shock. --IANS snc/skp/uk/bg ( 192 Words) 2022-07-18-19:18:04 (IANS)
Bhartiya Tribal Party MLA Rajkumar Roat and Congress MLA Bhanwar Lal Sharma did not turn up for voting.

While Sharma is unwell, Roat's son is not well.

The polling for the 16th Presidential election in the Rajasthan Assembly premises began here at 10 a.m. with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot among early voters.

The government's chief whip in the Assembly, Mahesh Joshi, also reached there to cast his vote.

Till 4.45 p.m. on Monday evening, 198 MLAs had cast their vote.

NDA Presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu is contesting the election against Opposition's nominee Yashwant Sinha.

The polling ended at 5 p.m.

The ballot box has been packed. BJP MLA Jogeshwar Garg as the representative of NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu and the Election Commission team will go to Delhi with the ballot box in scheduled flight at 9.10 p.m. The flight will reach Delhi at around 10.10 p.m.

The ballot box will be kept in the strong room of the Parliament House.

After this, MLA Jogeshwar Garg and the Returning Officer of the Election Department, who had gone from Rajasthan, will return to Jaipur.

Counting of votes will take place on July 21.

--IANS arc/pgh

( 226 Words)

2022-07-18-20:22:03 (IANS)
Despite all efforts the Congress could not stop its MLAs from cross voting in the presidential poll. MLAs in Odisha and Telangana went against the party line to support NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu. Congress MLA in Odisha Mohammed Moquim himself informed the media about this after casting his vote. "I have listened to my conscience which guided me to do something for the soil and I voted for her though I am a Congress MLA and it is my personal decision." In the Presidential poll no whip is issued and the voters have the right to choose. Congress MLA Danasari Anasuya Seethakka, who was rumoured to have voted for the NDA candidate later clarified that she has not voted for the wrong candidate but one supported by the party and she only had an issue with the ballot paper. These are some MLAs whose cross voting has come to light but many Congress MLAs switched sides and the party is trying to identify them. Not only Congress MLAs but its allies like the JMM too drifted away as they voted for Murmu. In parliament Congress MPs lined up to vote including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, while ailing former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh came on a wheelchair. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast the first vote as per sources while RK Singh came in PPE kit. As per the Election Commission, out of a total of 771 Members of Parliament entitled to vote (5 vacant) and similarly out of a total of 4025 Members of the Legislative Assemblies entitled to vote (6 vacant and 2 disqualified), over 99% cast their votes. However 100% voting by MLAs was reported from Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Puducherry, Sikkim, Mizoram and Tamil Nadu. --IANS miz/bg ( 308 Words) 2022-07-18-21:16:02 (IANS)
Except few MLAs, most legislators and Parliament members in the northeastern states on Monday cast their vote in the 16th Presidential election. In Assam, 123 of the 126 MLAs, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his cabinet colleagues, Opposition leader Debabrata Saikia cast their votes for the presidential polls in the state assembly. Congress MLA Bharat Chandra Narah has sought permission to exercise his franchise in the Parliament as he is in Delhi for medical treatment. Two MLAs of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) -- Suzzamuddin Laskar and Nizamuddin Choudhury -- are currently outside the country as they are away in Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. Legislators of both ruling BJP led alliance and opposition Congress, AIUDF and others were seen queuing on the assembly premises before voting began at 10 a.m. AIUDF supremo and Lok Sabha Member Badruddin Ajmal had earlier announced that his party with 15 MLAs would vote in favour of opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha. AIUDF MLA Karimuddin Barbhuiya claimed that at least 20 Congress MLAs have cross-voted in favour of BJP-led NDA candidate Darupadi Murmu. In Tripura, except Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) MLA Brishaketu Debbarma and CPI-M legislator Sudhan Das, all other 58 MLAs including Chief Minister Manik Saha and opposition leader Manik Sarkar have cast their vote in the state assembly in Agartala. BJP's ally -- IPFT legislator Debbarma did not cast his vote on Monday as he resigned from the Assembly in June 2021, and joined the TIPRA (Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance) headed by Tripura's royal scion, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman. Debbarma's resignation was, however, not yet accepted by the Assembly speaker Ratan Chakraborty due to some procedural reasons. CPI-M MLA Sudhan Das, who is now in Delhi to attend the organisational meeting there, told IANS over phone that he has cast his vote in the Parliament House. In Mizoram, all the 40 MLAs of the state Assembly including Chief Minister Zoramthanga exercised their franchise to elect 15th President of India. In Manipur, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was the first to cast his vote in the Presidential election and all the 60 MLAs of the state have cast their vote to elect the new President. In Meghalaya, Members of Parliament and legislatures including Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma have cast their votes at the specially designed polling station in the annexe hall within the premises of the Assembly Secretariat at Rilbong. Sangma, who is the President of the ruling National People's Party, later tweeted: "Along with other legislators of Meghalaya, cast my vote today for the Presidential Elections 2022. Wishing Smti Draupadi Murmu Ji the very best!" In Nagaland, 59 of the 60 sitting members of the Nagaland Assembly including Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio cast their votes. Additional Secretary of the Nagaland Assembly and Assistant Returning Officer of the elections Khruohituonuo Rio said that Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Y.M. Yollow Konyak could not cast his vote due to health issues. In Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his cabinet colleagues and all other MLAs have cast their votes in the state assembly premises. --IANS sc/pgh ( 534 Words) 2022-07-18-21:30:05 (IANS)
"As part of the endeavors by the leadership in the two countries to address the border issues, the security and defense council decided to open the Galabat border crossing as of today," Sudan's Security and Defense Council said in a statement.

The council also decided to step up border monitoring and improve coordination between the two countries to stop the movement of armed elements across the border, according to the statement.

On June 26, Sudan decided to close the Galabat crossing, saying the Ethiopian army had killed seven Sudanese soldiers and a citizen on the joint eastern border, a charge which Ethiopia denied.Since September 2020, the Sudan-Ethiopia border has been witnessing rising tensions and deadly skirmishes between the two sides.

Sudan has accused the Ethiopian military of backing farmers' seizure of Sudanese lands in the disputed al-Fashaga district on the border of the two neighbors. (ANI/Xinhua)
Around 500 people were found infected with COVID-19 over five days at a tourist resort in China's Guangxi region, according to local media. Global Times reported that the outbreak left over 2,000 tourists stranded in Beihai city due to a coronavirus flare-up that hit the holiday resort. The city of Beihai located in the south of Guangxi is one of the most popular tourist resorts in the region. Since the first asymptomatic infection was reported in Beihai on July 12, a total of nine local confirmed patients and 444 asymptomatic infections had been registered as of Saturday, according to a press briefing on Sunday, Global Times reported. According to the local health commission of Guangxi, a number of cities including Beihai, Nanning, Guilin, Hezhou and Chongzuo have been affected by the outbreak. Apart from the nine confirmed cases and 444 silent carriers reported in Beihai, a total of 30 asymptomatic infections have been reported in other cities in the autonomous region. The new wave of COVID-19 cases has been triggered by new emerging Omicron sub-variants, with nine such sub-variants all classified as forms of Omicron reportedly having been spreading among 12 regions since July, Global Times reported. In Guangxi, Beihai city has been hardest hit by Omicron. Chinese health authorities said that the locally-transmitted cases circulated in Gansu were identified as BA.2.38. The virulent strain has strong transmissibility and concealment, which is not conducive to early detection. Recently, China enforced a lockdown in Xian, home to 13 million people after the city reported the first cases of a new Omicron subvariant. The lockdown was implemented after Xian reported 18 COVID-19 infections from Saturday to Monday, all of which are of the Omicron BA.5.2 subvariant, according to local disease control officials. BA.5.2 is a sub-lineage of BA.5, which is already dominant in the US and appears to escape antibody responses among both people previously infected with COVID-19 and those who have been fully vaccinated and boosted, according to researchers. It is the first time the subvariant has been reported in China, one of the last places in the world still adhering to a stringent zero-Covid policy. Due to the latest outbreak in Beijing, millions of people are facing mandatory testing and thousands are under targeted lockdowns, just days after the city started to lift widespread curbs that had run for more than a month to tackle a broader outbreak since late April. (ANI)
Moscow [Russia], July 18 (ANI/Sputnik): NATO's multiple rocket launcher (MRL) experts appear to be directing the actions of Ukrainian troops "on the ground," which is fraught with certain consequences, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "NATO instructors and MRL gunners are already, apparently, directing the actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the national battalions 'on the ground'," Lavrov said in his article for the Izvestia newspaper, adding that he hoped that "there are responsible politicians among the Europeans who are aware of the consequences this is fraught with." He added that the armed forces of Russia, as well as the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), are confidently solving tasks within the framework of Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine. Meanwhile, "losing on the battlefield, the Ukrainian regime and its Western patrons do not disdain to stage bloody dramatizations in order to demonize our country in international public view," the Russian Foreign Minister said. Lavrov emphasized that the demand of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Moscow to conclude an agreement on territorial integrity and sovereignty guarantees with Kiev is in vain, since such a document already existed, it was the Minsk-2 peace deal, which was "killed" by Germany and France. According to the Russian Foreign Minister, Europe is suffering from sanctions imposed against Russia the most, and is using up its arsenals, supplying weapons to Kiev without requiring an account of who controls the arms and where these weapons end up. (ANI/Sputnik)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday fired the chief of country's domestic intelligence and security agency and its prosecutor general. Zelenskyy in a video address published on Telegram said that he had dismissed the security chief, Ivan Bakanov, a childhood friend who led his presidential campaign, and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, a close ally who was his foreign affairs adviser during his presidential run, after losing faith in their abilities to run their offices. Zelenskyy also said he had fired the top officials because many cases had come to light of members of their agencies collaborating with Russia, according to Al Jazeera. "As of today, 651 criminal proceedings have been registered regarding treason and collaboration activities of employees of prosecutor's offices, pretrial investigation bodies, and other law enforcement agencies," he said. "In particular, more than 60 employees of the prosecutor's office and the Security Service of Ukraine remained in the occupied territory and are working against our state," he added, according to CNN. Earlier, Zelenskyy had dismissed Kyiv's ambassador to India as well as several other foreign envoys on Saturday. He announced the sacking of Ukraine's ambassadors to Germany, the Czech Republic, Norway, India, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, The Kyiv Independent reported. Russia started its military operation in Ukraine in the last week of February this year which resulted in a large-scale humanitarian situation. Under operation Ganga, India had facilitated the safe return of 22,500 Indian nationals, most of them students, studying in various universities in Ukraine. India has reiterated its stand for diplomacy amid the Ukraine conflict and said humanitarian measures should not be politicized at a time when the impact of the situation is affecting the food security situation. The war in Ukraine has led to a large-scale humanitarian and refugee crisis. Moreover, the security situation in Ukraine deteriorated rapidly following the launch of a Russian Federation military offensive on February 24. According to UN agencies, the escalation of conflict in the eastern part of the country has triggered an immediate and steep rise in humanitarian needs as essential supplies and services are disrupted and civilians flee the fighting. The UN estimates that 12 million people inside Ukraine will need relief and protection, while several other Ukrainian refugees may need protection and assistance in neighbouring countries in the coming months. On 1 March, the UN and humanitarian partners launched coordinated Flash Appeals for a combined USD 1.7 billion to urgently deliver humanitarian support to people in Ukraine and refugees in neighbouring countries. Within Ukraine, the plan requires USD 1.1 billion to meet the escalating humanitarian needs of more than six million people affected and displaced by military operations over the next three months, according to UN News. Outside the country, the UN requested USD 551 million to help Ukrainians who have fled across borders, principally to Poland, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. (ANI)
Russian journalist who in March interrupted a live TV broadcast to denounce military action in Ukraine has been arrested near her house in Moscow, according to media reports. Her lawyer on Sunday said that the Russian police detained Marina Ovsyannikova. Ovsyannikova published a post on Instagram, stating that she was taken to the police station in the capital's Krasnoselsky district, Radio Free Europe reported. Later, she wrote she had been charged for discrediting the actions of the army of Russia because of an interview she gave near the Basmanny Court of Moscow in support of opposition politician Ilya Yashin, who is being held in pretrial detention for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian military, according to the media outlet. However, no official statement has been made so far. In March, Ovsyannikova walked onto the set of a live Russian state television broadcast to protest against Moscow's military operations in Ukraine. During the "Vremya" news program on Russia's main TV channel, Ovsyannikova, a Channel One employee, rushed in front of the camera with a poster saying "stop the war, don't believe the propaganda." On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics requested help in defending themselves. The military operation in Ukraine resulted in a large-scale humanitarian situation. Meanwhile, on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired the chief of the country's domestic intelligence and security agency and its prosecutor general. Zelenskyy in a video address published on Telegram said that he had dismissed the security chief, Ivan Bakanov, a childhood friend who led his presidential campaign, and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, a close ally who was his foreign affairs adviser during his presidential run, after losing faith in their abilities to run their offices. Zelenskyy also said he had fired the top officials because many cases had come to light of members of their agencies collaborating with Russia, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI)
Four people, including a gunman, were killed on Sunday evening (local time) at an Indiana mall after a man opened fire in a food court, media reported citing police. "In total, four people were killed and two were injured," Jim Ison, Chief of Greenwood Police Department said, The New York Times reported. During a news conference on Sunday, Ison said that the emergency call center received calls about the shooting in the food court around 6 pm (local time). He said the shooting ended when an armed civilian stopped the gunman. "It appears that a good Samaritan that was armed observed the shooting in progress and shot the shooter," he said. Mayor of Greenwood said in a statement said: "We experienced a mass shooting this evening at the Greenwood Park Mall. The Greenwood Police Department is in control of the scene. I am in direct contact with the command post, and there is no further threat. I would ask the public to please stay away from this area," "This tragedy hits at the core of our community," the Mayor said. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said on Twitter that it was helping the local authorities and urged people to avoid the area. With increasing incidents of gun violence in the United States, President Joe Biden had said that the US needs to ban assault weapons for the sake of protecting children and families or raise the age to purchase them from 18 to 21. Furthermore, on June 22, a group of US lawmakers reached a much-awaited deal on a bipartisan gun safety bill after recent mass shooting incidents in Uvalde, Buffalo and Texas, that struck a nerve in the country. The new bill aims to take firearms away from dangerous people and provide billions of dollars in new mental health funding. The bill does not ban assault-style rifles or significantly expand background-check requirements for gun purchases, but it gives states more resources to take guns away from dangerous individuals. (ANI)
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan caused a sensation during a White House briefing on Monday when he said that, according to US information, the Iranian government was preparing to supply Russia with several hundred drones, including weapons-capable drones. This, he said, would give "a significant boost to Moscow's efforts to find and destroy Western-supplied artillery and weapons systems that have slowed the advance of Russian troops in Ukraine in recent weeks." Sullivan clarified that it was not clear if Tehran has already delivered these drones to Russia but claimed that preparations are underway to train Russians on the use of these weapons and that initial training could start at the end of this month. Furthermore, he claimed that Russia's attacks against Ukraine in recent weeks are coming at the "severe" cost of depleting its own weapons. It should be noted that drones have already played an important role in the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian army has scored its first success against the Russian invaders using Bayraktar drones, bought from Turkey, which destroyed many Russian tanks, surface-to-air missile systems, and command posts. They were also extensively used for reconnaissance purposes for artillery forces, for firing missiles from a distance, and for dropping bombs on targets. According to press reports, the Biden Administration has supplied Ukraine with "Switchblades" which are small, kamikaze (suicide) drones, and is thinking about providing Kyiv with larger drones that can be armed with Hellfire missiles. For its part, Russia used its Orlan-10 drones in the war for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. However, as the war drags on it seems that the number of drones available to each side has been significantly reduced, and both countries make efforts to acquire as many drones as they can. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on the issue and added that President Vladimir Putin had no plans to discuss this issue during his trip to Tehran next Tuesday. Putin is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Iranian capital on July 19 to discuss safe corridors for grain exports in the Black Sea as well as a potential Turkish operation in Syria. However, it cannot be ruled out that Putin, in addition to economic cooperation with the Iranian regime, may discuss the supply of drones. The response of Tehran to US claims about the drones was that Iran opposes the war in Ukraine and supports a cease-fire, while at the same time blaming "NATO provocations" for the conflict. In the past decade, Iran has become a major manufacturer of quite versatile drones, like the Shahed-129, believed to be a clone of the US Predator UAV. Experts believe that Shahed-129 is the product of reverse engineering by Iranian technicians of a US Predator that crashed in Iran some years ago. Tehran has a long history of supplying drones to several pro-Iran militias in Iraq and Syria as well as to Houthis in Yemen, which have been used in attacks on oil installations and refineries in Saudi Arabia and civilian targets in the United Arab Emirates as well as on U.S. and allied military bases in the Middle East. Iran's drones can carry warheads and operate in a kamikaze fashion or "loitering munition" roles and are also used for surveillance. Loitering munitions are incredibly versatile weapons that can destroy equipment costing millions of dollars with a minimal investment that a soldier with minimal training can handle. Jeremy Binnie, a Middle East Defense Specialist in Janes Media, says that Russia is probably interested in acquiring Iranian drones because "the Iranians have developed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that extensively use commercial off-the-shelf components, making them cheap, that have been acquired despite extensive sanctions." It is noteworthy that Jake Sullivan's disclosure that Russia is rushing to get Iranian drones was made the day before US President Joe Biden started his first official trip to the Middle East which included Israel, the West Bank and Saudi Arabia. Biden is under pressure from his Middle East allies, as the chances of reaching an agreement with Tehran to revive the nuclear deal are rapidly diminishing and Iran is believed to be close to having enough material to build at least one nuclear bomb, to come up with a solid plan of constraining Iran. Sullivan's claim that Tehran plans to replenish the drones Russia lost during the four-month war in Ukraine, makes the danger posed by Tehran more pressing for the US, which must try to bring together its Middle East allies against the Iranian regime and convince them to join the sanctions against Russia. So far, both Israel and Saudi Arabia have resisted joining western efforts to sanction Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. There is speculation that during Biden's trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia, the US President, by highlighting cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, will push Israel and the Gulf countries to strengthen their "secret" cooperation regarding air defense, which exists unofficially. If he can persuade Saudi Arabia to initiate some military cooperation with Israel to counter Iran - the common enemy of both countries- Biden will have scored a big success. On the other hand, it could lead to strengthening the cooperation between Iran and Russia. As Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told President Putin, during his visit to Moscow, last January: "Now it is time for Russia and Iran to confront the power of the Americans with an increased synergy between the two countries." (ANI)
Vice President of Gambia Badara A. Joof arrived in India on a five-day visit where he is set to participate in the Confederation of Indian Industry and EXIM Bank of India (CII-EXIM) Bank Conclave 2022 along with other bilateral engagements. In a tweet, the Ministry of External Affairs wrote, "Strengthening the partnership. Greetings to Vice President of The Gambia on his arrival in India. He is on a 5-day visit to India and will participate in CII-EXIM Bank Conclave 2022, besides having other bilateral engagements." Meanwhile, the Namibian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah arrived in the national capital on Sunday for the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave. "Warm welcome to DPM & FM Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia in India. Her participation in CII-EXIM Bank Conclave and extensive engagements over the next few days will further deepen our relations with Namibia in all spheres," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said in a tweet. The event is scheduled to take place between July 19-20 where both the countries, India and Africa will have the session on different topics under themes like "Building Financing Partnerships", "SERV Africa - Higher Education & Skill Development Partnership with Africa", Strengthening Value Chains in Agriculture & Food Processing Sector and many more. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and President of Confederation of Indian Industry Sanjiv Bajaj will also be present at the meeting. The CII- EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership was launched in the year 2005 with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Government of India, according to CII-EXIM Africa Conclave's official website. In the last sixteen editions, the Conclave has played a pivotal role in encouraging Indian companies to establish and grow their footprints in Africa. According to the website, the level of economic engagement between India and Africa has grown multi-dimensional and to reflect the changing contours of this dynamic relationship, the Conclave is being rechristened as "CII EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Growth Partnership" expanding the earlier focus on "Project Partnership". "The upcoming edition will focus on project exports, trade, investments, and exchange of knowledge and expertise creating shared value for business and industry at large between India and Africa," CII-EXIM Africa Conclave said. The two-day event will take place at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. (ANI)
As the Sri Lankan economic crisis persists, a 31-year-old suspect was arrested for stealing about 50 tear gas canisters from police during protests at Polduwa Junction near Parliament, media reports said. Notably, the man stole the canisters on July 13 when the police and the army were trying to disperse protesters who tried to advance toward parliament. A group of protesters attacked a three-wheeler belonging to the police that was carrying tear gas canisters to the Polduwa Junction protest site. After the incident, the Welikada Police has initiated an investigation into the matter, reported Daily Mirror. The police said that on Sunday they arrested a suspect at Obeysekarapura and recovered 50 teargas canisters from his residence in Borella following the questioning. As per reports, the suspect was a mason by profession and a resident of Polonnaruwa. Sri Lanka's Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued an Extraordinary Gazette declaring a State of Emergency in the island nation with effect from Monday, as the country grapples with social unrest and crippling economic crisis. The gazette notification says, the public emergency in Sri Lanka has been declared in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community, local media outlet Daily Mirror reported. The state of emergency has been declared in a proclamation by Wickremesinghe in terms of Article 40(1)(C) of the Constitution, by virtue of the powers vested in him by Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40), as amended by Act No. 8 of 1959, Law No. 6 of 1978 and Act No. 28 of 1988, the newspaper reported. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had offered his resignation after fleeing the country to Singapore. The president first flew to the Maldives after tens of thousands of protesters stormed his official residence in the capital Colombo.The Sri Lankan Parliament announced that the nominations for the Presidential elections will be held on Tuesday and the new President of Sri Lanka will be elected on July 20. (ANI)
In addition, "192 people (were) injured and 120 families displaced," Jamal Nasir Elsayed, the state's health minister, was quoted by the report as saying.

The majority of the victims were young people who were either shot or stabbed, the minister said.

In Khartoum, Sudan's Security and Defense Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the security situation in Blue Nile State, the council said in a statement on Sunday.

The council directed the attorney general to form a fact-finding committee and called on the state's security committee to take necessary legal measures against those who provoke sedition and violence.

The council also decided to reinforce the security forces in the region and to continue to firmly deal with all cases of disorder and attacks on individuals and private and public property.

Clashes broke out recently between Hausa and Berta tribes in many areas in Blue Nile State following the killing of a farmer in the state's Gisan area.On Saturday evening, the Sudanese army deployed armored vehicles on the main streets of Blue Nile State, which, according to residents and eyewitnesses, brought relative calm to the state. (ANI/Xinhua)
Vice President Marie Cyril Eddy Boissezon of Mauritius, arrived in Delhi on Monday to participate in the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave. "A warm welcome to Vice President Marie Cyril Eddy Boissezon of Mauritius for his participation in the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave. Yet another step towards furthering the vibrant economic & people-to-people exchanges between India and Mauritius," the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. India and Mauritius share cordial bilateral relations with each other. Earlier in January, PM Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth had jointly inaugurated the India-assisted social housing units project in Mauritius virtually. They also launched the Civil Service College and 8 MW Solar PV Farm project in Mauritius that is being undertaken under India's development support. Notably, the CII- EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership is scheduled to take place between July 19-20 where both the countries, India and Africa will have the session on different topics under themes like "Building Financing Partnerships", "SERV Africa - Higher Education & Skill Development Partnership with Africa", Strengthening Value Chains in Agriculture & Food Processing Sector and many more. The event was launched in the year 2005 with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Government of India, according to CII-EXIM Africa Conclave's official website. It said that the level of economic engagement between India and Africa has grown multi-dimensional and to reflect the changing contours of this dynamic relationship, the Conclave is being rechristened as "CII EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Growth Partnership" expanding the earlier focus on "Project Partnership". Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and President of Confederation of Indian Industry Sanjiv Bajaj will also be present at the meeting. In the last sixteen editions, the Conclave has played a pivotal role in encouraging Indian companies to establish and grow their footprints in Africa. The upcoming edition will focus on project exports, trade, investments, and exchange of knowledge and expertise creating shared value for business and industry at large between India and Africa. The two-day event will take place at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. (ANI)
A top US State Department official said that the foreign conspiracy allegations by former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan were "very disturbing" and asserted that there is no truth in them. The remarks were made by Director Pakistan Desk Neil W. Hop while addressing a convention of Pakistani physicians in Atlantic City, New Jersey, reported Pakistani local media outlet, Dawn. Meanwhile, during the convention, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US, Jalil Abbas Jilani acknowledged that relations were passing through a difficult phase and suggested "the revival of structured high-level dialogue" to keep the partnership on track. Responding to a question about former supremo Khan's claim of alleged US conspiracy to oust him from power, Hop said, "It's very disturbing. There's absolutely no truth in those allegations. We support a strong, democratic set-up in Pakistan. We have no interest in its domestic politics." Jilali termed the whole playout of Khan's conspiracy theory as a "tragic" episode. He added that he has had personal relations with the US official, Donald Lu, implicated in this alleged conspiracy. "He has positive feelings for Pakistan and has rejected involvement in any conspiracy," he said. Hop too called Lu a thorough "professional who cannot make such statements." Jilani suggested tackling this and other similar issues "in a discreet and dispassionate fashion," as per the media portal. Earlier, Imran's rival PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz said that Khan staged "the biggest drama in the history of Pakistan" under the name of a foreign conspiracy. "Unfortunately, Pakistani politics met with a person who is the biggest liar, chaos-maker and imposter. He used to say to people that we are US slaves. He kept people busy with his conspiracy claims. This is the biggest drama in Pakistan's history," she said. She said that Imran Khan and his gang, which included Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi, plundered the resources of Punjab province. PTI has won the by-elections on Punjab Assembly seats which were held on Sunday. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has "conceded defeat and congratulated" its rival part on victory in "crucial by-elections in Punjab Assembly's 20 seats." (ANI)
The number of cholera patients in Zhob district of Balochistan province of Pakistan rose to 2,000 despite all the measures taken by the government to curb the outbreak. The waterborne disease continues to spread in the province of Balochistan, The Express Tribune reported. "Over 200 serious patients are still admitted to District Headquarters Hospital", Zhob Syed Muzaffar Shah, the District Health Officer (DHO) said. Several people have been infected with Cholera in Ganj Muhala, Kharotabad and Sheikhan Muhala. The outbreak has claimed a total of three lives in the district which includes two children and one women, Shah added. An emergency was declared in the DHQ hospital in order to treat the patients timely, local media reported. "We have dispatched medicines to Zhob and other affected areas to deal with the situation", Balochistan's Health Secretary Saleh Muhammad Nasar said. The Wadh Tehsil city of Khuzdar district in the province also registered three more deaths due to the Cholera outbreak. Wadh hospital's medical superintendent Dr Asad Jan Mengal said that more than 100 people were admitted in the hospital following the cholera outbreak adding that a majority of the patients are women and children. The health secretary said that the recent flash floods in the country have contributed to the cholera and diarrhea outbreak as clean drinking water was not available. "In Zhob, sewerage water has mixed with leaking water supply pipes after heavy rainfall," Nasar said. He added that a majority of the patients were suffering from diarrhoea not cholera, it added. "Today I am leaving for Zhob to assess the situation," the health secretary said. Several deaths were reported in Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts of Balochistan due to the cholera outbreak. Health officials in Zhob, Kohlu and Wadh district said that there was a lack of medicines and they requested the health department along with to World Health Organisation (WHO) to send medicines and doctors. "We want medicines as an influx of patients is expected", a doctor of Zhob hospital said. Around 250 people were admitted in the District Headquarters Hospital after complaining about a gastric disease in Kohlu district. "Most of the patients have been discharged after treatment", Kohlu Hospital's Medical Superintended Dr Asghar Marri said adding that they will be able to handle the situation better after the provincial government provides them medicines. (ANI)
A Pakistani American has called Pakistan's Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal a "propaganda minister" and claimed that he was "talking to the wrong audience". During the question-and-answer session at the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) conference, Iqbal faced hard-hitting questions from Pakistani Americans. The Pakistani American man maintained that parties such as Iqbal's, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), intentionally perpetuate illiteracy in rural areas to benefit their party and here, he was addressing the conference which was of "illiterate" people, Pakistani newspaper Daily Times reported. The man asked, "If you do not give us the right to vote, what right do you have to address us?" He was alluding to the coalition government's decision to amend the electoral reforms bill and successfully striking off overseas Pakistanis' right to vote. Another individual alleged that everyone knew who "the boss" was in the country and that it was the current coalition government that called the former PTI government "selected", then "how did you [Iqbal] become part of this 'selected' lot." However, after the conference, the Planning Minister claimed that he had a lively question and answer session in a very democratic and professional manner. Taking to Twitter, Iqbal further added that he offered APPNA full assistance to set up a modern teaching hospital and medical college in Pakistan. Last week, a short video of a family heckling the federal planning minister at a McDonald's restaurant near Bhera Interchange on Motorway M-2, was trending on Twitter. The family came out as supporters of Imran Khan and shouted, "Thief, thief" in Iqbal's face as staff and customers looked bemused, according to Daily Times. Later, Iqbal said that the family came to his hometown of Narowal and apologised for their actions. "[The family] expressed remorse and embarrassment. I had already announced that I will not take legal action against them. We all are Pakistanis and we don't have to turn the right to disagree into hate and maintain mutual respect," he wrote on his official Twitter handle while sharing a picture of the meeting with the family. (ANI)
Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday said talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are about to conclude amid the ongoing economic crisis that has led to civil unrest in the island nation. "Negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) nearing conclusion, and discussions for assistance with foreign countries also progressing," said the Sri Lankan Acting President's office. "Sri Lankan Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe called upon the political parties in the country to put aside their differences & not allow the country to suffer over differences over an individual. He urged to form an All-Party Govt," it added. This comes after IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva on Saturday warned countries with high debt levels to take lessons from Sri Lanka and said that it is a warning sign for nations with limited policy space. "Countries with high debt levels and limited policy space will face additional strains. Look no further than Sri Lanka as a warning sign," the IMF chief said. "Emerging and developing countries have also been experiencing sustained capital outflows for four months in a row. They now suffer the risk of reversing three decades of catching up with advanced economies and instead falling further behind," she added. Sri Lanka has been facing the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948, leading to an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and fuel across the island nation. The country, with an acute foreign currency crisis that resulted in foreign debt default, had announced in April that it is suspending nearly USD 7 billion foreign debt repayment due for this year out of about USD 25 billion due through 2026. Sri Lanka's total foreign debt is running into billions of dollars. Earlier this month, Wickremesinghe said that the island country is participating in negotiations with the IMF as a bankrupt country. In his speech in Parliament regarding the economic recovery plan, he noted that a round of negotiations has been successfully conducted with the IMF. "Our country has held talks with the IMF on many occasions before. But this time the situation is different from all those previous occasions," he said in Lankan Parliament this month. "We are now participating in the negotiations as a bankrupt country. Therefore, we have to face a more difficult and complicated situation than previous negotiations," Wickremesinghe said. Wickremesinghe further in the speech said that once a staff-level agreement is reached, it will be submitted to the IMF Board of Directors for approval. (ANI)
These barracks consist of two types, the large one can accommodate 16 people, the small one - 8 people. The design is corrosion resistant, and can withstand a typhoon of magnitude 10, reported OsintTv.

The new modular barracks are easy to install and it takes three minutes to complete the entire installation and dismantling process.

Only 8 people and 90 seconds of time are required to deploy the barrack. Four people can install and dismantle the Small Habitable Module in one minute, reported OsintTv.

China lays claim to nearly all of the South China Sea, however, the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines.

Since 2010, China has been converting uninhabited islets into artificial islets to bring them under UNCLOS (examples would include Haven Reef, Johnson South Reef and Fiery Cross Reef).

China has been changing the size and structure of the reefs by modifying their physical land features. It has also established airstrips on Parcel and Spratly.

Chinese fishing fleets are engaged in paramilitary work on behalf of the state rather than the commercial enterprise of fishing.

Tibet is a region on the Tibetan Plateau in Asia, spanning about 2.4 million km2 - nearly a quarter of China's territory. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups.

The People's Republic of China asserts that Tibet has been a part of China since the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. (ANI)
Even though the voting process largely remained peaceful in 14 districts of Punjab, a 12-year-old boy, who is said to be a Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) supporter, was killed during the clash on Sunday evening, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill was arrested from Muzaffargarh on Sunday for allegedly carrying and displaying weapons on his visit to polling stations during the Punjab by-elections.

The former federal minister was arrested as he was caught brandishing weapons on his visit to polling stations PP-272 and PP-73.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had won the by-elections on Punjab Assembly seats which were held on Sunday. (ANI)
India and Fiji held the fifth Foreign Office Consultations in Suva on Monday and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries. The two sides also discussed avenues to further strengthen their relations. "The 5th India-Fiji Foreign Office Consultations held in Suva today reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discussed avenues to further strengthen our close ties. Indian delegation led by Secretary (East) also had productive meetings with senior Fijian cabinet ministers," the Indian High Commission in Suva tweeted. Back in March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India's contribution to the global fight against the Covid Pandemic by supply of life-saving drugs, medical supplies and vaccines to countries around the world including Fiji. Speaking on the India-Fiji bilateral ties, the Prime Minister said that despite the existence of a vast ocean in between, the two countries are closely bonded together by culture and strong people-to-people ties. Noting that the bilateral relations have strengthened and grown over the years across all domains, PM expressed the hope that with the cooperation of the Fijian side, the relationship will become even stronger in the times to come. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his personal greetings to the Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, who celebrated his 68th Birthday. According to the MEA annual report, Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are part of India's engagement with the East. Under Act East Policy, the Government of India has stepped up its efforts to engage with countries in this region. The landmark initiative, the Forum for India-Pacific Cooperation (FIPIC), was launched under the rubric of the Act East Policy, by the Prime Minister at the first FIPIC summit that was held in Suva, Fiji in November 2014. The second edition was held in Jaipur in August 2015. (ANI)
Sri Lanka's Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday said that he is requesting the assistance of the UK Government and their intelligence services because a proper Easter Sunday investigation has not been carried out which indicates that the issue has not been fully resolved. The Acting President said that he is requesting assistance owing to the incomplete nature of the Easter Sunday investigations, Daily Mirror reported. On April 21, 2019, three churches in Sri Lanka and three luxury hotels in the capital Colombo were targeted in a series of coordinated terrorist suicide bombings. Over 250 people were killed and scores suffered injuries. A local terror group called National Thowheeth Jama'ath had claimed responsibility for the devastating attacks. The island nation was put under a state of emergency for a period of four months from April to August. According to the government, a total of 676 persons were arrested in connection with the Easter attacks, of whom 202 remain in remand custody, 66 have been detained for questioning, and 408 released on bail, yet investigations on them are continuing. Wickremesinghe issued a special statement saying that the country's economy had collapsed and the country was having power cuts that lasted for 5 hours a day when he was appointed as the Prime Minister on May 13. Relief is being provided to the people who are still struggling with the economic crisis, he added. The Acting President further mentioned that the deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was nearing conclusion. He said that the Executive Presidency is responsible for the current political crisis in the country and many issues that the citizens are facing will be addressed following the re-introduction of the 19th Amendment. The Acting President added that the elements which attempt to disrupt the peace in the country will be prohibited from disrupting the country's progress, local media reported. The statement added that the government would engage with peaceful protesters who had legitimate concerns and a way out will also be found. Wickremesinghe urged the political parties to put their differences aside and form an All-Party Government that would allow the country to recover from the economic crisis. Sri Lanka has been facing the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948, leading to an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas, and fuel across the island nation. (ANI)
In an Ethiopia Emergency Situation Report, the UNHCR said the refugees returned to their home country, Sudan, through the Kurmuk border point, in Ethiopia's western Benishangul Gumuz region.

The UNHCR report also said a total of 7,559 Sudanese and 452 South Sudanese refugees have returned to their home countries from camps in Ethiopia since February 2022.

Benishangul Gumuz region has in recent years hosted thousands of Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict in their respective countries.

The UNHCR said separately that 772 Sudanese refugees have returned to their home country in the last two weeks from camps in Ethiopia's southwestern Gambella region, citing recent insecurity in the area for their return.

Ethiopia last month imposed a night curfew in Gambella city, the capital of the Gambella region. The curfew is still in effect.

The curfew was imposed in the immediate aftermath of a joint attack by Gambella Liberation Army and Oromo Liberation Army rebels that left an unspecified number of combatants and civilians dead.

In recent years, deadly clashes between various ethnic groups in the Gambella region have killed scores and displaced thousands. The clashes are mainly over access to power and land resources.Gambella region has also hosted tens of thousands of South Sudanese refugees fleeing civil war since 2013. (ANI/Xinhua)
With the growing assertiveness of China in the South China Sea region, the discontent of South East Asian countries has amplified. Owing to Beijing's imperialistic attitude in the region, the resentment in these ASEAN countries has been on the rise since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Writing for Insideover, Federico Giuliani contends that there are reasons for South East Asian countries to be wary of China as Beijing stepped up its hegemony in the region and mounted pressure on littoral countries. According to Giuliani, the grievances of the ASEAN nations are not only limited to their sovereignty. Chinese encroachment on the vast reserves of natural gas and oil, strips them of the valuable marine resources that can boost their economic development. The author points out how Beijing issues direct threats of military attack if ASEAN countries do not stop their activities of oil drilling or exploration. China sends its vessels across the South China Sea, often violating maritime boundaries, and takes over disputed islands to build military bases. Chinese aeroplanes also carry out incursions in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of these nations, Giuliani adds. China has even threatened countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam for even carrying out economic activities such as drilling in their own maritime territories that are authorised by The Hague's international arbitration court, As per the Italian expert, China is fast losing trust among the South East Asian countries. When the entire world was fighting an unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, Beijing used its military might to encroach upon exclusive economic zones of these nations as well as make claims on various islands in the sea through military activities. The share of people in South East Asia who dislike China grew from 51.5 per cent in 2019 to 63 per cent in 2021, according to a survey carried out by Singapore-based SEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute. About 69 per cent of respondents demanded that "China should respect my country's sovereignty and not constrain my country's foreign policy choices". Many of these countries have already lodged their complaints about China's rising militarization and assertiveness in the South China Sea as Beijing used its military might to encroach upon exclusive economic zones of these nations as well as make claims on various islands in the sea. China resorted to economic coercion through bans on imports from these countries when they refused to buckle under Chinese military pressure. South East Asian countries are wary of China's rising economic clout since they are subjected to economic coercion. China is undoubtedly influential, but distrusted in the region, said Bilahari Kausikan, a retired Singaporean diplomat. "Beijing has behaved aggressively in pursuit of its interests. And there is also a certain cultural autism in Chinese diplomacy in Southeast Asia, that has accentuated the anxieties of the region," he said. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has members Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia and Thailand, may act as a strong deterrence to increasing Chinese hegemony. Chinese assertiveness has led these nations to go close to the US. This does not come as good news for Beijing as the US is China's rival and has been trying to counter China in South China Sea and the East China Sea, reported Insideover. In contrast with China, the trust in the US has been growing quite fast among the South East Asian nations. The SEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute survey showed over 55 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in the US as a strategic partner and provider of regional security. (ANI)
China on Monday firmly opposed US arms sales to Taiwan and urged the United States to revoke the arms sales plan, days after the State Department approved a sale of up to USD 108 million worth of military-technical support to Taipei. This latest deal is the US' fourth arms sale to the island of Taiwan in 2022 and the fifth under the Biden administration, according to Chinese state media. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the US arms sales to China's Taiwan region seriously violate the One-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, particularly the August 17 communique, and gravely undermine China's sovereignty and security interests. He added that this deal severely harms China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. "China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this, and has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side," Wang was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. China urges the US side to abide by the One-China principle and the China-US joint communique, revoke the arms sales plan to Taiwan, and stop arms sales to and military ties with Taiwan, Wang said. "China will continue to take resolute and strong measures to firmly defend its sovereignty and security interests," he added. Last week, the Pentagon informed that the United States has approved the potential sale of military-technical assistance to Taiwan worth an estimated USD 108 million. The US Defence Department said this proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting Taiwan's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability. According to the Pentagon, the proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region. China, which regards Taiwan as its province despite decades of separate governance, has earlier strongly opposed military cooperation between Washington and Taipei. This defence agreement between the US and Taiwan come a few days after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the One-China principle is what underpins stability across the Taiwan Strait and warned of "ferocious storms" across the region if the principle is "arbitrarily challenged or even sabotaged." Wang made the remarks when asked about the root cause of the current tensions across the Taiwan Strait as he made a policy speech at the ASEAN Secretariat, Xinhua news agency reported. Wang said history and practice have repeatedly proved that when the One-China principle is fully recognized and thoroughly followed, the Taiwan Strait would remain calm and the two sides enjoy peaceful development. However, when the One-China principle is arbitrarily challenged or even sabotaged, there would be dark clouds or even ferocious storms across the Taiwan Strait. (ANI)
In yet another instance of corruption and mismanagement, the fund allotted for the first cancer hospital in Balochistan was spent somewhere else. The government of Balochistan had reserved a big fund in the budget of 2006 for the first cancer hospital in the province but at the end of every year, the fund was used for some other purpose, reported Pakistan's vernacular media. Former Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan inaugurated the cancer section in Shaikh Zaid Hospital. The building was completed but it had some defects in its layout which were not corrected so far. He had promised to build a cancer hospital which was a long-standing demand of people to ensure healthcare facilities to them. Necessary machinery was never installed in the first cancer hospital because places were not available for installation of the machinery and the problem is not solved till now, added the local media. Due to delays in the instalment of necessary medical equipment, people have to go to Karachi, Islamabad or Lahore for treatment which is very costly for poor people. The Balochis urged the Pakistan government to complete the hospital and install machinery on a war footing and open the hospital to the public. It should be noted that the treatment of cancer, liver and kidney transplantation is the most expensive and requires millions of rupees. The government of Pakistan has been dealing with animosity among the tribes of Balochistan since the time the country came into existence in 1947. The causes of the conflict with Balochistan include a ripe ethnic nationalism along with feelings of economic and political exclusion. Balochistan is located in the South West of Pakistan and constitutes half of the country's territory. Demographically though it constitutes a mere 3.6 per cent of the total population of Pakistan. The province is home to over 13 million people, mostly Balochis. Balochistan is Pakistan's largest, but least developed province. It is one of the most important provinces of Pakistan because of the high concentration of natural resources including gas, oil, copper and gold. However, despite the richness in natural resources, Balochistan continues to remain the poorest province of Pakistan. (ANI)
The first meeting held Wednesday in Istanbul concluded with a consensus on "a plan, general principles" regarding the export corridor, he said at a meeting with commanders of the Turkish armed forces in the capital Ankara.

"We are continuing our efforts to turn this into a concrete implementation plan. A meeting on this is likely this week," said Akar.

Technical issues such as the establishment of an operation center in Istanbul, conducting joint controls at exit and arrival points, and ensuring navigational safety on the transport routes will be discussed at the next meeting, he noted.

The talks came at a time of soaring food prices in the global market and subsequent food shortages, due to the repercussions of the prolonged crisis in Ukraine.

Turkiye has long been playing a mediating role, seeking ways to establish a mechanism that will allow Ukraine to export its grains safely. (ANI/Xinhua)
The political party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protested against the police and the polling staff involved in Punjab election and also accused them of rigging in favour of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) candidate. This protest halted the polling process in Punjab province for almost an hour at polling station number 63 in Pir Garh Chishti, McLeod Ganj, in PP-237. TLP district emir Syed Sarwar Saifi said that the polling staff removed their covering candidate from the polling station at about 9 am and did not allow him to enter it. At about 3 pm, the polling staff asked everyone to leave the polling station, telling them that the polling time had ended, he said and alleged that the staff then started stamping votes in favour of the PML-N candidate in the voting register by closing the station door, Dawn reported. Dawn citing sources reported that in the district, police claimed that the TLP men had broken the law and unauthorised persons had entered the polling station by scaling its boundary wall. Saifi said when the TLP workers suspected foul play they tried to go inside the polling station to inspect the matter; however, the police officials forcibly stopped them from going inside. TLP district emir alleged that when they finally succeeded in entering the poll station, they saw the presiding officer casting their fake votes while the voting register was full of stamped votes for the PML-N candidate without the entry of the computerised national identity card (CNIC) numbers. Meanwhile, after the Punjab election, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan urged the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja to resign, claiming that his party won despite the use of state machinery in PML-N's favour as he insisted that early elections were still the only solution to the country's woes, according to Dawn. While addressing his supporters on Monday after winning the Punjab by-elections, Khan thanked youngsters and women who came out in large numbers to vote for PTI. "I believe this is the moment in the history of Pakistan that we should be thankful for because the nation has awakened," Imran remarked. "People have finally understood the ideology of Pakistan." The former Prime Minister stressed the economic crisis that Pakistan is facing that was fuelled by the political mess in the country. "Our reserves have shrunk by half since PML-N came to power. Despite the agreement with IMF (International Monetary Fund) in sight, our rupee is declining." (ANI)
China once saw Europe as a counter to US power, however, the ties are at an abysmal low as China refused to condemn Moscow in the Russia-Ukraine war. When Chinese leader Xi Jinping made his first state visit to Europe in 2014, he set out to herald a new era of cooperation in a multi-country tour, which the European Parliament President at the time called "a welcome signal of the importance that the new Chinese leader attaches to a strengthened EU-China partnership." Eight years later, the optimism of that period has cratered, with the relationship between China and the European Union reaching what analysts call a clear low point of recent decades, reported CNN. It is China's most recent calculations over how to respond to Russia's war in Ukraine that may end up the most costly when it comes to European ties. As European countries and the US united in support of Ukraine, China refused to condemn the war -- instead bolstering its relationship with Russia and joining the Kremlin in finger-pointing at the US and NATO, reported CNN. There were leading policy analysts in China who understood the negative consequences China's position would have on its European ties, according to Li Mingjiang, an associate professor and Provost's Chair in International Relations at Nanyang Technological University's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. But that assessment may have been "underestimated" by decision-makers, Li said. Calculations about the geopolitical importance of ties with Russia, and also the close bond between Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin also likely came to bear, he added. "It's a really huge dilemma for China ... and they couldn't afford any major negative consequences on the China-Russia strategic partnership. That imperative really prevailed," Li said. There has been an acknowledgement of China's myopia among mainland scholars, Chen Dingding, founding director of the Intellisia Institute think tank in Guangzhou, wrote in a co-authored article in The Diplomat, that the risks of the war in Ukraine are "not fully understood in China," where officials and academics had failed to acknowledge the "shock" that death and destruction in Ukraine would bring Europeans. "The geographic, as well as emotional proximity of the war, will fundamentally change European sentiments toward common security, economic dependencies, and national sovereignty for years to come," Chen and his international group of coauthors wrote. European concern about China's global ambitions and its human rights record, US-China tensions, tit-for-tat sanctions and, now, Russia's war in Ukraine -- the impact of which on China-EU ties Beijing appears to have either underestimated or dismissed -- have all brought relations to a nadir, reported CNN. Both the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies and NATO significantly hardened their lines on China, in a signal that views in Europe have fallen more in line with Washington's. The shift is the culmination of a series of steps in which Beijing may have at times underestimated the extent to which it was pushing Europe away, but also appeared prepared to pay that price. US concerns about the risks of collaboration with China resonated in Europe. And European nations were themselves watching Xi's China grow increasingly assertive in its foreign policy, from the combative tone of its "wolf warrior" diplomats to the establishment of a naval base in Africa, rising aggressiveness in the South China Sea and toward Taiwan, and the targeting of companies or countries that ran foul of its line on hot-button issues, reported CNN. Allegations of major human rights violations in China's north-western region of Xinjiang, and its dismantling of civil society in Hong Kong also played a role in shifting European perceptions, analysts said. China was the third largest export market for European goods and the largest source of products entering Europe last year, but frictions have taken their toll on the economic relationship between the EU and Beijing, reported CNN. Earlier this year, a dispute between China and Lithuania pushed the EU to level a case at the WTO. It accused Beijing of "discriminatory trade practices against Lithuania" in retaliation for what Beijing views as a violation by the Baltic state of its "One China" principle, by which it claims self-ruled Taiwan as its sovereign territory. The greatest financial casualty was the long-awaited trade deal between the EU and China, which stalled last year after being caught in the crossfire of a sanctions exchange. Beijing slapped penalties on EU lawmakers and bodies, European think tanks and independent scholars after the EU sanctioned four Chinese officials for alleged abuses in Xinjiang. (ANI)
Taking a dig at Imran Khan over his party's victory in Punjab bypolls, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz has said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has no need to get "overexcited". Maryam's remarks came after the former Prime Minister addressed the nation on Monday and demanded Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja's resignation over his alleged favouring of the PML-N in electoral battles, including the by-elections in Punjab on Sunday, Dawn newspaper reported. Without naming anyone in her tweet, Maryam said criticism of the ECP was not due to rigging, which she said did not even take place. "It is the fear of the foreign funding case," she said. She went on to say that "there is irrefutable evidence against you which has to be revealed inevitably." She asked the ECP to issue its verdict on the case soon. "Losing 5 out of 20 seats of your own, no need to get too excited. Your attack on ECP is not a fraud that did not happen, but fear of foreign funding decisions. You know that there is irrefutable evidence against you which is inevitable to be exposed. ECP will give a decision soon," PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz tweeted in Urdu. The case, which was filed by Akbar S Babar, has been pending since November 14, 2014. Babar, who was a founding member of the PTI but is no longer associated with it, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party's funding from Pakistan and abroad. Following PTI's remarkable win against PML-N in the Punjab elections, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif blamed the "difficult decisions" taken by the government for the failure and said his party respects public opinion. "We respect public opinion," sources quoted the PML-N leader as saying. "PML-N should accept results with an open heart," he said further. Nawaz Sharif discussed PML-N's future strategy with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza and also directed the party leaders to convene an emergency meeting of PML-N, Geo News reported. (ANI)
The United States is in close touch with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the detention of an American citizen who previously served as a lawyer for Jamal Khashoggi, State Department said on Monday (local time). "We have been actively and closely engaged on this case ever since we learnt of it shortly after his detention late last week. We raised his detention with senior levels of the Emirati government, we've requested additional information from our Emirati partners and we are watching this case closely," Earlier, it was reported that the UAE has detained Asim Ghafoor, the former lawyer of Jamal Khashoggi at the Dubai International Airport on money laundering charges. He was sentenced to three years in prison, Sputnik News Agency reported citing local media. Jamal Khashoggi was a dissident Saudi journalist who was killed at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul in 2018. US President Joe Biden in his recent visit to Saudi Arabia raised the 2018 murder of Khashoggi during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "I raised it at the top of the meeting, making it clear what I thought of it at the time and what I think of it now," Biden said in a speech after hours of meetings with the Saudi Crown Prince in Jeddah. Biden received criticism earlier on Friday when he was photographed fist bumping the Saudi Crown Prince, who the US intelligence community concluded approved Khashoggi's 2018 murder, reported The Hill citing sources. Biden not only highlighted the progress in moving relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel towards normalization and said the US and Saudi Arabia agreed to partner on a "far-reaching" green energy initiative. Notably, he also expressed optimism that Saudi Arabia would take steps to boost the global oil supply in the coming weeks, which had been viewed as a major goal of the trip given high domestic gas prices globally due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. (ANI)
"I am saddened by the loss of 19 precious lives in the boat capsizing accident in the Indus River near Rahim Yar Khan. We pray to God to grant the deceased a place in His mercy and grant patience to the affected families," he tweeted in Urdu.

At least 19 people -- all were women killed and several others were missing after the incident.

Syed Musa Raza, Deputy Commissioner of Rahim Yar Khan, informed that the people were returning from Rajanpur to Machka when the incident took place.

"Nineteen bodies, all women, have been pulled from the water while a search operation is underway for the remaining passengers," he added, local media reported.

At least 35 people were rescued by the locals, police told the media.

Last week, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Punjab issued an alert of heavy rains in the province from July 15 to 17 urging people to avoid going into the water.

"Medium to high-level flooding is expected in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan division from July 15 to July 17," it had noted, adding that flash floods could also be reported in rivers and nullahs. (ANI)
Google is honoring one of the 19 children shot and killed inside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The child had submitted artwork for the Doodle for Google contest.

Alithia Haven Ramirez, 10, dreamed of going to art school in Paris and, one day, sharing her art with the world. Before she was gunned down in her fourth grade classroom at Robb Elementary School, she entered the 2022 Doodle for Google national contest  an annual competition that encourages young artists to create designs for the company's Google Doodle.

Now, the company is honoring Alithia and the 20 other victims of the second deadliest school shooting in US history, showing her entry and sharing an excerpt of her submission on the company's Doodle for Google page.

Related: Uvaldes only pediatrician shares the horror of treating school shooting victims

"In memoriam 2022 Doodle for Google contestant, Alithia Haven Ramirez, 10," the top of the page reads, followed by a picture of Alithia. The page is also dedicated to "all the victims of the Uvalde, Texas tragedy."

Below, Alithia's submission is displayed  a picture of a girl curled up on a sofa, along with her pet and balls of yarn. Artwork hangs on a wall in the background, spelling out "Google." The child signed her submission "AR" in the bottom right corner in purple.

"I want the world to see my art and show the world what I can do, an excerpt from Alithia's submission reads, which is also displayed underneath her drawing. "I want people to be happy when they see my passion in art."

10-year-old Alithia Haven Ramirez's Doodle for Google submission. (doodles.google.com/d4g/honoringalithia/)

A day after the shooting, actor and Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey traveled to Uvalde and met with some of the victim's family members, including Alithia's parents, Ryan and Jessica. The actor said her parents shared Alithia's artwork with him, and on June 7, during a White House press briefing, McConaughey shared Alithia's artwork with the world as he called for common sense gun reform.

"Ryan and Jessica were eager to share Alithia's art with us and said that if we can share it, that somehow maybe that would make Alithia smile in heaven," McConaughey said, at times growing emotional and fighting back tears. "They told us that showing someone else Alithia's art would in some way keep her alive."

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Related: Fallout intensifies from Uvalde hallway video

While speaking, McConaughey held up a self-portrait Alithia drew, showing her friend, in heaven, looking down on her and drawing the very same picture.

"Her mother said of this drawing, she said, 'You know we never really talked to her about heaven before but somehow she knew,'" he added. "Alithia was 10 years old."

Matthew McConaughey holds a picture made by Alithia Ramirez (Evan Vucci / AP)

Young artists can submit applications for the Doodle for Google contest from January through March. Five finalists are set to be announced on Thursday, July 28.

Google did not share with TODAY Parents when Alithia submitted her artwork for the contest or if the company has plans to share her art in the future, but did provide a written statement, saying Alithia's "story and art profoundly touched us, and we wanted to honor her family's request to share her unique talents that were so tragically taken as a result of senseless violence."

Related: Robb Elementary School, site of massacre, will be razed, Uvalde mayor says

"Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of victims and to the community of Uvalde, Texas," Colette Garcia, a spokesperson for Google, told TODAY Parents. "In Alithia Ramirez's 2022 Doodle for Google submission, she described her desire to show the world her art and everything she can do, and we're committed to honoring those wishes and her legacy."

Related video:
A 17-year-old is accused of shooting and killing a father and his adult son in their mobile home, according to an Ohio sheriff.

Deputies were dispatched around 2 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, to Richmond Estates Mobile Home Park in New Richmond /on reports of shots fired. The bodies of two men were found by a neighbor whose mother saw lights on in their home, the Clermont County Sheriffs Office said.

Rusty Larison, 59, and his son, 34-year-old Ryan Larison, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Hamilton County Coroners Office. The coroner told McClatchy News both men were fatally shot.

Details of what led to the shootings are unclear, but on Monday, July 18, Sheriff Robert Leahy announced a 17-year-old was arrested in their deaths. The juvenile, who was not named because of his age, faces the following charges: four counts of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of robbery, two counts of aggravated burglary, one count of burglary and one count of tampering with physical evidence.

Detectives have also arrested an 18-year-old and 20-year-old in their investigation. Both men were charged with tampering with physical evidence.

The sheriffs office anticipates further arrests, according to a news release.

The Larisons were well known in the community, family member Ashley Cook told WCPO.

My dad, he put on a fireworks display for the entire neighborhood every fourth of July, Cook said. My brother was the kindest person you would ever want to meet.

A GoFundMe created for the Larrisons states they were killed by what I can only describe as pure evil.

New Richmond is about 20 miles southeast of Cincinnati.

13-year-old accused of shooting and killing another teen in New Orleans

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14-year-old faces murder charge in triple shooting that left 1 dead, 2 hurt, CMPD says
INDIANAPOLIS  Three people are dead and two others are injured Sunday after a man with a rifle opened fire inside a Indiana shopping mall and an armed civilian shot him, authorities said.

The man entered the Greenwood Park Mall with a rifle and several magazines of ammunition and began firing in the food court, said Greenwood Police Department Chief Jim Ison at a news conference. A mall patron who shot the man with the rifle was a 22-year-old man from Bartholomew County, Indiana, Ison said.

"The real hero of the day is the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in that food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began," he said.

One of the wounded was a 12-year-old girl with a minor injury. The other victims ranged in age from early 20s to 30, and all but one were female.

The shooting happened in the Greenwood Park Mall's food court around the mall's 6 p.m. closing time; the first emergency calls were received at 6:05 p.m. The mall, located in Greenwood, which is about 10 miles south of Indianapolis, has more than 130 indoor and outdoor restaurants and shops.

DEVELOPING INTO THE EVENING: For an update later tonight, sign up for the Evening Briefing.

Greenwood Mayor Mark W. Myers issued a statement Sunday night: "This tragedy hits at the core of our community. Please offer your prayers to the victims and our first responders."

We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, Indianapolis Assistant Chief of Police Chris Bailey said.

Chris Roy, assistant manager of the mall's Vans shoe store, was working Sunday when he saw people running through the hallway, away from the food court, just before closing.

So, I jumped over the counter, locked the door, gathered my associates and other managers at the back door, said Roy, 30. "We just instructed everybody to keep quiet."

Authorities said they would provide more details Sunday night.

Contributing: Alexandria Burris, IndyStar; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Greenwood Park Mall shooting: 3 dead and suspect killed by a civilian
Police tape Andri Tambunan/AFP/Getty Images

A man with a "long gun" and several magazines of ammunition opened fire at the food court of Greenwood Park Mall in Greenwood, Indiana, on Sunday evening, killing three people and wounding two others before a bystander with a handgun shot him dead, Greenwood police chief Jim Ison said Sunday night. The two wounded people, including a 12-year-old girl, were hospitalized and are in stable condition, he added. Greenwood is a city of about 60,000 just south of Indianapolis.

Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers said the public is not in any further danger and the police department is in control of the scene. "We do know that someone we are calling the 'Good Samaritan' was able to shoot the assailant and stop further bloodshed," he said. "This person saved lives tonight." Ison identified the "Good Samaritan" as a 22-year-old male from nearby Bartholomew County who was legally carrying a firearm. The slain shooter appears to have acted alone.

"I've been a police officer most of my life," Ison told The New York Times. "Still, this is incredibly shocking, to not only me but our entire community."

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Natalia Shustovas floral studio Gosha carved out a creative niche in Dubai Credit - Natalie Naccache for TIME

Natalia Shustova remembers cutting the sleeves off her school uniforms. Shes never been a conformer. I always wanted to stand out, Shustova says. Now the 44-year-old Belarusian lawyer is part of a creative revolution in the high-gloss city of Dubai.

Dubai has a reputation for luxury business, but not exactly the kind of quirky risk-taking that comes with more artistic endeavors. Many of the high-end businesses in the region expanded to Dubai only once theyd proved lucrative. Shustova followed that model, but her business was her own creativity. After building a reputation as a social media fashion influencer, she launched her creative floral-design company, Gosha, in Dubai in 2020 with almost instant success. Her very first commission? Flower displays for a Louis Vuitton fashion show.

The resilience needed to create a new life and a new business in a new city comes from Shustovas upbringing. She grew up in a town 140 miles from Chernobyl, which, when she was just 7 in 1986, was the site of a nuclear meltdown and huge radiation leak. Life changed immediately for her family. We only ate canned food. It was very traumatic, she says. Forty percent of my classmates are now dead.

The family moved to Siberia, where Shustovas love of nature was born. We had 10 months of winter and then 40 days of spring, summer, and autumn during which everything blooms, then dies, she says. The power of nature is incredible.

Natalia Shustovas floral studio Gosha carved out a creative niche in Dubai Natalie Naccache for TIME

Shustova first arrived in Dubai in 2006, a trained lawyer unable to speak English. I was a fashionable, blond, 26-year-old Russian [speaking] girl with no idea who she was, she says now. A local real estate law firm hired her to work with Russianspeaking investors, and she eventually became a partner, allowing her to indulge her passion for luxury fashion. Her creative style along with her spending sprees were soon noticed by Prada, which invited her to sit front row at its 2016 Milan show. Runway shows were the most beautiful theater Id ever seen, and I wanted to be connected to this world, she says.

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Social media provided the platform, and as her online presence grew, paid collaborations with large brands followed. By 2016 she had quit law and decided to pursue floral design full time. Ive watched Natalia come up, and she has remained authentic, which is really cool, says Pratyush Sarup, content director at Architectural Digest Middle East. She has a good eye for design and also good taste, and both are bookended by an encyclopedic knowledge of fashion.

Since launching Gosha, Shustova has become a well-known presence in a growing boutique artistic community in Dubai. The city, she says, was the perfect environment for her to develop her unusual career. Nothing is impossible in Dubai. No one is there to stop you, theyre there to push you forward, she says. Creative people are made to feel welcome here.

TIMEs Destination Dubai series is presented by DUBAI

See the video at time.com/DestinationDubai
Advocacy groups in Arizona are requesting that U.S. officials ban a Florida-based firm, hired to conduct a ballot review of the 2020 presidential election in Maricopa County, from working with the federal government.

In a letter sent to the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee on Monday, the groups asked for the debarment of the company, citing a number of reasons the firm, Cyber Ninjas, isnt fit to conduct such election-related reviews.

The advocacy groups mentioned how the firms work in Arizona did not meet election auditing standards and how it dismissed a court order to release public records related to its ballot review in Arizona.

If Cyber Ninjas is permitted to continue engaging in publicly-funded operations, the company will continue to undermine confidence in our federal elections, the groups said in the letter.

The damage Cyber Ninjas has already wreaked under its Arizona State Senate contract, along with the potential for future harm should Cyber Ninjas continue to operate as a federal government contractor, necessitate debarring Cyber Ninjas, the groups added.

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law sent the letter on behalf of the groups, which include All Voting Is Local Arizona, Arizona Democracy Resource Center, Living United for Change Arizona and Mi Familia Vota.

The advocacy groups also cited how the firms CEO, Doug Logan, made comments on social media that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. The groups added that despite having no previous election auditing experience, Logan and his firm were still hired to do the job.

Doug Logans involvement in the Arizona Senates audit in spite of his inability to lead an impartial audit exemplifies his own lack of the integrity and business ethics necessary to be deemed presently responsible, the groups said in the letter.

Arizona is one of several states where Republican candidates running for secretary of state in the 2022 midterms have supported former President Trumps false claims that the 2020 election was rigged and that there was widespread voter fraud.

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Trump has endorsed a few of these candidates for secretary of state, including Arizona state Rep. Mark Finchem (R), who attended Stop the Steal rallies in January. Finchem was among several Republican politicians who attended a QAnon conference in Las Vegas in October.

The firm announced in January that it was ceasing its business after eight years of service. The announcement came after an Arizona judge ordered the company to pay $50,000 a day until it turned over records from its review to The Arizona Republic, which sued the firm and the Arizona Senate in June 2021 for the records.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Faradair hopes its low-emission aircraft will make flying cheaper

From a small office overlooking an airfield, once home to the UK's first Spitfire squadron, a tiny British start-up is hoping to make a little history of its own - as one of the pioneers of commercial electrified aviation.

Faradair is planning to develop and sell a hybrid-electric passenger plane, aimed at the regional aviation market. It would have up to 19 seats and would be propelled by a fan driven by an electric motor. The necessary electricity would be provided by a small gas turbine.

In order to provide extra lift, and allow take-offs and landings from short runways, it would also have a triple level wing. This would give it a passing resemblance to a World War One fighter, despite having state-of-the-art aerodynamics.

The company's chief executive, Neil Cloughley, argues that such a plane would have far fewer moving parts than a conventional propeller aircraft, making it cheaper to run. It would also be much quieter, and produce fewer emissions.

"Why do we not use aeroplanes like we would a bus?" he asks.

"The reason is cost of operation, primarily. Also if you start using lots of aeroplanes it creates a lot of noise, and of course we have now got into an age where sustainability really is a key part of our future.

"So we decided we would come up with an aircraft that would not only be economic to use, and therefore cost-effective, but would also be quiet and sustainable."

"Why do we not use aeroplanes like we would a bus?" asks Faradair chief executive Neil Cloughley

The Faradair design, he says, would allow short hops between cities such as London and Manchester for 25 each way - less than the cost of a rail ticket.

In more remote or inaccessible regions, meanwhile, such planes could provide a transport lifeline from small airstrips, avoiding the need for major investments in road or rail lines.

It plans to have the aircraft flying by 2025 with commercial use starting in 2027.

Faradair is far from alone in seeing the potential of electric aviation, at a time when governments around the world are searching for ways to reduce carbon emissions. Nor is its project the most ambitious.

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California-based start-up Wright Electric, for example, plans to bring a fully-electric 100-seat aircraft into service by the middle of the decade. It would be based on the existing Bae146, with its four turbofan engines replaced by electric motors.

The company, which has a partnership with Easyjet, says the aircraft would be used to carry out one-hour flights, allowing it to serve routes such as London-Paris, New York-Washington or Hong Kong-Taipei.

More technology of business:

However, in testing, the plane will run as a hybrid. Initially just one of the four engines will be replaced by an electric motor, with others following if the tests are successful.

According to Wright Electric's chief executive, Jeffrey Engler, potential customers think this is a good approach and one they could also follow when the aircraft enters production.

"When we spoke to the airlines, they said, 'Well why don't you go hybrid initially, instead of full electric from the start?'" he explains.

"Just like the car industry started with hybrids as well. So that's something we're looking into."

The main reason electrifying aircraft is so difficult is that even the best batteries contain far less energy per kilogram than traditional aviation fuels, making them much too heavy to power an airliner over long distances.

Electric planes like the e-Genius have been under development for decades

"The specific energy of today's batteries is far from what you would need," explains Dr Andreas Strohmayer, head of the University of Stuttgart's Institute of Aircraft Design.

The Institute has been researching the potential of electric and hybrid aviation since the mid-1990s, and first flew its own experimental two-seater electric plane, the e-Genius, more than a decade ago.

"We build our own battery systems for our electric aircraft," he explains

"We are getting in the region of 200 watt [hours] per kilogram, where we would need 1,000 or 1,500. So we are far from what we would need for a large aircraft."

His view is that small, light electric aircraft, of up to six seats can be built with today's technology.

He also believes it should be possible to build a larger commuter aircraft, with up to 19 seats while still relying purely on battery power, though it would be "at the edge of what is currently possible".

Eviation has a nine-seat aircraft under development

The Alice, a nine-seater plane being developed by Israeli firm Eviation, would fit into this category. The aircraft, which has been under development for several years, has been designed to fly up to 600 miles, purely on electric power.

Anything larger, meanwhile, would need to be a hybrid, combining electric motors with conventional engines or on-board generators.

For Dr Strohmayer the potential is there for both types of aircraft to create new aviation networks, with small all-electric planes delivering passengers on short hops from local airfields to regional hubs. There, larger hybrid aircraft would be available to carry them on journeys of up to 500km.

"It would be a denser aviation network," he explains.

"It would be of most use in regions like Scandinavia or in mountainous areas, where you can't really just build networks of high-speed railways.

"There are places like Indonesia, Polynesia, where you have all these islands that have to be connected. There are places in the world where such networks are desperately needed."

Eviation is planning its first test flights of Alice this summer.

The ZEROe project by Airbus aims to have a zero-emission commercial aircraft flying by 2035

But such technology is unlikely to be much use over long-distance routes and that may explain why the European aerospace giant Airbus has decided its own priorities lie elsewhere.

In 2017, the company began developing a prototype hybrid plane, the E-Fan X, in partnership with Rolls-Royce and Siemens. Like Wright Electric's project, it was based on the existing Bae146.

But three years later, the programme was cancelled. Dr Sandra Bour-Schaeffer, the chief executive of Airbus Upnext, the division responsible for researching new technologies, thinks it was the right decision.

"Our focus is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050," she says. "In order to achieve that we need to look at two different technologies, associated with different time horizons."

In the short term, to reduce emissions, the company is focusing on using sustainable aviation fuels made from renewable sources and waste.

Beyond that, Airbus has its sights fixed firmly on using hydrogen to power a new generation of clean aircraft.

"Our ambition is to bring the first zero-emission commercial aircraft based on hydrogen to the market in 2035," she explains.

"I already have teams working on cryogenic and superconducting technologies. We are already exploring what will come next."
By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA (Reuters) -President Jair Bolsonaro invited the diplomatic corps on Monday to hear his charges that Brazil's election system was open to fraud ahead of October elections in which he is trailing in a bid for a second term.

"The system is completely vulnerable," he told some 40 diplomats invited to his residence in an unprecedented briefing three months before a general election.

Bolsonaro gave no evidence of fraud, but said a hacker got inside the electronic voting system during the election he won in 2018, an incident that police concluded had not compromised the result in any way.

Bolsonaro told the envoys the Brazilian military should be called in to help secure transparency in the Oct. 2 election. He has pushed electoral authorities to accept a parallel vote count to be carried out by the armed forces. They have ruled that out.

Diplomats attending included envoys of the United States, the European Union, France, Spain and Portugal. Neighbor Argentina, whose president is a leftist, was not invited.

"We knew what he was going to say, that was no surprise. But it is quite unusual to convene the diplomatic community to talk about a domestic issue," one diplomat who attended told Reuters.

Opposition leaders called for an investigation of alleged electoral crimes committed by Bolsonaro, for his attacks on a system that has resulted in his election for three decades, as a congressman then as president, and for using public television to broadcast his views.

U.S. officials have urged Brazilians to trust their voting system and said Bolsonaro should stop casting doubt on the electronic ballot.

Bolsonaro, a far-right nationalist who has said he modeled his presidency after Donald Trump's, has echoed the former U.S. leader's baseless allegations of fraud in the 2020 U.S. election.

He has repeatedly questioned Brazil's electronic voting machines, arguing without proof that they are susceptible to fraud, which has raised fears he might refuse to concede defeat, as Trump did in 2020.

His attempts to discredit Brazil's electoral system, which has been used since 1996 with no evidence of irregularities, has led his opponents to suspect Bolsonaro may refuse to accept a possible victory by leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is leading by double digits in opinion polls.

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle and Lisandra Paraguassu in BrasiliaEditing by Matthew Lewis)
An investigation is underway after one person was shot to death in Bostons Mattapan neighborhood on Sunday night.

Officers responding to a shot spotter activation in the area of Norfolk and Elizabeth streets just after 9 p.m. found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, according to the Boston Police Department.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Boston police homicide detectives at 617-343-4470.

There were no additional details immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Boston Police are at the scene of a shooting in Mattapan.

A Boston Police spokesperson said officers responded to a report of a person shot in the area of Norfolk and Elizabeth Streets around 9:14 p.m.

They found a person suffering from at least one gunshot wound. That person was taken to the hospital for treatment, according to police.

Police are still awaiting word on the victims condition.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

#BreakingNews large Boston police presence at Norfolk St near Elizabeth St for a person shot. #boston @boston25 pic.twitter.com/kMFNbPzmio  Chetan Rakieten (@chetanrakieten) July 18, 2022

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday invited dozens of diplomats to the presidential palace to present claims regarding supposed vulnerabilities of the countrys electronic voting system, which electoral authorities have already debunked repeatedly.

Once again, the far-right leader didnt present any evidence for his claims, which have drawn criticism from the members of the electoral authority and analysts who fear he is laying the groundwork to reject election results.

Bolsonaro faces an uphill battle to win a second term, with all polls showing him trailing well behind former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who governed Brazil between 2003-2010.

Bolsonaros address to diplomats was aired on the state television channel for almost one hour. During that time, he cited a Federal Police report on an alleged hacking into electronic voting machines. Brazil's electoral authority said in August 2021 that investigators have never relayed to it any indication of fraud.

Brazil has voted with an electronic system since 1996, and authorities have never found any evidence of widespread fraud. Bolsonaro has claimed he was denied outright victory in the first round of the 2018 presidential vote without need for a runoff and, at times, said he possessed proof -- which he has never presented.

An electronic system cannot give 100% guarantee of security (for voters), said Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro also argued that Brazils electoral authority should heed advice from the military on potential improvements for the voting system.

The armed forces, whose commander-in-chief is me... no one wants more stability in our country than us, Brazils president said.

Bolsonaro also reiterated critiques of Supreme Court justices, some of whom are also members of the nations electoral authority, suggesting they will favor da Silva.

People who owe favors to them (da Silva and his Workers Party) do not want a transparent electoral system, Bolsonaro told the assembled diplomats at the meeting in capital Brasilia. They insist all the time that after the election results are announced your heads-of-state need to recognize them.

Story continues

Brazils presidential palace didnt provide information regarding how many diplomats attended the gathering. Brazilian media said about 70 diplomats, including dozens of ambassadors, attended.

Shortly after the encounter finished, Brazil's electoral authority issued a statement to once more debunk several falsehoods about the country's elections  including many that Bolsonaro mentions.

Rodrigo Pacheco, the president of Brazil's Senate, said after Bolsonaro's meeting that the country's Congress, whose members were elected with the current and modern electoral system, is obligated to tell the population that the electronic voting machines will give the nation a trustworthy result."

The safety of the electronic machines and the fairness of the electoral process can no longer be put in doubt. There is no just cause and no reason for that. That questioning is bad for Brazil in every respect, Pacheco added.

Pacheco was elected for the job with Bolsonaro's support, but last week met with his adversary da Silva in Brasilia.

Non-profit Human Rights Watch said the meeting is yet more evidence that Bolsonaro continues his dangerous disinformation campaign about the electoral system.

The international community should make it clear that any attempt to undermine the democratic system and the rule of law is unacceptable, it said on Twitter.

In a separate event, the Supreme Court Justice Luiz Edson Fachin, who currently heads Brazils electoral authority, said at the local bar association of Parana state that there is unacceptable electoral denialism by one public figure.

Fachin added the person is making very serious allegations of fraud without any evidence.
A New York man accused of opening fire at a Buffalo grocery store and killing 10 people in May pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime charges Monday.

Payton Gendron, appearing in an orange prison uniform and sneakers, entered at 11:01 a.m., wearing handcuffs and shackles. He sat at the defense table and briefly rose as U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth Schroeder took the bench.

Gendron did not speak. His attorney entered the plea and mentioned that his client could enter a plea agreement before the case moves to trial.

Several victims family members attended the arraignment, including Zeneta Everhart, whose son Zaire Goodman was wounded in the attack.

BUFFALO GROCERY STORE SHOOTING: SUSPECT WORKED AT HOMETOWN MARKET IN MONTHS BEFORE 'RACIALLY-MOTIVATED' ATTACK

Payton Gendron arrives for a hearing at the Erie County Courthouse on May 19, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. Gendron is accused of killing 10 people and wounding another 3 during a shooting at a Tops supermarket on May 14 in Buffalo. The attack was believed to be motivated by racial hatred. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

"It's hard," Everhart said after the hearing. "My son is still recovering from gunshot wounds. It's hard sitting in that courtroom with a terrorist."

She said she is hoping for life imprisonment but would support the death penalty for her son's suspected attacker if prosecutors decide to seek it.

A federal grand jury indicted Gendron last week on more than two dozen charges, including 10 counts of hate crimes resulting in deaths, three counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill and 13 counts of using, carrying or discharging a firearm in relation to a hate crime.

BUFFALO SHOOTING SURVIVOR RECOUNTS HARROWING ESCAPE AFTER WITNESSING START OF 'HATE'-FUELED ATTACK

Gendron, who is White, drove more than three hours from his home outside of Binghamton up to a Tops Market grocery store in a predominantly Black Buffalo neighborhood on May 14, then allegedly opened fire.

Schroeder asked if the defense had a chance to read the indictment and what plea they would be entering today. Assistant Federal Public Defender Sonya Zoghlin told the judge that while the defense "would hope" the parties can resolve this case "before trial," at this point she is ready to enter a "not guilty" plea on Gendrons behalf.

Story continues

BUFFALO TEEN WHOSE AUNT, COUSIN WERE INSIDE GROCERY STORE DURING ATTACK: WEVE GOT TO COME TOGETHER'

His next status hearing is Dec. 9, and the judge transferred him back to state custody.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said after the attack that Gendron drove up to the grocery store and shot four people outside, then entered the store and continued his rampage.

Wearing body armor, he exchanged fire with security guard Aaron Salter, who was a retired police officer. Salter fired several rounds at Gendron before the suspect fatally shot him, Gramaglia said.

He allegedly livestreamed the attack online and written a 180-page hate-filled manifesto. His attack left 10 dead and three wounded. Eleven of the victims were Black, officials said.

According to prosecutors, "Gendrons motive for the mass shooting was to prevent Black people from replacing White people and eliminating the White race, and to inspire others to commit similar attacks."

He could face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted of the federal charges.

He is also facing murder, domestic terrorism and other charges in the state of New York.
Reuters

HONG KONG (Reuters) -The move to delist five Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) signals Beijing may be willing to compromise in order to strike an audit deal with the United States and end a more than decade-old dispute, analysts and advisers said on Monday. The five SOEs including oil major Sinopec and China Life Insurance, whose audits have been under scrutiny by the U.S. securities regulator, said on Friday they would voluntarily delist from the NYSE. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had in May flagged the five and many other companies as failing to meet U.S. auditing standards, and the delisting signals China could compromise on allowing U.S. auditors to access the accounts of private Chinese companies listed in the United States, some analysts said.
A southern California school board will consider an agreement Monday for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles to open a clinic at a local high school.

The seven-member school board of the Norwalk-LaMirada Unified School District will vote during a meeting Monday evening on allowing Planned Parenthood to open and operate a clinic for reproductive health care at John Glenn High School in Norwalk.

Abortions and gender-affirming hormone therapy are not listed as services that will be provided at the on-campus site, but clinic staff will be permitted to make referrals to other Planned Parenthood centers "for services not offered" at the school, according to the proposal.

The clinic will also be able to write prescriptions and dispense pharmaceuticals related to reproductive health, including contraceptives, and can provide the insertion of non-surgical long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCS), including IUDs, according to the proposal.

FOX NEWS POLL: SUPPORT FOR ABORTION DEPENDS ON CIRCUMSTANCE AND TIMING

The proposed agreement says that while the clinic "will encourage students to involve their families in decision making" regarding reproductive health services, minors have the right to consent to those services without parental consent or notification under California law.

If approved, the contract will last a total of five years, when it will need board approval again and every five years after that.

"Families and taxpayers should be horrified that the Norwalk-La Mirada USD is considering a partnership with Planned Parenthood," Nicole Neily, the president and founder of Parents Defending Education, told Fox News Digital in a statement. "The fact that the contract specifically notes that under California law minors have the right to consent to reproductive health services without parental consent or notification is appalling in and of itself  as is the list of services that will be offered to children, from STD treatment to IUDs to referrals to other health centers operated by Provider for services not offered at the Schools.

Story continues

"Other Planned Parenthood clinics do provide gender-affirming hormone therapy, so there is a very real possibility students will be referred off-campus to receive this treatment  again, with zero parental notification," she continued. "To add insult to injury, there is no way for parents to EVER obtain this information, as the contract asserts that all medical records are to be maintained by Planned Parenthood (neither District staff nor a Students parents or guardians may access the Students medical records maintained by Provider without the written approval of the Student.)"

"For over 100 years, federal courts have consistently found that parents  and not schools  maintain primary decision-making authority over their children, particularly when it comes to medical care," she added. "The Norwalk-La Mirada school board should be ashamed that this contract is even up for consideration  and be mindful of their significant legal exposure should it be ratified."

Protesters pray outside a Planned Parenthood location in Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 12, 2021. REUTERS/Gaelen Morse

After Fox News Digital reached out to the school district and school board members inquiring about the proposal, the district announced without explanation that discussion on the proposal would be postponed.

"The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Board of Education will postpone discussion of Board

Agenda Item #12a regarding the Planned Parenthood clinic at John Glenn High School. As a result, action will not be taken this evening during the regularly scheduled Board Meeting," the statement read. "The Board of Education and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District has no further comment at this time."

The school district and school board did not respond to Fox News Digitals requests for comment.

Planned Parenthood has been partnering with local schools to "create a safe space" for students to receive reproductive health care and education, the organization has stated.

In 2019, the Los Angeles chapter announced it was opening 50 new clinics in area high schools to provide "health care services, education, parent resources and support" to students on campus. The initial three-year contract reportedly cost Los Angeles County taxpayers $10 million.
Kensington Palace has unveiled new portraits of Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall in honor of her 75th birthday.

On Sunday, July 17, the Clarence House Instagram page  the official social media account for the Prince of Wales and the duchess shared a couple photos of the British royal on her special day.

In the portraits, the former Camilla Parker Bowles posed with her dog in front of a teacup and a bowl of peaches. She wore a blue floral-print dress that she accessorized with dangling, pearl earrings.

Thank you for all your kind messages and well wishes on The Duchess of Cornwalls 75th birthday today! the caption said.

Camilla poses with a bowl of peaches. (Kensington Palace)

The new pictures arrive just a few days after Her Royal Highness was featured on the cover of British magazine Country Life.

According to a Clarence House Instagram post about the special edition cover, which also celebrated the publications 125th anniversary, the Duchess of Cornwall asked her daughter-in-law Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge to photograph her for the magazine.

Next to photos of the Duchess of Cornwall posing with a harvest basket as the former Kate Middleton snapped a few pictures, the caption said, Her Royal Highness invited The Duchess of Cambridge to capture the cover image at her home in Wiltshire, Raymill.

The British royals have had an eventful summer filled with celebrations.

Last month, members of the royal family, including Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, traveled to the U.K. for Queen Elizabeth IIs Platinum Jubilee.

During the June festivities, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were able to meet Prince Harry and the former Meghan Markles 1-year-old daughter, Lilibet, for the first time.

Lilibet and her 3-year-old brother Archie had a very emotional meeting with their grandfather and the Duchess of Cornwall, according to a royal source who spoke at a briefing attended by Britains national news agency, the Press Agency.

It was fantastic to see them, the source said at the time about the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs return to the U.K. It was wonderful to have them back in Britain.
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, celebrated a milestone birthday over the weekend.

Clarence House released an official birthday portrait of the royal on Saturday, the day before Camilla turned 75.

The Duchess of Cornwall celebrated her 75th birthday on Sunday, marking the occasion with a small family dinner at Prince Charles Highgrove estate in southwest England. (Photo: Chris Jackson/Clarence House/PA via AP)

The Duchess of Cornwall celebrated her 75th birthday on Sunday, marking the occasion with a small family dinner at Prince Charles Highgrove estate in southwest England. (Photo: Chris Jackson/Clarence House/PA via AP)

Clarence House shared an additional photo of the duchess on her actual birthday, alongside a message thanking supporters for their well-wishes. One of the duchessess rescue dogs, named Beth, posed alongside her for one of the new photo.

Royal photographer Chris Jackson photographed the duchess at her Wiltshire home, dubbed the Ray Mill House.

Thank you for all your kind messages and well wishes on The Duchess of Cornwalls 75th birthday today! 



 @ChrisJack_Gettypic.twitter.com/N6aXAGRog5  The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) July 17, 2022

The duchess was most recently photographed at her home for a special edition of Country Life magazine, which she guest-edited.

Camilla commissioned her daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, to take the accompanying photos.

We are thrilled to have our Guest Editor captured so magnificently by royal photographer The Duchess of Cambridge, Mark Hedges, editor-in-chief of Country Life, said in a statement shared with HuffPost earlier this month.

We understand this is the first time a formal portrait of The Duchess of Cornwall has been taken by The Duchess of Cambridge for a magazine and we are honoured to have been chosen to be the first to publish this beautiful photograph, he said, calling the photographs superb.

Story continues

Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall, photographed by Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge, at her Ray Mill home in Wiltshire. (Photo: HRH THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE)

Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall, photographed by Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge, at her Ray Mill home in Wiltshire. (Photo: HRH THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE)

Camillas year has already been a life-altering one, as Queen Elizabeth announced in February that it was her sincere wish that the duchess be made Queen Consort when the Prince of Wales finally becomes king.

A few days later, the duchess responded to the queens momentous decision, saying that she was very, very honored and very touched.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
On May 12, State Rep. Kam Buckner announced his candidacy for mayor of Chicago.

Since launching his campaign, Buckner has raised just over $59,000 in contributions to his committee, Kam for Chicago Mayor, campaign finance records show.

The following database includes contributions made from the start of 2022 through the end of June. The deadline to file the latest campaign finance reports with the Illinois State Board of Elections was Friday.

Search the database to see who has contributed to Buckners campaign for mayor.
MarketWatch

Under the current structure, Social Security and Medicare budgets are automatically approved and paid out, but under Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnsons plan, Congress would have the chance to review and edit these programs budgets every year. If you qualify for the entitlement, you just get it no matter what the cost, Johnson said during an interview on The Regular Joe Show. What we ought to be doing is we ought to turn everything into discretionary spending so its all evaluated so that we can fix problems or fix programs that are broken, that are going to be going bankrupt.
Chinese regulators have promised to repay more victims of one of the country's biggest-ever banking scandals, after hundreds of thousands of customers were left without access to funds, triggering rare mass protests.

China's rural banking sector has been hit hard by Beijing's efforts to rein in a property bubble and spiralling debt, in a financial crackdown that rattled the world's second-largest economy.

Four banks in Henan province froze cash withdrawals in mid-April as regulators scrutinised alleged mismanagement, leaving billions of yuan in savings locked up and sparking sporadic demonstrations.

Authorities later named those firms and another rural bank in nearby Anhui province as involved in a scheme to defraud investors -- and promised victims would start to get their money back.

"Henan New Fortune Group manipulated five village banks in Henan and Anhui to illegally absorb and occupy public funds ... and covered up illegal activities," an unnamed China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission representative told state media Sunday, citing a three-month initial police investigation.

"The next stage will be to begin advance payment work for customers with over 50,000 yuan (deposited)."

The Henan banking scandal has dealt an unprecedented blow to public confidence in China's financial system owing to the size and scale of the fraud, analysts say, with the banks involved allegedly operating illegally for more than a decade,

Chinese authorities are desperate to avoid disruptions to social stability just months away from a major congress of the ruling Communist Party.

A July 10 mass demonstration in Henan's provincial capital Zhengzhou was violently quashed, with demonstrators forced onto buses by police and beaten, according to eyewitness accounts given to AFP and verified photos on social media.

Shortly afterwards, Henan's provincial banking regulator said customers with deposits of less than 50,000 yuan ($7,500) would be repaid starting Friday.

Story continues

But in one WeChat group containing hundreds of depositors, only a handful reported successfully receiving their funds back, according to messages seen by AFP.

A few customers reported receiving their deposits Friday, while others complained that the designated mobile app had bugs and would not let them register, according to local media.

The funds being repaid came from some of the seized assets of Henan New Fortune Group, the company accused by police of manipulating the banks, state broadcaster CCTV reported last week.

Regulators have said depositors will be paid in batches, but did not announce a specific timeframe for the repayment of accounts with more than 50,000 yuan in funds.

lxc/oho/dan
LONDON  Syoung Group, the parent company of Chinese facial mask giant Uniforn, said on Monday it intends to acquire the French-Japanese prestige skin care brand Evidens de Beaute for 49.5 million euros, or $50 million.

Syoung Group also revealed that it has signed an agreement with major shareholders of the brand to purchase a little over 90 percent of the Paris-based company.

More from WWD

Charles-Edouard Barthes, founder and chief executive officer of EviDenS de Beaute, will remain a shareholder and the company will retain its independence and current team.

On top of running one of the most successful facial mask brands in China, Syoung Group is also the online distributor for beauty brands including Fenty Beauty, Dr. Ci:Labo, Albion, Neutrogena, Kiko and Lumene.

Having been the brands exclusive Chinese distributor since 2019, Syoung Group expanded Evidens de Beautes retail network in China to high-end malls like SKP Beijing and Galeries Lafayette and opened online flagships on Tmall and WeChat.

Founded in 2007 by Barthes, Evidens de Beaute started as a celebration of his Japanese wife Eriko Nakamuras skin care routine with a touch of French elegance.

The brand opened its first freestanding store on Rue Boissiere in the 16th arrondissement in Paris a decade ago. The beauty company, whose antiaging skin care products are formulated for sensitive skin, is available in more than 450 points of sale, including spas at places like the Hotel de Crillon, in 14 countries.

Evidens de Beautes line of products ranges in price from 30 euros for a set of eyes mask to 750 euros for a jar of cream.

Last year Evidens de Beaute made a net profit of 5.2 million euros on revenue of 19.7 million euros.
Paddy McGuinness and Christine McGuinness have three children. (Getty Images)

Christine McGuinness has revealed that her daughter didn't "want to live anymore" because of COVID restrictions.

McGuinness said her daughter, who is nine and autistic, was not able to play with her usual group of friends because of 'bubbles' which limited interaction between children.

Speaking to The Sun's Fabulous magazine, the model and presenter talked about her daughter's battles during the pandemic: She took it very personally. And she said, Mummy, I dont want to live anymore. I want to go to heaven.'"

Read more: Christine McGuinness says granny's advice saved her marriage

McGuinness also described her own reaction to her daughter's struggles: The panic for me of, What if she does do something, not understanding that that thing is forever? It was a heartbreaking time and probably one of the most difficult conversations I will ever have in my life.

Paddy McGuinness and Christine McGuinness, pictured in 2019. (Getty Images)

She added: Shes very emotional. She doesnt understand her emotions very well. Thats something that weve had to try to teach her."

McGuinness has three children with Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness, all of whom have been diagnosed with autism.

Read more: Christine McGuinness admits she and husband Paddy are 'having a very difficult time'

Last year, the family made a documentary for the BBC about their journey with autism entitled Paddy and Christine McGuinness: Our Family and Autism.

McGuinness also recently discussed the "ups and downs" of being married to the former Phoenix Nights star.

Paddy McGuinness (Comic Relief via Getty Images)

Appearing on Lorraine, she said: I think all marriages  especially long ones like ours  its not always going to be plain sailing but were trying to deal with things as privately as possible.

We just want to be there to support the children and have an amazing summer. Were going away on a family holiday next week and were really excited. Theyre always going to be our focus.

Paddy and Christine first met in 2007 and married in 2011.

For confidential emotional support at times of distress, contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.

Watch below: Christine McGuinness admits to 'ups and downs' in married life with Paddy McGuinness
The Supreme Courts conservative majority decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June was met with agreement by anti-abortion politicians like U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford.

Tenney contested the Supreme Courts original decision in Roe was wrongly decided and a right to abortion has not been guaranteed or protected by the Constitution. In the original decision on Roe, the Supreme Court extended the right to privacy to protect abortion access under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.

What the Court did is what it should have done 49 years ago, is left this up to the states, Tenney said.

U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-New Hartford)

Abortion rights are protected in New York, codified by the 2019 Reproductive Health Act. The law decriminalized abortion and permits abortion after 24 weeks if the fetus is not viable or to protect the mothers life.

Tenney opposed the legislation, which was originally introduced in 2006, during her time in the state Assembly.

Abortion is not going to go away, she said. Im pro-life. I want to do everything I can to advocate for pro-life policies.

Buffalo mass shooting:Tops grocery store reopens two months after attack

Gun reformUtica-area politicians, law enforcement condemn recent NY gun laws

Tenney said she recognizes rape and incest as exceptions in regard to her anti-abortion stance. She said she believes more people will choose adoption following the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

I do recognize that this is a cultural change, Tenney said. I dont want to criminalize women. Weve had 50 years of this case and its going to take time and advocacy and compassion to move us in a pro-life direction.

Gun control

Tenney also supported the Supreme Court decision to strike down a New York law requiring residents to prove "proper cause" to carry a handgun. The case centered around two Rensselaer County residents who were denied conceal carry permits for personal protection outside the home.

The congresswoman led an amicus brief, backed by 168 House representatives, which offered insight into the ways its sponsors believed the state law violated Second Amendment rights.

Story continues

Tenney criticized the most recent state gun reforms, signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on July 1, which include new requirements for pistol permit applications and establish limits on where guns can be carried in public.

State and local officials criticized the new gun reforms during a press conference on July 13 at the state office building in Utica.

One of the new requirements includes turning over a list of current and former social media accounts in the previous three years.

These are going to unelected police clerks and not elected officials to make those determinations on pistol permits, Tenney said. I think theres a lot of problems that make these facially invalid and were looking into  potentially, a clarification application to the Supreme Court to weigh in on some of these laws because they obviously were rushed.

Tenney said she wants a solution to the problem of mass shootings but doesnt want knee jerk reactions that take away the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Community Project Funding

More than $27 million in federal funds have been allocated through the Community Project Funding process for 14 projects in New Yorks 22nd Congressional District, Tenney announced on July 6.

The projects include:

$864,078 for Binghamton Community Policing and Crime Prevention

$2,850,000 for City of Norwich water main replacement

$3,000,000 for City of Rome Park Drive revitalization project

$2,995,000 for Cortland rural mental health facility capital project

$3,000,000 for Griffiss Institute Smart-X Internet of Things (IOT) Living Lab

$1,000,000 for Oneida Health System behavioral health services

$1,580,628 for Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District Upper Susquehanna watershed community resiliency

$2,351,200 for Town of Orwell water system improvements

$1,000,000 for Town of Schuyler Graham, Brown and Newport Road Water District

$227,400 for Town of Whitestown buy-out of repetitive flood loss properties

$734,014 for Utica University crime lab

$2,000,000 for Valley Health Services skilled nursing and neurobehavioral care facility

$1,507,605 for Village of Canastota South Canal, Commerce and State Street sewer separation

$4,152,000 for Village of Oneida Castle sanitary sewer collection system

The projects are funded through existing federal programs. Tenneys office received more than 100 requests, with the majority focused on water and sewer projects.

We try to  put projects in place in order of priority and then we try to make sure that were including every region of the district in there, Tenney said.

The Observer-Dispatch interviews U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford, each month about current issues related to the Mohawk Valley and federal government.

Steve Howe is the city reporter for the Observer-Dispatch. Email him at showe@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Claudia Tenney talks about abortion, gun control and federal funding
KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO  MONDAY, 18 JULY 2022, 21:32

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said in a conversation with US general Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of General Staff, that Ukraine has succeeded in stabilising the situation on the battlefield.

Source: Zaluzhnyi on Telegram

Quote from Zaluzhnyi: "We have succeeded in stabilising the situation. It is difficult, tense, but completely under control.

An important factor that contributed to our holding of defensive lines and positions is the timely arrival of M142 HIMARS, which have been used for targeted strikes on enemy control points and ammunition and fuel depots."

Details: Zaluzhnyi noted that he was keeping his American colleague informed about the operational situation, as is traditional.

The commander-in-chief added that on the eve of the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, he and Milley had synchronised the requests of the Ukrainian side.
There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. Nonetheless, only a fool would ignore the risk that a loss making company burns through its cash too quickly.

So should Arecor Therapeutics (LON:AREC) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'.

View our latest analysis for Arecor Therapeutics

When Might Arecor Therapeutics Run Out Of Money?

A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. In December 2021, Arecor Therapeutics had UK18m in cash, and was debt-free. In the last year, its cash burn was UK5.5m. That means it had a cash runway of about 3.3 years as of December 2021. There's no doubt that this is a reassuringly long runway. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

How Well Is Arecor Therapeutics Growing?

Notably, Arecor Therapeutics actually ramped up its cash burn very hard and fast in the last year, by 189%, signifying heavy investment in the business. While that's concerning on it's own, the fact that operating revenue was actually down 32% over the same period makes us positively tremulous. In light of the above-mentioned, we're pretty wary of the trajectory the company seems to be on. While the past is always worth studying, it is the future that matters most of all. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years.

How Hard Would It Be For Arecor Therapeutics To Raise More Cash For Growth?

While Arecor Therapeutics seems to be in a fairly good position, it's still worth considering how easily it could raise more cash, even just to fuel faster growth. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn.

Story continues

Since it has a market capitalisation of UK89m, Arecor Therapeutics' UK5.5m in cash burn equates to about 6.2% of its market value. Given that is a rather small percentage, it would probably be really easy for the company to fund another year's growth by issuing some new shares to investors, or even by taking out a loan.

How Risky Is Arecor Therapeutics' Cash Burn Situation?

On this analysis of Arecor Therapeutics' cash burn, we think its cash runway was reassuring, while its increasing cash burn has us a bit worried. While we're the kind of investors who are always a bit concerned about the risks involved with cash burning companies, the metrics we have discussed in this article leave us relatively comfortable about Arecor Therapeutics' situation. Its important for readers to be cognizant of the risks that can affect the company's operations, and we've picked out 2 warning signs for Arecor Therapeutics that investors should know when investing in the stock.

Of course Arecor Therapeutics may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Two men are behind bars on murder charges after Cincinnati police say a video camera recorded them shooting a man in Northside Sunday afternoon.

Two men are behind bars on murder charges after Cincinnati police say a video camera recorded them shooting a man with a handgun in Northside Sunday afternoon.

Police responded to a report of bullets being fired into an apartment building at about 4 p.m.

Both 22-year-old Deonte Wilson and 25-year-old Darrius Wilson of Colerain Township are accused of shooting Anthony Billups at the Northside Flats apartment complex, according to affidavits filed by Det. Sandy Sieving.

Billups was 34 and lived in North College Hill, according to the Hamilton County Coroner's office.

Sieving says in paperwork filed in Hamilton County Municipal Court that the homicide on Kentucky Avenue was caught on video and that witnesses confirmed the involvement of the Wilsons, who are in the Hamilton County Justice Center each held on a $250,000 bond.

The men were arraigned Monday morning in municipal court and assigned public defenders.

The Enquirer will update this report when more information becomes available.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati cops charge two Colerain Twp. men with murder in Northside shooting
The Twitter app logo. Chesnot/Getty Images

Alex Berenson has been "permanently suspended" from Twitter, a spokesperson told NBC News.

Berenson called his suspension from Twitter "censorship" as he defended himself and relocated to Substack.

In his final tweet, Berenson slammed COVID-19 vaccine mandates as "insanity."

Editor's Note: This story has been updated from an earlier version to more accurately reflect the types of messages Berenson was sharing and to note that Twitter later reinstated Berenson's account.

Twitter "permanently suspended" former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson for violating the platform's COVID-19 misinformation guidelines. In his final tweet, Berenson slammed vaccine COVID-19 mandates as "insanity."

"It doesn't stop infection. Or transmission. Don't think of it as a vaccine. Think of it - at best - as a therapeutic with a limited window of efficacy and terrible side effect profile that must be dosed IN ADVANCE OF ILLNESS. And we want to mandate it? Insanity," Berenson tweeted.

A Twitter spokesperson told NBC News that Berenson's account was "permanently suspended for repeated violations of our COVID-19 misinformation rules."

"This was the tweet that did it. Entirely accurate," Berenson wrote, referencing his final tweet. "I can't wait to hear what a jury will make of this."

Berenson gained popularity among conservatives as a source for his skepticism of the COVID-19 vaccines.

"For the past few weeks on Twitter, Berenson has mischaracterized just about every detail regarding the vaccines to make the dubious case that most people would be better off avoiding them. As his conspiratorial nonsense accelerates toward the pandemic's finish line, he has proved himself the Secretariat of being wrong," Politico's Derek Thompson wrote in April 2021.

He posted about his suspension on Substack. In a statement, he said Twitter's actions qualified as censorship.

"We have reached a dangerous moment. Social media companies that have audiences which dwarf any other are now actively censoring reporters at the behest of governments," Berenson told Insider. "I will continue to fight to get out the truth and am considering all legal options."

Story continues

Soon after the suspension, the Daily Beast said Berenson tweeted from a different account named @GenRescue.

"Censorship is dumb," a tweet from the account read.

While the account currently has no identifying information at time of publication, the Daily Beast reported the account previously had "definitely not Alex Berenson" as its bio, which included a link to Berenson's Substack.

Despite its initial indication, on July 6, 2022, Twitter reinstated Berenson's account.

In a statement to Insider, a Twitter spokesperson said: "The parties have come to a mutually acceptable resolution. Twitter has reinstated Mr. Berenson. Upon further review, Twitter acknowledges Mr. Berenson's Tweets should not have led to his suspension at that time."

Read the original article on Insider
The 74

Floridas 5th graders took the 2022 statewide science exam to measure understanding of the states science standards, but the results were stagnant to dismal. Only 48 percent of 5th graders passed the exam, based on a score of 3 or higher. The Florida Department of Education considers that satisfactorymay need additional support for the next []
Denmark is effectively banning Google's services in schools, after officials in the municipality of Helsingr were last year ordered to carry out a risk assessment around the processing of personal data by Google.

In a verdict published last week, Denmark's data protection agency, Datatilsynet, revealed that data processing involving students using Google's cloud-based Workspace software suite -- which includes Gmail, Google Docs, Calendar and Google Drive -- "does not meet the requirements" of the European Union's GDPR data privacy regulations.

Specifically, the authority found that the data processor agreement -- or Google's terms and conditions -- seemingly allow for data to be transferred to other countries for the purpose of providing support, even though the data is ordinarily stored in one of Google's EU data centers.

Google's Chromebook laptops, and by extension Google Workspace, are used in schools across Denmark. But Datatilsynet focused specifically on Helsingr for the risk assessment after the municipality reported a "breach of personal data security" back in 2020. While this latest ruling technically only applies to schools in Helsingr for now, Datatilsynet notes that many of the conclusions it has reached will "probably apply to other municipalities" that use Google Chromebooks and Workspace. It added that it expects these other municipalities "to take relevant steps" off the back of the decision it reached in Helsingr.

The ban is effective immediately, but Helsingr has until August 3 to delete user data.

Data flows

At the heart of the issue is the now defunct EU-US Privacy Shield that regulated how data can be shared between the EU and United States. While a new data flow deal has been agreed to in principle, it is not yet in effect, which has left many organizations in limbo. Consequently, Big Tech companies are relying on standard contractual clauses for their data processing practices.

Story continues

A Google spokesperson told TechCrunch:

We know that students and schools expect the technology they use to be legally compliant, responsible, and safe. Thats why for years, Google has invested in privacy best practices and diligent risk assessments, and made our documentation widely available so anyone can see how we help organisations to comply with the GDPR. Schools own their own data. We only process their data in accordance with our contracts with them. In Workspace for Education, students' data is never used for advertising or other commercial purposes. Independent organisations have audited our services, and we keep our practices under constant review to maintain the highest possible standards of safety and compliance.

This latest announcement comes after local data watchdogs in France, Italy and Austria ruled that websites using Google Analytics to track visitors contravened European data privacy rules, given that personal data is transferred to the U.S. for processing. And Irelands Data Protection Commission (DPC), meanwhile, is currently mulling how Facebook's parent company Meta is transferring data between Europe and the U.S., which could impact how Europeans are able to access services such as WhatsApp and Instagram.

With European lawmakers keen to establish a greater degree of digital sovereignty, Google has been bolstering its platform and infrastructure to help ensure public and private organizations stay with the company. A few months back, Google announced that it would be rolling out new "sovereign controls" for Workspace users in Europe, allowing them to "control, limit, and monitor transfers of data to and from the EU."

However, these controls won't be made available until later this year, with additional data control tools arriving throughout 2023. And it's still not clear at this early stage whether these new tools will be watertight in terms of GDPR compliance.
Despite his signature Stop WOKE Act, Gov. Ron DeSantis and his state have a contract with a group that teaches racial inclusivity.

The state of Florida has a contract that pays hundreds of thousands of dollars to a company that creates high-profile, racially sensitive studies that address social inequity and lead to recommendations for true social change, according to Politico.

Despite his ongoing war against wokeness, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his state remain in a contract with MGT Consulting, headed up by former Republican state Rep. Trey Traviesa, through the Florida Department of Education.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during the recent Moms For Liberty Summit at the Tampa Marriott Water Street in Tampa, Florida. (Photo: Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

The company and its lessons, per Politico, appear to be in direct opposition to the Republican governors signature Stop WOKE Act. According to the report, MGT has made recommendations about creating inclusive workplaces for taxpayer-funded entities using racial and gender-based data.

Politico notes that the company declared, We have carefully chosen a team that is well-versed in critical race theory, as well as the analysis necessary to develop a racially equitable organizational structure and racial equity plan, in a proposal written by MGT last year to pen a Racial Equity Plan for the city of Golden, Colorado.

In the document, they write, MGT is thoroughly familiar with issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion faced by local and state municipalities as well as small and large organizations in todays environment. In fact, our team has an extensive track record addressing access, equity, diversity, and inclusion in a variety of organizational settings.

The firm has also been contracted with the city of Charlottesville, Virginia, for a study in the wake of the now-infamous 2016 rally that left one woman dead and many others injured.

This attachment has no annotation, and our office couldnt possibly speculate about each of these contracts, nor assume the intended purpose of each engagement, said Bryan Griffin, a DeSantis spokesperson, according to Politico. We especially arent interested in speculating under the assumptions you presented based on work they have done in completely different states.

Story continues

Politico says Florida has paid the firm nearly $700,000 since DeSantis took office, including nearly $130,000 from its Department of Education alone in 2022.

The Department does not police the work our contractors complete for other clients, Alex Lanfranconi, director of communications for the Florida Department of Education, wrote in a statement. Providing sporadic examples of MGT work in other states for unrelated organizations and attempting to connect it with the Florida Department of Education is dishonest and disappointing.

The company is also embroiled in a scandal over a $2.5 million deal to address management struggles at a charter school company in Jefferson County.

Politico maintains that it has reached out for specific comments from DeSantis office, to no avail.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post DeSantis fights wokeness, but Florida pays a firm to address social inequity appeared first on TheGrio.
Moms for Liberty founders Tiffany Justice (L) and Tina Descovich present the Liberty Sword to Governor Ron DeSantis before he speaks during the inaugural Moms For Liberty Summit at the Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 15, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. Octavio Jones/Getty Images

Moms for Liberty was founded by two former school board members in 2021.

The conservative group has grown to over 95,000 members across 200 chapters in 37 states.

At its first national event, members strategized how to minimize the influence of teachers' unions.

At its first national gathering on Friday, the conservative group Moms for Liberty made plans to elect its own candidates to school boards and minimize the influence of teachers' unions, according to NBC News.

The event in Tampa, Florida, drew 500 people, including Republican lawmakers, NBC News reported. A critical goal among parents at the summit was to win school board seats, according to Politico.

The group was founded by two former school board members, Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich, who, according to their website, are "dedicated to fighting for the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government."

The founders told NBC News the group's main issues are challenging mask mandates in schools, banning library books about gender identity, and limiting academic discourse on critical race theory. Last year, one of the group's chapters said it would offer $500 to anyone who caught teachers using critical race theory.

Co-founder Justice told NBC News, "it's been said we're some political powerhouse, but the truth of the matter is, you have a whole new segment of the American population engaging in politics now, and they weren't really political before."

Speakers at the summit criticized teaching techniques such as social-emotional learning, which teachers use to help children manage their feelings, saying it is a way for schools to incorporate communist ideals, NBC News reported. The outlet said the crowd cheered when an activist said many school mental health programs were "another form of indoctrination."

Florida Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Rick Scott and Gov. Ron DeSantis, were among the speakers. During his speech, DeSantis said "we have drawn a very clear line in the sand that says our school system is for educating kids, not indoctrinating kids."

Story continues

DeSantis has aligned himself with the group, stating that school board positions "have a significant impact on families' lives." In March, DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education Act into law, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill because it limits teaching on sexual orientation.

The organization is registered as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and therefore does not have to disclose its donors. Critics say the group has created divisions among parents and frightened educators out of the profession.

According to the Moms for Liberty Twitter page, the group has over 95,000 members across 200 chapters in 37 states.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Green sea turtles are considered endangered by Japanese and global authorities (file picture)

At least 30 green sea turtles have been found dead on a beach of a remote Japanese island, with many having been stabbed in the neck.

Locals on Kumejima island made the discovery last Thursday, after a low tide revealed the bodies.

At least one fishing operator admitted to wounding the animals to remove them from fishing nets, said news site the Mainichi.

Police are investigating animal cruelty claims.

"I disentangled some of the [turtles] and released them into the sea, but I couldn't free [the] heavy ones so I stabbed them to get rid of them," an unnamed fishing operator told a close source, said a report by the Mainichi.

Local media reported police had deployed officers to the scene last week, but it's not clear if any action has been taken.

Green sea turtles are listed as an endangered species by Japanese authorities and global conservation groups.

They're known to frequent the seaweed and kelp beds off Kumejima - one of the tiny islands about 2,000km (1,244 miles) south of the Japanese mainland - where there are also active conservation efforts.

Marine biologists and other workers from the island's Sea Turtle Museum had rushed to the beach after the turtles were discovered, but most had already become motionless by then.

Several had stab wounds at the base of their necks, while others were also slashed in their flippers. Pictures released by the museum show the animals floating in shallow water.

"I have never seen anything like this before," one museum employee told The Asahi Shimbun.

"It is extremely difficult to process this."
Dr. Anthony Fauci said he plans to leave his post as the nations top health official by the end of President Joe Bidens first term in office, saying the nation is going to have to live with COVID-19.

Its for sure that Im not going to be here in January 2025, Fauci told Politico.

Fauci insisted he wasnt announcing his retirement but hed be working for another 24 years if he were to stay on the job until COVID-19 was completely vanquished.

If somebody says, Youll leave when we dont have COVID anymore, then I will be 105, Fauci, who is 81, told Politico. I think were going to be living with this.

Fauci, who is the most recognizable face of the fight against COVID-19, said the pandemic has reached a less volatile stage, although its still unclear when or if we will gain the upper hand.

What we have right now, I think were almost at a steady state, said Fauci, who is Bidens chief medical adviser.

I dont see myself in the job for (more than another) three years, he added, according to Politico reporter Sarah Owermohle.

After a remarkable five-decade career, Fauci has become a lightning rod for criticism by anti-vaxxers and right-wing supporters of former President Donald Trump, many of whom blame him for promoting vaccines and mask-wearing to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Despite highly publicized clashes, the Brooklyn-born Fauci said he shared a bond with Trump.

Two guys from New York, different in their opinions and their ideology, but still, two guys who grew up in the same environments of this city, he said.

Fauci admitted girding for a grueling flood of possible investigations if Republicans retake control of Congress in the midterm elections, but insisted he would not bow to pressure to leave sooner than expected.

My telling somebody that its important to follow fundamental good public health practices, Fauci said. What are you going to investigate about that?


FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Medicines Agency on Monday started reviewing a low-dose version of BioNTech and Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine for use in children between the age of six months and four years.

Last month the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cleared the way for use of the shot in children of that age group in the United States.

Pfizer and BioNTech filed for approval in Europe in the age group on July 8, proposing a three-shot course with a 3 microgram dosage, which is a fraction of the 30 micrograms used on adults.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Jan Harvey)
The missing students vehicle was found at an Oxford towing company three days after he was last seen.

University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) student Jimmie Jay Lee has been missing since July 8 and his family is pleading for his safe return.

WAPT News reported that Jimmie Lee, the missing students father, is asking anyone with any information that could help the investigation to come forward and say something.

Call, contact the law enforcement. Just tell them what you know. This is my plea, that you help find my child, he said.

Jay Lee, 20, is said to be 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, has brown eyes as well as black and blond hair, according to the Clarion Ledger.

The student was last observed leaving an apartment complex in Oxford, Mississippi  where Ole Miss is located  at approximately 5:58 a.m. on July 8. He was reportedly wearing a gold sleeping cap, a silver robe or housecoat and gray slippers.

Jimmie Jay Lee, 20, has been missing since July 8. CrimeStoppers is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to the discovery of the Ole Miss student. /Photo: Oxford MS Police Department

His black 2014 Ford Fusion was found at a towing company in Oxford the following Monday. Police said it had been towed from a different apartment complex from the one where the missing student was last seen, adding that he may have been visiting someone.

We believe Lee may have been visiting someone at Molly Barr Trails at the time of his disappearance, Breck Jones, public information officer for Oxford Police Department, said in a news release obtained by WAPT News.

The hashtag #Jaylee has been widely used by social media users to raise awareness in hopes of aiding police in their search. On social media platforms, tips and information can be shared on Facebook: @OxfordMSPolice or @OleMissPolice; Twitter: @OxfordPolice or @OleMissPolice, according to the Clarion Ledger

Jimmie Lee said his son, a public policy major, is someone who is always willing to help those in need.

I would like for everyone to know my son is a hard worker, he said. My son was working on a project to help provide infant formula to children in need. No matter if you are Black or white, my son would find a way to help if he saw the need.

Story continues

Tayla Carey, Jays sister, misses her brother and the bond they share. She is trying to remain optimistic as law enforcement agencies all around Mississippi pursue leads in an effort to locate him.

My relationship with my brother is really strong, Carey said. Wed always call and check on each other throughout the week. During tough times, my brother would lean on his dog, Lexus Lola Lee, for emotional support. Lola has been a monument in my brothers life for the last 10 years.

Those with information are asked to contact the Oxford Police Department at (662) 232-2400, University Police at (662) 915-7234 or Crime Stoppers at (662) 234-8477.

CrimeStoppers has offered a reward of $1,000 to anyone who comes forward with information that helps find Jay Lee.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Family pleads for safe return of missing Ole Miss student Jimmie Jay Lee appeared first on TheGrio.
Dr. Anthony Fauci testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on January 11, 2022 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Greg Nash/Pool via AP, File

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House's chief medical advisor, said he'll leave before the president's term is up.

COVID would continue to last a long time, Fauci predicted.

He made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with Politico.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the federal government who helped lead the US COVID-19 response, will be leaving his post before the end of President Joe Biden's term, he told Politico in an interview.

Fauci has been hinting for several weeks that his time at the helm of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and as Biden's chief medical advisor will soon come to an end. He first said in a June interview with the Washington Post that the time would come "sooner rather than later,"

"[In] the last few years, particularly the stress on my body and my mind with COVID, I think I have aged," Fauci said in the Washington Post interview. "I just feel it. I'm just beaten up. I do think more now that there is a finiteness to my being."

Fauci, 81, is two years older than Biden, who has said he's planning to run for reelection in 2024.

Fauci plans to teach and write books after he leaves his post as NIAID director, and told the Washington Post he hoped his work would encourage people to go into public service.

Fauci has been with the federal government for five decades, but became a household name during the Trump administration when he did frequent media interviews to update the nation about the coronavirus.

Fauci has long been respected in the scientific community. During the pandemic, medical schools saw a surge in applications that they called "The Fauci Effect."

But Fauci often clashes with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill, who saw some of his public health advice as too heavy-handed. Republicans have warned that if they gain a majority in the House or Senate in November then they'll hold oversight hearings on the federal government's response to the pandemic.

Story continues

The agency Fauci leads, NIAID, is part of the National Institutes of Health and researches diseases  such as the coronavirus  to develop vaccines and treatments. With his impending retirement, Fauci told Politico that he hoped his legacy would be his response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, which led to bipartisan public health achievements.

As for COVID, Fauci predicted it would linger for a long time.

"We're in a pattern now. If somebody says, 'You'll leave when we don't have Covid anymore,' then I will be 105. I think we're going to be living with this," Fauci told Politico.

In recent months Fauci has stressed that people need to make individual risk assessments in determining what activities to participate in and which to avoid. Fauci himself reported in June that he had COVID but had only mild symptoms after receiving four vaccine doses.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Florida cop saved the life of a little pup who lost its way.

Lighthouse Point Police Department Officer Bob Stebbins sprang into action earlier this month when a dog was drowning off the Florida coast.

The police department wrote in a statement on Facebook that a "frantic caller" reported her dog had jumped into the Intracoastal Waterway around 10 p.m. on July 3.

VETERINARIANS ARE GRAPPLING WITH TODAY'S NATIONAL PET BLOOD SHORTAGE

Officer Stebbins responded to the call and showed up to the scene.

The little dog had been treading water for approximately 25 minutes.

The officer could just make out the exhausted dogs nose in the night as the animal barely bobbed above the surface of the water.

Stebbins recognized the need for immediate action as the dog's leash was snarled in nearby dock pilings.

The officer quickly took off his gear  and went for a dive in the dark water.

He successfully untangled the little dog and returned it safely to shore.

The department reported that the dog's owner was "overjoyed to be reunited with her family member."

"Thank you, Officer Stebbins," the statement reads.

"Great Work!"
French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France. Chesnot/Getty Images

Ex-NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen slammed Macron over his approach to Ukraine in an interview with the Atlantic.

Rasmussen took aim at Macron over his "disastrous" suggestion Putin should not be humiliated.

He also criticized Macron's "unsuccessful" attempts at "telephone diplomacy" with Putin.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who was secretary-general of NATO from 2009 to 2014, did not pull any punches in his assessment of French President Emmanuel Macron's approach to the Ukraine war and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a new interview with the Atlantic, Rasmussen was especially critical of Macron's "disastrous" suggestion that the West should avoid humiliating Putin in Ukraine to keep the door open for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, while excoriating France in terms of the military aid its provided to Kyiv in comparison to other Western powers. He also took aim at Macron's "unsuccessful" efforts at "telephone diplomacy with Putin."

Rasmussen, who is also a former prime minister of Denmark, said, "The UK has been an outstanding partner for Ukraine. Next to the US, the UK has been a driving force in helping Ukraine. This should be seen as a contrast to the efforts of another big European country, namely France  partly because of President Emmanuel Macron making those very strange statements about a need to avoid humiliating Putin and because of his telephone diplomacy with Putin: unsuccessful, I would say."

"If you assess the weapons deliveries from different countries to Ukraine, France has delivered almost nothing. The scale of French deliveries is equivalent to what Denmark has offeredvalued at $160 million, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy," Rasmussen added. "In comparison, Britain has been outstanding."

Speaking on his opposition to giving Putin what Macron described as an "exit ramp," the former NATO chief said that the West "reacted too mildly and we sent the wrong message" to the Russian leader following Russia's invasions of Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014.

Story continues

"He calculated that he could, almost without any cost, grab land from his neighbors," Rasmussen said of Putin, adding, "That is why Macron's statement is so disastrous. It suggests that we are approaching a new world order where it's not the rule of law that matters but the rule of the strongest. If Putin can get away with taking land from Ukraine, that's horrendousbecause what next?"

Rasmussen warned that if Putin is able to get what he wants in Ukraine then it would send a "very bad signal" to China regarding Taiwan.

"The Chinese are following the developments in Ukraine very closely because if Putin can get away with taking Crimea, and maybe the Donbas, and that is settled in a peace deal, then China might interpret that as an invitation to take Taiwan by force," he said.

This is why Putin shouldn't be offered an exit ramp in the war, Rasmussen said, and should instead be told that if he wants "to get out of this mess, get out of Ukraine."

During an interview with French media in June, Macron said, "We must not humiliate Russia so that the day when the fighting stops we can build an exit ramp through diplomatic means."

The French leader's remarks were met with fierce criticism in Ukraine.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's top diplomat, slammed Macron over the comments, tweeting that "calls to avoid humiliation of Russia can only humiliate France and every other country that would call for it."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Four people were killed in New Mexico after a helicopter responding to a local wildfire crashed.

The Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) said three of its officers and one member of the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD) died.

The four deceased individuals were identified as Undersheriff Larry Koren, Lt. Fred Beers, Deputy Michael Levison, and BCFR rescue specialist Matthew King.

There are no known survivors, BCSO said in a statement. These personnel were headed back to Albuquerque after assisting fire crews with the East Mesa Fire.

The helicopter and its crew were assisting with a wildfire in the area, providing bucket drops and other air logistics needs to fire crews on the ground, the sheriffs office added.

In a statement to the New York Times, BCFD spokesperson Lt. Robert T. Arguelles said that multiple agencies including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate into the crash.

Arguelles added that the four officials were responding wildfire in the eastern part of the Mesa area that was sparked two days ago by a lightning strike.

New Mexico has had a record-breaking wildfire season. The East Mesa wildfire is near the Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak fires, which have been 93 percent contained and have covered up to 341,700 acres, per the Times.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MACKINAC ISLAND  A 14-year-old girl sailing her first Bayview Mackinac Race with her father won Sunday night after 33 hours of nonstop work.

As the duo pulled into the Mackinac Island harbor just after 9 p.m., a crowd at the Pink Pony restaurant and bar cheered, whistled and applauded.

Merritt Sellers, 14, racing the J/111 sailboat "nosurprise" in the Bayview Mackinac Race. She and her father, Scott Sellers, finished first in class on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

The island had been buzzing all day, wondering if young Merritt Sellers could pull it off.

"Congratulations! I'm very impressed. So's the world," yelled Janet Bradley, 63, a real estate agent from Sarnia, Ontario, who has raced to Mackinac six times.

The competition began for the J/111 sailboat "nosurprise" at 11:30 a.m. Saturday just north of the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron for Merritt and Scott Sellers of Larkspur, California.

The whole endeavor seemed ambitious and almost unbelievable.

Merritt Sellers needed to sail the boat at night alone on the 204-nautical-mile journey (235 land miles) while her father rested below deck.

"I sat there, trimming the sail, eating Sun Chips, and thinking about how much I wanted to go to bed," Merritt said afterward.

A sailboat that typically raced with eight sailors had only two aboard.

Not only did they win, but they crossed the finish line more than an hour before their nemesis, a boat named "Utah" from Holland, Michigan, that carried seasoned sailors who had won repeatedly in the past.

"We got 'em at night," Scott Sellers, 50, told the Detroit Free Press immediately after the race while docking his boat. "I worried they would get us. We went from 2 miles back to 2 miles in front."

And that was all Merritt, he said.

Starting at age 7

While they belong to the prestigious St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, the family keeps their boat at Little Traverse Yacht Club in Harbor Springs, where they have a summer home. Merritt began Little Traverse Sailors at age 7.

She has accomplished already what many sailors try for a lifetime to do.

Story continues

Winning the Shore Course is all about finding wind at night, Chris Clark, chairman of the 2022 Bayview Mackinac Race organized by the Bayview Yacht Club, told the Free Press prior to the race.

Merritt Sellers, 14, of Larkspur, California, learned to sail at the Little Traverse Yacht Club in Harbor Springs. She and her father won the double-handed class on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

A couple miles after the start, when Port Huron was no longer in sight, jet skis and power boats who knew of the young girl sped by saying, "Go Merritt!" her father said. "No one said, 'Go, Scott!' "

Merritt was exhausted after the race, trying to process the moment, nibbling on Milano mint cookies. The pair had survived on cold pizza and freeze-dried food  pad thai for her and chicken risotto for him. But they were both so happy.

"I'm at a point as a sailor where I'm able to do this. It feels pretty cool," Merritt said. "Everything was pretty mellow and manageable."

Well, not really, Scott Sellers said.

In the first two hours of the race, they had four sail changes. That's a lot for two people.

But Merritt Sellers kept calm at all times, using moonlight and flashlights to watch the little telltales on the sail and to track wind shifts and harness the wind. She said she learned more about navigation strategy on this race.

A critical moment came at 3 a.m. Sunday when she found herself alone in the cockpit making pivotal decisions that vaulted them into the lead.

"That was a key part of the race," Scott Sellers said. "Merritt wasn't here as a passenger."

She glanced over at her dad and said, "He trusted me."

Watching for Utah

Sailing Port Huron to Mackinac Island usually takes 30 to 60 hours. The historic race began in 1925 and Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit takes pride in noting it's the longest consecutively running freshwater sailboat race.

In past years, storms have created violent conditions, damaging boats and landing sailors in the hospital. This year, the whole experience was picture-perfect.

This year, 172 sailboats ended up racing, Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit confirmed Monday. The highly competitive Class J Double-Handed category with just two sailors aboard had seven boats including "nosurprise."

Merritt and Scott Sellers, seen here immediately after winning their double-handed class in the Bayview Mackinac Race on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

"I learned I can do this," Merritt Sellers said. "I thought, 'Why did my dad choose me?' ... Because he loves me."

His trust nourishes her confidence, she said.

More: Mackinac Island named best island in Continental US by Travel + Leisure

"We made sure we each had time to rest," Merritt said. "There was a lot of anxiety about where Utah was, compared to us."

Merritt Sellers, 14, of Larkspur, California, and Harbor Springs, Michigan, rests during her off shift during the Bayview Mackinac Race. She and her father, Scott Sellers, sailed the 36-foot boat to win the doublehanded class on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

Their boat won its class and overall in the Chicago to Mackinac race last year with a crew of eight, including Merritt.

This was her first race from Port Huron to Mackinac Island.

What's next

On Sunday night, Merritt called her mom after the finish. Jill and Scott Sellers, who actually met while sailing, now have three daughters who race.

Next weekend, 18-year-old Hannah Sellers will race the Chicago to Mackinac course with her father. Merritt said she's on backup.

Tying up the boat, Merritt and Scott Sellers talked about getting cheeseburgers at the Pink Pony.

Merritt Sellers, 14, and her father Scott Sellers, of Larkspur, California, finished the Bayview Mackinac Race to cheers from a crowd at the Pink Pony on Mackinac Island. They had been up more than 30 hours and said they needed sleep and cheeseburgers.

"It's so cool to see so many girls sailing," Merritt said. "I'm on a sailing team with guys on it and, at first, I didn't feel I was quite one of them. I want more women in the sport."

On Monday morning, island visitors were still talking about the young sailor.

Irene Hoy, 50, a preschool instructor from Port Sanilac, has raced 15 Port Huron to Mackinac races and said, as a mother of 15-year-old twin girls, "When Merritt Sellers came in last night, I was proud of her as a mom and a fellow woman sailor. It gives me goosebumps.

"When they came in, I watched people stop and saying, 'She did it.' "

Racing to Hawaii

Merritt and Scott Sellers, a managing director at a private equity firm, slept on their boat Sunday night with plans to catch an early ferry off the island and head to Harbor Springs to sleep in their beds. Then they plan to return to the island for the awards ceremony Tuesday at Mission Point Resort.

Now Merritt says she's hoping her father will consider doing the Transpacific Yacht Race from California to Hawaii. That race, founded in 1906, is 2,225 nautical miles (2,560 land miles) that generally can take up to two weeks.

More: Girl, 14, will navigate 36-foot boat alone for hours during the Mackinac race

More: Prestigious Detroit sailing club gets first female commodore in its hundred-year history

More: Detroit-based Shinola reveals special edition $3,500 wristwatch for sailors

A legacy

The sailboat that carried Merritt and Scott Sellers to victory had been owned by Dave Irish, a Great Lakes legend and past president of U.S. Sailing. He earned a reputation for offshore sailing skill and mentoring sailors who went on to compete in America's Cup.

Scott Sellers, who sailed 20 Mackinac races with Irish, purchased the boat in 2020 with hopes of carrying on his legacy of introducing new sailors to the sport.

Editor's Note: Family members of reporter Phoebe Wall Howard compete in the Bayview Mackinac Race as members of the Port Huron Yacht Club. She is not affiliated with the Bayview Yacht Club or the Bayview Mackinac Race in any official capacity. Lady Irene Hoy is a member of the Port Huron Yacht Club and wife of a past commodore.

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard at 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid. Read our autos newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bayview to Mackinac race 2022: Girl drives boat alone at night to win
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Georgia grand jury has subpoenaed U.S. Representative Jody Hice as Fulton County continues its criminal investigation into alleged wrongdoing over former President Donald Trumps attempts to sway the states 2020 election results, documents showed.

The special grand jury in Fulton County called on Hice, a Georgia Republican, to appear on Tuesday, according to court and congressional documents first reported on by Politico and the Associated Press earlier on Monday.

Representatives for Fulton County did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Hice's office. The lawmaker notified Congress about the request on Friday and is seeking to have the matter transferred to federal court, filings showed.

The Georgia probe is one of the most serious cases facing Trump, who was recorded in a Jan. 2 phone call pressuring a top state official to "find" enough votes to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden in the state.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and blasted the probe as politically motivated. He has argued that he lost the 2020 election because of widespread voter fraud - an allegation that has been rejected in multiple court decisions, a number of Republican audits and by the Department of Justice.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is leading the probe for the state's most populous county, has also warned some Republicans that they could face indictments for their role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, Yahoo News reported.

The Department of Justice has separately been investigating an alleged plan by Trump and his supporters to overturn the election.

A U.S. House of Representatives committee investigating Trump supporters' Jan. 6, 2021, deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol has also focused on Trump's actions in Georgia.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey in Washington; Additional reporting by Moira Warburton and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
A lone man with a long gun killed three people before an armed bystander killed him in the Greenwood Park Mall food court Sunday evening, according to Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison. Two people were injured.

"It appears that he had a rifle with several magazines of ammunition, entered the food court and began shooting," Ison said.

The "good Samaritan" who shot the man with the rifle was a 22-year-old man from Bartholomew County, Indiana, Ison said.

Greenwood Park Mall shootingWhat we know about the mall shooting in Greenwood, Indiana

"The real hero of the day is the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in that food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began," he said.

One of the wounded was a 12-year-old girl with a minor injury.

The other victims ranged in age from early 20s to 30.

The Johnson County Coroner's Office said early Monday four people were fatally shot, including one woman and three men. The assailant was among the dead. The woman was pronounced deceased at Eskenazi Hospital, one man died at St. Francis Hospital and two men were pronounced deceased at Greenwood Mall. Autopsies are pending.

The shooting happened around the mall's 6 p.m. closing time; the first emergency calls were received at 6:05 p.m.

Doyel:Silent texts, pain in the Greenwood mall parking lot as families await answers

A bomb squad was called because an unattended backpack - later "cleared" by authorities - was found in the bathroom near the food court. The FBI, ATF, Department of Homeland Security and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department are assisting in the investigation.

You are seeing the best that public safety has to offer right now behind us," Chris Bailey, IMPD assistant chief, said at the scene. "We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, in our city.

Chris Roy, assistant manager of the mall's Vans shoe store, was working Sunday when he saw people running through the hallway, away from the food court, just before closing.

Story continues

So, I jumped over the counter, locked the door, gathered my associates and other managers at the back door, said Roy, 30.

They hadnt heard gunshots, but Roy said they saw enough people running to not ask questions. Through the back door they huddled in an interior hallway with about 40 or 50 other people  mostly customers from other stores, Roy said. That hallway didnt have an exterior exit, so they waited for police to come clear them, he said. Roy and another man tried to keep everyone calm, but occasional footsteps on the other side of one of the connecting doors sent panic through the group.

We just instructed everybody to keep quiet, he said.

After 10 or 15 minutes, police cleared them from the hallway and escorted them out of the mall.

Roy said he hadnt called anyone while he was waiting in the hallway, but he did once he was out and safe.

I called my mom.

Greenwood Mayor Mark W. Myers issued a statement Sunday night: "This tragedy hits at the core of our community. Please offer your prayers to the victims and our first responders."

Greenwood is a city of about 60,000 just south of Indianapolis in Johnson County.

U.S. Sen. Todd Young, an Indiana Republican, tweeted this response to the shooting: "Terrible news tonight in my home county. Praying for the victims of a shooting at the Greenwood Park Mall."

The Greenwood Park Mall is one of nine Simon Property Group malls in Indiana. Located at the intersection of U.S. 31 North and County Line Road, it has more than 130 indoor and outdoor restaurants and shops. IndyStar has reached out to the company for comment.

Reporter Alexandria Burris contributed.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Greenwood Indiana mall shooting in leaves 4 dead, including gunman
The 27-count federal indictment contains special findings, including that Payton Gendron engaged in substantial planning to commit an act of terrorism.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP)  The white gunman charged with killing 10 Black people in a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket pleaded not guilty Monday to federal hate crime charges that could be punishable by the death penalty.

Payton Gendron was indicted last week on hate crimes and weapons counts. The plea was entered in court by Gendrons attorney, who said she hoped to resolve the case before trial. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles, Gendron was silent during the brief arraignment.

The 27-count federal indictment contains special findings, including that Gendron engaged in substantial planning to commit an act of terrorism and took aim at vulnerable older people  specifically 86-year-old Ruth Whitfield, 77-year-old Pearl Young, 72-year-old Katherine Massey, 67-year-old Heyward Patterson and 65-year-old Celestine Chaney.

Payton S. Gendron (right), accused of killing 10 Black people in Buffalo, New York, pleaded not guilty Monday to federal hate crime charges that could be punishable by the death penalty. (Photo: Mark Mulville/AP)

Attorney General Merrick Garland, who halted federal executions last year, has not ruled out seeking the death penalty against Gendron, who turned 19 in June. The Justice Department said a decision on whether to seek the death penalty would come later.

Gendron, who livestreamed the May 14 attack, was arrested just outside the entrance of the Tops Friendly Supermarket. Wearing body armor, he had opened fire on weekend shoppers and employees in the parking lot and inside the store. Three people were wounded.

We all know hes guilty. We saw what he did, Zeneta Everhart said after the court proceeding. Her son, Zaire Goodman, was wounded in the attack. The world saw what he did. He posted what he did.

The store reopened to the public last week, two months after the attack.

Investigators say the shooter drove for more than three hours from his home in Conklin, New York, to a busy grocery store chosen for its location in a predominantly Black neighborhood, with the intent of killing as many Black people as possible. He was motivated, they said, by white supremacist beliefs which he described in online diary entries.

Story continues

Gendron wrote as far back as November about staging a livestreamed attack, practiced shooting from his car and did reconnaissance on the store two months before carrying out the plans, according to the writings.

He arrived at the store wearing camouflage clothing and a tactical-style helmet fitted with a video camera.

The indictment seeks the forfeiture of an extensive arsenal recovered from Gendrons car and home. It includes the Bushmaster XM-15 semi-automatic rifle used in the shooting and a 12-gauge loaded shotgun and loaded bolt-action rifle and ammunition taken from the car. Authorities seized additional ammunition and firearms accessories from his home.

A memorial for the supermarket shooting victims is set up outside the Tops Friendly Market on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y. N.Y. The Buffalo supermarket where 10 Black people were killed by a white gunman is set to reopen its doors, two months after the racist attack. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)

The federal indictment charges Gendron with 10 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, three counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill three people and another hate crime count alleging Gendron tried to kill other Black people in and around the store. It also includes 13 counts of using a firearm in a hate crime.

Gendron also faces a parallel state prosecution on charges including hate-motivated domestic terrorism, murder and attempted murder as a hate crime. The domestic terrorism hate crime charge carries an automatic life sentence. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges as well.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Gunman, facing hate crime charges punishable by death, pleads not guilty to killing 10 in Buffalo appeared first on TheGrio.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A gunman killed three people when he opened fire in the food court of a shopping mall outside Indianapolis on Sunday before a bystander fatally shot the assailant, Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison said.

Two other people were injured in the incident, which took place in the early evening at Greenwood Park Mall, the Indianapolis Star reported.

"The real hero of the day is the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in that food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began," Ison told reporters. He described the armed bystander as a 22-year-old man.

The shooter was alone and had a rifle and several magazines of ammunition, according to the newspaper.

Police did not release the names of the victims, gunman or bystander. Shoppers and mall employees scattered at the sound of gunfire or hid.

The shootings occurred amid widespread concerns over the drumbeat of U.S. shootings in schools, workplaces and public areas that regularly make headlines.

A spate of gun massacres since May at a New York grocery store, a Texas elementary school and an Illinois Independence Day parade have renewed fierce U.S. debate over gun regulations.

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee will take up proposed legislation this week that would ban certain assault weapons, the panel said on Friday. It is not expected to pass the Senate.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Stephen Coates)
The family of a missing 23-year-old woman from a small Massachusetts town suspects foul play in her disappearance.

Police in the Worcester County community of Harvard said Mary Anderson was last seen in Hudson, N.H. on Saturday night around 10:30 p.m.

Her family told Boston 25 News she had been hanging out with friends there and believes she made it home to Harvard, about 30 miles away.

Loved ones are convinced that Mary did not leave willingly.

Investigators have been searching for her car, a navy blue 2017 Toyota Tacoma with a Massachusetts license plate 8DXW20.

Shes never been away. This is very much unlike her, said mother Sheila Anderson. Please, I beg of you, find my daughter.

Sheila Anderson has her theories about what may have happened to her daughter.

Boston 25 News is not sharing speculation from family and friends out of respect for the active police investigation thats underway.

Police are releasing very few details about Marys disappearance and arent answering questions about the case.

Were a tight family. We talk to each other every day. We text each other goodnight, hello, where are you?, explained Marys mother. How would you feel if your child is gone?

Mary is the oldest of four children and from a devout Catholic family in a tight-knit town of less than 7,000 people.

Family and friends said they are growing increasingly worried as each hour passes by.

We know shes in trouble, and there is information that police arent releasing, said family friend Ali Giannino.

Anyone with information about Andersons whereabouts is asked to contact the Harvard Police Department at 978-456-1212.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
To view past editions of The Hills 12:30 Report, click here: https://bit.ly/30ARS1U

To receive The Hills 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: https://bit.ly/3qmIoS9

> A midday take on whats happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Habreaks down crying hysterically.

TALK OF THE MORNING

You dont just fist bump anyone:

President Biden is back from the first Middle East trip of his term  and the defining image of the trip has become a fist bump.

Why: Leading up to Bidenshighly anticipated meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, one of the main questions was whether Biden would shake hands with the controversial leader. White House officials even signaled that President Biden would limit handshakes during his Middle East trip to avoid COVID-19 exposure, which may have been to avoid awkwardness during this stop.

Well, Biden may not have shaken hands with MBS, but he fist bumped the Saudi crown prince upon his arrival  and right in front of the cameras. Watch the controversial fist bump

Why its controversial: Biden has criticized MBS for his alleged role in the murder of U.S.-based Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

More on why this fist bump received so much attention

 REACTIONS:

It received a lot of backlash: Via Politicos Quint Forgey and Kelly Hooper

^ Biden laughed off the criticism, FWIW.

A Biden adviser defended the fist bump: In an interview with CNNs Dana Bash. Watch

 FIVE TAKEAWAYS FROM BIDENS MIDDLE EAST TRIP:

From CNNs Kate Sullivan

ITS MONDAY. Im Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and whats coming up. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.

 Jan. 6

Ah ha! The text messages have been recovered:



Remember how the Secret Service deleted its text messages from Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 of 2021 as part of a planned system migration?

Story continues

Well, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said those deleted texts will be given to the panel on Tuesday.

How relevant is this info?: The exact relevance of the Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 texts are unknown, Lofgren said. Initially, officials assured the panel that the erasure included no messages related to the Jan. 6 attack, but another spokesperson said that some messages were pertinent.

What we know

A hesitant witness with A LOT of information:



Pat Cipollone, the White House counsel who fiercely defended Donald Trump in his first impeachment trial, is gearing up to be the star witness against the former president as the House Jan. 6 committee winds down its public hearings with a detailed look at Trumps three hours of inaction as the Capitol riot unfolded.

Keep in mind about Cipollones deposition: Cipollone has been a reluctant participant in the investigation, rebuffing initial requests for an under-oath interview with the House select committee, which was able to secure his eleventh-hour cooperation only via subpoena.

What is so important about Cipollones testimony: Not only did Cipollone tell investigators that Trumps claims of widespread voter fraud were fallacious, but also that the presidents legal team told him repeatedly that the election was lost and he should concede defeat.

What Cipollone specifically told investigators, via The Hills Mike Lillis and Rebecca Beitsch

 STARTING TODAY  STEPHEN BANNONS CONTEMPT TRIAL:

For refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.

Keep in mind: The trial will mark the first time a member of Trumps inner circle has had to face a jury as a result of the Jan. 6 investigations. Trumps former trade adviser, Peter Navarro, will go to trial in November in a similar case.

In Congress

Capitol Hill Democrats this week:

Jan. 6: The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol is holding what could be its final hearing of the summer this week. Thursdays prime-time hearing will focus on a minute-by-minute play of former President Trumps actions when the siege began.

Access to contraceptives: The House is expected to vote on a bill this week to protect access to contraceptives. This bill is sparked by Justice Clarence Thomass concurring opinion in the ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, where he referenced contraceptives.

Build those semiconductors in the U.S.: Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is hoping to tee up a vote on a bill to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S., to compete with China. Its unclear whether this bill has the 60+ votes needed to advance.

Lowering prescription drug prices: After months of negotiations with centrist Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Senate Democrats budget reconciliation bill has been slimmed down drastically. It now includes a provision to lower drug prices and extends insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

More on whats happening this week, via The Hills Mychael Schnell

 On the campaign trail

It will be shocking if Biden ~doesnt~ have a primary challenger:



President Bidens loyalists have defended him, arguing he inherited a mess from former President Trump.

But now: [T]hat willingness to prop up the sinking president has been wearing thin. Day by day, Democrats are considering a possible new scenario: challenging the sitting president for the 2024 nomination.

Historically, a challenge is rare, but it happens: Pat Buchanan challenged George H.W. Bush in 1992, and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) mounted a competitive campaign in 1980 against former President Carter. Both ultimately fell short, but Bush and Carter both lost in the general election.

A few Democrats have been making subtle campaign moves. Here are a few examples, from The Hills Hanna Trudo

 CRACKS FORM IN BIDENS SENATE DEMOCRATIC BASE:

From The Hills Alexander Bolton

 TIDBIT  MIKE PENCE IS ~CASUALLY~ VISITING NEW HAMPSHIRE:

The former vice president will speak at the famous Politics and Eggs forum hosted by Saint Anselm College and The New England Council.

When?: Aug. 17

 Latest with COVID

 THE COVID-19 NUMBERS

Cases to date: 89 million

Death toll: 1,018,578

Current hospitalizations: 33,530

Shots administered: 599 million

Fully vaccinated: 67.1 percent of Americans

CDC data here.

 Notable tweets

Oh, yikes:

A huge wave crashed a wedding reception in Hawaii. Luckily, no one was hurt. Video from ABC News

 On tap

The House and Senate are in. President Biden is in Washington, D.C. Vice President Harris is in New Jersey.

9:30 a.m. : Biden received the Presidents Daily Brief.

9:45 a.m. : Harris left for Atlantic City, N.J.

1:05 p.m. : Harris holds a roundtable with New Jersey state legislators to discuss the fight for reproductive rights.

2:50 p.m. : Harris returns to Washington, D.C.

3 p.m. : The Senate meets. Todays Senate agenda

5:30 p.m. : A Senate cloture vote on a judicial nomination.

6:30 p.m. : First and last House votes. Todays House agenda

July 19 : The Hill is hosting and event on the future of health care. Featured speakers : Dr. Anthony Fauci , CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure , USAIDs Atul Gawande and White House COVID czar Ashish Jha . RSVP

July 20: The Hill is hosting a virtual Latina Leaders Summit. Featured speakers: Rep. Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Encanto voice actor Adassa, activist Maria Teresa Kumar and Pepsicos Esperanza Teasdale. RSVP

All times Eastern.

 What to watch

11:30 a.m. : Harris spoke at the 113th NAACP National Convention in Atlantic City, N.J. Video

3 p.m. : White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a press briefing. Livestream

3 p.m.: Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Livestream

 In lighter news

Today is National Sour Candy Day and National Caviar Day.

And if youre feeling hot in the middle of July, heres a dog who really knows how to enjoy winter sports.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
At least four people, including the shooter, are dead and others are injured following a shooting at a shopping mall in the suburbs of Indianapolis, according to local reports.

Greenwood Chief James Ison said "a good Samaritan with a handgun" at the scene killed the shooter. He said two others were wounded and are being treated in area hospitals.

The shooter has only been described as an adult male. Police said he had a long rifle and several magazines of ammunition.

Officers responded to a call regarding an active shooter at the Greenwood Park Mall in Greenwood, Indiana just after 6 p.m.

UVALDE SCHOOL SHOOTING: ACTING POLICE CHIEF ON DAY OF MASSACRE PLACED ON ADMINISTRATION LEAVE

Emergency services arrived on the scene while law enforcement officers worked to secure the scene.

Indianapolis police and other law enforcement agencies were assisting the Greenwood police with clearing out the mall and clearing the scene. Police later said there was no ongoing threat.

Fox News has reached out to the Greenwood Police Department seeking more information.
TOKYO (AP)  The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan reaffirmed Monday the importance of bilateral ties and the three-way relationship with the United States as they renewed efforts to mend relations amid the war in Ukraine and other global tensions.

Park Jin, South Koreas top diplomat, and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi agreed to work together on the nuclear threat from North Korea and on the need to resolve a dispute over Japans colonial-era forced mobilization of Korean laborers, according to the two foreign ministries.

The countries' ties have been strained mostly over historical issues, including forced labor leading up to and during World War II.

At the heart of the dispute are South Korean court rulings in 2018, which ordered two Japanese companies, Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to compensate forced Korean laborers. The Japanese companies have refused to comply with the rulings, and the former laborers and their supporters responded by pushing for the forced sale of corporate assets of Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi.

The ministers shared a view that the disputes over the forced laborers must be resolved at an early date, the South Korean Foreign Ministry statement said. It quoted Park as saying South Korea would seek a resolution of the dispute before the sales of the two Japanese companies are made in South Korea.

According to the Japanese statement, Hayashi told Park that both sides need to build a constructive relationship based on the normalization of relations in 1965. Tokyo has long maintained that all compensation issues had been settled by then.

Since taking office in March, South Koreas new conservative government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol has been pushing to improve ties with Japan and bolster a trilateral security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo to better deal with North Korean nuclear threats.

At the start of the talks in Tokyo, Park and Hayashi bumped elbows and posed for cameras at the official guest house as they conversed softly in English. Both have attended schools in the U.S., and Park has also studied in Japan.

Story continues

The visit, the first by a South Korean foreign minister since November 2019, comes after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, considered an influential figure in shaping Japans foreign policy.

Park expressed his condolences on Abe's death. Park is scheduled to stay in Japan through Wednesday, and may meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Park and Hayashi had also met ahead of the South Korea presidential inauguration in Seoul in May, as well as in Bali, Indonesia, for the Group of 20 meeting earlier this month.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry in July launched consultations with lawyers and activists representing the Korean forced laborers and other experts to collect opinions on how to resolve the dispute.

Besides painful history, the two nations also share a long-running territorial dispute over islands that are controlled by Seoul but also claimed by Japan. Tokyo calls them Takeshima and South Korea calls them Dokdo.

President Joe Biden's administration has tried to bring the two Asian democracies to work closer together on security and regional issues amid the war in Ukraine and tensions including threats from North Korea and saber-rattling from China.

North Korea this year stepped up missile and artillery tests in what is seen as an attempt to pressure Washington and Seoul to relax international sanctions against Pyongyang.

Park also expressed support for Tokyos efforts to bring back Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

About 20 years ago, North Korea reversed years of denial and acknowledged it had kidnapped Japanese citizens and returned some to Japan. But Japan believes more are still in North Korea.

___

Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea.

___

Hyung-jin Kim is on Twitter https://twitter.com/hyungjin1972

Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
Jeremy Clarkson is seemingly unaffected by the recent backlash he received for an exceptionally stupid tweet he posted about the ongoing heatwave.

On Sunday (17 July), the former Top Gear host shared a tweet which read: Its very hot in the south of France but so far as I know, theres no DefCon 8 level 3 killer death heatwave warning in place.

His post was widely interpreted as a jab at the UK governments response to the heatwave, with many responding that his comment was incorrect.

However, Clarkson has dismissed the backlash, writing in a new tweet today (18 July): Ive spent my life working in extreme heat and we survived by having a beer under a tree. Climate change is real. Drink more beer.

Yeah lets laugh about climate change, someone replied.

To which the broadcaster quipped back: We should laugh about anything we want. Now go and sit under a tree and have a cold beer.

Ive spent my life working in extreme heat and we survived by having a beer under a tree. Climate change is real. Drink more beer.  Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 18, 2022

Clarksons original tweet received many negative responses, including climate journalist Dave Vetter, who shared a map of European wildfire outbreaks, commenting: You could, indeed you have, filled several books with all the stuff you dont know.

Medical specialist Dr Philip Lee wrote: Theyve literally evacuated 14,000 people from Southern France Jeremy. Because its on fire.

Someone else described the tweet as tone-deaf and ignorant, while another person wrote: This is an exceptionally stupid thing to say.

You can follow live updates about the heatwave here.
First lady Jill Biden will meet with Ukraines first lady, Olena Zelenska, at the White House on Tuesday as part of a broader trip by Zelenska to Washington that also includes an in-person address to Congress.

The White House released guidance on Monday evening saying that Biden would welcome Zelenska on the South Lawn and that the two would participate in a bilateral meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Its not the first time the two have met. Biden made a surprise trip to Ukraine in May for Mothers Day that included a meeting with Zelenska.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced earlier on Monday that Zelenska would address Congress on Wednesday from the congressional auditorium in the Capitol Visitor Center.

Her appearance in person will be significant, coming roughly four months after her husband, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, delivered an emotional appeal to Congress in virtual remarks.

Zelenska met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday. State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters that Blinken underscored the U.S. commitment to helping Ukraine recover from the ongoing Russian invasion and commended Zelenskas work to support the many Ukrainian civilians who have been, in different ways, impacted by this brutal war.

Zelenskas trip outside the country comes as Russian forces continue to wage a bloody military campaign focused on Ukraines east.

Zelenska was largely out of public sight at the beginning of the war, going into hiding with the couples 17-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son, but she has become more of a public face in recent months, particularly following the meeting with Biden.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Mark J. Rebilas

Joe Rogan escalated his one-sided feud with Donald Trump on Monday, suggesting during his podcast that the former presidents outsized energy derives from Adderall and calling him a man baby.

Rogans latest comments came during a conversation with comedian and frequent guest Tom Segura, who said the thing that is incredible about Trump as president is that he was full of fucking energy and supposedly only slept about four hours per night.

Hes on Adderall, Rogan asserted, before looking for confirmation from his guest. Do you think hes on Adderall?

Segura claimed hed heard from multiple people who worked with Trump on his reality show The Apprentice and claimed he was fucking gassed up for shoots because otherwise he had trouble reading the teleprompter.

Joe Rogan Reveals Hes Rejected Trump Multiple Times for Interview

From there, the conversation moved on to reports that Trump would get bored during his intelligence briefings and would need his name sprinkled throughout the pages to stay engaged. Segura also explained how Jared Kushner would supposedly sandwich bad news between two compliments about Trump.

Of course! Rogan said with a laugh. Hes a man baby.

Hes a fucking toddler, Segura replied. Its exactly how I talk to my kids about shit.

While Rogan said during the 2020 election that he would rather vote for Trump than Biden, he has since confirmed that he didnt vote for either candidate. Last month, he endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the 2024 race and said he was not interested in helping Trump by hosting him on his popular podcast, despite multiple overtures from the former president.

For more, listen and subscribe to The Last Laugh podcast.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday compared abortion bans to slavery in that they both are claiming ownership over human bodies.

Its important to note that to support a womans ability, not her government, but her to make that decision does not require anyone to abandon their faith or their beliefs, Harris said in a speech to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

It just requires us to agree the government shouldnt be making that decision for her, she added. And think about it, for the first time in generations, the United States Supreme Court, the highest court of our land, the former court of Thurgood Marshall, took a constitutional right that had been recognized from the people of America, from the women of America.

We know, NAACP, that our country has a history of claiming ownership over human bodies.  Vice President Kamala Harris compares the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade to slavery during her keynote address at the annual NAACP conference pic.twitter.com/vl0Ycx9nlm  The Recount (@therecount) July 18, 2022

She added: We know, in NAACP, that our country has a history of claiming ownership over human bodies and today, extremist so-called leaders are criminalizing doctors, punishing women from healthcare decisions for themselves. Personal decisions, that is her right to make in consultation with her doctor, her pastor, her priest, her rabbi, her loved ones. Not her government telling her what to do.

Harriss comments come nearly a month after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, giving states the authority to regulate abortions within their borders.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to respond to Harriss comments on Monday when pressed by Fox Newss Peter Doocy.

Story continues

I have not seen her comments, I would like to see her comments for myself before  the press secretary said before Doocy jumped in to read the comments to her.

Jean-Pierre replied, I appreciate you reading out what she said, I need to actually see exactly what was said and in what complete context. Thats what I need to do as a spokesperson for the administration.

On Monday, Harris also claimed lawmakers who argue abortion laws should be made on the state level are the same leaders who are working to take away voting rights in their states.

And these so-called leaders claim that well, you know, we just think that this is a decision that should be made by the folks in the states, people in the states can vote on this. But at this moment, many of these same so-called leaders are the same ones who are passing laws to restrict the ability of people to vote, she claimed.

Harriss speech came on the same day Prince Harry spoke out against a global assault on democracy and freedom, including an alleged rolling back of constitutional rights in the United States during a keynote address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

While many American and European leaders have been quick to criticize the Courts decision, the Mississippi law at the center of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health outlawed abortion past the 15th week of pregnancy, which is in line with abortion policy in many other countries.

French president Emmanuel Macron responded to the ruling in saying, Abortion is a fundamental right for all women. It must be protected. I wish to express my solidarity with the women whose liberties are being undermined by the Supreme Court of the United States. However, the limit for abortion in France is 16 weeks.

U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson called the courts ruling a big step backwards. Britains abortion law allows women to have an abortion up to 24 weeks after pregnancy after approval from two doctors who must agree having the baby would pose a greater risk to the physical or mental health of the woman than a termination. An abortion can legally be carried out if there is a substantial risk that the baby would suffer from physical or mental abnormalities or because of other social or financial circumstances.

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